Эрин Хантер - Tallstar’s Revenge

Talltail didn’t pause as they crossed the border markers, ignoring the RiverClan scent as it touched his tongue. They scrambled down the steep path at the end of the gorge, and met the river where it widened and slowed after tumbling between the cliffs. Downstream, thick sedge hid the far bank.

“The RiverClan camp must be somewhere over there.” Barkface pointed with his tail toward the dark green rushes.

Talltail tasted the air. Damp, lush scent rolled over his tongue. Then he scanned the flat meadowland beyond the river, hoping to catch sight of a pelt moving through the long grass. “No sign of a patrol. We’re going to have to swim across.”

“Can you swim?” Barkface asked.

“Let’s find out.” Talltail padded over the pebbly shore and waded into the water. He was surprised by the weight of the current. It pushed against his legs and dragged at his belly fur, cold as ice. He shivered. “Do you want to wait here?” Was there any sense in risking both their lives?

Barkface splashed into the water beside him. “They’re less likely to attack if I’m with you,” he meowed. He pushed determinedly into the river.

Talltail watched the water swallow Barkface’s shoulders. “Are you swimming?”

“My paws are still on the bottom.”

Talltail’s heart pricked with hope. Perhaps it was so shallow they’d be able to wade across.

“I’m swimming now!” Barkface’s call was cut short as he disappeared beneath the surface. He appeared a moment later, splashing and coughing.

“Barkface!” Talltail dived after his friend. The icy water soaked through his fur, its chill piercing his bones in a heartbeat. As the bottom disappeared from beneath his paws, he fought panic. Flailing, he tried to haul himself forward, stretching his neck to keep his muzzle in the air. “Barkface!”

“I’m okay!” The medicine cat’s dark pelt moved ahead of him. Barkface wasn’t splashing now; instead he was moving steadily through the water.

Talltail churned his paws, struggling to keep up. The river seemed to be trying to drag him downstream, pulling harder at his haunches than his shoulders so that Talltail felt himself spinning slowly around. He pushed harder with his forepaws, trying to keep straight, his gaze fixed on Barkface. Gulping air, he moved forward jerkily. Imagine that you’re running. Push against the water the same as you would against the earth. He forced his paws into a steady rhythm and braced himself against the current.

He suddenly realized that the far bank was getting closer. A moment later, Barkface was wading out of the water, his pelt dripping, and Talltail felt pebbles roll beneath his pads. He scrabbled to find his paws, weak with relief to be walking on solid ground. He felt as light as air as he staggered from the river.

“We made it!” Barkface stood on the bank and shook the water from his pelt.

Talltail ducked away before the drops showered his face. He’d never felt so cold! A shiver ran through him and he sneezed. “Let’s find a patrol and get out of here,” he growled through chattering teeth.

Barkface stared past him, eyes widening in fear. “Tall—”

A menacing snarl cut him off. “If you’re looking for a patrol, trespassers , you just found one.”

Talltail stepped backward, shielding Barkface. “We need to speak with Brambleberry.”

Three RiverClan cats glared at him. He recognized the sleek pelts of Ottersplash, Rippleclaw, and Owlfur from Gatherings.

Rippleclaw, a black-and-silver tom, tilted his head. His eyes glittered threateningly. “Did Heatherstar send you?”

“Yes.” Barkface ducked out from behind Talltail. “I’m Barkface of WindClan. I must speak with your medicine cat.”

“I know who you are.” Ottersplash curled her lip. “I’d get back in the river, if I were you.”

“Unless you want to be shredded.” Owlfur stepped forward, his brown-and-white pelt twitching.

“There’s no time for fighting,” Barkface hissed. “One of our kits is dying. I need Brambleberry’s help.”

“A kit?” Ottersplash glanced at Rippleclaw.

Rippleclaw’s tail stilled. “Dying?”

Owlfur showed his teeth. “Why’d you bring a warrior with you?” He padded forward and stopped a whisker from Talltail’s muzzle. Fishy breath clouded from his mouth.

“I’m here to protect him.” Talltail dug his claws among the pebbles. “Would you let your Clanmate travel into enemy territory alone?”

The brown-and-white tom’s eyes gleamed. “Then you admit you’re on enemy territory?”

“Do you think we swam the river without noticing?” Talltail looked at the RiverClan warrior’s sleek pelt. “Not all warriors are half fish.”

“Talltail!” Barkface’s sharp mew cut through the freezing air. “We need their help!”

Talltail dipped his head, suddenly remembering Jake’s gentle respect toward Jay, the old she-cat in Twolegplace. His approach had gotten them the information they wanted. “I’m sorry.” He rounded his eyes. “Please let us see Brambleberry. Hopkit’s life may rest in her paws.”

“Let them see her.” A gruff mew sounded from the reeds and Piketooth slid out. He caught Talltail’s eye, wary and tense. Talltail suddenly wondered if Piketooth’s Clanmates knew about his catch on WindClan territory.

Barkface leaned forward. “If Brambleberry says no, we’ll leave.”

“It’s Hailstar who will decide.” Rippleclaw barged past and slid into the reeds.

“This way.” Piketooth beckoned Talltail forward with a flick of his tail and followed Rippleclaw.

Talltail padded after him. “Stay close to me,” he hissed to Barkface. The reeds were stiff as he pushed his way through. Piketooth’s tail disappeared a few paw steps ahead. Behind him, the stalks rattled as Barkface, Ottersplash, and Owlfur followed. After walking along the river for several long moments, during which Talltail felt as if he was being lashed on both flanks by the springy reeds, they emerged into a clearing. The river lapped at one side, seeping through a thick wall of reeds and silvering the marshy earth. Dens dotted the camp, woven from sticks.

“They look like more like birds’ nests than dens,” Talltail whispered in Barkface’s ear.

“They float if it floods,” Barkface whispered.

Talltail blinked, surprised at the ingenuity of the RiverClan cats. Were they as smart as WindClan?

“Wait.” Rippleclaw nodded to Barkface, then ducked into one of the tangled dens.

RiverClan cats blinked from the edges of the clearing, staring in surprise at their visitors.

“Rainflower! Look!” a russet kit squeaked to a gray she-cat.

“What is it, Oakkit?”

“Intruders!” The kit fluffed out its fur, hissing.

Ottersplash padded across the clearing. “They’ve come for our help.”

Rainflower sniffed. “Why should we help WindClan cats?”

“They say they have a sick kit.” Owlfur prowled beside the reed wall, hackles up.

Rippleclaw reappeared, Hailstar following. The RiverClan leader was round-eyed, his gaze anxious. “You need medicine.”

Barkface hurried forward. “It’s leaf-bare. Our herbs aren’t strong enough. We were hoping Brambleberry would share some sweet-sedge. It’s powerful even in the hardest season.”

Brambleberry’s white face appeared from one of the stick dens. “What’s going on?” She slid out, the black spots on her fur like smudges in snow.

“Brambleberry!” A weak cry sounded from inside the den.

Barkface craned his head, trying to see in. “You sound like you have a sick kit of your own.