Crookedjaw didn’t reply. Hailstar was walking into the middle of the camp. Rippleclaw and Timberfur followed, with Ottersplash, Owlfur, and Cedarpelt at their heels. Crookedjaw sat up. Dens rustled and fur brushed the ground as the Clan padded from dens and eating places to hear their leader.
Hailstar shook his head, forestalling any questions. “We haven’t decided yet,” he meowed. He sounded tired.
Echomist swished her tail. “You must be hungry.” She nodded at the fresh-kill pile. “There’s plenty to eat.”
“Good.” Hailstar licked his lips. “We’ll decide after we’ve all had a chance to eat.”
He headed toward the fresh-kill pile. As he neared it, he froze. The fur lifted along his spine. “Brambleberry!” he yowled, keeping his eyes fixed on the pile of prey.
Crookedjaw darted across the clearing. For a wild moment he wondered if the sight of a squirrel among the fish had startled the old leader. Brambleberry shot from her den and skidded to a halt beside Hailstar. She followed his gaze, her pelt spiking up.
“What does this mean?” Hailstar whispered.
Crookedjaw stared at the prey on the fresh-kill pile. The jaws of the squirrel had been wrenched wide and hung open, dangling by sinews so that its mouth gaped unnaturally. Its broken, twisted face seemed to stare out at the horrified cats.
“That was Crookedjaw’s prey,” Echomist breathed.
Hailstar sniffed at the pile, then looked up. “It’s an omen!” he growled, his eyes flashing. His gaze swung to Crookedjaw. “It’s you!” he growled. “You are the new RiverClan deputy!”
Chapter 32
Birdsong pushed her way through the stunned cats. “He’s too young!”
“He’s been a warrior for moons!” Willowbreeze retorted.
Hailstar silenced them with a look. “StarClan knows best.” He dipped his head to Crookedjaw. His voice was flat. “I cannot change the will of our ancestors.”
Crookedjaw felt ghostly fur slide around his flanks. The scent of Mapleshade hung in the air. Had she left the omen? His heart soared. It truly was an omen from StarClan.
“Go to Hailstar!” Willowbreeze nudged Crookedjaw forward. “Go and accept! Tell him you want to be deputy.”
Sedgepaw blocked his path. “I’m going to be the deputy’s apprentice.” She puffed out her chest.
Voleclaw nodded to Crookedjaw. “Well done!”
Beetlenose sniffed. “Who’d believe you were once the smallest kit in the nursery?”
“Now he’s the biggest cat in the Clan,” Cedarpelt purred. “Congratulations, Crookedjaw. You deserve it.”
Do I? Crookedjaw stared numbly at his Clanmates.
“He doesn’t have any experience,” Troutclaw whispered to Birdsong.
Timberfur’s tail was twitching. “He’s only fought in one real battle.”
Shimmerpelt was staring at the fresh-kill pile. “Are we allowed to eat an omen or should we catch more fish?”
Graypool slid past her. “Why not ask our new deputy?” Her eyes glinted. “Congratulations.”
“Crookedjaw!” Oakheart’s mew made him turn. His brother weaved through his Clanmates. “You will make a fine deputy and a great leader.” He touched his muzzle to Crookedjaw’s cheek. “You will always have my loyalty.”
Crookedjaw’s numbness melted. There was real warmth in Oakheart’s gaze. He’s forgiven me for Rainflower’s death! Thank StarClan! “Thank you,” he whispered.
Shellheart padded forward. “I’m proud of you.”
Crookedjaw looked up at Silverpelt. Are you proud of me, too, Rainflower?
A sharp paw prodded him. “You have to tell Hailstar that you accept,” Willowbreeze reminded him.
Crookedjaw padded into the shadow of the willow. The moss at the entrance to Hailstar’s den quivered in the breeze. Crookedjaw paused, steadying his paws.
“You don’t understand!” Brambleberry’s urgent mew sounded from inside the den.
Hailstar answered. “What is there to understand?”
“It wasn’t an omen from StarClan!”
Crookedjaw’s heart seemed to stop.
“Who else would send omens?” Hailstar rasped.
Brambleberry’s mew was frightened. “Just let me go to the Moonstone,” she pleaded.
“The Moonstone?” Hailstar sounded puzzled. “An omen is an omen, wherever it comes from. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
Crookedjaw burst through the moss. He stared accusingly at Brambleberry. “What is it? What’s wrong? Don’t you want me to be deputy?”
Brambleberry’s eyes glistened. “Of course I do!” She was trembling. “It’s just…” She trailed off.
“Just what, Brambleberry?” Hailstar was sitting at the back of his den, his gray pelt hardly visible. “If you’ve heard something from StarClan, tell me.” He glanced at Crookedjaw. “Tell us.”
“Not yet.” She closed her eyes. “Everything might be all right.” She blinked them open and stared at Crookedjaw. “You’re as strong and as skilled as any other warrior. As long as you make the right choices, it might still be okay.” She slipped out of the den before Hailstar could speak. Crookedjaw wanted to follow her. He wanted to make her tell him what was worrying her, what had been worrying her for so long.
“Do you accept, then?”
“Huh?”
“Do you want to be deputy?” Hailstar’s mew snapped Crookedjaw back from his thoughts.
He shifted his paws. “Do you still want me?” Had Brambleberry put him off?
“Of course I do.” Hailstar heaved himself to his paws. “The omen of crooked jaws surprised me,” he meowed. “But it was an omen. I know you’re still young. But you have great potential. You’ve overcome a lot, Crookedjaw, and you’ve become a warrior your Clan can be proud of. I always thought you’d become deputy one day—even leader.” He shrugged. “Maybe not so soon, but if you want it—”
“Want it?” Crookedjaw blinked at his leader. “Of course I want it. More than anything else.”
Hailstar narrowed his eyes.
Crookedjaw tumbled on. “My Clan means more to me than anything in the world. I know I’m young, but I promise to learn. I promise to grow wiser and stronger and do everything I can to help my Clan.” His promise to Mapleshade rang in his ears. I will be loyal to my Clan above everything. What I want doesn’t matter. The Clan must always come first. Excitement surged under his pelt as Hailstar brushed past him and nosed his way outside.
“Come on.” The RiverClan leader beckoned him with a flick of his tail.
The green reeds glowed almost blue beneath the rising moon, and the willow branches whispered overhead. The air was warm and Crookedjaw could taste the river. His Clanmates lined the clearing, watching silently as Hailstar led him to the middle of the camp.
“Shellheart!” The RiverClan leader called the former deputy forward.
Shellheart padded to join them. His spine showed beneath his ragged pelt as he stood before Hailstar.
Hailstar dipped his head low. “Shellheart, RiverClan thanks you for your loyalty and wisdom. You have never flinched from your duty or shown anything but courage. You’ve served your Clan well and we wish you peace and comfort in the elders’ den. You have earned a long rest.”
Sedgepaw bounded forward. “I promise I’ll keep your nest clean and pull out all your ticks.”
Timberfur tugged his daughter back by her tail. “Shhh!”
Crookedjaw stifled a purr as Hailstar went on solemnly. “I hope you will share your stories with all of us and with the kits yet to be born. We still have much to learn from you.”
“Shellheart! Shellheart!” As the Clan called his name, Crookedjaw cheered loudest of all for his father and mentor.