I understand she’s concerned, Alderheart thought. But even I have to admit she really overstepped. ShadowClan is none of our business.

He was a bit hurt, too, that Twigpaw hadn’t taken his advice, or seen fit to talk over her idea with him before heading off to SkyClan. I’m a medicine cat, and I would have told her that no cat can install a new leader without StarClan’s approval.

“Did you hear anything about ShadowClan at last night’s half-moon meeting?” Twigpaw asked.

The question did nothing to make Alderheart feel friendlier toward her. The meeting at the Moonpool was medicine-cat business, and it was up to them how much they revealed. But in this case, there was nothing much to say.

“Puddleshine reported that he was busy looking after Yarrowleaf and her two kits,” he replied. “But he can’t support the idea of reviving ShadowClan without a sign from StarClan. And none of us received a sign last night.”

Twigpaw was visibly disappointed, crouching lower with her head drooping. Alderheart instantly felt sorry that he had been cool toward her. But just then Ambermoon and Sorrelstripe approached from the depths of the nursery, carrying Briarlight between them, and he decided that he had better concentrate on what he had to do.

“Take her up to the tunnel where the Clan camped in the Great Storm,” he directed. “I’ll follow in a few heartbeats and check on her.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Briarlight meowed stoutly. “I love getting my fur wet!”

Alderheart noticed, as the two warriors carried her past him, that Sorrelstripe was staggering a little, and her eyes were fixed and glassy. Oh, not another one! was his first thought. Then he decided that the dark brown she-cat was probably just tired. StarClan knows, life’s been tough enough lately.

When Briarlight and her escorts had disappeared into the rain, Alderheart headed toward the medicine-cat den. But before he had gone more than a few paw steps, a yowl of alarm from behind made him turn back.

He was in time to see the wind lift a whole section of the nursery roof and send it flapping away into the storm. More yowls came from the cats inside, and shrill wails of terror from the kits.

Alderheart splashed back through the puddles and dived into the nursery. Rain was pouring through the gap in the roof, soaking the side of the nursery where Briarlight had been sleeping.

We moved her just in time! Alderheart thought. Thank StarClan!

Cinderheart and Blossomfall had shrunk away from the gap to the far side of the nursery, each drawing her kits close to the curve of her body to shelter them from the cold and wet. Ivypool, Daisy, and Twigpaw were dragging over what bedding they could save from the rain.

“Alderheart, what shall we do?” Blossomfall asked. “We can’t stay here—what if the rest of the roof gives way?”