Tallstar’s Revenge

Talltail twitched in his nest as a dream wound its way into his sleep. With his fur lifted by the wind, he stepped onto a broad, sloping moor. Heather trembled in the distance and grass streamed around his paws. A hole yawned in the ground beside him. Talltail trembled as he peered inside. Darkness sucked him in, drawing him down through the tunnel before he could stop himself. He struggled to find his paws, scrabbling against the muddy walls, the scent of water and earth filling his mouth.

“Talltail!” Sandgorse’s agonized yowl echoed from the shadows.

Through the darkness, Talltail could see the anguished face of his father, half-buried in mud. Lunging forward, he reached for Sandgorse’s scruff and dragged him backward, hauling him, heavy as stone, up toward sky and wind. Bursting out onto the moor-top, he laid his father on the streaming grass. “Sandgorse!”

Mud bubbled at Sandgorse’s lips. His flanks quivered weakly. Eyes closed, he twitched and fell still.

“Don’t die.” Talltail crouched down and pressed his nose against Sandgorse’s cheek.

Sandgorse’s eyes blinked open.

Talltail jerked back, pelt bushing up. “You’re alive?”

Sandgorse stared at him blankly, his eyes black as night.

“Sandgorse?” Talltail thrust his muzzle against his father’s fur. “It’s me, Talltail. I’m going to avenge you. Your death won’t go unpunished. Sparrow will pay for what he did!”

Sandgorse’s head lolled, his eyes gazing back emptily for a moment before they closed. Talltail felt his father’s body slump against him. I’m alone now. Talltail yowled to the starless sky while grief scorched through him, as pitiless as fire.

“Talltail?” A muzzle poked his shudder. Talltail blinked open his eyes, dazed. “Talltail!” Jake’s face loomed above him.

Talltail jerked his head up. “Is it dawn?” He stared blearily around the rogues’ camp. Shadow swallowed the clearing.

“Not yet,” Jake soothed. “You were twitching in your sleep. I was worried.”

“It was a bad dream.” Talltail looked into Jake’s steady gaze, comforted by his friend’s soft, sleep-hazy scent.

Jake curled down beside him. “Go back to sleep.”

Talltail pressed closer, grateful for Jake’s warmth, and closed his eyes. His dream flashed in his mind. Over and over, he watched Sandgorse die, his belly tightening each time. As Jake relaxed beside him and drifted into sleep, Talltail’s tail-tip twitched.

A nest rustled across the clearing. Talltail snapped open his eyes. He saw a shadow move from Sparrow’s nest. Where was the rogue going? Holding his breath, Talltail strained to see through the darkness. He could just make out Sparrow as he slid into the bracken. Was he going hunting?

This is my chance. Talltail leaped to his paws, leaves rustling beneath him. I’ll ask to join him. He hopped out of his nest. I’ll lead him to the cliff. The fur rippled excitedly along his spine.

“Talltail?” Reena was blinking at him from her nest, her eyes shining in the darkness. “Where are you going?”

Talltail froze. “I saw Sparrow head into the woods,” he whispered. “I wanted to see if he was hunting so I could join him.”

“Sparrow doesn’t like company when he goes out early,” Reena warned him.

Talltail’s pelt pricked with frustration. “He might like mine.”

“I wouldn’t risk it.” Reena stood up and stretched. “You can hunt with me, if you want.”

Talltail shook his head. “I’ll get some more sleep, thanks.” He left her staring at him, round-eyed, and climbed back into his nest. Jake didn’t stir as he curled down beside him. Talltail’s paws itched. How much longer would he have to wait?

It was dawn by the time the rogue padded back into camp. Weak daylight was filtering though the branches. Thick clouds hid the sun, and snow was flecking the forest, settling lightly on top of yesterday’s thin coating. Talltail stretched in his nest and pretended to yawn, then trotted into the clearing.

Sparrow was carrying a fat pigeon in his jaws. He dropped it and met Talltail’s gaze. “Have you just woken up?”

“Yes,” Talltail lied. He glanced at Sparrow’s catch. “Another pigeon?” He remembered what the rogue had told them. I’ve found a place where the Twolegs scatter grain. There’ll be pigeons coming for as long as it’s there.

“The Twolegs leave food for them in the field,” Sparrow reminded him.

Talltail’s ears pricked. “In the field?”

“Near the Thunderpath.” Sparrow padded to a pool of snowmelt caught in the crook of a twisted root and began to drink.

Talltail’s thoughts quickened. Can I persuade him to take me hunting there?