CHAPTER 19
Graypaw and Ravenpaw were still patching the holewhen Firepaw reached them. They had left a gap just wide enough for him to squeeze back through.
“No luck with the garlic,” Firepaw panted as he slipped in. “Darkstripe’s prowling around out there.”
“Never mind,” mewed Graypaw. “We can get some tomorrow.”
“I’ll go and get you some poppy from Spottedleaf,” Firepaw offered. He was worried by the dull look in his friend’s eyes, and the way his muscles seemed stiff with pain.
“No, don’t worry,” mewed Graypaw. “I’ll be fine.”
“It’s no trouble,” Firepaw insisted, and before Graypaw could argue, he bounded off toward Spottedleaf’s den1.
She was pacing her small clearing, her eyes clouded with unhappiness.
“Are you okay?” Firepaw asked.
“The spirits of StarClan are restless. I think they are trying to tell me something,” she replied, flicking3 her tail uneasily. “What can I do for you?”
“I think Graypaw could do with some poppy seeds for his leg,” Firepaw explained. “His rat bites are still hurting him.”
“The pain of losing Lionheart will make his injuries feel worse. But he’ll mend in time; don’t worry. In the meantime, you’re right, poppy seeds will help.” Spottedleaf went into her den and brought out a dried poppy head. She placed it carefully on the ground. “Just shake out one or two and give them to him,” she meowed.
“Thanks,” Firepaw mewed. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Go and see to your friend,” answered Spottedleaf, avoiding his gaze.
Firepaw picked up the poppy head between his teeth and began to walk away.
“Firepaw,” she hissed. “StarClan spoke9 to me moons ago, before you joined the Clan2. I sense they want me to tell you this now. They said only fire can save our Clan.”
Firepaw stared at Spottedleaf, mystified.
The strange passion faded from her eyes. “Take care, Firepaw,” she meowed in her normal voice, and turned away.
“See you,” Firepaw replied uncertainly. He padded back through the fern tunnel. Her strange words were echoing in his mind, but he could not make sense of them. Why had she shared them with him? Surely fire was an enemy to all who lived in the forest. He shook his head in frustration10, and bounded over to the apprentices’ den.
“Graypaw!” Firepaw hissed into the ear of his sleeping friend. They’d been allowed to rest all morning, after working on repairs for most of the night. Tigerclaw had ordered them to be ready to begin training at sunhigh. The strong yellow light filtering through to the den told Firepaw it was already near that now.
He’d had a restless night. Dreams swirled12 through his mind each time he fell asleep, confusing and indistinct, but full of darkness and menace.
“Graypaw!” Firepaw hissed again. But his friend did not stir. He’d eaten two of the poppy seeds before he’d slept, and now he was in a deep slumber13.
“Are you awake, Firepaw?” Ravenpaw mewed from his nest.
“Yes!” he replied.
Ravenpaw sat up in his bed of moss15 and heather and began to wash with quick flicks16 of his tongue. “Are you going to wake him?” he asked, nodding toward Graypaw.
Firepaw and Ravenpaw jumped.
Graypaw lifted his head. His eyes were still heavy with sleep.
“Are you ready yet?” called Tigerclaw.
Firepaw and Ravenpaw crept out of the den, blinking as they emerged into the sunlight.
“Training will do him good,” growled Tigerclaw. “He’s grieved for long enough.”
Firepaw held the menacing amber21 gaze for a few moments. Warrior22 and apprentice11, for a heartbeat their eyes were locked as enemies.
“Bluestar will be ready for you in a moment, Firepaw,” announced Tigerclaw. The words distracted Firepaw from his anger. His first training session with Bluestar! Excitement surged through him. He had expected his wounded mentor24 to be resting still.
“Graypaw,” continued Tigerclaw, “you can join my training session. Do you think you’re up to it, Ravenpaw?” He glowered25 at his apprentice. “After all, you got some pretty nasty nettle26 stings while the rest of us were fighting those rats.”
Ravenpaw looked at the ground. “I’m fine,” he mewed.
Graypaw and Ravenpaw followed the deputy out of the camp entrance. Ravenpaw’s head hung low as he disappeared through the gorse tunnel.
Firepaw sat and waited for Bluestar. She did not keep him long. The gray queen emerged from her den and padded across the clearing. Her fur was still matted in places where her wounds were fresh, but she betrayed no pain in her confident stride. “Come,” she called to him.
