Tallstar’s Revenge

“I’ll hunt with you.” Reena’s offer came as a relief. But woodland hunting only made Talltail more restless, even though he and Reena caught a squirrel and a fat blackbird. Back in camp, Talltail avoided Jake’s gaze, though he could feel the kittypet watching him in silence. As dusk darkened into night, they shared fresh-kill with the rogues. Then Talltail climbed into his nest.

“Are you tired already?” Reena called. “I thought we could go for a walk.”

“It’s a bit cold for a nighttime walk,” he grunted, resting his muzzle on his paws.

“I’ll go with you, Reena,” Jake offered.

Reena blinked. “No, thanks.” She sighed. “Talltail’s right. It’s too cold.”

Jake’s fur twitched. He glanced around at the rogues, then climbed into the nest, curling up a muzzle-length away from Talltail.

Talltail swallowed back a growl and stared at Sparrow. The rogue was calmly washing in his nest. Tomorrow. Talltail’s heart was racing too fast to sleep. Fury throbbed beneath his pelt. His claws ached as he curled and uncurled them, picturing Sparrow hurtling into the gorge, a monster racing toward him as he landed on the hard stone.

Above the trees, the sky cleared slowly, the moon showing just as dawn began to push back the night. As soon as milky light showed over the horizon, Talltail hopped out of his nest. He crossed the camp and thrust his nose close to Sparrow’s ear. “Let’s hunt!” he meowed.

Sparrow lifted his head, blinking. “Now?” He glanced at the dark blue sky. “The sun’s not even up.”

“I thought you liked early hunting.” Talltail stepped back, whisking his tail. “The pigeons will hardly be awake. If we get there before them, we can choose a good hiding spot.”

“You sound like a warrior planning a patrol.” Sparrow narrowed his eyes. “I thought you’d left the Clan to get away from rules and duties.”

“Hunting isn’t a duty,” Talltail muttered. “It’s fun.”

Sparrow yawned and climbed out of his nest. “Come on, then.” He headed into the forest.

Talltail stalked him through the silent dawn, keeping a muzzle-length behind. Blood roared in his ears. Sparrow was prey to him now, more deserving of his death than any mouse or pigeon. Talltail’s heart pounded harder until his whole body seemed to ring with its beat. Images flashed in his mind. He saw Sandgorse struggling to escape from the collapsing tunnel, pinned by the earth, mud blocking his yowls as he fought desperately to escape. Ahead, Sparrow’s tail disappeared as he threaded through a dense laurel bush. Was Sparrow’s tail-tip the last thing Sandgorse had ever seen? Talltail pushed after him through the waxy leaves, clenching his teeth to stop himself from growling.

As they reached the field, Sparrow slowed. “The grain is over there.” He nodded downslope toward a smooth stretch of grass. It rippled in the light breeze, gray in the pale dawn light.

Talltail headed toward the cliff. “Let’s check the Thunderpath first.”

“What for?” Sparrow called, trotting after him.

“Crows would pick fresh-kill from the Thunderpath back home.” Home? He corrected himself quickly. “Back in WindClan territory.”

“What good is that to us?” Sparrow fell in beside him. “Who eats crow-food? Or crows? The cliff’s too steep to climb down anyway.”

“Is it?” Talltail asked innocently.

“Come on.” Sparrow veered toward the patch of smooth grass. “Let’s wait for a pigeon.”

“Let’s look at the Thunderpath.” Talltail struggled not to growl. Was Sparrow going to make this impossible? He uncurled his claws, ready to fight the rogue if he had to.

“Okay.” Sparrow shrugged. “If that’s what you want.”

Talltail glanced over his shoulder, relieved to see Sparrow following him toward the cliff. He could smell the tang of stone and monsters, and as he neared the edge, he slowed.

“Any sign of crow-food?” Sparrow grunted, padding past him and peering over the edge.

Elation thrilled through Talltail.

Sparrow leaned forward. “I can’t see anything.”

Talltail lifted his paws, ready to slam them into Sparrow’s flank. Heat pulsed through his pelt. This was it. He was finally avenging Sandgorse’s death. Are you watching, Sandgorse? I’m punishing this cat for you! Can you see?

“Talltail?” Sparrow turned, his paws crumbling earth over the cliff edge. “What’s the matter? You look odd.”

Talltail stretched his claws. “Take a good look at me, Sparrow. I’m the last cat you’re ever going to see. I brought you here to kill you,” he hissed.

“Kill me?” Sparrow’s pelt rippled. “Why?”

Talltail felt cold air pierce his fur. “Don’t you know?” He dropped onto all fours. Couldn’t this heartless rogue even guess?

For the first time, emotion sparked in Sparrow’s gaze. “Tell me.”

“You killed my father.” The words caught in Talltail’s throat.

“Sandgorse?”

“You made him go into that tunnel!” Talltail found he was shaking. “You left him there to die.”

Sparrow blinked. “That’s not how it happened.”

Talltail hissed. “I saw you run from the tunnel like a frightened rabbit! You left my father behind!”