by Erin Hunter
“Highstones!” Slate was crossing the grass toward them, White Tail at her heels. “That’s a long way from here.”
“I know.” Moth Flight suddenly realized how tired her paws were. But she couldn’t stop now. “We have to catch up with Wind Runner. I’ve got something important to tell her.”
Slate narrowed her eyes. “Is everything okay?”
Moth Flight met her gaze. “Everything’s fine,” she promised.
“Why the rush?” Rocky was shambling toward them too. But there wasn’t time to talk.
“You’ll hear about it later!” Moth Flight turned and headed for the entrance. “I have to catch up with Wind Runner.”
“You’re not taking him to a Gathering, are you?” Dew Nose called after Moth Flight. Micah was following her. “Gatherings are for Clan cats!”
“He’ll be a Clan cat soon!” she called over her shoulder.
She burst out of camp and headed downslope. Opening her mouth, she tasted the air. WindClan scent bathed her tongue, so fresh she struggled to make out which way they’d gone. Micah was already sniffing the ground. He whipped his tail eagerly as he reached a spot of trampled grass a few tail-lengths ahead. “They went this way.”
Moth Flight rushed to his side and checked the scents. He was right. Fresh paw-scents coated the tussocks here, and headed toward a wide clump of heather. She followed the trail, nose low, pushing through the bushes onto the grassy slope beyond. It led past the outcrop of rocks she used to hunt on with Dust Muzzle. Wind Runner must be leading her Clan along the old sheep track that went through deep heather and ended at the top of Fourtrees. Checking to see that Micah was still following, Moth Flight broke into a run.
He caught up and fell in step beside her. “Do you think we’ll catch her in time?”
“I think so,” Moth Flight puffed. “The scents are very fresh.”
They slid into single file as heather rose around them and the sheep track meandered among the bushes, finally opening at the top of the hollow.
Moth Flight halted and scanned the ridge. Her belly tightened. She couldn’t see Wind Runner or the WindClan cats. But she could smell their scents rising from the hollow. “We’re too late,” she whispered. “They’re down there.”
The tops of the oaks loomed in front of them, the huge branches softened by a haze of leaf buds. Moth Flight gazed into the valley and saw pelts moving below.
She shifted her paws. “Let’s wait until they’ve finished the Gathering. Then I can tell Wind Runner about the medicine cats.”
Micah looked at her. “All the Clan leaders are going to be down there tonight, right?”
Moth Flight avoided his gaze. She could guess what he was thinking. “You want me to go down there and tell every cat.”
“They have to know,” he reasoned.
“But I wanted to tell Wind Runner first,” Moth Flight argued.
“Why?” Micah’s green gaze didn’t waver.
Moth Flight felt hot. “Because it’s easier,” she admitted.
“Moth Flight.” Micah moved his muzzle closer until she could feel his warm breath billow around her nose. “You can do this.”
“You want me to walk into the middle of a Gathering and tell all of them that some spirit-cats told me they should have medicine cats?” Fear tightened her belly.
“The spirit-cats believe you can do it.” Micah didn’t move.
Moth Flight nodded stiffly. “They told me to be strong.” She tried to ignore the panic flashing beneath her pelt.
“Then, be strong.” Gently, Micah nudged her toward the top of the hollow.
Paws numb with terror, Moth Flight let him steer her into the thick bracken that crowded the slope. Pressing against her, he guided her among the thick stems. Her ears twitched as she heard the murmur of the cats below. I can’t do this! The bracken rustled around her as they neared the bottom of the slope. She felt sick. “Wait.” She paused, desperately trying to think of what she was going to say.
Micah halted beside her and peered through the bracken. She followed his gaze.
“Who’s that gray cat?” he whispered.
“That’s Clear Sky.”
Micah nodded. “I thought so.”
“Did he look like that in your dream?”
“Yes.” His gaze scanned the gathered cats. “Who are the cats standing beside him?”
Moth Flight narrowed her eyes, trying to tell who was who. Bright moonlight shone through the budding oak branches, turning the pelts of the Clan cats silver. “That’s Jagged Peak.” She nodded toward the small gray tabby tom who paced beside Clear Sky. “He’s Clear Sky’s brother but he lives with WindClan now. And Thunder is the big tom next to them.”
