Moth Flight’s Vision

Chapter 33

As Moth Flight followed the moth upslope, a chilly breeze lifted her fur. She glanced over her shoulder and saw clouds rolling in behind her, darkening the sky over the forest and marshes. Rain was coming.

She ran quicker, skirting the camp as the moth fluttered farther and farther ahead.

Wait for me! Moth Flight suddenly realized how tired she was. The days of tending to Wind Runner and the long run back and forth to the river had worn her out. But she had to keep going. The moth was showing her something.

But what? She paused as she reached the high moor, the ground sloping away ahead of her, rolling down into the valley toward Highstones.

The moth flitted on and Moth Flight followed it over the crest of the slope and raced downhill. It wants me to go to Highstones again! Her heart lifted. Perhaps StarClan was waiting there with advice. Were they going to tell her how to cure Wind Runner?

The moth stopped, hovering on the breeze. Then it ducked past Moth Flight, heading back toward the moor.

Moth Flight turned in surprise, skidding on the grass.

“Where are you going?” She raced after it and watched it bob downslope toward the camp. It halted again and shivered in midair while she caught up.

Frustration surged beneath Moth Flight’s pelt. “Where do you want me to go?” she demanded.

The moth bobbed once more toward Highstones. Moth

Flight turned to follow but, the moment she did, the moth headed back toward camp. There, it hung in the air, letting the wind toss it one way, then the other.

“Make up your mind!” Moth Flight froze, her anger melting.

Around her the wind grew stronger, sharp with the scent of rain.

Her dreams of the Moonstone flashed in her mind. The cats she’d seen there had all been accompanied by a Clanmate. And when they arrived, StarClan had given them something. Moth

Flight plucked impatiently at the grass, thinking hard. She knew it must mean something. Something that mattered now! That’s why StarClan had sent the moth to fetch her.

Not just me! Moth Flight understood. As the first drops fell from the darkening clouds, she blinked at the moth. “You want me to bring Wind Runner!” The moth fluttered closer to the camp, as though agreeing. Moth Flight hurried after it. “You want me to lead her to the Moonstone!”

As she yowled into the wind, the moth fluttered higher, its green wings bright against the gray sky. Deep in her belly, Moth

Flight knew she was right. StarClan was waiting to give Wind Runner the same gift they’d given the other cats in her dreams.

Would it save her life?

She had to try. Narrowing her eyes against the thickening rain, Moth Flight raced for camp.

Spotted Fur, Fern Leaf, and Dust Muzzle were carrying fresh prey toward the prey pile. They stared in surprise as she passed them. Swift Minnow was nosing Slate toward the shelter of the camp wall, while Reed Tail slid into Rocky’s den, a wad of comfrey in his jaws.

Black Ear sat proudly beneath the tall rock, ignoring the rain battering his muzzle. A freshly killed rabbit lay beside him.

Honey Pelt, Bubbling Stream, and Spider Paw crowded around him, their pelts soaked. “Look what I caught!” he called to Moth

Flight as she bounded past.

She slowed, glancing at the rabbit.

Bubbling Stream was sniffing it, her ears twitching with excitement. “I’m going to catch a rabbit soon,” she mewed.

Moth Flight paused. “Go and shelter with Slate and Swift Minnow,” she told them distractedly. Her attention was fixed on her den. How was she going to explain her plan to Gorse Fur?

Could Wind Runner even make it to Highstones? She has to!

Bubbling Stream scrambled out of the hollow. “Moth

Flight!” Hurt edged her mew as her mother headed away.

“Not now!” Moth Flight called. “I’m busy!”

Spider Paw jumped out of the hollow and blinked at her.

“You promised you’d play with us!”

“Shouldn’t you be taking care of your kits?” Jagged Peak padded from the shelter of the gorse, his eyes narrow with interest, while Holly watched from the shadows behind.

Moth Flight ignored him. She slid into her den. “I’ve had a sign from StarClan,” she told Gorse Fur.

Her father was crouched beside Wind Runner. He jerked around, his pelt pricking nervously. “Is she going to be okay?”

“I have to take her to the Moonstone.” Moth Flight tried to catch her breath.

“Highstones!” Gorse Fur leaped up, eyes blazing. “She can’t travel!” He swung his nose toward Wind Runner. She lay sprawled on the bed of heather, her comfrey-wrapped leg jutting awkwardly. Her eyes were half closed, whites showing through the slits.

