Path Of A Warrior

“You are ready,” Shadowstar told him. “And you will be a strong leader. Just never forget to follow what you know is right. Never put anything—not even your own life—above your Clan. StarClan will guide you.”

Raven Pelt’s eyes were bright. “I hope that this last life of yours is a long one and I don’t have to lead for many moons. But, even if it happens tomorrow, I promise to do my best,” he vowed. “I will guide and protect ShadowClan and follow the code.”

Shadowstar touched her nose to his. “I know you will.”

By the time the moon was high in the sky, she had spoken to every one of her Clanmates. But only Raven Pelt and Pebble Heart knew this was her last life. She trusted them to keep that knowledge secret.

She looked up at the stars again. She was sure now that Gray Wing, Moon Shadow, and Sun Shadow were all watching over her, waiting to welcome her to StarClan whenever she went there for the last time. Would that be tomorrow? Would the coming dawn be the last time she woke in ShadowClan?

Chapter Nine

The grass was still wet with dew when they left ShadowClan territory early the next morning, and mist was rising off the river. They stuck to the riverbank as they headed for SkyClan, skirting the edges of ThunderClan’s territory.

“It would be better if ThunderClan stayed out of it,” she told Raven Pelt, who was padding along at her side, “but I doubt they’ll miss us crossing their land. We should expect to see them soon.”

Raven Pelt nodded. He was focused, his gaze constantly scanning the woods around them for danger and the cats with them to make sure they were together and all right. His ears were pricked, listening intently to everything Shadowstar said.

He’s aware of his Clanmates. He’s not afraid to fight, but he’s not excited at the thought of shedding blood. He’s eager to learn. Shadowstar shook her fur, willing herself to stop assessing Raven Pelt. She had already chosen him, and every time she thought about it, she confirmed for herself that she had made the right choice. Now she needed to concentrate on the coming battle.

Can I really bring myself to kill Quick Water? she wondered. Even if she killed me first? From the Great Battle, she remembered the shock of seeing the life go out of a cat’s eyes, of taking the life of a cat she knew. It had been horrible and deeply shocking, even though the fight had been so desperate. She had never gone into a battle intending to kill another cat.

Quick Water is a danger to ShadowClan, she reminded herself. To all the Clans. But her reasoning felt suddenly hollow.

Maybe we can convince her to leave Clan territory. Shadowstar felt sick. She can’t live among the Clans anymore. That’s for certain.

WindClan was waiting for them at SkyClan’s border.

“Are you sure you don’t want to charge in and attack their camp before they know we’re here?” Windstar asked, her tail slashing through the air. “It would improve our chances.”

Shadowstar shook her head. “We have to do this openly. We’re not attacking SkyClan; we’re fighting Quick Water.”

Windstar looked at her. “It’ll come to the same thing,” she mewed frankly.

“I know,” Shadowstar told her. “But we won’t attack them first.”

She opened her mouth, scenting the wind. She could smell ThunderClan more strongly now. A few heartbeats later, she could hear what sounded like most of the Clan coming toward them. And SkyClan was coming, too—she’d seen a border patrol spot them and dash back through the woods toward camp, doubtless to alert the Clan.

Thunderstar got there first.

“What are you both doing here?” he asked angrily. His warriors were ranged beside and behind him, their muscles tensed, their claws out.

“You know why we’re here,” Shadowstar answered. “And our fight isn’t with ThunderClan. You should go back to your camp.”

Thunderstar shook his head. “This is our fight, too.”

“You’ve come to attack SkyClan.” Skystar’s voice broke in coldly. He and his warriors had slipped through the trees, lining up on the other side of the border.

“No, we are not here to attack SkyClan, either,” Shadowstar told him. “Our quarrel isn’t with either of your Clans.” She spotted Quick Water among Skystar’s warriors, her gray-and-white face defiant. “We’re here to protect the warrior code. Quick Water tried to kill me, and she killed Sun Shadow. She’s a murderer, she’s broken the code, and we can’t let her stay in the Clans.”