Thunder and Shadow
Page 29
She shrugged again now. “I can’t remember. But I caught it again today on a bramble.” Was she protecting her denmates? Had one of them been practicing their battle moves a little too roughly?
Worry wormed through his belly as he chewed marigold leaves to pulp. He couldn’t help feeling that there was more to it than that. Twigpaw had been quiet since the ShadowClan rogues had cut ties with the other Clans. He spat pulp onto his paw. “Are you worried about Violetpaw?”
Twigpaw stared at the ground as he smeared it onto her ear. “I wish she weren’t with the rogues.”
“She has Needletail.”
Alderpaw’s words seemed to make Twigpaw’s shoulders droop more.
“And Pinenose and Puddleshine.” Alderpaw pressed on, determined to comfort her. But Twigpaw carried on staring at the ground.
“She grew up there,” he reminded her. “ShadowClan is probably like family to her now.”
Twigpaw looked at him, her gaze blank. “Are you finished?”
For a moment he wondered what she meant. Was she telling him to stop talking about Violetpaw and ShadowClan?
“My ear?” Twigpaw mewed when he didn’t answer. “Are you finished treating my ear?”
“Y-yes.” Alderpaw wondered if she’d been listening to a word he said.
“Thanks.” She turned to leave.
“Twigpaw.” He called after her. “You would tell me if something was really wrong, wouldn’t you?”
She blinked at him, sadness glittering in her eyes. “Yes.” Her mew was barely more than a whisper.
“Are you okay?”
Twigpaw hesitated, then dipped her head. “I’m okay,” she promised. “Just a bit sad, that’s all.” She lifted her gaze, and he saw affection there.
Relief washed over him. The bond between them wasn’t broken. She just needed time to sort out whatever she was going through. “I’m always here if you need me,” he told her.
“Thank you.” Turning, she left the den.
“Alderpaw!” Jayfeather’s mew sounded from the clearing.
Alderpaw hurried out, his paws still sticky with marigold pulp.
Jayfeather and Leafpool were waiting beside the entrance. Jayfeather turned his blind blue gaze toward the half-moon. “We don’t want to be late for the meeting,” he meowed gruffly. “Especially not tonight.”
Excitement surged in Alderpaw’s chest. He couldn’t believe the time had finally come. As he hurried to join Jayfeather and Leafpool, Bramblestar padded across the clearing toward him.
“It’s a big night for you.” His father licked his ear affectionately.
Alderpaw blinked at him, suddenly nervous. “I hope I don’t mess up the ceremony. What if I forget the words?”
“What do you have to say?”
“I do.”
Bramblestar purred. “I think you’ll remember. I just wish I could be there to see you.” Pride warmed his gaze.
So do I. Alderpaw half wished that his naming ceremony could happen in front of his Clanmates instead of at the Moonpool with the other medicine cats. He wanted to hear them cheer his name, just as they’d cheered Sparkpelt. But this was a StarClan ceremony, not a ThunderClan ceremony. It was right it should be held in their sacred place. Would they share with him afterward? He hoped so. He wanted to know if his ancestors were proud of him.
Squirrelflight paced the clearing a few tail-lengths away.
“Blossomfall, Berrynose, Sparkpelt, and Tawnypelt.” She flicked her tail toward the warriors at the edge of the clearing. “I want you to come hunting with me.”
Alderpaw blinked happily at his sister. Her eyes were bright, and she blinked back at him affectionately as Squirrelflight went on.
“We could do with a few more pieces of prey on the fresh-kill pile now that we have extra mouths to feed.” Her gaze flicked toward Rowanstar and Tigerheart, who were sharing a pigeon beneath the Highledge.
Tigerheart leaped to his paws. “I’ll hunt with you!” he offered eagerly.
Squirrelflight flicked her tail. “You stay here. Tawnypelt can help us.”
Tawnypelt looked toward Rowanstar. “Is it okay if I hunt?”
Squirrelflight’s hackles lifted. “You don’t need to ask him!” she snapped. “I organize the hunting parties in ThunderClan.”
Squirrelflight’s pelt spiked angrily as Rowanstar nodded to Tawnypelt and the ShadowClan she-cat crossed the clearing.
As Blossomfall and Berrynose joined the patrol, the ThunderClan deputy glowered at them. “Do you need to ask Rowanstar’s permission too?” She glanced pointedly at Tawnypelt. “Or are my orders enough?”
Blossomfall and Berrynose glanced at each other, confused. Tawnypelt looked away, as though she hadn’t heard the ThunderClan deputy’s barbed reproach.
Alderpaw shifted his paws, unsettled by the discord the ShadowClan cats had sent rippling through the Clan. They won’t be here forever, he told himself. He glanced at Tigerheart. The broad-shouldered tom’s gaze was fixed on Dovewing again.
