Firestar's Quest/Chapter 15

==Chapter description==
:Firestar abandons his prey, and walks towards the gorge and finds that there isn't even a trickle of water in the river, and he thinks that they have passed SkyClan's camp already. Sandstorm suggests that they climb down, and Firestar takes the lead, feeling loose pebbles, stone and rocks beneath his paws. The sun is high, and the ground is hot, which scorches Firestar's paws, who feels like his fur on fire. Firestar sees a lizard, telling Sandstorm they won't be hungry, but she says only says ShadowClan cats ate them. They reach the bottom of the gorge, and Sandstorm comments that it is good none of their pelts were black or white, and their pelts will protect them. Firestar nods, feeling the air grow cooler and cooler as the sun sets. 
:Sandstorm exclaims that she can hear the river, and she and Firestar sees a pile of reddish boulders. Firestar scrambles on top of the rocks, and Sandstorm says that the river began here. Firestar glances around, expecting to see SkyClan warriors, but he can see nothing. He remembers the words of the deputy, and tells Sandstorm they are there. Sandstorm is confused, not knowing why SkyClan warriors lived in these caves. She goes near the river to get a drink, and Firestar joins her. The cold water feels soothing.
:A green-blue light appears beneath the surface of the river, and Firestar shivers, telling Sandstorm to look at it. Firestar says the mud could be a rogue or a very adventurous kittypet, and Sandstorm says it must be an adventurous kittypet, and tells him to look at the caves. Firestar has trouble walking along the edge of the gorge, and dust engulfs him. He reaches the trails, and it becomes easier to walk. Firestar heads towards the highest and largest entrance. Firestar notes that the cave is much bigger than his den in the ThunderClan camp. He asks where would the SkyClan cats find moss and bracken, and Sandstorm says near the cliffs, and Firestar smells prey. Firestar suggests going inside the other caves, and looks at a pointed rock with claw marks on it. He puts his own claws in, and Sandstorm realizes that they are a perfect fit. 
:She looks at the other marks, and Firestar suggests that the kits made them. Sandstorm wonders why the scratches are only crosswise, and not vertical. Firestar shrugs, asking why do kits do anything, and suddenly feels like they have found SkyClan's camp at last. Sandstorm's eyes glint, and asks where they are now. 
:They spend the rest of the day in the caves, exploring, and Firestar discovers more claw marks. Sandstorm sees tiny scratches, and realizes it was SkyClan's nursery. Firestar sees a boulder blocking a big part of it, and comments that the kits and mothers would be safe to live here. Sandstorm sees larger claw marks too, thinking they were a good size for the queens and their kits. Firestar then goes down the cliff, finding smaller caves, and reaches the warrior den. He meows that there's plenty of space, and it is a good position to protect the Clan from foxes or the Twolegs. Sandstorm sniffs the air, and is able to smell cat scent. She announces that it's all she can smell, but also brings up that maybe at least one cat was here recently.
:Firestar walks around the cave slowly, and sees something white glimmering between the boulder and the wall of the caves. He pokes his paw in, drawing out a heap of small bones. He meows to Sandstorm that cats have lived here before, but not permanently, as the scent would be fresh. Sandstorm asks why they had come, and Firestar doesn't know how to answer. 
:The sun is setting and Firestar and Sandstorm climb up on top of the cliff, and they hunt. They eat, and return to the warriors den to sleep for the night. Sandstorm comments that she is so tired she can sleep for a moon, then curls up. As her breathing grows steady, Firestar can tell she is already asleep. He sits beside her, looking around the camp and pictures warm bodies in moss and bracken with one cat on watch. Firestar blinks, and the cats disappear. Silver light shines into the cave, but there is no sound or the sight of a pale pelt. He wonders if SkyClan had shattered long ago and if they will ever find their lost descendants. He questions if they have come too late to save them.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
fr:La quête d'Étoile de Feu/Chapitre 15de:Feuersterns Mission/Kapitel 15
Category:Super Edition arc
Category:Firestar's Quest
Category:Chapter subpages