Chapter Fifteen
Unease made Sleet's pelt prickle like bramble thorns. In the deep shadows of the raven-black woods, she could make out the shapes of the Clan cats standing outside their makeshift camp. Despite the darkness, she could sense the hostility wafted off them, more pungent that rotting roadkill.
What's going on? Sleet shouldered her way through the dense crowd of cats, some she knew from the forest as a kit, some from the town, others she didn't, but they all had come to help fight. Ginger and Blackjack trailed in her wake, while the rest of her cats waited at the back. At the front of the crowd, she could see Creek standing with his son, Tall Pine. He was speaking with the Clan cats, and it didn't look like it was going well.
A light brown tabby she-cat surveyed the crowd, her face tense. "Who are these cats and what are they doing here?"
What? Sleet recoiled with surprise. They didn't know we were coming? She gritted her teeth to avoid clawing Creek's ears as he explained. Creek asked us to help without even knowing if the Clan cats wanted it. We might have come all this way for nothing. She eyed the tabby she-cat whose neck fur was bristling. It doesn't even look like they want our help.
A dappled gray she-cat not much older than Pebble brushed past Sleet. She moved to stand by Creek's side and raised her chin. "We are the cats of the forest, farms, and town, and we all are friends of Creek. He asked us for help, but it was our choice. We want to help you fight because the Bands have hurt us too."
That's true. Sleet watched as other cats stepped up to express why they had come to help. We all came because we want to stop the Bands from making anyone else suffer. But will the Clan cats accept the street cats' and my help after we threatened them?
Gathering her courage, Sleet stepped forth. She dipped her head. "My name is Sleet, and I am the leader of the street cats. A few of my cats, myself included, are among the countless victims of the Bands. They murdered my parents and hurt my brother, and I don't want to see anyone else lose their family. That's why we've also come to offer our help."
The gray she-cat raised her head, her whiskers twitching, uneasy in the long silence. She searched the Clan cats' faces, a mix of hostility, astonishment, and elation. Are they going to accept our help or not?
A beautiful honey-gold she-cat broke through the crowd, her paws trembling with kit-like excitement. The Clans' typical scent clung to her sunset fur, but it was slightly different from others—a heavy watery scent. She dipped her head low to the newcomers. "You all are unexpected, but your help is most welcome. We will be forever grateful. Thank you for coming to help us."
Sleet drew back toward her cats as the crowd began to move. A group of Clan cats clustered together while the loners dispersed into smaller groups. Her cats murmured to one another as they settled down to wait as well, though Blackjack's eyes never left the Clan's, and Darcy paced impatiently around the edge of the group.
Sleet remained standing as her eyes wandered around the camp. She took in the groups of loners scattered amongst the ghost-gray trees, and the Clan cat's low mutters as they clustered together outside their deep black burrow. She tipped her head back to gaze at the silvery moon and stars glowing between the branches. The brilliant specks reminded her of the dapples on Creek's pelt. A tingle shivered down her spine as a lump formed in her throat. It's been moons since I was last in the forest. The stillness came allowed space for her doubts to creep out like the shadows of beasts that lurk in the night. Did we make the right choice to come here?
The dark gray she-cat turned her head as she heard soft footsteps come up to her. Misty's midnight-blue eyes were serene as she settled beside her leader.
"It's strange being here," she remarked, following Sleet's gaze. "Isn't it? Everything happened all of a sudden and all at once, but now we're here, and now what?" Her gaze shifted to Sleet's face. "I know that expression. I know that now we've had time to settle, you're probably wondering if you made the right choice. This can't be easy for you after everything you'd been through."
Sleet let out a long sigh, and nodded, wondering for the thousandth time how Misty always knew what she was thinking.
