Moth Flight’s Vision

Chapter 30

“What do we do now?” Spotted Fur paced the den.

“We can’t stay here!” Moth Flight stared angrily from the entrance. The tiny cave, hollowed from the bramble close to Clear Sky’s den, still carried the stale scent of Star Flower. Clear Sky’s mate must have slept here at one time. Her ragged nest looked as though it hadn’t been used in moons. It would probably crumble into dust if any cat climbed into it.

Moth Flight thought of her own nest at home. She could almost smell its heathery scent and the warmth of her kits rising from its thick moss lining. Anxiety twisted in her heart. And what about Slate? She needed the bark. “We have to escape.”

“How?” Spotted Fur jerked his muzzle toward Alder, who sat, as still as a rock, a few tail-lengths from the entrance.

“We could burrow through the back,” Moth Flight suggested.

Spotted Fur grunted, glancing at the prickly stems, so thickly woven that no light filtered through. “If we had paws made of wood.”

Moth Flight whisked her tail crossly. “Why do Clan leaders make life so difficult?”

Spotted Fur blinked at her. “Who knows?”

Moth Flight tipped her head. “Do you think Willow Tail has been stirring up trouble?” she asked. “Slate and Jagged Peak have seen the bones, too.”

Spotted Fur shrugged. “But she is usually the first one to make accusations.” He frowned. “And she’s the only one who’s actually seen SkyClan stealing prey. If she is really as bad as Clear Sky says… she could have planted the bones.”

Planted the bones? It seemed crazy to Moth Flight. She crouched and drew her paws tightly under her. “Doesn’t she realize that she might cause a battle?”

“Perhaps that’s what she wants.” Spotted Fur stared at her grimly.

“No!” Moth Flight refused to believe it. “Why would any cat want to cause suffering?”

Spotted Fur didn’t answer. His gaze flicked back toward Alder. The gray-and-white she-cat still hadn’t moved. “Even

SkyClan cats have to eat, surely?”

“If she goes, another cat will take her place.” Moth Flight wondered how long they’d been here. The sun glimmered through the distant branches, low enough to show through the den entrance. Her kits would start wondering where she was.

Yearning tugged in her belly, as sharp as hunger. “Do you think

Willow Tail has realized that we’re not coming back?”

“She’s probably on her way to camp now.”

Moth Flight stiffened. “I hope not.” How would Wind Runner react to news that her daughter had gone missing in SkyClan territory? “What if she sends a patrol looking for us?”

“Isn’t that what Clear Sky wants?”

“He wants her to apologize.” Moth Flight stared at him, dread worming beneath her pelt. “Doesn’t he know Wind Runner at all?” She remembered her mother’s warning. You may think I’m wrong, but never dare to question me again! She was far too stubborn ever to apologize to Clear Sky.

Spotted Fur’s ears twitched. “Do you think she’ll fight him?”

“Of course she’ll fight him!”

“But she says she wants peace between the Clans.”

“Not enough to admit she was wrong.”

“We need to get to her before Willow Tail does. We can explain why Clear Sky’s so mad.” Spotted Fur began pacing again. “Perhaps I can distract Alder and you can make a run for it. Or you could distract Alder and I could make a run—”

Paw steps cut him off. He jerked his muzzle toward the entrance.

Moth Flight followed his gaze, her heart quickening as she saw Acorn Fur approach Alder. The SkyClan medicine cat held dripping moss between her jaws. She dipped her head to Alder, who nodded toward the den.

“Thank StarClan you’re here!” Moth Flight hurried to meet

Acorn Fur as she padded inside.

The chestnut brown she-cat dropped the wet moss on the ground and blinked anxiously at Moth Flight. “Are you okay?”

“We’re fine,” Moth Flight assured her. “But we’ve got to get back to camp before Willow Tail!”

Spotted Fur crouched to lick thirstily at the moss. “If she tells Wind Runner we’re missing,” he told her between laps, “in SkyClan territory, we’re worried it’ll start a war.”

“We have to get out of here.” Moth Flight stared at her urgently.

Acorn Fur backed away. “I can’t help you escape.” She glanced at Alder, lowering her voice. “They’re my Clanmates. I can’t betray them.”

Spotted Fur narrowed his eyes. “We only need to get past Alder.”

Moth Flight nodded. “I can pretend I’m ill and you can fetch

Alder, and Spotted Fur can slip out while she’s—”

“No!” Acorn Fur looked stricken. “I want to help. But when Alder sees you’re okay and Spotted Fur’s gone—”

“She’ll think I tricked you!” Moth Flight interrupted.

Acorn Fur stiffened. “She knows that you trained me. She’ll suspect me. Every cat will suspect me! How can I heal my

Clanmates if they stop trusting me?”

Spotted Fur glanced at Moth Flight. “She’s right. We can’t ask her to betray her Clan.”

Moth Flight’s thoughts flashed to her kits. They’d be terrified if Willow Tail raced into camp telling everyone that she and Spotted Fur had gone missing in SkyClan territory. Her heart began to pound. “You could fetch the others!” She blinked at Acorn Fur.

“The others?” Acorn Fur echoed.

“The other medicine cats,” Moth Flight explained. “Bring them here. They can reason with Clear Sky.”

Acorn Fur tipped her head. “It might work.”

Spotted Fur shrugged. “It’s worth trying.”

“Go now!” Moth Flight nosed Acorn Fur toward the entrance. She lowered her voice as Alder turned, ears pricking.

“Run as fast as you can!”

“Take care,” Spotted Fur murmured under his breath as Acorn Fur trotted past Alder and disappeared down the slope.

Moth Flight blinked at him. “Do you think she’ll bring them in time?”

Spotted Fur’s tail twitched. “Even if she could, I’m not sure Clear Sky will listen to medicine cats.”

“He has to!” Moth Flight began pacing again. Too much was at stake. Slate needed the bark. Her kits needed to know she was safe. And Wind Runner—

She flinched from the thought. What if the WindClan leader chose war? No cat should live like prey.

“Moth Flight.” Spotted Fur’s mew was soft in her ear. She met his gaze, surprised to see warmth there.

“What?”

“I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am.”

“Sorry?” She didn’t understand.

“About Micah,” he murmured. “About him dying. I know I was jealous when you brought him back from Highstones with you. I always thought I’d be your mate.”

Moth Flight shifted her paws uneasily.

“This probably isn’t the best time,” Spotted Fur told her quickly. “But it’s so hard to get you alone these days. You’re either with your kits or busy with your medicine-cat duties. I just wanted you to know that I understand how much you loved Micah. And I’m glad you got to spend time with him before he died. And the kits…” His mew trailed away.

Moth Flight saw sadness in his gaze. “Thank you,” she mumbled self-consciously. “I’m sorry I hurt you, but I had to follow my heart.”

“And I must follow mine.” His gaze lingered on her, glowing.

He still loves me. Moth Flight looked away. “You’re a good friend, Spotted Fur. And the kits love you but—”

A shriek ripped through the trees.

Moth Flight raced to the den entrance.

Alder was leaping into the hollow, her pelt bushed, as the forest rang with the yowls of battle.

“WindClan!” Moth Flight’s heart lurched. “They’re attacking the camp!”