Chapter 1
Feathertail woke slowly, her paws aching and her muscles screaming in protest as she forced herself into a sitting position. The sun was already above the horizon, though it was nowhere near sunhigh. A cool leaf-fall wind whispered through the grass, the prey-scent it carried making her mouth water.
"Good morning," Stormfur's deep mew startled her as he came to stand beside her. He dropped a rabbit at her paws.
"That looks delicious," Feathertail purred appreciatively. She touched her nose to her brother's before tearing hungrily into the piece of fresh-kill. When she had polished off her meal, she sat up, feeling better. "It seems I slept in."
The small group of cats had made themselves busy. A pile of fresh-kill was tucked in a tall clump of grass. Foxtail sat near the fresh-kill pile, talking with Cedarheart and Tawnypelt. His ears were pricked with interest. Feathertail pushed herself to her paws and approached, pressing her muzzle against Cedarheart's shoulder in a warm greeting. They continued to talk, and Feathertail sat, content to wait and listen.
"How far did you go?" Foxtail was asking.
"Far enough," Tawnypelt grunted. "There's a big cavern like the one the Moonstone is in," she continued. "It's huge—plenty big enough for a camp."
"And it gets plenty of light," Cedarheart added. "There are places to make dens, and most importantly, it's sheltered."
"You've found a place for us to make camp?" Feathertail blinked curiously at her mate.
"Maybe," Foxtail put in. "You've both done brilliantly. Get some food and rest. I'll take a patrol at sunhigh to investigate further, and I want at least one of you on it." Tawnypelt nodded and padded away, while Cedarheart turned his attention to Feathertail.
"How do you feel?" He murmured, nosing her ear. "You smell of rabbit—I take it you've eaten?"
"I have," Feathertail purred. "Stormfur brought me a rabbit. It seems like the prey runs really well here, if nothing else." She turned her gaze to Foxtail. "Foxtail, you look dead on your paws," she pointed out gently. "You should eat, too."
The red-furred warrior hesitated, but seemed to realize it wasn't a suggestion and dipped his head. "Alright, Feathertail. You win."
The tabby queen rolled her eyes. "I always have had to keep you toms in line," she teased. She felt fresh sorrow rippling through her very bones, but she forced it back. I'm a warrior, she reminded herself as she lay in between Cedarheart and Foxtail as they ate. We all have to be strong now, for the kits and apprentices… and for each other.
Nearby, Sagepaw was showing one of the younger WindClan apprentices a more efficient hunting crouch while Smokepaw was parring with the other. Loudbelly and Rowanclaw watched on with approving nods, occasionally stepping in to give the apprentices advice. Whitetail was sprawled on the grass, watching all of the kits as they tumbled and played. Still, their eyes all held the same, haunted look. No matter how well prey ran, it wouldn't change their circumstances.
But Foxtail is right… We must survive. We must keep our Clans alive, even if we have to become one to do so.
A jubilant yowl broke Feathertail from her thoughts, and she jumped to her paws, the fur along her spine bristling. "That sounded like Hailfall," she gasped.
Foxtail abandoned his mice to hurry towards the pale silver tabby as he emerged from a tangle of bracken. The medicine cat met his brother with his tail high. They shared a few words before Foxtail slipped past him into the ferns. Hailfall moved to the fresh-kill pile, but instead of taking prey he lifted his head, waving his tail to get every cat's attention.
"Sorreltail's kitting was a success!" He announced. Cheers erupted from the surrounding cats. "I believe it was a sign from StarClan," Hailfall continued as the cheers quieted. "I think they're telling us that what we're doing is correct. We must come together and grow strong, as we came together to save as many as possible, and ensure these kits could be birthed safely." His words were met with murmurs of agreement and encouraging nods. Feathertail added her own voice in support.
"If we come together, won't we lose the very thing that drives us forward?" Cedarheart's voice brought silence. "Loyalty to our Clan is what makes us strong," insisted the ShadowClan warrior. "Without that…"
"Loyalty to our Clan? Coming from you?" Rowanclaw snorted, flicking his tail contemptuously towards Feathertail. "Hailfall is speaking sense. He shares StarClan's wisdom."
