“How do you feel?” she asked. “Is that scratch healing well?”
“I’m fine, Leafstar,” the gray-and-white tom replied. “I’m just fed up with being stuck in the gorge. Please can I go out on patrol today?”
“Not until Echosong says you can,” Leafstar told him, narrowing her eyes as she examined his wound. It still looked raw, and she guessed it wouldn’t take much for it to open up again.
Waspwhisker slid out his claws and gave the ground in front of him a frustrated scrape. “I was afraid you would say that.”
“Just be patient,” Leafstar advised him. “It’s only a few days since the battle.”
“It feels like moons,” Waspwhisker retorted gloomily; following Sparrowpelt to the water, he crouched down to lap.
Leafstar let her gaze travel around the gorge as more cats appeared. She could almost taste the sense of pride and strength that her warriors shared, united by the victory over the rats. They stalked confidently out of their dens, as if they were showing off their healing wounds.
We’ll be back to full strength soon, Leafstar told herself with a purr of satisfaction.
Several cats appeared at the top of the gorge and began running lightly down the traiclass="underline" Cherrytail was returning with her border patrol. The young tortoiseshell leaped down the last few tail-lengths and bounded up to Leafstar.
“We checked out the waste heap,” she reported. “There was no sign of rats, and all the scents were stale.”
“That’s good news,” Leafstar purred.
“Everything was quiet,” Coal added, padding up behind Cherrytail. “We picked up the scent of a loner, but it seemed to lead straight out of the territory again.”
Leafstar’s whiskers twitched. “A loner? Where was this?”
“Between the rubbish heap and the Twolegplace,” Cherrytail replied, flicking her tail to show Leafstar the direction. “Coal’s right. The trail seemed to veer into our territory for a few fox-lengths and then head out again.”
“Maybe the scent markers put it off,” Coal suggested.
“You could be right.” Leafstar gave one paw a reflective lick. It didn’t seem as if the loner was a threat, but there was no harm in staying alert. “All the same, we’ll keep an eye on that part of the territory, just in case it comes back.”
The border patrol chose fresh-kill from the pile and settled down to eat. Leafstar found a flat, sun-warmed stone and sat with her tail wrapped around her paws, watching her Clan as the gorge stirred into full wakefulness.
The Twolegplace cats no longer stood out from the rest of the Clan: Coal was gulping down a sparrow and chatting to Cherrytail about that morning’s patrol; Cora had joined Waspwhisker and Sparrowpelt at the water’s edge, where Echosong was checking on Waspwhisker’s wound; Shorty was telling yet another story to Fallowfern’s kits, while Sharpclaw and Stick were prowling up and down near the foot of the Rockpile, discussing hunting techniques.
All four of the newcomers took part in their share of patrols, brought in a good amount of fresh-kill, and were gentle with the oldest and youngest members of the Clan. Leafstar was especially relieved that Sharpclaw and Stick were getting on so well. Her deputy’s brusque manner could be off-putting, and he hadn’t made any close friends within his own Clan.
I’m still sure there’s something Stick’s not telling us, she thought. But he’s fair and loyal to his friends, and I appreciate that.
Loud meows from the top of the cliff announced the arrival of the daylight-warriors. Frecklepaw skidded down the trail in a cloud of sand, well ahead of the others, and came to a panting halt in front of Leafstar.
“I promised to prepare some herb poultices for Echosong before the first training session,” she gasped. “Is that okay?”
Before Leafstar could reply, Echosong came bounding up. “Well done, Frecklepaw,” she meowed. “You’ve got here really early.” Blinking at Leafstar, she added, “It’s all right if I borrow her for a while?”
Leafstar nodded, a bit surprised that Frecklepaw seemed to prefer helping the medicine cat to hunting or battle practice.
“Good,” Echosong went on briskly. “Frecklepaw, I need a poultice of daisy leaves; Lichenfur has been complaining of back pain. And you’d better do some burdock root. I think a few of the rat bites will need another dose.”
“Right, Echosong,” Frecklepaw meowed happily, racing off toward the medicine cat’s den.
Echosong watched her go, then headed to the waterside for a drink. Leafstar followed her and hesitated for a moment as the medicine cat lapped.
“Do you trust Frecklepaw to work without you to keep an eye on her?” she asked eventually.
The young silver tabby turned to her, scattering shining drops from her whiskers. “Oh, yes. Frecklepaw knows what she’s doing. She—”
Echosong broke off at the sound of her name being called. Frecklepaw had popped her head outside the den.
“We’re really low on tansy,” she reported. “And if Lichenfur has a bad back, she’ll probably need some.”
“You’re right; thanks for spotting that,” the medicine cat replied.
“I could look for some while I’m out training,” Frecklepaw offered.
“That would be really helpful,” meowed Echosong.
With a happy mrrow Frecklepaw disappeared inside the den again.
“She’s learned a lot,” Leafstar meowed, impressed.
Echosong nodded, then turned back to the river, crouching down to lap a few more mouthfuls of water. In a couple of heartbeats she stood up again, swiping her tongue around her jaws to catch the last drops. “I need to think about finding an apprentice,” she remarked.
“You mean Frecklepaw?” Leafstar had just seen for herself the young cat’s enthusiasm and competence, but she wasn’t sure that she was the right choice for Echosong. “Can a medicine cat live part of the time with Twolegs?”
“I don’t know,” Echosong admitted. “But Frecklepaw has natural talent, and she enjoys the work. She learns quickly, too.”
Leafstar still wasn’t convinced. “Has StarClan sent you any signs about this?” she asked.
Echosong shook her head. “I don’t think I need a sign, when Frecklepaw is perfect for the job.”
Leafstar couldn’t agree. This was far more difficult than accepting kittypets into the Clan as warriors. A medicine cat needed to have a special link with StarClan; Leafstar didn’t know if their ancestors would accept a cat who was not a full member of a Clan. “I’ll think about it,” she promised.
Echosong dipped her head in acceptance, but Leafstar could see she wasn’t happy with her reply. “I’d better get on.” The medicine cat spoke more curtly than usual.
“Yes… fine.” Leafstar flinched at the tension that had sprung between them. “Send Frecklepaw out as soon as you can. She’s supposed to be hunting with Ebonyclaw.”
Echosong nodded and stalked off.
Leafstar watched her go with an unaccustomed feeling of helplessness. She had grown used to being challenged by Sharpclaw over her decisions about the daylight-warriors; she hadn’t expected the same challenge from a cat she regarded as her closest friend in SkyClan.
“Full moon tonight!” Tinycloud gave an excited little bounce. “Rockshade, I’ll race you up to the Skyrock!”
Leafstar, coming across the two young warriors on her way down from her den, was about to remind them that they weren’t apprentices any longer. The trail that led up to the ledge under the rim of the gorge was narrow, and there was a dangerous jump from there to the Skyrock itself. As warriors, they should know better than to take stupid risks.