CHAPTER13
Lionblaze felt cool grass brushing hisbelly fur as he crept forward. The scent2 of WindClan was in his nostrils4. Leaves scraped his pelt6 and left raindrops on his ears and whiskers, but he was concentrating too hard to flick7 them away. Every muscle in his body was focused on what he could see in front of him.
Now!Pushing off with his powerful back legs, Lionblaze leaped. The squirrel fled, but it was too late. Lionblaze’s claws sank into its shoulders and he killed it with a swift bite to the throat.
As the squirrel went limp, Lionblaze’s vision blurred8. A lake of scarlet9, sticky blood spread out across the grass and leaves of the forest floor; he could taste the stench of it. The squirrel became a gray-furred she-cat. Lionblaze found himself looking down at Heatherpaw’s dead body; her blood clogged11 his paws.
“No…oh, no,” he whispered.
Ever since Jaypaw had asked him to fetch the catmint from WindClan, two sunrises before, Lionblaze had felt guilty. But he couldn’t do it. He was too scared that his dream would come true, and he would end up killing13 Heatherpaw.
He shuddered14, staring at the dreadful vision of the dead cat he had once loved. Yet again, he wished that he could be an ordinary warrior15, without the powers that terrified him more and more as they grew stronger.
If only I could tell Jaypaw how I feel…But he couldn’t show weakness to his brother, not when Jaypaw was depending on him to fulfill16 his part of the prophecy. He only knew that he couldn’t risk going into WindClan territory, especially not through the tunnels. Heatherpaw had betrayed him; Lionblaze desperately17 wanted to believe her story that it was the kits19 who had given away the secret of the tunnels, but he couldn’t be sure that was true. Heatherpaw was his enemy now, because he was completely committed to ThunderClan. Why should he trust a cat from another Clan3? He would never forgive Heatherpaw, but he still didn’t want her blood on his paws.
As the vision faded, Lionblaze straightened up with his prey20 in his jaws21. Ashfur was approaching through the bracken from the stream that marked the WindClan border, carrying a couple of voles by their tails. Spiderleg followed him with a mouse
“Well done.” Ashfur nodded at Lionblaze, dropping his prey nearby. “Have you seen Sorreltail? We’ve caught as much as we can manage.”
“Here.” Sorreltail staggered through the undergrowth, dragging a rabbit nearly as big as she was. “Whew!” Dropping her prey, she spat22 out a clump23 of fur. “Some other cat can carry that back.”
As they padded back to the stone hollow, Lionblaze’s worries started to creep back into his mind. So far leaf-fall had been mild and prey was running well, but there weren’t enough warriors24 fit to hunt. When he had left the camp that morning, Brightheart was coughing, and he had spotted25 Honeyfern heading toward the medicine cats’ den26. How long before so many cats are sick that there aren’t enough of us left to take care of them?
“We’ll go out again right away,” Ashfur announced, “but we should all eat something first, to keep our strength up.”
“I’m fine,” Sorreltail meowed. “One of the sick cats can have mine.”
Ashfur padded up to her. “You will eat. What good will you be to your Clan if you get sick too?”
Sorreltail stared back at him rebelliously28 for a heartbeat, then dropped her gaze. “Okay. You’re right.” But Lionblaze noticed that she chose the smallest mouse from the pile.
As he gulped30 down a vole, he spotted Jaypaw emerging from the warriors’ den. Swallowing the last mouthful, he bounded across to him.
“How’s Brightheart?” he asked. “I heard her coughing this morning. And Honeyfern was on her way to your den.”
“Like you care!” Jaypaw snapped at him.
That’s not why I won’t go to WindClan!
“They both have greencough,” Jaypaw mewed curtly31. “Cloudtail, too. I’ve told them not to leave their nests. Nowwill you go and fetch the catmint?”
“I can’t.” Lionblaze flinched32 from the fury in Jaypaw’s eyes. He wished that he could explain to Jaypaw about his dreams; then he would understand why it was impossible for him to go to WindClan. “Why can’t you send another cat instead?” he asked.
