Thunder scanned the clearing. He caught Jagged Peak’s eye. Did he want to share the mouse? But Jagged Peak dropped his gaze quickly. Thunder’s paws pricked. Jackdaw’s Cry was staring at him. Thunder stared back hopefully but the tom turned away.
Uneasy, Thunder headed for the gorse den. Perhaps Frost would appreciate his mouse. He pushed under the low branches. They scraped his spine as he ducked inside. It was cool out of the sun.
Frost lay in a dip scooped from the sandy earth and lined with moss. “Thunder.” The white tom seemed pleased to see him.
Thunder stopped beside his nest and dropped the mouse beside it. “This is for you.”
“Thanks.” Frost purred gratefully.
Thunder nudged it closer with a paw. “How are you?”
“He’s got a fever.” Cloud Spots’s mew surprised him. The black tom was hardly visible in the shadows at the back of the den. But now that he’d spoken, Thunder could make out his white ears, chest, and paws.
Thunder blinked at Cloud Spots, his eyes adjusting to the gloom. “Can you heal his wound?”
“I’ve been applying poultices.” Cloud Spots padded forward and sniffed Frost’s hind leg. “They should work eventually. But it’s been left to fester a long time. The infection’s gone pretty deep. He should have been treated earlier.”
Frost’s eyes rounded with worry. Thunder stared at Cloud Spots. Was he accusing him, or Clear Sky, of negligence?
“That’s not how things work in the forest,” he mumbled uncomfortably.
“I can see that.” Cloud Spots turned his attention back to Frost. “Just be patient,” he reassured the injured cat. “The poultice I put on earlier will be working now and I asked Acorn Fur to bring more herbs back from her hunting trip.”
“I’m going to be okay, aren’t I?” Frost asked in a tremulous voice.
Cloud Spots nudged the moss closer around his body. “You’ll be fine. The journey from the forest has taken a toll on you and you need to rest.”
Small paws scuffed the earth outside and the gorse branches trembled. “Which herbs is Acorn Fur collecting?” Pebble Heart padded in.
“Marigold and dock,” Cloud Spots told the young kit.
“Are you giving him borage?” Pebble Heart asked. “For his fever?”
Thunder was surprised by the young cat’s knowledge. He hardly knew the names of any herbs; he had no idea which ones could cure infections. When had Pebble Heart learned all this?
“I would, but there’s not much on the moor. It’s a forest herb and I can’t gather herbs there now.” Cloud Spots nodded at Frost. “Do forest cats collect it for wounds?”
Frost frowned. “We don’t collect herbs. Only prey.”
Cloud Spots blinked. “But what if you’re injured?”
“We either recover or Clear Sky banishes us,” Frost muttered bitterly. “He’s more interested in moving borders than protecting the cats who hunt and fight for him.” He glanced at Thunder.
Thunder stiffened. Was that reproach in his eyes? I’m not my father! “You seem busy,” he meowed quickly to Cloud Spots. “I’ll go.” He backed out of the gorse, ignoring Pebble Heart’s curious stare.
Outside, Turtle Tail was sunning herself beside the tunnel entrance while Owl Eyes clambered over her, mewing happily.
Wind Runner and Gorse Fur were sharing a thrush, lying languidly beside the flat rock.
Thunder padded past them, wondering whether to greet them. He glanced toward them, conscious that Wind Runner stopped purring as soon as she saw him. His throat tightened. He swallowed back hurt and took a deep breath. I’ll prove myself to them. I’ll protect them from Clear Sky. From any danger.
“Great attack, Sparrow Fur!”
Jagged Peak’s enthusiastic mew jerked him from his thoughts. The lame tom was urging Sparrow Fur on with a wave of his tail. “Attack it again!”
The body of a rabbit, its scent still warm, lay in the clearing. Sparrow Fur crouched a badger-length away, her short tail flicking. Her eyes were narrowed, focused on the prey.
Owl Eyes watched beside Jagged Peak. “Can I have the next turn?”
“Yes.” Jagged Peak’s eyes shone.
Thunder padded closer. Was he teaching them hunting moves?
Sparrow Fur shot forward, hissing. She leaped and landed on the rabbit, her small claws sinking deep into its fur. Jabbing her teeth at the back of its limp neck, she growled as she tried to shake it between her jaws.
“Your aim is great!” Jagged Peak enthused. “Perhaps you should try attacking me. You’ll need to be ready to face an enemy who fights back.”
Thunder’s hackles rose. He was teaching the kits battle moves! “What are you doing?” He strode toward Jagged Peak.
Jagged Peak jerked his gaze toward Thunder, his pelt bristling. “What do you mean?”
“Why are you teaching them how to fight?” Weren’t they trying to avoid battle with Clear Sky?
Owl Eyes looked from Jagged Peak to Thunder, blinking with confusion. “What’s wrong with that?”
Jagged Peak ignored the kit. “It’s none of your business, Thunder!”
Thunder flexed his claws. “I’ve lived with forest cats and moor cats. It is my business. I don’t want to see you fight.”
Sparrow Fur leaped off the rabbit. “But we have to learn.”
Thunder turned on her. “You’re too young to fight battles!”
She backed away, eyes wide.
“Don’t take it out on the kits.” Jagged Peak limped past him and stood in front of Sparrow Fur.
Thunder forced his fur to lie flat. “I’m not taking it out on the kits,” he growled softly. “I just don’t think you should be preparing such young cats for a battle that might never come.”
Jagged Peak glanced at the kits. “Go and find Pebble Heart,” he ordered. “Play with him. Thunder and I want to talk.”
Owl Eyes frowned. “You want to argue.”
“Don’t argue over us,” Sparrow Fur pleaded.
Thunder dipped his head, softening his gaze. “We won’t,” he promised. “Do as Jagged Peak says.”
Shoulders drooping, she padded away. Owl Eyes followed.
Thunder turned to Jagged Peak, surprised by the rage burning in the tom’s eyes. He hadn’t meant to upset him. “I’m sorry I interfered,” he meowed slowly. “I just don’t think we should be—”
Jagged Peak stepped forward, curling his lip. “Who cares what you think? I’ve lived more moons than you. I came from the mountains with your father.”
Thunder lifted his chin. That doesn’t mean you know more than me. “I was here when those kits were born!”
“But you left, didn’t you?”
“I wanted to live with my father!” Thunder objected. “What’s wrong with that?”
Jagged Peak didn’t seem to hear. “Clear Sky didn’t want you, did he? Just like he didn’t want me!” Triumph edged his mew. “He kicked you out too!”
Thunder’s claws itched. “Clear Sky didn’t kick me out,” he growled. “I left.”
Jagged Peak hesitated, grief flashing in his eyes. “You left?”
“I don’t agree with Clear Sky.”