Path Of Stars

Chapter 20

Thunder fluffed out his pelt against the cold. Snow drifted at the edges of the camp. It sparkled in the moonlight, crusted by a thick frost.

Thistle and Clover bounded across the clearing, their pelts bristling with excitement.

Thistle slid to a halt in front of Thunder and stared at him eagerly. “Are all the cats going to be there?”

“From every group?” Clover thumped into her brother’s side, her paws slithering on the snowy ground.

“Most of them.” Thunder purred. The young cats’ training had made them great hunters, always eager to share the duties of their campmates. That morning they had gathered fresh bracken for Pink

Eyes’s nest and returned to the clearing, their pelts dusted with snow and a bundle of stems between their jaws. But tonight they were as excited as kits on their first time out of their den.

Milkweed hopped over the snow that drifted beside the bramble, and hurried across the clearing.

She began lapping Thistle’s tufted fur.

He ducked away, scowling.

“You must look neat,” she scolded.

Thistle glared at her indignantly. “We’ve already washed.”

“Twice,” Clover added pointedly.

Violet shifted closer to Thunder, and his heart quickened as it always did when he felt the warmth of her pelt against his. “They’ll be the handsomest kits there,” she assured Milkweed.

As Milkweed puffed out her chest, Clover’s eyes widened excitedly. “Will Tiny Branch, Dew

Petal, and Flower Foot be there?”

Thunder shook his head. “They’re too young,” he told them. “They’ll be staying in their nest with Star Flower. It’s too cold for very young kits to be out.”

Clover looked crestfallen. “Does that mean we won’t get to meet Silver Stripe, Black Ear, and White Tail?”

Milkweed whisked a tuft of fur on Clover’s back smooth with her tail. “They will be staying with Slate in their den. They’re not even a moon old.”

Thistle frowned. “Drizzle and Pine will be coming, won’t they?”

“They have to!” Clover lifted her chin. “They’re rogues! And the four trees meeting is to welcome all the rogues into our groups.”

“They’ll be there,” Thunder promised. “They’re old enough to weather the cold. River Ripple says they’ve been looking forward to it for days.”

River Ripple had suggested the full-moon gathering. Thunder hoped that the river cat’s plan would work—a formal ceremony to welcome the rogues into the groups would help worries over their loyalty be forgotten. He glanced across the clearing to where Ember sat. The tom’s eyes were narrowed, and his orange pelt showed starkly against the white snow. Would a ceremony be enough to change him from a rogue to a campmate? Would he stop hunting alone and join patrols from now on? Thunder’s ears twitched nervously. At least he’s coming to the gathering. Surely that has to be a good sign?

Cloud Spots slid from the fern tunnel. “Are we ready to leave?” he called across the clearing.

Lightning Tail and Leaf paced beside the entrance. Pink Eyes huddled beside Owl Eyes, his milky gaze bright in the moonlight.

Thunder nodded at Cloud Spots. “Let’s go.”

Lightning Tail and Leaf moved to let him pass. Violet stayed close to his side as he padded out of the camp. Thunder unsheathed his claws when he reached the edge of the ravine. The rocky ledges would be icy. He leaped onto the first wide boulder and waited while the others passed. They scrambled ahead of him and he followed, keeping close.

As he looked up to check if any cat had slipped, snow showered his face. Clover and Thistle were pushing past each other, each determined to reach the top first. Thistle lost his grip, slithering from a frosty ledge, and Thunder’s heart lurched. He braced himself to catch the falling kit, but Lightning Tail grabbed the young cat’s scruff as he tumbled past and hooked him onto a rock, holding on to him until he found his footing.

“It’s pointless to rush if you don’t get there at all,” Lightning Tail told the young cat sternly.

Thistle dipped his head. “Sorry.” Slowly he clambered onto the next ledge.

Thunder hopped up behind, shaking snow from his whiskers. His claws scraped the icy rock as he fought to keep from sliding. He reached the top with a sigh of relief and hopped onto the snowy rim.

Pink Eyes blinked into the forest as though straining to see through the shadows.

Thunder padded past him and led the way between the trees. “Stay close together.” Snow had drifted around the roots of the trees, but it was easy to find the familiar path that led toward the four trees hollow. Thunder glanced up at the snow-spattered trunks, recognizing each one easily, as though seeing old friends. This wood was his home now, and he knew it as well as he’d ever known the rabbit runs and heather trails of the moor.

