Her head came up and her sad eyes brightened with gratitude. “Really?”
“Come with me, Lick,” he said softly, nudging her to her paws and shepherding her back to the sleeping dogs.
“Thanks, Lucky.” Lick yawned and trod a circle.
Together they lay down, curled together, and he felt her muscles relax and her breathing deepen. In a short time he knew she was fast asleep.
Lucky wished he were, too. For all the comfort he’d tried to give Lick, a voice of warning still barked in his head. All he could see when he closed his eyes was Lick, standing stiff-legged over the corpse of Terror. Terror, who’d been dying so slowly, bleeding into the earth, and who had been so suddenly, so entirely dead.
What happened, Lick? What did you do?
As slivers of pale dawn light penetrated the trees, the dogs stretched and rose. Lucky’s head was fuzzy with lack of sleep, but he knew there was no point worrying. There was only one way to take his mind off his tiredness, and wake himself properly.
“Bella,” he whined, nudging her with his muzzle. “Let’s hunt some breakfast.”
Eagerly she got to her paws and trotted alongside him. There were no rabbits in the dense woodland, and the birds stayed frustratingly in the treetops, whistling and chirping taunts at the dogs, but with patience and persistence the two managed to stalk and kill some fat squirrels that were too Red Leaf sleepy to escape.
“Three, and a weasel.” Bella sniffed at their haul. “Shall we try for more?”
“This should keep us all going for a while,” said Lucky, pawing at the limp weasel. “It’s not much, but we should get moving, I think.”
Back at the camp, the dogs shared the prey without regard for Pack status. Moon, though, sniffed at a squirrel haunch, but turned her head away.
“I’m really not hungry,” she murmured. “The rest of you share this.”
“Moon, no.” Worried, Lucky licked her nose. “There’s a long journey ahead of us. You must eat.”
Reluctantly she nibbled at the chunk of flesh, but did little more than paw it like a sharpclaw with a mouse. After only two proper mouthfuls, she shoved the haunch away again. She turned her head, coughing harshly.
“I can’t. That’ll have to do, Lucky.”
“All right.” He nuzzled her neck. “I understand.”
But I’ll keep an eye on you, Moon. You must stay with us—I won’t lose another dog.
Still tired, and hobbling with their aches and pains, the small Pack set off again, letting Martha take the lead this time. Before long the huge, black dog had sniffed out the River-Dog, and Lucky felt a little energy return to his bruised body as he gazed at the glinting, silver water.
“We just have to follow the stream,” he said, wagging his tail limply. “We’ll be back in the longpaw settlement soon, and then we’ll have the Pack’s scent to lead us.”
Soft grass and earth gave way under their paws to the rough hardstone of longpaw tracks, and the shadows of houses stretched across their path. Padding through the streets, they scented the ground, seeking out the trail of the Pack. Was it Lucky’s imagination, or was the stench of death fainter than it had been?
Perhaps it’s because Red Leaf is growing colder. Or perhaps the longpaws are finally being taken by Earth-Dog. With a stab of sadness, he thought again of Fiery in his lonely grave.
“We won’t know which way the Pack went,” whined Lick dolefully.
“Of course we will,” barked Lucky. “Sweet—Beta—promised to leave a scent-trail, and I trust her. Don’t worry. Use your nose.” He brightened. “There! Smell someone familiar?”
Lick sniffed the ground hesitantly, and her head popped up. “Sunshine! And Beta!”
“I knew they wouldn’t let us down.” Lucky felt happy for what felt like the first time in days. “If the scent stays strong, we’ll find them again. I promise!”
His muscles ached and his paw pads stung by the time they had followed the trail out of the longpaw streets and down into another narrow valley. How must the others be feeling? He wondered. Lucky made his legs work on, one pawstep at a time. He felt that if he ever stopped walking, he wouldn’t be able to start again. He’d simply curl up and sleep forever. . . .
Something tingled in his nostrils, and he halted, one paw lifted. “What’s that?”
Bella raised her head. “I’m not sure.”
“It’s like nothing I’ve smelled before.” Twitch wrinkled his nose, curious.
It was strange, thought Lucky: a tangy, salty scent that floated on the air. It wasn’t coming from the grass or the river or the trees—it was as if they could scent something vast, and wild, far away. He curled his upper lip, trying to identify it, but it remained tantalizingly distant. There was nothing to do but walk on, every muscle hurting. Twitch was limping badly now, and Lucky felt a prickle of anxiety.
The Sun-Dog slipped farther down the clear sky, and Moon-Dog was stretching and rising into the dusk. She was not quite full, but she was huge and white, and Lucky’s eyes kept returning to her as she rose high. They would not catch up with the Pack tonight, he knew. The others are as exhausted as I am, and no-sun will be here soon. Indeed, the Sun-Dog had already curled to sleep below the horizon, staining the sky gold and orange.
