CHAPTER25

CHAPTER25
He doesn’t believe what he’s saying.
Jaypaw lifted his muzzle¹ toward Firestar. He’s not sure at all that this darkness will pass.
He felt Lionpaw tense beside him, uncertainty² prickling beneath his brother’s pelt³. Hollypaw’s tail whisked the ground.
“Can’t we get rid of Sol?” Dustpelt called.
“Blackstar has to make his own choices,” Firestar answered.
“Even if it affects all the Clans⁴?” Sandstorm demanded.
“We shall go on as usual,” Firestar declared. “We shall hunt and take care of our kits⁶ and our elders. We shall patrol our borders the same way we did in the forest. The same way we have done here. Whatever change comes, we will listen to StarClan and use the warrior⁸ code as our guide.”
Hollypaw let out a slow breath. “The warrior code,” she murmured. “The warrior code.” She repeated it as though it were the answer to everything.
Jaypaw envied his sister’s faith. And her ignorance. She didn’t realize that Firestar was taking as much comfort from his words as his Clanmates.
He has to believe things are going to be all right, for the sake of the Clan⁵.
Firestar shifted on his paws. “I have good news to share today as well as bad.”
Jaypaw looked up, surprised. What good news?
“ThunderClan is still strong. We have proved ourselves in battle, and we know that StarClan still watch over us.” His tail brushed the ledge⁹. “There are three new warriors¹⁰ to be named.”
Jaypaw flinched¹¹ as excitement blazed from Lionpaw and Hollypaw. It was like sitting between two suns.
“Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Cinderpaw.”
Pebbles¹² cracked as Firestar bounded down the rocks and into the clearing, where the Clan were already making space for the naming ceremony.
Brackenfur darted¹⁴ over to Hollypaw and smoothed her fur with his tail. “Well done,” he purred.
Ashfur weaved past Lionpaw. “You’ll be a fine warrior.”
“I’ll make you proud of me,” Lionpaw promised.
Squirrelflight was shining with happiness. Leafpool sat beside her, a purr rumbling¹⁵ in her throat. She must be pleased for Cinderpaw,thought Jaypaw.
Cloudtail weaved around his apprentice¹⁶. “I told you it wouldn’t be long before you joined your denmates, Cinderpaw.”
Jaypaw closed his eyes. It was a long time since he imagined he could be a warrior. But the dream had never left him. He let jealousy¹⁸ surge and ebb¹³ away. Then pride blossomed inside him. His littermates would be warriors!
“Congratulations,” he purred.
Hollypaw rubbed her muzzle against his cheek. “Thank you.”
Lionpaw flicked¹⁹ Jaypaw’s ear with his tail. “I hope Icepaw keeps her promise to Mousefur, because I’m not cleaning out the elders’ den¹⁷ anymore.”
Ashfur’s tail twitched²⁰. “If your Clanmates’ bedding needs changing, then you’ll change it.”
Brambleclaw padded toward them. “Does Lionpaw think that Firestar’s making him leader already?” he purred.
“I was just joking!” Lionpaw protested.
“Of course.” Brambleclaw circled his kits and stopped beside Jaypaw. “I’m proud of you all.”
Hazeltail and Berrynose came bouncing toward them.
“Well done!” Hazeltail mewed.
“I suppose we can make room for you in the warriors’ den,” Berrynose teased.
“I’m glad I’m not in there anymore,” Mousefur called. “It’ll be noisier than a nest full of starlings.” The old warrior was sitting outside the nursery while Toadkit and Rosekit skittered around her. Warmth glowed from her pelt as Millie squeezed out of her den behind her. Jaypaw smelled the fresh scent²¹ of a kit⁷ dangling²² from the queen’s jaws²³.
She dropped Briarkit between Mousefur’s paws. “Will you watch this one while I fetch the other two?” Millie’s mew was husky, as if her throat was sore. Jaypaw reminded himself to fetch the last of the honey for her after the ceremony. “I thought they might want to see their first naming ceremony,” Millie added.
“I’ll make sure Rosekit and Toadkit don’t trample²⁴ him,” Mousefur rasped.
“Hey!” Toadkit objected. “We’re not that clumsy. Anyone would think we were always…”
He fell silent as Firestar addressed the Clan from the middle of the clearing.
“I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices²⁵.” Lionpaw clawed at the ground as Firestar went on. “They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn.”
Hollypaw was already padding into the clearing, and Lionpaw hurried after her. Cinderpaw followed, her paw steps even and strong.
“Hollypaw, Lionpaw, and Cinderpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?”
“I do,” Hollypaw breathed, quivering.
Lionpaw stiffened²⁶ with determination. “I do.”
“I do.” Cinderpaw sounded as relieved and excited as a cat that had just caught its first prey²⁷.
Jaypaw held his breath. They were closer than ever to their destiny.
“Then by the power of StarClan I give you your warrior names.” Firestar’s fur brushed Hollypaw’s. “Hollypaw, from this moment you shall be known as Hollyleaf.” He stepped back. “StarClan honors your thoughtfulness and loyalty²⁸.”
Lionpaw padded forward.
“Lionpaw, you shall be known as Lionblaze. StarClan honors your courage and skill in battle. And Cinderpaw.” Firestar paused as Cinderpaw approached him, trembling with excitement. “You shall be known as Cinderheart in honor of those warriors who have gone before.” Jaypaw detected sadness beneath his mew. Was he remembering Cinderpelt? If only he knew that her spirit stood before him, shining beneath Cinderheart’s pelt. “StarClan honors your bravery and your determination. You are a warrior at last.”
“Lionblaze! Hollyleaf! Cinderheart!” The Clan raised their voices defiantly²⁹ as they welcomed the new warriors. Despite the vanishing sun and Blackstar’s devastating³⁰ decision, ThunderClan would go on.
Jaypaw cheered with them, proud of his littermates and of Cinderheart, who had fought so hard to become a warrior. Cinderpelt’s destiny had been fulfilled.
But what about our destiny?
Jaypaw shivered. Defiance³¹ against the vanishing sun was not enough. He knew better than his Clanmates what its disappearance³² had meant. The time of the Clans was coming to an end, and he, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf were the only ones who could save them.

