Squirrelflight remembered how Juniperclaw, ShadowClan’s former deputy, had nearly killed a SkyClan warrior by leaving prey laced with deathberries on SkyClan’s fresh-kill pile. The act had driven Leafstar to lead SkyClan away from the lake and had nearly destroyed the Clans. Surely they wouldn’t do it again?
She realized that Sparkpelt was still staring at her. “This isn’t deathberry poisoning. Leafpool would know if it were. Besides, when Juniperclaw poisoned Sparrowpelt, he acted alone,” she argued. “And he’s dead now. Tigerstar would never let such a thing happen again.”
“Really?” Sparkpelt looked unconvinced.
“Of course not.” Squirrelflight’s heart quickened.
“Even when ThunderClan keeps bullying him?” Sparkpelt glared at her. “We won’t let Tigerstar get even with the Sisters after they hurt one of his Clanmates. Why did you have to bring them here in the first place?”
“I didn’t mean to,” Squirrelflight mewed defensively. “I was trying to help SkyClan.”
Sparkpelt wasn’t listening. “Now we’ve made a secret alliance with WindClan. For all we know, Tigerstar’s found out that we sheltered the Sisters too. That would be enough to make him want to hurt us. Bramblestar keeps making decisions that make life hard for ShadowClan. Is he
“This isn’t Bramblestar’s fault.” Squirrelflight lifted her chin. “Your father is just doing what he thinks is right.”
“And he doesn’t care who gets hurt!”
Daisy padded tentatively forward. “Bramblestar would never hurt any cat.”
“He just wants peace,” Squirrelflight chimed. “That’s why he’s trying to appease WindClan, and why he won’t join a war against the Sisters.”
Sparkpelt flattened her ears. “So it’s okay if Larksong dies, as long as WindClan and the Sisters are happy!”
“No!” Frustration scorched Squirrelflight’s pelt. Sparkpelt didn’t know what she was saying. “Larksong’s not ill because of what Bramblestar has done.”
“I don’t believe you!” Sparkpelt hissed. “If Bramblestar hadn’t gone against Tigerstar so many times, Larksong would be fine now!”
The brambles rustled at the entrance. “What’s going on?” Bramblestar nosed his way in, anxiety glittering in his gaze. “I heard yowling.”
Daisy looked at him anxiously. “Sparkpelt’s upset, that’s all. She’s had a difficult day.”
Sparkpelt snarled at him. “Do you admit it?”
“Admit what?” He looked taken aback.
“If you hadn’t done everything you could to make Tigerstar angry, Larksong would be fine now!” Sparkpelt’s eyes narrowed into slits.
Bramblestar stared at her, his pelt ruffling along his spine. “I don’t understand.” He glanced questioningly at Squirrelflight.
“She’s worried that ShadowClan might have poisoned the fresh-kill pile when they visited the camp earlier.” Squirrelflight shifted uneasily. She was angry with Bramblestar, but he didn’t deserve this. He had enough worries already. And yet Sparkpelt was clearly suffering.
Bramblestar tipped his head to one side and blinked at Sparkpelt. “How could they have poisoned the prey? We were all here watching them.”
“They’ve done it before!” Sparkpelt hissed.
Daisy looked anxiously from father to daughter. “Juniperclaw did that, and he’s dead now,” she repeated.
“All ShadowClan cats are the same.” Sparkpelt flexed her claws. “They’d poison their own mothers for more territory.”
“That’s not true.” Squirrelflight edged closer to Sparkpelt. She had to calm her down. This couldn’t be doing the kits any good. “ShadowClan cats are warriors just like us. They wouldn’t break the warrior code.”
Sparkpelt held her ground. “They would if they were pushed far enough, and Bramblestar has done nothing but get in Tigerstar’s way.” She glared accusingly at her father.
“Bramblestar’s been doing what’s best for the Clans,” Squirrelflight argued.
“Why are you sticking up for him?” Sparkpelt stared at her. “He’s hardly spoken to you in days. He’s been treating you like an apprentice. And you’re defending him! Why are you being such a mouse-heart?”
Bramblestar’s hackles lifted. “Don’t talk to your mother like that!” he hissed. “I don’t care how upset you are. Hurting cats who love you isn’t going to help Larksong. It’s just going to make everyone as miserable as you are. I’m sorry Larksong is ill, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure he gets well again, but don’t accuse your mother of being a mouse-heart. She’s one of the bravest warriors I know. And I am doing everything I can to keep peace among the Clans. I have to stand up to Tigerstar, or he’ll push SkyClan around forever.” Hurt glittered suddenly in the ThunderClan leader’s gaze. “It’s hard standing up for what you believe in, and it’s even harder when the cats who are supposed to support you undermine you instead.”
