Warriors: Frecklesky's Heart

[ 9 ]

The murmur of voices that filled the air came to a collective hush, and as Larkstar parted her mouth to speak, Brightstar pushed her aside and took his turn by force. "ThunderClan is thriving this moon. We've appointed many new warriors, all of whom have proven their worth in battle against our enemies." His eyes flicked briefly towards Larkstar, whose fur lifted slightly, before continuing, "Congratulations to Ambertail, Sagefeather, Jayswoop, Heatherflight, and Flintclaw."

The warriors within the clearing cheered their congratulations, while ShadowClan kept their lips tightly shut, tension crackling in the air. Frecklesky's eyes found the cluster of new warriors, looking proud yet uncomfortable amidst the attention.

Brightstar nodded his head quietly and dipped back, leaving room for the next leader to take charge. Freezestar of WindClan took his stance before the crowd, his frosty gaze sweeping back and forth.

"WindClan is flourishing just as well this moon. Prey is running well, and our apprentices are learning swiftly. I would like to congratulate Quietstalk for bringing healthy kits into our Clan. Welcome, Pebblekit and Creekkit." The tom's voice was as sharp as icicles, slicing deep into the tufts of Frecklesky's ears. Without another word, the silver leader stepped quietly away.

Volestar, RiverClan's beautiful leader, then took her position at the lead.

"Our rivers are prospering this leaf-fall, and we have faced little to no difficulty this season," her sleek fur rippled in emphasis, plump and well-fed, as every RiverClan warrior typically was. "I would like to warn ThunderClan that we recently chased a stray family of foxes onto your territory," her blue eyes roamed effortlessly to Brightstar, who slitted his gaze. "Please, tread carefully."

Politely nodding her head to Larkstar, the pretty she-cat slipped back to her place at the back of the rock, leaving the ShadowClan leader to claim her position.

"ShadowClan is doing well," Larkstar declared curtly, "but due to unprovoked attacks, we have drastically increased our border patrols to prevent any further trespassing." Her eyes flashed to Brighstar, a low growl entering her voice, "Are we clear?"

Brighstar's lip curled and a soft snarl cut the sudden choking silence, and Frecklesky's scruff bristled at the sight of the ThunderClan leader's unsheathed claws.

Larkstar continued with a soft huff. "We have been lenient with trespassers over the last few moons, as we understand that a certain fire has caused a prey shortage. But," her eyes sharpened fiercely and her voice raised to a yowl, "we will allow leniency no more. Brightstar, I demand that you replenish the herb stocks you so heartlessly destroyed in payment for our kindness!"

Sudden yowls erupted through the clearing. Frecklesky whipped her head around, snarling at a nearby ThunderClan warrior.

Wisps of clouds flitted across the moon, and the furious cries flooded into fright. Frecklesky's eyes, well attuned to darkness, quickly adjusted, but she crouched low to the ground under StarClan's sudden wrath.

"Our ancestors have spoken," Quailwish, WindClan's medicine cat, cried. "The Gathering must end!"

Freezestar nodded quickly in reply to his medicine cat, leaping down from the Great Rock. "WindClan, with me."

The stream of WindClan cats swiftly left the clearing, and Frecklesky pushed through the crowd to join her own Clan. She fell into step with Fallowstep, who anxiously watched the sky with her whiskers twitching rapidly.

They followed the patrol as ShadowClan, too, fled the Gathering.

It was a long trek, made even more annoying as rain began to beat down from the sky. Larkstar and Chiveclaw were trapped in an intense conversation, their voices inaudible through the downpour.

Frecklesky fluffed out her fur, wondering faintly if Thunderpath was comfortable now. Perhaps she was tucked away in her kittypet home, warmed by the strange paws of her twolegs.

Pushing into camp, most warriors fled to their dens to shelter from the rain, while a pawful of others slipped out, leaving for a midnight patrol. Frecklesky lingered outside with her sister, staring into her matching green eyes.

"Are you all right?" She murmured.

Fallowstep swallowed uneasily, flicking droplets out of her whiskers. "I don't know," she confessed. "I'm going to the Moonstone tomorrow. I need to speak to StarClan." She glanced nervously to her den, where Heronwing had disappeared inside of. "I'm starting to wonder if they're against us. They let our herbs be destroyed, and they didn't support us at the Gathering. What have we done wrong?"

Frecklesky shrugged mindlessly. The silence that choked the air made her hesitate, and she leaned forward, rubbing her cheek against Fallowstep's. "We'll... be fine, I'm sure," she reassured.

Fallowstep chuckled softly. "You may be a fox-heart, but you're truly a great sister, Frecklesky." She blinked warmly. "Get some rest."

Frecklesky smiled. "You, too."

She watched as her sister padded away. Flicking her ears, she slunk towards the warrior's den. Chiveclaw intercepted her.

"Larkstar wants you to join the battle patrol tomorrow," he growled quietly. "We're attacking ThunderClan."

Frecklesky blinked in surprise, excitement stirring in her claws at the prospect of battle. "Okay, thank you."

Chiveclaw dipped his head and slipped into the den. Frecklesky followed him quietly, nudging aside the sedges and emerging into the darkness.

"What are you doing, going to sleep already?" A nasally voice hissed. "Larkstar needs more hunters tonight."

Frecklesky bristled, slowly turning around to face the short blue tom. "Dewfrost," she growled. "Why don't you go out there yourself, if you're so high and mighty?"

The tom scoffed. "What do you think I'm doing? I care for the Clan, at least."

Frecklesky snorted. "I can't deal with this toad-dung tonight. Go roll in a bed of fleas, I'm tired."

Without waiting for a response, Frecklesky pushed deeper inside. She heard Dewfrost give a noisy huff and spin around, marching quickly away, likely to tattle on her. Little did he know, Frecklesky was joining Larkstar on a battle patrol the following morning.

She needed all the rest she could get.