Dark Destinies {Book 1}

Chapter 8

HOLLYPAW

A senior warrior from Duskclan fetched us from the holly bush and announced that the gathering was beginning and we best be going to sit with our clans.

Nervously I padded out of the holly bush and nearly fell down in shock; there were suddenly so many cats! The clearing that once had been so empty was now packed with cat after cat and bustling with activity and chatter.

Copperpaw skirted the side of the hollow and signalled for Ashpaw and me to follow him, we did after meowing a quick good-bye to Cloudpaw.

After a few seconds of pushing through the big crowd of cats we found our clan. I sat down beside Ashpaw and Copperpaw and just in front of both Larkwind and Owlclaw.

A big red tom standing on the farther large stone stepped forward to speak.

“I, Redstar leader of Duskclan call to our gathering air from the east. Air focus us and blow away our troubles.” Redstar mew was powerful and hung in the clearing air moments after he finished talking.

“I, Hiddenstar leader of Iceclan call to our gathering water from the west. Water cleanse us of negativities and wash our souls clean.” Hiddenstar meowed after Redstar before stepping back.

“I, Amberstar leader of Stormclan call to our gathering earth from the north. Earth give us stability and nurture our territory and prey.” Amberstar was the oldest looking leader present and bore a large nick in her left ear; yet she still maintained an air of diligence and dignity.

“And I, Hailstar leader of Fireclan call to our gathering fire from the south. Fire give us strength and burn away the old and bad.” Hailstar was the polar opposite of Amberstar; inches taller, broader beneath layer and layer of thick grey fur and the youngest looking leader present.

Once Hailstar stepped back all the leaders exchanged a look and stepped forward in unisons.

“We now call spirit and our ancestors from Starclan to our gathering to protect and purify us tonight.”

The stars above seemed to twinkle and shine brighter as if they had finally been acknowledged and were happy because of it.

“The gathering may begin.” Redstar meowed. “Amberstar?” He gestured for the Stormclan leader to begin.

“Thank you Redstar.” Amberstar dipped her head and gracefully padded forward. “Though it is Leaf-Bare and our streams are mostly frozen Stormclan is finding adequate prey. Softheart has also recently given birth to two healthy toms with her mate Briarpath; though neither are present tonight.”

Despite this the clearing erupted into cheers for the pair and the healthy kits.

After the noise died down Redstar took Amberstar’s place.

“Duskclan is also doing well with prey. Darkpaw, my son, has received his medicine cat name of Darkgaze and is working with tremendous strength and intellect.” Redstar’s voice was brimming with pride as the hollow took up yowls of ‘Darkgaze!’ “And Dawnfoot has moved back to the nursery expecting my kits.” This caused another blast of congratulations.

Next was Hailstar. Now that he was front and center I could look at him better. Despite his extremely thick fur and broad stature I could tell something wasn’t right about him… He looked gangly and thin compared to the other leaders not even managing their same bravado.

“Fireclan is doing fine with prey.”  Hailstar’s voice was brittle and impassive as if the subject bored him. “Other than that there is nothing more to report.”

My head snapped to look at Hiddenstar and I wondered if maybe he would say something about the border scrimmages…?

But Hiddenstar simply calmly walked forward and began talking. “Iceclan’s prey is well. We have two new apprentices; Hollypaw and Ashpaw as well.” Hiddenstar gestured proudly down towards us and instantly almost every warrior shifted to get a better look at us.