Shhhhhh.... a Raccoonstar is not there

Reedheart didn't like the sound of that. His curiosity was quickly replaced with irritation. Did Raccoonstar take them for mouse-brained kits? Everything that came out of the gray tabby's mouth was so insulting she might as well have spat in Froststar's face. He could feel his hackles begin to rise and his claws sheathe and unsheathe rapidly. How dare she! He refused to throw aside his honor for WindClan's greed and pride!

Yet he reeled back his tongue, trying to quell the fury burning in him and think about what was presented to them. Perhaps there was something in this. Raccoonstar, though as greedy as her rival, was right. ShadowClan was growing stronger by the day - he could see it at every passing Gathering, and every cat under Silverpelt knew that Sagestar was ambitious enough for war. If ShadowClan defeated WindClan on the battlefield and took the rest of SkyClan territory, how long would it be until he set his eyes on the other threats to his hegemony? Only RiverClan would have the power to remain defiant then, and they would be alone.

There was more to this too, he realized. Such a cautious, some say paranoid, cat like Raccoonstar did not come alone and so far from home as a show of good will, she did it out of desperation. WindClan needed RiverClan to keep its territory. They could only access their territory through a narrow boundary through ShadowClan territory. Doubtless, Sagestar would shut her out after the confrontation at the Gathering. How could WindClan defend its territory when it could not even get there? Mossstar would never agree to them crossing through the heart of the forest to get there, which left her only one option. The river flowed right past SkyClan territory, where WindClan now reigned. Once RiverClan regained Sunningrocks, WindClan could cross on ThunderClan's side of the river. It would keep them out of RiverClan's hunting grounds and give WindClan incentive to help RiverClan defend the rocks from future raids, if they ever hoped to keep their crossing.

A more devious thought crossed his mind. WindClan would be at RiverClan's mercy and influence if they granted them this alliance born out of necessity. He cared little for hunting rights, they would do them little good. Power and leverage would be RiverClan's real reward. Yes, WindClan would have massive hunting grounds and their own benefits as well, but that could all be taken away if they turned their backs on Froststar.

So that was it, then. Make peace with WindClan, undermine Sagestar, and reap all the benefits, or leave ShadowClan unchecked and unchallenged. The very thought of allying with WindClan to help them steal land still made him sick, but there was little choice. His thoughts went back to the last SkyClan warrior living on the moors, and that's what decided it.

"She has a point." The warrior let his fur relax and sheathed his claws. "We cannot isolate ourselves from this quarrel any longer. If we do nothing, ShadowClan will eventually be at the banks of the river. We cannot let him bring the fight to camp." Reedheart said calmly. Perhaps it was out of turn for him to speak now, but the others had to be convinced as well. They had as little love for WindClan as he did, but they had to get over that now or face just more bloodshed.

Froststar looked away for a moment, deep in thought. She didn't want to get involved in anything between WindClan and ShadowClan. RiverClan already had their problems with ThunderClan. But everyday ShadowClan was growing larger and stronger, and she could tell Sagestar was getting more and more power-hungry. If ShadowClan was to take over WindClan's territory along with ThunderClan's, how long would it be until they tried to mess with RiverClan? Sure, she was fairly certain they would be fine, but Froststar would take any precaution necessary to keep her clan safe. Plus, in the steadily approaching leafbare, more hunting ground could definitely be helpful.
Still, if she was to make an alliance she would be turning her back on Sagestar. RiverClan and ShadowClan had never been enemies, and Froststar and Sagestar had always been friends... and perhaps once, more than that. She pushed the thought out of her mind. She couldn't let her personal feeling hurt her clan. Looking Raccoonstar in the eye, Froststar took a shaky breath before answering. "Alright, Raccoonstar. I believe an alliance will be good for both of us. I accept." She pushed away any uncertainty or stirred emotions involving the ShadowClan leader.

The Windclan leader's face brightened up a bit, as she heard the Riverclan leader agree with her alliance. Finally the leader gave off a sigh of relief, and relaxed a little bit in the presence of her new ally. "I guess we should discuss battle plans now shouldn't we?" Raccoonstar asked the Riverclan leader not really wanting to overstay her welcome.

Reedheart felt a wave of both relief and dread wash over him. The last couple of moons had left him anxious and on edge, and he knew war was coming sooner or later. He had hoped that it would not come to RiverClan, but they had no choice now. But perhaps, especially with RiverClan and WindClan together, the war would be over as fast as it would start. Then there could be some peace at last, however briefly.

Yet he knew what battle could mean. Sometimes while he dreamed, he could taste Thierry's blood in his mouth, see Sagestar's bloodied limp body being dragged into camp, and hear the desperate yowls ringing around the four Great Oaks...

But these were not the Deomilites they were fighting. These were Clan cats, bound to honor and mercy by the Code. He hoped ShadowClan would remember that.