CHAPTER TEN
A breeze blew through the high branches of Fourtrees, and a full moon floated high in the sky overhead. Thunderstar leaped up onto the Great Rock beside Skystar and Windstar, leaving his Clanmates to mingle with the other cats of SkyClan and WindClan.
“Where are the others?” he asked.
“ShadowClan’s just coming now,” Windstar replied, nodding toward the edge of the hollow, where a slender black she-cat was leading a stream of cats into the clearing.
“I can hear RiverClan,” Skystar mewed. “And smell fish.” All three cats purred with amusement—Riverstar was a wise and generous leader, but his Clan’s diet left them all with a very identifiable odor.
In just a few heartbeats, the other two leaders had joined them on the Great Rock, and Windstar called the cats in the hollow below them to order.
“What news?” she asked, looking around at the other leaders.
“I’ll go first, if you don’t mind,” Thunderstar mewed. “We have a lot of news in ThunderClan.”
“Starting with your new kits, I assume?” Shadowstar asked with a purr. There were meows of excitement and congratulation from the cats of all five Clans.
“Yes,” Thunderstar said, warmth creeping through his pelt. “Violet Dawn and I welcomed four healthy kits, two toms and two she-cats. They’re all doing really well, and so is Violet Dawn.”
“I’m very happy for you, and I know all of RiverClan is, too,” Riverstar mewed, and Windstar and Shadowstar chimed in with their own congratulations.
“Give Violet Dawn all our best wishes,” Windstar added. “Maybe in a few moons she’ll come to a Gathering again.”
“I can’t wait to meet the kits.” Skystar’s blue eyes were shining. “My own kit with kits.” He draped his tail across Thunderstar’s. “I only wish Gray Wing was here. He would have been so proud of you.”
Thunderstar felt unexpectedly touched by the sincere happiness in Skystar’s voice. Part of me still wants Skystar’s approval, he realized. And it would be good for the kits to have kin in his father’s Clan, if they ever needed SkyClan’s help.
“I have sad news, too.” Thunderstar waited for the Clans to quiet, every face turned up to him attentively. “We sent word that the dogs were no longer a threat, but I didn’t tell you that we paid a terrible price. Lightning Tail was killed fighting the dogs.”
There were murmurs of dismay from every Clan. Every cat had liked and respected Lightning Tail.
Windstar bowed her head in sorrow. Lightning Tail had been born and grown up in her group on the moor, and she knew him well. “WindClan will mourn Lightning Tail,” she mewed, and the other leaders agreed.
“I kept vigil over his body through the night after he died,” Thunderstar added. “It gave me a chance to remember him, and to say good-bye.”
“Did it give you peace?” Riverstar asked solemnly.
“It did,” Thunderstar mewed. “And it felt right. It felt like a way to honor all he’d done for me.”
Riverstar nodded. “It’s a good idea to show respect to our dead,” he said.
The other leaders agreed, murmuring thoughtfully.
“Perhaps we can all honor our warriors by spending a last night with them before they pass on to StarClan,” Shadowstar added solemnly.
“Have you chosen your new deputy?” Skystar asked. “You can’t leave your Clan without one. What if something happened to you?”
Shadowstar agreed. “And you need a cat to help you run the everyday life of the Clan.”
Thunderstar looked around the hollow. His gaze sought out Skystar’s deputy Sparrow Fur; Windstar’s mate and deputy, Gorse Fur; Riverstar’s deputy, Night; Shadowstar’s deputy, Sun Shadow. All cats who were absolutely trusted by their leaders, who had proved themselves good friends and wise advisors. They were all admired and respected by their Clans.
Thunderstar looked over his own Clan: generous Pink Eyes, brave Snail Shell, clever Blue Whisker, strong hunter Leaf. They were all fine cats. None of them were Lightning Tail. No cat was.
A breeze ran through his pelt, almost like the brush of a tail across his back, and for a moment Thunderstar almost thought he heard the purr of his oldest friend.
If Lightning Tail were here, he would tell me not to be a mouse-brain, he thought. The Clan needs a deputy, and there’s one cat who’s right for the job. I decided the night the kits were born; I just haven’t been able to bring myself to tell the Clan.
“Thunder Clan’s new deputy will be Owl Eyes,” he announced. His mew felt rusty and stiff to him at first, but his voice rose and got more confident as he went on. “He’s proved himself more than deserving.”
“Hooray!” Apple Blossom burst out from the crowd below, and there were mrrows of laughter from all around her. “Sorry, Thunderstar.”
All the ThunderClan cats looked pleased, and the cats of the other Clans were nodding in approval. Thunderstar caught sight of Owl Eyes himself, looking stunned and happy, near the base of the Great Rock.
He’s the obvious choice, Thunderstar thought. Now I just have to be fair to him. He’ll be a great deputy and I can’t hold it against him that he’s not Lightning Tail.
