Leafpool slid out of her den. Jaypaw padded after her, yawning.

“We need more marigold,” she mewed. “Squirrelflight’s wound is healing nicely, but I want to be ready for any late infections. We can’t risk taking anything for granted.” She glanced nervously up at the sun, rising over the trees at the rim of the hollow.

“I’ll fetch some this morning,” Jaypaw offered. He stretched, his tail quivering with the effort. “There’s a patch beside the shore.”

“It’ll be the last of the season, I expect.” Leafpool sighed.

“Then I’ll get as much as I can.”

Grit sprinkled down from Highledge. Firestar was sitting outside his cave, washing. His orange pelt turned to fire as the morning light caught it. He gave each ear a quick rub, then gazed down at the camp. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather together!” he called.

Sandstorm looked up, surprised.

Lionpaw straightened. What about the hunt?

The warriors’ den shivered as Brackenfur and Birchfall padded out. Poppyfrost and Berrynose followed, their eyes bleary with sleep. Foxpaw stumbled dozily from the apprentices’ den.

“About time, too!” Sandstorm chided. “I was about to come in and drag you out by your tail.”

Icepaw trotted out after her brother. “Sorry,” she apologized. “I kept him awake last night. We were trying to stay up till you got back from the Gathering.”

Sandstorm glanced at Firestar. “You’ll hear about it soon enough.”

Lionpaw padded beneath Highledge as the Clan gathered. Dustpelt shook sleep from his whiskers, while Thornclaw sat beside him and picked moss from his pelt. Squirrelflight had padded to the edge of the clearing. From the stern looks Leafpool was flashing at her, she was meant to be in her nest.

Hollypaw slid in beside Lionpaw. “What do you think he’s going to tell them?” she whispered.

Lionpaw guessed she was talking about the Gathering. How would Firestar break the news of Blackstar’s revelation to his Clan?

Jaypaw weaved his way among his Clanmates and sat down beside Lionpaw. “I hope you slept better than me.”

Lionpaw stared at his paws, feeling hot, as Heatherpaw’s motionless body flashed behind his eyes.

“The Gathering was not what we expected.” Firestar’s mew jolted him out of the hateful vision. “ShadowClan didn’t come.”

Mews of shock erupted through the Clan.

Brightheart pricked her ears. “What was wrong with them?”

“Is there sickness in ShadowClan?” Cloudtail called.

Firestar ignored the questions and pressed on. “Blackstar came with the loner, Sol, and told us that ShadowClan are turning their backs on StarClan.”

Mousewhisker looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

Firestar stared down at the young warrior. “ShadowClan no longer believe that StarClan hold all the answers. They have lost faith in their warrior ancestors and will not be attending any more Gatherings.”