Lost Stars

Chapter 17

A blustering wind flattened Rootpaw’s fur to his sides and made his eyes water as he gazed down at the medicine cats around the frozen Moonpool. He couldn’t believe that he had been chosen to come here and witness this desperate attempt to make contact with StarClan, along with three of the Clan leaders and many senior warriors. He stared in wonder at the icy cascade where a stream had frozen as it poured down into the pool, and at the frosty glitter of icicles hanging from the rocks.

The medicine cats were padding restlessly around the pool. From time to time one of them would stretch out a paw and touch the surface, as if they were testing the ice. Rootpaw noticed that none of them looked happy about what they were doing; Mothwing and Jayfeather especially seemed edgy, their anxiety clear in their twitching tails and whiskers.

Rootpaw’s sister, Needlepaw, stood beside him, and just behind them their parents, Violetshine and Tree. They waited at the top of the hollow, inside the line of bushes, at a respectful distance from the pool itself. Alongside, stretching out in a line, were the representatives of the other Clans.

I know this is an honor and all, Rootpaw thought, flexing his claws in a futile effort to keep his paws warm. But I wish they would get on with it!

“What are they doing down there?” he asked, not really expecting an answer. “If the water is frozen solid, what can they do? It’s not like they can start chipping away at the ice with their claws, right?”

“The leaders have suggested using a thick branch,” Tree told him. “If they position it over a rock, they can lever it to hit the ice much harder. They hope that breaking the ice will help the medicine cats contact StarClan.”

Rootpaw tried and failed to imagine any cat doing that. I wonder whose mouse-brained idea that was!

“I don’t understand what point there is in warriors being here at all,” Needlepaw mewed, shivering and fluffing out her fur against the cold. “We’re not allowed down by the pool, so what good can we do any cat, standing up here freezing our paws off?”

“The medicine cats asked us to come, because they might need help,” Violetshine responded. “And it shows StarClan how determined we all are to get in contact with our ancestors again.”

“But are warriors even supposed to be here?” Needlepaw asked. “I thought the Moonpool was only for medicine cats.”

Tree and Violetshine exchanged a glance. “That’s how Fidgetflake sees it, too,” Tree replied. “But Frecklewish and some of the leaders feel . . . differently.”

“They think that reconnecting with StarClan is more important than tiptoeing around the Moonpool,” Violetshine explained.

“So what will happen if they can’t break through the ice?” Rootpaw asked, hoping to change the subject.

A new voice broke into the conversation. “I don’t know.”

Rootpaw turned to see Bristlepaw standing nearby, at the edge of the group of ThunderClan cats. It was the first time they had met since the embarrassing incident with the vole, and Rootpaw wasn’t sure how he should behave around her. He was aware of Needlepaw watching him with a teasing look in her eyes, but he ignored her with a twitch of his tail and padded over to join the ThunderClan apprentice.

Then he noticed that there was something different about Bristlepaw: a sadness in her eyes that hadn’t been there before. I hope it’s not because she feels sorry for me.

“Hi, Bristlepaw,” he meowed.

Bristlepaw took a pace forward that brought her to his side. “It’s Bristlefrost,” she told him. “I’m a warrior now.”

“Hey, that’s great!” Rootpaw was pleased for her, but even more confused. If she’s just been made a warrior, why doesn’t she look happy? “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Rootpaw. I wanted to see you,” Bristlefrost went on, “because I need to tell you how sorry I am for the way I behaved when you brought me the vole. I was rude and ungrateful.”

Rootpaw dipped his head. “Don’t worry about it,” he mewed. “I know it was stupid, and I shouldn’t have done it.”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong,” Bristlefrost insisted. “You did a kind thing for me, and I treated you horribly. Please forgive me, Rootpaw.”

“Of course I do!” Rootpaw replied, happiness spurting up inside him. But the feeling quickly died as he saw how sad Bristlefrost looked. “What’s wrong?” he asked her. “You look a little down.”

