Destiny

CHAPTER SIX

Word on the dispute between a rabbit spread fast. All the cats were gathered together for another clan meeting, and Silverpaw squeezed herself to the front of the clearing with the other apprentices, who were excitedly chatting about something.

“What is it?” she mewed.

“The gathering of course!” Mallowpaw bounced up and down. “Pikestar will be coming out to say who will be going.”

Right on time, Pikestar came out of his den and jumped onto the Highstump, waiting for silence. As the noise from the warriors grew down, he let out a clear message.

“RiverClan, I will now announce the cats that will be going to the Gathering tonight. I choose Shellheart, Lilyheart, Redwing, Fishtail, Moonfeather, Ivysplash, Bluemist, Tanglereed, Mapleleaf, Puddlepaw, Mallowpaw, and Silverpaw. Please make sure to sleep well before we go. The rest will stay behind and guard the camp. That is all.”

“Did you hear that?” Puddlepaw meowed excitedly. “I'll be going to the Gathering tonight!”

“Lucky,” Bushpaw meowed wistfully. “I was hoping to see a certain cat.”

Silverpaw felt Mallowpaw stiffen next to him. What's wrong with him? She wondered. “We should get some rest.” she meowed to her brother. He nodded in return, his excited face showing up again and padded with Silverpaw to the apprentice's den silently.

Nightfall was as dark as the dull gray clouds that were in the sky, floating around the bright full moon. Silverpaw was careful to watch her step and padded closely to Puddlepaw and Mallowpaw. The gray tabby apprentice looked very excited as he explained everything about the Gathering. “You know the island near us that was never considered ours? Well, it's because that all four clans use it as a gathering place, somewhere all the cats can stay neutral and even share tongues.” Silverpaw was surprised by this. She thought all the clans were hostile to each other, especially after Mallowpaw told the clan his encounter with the WindClan cats. But the thought of cats from different clans sharing tongues made her feel warm and anxious to get there.

Pikestar stopped his patrol at a narrow stretch of water that separated the island from the shore. A long, narrow trunk stretched over the water. “That's the tree bridge.” Puddlepaw mewed. “All we have to do is cross it to get to the Gathering.”

Silverpaw nodded. Staying behind Mallowpaw, she watched the cats one by one cross the tree bridge skillfully until it was finally her turn.

“It's not that bad!” Mallowpaw called out to her from the island. “Just keep looking straight as you cross!”

“And if you think about falling into the river, just remember that you're a RiverClan cat!” Puddlepaw added.

Taking a deep breath, Silverpaw padded forward on the trunk and kept her four paws as steadily as she could. Her heart didn't stop pounding until she reached the soft green grass on the other side.

“Good job.” Puddlepaw nudged her.

Pikestar led his large patrol through some leafless trees and tall grass until they set paw on a wide circle clearing. There was a single oak tree in the center; its roots were thicker than a cat's body clutching at the ground. In the oak tree were already three dignified cats making themselves comfortable and waiting for the RiverClan leader to join them.

At the bottom, Shellheart and the other three deputies sat on the thick twisting roots at the foot of the trunk. The medicine cats, including Lilyheart were near a shelter of bushes but also near the tree roots.

And of course, the rest of the cats roaming around in groups, different clan scents mixing with another, making Silverpaw feel so surprised. A queen from ShadowClan and WindClan were sharing tongues and gossiping, while elders gathered together to share stories.