Frost Melting (Warrior Cats)

Chapter 16

As Silverpaw and Wolfpaw creep quietly yet quickly through Shadowclan, beech trees gave way to pine trees, and they were soon consumed by the delicate scent of pine needles that littered the forest floor.

"How did you live like this? My pads are at the verge of bleeding because of all the pine needles I stepped on," Silverpaw complains, lifting up a paw to show him the raw padding.

"I beg a differ. Thunderclan ground is harder on my pads then Shadowclan ground. With all the brambles dropping thorns here and there. The needles protect our paws from anything like that. We hardly ever step on thorns," Wolfpaw explains. By now they were well clear of the border, trekking along unfamiliar grounds, the ache in Silverpaws pads gave way to awe and excitement of her surroundings. But slightly mixed with anxiety of what Goldenstar would say when they told him the thing no leader wanted to hear: that he lost a member of his clan, even if not from death.

"Let's try not to run into any more search parties, I don't want to explain everything again with a side of extra hostility," Silverpaw utters.

"I agree, we don't need anymore extra delays," Wolfpaw agrees. "But we are nearing their camp." As Wolfpaw says that Silverpaw spots an area ensnared by brambles and surrounded by trees. Outside of the mess of brambles is a small pool of water where a pile of moss is neatly stacked.

"Is this the Shadowclan camp?" Silverpaw asks, already knowing the answer. She spots a cat she saw at a gathering once known as Fawnspot. Yet Silverpaws not the only one who's spot someone. Fawnspot starts creeping towards them, fur bristling so she looks twice her size.

"Who do we have here? A Thunderclan trespasser and a long lost apprentice," her head moves back and forth as if assessing them.

"We're here to speak to Goldenstar, not some Shadowclan try hard," Silverpaw implies defensively.

"And quick because after that we need to look for another long lost apprentice," Silverpaw adds.

"Ha-ha, funny," Fawnspot says sarcastically.

"It wasn't a joke," Wolfpaw corrects. At that they hear gentle paw steps. A white body appears from the entrance.

"That won't be necessary," Frostpaw's voice declares. A thoughtful smirk on his face.

"Frostpaw?" Silverpaw asks, jaw dropping.

"Fawnspot, your level of expertise won't be needed here anymore," Frostpaw nods her away. She obeys and disappears in the bramble.

"So, funny enough Wolfpaw, you know how you took my place in Thunderclan. I took yours," he sneers in Wolfpaw's face.

"No, this can't be happening. After speaking to Goldenstar, we were going to find you, say something sappy and bring you back to Thunderclan. This isn't suppose to happen," Silverpaw panics.

"I see your not gonna come back to Thunderclan," Silverpaw makes an educated guess.

"This is the part where we go home and tell Nightstar the bad news," Wolfpaw gives up.

"We need to talk to Goldenstar first though, and fast before the storm clears up and Nightstar sends searches, for us and Frostpaw."

"No need Silverpaw, I just told Goldenstar all he needed to know, he's about to stop your search parties right about now, Wolfpaw" Frostpaw smirks again.

"Why are you doing this Frostpaw?" Silverpaw asks.

"It's a little something called revenge", Wolfpaw says turning tail back to the Shadowclan camp.

"Well, that didn't go as planned," Wolfpaw meows disappointedly.

"That didn't go even remotely as planned," Silverpaw whines.

(Word Cout 600)