Warriors: Echo of Darkness

Chapter 27

Feather slept in my den last night. I had been inseparable from her. I was determined not to lose her at any cost. I licked her forehead then stepped out of my den. I leaped up onto the root of a tree and yowled. The Clan drowsily came from their dens. I looked at all of them, we had around fifteen battle-ready cats. I didn't even know how many our enemies had, or what our enemies were. 

"We must train, everyone will be practicing fighting when they are not preforming their daily duties. Enemies are coming, we face the threat of being driven or worse, killed." I meowed. 

"Is ShadowClan attacking?" Shepherd asked worried.

Shepherd's brother, Virgil, came to his side, "Or are the rogues returning?" he asked, flashing a look at Snake. 

The black and white tom's eyes widened, "I know nothing of an attack, I have not had contact with any cat."

"We don't know that," Ranger growled. 

Berry stood in front of him, "I've been following him around and can confirm he hasn't." 

Snake seemed annoyed and hurt that he was followed, but dipped his head for her support. 

"We need to gather as many allies as we can. Does anyone have friends or family beyond the prairie?" I asked, "I could ask ThunderClan... but what if my enemy is Sleetstorm? He will know our plans of  gathering allies."

"I could check the city," Crystal offered, "I also knew some of Snake's err... companions." 

"They may still be loyal to me," Snake meowed, "I could ask."

"I had a friend or two on the farm," Enek suggested. 

I shook my head, "I don't know when they will come, I can't have my best fighters missing. SoulClan has already told me were already outnumbered."

"One or two could go and round up some cats," Nova meowed, "Me and Enek know the city and farm cats." 

"Or me and Nova could go since I have a few cats I know still out there," Snake suggested. 

Enek narrowed his eyes at his cousin and shuffled closer to Nova.

"I like the idea of Enek going," I meowed, "Since he's the fastest cat in LunarClan."

The black and white tom dipped his head, "Will do, I will go at once." Nova licked her friend in farewell before he bolted off towards the city. 

My attention fell on Snake as the tom's head perked up and his nose twitched. Curiously, I scented the air and paused. "Intruder," I murmured. 

The Clan started looking around, fur slightly bristled with unease. A white and brown tabby she-cat walked into the clearing, her gaze unmoving from me. I twitched my tail angrily, "Does everything think they can just walk into here as they please?" 

"Minty!" Snake exlaimed. 

The she-cat ignored him, "My leader is giving you a chance to surrender. If you comply you will become his servants. You will obey him, hunter for him, and give your territory back to my leader." 

The she-cats voice was steady, emotionless. She turned to leave, "That is all."

"Minty wait! You need to tell us more. I'm your leader! I rescued us from the city, remember? Where are Cinder, Hare, and Risu?" Snake asked weaving his way in front of her. 

She flicked her bobbed tail in discontent, "I said that was all, let me return to my leader."

"Minty! Why have you betrayed me?" Snake whispered.