The First Battle Page 10

  “Where is Jackdaw’s Cry?” Hawk Swoop’s mew was urgent. She paced past Thunder.

  Thunder dipped his head. “Clear Sky asked him to stay in the forest camp until after the meeting at the four trees.”

  “What?” Hawk Swoop’s eyes widened in shock.

  Turtle Tail’s fur spiked. “How dare he keep one of our cats!”

  Gray Wing forced his fur to stay flat, though fear sparked through it like lightning. “Is he safe?” He searched Thunder’s gaze.

  Thunder swallowed. “He promised that Jackdaw’s Cry would be fine until after the meeting.” His gaze slid toward Hawk Swoop.

  “And then what?” she demanded.

  “He’ll let him return to the moor.” Thunder’s ears twitched nervously.

  “Is that what he said?” Hawk Swoop glared at him.

  Thunder stiffened. “He just said he’d be safe until after the meeting.”

  Turtle Tail hissed. “We must fetch him. Now!”

  Gray Wing met her gaze. “But Clear Sky’s agreed to meet,” he protested. “We have to tread carefully.”

  Turtle Tail growled. “That’s what he wants!” she spat. “He wants us to slink around like mouse-hearts while he does what he wants. He’s a bully and you know it!” She headed for the camp.

  Gray Wing closed his eyes. He could understand her anger. Why hadn’t Clear Sky just agreed to meet? Doesn’t he trust me? Or was Turtle Tail right about him enjoying having power over other cats?

  Hawk Swoop growled as though in pain. “What should we do, Gray Wing?”

  Gray Wing looked at her. “Let’s ask Tall Shadow.” He led the cats back into the hollow where Tall Shadow, Acorn Fur, and Lightning Tail waited.

  Turtle Tail was already at Tall Shadow’s side. Wind Runner was on her paws, Rainswept Flower beside her. Gorse Fur stood, tail lashing, while Shattered Ice paced around him.

  In the long grass Jagged Peak looked up. Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur tumbled around him, play fighting. They hadn’t even noticed Thunder was back. He slid from between them and crossed the clearing.

  “Has Turtle Tail told you everything?” Gray Wing looked at Tall Shadow.

  “Clear Sky’s holding Jackdaw’s Cry.” Her gaze flitted around the others.

  “But he’s agreed to the meeting,” Gray Wing told her.

  Hawk Swoop padded forward. “Turtle Tail thinks we should get Jackdaw’s Cry back.”

  “I know,” Tall Shadow told her calmly.

  Gray Wing flattened his ears. “If we do that, Clear Sky will call off the meeting.”

  Wind Runner lashed her tail. “We can’t let him bully us.”

  “Avoiding battle is more important!” Gray Wing felt frustration flash beneath his pelt.

  Gorse Fur growled. “Is it more important than Jackdaw’s Cry’s life?”

  “He’s not in danger!” Gray Wing turned on the gray tabby. Did every cat believe Clear Sky was a monster?

  Tall Shadow stepped between them and lifted her muzzle. “Jackdaw’s Cry can take care of himself,” she meowed calmly. “He will stay in the forest if that’s what it takes to get Clear Sky to agree to talk. We must do everything in our power to make sure we can live in peace.”

  Acorn Fur padded forward. “Falling Feather is with him.” Her mew trembled but she kept going. “Jackdaw’s Cry isn’t alone. He’ll be okay.” She glanced at her brother.

  Lightning Tail nodded. “Jackdaw’s Cry would never forgive us if we tried to bring him home.”

  Hawk Swoop’s shoulders drooped. “You’re right,” she conceded.

  Relief seeped beneath Gray Wing’s pelt. The meeting would go ahead. There would be peace. He gazed gratefully at Hawk Swoop, not daring to look at Turtle Tail. He wasn’t sure she’d be so easily convinced that they were making the right decision.

  Fur brushed his flank.

  “Lightning Tail is right.” Turtle Tail pressed against him. “Jackdaw’s Cry would never forgive us if we sent a rescue party. He’s a proud cat.”

  Gray Wing blinked at her gratefully. “It’ll be fine, you’ll see,” he promised.

  Thunder was fidgeting at the edge of the clearing, his gaze uneasy.

  “Is there something else?” Gray Wing looked at him.

  Thunder’s tail quivered. “I met a cat on the way back to the camp.” He glanced at Turtle Tail. “He’s called Tom. He came looking for Bumble. I told him she was dead and showed her his grave but he wants to meet with Turtle Tail.”

