Midnight

Chapter 7

Squirrelpaw emerged cautiously from the undergrowth at the edge of the trees above the riverbank, tasting the air for the scent of cats. The traces of ThunderClan were all stale, though fresher RiverClan scents drifted across from the other side of the river. Praying that no cat would see her, Squirrelpaw slipped swiftly down the bank to the water's edge.

Brown water churned along her paws. More rain had fallen during the day, though the clouds were thinning now to let pale sunshine through, so that the forest steamed. The river was swollen, almost completely covering the stepping-stones, but Squirrelpaw paid no mind as she leaped directly into the river.

She was on her way to find Feathertail and Stormfur. All day her mind had been plagued with the second dream, and she was quickly growing more convinced that whatever it was, they had to travel to the sun-drown place before they would be told what StarClan had to tell them. Squirrelpaw's pelt prickled in her anxiety. They ought to leave at once; they didn't have enough time to wait for the next Gathering. If the others had the dream, they shouldn't be hard to persuade.

She had not told Brambletuft about the second dream. A part of her felt guilty that she was keeping this from him when she told her littermates, but the other part felt a deep satisfaction that she, an apprentice, was chosen for this prophecy over a mouse-brain like Brambletuft.

The water would wash most of the scent from her fur, making it easier to slip into RiverClan territory. While Leopardstar was more docile with ThunderClan, she knew she wouldn't be welcome if she trespassed uninvited. It would be in her best interest to find Feathertail and Stormfur before any other cat finds her.

Finally, her paws scraped on pebble and she was able to bound the rest of the way through the shallows. Panting, she paused on the bank and shook herself vigorously.

Suddenly fresh RiverClan scent wafted into her nostrils; she dived into a clump of bracken and peered out between the fronds. A moment later she could barely hide a sigh of relief as Feathertail and Stormfur—the two cats she wanted to see—appeared farther along the bank.

Squirrelpaw waited until they were closer before she called to make her presence known. The two gray cats joined her, looking her up and down in surprise.

"Great StarClan!" Stormfur exclaimed. "Have you been for a swim?"

"Skystar taught me and my littermates how to swim when we were kits. Feathertail, can I have a word with you?"

"Of course. Are you sure you're all right?"

"For the most part. Feathertail, have you had another dream?"

The gray she-cat looked puzzled. "No. Why, have you?"

"Yes." Settling into the grass so they could talk more comfortably, Squirrelpaw told them as quickly as she could about the sun-drown place and the stony jaws, feeling her fur bristle with fear again. "I spoke to Ravenpaw this morning—you know, the loner who lives near Highstones? He says the sun-drown place is real. And he told me that StarClan likes to be vague as they leave it to the warriors to show the proper courage and loyalty to fulfill them. And to do what StarClan wants of us."

"Which is what?" Stormfur queried.

"I. . . I think we should go to the sun-drown place," Squirrelpaw replied, feeling her belly tighten with tension. "That must be where StarClan will reach us again."

Feathertail had listened in silence, her blue gaze fixed on her face. When she stopped speaking, she nodded slowly. "I think you're right."

"What?" Stormfur sprang to his paws. "Are you mad? You don't even know where this place is."