“So does Hollyleaf,” Lionblaze argued. “She could go—”
“Hollyleaf!” Jaypaw interrupted. “You know what she’s like about the warrior code. Do you think she’d agree to trespass35 on another Clan’s territory and steal their herbs? She’d claw our ears off if we even mentioned it. No, it has to be you. Besides, you’re the best fighter we’ve got, and if you get caught you’ll need your powers to escape.”
“Then why can’t Leafpool ask Barkface for some catmint?”
“Stupid furball!” Jaypaw hissed36. “Which cats did we just fight? Barkface might give Leafpool catmint, but Onestar would have to know, and if he found out ThunderClan is weak, he’d attack again before you could say ‘mouse.’” Lashing37 his tail, he added, “It’s useless talking to you. I never thought my own brother would stand by and let his Clan die.” Spinning around, he stalked toward his den.
Lionblaze watched him go, then padded sadly back to the patrol by the fresh-kill pile. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight had appeared, and Graystripe bounded up to choose a piece of fresh-kill and head for the medicine cats’ den.
“Take some for yourself as well,” Squirrelflight called after him, but Graystripe gave no sign that he’d heard her.
“Okay, Ashfur,” Brambleclaw meowed, “when you take your patrol out again, go along the ShadowClan border. You can combine the border patrol with some hunting. But when you get back, that’s it for today. You need to rest.”
“Take your own advice, then.” Squirrelflight gave her mate a flick on the shoulder with her tail. “You need to rest, too.”
“I can’t.” Lionblaze’s heart sank when he saw how bright Brambleclaw’s eyes were, and heard the rasp in his voice. “I need to fix up more patrols.”
Sorreltail leaned in to Lionblaze and murmured in his ear, “If your father gets ill…”
Lionblaze nodded, but didn’t reply. There was no need. With Firestar sick, ThunderClan depended on their deputy to protect them.
Oh, StarClan,Lionblaze thought, why are you letting this happen?
Gray clouds covered the sky, but the air was still mild; wind rustled38 through the trees above the hollow, but down below the cats were sheltered. Lionblaze had just returned from a hunting patrol with Brambleclaw, Hollyleaf, and Cinderheart. Brackenfur and Sorreltail were sprawled39 near the fresh-kill pile, sharing tongues, while Sandstorm crouched40 beside them, eating a thrush.
As Lionblaze and the others dropped their prey on the pile, Leafpool and Jaypaw appeared to choose fresh-kill for themselves.
“How is Millie?” Sandstorm asked, looking up from her thrush.
“If she doesn’t get some catmint soon, she’ll die,” Leafpool meowed flatly.
Jaypaw shot a furious glare at Lionblaze as he snatched a mouse from the pile; Lionblaze felt it like a claw raking across his pelt. Stop blaming me! I can’t go to WindClan!
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught the flicker41 of a flame-colored pelt up on the Highledge. Looking up, he saw that Firestar had appeared. Every hair on his pelt tingled42 with shock. What was the Clan leader doing out of his nest? He looked unsteady on his paws, and when he opened his jaws to speak all that came out was a cough.
“Firestar!” Sandstorm leaped to her feet. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Go back to your nest right now!” Leafpool sprang up and raced for the rocks, closely followed by Sandstorm.
Firestar stretched out a paw to halt them. “Don’t come any closer,” he rasped. “The sickness spreads too easily. We have to get the sick cats out of the camp to keep the others healthy.”
“But we can’t do that,” Leafpool objected, halting at the foot of the tumbled rocks. “There’s nowhere for them to go.”
“Yes, there is,” Firestar told her, his too-bright eyes shining with triumph. “The old Twoleg nest has walls and a roof to shelter us, and there’s a stream nearby where we can drink.”
“But I can’t be in two places at once,” Leafpool pointed43 out; she sounded anguished44, as if she hated to refuse the hope that Firestar offered.
“You won’t need to be,” Firestar meowed. “I shall look after the sick cats. You can tell me which herbs to use, and keep me supplied without coming too close.”
Sandstorm let out a gusty45 sigh, fluttering her whiskers. “This is ridiculous! You’re putting yourself in danger. You need rest just as much as the other sick cats.”
Firestar looked down at her, love glowing from his green eyes. “I have lives to lose; my Clanmates do not. I have to do this, for their sake.”
