Crookedstar’s Promise

“I’m okay.” Crookedjaw blinked. “He liked to sit here and watch the river, you know.”

“Shellheart?”

He nodded, fresh grief piercing his heart. “Perhaps his spirit still comes here to fish.” It’d been three moons since he’d lain beside his father in the elders’ den. Two since he’d died.

“Even when he’s got the warm rivers of StarClan?”

Crookedjaw swallowed. “But he’ll miss his old river, surely?”

Willowbreeze settled beside him and leaned into him. “I’m sure he’s always watching from StarClan.” She flicked the tip of her tail. “He’ll want to see what his sons are up to.”

A purr rumbled in Crookedjaw’s throat.

Willowbreeze stiffened against him. “Ottersplash?”

The white-and-ginger she-cat was plowing across the river. She hopped out, eyes glittering. “ThunderClan warriors are crossing the stepping-stones!”

“Now?” Crookedjaw strained to see around the bend in the river.

“They’ll be in the camp any moment,” Ottersplash urged. “Hailstar wants you.”

Crookedjaw was already diving into the water. He swam expertly, navigating the swirling current with ease, and climbed out. Looking back to make sure Ottersplash and Willowbreeze were okay, he raced for camp. Through the drizzle, he could taste ThunderClan scent. They were headed this way. He swerved along the grassy path and raced into camp.

Hailstar was pacing the clearing, his pelt spiked. Sedgecreek and Frogleap puffed out their chests, clearly eager to prove themselves worthy of their new warrior names. Softwing stood wide-eyed outside the nursery, her tail wrapped around her two young kits. Her mate Owlfur crouched beside her, his eyes merely slits as he watched the entrance, then stood as Willowbreeze and Ottersplash dashed in. “Did you see them? How many?”

“Where are they?” Hailstar asked Ottersplash.

“Headed this way.”

Echomist hissed. “How dare they invade our territory?”

Rippleclaw lashed his tail. “I want to be in the battle patrol!”

“Me too!” Timberfur hurried forward with Cedarpelt on his tail. Sedgecreek and Frogleap darted after them, their eyes shining.

Hailstar waved them back. “Wait,” he growled. “This might not be an invasion.”

“It can’t be.” Fallowtail circled her leader. “They wouldn’t invade in broad daylight!”

“Then why are they here?” Timberfur growled.

Crookedjaw glanced at the entrance. “I’ll try to head them off before they reach camp.”

Hailstar flattened his ears. “Take Rippleclaw and Ottersplash with you.”

“Where’s Oakheart?” Crookedjaw scanned the camp.

“Fishing,” Echomist told him. “He went out with Lakeshine and Shimmerpelt just after dawn.”

“Find him and tell him what’s going on,” Crookedjaw ordered.

Echomist nodded and headed for the entrance.

“Not that way!” he hissed. “I don’t want you bumping into ThunderClan. Go out through the reed bed.”

Echomist slid into the water and disappeared among the reeds. Crookedjaw signaled to Ottersplash and Rippleclaw with his tail. “Let’s go meet our visitors.” He led the way through the tunnel.

Behind them, Hailstar started snapping orders. “Tell the elders to stay in their den,” he growled. “And guard it. I want three warriors by the nursery.”

Crookedjaw narrowed his eyes against the drizzle. The next bend might lead them into a bristling ThunderClan patrol. He unsheathed his claws. No ThunderClan cat would get past him.

“I hear them!” Ottersplash halted.

Crookedjaw pricked his ears. The invaders were chatting as though they were visiting Clanmates! He growled and darted around the corner with his hackles up. He skidded to a halt in front of Sunstar. The ThunderClan leader signaled to his patrol with his tail.

Crookedjaw unsheathed his claws. “What are you doing on RiverClan territory?”

Bluefur, Whitestorm, Thrushpelt, and Lionheart fanned out behind their leader, but Crookedjaw kept his gaze fixed on Sunstar.

“We want to talk with Hailstar.” The ThunderClan leader sounded as though he were asking a Clanmate for a piece of fresh-kill.

“About what?” Ottersplash thrust her muzzle forward.

Sunstar narrowed his eyes. “You expect me to share words that are meant for your leader?”

Ottersplash snarled. Keep calm. Crookedjaw waved the she-cat back with his tail. “You expect me to lead you straight into our camp?” he countered.

“Do we look like a battle patrol?” Sunstar glanced back at his warriors. Their pelts were smooth, their gaze curious. Bluefur was whispering to Whitestorm.

Crookedjaw tilted his head. “It would take more than this to overrun our camp,” he agreed. Unless there’s a second patrol hidden somewhere. He tasted the air but scented nothing.

Sunstar lifted his chin. “We only wish to share words.”

Crookedjaw nodded. His Clan was prepared. “Follow me.” He turned and headed toward the camp, uncomfortable with ThunderClan warriors at his tail, but forcing his hackles down. The rain pattered around them as they followed the path through the reeds. Crookedjaw entered the clearing first, leaving Ottersplash and Rippleclaw to escort the patrol behind him.