The Endless Lake

by Erin Hunter

  “It’s safe,” she whispered. Then she climbed up through the sky door and Lucky hurried after her, the others close behind.

  As Lucky reached the ground, he was certain they were inside the Fierce Dogs’ camp. He could smell Blade and her Pack, and recognized the heavy red pelts that hung over the doorways. Looking around, he saw that they were in a cramped space behind one of the scarlet pelts. A passage ran behind the pelt into darkness. He lowered his muzzle, sliding his nose beneath it and taking a sniff. Storm’s scent struck him and his tail gave an excited jerk. She’s alive!

  Lucky’s Packmates were climbing out of the sky door and huddling together in the small space behind the draped pelts. At the front of the group, Martha, Sweet, and Lucky peered through a gap in the fabric.

  Lucky strained forward. Storm seemed to be standing on her own in the middle of a raised platform. Behind her, on a lower level, he saw rows of longpaw seats, all of which faced the platform. He realized it was the same platform he had seen from the other side when he’d last been in the building—the one where the Fierce Dogs had made their camp. Peering up at the ceiling, he could make out the elaborate gold flourishes and images of winged longpaw young.

  Shifting his attention back to Storm, Lucky’s tail sank. She was in a miserable state, with one side of her face bloody and puckered, and a wound on her foreleg. Her trembling body was squared up, as though facing off with someone. Ripples of fear ran along Lucky’s back. He could sense the Fierce Dogs had gathered along the edge of the platform, though he couldn’t see them from this angle. A dog was pacing beyond the red hanging. A moment later, Lucky could see who it was: Fang!

  The young Fierce Dog started circling his litter-sister slowly. “What a fool you have been,” he snarled, lowering his head. “To think you tried to make me leave the Fierce Dogs for your disgusting Pack of mutts.” He paused, his muzzle near her ear. “Why would I do a thing like that? Leave an honorable Pack for that band of rats! I should rip off your other ear for even suggesting it!” He lunged toward Storm and she cringed away. It made Lucky’s heart hurt to see Storm being humiliated by her own flesh and blood. He could hear barks and snarls from the Fierce Dogs gathered along the far wall. From the sounds of it, they were all there. Storm’s completely outnumbered.

  A soft whimper behind him made him turn his head. Thorn was licking Beetle’s snout. “I can’t believe a brother would attack his litter-sister,” she murmured. Lucky turned back to the scene that was unfolding beyond the red hanging. I believe it, he thought sadly. Fang was raised by bullies. He’s capable of anything.

  Storm twisted around to face her litter-brother. “You idiot dog!” Her voice rasped as she spoke and there was blood on her tongue. She spat onto the ground and swallowed hard. “You could have left! You could have done the right thing. Instead you stayed with Blade after she killed our litter-brother when he was too small to defend himself. What sort of leader does that make her? What sort of dog does that make you?”

  “How dare you!” howled Blade, just out of Lucky’s view. Fear-scent was rising from the Wild Pack and he hoped they would stay calm. If some dog panicked now, they’d be found out in an instant. What if their scent was already wafting beyond the heavy red pelts?

  Blade continued. “This argument is best decided by a test,” she growled. She stepped forward and at last Lucky could just see the contour of her blunt snout, her sharp fangs, and her pointed ears. Blade raised her voice, addressing her Pack but keeping her eyes fixed on Storm. “These two are no longer pups. It is time for them to undertake the Trial of Rage, the test that all Fierce Dogs must pass when they reach adulthood.”

  “I’m not taking any of your nasty tests!” spat Storm. “You won’t bully and destroy me the way you’ve destroyed my litter-brother.”

  Lucky’s heart swelled with pride for this courageous young dog.

  Blade’s voice was silky when she replied. “You have no choice in the matter.” She turned to Fang. Now her voice was icy. “Kill her!”

  Lucky’s breath caught in his throat. Fang sprang forward without hesitation. The young Fierce Dog flung his forepaws against Storm’s side and they toppled over, jaws snapping amid terrifying growls. Blade stepped back as they tumbled toward her, but she spoke over them calmly. “It is the Trial of Rage that makes us Fierce Dogs: Fang is to drive Storm into a violent fury—and he cannot stop, or grant any mercy, until he has broken her.”

