With her tail hanging down, Larkwing shuffled through the Birchtunnel, her fangs closed so tightly around the robin that the feathers tickled her throat unpleasantly.

This was my only prey. Careful not to make eye contact with anyone, she dropped the bird into the fresh-kill hollow. She didn't want anyone to realise what a miserable hunt it had been for her today. It was not her intention to let the Clan down like this. After the apparition, Larkwing was so distracted that she had completely forgotten to continue hunting.

Now she wanted to turn around and retreat to her nest. She could eat later. It was much more important to think of a plan on how to approach Palestar about joining the reconnaissance patrol.

"Larkwing?" The leader's voice sounded frighteningly close.

Ruffling her fur, Larkwing whirled around. Mousedung, that's the last thing I need! Palestar, of all cats, had to notice that I couldn't catch anything better than a pathetic robin!

"Ahem," Larkwing croaked as she tried with all her might to keep her paws from prancing wildly. "Do you mean me?" You mouse-brain born yesterday, who else is called that?

Palestar turned her blue gaze to the fresh-kill hollow. "That was your worst achievement today," she commented dryly.

Her words were like a long thorn digging into Larkwing's heart. "I'm really sorry! I'll go out again right away if I have to," she gushed.

But Palestar lifted her tail, signalling her to keep quiet. "Don't bother," she replied, "I'm sure you were just having a bad day. It happens to every cat. However, your behaviour still worries me. Would you like to tell me what's on your mind?"

Larkwing's breath stopped for a moment. Palestar didn't miss a thing. It was almost creepy how accurately she could recognise her warriors' thoughts.

Larkwing looked down uncertainly. It was out of the question that she would tell Palestar about her strange apparition. In the worst case scenario, the leader would declare her mad and call her a liar.

"I assume the events of the last few moons have unsettled you, haven't they?" Palestar speculated, tilting her head expertly.

"I suppose you could say that," Larkwing confirmed after a little hesitation. After all, it was true, even though that wasn't the exact reason for her current mood.

Palestar's brash expression immediately changed to one of sympathy. "Ah, this is a difficult time for all of us. To be honest, I can't believe we were hiding all those moons, dreading the next attack of the Shadowless. It's as if we've only been controlled by our fear." She sighed. "Fortunately, Redleaf has shaken us up. Thank StarClan that he and Cloverdapple are still alive. And Splashpaw, too, of course."

I have to tell her that I want to join the reconnaissance patrol. What she wanted to say was clearly on the tip of Larkwing's tongue. She would just have to open her mouth and say it.

Sighing, Palestar turned to leave. "Well then. Don't let your feelings guide you so much, okay? Even if it may be difficult for you, we can't afford to lose sight of what's really important because of our emotions."

Widening her eyes, Larkwing stared after her. No, I have to tell her now! Otherwise it will be too late.

"Wait a moment!" Larkwing meowed loudly and stumbled forwards.

Palestar paused. "What else do you want?" The tip of her tail twitched.

At that moment, Larkwing had the feeling that a heavy rock was weighing down on her and squeezing the air out of her. As hard as she could, she pressed her paws into the ground to stifle a tremble.

When she opened her mouth, her voice came out quiet and high-pitched. "I want to join the reconnaissance patrol."

Silence. An uncomfortable silence that made Larkwing even more uneasy with every beat her heart took.

Palestar wrinkled her muzzle. Genuine surprise was in her gaze. "I can understand that you want to make yourself useful," she began.

In expectation, Larkwing stretched her head forwards.

"But..." Suddenly Palestar's tone turned cold, "I can't allow that. You're still too young and inexperienced. Under no circumstances will I expose you to the danger that awaits you there. And it will be dangerous, you can be sure of that."

Slowly, Larkwing's resolve seemed to fade. Instead, she felt frustration, even though she knew deep down that Palestar was right. According to Redleaf's words at the Gathering, they would have to invade LaurelClan territory sooner or later — or whatever it had become. And what could await them there could turn into a nightmare.

The memories of all the losses they had already suffered because of the Shadowless came back to her like a wave. Larkwing bristled her fur. She didn't want to end up like this. However, she also didn't want their lives to continue to be dominated by grief and fear.

With new-found determination, she took a step forward. "I just have to do it!" she meowed pleadingly. "I can't sit idly by any longer while somewhere out there the world sinks into chaos. I saw Reedclaw die and Goldenshadow too. I was unable to prevent their deaths. However, if there is even the slightest chance of preventing other deaths, I want to do everything I can to stop further suffering."

Wordlessly and for a long time, Palestar looked at her with a serious expression. Finally she replied, "How much you have changed. Nothing seems to be left of the kit you were back in MoonClan."

Larkwing retracted and unsheathed her claws nervously. She simply had to be part of the reconnaissance patrol. Swallowfern's ghostly appearance was certainly a clear sign.

"You really do have an unshakeable will," Palestar stated. She let out a faint purr. "In that aspect, Lakepelt and you are very similar. He also insisted earlier on being allowed to join the reconnaissance patrol. But you're both still so young..."

There's probably no point in persuading her any further. Disheartened, Larkwing flattened her ears. "I understand," she mumbled. At the same time, she felt frustration rising within her, the nature of which she didn't really understand. For Palestar was absolutely right: it would be life-threatening for her. She, who had only recently been an apprentice.