He always seemed to have one eye on the blue-eyed she-cat. Dovewing seemed unaware of it now, deep in conversation with Bumblestripe. But Tigerheart kept watching, his eyes narrowing as Bumblestripe moved closer to his Clanmate.
A shiver ran through Alderpaw’s fur. Do Dovewing and Tigerheart share some kind of history? The sooner these ShadowClan cats are gone, the better.
“Hurry up.” Leafpool’s mew shook him from his thoughts. Jayfeather was already heading through the entrance tunnel.
“Good luck!” Sparkpelt called to him from beside Squirrelflight.
Squirrelflight gazed at him proudly. “We’ll wait up for you!”
“Thanks!” Alderpaw ducked through the tunnel after Leafpool and Jayfeather, his heart quickening as he followed them toward the Moonpool.
“Do you think he’s coming?” Kestrelflight’s gaze was fixed on the rim of the hollow.
Alderpaw followed it, tasting the air for Puddleshine’s scent. “I guess if the rogues didn’t come to the Gathering, they won’t let Puddleshine come here either.”
Jayfeather flicked his tail. “He’s not coming,” he meowed.
Leafpool jerked her nose toward the blind medicine cat. “You know for sure?”
“No,” Jayfeather mewed. “But I’m pretty certain. I’m also pretty certain that I don’t want to sit here freezing my fur off all night. Let’s get on with it.”
For newleaf, the night was clear and cold. The crow-black sky sparkled with stars. Mothwing nodded her agreement, and the medicine cats drew into a circle around Alderpaw.
Alderpaw stiffened, his heart quickening. “Can’t we wait a bit longer?” He wanted Puddleshine to see his naming ceremony. He had waited so long for it. “I want him here.”
Jayfeather snorted. “You can want all you like. ShadowClan has made their choice and you can’t change it.”
Leafpool blinked at Alderpaw. “Puddleshine doesn’t need to witness your naming ceremony to know what a good medicine cat you will be. He has always respected you.”
Even though he’s been saving lives while I’ve been rolling herb bundles. Alderpaw pushed away the prick of resentment, realizing that he wouldn’t want to swap places with the ShadowClan medicine cat. He cleared his thoughts. He had worked hard, and he had earned this.
Jayfeather lifted his chin. “Let’s begin.”
Alderpaw faced him, excitement surging beneath his pelt. He was going to receive his medicine cat name at last!
“I, Jayfeather, medicine cat of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he will serve his Clan for many moons.” Jayfeather stared at Alderpaw. His blue gaze was so intense that Alderpaw felt as if the blind cat were looking straight into his thoughts. His paws felt hot against the chilly stone.
“Alderpaw has always had a natural connection with StarClan,” Jayfeather went on. “You chose him, and you chose well. He
is loyal, determined, and smart. He has compassion and strength, a rare combination. He will serve his Clan well.”
Alderpaw’s pelt pricked with surprise. Jayfeather was complimenting him! He could feel the gazes of the others burning his fur. Self-consciously he shifted his paws and straightened his spine. I must behave like a medicine cat!
Jayfeather went on. “Do you, Alderpaw, promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan, and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?”
Alderpaw blinked at him, his mouth dry. “I do.”
“Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Alderpaw, from this moment you will be known as Alderheart. StarClan honors your devotion and kindness, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of ThunderClan.” Jayfeather stepped forward and rested his muzzle on Alderpaw’s head. “Well done,” he breathed softly.
Alderpaw felt his mentor’s warm breath swirl around his ears as he drew back. Pride warmed his pelt.
“Alderheart! Alderheart!” The other medicine cats called his name, their voices ringing around the stone sides of the hollow, spiraling up to the stars.
Jayfeather turned to the Moonpool. “Let us share with StarClan.” He crouched and touched his nose to the water.
Leafpool caught Alderheart’s eye as she padded toward the water. Pride glowed in her gaze. “Congratulations,” she purred softly.
“Thanks.” Alderheart ducked down beside her, his heart bursting with joy, and dipped his muzzle toward the pool.
At once, sunshine bathed him. Its warmth reached through his fur. He blinked at the brightness. He was back in the rolling meadows where he’d met Yellowfang. He padded forward, the soft grass brushing his paws. “Yellowfang?” He scanned the field hopefully. There was no sign of her, but at the edge of the field he saw the shapes of two cats sunning themselves in the low branches of a tree. He bounded toward them, his tail streaming behind him.
The light brown tabby she-cat and the pale gray tom didn’t seem to see him. Sunshine glinted on their glossy pelts. The light brown tabby’s tail draped over the branch as she blinked at the tom. The tom returned her gaze, his round eyes bright, his ears pricked. As Alderheart neared, he heard them murmuring quietly to each other. Skidding to a halt beneath the tree, he looked up. Should he call out? Should he tell them he was here? That he was a medicine cat now? As he lifted his face, leaves showered over him. They twirled in the breeze, brushing his face and whiskers. Five-pointed leaves.
Embrace what you find in the shadows, for only they can clear the sky.
