CHAPTER 09: SEARCH FOR PEACE

Where do I begin? Between slow steps, Twister flexed his claws. I shouldn't have come out here if I had nothing to say.

But it was Dawn who concluded the silence. "Can you help me?" When Twister opened his mouth to question, the red and white tabby interrupted. "You said we have to help each other. I feel the same way." Both cats halted and Dawn stared at Twister; her gaze so fervent that shivers first ran along his spine, then prickled the fur in its wake. "I think you understand that this forest needs peace. So can you help me?"

"Maybe."

"Have you heard of Storm's Glaring?"
The dark blue tabby nodded. "Yeah. I think it was one of their cats who chased me off my territory. And they've invaded the clowder's territory at least twice now. Our ex-leader died because of it."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Dawn bowed her head and closed her eyes. "But it proves how violent life here has become."

I know. Twister sympathised as the red and white tabby turned her luminous yellow eyes into the distant trees. First the Faction, and now Storm's Glaring. Some nights I think that all some cats want is to fight. And I don't want to be caught up in all that hate.

"Dusk – that's Storm's sister – left the town last summer. I was the first cat she met in the forest. And Dusk took my friends and I and made us into a clowder. Storm looked for her and found her, and conflict has ruled our territory since. Every other cat wants to fight, but I want peace." She lowered her voice and glanced about. "I need you to take me back to my clowder. Every heartbeat I'm away, there's a chance that Dusk and Storm might go to war." Through her clenched teeth, an inaudible hiss came. "I just know something bad is happening. I know your friend wants me to rest a little more, but I know I'm fine. Please, just do the right thing."

What would Redbud think of me if I let her go? Can I really trust her? She's a stranger. How do I know that she's not one of Storm's cats? A singular certainty masked his objections. I can trust her.

Twister decided on a compromise. "I'll let you go back to Dusk and your clowder-mates, but I'll escort you." He prodded the red and white tabby with a paw. "Redbud'll already bite off my ears for sending you so far, but I think it'll go over a bit easier if she knew you didn't have to make the journey alone."

"Fair enough." Dawn hobbled in the direction she looked earlier. Twister trailed a tail behind.

I'll only intervene if she gets worse.

As they trekked to the northeast, the undergrowth thinned and the trees grew farther apart. Ancient pines gave way to younger oaks and hickories. No words were exchanged between them; all they heard was the crackle of dead, brown leaves underpaw. Dawn trudged onward, though her steps became little more than a crawl.

"Why don't you rest for a while?"

"Must – keep – going." Dawn foundered to a halt, then collapsed onto the leaf-mulch.

Twister rushed to her side, consumed by the sudden fear that she died from sheer effort. Her sides, however, rose and fell; the dark blue tabby released the breath he held. "How much farther?" He prompted as he stroked his tail tip along her spine.

"Not much." With her forepaws, Dawn pushed herself upright. Pain contorted her face in the form of a grimace.

Twister saw fresh blood ooze from her injured hindleg. "Lay down."

"No," insisted the red and white tabby as she stood on all fours, "I'll make it just fine. If those two go to war over me, I'd never be able to forgive myself. This fighting has gone on for far too long. If I must shed every drop of blood in my body for peace, then I will do so gladly." Her eyes shifted toward the heavens. Between the branches, Twister glimpsed a sky paling with the traces of dawn. "Day follows night and night follows day. Cats forget that, I think. They forget we all live brief lives, that the stars still circle us even after we die, so they live with nothing more than what's at their noses." She shook her head. "They cannot grasp the most important truth of all."

Twister tipped his head on one side. "What's that?"

As though the answer was simple as breathing, Dawn blinked. "We all want the best for ourselves and our kin. We want beauty, we want love, we want purpose. That is the root of peace: that our wants and our needs are all the same. Empathy will save us but discord will destroy not only ourselves but all the generations to come." New strength seemed to imbue Dawn and she walked onward. "We must unite in that knowledge."

Twister pricked his ears. Unite? She must know something about EmberClan and StarClan led her to me!

Before he might question the red and white tabby any further, they passed an oak tree with prominent welts in its grey-brown bark. They had crossed into the other clowder's territory. Dawn turned to face him. "This is where I say goodbye."

