Night Whispers

Then she understood. It was a trap—one that she wasn’t going to fall into like a dandelion-brained rabbit. “I can’t.” She looked triumphantly at Brokenstar. “He’s already dead.” He’s not catching me out with stupid questions.

Brokenstar’s whiskers quivered. “So young, so innocent,” he growled. “No cat stays in StarClan forever. They all fade in the end.” His gaze ran over Flametail as if the medicine cat were a juicy piece of prey. “Unless someone kills them first.”

Ivypaw narrowed her eyes. “That’s not true! This is where cats come for the rest of all the moons!”

“Oh, it’s true,” Brokenstar assured her. “It’s also unimaginably painful to give up the last dying echo of one’s life.”

Ivypaw started to back away. “I’m not killing him.”

Brokenstar’s muzzle was suddenly a whisker from hers. His hot, rancid breath stung her eyes. “Why?” he hissed. “Are you a Dark Forest warrior or not?”

Ivypaw blinked. “I—I…”

Brokenstar’s gaze scorched her. “I don’t know why Hawkfrost chose you,” he snarled. “I think your loyalties will always be with your Clanmates beside the lake.” He stepped closer. “Which makes you dangerous.”

“I thought you wanted dangerous cats,” Ivypaw spat back. If she could defend herself convincingly, surely Brokenstar would let Flametail go?

Brokenstar’s gaze didn’t waver. “I know what your sister is.”

“So?”

“You’re her littermate.”

“If you know so much,” Ivypaw hissed, “then you must know that I’m not part of the prophecy.”

“But you share her blood. Would you really betray that? Or should I kill her instead, to be sure that your loyalties are not divided?”

Leave Dovepaw out of it! Without Dovepaw, the Clans would be lost. Ivypaw lifted her chin. She was ready to die.

And yet…

If she died here, who would warn the Clans? She’d heard Tigerstar say that the battle was near. She had to go back. Which meant she had to persuade Brokenstar to let her live. There was only one thing to do.

“I’m loyal to the Dark Forest.” She rounded on Flametail and crouched down, lashing her tail. I’m sorry, Flametail, but I have to do this for the sake of our Clans! She unsheathed her claws. Forgive me, StarClan!

As she sprang, there was a blur of dark brown fur, and something hard slammed into her. The force knocked her sprawling across the clearing. Blinking, she staggered to her paws.

Tigerheart!

“What are you doing?” he screeched, standing in front of Flametail. Horror and bewilderment flared in his eyes. “I won’t let you destroy what’s left of my brother!”

Tigerstar stalked from the shadows. “Oh, very brave. I see my blood flowing in yours.”

I’m sorry! Ivypaw tried to catch Tigerheart’s eye. But the young warrior’s gaze was darting between Tigerstar and Brokenstar. Spitting, he pressed against Flametail. “Leave him alone.”

“Brokenstar.” Tigerstar’s mew was soothing. “There’s no need to kill Flametail. He’s no threat. He can only mix herbs.”

Brokenstar swung his head around. “He means nothing to me, alive or dead. But what about her?” He flicked his tail toward Ivypaw.

Ivypaw hung her head, trying to catch her breath. Had she done enough to convince the Dark Forest cats that she was loyal to them, and not the Clans by the lake? She didn’t dare think about what Tigerheart would do to her when they got back to the lake.

“We need all the warriors we can get,” Tigerstar answered smoothly. Ivypaw jerked her head up.

“I believe that Ivypaw is loyal to the Place of No Stars. When the final battle comes, she will stand with us.”

Warriors Adventure Game

Uninvited Guests

Whichever previous adventure you played, consider that two moons have passed since then. Determine what age that makes all the cat characters (including the cat belonging to the person who will take the first turn as Narrator) and use the information found in the “Improving Your Cat” section of Chapter Four in the game rules to make the necessary changes.

Unless you are the first Narrator in this adventure, stop reading here. The information beginning in the next paragraph is for the Narrator only.

The Adventure Begins

Hello, Narrator! It’s time to begin playing “Uninvited Guests.” Make sure all the players have their character sheets, the correct number of chips, a piece of paper, and a pencil. Remember that the point of the game is to have fun. Don’t be afraid to go slow, and refer to the rules if you aren’t sure exactly what should happen next.

When you’re ready, begin with 1 below.

1. Fox Hunt