The Task at Paw

[Yoko]

The evening was fast approaching and Specklestar was becoming increasingly aware of the hard press for time. Tonight she intended to set in motion the Plans that would make war inevitable between ShadowClan and ThunderClan. She did this at the risk ofangering StarClan, but the all-knowing starry warriors had made no move to stop her. They had not forewarned Feathercloud to not allow this attack to go through, and so they had stepped aside for Specklestar to blaze the path through ThunderClan territory.

The speckled leader lay curled in the darkness of her den, the gnarled roots above blocking all light but a sandy patch about the size and shape of a small boulder. There had once been a crude map drawn in the sands of that patch, but they were erased soon after they were made, and the rain left the patch a muddy puddle.

Silently, Specklestar waited for her Deputy to return with the two cats she had called for to send on such a dangerous mission.

[Kitty]

Today was the day. Today was the day all their plans were put in motion. After the night was over, there was no going back. ShadowClan would have to go through with their plans.

Icepelt pushed his way into the leader's den, glancing back at the two cats he'd made sure to collect before coming. Lizardeye and Lightningclaw followed behind. These were two cats that the deputy knew for sure would not be going to the Gathering tonight. Instead they would be going on a special secret mission, assigned by Specklestar as per she and the deputy's prior discussion. They, however, had not yet been informed of this. Icepelt had brought them here telling them only that Specklestar needed them in her den.

"I've brought them, Specklestar," he meowed by way of greeting. He went over and seated himself by the speckled leader, looking over the two cats he'd brought along. If they agreed - and Icepelt was almost positive they would - everything would be in motion.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Lightningclaw did not know what exactly it was that she was meant to be doing. She knew that Specklestar had sent Icepelt to get her. She knew that Snaketail was following the deputy to meet with their leader as well. So obviously the speckled she-cat did indeed want to speak with them about something. But that something's exact nature, she was completely in the dark. She couldn't recall ever having been called to the leader's den before, not for anything in particular. Two seasons ago, she had been an apprentice. She may have been a particularly skilled apprentice, but she was still young, and she was well aware of that fact.

Still, Lightningclaw had to admit that while the honor of being called to Specklestar's den was unexpected, she didn't feel as if she didn't deserve it. It wasn't a matter of being conceited; Lightningclaw was simply a very skilled warrior, and she was fully conscious of this fact. Overconfidence was a foolish trait, but it was equally foolish not to recognize one's own attributes. The lanky she-cat glanced over at Snaketail as he walked beside her, wondering if he knew why they were there. Then they arrived at their destination, and Icepelt announced their arrival. Ducking, the silvery tortoiseshell entered the root hollow and mewed a respectful greeting.

"Do you need us for something, Specklestar?"

[Yoko]

Snaketail had just returned from a rather pleasant walk...with a certain pale-furred she-cat. He had not spent much with her before, but she was certainly an innocent and attractive little creature. He would really have to schedule another outing with her. She brought out his poetic side, and he liked that very much. The whole rainy day seemed brighter. Or rather, it that might be attributed to the act that it was nearing Gathering Night, a favorite event for the Tall Tabby.

He glided after Icepelt, and was surprised to see he was not alone. A grin spread over his muzzle so naturally one could compare it to a sunrise. Who should else should be present than the Fiery Lightningclaw?

"Well, what a pleasant surprise," he mewed with a smile and a nod towards Lightningclaw. He then bowed his head to the Lovely ShadowClan Leader and her Noble Deputy. What an honor to serve them both! Or perhaps he was in too good a mood to worry about being in trouble? "To what do I owe the pleasure o being in your company, Specklestar?"

Specklestar looked over the young warrior, Lightningclaw, as she was first to follow Icepelt. Despite her youth, Specklestar trusted her sense of honor and loyalty. She was definitely the one or the job. Someone had to keep Snaketail in line.

Speaking of whom, Specklestar allowed herself a small smirk o amusement. Well, Snaketail was quite the charmer that was for sure. She grew ever more confident in her selection of this pair to handle the task at paw.

"Well, since you are both so eager to learn of your mission. I will make this brief," Specklestar mewed, apparently pleased by their interest. "As you know, our plans for battle are already underway. We've been training out apprentices doubly and in the process giving their mentors a bit more practice. Isn't that correct, Snaketail?"

"Oh, very," Snaketail agreed readily. It was in fact very true. Well, for Twistedclaw at least. But the assessment this morning had indeed been a challenge.

"Well, as we physically prepare the Clan for the coming battle, we must now begin the process of planning where exactly to strike. Unfortunately, it has been so long since the last battle, much of our knowledge of ThunderClan territory has been depleted. If we are to implement our plans most effectively, we will need new intelligence. No, I'm not asking you to spy on them. In fact, that's just the problem. If we leave any ShadowClan scent on their territory or if we are caught, we will lose our element of surprise no matter how good the excuse."

