A Light in the Mist (book)/Chapter 4

==Chapter description==
:Rootspring believes that he has escaped from Ashfur's spirits, so he takes in a breath of fresh air, recognizing the smell of his wounds. The SkyClan warrior recalls how he had almost been caught twice by Ashfur's patrol, once because of a pool of dark water, twice because he had been slowed down while scrambling up a gully. The yellow tom hopes that most of Bristlefrost's pursuers had been thrown of course by their maneuver to split up. Catching his breath, Rootspring hears a voice in his head, slowly calling his name. Confused because he couldn't see any cat, he wonders if he is imagining it, but the voice repeats itself, still calling his name. The SkyClan warrior remembers how Bramblestar had spoken inside his head when he was a spirit, but the yellow tom dismisses the chance that it was Bramblestar as he was in the real world, at the lake. He wonders if it's Squirrelflight or Leafpool, before coming across the scary conclusion that it may be Ashfur's voice. Rootspring remembers Dewspring's advice, how if he doesn't want to be the hunted, he should become the hunter. 
:The SkyClan warrior knows that it would be ludicrous to chase after Ashfur right now, as he is injured and outnumbered, but he knows that he could at least spy on the dark warrior to see what he is up to. Rootspring gets to the top of the gully, and descends it when the mysterious voice calls his name again, this time questioning what the yellow tom is doing. The SkyClan warrior dismisses it, and shortly after, he smells Darkstripe, Ashfur, and some of Ashfur's spirits. Rootspring is relieved that Stemleaf, Willowshine, or Spiresight's scents aren't among them. He approaches Ashfur stealthily, spotting his Clanmate Sandynose among the spirits, while hearing Ashfur give Silverhawk orders to guard the Moonpool tree along with Clawface. The pale gray tabby tom obliges, signaling to Clawface to follow him. His mind racing, Rootspring ponders if he should follow the two Dark Forest toms as Shadowsight is at the Moonpool tree, but his thoughts are interrupted when Ashfur calls to a black tom named Houndleap. The dark warrior orders the black tom to take Rushtooth and Mapleshade to search for Rootspring and the others accompanying him.
:Mapleshade challenges Ashfur, asking him why she wasn't in charge of the patrol, so the dark warrior smoothly replies that Houndleap didn't let Stemleaf escape. The black tom affirms this, telling Ashfur that Rootspring won't get away. Ashfur goes in the separate direction, with Darkstripe behind him and gray-and-white tabby tom nips Conefoot's ear as he nudges the spirits. Conefoot's eyes show with anger, but Ashfur's control regains on the spirit. Rootspring observes this, wondering if a strong emotion is enough to break Ashfur's control. The SkyClan warrior reorganizes his thoughts, thinking on how to get back to Bristlefrost. Rootspring follows Ashfur and the others' pawsteps, and stops when Darkstripe suddenly asks Ashfur if he smells anything. The dark warrior retorts that in the Dark Forest, everything smells, before dismissing Darkstripe's suspicions of a cat lurking around. Rootspring continues to move, keeping a larger distance from Ashfur this time as he had almost gotten caught the last time.
:Looking ahead, the yellow tom realizes that he was at where the island is supposed to be, but there is no island. Shocked, Rootspring registers the fact that the water had risen, which Ashfur sees as well when he turns to Thistleclaw, asking him why it had happened. The gray-and-white tabby responds that the dark warrior would know as the spirits cluster around Ashfur. The dark warrior puts his forepaw in the water, only to jerk back and run into one of the spirits, who scatter in panic. Ashfur heads back to the forest, claiming that there is no use in that place because the island is gone.
:Rootspring approaches the lake, but dread rises in his belly as he turns away, running from the lake. The voice commands him to stop as Rootspring sees the dark water that had caused him so much fear and anxiousness just a second ago. The SkyClan warrior redirects his goal, knowing that he must get back to the others to warn them of the dark water's level. He starts going to the barrier, beginning to think about Snowtuft, wondering why he didn't have the chance to wander in StarClan's territory. The yellow tom keeps racing across the ground, imagining Bristlefrost, Stemleaf, Willowshine, and Spiresight at the barrier. Heading up the slope, Rootspring spots wide face and round amber eyes of Mapleshade. The latter greets him, blocking his path.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:A Light in the Mist (book)
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:The Broken Code arc