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Chapter 11
Rowanwind padded through the forest. Tonight was the night of the Gathering. He wondered how the other kittypets they had saved from StarClan were doing. Josephine and Doodle were getting stronger each time he went to visit them in Frostflower's den. Icefur, however, was weakening even faster than the kittypets were growing stronger. Every time Rowanwind went to check on the cats, he found Rainfur lying beside her mate. Despite his dislike for Icefur, he felt incredibly sorry for his half sister, Rainfur.
He had barely left the camp, going off for a few minutes to think by himself, when he heard a deafening sound ricochet throughout the entire forest. Birds took off in flocks from the trees above him. A squirrel that had been balancing along a tree branch disappeared into its den. Rowanwind's entire pelt stood on end as his ears gradually stopped ringing.
With a fierce determination, Rowanwind raced in the direction the sound had come from. If he could maybe catch a glance at whatever it was that had made that sound, he could figure out what had killed Stonebreeze! He skidded to a stop and looked around, trying to look for something unusual in the forest. Nothing caught his eye. Had the thing already left?
Rowanwind continued forward more cautiously. He walked around a tree and came across a strange scene. Lying on the ground was a dead thrush. There was a large, blood oozing wound in its body and there were feathers everywhere. Standing above the thrush was a pure white cat. As Rowanwind approached, the white cat looked up at him with dark yellow eyes. The moment their eyes met, the white tom spun around and disappeared right in front of Rowanwind's eyes. It was just like how DarkClan vanished into the shadows, yet how could a pure white tom disappear into the shadows? Duskpaw had said it was easier to become an object close to the cat's pelt color.
"Come back!" Rowanwind called. "I won't hurt you! Are you the one who injured this bird?"
There was no answer. With a sigh, Rowanwind buried the thrush as deep into the dirt as he could. He didn't want any of his cats eating the thrush because he wasn't sure if it was safe to eat, when nobody had any idea what had actually killed the bird in the first place.
He headed back to camp to find the place full of fear scent. The ThunderClan cats were all outside of their dens, whispering to each other.
"Rowanwind!" Stormypelt ran over. "Thank StarClan you're okay. I was out on a hunting patrol, and we heard this strange noise. We ran back to camp as fast as we could, and when somebody told me you'd gone for a walk alone..."
Rowanwind touched her cheek with his nose. "Calm down and breathe, Stormypelt. I'm fine. I have some bad news, though. Whatever killed Stonebreeze is in ThunderClan territory now."
Stormypelt gasped as her blue eyes widened with fear. "Is that what made the terrifying sound?"
Rowanwind nodded. "I found a thrush with a large hole in its body. It looked exactly like how the ShadowClan cats described Stonebreeze's injury. That isn't all, though. When I found the thrush, there was a pure white cat standing over it. When the tom saw me, he turned and vanished."
"Vanished?" Stormypelt blinked.
"You've seen how the DarkClan cats disappear into the shadows by turning into shadows," Rowanwind said. "It was just like that. But it doesn't make any sense because what could a pure white tom turn into? There aren't many white objects in the forest."
"Do you think the white tom was the one who killed Stonebreeze and the thrush?" Stormypelt whispered.
"No, I don't think so. No cat could have created such a devastating injury, even in a bird," Rowanwind said. "Let alone a cat."
"Are you going to tell everyone?" Stormypelt wondered.
"I think it's a good idea," Rowanwind said. "Let me go report to Clawstar first."
Stormypelt twined her tail with his briefly before letting him pad away.
Rowanwind found Clawstar inside Frostflower's den. The kittypets and Icefur were asleep, and Rainfur was nowhere to be found.
"Rowanwind!" Clawstar meowed. "A hunting patrol just came and told me they heard a terrible noise in the forest and that you weren't anywhere in camp."
"I'm fine, Clawstar," Rowanwind said. He told Clawstar everything that he had witnessed, from the sound that had scared the prey all around him, to the white tom standing above the thrush.
Clawstar's green eyes grew worried. "This is bad news, Rowanwind. We need to make sure our warriors know about this."
"Of course," Rowanwind agreed. "Would you like to tell them?"
Clawstar stood and stretched. "Yes. I haven't been out of this den since yesterday morning. I need some fresh air."
The two toms padded out into the camp. Rowanwind wasn't surprised to see that their Clanmates were still whispering to each other in urgent tones.
Clawstar climbed up onto the low rock and yowled the meeting call. It didn't take long for all of the cats to gather around him. The fear scent wafting from his Clanmates nearly overwhelmed Rowanwind.
"I have just been given a report by Rowanwind about the strange noise some of you heard just a little while ago," Clawstar began. "Rowanwind went to investigate and found a thrush with an injury similar to the injury Stonebreeze had that the ShadowClan cats described. In addition to the thrush, Rowanwind saw a white tom on our territory. We are not certain whether he was a rogue or simply a loner.
