EOTW: Waning Moon: Chapter Twenty Three

Warriors Series 5.5: Echoes of the War
Book 3: Waning Moon
Chapter Twenty Three

     Blazeheart looked up towards the Great Tree, ears flicking forward. All four leaders were standing on the lower branches of the tree. Ashstar and Bramblestar shared a lower branch, Mistystar on a higher branch, while Tigerstar was on branch a little to the side. All four leaders looked down as their warriors fell silent. Every cat seemed to be holding their breath as they waited for the Gathering to begin.

     Mistystar stepped forward first. “We have a new queen in the nursery,” she announced clearly. “Duskfur has returned to the nursery expecting a new litter.” Blazeheart saw Reedwhisker draw himself up proudly from his seat with the other deputies, near by the base of the Great Tree. He guessed the deputy was Duskfur's mate. “ We caught fox scents by the far border earlier in the moon, but they seem to have moved on.”

     The blue-gray leader paused, hesitating before adding, “Rushtail died on the first half moon. He is missed by his Clanmates, and will be honored by StarClan.” She stepped back, letting another leader take her place.

     Blazeheart murmured to Ambertalon, “That was pretty rushed. And no mention of Breeze or the rogues.”

     She whispered back, “They're trying to carry on like normal. I guess they're trying to prove Breeze won't get in the way of the Gathering unless he actually shows up.”

     While they were whispering, Tigerstar had come to the front of his branch, waving his tail commandingly. “Buffy's kits were born two sunrises after the second half moon,” he announced to the cats listening below. “StarClan has blessed her with a healthy litter of five kittens. Birdkit, Dustykit, Graykit, Tulipkit, and Shilo are welcome additions to ShadowClan, and we look forward to their future in our Clan.”

     Surprised murmurs rippled through the crowd. “Shilo?” Blazeheart repeated, ears turning forward in interest. “What kind of Clan name is that?”

     The group he and Ambertalon had sat with contained a few ShadowClan warriors. Pepperpelt murmured, “She gave most of her kits Clan names, but she said she had promised herself to name one of her kits after her mother, a kittpyet named Shilo.”

     “And Tigerstar allowed that?” Ambertalon asked in surprise.

     Pepperpelt shrugged. “He let Buffy keep her name, didn't he? What's so different about giving her own kit a kittypet name?”

     Blazeheart hesitated, but found he couldn't come up with a fitting objection. So he fell silent, listening as Tigerstar continued. “Applefur has gone to StarClan. Her Clanmates grieve for her, and the kits she leaves behind will honor her memory and her wisdom.”

     As Tigerstar stepped back, Bramblestar took over, his commanding rumble echoing through the island. “We come to the Gathering tonight with two new warriors. Lightfoot and Sparktail earned their names after proving their courage and loyalty in battle.”

     Blazeheart spotted the new warriors sitting a few tail-lengths away, gathered with a group of WindClan and RiverClan warriors. He added his voice to the crowds' as cats began to chant, “Lightfoot! Sparktail! Lightfoot! Sparktail!” Even in the tense atmosphere, both toms managed to muster some pride as their names were called.

     “We also have two new apprentices,” Bramblestar called, bringing the attention back to him. “Though they could not be here tonight, Ripplepaw and Skypaw began their training three sunrises ago. Ripplepaw is being trained by Ambertalon, while Skypaw is mentored by Molefoot.”

     “Ripplepaw! Skypaw! Ripplepaw! Skypaw!” Blazeheart almost felt like the cheerful yowls of the other cats were forced, as though they were trying to seem deliberately joyful and confident in their Clans. He tried to fight back the sinking feeling in his own chest, cheering for his absent Clanmates.

     Bramblestar continued once the yowls died down. “In addition, we have two new queens. Blossomfall and Hazeltail both entered the nursery this moon, expecting kits.” He hesitated for a moment. After a pause, he rumbled, “The fathers of both of these litters, sadly, have passed on. Foxleap died while guarding his Clan at the first half moon, and Mousewhisker fell in battle during the second half moon. Both of these cats will be honored for their courage, and will be remembered as their kits are raised among us.” Grief tugged at Blazeheart's heart as he remembered the deaths of his Clanmates. But he felt a twinge of hope as he remembered the kits they were leaving behind, and the new lives that would come to his Clan in the coming moons.