I've come this far. I'm not about let you go on alone from here. But Twister found the words stuck in his throat. Besides, I don't want to say goodbye yet.

Dawn, as though she knew his thoughts, touched the tip of her tail to his shoulder. "I can find my own way home. You've done your part, so there's no need to worry. Thank you for all your hospitality. Be sure to tell all your clowder-mates and Redbud too and hopefully I'll see you around soon."

The red and white tabby bounded past a stand of dogwoods and skidded down a slope, disturbing leaves as she did so. Twister remained rooted to the border long after Dawn disappeared from view, his eyes misty.

Please don't go. I don't think I've ever met a cat like you before, and if I don't see you again, then I don't know what I'll do.

A small orange tabby and white cat inched toward a fat bobwhite quail. Twister crouched down as this small cat, so like the ginger-and-white cat Redbud despised, moved past him. When the quail lowered its head to peck at some blueberries, the cat lunged forward and bit down on the bird's oesophagus.

"Very good, but you'll need to show more respect for our borders in the future." A tall cat with fur like snow strode from a clump of deertongue behind Twister. So near to Twister he stood that the dark blue tabby could see the scabbing on a scar that ran along the length of the white tom's foreleg. The short cat opened his mouth to protest. "I know it was a tempting catch, but we do not cross borders for any reason. Besides, greenleaf brings prey aplenty to the forest. You should have left it."

The small cat spat out his catch. "For what? So the bird fattens itself up for some rogue?" He came nose-to-nose with the white tom. "I say that you want to let the rogues decide where and when we hunt. Will you invite them into our camp too? Teach them how we hunt and fight?"

"That's enough, Lionpaw." The white tom looked down at the orange and white tabby with such severity that Twister flinched. "We show mercy to outsiders but we do not spoil for a fight, be it with Clanmates or rogues. You'd do well to incorporate that aspect of your heritage into your behaviour." The young cat looked away, still mutinous. "Pick up your catch and head back to camp." Lionpaw snatched up the quail and stalked away, but the white tom lingered. His broad head tipped back as he surveyed the stars. "StarClan, help me to teach this young cat to respect our borders. As the story was told to my mother and her mother before her, you all set our boundaries to protect EmberClan and set them apart. Because of them, we are rogues no longer. Show him the truth, please." As the white tom finished his prayer, then disappeared after Lionpaw, the forest began to dissolve.

Stiffness seized Twister's limbs as he woke. I shouldn't have travelled so far last night. The dark blue tabby suspected that Flora would assign him to an early hunting party as punishment for his escapade. As if Redbud's anger wasn't punishment enough.

As Twister arched his back in a luxurious stretch, her harsh words still rang in his ears. But those insults paled in comparison to his next thought: I'll probably never see Dawn again. Emptiness, wide as a chasm, filled him with a cold he could not shake off.

"You should probably get going." Juniper clamoured from her nest. "Flora'll be twice as angry if you're late."

Nodding was the action Twister could respond with. He trudged after the dilute tortoiseshell, indifferent to the narrowness of the tunnel and the cold drafts that ruffled his thick fur, with eyes closed so as to savour the image of Dawn burned into his mind. I wish you were still here. I wish I could have told you how I felt. But I'm a coward. In his unmindful wandering, he rammed into Juniper's hindquarters.

"Watch it!" hissed the dilute tortoiseshell, though when she saw Twister open his eyes she seemed more sympathetic. "I know it's been a long night for you. Probably didn't get much sleep, I know, but please try to be a bit more attentive."

Twister again nodded and closed his eyes. Scarcely a moment passed before a paw jabbed his ribs. Twister glanced around for the cat who prodded him; it was then that he saw the two cats who stood by the mouth of the thorn tunnel. Dawn! Reinvigorated, he almost stepped toward her but Juniper restrained him with her tail. "Don't do it. You don't know what they're here for. Go fetch Flora, and I'll keep an eye on them."

What's she doing back here so soon? Did she come to stay? Questions raced through his mind like his paws raced toward Flora's den. I hope she stays. If she doesn't, I'll ask her to. Hope consumed his emptiness and made his fur feel warmed as though he basked in sunlight. I don't want anything else.

