Thunder ignored him, turning to Dappled Pelt. “Wind Runner and the kits need you more than Gray Wing and Tall Shadow do.”
Dappled Pelt’s hackles lifted. “But—”
Cloud Spots pushed past her. “If Dappled Pelt wants to go, then she must. She’s nimbler than me. It’ll make her a good fighter. I’ll stay behind with Wind Runner and the kits.”
Dappled Pelt glanced gratefully at her friend. “Are you sure?”
Cloud Spots nodded. “I’ll be more use here.”
“Jagged Peak?” Thunder turned back to the tom.
Jagged Peak’s eyes were still blazing with indignation. “I’m coming with you! This is as much my battle as yours.” He limped forward. Thunder could see his shoulders rippling with muscle. The weakness in his hind leg had given him strength in his forelegs. But he was slow. Clear Sky’s cats would shred him the moment he set paw in the hollow.
“I know you are strong, Jagged Peak,” Thunder told him. “And brave. But this is a fight to the death. Clear Sky will take advantage of any weakness.” Guilt pricked through him as he saw hurt sharpen Jagged Peak’s gaze. “Your strength is in guarding the kits. Wind Runner will need prey if she’s to feed them. You can hunt better than you can fight. You are needed here.”
Jagged Peak held his gaze for a moment, then dipped his head. “Okay.”
Thunder felt a rush of gratitude. “Thank you.”
“Tell Clear Sky I would fight by your side to the death,” Jagged Peak growled. “But I wouldn’t lift a claw to help him.”
“I will,” Thunder promised, his heart swelling.
Sparrow Fur circled Rainswept Flower anxiously. “Are you going with Thunder?”
Rainswept Flower met the young she-cat’s gaze solemnly. “I have to help Gray Wing.”
Sparrow Fur’s ears flattened with terror. “What if you don’t come back?”
Like Turtle Tail. Thunder leaped from the rock and padded toward her. “Gray Wing needs us,” he told her softly.
Sparrow Fur stared at him. “Will you bring him home?”
Thunder nodded. “I promise.” The words caught in his throat. He’d made the same promise about Turtle Tail. This time he would keep his word.
“I want to come.” Owl Eyes flicked his fluffy tail.
“You’re too young.” Thunder touched his muzzle to the young tom’s head.
Owl Eyes scowled. “But I know how to fight.”
“Hurry!” Shattered Ice was pacing the gap in the heather. Acorn Fur kneaded the ground beside him.
Overhead, clouds were surging toward the moon, driven by a rising wind. Thunder felt it lift his fur as he left the kits and headed past Shattered Ice, breaking into a run as his paws touched the soft grass outside camp.
“I’m coming too!”
Wind Runner’s yowl made him freeze. He turned, shocked to see the queen racing out of the camp.
Gorse Fur skidded to a halt beside Thunder and stared at his mate. “What about the kits?”
Shattered Ice, Hawk Swoop, Lightning Tail, and Acorn Fur streaked past, heading for the heather. Rainswept Flower and Dappled Pelt followed, Frost at their heels.
Wind Runner held her ground. “Our kits are tough,” she growled, glancing back into the camp. “Besides, they’ll have Jagged Peak and Cloud Spots.”
Gorse Fur flattened his ears.
Wind Runner’s growl was determined. “Don’t try and stop me. I want my kits to grow up somewhere safe, and the moor will never be safe as long as Clear Sky thinks he can tell any cat what to do!”
Thunder eyed the queen. “We have enough orphans already,” he told her grimly.
“They won’t be orphans.” Gorse Fur lifted his chin, his gaze flashing as it caught Wind Runner’s. “She will not die today. I won’t let her.”
Wind Runner’s eyes glistened as she stared at her mate. “Thank you,” she murmured.
Thunder pricked his ears. Paw steps were thrumming away over the moor. Hawk Swoop and Lightning Tail were already leading the others toward the battle. “Come on.” He dived into the heather. The bushes shook around him as Gorse Fur and Wind Runner followed.
As he burst out on the far side, he saw his camp mates already crossing the slope toward the hollow. Their pelts moved like shadows over the grass. He pushed harder to catch up. They had to meet Clear Sky and his rogues side by side and fight together if they were to stand a chance of winning this battle. At his side, Gorse Fur matched him paw step for paw step; just in front, Wind Runner’s lithe body moved easily over the grass.
Ahead, Hawk Swoop reached the top of the slope first. Lightning Tail, Rainswept Flower, and Shattered Ice pulled up beside her and waited motionless in the starlight. Acorn Fur and Dappled Pelt scrambled to a halt and paced around their camp mates while Frost peered over the edge. As he neared, Thunder could see that the white tom’s pelt was bristling.
His heart lurched as he strained to hear sounds from the hollow. It was silent. Had the battle already been fought? He swallowed back dread. What if he reached the top of the slope to find the bodies of Tall Shadow, Gray Wing, and Jackdaw’s Cry—plucked from their perch and slaughtered in the clearing?
He scrambled the last few paw steps and slowed, weaving past Lightning Tail and Hawk Swoop. Holding his breath, he stared down. Where are they? Clouds swallowed the moon. Flanks heaving, Thunder strained to see over the ferns. He narrowed his eyes. Beneath the branches of the oaks, he could make out the great rock. Three figures sat like stone at the top. They’re alive!
“Welcome back, Thunder.” Clear Sky’s yowl rang from below.
Thunder froze. His father stared at him from the middle of the clearing.
“I can smell your fear-scent,” Clear Sky sneered. Ripples of amusement sounded from the cats collected behind him.
“I’m not scared of you!” Thunder’s tail bushed with anger.
“Really?” Clear Sky padded to the bottom of the slope. “Then why did you bring so many cats?”
“We’re here to rescue Gray Wing and the others.”
Clear Sky lifted his tail. “Then come and get them.”
Chapter 20
Thunder glanced at his camp mates. “Ready?”
Hawk Swoop met his gaze grimly. “How many cats does Clear Sky have?”
“More than us,” Thunder told her.
Lightning Tail squared his shoulders. “We have to save Gray Wing, Tall Shadow, and Jackdaw’s Cry.”
Shattered Ice glared into the hollow. “We have to show Clear Sky he can’t tell us what to do.”
Growls rumbled in the throats of his camp mates.
Frost showed his teeth. “Just let me get my claws into him.”
Thunder drew in a deep breath, fear darkening his thoughts. Clear Sky’s cats were ready for them. We’re ready for you.
“Attack!” He plunged down the slope, crashing through the ferns. Fear turned to energy fizzing in his paws as they hit the open clearing.
Pelts swarmed toward them. The air stank of the carrion scent of rogues. Didn’t Clear Sky care who fought for him? Shrieks seemed to claw at the night air as the moor cats raced among the forest cats.
Matted brown fur flashed at the edge of Thunder’s vision. He ducked as Snake leaped at him, dodging beneath the tom’s belly and slashing out with his forepaw as a tabby reared up. His claws pierced Snake’s fur, digging into flesh as he raked the tabby’s cheek.
“This is a battle you can’t win!” Snake hissed. “You’re outnumbered—and we’ve been training for this.”
“At least we know what we’re fighting for!” Thunder glanced at the great rock, relieved to see Gray Wing leap down into battle. He landed squarely on Dew’s back. The rogue she-cat yowled, eyes lighting with rage. Jackdaw’s Cry thumped onto the ground beside her. Tall Shadow slid into the sea of writhing pelts.