Bristlefrost hesitated, staring down at her paws. “Things haven’t been going the way I hoped since I became a warrior,” she admitted eventually.

“What do you mean?” Rootpaw asked.

“Oh . . . This leaf-bare is hard on every cat, and I don’t feel I’ve done enough to help my Clan. Right now I’m feeling kind of useless.”

Rootpaw could understand that, but all the same he didn’t feel it was enough to explain the sorrow in Bristlefrost’s eyes. Whatever was on her mind, for now at least she was keeping it to herself.

“But you’re one of the greatest cats I’ve ever met,” Rootpaw protested, even though he knew the praise might make her squirm. I still feel the same about her, even after that stupid episode with the vole. “You saved my life when my own Clanmates were too scared even to try. If it weren’t for you, I’d be at the bottom of the lake right now, frozen solid like the medicine cats say the Moonpool is. And you came to check on me every day while I was recovering.”

Bristlefrost shrugged; she looked a little embarrassed, but not, Rootpaw thought, angry with him. “Any cat would have done that,” she meowed. “But what have I done since?”

“No warrior can do much while this leaf-bare lasts,” Rootpaw stated firmly. “And once it’s over, you’ll be one of the warriors who gets your Clan back on its paws. I’m sure of it.”

Bristlefrost looked up; her eyes glowed, making Rootpaw’s heart flutter weirdly in his chest. For a moment he felt that there was more than gratitude in her gaze.

“Bristlefrost—” he began.

An earsplitting crack from below interrupted Rootpaw. He spun around to stare down into the hollow. It was so much louder than the sound of the ice breaking on the lake when he’d fallen in—it must mean that the medicine cats had broken through. Yet when the echo died away, it was followed by complete silence. The group of medicine cats stood ranged around the pool, gazing down at the surface.

“Do you know what’s supposed to happen when the ice breaks?” Rootpaw asked, turning back to Bristlefrost.

The gray she-cat shook her head. “I have no idea,” she replied. “Only medicine cats can commune with StarClan, right? Maybe it worked and we just can’t see them.”

Rootpaw felt every hair on his pelt rising at the thought that warriors of StarClan might be gathered around the Moonpool, invisible. “It’s so weird, watching the medicine cats like this,” he murmured.

Bristlefrost did not speak for a moment, ears angled down toward the pool. “Listen,” she continued. “I can hear the medicine cats murmuring among themselves. That’s probably not a good sign.”

Rootpaw nodded agreement as he heard the muted meows drifting upward from the cats around the pool. Glancing beyond Bristlefrost, wondering how the other Clans were reacting, he felt that something wasn’t quite right, and it took him a few heartbeats to work out what it was.

“Why are there no ShadowClan cats here?” he asked.

It was Needlepaw who replied. “I overheard Violetshine telling Tree that ShadowClan wasn’t invited, because of the weirdness with their medicine-cat apprentice. The other Clans are wondering if he might be the problem.”

“You mean they think Shadowpaw is the reason why StarClan isn’t communicating?” Rootpaw asked.

“Some cats do,” Needlepaw replied.

Rootpaw thought back to his conversation with Shadowpaw in the twilit woods, when the apprentice was on his way to the Moonpool. He had seemed really worried; he had spoken about something bad coming to all the Clans. Rootpaw thought he seemed kind, and clearly Shadowpaw was already a skilled medicine-cat apprentice.

He treated my wounded paw, and it healed really quickly. How could a healer like that be the problem?

Rootpaw wanted to ask Bristlefrost or Needlepaw that question, but he couldn’t do so without revealing that Shadowpaw had been sneaking off to the Moonpool on his own. And I walked part of the way with him when I should have been hunting. No way can I tell that to any cat!

Lost in his thoughts about Shadowpaw, Rootpaw hadn’t noticed that Frecklewish had begun to climb the spiral path toward the waiting warriors. But now he saw that she had reached the top of the hollow and stood facing them. She looked weary and dejected, and Rootpaw realized there had been no communication with StarClan.

