“I believe Darktail,” Bouncefire announced, returning Hawkwing’s glare. He raised his voice so all the warriors could hear him. “What cat would be so evil as to lead strange cats into a badger den? We only just met him; it doesn’t make sense that he would hold a grudge against us.”
Leafstar dipped her head to Bouncefire. “I agree. I have lost more than any cat, and I too believe it was an accident.” Raising her head to gaze at the sky, she continued, “What in StarClan is happening? Why is all this misfortune falling on us now? Not just the badgers, but those strange-scented foxlike creatures, too . . . what did you say they were called, Darktail?”
“Raccoons,” Darktail replied. Turning to Hawkwing, he added, “I told this to Leafstar and the others after the attack. Twolegs sometimes keep them as pets, but some of them escaped, and now they live in the wild.”
“How do you know that?” Hawkwing asked suspiciously.
“I picked up their scent on the way here, and I asked some kittypets about them,” Darktail explained.
“Whatever they are called,” Leafstar went on, “let’s hope we have driven them off for good. We have other problems to deal with. Darktail, I believe you meant no harm, but the sad fact is that we’re no nearer to finding ‘the spark that remains.’ Maybe StarClan will send us a clearer prophecy soon.”
Hawkwing’s belly churned with anger. Why aren’t we driving this rogue away? We never trust outsiders this easily. He supposed it must be because Darktail had fought bravely during the raccoon attack. But I still don’t trust him.
“I understand what you’re saying, Leafstar,” Sharpclaw meowed when the Clan leader had finished speaking. “Darktail may have had dark motives, or he may not. But it’s still a huge risk for the Clan to put our faith in cats we don’t know.”
Hawkwing was relieved that his father seemed to share his suspicions of Darktail, but a moment later his relief faded away as Leafstar refused to change her opinion.
“I won’t turn Darktail out without proof that he meant to harm SkyClan,” she insisted. “Besides, he is the only cat among us who might know where ‘the spark that remains’ might be. StarClan wants us to follow the prophecy, and they don’t send us messages that aren’t important.”
Hawkwing flexed his claws in and out. He knew that he should keep his jaws shut, that it wasn’t his place to argue with his Clan leader, but he couldn’t stop the words from spilling out.
“Leafstar, this is a bad idea. This cat is not one of SkyClan,” he added, staring straight at Darktail. “He doesn’t understand what it means to be a Clan cat.”
“Come on, that’s a bit harsh,” Sandynose protested.
“Yes,” Bouncefire added. “Not every good cat is born to a Clan. Even Firestar used to be a kittypet, for StarClan’s sake!”
Hawkwing’s fury was rising. He didn’t want to listen to any cat. Are they all too stupid to realize that this rogue could destroy us all? “I say we drive him out now!” he snarled.
A chorus of protest rose from the cats clustering around him and Darktail, but before Leafstar could silence the clamor there was a stir of movement at the back of the crowd, and Frecklewish thrust a path through her Clanmates to the foot of the Rockpile.
“Leafstar—” she began breathlessly.
Leafstar was instantly alert, her ears pricking forward as she looked down at the young medicine cat. “Has something happened to Echosong?” she asked anxiously.
Frecklewish shook her head. “She’s still alive—she’s fine. But she just had a vision.”
“Another one?” Leafstar’s voice was sharp. “What was it?”
“She saw a fire burning out, then blazing up again,” Frecklewish explained, managing to catch her breath. “But her voice was strained as she told me about it. She insists that SkyClan must find ‘the spark that remains’ . . . before it’s lost forever.”
The angry argument had died away while Frecklewish was speaking, and all the cats looked expectantly toward their leader. Hawkwing was the first to speak.
“Now we know that our destiny is still out there,” he meowed. “We should never have listened to Darktail. What does he know about StarClan?”
Leafstar was unimpressed. “Let go of your anger, Hawkwing,” she told him. “This is the time to focus on our next move.”
“Should we try to find Barley now?” Bellapaw asked. “He might be able to tell us where the Clan cats are. At least we know he’s trustworthy,” she finished with an awkward glance at Darktail.
