Every hair on Lionpaw’s pelt1 prickledwith excitement. The moment he’d longed for had come—the chance to go to the mountains! Four ThunderClan cats wouldn’t be enough to deal with the invaders3, not if they were as strong as Stormfur and Talon4 said. Surely StarClan had arranged this, so that he could go visit the Tribe and find out about them, and show them how real warriors6 lived.
His claws scratched the earth floor of the hollow as the walls loomed7 overhead, closing him in. He had never felt so confined before. The weight of stone seemed to press on his fur. He wanted to race up the nearest cliff and run through the forest, across the hills, all the way to the mountains, with the wind in his fur.
“Calm down,” Jaypaw mewed. “They’re hardly going to take apprentices9 along!”
Lionpaw rolled his eyes. “Jaypaw, I wish you wouldn’t keep reading my mind.”
“You mean youwant to go to the mountains?” Hollypaw asked.
“They’ll need more cats,” Lionpaw pointed11 out, ready to defend himself. “Four’s not enough. But Jaypaw’s probably right,” he added, his excitement fading as he realized that what the Tribe needed was help from experienced warriors. “They won’t take apprentices.”
“Hollypaw wants to go, and so do I,” Jaypaw announced unexpectedly. “Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight are going, so why shouldn’t we see if we can go too? Even if they say no, they can’t claw us just for asking.”
“You really want to go?” Lionpaw meowed to Hollypaw.
She bounced to her paws, her tail fluffed out and her whiskers quivering. “I want to find out how the Tribe cats live. I’ve never met cats who are different from us. We could learn a lot.”
Jaypaw murmured agreement, though he said nothing about his own reasons for wanting to go. But that was Jaypaw, Lionpaw reflected; he always buried his thoughts deeper than hidden prey13.
“I want to know what else there is besides the forest, too,” he confessed. “I know this is ThunderClan’s home, but there are loads of other territories out there. What are they like?”
“Well, then, we should—” Hollypaw began, breaking off as Firestar rose to his paws.
“We need to discuss this,” he meowed, “but my den12 is too small for all the cats who are going. Let’s go into the forest.” Glancing at the other cats who stood listening, he added, “Graystripe, Sandstorm, Leafpool, you come too.”
Lionpaw watched as the cats headed toward the thorn tunnel. The rest of the Clan2 seemed reluctant to go back to their dens14 or return to their duties. They huddled15 together, their eyes doubtful.
“There’s no way we should risk our own warriors to help the Tribe,” Spiderleg complained, loud enough for the departing cats to hear him. “Haven’t we got enough problems of our own?”
Firestar’s ears flicked17 as if he had heard what the young warrior5 said, but he didn’t stop to reply before vanishing down the tunnel.
“Things are pretty peaceful right now,” Whitewing pointed out.
“Whitewing’s right.” Ashfur rose from where he was sitting between Cloudtail and Brightheart. “We can easily spare a few warriors. Brambleclaw’s doing the right thing by helping18 the Tribe. Remember what they did for us when we made the Great Journey? We would have died in the snow if they hadn’t found us.”
“Well, Ithink that’s all nonsense!” Mousefur stalked up to Ashfur, her skinny brown tail lashing19. “If the Tribe cats can’t defend their own borders, that’s their problem, not ours.”
Longtail padded up beside her and touched her shoulder briefly21 with his tail tip. “I’d love to go back to the mountains.” His voice was wistful. “I know I couldn’t see where the Tribe lived, but I could feel the wide open spaces and the wind in my fur, and all the scents23 the wind carried from far away.”
“I’d like to go back, too!” Birchfall’s eyes glowed with memories. “The Great Journey was fun! I had three good friends in ShadowClan: Toadkit, Applekit, and Marshkit. I wonder how they are now.”
“Who cares?” Berrynose flicked his tail; Lionpaw thought he could see jealousy25 in the cream warrior’s eyes. “ShadowClan cats can’t be your friends anymore. Have you forgotten how you nearly got your fur clawed off on the border?”
