CHAPTER 2
The sky was growing pale withthe first light of dawn when Fireheart and his warriors2 returned to the ThunderClan camp. Although Fireheart knew what he would find, it was still a shock to reach the top of the ravine and gaze down at the devastation4. All the covering of gorse and fern had been stripped away by the fire. The earth floor of the camp was left exposed, surrounded by the blackened remains5 of the wall of thornbushes that was shored up with branches where the Clan3 cats had begun to repair it.
“Will it ever be the same?” Sandstorm meowed softly as she came to stand beside him.
A wave of exhaustion6 flooded over Fireheart as he thought of how much time and work it would take before the camp was fully7 rebuilt. “One day,” he promised. “We’ve been through bad times before. We’ll survive.” He pressed his muzzle8 against Sandstorm’s flank, taking comfort from her reassuring9 purr, before he led the way down the ravine.
The bush where the warriors slept was still there, but the thick canopy10 of twigs11 had been burned away. Only a few charred12 branches remained, the gaps between them interwoven with sticks. Brackenfur was crouched13 outside, while Longtail sat on watch near the entrance to the nursery, and Dustpelt paced back and forth15 in front of the elders’ den16.
Brackenfur sprang to his paws as Fireheart and the others appeared, only to relax a moment later. “It’s you,” he meowed, relief in his voice. “We’ve been expecting Tigerclaw all night.”
“Well, you can stop worrying,” Fireheart meowed. “He’s too busy to worry about us. Tiger staris the new leader of ShadowClan.”
“Whatdid you say?” Fireheart turned to see Longtail loping across the clearing. “Did I hear you right?”
“You did.” Fireheart could see the shock in the tabby warrior1’s face. “Tigerstar has taken over ShadowClan.”
“And they let him?” meowed Longtail. “Are they mad?”
“Not mad at all,” Whitestorm replied, coming up to stand beside Fireheart. The elderly warrior scraped the bare earth with his paws and settled down on his haunches with a tired sigh. His thick white fur was stained with soot20 after the journey back through the forest. “The sickness almost destroyed the ShadowClan cats. They were desperate for a strong leader. Tigerstar must have seemed like a gift from StarClan.”
“It sounds like that’s just what he was,” Fireheart agreed heavily. “Apparently StarClan sent an omen17 to Runningnose to tell ShadowClan that a great leader would arise.”
By this time other cats were appearing. Brightpaw and Swiftpaw ran over from the apprentices’ den; Dustpelt padded up with Darkstripe’s apprentice23, Fernpaw; Speckletail peered curiously24 out from the nursery. As they pressed around Fireheart with their questions, he had to raise his voice to make himself heard.
“Listen, all of you,” he meowed. “There’s something you need to hear.” And I have to tell Bluestar, he added silently, bracing25 himself for the encounter. “Whitestorm will tell you what happened at the Gathering26,” he went on, “and then I want a dawn patrol.” He hesitated, looking around at the assembled cats. All the warriors were tired; those who hadn’t been to the Gathering had stayed awake to guard the camp.
Fireheart dipped his head gratefully. The brown warrior had never been friendly toward him, but he was a loyal cat to ThunderClan, and he seemed to accept Fireheart’s authority as deputy.
“I’ll go too,” Mousefur offered.
“And me,” meowed Cloudpaw.
Fireheart let out a purr of appreciation28 at his apprentice’s words. He was pleased that his sister’s son was working harder for the Clan and showing more commitment to Clan life, after the disastrous29 episode when he was taken away by Twolegs and had to be rescued. “Dustpelt, Mousefur, Cloudpaw, and Ashpaw, then,” he meowed. “The rest of you get some sleep. We’ll need hunting patrols later on.”
“What about you?” asked Darkstripe.
Fireheart took a deep breath. “I’m going to speak to Bluestar.”
The curtain of lichen30 had been burned away from the entrance to Bluestar’s den at the base of the Highrock. As Fireheart approached, Cinderpelt, Thunderclan’s medicine cat, emerged into the clearing and paused to stretch. Her dark gray fur was ruffled31, and she looked worn out from the strain of caring for the Clan in the aftermath of the fire, but the strength of her spirit still shone in her blue eyes. Fireheart was reminded of the time when she had been his eager apprentice, until she had been lured32 too close to the Thunderpath, in a trap which Tigerclaw had set for Bluestar. The young cat’s leg had been permanently33 injured so she could never be a warrior, but she had always kept her commitment to serving her Clan.
