Path Оf А Warrior

Chapter Nine

Weak morning sunlight was shining through the crack in the roof of the Cave of Pointed Stones when Tawnypelt opened her eyes. She could hear the rush of the waterfall outside, but no more rain was falling. The storm must be over.

She stretched and got to her feet, shaking feathers and moss from her pelt. Dovewing and Shadowkit were awake, too, curled together and talking softly. Stoneteller was sitting in his own nest, looking thoughtfully at the light reflecting off pools of water beneath the tall stones.

“Good morning,” he said, dipping his head to them all. After they replied, he went on, “I’d like Shadowkit to stay in here with me for a little while today. I’ve been trying to read the signs the Tribe of Endless Hunting is sending, and I may be able to help him learn to handle his visions so that they don’t cause him so much pain.”

“How are you going to do that?” Dovewing asked.

Stoneteller’s whiskers twitched. “Let’s leave that a secret between those of us who speak to the ancestors,” he said, casting a look at Shadowkit. “He will be fine in the end.”

Dovewing hesitated, wary, but Shadowkit’s chest was puffed out with pride. “It’s a medicine-cat secret,” he said. “Don’t worry. I’ll come find you if I need you.”

When Dovewing looked to her for support, Tawnypelt said, “I trust Stoneteller. And Shadowkit must practice standing on his own. Soon enough, he’ll be a medicine cat and belong to the whole Clan, not just his parents.”

“I suppose so,” said Dovewing unenthusiastically, her tail drooping.

Kits grow up, Tawnypelt thought, even if their mothers aren’t always happy about it.

As they padded into the main cavern—without Shadowkit—Brook came over to meet them. “I thought I’d be exhausted after yesterday,” she said, “but I woke up early and couldn’t get back to sleep. How is Shadowkit feeling?”

“He slept well,” Dovewing told her. “Stoneteller is trying to help him find a way to handle his visions better. Once they’re done, we’ll begin our journey home.”

We will? Tawnypelt thought, surprised. She supposed it made sense: They would have done all they’d come here to do. But part of her ached at the thought of leaving the Tribe. The idea of going back to the resentments and squabbles of ShadowClan made her feel terribly tired.

Maybe Stormfur is right. Maybe life is simpler, and better, here.

“If you’re leaving today, we should have a feast first, to celebrate and to thank you,” Brook suggested. “I’m sure Stoneteller won’t mind if we eat at sunhigh instead of dusk.”

“That sounds very nice,” Dovewing mewed, looking pleased.

“I’ll gather some of the other prey-hunters, and Breeze, Lark, and another cave-guard can come to help protect us,” Brook mewed, hurrying across the cave. “Stormfur! Do you want to go hunting?”

“I’d like to come,” Tawnypelt said, watching Brook gather cats around her.

Brook cocked her head to one side. “It’s very kind of you,” she meowed, “but you’re our guests of honor! I think you should rest now if you’re leaving later today.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Tawnypelt agreed, reluctantly sitting down and licking at her chest fur. She watched as the hunting party slipped out of the cave and disappeared beyond the waterfall. Dovewing was settled on the other side of the cave, chatting with one of the kit-mothers. Tawnypelt knew she’d be welcome to join them, but for now she was happy alone, watching the light flicker through the waterfall.

At last, she got up and left the cave, skirting the waterfall and coming out into the crisp cold sunlit day. She would hunt after all.

Brook and the others were long gone, but Tawnypelt didn’t worry. Her paws seemed to know the mountain paths, and her steps were swift and sure. At last she came to the bare top of a mountain and looked out. The air was clear, and she could see so far, past rivers and forests and hills.

The sun glinted off distant water, and Tawnypelt craned her neck. Was that the Clans’ lake? She thought so, and she could almost imagine Tigerstar beneath the pines, sending out patrols and organizing the repair of ShadowClan’s camp. It felt so far away. Is that my home? she wondered, her heart aching.

She hadn’t spoken aloud, but a familiar voice behind her answered, “It will be.”

