Rising Storm

Chapter 7

"Bluestar, it's been a quarter moon since we returned from the uplands." Skyfall carefully avoided mentioning the Moonstone. Even though they were alone in her den, she still felt uncomfortable mentioning their fruitless expedition. "There's been no sign of WindClan in our territory, or ShadowClan." Bluestar narrowed her eyes disbelievingly but Skyfall pressed on. "There are so many apprentices in training, and the woods are so full of prey, that it is hard to keep three warriors in camp all the time. I. . . I think two would be plenty."

"But what if we're attacked again?" Bluestar fretted.

"If WindClan really intended to harm ThunderClan," Skyfall pointed out, "Mudclaw wouldn't have let you leave the uplands. . ." alive, she finished silently.

"Okay." Bluestar nodded, her eyes clouded with an unreadable emotion. "Only two warriors need to stay in camp."

"Thanks, Bluestar." This was going to make the task of organizing all the guards, hunting parties, and apprentice training much easier. "I'll go and sort out tomorrow's patrols." Skyfall dipped her head respectfully and left the den.

Outside the warriors were waiting for her. "Whitestorm, you lead the dawn patrol," Skyfall ordered. "Take Sandstorm and Brightpaw with you. Brackenfur, Dustpelt, you'll guard the camp while I'm hunting with Thunderpaw." She looked around the rest of the warriors, realized how relaxed she'd come to ordering her Clan around and organizing everything. She'd had a lot of practice since Bluestar stayed in her den most of the time nowadays. Pushing away in unsettling thought, Skyfall went on: "I'll leave it up to the rest of you whether you train your apprentices or take them hunting, but I want the fresh-kill pile as full as it is today. We're getting used to eating well!" An amused purr ran through the group of warriors. "Darkstripe, you lead tomorrow's sunhigh patrol. Runningwind, you take sunset. You can choose who you take with you; just be sure to let them know so they can be ready in time."

Runningwind nodded, but Darkstripe's eyes glittered and he asked, "Who will be going to the Gathering tonight?"

"I don't know," Skyfall admitted.

Darkstripe narrowed his eyes. "Didn't Bluestar tell you, or hasn't she decided yet?"

"She hasn't discussed it with me," Skyfall answered. "She'll tell us when she's ready."

Darkstripe turned his head and stared into the shadowy trees. "She'd better tell us soon. The sun is starting to set."

"Then you should be eating," Skyfall told him. "You'll need your strength for the Gathering, if you're going." Darkstripe's tone made her uneasy, but she refused to let it show. She sat down and waited for the Clan to disperse. Only when they had all gone did Skyfall turn back to Bluestar's den. She hadn't mentioned the Gathering, and she'd been too busy worrying about tomorrow's patrols to ask about it.

"Ah, Skyfall." Bluestar met her as she was pushing her way through the lichen. She looked as if she'd just finished washing, and her pelt glowed in the dusky light. Skyfall was relieved to see her taking care of herself once more. "When you've eaten, call the warriors together for the Gathering."

"Er. . . who should I call?" Skyfall asked.

Bluestar looked surprised. She listed the names so easily—leaving out Thunderpaw and including Ashpaw, as she'd requested several days earlier—that Skyfall wondered if perhaps they'd already talked about it, and she'd forgotten.

"Yes, Bluestar," she answered. She dipped her head and padded across the clearing to the fresh-kill pile. A fat pigeon had been left on top of the heap. She decided to leave it for Bluestar. Perhaps this might tempt her to eat more than a couple mouthfuls. She picked up a vole, not feeling very hungry herself. She was too unsettled by Bluestar's shifting, patternless moods.