Path Of A Warrior

At least she’s now admitting she was there, Shadowstar thought. Maybe it had been a spur-of-the-moment attack rather than a planned one. She had seen a vulnerable leader, alone, one whose deputy she knew to be dead … it was possible that Quick Water hadn’t set the dogs on her and Sun Shadow, and that the idea of killing Shadowstar had first occurred to her when she saw her by the Thunderpath. Was Quick Water going to confess?

“And I never even saw Shadowstar,” Quick Water added pleadingly. “I believe that she was attacked, but I wasn’t the one who tried to kill her.”

Raven Pelt spoke up angrily from where he stood with the other deputies. “We saw you, Quick Water. I chased you a long way. It was you. Explain that.”

The she-cat shrugged. “Maybe there was a rogue who looked a little like me. I don’t know.” Her amber eyes were huge and innocent. She was lying very well, Shadowstar thought grudgingly.

But at least the other Clan leaders know me, Shadowstar thought, and know I’m not dishonest, or easily fooled.

“Quick Water is lying,” Shadowstar told them flatly. But all four of them looked doubtful.

Should she tell them what Gray Wing had said when she lost her eighth life? If Quick Water had succeeded in killing her, if ShadowClan had fallen apart at the loss of both their leader and deputy, it could have destroyed all five Clans. Would they even believe her? I don’t want them to know I’m on my last life, Shadowstar decided, and held her tongue.

“Perhaps we should decide together if we believe Quick Water’s story,” Windstar mewed thoughtfully.

“What?” Raven Pelt yowled from below. “What is there to decide? ShadowClan knows the truth!”

Shadowstar stayed silent, a feeling of dread creeping over her. Was there any cat she could trust in the other Clans?

Skystar spoke first. “Maybe Thunderstar is right,” he meowed, dipping his head humbly to his son. “I did exile Quick Water without giving her a chance to tell her side of the story.” He looked out into the crowd of cats below him, leaning down to look into Quick Water’s eyes. “I believe you, Quick Water. You are welcome to return to SkyClan.”

Quick Water held her head high, her eyes shining.

Shadowstar hissed quietly. That was … quick. Had Skystar, always so proud and stubborn, admitted that he was wrong too easily? It would be more like him to cling to his opinion as long as he possibly could. And the way he’d announced his decision, waiting until every cat had fallen silent and was watching carefully … It’s like he was speaking to the other warriors, and not to Quick Water… . Because Quick Water knew what he was going to say, all along?

She shuddered. Maybe they were working together this whole time.

“I believe Quick Water, too,” Thunderstar meowed. “I never stopped.” He glanced at Shadowstar apologetically. “I don’t want any cat to think that Shadowstar is lying. I’m sure she thought that it was Quick Water who attacked her. But it makes much more sense that it was a rogue.”

And Thunderstar is Skystar’s son, and Quick Water went to him for shelter. Maybe they were all working together. Shadowstar’s stomach was a hard knot. She didn’t want to be suspicious of the cats in the other Clans—but how could she trust them when so many seemed so deceitful?

“I believe Shadowstar,” Windstar said, her thin, brown-striped face thoughtful. “I don’t believe she has any reason to lie about this, and I also can’t believe she would mistake a rogue for a Clan cat. Shadowstar isn’t stupid, and she knows Quick Water well.” Ignoring Skystar’s grumble, she turned to Riverstar. “We know what Shadowstar thinks… . What about you?”

The long-furred tom shook his head slowly. “I can’t believe that Quick Water would do such a thing. Shadowstar must be mistaken.”

Shadowstar’s heart sank. So, that was it. Quick Water would stay in the forest, and remain a danger to Shadowstar and her Clan. How could she trust the other Clans now?

“So that ends that discussion,” Skystar said sternly. “Next time we gather, we will talk real Clan business. SkyClan, follow me.” In one smooth motion, he leaped from the Great Rock.

Shadowstar watched as the SkyClan cats—including Quick Water—streamed out of Fourtrees.

Windstar gave Shadowstar a lingering look, her eyes full of worry, and then leaped down to lead her own Clan out of the clearing.