River Of Fire

CHAPTER 14

Frosty lightning flashed over the forest for a heartbeat, leaving Violetshine blinking as the dim, leafy daylight surged back. She winced as thunder crashed overhead and rolled on through the trees until she felt as if her head would burst with the sound.

“Fox dung!” Sandynose, who was leading the hunting patrol, let out a furious exclamation as the sound died away. “I nearly had that blackbird, until the lightning scared it off.”

Macgyver winced from the noise and dropped the mouse he had just caught. “Maybe we should call it a day,” he suggested.

Before he had finished speaking, Violetshine could feel a chilly wind rising. Branches above her began to creak, and dead leaves whirled in the air. All three cats exchanged alarmed glances.

“I think you’re right,” Sandynose meowed. “Let’s take what we’ve caught so far and head back to camp. This is going to be a powerful storm!”

Violetshine gazed upward to where dark clouds were massing, covering the setting sun and casting an eerie twilight over the forest. She shivered as the first icy drops of rain splashed onto her fur.

The words of the prophecy crept unbidden into her mind: The dark sky must not herald a storm.

The ominous prediction reminded her of how she had talked to Puddleshine and Tawnypelt over the last quarter moon. She knew that Puddleshine wasn’t sure that ShadowClan should rise again, or that StarClan would support Tawnypelt as leader.

But what if that’s a mistake? Violetshine wondered, shivering more deeply at the thought. Is this the storm we’ve been warned about? Are we too late to stop it?

Macgyver picked up his mouse again while Violetshine fetched the squirrel she had left among the roots of an oak tree, and Sandynose retrieved another mouse and a thrush. Carrying their prey, the three cats set off at a fast trot toward the SkyClan camp. The rain grew heavier with every paw step they took, until the sound grew to a steady pattering on the canopy. The trees shielded the cats from the worst of the deluge, though Violetshine flinched at the lash of icy rain whenever wind thrust the branches apart.

As she followed Sandynose, Violetshine spotted the gleam of a golden pelt among the trees several fox-lengths away. It vanished almost at once; Violetshine paused for a moment, her whiskers twitching in puzzlement as she gazed after it.

Was that Sleekwhisker? she asked herself. Where does she think she’s going, all by herself?

It wasn’t wrong for warriors to hunt alone, or just to go for a walk, but it was odd for any cat to be heading away from camp when the storm was getting worse with every heartbeat.

Then Violetshine shrugged. Maybe it wasn’t Sleekwhisker. And even if it was, it’s none of my business what she does. I might say something to Leafstar, though, once the storm is over.

“Hey, Violetshine!” Sandynose called back to her. “Are you coming, or do you want to get soaked all the way through?”

Violetshine raced to catch up with her Clanmates. As they drew closer to the camp, she could feel anxiety prickling through her pelt, as though she were trying to push her way through a thicket of brambles. She knew it wasn’t because of the odd sighting of Sleekwhisker, but she couldn’t think of any other reason.

What’s the matter with me? she asked herself.

Then, as she approached the fern barrier that surrounded the camp, Violetshine suddenly began to understand. Tree! I hope he’s okay!

She thrust her way into the camp, her pelt soaked as she brushed against the walls of the tunnel. Emerging into the open again, Violetshine felt a sudden rush of relief as she spotted the muscular yellow tom crouching in the shelter of a boulder, with Sparrowpelt and Blossomheart close beside him.

Around them the life of the Clan seemed to be carrying on as usual, with cats gathered around the fresh-kill pile and Hawkwing calling another patrol together, ready to go out. The rain had eased, but wind still buffeted the cats’ fur.

Violetshine bounded across to Tree, pausing only to drop her squirrel onto the fresh-kill pile. “Are you okay?” she asked.

Tree stretched his jaws in a yawn. “Fine,” he replied at last. “We’re all fine.”

“If this StarClan-cursed storm doesn’t get any worse,” Sparrowpelt muttered.

As if his words were a signal, a fiercer gust of wind hit the camp. It swept leaves, twigs, and debris into the air; Violetshine blinked at the sting of grit blowing into her eyes. Around the camp, the pine trees swayed and dipped with the force of the blast. Flowerpaw, the smallest of the apprentices, was knocked off her paws and lay on her back, waving her legs and tail in the air, until her mentor, Scorchfur, bounded over to her and hauled her upright again.