We have to stop. But I don’t want them to lose heart at not finding the others. I must do something to raise their spirits.
Moon-Dog, help me. . . . Lucky tilted his head back to watch her, glowing silver above him.
And suddenly he knew. He wagged his tail as energy returned to his limbs.
“Stop, all of you,” he barked. “We’ll camp for the night.”
Every dog paused and eyed him wearily.
He turned to Lick. “We’re going to do something we should have done already,” he barked. “A special ceremony.”
Lick took a breath, her eyes brightening with hope, and she licked her chops uncertainly. “You don’t mean . . . ?”
“Yes.” Lucky bounded onto a nearby slab of rock. The eyes of every dog were on him, livening with interest. “Packmates, look at Lick. She is not a pup anymore; she has truly come of age. She has traveled a long way with us, and survived a terrible journey. And”—he turned, meeting the eyes of every dog—“she saved our lives.”
Moon gave a soft bark of agreement. “She did.”
“She has proved herself a worthy Pack member.” Lucky took a breath. “If Alpha was here, he would not deny Lick her name now.”
Martha exchanged a doubtful glance with Bella. “Are you sure?”
Lucky curled his muzzle. “If he has anything to say about what we’re doing, I’ll defend my decision. With my teeth, if I have to.”
As he waited, the silence stretched. Bella turned anxiously to Moon, who glanced at Twitch. Lick sat very still.
Don’t they think she’s ready? he thought.
Martha raised her eyes to the sky. “It’s not a full moon.”
Twitch cleared his throat. “We don’t have a white rabbit.”
Moon only looked thoughtful. She’s the most senior Pack Dog of all of them, Lucky realized. It will all rest with her.
Moon’s tail twitched, then thumped the ground decisively. She lifted her head. “Lucky, I think it’s a wonderful idea. And who says ceremonies can’t change? We are not there for them—ceremonies are there for us. The only important thing is that Lick is ready, and that she wants this.” She turned to the young Fierce Dog. “Do you, Lick? Are you ready?”
Lick dipped her head to Moon, then raised it, her eyes shining. “I’ve never wanted anything more,” she whispered.
“Then climb up here,” barked Lucky, leaping down from the rock slab. It wasn’t as big as the stone where Beetle and Thorn had been named, but it was pale in the moonlight, with veins of silver. “We can’t offer you a rabbit fur, but we can bring you gifts. Come on—every dog find something to celebrate the dog who saved us from Terror. Let’s honor Lick’s new name!”
It was as if Lightning
had struck the little Pack and filled them with his sizzling energy. Exhaustion was shaken off as the dogs darted happily into the trees in search of tokens for Lick.
Pale things were easy to find in the gleaming Moon-Dog light. Martha trotted back with a smooth, white pebble in her jaws, and clattered it down on the stone in front of Lick. Moon padded back and forth among the bushes, and at last seized a white flower in her teeth, snapping it off and bringing it to the rock. Its petals shone pale and perfect. Twitch hobbled out of the trees carrying a stick in his mouth; Lucky saw it was a birch twig, still sheathed in silver bark. Bella’s offering was a delicate, gray leaf that gleamed in the Moon-Dog’s beam.
They’ve done a bit too well, thought Lucky, amazed and rather aghast. What can I bring to the rock? Hopelessly his gaze scoured the ground.
There! It isn’t white, but it’s perfect.
At the edge of the trees was a gigantic gnarled oak, its exposed roots twisted through the bare ground beneath it. Lucky padded to the base of it and carefully picked up a tiny acorn, still in its cup. Gently he laid it on the rock at Lick’s paws.
“For you, Lick,” he told her solemnly. “You’re still young, but I think you will grow to be something great, something strong. Especially with powerful roots among our Pack.”
The young Fierce Dog still sat motionless on the rock slab, dazed. For long moments she was silent, her eyes closed and her face upturned to the Moon-Dog, but Lucky could see her heart beating against her chest. What must she be feeling? he wondered.
Memories swirled around his brain—the running feet of the longpaws, the yellow hair of their smallest Pack member, the acrid tang of the red-tipped stick, and the frightening death-smell inside their house. Their alarmed cries and barks rang inside his head: the noise that helped him find himself. Lucky. I was Lucky. I still am. I’m with a Pack who like and respect me as an equal member. I’m helping another young dog discover her fate and the way the world works. I’m teaching her how to be part of a Pack: a noble, valuable, loved dog.
