Shattered Sky

Chapter 13

Violetpaw crouched over the body of a fat wood pigeon, tearing at the succulent flesh. All around her, Darktail and his Kin were gulping down their prey. The sun felt warm on Violetpaw’s back, and from close by she could hear the gentle gurgling of the streams that bordered the RiverClan camp.

It must have been so beautiful here, before Darktail and his rogues attacked.

“Wow, I’ve never seen a pigeon disappear so fast,” Darktail meowed, looking up at Violetpaw from the rabbit he was eating. His eyes gleamed teasingly. “Maybe you’d like some of this rabbit as well.”

Scorchfur, one of the last remaining ShadowClan warriors, pricked up his ears and frowned, as if he couldn’t believe Darktail’s good-humored tone. But he didn’t speak, instead running to carry a squirrel to his mate, Snowbird, who was in the nursery with her kits.

Violetpaw had to choke down her mouthful; she trusted Darktail even less when he was being friendly. “No thanks, Darktail. I’m not even sure I can finish this.”

“Well, tell me if you change your mind,” Darktail responded. “We can’t have you starving, can we?”

As he spoke, Scorchfur came back, hesitated for a moment, and then meowed, “Maybe we should give the leftover prey to the RiverClan prisoners—and to Needletail. They’re beginning to look really skinny. After all,” he added with a glance toward the center of the camp, where the prisoners were kept, “if we’re going to keep them prisoner, isn’t it our responsibility to see that they’re healthy?”

Violetpaw spotted Darktail narrowing his eyes, his muzzle tensing in anger, then an instant later relaxing. His voice was calm as he replied to Scorchfur.

“Of course I’m feeding the prisoners well. Do you have any reason to think otherwise?”

Scorchfur glared at Darktail, hatred shining visibly in his eyes. Looking from one cat to the other, Violetpaw felt her neck fur prickle with fear. Don’t say it, she pleaded silently. Snowbird is still nursing your kits—don’t make her struggle for prey while you’re punished by Darktail.

Slowly, Darktail rose to his paws and padded over to Scorchfur, thrusting his face within a mouse-length of the dark gray warrior’s.

“Scorchfur,” he meowed softly, “do you doubt my ability to lead my Kin? Perhaps you’re not truly my Kin. Not every cat is. Perhaps you would be happier somewhere else?”

Scorchfur was silent for a few more heartbeats. “No, Darktail,” he blurted out at last. “Of course I don’t doubt you. Of course you know what’s best.”

For a long moment, Darktail did not move, staring into Scorchfur’s eyes. At last, when Violetpaw thought she could not bear the tension any longer, he gave a curt nod and padded back to where he had left his rabbit, close beside Sleekwhisker.

Scorchfur choked down the rest of his vole, then rose and stumbled away, followed by the other ShadowClan warriors who had been eating with them.

“Don’t go far,” Darktail called after him. “The prisoners’ den needs to be cleaned out soon.”

Poor Scorchfur, Violetpaw thought. He should have kept his mouth shut. Now that there were no apprentices, Darktail saved the worst jobs for cats who had angered him. Poor Puddleshine had cleaned the prisoners’ den last. Violetpaw still felt a flutter of guilt when she remembered the terrible confrontation where she’d gotten him into trouble. Fortunately, even Darktail seemed to realize that the Kin needed a medicine cat too badly for Puddleshine to remain on cleaning duty for long.

When Scorchfur and the others were gone, Sleekwhisker let out an exaggerated sigh. “When will all the ShadowClan warriors leave? It’s obvious they don’t understand how you work, Darktail. They’re not worthy of your leadership!”

Darktail turned a baleful gaze on her. “Don’t forget that you were once a ShadowClan cat,” he reminded her.

“I haven’t thought of myself as ShadowClan for a long time,” Sleekwhisker responded boldly. “I’m Kin now, through and through. I was one of the first cats to join you, while these other mange-pelts were ShadowClan right up to the time you took over the territory. And the sooner they leave, the better.”

