redtail's debt: part one

Redpaw and Willowpaw, siblings, are doing chores in the camp while they talk about Tigerclaw. He has been named a warrior and he is striving to be the best at everything. Willowpaw thinks he is arrogant and full of himself while Redpaw idolizes him because Tigerclaw really does seem to be the best at everything. Redpaw watches as a hunting patrol that includes Tigerclaw and Sparrowpelt, his mentor, return. They immediately go to a meeting with Sunstar and Tawnyspots, the deputy. Redpaw listens as Sparrowpelt and Tigerclaw report on Sunningrocks and the endless argument with RiverClan over who that land belongs to. Tigerclaw wants a battle while Sunstar wants to avoid one. In the end it is decided to divide the warriors with a show of force at RiverClan's camp led by Sunstar and a couple of warriors with the apprentices as a reserve force if needed. Tigerclaw is upset that he will be left with the apprentices. Redpaw is both excited and terrified to be in his first battle. 

The two groups head out. Redpaw is nervous and unsure but Tigerclaw gives him a pep talk about being a warrior. Redpaw knows some of Tigerclaw's advice sounds wrong, but he is in awe of the older warrior who is so brave and sure of himself. As they wait in their position Tigerclaw and Bluefur argue over waiting. Tigerclaw wants to attack as Bluefur reminds him they are a reserve force. When they hear sounds of a battle in the RiverClan camp they start to head in that direction but a hawk attack forces them to turn back. All the apprentices run but Redpaw, who freezes in place. 

The hawk focuses his attack on Redpaw when Tigerclaw appears, taking on the hawk by himself. The distraction is what Sparrowpelt needs to save his apprentice. Tigerclaw chases the hawk off and Redpaw thanks him, stating he is in Tigerclaw's debt. Sparrowpelt stays behind with Redpaw and Willowpaw as everyone else goes to see how the battle went. Willowpaw is so grateful Tigerclaw saved her brother she says the older warrior can be as arrogant as he wants. The warriors return with news that the battle is over and ThunderClan lost. Redpaw is upset as he feels he is to blame. Tigerclaw tells Redpaw not to worry, as he didn't deliberately sabotage the plan and that no matter what the other warriors say, he will stick up for Redpaw before Sunstar. Redpaw is now even more upset - and even more grateful for Tigerclaw.

Redpaw and Willowpaw have their warrior ceremony, and are renamed Redtail and Willowpelt. Everyone celebrates but Redtail notices Tigerclaw isn't. He can't stop thinking about the mistake he made as an apprentice and wonders if Tigerclaw doesn't find him worthy to be a warrior. Tigerclaw invites Redtail to go hunting with him and Redtail accepts. While they are out hunting a WindClan apprentice, Sorrelpaw, accidentally crosses into their territory while chasing a rabbit. She is separated from her mentor and vulnerable, and Tigerclaw manipulates Redtail into attacking her. Redtail accidentally hurts her more than he means to while Tigerclaw goads him on to hurt her further. Redtail is horrified at how rapidly events are getting out of hand when her mentor, Stagleap, shows up. Stagleap is horrified over how his apprentice was treated by two warriors and is about to get into a fight with Tigerclaw, who acts as if they haven't done anything wrong, when Sorrelpaw gets to her feet. He decides instead to take Sorrelpaw back to their camp and report on the situation to Heatherstar. Redtail knows he was only defending their territory but he feels that he has done something wrong.

Back at camp they report to Sunstar what happened but Tigerclaw completely lies, making it sound as if the entire thing was WindClan's fault and they are out for a fight. He tries to pressure Sunstar into attacking WindClan and pressure Redtail into backing him up. Sunstar says he will bring this up at the Gathering that night and see what happens. At the Gathering Sunstar and Heatherstar discuss what happened, both saying they heard different versions of the story. Redtail hopes it will blow over but Tigerclaw deliberately makes a comment, loud enough for Sunstar to hear, that Heatherstar is trying to make Sunstar look weak. Sunstar takes on a more aggressive stance and Redtail worries a battle could erupt right there. The other two clan leaders break up the Gathering before things can go any further. Redtail seeks out Stagleap to ask after Sorrelpaw. Stagleap tells Redtail that there is more to being a warrior than fighting. They agree to talk to their leaders to see if they can calm the situation down. But as Redtail rejoins his clan he sees Tigerclaw speaking with Sunstar and Bluefur and realizes he might be too late. Back at camp the announcement is made that tomorrow they attack the WindClan camp. Redtail is devastated knowing that now he cannot undo anything. He tells Tigerclaw this is wrong, however Tigerclaw disagrees with him and is looking forward to the battle.

It took me a moment to remember who Redtail is - he is he deputy that Tigerclaw murders. This story actually strikes me as kind of sad. Not just because I already know Redtail's fate, but because of how clearly he is being manipulated by Tigerclaw. The backhanded compliments, the implications that Redtail is inferior, the constant playing on Redtail's emotions, the goading of Redtail, the lying he forces Redtail to be a part of. The bonus is Redtail is starting to question Tigerclaw and his motives and advice. But will he get out from under Tigerclaw's thumb before the end? I imagine so. He manages to become deputy, assumably in his own right, before Tigerclaw becomes deputy. And, like I said, he is starting to realize there is something wrong with Tigerclaw and he is starting to reject it, even if it is just in his private thoughts. Reaching out to Stagleap was a huge step in the right direction - and listening to Stagleap's advice about Tigerclaw instead of outright rejecting him is pretty huge as well.