Heartstar's rise : Book one

Ch. 17

Stormpelt trotted into the clearing. Dawn had passed a long time ago and he had spent the morning with Heartkit. He felt refreshed and happy. He went over to Cindertail, wondering if he was needed for something. She was deep in conversation with Pinestar. He lingered near them, unsure what to do. Cindertail spotted him and smiled, stepping back so he could join them. She seemed to still think of him as if he were the deputy. He appreciated the small act and nodded. 

              "We should ask Stormpelt what he thinks," Cindertail suggested. Pinestar seemed unsure but he nodded. Stormpelt hadn't changed, he was still the same brave and smart cat even if he did not have the same rank as before. 

              "Thunderclan has come so deep into our territory, we think they're going to try and take over," Pinestar reported finally. Stormpelt's jaw dropped. He wished he was deputy so he could do something about it. 

               "I think we should talk it out with them," Cindertail said. "We don't know if it's their intentions yet." Pinestar shrugged. 

              "I think it's pretty clear their intentions and we need to attack," Pinestar said. Stormpelt frowned. 

                "I agree. We need to attack. They've been playing around our territories for too long. We need to teach them a lesson but not just a random attack. We need to plan it. Take them when they're not ready. Maybe we should talk to them and try to figure it out and they'll drop their guard," Stormpelt said. Pinestar nodded and smiled. This was his deputy. Cindertail looked disappointed. Pinestar hadn't agreed with her and she had just started being a deputy. 

                 "Stormpelt. I always knew you were the right deputy for Shadowclan. We should talk to Birdstar. Then we'll go into their territory and ambush them. We will wreck as much havoc as we can. Then we will leave," Pinestar nodded, a plan forming in his head. "We will leave with a warning." Cindertial tried to join in. 

                  "We could talk to them first then take their territory," she said. Pinestar shook his head. 

                  "No, they've already gone too far. This war has been going on for too long. We will attack their camp," growled Pinestar. 

                  "We should have patrols of cats," nodded Stormpelt. "Each will direct their attack to a different part on Thunderclan and at different times." Pinestar nodded fiercely. 

                 "Yes, that's right," he smiled at Stormpelt. "I've got it! Come back to my den later with Riverclaw and Eagleflight." He padded away. Cindertail tried to hide the hurt from her face. 

               "Hey, it's ok," assured Stormpelt. "I've been a deputy far longer than you. And I'm even a deputy anymore. Sometimes your ideas won't be good but that doesn't need to discourage you. Plus we used part of your idea." Cindertail nodded thoughtfully although not completely convinced. 

                "But he wants to meet with you, Eagleflight and Riverclaw. Not me," she said. Stormpelt sighed, she was the deputy. She needed to toughen up. 

                "So you're the deputy you are allowed to go if I am. You need to take control," Stormpelt said firmly.