  “No!” Gray Wing stepped in front of his mate. He’d heard plenty about Tom, the kittypet who’d made Turtle Tail’s life miserable when she’d lived with the Twolegs. And the first time he’d met Bumble, the poor cat had been covered in scratches and bruises. Tom was a bully. He glanced at the long grass where Sparrow Fur and Owl Eyes were trying to out-pounce each other. He could hear Pebble Heart beneath the gorse, asking Cloud Spots endless questions. He didn’t care that they were Tom’s kits. They must never meet him. Nor should Turtle Tail. His fur lifted along his spine. How had she ever loved such a cruel cat?

  Thunder glanced at him nervously. “He said he’d wait at Bumble’s grave until she came.”

  “He said what?” Rage surged through Gray Wing. How dare he make such demands?

  Thunder backed away. “He said he’d wait for as long as it took.”

  “Gray Wing.” Turtle Tail slid in front of him, her green eyes soft. “It’s not Thunder’s fault.”

  “I know.” Gray Wing let his hackles fall. “But we don’t want that kittypet on our moor. I’m going to chase him back to Twolegplace.” He began to head for the gap in the heather but Turtle Tail blocked his way.

  “No.” Her mew was firm.

  He blinked. “Why?”

  “I must meet him.” She was trembling.

  Gray Wing could hardly believe his ears. “You can’t!”

  Turtle Tail lifted her head. “I know him, Gray Wing. If I don’t meet with him, he’ll find me. He’ll come to the hollow.” She glanced over her shoulder toward Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur. “And then he’ll know where his kits are.” Fear edged her mew.

  Gray Wing understood. She must face him or live in fear. “I’m coming with you.”

  “So am I.” Tall Shadow’s mew took him by surprise. The black she-cat was gazing at him, eyes round. “If this Tom can frighten Turtle Tail, you may need an extra set of claws.” She nodded to Thunder. “Show us where he is.”

  Gray Wing let Thunder lead the way through the heather. Bumble’s grave was no secret, but he thought Thunder deserved to head the party. He felt guilty that he’d reacted so angrily to news of Tom’s arrival. Thunder had shown true courage today, traveling to Clear Sky’s camp, returning with news that he’d left Jackdaw’s Cry there. Did Clear Sky realize what a fine son he’d given up?

  It’s his loss.

  Gray Wing ducked as heather branches arched over their heads. He could feel Turtle Tail’s quick breath on his tail-tip. She was scared, though she was doing her best to hide it. Tall Shadow brought up the rear. Hopefully, her calm clear-sightedness would ease any tensions in the meeting.

  Gray Wing’s pelt itched with sudden curiosity. He’d often wondered what the father of Turtle Tail’s kits was like. Guilt gnawed at the edge of his thoughts. She’d never have turned to such a cruel cat if he’d realized earlier that he loved her. She’d loved him since they were kits, but he’d been blinded by his own love for others, first for Bright Stream and then for Storm. Turtle Tail had always come last, but with quiet perseverance she’d won his heart and now he couldn’t think of life with any other mate.

  As he pictured Tom waiting for her, a growl rumbled in his throat. He’d make sure the kittypet left the moor and didn’t come back.

  “He’s still waiting,” Thunder called over his shoulder. “I can smell him.”

  Gray Wing tasted the air, his nose wrinkling as sweet, sour, sickly smells filled it. They’d clung to Bumble’s pelt too, and Turtle Tail’s when she’d first returned
from Twolegplace. It must be the scent of Twoleg nests.

  Bright light showed ahead and Gray Wing blinked. He slid out of the tunnel into sunshine. Thunder already waited on the grass. Turtle Tail and Tall Shadow padded out behind him.

  Screwing up his eyes, he looked down the slope. Lying at one end of Bumble’s grave was a glossy tom, his thick pelt colored like autumn leaves. He stretched in the sun, rolling over as Thunder padded toward him.

  Gray Wing glanced at Turtle Tail. “Ready?”

  She squared her shoulders. “Yes.” Striding forward, she followed Thunder.

  “Don’t worry.” Tall Shadow stopped beside Gray Wing. “We’ll make sure that he knows he’s not welcome here.”

  Gray Wing lashed his tail. “I’d like to send him home with a nick in his ear.”

  “Let’s not antagonize him unnecessarily.” Tall Shadow padded down the slope and Gray Wing followed.

  Tom was climbing to his paws. His wide flanks rippled. Gray Wing curled his lip. Soft fur coated soft flesh. Wasn’t he ashamed to be so fat?

