Crookedstar’s Promise

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 ThunderClan 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.