The cats of RiverClan watched as Rainfleck and Sparrowpaw departed, and almost as soon as they were gone, Twigtail exclaimed, "What?"

    Cinderfrost was quick to speak as well. "They want to wait so long? That's ridiculous!"

    "Yeah, we need to do something about it now!" came Cherryheart's aggravated voice.

    "Who knows what those cats might plan to do in the meantime?" Reedtail's voice was worried. "They might attack us again!"

    "Silence!" Birchstar called loudly over the commotion, jumping onto the meeting rock. His tail lashed as he looked over at his Clan. "I know you're angry about it, and I can't say I blame you. I, too, would like to do something sooner. But right now we must take things one step at a time. I want you all to resume as normal; Tawnyclaw, organize the morning patrols." Tawnyclaw gave a firm nod. "Twigtail, Redblaze, and Poppywhisker, get your apprentices back on their training schedule. I'd like you to take Apollo with you as well; we've arranged for him to do a little training with you. I know Minnow taught him how to fight, hunt, and swim, but it will be good for him to learn in the setting of our territory." None of the mentors or apprentices seemed to have a problem with this, and Minnow assumed that was what Birchstar and Apollo had talked about the day before.

    Birchstar carried on. "We also need to keep repairing the camp, and I know the herb stores are probably beginning to run low. We have a great deal of work to do, so for now I'd like to focus on that. You're all dismissed." As the Clan broke up, he added, "Tawnyclaw, Minnow, Nightwhisper, and Silverheart, I'd like to see you all in my den."

    Tawnyclaw quickly rattled off cats' names for the patrols before heading to Birchstar's den, and Minnow followed close behind. She ducked in behind her old mentor and sat facing Birchstar. Soon Nightwhisper and Silverheart had joined them. "Are you going to meet with Berrystar?" Nightwhisper asked.

    Birchstar nodded to the old medicine cat. "Yes, I am. I'm not sure what she wants to talk about, but from the lack of information she gave, I can only assume it's private information. I'd like you all to come along." Once again, Minnow felt a surge of pride that she was being chosen for this task.

    Tawnyclaw spoke up. "We'll be leaving the camp a little vulnerable, won't we? Surely we can't all go?"

    "I won't be going," Nightwhisper cut in. Everyone looked at him, confused, and he said, "It's getting harder for me to go such long distances, and it won't feel right to leave the Clan without a medicine cat." He looked at his apprentice. "Silverheart can go, but I should remain here."

    Birchstar nodded. "I think that's a good idea. We'll leave a little before sunhigh."

    The time to leave came quickly, and Minnow soon found herself at the camp entrance with Tawnyclaw and Silverheart. All the cats who were out patrolling and training had returned, and Birchstar was addressing the Clan again. "I'm leaving Twigtail in charge," he said, gesturing to the senior warrior. "I doubt there will be any trouble from the other Clans, but all the same, be on guard. If anything happens, know that you can do whatever is necessary to defend the camp." His tone was grim, and Minnow knew he meant every word; warriors didn't need to kill to win battles, but if RiverClan was threatened again, the traitors would be shown no mercy.

    Birchstar led the patrol quickly through RiverClan territory, and everyone was silent. They worked their way to the river and waded through, and their fur was already beginning to dry under the hot greenleaf sun by the time they made it across Sunningrocks. Minnow's pelt felt like it was being scorched by the sun, but she didn't complain. She felt a sense of urgency as Birchstar led them towards the slope that dipped down towards the Gathering hollow. As they stood at the top, Minnow could see a few cat shapes taking shelter in the shade of Fourtrees.

    "Berrystar is already there," Tawnyclaw observed.

    Nodding, Birchstar gave the signal to head down, and soon they approached the four great oaks. Berrystar looked up at their approach and stood with a flick of her tail. Minnow noticed that the other cats with her were Redclaw, Junipertail, and Icetail; it seemed that she had the same idea to bring her deputy, medicine cat apprentice, and a warrior.

