The Apprentice's Curse (A Shrouded Path book 1) {COMPLETE}

Chapter 18

"Idiot!" hissed a voice, and another ShadowClan warrior, a massive black tom, padded up next to Snakefang, glaring at him. "Just go around telling every cat!"

Snakefang rolled his eyes, clearly unnerved by his Clanmate's hostility. "Oh, get over it, Thorntooth," he said to the tom. "Every cat can see that Tanglestar isn't here, even dumb RiverClan cats." Sideways, he cast an amused glance towards Minnowpaw and her friends, letting them know that his insult wasn't genuine.

Thorntooth said nothing, but snorted and walked away. ThunderClan was beginning to arrive, and Redpaw jumped up to greet two apprentices. One was a ginger she-cat with a white belly, and the other was a long-furred ginger tom. "Hey, Larkpaw and Foxpaw!" Redpaw called. The two apprentices meowed polite greetings and sat with the growing group. Minnowpaw's gaze wandered over the other cats, looking around warily for Copperfoot. She hadn't seen him since the Gathering three moons ago, but the very thought of him knotted her stomach. At last, she saw him talking to Wasptail, the WindClan deputy, but they were too far away for Minnowpaw to hear their conversation. She spotted Tawnyclaw a little farther away, eyeing Copperfoot sideways. Minnowpaw supposed her mentor would hold a grudge against the ThunderClan deputy forever, and she didn't blame him.

A paw prodded Minnowpaw, tearing her away from her thoughts. It was Flamepelt. "Were you listening?" he asked, looking a little concerned.

"Uh, no, sorry," Minnowpaw stuttered. "I was just thinking."

"It's okay," Larkpaw said in a sweet voice. "I asked if Ashflower has had her kits yet. They're your siblings, right?"

Minnowpaw nodded. "Yes, they are. And no, she hasn't kitted yet, but it can't be too far off now." Her mother had been dragging around a massive belly for a long time.

"Copperfoot will hate to hear it when RiverClan has more kits," Foxpaw mused. "He won't stop talking about you guys. He thinks you're going to be a big threat soon."

"Are you allowed to talk to other Clans about that?" Redpaw asked, eyes wide.

Larkpaw snorted. "It's not like we take him seriously or anything. Copperfoot's a mouse-brain."

Foxpaw nodded. "I don't know why Duskstar ever appointed him as deputy. He never even had an apprentice before Rainpaw! I think Duskstar only appointed Rainpaw to him when Sandstripe died so he could be deputy."

"Where is Rainpaw?" Redpaw asked. "I was hoping to talk to him."

Larkpaw looked away. "He couldn't come," she said shortly.

Minnowpaw briefly wondered if there was something Larkpaw wasn't saying, but that thought was overshadowed by the realization that Copperfoot's own Clanmates didn't like him too much. "So you don't approve of Copperfoot as deputy?" she braved.

Foxpaw hesitated. "Well, some cats do. He's got a few close friends who follow his every word and think he's a gift from StarClan. But most of us know he's an ordinary cat who's just lucky to be deputy, even though he shouldn't be."

"He's not dangerous or anything," Larkpaw added quickly. "He follows the warrior code as well as any cat."

Except for attacking helpless apprentices? Minnowpaw thought bitterly.

"He just likes to act like he's ThunderClan's leader. And he thinks fighting is the best way to solve problems," Larkpaw finished.

A loud yowl silenced their conversation as Featherstar called for the Gathering to begin. She sat on the Great Rock with Ashstar, and they were quickly joined by Duskstar and Berryfoot, ShadowClan's deputy. The pretty tortoiseshell stood confidently with her head high. Featherstar nodded to her to speak first, and she stepped forward. "As you can see," she began, "Tanglestar is not here. Rest assured, he is fine. He caught a sickness and is still recovering. I am only taking his place for tonight."

Minnowpaw was impressed by Berryfoot's mannerisms. She definitely didn't fit the normal stereotype of cocky, violent, and hostile that was normally attributed to ShadowClan cats. "ShadowClan has seen a good moon," she meowed. "Lilyheart's three kits have begun their training. Darkpaw, Brindlepaw, and Mistpaw are now apprenticed to Squirrelwhisker, Brightleaf, and Adderfoot. And we have two new warriors: Icetail and Snakefang!" The Clans cheered, and Minnowpaw joined in.

Berryfoot stepped back and let Featherstar take her place. The wiry brown WindClan leader spoke. "There are two new dogs on the Twoleg farm near Highstones. We've had to chase them off, but they haven't been too aggressive. All the same, you should all keep an eye out for them, especially ShadowClan."

Berryfoot nodded respectfully. "We will, thank you."

Featherstar went on. "One of our elders, Roseheart, has passed on peacefully to StarClan. And we have welcomed a new warrior: Yellowbird!"

After the cheering died down, Featherstar stepped back to let Ashstar speak. Minnowpaw watched as her leader gazed down at the Clans. "There is little news to share from RiverClan," he said. "Prey has been plentiful, and we are still waiting for the arrival of Ashflower's kits. We thank StarClan for our prosperity." Minnowpaw was relieved that he didn't mention her or the accident. Then again, he was the most adamant of all the Clan to move on; she respected that.

Snorts and mutters sounded from one group of cats. Following the sound, Minnowpaw wasn't surprised to see Copperfoot at the center of it, sneering at the RiverClan cats around him. She half-expected him to say something, but he remained silent.

As quickly as he'd began, Ashstar was finished, and it was Duskstar's turn to speak. "ThunderClan is well also. We have one new apprentice, Goldpaw, who has chosen the path of a medicine cat. She has been accepted by StarClan and apprenticed to Dawnpelt." Every cat cheered at that, even the most sour warriors. Silently, Minnowpaw wished the young cat well on her journey. Over the last few moons of watching Silverheart, she knew that Goldpaw wasn't on the easiest path; it certainly wasn't something Minnowpaw could do.

"We've had more trouble with kittypets recently," Duskstar went on, "but greenleaf always draws them out into the forest. Warm weather makes them think they're fit to catch mice, but we've scared them away everytime." ThunderClan cats chuckled. "Lastly, our eldest warrior, Ivystream, has retired to the elders' den after many, many moons serving her Clan. That is all the news we have."

Another peaceful Gathering, Minnowpaw thought. She found it odd that there weren't greater tensions between the Clans, but she was more glad of it than anything. However, there was always the tension between RiverClan and Copperfoot, but if he was as mouse-brained as Minnowpaw suspected (and as his own Clanmates said), she supposed she had nothing to worry about. However, as the Clans separated and began to leave, she spotted him once again talking to Wasptail. How much could the two possibly have to talk about?

"You coming?" came Flamepelt's voice. He was waiting for her, while the rest of the Clan was leaving the hollow. Minnowpaw bounded to his side and walked with him away from the Gathering.