The First Battle Page 12

  “Sit on him if you have to. He must be fit by full moon.” She stared sternly at Gray Wing. “We’re depending on you to make a peace with Clear Sky that will last.” She glanced toward the bramble, where the sound of mewling was muffled by the thick shield of flowers. “We need it now more than ever.”

  Gray Wing flopped down helplessly. “I just hope I can find the right words.”

  “You only need to be reasonable,” Tall Shadow growled. “Clear Sky’s no fool. Why choose bloodshed over peace?”

  Thunder felt dread uncoil in his belly. He’d seen the vicious rogues Clear Sky had recruited. With them on his side, Clear Sky might settle the peace by driving the moor cats from their home forever. Should he warn them? As Thunder hesitated, Gray Wing drew in a shuddering breath. Let him rest. Now wasn’t the time to burden anyone with more worry. He stared through the gap in the heather, straining to see the moor. Please let them find the kits.

  A frantic yowl sounded in the distance. Jagged Peak! Thunder raced for the moor. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Tall Shadow pressing Gray Wing back into his nest.

  She signaled to Lightning Tail with a nod. “Go with Thunder. I’ll watch Gray Wing.”

  Thunder heard Lightning Tail’s paws thrum across the clearing behind him. He leaped through the gap in the heather and tore over the grass.

  Plunging through a swath of heather, he zigzagged along a rabbit trail until he burst onto smooth grass on the other side. Bumble’s grave was ahead. He leaped over it, skidding as he landed. Lightning Tail exploded from the heather behind.

  “Thunder!” Jagged Peak’s yowl sounded beyond a wall of gorse. Thunder nosed his way under the bush, ignored the thorns scraping his spine. “What’s happened?” His heart was in his throat as he squeezed out the other side, Lightning Tail bursting out at his side, and Jagged Peak limping toward him.

  His eyes were sparking with fear. “The kittypet took them!”

  “What kittypet?” Lightning Tail frowned.

  Thunder ignored him. “Where’s Turtle Tail?”

  “She’s gone after the kittypet,” Jagged Peak puffed. “She told me to come back. She said I couldn’t keep up.” Anguish twisted his mouth.

  “How do you know it was the kittypet?” Thunder demanded.

  “The scents,” Jagged Peak struggled to get his breath. “We tracked the kits’ trail and it met another. The heather was drenched with Tom’s scent. Turtle Tail recognized it at once.”

  Tom! Shock pulsed through Thunder. Turtle Tail had been right to look so afraid yesterday. “She’s gone after them?” How could she stand up to Tom alone? The kits might give her the courage to fight harder, but they’d also make her vulnerable—and what if he turned his nasty temper on them?

  Thunder’s mind reeled. “Lightning Tail.” He turned toward the black tom. “Come with me.” He jerked his head toward camp. “Jagged Peak, tell Tall Shadow and Gray Wing what’s happened. Don’t let Gray Wing follow us. He’s too ill. Tell him I won’t return without Turtle Tail and the kits!”

  He hurtled forward, heading for the river. What was Tom planning to do with them? “Hurry!” He heard Lightning Tail’s paws pounding behind him. They had to catch up with Tom before Turtle Tail did. Who knew what he’d do to her if she tried to stop him?

  CHAPTER 11

  “Wait.” Clear Sky nudged Snake to a halt. His nose twitched as unfamiliar cat scent touched it.

  The forest here was ridged, dips opening between the ancient trees that marked the borderline. Beyond, marsh meadows lined the river.

  “Follow me.” Clear Sky crept up the slope toward the edge of the tree line and peered from the shade. Sunshine bathed the fields and he blinked.

  “What is it?” Snake asked as he caught up.

  “Can’t you smell?”

  Snake opened his mouth to taste the air, but Clear Sky had already spotted the cat. A sleek, broad-shouldered tom was weaving his way through the long grass beyond the border. Three kits trotted in his wake. Clear Sky narrowed his eyes. The tom’s copper-colored pelt had the softness of a kittypet, but the scrappy young kits looked wild. Why were they traveling together?

  Snake hissed beside him.

  Clear Sky glanced at the brown tabby rogue. His back was arched and bristling like a hedgehog. “Take it easy,” he soothed. “They’re not on our land.”

  “But if I give them a scratch or two, they won’t even come near it again.” Snake leaned forward, showing his teeth.

