Book 4: Sol's Revenge & Whisper's Path

Sol

I looked up at the sky just as night fell and the first stars twinkled against the dark. I studied the stars intently and they revealed many secrets about Cedarclan. I learned about the divisions of Cedarclan, I learned about Seaclan and Ravenclan, the warrior code, and many more things. All of which were very fragile indeed.

Whisper and I found a small hollow underneath a log. We dug it out even more to make room and we camped the night there. However I didn't sleep, I was already making plans for how to take over this clan. The eclipses power loomed just around the corner.

I awoke to Whispers paw prodding my shoulder.

"Another patrol of cats are coming!" He said urgently. I was instantly on my feet, however I wasn't going to run. I casually stepped out of the den and sat down patiently. Whisper warily did the same.

"Just follow my lead," I ordered quietly. Soon enough the patrol spotted us and raced forward with outraged cries.

"Hello," I called out to them.

"You're trespassing!" A cat snarled. I quirked an eyebrow disdainfully at the cat.

"Or I'm just visiting. Depends on how you look at it," I said with a yawn. The cat hissed at my arrogance.

"Yah well your visit just ended!" he snarled.

What a fool, I thought with contempt.

"My brother and I are here to speak with your leader, Hailstar," I announced. Confusion flickered throughout the group.

"How do you know our leaders name?" An orange she cat demanded. I recognized her as Gingerfern from the day before.

"That's for him to find out, Gingerfern," I murmured. Her eyes widened before narrowing.

"Alright," she said snappishly. She waved her tail and the patrol surrounded us. They took us directly towards their camp. Just as I had planned.

The Cedarclan camp was fairly open. Sungold Cyprus bushes made a loose border around the camp. Large white stones created an entrance. The mossy camp center contained fallen logs crafted into dens for the warriors, apprentices, elders, and queens. The leaders den and medicine cat den appeared to be conjoined under a shrub. No wonder, as I'd heard Hailstar was on the brink of death and needed constant care from the clan medicine cat, Featherfall.

The warriors were reasonably startled by the appearance of my brother and I. But they were hardly on edge as we were surrounded by apt warriors. We were clearly prisoners, not invaders.

"Jaypaw go alert Hailstar to the presence of our...guests," Icywind commanded his apprentice. Jawpaw opened his mouth to protest. The small apprentice was no supporter of the aged leader that was for certain.

"We don't have time for this," Gingerfern said with an eyeroll. "Rainpaw you go."

Her own apprentice trotted happily towards the leaders den. Jaypaw had a sour expression on his face. I realized he and Rainpaw were brothers, although Jaypaw didn't seem thrilled with that fact. Interesting.

After several minutes Hailstar appeared at the entrance of the den, leaning heavily on Featherfall.

"Who...what...why?" he rasped in Gingerferns general direction, absolutely misting her with saliva. The deputy blinked and twitched her whiskers. Spit dripped off her face.

"We found these two hiding on our territory," she said and roughly shoved me forward. I let out a low warning growl but Gingerfern made no attention. She was looking at Hailstar expectantly. It was so obvious she was silently begging him to act like a leader. But Hailstar seemed mostly confused.