"In light of all of this, I want every cat to go out with at least two others. Apprentices may not go out alone or with other apprentices; a warrior needs to be with them at all times. Every border and hunting patrol needs to keep a close eye on the forest around them. If we are vigilant and cautious whenever we go out, we may stay out of danger. If any patrols see the white tom that Rowanwind spotted, you have my permission to chase him off our territory. That is all."
Clawstar jumped down from the rock.
Rowanwind followed Clawstar over to the fresh-kill pile. "Do you think that was wise, Clawstar? Shouldn't we question the tom? He may know something about what killed Stonebreeze."
"I don't think so, Rowanwind," Clawstar replied. "No cat could have done such a tragic thing."
"What if he used magick?" Rowanwind demanded, unwilling to give up on the subject. "He used magick to disappear. Who says he couldn't use magick to inflict such injuries?"
"It couldn't have been magick."
Clawstar and Rowanwind turned to see Duskpaw walking up.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help but overhear," Duskpaw said. "But the tom couldn't have used magick to kill Stonebreeze and the thrush you found, Rowanwind. Magick doesn't make noise like that. I should know, since I've been around magick all of my life."
"I have to take Duskpaw's word, Rowanwind. It's not that I don't trust you. I'm very happy you've taken such an interest in finding out what is in the forest. But there is nothing we can do about it right now," Clawstar said. "We have a Gathering to worry about tonight. DarkClan may try and attack us again. It's been so long since their deadline to surrender that I'm beginning to think we're finally tiring them out. I want us to be ready in case they decide to attack tonight."
Rowanwind nodded. "I understand, Clawstar. Have you decided who will be going to the Gathering with us?"
With a quick nod, Duskpaw padded away to leave his new leader and deputy in peace so they could talk.
"I don't want any of the apprentices to come," Clawstar said in response to Rowanwind's question. "We could run into whatever killed Stonebreeze."
"I hope that doesn't happen," Rowanwind said.
Clawstar nodded. "I've decided to bring Oakpelt, Thornfur, Cedarspirit, Mistmeadow, and Silvermoon."
"I will go tell them," Rowanwind said. He turned to go, but stopped and looked at Clawstar again. "Has Frostflower given you permission to attend the Gathering this time?"
Clawstar nodded. "Much has happened to us since the last Gathering. Cottonbrave's and Dapplefoot's deaths...the attack on DarkClan's camp...we've allied ourselves with RogueClan...we have a new warrior and a new apprentice..."
Rowanwind stopped Clawstar from going on. "Yes. So much has happened in a single moon. Sometimes I feel as if my mind hasn't quite caught up yet."
"I am just glad that you have not had to take over my position during a Gathering," Clawstar said. "You have already been through enough." Clawstar sighed. "You may go and tell those who I have chosen to go to the Gathering. I'm starting to feel weak again."
"Are you sure you'll be able to attend the Gathering tonight?" Rowanwind asked cautiously. "I don't want you going if you're only going to faint."
"I'm fine. I just need to rest," Clawstar said. He gestured with his tail for Rowanwind to go on. "Go on."
Rowanwind gave a final nod before padding away to find the cats that Clawstar had chosen for the Gathering. He sent a silent prayer to StarClan, asking them to give his leader enough strength to attend the Gathering tonight.
That night, Rowanwind followed Clawstar out of ThunderClan's camp and through the forest. It was the first time Clawstar had been out into the forest since he'd been attacked by DarkClan. Rowanwind could see the caution in Clawstar's eyes as they padded through the darkness, which was only partially illuminated by a full moon that hung forlornly in the starry sky above them.
It didn't take long for them to reach the log. Rowanwind was afraid that Clawstar wouldn't be able to make it across the bridge, but Clawstar's eyes filled with determination and the ThunderClan leader easily hoisted himself up and over to the other shore. Rowanwind followed close behind, just in case Clawstar's strength gave out.
Rowanwind felt like it was merely seconds later that Crimsonstar gave the yowl to start the meeting.
Angelstar had returned, looking fully healed and happy to be back. She reported first, giving the good news that Nightpaw had been given the warrior name Nightstripe and that Flowerpool and Sunnystripe's kits had become apprentices and were being mentored by Rumbleclaw, Brownclaw, and Sunnystripe. Rowanwind couldn't wait to tell Stormypelt that her brother, Brownclaw, had his first apprentice!
Crimsonstar went next. She reported that Silkpaw and Furypaw had been made warriors and were now named Silkfur and Furyclaw. The ShadowClan leader was also happy to report that Mellowclaw and Duskcloud were having kits again, and Harmonyfur and Burrowgrass were expecting as well.
Featherstar reported that her son, Ashpaw, had been given the warrior name Ashwhisker. Hazelsweet and Splinterclaw's kits, now Jollypaw and Peachpaw, were being mentored by Timberpelt and Lionstorm. Rowanwind knew that Gingerheart would be very happy to hear that Lionstorm was a mentor.
