Night Whispers

“I would have thought StarClan valued Russetfur more,” the leader muttered.

“Perhaps they didn’t know,” Flametail suggested. “Or it may be that her death was unavoidable.”

Blackstar flattened his ears. “Nothing is unavoidable!” he growled. He turned to Littlecloud. “Share tongues with StarClan. Find out why this has happened. I want to know if ThunderClan is planning something else. They might be planning to reach farther into the heart of ShadowClan territory. This battle may only be the start. They are at our tree line already, and that is too close to our camp.”

Littlecloud blinked at him. “ThunderClan hasn’t stolen territory since before the Great Journey.”

Flametail shifted his paws, uncomfortable hearing his mentor defend another Clan. This wasn’t the first time Littlecloud had treated ThunderClan as friends rather than rivals.

The old medicine cat went on. “I thought Firestar’s leadership had put an end to their greed.”

“But not to their arrogance,” Blackstar growled. “They have always tried to tell the other Clans what to do. Perhaps they feel as if they’ve been wasting their words and now is the time for action.” He flexed his long claws. “Go to the Moonpool. Speak with StarClan. Find out what you can.”

Littlecloud’s flanks shuddered as he dipped his head.

“I’ll go,” Flametail blurted out. Littlecloud was in no condition to spend a night in the open, and in such bitter weather.

Blackstar glanced at Littlecloud. The medicine cat’s eyes were growing milky, and there was a tremor in his tail. If the ShadowClan leader was shocked that his senior medicine cat was sick, he hid it. “Very well.”

Flametail followed Littlecloud from the den. Outside, Littlecloud’s tail trembled harder. “Will you be okay on your own?”

“I’ll be happy to know you are warm and resting. You’ve got to take it easy, Littlecloud. Ivytail can help with the simple stuff.”

Littlecloud opened his mouth as if he was about to protest, but it turned into a cough. “Thanks,” he spluttered.

Flametail dipped his head, uneasy that Littlecloud had given in so easily. The old medicine cat must be feeling really ill.

“Take care.” Littlecloud headed back to his den.

“What did Blackstar want?” Ivytail trotted toward Flame-tail, her belly swaying.

“I’m going to consult with StarClan at the Moonpool,” Flametail told her as his mentor disappeared into the brambles. “Will you keep an eye on Littlecloud? He’s not well. He needs to rest.”

“I’ll make sure he does.” Ivytail dipped her head. “And I’ll keep an eye on everyone’s wounds till you get back.”

“You remember what to do?”

“If they smell sour, lick out the old ointment and chew up some fresh herbs.”

Flametail nodded. “Littlecloud will be able to tell you which leaves to use from the store. I’ll be back by sunhigh tomorrow.”

“Take care,” Ivytail mewed.

Flametail ducked through the entrance tunnel, blinking against the shock of cold air outside the camp. He broke into a run, heading along an old badger path that ran down to the lake. His paws sent up showers of needles; his breath billowed at his muzzle.

As he raced down the slope, the lake glinted through the silver-gray trunks. He emerged from the forest at a sprint, squinting against the sun flashing on the waves. Stones clattered as he leaped onto the shore, and he swerved to run along the water’s edge. His muscles felt lean and strong beneath his pelt. Blood pulsed in his ears as his heart quickened.

ShadowClan wasn’t going to be bullied by ThunderClan. ShadowClan wasn’t a Clan that could be pushed around. Their arrogant neighbors needed to be taught a lesson, and ShadowClan would make sure they learned it.

Chapter 7

“What’s going on?”

Ivypaw had limped back to the hollow, her foot sore from her training with Hawkfrost the night before. She was still ruffled by her argument with Dovepaw.

How dare she judge me!

As she’d padded through the tunnel, she’d tensed, trying to disguise her sprained paw. But no one had noticed her slip into the clearing. Her Clanmates were gathered around Firestar, their pelts ruffled.

“What’s going on?” she repeated.

Then she noticed Jayfeather staring down at her from Highledge as though she’d grown wings. A shiver iced her spine as his gaze locked with hers. Could he see her? He knows I’m training in the Dark Forest. She pushed away the worry. Once he sees me becoming a better warrior for my Clan, he’ll understand why!

Blossomfall’s mew stirred her ear fur. “ShadowClan hasn’t marked the new border.”

Ivypaw turned, sagging with relief. “Is that all? I thought there’d been another omen from StarClan.” She glanced back up at Jayfeather, but his thorn-sharp stare had relaxed into its usual blind blue gaze.

“Is that all?” Blossomfall was blinking at her. “It means ShadowClan hasn’t recognized that the territory now belongs to us. That’s pretty serious.”