Firestar’s Quest

“Yes, many times. And other cats, too. A new one just came to join them—a big cat with frosty gray fur.” She blinked at Firestar with growing excitement. “Can you tell me who the starry cats are?”

“Yes,” Firestar replied. “They are the spirits of your warrior ancestors.”

“Spirits!” Oscar sneered. “I hope you’re not listening to this rubbish?” he hissed to Echo.

To Firestar’s relief, Echo ignored him. “Do you know why they come to me?” she asked Firestar.

“Have you heard of the Clan of cats who have settled in the gorge?” Echo shook her head. “The gray-and-white cat came to me and asked for my help,” Firestar explained. “Many seasons ago, he was leader of SkyClan, but his cats are long gone now. Skywatcher—the new gray cat you saw—challenged me to rebuild the Clan. But they can’t be a real Clan until they find a medicine cat,” he went on, taking a deep breath. “And you—”

“Last night the gray cat spoke to me in a dream,” Echo interrupted, her eyes shining. “He told me to come here today and look for two strange cats. Yes, I will join you.”

“What?” Oscar broke in before Firestar could respond.

“Go off with these two crazy furballs? You must be as mad as they are.”

“Maybe I am,” Echo replied calmly. “But no other cat has ever been able to explain my dreams to me. I will come.”

“What about your Twolegs?” Sparrowpaw asked.

A hint of sadness appeared in Echo’s green eyes. “These last few moons I’ve felt so restless that I’ve been roaming farther and farther from my housefolk’s nest. I felt that if only I knew how to listen, the stars would give me an answer. Now that I’m leaving for good, my housefolk will just assume that I’ve found a new nest to stay in. They’ll miss me, but they won’t be afraid for me.”

“Then let’s go,” meowed Firestar.

“Hang on.” Oscar shouldered past him to face Echo. “You’re not really going, are you? Just because of a few dreams?”

“This is not for you to understand,” Echo murmured gently. She turned back to Firestar, who caught a hint of nervousness in her eyes.

“You’re taking a big step,” he pointed out, feeling that he had to give her a chance to change her mind.

“I know. But I’m sure this is what I’m meant to do.”

Firestar nodded. If she was willing to trust her dreams, then that was enough for him. “Let’s go,” he mewed.

Oscar stood staring after them, dumbfounded, as they slipped back along the alley and out of the Twolegplace.

“What’s it like, living in a Clan?” Echo asked as they made their way back to the gorge.

“You have to be an apprentice first,” Sparrowpaw told her.

“You learn hunting and fighting and stuff like that. And—”

“Hang on,” Firestar interrupted. “Echo might… well, she might play a different role, one that involves healing herbs—and more dreams of starry cats.”

“How will I learn to do all that?” she asked, her eyes wide.

They were sheltering under the gorse bush where Firestar and Sparrowpaw had paused on the way out. Sparrowpaw padded a tail-length away to check for any signs of marauding rats.

“I don’t know,” Firestar admitted. “My mate, Sandstorm, can teach you some of the stuff about herbs. As for the rest—if SkyClan’s warrior ancestors really mean for you to join us, they’ll show you the way.”

To his relief, his answer seemed to satisfy Echo. “I will wait for their guidance,” she mewed.

When the three cats reached the gorge, Sharpclaw was keeping watch on the Skyrock. He sprang up to meet them at the top of the cliff.

“Still no sign of rats,” he reported, and gave Echo a curious sniff. “Who’s this?”

“This is Echo,” Firestar replied. “I… I think she is going to be your medicine cat.”

Sharpclaw’s fur began to bristle, and his eyes narrowed. “A stranger? I thought you’d appoint one of us to be medicine cat.”

Firestar took a deep breath. “It’s not up to me to appoint a medicine cat,” he explained. “They have to have a special connection with your warrior ancestors. I think Echo has that.

You’re all great warriors,” he added, “but to defend your Clan fully, you need the support of a cat who can heal and share tongues with your ancestors.”

Sharpclaw’s fur began to lie flat, but he still looked uneasy.

“Where does she come from?” he asked. “Can we trust her to give us the right herbs and remedies?”

“I lived with housefolk.” Echo’s clear gaze rested calmly on Sharpclaw, though her voice held a trace of uncertainty. “And I promise you can trust me. Once I’ve learned all about the herbs, I’ll do my best for every cat.”

Sharpclaw gave her a brusque nod. “We’ll see how you get on,” he mewed. “Good luck, anyway.”

Firestar rested his tail tip on Echo’s shoulder. “Come on.

Let’s introduce you to some more of the cats. Sparrowpaw, you go and tell the others that they have a new Clanmate.”

Sparrowpaw took off at once, leaping down the rocks.

Padding more slowly down the stony trail, Firestar glanced into the warriors’ den, but at this time of day it was empty.