The cats of WindClan, ThunderClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan have lived in peace for seasons on end. Since the death of both Hawkfrost and Tigerstar's legacy, the cats surrounding the lake have seen nothing but peace for at least eight seasons.
One cat in particular, Firestar's one and only son, Mintpaw, is curious about the story of Tigerstar. His new mentor and deputy, Brambleclaw, refuses to tell him, for fear of his trust being blown. This here is the story of Mintpaw unlocking each secret of Tigerstar, and the betrayal of some of the best warriors because of them.
Mintpaw opened his eyes. The dew was glazed over the soft crabgrass outside the apprentice's den. He let out an enormous yawn, surprised to see a cloud of hot breath float away into the damp air.
"Do you have to yawn so loud, Mintpaw?" teased his sister, Rootpaw.
Mintpaw gently cuffed her ear and ducked out into the camp. Firestar was asleep in the sun, Sandstorm stretched out beside him, and Brambleclaw grooming himself under the Highledge. The deputy was his mentor, and Mintpaw couldn't think of any cat he looked up to more except for his father. But Brambleclaw had saved Firestar and perhaps the whole forest. The elders had repeated the story over and over again when he was just a kit.
"Mintpaw!" called a familiar voice.
He leaped over the short ledge to his best friend, Berrytail. He had just recently become a warrior, and he was extremely proud.
"Berrytail!" Mintpaw mewed, touching his nose to his friend's gently.
"You slept awhile. I thought you wouldn't be up in time for the morning patrol! Brambleclaw promised to take us, remember?" his friend meowed.
Mintpaw couldn't help but think how much Berrytail seemed like an apprentice still. Brambleclaw often even treated him like one. But he knew Brambleclaw was just trying to show some discipline, and trying to make the ThunderClan warriors the best they could be.
"Mintpaw! Berrytail!" Brambleclaw's deep meow echoed across the camp to them.
Without saying a word, they bounded up to him. He felt Brambleclaw's tail gently brush his back, and he suddenly felt like a tiny kit against the broad-shouldered tabby. Squirrelflight tagged along after them, her green eyes glowing with an emotion Mintpaw couldn't identify.
"Wait up!"
They left just in time to see Sorreltail's kit stumbling after them.
"Woodkit, go back! Kits can't go on patrols. Not until you're an apprentice." Brambleclaw growled.
"But..."
"Go back to the nursery! Your mother is wondering where you are," Squirrelflight meowed, gently nudging the kit back through the camp entrance.
Woodkit gave her a long, sad look and hobbled back.
"Kits!" Berrytail mewed.
Brambleclaw quickly led them further toward the ShadowClan border. They were surprised to see Ashfur sitting peacefully right next to a scent marker.
"Ashfur," Brambleclaw mewed, "Why are you over here?"
Brambleclaw couldn't hide the hostility in his voice. Ashfur still hadn't forgiven him for taking Squirrelflight back. Squirrelflight was obviously embarrassed.
"I'm not doing anything," Ashfur spat back.
Ashfur couldn't lie to his own deputy, could he? Mintpaw cocked his head, wondering what Ashfur really was doing over here.