Chapter 33: Spotted Owl

Spotted Owl's muscles screamed as she charged uphill. She had lost her breath somewhere about halfway down the mountain but didn't dare to slow her pace. I have to get back to camp before it's too late. I have to warn Mossy Moon. Ahead of her, ash, birch, and larch trees gave way to the spruces, cedars, and pines of the higher mountain slopes. I'm getting close. With a spurt of speed, she crested the rise and burst from a thicket of evergreens, coming into view of the towering gorge walls. Thank the stars I'm finally here.

"Spotted Owl," Bracken Tail exclaimed, scrambling to his paws. The usually composed tom's eyes were wide, and his pelt was half-fluffed up. "What in the stars are you doing?"

Sage Fur, who was also on guard, took a step forward. She furrowed her pale brow. "Is everything okay?"

"Can't talk," the fighter trainee panted as she raced toward them. "Move," she bellowed as they stood there, blinking dumbfoundedly at her before they rushed out of her way. "I have to talk to Mossy Moon," she called over her shoulder, apologetically.

Spotted Owl skidded through the passageway, her claws making earsplitting shrieks on the stone, and exploded into the camp, shattering the serene atmosphere. A hush still hung over the shadowy, empty gorge. The waning moon hung low in the starlit sky. I'm here. There's still time. She let relief wash over her for a single heartbeat before she made a beeline for Mossy Moon's den.

The young she-cat halted before the cave, took a heartbeat to let her breathing calm down, and was opening her mouth to call the chieftain's name when another pair of paw-steps crashed into the camp behind her. Spotted Owl swung around, her jaw-dropping open as she saw Tall Pine skid to a stop two fox-lengths away. He stared back at her, his yellow eyes reflecting her shock. What- She took a step forward, finding her voice first. "What are you doing?"

He returned her greeting with the same chill. "I could ask you the same thing."

"I have to talk to Mossy Moon about something important. You will do as I said; keep your nose out of it."

"I have to talk to her too."

What? Spotted Owl blinked in confusion for a heartbeat, but she disguised it as she lifted the fur along her neck. "Are you ready to confess where you have been sneaking off to at night?" Snake's venom dripped into her words, refining them into a sharpened claw headed straight for his heart.

Tall Pine winced, but his eyes were as cold as the Time of Frozen Earth. "Are you finally going to tell me why you've been clinging to Sharp like a burr? Have you really been so mouse-brained as to start trusting him again?"

Spotted Owl flinched, his words scouring claw-marks across her already broken heart. But she hid the pain under her brewing fury. "I thought I told you that I never wanted to talk to you again. Stay out of my business and stay out of my way." She whirled around. "Now, I'm going to tell Mossy Moon my critical news, and you will never bother me again."

Tall Pine blocked her path. "No, I'm going to talk to Mossy Moon. I can assure you, what I have is more important."

"I can assure you; it's not. Besides, I was here first-"

"What in the stars is going on out here?" Both siblings froze as a voice came from the depths of the den. Mossy Moon's solid form filled the entrance, Cloudy Water standing a paw-step behind her. It was hard to tell in the gloom, but her pelt was disheveled, and her blue eyes were stormy.

Spotted Owl straightened, ignoring the burning in her ears. "I have important news to share with you, Mossy Moon."

"I have to speak with you," Tall Pine said at the same time. "It's urgent."

The chieftain's eyes lit up just perceptibly as they met Spotted Owl's, though she frowned as they shifted to Tall Pine. But she flicked her tail. "Come inside, both of you."

"Both of us?" Spotted Owl exclaimed, pulling her ears back. But I have information that's going to save our Clan from the Bands. We can't waste time with whatever mouse-brained thing Tall Pine wants to tell her.

The black and white tom seemed to be thinking exactly the same thing. "But Mossy Moon-"

"Enough." Mossy Moon silenced them both with a look over her shoulder. "Your squabbling like two flustered sparrows has been disturbing our Clanmates." The dappled she-cat followed the direction of her tail to where Quiet Sun, Maple Sky, and Whispering Rain were all poking their heads like curious owls out of their dens. "You both obviously have something important to tell me, so you're going to stop wasting time fighting and come inside. Now."

"Of course," Spotted Owl murmured, feeling like a naughty kit again under the sting of the rebuke.