The silver she-cat's expression was gentle. "You need to tell yourself that no matter what happens, we all made this choice together. You are not the only one responsible, and you are not alone. All of these cats have been hurt by the Bands in one way or another. They killed your parents because they refused to leave their home. They captured or killed Darcy's family because they fought back." Sleet looked at her surprised, as she shifted, her voice lowering. "No one but Gravel knows this, but I was not born a wild cat like the other street cats. I was born a housecat, with housefolk. But I was always too curious about the outside world. One day, I escaped. I was so infatuated with this new world, that I got lost and wandered onto the Bands' territory. A patrol found me and attacked me even though I had trespassed by mistake. They nearly killed me and then left me for dead."
Sleet's eyes widened, her mouth hanging ajar. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
The longhaired she-cat tipped her head, a good-natured expression on her face. "It's all right. Ace, a young loner then, found me and nursed me back to health. We eventually created the street cats together. I know that he would have approved of your decision to help Creek."
Sleet gave Misty a small smile. "Thank you. That means a lot to me." She sat down, content to stay in silence as her gaze returned to the scene around her. She stiffed, shock freezing her to the bone as she spotted an eerily familiar dark gray pelt. The tom stood with his back to her, deep in conversation with Tall Pine, a small golden-brown she-cat, and a tortoiseshell she-cat.
Oh my mousetails, oh my mousetails. Is that really him? It felt as though a boulder had crushed her. She could barely remember how to breathe, but her paws carried her closer all on their own. Her heart beat like the frantic wings of a moth caught in a spiderweb. She swallowed, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. Her voice was rough and dry. "Slate?"
Sleet's heart became a bird, growing wings and launching into the sky as the dark gray tom swung toward her, his achingly familiar eyes met hers. She didn't need even need a heartbeat to know that it was Slate. She trembled from her paws to her whiskers as she held his gaze. After all this time, Slate is here. My brother is here. I've found him again. Tears brimmed in her eyes as she longed to pull him close and never let go.
"Sleet." The dark gray tom inclined his head. His tone was neutral and though he took a step forward, he didn't move any closer. He's guarded, Sleet mused. Even after more than twelve moons apart, she still knew how to read him. Her heart sank. He isn't happy to see me. "It's been a while."
"Yes. It has." Sleet shifted her weight, disappointment settling like a shower of cold rain over her. Her eyes flickered briefly to the tortoiseshell she-cat. While the young golden-brown she-cat hung back with Tall Pine, the older she-cat stood by her brother's side. Is she his mate?
Slate touched his tail to the tortoiseshell she-cat's shoulder. "This is my mate, Harvest. We live on a farm on the other side of the town with our kits, Swallow and Chestnut. I've heard a few stories from passing rogues over the moons about you and the street cats."
Sleet smiled tightly, doing her best to mask her anguish. "Congratulations. I'm not surprised." She dropped her eyes to her paws, a touch of bitterness in her tone. "You always had everything figured out."
Slate tipped his head, his voice soft. "Some of us need more time to find where we belong. We're all very different, even brothers and sisters."
The siblings held each other's gaze as a long silence stretched between them. A river of memories, experiences, and words lay in the silence, shared between them, and yet dividing them. Sleet had to stop herself from lashing her tail. Slate is right in front of me now, but he still feels so far away. I think I know why he's being cold. I have to tell him what I meant to tell him moons ago. But can he ever forgive me?
Harvest touched her tail to Slate's shoulder. "I'm going to go talk to Creek."
"Okay," Slate breathed. "I'll see you later." For a long heartbeat, they tenderly held each other's gazes. Harvest swiftly nuzzled his ear and padded away.
"Slate, I need to tell you—" the dark gray she-cat began as her brother turned back to her.
"Sleet—" he started at the same time.
Slate chuckled as they both cut themselves off. His lips tugged upward into a small smile of amusement as he gazed warmly at his sister.
Sleet felt herself wanting to smile as well, but she remained serious. "I need to speak first. I have something that I need to tell you, that I've been wanting to say for more than twelve moons. You have to stay quiet and listen to me."
Slate furrowed his brow, but he nodded.