After the meeting, Thunderstar caught up to Owl Eyes. “I’m sorry to spring that on you,” he mewed. “I hope you do want to be deputy. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and I think you’ll be great.”
“I do. I do want to be deputy,” Owl Eyes answered quickly, tripping over his words. His round amber eyes were shining with emotion and excitement. “I just—I won’t let you down, Thunderstar.”
“I know you won’t.” Thunderstar was surprised to find that he meant it.
Owl Eyes suddenly looked solemn. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be as good a deputy as Lightning Tail was. He always knew what to do. But I’ll honor him by trying my best every day, I promise.”
Thunderstar purred. “You know, even Lightning Tail didn’t always know what he was doing. Remember when he was playing with Clover and Thistle when they were kits and he slipped and sent the whole prey pile flying?”
Owl Eyes twitched his whiskers in amusement. “I had forgotten that.”
“Lightning Tail made mistakes sometimes,” Thunderstar told him. “Every cat does. But he tried his best to take care of his Clan, and that’s all I can ask of you.”
Talking about Lightning Tail made Thunderstar’s heart lighter. He pressed his flank against Owl Eyes’s. “I know you’re going to be a great deputy.”
Back in camp, Thunderstar went into the nursery to check on Violet Dawn and the kits. “I made Owl Eyes deputy,” he told her, lying down next to her and sweeping up the smallest of the kits to cuddle into his side.
“About time,” she replied sleepily. “I told you he was the right choice.”
“Remember that your mother is always right,” Thunderstar instructed the kit, and the kit looked up at him with sleepy blue eyes and yawned, showing sharp white kit-teeth.
“Of course I am,” Violet Dawn mewed contently. “I am also right that you need to name that kit and his sister. I already named Shell Claw and Feather Ear. I can’t go on calling the other two the gray one and the tabby one, especially not now that their eyes are open. They need names.”
“I know,” Thunderstar nuzzled her cheek. “I will before we sleep tonight, I promise.”
He got up and wandered to the door of the nursery, looking out at the camp and watching his Clan settle down to sleep. He saw Owl Eyes bring Milkweed a piece of prey, then distract her kits so she had a moment to eat it. All was well.
In the nursery, there was a tiny mew behind him, and he turned around, feeling the pleasant swell that filled his chest whenever he thought of his kits. Three of the kits were sleeping, nestled against Violet Dawn’s side. But the third, the tabby she-kit, stared up at him with amber eyes that blazed like fire. She was only a quarter-moon old, but he could already see intelligence and courage in her eyes. She was going to be something special; he kn
ew it.
The she-kit rolled over and stretched, showing the lightning-shaped splash of white on her belly. Of course, Thunderstar thought, something special.
“What do you think about Lightning Stripe for her name?” he asked Violet Dawn, and she purred in approval.
“It’s perfect,” she said.
“And the gray one should be Sleek Fur,” Thunderstar said, looking down at the sleeping tom affectionately. “He has the softest fur I’ve ever felt.”
“Wonderful,” Violet Dawn said. “Thank StarClan they have names now. I wouldn’t want them getting jealous of their littermates.”
A cool breeze ruffled Thunderstar’s fur, and he glanced back out of the nursery into the clearing outside. Clouds were gathering overhead; it looked like a storm was brewing. A flash of lightning lit up the sky for a moment, followed by a rumble of thunder that echoed around the camp.
Thunderstar purred. Lightning and thunder together, just like he and Lightning Tail had always been.
He knew that, from now on, whenever he saw lightning in the sky, he would remember the best friend he had ever had. And his own kit, beautiful, spirited Lightning Stripe, would remind him of his first deputy every day.
It was all right to be happy again, to look forward to his kits’ growing up, to accept his new deputy. He hadn’t lost Lightning Tail, not forever.
Lightning Tail will always be with me . . . and with all of ThunderClan.
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 Seekers, Survivors, and Bravelands series.
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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
Book Two: Thunder and Shadow
Book Three: Shattered Sky
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 Super Edition: Hawkwing’s Journey
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
Spottedleaf’s Heart
Pinestar’s Choice
Thunderstar’s Echo
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
Book Three: Into the Shadows
Survivors: Tales from the Packs
NOVELLAS
Alpha’s Tale
Sweet’s Journey
Moon’s Choice
CREDITS
Cover art © 2017 by Owen Richardson
Cover design by Ellice M. Lee
COPYRIGHT
WARRIORS: LEGENDS OF THE CLANS. Spottedleaf’s Heart, Pinestar’s Choice, Thunderstar’s Echo. Series created by Working Partners Limited. Map art ©2017 by Dave Stevenson. Interior art ©2017 by Owen Richardson. 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.
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ISBN 978-0-06-256087-2
EPub Edition © March 2017 ISBN 9780062560889
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FIRST EDITION
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