Tall Pine dipped his head. "Thank you very much for hearing me out."

Mossy Moon stepped aside to let the siblings slink by her before turning to Cloudy Water with an apologetic shrug. "I'm sorry, my love. But duty calls. I have to speak with them."

"It's all right." Cloudy Water nuzzled her cheek. "I'll go see if I'll be more successful sleeping in the hunter and fighters' den." He padded a few steps and looked over his shoulder. "I'll see you in the morning?"

"See you in the morning," Mossy Moon echoed, giving her mate a tender look as he slipped into the shadowy camp. Her expression hardened as she turned to the trainees, taking a seat beside her nest. "Now. Spotted Owl, what do you have to report?"

The young she-cat sat up straighter, arranging her features in a calm and collected expression though all she wanted to do was jump up and down. But her pelt prickled, all too aware of her brother sitting a tail-length away. "Well-" she cleared her throat. "It's about you know what."

Tall Pine cast a confused glance in her direction.

Mossy Moon's eyes glimmered like the night sky, faint starlike pinpricks of hope just seeping through a forced weariness. "Is it good news? What we have been waiting to hear?"

She nodded, unable to stop face broke into a smile. "Yes. It is everything."

Mossy Moon, with more self-control, smiled only a little. "Well, since that is good news, that means your mission is over. We will tell all of our Clanmates very soon. But I think we should start with Tall Pine."

I can finally tell my friends and family? Oh, thank the stars. Spotted Owl sat back, stunned. She drew in several deep breaths, feeling as though the stone she had been carrying around had finally been lifted. Relief washed over her. It's over. I don't have to keep this secret anymore.

"What's going on?" Tall Pine jumped to his paws. His neck fur bristled as he looked from his sister to his chieftain. "What are you talking about? What mission?" He stared at his sister, his eyes a mixture of hurt and confusion. "Have you been lying to me?"

Spotted Owl's chest seized. She had prepared herself for this reaction, and it was nothing compared to how she felt after their fight, but it still felt as though a thorn was pricking her heart. "I-"

"Tall Pine, calm down," Mossy Moon ordered. "We will explain everything. But Spotted

Owl has to give her report first." She turned to the fighter trainee, her blue eyes steadying. "Go ahead."

Spotted Owl cleared her throat. She couldn't help it as her tail fidgeted under her brother's gaze. "I woke up this evening to find that Sharp had snuck out of camp again, so I found his scent and followed him. He wandered around like he's done every time so far, but this time, he went into the Clan of the Dark Caves territory."

Mossy Moon frowned. "He hasn't done that before. Intriguing." She nodded. "Continue."

Spotted Owl forced her paws to stay still as they itched to pace. "I'm certain that I finally figured out what Sharp has been searching for. I wondered why a lot of the terrain felt familiar tonight, and when I finally caught up to Sharp, he was emerging from the entrance to the cave where the Star Falls is. I think that the Bands sent him here to locate them as a component of their plan."

Tall Pine drew in a sharp breath but had the good sense not to say anything.

The chieftain nodded thoughtfully. "That is the most logical conclusion. But Sharp could have stumbled upon them by accident. What makes you so certain?"

"Well-" Spotted Owl snuck a glance at her brother, who was watching her with owl-like eyes. She drew in a trembling breath. "When other Clan cats and I were prisoners of the Bands, we were interrogated by Thunderclap. In my interrogation, he asked me a few questions, but what he really wanted to know about seemed to be the Star Falls. But none of us told him anything, so he must have had to have Sharp search for it. Besides, it's the only thing that makes sense because the Bands already know all other important locations in the Valley of Hidden Stars, like our camps. So, if this is what Sharp has been looking for, then-"

"-that means the Bands have been planning this for a while," Mossy Moon said gravely. "At least for three moons." She shook her head slowly, her eyes glazed over as she retreated into deep thought.

Tall Pine sighed. "My stars."

