Tallstar’s Revenge

Chapter 8

Tallpaw felt Dawnstripe’s tail sweep his spine. “You’ll do fine,” she murmured. “Just keep moving, and think like a fox.”

“A fox?” Tallpaw had no idea how a fox thought. He’d never even seen one.

“Be smart.” Dawnstripe nosed him away.

Tallpaw slid into the nearest bank of heather. Quiet as he could, he darted between two stems, hoping he’d find a rabbit trail that would lead closer to the rock. The gap opened for a few tail-lengths but ended in a thick gorse stump. Tallpaw’s heart quickened. The apprentices would find him straight away. Shrewpaw would laugh at him for the rest of the day—for the rest of their lives, probably. Tallpaw turned and pushed through the thick heather branches, wincing as he forced his way past. He struggled onward until finally he burst out into a gap between the bushes.

A sharp tang touched his nose. Tiny dirt-berries! He’d found a rabbit track. The trail led among the stems. Tallpaw raced along it. Instinctively he kept low, crouching down so that his spine didn’t set the heather quivering and give his position away.

Am I going the right way? Where’s the rock?

He couldn’t see it through the heather, but if he stretched up his head to get his bearings, the others would spot him. He tasted the air, hoping for a clue. Peat and heather. And the familiar scent of Stagpaw. Was the young tom close?

Tallpaw pushed on harder, twisting his ears back for sounds of pursuit. Paw steps thrummed behind him. Switch course. Cloudrunner’s instruction echoed in his ears as the path forked ahead. Tallpaw swerved, taking the trail that sloped upward. He could feel the ground trembling. More paw steps pounded behind. The apprentices were on his tail.

The path sloped steeply, growing rocky, which forced Tallpaw to slow down so he didn’t trap his paw and break his leg. He told himself that his pursuers would have to slow down too. After a frantic scramble over the stones, the trail emerged from the heather onto a grassy hillside. Tallpaw flattened his ears and ran faster. Remembering his practice earlier, he lengthened his stride. The grass blurred beneath him. Snatching a breath, he glanced over his shoulder.

Stagpaw exploded from the heather. Ryepaw and Doepaw fanned out behind. Tallpaw saw Stagpaw’s tail flick one way, then the other. They were planning to surround him! He swerved sideways, his paws skidding on the grass as he switched direction. Cutting across the apprentices’ path, he blocked their attempt to trap him from on both sides.

“Come on, Stagpaw! Think!” Aspenfall called from higher up the slope.

Wind streamed through Tallpaw’s whiskers. Exhilaration pulsed in his belly. He was running fast as a bird. But the apprentices were gaining on him.

Double back. He was smaller than his pursuers, and that made him nimble. He slowed, gradually at first. They’ll think they’ve outrun me. Tallpaw glanced over his shoulder, pleased to see triumph flash in Ryepaw’s eyes. She was in the lead now, Stagpaw racing just behind, matching her stride step for step. Beside him, Doepaw veered away.

Tallpaw saw the she-cat narrow her eyes. She’s going to try to overtake me and block my path. Suddenly he slammed his paws hard into the grass. He spun around, leaving deep scars in the turf, and charged straight back toward the apprentices. Their eyes stretched wide in astonishment.

Surprised, huh? Ears flat, tail streaking behind, Tallpaw raced down the slope through the gap between Stagpaw and Doepaw.

“Don’t let a kit outpace you!” Cloudrunner yowled from above them.

Kit? I’m an apprentice! Tallpaw sprinted down the hillside. The rock flashed at the edge of his vision. He’d have to change course to reach it. Stagpaw, Ryepaw, and Doepaw were still trying to turn, slithering clumsily on the grass behind him. Tallpaw needed to make a break for the rock before they found their footing. He darted sideways, his hind paws slipping out from under him. His belly hit the ground but he scrambled up and kept running. Stagpaw was pulling closer. He could hear the young tom’s breath. Ryepaw and Doepaw pounded at his tail. He was closing in on the rock. If he could just keep running, he’d make it. Excitement thrilled through him.

Then paws grasped his flanks. A swift push sent him sideways. The world spun as Tallpaw tumbled over the grass and skidded to a halt.

“Great chase!” Stagpaw leaned over him.

“Are you okay?” Doepaw pushed past her brother and looked anxiously at Tallpaw. Ryepaw was just behind, panting too hard to speak.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Tallpaw scrambled to his paws, struggling to catch his breath.

“Good work!” Cloudrunner ran across the grass toward them, Dawnstripe at his heels.

“You nearly made it!” Tallpaw’s mentor skidded to a halt in front of him, her eyes shining.

Stagpaw nudged him with a shoulder. “I thought you’d outrun us for a moment,” he panted.

Aspenfall, Larksplash, and Hareflight pounded across the grass with Shrewpaw trotting behind much less eagerly.

