Gray Wing lifted his gaze. Clouds scudded across the pale blue sky, like cats chasing each other. “Turtle Tail, I know you’ll always be with me,” he called. “You waited a long time for our love to grow and it won’t die now. I’ll fight for you, Turtle Tail, and I’ll make sure that your kits have a future on the moor, safe among friends.” The clouds touched, becoming one. “I will not fail you.” Calm enfolded him. As birds began to sing in the new day, Gray Wing felt strength seep back into his limbs. He glanced around, suddenly aware he’d spoken aloud.
Lightning Tail dipped his head. Tall Shadow and Thunder did the same. Soft murmurs of approval rippled around the moor cats. Cloud Spots met his gaze, his eyes glistening.
Gray Wing nodded and, wordlessly, led the others back to camp.
Thunder caught up with him as he reached the clearing outside the hollow. Gray Wing halted and watched Rainswept Flower nudge the kits toward their nest. “Do you think they’ll be okay?”
Thunder touched his muzzle to Gray Wing’s shoulder. “My mother died,” he murmured. “I’m sad she’s not here, but I don’t have to face the world alone.” He glanced toward Acorn Fur and Lightning Tail as they sifted through what was left of yesterday’s prey pile. “Nor will Turtle Tail’s kits.”
“You must rest today.” Tall Shadow meowed as she approached. “Both of you. The meeting with Clear Sky is tonight.”
Gray Wing’s pelt felt suddenly as heavy as mud. How could he face a dumb argument over territory after this? His weary eyes glazed. What would Turtle Tail tell him?
You must do this, Gray Wing. His ear fur rippled as he imagined her words. Only you can stop Clear Sky from dragging us into war.
Chapter 17
Thunder glanced over his shoulder. Gray Wing was in the clearing, pacing back and forth. His shadow slid over the worn grass, sharp under the bright full moon. Thunder tried to catch his eye, but the sleek gray tom was absorbed in his own thoughts. Is he thinking about Turtle Tail? Or Clear Sky? Thunder hoped he was focusing on the meeting ahead rather than his grief but, with each turn, Gray Wing’s gaze flicked toward the nest in the tunnel where Rainswept Flower was nestling Turtle Tail’s kits.
Owl Eyes stared blankly into the distance, while Sparrow Fur washed his ear distractedly. Pebble Heart watched Gray Wing, his amber gaze steady.
There was a solemnity in the kit’s gaze that sent shivers rippling along Thunder’s spine. He looks like he’s lived longer than Tall Shadow. “Are you ready?” Though he had just been thinking of her, Tall Shadow’s mew surprised him.
“Yes.” Thunder faced her.
Gray Wing will do the talking,” Tall Shadow reminded him.
“I know.” Thunder curled his claws into the dewy grass. It was obvious that Gray Wing had far more sympathy for Clear Sky than any other moor cat. Guilt jabbed Thunder’s belly. Should I feel sympathy for him? He is my father, after all. He pushed the thought away with a growl. Then he should have acted like one. Thunder lashed his tail. “When do we leave?”
Tall Shadow lifted her muzzle and gazed around the clearing. Shattered Ice sat beside Hawk Swoop, a thrush lying half eaten between them. Cloud Spots was showing Frost the prey heap. It was the white tom’s first trip out of the gorse den and Thunder was pleased to see he was hardly limping. Wind Runner lay in the long grass, cozy in the nest Gorse Fur had built her. She’d refused to stay in the gloomy bramble den, even though he’d tried hard to persuade her they’d been more sheltered there. “Kits need to feel sunshine, and wind in their fur,” she had told him. Now, the kits clambered blindly over her, their fur fluffier than owlet feathers. One of them mewled hungrily. Thunder felt a twinge of sadness as he noticed that Sparrow Fur didn’t even lift her head at the sound. She’d been so excited about helping Wind Runner with her kits. But, since Turtle Tail’s death, she hadn’t even crossed the clearing to sniff them.
Tall Shadow cleared her throat. “I want you all to stay in camp until we get back,” she announced. Her voice carried clearly through the still night air.
Gorse Fur padded from the long grass. “Some of us should stand guard near the hollow,” he growled. “Just in case.”
Dappled Pelt gazed from outside the gorse den. “Clear Sky can’t be trusted.”
Thunder glanced at her, surprised at the darkness in the tortoiseshell’s tone.
“This is a meeting, not a battle,” Tall Shadow told her firmly. “Clear Sky knows that we just want to talk.”
Gorse Fur met her gaze. “What does he want?”
Thunder wished he could reassure the tom, but he didn’t trust Clear Sky any more than the rest of them.
He saw Tall Shadow take a step forward. “Gray Wing.” The black she-cat’s call seemed to jerk Gray Wing from his trance. His eyes flashed in the moonlight as he turned toward her. Then, nodding sharply, he padded toward the gap in the heather.
“Gray Wing!” Rainswept Flower called from his nest. “Aren’t you going to say good-bye?”
Gray Wing glanced toward the kits huddling beside Rainswept Flower. “Of course.” Shaking out his fur, he hurried across the clearing. “Rest, my dears,” he told them, touching his muzzle to each of their heads. “I’ll be back before long.”
Owl Eyes stared at him anxiously. “You’ll be okay, won’t you?”
Gray Wing pressed his cheek to the young tom’s. “Of course.” His purr sounded forced. “I’m going to meet with my brother. And I’ve got Thunder and Tall Shadow with me.”
Sparrow Fur glared at him. “You’re going to meet Clear Sky,” she mewed. “The meanest cat ever.”
“He’s still my littermate,” Gray Wing reminded her softly. He glanced fondly at Pebble Heart. “Will you be okay?”
Pebble Heart’s eyes reflected starlight. “Be careful, Gray Wing,” he mewed. “Danger lies in the hollow.”
“I will.” Gray Wing dipped his head.
Thunder narrowed his eyes, curious. Why was Gray Wing taking advice from a kit? What did Pebble Heart know of conflict between cats? Unease moved in his belly as Gray Wing crossed the clearing and followed Tall Shadow out of the camp. He tasted the air warily, wondering at the foreboding creeping beneath his pelt. Was a storm coming? The faint scent of rain tinged the breeze. He checked the sky. For now, it was clear, the stars sparkling high above.
“Are you coming?” Gray Wing called to him over his shoulder.
Thunder bounded after him. As Tall Shadow ducked into the heather ahead of them, he whispered in Gray Wing’s ear. “What did Pebble Heart mean by danger lies in the hollow?”
“I don’t know.” Gray Wing followed the black she-cat.
Thunder nosed his way among the springy branches. The trail was cracked and jabbed his pads as he wove one way then the other through the thick bushes. It was a few moments before he caught up to Gray Wing again. “What do you mean you don’t know?” he hissed at Gray Wing’s tail.
Gray Wing didn’t answer. As he broke from the heather, Thunder saw Gray Wing and Tall Shadow already climbing the grass slope toward the hollow. They were veering away from the quickest route.
He broke into a run until he reached them, then fell in beside Gray Wing, matching his pace. “Why are we going this way?” Across the wide slope, he could see treetops shimmering in the hollow. Tall Shadow seemed to be leading them around it.