Rising Storm

Chapter 16

Skyfall carried the ball of wet moss gently between her teeth. Some of the moisture had dripped out on the journey home, soaking her chest and cooling her forepaws, but there would be enough to quench Willowpelt's and Goldenflower's thirst until a patrol could collect more after sunset.

The Clan lay in small groups around the clearing while the sun slowly slid toward the treetops. Most of them had eaten and were quietly sharing tongues in the customary grooming session, pausing briefly between licks to greet Skyfall as she emerged from the gorse tunnel. She nodded to Runningwind, Mousefur, and Thornpaw, who were about to go out on the evening patrol.

Brindleface was getting ready to lead another group of elders to fetch water. She was gathering them together at the fallen tree, and Skyfall heard Smallear's determined mew as she passed. "We'll need to keep our ears pricked and our eyes sharp while we're traveling." The old gray tom went on: "You see that nick in my ear? I got that when I was an apprentice. An owl swooped out of nowhere. But I'll bet my claws left a bigger scar than his!"

Skyfall felt the fur on her shoulders smooth over, soothed by the familiar murmuring of Clan life. The ShadowClan cats were gone, just as Cinderpelt had promised, and she had seen Graystripe. She slipped into the nursery and placed the moss gently beside Willowpelt and Goldenflower.

"Thanks, Skyfall," meowed Willowpelt.

"There'll be more after supper," Skyfall promised as the two queens began to lick the precious drops of water from the clump of moss. She tried to ignore the eyes of Tigerclaw's kit gleaming hungrily from the shadows as Goldenflower pressed the moss with her muzzle to squeeze out another mouthful.

"Brindleface is going to lead the other elders to the river once the sun has set and the woods are clear of Twolegs," Skyfall explained.

Goldenflower licked her lips. "It's been a while since some of them have been out in the forest after dark," she commented.

"I think Smallear is looking forward to it," purred Skyfall. "He was telling stories about the owl that used to hunt near Sunningrocks. Poor Halftail looked a bit nervous."

"A little excitement will do him good," Willowpelt remarked. "I wish I could go with them. A scrap with an owl would be just the thing to stretch my legs!"

"Do you miss being a warrior?" Skyfall asked, surprised. Willowpelt looked so comfortable lying in the nursery while her fast-growing kits scrambled over her. It hadn't occurred to her she might hanker after her old life.

"Wouldn't you?" Willowpelt challenged.

"Well, yes," stammered Skyfall. "But what about your kits?"

Willowpelt twisted her head to pick up a tiny tortoiseshell-and-white she-kit that tumbled off her flank. She dropped her between her forepaws and gave her a lick. "Oh, yes, I have my kits," she agreed. "But I miss running through the forest, hunting for my own prey, and patrolling our borders." She licked the kit again and added, "I'm looking forward to taking these three out into the forest for the first time."

"They look like they'll make fine warriors," Goldenflower meowed. She glanced up at Skyfall and she knew the pale ginger queen was remembering her own expedition into the forest with Graystripe when they went into the snowbound forest and was found after they'd caught their first piece of prey. She dipped her head to the queens and turned to leave, glancing fervently at Bramblekit. She couldn't help wondering what kind of warrior the young tabby would turn into. "Bye," she mumbled as she squeezed out of the nursery.

She could smell the tempting scents of the fresh-kill pile wafting from nearby, but there was still one more thing on her mind before she could settle down for her meal. She padded over to Brackenfur, who was sitting in a small circle with Longtail, Runningwind, and Mousefur.