Murmurs46 of surprise came from the cats gathered around the fresh-kill pile. Brambleclaw looked up at his leader, then slowly nodded, as if he was making a promise.
“It might work,” Brackenfur remarked.
“I think it’s worth a try,” Cinderheart agreed. “If we don’t do something, every cat will get sick.”
The more Lionblaze thought about Firestar’s suggestion, the more sense he could see in it. The sick cats would have a safe, dry place to stay, and those who were left could look after them better. Leafpool and Jaypaw would have more chance of keeping well. And maybe Jaypaw’s catmint plants at the Twoleg nest would have grown enough to provide some healing leaves
“There aren’t enough yet,” Jaypaw growled47 as if Lionblaze had spoken aloud. “We need more! Half the Clan is sick.”
Lionblaze felt as if his littermate’s glare was scorching49 his pelt. Turning away, he padded over to Hollyleaf.
“Isn’t Firestar great?” she meowed. “I’m so proud he’s our kin10. I wonder if I’d have the courage to do what he’s doing.”
Lionblaze touched his nose to her shoulder. “I’m sure you would.” And what aboutmy courage?he asked himself. I should be brave enough to fetch the catmint. But I can’t do it, I just can’t!
On the Highledge, Firestar straightened up and lifted his head. “Let all cats—” His attempt to raise his voice ended in a bout33 of coughing.
Brambleclaw bounded up to the Highledge and spoke48 rapidly to his leader. Lionblaze couldn’t hear what they said, and a moment later Firestar staggered back into his den. Brambleclaw looked down at the clearing.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting,” he yowled.
Foxpaw and Icepaw appeared from the elders’ den, each with a bundle of soiled bedding. Mousefur followed them and stalked across to where Sandstorm and Leafpool stood at the foot of the tumbled rocks.
Ferncloud and Squirrelflight emerged from the warriors’ den and padded over to the fresh-kill pile. Berrynose and Graystripe pushed their way out after them, and stayed sitting just outside the den.
Lionblaze’s heart sank to see how few cats answered the summons. So many of the Clan were sick, and the rest of them must be out on patrol.
Brambleclaw began by explaining to the cats who hadn’t heard Firestar’s plan. “We’ll need to collect a lot of moss50 and bracken—and dried leaves and feathers, anything to keep the sick cats comfortable and warm,” he continued. “Lionblaze and Hollyleaf, you can do that, and take the apprentices51 with you.”
“Brackenfur, you’re good at mending den walls,” Brambleclaw went on. “Find some warriors to help you, and block the holes in the Twoleg nest so that there aren’t any drafts.”
“And there’ll need to be a new fresh-kill pile. Sandstorm, you’re best at hunting; can I put you in charge of that?”
Sandstorm gave him a tense nod, her green eyes narrowed as if she was already planning her hunt.
“Leafpool, you’ll need to transport herbs for Firestar to use. Get another warrior to help you if you have to collect more.”
“I’ll do that,” Leafpool replied. “And every cat should keep a lookout54 for catmint. It’s just possible there are a few clumps55 we’ve overlooked.”
Lionblaze could tell that the medicine cat didn’t believe what she was saying, but he knew that they couldn’t ignore even the smallest chance of discovering more of the precious herb. And if we did find some, I wouldn’t feel so guilty anymore
“Right,” Brambleclaw began. “Then—”
“What about me?” Squirrelflight interrupted, her green eyes blazing a challenge. “You don’t expect me to sit around in camp doing nothing?”
“You’re not fit to leave yet,” Leafpool retorted instantly
“You’ll leave when our medicine cat says you can,” Brambleclaw told his mate. “But you won’t be doing nothing. As the cats out on patrol come back, you can explain to them what’s happening, and give them jobs to do.”
Squirrelflight hesitated, as if she was going to argue, then gave a reluctant nod, muttering something under her breath as she scraped her claws in the earth.
“Okay, the meeting’s over,” Brambleclaw meowed crisply. “Let’s get moving.”
Lionblaze beckoned56 the apprentices with a wave of his tail and led the way to the thorn tunnel with Hollyleaf padding at his shoulder. His paws tingled with urgency; even the apprentices didn’t complain at the task.
