Эрин Хантер - Moth Flight’s Vision

“Why not?” Moth Flight met her mother’s gaze. “He’s angry with WindClan, but that has nothing to do with Micah.”

“Clear Sky doesn’t like to be told what to do.”

“Micah will convince him it’s for the good of his Clan,” Moth Flight insisted. “Micah can be very persuasive.”

Wind Runner’s ear twitched uneasily. “I don’t doubt it.”

“I’m tired.” Moth Flight ignored the suspicious glint in her mother’s gaze and headed across the clearing. “I’m going to my nest.”

“There’s a mouse for you on the prey pile,” her mother called after her softly.

“Thanks.” Moth Flight blinked gratefully over her shoulder.

“But I’m too tired to eat.”

“Sleep well, then.” Wind Runner dipped her head. “I’ll make sure you’re not disturbed.”

Moth Flight slipped quietly into her den. Rocky was purring in his sleep, his whiskers twitching as he dreamed. She climbed into her nest, surprised to find fresh heather lining it. Relishing the sweet scent, she curled down and rested her chin on the edge. Through the den entrance, she could see sunlight drenching the camp wall as the night sky paled into dawn. She wondered whether StarClan watched them during the day. Or do they fade with the stars ? She pictured the sloping meadows and distant forest of StarClan’s hunting grounds; joy warmed her pelt as she thought of Gray Wing and Turtle Tail walking side by side once more. She purred. Tomorrow she’d be traveling with Micah to RiverClan. Was he looking forward to their journey as much as she was?

As sunhigh neared, Moth Flight pulled a mouse from the prey pile. She wasn’t very hungry, but she didn’t want her belly rumbling when she met Micah. And who knew what they’d be offered to eat in the RiverClan camp? She shuddered, remembering the toad she’d caught, and hoped there’d be more to eat among the reed beds than river prey.

She padded past Swift Minnow, who was washing in the long grass beside Reed Tail. Jagged Peak and Holly were repairing gaps in their den wall by threading heather—which

Eagle Feather and Dew Nose had fetched from the moor—tightly between the stems. Gorse Fur and Wind Runner sat at the edge of the sandy hollow, their heads bent close as they talked.

Slate sat beside Fern Leaf and Willow Tail, blinking in the sunshine while Black Ear, White Tail, and Silver Stripe climbed the gorse wall behind her.

Warm prey scent bathed Moth Flight’s nose as she carried the mouse into the shade of the camp wall where Dust Muzzle and Spotted Fur were lounging in the thick grass, a half-eaten rabbit lying between them. As she dropped her mouse beside them and bent to take a bite, she noticed Spotted Fur’s tail twitching crossly from the corner of her eye. She ripped a lump of flesh from the mouse and looked at him. “What’s up?” she asked, her mouth full.

He frowned. “Dust Muzzle says you’re going to visit

RiverClan with Micah.”

Moth Flight swallowed. “StarClan wants the medicine cats to learn from each other.”

“Can’t you visit RiverClan by yourself?” Spotted Fur asked.

“Micah needs to learn too.” Moth Flight cocked her head as she chewed. Why was he being so crabby?

“Why can’t you travel with Pebble Heart or Cloud Spots?”

Spotted Fur asked accusingly.

Dust Muzzle hooked the rabbit closer with a claw. “Moth

Flight can travel with whomever she likes,” he meowed absently.

Spotted Fur got to his paws and shook out his pelt. “I don’t know if spending time with other Clans is a good idea,” he meowed loudly.

Holly glanced over her shoulder, a sprig of heather in her paws.

Moth Flight stiffened. The golden tom was attracting attention from their Clanmates.

Fern Leaf jerked her muzzle around. “So it’s true! You’re really going to visit RiverClan?”

“Yes.” Moth Flight shifted her paws uneasily.

Wind Runner looked up, eyes narrowing.

“Is that a good idea?” Holly dropped the sprig of heather and headed across the clearing. “Rocky’s still sick.”

“Reed Tail’s promised to watch him,” Moth Flight defended herself.

Swift Minnow flashed her mate a look. “You didn’t tell me!”

“He’s not that sick.” Reed Tail pushed himself to his paws.

“He’s just enjoying his cozy nest in Moth Flight’s den.”

Slate’s eyes rounded with worry. “What if one of my kits gets ill?”

Silver Stripe called down from the gorse wall. “We never get sick!”

“But what if you do?” Slate fretted.

“Reed Tail will know what to do,” Moth Flight promised the queen. He probably knows more than than I do. “Besides, I’m only going to RiverClan. Someone can come and fetch me if you need me.”

Willow Tail’s ears twitched. “It’s just asking for trouble, crossing another Clan’s borders.”

“Dappled Pelt invited me!” Impatience tightened Moth

Flight’s belly. Willow Tail was only trying to make a point because of Red Claw. She felt a surge of anger toward the pale tabby she-cat; with all this talk of borders, she was getting as bad as Clear Sky! “Besides, I’m a medicine cat . I’m going there to learn , not to hunt!”

Wind Runner padded to the center of the clearing. “StarClan has told the medicine cats to learn from each other.” Her gaze swept the Clan.

Moth Flight felt a ripple of relief. Wind Runner wasn’t going to stand in her way.

Gorse Fur nodded solemnly. “What Moth Flight learns from the other medicine cats will help us.”

Jagged Peak stepped out from the shadow of his den, heather sticking out of his pelt. “Mixing with other Clans is dangerous,” he growled.

Moth Flight bristled. “Why? You’ve lived with the forest cats and on the moor and in the pine marsh with Tall Shadow!”

“Which means I’ve learned how important it is to remain in one place.” Jagged Peak met her gaze. “Your loyalty should be with us.”

“It is with you!” Moth Flight snapped. “Visiting the RiverClan camp won’t change that.”

“But you’re going because StarClan ordered you to, not Wind Runner,” Holly chipped in. “Are you a WindClan cat or a

StarClan cat?”

Moth Flight stared in dismay at her Clanmates. How could any cat doubt her loyalty? Her mother was the Clan leader!

Wind Runner lashed her tail. “Stop all this mouse-brained chatter!” she growled. “I realize that we are not used to having a medicine cat among us. And it feels strange to take orders from spirit-cats. But Moth Flight only has the good of the Clan in her heart. She is going to learn so that she can take care of us better.” She fixed her gaze on Slate. “If one of your kits falls ill, wouldn’t you want Moth Flight to know as much as she can about healing?” She turned to Jagged Peak, her gaze hardening.

“ Never suggest that Moth Flight’s loyalties are divided! She was born a WindClan cat and, whatever happens, her heart will belong with her Clanmates.”

Moth Flight felt a surge of gratitude toward her mother. But Spotted Fur’s accusing gaze still burned her pelt. She stared at her paws. He’s jealous of Micah. Guilt wormed in her belly. Was it disloyal of her to like the SkyClan medicine cat so much?

She left her mouse and padded across the clearing. “I promised I’d meet Micah at sunhigh.” She avoided her Clanmates’ stares. “I don’t know when I’ll be back, but if there’s an emergency, send for me.”