Prologue
Dovewing stared in horror as the ShadowClan cats poured into the hollow. Rowanstar went straight for Bramblestar, and everywhere shrieks rose. She lunged toward a tom, slicing her claws across his flank. Suddenly teeth met in her scruff and she was dragged backward. She tore free and plunged toward the nursery. Lionblaze, muzzle dripping with blood, was guarding the entrance.
A sudden shriek rose, by the elders den. Tigerheart had dragged Sandstorm out, and waited. Rowanstar padded toward him, ordering, "Finish her."
"No!" Dovewing shrieked. As Tigerheart sank his teeth into Sandstorm's neck, Dovewing hurled herself at Rowanstar. His head snapped toward her, surprise lighting in his eyes. He raked his claws along her flank, pinning her against the ground. She struggled, then glimpsed a silver-and-white tabby pelt flashing behind Rowanstar. He was purring, baring his teeth. "Another sacrifice for the Light." he mewed. Dovewing felt a flash of confusion. The Light? she wondered.
He was jerked off of her and Dovewing rose to her paws, wobbling, and her a cry rising from the nursery. She darted toward it, then slipped in a puddle of blood.
There was another cry, "ShadowClan, retreat!" The battling cats raced away, leaving a wounded Clan, with cats missing, and an elder dead.
WindClan attacked RiverClan the same day. StarClan looked down on them, and Bluestar mewed, "They shall not destroy each other like this again. We must intervene…."
Chapter One
Dove padded toward the lake. Narrowing her blue eyes, she spotted a slender brown tabby, heading down off the moorland.
Good. she thought. I can talk to her, and ask her if she would consider joining us. We can't let Rowan's group win.
"Greetings, Sedge." she mewed casually.
"Greetings, Dove."
"I have a… proposal for you. If you and Ember help fight Rowan, you may live with us. Or stay where you are, and if you are starving and we are not, we will help you."
"I… don't know." Sedge looked frightened, and glanced toward the pines lining one part of the lake. Dove understood her fear, but anger made her snap, "Consider it."
She padded away from the lake, considering her options. Her mother White was expecting a new litter of kits, so they needed to get rid of Rowan, so the kits would be safe. Sedge always was a bit of a coward. I hope Ivy had more luck with Lion's group. I think Cinder was expecting kits, that might make the decision easier.
When she reached the large den, she poked her head in. A white shape was curled into a nest in the corner. Dove purred. Her mother was sleeping peacefully. She seated herself and lifted one pale gray paw, licked it, then drew it over her ear.