Jayfeather scrambled up the slope that led to the Moonpool, his paws skidding on the damp stones. A chill breeze ruffled his fur, and he shivered as his mother, Leafpool, hauled herself up the rocks to stand at his side.
“Greenleaf is almost over,” she said. “We’ll need to stock up on herbs while we still can. Catmint, especially.”
“Catmint!” Jayfeather’s tail-tip twitched impatiently. “You’re always meowing on about catmint. If you had your way, we’d fill our den with it and not leave room for anything else.”
Leafpool gave him a friendly shove. “We could do worse. You know how quickly whitecough can turn to greencough if it’s not treated properly. The elders—”
“Sandstorm, Graystripe, Millie, and Purdy are perfectly healthy,” Jayfeather interrupted. “Honestly, Leafpool, you coddle them too much. Besides, we have plenty of catmint growing by the old Twoleg nest. Enough even for you! So don’t expect me to go out gathering more.”
As he finished speaking, he heard the scuffling of paws farther down the slope. The powerful watery scent of RiverClan swept over him as Mothwing and Willowshine, the RiverClan medicine cats, climbed up to join them.
“We have plenty of catmint,” Mothwing announced mildly. “Just let us know if ThunderClan runs into problems.”
