On the way back, Snowstar practiced coming in and out of her snake form. When she returned, the sun was beginning to set beneath the hills. "Snowstar! I'm so glad you're back! After you left, half the Clan went crazy!" Iceflower exclaimed as Snowstar walked back into camp. Snowstar nodded. "Any immediate problems I need to tend to?" She asked Iceflower. "Sundrop could use a bit of reassurance, Mintmoss is going off about this being her fault, and Galefur, Fernshade, and Emberblaze don't feel comfortable in the elder's den. "Okay. I can deal with these problems. You should get some rest. You've done a great job, Iceflower." Snowstar said. Snowstar went to the nursery first, where Sundrop was huddled in the corner of the den, grooming her kits, quietly reassuring them even though they weren't scared. "Sundrop, hey. Everything's gonna be okay. Remember that weak spot I was talking about? Well, I ran into a serpent when I was gone, and I killed it. I scratched a deep wound it under the chin and it died. They can be killed. By cats." Snowstar said. Sundrop gasped. "Really? This means we can be safe again!" She exclaimed. "Thank you, Snowstar. I hope you'll send out a patrol soon to kill some of the ghastly beasts." Sundrop said. Next was the elder's den. The three elders sat in the den, quietly voicing their worries. They weren't aware that Snowstar was there. "Have you heard what Rockdapple is planning?" Fernshade said. Emberblaze and Galefur nodded. "I hope the serpents die off soon. I hate this feeling of being watched." Galefur said. "Oh! Snowstar! Hello!" Emberblaze said and all three turned to Snowstar. "What exactly is Rockdapple planning?" She asked. "Uh... He's..." Emberblaze said. "He's planning ways cats could uh.. take down the serpents." Galefur finished. "Sorry they hesitated. Rockdapple wanted to... surprise you with his wonderful plans." Fernshade explained. Snowstar didn't think they were telling the truth, but she didn't say anything about it. "So, anything I can do to make you three feel safer in our camp?" Snowstar asked. "Could you patch up the holes in the brambles of the den with leaves?" Fernshadow asked. "Of course. I'll go and ask Starpaw and Pebblepaw to do that. I have a few more things I have to take care of. Have a good evening." Snowstar said, leaving the den. Snowstar poked her head into the apprentice's den. "Starpaw? Pebblepaw?" She said. "Yes?" An unsteady voice responded. It was Starpaw, and she was crying. "Listen, I know you're sad about not passing your assessment, but you'll get assessed again in a moon. I'm sure you'll pass then. You were so close last time." Snowstar said reassuringly. "Now, could you find Pebblepaw and patch up the Elder's den with leaves?" She said. Starpaw nodded, wiping away tears and standing up. Snowstar headed to the warrior's den, where there was a circle of cats surrounding Rockdapple. "Tonight, we-" Rockdapple spotted Snowstar, and was startled for a minute. "-We get a good rest and follow whatever directions Snowstar has for us." He finished his sentence. The entire crowd of warriors turned to her and acted like they were going to their nests to sleep. Snowstar could tell that wasn't what they were going to do originally. "Uh... Hey... Don't want to interrupt your planning, but anyone seen Mintmoss?" Snowstar asked. "Oh, she went to practice in the woods. She went that way." Reedpool said. "Thanks." Snowstar said. Snowstar walked in the direction that Reedpool said she went in, and she found Mintmoss. Well, Mintmoss's body. End of Part Ten
Next: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/507261231 Previous: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/505861964 First: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/489682159 Woohoo Ten Chapters
