CHAPTER 11
Rain dripped at the mouth ofFirestar’s den1. As Jayfeather slid in, he brought a scattering2 of raindrops with him. Lionblaze shuffled3 closer to Dovepaw.
“Any news?” Firestar asked. He glanced uneasily at his den entrance, as though he was afraid they would be disturbed.
Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Dovepaw shook their heads.
“No word from StarClan,” Jayfeather mewed.
“Dovepaw?” The ThunderClan leader gazed at the pale gray apprentice6. “Have you sensed anything?”
Lionblaze guessed she was uncomfortable being used as a spy. It seemed that, while Jayfeather secretly relished8 being able to creep into other cats’ minds, Dovepaw wasn’t used to following her senses farther than any ordinary cat could go.
She’d better get used to it.She’d been given her power for a reason.
“ShadowClan is up to something,” Firestar warned. “Border incursions are bad enough, but telling lies about them is low, even for ShadowClan.”
“They’ve always been sneaky,” Lionblaze reminded him.
“Extra border patrols?” Jayfeather suggested.
Firestar shook his head. “They’ll see it as provocation11.”
Outside, the haze12 of rain that had obscured the camp all morning was lifting; sunshine was arcing into the hollow. But the gale13 that had blown the clouds away was roaring through the forest and buffeting14 the dens15. It whined16 at the den entrance.
She shook her head, her eyes widening. “There’s something else.”
Lionblaze leaned closer. He recognized the distant look in her eyes. “What?”
“A sucking noise.” Fear lit her gaze. “Roots.” Her breath quickened. “Roots coming out of the ground.” She stared directly at Lionblaze. “A tree is falling. One of the trees at the top of the hollow.” Her shrill18 mew echoed around the cave. “Clear the camp!”
Firestar was on his paws in a moment. “Is it true?” he asked Lionblaze.
“It’s true.” Lionblaze had no doubt that Dovepaw was describing something real. “We’ve got to get everyone out.”
He pelted19 out of the cave, taking the rockfall in three bounds. “Everyone leave the camp!” he screeched21. The wind howled around him, almost drowning his words.
Faces peeped out from the den entrances. Dustpelt and Brightheart, who had been picking through the fresh-kill pile, spun22 around.
“What’s going on?” Alarm filled Dustpelt’s call.
“A tree is falling!” Lionblaze stared up at the rim23 of the hollow, trying to spot the tree that was losing its grip on the rain-drenched earth. The whole forest was swaying in the gale. It was impossible to tell if one was about to crash down onto the camp. “Clear the dens!”
Brambleclaw skidded24 from the warriors26’ den as Firestar scrambled27 down the rocks from Highledge. “You heard him!” Firestar yowled. “Clear the camp!”
Brambleclaw headed straight for the nursery.
Firestar nodded to Dustpelt. “Apprentices28’ den.” He turned to Brightheart. “Elders’ den.”
Jayfeather raced over the clearing. “The medicine den’s empty.”
“Double-check it!” Firestar ordered. He turned to Lionblaze. “You check the warriors’ den; I’ll check the rest of the camp.” The ThunderClan leader pelted past the warriors’ den as warriors began to stream out.
Lionblaze pushed his way in between Thornclaw, Foxleap, and Toadstep as they crowded through the entrance, ripping it wide in their rush to escape. Frantically29 he began searching the dark thornbush. “Hurry up!” he snapped at Cloudtail, who was stretching in his nest.
“Just go!” Lionblaze ordered. “Get every cat out of camp!”
He weaved through the nests, reassuring30 himself that each one was empty, then darted31 outside. The Clan4 was bunched together at the entrance to the tunnel through the barrier of thorns.
Brambleclaw stood at the nursery entrance, pulling Ferncloud by the scruff as she squeezed through the brambles after Daisy. He ducked inside, then hopped32 out. “Nursery clear!”
Poppyfrost was running for the tunnel with Molekit swinging in her jaws34. Cherrykit sprawled35 on the ground behind her, wailing38, her eyes glazed39 in terror. Daisy scooped40 her up and headed after Poppyfrost.
“Apprentices’ den clear!” Dustpelt’s yowl rang across the clearing.
“Warriors’ den empty!” Lionblaze called.