  Tom’s gaze fixed on Turtle Tail. “You kept me waiting.” He yawned, showing yellow teeth.

  Turtle Tail shrugged. “It looks like you didn’t have anything better to do.” She padded to the edge of Bumble’s grave and began smoothing the earth he’d disturbed with her paw.

  Tom narrowed his eyes. “Why did you bring them?” He flicked his tail toward Tall Shadow and Gray Wing.

  Thunder padded forward. “She travels with who she likes.”

  Tom padded around Turtle Tail, letting his thick tail run along her spine.

  She shuddered. Gray Wing growled and glared threateningly at Tom.

  Tom ignored him. He was staring at Tall Shadow, his silky muzzle wrinkling in disgust. “Are all you rogues fleabags?” He nudged Turtle Tail roughly with his shoulder. “How many times did the housefolk have to comb you to clean your pelt?” His gaze flicked over Tall Shadow’s. “I don’t think there’d be enough combs in the world to scrape the fleas from her.”

  Tall Shadow held his gaze.

  Gray Wing flexed his claws. Did this cat want to fight?

  “Thunder told us that you’ve come to pay your respects to Bumble,” Tall Shadow meowed diplomatically.

  Tom sniffed. “Something like that.” He turned, his feathery tail swishing past Turtle Tail’s muzzle. “I really wanted to see my old mate.” His eyes lingered on her pelt. “The nest is too quiet without you now that Bumble’s gone.” He stopped, his muzzle a whisker from hers. “Won’t you come back? I miss our play fights.”

  “Play fights?” Turtle Tail hissed. “You were the only one who was ever playing!” She reared, spitting with fury.

  Gray Wing darted forward.

  Tall Shadow leaped in front of him. “Let her stand up for herself.”

  He scrambled to a halt, staring past Tall Shadow as Turtle Tail lunged for Tom. Her claws raked his snout. Snarling, she battered his muzzle with a flurry of claws.

  Tom backed away, his broad, sleek face twisting into a snarl. “Rogue!” he roared and flung himself at her.

  His weight knocked her backward. Paws crumpling, she collapsed onto Bumble’s grave. Tom slashed her flank, sinking his claws deep and pressing her shoulders into the earth. She writhed, hind legs scattering the loose soil as she struggled to reach his belly. He let his fat body drop, smothering her.

  Tall Shadow stepped aside. “Stop him,” she growled to Gray Wing.

  But Gray Wing had already leaped past her.

  Thunder dived from the other side. He hooked his claws into Tom’s flanks while Gray Wing sunk his teeth into the kittypet’s scruff. Heaving, they dragged Tom off Turtle Tail.

  She screeched in pain as he tore fur from her belly.

  “Dungheart!” Gray Wing swung a hefty blow at Tom’s ear. The kittypet’s eyes widened as it struck him. He yowled in fury and flung a blow back. Gray Wing reeled at its force. As he struggled to regain his balance, Thunder dived beneath the kittypet’s belly and knocked his hind legs from beneath him. Tom twisted, reaching out a forepaw and clawing Gray Wing’s flank.

  Wincing in pain, Gray Wing kicked out with a hind leg, catching Tom beneath the chin.

  Turtle Tail struggled to her paws and dived at Tom’s hind leg. Sinking in her teeth, she tugged him backward.

  Gray Wing felt a surge of triumph. We’ve got you now, kittypet!

  “Stop!” Tall Shadow’s yowl made him freeze.

  Turtle Tail backed away. Thunder stopped mid-rear and let his paws drop to the ground.

  Tom collapsed on Bumble’s grave.

  “Show some respect!” Tall Shadow stared at the churned earth. “A dead cat lies here.”

  Tom heaved himself to his paws and backed away from the moor cats. Blood dripped from his cheek.

  Gray Wing noticed a nick in the kittypet’s ear and felt a flicker of satisfaction.

  Tall Shadow marched between them, her face stern, then reached out and began to paw the scattered earth back into a mound over Bumble’s grave.

  Gray Wing watched Tom. He wasn’t going to take his eyes off the vicious kittypet. “Are you okay?” he murmured to Turtle Tail.

  “Yes,” she panted.

  “Thunder?” Gray Wing glimpsed the tom’s golden fur from the corner of his eye.

  “I’m fine.”

  Tom’s gaze flicked from one to the other, then rested on Turtle Tail’s belly. “Thunder said that you’d kitted,” he grunted.

  “So?” Turtle Tail’s answer was guarded.

