Path of Stars (5 page)

Clear Sky jerked his gaze expectantly toward Gray Wing. “Is Wind Runner with you? I must speak with her.” He slid past Gray Wing and peered through the gap in the gorse. “Reed told me you were hunting together.”

“She's on the moortop,” Gray Wing told him.

Slate blinked at Clear Sky. “Should I fetch her?”

“Fetch her?” Clear Sky echoed, his thoughts clearly distracted.

Gray Wing noticed his brother's unkempt pelt. The fur around his neck clumped in thick spikes. Something was wrong. He nodded to Slate. “Go and get Wind Runner.” She clearly recognized the urgency in his mew and dashed from
the camp. Gray Wing searched Clear Sky's gaze, alarmed to see fear sparking in its blue depths. Something was
very
wrong. “What's happened?”

“They've taken Star Flower!” Clear Sky kept pacing.

“Who's taken Star Flower?” Gray Wing's heart quickened.

Tall Shadow padded forward. “Slash and his rogues.”

Gray Wing's thoughts whirled.
Slash!
The cat who had been using Fern to spy on Tall Shadow's group! He'd left Fern in Tall Shadow's care, though he hadn't told the black she-cat why. He hadn't wanted to worry her. Had he been foolish to leave one of Slash's rogues among the forest cats? “Where's Fern?”

“Fern?” Tall Shadow blinked at him. “She left us soon after you did.”

Alarm pricked beneath Gray Wing's pelt. Had she been spying for Slash all along? “Did she say why?”

“No.” Tall Shadow tipped her head curiously. “She just disappeared. I wasn't surprised. She couldn't seem to settle. It was like she had something on her mind. As though she was frightened.”

Why hadn't Fern stayed with Tall Shadow's group? Hadn't she felt safe, even there? Fear wormed beneath Gray Wing's pelt. Slash was clearly more dangerous than he'd imagined.

Clear Sky stepped between Gray Wing and Tall Shadow. “Why are you talking about Fern? What's she got to do with this?”

“She was one of Slash's campmates,” Gray Wing explained. “I tried to help her escape from him.”

Tall Shadow shot him a look. “Why didn't you tell me?”

Clear Sky flexed his claws. “I didn't come here to talk about Fern!” he snapped. “They've taken Star Flower! Don't you understand?”

As he spoke, Wind Runner burst into the camp, breathless. Slate and Gorse Fur skidded to a halt at her heels. “What's happened?” Wind Runner demanded.

Clear Sky turned to her eagerly. “I need your help,” he blurted. “A gang of rogues has taken Star Flower. They're holding her hostage.”

Wind Runner frowned, confusion clouding her gaze. “Why?”

“They want a share of our prey for her safe return.” Clear Sky stared at her urgently.

Wind Runner narrowed her eyes. “Who are these rogues?”

Gray Wing's ear twitched anxiously. “Their leader's called Slash. He's an old friend of One Eye.”

Wind Runner bristled. “And you want us to share our prey with them?”

“Just talk to him,” Clear Sky pleaded. “He wants all the group leaders to meet with him at half-moon to discuss terms.”

Gorse Fur padded forward, ears twitching warily. “Star Flower is One Eye's daughter,” he reminded her. “How do we know she's not a
friend
of Slash?”

Wind Runner's tail quivered. “It might be
her
plan.”

“Never!” Clear Sky glared at the wiry she-cat. “She loves me. She's carrying my kits! Her loyalty lies with her campmates.”

Wind Runner's gaze slid past Clear Sky and rested on Tall Shadow. “Do
you
support Clear Sky?”

Tall Shadow's gaze was dark. “Star Flower spent time in our camp while Quiet Rain was dying. I believe she has the heart of a forest cat, not a rogue. She has turned her back on the life she knew as One Eye's daughter.”

Gray Wing nodded. “Tall Shadow's right. I watched Star Flower care for Clear Sky with kindness and loyalty. She's being held against her will, I'm sure of it.”

Wind Runner glanced at him uncertainly. “That doesn't mean we have to share our prey with this bunch of fox-hearts.”

Panic flashed in Clear Sky's gaze. “You
have
to help!”

Wind Runner looked at him coldly. “We don't have to do anything for you.”

“What if it were you?” Clear Sky demanded. “Imagine they were holding Gorse Fur hostage.
I'd
help you free
him
.”

“Really?” Wind Runner sniffed. “You've never helped
anyone
but yourself.”

“That's not true.” Gray Wing felt a surge of loyalty toward his brother. “He rescued Holly's kits when they went missing!”

Wind Runner kept her gaze fixed on Clear Sky. “This is
your
problem, not ours.”

