Mistystar’s Omen

The cats closest to them pricked their ears, and Mistyfoot felt their gazes prick her pelt. She nodded and stood up. “Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!”

At once the line of cats stopped moving and turned to face her. They all knew what was coming. Would they approve of her choice? Mistyfoot wondered. Once more she felt her legs tremble beneath the weight of new duties, and she took a step toward Mothwing so she could draw strength from the warmth of the medicine cat’s fur.

“It is time for me to name my deputy,” Mistyfoot announced, her voice sounding sharp and high-pitched in the cool night air. “Reedwhisker, I invite you to walk beside me and help me to lead this Clan. May StarClan hear and approve my choice.”

There was a moment of silence; then the cats broke into cheers. “Reedwhisker! Congratulations!”

Mistyfoot’s son stepped forward, his dark gray eyes shining. “I am honored to be chosen,” he purred. “And I will lay down my life to protect you and my Clanmates.”

“Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Mistyfoot told him. She stretched out her neck to rest her muzzle on top of his head. Reedwhisker’s fur still smelled as it had when he was her kit.

There was a cross-sounding mutter from the shadows at the edge of the clearing: “I bet she only chose him because he’s her son!”

“Hush, Mossypaw!” snapped Minnowtail. “Reedwhisker is a loyal and brave warrior, and will make a great deputy.”

I hope so, thought Mistyfoot. She had expected some criticism for naming her son as her deputy, but she wanted to believe that wasn’t the reason behind her decision.

“A brave choice,” murmured Mothwing in her ear. “But the right one, I think.”

Mistyfoot felt a bit better, but she would have been more comforted if Mothwing had mentioned some sign of approval from StarClan, or even an omen that foresaw her announcement.

“Excuse me, Mistyfoot?” Duskfur was standing in front of her. “Is it okay if I take my little ones off now? They’re getting tired.”

Mistyfoot looked at the two kits, who were yawning and blinking their huge, round eyes. “Of course,” she purred.

As Duskfur herded her family across the clearing, the line of cats started moving again.

“Farewell, Leopardstar. May you have good hunting in StarClan.”

“We’ll meet again, old friend. Save me a place to enjoy the sun.”

“Wow! I’ve never seen a dead body before! What’s all that green stuff on her fur?”

“Rushpaw, go to your den if you can’t behave properly. And put that watermint down!”

Finally Mistyfoot was alone in the clearing with Leopardstar and the elders, who would stay beside their former leader all night. Mistyfoot bent and touched her muzzle to Leopardstar’s cool, leaf-thin ear. “May the sun warm your back and the fish leap into your paws,” she murmured.

“I haven’t heard that said for a long time,” rasped Pouncetail. “Not since we lived in the forest.”

“Graypool used to say it when Stonefur and I were going to sleep,” Mistyfoot mewed. “It was her way of wishing us good dreams.”

“Ah, Stonefur,” sighed Pouncetail. “I still miss him.” He looked at Mistyfoot, narrowing his eyes through the gloom. “You had much to forgive Leopardstar for, didn’t you?”

Mistyfoot swallowed. “She was a good leader for most of her life,” she replied. “That is what she should be remembered for.” She lay down with her nose pressed against Leopardstar’s fur. I promise to be the strongest, wisest leader I can be. I will do my best to echo your loyalty to RiverClan and your courage to speak out on our behalf, and I will learn from your mistakes. I know that I don’t need to prove to the other Clans that RiverClan is the strongest or most powerful. I just want my Clanmates to be happy and at peace.

“And that is the best ambition of all,” murmured a voice behind her.

Mistyfoot sprang up and spun around. A gray cat stood behind her, this thick fur glowing with starlight. “Stonefur!”

The cat nodded. “Did you think I would miss this night?” he meowed. “I have been watching you all this time, and I am so proud that you are going to lead our Clan.”

Mistyfoot’s tail drooped. “It should have been you.”

Stonefur shook his head. “That was not my destiny. I wish you well, Mistyfoot. You will need great courage for what lies ahead, but remember that you are not alone. I will always walk beside you. We will meet again soon.”

His fur began to fade, until Mistyfoot could see the dark leaves on the bushes behind him. “Wait!” she called. “What do you mean? Why will I need great courage? Is there a battle coming?”