Dark River

“She’s back!”

Brook stopped washing and looked up. “Glad to see you’re safe.”

Stormfur nodded at her but said nothing. Dustpelt and Thornclaw only glanced at her before returning to their hushed conversation. Hollypaw knew she was in big trouble.

“Hollypaw!” Lionpaw raced from the apprentice den. He looked bright-eyed, as though he’d been asleep for ages. He weaved around her, purring. “You smell like fish!”

Jaypaw padded out of the medicine den and blinked, his blue eyes staring directly at her. Yet again Hollypaw had the unnerving sense that he could see her, even though she knew he couldn’t.

“You need to see Firestar,” Squirrelflight informed her.

Hollypaw’s fur tingled as her mother watched her climb the tumble of rocks to Highledge. Heart pounding, she stepped into Firestar’s cave. Brackenfur was waiting beside the ThunderClan leader. “Welcome back.” His mew was grim.

Firestar narrowed his eyes. “You’ve caused a lot of worry and effort at a time when the Clan can least afford it,” he meowed.

“I was only trying to—”

Firestar cut her off. “We don’t want to hear excuses. You broke the warrior code. I told you plainly that we were not going to interfere with RiverClan but you went there anyway.

You abandoned your Clan when it needs its warriors and apprentices more than ever.”

“But I’ve found something out. You mustn’t fight WindClan!”

“Why not?”

Hollypaw scraped her claws over the rocky floor. “I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t?”

“I’ve made a promise.” Hollypaw’s tail twitched unhappily.

“You have to trust me. There’s no need to fight.”

Firestar whisked his tail over the ground. “Do you really expect me to make decisions for the Clan based on that?”

Hollypaw opened her mouth, but what could she say?

“You will be confined to camp for a day,” Firestar went on.

“It should be longer, but we can’t spare you right now. Patrols have been stepped up since the incident with WindClan, and you are expected to play your part in them. But you will be responsible for looking after the elders for the next moon.

It’ll be up to you to make sure they are fed and their bedding is kept clean, and don’t think about asking your denmates for help. This will be your responsibility alone.”

Hollypaw dipped her head. The promise she’d made to Leopardstar stuck in her throat, but she was determined to honor it. She wasn’t going to have every cat who knew her

accuse her of being disloyal. At least RiverClan didn’t treat her like a stupid kit—they even thought she might have been a spy. “Is that it?” she muttered.

Firestar flicked his tail. “You may as well start now.

Mousefur and Longtail will be grateful for fresh bedding.”

“Okay.” Hollypaw turned and padded out of the den. Why couldn’t Firestar have more faith in her? Had he been to RiverClan? The Clan leaders only looked as far as the end of their whiskers. Well, let them! She’d just get on with her duties and keep her mouth shut. Angrily, she skidded down the rocky slope and stomped to Leafpool’s den.

She poked her head through the brambles. “Can I have some fresh bedding for the elders’ den?”

Leafpool was unwrapping the cobwebs from Cinderpaw’s leg.

“Hollypaw!” Cinderpaw mewed. “Jaypaw’s dream was right!”

“Of course it was right!” Jaypaw was sorting herbs at the back of the den. He turned to face Hollypaw. “I suppose Firestar’s put you on nettles and water for a moon?”

“Not quite.” Hollypaw’s whiskers twitched. It was good to hear Jaypaw’s grouchy mew again. “Thanks for sending Squirrelflight to find me.”

“No problem.” Jaypaw shrugged and then went back to his sorting.

Leafpool was staring at her with troubled eyes. “I’m glad you’re safe,” she meowed.

“I’m sorry I worried everyone,” Hollypaw replied.

“Don’t do it again.” Leafpool’s mew was suddenly fierce.

Hollypaw bristled. You sound like my mother! She’d had enough of being told off. “Moss?” she asked again.

Leafpool flicked her tail to the pile at the side of the cave.

“Help yourself.”

Hollypaw took the biggest clump she could carry and padded to the elders’ den. There were worse punishments, she supposed.

“Is it true?” Mousefur shifted out of the way as Hollypaw began sifting through the old bedding. “Were you with RiverClan?”

“Yes.”

“Did they treat you well?” Longtail leaned forward, nose twitching. “It smells like they fed you.”

“Yes.”

Mousefur wrinkled her muzzle. “I’ve never liked the taste of fish. Too watery.”

Hollypaw plucked a wad of dried moss and flung it toward the entrance.

Mousefur narrowed her eyes. “You’re very quiet for an apprentice who’s just had a big adventure.”

“What’s the point in talking?” Hollypaw flung another clump of moss. “No one wants to listen to an apprentice.”

“Was Firestar tough on you?” Longtail mewed sympathet-ically.

“No.”

Mousefur flicked her tail. “It’s no use sulking,” she snapped. “You broke the warrior code. Did you think everyone would welcome you back like a hero?”

“No!” Hollypaw glared at her. “But at least I was trying to help. Everyone else just wants to fight!”

“We must defend our borders,” Longtail pointed out.

“We wouldn’t have to defend our borders if we talked to one another!”

“Talk?” Longtail’s eyes widened with surprise. “We’re warriors! We fight with tooth and claw, not words!”

“Wait a moment.” Mousefur leaned toward Hollypaw.

“Why do you think talking will help? WindClan has made it clear that they want to steal our prey. They crossed our border once. They’re trying to steal our territory.”

“Why do you think they want to steal our territory?”

Hollypaw challenged.

“Because RiverClan is planning to steal theirs!” Longtail meowed.

Hollypaw swished her tail. “Are you sure?”

“Of course! They’ve lost their land!” Longtail argued.

“They have to go somewhere.”

They haven’t lost their land! Hollypaw wished she hadn’t promised RiverClan she’d keep quiet. “Everyone is jumping to conclusions!” she snapped. “We don’t know anything for sure.

WindClan doesn’t know anything for sure. We’re all just guessing! We might end up fighting over nothing!”

Mousefur frowned. “And you think talking might stop the battle?” Her mew was thoughtful.

Hollypaw felt hope flicker beneath her pelt. Was someone listening to her at last? She gazed expectantly at Mousefur.

“Can you get Firestar to think about it again?”

Mousefur didn’t reply directly. “You’d better fetch some more moss.” She began to spread out the pile Hollypaw had brought. “We’re going to need more than this.”

Hollypaw closed her eyes as the sweet flavor of mouse spread over her tongue. She crunched through a