That’s a good suggestion, Hawkwing thought at the mention of Barley, the farm cat who had come with Ravenpaw to bring Bellapaw and her brother Rileypaw to SkyClan. He would never lead us wrong.
The white tom dipped his head toward Bellapaw, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “I understand why you might be doubtful,” he meowed in response. “Even though I was wrong about the directions, I still believe I know where the Clan cats are, and I can save you a lot of time if you trust me again. I just need to think of a better way to get there.”
“Suppose we send out another questing patrol,” Firefern suggested, her eyes brightening as she gazed at her mother up on the Rockpile. “They could look for ‘the spark that remains,’ and bring Darktail along to guide them.”
“No! I’m against that,” Sharpclaw snorted with a flick of his tail. “What if the vision isn’t telling us to go anywhere to find sparks to dispel darkness, but rather warning us to be alert? What if a danger is coming to SkyClan? If you ask me, we should strengthen our borders as much as we can, before it’s too late.”
Hawkwing’s anger rose again as he listened to his father’s cautious advice. Before he could stop himself, he let out a derisive growl.
Sharpclaw’s head swiveled to face him. “Show some respect!” he hissed.
“I do respect you!” Hawkwing protested. “But I disagree with you over this. We have to go out and find our destiny.”
Sharpclaw rolled his eyes. “You make me wonder if we made you a warrior too soon,” he snapped. “You’re showing all the maturity of a kit.”
If Sharpclaw hadn’t been standing on the Rockpile, Hawkwing might have leaped at him, claws extended. But his anger had to burst out somehow, even though he knew he should control himself in front of his leader and his Clan. “I’m not a kit!” he yowled. “I survived a quest Billystorm couldn’t!”
“That’s enough!” Leafstar stepped forward, her amber eyes blazing with fury. “You might be a warrior now,” she told Hawkwing, every word forced out through her teeth, “but you should still know your place. You’re no good to the Clan if all you do is disrupt our important meetings, and make them all about you.”
Hawkwing took a step back, daunted by Leafstar’s anger; she was normally so calm and controlled. I wish I hadn’t mentioned Billystorm. That was a cruel thing to say to Leafstar.
“I’m sorry—” he began.
“‘Sorry’ catches no prey,” Leafstar snapped. “I’m trying to work out how to keep my Clan strong and healthy, and you’re getting in the way. You’re being disruptive, and I won’t put up with that.”
Instinctively Hawkwing glanced at Sharpclaw, expecting that his father would back him up, or at least defend him. But Sharpclaw was looking just as stern as their Clan leader.
“You need to hold on to your temper,” he told Hawkwing. “It’s too short—the kind that can get cats into trouble.”
“I know just the thing to calm you down,” Leafstar mewed, her eyes glittering. “You can go and tend to Echosong in the medicine cat den. Keep her clear of ticks, and sort through her herbs to throw out any that are shriveled or rotting.”
Hawkwing let out a moan, staring at his paws. That’s a job for an apprentice!
“Well?” Leafstar asked icily. “Why are you still here?”
“What?” Hawkwing asked, briefly confused. “Don’t I even get to stay for the rest of the meeting?”
“The meeting is over, as far as you’re concerned.” Leafstar swept her
tail in the direction of the medicine cat den. “Leave,” she ordered. “Your punishment starts right now.”
Feeling every cat’s gaze upon him, Hawkwing stumbled off after Frecklewish. Every hair on his pelt was burning with shame.
How did that go so wrong?
CHAPTER 10
Hawkwing stood in the medicine cats’ den, sorting through Echosong’s herb stores. It was the morning after the Clan meeting, and already his punishment seemed to have stretched out for moons.
Sticky juices from the rotting herbs clung to his paws. They stink! he thought resentfully. And they’ll taste vile when I try to wash my paws. I’ll never get clean!
The shriveled herbs were no better. They crumbled under Hawkwing’s paws, littering the floor of the den with dust and scraps. And I know which cat will get the “privilege” of cleaning that up!
“What’s wrong, Hawkwing?” Echosong, still resting in her nest, raised her head and gazed at him with compassionate green eyes.
Hawkwing huffed out a breath. I told Echosong why I’m being punished, he thought. So why does she need to ask?
