Tallstar’s Revenge

“Bess was named by Twolegs,” Palebird explained. “Algernon, too. They were kittypets once, I think. And Bess gave Reena her sister’s name.”

“Is that Palebird?” At mention of her sister, Bess turned her head. “You look thin.” She padded over, her eyes round with worry. Reena followed her.

“I haven’t been well.” Palebird sighed.

Bess was staring at Tallpaw. “Who’s this?”

“My son, Tallpaw.” For once, pride warmed Palebird’s voice.

“He’s a fine one,” Bess purred.

“I kitted another.” Palebird’s mew wobbled. “But she died.”

“Oh, Palebird.” Bess’s eyes clouded. She pressed her cheek against Palebird’s. “You poor duckling.”

Reena stood silently behind her mother. Tallpaw shifted his paws, his tail pricking self-consciously as the two she-cats shared a long moment of grief. He couldn’t help noticing how clean Bess’s white paws were. And Reena’s ginger pelt shone in the moonlight. He always imagined rogues would be ragged and dirty.

Barkpaw nudged him. “I think Hawkheart wants me.” Hawkheart was beckoning from the rim of the Meeting Hollow, his gaze as watchful as Sparrow’s. Barkpaw crossed the clearing, then followed his mentor to the medicine den.

Across the clearing, the elders clustered around Algernon while Sandgorse purred loudly. “Tell us more, Algie,” he urged.

But Mistmouse circled the clearing without taking her eyes off the visitors, while Hickorynose sat close to Woollytail, muttering under his breath. Tallpaw narrowed his eyes. Not everyone wants them here.

“He’s a thoughtful one, young Tallpaw.” Bess’s mew jerked Tallpaw’s attention back.

“I was just watching the Clan,” he mewed quickly.

Bess glanced over her shoulder. “They’ll take a while to get used to us again,” she meowed. “Once we’ve proved we can earn our keep, the icy ones’ll thaw.”

“Earn your keep?” Tallpaw didn’t understand.

“Catch their own food,” Palebird explained.

Bess threw a wink at Whiteberry across the bracken patch and added, “We may even catch a little extra for the old’uns.”

“They’ll be grateful for it,” Tallpaw admitted. “So will I. With just the two of us, we have trouble catching enough prey for them.”

“Two of you?” Reena looked confused.

“Me and Shrewpaw,” Tallpaw explained. “It’s our job to take care of the elders.”

As Tallpaw spoke, Heatherstar lifted her muzzle. “It’s late. We should rest. Who will share their dens with our friends?”

“Bess must stay in the nursery,” Palebird called. On the far side of the clearing, Meadowslip nodded.

“Would Mole like to bed down with us?” Flamepelt suggested. “The elders’ den is the warmest place in the camp besides the nursery.” He glanced at Mole. “Not that you’re as old and frail as us!” he added.

Mole dipped his head. “You’re very kind,” he mewed. “And I suspect there’s not many moons between us.”

Redclaw lifted his tail. “There are spare nests in the long grass for Algie and Sparrow.”

“Thanks, Redclaw.” Algie headed for the moor runners’ patch.

Sparrow narrowed his eyes. “Thank you,” he meowed before padding after his companion.

Bess glanced at her daughter. “What about Reena?”

Palebird frowned. “There’s not much room in the nursery now that Meadowslip’s so close to kitting.”

“There’s room in the apprentice den.” Tallpaw surprised himself, the offer tumbling out before he’d even thought about it.

“Thanks, Tall.” Reena strutted past him, tail flicking. “Just tell me which nest is spare and I’ll happily bed down.”

“Er, it’s Tallpaw, actually.” Tallpaw hurried after her, wondering what Shrewpaw would say about an extra denmate. Reena had better not try to call him “Shrew”!

Reena had already picked out a nest at the back of the den by the time Shrewpaw reached the gorse bush. It was Ryestalk’s old nest, and Reena sneezed as dust wafted up from the wool lining when she curled down into it.

Shrewpaw glared through the den opening. “What’s she doing here?”

“She needed a place to sleep,” Tallpaw explained. “We’ve got spare nests.”

“They’re apprentice nests,” Shrewpaw snapped. “Not for rogues.”

“We’re only rogues till you get to know us.” Reena peeped over the top of her nest, her eyes twinkling. “Until then, why don’t you pretend I’m a little old egg just waiting to hatch and keep your claws sheathed? No sense in killing prey before it’s worth eating.”

Shrewpaw blinked. “Pretend you’re an egg,” he echoed.

“Yep.” Reena buried her nose beneath her paw, muffling her mew. “Just a chick in a shell.” She peeped out and caught Tallpaw’s eyes. Her gaze sparkled with laughter.

Tallpaw swallowed back a purr as Shrewpaw climbed, frowning, into his nest. Having visitors might be fun, he decided as he settled down to sleep.

Chapter 13

“Rabbit!” Dawnstripe dropped into a crouch, her gaze fixed on a small, brown shape bobbing up the slope. Tallpaw pressed his belly to the ground. He glanced at Reena.

She was already flat against the grass, her tail twitching behind her. “I see it,” she whispered. “What now, Tall?”