“No one in the medicine den!” Jayfeather’s fur was barbed with prickers from the brambly entrance.
Firestar emerged from behind the nursery. “Perimeter clear!” He charged over to Brambleclaw, who was guiding his Clanmates through the barrier. “Slow down!” he ordered as Rosepetal slipped and Brackenfur tripped over her.
Lionblaze glanced at the elders’ den. Brightheart hadn’t made her report yet.
Purdy was plucking anxiously at the ground outside the entrance. “Hurry up!” he hissed41 through the honeysuckle.
“Dovepaw!” Lionblaze caught sight of his apprentice. She was circling the clearing, staring up at the rim of the hollow. “Which tree is it?” he demanded.
“I don’t know!” Terror filled her mew. “I can hear its roots slipping through the earth. It’s the rain. Too much rain! It’s loosened the roots!”
Ivypaw paused beside the halfrock and stared at her sister, bewildered. “Get out of the camp!”
“I can’t go till I’m sure!”
Ivypaw blinked. “Sure of what?”
“Which one is falling!”
“Why in the name of StarClan do you need to know?”
Lionblaze lashed43 his tail. “It doesn’t matter which one!” he screeched. “Just get out of the hollow! Both of you!”
As the two apprentices scooted from the clearing, he turned back to the elders’ den. Still no sign of Longtail, Brightheart, or Mousefur. He pelted for the den, skidding44 past Purdy, and ducked inside. “What’s going on?”
Brightheart was staring in panic at Mousefur.
Longtail was thrusting his muzzle46 under his denmate’s flank. “Just get up!” he urged. “We’ll get dry moss when we come back.”
“Where are we going to find dry moss?” Mousefur objected. “It’s been raining all moon!”
Fury surged through Lionblaze. “Get out!” His order barked like cracking wood, and Mousefur jumped to her paws, gazing at him in shock.
“Get out!” he repeated, unsheathing his claws. He wasn’t going to let this stubborn old cat die for the sake of a dry bed!
Brightheart rolled her eyes thankfully as Mousefur headed for the entrance. She nudged Longtail, herding47 them both through the trailing honeysuckle and into the clearing.
Lionblaze darted after them. The camp was empty apart from the elders hobbling across the clearing. He stared around the top of the hollow, wondering again which tree was falling, praying that Dovepaw had overreacted, though his gut48 told him she was right.
As Brightheart and Purdy steered49 Longtail and Mousefur through the tunnel, Firestar and Brambleclaw barged back in. Dovepaw slid in after them, her fur on end.
“Is the camp clear?” Firestar demanded.
Lionblaze nodded.
“Come on, then,” Firestar ordered. “Let’s join the Clan. They’re sheltering along the gully on the way to the lake.” He glanced at Dovepaw. “You’re sure they’ll be safe there?”
Dovepaw was looking up to the top of the cliff that overhung Highledge. “It’s falling!” she whispered.
She knows which tree it is.Lionblaze followed her gaze to a tall beech52 that still had nearly all its leaves. He could see the danger clearly now. The wind kept tearing at the tree’s heavy branches as it began to slip from the earth and slide toward the rim of the hollow.
“Come on!” Firestar insisted. He prodded53 Dovepaw toward the entrance. Lionblaze ran across the clearing and followed her out, Brambleclaw and Firestar on his tail. As he ran, Lionblaze glimpsed the pelts54 of his Clanmates through the trees, huddling55 in the gully several tree-lengths from the entrance to the hollow. Then he spotted56 Mousefur stumbling toward him. She was trying to dodge57 back into the camp.
Longtail stood in her way. “Leave the mouse! We can catch another.”
“Then I’ll get it!”
Before Lionblaze could stop him, Longtail had darted back through the thorn barrier.
Lionblaze slowed to a halt and spun around. He pelted after Longtail and Briarpaw. “The tree’s going to fall!” he shrieked60, tearing through the thorns in time to see Longtail and Briarpaw disappear into the elders’ den. “Get out!”
