“I’m going to try over in ShadowClan territory,” she called out to any cat who might be listening, then bounded down to the lakeshore and headed past the Twoleg half-bridge.
It wasn’t ShadowClan territory Violetpaw had in mind. It was time to admit she couldn’t fight Darktail alone. She was heading for ThunderClan, and her sister.
I hope Twigpaw isn’t too angry with me for what happened in the battle. Because I desperately need her help.
Violetpaw slipped swiftly and silently through the undergrowth, keeping close to the edge of the lake. All her senses were alert for the sound or scent of any rogues who might be hunting in ShadowClan territory, but she did not meet any cat until she splashed through the stream that marked the border with ThunderClan.
Drawing a long breath, Violetpaw began to relax, padding more confidently toward the ThunderClan camp, only to grow tense again as powerful, fresh scents—a mixture of ThunderClan and RiverClan—flowed over her from a bank of ferns just ahead. A moment later the fern fronds waved and three cats pushed their way into the open.
In the lead was a young gray-and-white tom Violetpaw recognized as Dewnose. The other two were less familiar to her, though she had seen them now and then at Gatherings and knew that they came from RiverClan. I should remember their names… Podlight and… yes, Beetlewhisker.
Violetpaw waited, dipping her head respectfully, as the patrol bounded up to her.
“What are you doing here?” Dewnose asked.
To Violetpaw’s relief, he sounded surprised rather than hostile. “I don’t mean you any harm,” she meowed hastily. “I’ve come for help—and to see my sister.”
“Why should we believe you?” Podlight asked roughly. “How do we know you aren’t part of a rogue plan to attack?”
“Oh, come on, Podlight.” Dewnose gave the RiverClan tom a shove. “If Darktail wanted to attack, would he warn us by sending an apprentice?”
“I’m here alone,” Violetpaw assured them. “Darktail doesn’t know. If you don’t believe me, you can leave some cat to watch the border while the rest of you escort me in.”
Podlight gave her a curt nod, seeming satisfied with that.
“What about the prisoners?” Beetlewhisker asked anxiously. “Are they okay? Will Darktail let them leave soon?”
Violetpaw wasn’t sure how to answer that. “They’re still alive,” she told him after a moment’s hesitation. “And they’re part of the reason that I’m here. But I need help.”
Dewnose nodded, a pleased look on his face. “I’d better bring you to Bramblestar,” he mewed.
“And Mistystar,” Podlight added sharply.
Dewnose flicked his tail in annoyance. “Sure, and Mistystar,” he muttered.
Violetpaw followed Dewnose through the forest, the two RiverClan warriors flanking her on either side. As she emerged into the clearing from the thorn tunnel, she halted for a moment, overwhelmed by the crowds of cats in front of her.
Have all the ShadowClan and RiverClan cats ended up here? Violetpaw hadn’t ever given much thought to what had happened to the Clan cats the Kin had displaced. Now she was stunned by just how crowded the ThunderClan camp was.
Over the other side of the camp she caught a glimpse of Juniperclaw and Strikestone, and felt a jolt of relief that at least Dawnpelt’s kits had made it here safely. But then she spotted Rowanstar beside them; he had seen her, and the look in his eyes was cold and unfriendly.
Violetpaw cringed inwardly, suddenly more nervous than ever. Why did I think these cats would greet me as a friend? I hardly know any of them—and the ones I do know probably think I’m a traitor.
“Come on, Violetpaw.” Dewnose touched her shoulder with his tail-tip. “I’ll take you to Bramblestar.”
Violetpaw hesitated. “Could I possibly talk to Twigpaw first?”
Dewnose’s gaze clouded with concern, making Violetpaw feel even more agitated.
“What—” she began.
“I think I know a cat who can help you,” Dewnose interrupted her gently.
He hurried off, weaving his way through the groups of cats in the clearing, until he disappeared behind a bramble screen; Violetpaw remembered that was the entrance to the medicine-cat den.
A moment later, Alderheart appeared; at the sight of him Violetpaw felt such a rush of relief that for a heartbeat she was unsteady on her paws. Alderheart is Twigpaw’s friend. Surely he will help me!
“Violetpaw, thank goodness you’re all right!” Alderheart meowed as he bounded up to her. “How are you? And how has Needletail been since I visited with Mothwing? I know she said things were fine—but they didn’t seem fine.”
“Not fine is right,” Violetpaw told him. “In fact, they could hardly be worse. I think Darktail has gone a bit crazy since he killed Rain. All he cares about is loyalty, and he punishes any cat he thinks isn’t loyal to him. And… and that includes Needletail.”
Concern flooded into Alderheart’s eyes, and for a heartbeat he seemed to gaze into the distance, as if he saw something terrible there. Violetpaw realized that he had been very close to Needletail, and must be upset to think of her being ill treated.
Soon Alderheart’s expression grew thoughtful. “Violetpaw, can I trust you?” he asked.
Violetpaw nodded eagerly. “Yes,” she assured him. “I know now it was a mistake to stay with Darktail. I should have left along with Rowanstar when the rogues took over ShadowClan. But I… I wanted to stay with Needletail, and I knew she would never leave.” Encouraged by Alderheart’s understanding look, she added, “I wanted to believe it would all turn out okay. Have you ever felt like that?”
Alderheart’s eyes were full of affection, and Violetpaw almost felt as if he was her kin. Truly my kin, she thought, not like Darktail.
“Yes, I have,” he replied. “Now listen close, Violetpaw. We’ve been looking for some cat in the rogue camp to help us, because we have an idea. We’ve come up with a plan…”
As Alderheart explained the plan to her, Violetpaw’s pads began to prickle with excitement. She listened, intrigued, and her fur felt warmer as hope kindled within her.
“But for our plan to work,” Alderheart finished at last, “we need a cat who can influence Darktail.”
“I can!” Violetpaw told him, even more excitement beginning to flow through her, like an icebound stream when the sun shines on it. “Darktail trusts me. I can do whatever you want.”
Alderheart’s gaze was warm as it rested on her. “Thank you, Violetpaw.”
“No, thank you—thank ThunderClan.” Violetpaw felt a huge sense of relief. “You’re showing me a way out.”
“I’d better take you to meet with the leaders,” Alderheart meowed, beckoning her with his tail.
Violetpaw nodded, but before she moved to follow Alderheart, she let her gaze travel around the camp, looking for her sister among the groups of cats. “Could I talk to Twigpaw first?” she asked. “I haven’t seen her since the battle and I… I feel so terrible about what I did to her. I want a chance to explain how much I regret it.”
As she looked up at Alderheart, Violetpaw felt suddenly chilled to see his expression change. He almost looked as though he was in pain.
“I’m sorry,” he mewed at last. “Twigpaw left camp half a moon ago, and she never came back. We think… I’m afraid we think that she may have been killed by a monster.”
Violetpaw stared at him, rigid with disbelief. She felt as though she had a chunk of ice in her belly, and for a brief moment black spots swirled over her vision. No… Twigpaw can’t be dead! When we met in the battle, I was attacking her. Oh, StarClan, don’t let that be the last time I’ll ever see her!