Another moon went by and Clan life continued. The apprentices learned more about the warrior code while small miracles occurred in the Clan's day-to-day lives. Blossomfall had moved into the nursery, expecting Thornclaw's kits, and Talonpaw had overheard Thornclaw's brother, Brackenfur, teasing his kin about how he would be the oldest father in ThunderClan. Talonpaw had been impressed with the calmness in which Thornclaw had answered Brackenfur, reminding him that his most recent litter, Lilypaw and Seedpaw, were still apprentices while Brackenfur's oldest daughter, Poppyfrost's, kits had already received their warrior names over two moons ago.
"Talonpaw," Lionblaze called and Talonpaw hurried to his mentor who was accompanied by Molenose and Honeypaw, "I want you and Honeypaw to take care of Purdy and Spiderleg today." Talonpaw narrowed his eyes in annoyance. Hadn't he been forced to take care of the elders enough when he was a kit? "Talonpaw," Lionblaze's voice was warning him to behave, but as Talonpaw glanced towards the entrance of the camp, he watched as Stormpaw and Hollypaw followed their mentors. Lionblaze had obviously followed his stare because he added, his voice gentler, "All apprentices must share the responsibilities of caring for the elders, Talonpaw. Today, you will care for them; tomorrow, Stormpaw will take your place."
"Yes, Lionblaze," Talonpaw sighed before flicking his tail in Honeypaw's direction, "Come on, Honeypaw. Let's go see how Purdy and Spiderleg are doing today."
The two apprentices padded towards the elders' den and entered, instantly spotting Purdy and Spiderleg as they pushed their way into the den. Purdy looked surprised to see them while Spiderleg just snorted, obviously taking pleasure in the fact that two apprentices were being forced to care for him. Purdy was the first cat to speak, "Talonpaw? Honeypaw? I must say I'm surprised. I thought the two of you would have more important things to do then to waste time in the elders' den, listening to old fables."
"You mousebrain," Spiderleg hissed although the affection in his amber stare revealed how much he cared for the older tabby. Despite Spiderleg's distaste for all cats who were not Clanborn, Talonpaw had to admit that the impatient black-and-brown tom had more patience then cats of other Clans. After all, his own kits, Toadstep and Rosepetal, were half-kittypet and he still had given his kits a respectful dip of the head when they had earned their warrior names – and from Spiderleg that was like saying "I love you." "The apprentices are obviously here to fulfill one of their duties, am I right?" Talonpaw and Honeypaw both nodded their heads and Spiderleg returned the nod, "Good because my back has been aching. One of you go run along to Jayfeather and get me something."
Talonpaw and Honeypaw exchanged a look before Talonpaw sighed, padding out of the elders' den while he watched Honeypaw approach the Purdy, combing through the elder cat's fur for ticks. It was no surprise that Honeypaw wanted to care for Purdy as opposed to Spiderleg. The old tabby was less likely to claw your ears off.
He padded towards Jayfeather's den, but stopped outside it as he heard Lionblaze's low mew. He missed whatever Lionblaze said, but Jayfeather's response was louder and he could pick up the faintest trace of a snarl in the medicine cat's voice. That surprised him, not because he thought the medicine cat was gentle, but because he always assumed that the two brothers rarely fought with one another. Jayfeather usually saved his sharp tongue for other members of the Clan.
"You mousebrain, you have aggression mixed with irritableness," Jayfeather growled and Talonpaw crouched, trying to understand what his mentor and the medicine cat were talking about, "Just because he has a sharp tongue doesn't mean he is going to hurt anyone."
"It's not just his tongue, Jayfeather," Lionblaze's response was calmer than Jayfeather's, but there was still a sharp edge to his mew, "I'm also concerned about his ambition and the way he treats his fellow apprentices. He was out with Lilypaw the other day and he knocked her hard on the ground. She could have gotten hurt."
Talonpaw's eyes widened as he realized that the two toms were talking about Stormpaw. He hadn't been there the day with Lilypaw, but he remembered that Stormpaw had been frustrated with Berrynose for snapping at him when he accidentally knocked his apprentice to the ground. Stormpaw's fellow apprentices hadn't given much thought about it – Lilypaw had barely even cared – but both Berrynose and Lionblaze had chastised the young tom. When Stormpaw had stalked away from his father, Talonpaw and Briarlight had followed him, Briarlight explaining that the war with the Dark Forest cats was still fresh in the minds of the senior warriors and all the older cats were on edge. Stormpaw had been too proud to accept the medicine cat's advice so he instead chose to ask Icecloud to take him out for another hunting lesson.
Talonpaw blinked. Was that why Lionblaze thought that Stormpaw was too ambitious? Stormpaw did ask to be a part of every hunting patrol and whenever Talonpaw or Hollypaw were brought out to practice fighting, he immediately went to Icecloud to see if he could go as well. Was Lionblaze scared of his son's eagerness to learn?
Did the memories of Tigerstar, a cat who had been gone from the Earth seasons before Lionblaze's birth, still haunt the living cats of today? Talonpaw had heard the stories of Tigerstar from the senior apprentices who had heard them from cats even older, but the name was old and evoked no fear in Talonpaw or Stormpaw or any of the other apprentices.
Was that why Lionblaze was so concerned about Stormpaw's ambition? Since none of the younger cats feared Tigerstar's name, was he worried that his actions would be forgotten? Talonpaw found that hard to believe since he found the idea of any of his friends killing a Clanmate hard to fathom.
"Talonpaw?" The young apprentice jumped as Briarlight's voice sounded from behind him. He turned to look at the medicine cat apprentice, her amber eyes staring at him curiously, "What are you doing hiding over here?"
"N-nothing," Talonpaw stuttered, "Spiderleg sent me over to see if I could get anything for his sore back?"
"He should be fine with some poppy seeds," Briarlight meowed, "His back is only sore because he rarely leaves the elders' den. He'd rather stay in there gossiping with Purdy and snapping at apprentices then actually move from his den." Despite chastising the senior cat, Briarlight's voice was soft and ended in a purr as she tilted her head towards the medicine cat's den, indicating that Talonpaw should follow her.
The two cats entered the den just as Lionblaze was pushing his way out. He dipped his head to his apprentice before muttering to Briarlight, "Sometimes he asks for too much, Briarlight." The meaning of Lionblaze's words was lost on Talonpaw, but Briarlight narrowed her eyes and seemed to want to say something to Lionblaze, but he was already gone.
"Jayfeather?" Briarlight meowed and the gray tabby appeared, blindly staring in their direction. "Talonpaw needs some poppy seeds to take to Spiderleg."
Jayfeather nodded before quickly gathering poppy seeds, padding over to Talonpaw and leaving them at his paws. "If these don't help then go and change Spiderleg's moss. It rained a couple of days ago and he could just be sleeping on wet bedding."
Talonpaw dipped his head and scooped up the poppy seeds, padding out of the den. As he was leaving he heard Briarlight murmur, "Lionblaze seemed very angry just now, Jayfeather."
Talonpaw stopped to listen.
"I hope you two weren't discussing what I think you were discussing."
There was silence on Jayfeather's end.
"Jayfeather, both you and Lionblaze need to meet each other halfway. You can't keep criticizing Lionblaze's parenting of Stormpaw," Jayfeather growled in response to Briarlight's words, "Jayfeather, Stormpaw is Lionblaze's son and I know you see yourself in him. You have the same tongue, but he is Lionblaze's kit. Lionblaze also has to learn to listen to your opinion on the matter. You are his brother and the medicine cat of this Clan. He has to understand that you have a say in things."
Jayfeather muttered something in response to Briarlight's small speech, but it was lost on Talonpaw who quickly padded in the direction of the medicine cat's den, poppy seeds in tow.
He tried to listen to Purdy's stories and endure Spiderleg's complaints like a normal apprentice, but the argument between Jayfeather and Lionblaze still echoed in his mind – as well as Briarlight's final words. He couldn't figure it out, but something was going on between the three cats.
The question was – did he want to find out what?