Whitewing picked through the prey left from last night.
“Has the hunting patrol left?”
“Not yet,” Sandstorm called. “We’re heading out shortly.”
She rattled the apprentices’ den once more. “Once I can get Foxpaw out of his nest. He thinks he’s allowed to miss all his duties while Squirrelflight’s sick.” She looked at Lionpaw. “Do you want to come hunting?”
Lionpaw paused in his washing. “Yes.” Perhaps a run in the woods would clear his mind. He could pretend he was like any other apprentice—for a short time, at least.
Leafpool slid out of her den. Jaypaw padded after her, yawning.
“We need more marigold,” she mewed. “Squirrelflight’s wound is healing nicely, but I want to be ready for any late infections. We can’t risk taking anything for granted.” She glanced nervously up at the sun, rising over the trees at the rim of the hollow.
“I’ll fetch some this morning,” Jaypaw offered. He stretched, his tail quivering with the effort. “There’s a patch beside the shore.”
“It’ll be the last of the season, I expect.” Leafpool sighed.
“Then I’ll get as much as I can.”
Grit sprinkled down from Highledge. Firestar was sitting outside his cave, washing. His orange pelt turned to fire as the morning light caught it. He gave each ear a quick rub, then gazed down at the camp. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather together!” he called.
Sandstorm looked up, surprised.
Lionpaw straightened. What about the hunt?
The warriors’ den shivered as Brackenfur and Birchfall padded out. Poppyfrost and Berrynose followed, their eyes bleary with sleep. Foxpaw stumbled dozily from the apprentices’ den.
“About time, too!” Sandstorm chided. “I was about to come in and drag you out by your tail.”
Icepaw trotted out after her brother. “Sorry,” she apologized. “I kept him awake last night. We were trying to stay up till you got back from the Gathering.”
Sandstorm glanced at Firestar. “You’ll hear about it soon enough.”
Lionpaw padded beneath Highledge as the Clan gathered.
Dustpelt shook sleep from his whiskers, while Thornclaw sat beside him and picked moss from his pelt. Squirrelflight had padded to the edge of the clearing. From the stern looks Leafpool was flashing at her, she was meant to be in her nest.
Hollypaw slid in beside Lionpaw. “What do you think he’s going to tell them?” she whispered.
Lionpaw guessed she was talking about the Gathering.
How would Firestar break the news of Blackstar’s revelation to his Clan?
Jaypaw weaved his way among his Clanmates and sat down beside Lionpaw. “I hope you slept better than me.”
Lionpaw stared at his paws, feeling hot, as Heatherpaw’s motionless body flashed behind his eyes.
“The Gathering was not what we expected.” Firestar’s mew jolted him out of the hateful vision. “ShadowClan didn’t come.”
Mews of shock erupted through the Clan.
Brightheart pricked her ears. “What was wrong with them?”
“Is there sickness in ShadowClan?” Cloudtail called.
Firestar ignored the questions and pressed on. “Blackstar came with the loner, Sol, and told us that ShadowClan are turning their backs on StarClan.”
Mousewhisker looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Firestar stared down at the young warrior. “ShadowClan no longer believe that StarClan hold all the answers. They have lost faith in their warrior ancestors and will not be attending any more Gatherings.”
He raised his voice over the murmurs of alarm speeding through the Clan. “The loner Sol appears to be encouraging this belief. But I hope StarClan will have a greater influence over ShadowClan in the end. I believe they will speak through Littlecloud and to Blackstar himself. StarClan have never let us down before. Perhaps they let Blackstar stray for a reason.
But I’m sure they will bring him back to the Clans. All will be well. Remember how the sun disappeared? But then it came back again, as warm as ever. This darkness will pass too, I’m sure.”
As the Clan stared up at their leader, Lionpaw remembered Sol’s words: The light will return, just like the sun came back, but it will be your light, and yours to control.
His blood-soaked dream lingered in his mind. Was he ready for such power? Did he even deserve it?
Chapter 25
He doesn’t believe what he’s saying.
Jaypaw lifted his muzzle toward Firestar. He’s not sure at all that this darkness will pass.
He felt Lionpaw tense beside him, uncertainty prickling beneath his brother’s pelt. Hollypaw’s tail whisked the ground.
“Can’t we get rid of Sol?” Dustpelt called.
“Blackstar has to make his own choices,” Firestar answered.
“Even if it affects all the Clans?” Sandstorm demanded.
“We shall go on as usual,” Firestar declared. “We shall hunt and take care of our kits and our elders. We shall patrol our borders the same way we did in the forest. The same way we have done here. Whatever change comes, we will listen to StarClan and use the warrior code as our guide.”
Hollypaw let out a slow breath. “The warrior code,” she murmured. “The warrior code.” She repeated it as though it were the answer to everything.
Jaypaw envied his sister’s faith. And her ignorance. She didn’t realize that Firestar was taking as much comfort from his words as his Clanmates.
He has to believe things are going to be all right, for the sake of the Clan.
Firestar shifted on his paws. “I have good news to share today as well as bad.”
Jaypaw looked up, surprised. What good news?
“ThunderClan is still strong. We have proved ourselves in battle, and we know that StarClan still watch over us.” His tail brushed the ledge. “There are three new warriors to be named.”
Jaypaw flinched as excitement blazed from Lionpaw and Hollypaw. It was like sitting between two suns.
“Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Cinderpaw.”
Pebbles cracked as Firestar bounded down the rocks and into the clearing, where the Clan were already making space for the naming ceremony.
Brackenfur darted over to Hollypaw and smoothed her fur with his tail. “Well done,” he purred.
Ashfur weaved past Lionpaw. “You’ll be a fine warrior.”
“I’ll make you proud of me,” Lionpaw promised.
Squirrelflight was shining with happiness. Leafpool sat beside her, a purr rumbling in her throat. She must be pleased for Cinderpaw, thought Jaypaw.
Cloudtail weaved around his apprentice. “I told you it wouldn’t be long before you joined your denmates, Cinderpaw.”
Jaypaw closed his eyes. It was a long time since he imagined he could be a warrior. But the dream had never left him. He let jealousy surge and ebb away. Then pride blossomed inside him. His littermates would be warriors!
“Congratulations,” he purred.
Hollypaw rubbed her muzzle against his cheek. “Thank you.”
Lionpaw flicked Jaypaw’s ear with his tail. “I hope Icepaw keeps her promise to Mousefur, because I’m not cleaning out the elders’ den anymore.”
Ashfur’s tail twitched. “If your Clanmates’ bedding needs changing, then you’ll change it.”
Brambleclaw padded toward them. “Does Lionpaw think that Firestar’s making him leader already?” he purred.
“I was just joking!” Lionpaw protested.
“Of course.” Brambleclaw circled his kits and stopped beside Jaypaw. “I’m proud of you all.”
Hazeltail and Berrynose came bouncing toward them.