Tallstar’s Revenge

“You’re hare-brained!” Shrewpaw snarled. “You’re an embarrassment to WindClan with your dumb accusations! Nobody likes you. You should be underground! We won’t miss you.”

Blood roared in Tallpaw’s ears. He lunged for Shrewpaw. Sinking his claws deep into his shoulders, he rolled the apprentice onto the soaking grass. Shrewpaw yowled, scrabbling at Tallpaw’s belly with his hind claws. Tallpaw raked his denmate’s muzzle, sending blood spraying across the grass before jaws closed around his neck fur and hauled him off. As Dawnstripe dropped him, Tallpaw shook out his pelt. Hareflight was holding Shrewpaw back by the scruff.

“Tallpaw!” Dawnstripe’s eyes were round with shock. “You can’t attack your Clanmate! No matter how he provokes you!” She pointed her muzzle toward the sheep. “Go and use up the rest of your anger collecting wool for the elders.”

Tallpaw stomped away, his pelt spiking as rain lashed it. His belly churned. Shrewpaw’s words rang in his ears.

Nobody likes you. We won’t miss you.

Chapter 21

Tallpaw shivered. The wind, which was whipping the moor, carried the chill of coming leaf-fall. While the Clan moved restlessly around him, he stared across the valley toward Highstones. Below him, the trees in the fields had turned as mottled as a tortoiseshell’s pelt, with flashes of orange and gold among the fading green leaves.

“Are you coming to say good-bye?” Dawnstripe called to him above the noise of the wind.

Tallpaw looked past her to the rogues lined along the ridge. They were leaving at last. In the two moons since Sandgorse’s death, Tallpaw had hardly been able to bear looking at them. Watching his Clanmates treat them as though nothing had happened—as though Sandgorse were still alive—soured every mouthful of prey. How could his Clan be so unfeeling?

“Come on,” Dawnstripe urged. “Heatherstar expects WindClan apprentices to show courtesy to our guests.”

Tallpaw’s tail twitched. “All right, I’m coming.” He followed Dawnstripe across the grass, passing Appledawn and Hickorynose. They had already said their farewells. Meadowslip had stayed in camp with her kits.

The elders were touching noses with the rogues. Lilywhisker leaned forward and pressed her muzzle to Bess’s. “Take care,” she rasped. “I hope leaf-bare treats you well.”

“Good-bye, Sparrow.” Flamepelt dipped his head. “Good hunting.”

Mole lifted his tail. “Thanks for sharing your den.”

Lilywhisker’s eyes misted. “We’ll miss your stories.”

Shrewpaw slid past Tallpaw and stopped in front of Reena. “You were a great denmate.”

Reena’s eyes glowed. “So you didn’t mind sharing with a rogue after all?”

Shrewpaw dropped his gaze. “Sorry if I was a bit unfriendly at the start.”

Reena winked. “You’re forgiven.”

Fur ruffling self-consciously, Shrewpaw hurried back to Hareflight’s side.

Heatherstar padded forward with Reedfeather beside her. “WindClan wishes you well.” She looked expectantly at Tallpaw. He was the only cat who hadn’t exchanged words with the rogues.

“I hope you find somewhere to stay,” Tallpaw meowed stiffly. And that you never come back.

Heatherstar seemed satisfied. She turned to Sparrow. “The WindClan that you’ve known for countless moons is on the edge of great change.” She glanced at Hickorynose and Woollytail standing side by side with Mistmouse and Plumclaw. “If you come again, you’ll find a Clan no longer divided into moor runners and tunnelers, but united as warriors, as strong as any Clan.”

Tallpaw pricked his ears. If you come again? Heatherstar had said if. Perhaps there wasn’t room for visiting rogues anymore. Tallpaw waited for Sparrow’s answer. Was he going to mention Sandgorse? Surely the rogue would acknowledge the cat who’d died so that he could look at WindClan’s tunnels?

Sparrow dipped his head. “I wish you all well.”

Was that it? Tallpaw stared at him in disbelief. It was as though Sandgorse had never existed at all.

Algernon stepped forward, purring. “Thanks for your kindness.”

Bess whisked her tail. “Let’s hope cold-season is kind to us all.” She turned and began to head downslope. Sparrow followed, Mole and Algernon at his heels. Reena bounded after her mother and fell in beside her.

Lilywhisker sighed. “Sparrow was a great hunter.” She eyed Tallpaw and Shrewpaw pointedly. “He always made sure the elders and queens had something to eat.”

“We won’t let you go hungry,” Tallpaw growled. He watched the rogues move over the grass below. Who knew where they were heading? They were already fading to specks as they neared the Thunderpath.