THE DARK MATTER | Book One: Stained Trails

chapter ten

THE MOST EVENTFUL TIME FOR COPPICECLAN OUTSIDE OF CEREMONIES WAS THE GATHERING. Further down the border past the Stone Pools was a stream Oatpaw had only heard stories of so far, an old twoleg bridge connecting both of the clan territories of it. It served as a pivotal piece of their history as it was the same bridge their founders fought their first war on; the war where Coppicestar and Valestar fought one another till they both perished and their deputies, Hailstep and Redwillow, came to an agreement of long-term peace within the clans. Oatpaw sometimes couldn't believe their clans were still named after such leaders who caused extreme turmoil for many moons, but regardless they were the founders, and sometimes there was distant whispers and rumors of Coppicestar and Valestar's real truth behind their war.

So the gathering meant a time of utter peace even in times of havoc. CoppiceClan hadn't had even a border skirmish with ValeClan since moons before he was born, so the peace was at a standstill high. Oatpaw's clanmates enjoyed conversation with their slimmer, faster neighbors, some of them even remaining good friends through every moon and every gathering. It was still against the code to take on a mate from the other clan, but friendships could never and would never be.

Talonstar was standing near the exit of camp, Berrytuft shockingly not at his side. Oatpaw knew all too well why as she was close to her kitting time, the word finally getting around camp as the she-cat found herself visiting the Starlinked far more. She instead observed from outside the Starlinked den, Gorsefeather and Daisyspring who also insisted they not go at her side. Oatpaw was estranged by his mother's willingness to not go as she had just returned back to her warrior duties, but his mother insisted she stay behind to watch over Minnowshine and Berrytuft.

"Webtail, Willowmist, Flickerwing, Flamedance, Oatpaw, Mousepaw, Nightfang, Doebounce, Sandnettle, Honeyshine, Stormyheart, Rockfoot, and Patchsight are my selected group for the gathering. Any not called are expected to be worthy guards for the camp until our return," Talonstar announced, Oatpaw beaming at his name.

Cloudpaw and Mudpaw's names were excluded though, the tom scanning his gaze over to his sister and her friend. The two of them sat with Viperleap, the tabby warrior comforting her irritated son. Cloudpaw, now half-tailed with a long, still relatively fresh scar scored from her cheek and down her neck, sat with her head bowed in disappointment. Oatpaw was empathetic for his sister's punishment as directed by Sandnettle and Doebounce and he hoped Talonstar would drag her out of it, but their father didn't.

Part of him was still enraged by Cloudpaw's daring journey with Mudpaw though that nearly got them both killed. Why would she ever do such a thing? Did she think she was untouchable? Invincible? He knew it was just because Mudpaw was too adventurous of a friend for her own good, but Oatpaw couldn't get the vision and Mousepaw's words out of his head.

"One of you is destined to die horribly in that fight."

The burden of knowing one of them even through all their greatness would be nothing but a story was suffocating. Torturous at that.

"You ready for your first gathering?"

Willowmist's soft voice snapped him out of his thoughts and nearly frightened him. His mentor had stepped to his side, a purr rumbling in her throat. Oatpaw granted her a warm smile in return.

"I am!" He enthralled.

Mousepaw padded up to Oatpaw's other side, excitement curled onto her face. "I can't wait to see and talk to the other Starlinked again. Watermoss is my favorite. He's the youngest of them and he actually has a sense of humor."

"I bet his jokes are better than yours," Oatpaw teased, earning a swat to the ear from his friend.

Talonstar began to lead the group up the exit and outside the camp. Oatpaw followed near the rear of the group, Mousepaw and Willowmist right at his side. His paws tingled with excitement as he exited the camp, forgetting all about his worries of the prophecy and his sister. The gathering was a moment of relaxation and serenity after all, he had other days to fret, and their destiny still settled far down their trail - for now.