Warriors | A Prophecy Reborn: Book 2. (A Path Beyond Stars)

~A Path Beyond Stars: Chapter 13~

It had been a few nights since the mysterious badger attack, and neither Crookedfire nor Daisypelt had returned from wherever they were. They had sent search parties out to look for them, but found no trace. No scent of the missing ThunderClan queen or the traitorous Medicine Cat. They sat vigil for them the night before, assuming they were dead.
Voleroach's injury had healed and she was now well enough to go on hunting patrols again, the same as Windcaller. Stonestar's injury was the worst. The rest of his final life would be spent limping around camp, unable to do much else.
Stonestar limped up to the Highledge with Fernfeather at his side, looking disturbed and angry.
She and Redpelt were good friends, Reedtail remembered. She hadn't seen them together very much, but every cat in ThunderClan knew that Fernfeather and Redpelt had been very close friends, close enough to be considered mates had it not been for Specklefern. And everyone in the Clan acknowledged Fernfeather's decision of not wanting a mate or kits.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"
Pebblesoot padded over. His own wound from the RiverClan attack had healed and he had been given permission to accompany the ThunderClan cats on patrols. He could not go back to his camp after the massacre, and Ferngaze and whoever was left of WindClan were nowhere to be found.
Pebblesoot sat between Reedtail and Flameclaw. Reedtail looked over at Frostkit, who had shuffled over to sit next to Russetfire.
"The full moon is not far," Stonestar announced, his face grim. "With WindClan and RiverClan gone, ShadowClan and ThunderClan are the only Clans remaining in the Lake. We will not go to the Gathering."
A low growl sounded from Reedtail's side and it took a moment for her to realise it was Pebblesoot.
"Shouldn't we at least try and find the other Clans?" came a voice from the front of the crowd. Reedtail was surprised to see not Fuzzyear speaking, but her kit, Brackenkit. "They might still be out there. And there are still cats who might be willing to help us!"
"As much as I hate to say it, it may be a waste of time searching for dead warriors," Stonestar grumbled.
"But, Stonestar, he's right," protested Rockhopper. "If we can find the remaining warriors who escaped both massacres, maybe we can save them."
"And if we can't?" Spidertail objected. "If ShadowClan and Half-Sight try to attack our Clan while we're not here? What will you do then?"
"Then those survivors will search for somewhere else to go," Beeflower chimed in. "We can't stay here any longer."
"We will be safe as long as we mind our business and steer clear of ShadowClan," Swiftflight argued. "Besides, where else could we go? There isn't anywhere safe near here! We'd get attacked while we search for somewhere to settle."
"I would rather take my chances with foxes and badgers than with cats stronger than our best warriors," Willowleaf said quietly.
"Fine," Spidertail said after a moment of hesitation. "Well, I think we should stay. We can't do much to help ourselves outside the Lake territory."
"I agree," Swiftflight said, walking over to stand beside Spidertail. Windcaller and Fuzzyear joined them, as well as Whitestripe and Flameclaw.
"We should go," Rockhopper repeated. Beeflower nodded, standing next to him. Reedtail, Tigerfur, Ashpelt, Spiraltail and Specklefern joined Rockhopper's side while the remaining warriors, apprentices and kits joined Spidertail and his side.
"It seems everything has been decided," Stonestar said with a sigh. "We will stay in the Lake until everything turns to ruins. We will stand our ground against Half-Sight and his band of rogues as best we can."
Spidertail and Rockhopper glared at each other in disapproval.
We can't have tension in the Clan at this moment, Reedtail thought worriedly. Although, with the Lake becoming the way it is, I suppose there can't be any peace either.
The separated sides did not fight, but the tension was nearly visible. The rest of that day, Spidertail's side didn't talk to Rockhopper or his followers, and the others who were still in two minds about staying in the Lake had been jammed in between the feud.
StarClan help us. If this goes on much longer, we'll not die to Half-Sight's claws, but our own!