"Perhaps we should come together as one Clan, for the time being," Stormfur spoke thoughtfully.
Murmuring broke out, some interested, some disconcerted. Foxtail emerged, looking more enthusiastic after seeing Sorreltail.
"For now, it doesn't matter if we are one Clan or ten," the red-furred warrior meowed. All eyes turned to him, and Feathertail couldn't help but to feel that Foxtail seemed to have earned a lot of respect from the other cats in the day they had spent fleeing. "Cedarheart and Tawnypelt found a place we may be able to shelter until we are strong again. I'll take a patrol there now. Cedarheart, you'll lead the way. I want Feathertail, Loudbelly, and Crowpaw to join us. Stormfur, go tell Sootfur he's to lead a patrol to seek out possible border markings—Sorreltail needs fresh-kill and rest, his hovering is bound to suffocate her."
When Stormfur nodded and the amused purrs died away, Foxtail beckoned for Cedarheart to lead the way, falling in step behind him as they set off towards Highstones. Feathertail hurried to catch up. Loudbelly loped easily alongside Foxtail, and Feathertail let herself fall back to keep paced with the lean WindClan apprentice Foxtail had named to join them.
"I saw you sparring with Smokepaw," she meowed. Cedarheart had set a comfortable pace as they neared Hightstones, then started skirted around the edge.
"What of it?" The gray-black apprentice muttered testily.
Feathertail felt her spirits damper. "Your mentor really trained you well… You must miss him." She blinked sympathetically, but Crowpaw wouldn't meet her gaze.
"This is it," Cedarheart's voice drew Feathertail ahead, though she flicked her tail against Crowpaw's shoulder as she went. She let her pelt brush her mate's as they stood at what appeared to be the entrance of a tunnel similar to Mothermouth.
"We could have trouble if it rains," Foxtail murmured thoughtfully.
"True enough." Cedarheart shrugged. "There may be a way to high ground, we haven't searched in the daylight yet."
With a nod, Foxtail took the lead. Feathertail followed him, comforted by Cedarheart's warm breath on her tail. She could hear Crowpaw muttering curses about feeling closed in, and Feathertail couldn't help but to share his discomfort. Her whiskers nearly brushed the wall on either side. Soon, she realized, her flanks probably would as well. Then the tunnel sloped up. She opened her mouth to taste the air, surprised when the crisp flavors of early leaf-fall filled her mouth.
Soon, the tunnel opened up into a large cavern, a gaping hole in the center letting in fresh air and warm sunshine. Feathertail stared in wonder at the place. Where the hole had opened, a large pile of stone stood, perfect for addressing a Clan. The patrol split up, nosing their ways carefully around the cavern, exploring tunnels and gullies as they came across them. Feathertail let out an excited squeak as she discovered a small side cavern.
"This would be perfect for Hailfall," she announced, hoping one of the others would hear. A bit of sunlight leaked through the ceiling of the cave there, as well, lighting the small clearing.
"I've found a good place for the nursery," Loudbelly added, his voice echoing through the cave.
"Has anyone found a way to evacuate if it starts flooding?"
Feathertail joined Foxtail near the tumble of rocks. He seemed impressed, but the light in his eyes was tempered with dark concern.
"I think I have," Crowpaw called. He stuck his head out of a tunnel towards the back. "This is a wide, short tunnel," he explained. "It goes straight to the outside, and I think it's even possible to climb down from here."
"Then it is perfect," Cedarheart added smugly. He came up beside Feathertail and rasped his tongue across her ear. "Our kits will be safe from BloodClan here." His unsheathed claws scraped the stone floor. "I promise."
"We'll all be safe from BloodClan here," Foxtail meowed. "We must fetch the others. Crowpaw, see if you can't find a good place to gather moss. Loudbelly, check around for any streams, we'll need fresh water if we're to survive and grow strong. Cedarheart, you and Feathertail stay here and continue exploring. I'll be back soon with the others." As the other members of the patrol left, Feathertail twined her plumy tail with Cedarheart's.
