“She could play with Briarlight,” Alderpaw suggested.
Briarlight’s crippled hind legs meant that it was important for her to keep her forelegs strong and active and her lungs clear. Chasing a leaf with Twigkit would be good exercise.
Jayfeather frowned, but Leafpool spoke before he could object. “That’s a great idea, Alderpaw.” She called to Twigkit. “Would you like to play catch with Briarlight?”
Twigkit blinked at Leafpool, her eyes sparkling with delight. “Am I allowed?”
“Of course,” Briarlight purred. “You can play with me any time you like.”
Jayfeather huffed again and began untangling the pile of thyme. “Does this mean she’s going to be here even more?”
“Don’t be so grouchy,” Leafpool chided. “She’s not doing any harm.”
“I guess I only trip over her three or four times a day.” Jayfeather snorted.
Alderpaw’s pelt pricked with irritation. It was almost as though Jayfeather enjoyed being the grumpiest cat in the Clan.
“Get on with your work!” Jayfeather’s ears twitched crossly. Not for the first time, Alderpaw wondered if the blind medicine cat could read his thoughts. Guiltily, he turned his attention back to the yarrow and coltsfoot.
As Twigkit carried her leaf toward Briarlight, the trailing brambles at the entrance rustled.
Graystripe popped his head through and blinked at Jayfeather. “Bramblestar wants to see you, Leafpool, and Alderpaw.”
Alderpaw’s heart quickened. Why?
He waited for Jayfeather to speak, but Graystripe went on. “Can I take some comfrey back to the elders’ den?” The grey elder glanced at the herb piles hopefully.
Leafpool tipped her head. “Are your joints aching again?”
“Not mine,” Graystripe huffed. “Millie’s.”
“Shall I come and check on her?” Leafpool was already rolling up a wad of leaves.
“There’s no need. Unless you know a cure for aging.” Graystripe pushed his way into the den. “Besides, I don’t think you should keep Bramblestar waiting. Rowanstar’s with him.”
Jayfeather pricked his ears. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I just did.”
As Graystripe grasped the comfrey between his jaws, Jayfeather brushed past him and headed for the entrance.
Alderpaw glanced at Twigkit. Had something happened to Violetkit? Is that why the ShadowClan leader had come? “Stay here with Briarlight, okay?”
She nodded.
Alderpaw’s heart was racing. He nosed his way through the brambles after Jayfeather.
Leafpool was following Graystripe from the den. Alderpaw hurried after her, the sharp sunshine stinging his eyes as he pushed his way from the shade of the medicine den.
Outside the nursery, Lilyheart stretched beside Daisy, soaking up the meagre warmth. There was a chill in the air but the cliff sheltered the camp from the blustery breeze that was stirring the branches at the top of the hollow. Leafkit, Larkkit, and Honeykit were nosing around the fallen beech, poking their noses through the gaps in the woven walls of the apprentices’ den.
“There’s so much room inside!” Leafkit gasped.
“I want a nest close to the middle,” Larkkit mewed.
“Sparkpaw and Alderpaw’s nests are there already,” Honeykit sighed. “I can see them.”
Leafpool’s mew distracted Alderpaw from their chatter. “I hope the patrols come back soon,” she mewed. “The freshkill pile’s empty.”
Alderpaw glanced at the empty patch of earth. Brightheart, Whitewing, and Cloudtail paced beside it. Hadn’t they brought prey back from their patrol? Perhaps they’d met Rowanstar before they’d had a chance to hunt. They gazed through narrowed eyes at the muscular ginger tom as he stood beside Bramblestar on Highledge.
Jayfeather was already beside him, fur pricking along his spine.
Alderpaw followed Leafpool up the tumble of rocks and stopped beside them.
Bramblestar gazed at them gravely. “Littlecloud is dying.” He dipped his head to Leafpool. The two medicine cats had known each other a long time.
Leafpool’s eyes darkened. “Is he suffering?”
“Dawnpelt’s with him,” Rowanstar told her. “She’s giving him poppy seeds to ease his pain, but she doesn’t know what else to do.”
Leafpool flicked her tail. “If only you’d chosen a medicine cat apprentice moons ago,” she fretted. “Littlecloud would have someone to care for him properly.”
“And ShadowClan wouldn’t be left without a medicine cat,” Jayfeather growled.
Rowanstar’s pelt ruffled. “I didn’t come here to be lectured!”
Bramblestar stepped forward. “He came here for our help.” He shot a warning glance at Jayfeather.
Alderpaw watched his father, impressed by his authority. Bramblestar clearly understood that it would do no good to rub mouse bile into ShadowClan’s wound. More gentle treatment was needed. He stepped forward hesitantly. “Can I help?” he asked softly.
Jayfeather flicked him away with his tail. “You’re not borrowing our apprentice,” he told Rowanstar tetchily.
Alderpaw bristled. Why not? You’re always complaining I get under your paws.
Rowanstar scowled. “I don’t want an apprentice. Littlecloud needs proper care.”
Alderpaw’s pelt ruffled indignantly.
“I’ll come,” Leafpool offered.
“Thank you.” Rowanstar leaned forward. “Grassheart’s kits are due any day. Tawnypelt, Snowbird, and Dawnpelt will be able to help at her kitting, but it’s Grassheart’s first litter and I’d prefer to have a medicine cat close by if there are problems.”