Sleet took a deep breath. "I'm sorry." She blurted out. "I'm so sorry for everything that I said and did all those moons ago." All of her pent-up sorrows and regrets came spilling out in a torrent. "I'm sorry for resenting that I had to take care of you because of your injury. I'm sorry for making you join the street cats when you didn't feel at home there. I'm sorry for being blind to everything that was going on for you. I'm sorry for not being there to help you when you were struggling with your injury. I'm sorry for calling yelling at you and calling you a burden instead of listening to you."
Sleet paused to take in a ragged breath. As she reached her last apology, she found herself unable to meet her brother's gaze. "I'm sorry for driving you away." She swallowed and slowly raised her eyes to meet Slate's. "Can you ever forgive me?"
"Everyone!" The commanding call came from the cluster of Clan cats. "Let's gather to discuss our plan."
Slate turned his head to watch as the immense group of cats streamed toward the entrance to the burrow. Sleet's eyes didn't leave her brother's face. Her heart sank as she turned away. I guess that's it then.
"Sleet." Her brother's mew made her freeze as he reached out a paw to stop her. The street cat leader turned back to him, her pelt prickling with apprehension. His deep yellow eyes met her wide blue ones. "Of course I can. You're my sister."
Sleet drew in a short gasp as Slate flung himself around her. She melted into his embrace, her head resting against his chest, her tail tangling with his. It felt so good, so warm, so right, like a half-faded dream coming to life. Tears brimmed in the corners of her eyes. Slate. My brother. I missed you so much. "I-I love you."
Slate pulled back so he could meet her gaze, conveying all of the emotions in their depths he couldn't put into words. "I love you too." He tossed his head at the gathered cats. "Will you fight by my side?"
Warmth swelled in Sleet's chest. She grinned. "Always."
. . .
Sleet roared a battle cry as the Clan cats' leader, Yellow Sky, gave the signal, and they charged down the winding trail. A horde of paw-steps thundered behind her as the street cats, Clan cats, and loners raced into battle. Slate matched her step for step, his eyes alive with an exhilaration that reflected her own. Harvest's face was tense with concentration as she raced a step behind her mate. Darcy, Gravel, and Blackjack were hard on Sleet's paws with the rest of the street cats streaming out behind them.
The wave of cats surged past the boulder that hid the narrow entrance and plunged down the trail. The Bands' arrogance in the security of their hidden camp had permitted the first wave of attackers to infiltrate the camp unnoticed as soon as Creek had shown them the hidden entrance. But now Sleet could hear the clamor of battle far below, and the time for stealth was over.
The real attack was about to start.
The immense stone hollow came into view as Sleet rounded the last turn, only to crash into a Band cat who was attempting to flee. She bowled him over as Slate, Harvest, Gravel, and Yellow Sky tackled four more trying to escape. Her muzzle stung as her opponent battered it with his paws, but she gritted her teeth and took the brunt of his attacks. All it took was a precise scratch to the stomach, slipping through the tom's defenses, and his struggles ceased. Sleet didn't waste another heartbeat as she plunged into the fray.
Ducking underneath strikes, dodging between tussling cats, and clawing her enemies, Sleet whipped through the battle like a tornado. She swung her blows in tune with her heartbeat that pounded in her chest. All of her senses were alert, and every hair on her pelt tingled. She felt invincible, powerful, and alive in the heat of the battle. She had something to fight for. She knew that they were going to win.
Sleet ducked under a swipe aimed at her ears and head-butted the Band cat's chest, hurling the she-cat onto her back, and knocking the breath out of her. She finished the she-cat off with a deep bite to the neck, and then she raised her head to survey the fight. Loners, Clan cats, and her street cats struggled against the Band cats, but they had a flame burning inside them—a reason to fight, to win.
Bounce and Sparrow fought back to back, matching each other strike for strike, though they were surrounded by three Band cats. Pebble materialized out of the fray, a long scratch down her side, but ferocity in her eyes as she tore one of the Band cats off of Sparrow's back.
