She’s so brave! She could have gotten herself killed, trying to save the herbs for her Clan.

While Hawkwing and the ShadowClan cats began to discuss what was best to do, Violetshine gazed along the shoreline. By now the fire was dying down, leaving blackened debris at the water’s edge. Beyond the stream that marked the border, she caught sight of small, dark figures moving to and fro, half hidden by the swirling smoke.

“Look!” she called out.

Reedwhisker spun around and let out a cry of pure relief. “Our Clanmates!”

Seeming suddenly energized, he headed along the water’s edge, hardly seeming to notice the scraps of smoldering bark and twigs. The other RiverClan cats streamed after him, while Hawkwing followed more cautiously with his patrol.

As they drew closer, Violetshine recognized Mistystar among the group on the far side of the stream, along with the rest of her Clan. Most were on their paws, though a few were lying on the ground, clearly injured.

But at least they’re safe, Violetshine thought.

She saw too that more cats were gathered around; she spotted Bramblestar, Ambermoon, Larksong, and other warriors from ThunderClan and WindClan. And a slender, gray figure who was achingly familiar. There’s Twigpaw! she realized with a sudden lifting of her heart.

“Typical ThunderClan,” Juniperclaw muttered from just behind her. “Always sticking their whiskers in.”

Violetshine ignored him. Bounding forward, she reached the edge of the border stream and called out to her sister. “Twigpaw! You’re okay!”

Twigpaw stumbled up to the water’s edge; her pelt was soaked and plastered to her body, she was limping on three legs, and she looked exhausted.

“What happened to you?” Violetshine asked, full of anxiety for her sister.

“Twigpaw is a hero,” Alderheart replied, padding up to the bank of the stream. “She saved Softpaw.”

“Really? Oh, well done!” Violetshine exclaimed. She could see the small, dark gray RiverClan apprentice crouching beside the stream. She looked battered, but out of danger, and she was gazing at Twigpaw with eyes full of gratitude.

Beside Violetshine, Hawkwing let out a purr of praise. “Twigpaw, I’m so proud of you,” he meowed.

Twigpaw’s legs were shaking, and she ducked her head to give her chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks, but her eyes were shining. “I just did what any cat would have done,” she murmured.

Meanwhile, Bramblestar stepped forward and dipped his head to the cats who had just arrived. “We’re discussing what to do next,” he explained. “ThunderClan and WindClan are going to divide up the RiverClan cats to take shelter in our camps.”

“But that’s mouse-brained!” Tawnypelt exclaimed.

Even though Violetshine knew that Tawnypelt was Bramblestar’s sister, she was still shocked that any warrior would address a Clan leader like that.

“If RiverClan needs a place to stay,” Tawnypelt went on, “they should stay in ShadowClan’s old camp. It’s empty, and it’s closer. They—”