Dark River

Chapter 9

The full moon rippled on the surface of the lake while clouds billowed on the horizon, gray against the blue-black sky.

Hollypaw shivered as she trekked around the shore to the Gathering. A cold wind was ruffling her pelt the wrong way, tugging at her downy fur. She ducked between Squirrelflight and Brackenfur to hide from the chill.

“It’ll be warmer on the island,” Squirrelflight promised, flattening her ears against the breeze.

Spiderleg and Mousepaw padded ahead, Dustpelt, Brambleclaw, and Squirrelflight beside them, while Thornclaw kept pace with Whitewing, brushing close against her as though shielding her from the wind. Firestar and Sandstorm headed the party while Lionpaw trailed behind with Ashfur and Leafpool. As they followed the edge of the lake, small waves slapped the shore and farther out, foamy crests glowed in the moonlight.

“Get off there!” Brambleclaw’s impatient command rose above the wind.

Hollypaw slipped out from her sheltered spot to see who he was yowling at.

Berrypaw was padding along a log lying in the shallows. A gust of wind whipped in from the lake, flattening Hollypaw’s whiskers against her face. Through narrowed eyes she watched as Berrypaw lost his balance and fell with a splash into the water. He fought his way to his paws and, shaking the water from his creamy pelt, raced back up the shore to join his Clanmates.

Brambleclaw cuffed him around the ears. “That was a mouse-brained thing to do!”

Berrypaw sneezed.

“And don’t think you’re missing any training if you’ve caught a cold!”

The sour smell of horseplace tainted the breeze as the cats neared the end of WindClan territory. The pebbly shore was narrow here, and the wind was blowing spray over it. Firestar led the party up onto the soft grass, skirting the fence.

Beyond it the horses were whinnying in their field. Hollypaw felt a shiver of unease as she gazed at the great dark shapes shifting beyond the fence. Perhaps they don’t like the weather either.

The squally wind promised rain, and plenty of it.

Thud!

A horse stamped its foot close to the fence. Whitewing yowled in surprise, leaping sideways in alarm. She careered into Mousepaw, sending him tumbling down onto the pebbly shore.

“Watch out!” he spat, scrambling to his paws.

Whitewing stared down at him, appalled. “I’m sorry.”

Why is everyone so jumpy and cross? Hollypaw gazed around at her Clanmates. Few words had passed between them since they had left the camp. Their fur was spiked against the wind, their tails flicking. She felt uneasy herself. Ever since WindClan had been discovered hunting squirrels, there had been rumors of prey-stealing and revenge and worries about invasion. Hollypaw wasn’t convinced that WindClan’s strange behavior had to end in battle. The warrior code didn’t say what Clans could and couldn’t hunt. But she hated the tense atmosphere. And she was still worried about RiverClan.

There had been no news since Jaypaw’s dream at half-moon. She was desperate to speak to Willowpaw tonight, but her paws pricked with anxiety. What if things were so bad RiverClan didn’t come at all?

Lionpaw brushed against her as she followed Brambleclaw down the sandy bank, back onto the shore. “I wish I’d stayed in camp with Jaypaw,” he mewed.

She glanced at him. That didn’t sound like Lionpaw. He looked sleepy.

“Are you okay?” Didn’t he even want to see if Heatherpaw was going to be there?

“Just tired,” he mewed. “Ashfur’s been training me hard.”

Part of her was relieved by his lack of interest in the WindClan apprentice. He must have put his friendship with her behind him at last. But still, it was strange that he’d rather be stuck in camp than going to a Gathering.

Dustpelt halted in front of them, ears pricked. “WindClan!” he warned.

Hollypaw saw a swarm of dark shapes moving against the heather, heading down to the shore. “Do you think Firestar will mention the squirrel-hunting tonight?”

Lionpaw shrugged. “Who knows?”

The WindClan cats streamed onto the shore a little ahead of ThunderClan, and headed onto the marshy shore of RiverClan territory. Hollypaw wrinkled her nose as muddy water squelched between her claws. Firestar had veered closer to the water, hurrying his Clan forward so that they pulled ahead of WindClan.

“Squirrel thieves!” Dustpelt muttered, glancing sideways at the WindClan cats.