“Thunder is leader of ThunderClan.” Micah was clearly trying to learn as much as he could.
“He’s also Clear Sky’s son.”
Micah stared at her. “They all live in different Clans even though they share the same blood?”
“Clan connections are stronger than blood ties now,” Moth Flight told him. She glanced back at the cats milling in the clearing among the trees. Where was Wind Runner? Her gaze flitted from pelt to pelt until she recognized the narrow stripes of her mother. Wind Runner was pacing restlessly between Gorse Fur and Dust Muzzle. Spotted Fur, Fern Leaf, and Willow Tail sat nearby.
The grass on the far side of the clearing swished as River Ripple led his cats into the clearing. Dappled Pelt was with him, and Shattered Ice, Night, and Pine Needle.
River Ripple nodded a polite greeting to the other leaders and settled on an arching root beneath one of the oaks. As his cats gathered around him, Tall Shadow led Pebble Heart, Raven Pelt, Juniper Branch, Mud Paws, and Mouse Ear into the clearing.
“We’re all here.” Clear Sky’s mew rang out loudly in the chilly night air.
Wind Runner crossed the clearing and stopped in front of the SkyClan leader, dipping her head politely first to him, then to Thunder, River Ripple, and Tall Shadow. “What news do you bring?”
“Newleaf has brought fresh prey to our part of the forest,” Clear Sky told her.
“And to ours,” Thunder added.
River Ripple hopped from the root and joined the other leaders. “The river is still swollen with snowmelt, and the fishing is good.”
Moth Flight felt Micah shift beside her. He was watching the Clan cats with wide eyes.
Wind Runner offered her report. “There are rabbits on the moor and the lapwings are beginning to nest. There will be plenty of prey by greenleaf.”
A hiss sounded behind her. “There won’t be if SkyClan keeps hunting on our land.” Willow Tail stalked across the clearing.
Wind Runner looked sharply at her Clanmate.
Clear Sky stiffened. “Are you accusing us of prey-stealing?”
Willow Tail faced the SkyClan leader. “Just one of you.” Her gaze flashed to the reddish-brown tom sitting behind Clear Sky.
Moth Flight recognized Red Claw. She tensed. Was Willow Tail still determined to start a fight with the SkyClan tom?
Red Claw got to his paws, his tail flicking ominously behind him. He padded toward Willow Tail, showing his teeth. “Why would a forest cat want to steal moor prey? We’ve got rabbits of our own—fatter than your scrawny vermin.”
Willow Tail’s hackles lifted. “The only scrawny vermin on our territory lately is you!”
Red Claw flattened his ears.
Wind Runner pushed between them. She looked at Clear Sky. “You need to keep your Clan under control.”
Clear Sky narrowed his eyes. “It’s your cat who’s trying to start a battle.”
“She is just defending our borders,” Wind Runner snapped back. “Besides, it isn’t only Willow Tail who’s noticed. Slate found rabbit bones just on our side of the SkyClan border. None of my cats enjoyed that meal. Which of yours did?” She glared at Red Claw.
Moth Flight’s fur prickled nervously. Slate found evidence? Still, one rabbit didn’t seem worth fighting about. Th
e Gathering was meant to be a time of peace. The Clans weren’t supposed to quarrel here.
Micah shifted beside her. “Are they going to fight?”
“I hope not.” Moth Flight watched uneasily as Clear Sky nudged Red Claw aside and glared at Wind Runner.
“Any animal could have killed that rabbit. What other proof do you have my cats are on your territory?” he growled.
“Willow Tail saw Red Claw on the moor a few days ago,” Wind Runner hissed.
“Is she telling the truth?” Clear Sky’s tail twitched irritably as he turned to the SkyClan tom.
Red Claw lifted his chin. “I was there. I don’t need to hide it. I wasn’t hunting. Can’t we even set paw on another Clan’s land now?”
Willow Tail glared at him. “Not when you’re a fox-hearted traitor.”
“How dare you!” Red Claw’s eyes flashed in the half-light. Willow Tail let out a low warning growl.
They mustn’t fight! Blood roared in Moth Flight’s ears. The spirit-cats wanted her to share her news with the other Clans. How could she if they were at war? “Wait here!” She left Micah and bounded from the bracken.
