Prologue
It was a cold night in the forest. The stars twinkled in the black sky. The white band of those jewels sparkled.
"Silverpelt is beautiful tonight, isn't it?" A white she-cat with blue eyes asked. In front of her, sitting on the Sunningrocks, was a large golden tabby tom-cat.
The tom-cat was muscular and powerful-looking. His back faced the white she-cat. "It is, Icecloud."
Icecloud nodded. "Why are you sad, Lionblaze?"
The tom cat turned his head to glance at Icecloud. He sighed and turned his head again, not speaking. He stared at the water in the river.
"Is it Heathertail again?"
The tom-cat was silent.
"Lionblaze, tell me." Icecloud said. She padded to Lionblaze's side. Lionblaze glanced at her and sighed.
"Yes. It is Heathertail."
Icecloud's heart broke a little bit with every word. She averted her eyes from Lionblaze and gazed at the water.
"She…I just can't bear to look at her at Gatherings." Lionblaze said.
"Lionblaze…" Icecloud began.
"What?" Lionblaze asked.
"Don't be sad. There's…" "What?" Lionblaze asked.
Icecloud laughed a bit. "How can I continue with you keeping on interrupting me?" Lionblaze was silent.
"Lionblaze…just…just don't be sad." Icecloud said. "Why? How can I be happy?" Lionblaze asked sadly.
"There's…there's somecat out there who loves you more than Heathertail did." Icecloud blurted out.
Lionblaze turned to gaze at Icecloud, who seemed suddenly interested in the pebbles at her paws. "Who?" Lionblaze asked.
Icecloud looked at him with sad blue eyes. "Isn't it obvious?" She got up and brushed past Lionblaze.
Lionblaze stared after her white figure going back to the trees.
"Icecloud…" He muttered.
Overhead, Silverpelt shone.