“Squirrel thieves!” Berrypaw echoed more loudly.

The insult rippled through the ThunderClan party until it rang above the blustering wind. Hollypaw tensed. They couldn’t fight tonight! She glanced warily at the WindClan cats. Tornear’s eyes blazed in the moonlight; Breezepaw curled his lip in a menacing scowl. But Onestar padded calmly on, eyes fixed on the fallen tree ahead. He reached it first but signaled with his tail for his Clan to step back. They watched with glittering eyes as Firestar led ThunderClan past and jumped onto the tree-bridge.

Firestar gazed down at the WindClan leader. “Thank you, Onestar.”

Onestar dipped his head.

The ThunderClan cats filed across the tree-bridge. When Hollypaw’s turn came to scramble up through the tangle of roots, she caught the first scent of RiverClan. It was strong, fresh scents mixed with stale. They’re here! Relief washed her pelt. Things couldn’t be too bad if they’d made it to the Gathering. She picked her way along the gnarled trunk and leaped down onto the shore. Kneading the sand beneath the pebbles to keep warm, she waited for Ashfur and Leafpool to follow.

“Is everyone over?” Firestar meowed.

Brambleclaw nodded; Firestar signaled with his tail and plunged into the undergrowth. Hollypaw darted after him into the brambles. I must speak to Willowpaw! A barb stabbed her nose, but she pushed on into the softer ferns and emerged ahead of her Clanmates.

The clearing was packed! Gray pelts glowed in the moonlight like stones among tortoiseshell and brown pelts. Striped fur mingled with mottled. Large toms, slender she-cats, lithe young cats. Some sat in groups exchanging hushed words, some lay at the edges gazing warily around. Small cats wove around larger cats, some so small Hollypaw could hardly believe they were old enough to be apprentices.

She sniffed the air. No sign of ShadowClan.

“How come there are so many RiverClan cats here?” Lionpaw had caught up to her. He sounded out of breath.

Hollypaw shook her head. Her pelt was bristling with unease. Every cat in the clearing was RiverClan.

“Some of them are a bit old to be here.” Lionpaw was staring at a thickset tabby tom, whose muzzle was specked with white whiskers. A dark tabby she-cat sat beside him, her fur matted as though she could no longer wash herself properly.

“Swallowtail!” A very young cat was hurrying toward the elderly she-cat. Its eyes were wide with fear. “I can’t find Graymist or Sneezekit.”

“Don’t worry, Mallowkit.” Swallowtail swept her tail around the little cat. “Your mother will be back in a moment.

Sneezekit’s probably with her.”

“Did she say kit?” Lionpaw asked in surprise.

Hollypaw didn’t reply. She was staring at Willowpaw. The RiverClan apprentice was laying out some herbs in front of a heavily pregnant queen. Alarm flashing in her paws, Hollypaw zigzagged through the busy clearing to Willowpaw’s side. “What’s going on?”

Willowpaw looked up, her eyes filled with panic. “Hollypaw!”

“What in StarClan has happened?”

Before Willowpaw could answer, WindClan burst into the clearing. Mews of surprise rippled from them as they squeezed among the RiverClan cats.

“Graymist? Graymist?” A tiny tortoiseshell kit was wailing in the middle of the chaos.

“Sneezekit! What are you doing away from your mother?”

Swallowtail darted forward and plucked up the tiny kit in her jaws. She winced as though the weight were too heavy for her stiff limbs and padded back to Mallowkit.

“Why are there kits and elders here, Willowpaw?” Hollypaw turned back to her friend.

“We had to—”

Firestar’s mew cut her off. “Leopardstar, what’s going on?”

The ThunderClan leader was padding toward the Great Oak, where Leopardstar sat among the roots.

Onestar was hurrying across the clearing. “It looks like you’ve brought the whole of RiverClan!” he growled.

Leopardstar blinked. “I have.”

“What?” Onestar stumbled to a halt beside her, eyes wide.

Hollypaw leaned forward. What had happened to RiverClan?

Blackstar’s angry mew sounded from the edge of the clearing. “What’s going on here?”

ShadowClan had arrived.

Firestar plucked at the earth. “Let’s start the meeting.

