Gingerpaw had returned from a hunting patrol with Willowfur and as she dropped her vole on the prey pile, four cats burst through the bramble tunnel. She recognised Grassfoot, Sandycreek, Silverfur and Torn-ear. But as she opened her mouth to meow a greeting the cats streaked past her, straight towards Featherstar.
"Waterclan has taken the Sunstones!" Grassfoot hissed.
Featherstar whipped around and faced the returning border patrol. "What?" He meowed.
"Waterclan is claiming that they are taking the Sunstones and the clearing around them. Pondstar has brought all her warriors. She's willing to fight for the stones if she has to." Sandycreek yowled.
"If she wants a fight," Featherstar spat. "She can have a fight."
He turned and leaped onto the Speaking Tree, a fallen log that lay at the edge of the camp.
"Cats of Treeclan!" he yowled. "Come!"
As cats gathered in the clearing, propelled by the urgency in their leaders voice, Gingerpaw gazed around. She'd never witnesses a fight before. What would it be like? She wasn't sure.
"Wait," came the yowl from the Speaking Tree. Gingerpaw looked up at her leader. His anger seemed to have abated; the light had died from his eyes. He turned to Grassfoot. "How many warriors did Pondstar have with her?"
"Her whole clan," the deputy replied.
Featherstar's eyes raked over his clan counting his warriors.
"We're evenly matched," he murmured. Then he seemed to realise that his cats were looking confused. Realisation dawned on his face that he hadn't told the cats what was happening.
"Treeclan," he meowed. "Pondstar has claimed Sunstones."
Yowls of outrage sounded from the assembled cats.
"She has brought her deputy and all her warriors with her. It is clear that she is willing to fight for them."
YOU ARE READING
Gingerpaw
RomanceA feral cat, born and raised in Treeclan, looks all set to become the perfect warrior that her clan needs to protect them from harsh seasons and deadly rivalries. She has a mother, father, sister, and a best friend who hopes to someday be her mate...
