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“I am the leader of PuffinClan,” Whalestar huffed, “and you suggest that I don’t go to the Gathering?” Whalestar paced around his nest while Maplesong laid in front of him, relieving pressure from his injured legs.
“Do you remember what you told me?” Maplesong sighed, glancing out of the leader’s den for anyone listening. “You said you would advise me and take a step back from leadership.”
“I said that?” Whalestar muttered. His paws kneaded his nest, but they shook as he moved.
“Trust me when I say, yes,” Maplesong groaned. “Look at your paws, Whalestar. You’re still shaking from the battle. We need to seem strong in front of CliffClan. They know you’ve lost a life, it wouldn’t be hard to assume Shimmerblaze would want you in camp.”
“My wounds healed,” Whalestar grumbled. “Your legs are still covered in cobwebs.” Maplesong looked at his hind legs. The wounds had been deep enough that Shimmerblaze thought they would scar, but at least he could walk on them.
“I’ll take it easy,” Maplesong assured him. “Please, let me lead the clan to the Stacked Stones tonight.” Whalestar growled under his breath.
“Fine,” Whalestar grunted. “Do you know what’s expected of you?”
“I know I present the news of the moon to the clans from the top of the stones,” Maplesong sighed, sitting up. He flinched as his wounds pinched.
“You may talk to some of the other cats of the clans if you wish, but only short conversations,” Whalestar explained. “Do not stop heading to your place with the leaders. As leaders, we do not have the pleasure of inter-clan friendships in the same way as our clanmates. We do not get the chance to socialize with anyone but the other leaders. You’ve heard countless Gatherings before. Surely you know what you should and should not mention.”
“Kits, apprentices, new names,” Maplesong sighed. “What about the conflict with CliffClan? Should I confront Lemmingstar? Would that break the truce?”
“Let Lemmingstar make the first move,” Whalestar advised. “She will set the tone for the Gathering. I’ve found letting others speak first gives me time to prepare my thoughts. I’m rarely blamed when someone else starts the conflict.” Maplesong chuckled, tail over his paws. This was the Whalestar of his youth; intelligent and witty. Good days like these were the best.
“Thank you,” Maplesong purred. “Who do you think I should bring?”
“Award those who have shown loyalty and the virtues of PuffinClan,” Whalestar muttered.
“I think I know who I want to bring,” Maplesong said with a nod. “Am… can I call a clan meeting as a deputy?”
“I’ll call it, I’ll call it,” Whalestar groaned, standing. “No need to worry, Cootspring.” Some of Maplesong’s ease slipped away as Whalestar left the den.
The purple light of sunset streaked across the sky, mixed with glorious reds and oranges. All of PuffinClan was in camp, waiting to hear who would be picked for the Gathering. Bumblepaw stayed close to the holy den, making sure Ospreystep was alright. She was far from okay, but her wounds wouldn’t kill her. The counselors were in heated whispers, discussing the day’s meeting with CliffClan. Whalestar and Maplesong climbed the announcement rock together.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather at the base of camp for a clan meeting,” Whalestar declared. It didn’t take long for every able cat to join together. A tense energy hung in the air, an urgency to share tongues with the other clans and share the news of yesterday’s chaos. Whalestar’s sons sat together, nodding to their father.
“As you know, tonight is the Gathering,” Whalestar coughed. “Shimmerblaze has requested that I stay at camp to continue healing from the battle. My loyal deputy will represent me. I am sure he will do a fine job. He will announce who will accompany him to the Gathering.” PuffinClan muttered amongst itself as Whalestar bowed, allowing Maplesong to take his spot at the tip of the rock. Part of Maplesong wanted to be among his clanmates below, yet another part told him he was meant to be up there.
“The following cats will be allowed to journey to the Stacked Stones once the sun has fully set,” Maplesong decreed. For the most part, he picked whichever cat landed in his gaze. “Archpelt, Murkstream, Thrushpaw, Breezeclaw, Seabranch, Bumblepaw, Hollyshine, Twigbrook, Nettlestone, Elmpatch, Cormorantpetal, Newtstorm, Codpaw, and Gingertail. The rest of you will stay here and watch out for any CliffClan tricks.”
“Clan dismissed,” Whalestar called. Everyone began chatting with one another as Maplesong escorted Whalestar back to his den. Elmpatch stuck her tongue out at Tawnytide, who smiled and rolled her eyes.
“All the cats from the original border patrol, save for Ospreystep,” Cliffstripe muttered to Graythroat. “Only two counselors as well. I don’t think that was a wise choice.”
“Keeping them here could show CliffClan that we don’t believe we are in the right,” Graythroat sighed.
Across camp, Bumblepaw sat by Shimmerblaze, staring at Whalestar’s den. He pressed his ears back.
“Your first Gathering,” Shimmerblaze noted. “Are you excited?”
“Am I allowed to stay here?” Bumblepaw whined.
“You’re going to the Gathering,” Ospreystep huffed, propping herself up in her nest.
“It doesn’t feel right going when you’re hurt,” Bumblepaw groaned, moving to her side.
“I met Brookspot from CliffClan during my first Gathering,” Shimmerblaze said. They sniffed over Ospreystep’s bandages. “We’re still friends after all these moons. You’ll meet some wonderful apprentices there.”
“I know I will, but it doesn’t feel right!” Bumblepaw huffed.
“Don’t let me get in the way of your life,” Ospreystep insisted. Codpaw jumped into the holy den, landing in an empty nest.
“Bumblepaw, as an older apprentice,” Codpaw declared, “it is my duty to prepare you for your first Gathering! You’re going to be the prettiest apprentice there!”
“Pretty?” Bumblepaw stammered. Codpaw looped around him and started pushing Bumblepaw out of the holy den.