She inhaled deeply. Time to get to the heart of the matter. Possibly the most controversial order she's ever given as a leader. "That is why I am sending you to Two-Leg Place. To find cats that will investigate for us, but not have ShadowClan scent."

[Kitty]

Icepelt listened in silence as Specklestar explained their plan, giving a nod of agreement every so often as she spoke. They'd had a meeting about this particular plot beforehand, of course. At the beginning of the meeting they were just going to go into ThunderClan territory, lost and blundering around in the unknown territory until they stumbled across the camp. But by the time they'd reached the end, Specklestar, with some suggestions from her deputy, had made this decision. It was a very good one in Icepelt's opinion, sneaky and clever just like ShadowClan should be.

When she finished the white tom looked over the two young warriors. "We've chosen you for this task, of course," he meowed, scrutinizing the duo's reaction. "However, whether you are up to such a task is your decision. The way tonight unfolds could determine the whole of our plans to attack ThunderClan, how it all turns out when this is all over." His amber eyes narrowed as he meowed, "Of course, if you don't think you can pull it off, we could always send someone else." This he said flippantly, and a bit challengingly, as if it made no matter to him whether or not they agreed. Although both he and Specklestar had decided that these two would be among the best for the job, there were still several other warriors in the Clan. It wouldn't be impossible to replace them, as much as Icepelt didn't particularly want to do that.

[Yoko]

Snaketail was a little taken aback at first by the boldness of such a plan. Of course, he knew Specklestar was set on going through with her battle plans, this was a big step towards that. If all went well with this mission, there would be no turning back. Icepelt also appeared to be strongly backing the plan. The tall tabby's eyes glinted at the sound of a challenge.

"Why, Icepelt!" he mewed in faux shock. To be anything but honored by the proposition would be a disgrace to warriorhood. Specklestar, I can assure you that I'm not only up to the task, but I'm in full support of its brilliance! But I have a few questions."

Specklestar repressed a purr. He really was something else, that Snaketail. It was impossible to tell if all he was saying was sincere. Those eyes of his were so earnest and shining...

"Of course you do," Specklestar mewed frankly. Ask them now, you're leaving at the same time we leave for the Gathering.

"Well, that's one question down," Snaketail mewed with a grin. "Other than that, what should we say we're Gathering these outsiders for? What do we have to offer them?

"Tell them no more than is necessary. Tell them that they will only be asked to carefully examine the land and report back to us. Their reward anything within our power to give. A feast, or a favor. I'm sure a cat as creative as you will be able to make that sound sufficient. As for your recruiting efforts, young cats are better than old since ThunderClan is more likely to pity them."

Specklestar glanced at Lightningclaw who had yet to speak. "Are you up for this mission as well?

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Lightningclaw was somewhere in between lounging and sitting attentively as she listened to Specklestar speak. She owed her leader her respect, of course... but that didn't mean that she had to be stuffy and stiff. And she sure wasn't going to lie down and act like she didn't have a mind of her own, not for Specklestar, not for anybody. The silvered tortoiseshell pricked her ears and payed close attention to the plan that her leader was outlining. They were going on an espionage mission? No, rather, they were going on a secret outing to find spies to work for ShadowClan. That was something new, although she had to applaud the ingenuity of it.

There was no hesitation at all in her mind, but she didn't say anything at first, simply mulling a bit over the concept while Snaketail worked his usual magic. That tom was a slippery one, that was for sure. Some days she wasn't sure whether to be frustrated with his evasiveness or admire him for his guile. Icepelt earned from her a sideways glance, and a smile that was somewhere between sweet and cocky. "Of course we can do it," she assured both of her superiors. "That's why you chose us, isn't it? And you have no need to doubt my commitment. Someone has to keep this furball in line, after all." Lightningclaw flicked her tail-tip at Snaketail, brushing his fur the wrong way and giving him a little smirk. The sooner they were out and on their paws, the happier she would be. Lightningclaw was eager to be going.

[Yoko]

Snaketail shivered as his fur was rubbed the wrong way. He considered himself a well-groomed cat, but he wasn't obsessive about it. He retaliated with a playful flick of the tail to his Denmate's ear. He was glad she was his company. There were far less attractive choices Specklestar could have made.

Specklestar felt a flicker of pride in her chest for these two. She wasn't a very old leader, but somehow she felt they were the result of her leadership of the Clan.

"Very well, off you go. One last thing, when you bring them back to our territory, stay very close to the Thunderpath. We're unsure as of now when we'll announce this plan to the Clan. So its best to wait there for us. Icepelt? Anything to add?"