She broke off at the sound of more rustling from the bushes. A clump of ferns parted and River Ripple emerged.
“River Ripple!” Thunder exclaimed, pleased to see the silver-gray tom. “How did you know there was going to be a meeting?”
River Ripple paused to give his silky chest fur a couple of licks. “I know everything,” he purred. “When are you going to learn that? And I brought a friend with me.”
To Thunder’s amazement, Gray Wing slipped out of the ferns behind River Ripple. His whole body was tight with tension, and he didn’t meet any cat’s gaze.
Thunder felt his whole body sag with relief. Gray Wing is okay! He bounded over to the gray tom. “Gray Wing, where have you been?” he demanded, relief and anger mingled in his voice. “How could you go off like that and leave us all to worry about you?”
Gray Wing still didn’t look at him. “Sparrow Fur didn’t want to come home with me,” he explained, “and I couldn’t face returning to the hollow alone. I—I just needed to be on my own.”
“Yes,” River Ripple meowed. “I found him shivering beside the grave. I took him back to my river island with me.”
“And that’s where I’m staying for now,” Gray Wing added with a grateful glance at the silver tom. “I need some time to think.”
“To think about what?” Thunder asked. “Where has all this come from? Gray Wing, we need you!”
Gray Wing met his gaze for the first time. “Do you? Or am I just getting in the way? I’m not feeling angry, or anything like that,” he went on, overriding Thunder’s attempt to protest. “But I do feel like I’m getting in the way. You’re a great leader, and so is Tall Shadow. Aren’t three cats making decisions too many?”
“No,” Thunder responded, hardly able to believe that Gray Wing was thinking this way. “We were all working together! I thought it was going well.”
Gray Wing shook his head. “You’ve grown into your huge paws, Thunder, and I don’t want to keep you from becoming the cat you should be. So I need to think about the next step for me—and I need space to do that.”
At last Thunder was shocked into silence. He saw how relieved Gray Wing looked to not have to face any more objections. But before either cat could say more, Tall Shadow stepped forward.
“I see your point, Gray Wing,” she rasped. “But did you have to disappear like that? We were all really worried about you—especially Owl Eyes and Pebble Heart.”
Gray Wing dipped his head. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “It was shortsighted of me. I’ll never do that again.”
While they talked the breeze had strengthened, driving the last of the clouds away, and moonlight flooded the clearing, picking out every remaining leaf on the four oak trees.
Clear Sky bounded across to the Great Rock and leaped to the top. “Gather around, all of you!” he called. “Let’s begin the meeting.”
As the cats found places to sit near the foot of the rock, Thunder noticed another cat slip quietly out of the undergrowth and settle down a few tail-lengths from the others in the shadow of a clump of ferns. With a gasp of amazement he recognized the golden tabby she-cat who had spoken to him after the second meeting with the spirit-cats. Now she turned her intense green eyes toward him and for a moment their gazes locked. Then she glanced away again, looking up at the rock as she waited for Clear Sky to speak.
A shiver ran through Thunder from ears to tail-tip. Who is she? And what is she doing here? The thought was quickly followed by another. If one strange cat can join us, others might do the same. Suddenly feeling vulnerable and exposed, he took a careful look around the clearing, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw no trace of One Eye.
Tall Shadow leaped up onto the rock and sat beside Clear Sky. “We have had sickness in our camp,” she began. “Wind Runner’s kit Morning Whisker died earlier today. Her belly was swollen and there were cracks in her skin oozing blood. Has any cat seen this illness anywhere else?”
“We found a mouse that had died the same way,” Thunder added.
“And there was that bird,” Clear Sky meowed. “The one you argued over with One Eye.”
“There was a dead fox near the Thunderpath.” Snake sprang to his paws to make his contribution. “It had a swollen belly and froth all over its jaws.”
Quick Water nodded. “I saw it too. And a squirrel with half its fur gone, and sores all over its body.”
“And I found a dead vole by the river,” River Ripple contributed.
“Cloud Spots, you know herbs,” Shattered Ice began. “So do you, Dappled Pelt. Have you seen anything like this before?”
“Yes, are there herbs that could help?” Jagged Peak asked.