And whose fault was that?Lionpaw asked silently, while Birchfall looked downcast, his tail drooping26.
“Anyway,” Berrynose went on, “I don’t see what’s so great about the mountains. It sounds bare and cold up there, with no prey.”
“You know nothing about it,” Dustpelt rasped, narrowing his eyes. “You weren’t there.”
As Berrynose rudely turned his back on the senior warrior, Lionpaw beckoned27 with his tail for his littermates to follow him out of earshot of the group.
“That does it!” he exclaimed. “If Birchfall could travel through the mountains and survive when he was just a kit24, why shouldn’t apprentices go? You’d be okay too,” he added to Jaypaw. “Longtail coped, after all.”
He saw Jaypaw’s neck fur begin to fluff up, but Lionpaw was too excited to fret28 about offending his brother. If Jaypaw wanted to be prickly every time some cat mentioned his blindness, that was his problem.
“We’ve got to find Firestar and ask him right now,” he meowed. “Before Brambleclaw and the others leave.” He glanced around to see if any cat was paying attention to them. By now the group of cats was beginning to break up. Cloudtail called Sorreltail and Dustpelt to go out on a hunting patrol, while the elders returned to their den. Two or three of the other warriors padded over to the fresh-kill pile and picked out prey. Outside the nursery, Daisy and Millie stretched out in the sunshine and began sharing tongues, with Daisy’s kits29 skipping around them.
“Quick, while our mentors30 aren’t looking!” Hollypaw urged, angling her ears to where Ashfur and Brackenfur were talking together in the middle of the clearing.
Lionpaw dived after her as she bounded across the clearing and thrust her way through the thorn tunnel. When all three apprentices were out in the forest, she turned to Jaypaw.
“Come on, you’re best at scenting32. Which way did Firestar go?”
The scent22 trail left by the Clan leader and the other cats had begun to fade, but Lionpaw could still distinguish it among the competing scents of the forest, especially the unfamiliar33 scent of the Tribe cats.
“You know,” he mewed to Hollypaw as they followed Jaypaw through the trees, “I’ve just realized that Brook34 smells like a ThunderClan cat now. Do you think she’ll be able to settle in when she goes back to her Tribemates?”
Hollypaw flashed him a brief glance. “That’s for Stoneteller to say. He seems to speak for the Tribe.”
“Stoneteller speaks too much, by the sound of it,” Jaypaw mewed. “I’m glad Firestar isn’t like that.”
He led the way through the forest until Lionpaw could hear the ripple35 of waves on the lakeshore. The scent of cats was very strong here. Jaypaw crept quietly up to the top of a gentle rise and parted a clump36 of bracken carefully with one paw. Without speaking, he signaled with his tail for his brother and sister to join him.
Beyond the bracken, the ground fell away into a sunlit clearing with a soft covering of moss37 and leaf-mold. On the opposite side the lake was just visible between the trees. A breeze rustled38 through the leaves, blowing toward the three apprentices, so the group of warriors would be unlikely to pick up their scents.
Firestar was sitting in the middle of the clearing with his paws tucked under him. “Squirrelflight, you’ll need to find a temporary mentor31 for Foxpaw,” he was saying.
Squirrelflight dipped her head in agreement. “I’d like to ask Sorreltail, if that’s okay with you. She’s never had an apprentice8, so it would be good experience for her as well.”
“Sorreltail would be great,” Leafpool added warmly.
“Fine, I’ll have a word with her when we get back to camp.” Firestar turned to Brambleclaw. “I’m not sure that four extra cats are going to be enough to help the Tribe. But I daren’t weaken ThunderClan by sending more warriors with you.”
Hollypaw nudged Lionpaw. “Maybe that’s a chance for us,” she whispered.
“I thought of that,” Brambleclaw replied to Firestar. “I’d like to take cats from all four Clans39 with us. The ones who went with us on the first journey to find Midnight at the sun-drown-place.”