Thorns scored his muzzle as he thrust his muzzle into the den. "We have visitors!"

"Visitors?" Flora appeared in an instant. The black-and-white queen bypassed Twister and prowled toward Dawn. "What brings you back? You left before we advised you to and now you return?"

Dried blood clumped both cats' pelts, as though they recently fought. I wonder if Storm's Glaring caused trouble…

"My name is Dusk." The lithe lilac tabby beside Dawn spoke first. "I lead a clowder not far from yours. One of my cats, Dawn, spent the better part of two nights with you. She said your cats also had trouble with Storm's Glaring. I wish to discuss an alliance with you."

"We don't offer ourselves up to any warring party. Our troubles are ours alone."

With a flick of her thin tail, Dusk countered, "Why did one of your cats risk his life for one of my own, a stranger to him?"

She really thinks she's so impressive! With broad shoulders squared and pale chest puffed out, Dusk towered over Flora. This, however, failed to faze Flora.

"Twister is young and naïve. I hope you will understand that his views are not the views we all share."

Bitterness crept into Dusk's voice. "Allow me to state my intentions. I want to destroy Storm's Glaring, and I need the help of any willing cat. As I heard it, you have a bone to pick with them too. Don't you want revenge for the death of your clowder-mate?"

Maybe Dawn's on the wrong side of this fight. Dusk hardly seems sane. Doubts consumed his observations. Maybe she's just seen too many deaths. Maybe Storm did something so terrible that Dusk deserves revenge. Maybe she thinks it's the only way to stop the fighting.

Flora twitched her tail tip. "We drove them out and they have not returned."

"It's only a matter of time before they return. These cats are greedy and murderous."

Flora narrowed her eyes. "Very well. Let's say I do decide to join you. How can I know that you won't expect my cats to take the brunt of the fight? It would be unfair to lead them to their deaths. Surely you understand that much?"

With a dismissive wave of her tail, Dusk paced around Flora. All four cats tracked her movements with subtle turns of their heads, and Twister almost expected the small leader to pounce on Flora. "I have nine cats, myself and Dawn aside."

"How long have they been with you? Could I trust them not to turn tail?"

Don't lead her on. There's a way we can bring peace to this forest. As they looked over their leaders' heads, Twister and Dawn locked eyes. Desperation flickered there like a flame whose heat spread to both of them. We'll have to unite, but not to bring destruction.

"Four have been with us since Dawn came to the forest," Dawn interjected. "Three are former housecats. Two are little more than kits. And there are kits in our camp. We can't spare every cat to fight."

Dusk cuffed the red and white tabby over her ear and hissed, then turned back to Flora. "Rest assured, all my cats want nothing to do with Storm's expansion."

"Three kitties?" Flora snorted. "And two kits? Respectfully, Dusk, but you should know better. If almost half your clowder can hardly catch their own prey, they cannot fight either." She pointed her tail in the direction of the thorn tunnel. "I want no part in your poorly thought-out alliance."

Twister scurried after the pair. "I'll see them out, Flora!" Once they emerged outside the bramble thicket, he hissed, "Wait!"

"What now?" Dawn turned to him with her tail drooping. Dusk, however, seemed to have lost no confidence from the exchange; her round golden eyes still smouldered with hatred.

We'll unite just how you said. Every cat will realise they're important when we set down boundaries. It'll show them that we all have the same wants and needs. It'll show them that we are no longer rogues. We'll become Clans instead.

Twister realised he had not uttered a word when Dawn prompted, "Well?"

"You don't have to end Storm's Glaring." Dusk scowled at the proposition. "All you need to do is make peace."

"I wouldn't do that, not for all the prey in the forest."

"Not a permanent peace, but," here, Twister raked a single claw through the dry earth, "you'll confer with Storm and make boundaries based on your agreement. No cat will cross them, and there will be no more threat of expansion."

Dusk snorted. "You think it's that simple, don't you? You can't trust Storm's word any more than you can move a boulder."

