Free The Apprentice's Quest by Erin Hunter Page A

already,” she mumbled around the mouthful.
    â€œGood job,” Jayfeather mewed briskly to Alderpaw.
    Alderpaw felt a small burst of warmth in his chest. That’s the first time Jayfeather has sounded approving! He had been a medicine-cat apprentice for several sunrises now, and his new life didn’t feel quite as impossible as it had in the beginning. Even so, he still found it hard to think of himself ever becoming a full medicine cat.
    As he began to tidy up the remaining tansy leaves, Squirrelflight pushed past the bramble screen and entered the den. “Is Leafpool back yet?” she asked Jayfeather.
    â€œNo, she isn’t,” Jayfeather grumbled. “And why she has to trek across to ShadowClan because Littlecloud isn’t feeling well, I do not know.”
    â€œShe only wants to help him,” Squirrelflight meowed.
    Jayfeather snorted. “Now there’s a cat who could use an apprentice. ShadowClan is overflowing with them; you would think they could find one for Littlecloud. But no, they have to borrow a ThunderClan medicine cat.”
    â€œYou know as well as I do,” Squirrelflight responded mildly, “that a medicine-cat apprentice has to be just the right cat.”
    She shot an affectionate glance at Alderpaw, who warmed at her words.
    â€œBramblestar and I want to talk to you in his den,” Squirrelflight told Jayfeather. “Are you busy right now?”
    â€œNothing that won’t wait,” Jayfeather replied. “Alderpaw, you can help Briarlight with her exercises. I’ll be back soon.”
    When he was gone, Alderpaw rolled up a ball of moss and began tossing it to Briarlight to help her stretch her forelegs and chest. He was amazed by how agile she was, catching the ball when he was sure he had thrown it out of her reach.
    â€œYou’re good at this!” he exclaimed.
    â€œI’ve had a lot of practice,” Briarlight mewed. “It really helps with my breathing. How’s your training going?” she asked after a moment.
    Alderpaw shook his head. “I feel like I’m doing a little bit better now, but I’m not sure I can ever be a full medicine cat.”
    â€œYou’ll be fine,” Briarlight reassured him. “Think how much you’ve learned, and you’ve been apprenticed for less than a half-moon.”
    Alderpaw hoped that she was right. He felt guilty about being anxious, when Briarlight had so many obstacles and wasoften in pain. She never gives up, and she hardly ever seems to feel sorry for herself.
    â€œJayfeather! Jayfeather!”
    Alderpaw stiffened as he heard his sister’s frantic yowling in the camp outside. A heartbeat later she came tearing into the den, wild-eyed and panting. “Where’s Jayfeather?” she demanded. “I was out in the woods with Cherryfall and Sorrelstripe, and Cherryfall is hurt—she cut her leg. She needs help right away!”
    Alderpaw froze for a moment, on the edge of panic. This is the first time I’ve had an emergency, and I’m here on my own! What do I do?
    â€œJayfeather is in Bramblestar’s den,” Briarlight meowed steadily. “Sparkpaw, go and get him.”
    Sparkpaw dashed out immediately. While he waited, Alderpaw wondered what he should do. Should I get some herbs out of the stores? What’s the right herb for a cut leg?
    He was relieved a few moments later when he heard Sparkpaw calling to him from outside. He slid out of the den to find her waiting there with Jayfeather.
    â€œCome on!” Jayfeather ordered. “Sparkpaw, show us where you left Cherryfall.”
    Sparkpaw led the way out of the camp and headed toward the ShadowClan border. Alderpaw followed with Jayfeather, guiding the blind medicine cat around tree stumps and bramble thickets. Even though he was worried about Cherryfall, he was relieved to be out in the forest again instead of being cooped up all day in the medicine cats’