Crookedstar’s Promise

Timberfur and Owlfur were prowling beside the reed bed, their hackles raised. Cedarpelt stood guard by the elders’ den. Loudbelly, Sunfish, Sedgecreek, and Reedtail clustered protectively around the nursery. Softwing huddled between them with her kits.

Lionheart stared around the camp as though it were filled with walking fish. “Why do they live in such uncomfortable-looking dens?”

Crookedjaw growled. “They float if it floods.” Where’s Hailstar? He tasted the air. The RiverClan leader’s scent pooled in his den. Crookedjaw understood. Hailstar clearly didn’t want ThunderClan to think they were worried. “Wait here,” he told Sunstar. He padded to the willow and ducked into Hailstar’s den.

Hailstar was sitting in his nest, his eyes sharp in the gloom. “Well?”

“They’re here. Only a pawful of warriors. No sign of another patrol.”

“Good.” Hailstar nodded. “Come on.” He led the way into the clearing and stood beneath the willow looking at Sunstar, his gaze more curious than anxious. Sunstar watched him and, when Hailstar didn’t speak, dipped his head.

“Sunningrocks belong to ThunderClan. We are taking them back.”

Sunningrocks belong to RiverClan!

Crookedjaw fought to keep his pelt smooth, praying his Clanmates would stay calm. The camp was no place for a battle.

Hailstar unsheathed his claws. “You’ll have to fight for them.”

“We’ll fight if we have to,” Sunstar meowed. “But we thought we’d give you fair warning.”

Timberfur padded forward, pelt bristling. “Are you threatening us in our own camp?” he growled.

“We’re not threatening you,” Sunstar answered calmly.

Crookedjaw steadied his breathing. This was a contest of nerves, not claws.

“We’re giving you a choice,” Sunstar went on. “If you keep off Sunningrocks, we’ll leave you alone. But any cat who sets paw there will be shredded.”

Hailstar took a step forward. “Do you really think we’ll give up the rocks so easily?”

“If you prefer a battle, then we’ll fight,” Sunstar repeated. “But are the rocks worth it?” He tipped his head on one side. “You have the river to fish in. Your paws are too big to reach far into the cracks of Sunningrocks; your pelts are too clearly marked to stalk prey there. It is no use for RiverClan’s ways of hunting. Is it worth fighting for?”

Mudfur’s brown pelt flickered at the edge of Crookedjaw’s vision. It was what the medicine cat apprentice had argued all along, that Sunningrocks were not worth the number of RiverClan lives that had been lost. But would Hailstar agree this time?

The RiverClan leader opened his mouth to scent the air. “I smell fear,” he snarled.

“Then it comes from your own warriors,” Sunstar snapped.

“You actually expect us to give up Sunningrocks?” Hailstar hissed.

Sunstar shook his head. “I expect you to fight for them,” he meowed. “Even though you will waste warriors and blood. You will lose, and it will be thanks to your decision.”

Hailstar took a step toward the ThunderClan leader. “RiverClan warriors fight with claws, not words.”

“Very well.” Sunstar nodded. “Sunningrocks are ours. We will set the new markers tomorrow. After that, any RiverClan cat found there will face a fight that he will not win.” He gazed around the camp and raised his voice. “Let all of RiverClan know that the warning has been given. Any blood spilled now will be on Hailstar’s paws.” He turned and headed for the entrance.

Crookedjaw stared after them, stunned by their arrogance.

Timberfur shot forward. “How dare they?” He growled at the disappearing patrol.

“Make sure they leave the territory!” Hailstar nodded at Ottersplash and Timberfur. “Escort them to the border.”

The two warriors raced out of camp.

“When are we going to fight?” Sedgecreek appeared beside Crookedjaw, dancing from paw to paw.

Frogleap trotted up behind her. “It’ll be our first battle!”

Loudbelly and Sunfish crowded around, with Leopardfur and Skyheart trying to push past them.

“Stand still!” Crookedjaw tried to think. They needed a battle strategy. With so many eager young warriors, victory would be easy. He looked at Hailstar. “We should fight with two patrols,” he meowed, remembering his first battle at Sunningrocks. “If not three.”

“Wait.” The RiverClan leader slowly swished his tail. “This may not be a battle worth fighting.”

“What?” Sunfish stared at him.

“Of course it’s worth fighting!” Frogleap gasped.

“Quiet!” Crookedjaw flicked his tail. “Your leader’s speaking.”

“We’ll discuss this in my den, Crookedjaw.” Hailstar cast a thoughtful gaze over the young warriors, then he headed for his den.

“Why’s he hesitating?” Loudbelly growled.

Crookedjaw silenced him with a look. “He’s had eight lives of experience to guide him.” He followed Hailstar beneath the willow and ducked into his den.

“What good is Sunningrocks to us in leaf-bare?” Hailstar was sitting in the shadowy recess at the back of his den. “Sunstar was right; they can find prey there that we can’t reach.”

“Surely that’s all the more reason to keep them from it,” Crookedjaw reasoned.