Find nothing but faith in nothing.

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The nervous energy in the assembled RiftClan cats was palpable. Muscles were tensed, ears pricked forward in order to hear the latest news, and even a few tails swung in restless rhythm. Brackenstep stood in between Ravenmoon and Toadbrine, with Swallowfall and Hollypaw off to the side.

"Cats of RiftClan, Brackenstep has uncovered some troubling information," Ravenmoon announced calmly. She then nodded, allowing Brackenstep to continue for her.

"While hunting, Cedarpaw and I crossed paths with Amaranthpaw of SpiderClan," the tawny tabby explained. Cedarpaw had never seen his father conduct himself with such authority before. "She mentioned something interesting. At present, SpiderClan is very weak, with sickness spreading rapidly and no clear cure available."

Hushed speculation rippled through the assembled cats. Cedarpaw's own pelt prickled with interest, and if not for the fear of ruffling some cat's fur, he might have pushed his way into joining the other apprentices near the front of the crowd.

"Would the sickness be contagious, then?" Troutdrift asked. His eyes flicked towards the nursery, immediately giving away the object of his concern.

"We don't know," Brackenstep admitted.

"What exactly are you telling us this for?" Dawnspots tipped her head, disinterest marked across her features.

"This does sound like a SpiderClan problem to me," Briarcliff agreed. "None of our cats are falling ill."

"Be that as it may," Ravenmoon cut back in, "I intend to assemble a patrol to investigate. Remaining in the dark is ignorance. Ignorance is the mark of a sloppy warrior."

"Hollypaw and I will go," Swallowfall added, and her tone made it clear that this was a simple fact, not an offer.

"Yes," Ravenmoon agreed. "Toadbrine and Breezepaw will accompany me as well."

Cedarpaw could see Breezepaw fluff his fur up, either with pride or excitement, but probably both. Though for once, he didn't particularly care. He had something much more important on his mind. And perhaps, he reflected, Amaranthpaw would be the cat with the answers he was looking for.

"I'll come along, too," Cedarpaw announced to no cat in particular. Or rather, to every cat in the crowd.

"This isn't a mission for an apprentice," Briarcliff snorted.

"True, and a patrol of five cats is large enough," Toadbrine observed thoughtfully. "Any more than that, and Maplemoon might assume we're attempting a raid."

"But I helped Brackenstep find this out in the first place!" Cedarpaw protested, claws spiking the dirt. "Plus, Amaranthpaw likes me! She talked to me so easily before. I could get her to tell us what's going on."

"That's not your decision to make." Ravenmoon's tone wasn't menacing, but the finality in her words made Cedarpaw's heart sink. "This meeting is dismissed. Rest up for tomorrow. We leave for SpiderClan's camp at first light."

Frustration churned in Cedarpaw's belly as most of the Clan dispersed. Not only was he nowhere close to satisfying the frantic buzzing in his head, but he'd also just managed to make a fool of himself in front of the whole Clan. Again. His sour mood wasn't helped by Breezepaw sauntering over to him.

"Nice speech, fox-pelt," Breezepaw snickered. "I'm sure you would have made Amaranthpaw feel as if she was talking to a Clanmate."

"Do you want another bruised shoulder, then?" Cedarpaw growled.

Breezepaw snarled, but Cedarpaw spun around and stalked away. To where, he didn't know. He just needed to get out of camp. Preferably somewhere quiet, where he could sort out his scattered thoughts.

"Hunting?" Fennelpool asked politely.

Cedarpaw gazed blankly into her soft amber eyes. Fennelpool didn't normally accept the station of camp guard. Still though, she was better than most cats he could have blundered past. And despite his lack of an answer, she gave him a knowing look as she flicked her tail between his ears.

"Sometimes the air in camp can feel suffocating," she remarked. Lowering her voice to a whisper, she added, "Don't stay out too late. Maybe think about bringing back a mouse or two."

Cedarpaw nodded gratefully. He scrabbled easily up and over the brushlands leading away from RiftClan proper. The flexing of his claws as they tore away little bits of leaf litter grounded him. It made him feel more aware of himself.

"Cedarpaw, wait up!" Hollypaw, appearing from nowhere as seemed to be her habit, bounded up to his side.