  Clear Sky nodded approvingly. This rogue’s aggression would prove useful in the future. But not here. “It’s just a kittypet and some kits,” he reasoned. “Why bother fighting?” He beckoned Snake forward with a flick of his tail. “Words can be just as powerful.” He padded from the trees and pushed through the grass. The hot morning sun glared down, searing his pelt. Pelt pricking with satisfaction, he stepped into the path of the kittypet and faced him, ears flat. “What are you doing here?” he snarled.

  The kittypet stopped. Behind him, the kits clustered together, eyes wide. Tiny growls trembled in their throats as they pressed against his bulging flank. He glanced around as though searching for an escape route.

  “Don’t bother running.” Clear Sky glanced at Snake as he slid from the grass. “You’re too fat to outpace us.”

  The kittypet shifted his paws. “My name is Tom. Are we on your territory?” His mew was smooth. “I didn’t realize. Please accept my apologies. We’ll leave at once if you’d kindly show us the way.” He blinked at Clear Sky innocently.

  Clear Sky snorted. “Would you like me to fetch you food too?” Kittypets were all the same. They’d beg anyone for anything rather than fend for themselves.

  “Of course not.” Tom dipped his head courteously. “I have not come this way for any reason but that it is the way home. I certainly wouldn’t want to challenge any cat”—he paused to let a purr rumble in his throat—“any cat as impressive as you.”

  Clear Sky’s whiskers quivered. He was enjoying watching this kittypet ingratiate himself. And it secretly pleased him to be called impressive. But Snake and this trespasser mustn’t know. He curled his lip. “Hurry home, kittypet. This is my forest.” He nodded toward the trees. “I don’t like cats in it, and I don’t like cats near it. Ask anyone. My name’s Clear Sky.”

  Tom’s gaze strayed toward the trees. “Of course,” he purred. “I realize I am trespassing near your land. Please forgive me but I am only escorting my kits back to my housefolk.”

  Snake leaned close. Clear Sky screwed up his face as the rogue’s stinking breath washed his nose. “Those aren’t his kits,” Snake hissed. “Look at them. They’re muscle and bone, like wild kits.”

  “I know that!” Clear Sky nudged Snake sharply backward, his eyes fixed on the kittypet. “They don’t look like your kits. They’re not fat.”

  Tom’s face hardened and malice glinted in his gaze.

  Clear Sky stiffened with surprise. He stepped closer, hackles rising. “Whose kits are they?”

  “Mine.” Tom met his gaze squarely. “They were taken from me. I’m returning them to their proper home with my housefolk.”

  Clear Sky blinked, curiosity tugging in his belly. He ignored it. This was not his problem. If this kittypet wanted to steal wild kits, let him. So long as he didn’t steal from the forest cats. Besides, the kits huddling at Tom’s side weren’t complaining. The tabby tom-kit’s gaze caught his eye. It was strangely blank, as though he was observing, unimpressed.

  “Go away.” Clear Sky stepped out of the path, and jerked his head toward Twolegplace. “And stay away.” The kits scurried past him, the gray tom and tortoiseshell watching him with wide, frightened eyes while the tabby tipped his head inquisitively.

  “We won’t be back, I promise.” Tom shooed them onward, glancing at Clear Sky. “Thanks for being so understanding.”

  Clear Sky puffed out his chest. “You see,” he growled to Snake. “That’s how you patrol territory. No bloodshed, but he understood who�
�s in charge around here. And he’ll tell his kittypet friends.”

  He bounded toward the forest, relishing the cool shade of the trees as he slid beneath them. “Let’s head to camp. The other patrols should be back. I want to do some battle training before the end of the day.”

  Snake hurried after him. “So you think there will be a battle?” He sounded eager.

  “It sounds like my brother’s preparing for one.” Clear Sky lashed his tail. Why did he have to fight to keep what was his? Couldn’t Gray Wing respect his boundaries? He pushed harder against the cracked earth of the forest floor. There hadn’t been rain in days. The moor cats must be scorched beneath this relentless sun. Was that why they resented him taking the forest?

  “Clear Sky!” Birch’s happy mew welcomed him as he raced past the brambles into camp.

  Alder scrambled from beneath the yew. “You’re back!”

  The kits’ eyes shone happily.

