The Ebony Jury (Warriors, Book 2)

Chapter 5

Hauntedpaw pounced, landing clumsily on the bird's back. The bird immediatly dropped down, Hauntedpaw's paw weighing it to the ground. When they fell to the ground with a painful thud, he delivered the killing bite, digging his teeth into the finch's throat. I should take this back for Feathernose, if she's awake... Thought Hauntedpaw. He followed the path he had taken until he reached a pile of autumn leaves. He lifted a paw and brushed away all of it, til he uncovered his three skinny mice. He grabbed them, holding his four prey pieces carefully in his jaws, then staggered back to the camp entrance.

The camp was alive with worried murmering as Hauntedpaw trotted through the clearing and placed his catches on the wilting prey pile. Immediatly, Emberstep appeared in front of him. Hauntedpaw flinched and got out of the medicine cat's way as Emberstep grabbed the four pieces he had caught, then dragged himself back to the medicine den.

Hauntedpaw sighed. He glanced up at Highrock, and saw Flamestar speaking with Grassfern. Sitting at the deputy's side was Flowerpaw.

After a few more seconds, Flamestar nodded, then scrambled up the Highrock. The autumn leaves made it a little harder to climb up as they kept falling down, down, down onto the leader's head. Eventually, though, he was at the top. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a Clan meeting."

Hauntedpaw blinked. He joined the gathering cats as Flamestar spoke. "Flowerpaw, please step up."

The silver apprentice let out a loud purr, then skidded up.

Flamestar went on. "Flowerpaw, you have trained hard and well to understand the warrior code. I believe you will help us survive the coming moons, and you have sharper eyes than any other apprentice. You have a very helpful pelt during the silver and white leaf-bare seasons, and because of this, I name you Flowerpelt!"

The Clan cheered. "Flowerpelt! Flowerpelt!"

"Flowerpelt!" Hauntedpaw joined in, blushing.

As Flowerpelt stepped back, Flamestar called to the cats. "One more thing. Feathernose is awake now, and she has made a decision of what she will do now." He paused. "She is going to become a mediator."

The cats let out murmers. "Whats a mediator?"

"A mediator is a made-up role Feathernose has created," Responded Flamestar, though his mew was brisk. "They will solve arguements in the Clans. And, lastly," He added. "There will be a fourtrees meeting. Everyone will attend, if they want to, except for any of our sick or injured cats, elders, or kits. Dismissed."

***

Fourtrees was busy with cats.

Hauntedpaw dug his claws into the bark of one of the four oaks, using his hind claws to haul himself farther up. The first gathering he went to, he'd been attacked by a rude ShadowClan apprentice, who called him a: 'White eyes'. So, he'd made himself a hiding place in an oversized, abandoned squirrel hole.

Staring at the cat's to make sure no one was watching one last time, he hauled himself into the hole, which was about the size to fit three apprentices.

The gathering was just beginning now; Boldstar of WindClan was speaking.

"The rabbits are running well. I'd like to let you know we have taken in a few starving rogues; do not see this as a sign of weakness or desperation, but as a sign of don't mess with us." There was an edge to his mew that made Hauntedpaw shuddered. "There named are Crookedcloud, Fangheart, Sweettalk, Slashclaw, Bloodystep, and Rustedthistle." Not many cats cheered. Even the few who did still had a distrustful tone to their voice. "That is all," Finished Boldstar.

Nightstar, the leader of ShadowClan, spoke up. "ShadowClan is well. The twolegs have been adding more junk to Carrionplace, which means the rats are plentiful. But don't worry, we've... handled it." Hauntedpaw sighed. Their lying.

Goldenstar pushed her way through the cats. "RiverClan is well. We have a new deputy, Cougarcoat." She said in a boasting tone. "Prey is running well. Thats all."

Flamestar spoke. "ThunderClan is doing well. Prey is scarce, but everyone is well-fed. We have a new warrior: Flowerpelt." It took all of Hauntedpaw's concentration not to cheer and give himself away. "We have countless apprentices on their way to becoming warriors. ThunderClan is thriving."

Goldenstar spat. "Then we should end this gathering?"

Nightstar snorted. "Duh."

"Alright, then." Said Flamestar. "ThunderClan, to me!"

***

Hauntedpaw glanced at Flamestar. The leader had invited Hauntedpaw into their den. "So, Hauntedpaw," Flamestar mewed. "Its time for your warrior assessment. Bring me a bird, a squirrel, and three mice."

Hauntedpaw nodded, determination lighting his gaze. He bounded out of Flamestar's den, his paws pounding against the sandy ground. Parrotfeather and Christmasleaf, warriors made two moons early, smirked as Hauntedpaw raced through the entrance. Ignoring them, Hauntedpaw burst into the open and immediatly pressed his noise to the ground, sniffing.

He smelled faint mouse, WindClan, maybe voles, the cold breeze-

Wait, WindClanClan!

He lifted his muzzle. WindClan scent was getting closer and closer. He immediatly leapt onto a tree, digging his claws into the barn and hauling himself up til he was a little more than halfway, manging to get a good view of the territory. Hauntedpaw's eyes widened with horror as he realized why WindClan stench was so strong.

A patrol of about ten or fifteen cats were edging their way up Sunningrocks, marching through the undergrowth.

Hauntedpaw froze. They're heading towards camp!

Eyes wide with terror, Hauntedpaw leapt down from the tree, landing painfully on the ground. He burst through the front entrance, sand spraying up from the ground. The Clan warriors, apprentices, and elders turned to him, their eyes wide.

Hauntedpaw choked out some words. "WindClan is here! Their attacking!"

He barely had a time to do anything else. A ginger tabby pelt slammed into him, knocking him backwards, head over tail.

He let out a grunt and slammed his forepaw's into the tabby's chest as they lunged for him. They staggered back, hissing. Their pelt was red like blood. Hauntedpaw guessed they were the former rogue, Bloodystep.

As Bloodystep lunged again, Hauntedpaw was ready for him. He ducked, biting down on Bloodystep's forepaw, then spun around and threw him into a tree. The former rogue grunted, but Hauntedpaw slammed into him again, half on the tree and half on the ground. He bit down on the cat's tail, his teeth digging deep until Bloodystep yowled. "Lemme go, lemme go!"

Hauntedpaw released him, and Bloodystep turned tail and pelted toward the entrance.

Spinning around, Hauntedpaw gasped in horror at the chaos around him. Most of the apprentices were facing off against four warriors, while the elders, Freckletail and Crownflower, were nipping at a big tuxedo cat. Flamestar and Grassfern were fighting side to side against the cat Hauntedpaw recongized as Boldstar, while most of the other cats were fighting one-on-one battles with vicious toms and she-cats. Hauntedpaw spotted Mousepaw cornered by a big, scruffy gray tomcat. Hissing, Hauntedpaw took a mighty leap and dove onto the warrior's back, sinking his teeth into the shoulder.

The warrior hissed and reared up on his hind legs, throwing Hauntedpaw off. Hauntedpaw let out a wail as the cat slashed at his tail, leaving a deep wound.

Hauntedpaw lunged at the cat and tried to unbalance them, but the warrior was ready. They leapt up, gripping Hauntedpaw's shoulder, and swiped for their muzzle- at least, that was what Hauntedpaw thought they were trying to do. The claw backfired and scraped across Hauntedpaw's neck.

He rolled onto the ground, choking from his wound. It wasn't deep, but blood was spilling out from it.

A yowl came from the Highrock before it all faded away.

"Down with ThunderClan!"