She leaned over so that her pelt brushed Darktail’s, but the rogue leader turned a sharp glance on her, making her ease away.

“You shouldn’t wish for that!” Darktail snapped. “We need the ShadowClan cats. Even with our kittypet friends and our new Kin, we’re still outnumbered by the Clan warriors.”

That’s Darktail’s own fault, Violetpaw thought. He shouldn’t have done whatever he did to Dawnpelt and the others!

“Wow, I’m stuffed!” she exclaimed, rising to her paws and grabbing up the remains of her pigeon. “I can’t finish this,” she mumbled through the mouthful of feathers.

Darktail and the rest of his Kin seemed not to be paying any attention to her. Violetpaw carried the pigeon over to the refuse pile and dropped it there, her nose wrinkling at the stink of rotting crow-food.

This is disgusting, she thought. We never left food to rot in the ShadowClan camp.

With two territories in which to hunt, the Kin were never short of prey. Violetpaw was revolted by how much they wasted, especially when Darktail kept the prisoners starving.

Glancing over her shoulder to make sure that no cat was watching her, Violetpaw slipped through a clump of long grass and wriggled toward an elder bush where she had stashed a particularly fat vole. She had to claw her way through the tangled stems, taking so long to find it that, for a moment, she was afraid that some other creature had come by and stolen her prey.

Then she relaxed as she spotted the smooth curve of the vole’s pelt. Grabbing it in her jaws, she headed for the bramble thicket where the prisoners were guarded.

Violetpaw dropped the vole out of sight behind a rock, then strolled up to Zelda and Yarrowleaf, who were on guard. “Hi,” she meowed. “I’ll keep watch for a bit, if you want to go eat.”

Zelda’s eyes lit up, while Yarrowleaf swiped her tongue around her jaws. “Great!” she exclaimed. “My belly thinks my throat’s been torn out.”

Both she-cats vanished rapidly in the direction of the fresh-kill pile.

When they were gone, Violetpaw retrieved the vole and slid through the bramble tendrils until she reached the clear space in the middle of the thicket where the prisoners lived.

For a moment, none of them realized that Violetpaw was there. Icewing and Mintfur lay stretched out close together; Violetpaw could see every one of their ribs. Icewing’s wound showed red and angry, and Violetpaw realized that Puddleshine had not treated it with any medicine. He had not been allowed to. Reedwhisker was curled up asleep. Brackenpelt was trying to groom herself, but the effort of simply turning her head seemed to exhaust her. She flopped down, panting, on her side after a few feeble licks.

Needletail was pacing in the confined space, and as she turned, she spotted Violetpaw. “You again!” she muttered, padding up to her. “You shouldn’t take these kinds of risks. Darktail will have your fur off if he finds you here.”

“I’ve brought you some more food,” Violetpaw replied, dropping the vole at Needletail’s paws. Pain clawed at her heart as she saw how tired and defeated her friend looked. “And I’m careful. Darktail won’t find out. Come on, eat.”

Needletail fell on the prey and snatched it up, but instead of starting to eat, she carried it over to the RiverClan prisoners. Violetpaw stared in surprise, her heart warmed by her friend’s unselfishness.

“Violetpaw’s here again,” Needletail mewed. “She’s brought you some food.”

The RiverClan cats looked up listlessly, their interest suddenly sharpening as they caught the scent of vole.

“Thank StarClan!” Brackenpelt breathed out, her jaws starting to water.

Violetpaw watched as the prisoners devoured the vole; it was gone in a few heartbeats, and they only got a couple of mouthfuls each. She noticed that Needletail didn’t take any—she just looked on as the others ate.

“We can’t hang on like this,” Mintfur meowed when the last scrap of prey had vanished. “Darktail is the cruelest cat I’ve ever known.”

“Hush!” Brackenpelt gave Mintfur a warning prod. “Violetpaw is one of Darktail’s cats.”