On the other side of the hollow, Gravel wrestled a tortoiseshell she-cat to the ground. Ginger and Adder worked together to trip up a large russet tom. Near the towering stone wall, Sleet recognized Tall Pine and his sister Blossom Dust fending off a reddish-brown tom. A black and white dappled she-cat their age fought alongside them as though they'd been doing that since birth. That must be there sister, Creek's daughter. They found the prisoners.
An echoing caterwaul made Sleet's gaze snap to her left. Darcy blazed like wildfire through the battle, scorching cat after cat. Her bristling pale brown coat shone scarlet like the center of a flame with blood, but Sleet knew it was not her own. Her eyes burned bright with fury as she exacted her revenge on the Band cats.
Yes, Darcy. Sleet gave Darcy a nod as their eyes met across the battle. Let's make them pay for what they did to our families.
The dark gray she-cat tensed her muscles and was about to jump back into the fight when a weight crashed down on her from behind. She instinctively ducked and rolled, crushing her attacker beneath her weight, but thorn-sharp claws pierced her flanks, holding on. She leaped to her paws and writhed, this time tossing her attacker over her head like a piece of prey. She was about to pounce when a desperate scream split the air.
Sleet swung in a circle, her neck fur standing on end and her eyes darting like a frightened rabbit around her. A gap opening between the fighting cats, and she gasped as she saw Harvest. The tortoiseshell she-cat staggered unsteadily, blood dripping like dewdrops from her fur. Her bleary eyes tilted upward, but she made no move to defend herself as a blue-gray tom struck her.
No. Sleet surged forward, but teeth clamped down on her tail, hauling her backward. Someone has to help her. With a frustrated huff, she whirled around, meeting the gaze of her attacker. Two long teeth peeked out from under a curled upper lip as the blue eyes of a slender light gray tabby she-cat glared murderously at her. With a snarl, Sleet lunged at the Band cat. Her opponent met her halfway, and they entangled in a fierce knot of claws and fur. Sleet summoned all of her strength, fighting as hard as she could, but the she-cat was better. She soon found herself with her chest heaving with the effort, bleeding from superficial—though many—scratches. I've got to end this now.
Sleet lessened her attacks, allowing herself to be taken down. As the she-cat advanced on her, she curled her hind legs up to her chest, and struck out, flinging the Band cat backward. She didn't waste a heartbeat as she leaped to her paws and scanned the battle. Her heart dropped in her chest as she saw the blue-gray tom strike Harvest upside her head one more time. The tortoiseshell she-cat fell, vanishing from Sleet's view. The street cat held her breath, waiting for Harvest to struggle to her paws, but she did not rise again.
No. Sleet dashed toward where Harvest had fallen, weaving through the fighting cats, her opponent forgotten. But before she had gone more than a dozen paw-steps, she put up short, stifling a gasp. The brown tabby pelt of Sparrow lay limply in a pool of blood in the center of the war-torn hollow. A small black shape—Bounce—bent over his brother, nudging him with his nose. He glanced up as Sleet approached, his anguished yellow pools tearing Sleet's heart in two. She froze in her tracks, praying that her eyes were deceiving her. No. Sparrow can't be dead.
Another cry for help jolted the dark gray she-cat out of her stupor. She scoured the battle, panic rising higher and higher like floodwater inside her. The allied cats fought side by side as they tried to hold their ground, but the Band cats were slowly driving them back. Wails and screams of pain from the wounded strewn across the battlefield filled the air. Sleet caught a glimpse of a Band cat sinking her teeth into a loner's neck with a sickening crack. A sick feeling twisted in her stomach. We're losing. They're too strong. How many more cats are going to die in this battle we should never have started?
At last, Sleet spotted Misty struggling against a burly Band tom halfway across the hollow. She sprinted toward her, her paws flying over the ground. I will not let another of my cats die. She pounced on a gray tabby tom, hauling him off of Misty. With a few blows, she sent him scrambling away into the fray as she turned to face another enemy.