Ice crunched beneath his paws as he headed deeper into the woods. As he neared the hollow, he saw fresh tracks churning the snow. Opening his mouth, he tasted the air and smelled River Ripple’s scent. The river cats had passed this way. Their scent was still fresh.

He quickened his pace, wondering if he’d catch up to them before they reached the rim of the hollow.

River Ripple was already leading his group down the slope by the time Thunder reached the edge. Thunder could see Night threading between the stems. Shattered Ice and Dappled Pelt followed her, Moss and Dawn at their heels. The bracken hid Pine and Drizzle, but he could hear their excited mewing.

“Can we stay up till dawn?” Drizzle’s question echoed through the stone-cold air.

“Let’s not go to sleep at all!” Pine squeaked. “When we get home we can go out on the ice.”

Thunder blinked. Had the river frozen?

River Ripple’s mew rumbled from the head of the group. “No kits on the ice. If it cracks, you’ll be swept under.”

Milkweed shivered as she stopped beside Thunder. “I’m glad we don’t live by the river. I’d never have let Thistle and Clover out of my sight.”

Leaf brushed past her and touched his nose to her cheek. “If they’d been raised beside a river, they’d be swimming like ducks by now. They’re fast learners.”

Clover pushed between Leaf and her mother. “Stop talking and hurry up.” She stared into the hollow.

Cats moved at the bottom, throwing moon shadows across the snowy ground.

“Everyone’s here!” Thistle hurried to the edge.

Thunder followed the young cats’ gazes. Clear Sky was weaving between his cats, his tail fluffed out. Wind Runner sat near the edge, watching the others through slitted eyes while Gorse Fur paced up and down. Thunder was pleased to see Gray Wing beside them, though the gray tom looked thin.

Moth Flight padded around Fern, sniffing anxiously at her tattered pelt. Tall Shadow sat between

Mouse Ear and Pebble Heart, while Sun Shadow leaned close to Juniper and Raven. Ears pricked and fur sleek, the mountain cat seemed comfortable beside the rogues. As River Ripple emerged from the bracken, eyes flashed in the moonlight, and heads turned to watch the river cats arrive.

“Come on.” Thunder plunged over the edge and pushed through the bracken. Snow thumped onto his back as he shook the stems. Breaking into a run, he lifted his tail as he heard the others swishing through the undergrowth behind him.

He burst into the clearing and tilted his chin.

Tall Shadow padded to meet him. “Did they come?” Her gaze flitted past him, showing relief as Ember and Violet slid from the bracken.

“Everyone’s here,” Thunder reassured her.

She glanced toward Juniper and Raven. “They like the plan.”

River Ripple joined them. “Drizzle and Pine are excited.”

Thunder gazed around the gathered cats. His heart lifted as he saw excitement shining in their eyes. A breeze whipped over the snowy clearing, sending flecks swirling in the air. Above, the black sky shimmered with stars. Moonlight sliced between the bare branches of the oak.

“Let’s begin.” Tall Shadow padded to the center. She blinked at Wind Runner, who lingered at the edge of the clearing. “Are you ready?”

Wind Runner padded across the snow and stopped beside the black she-cat. “Do you really think a few words will turn them into one of us?” She meowed loudly, eyeing Fern and Willow.

They bristled, moving closer together.

Thunder blinked in surprise at Wind Runner. “Don’t you trust her, even after what she suffered?”

Fern’s pelt still showed wounds, the fur clumped along her flanks; her eye was swollen and her nose stained with dried blood.

Moth Flight stared at her mother. “Why are you so stubborn? Bee hurt Fern because Fern refused to go with her.”

Willow lifted her chin. “We will earn your trust.”

Gray Wing padded forward. “Trust takes time, Wind Runner. But you will never feel it unless you open your heart.” His mew was rasping, hardly more than a whisper.

Thunder searched his gaze and saw weariness there. Anxiety pricked through his pelt. Gray Wing was sicker than he’d ever seen him.

Wind Runner flicked her tail. “Let’s begin the ceremony,” she mewed briskly.

Thunder saw irritation rippling through Moth Flight’s pelt. He understood the young cat’s frustration, but Gray Wing was right. Trust came with time. He glanced toward Violet. Even though he’d felt a deep connection with Violet the moment he’d seen her, Star Flower’s betrayal had taught him to be wary. As she stepped forward with the other rogues, Violet met his gaze, her amber eyes lighting with affection. Thunder nodded to her, swallowing a purr as he slid between Lightning Tail and Leaf.

