That’s unfair! Where would any of the Clans be now if it weren’t for Firestar? Lionpaw dug his claws into the loose rock to stop himself from leaping at the WindClan leader’s throat.

Firestar leaped down from Highledge, landing lightly, and padded toward Onestar. The Clans drew back to let him pass. He stopped, unblinking, a whisker away from the WindClan leader. “If you want a battle,” he growled, “then you have one.”

Onestar flicked his tail and Lionpaw tensed, ready to push Longtail and Mousefur up to safety when the camp exploded once more into battle. But, to his astonishment, the WindClan cats turned and swarmed out through the thorn tunnel, their paw steps fading into the forest as the barrier grew still.

“Ha!” Icepaw bounded forward. “They’re too scared to fight us!”

Dustpelt narrowed his eyes. “It doesn’t make sense,” he growled. “Why go to the trouble of attacking at night and then leave? They had the advantage. We were totally unprepared.”

“We’re not unprepared now,” Foxpaw mewed, flicking his back legs out in a well-rehearsed battle move.

“I want a patrol to follow them,” Firestar ordered. “I want to be sure they’ve left our territory.”

“I’ll go!” Dustpelt volunteered at once.

Firestar nodded. “Take Birchfall, Cloudtail…” He glanced around his Clan.

Lionpaw leaned forward.

“…Ashfur and Lionpaw, you go with them.”

Yes! Lionpaw bounded down the rocks.

“Is anyone wounded?” Firestar called. Leafpool and Jaypaw were already weaving among the warriors, bundles of herbs in their jaws.

Whitewing was licking the blood spatters from her pelt.

Firestar looked at her anxiously. “Whitewing?”

“Just a few scratches,” she meowed. “Mostly WindClan blood.”

“Good.” Firestar nodded. “I want you to lead a patrol to the ShadowClan border to make sure all’s quiet there. Take Brackenfur and Sorreltail.”

Hollypaw padded forward. “Can I go?”

“Yes,” Firestar agreed. “Icepaw, you go with them too.” He looked at Graystripe, who was still guarding the nursery.

“Do you want me to go?” Graystripe volunteered.

“No,” Firestar answered. “We need strong warriors to protect the camp in case WindClan return, and I can’t think of anyone who would defend the nursery more fiercely than you.

“Brambleclaw!” He turned to his deputy. “Why wasn’t the entrance guarded tonight?”

Brambleclaw’s gaze darkened. “The extra patrols have stretched us to the limit.”

“Guard it now,” Firestar told him. “From now on, it will be guarded day and night, patrols or no patrols. We shall just have to manage on less sleep till this danger passes.”

Mewling sounded from the nursery, and Graystripe stiffened. Brightheart popped her head out. “The kits are frightened but they’re all okay.”

Toadkit slid out beside her. “I wanted to see the battle!”

Brightheart grabbed him by the scruff and scooped him back inside.