Darkest Night

CHAPTER 20

Alderheart dipped his pad into the dried oak he’d chewed into ointment and ran it gently over the cut on Sorrelstripe’s leg. She winced a little.

“How sore is it?” He checked for warmth and swelling at the edges of the broken skin, relieved when he found none.

“It just stings,” she told him.

“It should heal in a few days,” Alderheart assured her. He leaned back and looked around the makeshift camp. Nests crowded beneath the birch branches that overhung the shore. The swollen lake lapped the pebbles nearby. They’d built the camp hurriedly, and nests were unraveling, sticks and twigs dangling from them already, and moss scattered around their edges.

Bramblestar had reported that their camp in the hollow would be habitable soon, but it would be a long time before all the stone and earth would be completely cleared. Some of the fallen rocks were too big to move and would always remain in the clearing, a reminder of the disaster.

No cat died. Alderheart looked at the nest where Snowbush lay. Not yet, at least. The tom hadn’t moved since he’d collapsed into it. Alderheart and Jayfeather had bound his broken leg and eased honey and nettles into his mouth to fight the fever that had gripped him. Lilyheart had hardly left his side. She was with him now, resting her front paws on the side of his nest. Her eyes glittered with worry. Alderheart wished he could tell her that Snowbush would recover soon, but the infection was lingering, and he could tell from the quiet way Jayfeather moved around him that the blind medicine cat didn’t hold out much hope for the white tom.

As Sorrelstripe limped away, weariness dragged at Alderheart’s bones. He’d hardly slept since the rockslide. There were too many cats to take care of. The falling stones had left the whole Clan cut and bruised. Perhaps now, though, he could nap. The Gathering was tonight. He wanted to be alert. What if one of the leaders brought a clue about the six-toed cat? Or more evidence of the coming storm.

He reasoned with himself, looking at the blue sky, reflected in the still lake. The rain has stopped. He wanted to believe the worst was over. But until StarClan’s prophecy had been fulfilled and the six-toed cat had been found, how could there be anything but darkness waiting?

He crouched and rested his chin on his paws, allowing his eyes to close. Pebbles crunched as his Clanmates came and went around him. Fresh-kill scents drifted on the air. Eaglekit and Stemkit squeaked excitedly among the trees. We are still here. Alderheart comforted himself as sleep blurred the edges of his thoughts.

“Alderheart!” Lilyheart’s panicked mew jerked him awake.

He jumped to his paws as Lilyheart shook Snowbush. The white tom’s head lolled back, the whites of his eyes showing. Alderheart leaped across the pebbles and skidded to a halt beside the nest. “Jayfeather!” His wail echoed along the shore. Where had he gone?

He touched his paws to Snowbush’s chest. The white tom jerked suddenly beneath them. Heat burned through Alderheart’s pads. “We have to cool him down!” He ripped a wad of moss from the nest and shoved it toward Lilyheart. “Soak this in the lake and bring it back.” Lilyheart snatched it between her jaws and raced for the water’s edge.

Snowbush jerked again, flapping from one side of his nest to the other, his eyes staring blindly. Foam frothed at the corners of his mouth. “Help me hold him still,” Alderheart yowled desperately.

Poppyfrost leaped to help, throwing herself over Snowbush’s hind legs. Bumblestripe hurried to the nest and pushed his paws against Snowbush’s chest. Alderheart tried to hold Snowbush’s head still, but the tom was thrashing too wildly. His thoughts spun. Was there an herb that would stop this? He tried to think as Snowbush struggled in his paws. Had Jayfeather ever mentioned one?

“What’s wrong with him?” Poppyfrost wailed, her eyes glittering with fear.

“The fever.” Alderheart glanced at Snowbush’s broken leg, flailing while Poppyfrost tried to pin it down. Could Snowbush feel the pain? Was he aware of anything? Desperation showed in the tom’s frantic gaze. Spit dribbled from his mouth.

Suddenly, the tom fell still. Alderheart slumped with relief. The fit was over. Then he saw Snowbush’s eyes. They were dull. Grief stabbed Alderheart’s chest as he recognized death in them.

