The Clash of Stars Book 1: The Key

Epilogue

Nectarbird followed close behind Fernlight, the dark gray molly uneasily leading the way through the starry forest. The light from the trees made the white splotches on Fernlight's black pelt gleam in the night sky.

They arrived in a clearing where three other cats were waiting. One of them was a dark gray tabby tom, the smell of herbs clinging to his pelt. Beside him sat a red CoveClan molly. A couple mouse-lengths from the two sat a fluffy yellow molly with a black stripe running down her back.

"You know Cinderstrike and Berrysplash already," Fernlight said, nodding to the first two cats. "The clerics who delivered the mission to Thornpaw. This is Swiftshadow." She gestured to the yellow molly. "She delivered it to Ghostpaw."

Nectarbird dipped her head to Swiftshadow, and the molly returned it coolly.

Nectarbird settled down with the others, letting her fur finally lie flat. It'd been difficult to get away; when they first arrived in StarClan, Stormstream had been a bit protective of Nectarbird, but that was nothing compared to this. Now he was strict, telling Nectarbird not to spend so much time with Fernlight, and admonishing her if she disappeared for too long. He claimed he was worried about the dangers of the Dark Forest cats.

He'd been spending a lot of time with StarClan's council. Nectarbird supposed that, being the most recent FlashClan deputy, Stormstream had received something of a high rank here. But it didn't mean he could just boss her around.

"The leaders met with Thornpaw and Ghostpaw tonight," Berrysplash announced. "They explained the route, and made sure the apprentices knew not to go to the Shrouded Peaks. Everything is going as planned."

Cinderstrike shifted in his spot and scowled. "What about all of those cats who died tonight?" he pointed out. "We have another apprentice-aged cat among our ranks now, I'll remind you."

"That's neither here nor there," Berrysplash replied dismissively. "Beesmoke has been dealt with."

"There's a sickness in CoveClan," Cinderstrike persisted, as if that may make the former cleric show some concern. "BlossomClan is without a leader. Everything isn't solved just because one bad cat was taken away."

"Have faith, Cinderstrike," Berrysplash admonished. She licked her paw and drew it over her ear. "We're StarClan." Then, as if to change the subject, she went on, "Yelloweyes will be arriving at the Hearth soon."

Nectarbird shared an uncomfortable glance with Fernlight. It was no secret that the former courier wasn't a huge fan of the news, especially since she'd been assigned to grant the deputy one of the nine lives.

"Peonystar is still alive," Swiftshadow commented, though she didn't sound particularly interested. "She was just here not long ago after she lost a life breaking her daughter's fall. She'll come back to BlossomClan."

"And until then, BlossomClan is in a state of distress," Berrysplash replied smoothly. "They need a promise of stability. Right, Fernlight?"

Fernlight's fur lifted along her spine, but she nodded.

"I'm worried about those apprentices," Nectarbird admitted. "Wildpaw can't fly. Did no cat think of that before sending her off?"

The other cats stiffened, even Fernlight. Then Berrysplash spoke, eyes narrowing at Nectarbird. "Wildpaw has her purpose, even if she's not fully aware of it. The mission will succeed."

"It can't fail," Cinderstrike added, though his eyes were nervous. "And that's not just me being optimistic."

Nectarbird knew this already. She nodded. "Of course."