The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

28. An Alliance

     Echopaw swiftly tucked a small amount of extra moss into Tinypetal's nest before rolling a soaked ball of moss beside the she-cat. During her times of illness, she had grown thin, and she slept deeply if she wasn't coughing. Patchback shifted anxiously beside his mate, occasionally drawing a gentle, loving lick along her ear. He stretched his neck and laid his head against her shoulders, closing his eyes and holding back his coughs.

"You'll be okay. StarClan won't take you," He promised in a whisper. "They won't take you too. You'll be okay."

Echopaw suppressed a shudder. "You should both be okay until I get back," she insisted. I should probably leave something for them. She turned to her stores and peeked towards the back. The last of her useful catmint lay there, and so she cautiously pulled out a few stalks and set them on the floor of her den. If we start treating them now, they should be able to fight their illness, especially since it's Newleaf. "Patchback, if her coughing gets too intense while I'm gone, give her some of this and have her drink some water."

"I will," Patchback answered. "StarClan light your path, Echopaw."

"I'm just going into another territory," Echopaw replied.

Patchback blinked at her. "FireClan's camp is a journey, so I've heard. And only they know where it is." He sniffled and placed his head back on his mate's side. Echopaw dipped her head to the cat and padded out of the den. She felt Cobweb's cold presence beside her and sat down, watching Shadowclaw and Blackstar as they spoke.

"Should I stay in case something happens?" Cobweb questioned. "I- I don't feel right abandoning two sick cats."

"You'd reveal yourself," Echopaw answered in a whisper.

Cobweb flicked one ear. "They believe in StarClan, though."

No. "How would Patchback reacted if you appeared, claiming to be in StarClan, and shoved catmint down his mate's throat?"

Cobweb flinched and sulked, head low. For a moment, Echopaw felt guilty, but she pushed it away and straightened as Blackstar approached. "Let's go. I've put Froststrike in charge, so we'll be fine."

Echopaw nodded and got to her paws. She didn't hesitate to follow Blackstar and Shadowclaw. The sooner we get this over, the better. But is Blackstar sure that we can trust FireClan? She scolded herself for the thought. Why couldn't we when they're having the same issue? It'll be fine.

The three living cats padded along at a brisk pace. Cobweb followed close behind. You don't have to come. I just meant that you can't help them, Echopaw wanted to say. To speak, though, would be to put suspicion into others. The last thing I want is for everyone to know about Cobweb. Even after learning of his past crimes, she could find good in him, knowing his true intentions and his guilt. The others don't know. They wouldn't understand.

In time, they left the forest, and so they crossed the barren field towards the sandy sides of the cliffs. Echopaw's heart was pulled to her toes at the sight of the gathering of massive rocks by the shelf, where Fallenstar had been buried. She's somewhere beneath all of that. Her stomach twisted fiercely in her belly, and she turned away despairingly. Neither Blackstar nor Shadowclaw had looked, but both were obviously saddened.

She's watching over both of you, I'm sure. Echopaw cringed at the sand sinking between her pads as they padded around to the end of the tall slope. Slowly, they climbed up, the sand crunching beneath their paws. How can a cat live in a sandy place?

When she reached the top, she looked out over the forest and towards her territory. For a moment, her breath was snatched away. Her home was small to her, covered in brown spider webs formed by barren tree limbs. She could see the difference in the height of the trees where the back of the camp sat, elevated by the ridge that formed the walls for many dens. "It's amazing."