Fallowtail poked her head out. “What’s going on?”
“Come and hear.” Brambleberry guided her to the edge of the clearing and nodded to Hailstar.
“We saw ThunderClan at the Gathering,” the RiverClan leader began. “Leaf-bare has left them hungry, as usual.” Murmurs of satisfaction rumbled around the clearing. “They look weak,” Hailstar continued, “while we are strong. At sunset, we take back Sunningrocks!”
Owlfur twitched his ears. “How? Are we just going to move the markers again?”
Hailstar lashed his tail. “We’ll do more than that! The only markers we’ll leave will be ThunderClan’s blood!”
“About time!” Ottersplash called.
Whitefang, hardly visible against the snow, showed his teeth. “I’ll shred any ThunderClan cat I get my claws on!”
Hailstar nodded to the white warrior. “ThunderClan won’t forget this day.”
“What’s the plan?” Lakeshine asked.
“A battle patrol will occupy Sunningrocks and wait for ThunderClan.”
“What if they don’t come?” Shimmerpelt meowed.
“They’ll come.” Rippleclaw stepped forward. “ThunderClan always acts strong when they’re too weak to fight.”
Timberfur plucked at the ground. “It’ll be an easy victory.”
“One we deserve!” Hailstar’s eyes blazed. “We’ve put up with ThunderClan’s arrogance for long enough. Sunningrocks is ours.”
The Clan’s cheer sent Rippleclaw’s blackbird panicking into the sky.
Beetlenose reared and swiped at the air. “I’m going to bring home some ThunderClan fur.”
Petaldust bristled. “We’ve never fought before,” she mewed.
Crookedpaw nudged her. “But we’ve trained,” he reminded her. “We know what to do.”
Petaldust lifted her chin. “I’ll fight to the death if I have to.”
Cedarpelt turned his head. “Don’t be silly,” he meowed sharply. “We’re fighting to defend territory, not our Clan.”
Whitefang purred. “I remember my first battle,” he sighed. “I was ready to take on every cat in WindClan.”
“Were you scared?” Petaldust’s eyes widened.
“Of course!” Whitefang wrapped his tail over his paws. “I’m not stupid. Battles are dangerous.”
Cedarpelt nodded. “Just remember the warrior code and you’ll be fine.”
Beetlenose sniffed. “Let’s hope ThunderClan remembers the warrior code,” he meowed. “They didn’t let it stop them from attacking WindClan in their nests.”
“Shellheart.” Hailstar nodded to his deputy. “Call the names of the cats who will join the battle patrol.”
Shellheart lift his chin. “Timberfur, Rippleclaw, Owlfur, Ottersplash.” The warriors padded to the head of the clearing. Crookedpaw leaned forward as his father went on.
“Oakheart, Beetlenose, Petaldust, Whitefang, Shimmerpelt, Softwing.”
Crookedpaw watched his brother pad away.
“Piketooth, Rainflower, Voleclaw, Cedarpelt, and Crookedpaw.”
Crookedpaw lashed his tail excitedly and darted after Cedarpelt.
“Wait!” Brambleberry blocked his path. “Please stay here!” The medicine cat’s eyes were dark with worry.
“Why?” Crookedpaw stared at her, bewildered. “I’m strong now! You said it yourself. Bigger than Beetlenose! And my jaw is as strong as a pike’s!”
She shook her head. “Please stay in camp.”
“And miss my first battle?” Beetlenose and Oakheart were already heading out of camp. He had to catch up!
Brambleberry looked away, her fur spiking. Crookedpaw narrowed his eyes. “You don’t have to worry about me anymore. I’m ready for this. I’m not staying behind,” he growled. He had to go. He’d promised Mapleshade he’d fight for his Clan above everything. This was his first chance to prove he had the makings of a great leader. He marched past Brambleberry and ducked through the sedge tunnel.
Outside camp, the patrol was pounding along the shore. As Crookedpaw jumped down the bank he saw them head out on to the ice. He caught up with them as they crossed the frozen river, his claws throwing up a shower of sparkling crystals, and stopped beside them at the foot of Sunningrocks, where snow drifted against the stone.
“Ready?” Hailstar surveyed the patrol, eyes dark.
“Ready,” Shellheart answered for them.
Crookedpaw’s belly tightened. He flexed his claws as his Clanmates started to climb the rock face.
Cedarpelt ran his tail along Crookedpaw’s spine. “Be careful and remember what I taught you.”
And everything Mapleshade taught me! He hoped she was watching. He’d show her what a great leader he was going to be.
“Good luck.” Cedarpelt swarmed up the rock.
Crookedpaw reached up and hooked his claws into a crack. Pushing off with his hind legs, he swung himself up, catching the next clawhold and the next until he’d reached the top of the rock. The fiery glare of the setting sun lit the stone. Beyond Sunningrocks stood the forest, dark and silent. Crookedpaw hauled himself over the edge and joined his Clanmates. They wove restlessly around one another, their growls echoing on the rock.
Rainflower caught his eye. “I’ve asked Oakheart to keep an eye on you.”
“No need.” Crookedpaw turned away, avoiding her gaze, frightened at the coldness he might find there. Then he stiffened. A bush trembled between the trees below the rocks. Had they been spotted?
Hailstar nodded to Shellheart. “Prepare the battle line.” His gaze swept over Beetlenose, Petaldust, and Voleclaw. “This is your first battle.” He glanced at Oakheart and Crookedpaw. “This won’t be the only opportunity you get to prove you are great warriors. Don’t take any chances and good luck.”
Shellheart flicked his tail and RiverClan spread out along the rock. Crookedpaw backed into place between Oakheart and Shimmerpelt. He glanced down the line, pride rising in his chest. The RiverClan warriors stood, pelts bushed, the setting sun firing their fur till they shone like StarClan warriors. Hailstar walked along the line, which straightened as he passed. Then he took his place in the middle and glared into the shadowy trees. Crookedpaw pricked his ears. Paws were thrumming the forest floor.
Oakheart’s claws scratched the stone. “Good luck, Crookedpaw,” he breathed.
Shimmerpelt’s pelt spiked. “They’re coming.”
The thrumming grew louder, like wind roaring through branches. Crookedpaw swallowed as the ThunderClan patrol broke from the trees. Eyes blazing, fur spiked, they pulsed rage.
In the middle of battle, there’s no time to think. Cedarpelt’s words rang in his mind. You just react. Now he understood. His fur bushed and a hiss rose in his throat as the ThunderClan patrol faced RiverClan.
Hailstar stepped forward. “An ancient wrong has been put right!” he yowled. “These rocks are ours again.”
Pinestar padded up the sloping rock, his eyes no more than slits. “Never.” He drew back his lips. “ThunderClan, attack!”
As ThunderClan surged forward, Pinestar lunged for Hailstar and the two leaders fell, rolling, across the stone. Oakheart plunged into the snarling, spitting mass of warriors, breaking through and turning on a black-and-white tom, a yowl of fury piercing the battle cries. Crookedpaw pressed his ears flat, shocked by the shrieks as fear and rage merged. He spun around as his Clanmates fell tumbling into combat. Confused and scared, he had no idea where to start.
Then paws slammed into him, sending him rolling. Twisting, his claws scraped the rock. He found his paws, but only for a moment. A vicious blow to the cheek sent him spinning. Rage flared in his belly. Mapleshade’s mew sounded in his ear.
Fight!