Chapter 14

Mistyfoot found herself wandering.

At first, she thought she was stuck in that dark forest again, that perhaps her mother had decided she would be punished by walking in circles through the fog - and then the world shifted, distorting around her paws. She heard the crash of water against stone and the cry of gulls up above in a sky that stretched into infinity - the sounds of a place Mistyfoot hadn't been to for a very long time.

Then the sun sank with a blinding orange flash, plunging Mistyfoot into darkness again. The smell of earth was all around, and she fumbled in the shadows, her ears ringing with clandestine whispers. The sound of water rushed deep in her ear fur. The world was dark and cold and wet, and she had no idea where she was or what was happening.

Follow me, said a voice.

Mistyfoot trembled. The forest, the dying sun, the darkness, they were all mixing and melding, being one place one minute and then another the next, with no pattern that she could discern to make it stop. The whispers, the crash of water, the eerie, heavy silence - all of it pressed down on her tight as talons, and she dug her claws into whatever was below her to keep herself steady.

Come on! Hurry! said the voice.

She knew that voice. Mistyfoot pricked her ears. "S-Stormfur?" she dared to mew. "Is that you?"

Come on!

Anything was better than this swirling, confusing mess. Mistyfoot took off as fast as she dared, her ears ringing with whispers and her heart heavy with grief. She had no idea where she was going - the world was changing so rapidly that none of it made sense from one heartbeat to the next - but she was following the only thing she knew she could trust: Stormfur.

Hurry! he was saying, his voice frantic. Before it's too late! We need-

All went white, and Mistyfoot woke up.

As Mistyfoot ate her breakfast outside the warrior's den, she tried to make sense of her dream. Has Bluestar done it? She hadn't seen her mother since walking away from her that night. Was it because she had confronted Stoneheart two days ago on a matter she had decided was not worth pursuing?

But then why was Stormfur there? She was used to seeing him in her dreams, but not like this. He had been calling for her, not repeating his last words. There was something he had wanted, but Mistyfoot hadn't been able to reach him - or was it the other way around?

Her head spun. I'm not built for this dream nonsense! she thought, annoyed. Shadepool might have answers, but what if Mistyfoot was reading too much into it? And how could she bring it up without revealing her meetings with Bluestar? Shadepool would never feel right about keeping that from Tinystar or Nightfrost. Mistyfoot's pelt prickled.

Shadepool wouldn't be back till after sunhigh, anyway - she had gone to the Moonpool yesterday, escorted by Spiderfang and Whitewing. Talking with her wasn't an option right now, and Mistyfoot was certain Brackenfur wouldn't appreciate being bothered by a warrior's dream.

She frowned, looking out at the clearing. She had already sent most of the camp out on their morning patrols, and the stone hollow was calm and empty. Most of the noise came from Daisy watching her kits sparring outside the nursery, each desperate to show their mother what moves they had picked up from Rainwhisker and Larchpaw. Even Tinystar was gone, wanting to stretch his legs and keep his presence known on the WindClan border - unfortunately, Nightfrost had gone with him.

That was probably for the best. Mistyfoot still wasn't sure how to broach the topic of Stormfur with him - let alone the fact that she had been dreaming of him since he died in the mountains. She was certain it would only hurt Nightfrost to know of it, and that was the last thing she wanted to do.

No secrets, they had promised. It was becoming far harder than Mistyfoot had ever anticipated, and the guilt in her belly only seemed to grow. She didn't want to lose Nightfrost, not like she seemed to have lost Stoneheart, whose anger filled her mind whenever she thought of her brother.

"Got something on your mind, Mistyfoot?"

Mistyfoot pricked her ears. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed Mousefur approaching. Ferncloud was just a step behind the senior warrior, her green eyes bright and considering.

Mistyfoot tilted her head. "Aren't you two supposed to be hunting?" she questioned.

"We are," Mousefur mewed knowingly. "But..."

