A Light in the Mist by Erin Hunter

Author:Erin Hunter [Hunter, Erin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2021-08-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Shadowsight paused for breath. The climb had been steep and his wounds ached, but he was almost there. He glanced up at the lip of the Moonpool hollow. Beyond it, the milky blue sky promised dawn. The sun would be rising soon.

Lightleap called down to him. “Hurry.” Her mew was half whispered. She was supposed to come alone. The Sisters had ordered it. But Shadowsight had promised Dovewing he’d escort his sister safely to the hollow, hoping that by hanging back from the Moonpool itself, he would be doing enough to respect the Sisters’ wishes. Though he and Dovewing knew that there was far more danger waiting for Lightleap once she reached the Moonpool than there would be on the journey through the Clans’ territory, he could not let her leave on such a dangerous mission without saying good-bye.

Shadowsight scrambled up the last few boulders as his sister disappeared over the top. He followed her onto the smooth stone sloping down to the Moonpool, his heart aching. In the dawn light, the hollow looked as though it were underwater, swathed in blue shadow, waiting for the sun to lift over the enclosing cliffs and flood it with light He was surprised to see Graystripe and Squirrelflight waiting at the top beside Lightleap. Apparently they, too, had decided to bend the Sisters’ rule. Mistystar and Reedwhisker were there too, shifting nervously in the half-light, and Shadowsight wondered which of them would be going into the Dark Forest. He assumed it must be Reedwhisker; Mistystar had seemed so conflicted about the plan earlier. Breezepelt was with Crowfeather, and Violetshine, Tree, and Needleclaw had come together. Which of them would be accompanying Lightleap on this mission?

As Tree dipped his head in greeting, Mistystar glanced in surprise at Lightleap, and then at Shadowsight’s injured leg. “Which one of you is going?”

“I am.” Lightleap lifted her chin.

Mistystar’s ears twitched uneasily. Had she expected Tigerstar to send a more experienced cat? Or a warrior that wasn’t his kin? Perhaps she thought Shadowsight should go, return to the Dark Forest despite his injuries.

Shadowsight glanced down the slope. The Sisters were huddled beside the Moonpool, their heads bowed together as they prepared for the ritual. There was still time for him to warn the volunteers what they would face. The Dark Forest had changed so much under Ashfur’s rule that even the cats who’d traveled there during the Great Battle, like Breezepelt, could tell the volunteers little that would help them now. Shadowsight’s knowledge was valuable, even if his injuries kept him from being a strong fighter. He wondered perhaps if that was also why he’d decided to come.

“Which of you is going?” He glanced around at the Clan cats.

“I am.” Mistystar was the first to answer. Shadowsight nodded, trying to hide his surprise. I suppose even leaders can have a change of heart.

“And me.” Violetshine dipped her head.

Crowfeather gave a curt nod, his eyes narrow, and Shadowsight guessed that this was the WindClan deputy’s way of announcing his part in the mission.

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