Then we can all find out.” He leaped onto the lowest branch of the oak, Leopardstar following. Blackstar and Onestar climbed up beside him. Below, the Clans jostled as they struggled to find space to settle.

Willowpaw stayed beside the pregnant cat.

“Is everything all right?” Hollypaw hissed.

“Join your Clanmates.” Willowpaw pawed at the ball of herbs, avoiding her friend’s gaze. “Please!”

Hollypaw nodded and fell in behind a group of RiverClan warriors padding toward the oak. Their heads were high, their tails flicking fretfully. A gray RiverClan queen pushed past her, heading in the other direction.

“Sorry!” Hollypaw swerved out of the way, but the queen didn’t seem to notice her.

“Graymist! You’re here!” Swallowtail’s mew was filled with relief as the queen reached her. The kits hurried to greet their mother, but Graymist shooed them back and followed Swallowtail to a clump of ferns where RiverClan elders and kits were already sheltering. Their eyes glowed warily from the shadows.

Hollypaw hurried to join her Clanmates. Berrypaw flinched as she squeezed past him. “Watch my tail!”

“Careful!” Dustpelt warned as she stepped on his paw.

“Sorry!” Hollypaw slid gingerly around Lionpaw, making sure she only put her feet on solid ground.

“Did you find anything out?” he hissed.

“No.”

“Just sit down and keep quiet,” Brackenfur ordered.

Hollypaw blinked a silent apology and looked up at Leopardstar.

The RiverClan leader gazed steadily from the oak. A kit wailed and was quickly silenced. “We have a small problem on RiverClan territory,” Leopardstar began.

Small? Hollypaw’s heart pounded. Then why are you all here?

“We’ve had to leave our camp.”

“Leave your camp?” Blackstar’s eyes glittered with interest.

“Only for a short time,” Leopardstar meowed quickly.

“We’re sorting the trouble out. We shall move back as soon as it’s fixed. Until then we’ll be staying on the island.”

What about Gatherings? Hollypaw glanced up anxiously at Silverpelt. Gatherings were governed by the warrior code; they took place on land shared equally by the Clans. Surely this broke with the tradition laid down by their ancestors?

“Where are you hunting?” Onestar stared accusingly at the RiverClan leader.

Russetfur stood up, the fur pricking along her spine.

“There can’t possibly be enough food on the island for the whole Clan.”

Leopardstar glared at the ShadowClan deputy. “We have the lake!”

“Is that enough?” Crowfeather called. “What will you do when you have fished out the shallow waters around the island?”

Mistyfoot bristled. “We’re not eating rabbit, if that’s what you’re worried about!” The RiverClan deputy curled her lip as though rabbit was the last thing she’d dream of swallowing.

“What about Gatherings?” Firestar gazed calmly at Leopardstar.

“We hope to be back in our camp by the next full moon,” Leopardstar meowed.

“And what if you’re not?” Blackstar demanded. “It’s not fair if you outnumber every other Clan at the Gatherings.”

Thornclaw stood up. “No cat ever lived at Fourtrees,” he pointed out. “It was special to all the Clans, like Mother-mouth.”

Leopardstar met his gaze. “We would not be doing this if we had another option.”

“What if you can never return to your camp?” Onestar’s claws scratched the bark underneath him. “Where will you go then?”

“Will you move to new territory?”

“Will you invade another Clan’s land?”

Anxious mews sounded from the clearing.

Leopardstar’s gaze swept the cats. “You are worrying about something that will never happen!”

Blackstar’s tail was twitching. “But what if it does?” he hissed.

“Three territories can’t support four Clans!” Onestar meowed.

Smokefoot, a ShadowClan warrior, lifted his chin. “One Clan will have to go!”

Silence gripped the clearing. Nervous glances flashed from one cat to another.

Hollypaw’s belly tightened. Could one Clan really be driven from the lake? No! There had to be four Clans! That was the way it was meant to be.

“We have to believe Leopardstar,” Firestar’s mew rang over the clearing. “We must give RiverClan a chance to return to their territory.”

“At least until the next Gathering,” Sandstorm put in. The Clans muttered, but no cat argued.

