Эрин Хантер - Path Of A Warrior

“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.

At least WindClan is on our side, Shadowstar thought, feeling heavy and numb as Thunderstar dipped his head to her and Riverstar blinked apologetically before they both jumped down from the Great Rock and led their Clans away.

Shadowstar’s heart thumped. Quick Water was a Clan cat again. But she was dangerous .

She had already sent Sun Shadow to StarClan, Shadowstar was sure of it.

Would she kill again? And if she did, would that be the act that brought down one Clan, and then another, and then another … until the Clans were no more?

Chapter Eight

As they left Fourtrees, the ShadowClan cats bunched together, glancing nervously into the darkness that surrounded them. Shadowstar felt a pang of sadness at the looks on their faces. They’d lost confidence in the safety of the forest. Is ShadowClan already starting to fall apart?

Turning to lead her Clan toward their own territory, she caught sight of a cat waiting beneath an oak. Quick Water? she thought, alarmed, but then she caught Windstar’s scent. The WindClan leader was waiting for her.

“Raven Pelt,” Shadowstar meowed. “Lead the Clan home. I’ll catch up later.”

The black tom stopped and stared at her. “Are you mouse-brained?” he asked. “You’re not staying here by yourself.”

Shadowstar flicked an ear. “Even a deputy has to follow his leader’s instructions,” she reminded him. Pebble Heart was listening, too, his amber eyes wide and worried.

Raven Pelt pulled back his ears stubbornly. “The last time you went off by yourself, Quick Water pushed you into the path of a monster,” he protested.

Shadowstar felt a pang of grief in her heart as she remembered the last time a deputy had refused to leave her side. He ended up dead… .

“Raven Pelt,” she repeated gently. “Take the Clan back to our territory. I am trusting you with their safety. I will be fine.” She stared steadily into his eyes until he dropped his gaze.

“Okay,” he mewed. “But be careful.”

She nodded, and he called, “ShadowClan, follow me!” and hurried forward. Pebble Heart hesitated beside Shadowstar.

“You too,” she told him, brushing her tail across his back. “Some cat might have a cough or a thorn in their paw before I get back.”

Pebble Heart snorted, shaking his head. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he replied. “Let me know when you’re back in camp.”

Shadowstar nodded in acknowledgment and watched him follow the rest of their Clanmates out of sight. Then she headed for the shadowy figure beneath the oak. “Windstar.”

“Quick Water’s lying,” the brown tabby meowed immediately. “Maybe the other Clans can’t bring themselves to see it, but I can. It’s not safe to have her on Clan territory.”

Shadowstar gave a long, relieved sigh. “It’s so good to be believed by a cat outside my Clan,” she murmured.

“They’re not stupid cats,” Windstar meowed, her tail twitching in irritation. “But they’re blinded by their fondness for Quick Water. All warriors have to follow the code, no matter how much they’re liked. If not, how are we any different from rogues?”

“Exactly,” Shadowstar agreed. Windstar understood. It didn’t matter how much Quick Water was liked: By trying to kill another cat, she had put herself outside the warrior code, the rules they had all decided each Clan cat must follow for the good of every Clan. Quick Water wasn’t a Clan cat anymore. “We have to defend the code if the Clans are going to be able to live together peacefully.”

“I know.” Windstar kneaded her paws against the ground, unsure. “But what can we do?” she asked. “If we attack SkyClan, ThunderClan will back them up. Skystar and Thunderstar are united in protecting Quick Water now. We won’t be able to drive her out.”

Shadowstar hesitated. There’s only one way to be sure.

Instead of answering Windstar immediately, she looked up into the sky, where countless stars shone above them, tiny lights in the deep blackness. Which ones were warriors, she wondered? Was Sun Shadow watching over her? Were Moon Shadow and Gray Wing?

What would they think of what she was planning?

“Quick Water killed Sun Shadow,” she mewed quietly. “She cost me one of my lives. She’s put herself outside the code now. StarClan would know that killing her was just.”

Windstar drew in a shocked breath. “After the Great Battle, we all swore not to kill one another again, not even in the fiercest fight.”

“Yes.” Shadowstar looked into the brown tabby cat’s eyes, seeing a reflection of the same pain she was feeling. “But Quick Water isn’t one of us anymore. We have to make sure our Clans are safe. Even if it costs me everything.”