The rising sun's warm amber rays dappled Scorchclaw's pelt and draped the hollow in a glowing rosy bath. The WindClan deputy arched his limbs, and for the first time in weeks, there was no pain as he tested his muscles. While he had been resting in the medicine den, the senior warriors had been taking care of the deputy duties. Now he could finally embrace his status as WindClan's deputy.
But it had been clear from the chatter Scorchclaw picked up while he had been out and about in camp to stretch that no cat was very happy about him being deputy. After all, he didn't have an apprentice, which was a strict violation of the warrior code. Swiftstar had promised him Harekit, but Harekit was still a kit. It would be at least late leaf-fall when the little kit was apprenticed.
As Scorchclaw walked through camp, he could hear muffled moans from the prison Emberpaw was kept in. He skidded to a halt, pity making his heart twist in his chest. He wanted to go into the tunnel, to talk to Emberpaw, but he guessed that the Clan deputy – and Swiftstar's son – was the last cat the apprentice would want to talk to. I've got to talk to Father about him. It's not right to keep him imprisoned here. It had been days since Hawkfeather captured Emberpaw, and the tabby tom had been suffering without food and water. There had been a guard posted every day – either Thrushwing or Hawkfeather, the two advocates for Emberpaw to be imprisoned – so no cat, like Russetstripe or Gorseflight could send or sneak him food. Even when the two cats tried, with Russetstripe trying to lure Hawkfeather away and Gorseflight pleading with his father, none of them budged. Emberpaw will die if he does not get something to drink soon.
Scorchclaw turned away from the tunnel and bounded into the Tall Branch, pushing through the woven roots and seeing his father, curled up in a bundle of ginger-and-white fur. The pity Scorchclaw felt for his father rivaled what he felt for Emberpaw. He isn't the same, Scorchclaw thought. He's a great leader. He has pride. Unwavering pride. Something Rabbitfur and Adderstripe both lacked. But ever since Petalspring's death, and Adderstripe's betrayal… something changed in him. The father I knew would never kidnap an apprentice.
Anger itched at Scorchclaw's paws as he thought about Adderstripe. He had never imagined his own brother would turn on him and try to kill him and his father. He knew that Adderstripe and Swiftstar hadn't been close, but Swiftstar had made him the Clan deputy! What more did Adderstripe want? And Brambledusk… It was clear that Brambledusk had been in on the plan, although Scorchclaw didn't know the extent of his involvement. Brambledusk clearly held contempt for Scorchclaw – he had seen the pale tabby staring at him with unwavering hatred in his eyes. Irritation made Scorchclaw growl. I'm not the one who collaborated with a traitor and tried to kill my Clan leader.
"Who's there?" Swiftstar rumbled, turning on his side and getting to his paws. His eyes were flat as he met Scorchclaw's gaze. "Oh. It's just you. What are you doing here, son?"
"I'm here to talk about Emberpaw," Scorchclaw meowed.
"Gods, you remind me of your sister with how much you're willing to challenge me over this decision," Swiftstar growled. "He stays until Rootstar comes to get him. That is all."
"But…" Scorchclaw's voice trailed off. "Rootstar isn't coming to get him. That's clear."
"Then it means he doesn't care about him," Swiftstar growled. "What a pitiful father he is."
"But yours wasn't." The words shot from Scorchclaw before he could take them back.
Swiftstar rose to his paws, his fur bristling, his eyes blazing as he took one step towards Scorchclaw. The atmosphere instantly changed, and for the first time in his life, Scorchclaw felt frightened of his father. Scorchclaw took another step back, Swiftstar's anger suffocating him and making him tremble as the WindClan leader hovered over him.
"What did you just say?" Swiftstar snarled at him.
I… I can't take it back… he knows… "I… know about Habu," Scorchclaw finally choked out.
"What in all of the hells…" Swiftstar's amber eyes burned with fire. "What do you mean, you know about Habu? Why? Has he been here? Tell me! Tell me what you know, Scorchclaw!" His claws unsheathed and dug into the ground. "Now!"
"Father…" Scorchclaw sighed. "He cares about you. Cared."