Cloud Spots rose reluctantly; Thunder saw that he looked bewildered, and knew before he spoke that he wouldn’t have any useful answers.
“I advised Pebble Heart to treat Morning Whisker with tansy,” he meowed. “It might have slowed down the progress of her illness, but it didn’t cure her. I’m sorry.”
“River Ripple, what about you?” Tall Shadow looked down at the silver tom from her place on top of the rock. “Have you come across this before?”
River Ripple dipped his head to her. “I haven’t seen this exact sickness before, but I have seen severe illness. There was one greenleaf when many of the rogue cats died. It seemed like it had something to do with the heat.”
It’s been hot this past greenleaf, too, Thunder thought. Maybe the same thing is happening again. “How did you get rid of the illness last time?” he asked.
“Most of the cats split up,” River Ripple replied. “I didn’t see some of the rogues for a long time. Then after greenleaf we started to mix again, and the sickness seemed to have worked its way out.”
“One Eye sounded as if he knew something about it,” Clear Sky put in. “He mocked me but wouldn’t give me specifics on what he knew, just that some of the cats in my group were as good as dead.”
“And now Morning Whisker has died, but no other cats are sick,” Acorn Fur added.
“And One Eye isn’t here to tell us any more,” Clear Sky said, looking down at his paws, embarrassed.
“What happened with that cat isn’t your fault,” Thunder reassured him.
“I know, but if One Eye were still here, he might be able to advise us,” Clear Sky mewed desperately. “He—”
“Yes, but at what cost?” Lightning Tail interrupted angrily. “He’s killed one cat and nearly killed another. How many more would have to die, just so that we could listen to his words of wisdom—if he has any wisdom to offer?”
A murmur of agreement rose up from all the cats. Of course Lightning Tail is right, Thunder thought. We’d all be mouse-brained to have any more to do with One Eye. “Talking about One Eye is distracting us from the real issue,” he pointed out.
“But we need to keep our eyes open for him,” Clear Sky reminded them in a low voice. “He’s dangerous, and he has sworn revenge.”
“Everything in its time.” Tall Shadow spoke with her usual cool wisdom. “For now we need to figure out how to protect ourselves from the illness.”
“We need to separate.” Thunder gave a start of surprise as Gray Wing spoke for the first time. “Make sure that our groups don’t mix. Set up boundaries and respect them.”
Disbelief flashed through Thunder at his kin’s words. “But we’ve spent so long defending unnecessary boundaries,” he protested. “And now you of all cats want to set them up again?”
“We’re vulnerable now,” Gray Wing pointed out. “It’s part of what I told you before—we have some good leaders, but too many for only two groups. If we split up, natural leaders can take their rightful places, and all cats will be protected.”
“I liked the swampy land beyond the Thunderpath.” A quiet voice spoke up, and it took a moment for Thunder to realize it came from Tall Shadow. More briskly she continued, “I think it would make the perfect home. Far enough away from other cats to safeguard whoever goes with me.”
&nbs
p; Thunder blinked at her in disbelief. “You—you want to leave the hollow and go somewhere else? What are we supposed to do without you? And how many other cats have been hatching big plans behind my back?” he asked, feeling the fur on his shoulders beginning to rise in anger.
Clear Sky looked down at him. “Thunder, this isn’t about cats deceiving you or betraying you. Every cat is trying to do the right thing. We just want to save lives.”
Huh! Thunder thought. That’s a bit much, coming from you! But he had the sense to stay silent, and made his bristling fur lie flat again.
“Can we come to a decision?” Holly asked, an edge of irritation in her tone. “For the record, I’m expecting kits, and I’d prefer not to be moving about, trying to set up a new group.”
Her question sparked off a discussion, with every cat trying to have their say. There was no clear agreement. Thunder stayed silent, letting the arguments swirl around him, as impatient as Holly to have this settled so they could leave.
“Okay, this is what we’ll do,” Tall Shadow meowed at last. “I’ll stay on the moor with Thunder—for the time being, anyway. Clear Sky will take his group back to his camp, and Gray Wing will go with River Ripple. Agreed?”
“But that’s hardly any different from how we’re living now,” Gray Wing pointed out.