The battle around her faded away as Sleet fought. Flesh tore beneath her claws. Pain sparked across her body. She ducked, dodged, and lunged, fighting harder than she'd ever fought before. All of a sudden, her claws met thin air.
Sleet blinked as she came out of her daze. Her heartbeat slowed as she took in the devastation around her. Bodies littered the blood-spattered ground, the survivors picking their way through them. A group clustered near the entrance; the battered Band cats standing aside as the equally worn Clan cats and loners began to file through, but with their heads held high.
Did we win? Sleet's jaw slackened in disbelief. We won. But her elation dissipated as quickly as a puddle on a hot day as she surveyed the fallen cats. The Clan cats and loners were beginning to collect their dead—too many to count—including many of the prisoners who they didn't know, but had fought to free. Misty limped by Sleet toward the entrance, leaning heavily on Gravel's shoulder. Bounce held back tears Pepper and him hoisted Sparrow's body on Blackjack's back, his parent's faces stunned and sad. Slate bent over Harvest's body, his sides shaking with sobs. Sleet's heart went out to him as she picked her to him across the battlefield. We won, but at what cost?
. . .
We're a sorry sight, Sleet thought as she trudged along through the forest. She wove between thick trunks and groups of cats who rested in golden pools of sunlight where they had stopped once the Clan cats had decided they were safe. The evening sunlight slanted through the branches of the canopy, illuminating the stately oak trees in a deep scarlet-orange. A soft tranquil silence hung over the forest, disturbed now and again by a melodic bird call or a rustle of the full warm-season leaves. A plump squirrel darted across her path and scrambled up a tree trunk, an acorn clutched in its teeth. But though there was life and beauty all around her, they were not enough to lift her heavy heart.
A gasp of pain caught Sleet's attention as she passed a group of cats. A tabby loner she-cat lay on her side, her eyes glazed over and flanks heaving with ragged breaths. Although they were wounded as well, two other loners bent over her, doing their best to staunch the bleeding from her deep wound. Sleet flattened her ears as she clenched the herbs in her jaw and hurried on her way. She could tell that there wasn't much they could do for the she-cat, and there were others who were wounded that she had to get back to.
I never thought I would think this, but I miss that dull peace now, Sleet thought with a wry shake of her head. I will never take it for granted ever again. An aching feeling of sorrow had taken residence deep within her. I'm ready to go home.
Sleet past several more little groups before she found her cats clustered beneath a sapling oak. She wove among them until she came to where Misty lay on her side in the center of the group, Gravel and Brindle bending over her.
"Thanks," Gravel grunted as he took the clump of marigold from Sleet, his eyes never leaving Misty.
Sleet flicked her ear in reply as she leaned down to touch noses with the longhaired she-cat. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm in pain, but I'll be fine," Misty replied between labored breaths.
"Good, because you better not die on us." Despite her jovial tone, worry twisted inside Sleet.
"I won't." Misty met her gaze steadily. "I promise." With a grin like a cheeky kit, she tipped her head at Gravel. "He'll make sure of that."
"You should stop talking," Gravel ordered. "You need to save your strength."
Sleet smiled at the look the two of them shared, like many others she'd caught them having when they thought no one was watching.
Brindle looked up from where she was licking the blood away from a wound on Misty's left flank. She angled her ears toward Sleet. "You should take care of your wounds as well. We can't have our leader die on us."
Sleet nodded before turned away to move among her cats, checking on them as she went. Her heart grew heavy as she pressed her muzzle to Ginger's forehead. The tortoiseshell she-cat huddled close to Adder and remained dead-still, the usual brightness in her eyes dim as he murmured soothing words into her ear. As Sleet padded away, she was relieved to see Ginger stir slightly and twine her tail with Adder's.
"Well fought, Darcy," Sleet greeted the pale brown she-cat who sat a short ways from the others.
