“I’m sure she’ll be back soon,” Leafpool reassured him.
“Fresh air and exercise will do her good,” Jayfeather mewed briskly. “She’ll probably come home once she’s caught some prey. Twigpaw’s the sort of cat who can’t enjoy fresh-kill unless she’s sharing it with her Clanmates.”
Alderpaw glanced at him, surprised. Had Jayfeather actually said something kind about Twigpaw?
Briarlight stretched in her nest, waking. She yawned. “Is the sun up already?”
“It’ll be above the hollow.” Jayfeather padded toward Alderpaw and swept the herbs away from him. “I’ll sort these. You can help Briarlight with her exercises.”
Relief shimmered through Alderpaw’s pelt. Helping Briarlight would be more distracting than sorting dry old herbs.
“Is something wrong?” Briarlight frowned as he approached her nest.
Alderpaw didn’t try to hide the worry that was making his fur twitch. “Twigpaw is missing.” He hooked his paws under Briarlight’s and helped her stretch them.
“For how long?” Briarlight rolled her shoulders to extend her stretch.
“She disappeared in the night.”
“Are there any signs of a struggle?” Briarlight’s eyes sparkled with worry.
“No.” Alderpaw moved to her hind legs and grasped one between his paws. Pulling it, he worked the weak muscles. “There’s no sign a fox has taken her. Or scents of strange cats. I think she decided to leave on her own.”
Briarlight jerked her gaze toward him. “Do you think she’s gone for good?”
“I don’t know.” Alderpaw didn’t want to think about it. And yet Briarlight’s words jabbed his heart. Could the realization that her mother was dead have made Twigpaw rethink her place in the Clan? Surely it would have made her understand that the Clan was her only family now. His belly tightened. Or it made her think that she doesn’t truly belong anywhere. He grabbed Briarlight’s other hind paw and began working it back and forth. As he felt the stiffness in her muscles ease, Jayfeather cleared his throat.
“She’d be a fool to turn her back on her Clan now,” he grunted. “And Twigpaw is not a fool.”
Alderpaw prickled with irritation. “You’ve called her one often enough.” Perhaps if Jayfeather hadn’t been so hostile toward Twigpaw, she’d have felt more at home in the Clan.
“I call everyone a fool.” Jayfeather placed a fresh bundle of herbs with the others. “Twigpaw wouldn’t have wanted me to tiptoe around her like she was a newborn kit.”
How do you know? As Alderpaw moved Briarlight’s leg back and forth, a yowl of surprise sounded from the clearing.
He dropped Briarlight’s leg and pricked his ears.
Jayfeather was already tasting the air. “ShadowClan cats.”
“In our camp?” Alderpaw’s heart lurched. He headed for the entrance and barged through the brambles.
Foreboding gripped him as he saw Crowfrost, Scorchfur, and Tawnypelt in the clearing. Did they have news of Twigpaw?
Lionblaze, Dovewing, and Bumblestripe flanked them. Graystripe stood outside the elders’ den with Millie, while Larkpaw, Leafpaw, and Honeypaw whispered excitedly beside the fresh-kill pile. Rosepetal and Molewhisker paced the edge of the camp, their hackles high.
Bramblestar was already hurrying to meet them. “Why have you come?” His eyes blazed as he stopped in front of Crowfrost.
Lionblaze stepped forward. “They were waiting beside the border. They approached us as soon as we neared. They want to speak with you.”
Crowfrost dipped his head. “We thought you’d like to know that Twigpaw is safe.”
Alderpaw darted forward. “Where is she? What happened to her?”
Crowfrost didn’t take his eyes from the ThunderClan leader. “We found her in our camp in the middle of the night.” His tail twitched. Alderpaw suspected that the ShadowClan deputy was enjoying this. “Does ThunderClan teach its apprentices to invade other Clans’ camps while they’re sleeping?”
Bramblestar narrowed his eyes. “Of course not,” he snapped. “I don’t know what she was doing there.”
Alderpaw hurried to his father’s side. “She probably went to see Violetpaw. She was upset about her mother. She probably just wanted to talk—”
Crowfrost spoke over him. “Do none of your apprentices have manners, Bramblestar? Or is it usual for ThunderClan warriors to take advice from the youngest cats in the Clan? Perhaps you should check the nursery in case a kit has anything to say.” His mew dripped with sarcasm.