  Storm froze. Lucky could see her eyes widen. She must have realized that fighting back was exactly what Blade wanted her to do. She pulled away from Fang and dropped to the ground, folding her forepaws around her face and curling her tail between her legs. Fang didn’t let up—he launched at Storm, jabbing her flanks with his teeth and raking his claws over her back.

  Sweet backed away from the red hangings and the other dogs jostled around her.

  “He’s killing her!” whimpered Sunshine. “What are we going to do?”

  Sweet whispered urgently. “Listen closely. There is a raised area.” She pointed up with her muzzle. Lucky looked through the gap in the pelts. Sweet was right: There was some sort of ledge overhanging the large room where the Fierce Dogs had gathered. Lucky could spot more rows of longpaw seats.

  Sweet licked her lips. “Lucky will lead a group of dogs up there. Martha should prepare to escape around the back of the building.”

  The dogs blinked at her in confusion.

  “What’s the point of this?” whispered Bella. “We need to help Storm, not run around in circles!”

  “There’s no time to argue,” whispered Sweet. “Just do as I say.”

  Lucky gave a quick nod. She had led well so far and he had faith in her.

  Sweet turned to Martha. “Stay here, behind the red pelts. We’re going to lead the Fierce Dogs away. When we do, it’ll be your job to rescue Storm.”

  “But how will we get the Fierce Dogs out of here?” asked Moon.

  There was a terrible howl from Storm, and Sweet tensed. “Never mind that.” Her gaze was locked on Martha. “Rescue her when the way is clear. Do you understand? You won’t have a moment to lose. You must be fast, strong, and ready to fight. Do you think you can do it?”

  Martha raised a great forepaw. “I think I can stop a dog with one of these.”

  Lucky felt a pang of affection for the stalwart water-dog.

  “Good,” whispered Sweet. “Let’s go!” She turned and scrambled through the sky door down into the dark cave beneath. Lucky scampered after her with Bella and Mickey just behind him. The darkness hit Lucky as soon as he was underground, and he staggered for a moment, almost blind. Sweet was already at the bottom of the metal stairs by the time his eyes adjusted.

  She led the dogs out of the building, then turned to Lucky. “Where’s the main entrance?”

  “On the next street.”

  “I think the Fierce Dogs are all inside, which means it will be unguarded. But there’s a risk . . .” She didn’t finish.

  “Follow me.” Lucky stalked along the thin street, keeping close to the wall. He looped onto the next street and hurried toward the wide steps that led into the red-pelted building. Before entering, he paused to sniff the air. Sweet was right—there didn’t seem to be any dogs around. He glanced behind to see her standing with the rest of the Pack. She ran to Lucky’s side and together they bounded up the stairs and into the building.

  It was cool and dark inside, with plush red soft-hides underpaw. “This way,” Lucky urged, following the next set of stairs that had taken him to the huge room with the broken seats.

  “We need to get to the platform at the top,” Sweet told him.

  Lucky didn’t hesitate. Instead of breaking off on the first level, as he had the last time he’d visited the building, he kept going, climbing the stairs two at a time. The platform must be at the top of the building. Finally the stairs ended. Lucky sprinted along a passageway, ducked under a heavy red pelt, and found himself on the platform.

  “Good work,”
murmured Sweet as she ran to the edge. Lucky came to her side and looked down. They were high above the huge room where the Fierce Dogs were gathered. Lucky gasped when he saw the drop down to the rows of seats below. No dog would survive that fall.

  His gaze shifted to the black-and-tan Pack. They stood along one side of the raised wooden level where Blade had been reclining on Lucky’s previous visit. Dog-lengths ahead of them, Fang was bearing down on Storm. Lucky’s stomach flipped. Fang seemed to be hanging off Storm’s one good ear. She gave a kick, catching his side, then drew her paws toward her once more. The Fierce Dogs jeered and howled as Storm’s blood ran from bites along her back.

  “What’s going on?” yipped Sunshine, who was too small to see over the edge of the platform.

  Lucky felt queasy. “He’s destroying her.” He met Sweet’s eyes. “By the Spirit Dogs, tell us what to do!”

  Without answering, Sweet threw her slender forepaws over the edge of the platform and barked with all her might. “Fierce Dogs! Who fights like that, so many against one? What sort of cowards are you?”

