Chapter 11
Evening held the forest in a warm grip. Maplepaw stretched out before the apprentice's den, wincing at the smarting in her paws. It already felt better – Jayfeather's medicine and her day of low activity had soothed her sore claws.
She was just getting ready to settle down to eat when the patrols returned. Squirrelflight's came first, storming the fresh-kill pile and grumbling to themselves. Dovewing didn't acknowledge Maplepaw when she picked up a rabbit and went to share it with Bumblestripe, a troubled look in her eyes. Snowpaw was bristling when he threw down his mouse.
"Stupid ShadowClan!" he growled.
"What happened?" Maplepaw asked.
"One of their apprentices ran across the border on accident!" Snowpaw spat. He dug his claws into the ground. "ShadowClan cats are such mouse-brains!"
Accidents happen, Maplepaw thought. Yet she couldn't imagine making that sort of mistake – not unless the border markings were completely wiped clean. Even the youngest kit knew not to cross borders!
Snowpaw was tearing into his mouse. Swallowing his latest bite, he went on, "And those ShadowClan cats had the nerve to try and antagonize us! They accused Dovewing of spying on their Clan!"
"Mama would never!" Maplepaw gasped. Dovewing, spy? It was unthinkable! Her powerful senses stayed trained on ThunderClan territory, just like Jayfeather healed ThunderClan cats and Lionblaze protected ThunderClan with his great strength. They used their powers for the good of their Clan!
"I know," Snowpaw agreed. He bristled a little more, and then added, "And they made fun of me – they said I couldn't scent properly."
Maplepaw watched him eat. Her own piece of fresh-kill remained untouched – but as soon as she bent her head to take a bite Bramblestar's patrol returned, fur bristling and tails lashing.
"I wonder what happened?" Snowpaw wondered, his mouth half-full of fresh-kill. "I'll get Dewpaw – you go see."
Maplepaw nodded and then trotted up to the patrol. Spottedpaw trailed at the end, tail low and pelt dusty. She looked up when Maplepaw approached.
"What happened?" Maplepaw asked.
"You'll hear it from Bramblestar," Spottedpaw answered, sighing. She sat down where she stood in the clearing. Most of the patrol did the same. Bramblestar was exchanging some quick words with Squirrelflight.
Maplepaw sniffed all along her friend's pelt. She failed to smell anything but the strange moorland scents – rabbit, heather, and tall grasses swaying in the breeze. She had been on WindClan territory. The patrol had had a reason to cross the border!
"There wasn't any fighting," Spottedpaw promised. "I'm just tired."
Maplepaw sat beside her friend, pressing their mottled pelts together. Bramblestar had finished his chat with Squirrelflight, and the two were now poised at the top of Highledge.
News of the patrols' return spread through the camp like wildfire, and by the time that Bramblestar was on the Highledge there was no need for an announcement – all the cats who could be out of their dens were, their eyes and ears poised intently for listening.
"Cats of ThunderClan, I'm sure you've already heard the news of Squirrelflight's patrol – for those who haven't, it was nothing to worry about immediately," Bramblestar began. "We'll keep an eye on the ShadowClan border, just in case; but the crossing was merely an apprentice being distracted by prey. Our real concern is WindClan."
"Definitely," grumbled Spiderleg. His tail was flicking, his spine bristling.
"WindClan, however… is having another issue," Bramblestar announced. "We found the prey that Millie's patrol had discovered this morning – and we followed its trail deep into WindClan territory. We encountered Ashfoot and a patrol doing the exact same thing. Some rogue has been leaving crow-food in WindClan territory, mixing scent trails and pinning the blame on other Clans."
"The piece that Ashfoot found was reeking of RiverClan," Brackenfur pointed out. "But it was a rabbit – every cat knows that RiverClan aren't fast enough to catch rabbits."
"RiverClan denied the claims," Bramblestar continued. "Ashfoot admitted that they had recently found traces of ThunderClan on another piece of prey earlier that day – they were investigating the connections."
"What did they find?" Poppyfrost demanded. "What would a rogue have to gain by fooling with Clan prey?"
"Crowfeather was on the patrol," Bramblestar announced. "He had been spending time analyzing the prey with Ashfoot – and he recognized the scent that lay beneath the rot."
"It was Breezepelt," Lionblaze stated.
"Breezepelt?" gasped Poppyfrost. The hairs on the queen's neck rose, and her eyes went round. A ripple of shock spread through the gathered cats.
"Breezepelt?" Maplepaw repeated, confused. She'd heard the name a few times in kithood, but she didn't fully understand why some cat who had abandoned his Clan during the Great Battle was such a threat.
"He hates ThunderClan," Dovewing murmured.
Maplepaw blinked in shock at the feel of her mother's breath against her ear. "But why?" she asked.
"I'm sure he feels no love for any Clan anymore," Dovewing went on. "But he hates ThunderClan greatly. Breezepelt is Crowfeather's son, Maplepaw – he's not from the same litter as Lionblaze and Jayfeather, and he resents how they were treated with favor despite being the half-Clan kits of Leafpool."