“Enjoy yourself!” Ospreystep laughed.
“Gah!” Bumblepaw whined as he scooted across camp. Codpaw’s head pushed him towards the apprentice’s den, where Thrushpaw and Brightpaw waited.
“If I was coming, I could help you pick out more prophecy cats,” Brightpaw muttered.
“I’ll know when I see them,” Thrushpaw assured her. “I’m sorry you weren’t picked to go.”
“Codpaw’s gone every moon since we became apprentices!” Brightpaw huffed as the other apprentices joined them.
“Perks of having the deputy as your mentor,” Codpaw laughed. “Bumblepaw needs to make a good first impression on the prophecy cats.”
“They might not even be at the Gathering tonight,” Thrushpaw sighed.
“What exactly do you want to do?” Bumblepaw asked, fidgeting.
“Fluffy fur, maybe a nice black feather stuffed in there,” Codpaw mused, pacing around Bumblepaw. “You’ll look wonderful!”
“Not too cocky, though,” Thrushpaw warned. “CliffClan won’t be happy that you’re going.”
“I wasn’t even in the fight,” Bumblepaw huffed as Codpaw started grooming his back. “Think we could get a crow feather? They’re really pretty.”
“I’ll raid the fresh kill pile,” Brightpaw said, strutting out of the den.
“We found a thrush feather for Thrushpaw when we all went together, we’re bound to find one for you!” Codpaw declared. “First Gatherings are sacred! Showing up with a feather is a must. Brightpaw and I had bustard feathers!”
“How do we even get a feather to stay in my fur?” Bumblepaw wondered.
“A bit of shoving,” Codpaw laughed. “If you get any weird gut feelings on other cats, tell Thrushpaw! This is our best chance to find the quick footed petal and the mother’s seed.”
“I’m starting to get excited,” Bumblepaw chirped.
“There’s the spirit!” Codpaw cheered.
Outside of PuffinClan territory, inside the SealClan camp, everyone was sharing tongues. Fur was being fluffed and clean, swimmers were drying out their pelts, and young warriors sharpened their claws on the Highrock. Even the kits, who couldn’t go to the Gathering, were being groomed by their mothers. Most kept escaping and trotting around camp, checking out the excitement of the day. At least Mothkit, the oldest only behind Antlerkit, was calm, watching the clan as Magpieflower gently groomed him. Cuckoocloud and her family sat beside her, helping one another groom hard to reach spots.
“There’s no way I’m not asked to go to the Gathering tonight,” Podpaw declared, nibbling an itch on his hind leg. “Brinestar’s bound to brag about the fox battle!”
“I’m hoping I can go too,” Flowerpaw sighed. “Emberpool said I could, even with my wound!”
“My second Gathering without Barkfrost,” Magpieflower sighed. Cuckoocloud gave her a comforting nuzzle.
“Gatherings are…” Lobsterspot hummed, scratching under his collar. “Fine, I suppose. I don’t really look forward to cats calling me kittypet.”
“But then you’d never see Berryfrost,” Cuckoocloud noted, licking his ear.
“I could always run into him at the border,” Lobsterspot muttered.
“Why do you care about a cat from another clan?” Podpaw asked.
“Because he was supposed to be a SealClan story-keeper,” Flowerpaw explained, as though it was obvious.
“Since when?” Podpaw stammered.
“You don’t know the story?” Cuckoocloud asked.
“Oh, I don’t want to hear it again,” Magpieflower groaned. “A bit too personal right now. I’m going to see Kitefall. Come along, Mothkit.” Mother and son strolled towards the elder’s den.
“Well, what’s the story?” Podpaw huffed.
“It’s not a nursery story, so I’m not shocked you don’t know it,” Lobsterspot sighed. “It’s rather recent.”
“Come on, tell me!” Podpaw whined, turning to Flowerpaw.
“He doesn’t talk about it much,” Flowerpaw began, “but Brinestar had a sister.”
“I thought he was an only kit!” Podpaw gasped.
“She was born many moons after he was,” Lobsterspot explained. “Her name was Silverthroat.”
“Silverthroat was once the greatest story teller in SealClan,” Flowerpaw said. “She knew every story to pass through the mouths of our ancestors. She loved to share stories with the other clans as well! During Gatherings, you’d find her with a crowd of cats, telling a fur raising tale before the leaders spoke. It was at a winter Gathering, as she told a story of the clans uniting together under the coldest day of the year, that she met Slatefur. He was an ElkClan warrior, with giant ears and a round face like the moon. Silverthroat was smitten. At first, it was a Gathering friendship, sharing news and jokes. But one day, Silverthroat left camp to meet Slatefur in the middle of the night. These meetings only grew more frequent. It wasn’t long before Silverthroat moved to the nursery.”
“How did the clan find out?” Podpaw asked.
“They wouldn’t have, but the summer brought a flood to ElkClan,” Flowerpaw explained. “Slatefur got caught in the water. With his dying breath, he told Pigeonfog, the ElkClan seer, that he was the father of a SealClan kit. Pigeonfog couldn’t hide this information, and told Brinestar, who had only become leader a quarter moon before, what happened. He was furious at his little sister. She’d already had the kit and named him… can you guess?”
“Berrykit?” Podpaw asked, a little annoyed.
