Alderheart and Mothwing sneak away under the guise to see if they can collect Mothwing's herbs from the RiverClan camp, but in actuality they want to find out about the RiverClan prisoners. Mistystar had already led an unsuccessful raid to take back the clan territory and Darktail told her if she ever did that again he would kill his prisoners. They run into a WindClan patrol that is hostile, but lets them pass. They discuss Dawnpelt. Strikestone and Juniperclaw arrived in camp. Dawnpelt was supposed to follow but never did. They meet a rogue patrol that consists of Needletail, Raven, and Violetpaw. Needletail agrees to let them collect the herbs so long as they give Puddleshine a lesson in the herbs he doesn't know yet. Alderheart is confused since Puddleshine knows his herbs, but they agree. Violetpaw quiestly asks him about Twigpaw. Unsure what to say Alderheart lies and tells her that her sister is doing fine. When they reach Puddleshine he is confused at first with Mothwing's offer for lessons, but he catches on quick. Alderheart can tell Needletail is really upset, despite her insistence that everything is fine. She asks after Dawnpelt and Alderheart tells her she never showed in the ThunderClan camp. Needletail looks both terrified and like she has finally figured something out.
Violetpaw is eating with Loki and Zelda. The two kittypets have come to realize they will never be allowed to leave. Beeryheart and Beenose have also left the camp, but when Violetpaw tries to ask Needletail about it her friend changed the subject. Darktail has the prisoners brought before them so they can swear the oath. So far they all have except for Reedwhisker. Violetpaw holds out hope that the RiverClan deputy will still refuse, but he finally breaks and makes the oath. Darktail then corners Violetpaw and makes her tell him about the herbs. However, he doesn't blame Violetpaw for the loss of the herbs, but Needletail. He confronts Needletail, telling her if she wants she can leave like Dawnpelt. Violetpaw sees the terror in her friend's eyes and realizes Dawnpelt isn't at the ThunderClan camp because she is dead. Darktail orders Needletail placed with the RiverClan prisoners until she proves her loyalty, then sets off to punish Puddleshine.
Alderheart cares for Stormcloud, who is depressed. The ThunderClan camp is overflowing with cats now that some ShadowClan cats are leaving Darktail and RiverClan has arrived. There is no room in the camp, resources are stretched thin with all the wounded, and everyone is worried the clans are being destroyed. The patrol returns with news that they believe Twigpaw is dead. They found her blood and fur next to the thunderpath where her scent trail ended, but there was no sign of her body. The clans sit vigil for her, believing her to be dead. The next day a ThunderClan patrol was driven away by the rogues when they were doing a border patrol. The rogues taunted ThunderClan, saying they were next. Everyone argues over what to do. Some cats want to attack, Mistystar wants her cats to continue healing, other cats wants to purse the prophecy, Sparkpelt offers the idea of rescuing cats from the rogues. Bramblestar decrees everyone should sleep on these ideas. Alderheart and the other medicine cats go to the moonpool for the medicine cat meeting. Mothwing asks Alderheart if Needletail will help them but he isn't sure. Neither Puddleshine or Kestrelflight appears. Everyone shares dreams with StarClan. Alderheart sees SkyClan, no longer in the barn. He searches for Twigpaw among them but she isn't there, forcing him to accept her probable death.
Violetpaw is eating when Scorchfur challenges how Darktail is treating the prisoners. Violetpaw silently begs him not to, as Snowbird has just given birth to a litter with him. He backs down under Darktail's threatening gaze. Darktail punishes Scorchfur by making him clean up after the prisoners, his favorite form of punishment. Violetpaw sneaks away with some prey and convinces the prisoner's guards, Yarrowleaf and Zelda, to go get something to eat. She then gives the prey to Needletail. Needletail, however, gives it away to the RiverClan cats. This selfless act shocks Violetpaw and she wonders if her friend is finally changing. The guards return and Zleda quietly confesses to Violetpaw that she wants to go home, but is afraid Darktail won't let her. Violetpaw wishes she could trust Zelda, but she cannot risk it. Darktail sends her hunting a Violetpaw sees her chance. She sneaks away to ThunderClan, finds a patrol, and goes to their camp. Alderheart confides in her that they want to rescue the prisoners. They hatch and plan and before she returns to the rogue camp Alderheart tells her that her sister is dead ad she might have kin in SkyClan. Violetpaw holds out hope that Twigpaw will return. That night she sneaks away to see Needletail and tell her the plan.
Alderheart, Sparkpelt, Lionblaze, and Ivypool wait between the ShadowClan and RiverClan border. Violetpaw arrives with the ShadowClan elders then leaves. After a short rest and some food the ThunderClan cats lead the elders away. They almost run into a patrol but the warriors attack them, giving Alderheart and the elders a chance to escape. The warriors return safely, reporting that they told the rogues they accidentally crossed the border and the rogues accepted that explanation. A few nights later Violetpaw sneaks out Snowbird and her kits. A clans meeting is called to discuss how to get the prisoners away and Snowbird says Darktail needs to be incapacitated. Alderheart and Mothwing meet with Violetpaw and give her poppy seeds to make the rogues sleep.
I'm glad Violetpaw is finally waking up and taking a stand. Hopefully she is done switching sides. Needletail too, in her own way. She had to know giving the herbs to Mothwing would get her in trouble. And she gave away the prey Violetpaw brought her to the RiverClan cats.
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