A frightened squeal came from the nursery. Puddleshine, who had just emerged from the medicine cats’ den, broke into a sudden dash across the camp to check on the three she-cats and their kits.

“Take cover!” Leafstar yowled, emerging from the mouth of her den. “No cat must leave camp!”

Her words were almost lost in the howl of the wind and the buffeting of pine branches. An even stronger gust pushed Violetshine under the boulder next to Tree, and was followed by a horrific crack from somewhere overhead.

Craning her neck out of shelter, Violetshine saw the top of one of the pine trees tear loose, whirl in the air for a heartbeat as if it were a twig, then come barreling down into the camp.

“StarClan, no!” she shrieked as the tree landed with a deafening thump on top of the apprentices’ den, shattering the bramble walls. A cloud of dust billowed into the air. For a couple of heartbeats the sight of the devastation was blotted out.

Thrusting down panic, Violetshine hurled herself across the camp toward the ruined den, with Tree, Sparrowpelt, and Blossomheart hard on her paws. With Hawkwing in the lead, more of her Clanmates converged on the den, too, yowling the names of the apprentices. “Flowerpaw! Whorlpaw! Snakepaw! Reedpaw! Dewpaw!”

Meanwhile Leafstar bounded into the center of the camp and let out a piercing caterwaul, rising above the noise of the wind. “Apprentices! Report to me!”

Violetshine glanced around to see the young cats scurrying up to their Clan leader, Flowerpaw still shaking dust out of her pelt. Breathlessly she counted, until she realized that all the apprentices were safely in the open. She saw Leafstar’s shoulders sag with relief.

“Thank StarClan!” she exclaimed. “Right, every cat take cover. Apprentices, you’ll have to go in with the warriors for now.”

“Yes!” Whorlpaw’s eyes stretched wide. “We’ll be great warriors, we promise!”

They won’t be so pleased when they have to rebuild their den, Violetshine thought.

She was heading for the warriors’ den, thrusting hard against the force of the wind, when Strikestone exclaimed, “Wait!”

Violetshine turned to see him staring out across the camp in the direction of the lake.

“I can smell smoke!” he announced. “And there’s a red glow in the sky!”

Violetshine parted her jaws to taste the air, and picked up an acrid tang flowing over her scent glands. Following Strikestone’s gaze, she spotted the dull red glow, and thought she could see wisps of smoke rising for a heartbeat before the wind whipped them away.

“Lightning must have struck and started a fire,” Hawkwing meowed. “Could it be in one of the other Clans?”

Panic stabbed through Violetshine at her father’s words. She remembered the vision her sister had told her about, of fire raging through a camp. Could ThunderClan be in danger? she asked herself. Oh no—Twigpaw!

“This isn’t the time to find out,” Leafstar replied to her deputy. “The storm is too dangerous! We must take cover and ride it out, and then when it’s over we can start to fix the apprentices’ den, and send out patrols to check on the other Clans.”

Several of the SkyClan cats had already retreated to their dens, and the rest hurried to obey their leader’s command. But the former ShadowClan warriors stayed where they were, shifting their paws uneasily. Sleekwhisker isn’t with them, Violetshine noticed.

“Get inside!” Leafstar yowled. “Have you got bees in your brain?”

Tawnypelt stepped up to her with a respectful dip of her head. “Maybe it’s different for SkyClan,” she began, “since you’re not used to having other Clans around. But we can’t let another Clan suffer, if they might need our help.”

Violetshine thought that there was a leader-like glint in the tortoiseshell’s green eyes. We’re right, she thought. Tawnypelt would make a strong leader for ShadowClan.

Leafstar glared at her. “Are you implying that SkyClan cares less for other Clans than ShadowClan does?” she spat furiously. “Because that isn’t true. We care about all the Clans, but my first responsibility is to SkyClan—and in case you forgot, you’re a SkyClan cat now, Tawnypelt. And I just ordered you to go inside!”

For an uncomfortable moment that Violetshine thought was stretching out for seasons, Tawnypelt stayed still. The storm had begun to fade. Wind still ruffled their fur, yet the rain was easing off. The last icy drops lashed their faces, though the sky remained an ominous gray.

