In the medicine cat’s den, she reached into the gap in the rock and dragged out a pawful of leaves. Sifting through them, she separated out the oak leaves. At least they were easy to recognize. She picked them up in her jaws and hurried back to Leafpool.

“Do you want me to chew them up?” she offered, dropping them beside Leafpool.

“Jaypaw can do that.”

Hollypaw stepped out of the way. Lionpaw was staring down at his mother, his eyes lit with fury. He wants to know who did this.

She realized she was trembling like a kit. She closed her eyes and felt Sandstorm press against her.

“If anyone can save her, Leafpool will.”

Hollypaw leaned against Sandstorm, thankful for her warmth, while Leafpool and Jaypaw finished packing Squirrelflight’s wound.

Leafpool looked up. “I’ve done all I can,” she meowed. “It’s in the paws of StarClan now.” She picked up a wad of moss and held it to Squirrelflight’s lips, letting the water drip into her mouth.

After a few moments, Squirrelflight swallowed. Was that a good sign?

“She needs a warm nest,” Leafpool explained. “But I daren’t move her yet in case her wound opens up again.” She gazed at Hollypaw and Lionpaw. “Can I rely on you to build a nest around her?”

Hollypaw nodded. Of course they would!

“Fern, moss, feathers, whatever you can find,” Leafpool went on. “She needs to stay warm and still.” She got to her paws. “Jaypaw, watch her, and report to me if there’s any change. I have to see to the other wounded cats.” She looked at Brightheart, who was moving among the warriors with a bundle of herbs in her mouth. “Brightheart can’t manage all this alone.”

Firestar stepped forward and rested his muzzle on Leafpool’s head. “I’m proud of you.”

“I just hope I’ve done enough,” Leafpool murmured.

Firestar turned to his mate. “You must be exhausted. You should eat and rest.”

Sandstorm’s green eyes flashed. “She’s my kit! I’m not leaving her!”

Hollypaw felt a thorn-sharp stab in her heart. She’s my mother, too! She can’t die!

“Come on.” Hollypaw felt Lionpaw’s tail brush her flank. “Let’s build her a nest.”

Foxpaw and Icepaw sat huddled a tail-length away. Had they been watching all the time?

“Can we help?” Foxpaw mewed.

“We need to find stuff for a nest,” Lionpaw told them. “Anything soft and warm will do.”

As Foxpaw and Icepaw hurried away, Hollypaw noticed that Firestar and Brambleclaw were already below Highledge in deep conversation with Graystripe, Dustpelt, and Thornclaw. Their eyes were dark and their voices low. She pricked her ears, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“Surely the battle is over?” she mewed. “What’s left to talk about?”