Black Sky

Chapter 23

"Sunstorm! Beeflight! Redmoon!"

Blackpaw joined in with the cheering as the cats of CaveClan congratulated the new warriors. Sunstorm gave his chest fur a few embarrassed licks as Stormwhistler came over to congratulate him. Beeflight puffed out his chest and looked proudly around at his Clanmates. Blackpaw wrinkled his nose as Snowpaw ran over to nuzzle him.

"Congratulations, Redmoon!" Blackpaw mewed happily, padding over to the red tabby she-cat.

Redmoon looked at him, looking slightly surprised. "Oh, thank you, Blackpaw."

They looked at each other for a moment, then Redmoon flicked her tail.

"Well! I'm hungry, but Fennelfoot said I can't till my vigil's over! I'm going to be starting it soon, the moon's coming up! Bye, Blackpaw!" Redmoon called, darting away quickly. Blackpaw wondered why she seemed so nervous all of a sudden.

Blackpaw jumped as Willowpaw laid her tail on his shoulder. "Blackpaw? Fernstar wants to speak to you."

"She does?" Blackpaw meowed, widening his eyes. "What've I done?

Willowpaw shrugged. "I don't think you're in trouble."

"I don't know," Blackpaw murmured. "What do you think she wants?"

Willowpaw shrugged again. "You shouldn't keep her waiting."

"Yeah. Bye, Willowpaw!" Blackpaw meowed as he darted off to Fernstar's den.

Blackpaw mewed a greeting as he entered the den. Fernstar was curled up in her nest, looking weary. A half-eaten vole lay beside her.

"Hello, Blackpaw," Fernstar greeted him. "You got Willowpaw's message, I trust?"

Blackpaw nodded. "What is it you wanted me to talk to you about?"

"The Poistriker murders," Fernstar murmured. "I have a suspicion you may know something about it."

Blackpaw widened his eyes in disbelief. "Wha-I-I didn't kill anybody!"

"I do not think that, Blackpaw," Fernstar mewed seriously. "I just think you may know something about it. Something that leads us closer to figuring out who's doing this and why, and putting a stop to it. So, do you know anything?"

Blackpaw hesitated. Should he tell her that it was Beepaw and Snowpaw who nearly killed Willowpaw? He had told her before that he hadn't seen who'd done it, but now... The fate of CaveClan was in his paws.

"I do know something," Blackpaw told her at last. "I just hid the truth because it involved someone who I knew would never do such a thing because she wanted to."

Fernstar nodded. "Yes. You wouldn't want someone you love to come to any harm, be that physical or emotional. But this is important. And I won't accuse anyone without the context. You can tell me, Blackpaw."

"Okay," He said slowly. "Remember when I told you about Willowpaw. I did see who did it. When I was in the apprentices' den, I saw Snowpaw and Beeflight heading towards the elders' den. Leafclaw wasn't there, but Willowpaw was. It looked as if they'd arranged a meeting there, but Willowpaw didn't know what about. Snowpaw was telling Beeflight that she couldn't do something, so Beeflight threw the Poistriker at Willowpaw. Then they left, Beeflight telling her that it had to be done. That's when I brought Treeheart to save Willowpaw from dying."

Fernstar was quiet for a moment. Then she spoke.

"So Beeflight is the one to blame," She murmured. "Snowpaw was forced into doing it. But, it can't just be two young cats in this whole operation. I appreciate this information, Blackpaw, and I will have a talk with Beeflight, but I know there are other cats. I want you to keep an eye out, okay? If Beeflight knows you know what he did - he's a very short-tempered cat - he won't tolerate it. You may go, now, Blackpaw."