The storm could start again at any moment, Violetshine thought.

“I’m sorry, Leafstar, but I can’t,” Tawnypelt mewed in response to her Clan leader. “I’m going to find out where the fire is, and see if another Clan needs help.”

“I’ll go too,” Juniperclaw added, stepping up beside Tawnypelt.

Rowanclaw joined them. “And me.”

Violetshine felt dreadfully torn. She wanted to obey her Clan leader, but she couldn’t help thinking that Tawnypelt was right. And she couldn’t stifle her terrible anxiety about her sister.

She glanced at Hawkwing, who was standing beside her. “Twigpaw,” she whispered.

Her father nodded. “Leafstar, I mean no disrespect,” he began, “but I have a daughter in another Clan. I really need to find the fire and check out if Twigpaw is okay.”

“I’d like to go too,” Violetshine meowed.

Leafstar gazed at them, understanding and irritation warring in her eyes. Violetshine could see concern there, too. “You’re making the choice to take a huge risk,” she pointed out.

“I know,” Hawkwing replied. “But we will be careful.”

Leafstar hesitated for a heartbeat more, then let out a long sigh as she nodded reluctantly. “Very well. Hawkwing, you’re in charge,” she declared, with a stern look at Tawnypelt.

Violetshine padded just behind her father and Tawnypelt as the patrol headed out into the forest. By now night had fallen; only a few fitful gleams of moonlight struggled through the trees to guide their paws.

Tawnypelt was casting awkward glances at the SkyClan deputy.

“I didn’t mean to undermine Leafstar,” she mewed at last. “I just needed to check on the other Clans.”

Hawkwing was looking straight ahead, not meeting Tawnypelt’s gaze. “You must decide who is leader,” he told her. “Leafstar or you. Because right now, it doesn’t feel like we’re one Clan. It feels like we’re two Clans sharing the same camp. And that isn’t fair to SkyClan.”

Tawnypelt looked taken aback at Hawkwing’s brusque tone. Slackening her pace, she dropped back to walk beside Rowanclaw; Violetshine shot her a sympathetic glance as she passed her to take the lead beside her father.

I know Tawnypelt is trying to do the right thing, she thought. She said that if StarClan approved, she would take over as leader of ShadowClan.

But Violetshine also knew that Puddleshine was still waiting for a sign from StarClan. And no sign had come at the last half-moon meeting.

Tawnypelt is in a really awkward position.

Violetshine wasn’t sure whether ShadowClan should rise again. The storm was telling every cat that StarClan wasn’t happy with the way things were, but even if the wind and rain continued for seasons, the cats would be no closer to understanding what StarClan wanted from ShadowClan or its former warriors.

Why can’t StarClan just say what they want, in a straightforward way—like Tree?

Hawkwing broke into Violetshine’s thoughts. “How are you coping with life as a warrior?” he asked her. “I know you must be missing Twigpaw.”

Violetshine nodded. “Being a warrior is great,” she replied. “But I wish Twigpaw had stayed with us. I was so happy when I thought we would be warriors together, in the same Clan.”

“I miss her too,” Hawkwing agreed. “But I think it was the right decision for her. She’ll be happy in ThunderClan.”

“I hope so,” Violetshine murmured. “I hope she’ll be okay.”

“Me too,” Hawkwing meowed fervently. Glancing at Violetshine with warmth in his eyes, he added, “You’re really finding your place in the Clan, aren’t you?”

“I think so,” Violetshine responded. “It’s great to—”

“And I think you’re finding your place with a certain other cat, too.”

Hot embarrassment flooded over Violetshine. “I don’t know what you mean,” she mumbled, all the while sure that she did know what her father meant.

“I’ve seen you and Tree spending time together,” Hawkwing continued, amusement in his voice. “I’m glad you’ve found each other. Tree is a bit weird, but I think he has a good heart. He would probably make a good father.”

Violetshine felt even more embarrassed and confused, though at the same time she was pleased that her father approved of Tree. But I don’t want to talk about having kits with him! It’s way too soon for that!

