Chapter 36

Jaysong followed Brambleclaw, the rest of the dawn patrol padding around them. Brambleclaw had asked four cats to accompany him on dawn patrol and Jaysong wondered what her Clan deputy wanted. Jaysong glanced at the other cats of the patrol, but they weren't looking at her. Squirrelflight was walking beside Brambleclaw, her green eyes soft with concern as she stared at her mate. Ever since Graystripe's death, Firestar had barely left his den, leaving his Clan in Brambleclaw's paws. Icestorm and Lionblaze walked beside each other, their pelts barely brushing as they followed the patrol deeper into the forest. Jaysong wondered if there was something troubling the two mates, but decided it wasn't her business to interfere.

Stopping when they reached Sky Oak, Brambleclaw sat down at the foot of the massive tree, his eyes telling the others to do the same. Squirrelflight and Jaysong settled down next to Brambleclaw while Icestorm and Lionblaze sat down a couple mouselengths away. Every cat was staring at Brambleclaw, but the dark brown tabby seemed lost for words as though he couldn't explain why he had asked them all to come. Probably impatient with the silence, Squirrelflight meowed, "Brambleclaw, what's wrong? I doubt you asked us all to come out of our warm dens to talk about the leaf-fall weather." Squirrelflight shivered as if to prove her point.

"Um, it's about Graystripe," Brambleclaw mumbled, kneading the ground with his massive paws. "I think a patrol should journey to the mountains and tell Stormfur of Graystripe's death. I believe it's the right thing to do." Brambleclaw looked at Squirrelflight, Jaysong, and Lionblaze, adding, "I want you three to be the patrol that journeys to the mountains. Squirrelflight and Lionblaze, you've been there before and Jaysong, I believe this could be a good lesson for you." Despite the kindness in Brambleclaw's voice, Jaysong began to bristle. Lessons? What was she an apprentice? "I won't be able to travel with you because of Firestar. I think Graystripe's death has badly shaken him. He'll need me now more than ever."

"But what about Brackenpaw? If I'm going to go to the mountains than who will mentor her. She's approaching the time when she should earn her warrior name. I don't want her to be without a mentor during this crucial time in her training." Jaysong asked and Brambleclaw nodded, his amber eyes gleaming as though he had already answered this question. "If it's okay with you, Jaysong, I think Icestorm would be a good substitue mentor for Brackenpaw. That's why I asked her to come with us." Brambleclaw dipped his head to Icestorm and the white warrior blinked her thanks. Icestorm was older than Jaysong and it had probably annoyed her when the younger warrior had gotten an apprentice before her.

"Icestorm, will be a perfect mentor," Lionblaze purred, nodding his head in Icestorm's direction. Icestorm blinked at Lionblaze, but didn't say anything. This furthered Jaysong's suspicions that there was something wrong between the two mates. Dipping her head towards Icestorm, Jaysong meowed, "Icestorm, you will be a good mentor for Brackenpaw, but be careful. That cat doesn't listen to a word anyone says." Icestorm laughed, flicking her ears in response. Chuckling too, Jaysong added, "So should Icestorm and I tell Firestar? After all, changing mentors is a pretty big thing."

Brambleclaw's amber eyes- which had been filled with amusement before- darkend into sadness as the dark brown tabby mewed, "I don't think that would be such a great idea. As I said before, Firestar is very disturbed by Graystripe's death. The only cats so far that have talked to him are myself and Sandstorm. Leafpool tried to see if there was anything she could do for him, but he sent her away. I think Firestar just wants to be alone and I think suggesting a changing of mentors would upset him. I'm not even going to tell him about you all going to the mountains until after you leave. I don't want Firestar to stop you."

"But that's breaking the warrior code!" Icestorm gasped and Brambleclaw nodded sadly. Jaysong could tell that this was the last thing Brambleclaw wanted to do. Understanding the uncomfortable position Brambleclaw was in, Icestorm added, "So when do they leave?"

*

"Eat these herbs now. They should last you until you are clear of Clan territory," Leafpool meowed, pushing a pile of herbs towards Jaysong and the others. It had only been a few hours since Brambleclaw told them of the journey they would have to go on and now they were preparing to leave. Jaysong felt guiltly about no saying goodbye to Rushpaw or her friends, but Brambleclaw had told them not to tell another cat incase Firestar overheard. To prepare for their journey, Leafpool and Applefrost had followed the chosen cats out of camp to give them ther traveling herbs for the long journey ahead.

"Remember borage can be used for fevers! Burdock root can be used for infections, but incase you get too sore from your journey burduck root can help you. Leafbare is coming up so see if you can find any catmint incase any cat gets greencough! I know it's leaf-fall, but you need to be careful. If you eat anything bad remember to eat chervil root! It's really good for a stomach ache and it's really easy to find. Do you remember what it looks like? Bramble twigs can help a cat sleep in case it's loud up in those mountains! Great StarClan, I just realized something! They might have different herbs in the mountains!" Applefrost rambled. It seemed like he was trying to tell Jaysong everything he knew before she had to leave.

Pressing her muzzle against Applefrost's shoulder, Jaysong murmured gently, "I'll be fine, Applefrost. Remember, Squirrelflight and Lionblaze have been to the mountains before. I'm sure they know what to do incase anything happens." Jaysong blinked in affection at Applefrost and then turned away from her friend to eat the herbs Leafpool had given her. Licking them up, Jaysong spat, "Yuck these herbs taste horrible!" Applefrost purred and flicked Jaysong on the shoulder. Although he seemed calmer, there was still a trace of panic in Applefrost's green eyes as he stared at Jaysong. The golden brown warrior wondered if something was going to happen up in the mountains.

"Well goodbye, Leafpool," Squirrelflight meowed to Leafpool, giving her sister a lick on the ear in fairwell. "May StarClan bring us home soon." Leafpool nodded. "Okay everyone let's go!" Squirrelflight raced away, Jaysong and Lionblaze sprinting after her. Jaysong forgot to look at her home one last time.