The cats turned, eyes glittering with surprise as they saw her. She skidded to a halt in the clearing, suddenly conscious that everyone was staring at her.
“Moth Flight?” Wind Runner stared across the dappled clearing, her eyes round with dread. “Is that you?”
Moth Flight blinked at her. “Of course.” Why did her mother look so scared?
Wind Runner flattened her ears. “Are you dead?” Fear edged her mew.
Moth Flight frowned, struggling to understand. Dead? Why would I be dead? She glanced at her paws, noticing how the moonlight was making her white fur glow. Then she realized, shocked. She’d appeared at a Gathering like a spirit-cat! Did Wind Runner think she’d been killed on her journey? Alarm spiked in her belly. “No!” She hurried toward Wind Runner. “I’m alive. I’ve come home!” She pressed her muzzle against her mother’s cheek.
Wind Runner was trembling.
Gorse Fur shouldered his way through the watching cats, his gaze glittering with anger. “Where have you been? We’ve been worried sick!”
Moth Flight dipped her head apologetically. “I’m sorry,” she mewed. “But I had to go. There was something I needed to find.”
“What?” Wind Runner lifted her head sharply. Her grief seemed to evaporate.
Moth Flight backed away. Clear Sky was staring at her. River Ripple padded closer, his eyes round with interest.
Tall Shadow tipped her head to one side thoughtfully.
Moth Flight’s belly fluttered with fear. She lifted her chin. “I bring news from the spirit-cats,” she began.
“Really?” Clear Sky huffed, clearly unconvinced. Tall Shadow rolled her eyes.
Moth Flight glanced toward her Clanmates, hoping to find support.
But Swift Minnow was staring at her accusingly. “Have you been daydreaming again, Moth Flight?”
Jagged Peak exchanged glances with Holly. Spotted Fur blinked at her sympathetically.
They don’t believe me. Moth Flight fought the panic rising in her chest.
A low growl sounded in Red Claw’s throat. “She’s just trying to distract us.” He turned his gaze back to Willow Tail. “No cat accuses me of stealing.”
Wind Runner hissed. “No cat steals from WindClan.”
Frustration surged beneath Moth Flight’s pelt. Did they really think their dumb fight was more important than a message from their ancestors? She lashed her tail. “You have to listen to me!”
Red Claw flashed her a look. “Did Wind Runner put you up to this, Moth Flight?” He growled. “Is she scared her Clan is going to look like a bunch of liars?”
Wind Runner’s hackles lifted. “Clear Sky.” She glared at the SkyClan leader. “You seem to make a habit of taking in troublemakers. I thought you’d have learned after One Eye turned on you. But you’re still filling your Clan with thieves and bullies.”
Clear Sky’s blue gaze turned to ice. “My cats are brave and honest.”
Star Flower pushed past Blossom and Acorn Fur and stood beside her mate. “Clear Sky is a great leader. He knows his cats and he knows they would never lie!”
Wind Runner curled her lip. “Then why did Slate find rabbit bones at the border?”
Red Claw snorted. “How do we know Slate is telling the truth?”
“Slate is not a liar!” Wind Runner hissed.
“Stop it!” Frustration flared through Moth Flight. “I’m trying to tell you the most important news you’ll ever hear. The future of the Clans depends on it!” She stiffened, surprised by her own boldness.
Dust Muzzle blinked at her.
Before any cat could interrupt, she went on. “I spoke with the spirit-cats. They told me that each Clan should have a medicine cat to care for their sick. Dappled Pelt will be RiverClan’s medicine cat and Pebble Heart will be medicine cat for ShadowClan. I’m to be WindClan’s and Cloud Spots will be ThunderClan’s.” She paused. It wasn’t time yet to tell them about Micah. They needed to get used to the idea of medicine cats first. She dug her claws into the ground, bracing herself for the Clans’ reactions.
Tall Shadow stepped forward. “Why would the spirit-cats tell you this? Why not tell us?” She glanced at Clear Sky and River Ripple. “We’re the Clan leaders.”
“They said that they would speak through me from now on,” Moth Flight told her.
Clear Sky spluttered. “You? You’re hardly more than a kit!”
