Tallstar's Revenge by Erin Hunter

“It draws infection out of rotten wounds.”
    Tallpaw’s belly tightened. “That sounds . . .” He searched for words while he fought back queasiness. “. . . interesting.” I’m glad I’m training as a warrior.
    â€œI made it for Whiteberry’s ear.” Barkpaw kept on chewing. “He’s got an infected tick bite. I added juniper sap. That’ll loosen the tick. It was so swollen I thought its skin would burst.”
    Tallpaw stared at him, the scent of rabbit suddenly making him feel sick. “How’s Hawkheart?” he asked, changing the subject.
    â€œHe’s a really good teacher,” Barkpaw mewed. “It’s hard keeping up but I’m learning so much.”
    Tallpaw noticed Shrewpaw heading toward them. Ignoring his queasiness, he took a bite of rabbit. Shrewpaw reached them as he was swallowing. The dark brown tom flung a mouse onto the ground. “Have you cured anyone yet?” he asked, settling down beside Barkpaw.
    Barkpaw swallowed. “I won’t know until tomorrow.”
    Tallpaw pulled another mouthful of flesh from the rabbit. Shrewpaw munched on his mouse. Barkpaw glanced uneasily from one to the other before blurting out, “It must be fun training together.”
    Tallpaw met Shrewpaw’s gaze, wondering what the brown tom would say.
    Shrewpaw shrugged. “It’s okay.”
    Tallpaw blinked, surprised at Shrewpaw’s reply. “Yeah,” he agreed. Why should they make Barkpaw worry that they weren’t getting along?
    He ate till his belly was full, then heaved himself to his paws. “I’m going to stretch my legs,” he told Barkpaw. “I don’t want to stiffen up. Dawnstripe’s taking me out again later.” He nodded at Shrewpaw and headed across camp.
    Palebird was crouching outside the nursery. Meadowslip paced beside her. The gray queen had only just moved to the nursery, swollen with Hickorynose’s kits. Her belly swayed as she padded back and forth, tail twitching and ears flicking as if she was too restless to sit still.
    Palebird gazed blankly across the camp. Tallpaw frowned. Why wasn’t his motherrestless, too? Didn’t she ever wish she were out on the moor? Or back in the tunnels? Wasn’t she bored stuck in camp?
    Tallpaw stopped beside her. “You should come and watch me train.”
    â€œWhat, dear?” Palebird looked up at him distractedly.
    â€œIt’d be good for you to get out of the camp.”
    Brackenwing leaped out of the Meeting Hollow and hurried over. “Don’t bother Palebird,” she warned. “She needs rest.”
    Tallpaw scowled. She’s been resting for six moons. She must have recovered from kitting by now.
    â€œShe hasn’t been sleeping well,” Meadowslip explained.
    â€œTell me about it later, Tallpaw,” Palebird murmured. “I’m sure you’ve had fun.”
    Tallpaw’s tail whipped crossly and he slouched away from the nursery, eyeing Barkpaw and Shrewpaw. They were chattering like thrushes now that he was gone.
    Behind him, Tallpaw could hear Meadowslip talking to Palebird and Brackenwing. “Do you think the visitors will return this greenleaf?”
    Tallpaw’s ears pricked. Visitors?
    â€œI’m sure they will,” Brackenwing answered the young queen. “I can’t remember a time that they didn’t.”
    Tallpaw stopped and sat down. He needed a wash after his meal. He might as well wash here, where he could listen to the queens.
    â€œI hope Wee Hen made it through leaf-bare.” Brackenwing lowered her voice. “She was very frail last time we saw her.”
    â€œWhiteberry will be disappointed if she doesn’t come,” Meadowslip commented.
    Tallpaw cleaned his muzzle with a freshly licked paw.
    Brackenwing purred. “Wee Hen and Whiteberry could swap stories from dawn to dusk. There was talk of her settling