Tallstar's Revenge/Chapter 45

Chapter Summary
Talltail's PoV


 * Barkface asks Talltail if he's ready as they stand at the entrance to Mothermouth, and the black-and-white tom replies he's ready. The journey to the Moonstone had been filled with memories as the soon-to-be leader remembers his curiosity that made him feel trapped and restless. Now these borders are his to protect, and if he is accepted by StarClan, he will be WindClan's leader by dawn. Grief wracks him as he remembers Heatherstar's final moments. Her body was wracked by greencough as she spoke her last words. She asked for Talltail to come closer, then told him to have courage and follow his heart. Before when he did, it made him grow stronger and developed an unbreakable bond between him and WindClan. Now he must do the same, and let it guide everything he does, because now WindClan is in his paws. Then she fell still.


 * Barkface nudged Heatherstar to arrange her to make her look like she was sleeping, and told Mudclaw to alert WindClan for Heatherstar's vigil. He nosed Talltail and they leave the den. Barkface suggested they go to Highstones to let Talltail receive his nine lives. The deputy nodded, feeling strength coming back to him as he watched his Clanmates go into Heatherstar's den. Onekit scampered next to his mother and asked her if their leader was dead. Wrenflight scolded her son and told him to show some respect. Onekit disregards her and said Heatherstar would be in StarClan now, and wonders if the she-cat is watching over them now.