Graystripe snorted. “Don’t lecture us on our younger cats,” he growled. “At least they don’t abandon their Clan to fight for rogues.”
Crowfrost’s hackles lifted. But he ignored the ThunderClan elder and went on. “Twigpaw will be staying with us for a while.”
Shock pulsed through Alderpaw. Had Twigpaw decided she’d rather live in her sister’s Clan?
Bramblestar flicked his tail. “I don’t believe it. No ThunderClan cat would choose ShadowClan over ThunderClan.” His gaze instantly flicked to Tawnypelt and flashed with guilt.
Tawnypelt blinked at him slowly. “Yes, they would.” Bramblestar’s sister had chosen to live in ShadowClan moons ago.
Bramblestar shifted his paws, clearly ruffled. “That was different. Our father was in ShadowClan.”
Tawnypelt’s pelt smoothed along her spine. “Twigpaw’s sister is in ShadowClan,” she reminded Bramblestar. “But that is not why she is staying with us.”
Scorchfur curled his lip. “We’re keeping her with us until you agree to help us.”
Alderpaw glanced at his father, fear tightening his belly. Twigpaw!
Bramblestar bristled. “You’re holding an apprentice hostage!” Outrage filled his mew.
“She’s our guest,” Crowfrost told him smoothly. “And she will be well cared for.”
Bramblestar’s gaze hardened. “What help do you want?”
Tawnypelt exchanged glances with Crowfrost. Alderpaw saw a question in her gaze. Crowfrost nodded, and Tawnypelt padded forward. “Our Clanmates are sick. Wasptail and Oakfur are fighting for their lives. Kinkfur has come down with the same sickness. Rowanstar is so ill that Puddleshine dares not leave his side. And now Yarrowleaf and Snakekit are sick.”
“A kit?” Squirrelflight stepped from the shadow of the Highledge.
Tawnypelt blinked at her. “The sickness is spreading through the Clan, and we can’t cure it.”
“Not without lungwort.” Crowfrost stared at Bramblestar. “But you heard Onestar. He won’t let us gather it.”
Bramblestar’s gaze flitted away from the ShadowClan leader uneasily. “How do you think we can help?”
“Onestar is not angry with you,” Crowfrost meowed. “ThunderClan has always had a closer relationship with WindClan than we have. You might be able to persuade him to share the herb.”
Tawnypelt’s eyes rounded pleadingly. “You could tell him you need it for your own Clan.”
“I will not lie.” Bramblestar lifted his chin.
Tawnypelt stared at him. “But will you help us?”
Squirrelflight padded to her mate’s side. “We can’t let elders and kits die, even if they are not from our Clan.”
Bramblestar lowered his voice as he answered her. “What makes you think Onestar will let us have the herb?”
“Surely we must try?” Squirrelflight pressed.
Molewhisker crossed the clearing, his brown-and-cream pelt bristling. “Why should we help ShadowClan? They’re holding one of our Clanmates hostage!”
Crowfrost narrowed his eyes ominously. “That’s exactly why you should help us.”
Alderpaw stared at the ShadowClan deputy in alarm. “Will you harm her if we don’t help?”
Crowfrost curled his claws into the earth. “She will stay with us until we get the herb.”
That’s not an answer! Alderpaw wanted to rake the ShadowClan’s deputy’s muzzle. How dare he threaten an apprentice! A growl rumbled in his throat.
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“Hush, Alderpaw.” Bramblestar silenced him. He met Crowfrost’s gaze grimly. “We will discuss your offer and send word when we have decided.”
Crowfrost dipped his head. “Very well.”
“Are you going to let them bully us?” Molewhisker stared in surprise at the ThunderClan leader.
Bramblestar ignored him. “You should go now,” he told Crowfrost. “Dovewing and Bumblestripe will escort you back to your border.” He nodded to the two warriors.
A chill seeped beneath Alderpaw’s pelt as he watched the ShadowClan patrol head for the entrance.
Molewhisker padded to Bramblestar, his tail lashing. “We should attack their camp and rescue Twigpaw.”
Rosepetal joined her denmate, eyes glittering with rage. “It will be easy to get her back. Half their Clan is sick and the other half has joined the rogues!”
Graystripe crossed the clearing. “And if we get Twigpaw back, what then?” He stopped in front of Bramblestar. “ShadowClan will still need the herb.”