Moth Flight stiffened, fear stabbing her heart. Was Wind Runner dead? She ducked down beside the WindClan leader, relieved to feel her mother’s flanks tremble. Her breath was fast.

Heat pulsed from her pelt.

“I’ll mix her some herbs to give her strength for the journey.” Moth Flight hurried to her store, plucking leaves from between the gorse stems.

“No!” Gorse Fur growled. “You’re not taking her anywhere.”

Moth Flight shredded a pawful of feverfew and ripped nettle, catmint, and coltsfoot onto the pile. She sprinkled poppy seeds over it, hoping they’d ease her mother’s pain without making her sleepy. She had to do everything she could to get Wind Runner to the Moonstone.

Gorse Fur’s breath billowed over her ears. “Did you hear me?”

Moth Flight looked at him. “I can’t sit and watch her die.”

“You can’t take her out there to die!” Gorse Fur’s pelt spiked with fury. “If she’s going to die, she should be with her Clan.”

“If I can get her to the Moonstone, she won’t die!” Moth Flight glared at her father. “StarClan is guiding me. I know it!”

A shadow moved at the den entrance. Jagged Peak slid in, his pelt wet with rain. “Have you spoken with StarClan?”

Moth Flight met his gaze. “In my dreams, yes!”

“And they told you to take Wind Runner to the Moonstone?”

Jagged Peak tipped his head.

“Not exactly,” Moth Flight snapped. “But I know that’s what they meant.”

Jagged Peak narrowed his eyes. “You think that’s what they meant.”

Moth Flight growled. “I know it.”

Gorse Fur padded to Wind Runner’s side and gazed down at her. “She’s in no state to travel.”

“She will be.” Moth Flight grabbed a mouthful of shredded leaves and pushed past him. She spat the scraps onto the heather beside Wind Runner’s muzzle. “Wind Runner, can you swallow these?”

Wind Runner moaned softly, but didn’t open her eyes.

Panic flashed in Moth Flight’s belly.

“Leave her in peace!”

Moth Flight felt her father’s claws drag her backward. She turned on him, hissing. “You have to trust me! You have to trust

StarClan! When Half Moon made me a medicine cat, she told me that the Clans’ destiny would one day depend on me.”

Jagged Peak leaned forward, ears flat. “What has this got to do with the Clans’ destiny?”

“I don’t know!” Moth Flight trembled with rage. “But you have to let me find out.”

Fur brushed the heather at the den entrance. A gentle mew sounded behind Jagged Peak. “Trust her, Gorse Fur.”

Dust Muzzle! Gratitude swept Moth Flight as she saw her brother’s solemn gaze. He padded past Jagged Peak and stopped in front of his father. “Has she ever been wrong?”

Gorse Fur hesitated, his eyes glittering with fear. He glanced at Wind Runner, then at Moth Flight. Finally, he dropped his gaze. “No.”

“Then let her take Wind Runner,” Dust Muzzle murmured.

Gorse Fur began to tremble. “But she’ll die.”

“Don’t be frightened, Gorse Fur.” Wind Runner’s parched mew sounded from the heather.

Moth Flight jerked around to see her mother blinking up at them.

Gorse Fur turned beside her.

Wind Runner went on. “Every cat must die. But I won’t go without a fight. I am WindClan’s leader and I must show I have courage. It will give my Clan courage. I will go to the Moonstone with Moth Flight.”

Moth Flight’s heart leaped. She trusts me!

Jagged Peak stared at the WindClan leader, his eyes round with surprise. “But you’re too weak!”

“I’ll find the strength.” Wind Runner’s eyes were clouded with pain.

“Eat these.” Moth Flight nosed the shredded leaves closer and Wind Runner turned her head to lap them from the heather.

She swallowed and gazed into Moth Flight’s eyes. “I am proud of you, Moth Flight. You are ready to fight for what you believe in.”

Joy washed through Moth Flight’s pelt. Wind Runner struggled onto her three good paws, grunting with pain as her broken leg trailed on the ground, held stiff by the swaths of comfrey. At once, Moth Flight ducked down beside her and eased the wrappings enough for her to tuck her hind paw beneath her.