  A mass of black-and-tan heads snapped up.

  Blade’s eyes bulged in fury as she spotted Sweet and Lucky. “Mongrels!” she hissed.

  “At least we fight with honor and dignity.”

  “Dignity! You know nothing of dignity!” Blade howled. “When I’m done with you, I’ll drag your body on the street and leave your guts for the birds!”

  Sweet licked her lips and Lucky saw her pulse racing at her neck, but she showed no sign of fear as she barked back. “If you want us, come and get us!”

  “Fierce Dogs! Attack!” screeched Blade. She bounded off the wooden ledge, charging a path between the rows of seats. Her Pack surged after her like a single dark mass. They piled past Storm, who twisted out of the way just in time. Fang was caught off guard and fell beneath their pounding paws. As the last of Blade’s fighters sprang off the wooden ledge, Lucky saw that the young attack-dog was lying on his side, his eyes closed. Unbelievable. They don’t even care about their own!

  The Fierce Dogs raced through the huge room and disappeared. Lucky guessed with a rush of terror that they were heading for the wide stairway. A moment later, Martha sprang out from behind the red pelt. She coaxed and jostled Storm toward the hidden room behind the wooden ledge. A jolt of elation ran through Lucky’s tense limbs. Storm’s safe with Martha!

  The feeling was short-lived. Already he could hear the frenzied barks of the Fierce Dogs as they charged up the stairway.

  Dart started whining. Bruno’s legs were shaking, despite the tight look of resolve at his muzzle. Sunshine started running in panicked circles and Whine backed into a row of seats, panting heavily.

  Lucky and Sweet shared a look. Then the new leader turned to her terrified Pack. “Get ready, Wild Dogs. Our enemies are coming. Do not be afraid—be bold and courageous. It is time to fight for our lives!”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Lucky heard the thundering of pawsteps. A moment later, the Fierce Dogs appeared. They marched onto the ledge, spreading out like a black cloud and blocking the stairs. Their muzzles were twisted with hate, their jaws stretched back and bubbled with spit. Some pounced onto seats, perching over them like strange black crows.

  The Wild Pack scrambled backward, banging into one another. Lucky tripped over his own paws, his nose full with his Packmates’ fear-scent. Only Sweet stood her ground, her shoulders squared and her hackles up. She dropped her head and took a step toward Blade. A growl rumbled from her lean belly.

  Sweet’s bravery made Lucky scold himself. What’s wrong with me? If we don’t show strength now, we’ll never defeat our enemies. With a deep breath, he stepped alongside Sweet.

  Blade woofed in amusement. “A skinny swift-dog as Alpha, and the City Rat as her deputy. Things must be bad!”

  Her Pack snorted and barked at this.

  Blade sprang toward Sweet, trying to drive her to the edge of the platform. Sweet leaped high into the air on her agile limbs, twisting out of the Fierce Dog’s reach. She ducked low and scrambled past Blade to dive between a row of seats, then spun back, panting.

  “Bit slow on your paws, Bully Dog,” Sweet growled. “Maybe there’s more fat on those bones than muscle these days.”

  Blade’s head snapped around and she threw her bulky frame between the seats, obstructing the entrance to the row. Her look of amusement had disappeared, replaced with icy rage. But she hesitated, one forepaw raised.

  She doesn’t want to tread between the seats, Lucky realized. She’s worried about getting trapped.

  Lucky’s fur tingled with hope. We need to distract them long enough for Martha to get Storm to safety. Then we can make a break for it.

  That wasn’t going to be easy. Mace, Blade’s Beta, was already pounding toward him. “I’ll get the City Rat!” snarled the thickset dog.

  Lucky darted around a row of seats. Mace appeared at the end of the row, blocking Lucky’s exit. The burly Fierce Dog started shunting his way between the seats, using his broad shoulders. Lucky looked about. Dagger appeared at the other end of the row, gnashing his jaws. Lucky’s pulse thumped in his ears. I’m trapped! He rose up on his hindpaws and caught a glimpse of the next few rows. He’d have to make a jump for it. With a deep breath, he sprang over the top of a seat and landed between Sweet and Blade in the next row.

  “You won’t escape me, Mutt!” howled Mace, bounding after him. The huge attack-dog threw his paws on part of a seat. It swung down beneath his weight, sending him tumbling onto the other side of the row. He smacked his muzzle and thumped onto the ground, whining in pain.