  Clear Sky felt warmth flood beneath his pelt. It lasted a moment before regret pricked in its place. Would Thunder have run to him like this if he’d raised him? He pushed the thought away. It was too late. Thunder was Gray Wing’s cat now.

  “Can we train?” Alder and Birch skipped around him while Snake padded to a prey pile and began to sift through the morning’s catch.

  “You can watch,” Clear Sky told them. “The big cats are training today. I need you to stay out of the way. But learn as much as you can.”

  A body thumped the ground beside him.

  Clear Sky spun around.

  Dew lay in the dirt, Thorn rearing over her, claws stretched. The skinny tom pulled back his lips and lunged.

  Dew rolled out of the way, her gray pelt a blur, and leaped to her paws. She faced Thorn. A purr burst from her. “You thought you’d got me!”

  Thorn lashed his tail, his eyes sparked good-humoredly. “One of these days your speed will fail you.”

  Clear Sky padded between them. “Not if we train.” He scanned the clearing. Nettle was back from border patrol with Petal and Leaf. They lay, chewing prey, in the shade of the oak. Falling Feather paced beside Quick Water while she quietly groomed herself. Fircone rested beside the bramble, his chin on his paws, half-opened eyes fixed on Jackdaw’s Cry. The moor cat had hardly moved from the nest he’d built beside the holly bush. Falling Feather had kept her distance, but Clear Sky noticed how often her gaze strayed toward her littermate. Don’t forget the border that separates you now. Clear Sky shot her a look and she hesitated a moment before pacing again.

  He lifted his muzzle. “It’s time we trained for battle!” At his call, the forest cats scrambled to their paws.

  Clear Sky traced a wide circle in the clearing with his claw and stood at the center. “In this space, we fight with claws.”

  Quick Water blinked. “Why harm each other?”

  “We can’t risk injuries.” Leaf stepped forward. “We need to be fit and healthy in case there’s a battle.”

  Clear Sky met his gaze, unblinking. “We have to know what it’s like to fight for our lives,” he growled. “If we only train to play fight, we’ll face battle no stronger than kits.”

  Snake nodded. Thorn padded to join him. Their eyes lit.

  “I’ll fight first,” Snake hissed.

  Clear Sky looked around his cats, his gaze stopping on Falling Feather. “You can be his opponent.” He beckoned her into the ring.

  “No!” Jackdaw’s Cry jumped up, his eyes sparking with fear. Clear Sky glared at him.

  “It’s okay.” Falling Feather nodded to her brother. “I’ll face him.” She strode into the ring as Snake took his place opposite her. “What are we practicing?” she asked Clear Sky, not taking her gaze from Snake.

  “Lie down,” Clear Sky told her.

  She jerked her muzzle around. “What?”

  She’s questioning me! He’d crush the arrogance from her. She had to be loyal. Her camp mates were relying on her. They must be able to trust her. “Lie on your back,” he ordered. Fear glittered in her gaze. Satisfaction rippled through his pelt.

  Quick Water padded to the edge of the ring. “Clear Sky, what are you doing? She’ll be helpless on her back. Snake will hurt her.”

  “If you fall in battle, you’re going to need to know how to get back on your paws,” Clear Sky told the she-cat. He looked back at Falling Feather. “Are you going to lie on your back, or does Snake have to put you there himself?”

  Falling Feather gave a low hiss and settled onto her side. Watching Snake warily, she wriggled onto her spine.

  Clear Sky turned, addressing the watching cats. “When Snake attacks, Falling Feather must get her hind claws under his chin. He’s bigger than she is, but if she uses her weight properly, she should be able to push him off.” He nodded to Snake. “Ready?”

  Snake unsheathed his claws. “Ready.” He circled Falling Feather slowly, pacing around her with deliberate steps.

  Falling Feather watched him, switching her head back and forth as he moved from one side to the other. Clear Sky could see her trembling. Fear would make her fight harder.

  A low growl sounded in Jackdaw’s Cry’s throat. Clear Sky shot him a look. “You are here as our guest,” he growled. “Keep quiet.”

  With a snarl, Snake lunged for Falling Feather’s throat. He moved fast. Falling Feather yowled as he sunk his claws into her neck. With a strangled cry, she writhed beneath him. Grunting, she heaved up her hindquarters, rolling her weight back onto her shoulders. Snake’s hind paws slipped as she shifted beneath him and she tucked in her hind legs, drawing them up and hooking her claws beneath Snake’s chin. With a snarl, she thrust him up and backward, sending him flying out of the ring. She leaped to her paws and dived after him, teeth bared.