  Gray Wing padded closer to her. Why was Tom interested in his kits now? Turtle Tail had told him that one of the reasons she’d left Twolegplace was because her Twolegs would take her kits from her and give them to other Twolegs to raise. Is that why he wanted them? To give them away?

  Tom narrowed his eyes. “You stopped them from being kittypets and made them live like rogues,” he sneered. “Do you think they’ll thank you for that?”

  “They’re not rogues!” Gray Wing stepped forward. “They live with us. They’re the best-loved cats in the hollow!”

  Interest sparked in Tom’s gaze. “The hollow?”

  Gray Wing winced, realizing what he’d done. He clamped his jaws shut before he gave anything else away. Now the kittypet knew they lived in one of the hollows that dented the moor. It wouldn’t take long for him to find them.

  Turtle Tail moved closer. “They’re scrawny little things,” she sniffed. “They must have been born with your kittypet softness. I doubt they’ll make it through the next cold season.”

  Gray Wing’s heart twisted at the thought. But he knew she was lying. If Tom thought the kits weren’t worth having, he might go away and leave them alone.

  “I should have drowned them instead of wasting my milk on them,” she added.

  Thunder’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean—”

  Tall Shadow cut him off. “Turtle Tail’s right.” She turned from the grave, eyeing Thunder sternly. “They’re sickly and good for nothing.”

  Tom narrowed his eyes. “Still,” he mewed smoothly, “I’d like to meet my own kits.”

  “Never!” Turtle Tail hissed. Horror sparked in her eyes as she realized that she’d given away how fiercely she loved her kits.

  Tom’s face lit up. “Surely they’d like to meet their father?” He sounded pleased with himself.

  Pain gripped Gray Wing’s chest as it tightened. He struggled to draw in breath.

  Turtle Tail showed her teeth. “They will never meet you!”

  Tom shrugged and, flicking his tail, scuffed his way across Bumble’s grave. “Shame it was Bumble who died and not you,” he called over his shoulder.

  Gray Wing stared after him. How could any cat be so cruel?

  “Come on.” Tall Shadow was the one to break the silence as Tom slid into the heather. “Let’s get back to camp.”

  Turtle Tail was wide-eyed. “He mustn’t ever find my kits,” she whispered.

  “He won’t.” Gra
y Wing pressed against her, stiffening as his chest tightened harder. He tried to draw in breath but it was too hard. He stumbled.

  “Gray Wing!” Turtle Tail pushed her shoulder under his, holding him up as his paws gave way. “Thunder! Help me!”

  Thunder was already at his other side. Gray Wing fought for breath as they held him between them.

  “Be calm.” Tall Shadow sniffed his breath. “You’re okay, Gray Wing. It’s just the old smoke sickness. Cloud Spots will have some herbs for you if we just get you back to camp.”

  Gray Wing watched her mouth moving, hardly hearing.

  “Walk.” Turtle Tail’s stern mew sounded in his ear.

  Gasping, he dragged a paw forward, forcing another in front. Suspended between Thunder and Turtle Tail, he began the long walk back to camp.

  “That’s right.” Turtle Tail’s mew sounded through the darkness, pressing at the corners of his vision. “We’re nearly there.”

  Gulping tiny breaths, he pushed himself on. I’ll make it. Someone has to defend the kits. Who else can reason with Clear Sky? His mind whirled. He dragged in breath after breath until suddenly he felt soft moss beneath his paws. It was his nest.

  “Cloud Spots is fetching coltsfoot.” Turtle Tail’s breath bathed his muzzle.

  “What’s wrong with Gray Wing?”

  “Is he dying?”

  Kit mews sounded around him.

  “He’s going to be fine.” Cloud Spot’s calm mew sounded above him. “Eat these leaves, Gray Wing.”

  Gray Wing smelled the tang of herbs beneath his muzzle and leaned down, lapping blindly until he felt them touch his tongue. He swallowed them, faintly aware of their bitterness.

  Paws kneaded his back, easing the tightness that squeezed his chest like a snake. “He’ll probably sleep.” Cloud Spots’s mew sounded as his thoughts swirled and darkness reached for him. “He’ll be better when he wakes.”

  “Wake up!” Stoneteller’s mew jolted him from sleep.

  “What’s wrong?” He leaped to his paws, staring around. He was in the cave again. Moonlight filtered through the waterfall at the cavern’s mouth. His old tribe mates were curled in their nests.

  “You mustn’t sleep, Gray Wing.” Stoneteller’s eyes blazed in the half-light. “There’s danger. Your loved ones are in danger!”