Crookedstar’s Promise полностью

Crookedpaw felt a surge of pride as his Clanmates raised their voices to call Oakheart’s new name. But as he joined in, his voice caught in his throat. Why has it been so easy for you? The thought stung. He pushed it away. Who cares why? I’ll be a warrior soon and we’ll hunt and fight side by side!

“Oakheart! Oakheart!” He raised his voice to the darkening sky.

Purring, Oakheart padded from the clearing and stopped beside Crookedpaw. “Wow!” His eyes shone. “I didn’t think it would feel this good!”

“Well done, Oakheart.” Shellheart touched his nose to Oakheart’s ear.

Rainflower pressed against her warrior kit. “I’m so proud of you.”

Oakheart’s gaze caught Crookedpaw’s. “It’s your turn next,” he purred.

Rainflower flicked her ears. “Does that matter right now?” she murmured. “He’ll never be as good as you.” Her words sliced through Crookedpaw’s heart like claws.

Shellheart’s head snapped around and he glared at his former mate. Rage blazed in his eyes. “Can’t you keep your thoughts to yourself, just once?”

Why did she have to spoil it? Crookedpaw fought the anger tightening his throat.

“Ignore her,” Oakheart urged, steering Crookedpaw away. His eyes grew bright. “Look!” He glanced up at the round moon. “You know what night it is?”

“Full moon?”

“The Gathering!”

Of course! Crookedpaw felt a surge of excitement. He was an apprentice now. He could go! He glanced anxiously at Hailstar. Couldn’t he?

Oakheart nudged him. “Hailstar has to let you come!” he promised. “You’re an apprentice and I’m a warrior. Only a frog-brain would stop us from going to the Gathering tonight!”

Crookedpaw’s breath billowed in the cold air and turned to ice on his whiskers. Frosted snow cracked underpaw as he followed his Clanmates down the bank toward the river. His pelt pricked with excitement. His first Gathering! He pressed against Oakheart.

“Will we use the Twoleg bridge?”

Hailstar was leading the patrol along the shore toward the wooden crossing. The frozen river shone silver below as it snaked up into the gorge.

“It’s the safest way to cross tonight,” Oakheart whispered.

Warriors never made use of Twoleg paths if they could help it, but the frozen river was untested, and the stepping-stones were too icy to risk. Hailstar jumped over the low fence on to the bridge and landed in churned snow. Brightsky followed, her paws slithering on the frosty rail. Petaldust ducked under it as Beetlenose scrambled over.

“Hurry up, you two!” Cedarpelt called over his shoulder.

Crookedpaw bounded forward, Oakheart’s pelt brushing his as they skidded down the bank. Owlfur and Ottersplash slipped on to the bridge just ahead of them, their pelts sharply outlined against the white ground. Brambleberry, her pelt pale as the snow, followed like a ghost behind them.

Shellheart paused beside Cedarpelt and let Crookedpaw and Oakheart pass. “I hope it’s a peaceful Gathering,” he mewed.

Cedarpelt sniffed. “Surely even ThunderClan wouldn’t break the full moon truce?”

As the two warriors fell in behind, Crookedpaw glanced over his shoulder. “WindClan might,” he predicted.

“They’ll still be angry that ThunderClan attacked their camp,” Oakheart agreed.

Shellheart padded on to the bridge. “We’re angry they took Graykit and Willowkit,” he pointed out. “But we won’t fight over them tonight.”

Crookedpaw pricked his ears. “When will we fight over them?”

Shellheart glanced at Hailstar. “Probably never,” he muttered.

Crookedpaw peered over the side of the bridge. Moonlight glared on the ice. He looked up, blinking, and saw his Clanmates streaming up the slope toward ThunderClan territory. “Aren’t we going to follow the path beside the waterfall?”

Oakheart shook his head. “There’s a truce,” he reminded him. “We can cross ThunderClan territory straight to the hollow tonight.”

Crookedpaw was out of breath by the time he reached the top of the short, steep rise. Oakheart had already disappeared into the trees crowding on either side. He gazed up at the looming trunks, wrinkling his nose.

“Don’t you like it?” Brambleberry had waited for him.

“It smells horrible.” Crookedpaw shivered. The bushes growing around the trunks were drenched with ThunderClan scent.

“Are you excited about the Gathering?” Brambleberry asked gently.

“Yeah!” Why wouldn’t he be?

“I’m very proud of you,” she murmured. “After you broke your jaw I thought you’d never become an apprentice.” She glanced at him. “But you’ve grown so strong, I hardly recognize you.” A purr rolled in her throat as she quickened her pace and caught up with the rest of the patrol.

Crookedpaw watched their pelts flashing through the undergrowth. Drifts of snow hemmed the trail even here where the sky was hardly visible.