"I think it might work." A cat, muscles rippling beneath her thick blue fur, emerged from behind a pine tree. Dusk bristled and unsheathed her claws. This must be Storm. A little daunted by the towering molly, Twister stepped back. "I'm willing to try it – so long as you don't come to me with groundless accusations." Emerald eyes slitted as Storm continued, "Because I see the cat you were looking for has been with you all along."

Dawn, small in comparison to Storm, stepped forward. "I was not." How could she look so indignant? Storm looked as though she might bite off your head if you criticised her, then munch on your bones as a snack afterward. "This cat saved my life when a dog ambushed me, and his clowder let me rest with them for a day. You can see the bites on my leg and tail if you'd like. You can even see the claw marks that your 'warriors' inflicted."

"I didn't know about the invasion until it had already happened." Storm lashed her tail. "But I can assure you that no cat on that unauthorised raiding party escaped punishment." Her eyes darted to Dusk. "I only came here to apologise for what they did and promise that it won't happen in the future. I know you have young cats in your camp. Something bad could have happened to them, and I…" Unconvinced, Dusk snorted, but said nothing.

But there's no apology for Pepper's death.

"I don't need one, storm-cat. Face your destiny. That will be enough for me." Twister started when cold breath stirred his ear fur, as though the spirit of the deceased clowder leader stood beside him.

I hope I can do your ancestors justice.

Twister prowled forward. "Your cats invaded our territory too. I hope I speak for both our clowders when I say that I'm willing to forgive if the future can be changed." From the corner of his eye, he saw Dusk start. "We'll need to meet on neutral territory to discuss territory and boundaries."

"Somewhere on the meadow," Dawn blurted. "This full moon. I know it's only a few days away, but you'll all come?"

Storm was the first to announce her involvement. "I'll come," said the blue molly no sooner than Dawn asked.

"And I'll convince Flora to come."

Dusk twitched her whiskers. "Has dandelion replaced all your brains?" With the tip of her tail, she pointed at her sister. "When we have this discussion, she'll demand more territory than her due. And mine, no less."

What if she refuses to join?

"It'll be as fair as possible," he assured.

Dawn leaned over and muttered something into Dusk's ear. The lilac tabby straightened up and growled, "Fine. I'll be there."

"That's the spirit." Dawn prodded her wiry friend with a paw. "Now, we should go home."

EmberClan will not live again. It is the disk from which the petals of the rue anemone will spread. The ominous warning Pepper delivered before his death resounded in Twister's mind. For the first time, he understood what the aged tom meant. There's meant to be many new Clans. His head spun. But how many? Storm and Dusk will probably each lead Clans. Flora will make her another. That's only three. If a rue anemone flower has seven or eight petals, that means there are more cats out there who'll form Clans.

"Wait until next full moon!" All three cats, who had already turned to leave, looked over their shoulders. When met with puzzled expressions from the mollies, the dark blue tabby explained, "You'll need to spread the word to every clowder you share a border with. Let them know about our plan. What we do will affect them and every cat to come." Storm and Dusk nodded, then disappeared in opposite directions. Dawn lingered a moment more.

"Thank you." Like twin moons, her eyes shone. "I can't say that I agree with your whole border plan – I think cats will still fight over that – but maybe some compromise will start to mend their relationship."

Twister stared at her. "I'm tired of the death and fighting too, but I think this will help. I helped you, so please trust me. I know I'm doing the right thing."

"Maybe." Dawn blinked, still unconvinced. As she turned and pelted after Dusk, he glimpsed her eyes glazed with worry. Still, her tail flicked in farewell as she disappeared from sight.

Dung! I forgot to tell her how I feel. Twister turned back toward the thorn tunnel. Oh well, I'll see her next full moon.

Flora barred the entrance. "I heard everything." Her orange eyes glinted. "Do you really think this will help our situation, or did you say that only to convince her? This could very well end in war. None of us might come back alive after next full moon. You know that Storm and Dusk will bring as many cats as possible."

"I believe it." Twister straightened up. "Don't worry about a battle. We'll make sure everything goes on without a hitch. I'll tell you what I told her: have a little faith."

I'm ready to fulfil my destiny now, Pepper. I'll make sure that we become Clans.