Into the Wild by Erin Hunter Read Free Book Online

one last time.
    When she had finished she raised her head and spoke. Her voice was low and thick with grief, and the Clan listened in silence. “Redtail was a brave warrior. His loyalty to ThunderClan could never be doubted. I always relied on his judgment, for it bore witness to the needs of the Clan, and was never swayed by self-interest or pride. He would have made a fine leader.”
    Then she lowered herself onto her belly, her head bowed, her paws stretched neatly before her, and silently she grieved for her lost friend. Several other cats came and lay down beside her, their bowed heads and hunched backs echoing her mournful pose.
    Firepaw watched. He had not known Redtail, but he couldn’t help feeling moved as he witnessed the Clan mourn.
    Graypaw came and stood beside him again. “Dustpaw will be sad,” he remarked.
    â€œDustpaw?”
    â€œRedtail’s apprentice. That brown-striped tabby over there. I wonder who his new mentor will be?”
    Firepaw glanced over at the small tom who squatted near Redtail’s body, staring unseeing at the ground. Firepaw looked past him to the Clan leader. “How long will Bluestar sit with him?” he asked.
    â€œProbably the whole night,” replied Graypaw. “Redtail was her deputy for many, many moons. She won’t want to let him go too quickly. He was one of the best warriors. Not as big and powerful as Tigerclaw or Lionheart, but quick and clever.”
    Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw, admiring the strength that swelled in his powerful muscles and broad head. His massive body showed signs of his warrior life. One of his ears was split into a deep vee shape, and a thick scar sliced the bridge of his nose.
    Suddenly Tigerclaw stood up and stalked over to Ravenpaw. Spottedleaf was crouching beside Tigerclaw’s wounded apprentice, using her teeth and front paws to press wads of cobweb onto his shoulder wound.
    Firepaw leaned toward Graypaw and asked, “What’s Spottedleaf doing?”
    â€œStopping the bleeding. It looked like a nasty cut. And Ravenpaw seemed really shaken up. He’s always been a bit jumpy, but I’ve never seen him this bad before. Let’s go and see if he’s woken up yet.”
    They made their way through the grieving cats toward the spot where Ravenpaw lay and settled themselves a respectful distance away to wait until Tigerclaw had finished speaking.
    â€œSo, Spottedleaf.” Tigerclaw addressed the tortoiseshell with a confident meow. “How is he? Do you think you can save him? I’ve spent a lot of time training him up, and I don’t want my efforts to be wasted at the first battle.”
    Spottedleaf didn’t look up from her patient as she replied, “Yes, a pity if, after all your valuable training, he dies in his firstfight, eh?” Firepaw could hear a teasing purr in her soft mew.
    â€œWill he live?” Tigerclaw demanded.
    â€œOf course. He just needs to rest.”
    Tigerclaw snorted and looked down at the motionless black shape. He jabbed Ravenpaw with one of his front claws. “Come on, then! Get up!”
    Ravenpaw didn’t move.
    â€œLook at the length of that claw!” Firepaw hissed.
    â€œToo right!” replied Graypaw with feeling. “I know I wouldn’t want to get into a fight with him!”
    â€œNot so fast, Tigerclaw!” Spottedleaf placed her paw over Tigerclaw’s sharp talon and gently moved it away. “This apprentice needs to keep as still as possible until the cut has healed. We don’t want him opening his wound by jumping about trying to please you. Leave him alone.”
    Firepaw found himself holding his breath as he waited for Tigerclaw’s reaction. He guessed that few cats dared to give orders to the warrior like that. The big tabby stiffened, and seemed about to speak when Spottedleaf mewed teasingly, “Even you know better than to argue with a medicine cat,