Chapter 4

Thistlestar looked down. They all heard the tales from Mousefur and Purdy when they were still alive. Thistlestar's mother, Cinderheart, had told her about the battle when she was an apprentice, too. It was a tough time for all the clans after the battle with the Dark Forest. It took moons to get everything back together. "I still think we need the three. We need to contact them when we share tongues with Starclan tonight." Dovewing had died five moons ago, leaving the clan without the three.

Lionblaze and Cinderheart died in a terrible bout of greencough along with, Mousefur, Dustpelt, Squirrelflight, and Purdy. They were only apprentices then and Thistlestar herself had almost joined Starclan. Jayfeather died a few moons after the greencough bout, leaving Nettlestream to fend for herself as a new fully named medicine cat. Thistlestar and her two brothers were newly named warriors too. It was hard for them to lose most of their relatives. Lionblaze, Cinderheart, Sandstorm, Squirrelflight, Leafpool, Whitewing, Birchfall, Dovewing, Ivypool, and Bumblestripe.

After losing his mate, Bumblestripe had left for the life of a kittypet, then died a few days later. Thistlestar was devastated to hear the news from Smokey, an old kittypet who lives in the horseplace. Thistlestar was drawn from her memories, when someone moved beside her. Fur brushed her pelt and she turned her head to see Peaknook standing, fur bristling. She must have missed something.

"But Thistleclaw had taught evil to Tigerstar. He's more blood thirsty than his old apprentice." Nettlestream argued.

Peaknook shook his grey and brown head fiercely. "Just because Thistleclaw was Tigerstar's mentor doesn't mean he's more evil." He snapped. "Why do you think Tigerstar was leader of the Dark Forest along with Brokenstar?"

Nettlestream hissed. Thistlestar stepped forward to interject. "Well, what about Darkstripe?"

Peaknook shook his head and sat down, "He's not respected enough. Anytime he tries to go near the leaders' rock, Thistleclaw or any other senior warrior swats him back into the crowd."

Thistlestar looked at Paddedstem. Peaknook used to train in the dark forest in his sleep. Some how he got away like Lionblaze. "Well Hawkfrost is gone too…" Paddedstem paused thinking about who all we were told in stories elders told us. "Breezepelt?"

"He may be a good choice," Peaknook mewed. "But he's too new."

Thistlestar thought about the Shadowclan warrior who betrayed his clan. Blackstar had killed him. "Hey, what about Redwillow. He tried to murder his clanmates too."

Peaknook nodded. "He would be a wise choice too, but he's also new. However, not as new as Breezepelt. So I don't know what Mapleshade and Thistleclaw would think of him."

Honeypaw, who was quiet during their debate, finally spoke up. "Nettlestream, haven't we found unexplainable wounds on Starlingtail?"

She nodded. "Yeah, yeah we have. But if he does go there in his sleep he isn't experienced enough, or old enough-"

"Or even dead, and he hasn't been there for as long as Thistleclaw and Mapleshade," Paddedstem interrupted.

Nettlestream let out a huff. "Disrespectful cats." She turned and went into the herb store. "Honeypaw, I want you to help me see what all we need. We're going to need to be prepared."

Thistlestar turned to go to her den, and then stopped. "If you need anything, just ask one of the warriors. I'm sure they'll be glad to help." She waved her tail to Paddedstem. "Escort Peaknook back to the Elder's den. Then go to your nest and rest."

"I can make it there on my own," The elder snapped. Paddedstem backed up a few steps, allowing Peaknook to push through the brambles after Thistlestar.

The Thunderclan leader padded slowly to the tumble of rocks that led up to highledge and her den. Paw steps sounded behind her and she turned to see Sunblaze looking at her with concern in his blue eyes.

"Everything okay?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.

Thistlestar sighed. "I hope." She bounded up the rocks and pulled herself tiredly into her shadowy den.