Bramblestar blinked at the elder. “Is that our problem?”
Squirrelflight stiffened. “Of course it is! A sick kit is every Clan’s problem.”
Bramblestar’s gaze darkened. “And what if WindClan still refuses to help when we ask?”
Alderpaw watched the warriors gaze at one another, worry worming in his belly. Twigpaw must be terrified. She was being held hostage in a strange Clan. “We have to do something!” he blurted.
Bramblestar gazed at him solemnly. “We will,” he promised. “But first we have to decide what.” He turned and leaped up the rock tumble, signaling with a flick of his tail for Squirrelflight to follow.
Breath quickening, Alderpaw watched them disappear into his den. What would they decide?
Alderpaw padded into camp, thyme dangling from his jaws. He’d been pleased to find it this early in newleaf, but his thoughts were still on Twigpaw. He’d spent all morning wondering if he could find an excuse to visit Puddleshine in the ShadowClan camp. He might get a chance to talk to her.
Bramblestar stood in the clearing, Squirrelflight, Jayfeather, and Leafpool beside him. He looked up as Alderpaw reached the edge. “You’re back!” The ThunderClan leader sounded pleased.
Alderpaw headed toward them and laid the thyme on the ground. They were looking at him expectantly. Did they have news about Twigpaw? “What’s happened?”
“We have a plan.” Squirrelflight told him.
Alderpaw leaned closer, his heart quickening.
Bramblestar met his gaze. “I want you and Leafpool to travel to WindClan and speak with Kestrelflight and, if possible, Onestar.”
Alderpaw’s mouth dried. He glanced at Jayfeather. He could understand why Bramblestar would entrust the mission to medicine cats. It would seem less confrontational. But surely Jayfeather would be a better choice. “Why me?”
Jayfeather grunted. “Apparently, you’re less likely to offend anyone.” He sounded prickly, as though Bramblestar’s decision had irritated him.
Leafpool blinked at Alderpaw. “This is a mission that requires tact and politeness.” Her gaze flashed toward Jayfeather.
The blind medicine cat huffed. “I don’t know why we don’t just travel to the moor and take some of this lungwort.”
Bramblestar stared at him. “We want to settle this peacefully, not make it worse.”
“Besides,” Leafpool interjected gently, “we don’t know what it looks like.”
“It’s dark green with gray spotted leaves. How hard can it be to find?” Jayfeather grunted.
“Bramblestar has made his decision,” Leafpool meowed firmly. “Alderpaw is coming with me. We will speak with Kestrelflight and see if there’s any chance of getting our paws on this herb.”
Alderpaw shifted nervously. “What if WindClan is angry that we crossed their border?”
“That’s why I’m sending medicine cats,” Bramblestar explained. “Even Onestar can’t object to that.”
Squirrelflight’s gaze darkened. “I wouldn’t be so sure. He’s been getting more unreasonable every moon.”
“Will he listen to us?” Alderpaw asked nervously.
“I don’t know,” Leafpool confessed. “That’s why we need to speak with Kestrelflight first. If we can get his support, perhaps he can persuade Onestar to see reason. We have to try. Not just for Twigpaw’s sake, but for Puddleshine’s sake too.” Her eyes glittered with worry. Alderpaw suddenly realized that she must be concerned about her former apprentice coping alone with the illness that was raging through ShadowClan.
Alderpaw lifted his chin. “When do we leave?”
“The sooner the better,” Bramblestar meowed. “I want Twigpaw home as soon as possible.”
“Can we leave now?” Alderpaw whipped his tail.
“I’m ready if you are,” Leafpool told him.
Nodding good-bye to their Clanmates, they headed out of camp and followed the trail to the WindClan border, as though traveling to the Moonpool. But instead of following the stream uphill, they leaped over it and crossed onto the moor. Heather crowded around them as they climbed the slope. Gorse rose ahead, its yellow buds bright in the afternoon sunshine.
Alderpaw glanced around nervously. “Should we stop and wait for a WindClan patrol to find us?” he asked Leafpool.
“Let’s find them.” She ducked into a swath of heather.
Alderpaw followed. The peaty earth felt soft underpaw, and the prickly fronds scraped his pelt. As they emerged at the far side, Alderpaw glimpsed the pale gray-and-white pelt of Gorsetail across a stretch of grass. Emberfoot was with her.
