Prologue
A mottled brown tom stood at the corner of the flat rock, paws kneading the smooth surface uneasily. His left ear twitched in greeting as he heard a rustle from the bushes behind him.
"Beechstar! StarClan is waiting. We must convene before moonhigh to save the night for discussion."
The tom dipped his head, but steadfastly remained quiet. He beckoned with his tail for the newcomer to join him in looking into the water of the grotto. The she-cat cleared her throat to break the uncomfortable silence, and approached the edge of the rock.
"We don't have much time," she rasped. "I am a proud cat, but in these times I am willing to beg if I have to. Please, Beechstar, we need your guidance."
Beechstar kept his head bowed, shadowing his eyes. If he felt remorse, his body did not betray it. In a single movement, he swiped at the water in front of him, causing a ripple across the surface. But instead of the waves fading as they spread from their origin, they only seemed to grow higher.
The she-cat yelped in surprise at the action, her eyes widening. "The pond! I can't see Silverpelt – "
The brown tom flipped around, snarling. His yellow eyes were wild with fear, voice cracking with disuse.
"Beware of the sun, which strengthens the hearts of our warriors and yet weakens their faith in the stars."
As if struck violently by the strain of speaking, Beechstar's paws slipped from the smooth rock and the tom fell forward into the swirling mass of water. The she-cat lurched forward to grab his scruff in her jaws, but she was too late.
"Beechstar!" she yowled. She could only watch desperately as StarClan's last hope was swallowed by the grotto, seeing his paws churning with the current. Only once he was a speck in the darkness did she see that the pond began to calm, offering a new reflection of the heavens.
Above her, Silverpelt shone red.