“Because this isn’t the time to be making big changes,” Tall Shadow retorted. Again her gaze raked the group. “Are we all agreed?”
Thunder didn’t object, though he would have preferred for Gray Wing to come home with him. “What about Sparrow Fur?” he asked Clear Sky. “Will she return to the hollow when she’s healed?”
“I don’t know,” Clear Sky replied. “She’ll make the decision when the time comes.”
Gray Wing winced at these words, but didn’t argue. The meeting was clearly over. As the cats began to split up to return to their own camps, Thunder turned away, flicking the tip of his tail in frustration. The spirit-cats hadn’t visited, they were no better off in terms of understanding the illness, and he was unsettled by the thought of the cats dividing into more groups. It hasn’t happened yet, but it’s clear that’s what Gray Wing and Tall Shadow want, he thought bitterly. Unite or die—that was the message, wasn’t it? he said to himself. So much for unity!
Then he noticed that the strange she-cat had risen to her paws and was weaving among the others until she reached Thunder’s side and brushed her pelt against his. Thunder’s whole body shivered at her touch, though he tried not to show it.
“My name is Star Flower,” she purred, her voice rich and sweet as the scent of honey. “I was named after the white flowers that glow at night with their five petals. If you look closely at my eyes, you’ll see the five petal shapes.”
She stood in front of Thunder, nose to nose with him, as if she was daring him to gaze at her.
With a huge effort of will, Thunder turned away. A fox-length away he spotted Lightning Tail. The black tom was watching him intently. Thunder felt even more awkward.
“I told you before, I’ve heard a lot about you,” Star Flower continued.
Thunder felt surprised and a bit uneasy. Which cats have been talking to her about me?
The golden tabby’s glance dropped to his paws and she reached out to give one of them a quick pat. “They’re not as big as some cats said,” she told him, “but I could train you to fight with them.”
With a last, teasing glance, she padded away.
Thoroughly flustered by the encounter, Thunder turned and, seeing most of his own group close by, caught their attention with a wave of his tail. “In the future,” he began, “if we meet any strange cats, can we let each other know? It doesn’t feel right, letting them slip into our meetings without knowing who they are.”
“Oh, Thunder,” Tall Shadow meowed. “Stop being so grumpy and hostile.”
Thunder’s eyes widened, though he didn’t respond. Is that Tall Shadow talking—the cat who wouldn’t let any strangers join our group, or even visit for more than a few heartbeats?
By now full darkness had fallen, and the departing cats melted into the night. Thunder realized that Tall Shadow was padding along by his side. “Did you really like what you saw on the other side of the Thunderpath?” he asked.
Tall Shadow shrugged. “I told you when we were there. I just find it . . . so beautiful.”
“But to live there?” Thunder protested. “It’s marshland!”
“Some of it, yes,” Tall Shadow agreed. “But there are flowers growing there, and trees. I loved the misty air. It felt special, somehow. As if it was a secret place, just inviting me to explore it.” She shook her head, looking slightly confused. “I can’t explain it. I felt at home.”
“But what would I tell the others if you went?” Thunder asked. Though he’d often disagreed with Tall Shadow, there was an ache in his heart at the thought of losing her calm and watchful presence. I’ve lost so many who were dear to me . . . and now Tall Shadow too?
Tall Shadow gave her pelt a shake. “Oh, stop worrying!” she exclaimed. “I’m here, aren’t I? I’m going back to the hollow with you.”
Thunder didn’t feel at all reassured by her words. Things were changing, and not in a good way.
To take his mind off his worries, he thought back to his meeting with the beautiful she-cat, Star Flower. I can’t imagine what she has to teach me, he thought, but I’d like to find out.
CHAPTER 15
Clear Sky headed back to his camp with his cats around him, moving easily among the trees in the starlight. Petal, who had stayed behind to look after the kits, rushed to meet him as soon as he set paw in the clearing.
“Come quick!” she mewed urgently. “It’s Alder!”
Fear gripped Clear Sky’s heart, remembering the terrible symptoms of the sickness that he had seen on the dead bird. Are my worst fears starting to come true? He rushed over to the nest Petal shared with the kits, expecting to see Alder with a bloated belly and sores all over her skin.
