C H A P T E R E L E V E N
The towering dark evergreen trees swayed in the cold wind.
The sky was getting darker as they ventured deeper into DarkClan’s territory. Sharpclaw was leading them, deep in thought. The two patrols had split up. Blizzardwind had been in charge of the second patrol, to scan the DarkClan forest for signs of Wildstripe and take on any enemy warriors. Sharpclaw paused by a bracken tree and sniffed the air uncertainly.
“Intruders!” There was low growl.
A dark gray tom stepped from behind the shadows of the trees, followed by a light brown tom.
The gray tom smirked, circling the four cats. “Look who we have here, Shrewfoot. Ivystar might make us generals.”
The brown tom was licking a black paw calmly. In mid-lick, he mewed,” Unlikely, Clawface. She will probably give you another claw mark on your face.”
Clawface gritted his teeth, attempting to hide his scarred face. Sharpclaw thrust his muzzle into the gray tom’s face. “Where-is-my-son?”
Before he could reply, a shadow loomed over them.
“Darkstripe,” Both of them dipped their head in respect as a sleek black tom strutted into the clearing.
“Well well, Sharpclaw, you left and have you come crawling back again? “ Darkstripe sneered. Rippleclaw and Shinypelt growled as Sharpclaw seemed deaf to the taunts.
“Bring the intruders back to the camp,” The black tom commanded. Clawface and Shrewfoot nodded and surrounded the four cats. Silverfur flattened his ears.
Darkstripe paused in his pawsteps. He glanced back at Sharpclaw, who was reluctantly following. “Oh, and Sharpclaw?” The blue-gray tom looked up.
“We changed our camp location.”
Darkstripe watched in satisfaction as a look of fury burned in Sharpclaw’s eyes. They continued through the forest.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The cold wind was chilling. Silverfur shivered. He could feel many eyes staring unblinkingly at them as they entered through the camp. Silverfur glanced around. The fresh-kill pile was empty. Warriors were eating crow food, snatching prey from each other.
Prey must have been scarce here. No wonder, they were so desperate that they attacked Wildstripe and Whiteclaw.
A snarl from behind immediately jolted him from his thoughts.
Silverfur warily sat down on the hard cold ground as instructed by Darkstripe.
“Just wait for the deputy,” The black warrior hissed and slinked away into the shadows. He could feel the fear and tension in the air.
Silverfur could hear the ragged breathing of the DarkClan warriors as a long-haired silver tom pushed past the brambles leading to the leader’s den. He leaped onto a large boulder.
He growled menacingly,” Sharpclaw? Why have you come back?”
The blue-gray tom snarled back,” You know why I am here, Brokentail. Release Wildstripe!”
Brokentail drew his lips back. “Do you think that I’ll follow the orders of a mere traitor?”
Sharpclaw was sinking his claws into the ground, trying to stop himself from flinging onto Brokentail.
Just then, a white tom approached Brokentail, whispering something to the deputy. His bright orange eyes lingering at Silverfur and Shinypelt warily. The deputy’s dark gaze flickered at the white tom, then back at Silverfur and Shinypelt.
“It’s impossible Razorwing!” Brokentail snapped at the white warrior. He dipped his head and backed away respectfully.
The deputy shook his fur. He yowled,” Prison guards!”
Two cats padded towards him, shifting uncomfortably as the IceClan cats stared at them hostilely.
“Bring all of them to the prison,” Brokentail commanded, lashing his tail. Frostclaw and Grayfur wordlessly led them away.
Silverfur padded into a long hollow cave. Frostclaw and Grayfur were sitting outside, guarding the entrance.
“How unusual, why is the deputy commanding the Clan? Where is the leader?” Rippleclaw muttered.
“The leader isn’t here. She’s away for some personal stuff,” Razorwing told them, appearing suddenly beside them. There was a yowl behind the thick bushes and a cat rushed out, his shoulders were raked fiercely, blood flowing profusely. Ivystar emerged from the bushes, staring coldly at the prisoners, her claws glistening in the moonlight. She nodded at Razorwing and padded away.
“If you do something that does not please her, the punishments are horrible.” Razorwing indicated the deep cut below his eye and the claw marks on his fur.
The IceClan cats stared in horror as they padded deeper into the cave.
But it wasn’t empty.
There was someone there already.
Iceclaw 
Silverstream 
Congratulate them 