1 muzzle   

n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默

参考例句：

• He placed the muzzle of the pistol between his teeth.他把手枪的枪口放在牙齿中间。
• The President wanted to muzzle the press.总统企图遏制新闻自由。

2 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

3 pelt   

v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火

参考例句：

• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。
• Crowds started to pelt police cars with stones.人群开始向警车扔石块。

4 clans   

宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派

参考例句：

• There are many clans in European countries. 欧洲国家有很多党派。
• The women were the great power among the clans [gentes], as everywhere else. 妇女在克兰〈氏族〉里，乃至一般在任何地方，都有很大的势力。 来自英汉非文学 - 家庭、私有制和国家的起源

5 clan   

n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派

参考例句：

• She ranks as my junior in the clan.她的辈分比我小。
• The Chinese Christians,therefore,practically excommunicate themselves from their own clan.所以，中国的基督徒简直是被逐出了自己的家族了。

6 kits   

衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件

参考例句：

• Keep your kits closed and locked when not in use. 不用的话把你的装备都锁好放好。
• Gifts Articles, Toy and Games, Wooden Toys, Puzzles, Craft Kits. 采购产品礼品，玩具和游戏，木制的玩具，智力玩具，手艺装备。

7 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

8 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

9 ledge   

n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁

参考例句：

• They paid out the line to lower him to the ledge.他们放出绳子使他降到那块岩石的突出部分。
• Suddenly he struck his toe on a rocky ledge and fell.突然他的脚趾绊在一块突出的岩石上，摔倒了。

10 warriors   

武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I like reading the stories ofancient warriors. 我喜欢读有关古代武士的故事。
• The warriors speared the man to death. 武士们把那个男子戳死了。

