"Where are you going?"

Acorncloud glared at Honeypaw, looking as angry as she was during the fight.

"Think about it, LakeClan cats are swimming to MoorClan, Eaglestar fought with Creamstar at the gathering. There's going to be a fight and we need to tell Goldstar" Honeypaw had a note of urgency in her voice. There was little time.

Acorncloud snorted, "Yeah right". But she seemed uncertain. Maybe it was her eyes flickering to the lake or the slight frown on her face that gave it away.

"Well, if you don't believe me, it doesn't matter. I'm going back to warn Goldstar" Honeypaw almost added, and you can bawl your eyes out once you find out I'm right.

"If you help, you're going to get killed. You're an apprentice. We- no, you- don't even have a side, both clans are free to attack you"

"Well maybe if you teach me properly, I won't die!"

Acorncloud had nothing to say about that.

"Exactly" Honeypaw flicked her tail, "So are you coming or not?". It was a strange and fairly new feeling for her, feeling so confident and in power. Even more so when Acorncloud reluctantly nodded. Without a word shared between them, they charged towards the direction of camp.

-------

"I thought it was clear that you shouldn't be back until sunrise tomorrow" Goldstar's eyes bored into Honeypaw as soon as she entered the camp, along with a few other pairs of eyes.

Dipping her head in respect, Honeypaw meowed, "I am deeply sorry, Goldstar. But there is something I must share-"

"I don't think so" Ebonytail emerged from the nursery. She could see Silkeyes wrap her tail around her kits protectively in the back of the hollowed trunk. "Do you think you have earned the right to speak to Goldstar? No, I don't think you have. I think we can all agree that you of all cats shouldn't be allowed to speak to someone of a higher power and reputation"

Honeypaw shrank back in dismay. Come on Acorncloud, help me out!

"Thank you, Ebonytail"

"You should thank me! When is this clan going to face it's problems-"

"I was not finished." Goldstar interjected. "Thank you, Ebonytail, but it my choice if I will listen to her words"

"With all due respect, Goldstar, Ebonytail" To Honeypaw's surprise, Hollypaw had made her way into the clearing with a quizzical and almost disrespectful tone, "I don't understand why Honeypaw can't have her say. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong, Ebonytail, but didn't you try to sabotage the deputy ceremony by attempting to humiliate Sprucefrost? Did you not tangle his fur with thorns and twigs? Did you not clamour with your fellow clanmates to try to gaslight them into letting you win? Well, if that didn't lower your reputation then I don't know what will! And you, of all cats, must know that your rank does not matter if you want an audience with the leader. Because I'm pretty sure you're not the deputy"

Ebonytail stared at Hollypaw, speechless.

"ENOUGH". Hollypaw must've forgotten that Goldstar was there, because she did a little yelp.

"Honeypaw, I hope this is important" Goldstar turned to face her with a grave stare.

Now that Hollypaw had defended her and Goldstar was listening, Honeypaw didn't know if it was important enough to suffice. But, still, several cats were going to die if she didn't spit it out.

"Eaglestar and the rest of LakeClan are heading to the MoorClan border. I- I think they're going to attack. I mean, they will attack because Creamstar and Eaglestar were arguing and I think they've got a grudge against eachother now but-"

"Honeypaw" Goldstar spoke calmly, "The dispute between MoorClan and LakeClan is none of our concern"

Honeypaw saw Acorncloud relax from beside her.

"But we cannot have the clans fall apart. With warrior supervision, you may go and attempt to stop the fight. But at no time should you fight, and you must not pick a clear side. Help the cats you can and leave. Thrushheart, ready the appropriate herbs. Plenty of cobwebs, dandelion leaves- you know more than I do"

Fuming, Ebonytail stepped forward, "You can't just do that! What if she hurts another clan cat- this is a fully fledged battle we're talking about"

"Which is why you won't mind keeping a good eye on Honeypaw as you go. Now, get a move on. As for you, Hollypaw..." Honeypaw couldn't hear the leader as she walked away. The only think she could hear was her heart pounding as Ebonytail stared at her, spite written thousands of times in his stormy eyes.