But when he reached the nest, all he saw was Alder lying comfortably among the moss. Birch sat beside her, stroking her tail with one paw.
“Hi, Alder, how do you feel?” Clear Sky asked.
Alder blinked up at him sleepily, seeming confused, as if she wasn’t sure where she was.
“She’s just tired,” Clear Sky meowed. “Honestly, Petal, did you have to give me a scare like that?”
The yellow tabby glared at him. “She’s not just tired!” She waved a paw in front of Alder’s face; the gray-and-white kit didn’t react. “See how she’s not focusing on me?” Petal demanded. “Something’s wrong.”
“Didn’t I tell you?” A sneering voice spoke behind Clear Sky.
Whirling around, Clear Sky saw One Eye standing a couple of fox-lengths away from him, a mocking gleam in his eyes. Nettle, who had been left with Petal to guard the camp, stood behind him, his gaze filled with a mixture of guilt and horror.
Petal shifted suddenly to stand in front of the kits. “Stay in your nest,” she warned them.
Clear Sky shot her a glance; the conviction that something terrible was happening swelled up inside him. “What’s going on?” he demanded.
Petal couldn’t meet his gaze. Her face showed the same guilt as Nettle’s, and her ears were flattened to her head.
“What do you know that I don’t?” Clear Sky insisted, but Petal still wouldn’t answer.
Desperation pulsed through Clear Sky until he felt that every hair on his pelt must be quivering, but he faced up to One Eye boldly, determined not to let the rogue intimidate him.
He humiliated me in front of my own cats, and Thunder and Gray Wing. He killed Tom and injured Sparrow Fur. . . . Sudden realization flooded over Clear Sky, and he glanced wildly around the clearing. Sparrow Fur! Where is she?
“What have you done with Sparrow Fur?” he asked One Eye. He was determined not to allow her to be hurt again, not when he had insisted that she should stay in the forest to recover.
; One Eye let out a snort of cruel laughter. “You don’t need to worry about that stupid little kit,” he sneered.
As he spoke a meow of distress sounded from behind Clear Sky. He whirled around to see twigs and branches wedged in a solid barrier, blocking the opening in a hollow tree. He could just make out Sparrow Fur peering out of a small gap. She let out another plaintive mew.
“Clear Sky, help me!” she begged.
Clear Sky turned back to One Eye. Taking a pace forward he let his shoulder fur bristle up and his tail bush out. “Let that kit out,” he snarled menacingly. “She still hasn’t recovered properly from what you did to her. She needs food and rest, not torturing.”
One Eye looked not at all threatened by Clear Sky’s challenging stance. “You can’t tell me what to do,” he snapped. “This is my territory now.” As Clear Sky stood frozen, stunned by the outrageous claim, One Eye stepped forward in his turn until he confronted Clear Sky nose to nose. “While you were off with your stupid friends sharing tales at the four trees,” he went on, “I took real action. These cats need protecting from the sickness, and I’m the cat to do it.”
Clear Sky glanced around at the cats who had accompanied him to the meeting. They were bunched together, sharing looks of bewilderment and fear, as if they couldn’t believe this was happening. Neither can I, Clear Sky thought grimly. But if One Eye thinks he can just stroll in here and take over my territory, he’s got another think coming.
Clear Sky didn’t want to tackle One Eye on his own. He had seen how fiercely the rogue could fight. But with his cats behind him, surely they could drive One Eye out without any trouble.
So why does he look so confident?
Letting his gaze travel over his cats again, Clear Sky wondered how much support he could expect. Petal would stay where she was to protect the kits—and it was right that she should. Quick Water had shown her mistrust of him ever since the battle, even though she was one of the cats who had accompanied him on the journey from the mountains. But he felt he could trust Acorn Fur; she had been hardworking and enthusiastic ever since she left the moor to come and live in his camp. With a hollow feeling inside him, Clear Sky realized that he wasn’t sure about the others. Leaf and Thorn, Nettle and Snake had only recently joined his group. Snake in particular was giving him a hostile glare, as if he would join One Eye for a couple of mousetails.