His yowl was smothered61 by a great creaking roar from the top of the hollow. With a deafening62 crack, the beech toppled over the rim and hurtled down the cliff. Its branches scraped the rocky walls like claws, showering thorn-sharp stones over the camp. Lionblaze shrank back against the barrier, shards63 of rock raining around him, terror pulsing through him as the clearing disappeared under a storm of flailing64 branches. He flattened65 his ears against the snapping, splintering wood and watched, frozen in horror, as the honeysuckle den caved under a tangle66 of branches. With a wrenching67 crunch68, the beech trunk hit the ground and split like a shattered bone.
He felt a pelt20 trembling next to his. Dovepaw was beside him, mouth open, eyes so wide he could see their white rims69.
“Briarpaw,” she breathed.
Lionblaze charged toward the den, slithering through the tangle of branches, clambering over the ripped wood. He could hardly see the honeysuckle underneath71 the fallen beech. The tree was half propped72 against the far side of the hollow, its muddy roots reaching like talons74 around the nursery. Half the warriors’ den was gone, and branches obscured the entrance to the medicine den.
“Wait!”
Lionblaze halted when he heard Firestar’s yowl. He turned, balancing on the jagged end of a shattered branch.
The ThunderClan leader was clambering after him, Dovepaw following on shaky paws.
“Can you hear anything?” Firestar asked.
“No.” Lionblaze glanced at Dovepaw.
The gray apprentice shook her head. “Nothing.”
“They still might be alive.” Firestar leaped past Lionblaze and began to wriggle75 through the fluttering golden leaves toward the flattened den. Lionblaze struggled after him, wincing76 as the jagged wood scraped his pelt.
The tree creaked.
Lionblaze felt the tree move around him.
“It’s slipping down the side of the hollow,” Dovepaw warned.
Lionblaze squirmed deeper into the snarled78 branches, feeling a surge of hope as a honeysuckle tendril snaked out, whipping him across the muzzle. “Who is it?”
“I can’t tell,” Firestar called back. “But I think it’s moving.”
“The whole tree’smoving!” Dovepaw shrieked. “Get out of there!”
“Out!” Firestar ordered sharply.
“It’s collapsing81!” Dovepaw’s mew was muffled82 by fur as she dragged him backward and the tree shivered beneath his paws. Firestar was scrambling83 out beside him.
“Jump!” Dovepaw yowled.
The three cats hurled84 themselves onto an empty patch of ground beside the apprentices’ den. Behind them, the tree groaned85 and dropped down, its branches caving beneath it as crumpled86 into the base of the hollow.
Dovepaw let out a whimper.
Lionblaze strained to see the elders’ den. Strands87 of honeysuckle snaked among the branches. There was still a chance that part of the den wasn’t crushed.
“Firestar?” Brambleclaw was crossing the wreckage88 toward them. As he jumped down beside them, Lionblaze saw the rest of the Clan streaming back into camp. They barged through the barrier of thorns until it was as tattered89 and wrecked90 as the rest of the camp.
“Stop!” Firestar yowled at his Clanmates.
They froze and stared at the ruins of their home. Leafpool closed her eyes, as though praying to StarClan.
“Where’s the camp?” Cherrykit mewled.
Daisy bent91 to comfort the kit33 as Poppyfrost stared blankly at the fallen tree. “It’s gone,” she breathed.
“It’s still there,” Firestar growled. “We just need to stay calm.”
“Where’s Longtail?” Purdy asked shakily.
“Briarpaw?” Millie’s mew cracked.
“I’m going to find them!” Lionblaze promised, bracing92 himself to force his way through the smashed branches. If he thought of the tree as an enemy in battle, would that protect him from getting hurt?
Firestar turned to his deputy. “Brambleclaw, I want a patrol to clear a way to the elders’ den and I want the rest of the Clan outside the hollow and taken care of.”
Brambleclaw studied the tree. “We’ll need to clear the branches we can move and prop73 up the ones we can’t.” He called to Dustpelt, “How many warriors will you need to do that?”
Dustpelt narrowed his eyes. “Four,” he meowed. “Any more would get in the way.”
Lionblaze remembered how they had destroyed the dam. “We could use logs to lever the heaviest branches out of the way.”
Squirrelflight stepped forward. “I’ll organize a team to find logs and props93.” She glanced at her Clanmates. “Millie, Brackenfur, Birchfall, and Thornclaw, you can help me.”