     As Bramblestar stepped back, Ashstar padded forward, claws digging into the bark as she stood before the cats below. Blazeheart felt a twinge of concern as he saw how she swayed a little on her paws. Ashstar's pelt clung tightly to her bones, white flecking her muzzle. Would Ashstar really make it through whatever battle waited for the Clans?

     “WindClan welcomes four new kits this moon,” Ashstar called out to the cats below. “Nightfern's litter is strong and healthy. We also have a new queen. Larksong has gone to the nursery expecting Crouchfoot's kits.” Blazeheart spotted the black tom in the crowd, holding his head up proudly at the mention of his mate. “We thank StarClan for the prosperity of the past moon, and we look forward to the progress of our newest members.”

     Ashstar hesitated, then stepped back. For a moment, Blazeheart almost thought that would be it. The Gathering, it seemed, was over.

     Then, a voice sounded from the edge of the island. “Intruders!” A few warriors emerged from the ferns near the bridge, turning back and bristling at the cats that followed them. Blazeheart stiffened, recognizing the lithe black tom at their head.

     Ashstar arched her back, spitting, “Breeze!” The black tom stared up calmly at the four leaders, the same calm smugness in his amber gaze as Blazeheart had seen last moon.

     “Hello, Ashstar,” Breeze said in a silky purr. He gazed calmly around the island, meeting the hate-filled glares of the Clan cats without any sign of fear. “I see you continue to Gather, even after the warning I gave you last moon,” he mewed. “You must be more foolish than I thought.”

     Mistystar glared down at him, growling, “Of course we are here, Breeze.” Even in her anger, the elderly blue-gray leader managed to come across as unquestionably noble. “Tonight is the full moon. Our ancestors have decreed that we meet on the night that the moon is brightest, so that we may share news, and honor StarClan above.” She curled back her lip, flashing her fangs in a snarl. “The threats of one cat will not stand between our Clans and the traditions we have followed for moons beyond count.”

     Breeze gave a contemptuous snort, looking at each of the leaders in turn. “You hold such pride in such a broken code,” he sneered. After a moment, he shrugged. “So, last moon, I made a demand of the Clans. I demanded that you disband forever, and leave your tarnished code behind. What is your answer now?”

     For a moment, the four leaders looked at each other. Ashstar looked at each of her fellow leaders in turn. Tigerstar dipped his head to the older leader, Mistystar flicking her tail encouragingly, and Bramblestar gave a small nod. Finally, having gained the approval of her fellow leaders, Ashstar turned back to Breeze. She glared down proudly at her kin, strength in her mew as she gave her answer. “We will never leave our Clans, Breeze,” she growled. “Every cat here is prepared to fight to defend our code.”

     The cats in the clearing below murmured their agreement. Blazeheart felt the cats moving in behind him. Ambertalon stood beside him, pelt bristling against hers, Silvershine and Sunstrike moving in close beside him with their teeth bared. All across the island, cats from all four Clans stood together, side by side, pelt to pelt, glaring hatred at Breeze together. The warriors of the four Clans were prepared to fight.

     Breeze seemed unfazed as all four Clans stared him down. Even as the cats beside him crouched and snarled, Breeze remained standing, his pelt unruffled. “Then you have chosen your own destruction,” he said calmly.

     “So now what, Breeze?” Bramblestar growled. “If you want to destroy us, I welcome you to try.” The massive tabby crouched against his branch, amber eyes dark with anger.

     The rogues Breeze had brought began to move forward, but Breeze managed to halt them with a short flick of his tail. “I told you I would destroy you. But there will be no battle tonight. Your destruction will be at a time of my choosing. The Clans do not get to have their heroic fight to the death tonight; you will die scattered, and alone, and afraid. And with your last breath you will curse the stars that you fought so hard for.”

     Blazeheart felt a jolt of surprise. He almost didn't register what was happening as Breeze and his cats began retreating back into the ferns, with warriors giving chase. Splashes sounded as the rogues flung themselves into the lake, swimming strongly back to the other shore. Blazeheart heard challenging yowls of the warriors who had chased them, only for the cats to return through the ferns. Larksong led the returning warriors, reporting to the warriors, “They're gone.”

     Every cat seemed stunned by what had just happened. The four leaders stood atop the Great Tree, blinking back their shock, while the clearing broke into mews and yowls. It slowly began to dawn on Blazeheart that there was not going to be a battle fought that night. His hackles began to lower, surprise making his legs weak under him. He leaned against Ambertalon's shoulder a little as he tried to take in what had happened.

     “What a coward!” Ambertalon hissed, lashing her tail. “He makes some big speech about destroying us, but backs out when he's actually faced with four Clans ready to fight.”