"Cared?" Swiftstar echoed. "He was the one who told me he'd prefer to kill me himself rather than let me live the life I wanted to! He tried to stop me from leaving! Well, guess what? Did you tell him – when you plotted behind my back, of course, just like that egregious Adderstripe – that I am the leader of a Clan now, and I command the respect of all my warriors? That I lead them to prosperity? Did you tell him that, Scorchclaw? Tell me!"
"Father!" Scorchclaw exclaimed. "I swear to you, I have not betrayed you. I came across Habu once when I was an apprentice – I had traveled outside territory trying to catch a hare, and we came across each other by coincidence. He was the one who asked me to meet him, and I declined. I came across him again before Adderstripe betrayed you."
"And?" Swiftstar hissed.
"He…" Scorchclaw trailed off. Oh, gods, how do I put this? His father was already angry enough. Wouldn't this just make things worse? "He knew about what Rabbitfur was planning. He… he was on his way to warn you."
"Warn me?" Swiftstar scoffed, clearly not buying a word of what Scorchclaw was telling him. "He was in on it, wasn't he?"
"No!" Scorchclaw gasped. "He wasn't! He traveled through ThunderClan territory to come warn you that your life was in danger, Father! He has never stopped loving you, after all these years!"
"Oh, that's pathetic," Swiftstar growled. "If he loved me so much, then what stopped him from coming here and warning me physically? Did he just pass the message onto you and leave?"
"No." Scorchclaw shook his head. "He died."
The space around them turned quiet, and Scorchclaw held his breath, not daring to breathe in case it would disrupt the tension and send his father into another rage. Scorchclaw could hear the buzzing of a fly near him, and the pattering of a mouse just outside the den. Swiftstar's face contorted in an expression Scorchclaw could not describe, even if he studied it for the rest of his days. But Scorchclaw could see the tinges of torment and fury.
"He… he died?" Swiftstar echoed, his voice small. "But… how?"
"I was talking to him when I was attacked by a ThunderClan warrior," Scorchclaw explained. "The ThunderClan warrior thought Habu was me, since we look so much alike. So, he landed on Habu and threw him into the stream. I tried to go after him, but the warrior held me down. When he let go, I followed the stream into the lake, but I couldn't find any trace of him." Scorchclaw lowered his head. "I am so, so sorry, Father. I wanted to tell you… ever since I met him as an apprentice… but I didn't know how you'd react. I swear, I did not betray you. I just…" His words trailed off, and he was unable to complete his sentence as he stared at the ground beneath him.
"So, ThunderClan killed him," Swiftstar said after a few moments. The light of battle glittered in his amber eyes, and he rose to his full height. "Forget about Emberpaw. Rootstar isn't coming, he clearly doesn't give a rat's tail about him. That cat will die tomorrow if he doesn't eat or drink. But now I have a reason to attack."
"W-wha…?" Scorchclaw stepped back as Swiftstar loomed over him.
"I may have hated him," Swiftstar growled, "but… at the end of the day… if you are correct that his life ended because he tried to save my life, then this is something I must do, because my honor demands it. Do you remember what I told you, Scorchclaw?"
"No…" Scorchclaw frowned. "What did you tell me?"
"You were just a kit." Swiftstar gazed at the roof of his den. "I told you that family was the most important thing to you. Clearly that meant nothing to Adderstripe. But it means something to me, and it should mean something to you, as well."
Dozens of memories rushed through Scorchclaw's head as he tried to recall when Swiftstar had said that to him. Finally, he was able to pinpoint it – he had been just a kit, curious and unaware of the world around him, and when Swiftstar loomed over him, he had seemed like the biggest and most frightening cat in the world. Swiftstar had told him that Clan loyalty was the most important thing in the world, but then he had said there was one other thing. Scorchclaw had asked him what it was, and Swiftstar had responded with a voice so solemn that the WindClan deputy was surprised he hadn't recalled instantly.
"Family. That is the only thing more important than your Clan. Hold true to that, Scorchkit."
Adderstripe's response right after that ran through Scorchclaw's mind.
"Father, I mean no disrespect, but Clan loyalty is the most important thing in the world, is it not? So why would family come before it?"
"You dare say you do not care about your family?"
"I never said that. Just… I don't know what I'll do if I'm ever forced to choose between my Clan or my family."