Gray Wing blinked at her. Surely they had to help save Star Flower.

Clear Sky's eyes widened. “You'd let harm come to Star Flower and my kits?”

Wind Runner hesitated, her fur rippling.

Gray Wing sensed a moment of doubt. “I think we should help,” he murmured softly.

Slate moved closer to Gray Wing. “It's too risky,” she breathed. “These rogues are dangerous.”

“So are we,” Gray Wing growled.

Gorse Fur stepped forward, tail flicking. “But we can't spare any prey!”

“We don't
have
to,” Gray Wing countered. He looked at Clear Sky. “Slash just wants to meet with the group leaders, right?”

Clear Sky nodded. “After he's met with you, he'll return Star Flower.”

“Then it's simple,” Gray Wing urged.

Wind Runner stared at him. “Why should we get involved?”

Gray Wing returned her gaze gravely. “It is our duty to protect Star Flower and her unborn kits.”

Slate moved beside him. “But she's not part of our group.”

Gray Wing met her amber eyes. “If it were you and our unborn kits in danger, I'd want every cat I knew to help save you.”

Her gaze softened.

Wind Runner grunted. “I guess there are kits involved.” She dipped her head. “Very well,” she conceded. “I trust your judgment, Gray Wing. We will meet with these rogues.”

Joy burst in Clear Sky's gaze. “Thank you!”

Tall Shadow got to her paws and shook out her fur. “I'm glad you've chosen to help, Wind Runner.” She began to head for the entrance.

“Are you leaving straightaway?” Wind Runner glanced at her. “Shouldn't we come up with a plan?”

“We can do that later.” Clear Sky began to follow Tall Shadow. “First we need to speak with River Ripple.”

“Hasn't he agreed yet?” Wind Runner's fur pricked along her spine.

“No.” Tall Shadow paused. “But he will.”

Gorse Fur's gaze darkened. “Has Thunder agreed to meet with the rogues?”

Clear Sky glanced at Gray Wing. “He refused.”

Wind Runner exchanged glances with Gorse Fur. “I thought Slash wanted to meet with
all
the leaders. What's the point in going if Thunder won't be there?”

Gray Wing lifted his tail. He could understand why Thunder might be reluctant to help a father who had rejected him so many times, but he knew Thunder had a good heart. He couldn't truly want to risk harm to Star Flower and her unborn kits. “I'll speak to Thunder.”

“Do you think he'll change his mind?” Clear Sky lifted his chin hopefully.

“Thunder will listen to reason,” Gray Wing reassured him.
Especially if I'm the one who reasons with him.
But what would they do at the meeting?

Clear Sky's eyes brimmed with gratitude. “Thank you.”

“Come on,” Tall Shadow urged as she slid out of camp.

As Clear Sky disappeared after her through the gap in the gorse, Gray Wing had an idea.
That's it!

Wind Runner frowned at him. “Do you really think it's a
good idea to meet with these rogues and promise them a share of our prey?”

Gray Wing's whiskers twitched. “We only promised to
meet
the rogues. We never promised our prey.”

Wind Runner's eyes widened. “But what will they do when we refuse—”

Gray Wing interrupted her. “They won't be able to do anything,” he told her. “I have a plan.”

Clear Sky's pelt rippled along his
spine. Above him, the half-moon shone in a crow-black sky. The last leaves of leaf-fall fluttered around him as a bone-deep chill gripped the forest. He pricked his ears, listening for the reassuring patter of prey or the call of an owl. But the forest had been silent since he'd left camp. It was as though everything was waiting for the outcome of tonight's meeting.

Who would come?

Clear Sky quickened his pace as he neared the rim of the four trees hollow.

Tall Shadow had promised she'd be there; Wind Runner, too. He knew River Ripple would be true to his word. The leader of the river cats was probably already waiting for him beneath the great oaks. But what about Thunder? Had Gray Wing managed to persuade him?

Fear sparked through Clear Sky's blood. The long quarter moon of sleepless nights had exhausted him. Fear was his only energy now. And hope. He longed to see Star Flower's face. He hurried faster as he imagined her waiting beside Slash in the four trees hollow. Would she be okay? Had the rogues
treated her well? He tried not to think what she might have suffered at their paws.

What if she wasn't there? What if Slash didn't show up?
It might be a trick.
He tried to silence the echoing doubt that had nagged him day and night. What if calling the leaders to a meeting was part of a scheme to leave the camps vulnerable?

