Book 2 Prologue

    “Does she really believe that tired old story?” a she-cat scoffs, her starry brown pelt bristling in annoyance. “Honestly, I made that up moons ago. Does she really think the will of a mortal cat could prevent StarClan from driving him out? To be fair some of what I said was true, but I'm very surprised that she believed all of it without question. She’s so gullible,” the she-cat cackles, shaking her head in disappointment.
    “Curb your tongue for just a moment, Featherfoot,” a tortoiseshell she-cat snapped. “That’s my daughter you’re talking about.”
    Featherfoot grinned. “Yeah well you obviously didn’t raise her right, Morningdew.”
    Morningdew bristled. “I will not-“
    “Enough, both of you,” a dark grey she-cat grumbled in annoyance. The white tip of her tail twitched in annoyance as she chastised the two bickering she-cats. “You’re both acting like children. Featherfoot, stop provoking Morningdew. Redscar doesn't have any reason to not trust you, so I'm sure she wouldn't question your story. Morningdew, stop encouraging Featherfoot. I know it's a little shocking to see Redscar believe something so ridiculous, but she's obviously in no state to be told the truth, the whole truth. Not yet, at least. Be patient.”
    Morningdew bowed her head in embarrassment. “O-of course, Wolfleap…”
    Wolfleap rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to see you two arguing again,” the she-cat padded away.
    Morningdew watched her go, sighing. She turned to stare into the rippling pool, stirring the water with her paw. The reflection began to change, revealing the outline of a sturdy black tom. “We can’t hide the truth from her forever,” she meowed gently. “She’s going to learn StarClan can in fact see Crowfang sooner or later. And when she figures that out she's going to start asking questions.”
    “It’s what StarClan commands,” Featherfoot meowed sarcastically. “Nothing we can do about it. Besides if Redscar wanted to she could look for Crowfang and find him alive and well.”
    “But she doesn't. Probably because we told her there's no use in trying…” Morningdew trailed off, turning away from the pond. The ripples in the water disturbed the image of the tom, blurring it until the pond returned to its former self.
    Featherfoot watched her walk away, an idea forming in her head. “Hey, wait!” she called. “I think it’s about time we had a little visit to the forest, don’t you think?”
    Morningdew turned to look at Featherfoot. “Do you think so? We would have to speak with Wolfleap…”
    “Nah, I’m sure she won’t mind. Besides, I think the forest needs a little StarClan guidance right now,” Featherfoot winked. “You go on and say hi to whoever you want. I won’t tell anyone.”
    Morningdew’s eyes widened. “Thank you,” she smiled in gratitude. “I won’t be long, I promise,” she bounded away, disappearing into the stars.

