Bramblestar’s Storm

Ivypool’s voice was low but powerful, and for a moment Bramblestar was shocked by her ruthless advice. Then he remembered the many moons that Ivypool had spent being trained in the Dark Forest. She had learned more savagery there than most warriors could imagine. Thornclaw, Blossomfall, and Birchfall must know how to fight like this, too, he thought. At least their experiences will be useful here.

When the apprentices tried the move again, Bramblestar could see the effects of Ivypool’s advice. They kept their balance, their claws digging into Brackenfur’s back. Lilypaw bent over Brackenfur’s shoulder until her ears almost brushed the grass and hooked his paws out from under him. As he fell onto his side, Snowpaw flexed his claws, aiming for Brackenfur’s eyes.

“Hey!” Brackenfur yowled. “Don’t do that for real!”

Snowpaw leaped back, giving Brackenfur the chance to haul himself back onto his paws. “Sorry,” he mewed. “I got carried away.”

“No harm done,” Brackenfur responded.

Ivypool gave an approving nod. “Much better. That was fierce.”

When his patrol returned to the camp, Bramblestar noticed that the atmosphere had improved. All the cats were discussing the battle practice, the younger warriors especially pleased with what they had learned. Even though Bramblestar figured they were still not thrilled about going into battle on behalf of another Clan, there was a new sense of purpose and pride in their skills.

“I think they’ll be okay,” Squirrelflight remarked, padding up to him where he sat at the foot of the mudpile.

“How did you get on with the kittypets?” Bramblestar asked.

“Frankie and Jessy did well,” Squirrelflight replied. “But Minty has no confidence at all.”

Bramblestar nodded. “She’s not bred to fight. And they’re kittypets: Can we even ask them to take part in this battle at all?”

“Jessy and Frankie are keen to join in,” Squirrelflight told him. “I can’t stop them.”

Daisy poked her head out of the tunnel; clearly she had overheard what they were discussing. “Minty could stay behind with me and the other cats who don’t fight,” she meowed. “You can’t risk the lives of your entire Clan. This isn’t the battle against the Dark Forest all over again.”

Bramblestar nodded. “Who else do you think should stay behind?”

“Enough warriors to defend the camp,” Daisy meowed. “Maybe Brackenfur and Spiderleg, for a start.” She gave her whiskers a twitch. “I’d ask Graystripe and Dustpelt, too, but it’s no use expecting those gray muzzles to listen to me!”

While she was speaking, Leafpool emerged from the bushes with a mouthful of chervil and padded up to Bramblestar. She set down her bundle of herbs and waited patiently for a chance to speak.

“Do you need something?” Bramblestar mewed.

“It’s about Cinderheart.” Leafpool looked troubled. “I think she should stay here in camp, too.”

Baffled, Bramblestar exchanged a glance with Squirrelflight. Was there a problem with Cinderheart that he didn’t know about? Squirrelflight shrugged. “Why do you think that?” Bramblestar prompted.

Leafpool hesitated. “I just don’t think you can expect Cinderheart to face badgers.”

“Okay.” Bramblestar was still puzzled. “If she wants to stay behind, that’s fine by me.”

“No, I want you to tell her—” Leafpool began, then broke off.

Bramblestar had a feeling that his medicine cat knew something she wasn’t telling him. “I can’t force Cinderheart not to fight,” he meowed. “She is a warrior, after all.”

Leafpool sighed, shaking her head, then picked up her bunch of chervil and headed into the tunnel. A cold trickle of apprehension crept down Bramblestar’s spine, and after a heartbeat’s hesitation he followed her.

“Are you okay?” he asked. “Have you had a bad omen about this battle?”

Leafpool stopped and faced him, her blue eyes clouded with distress. In a rush Bramblestar remembered the last battle against the badgers, in the hollow. Leafpool had returned to find the whole camp in torment and her mentor, Cinderpelt, dying in the nursery, torn apart by a badger as she protected Sorreltail while she gave birth. Mouse-brain! he scolded himself. No wonder the thought of fighting badgers frightens her.

“It won’t be like the last time,” he promised. “These badgers won’t come anywhere near where we live. I will keep our Clanmates safe.”

“Thank you, Bramblestar.” Leafpool’s response was quiet, and Bramblestar sensed that for some reason she still wasn’t reassured.