Sunrise

Cautiously, stopping every few paw steps to listen and to taste the air, he led the way up to the Twoleg nest and through the dark, gaping entrance hole. Hollyleaf shivered as she stepped inside. It was even colder here than outside: a raw cold that struck upward from the damp stone floor. Brambles grew through the gaps in the walls, as if the territory outside was invading the nest. There was a musty smell made up of stale prey, rotting leaves, and mold. But there was a smell of cats, too, stronger and fresher than the other scents.

“Purdy?” Brambleclaw called.

There was no reply. The deputy padded forward, with the patrol clustered tightly together behind him. Every hair on Hollyleaf’s pelt prickled. There was something strange about this place, something chilly and unwelcoming.

Then a new voice spoke behind them. “Are you looking for me?”

CHAPTER 14

Hollyleaf whirled around. Behind her, in an arched opening, a tall, well-muscled cat was outlined against the dusk. The white patches on his pelt shone very brightly.

“Sol!” Hazeltail’s gasp was amazed and terrified all at once.

She really thinks Sol is the killer! Hollyleaf thought.

She was aware of bristling pelts and stiff limbs around her. But as soon as she looked into Sol’s glowing amber eyes, Hollyleaf felt herself relaxing. How could she have forgotten how wise he was, how calm and certain he was about the future? Nothing troubled him, because he already knew what to expect.

“Greetings, Sol.” Brambleclaw stepped forward. “Yes, we’re looking for you. You need to come back to ThunderClan.”

Sol looked into the eyes of each cat in turn. “Something has happened.”

Hollyleaf felt a jolt in her belly, as if a stone had struck her. What does he know about Ashfur?

“We just need you to come with us,” Brambleclaw meowed. “Firestar wants to talk to you.”

Sol’s eyes narrowed. “Something has happened that you think concerns me. Something bad. You wouldn’t come all this way to thank me.” He paused thoughtfully. “A cat has died….”

Behind Hollyleaf, Birchfall caught his breath.

“No,” Sol corrected himself. “A cat has been killed. And you think I’m responsible.” The tip of his tail twitched, but he betrayed no other emotion.

I’d be terrified if any cat accused me, Hollyleaf thought, scraping her claws against the cold stone. But Sol just surveyed the patrol calmly and waited for them to speak.

“He must be guilty!” Hazeltail whispered to Hollyleaf. “He didn’t even ask who died!”

“Sol? Is that you?” A frail voice broke the silence, and Purdy appeared in the entrance, dragging a scrawny rabbit behind him. He was thinner than when Hollyleaf had last seen him, and his tabby pelt looked messier than ever.

“Look what I got!” Purdy dropped the prey and looked up. He blinked in astonishment as he recognized the Clan cats. “If it ain’t Brambleclaw!” he exclaimed. “And Hollypaw and Lionpaw! I hope you two young ’uns are behaving yourselves.”

“Yes, we are,” Lionblaze replied, padding forward to touch noses with the old loner. “And we’re warriors now. Lionblaze and Hollyleaf.”

“Well, who’d have thought it?” Purdy’s eyes gleamed. “Well done, youngsters.”

For a few heartbeats, Hollyleaf felt like an apprentice again. She should have been insulted, that Purdy still thought of her and her brother as young cats who were always getting into mischief. Instead she yearned for the days when everything had seemed so simple, and all she had to do was make herself the best warrior she could.

“How’s that brother o’ yours?” Purdy asked.

“He’s Jayfeather now,” Hollyleaf replied. “He’s a full medicine cat.”

Purdy shook his head again. “Who’d have thought it?” he repeated.

Brambleclaw padded forward and dipped his head to the old loner. “Greetings, Purdy. It’s good to see you again. Come and meet my other Clanmates. This is Birchfall, and this is Hazeltail and Brackenfur.”

“Good to know you,” Purdy mumbled, looking a bit embarrassed to be among so many strangers.

“I’m sorry, Purdy.” Sol stepped forward, to stand in front of the old cat. “I have to go.”

Purdy blinked in astonishment. “What? Why?” When Sol didn’t reply, he added, “I know you’ve only been here a couple o’ days, but I reckoned we were getting on fine. This old nest don’t feel half as empty wi’ you around. And look—” He waved his tail toward the rabbit he had dragged in. “I found us some prey. It’s a bit old and scrawny, but it could make a good meal….” His voice trailed off, and he hunched his shoulders.

“You enjoy the rabbit, Purdy,” Sol mewed gently, his amber eyes glowing. “I think the ThunderClan cats want to leave at once.”

“What’s all the rush?” Purdy turned to Brambleclaw. “Why do you need Sol to leave with you right now? Couldn’t you all stay here a bit longer? You’d be right welcome.”