Darcy gave her a nostalgic smile. "You too. You've come a long way from that scared but brash kit I first met. I think we both got justice for our families today."
The dark gray she-cat drew in a deep breath. "Yes, we did."
Sleet's swallowed as if she could dislodge the lump of emotion wedged in her throat as she turned, at last, to the final group. With a heavy sigh, she padded toward them, but her steps were sluggish as if her paws were stuck in the mud.
Blackjack rested his chin on Pepper's head as she leaned against him. Across from them, Bounce sat as erect and still as a rush stalk, although the tip of his tail twitched occasionally. Pebble sat to his left, hugging her tail close to herself, her eyes rimmed with red. They all sat in a circle around Sparrow's body, whose fur was groomed and eyes closed peacefully as they kept their vigil.
"Blackjack, Pepper, Bounce, Pebble." The cats stirred, awakening from their daze of grief. "I'm so sorry for your loss. Sparrow was a kind and thoughtful and talented young cat. He deserved to live for many more moons, not to die like this. I'm sorry," she said again, her guilt seeping despite what Misty had told her.
Blackjack rose, limping toward her as if he were moons older than he was. Though with his haggard face, tired eyes, and dragging tail, he looked as if he had aged moons in a single sunrise. But his voice still retained its usual strength as he addressed Sleet. "Thank you for your kind words. I grieve for my son, but I do not blame you for his death. Don't blame yourself."
Pepper murmured her agreement as Sleet touched her nose to her ear.
A loud snort made Sleet whirl around, her whiskers twitching in surprise. Bounce stood with his lashing as seethed at his leader with an emotion she'd never seen before in his eyes—fury.
"Bounce—" The dark gray she-cat started, but the young tom cut her off as he whipped around and stalked away. What just happened? She looked inquiringly at Blackjack, her brow furrowed.
The older tom sighed. "He just lost his brother. He will need some time."
Ah. Sleet nodded in understanding. She wandered away, letting her cats resume their mourning in peace. She paused at the fringe of where the street cats had settled, her gaze drifting around her before she connected gazes with Creek. He stood near the Clan cats with his three kits; Tall Pine, Blossom Dust, and the black and white dappled she-cat named Spotted Owl, along with a few other cats, including the creamy-brown she-cat she recognized as the cat he had rescued, and a small reddish-brown kit.
"Hi there." Creek's familiar lopsided grin made Sleet's heart ache as he trotted over to her.
"Hello." Sleet twitched her tail awkwardly. "Those three are your kits, right?"
"Yes." Creek's face shone with pride. "Tall Pine, Blossom Dust, and their sister Spotted Owl, who we rescued." He bowed his head low. "I'm sorry for your loss but thank you so much for your cats' and your help. I am in your debt."
Sleet looked around herself, noticing for the first time the groups of Clan cats and loners who were greeting the freed prisoners. Despite their injuries and the deaths, nothing but joy was prevalent on all of the cats' faces. We to do this, Sleet thought, joy bubbling inside her. We helped to free the prisoners. We helped to reunite friends and family. Sparrow did not die for nothing, and I made the right decision. The battle was worth it. She inclined her head to Creek. "Of course. I'm glad we could help."
Creek followed Sleet's gaze as she peered curiously at the creamy-brown she-cat who was nuzzling the little tom. "That's Daffodil," he said, his eyes brimming with affection as he stole a glance over his shoulder at her. "She's my mate now. And our son is that little tom, Cedar. They were also prisoners of the Bands." He tipped his head. "Would you like to come to join us?"
Sleet hesitated. "No." She shook her head. "No, thank you." As Creek turned away, she stopped him. "Creek, before you go, I want to say that I'm sorry, for everything that happened. And—" she swallowed "—I'm glad that you are reunited with your family. I'm glad that you found someone you truly love. I wish you happiness and good fortune."
Creek smiled over his shoulder at her. "I wish you the same. Goodbye, Sleet. Maybe our paths will cross again one day."
Sleet returned his smile. "Maybe."