Leafpool halted and lifted her tail. “Hi!” she called across the slope.
The WindClan cats jerked their heads around and stared, anger sparking in their gazes.
Alderpaw moved closer to Leafpool, his heart pounding.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered. “We’re medicine cats, remember?”
She held her tail high as the WindClan cats bounded across the hillside to meet them.
Emberfoot reached them first, his pelt bristling. “What are you doing on our territory?”
Leafpool met his gaze, unflinching. “We need to speak with Kestrelflight.”
Gorsetail caught up. “What about?”
Leafpool sniffed. “It’s medicine-cat business.”
Alderpaw blinked at her admiringly. Wasn’t she afraid? Gorsetail’s and Emberfoot’s ears were flat. Mistrust glittered in their eyes.
Leafpool lifted her chin. “Are you going to take us to him or do we have to find our own way?”
Gorsetail’s ears twitched. “We’ll take you,” she growled grudgingly.
Leafpool brushed against Alderpaw as the WindClan cats turned and headed up the slope. “Stick close to me,” she whispered.
Alderpaw’s heartbeat thundered in his ears as he followed Gorsetail and Emberfoot into the WindClan camp. Although it was tucked into a dip in the hillside, the wide, grassy clearing felt exposed. Wind whipped over the encircling gorse and tugged at Alderpaw’s fur.
WindClan cats stared from the long grass rippling at the edges of the camp, surprise glinting in their eyes. Breezepelt strode toward them, chest puffed out indignantly. “What are they doing here?”
“They want to speak with Kestrelflight,” Emberfoot told him.
Breezepelt narrowed his eyes.
Nearby, Nightcloud’s gaze flicked nervously toward a den entrance at the head of the clearing. Was that Onestar’s den?
Gorsetail stopped. She nodded toward an opening in the gorse wall of the camp. “He’s in there.”
Leafpool dipped her head and ducked inside.
Alderpaw followed her quickly, relieved to be out of the wind and hidden from the curious gazes of the WindClan cats.
Kestrelflight was tearing borage leaves into strips and rolling them into tight bundles. He looked up as Leafpool and Alderpaw entered. “What are you doing here?” Surprise edged his mew.
Leafpool whisked her tail
. “One medicine cat may visit another, surely?”
Kestrelflight glanced nervously toward the den entrance. “Does Onestar know you’re here?”
“He probably does by now,” Leafpool answered matter-of-factly.
Alderpaw looked over his shoulder, half expecting the WindClan leader to barge angrily into the den.
“He won’t be pleased,” Kestrelflight warned.
“We’re not ShadowClan cats,” Leafpool pointed out.
“Onestar doesn’t trust any cat these days,” Kestrelflight lowered his voice. “Not even his own Clanmates.”
Leafpool’s eyes rounded. “Why not?”
Kestrelflight looked at his paws, not answering.
“Surely losing a life can’t have affected him so badly?” Leafpool’s ears twitched impatiently. “Have the rogues done something else to unsettle him?”
Kestrelflight bristled defensively. “Wasn’t killing Furzepelt and bringing sickness to the lake enough?”
Leafpool stiffened. “Is the sickness here?”
“Not yet.” Kestrelflight’s eye shone with worry. “But what if it comes?”
Leafpool shrugged. “If Puddleshine’s dream is correct, you have the cure growing right here on your territory.”
Kestrelflight padded past her to the entrance and peered out as though checking to see if anyone was listening. “Is that why you’re here?” he whispered, turning back to Leafpool.
Alderpaw’s heart quickened. Would the WindClan medicine cat agree to help them?
Leafpool met his gaze. “ShadowClan is holding Twigpaw hostage. They won’t return her to us until we persuade Onestar to give them lungwort.”
Kestrelflight’s eyes widened. “Did they kidnap her?”
Leafpool sighed. “The silly young cat decided to visit her sister in the middle of the night. They caught her in their camp.”
Alderpaw puffed out his fur. “She was upset about her mother,” he mewed defensively.
Leafpool blinked at him. “Let’s not worry about why she did it. The situation is that she is ShadowClan’s hostage until we give them lungwort.”
Kestrelflight frowned. “I wish I could help.”
“Then help!” Leafpool urged.
“I can’t go against Onestar’s wishes.” Kestrelflight argued.