The Sun Trail/Chapter 11

==Chapter description==
:Every cat is shocked at Rainswept Flower's proposal to stay, and Moon Shadow says that he agrees. Quick Water adds that it is a good home, and so does Shattered Ice. Shaded Moss thoughtfully replies that it could work, and they are close enough to the mountains. The other cats begin excitedly making plans, but Gray Wing is disappointed. He thinks to himself that the wooden walls are not as natural and do not feel right. He asks Turtle Tail what she thinks, and she says they should stay. Gray Wing shakes his head, and the tortoiseshell tells him that he just has to get used to it. Before he sleeps, he sees Clear Sky sitting alone, and his heart aches thinking of Bright Stream. They make nests and sleep, but Gray Wing is soon roused by a strange sound. He blinks, and hears a trampling noise. The dark gray tom gets to his paws as the sound grows louder, and he screeches for the other cats to wake up and run. He realizes that there are many sheep, and Falling Feather yowls that they are trapped. Rainswept Flower leads them to a gap at the bottom of the wall, and they follow her out. Gray Wing hears a shriek as Hawk Swoop is trampled, and Clear Sky drags her out.
:Outside, Gray Wing sees that nobody is injured except for Hawk Swoop. Shaded Moss asks if she can walk, and she painfully limps. Gray Wing lets her lean on him, and he asks Dappled Pelt what they should do. The tortoiseshell she-cat tells Jackdaw's Cry and Falling Feather to look for daisy or elder leaves. Cloud Spots examines Hawk Swoop, and says that her leg has come out of joint but can be healed. He tells Gray Wing to place his paws on her, and the black-and-white tom yanks at her leg. He asks if it still hurts, and she answers that it only aches and thanks him. Jackdaw's Cry and Falling Feather return with herbs, and Cloud Spots selects a few for her to chew up. Shaded Moss announces that they will stay for a day, and Quick Water is disappointed. It is cold and rainy, and Clear Sky unenthusiastically suggests to hunt. Tall Shadow and Moon Shadow point out that they are already full. They settle down, and when Gray Wing wakes, it is just after sunhigh. He sees Clear Sky walking away, and asks if he is alright. His brother answers that he's fine on his own, and Gray Wing feels isolated from his own littermate. Turtle Tail whispers that he should let Clear Sky grieve and that everything would be fine, but Gray Wing wishes he believes her.
:In the days that follow, it continues to rain, and Gray Wing wonders how they will find their new home. Prey is scarce, and Tall Shadow scratches her paw. The herbs they find are all things they had not seen before. Jagged Peak complains, and Falling Feather comforts him, but Clear Sky snaps that he should've stayed in the mountains. The young tom fidgets, and says that he thinks they are being watched. Gray Wing says that it is just prey or a falling twig, but he then sees a long-legged tabby. The stranger notes that they must come from somewhere else, and Jagged Peak replies that they are from the mountains. He asks if they are from the Highstones, and when the others appear, he notes that there are many of them. Shaded Moss tells him that they are just passing through, and Cloud Spots asks who the cats near the Highstones are. The tabby replies that he has not met them, but they are supposedly fierce. He snorts when Gray Wing asks about rogues, saying that kittypets call them that. Shaded Moss says that they need a new home and the tom wishes them luck.
:After the stranger leaves, Jackdaw's Cry excitedly mews that there are other cats by the Highstones. Rainswept Flower and Dappled Pelt think that it is a good sign, but Clear Sky is less sure. Shaded Moss worries that the cats there may be hostile, and Turtle Tail points out that the stranger was not hostile. The cats continue through the forest, and Clear Sky leaps after a squirrel. They rest and hunt, but Gray Wing finds it difficult as there are too many scents. Dappled Pelt finds fish in the river, and she teaches Falling Feather how to catch them. Rainswept Flower also comes, and wonders if they should stay in the woods. Gray Wing hopes she is wrong, as he feels trapped. Shaded Moss answers that they must go to the Highstones. The cats eat, and Falling Feather fishes again.
:Gray Wing then hears dogs barking, and Shaded Moss orders them to run. Dogs crash through the undergrowth, but Gray Wing is frozen with fear. Turtle Tail barrels into him, and the animals run after them through the trees. There is a sharp barrier ahead, and Shaded Moss tells them to not go that way. The cats run faster, and Gray Wing sees a dense bush in front of him. He hurls himself in, and thorns tear at his fur. He forces his way out, but is greeted by the deafening roar of a monster and the spray from its large paws. He shrieks for the other cats to wait, but Shaded Moss had already run onto the Thunderpath. The monster runs right over him, and there is a terrible silence as it roars away.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
===Other===
*Shaded Moss is hit by a monster on the Thunderpath.
==Notes and references==
de:Der Sonnenpfad/Kapitel 11fr:Le sentier du soleil/Chapitre 11
Category:The Sun Trail
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Dawn of the Clans arc