Moth Flight’s Vision

Moth Flight’s heart lurched. “Do you think they’re ready to listen to us?” She glanced at Cloud Spots and Dappled Pelt.

How much influence did any of them have over their leaders?

Cloud Spots swished his tail. “We speak for StarClan.”

Dappled Pelt frowned. “From what I’ve heard, Clear Sky has no time for StarClan.”

Pebble Heart glanced at the stars, sparkling high overhead.

“They’re his ancestors as well as ours.”

“We should hold the meeting without him!” Wind Runner’s angry mew rang once more across the clearing. As Moth Flight turned, the WindClan leader shouldered her way through the crowd and leaped onto the great rock.

Wind Runner glared at Thunder, River Ripple, and Tall Shadow. “Why should we show him respect by waiting when he shows us none by being late?” She lashed her tail, her brown pelt pale in the moonlight. “He probably won’t come at all!

That’s how little he values us.”

Tall Shadow weaved past Juniper Branch and Milkweed, glancing at Sun Shadow before jumping up beside Wind Runner. River Ripple followed slowly, his pelt ruffled. Thunder hesitated, checking the SkyClan slope once more before leaping onto the rock.

Wind Runner’s gaze swept the Clans as the cats crowded closer and raised their muzzles to their leaders.

“We must treat Clear Sky as he has treated us!” she yowled.

“If he wants to stop all cats from crossing his land, then we must turn our tails on him!”

Thunder stared at her, ears twitching. “What do you mean?”

“From now on, SkyClan is not one of us,” Wind Runner showed her teeth. “They do not exist. They must survive alone.”

“No!” Thunder bristled. “Clear Sky must have closed his borders for a good reason. You say he’s being hostile. For all we know, he’s simply defending his land. You claim that SkyClan has stolen prey from you! But where’s your proof? They’re not even here to defend themselves.”

River Ripple nodded. “Clear Sky should at least be given a fair hearing.”

“Why?” Tall Shadow narrowed her eyes. “He hasn’t even shown up. Clearly, he doesn’t consider himself one of us. Of course you defend him, Thunder; he’s your father. But why should we doubt Wind Runner’s word? She has never lied before. Clear Sky has been lying since he was a kit. Have you forgotten his treachery to Gray Wing? He started the Great

Battle! We have been patient with him long enough! We will be stronger without SkyClan.”

Stronger without SkyClan? Outrage surged in Moth Flight’s belly. Didn’t these cats realize that banishing a Clan would be like pulling a woven twig from a nest? Each twig made it strong. Once you began to unravel it, the whole nest might collapse. “We cannot turn our tails on another Clan!” She was shocked to hear her own voice ring loudly across the clearing.

Eyes flashed toward her.

Dappled Pelt lifted her chin. “We came from the mountains together. We share blood and memories.”

“Unite or die!” Cloud Spots yowled. “Don’t you remember the Great Battle? The spirit-cats told us afterward that we could not live without each other.”

“Unite or die!” Thunder stepped to the edge of the rock. “If we are to survive, we must act together. This dispute must be ended with words, not deeds.”

“Words?” Wind Runner spat. “Since when did Clear Sky ever resolve anything with words? He only knows how to use his claws and this is the only way we can avoid battle. We must shun Clear Sky, before he starts another war.”

Moth Flight stared at her mother. “What about the rest of SkyClan? It’s they who will suffer if we abandon them.”

Willow Tail called from among the crowd. “How will they suffer? They won’t starve. They have enough prey in the forest.”

Shattered Ice lifted his muzzle. “Clear Sky has always caused trouble for the Clans. Without him, we can have peace.”

“But their medicine cat hasn’t finished her training!” Moth

Flight whisked her tail angrily. “Who will care for their sick?

And what if they need herbs that only grow beside the river, or on the moor? Do we turn them away and let their Clanmates die?”

Juniper Branch spoke up. “The Clans must work together. I only survived my kitting because Moth Flight helped Pebble Heart. Now I have three healthy kits!”

Muted murmurs of agreement rippled through the Clans.

Willow Tail silenced them. “A few moons ago, we didn’t even have medicine cats! We survived then. We’ll survive now!”

Moth Flight swung her gaze toward the she-cat. “StarClan ordered us to care for our Clans. Would you go against

StarClan?”

“Why not?” Willow Tail snapped. “They’re dead! They know nothing about the living.”

“That’s not true!” Moth Flight lashed her tail. “They watch over us.”

River Ripple nudged past Thunder, his eyes glittering with starlight. “StarClan brought peace. They see things we cannot.”

He stared at Willow Tail. “Do you think you know better than they do?”

Willow Tail looked away, her pelt rippling.

Thunder glanced gratefully at the RiverClan leader. “We cannot make hasty decisions without speaking to Clear Sky.”