Warm breath billowed in the air as the cats formed a circle around the rogues. Wind Runner padded to Gorse Fur’s side. Gray Wing nestled between Spotted Fur and Minnow. Clear Sky stood beside Nettle, his gaze fixed on Red.

The russet tom shifted his paws nervously. Thunder noticed Willow glaring at the rogue tom with undisguised contempt.

Juniper and Raven stood, heads high, while Moss and Dawn huddled close to Drizzle and Pine, shielding their kits from the icy wind.

River Ripple stood at the center. He gazed around the rogues as peace fell over the hollow. The breeze dropped, and only the sound of snow crunching beneath paws stirred the chilly air.

“Do you promise loyalty to your new campmates?” River Ripple glanced around the rogues.

“Yes.” Willow was the first to answer. The others murmured their agreement.

Thunder narrowed his eyes, watching Ember. Had the orange tom spoken along with the others?

He pricked his ears as River Ripple went on.

“Will you hunt for them and fight for them? Protect them when they are weak and stand by them when they are strong?”

“Yes!” Raven fluffed out his fur, his gaze flashing toward Tall Shadow.

Drizzle’s mew piped up. “I’m not allowed to hunt yet.” She sounded worried. “Does that mean I can’t be part of the group?”

River Ripple purred, fixing his gaze on the kit. “Will you promise to fight and hunt for us when you’re old enough?”

“Yes!” Drizzle nodded her head eagerly.

“Then you are part of our group.” He lifted his gaze to the stars. “Our ancestors have watched us tonight. They have heard the promise you have made to your new campmates. May you keep it always, for their sake and all of ours.”

Thunder purred loudly. Beside him, Lighting Tail’s eyes shone with satisfaction. Murmurs of approval rippled among the watching cats, while the rogues blinked at one another proudly.

Dawn lifted her tail. “I want to change my name so that I sound more like a forest cat.”

River Ripple blinked at her. “What would you like to be called?”

“Dawn Mist.” The orange-and-white queen puffed out her chest.

“I want to be called Willow Tail!” Willow called.

“Fern Leaf!” Fern’s mew sounded beside her friend.

Clear Sky padded to River Ripple’s side. “Taking a new name is a great idea!” He looked expectantly at Red. “Will you change yours?”

Red purred. “Call me Red Claw from now on.”

Clear Sky dipped his head. “A good name for a fine hunter.”

River Ripple turned to Moss. “Would you like to change your name?”

“Yes.” Moss’s whiskers twitched happily. “I’d like to be known as Moss Tail.”

“And I want to be Pine Needle!” Pine mewed beside his father.

River Ripple glanced expectantly at Drizzle.

She was staring thoughtfully at her paws. As silence fell around her, she lifted her head. “Do I have to change my name?” Worry sparkled in her eyes. “I like being Drizzle.”

River Ripple purred. “You can be Drizzle for as long as you like.”

Drizzle gazed at him gratefully with round, blue eyes. “Thank you.”

Tall Shadow nodded toward Juniper and Raven. “Do you want new names?”

Juniper nodded. “Will you choose them for us?”

Tall Shadow frowned, her eyes clouding with thought.

Sun Shadow blinked at her. “What about Juniper Branch?”

“And Raven Pelt!” Pebble Heart chimed in.

Tall Shadow faced her new campmates. “Do you like those names?”

Juniper purred loudly. “Yes.”

Raven dipped his head. “May I join the first patrol tomorrow?” he asked. “As Raven Pelt?”

Tall Shadow’s eyes shone. “You can lead it, if you like.” She glanced toward Sun Shadow, Mud

Paws, and Mouse Ear as though searching for approval. As they nodded, Jagged Peak stepped forward. “You can show us new places to hunt.”

Holly whisked her tail. “You said there was a great place to hunt frogs near the Thunderpath.”

Thunder wrinkled his nose. Did the pine cats eat frogs?

Reed padded forward. “I’ve been a moor cat for many moons, and I think my name should reflect that.”

“Mine too!” Minnow hurried to join him. “I’d like to be Swift Minnow.”

Wind Runner blinked at them in surprise. “But—”

Reed interrupted her. “I know you don’t like change, Wind Runner. But I’d appreciate it if you’d call me Reed Tail from now on.”

“Reed Tail.” Wind Runner echoed the words, her pelt rippling uncomfortably along her spine.

“Okay.”

River Ripple nodded to Thunder. “Are your cats going to take new names?”

Thunder glanced at Violet. “You’ll have to ask them.”