“We have dented the ice,” Frecklewish announced, “but we haven’t hit water yet. The pool may be frozen all the way through.”

Murmurs and gasps of consternation came from the Clan cats, and they exchanged glances of dismay.

“We may need your help in breaking the ice after all,” Frecklewish added.

“No. We did not agree to that.” Jayfeather had climbed the path behind Frecklewish, and now stood at her side, his tabby fur bristling with indignation. “The Moonpool is the special place shown to us by StarClan, and it should only be touched by medicine cats.”

“We’ve already discussed this, Jayfeather,” Frecklewish retorted, her pelt too beginning to rise. “The Moonpool is only special because it’s the way that we can reach StarClan. And if we can’t do that, and they can’t reach us either, then isn’t it our job to do everything we can to help StarClan get through?”

Jayfeather’s only reply was a hiss of indignation as he turned his head away.

Meanwhile, the remaining medicine cats had left the side of the pool and joined the others at the top of the hollow. “What do the Clan leaders think?” Alderheart asked. “Tell us what you want to do.”

Leafstar, Mistystar, and Harestar glanced toward Squirrelflight, the ThunderClan deputy. Earlier she had told the others that Bramblestar couldn’t make the journey to the Moonpool because he had hurt his paw hunting.

“What do you think?” Leafstar asked her. “I understand Bramblestar is very concerned that no cat can make contact with StarClan. That’s why we started this whole operation.”

Squirrelflight looked torn, as if she wasn’t sure how to reply. “Yes, Bramblestar is concerned,” she began, “but . . .” Her voice trailed off and she looked down at her paws.

“Well, I’m inclined to agree with Frecklewish,” Leafstar meowed. “At the gorge, our medicine cats never had any trouble connecting with our ancestors.”

Harestar twitched his whiskers nervously. “Yes, I agree too. WindClan has suffered the worst of this harsh weather. Hunting is nearly impossible, and my cats are starving. We need StarClan’s guidance, so we must do all we can to restore the connection.”

“What do you think, Mistystar?” Leafstar asked, when the RiverClan leader did not speak.

Mistystar shook her head. “I’m not sure . . . ,” she responded reluctantly. “I understand that the medicine cats have different feelings about this. So I’d rather leave RiverClan’s decision in the paws of my medicine cats.”

Mothwing and Willowshine exchanged a glance. “I’m not sure the warriors should help,” Willowshine mewed. “But I miss StarClan’s advice as much as any cat. I’ll go with the majority decision.”

“So will I,” Mothwing added.

Every cat turned to look at Squirrelflight, who sighed and seemed reluctant to speak. “I must vote with Bramblestar,” she stated at last; Rootpaw could see the tension in her gaze. “He believes that we desperately need StarClan’s guidance. The warriors should break the ice.”

At Squirrelflight’s words the medicine cats stood back to allow the warriors to take the spiral path. The Clan leaders led the way, their tails waving as they charged downward to the edge of the pool. Rootpaw was aware of Jayfeather glaring at them, his fur bushed out until the scrawny cat looked twice his normal size.

Rootpaw hung back, a mixture of confusion and despair dragging at his paws. Is this right? he asked himself.

Behind him, Tree abruptly stopped. “I don’t think I can do this,” he said aloud.

A chorus of surprise came from the cats surrounding them. “What does that mean?” Birchfall, from ThunderClan, asked. Rootpaw thought his tone was a little hostile.

Tree didn’t look bothered as he stared back at the ThunderClan cat. “It doesn’t feel right,” he said simply. “I don’t fully understand all your Clan beliefs, but I know that the Moonpool is a sacred place. I know that the medicine cats have special powers. I’m not sure we should be intruding.”

Rootpaw wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole. Please stop, please stop, he wished fiercely. They already think you’re strange enough.