"Out gathering herbs?" Cedarpaw guessed, unsure whether or not he really wanted to be dragged into a conversation.

"Swallowfall wants as many poppy seeds as I can get my paws on," Hollypaw agreed lightly. "What about you? What are you doing out here?"

"...Dahliaskip's kits were hungry," Cedarpaw lied simply. "So hunting, I guess."

"Right." Hollypaw's whiskers twitched, and he guessed she didn't believe him. "Good luck, then. I'm sure the prey will be running somewhere."

The black tabby padded softly away, strides carrying her with purpose. Cedarpaw stared after her uncertainly. He'd been acting like a cloud-brained kit since returning to camp with Brackenstep.

What in the name of Stars am I doing out here? I thought I had some direction I wanted to go, but...

He shook out his pelt decisively. Enough was a enough. What had he been in such an uproar about? The fact that he couldn't tag along on Ravenmoon's mission of diplomacy? Well, he had a solution to that problem now, and here he was letting her just walk away.

I really need to get my head together. No more going this long without some fresh-kill.

New resolve giving him a second wind, he quickly picked up his pace in order to catch up with Hollypaw. She was carefully picking long, black seeds from the middle of a dark red flower, but she acknowledged his arrival with a small nod.

"I'd like to talk to you," he explained. "May I? I'll help you carry any herbs you pick up as we go."

"About time," Hollypaw teased, taking him off guard by butting against his shoulder. "Something has clearly been bugging you lately. Come with me and tell me about it."

***

Before he knew it, Cedarpaw found himself matching Hollypaw's paw steps, trailing the outskirts of the Unbound Thicket as they plucked seeds from sweet-smelling poppies. Cedarpaw thought the scent from such flowers was enough to make a cat's head spin. The druid apprentice seemed much less bothered.

"So you see, I just have to know what's going on in SpiderClan," Cedarpaw concluded, punctuating his ramble with a sharp sneeze.

"You're a kind cat, when you aren't acting like a grumpy old badger," Hollypaw observed. "I'll admit, I'm worried about Amaranthpaw. But what can we do about it? Ravenmoon has already made up her mind."

"That's where I was hoping you could step in," Cedarpaw admitted sheepishly. "You said you'd be willing to... put in a good word for me, remember? I think now might be a good time."

"Oh, I see." Hollypaw looked thoughtful. "Yes, I think you might be right."

"So you'll do it?" Cedarpaw's heart lifted.

"Of course," Hollypaw purred. "Visiting SpiderClan will be much more fun with a cat my own age."

"Thank you," Cedarpaw breathed. His chest felt clear for the first time since returning to camp.

"It was no problem," Hollypaw assured him. "Druids are here to help. Speaking of, you should finish your hunt and get back to camp. You look about to drop off your paws."

Though her assessment was correct, Cedarpaw hesitated. "You're sure you don't need help carrying these back?"

"I'll manage," Hollypaw promised. "And I'll be sure to get some rest once I'm done. I have a feeling AzureClan will want to share dreams with me tonight."

Cedarpaw released a deep purr from his throat in response.

***

Trailing back into camp with a mouse in tow, Cedarpaw was welcomed with a wink from Fennelpool. His friend's mentor allowed him to slip through the entrance without any fuss, and he traded his catch for a tasty-looking carp. While not usually big on fish, carp tended to be palatable enough, and some cat may as well eat it since river prey wouldn't keep through moonrise.

I feel like I could eat a fox!

Cedarpaw didn't bother to find a more secluded place to eat. He simply wolfed down the scaly delight there on the spot. Everything seemed to settle down with a full belly, like applying poultice to soothe a stinging wound. He licked his whiskers, pondering what to do next.

Nothing much I can do, until Hollypaw makes her move, he decided. May as well get some sleep.

Of course, that would mean potentially bumping into Breezepaw in the apprentice's den. But he would have to face that risk eventually, so it would probably be better to just get it over with.

Pushing his way inside, he found that both Breezepaw and Sablepaw were absent. Robinpaw, Firepaw, and Palepaw all turned to greet him, a tentative hope flickering in their smiles. He was almost tempted to thank AzureClan for his stroke of luck.

"Hey, Cedarpaw," Firepaw broke the ice warmly.