Alderpaw shifted his paws. It sounded strange to hear the ShadowClan leader talk with such concern about his Clanmates. Rowanstar had snatched Violetkit from the Gathering so callously that Alderpaw had decided the ginger tom must have no heart. Hope flickered through his fur. Had he been wrong? Perhaps Violetkit was as safe and loved in ShadowClan as Twigkit was in ThunderClan.
“I’ll fetch herbs and come as soon as I can.” Leafpool turned toward the rock tumble. She paused at the top and called over her shoulder. “Alderpaw. Travel with me. I’ll need help carrying the herbs.”
“To ShadowClan’s camp?” Alderpaw blinked in surprise.
“Of course!” Leafpool whisked her tail.
BACK ADS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ERIN HUNTER is inspired by a love of cats and a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior. She is also the author of the bestselling Seekers and Survivors series.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
BOOKS BY ERIN HUNTER
THE PROPHECIES BEGIN
Book One: Into the Wild
Book Two: Fire and Ice
Book Three: Forest of Secrets
Book Four: Rising Storm
Book Five: A Dangerous Path
Book Six: The Darkest Hour
THE NEW PROPHECY
Book One: Midnight
Book Two: Moonrise
Book Three: Dawn
Book Four: Starlight
Book Five: Twilight
Book Six: Sunset
POWER OF THREE
Book One: The Sight
Book Two: Dark River
Book Three: Outcast
Book Four: Eclipse
Book Five: Long Shadows
Book Six: Sunrise
OMEN OF THE STARS
Book One: The Fourth Apprentice
Book Two: Fading Echoes
Book Three: Night Whispers
Book Four: Sign of the Moon
Book Five: The Forgotten Warrior
Book Six: The Last Hope
DAWN OF THE CLANS
Book One: The Sun Trail
Book Two: Thunder Rising
Book Three: The First Battle
/> Book Four: The Blazing Star
Book Five: A Forest Divided
Book Six: Path of Stars
Warriors Super Edition: Firestar’s Quest
Warriors Super Edition: Bluestar’s Prophecy
Warriors Super Edition: SkyClan’s Destiny
Warriors Super Edition: Crookedstar’s Promise
Warriors Super Edition: Yellowfang’s Secret
Warriors Super Edition: Tallstar’s Revenge
Warriors Super Edition: Bramblestar’s Storm
Warriors Super Edition: Moth Flight’s Vision
Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans
Warriors: Cats of the Clans
Warriors: Code of the Clans
Warriors: Battles of the Clans
Warriors: Enter the Clans
Warriors: The Ultimate Guide
Warriors: The Untold Stories
Warriors: Tales from the Clans
Warriors: Shadows of the Clans
MANGA
The Lost Warrior
Warrior’s Refuge
Warrior’s Return
The Rise of Scourge
Tigerstar and Sasha #1: Into the Woods
Tigerstar and Sasha #2: Escape from the Forest
Tigerstar and Sasha #3: Return to the Clans
Ravenpaw’s Path #1: Shattered Peace
Ravenpaw’s Path #2: A Clan in Need
Ravenpaw’s Path #3: The Heart of a Warrior
SkyClan and the Stranger #1: The Rescue
SkyClan and the Stranger #2: Beyond the Code
SkyClan and the Stranger #3: After the Flood
NOVELLAS
Hollyleaf’s Story
Mistystar’s Omen
Cloudstar’s Journey
Tigerclaw’s Fury
Leafpool’s Wish
Dovewing’s Silence
Mapleshade’s Vengeance
Goosefeather’s Curse
Ravenpaw’s Farewell
Book One: The Quest Begins
Book Two: Great Bear Lake
Book Three: Smoke Mountain
Book Four: The Last Wilderness
Book Five: Fire in the Sky
Book Six: Spirits in the Stars
RETURN TO THE WILD
Book One: Island of Shadows
Book Two: The Melting Sea
Book Three: River of Lost Bears
Book Four: Forest of Wolves
Book Five: The Burning Horizon
Book Six: The Longest Day
MANGA
Toklo’s Story
Kallik’s Adventure
Book One: The Empty City
Book Two: A Hidden Enemy
Book Three: Darkness Falls
Book Four: The Broken Path
Book Five: The Endless Lake
Book Six: Storm of Dogs
THE GATHERING DARKNESS
Book One: A Pack Divided
Survivors: Tales from the Packs
NOVELLAS
Alpha’s Tale
Sweet’s Journey
Moon’s Choice
CREDITS
Cover art © 2016 by Owen Richardson
Series cover design by Ellice M. Lee
COPYRIGHT
WARRIORS: A VISION OF SHADOWS #1: THE APPRENTICE’S QUEST. Copyright © 2016 by Working Partners Limited. Series created by Working Partners Limited. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.harpercollinschildrens.com
* * *
ISBN 978-0-06-238637-3 (trade bdg.) — ISBN 978-0-06-238638-0 (lib. bdg.)
EPub Edition © March 2016 ISBN 9780062386403
* * *
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FIRST EDITION
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Erin Hunter, The Apprentice's Quest
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