Clear Sky narrowed his eyes. He'd made sure his campmates were prepared, assigning each cat to a position and warning them to be on their guard. Nettle and Thorn were stationed at the camp entrance. Birch and Alder stalked the woods for signs of intruders. Sparrow Fur and Blossom watched from the oak bough that overhung the clearing, while Acorn Fur and Quick Water hid in the shadows below. If any rogue tried to invade, they would meet fierce resistance. He hoped the other leaders had taken similar precautions.

“Clear Sky?”

As he neared the top of the four trees hollow, a call echoed through the trees. He stopped, his heart quickening.

The voice sounded again. “Is that you?”

He recognized Tall Shadow's mew. Tasting for her scent, he hurried forward, his apprehension easing as her familiar smell bathed his tongue.

She slid out of the darkness, hardly more than a shadow herself. “River Ripple's waiting at the other side of the hollow.” She led him from the cover of the forest and stopped at the top of the slope. Clear Sky padded after her and followed her gaze toward the shape at the hollow's rim on the far side. It was River Ripple, a pale silhouette against the undergrowth.

Tall Shadow plunged over the edge of the slope and
threaded her way through the bracken. Clear Sky followed, nosing through the fronds as he tracked her zigzagging route to the bottom.

Grass swished on the far side as River Ripple hurried to meet them, his long silver fur rippling in the moonlight.

Clear Sky broke from the bracken and padded into the clearing. Cold washed over his face. Chilly air had pooled at the bottom of the hollow, and he moved through it like a fish through icy water. Heat pulsed beneath his pelt as he struggled against fear. He scanned the clearing quickly, his heart beating so hard that he could hear his blood pulsing in his ears. At one end, the great rock rose in the moonlight like a massive curled claw. Beyond it he saw, with a surge of gratitude, Wind Runner's wiry frame. She was heading toward him.

He strained to see past her through the darkness. Had Gray Wing persuaded Thunder to come too?

Bracken rustled on the forest slope behind him. Clear Sky jerked his head around and recognized his son's broad shoulders as Thunder pushed his way into the clearing. His orange pelt glowed blue in the moonlight.

“Thunder!” Joy flooded Clear Sky's belly. He ignored the prick of resentment he felt at the fact that Gray Wing had persuaded his son to help him when he had failed. But how could he begrudge Gray Wing his influence? He had been more of a father to Thunder than Clear Sky ever had.

Tall Shadow and River Ripple stopped beside Clear Sky and waited for Thunder to join them.

“I can smell rogue scent,” Thunder growled.

“Is it fresh?” Wind Runner asked.

A voice rang from the great rock. “Of course it's fresh.” There was amusement in the mew.

Clear Sky spun and stared up at the rock. His breath caught in his throat. He'd waited a quarter moon for this moment. Dread spiked his pelt. He could smell rogue stench, and the scent of the other leaders, but something was missing.

Slash stood on top. Six rogues flanked him. They watched, as unmoving as stone in the moonlight, their dull pelts clinging to their lean bodies. The gleam in their eyes betrayed menace behind their stillness.

“I hoped you would come.” Slash padded to the edge of the rock and looked down, scorn flashing in his gaze.

Clear Sky curled his lip as anger swept his fear away. “You gave us no choice.”

Slash snorted. “I gave
you
no choice, Clear Sky.” His gaze flicked to the other leaders. “
They
have no reason to be here. What do they care if you never see Star Flower or your kits again?”

Clear Sky's heart lurched. “Then why did you insist I bring them with me?”

Amusement flickered through Slash's whiskers. “I just wanted to see if you could persuade them.”

Wind Runner flicked her tail angrily. “What if he hadn't?”

“I'd have dealt with Star Flower and found another way to make you share your prey,” Slash told her.

Dealt with Star Flower?
Clear Sky's tail twitched with fear. What did he mean? He suddenly felt as helpless as a kit. Where
was
she? He opened his mouth, reaching for her scent
and realizing with a jolt which scent had been missing.
Hers!

Thunder bristled. “How dare you threaten us!”

Slash flicked his tail, his gaze flashing toward the other rogues. They moved forward, hissing, and stood at the edge of the rock. “Do you really want to argue with me, Thunder?” Slash asked.

Thunder flattened his ears. “What makes you so sure we'll agree to share our prey?”

Slash's gaze flicked over the leaders. “The same thing that made you come tonight. You don't want to see Clear Sky lose his mate and his kits.”

Clear Sky darted forward, snarling up at the great rock. “Where
is
Star Flower?” Panic quickened his thoughts. Terror hollowed his belly. “Is she okay?”

Slash paused, his gaze burning into Clear Sky's.

Rage seized Clear Sky. The rogue was playing with him like prey, prolonging his suffering for his own warped enjoyment.
“Where is she?”
he repeated.

Fur brushed his flank. He jerked around, bristling.