Firepaw noticed with surprise that she was alone. Darkstripe and Longtail were nowhere to be seen. A thought occurred to him and suddenly his excitement was tinged27 with anxiety—here was an opportunity to tell Bluestar what he had overheard last night.
He caught up with her as she headed for the gorse tunnel and fell in step behind her. “Will your guards be joining us?” he asked hesitantly.
Bluestar replied without looking back, “I’ve ordered Darkstripe and Longtail to help with the camp repairs. Securing ThunderClan’s base is our first priority.”
Firepaw’s heartbeat quickened. He would tell her about Ravenpaw as soon as they left camp.
The two cats followed the trail to the training hollow. The path was strewn with freshly fallen golden leaves that rustled29 beneath their paws. Firepaw’s mind raced as he searched for suitable words. What should he tell his leader? That Tigerclaw was plotting to get rid of his apprentice? And what would he say when Bluestar asked him why? Could he bring himself to say out loud that he suspected Tigerclaw had killed Redtail? Even though he had no evidence beyond Ravenpaw’s excited storytelling at the Gathering30?
By the time they reached the sandy hollow, Firepaw had still not spoken. The hollow was empty.
“I asked Tigerclaw to hold his training session in another part of the forest today,” Bluestar explained as she padded into the center of the hollow. “I want to concentrate on your fighting skills, and I want youto concentrate on them too—which means no distractions31.”
I must tell her now, thought Firepaw. She needs to know about the danger Ravenpaw is in.His paws prickled with anxiety. I won’t have another chance like this….
Sudden movement flashed in the corner of his eye. A swish of gray whirled past his nose, and Firepaw fell forward as his forepaws were knocked lightly from underneath32 him. He staggered, regained33 his balance, and spun around to see Bluestar sitting calmly beside him. “Do I have your attention now?” she growled.
“Yes, Bluestar. Sorry!” he replied hastily, looking into her blue eyes.
“That’s better. Firepaw, you have been with us for many moons now. I have watched you fight. With the rats you were quick; with the ShadowClan warriors34 you were fierce. You outwitted Graypaw on that very first day we met, and you defeated Yellowfang with your cleverness too.” She paused, then lowered her voice to an intense hiss5. “But one day you will meet an opponent who is all of these things as well—quick and fierce and clever. It’s my duty to prepare you for that day.”
Firepaw nodded, completely caught up in her words. His senses were fully4 alert. All thoughts of Ravenpaw and Tigerclaw had disappeared, and the musty odors and tiny noises of the forest rushed in upon him.
“Let’s see how you fight,” Bluestar ordered. “Attack me.”
Firepaw looked at her, sizing her up and wondering the best way to begin. Bluestar was standing35 less than three rabbit lengths away. She was twice his size, so it would be a waste of effort to begin with the usual paw swipes and wrestling. But if he could leap straight onto her back with a powerful enough jump, he might be able to unbalance her. She hadn’t taken her piercing blue eyes off him for an instant. Firepaw stared back and leaped.
He had aimed to land squarely on her shoulders, but Bluestar was ready for him. She dropped swiftly into a crouch36. As Firepaw hit her, she rolled onto her back. Instead of landing on her shoulders he found himself crashing down toward her upturned belly37. She caught him with all four paws and flung him easily away from her. Firepaw felt he had been bundled away like a bothersome kit38. He hit the dusty ground hard and lay winded for a moment before he scrambled to his feet.
“Interesting strategy, but your eyes betrayed where you were aiming,” growled Bluestar as she stood up and shook off the dust from her thick coat. “Now, try again.”
This time Firepaw looked at her shoulders but aimed for her paws. When Bluestar dropped to the ground he would hit her as she crouched39. Firepaw felt a rush of satisfaction as he leaped, but it turned to confusion as Bluestar unexpectedly sprang into the air and let him crash into the ground where she had stood just a heartbeat before. She timed it perfectly—as he landed, she thundered down on top of him, squashing the breath out of him.
“Now try something I don’t expect,” she hissed into his ear, climbing off him and backing away with a challenging gleam in her eyes.
