Hollypaw was busily sorting the dried marigold flowers from the alive ones when she heard pawsteps at the mouth of the cave, they were swift and rushed. She turned quickly and saw Shadepaw’s small, lithe frame at the dens entrance. The scent of blood hit her nose and she quickly grabbed some cobweb from behind her along with one of the fresher Marigold stems.
She raced over to the panting cat who was fighting to stand in the very front of the den. She quickly pressed her strong shoulder beside his to support him as she guided him to a nest. His fur was dripping wet, Hollyberry was just hoping it was with water and not scarlet blood.
As soon as he plopped into the mossy nest, Shadepaw’s eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed out. So much for him telling me what happened. She thought to herself crossly. As she began searching his pelt for wounds she found only minor scratches. She was pondering what had drained the apprentice when his head shot up and he spoke in a whisper.
“Battle, at the border, ran here, so fast. We, we are in danger.” His panting and shaky breath made the sentence choppy and almost untranslatable, but she was able to gather that somecats needed help at a border. She rushed out of the den into the rainy clearing and searched for Brambleclaw.
When she spotted the dark tabby tom talking to Lionblaze she raced over by his side. “What patrol did you put Shadepaw on?!” She demanded, her words coming out fast in one large breath. He looked at her bewildered. “Um. The Shadowclan border patrol, why?” Hollypaw’s mind raced to try to figure things out, she turned to her den and raced off, calling over her shoulder “Ready a patrol of the strongest warriors, NOW!”
Hollypaw began wadding up cobweb, marigold, and any other herbs she could find into bundles and placing them at the den entrance. It seemed only moments had passed when she heard Lionblaze call to her, “The patrol is ready.” Hollypaw gathered her bundles and padded out into the clearing. She began mentally scanning the cats for any weaknesses that could potentially send them right back to her in the battle. Amberpelt, arrogance never killed a cat. Brackenfur, Thornclaw, Sandstorm, Spiderleg, wait, Spiderleg wrenched his shoulder the other day, and didn't Hazeltail rip out a claw? Hollypaw sighed. It will have to do. let's just hope the battle’s not to fierce.
Lionblaze was at the lead and Hollypaw assumed her position in the back, apparently, Brambleclaw had figured out what she needed of them and prepared the best patrol he could. As the warriors raced through the fern tunnel, Hollypaw ignored their large stature and rippling muscles, all she saw was the limping and scarring that seemed to affect each warrior.
Hollypaw had one last thought before racing into the forest herself, it caused her a moments pause. Shadowclan is the fiercest clan in the forest, are we prepared to fight them? What if our warriors aren’t enough this time?
