Tallstar’s Revenge

“Rainflower! Look!” a russet kit squeaked to a gray she-cat.

“What is it, Oakkit?”

“Intruders!” The kit fluffed out its fur, hissing.

Ottersplash padded across the clearing. “They’ve come for our help.”

Rainflower sniffed. “Why should we help WindClan cats?”

“They say they have a sick kit.” Owlfur prowled beside the reed wall, hackles up.

Rippleclaw reappeared, Hailstar following. The RiverClan leader was round-eyed, his gaze anxious. “You need medicine.”

Barkface hurried forward. “It’s leaf-bare. Our herbs aren’t strong enough. We were hoping Brambleberry would share some sweet-sedge. It’s powerful even in the hardest season.”

Brambleberry’s white face appeared from one of the stick dens. “What’s going on?” She slid out, the black spots on her fur like smudges in snow.

“Brambleberry!” A weak cry sounded from inside the den.

Barkface craned his head, trying to see in. “You sound like you have a sick kit of your own.

“Stormkit.” Brambleberry’s eyes clouded. “He fell.”

“Can I help?” Barkface offered.

“There’s nothing more to be done.” Brambleberry glanced back into the shadows. “Time and care will see him through.” She turned back to Barkface. “Why have you come?”

“Hopkit has an infected paw. The infection’s spreading fast.”

Brambleberry cut him off. “You want sweet-sedge.”

Barkface’s eyes lit. “Can you spare some?”

Brambleberry glanced at her leader. Hailstar dipped his head. “I have some,” Brambleberry mewed, turning back to her den. “Come.”

Talltail watched Barkface disappear into the shadows after the RiverClan medicine cat. He could feel the probing eyes of the RiverClan warriors, hot on his pelt. Shellheart, the dappled-gray deputy, sat on the arching root of a willow, watching through narrowed eyes. Nightsky appeared beside Piketooth. She whispered into her clanmate’s ear, then dipped her head to Talltail. He nodded back. He’d been right to let them cross the border to feed their Clan. Now RiverClan was returning the favor. StarClan willing.

Hailstar lifted his chin. “WindClan has never asked for help before.”

Talltail met his gaze. “WindClan has never needed help before.”

Owlfur’s growl hardened. “But now you do. Has leaf-bare weakened you?”

Talltail’s hackles lifted. Was the RiverClan warrior goading him? He dug his claws deep into the marshy ground. You’re outnumbered, Talltail. Jake’s voice echoed in his mind. Are you really going to start a fight? Warmth stirred in his chest and his fur smoothed. “WindClan is grateful for your kindness.” He bowed his head low to Hailstar.

“No warrior would let a kit die, no matter the Clan.” As Hailstar spoke, Barkface padded from Brambleberry’s den with a thick, white root between his jaws.

“He must swallow the sap!” Brambleberry called after him.

Barkface flicked his tail, his mouth too full to answer.

Hailstar stepped forward. “Ottersplash and Rippleclaw will help you cross the river.”

“We managed to get here alone,” Talltail pointed out.

“You were lucky,” Hailstar meowed grimly. “There are dangerous currents when rain has swollen the waters.”

Talltail pushed back a growl. He hated being treated like a kit. And he suspected that the RiverClan leader was more interested in making sure they left his territory than in keeping them from drowning. But they had been given what they’d come for. That was enough. He paused as Rippleclaw pushed in front of him and led him along a winding trail through the reeds. Barkface trotted after him with Ottersplash at his heels.

At the shore, Rippleclaw stayed close to Barkface as the medicine cat waded into the water. The RiverClan warrior guided Barkface across, boosting him forward with her shoulder.

“I can swim by myself,” Talltail told Ottersplash.

Ottersplash stared at him coldly. “Would you let me run through rabbit tunnels by myself?”

Talltail stiffened. Did RiverClan know about the maze of tunnels beneath WindClan? Of course not. She’s just guessing that we chase rabbits into their burrows.

“Come on, then!” Ottersplash was already padding into the water.

Talltail braced himself as the freezing water lapped over his shoulders. He churned his paws clumsily while beside him, Ottersplash moved through the water like a snake. As he struggled to stay afloat, she glided at his side, hardly ruffling the surface. An eddy tugged him suddenly, spinning him off course. Water dragged at his paws down. The river was trying to swallow him! He thrashed in panic, jerking his head around. Where was Ottersplash? Had the river swallowed her too?

Suddenly something hard pushed against his belly. Beneath the water, a strong back steadied him while he regained his balance, then disappeared. A moment later, Ottersplash broke the surface. She blew water from her nose.