“I-I don’t know,” Leafpool stammered. “They’ve never hidden the sun, only the moon.”

Why send a message now? They hadn’t given any warning before.

Jaypaw’s blood turned to ice.

This was nothing to do with StarClan. It was Sol who had warned them about this. Sol who had told them a darkness was coming, a darkness that was beyond the control of StarClan, beyond even their powers of sight. Sol had tried to warn them that the sun would disappear, but they hadn’t listened to him.

Wailing swept down toward the camp, and paws thundered near the barrier.

Were they being attacked?

Graystripe’s claws sprayed earth as he dashed to the camp entrance. Brightheart hurtled after him.

Jaypaw held his breath as the thorn barrier rattled and cats exploded into the clearing.

ThunderClan.

Jaypaw smelled the raw fear-scent of his Clanmates returning from battle, along with the stench of blood. Wounded cats, too scared to worry about their injuries.

“Why is this happening?”

“Where’s the sun gone?”

“Has StarClan abandoned us?”

Terror pulsed from every pelt.

“Can we hide in the nursery?” Icepaw begged Ferncloud.

Lionpaw tore through the thorn tunnel and skidded to a halt beside Jaypaw. Hollypaw was at his heels.

Jaypaw sniffed them quickly, relieved to find they weren’t badly wounded. “Has the sun really gone out?”

“Yes.” Lionpaw kneaded the ground.

“Is it dark like nighttime?”

“More like dusk.” Hollypaw weaved around him, her fur bristling.

“But the sun’s really gone?”

Lionpaw brushed his tail against Jaypaw’s shoulder. “There’s a thin circle of flame in the sky, where it used to be. But the rest of the sun has been covered up.”

Why can’t I see?

“Is everyone safe?” Firestar demanded.

“As safe as any cat,” Graystripe growled. “Where are the other Clans?”

“Fled back to their territories,” Brambleclaw called from the barrier.

Whimpers and yowls rippled through the Clan.

“Ferncloud!” Icepaw mewled. “Where are you? I can hardly see!”

“Everybody keep calm!” Firestar ordered. “I don’t know what’s happening. But we are warriors, and we must face it with courage.”

Slowly the Clan began to quiet.

He padded toward Leafpool. “Can you tell us what is happening?”

Will she mention Sol’s warning?

“StarClan hasn’t spoken to me directly,” she mewed.

Jaypaw flexed his claws. Because they didn’t know….

“This must be an omen,” Leafpool continued. “To stop the battle.”

“But the battle wasn’t our fault!” Hazeltail wailed.

“WindClan started it,” hissed Whitewing.

“Why do we have to suffer?” Ferncloud yowled.

Leafpool’s tail stirred the air. “But it has ended the battle. That must be what StarClan intended.”

“Are we going to live in darkness from now on?” Thornclaw sounded more outraged than scared.

“Wait!” Leafpool called. “It’s getting lighter. The sun’s coming back!”

CHAPTER 17