River Ripple stopped beside him. “Don't let him rile you,” the silver-furred tom murmured. “He wants to cloud your thoughts, but you need to keep a clear head.”

Clear Sky took in River Ripple's soothing gaze. He felt his breathing ease and his heart slow as the silver tom's calmness seemed to seep into him. Steadying his paws, he turned back to Slash. “You promised to return Star Flower if I brought the other leaders here.”

Slash tipped his head. “If I gave you Star Flower now, what
incentive would you have to honor the agreement we will make tonight?”

Clear Sky dug his claws into the cold earth. “No one will agree to anything until Star Flower is safely returned.”

Slash flattened his ears and peered over the edge of the rock. “I'm afraid that isn't something you get to decide. If you want to see your mate or your kits alive, you will meet my demands.”

Cold fear seeped beneath Clear Sky's pelt. Words dried in his mouth.

“What are your demands, exactly?” Thunder's steady mew sounded behind him.

“For every five pieces of prey you catch, I want one,” Slash told him simply. “My rogues will visit you each day to collect our share.”

Wind Runner glared at the rogue. “We'll starve!”

Thunder growled. “We're not going hungry to feed you!”

Slash narrowed his eyes. “Why should
you
grow fat on prey from
our
land?”

“No one will grow fat this leaf-bare,” Tall Shadow spat. “There's hardly enough prey for ourselves. There's certainly not enough to share with you.”

“That's not my problem,” Slash answered back. “If you want to live on our land, then you must share what you catch there.”

“It's not your land!” Thunder hissed.

“It's not your land either. You took it without asking,” Slash snapped. “You force us to roam the edges and live off your scraps.”

“You've
always
roamed the edges of other cats' land,” Wind Runner snarled. “You know no other way. Your kind has been bullying others to hunt for them since I was a kit.”

Clear Sky's thoughts whirled. Why were they arguing over
land
? This meeting was about Star Flower. Why weren't the other leaders trying to save her?

River Ripple eyed Slash coldly. “Why do you stay? The moor, the river, and the forest mean nothing to you. New lands stretch as far as the horizon. Why not go and hunt somewhere else?”

“Why should we bother when we have you to hunt for us?” Slash began to pace the edge of the rock, his rogues moving back to let him pass. “You pride yourself on your hunting skills. Isn't this a perfect chance to show them off? And I think I've given you enough incentive. . . . Remember, if you don't share your prey, Star Flower will die.”

No!
Clear Sky's breath caught in his throat. “What if we gave you one piece of prey in ten?” he blurted.

Slash's ears twitched. “That's not very generous.”

“One in seven?” Clear Sky's mew was husky with desperation. He glanced over his shoulder at the other leaders, silently pleading for them to back him up. “One in seven isn't much to ask,” he rasped. “It'll be newleaf before we know it, and the land will be prey-rich again.”

Thunder avoided meeting his eyes. Tall Shadow blinked at him apologetically. Wind Runner's gaze was too narrow to read.

River Ripple stepped closer to the great rock and stared up
at Slash. “Our campmates will not go hungry to feed yours.”

Clear Sky felt sick. Didn't they care if Star Flower died? He broke from River Ripple's side and hurried to Thunder. “You can't do this!” He snapped his gaze to Wind Runner. “You have to help save her!” Tall Shadow backed away as he glared at her. “You promised that you'd help me!”

A low growl sounded in Slash's throat. Clear Sky turned to face him. The rogues paced menacingly around their leader.

“Give me a chance to persuade them,” Clear Sky begged.

Slash scowled. “Clearly your friends don't care if Star Flower dies,” he snarled. “But don't worry. You won't be the only one to pay for this.” His claws scraped the stone. “None of you realize the danger you face. My rogues outnumber you. They are more savage than any of you can imagine. If you value your prey more than the lives of your kits and your campmates, then you are free to refuse me.”

Thunder lifted his chin. “You're bluffing.”

Tall Shadow hissed at Slash. “Why should we believe a word you say?”

“For all we know,” Wind Runner added, “every one of your campmates is beside you right now.”

“Are you willing to take that chance?” Slash eyed her menacingly.

She didn't flinch. “Yes.”

“Yes.” Thunder stepped forward.

“Yes.” Tall Shadow lashed her tail.

“No!”
Clear Sky looked desperately at River Ripple. Surely
he
wouldn't let this happen. “Don't you understand? He's
going to kill Star Flower!”

River Ripple's eyes rounded with sympathy. “We can't give in to this bully,” he meowed softly. “He will only return with more demands until we
all
starve.”

“So you're going to sacrifice my mate?” Clear Sky could hardly believe his ears. “The mother of my kits?”