Tallstar’s Revenge

“Come on, Tallpaw.” Dawnstripe’s hushed mew sounded above him. She’d climbed past him onto a smooth ledge, her moonlit fur bright against the gaping hole behind. She was sitting on the threshold of Mothermouth. Hareflight and Shrewpaw sprang up beside her. Nose twitching, Tallpaw scrambled up the last tail-length.

The ledge was smooth and icy cold beneath his paws. Wet stone scent rolled from the freezing darkness. So this is Mothermouth! Tallpaw padded from moonlight into shadow, his heart pounding as the greatest tunnel of all swallowed him whole.

Chapter 22

“Let me lead.” Dawnstripe’s mew was barely a whisper as she padded past him through the darkness.

Tallpaw was happy to fall in behind her, staying close enough to feel her tail-tip brush his cheek. He could feel Shrewpaw’s breath warm on his rump, and Hareflight’s solid paw steps sounded reassuringly from the rear. Tallpaw’s heart fluttered like a caught sparrow. This tunnel was far bigger than the tunnel he’d walked with Sandgorse, but it was still a tunnel, still a long way from light and space and air. Tallpaw felt the immense darkness pressing around him. His throat tightened until the air seemed too thick to breathe.

You’re following in the paw steps of countless cats. StarClan will keep you safe.

Dawnstripe’s tail slid ahead; Tallpaw sped up, frightened of losing the feel of its soft tip on his nose. Cold air swirled around him, piercing his pelt. He sensed the huge weight of rock hanging above his head. Ahead, the distant echo of dripping water hinted at deepness he was frightened to imagine. How long till they reached the Moonstone? Steadying his breath, he focused on his paws, trying to relish the solidity of the stone beneath them, constantly stretching his muzzle to keep contact with Dawnstripe’s tail.

“I smell fear-scent. Aren’t you feeling at home, Wormpaw?” Shrewpaw snarked.

“Be quiet, Shrewpaw!” Hareflight’s angry hiss sounded from behind.

Tallpaw’s mind swirled. He fought back panic. Every paw step was taking him farther from the light. Could he find his way out if the others weren’t here? A stream of cold air suddenly buffeted his flank. Another billowed from the other side. There must be more tunnels branching off this one, snaking deep into the earth.

Please let me out! As a terrified groan welled in his throat, the air around him changed. It became still, the vicious chill easing. Tallpaw halted as Dawnstripe’s paw steps fell silent.

“We’re here,” she announced softly. “In the cavern of the Moonstone.”

Shrewpaw pushed past Tallpaw, rocking him on his paws. “Where is it? Where’s the stone?”

“There must be a cloud covering the moon.” Hareflight’s deep mew sounded close to Tallpaw’s ear. “Just wait.”

Tallpaw strained to see through the darkness. His nose twitched as he smelled the familiar scent of heather. Fresh air must be flowing into the cavern from somewhere above them. Suddenly a beam of silver light sliced down through the dark. Tallpaw blinked as it cast a glow over a huge stone in the middle of the cavern. The Moonstone!

The surface of the rock glittered like sunshine on water, sending light rippling across the dark walls. Tallpaw backed away, bristling.

“Don’t be afraid.” Dawnstripe stepped forward and crouched beside the stone, the silver light drenching her pale golden fur. “Come and touch your nose to it. You too, Shrewpaw.”

Shrewpaw was circling the stone, his tail spiking. “Do we have to touch it?”

Hareflight stooped beside Dawnstripe. “You won’t share with StarClan until you do.”

Shrewpaw padded warily toward the Moonstone and, hunkering down, stretched his muzzle forward. Tallpaw watched his denmate’s eyes close. Shrewpaw’s ruffled fur smoothed out, and his whole body softened as if he had drifted into the best sleep ever.

“Come on, Tallpaw.” Dawnstripe coaxed him forward. “StarClan will welcome you.”

Tallpaw padded closer. His heart seemed to swell in his chest. Will I see Sandgorse? Or Brackenwing? Hunching beside the rock, he narrowed his eyes against its glare. He took a deep breath and touched his nose to the sharp stone.

At once he was plunged into darkness, sucked down by currents too strong to resist. But somehow there was nothing to be frightened of, and Tallpaw let himself fall until his vision cleared. He felt his paws sink into muddy earth; rain lashed his pelt and battered his ears. Tallpaw peered through the storm. Was this StarClan? A churned field stretched away on one side, while a hedge pressed at his other, rattling as a cold wind shook it.