Firestar nodded. “If RiverClan is still living on the island next full moon, we can decide what to do.” He stared at the other leaders. “Does that seem fair?”

Blackstar nodded curtly.

Onestar flicked his tail. “I guess,” he muttered.

“Then it’s settled.” Firestar gazed out over the Clans.

“ThunderClan has little to report. One of our apprentices was wounded, but she is recovering well.” He glanced at Onestar. “And newleaf has brought plenty of prey to the forest.”

Hollypaw dug her claws into the earth. He’s hinting about the squirrels.

Onestar narrowed his eyes. “WindClan is healthy. And prey is running well on our lands too.”

Hollypaw felt Berrypaw’s breath ruffle her ear. “He said prey, not rabbits,” he whispered fiercely.

“Why doesn’t Firestar mention the squirrels?” Spiderleg hissed.

“Is he too scared to speak?”

Hollypaw jerked around to see which ThunderClan warrior had muttered the question. Thornclaw was glaring at Firestar.

But he’s right not to stir up more trouble! There’s enough tension here already.

“Blackstar?” Onestar was prompting the ShadowClan leader. “Anything to report?”

“A few Twolegs by the lake,” Blackstar revealed. “But none near our camp.”

“Good.” Firestar nodded. “If there’s no other news, I think we should leave RiverClan in peace.”

Whispers rustled through the uneasy crowd, but Firestar jumped down from the Great Oak. Leopardstar followed him. The Gathering was over.

Hollypaw felt a wave of relief as she watched WindClan and ShadowClan disappearing into the undergrowth. She hurried back to Willowpaw. “What’s really going on?” she demanded. “Why did you leave your camp?”

Willowpaw’s mouth was full of herbs. “I can’t talk now,” she mumbled. “Not with every cat listening.”

“I understand.” Hollypaw could see the desperate plea in her friend’s eyes. “I’ll come back later. You can tell me then.”

Willowpaw spat the herb pulp onto the ground. “Please don’t get into trouble!”

“I won’t,” Hollypaw promised. She had to hear the whole story. Firestar might be able to help RiverClan. The future of the Clans could depend on what she could find out. She spotted Brackenfur disappearing into the undergrowth with Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight. Lionpaw was beckoning to her with his tail.

“I’ve got to go.” Hollypaw touched her muzzle to Willowpaw’s cheek before darting away.

“Did she say anything?” Lionpaw asked as she reached him.

“No, not really.” Hollypaw began to hurry through the ferns. Her heart ached for her unhappy friend.

They caught up with their Clanmates at the tree-bridge.

WindClan and ShadowClan were already padding away on the far shore.

“What does this mean for ThunderClan?” Mousepaw was asking anxiously as he scrabbled onto the trunk.

Squirrelflight jumped up behind him. “Nothing.”

“How can you be sure?” Spiderleg stopped in the middle of the bridge.

Dustpelt narrowed his eyes. “If RiverClan can’t stay in their own territory, they might try to invade WindClan or ShadowClan. If that happens, none of the borders will be safe.”

“But we’re over on the other side of the lake!” Mousepaw mewed. “It won’t affect us.” He followed Dustpelt through the branches and hurried in his paw steps along the trunk.

“I just hope you’re right,” Dustpelt muttered darkly.

“I suppose this explains why WindClan has started training their apprentices to hunt in woodland,” Spiderleg growled.

Hollypaw shivered. Could he be right? Was WindClan planning to invade ThunderClan territory?

“Lionpaw!” Ashfur’s urgent call woke Hollypaw. She looked up from her nest. Lionpaw was already halfway out of the den.

“Is something wrong?” she asked. Most of the nests were already empty; only Honeypaw slept on.

“Battle training!” Lionpaw replied over his shoulder.

Hollypaw got to her paws and stretched. Brackenfur hadn’t called for her. Perhaps she’d get a chance to visit Cinderpaw before training.

Outside she could hear paw steps hurrying and excited mews. Everyone seemed very busy this morning. Intrigued, Hollypaw padded from the den. The sun was only just beginning to creep into the hollow, but the clearing was buzzing like a nest of bees. The fresh-kill pile was well stocked. Mousepaw and Berrypaw were practicing battle moves by the halfrock.

