It was a quiet morning when the cats of DuskClan began to rouse. In fact... almost too quiet. The usual trill of birdsong was absent from the air. Only a gentle breeze stirred the grasses, creating a soft rustle.

Thistlestar was the first to discover the body. Thistlestar is the Leader.

A cry of shock issued from the reserved tom's throat, tearing apart the silent morning. Thistlestar staggered back, staring with wide greenish-yellow eyes at the form lying limp in the center of the camp.

Vortexblack's black pelt was torn and ragged. His fur was clumped together, stained with his own dried blood. Multiple wounds scored his pelt. His dark blue eyes were open, staring sightlessly into the forest beyond.

Vortexblack has been killed. He was the Brightheart.

Thistlestar's cry brought everyone into the clearing. There were yowls of surprise and hisses of anger as the clan discovered the source of Thistlestar's grief. A murder. And one that was making a statement, judging by the way Vortexblack's body was displayed in the center of camp for all to see.

Nightfur padded forward to check for scents on the ground next to Vortexblack's motionless form, then lightly swiped her paws through the grass, as though looking for clues. Asterflight followed her lead and cautiously sniffed their fallen clanmate's fur.

Asterflight narrowed his eyes, deep in concentration. After a moment he turned to Thistlestar to speak.

"There are no scents but clan ones," Asterflight informed him. His voice was quiet, but everyone was listening. "Vortexblack was killed by one of us." Nightfur nodded in agreement.

Mutters broke out among the gathered clan.

Finchfire lifted her chin and pronounced fiercely, "there must be traitors among us!"

"More than one, judging from those claw marks," Pinepaw added, nodding at the dead body.

"Why would anyone want to kill a clanmate?" Swiftrabbit cried out in confusion.

The volume rose as cats turned to one another to share their thoughts. Some immediately began discussing who they thought the murderer was. Others, like Wolflight and Kestrelwhisker, listened.

Stormfall was trying to speak to Dovepaw, but becoming increasingly frustrated as she realized that she was making no sound. Stormfall is muted.

Dustfall was carefully watching the faces of the cats around him, observing their expressions.

Flickerpaw leaned into Oakpaw's side as she stared mournfully at Vortexblack.

Finchfire padded over to Thistlestar and muttered something in his ear. The two moved away from the rest of the cats and held a quiet conversation.

While everyone was talking, Doepetal crouched down in front of Vortexblack and, very gently, lowered his eyelids closed.

Echobreeze noticed Doepetal touching the deceased tom and stalked over to her. "What are you doing? Trying to disturb the scene of the crime?" the light gray she-cat hissed.

"Show some respect!" Mousetail snapped at Echobreeze. "Vortexblack just died. The least we can do is close his eyes for him." He glared at Echobreeze with his dark green eyes. "You're probably the one who killed him!"

Echobreeze immediately puffed out her striped fur. She looked extremely upset. "How dare you?" she screeched. "I'm not a traitor! If anyone-" -- her mismatched gaze darted to Asterflight -- "I mean, you have no right to accuse me!"

Mousetail curled his lip. "Why are you getting so high-strung about it, then, unless you actually have something to accused of?" he demanded.

Echobreeze flattened her ears and hissed furiously at her accuser. "You mouse-brain! I'm telling you, you're looking at the wrong cat!" Once more, she glanced quickly over at Asterflight, then turned back to glower stubbornly at Mousetail.

Dustfall was watching Echobreeze's face, so he noticed her errant gaze. Dustfall stared at the fawn coloured tom for a few moments, then he cleared his throat, politely indicating that he would like to speak to the group. "I do think Asterflight may have killed Vortexblack," Dustfall meowed.

Asterflight raised one eye ridge skeptically. He didn't answer right away, just gestured with his tail for Dustfall to explain himself.

Dustfall nodded solemnly. "I've seen you acting... oddly around Vortexblack lately. I believe you've been planning his death for a while." His voice was completely serious.

Asterflight waited a heartbeat, then finally replied in a calm voice. "Sorry, but you're wrong. I've never thought of Vortexblack as anything but a fellow clanmate. I would never wish any harm upon him, much less kill him myself." Despite Asterflight's calm attitude, it could be seen that he was slightly miffed at being accused.

"Well, I think Sorrelbird is the traitor," Swiftrabbit proclaimed.

Sorrelbird's face fell at the accusation. She opened her mouth as though to defend herself, but then let it close again. She seemed unwilling speak her mind.

"Sorrelbird?" Silverwind echoed disbelievingly. "No, I'm pretty sure the traitor is you, Swiftrabbit."

Swiftrabbit tilted his ears back, looking shocked. "What? Why?" he asked curiously.

Silverwind lifted her chin. "Just a gut feeling," she answered.

Maplefur stepped between the arguing cats, trying to prevent them from fighting. "Wait! We're clanmates. We shouldn't be fighting like this." He paused, then added, "And it wasn't me. I'm just a normal warrior."

Swiftrabbit frowned, then turned and padded over to Thistlestar, who had finished speaking to Finchfire. Finchfire wandered over to stand with Pinepaw and Doepetal. Swiftrabbit quietly exchanged a few urgent words with the leader.

When Thistlestar came padding back to the group, his expression was grave. "Very well," he meowed to the clan. "We know we have traitors in our midst. It is time to exile them."

Voting time! Now that the day has passed, it is time to decide who shall be exiled from the clan.

A few of you recieved extra information in your PMs. Please do not expose this information in the comments. You may discuss the events described in this chapter ONLY.

Every living cat in the clan may vote for 1 cat. You cannot vote for yourself. You can change your vote at any point within the time limit. Game observers and deceased cats may not vote, but they can help in discussions, as long as they are not revealing sensitive information.

The cat with the most votes at the end of the 24 hours (or sooner, if everyone comments quickly!) will be exiled from the clan and considered "deceased." If there is a tie, or if no one votes, there will be no exile.