She sought desperately for some way to change the subject, but before she could decide what to say, Hawkwing halted and pointed with his tail. “Look!” he exclaimed. “We can see the fire now. It’s coming from RiverClan territory. Come on!” he urged, glancing back at the ShadowClan cats who followed him.

Hawkwing picked up the pace until the patrol was racing through the forest. Ahead of her Violetshine could see leaping flames, and as they drew closer, she could hear the crackling of fire and the screeches of panic-stricken cats.

“Faster!” Hawkwing yowled.

The sounds were dying away by the time the patrol broke out of the trees near the halfbridge and pelted across the little Thunderpath. Ahead, Violetshine saw a smoldering glow in the direction of the RiverClan camp, with clouds of smoke surging around it. A small group of cats was huddled together at the edge of the lake.

So few! Violetshine thought, fear gripping her with icy claws. Are we too late?

She halted, panting, on the lakeshore as the RiverClan deputy, Reedwhisker, staggered forward and dipped his head to Hawkwing.

“What happened?” Hawkwing asked. “Where’s Mistystar?”

“Lightning struck a tree,” Reedwhisker answered. His eyes were wild and his fur was bristling. “It caught fire and fell on our camp. And I don’t know where Mistystar is.”

Willowshine limped forward to stand at Reedwhisker’s shoulder. “I think she and some of the others escaped the other way, toward WindClan,” she replied. “Oh, StarClan, I hope so!”

“What can we do to help?” Hawkwing asked.

Reedwhisker and Willowshine exchanged a glance; both cats looked overwhelmed.

“We need shelter,” Reedwhisker responded at last.

“And help with healing,” Willowshine added. “The fire destroyed our store of herbs. Mothwing was badly hurt trying to save them.”

Glancing past her, Violetshine spotted the golden-pelted medicine cat lying stretched out on the ground, and her belly clenched with compassion. Mothwing was so limp and still that she almost looked like she was dead.

She’s so brave! She could have gotten herself killed, trying to save the herbs for her Clan.

While Hawkwing and the ShadowClan cats began to discuss what was best to do, Violetshine gazed along the shoreline. By now the fire was dying down, leaving blackened debris at the water’s edge. Beyond the stream that marked the border, she caught sight of small, dark figures moving to and fro, half hidden by the swirling smoke.

“Look!” she called out.

Reedwhisker spun around and let out a cry of pure relief. “Our Clanmates!”

Seeming suddenly energized, he headed along the water’s edge, hardly seeming to notice the scraps of smoldering bark and twigs. The other RiverClan cats streamed after him, while Hawkwing followed more cautiously with his patrol.

As they drew closer, Violetshine recognized Mistystar among the group on the far side of the stream, along with the rest of her Clan. Most were on their paws, though a few were lying on the ground, clearly injured.

But at least they’re safe, Violetshine thought.

She saw too that more cats were gathered around; she spotted Bramblestar, Ambermoon, Larksong, and other warriors from ThunderClan and WindClan. And a slender, gray figure who was achingly familiar. There’s Twigpaw! she realized with a sudden lifting of her heart.

“Typical ThunderClan,” Juniperclaw muttered from just behind her. “Always sticking their whiskers in.”

Violetshine ignored him. Bounding forward, she reached the edge of the border stream and called out to her sister. “Twigpaw! You’re okay!”

Twigpaw stumbled up to the water’s edge; her pelt was soaked and plastered to her body, she was limping on three legs, and she looked exhausted.

“What happened to you?” Violetshine asked, full of anxiety for her sister.

“Twigpaw is a hero,” Alderheart replied, padding up to the bank of the stream. “She saved Softpaw.”

“Really? Oh, well done!” Violetshine exclaimed. She could see the small, dark gray RiverClan apprentice crouching beside the stream. She looked battered, but out of danger, and she was gazing at Twigpaw with eyes full of gratitude.

Beside Violetshine, Hawkwing let out a purr of praise. “Twigpaw, I’m so proud of you,” he meowed.

Twigpaw’s legs were shaking, and she ducked her head to give her chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks, but her eyes were shining. “I just did what any cat would have done,” she murmured.

Meanwhile, Bramblestar stepped forward and dipped his head to the cats who had just arrived. “We’re discussing what to do next,” he explained. “ThunderClan and WindClan are going to divide up the RiverClan cats to take shelter in our camps.”