Graystripe and Millie were dragging brambles toward the half-finished den. Firestar was talking with Thornclaw and Brambleclaw below the Highledge.

Outside the elders’ den, Mousefur was stretching in the sun. Longtail sat beside her, his face lifted to the sky. “Hollypaw? Is that you I smell?” the blind warrior called across the clearing.

“Yes.” Hollypaw went over to him.

“I hear trouble’s coming.” Longtail dug his claws into the ground. “I wish I could help defend my Clan.”

“There’s no trouble,” Hollypaw answered quickly.

“RiverClan just has a few problems, that’s all.”

“Sounds like there’s going to be a new marking-out of territory,” Longtail went on. “I’d like to see any Clan try to take a piece of what belongs to us!”

He’s enjoying this! Alarm bristled along Hollypaw’s spine. She was relieved to see Brackenfur padding toward her. Surely he would be too sensible to be caught up in all this talk of battle?

“We’re going hunting,” he announced.

Good! Something normal.

Brackenfur went on. “If there’s going to be a battle, we need to be well fed.”

Hollypaw stiffened. Not Brackenfur, too! “Can I visit Cinderpaw before we leave?”

“Go ahead,” Brackenfur agreed. “But don’t be long.”

Hollypaw padded across the clearing and poked her nose through the trailing brambles that covered the medicine den entrance. “Can I come in?”

Cinderpaw was sitting up in her nest, her rush-bound hind leg stuck out awkwardly in front her. She was reaching forward to chase a ball of moss around the edge of her nest with her forepaws.

Leafpool was soaking dried horsetail stems in the pool at the side of the den. She looked around. “Hi, Hollypaw!”

Hollypaw thought she detected relief in the medicine cat’s mew. She pushed through the brambles.

“I’m glad you’re here. Cinderpaw could do with some company.” Leafpool glanced at her fidgeting patient. “She’s finding it hard to keep still.”

Cinderpaw patted the moss ball so that it flew across the den and landed beside Hollypaw. “Toss it back so I can catch it!” she pleaded.

“Don’t you dare!” Leafpool leaped over and grabbed the ball in her teeth. “You’ve got to keep still if you want your leg to mend straight!”

Hollypaw purred with amusement as Cinderpaw rolled her eyes. Then she noticed Jaypaw at the back of the den. He was busily wrapping up herbs in leaf parcels and piling them against the den wall. He seemed totally absorbed in his task and didn’t look up to greet his sister.

“What are you doing, Jaypaw?” she called across the den.

“Preparing herbs,” he muttered. “What does it look like?”

“That’s a lot of herbs.” Hollypaw could smell horsetail and marigold. She remembered enough of her medicine training to know that he was preparing for combat wounds. She felt sick. It seemed as though the whole Clan had accepted a battle was coming.

“What’s up?” Cinderpaw called from her nest.

Hollypaw padded to her side. “Has anybody told you what happened at the Gathering?”

Cinderpaw shook her head. “Leafpool and Jaypaw were whispering about something when Leafpool got back, but they haven’t said anything to me.”

“RiverClan is living on the island!”

Cinderpaw’s eyes widened with shock. “Living there?”

“They can’t use their camp for some reason and all the other Clans think they’ll have to find new territory.”

Cinderpaw gasped. “But that would mess everything up.”

“I know.” Hollypaw glanced at Jaypaw, still busy at the back of the den. “And it seems as if everyone is expecting a fight.”

Cinderpaw plucked at the moss in her nest. “I just hope I’m better in time to join in,” she mewed.

Hollypaw stared at her crossly. “There doesn’t need to be a battle!”

“But if everyone wants one—”

Hollypaw cut her off. “Everyone’s just scared about what RiverClan will do. If we can help RiverClan, then everything will go back to normal.”

She padded out of the den and stared around the clearing.

Foxkit and Icekit were play-fighting outside the nursery; Longtail and Mousefur were drawing battle plans in the sandy earth. Firestar was still talking with Brambleclaw.

She couldn’t let her Clanmates get caught up in a battle before they had tried to find a different way to solve the problem. If she could just find a way to help RiverClan, maybe there would be nothing left to fight about.