“I don’t care!” Mintfur retorted. “Darktail is cruel.” She glared up at Violetpaw. “Tell him what I said, and let him do what he likes.”

“I won’t tell him anything,” Violetpaw responded. “I think he’s cruel, too.”

“So why do you follow him?” Reedwhisker asked, surprised.

“She doesn’t follow him, mouse-brain,” Needletail pointed out with an irritated twitch of her whiskers. “Would she bring you prey if she agreed with what Darktail is doing?”

“I made a mistake at first,” Violetpaw admitted. “I’m trying to think of a way to help you, and in the meantime I will keep bringing you food when I can.”

The RiverClan cats glanced at one another, and Violetpaw saw the first signs of hope beginning to dawn in their eyes. But before she could say any more she heard sounds from outside the thicket: paw steps and the voices of Zelda and Yarrowleaf.

“I’ve got to go,” she murmured, and slipped quickly out into the open again.

As Zelda and Yarrowleaf came up to her, Violetpaw noticed that Zelda was looking at her with an odd expression. I wonder whether she heard any of that.

Only the night before, in the nest they still shared, Violetpaw and Zelda had talked together long after darkness had fallen.

“I still want to go home to my housefolk,” Zelda had meowed, “but I don’t think that Darktail is ever going to let me.”

Violetpaw had been unable to find words to reply, knowing that Zelda was right: she was just as much a prisoner as the RiverClan cats.

Now Violetpaw wondered whether Zelda would betray her to Darktail if she knew that she was feeding the prisoners.

She might, just to get into his favor. I can’t risk trusting her.

Violetpaw met Zelda’s gaze, hoping to find some kind of clue in her eyes, but the kittypet’s expression was unreadable.

“Violetpaw!” Darktail’s voice cut across Violetpaw’s musings, making her jump. “Violetpaw, where are you?”

With a swift nod to Zelda and Yarrowleaf, Violetpaw bounded across the camp to where Darktail was standing with his Kin around him.

“There you are!” he meowed as Violetpaw ran up to him. “The fresh-kill pile is getting low. I want you to hunt.”

“Sure, Darktail.” Violetpaw kept her expression calm and obedient, but inwardly her heart was surging. This could be just the break I need!

Sunhigh was past when Violetpaw returned to the RiverClan camp and slung a rabbit on top of the growing fresh-kill pile. She had already brought back several mice and a squirrel.

One thing about living with the rogues, where every cat is always out for themselves, she reflected, it’s made me a better hunter.

Even though Clan cats usually hunted in patrols, the Kin often hunted alone so they wouldn’t have to share prey. This time, Violetpaw had insisted on going off by herself, knowing that Darktail wouldn’t question her. He’s been so nice to me ever since I betrayed Needletail, she thought with a shudder. And now that I’ve caught enough prey to impress him, I’ve got time for a trip of my own.

“I’m going to try over in ShadowClan territory,” she called out to any cat who might be listening, then bounded down to the lakeshore and headed past the Twoleg half-bridge.

It wasn’t ShadowClan territory Violetpaw had in mind. It was time to admit she couldn’t fight Darktail alone. She was heading for ThunderClan, and her sister.

I hope Twigpaw isn’t too angry with me for what happened in the battle. Because I desperately need her help.

Violetpaw slipped swiftly and silently through the undergrowth, keeping close to the edge of the lake. All her senses were alert for the sound or scent of any rogues who might be hunting in ShadowClan territory, but she did not meet any cat until she splashed through the stream that marked the border with ThunderClan.

Drawing a long breath, Violetpaw began to relax, padding more confidently toward the ThunderClan camp, only to grow tense again as powerful, fresh scents—a mixture of ThunderClan and RiverClan—flowed over her from a bank of ferns just ahead. A moment later the fern fronds waved and three cats pushed their way into the open.