“I know I shouldn’t have challenged Leafstar at the meeting,” he admitted. “But I’m annoyed that I’m being punished while that traitor Darktail is still stalking around camp as if he owns the place! It wasn’t my interpretation of your vision that sent us on a fool’s quest and got Billystorm killed. It was that rogue Darktail—he should be the one doing the gross duties.” He gave a lash of his tail. “In fact, he shouldn’t even be in camp at all. He doesn’t belong with this Clan—he’s not one of us.”
As he spoke, Echosong was looking thoughtful. “True, I was not expecting fate’s claw to be so treacherous this time,” she responded. “But any cat can make a mistake, and I have to believe that StarClan brought Darktail to us for a reason.”
“What reason?” Hawkwing challenged her.
“I don’t know,” she conceded with a nod of her head. “But just because we can’t work out what it is yet doesn’t mean the reason isn’t there. We have to search for it, that’s all.”
Hawkwing’s anger eased a little at the medicine cat’s wise words, but a moment later he had to suppress a growl of annoyance as Darktail strode into the medicine cats’ den.
“What do you want?” Hawkwing demanded. “Have you come to rub it in, that our Clan leader took your side?”
Darktail dipped his head low. “I really didn’t mean for any cat to suffer,” he mewed. “Not Billystorm, and not you. I understand that you’re angry, but I promise you, once you’ve calmed down, you’ll see that I meant no harm. You need the pain in your heart to pass, that’s all.”
“What do you know about pain?” Hawkwing snarled. You didn’t lose a brother, he thought. You don’t understand what Billystorm meant to this Clan.
Darktail heaved a long sigh and sat down beside Hawkwing, wrapping his tail around his paws. “You have no idea . . . ,” he murmured. Hawkwing paused, curious. At first, Hawkwing thought he would say no more, but after a long silence he started to speak again. “I had a friend . . . he was not kin to me, but we were brought up together as kits. We did everything together, for many, many moons. Then, one long, hard leaf-bare, when prey was scarce, he got weaker and weaker. . . .” Darktail’s voice quivered; he broke off again, then choked out, “Then he died.”
“I’m sorry,” Hawkwing mewed, feeling a pang of guilt that he had been so dismissive of Darktail’s feelings. I still don’t trust him, but that must have been terrible.
“If we had lived in a Clan, my friend might still be alive,” Darktail continued. “You all take care of each other. That’s why I’m so grateful to SkyClan for taking me in. And especially grateful to you”—he dipped his head respectfully to Hawkwing—“because you spoke up for me when some of the others weren’t too keen on bringing in a rogue. I promise I’ll repay the faith you showed me then.”
Curiosity stirred inside Hawkwing, so that his anger toward the white rogue began to ebb a little. “How do you plan to do that?” he asked.
“I’ve volunteered to lead a new quest,” Darktail replied. “To show that I’m serious about helping SkyClan to find the spark that remains.”
“That’s your plan to fix things?” Hawkwing’s anger surged up again, and he put all the derision he could into the words. “You nearly got us killed on the last quest. Why should we trust you?”
“Because this time I’m putting my pelt in danger,” Darktail replied, an edge to his voice. “If I’m leading the quest, I’ll share in any hazards we face. Besides, I’ve made contact with a friend of mine—a cat named Rain. He’ll come on the quest with us, and give us more guidance.”
Hawkwing wasn’t sure about that. Another rogue? Another cat we’ve never heard of, and shouldn’t trust! But before he could voice a protest, he remembered how he had tried to get Darktail driven out at the Clan meeting. And look where that got me!
He shrugged. “Fine. So go, then.”
Darktail seemed unoffended by Hawkwing’s curt response. “I know that I owe you a debt,” he meowed. “You were kind enough to bring me into the Clan, and then I put you in danger—even though that was the last thing I wanted. But I’m going to make it up to you.”
Yeah, right. Hawkwing flicked his ears. “How?”
“I’m going to go to Leafstar and insist that you’re allowed to come along on this next quest. I’ve talked to Rain,” he went on rapidly, before Hawkwing could respond, “and I think I’ve figured out where my directions went wrong. So now I know where we need to go! And I want you there, Hawkwing, because I think you deserve to be part of the group that finds the spark that remains and dispels the darkness. You should be part of the group that saves SkyClan.”
