Darkest Night

The world spun around Alderheart as an uneasy silence settled over the Clans. Alderheart could feel his Clanmates’ distrust. StarClan! Make them understand! His breath stopped as Sparkpelt got to her paws. What was she going to say? He braced himself, fearing the worst.

“I know SkyClan has suffered much and lost many Clanmates,” she began. Her voice shook, but there was determination in her mew, and the other cats quieted as she went on. Tigerheart, watching silently from the roots of the Great Oak, leaned forward and stared at her intently. “But why can’t they return to their old home? Darktail is gone now, and so are his rogues. SkyClan’s old home is safe again. I’m sure they were happy there once. They can be happy there again. We managed without them before. Why do we need them now?” She paused, her bright gaze holding the attention of the cats. “If they stay beside the lake, who is going to give up territory to give them a new home?”

Alderheart swallowed. He knew her words echoed the feelings of many cats. Why couldn’t the Clans see there was more to life than territory?

Before the Clans could agree with Sparkpelt, Tigerheart leaped onto a root of the oak and looked up at his leader. “Rowanstar, may I speak?”

Rowanstar nodded, looking at his deputy with puzzlement.

“We have suffered because of Darktail’s cruelty.” Tigerheart padded along the root and stopped in a pool of moonlight. “He has left us weak and frightened. RiverClan has withdrawn to rebuild their shattered Clan. ShadowClan has lost so many warriors that it will take moons for us to become what we once were.”

Rowanstar shifted uneasily on the branch above, but he let his deputy go on.

“There is no doubt that StarClan wanted us to find SkyClan. I believe StarClan had a reason. Not just to clear the sky of the darkness we have suffered, but because StarClan knew that the five Clans belong together. With an extra Clan beside the lake, we will find strength when we most need it.”

“But who will give up territory for them?” Crowfeather’s ears twitched distrustfully.

“We could.” Tigerheart turned his gaze on Rowanstar. “We have fewer mouths to feed now. And fewer warriors to patrol our borders. It makes sense to exchange some of our land for an ally.”

Rowanstar looked thoughtful, as though weighing Tigerheart’s words. The Clans watched him in silence. He turned to Leafstar. “Would you be our ally?”

“Yes,” Leafstar told him. “We are Clan cats. We share the same ancestors. It would be an honor to stand beside you. And we’d always be grateful for any territory you gave us.”

Alderheart held his breath as the cats of WindClan and ThunderClan exchanged glances.

Molewhisker’s gaze flashed with suspicion. “You’d be allies to us all, right? Not just ShadowClan.”

“Of course.” Leafstar stared into the crowd. “We want to live among the Clans our ancestors hunted beside countless moons ago.” She looked hopefully at Rowanstar. “Would you be willing to give us land?”

Rowanstar shifted his paws nervously. “You could have some of the land beside ThunderClan, with a narrow piece that opens onto the lake.”

“Our land?” Scorchfur looked outraged.

Rowanstar straightened as though settling the decision in his mind. “Our land,” he meowed firmly.

Tigerheart stared unblinking at Scorchfur. “Is that a problem?”

Scorchfur looked away, growling to himself.

Leafstar’s eyes lit up. “Thank you!” Her mew was filled with joy.

“Then it’s settled.” Harestar flicked his tail.

Bramblestar nodded. “Leafstar, you should stay in our camp tonight, and tomorrow ShadowClan can help you mark out your new territory.”

Alderheart felt limp with relief. A decision had been made. SkyClan was staying beside the lake. He sensed tension ebbing away as the Clans began to move, like stones freed from ice. ShadowClan had lost some of its territory, but perhaps the gratitude of a neighbor was worth more.

Bramblestar jumped down from the Great Oak. Rowanstar, Harestar, and Leafstar followed him. The Gathering was over. The Clans began to separate, each following their leader as they headed home.

Alderheart watched Twigpaw and Violetpaw move happily toward Hawkwing. Their father was staying.

“You see?” Leafpool looked relieved. “We can trust StarClan to guide our paws.”

Mist hung in the hollow, lingering even as the sun rose above the cliff top. The browning trees shone like gold in the early morning light. Alderheart padded from the medicine den, fluffing his fur against the damp air. He glanced nervously at the camp entrance, wondering how Twigpaw’s assessment was going.

Below Highledge, Squirrelflight was organizing the day’s hunting patrols. Graystripe padded toward the elders’ den, a stiff mouse in his jaws. Brackenfur sat next to Cinderheart and Lionblaze, lifting his face to the sun as though relishing its warmth. SkyClan milled restlessly at the edge of the clearing, their pelts rippling with excitement.