In the lead was a young gray-and-white tom Violetpaw recognized as Dewnose. The other two were less familiar to her, though she had seen them now and then at Gatherings and knew that they came from RiverClan. I should remember their names… Podlight and… yes, Beetlewhisker.

Violetpaw waited, dipping her head respectfully, as the patrol bounded up to her.

“What are you doing here?” Dewnose asked.

To Violetpaw’s relief, he sounded surprised rather than hostile. “I don’t mean you any harm,” she meowed hastily. “I’ve come for help—and to see my sister.”

“Why should we believe you?” Podlight asked roughly. “How do we know you aren’t part of a rogue plan to attack?”

“Oh, come on, Podlight.” Dewnose gave the RiverClan tom a shove. “If Darktail wanted to attack, would he warn us by sending an apprentice?”

“I’m here alone,” Violetpaw assured them. “Darktail doesn’t know. If you don’t believe me, you can leave some cat to watch the border while the rest of you escort me in.”

Podlight gave her a curt nod, seeming satisfied with that.

“What about the prisoners?” Beetlewhisker asked anxiously. “Are they okay? Will Darktail let them leave soon?”

Violetpaw wasn’t sure how to answer that. “They’re still alive,” she told him after a moment’s hesitation. “And they’re part of the reason that I’m here. But I need help.”

Dewnose nodded, a pleased look on his face. “I’d better bring you to Bramblestar,” he mewed.

“And Mistystar,” Podlight added sharply.

Dewnose flicked his tail in annoyance. “Sure, and Mistystar,” he muttered.

Violetpaw followed Dewnose through the forest, the two RiverClan warriors flanking her on either side. As she emerged into the clearing from the thorn tunnel, she halted for a moment, overwhelmed by the crowds of cats in front of her.

Have all the ShadowClan and RiverClan cats ended up here? Violetpaw hadn’t ever given much thought to what had happened to the Clan cats the Kin had displaced. Now she was stunned by just how crowded the ThunderClan camp was.

Over the other side of the camp she caught a glimpse of Juniperclaw and Strikestone, and felt a jolt of relief that at least Dawnpelt’s kits had made it here safely. But then she spotted Rowanstar beside them; he had seen her, and the look in his eyes was cold and unfriendly.

Violetpaw cringed inwardly, suddenly more nervous than ever. Why did I think these cats would greet me as a friend? I hardly know any of them—and the ones I do know probably think I’m a traitor.

“Come on, Violetpaw.” Dewnose touched her shoulder with his tail-tip. “I’ll take you to Bramblestar.”

Violetpaw hesitated. “Could I possibly talk to Twigpaw first?”

Dewnose’s gaze clouded with concern, making Violetpaw feel even more agitated.

“What—” she began.

“I think I know a cat who can help you,” Dewnose interrupted her gently.

He hurried off, weaving his way through the groups of cats in the clearing, until he disappeared behind a bramble screen; Violetpaw remembered that was the entrance to the medicine-cat den.

A moment later, Alderheart appeared; at the sight of him Violetpaw felt such a rush of relief that for a heartbeat she was unsteady on her paws. Alderheart is Twigpaw’s friend. Surely he will help me!

“Violetpaw, thank goodness you’re all right!” Alderheart meowed as he bounded up to her. “How are you? And how has Needletail been since I visited with Mothwing? I know she said things were fine—but they didn’t seem fine.”

“Not fine is right,” Violetpaw told him. “In fact, they could hardly be worse. I think Darktail has gone a bit crazy since he killed Rain. All he cares about is loyalty, and he punishes any cat he thinks isn’t loyal to him. And… and that includes Needletail.”

Concern flooded into Alderheart’s eyes, and for a heartbeat he seemed to gaze into the distance, as if he saw something terrible there. Violetpaw realized that he had been very close to Needletail, and must be upset to think of her being ill treated.

Soon Alderheart’s expression grew thoughtful. “Violetpaw, can I trust you?” he asked.

