Jaggedshadow crouched, perched on a branch that was high in an oak tree. He was scouting for signs of other cats. He was also trying to find something—like a geological landmark—to help them find their way, as he, Stormwind, Nightsong and Stoneclaw were lost. The others had chosen him to scout because of his keen eyes and because he was best at tree climbing.
Jaggedshadow sighed.
The sooner he found the other Clans, the sooner he could return to NightClan. He flicked his ear. Over the trees, a lake reflected dying sunlight. A tree-covered island stood some distance east of the center of the lake. Jaggedshadow leaped off of the oak branch, rolling as he hit the ground.
He hissed. He had forgotten about his injury and had performed the roll just slightly wrong. His injury wasn't bad enough to cause much pain most of the time, but the pain in his side got worse when he exerted himself.
In front of Jaggedshadow were Nightsong, who sat beside a briar, and Stoneclaw, who stood under an ash tree. Stormwind was hunting. She had been hunting since they had gotten lost.
"Did you see anyone?" Stoneclaw asked Jaggedshadow.
Jaggedshadow shook his head. "Not even a cat's shadow."
"Well, did you see anything that can help us, well, not be lost?" asked Nightsong
Jaggedshadow sat. "I saw a lake."
"That could work," said Stoneclaw.
Nightsong flicked his ear. It was clear to Jaggedshadow he was annoyed. "It would be great if Darkstone were with us. She would know where to go."
Jaggedshadow grunted. Darkstone was a tunnel runner. She, like all tunnel runners, had a natural sense of direction. Cedartail had banished her along with Æri, Riverpelt, Thistlefoot and Streamtail. There was no telling whether Darkstone, Streamtail or Thistlefoot were dead or not.
Darkstone was Nightsong's best friend. Had there not been a command against healers taking mates if they did not have an apprentice, those two would have been mates long ago.
Darkstone was an acquaintance of Jaggedshadow's, but he never liked her. He found her to be annoying. However, he understood why Nightsong enjoyed her company: she was kind and full of energy.
Jaggedshadow walked. Nightsong and Stoneclaw had begun walking a moment before.
"Hello?" a deep, loud voice shouted. "Can anyone hear me? My brother told me that you other chosen ones would hear me if I shouted my thoughts at you."
Jaggedshadow lashed his tail. The voice did not surprise him much. He was used to hearing voices—other than his internal monologue—in his head. But the cat's shouting had hurt his ears. He had not expected that. No noise rang in his ears when he heard the cat's voice. "There's no need to shout. I can hear your soul's voice."
"Who are you and what in StarClan is a soul's voice?"
"A soul's voice is- wait, do you belong to a clan?"
"Yes I do. My name is Lionblaze. I'm ThunderClan's mightiest warrior. Who are you?"
"I am Jaggedshadow, son of Icefang. I am the most skilled warrior who belongs to NightClan. You may also refer to us by the name Legion."
" 'Us' ?"
"Within my vessel are-"
"Cat-warrior Lionblaze!" interrupted Æri's deep, rich, powerful voice. "What are your Clan's plans for defending against the wraith horde that is known as the Dark Forest?"
Jaggedshadow gritted his teeth. His head, no, his very soul hurt. He didn't remember Æri's voice being this loud.
"Someone is trying to talk to me, but I can't understand them."
Jaggedshadow grinned as the realization of what just happened dawned on him. "My brother asked you how ThunderClan plans to defend against the Dark Forest."
"How is his voice that deep?"
"My brother, Æri, the one who has spoken to you, is a wolf." And the voice of his soul is deeper than his spoken voice, Jaggedshadow thought, actively shielding this thought from the others who were participating in the conversation. He did not know whether any of the other chosen ones could gaze into the mind of others. Thus he needed to be cautious.
If they knew of his plan, they would assume he was evil unless they heard the whole story. Explaining his story would take too long. Besides, even if they heard his tale, they might not understand, or they might assume he was lying.
And it wasn't like he trusted the other protectors much. For all he knew, any one of them could be as dangerous as he was. And besides, there was no telling how power could change someone.
"What?"
Jaggedshadow ignored the question. "Lionblaze, where is ThunderClan?" he asked Lionblaze, focusing his thoughts on the warrior's voice like Pond Song taught him. "My companions and I were sent to contact the four other warrior Clans."
"Are there any landmarks around you?"
"Yes. From a treetop I saw a lake."
"Is there an island in the lake that has trees?"
"Yes."
"Walk there," said Lionblaze. "I and a few cats will meet you on the island."
"Good," Jaggedshadow agreed. "We will do that. Now, as I was saying, within my vessel are two entities, my guide, Plague, and me, Jaggedshadow. A soul's voice is the rhythm of one's soul. They usually don't match from one being to another." Our ancestors must have matched the soul voices of us chosen ones, Jaggedshadow added within his mind. This time he did not need to hold his thought back from the others. The thought simply remained in his mind.
"Jaggedshadow," called Stoneclaw. "Jaggedshadow, are you listening? Nightsong proposed a solution to our dilemma."
Jaggedshadow turned his head. Stoneclaw stood beside him. His long grey fur was impeccable as always. Jaggedshadow shook his head, returning his attention to his present surroundings. "What?"
Stoneclaw blinked. "Tonight we will follow the stars."
"Or-" Jaggedshadow narrowed his eyes "-we travel to the lake. A ThunderClan warrior told me that we could reach his Clan's territory if we travel toward the lake I saw earlier. We should reach the end of our quest by nightfall tomorrow."
"That's sensible."
Jaggedshadow blinked. A thorny retort arose from deep within. He swallowed, fighting it back. He had no reason to treat his companions poorly.
"True." Jaggedshadow glanced at Stormwind, who was carrying prey. Her gaze met his. Jaggedshadow stepped toward her.
To say Stormwind was beautiful was a grave understatement. Her striped silver fur was like a wind-swept sea that shimmered in the afternoon sun as a strong wind ruffled it. With each step, her powerful muscles rippled subtlety under her short soft fur. Her eyes shone like oak leaves under a summer's sun. Jaggedshadow's cheeks were hot under his dense fur. He looked away.
Jaggedshadow sneezed. He had not looked away fearing judgment, but because he needed to stay focused. His relationship with Stormwind was not forbidden. Even if it were, it wasn't like either of them would care. They loved each other and that was that.
Jaggedshadow shook his head. That brief glance had been a gentle reminder why he needed to return to NightClan. He needed to kill Cedartail. Cedartail's demise would be Icefang's revenge and NightClan's salvation.
"Lead the way," said Nightsong. He stood.
Jaggedshadow nodded. He stood. Recalling the direction of the lake, he turned and walked. Nightsong, Stormwind and Stoneclaw followed him.
Hours later, Jaggedshadow walked through a line of trees. Before him was a line of trees. The strong scent the trees and undergrowth had been marked with wafted toward Jaggedshadow. It was strong but not overpowering. This border had been marked recently.
Jaggedshadow stepped into the border. "Shall we?"
Stoneclaw sat. "No. We will wait until a patrol sees us."
Jaggedshadow turned around and walked to Stoneclaw. "I thought I was leading." He opened his mouth to taste the air.
"You were until you crossed that border," said Stoneclaw.
Jaggedshadow sank his claws into the ground as he wondered why the patrol was taking so long. There must be one nearby. Jaggedshadow lashed his tail. This was really starting to annoy him.
