Chapter 20
"No!" Goosepaw yowled desperately. He stumbled to the fallen tree. He looked at Shadowclaw hopelessly. He grasped his scruff and tried to drag the cat out.
"No, no, Goosepaw." Shadowclaw's gentle, but pained voice was barely audible. "Moving me will only finish me off sooner."
"How can I help you?" The apprentice wailed.
"Let me die without hearing your yowling." A rasping purr came from him.
"No. You can't die." Goosepaw bowed his head. "I have so much to learn..."
"Goosepaw, my body is broken. I go to StarClan. It is my time." A sigh escaped the handsome tom.
"Shadowclaw? Dead?" Pinestar stood disbelieving in the crowd of cats.
"He died saving me!" Talonclaw sobbed.
Sunfall padded up to her and lay his tail on her shoulders. "He died as he lived, bravely, nobly, and with a strong heart."
"You killed him!" Goosepaw screeched at Talonclaw. His eyes blazed. "It's your fault!"
Horror gripped her pelt. Icy claws of fear ran along her spine.
"Goosepaw!" Thrushpelt thundered. "You, gutless -"
"That's enough." Pinestar's commanding mew stopped Thrushpelt from leaping on the medicine cat. "This terrible misfortune," He continued. "Was no cat's fault. Shadowclaw knew what he was doing. Protecting and serving his Clan with his life, with his every breath, was his wish.
"Tonight we will sit vigil for him. His spirit rests with our ancestors."