Crookedstar’s Promise

Chapter 36

“Crookedjaw!” Brambleberry was whispering in his ear.

Crookedjaw forced his eyes to open. It hadn’t been a dream. He was still in the barn, still covered in Hailstar’s blood, his claws still clogged with rat fur. Trembling with shock, he pushed himself to his paws. “How’s Sedgecreek?”

Brambleberry rested her tail on his flank. “She’ll be okay.” She stared down at Hailstar, her eyes glistening.

“I tried to stop the bleeding,” Crookedjaw told her. Maybe I could have if Mapleshade hadn’t stopped me. Guilt scorched through him.

Brambleberry checked the wound on Hailstar’s neck. “There was nothing you could do,” she meowed. “This wound was too deep to heal.”

Crookedjaw looked around. The barn seemed very still and empty. “Is Leopardfur all right?”

“I’m fine.” Leopardfur limped to his side and touched her nose to Hailstar’s pelt.

Crookedjaw padded to where Sedgecreek was struggling to her paws. Cobwebs swathed her pelt. “You fought like a true warrior.” He brushed her cheek with his. “Are you going to be able to make it home?”

Sedgecreek nodded. Her eyes were dull.

Crookedjaw signaled to Timberfur. “Help her.”

The brown tom pressed against Sedgecreek and began to guide her toward the entrance. Sunfish darted over and propped her up on the other side.

Rippleclaw dipped his head. “Should I carry Hailstar back to camp?”

Crookedjaw shook his head. “I will.”

Brambleberry raised one paw to stop him. “You can’t. You’re hurt.”

“It’s only a few nips.” Crookedjaw was too numb to feel anything. He crouched down while Rippleclaw and Owlfur dragged the RiverClan leader onto his back, then forced his legs to straighten to begin Hailstar’s final journey home.

Crookedjaw hated dragging Hailstar’s body through the hole. He flinched as the leader’s fur snagged on the splintering wood but he refused to pause for breath. All he could think of was the grief that lay in wait for the Clan.

“Let me carry him a while,” Rippleclaw begged as they crossed the rain-soaked meadow.

Crookedjaw was panting beneath the weight, the pain from his wounds beginning to bite. “No. I’m okay.”

As they passed the beech copse and neared the camp he became dimly aware of Rippleclaw pressing against him, shouldering some of Hailstar’s weight. He staggered into the clearing and stood long enough for Owlfur to slide Hailstar from his back. Then he sank on to his side in the mud, feeling it seep into his fur.

“Crookedjaw!” Willowbreeze frantically licked his cheek. “Are you okay?”

Exhausted, Crookedjaw closed his eyes where he lay and let darkness enfold him.

He woke in his nest, his wounds stinging.

Willowbreeze ducked down beside him. “You’re awake?”

Crookedjaw scrambled to his paws. “The vigil for Hailstar!”

“It’s okay, you haven’t missed it.” Willowbreeze’s voice was hoarse with sadness. “He’s in the clearing.”

Crookedjaw hurried out of the den.

“Are you okay?” Oakheart raced over to him.

“I’m fine.” Crookedjaw stared past his brother at his wretched, leaderless Clanmates.

Birdsong was pacing the edge to the clearing, wailing in distress. “Why did I suggest going to the barn? I sent him to his death!”

Tanglewhisker padded after her. “How could you know what would happen? You can’t blame yourself, frog-brain.”

Beetlenose sat, hunched, underneath the willow with Petaldust and Voleclaw beside him. The three warriors stared blankly across the clearing at their father’s body. The rain had stopped and the clouds were clearing. A shaft of late-afternoon light illuminated the clearing, sparkling on Hailstar’s rain-drenched pelt.

Echomist huddled beside him. She looked up as Crookedjaw approached. “I should never have let him go.”

Crookedjaw touched his muzzle to her head. “He fought like a StarClan warrior right to the end.”

The entrance to Brambleberry’s den swished and the medicine cat padded out.

“How are Sedgecreek and Leopardfur?” Crookedpaw called.

“Resting,” Brambleberry reported. “I’ve put ointment on their wounds to stop them getting infected.” She studied Crookedjaw’s matted, bloodstained pelt. “I should treat yours, too.”

“Later,” he growled. “When I’ve sat vigil for Hailstar.”

Brambleberry shook her head. “You have to travel to the Moonstone with me,” she reminded him.

He blinked at her.

“To receive your nine lives.”

Nine lives. He was the leader of RiverClan! The realization hit him like a wave of cold water.