"Breezepelt wasn't very liked in WindClan, either," admitted Lionblaze. The great golden tom was sitting near to Maplepaw and the apprentices. "He was an annoyance as an apprentice, but he was only like that because Crowfeather never paid him any attention. When the truth came out about Leafpool and Crowfeather, he joined the Dark Forest in the Great Battle and tried killing many cats from all the Clans – but he targeted ThunderClan and WindClan cats in particular."
"He's no Tigerstar, but he's dangerous enough," Bramblestar meowed over them all, "especially if he has allies."
"Could he, though?" Seedfur wondered.
"It's been long enough," Squirrelflight mewed. "He could have found allies anywhere."
"I don't know what he thinks he's getting at," Bramblestar sighed. "Jayfeather, has StarClan showed you anything?"
"Nothing about Breezepelt, no," Jayfeather meowed. "I was at the Moonpool just before Foxleap got sick again."
"I know," Bramblestar meowed. "I cannot ask you to go again, with Foxleap being sick."
"I can always help," Brightheart offered.
Bramblestar shook his head. "No – Breezepelt, if he has allies, might try something. I need my warriors here. I'll be going to the Moonpool tonight to see what StarClan has to say. If Breezepelt has rallied Dark Forest cats behind him, then we could need our ancestors' help again."
"What about Onestar?" asked Brackenfur. "Is he going, too?"
Bramblestar shook his head again. "No," he answered. "Onestar said he was going to take a party of warriors and try to track down Breezepelt's camp. Once found, he will send for a patrol of our warriors to help him drive out the traitor for good. I need you warriors here in case the message comes too soon. Squirrelflight is in charge."
"I'll get herbs ready then; just in case," Jayfeather decided.
The Moonpool! Maplepaw thought. Her tail bristled. Mapleshine wanted me to go to the Moonpool. Is this my chance? It might very well be her only chance to go – she didn't know the way herself. She could follow Bramblestar and then…
No… that's mouse-brained! She thought, shaking her head a little. Bramblestar would notice me immediately! I'd get into trouble. I shouldn't sneak out… But she owed Mapleshine, and Maplepaw didn't want to go back on her promise.
"ThunderClan – be ready," Bramblestar meowed. "I want a watch placed on the camp – two cats to patrol around the camp in case one misses WindClan, and one in the clearing, as always."
"I'll do it," Cloudtail offered. "Berrynose, want to join me?"
"Sure," Maplepaw's cream-furred mentor meowed.
I'm a terrible apprentice, Maplepaw thought, watching the two warriors get together. Berrynose had spent the day in camp, cooped up with Poppyfrost, instead of out training Maplepaw. Not that the warrior didn't seem to like paying attention to his mate, but he had other duties that Maplepaw was keeping him from.
"I'll keep watch inside the camp!" Lilyflight declared. "My eyes are sharp, Bramblestar!"
"Of course," Bramblestar meowed. "Everyone else, get some rest. I'll be leaving shortly."
The warriors began to disperse, gathering in excited groups to talk about what had happened and what might happen. Maplepaw sighed – with all this chatter, how was she supposed to get away?
"Maplepaw!"
It was as if StarClan itself was on her side.
Sandstorm was approached, her eyes narrowed.
"What is it?" Maplepaw asked.
"The moss you gathered for Dustpelt's nest wasn't dry – and now his back is sore!" Sandstorm snapped.
"I'm sorry," Maplepaw offered. She tried to explain how her wounded claws made it hard to roll the moss properly, but Sandstorm steamrolled her and carried on.
"Go and get some dry moss – before Dustpelt gets so stiff he can't even move!" Sandstorm sighed.
Maplepaw bristled in shock. Normally Sandstorm wasn't so snappy about things like this – had Maplepaw screwed up that bad? She backed away from the ginger elder and straight into Spottedpaw.
"Oof!" Spottedpaw gasped. "I heard that! Sandstorm isn't happy."
"Y-Yeah," Maplepaw stammered. "I… I should go get that moss." I'll grab the moss, follow Bramblestar to the Moonpool, and then bring it back. It'll have plenty of time to dry! StarClan must be on my side, to send Sandstorm at me like this.
"I'll come with you," Spottedpaw offered.
"No!" Maplepaw insisted. Her plan would be ruined if Spottedpaw was with her. No one was supposed to know about Mapleshine! Maplepaw had been too forceful - Spottedpaw looked confused.
"I mean…" Maplepaw mumbled, "If any cat is needed to fight, it won't be me. My claws are a mess. The best I can do is go get that moss."
Spottedpaw blinked at her friend, giving her a long look. Then, she shrugged and mewed, "If you insist – but don't take too long."
"I'll be back," Maplepaw said. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth. She didn't promise when she was going to be back… or if Bramblestar would let her come back in one piece.
Maplepaw could feel Mapleshine's presence near her. The starry warrior's voice whispered, You'll be fine, sweet. Go and fulfill your promise to me.
I will, Maplepaw promised inwardly.
As she padded out of the camp, though, she couldn't shake the feeling that something worse than Breezepelt's return was coming. Her pace quickened, as if it were looming behind her, following in her pawsteps.
By the time she was fully engulfed in the forest, she was pelting for the WindClan border.