Moth Flight’s Vision

“Micah! Is that you?” She struggled awake.

“Moth Flight!”

Bleary with sleep, she struggled free of her dream. She could feel Micah, warm against her. She shook her head, clearing her thoughts. She was in the ThunderClan camp. Soft dawn light crept into the shelter of the fallen tree where they’d made their nest.

“Moth Flight!” Someone was calling her from the clearing.

“I’m coming!” She scrambled onto her paws and hurried out.

Spotted Fur stood in the middle, gazing desperately around.

His ears pricked as he saw her. “There you are!”

“What’s happened?” Fear stabbed her belly. What had sent him here at dawn?

“You said you’d be with RiverClan!” There was reproach in his mew. “River Ripple told me you were here.” His gaze flicked past her as fur brushed beneath the jutting branch of the fallen tree. “Micah.” Spotted Fur’s hackles lifted as the yellow tom slid out behind Moth Flight.

Moth Flight flicked her tail impatiently. “What’s happened?”

The WindClan tom looked away from Micah. “Rocky’s sick!”

Moth Flight frowned. “Is he coughing again?”

“No,” Spotted Fur told her. “He’s burning hot and he’s talking nonsense!”

“Has he been eating catmint?”

“Reed Tail says he’s only had tansy,” Spotted Fur told her.

Thunder slid from the lichen draping the entrance to his den.

“What’s going on?” He stared at Spotted Fur.

“We need Moth Flight,” Spotted Fur told him.

Around the camp, cats were beginning to stir. Apple

Blossom peeked out of the bramble den. Lightning Tail ducked from under a spreading yew, Leaf at his tail.

Lightning Tail narrowed his eyes as he saw Spotted Fur.

“How did you find your way into the camp?”

“How do you think?” Spotted Fur snorted. “I followed my nose, of course. Do you think ThunderClan paw prints don’t smell?”

Thunder stepped forward, his ears twitching crossly. “You’re disturbing my Clan.”

“I’m just here to fetch Moth Flight.” Spotted Fur glared at the ThunderClan leader. “One of our Clanmates is sick. We need her.”

Heat washed Moth Flight’s pelt. Did Spotted Fur have to be rude? Thunder and his Clanmates had been so kind.

Cloud Spots nosed his way from the ferns, a roll of herbs dangling from his mouth. He crossed the clearing and dropped them at Moth Flight’s paws. “Take these,” he told her. “They’re some of the herbs we gathered. They might be some help.”

Moth Flight blinked at him gratefully, then dipped her head to Thunder. “Thank you for letting us stay.”

Thunder’s eyes glowed with warmth. “Send my regards to Wind Runner and Gorse Fur.”

“I will.” She snatched up the herb bundle and headed for the gorse barrier. Spotted Fur followed.

“Wait for me!” Micah hurried after them.

Spotted Fur glanced at the yellow tom. “We don’t need you.”

I do! Moth Flight grunted crossly, the herb bundle muffling her mew.

“Two medicine cats are better than one,” Micah insisted.

Spotted Fur shot Moth Flight a glance. He must have seen the anger in her gaze. “Okay,” he snapped, ducking through the gorse barrier. “I guess you can come too.”

“Great! See you soon, Cloud Spots!” Micah called over his shoulder. “Take care of Pink Eyes!”

Moth Flight followed Spotted Fur out of camp and stopped at the bottom of the cliff. Spotted Fur was already scanning the rock face. “Follow me.” He hopped onto the lowest ledge and began to lead a winding route up the cliff.

By the time they reached the WindClan camp, Moth Flight was out of breath. Her tongue burned with herb juices that had seeped out as she gripped the bundle between her jaws. They’d hared over the last stretch of grass and burst into the hollow as the sun lifted above the distant forest. Sunshine flooded the clearing.

Moth Flight raced toward her den. She could hear Micah’s paws thrumming behind her.

Gorse Fur watched them pass, surprise glittering in his eyes.

Dust Muzzle and Willow Tail leaped to their paws. Jagged Peak stared from his den, Holly pacing in the shadows behind. Moth

Flight felt her pelt prickle as their gaze followed Micah. Why did they look so uneasy?

“Wait!” Wind Runner’s yowl sounded across the camp.

Moth Flight skidded to a halt.

Her mother was stalking across the tussocks, staring at Micah. “What’s he doing here?”

Moth Flight dropped the herbs. “He’s come to help!”

“I thought I told you I didn’t want him in the camp!” Wind Runner halted.

Moth Flight faced her. “Rocky’s sick and Micah’s a medicine cat.”

Wind Runner didn’t blink. “Can’t you heal him by yourself?”

“I don’t know.” Moth Flight held her ground. She fought the urge to drop her gaze as Wind Runner glared at her. Rocky needed help.

Wind Runner’s tail twitched ominously “There was an incident while you were away.”

Moth Flight tensed. “What happened?”

“A moor rabbit was found in SkyClan’s territory,” Wind Runner told her.

Micah pricked his ears.

Wind Runner met his gaze accusingly. “Clearly, your Clan is stealing prey from our land.”

Micah shrugged. “How do you know it didn’t just stray across the border by itself?”

Wind Runner lashed her tail. “Willow Tail said she’d seen

SkyClan cats on the moor earlier.”