CHAPTER 14
Shivering, Leafpool peered out into theclearing. If Tigerstar looked up, she felt as if his amber1 gaze could have burned away the tree trunk to reveal her cowering2 behind it. Instead, his eyes were fixed3 on his sons. But this was a dream! Had Tigerstar called them to him as they slept, in the same way that medicine cats walked in dreams with StarClan? He had brought them somewhere Leafpool had never been before, a place of endless night where living cats never set paw. Even StarClan, she guessed, had never breathed the dank airs of this forest, or padded through its sickly light.
“Courage matters more than anything,” Tigerstar was saying. “Remember that, when you are leaders.”
“Of course courage in battle is important,” he rasped, “but I’m talking about courage in the way you deal with your own Clan4. They must accept your orders, and if they question you, back up your decisions with tooth and claw.”
Leafpool’s eyes stretched wide in disbelief. Firestar had never attacked a member of his Clan, even if they disagreed with him.
“Weakness is dangerous,” the huge tabby continued. “You must hide your doubts—or better still, don’t have doubts at all. You must always be certain that what you are doing is right.”
Was that how Tigerstar had felt, Leafpool wondered, when he had murdered Redtail and plotted the murder of Bluestar so that he could be Clan leader? When he led the dog pack to the ThunderClan camp to gain revenge, and brought BloodClan into the forest to help him force the other Clans6 into submission—had he been completely sure that he was right?
Hawkfrost’s ice-blue eyes were fixed on his father; he was obviously drinking in every word. Brambleclaw had his back to Leafpool so she couldn’t see his expression, but his ears were pricked7. Icy claws gripped her heart. Tigerstar was training his sons, like a warrior8 preparing an apprentice9 for battle! He was trying to turn them into the kind of murderous tyrant10 he had been.
“But how do we become leaders?” Brambleclaw asked. “I don’t think Firestar will ever make me his deputy. I haven’t even had an apprentice yet.”
The fur on Tigerstar’s shoulders bristled11. “When you hunt, do you expect the mice to leap into your jaws12?” he hissed13. “No. You scent15 your prey16, you stalk it, and then you pounce17. It’s the same with power. It won’t come to you unless you seek it.”
Brambleclaw muttered something, and Leafpool saw Tigerstar’s neck fur lie flat again.
“Don’t worry,” he meowed. “Both of you have the true spirit of warriors18. I know you will succeed if you follow my pawsteps closely.”
“We will!” Hawkfrost leapt to his paws. “We’ll do whatever you tell us.”
His enthusiasm chilled Leafpool. What could this bloodthirsty cat command his sons to do? She shrank back, shivering, and although she didn’t think she had made a sound, the huge tabby’s head swung around and he peered into the shadows where she was hiding.
Terrified, Leafpool turned and fled, blundering among roots and trailing stems of bramble, bracing19 herself to hear sounds of pursuit and to feel a massive paw grabbing her by the throat. There were no paths out of the dark forest. Trees stretched endlessly on every side, and there was no birdsong or rustle20 of prey, no sign that any living creature had ever trodden among these dark thickets22.
Where am I? There was no reply to Leafpool’s silent wail23. What had brought her to this place where StarClan had never set paw, where the spirit of a murderous cat could call his sons to him in dreams?
In her panic-stricken flight Leafpool didn’t look where she was going. Suddenly the ground gave way under her paws. She let out a shocked yowl as she plunged24 into darkness; her body hit the ground with a thump25 that drove the breath out of her.
Her eyes flew open and she let out a gasp26 of terror. A tabby head was a mouse-length away from hers, amber eyes staring down at her.
“Are you okay?” Brambleclaw meowed.
Leafpool scrambled27 into a sitting position, scattering28 scraps29 of moss30. She was in her nest outside Cinderpelt’s den21. The creamy light of dawn was seeping32 into the sky above the trees
“Leafpool?” Brambleclaw sounded concerned. His pelt31 was ruffled33, with bits of bracken sticking to it, as if he had only recently roused from his own nest in the warriors’ den. “Is something the matter? I heard you cry out.”
“What? No—no, I’m fine.” Leafpool stared uncertainly up at Brambleclaw. Had he come to tell her that he’d seen her in his dream?
“Firestar is choosing cats to go to the Gathering34 tonight,” he meowed, yawning. “Are you fit to come? I know you had a long journey yesterday.”
Relief swept through Leafpool from ears to tail-tip. If Brambleclaw had really had the same dream, he hadn’t noticed her in the shadows. But her relief faded as she wondered if he had chosento visit his father in the dark forest. What was Tigerstar going to make him do to become Clan leader?
She got up, still feeling shaky but determined35 to hide it. “I’m fine,” she repeated. “Tell Firestar I’d like to come.”
Brambleclaw dipped his head and backed away. Leafpool took a few deep breaths before giving her pelt a quick grooming36. She had completely forgotten that this was the night of the full moon. Even though her pelt prickled with fear, she wanted to watch Hawkfrost and Brambleclaw together. Would they give away what was happening as they slept? How often had Tigerstar called them to him in dreams before now?