Violetpaw nodded eagerly. “Yes,” she assured him. “I know now it was a mistake to stay with Darktail. I should have left along with Rowanstar when the rogues took over ShadowClan. But I… I wanted to stay with Needletail, and I knew she would never leave.” Encouraged by Alderheart’s understanding look, she added, “I wanted to believe it would all turn out okay. Have you ever felt like that?”

Alderheart’s eyes were full of affection, and Violetpaw almost felt as if he was her kin. Truly my kin, she thought, not like Darktail.

“Yes, I have,” he replied. “Now listen close, Violetpaw. We’ve been looking for some cat in the rogue camp to help us, because we have an idea. We’ve come up with a plan…”

As Alderheart explained the plan to her, Violetpaw’s pads began to prickle with excitement. She listened, intrigued, and her fur felt warmer as hope kindled within her.

“But for our plan to work,” Alderheart finished at last, “we need a cat who can influence Darktail.”

“I can!” Violetpaw told him, even more excitement beginning to flow through her, like an icebound stream when the sun shines on it. “Darktail trusts me. I can do whatever you want.”

Alderheart’s gaze was warm as it rested on her. “Thank you, Violetpaw.”

“No, thank you—thank ThunderClan.” Violetpaw felt a huge sense of relief. “You’re showing me a way out.”

“I’d better take you to meet with the leaders,” Alderheart meowed, beckoning her with his tail.

Violetpaw nodded, but before she moved to follow Alderheart, she let her gaze travel around the camp, looking for her sister among the groups of cats. “Could I talk to Twigpaw first?” she asked. “I haven’t seen her since the battle and I… I feel so terrible about what I did to her. I want a chance to explain how much I regret it.”

As she looked up at Alderheart, Violetpaw felt suddenly chilled to see his expression change. He almost looked as though he was in pain.

“I’m sorry,” he mewed at last. “Twigpaw left camp half a moon ago, and she never came back. We think… I’m afraid we think that she may have been killed by a monster.”

Violetpaw stared at him, rigid with disbelief. She felt as though she had a chunk of ice in her belly, and for a brief moment black spots swirled over her vision. No… Twigpaw can’t be dead! When we met in the battle, I was attacking her. Oh, StarClan, don’t let that be the last time I’ll ever see her!

“Is this some sort of joke?” she asked. “Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

Alderheart shook his head, grief-stricken and confused. “I was so surprised to see you,” he replied after a couple of heartbeats. “And I’m struggling with the news myself. I wish I didn’t have to believe it.”

“But why did she leave camp?” Violetpaw meowed.

Now Alderheart couldn’t meet her gaze. “It was my fault,” he confessed quietly. “I thought… I thought I might have seen one of your kin in a vision.”

Violetpaw’s tone sharpened. “Our kin?”

“I had a vision of SkyClan,” Alderheart began. “They’re a Clan who was driven away from the other Clans long ago, back when we lived in the old forest. I saw a tom who looked like both of you.”

Her breath coming short and fast, Violetpaw felt as though the ground under her paws was beginning to shake. She couldn’t take in everything that Alderheart was telling her.

Does he mean this tom might be my kin? No. The only kin I ever had was Twigpaw, and now Alderheart says that Twigpaw is dead. Violetpaw stood still, her gaze unfocused, while thoughts raced through her mind like clouds in a gale. No, she decided at last. If Twigpaw had been killed, I would have felt it, wouldn’t I?

“You said you think she died. No cat saw it happen?” she asked. “No cat saw her body?”

“That’s true,” Alderheart mewed, “but we’re pretty sure, all the same.” His gaze rested gently on her. “I’m so sorry, Violetpaw. Do you still want to help us?”

Violetpaw’s heart ached so much that she thought it would crack in two. But the pain only made her more resolved.

