Эрин Хантер: Path Of A Warrior

“We’ll bring the apprentices, then,” Tigerclaw replied coolly. “They should have the experience of being in a real battle anyway.”

Redpaw’s whiskers stiffened in surprise. The apprentices? Tigerclaw thinks we should fight RiverClan?

His head spun, and for a moment he lost track of the conversation in Sunstar’s den. He snapped back to attention at the sound of his mentor’s angry voice.

“We can’t take the apprentices into battle!” Sparrowpelt yowled. “They don’t have any real fighting experience!”

“They’re not ready,” Speckletail agreed.

“And they never will be, if they never get to fight,” Tigerclaw mewed. “They need to be properly trained, and facing a battle with another Clan is the only way to learn.”

There was a long silence, and Redpaw pictured the warriors looking to Sunstar for his decision. He might take Frostpaw and Brindlepaw, but Sunstar won’t let Willowpaw and me go, Redpaw thought. He thinks we’re too young to fight. He swallowed hard. Do I even want to fight?

When he dreamed of being a full warrior, Redpaw never imagined a battle. He wanted to hunt and patrol for his Clan. He knew he’d have to fight someday. But not yet.

“We will go to RiverClan,” Sunstar meowed at last. “And we’ll take all four of the warrior apprentices.” Redpaw stiffened in shock.

“But Sunstar—” Sparrowpelt began to object.

“We’re not going to start a war,” Sunstar interrupted firmly. “We’ll go onto their territory with a full force of warriors. We’ll make a show of strength, and remind Hailstar that he’d better stay away from Sunningrocks. That’s it.”

“We’ve done that before,” Tigerclaw objected. “And it only kept RiverClan away for a little while.”

“This time we’ll be asking Hailstar for a promise,” Sunstar pointed out. “Surely he understands that we can’t continue fighting over Sunningrocks forever. If he gives us his word, we can trust him to see that his cats keep it.”

“I don’t think we should take Redpaw and Willowpaw,” Sparrowpelt mewed again. “They’re nowhere near full-grown, and they could get hurt.”

“Frostpaw and Brindlepaw are almost warriors,” Speckletail agreed. “But Redpaw and Willowpaw haven’t had much battle training yet. They’re practically just out of the nursery.”

The fur rose on Redpaw’s shoulders. He might not have learned how to fight yet, but he wasn’t a kit!

“Tigerclaw has a point about the apprentices’ training,” Sunstar meowed. “But Sparrowpelt and Speckletail are right, too. If the apprentices are going to come onto RiverClan’s territory, we need a plan to keep them safe.”

“We could try dividing our forces,” Tawnyspots suggested. “Most of our warriors can approach RiverClan across the river, but another group can come over the bridge from Fourtrees. If there’s a battle, they can attack from behind, when the RiverClan cats are already distracted.”

“And we could keep the apprentices well to the back of that group,” Sunstar mewed thoughtfully. “Along with you, Tigerclaw.”

“I’m the best fighter ThunderClan has!” Tigerclaw yowled, outraged.

“And I’m hoping to frighten RiverClan off without actually starting a fight,” Sunstar replied calmly. “You’re the one who suggested bringing the apprentices, and I think you should be responsible for making sure they come home safely.”

“I’m not their mentor,” Tigerclaw growled, sounding sulky.

“Surely the Clan’s best fighter is the one we need protecting our apprentices,” Sunstar meowed.

There was another long pause, and then Tigerclaw muttered, “Yes, Sunstar.” Redpaw could imagine him dipping his head, his amber eyes stormy with silent frustration.

“We should announce the plan to the Clan,” Sunstar mewed briskly, and Redpaw leaped back from the Highrock before Sunstar could come out of his den and see him eavesdropping.

I’m going to be in a battle! he thought, his heart pounding with excitement.

Then a cold chill ran across his spine, and he felt his tail droop. Redpaw swallowed hard.

I’m going to be in a battle.

Chapter Two

“See this?” White-eye asked, angling her face so that Redpaw was looking directly into her cloudy, sightless eye, so different from the sharp yellow one beside it. An old scar knotted its lid. “A badger’s claw caught my face when I was just a kit. One wrong move in a battle can mark you forever. Be careful today, Redpaw.”

Redpaw’s stomach turned over. “Do you really think we’re going to fight?” he asked, his mew sounding shaky to his own ears.

The pale-gray she-cat twitched her whiskers thoughtfully. “I don’t see how we can avoid it,” she replied. “Sunstar told Hailstar that the RiverClan cats had better stay away from Sunningrocks. Now that they’re coming back again, I think ThunderClan will have to fight.” She sighed. “I just wish I could help. I hate being useless.”

“Well, having kits is really, um, important, too,” Redpaw mewed awkwardly, glancing at the she-cat’s rounded sides.

“Thanks, Redpaw.” White-eye dipped her head, her mew a little lighter. “Just don’t rush into the fight today, okay? Let the warriors handle it.”

“Are you trying to scare my apprentice?” An amused meow came from behind them, and Redpaw jumped, then licked his chest fur in embarrassment. I’m not scared.

White-eye turned her muzzle up toward Sparrowpelt’s and purred. “I only want you both to be careful,” she mewed. “My kits will need their father.”

Sparrowpelt rubbed his cheek against hers, closing his eyes, and Redpaw averted his gaze.

“I’ll just … be over there … ,” he said uncomfortably. Redpaw turned his back and hurried away, not stopping until he was almost to the fresh-kill pile.

He took a deep breath. Now that he was away from Sparrowpelt and White-eye, his embarrassment went away and his pelt prickled nervously as he thought about what White-eye had said. One wrong move in a battle can mark you forever.

Nearby, Stormtail was giving Brindlepaw some last-minute advice. “Now remember,” the tom instructed, “if they get you on your back, slash your hind paws up at your opponent’s belly just like I showed you. Don’t be afraid to use your claws.”

Redpaw swallowed hard, panic spiking through him. I haven’t even learned that move yet!

Sunstar strode to the center of the clearing and yowled for attention. “It’s time for us to confront RiverClan,” he announced. “Bluefur will be leading the apprentices and their mentors, as well as Tigerclaw, to approach the RiverClan camp across the Twoleg bridge. Lionheart and Goldenflower will be staying behind to defend our camp.” The large golden tom and his smaller ginger sister exchanged disappointed glances but bowed their heads in agreement.

“Every other warrior, take the herbs that our medicine cats have for you; then we will go. Remember, right now we’re just giving them a warning. No cat is to attack unless I give the order or RiverClan attacks first.”

Featherwhisker and Spottedpaw moved between the warriors, giving out herbs. Spottedpaw came to Redpaw and dropped a small packet at his paws. “For strength,” she explained, and Redpaw dipped his head to lap them up, grimacing at their sharp taste.

Once each warrior and apprentice had finished their herbs, Sunstar paced to the camp’s entrance. “Follow me!” he yowled.

The warriors streamed out of camp behind their leader. Their tails were held high and their eyes were bright and eager. Redpaw watched them go, his stomach sour with nervousness. What’s wrong with me? I want to be a warrior. It’s all I’ve ever wanted. Why am I afraid to fight?