#given that

Forte did amazing! It's really clicking for him that vest + store = time to focus. I ultimately don't want him to be vest reliant. But it definitely helps him switch from teenager to working dog so we're going to roll with it for now.

Some heeling in the store. The sound of the squeaky toy clearly got his attention but he didn't try to go investigate or lose total focus and I'm super proud of him for that.

He's also crushing it in check out lines. He moves when I do and settles into an auto block when I stop for more than a few seconds. This alone is hugely helpful because check out lines are a thing I really struggle with.

Of course the guy at the register had to be weird. When he saw Forte he (the guy) lifted his leg up and told me he's marking his territory. I responded that he (Forte) doesn't do that as he's working.

"The wounded stay with me," Darktail says.

Violetpaw watches as Mistystar bares her teeth, her claws extended. Minnowtail presses her nose against Mistystar's shoulder. "Mistystar," she starts, looking back over the gathered cats, "we can't..."

Feathertail struggles to sit up. "It's alright, Mistystar," she says. "We'll be okay. It's not worth it." Her ear pivots, and she blinks affectionately, despite the tremble in her voice.

"Feathertail," Mistystar says, filled with a pain that makes Violetpaw's heart twist, but she closes her eyes. "Very well. But — we'll come back for all of you. I promise." Her fur bristles, and Minnowtail brushes against her shoulder.

"You should at least let us take our fallen," Minnowtail says.

"That carrion? Forget it, flea-pelt."

Minnowtail growls, bristling, and Mistystar's eyes shine with rage, but she steps past her deputy. "We can't leave them here," Minnowtail says, but she looks at the injured RiverClan cats.

"We don't have a choice," Mistystar snaps. "Fine, Darktail. But we will be back."

"I'm sure you will," Darktail mocks, as RiverClan turns towards the lake. "Feel free to cross my territory on your way to ThunderClan. They're weak and tenderhearted; they're bound to take you in."

Stormheart is the last RiverClan cat to leave. He's only a heartbeat behind the rest, but Violetpaw sees his ears twitch towards Feathertail, dipping his head slightly. He hurries to keep pace with the rest of his Clan, and Violetpaw looks away.

* * *

"I've brought you some more food," Violetpaw says. "And I'm careful. Darktail won't find out. Come on, eat."

Needletail blinks at her, and snatches the vole, but doesn't eat it. She carries it to the RiverClan prisoners, placing it between them. "Violetpaw's here again. She's brought you some food."

"Thank StarClan," Brackenpelt breathes. Violetpaw watches as they devour the vole, with only a few mouthfuls between them.

"We can't hang on like this," Mintfur says. "Darktail is the cruelest cat I've ever known."

Feathertail snorts. "It could be worse."

Brackenpelt spins her head to stare at Feathertail, open-mouthed. "How could—" Feathertail flicks her ear, and Brackenpelt cuts herself off. "Well — still, he shouldn't speak like that. Violetpaw is one of Darktail's cats."

"I'm sure Darktail's cats are in the habit of sneaking us extra prey," Feathertail says. Needletail dips her head approvingly towards her.

"I made a mistake," Violetpaw agrees. "But I'm trying to find a way to help you."

"Don't do anything stupid," Needletail says. "It won't do any of us good if—"

Violetpaw flicks her tail urgently at Zelda and Yarrowleaf's approach, and Needletail sinks down, as Violetpaw slinks back into the open.

* * *

"Violetpaw?" Needletail blinks softly at her. She crouches beside Needletail, her paws thrumming with energy, with hope, from finally having a plan. Having a way out.

"I had to talk to you. I've been to ThunderClan and spoken to Alderheart."

"I told you not to do anything stupid," Needletail whispers, and Violetpaw flicks her tail impatiently.

"We have a plan to get you and the prisoners out! I promise, all of you are going to be fine."

Needletail's eyes close, and Violetpaw hesitates, trying to figure out if she had fallen asleep again. But her eyes open a slit. "All of this that's happening to me...It's not your fault, Violetpaw. All the mistakes we made were mine."

She purrs, weakly, and Violetpaw presses her face against Needletail. "That doesn't matter now. Don't worry about anything. I'm going to get you out of here."

Needletail shakes her head. "Don't take risks for me, Violetpaw. You have to survive, anyway you can." Her eyes close, and Violetpaw listens to her breathing slow.

She didn't care what Needletail said — she would get them out of here.

* * *

Alderheart turns his gaze to the RiverClan prisoners. Feathertail is lying against Mistystar, and the others aren't far from her, all four of them panting and exhausted. Mistystar watches him anxiously.

"They're — these wounds are shallow," he reassures her. "They should all be alright."

"We're fine," Feathertail says. "I got one of them, Mistystar. Was gonna claw their ear off."

Mistystar purrs. "You're safe now," she says. "Mothwing and Willowshine will be here soon, and..."

Alderheart turns away, focusing on the surrounding discussion. His heart aches for Violetpaw and Needletail — Darktail must have killed them. But Squirrelflight is right. Even if he did look for them, what hope did he have?

"We have to get these cats to ThunderClan, to let the medicine cats treat them properly."

"Excuse me?" Mistystar draws herself up, her tail wrapping around Feathertail. "This is RiverClan territory. There's no way we're going to leave it for Darktail to take over again."

Bramblestar starts to justify leaving, and Alderheart sees RiverClan reunite with the prisoners.

"Besides," he concludes, "your cats need more care than you can give them here, and your medicine cats are still in our camp."

"He's right," Feathertail says. "We've got a lot of rebuilding to do." She presses her temple against Mistystar's shoulder. "It's not — our camp yet."