11 flinched   

v.（因危险和痛苦）退缩，畏惧( flinch的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He flinched at the sight of the blood. 他一见到血就往后退。
• This tough Corsican never flinched or failed. 这个刚毅的科西嘉人从来没有任何畏缩或沮丧。 来自辞典例句

12 pebbles   

[复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The pebbles of the drive crunched under his feet. 汽车道上的小石子在他脚底下喀嚓作响。
• Line the pots with pebbles to ensure good drainage. 在罐子里铺一层鹅卵石，以确保排水良好。

13 ebb   

vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态

参考例句：

• The flood and ebb tides alternates with each other.涨潮和落潮交替更迭。
• They swam till the tide began to ebb.他们一直游到开始退潮。

14 darted   

v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔

参考例句：

• The lizard darted out its tongue at the insect. 蜥蜴伸出舌头去吃小昆虫。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The old man was displeased and darted an angry look at me. 老人不高兴了，瞪了我一眼。 来自《简明英汉词典》

15 rumbling   

n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词

参考例句：

• The earthquake began with a deep [low] rumbling sound. 地震开始时发出低沉的隆隆声。
• The crane made rumbling sound. 吊车发出隆隆的响声。

16 apprentice   

n.学徒，徒弟

参考例句：

• My son is an apprentice in a furniture maker's workshop.我的儿子在一家家具厂做学徒。
• The apprentice is not yet out of his time.这徒工还没有出徒。

17 den   

n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室

参考例句：

• There is a big fox den on the back hill.后山有一个很大的狐狸窝。
• The only way to catch tiger cubs is to go into tiger's den.不入虎穴焉得虎子。

18 jealousy   

n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌

参考例句：

• Some women have a disposition to jealousy.有些女人生性爱妒忌。
• I can't support your jealousy any longer.我再也无法忍受你的嫉妒了。

19 flicked   

（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）

参考例句：

• She flicked the dust off her collar. 她轻轻弹掉了衣领上的灰尘。
• I idly picked up a magazine and flicked through it. 我漫不经心地拿起一本杂志翻看着。

20 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：

• Her lips twitched with amusement. 她忍俊不禁地颤动着嘴唇。
• The child's mouth twitched as if she were about to cry. 这小孩的嘴抽动着，像是要哭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

21 scent   

n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉

参考例句：

• The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
• The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。

22 dangling   

悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口

参考例句：

• The tooth hung dangling by the bedpost, now. 结果，那颗牙就晃来晃去吊在床柱上了。
• The children sat on the high wall,their legs dangling. 孩子们坐在一堵高墙上，摇晃着他们的双腿。

23 jaws   

n.口部；嘴

参考例句：

• The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。
• The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。

24 trample   

vt.踩，践踏；无视，伤害，侵犯

参考例句：

• Don't trample on the grass. 勿踏草地。
• Don't trample on the flowers when you play in the garden. 在花园里玩耍时,不要踩坏花。

25 apprentices   

学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They were mere apprentices to piracy. 他们干海盗仅仅是嫩角儿。
• He has two good apprentices working with him. 他身边有两个好徒弟。

26 stiffened   

加强的

参考例句：

• He leaned towards her and she stiffened at this invasion of her personal space. 他向她俯过身去，这种侵犯她个人空间的举动让她绷紧了身子。
• She stiffened with fear. 她吓呆了。

27 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

28 loyalty   

n.忠诚，忠心

参考例句：

• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。

29 defiantly   

adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地

参考例句：

• Braving snow and frost, the plum trees blossomed defiantly. 红梅傲雪凌霜开。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• She tilted her chin at him defiantly. 她向他翘起下巴表示挑衅。 来自《简明英汉词典》

30 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

31 defiance   

n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗

参考例句：

• He climbed the ladder in defiance of the warning.他无视警告爬上了那架梯子。
• He slammed the door in a spirit of defiance.他以挑衅性的态度把门砰地一下关上。

32 disappearance   

n.消失，消散，失踪

参考例句：

• He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
• Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。