“It feels weird57.” Hollyleaf was looking worried as they headed deeper into the forest. “The Clan has never been split up like this before.”
“It’s the best way to save lives,” Lionblaze answered.
“There’s nothing about this in the warrior code. Except…we all swear to defend our Clan, so I guess this is one way of doing it.” Her anxious look faded.
Lionblaze led the other cats farther from camp, into a clearing where the moss lay deep and undisturbed.
“Thank StarClan it hasn’t rained lately,” Foxpaw muttered as he tugged58 a huge swath of moss away from a tree root and started to bundle it up.
“Be careful to squeeze all the water out,” Hollyleaf instructed him. “And dig as deep as you can to find the driest bits.”
“Hey, look what I’ve found!” Icepaw came bounding across the clearing with a bunch of gray-and-white feathers in her jaws. “There’s a whole lot more over there,” she added. “A fox must have killed a pigeon.”
“That’s good,” Lionblaze meowed. “They’ll be soft to lie on. Collect as many as you can.”
When they had as much bedding as they could carry, he and the other cats headed for the Twoleg den. Lionblaze pricked59 his ears in surprise as they approached. The place that had always been eerily60 quiet was now swarming61 with activity like a disturbed ants’ nest.
Poppyfrost bounded past him with a bundle of sticks in her jaws, followed by Birchfall, who was dragging a long tendril of bramble. When Lionblaze reached the entrance to the den, he saw Cinderheart stuffing more bramble into a gap between the stones.
“Great, Poppyfrost,” she meowed as the young tortoiseshell dropped the sticks at her paws. “That’s just what we need.”
“Let’s have that moss over here!” Sorreltail called. She was helping63 Ashfur drag branches into place, separating the floor of the den into separate nests. “Put it there,” she continued, waving her tail toward a wide space at the back of the den, already surrounded by thorns woven together. “That’s going to be the nursery.”
Foxpaw and Icepaw followed Lionblaze and his sister and dropped their bundles in the place Sorreltail had shown them. Both the apprentices stared around uneasily, as if they expected something to leap out at them from the shadows in the corners of the nest. Lionblaze could understand how they felt. The straight lines and hard angles of the Twoleg nest were uncomfortably strange; the floor was hard and cold under his paws and it didn’t feel right to have a solid roof overhead, without gaps for sunlight or moonlight to shine through. That might be why Poppyfrost dashed off so quickly,he thought. Will the sick cats really be able to settle down here?
“Well, why are you standing64 there?” Sorreltail asked. “Go and fetch us some more moss.” She gave Lionblaze an affectionate prod65 with her muzzle66, softening67 her sharp tone. “Make sure it’s good and dry, and we’ll need all you can find.”
When Lionblaze and the others returned the second time, he spotted Sandstorm approaching at the head of a hunting patrol. Berrynose and Whitewing followed her; all three cats had their jaws stuffed with prey.
Sandstorm headed for a hollow tree trunk a few fox-lengths from the entrance to the Twoleg nest, among thick growths of fern and long grass. She dropped her fresh-kill just inside the opening. “I’m glad I found this,” she commented. “The prey will keep dry here.”
“And we can stay away from the sick cats,” Berrynose added as he dumped his own catch.
“Foxes might come and steal it,” Whitewing mewed, adding her fresh-kill to the growing pile. “Would it help if we scent-marked the opening?”
“Good idea,” Sandstorm replied. “And we’ll set markers around the edges of the old Twoleg garden. If the foxes think a lot of cats are around here, they might stay away.”
They won’t know the cats are too sick to fight,Lionblaze thought as he led his patrol inside the den with their bundles of moss.
By now the Twoleg nest was looking much more welcoming. Ashfur had finished dividing up the area into nests separated by branches. The first load of bedding was spread neatly68 in the nursery area. Brackenfur and Cinderheart were sniffing69 along the walls, pushing twigs70 and leaves into any cracks they had missed. Leafpool was there, too, checking for drafts in the nursery area.
“Over here!” she called to Brackenfur. “The wind’s cutting through me like a claw.”
Brackenfur bounded over with a bundle of dry leaves and shoved them into the gap the medicine cat had pointed out.
“Much better.” Leafpool waved her tail approvingly.
