Chapter 88
Rushleaf raced out of the entrance of the camp and Jaystar nodded towards Bumblethroat and Foxfang to follow her. Turning back to the group of cats still surrounding her, Jaystar turned to Lionblaze and asked, "How did they die?"
"ShadowClan," Lionblaze snarled, his amber eyes alive with anger. "They were waiting for us as we checked the border. Oakstar, Rowanclaw, Brookclaw, Dawnclaw! I never saw so much ShadowClan warriors! The only two cats that didn't fight were Rabbitclaw and Brokenheart. At least some cats remember their loyalties!"
Jaystar sighed, glad that her son and grandson had managed to stay out of such dirty fighting. Jaystar wasn't even concerned about Brookclaw. That piece of foxdung could die for all she cared. Applefrost looked up from where he tended to Mousewhisker's limp body and asked, "Did any ShadowClan cats die?"
"I don't know, Applefrost. When I saw Mousewhisker get attacked, I told everyone to run while I helped him escape Oakstar's claws. We managed to get far until I realized that Brambleheart and Spiderleg were not with us. I went backwards and there they were. Both of them dead. I should have stayed with them... I should have stayed with them..." Lionblaze murmured, his anger dying down and grief took its place. With a jolt, Jaystar realized that Lionblaze had lost his son. Jaystar closed her eyes, remembering Amberkit... but now was no time for grief. It was time for action.
"Icestorm, will you take Butterflypaw and Coalpaw towards the ShadowClan border to recover Brambleheart and Spiderleg's bodies," Jaystar ordered, trying to be a good leader even though all she wanted to do was be a kit again. "Lionblaze... if you are feeling up to it..."
"I'll do anything you want, Jaystar," Lionblaze meowed, standing on shaky paws. Icestorm let him lean on her and Jaystar remembered that a long time ago, Lionblaze had debated on whether he loved Icestorm or Heathertail more. There was no second thoughts now; Jaystar could tell that Lionblaze and Icestorm were meant to be.
"Good. Then I want you to come with me to WindClan's camp. We can't face ShadowClan alone and StarClan knows that RiverClan won't help us." Lionblaze nodded and Jaystar turned to Applefrost, adding, "If we aren't back soon send a patrol of warriors out looking for us. I don't want any cat out on their own."
Applefrost nodded and as Jaystar began to run beside Lionblaze, she heard him call, "Good luck!"
*
"Can you believe this is really happening? First the cats who fought in ShadowClan's camp... then the cats who died when ShadowClan attacked us... then Leafpool and Squirrelflight and now this? Is this a sign that StarClan wants ThunderClan to be destroyed?" Lionblaze panted as they ran, getting closer and closer to the WindClan border.
"No," Jaystar meowed firmly, recalling Jayfeather's words. This wasn't a sign that ThunderClan should be destroyed. It was a sign that all the Clans should be destroyed. As Jayfeather had said, the time of the Clans were ending.
Suddenly a dark shape crashed onto Jaystar's back and she felt her self fall onto the ground underneath the weight of her attack. Lionblaze snarled, but then stopped and instead mewed, "Crowfeather! Crowfeather, stop! Its us!"
Jaystar's attacker jumped off her and she looked up to see that it was indeed Crowfeather standing before them. In an ashamed voice, Crowfeather meowed, "I'm sorry. I thought you were ShadowClan..."
Jaystar exchanged a surprised glance with Lionblaze and asked, "ShadowClan attacked you as well?"
"You can say that," Crowfeather snarled, "They came here with all of their warriors and killed everyone! Warriors... apprentices... queens... they didn't care! I got out with Breezepelt just as the fighting got really thick, but he didn't make it. He died with me by the border." Jaystar heard the sadness in Crowfeather's voice and wanted to comfort him, but knew she would only be clawed at. "I went back to the camp and everyone..." Crowfeather couldn't finish.
"Crowfeather, is Heathertail-" Lionblaze whispered and Crowfeather nodded.
"She was one of the first to be attacked. I tried to help her, but there was too many of them," Crowfeather hissed sadly, "She was in no condition to fight. She was expecting Breezepelt's kits, you know?" Jaystar glanced at Lionblaze and saw that his face was etched with grief. It was also then that Jaystar realized that Crowfeather was not finished talking, "Lionblaze, if I had died in that attack then I realized I would never had gotten to say I'm sorry to you for rejecting you when I found out you were my kits. Hollyleaf, Jayfeather, where ever they are, I hope they know that I'm sorry. Where is your mother? I've got to talk to Leafpool... explain..."
Jaystar gave a silent gasp as she realized Crowfeather didn't know. Jaystar opened her jaws to explain, but Lionblaze beat her to it, "Crowfeather, Leafpool is dead. She died from greencough. We were all so busy preparing for upcoming battles with ShadowClan that we didn't have any catmint."
Crowfeather bowed his head and Jaystar suggested, "Crowfeather, if every cat is really dead then you don't have a home. Come to ThunderClan with us. We are planning an attack against ShadowClan and we could use your fighting style."
Crowfeather looked up and meowed, "Thank you, Jaystar. I would be happy to fight for Heathertail. For Breezepelt. For Leafpool."
*
"I say these words before Mousewhisker, so his spirit will hear and approve my choice," Jaystar glanced around at her warriors including Crowfeather who sat in the back with Lionblaze and Icestorm. Rushleaf, Butterflypaw, and Coalpaw were crouched near Brambleheart's body while all of Spiderleg's many children- Toadflower, Brackenspot, Brownfeather, Heavystorm, Moonwhisker, and Tigerheart- stood by their father's body. When she had said this same speech, moons ago for Mousewhisker's ritural, she had had some difficulty choosing a deputy. Now there was only one cat who she knew could take on the responsibility in these dark times. Jaystar glanced at him and their eyes locked: gray with amber.
"Lionblaze will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."
