Prologue

Dovewing stared in horror as the ShadowClan cats poured into the hollow. ROwanstar went straight for Bramblestar, and everywhere shrieks rose. She lunged toward a tom, slicing her claws across his flank. Suddenly teeth met in her scruff and she was dragged backward. She tore free and plunged toward the nursery. Lionblaze, muzzle dripping with blood, was guarding the entrance.

A sudden shriek rose, by the elders den. Tigerheart had dragged Sandstorm out, and waited. Rowanstar padded toward him, ordering, "Finish her."

"No!" Dovewing shrieked. As Tigerheart sank his teeth into Sandstorm's neck, Dovewing hurled herself at Rowanstar. His head snapped toward her, surprise lighting in his eyes. He raked his claws along her flank, pinning her against the ground. She struggled, then glimpsed a silver-and-white tabby pelt flashing behind Rowanstar. He was purring, baring his teeth. "Another sacrifice for the Light." he mewed. Dovewing felt a flash of confusion. The Light? she wondered.

He was jerked off of her and Dovewing rose to her paws, wobbling, and her a cry rising from the nursery. She darted toward it, then slipped in a puddle of blood.

There was another cry, "ShadowClan, retreat!" The battling cats raced away, leaving a wounded Clan, with cats missing, and an elder dead.

WindClan attacked RiverClan the same day. StarClan looked down on them, and Bluestar mewed, "They shall not destroy each other like this again. We must intervene…."