The Forgotten Warrior

“Who is that?” she asked Brambleclaw, who was still staring at the newcomer, his neck fur beginning to bristle.

“Sol,” the deputy replied, dropping the rabbit he was carrying. “He was here before you were born, and—”

“Mousefur told me about him, moons ago!” Dovewing interrupted, excitement beginning to prickle her paws. “Didn’t he make the sun go away? I thought that was just a story.”

Brambleclaw nodded. “It’s no story.”

“Do you think he’ll do it again?”

“He’d better not,” Thornclaw growled, coming to stand beside Brambleclaw. “That cat is trouble. I can’t imagine what Firestar’s thinking, letting him in here.”

Brambleclaw picked up his rabbit and led the way across to the fresh-kill pile. The rest of the patrol followed to deposit their prey, weaving their way between the cats who were talking to Sol.

“Come and meet Sol,” Mousewhisker meowed enthusiastically as Dovewing added her squirrel to the pile. “He’s the cat who chased the fox away and saved the apprentices.”

“Yes, isn’t it great that he came back?” Whitewing added. “Just think what would have happened to those poor young cats!”

But Dovewing could tell that not all the cats around Sol were pleased to see him. Firestar was sitting with Sandstorm, Graystripe, and Millie, looking distinctly awkward about the newcomer’s presence, while Dustpelt, Ferncloud, and Squirrelflight had their heads together, speaking in undertones and casting suspicious glances at Sol.

Purdy and Mousefur padded slowly across from the elders’ den, looking curious; Purdy blinked in surprise when he spotted Sol.

“Well, what next!” the old tabby exclaimed. “Sol! I never reckoned I’d see you again.”

Sol inclined his head. “Purdy. You’re looking well. Mousefur, I—”

The brown she-cat lashed her tail as Sol turned to her, taking a pace back and letting out a hiss. “Don’t come near me,” she snarled.

For a moment Dovewing thought she detected a flash of anger in Sol’s amber eyes. Then the mottled tom dipped his head again. “The same old Mousefur, I see,” he mewed smoothly. “I’m so glad to see you again.”

Mousefur spun around and stalked back to her den. Purdy cast a helpless glance at Sol before following her. Watching the cranky elder, Dovewing didn’t notice that Ivypool had appeared at her side until her sister poked her with one paw.

“How weird is this?” Ivypool meowed. When Dovewing didn’t answer, she went on in a whisper, “Did you see anything on the ShadowClan border?”

Dovewing guessed that her sister was referring to the threat from Dawnpelt. “You’re taking that stupid she-cat seriously?” she asked, rolling her eyes. “No, I didn’t see a thing. No cat’s going to listen to her lies when there are bigger things to think about.”

Firestar sent more patrols out to bring back extra prey, and as the sun went down the Clan feasted around the fresh-kill pile. Dovewing sat nibbling at a mouse, trying to work out what Sol’s arrival would mean for ThunderClan. The younger cats were gathered around the newcomer, crouching with wide-open eyes and ears pricked to take in every word he said.

“Then there was the time I fought off a badger single-pawed,” Sol was relating. “A huge, ugly brute it was, too. I came across it unexpectedly when I was hunting in a forest a long way from here.” He gave his paw a long lick and drew it slowly over his ear. “But badgers aren’t dangerous if you know how to handle them. It soon got out of there when I gave it a scratched nose.”

I hope Cherrypaw and Molepaw don’t think that’s the right way to deal with a badger, Dovewing thought. The two apprentices were right at the front of the crowd, forgetting to eat as they gazed up at Sol with gaping jaws.

“Tell us more!” Cherrypaw begged. “Have you ever fought with dogs, Sol?”

“I’ve fought off more dogs than you’ve eaten mice,” Sol replied. “There was a time—”

“No, that’s enough,” Poppyfrost mewed, flicking Cherrypaw’s shoulder with her tail. “I’m sorry, Sol, but it’s time they were both in their nests.”

“No way!” Molepaw protested. “We’re not kits anymore.”

“You still need your sleep,” Poppyfrost told him.

Berrynose leaned over to his mate and touched her ear with his nose. “Let them stay up for once,” he murmured. “It’s not every day they have the chance to learn about what’s beyond these hills.”

“Yes!” Molepaw gave an excited little bounce. “Go on about the dog, please, Sol.”

“Well, it was with a couple of Twolegs and their kits,” Sol began. “They were walking in the woods where I was staying at the time, and the stupid creatures let their dog off that tendril-thing they use to tie themselves to animals. It picked up my scent and came yapping through the ferns toward my den. So do you know what I did then?”

“No!” Cherrypaw breathed out. “Tell us!”

“I climbed a tree,” Sol went on. “I waited until the dog came running underneath, and I dropped down right on top of it!”