A mixture of emotions rushed over Hawkwing, like a river in spate that threatened to carry him off his paws. He was annoyed that Darktail had been named leader of a quest. He’s only been here for a couple of heartbeats! But along with that anger came doubt. Why would Darktail offer to lead us himself if he meant to do us harm?
Even stronger than both these feelings was pride that Darktail would honor him in this way, and vouch for him to his Clan leader, especially after all Hawkwing had said to him at the meeting.
Unsure how to respond, Hawkwing looked toward Echosong for guidance, but the medicine cat was curled up in her nest, letting out gentle snores with her tail over her nose.
“Well, I don’t think you’ll be able to persuade Leafstar,” Hawkwing told Darktail as the deflating thought came to him. I’m sure she is still upset with me. “I’ve been too quick to lose my temper lately. That’s what put me in here,” he added, gesturing toward the pile of herbs with his tail. “When I’m angry, I get hot-headed and make rash decisions. That wouldn’t be good on a quest.”
Darktail huffed out a breath, half contemptuous, half amused. “I don’t agree. The cat with a temper, the cat who’s the quickest to swipe a claw, is often the cat most likely to survive. Being a bit hot-headed, a bit impulsive, makes you a great asset to your Clan. You should never forget that, Hawkwing.”
As the white tom spoke, Hawkwing found his feelings, still bruised from his father’s scolding the day before, gradually soothed. Maybe Darktail has a point. And maybe, if I’m allowed to go on this quest, I can prove that I am an asset to my Clan, hot temper and all!
Sunhigh had almost arrived by the time Hawkwing had finished his tasks in the medicine cats’ den. Leaving Echosong still sleeping, he padded out into the camp and headed toward the fresh-kill pile. He noticed that the hunting patrols had returned, and most of his Clanmates were clustered around the prey.
Hmm . . . it’s not a massive pile, but it looks as if we’ll all get fed.
Hawkwing had joined the others, and chosen a blackbird for himself, before he spotted a stranger in the camp, a handsome gray tom who was standing beside Darktail.
“This is Rain,” Darktail meowed, dipping his head with the deepest respect to Leafstar and Sharpclaw, who stood in
front of him, eyeing the newcomer warily. “He’s been living close by, but he hasn’t tried to cross your borders until now.”
“Just as well,” Sharpclaw growled, sliding out his claws and inspecting Rain through narrowed green eyes.
“He would never do that,” Darktail assured the Clan leader and her deputy. “And I would never even think of bringing a new rogue to stay in SkyClan’s camp. It’s not my place to do that, not without permission.”
“So why is he here?” Leafstar asked, her even tone giving nothing away of how she felt.
“Rain thinks he knows where the Clan cats are living,” Darktail explained. “And he’s willing to come on the quest to help find them.”
“I’m happy to do what I can,” Rain added with a polite nod.
“Then thank you, Rain,” Leafstar mewed, warmth creeping into her voice. “You’re welcome to our camp.”
Hawkwing paused in gulping down his blackbird, wondering whether Darktail had really meant what he had said earlier in the medicine cats’ den. His belly started to churn with anxiety.
“There’s one more thing, Leafstar,” Darktail continued. “I wondered if you would allow Hawkwing to come on this next quest with us.”
“Hawkwing?” Leafstar sounded doubtful. “He’s still being punished for the way he behaved at the meeting.”
“I know.” Darktail twitched his whiskers. “But he’s a good, strong cat, and very brave. There are so many dangers out there, beyond the borders of your territory, that I think it would be a good idea to have a cat with us who doesn’t hesitate to fight.”
“He has a point.” Leafstar leaned across to murmur into Sharpclaw’s ear.
“It will be for the good of the Clan to let him come,” Darktail went on, obviously encouraged by Leafstar’s comment. “What better way for him to make up for losing his temper at the meeting, than to help his Clan find the spark that remains and dispel the darkness?”
Leafstar glanced around until she spotted Hawkwing, who tried to look as if he hadn’t been listening the whole time. By now he was so excited that his belly was churning even harder, and he was afraid that he might throw up the prey he had just eaten.