Mossy Moon started as if she had just realized he was still there. "Is that everything?" When Spotted Owl nodded, she turned to the young tom. "For more than the past moon, Spotted Owl has been on a mission I assigned her. As I am sure you've gathered, that mission was to become close to Sharp so she could spy on him and learn what the Bands are planning. Despite our Clanmates' objections, I allowed Sharp to stay with our Clan, but not because I believe that he was here for asylum; because it would be ten times more dangerous to banish him than to keep him where we could watch him. And eventually, that risk paid off. In the past half-moon, Sharp has snuck out of our camp several times to wander around the Valley of Hidden Stars with Spotted Owl following him. Tonight, she finally uncovered what he has been searching for. Now we know an important element of the Bands' plan, and we are just in time to counteract it."

Spotted Owl watched as the dark brown tabby she-cat tipped her head, studying Tall Pine's face. She didn't dare look at her brother herself. "Your sister took this mission despite it meaning that she had to confront her trauma, put herself in danger, and lie to her Clanmates for the sake of our Clan's survival. I've witnessed the pain she has felt being forced to lie to everyone she loves and how much she has struggled having to face Sharp, but she has remained unwaveringly steadfast and determined. Spotted Owl has saved our Clan."

"Wow," Spotted Owl heard Tall Pine breathe. Working up her courage, she dared to sneak a glance at him. He was staring at her with eyes not filled with anger nor hurt anymore, but brimming with shock, concern, and...pride. "Spotted Owl, I-"

Mossy Moon cut him off. "I know that this must come as a huge shock to you, and I bet you both have much to say to each other. But time is of the essence. Tall Pine, what did you want to tell me?"

The young tom straightened up as if a bolt of lightning had run through him. He turned away from his sister to face the chieftain, his expression morphing into one of grave seriousness. "For the past moon, I have also been partaking in a bit of my own mission. I have thought a lot about the Clan of the Flowing Waters's attacks, and something bothered me about Gray Moon's reasons, so I decided to investigate. I crossed the border a few times to spy on their camp-"

My stars, Spotted Owl thought, shaking her head. He's really been investigating Gray Moon and the Clan of the Flowing Waters? A twinge of guilt ran through her. I guess he does have vital information.

"You trespassed on the Clan of the Flowing Waters's territory?" Mossy Moon interrupted. Her tone was neutral, but she raised one brow. "When? Approximately half a moon ago?"

Spotted Owl furrowed her brow as she saw Tall Pine's shoulders slump. "Yes," he admitted. "I was the one who left the scents that made Gray Moon attack our Clan four sunrises ago. I'm so sorry. I feel terrible-"

"It's all right," Mossy Moon said, her voice measured. "It is not your fault. I've seen how bloodthirsty and unpredictable Gray Moon is. He had been waiting for a reason to escalate. We will, however, discuss a punishment for breaking the Clan's Code and trespassing on another Clan's territory after this is all over. But, please, continue with what you were saying."

"Right." Tall Pine gave his pelt a shake. "So, I went to spy on the Clan of the Flowing Waters again tonight, and I found that Gray Moon was meeting with several of his fighters. I learned that they had been making a plan for the meeting at dawn. They are using the guise of a peaceful invitation to disguise treachery. If we attend, we'll be walking straight into a trap."

Mossy Moon nodded grimly. "I expected as much. The Clan Council and I decided to attend, but we are prepared. Don't worry."

"But there's more," Tall Pine blurted out urgently. "Mossy Moon, I found out what their central goal is and why Gray Moon is doing all this." He paused to swallow. "Gray Moon is plotting to kill you. He wants to take all of your lives, partially because he believes our Clan will crumble without you and they will be able to crush us, and partially because he believes that they'll be able to gain the other Clans' support for their plan to defeat the Bands without you to object. But, it is mostly because he blames you for letting the Band patrol in all those moons ago and advocating for them to stay, which resulted in them killing his son."

"Great stars," Spotted Owl exclaimed. It was her turn to gape at her sibling. Her mind swirled like a torrential stream. They're planning to kill Mossy Moon? That is outrageous. Thank the stars Tall Pine discovered this in time. But I can't believe that Gray Moon would think that killing our chieftain would make our Clan's resistance collapse. No, we'd just tear them down in revenge. It's ridiculous that he blames our Clan for his son's death. The Bands are the ones who took his life.

The young she-cat shifted her attention to her chieftain, scrutinizing her face for a reaction. But although Mossy Moon's expression was tense, she seemed unfazed as she listened as Tall Pine explained the details of Gray Moon's plan. Wow. I'm terrified, and I'm not the one who just heard an entire Clan is plotting to kill me. Mossy Moon is so courageous.

