Warriors | A Prophecy Reborn: Book 4. (Hidden In Darkness)

~Hidden In Darkness: Chapter 18~

Russetfire and Firpaw entered the Clans' Refuge with the RiverClan warriors. The inside of the cave they were using as a temporary camp was warm and the scent of freshly-killed prey floated over to her nostrils, making her realize how hungry she was.
We need to find out what they want first, Firpaw reminded her.
Right, Russetfire thought.
"Snipjaw, Lowflame, go and see if the queens and elders need anything," Aspentail said. "Shimmerpaw, find the other apprentices and see if Birdfall, Frozenwind and Penguinfeather need help."
Shimmerpaw nodded obediently and scampered off to what seemed to be the makeshift apprentices' den.
"You," Aspentail said, beckoning her forward, "follow me. Minnowstar and Mintstar will want to talk to you."
Aspentail led Russetfire to a small stone platform that rose and pointed up, similar to the Highledge. Beneath it were two dens, one for both separate leaders.
"Wait here," Aspentail ordered her.
Russetfire waited patiently while the grey tom fetched Mintstar and Minnowstar.
Which she-cat do you think is Mintstar? Russetfire asked Firpaw. I remember there were two, Mintleaf and Mintheart.
It's Mintleaf, I think, Firpaw responded. Mintheart is expecting kits and Mintleaf was the deputy before Blizzardfoot.
Minnowstar was Minnowsong, right? Russetfire asked.
As far as I'm aware, he's the only Minnow cat in RiverClan so far, Firpaw pointed out.
At last, Aspentail walked away as Minnowstar and Mintstar exited their separate dens.
"Aspentail says you're ThunderClan's medicine cat," Minnowstar said.
Of course I am, you daft cockroach! Russetfire thought. She didn't appreciate being known only as Crookedfire's former apprentice, but even that was better than being just dust in the wind.
"Yes, I was Crookedfire's apprentice," Russetfire said, keeping her voice steady. "Aspentail said you needed help with something?"
Mintstar and Minnowstar exchanged glances. "Nightfire and Pebblesoot told ThunderClan warriors that we would be leaving soon," Minnowstar began, "but we aren't ready. Mintheart is expecting kits and some of our apprentices are sick."
"Some of our herb supply is already gone," Mintstar said. "Frozenwind has been going out to find herbs with Birdfall and Yellow-Eye while Penguinfeather tends to the sick cats with what's left, but we haven't gone any further than the Winding River."
"I could give you what you need-" Russetfire started, but Firpaw butted in.
"That's a bad idea," he said. "ThunderClan needs its warriors too."
You're dead, what would you know? Russetfire thought angrily.
"We'd appreciate it if you had some herbs to spare," Mintstar went on. "We don't need many... Just some dock and yarrow."
We're running low on dock and yarrow as well, Russetfire thought.
Exactly, Firpaw said. Just tell them they can't have any.
I can do just fine without you whispering in my ear, thanks!
Hmm... Surely yarrow will be growing soon? We'd be able to harvest it in the greenleaf if so.
And the dock? Firpaw interjected. We passed a patch of it on our way back from the Spirit Tree. We could harvest some of that.
So should I give them what we can of ThunderClan's herbs? Russetfire asked. If you're suggesting that we'll be able to harvest some of both in time, then I don't see a reason for you complaining.
Firpaw thought for a moment before finally nodding.
"I've got some of both left to spare," Russetfire said finally. "Would you like me to go back and get it, or shall I leave it by the Winding River?"
"We'll send some warriors back with you so they can bring the herbs back and you can return to your duties in your Clan," Minnowstar said. "I suspect your Clan will need you soon."
The grey tom wandered off somewhere to fetch a few of his warriors, alongside maybe a WindClan cat or two, leaving Russetfire and Mintstar alone.
"Thank you," Mintstar said.
"It's the least we could do," Russetfire said. "Sicknesses are becoming less common in ThunderClan with newleaf here at last."
"How is Fernstar?" Mintstar asked. "We used to be old friends, you know."
"Fernstar had a small accident earlier," Russetfire admitted. "She's resting in my den for now."
"Have you been given an apprentice yet?" Mintstar inquired. "We'll need more experienced cats in the Clans if we're going to be expecting a battle during our departure."
"Battle?" Russetfire echoed. Was Mintstar certain there would be a battle?
As though hearing her thought, Mintstar said, "I don't know if there will be a battle, but you never know. It's better to be prepared rather than dead."
A short time passed before Minnowstar returned with Shimmerpaw, the little RiverClan apprentice from before, Aspentail, her mentor, a tortoiseshell tom, and an orange-brown she-cat with dark brown spots.
Is it really necessary to have this many cats escort us back? Russetfire thought.
To escort you back, Firpaw reminded her. They don't know I'm here.
"I want to check on Specklefern," the orange-brown she-cat said. Mintstar nodded; Russetfire guessed this she-cat was a WindClan warrior.
The warriors and apprentice accompanied her back to ThunderClan's camp.
They're risking everything by following us, Russetfire thought. Surely they must know of Blackpatch's death, if not at least be aware of it?
Firpaw merely shrugged. There's nothing I can do on the matter regardless of what I want, he said. If they're willing to follow you back, they must think they've grown stronger now, and I don't doubt them. But keep in mind that they'll probably also be expecting you to do what they want before helping anyone who needs it when we return.
Russetfire and the warriors padded back to ThunderClan in the cold rain, the storm soaking their pelts until it clung to them like ticks to an elder.