Bramblestar’s Storm

Bramblestar’s shock was reflected in Leafpool’s eyes as she padded up to Littlecloud and touched noses with him. “How are you, Littlecloud?” she asked.

“Fine,” the old tabby rasped. “The apprentices are finding herbs to replenish my stores, and all the cats are healthy.”

“Would you like me to take a look at your supplies?” Leafpool offered. “I might have some spare herbs that you’re missing.”

A pleased glimmer appeared in Littlecloud’s eyes. “Thank you, Leafpool. That would be very helpful.”

Rowanstar’s neck fur bristled slightly, but he didn’t protest as his medicine cat led the way into the thicket and Leafpool followed.

The medicine cats had hardly disappeared when Pinenose and Pouncetail padded up from the direction of the lake, dragging dry bracken fronds behind them. Bramblestar exchanged a surprised glance with Cinderheart that warriors were fetching bedding; then he recalled that ShadowClan had so few apprentices that some of the everyday tasks would have to be carried out by warriors.

“Great, you found some!” Scorchfur exclaimed, looking pleased, as the two cats approached.

“We’ll take this straight to the nursery,” Pinenose mumbled around her mouthful of bracken. “Snowbird and your kits will sleep warm tonight.”

“Let me help you carry it in,” Cinderheart suggested, stepping forward.

“I’ll come, too,” Spiderleg added.

The warriors who were struggling with the bracken looked willing to accept help, but Rowanstar lashed his tail. “ShadowClan can manage without ThunderClan’s interference,” he snapped.

“No cat doubts that,” Bramblestar mewed, keeping his voice calm. “But equally it’s not a sign of weakness to accept help sometimes.”

Rowanstar’s nostrils flared, while Pinenose and Pouncetail quickly started dragging the bracken into the camp before a full-blown argument developed. The ThunderClan warriors stayed where they were.

With a twitch of his ears Bramblestar beckoned Rowanstar a little way from the bramble thicket, so that they could talk privately. “Look,” he began, deciding to get straight to the point, “I know about the kittypets who have been stopping you from hunting beyond the border. If you want, I could send some warriors to help you defeat them, just like we did when you first moved into the territory.”

Rowanstar lashed his tail and his shoulder fur bristled up into spikes. “Who told you?” he demanded.

As if his words had summoned her, Tawnypelt appeared from the bushes, carrying a scrawny blackbird in her jaws. The rest of her hunting patrol followed with a few more puny scraps of prey. She halted at the sight of Bramblestar standing beside Rowanstar.

Understanding flashed into Rowanstar’s eyes. “Tawnypelt!” he snarled. “Over here—now!”

Tawnypelt gave her blackbird to another member of her patrol and padded over.

“It was you, wasn’t it?” Rowanstar challenged her. “You told a cat from another Clan that ShadowClan needed help.”

Tawnypelt gave Bramblestar a glare as if to ask him why he had come blundering in. “Yes, it was me. Of course I’ll ask my brother for help if I need it.”

“And you call that being loyal to ShadowClan?” Rowanstar demanded.

“You’ve never had reason to doubt my loyalty.” Tawnypelt’s voice was scathing. Then she softened, taking a step toward Rowanstar. “Please let ThunderClan help us,” she begged.

Rowanstar lifted his head proudly. “Never. This is my Clan, and we will stand alone.”

Bramblestar felt a sudden rush of sympathy. I should never have expected that Rowanstar would fall at our paws and beg for help. “Cinderheart, Spiderleg, we’re leaving,” he meowed. “Will some cat please get Leafpool?”

Scorchfur slid into the thicket, and emerged a moment later with Leafpool and Littlecloud. She padded over to Bramblestar, and he saw with a sharp stab of concern that her eyes were full of trouble.

“Bramblestar, I want to stay here,” she mewed. “Please let me.”

Bramblestar blinked. “Why?”

“Dawnpelt is very close to kitting,” Leafpool explained in a rapid undertone. “And Littlecloud’s herb store is pitiful. I could be a real help to him, and Jayfeather can manage without me for a few days.”

Rowanstar was staring at her with horror in his eyes. “Are you mouse-brained?” he began. “Do you imagine—”

Leafpool cut him off. “Rowanstar, do you want a healthy litter of kits, or don’t you?” While the ShadowClan leader was spluttering for an answer, she went on, “You know that Clan rivalries mean nothing to medicine cats. Will you deny me the chance to do the role that StarClan chose for me?”

Her logic silenced Rowanstar, while Bramblestar regarded his medicine cat with admiration.

“I could do with some help,” Littlecloud admitted. “Just for a few days.”

Rowanstar turned to the old medicine cat with compassion in his gaze. “Very well,” he meowed.

“Please, Bramblestar,” Leafpool begged. “I’ll be back soon.”

Bramblestar hesitated, then dipped his head. “Whatever you want.”