“Oh, Rowanclaw.” Tawnypelt turned and touched her nose to his. His fur was glimmering with stars, but his amber gaze was as warm as ever. “I miss you so much,” she whispered. “All the time.”

Rowanclaw pressed his cheek against hers. “You’ve been such a loyal mate to me,” he said. “All our lives together, and even after I left you to join StarClan. I’ll always love you.”

“I love you, too,” Tawnypelt responded. His scent and voice were so familiar, so welcome. She wished it were this easy to conjure him all the time.

“But I’m gone now,” Rowanclaw said, his voice turning solemn. “I’m dead, and I’m fine. I’m happy in StarClan. We’ll be together there, but not for a long time.”

“A very long time?” Tawnypelt asked, her heart aching.

Rowanclaw gave a mrrow of laughter. “Many moons, and you’ll be happy again, I promise. But the long life ahead of you means you’ll have to adjust. Everything changes—you know that. Even your Clan.”

“It’s hard to forgive them for turning against you,” Tawnypelt said softly.

Rowanclaw sighed. “I have. And they will forgive me, too. I wasn’t the one they needed during the dark times. Tigerstar is a good leader.”

“I know,” Tawnypelt agreed.

“You have to give him a chance,” Rowanclaw went on. “Remember what a brave, clever cat he’s always been? With you and Dovewing supporting him, he can begin ShadowClan anew.”

Tawnypelt shivered, the wind cutting through her fur for the first time since she’d reached the mountaintop. “I’m not sure I can,” she said, staring at her paws. “Maybe I should start over somewhere else. Stormfur is right: Things are simpler here. It’s a good life, and I think they’d welcome me.”

Rowanclaw said nothing. After a moment, Tawnypelt looked up to see him watching her with thoughtful amber eyes. He twitched a whisker, as if in disbelief, and Tawnypelt looked away again. He knew her so well.

“But my home is in ShadowClan,” she admitted.

Rowanclaw purred. “Your heart is in ShadowClan, too,” he said. “Our Clan is changing, but not all change is bad. Give yourself some time, and give Tigerstar a chance.” He stepped forward and nuzzled her cheek, his breath warm on her face. “I love you so much, Tawnypelt,” he said. “I always will. But it’s time to let me go.”

Tawnypelt closed her eyes and leaned into Rowanclaw, feeling his warm, muscular body against hers one more time. He was right, she knew it, but it was hard to step away. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Good-bye, Rowanclaw.”

“Tawnypelt! Tawnypelt!” Small paws poked at her side, and Tawnypelt jerked awake.

“Great StarClan, Shadowkit,” she said, tumbling the kit over with a playful paw. “You’re getting so strong, you almost kicked me out of the cave.” Blinking away her sleepiness, she saw that the light coming through the waterfall had changed—it was probably midmorning now.

“Sorry, Tawnypelt,” Shadowkit meowed. “I was just really excited.”

He looked happy, Tawnypelt realized. Not the focused, desperate expression he’d carried since he’d had his vision, but how a kit should look: bright eyes, shining pelt. He looked like the kit he’d been before the vision had first come. She looked up at Stoneteller and Dovewing, who were behind Shadowkit at a little distance.

“Shadowkit and I had a long discussion with our ancestors,” Stoneteller explained. “I think we’ve read their signs correctly, and they should help Shadowkit.”

“Which ancestors?” Tawnypelt asked. “StarClan or the Tribe of Endless Hunting?” StarClan watched over the Clans, and she wasn’t sure she liked the idea of Shadowkit getting advice from the Tribe’s ancestors instead.

“Both,” Stoneteller said, his whiskers twitching as if he could see into Tawnypelt’s mind and thought her view was a funny one. “Shadowkit is very unusual. His powers stretch beyond borders, beyond the world that one cat can see.”

Tawnypelt felt her ears flattening. “It hurt him to see those visions of the Tribe,” she pointed out. “And how can he be a medicine cat for ShadowClan if he’s troubled with visions that aren’t about us?”