"Then, let us hope you will never be forced to make that decision, my son."
Swiftstar has cared this entire time, Scorchclaw thought. Even about Adderstripe… even when he tried to strike him down. Swiftstar is so much more of a family cat than I ever knew he was. He just doesn't know how to express it. And he's suffering so much because his family has betrayed him, even though they are the cats that he loves the most. Scorchclaw looked up at his father.
"Habu was my father, and he sacrificed himself for me," Swiftstar declared. "I… never thought of him again, after I left. I had to put that chapter of my life behind me. But I have always considered family the most important thing in my life, even if your sister tests my limits. I will not allow any cat who has harmed my family to get away with their life. ThunderClan has gone too far. The time to attack is now. I will use Emberpaw as an excuse, but I will be fighting for my father."
"Father!" Scorchclaw barked out as Swiftstar rushed out of the den, a cat possessed. Scorchclaw followed him on his heels, horror rushing through his blood. He hadn't meant to make Swiftstar attack ThunderClan! I just wanted him to give Emberpaw back! Oh, gods, what have I done? I've messed up! But… if Rootstar really doesn't care about Emberpaw… maybe this is something he deserves. And… Peartuft did kill Habu. My grandfather. Maybe Swiftstar is right about this.
Slowly the fear from Swiftstar's decision was replaced with a burning sensation. If Rootstar is willing to throw his son, the most important thing in his life, away as a pawn, then he does not deserve to lead. And I never knew Habu, but he died trying to save his son's life. He is much more honorable than Peartuft or Rootstar could ever be. So, maybe Father is right. Maybe this is something that's been brewing for ages, and that must happen. After all, they did help Adderstripe try to kill Swiftstar.
"Everyone!" Swiftstar yowled as the cats woke up, gathering their energy to prepare for the duties of the day. But Swiftstar's lust for battle clearly shocked the warriors, as they started to exchange baffled glances and stepped back. Blackdove's green eyes were wide with shock, and Gorseflight's jaw was clenched. Brambledusk curled his lip, Sandfall stared at her leader with an open jaw, and Heathercloud stepped forward, but then, seeming to think better of it, took a step back.
"Oh, gods, it's too early for this," Russetstripe muttered from where she got up. Aspenstep shot her a sharp glare.
"Swiftstar…?" Sunleaf walked over to her mate, her dazzling green eyes clouded with worry. "Dear, are you all right?"
Swiftstar completely ignored Sunleaf's concerns as he addressed his Clan. "Listen, all of you," he growled. "I have waited for Rootstar long enough. It has been four days – if that apprentice isn't dead, I'll be shocked. We will bring the attack to him, if he will not bring it to us!" The ginger-and-white tabby lifted his muzzle and yowled to the sky. "Who's with me?"
"We are!" Hawkfeather exclaimed, letting out a long howl. Thrushwing joined in, and slowly but surely, Deerheart and Larchcloud added their voices, but they were not as jubilant as the two senior warriors' voices. More and more cats yowled, but Scorchclaw saw that Russetstripe, Gorseflight, and Brambledusk stayed icily quiet. Scorchclaw swallowed. He was Swiftstar's deputy – he had to support his father. And so, with an aching heart, he yowled to the sky, aware of the burning gaze Russetstripe was shooting him.
Just as Swiftstar turned back into his den to create a battle plan, Scorchclaw was aware of Russetstripe and Gorseflight marching over to him. Russetstripe's green eyes blazed, and Gorseflight, often the image of grace and calm, moved stiffly with a clenched jaw and flattened ears.
"Can't you do something about this?" Russetstripe protested. "Emberpaw is just a kid! He's starving in there, he's nearly dying! Why are we fighting Rootstar? We're just recovering from Adderstripe! Your wounds are barely healed!"
"I agree with Russetstripe," Gorseflight added quietly. "None of this is right. I am willing to fight and die for my Clan, but in this scenario, I find myself hesitating. That is not what a warrior should do."
"Listen," Scorchclaw explained, "it's not just Emberpaw. Of course, Emberpaw is a crucial player in this – and Russetstripe, you and I were there when we pleaded for mercy on behalf. He didn't listen. But… Russetstripe, Gorseflight, you remember Habu, right?"
Russetstripe's ears twitched. "What, that cat you were prattling on about? I told you, Scorchclaw, you've got to forget about him. He is nothing to you. He never will be."
"I remember Habu," Gorseflight said. "We met him when we were hunting. He's real, Russetstripe. He's Swiftstar's father."
Russetstripe stared at Gorseflight, her green eyes wide with shock.
"When Rabbitfur ran away, he must've run into Habu," Scorchclaw explained quickly, "because Habu found wind of his plans and traveled to WindClan territory to warn Swiftstar. But he never got here in time. I was near the stream when I found him. Peartuft jumped on Habu – he must've thought Habu was me, and he sent him flying into the stream. I followed Habu downstream, but I think he drowned. I never saw his body again."
Russetstripe and Gorseflight listened to Scorchclaw's tale with wide eyes. When Scorchclaw finished talking, Gorseflight's face contorted.
"That's horrible," Gorseflight murmured. "I'm sorry."
"Yeah, it's sad and all, but why does that matter?" Russetstripe challenged Scorchclaw.
"Because I told Swiftstar about it," Scorchclaw replied.
"You what?" Russetstripe lashed her tail. "Why would you do that?"
"Because Habu was his father!" Scorchclaw hissed at her. "He has the right to know!"
"Didn't you tell me yourself that Habu said his son hated him?" Russetstripe snapped. "So why would you think of telling Swiftstar that?"
"If something happened to my father that I didn't know about, I'd want someone to tell me!" Scorchclaw snarled at his sister.
"Oh, that's rich," Russetstripe snorted. "Because anything would happen to our dear precious leader."
"That's such an ignorant way of thinking!" Scorchclaw barked at her, his hackles rising and his fur bristling. "I can't believe you're the one who killed Adderstripe! You were better off joining him, if that's what you think of our father!"
Russetstripe stared at Scorchclaw, her jaw wide in horror. Gorseflight let out a small gasp, and Scorchclaw stepped back at the pain and hurt that swelled in Russetstripe's green eyes. I went too far, Scorchclaw thought, guilt gnawing at his heart. I can't believe I just said that. What in all of the hells is wrong with me?
"Russetstripe, I—" Scorchclaw's apology was cut off.
"Whatever." Russetstripe turned her back on him. "It's like you said, I was better off joining Adderstripe, right? Maybe I'll get myself some little RiverClan apprentice and bring it here to stay as a hostage. You'd be right beside our father, dancing around him and saying how right it is, so long as it gets you in his good graces. After all, you've always been the golden child."
"Russetstripe!" Scorchclaw exclaimed as the ginger she-cat bounded away from him, her fur bristling in fury as she disappeared out of sight.
"Scorchclaw…" Gorseflight murmured.
Scorchclaw turned to face his friend, his heart pounding rapidly in his chest to the point where he felt it was going to burst. His breathing grew staggered as he recalled the complete and utter hurt in his sister's eyes as he snapped at her. "I didn't mean to say that," Scorchclaw explained to Gorseflight. "It just… it just came out… I love my father, but she…"
Gorseflight shook his head sorrowfully. "She was trying to do the right thing, Scorchclaw. We need you to, as well. You're the only one with the power to do so."
"But I'm not!" Scorchclaw hissed in frustration, lashing his tail. "I have no power! Whatever my father says, goes, especially when he's not thinking clearly, like he was! He wants to avenge Habu because he doesn't want any cat to hurt his family. That's his reason!" The utter helplessness that clawed Scorchclaw inside dragged him down as he fought himself from collapsing. I'm the Clan deputy, yet my word means nothing to my father! All I wanted to do was help, but I just made things worse instead!
Gorseflight let out a sigh and followed Russetstripe. Scorchclaw watched the two cats go, dismay flooding over him like a tidal wave. I can't believe I just talked like that to my sister. I was so horrible to her! He wanted to race over to her, to apologize, but he knew she would have none of it. I've got to make things right with her. But… His gaze drifted over to the Tall Branch, where Swiftstar crouched over lines he had drawn in the dirt, Hawkfeather and Thrushwing hovering over him. War is coming. And I have to be ready.