Tallstar’s Revenge

“I didn’t know what to do. I’m no warrior.” Sparrow glanced over the edge. “I had no training. Your father knew that. He gave his life so that I could escape. That’s why he died. He held back the earth long enough for me to run.”

He held back the earth. Talltail’s head began to spin. A monster sounded in the distance, its roar echoing through the still dawn air.

Sparrow edged closer. “He died a hero, Talltail.”

“Why should I believe you?” Rage swept through Talltail. Why wait till now to tell him? The rogue must be lying.

“Don’t you believe that Sandgorse would give his life to save me?” Sparrow turned his head toward the monster as it rumbled beyond the gorge.

He’s playing with me like I’m the prey! Talltail curled his claws into the grass. He’d waited too long for this moment. Sparrow wasn’t going to take it away from him. His ear fur trembled as the monster thundered closer. Its yellow eye beams showed faintly on the cliff face.

Just push him!

“So you’re going to kill me?” Sparrow breathed. “A life for a life? Is that part of the warrior code?”

“You know nothing of the warrior code,” Talltail snarled.

“I know courage. Your father showed it when he helped me escape.”

Talltail’s breath caught in his throat. Sandgorse was brave. He would have given his life for another cat.

“This isn’t courage, Talltail,” Sparrow pressed. “Killing me won’t bring Sandgorse back.”

Jake’s words flashed in Talltail’s mind. I know you, Talltail. You’re not a killer. Sandgorse’s voice joined Jake’s. Another cat’s life is as precious as your own. Talltail’s thoughts whirled. What if he’s telling the truth? Alarm ripped though his chest. I can’t kill him, Sandgorse. I’m sorry!

As he backed away from Sparrow, the ground trembled. Talltail glanced along the Thunderpath. The monster was coming, shaking the earth. “Let’s get away from here.”

Sparrow’s eyes widened. “Help!” He jerked clumsily backward as the cliff started to give way beneath his paws. “I’m falling!”

Talltail flung out a paw, reaching for the rogue’s pelt. He felt fur brush his claw-tips as they curled around thin air.

Then Sparrow disappeared.

Chapter 38

Talltail flung himself onto the grass and wriggled forward to peer over the edge. Sparrow was slithering down the cliff face, showering grit as he fought to get a grip. “Talltail!” he wailed, a moment before he landed with a thump on the Thunderpath.

There was a heartbeat of ominous silence; then the gorge echoed with the roar of a monster as it howled closer. Sparrow scrambled to his paws and darted back and forth, pressing close to the cliff. Talltail stared down at him in horror. The smooth, black stone reached right to the edge of the Thunderpath. There was nowhere for Sparrow to hide.

The eyes of the monster lit up the curve.

“Help me!” Sparrow reached up with his front paws, trying to get a clawhold. “Help me up!” His mew was sharp with terror. He jumped, clinging to the sandy stone, but it crumbled in his claws and he tumbled back onto the hard, gray Thunderpath. “Talltail! Help!”

I have to save him! Talltail stared around desperately. How? A thought struck him. There must be ditches somewhere along the Thunderpath, like the ones near WindClan land. Without them, the gorge would become a river when it rained. If there was a ditch close by, they could hide inside while the monster went past. If they reached the ditch ahead of the monster. And if the ditch was big enough for two cats. If, if, if…

Talltail scrambled over the edge. He half skidded, half fell down the steep, sandy cliff, landing heavily beside Sparrow.

Sparrow blinked. “What are you doing?”

“Follow me!” Talltail hared along the Thunderpath. He glanced behind him. Sparrow was on his heels, his eyes huge with fear. Behind him, the vast head of a gleaming black monster loomed around the curve. “Run!” Paws burning, Talltail raced over the hard black stone. The gorge thrummed with the monster’s roar. Talltail flattened his ears, pushing harder, stretching further with every paw step.

He scanned the edges of the Thunderpath, straining to see a hiding place carved somewhere in the rock. Ahead, a shadow darkened the stone where the Thunderpath touched the rugged rock of the gorge. Talltail’s heart leaped. As he raced nearer, he could a see channel dug into the ground, just wide enough for a cat. Talltail sprang into it and looked back at Sparrow.

The terrified rogue was several tail-lengths behind. The monster thundered after him, so huge it blocked the sky.

“Hurry!” Talltail shrieked.