Darkest Night

“I found them at the border,” Bumblestripe reported. “They want to speak with Bramblestar.”

But Alderheart wasn’t listening to the gray tabby tom. “Why didn’t you bring Twigpaw?” Disappointment jabbed his belly.

“She’s busy with her training,” Hawkwing explained.

“Sandynose is her mentor,” Violetpaw told him happily.

“She’s still an apprentice?” Alderheart stared at the SkyClan deputy. “But she passed her assessment.”

“Her ThunderClan assessment,” Hawkwing meowed pointedly. “Leafstar thinks Twigpaw and Violetpaw”—he glanced fondly at Violetpaw before going on—“need to learn to hunt and fight like SkyClan cats.”

Alderheart’s pelt prickled with irritation. SkyClan got driven from their home and ended up nearly dying. Twigpaw saved them. He glared at Hawkwing. She should be training you.

Paw steps sounded behind Alderheart as Bramblestar joined them. Molewhisker, Lionblaze, Brackenfur, and Cherryfall crowded behind the ThunderClan leader, their ears pricked with curiosity.

Bramblestar dipped his head to Hawkwing. “What brings you here?”

“Leafstar has decided it’s time we sent a patrol to the gorge to search for our lost Clanmates,” Hawkwing told him. “We were hoping you could spare a few warriors. We could use help finding our way back, and we know you’ve sent a few patrols there already. We hoped you’d know the way.”

Bramblestar sat down. “Some of us know the route,” he mewed thoughtfully. “But I’ve sent enough parties to the gorge. And with leaf-bare coming, my warriors should be concentrating on filling the fresh-kill pile, not searching for more mouths to feed.”

“It’s because leaf-bare is coming that we want to go,” Hawkwing pressed. “Would you want your Clanmates to be lost and alone during the cruelest moons?”

Molewhisker padded forward. “It can’t do much harm to send a patrol with them,” he ventured. “I know the way. So do Cherryfall and Sparkpelt.”

Alderheart leaned forward. “And me!”

Bramblestar shook his head. “I’m sorry, Alderheart. Jayfeather needs you here to help him stock his herb store.”

Disappointment dropped like a stone in Alderheart’s belly.

“I could go,” Molewhisker volunteered.

Alderheart looked at the brown-and-cream tom, puzzled. Why was he so keen to help a Clan that he hadn’t even wanted around half a moon ago?

“It would be an honor to show them the way to the gorge.” Molewhisker dipped his head, glancing at Cherryfall.

Alderheart bristled. Was Molewhisker hoping that if he showed the SkyClan cats the route to the gorge, they might go back for good?

“Very well.” Bramblestar’s mew cut into Alderheart’s thoughts. “SkyClan would be stronger if it could find its lost Clanmates, and a strong Clan is a good ally.” He nodded to Hawkwing. “I will send a ThunderClan cat to guide your patrol. Just let me know when you are leaving, and my cats will be ready.”

“Thank you.” Hawkwing dipped his head graciously.

Violetpaw’s eyes shone. “Thanks,” she mewed happily. She glanced at Hawkwing. “Let’s go back and tell Leafstar.”

Hawkwing headed for the entrance.

“Say hi to Twigpaw from me!” Alderheart called after them.

“We will!” Violetpaw and Hawkwing chimed together.

Alderheart watched them disappear through the thorn tunnel. Violetpaw and her father seemed so close. He hoped Twigpaw’s bond with her father was just as strong. And yet, if it was, why wasn’t she here with them? I’m just worrying. He pushed the thought away and tried to imagine her practicing hunting techniques while Sandynose gave her orders. Unease pricked his belly. Twigpaw was such an independent cat. She’d done more than enough to earn her warrior name. Could she really be happy being a SkyClan apprentice?

Alderheart leaned over the rim of the hollow, straining to see along the path. The stream shimmered in the chilly moonlight, but there was no sign of Mothwing and Willowshine.

“Are they coming?” Leafpool called from beside the Moonpool.

“It doesn’t look like it,” he mewed back, disappointed.

Jayfeather shifted impatiently beside the pool. “Let’s not waste any more time waiting for them. They’ve clearly decided to stay away.”

“They were probably ordered to stay away,” Kestrelflight meowed. “That’s what Onestar did to me when he cut ties with the Clans.”

Alderheart tore his gaze from the path to the hollow and headed toward the pool. The smooth stone felt so cold beneath his paws that he could hardly feel the dimples made from countless moons of paw steps.

Kestrelflight was looking at the medicine cats apologetically. “You know I wanted to come when WindClan closed the borders, right?”

Leafpool blinked at him sympathetically. “Of course.”

Puddleshine shifted his paws. “Did StarClan share dreams with you when you couldn’t come here?”

Kestrelflight looked at his paws. “No,” he admitted. “I think they were angry at me for staying away. But I had to stay with my Clan, didn’t I?” He glanced at the others.

“Of course you did,” Leafpool agreed.