Plumwillow padded to the fresh-kill pile. Sadness darkened her gaze as she picked up a mouse left from last night and began to head for the entrance. Sagenose grabbed a sparrow and followed her.
Violetshine’s paws felt frozen to the earth. She pressed her muzzle against Tree’s cheek. “Please keep an eye on Twigbranch.”
“I’ll do what I can,” he promised.
“We must always remember each other.”
“I could never forget you.” His eyes clouded with grief.
“I love you.” As she tore away from him, Violetshine’s heart seemed to split. She hurried after her Clanmates as they headed out of camp. Hawkwing gently took the mouse from Plumwillow. She nodded her thanks and caught up to Sandynose.
“Don’t dawdle.” Reedclaw hurried Quailpaw and Sunnypaw onward as they paused to look back at the camp.
Nectarpaw bounced around Harrybrook. “Is it far?” she mewed excitedly.
“Far enough,” he told her. “Calm down. You’ll need your energy for the journey.”
Violetshine blinked back sorrow. She was following her Clan away from the two cats she loved best. A lump lodged in her throat as she pictured Tree alone in the deserted camp, but she didn’t look back. She had made her decision.
SkyClan was leaving the lake.
CHAPTER 16
The wind had changed. In the hours since dawn the sky had grown darker. Now rain pattered softly on the roof of the medicine den. Peering from the entrance, Alderheart looked through the haze at the empty clearing. The cats of ShadowClan were sheltering in their dens. Damp pine scent washed his muzzle as he watched rivulets running around the edge. The puddle beside the elders’ den had swollen.
He fluffed his fur against the cold and turned back inside. Crossing the den, he sniffed the patch where he’d buried the deathberry seeds. He’d sifted through it while Puddleshine and Grassheart had been sleeping and had found seeds mixed with the soil, but it was impossible to tell if any were missing.
“Are you still worrying about them?” Puddleshine sat up in his nest. His pelt was slick from a thorough wash.
Alderheart had told him about the Gathering. “Frecklewish said they’d poisoned Sparrowpelt.”
Grassheart shifted stiffly in her nest. “A ShadowClan warrior would never poison another cat. We’re warriors, not fox-hearts. We settle arguments with our claws.”
“I know.” Alderheart couldn’t believe that ShadowClan would use poison to harm another Clan. The warrior code wouldn’t permit such slyness, and he’d spent long enough in the ShadowClan camp to see for himself that they were as honorable as any other Clan. And yet the coincidence nagged at him.
“Is SkyClan really going to leave?” Grassheart’s question distracted him from his thoughts.
“Leafstar promised she’d think about it, but the Clans didn’t say anything to make her want to stay.” His belly tightened. Please, StarClan. Let her decide to stay.
“I can’t believe the leaders didn’t take your vision seriously.” Puddleshine climbed out of his nest.
“Nor can I.” Alderheart sniffed the ShadowClan medicine cat’s wounds. They were healing fast, and there was no sign of fever. “Five medicine cats shared the same vision. How much more proof do they need before they will act?”
“What can they do?” Grassheart looked puzzled. “Tigerstar can’t abandon our claim to territory. We need more space to hunt. As long as SkyClan keeps our land, ShadowClan will always face the threat of hunger.”
“Some Clan has to give SkyClan territory,” Puddleshine argued. “Is it too much to ask each of us to donate a little? At least the burden will be shared.”
Alderheart wasn’t sure Leafstar would like to hear SkyClan called a burden, but he agreed that it wasn’t fair to ask ShadowClan alone to give land to SkyClan. “If only the other leaders were willing to compromise.”
“Leafstar could have compromised,” Grassheart pointed out. “She could have agreed to let ShadowClan hunt on SkyClan’s land.”
Puddleshine frowned. “Two Clans chasing the same prey could never work.”
Alderheart’s paws felt heavy. There seemed no way to find space for SkyClan beside the lake and keep peace between the Clans.
A shadow moved at the entrance. Alderheart’s paws sparked with anxiety as Tigerstar padded into the den. Are you accusing ShadowClan of using your seeds to poison Sparrowpelt? Tigerstar’s words rang in his head as he dipped his head in greeting. “Hi.” Was the ShadowClan leader still angry with him?
“Hi.” Tigerstar shook rain from his pelt and glanced around the den. “How are your patients today?”
Alderheart shifted his paws. “Grassheart’s wound is healing well. There’s no sign of infection, and Puddleshine—”
Tigerstar cut him off. “I can see Puddleshine is looking much better. You’ve done great work here, Alderheart. ShadowClan will always be grateful to you for tending to our medicine cat and taking such good care of our Clanmates while he’s been ill.” Tigerstar’s piercing gaze swung toward him. There was no sign of anger, but the dark tabby’s tone was brisk as he went on. “I think it’s time you went home. Puddleshine looks well enough to take up his duties once more.”
“I am.” Puddleshine lifted his chin.
“Good.” Tigerstar kept his gaze on Alderheart. “Are you ready to leave?”
“Yes.” Alderheart blinked at him. Was Tigerstar throwing him out?
“Your Clan must miss you. I’m sure they’ll be glad to have you back.” Tigerstar glanced toward the entrance, where rain dripped from the brambles. “You can wait out the rain if you like.”
“Thanks, but I’d like to get home as soon as possible.” Alderheart didn’t care whether Tigerstar wanted him to leave. His heart felt suddenly light as he realized that he was no longer responsible for ShadowClan. He was going home. He nodded to Puddleshine. “Take care of yourself.”
Puddleshine dipped his head. “Thanks, Alderheart. You saved my life.”
“You would’ve have done the same for me.”
As Puddleshine gazed at him warmly, Grassheart sat up. “Thanks for taking care of me.”
“I’m glad I could help.” Alderheart signaled to Puddleshine with a flick of his tail. “I put marigold on Grassheart’s wound this morning. She’ll need fresh ointment tonight.”
“I’ll see to it.”
Tigerstar didn’t move as Alderheart padded to the den entrance. “Do you need a patrol to escort you?”
“No, thanks.” Alderheart slipped outside. There was someplace he wanted to go before he headed home, and he didn’t want a ShadowClan patrol watching. He hurried through the rain, surprised as he saw Berryheart duck out of the nursery.
“Are you leaving?” She blinked at him, raindrops collecting on her whiskers.
“Yes.” Alderheart halted. “Puddleshine’s well again.”
Dovewing slid out. “Thank you for taking care of Shadowkit.”
“And Hollowkit,” Berryheart chimed in.
“Keep him out of this rain,” Alderheart told her.
“I will.” As Berryheart spoke, Shadowkit hurried from the den.
“Are you leaving?” He stared at Alderheart with round eyes.