Fire and Ice

Chapter 6

The WindClan warriors stood their ground without moving a muscle. They're waiting for a signal from their leader! Skyfall realized. They still follow the warrior code, even though they have to live like this.

From behind the line of bristling warriors, a black-and-white tom weaved his way to the front. With a jolt, Skyfall recognized the long-tailed cat from her dream. She had only seen him once but that was enough to know. This was Tallstar, the leader of WindClan.

Tallstar sniffed the air, but the ThunderClan cats were downwind, their scents carried away by the steady breeze. As the black-and-white cat walked towards them, Skyfall straightened and breathed in the rank odor of crowfood that hung on his coat. They remained perfectly still, their eyes down, as Tallstar circled them, sniffing their fur closely.

Finally Tallstar returned to his warriors. Skyfall heard him murmur, "ThunderClan." The warriors flattened their fur, but remained defensive, shielding the rest of the cats.

Tallstar turned to the intruders, sitting down and curling his tail around his paws. "I was expecting ShadowClan," he growled, his eyes flooded with hostility. "Why are you here?"

"We came to find you," Skyfall meowed, fighting against her urge to shrink away from the old cat. "Bluestar and the other Clan leaders want you to return to your home."

The WindClan leader's voice was still wary. "That land is not safe for my Clan anymore," he meowed. There was a haunted look in Tallstar's eyes that sent a pang of sorrow through Skyfall.

Runningwind stepped forward. "ShadowClan has driven out Brokenstar and his followers," he meowed. "They are no longer a threat to any cat."

The WindClan cats looked between each other, murmurs filling the tunnel.

"You must return as soon as possible," Skyfall urged. "ShadowClan and RiverClan are starting to hunt in the uplands. We saw a RiverClan patrol hunting near the old badger set while we were on our way here."

The fur on Tallstar's shoulders bristled angrily.

"But they are poor rabbit hunters," Graystripe jumped in. "I imagine they went home with empty bellies."

Tallstar and his warriors purred with satisfaction. Their good spirits encouraged Skyfall to inch closer. She could see how weak they were even more as she stopped a tail-length from Tallstar. This journey back to the uplands would be long and hard. "May we travel with you?" she suggested respectfully. Tallstar made her feel small next to him, even with his thin frame.

Tallstar's eyes flashed. He clearly recognized the tactful offer of help. He looked steadily at Skyfall. "Yes," he replied at last. "Thank you."

Skyfall grinned, retreating back to her Clanmates. As she returned to Graystripe's side, the gray warrior pressing hard against her, she realized she forgot introductions. "This is Graystripe and Runningwind," she meowed, nodding to each tom who offered small greetings. "And I am Skyfall. We are warriors of ThunderClan."

"Skyfall," repeated Tallstar thoughtfully. Sunlight flooded through the gap in the roof, making the dark parts of her pelt glow a bright red against the flaming orange. "The name suits you."

Another monster roared overhead. Skyfall and Graystripe flinched into each other, Runningwind standing tall to not appear weak to the enemy warriors. Tallstar watched them with amusement and flicked his tail. It must have been a signal, for the warriors behind him broke apart. "We shall leave at once," he announced, standing up.

"Are we all fit for the journey?" Tallstar asked as the warriors began to move among the queens and elders.

"All except Morningflower's kit," replied a mottled brown warrior. "He is too young."