  “Stop!” Clear Sky ordered sharply.

  She froze and turned.

  He nodded to the line he’d drawn in the earth. Her paws were outside it. “No teeth or claws beyond the ring,” he reminded her.

  Blood stained her neck fur. “But he hurt me.”

  “And you fought like a fox to defend yourself.” Pride pressed in Clear Sky’s chest. “You’ll remember the lesson in battle. Your enemies will meet you only once in combat; the next time they’ll run when they see you.”

  He nodded Leaf and Thorn toward the ring. “Your turn now,” he growled. “Don’t forget: use your claws.”

  By the time each cat had trained in the ring, the earth was spattered with blood, and clumps of fur drifted across the clearing.

  Clear Sky nodded approvingly to his cats. “Well done.”

  Quick Water rubbed a cut on her muzzle with her paw. Leaf lapped at a wound in his flank. Yet their eyes shone. Every one of the forest cats moved with pride. They had proven to themselves and to each other that, even when they seemed beaten, they could fight off an enemy, no matter how dangerous.

  Clear Sky padded to the prey pile. “You must all be hungry.” He plucked a thrush from the top and tossed it to Thorn, then hurled a mouse to Petal. One by one, he threw food to his cats and they took it. Nodding gratefully, they settled down to eat.

  “What about me?” Jackdaw’s Cry climbed from his nest.

  Clear Sky narrowed his eyes. “We hunted this prey, not you.” Why should they share the forest’s riches with a moor cat?

  Falling Feather stepped forward. “You promised Thunder you’d keep him safe and well fed.”

  Clear Sky grunted. “I told Thunder what he wanted to hear. It was up to him to believe me.”

  Jackdaw’s Cry crossed the clearing and headed for the bramble opening. “I’ll hunt my own food then,” he snarled.

  “Not on my territory,” Clear Sky snapped.

  Jackdaw’s Cry spun around. “Then I’ll hunt on the moor!”

  “You’ll stay here,” Clear Sky growled, narrowing his eyes threateningly. “Or the meeting is off.”

  Quick Water looked up from the shrew she’d been given. “It’s two more days till the meeting! He’ll starve.”

&n
bsp; “No cat ever starved in two days.” Clear Sky whipped his tail behind him. Cats took moons to starve. He’d seen it with his own eyes, back in the mountains.

  Muttering angrily, Jackdaw’s Cry slunk back to his nest.

  Dumb moor cats. Anger pulsed beneath Clear Sky’s pelt. Always expecting more than they deserve.

  He stalked from the camp, furious that Jackdaw’s Cry had sullied the pleasure he’d felt from the training session. He headed instinctively for the meadow border. He felt sure the kittypet would be gone, but he wanted to check. He’d trusted cats before. He’d been wrong. As he reached the edge of the forest and felt midday heat rolling from the sun-drenched wetlands, he tasted the air. The kittypet scent was stale but a fresher smell tainted it. One he recognized.

  Thunder!

  Racing forward, he burst from the trees.

  He could see his son’s orange pelt moving through the long grass. He bounded toward him. “What are you doing, sniffing at my borders?” He stopped in front of Thunder, ears flat.

  Thunder lifted his head. “I’m not on your territory.” He was tasting the air, distracted.

  Rage pulsed in Clear Sky’s belly. “Stay away from my land!”

  The grass swished beside him. A black tom slid out. “Have you found anything—” He stopped as he saw Clear Sky. “We haven’t crossed the border,” he snapped defensively.

  “Then why are you here?”

  Thunder gazed across the grass. “We’re looking for someone.”

  Clear Sky sniffed Lightning Tail. His scent was familiar. Was this one of Jackdaw’s Cry’s kits? “Have you come looking for your father?” He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

  Thunder turned on him. “Turtle Tail’s kits have gone missing, okay? We’re looking for them. Have you seen them?”

  Lightning Tail leaned forward. “Or Turtle Tail?”

  Clear Sky flattened his ears and turned away from them, muttering: “Perhaps these kits belong with their father.”

  “Really?” Thunder snarled. “Is that why you sent me away? Twice?”

  Clear Sky could see Thunder’s hackles rising. “I did the best for you!”