Violet gazed at him warmly, as though there were no other cats in the hollow. “I’d like to be

Violet Dawn,” she mewed huskily.

“Violet Dawn.” Thunder repeated her new name dreamily. “That’s beautiful.”

He jerked from his thoughts as River Ripple turned to Ember. “And what about you? Do you want a new name now that you’re part of Thunder’s group?”

Ember stared at him. “Just because I sleep in the same camp doesn’t mean I want to change who I am.”

Tall Shadow’s tail quivered. “I guess he doesn’t have to change his name,” she meowed cautiously. “Drizzle kept her old name.”

River Ripple ignored her. His gaze was fixed on Ember. “Are you part of Thunder’s group or not?” he asked softly but firmly.

Ember eyed him challengingly. “Thunder lets me sleep in his camp. Does that mean I have to act like we’re kin?”

Thunder shivered. Ember sounded hostile. Was it safe to let him stay in the ravine?

River Ripple hadn’t moved. “You’ve just promised to hunt for your campmates and protect them when they are weak and stand beside them when they are strong. Isn’t that a little like being kin?”

Ember snorted. “Slash never expected anything of us. Our lives were our own.”

Anger surged beneath Thunder’s pelt. He darted forward and faced the orange rogue. “Your lives were never your own with Slash. You had to obey every word he said!”

A vicious snarl sounded from the high rock.

Thunder spun, his eyes widening as he saw the thin, muscly outline of Slash. The rogue was glaring down at them, lit by moonlight at the top of the boulder. Thunder’s fur lifted along his spine.

Had the rogue come here to fight?

“No one ever had to obey me,” Slash hissed. “They could have left if they wanted.”

“That’s not true.” Fern limped forward and glared at Slash. “You said you’d hurt Beech if I didn’t come back.”

“So?” Slash curled his lip. “Beech died anyway.” As he spoke, Bee padded from behind Slash.

Fern recoiled, hissing.

More shapes moved at the bottom of the rock. Splinter, Beetle, and Snake emerged from the shadows and faced the gathered cats.

Thunder pushed his way through his campmates and glared at Slash. Anger churned in his belly.

“How dare you come here!”

Slash looked past him, his gaze flicking over his old campmates. Moss Tail and Dawn Mist moved closer to their kits. Willow Tail shifted her paws. Fear showed in Red Claw’s eyes. “Thank you for looking after the weakest members of my group,” Slash hissed. “But it’s time for them to come home now.”

Thunder stiffened. These rogues had just pledged loyalty to their new campmates. Surely they wouldn’t leave now? Could Slash bully them into returning to their old group?

Wind Runner backed away, her pelt spiking. Her distrustful gaze flicked over Willow Tail and Fern Leaf.

She thinks they will betray us! Thunder’s heart pounded in his ears. Prove her wrong! He stiffened as Ember barged his way through the gathered cats and padded toward the high rock. “I want to come back,” he told Slash.

Slash’s eyes lit up with triumph. “Of course you do. Bee’s told me what a bunch of simpering mouse-hearts these cats are.” He glared at Thunder. “Perhaps you’d like to join us. Your skills are wasted on these chattering pigeons!”

Thunder growled. “Never!” He braced himself, ready to defend his campmates. His thoughts quickened. Violet Dawn would fight beside him. Lightning Tail too. Every cat he’d grown up beside would face these rogues at his side.

But what about the others? He glanced toward Juniper Branch and Raven Pelt. He hardly knew them. What if they joined Slash? Gray Wing was clearly not as strong as he used to be. If a fight broke out, protecting him would be tricky. Suddenly Thunder felt vulnerable. The wind moaned through the branches overhead as the cats glared at one another.

“I will never share a camp with you again.” Moss Tail’s hiss cut through the icy air.

“Nor me!” Dawn Mist stiffened beside her mate.

“I belong to Clear Sky’s group now!” Red Claw padded forward and stopped at Clear Sky’s side.

“I am loyal to him.”

Thunder glanced at Juniper Branch, Raven Pelt, Willow Tail, and Fern Leaf as they lined up beside their new campmates, hackles high.

Relief swept through his fur. He stared at Slash. “Take Ember and go,” he snarled. “We didn’t take your weakest cats. We took your strongest.” Pride swelled in his chest.

Slash glared at him angrily. “You can keep them,” he hissed. “But don’t think you’ve won. Go back to your camps, you mouse-brains. You’ll learn quickly enough the price you’ve paid for defying me.”