Sorrow touched the dark gray she-cat's heart she headed back toward her cats, but mostly she felt contentment. At long last, she had made things right, and she could let go now.
Sleet's ears pricked up as a dark gray cat shuffling lopsidedly toward her caught her attention. She hurried over to Slate, touching noses with him before she helped him gently lay Harvest's body on a nest of oak leaves. "Hey. I've been looking for you."
Slate sniffed. "Yeah. I needed to be by myself for a while."
Sleet studied her brother, her attentive gaze taking the crusted blood on his pelt, his careworn face, slumped shoulders, and hollow eyes more from grief than exhaustion. "How are you doing?"
Her brother let out a long sigh. His eyes alighted on the prostrate body of his mate and then darted away. "I don't know what to do, honestly."
Sleet's heart clenched in her chest. Oh, my dear brother. I can't imagine what you must be feeling. But I'm here for you. She stepped to his side, pressing herself against him. He crumbled like an old building into her, and she helped him sink slowly into the ground. She began to lick the blood from his fur as he muffled his sobs with his paws.
Sleet watched out of the corner of her eye as the Clan cats called everyone together. She listened as they thanked everyone who had come to help, as the loners made a surprising request, and as they all bid each other farewell. The meeting was dispersing as Slate finally stirred.
Slate sat up and shook out his pelt. He turned to his sister, blinking the tears out of his honey-gold eyes. "Thank you."
Sleet pressed her muzzle to his cheek, breathing in his scent. "Of course."
Slate glanced around at the cats heading off into the trees. "It looks like it's time to go."
She smiled mournfully. "Yes, it is. My cats need to get home and bury Sparrow."
He nodded. "I should get home to my kits. They'll—" he paused, choking on emotion. "They'll want to know what happened."
"Would you like help to carry Harvest back? It's a long way."
"No. No, thank you. This is something I need to do myself."
"Okay. Goodbye, then," Sleet murmured, trying her best to fight back the tears from her immense well of sorrow for her brother's sake.
Slate shook his head. "No, not goodbye. You will be coming to visit."
"Oh?" Sleet blinked, but slowly, a smile stretched across her face. "Of course. So not goodbye. A see you later."
Slate returned her smile as she helped him lay Harvest's body across his back. "See you soon."
Sleet's heart swelled with sorrow, but also happiness as her cats and her began their long trek home. They had fought a hard battle today and lost many loved ones, but they had triumphed over the Bands. They had shown the Bands that they would not stand by and be hurt anymore. They would fight back. And they had rescued scores of prisoners who had suffered under the Bands' claws and brought them back to their loved ones. The Bands would attack again, but they would be ready. The Clans had promised their help. All of them would unite again to defeat the Bands—one day. For now, Sleet was content to go home, help her cats heal, bury and mourn Sparrow, and visit her brother soon.
But most of all, she thought, I'm ready to live in peace.
Phew! Wow, that took me sooooo long. Sorry it's late, but there's enough here for three chapters. I didn't mean for it to be this long, but it kinda ended up this way. I could have put it into three separate chapters, but I thought it should be just one because it feels much more like a complete chapter all together.
So, this is pretty much the end of Sleet's story. I definitely feel like this is a complete and satisfying story and that she's grown and changed so much (this does take place over a long time), but she's come full circle as a character. She's finally figured out a way to deal with her past and her emotions, and make up with Creek and Slate, and let it go. I'm so happy Sleet and Slate found each other again!
While this is the end of her story, I'm pretty sure that we will see her again in a future book. She will be a different cat than the siblings remember, mostly because of what you will find out soon in the very short epilogue. I originally thought my idea for the epilogue would be good, but now I'm not so sure, so we'll see. I might choose this idea, come up with another for the epilogue, or not have one at all. So if not, I'll see you in the next book!
QOTD: What did you like the most about this novella? Who is your favorite character? What could be improved?
Thank you for reading both the long chapter and long author's note!
- A Warrior At Heart