Tallstar’s Revenge

Kit? I’m an apprentice! Tallpaw sprinted down the hillside. The rock flashed at the edge of his vision. He’d have to change course to reach it. Stagpaw, Ryepaw, and Doepaw were still trying to turn, slithering clumsily on the grass behind him. Tallpaw needed to make a break for the rock before they found their footing. He darted sideways, his hind paws slipping out from under him. His belly hit the ground but he scrambled up and kept running. Stagpaw was pulling closer. He could hear the young tom’s breath. Ryepaw and Doepaw pounded at his tail. He was closing in on the rock. If he could just keep running, he’d make it. Excitement thrilled through him.

Then paws grasped his flanks. A swift push sent him sideways. The world spun as Tallpaw tumbled over the grass and skidded to a halt.

“Great chase!” Stagpaw leaned over him.

“Are you okay?” Doepaw pushed past her brother and looked anxiously at Tallpaw. Ryepaw was just behind, panting too hard to speak.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Tallpaw scrambled to his paws, struggling to catch his breath.

“Good work!” Cloudrunner ran across the grass toward them, Dawnstripe at his heels.

“You nearly made it!” Tallpaw’s mentor skidded to a halt in front of him, her eyes shining.

Stagpaw nudged him with a shoulder. “I thought you’d outrun us for a moment,” he panted.

Aspenfall, Larksplash, and Hareflight pounded across the grass with Shrewpaw trotting behind much less eagerly.

Hareflight reached them first. “That was impressive.”

Shrewpaw glared at Tallpaw. “I would have made it to the rock.”

Doepaw swished her tail. “I don’t think so, small-paws.”

Tallpaw wanted to purr, but he was still trying to get enough air inside him.

Cloudrunner jerked his nose toward Fourtrees. “Let’s test your hunting skills.”

Ears pricked, looking as if he’d done nothing more strenuous than chase a leaf, Stagpaw led the way down the slope. As the apprentices disappeared into the heather with their mentors, Dawnstripe tasted the air. “It smells like they’ll find good hunting there.”

Tallpaw stuck out his tongue. He couldn’t taste anything but the wind.

Dawnstripe shook out her golden pelt. “Don’t worry, Tallpaw. Before long you’ll be able to scent prey halfway across the moor.”

“I’m hungry.” Shrewpaw glanced hopefully at the thick line of trees running along the bottom of the moor. “Can we hunt too?”

“Battle moves first,” Hareflight told him.

“With Tallpaw?” Shrewpaw’s tail drooped. “He won’t know any.”

Hareflight glared at his apprentice. “Then teach him some.”

Shrewpaw stomped across the grass and stood a tail-length away. His brown pelt looked like a stray piece of wood against the windswept moor.

Dawnstripe swept Tallpaw forward with her tail. “He’ll need to learn defensive moves first,” she called to Shrewpaw. “Attack him, but don’t forget that it’s his first session.” She nodded to Tallpaw. “The simplest defense is to raise your forepaws. Don’t jab out wildly. Focus on protecting your muzzle and pushing your attacker away.”

Tallpaw nodded, trying to remember everything Dawnstripe was saying. He could still feel his heart pounding from the chase. He curled his hind claws into the grass to steady himself, then fixed his gaze on Shrewpaw.

Shrewpaw’s eyes glittered. “Ready?”

Tallpaw nodded. Letting out a ferocious yowl, Shrewpaw flew toward him. Tallpaw gasped and lifted his paws. He was too slow. Claws raked his nose. With a yelp, Tallpaw tripped over his own tail and rolled onto the grass.

“Shrewpaw!” Hareflight’s mew was sharp. “Dawnstripe warned you that it’s Tallpaw’s first time.”

As Tallpaw scrambled to his paws, he saw Shrewpaw roll his eyes. “Why do I get stuck training with a kit?”

Tallpaw faced him, nose stinging. “I’m not a kit,” he hissed. “Try again.”

Shrewpaw crouched, wiggling his hindquarters. Tallpaw watched him. As Shrewpaw leaped, he reared and lifted his forepaws, quicker this time. Shrewpaw hit him more slowly and Tallpaw found it easy to flip him away with a sharp shove. As Shrewpaw rolled dramatically onto the grass beside him, Tallpaw felt a twinge of satisfaction.

Then claws jabbed his ribs. Tallpaw gasped. Shrewpaw had thrust out a hind leg as he rolled and caught him in the side.

“Sorry!” Shrewpaw jumped up. “It was an accident.”

Yeah, right. Tallpaw narrowed his eyes. I bet we’re supposed to keep our claws sheathed in practice!

“Try it again,” Dawnstripe encouraged. “This time, move as you push him away, Tallpaw. You need to land ready for the next attack.”

Tallpaw nodded and faced Shrewpaw once more. Shrewpaw’s tail-tip was flicking. You still think I’m a tunneler. Tallpaw flexed his claws, fighting the urge to unsheathe them. I’ll show you.