Pebbles swished as Lilyheart reached him. She dropped dripping moss beside the nest. “Is he okay now?” She gazed at Snowbush.

Alderheart dragged his gaze from the tom to the small, dark tabby she-cat. “He’s dead,” he croaked.

“Dead?” Lilyheart backed away. “But he survived the rockslide. His leg was broken, that was all.” She blinked in disbelief.

“We couldn’t cure the infection.” Alderheart gazed at her. He felt helpless. “It was inside. We couldn’t reach it.”

As he spoke, Jayfeather hurried toward him, weaving past Poppyfrost and Bumblestripe, who were staring in horror at Snowbush. The blind medicine cat reached the nest and touched his nose to Snowbush’s throat. With a sigh, he gently closed the tom’s eyes with his paw. “StarClan will protect him now.”

Lilyheart’s eyes flashed with anger. “Why didn’t they protect him before?”

Jayfeather bowed his head wordlessly.

Alderheart searched for something to say that might comfort the she-cat, but her question rang in his mind like the plaintive cry of an owl. Why didn’t they protect him before?

The journey to the island was slow. Alderheart’s paws felt as heavy as his heart. Back in the makeshift camp, Millie and Graystripe were sitting vigil, to be joined by the rest of the Clan when the Gathering was over. His Clanmates moved silently around him, as though drained of words by the horror of the past few days. Jayfeather had also stayed behind for the vigil.

Sparkpelt padded beside Alderheart, her pelt brushing his. He felt her looking at him from time to time, but she didn’t speak; neither did he.

Bramblestar led the way over the tree-bridge and into the clearing. WindClan was already waiting beneath the Great Oak, their pelts rippling with anticipation. RiverClan wasn’t here. Had Alderheart secretly hoped they would come? Perhaps. But he knew his hope had been empty.

SkyClan paced near the center. They seemed different from the lost Clan that had followed ThunderClan to the island a moon ago. This time they met the gazes of WindClan and ShadowClan cats without apology. They walked with their heads up, purpose in their steps.

ShadowClan kept to the edge. Rowanstar sat in the shadows, away from his Clanmates. Had something happened? He remembered the tension he’d seen in their camp when he’d visited with Willowshine. Alderheart tried to catch the gazes of Puddleshine and then Tawnypelt, but it was like trying to catch butterflies in the wind. His belly tightened.

Alderheart took his place beside Kestrelflight and Leafpool. Puddleshine joined them but still avoided Alderheart’s eye.

“How’s Snowbush?” Leafpool asked.

Alderheart blinked at her, wishing there were a way to break the news more gently. “He died this afternoon.” He still could hardly believe it.

Her eyes clouded. “The infection?”

“We couldn’t stop it spreading.” Guilt pricked at Alderheart’s pelt.

Puddleshine shifted beside him. “I’m sorry,” he meowed. “I didn’t realize.”

He noticed Puddleshine glancing at Rowanstar. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” Puddleshine shifted his paws uneasily.

Alderheart glanced questioningly at Kestrelflight.

Kestrelflight shrugged but didn’t comment on Puddleshine’s nervousness. Instead he returned the conversation to ThunderClan. “What caused Snowbush’s infection?” he asked.

“A mudslide destroyed our camp during the storm,” Alderheart told him. “Snowbush was crushed by falling rock.”

Kestrelflight’s eyes widened. “Do you think it’s the prophecy?”

Alderheart returned his gaze. “I don’t know,” he mewed. “But I hope we find the six-toed cat soon. If the dark skies brought this, then what else will they bring?”

Puddleshine looked away quickly, as though hiding his thoughts.

Bramblestar leaped onto the lowest branch of the Great Oak, moving so that Harespring and Leafstar could take their places beside him. Rowanstar crossed the clearing wearily and jumped up beside them.

“It feels strange without Willowshine and Mothwing,” Kestrelflight whispered, glancing at the empty space beside them.

Alderheart suddenly realized how many cats were missing. Not just RiverClan, but Dovewing and Snowbush. He glanced to the place where the deputies usually sat. The she-cat was alone beside Crowfeather. He guessed that Hawkwing had not yet returned from his quest to find SkyClan’s missing Clanmates. But where was Tigerheart?

Bramblestar’s mew interrupted his thoughts.

“We are here tonight with StarClan’s blessing,” he meowed. “The rains, which have battered every Clan, have brought special tragedy to ThunderClan. A mudslide pulled down part of the cliff that has always protected our camp. Snowbush died today of his injuries.” Shocked whispers rippled through the Clans as Bramblestar went on. “Our camp will take a long time to clear. But the rest of the Clan suffered only minor injuries.” He nodded to Leafstar. “SkyClan has kindly helped us by providing much-needed herbs.”

“It was the least we could do,” Leafstar dipped her head. “SkyClan is sorry for your tragedy. We will always be grateful that you have let Leafpool live with us while we are without our own medicine cat. Because of her, Tinycloud has brought three healthy kits into our Clan. Our camp is nearly finished, and we are enjoying our new territory. We hope to have more Clanmates soon. Hawkwing’s patrol is expected back any day, and I feel certain he will bring with him old friends left behind at the gorge.” She lifted her muzzle. “SkyClan will be a whole Clan once more.”

“WindClan has also thrived, despite the weather,” Harespring announced. He bowed to Bramblestar. “I am sorry for your loss. If there are any moorland herbs you need, Alderheart and Jayfeather are welcome to gather them. StarClan has blessed WindClan. The rains left us unscathed. Indeed, they have kept Twolegs and their dogs away. We have been able to hunt in peace and safety.”

Alderheart felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps he’d been too focused on ThunderClan’s tragedy. WindClan and SkyClan seemed to be thriving. There were new kits in the Clans. ThunderClan had suffered in the mudslide, but the camp could be repaired. Snowbush’s loss was heartbreaking, but the past moons had been filled with so many deaths; perhaps the loss of a single cat this moon was a sign the storms that had beset them were easing. Had the Clans avoided disaster without realizing it?

He puffed out his chest, ignoring the worry still gnawing in his belly, as Rowanstar shifted in the Great Oak. The ShadowClan leader looked hollow-eyed as he lifted his muzzle. His pelt clung to his frame, showing his ribs.

“You may have noticed,” he began, “that Tigerheart is not present tonight.”

Squirrelflight fidgeted uneasily as the Clans looked at the empty spot beside her.

“He went missing a few days ago.”

Alderheart’s pelt prickled along his spine. He glanced at Ivypool. Her ears were twitching nervously. Brackenfur whispered in Cinderheart’s ear. Bumblestripe and Honeyfur exchanged glances, and Ambermoon looked at her paws. They had all seen Tigerheart and Dovewing share prey when Tigerheart had lived with ThunderClan. Knowing looks had been exchanged when the two warriors had volunteered a little too eagerly for the same hunting patrol. Whispers had filled the elders’ den and nursery when Dovewing had sat beside Tigerheart during Clan meetings.

When Dovewing had gone missing, the Clan had been worried, but beneath the worry there had been a sense of suspicion, which no cat had voiced under the defensive glare of Ivypool.

Now Ivypool seemed to shrink beneath her pelt. Tigerheart’s disappearance was too much to be a coincidence. Could Dovewing really have deserted her Clan to be with the ShadowClan deputy?

Rowanstar went on. “We have sent out search parties, but he clearly took pains to cover his trail. There’s been no sign of him. He gave no clue about where he was going or why he left.”

Fernsong lifted his muzzle. “Perhaps he went in search of the six-toed cat.”

Crowfeather scowled. “Tigerheart would love to be remembered as the cat who saved the Clans.”

Alderheart wanted to believe the story. Setting off on his own quest to fulfil a StarClan prophecy might be the sort of thing Tigerheart would do. Perhaps Dovewing was helping him. Perhaps their only intention was to protect their Clans.

Rowanstar gazed darkly out at the gathered cats. “If Tigerheart wanted to save the Clans, he should have stayed where he was most needed.”

There was an ominous ring in his mew. Alderheart suddenly felt the leaf-fall chill through his pelt.

