𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: 𝑨 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒕 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄

CHAPTER 24

The clan flocked behind Cinderstar as they approached the hazardous abyss between the territories of StormClan and MistClan. Maplethorn looked up at the moon, still rising in the darkness, nearly full...perhaps...this would be her first Gathering. She shook the thought from her mind and sighed. Cinderstar had never, ever since her return, chosen Maplethorn to attend the Gathering as a representative of the clan. She knew that the possibility of attending a Gathering was as feasible as a kit's daydreams.

"Briar," Cinderstar meowed, deep blue eyes hooded in the darkness as she stepped towards the cliff, motioning the golden she-cat to step towards her.

"Your final trial will be to descend to the bottom of the abyss, fetch a piece of bone of a deceased and make it up by sun-high. If you return after the given time period, you will fail the assessment and may not join the clan."

"No!" Shadepool meowed, outraged, barely letting the leader finish."You can't expect a cat of no training to do something as dangerous-"

"Yes I can, Shadepool," Cinderstar meowed calmly, though flashed her fangs at the insolent tom to shut him up. "I'm the leader of this clan and my word is law."

Maplethorn saw Waspsting's eyes flash with ire. Clearly her father was so obsessed with his son that he didn't wish for even the leader to speak in such a manner to Shadepool.

"But," Shadepool protested, approaching the shocked golden she-cat, protectively circling her with his body. "She'd die! She's not nearly as skilled-"

"Shadepool," Cinderstar reprimanded, her tone suddenly harsh, harsh enough to make even Waspsting wither slightly, the rest of the clan, however, seemed to try and hide behind each other to avoid the leader's blistering gaze. Maplethorn casually wondered whether leaders took lessons from other leaders to learn how to make their voice as hard as steel.

"You may choose any other trial, but not this one," Shadepool meowed confidently, chest slightly puffed, as though he was actually the leader of the clan instead.

Cinderstar stood perfectly still, so still that it seemed even the most tranquil of waters seemed to ripple. She stood like that for a couple of seconds before giving a small smile, one that promised chaos.

"Alright then, Shadepool," Cinderstar meowed calmly. "You said that you believed descending the abyss would be too difficult for an untrained cat like Briar, correct?"

Maplethorn watched as her brother's blue eyes bore into the leader's as he replied, "Yes. It is clearly so. Even the most untrained in the clan would be able to tell this isn't fair."

Maplethorn winced, almost feeling pity for her former brother as she knew he had stumbled right into the trap the leader set for him.

"Very well," Cinderstar smirked. "Shadepool, since you clearly believe that you are such a spectacular warrior, why don't you accompany Briar down the abyss? She could clearly do with some company, right?"

Shadepool blinked, mouth agape, almost like a carbon copy of Waspsting's facial expression. Maplethorn smirked, swishing her tail around as Heatherstalk pressed herself against Maplethorn's medium-length fur, possibly to warm her against the chilly night air. However, Maplethorn didn't need that comfort, she was used to most of the harsh aspects of life, but she almost felt...lighter with those who were closer to her.

"W-well, I mean," Shadepool stammered, blue eyes still glistening with alarm, but Briar gave him a look that would only induce pure pity from anyone who was caught under her gaze and Shadepool stood up straight, fear completely vanishing as he said. "I will do it."

Cinderstar smiled serenely as she said, "You may begin now."

Most of her clanmates stuck around to watch, the darkness of the abyss not challenging to most of their eyes, however, some left, either because of duties they needed to attend to, such as the medicine cats, or because they possibly decided that sacrificing their sleep for something this trivial wasn't worth it.