“Sorreltail, Graystripe, Cloudtail, and Berrynose.” Dustpelt nodded to his denmates. “Come with me.”
Lionblaze stiffened94 as he heard a faint mewl from where the elders’ den had been. “There’s definitely a cat still alive in there.”
Firestar nodded. “Then there’s not a moment to lose.” He flicked95 his tail at Whitewing. “Get everyone else back to the gully. Jayfeather, do what you can to treat any cat with shock. Daisy, I’m putting you in charge of the elders, queens, and kits96. Keep them calm.” He nodded at Brambleclaw. “Work with Dustpelt and Squirrelflight.”
Mousefur paced back and forth97, a wail sobbing98 in her throat. “This is my fault! I should be buried under there, not Longtail!”
Purdy weaved around her, steering99 her away through the shredded100 thorns. “They’ll find him,” he promised.
Dovepaw was shaking from nose to tail-tip. “Why didn’t I hear it earlier? I could have stopped this!”
Firestar glanced at the horror-stricken apprentice, then called softly to Whitewing. “Take Dovepaw with you. Make sure she’s okay.”
Gently, the white warrior led her kit out of the camp.
Blood pulsed in Lionblaze’s ears. He wanted to launch himself back among the tangle of branches and haul Longtail and Briarpaw out. But how? Even if he found them, how would he get the two cats past the shattered branches without hurting them?
Dustpelt was already nosing around the edge of the beech. Reaching up with his forepaws, he snapped the first branch out of the way.
Squirrelflight hurried to his side and grabbed the branch in her paws. “We can use this as a prop.”
Dustpelt pushed deeper into the tree, forcing an arching bough101 up with his back long enough for Squirrelflight to wedge her branch underneath.
Sorreltail and Thornclaw shoved her away as they squeezed after Dustpelt, snapping branches where they could, propping103 others out of the way. Graystripe plunged104 in beside them, claws fraying105 as he ripped at the mangled106 beech wood.
“Briarpaw!” Brackenfur rolled a log toward a heavy bough, and while Birchfall and Cloudtail levered it up with a long splinter of wood, he pushed the log underneath. The beech creaked, but stayed still. They were making progress.
“Longtail? Can you hear me?” Lionblaze peered down the tunnel that was beginning to form.
No answer.
Tendrils of honeysuckle shivered tantalizingly107 beyond the tangle of branches still blocking their way. Lionblaze turned to see his brother behind him, blind blue eyes glittering with worry.
“I need to get to my den,” Jayfeather meowed.
Branches blocked the entrance.
“Poppyfrost’s in shock and Mousefur is beside herself with worry. And if you get Longtail and Briarpaw out alive, I’ll need to treat them.”
“Can’t you gather fresh herbs?” Lionblaze suggested.
Jayfeather’s eyes blazed. “It’s leaf-fall! There are no fresh herbs!”
Firestar turned away from helping108 Dustpelt roll a log. “Fetch Rosepetal,” he ordered. “She’s skinny like her father.” It was true. She had the same lithe70 body as Spiderleg. “She might be able to find a way through.” He cast a glance at the branches blocking the cave. “It’s a mess, but there may be enough gaps.”
Jayfeather turned and hurried away.
“Lionblaze!” Squirrelflight was trying to wedge a forked branch into place.
Lionblaze scooted over and helped her to push. The tree seemed to sigh as they lodged109 the branch under the trunk.
“We’re nearly at the elders’ den,” Dustpelt announced. His pelt was threaded with splinters, and blood oozed110 from his paws.
Lionblaze looked down the tunnel to the last pair of branches blocking their way. “I can push my way through.”
“Do it,” ordered Firestar. “We’ll shift them while you’re inside so that you can get Longtail and Briarpaw out.”
Millie and Graystripe stood side by side, looking past the rescue operation at the crumpled honeysuckle. Their daughter was somewhere in the wreckage.
“Please, StarClan,” whispered Millie. “Let her be okay.”
Jayfeather raced back with Rosepetal. As he passed Millie and Graystripe, Lionblaze noticed him stiffen as though he’d stepped on a thorn. He can feel their grief.
Rosepetal was peering through the fractured branches into the medicine den. “I can get through,” she announced. Paws first, she wriggled112 between the spars, grunting113 a little as her hind36 legs and tail disappeared into the golden leaves. “What do you want me to get?” she called out.