Shadowkit cuddled against her. “I’m fine now,” he purred. “I promise.”

Stoneteller looked down at the kit, affection clear on his face. “I can’t promise visions won’t hurt him again,” he admitted. “But I think what he and I have discussed will help. He’s a good kit. A strong kit. He will do much for ShadowClan.”

“Maybe Shadowkit will help to bring all five Clans together,” Dovewing suggested quietly. “Isn’t that what StarClan wants?”

Tawnypelt twitched her tail. A cat should be loyal to one Clan. But she pressed her muzzle to the top of Shadowkit’s head. He was very special. A warm surge of love filled her. The idea that had come to her in her dream—of staying with the Tribe—was nonsense. She could never leave Shadowkit. Or Tigerstar, or his other kits, or even Dovewing.

“I believe you will show us the way to a new ShadowClan, little one,” she purred softly, and Shadowkit nodded proudly.

“I want to be the best medicine cat ever,” he declared. “I’ll try my hardest.”

There was a small commotion at the cave entrance as the hunting party returned, bearing prey. Tawnypelt sniffed the air, the scent of rabbit making her mouth water.

“I’m starving,” Shadowkit announced, bounding away from her and toward the hunting party.

“Now, Shadowkit, don’t be greedy,” Dovewing scolded, hurrying after him. “Wait your turn.”

“Oh, but he saved us all,” Brook mewed, dropping a fat mouse in front of him. “Shadowkit should eat first.”

“Thanks,” the kit said shyly. “Would you like to share prey with me?”

All the Tribe cats purred with delight at Shadowkit’s having learned their custom. “So polite!”

Young Breeze brought Tawnypelt a vole and plopped down next to her. “Shall we share prey?” she asked. Tawnypelt agreed, taking a bite of the vole and then exchanging it for Breeze’s rabbit haunch.

“I wanted to thank you again for saving me from the river yesterday,” Breeze meowed. “I will always be grateful. The whole Tribe will, for all the help you’ve given us.”

“We had to come,” Tawnypelt insisted. “The Tribe has assisted the Clans in the past, and we will help you whenever we can.” It was curious, she realized. In some ways, she felt closer to the cats of the mountain than she did to any of the other Clans by the lake.

“The Tribe and the Clans are like two trees that have grown around each other,” Stoneteller intoned. “Both are strong, and they are intertwined, but each has its own future. Still, the Clan cats will always be welcomed by the Tribe.”

“Thank you,” Tawnypelt mewed, feeling deeply touched. Dovewing’s and Shadowkit’s eyes shone as they also offered their thanks.

It seemed like too soon when it was time to go. The Tribe gathered around them, touching noses and offering affectionate farewells and advice for the return journey.

“Be careful in the mountains, little one,” Night advised Shadowkit.

“Watch out for eagles,” Moss added anxiously. “Here, let’s smear some mud on your fur. Then we’ll show you the best way down.”

Tawnypelt did her best to stay still as the Tribe cats smeared her pelt with cold mud, then moved to brush her cheek against Stoneteller’s. “Thank you so much for helping Shadowkit,” she said. “I think he’s on the right path now.” The kit seemed happier and lighter, bouncing between his new friends.

“And you, too, I think,” Stoneteller said, looking into Tawnypelt’s eyes. “You’ve found your path again, haven’t you?”

“I suppose I have,” Tawnypelt said. She could feel something deep inside, pulling her in the right direction. “The right path leads back to where my heart lies. Back to ShadowClan.”

She looked at the waterfall—so beautiful, so dangerous, but not her home. It was foolish to think it ever could be, she realized now. She couldn’t imagine a home without the feathery shadows of pine trees, their strong resin scenting the air. ShadowClan is where I belong.

She glanced at Dovewing, who nodded, looking pleased. Tawnypelt nodded back, and together, she and Dovewing, Shadowkit safely between them, turned toward the waterfall. It was time to go home.