Yellowfang’s Secret полностью

“That poultice was a neat bit of work,” Yellowfang told Runningpaw. “Now we need to sort out some herbs for this battle with the rats.”

Runningpaw gulped. “You mean we’ll be in the battle?”

“No, but we’ll be nearby. If there are injuries, we can treat them on the spot. Get out more marigold, and some chervil, and we’d better have burdock root too.”

“I heard about the last battle with the rats,” Runningpaw mewed as he began uncovering the herb stores. He gave Yellowfang a look in which excitement mingled with nervousness. “What do you think will happen this time?”

“I don’t know,” Yellowfang responded grimly, “but I’m not happy about our chances. There are just too many rats.” Padding over to the thornbush to unhook some cobwebs, she realized that their stocks were low. “I’m going out to get some more of this,” she told Runningpaw. “Make leaf wraps of those herbs so we can carry them easily.”

Once out of the camp, Yellowfang headed for a nearby oak tree that was covered with ivy, a perfect place for gathering cobwebs. As she stretched up to reach them, a voice spoke behind her.

“Do you need any help with that?”

Yellowfang turned to see Nightpelt. He began clawing cobwebs down and collecting them in a ball at the foot of the tree. “This is for the rat battle, right?” he mewed.

Yellowfang nodded.

“You know I won’t be taking part?” Nightpelt went on quietly. “I’ve decided to join the elders.”

Yellowfang stopped gathering cobwebs to gaze at him, sadness welling up inside her. “I’m so sorry that I was never able to cure you,” she mewed.

Nightpelt started to speak, broke off to cough, then continued, “It’s not your fault. I know you tried. I just wish StarClan would tell me why they made this my destiny!” He let out a long sigh. “I wanted to be a great warrior!”

“And you are,” Yellowfang assured him. “But your Clan needs you to be safe and well more than they need your hunting skills. You can still be part of the life of the Clan. Try telling Littlebird she’s less important than she used to be!”

Nightpelt nodded, but Yellowfang could see that she hadn’t managed to chase the depression from his eyes.

Dawn was breaking as the ShadowClan cats gathered around Raggedstar in the center of the clearing. Gray clouds covered the sky and a thin sleet was falling. Yellowfang shivered as she and Runningpaw joined the back of the crowd.

“This is the plan,” Raggedstar meowed, raising his voice so that all the Clan could hear. “Two cats—that’s Foxheart and me—will draw the rats out by pretending to hunt at the edge of Carrionplace. Brokentail, Cloudpelt, Blackfoot, and Finchflight will lie in wait to jump out and circle the first few rats to appear. Brokentail will give the signal. Brackenfoot, Newtspeck, Clawface, Fernshade, and Scorchwind, you will hold back any other rats so they can watch while we kill their denmates.” His gaze swept around the warriors. “Any questions?”

No cat responded. Brokentail’s eyes were gleaming.

“Then let’s go!” Raggedstar yowled.

Yellowfang and Runningpaw picked up their supplies and followed the patrol as the Clan leader led the way out of camp. Yellowfang spotted Nightpelt watching them with the other elders outside their den. You’re better off out of this, she thought, though she understood how disappointed the young cat must feel, seeing his Clanmates go off to battle without him.

As the Carrionplace loomed into sight, Yellowfang flinched at the familiar stink and the shrieks of the white birds that flapped over the heaps of Twoleg garbage. She began to brace herself to block out the pain of the wounds that would inevitably come. I am whole and well, I have no injuries, I feel no pain.

She led Runningpaw to the same holly bush where she and Sagewhisker had sheltered during the previous battle, though her belly felt cold at the memories it conjured up. As she set her herbs down beneath the branches, Yellowfang noticed that part of the silver mesh had fallen down, so it was easy for the cats to get into the Carrionplace. And the rats can get out to where Brokentail is waiting.

Brackenfoot led his part of the patrol in among the rotting piles, where they swiftly disappeared. Meanwhile Brokentail directed the cats under his command into hiding places among the trees and bushes. Raggedstar and Foxheart were left alone in front of the gap in the silver mesh, at the edge of the closest pile of waste.

“They’re really brave!” Runningpaw commented.