Limping on three legs, Wind Runner headed past Jagged Peak.

Gorse Fur hurried after her. “I’m coming with you!”

Wind Runner swung her head around. “No.”

Gorse Fur blinked at her, clearly shocked. “But—”

She cut him off. “If I don’t make it back, WindClan will need you.” She glanced at Jagged Peak. “Gorse Fur will be the next leader.” Limping out of the den, she left Gorse Fur gazing after her.

Moth Flight’s paws trembled as she saw the helpless grief on her father’s face.

“I’ll make sure she comes home,” she promised desperately.

Please, StarClan. Save her!

She followed her mother into the clearing. Rain battered her face. It pounded the clearing and pooled among the tussocks.

The wide, dark sky glowered over the camp. She felt fur brush her flank as Dust Muzzle stopped beside her.

“We’re coming with you.” He beckoned Spotted Fur with a flick of his tail.

Spotted Fur looked up from the mouse he was eating beside the drenched prey pile. His eyes rounded, questioningly.

“We’re taking Wind Runner to the Moonstone,” Dust

Muzzle called.

Spotted Fur leaped to his paws and hurried to join them.

“Can she walk that far?” His gaze followed Wind Runner. She was padding clumsily through the tussocks.

Holly darted out from the shelter of the gorse. “She’s too ill to leave camp!”

Swift Minnow stared after her leader. “Wind Runner! Come back!”

“Where’s she going?” Storm Pelt stopped, Spider Paw clinging to his broad shoulders. Honey Pelt and Bubbling Stream stood beside him, their ears pricked.

Moth Flight blinked at Storm Pelt. “I’m taking her to the Moonstone.”

“You’ve only just got back!” Honey Pelt mewed.

Spider Paw shook the rain from his pelt. “Stay with us!”

Moth Flight avoided their gaze. I can’t, my loves. I have to save Wind Runner. Her heart seemed to crack inside her chest.

Gorse Fur padded from the medicine den. His gaze swept the watching cats. “This is something Wind Runner must do.”

He nodded to Moth Flight. “StarClan has called her and she must go.”

Moth Flight raced back to her father and pressed her cheek against his. “I’ll take care of her,” she whispered before pulling away and heading after Wind Runner.

“Moth Flight!” Blue Whisker’s mew sounded beside the heather wall. Moth Flight turned to see her kit, cowering from the rain. Her wet pelt clung to her tiny frame. She stared at her mother anxiously. “Are you leaving again?”

Moth Flight hurried to her kit and snatched her up by her scruff. Bounding across the tussocks, she dropped her at the entrance to Rocky’s den and nosed her inside. “Keep her warm and dry while I’m gone!” Her mew echoed into the heather cave.

Reed Tail stuck his head out.

“I’m taking Wind Runner to the Moonstone,” Moth Flight told him. “Take care of the Clan. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Moth Flight!” Blue Whisker’s plaintive mew sounded from the shadows.

Rocky’s rumbling purr answered her. “She’ll be back soon.”

Moth Flight turned away, sorrow weighing like a stone in her belly. Raindrops streamed from her whiskers. I’m sorry, kits.

I have to do this.

Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle had already reached Wind Runner. They walked on either side, pressing their shoulders against hers to support her. Moth Flight hurried after them, catching up as they reached the camp entrance.

Outside, the rain streaked the moorside, whipped by the wind. Wind Runner’s face was stiff with pain, her eyes firmly fixed ahead. Moth Flight slid into the lead, choosing the easiest path to the moortop.

She reached the crest first and looked back, stiffening as she realized how far behind Wind Runner had fallen, even with Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle supporting her. She glanced at the sky, wishing the clouds would clear. She’d been rabbit-brained to hope for rain! Where’s the sun? Was it slipping toward Highstones yet? They must get there before the moon rose. In her dreams, the Moonstone had blazed with moonlight when the other cats had met StarClan. Wind Runner must be there when it did.

What if the clouds didn’t clear? What if moonlight couldn’t touch the stone? Her pelt spiked. She pushed away the thought.

Just get her there! She beckoned Dust Muzzle to hurry, flicking her tail urgently. He gazed at her pleadingly. She knew he was doing his best. They couldn’t risk pushing Wind Runner too hard. But they had to get there tonight. Moth Flight guessed that her mother couldn’t survive another day’s raging fever.