“Yes,” Flowerpaw continued. “You know SealClan exiles all those with a half-clan relationship, and the evidence at her trial pointed to her guilt. In Brinestar’s fury, he forbade Silverthroat from ever knowing her son. The clan chased her out of the territory. Everyone felt betrayed. But Silverthroat would not go quietly. As night fell that day, a dark shadow slipped through camp. It hid behind the apprentice’s den, safe from the watchful eye of the night guard. It stayed low, but moved quickly. The clan had left for the Gathering, leaving few cats in the camp. The moon was the only one to watch Silverthroat sneak through camp. Her scent didn’t alert the sleeping cats, as they had only banished her a day before. Their dreams couldn’t realize her SealClan scent was wrong. Silverthroat stuck her head into the nursery. Needlecall and Coastbrook, then the newborn Coastkit, were fast asleep at the back of the den. Violetpatch, Lightningfeather’s mother, was pregnant and curled beside Needlecall. There was another Coastkit in the den too, the future Coaststorm, sleeping beside her mother Littlepetal. Brinestar’s mate.”
“I think I know what happens next,” Podpaw groaned.
“Littlepetal had taken in Berrykit, more than happy to raise another son,” Flowerpaw muttered. “As Silverthroat carefully picked Berrykit up by the scruff, Littlepetal opened her eyes. Her panicked yowl woke up Needlecall, who saw rage fill Silverthroat’s eyes. The rogue bit into Littlepetal’s neck, silencing her cry. Needlecall screamed as blood soaked the nursery. Silverthroat grabbed Berrykit and bolted out of the camp. She didn’t care who saw her at that point. The night guard chased after her, but she disappeared into ElkClan territory, vanishing in the trees.”
“That night guard was Jayleaf,” Lobsterspot mumbled.
“Jayleaf burst into the Gathering,” Flowerpaw continued, “screaming ‘Silverthroat has stolen Berrykit, she’s escaped into ElkClan!’ The Gathering collapsed into panic. Nutstar immediately agreed to search for Silverthroat as SealClan raced back to camp. By the time they returned, Littlepetal was dead. Brinestar declared that should Silverthroat be found by any warrior, she could be killed on sight.”
“I don’t get it,” Podpaw snapped. “Why didn’t Berrykit come back to SealClan?”
“A few days later,” Flowerpaw said, “an ElkClan patrol was out hunting, when Silverthroat emerged from the trees with Berrykit in her mouth. She set him down and said ‘I can’t do this anymore. He deserves to be in the clan of his father.’ That was the last time any cat saw her. She ran into the trees and vanished. ElkClan took Berrykit back to their camp and called for a counselor meeting. Nutstar was more than willing to return Berrykit to SealClan. Yet, to everyone’s surprise, Brinestar said no.”
“Why?” Podpaw gasped.
“In his mind, Berrykit was another reminder of the clan’s loss,” Flowerpaw sighed. “His loss. He wanted nothing to do with him. So Berrykit was allowed to live in ElkClan.”
“How do you fit into the story, Dad?” Podpaw asked. Lobsterspot bristled, grimacing.
“I was supposed to watch over Berrykit,” Lobsterspot explained. “Brinestar wanted me to make sure the queens were adjusting to Silverthroat’s banishment. She was beloved. But I wanted to greet the clan as they came back from the Gathering. I left camp just before Silverthroat snuck in.”
“Berryfrost is surprisingly nice about it all,” Cuckoocloud noted, leaning into Lobsterspot. “He’s always been a logical cat. He seems to hold no grudge against SealClan, despite Lobsterspot’s apologies.”
“You know how we only tell my story in very private, very important moments?” Lobsterspot whispered, leaning close to his children. “This story is one not to bring up around Brinestar or his family. The wounds are fresh.”
“I wouldn’t tease anyone about that,” Podpaw huffed.
“All cats old enough to swim through the ocean, gather below the Highrock for a clan meeting!” Brinestar yowled, suddenly appearing.
“Bad timing,” Podpaw muttered as the freshly groomed clan scooted closer to their leader.
“For tonight’s Gathering,” Brinestar declared, “I’ve picked cats who have shown faith and wit over the past moon. The cats going to the Gathering are Freckletuft, Mountainleap, Emberpool, Coastbrook, Flowerpaw, Wrenlight, Podpaw, Cuckoocloud, Lightningfeather, Sprucefoot, Redburr, Magpieflower, and Kitefall. Make sure you’re all presentable. We’ll leave once the color drains from the sky.” Brinestar hopped off the Highrock. Magpieflower looked horrified.
“I haven’t groomed myself!” Magpieflower stammered, looking at her rough coat. “Who will look after Mothkit?”
“Magpieflower, take it from me,” Kitefall sighed, placing a paw on the queen’s back. “You need to get out of camp.”
With Magpieflower’s worries completely unresolved, another clan was anxiously waiting for their leader’s choice. ElkClan was abuzz with chatter, sounding more like a gaggle of geese than a clan of cats. Two toms in particular were making the most noise, and it wasn’t the sibling duo that was usually responsible.
“Okay, we get into the Gathering,” Weaselpaw explained, pacing around his brother. “We immediately find where the apprentices meet. We show off our obvious superiority, which is a fancy word your mentor taught me, thank you very much, and we challenge them to a race!”
“Aren’t the other clans faster than us?” Pondpaw asked.
“They won’t beat us when I kick their legs at the start of the race!” Weaselpaw laughed. Pondpaw chuckled and looked up. His ears suddenly went flat. A shadow fell over Weaselpaw. He turned around to see Stoatpool towering over him.
“There’s going to be no kicking, no racing, and no antagonizing,” Stoatpool huffed. “There’s a new word for you.” Weaselpaw laughed awkwardly, backing into his brother.
“Cranefeather, you know I love the kits,” Partridgeleg groaned from outside the holy den, “but I need a break.” Cranefeather was carefully grooming Stiltpelt, who laid sleeping by the herbs.
“They’re so young,” Cranefeather sighed, frowning. “What if they need you while you’re at the Gathering?”
“They can’t go wrong with a healer for their father,” Partridgeleg laughed.
“I’m going to be busy with Stiltpelt,” Cranefeather huffed. “She’s incredibly weak. I don’t think she’ll last to the next Gathering.”