     Blazeheart gave a half-hearted mew of agreement, but privately he doubted that Breeze's retreat had anything to do with cowardice. The tom seemed as sure of himself as ever. The fur on the back of Blazeheart's neck began to prickle as he realized that this fight wasn't over yet.

     The clamor in the clearing had risen in volume. “Silence!” Bramblestar's booming yowl rose about the cries of the crowd, sending every cat into silence. The warriors below all turned their eyes to the four leaders in the Great Tree. Blazeheart could see confusion in his leader's eyes, but Bramblestar did his best to keep his composure. “We cannot know for sure what Breeze means. All we can know for sure is that Breeze is gone, for now.”

     “But what about our Clanmates?” Oddtail asked in a gasp. “What if Breeze has taken his cats back to our camps?”

     Panicked cries raced through the crowd. Mistystar gave a sharp yowl for order, calling out, “We need to return to our camps! Everyone, gather together according to Clan, and we'll make our way in an orderly fashion across the pebble-bridge.”

     “If our camps are under attack, we'll send a messenger to the other Clans to ask for help,” Bramblestar added. The clearing exploded into movement, cats scrambling to group together by Clan. Blazeheart and Ambertalon left Silvershine and Sunstrike behind, joining their Clanmates by the far edge of the ferns. His heart was racing; he could only hope they didn't get back to their camp too late.

SCENEBREAK

     “Bramblestar?” Squirrelflight looked alarmed as the Gathering patrol burst through the bramble entrance. “What in StarClan is going on? Are you being chased?”

     The massive tabby shook his his, still looking stunned. The elders and queens began stepping out of their dens, blinking in surprise as the panting, wide-eyed warriors burst into camp. Blazeheart and Ambertalon pushed through the entrance together, Silentstorm not far behind them. Blazeheart's lungs burned, his legs shaking wildly under him. The patrol had run back to camp as fast as their paws could carry them.

     “Breeze left the Gathering without a fight,” Bramblestar managed to gasp out. “We thought he might have come back to attack the camps. We came back as soon as we could.”

     Squirrelflight shook her head. “All quiet here,” she told her mate. “We haven't seen hide nor hair of Breeze since you left.” She came to sniff Bramblestar's pelt, looking concerned as he trembled from the effort of his run.

     Blazeheart fought to get air back in his lungs. As the burning sensation in his chest lessened, he began to realize that Squirrelflight was right. The camp showed no signs of disturbance, and every cat looked fine. Breeze really hadn't made any attacks tonight. His Clan was safe.

     Cats were beginning to talk among themselves, voices rising in panic.

     “What does this mean?”
     “Is Breeze going to attack us?”
     “Has he given up?”
     “What is he planning?”

     Bramblestar exchanged a brief glance with Squirrelflight, pressing his muzzle to his mates' for a moment. Then, he turned and bounded across the camp, sending snow flying up as he ran. He scrambled up the High Ledge, turning to stand before his Clan. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the High Ledge for a Clan meeting!” he yowled.

     Every cat fell silent, turning to look up at their leader. Blazeheart and his Clanmates began migrating towards the High Ledge, waiting for Bramblestar to speak.

     “Breeze came to the Gathering tonight,” he told his Clanmates. The cats who had been at the Gathering didn't react, and even the cats who had stayed behind in camp showed no surprise. Bramblestar continued, “When we told him we would defend our Clans and home to the end, he told us he would punish us. But he said he would do it at his own time, and then he and his rogues left.” As the murmurs started up again, he gave a single lash of his tail for silence.

     “I don't know what he is planning,” Bramblestar growled. “But it would be foolish to assume he has simply given up. I believe he is saving his battle against the Clans for when he can strike first.”

     Berrynose called out, “So what will we do?”

     “What we've already been doing,” the leader said. “Make sure the camp is prepared for battle. Double the guard. Keep an eye on all of our borders. The only thing we can do is be prepared as possible for whenever Breeze makes his attack.” He paused for a moment, gaze sweeping over his Clan. “Get some sleep,” he murmured. “Tomorrow, we'll begin preparations. You are all dismissed.”

     Blazeheart watched as his Clanmates murmured to each other, beginning to make their way back to their dens. He hadn't fought any battle that day, and yet, somehow he felt just as exhausted as though he'd fought ten. Nothing had been resolved. Breeze was still out there, still a threat to his Clan. And now, they had no idea when he would strike next.