She gazed through the rain to the Thunderpath below.

Monsters roared, thundering in both directions, their eyes lit up, spraying walls of water in their wake.

How would they get Wind Runner across?

She hurried down the slope, leaving Dust Muzzle and Spotted Fur to follow with Wind Runner. As she neared the bottom, where the Thunderpath cut through the grass, she slowed. Monster stench stung her eyes and burned her throat.

The ground trembled beneath her paws. She watched the gaps between monsters, trying to judge whether there would be enough time to get Wind Runner between them.

When she glanced back, her heart sank. Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle were still near the top of the slope. She’ll never be fast enough! Heart racing, she pelted toward them, circling as she reached them. Wind Runner hardly seemed to focus her gaze. Moth Flight thrust her muzzle close, smelling the rank stench of infection in her mother’s breath. Then she saw blood seeping from the wound in her neck. Rain dripped from her fur, reddened by her blood. I should have brought cobwebs! Moth Flight cursed herself for being so dumb.

“How’s she doing?” she asked Dust Muzzle.

Wind Runner paused and lifted her gaze hazily. “I’m doing okay,” she rasped.

It was strange for Moth Flight to see her mother so weak.

She’d always seemed stronger than any cat.

Dust Muzzle exchanged a look with Moth Flight. She saw fear flash in his eyes as he glimpsed the busy Thunderpath.

“We’ll never get her across there!”

“We have to,” Moth Flight told him.

Spotted Fur narrowed his eyes. “If we get the timing right, we could just do it.”

Moth Flight looked at him hopefully.

“We might have to stop in the middle,” he added.

“Stop in the middle?” Moth Flight could hardly believe her ears.

Dust Muzzle was following Spotted Fur’s gaze. “There’s a narrow channel where the monsters pass each other. If they don’t touch each other, they won’t touch us.”

Moth Flight’s belly twisted with fear as she realized they’d have to try. It was their only chance. “Okay.” She turned toward the Thunderpath and headed slowly toward it.

She could hear her mother’s breathing as she struggled to keep up. Wind Runner was fighting for every breath. Her injured hind paw was tucked beneath her. Moth Flight couldn’t imagine the pain that compelled her to keep it from trailing along the ground.

She fixed her thoughts ahead before fear could overwhelm her. We’re going to do this!

As they neared the Thunderpath, she began to judge the gaps between the monsters once more. As the rain grew heavier, the monsters seemed to slow, the gaps between them widening.

“Come on!” They had to cross while the rain was at its heaviest. She crouched at the edge of the black stone, screwing up her eyes as a monster hurtled past. Filthy water arced like a wave over her back and sprayed Spotted Fur, Dust Muzzle, and Wind Runner as they caught up.

“Give me a moment to catch my breath,” Wind Runner growled. She slumped as Dust Muzzle stepped away, her flanks heaving.

Moth Flight leaned close to her muzzle. “I hope I can be as brave as you one day.”

Wind Runner lifted her gaze. “You already are.”

“Let’s go!” Dust Muzzle nosed Moth Flight away, pressing hard against Wind Runner. A wide gap had opened between two monsters.

This was their chance. Moth Flight hopped onto the Thunderpath, pausing to make sure Wind Runner was following. Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle half carried the WindClan leader onto the stone. Wind Runner fought to find her paws. “I can do this!” she hissed through gritted teeth. Shaking the toms away, she limped forward. Moth Flight turned to face the oncoming monster. It pounded toward them, its eyes flaring.

Another monster hurtled toward them from the other direction.

“Wait here!” Spotted Fur screeched, throwing himself against Wind Runner. Moth Flight ducked into her mother. Dust

Muzzle pressed against them. Moth Flight screwed up her eyes, and her heart seemed to burst as the two monsters screamed past on either side. Foul water drenched her pelt as the ground shook beneath her paws.

“Move!” Dust Muzzle’s order was sharp.

Moth Flight opened her eyes and saw that the way to the far side was clear.

Wind Runner straightened with a groan of pain and hobbled toward the verge. Spotted Fur pushed his shoulder beneath her and urged her on. The roar of another monster screamed in Moth Flight’s ears. She turned her head, blinded by the glare of its eyes.

