Free Warriors: Power Of Three 2 - Dark River by Erin Hunter Page B

bright with new leaf. Fresh tendrils swayed in the light breeze. Buds were forming that would flower come greenleaf and fill the hollow with a wonderful smell. Hollypaw ducked inside and dropped the moss.
    Cinderpaw was already busy scrabbling through the bedding, bundling out stale bits.
    Leafpool looked up from where she was crouched at Longtail’s side. “Longtail has an infected tick bite.” The tangy aroma of herbs filled the den. “I’m putting a poultice on it, but I want the bedding freshened up so he doesn’t get another one.”
    “Okay.” Hollypaw nodded.
    Mousefur sat up stiffly. “Good to see newleaf again.”
    Longtail winced as Leafpool washed more herbs into his wound. “The forest smells good,” he meowed. “I’ve been thinking about going out.”
    Hollypaw blinked in surprise. Since he had lost his sight, Longtail rarely left camp.
    “Only if I can come with you,” Mousefur croaked. “You’ll need someone to keep an eye out for foxes.”
    “Foxes!” Hollypaw tucked her tail close to her.
    Cinderpaw tossed a wad of moss toward the entrance.
    “Foxes aren’t that bad.”
    “Aren’t that bad?” Hollypaw gasped. “What about the ones that chased me? They almost had my tail!”
    “You were only a kit,” Cinderpaw pointed out. “They wouldn’t seem so scary if you met them now.”
    Hollypaw wasn’t convinced.
    “Foxes are just a nuisance,” Cinderpaw went on. “It’s badgers you have to watch out for.” The gray tabby’s eyes grew wide. “They are terrifying.” The fur along her spine rippled. “I hope I never meet another one as long as I live.”
    “Another badger?” Hollypaw sat up. “You’ve never even met one.”
    Cinderpaw tipped her head to one side. Confusion clouded her gaze. “You’re right.” She reached out and tugged some stale moss from beside Mousefur. “I must have dreamed it.”
    Cinderpaw could be so mouse-brained!
    As Hollypaw began to reach for fresh moss, she noticed Leafpool staring at Cinderpaw. The medicine cat’s mouth was open as though frozen mid-lick. What had surprised her so much? It wasn’t the first time Cinderpaw had been muddled.
    Longtail started to fidget. “Have you finished, Leafpool?”
    “No.” Leafpool bent her head quickly. “Hold still, I’m nearly done.”
    Firestar’s call sounded from outside the den. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge.”
    “A Clan meeting?” Mousefur narrowed her eyes. “I hope everything’s okay.” She got slowly to her paws. Hollypaw glanced at Cinderpaw, excitement fluttering in her chest.
    Had something happened? She darted out of the den ahead of the others and saw Firestar leaping down the tumble of rocks from Highledge.
    The fresh-kill pile was well stocked. “The dawn patrol’s back,” Hollypaw whispered to Cinderpaw as her friend caught up. “Perhaps they’ve brought news.”
    Stormfur and Brook settled at the edge of the clearing.
    Graystripe and Millie padded out from behind the warriors’
    den. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight sat down in the shadow of Highledge while Lionpaw padded after Ashfur and settled beside his mentor. Daisy stayed by the nursery, whisking Icekit and Foxkit back with her tail as they tried to see what was happening.
    Once the Clan had settled, Firestar sat down in the center of the clearing. He gazed around, his eyes shining.
    “Doesn’t look like anything bad,” Hollypaw murmured to Cinderpaw.
    “There is something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” Firestar began. “And now that newleaf is here it seems like a good time for new beginnings.”
    Hollypaw leaned forward excitedly.
    “It is time Millie became a ThunderClan warrior!”
    Hollypaw froze. Millie had been a kittypet when Graystripe had met her. He’d given her some warrior training and she’d helped him on the long journey back to his Clan. But did that make her a warrior? Hollypaw didn’t even know if Millie believed in