Over the next few days the streams in Thunderclan Territory dwindled until the only fresh water to be found was at the river by Sunningrocks.
"There's never been a greenleaf like it," grumbles One-eye. "The forest is as dry as a kit's bedding."
Graystripe looks to the clouds. He is praying to Starclan to send some rain, but it seems unlikely given the harsh heat. The drought is making the warriors go closer to where they chose the sick cats to rest and it makes him worry. But Cinderpelt has reported that they are fit enough to travel into their own territory now, so it shouldn't be an issue. So the patrols shouldn't be at too much risk contracting the disease.
The sunhigh patrol had returned and Frostfur was organizing a patrol for the queens and elders to drink some water. They are gathered in the shade of the shadows of camp. But a part of him wonders why they don't just get moss. Willowpelt is always anxious to be away from her kits, Goldenflower more so. Padding over to the elders, he mews, "Would you be willing to get moss for the queens to drink water. They can lick the moisture from it. I know Willowpelt, Speckletail and Goldenflower don't like to leave their kits for too long."
Patchpelt purrs, "You always know what to think of Graystripe. We'd be glad too."
"Great, I'll tell Frostfur."
Bounding over to them he mews, "Frostfur change of plans. We can take moss to the queens and elders. The elder's are willing to carry them and I think two warrior escorts would be enough."
Frostfur purrs, "An excellent idea, Graystripe. I'll gather the elders and escort them along with Brindleface."
"Good. Watch out for twolegs though, they've been more active recently on their paths."
Frostfur nods, and bounds off to gather the other elders. Settling down in the deserted clearing he is relieved when the group heads out of camp to get the moss. The queens are with their kits in the nursery, Whitestorm with Bluestar in her den. He has noticed Bramblekit, Tawnykit, and his kits wandering around the camp on unsteady legs with the encouragement of Goldenflower. Often finding himself playing with them whenever he can take a break from warrior duties. He purrs, so far this greenleaf has been great. Though he remembers Fireheart's ominous warning, Beware an enemy who seems to sleep. Tigerclaw must be up to something, but ever since Fireheart's warning they haven't come across anything to suggest the ex-deputy was hanging around Thunderclan territory.
"Graystripe!" Whitstorm calls out, coming out of Bluestar's den, bounding up to him. "Have you decided on the evening patrol?"
"I thought Runningwind could take Thornpaw and Mousefur."
"Good idea," the white senior warrior answers, distracted. Something is clearly on his mind. "Could Brightpaw go with the dawn patrol tomorrow? The experience will do her good. I…I haven't been keeping up with training lately." Whitestorm's ear twitches, and with a twinge of unease, Graystripe realizes that the senior warrior has been spending more and more of his time with Bluestar. He can't help but suspect the white warrior is just as worried about Bluestar as him of what their leader would do when left alone. It relieved him to know that another warrior cared for their leader.
"That's fine Whitestorm and thanks for caring for Bluestar."
Whitstorm sits down in relief and mews, "Thanks. And you're welcome. She's like a mother to me, you know. Most of my kithood was spent with her looking after me, after my mother, her sister died." He shakes his head and looks around the clearing.
"It's quiet this afternoon."
"Frostfur and Brindleface have led the elders out to collect moss for the queens and most of the warriors are either training apprentices or out hunting."
Whitestorm nods, "Perhaps they could give some to Bluestar when they return. She seems reluctant to leave camp and she's been licking off the dew from the leaves during sunrise for days, but she needs more than that in this heat."
A wave of anxiety fills his chest, "She seemed better the other day."
"She is getting better all the time," the white warrior assures him. "But still, she…" His deep mew trails away and though he is shaken by Whitestorm's frown, there is no need to say anymore.
"I know. I'll ask Patchpelt to give her some when they return."
"Thank you." Whitestorm narrows his eyes at him. "You're doing very well, you know," he remarks calmly.
"What do you mean?"
"Being deputy. I know it hasn't been easy, with Bluestar…the way she is, and the drought. But I doubt there's a cat in the Clan who would deny that Bluestar made the right choice when she appointed you."
"Thank you, Whitestorm." he mews, grateful for the white warriors' praise, encouraged by one of Bluestar's senior warriors support him. Sandstorm and Longtail do too. And the other cats have accepted him by now as well, expect Darkstripe.
The sound of pebbles clattering down outside the camp walls makes the two warriors jump. Graystripe dashes to the camp entrance. Frostfur and the others are coming down the rocky slope, sending grit and dirt crumbling around them.
"Twolegs!" Frostfur pants as she reached the bottom of the ravine. Brindleface is leading the elder cats down the ravine when he looks up.
"It's okay, we lost them," Brindleface calls down.
Once they are all safely down and settled Smallear explains, his breaths coming in short frightened gasps: "There was a group of young ones. They chased us."
Graystripe's fur bristles with alarm as terrifying mewing breaks out from among the group.
"Are you all okay?"
Frostfur looks around the group and nods.
"Good. Where were these twolegs? Were they by the river?"
"We hadn't even reached Sunningrocks," Frostfur mews. Her voice calmer now that her breath has returned to her, and her dark sky-blue eyes begin to gleam with indignation.
"They were loose in the woods, not on the usual Twoleg paths."
He tried not to betray his alarm, twolegs so rarely wandered off their paths this deep into the forest. "We shall have to wait until dark to fetch water." he mews out loud to the gathered cats.
"Do you think they'll be gone by then?" asks One-eye shakily.
"Why would they stay?" He tried to sound reassuring despite his private doubts. Who could predict what a twoleg might do?
"But what about Speckletail, Willowpelt and Goldenflower? They'll need water before then." frets Patchpelt.
"I'll go, the rest of you stay here. We don't want to attract more Twoleg attention. Brindleface guard the ravine in case the twolegs come this far." One-eye let out an anxious mew. "I'm sure they'll have turned back by now, but just in case you'll be safe with Brindleface on guard." He mews to soothe the anxious elder. " Frostfur, I want you to report what you saw to Bluestar. I'll try to carry back as much moss as I can. The rest of you will have to wait till sunset."