Warriors: Dawn of the Clans #1: The Sun Trail Read Online Free Page A

place they’re looking for even exists.”
    Gray Wing knew that they spoke for many of the Tribe. He wished that Stoneteller had never had her vision, or that she had never spoken of it. Doesn’t she know how it’s tearing the Tribe apart?
    “But why can’t I go?” Jagged Peak was heading for the cave entrance, only to be intercepted by Quiet Rain.
    “For the last time,” his mother meowed, her tail-tip twitching impatiently, “you are too little to be out of the cave.”
    “It’s not fair!” Jagged Peak’s shoulder fur bristled as he glared at his mother.
    “Come on, Jagged Peak.” Snow Hare padded up, dipping her head to Quiet Rain as she approached. “I’ll show you a new game. Let’s see if you can catch this stone.” She swiped her paw and sent a flat pebble skimming across the floor of the cave.
    Jagged Peak pelted after it with an excited squeal.
    “Thanks, Stone Hare,” Quiet Rain murmured. “I can’t let him go out while there’s deep snow on the ground.”
    “You’re welcome,” the elder responded.
    Gray Wing carried the remains of the hare over to his mother and dropped it at her paws. “Here, do you want some?” he asked.
    Quiet Rain purred her gratitude. “That’s a fine catch,” she told him. “I’ll take some of it to Fluttering Bird.” Her voice quivered as she added, “She couldn’t get out of the nest this morning. But she’ll be much better after she’s had something to eat.”
    Gray Wing followed his mother as she carried the hare across the cave to the sleeping hollow where Fluttering Bird was curled up.
    “Are you going with Shaded Moss?” Quiet Rain asked him as she set the prey down at the edge of the hollow. “I know Clear Sky will go. . . .” She was clearly trying to speak lightly, but her words ended with a sorrowful sigh.
    “I’m staying,” Gray Wing told her, touching her ear with his nose. “This is my home. I want to catch enough prey so that the rest of us can survive. Many moons ago, our ancestors left the lake and came here . I can’t believe that was for no reason.”
    Quiet Rain rested her muzzle on the top of his head. “I’m so proud of you,” she murmured. For a few heartbeats Gray Wing felt the same sense of comfort and security as when he was a small kit, suckling at his mother’s belly.
    Stooping over the sleeping hollow, Quiet Rain licked Fluttering Bird’s shoulder. “Wake up, little one,” she mewed. “I’ve got some food for you.”
    A sharp pang of anxiety stabbed through Gray Wing as he looked at Fluttering Bird; she hardly seemed to be breathing.
    “Fluttering Bird!” Quiet Rain prodded her with one forepaw, but the kit still didn’t wake. “Gray Wing, fetch Stoneteller,” his mother said, panic in her voice.
    Gray Wing sped off across the cave and plunged down the tunnel that led into the Cavern of the Pointed Stones. He had only been there once before, and he slowed as he reached the entrance, overcome by awe in spite of his urgency.
    Creeping into the cave, he saw narrow beams of sunlight slanting through the hole in the roof, lighting the columns of stone that stretched upward for many tail-lengths. Pools on the ground reflected the sunlight, and the huge hollow space was filled with the sound of steadily dripping water.
    At first Gray Wing couldn’t see Stoneteller. Then he spotted her sitting in the shadows, her tail wrapped around her paws and her eyes closed.
    Is she asleep? he wondered as he approached.
    But as he drew closer, Stoneteller opened her eyes. “Gray Wing—is something wrong?” she mewed.
    “It’s Fluttering Bird,” Gray Wing explained, his heart beating fast. “She won’t wake up.”
    At once Stoneteller rose to her paws. Turning to a crack in the rock, she took out a few shriveled leaves. Gray Wing caught a glimpse of her pitifully small store, and knew there would be no more healing herbs until the snow melted and warmer weather brought new growth.
    He followed Stoneteller to where