"How are you feeling?" Robinpaw pressed, touching her nose lightly to his ear. "Your breath smells like prey..."

"I just ate something, don't worry," Cedarpaw purred. "I know I've been... prickly. I'm really tired, that's all."

"Then get some sleep," Robinpaw ordered, and Cedarpaw nodded.

"Sleep well, Cedarpaw," Palepaw murmured, sounding halfway there herself.

***

Cedarpaw was pulled from his slumber by an irritating cacophony of birdsong. The incessant chattering filled his ears until he had to press them against his skull, staggering to his paws.

"Stop it!" he yowled, but his voice was drowned out by the screeching of the ravens.

Desperate to escape the noise, Cedarpaw darted from the den. To his confusion, the familiar, sturdy walls of RiftClan camp had vanished. He was on an unfamiliar prey track, surrounded on all sides by trees. Trees that, from the sounds of it, all contained an entire Clan of birds each.

"Quiet!" he hissed desperately. "I can't hear myself think!"

His protests fell on deaf ears. The ravens only became louder, a full crescendo of screeches crashing around Cedarpaw until he finally broke down, adding his own feeble voice to the cacophony.

Couldn't some cat hear him through the chaos?

"There, there, kit. It's alright now. You're safe."

Quiet. The smell of... something he couldn't place, but he knew was kept within Swallowfall's den. For a moment, Cedarpaw remained limp, hardly daring to breathe. Was it over?

"Come on, lazy paws," a saccharine voice encouraged. "You aren't dead yet."

Slowly, Cedarpaw complied with the request. Opening one eye, he caught the amused yellow gaze of a fluffy white molly. He'd never seen this cat before, but she didn't seem like an enemy.

"...Who are you?" Cedarpaw forced the fur on his back to lie flat again. "Where is this place?"

"So full of questions," the white molly noted. "My name is Cloudwing. Shadowblink knows me."

"Okay," Cedarpaw agreed, "and about where we are?"

"When you focus too intently on a single piece of prey, you will find yourself missing others," Cloudwing chided playfully. "Besides, I think you know exactly where you are."

Cedarpaw rolled his eyes, mulling over her words. How was he meant to know where this was? He'd been...

Hang on, what was I doing just now? I... I think I spoke to Robinpaw in the apprentices' den...

Cold dread shot straight through his heart. The white molly had her head tipped expectantly, clearly waiting for his answer. He held her gaze warily.

"Are you... dead?" The question felt sour on his tongue.

"Are you?" Cloudwing countered, her voice a teasing purr.

"I hope not." The fur around Cedarpaw's neck fluffed up self-consciously.

I can't be dead. I just went to sleep! My Clanmates still need me... don't they?

"Of course they do," Cloudwing soothed, running her fluffy tail along his spine. "Your time is a long way off, little one. Don't fret."

"Then why am I here?" Cedarpaw demanded. "AzureClan doesn't just invade random dreams for leisure, as far as I'm aware. What do you want?"

"My, your tongue is as prickly as a thorn bush," Cloudwing observed. "I suppose you're right, though. I was hoping you'd pass a message along for me."

"Who might that message be for?" Cedarpaw flicked an ear uncertainly.

"Amaranthpaw," Cloudwing replied simply. "You plan to speak with her soon, don't you?"

Well, that was certainly true enough. "Assuming all goes to plan, yes. What's the message?"

"Remind her that she's not alone," Cloudwing requested softly. "I'm afraid her spirit is... shaken. Please let her know that we're still here for her."

"If I do get the chance to speak with her, I'll let her know," Cedarpaw promised. "Couldn't you speak with her directly, though? Or to Frondshade?"

"Frondshade is too weak," Cloudwing admitted sadly. "He needs to rest. I've tried to speak with Amaranthpaw myself... but I can't seem to reach her."

Cedarpaw blinked, allowing his head to bob to one side. "Why not? She's a druid. Don't you speak to druids all the time?"

"That's enough pondering for one night." Cloudwing gently ran her tail along his muzzle, a playful gleam in her eyes. "Get back to sleep. You're going to have a very big day tomorrow, no?"

Cedarpaw wanted to protest, but anything he intended to say was cut off by a yawn. Against his wishes, exhaustion caught up to him, leaving him to sway on his paws before familiar darkness enveloped him.