Leafstar caught Squirrelflight’s eye. “Have you heard from Moonlight? Has she had her kits?”
“She must have,” Squirrelflight told her. “But newborn kits won’t be ready to travel for a while.”
Bramblestar flicked his tail impatiently. “I wish she’d hurry up before we’re all at war,” he growled. He padded toward the Great Oak and leaped onto the lowest branch.
Leafstar dipped her head. “I’d better go too.” Anxiety glittered in her gaze as she turned away and leaped up beside Bramblestar.
Tigerstar, Harestar, and Mistystar followed, eyeing one another accusingly as they took their places in the oak.
Squirrelflight hesitated as the Clans streamed around her. Crowfeather, Reedwhisker, and Cloverfoot jostled for position as they climbed onto the roots of the oak and sat, stiffly ignoring one another as Squirrelflight finally joined them. Only Hawkwing acknowledged her with a polite nod.
As the crowd settled in front of her, pelts shifting in the moonlight, Tigerstar stepped forward. “ThunderClan has given WindClan its land back. RiverClan wants to move our border, and ShadowClan cannot accept that. The only way to avoid war now is to drive the Sisters from their camp.”
Scorchfur whisked his tail eagerly. “That’s right. Why fight one another when
Dread wormed beneath Squirrelflight’s pelt as yowls of agreement rose among the Clans.
“We must wait!” Bramblestar’s growl silenced them. He eyed Tigerstar sharply. “Has StarClan sent word yet? Did any medicine cat get an answer from them at their half-moon meeting?”
“Not yet,” Tigerstar snorted. “But silence could mean anything. You’re just playing for time. Why are you so loyal to these rogues?”
Bramblestar bristled. “I’m not loyal to them.”
“Then why are you determined to defend them?”
Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. “I don’t think we should take the Sisters’ land until SkyClan has agreed to move there.”
“SkyClan would be mouse-brained to turn down that land.” Tigerstar lashed his tail. “It’s good land, and we won’t let them stay on our territory forever.”
“You
Tigerstar curled his lip. “And we can take it back, just like WindClan took
“I gave it to them,” Bramblestar retorted. “I was trying to keep the peace,”
Tigerstar rounded his eyes innocently. “That’s all I want,” he meowed. “To keep the peace.”
“By starting a war against the Sisters?” Bramblestar stared at him indignantly.
Squirrelflight realized she was holding her breath. Bramblestar was defending the Sisters. Hope flashed beneath her pelt.
Tigerstar’s tail flicked ominously. “I will fight the Sisters if it means peace among the Clans. Isn’t that what StarClan wants?”
Bramblestar held his ground. “You’re trying to force SkyClan to move again! Look what happened last time you drove them out. A storm nearly killed us all.”
“This time SkyClan
Leafstar hesitated.
“Right?” Tigerstar glared at her.
“I don’t want the land if it means hurting the Sisters,” Leafstar told him, her gaze clouding with uncertainty.
A snarl rang from the back of the clearing as Emberfoot jeered at the SkyClan leader. “You’d rather see war in the Clans than chase a few rogues from land they don’t even want?”
Yowls of agreement exploded around him and rippled through the crowd.
Squirrelflight froze. She pictured the Sisters going about their duties, unaware of the storm building here, ready to sweep them away. Her paws pricked with fear.
Leafstar stared desperately at Tigerstar. “Why can’t we wait until the Sisters leave?”
Harestar flattened his ears. “Why should we?”
“The Sisters don’t need that land!” Mistystar snapped.
Tigerstar held Leafstar’s gaze. “Is SkyClan willing to move?”
“Not yet,” Leafstar answered shakily.
“But would you move once the Sisters are gone?” Tigerstar pressed.
Leafstar stared at him, then nodded. “Yes.”
Tigerstar rounded on Bramblestar. “SkyClan has made its decision. They want to move. Now ThunderClan must support us. The Sisters have to leave.”
Squirrelflight’s heart pressed in her throat as Bramblestar hesitated.
“Silence!” Bramblestar cut her off with a look. It glittered with rage. “My deputy does not speak for me.” As he dragged his gaze back to Tigerstar, Squirrelflight felt numb. She stared at him. Was Bramblestar going to declare war on the Sisters? Five Clans against a small band of she-cats, and possibly a squealing litter of newborn kits. Shame washed Squirrelflight’s pelt. Was there no honor left in the Clans?
Bramblestar squared his shoulders. “ThunderClan won’t join a war,” he growled.
Tigerstar’s gaze flashed. “But you won’t stop us?”
