The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

70. In Camp

"Rosepetal, take the kits up to my den. It's easier to defend," Blackstar ordered. "Sandfoot, go with her. Yellowfoot! Poppy! You stay with them in case someone comes in."

Echolight watched her Clanmates with a sick feeling. Rosepetal was guiding her kits towards the rockslide, Sandfoot helping them climb the rocks. Helen bounded after them, lifting Pinekit, while Poppy carried a ball of moss with her. "What are you doing?" Questioned Blackstar, and she set the moss down.

"We need to keep the kits' minds set on something. It might as well be a game. I won't let them get too loud," she explained. Blackstar nodded in approval, and the cats filed into the den.

"Echolight!" A friendly voice called. Echolight jumped and turned to face Spottedmoss. "I just got here. Rainfall told me that Claw and I will be helping you."

"It's better than fighting your Clanmates," Echolight mewed. She felt shaky as she ducked into her den and began to pull out herbs, shoving marigold and cobwebs into little piles. She snatched up goldenrod as well and set it down. "Where's Claw?"

"I'm here," the rogue said, shifting anxiously on her paws.

"Bring me some dry moss, then some wet. And take some of the damp moss to

Rosepetal and the kits."

Claw dipped her head and rushed away.

StarClan, help us. She watched as Popcorn surveyed the camp. They're called the Outcasts. A memory was drawn up, Clearwhisker at her side. "Outcasts will save the Clan, but not without a sacrifice."

These cats will help turn the tide. But one of them will die, won't they? Who? Echolight jumped when someone gently touched her ear. She twisted and sighed when she realized it was Goldstreak. "Mom-"

"Blackstar sent Stormstripe and Redwing scouting." Goldstreak looked around the camp. "I'm going to move Patchback's body so that it won't be defiled. Will you help?"

"Echolight has enough to deal with," mewed Spottedmoss. "I'll help. We can clean him up too."

Thank you. Echolight blinked gratefully at the WaterClan rogue.

"Helen, stand guard," Blackstar ordered. Echolight stiffened as the leader approached her. "Echolight," he said softly. "Are you ready?"

"I wish we had more time to prepare," Echolight answered.

"They could be here any moment." Blackstar lashed his tail. "You may have to fight too."

Echolight bobbed her head. "I will if I have to. My claws are just as sharp as any warrior's."

Just then, Claw brushed by with her mouth full of moss, even more tucked under chin. If it weren't for the dire situation, Echolight would have laughed.

"Goldstreak, where did you put Patchback?" Blackstar asked as the warrior trotted back with Spottedmoss at her heels.

"I set him in the elders' den. I'll guard the body as best I can there."

Echolight got to her paws and pressed against her mother, hoping that the calm that Goldstreak portrayed would sink into her. "Be careful," She mewed.

"Of course. I'll-"

"They're coming!" Stormstripe bellowed, Redwing behind him. "Just behind us! They're-"

"Attack!"

The cats began to flood in through the tunnels, shattering the strained peace. Stormstripe and Redwing twirled to meet them, but both were knocked down by a pair of large WaterClan cats. Echolight backed away, fear overtaking her, and she bumped into Claw, who stood firmly behind her.