Russetstar passed her mate Flamestorm, who was eating a pitiful shrew. Prey seemed to be lost because of the toll leaf-bare took on. Frost was already hinting the icy weather and lack of prey.
Russetstar glanced at the fresh-kill pile. A sparrow and a mouse was lying there. Since snow started early, Russetstar ordered the fresh-kill to be replaced under the overhanging rock.
Extra hunting patrols were put out. Russetstar watched as another one pushed its way in. A few mice and a vole were dangling in the jaws of the patrol; they laid it on the pile and pushed fresh-kill to their clanmates. A few heartbeats later, Gorseleap was coming in; behind him was Owlpaw and his mentor, Silkfeather, with Swiftdash, Shadedwing, and Reedtail trailing behind.
They looked alarmed; Gorseleap was bristling and hissing with outrage while Owlpaw stayed close to Silkfeather. Swiftdash paced the clearing, ears flattened, tail lashing. Russetstar called them over. "BlazeClan trouble?" She guessed.
Swiftdash spoke first. "Yes!" She exclaimed, careful not to talk loudly. "We were only marking the border when a stupid patrol came in and called us thieves."
Reedtail cut in. "We haven't even reached the border yet when they pushed dirty bones to our side," she meowed. "They said we put those on their side."
Russetstar let out a soft hiss. "You didn't attack?" She asked. Gorseleap shook his head. "Some of us didn't try to attack," he growled, narrowing his eyes at Swiftdash and Owlpaw. Swiftdash rolled her eyes while Owlpaw studied his paws.
"We should've all attackers, to show them what liars get," Reedtail snarled. She unsheathed her claws. "She should attack their camp!" Shadedwing spoke for the first time.
"Yes, perfect!" Swiftdash replied. "We should start attacking patrols in the day and then work our way around the territory, then once we've covered it, we attack the camp," Reedtail suggested. "I mean, they attacked our camp, didn't they?"
"Then, after that, we attack DarkClan!" Shadedwing muttered darkly. "Remember last Gathering, they accused us of stealing prey. Now, BlazeClan are just copying them."
Reedtail flicked her tail decidedly. "Let's drive them out like they did the other Clans!"
Russetstar hissed loudly for them to stop. "Hush!" She scolded them. "We are not attacking! I never decided anything. Stop coming up with these ideas."
She stared at Reedtail intently and angry. Even she clamped her mouth shut. Shadedwing snorted loudly, but walked away to the warrior's den.
Gorseleap followed him, then Silkfeather, and finally Reedtail. Owlpaw went to the queen's den. Swiftdash waited until they were out of earshot.
"Think about it, will you?" She pleaded, cold fury gleaming in the shadowy depths of her blue eyes. Russetstar could not do anything but nod. Swiftdash thanked her and headed to her den.
Russetstar stretched and went inside her cave. She settled down in her nest and closed her eyes to let her thoughts wander.
Perhaps they should fight BlazeClan. Or DarkClan. What if they fought first? What if DarkClan fought first. What if they weren't ready? Should she really use Reedtail's plan? It was a great one, but what if it didn't work?
Russetstar made up her mind.
She would fight BlazeClan, and they would drive BlazeClan out. Then, they would drive out DarkClan. Then, they would get the three other Clans back.
They would train their apprentices to be the best fighters, and the senior and young warriors would brush up on their battle skills. When the time is right, BlazeClan will be weakened and driven out. The rogues would have their home back.
Suddenly feeling drowsy, Russetstar trapped her thoughts and slept into a fitful sleep.