I have to believe that Twigpaw is still alive somewhere. I’ll do what Alderheart is asking; I’ll help get the weaker cats out of Darktail’s claws. Then, when my sister comes back, she’ll have to forgive me for what happened in the battle. And if she doesn’t… or if she really is dead…

Violetpaw pushed the thought away, refusing even to consider that. “I’ll help you,” she meowed, meeting Alderheart’s gaze steadily. “You can take me to Bramblestar now.”

Alderheart took a pace toward the tumbled rocks that led up to the Highledge, then halted. “No, you’ve been away from your camp for too long,” he decided. “I’ll talk to Bramblestar; you get back before you’re missed. Just remember the plan…”

Violetpaw listened to his rapid instructions, then dipped her head in farewell and left the camp, racing through the forest and along the shoreline until she crossed the border into ShadowClan territory.

I wish I could stay, she thought, but once our plan works… once the rogues are defeated and Twigpaw comes home… maybe she and I and Needletail can all live in ThunderClan territory—together.

The moon shed silver light over the RiverClan camp, the ground blotched with shadows cast by bushes and clumps of reeds. Violetpaw crept furtively from one patch of darkness to the next, her ears pricked for the slightest sound of movement.

When she reached the bramble thicket, she spotted Zelda sitting alone on guard. As Violetpaw watched, the kittypet stretched her jaws in an enormous yawn, then rose and began pacing to and fro, obviously struggling to stay awake.

Violetpaw padded up to her. “Hi, Zelda.”

Zelda whipped around, her neck fur bristling, then relaxed as she saw who had spoken. “Violetpaw! You scared me out of my fur! What are you doing here?”

“I want to check on Needletail,” Violetpaw explained. “I’m worried about her.”

Zelda’s eyes stretched wide in dismay. “I can’t let you do that! What if Darktail found out? He’d claw my ears off.”

“Please… ,” Violetpaw mewed. “I only want to talk to her. You know she’s my friend. What harm could it do?” She paused for a moment, then added, “You could curl up for a nap while I’m in there. I won’t let the prisoners escape.”

Zelda looked even more distraught. “No! Darktail might see me… or one of the Kin would tell him.”

“They’re all snoring in their nests,” Violetpaw told her. “Zelda, please… Aren’t we friends?”

Zelda slid her claws in and out, tearing at the grass. “Okay, Violetpaw,” she mewed at last. “But be quick!”

“Thanks, Zelda.” Violetpaw touched her nose to the kittypet’s ear, then slipped past her and into the thicket, until she reached the clear space in the center.

The RiverClan prisoners were curled up together in a mound of fur, with Needletail close beside them. Violetpaw thought her friend was asleep too; but as she approached, Needletail raised her head and gazed at her, blinking.

“Violetpaw?” Her voice was hoarse.

“I had to talk to you.” Violetpaw crouched down beside her friend and spoke softly into her ear. “I’ve been to ThunderClan and spoken to Alderheart. We have a plan to get you and the prisoners out! I promise, all of you are going to be fine.”

Needletail listened quietly and did not respond when Violetpaw had finished speaking. Her eyes closed, and Violetpaw thought that she had gone back to sleep. Pity clawed at her heart when she saw how weak her friend was.

Violetpaw was beginning to edge backward, ready to leave, when Needletail stirred again, her eyes opening a slit. “All this that’s happening to me… it’s not your fault, Violetpaw. All the mistakes we made were mine.”

“That doesn’t matter now,” Violetpaw responded, briefly burying her nose in Needletail’s shoulder fur. “Don’t worry about anything. I’m going to get you out of here.”

Needletail shook her head. “Don’t take risks for me, Violetpaw. You have to survive, any way you can.”

She fell silent again with a small sigh, and Violetpaw realized that this time she really had gone to sleep.

Violetpaw remained crouching beside her for a moment, smoothing her fur with one paw. Poor Needletail, she thought. I’ve got to make this plan with ThunderClan work…

Warily she slid out of the thicket with a nod to Zelda, then crept back across the camp in the direction of the elders’ den.

I have something to discuss with Ratscar and Oakfur…