Sorreltail showed Lionblaze and the others where to put their moss. “That’s great!” she meowed, flexing71 her claws into the fresh bedding. “But we still need more.”
Leaving the den, he saw Jaypaw and Mousewhisker approaching from the direction of the camp with bundles of herbs in their jaws. They laid them on a flat stone near the entrance to the den, and Jaypaw separated them neatly into piles.
“Pity there’s no catmint,” he commented to Mousewhisker, loudly enough for Lionblaze to hear. “The sick cats would stand a much better chance if we had some.”
“What about the plants growing here?” Mousewhisker asked.
“I’ve checked,” Jaypaw replied, swinging his head around to glare at Lionblaze from sightless blue eyes. “They’re starting to grow again, but only a tiny bit.”
Guilt stabbed Lionblaze again, sharp as thorns, but he said nothing. He couldn’t explain to Jaypaw why he’d refused to go through the tunnels into WindClan territory. But what if cats die because of your dreams?
Unable to answer the question, Lionblaze raced off into the forest as if a horde73 of badgers74 were hard on his paws. But as he headed for the moss place, he knew that he would never outrun his guilt.
The sun was going down, filling the forest with red light barred with dark shadows, as Lionblaze and his patrol returned to the old Twoleg nest once more. He had lost count of how many loads of moss he and his Clanmates had gathered and brought to the nest.
Crossing the hard stone path, Lionblaze saw Leafpool standing in the entrance to the nest with Brambleclaw beside her. They broke off their conversation when they spotted the patrol.
“Well done,” Brambleclaw meowed. “Take that inside, and then you can stop. Everything’s ready.”
Lionblaze led his Clanmates up to the nest, noticing that there was now a well-stocked fresh-kill pile inside the hollow tree. Inside, the nest felt warm and safe, with cozy75 dens76 big enough for two or three cats to sleep, and a bigger area for the nursery, lined with the softest moss and feathers. Ferncloud was patting the clumps into place.
Sorreltail waved Lionblaze over to the last space, and spreadout the moss and bracken he and the others were carrying.
Looking around, Lionblaze saw that most of the healthy cats had gathered in the nest. Brackenfur and Cinderheart both had pelts78 snagged by thorns and brambles, but their eyes glowed with satisfaction. Poppyfrost was busily licking one of her pads, as if she had a thorn in it. Graystripe was flexing his claws in the moss; Lionblaze guessed he was impatient to get back to Millie. Berrynose had curled up for a snooze in one of the new nests; Hazeltail gave him a sharp prod with one paw.
“Get up, stupid furball!” she hissed. “These aren’t for us.”
“I’ve been working all day,” Berrynose grumbled79, rising to his paws and giving his shoulder fur a quick lick to hide his embarrassment80.
Leafpool appeared in the entrance, with Brambleclaw just behind her. “Everything’s ready,” she mewed. “We can go back to camp now. But no cat must go inside until our sick Clanmates come out. From now on, we have to stay away from them.”
“What?” Graystripe’s claws worked harder in the moss. “You mean we can’t help them?”
“Some of them are too weak to make the journey without us,” Brackenfur objected.
“The stronger ones will help the weaker,” Leafpool told him in a tone that warned every cat not to argue. “You know how fast the sickness spreads. We need to stay strong and healthy to provide for ourselves and the ones who are sick.”
“She’s right,” Brambleclaw added from where he stood at the medicine cat’s shoulder. “That’s why we’re doing this, remember?”
There were no more objections, but Lionblaze’s pelt prickled at the thought of sick Clanmates struggling along without help, and from the glances they exchanged he could see that most of the other cats felt the same.
Leafpool led the way back to the camp and vanished into the tunnel through the thorns. Brambleclaw waved his tail to set the rest of the Clan into position on either side, leaving a wide space between to let the sick cats through.
Lionblaze’s belly1 clenched81 in pity as they began to emerge: Firestar led the way, his head raised proudly even though he was shaken by a bout of coughing as he padded past. Cloudtail supported Thornclaw, while Dustpelt leaned on Brightheart’s shoulder. Hollow coughs came from the brown tabby; Lionblaze could see every one of his ribs82, while his pelt was thin and dull. Ferncloud let out a piteous mew, instinctively83 starting forward; Birchfall raised his tail to bar her way.
