“Crookedpaw!” Cedarpelt called from outside Hailstar’s den. He beckoned with a flick of his tail. “Hailstar wants to talk to you.”
Crookedpaw followed Cedarpelt’s snow-trail with heavy paws. “I’m sorry.” He reached Cedarpelt. “But—”
Cedarpelt cut him off. “We’ll start over tomorrow.” The stout brown-striped tom tipped his head toward Hailstar’s den as the moss shivered and the RiverClan leader padded out. “He just wants to talk to you.”
As Cedarpelt headed away, Crookedpaw turned toward Hailstar, shrinking beneath his pelt. “I didn’t hurt Beetlenose on purpose,” he began.
Hailstar sat down. “I’m sure he’ll recover.” His amber eyes glowed in the early evening light. “I realize you’re in a hurry to finish your training—”
“I’m trying to be patient. Really! It’s just hard…” Crookedpaw cut him off, then stumbled into silence as he realized he’d interrupted his leader. He shifted his paws. “Sorry.”
“Don’t rush,” Hailstar began again. “Take your time. Learn what you need to learn, and learn it well.”
Crookedpaw clamped his mouth shut as words tumbled through his head. But I know more than you think! I’m being trained by StarClan! Frustration made his claws itch as Hailstar went on.
“You’ll be a warrior soon enough.” The old cat gazed up at the sky. The clouds had cleared and Silverpelt was beginning to show. “Enjoy your training. Have some fun before the responsibilities of—” Hailstar stopped.
The distant shrieking of Twoleg kits shattered the air. Mudfur darted out of the snowy hollow and scrambled on to the frozen river. Tiptoeing carefully over the ice, he headed out past the reeds and peered along the channel.
“Can you see anything?” Brightsky gingerly followed her mate, while the rest of the Clan watched in silence.
“It’s a Twoleg kit!” Mudfur called back. “Upstream. It’s fallen through the ice.”
Echomist rushed to Brightsky’s side and stared upriver. “It’ll drown!”
“It has Clanmates with it,” Mudfur reported. “They’re pulling it out. And there’s a full-grown Twoleg on the bank.” He backed toward the shore, ducking among the reeds. “The kit’s out of the water.”
Echomist sighed. “Let’s hope that’s the last we see of Twolegs this leaf-bare.”
Crookedpaw pricked his ears. Paws were pounding through the snow beyond the sedge. Petaldust turned from the river, fur pricking. Piketooth dropped into a crouch and stared at the camp entrance. Crookedpaw tasted the air.
Shellheart.
The RiverClan deputy thundered into camp, eyes bright, tail bushed. Oakpaw and Owlfur raced in after him, Softwing on their tail.
Softwing’s white pelt was bristling with excitement. “Oakpaw saved us!” She skidded to a halt, sending snow spattering over her Clanmates.
“Shellheart?” Hailstar pricked his ears.
Piketooth straightened. “What happened?”
Shellheart lifted his tail. “We were attacked by a dog.”
“A dog!” Brightsky bristled. “Where?”
Softwing paced in front of Hailstar. “We were patrolling beyond the marsh, near the Twoleg place,” she panted. “It came out from under the fence and went straight for us.”
“How big was it?” Hailstar asked.
Shellheart’s ears twitched. “Three times my size.”
Brambleberry stuck her head out from her den. “Any injuries?”
“None.” Shellheart flicked his tail. “Oakpaw was too fast.”
“He was so brave.” Softwing circled him.
Rainflower crossed the clearing and nudged Softwing out of the way. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?” She licked Oakpaw’s ears.
Oakpaw ducked away. “I’m fine.”
Brambleberry was weaving among the patrol, sniffing their pelts.
“It nearly got me!” Softwing’s eyes were round.
Owlfur brushed against the white warrior, curling his tail protectively over her back. “It was a whisker away from her tail!”
Shellheart plucked at the icy ground. “But Oakpaw turned around and distracted it.” He gazed proudly at his son.
Owlfur nodded. “He raced right at it…”
“… then reared up and slashed its muzzle,” Softwing finished.
“I don’t know whether the dog was more surprised or hurt.” Shellheart wound around Oakpaw. “But while it was howling and whining, we had time to get up a tree.”
Oakpaw looked at his paws. “I decided my claws were sharper than its teeth.”
Rainflower’s eyes glowed. “You saved your Clanmates.”
Oakpaw shrugged. “If I hadn’t, Shellheart would have done it.” He glanced at the others. “Or Owlfur or Softwing. I just got there first.”
Hailstar fluffed out his fur. “You did well, Oakpaw.” He paced the clearing. “But if a dog has started targeting warriors, we must be wary.” He raised his muzzle. “Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words.”
He’s going to warn everyone about the dog. Crookedpaw nosed his way between Oakpaw and Shellheart. “Well done,” he whispered.
Shellheart was purring. “You’d have been proud if you’d seen him, Crookedpaw.”
I’m proud even though I didn’t see him! Crookedpaw shot a warm glance at his brother.
Brambleberry brushed against him. “Courage must run in the family,” she murmured.
Rainflower touched Oakpaw’s muzzle with her own. “I’m just glad you’re not hurt.”
Troutclaw padded stiffly down the slope. “What’s happening?”
“Dog attack,” Softwing called.
Tanglewhisker slid out of the elders’ den with Birdsong behind him. “Dog?” His eyes widened. “Where?”
“By the Twolegplace,” Owlfur explained. “Oakpaw fought it off.”
Fallowtail slid out of the warriors’ den. In the moon since Reedfeather took her kits, she’d grown thin and unkempt. “Did it follow them home?” She scanned the snow-covered reeds.
Echomist hurried to her side. “No, it’s gone. We’re safe,” she soothed.
As the Clan gathered, Hailstar padded to the middle of the clearing. “Oakpaw showed bravery tonight that has made him worthy of his warrior name.”
Oakpaw gasped. Crookedpaw stared at him in astonishment. He was going to be made a warrior! Right now! What if he makes it to leader before me, too?
“Go on, Oakpaw.” Shellheart nudged him forward.
“Oakpaw.” Hailstar dipped his wide gray head. Oakpaw’s glossy pelt glinted red under the round, rising moon. “From this moment on you shall be known as Oakheart,” Hailstar meowed. “StarClan honors your courage and your quick wits, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan.” He pressed his muzzle to Oakheart’s head. “Serve your Clan well.”
Crookedpaw felt a surge of pride as his Clanmates raised their voices to call Oakheart’s new name. But as he joined in, his voice caught in his throat. Why has it been so easy for you? The thought stung. He pushed it away. Who cares why? I’ll be a warrior soon and we’ll hunt and fight side by side!
“Oakheart! Oakheart!” He raised his voice to the darkening sky.
Purring, Oakheart padded from the clearing and stopped beside Crookedpaw. “Wow!” His eyes shone. “I didn’t think it would feel this good!”
“Well done, Oakheart.” Shellheart touched his nose to Oakheart’s ear.
Rainflower pressed against her warrior kit. “I’m so proud of you.”