Crookedstar's Promise Read online

  Mapleshade’s outline appeared in front of him, her orange-and-white fur almost transparent so that he could see the reeds and water behind. “Get back to the chase! You have to be there! Remember your promise!”

  Crookedjaw hesitated.

  Mapleshade hissed in his face. “You want to be great, don’t you?”

  Crookedjaw glanced once more at his mother. Her body lay limp and still with water streaming from her pelt. What else could he do for her now? Taking a deep breath, he turned and ran up the bank. He caught up with his Clanmates on the other side of the hawthorn bushes. The dog was tiring, tongue hanging, lumbering clumsily through the undergrowth. Crookedjaw pelted past him and fell in beside Oakheart. Oakheart glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and kept running.

  The trees were thinning and the land flattened out as they approached the farm. The warriors broke through the RiverClan scent line, leaving their territory. A wooden fence loomed ahead and they squeezed under it, racing into a wide field. Cows moved slowly across the grass. The dog yelped behind them. It couldn’t get under the fence and was venting its fury in snarls.

  Triumph flared in Crookedjaw’s belly. “We did it!” He came to a halt beside his Clanmates. They turned, panting, and stared at the dog. Its eyes burned with rage as it scrabbled at the dirt beneath the fence.

  Crookedjaw arched his back and hissed. “Dumb dog!”

  Oakheart circled him, bristling. Beetlenose was panting, white rims showing around his eyes.

  A shout rang through the willows. Crookedjaw crouched in the grass as a Twoleg strode up behind the dog and grabbed it by the neck. Cursing and yelping, the Twoleg dragged it away. Relief flooded Crookedjaw.

  “Is Rainflower okay?” Oakheart’s question hit him like a stone.

  Crookedjaw stared at his brother. “I was too late,” he whispered.

  “She’s dead?” Oakheart’s eyes glittered. “Was it the dog? Did it bite her?”

  “It knocked her in the water.” Crookedjaw lowered his gaze. “She must have hit her head on a rock as she fell.”

  Oakheart stiffened. “Maybe she was just stunned. Did you get Brambleberry? She might be awake by now.” Hope edged his mew.

  “I—I left her by the river.”

  “You left her?” Oakheart blinked at him. “You didn’t get Brambleberry?”

  “There wasn’t time. I had to stop the dog.”

  Oakheart bristled. “We were taking care of the dog. I left you to take care of Rainflower.”

  The hardness in his brother’s mew turned Crookedjaw’s blood cold. Had he made the wrong decision? He closed his eyes. No! I promised to save my Clan, and that’s what I did! Rainflower was dead. She was definitely dead.

  Wasn’t she?

  Crookedjaw blinked open his eyes. Oakheart was racing away under the fence and into the willows. Crookedjaw headed after him, skidding down the slope and bursting on to the shore.

  Oakheart was crouching beside Rainflower. Her eyes had clouded. Blood stained the rocks around her head. “She’s dead.” Oakheart turned and stared at Crookedjaw. “Our mother is dead.”

  Chapter 30

  Rainflower’s body lay stiff in the moonlight. Oakheart had dragged it to the clearing, warning Crookedjaw away with a snarl each time he’d tried to help. Crookedjaw crouched outside his den and watched his Clanmates file past his mother.

  Echomist touched her nose to Rainflower’s pelt. “You were a loyal warrior.”

  Piketooth leaned down to her ear. “We’ll miss you.”

  Crookedjaw’s eyes stung. Now he’d never have a chance to make Rainflower proud of him. Pain jabbed his heart like thorns.

  Oakheart sat on the far side of the clearing, Petaldust and Voleclaw pressing close. Oakheart stared ahead as Shimmerpelt padded away from Rainflower’s body and murmured something to him. Timberfur dipped his head in respect to the grief-stricken warrior.

  Anger flashed through Crookedjaw. Rainflower loved Oakheart more than she had ever loved Crookedjaw. Well, let them fuss. Crookedjaw turned his head away. I don’t care. His heart twisted in his chest.

  “It’s okay.” Willowbreeze walked away from the body and settled beside Crookedjaw. She leaned into him gently. “She’ll be watching over you from StarClan.”

  Crookedjaw swallowed back a wail of grief. Would she care that much?

  “You were very brave,” Willowbreeze told him. “Facing that dog and leading him out of the territory.”

  I should have been saving my mother. The thought pounded in his head but he couldn’t bring himself to share it, even with Willowbreeze.