As RiverClan prepares to leave, Alderheart watches a warrior greet Icewing eagerly. Mistystar sits with Feathertail, and Frogheart and Hawkfrost surround her.

"I know it's hard," Squirrelflight says, "but — you should be proud. Your plan helped a lot of cats."

At the cost of Needletail and Violetpaw's lives, Alderheart adds.

* * *

Mistystar's heart stops when she sees the fighting.

Feathertail bristles with rage, but Mistystar can't see from here if she's been hurt. Minnowtail follows her gaze, silently folding her ears. RiverClan warriors burst into their own camp, and although Mistystar loses track of Feathertail, she can see the determination in all of RiverClan.

ThunderClan and ShadowClan are fighting for their sake, for justice, for fear of what will happen if they fail to drive Darktail out. But RiverClan is fighting for home and kin. There is one ending to this battle, and it is the one where they win.

When Darktail calls a retreat, it is a vicious thing that snarls with joy inside Mistystar. She wants to chase after him, but that will come with time. For now, she ducks through ShadowClan warriors picking over the details of their own treason.

Feathertail is lying on the ground, next to the other prisoners. Brackenpelt is the only one with her eyes open, and Mistystar tilts her ears softly. They're all alive, if weak. Brackenpelt nudges Feathertail softly, and she blinks, her eyes focusing in on Mistystar.

"You're here!" she chirps, pushing to her feet.

Mistystar purrs, bunting her temple against Feathertail. "I told you we were coming back for you, minnow."

"What about the rest of us?" Mintfur says, but he purrs. "We knew you wouldn't leave us."

Feathertail presses into Mistystar, and she lies down, running her tongue over Feathertail's pelt. "I'd be a terrible leader if I left you," she says, pressing her nose into Feathertail's neck. She smells sick, but she doesn't feel hot.

Icewing licks Mintfur's shoulder. "They never stood a chance. Cowards and traitors, the lot of them." She blinks softly. "Wish I got more strikes in."

Mistystar hears pawsteps, and she pulls away from Feathertail. Alderheart's whiskers twitch, looking over her cats.

"They're...these wounds are shallow. They should be alright."

Mistystar looks back at them. Their pelts are pulled taut over their ribs, and she doubts any of them could stand without much assistance. She's not sure what standard ThunderClan trains its medicine cats up to, but it's clearly not high enough.

As if she can read Mistystar's thoughts, Feathertail lifts her head slightly. "We're fine." She lowers her head again, and continues, softer, "I got one of them, Mistystar. Was gonna claw their ear off."

Mistystar purrs, part in surprise and part in pride. Feathertail's eyes close, and Mistystar presses her temple against Feathertail's head. "You're safe now. Mothwing and Willowshine will be here soon, and we'll rebuild the dens..."

Feathertail purrs, and Mistystar lets her eyes close. If she is showing favoritism, she trusts RiverClan will understand. Still, she listens to the discussion, and when she hears Squirrelflight say, "We have to get these cats to ThunderClan, to let the medicine cats treat them properly," she sits up as fast as she can without jolting Feathertail.

"Excuse me?" They have fought a battle for RiverClan's home, and Squirrelflight thinks they will simply leave? "This is RiverClan territory. There's no way we're going to leave it for Darktail to take over again."

Bramblestar starts to babble about Darktail's goals and territory, as RiverClan begins to surround the rescued cats. Beetlewhisker lies next to his parents, and Owlnose and Jayclaw have put aside their bickering to reunite with their sister.

When Bramblestar finishes, Feathertail presses her temple against Mistystar's shoulder. It is a familiar gesture, but an old one, and Mistystar is not surprised at the fury that rises in her. "He's right," she says. "We've got a lot of rebuilding to do. It's not — our camp yet."

Mistystar takes a breath. She knows why. Truthfully, she has as much interest as being in camp as she has interest in inviting Darktail back to her territory. It smells of rot, their dens have been destroyed or desecrated, and there is a pile of refuse that is far too familiar for Mistystar's liking.

So she dips her head. ThunderClan, RiverClan, what matters is that they are together.

Like cracking ice, whatever invisible force had held the other warriors back dissipates. All four of the cats will need help getting back, and it's sure to take them the rest of the night, if not much of the morning. Frogheart and Hawkfrost press against Feathertail, and she purrs.

"They didn't hurt you, did they?" Frogheart asks, nuzzling her shoulder.

"I'll have you know I attacked them," she says. Frogheart purrs.

"Mothwing told us to tell you the only reason she's not here is because Mistystar ordered her to stay home," Hawkfrost adds, and Mistystar snorts.

"And a good thing I did. The three of you would crush her."

Feathertail leans her head against Hawkfrost. Her eyes flutter, and Mistystar sees her start to shiver.

"Let's start heading back," she says. She raises her voice slightly, looking to Brackenpelt, Icewing, and Mintfur. "All of you need food and a warm nest. There's no need to delay if we're not staying here."

She nods, and RiverClan stands. Frogheart looks nervously at Feathertail, but she licks his shoulder, rising to her feet and pressing against Mistystar.

It was an odd thing, seeing the Host read something other than his own work. His head didn’t move with the paragraphs nor did his fingers. He didn’t narrate the words aloud, but he mouthed them, a breath of a whisper that no one could have picked up unless it was just beside their ear. He lingered on every line, unhurried, methodical. His Sight pinpointed each minuscule dot of ink, letting them soak in his attention.

“A good read?” Dark questioned as a finger of his aura trailed curiously over the book’s spine. A faint huff of laughter escaped the Host as he shook himself out of his reverie.