  Lucky’s ears flicked back in satisfaction. Call me Mutt, will you?

  Blade started muscling between the chairs. They creaked as she shunted against them, though they didn’t move aside. Then Lucky realized, The rows of seats are attached to the ground somehow.

  “Get out of the way,” hissed Sweet. “This is my fight.”

  She was right behind Lucky, blocking the exit to one end of the row while Blade stalked closer along the other. He couldn’t go the way he’d come—Mace was on the other side of the aisle, snarling with fury. Instead Lucky vaulted over the next row of seats. His heart skipped a beat when he caught sight of Dagger, who had squared up to the exit.

  “This way!” yipped Sunshine. Lucky turned to see her at the far end of the row of seats. Mace had just managed to clamber over the previous row and was jumping up and down behind the seats, barking furiously. The attack-dog’s mouth was bleeding where he’d hit it on the seat back and one long fang hung at a painful angle.

  “I’ll get you, Mutt!” he spat as he bounced up and down, his voice gurgling with blood.

  “Hurry!” whined Sunshine.

  Lucky darted toward her and she shrank back to let him pass, running to Bruno’s side. He could hear Blade and Sweet sparring, but could no longer see what was going on. Most of the Wild Pack was pressed against the edge of the platform as the Fierce Dogs closed around the rows of seats. He hardly noticed—his attention was focused on a gap that had formed on the top of the stairs as the attack-dogs ran to the seats.

  Mace took a step toward Lucky. “You’ll be sorry!” The huge attack-dog pressed onto his haunches, about to pounce, and Lucky bolted toward the stairs. Mace was just behind him, snapping at his tail. Lucky shoved a surprised Fierce Dog out of the way with his shoulder. Just as he reached the top of the stairs he slammed down his paws and threw himself against the balcony wall. Mace was moving too fast to stop, and he lurched down a couple of stairs before spinning back.

  The Fierce Dog’s eyes blazed with contempt. “Now you’re blocked, Idiot Mutt.” His lips wrinkled back and his bloody teeth looked monstrous in the half light.

  Lucky raised his muzzle, standing over Mace at the top of the stairs. “Oh really?” He jabbed his paw at Mace’s eyes. The Fierce Dog blinked rapidly, his head jerking back. He snapped at Lucky’s paw, but wasn’t quick enough to catch it.

&nbs
p; Standing above him, Lucky had the advantage. Again he jabbed at Mace, this time daring to smack his nose. Mace chomped at the air but couldn’t land a bite. “Fight fair!” he snarled. “You cheating rat!”

  “Afraid of being beaten by a City Dog?” growled Lucky. “Look at the big, scary Fierce Dog. We should call you Dumb Dogs!” His taunt was cut short by a sharp yelp from within the rows of seats. Sweet was in trouble! Lucky glanced back. Through the gaps between the seats, he could just see Blade standing over her, pinning her to the ground.

  Blade howled triumphantly. “The swift-dog will pay for trying to get the better of me!”

  A howl—at once plaintive and ferocious—echoed from beneath them on the platform. Both Packs seemed to freeze instinctively, ears pricked.

  It was Storm!

  “Please come with me!” she barked. “You don’t need to stay with them!”

  Fang growled back defensively. “I’m where I belong, and I’m not going to join you and your band of misfits! It’s you who should stay here! We belong with our own kind.”

  Every dog’s head turned toward the barks and they started crowding to the edge of the platform. Lucky nosed through them, forgetting Mace for a moment. Storm was standing at the center of the platform, pleading with Fang, who was sitting a short distance from her. Martha was nudging Storm with a great webbed paw, urging her to leave, but the young attack-dog ignored her. Lucky’s tail drooped in despair. All this to protect Storm—and now the plan is ruined! She must have run back to the platform. Despite everything that had happened, she loved her litter-mate. She had risked everything to save him.

  “We’ve been tricked!” barked Blade. “Fierce Dogs, to the camp, immediately!”

  The dogs sprang to attention, bounding toward the stairs, colliding with the rows of seats and smacking into one another clumsily. Lucky watched in terror as they coursed over the stairs.

  “I’ll be back to finish you off!” spat Mace as he turned to join the rest of his Pack.