Lionpaw pushed Jaypaw and beckoned Hollypaw with a flick16 of his ears to creep along the top of the rise as far as a holly10 bush, where they could hide and still see and hear everything that was going on. Firestar began to speak again as they settled among the debris40 under the branches, their pelts41 brushing.
“That makes sense,” Firestar meowed in reply to Brambleclaw. “The cats who’ve known the Tribe longest should be the ones most willing to go.”
“It would be good to see Crowfeather and Tawnypelt again,” Talon murmured.
“This isn’t part of the warrior code,” Firestar went on. “I can’t ask any cat to go unless he or she already wants to—and of course I can’t speak for cats in other Clans. But I believe that helping the Tribe is the right thing to do.”
Lionpaw was puzzled. “If it’s the right thing, why isn’t it in the warrior code?”
“It isin the code,” Hollypaw insisted. “The warrior code says that we’re allowed to help other Clans in trouble. Firestar’s obviously thinking of the Tribe as another Clan.”
“That’s decided42, then,” Firestar meowed. “Squirrelflight, you’ll go to WindClan to ask Crowfeather, and Brambleclaw can go to ShadowClan to ask Tawnypelt.”
“There’s no need to go to RiverClan.” Lionpaw’s pelt prickled with sympathy at the sorrow in Stormfur’s eyes. “Feathertail was the chosen cat, and she died in the mountains. I went with her, so I shall stand for RiverClan now.”
The cats in the clearing were silent for a moment. Squirrelflight rested her tail comfortingly on Stormfur’s shoulder.
“The Tribe will always honor Feathertail’s memory,” Night mewed softly.
Jaypaw twitched43.
“This is a good plan.” Talon broke the silence at last. “Stoneteller knows the five of you better than any other Clan cats, so he’s more likely to trust you.”
“What?” Brook’s ears flattened44, and she turned her head to stare at her brother. “Stoneteller did send you to fetch us, didn’t he?”
Night and Talon looked at their paws; Talon’s tail flicked uncomfortably. “Not exactly,” he mumbled45, then added, “but I’m sure he’ll be glad when he knows you’ve come to help.”
“Great.” Stormfur’s voice was bitter. “I get to be told I’m dead all over again.”
Brook pressed her muzzle46 to her mate’s. “Please, Stormfur, we have to do this. Stoneteller won’t be the Healer forever, but the Tribe deserves to last beyond his lifespan.”
“From what Talon and Night say, we don’t have much time,” Firestar meowed. “Brambleclaw, you can leave for ShadowClan right away.”
“And you three can come out now.” Squirrelflight rose to her paws and stared straight at the holly bush.
“Fox dung,” Hollypaw muttered. “We’ll end up searching the elders for ticks instead of going to the mountains.”
“Come on,” Squirrelflight repeated. “If you don’t want to be seen, Lionpaw, don’t leave your tail sticking out.”
His fur hot with embarrassment47, Lionpaw emerged from the bush and padded down the slope toward his mother. “Mouse-brain!” Hollypaw hissed48 as she followed him with Jaypaw.
“You shouldn’t have been spying,” Squirrelflight mewed severely49 when the three apprentices were standing50 in front of her. “Cats who listen uninvited might hear things they don’t want to.”
“But we had to listen!” Lionpaw burst out. “We want to go with you!”
Squirrelflight’s green eyes stretched wide in astonishment51, while Brambleclaw’s neck fur was fluffing up ominously52. But to Lionpaw’s relief Firestar blinked in amusement.
“Don’t be angry with them,” he told Squirrelflight. “They remind me of a certain ginger53 apprentice who also insisted on going on a journey when she hadn’t been invited.”
Squirrelflight huffed, making her whiskers flutter, and gave a single lash20 of her tail.
“Why do you want to go?” Firestar prompted.
Lionpaw was opening his jaws54 to reply when Hollypaw gave him a nudge. “We want to help the Tribe cats, too,” she announced. “Lionpaw and I are good fighters, and Jaypaw…well, Jaypaw can help heal cats who are injured.”
