A small golden tom was nearest Sootpaw's face and he seemed to be the one in charge. He flicked his tail which caused every cat to sit simultaneously. Some cat's fur was still ruffled, but others fur laid flat on their shoulders. Their claws were sheathed and Sootpaw forced his fur to lie flat. If the leader was going to handle this peacefully, so would he. The golden tom squinted at the newcomer and his whiskers twitched. His amber eyes gleamed in the sun filtering through the window above a furry piece of nest. The tom spoke, but not to Sootpaw. He turned to a dark gray tom and spoke sharply, but respectfully.

"Moon, go fetch Beetle. Tell him we have a visitor."

The gray tom nodded swiftly and turned tail to find Beetle. He trotted through a small hole in the wall, just large enough for a cat. The golden cat turned his gaze back to Sootpaw and he shrunk beneath his gaze. He was small, about the size of an apprentice, but his eyes betrayed him. The gray tom returned shortly with a black tom, who smelled of herbs and fresh air. He must be the medicine cat.

Beetle scurried over to Sootpaw and prodded him in the flank with a paw. He also pressed his ear to Sootpaw's chest and listened for a heartbeat. He backed away and whispered something in the leader's ear before disappearing behind a corner. The leader, in turn, faced the newcomer again.

"Tell me, what is your name and why are you here?"

Sootpaw swallowed nervously.

"Um. I-I'm Sootpaw. The river washed me down here. I'm just trying to get home."

The gold tom's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and a dark brown tabby spoke up.

"It's true King. I saw him on the beach a few sunrises ago. He's been there since this morning. I thought he was dead. He had no pulse."

King spat at him. "Yes thank you for your input Oscar!"

King circled Sootpaw slowly, making the fur along his spine rise. King brushed his tail gently across his shoulder.

"No pulse huh. How do you explain that Sootpaw?"

The black apprentice shrugged shyly. A ginger and white she-cat pushed her way through the crowd and gaped at Sootpaw.

"Soot? Klaus's son?" She sniffed his fur once and then pressed her muzzle against his lovingly. Sootpaw shrunk back instinctively. King's eyes flashed with anger.

"You know this fool?"

The she-cat nodded. "He is Klaus's son."

King looked at Sootpaw and back at the she-cat.

"Very well. Your father was a good friend, you are welcome to stay as long as you want," he turned to the ginger and white cat. "Kara, show him to his den." The she-cat smiled warmly and bounded lightly across the room through the entrance with no door. Sootpaw followed her, all instincts telling him to run, but his limbs refused to go awry.

"My name is Sootpaw now. Not Soot."

Kara made no sign that she had heard him, but her shoulder muscles tensed a little. By the time they made it to his den, Sootpaw had memorized every escape route he could find. There were multiple nests in the den, and they all smelled hostile. Kara led him to the one near the wall with no windows. A familiar scent lingered on the thick pelt spread on the floor.

"Your father stayed here often. He slept here."

Sootpaw was in no mood to talk about his father. He curled up in his nest and laid his tail over his paws. His stomach growled with hunger, but he would be able to hunt later. His legs ached and were stiff and hopefully some sleep would loosen the tension between his shoulder blades.