The Last Hope

Dovewing shuffled to make room for the RiverClan elder. “You can sit here, if you want.” She beckoned with a flick of her muzzle.

“Thank you.” Dapplenose sat beside her.

Dovewing closed her mouth to block out the stink of fish rising from the old cat’s pelt. “No problem,” she muttered between clenched teeth.

Silence swept the Clan as Blackstar lifted his muzzle and yowled, “Let the Gathering begin.” He gazed over the Clans from the wide, low branch of the Great Oak. “Thank you, Firestar.” He dipped his head to the ThunderClan leader.

Firestar narrowed his eyes.

Blackstar went on, “You have followed the wishes of the Clans and kept Jayfeather confined to camp until we discover the truth about Flametail’s death.”

Dawnpelt’s eyes flashed from beside Littlecloud, and she nodded importantly to show that she agreed.

Dovewing flexed her claws. Who made you leader of everyone?

Spiderleg rose on his haunches and called, “How will the truth be known?”

Littlecloud stepped forward. “We are waiting for StarClan to speak.” He glanced at Dawnpelt. “It’s a difficult situation for us all.”

Willowshine stood up. “None of us are comfortable with it.”

Dovewing tried to see Tigerheart. Was he feeling uncomfortable?

“Don’t stare!” Her mother’s hiss made her jump. “We don’t want to challenge ShadowClan!”

Flinching, Dovewing dragged her gaze back toward the leaders. Onestar had stepped forward, his tail curving over his back. “WindClan has had good hunting over the past moon. We are ready for the coming season.”

Mistystar nodded. “We, too. Greenleaf filled the lake with fish and there has been no illness in RiverClan.”

Firestar flicked his tail. “StarClan has blessed all the Clans this greenleaf.”

Dovewing saw unease flicker in his gaze for a moment before he blinked it away. This might be the last greenleaf the Clans would see.

Mistystar interrupted her thoughts. “RiverClan has had only one concern.” She tipped her head, her eyes questioning as she scanned the Clans. “There have been traces of rogues and loners appearing in our territory. No cat has been spotted, but there have been strange scents and paw prints.”

Dovewing froze, remembering all the nights she’d roamed with Tigerheart beyond the bounds of Clan territory. Had their scents drifted into enemy territory?

Mistystar twitched her tail. “And yet we have found no trails across our scent lines. It’s as if the cats simply appeared inside our territories.”

Whitewing leaned closer to Dovewing. “Perhaps the tunnels reach into RiverClan territory, too,” she whispered.

But Dovewing hardly heard her. Don’t let it be our scent! She drew her paws tighter under her. Hadn’t Spiderleg reported hearing strange cats on a night vigil? Brambleclaw had ordered moonhigh patrols. Was that our fault, too?

Firestar put his head on one side, his eyes sharp with interest. “We have also seen signs of rogue intruders.” His tail trembled. “They’ve come at night and we’ve set up extra patrols, but no cat has actually been seen.”

Onestar shifted his paws. “We’ve had strange scents, too,” he admitted.

Blackstar hunched his shoulders. “There have been rogues in ShadowClan’s forests as well.”

Firestar leaned forward. “Have you actually seen anything?”

Blackstar shook his head. “Just scents, broken branch tips, tufts of fur.”

Mistystar’s fur lifted along her spine. “Whereabouts?”

“Deep in our territory,” Blackstar replied.

Onestar nodded. “Same here. Nothing at the borders, but traces right at the heart of the moor.”

Blackstar’s claws scraped the bark. “Most scents have been found in areas perfect for ambushes.”

“As though an enemy is scouting for an invasion,” Firestar commented grimly.

Dovewing felt pelts bristling around her. Murmurs rippled through the Clans.

“I found orange fur on a gorse bush!” Heathertail called. “It smelled like no Clan cat I know.”

Smokefoot lifted his muzzle. “There were paw prints near our training ground that had a foul scent.” The ShadowClan warrior wrinkled his nose.

Dapplenose shifted beside Dovewing. “There was a trail of footprints tracking the river around our camp,” she rasped.

Blossomfall raised her head above her Clanmates. “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Greenleaf has been warm and sunny,” she called. “Kittypets, rogues, and loners always stray farther during fine weather.”

Dovewing glanced at her Clanmate. Why was she so keen to dismiss the danger?

“These were no rogues! I smelled RiverClan among the other scents!” Rowanclaw yowled.

Brambleclaw nodded. “And there was definitely ShadowClan scent in ThunderClan territory.”

Blackstar narrowed his eyes. “No ShadowClan warrior has trespassed across your border!”

A growl rumbled in Mistystar’s throat. “RiverClan has no need to stray into other territories. We have everything we need in our own!”