“I already asked Nutstar if I could go,” Partridgeleg explained, slipping beside Cranefeather, “and Darkheart will watch the kits.”
“You know I worry about you,” Cranefeather groaned.
“I’m a full grown molly,” Partridgeleg huffed. “I miss my friends. Goldenshade will be so excited to hear more about the kits, and Avocetcloud should have had her own kits by now.”
“Your queen friends,” Cranefeather sighed. “As the clan healer and your mate, I’m going to worry, but I hope you have fun.”
“All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below the stump for a clan meeting!” Nutstar yowled.
“Have fun with Frogbelly,” Partridgeleg scoffed, hopping towards the stump. “The poor tom’s already grieving!” Partridgeleg sat beside Skualeap and Darkheart and waited for the rest of the clan to shut up. It took far longer than it should have. Hazelear looked ready to berate the whole clan like a bunch of apprentices.
“I’m sure everyone’s excited for the Gathering,” Nutstar declared, sitting and watching her clanmates. “Since relations with the other clans have been strong over the past moon, and there have been no signs of any predators in the territory, I’m going to take more cats to the Gathering than usual. Hazelear, Spiderstorm, Saltfrost, Bearclaw, Sunfang, Scauppaw, Stoatpool, Adderscar, Berryfrost, Cardinalblaze, Pondpaw, Drizzlecloud, Eiderburr, Stonestep, Morningshine, Smallpaw, Rainsong, Riverwhisker, and Partridgeleg are joining me. I hope everyone enjoys themselves tonight.”
“Oh come on!” Weaselpaw whined as Nutstar jumped off the stump. “Why don’t I get to go? This is my first Gathering as an apprentice!”
“If Roachspring isn’t going, you’re not going,” Stoatpool snapped.
“But Pondpaw gets to go?” Weaselpaw groaned.
“Because Pondpaw didn’t wake up the whole nursery the day before his ceremony,” Stoatpool hissed.
Even as ElkClan happily chatted about the night ahead and the sun was barely peeking above the ocean waves, a tense air filled CliffClan camp. Loudstep sat outside the apprentice’s den, occasionally glancing back at his sleeping son. Mistpaw kicked the air as he slept, face scrunched up in a bad dream. Loudstep’s gaze turned towards Lemmingstar’s den, where he could just make out the silhouettes of the meeting cats.
The senior members of each major role in the clan sat in front of Lemmingstar. Rippedpool and Hailbranch sat to the leader’s left, with Rollerfall and Lynxshine to the right. Martenpaw mingled with Sleettuft, Gooseleg, and Palescar, silent but attentive. Usually picking cats for the gathering was a lone affair, but tonight, Lemmingstar needed the wisdom of her clan.
“We can’t bring anyone from Mistpaw’s family to the Gathering tonight,” Lemmingstar huffed. “Ospreystep may be alive, but Mistpaw’s family may insult PuffinClan.”
“Agreed,” Sleettuft sighed. “I suggest bringing only one cat from the battle be allowed to attend the Gathering, to share our perspective on the events.”
“I disagree,” Hailbranch interrupted. “We were defending our territory. Moved stones or not, the code is on our side. Even if we leave Mistpaw here, the others should come.”
“Even Beaverstone?” Palescar asked. “He did take one of Whalestar’s lives.”
“Today’s meeting spent time discussing Beaverstone,” Gooseleg explained. “PuffinClan will accept Beaverstone’s trial as a largely internal affair so long as he is not allowed at Gatherings for the next three moons, as a minimum punishment.”
“That sounds acceptable,” Lemmingstar sighed.
“I say out of the patrol, we invite Ashwhisker, Charpatch, and you, Palescar,” Hailbranch declared.
“We should avoid angering PuffinClan,” Lynxshine stammered. “I think Charpatch and Palescar are the only warriors we should bring along.”
“We can’t worry that much about PuffinClan’s opinion,” Sleettuft grunted. “Don’t we want to bring along Lightpaw and Honeypaw? It’s their first Gathering.”
“Making your grandchildren happy is the last thing in our minds,” Palescar muttered.
“I’ll take it to two votes,” Lemmingstar huffed. “All in agreement to take Ashwhisker, Charpatch, and Palescar?” Lemmingstar raised her tail. The other adults raised their tails as well, save for Lynxshine. It took Martenpaw a minute to realize she had to vote too, and quickly raised her tail. “Now, all for leaving the other warriors of the clan at camp?” Only Lynxshine and Palescar raised their tails. Lemmingstar nodded solemnly.
“The sun’s gone,” Rollerfall noted, glancing out of the den.
“I’ll make the announcement, and we’ll depart immediately,” Lemmingstar said. “You’re all dismissed.” The cats slipped into the cave proper, where the clan waited silently for their leader to appear. Lemmingstar didn’t even need to call for the clan.
“We’ve discussed who should represent the clan at the Gathering tonight,” Lemmingstar explained, her voice echoing around the cave. “We plan to confront Whalestar and PuffinClan and use the honor of the truce, alongside the pressures of the other clans, to come to an agreement on the border situation. Once again, I ask of you, if you remember anything from the night before the battle, tell a senior clanmate. Determining who caused our woes will solve far more problems than any conversation could. Rippedpool will stay with the clan to watch over our continued investigations.” CliffClan murmured among themselves, sharing worried or frustrated looks. “The cats attending the Gathering tonight are Rollerfall, Lynxshine, Hailbranch, Martenpaw, Fidgetflower, Lightpaw, Harriershade, Honeypaw, Ashwhisker, Charpatch, Palescar, Goldenshade, Gooseleg, and Wigeonfur. If we wish to not arrive last, we will be leaving immediately.” Lemmingstar jumped into the crowd.