Leafpool knew there was no cat she could ask for advice. Firestar and Cinderpelt both took her dreams from StarClan very seriously, but this dream was different. She didn’t dare tell them about it; she was terrified of what the dream might mean, for she had never heard of any other medicine cat walking where she had walked. In that forest, she had felt farther than ever from her warrior ancestors. If she lost touch with them altogether, would she be condemned37 to wander forever in that dark place, and never find her way back to the light?
Even though it was very early, she knew she wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep now. Cinderpelt was still in her den, so Leafpool decided38 to go out and look for herbs. They could do with more borage leaves, especially if Mousefur was feverish39
She knew a patch of borage grew close to the abandoned Twoleg nest. Leafpool slipped out of the camp and padded along the disused path. The gray, cloudy weather had given way to sunlight that shone warmly on her fur. Green shoots were thrusting up through the ground. Buds were swelling40 on the trees and birds sang above Leafpool’s head, promising41 plentiful42 fresh-kill as newleaf approached. The forest couldn’t have been more different from the dark place of her dream, yet Leafpool could not shake off the terror, and found herself glancing over her shoulder at every pawstep.
Her pelt crawled when she came in sight of the tumbledown nest, with shadowy holes in its sides like eyes staring at her. Then she braced43 herself and padded more boldly through the trees, sniffing45 for the borage she had come to collect. What was there to be frightened of here, for a cat who had walked in Tigerstar’s forest?
She was on her way back, carrying a satisfying clump46 of fragrant47 borage leaves, when she spotted48 a flash of pale fur behind a clump of bracken. Curious, she circled the bracken and found herself on the edge of the mossy clearing where the cats went for battle training. Cloudtail was there with Daisy, standing49 over her with his ears pricked.
“No,” he meowed. “You’ve got to hitme. Hard.”
Cloudtail’s tail curled up. “Don’t worry, you won’t. Come on, try again.”
The horse place cat gave him a doubtful look, then ran at him, flashing out a paw as she went past. Cloudtail dodged51 aside and hooked out Daisy’s paws from under her so that she sprawled52 on the grass in a tangle53 of legs and fluffy54 tail.
“Oh, right.” Cloudtail couldn’t keep the amusement out of his voice. “Do you think in the thick of a battle an enemy warrior will come up and say, ‘Be careful, I’m going to push you over now?’”
“You might.” Cloudtail’s gaze was serious now. “If another Clan attacked us—or other creatures like foxes or dogs—you need to know how to defend yourself. If you don’t, you could get reallyhurt.”
“Oh, all right.” Daisy gave her creamy chest fur a couple of licks. “Show me again what I’ve got to do.”
Leafpool thought Cloudtail had a tough task ahead of him if he was going to turn this kittypet into a competent warrior. Daisy didn’t seem to have any fighting instinct at all. But the white warrior seemed willing to teach her. Leafpool remembered how he had shown infinite patience with Brightheart after the she-cat had been attacked by the dogs, and needed to learn a whole new way of fighting and hunting. Perhaps he would be able to teach Daisy to be a warrior too.
Thinking about Brightheart made Leafpool want to get back to camp. She still didn’t like the way the ginger58 and white she-cat was taking over all her duties.
She waved her tail in greeting as she padded past Cloudtail and Daisy; as she left the clearing she heard Cloudtail meowing, “This time try to pretend I’m a badger59 and I’m going to eat your kits60.”
“But my kits really like you,” Daisy protested.
More warriors were up and about by the time Leafpool reached the stone hollow. She nodded to Sandstorm, who was leading Spiderleg and Thornclaw out on a hunting patrol, then she went to find Cinderpelt in her den. But it was Brightheart, not Cinderpelt, who came out to meet her.
“Borage!” the ginger and white she-cat exclaimed. “Thanks, Leafpool. We have hardly any left, and Mousefur’s fever isn’t down yet.” As soon as Leafpool put down the borage at the mouth of the den, she grabbed up a couple of the stalks and hurried toward the clump of fern and bramble where the elders slept beneath the twisted branches of a hazel bush.
Leafpool let out a hiss14 of annoyance61 and slashed62 at the nearest bramble with her paw. Brightheart was behaving as if she were the medicine cat, and Leafpool just her helper.
“What’s the matter?” Cinderpelt emerged from the mouth of her den, gave the remaining borage an appreciative63 sniff44, then limped across to join Leafpool.
Cinderpelt’s blue gaze rested on her. Leafpool looked up and saw wisdom and compassion65 there, and something deeper she could not name. “Be patient with Brightheart,” the medicine cat mewed. “Everything has changed for her.” More quietly she added, “The greatest gift we could ask for is the courage to accept what StarClan sends us, however hard it seems.”
Leafpool was surprised to see a flash of sadness in her mentor’s face. She wanted to ask Cinderpelt what she was talking about, but she was afraid of the answer. Was she just talking about Brightheart, and the courage she had shown in accepting her disfigured face? Or was she trying to tell Leafpool that she wasn’t needed anymore, now that Brightheart had begun to take on the role of medicine cat?
