Tallstar’s Revenge

Talltail burst a flea in his teeth and straightened up. “Hopkit’s very ill. The infection in his paw has spread.”

Lilywhisker flattened her ears. “Does he have a fever?”

Talltail nodded. “Barkface doesn’t know if his herbs will help—”

“Talltail!”

Brown fur flashed on the edge of Talltail’s vision. Barkface was racing toward him. The young medicine cat skidded to a halt. “I have an idea!”

Talltail pricked his ears. “What?”

“I remember Brambleberry mentioned sedge at the Moonstone once.” He looked at Heatherstar. “It grows all through leaf-bare, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, you can see it around the RiverClan camp from the gorge,” Heatherstar agreed.

“Brambleberry said there was one type of sedge that cured infection.” Barkface’s eyes shone. “Sweet-sedge, I think she called it. She uses the roots. She might have some in her store.”

“How can we get our paws on it?” Heatherstar’s pelt pricked. “We can’t send a patrol; RiverClan might take it as a sign of attack.”

“Well, we’re not going to steal it.” Barkface paced around her. “If I went by myself and asked, RiverClan might listen. I’m a medicine cat, not a warrior, and it’s part of our code that we have to save the life of a kit, whatever Clan they are from.”

Heatherstar stared. “You want to walk into RiverClan territory alone?”

Talltail stepped forward. “I’ll go with him.”

Heatherstar lifted her chin. “WindClan cats don’t cross borders and we don’t beg other Clans for help.”

“But what about Hopkit?” Talltail pleaded. “He might die if we don’t do something.”

“He has StarClan to protect him.”

“Sometimes StarClan isn’t enough.” Talltail flexed his claws. “They didn’t save Sandgorse.”

“Or Brackenwing,” Barkface put in.

Heatherstar stared at the young medicine cat. “Are you doubting StarClan?”

“I believe that they trust us to help ourselves,” Barkface mewed softly. “If there is some way of saving Hopkit, I’m going to find it.”

Talltail’s heart quickened. “We can’t let boundaries get in our way!” Why were the Clans so obsessed with scent lines? They were great for deciding who hunted where, but when a kit’s life was at stake how could anyone believe that invisible boundaries were more important?

Heatherstar looked at the elders. They returned her gaze in silence.

Then Flailfoot spoke. “Talltail is right.”

Lilywhisker nodded. “There are no boundaries in StarClan.”

“If Barkface and Talltail are willing to ask RiverClan for help on behalf of their Clanmate, we should honor them.” Whiteberry dipped his head.

“Very well.” Heatherstar nodded briskly. “If it must be done, then do it now. There’s no time to lose.” She turned toward the medicine den and ordered over her shoulder, “Go!”

Talltail turned and dashed toward the camp entrance. He felt Barkface’s breath on his tail as he raced through the tunnel.

“Not so fast!” Barkface panted when Talltail hared down the slope.

He glanced over his shoulder. Barkface was trailing behind as they streaked toward the border. Talltail slowed. “How are we going to cross the river?” he asked as Barkface caught up.

Barkface frowned. “We might be able to signal a RiverClan patrol from this side.”

“Good plan.” Talltail wasn’t looking forward to getting his fur wet. He wasn’t even sure he could swim. Please let a RiverClan patrol be passing.

Talltail didn’t pause as they crossed the border markers, ignoring the RiverClan scent as it touched his tongue. They scrambled down the steep path at the end of the gorge, and met the river where it widened and slowed after tumbling between the cliffs. Downstream, thick sedge hid the far bank.

“The RiverClan camp must be somewhere over there.” Barkface pointed with his tail toward the dark green rushes.

Talltail tasted the air. Damp, lush scent rolled over his tongue. Then he scanned the flat meadowland beyond the river, hoping to catch sight of a pelt moving through the long grass. “No sign of a patrol. We’re going to have to swim across.”

“Can you swim?” Barkface asked.

“Let’s find out.” Talltail padded over the pebbly shore and waded into the water. He was surprised by the weight of the current. It pushed against his legs and dragged at his belly fur, cold as ice. He shivered. “Do you want to wait here?” Was there any sense in risking both their lives?

Barkface splashed into the water beside him. “They’re less likely to attack if I’m with you,” he meowed. He pushed determinedly into the river.

Talltail watched the water swallow Barkface’s shoulders. “Are you swimming?”

“My paws are still on the bottom.”

Talltail’s heart pricked with hope. Perhaps it was so shallow they’d be able to wade across.

“I’m swimming now!” Barkface’s call was cut short as he disappeared beneath the surface. He appeared a moment later, splashing and coughing.