Jumping to his paws, Lionpaw felt blood welling in his fur. Anger swelled in his belly. Why didn’t they take the prophecy seriously? It could be his greatest weapon. A shiver of uncertainty ran down his spine. Unless they were right and it was nothing more than Firestar’s dream.

“Wake up!”

Lionpaw felt a muzzle nudging his flank where Hawkfrost had clawed it. He winced in pain and struggled to his paws.

Hollypaw was sitting beside him. “The patrol will be leaving soon.”

The den glowed faintly in predawn light. Light rain pattered on its branches.

Hollypaw licked her nose. “Blood?” She licked it again, glancing anxiously at Lionpaw’s flank where she had nuzzled him.

Shocked, Lionpaw licked the wound Hawkfrost had left. He hadn’t realized the line between dream and reality was quite so blurred.

“There must be a thorn in your nest,” Hollypaw decided. She pushed Lionpaw out of the way and began picking through the moss.

Paws began to pace the clearing outside.

“We’ll have to find it later,” Lionpaw mewed. “It sounds like the patrol’s getting ready to leave.”

Hollypaw looked up, eyes shining in the half-light. “Let’s go!”

Lionpaw was already heading out of the den.

Ashfur and Brackenfur waited in the clearing, their fur slicked flat by the rain.

“You’re awake.” Ashfur shook drops from his whiskers. “We can leave.”

“Wait.” Firestar bounded down from Highledge. “Remember,” he warned, “you’re only going to look for signs of prey-stealing. I don’t want you fighting any trespassers. If you find intruders, come back and report it.” His eyes glittered with worry. “This is more serious than a simple border skirmish. If there is to be a battle, it must be decisive.” He looked from one cat to another. “Understand?”

Lionpaw nodded along with his Clanmates.

“Good.” Firestar turned and began to climb the rocks back to Highledge.

Brackenfur weaved between Lionpaw and Hollypaw. “Are you two ready?”

Ashfur was already darting through the tunnel. Lionpaw raced after him, his paws slapping the rain-muddied ground. The tunnel sheltered him briefly; then he was out in the dripping forest. Hollypaw and Brackenfur pounded behind; he could hear their paws skidding on the slippery leaves. He unsheathed his claws, gouging the earth as he ran. Energy surged through him.

Ashfur, streaking through the forest ahead, seemed small among the trees. Lionpaw stretched out, gaining on him. I could reach the border in one leap if I wanted. Power pulsed in his blood. And if we meet WindClan, I could beat every one of them. The pain from the gash in his flank eased, as though it were healing already. Rain washed the blood from his pelt. Hawkfrost had better watch out next time.