Hareflight reached them first. “That was impressive.”

Shrewpaw glared at Tallpaw. “I would have made it to the rock.”

Doepaw swished her tail. “I don’t think so, small-paws.”

Tallpaw wanted to purr, but he was still trying to get enough air inside him.

Cloudrunner jerked his nose toward Fourtrees. “Let’s test your hunting skills.”

Ears pricked, looking as if he’d done nothing more strenuous than chase a leaf, Stagpaw led the way down the slope. As the apprentices disappeared into the heather with their mentors, Dawnstripe tasted the air. “It smells like they’ll find good hunting there.”

Tallpaw stuck out his tongue. He couldn’t taste anything but the wind.

Dawnstripe shook out her golden pelt. “Don’t worry, Tallpaw. Before long you’ll be able to scent prey halfway across the moor.”

“I’m hungry.” Shrewpaw glanced hopefully at the thick line of trees running along the bottom of the moor. “Can we hunt too?”

“Battle moves first,” Hareflight told him.

“With Tallpaw?” Shrewpaw’s tail drooped. “He won’t know any.”

Hareflight glared at his apprentice. “Then teach him some.”

Shrewpaw stomped across the grass and stood a tail-length away. His brown pelt looked like a stray piece of wood against the windswept moor.

Dawnstripe swept Tallpaw forward with her tail. “He’ll need to learn defensive moves first,” she called to Shrewpaw. “Attack him, but don’t forget that it’s his first session.” She nodded to Tallpaw. “The simplest defense is to raise your forepaws. Don’t jab out wildly. Focus on protecting your muzzle and pushing your attacker away.”

Tallpaw nodded, trying to remember everything Dawnstripe was saying. He could still feel his heart pounding from the chase. He curled his hind claws into the grass to steady himself, then fixed his gaze on Shrewpaw.

Shrewpaw’s eyes glittered. “Ready?”

Tallpaw nodded. Letting out a ferocious yowl, Shrewpaw flew toward him. Tallpaw gasped and lifted his paws. He was too slow. Claws raked his nose. With a yelp, Tallpaw tripped over his own tail and rolled onto the grass.

“Shrewpaw!” Hareflight’s mew was sharp. “Dawnstripe warned you that it’s Tallpaw’s first time.”

As Tallpaw scrambled to his paws, he saw Shrewpaw roll his eyes. “Why do I get stuck training with a kit?”

Tallpaw faced him, nose stinging. “I’m not a kit,” he hissed. “Try again.”

Shrewpaw crouched, wiggling his hindquarters. Tallpaw watched him. As Shrewpaw leaped, he reared and lifted his forepaws, quicker this time. Shrewpaw hit him more slowly and Tallpaw found it easy to flip him away with a sharp shove. As Shrewpaw rolled dramatically onto the grass beside him, Tallpaw felt a twinge of satisfaction.

Then claws jabbed his ribs. Tallpaw gasped. Shrewpaw had thrust out a hind leg as he rolled and caught him in the side.

“Sorry!” Shrewpaw jumped up. “It was an accident.”

Yeah, right. Tallpaw narrowed his eyes. I bet we’re supposed to keep our claws sheathed in practice!

“Try it again,” Dawnstripe encouraged. “This time, move as you push him away, Tallpaw. You need to land ready for the next attack.”

Tallpaw nodded and faced Shrewpaw once more. Shrewpaw’s tail-tip was flicking. You still think I’m a tunneler. Tallpaw flexed his claws, fighting the urge to unsheathe them. I’ll show you.

Shrewpaw sprang into the air. Tallpaw froze for moment, then, seeing daylight beneath the young tom’s belly, he ducked beneath it and bucked like a rabbit. He felt Shrewpaw’s weight on his back, and pushed his spine into his denmate’s belly. Shrewpaw yelped as Tallpaw tossed him backward. Tallpaw turned on his hind paws. Shrewpaw was writhing on the grass. Tallpaw reared over him and Shrewpaw stared up, his eyes wide with shock.

Forepaws raised, Tallpaw showed his teeth for a moment before dropping onto all fours and padding away. “How was that?” he asked Dawnstripe.

Dawnstripe blinked at him. “Not exactly what I expected.”

“It was excellent,” Hareflight purred. “Great work, Tallpaw.”

Shrewpaw clambered to his paws, scowling. “He was supposed to be practicing defense moves, not attack.”

Tallpaw prickled. Everything he did seemed to annoy Shrewpaw. He lifted his chin. “I was defending myself. It’s not my fault if you can’t keep your balance.”

“You cheated, Wormpaw.” Shrewpaw stalked past him and pushed into the heather. “Can we get something to eat now?”

Dawnstripe and Hareflight exchanged glances before Hareflight hurried to catch up with his apprentice.

