Darkest Night

There’s not enough room around the lake for an extra Clan. Cherryfall’s words rang in Twigpaw’s head. But there was plenty of room. It took a whole day to mark the borders of ThunderClan territory. She guessed the same was true of the other Clans’ land. Surely they didn’t need that much space? Cherryfall’s just being difficult. She dismissed her Clanmate’s words. “There’s prey outside,” she mewed. “Let’s go and find something to eat.”

“Eat your herbs first,” Alderheart told Hawkwing.

Twigpaw headed for the entrance while Hawkwing lapped up the shredded leaves. As she ducked outside, an angry yowl pierced the air.

“What is Mosspelt supposed to eat?” Owlnose, a brown tabby RiverClan tom, was staring angrily at Cloudtail. The fresh-kill pile had dwindled, but there were still plenty of mice and voles there, along with Cherryfall’s rabbit.

“There’s more than enough left for Mosspelt,” Cloudtail answered sharply. “I don’t know why you’re making a fuss.”

Owlnose glared at him. “Have you forgotten the warrior code? The weakest cats eat first.” He glanced at the ThunderClan warriors eating prey around the edge of the clearing and then at Graystripe and Millie, who were tucking into a thrush. His angry glare seemed to silence the Clans. A hush descended over the hollow. “Why do your elders eat while ours goes hungry?”

Mosspelt was sitting outside the elders’ den, eyes bleary.

Graystripe looked up from his meal, his ears pricking. “Has some cat gone hungry?”

“Mosspelt,” Owlnose meowed indignantly.

“She was asleep,” Graystripe told him. “Even RiverClan cats can’t eat in their sleep, and I didn’t want to wake her. There’s nothing worse than being woken from a nap.”

Owlnose scowled at him. “Going hungry is worse.”

Millie sat up. “Mosspelt can share with us.” With a flick of her tail, she beckoned the RiverClan elder toward the thrush.

Mosspelt headed toward it, her pelt prickling self-consciously.

Owlnose’s fur bristled. “So all we get is ThunderClan leftovers now?”

“Perhaps if you spent more time hunting and less time complaining, there’d be enough for everyone.” Molewhisker lifted his chin defiantly.

But there is enough for everyone. Twigpaw looked at the prey left on the fresh-kill pile. Why were the toms making such a fuss?

Hawkwing and Violetpaw padded from the medicine den.

“What are they arguing about?” Violetpaw whispered as Lakeheart and Brackenpelt joined Owlnose and glared at Molewhisker.

Twigpaw shifted her paws uneasily. “I think there are too many warriors in one camp.”

The thorn barrier trembled and Mistystar padded in, Minnowtail, Breezepaw, Mallownose, and Podlight following at her heels. They stopped and stared in surprise. The camp was suddenly silent. “What’s happening here?” the RiverClan leader demanded.

Bramblestar leaped from Highledge. “Just a disagreement,” he explained. “It’s nothing to worry about. Every cat will feel better once they’ve eaten.”

Mistystar looked at Owlnose, Lakeheart, and Brackenpelt. “I hope you are showing respect. ThunderClan has been kind to us.”

The warriors didn’t meet her gaze.

Mistystar flicked her tail sharply. She turned to Bramblestar and dipped her head. “Thank you for your generosity. But I think it’s time RiverClan returned to our camp.”

Bramblestar flicked his muzzle toward Reedwhisker and Mintfur, the most injured of the RiverClan warriors. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

Mistystar glanced at them. “Don’t worry. Our injured cats will be cared for. Our medicine cats are as skilled as yours. And we’ve made good progress rebuilding the camp. We need to be home now to finish the work.”

Bramblestar nodded. “Very well. Would you like me to send a ThunderClan patrol with you? They could stay and help.”

“Thank you, but no.” Mistystar was firm.

“At least stay and eat with us.” Bramblestar glanced at Mosspelt, who had only just taken her first bite of thrush.

All gazes were fixed on Mistystar. Twigpaw felt tightness in her chest and realized that she was holding her breath. She didn’t want RiverClan to leave while tensions were still running high.

After a moment, Mistystar blinked softly. “Thank you, Bramblestar. We will.”

Relieved, Twigpaw waited beside Violetpaw and Hawkwing while Bramblestar led the RiverClan leader to the fresh-kill pile and nosed Cherryfall’s rabbit toward her.

Mistystar pushed it aside and picked out a shrew. “This will be enough.”

When she had left, Twigpaw padded toward the pile. She passed a mouse to Hawkwing and a shrew to Violetpaw before picking a vole for herself.

“Where shall we eat?” Violetpaw glanced nervously around the crowded clearing.

“Over there.” Twigpaw nodded toward an empty spot beside the SkyClan cats.

As Hawkwing and Violetpaw headed away, Ivypool called to her.

“Twigpaw!” Her mentor trotted happily toward her. “I’ve spoken to Bramblestar. We both agree it’s time for your assessment.”