The dusty pink and orange light of dusk began to seep into the medicine den, and the song of crickets rose into the air. A bird let out a beautiful call and the river made gentle splashing noises as it flowed over the stepping stones. Graystar had sent Fawnstrut away to gather the group of cats who would sneak into the camp. She had taken a few poppy seeds just before Fawnstrut left. Now she was lapping up the mashed leaves of a birch tree and a mix of sunflower seeds. She had spent many days in the medicine den with Fernfrost devising new remedies. This one, she found out, made drowsiness vanish entirely. That way, she could get the pain-reliving effect of the poppy seeds without the sleepy feeling as a side-effect.
A meow of greeting signaled that the group was there. Graystar mewed back and they all crowded inside. Questions came from every side.
"What's the plan?"
"Who gets to go to WindClan and who gets to go to ShadowClan?"
"Are you coming with us?"
"Do you think they'll suspect that we'll be there?"
"Will we have to fight?"
"Okay, okay, everyone calm down!" Graystar meowed. She waited for silence, passing the time by peeling off the cobwebs and licking the wounds clean. She looked back up, letting her gaze settle in each of the pairs of anxious eyes before speaking.
"I will be leading you to WindClan first. There is a hole that is concealed by heather just outside the camp. It leads directly into the camp. I can't believe it hasn't been noticed. Anyway, Fawnstrut, Dustblast and I will sneak into camp. Fearstride, Wildfury, Falconclaw, you will stay near the hole in concealed hiding places. When we come back, the kits and queens will be first. Your job is to send the fastest runner just outside the camp with the queens and kits, where the Clan will be waiting. When they return, we will travel to ShadowClan. Wildfury, you will swap out with Dustblast here. There is a tear in the walls surrounding the camp. Again, we will send the kits and queens out first. Then, we will all have to swim across the lake as a detour to the Clan. After that, I will lead the Clan to the marsh Fawnstrut described. Fawnstrut, Fearstride, Wildfury, Dustblast, Falconclaw, your job then is to cover our scents and tracks. Use mud from the lake, use the stink of dog dung that should be plentiful around that area, use whatever you can. We cannot be followed." She finished by standing and shaking out her pelt. "I have to announce where the Clan will have to be for the plan to work. Come on."
Graystar strode confidently into camp, elegantly leaping onto the meeting stone and yowling.
"All cats old enough to swim, gather to hear my words! This is important, and you all need to listen very carefully or you may be left behind."
RiverClan gathered quickly, crowding close to the bottom of the rock and shooting curious stares at her. Once she was sure everyone in the Clan was at the meeting, she began. She explained why they had to be there but left out the details about the rescue plan. She explained exactly how to get there to a young but trustworthy brown cat with curling black markings named Honeyglow. He nodded curtly once she was done.
"Good luck. We will get through this, RiverClan!" She meowed and leaped off the rock.