"But we saw you and wondered if you wanted to come with us," Ferncloud hurried on. She stepped closer, nodding to Mistyfoot's breakfast. "You seem like you need a distraction."

Mistyfoot glanced down at her meal - the mouse was only half-eaten, and had long grown cold. Mistyfoot sighed, putting a paw over it.

"We haven't hunted together in a while," Ferncloud prodded. "So?"

Mistyfoot glanced between the she-cats, swallowing. They were an odd combination, Mousefur the grumpy, gruff senior warrior and Ferncloud the sweet, gentle queen - but they were both Mistyfoot's friends, too, and she had woefully neglected them for a long time. She was touched they were making the offer, and perhaps it was exactly what she needed to take her mind off everything.

"I'll come," she decided. "Let me finish up real quick, okay?"

She devoured her mouse in a few quick, cold gulps and set the bones aside to clean up later. She stretched, shook out her coat, and told the two she-cats, "After you!"

They were out of camp and in the forest a few heartbeats later, breathing in the fresh newleaf air. The sky above was a bright blue splashed with wispy white clouds, and the trees held full crowns of leaves in their branches, wavering in a wind that touched only their very tops.

"I'm so glad leafbare is done," Ferncloud breathed. She puffed out her spotty pelt. "I thought I'd never see green again!"

"So, where are we headed?" Mousefur wondered, looking over her shoulder.

Mistyfoot balked, realizing they expected her to take control of the patrol. She whisked her tail and insisted, "This was your patrol, Mousefur; you lead on." Her whole life seemed to be making decisions lately - right now, more than anything, she just wanted to follow, not lead.

Mousefur shrugged, unbothered. "There's a spot over near ShadowClan territory that's been neglected lately," she decided. "Let's go over there."

"Sounds good," Ferncloud agreed.

Mistyfoot could only nod. The last place she wanted to be right now was anywhere near ShadowClan territory - but she had given up control of the patrol, so she fell in by Mousefur's flank as the smaller she-cat set off. Ferncloud took up the rear, humming something pleasant that tickled Mistyfoot's whiskers.

Their walk through the forest was quiet otherwise, and Mistyfoot let herself enjoy it - this new land had so much to offer, and she tried to find something new to add to her mental map of ThunderClan territory. A fresh breeze came up from the lake, bringing in the scents of water and clear air.

"Have you tried swimming in the lake yet?" Ferncloud wondered.

"No," Mistyfoot answered. She hadn't had the time, and the water had been ice cold when they arrived in leaf-fall.

"Silverstream says it's fun when the sun's out," Ferncloud told her. Her tail twisted into a happy curl. "She said she'd teach us if we wanted to learn! I plan on trying myself - I never got to swim in the river in the old forest. What about you two?"

"Silverstream is welcome to it," Mousefur grunted. She glanced over her shoulder and mewed, "I've got too many memories of cats drowning by messing about in water."

Ferncloud hesitated, looking slightly hurt. Quickly, Mistyfoot said to her, "Feathertail and Stormfur taught us some about swimming when we were traveling together - it came in handy. I'd like to not forget about it." To Mousefur, she added, "They said that one of the most important things about safety in the water is to know your limits."

"Well, I certainly know mine!" Mousefur agreed, waving her tail. "They're telling me to leave the water for the youngsters. Now, come on."

Ferncloud purred, her mood lightened, and Mistyfoot chuckled. They continued walking, rounding the training glade and heading deeper into the forest. As they made their way toward the Sky Oak, Mistyfoot tried to hide her trepidation - the ShadowClan border wasn't far, and neither was the oak tree that hid the tunnel. Would they stumble across it? How would she explain it to them?

Instead, they heard a sharp voice in the trees: "You can do it, Larchpaw. Come on!"

Ferncloud's ears pricked, and the patrol drew to a halt. Mousefur muttered something under her breath but didn't protest further as they paused. Mistyfoot peered between the trees and spotted Ashfur down the slope at the base of a tall birch tree, staring up into its branches.

