Эрин Хантер - Path Of A Warrior

Stagleap narrowed his eyes. “He’s brave, sure. But there’s more to being a good warrior than fighting.”

Redtail felt uncertain and off balance. “I’m worried that what happened is going to cause a battle between our Clans,” he mewed. “Sunstar and Heatherstar seem really angry.”

Getting to his feet, Stagleap stretched, arching his back. “You’ve got more sense than your Clanmate, then. Much as I’d like to rip his fur off, I don’t want a battle either.”

“But what can we do?” Redtail felt helpless.

“Heatherstar’s a wise leader. She isn’t going to jump into a battle without a good reason,” Stagleap explained. “And I’ve always heard the same about Sunstar. When we get back to our camps, let’s talk to them. We’re the ones who were there; maybe we can make them see that we don’t have to fight over this.”

“Okay.” A wave of relief rushed over Redtail. Stagleap seemed so sensible, his gaze open and steady. Not like Tigerclaw, a little voice inside him said, but Redtail shook it off. Surely Tigerclaw would help him talk to Sunstar before a battle could begin. He’d gotten overenthusiastic about defending their borders, but no warrior wanted an unnecessary fight.

“ThunderClan cats, follow me!” Sunstar’s yowl cut across the clearing, and Redtail jumped.

“I’d better go,” he mewed. “Um. Thanks. I hope Sorrelpaw feels better.”

The big WindClan tom nodded. “Good-bye, Redtail.”

Redtail hurried along at the back of the group of ThunderClan cats returning to camp. Ahead, he could see Sunstar in the lead, Bluefur beside him. As he watched, Tigerclaw and Thistleclaw fell into step beside them.

What is Tigerclaw saying to them? Redtail wondered. He hoped Tigerclaw wouldn’t encourage their leader toward a battle. As much as it pained Redtail to admit it, Stagleap had been right about what Tigerclaw had meant to do to Sorrelpaw. So was the WindClan cat also right that Tigerclaw was always eager to fight?

I owe him everything.

But does that mean I have to follow him, no matter what?

He would wait for a calm moment and talk to Sunstar, Redtail decided. Somehow he would make their leader see reason.

But as they entered camp, Sunstar leaped with one easy bound to the top of the Highrock. “All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highrock,” he called. Bluefur stood below him, her face solemn.

White-eye stuck her head out of the nursery. “What’s happening?” she asked. The elders were emerging from their den, too, and the warriors who had been left at camp during the Gathering were hurrying toward the Highrock, their ears pricked with interest.

“Heatherstar has refused to discipline her Clan for crossing our boundaries and stealing our prey,” Sunstar meowed grimly. Hisses and angry yowls came from the crowd below.

“WindClan cats are too hungry to be trusted,” Sparrowpelt called. “They don’t have enough prey on their own territory. They’re always going to try to steal from other Clans.”

“That’s true,” Dappletail agreed, her amber eyes bright. “But I always thought Heatherstar had too much pride to let them break the warrior code.”

“It’s time to remind WindClan that ThunderClan can defend its territory,” Sunstar continued. “Tomorrow we send a patrol to attack WindClan.”

Redtail couldn’t believe it. “It was one apprentice crossing the border, not an invasion!” he burst out.

Willowpelt nudged his side. “I don’t think they’re going to listen to a brand-new warrior,” she whispered.

“It stopped being about one apprentice when Heatherstar said we wouldn’t dare to break the peace over it,” Tigerclaw yowled. He was standing near the Highrock, looking up at Sunstar. “The apprentice is only the first—if we don’t defend ourselves, more WindClan cats will be crossing our borders and stealing our prey.”

“Tigerclaw’s right,” Sunstar agreed, his expression hard. “If we won’t fight for our territory, we’ll lose it. We need to show them we’re serious. Tigerclaw has suggested that a patrol enter WindClan’s camp and do as much damage as they can. We don’t need to hurt them, but if we show that we can easily get to their camp, they’ll think twice about crossing our borders again.” As he jumped down from the Highrock, he nodded to Tigerclaw approvingly.

He’s not going to change his mind now, no matter what I say, Redtail realized dismally.

“I will lead the patrol, and Tigerclaw, Redtail, Thistleclaw, Thrushpelt, and Patchpelt will come with me. We’ll head out first thing in the morning,” Bluefur added.

Redtail’s belly felt as if it were gripped by sharp claws. I have to be part of this?

The Clan was dispersing, heading back to their dens or to the fresh-kill pile.

Another pelt brushed his, and Redtail smelled Tigerclaw’s familiar scent.

“Are you excited?” the big warrior asked cheerfully. “Maybe you can finish teaching that little apprentice a lesson.”

“This isn’t the right thing to do!” Redtail cried. He felt like wailing.

“Of course it is,” Tigerclaw purred. He sounded pleased with himself, and he looked it, too, his eyes bright and his tail curling high above his back. “The most important thing for a warrior is to fight to defend our Clan and our territory.” His amber eyes stared deep into Redtail’s. “And I want you right by my side, Redtail. I’ll teach you what a warrior should be.”

Chapter Six

“Come on, Redtail! You have to get up!” Willowpelt’s voice broke through Redtail’s uneasy sleep, and he raised his head, blinking blearily in the pale dawn light. As the youngest warriors, his and Willowpelt’s nests were at the edge of the warriors’ den, far from the warm, comfortable spots at the center, and a cool breeze was blowing through his fur.

The den was crowded with cats stretching and climbing out of their cozy nests, shivering in the early morning air.

“I wish I was going,” Frostfur mewed to Brindleface, her paws resting on the edge of her sister’s nest. “I’d teach WindClan to keep their claws off our prey.”

Redtail’s heart sank. How could he go to fight WindClan today, when just yesterday he and Stagleap had agreed to try to talk their leaders into peace? If he attacked, and Stagleap had counseled Heatherstar to make peace, how could Stagleap feel anything but betrayed? Stagleap would never trust any ThunderClan cat again, and with good reason.

He followed the other young warriors into the clearing, his paws heavy and slow. As the three she-cats joined the other cats already gathered there, Redtail hesitated. Maybe I still have time to talk to Sunstar. If I tell him Tigerclaw and I lied …

What then? That would be a far worse betrayal than anything he could do to Stagleap. Redtail had a duty to Tigerclaw. Tigerclaw had saved his life when he was just an apprentice, and Tigerclaw had the right to expect loyalty from Redtail in return. And Redtail owed his loyalty to ThunderClan, not to any WindClan cat.

Tigerclaw was near the Highrock, sharing a piece of prey with Thistleclaw. At the sight of Redtail, he stood up, stretched, and sauntered over. “We’re leaving as soon as every cat is ready,” he instructed. “Get yourself a mouse or something. You’ll need your strength.”

“Okay,” Redtail mewed, moving obediently toward the fresh-kill pile. Tigerclaw followed.

“Sunstar wants us to concentrate on making a mess of their camp,” he added as Redtail crouched to pick up a sparrow. “But if you see that apprentice Sorrelpaw again, or her so-called mentor, don’t hesitate to claw their fur off. We need to show all the Clans what happens to cats who cross ThunderClan’s borders.”