Firepaw scrambled up, panting, and shook himself crossly. Even Yellowfang had not been so tricky40. He hissed and leaped again. This time, as he flew at Bluestar, he stretched out his forepaws. She reared up on her hind28 legs and used her forepaws to twist him away. As he felt himself slipping, Firepaw scrabbled with his hind paws in the sand, but it was too late and he flopped41 heavily onto his side.
“Firepaw,” Bluestar meowed calmly, as once more he struggled to his paws, “you’re strong and quick, but you must learn to keep control of your speed and body weight so that it’s not so easy for me to unbalance you. Try again.”
Firepaw backed away, hot, dusty, and out of breath. Frustration raged through him. He was determined42 to get the better of his mentor this time. Slowly he crouched and began to creep toward Bluestar. She mirrored his crouch and hissed into his face as he approached. He raised a paw and swiped at her left ear. She ducked to avoid his strike and reared up, towering over him. Quickly Firepaw rolled onto his back, slithered beneath her body, and in one fast movement kicked both his back legs upward into her belly. Bluestar was flung backward and fell onto the sandy earth with a loud grunt43.
Firepaw flipped44 himself over and leaped to his paws. He felt jubilant. Then he saw Bluestar lying in the dirt, and for the first time remembered her wounds. Had he reopened them? He dashed to her side and stared down at her. To his relief her eyes glinted proudly back at him.
She sprang at him, knocking him to the ground, then retreated and let him pick himself up before leaping again. Firepaw braced46 himself, but she bowled him over easily again.
“Look at my size, Firepaw! Don’t try to stand up against my attack. Use your wits. If you are fast enough to avoid me, then avoid me!”
Firepaw scrabbled to his feet again, preparing for her attack. This time he didn’t dig his paws into the soft ground, but stood lightly, keeping his weight on his toes. As Bluestar flew toward him, he hopped47 neatly48 out of her path, reared up onto his hind legs, and, with his forepaws, pushed her flying body onward49 past him.
Bluestar landed gracefully50 on all four paws and turned. “Excellent! You learn quickly,” she purred. “But that was an easy move. Let’s see how you deal with this one.”
They trained until sunset. Firepaw heaved a sigh of relief when he heard Bluestar meow, “That’s enough for today.” She seemed a little tired and stiff but she still leaped easily out of the sandy hollow.
Firepaw scrambled after her. His muscles were aching and his head spinning with all he had learned. As they trekked51 together back through the trees, he couldn’t wait to tell Graypaw and Ravenpaw about this training session. And it wasn’t until they reached the camp boundary that Firepaw realized he’d forgotten to tell Bluestar about Ravenpaw.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
clan
|
|
| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
flicking
|
|
| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的现在分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
hiss
|
|
| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
hissed
|
|
| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
spun
|
|
| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
tawny
|
|
| adj.茶色的，黄褐色的；n.黄褐色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
frustration
|
|
| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
apprentice
|
|
| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
swirled
|
|
| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
slumber
|
|
| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
spat
|
|
| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
moss
|
|
| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
flicks
|
|
| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的第三人称单数 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
growled
|
|
| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
poked
|
|
| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
stump
|
|
| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
defensive
|
|
| adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
amber
|
|
| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
scrambled
|
|
| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
mentor
|
|
| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
glowered
|
|
| v.怒视( glower的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
nettle
|
|
| n.荨麻；v.烦忧，激恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
tinged
|
|
| v.（使）发丁丁声( ting的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
rustled
|
|
| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
distractions
|
|
| n.使人分心的事[人]( distraction的名词复数 )；娱乐，消遣；心烦意乱；精神错乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
underneath
|
|
| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
regained
|
|
| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
crouch
|
|
| v.蹲伏，蜷缩，低头弯腰；n.蹲伏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
belly
|
|
| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
kit
|
|
| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
crouched
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
tricky
|
|
| adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
flopped
|
|
| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
grunt
|
|
| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
flipped
|
|
| 轻弹( flip的过去式和过去分词 )； 按（开关）； 快速翻转； 急挥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
puffed
|
|
| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
braced
|
|
| adj.拉牢的v.支住( brace的过去式和过去分词 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
hopped
|
|
| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
neatly
|
|
| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
onward
|
|
| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
gracefully
|
|
| ad.大大方方地；优美地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
trekked
|
|
| v.艰苦跋涉，徒步旅行( trek的过去式和过去分词 )；（尤指在山中）远足，徒步旅行，游山玩水 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |