Moth Flight’s Vision

Moth Flight hardly heard the ShadowClan leader. Her thoughts were already racing toward the moor, where her Clanmates were waiting for her. How could she have stayed away so long? “I’ve been so selfish,” she murmured to herself as she headed for the camp entrance.

Pebble Heart caught up to her and fell in step beside her.

“Perhaps you should have some thyme before we go,” he suggested quietly. “You seem shocked.”

“I’m okay.” Moth Flight kept her gaze fixed ahead. It didn’t matter if she was shocked. She had to be strong now. She was carrying Micah’s kits. Nothing was more important than that.

Chapter 26

Moth Flight struggled for breath as she walked beside Pebble Heart.

“Let’s slow down,” he urged.

She shook her head. “I want to get home.” She padded from the pines and stopped beside the Thunderpath. The stone trail was deserted, but the stale stench of monsters made Moth Flight feel sick. “I’ve become so weak!”

“I think it’s because you’re carrying kits.” Pebble Heart paused on the grass verge. “Juniper Branch could hardly cross the clearing without panting by the end.”

“But I’ve another moon to go!” Moth Flight hurried onto the smooth stone, not wanting to be reminded of the queen’s long and painful kitting.

Pebble Heart followed her, tactfully changing the subject.

“Your Clanmates will have missed you.”

“Do you think?” She turned as she reached the far side.

Would they feel she’d been disloyal by staying away for so long?

“They’ll be glad you’re home.” Pebble Heart bounded up the short, steep slope onto the moorside.

Moth Flight struggled after him, stopping at the top to catch her breath. She gazed across the heather. Its blossom had turned the moorside purple. Wind swept around her, lifting her fur. She closed her eyes, relishing the sensation. The dank pines had shielded her for too long. “I should have come home earlier.”

“You waited until you were ready.” Pebble Heart headed upslope.

Moth Flight followed, surprised by the silkiness of the grass beneath her paws. One day her kits would run here. Excitement flickered in her chest. Was she really going to be a mother? To Micah’s kits! Joy swamped her. Grief would no longer be her only link to him. Soon she’d have his kits; she’d watch them grow. She’d tell them about their brave and handsome father. He would live on through them.

I’ll have to raise them alone. The idea daunted her, but the closer she got to home, the more she felt she would be okay.

Wind Runner always knows what to do. She glanced at Pebble Heart, his gray pelt ruffled by the breeze. “Thank you for being so kind to me.”

He slowed to let her catch up. “I didn’t do anything really.”

“Yes, you did.” She remembered all the times he’d brought her prey; how often she’d woken to find water-soaked moss on the side of her nest; how gently he’d encouraged her to help gather herbs and mix poultices. Thanks to him, she’d lost none of her skills; indeed, he’d taught her so much. He was such a wise, serious cat—a dreamer in his own way, but not as easily distracted as she was. She admired him and had grown fond of him. He was almost like a Clanmate.

As her thoughts drifted, movement caught her eye. She looked down the grassy slope and saw cats stalking along the SkyClan border. Their pelts showed among the trees, moving slowly through the ferns. She halted, narrowing her gaze as she recognized Thorn, Birch, and Nettle. “I wonder what they’re doing?” she called to Pebble Heart.

Pebble Heart followed her gaze. The three cats had stopped.

Birch was marking a tree with his scent. “It’s a border patrol.”

Moth Flight blinked at him. “A what?”

“Clear Sky’s given orders that his borders are to be checked daily and fresh markings left.”

Anger flared in Moth Flight’s belly. “Does he still insist on borders?” She could hardly believe any cat could be so rabbit-brained.

“He says cats belong in their own territory,” Pebble Heart murmured.

“So Micah died for nothing!” Moth Flight flattened her ears.

“Doesn’t he realize that Micah would never have died if he hadn’t been so bothered about his borders?”

Pebble Heart avoided her gaze. “He says Micah would never have died if you hadn’t crossed the border with him.”

Moth Flight trembled with fury. “How dare he?”

“Don’t let it upset you,” Pebble Heart begged. “If Clear Sky wants to fuss about his borders, then let him.” His gaze slid past her.

She jerked her muzzle around, following it, and saw Willow

Tail and Eagle Feather watching the SkyClan patrol from a distant, rocky outcrop. “Don’t they have anything better to do?” she snapped. “They should be feeding their Clan, not watching borders!” She broke into a trot, heading for the hollow.

Pebble Heart hurried after her. “Let Wind Runner worry about it,” he told her. “You’re a medicine cat, not a hunter.

Borders aren’t your problem.”

As he spoke, a gray-and-white pelt showed against the heather upslope.