"You found the perfect place," the slender queen purred.
Cedarheart shrugged. "Tawnypelt helped. I hate to say it, but Hailfall may have a point. At this point, we may have to join together more firmly if we want to survive."
"Is that such a bad thing…?" Feathertail ventured cautiously. "If we're in the same Clan, then we can be together without worrying about betraying our loyalties."
Cedarheart pressed close against her. "You're right, of course," he purred quietly, a sound she felt more than heard. "Come on, let's see if we can't find a place for the warriors and apprentices to sleep."
They found a hollow scoop around the edge of the wall directly across from the entrance with plenty of space for all of the warriors and apprentices. A smaller gully, nearer to the nursery, was chosen as the apprentices' den. Soon enough, Crowpaw returned, a huge bundle of moss in his jaws.
"That's perfect," Cedarheart flicked his tail towards the nursery, a spacious cavern accessible from a split in the cave wall. "Go ahead and put that in the nursery. The queens and kits must get settled in first." Crowpaw nodded and slipped easily through the entrance.
Foxtail emerged from the entry tunnel, followed closely by Stormfur and Sootfur, who each had one of Sorreltail's newborn kits in their jaws. Sorreltail was right behind them, looking tired and worried.
"Crowpaw put the first batch of moss in the nursery already," Feathertail offered, flicking her ears towards the nursery. Stormfur nodded, stepping back to let Sorreltail lead the way. Feathertail longed to spend time with her tortoiseshell friend, but she knew there was far too much to be done before she settled down in the nursery. Cats were filing into the sunny cavern slowly, their eyes wide with mixed curiosity and caution.
"Apprentices, Crowpaw will show you where to find moss. It's your job to fill the dens, starting with the nursery." Foxtail spoke with a quiet authority that no cat seemed willing to debate. "Warriors, explore the land around this place carefully. We'll need fresh-kill. It's imperative that we start getting strong before leaf-bare arrives. You don't have to make patrols, but be careful if you go alone."
A yawn parted Feathertail's jaws as the cats began to split up into hunting parties. Cedarheart rolled his eyes. "Why don't you stay here? The other queens are in the nursery, their warmth will drive the chill out. You need to rest."
"I can help," Feathertail mewed indignantly, but her sentence was punctuated by another large yawn. "Later," she mumbled sheepishly.
"Good." The fierce warrior dipped his head and gave her cheek and affectionate lick. "I'll be back with plenty of fresh-kill."
Feathertail slipped into the nursery, pleased to see Sorreltail was settled comfortably in the moss Crowpaw had found. Her two kits were nestled against her stomach, nursing quietly. Feathertail felt awe sweep through her veins.
"They're beautiful, Sorreltail," she whispered, moving to settle down near the tortoiseshell she-cat. "Have you named them yet?"
Whitetail purred in amusement. "They've hardly been kitted, it's okay if they don't have names yet. I didn't name mine for four days after they were born."
"Why are you here?" The tiny squeak came from one of Sandstorm's litter, Adderkit. His light brown fur was marked by much darker, contrasting stripes. His eyes—as green as his mother's—blinked up at her. "Are you going to have kits, too?"
"I am," Feathertail licked the little kit's head.
"When?" A little blue-gray kit stumbled away from Mosspelt's side to stand beside Adderkit.
"I'm not entirely sure yet, little one," Feathertail turned and licked her flank self-consiously. Sorreltail purred quietly.
"You have a moon or two yet," she meowed drowsily. Though her amber eyes held all of the same fear as every cat, they were softened by the love she felt for her kits.
Feathertail settled down near her friend, warmth and exhaustion washing over her as she lay down. Adderkit and the small, blue-gray she-kit curled next to her, nestling in her thick gray fur.
"That's Shinekit," Mosspelt murmured. "I think she likes you."
Feathertail could only hum a small agreement as sleep overcame her.
