Prologue
Cloudstar stepped out of his den into the gorge. Cats moved below, chatting and eating fresh-kill. The sun was just setting, and the bright orange and yellow light illuminated the horizon.
Cloudstar nodded to his deputy, Buzzardtail. The ginger tom looked much better these days. His pelt no longer showed all his ribs. His eyes had started to regain their shine.
His whole Clan looked better, actually. After being chased out of the forest, SkyClan's original home, by the other Clans, they had traveled for many, many days. Finally, they had found the gorge, which became their new home.
Cloudstar cleared his throat, then called, "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Skyrock for a Clan meeting!"
When the cats had gathered, he mewed, "We have experienced a great betrayal from our fellow Clans. They may have chased us out from the forest, but we will thrive- here, at the gorge."
The cats yowled their agreement. Pleased, Cloudstar started to go back into his den, but stopped abruptly. He could make out a single hiss among the cheers. All the cats, also having heard the hiss, fell silent.
One cat stepped forward. His amber eyes glowed as he hissed again. "What about revenge?"
Cloudstar's fur bristled as he faced the black tom. "What revenge, Croweye?"
"We must take revenge on the other Clans for chasing us off, of course," growled Croweye. "Once we are strong enough, we should go back to the forest to chase them out like they did to us."
Cloudstar lashed his tail. "Surely we shouldn't do that? We deserve to live in peace."
Croweye narrowed his eyes. "We deserve to get our revenge. We were unfairly chased out! If you are too mousehearted to do it, then I'll do it myself."
The black tom turned to his Clanmates, who were watching with wide eyes. "Clanmates," he yowled. "I will be leaving to start a new Clan tomorrow. Those who wish to correct the other Clans' wrongs can come with me."
"What?" whispered Fernpelt. "He must be crazy if he thinks we're going to leave just like that."
The dark brown tabby she-cat gasped as Tigertail rose to his paws. He mewed, looking straight at Cloudstar, "I appreciate everything you have done for us, Cloudstar. But I think we deserve a second chance at our life in the forest."
As Cloudstar stood there, stunned, about half of his Clanmates stood up and moved over to Croweye. The black tom glared triumphantly at Cloudstar. "You see, Cloudstar? Not every cat is happy with your choices."
Buzzardtail, Cloudstar's loyal deputy, meowed, "But what about a medicine cat? You can't have a Clan without a medicine cat."
Croweye answered smoothly, "That's no problem. Grayfeather has already decided to come with us."
Cloudstar stared at the medicine cat apprentice. Grayfeather looked away. "I'm sorry, Cloudstar," she mewed softly.
He couldn't take it anymore. Cloudstar turned and stormed into his den. Wishing everything was just a dream, he curled up in his nest and went to sleep.
The next morning, he did not step out of his den until Fawnstep, the medicine cat, stepped lightly into the den. "They left." she mewed sadly.
Cloudstar didn't answer. What was happening to his Clan?