“Does Lemmingstar not trust her own clanmates?” Firestripe scoffed as Wigeonfur trotted away from the group of elders, heading to his mate. “Why does Rippedpool have to watch over us?”
“Someone moved the border, Firestripe,” Brookspot coughed.
“I can’t believe it would be a CliffClan cat,” Firestripe grumbled. “And once again, Wigeonfur gets to see the other clans while we’re stuck here.”
“You can’t even walk out of camp,” Brookspot laughed, heading back to the elder’s den.
“It would be nice if I was asked!” Firestripe spat, dragging himself after his friend.
Lemmingstar led CliffClan to the rocky surface of the world. Rollerfall and Lynxshine walked beside her, with everyone else trotting after her. Lightpaw and Honeypaw happily chatted with their mentors while Ashwhisker and Goldenshade walked quietly behind them.
“I don’t know how I’m expected to defend Mistpaw,” Ashwhisker groaned. “I paid more attention to the fight than to what he was doing.”
“He’s already admitted to it,” Goldenshade sighed. “This trial will be much easier than if he claimed innocence.”
“Would Lemmingstar exile an apprentice?” Ashwhisker gulped.
“Ospreystep didn’t die,” Goldenshade insisted, “so I doubt that will happen.”
“I hate trials,” Ashwhisker muttered, glaring back at the camp entrance. “Maybe when Otterpaw earns his full name, I can be involved less. StarClan, I miss Graywhisker. She would have been better suited for this.”
“Once we resolve the border problems, we can take a long nap,” Goldenshade murmured, touching her nose to Ashwhisker’s cheek. “You can focus on fun things at the Gathering.”
“I don’t think Elmpatch will want to talk hunting stories,” Ashwhisker groaned.
Since ElkClan’s camp was the closest to the Stacked Stones, they were the first to arrive.
Nutstar pushed through the trees. Smooth flat stones sat on top of one another, forming walls with tight angles. The stones made an arch, like the opening of a den, facing CliffClan territory. Vines snaked up the arch. Clan ancestors left faint impressions of paw prints in the mossy rock. Pondpaw, who was walking almost underneath Cardinalblaze, stared at the site with awe.
“I should have taken you to this corner of the territory before,” Cardinalblaze laughed as the clan made their way into the camp sized clearing within the stones. “I thought I should wait until tonight.”
“It’s so cool,” Pondpaw whispered. Nutstar climbed onto the stones and jumped to the top of the arch. She settled down as the rest of ElkClan spread out.
“Pondpaw!” Scauppaw called. She and Smallpaw left their mentors behind and sat in the corner to Nutstar’s left. “Over here!” Pondpaw charged down the hill. He jumped onto the rocks and ran over them, sitting above the older apprentices.
“Since when do the apprentices sit over there?” Cardinalblaze huffed as Spiderstorm and Berryfrost passed him. “We used to sit in the center of the clearing!”
“It’s a new generation,” Berryfrost hummed. “You can’t expect apprentices to gather in the same spot you did.”
“It would be nice to continue the tradition,” Cardinalblaze grumbled. Spiderstorm climbed onto the farthest stone from the arch and watched for the other clans. Stoatpool and Partridgeleg claimed the old apprentice spot in the center of the clearing, happily talking. Hazelear sat underneath Nutstar within the arch.
“It seems you and I shall sit together, Berryfrost!” Cardinalblaze declared, but when he turned to the story-keeper, he was talking to Eiderburr and Stonestep. Cardinalblaze’s tail dropped. He rolled onto his back and stared at the stars. He would wait for the other clans to show up. There had to be someone to talk to there.
“So who are the other apprentices?” Pondpaw asked, sitting like a bun on the stones.
“Briarpaw and his littermates are so much fun,” Scauppaw giggled. “Lynxpaw shows up sometimes too, he’s so sweet!”
“Spiderstorm said he got his full name, remember?” Smallpaw scoffed, ruffling Scauppaw’s fur.
“Flowerpaw and Podpaw are from SealClan,” Scauppaw continued, “and there’s a bunch of apprentices from PuffinClan, but they’re boring. What are you gonna do to impress them, Ponds?”
“I have a nickname?” Pondpaw gasped
“Well, Scauppaw’s called Ducky, cause a scaup is a duck,” Smallpaw explained, “and she calls me Big Bug.”
“Ponds is a cute nickname!” Scauppaw insisted. “So what do you plan to do to show off for the other apprentices?”
“Weaselpaw and I wanted to race them, but my mom said we couldn’t,” Pondpaw grumbled.
“You’re not a kit anymore,” Scauppaw scoffed. “Stoatpool isn’t your mentor. This is the Gathering, you get to do what you want! She can’t punish you.”
“And Cardinalblaze is super forgiving,” Smallpaw chuckled. “He might even join you.”
“Here comes CliffClan!” Morningshine declared. ElkClan’s gaze turned to the southern cliffs. CliffClan stalked towards the Stacked Stones like a dark horde, quiet and watching.
“What’s Weaselpaw’s nickname?” Pondpaw asked as Lemmingstar climbed up to Nutstar.
“He doesn’t have one,” Scauppaw scoffed, looking through the CliffClan crowd. “Big Bug, you see Briarpaw anywhere?”
“I think I see some new apprentices,” Smallpaw noted, picking two golden mollies out of the group.
“Then bring them over!” Scauppaw snapped.
As Smallpaw pushed through the crowd that mingled with ElkClan to form a strange new scent, Nutstar turned to Lemmingstar and asked “Good hunting in the cliffs?”
“Plenty of bats,” Lemmingstar muttered. “Trouble for you?”
“A slow moon for us,” Nutstar said, smiling. “No battles, although Stiltpelt, our only elder, will be joining StarClan soon.”