Once Tall Pine had finished, Mossy Moon rose to her paws and looked from him to Spotted Owl. "Thank you for your reports tonight. It is because of you both that our Clan will be saved from dual threats. I have a plan, but we are running out of time, so I must go and speak with our Clanmates. Unless there is something else?" They both were silent for a heartbeat, so she turned to leave.

Tall Pine leaped to his paws. "Wait, Mossy Moon, there's actually something else." She turned around expectantly, only for him to hesitate. "I have to be honest with you. I didn't do this investigation alone. For the past moon, I've been meeting-"

What is he doing? Alarm shot through Spotted Owl. Before she knew what she was doing, she jumped to her paws as well. "What Tall Pine means to say that his mission was a scary undertaking, so he needed help. I mean, help from our ancestors, of course. Th-their wisdom and guidance," she stammered awkwardly. "I relied on their guidance for my mission as well."

Mossy Moon frowned skeptically, her brow furrowed deeply. Then her expression cleared like the sun coming out from behind clouds. "Of course. I also rely on the guidance of the Clan of the Bright Stars a lot. Take a moment to breathe, you two, then come find me. I have jobs for both of you." With a swish of her tail, she vanished into the shadowy camp.

That could've gone better. With a sigh, Spotted Owl trotted out of the cave. She had barely taken three paw-steps outside when her brother's voice made her halt.

"Spotted Owl." The dappled she-cat turned to see him standing, framed by the curved walls of the cave entrance. He padded out into the faint moonlight that created splashes of light and shadow across his already patched pelt. His brow was furrowed as he searched her gaze. "Why'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Why did you cover for me?"

"Oh." Spotted Owl opened her mouth to respond but stopped as she realized she wasn't sure why herself. "I guess…" She stared at her paws. "I guess I did it because I'm sorry. I am so sorry for how rude and mean I've been to you over the past moon. I acted that way because I thought it was the only way to get you to leave me alone, so you didn't accidentally ruin my mission. But that doesn't excuse what I did. So, although I was shocked and angry that you had been meeting with Frosted Leaf, I wasn't going to let Mossy Moon punish you for it. You're my brother; I'll always cover for you."

She glanced at him but didn't give him a chance to speak as she surged on. If I don't say this now, I never will. "I'm so sorry for hiding all of this from you. You have no idea how much it pained me to do so. I wanted to tell you, and I almost did so many times, but I couldn't for the sake of the mission. But you were right." Her breath caught in her throat. "You were right about Sharp. I trusted him. But he is working with the Bands, and all he did was hurt me again."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Tall Pine breathed. Moving to her side, he pressed himself against her, the pressure of his firmly muscled flank comforting. She swallowed a lump in her throat. A reservoir of sorrow had been amassing within her, and now it was bubbling closer and closer to the surface, but she pushed it down. I can't afford to fall apart right now. There is too much still to be done. Later-not now.

"I am so sorry," the black and white tom repeated his tone light as a feather. "I wish that I hadn't been right, for your sake." After another heartbeat, he stepped away, turning to look her in the eye. "I also want to apologize for pestering you about my worries concerning Sharp, yelling at you, and almost ruining your mission. Sometimes my worries can get the better of me and lead to me hurting other cats, like you. I'm working on it. I completely understand now why you couldn't talk to me. You don't have to apologize for anything. You saved our Clan. I am so proud of you."

Spotted Owl shook out her pelt, releasing the tension that had been lingering inside her ever since she had first agreed to take the mission. "Thank you. If it's okay, I would like to talk to you."

Tall Pine's eyes lit up like little stars in the darkness. He took a seat, fluffed his pelt up against the bitter cold, and wrapped his tail around his paws. "Of course. I'm all ears."

Spotted Owl took a seat as well, clearing her throat. She hesitated but opened her mouth. "Ever since I found Sharp at the Star Falls tonight, I have been feeling like a muddled mess of hurt and anger. There is no doubt in my mind that he is working with the Bands, pretending to ask for asylum so he could stay with the Clans without suspicion and search the Valley for the Star Falls. No one else thought that we should trust him, not even Mossy Moon, but I played right into his paws. I started to prepare myself after I caught him sneaking out of camp, but it just hit me tonight-" She broke off as her voice faltered. Sadness quivered like early Time of Thawing Earth buds poking up in harsh snow. "I'm sorry-"

"No, no, it's okay," Tall Pine said quickly, touching his tail to her shoulder. "You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready. But I'll be here whenever you are."