“You’re a warrior now, Tree,” Crowfeather, the WindClan deputy, meowed irritably. “It’s not your job to decide what’s right. It’s your job to obey your leader.”

“And Leafstar said yes,” Birchfall added.

All eyes turned to Leafstar, who was watching the scene from the bottom of the spiral path, where she stood with Squirrelflight. The SkyClan leader looked torn.

“I’m not a warrior,” Tree clarified. “I’m a mediator. And as mediator, it troubles me that ShadowClan was not included in this effort. I believe I made that clear before.”

Leafstar’s eyes flashed with annoyance. “That was the leaders’ decision.”

“But why?” Tree asked. “Because their medicine-cat apprentice is a little odd? Who’s not?”

Rootpaw cringed. He wondered whether, if he wished hard enough, he might become invisible.

By now Tree’s argument was holding up the procession of warriors. Some cats behind him grumbled in annoyance, but others seemed swayed by his argument.

“Maybe we shouldn’t be touching the Moonpool,” Spotfur, a she-cat from ThunderClan, mewed, looking thoughtful. “I wouldn’t want to upset any cat . . . dead or alive.”

“The medicine cats have always said the Moonpool is sacred,” Stemleaf agreed. “Should we believe that’s changed, just because we’re desperate to hear from StarClan?”

“Oh, come on.” Rootpaw’s heart leaped at the sound of Bristlefrost’s voice. The ThunderClan warrior swerved around her two Clanmates to continue along the path. “You all heard the leaders. We have to do whatever we can to reach StarClan!”

But Tree, Stemleaf, and Spotfur all still hesitated. Tree’s gaze was leveled squarely on his leader.

Leafstar flicked her tail in annoyance. “Very well,” she said. “Any SkyClan cat who doesn’t feel comfortable touching the Moonpool, turn back. Your objections have been heard.”

Tree nodded, satisfied. Then he turned and began walking up the spiral path, pushing his way past a cluster of RiverClan warriors who were still heading down. Rootpaw heard them grumble in annoyance.

He looked at his mother, Violetshine, who watched Tree leave with a bemused expression. Finally she turned to face Rootpaw, who shot her a questioning look. But she shook her head slightly and continued down the spiral path.

“I’m following Tree,” Needlepaw said decisively from behind Rootpaw. “I’m not sure this is right.” She turned back to follow her father.

“All ThunderClan warriors,” Squirrelflight called in a tight voice, “we need you to help break the ice. As your acting leader, I command you to help!”

Rootpaw could hear the grumbles of Spotfur and Stemleaf. His own paws trembled with indecision. Does Tree have a point? Is this right?

But then he saw Bristlefrost stroll past him, following Violetshine. She glanced at Rootpaw and winked.

Without another thought, he fell into step behind the ThunderClan warrior.

I’m in.

“One, two, three!” Crowfeather yelled a few moments later. Rootpaw pressed his forepaws against the back of a huge, long, flat rock, squeezed between the bodies of countless warriors from four Clans. “Now!”

They all heaved forward, grunting, and managed to push the rock up onto the first of two logs. Alderheart, it seemed, had found the rock lying against the wall of the Moonpool cave, and Crowfeather, Hawkwing, and Reedwhisker had worked together to organize the warriors to move it closer to the Moonpool itself. It was the hope of the three deputies, who’d taken charge of the scene, that once the rock was placed across three logs, the warriors could push it to the edge of the Moonpool, then push it in. They all hoped that the rock was heavy enough—and, when turned on its end, sharp enough—to break through the final layer of ice.

Rootpaw’s shoulders ached. Even with countless warriors’ help, the rock was heavy. Which was exactly why they all hoped it would work.

As Crowfeather and the other deputies ordered the warriors into place for the next push, Rootpaw rose up on his hind legs and stared into the Moonpool. He wasn’t sure what he’d been expecting—maybe something deep, clear, shrouded with fog and stars. Something clearly mystical, touched by StarClan. But now, at least, the Moonpool simply looked like a block of grayish-white ice sunk into a dark rocky bank. The medicine cats had made a break in the ice and dug out an uneven chunk, now pushed off to the side. It had left a wide, triangular gash, which only revealed . . . more ice.