“My condolences,” Lemmingstar huffed. “I’m afraid CliffClan was not so peaceful. You’re sure to hear all about it tonight.” Smallpaw trotted past Hazelear with Lightpaw and Honeypaw in tow, joining the other apprentices in the corner.
“Scauppaw, Pondpaw, meet Lightpaw and Honeypaw,” Smallpaw explained. “They became apprentices the day after last moon’s Gathering.”
“I’ve been an apprentice for a quarter moon,” Pondpaw chirped. “Are either of you story-keepers?”
“We’re going to be warriors,” Honeypaw said, jumping onto the stones. Lightpaw sat beside her.
“I don’t see Briarpaw or any of his littermates,” Smallpaw hummed. “You’d think at least one of them would show up.”
“There was kind of a reason for that,” Honeypaw muttered.
“What do you mean?” Pondpaw asked.
“Honeypaw, Harriershade said that was for the leaders to talk about, not us!” Lightpaw hissed in her sister’s ear.
“You’ll see,” Honeypaw sighed, rubbing her ear.
“Come on, tell us!” Scauppaw whined.
“We’re not supposed to!” Honeypaw explained, tail fluffing.
“Scauppaw, leave her alone,” Smallpaw grunted, standing in front of her clanmate.
“Someone isn’t earning a nickname,” Scauppaw grumbled, looking back at the older cats. She briefly met eyes with Harriershade before looking away.
Harriershade tapped her feet, looking for someone to talk to. Smallpaw seemed to be having fun talking to Honeypaw, but Harriershade didn’t belong there anymore. She was a warrior. Maybe she and Smallpaw could talk once she got her full name, but Harriershade wasn’t going to step on her apprentice’s paws and interrupt her first Gathering. Lynxshine was busy too, chatting with Spiderstorm and Rollerfall.
The young warrior groaned and laid facing the sky. She didn’t do too much star gazing, considering she lived in a cave, but the stars were definitely pretty. She wondered if they felt at home, resting with the moon for all of time.
“Ah, another lonely soul?” someone sighed beside her. Harriershade had picked the same spot in the Stacked Stones to lay down as Cardinalblaze.
“Don’t have many friends my age,” Harriershade muttered.
“Then let us stargaze together!” Cardinalblaze declared, waving a paw at the sky. “I shall tell you the stories of the constellations.”
“I guess it’s something to talk about,” Harriershade admitted.
As Cardinalblaze began his story, Maplesong suddenly hopped onto the arch with the leaders. The other cats of PuffinClan strolled into the Stacked Stones. Seabranch and Palescar glared at each other as they passed. Elmpatch and Ashwhisker awkwardly waved their tails, but stayed away. Thrushpaw shoved Codpaw and Bumblepaw towards the other apprentices, praying to StarClan that Lemmingstar didn’t bring any of Mistpaw’s brothers.
“Maplesong?” Nutstar asked. “Or is it…”
“I’m still the deputy,” Maplesong huffed, sitting as far from Lemmingstar as he could. “Shimmerblaze wanted Whalestar to stay in camp tonight.”
“I see,” Nutstar muttered. She glanced between Maplesong and Lemmingstar, who both pointedly looked away from each other.
“Hey, Smallpaw!” Codpaw called as the PuffinClan apprentices joined the group. “You know Bumblepaw? He’s finally made it to a Gathering.”
“Finally,” Scauppaw scoffed. “What’d you do to stay away this long?”
“I don’t know,” Bumblepaw muttered, shrugging.
“Lightpaw, Grandfather told me about him!” Honeypaw whispered. “He’s Ospreystep’s son!”
“Bat-dung,” Lightpaw hissed quietly.
“Bumblepaw, this is Smallpaw and Scauppaw, from ElkClan,” Codpaw explained, touching her nose to Smallpaw’s. “I always sit with them at Gatherings.”
“These three are new,” Smallpaw added. “Pondpaw’s from our clan, while Honeypaw and Lightpaw here are CliffClan warrior apprentices.”
“Hi,” Bumblepaw groaned, nodding to the sisters.
“This is probably meaningless to you,” Honeypaw stammered. Lightpaw hissed at her, trying to shut her up, but it didn’t work. “I thought I’d say, on behalf of us apprentices, we’re sorry for what happened with Ospreystep.” Lightpaw groaned, closing her eyes.
“What happened?” Scauppaw snapped, jutting between Honeypaw and Bumblepaw.
“Sorry to run, but I think I’m going to walk around,” Thrushpaw sighed, stepping back. Codpaw gave him a not-so-subtle wink as he slipped into the crowd.
“The last place you deserve to be is at a Gathering after what your apprentice did,” Thrushpaw overhead Seabranch hiss at Palescar.
“In all fairness, you crossed the border first,” Palescar muttered while Fidgetflower stayed protectively close to his older brother.
“None of the other clans are so obsessed with their borders that they’d—” Seabranch spat. Goldenshade quickly pulled Palescar back while Cormorantpetal rubbed her tail down Seabranch’s back, trying to comfort her.
“Why do you think Lemmingstar left her deputy behind?” Eiderburr muttered not too far away.
“My best guess is it relates to the tension in the air,” Berryfrost huffed. “It seemed something happened since last we spoke to PuffinClan or CliffClan.” Thrushpaw tried to block out the rumors and frustration. He jumped onto the stones and scanned the crowd. Maybe if he laid eyes on the prophecy cats, he would automatically recognize them. Would Halfstar grace him with her presence again?
It wasn’t too long before SealClan arrived, but the bile between PuffinClan and CliffClan had stained the air. Few cats from those clans interacted with the other. Brinestar and Freckletuft slipped through the crowd, exchanging greetings with various cats before taking their places at the arch. When Brinestar noticed Maplesong sitting with the leaders, he looked to Nutstar and Lemmingstar, worried. Nutstar shook her head. Kitefall dragged Wigeonfur to Gingertail while Emberpool touched noses with Saltfrost, Hailbranch, and Martenpaw.
