The Elders' Quest/Chapter 8

==Chapter description==
:In the morning, Leafstar summons the Clan to prepare to attack the badger lurking on their territory. Expecting her Clanmates to be excited, Leafstar is disappointed when they are instead hesitant. Frecklewish, Reedclaw, Gravelnose, and several other warriors are skeptical about fighting a badger due to the danger and possible injuries. Leafstar attempts to encourages her cats to protect their territory, but it fails to soothe their worries. Determined, Leafstar announces that Gravelnose, Kitescratch, Reedclaw, Rootspring, Sparrowpelt, and Wrenflight will be joining her on the battle patrol. Kitescratch asks if they should rest first, as every cat patrolled earlier that day, but Leafstar insists they leave immediately.
:Near the greenleaf Twolegplace, Leafstar detects the badger's set in a dark hole between two large boulders. Rootspring comments that the stench is too strong to come from just one badger, but Leafstar disagrees. They attack, hoping to trap the badger in its set, but it bites Kitescratch's leg. The badger follows him out of the set, giving it enough room to attack the cats. To their horror, a second badger emerges from the den to attack Wrenflight. Leafstar thinks she spots a third badger and is prepared to attack when Kitescratch barrels into her with a panicked yowl. Her eyes focus, and Leafstar realizes it is Starlingpaw, who had followed them to the fight. Their hesitation provides an opportunity for the badgers to attack, and the male badger bites Kitescratch's neck. Leafstar calls a retreat, though Kitescratch collapses and begins to bleed out. While her Clanmates fetch the medicine cats and herbs, Leafstar snaps at Starlingpaw for his foolish actions, blaming him for Kitescratch's injuries. Realizing her mistake, Leafstar apologizes as the young apprentice is stricken with grief watching the life fade from his father's body.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
==Important events==
===Deaths===
*Kitescratch is killed by a badger.
==Errors==
*Despite being listed as an elder, Sparrowpelt is chosen for the battle patrol.
==Notes and references==
Category:The Elders' Quest
Category:Changing Skies arc
Category:Chapter subpages