  As the Clan melted into the edges of the camp, Shellheart emerged from beneath the willow. His eyes glazed as he stared at the mate he’d turned his back on. Crookedjaw could see the pain in them, and realized that Shellheart had never stopped loving her. The RiverClan deputy settled stiffly beside Rainflower and closed his eyes. He looked old. Crookedjaw blinked. He’d never noticed that his father’s pelt was growing ragged and gray whiskers had begun to speckle his muzzle.

  Oakheart slid out from between Petaldust and Voleclaw and joined his father. He touched Shellheart’s head with his cheek, then settled beside him and pressed his nose into Rainflower’s matted pelt. Clouds covered the moon, draping the three silent figures in shadow. Crookedjaw tucked his paws tighter beneath him and closed his eyes.

  I’m sorry. Was Rainflower in StarClan by now, listening to him? I shouldn’t have left you on the shore. I should have fought the dog and saved you. Would Mapleshade explain it to her? He felt a rush of hope, but grief washed it away instantly. I’m sorry for everything, Rainflower—for sneaking out of camp and breaking my jaw; for letting you die. I’ve missed you so much. I wish I could have gotten you to forgive me. He snapped open his eyes and stared up at Silverpelt. “Please forgive me,” he whispered.

  Willowbreeze turned her head and licked his cheek. They slept curled up together in the warm greenleaf breeze, at the edge of the clearing. The sound of paws scuffing the sun-hardened ground woke Crookedjaw. Dawn lit the camp. The elders were taking away Rainflower’s body for burial. Shellheart and Oakheart watched, their eyes bleary with tiredness and grief. As Birdsong and Troutclaw lifted the body onto Tanglewhisker’s wide, graying back, Oakheart trailed to his den and disappeared inside. Shellheart ducked in beside Tanglewhisker, sharing the weight of the body.

  Brambleberry slipped from her den, dipping her head as the burial party passed. She crossed the clearing and stopped in front of Crookedjaw. He got to his paws, careful not to disturb Willowbreeze, who was still dozing beside him.

  “She didn’t suffer,” Brambleberry murmured. “The wound to her head would have knocked her unconscious. She wouldn’t have known what was happening.”

  Crookedjaw hung his head. “You’re just trying to comfort me.”

  “No!” Brambleberry stepped back. “I wouldn’t lie!”

  Crookedjaw winced. Now he’d hurt her feelings. Why couldn’t he say or do anything right? “I—I’m just—”

  Brambleberry stopped him. “We need to talk, Crookedjaw.”

  “Let all cats old enough to swim gather to hear my words!” Hailstar’s call interrupted her.

  Willowbreeze scrabbled to her paws. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know.” Brambleberry ducked away, leaving Crookedjaw staring after her, puzzled. What was she going to tell him?

  Dens rustled and whispers murmured around the camp as the Clan collected to listen to their leader. Crookedjaw followed Willowbreeze to the back of the crowd.

  Mudfur moved aside to make room for them. He dipped his head to Crookedjaw. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Thanks,” Crookedjaw mumbled.

  “We have been united in grief,” Hailstar began. “Now let us unite in victory. There is a piece of territory that rightfully belongs to RiverClan. It brings us warmth. It brings us shade. Now it’s time to let those mangy squirrel-eaters know it is ours!”

  “Sunningro
cks!” Timberfur yowled. “Yes!”

  Crookedjaw scanned the clearing for Shellheart and Oakheart. Wouldn’t they want to be part of this? They were nowhere to be seen. Crookedjaw’s tail drooped. Weariness ate at his bones.

  “Crookedjaw!” Hailstar called. “I’d like you to be in the patrol to re-mark Sunningrocks.” He scanned the rest of the Clan. “Voleclaw and Mudfur, I want you to come, too.”

  Crookedjaw felt Mudfur stiffen beside him as the RiverClan leader called his name. Crookedjaw glanced at his Clanmate. Mudfur’s forehead was furrowed in a scowl.

  Sedgepaw scrambled forward. “Aren’t any apprentices going?’ she mewed.

  Hailstar shook his head. “I want my strongest, most experienced warriors. I hope we can re-mark the borders without resistance, but if we meet a ThunderClan patrol, I want them to feel the sharpness of our teeth and see the glint of our claws.”

  Blackpaw whisked his tail. “I have sharp teeth!”

  “We need battle practice!” Sunpaw called from beside Voleclaw. “If my mentor’s going, why can’t I?”