The fighter trainee nodded. Her shoulders slumped as she let out a breath and nodded mutely. "There's something else. Well, a few things," she confessed. "I've wanted to tell you about them for a while, but I didn't know how. The first is that I have been struggling with my leg. Red Maple and Yellow Sky have been so helpful, but while I have improved, I can't help but feel like I'm broken. I'm afraid that I will never be as strong or capable as I was. I'm not sure if I'll ever be good enough of a fighter that our Clan needs."

Tall Pine nodded solemnly, his head tilted as he gazed at her, but he let her continue.

"And the other…." Spotted Owl hesitated, her ears pulling back. "You were right to be concerned. I have been struggling with my trauma because of...you know." She shuddered, willing the memories not to flood her mind. "I have nightmares that force me to relive it almost every night. Sharp because he is a constant reminder. It was excruciating to be around him at first. I can't even think about anything related without having the memories threaten to overwhelm me. Sometimes, during times when everything's quiet, they just slip in and take me by sunrise. I feel like I am constantly carrying around its weight and like I always will, as if it is scarred into my brain. I don't-" She shook her head and sighed. "I don't know if I'll ever recover from this."

"Oh, Spotted Owl," Tall Pine murmured. He gazed at her for a heartbeat, his eyes round with concern. Then he surged to his feet, surprising her with the ferocity in his movement. "You are not broken. No matter what happens to you, you will never be broken. Don't you dare let yourself think that for a heartbeat. You are strong, stronger than your trauma. You proved that when you faced it and put yourself in danger to take a risky mission. Despite how difficult it was, you never backed down, and you saved all of the Clans, even with your injury. That takes more courage, strength, and dedication than most cats have. You are brave, strong, loyal, and kind. What's more, you have a fierce spirit. You are more than your trauma and your injury. You are more than good enough. And you will never, ever be broken." He beamed down at her. "I am so proud of you and honored to call you my sister."

Spotted Owl smiled as warmth bloomed inside her chest. Tears coalesced in the corners of her eyes. I've missed talking with my brother so much. Thank the stars we've made up, and I can finally talk to him again. "Thank you, Tall Pine," she said aloud. "I am so glad I can talk to you again. I talked to Sharp a little, and he did seem to understand about my nightmares, but he's now… And he's not you. If I need someone to talk to in the future, I will come to you first."

"I will always be here for you if you ever need someone to talk to or lean on,'" he assured her. "I will still worry about you, but if you don't want to talk right then or not to me, I promise that I won't press you. Just know that I'll be here."

Spotted Owl smiled. Her heart felt so full it might burst. "Thank you." Turning her head, she saw Mossy Moon across the camp, talking to Falling Star. After a heartbeat, Falling Star rose to her paws, hurried across the camp to call a few fighters out of the hunter and fighter's den, and then raced out through the tunnel.

"A-and Spotted Owl," Tall Pine said hesitantly. "There's something I also wanted to talk to you about. It's about Frosted Leaf and me. I want you to know that I'm no longer-"

"Tall Pine, it's all right," the young she-cat interrupted smoothly. "You don't owe me any explanation. I am so sorry for how I acted that night. I trust you, and I support whatever decision you have made."

Tall Pine's eyes glimmered. "Really?"

Spotted Owl met his gaze steadily, warmth rushing through her like a Time of Thawing Earth stream. "Absolutely."

Yay! There's been so many twists and turns, but finally, (almost) everything has been revealed to us and the characters. Double yay because Tall Pine and Spotted Owl have finally made up. I'm so excited because the next two chapters are the climax! We're so close to the end now!

Fun Fact: I often find that I work many things into my stories without realizing it. Often, those things are pieces of myself. Many of the attributes that the characters have, such as Tall Pine's anxiety or Spotted Owl's PTSD are things that I have experienced myself. But, I am happy that I have included them, because though they are cats living in a fictional world, I want to make them relatable characters I also want to convey important messages, such as the one in this chapter about not being afraid to talk to those you love when you're struggling because they can help you.

- A Warrior At Heart