While Jayfeather began to describe the herbs he would need, Lionblaze padded down the tunnel toward the honeysuckle bush. His heart was pounding and he could feel Graystripe’s and Millie’s worried gazes on his pelt. What if he found only dead bodies? He pushed away the thought and shouldered his way past the two remaining branches. The bark tore his fur as he squeezed his way through, hope pricking114 as he felt soft honeysuckle tendrils beneath his paws. Delving115 into the crushed heap, he squirmed into what was left of the elders’ den.
A tiny space opened up in front of him. Only Mousefur’s nest remained; the others were hidden underneath shattered branches.
Then he saw the body.
Twisted. Limp. Lifeless.
As he stared, stiff with grief, Dustpelt squeezed in beside him.
“We’ve cleared the last two branches,” the tabby warrior began. His voice trailed away when he saw the body. “Longtail.” The name caught in his throat.
With a strange choking feeling in his throat, Lionblaze lifted the pale tabby elder by the scruff and dragged him from what was left of the den. The old cat was light as a squirrel in his jaws as Lionblaze pulled him through the tunnel and laid him on the bare ground.
Firestar dipped his head while Graystripe pressed close to Millie.
“Did you see Briarpaw?” the gray warrior whispered.
As Lionblaze shook his head, Dustpelt called from inside the den, “She’s alive! Quick!”
Lionblaze dashed back with Graystripe pressing on his tail. As they raced along the makeshift tunnel, an ominous116 snap cracked the air. A prop snapped beside them, spraying splinters. The tree shivered as another prop broke.
“It’s not going to hold!” Millie’s terrified mew wailed behind them.
Ignoring her, Lionblaze ducked into the remains117 of the elders’ den. Graystripe squashed in beside him. Dustpelt was crouching118 on Mousefur’s nest, his muzzle probing a branch where the beech had crushed the honeysuckle into a mangled mass of tendrils. As Lionblaze slid in beside the tabby tom he saw Briarpaw looking up at him, her face twisted with pain.
Her hind legs were pinned. She screeched as the beech trembled again.
Lionblaze tensed at the sound of another prop splinteringbehind them. “We’ve got to get her out now!”
“I’ll get her!” Graystripe grabbed her scruff.
As Briarpaw squealed122 in terror and pain, Lionblaze knocked the gray tom away. “You’ll kill her,” he warned. Without thinking, he pressed his back against a wide branch that spanned the crushed den. Pressing his paws to the ground, he arched his spine123, forcing his shoulders up until he felt the whole weight of the tree. The branch shuddered124 and creaked and began to shift upward.
“Y-you’re moving it!” Dustpelt whispered.
“Grab her now!” Lionblaze panted as he felt the tree move another whisker.
Graystripe leaned forward and grabbed his daughter’s scruff.
“Gently!” Lionblaze warned. The weight on his shoulders was agonizing125. But he wouldn’t leave his Clanmate to die. Outside the den, wood splintered and cracked.
“The props are going!” Millie shrieked.
Slowly, carefully, Graystripe drew Briarpaw from under the branch. “I’ve got her,” he mewed through her fur.
Briarpaw whimpered as her father pulled her out.
Dustpelt stared down the tunnel as the pair disappeared.
Lionblaze felt his lungs screaming as he fought for breath, his legs trembling beneath him.
“They’re clear!” Dustpelt reported.
“You go too!” Lionblaze yelped.
Dustpelt scooted away between the branches as the tree groaned and wood splintered.
With a last heaving gasp121, Lionblaze ducked out from underneath the branch and dived after Dustpelt. The tree crumpled around him and he shot from the tunnel a moment before the last prop gave way and the tree fell to a shuddering126 halt, its roots slamming against the nursery. With a heaving crash, its branches flopped127 to the ground like corpses128.
Darkness crowded Lionblaze’s vision as he struggled to catch his breath. His legs shivered but he refused to let them buckle129. He waited, letting strength gather within him and spread through his limbs. Then he stretched and blinked the darkness away.
A tail smoothed his back.
“Well done, Lionblaze.” Firestar was at his side.