“We should leave now,” Brambleberry prompted. “Mudfur can look after Sedgecreek and Leopardfur.”

Crookedjaw glanced at Echomist. “Will you be okay?”

“I have my Clanmates,” she murmured.

Crookedjaw dipped his head. His pelt burned and he looked up to see Timberfur staring at him. Graypool peered from the nursery, her eyes wide. Frogleap and Loudbelly padded beside the reed bed, splashing through the shallows overflowing the bank. Their pelts were spiked, their ears flat. They were depending on him now. His heart ached. He’d never felt less like a leader. He’d only just become deputy.

He felt Willowbreeze’s warm pelt brush against him. “You should go.” Her gaze flicked toward Brambleberry waiting at the entrance. “You’ll be fine,” Willowbreeze whispered. “Hailstar made the right choice when he chose you as deputy.”

No, he didn’t. Crookedjaw felt sick. Mapleshade decided my destiny—a cat from the Dark Forest! Panic fluttered in his chest. What have I done?

“Let’s go.” Brambleberry’s call from the other side of the clearing was gentle but urgent.

“I’m coming.”

Brambleberry kept a little way ahead as they leaped the stepping-stones and followed the path beside the waterfall. Crossing the WindClan scent line, Crookedjaw caught up to her. He didn’t want her to walk into a WindClan patrol without him at her side. Was she going to say anything about him becoming leader? She had been worried about Hailstar making him deputy; she must be horrified that he was to be RiverClan’s leader. He halted.

Brambleberry turned and stared at him in surprise. The heather swayed around her, touched with a pink glow as the evening sun bled into the pale blue sky. “Are you coming?”

“You have to tell me!” Crookedjaw dug his claws into the peaty earth. “I can’t face StarClan until I know what you know.” A StarClan omen had warned her that he was not to be trusted. If she knew about Mapleshade, so must StarClan. What if they refused to give him his nine lives?

Brambleberry blinked. “What I know?”

“Don’t pretend you’re not worried they won’t make me leader,” Crookedjaw growled. “Or is that what you’re hoping for?”

“Why would I hope for something like that?”

“Because of the omen! The omen that warned you not to trust me. What was it? You’ve hidden it long enough. You have to tell me what you’ve seen!”

Brambleberry’s shoulders drooped. “Yes. Yes, I do. But it’s not what you’re thinking.” She sat down and held his gaze with her sky-colored eyes. “I’ve seen you with her.”

Crookedjaw’s pelt burned. “Do you mean Mapleshade?”

“Is that her name?” Brambleberry’s ears twitched. “I didn’t know. I just knew she was training you in a place that was dark and cold and smelled of death.” Her fur pricked. “I watched you choose to walk with cats who would never be loyal to you or your Clan.”

“I didn’t know she was bad,” Crookedjaw whispered. “I was so dumb. I thought she was a StarClan cat.”

Brambleberry flicked the tip of her tail. “StarClan? You thought that?” Her pelt smoothed. “Now I understand! When it came to your Clanmates, you’ve always been so brave and loyal—so determined to do your best. I couldn’t understand why you were training with that monster.”

“I thought she was on my side.” Crookedjaw looked at his paws. “I wanted to be the best warrior I could be, and she said she’d help me.”

Brambleberry shook her head. “You would always have been a great warrior.”

“How could I have known that?” His mew caught in his throat. “After I broke my jaw, no cat seemed to want me. Everyone treated me like I was useless.”

Brambleberry’s eyes clouded. “We let you down.”

“No!” Crookedjaw shook his head. “The past is over. Everything I love is in RiverClan!”

“But you have walked with a dark warrior.”

“I told her I didn’t want her help anymore.” Crookedjaw flexed his claws. “Is that enough to make StarClan trust me?”

“StarClan sees all.” Brambleberry looked down at her paws for a moment. “Far more than me.” She turned and began to pad through the heather. “They’ll decide for themselves.”

Crookedjaw’s belly churned. What if his warrior ancestors refused to give him his nine lives as punishment for training in the Dark Forest? He trotted after Brambleberry, his wounds aching as they climbed the slope onto the high moor.

Night fell as they followed tiny trails through the heather. The wind whistled around their ears, and Crookedjaw didn’t hear the approaching patrol.

“What are you doing here?” Reedfeather’s eyes blazed on the shadowy path.

“We’re traveling to the Moonstone,” Crookedjaw told him.

Dawnstripe and Talltail flanked the WindClan deputy. Dawnstripe padded forward and pushed past Brambleberry.

