Death had not been unexpected.
For moons now, Tallstar had known that he was near death. He had tried to hold on until his Clan found a new home, so that he could be sure that they would be all right. In his final moments, he had done something that he hoped would serve his Clan well. Mudclaw had been a good deputy, when Tallstar could be there to control and watch over his. But he would simply not do as leader. And so, just as he was about to die, he had given his friend, Onewhisker, his leadership. He hoped it had been a good idea.
He was lying still now, wondering how he would join StarClan. However, it was not long before a silvery cat of StarClan appeared before him.
Tallstar recognized the cat immediately. Although it had been a long time since he had died, when the cat had been only an apprentice, his memory burned in Tallstar's mind. It was something he had always blamed himself for, something that had always haunted him.
The apprentice was smiling at him. "Come with me, Tallstar," Gorsepaw meowed. He sounded exactly like he had all those moons ago, except now he was smiling. Gorsepaw had always been too tired trying to defend his Clan before to ever smile.
"G… Gorsepaw," Tallstar meowed, too surprised and shocked to speak. Gorsepaw had been an apprentice in WindClan, and probably would have been an excellent warrior if he hadn't died so young. ShadowClan had killed him as an example for what would happen to WindClan if they did not agree to their terms of merging territories. The act had only further enraged WindClan, but it had not brought Gorsepaw back nonetheless.
"Yes, Tallstar," Gorsepaw meowed quietly. "I've been watching over you and our Clan ever since I was killed. You have done a good job as leader, Tallstar. You served them—us—well."
"Thank you," Tallstar meowed, still staring at the silver-touched apprentice. Tallstar had never forgiven himself for Gorsepaw's death, and now… Well, he was finally finding a way to let it go. Gorsepaw looked so happy, so peaceful. Nothing like the last time Tallstar had seen him.
"Come with me, Tallstar," Gorsepaw meowed again. "I have something to show you before you come with me to StarClan."
Tallstar followed Gorsepaw in the weightless run of StarClan cats, and Gorsepaw led him across the forest. First he led him to the island that would soon be the replacement for Fourtrees, and then to what would soon be WindClan territory, and finally to their new camp.
"WindClan will do fine in this new forest, Tallstar," Gorsepaw meowed. "StarClan can see that much. Onewhisker will lead your Clan well, and removing Mudclaw from the position was a good decision. Nothing you've done will hurt your Clan in the future, Tallstar. I can assure you of that."
Tallstar smiled. "Thank you for showing me this, Gorsepaw."
"Are you ready to go to StarClan now?" Gorsepaw asked. "You will be able to watch over your Clan from there, and you will be reunited with all of your lost friends."
"Yes," Tallstar meowed, smiling again. He already felt so much lighter, and his body felt young again. If this was what StarClan would feel like, then he was nothing but pleased to go there.
"Follow me," Gorsepaw meowed, and began to lead Tallstar toward the island.