How far down does the ice go? Rootpaw wondered. From their whispers and mumblings, he knew many of the other warriors were wondering the same thing. He couldn’t see any sign of water beneath. It felt different from the ice on the lake where he’d fallen in. There he’d been able to feel the ice give, to hear the sloshing of life below.

In contrast, the Moonpool felt inert . . . almost dead, Rootpaw thought with despair. Surely that can’t be good.

He could only hope they’d succeed in bringing it back to life.

“Warriors, places!” Hawkwing yelled. “We’re almost there! One, two . . .”

Rootpaw scrambled back into place on the rock. And slowly, together, the warriors pushed the rock onto the logs. Working shoulder to shoulder, they were able to keep the rock on the logs, slide it slowly across, and push it to the edge of the Moonpool.

“Now,” Hawkwing yelled, “we all rest for a moment . . . and, on the count of three, we push it over the edge!”

Rootpaw panted, the cold air burning his lungs. He glanced around and caught the eye of Bristlefrost, who was on the outer edge of the group. She nodded at him and purred, and Rootpaw nodded back, sharing her sense of satisfaction.

Even if it doesn’t work, he thought, at least we’re doing something. Maybe that will impress StarClan?

But then he saw Jayfeather on the other side of the Moonpool, his eyes cast down with a look of utter despair, like he’d lost his only friend.

That is, if they’re not horribly offended that we touched the Moonpool . . .

Rootpaw felt heavy inside. Had things always been this horribly complicated?

“All right, everyone,” Reedwhisker yelled. “Take your places! . . . One . . . two . . .”

Rootpaw pressed his forepaws against the rock, pushing with all his might. All the warriors around him did the same, letting out a massive groan as the rock inched forward.

“Break!” Hawkwing yelled, and they all went limp, leaving the sharp edge of the rock dangling a few inches over the pool. Rootpaw tried to stretch his muscles. He knew they would all be sore in the morning.

Reedwhisker spoke up again after a few seconds. “Okay, places . . . One . . . two . . .”

They pushed the rock forward some more. Rootpaw’s forelegs ached, and he wondered if they would ever succeed. Then, so suddenly he let out a gasp of surprise, Rootpaw felt no resistance. The rock slid over the side of the pool, its sharp end nosing forward into the gash the medicine cats had dug out. There was silence for a few seconds, then a huge crash as the tip of the rock made contact with the ice.

“Hooray!” Breezepelt, from WindClan, yelled.

“Don’t be mouse-brained,” Bristlefrost snapped at him. “We don’t know whether it broke through. . . .”

At her words, all the warriors stepped forward to the edge of the pool to look down. But before he moved, Rootpaw glimpsed Jayfeather’s face.

It hadn’t changed.

Breezepelt scrambled to the edge and looked down. “It made a big dent. But there’s still more ice!”

Rootpaw felt his heart sink.

“It goes at least five tail-lengths down,” Bristlefrost added, staring down into the pool. “So much ice . . .”

Crowfeather was looking, too. “I suppose we can try again . . . ,” he meowed. But he sounded tired. As tired as Rootpaw felt.

Hawkwing looked even less optimistic. “We can try countless times,” he agreed, “but we don’t know where the water begins . . . or whether it’s frozen solid.”

Frozen solid. A shiver went through Rootpaw’s body at those words.

He was willing to try again, as hard as it might be . . . to find another rock, to push it into the pool, to hope that it might break the ice. He was willing to work all day, if he had to. All night, too, if he had the strength.

But as he caught Bristlefrost’s eye again, he wondered if she was feeling the same despair he was. All the effort in the world wouldn’t bring StarClan back if they’d left them on purpose.

What if StarClan has left us for good?