Lost Stars

Murmurs arose from among the SkyClan cats as Kestrelflight spoke, and a few of them cast unfriendly glances toward the warriors of ShadowClan.

Mothwing moved to join the WindClan medicine cat. “Kestrelflight has a point. And it was ShadowClan who wanted all their old territory back,” she added. “That almost caused SkyClan to leave, against the wishes of StarClan.”

Jayfeather turned toward Mothwing, the tip of his tail twitching. “What do you know?” he snapped. “You don’t really believe in StarClan, anyway.”

Gasps of horror came from the cats in the clearing. Shadowpaw looked around, realizing that none of the warriors had been aware of Mothwing’s disbelief.

Mothwing looked as if she could hardly believe Jayfeather had said this in a Gathering. “I don’t believe that’s relevant,” she hissed.

Jayfeather twitched his tail in irritation. “It couldn’t be more relevant. And it’s obvious to every cat, every time you open your mouth to talk about StarClan.”

By now all the cats were staring at Mothwing, uneasiness or plain hostility in their eyes. But Mothwing remained calm. “Actually,” she began, “as I’ve already told you, after some thought, I can no longer deny that StarClan exists. But it’s strange that they’re only communicating with Shadowpaw, who is just an apprentice.”

Clamor erupted around the clearing, some cats yowling in support of Shadowpaw, while others voiced their suspicions of him.

“He saved Bramblestar!”

“What are the other medicine cats doing for us?”

“This is all a ShadowClan plot!”

Shadowpaw squeezed his eyes shut and tried to shrink himself into the smallest space possible. He wished that he could flee out of the clearing and run back to his home in the ShadowClan camp. He hated to feel every cat’s gaze on him and listen to their voices screeching about his visions and his loyalty.

Finally he heard his father’s voice raised loudly above the rest. “Quiet! This is no time for arguments!”

Gradually the noise began to die down. As soon as he could make himself heard without yowling, Tigerstar continued. “What does it matter if Shadowpaw is the only cat who can receive messages from StarClan while the Moonpool is frozen? It’s probably because his connection to our ancestors is so strong.”

Frecklewish let out a disdainful snort. “Do you really believe that?”

“I do believe it,” Tigerstar mewed emphatically. “All I know is a leader was brought back to life. That should be enough for every cat gathered here.”

Shadowpaw relaxed a little, daring to look up again; he was grateful for his father’s support, though he could still hear uneasy muttering among the warriors.

“There is one way to settle this,” Jayfeather stated. “If Bramblestar could tell us what he saw when he visited StarClan . . .”

The gaze of every cat turned toward Bramblestar, who still stood on his branch, his head raised as he stared out above the heads of the cats assembled below. A few moments passed before he startled, seeming to notice the silence, as if he didn’t realize that every cat was waiting for him to answer a question.

“Could you tell us what you saw when you lost your life?” Jayfeather repeated. “Were you in StarClan?”

Bramblestar seemed to gather himself, as if the question needed some thought. Finally he nodded. “Yes, I’m quite sure I was.”

“Did they speak to you before you took up your next life?” Harestar asked.

“They did.”

“And what did they say?” Mistystar spoke for the first time, in a voice full of anxiety. “Did they give you any guidance you can pass on to the rest of us?”

Bramblestar turned toward her, his amber gaze unfriendly. “Mistystar, you are a Clan leader. You know as well as I do that what passes between us and StarClan is not to be spoken of to any cat. It is private, and I for one prefer it to stay that way.”

Mistystar dipped her head apologetically. “I know, Bramblestar. I’m sorry.”

“StarClan restored me,” Bramblestar went on, “and that’s all that matters, surely. And why wouldn’t they? I’m a cat who has always honored the warrior code.” His glance raked across the other leaders where they sat near him in the branches of the Great Oak. “Why are you questioning me?” he demanded.

For a few heartbeats there was an awkward silence while the other four leaders looked at one another. Shadowpaw braced himself for more argument or accusations.

“We’re not. We believe you, Bramblestar,” Leafstar meowed eventually, speaking for them all. “But—”

“Then, for now, we accept that Shadowpaw is our connection to StarClan,” Bramblestar continued, cutting off whatever Leafstar would have said. “At least until the ice on the Moonpool thaws.”

Murmurs of relief arose from the warriors in the clearing. Most of them seemed glad that a decision had been reached, though Shadowpaw was still aware of a few mistrustful looks.

He was hoping that the Gathering might end now, so that he could get away from the crowd, when Tree rose to his paws from where he sat among a group of SkyClan cats.