The Spirit-Eaters by Erin Hunter

Author:Erin Hunter
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2019-10-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

“I’ve got a plan,” said Thorn. “You may not like it, my friends, but hear me out.”

He sat in the Great Father Clearing as the evening shadows lengthened, casting golden stripes through the trees across the exposed sandy ground. Nut, Mud, and Spider had gathered in a semicircle facing Thorn. They exchanged apprehensive glances, and Nut chewed his lower lip, narrowing his eyes.

“Go on,” he said.

“I can’t think how to deal with the wolves, and believe me, I’ve thought hard.” Thorn eyed each of his friends in turn. “It’s not possible to make a plan. So all I can do is go to meet with them, think on my paws, and hope for the best.”

“Just hang on.” Nut sprang to his feet, his eyes widening. “Mud and Spider and I have thought this over, and we’ve talked about it, and we’ve decided that that was a silly proposal. Even the Great Father can’t be expected to make those brutes see reason. Don’t even think about going.”

“Thorn, you can’t,” agreed Mud firmly. “I was wrong. Sometimes you shouldn’t listen to me; I shouldn’t have encouraged you. It’s far too dangerous.”

“Spider likes to talk to other animals,” remarked Spider thoughtfully, “and even he thinks this is a crazy idea.”

“Spider knows,” said Thorn with a touch of irritation, “that talking to other animals is the only way to really get to know them.”

“You’re not going to get to know those wolves,” remarked Nut, “before they’re spitting out your finger bones.”

“No, listen,” said Thorn. He did not want to hear any prophecies of doom; he was already terrified enough of his own proposal. “It’s just possible that I can get them to explain to me why they’re doing this. And if I understand why, then there’s a chance I can persuade them to stop.”

“Just possible,” echoed Nut. “A chance. This is your worst idea yet, Thorn Highleaf, and I’ve heard a few.”

“It’s better than staying here and doing nothing,” cried Thorn. “That’s not even an option!”

“Of course it’s an option,” snapped Nut, thumping the ground with a fist, “if the alternative is being eaten on the spot!”

“I’ve got to agree with Nut,” said Mud, fiddling anxiously with his stones. “Thorn, this is a bad plan. It may seem like a reasonable idea—it did to me at first—but those wolves are not the kind of animals who listen.”

“Not like lizards,” said Spider fondly, tapping his own lizard’s head. It gave him an indignant look and nipped his finger. “Lizards listen. Wolves, no they don’t.”

“Wait. What about Big Talk?” asked Nut suddenly. “That lion’s one of your best friends, Thorn. What’s the point of having a lion friend if you can’t ask him a favor? He could round up some more enormous lions and take the wolves out.”

“That would be breaking the Code,” Thorn told him. “And I’m Great Father. I’m not doing that.”

As his friends stared at him, Thorn clenched his jaw to stop it trembling. Oh, he wished they weren’t here to give such good advice.

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