Dustpelt turned his head, blinking eyes glazed84 with fever. “Keep back,” he meowed hoarsely85. “I’ll be fine.”
Ferncloud looked away and buried her muzzle in Birchfall’s shoulder fur.
Daisy was the next cat to appear, carrying Rosekit, with Toadkit, Blossomkit, and Bumblekit behind her. The mischievous87 kits were unusually subdued88, their gaze fixed89 on their paws as they padded quietly along.
“You can’t go with Rosekit,” Brambleclaw declared, stepping out to bar Daisy’s path. “You and the healthy kits have to stay in camp.”
“Nonsense!” Rosekit let out a feeble wail90 as Daisy set her down gently to confront the Clan deputy. “Who will feed Rosekit if I’m not there?”
“Rosekit can eat fresh-kill now,” Brambleclaw replied. “And Firestar will make sure she’s cared for. Do you want the other kits to get sick?”
For a couple of heartbeats Daisy stood glaring at him, then dropped her gaze and padded to one side, gathering91 the healthy kits to her with a sweep of her tail.
“I want to go with Rosekit!” Toadkit mewed fiercely.
“You can’t.” Daisy stooped to touch her remaining kit18 on the head with her nose. “You can help her best by keeping well and strong.”
Toadkit still looked rebellious29, but he didn’t say any more. Honeyfern, emerging from the barrier, took in the situation at a glance and stood over Rosekit. “I promise I’ll look after her,” she told Daisy, who gave her a grateful nod.
Rosekit batted the air with her paws and went on wailing92 as her Clanmate carried her toward the Twoleg nest.
More movement in the tunnel signaled Millie’s approach. The gray she-cat was supported on either side by Leafpool and Jaypaw. Lionblaze caught his breath in horror when he saw her. Her paws barely moved; the medicine cats were all but carrying her. Her pelt clung to her ribs, and her sides heaved as she let out a rasping cough.
“No!” Graystripe yowled from just behind Lionblaze and Hollyleaf. He plunged93 forward; Lionblaze blocked him, and Hollyleaf sank her teeth into the loose fur on his shoulder. “Let me go!” Graystripe snarled94 as he struggled. “She’s dying! I have to go to her!”
Lionblaze braced95 himself; it went against everything he had learned to fight a Clanmate, but he knew that he couldn’t allow Graystripe to be near his sick mate.
“Keep back!” Leafpool ordered, raising her tail in warning.
Graystripe ignored her and kept struggling, lashing out a paw to rake his claws down Lionblaze’s shoulder.
“Stop!” Brambleclaw bounded up to help.
“Graystripe.” Firestar’s hoarse86 voice came from the head of the pitiful line of cats. The Clan leader had halted and turned to face his friend. “I know how you feel. But you must stay away from Millie.” His voice was full of sympathy; Lionblaze knew how deep the friendship was between the two cats. “Millie needs you to stay strong and healthy.”
Graystripe stopped struggling and took a long breath. “Firestar, my heart is clawed in pieces.”
“I know. But what you’re doing now doesn’t help. Graystripe, if Millie’s paws are truly set on the path to StarClan, then I’ll send for you to say good-bye. I promise you.”
Graystripe hesitated for a heartbeat, then bowed his head. “I’ll hold you to that, Firestar,” he choked out.
Lionblaze and Brambleclaw stood back, and Hollyleaf let go her grip on the gray warrior’s shoulder. Graystripe stood still, his head and tail drooping96; Lionblaze was close enough to feel the shivers that were running through him.
Leafpool and Jaypaw moved on, with Millie supported between them. Her head hung; she didn’t seem to have heard her mate’s protests. Behind them came Longtail, guiding himself by the tip of Leafpool’s tail. Briarkit dangled97 limply from his jaws like a piece of fresh-kill.
Lionblaze tensed. Was the tiny kit dead? Then her tail twitched, and she let out an exhausted98 cough. Seeing she was still alive, Lionblaze relaxed, only to have his relief swallowed up in a wave of guilt. She needs catmint. They all do
When the sick cats had gone, Brambleclaw led the rest of the Clan back into the stone hollow. Mousefur and Squirrelflight, the only cats remaining, were sitting together near the fresh-kill pile; Mousefur rose and padded to meet them as they returned.
