The View from the Talons of a Hawk

Sasha.

My mother.

I remember her. The tawny rogue who fell in love with my father.

I can just recall the days when we hid out in ShadowClan territory.

Then she took me to RiverClan with my sister.

I became a RiverClan warrior—Hawkfrost—alongside my sister, Mothwing.

Then Mothwing changed her mind.

She found the idea of healing with herbs and communicating with StarClan appealing in some way, so she begged to become Mudfur's apprentice. Mudfur thought it was okay, but he was waiting for a sign from StarClan.

The fool. That is the weakness of forest cats: they inexplicitly believe in StarClan. Because of this they can easily be manipulated. Since I wanted to be deputy, I knew that I should have a sister that was a medicine cat in order to win favor in RiverClan.

So I tore the wing off of a moth and left it outside Mudfur's den.

Mothwing was overjoyed. She had no idea what I had done. She went to the Moonstone and was accepted by StarClan.

Then I told her what I had done.

She was crushed.

What I had done had made her not believe in StarClan anymore.

Not that I care.

She did.

My father was very proud of what I had done. He began visiting my half brother Brambleclaw and I in our dreams, teaching us how to take over the Clans.

First we had to become deputies.

When Mistyfoot was captured by Twolegs, I was the only one happy about it. Finally, a chance to become deputy! Leopardstar appointed me deputy, but Mistyfoot returned. My deputyship was snatched away.

When Stormfur and Brook came to RiverClan, I told Mothwing to say that she had a dream at the Gathering. If she wouldn't, I would tell everyone that she didn't believe in StarClan. Those two mountain cats didn't belong in the Clans.

When Onestar became leader of WindClan and left Mudclaw seething in the dust, I seized the chance. I plotted with Mudclaw to overthrow Onestar. What he didn't know was that this would weaken WindClan, letting Brambleclaw take it over.

Since I was held up at the time for a way to become deputy, I could help Brambleclaw become leader. First I had to find a cat with something against Firestar.

Ashfur.

He hated Firestar's daughter, and would do anything to hurt her.

We set a trap for Firestar.

Firestar got caught in the fox trap, and Ashfur ran back to camp to warn Brambleclaw, who was now deputy. Then Brambleclaw came.

Fools. The loyal fools.

Brambleclaw saved Firestar. That made me so angry. Couldn't he see what he had just given up?

So I attacked him.

Now I hate Brambleclaw.

He took the sharp stake from the fox trap and stabbed it into my throat.

I will never forget the pure hatred—and guilt—in his eyes as my life ebbed away.

Now, with the Dark Forest almost ready to attack the Clans, I will finally be able to have my revenge on Brambleclaw and the others.

You had better watch out, Brambleclaw, because I am coming.