“But that’s mouse-brained!” Tawnypelt exclaimed.

Even though Violetshine knew that Tawnypelt was Bramblestar’s sister, she was still shocked that any warrior would address a Clan leader like that.

“If RiverClan needs a place to stay,” Tawnypelt went on, “they should stay in ShadowClan’s old camp. It’s empty, and it’s closer. They—”

She broke off suddenly with a sideways glance at Hawkwing, who returned her look with whiskers twitching, as if he was saying, That wasn’t your offer to make.

But after a moment’s pause, Hawkwing gave a brief nod. “That seems sensible,” he meowed. “You could stay there until you can get your own camp back in order—if Leafstar agrees.”

Mistystar blinked at him gratefully. “Thank you,” she responded. “RiverClan will not forget this day.”

As the RiverClan leader began to gather her cats together, Violetshine felt a purr welling up from deep inside her chest. She finally felt hope that RiverClan’s long estrangement from the other Clans was over.

Violetshine’s belly churned with nervousness as she followed Hawkwing into the SkyClan camp. The RiverClan cats crowded in behind her.

Leafstar is already losing patience. What is she going to think about this?

The center of the camp was empty when Violetshine and the others arrived, but the sound of the new arrivals brought heads popping out of the warriors’ den to see what was going on. Soon cats were emerging into the open, staring at the huge crowd.

“Great StarClan!” Sparrowpelt exclaimed. “How are we going to find space for all these cats?”

No cat answered him; instead a murmur of anticipation broke out as Leafstar appeared from her den, leaped over the cedar roots, and bounded up to meet Hawkwing and Mistystar beside the stream.

“Greetings, Leafstar,” Mistystar mewed, bowing her head with deepest respect.

“Greetings,” Leafstar responded with an irritable flick of her tail. To Hawkwing she added, “What’s all this about?”

Violetshine thought her leader looked startled, and not at all pleased as she surveyed the RiverClan cats. She wondered what would happen if Leafstar decided to refuse them shelter and ordered her Clan to drive them out of SkyClan territory.

She wouldn’t do that . . . would she?

Hawkwing explained how the fire had led his patrol to the RiverClan camp. “I thought it would be a good idea if the RiverClan cats stayed in the old ShadowClan camp,” he continued. Violetshine noticed that he didn’t say it had been Tawnypelt’s idea. “Only temporarily, of course. I hope you don’t mind that I offered.”

“Of course not,” Leafstar responded. “After all the help the other Clans have given us, it’s the least we can do.”

For all the friendliness in Leafstar’s words, Violetshine thought she could detect an edge in the Clan leader’s voice. However, all Leafstar did was to beckon Juniperclaw, Bellaleaf, and Plumwillow.

“Escort the RiverClan cats to the old ShadowClan camp,” she ordered. “And see that they have everything that they need.”

“My Clan and I thank you, Leafstar.” Mistystar bowed her head again. “We are in your debt. And you can be sure that we won’t trespass on your generosity for long.”

Leafstar acknowledged Mistystar’s words with a nod. Her voice sounded a little warmer as she added, “It’s good to see you again.”

The SkyClan leader remained standing in the center of the camp while the RiverClan cats filed out through the fern tunnel, accompanied by their escort. When they were gone, Leafstar flicked her ears to summon Tawnypelt to her side. Violetshine could feel the tension between the two cats, as if another, even worse storm were about to break.

“Leafstar, I’m sorry,” Tawnypelt began. “I meant no disrespect when—”

“Enough!” Leafstar interrupted in a cool, crisp voice. “Tawnypelt, you and the other former ShadowClan cats must decide which you want to be: ShadowClan or SkyClan. If you want to be ShadowClan, you must get off SkyClan territory. If you want to be SkyClan, you must never question my judgment again.”

Tawnypelt’s tail drooped. “Of course, Leafstar,” she responded with a dip of her head.

A murmur rose among the listening crowd of cats. None of them sounded happy, and the former ShadowClan warriors were exchanging disturbed glances.

Violetshine’s gaze sought out Puddleshine. The medicine cat looked deeply troubled—just as troubled as she felt.

I don’t think this is the end of it, Violetshine thought. What is going to happen to ShadowClan?