Nevertheless, there was a voice inside her that urged her to finally take matters into her own paws. Do it for all the Clanmates who had perished and for all those who had lost those dearest to them.

"But I also realise that I must not deprive you of your free choice." Palestar's sudden meow snapped Larkwing back to reality. "What I forgot to tell you is that cats can line up for the reconnaissance patrol until the next waning crescent moon. If you are so sure of your choice, you can also take part for my sake. Which two cats will ultimately be part of the reconnaissance patrol will be decided by majority vote."

When she heard this, Larkwing couldn't believe her ears at first. "Of course I want to!" she replied quickly.

Palestar twitched her whiskers, slightly amused. "Well, I'm convinced that you're not saying that because of youthful recklessness, but because you're a true RoseClan cat."

At her praise, Larkwing felt all warm. This is the right decision, she told herself inwardly. She didn't know why, but something deep inside her told her that she had taken the right path.

"You may leave now if you wish," Palestar meowed with a casual flick of her tail. "You haven't eaten anything tonight, have you? I recommend you catch up on that. Going to sleep hungry has a negative effect on your efficiency — and we don't want that."

Embarrassed, Larkwing lowered her head. She must have been referring to my hunt! "Yes, of course. Good night in advance."

Secretly glad that the conversation was over now, she fetched a squirrel from the fresh-kill hollow. She was a little saddened to realise that it had come from a previous hunting patrol. No matter, it is certainly better than nothing.

The squirrel between her fangs, Larkwing spotted Shadowpaw, Bramblepaw and Mistpaw sharing their prey in front of the apprentices' den and decided to join them without further ado.

"Hey!" she meowed jovially. "Do you still have a spot free?"

Bramblepaw's green eyes brightened and she thumped her tail beside her. "Always for you!"

Shadowpaw tilted his head, his muzzle curled in confusion. "Why don't you go to the warriors? Aren't you embarrassed to spend time with us?"

"What makes you think that?" Larkwing enquired with her mouth full. She was genuinely surprised. "We're friends after all. Just because I'm sleeping in another den now doesn't mean I'm going to ignore you. You have your final assessments in two moons too, right? It's not that much of a difference."

Shadowpaw cast his gaze down. "I just thought you'd feel too grown up for us now," the grey tabby tom mumbled apologetically. "By the way, our final assessments aren't for another four moons," he added correctingly.

"But you're ten moons old," Larkwing wondered.

"It's because of me," Bramblepaw spoke up. "If I'm going to take my final assessments in two moons, that means I've only been training as a warrior apprentice for four moons in total. And that's against the rules."

Shadowpaw nodded in agreement. "We want to be able to have our warrior ceremony together," he explained, his blue eyes gleaming. "We don't mind having to wait a little longer if it's for Bramblepaw."

Oh my StarClan, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard. Larkwing purred. "That's really courteous of you."

"Yes, yes," Mistpaw interrupted her with a distinct hint of impatience. "You talked to Palestar for quite a long time just now. About what?"

As if it had been a secret command, the three young cats stretched their heads forward and fixated Larkwing attentively with their gazes.

The tortico she-cat shifted nervously in the flattened grass and nibbled at the squirrel to avoid answering. Despite her initial determination, she was now a little embarrassed to admit that she had rushed headlong into this reconnaissance patrol thing. Not that they'll think I'm insane or anything! I guess I just see it as a special duty.

But the curiosity of the three apprentices seemed to get bigger and more overwhelming, so that Larkwing finally decided to tell them. Sooner or later they would have found out anyway.

When she had finished her short report, Bramblepaw's mouth was wide open. "You're crazy," she squeaked. "This is far too dangerous! Something could happen to you."

There was genuine fright in her voice. Larkwing was almost sorry to burden her best friend with such a worry. "I can take care of myself. After all, I won't be alone," she purred reassuringly. "Besides, it's for the best of all the Clans."

That didn't really seem to have convinced Bramblepaw, though. "I understand your reasoning," the light brown ticked she-cat meowed hesitantly. "But please, think about it some more. I don't want to lose you too soon. You've always been there for me and I don't want that to change."

Mistpaw nudged her with his nose. "None of us want to lose Larkwing. But she can make her own decisions now, and nothing will be able to destroy her that quickly."

Grateful that at least Mistpaw understood her feelings, Larkwing blinked. "I can't finish the rest," she meowed, nudging the half-eaten squirrel. "Maybe the others can do something with it."

Bramblepaw flicked her tail. "I'll save it for Blossompaw when she comes back from her training."

"Ooohh," Shadowpaw meowed mockingly. "Only for Blossompaw? Are Nettlepaw and Owlpaw supposed to be left empty-pawed?"

Embarrassed, Bramblepaw turned her head to the side. "There's still plenty of fresh-kill," she argued.

Amused, Larkwing rose to her paws. "I'll be off then," she announced.

Bramblepaw interrupted her little squabble with Shadowpaw for a moment and jumped up as well. "Listen, Larkwing, no matter what we decide, I hope you won't be disappointed."

Larkwing twitched her ears. "I'll try."