Jaystar waited impatiently at the entrance if his camp, the tip of his tail twitching in irritation. Around him sat a cluster of warriors already to leave for the Gathering, and if they didn't leave right away they would be late. At last the small shape of Flamepaw appeared through the darkness as he rushed into camp with a blackbire clutched in his jaws. He dropped it at his feet so that he could speak and faced Spiderclaw who was approaching him. "Your late," he growled menacingly.
Flamepaw crouched down and flattenee his ears fearfully, Spiderclaw's anger was something to be feared. "I got held up..."
"Make sure it doesn't happen again, do you think we don't have better things to do then wait for late apprentices?!"
Flamepaw lowered his eyes, his flattened form seeming to sink further into the ground. This time he said nothing.
Satisfied that he had disciplined the frightened apprentice enough, Spiderclaw turned to face Jaystar and gave a nod. "We're all here now."
Jaystar turned on his heels and left the camp swiftly, none of the warriors turned to look at Flamepaw, even his sister, Lizzardpaw seemed to be avoiding him. By the time they reached the island the moon was already high in the sky and upon reaching the destroyed tree bridge Jaystar stopped in alarm. How were they going to cross? None of his Clan could swim!