Silverwing's Story: The Prophecy Begins

Chapter Eleven

It's time. Silverpaw followed Beetail toward Shadowclan territory. It was moonhigh, just as Silverpaw had planned. "Let's hope this works," Beetail mewed, his ginger tail twitching.

Silverpaw nodded. "It has too."

The air started to smell of pines. They were close to the border. Silverpaw looked around at the cats gathered. Manglestar, Beetail, Clayear, Sparrowsong, Sharpaw, Talonclaw, Mapleseed, Hornetflight, and Willowstone. These cats were injured from the recent battle, but it was part of Silverpaw's plan.

The night was calm and silent. Only a few owls hooted, and the sound of crickets was distant. The cats looked like shadows in the moonlight, hardly making a sound.

As they neared the border, Manglestar turned sharply to the left, toward the unknown territory. The patrol followed her unquestioningly. Silverpaw's pelt pricked as they neared the border to neutral grounds. She remembered the distant memory of running into territory like this, and Manglestar's warning. The group emerged into view of the territory.

The Thunderclan leader halted in front of the scent marks. She opened her mouth to taste the air, and Silverpaw did the same. All clear, Manglestar's tail signaled the cats to continue, and they stepped past the border.

Silverpaw pricked her ears. The territory felt unfamiliar and strange, and Silverpaw didn't feel secure. She remembered the elders' tales of how badgers had attacked the Clan's once they settled in their new territories. Of course, they wouldn't be safe out of their territory. Especially since they were leading themselves into another Clan's region.

After a while of walking, the scent of pines grew stronger. The Shadowclan border came into view, and the patrol instantly crouched. Silverpaw tasted the air. No sign of late-night patrols. Silverpaw signaled the patrol that it was safe. It was time for her to take charge, which Manglestar had suggested in their meeting.

The patrol kept crouched, and stalked into the pines as if they were hunting mice. Silverpaw used her senses to detect where the camp could be. This way. Silverpaw silently led the group toward the strong scent of cats. It grew so much that Silverpaw thought she'd suffocate in the stench.

Silverpaw crawled toward a barrier of low hanging branches. Beyond the tangled mess, the scent of Shadowclan cats was at its peak. "This is their camp, I'm positive," Silverpaw whispered to the patrol behind her.

Silverpaw looked around and saw a hazel branch above the camp. Silverpaw flicked her tail silently toward the branch.

The cats behind her immediately took action. They stalked toward the tree the hazel branch was connected to, and climbed up the trunk. Silverpaw went after every cat was up the hazel tree and onto the branch. Silverpaw glanced at Sharpaw. The tom looked like a shadow in the pale moonlight. She positioned herself beside her brother and examined the clearing. All the dens were made of brambles, and two guards were positioned around one.

That must be the nursery! Silverpaw's heart seemed to beat out of her chest. Here goes nothing...

Silverpaw took a deep breath and yowled at the top of her lungs, jumping into the clearing, thankfully hearing pawsteps crash into the camp behind her. Shadowclan warriors sprang from their dens, and the guards hurled themselves at the trespassing cats. Silverpaw caught sight of Gorsetail, the Shadowclan deputy. I hope no one recognizes me.

A brown tabby tom rammed himself into Silverpaw's side. Caught off balance, the Thunderclan apprentice toppled over. The tom pinned her down. No! We can't hang around here for too long! Silverpaw heaved the warrior off of her. She raked his muzzle and looked at the nursery. The kits were peering out of the brambles with terrified eyes. Silverpaw wouldn't be able to get them safely in this ambush.