Silverfoot's Journey

Chapter 3

As the sun began to go down the next day, Silverfoot began to grow impatient and anxious.  When the last cat finally went into their den, Silverfoot rose from where he laid and looked around. He spotted Graysplash still hanging around beside the freshkill pile, so he pretended to yawn.  The gray elderly tom pushed his way into the elders den with a sigh  and Silverfoot let out a breath of relief.     

Thank StarClan he didn't see me  he thought to himself with relief.  Once he knew for certain that the coast was clear, he made his way out of the camp.  When he reached his way outside of the camp unchallenged , he raced off at top speed towards the Gathering Island.  He spotted movement ahead of him and noticed the lean shapes of Turtlestep and Applepaw.  He pushed his way into the clearing and waved his tail in greeting to the two cats. 

"Did you see Dreamspirit when you were on your way or no?", Turtlestep asked.

"No, I didn't", Silverfoot meowed.

"I'm here!", a young voice meowed. 

The three cats turned around and saw Dreamspirit padding quickly towards them. She looked as if she had ran through a bunch of thorn bushes. Her black-and-white pelt was matted and bits of twig were stuck in her pelt.

"Good, that's everyone",  Applepaw meowed.

Silverfoot was about to speak when a flash of light appeared a few lengths ahead of them.  A tall mottled dark brown tabby padded up to the four warriors.  The stars that he left in his wake was a sign that he was from StarClan.

"Who are you?", Applepaw asked.

"I'm Branchtail. I was once deputy of PineClan", the tabby meowed.  "I have a message for you four." 

Silverfoot looked at the others with shock and awe.  He didn't know that a StarClan cat would appear.  He shook his head slightly to Dreamspirit when she looked at with curiosity.  

"The Clans are in grave danger. There's a strange threat that will soon take over. To stop the darkness,  light must find a way back to the dawn," Branchtail meowed.   "Your journey has begun. Head towards the sun and you will find what you seek." 

"What-", Silverfoot was about to speak, but the spirit cat was gone. 

"Well, I guess we better leave now", Applepaw meowed.

"What about our Clans? Won't they worry about us if we just suddenly vanish without a word?", Dreamspirit asked.

"Do you really think we would be able to go if we tell our Clans?",  Turtlestep asked.

"No", Applepaw meowed.  "We might as well leave now." 

As Silverfoot followed the three other warriors, his thoughts drifted towards his mate.  What will she think if I left her without a word?  Silverfoot knew there was nothing he could do but follow the sun.   Bronzeclaw will look after her.