Warriors: Frecklesky's Heart

[ 32 ]

Frecklesky followed Larkstar and Chiveclaw nervously, Fallowstep lingering by her tail as they padded towards Fourtrees. Tension clenched the air as tightly as a tick, sucking away any sense of clarity.

No more ShadowClan cats followed them, and as they edged nearer to the Gathering place, unease squirmed beneath the large warrior's skin. She worried that Brightstar was leading them into a trap. That he'd brought an army. If that were the case, her first priority would be protecting Fallowstep. Second, Larkstar.

She knew that Larkstar had brought her as an intimidation factor. She was one of the largest warriors in the Clans and did a great job at it, but the moment a battle broke out, she would be protecting Fallowstep rather than the leader. Even if she didn't support her and Rachel.

They crested the hill and stared down into the Gathering clearing. Fourtrees was a strange place during the day, the Great Rock dappled with warm afternoon sunlight. The grass was a brownish-gold, rather than painted silver from moonlight. The snow had melted, but the warrior knew from the icy breeze battering her face that it would only be a matter of time until the ground was white again.

It was full of life, too, and though the scent of prey was tantalizing, Frecklesky knew that hunting on StarClan's sacred grounds was forbidden, especially with Brightstar watching the group through his bright green eyes.

They descended into the clearing. Brightstar was studying the cats silently, his tail tip flicking minutely across the tufts of grass. Frecklesky's eyes scanned the brim of the treeline while her mouth parted slightly to inhale deep breaths of the chilly air. They were downwind of ThunderClan territory, and she could only detect the powerful smell of scent markers beyond their line of sight.

"Greetings," Larkstar dipped her head politely to the tom, though tension could be seen prickling across her spine.

"I'm pleased to see that you changed your mind, Larkstar," Brightstar mewed calmly. His eyes flitted past her to Frecklesky, then back. "A warrior, I see?"

Larkstar flicked her tail dismissively. "Simply to prepare in case of an ambush. You said you'd like to discuss peace, did you not?" Her eyes narrowed to slits, capturing the tom's attention once more.

"Yes, peace would be ideal. I was considering a trade. Our land back for a daily delivery of one fresh-kill, straight into your paws, for the remainder of leaf-bare."

Larkstar snorted. "A single piece of prey does nothing for my Clan. We're hungry too, and as you well know, the marsh dies in the cold season. Besides, your Clan could abuse such a deal with the tiniest of prey for each delivery."

Brightstar gritted his teeth, and Frecklesky shifted slightly. His eyes darted to hers, then back to Larkstar, now uneasy. "What about kits?" He proposed tartly. "In a few moons' time, we can deliver you kits to grow you Clan."

Larkstar hummed thoughtfully. "But that won't make up for the lack of food during leaf-bare. Why don't we partake upon both deals? Prey for leaf-bare, and kits come new-leaf."

Brightstar tensed. Beside him, Scarface gently flicked her tail along the tom's side.

"Give me a moment to speak with my cats," the dark leader growled.

Larkstar nodded in agreement, and the assembled ShadowClan cats watched as Scarface, Branchfur, and Brightstar swept away into a huddle.

Eventually, Brightstar heaved a sigh and turned back to face them. "We agree," he said, his tail flicking slightly. "Starting today, we will send a warrior to deliver prey. Come new-leaf, my own kin will be brought to validate a time of peace. Does this please you?"

Larkstar nodded, relaxing into a grin. "Yes," she mewed, touching her tail to Brightstar's shoulder. "Thank you for being so accommodating."

Brightstar chuckled softly, shaking out his pelt. "Shall we remark our borders, then?"

"Tomorrow," Larkstar mewed. "Once we've verified that you will deliver upon your side of the deal."

"That sounds fine."

With a soft smile, Larkstar turned to her cats. "Then let's leave."

The ShadowClan patrol swiftly ascended the bank. Frecklesky glanced back to see Brightstar staring silently after them, before she returned her sights ahead. Each step grew her excitement more, until she bounded ahead next to Larkstar.

"Will you still meet her tomorrow?" Frecklesky mewed eagerly.

Larkstar smiled softly. "Yes, I will."

Fallowstep stared at them, her brow drawn taut. "Meet who?"

Frecklesky fluffed out her fur proudly, grinning as she glanced back at her sister. "Larkstar is meeting Rachel." She snapped her head back to the leader. "I'll meet with her tonight to let her know, then. Thank you." She dipped her head low.

"You shouldn't be thanking me just yet," the leader mewed softly. "After all, StarClan may have different plans in mind."

Frecklesky dismissed her with a faint huff. Different plans? No, she highly doubted it. After all, everything was going perfectly already.

Soon, Rachel would be joining ShadowClan, and Frecklesky's life would finally be complete.