Crookedjaw growled. “You must let us pass. I’m going to receive my nine lives.”

Reedfeather’s gaze sharpened, hard as flint. “Hailstar’s dead?” There was no grief in the tabby tom’s mew, but he signaled to his Clanmates with his tail. “Let them pass.” The WindClan patrol stood aside and let Crookedjaw and Brambleberry pass.

Beyond the moors, the Thunderpath was silent. They crossed it and headed along the tracks and paths of Twoleg territory. Beneath the glittering stars, they trekked on. Crookedjaw fought the ache in his wounds, pushing himself on though his legs were shaking with tiredness. They gave Fleck’s farm a wide berth. Crookedjaw had seen enough barns for one day, and they reached Highstones as the moon was still rising.

“We’ve made good time,” Brambleberry panted as they trudged up the slope toward Mothermouth.

Please give me my lives, Crookedjaw prayed as he followed her into the crow-black tunnel. He’d forgotten how cold it was. The icy tang of stone bathed his tongue. Last time he was here Willowpaw had been with him; it had been an adventure. This time he felt older than the moon. Who would be waiting for him at the Moonstone? Cats from StarClan, or cats from the Dark Forest?

“Brambleberry!” He could hear her pads scuffing the stone ahead, but he suddenly needed to hear her voice, to be sure that it was her he was following and not some other cat sent by Mapleshade.

“I’m here.”

Light flared in the tunnel ahead.

“Hurry!” she urged. “The moon’s already lit the stone!”

Heart racing, Crookedjaw dashed after her, blinking against the glare as they burst into the Moonstone chamber. He’d forgotten how high the roof soared above the floor and how beautiful the Moonstone was. It glittered with the light of countless stars.

“Go on, touch your nose against it.” Brambleberry nudged him forward.

Fear gripped his heart. “But who will be waiting for me?”

She blinked at him. “I don’t know,” she admitted quietly. She ducked away, leaving him alone in the cave.

Padding slowly forward, Crookedjaw closed his eyes. He crouched down and leaned forward till the tip of his muzzle touched the stone. He waited for light to flood through him, to be swept into the stars in a dazzling dream. Please!

He blinked open his eyes. He was standing in a huge, empty hollow. Shadows pressed at the edge of his vision. His heart tightened. The Dark Forest! They’ve come to claim me. His breathing quickened. He backed away, shaking his head, desperately trying to find a way out of the dream.

Silvery light began to spread from the top of the hollow, gathering speed as it spiraled down around him. It lit faces and pelts that sparkled with stars until the slopes were filled with countless cats staring down at him. Crookedjaw spun around, watching more and more faces light around him. He smelled the river and the forest and heather and pines—all Clans mingled as one, eyes blazing, pelts shimmering. Had the whole of the Dark Forest come to gloat? A gray pelt stirred from the mass and padded forward.

Hailstar!

“Welcome to StarClan.” Hailstar dipped his head. He looked young and strong, his pelt sleek, his eyes bright. “I’m proud of you, Crookedjaw,” he meowed. “You saved your Clanmates from the rats.”

“But not you.”

“It was my time to die.” The old RiverClan leader leaned toward him. “Now it’s your time to live.”

Crookedjaw bent his head, mouth dry. This wasn’t the Dark Forest, not if Hailstar was here. But would he receive StarClan’s blessing?

“With this life I give you courage,” Hailstar whispered. “When you feel doubt, let your heart lead you forward, not back.”

As Hailstar’s muzzle touched his head, agony blazed through Crookedjaw. He tried to flinch away but his paws were rooted to the ground. Hailstar’s memories flared in his mind. Battle flashed around him, claws slashed, teeth snapped, enemies screeched. Crookedjaw found himself falling, plummeting from Sunningrocks, splashing down into the river, bubbles exploding around him.

He gasped as Hailstar stepped back and the memories faded. He swayed on his paws, weak with relief. “Thank you,” he croaked.

Another cat stepped from the ranks of StarClan.

Duskwater. Her name flashed in his mind, though he’d never met her; she’d died in the flood on the night he was kitted. Yet Crookedjaw knew her as though he’d been born knowing her—as though he’d been born knowing all his ancestors.

“I died in the storm that gave birth to you,” Duskwater mewed. “With this life I give you a mother’s love.” She stretched up to rest her nose on his head. Shock pierced Crookedjaw as love, fierce as tigers, dazzled through him, hardening his heart until he knew no fear. Was a mother’s love for her kits really this ferocious?