  Hailstar dipped his head. “There will be other battles,” he meowed. “This one will be clean and quick. Not a place for training.” He turned his head. “Owlfur, Softwing, Piketooth!” he called. “You’ll form a second patrol. Mine will swim across. I want you to cross by the stepping-stones. Wait at the base of the rocks. If we meet resistance, we’ll lead ThunderClan to fight there.”

  Crookedjaw’s interest pricked. If they fought the battle on the ledge below Sunningrocks, the river would give them an advantage. While ThunderClan was struggling not to fall in, RiverClan could take bigger risks and fight far more fearlessly.

  Hailstar went on. “I pray there will be no bloodshed. We have already lost a brave and noble warrior in Rainflower.”

  Whispers of agreement spread through the Clan. Then Mudfur stepped forward. He lifted his voice above the murmuring. “Is it worth risking our lives yet again for these rocks?”

  Hailstar’s gaze snapped to the old warrior, shock clear in his eyes. “Mudfur?” He didn’t seem to understand. “Why would you object now? You’ve always been at the front of the fight.”

  Crookedjaw narrowed his eyes. Mudfur was known for his strength and bravery. He could hold a warrior underwater till he surrendered. The other Clans whispered to their apprentices at Gatherings not to take him on in battle.

  Mudfur dipped his head. “I don’t know if it’s worth fighting the same battle over and over again.” His voice was steady and he met the gaze of his Clanmates without flinching.

  Rippleclaw hissed. “It is a matter of honor that we don’t let ThunderClan take rocks that were given to us at the dawn of the Clans.”

  Hailstar tipped his head. “Does this mean you refuse to join the patrol, Mudfur?”

  “I’ll join it,” Mudfur rasped. “If you give me the order, I will fight.”

  Crookedjaw lifted his muzzle. “When do we leave?”

  “Now.” Hailstar headed for the entrance. Voleclaw raced after him. Crookedjaw fell in beside Mudfur. He wanted to ask the old warrior why he was fighting if he thought it a waste of time.

  Mudfur glanced sideways. “Don’t worry,” he growled softly. “I’ll fight as hard as anyone. I’m no minnow-heart and Hailstar is still my leader, just as he is yours.”

  At the shore, Softwing, Owlfur, and Piketooth hurried away to the stepping-stones. Hailstar waded into the water and started swimming across the river. The sun was hardly over the willow trees. Sunningrocks looked rosy in the early-morning light, dew already drying fast on the top stones. Crookedjaw padded into the river, refreshed by its cool tug as he swam to the far bank. He pulled himself out and shook his pelt, then followed Hailstar, Voleclaw, and Mudfur up the rock face.

  His heart quickened as he reached the summit and saw the sweep of smooth stone and the dark forest beyond. Energy pulsed beneath his pelt, pushing away his grief. He had a chance to fight for his Clan. Was Rainflower watching him from StarClan? This could be his chance to make her proud.

  Hailstar signaled toward the forest’s edge. Crookedjaw knew what to do. He bounded down the far side of the rocks and followed the path Shellheart had taken last time. While Hailstar led Voleclaw to the other end of the Sunningrocks boundary, Crookedjaw headed for the first oak towering at the cliff edge and left his mark. Mudfur marked the bush beside it and they followed the border along the foot of the stones, taking turns to mark until they met Hailstar at the middle.

  “Is that it?” Voleclaw stared into the shadowy trees. “Why does ThunderClan want Sunningrocks anyway? They’re used to the dark.”

  “Perhaps that’s why they want Sunningrocks, to give them a chance to see some sun.” Crookedjaw paused. Bushes rustled beyond the tree line. He smelled ThunderClan. He backed away from the border, hissing. Hailstar’s tail bushed. Mudfur held his ground, baring his teeth. Voleclaw’s hackles lifted.

  “Don’t forget,” Hailstar whispered. “If they challenge us, we lead them to the shore and fight beside the river.”

  Suddenly Adderfang burst, bristling, from the forest. Crookedjaw tensed, ready to race for the edge of the rocks.

  “We knew you’d try and take them again.” Adderfang curled his lip as Swiftbreeze, Smallear, and Speckletail barged out of the bushes behind the dark tabby. “How many times do we have to beat you before you stop trying to take what’s ours?”

  Voleclaw arched his back. “We’ll beat you this time!” He glanced at Hailstar. Crookedjaw knew he was waiting for the signal to retreat and lead the unsuspecting ThunderClan patrol to the riverbank. Hailstar raised his tail, ready.

