Prophecies of Stars Chapter 14

Instructions

Icepaw was glad that her sister had joined them in the apprentice den, but she was more surprised at the fact that in a moon, Blackpaw, Shadepaw, Streampaw, and Aspenpaw would be moving out. Also the fact that Curlgreen was obviously crushing on Blackpaw. He’d bring her prey and always sit with her during clan announcements, and had even talked about her in his sleep (according to Redclay). And… Crystalstar was pregnant. It was pretty clear, but she hadn’t announced it, and other cats seemed to just be completely oblivious to the fact. A loud crash at the camp entrance stopped everyone in their tracks. A scent Icepaw had only smelled outside of camp wafted towards her. FernClan. FernClan smelled of pine sap and maple leaves, complete with a hint of lavender. Funny, actually, Lavenderstreak was on this patrol. “We need to see Crystalstar,” Lavenderstreak declared. “Why?” asked Wildwing. “Anything you have to say can be said to the whole Clan.” Lavenderstreak growled low in her throat. “I’m going to speak to Crystalstar and Crystalstar only,” she said threateningly. “Personally, I agree with Wildwing,” said Crystalstar, coming up behind him. “Whatever you have to share can be told to everyone.” “We have found traces of BlazeClan on the edge of our territory, near the Hindwalkerplace,” the FernClan deputy growled. “A tom. Young one, at that.” Icepaw drove back the urge to look at Windpaw with a “see? I knew you were gonna get caught” expression. “None of our cats have done any such thing. And neither is it your business. The small space where no Thundertrail goes doesn’t belong to either clan,” Crystalstar stated with a straight face. Icepaw wondered if she lied all the time. Icepaw sure hoped she didn’t. Lavenderstreak’s purple eyes flared. “We’ll leave the subject alone for now,” she snarled. “But if we smell that cat there again, and especially if the cat is on our territory… well, can’t say Willowstar would be happy.” “We understand. Thornmask and Flowerpond will escort you out of camp and to the FernClan border,” Crystalstar meowed. As the FernClan cats left the camp and were out of earshot, Crystalstar turned to Windpaw. “You’re going to stop going to the Hindwalkerplace,” she ordered. “No,” Windpaw said back. “I’m going to go the way around, so I don’t end up on the FernClan border.” Icepaw was surprised. Had Windpaw seriously just said no to an order from his leader? As an apprentice no less? What? “Windpaw,” Thistlestrike said sharply. “It is not your place to say no to your leader!” “I have something to say,” Crystalstar said. “It’s completely unrelated to FernClan.” All the cats in the crowd turned to her. “I… am pregnant.”