Moth Flight tried to ignore him, but her paws began to tremble. “They said they will send omens, and that I must tell Wind Runner what the omens mean.” She noticed Dappled Pelt staring at her, eyes bright with starlight. “I guess each medicine cat will see omens and interpret them for their leader.” That was what Half Moon had meant, surely?
Wind Runner padded closer, her pelt rippling along her spine. “Moth Flight?” Her mew was gentle. “I know you think you’re doing the right thing. But is this just another one of your dreams?”
“It’s real!” Moth Flight dug her claws harder into the cold earth. “I followed a tunnel into Highstones and I found a stone filled with moonlight and I saw the spirit-cats.” She knew she must sound crazy and she saw some of the Clan cat’s eyes soften into pity as she went on. I knew it! They don’t believe me.
Clear Sky sniffed. “You forgot to tell us who SkyClan’s medicine cat would be.”
Moth Flight stared at him uncertainly, words frozen on her tongue. Was he taking her seriously?
“The spirit-cats told you so much,” Blossom yowled mockingly. “Did they forget to mention us?”
“She’s making it up!” Mud Paws accused.
“She just wants attention.” A ShadowClan tortoiseshell padded forward.
Pebble Heart nosed past her. “Give her a chance, Juniper Branch!” He gazed softly at Moth Flight. “Do you know who SkyClan’s medicine cat will be?”
Moth Flight glanced over her shoulder toward the bracken where Micah was hiding among the shadow stems. How would these cats react when she told them the spirit-cats had named a stranger?
The bracken rustled and Micah pushed his way out. “They said that I would be SkyClan’s medicine cat,” he said.
Shocked mews rose among the Clan cats.
“Who’s he?”
“He’s not one of us!”
“Who said he could come here?”
“This is Micah.” Moth Flight pressed her flank against Micah’s as he stopped beside her. “He saved me from a dog and came with me on my journey to Highstones.”
River Ripple narrowed his eyes. “Did he see the spirit-cats too?”
Moth Flight shook her head. “The moth led me to the cave, not him.”
Wind Runner had stiffened. “Is this the moth you’re always dreaming about?”
“Yes.” Moth Flight watched the cats exchange glances. Thunder stared at Micah through slitted eyes. Clear Sky’s pelt rippled une
asily along his spine. Tall Shadow was watching, her ears twitching. Helplessness swept over Moth Flight. How could she convince them? Only River Ripple looked calm. “I didn’t dream it!” she mewed desperately. “It was real.”
“I saw the moth.” Micah lifted his chin.
“You might just be saying that so you can be our medicine cat,” Clear Sky growled.
“The moth was real. It led us to Highstones.” He met Clear Sky’s gaze steadily. “I want to be your medicine cat, but I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“What do you know about healing?” Clear Sky demanded.
“Nothing, yet,” Micah told him calmly. “But I will learn.”
“We’ll all learn!” Moth Flight added. “There are cats who already know healing herbs. If we can learn some, we can learn more! The Clans will depend on their medicine cats one day. Half Moon told me!”
“Half Moon?” Clear Sky stiffened.
Tall Shadow stepped closer.
Dappled Pelt blinked. “You spoke with Stoneteller?”
Quick Water hurried to Clear Sky’s side. “She must have seen Stoneteller,” the old mountain cat whispered. “How else would she know her name?”
Clear Sky was still staring at Micah. “She probably heard Jagged Peak or Gray Wing talking about her.”
Moth Flight heart’s leaped. They knew who Half Moon was! Were they going to believe her after all?
Dappled Pelt’s eyes shone with excitement. “My dreams must have been a sign!”
River Ripple looked at his Clanmate. “What dreams?”
“I’ve been dreaming about teaching cats about herbs and healing for the past moon,” Dappled Pelt told him. Her gaze flitted to Micah. “I think one of the cats in my dream might have been him.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” River Ripple asked quietly. “I thought they were just ordinary dreams,” Dappled Pelt answered.
Clear Sky padded toward Micah, opening his mouth to taste his scent. “You smell strange.”
“I smell like the farm I was raised on.” Micah stood still while Clear Sky circled him.
Cloud Spots nosed his way to the front. “I’ve had a dream too,” he admitted. “I saw the moonlit stone.” He looked at Moth Flight. “Was it in a cave?”