“Well done, Tallpaw.” Dawnstripe fell in beside him as they followed the others along a narrow trail.

“Thanks.” Satisfaction warmed Tallpaw’s pelt.

“Don’t worry about Shrewpaw,” Dawnstripe reassured him. “He’s used to training with older apprentices. Hareflight will have a word with him about his attitude.”

“A tabby can’t change his stripes.” Tallpaw sniffed. “Shrewpaw was born with a burr in his fur. I’ll just have to put up with it.”

“Come and share this rabbit!” Barkpaw called from beside the Hunting Stones as Tallpaw ducked into camp. The scent of fresh prey reached Tallpaw’s tongue. He bounded over the tussocks and stopped in the patch of sunshine where Barkpaw was tearing flesh from a rabbit carcass. Suddenly realizing how tired he was, Tallpaw flopped down beside his friend.

“Here.” Barkpaw shoved the rabbit toward Tallpaw.

“Thanks.” Tallpaw leaned forward and took a bite.

“How was training?” Barkpaw asked.

Tallpaw glanced at Shrewpaw, who was sniffing disdainfully at a vole on the prey-heap. He wished he could tell Barkpaw what a pain in the tail Shrewpaw had been. But they were littermates. And a true warrior didn’t complain about his Clanmates. “It was great.” The memory of chasing across the grass with the apprentices at his heels thrilled Tallpaw once more. He felt a stab of delight as he remembered flipping Shrewpaw onto his back. “I learned a lot.”

Barkpaw took another bite of rabbit. “I learned how to make a dressing for scratches today,” he told Tallpaw with his mouth full. “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.

“I 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.

“He’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 mother restless, 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.”

“What, dear?” Palebird looked up at him distractedly.

“It’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.

“She hasn’t been sleeping well,” Meadowslip explained.

“Tell 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?

“I’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.

“I hope Wee Hen made it through leaf-bare.” Brackenwing lowered her voice. “She was very frail last time we saw her.”

“Whiteberry 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 with the Clan once.”

“Settling with us?” Meadowslip sounded shocked. “How would we explain her to the other Clans?”

“WindClan wouldn’t be the first to take in a rogue,” Brackenwing pointed out.

“But we’re the only Clan that lets visitors share our dens and our prey every greenleaf,” Meadowslip replied. “What would the other Clans say? What if they thought we were training rogues to attack them?”

Tallpaw lapped the fur along his spine as it lifted with interest. He’d never heard of visitors living with the Clan. Why hadn’t anyone mentioned them before?

“Who cares what the other Clans say?” Brackenwing sniffed. “They huddle in the marshes and woods, hiding like prey from the wind and the sun. We live with our tails touching the sky. If we want to share our territory, that’s our choice.”

“Tallpaw!” Dawnstripe called from the camp entrance. Tallpaw jumped to his paws, his fur still wet from washing. Dawnstripe’s whiskers twitched as she beckoned him with her tail. “Put your tongue away and let’s practice some battle moves.”

Tallpaw hurried after her as she ducked through the heather. “Who are the greenleaf visitors?” he asked as he caught up to her on the smooth grass outside camp.

Dawnstripe paused, her eyes narrowing. “Who told you about the greenleaf visitors?”

“Meadowslip and Brackenwing were talking,” he told her.

“You shouldn’t eavesdrop.”

“I wasn’t,” Tallpaw protested. “They weren’t exactly whispering.” He frowned at Dawnstripe. “Are the visitors a secret?”

“We don’t talk about them when they’re not here, and especially not outside the Clan.” Dawnstripe headed along the sheep trail that wound through the gorse patch.

Tallpaw trotted after her. “Why do they come?”

Dawnstripe didn’t look back. “They just always have.”

“Do they live in camp with us?”

“Just for greenleaf.”

“Do they join patrols and hunt for the Clan?”

“Sometimes.”

Tallpaw stopped. “Are they rogues?” He stared after Dawnstripe. Why was she acting like he’d discovered a secret? If they came every greenleaf, he was bound to know eventually.

Dawnstripe halted and turned around. “I guess you could call them rogues. They don’t follow the Clan code.”

“Do we have to let them stay with us?” Tallpaw unsheathed his claws. Did WindClan really let a band of rogues take over their camp and their prey every greenleaf?

Dawnstripe swished her tail. “Of course not. We choose to let them stay, and make them welcome.”

“But rogues are bad, aren’t they?” Tallpaw tipped his head on one side.

“Not all rogues are bad.” Dawnstripe kept going along the trail. “Not these rogues.”

Tallpaw trotted after her. “Then why’s it such a secret?”

“It’s best the other Clans don’t know.”

“Why?” Is WindClan breaking the warrior code?

“You sound like a kit.” Dawnstripe nosed her way out onto a stretch of grass. “Stop asking questions and show me that move you used on Shrewpaw this morning.”