“There’s a lot of new faces tonight!” Flowerpaw chirped as she and her brother marched to the gaggle of apprentices. “Good to see you, Smallpaw!”
“This is Pondpaw, Honeypaw, Lightpaw, and Bumblepaw,” Smallpaw explained, pointing her tail at each apprentice. “Everyone, this is Flowerpaw and Podpaw. And Podpaw, you weren’t here last moon to meet Scauppaw.”
“Podpaw and Pondpaw,” Scauppaw scoffed. “That won’t be tough to remember.”
“I’ll be a warrior soon,” Podpaw snapped, sitting next to Smallpaw.
“What happened to your belly?” Honeypaw asked, pointing to the cobwebs on Flowerpaw’s stomach.
“I got bitten by a silver jaw,” Flowerpaw explained, smiling and joining the younger apprentices on the stones.
“Like the thing that took Partridgeleg’s leg?” Pondpaw gulped, glancing at the queen, who was talking to Goldenshade.
“I was fast enough to save Podpaw,” Flowerpaw chirped.
“Well I faced off against two foxes,” Podpaw huffed, grinning.
“By yourself?” Lightpaw asked, clearly unconvinced.
“It was with a patrol, obviously,” Podpaw scoffed, “but we scared them off SealClan land without a single wound.”
“Do we want to begin, or should we allow our clanmates to socialize some more?” Brinestar asked.
“It would be best if you and Nutstar went before Maplesong and I,” Lemmingstar grumbled.
“Is Whalestar not well?” Brinestar asked, turning to Maplesong.
“Shimmerblaze needed him to rest,” Maplesong sighed.
“Attention, everyone!” Nutstar yowled. The gaze of all four clans turned towards the leaders. Harriershade and Cardinalblaze got to their feet. “It is time for the announcements. I hope you’ve had a good time reconnecting with your friends from other clans. Brinestar, would you like to start?”
“Thank you, Nutstar,” Brinestar purred. He stood tall as he addressed the Gathering. “The rich prey of summer still blesses SealClan territory. The streams and rivers still run plump with fish. Just yesterday, a battle patrol drove out a pair of foxes, without anyone getting wounded, may I add. While the foxes ran out of clan territory, Nutstar, I would advise you to be watchful in case they enter your forests.”
“We will, thank you,” Nutstar said with a nod.
“In a long awaited moment for many in my clan,” Brinestar continued, “I am pleased to announce that Redburr and Brackensplash are officially mates!”
“Redburr! Brackensplash!” the cats cheered. Emberpool trotted to her brother’s side, smiling. Redburr nodded to the nearby cats, licking his chest.
“StarClan has blessed us with happiness and success in the battlefields of love and war,” Brinestar declared.
“Showing off, are we?” Nutstar chuckled. “If that’s all you have to say, I have some news from ElkClan. We have two new apprentices to honor tonight. Weaselpaw is a warrior apprentice training under Roachspring, while Pondpaw will be a story-keeper under Cardinalblaze.”
“Weaselpaw! Pondpaw!” the other apprentices cheered the loudest, rivaled only by Cardinalblaze. Pondpaw seemed to glow with satisfaction.
“Beyond that, the forest is just showing the signs of autumn,” Nutstar sighed. “Now, Maplesong, Lemmingstar, would either of you like to go?”
“I’ll get the basic news out of the way first,” Lemmingstar huffed, stepping forward. “CliffClan, too, has new apprentices. Lightpaw and Honeypaw are training to be warriors, with Fidgetflower and Harriershade as mentors. Both are with us tonight.”
“Lightpaw! Honeypaw!” the Gathering cheered. Ashwhisker smiled at his daughters, who squirmed and grinned under all the attention.
“As two kits leave the nursery, three more enter,” Lemmingstar said. “Avocetcloud and Fidgetflower are now the proud parents of three healthy mollies. Pochardkit, Perchkit, and Milkkit. Brownleap is expecting kits as well.”
“Pochardkit!” Fidgetflower yowled, pushing the rest of the Gathering into the cheer. “Perchkit! Milkkit!”
“And lastly, we have a full seer in our midst,” Lemmingstar declared. “I am pleased to announce Lynxshine has finished his training and has a stronger connection to StarClan than ever before.”
“Lynxshine! Lynxshine!” everyone cheered.
“That’s my brother!” Harriershade whooped, hopping. Lemmingstar held up her tail. She waited for the Gathering to quiet down.
“With that out of the way, it’s time to confront the major issue,” Lemmingstar grumbled. “Yesterday morning, PuffinClan and CliffClan had a border skirmish that resulted in Whalestar losing a life and Ospreystep nearly dying.” ElkClan and SealClan gasped, muttering and checking the news with the closest PuffinClan or CliffClan cat.
“A border skirmish?” Brinestar scoffed. “Your clan and your obsession with your borders. Why in the world would you fight over an extra tail-length or two?”
“CliffClan moved the border by a bear-length,” Maplesong snapped. “A PuffinClan patrol was attacked as they tried to establish the old border.”
“The problem here, Maplesong,” Lemmingstar grunted, “is that no one in my clan would have moved the border so drastically.”
“Something like that would be difficult to carry out without the leader’s knowledge,” Brinestar noted.
“Did you say Ospreystep nearly died?” Nutstar interrupted. “She’s a counselor.”
“Mistpaw attacked her as she tried to step away from the fight,” Maplesong explained. “Her wounds have forced her to retire to the elder’s den. This is more than a matter of moving borders, it is an insult to PuffinClan!” Yowls shot up through the crowd. The mothers in the crowd looked horrified or extremely uncomfortable. Their gazes burned into Bumblepaw’s pelt.