“Don’t look! Run!” Dust Muzzle shoved her forward and she stumbled over the edge of the Thunderpath, collapsing onto the muddy grass beyond as the paw of a monster whisked past her tail. The wind from its passing tugged her dripping fur.

“Wind Runner!” She looked around, fear shrilling through her. Wind Runner was lying on the grass a tail-length ahead.

Spotted Fur half cradled her against his belly. He struggled from beneath her. “I fell,” he grunted, shaking rainwater from his fur. Dust Muzzle hurried to help Wind Runner to her paws.

Moth Flight was on his heels. “Are you okay?” She sniffed her mother’s broken leg. The swaths of comfrey were hanging from it loosely. Wind Runner flinched as she touched it with her nose.

Moth Flight looked into her mother’s eyes, seeing agony spark in their amber depths. Then she looked back at the Thunderpath. Monsters streaked back and forth, picking up speed as the rain began to ease. The gaps closed between them.

There was no way back now. They had to keep going.

“Can you do this?” She searched Wind Runner’s gaze, praying she’d say yes.

Wind Runner nodded and struggled to her paws. Dust

Muzzle and Spotted Fur flanked her.

Moth Flight blinked through the rain, scanning the meadows ahead. Perhaps she’d find some poppy seeds along the way.

Anything to ease her mother’s suffering.

They crossed the sodden fields slowly. Mud clung to their paws as they skirted meadows and squeezed beneath hedgerows. Every few steps, Moth Flight glanced up at Highstones, hoping each time that they’d loom larger. But it seemed that, with each paw step, the great, dark cliffs were moving farther away. We’ll never make it! Staring at the ground, Moth Flight trudged on. She could hear Wind Runner swallowing back gasps of agony. Rain thrummed her pelt as the fields around them darkened. She focused on the mud clogging her paws as she tried to block the fear churning in her belly. She flattened her ears against the pained growling of Wind Runner.

Was I wrong? Doubt sliced into her thoughts. What if she’d misunderstood her dreams? What if the moth had nothing to do with StarClan? Moths and butterflies danced across the heather all greenleaf. Why was this one special?

She lifted her head, blinking at Spotted Fur and Dust Muzzle as they helped Wind Runner squeeze beneath a hedge. She could hardly see them in the darkness. Dusk was passing and night rolling in.

Had they come all this way for nothing? She stopped, frozen with fear.

“Moth Flight?” Dust Muzzle’s call jerked her from her thoughts. She stared at him as he turned from the hedge and headed toward her. “Are you all right?”

“What if I was wrong?” she whispered.

“You’re never wrong,” Dust Muzzle told her.

Moth Flight hardly heard him. “Gorse Fur said that if she’s going to die, she should be with her Clan. And we’ve taken her away from them.”

“She’s with us.” Dust Muzzle leaned closer, keeping his mew low. “And she’s not going to die.”

Moth Flight looked past him. She could just make out the shapes of Spotted Fur and Wind Runner beyond the hedge. The WindClan leader was lying on the ground. Moth Flight darted forward, panic spiraling in her chest. She wriggled under the hedge and sniffed Wind Runner’s muzzle. Was she still breathing?

“I’m just resting,” Wind Runner grunted.

Moth Flight’s paws trembled beneath her as relief swept her pelt.

“Did you think I’d give up when we were so close?” She lifted her chin from the muddy earth and looked toward Highstones.

Moth Flight blinked in surprise. They were nearly there! As she gazed up at the sheer cliff face, green wings fluttered above her. She looked up and saw the moth bobbing toward the dark opening in the stone.

Hope flared in Moth Flight’s belly. I must trust myself more!

“Come on!” She nosed Wind Runner gently to her paws. “We have to get there before the moon does.”

“Are we racing the moon?” Wind Runner glanced at her out of the corner of her eye, amusement flashing through her pain.

“I always told Gorse Fur you were a strange one…”

Affection opened like a flower in Moth Flight’s chest.

Then Wind Runner coughed, her paws buckling beneath her.

Moth Flight smelled the scent of fresh blood. She pressed her shoulder against her mother’s as Dust Muzzle slid around the other side. Wind Runner’s fur felt warm and wet and Moth

Flight guessed that her neck wound was bleeding heavily now.

Please let her make it. Praying to StarClan, she began to guide Wind Runner onward. I just hope the Moonstone can save you.