Duskwater stepped away and Crookedjaw found himself blinking into the eyes of a long-haired tabby. “Troutclaw!” Crookedjaw greeted him with delight.

Troutclaw’s pelt rippled like moonlit water. “With this life I give you justice.” His mew had lost its rasping croak; he sounded young and confident. As he leaned close, Crookedjaw felt certainty flow over his heart like water over stone. He would always know what was right, though seasons changed and moons passed. Time may smooth the stone, but time will never wear it away.

Troutclaw moved aside and another took his place.

“I’m Mossleaf.” The ancient RiverClan cat had the bright eyes of a young warrior. “With this life, I give you trust.” He touched his muzzle to Crookedjaw’s head and Crookedjaw felt the peace of a wide blue sky move through him.

He heard another name. Lilyflower. He nodded his thanks as the RiverClan queen padded forward. Her blue eyes sparkled with starlight. “With this life I give you compassion.” Warmth swept him as her muzzle touched his head; love for his Clanmates, for cats who were injured or frightened or displaced, flooded him until he felt his heart would burst.

She turned away and a young tom appeared in front of Crookedjaw. “I’m Lightningpaw.” He nodded to Crookedjaw. “With this life I give you humility.” As the RiverClan apprentice touched Crookedjaw with his muzzle, the world shifted around him, widening till he could only see RiverClan’s territory at the edge of his vision, a tiny speck in a spreading ocean of meadows, rivers, and forest. The world is so big! What we do matters to us, but there is always something more happening in a different place.

As Lightningpaw pulled away, Crookedjaw stared excitedly at the cat who replaced him. Brightsky! He recognized her pelt with a surge of joy. Peeking behind her he saw three tiny kits, their eyes round and shining. Brightsky gazed at him with happiness glowing in her eyes. “With this life I give you hope,” she whispered. “Never be afraid of the future, for it brings wonderful things.” As she touched his head Crookedjaw felt himself skimming over meadows, running like the wind, hardly touching the ground, the horizon ahead of him lit by a rosy dawn.

Brightsky’s kits trotted around her, ducking under her soft belly, as she took her place among the rest of StarClan.

“With this life I give you patience.” Crookedjaw blinked as a tom touched his head. Sparrowfeather. The name flashed in Crookedjaw’s mind as though he’d spoken it all his life. Peace seeped into his pelt, slowing his heart until the present existed only as a single beat.

As Sparrowfeather ducked away, the moment of perfect stillness passed and the future and the past crowded into Crookedjaw’s thoughts once more. Rainflower? He scanned the crowd for his mother. Did she have a life to give him?

“Crookedjaw.”

He looked up as he heard Shellheart’s mew. Bittersweet joy touched his heart. “She is here,” Shellheart murmured as if Crookedjaw had spoken out loud. “But your last life is mine to give.” His eyes burned into Crookedjaw’s. “Long ago, you lapped water at a poisoned spring. I’m sorry I didn’t know until too late. I would have guided you better.”

Crookedjaw shook his head. “You couldn’t have guided me any better.”

Shellheart silenced him with a look. “With this life I give you loyalty, to your Clan and to the cats who love you. Promise you’ll use it wisely.”

Crookedjaw shuffled his paws. He’s warning me to turn my back on Mapleshade. “I walk alone now,” he vowed.

“No, not alone.” Shellheart gazed down at him. “Your ancestors walk alongside you, always. Travel well, Crookedstar. You will make a great leader.”

Crookedstar closed his eyes as the cats of StarClan lifted their heads to the sky and called his new name. He would be a great leader. He could feel the certainty of it tingling in his paws. He couldn’t wait to get back to his Clan. As StarClan spun away, Crookedstar blinked open his eyes. Where’s the Moonstone?

“We did it!” A familiar hiss sounded in his ear.

Mapleshade!

She stood beside him, her eyes glowing. “You kept your promise and I kept mine! You’ve proved that nothing is more important than leading your Clan. Are you going to thank me for the sacrifices I made for you?”

Crookedstar stared at her. Sacrifices? Did she mean Rainflower? Hailstar? Did she really think she’d made him leader by persuading him to abandon the cats he loved?

“I promised to be loyal to RiverClan, but not at the cost of my Clanmates!” he snarled. “Leave me alone! That’s the only thing you can do for me. The promise I made you means nothing!”

As he turned away, she curled back her lip, revealing sharp yellow teeth. “You can’t walk away from me,” she hissed. Crookedstar felt her claws snag against his pelt, even though she was several paces away. “This will never be over!”