Prologue

The sun was dying over the horizon, the first stars coming to share their light. A certain cavern beneath the ground had yet to see anything. Starry cats gathered around the stone at the bottom.

A small brown she-cat stepped forward.

'Welcome Thunder, River and Shadow,' she said.

River stood up. The tom's silvery-gray pelt shimmered with moonlight. He addressed the she-cat that had spoken.

'Greetings Wind. You have called and we came. But you have brought someone with you I see. Who is she?'

River indicated with his tail to the flame coloured she-cat sitting in the shadows.

Wind gave River a hard look.

'This is Fire. She was the first leader of FireClan,' Wind replied. River and Shadow gasp. Thunder gave a hiss, his orange fur puffed up.

'Are you saying that there is a clan of cats who live unknown to all the other clans right under our noses?' Thunder growled. Wind hissed in anger.

'Stop! I will explain!'

Thunder and Wind whipped around. Fire was on her feet. River and Shadow turned to look at her as well. The orange she-cat's voice was soft.

'When the clans were first made our ancestors said to Wind and I that I was to lead a sixth clan secretly. I did just that. With the help of WindClan, FireClan survived many seasons. But then Silverstar, our seventh leader, was challenged by dogs. The dogs tore FireClan apart. FireClan was honoured by WindClan in stories. But FireClan is no more.'

Wind spoke up.

'WindClan has not forgotten these warriors. But no more will they be gone. Fire will rise from the ashes of four and start anew.'

Shadow listened and then spoke.

'Who will you give the prophecy to?'

Wind looked at the moonstone.

'I will give it to WindClan.'