The young dog’s eyes snapped open. New raindrops began to fall, trickling down her muzzle, dampening her fur. She blinked around at the other dogs as Lucky waited, his heart tight with anticipation.
Distantly Lightning leaped across the sky, and thunder rumbled overhead. Quickly, Lick! Before the Sky-Dogs fight and the Moon-Dog hides away . . .
The young Fierce Dog drew herself up proudly and gave a bark of joy.
“Storm. I choose the name Storm.”
At once the other dogs began to yelp in delight, bounding forward to congratulate their newly named Packmate. Even Moon barked her approval, happy for Lick despite her grief. Only Lucky stayed where he was, rooted to the ground as firmly as the great oak.
A shudder ran through his bones. Surely it’s only a coincidence.
But what if it wasn’t? What if the Storm of Dogs was beginning, right now?
Oh, Storm. Will you be at the heart of the war?
BACK ADS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ERIN HUNTER is inspired by a fascination with the ferocity of the natural world. As well as having great respect for nature in all its forms, Erin enjoys creating rich mythical explanations for animal behavior. She is also the author of the bestselling Warriors and Seekers series. Visit her online at www.survivorsdogs.com.
Visit www.AuthorTracker.com for exclusive information on your favorite HarperCollins authors and artists.
BOOKS BY ERIN HUNTER
Book One: The Empty City
Book Two: A Hidden Enemy
Book Three: Darkness Falls
Book One: Into the Wild
Book Two: Fire and Ice
Book Three: Forest of Secrets
Book Four: Rising Storm
Book Five: A Dangerous Path
Book Six: The Darkest Hour
THE NEW PROPHECY
Book One: Midnight
Book Two: Moonrise
Book Three: Dawn
Book Four: Starlight
Book Five: Twilight
Book Six: Sunset
POWER OF THREE
Book One: The Sight
Book Two: Dark River
Book Three: Outcast
Book Four: Eclipse
Book Five: Long Shadows
Book Six: Sunrise
OMEN OF THE STARS
Book One: The Fourth Apprentice
Book Two: Fading Echoes
Book Three: Night Whispers
Book Four: Sign of the Moon
Book Five: The Forgotten Warrior
Book Six: The Last Hope
DAWN OF THE CLANS
Book One: The Sun Trail
Book Two: Thunder Rising
Warriors Super Edition: Firestar’s Quest
Warriors Super Edition: Bluestar’s Prophecy
Warriors Super Edition: SkyClan’s Destiny
Warriors Super Edition: Crookedstar’s Promise
Warriors Super Edition: Yellowfang’s Secret
Warriors Super Edition: Tallstar’s Revenge
Warriors Field Guide: Secrets of the Clans
Warriors: Cats of the Clans
Warriors: Code of the Clans
Warriors: Battles of the Clans
Warriors: Enter the Clans
Warriors: The Ultimate Guide
Warriors: The Untold Stories
MANGA
The Lost Warrior
Warrior’s Refuge
Warrior’s Return
The Rise of Scourge
Tigerstar and Sasha #1: Into the Woods
Tigerstar and Sasha #2: Escape from the Forest
Tigerstar and Sasha #3: Return to the Clans
Ravenpaw’s Path #1: Shattered Peace
Ravenpaw’s Path #2: A Clan in Need
Warriors: Ravenpaw’s Path #3: The Heart of a Warrior
Warriors: SkyClan and the Stranger #1: The Rescue
SkyClan and the Stranger #2: Beyond the Code
Warriors: SkyClan and the Stranger #3: After the Flood
NOVELLAS
Hollyleaf’s Story
Mistystar’s Omen
Cloudstar’s Journey
Tigerclaw’s Fury
Book One: The Quest Begins
Book Two: Great Bear Lake
Book Three: Smoke Mountain
Book Four: The Last Wilderness
Book Five: Fire in the Sky
Book Six: Spirits in the Stars
RETURN TO THE WILD
Book One: Island of Shadows
Book Two: The Melting Sea
Book Three: River of Lost Bears
Book Four: Forest of Wolves
MANGA
Toklo’s Story
Kallik’s Adventure
CREDITS
Cover art © 2014 by Julia Green
Art direction and cover design by Cara Petrus
Cover design by Megan Stitt
Copyright
THE BROKEN PATH
Copyright © 2014 by Working Partners Limited
Series created by Working Partners Limited
Endpaper art © 2014 by Frank Riccio
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins ebooks.
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ISBN 978-0-06-210268-3 (trade bdg.)—ISBN 978-0-06-210269-0 (lib. bdg.)
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EPub Edition © JANUARY 2014 ISBN: 9780062102713
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FIRST EDITION
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Erin Hunter, The Broken Path
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