It had been longer than usual since the clans had had a gathering, because the blizzard had caused a delay.  But they were finally having one now. 

As the clans waited to begin, a Streamclan apprentice came barreling up to Greypelt, almost slamming into him. "Greypelt!" shouted the apprentice joyfully.

"Ivykit!" exclaimed Greypelt, with equal joy.

"It's Ivypaw, now." said Ivypaw proudly.

"Oh, of course." said Greypelt. "Who's your mentor?"

"Woodpelt," she answered. "I've missed you a lot. Why'd you have to leave? Mother misses you too."

"I didn't want to leave", he assured her. "Ripplefur framed me. And how is mother?" He missed Icemoon terribly and hoped he would see her again someday.

"She's alright," answered Ivypaw.

Then the gathering started, and they had to be quiet.

"We need your help" began Snowstar. "Our medicine cat and his apprentice were recently murdered. We have not yet found the murderer and we need someone to train a new medicine cat."

"We will help, said Leafstar. Willowvine will train one of your apprentices as a new medicine cat."

"Thank you," said Snowstar gratefully.

At the gathering, Ripplefur found himself near the deputy of Marshclan, Talonfoot. He thought Talonfoot could be a powerful ally for himself and Ripplefur as they carried out their plan for domination of the clans. "Meet me here tomorrow night, and you will hear a plan that is too good to pass up. And don't tell anyone about it, or there may be problems," he whispered to Talonfoot. 

The next night, Talonfoot waited until everyone seemed to be asleep. He was nervous about Ripplefur's plan, but he was a bit curious, too. He walked out of his den, only to find Swampstar there.

"What are you doing awake, Swampstar?" asked Talonfoot.

"Splatterfur is sick, as you know, and I was too worried to sleep. I only came out for a minute for some fresh air. She is finally asleep, now, but she barely eats or drinks, and as she and I are old, I don't know how much longer she has. Why are you awake, Talonfoot?"

Talonfoot's heart ached at Swampstar's desperate worry and sorrow for his mate. "I couldn't sleep either, and I thought I would go for a walk under the stars."

"Okay, go, said Swampstar. Just be careful. And please bring back some moss filled with water for Splatterfur."

"Of course, Swampstar," said Talonfoot and he was on his way.

When he got to the gathering place, he saw Ripplefur and Redfang. "Hello," he said. "What did you think about last night's news? Are you scared?"

"No, stupid. I did it," growled Redfang.

"Now, we're giving you an opportunity you can't turn your back on," said Ripplefur. "You can enter into alliance with us, and eventually, the three of us together will have joint rule of Streamclan, Mountainclan, and Marshclan. Then we will beat Forestclan into submission. We have some rogue allies to help us. Unfortunately, we do not have any Forestclan allies, at least, not yet. They are a bunch of weaklings that don't understand power. They are too obsessed with morals. Morals that were only put into place to keep the strong under control, to render them no threat. There is no right or wrong, only power. The strong should rule. And the weak should be ruled, or die. Now, you can either join our alliance, or you will be killed. You seem like a reasonable cat, unlike that Forestclan deputy, Sunburst. He would choose to die without a thought. So we haven't extended that offer to him. We will kill him eventually, anyway. So, what do you say?"

Talonfoot was terrified. He didn't want to die, but he couldn't join these cats. But he said, "I will join. Tell me what to do."

"Go home and tell no one about this. But stand by. We will let you know when we need you. When the time is right, you will kill Swampstar, if he doesn't die on his own first. Frail old cat." Ripplefur instructed.

"Why can't we get rid of the leaders now?" asked Redfang.

"Because we must gather up the rogues to help us. And we must not let it look suspicious. All the leaders must not die at the same time," explained Ripplefur. "Now, I'm going home before I am missed. I suggest you do the same, idiots."

"Don't call me an idiot!" snarled Redfang. "Or you'll find yourself with some very painful scars!"

Ripplefur didn't even turn back, and Talonfoot and Redfang turned and left as well. Talonfoot's heart was racing and his head was spinning. What should he do? He couldn't kill his own leader! These cats were crazy! But if he refused, he was dead. If he told, he was dead. He decided not to tell, at least not yet. He had to find a way to stop Ripplefur and Redfang on his own. He returned home, not forgetting to bring water to Splatterfur, even in his badly shaken state.