“Guess we know why he’s not here,” Scauppaw muttered.
“If a clan member attacked a counselor, Lemmingstar,” Brinestar sighed, “PuffinClan are not the ones at fault.”
“We’re giving him a fair trial and punishment,” Lemmingstar grunted. “He’s admitted to the attack. The problem is with the border. CliffClan cannot trust that PuffinClan would restore the border as it used to be.”
“We’ve asked to restore it with an extra tail-length as compensation for Ospreystep,” Maplesong explained.
“Lemmingstar, does the border have any valuable tunnels along it?” Brinestar asked.
“There are a couple of entrances to our tunnel system, yes,” Lemmingstar grumbled.
“CliffClan values practicality,” Brinestar muttered. “Perhaps the border can be completely adjusted so that CliffClan has access to all tunnel entrances along it?”
“And insult us even more?” Twigbrook hissed. The outcry triggered another wave of bickering.
“All of you, quiet!” Nutstar yowled over the cacophony. “We aren’t here to argue. We’re here to find a peaceful solution. Lemmingstar, what is it that CliffClan wants?”
“Territory,” Lemmingstar huffed. “We don’t want PuffinClan taking our tunnels.”
“You have a history of moving borders,” Brinestar sighed. “How can we trust that CliffClan didn’t purposefully move this border for a bit more land to hunt on?”
“By my honor as a warrior,” Lemmingstar snapped, “I did not order the border to be moved. We only know the border moved sometime between the sunset patrol and the moonhigh patrol. I’ll have all of you know, CliffClan doesn’t push for land simply to brag. New tunnels are constantly being dug out as old tunnels and caves collapse. We’ve had a tunnel collapse kill a warrior as recent as two seasons ago, and had another tunnel collapse while the healers were at their halfmoon meeting. SealClan blocks us on one side, the ocean on another, and the cliffs prevent easy hunting beyond the clans. Would it be so bad if my clan got a bit more territory, regardless of how the border moved?” The CliffClan warriors cheered, nodding along to their leader. Lightpaw cheered along while Codpaw and Smallpaw exchanged worried looks.
“You have an entire ocean to hunt in,” Maplesong snapped. “You know the history of our border. You know how important it is for PuffinClan to stand apart from CliffClan. Whoever moved the border should be punished.” The PuffinClan cats yowled their approval.
“I think tempers are still hot from the battle,” Nutstar interrupted, glaring at the noisy crowd below. “Both of your clans have trials to take part of. Cast your punishments and then you can discuss the border. At the next Gathering, we’ll see if you’ve resolved the issue. Until then, considering meeting in the middle. I mean that literally. Wherever the new and old borders are, make a temporary border between the two.”
“I’ll discuss the idea with Whalestar,” Maplesong huffed. “Since PuffinClan has no other news, I believe this Gathering is over.” Lemmingstar jumped off the arch. CliffClan slipped out of the crowd and gathered around their leader.
“It was great to meet you all!” Honeypaw chirped. “Hope to see you around the borders!” She and her sister hurried to their mentors before following their clan through the arch.
“I don’t like this,” Lynxshine muttered to Rollerfall as the clan left. Thrushpaw frowned as ElkClan began their goodbyes. He’d barely paid attention to the leaders, he was looking for the other prophecy cats! He groaned and headed towards the apprentices.
“This is really interesting,” Pondpaw chuckled, joining his fellow ElkClan apprentices.
“Moon’s still watching us, so StarClan can’t disapprove,” Smallpaw muttered. She and Thrushpaw stared at the moon.
“Some first Gathering, huh Bumblepaw?” Flowerpaw laughed.
“Agreed!” Bumblepaw giggled. Even Podpaw smiled, chuckling along with the group. The moon dangled over their heads, shining upon them like a unified group. Thrushpaw’s pupils melted over his eyes.
“Three paws gather under the moon,” he muttered. Halfstar didn’t mean three cats. She meant three apprentices, three ‘paws’! A pod was a type of seed, and Flowerpaw was fast enough to get him out of a silver jaw! Not only that, they literally gathered under the moon, they were at a Gathering!
“Bye, everyone!” Scauppaw chirped as Nutstar led the ElkClan cats towards the forest. Pondpaw waved goodbye and hurried to Cardinalblaze. Thrushpaw could hear the clan chatting even after they left his sight.
“Uh, Bumblepaw?” Thrushpaw gulped.
“Something wrong?” Codpaw asked, hopping on the rocks.
“It’s the prophecy!” Thrushpaw gasped, hurrying towards Bumblepaw.
“What prophecy?” Podpaw scoffed. Thrushpaw stood in the center of the group. His thoughts were racing, but they suddenly sputtered to a stop. What should he do now? Would Flowerpaw and Podpaw even believe him?
“So…” Thrushpaw stammered, lost for words.
“Podpaw, Flowerpaw!” Cuickoocloud called. The SealClan cats were following the river that split ElkClan and SealClan. Most of them were already gone. “Let’s head home!”
“Nice to meet you, Bumblepaw,” Flowerpaw said with a nod. She and Podpaw raced towards their clan.
“Wait!” Thrushpaw stuttered, reaching out for them. Yet they ignored him, joining their mother and clan.
“Thrushpaw, are those two the other cats in the prophecy?” Codpaw realized, head darting between her brother and SealClan.
“I didn’t know how to explain it!” Thrushpaw groaned, squishing his eyes shut.
“You’ll have the time, I promise,” Codpaw assured him. “Come on, Maplesong’s leaving the arch.” Codpaw ran ahead so she could walk beside her mentor.
“Will I?” Thrushpaw whispered.