Clawstar went last. "I am happy to announce that Oakpelt's and Snowcloud's kit, Stormkit, is now Stormpaw. He is being mentored by Thornfur. I also have some happy news about one of our she-cats. Quickpelt revealed that she is having kits, and we are all delighted that Sprucebark gave ThunderClan a final gift before he passed on to StarClan.
"On a darker side, as many of you already know, I was attacked by DarkClan while on a patrol. It has taken me some time to recover, but I'm on the mend and feeling like my old self again. I'm sad to report that two of ThunderClan's members died trying to protect me. Dapplefoot and Cottonpaw, who was given the warrior name Cottonbrave moments before he died, are missed deeply. Cottonbrave's brother, Silverpaw, was given the name Silvermoon in reward for warning the camp that we were under attack. There is not much else to report in ThunderClan.
"I do want to thank all of the other Clans, however, for helping us to rescue the cats who were imprisoned by DarkClan. One of our own members, Icefur, was enslaved by them, and he has been returned home safely."
The meeting was soon over. Rowanwind kept looking into the dark shadows, but no voices called out and no glowing eyes appeared. Had DarkClan given up trying to attack them during Gatherings? Perhaps they had realized that the Clan cats were much stronger together during the Gatherings.
"That meeting went well," Clawstar meowed to Rowanwind as they padded around the lake back toward their own territory.
"Yes. There were no signs of DarkClan at all," Rowanwind agreed. "I wonder if they've finally realized they cannot win against us by fighting us during Gatherings?"
"Maybe," Clawstar said. "But I would not put it past them to trick us into thinking so. We have to be extra cautious with DarkClan. They are formidable enemies."
They were back on ThunderClan territory when they heard the screeches. Rowanwind's pelt immediately bristled with alarm. The sounds were coming from their camp!
The cats who had gone to the Gathering raced through the trees toward their camp. Rowanwind's heart thundered in his chest as he worried about everyone left back in camp. Thunderstripe...Gingerheart...Stormypelt...his pregnant mother...everyone he loved and cared about the most was in camp!
It was a surprise to see the tunnel entrance still intact. Most raids on their camp resulted in the tunnel entrance being crushed beneath the paws of DarkClan cats in the form of badgers. Had they decided not to use badgers this time?
They ran through the tunnel with Clawstar and Rowanwind in the lead. When they reached the inside of their camp, the cats were shocked to find the place in utter chaos. Everywhere they looked there were cats fighting crows. Black feathers that shown silver in the moonlight were strewn all over. Battle cries from the cats echoed alongside the terrifying caws of the crows.
Rowanwind heard a scream from the nursery and rushed over to the thorny bush that hid the queens and their kits. In the entrance to the tunnel was Quickleaf, one of the elders. Her gray pelt was bristled, making her look twice as big as normal.
As Rowanwind ran, he saw Quickleaf launch herself at an enormous crow that was attempting to get into the nursery. Quickleaf's claws clung to the crow's chest. Her back paws raked out feathers from the crow's belly. The crow cawed and flapped its wings. Quickleaf dug her teeth into the crow's neck, but she couldn't get a good enough grip. Before Rowanwind could reach her to help, two other crows flew over and dug their talons into Quickleaf's back. There were two loud cracks that reverbrated in the air. With a final scream, Quickleaf fell from the crow she'd been attacking and landed on the ground with her body splayed out at odd angles. The two crows that had snapped her spine began to peck at her face.
With a feral screech, Rowanwind propelled himself at the two crows. Taken by surprise, they flew off after the crow that Quickleaf had been fighting.
"Quickleaf!" Rowanwind turned to her, his eyes rapidly looking her over. It took a few moments for his brain to register that Quickleaf was beyond help. The ornery, old elder had died saving the queens and kits from DarkClan.
"We're done here! DarkClan, retreat!" a voice cawed.
Rowanwind barely noticed as the crows flew up and out of the camp. He sat beside Quickleaf's body, head hanging and sides heaving. He'd been too late to save her...
"Rowanwind."
He looked up suddenly. Quickleaf was standing nearby, her pelt shimmering and see-through. The hope that had flared in his chest for a moment diminished. Quickleaf wasn't coming back to life; he was simply hearing her spirit.
"I don't blame you, Rowanwind," Quickleaf said in her creaky voice. Her voice grew stronger and younger. She began to walk up into the sky. "It was my time to go. I died saving the queens and kits from DarkClan. Let me go to StarClan knowing that."
Rowanwind watched the elderly cat leave this world and disappear into the world of StarClan. Why did so many cats have to die? He looked around the camp at all of his Clanmates, many of whom were now nursing injuries inflicted by the DarkClan cats.
How many more of his Clanmates were going to die before DarkClan was defeated?
End of Chapter Eleven