“I should be with them,” she snapped at Brambleclaw. “I could help. I’m an elder; it doesn’t weaken the Clan if I get sick.”
Brambleclaw dipped his head. “That’s an offer worthy99 of a warrior,” he replied. “But the Clan values every cat, from the newest kit to the most senior elder.” His amber100 eyes glinted. “I know you already asked Firestar, and he said no. Don’t think you can get around me.”
“Pesky young cat…thinks he knows everything,” Mousefur muttered, turning her back.
Instead of going to their dens, the remains101 of the Clan huddled102 together in the center of the clearing, as if they were waiting for something. Lionblaze crouched beside his sister, his fur standing on end. The camp felt strange, as if it wasn’t their home anymore. The stench of sickness still hung around it, and an eerie103 quiet covered everything.
“I don’t like this,” Hollyleaf whispered. “I wonder how many of the sick cats will ever come back.”
Don’t. Lionblaze dug his claws hard into the ground. “It’s in the paws of StarClan,” he muttered, knowing how hypocritical he was being.
It seemed a long time, though the shadows had crept no more than a mouse-length across the hollow, before Leafpool and Jaypaw returned.
“Good, you’re all here,” Leafpool meowed, padding toward the gathering of cats. “Jaypaw, fetch me those strengthening herbs from our den.” As Jaypaw bounded off, she continued, “Every scrap5 of bedding has to be taken out of the dens and into the forest, and fresh bedding brought in.”
“What?” Icepaw, who had been grooming104 herself drowsily105, raised her head. “I’ve been dragging moss around all day. Do we really have to get more? I’m worn out!”
“Every cat is worn out,” Spiderleg added. “Can’t it wait until morning?”
“Sure it can, if you want more cats to get sick,” Leafpool retorted. Her tone softened106 as she added, “Every cat will be helping this time. It won’t take long.”
Jaypaw came back with the herbs, dropping a few leaves in front of every cat. Lionblaze felt his aching limbs fill with warmth as he swallowed them.
“Let’s get going,” he mewed to Hollyleaf. “The sooner we get started, the sooner we’ll be done.”
All the warriors headed out of the camp to fetch fresh moss and bracken, while Icepaw, helped by Mousefur and Squirrelflight, cleared the old bedding out of the dens and carried it as far as the barrier to be disposed of outside. Leafpool and Jaypaw checked the dens to make sure not a scrap of it remained behind. By the time it was all gone, and fresh bedding installed, the taint107 of sickness that had hung about the camp for so long had almost vanished.
“This is better,” Hollyleaf murmured as she settled down inside the warriors’ den beside Lionblaze. “Except it’s strange with so many cats missing. I hope Firestar’s plan works.”
Lionblaze was already sliding into sleep, his eyes closed and his tail wrapped over his nose. He was too exhausted for his worries to keep him awake, but as he slid into darkness his mind filled with a vision of catmint: thick, lush clumps of it, growing among rocks on the edge of the moor108, just as Jaypaw had described. He leaped forward to bite off the stems, only to halt, trembling, on the bank of a river.
The stream that marked the border with WindClan had swollen109 into a rushing scarlet torrent110. The air was filled with the stench of blood, and the grasses on the edge of the river where Lionblaze stood were spattered with it.
