““was with them in this strange place? “Well, we’ll just have to keep going.” Brambleclaw padded out from the trees. A grassy bank sloped down in front of him to a narrow valley. Beyond, a ridge rose into the indigo sky, its curving side shadowed by forest. As the cats began to pad out of the copse, still blinking and stretching, Leafpaw glanced up at the sky. Clouds obscured the stars. “Don’t worry about the sign.” Her father’s voice surprised her, and she turned to find him standing beside her. “You are still an apprentice medicine cat,” he murmured. “You shouldn’t feel responsible if StarClan wishes to remain silent.” She gazed gratefully into his emerald eyes as he went on. “I’m proud of you. And Squirrelpaw too—even though Cinderpelt’s prophecy frightened me for a while.” “Cinderpelt’s prophecy?” Leafpaw echoed. “StarClan’s sign that fire and tiger would destroy the Clan.” Leafpaw blinked. Cinderpelt’s ominous warning seemed a lifetime away now. “Now I think I understand what it meant.” Firestar gazed””