~

    The black tom Morningdew had been watching looked around at the forest surrounding him, sighing. He jumped across the river, almost skidding off one of the rocks. He sniffed the air, careful to avoid the borders of DewClan and HorizonClan. As he padded through the forest he heard a rustle in the bushes. Ears twitching, he noticed the sound was made by something much heavier than a mouse or bird. His instincts kicked in as he whipped his head around, scanning the trees. A bushy tail swept by him in a heartbeat, his reflexes quick enough to snag it with his claws before it could disappear. A she-cat let out a pained yelp, yanking her reddish brown tail away from him. She spun around to face him, unsheathing her claws. The tom bristled, ready to defend himself. The she-cat was about to lunge when her expression changed to one of recognition. Her eyes widened in shock as she visibly relaxed.
    “F-father?”
    The tom looked at the she-cat, taken aback. “Excuse me?”
    As the she-cat stared intently at his face, the tom watched as her face fell in disappointment, and then contorted into a snarl. “No… You’re the one father always talked about, aren’t you?” she hissed. “Same stature, same color of fur. I even thought you had the same eyes until I looked a little closer,” she circled him, tail lashing behind her. “He always said ‘his eyes were much like mine, but they were just a hint darker’ when he talked about you.”
    The tom listened in silence, his ears perked in interest. Was it possible that his brother had had enough charm to get himself a mate? Or maybe he simply adopted this she-cat. While he would have loved to ask her these questions, he doubted she would answer.
    “So, are you the brother of my father?” the she-cat asked. “Are you Ravenstar’s brother?”
    “Ravenstar?” the tom sputtered in surprise. “Is that what he calls himself?”
    “Called,” the she-cat sniffed in disdain. “He died when he decided to take down HorizonClan.”
    The tom laughed. “Really? What a fool,” he smirked. “I’m glad HorizonClan put him in his place.”
    The she-cat growled. “Don’t talk about my father like that! He was a powerful leader.”
    “And a stupid one, I’ll bet,” the tom meowed simply. “He wasn’t meant to be a leader. He was too hungry for power. It drove him mad.”
    “His ambition was not what fueled his anger!” the she-cat snarled. “It was when you betrayed him.”
    “I spared his life,” the tom shook his head in amusement. “Did my brother really leave all of this out? He wasn’t one to go into detail, I suppose,” the tom turned to pad into the forest, smiling to himself. “I am glad I got to meet his daughter, though. Nice chatting with you.”
    “Not so fast,” the she-cat slid in front of him with surprising finesse. “Do you think I’m going to let you walk away? It would be a great honor to kill you in the name of my father. I’m not about to let this opportunity slip away from me,” she grinned, sharp fangs eager to sink themselves into the tom’s pelt.
    “Well,” the tom began. He watched as the she-cat’s ears perked slightly to hear what he had to say. He waited until her guard lowered just a bit, then knocked her to the side. He jumped over her, dashing back the way he had come. The she-cat shrieked in anger, quickly recollecting herself and chasing after him. He sighed, annoyed at her perseverance. “You just don’t know when to give up, huh?” he muttered, jumping onto the rocks that formed an uneven bridge to the other side of the river.
    The she-cat, now running at full speed, launched herself off of the shore and knocked both of them into the water. The she-cat quickly repositioned herself above the tom and thrust his head into the water. The tom flailed violently, trying to fend the she-cat off while preserving his breath. His vision began to blur and his attacks grew weak. He relaxed, allowing the she-cat to easily shove him deeper into the water. He felt his paws float uselessly in the water as he closed his eyes. Killed by Ravenfeather’s stupid kid? What way to go…
    “Hello?” a voice called out. The tom opens his eyes, finding himself in a dark part of the forest. He took a deep breath, noticing that he doesn’t feel any air in his nose as he inhales. “Is anyone here?”
    “Um, I am,” the tom replied, looking around. Was StarClan visiting him again? Why, after all this time? “Who are you?”
    “My name is Morningdew,” a tortoiseshell she-cat padded into view. She looked at the tom in surprise, then sighed disappointment. “O-oh! Forgive me! I was just…hoping to meet someone else…”
    The tom laughed. “I understand. I’m not on great terms with StarClan, am I?”
    Morningdew smiled. “Oh, no, you are. It’s just… complicated, I suppose,” her image blurred. “It’s almost time for me to go?” she meowed in surprise. “Well, alright… I suppose a secret visit to the living does have to be short-lived.”
    “Secret, huh? What a rebel.”
    “I don’t have enough time to search for my daughter, Petalfrost,” Morningdew continued hurriedly. “Would you please deliver a message to her?”
    “Uh, sure?” the tom twitched his tail nervously. What had he gotten himself into?
    “Tell her that a new threat is coming, one that will test the new alliance between DewClan and HorizonClan. One Clan will need to be destroyed. HorizonClan must survive,” Morningdew paused for a heartbeat. “Do you understand?”
    “Kinda vague don’t you think?” the tom rolled his eyes.
    “I would provide more details but unfortunately it is forbidden for StarClan to assist more than a few helpful words,” Morningdew replied regretfully.
    “More like unhelpful. You’re just going to make the Clans antsy,” the tom grumbled. “But if it’s StarClan’s will I guess I better deliver the message. I do wanna get back on their good side.”
    “Thank you,” Morningdew meowed gratefully, her voice growing faint.
    “So, where might I find this Petalfrost?” the tom asked.
    “She will be in HorizonClan's territory. Please, find her…” Morningdew faded away until only her voice could be heard. “Please, Crowfang…”
    Crowfang’s eyes shot open. The weight of the she-cat was gone and he was floating lazily down the river, face down. He thrashed wildly in the water, forcing his head into the cool air above him. He took in gulps of air, then unceremoniously splashed his way back to shore. Water clung to his fur, dragging him down to a resting position. He lay on his side, coughing up a mouthful of water. He panted, too weak to move. “Stupid she-cat doesn’t know how to properly drown someone…” he chuckled, closing his eyes. “Looks like I got myself stuck in another adventure. But it can wait… until… tomorrow…” as his breathing evened out, he felt exhaustion wash over him. Soon he was snoring softly.

~

    “You visited him while he was drowning,” Featherfoot meowed incredulously. “Are you an idiot? He could have died.”
    “I wouldn’t have visited him in the first place,” Morningdew argued. “But for some reason whenever I searched for a resting soul the only one I could see was his.”
    Featherfoot growled irritably. “Great. So we tell him to stay away from the Clans and then we tell him to go back? What’s Wolfleap gonna say?”
    “She can’t find out,” Morningdew murmured. “Not until this is all over. When HorizonClan succeeds and the forest is once more at peace, then we can tell her the truth.”
    “More secrets and lies, then?” Featherfoot hissed. “I thought you hated that kind of thing.”
    “Don’t turn on me now,” Morningdew snapped. “You promised you would keep your mouth shut about this. Not to mention after everything you’ve done for your son it doesn’t seem like you would rat him out now.”
    Featherfoot sighed, green eyes sparkling with anger. “Fine. I’ll be quiet… I sure hope you know what you’re doing,” she stalked away before Morningdew could reply.
    Morningdew sighed. “Me too…”