The forest was unusually quiet, and the air churned with a certain foreboding. It made the fur along my spine stand up and I got the strong urge to return to camp; but I needed to complete this mission. But the fact that not a single bird sang was rather disturbing, and each cautious step I took farther into the woods sent a wave of misgiving through me.
A branch cracked, the dead leaves on the ground stirred… someone was near. Crouching low to the ground, hoping to stay out of sight, I tentatively sniffed the air. It was Hailfall, and to be honest I’m not sure if I should be thrilled or nervous at this discovery. Anxiety stirred through me as I recalled that I not only had to ascertain Hailfall’s treachery but I would also have to kill him afterwards. Could I possibly be capable of doing something like that? Not only was I a lowly guard, but I had never taken the life of another cat before. “I have to,” I murmured softly to myself, it was the only way to the respect I demand. And if I died than at least I would be in a better place, wouldn’t I? I still recalled the distant tales of StarClan from my family from SilverClan, tales that talked of a beautiful haven for deceased warriors. I would go there when I died, right? “Only the corrupt and evil go to…” I shivered, refusing to speak the name of the dreadful place.
Ever since coming here, I feared that maybe due to the life I was now living StarClan wouldn’t deem me worthy. Would they send me to the Place of No Stars, I cringed at the name, due to my rank? “Now’s not the time to worry about this,” I growled to myself and forced the thoughts of my after life into the back of my head, I’ll worry about it another day... if there is another day.
I need to get serious, I’m dealing with a seriously powerful cat and I can’t go messing up. One mistake might just cost me my life after all. So, with my full attention of tracking Hailfall, I slipped silently through the brush. I made sure to always stay out of sight while still keeping an eye on the white tom, which was rather easy due to how much his brightly colored pelt stood out.
I didn’t pay too much attention as to where Hailfall was heading, so when the large tom stopped at the edge of the forest I was mildly surprised. For the most part, the members of ShadeClan preferred to stick to the shadows of the forest and hardly any ventured too far past the tree line.
“You sure took your time,” someone greeted gruffly and a confident tom stalked forward. He was a silver tom with slightly darker stripes, his eyes were a piercing storm gray and he had an arrogant air about him that said he was used to getting what he wanted. “I was starting to wonder if you’d show.”
“Sorry,” Hailfall meowed as he sat down while wrapping his tail around his large paws, was this proof enough? The fact that Hailfall was so relaxed in the presence of this stranger should be enough to tell me he was a spy but then again this stranger could be a rogue friend from his past. “I wanted to make sure I wasn’t being followed.”
“Well at least your careful,” the tom sighed while he licked his paw and brought it over his muzzle. “Now the younger generation on the other hand… they act like nothing in this world could possibly hurt them.”
“We were like that when we were paws,” Hailfall stated and his whiskers twitched at the memories. They sat there in silence for a couple of moments before the stranger let out a snort of impatience.
“Bah, enough reminiscing the past,” he abruptly started to pace back and forth, his tail lashing eagerly. “Tell me, do you have any good information regarding ShadeClan?”
“Well I’m still working on getting into the inner circle,” Hailfall sighed, his ears twitching in annoyance. “The leader, Nightfrost is too cautious, and since I’m an outsider… I’ve taken many precautions to get on his good side and now that one of the commander’s is growing close to retiring, there’s a chance I’ll finally be accepted.”
“That’s good,” the silver tom nodded in approval before going still. “Tell me, how many have been taken from their homes?”
“Five in total,” Hailfall meowed and his tail drooped in… was it sorrow? It was an emotion I didn’t see too much of, seeing as how many of the members of ShadeClan deemed the emotion as worthless and never really let it show outwardly. “They’re all so young, they don’t deserve the pain they’re being forced to go through.”
“Fox-hearted ShadeClan thieves,” the stranger snarled and his pelt bristled angrily. “I wish we could liberate the kits as soon as possible but we need to know more about the Clan’s future plans…”
“Tell me Shellfang, how is LightClan doing?”
LightClan… the name sounded familiar to me, where had I heard it before? I raked my mind for the name, trying to recall it when it dawned on me. That’s right when Sharppaw had been a kit, he always complained about how LightClan saved so many of the Stolen but ended up leaving him and Orangekit behind. “Who would have thought…” to think that Hailfall was part of the Clan that always got in Nightfrost’s way.
“Well done Spiritpaw,” the sudden voice that sounded softly in my ear made my pelt bristle and I whipped around to find myself face to face with Nightfrost. His cold, frozen gaze stared directly into mine which sent shivers through me. “I knew you’d discover this treachery soon. Now, do the second part of your mission.”
“Second… part…” I echoed that would be to kill the treator. I gulped turned back to Hailfall, who was listening intently as Shellfang talked about how the white warriors kits had been named ‘paws and were doing amazing in their training. He had a family, how could I even think about taking his life now? His kits and mate wouldn’t deserve the death of their beloved… I was so deep in thought I didn’t notice Nightfrost shifting behind me.
“Show me just how strong you are, Spiritpaw,” he murmured menacingly into my ear, and then his paws slammed into my back and I tumbled out of my hiding spot. I found myself sprawled across the ground, laying just inches from the two tom’s paws.
YOU ARE READING
Stolen (Book 1 of the Outcast Quartet)
FanfictionEverything was normal, until that night when their world was turned upside down. In one night, their lives changed for the worse. Abandoned.... separated... death... Even among their Clanmates, they are alone as they struggle down their own sorrowfu...
