Dovewing’s Silence

Midnight turned her striped muzzle toward him. “Not from StarClan came these powers. But from older forces, from earth and water and stone and air. Losing your gifts you are, yes. That I cannot change. But losing them you are because they are not needed now.”

Dovewing struggled to untangle the badger’s words. “You mean, the Clans are safe now? They don’t need us anymore?”

“Your Clan will always need you,” rasped Rock in a voice that seemed to come from the wind itself. “And sometimes, so will the other Clans. But you will never face a battle that needs these powers again. The greencough that afflicts you now? That will be hard, but your medicine cats have the knowledge to treat you. You will still fight with your neighbors, but you have the skills to deal with them. Sometimes you’ll win, sometimes you won’t. That is the way of things.”

Midnight lumbered forward and rested her muzzle on Lionblaze’s head. “Brave warrior, do not lose faith. To enter battle when injuries are certain, that is true courage.” She shuffled along to Jayfeather. “Medicine cat, wise you are, and such you know. Care for your Clanmates you can without walking in their thoughts and dreams. Let those hidden be from your sight.” Midnight reached Dovewing, and she felt a blast of stinking breath around her muzzle. “Small warrior, many dangers there are in a world when you are blind and deaf. But eyes and ears you have still. Use them as your Clanmates do. Weaker than them you will never be.”

The badger stepped back and heaved a great breath, as if so much talking had tired her. Dovewing wondered just how old she and Rock were. As old as the stars?

“Your powers helped the Clans to win the Great Battle,” Rock told them. “That is what the prophecy promised, and that promise has been fulfilled. You will feel lesser warriors without the powers, but you are not. Find strength in the courage and skills shared by your Clanmates. The Great Battle has been fought and won. A new time for the Clans lies ahead.”

“Remember also, Great Battle was not won by you alone,” Midnight warned them. “All Clans, all warriors, all queens and elders and kits and medicine cats fight together. To protect them all is not for you, powers or not. More has been lost than gift of sight or strength or dreams. But power of warrior code forever lasts.”

There was a crackle of lightning overhead, making Dovewing flinch and close her eyes. When she opened them again, Midnight and Rock had vanished and for a moment a ginger cat stood in front of her, his green eyes glowing with love.

“Firestar?” Dovewing breathed, but then the vision was gone and she was standing at the edge of the Moonpool with Jayfeather and Lionblaze. The water was as still as it had ever been.

Lionblaze turned to her. “Are you all right?”

Dovewing nodded. “Better than before,” she mewed.

Beside them, Jayfeather flicked his tail impatiently. “I have sick cats waiting for me. Come on, let’s see if we can get back before dawn.” He trotted up the spiral path, his gray pelt merging with the stone. Lionblaze followed but Dovewing hung back for a moment, staring into the pool. She felt a surge of hope welling up inside her.

The Great Battle has been won. We will survive the greencough. She turned to head after her Clanmates. Suddenly her paws felt lighter. And the warrior code will last forever!