The voice rang in his head.
It was the prophecy. StarClan was telling him again.
Heart pounding, Alderheart jerked his nose from the Moonpool. As the cold chill of the hollow closed around him once more, he blinked. The others were still sharing with StarClan. Only Mothwing watched him, from where she lay beside the pool.
Alderheart hardly saw her. His thoughts were spinning too fast. The leaves had five points! Five points! Five Clans! Suddenly he knew what the prophecy meant, more surely than he’d ever known before.
We need to find SkyClan!
BACK ADS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ERIN HUNTER is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior. She is also the author of the bestselling Seekers and Survivors series.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
BOOKS BY ERIN HUNTER
THE PROPHECIES BEGIN
Book One: Into the Wild
Book Two: Fire and Ice
Book Three: Forest of Secrets
Book Four: Rising Storm
Book Five: A Dangerous Path
Book Six: The Darkest Hour
THE NEW PROPHECY
Book One: Midnight
Book Two: Moonrise
Book Three: Dawn
Book Four: Starlight
Book Five: Twilight
Book Six: Sunset
POWER OF THREE
Book One: The Sight
Book Two: Dark River
Book Three: Outcast
Book Four: Eclipse
Book Five: Long Shadows
Book Six: Sunrise
OMEN OF THE STARS
Book One: The Fourth Apprentice
Book Two: Fading Echoes
Book Three: Night Whispers
Book Four: Sign of the Moon
Book Five: The Forgotten Warrior
Book Six: The Last Hope
DAWN OF THE CLANS
Book One: The Sun Trail
Book Two: Thunder Rising
Book Three: The First Battle
Book Four: The Blazing Star
Book Five: A Forest Divided
Book Six: Path of Stars
A VISION OF SHADOWS
Book One: The Apprentice’s Quest
Warriors Super Edition: Firestar’s Quest
Warriors Super Edition: Bluestar’s Prophecy
Warriors Super Edition: SkyClan’s Destiny
Warriors Super Edition: Crookedstar’s Promise
Warriors Super Edition: Yellowfang’s Secret
Warriors Super Edition: Tallstar’s Revenge
Warriors Super Edition: Bramblestar’s Storm
Warriors Super Edition: Moth Flight’s Vision
Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans
Warriors: Cats of the Clans
Warriors: Code of the Clans
Warriors: Battles of the Clans
Warriors: Enter the Clans
Warriors: The Ultimate Guide
Warriors: The Untold Stories
Warriors: Tales from the Clans
Warriors: Shadows of the Clans
MANGA
The Lost Warrior
Warrior’s Refuge
Warrior’s Return
The Rise of Scourge
Tigerstar and Sasha #1: Into the Woods
Tigerstar and Sasha #2: Escape from the Forest
Tigerstar and Sasha #3: Return to the Clans
Ravenpaw’s Path #1: Shattered Peace
Ravenpaw’s Path #2: A Clan in Need
Ravenpaw’s Path #3: The Heart of a Warrior
SkyClan and the Stranger #1: The Rescue
SkyClan and the Stranger #2: Beyond the Code
SkyClan and the Stranger #3: After the Flood
NOVELLAS
Hollyleaf’s Story
Mistystar’s Omen
Cloudstar’s Journey
Tigerclaw’s Fury
Leafpool’s Wish
Dovewing’s Silence
Mapleshade’s Vengeance
Goosefeather’s Curse
Ravenpaw’s Farewell
Book One: The Quest Begins
Book Two: Great Bear Lake
Book Three: Smoke Mountain
Book Four: The Last Wilderness
Book Five: Fire in the Sky
Book Six: Spirits in the Stars
RETURN TO THE WILD
Book One: Island of Shadows
Book Two: The Melting Sea
Book Three: River of Lost Bears
Book Four: Forest of Wolves
Book Five: The Burning Horizon
Book Six: The Longest Day
MANGA
Toklo’s Story
Kallik’s Adventure
Book One: The Empty City
Book Two: A Hidden Enemy
Book Three: Darkness Falls
Book Four: The Broken Path
Book Five: The Endless Lake
Book Six: Storm of Dogs
THE GATHERING DARKNESS
Book One: A Pack Divided
Book Two: Dead of Night
Survivors: Tales from the Packs
NOVELLAS
Alpha’s Tale
Sweet’s Journey
> Moon’s Choice
CREDITS
Cover art © 2016 by Owen Richardson
Series cover design by Ellice M. Lee
COPYRIGHT
WARRIORS: A VISION OF SHADOWS #2: THUNDER AND SHADOW. Copyright © 2016 by Working Partners Limited. Series created by Working Partners Limited. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
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ISBN 978-0-06-238641-0 (trade bdg.) — ISBN 978-0-06-238642-7 (lib. bdg.)
ISBN 978-0-06-257415-2 (special ed.)
EPub Edition © August 2016 ISBN 9780062386441
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FIRST EDITION
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