He took a step back, horrified111 at the thought of blood sticking to his paws, and stiffened112 as he heard a familiar voice behind him.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
belly
|
|
| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
scent
|
|
| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
clan
|
|
| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
nostrils
|
|
| 鼻孔( nostril的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
scrap
|
|
| n.碎片；废料；v.废弃，报废 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
pelt
|
|
| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
flick
|
|
| n.快速的轻打，轻打声，弹开；v.轻弹，轻轻拂去，忽然摇动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
blurred
|
|
| v.（使）变模糊( blur的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）难以区分；模模糊糊；迷离 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
scarlet
|
|
| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
kin
|
|
| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
clogged
|
|
| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
guilt
|
|
| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
killing
|
|
| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
shuddered
|
|
| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
warrior
|
|
| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
fulfill
|
|
| vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
desperately
|
|
| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
kit
|
|
| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
kits
|
|
| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
jaws
|
|
| n.口部；嘴 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
spat
|
|
| n.口角，掌击；v.发出呼噜呼噜声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
clump
|
|
| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
warriors
|
|
| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
spotted
|
|
| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
den
|
|
| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
ominously
|
|
| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
rebelliously
|
|
| adv.造反地，难以控制地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
rebellious
|
|
| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
gulped
|
|
| v.狼吞虎咽地吃，吞咽( gulp的过去式和过去分词 )；大口地吸（气）；哽住 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
curtly
|
|
| adv.简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
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： |
|
|
|
|
33
bout
|
|
| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
bristling
|
|
| a.竖立的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
trespass
|
|
| n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
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： |
|
|
|
|
37
lashing
|
|
| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
rustled
|
|
| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
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： |
|
|
|
|
40
crouched
|
|
| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
flicker
|
|
| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
tingled
|
|
| v.有刺痛感( tingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
anguished
|
|
| adj.极其痛苦的v.使极度痛苦(anguish的过去式) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
gusty
|
|
| adj.起大风的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
murmurs
|
|
| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
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： |
|
|
|
|
48
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： |
|
|
|
|
49
scorching
|
|
| adj. 灼热的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
moss
|
|
| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
apprentices
|
|
| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
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： |
|
|
|
|
53
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： |
|
|
|
|
54
lookout
|
|
| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
clumps
|
|
| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
beckoned
|
|
| v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
weird
|
|
| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
tugged
|
|
| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
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： |
|
|
|
|
60
eerily
|
|
| adv.引起神秘感或害怕地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
swarming
|
|
| 密集( swarm的现在分词 )； 云集； 成群地移动； 蜜蜂或其他飞行昆虫成群地飞来飞去 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
spun
|
|
| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
helping
|
|
| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
standing
|
|
| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
prod
|
|
| vt.戳，刺；刺激，激励 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
muzzle
|
|
| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
softening
|
|
| 变软，软化 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
neatly
|
|
| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
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： |
|
|
|
|
70
twigs
|
|
| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
71
flexing
|
|
| n.挠曲，可挠性v.屈曲( flex的现在分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
72
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： |
|
|
|
|
73
horde
|
|
| n.群众，一大群 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
74
badgers
|
|
| n.獾( badger的名词复数 )；獾皮；（大写）獾州人（美国威斯康星州人的别称）；毛鼻袋熊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
75
cozy
|
|
| adj.亲如手足的，密切的，暖和舒服的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
76
dens
|
|
| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
77
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
78
pelts
|
|
| n. 皮毛，投掷, 疾行 vt. 剥去皮毛，（连续）投掷 vi. 猛击，大步走 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
79
grumbled
|
|
| 抱怨( grumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 发牢骚； 咕哝； 发哼声 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
80
embarrassment
|
|
| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
81
clenched
|
|
| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
82
ribs
|
|
| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
83
instinctively
|
|
| adv.本能地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
84
glazed
|
|
| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
85
hoarsely
|
|
| adv.嘶哑地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
86
hoarse
|
|
| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
87
mischievous
|
|
| adj.调皮的，恶作剧的，有害的，伤人的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
88
subdued
|
|
| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
89
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
90
wail
|
|
| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
91
gathering
|
|
| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
92
wailing
|
|
| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
93
plunged
|
|
| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
94
snarled
|
|
| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
95
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： |
|
|
|
|
96
drooping
|
|
| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
97
dangled
|
|
| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
98
exhausted
|
|
| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
99
worthy
|
|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
100
amber
|
|
| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
101
remains
|
|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
102
huddled
|
|
| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
103
eerie
|
|
| adj.怪诞的；奇异的；可怕的；胆怯的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
104
grooming
|
|
| n. 修饰, 美容，（动物）梳理毛发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
105
drowsily
|
|
| adv.睡地，懒洋洋地，昏昏欲睡地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
106
softened
|
|
| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
107
taint
|
|
| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
108
moor
|
|
| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
109
swollen
|
|
| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
110
torrent
|
|
| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
111
horrified
|
|
| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
112
stiffened
|
|
| 加强的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
113
taunted
|
|
| 嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |