Darkest Night

CHAPTER 2

Alderheart ran his paw over Tinycloud’s belly, happy to feel the fur now thick and smooth and her kits moving around inside. “They’re stronger and so are you.” He sat back and admired the SkyClan queen as she lay outside the ThunderClan nursery. Like the rest of her Clan, she’d gained weight during her stay in ThunderClan and was looking fitter. Her shoulders no longer stuck up like sparrows’ wings. “Your kits will come soon.”

Leafpool shifted beside him, looking the queen over. “I’m glad they waited until you were strong enough to kit them.”

“I hope they’ll wait until we’ve got our own camp.” Tinycloud’s eyes shone excitedly.

Alderheart purred. For the first time in moons, everything was going well. RiverClan had left three days ago; their camp must almost be rebuilt by now. ShadowClan was surely settling back into their old home. WindClan’s borders were no longer closed, and SkyClan’s warriors were strong enough to hunt and bring back prey.

Some ThunderClan cats were still grouching about the overcrowded camp, but SkyClan would soon have territory of their own. Finally, StarClan’s prophecy would be properly fulfilled: SkyClan would be one of the Clans once more. Alderheart blinked warmly at Tinycloud. “Your kits will be the first SkyClan cats to be born beside the lake.”

Leafpool caught his eye. A warning look. “Come on,” she meowed briskly. “Jayfeather wanted us to help him clear out the herb store.”

Had he said something wrong? “Shouldn’t we discuss which of us is going to help with Tinycloud’s kitting?” He hurried after the light brown tabby medicine cat as she crossed the clearing. “Don’t forget, SkyClan doesn’t have a medicine cat yet. One of us should be with her.”

“We can decide that when the time comes.” Leafpool kept walking.

“But what if she’s in their new camp?” Alderheart protested. “Perhaps I should go with them when they move, until they find their own medicine cat.”

Leafpool stopped outside the medicine den and faced him. “You shouldn’t have told her that her kits would be born beside the lake.”

Alderheart blinked in surprise. “But they will be, won’t they? They’re due any day.”

“We’re not sure yet if SkyClan is going to stay.”

Leafpool’s words hit him like a fierce gust of wind. “What are you talking about?”

“You’ve heard the cats grumbling, haven’t you?” Leafpool lowered her voice, her gaze sweeping around the ThunderClan cats as they milled about the clearing. Molewhisker and Thornclaw were comparing battle moves. Birchfall and Ivypool were sharing a mouse with Fernsong, and Sparkpelt was sitting on Highledge beside Squirrelflight. “I want SkyClan to make their home here as much as you do. But not everyone feels the same way.”

Alderheart was confused. “Cats are just complaining because they have to share their nest and their fresh-kill. Once SkyClan has its own camp, they’ll have nothing to complain about.”

Leafpool leaned closer. “What makes you think cats who don’t like to share their nests will want to share their territory? If SkyClan stays beside the lake, where will they live? They’ll need land, and that land will have to come from the other Clans.”

“So?” Alderheart refused to understand. He wasn’t going to let the selfishness of others change the way he felt. “StarClan wants SkyClan here. They sent a prophecy that led them back to us. Why would any cat think that a piece of territory was more important than the wishes of StarClan?”

“Some cats may find it hard to believe that StarClan wants them to give up land they’ve fought so hard for,” Leafpool warned him.

“No cat thinks land is more important than StarClan!”

“Are you sure about that?” Leafpool’s gaze drifted toward Highledge.

Alderheart, puzzled, looked up to where Squirrelflight and Sparkpelt were talking. “Squirrelflight supported my search for SkyClan.”

“What about Sparkpelt?” Leafpool meowed.

“She came with me on the first quest to find them!”

“But finding is not the same as keeping.”

“What are you trying to say?” Alderheart couldn’t believe his ears. “You think Sparkpelt doesn’t want SkyClan to stay?”

“You’ll have to ask her yourself.” Leafpool shrugged.

As she spoke, Jayfeather appeared at the entrance of the medicine den. “Hurry up, you two! I want to sort the herbs before sunhigh. Leaf-fall won’t wait. If we’re running low, we need to start gathering before cold weather spoils them.”

Leafpool glanced at Alderheart. “My son seems to have forgotten that I’ve been running the medicine den since before he was born.”

Alderheart hardly heard her. He glanced anxiously at Sparkpelt. If she didn’t believe SkyClan belonged beside the lake, who did?

Alderheart rushed to catch up to his littermate. “I hope Twigpaw’s assessment goes well tomorrow,” he said, falling into step beside her as she followed her Clanmates along the shore. “I think she’s nervous.” It was true—Twigpaw had seemed distracted in the days since Ivypool had told her she was going to be assessed. But Alderheart wondered if by bringing up Twigpaw, who had brought SkyClan back to the lake, he might get at Sparkpelt’s feelings on the new Clan.

“She’ll be fine,” Sparkpelt purred. “This time tomorrow, she’ll have her warrior name.”

The moon, huge and yellow, hung in the crow-black sky. A crisp wind gusted from the lake, lifting Alderheart’s fur. The Gathering would start soon. Bramblestar and Squirrelflight led the way to the island. Leafpool followed with Ivypool, while Cherryfall and Molewhisker trailed behind. Thornclaw and Birchfall padded farther up the shore, shadowing the party beside Lilyheart, Honeyfur, and Twigpaw. SkyClan trailed behind, no more than shadows on the shore.

Alderheart wanted to ask Sparkpelt what she thought about SkyClan. Jayfeather had kept him busy gathering herbs all afternoon. This was the first chance he’d had to talk to her alone. Now he was struggling to find the words. Would he offend her by asking if she thought SkyClan didn’t belong here? And what if she said it was true?

“What do you think the Clans will decide?” Pebbles crunched beneath his paws.

“About what?” Sparkpelt glanced at him.

“About SkyClan.”

Sparkpelt turned her gaze back to Bramblestar. “Let’s hope they decide to do the right thing.”

“What is the right thing?” Alderheart tried to sound casual.

“The right thing is for the real Clans to carry on living the way they’ve always lived.”

“The real Clans?”

“You know. Us and ShadowClan and RiverClan and WindClan. The Clans that have always lived beside the lake.”

“Not SkyClan?” Alderheart fur prickled with alarm.

“This isn’t their home. It never has been.” Sparkpelt sounded matter-of-fact.

Alderheart swallowed. “Then what do you think should happen to them?” He was scared of her answer.

She glanced at him, her eyes sharp. “They should go back where they came from.”

Alderheart could hardly believe his ears.

“Darktail has left the gorge now,” she went on. “They can go back to their proper home.”

“But what about StarClan?” Alderheart spluttered. “My visions? Don’t they mean anything to you?”

“StarClan wanted us to find SkyClan and we did.” The trees on the island were looming larger, casting moon shadows on the shore ahead. “Did they say anything about SkyClan moving onto our territory?”

Alderheart remembered the messages from StarClan, wishing again that his ancestors weren’t so vague. They had urged him to find SkyClan, but Sparkpelt was right; they’d never clearly said what they must do once they had. “Not exactly. But I’m sure StarClan wants us to keep SkyClan close.”

Sparkpelt glanced at him doubtfully. “And how will that help? You’ve seen what happens when strange cats move into our territory.”

“SkyClan isn’t strange cats!” Was she really comparing SkyClan to Darktail’s rogues? “They’re warriors. Just like us. They follow the same code. They share dreams with their ancestors.”

“So which Clan is going to give up territory for them?” Sparkpelt challenged. “Do you really want more borders around the lake? Are you sure that will bring peace?”

She didn’t give him a chance to answer, but quickened her pace and caught up with Cherryfall and Molewhisker. Alderheart stared after her, his mouth dry. Had everything he’d worked for meant nothing? Were the Clans going to force SkyClan to leave?

Tiny waves slapped the shore. He could hear the wind in the trees on the island. Please, StarClan. Don’t let the others feel the same way as Sparkpelt.

At the tree-bridge, which spanned the water between the shore and the island, he waited for his Clanmates to cross. Only Leafpool paused beside him. “Are you okay?”

He blinked at her despondently. “You were right. Sparkpelt wants SkyClan to leave.”

Leafpool touched her nose to his ear. Her warm breath bathed him as she spoke. “Sparkpelt doesn’t speak for every cat,” she murmured. “But if the Clans do decide that SkyClan can’t stay, you must accept it.”

Alderheart bristled. “I could never do that!”

“We have no choice.” Leafpool leaped onto the fallen tree and crossed the water. “Whatever happens, we must trust StarClan to guide the leaders’ paws.”

SkyClan was nearing the bridge. Alderheart jumped onto the fallen tree before they reached him, unable to face their hopeful gazes. He followed his own Clanmates through the long grass on the other side and emerged into the clearing beyond. WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan had arrived, but only a soft murmur filled the clearing. The cats spoke to one another in muted mews, exchanging wary glances, each Clan keeping to themselves.

Alderheart’s pelt prickled with worry. He’d expected to find them more jubilant. After all, they’d killed Darktail and chased the rogues from their land. And SkyClan had been found. The skies have been cleared, Alderheart thought, remembering StarClan’s prophecy. Am I the only one who’s happy about it?

Leafpool beckoned him with a flick of her tail. She was already sitting beneath the Great Oak beside Willowshine, Mothwing, Puddleshine, and Kestrelflight, who sat, hunched and stiff, gazing uneasily at the Clans.

Alderheart hurried through the wide gap between RiverClan and ShadowClan. He was surprised to see how few ShadowClan cats had come. WindClan sat apart on the far side of the clearing. His own Clanmates had gathered near the medicine cats. He remembered, with a pang, his first Gathering, when apprentices from all the Clans had swapped stories and showned off the new hunting moves they had learned.

Now the apprentices sat in silence. Whorlpaw and Snakepaw sat like stones beside their ShadowClan mentors. Brindlepaw, Fernpaw and Smokepaw, the young WindClan cats, blinked at them, as though puzzled by their aloofness. Nightpaw, the dark gray RiverClan apprentice, glanced nervously at Breezepaw. But her denmate looked away, the wind ruffling her brown-and-white fur.

Alderheart’s paws pricked. What was wrong with them? His gaze flitted farther around the clearing. Where were all the elders? They loved to come to Gatherings to share gossip and stories with one another. Tonight, Millie and Graystripe were the only elders here.

As he reached Leafpool’s side, the SkyClan cats began to emerge from the long grass. A hush fell over the clearing. Plumwillow and Blossomheart followed Leafstar and Hawkwing, their Clanmates on their heels. All of SkyClan had come, except Tinycloud, who’d stayed in camp, too close to kitting to make the journey.

Leafstar paused and lifted her chin, letting her Clanmates file past. Hawkwing scanned the gathered cats through narrowed eyes, then padded toward an empty space beside ThunderClan and with a flick of his tail beckoned Plumwillow to follow.

Blossomheart strolled after her. Dewpaw, Reedpaw, and Finpaw stayed close to their mentors’ sides. The young cats stared at the other Clans, their eyes wide. Had they ever seen so many cats in one place? Violetpaw looked nervous as she slid from the long grass. She paused beside Hawkwing, her gaze flitting from her father to her ShadowClan Clanmates. Alderheart guessed she was wondering where to sit: with ShadowClan or SkyClan? Perhaps she’d choose ShadowClan. There were so few of them here.

She whispered something in her father’s ear and he murmured back. Quickly, Violetpaw dropped her gaze and hurried to where Twigpaw was sitting beside Lionblaze. Alderheart felt a pang of sympathy for the young cat as SkyClan took their places beside Hawkwing. Rowanstar had given her permission to remain with ThunderClan for a while. But had she ever really known where she belonged?

Bramblestar padded forward and dipped his head to Harestar, Rowanstar, and Mistystar. One at a time, the Clan leaders leaped onto the long, low branch of the Great Oak.

Alderheart looked expectantly at Leafstar. Was she going to join them? He felt a twinge of disappointment when she padded beneath the tree and sat neatly among her Clanmates, curling her long brown tail over her paws.

The Clan deputies, Tigerheart, Squirrelflight, Reedwhisker—looking healthier now—and Crowfeather, took their place among the roots of the Great Oak. Hawkwing stayed beside Leafstar as the Clans drew closer, gathering beneath the tree. Hostile glances flashed in the darkness, focused on Rowanstar.

“Should Rowanstar even be up there?” Icewing’s sharp yowl cut through the chilly air. The RiverClan she-cat was bristling with anger.

Lakeheart lashed her tail. “Right, is ShadowClan even a Clan anymore?”

“They chose rogues as their campmates,” Podlight snarled.

“I didn’t.” Rowanstar stared back at the RiverClan warrior.

Podlight held his gaze. “But your Clan thought Darktail would be a better leader than you!”

“What sort of leader loses the faith of his Clan?” growled Crowfeather.

“If the rest of us have lost Clanmates, their blood is on your paws!”

Alderheart’s breath caught in his throat as he realized that was Molewhisker’s yowl.

“We suffered losses too,” Rowanstar spat back.

Alderheart glanced at the ShadowClan cats. There were so few of them now. And yet they looked as surly as ever, chests puffed, pelts prickling. He wondered suddenly if they held their leader responsible for the deaths of their Clanmates. Tigerheart’s gaze was unreadable as he sat beside the other deputies. Tawnypelt gazed up at Rowanstar with pity in her eyes. Of course they wouldn’t judge Rowanstar; Tigerheart was his son, Tawnypelt his mate, and both had remained loyal to Rowanstar the whole time. But how did the others feel?

Their Clanmates shifted uneasily, avoiding one another’s gaze and the gaze of the Clans. Alderheart felt their shame. They had chosen to follow a rogue. Their decision had almost destroyed their Clan. But if Rowanstar had been a better leader, would they ever have followed such a dreadful path?

Bramblestar’s stern gaze swept over the gathered cats. “There is no use in blaming. What is important now is to remember that we came together to drive out the rogues. We would not let them destroy the Clans then, and we must not let them tear us apart now. Together we are strong. If the events of the past moons have taught us anything, they have taught us that.”

The cats murmured indignantly, but no voice yowled out.

Bramblestar went on. “We come here tonight to remember our dead and to plan a way forward.” He glanced at Leafstar encouragingly, shifting a little as though making room on the branch beside him. She gave a quick shake of her head as if to tell him not yet. Alderheart understood the SkyClan’s leader’s reluctance to face the Clans now. Pelts were still bristling.

“Rowanstar.” Bramblestar dipped his head to the ShadowClan leader. “I am sorry for your lost Clanmates. Let us remember them here.”

Rowanstar blinked at him gratefully. “Many disappeared under Darktail’s rule,” he began. “We don’t know what has happened to them, but I fear the worst. We’ve lost Mistcloud, Birchbark, Cloverfoot, Lioneye, Slatefur, Berryheart, Rippletail, Sparrowtail . . .”

Alderheart felt shock freeze him as Rowanstar continued to list the names of his missing Clanmates. So many! He hadn’t realized the full extent of their loss. No wonder there were so few ShadowClan cats at the Gathering.

“If only we knew what happened to them . . .” Rowanstar’s mew trailed away.

“They probably went with the rogues!” Lakeheart snapped.

“No!” Rowanstar’s eyes sparked with rage as he returned the RiverClan warrior’s gaze. “It is true we lost some warriors to the rogues. Sleekwhisker, Yarrowleaf, and Spikefur chose to follow them, and ShadowClan will never forgive them. But the others were lost trying to escape Darktail.”

“It’s true!” Snowbird wailed. “I persuaded Berryheart and Beenose to go to ThunderClan so they’d be safe. But they never arrived!”

“Birchbark and Lioneye told me they were planning to leave the rogue camp,” Puddleshine called out. “I haven’t seen them since.”

Violetpaw’s eyes rounded with grief. “Needletail died standing up to Darktail. She saved me and her Clanmates!”

Rowanstar lifted his gaze to the Clans. “You judge us, but you don’t realize how much we have suffered. If we made a mistake, then we have paid for it with our own blood.”

“Our blood too!” Mistystar lashed her tail. “Your Clan chose its own path, Rowanstar. Our suffering was forced on us by your Clan’s actions. We lost Clanmates because of you. Shadepelt, Foxnose, Petalfur, and Heronwing were killed fighting the rogues.”

Rowanstar looked solemnly at the RiverClan leader. “I know,” he meowed. “And I hope one day StarClan will forgive us. I do not expect you to.”

“We will never forgive!” Icewing yowled.

Angry hisses rose again from RiverClan, spreading quickly to the other Clans.

“ShadowClan nearly destroyed us all!”

“Rowanstar has no right to be leader!”

What’s happening? Fear lurched inside Alderheart. Were the Clans going to crumble just as they’d found the missing part of themselves?

Harestar stood and lifted his tail. “You blame Rowanstar and forget that it was Onestar who brought Darktail’s vengeance to the Clans. Onestar was Darktail’s father, and Onestar rejected him. But Darktail chose his path. He chose cruelty and murder. And Onestar died putting an end to that cruelty. We have all suffered. But we must listen to Bramblestar. He is right. Let us not blame. Let us remember the dead and the missing. Let us remember Onestar and his courage. He faced up to his past mistakes and he gave his last life to destroy Darktail, his own son.”

His words seemed to sweep over the Clans like a cooling wind. The cats settled, their anger turning to solemnity. As calm seeped like water through the clearing, Alderheart realized he was shaking. But hope sparked in his chest. Sense would prevail. He remembered Leafpool’s words. Trust StarClan to guide their paws.

Mistystar faced the new WindClan leader. “You speak wisely, Harestar. WindClan chose well in making you their leader, and I’m glad StarClan blessed you with nine lives, for you will need them.” She looked around at the Clans. “I wish you well. I wish you all well.” Alderheart’s paws pricked as her tone darkened suddenly. “But this is RiverClan’s last Gathering for a while.”

Harestar blinked in shock. “What do you mean?”

“We will stay on our land and rebuild what was destroyed by the rogues,” Mistystar told him. Alderheart stared at her, his mouth dry. She seemed to have given her words much thought. Had RiverClan only come here to share this news? Why hadn’t Mistystar spoken earlier? Had she wanted to see first what ShadowClan had to say? “But the Clans can make decisions without us for now. RiverClan needs time. We need peace, and we need to look inward to heal the wounds that have been inflicted on us. From tonight, I am closing our borders.”

She leaped down from the branch and signaled to her Clan with a nod. They crowded forward, following her as she headed for the long grass.

“But we must decide about SkyClan!” Bramblestar called after her.

Mistystar glanced back. “Decide what you like. But I warn you to think twice about letting more strange cats onto your land. You have seen what strangers bring.”

“You can’t go!” Rowanstar called. “Look what happened to the Clans when WindClan closed its borders. We must work together.”

“We are not WindClan,” Mistystar answered. “If there is trouble, you may send a patrol to ask for help. But for now, RiverClan follows its own path.” She slid into the grass. Her Clanmates followed.

Alderheart stared after them, hardly believing his eyes as the grass closed over them like water. “They can’t go.”

Leafpool shifted beside him, her fur pricking. “Perhaps it’s for the best.”

Alderheart blinked at her. “How can you say that?”

She didn’t answer. She was watching the Clans shift and murmur, their mews edged with disbelief.

“This isn’t like RiverClan.”

“RiverClan has gone crazy!”

Anxious mews rippled though the crowd.

Leafpool got to her paws. “Don’t be alarmed.” Her mew echoed over the clearing. “It makes sense for RiverClan to focus on rebuilding. They are like an injured cat, vulnerable and protective of their wounds. Let them have their peace. I know RiverClan. I know how resilient they are. Let them heal, and they will return to us a more powerful ally than before.”

As the Clans’ mews softened to murmurs, Bramblestar blinked gratefully at Leafpool and then turned to the gathered cats. “Without RiverClan, it is more important than ever that we work together. And we are fortunate that an old ally has returned to us.” He nodded toward SkyClan. “Leafstar, please, join the other leaders where you belong.”

As Leafstar got to her paws, the outraged yowl of Crowfeather rang through the air. “No!” Leafstar hesitated. “She doesn’t belong there. What do we know about SkyClan?”

“We’d never heard of them until ThunderClan told us about them,” Scorchfur called out from among the ShadowClan cats. “Why did Firestar, and then Bramblestar, keep this missing Clan a secret so long?”

“Typical ThunderClan!” Strikestone hissed.

The ShadowClan cats sounded suddenly confident.

Alderheart glanced at Sparkpelt. Her gaze was flitting excitedly from WindClan to ShadowClan. Would she join their outcry?

Bramblestar lashed his tail. “You all know of StarClan’s prophecy. StarClan asked us to bring them back.”

“StarClan only told us to find them,” Scorchfur argued. “They didn’t say we had to make them one of the Clans.”

“They are one of the Clans!” Bramblestar’s mew was taut with frustration.

“We only have your word for that!” Crowfeather snapped back.

And StarClan’s! Alderheart wanted to shout out, but he held his tongue. Was it his place to speak for StarClan?

“StarClan sent a prophecy about SkyClan.” Rowanstar raised his voice above the Clans. “We would be foolish to ignore it.”

Harestar nodded. “Another Clan would make us stronger.”

Crowfeather flattened his ears. “We were strong once, without them.”

“Their home is here, with us!” Bramblestar beckoned to Leafstar with a sharp flick of his tail. “Climb up.”

She scrambled awkwardly up the trunk and stood beside the ThunderClan leader. Her gaze was anxious as she surveyed the Clans below. “We want only to live peacefully among our fellow Clans,” she meowed over the hisses. “Darktail was our enemy! He killed our Clanmates too!”

“How?” Juniperclaw demanded. “You only joined our last battle with the rogues. I don’t remember hearing that any of you died.”

“He invaded our home in the gorge and took over,” Leafstar explained. “Eventually, he drove us from our camp.”

“Eventually?” Juniperclaw’s mew was suspicious.

“He lived with us for a while. Like ShadowClan, we didn’t realize how evil he was until it was too late.”

The world spun around Alderheart as an uneasy silence settled over the Clans. Alderheart could feel his Clanmates’ distrust. StarClan! Make them understand! His breath stopped as Sparkpelt got to her paws. What was she going to say? He braced himself, fearing the worst.

“I know SkyClan has suffered much and lost many Clanmates,” she began. Her voice shook, but there was determination in her mew, and the other cats quieted as she went on. Tigerheart, watching silently from the roots of the Great Oak, leaned forward and stared at her intently. “But why can’t they return to their old home? Darktail is gone now, and so are his rogues. SkyClan’s old home is safe again. I’m sure they were happy there once. They can be happy there again. We managed without them before. Why do we need them now?” She paused, her bright gaze holding the attention of the cats. “If they stay beside the lake, who is going to give up territory to give them a new home?”

Alderheart swallowed. He knew her words echoed the feelings of many cats. Why couldn’t the Clans see there was more to life than territory?

Before the Clans could agree with Sparkpelt, Tigerheart leaped onto a root of the oak and looked up at his leader. “Rowanstar, may I speak?”

Rowanstar nodded, looking at his deputy with puzzlement.

“We have suffered because of Darktail’s cruelty.” Tigerheart padded along the root and stopped in a pool of moonlight. “He has left us weak and frightened. RiverClan has withdrawn to rebuild their shattered Clan. ShadowClan has lost so many warriors that it will take moons for us to become what we once were.”

Rowanstar shifted uneasily on the branch above, but he let his deputy go on.

“There is no doubt that StarClan wanted us to find SkyClan. I believe StarClan had a reason. Not just to clear the sky of the darkness we have suffered, but because StarClan knew that the five Clans belong together. With an extra Clan beside the lake, we will find strength when we most need it.”

“But who will give up territory for them?” Crowfeather’s ears twitched distrustfully.

“We could.” Tigerheart turned his gaze on Rowanstar. “We have fewer mouths to feed now. And fewer warriors to patrol our borders. It makes sense to exchange some of our land for an ally.”

Rowanstar looked thoughtful, as though weighing Tigerheart’s words. The Clans watched him in silence. He turned to Leafstar. “Would you be our ally?”

“Yes,” Leafstar told him. “We are Clan cats. We share the same ancestors. It would be an honor to stand beside you. And we’d always be grateful for any territory you gave us.”

Alderheart held his breath as the cats of WindClan and ThunderClan exchanged glances.

Molewhisker’s gaze flashed with suspicion. “You’d be allies to us all, right? Not just ShadowClan.”

“Of course.” Leafstar stared into the crowd. “We want to live among the Clans our ancestors hunted beside countless moons ago.” She looked hopefully at Rowanstar. “Would you be willing to give us land?”

Rowanstar shifted his paws nervously. “You could have some of the land beside ThunderClan, with a narrow piece that opens onto the lake.”

“Our land?” Scorchfur looked outraged.

Rowanstar straightened as though settling the decision in his mind. “Our land,” he meowed firmly.

Tigerheart stared unblinking at Scorchfur. “Is that a problem?”

Scorchfur looked away, growling to himself.

Leafstar’s eyes lit up. “Thank you!” Her mew was filled with joy.

“Then it’s settled.” Harestar flicked his tail.

Bramblestar nodded. “Leafstar, you should stay in our camp tonight, and tomorrow ShadowClan can help you mark out your new territory.”

Alderheart felt limp with relief. A decision had been made. SkyClan was staying beside the lake. He sensed tension ebbing away as the Clans began to move, like stones freed from ice. ShadowClan had lost some of its territory, but perhaps the gratitude of a neighbor was worth more.

Bramblestar jumped down from the Great Oak. Rowanstar, Harestar, and Leafstar followed him. The Gathering was over. The Clans began to separate, each following their leader as they headed home.

Alderheart watched Twigpaw and Violetpaw move happily toward Hawkwing. Their father was staying.

“You see?” Leafpool looked relieved. “We can trust StarClan to guide our paws.”

Mist hung in the hollow, lingering even as the sun rose above the cliff top. The browning trees shone like gold in the early morning light. Alderheart padded from the medicine den, fluffing his fur against the damp air. He glanced nervously at the camp entrance, wondering how Twigpaw’s assessment was going.

Below Highledge, Squirrelflight was organizing the day’s hunting patrols. Graystripe padded toward the elders’ den, a stiff mouse in his jaws. Brackenfur sat next to Cinderheart and Lionblaze, lifting his face to the sun as though relishing its warmth. SkyClan milled restlessly at the edge of the clearing, their pelts rippling with excitement.

Violetpaw paced around Hawkwing, both cats watching the camp entrance. When the thorn barrier rustled, she whisked her tail. “They’re back!” She raced across the clearing. Hawkwing hung back, but his eyes followed her eagerly.

Alderheart’s paws pricked as Ivypool hurried into camp. Her dark blue eyes were shining with pride. Hope quickened his heart.

Violetpaw skidded to a halt in front of her.

Ivypool purred at the black-and-white apprentice. “She passed.”

Twigpaw padded though the thorn tunnel, fur ruffled and breathless.

“You passed!” Violetpaw hopped around her sister.

Alderheart hurried to congratulate her. “Well done! You deserve it.”

“Thanks.” Twigpaw blinked at him.

Why didn’t she look more excited?

“Let’s go and tell Hawkwing.” Violetpaw nosed Twigpaw across the clearing, but Hawkwing was already hurrying to meet them, his eyes curious and hopeful.

Alderheart turned to Ivypool, worry worming beneath his pelt. “Did she do okay?” He wondered whether her mentor would know why Twigpaw seemed so subdued.

Ivypool’s whiskers twitched happily. “She did brilliantly. I’m so proud of her. She deserves her warrior name.” She headed up the tumble of rocks toward Bramblestar.

Alderheart frowned. Twigpaw was standing quietly while Hawkwing and Violetpaw spoke softly to her. Alderheart wondered if he saw disappointment in Hawkwing’s eyes. Was he still hoping she might join him in SkyClan? But that wouldn’t explain Twigpaw’s lack of excitement. Perhaps she was tired, he reasoned. Or she could be nervous about the ceremony. After all, she would be going through it alone. Most apprentices received their names alongside their denmates, and sat beside them during the all-night vigil that followed.

SkyClan crowded around the entrance, caught in their own excitement as they prepared to leave for their new territory. Fallowfern and Plumwillow flanked Tinycloud protectively while Harrybrook sniffed the air and Rabbitleap paced beside them.

Macgyver flicked his ear nervously. “It may be a long walk to our new home.”

“We’re only crossing the border,” Sandynose reminded him.

Macgyver glanced at Tinycloud. The queen looked exhausted already, as though struggling to carry the weight of her kits. “Let’s hope those kits can wait until we’ve found a good spot for a camp before they decide to join us.”

“They’ve waited this long,” Sparrowpelt meowed proudly. “They can wait another few days.”

Alderheart hurried toward the tabby tom. “When her kitting starts, send someone to fetch me or Leafpool.” He was still worried about SkyClan starting their new life beside the lake without a medicine cat.

“I will,” Sparrowpelt promised.

Leafstar stood beside the camp entrance and lifted her tail. “Are you ready?” She glanced at her Clanmates.

As they nodded, Bramblestar leaped down from Highledge. “Good luck.” He dipped his head to Leafstar. “There will be a ShadowClan patrol at the border to meet you. Would you like an escort?”

“We can manage,” she told him.

Alderheart’s gaze flicked to Twigpaw. She was going to find it hard to say good-bye to her father and sister. He tried to think of words to comfort her, frowning as he realized that she didn’t look sad at all. In fact she looked relieved, as though a weight had dropped from her shoulders.

As he met her gaze, she padded forward. “I have something to say.” Avoiding the eyes of her Clanmates, she looked directly at Bramblestar.

Alderheart felt the chill of the mist reach into his fur. Suddenly he knew what she was going to do. He swallowed, his heart aching.

“Thank you for raising me and training me.” Twigpaw dipped her head to the ThunderClan leader. “I shall always value what I have learned here. But I don’t want to be a ThunderClan warrior. My place is in SkyClan”—she paused to look at Violetpaw and Hawkwing, her eyes glistening with emotion—“with my kin.”