Before she could summon the courage to say anything, Cinderpelt disappeared back inside her den. Leafpool was about to follow her when she saw Cloudtail push his way through the thorn tunnel with Daisy just behind him. Daisy’s kits, who were tumbling together at the entrance to the nursery, sprang up and scampered66 across the clearing to fling themselves on Cloudtail. The white warrior toppled onto his side and wrestled67 with the kits in a play fight, his claws carefully sheathed68.
“Hey, Berrykit, get off!” he panted, giving the creamy-white kit57 a gentle cuff69 around the ear. “Mousekit, that tickles70. And who’s got their teeth in my tail?” He rolled over, taking the smallest kit with him. “Hazelkit, show a bit of respect for a warrior!”
“He’s really good with them.” Brightheart had returned and stood gazing at her mate with a wistful look. “He’ll be a fantastic mentor,” she went on. “He was so patient with me when I was injured. He worked out all kinds of fighting moves for me so I could be a warrior again.”
Leafpool felt an unexpected stab of sympathy for her. Maybe Cinderpelt was right, and Brightheart had more changes to get used to than any of them. It couldn’t be easy for her to watch Cloudtail spending so much time with Daisy and her kits. But her sympathy dissolved when Mousefur padded up and spoke71 to Brightheart.
“I forgot to ask you,” the brown-furred elder meowed. “Can I have some poppy seed? This fever has kept me awake for two nights now.”
“I’m not sure,” Brightheart replied. “I don’t think you should have poppy seed on top of all that borage. Let’s ask Cinderpelt if she has anything better.”
She led the elder behind the brambles that screened Cinderpelt’s den, leaving Leafpool to stare after them in frustrated72 disbelief. Who’s the medicine cat around here? If Mousefur or Brightheart had bothered to ask her, she would have suggested chewing a dandelion leaf instead of poppy seeds. But they’d acted as if Leafpool wasn’t even there.
Maybe Cinderpelt would make Brightheart a medicine cat apprentice. ButI’m still her apprentice, Leafpool thought miserably73. Even though she had her proper name now, she would continue to learn from Cinderpelt for many more seasons. She had never heard of a medicine cat having two apprentices74 at the same time. Besides, she added to herself, Brightheart has a mate, and a kitShe can’t be a medicine cat. Right?
She felt as if a huge stone hung in her belly75, weighing her down. Maybe this is a sign from StarClan after all, she thought. A sign that I’m not needed in ThunderClan anymore
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
amber
|
|
| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
cowering
|
|
| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
clan
|
|
| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
twitched
|
|
| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
clans
|
|
| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
pricked
|
|
| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
apprentice
|
|
| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
tyrant
|
|
| n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
bristled
|
|
| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
jaws
|
|
| n.口部；嘴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
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： |
|
|
|
|
14
hiss
|
|
| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
pounce
|
|
| n.猛扑；v.猛扑，突然袭击，欣然同意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
bracing
|
|
| adj.令人振奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
rustle
|
|
| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
thickets
|
|
| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
wail
|
|
| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
thump
|
|
| v.重击，砰然地响；n.重击，重击声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
gasp
|
|
| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
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： |
|
|
|
|
28
scattering
|
|
| n.[物]散射；散乱，分散；在媒介质中的散播adj.散乱的；分散在不同范围的；广泛扩散的；（选票）数量分散的v.散射(scatter的ing形式)；散布；驱散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
scraps
|
|
| 油渣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
moss
|
|
| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
pelt
|
|
| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
seeping
|
|
| v.（液体）渗( seep的现在分词 )；渗透；渗出；漏出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
ruffled
|
|
| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
grooming
|
|
| n. 修饰, 美容，（动物）梳理毛发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
condemned
|
|
| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
decided
|
|
| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
feverish
|
|
| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
swelling
|
|
| n.肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
promising
|
|
| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
plentiful
|
|
| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
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： |
|
|
|
|
44
sniff
|
|
| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
sniffing
|
|
| n.探查法v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的现在分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
clump
|
|
| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
fragrant
|
|
| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
spotted
|
|
| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
limpid
|
|
| adj.清澈的，透明的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
dodged
|
|
| v.闪躲( dodge的过去式和过去分词 )；回避 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
sprawled
|
|
| v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的过去式和过去分词)；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
tangle
|
|
| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
fluffy
|
|
| adj.有绒毛的，空洞的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
wailed
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
lashed
|
|
| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
kit
|
|
| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
ginger
|
|
| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
badger
|
|
| v.一再烦扰，一再要求，纠缠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
kits
|
|
| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
annoyance
|
|
| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
slashed
|
|
| v.挥砍( slash的过去式和过去分词 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
appreciative
|
|
| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
shrugged
|
|
| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
compassion
|
|
| n.同情，怜悯 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
scampered
|
|
| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
wrestled
|
|
| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
sheathed
|
|
| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
cuff
|
|
| n.袖口；手铐；护腕；vt.用手铐铐；上袖口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
70
tickles
|
|
| （使）发痒( tickle的第三人称单数 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
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： |
|
|
|
|
72
frustrated
|
|
| adj.挫败的，失意的，泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的过去式和过去分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
73
miserably
|
|
| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
apprentices
|
|
| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
belly
|
|
| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |