Legacy: Timeless (Book 2)

Chapter 24: Forward Go

Chapter 24: Forward Go

The yowls of the beginning attack were around her as Scorch set down to the important task of planning. She turned toward Shadowripple who's green eyes glowed with excitement and pride. "Shadowripple, do you think Nightwing would come back the same way he left?" she murmured her question to not disturb the excitement.

Shadowripple stared at her and blinked a few times, "Yes, that's the shortest route."

"What was he scouting for?" Scorch asked, running scenarios through her head and possible outcomes from possible actions.

"He was scouting both to expand the border on the rouge side and into ThunderClan territory. Nightwing and Pinefur have been daring each other to make the first move on each other for moons now. Nightwing's finally confident enough to try an attack," Shadowripple growled.

Scorch nodded, she'd already known that from Boulderpaw, but the knowledge that Nightwing was planning an attack made it necessary for them to move quick or else Pinefur would catch wind of what was going on in NightClan.

"If cats left now, could we intercept Nightwing before he got back to camp?" she asked.

Shadowripple looked confused, but nodded. "But we can't attack now!" she exclaimed. Her outburst brought other cat's attention to them.

"Why not?" she asked quietly.

"We need to train and prepare!" Shadowripple sounded exasperated.

"Are you saying you aren't already trained and prepared for anything? Warriors are supposed to be. Besides, I assure you this won't stay a secret from Nightwing for much longer than a few days or so. Now that we've started, we have to continue forward with it or everything will far apart," Scorch tried to explain, though she actually felt that Nigthwing would know what was going on before dusk.

She could sense it, one of these cats was spying for Nightwing. She raised her head and met the green eyes of a black tom. "Who is that?" she asked, nodding at him.

Shadowripple glanced at him, "His name is Crowpelt, he used to be WindClan but he ditched them for Nightwing. I didn't want to invite him but Shadebreeze asked me to give him a chance," Shadowripple murmured.

"I want him to stay here while a party of six goes and intercepts Nightwing. Six fast cats, they need to leave now," Scorch announced.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the cats, but Sunstar quickly quieted them. "We must act now, no more hesitating. I need five cats to come with me," he urged.

Scorch flicked her tail, she would have preferred six cats that already knew the territory well, but Sunstar was the only leader figure as of yet and she couldn't argue with him right now. "I'll go," she mewed. No cat heard her and Boulderpaw quickly stuffed his tail in her mouth.

"No, you won't. You couldn't keep up and you can't fight," he growled.

"Yes, I could!" Scorch protested.

"No, you couldn't. As far as every other cat is concerned at least. And I'm fairly sure you wouldn't be much of a match for Nightwing. The gap between your wit and his strength is too great. You can't outwit sch a physical disadvantage no matter how smart you are," Boulderpaw muttered in her ear.

Scorch admitted he was right, not saying that she could have possibly beaten one of Nightwing's cats or teamed-up with another cat. But Sunstar had his five cats and she stepped up, looking at a ShadowClan tom; he was older but still strong looking with a silver-blue coat and solid gray eyes.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Silverwing," he responded, she liked how he didn't look down at her with patronizing amusement but seemed to judge her based on her manner and she trusted him immediately.