  Mudfur stepped forward. “Enough!”

  Hailstar’s head snapped around. “What?”

  Adderfang’s yellow gaze sharpened with interest. Swiftbreeze glanced uneasily at her Clanmates.

  “Too much blood has been shed already over these stones,” Mudfur declared.

  Swiftbreeze flattened her ears. “That sounds like surrender.”

  “No.” Mudfur’s gaze flicked over the ThunderClan warriors. Crookedjaw could see Hailstar’s muscles tightening, but the RiverClan leader held his ground as Mudfur went on. “These rocks belong to RiverClan and always will.”

  Adderfang lashed his tail. “Never!” He crouched down, ready to spring. Crookedjaw unsheathed his claws.

  “Wait!” Mudfur stepped between them. “We’ll settle this now.” He glared at Adderfang. “If you have the courage.”

  Adderfang thrust his face, growling, into Mudfur’s. “Oh, I have the courage!”

  “Then fight me.” Mudfur moved his muzzle a whisker closer to the bristling ThunderClan warrior. “Alone.”

  Adderfang drew back, eyes wide. “Just you and me?”

  “We will each stand for the rest of our Clans.”

  Adderfang snorted. He glanced back at his Clanmates. “This is too easy.” His gaze flicked to Hailstar. “Are you happy with this?” There was disbelief in his mew, as though Mudfur had just dropped a freshly caught mouse at his paws.

  Hailstar shifted his paws and glanced at Mudfur. Then he stepped forward. “Yes,” he growled. “Do you want to check with Sunstar before we do this?”

  “I’m acting as deputy now and I say it’s fine.” The ThunderClan warrior’s yellow eyes glowed as though victory was already his.

  Mudfur backed into the middle of the tumbled rocks. Adderfang paced after him, his muscles rippling under his mottled brown pelt. Swiftbreeze, Smallear, and Speckletail spread out to watch. Crookedjaw joined Hailstar and Voleclaw as they lined up behind Mudfur. Fear flickered beneath Crookedjaw’s pelt. This was worse than going into battle because he could only watch. What if every battle was fought this way? He pushed away the thought. This was no way to fight. He felt helpless, his heart pounding, his paws uncomfortably still.

  Mudfur circled Adderfang. Adderfang folded his ears flat and let out a hiss. He reared and slammed his paws down on Mudfur’s spine. Mudfur rolled over, heaving the ThunderC
lan warrior to the ground. Wrestling him close, he sank his teeth into Adderfang’s shoulders. Adderfang screeched and struggled free, turning like a snake and darting forward. Mudfur sprang on to his paws. Adderfang snapped at his forelegs. Mudfur reared up, batting him away, but Adderfang had glimpsed his enemy’s pale belly. He lunged, claws swiping. Mudfur shrieked and fell back.

  As Swiftbreeze and Smallear hopped out of the way, Mudfur landed with a grunt. Adderfang lunged again, but Mudfur was on his paws and rearing to meet the tabby warrior. In a flurry of claws they slashed at each other. Blood sprayed the rock. Shrieks filled the air and sent a flight of starlings fluttering up from the forest.

  Claws scraped against stone at the top of the rocks. Crookedjaw looked up to see Softwing, Owlfur, and Piketooth swarm over the edge.

  “Stay back,” he warned before they could plunge into the fight.

  Piketooth blinked at him.

  “Adderfang’s fighting Mudfur alone,” Crookedjaw explained.

  Adderfang was on his hind paws now, striking out fiercely, one swipe after another, driving Mudfur back. The RiverClan warrior’s face welled with blood that ran into his eyes.

  How can he see? Stop!

  Adderfang drove forward, forcing Mudfur toward the edge of the space. Crookedjaw had to force himself to stay still. Every muscle screamed to attack. Then Mudfur struck back. With a yowl he plunged forward, rearing up at the last moment and meeting Adderfang head on. He sank his teeth into Adderfang’s shoulder and pushed him down, his wide shoulders rippling. Adderfang squirmed beneath him, shrieking, but he couldn’t fight free. Mudfur pressed his paws to the ThunderClan warrior’s throat, pinning Adderfang to the rock as though he were a trout.

  “Give in?” Mudfur growled.

  Adderfang stared up at him, eyes blazing.

  “Give in?” Mudfur repeated, louder.

  “Yes.” Adderfang’s gasp was barely audible.

  Mudfur let go and staggered back, panting. Blood ran off his pelt. Adderfang crouched on the sandy ground, his fur hanging in clumps.