Fireheart padded up to her. “How is Bluestar today?” he asked quietly.
Cinderpelt cast a worried glance back into the den. “She didn’t sleep last night,” she replied. “I’ve given her juniper berries to calm her, but I don’t know if they’ll do any good.”
“I need to tell her what happened at the Gathering,” Fireheart meowed. “And she’s not going to like it.”
Cinderpelt’s eyes narrowed. “Why not?”
As quickly as he could, Fireheart told her.
Cinderpelt listened in shocked silence, her blue eyes wide with amazement34. “What will you do?” she asked when Fireheart had finished.
“There isn’t much I cando. Besides, it could be a good thing for ThunderClan. Tigerstar’s got what he wants now, and with any luck he’s going to be far too busy working his new Clan into shape to bother about us.” Seeing that Cinderpelt looked disbelieving, he added hastily, “Who they choose for leader is ShadowClan’s business. We’ll have to keep a watch on our borders, but I don’t believe Tigerstar will be much of a threat, for a while, at least. I’m more worried about how Bluestar is going to take it.”
“This is going to make her worse,” Cinderpaw meowed anxiously. “I only hope I can find the right herbs to help her. I wish Yellowfang were here.”
“I know.” Fireheart pressed himself comfortingly against Cinderpelt’s side. “But you’ll be fine. You’re a great medicine cat.”
“It’s not just that.” Cinderpelt’s voice dropped to a painful whisper. “I missher, Fireheart! I keep waiting for her to tell me I haven’t the sense of a newborn kit—at least when she praised me, I knew she really meant it. I want her,Fireheart—her scent35 and the feel of her fur and the sound of her voice.”
“I know,” Fireheart murmured. He felt an emptiness inside as memories of the old cat flooded over him. He had been very close to Yellowfang, ever since he had discovered her living as a rogue36 in ThunderClan territory. “But she hunts with StarClan now.”
And perhaps she had found peace at last, he reflected, as he remembered the torment37 in Yellowfang’s voice as she died thinking of her son, Brokentail—the murderous cat she had never stopped loving, even though he had grown up without knowing she was his mother. In the end she had killed him to save her adopted Clan from his bloodthirsty scheming. Yellowfang’s pain was at an end, but Fireheart could not imagine that he would ever stop missing her.
“You go to Highstones soon, don’t you?” he reminded Cinderpelt. “To meet the other medicine cats? I think you’ll feel very close to Yellowfang then.”
“Maybe you’re right.” Cinderpelt pushed away from him. “I can just hear Yellowfang now,” she meowed. “‘Why are you standing38 around moaning when there’s work to be done?’ You go and talk to Bluestar. I’ll look in on her again a bit later on.”
“If you’re sure you’re okay,” mewed Fireheart.
“I’m fine.” Cinderpelt gave his ear a quick lick. “Be strong for her, Fireheart,” she urged. “She needs you more than ever.”
Fireheart watched the medicine cat as she limped rapidly away, and then turned toward Bluestar’s den. Taking a deep breath, he called a greeting and entered through the gap where the lichen used to grow.
Bluestar was crouched on a pile of bedding at the back of the cave, her forepaws tucked under her chest. Her head was raised, but she was not looking at Fireheart. Instead her blue eyes were blank, fixed39 on something far away that only she could see. Her pelt14 was rough and unwashed, and she was so thin that Fireheart could see every rib40. His heart twisted with pity for her and fear for the rest of his Clan. Their leader had diminished into an old, sick cat, broken by trouble and unable to defend herself, let alone her Clan.
“Bluestar?” Fireheart meowed hesitantly.
At first he thought that Bluestar had not heard him. Then, as he padded farther into the den, she turned her head. Her cloudy blue gaze focused on him, and for a heartbeat she looked puzzled, as if she couldn’t remember who he was.
Fireheart dipped his head respectfully. “I’m just back from the Gathering, Bluestar. I’m afraid there’s bad news.” He paused.
“ShadowClan has a new leader,” Fireheart meowed. He plunged43 straight on. “It’s Tigerclaw—Tiger starnow.”
