River Of Fire

Twigpaw’s legs were shaking, and she ducked her head to give her chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks, but her eyes were shining. “I just did what any cat would have done,” she murmured.

Meanwhile, Bramblestar stepped forward and dipped his head to the cats who had just arrived. “We’re discussing what to do next,” he explained. “ThunderClan and WindClan are going to divide up the RiverClan cats to take shelter in our camps.”

“But that’s mouse-brained!” Tawnypelt exclaimed.

Even though Violetshine knew that Tawnypelt was Bramblestar’s sister, she was still shocked that any warrior would address a Clan leader like that.

“If RiverClan needs a place to stay,” Tawnypelt went on, “they should stay in ShadowClan’s old camp. It’s empty, and it’s closer. They—”

She broke off suddenly with a sideways glance at Hawkwing, who returned her look with whiskers twitching, as if he was saying, That wasn’t your offer to make.

But after a moment’s pause, Hawkwing gave a brief nod. “That seems sensible,” he meowed. “You could stay there until you can get your own camp back in order—if Leafstar agrees.”

Mistystar blinked at him gratefully. “Thank you,” she responded. “RiverClan will not forget this day.”

As the RiverClan leader began to gather her cats together, Violetshine felt a purr welling up from deep inside her chest. She finally felt hope that RiverClan’s long estrangement from the other Clans was over.

Violetshine’s belly churned with nervousness as she followed Hawkwing into the SkyClan camp. The RiverClan cats crowded in behind her.

Leafstar is already losing patience. What is she going to think about this?

The center of the camp was empty when Violetshine and the others arrived, but the sound of the new arrivals brought heads popping out of the warriors’ den to see what was going on. Soon cats were emerging into the open, staring at the huge crowd.

“Great StarClan!” Sparrowpelt exclaimed. “How are we going to find space for all these cats?”

No cat answered him; instead a murmur of anticipation broke out as Leafstar appeared from her den, leaped over the cedar roots, and bounded up to meet Hawkwing and Mistystar beside the stream.

“Greetings, Leafstar,” Mistystar mewed, bowing her head with deepest respect.

“Greetings,” Leafstar responded with an irritable flick of her tail. To Hawkwing she added, “What’s all this about?”

Violetshine thought her leader looked startled, and not at all pleased as she surveyed the RiverClan cats. She wondered what would happen if Leafstar decided to refuse them shelter and ordered her Clan to drive them out of SkyClan territory.

She wouldn’t do that . . . would she?

Hawkwing explained how the fire had led his patrol to the RiverClan camp. “I thought it would be a good idea if the RiverClan cats stayed in the old ShadowClan camp,” he continued. Violetshine noticed that he didn’t say it had been Tawnypelt’s idea. “Only temporarily, of course. I hope you don’t mind that I offered.”

“Of course not,” Leafstar responded. “After all the help the other Clans have given us, it’s the least we can do.”

For all the friendliness in Leafstar’s words, Violetshine thought she could detect an edge in the Clan leader’s voice. However, all Leafstar did was to beckon Juniperclaw, Bellaleaf, and Plumwillow.

“Escort the RiverClan cats to the old ShadowClan camp,” she ordered. “And see that they have everything that they need.”

“My Clan and I thank you, Leafstar.” Mistystar bowed her head again. “We are in your debt. And you can be sure that we won’t trespass on your generosity for long.”

Leafstar acknowledged Mistystar’s words with a nod. Her voice sounded a little warmer as she added, “It’s good to see you again.”

The SkyClan leader remained standing in the center of the camp while the RiverClan cats filed out through the fern tunnel, accompanied by their escort. When they were gone, Leafstar flicked her ears to summon Tawnypelt to her side. Violetshine could feel the tension between the two cats, as if another, even worse storm were about to break.

“Leafstar, I’m sorry,” Tawnypelt began. “I meant no disrespect when—”

“Enough!” Leafstar interrupted in a cool, crisp voice. “Tawnypelt, you and the other former ShadowClan cats must decide which you want to be: ShadowClan or SkyClan. If you want to be ShadowClan, you must get off SkyClan territory. If you want to be SkyClan, you must never question my judgment again.”

Tawnypelt’s tail drooped. “Of course, Leafstar,” she responded with a dip of her head.

A murmur rose among the listening crowd of cats. None of them sounded happy, and the former ShadowClan warriors were exchanging disturbed glances.

Violetshine’s gaze sought out Puddleshine. The medicine cat looked deeply troubled—just as troubled as she felt.