The Clash of Stars Book 1: The Key

Chapter 21: Thornpaw

The caves were a small and welcoming space for Thornpaw, closed around them like Bramblesplash would curl around them in the nursery, her tail keeping them safe from the cold. The walk to the Hearth was warmer and warmer with every pawstep, and Thornpaw was sure and steady now that they were on the path that StarClan had directed. It would have been pleasant if not for Wildpaw. Thornpaw could feel her chilly gaze on their back like icy daggers.

"You didn't have to treat Mantispaw like that, you know," she said as they drew closer to the large cavern.

"I haven't even told Ashrunner about this," Thornpaw retorted, twisting their head around to face her, "do you think I would tell a FlashClan apprentice?"

"That's not what I mean," Wildpaw replied with a huff. "You tackled him, and didn't even apologize when all he's been doing is helping me!"

"He wasn't helping EchoClan when he attacked it with his Clanmates," Thornpaw growled.

"It's not as if Mantispaw had a choice, he's an apprentice!" Wildpaw argued.

"If our own apprentices were old enough to get hurt because of that patrol, he's old enough to take responsibility!" Thornpaw sighed heavily, lashing their tail. They turned away. "I don't want to argue about this. Let's go." They could hear Wildpaw's frustrated hiss, but the molly didn't argue.

They reached the end of the tunnel, a pile of rocks leading down to the huge cavern where the glowing rock hung. Thornpaw paused, grunting as Wildpaw bumped into them. She mewed indignantly, then stiffened.

"I smell another cat," Wildpaw said, ears flattening.

"It should be Ghostpaw," Thornpaw explained. Wildpaw relaxed, eyes narrowing instead. "He's supposed to be meeting us," Thornpaw added. "StarClan summoned him, too."

"You could've mentioned that to me before now," Wildpaw grumbled as they made their way down the rock pile.

"You've hardly been in camp for me to talk to you at all!" Thornpaw hissed back. They padded across the cave to the platform that rose in the center of it, under the glowing rock that warmed the mountain's cave system. Its flickering light was so dim it seemed as if it might go out at any moment. Furrowing their brows, Thornpaw signaled with their tail for Wildpaw to follow. The two circled the platform until they reached a crevice near the back. The platform was in such a way that the Clan leader could sit up there and be visible no matter what side cats chose to sit, but oftentimes cats preferred to sit closer to the entrance rather than this shadowy side.

Which made this crevice a good hiding place for Ghostpaw, who was fast asleep in it, his thin tail flopped over his nose. Despite being curled up, they could tell he was not doing as well as he could be. He'd obviously not eaten for days, let alone groomed his fur, which was ruffled and scruffy and starting to get matted in spots.

"Is that Ghostpaw?" Wildpaw whispered. "I thought I saw him at the Gathering, but he looks really bad now."

"Yeah, it is," Thornpaw replied, brow creasing with worry. They prodded Ghostpaw's flank with their paw, and the white tom leapt to his paws, scrawny fur bristling.

He relaxed just slightly when he saw Thornpaw. "Oh, it's you," he mewed, then startled when his eyes landed on Wildpaw. "And you brought her."

"StarClan told me to," Thornpaw explained. "She's important."

"You are?" Ghostpaw asked, blinking the last remnants of sleep out of his eyes.

"I suppose," Wildpaw replied, batting at a pebble. "Seems like I'm here for something. Not that Thornpaw told me much."