Silverwing's Story: The Prophecy Begins

Chapter Thirty

Only a few moments before nightfall remained. As Silverpaw's gaze scanned the clearing, the battle patrol was already gathering. If everything went as planned that night, the rogues would leave after that battle. She glanced up at the sky. The full moon was beginning to appear in the fading light-blue sky. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her beating heart and shaking paws.

Her breaths didn't help at all. Her heart kept beating as if it were running from a fox. And her paws seemed to quiver more with each heartbeat she thought about the battle. Silverpaw didn't want to fight; she wished there was a peaceful solution. But she, as well as her clanmates, knew there wasn't. They would have to drive the rogues out themselves, using tooth and claw.

Silverpaw looked at Skipfoot when she realized the light-ginger tom was approaching her. He settled himself in front of her, not saying a word. His brown eyes gazed into her dark-blue and he murmured, "It's time to prove you're the warrior I know you are."

Silverpaw smiled, unsure whether to take it as something inspirational, a comment, or something offensive. But before she could decide, Skipfoot leaned closer to her until their noses touched. Heat spread across her body, and she was sure that if she wasn't covered in fur, she would be as red as blood. Her heart started beating faster than it already was, but in a pleasant way. Her paws stopped quivering, and her whole body relaxed as she closed her eyes. She was startled when his nose suddenly pulled away. She blinked open her eyes in surprise.

He was smiling uneasily, as if he wasn't sure he should've done that. He took a deep breath. "Good luck, mouse-brain."

She grinned again. "You too, bee-brain."

His smile turned into a real one and he padded back to the preparing battle patrol. Silverpaw watched him leave as the remains of shock diminished.

"Do you understand now?" Silverpaw whipped around to find Opalshine smiling mischievously back at her. She had come back from the rogue's territory only a little while ago along with Juniperleaf and Oakfur. With them they'd brought the best locations to attack.

"What in Starclan are you talking about?" Silverpaw asked. She was getting tired of this secret Opalshine had.

The black-and-white she-cat frowned. "I guess not. And that was a dead giveaway."

"Why can't you just tell me?" Silverpaw asked. Opalshine shrugged with a smirk.

"Because it's not my place to tell you."

Silverpaw frowned at her. "I'm tired of this secret."

"It's not much of a secret. I almost can't believe you can't tell."

Silverpaw opened her mouth to argue, but closed it again when she realized what Opalshine said was true; she couldn't tell what the secret was. She had mentioned that Skipfoot touching his nose to hers was a major clue. She ventured deeper into her mind and it struck her. How could she be so mouse-brained? Did Skipfoot really-

"Cats of Thunderclan!" Manglestar's yowl that echoed throughout the clearing interrupted Silverpaw and her thoughts. She was a little surprised that the leader didn't use her traditional call, but she didn't need to anyway. Every cat in the Clan was in the open. Basilpaw and Featherfall were bundling herbs and cobwebs to prepare for the upcoming battle. Every warrior broke from their conversations; hopefully not their last. Even Thistlekit and Bramblekit stopped chasing with each other.

Manglestar wasn't standing at her normal place on Highledge, but instead in the center of the clearing. Her green eyes were blazed in more than determination, but with pride. It grew stronger as her gaze swept across her clan, finally resting on Silverpaw.