“Thanks a bunch,” Jaypaw muttered.
“Jaypaw can do more than that,” Leafpool meowed calmly. Jaypaw jumped as if he was surprised to find the medicine cat on his side.
“For what it’s worth,” Leafpool went on, “I think they should be allowed to go. When we lived in the forest, all the apprentices made the journey to Mothermouth, to visit the Moonstone, before they became warriors. We seem to have left that tradition behind, but I think there’s value in apprentices making a long journey, to see what lies beyond their territories.”
Warmth spread through Lionpaw from whiskers to tail tip as he heard Leafpool putting words to the longing55 in his own mind. “Pleasecan we go?” he begged.
“I agree with Leafpool,” Sandstorm mewed. “There’s nothing to be lost in meeting other cats and seeing how they live.” Her gaze held Firestar’s for a moment as if she and the Clan leader were sharing memories.
“Brambleclaw, what do you think?” Firestar asked. “They’ll be an extra responsibility, and it could be very tough for them. A long, hard journey, and fighting at the end of it.”
“I’m sure my kits can manage it.” There was a glow of approval in Brambleclaw’s amber56 eyes as his gaze swept over the three apprentices. “I’d be proud to take them to meet the Tribe of Rushing Water.”
“Even if we’re not sure of our reception?” Stormfur reminded him softly.
No cat answered him. Instead, Brambleclaw rose to his paws. “Are you ready?” he asked Lionpaw.
“For what?” Lionpaw meowed, his paws tingling57 with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
“We must go to ShadowClan and see if Tawnypelt will come with us,” his father replied.
“Great!” Lionpaw couldn’t stop himself from bouncing eagerly, then froze, cross that he was behaving like a stupid kit. “I’m looking forward to seeing Tawnypelt’s kits. They’re my kin,” he added, trying to sound more dignified58.
Squirrelflight glanced briefly at Leafpool. “Hollypaw, you can come with me to WindClan to find out if Crowfeather will come with us,” she meowed.
“What about me?” Jaypaw asked.
“Come back to the clearing with me,” Leafpool told him. “We’ll need to prepare traveling herbs.”
“If the other cats agree to go,” Firestar mewed, “bring them back to the hollow. You can leave in the morning.”
“Fine. Let’s go, Hollypaw.” Squirrelflight waved her tail and set off through the trees toward the WindClan border. Hollypaw darted59 after her, almost stumbling over her paws in her haste.
“All set, Lionpaw?” Brambleclaw asked.
Lionpaw nodded; his chest felt tight at the thought of crossing the border into another Clan’s territory.
“Good luck, all of you!” Firestar called.
Lionpaw waited until Hollypaw’s black pelt had vanished among the rustling60 bracken. Then he turned and plunged61 into the undergrowth, following his father.
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1
pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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talon
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| n.爪；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物 | |
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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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loomed
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| v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的过去式和过去分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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holly
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| n.[植]冬青属灌木 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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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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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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flick
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| n.快速的轻打，轻打声，弹开；v.轻弹，轻轻拂去，忽然摇动 | |
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flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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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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lash
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| v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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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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scents
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| n.香水( scent的名词复数 )；气味；（动物的）臭迹；（尤指狗的）嗅觉 | |
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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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beckoned
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| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fret
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| v.(使)烦恼；(使)焦急；(使)腐蚀，(使)磨损 | |
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kits
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| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
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mentors
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| n.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的名词复数 )v.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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scenting
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| vt.闻到（scent的现在分词形式） | |
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unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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41
pelts
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| n. 皮毛，投掷, 疾行 vt. 剥去皮毛，（连续）投掷 vi. 猛击，大步走 | |
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42
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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43
twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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44
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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45
mumbled
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| 含糊地说某事，叽咕，咕哝( mumble的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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47
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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48
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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severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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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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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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53
ginger
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| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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tingling
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| v.有刺痛感( tingle的现在分词 ) | |
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dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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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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