Free Dovewing's Silence by Erin Hunter Page B

too, though I don’t know if any grows in our territory.”
    â€œI’ll take a look tomorrow,” Leafpool promised. “I can think of one or two places it might be.”
    Dovewing felt a rush of pride in her Clan’s medicine cats. Was there any plant whose use they didn’t know? With their skill, surely ThunderClan would win this battle, too?
    Suddenly there was a burst of squeaking from outside the nursery. “Help! Help!” piped Amberkit. “The Dark Forest is coming to get me!”
    Dovewing spun around, her fur bristling. She relaxed when she saw Molepaw creeping up on the tiny kit, his front paws extended with claws safely sheathed. Dewkit and Snowkit raced up to join their littermate. “Stay back, traitor!” hissed Snowkit, fluffing up his white pelt. “You say you’re a ThunderClan cat now, but we know the truth! You just want to kill us!”
    Molepaw arched his back. “Aha! It seems you do not trust me, even though I swore an oath! Well, you’re right! I am your most dangerous enemy!” He pounced toward the kits, his tail lashing.
    Dovewing bounded over and stood in front of the brown-and-cream apprentice. “What are you doing?” she demanded.
    Molepaw blinked up at her. “Playing,” he answered innocently.
    Dovewing hissed. “You know full well that this is more than a game. Why are you making these kits frightened of the Dark Forest? That battle has been won.”
    The apprentice’s gaze slid sideways to rest on Thornclaw and Birchfall, who were sharing tongues by the tree stump. “Not entirely,” he muttered.
    â€œHey!” Amberkit wailed. “Why did you stop our game,Dovewing? We were having fun!”
    Daisy bustled out of the nursery. “What’s going on? Dovewing, is there a problem? I wanted these kits to stretch their legs and get some fresh air.”
    Dovewing flicked the tip of her tail. “I don’t think Molepaw has chosen the best game,” she mewed.
    The cream-furred queen narrowed her eyes. “All kits play at fighting,” she mewed. “No one ever gets hurt. Leave them be, Dovewing. I’m sure you have more than enough to do.” She whisked back into the nursery.
    Molepaw glared at Dovewing. “You heard her. Stop sticking your muzzle where it’s not wanted.”
    â€œYou know what you’re doing, Molepaw,” Dovewing growled. “Perhaps you should think about whether it’s helping the Clan.” She turned away, still bristling. Behind her, she heard the kits leaping on Molepaw, squealing in triumph.
    â€œWe killed the traitor!” Dewkit declared. “ThunderClan is safe!”
    Dovewing felt her heart sink. ThunderClan will never be safe if we are divided inside the walls of our own camp.
    The following dawn, Squirrelflight told the cats to organize themselves into hunting patrols while she led a border check. Her voice was quiet and husky, and Dovewing hoped she wasn’t getting sick as well. When the deputy and her patrol, which included Bramblestar, had vanished into the thorns, the remaining warriors looked at each other.
    â€œI’ll lead one patrol,” Poppyfrost offered.
    Lionblaze and Cinderheart padded across the clearing to join her.
    â€œI’ll come too,” mewed Birchfall.
    â€œActually, I was going to ask Millie,” Poppyfrost meowed. “Thanks anyway. Millie, will you join us?”
    Looking faintly surprised, the gray tabby she-cat walked over to the group. Dovewing tensed when she saw the hurt in her father’s eyes. How obvious could Poppyfrost be? “I’d like to hunt with you, Birchfall,” she called. “Thornclaw, Ivypool, Mousewhisker, Blossomfall, will you come with us?” I will not let my Clanmates shun these cats for the mistake they made!
    The four cats joined her, and Dovewing winced at the gratitude in their eyes. Cherrypaw, Molepaw, and Rosepetal formed