In an instant, Bluestar leaped to her paws. Her eyes blazed cold fire, and Fireheart flinched44 at the reminder45 of the formidable cat she had once been. “That’s impossible!” she hissed46.
“No, it’s true. I saw him myself. He spoke from the Great Rock, with the other leaders.”
For a few moments Bluestar did not reply. She paced from one side of the den to the other and back again, her tail lashing47. Fireheart backed toward the entrance, not at all sure that Bluestar wouldn’t attack him for bringing this terrible news
“How dare ShadowClan do this?” she spat48 at last. “How dare they shelter the cat who tried to murder me—and make him their leader!”
“Bluestar, they don’t know—” Fireheart began, but the ThunderClan leader was not listening to him.
“And the other leaders?” she demanded. “What did they think? How could they let this happen?”
“No cat knows what Tigerstar did to ThunderClan.” Fireheart struggled to make Bluestar think logically. “Crookedstar didn’t say much, although Tallstar was unhappy at first that Tigerstar had taken Brokentail’s old followers49 back into the Clan.”
“Tallstar!” Bluestar spat. “We should know by now that we can’t trust him. After all, it didn’t take him long to forget what we did for his Clan, after you and Graystripe risked your lives to find them and bring them home.”
Fireheart started to protest, but Bluestar ignored him. “StarClan have abandoned me!” she went on, still pacing furiously. “They told me that fire would save the Clan, but fire has almost destroyed us. How can I ever trust StarClan again—especially now? They have granted a leader’s nine lives to that traitor. They care nothing for me or for ThunderClan!”
Fireheart flinched. “Bluestar, listen—”
“No, Fireheart, you listen.” Bluestar padded over to him. Her fur was fluffed up and her teeth bared in anger. “ThunderClan is doomed50. Tigerstar will lead ShadowClan to destroy us all—and we can expect no help from StarClan.”
“Tigerstar didn’t seem hostile.” Fireheart was desperately51 trying to get through to his leader. “When he spoke, all he seemed to care about was leading his new Clan.”
Bluestar let out a crack of harsh laughter. “If you believe that, Fireheart, you’re a fool. Tigerstar will be here before leaf-fall; you mark my words. But he’ll find us waiting for him. If we’re all going to die, we’ll take a few of ShadowClan with us.”
“Double the patrols,” she ordered. “Set a watch on the camp. Send cats to guard the border with ShadowClan.”
“We haven’t enough warriors for all that,” Fireheart objected. “Every cat is exhausted53 with the extra work rebuilding the camp. It’s all we can do to keep up the regular patrols.”
“Are you questioning my orders?” Bluestar whipped around to face him again, drawing her lips back in a snarl54. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Or are you going to betray me too?”
“No, Bluestar, no! You can trust me.” Fireheart tensed his muscles, half expecting that he would need to dodge55 Bluestar’s slashing56 claws.
Suddenly the old leader relaxed. “I know, Fireheart. You’ve always been loyal, not like those others.” As if the strength of her fury had exhausted her, she limped back to her bedding.
“Set the patrols,” she ordered, sinking down in the soft moss57 and heather. “Do it now, before ShadowClan makes crowfood of us all.”
“Yes, Bluestar.” Fireheart saw no point in arguing any more. He bowed his head and backed out of the den. Bluestar’s gaze was once more fixed on something unseen. Fireheart wondered if she was looking into the future, and watching the destruction of her Clan.
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1
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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devastation
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| n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤 | |
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remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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reassuring
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| a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的 | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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charred
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| v.把…烧成炭( char的过去式)；烧焦 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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soot
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| n.煤烟，烟尘；vt.熏以煤烟 | |
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traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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spoke
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| 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 | |
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appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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lichen
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| n.地衣, 青苔 | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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lured
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| 吸引，引诱（lure的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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permanently
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| adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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rib
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| n.肋骨，肋状物 | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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irritable
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| adj.急躁的；过敏的；易怒的 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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flinched
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| v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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reminder
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| n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示 | |
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hissed
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| 发嘶嘶声( hiss的过去式和过去分词 )； 发嘘声表示反对 | |
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47
lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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48
spat
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| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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53
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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54
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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55
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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56
slashing
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| adj.尖锐的；苛刻的；鲜明的；乱砍的v.挥砍( slash的现在分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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