"I-I need help!" Larchpaw called from above. Mistyfoot spied him several fox-lengths up the birch, clinging for dear life.

"I can't help you get down," Ashfur meowed back, "or else you'll never do it yourself."

Mistyfoot glanced at Ferncloud. She could tell the queen was fighting the urge to go down the slope and help - a fight she ultimately lost, as a moment later, she was skidding down the hill towards her brother and her son.

Mousefur sighed. "Might as well..."

Mistyfoot and Mousefur made their way down the slope after her, careful for the jutting roots hidden beneath the undergrowth. They reached Ferncloud and her brother a moment later, all gathering at the base of the birch tree.

"Is he okay?" Ferncloud was asking. "Can he do it?"

"He can," Ashfur muttered. "And don't be so loud!"

Mistyfoot frowned. Looking up, she could tell that Larchpaw was terrified. He clung to the birch's trunk with all his might, his tail puffed and lashing, searching for balance. The only branches he could seek refuge on were too high to reach.

Mistyfoot felt concern billow in her belly. "He's losing energy," she muttered. "Ashfur, he might fall!"

Ashfur threw her a look of thunder, his dark blue eyes sharp. "Shut up!" he hissed. "Do you want to scare him?! And what do you know, anyway? You've never taught an apprentice how to go up a tree!"

Mistyfoot flinched, stung.

"Ash!" Ferncloud breathed. "That's not fair!"

"Neither is her - or you - thinking you know more about what I'm doing than me," Ashfur growled back. "Now, shove off, will you? You're making it worse!"

"Cool it, youngster," Mousefur rumbled, narrowing her pale eyes. "I think you're forgetting who you're talking to."

Ashfur curled his lip, the fur along his neck rising. Larchpaw's mew came from above: "Mama? Is that you?"

"It is, Larchpaw!" Ferncloud meowed, pushing past her brother. She put her forepaws on the base of the birch tree and called up, "Focus on my voice, okay? You can do this!"

"I-I'm scared!" Larchpaw wailed. He trembled. "If I let go..."

"You'll be fine," Ferncloud soothed. "Just go slow - one paw at a time. That's it, like that, go on..."

Slowly, Larchpaw began to inchworm his way down the birch trunk. He skidded once or twice, his paws catching in the thin, brittle bark, but each time Ferncloud soothed him, patient and kind. After what seemed like ages, Larchpaw was down on the ground, his eyes watering and paws looking quite sore.

"Go back to camp and get a poultice on those," Ferncloud urged. She licked her son around the ear. "You did so well, Larchpaw..."

Ashfur hissed between his teeth. "He's too behind in his training to be coddled, Fern."

Ferncloud looked up from her son, mewing, "He still did it himself!"

"Dustpelt never did that with me," Ashfur reasoned.

Ferncloud flicked her tail at the tree. "And Oakheart never had me climb a birch as my first tree!" she countered. She kept her voice low, speaking beside Larchpaw's deaf ear on purpose. "How behind will he be if he breaks a leg, Ashfur? What if he gets too scared to climb another tree?"

Ashfur bristled. "He's my apprentice, Ferncloud. I can handle this!"

"I know you can," Ferncloud told him softly, "but remember that you don't have to be Dustpelt, okay?"

Ashfur grimaced but accepted a touch from his sister's nose, and Ferncloud gave her son another fond lick before mumbling an apology to Mousefur. The dusky she-cat shrugged and tilted her head up towards the hunting trail. Both Mistyfoot and Ferncloud nodded in agreement.

Mistyfoot felt Ashfur's steely glare all the way back up the slope. No doubt he was steaming about having to take Larchpaw back to camp early - she would certainly hear about how his training was being further delayed later on, but right now, it seemed like he didn't want to cause a bigger scene in front of his apprentice and his sister.

"Sorry about that," Ferncloud breathed when they were back on the trail. "I just had to make sure that everything was okay."

Mistyfoot assured, "You're fine, Fern."

Mousefur nodded. "Tree climbing is a dangerous lesson," she mused. "But I don't think Ashfur appreciated you butting in. You need to trust him."

Ferncloud frowned. "I know, but..." Her tail trembled as she trailed off.

Mistyfoot blinked sympathetically at the young queen. Ferncloud had already lost two of her kits, and the idea of anything bad happening to Larchpaw had to terrify her.

"Ashfur would never be mean to Larchpaw," Ferncloud reasoned, having gathered her words. "This is his first apprentice, not to mention his nephew, and Larchpaw is half-deaf. He's just feeling a lot of pressure to do it right."

Mistyfoot glanced down the slope. She could see the shapes of Ashfur and Larchpaw heading back to camp, and she felt some small measure of sympathy for the cat who had been mean to her for seasons. Ferncloud had a point, no matter how much Mistyfoot never wanted to admit it.

"I know he's mean," Ferncloud went on, "and that he can be a lot - but he's lonely, you know?" She glanced at Mistyfoot, then at Mousefur. "Snowstep and I were so close during our apprenticeship, and Cloudtail was always with Brightheart and Swiftfoot. We settled into our relationships so quickly, and he's the only one in our litter without a mate now."

Mousefur flicked her tail. "I can't claim to understand that fully, but sure," she mewed coolly. "But whatever."

Mistyfoot frowned. Ferncloud's words made sense. She wondered if Ashfur had ever expressed any interest in any other cat in the Clan but struggled to recall it. In their apprentice days, they had only ever been friendly with one another - it was only when Ashfur became a warrior that he grew meaner and more distant to Mistyfoot specifically.

Ferncloud glanced at Mistyfoot, her green gaze pleading. "Just... be easy on him, okay? If he's out of line, he's out of line, but he doesn't need to be antagonized! He's still my brother, and he does care, deep down."

Mistyfoot nodded along. Ferncloud still loved Ashfur, even when he was being rude - and despite what Stoneheart had said, Mistyfoot still loved him, too. Ashfur had his reasons, and Stoneheart did, too, whatever they were. He might've been turned into a secretive ShadowClan warrior, but he was still her brother, beyond everything else - she just hoped Nightfrost was right, and that Stoneheart still loved her.

Mousefur shook out her pelt. "This is all well and good, but we came out here to hunt, not analyze our Clanmates. I'd like to have prey in my jaws before nightfall."

"Agreed," Mistyfoot meowed.

The three set off again, trotting through the forest. Something was bugging Mistyfoot, though, and after they passed the Sky Oak and drew close to the ShadowClan border, she had to ask: "Wasn't there anyone that Ashfur was interested in?"

"Oh, StarClan, help me," Mousefur groaned, not bothering to hide her annoyance now. "All the prey is going to be gone by the time you two are done gossiping..."

Mistyfoot flicked her tail. "I'm just trying to remember, that's all!"

Ferncloud blinked at Mistyfoot with wide, bewildered eyes. "Misty, you really don't remember? Ashfur was very interested in y-"

Whether it was a blessing or not, Ferncloud's words were interrupted by a horrible noise - a high-pitched screech full of pain and misery.

All three she-cats halted, ears pricked and noses twitching. The screech's echoes bounced between the trees before they died out, and the silence that followed was dreadfully resolute.

"That sounded like it was on ShadowClan territory," hissed Ferncloud, the fur along her spine bristling. She looked between Mousefur and Mistyfoot and suggested, "The greenleaf Twolegplace?"

Mousefur nodded in agreement, her spine stiffened. Mistyfoot's pelt crawled as the faint smell of blood touched her scent glands. No more sounds came. None of this was a good sign. Mousefur and Ferncloud glanced at Mistyfoot, the same question burning in their eyes.

Mistyfoot didn't delegate. There wasn't time. "Let's go," she hissed.