“I have been struggling to hold ShadowClan together.” Rowanstar’s gaze was hard. “I had hoped, with a strong deputy like Tigerheart, that we could overcome the betrayals that have split the Clan over the past moons. But Tigerheart has left us.” Anger flashed in his gaze as it swept around his Clanmates. “I could not hold the faith of my Clan before the rogues split us in two. I do not have the strength to repair the wounds that have been inflicted since then.”

Alderheart’s belly tightened as he saw ShadowClan stare back at their leader, their eyes reflecting the cold light of the moon. Was there no shred of loyalty left?

“I can no longer lead ShadowClan,” Rowanstar meowed.

Alderheart’s breath caught in his throat. WindClan, ThunderClan, and SkyClan watched silently as ShadowClan shifted, exchanging glances. Had they known Rowanstar would do this?

Scorchfur stared at Rowanstar, his gaze unreadable. Juniperclaw leaned close to Strikestone and whispered in his ear. Only Whorlpaw, Flowerpaw, and Snakepaw looked alarmed.

Rowanstar went on. “Leafstar.” He dipped his head. “I give our territory to you in exchange for a home. Let me, and whatever Clanmates I have left, join SkyClan.”

Scorchfur lashed his tail. “You can’t give our land away!”

Grassheart turned on the dark gray tom. “He wouldn’t have to if your sharp tongue hadn’t cut the Clan into shreds.”

“Don’t blame me!” Scorchfur looked outraged.

“Scorchfur wasn’t alone in wanting a stronger leader than Rowanstar,” Juniperclaw snarled.

Tawnypelt’s fur bristled. “No leader could have been strong enough to deal with so much treachery!”

Whorlpaw, Flowerpaw, and Snakepaw backed away from their Clanmates, their eyes wide with fear. As Stonewing and Grassheart bunched around their kits, Puddleshine pushed his way through the crowd.

The ShadowClan medicine cat blinked up at Leafstar. “Rowanstar is making the wisest decision. Without Tigerheart, we are no more than a bickering mob of starlings. We need the security of a Clan and the safety of Clanmates who hold the warrior code close to their hearts.”

Scorchfur narrowed his eyes. “I’ve always stayed true to the warrior code.”

“Then obey it now and support your leader in his decision.” Puddleshine glared at him.

“He wants to give up our territory!” Juniperclaw spat.

“He wants his Clan to be safe.” Puddleshine lifted his chin.

Stonewing blinked slowly. “There aren’t enough cats left in ShadowClan to patrol our borders. If we join SkyClan, at least we can train our apprentices so that they can become better warriors than we have been.”

Alderheart watched the shocked silence, hardly daring to breathe. ShadowClan was disappearing. How could a Clan simply cease to exist? He looked at Leafstar.

“We will welcome any ShadowClan warriors who wish to join us,” the SkyClan leader meowed calmly. “We will be honored to have them. But those who do not join must leave the territory. I will not have outcasts living on the land Rowanstar has given us.”

Anxious mews sounded from among the other Clans.

Nightcloud’s ears twitched anxiously. “SkyClan must not replace ShadowClan!”

“That’s not what StarClan meant when they led them here,” Leafpool called.

Passion surged in Alderheart’s chest. “There must be five Clans!”

He saw Sparkpelt lean forward to speak. Was she going to agree with him this time? “It didn’t take long for SkyClan to claim more territory!” She stared accusingly at the SkyClan cats. “I knew they shouldn’t have come here.”

“We didn’t claim territory!” Sandynose yowled back. “We have taken nothing that wasn’t given to us freely.”

“The lake Clans were falling apart when we arrived,” Sagenose added. “It’s not our fault.”

The words struck Alderheart like a blow. Sagenose was right. The rogues had torn ShadowClan apart. They’d driven RiverClan to hide within their borders like loners. Five Clans was supposed to be our destiny, and now we are three. The ground seemed to shift beneath Alderheart’s paws. This is the storm. Bringing SkyClan back was supposed to have made the Clans stronger, but instead it had brought about the end of ShadowClan.

He stared desperately at Leafpool. “This is all wrong!” he breathed.

She gazed at him, her eyes like dark pools. “There is nothing we can do but listen for StarClan.”

StarClan! Anger choked Alderheart. StarClan’s meddling had caused this storm. Why should he believe that they would fix it?