Shadepaw POV

I wasn't sure if I wanted to attend the Gathering. Facing ThunderClan after deserting them was always going to be difficult, but to do it so soon? Tensions were running high enough without my presence complicating things further. While even Bumblestar wouldn't violate the sanctity of the event, there was sure to be hostility from his warriors when they saw me. And anyways, the idea of a night of peace rang hollow, with the deadline for our surrender looming just a few days away.

There was more to my dilemma though. Should I approach Nightpaw if I saw him? Would he be able to talk to me with cordiality in such a public forum, or would he put on a show of hatred to save face? I would have no idea how to act. It would just be simpler if Rowanstar didn't invite me. I had just transferred from an enemy Clan anyways; there was no way I had garnered enough trust or respect to warrant my inclusion. This worrying was for nothing.

Rowanstar emerged from his den at that moment and yowled a summons. "You are all expecting me to pick a group to attend the Gathering. But we will not be attending tonight. I hate to defy the will of StarClan, but these are grim times. I'm sure our brave warrior ancestors would understand we are doing what we must to survive! We will attack ThunderClan's camp, and then do the same to WindClan's.

I know some of you may not approve. But this is the only way we can catch them off guard, at their weakest point. If there was any other option, believe me, I would take it. I need all of you with me! After tonight, we cannot return here, as once they find out what we've done, they will try to retaliate.

Elders and kits will camp by the horseplace in RiverClan territory. This has already been discussed and cleared by Mistystar. We'll make our final stand there. For ShadowClan and for StarClan!"

To say I was dumbfounded by this proclamation would be an understatement. Glancing around the assembly, I saw both nods of agreement and conflicted expressions. The idea of launching an attack during a Gathering went against everything we stood for and the very heart of the warrior code. It would have been unthinkable just a few moons ago, and yet now, here we were. Even those of us hesitant to defy tradition could grasp the reasoning.

There was a palpable sense of desperation among us. We knew we were losing the war despite our best efforts, and if we had to stoop to Bumblestar's level to turn the tide, then so be it.

Fawnpaw, who was seated beside me, shot a nervous look in my direction. "Shadepaw, we aren't ready for battle. We've hardly started training, we're no more than kits."

"We have to be ready. There is no choice," I replied, somehow keeping my voice level.

Fawnpaw wasn't wrong though. A warrior would obliterate an apprentice who had barely turned six moons old and had only the most rudimentary battle training. Under Bumblestar's rogue-like leadership, ThunderClan would be encouraged to finish off a defeated enemy; the warrior code had no bearing on their conduct. Those arrogant mouse-brains trampled on and defiled Clan values and honor with impunity. I had to resign myself to the fact that I may join the ranks of my warrior ancestors today. My life would be too short if it ended now; there was still so much I wanted to do, so many experiences left to acquire. The thought of fleeing flitted across my mind, but I pushed it away as soon as it surfaced. It would be better to die a martyr than to survive as a coward.

I spotted Rowanstar approaching us, flanked by our mentors. Had he sensed our fear? Was he coming to reprimand us?

"The kits and the elders will need an escort. They cannot defend themselves if anything happens." The ShadowClan leader paused, studying our expressions. "I've tasked you two and your mentors with accompanying them. It may seem like I'm sidelining you, but it's quite the opposite. There will be plenty of us to overtake their weakened camps. This is an important job, and it's your chance to prove yourselves. We will join you shortly, until then, don't let me down."

Rowanstar marched through the throng of cats, head held high. There was something regal in his posture, something inspiring in his confidence. With a swish of his tail, he signaled for the warriors to follow him. The group sprinted off, vanishing into the murk of the forest. I felt a twinge in my heart, as though I was saying good-bye to them for the last time. Something inside of me knew that I would never see any of them again. I didn't know how I was so sure, but the finality of this moment gripped my soul with firm claws.

"Shadepaw? Shadepaw, snap out of it!" Tawnypelt hissed. "There's no time for standing around, we must get moving! The elders can't move quickly, and we need to be at horseplace by moonhigh."

I blinked a few times, hoping to clear my mind. It was just a silly feeling; my nerves must have been more frazzled than I thought. I had to believe that this all would go according to plan. But despite all of the logic I tossed around in my head, the sense of foreboding lingered all the same. As our party set off, my paws were trembling with dread.