Erin Hunter - The First Battle

Thunder stiffened as River Ripple dropped a dead lizard onto the grass. Is that prey? He gagged.

“Calm your waters,” River Ripple mewed. “It’s only me.”

“What are you doing here?” Jackdaw’s Cry stepped forward.

“You’re a long way from the river,” Thunder pointed out.

“I wanted to see how far the fog stretched.” He peered across the hollow. “It’s swallowed your camp, I see.”

“Is that a gift?” Jackdaw’s Cry reached forward tentatively and poked the lizard.

“I caught it earlier,” River Ripple explained. “But I’d just eaten a couple of minnows. I thought I’d save the lizard for later.” His belly rumbled. “I guess it’s later now. Do you want some?”

“No thanks.” Thunder wrinkled his nose. He couldn’t imagine chewing through the gristly skin of such an ugly-looking creature. He didn’t even want to guess what it tasted like.

River Ripple settled onto his belly and grabbed the lizard between his forepaws. “It’s quiet up here.” He nibbled one of the lizard’s webbed feet.

Thunder looked away. “How can you eat that?”

“I eat what I can catch,” River Ripple told him, chewing. “And with Clear Sky hogging all the good prey, I have to make do with what I can find.”

Jackdaw’s Cry flattened his ears. “We’re planning to visit Clear Sky today.”

“Is that why your fur’s pricking?” River Ripple flipped the lizard around and began gnawing at its tail.

Jackdaw’s Cry shook out his pelt. “It’s just damp, that’s all,” he grunted.

River Ripple stared up at him, still chewing. “What are you going to see him for?”

Thunder lifted his chin. “We will tell him that he can’t keep claiming more territory.”

“Really?” River Ripple ripped off the lizard’s hind leg, chewed for a moment, then swallowed. “Good luck with that.” He hooked the lizard carcass with a claw and held it out. “Are you sure you don’t want a bite?”

Thunder backed away.

Jackdaw’s Cry dipped his head. “Thanks, but no.”

River Ripple got to his paws. “Then I’ll use the scraps to see if I can attract something bigger.”

Thunder narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”

River Ripple looked over his shoulder into the mist. “Small prey attracts big prey,” he meowed absently. “You just have to lay it down and wait to see what comes sniffing.”

Jackdaw’s Cry huffed. “That might work with fish, but on the moor you need to be careful what you attract.” He glanced up, as though scanning the sky for buzzards.

“I guess.” River Ripple began to amble away. “Take care in the forest. If you manage to get Clear Sky to stop claiming every piece of land as his own, let me know.” As he disappeared into the fog, his voice echoed back. “Though I don’t expect I’ll be hearing from you.”

Thunder glanced nervously at Jackdaw’s Cry. “Do you think we’re wasting our time with this expedition?”

Jackdaw’s Cry shifted his paws. “Take no notice of River Ripple. He’s been living on his island too long. He’s turned fish-brained.”

“Where are the others?” Thunder couldn’t banish the queasy feeling in his belly. “I thought Shattered Ice was coming with us.”

“So did I.”

“And where’s Gray Wing?” Thunder’s tail twitched nervously. “He’s supposed to be leading the party.”

“I’m here.” Gray Wing’s mew sounded from behind. Paws ruffled grass as he padded out of camp. He stopped beside them. “I told the others not to come.”

“Not to come?” Jackdaw’s Cry blinked. “Have you changed your mind about talking to Clear Sky?”

“No.” Gray Wing’s gaze shone gravely through the mist. “I want you two to go alone.”

“Just us?” Jackdaw’s Cry stiffened. “But it was your idea.”

“You’re his brother.” Thunder stared at Gray Wing. “He’ll listen to you.”

“Maybe later.” Gray Wing’s mew was low. “But the blood between us has soured. I’m not sure he wants me walking into his camp. It might just make him angry.” He met Thunder’s gaze. “You’re his son. That’s the strongest blood tie of all.”

Thunder blinked. “We quarreled too, remember? I left.”

Gray Wing meowed. “I think you still have a better chance than I do. Clear Sky and I parted ways moons ago. His bond with you remains fresh.”

Thunder’s queasiness deepened. What had changed Gray Wing’s mind? He glanced sideways at the black tom. “Why send Jackdaw’s Cry?” If Thunder was going into hostile territory, he didn’t want to rely on a cat who wished he’d never come to live on the moor.

“To protect you.” Gray Wing’s gaze hardened. “Jackdaw’s Cry fought by your side during the fire. I watched you work together. You make a good team. You’re strong and brave and Jackdaw’s Cry is fast and smart. Plus, he has kin in Clear Sky’s camp. Falling Feather’s his sister, remember? If you both have kin there, you might be safer.”

Jackdaw’s Cry circled Gray Wing. “What do you want us to say to Clear Sky?”

“Tell him I want to meet him at the four trees in a few days’ time and discuss territory.”

“Why not just meet him now?” Thunder argued. “You can get it over with.”

“If he’s given time to prepare, he won’t see it as an attack. And the four trees belong to no one. We’ll be talking on neutral ground.”

Jackdaw’s Cry dipped his head. “That sounds fair.”

Gray Wing’s eyes darkened. “Be careful,” he warned. “Once you’ve crossed the border, if it looks too dangerous, turn back and come home. We can find another way to send this message.”

Thunder lifted his chin. “We’ll be okay.” He wasn’t going to let Gray Wing down.

The mist behind Gray Wing swirled as Turtle Tail padded out of the camp. “Have they agreed?” Was that disapproval sharpening her gaze? Did she disagree with Gray Wing’s plan?

Gray Wing’s gaze fixed on Thunder and Jackdaw’s Cry. “Have you?”

“Yes.” Thunder answered first.

Jackdaw’s Cry nodded. His gaze flicked to Turtle Tail. “We’ll be back before the sun’s burned away the mist.”

Turtle Tail didn’t answer.

“Come on.” Thunder turned and bounded toward the forest. He was running blind, using memory to follow the trail toward the moor’s edge. He ignored the foreboding gnawing in his belly.

Don’t be dumb. He won’t hurt you. He’s your father.

Jackdaw’s Cry caught up to him. “I can smell your fear-scent.”

Thunder bristled. “So?”

“You’re right to be scared.” The black tom fell in step. “Clear Sky has killed at least one cat, maybe two.”

“I can handle him.” Thunder hoped it was true.

“If there’s sign of trouble, we’re backing off, okay?” Jackdaw’s Cry turned his head and stared at Thunder. There was no fear in the tom’s gaze, only determination.

“Okay.”

The moor began to slope downward, steepening until they emerged from the fog. Thunder blinked, surprised by the sudden light. Behind, mist still hid the moor. Ahead, it swallowed the treetops, but the undergrowth was clear and he could see deep into the shadows of the forest.

His nose twitched as he picked up a border scent. He slowed to a halt. It was his own scent, left only a few days ago as he’d marked out this border with Clear Sky. How strange to be an intruder now.

Jackdaw’s Cry stopped beside him, his tongue showing as he tasted the air. A thick swath of ferns edged the trees. “Are you ready?”

“Yes,” Thunder murmured. He felt suddenly exposed. Why had Gray Wing sent them alone? Small prey attracts big prey. River Ripple’s words echoed in his mind.