Dawn

Chapter 11

The rain grew heavier as Skystar led the patrol back to camp. Squirrelpaw was disappointed with how little prey they had caught. Brambletuft had managed to scramble up an oak and caught a squirrel dozing in the crook of a branch, but the effort had left him breathless, and Squirrelpaw realized that the hungry days since they had returned to the Clan were beginning to have an effect on them both.

"I think it's best if we don't tell the others what we learned about Hawkfrost," Skystar decided as they trekked through the dripping trees.

"But shouldn't the Clan be prepared in case"—Squirrelpaw faltered—"in case anything happens?" she finished lamely.

Brambletuft dropped the squirrel he held in his jaws. Rainwater streamed from his whiskers. "I think Skystar's right," he agreed. "It would be better for the Clan if they didn't know."

Squirrelpaw narrowed her eyes. Was it the Clan Brambletuft was protecting, or himself? Was he afraid of what the other cats would say? He had struggled long enough already to prove his loyalty, and yet no cat could forget his father's efforts to destroy ThunderClan.

"There's no point in stirring up unnecessary hostility," Skystar went on.

Ashfur gave a low growl. "But what if Hawkfrost shares his father's ambition to take over the whole forest?" He clearly shared Squirrelpaw's secret fear.

"We mustn't jump to conclusions," Skystar warned. "It's clear that Hawkfrost's first loyalty is to his Clan. He said he would fight to defend them. Does that sound like Tigerstar to you?"

Reluctantly, Ashfur shook his head, and Skystar went on. "Hawkfrost is no threat to us."

"Yet," Ashfur mewed pointedly.

"Until he proves he is, there's no need to worry the rest of the Clan," Skystar continued. "We might need RiverClan's help before this is over."

Ashfur swished his tail in frustration, but did not argue.

"Don't worry, Ashfur," Squirrelpaw reassured him. She hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. "Hawkfrost is just Hawkfrost. Tigerstar has left nothing bad in the forest except memories."

Brambletuft picked up the squirrel without commenting and padded away toward Sunningrocks. Squirrelpaw cast an anxious glance at her mother.

"He'll be okay," she meowed quietly as she brushed past her.

By the time the cats reached Sunningrocks, rain was battering the exposed rock, and water ran down in rivulets; turning the earth around the rocks to mud. But instead of finding shelter, the cats were gathered halfway up the slope, huddled in a circle. Moans of sorrow mingled with the rattling of the rain on the stone.

With a startled mew, Skystar bounded up the rock, and Squirrelpaw followed, pushing through the cats with her heart beating in her throat. A small dark brown shape lay in the center, pelted by rain which turned pale red as it streamed away down the slope. Squirrelpaw stared down at the limp, sodden body, too shocked to speak as she recognized the narrow muzzle. It was Shrewpaw.

Cinderpelt and Leafpaw crouched beside the apprentice.

"His neck is broken," Cinderpelt murmured. "He must have died as soon as the monster hit him. He would have felt no pain."

Squirrelpaw closed her eyes. StarClan, what are you doing? She yowled silently.

A desolate cry sounded from the nursery hollow, and Sandstorm hurtled down the slope. Shrewpaw was one of her two sons. The cats parted to let her see her dead kit.