    "Berrystar." Birchstar dipped his head in greeting, and at the same time Minnow made eye contact with Icetail. The ShadowClan she-cat's blue eyes widened for a moment, then a look of triumph washed over her face. Minnow remembered Icetail letting her go to the Moonstone when she had been caught by a ShadowClan patrol. This whole time, had she thought that Minnow was alive?

    "Hello, Birchstar," Berrystar meowed back. She cast a look over the other RiverClan cats, her eyes resting on Minnow. She, too, appeared shocked, though her expression immediately shifted back to a look of calm indifference. "Not a cat I was expecting to see today," she murmured. "Or ever again, I suppose."

    Birchstar held his head high. "I picked the cats I trust the most, though Nightwhisper chose to stay behind. But Minnow is one of those cats; she came to our aid during the battle, and I would trust her with all of my nine lives."

    Berrystar seemed to think for a moment, then nodded once. "I respect your choices, Birchstar. You may very well be leading the only honorable Clan in the forest."

    Birchstar's ears twitched, and Minnow's paws kneaded the ground, anxious and confused. "What do you mean by that?" Birchstar asked.

    Berrystar took a deep breath, sitting, and Minnow saw the faces of Redclaw, Junipertail, and Icetail grow a little dark. "Two moons ago," Berrystar began, "some of my warriors started a rebellion. They rebelled against me, led by Nightfang. It seemed that he didn't approve of me when Tanglestar chose me as deputy, let alone when I became ShadowClan's leader. He was further angered that I did not choose him to be my own deputy, even though he was ShadowClan's most senior warrior."

    Berrystar nodded to Icetail, who stepped forward and added to the story. "We found out that Nightfang was starting fights with WindClan, and that he knew what Wasptail was planning to do. I was able to find out that Nightfang wanted Wasptail's help in driving out Berrystar and Redclaw, so that he could be leader."

    "He had help inside ShadowClan as well," Redclaw added, her tone icy. "Longear and Nightwind were the only ones to remain loyal to him. The others who had followed turned their back on him and pledged their loyalty to Berrystar."

    Berrystar carried on. "It looked hopeless for a while, but with these loyal cats we were able to make things right. All three traitors to ShadowClan are dead." There wasn't a hint of sadness in her voice.

    Minnow gulped, and she felt Tawnyclaw and Silverheart shift uncomfortably next to her. If Berrystar was willing to kill her own warriors for rising up against her, then StarClan help any enemy warriors who try to fight her, Minnow thought.

    "I'm sorry that your Clan endured that," Birchstar said to the tortoiseshell she-cat, who blinked gratefully at him.

    "Unfortunately we lost Whitewhisker in the conflict as well," she added, this time sounding grieved as she named the ShadowClan medicine cat. "He suffered great wounds and succumbed to them just a few sunrises ago."

    Silverheart gasped aloud. "Oh, no!" she whispered, looking sympathetically towards Junipertail. The orange and white she-cat nodded solemnly.

    Tawnyclaw at last spoke. "Why are you telling us this?"

    Looking at the RiverClan deputy, then at Birchstar, Berrystar meowed, "I have no doubt that if Copperfoot and Wasptail had been successful in taking over your Clan, they would have come after ShadowClan next. I'm afraid they would have started with us had we not gotten rid of the traitors. For moons, we have been having border troubles with those Clans, all because of this."

    Birchstar seemed to understand, and Minnow was beginning to. "As have we," Birchstar said. "So their treachery runs far deeper than we thought."

    "Yes," Berrystar replied. "That's why I wanted to speak with you. All the Clans will have a part in deciding the fate of the traitors, but until then, you should know that ShadowClan is on your side. I'm afraid the Clans are in danger of falling apart, so I want to propose an alliance between ShadowClan and RiverClan."

    Minnow didn't think it was a bad idea, especially since RiverClan was far weaker than Birchstar was willing to show. She looked expectantly at her leader and companions, glad to see that their expressions showed agreement. "Very well," Birchstar said at last. "Until this whole mess is sorted out, we will have an alliance."

    Berrystar stood, flicking her tail for Redclaw, Junipertail, and Icetail to follow. "I'm glad," she said simply. "Dark times are coming, Birchstar. We need to be prepared for them."