Mistystar's Omen Read Free Page A

she had been Leopardstar’s deputy for a long time, and she had always known what her duties would be when this moment came. And she couldn’t help looking forward to the chance to walk with Mothwing among her warrior ancestors, to learn the secrets of the future that would help her to lead her Clan. “I’ll go to the Moonpool as soon as I can,” she declared.
    Mothwing stirred, and Mistyfoot looked questioningly at her. “We can wait until tomorrow,” meowed the medicine cat. “We must sit vigil for Leopardstar tonight.”
    A black tom stood up and nodded to Mistyfoot. “I speak for all the warriors when I say that I will be honored to serve you as my leader,” he announced.
    â€œThank you, Reedwhisker,” Mistyfoot purred. Her mind flashed back to the time she had nursed this cat at her belly with his littermates; he was the only one of her kits who had survived, and every day she took pride in the warrior he had become.
    Petalfur twitched her tail. “Some of us can speak for ourselves,” she mewed irritably. “But I will be as loyal to you as I was to Leopardstar, may she walk in peace among the stars.”
    â€œMistystar!” called Troutpaw.
    Mistyfoot narrowed her eyes at the pale gray apprentice. “Not yet, Troutpaw. Not until I have received my nine lives.” Tomorrow I will walk with our ancestors, and say good-bye to my warrior name forever.
    Mistyfoot jumped down from the tree stump and called to Grasspelt: “Could you lead a hunting patrol before sunhigh? Take Minnowtail and Mossypaw, and Icewing if she feels up to it.”
    The white she-cat sniffed. “Of course I’m up to it! I’ve spent the last three sunrises stuck in this camp, so I’m more than ready to stretch my legs.”
    Mistyfoot hid a purr of amusement. “You’re allowed to rest as much as you want after journeying to the beavers’ dam,” she reminded Icewing. “But if you feel like hunting, then we’d all be grateful for your sharp eyes.”
    Reedwhisker padded up to Mistyfoot. “Would you like me to visit the other Clans and let them know about Leopardstar’s death?”
    Mistyfoot shook her head. “No. They’ll find out soon enough. We must honor Leopardstar by carrying out our duties as usual.”
    â€œIn that case, should I lead a boundary patrol?” Reedwhisker offered. “I want to be sure that the fox we scented yesterday hasn’t come any closer to the camp.”
    Mistyfoot nodded. “Yes, please. And keep an eye out for squirrels or mice while you’re on that side of the territory. In case there aren’t many fish to be found in the lake yet.” She wondered if any of her Clanmates knew just how empty the water seemed to be. If they haven’t noticed on their own, I’m not going to point it out to them. But we might need to stock the fresh-kill pile with other prey for a while.
    â€œYou won’t have to do this for much longer,” mewed Graymist close to her ear.
    Mistyfoot jumped. “Do what?” She wondered if she had said something about the lack of fish out loud.
    Graymist nodded toward the cats who were gathering into groups. “Organize patrols. You’ll have to appoint a deputy before moonhigh, won’t you?”
    â€œA deputy?” Mistyfoot echoed. “Yes, of course.”
    The she-cat looked at her closely. “Do you know who you’ll choose? You must have thought about it before now.”
    Mistyfoot didn’t think she could admit that no, she hadn’t. Of course she had known that Leopardstar was sick, but she hadn’t really imagined that the leader’s ninth life would end. There was so much to do! And all of it seemed to rest on her shoulders. To her relief, Reedwhisker called Graymist to join his border patrol and Mistyfoot didn’t have to answer.
    For a moment the bushes were alive with movement as cats