Graystripe and Millie were crouching beside Briarpaw. Jayfeather grabbed a mouthful of herbs from the pile Rosepetal had passed through the branches. He dropped them next to Briarpaw and began to sniff130 her limp body.
“Will she be okay?” Millie rasped.
“I don’t think she can see us,” Graystripe wailed.
“Out of my way!” Jayfeather scooted around Briarpaw, sniffing132 her pelt, his eyes narrowed in a frown.
“Longtail?” called a trembling voice. It was Whitewing.
Lionblaze turned and saw the Clan creeping back into the hollow. They padded slowly, edging what was left of the clearing, and sniffing at the remains of their devastated133 camp. Blossompaw and Bumblepaw broke away and raced to Graystripe and Millie, pressing hard against them.
“Will Briarpaw be okay?” Bumblepaw whimpered.
Mousefur darted from Whitewing’s side and began to circle Longtail’s body. “No, no, no, no, no,” she moaned.
Purdy shuffled close to the old she-cat as she dropped to her belly134 and pressed her nose into her denmate’s chilly135 pelt.
Dovepaw and Ivypaw stared in horror at Briarpaw’s unmoving body.
“Is she dead?” Ivypaw whispered.
“Don’t just stand there like rabbits,” Lionblaze snapped. “Go and fetch her some moss. Try to make her comfortable!”
The two cats sprang away and raced from the hollow. They passed Leafpool, who padded through the thorns and halted. Through slitted eyes, she watched Jayfeather work.
Jayfeather lifted his head to face her. “Well?” he snarled. “Are you going to help me or not?”
Leafpool blinked, pain flashing in her eyes. Then her gaze hardened. “What do you want me to do?” She slid in beside Jayfeather and sniffed136 at Briarpaw.
“Shock’s setting in fast,” Jayfeather reported.
“She needs thyme,” Leafpool instructed. “I’ll make pulp137.” She took a mouthful of leaves from the pile and began to chew them.
Jayfeather sat up. “I can’t find where she’s hurt. There’s not a scratch on her.” He sounded perplexed138.
Jayfeather leaned forward and gently took one leg in his jaws to lift it up. He let go and it dropped to the ground like dead prey. “Is that thyme ready yet?” he called to Leafpool.
“Yes.” She began wiping the pulp around Briarpaw’s lips with her paw. Instinctively141 Briarpaw licked it off and Leafpool applied142 more.
Millie was pacing around them, her eyes clouded with grief. “What’s wrong with her?” she begged.
Jayfeather didn’t answer. Instead he glanced up at Lionblaze. “Comfrey, please.”
Lionblaze hurried to the medicine den entrance and called through the branches to Rosepetal, “Jayfeather needs comfrey!”
“I’ve got loads,” Rosepetal meowed back. She began stuffing pawfuls of leaves through the branches.
Lionblaze grabbed a mouthful and carried them to Jayfeather. “Will she be okay?” he whispered.
“Her heartbeat is getting steadier, but her legs…” Jayfeather’s words trailed into a frustrated143 growl9. He flicked Lionblaze away with his tail.
Ferncloud was trying to comfort Graystripe and Millie. “If anyone can save her, Jayfeather can.” She glanced at Jayfeather as he began rubbing a dark green poultice into Briarpaw’s hind legs. “And he’s got Leafpool helping,” she added in a hopeful whisper.
Firestar straightened up. “Dustpelt!” he called. “See if the nursery is secure. We can at least make sure the queens and kits have some shelter.” He glanced around the camp, which was half-hidden by the beech. “The apprentices’ den looks okay.” He nodded to Cloudtail and Squirrelflight. “Check that it’s secure. Then collect bedding. As much as you can find. The elders and queens and kits will sleep inside tonight. But the rest of us will still need nests.”
Squirrelflight nodded and beckoned144 to Berrynose, Thornclaw, and Brackenfur with her tail before charging out of the camp.
“Should I go with them?” Lionblaze offered.
Firestar gazed at him. “You’ve done enough for the Clan for today,” he murmured. “Thank you. And thank StarClan we have you. If it wasn’t for you, Briarpaw would be dead by now.”
Lionblaze looked at Briarpaw lying on the sodden145 ground. Leafpool was massaging146 her chest with a firm paw, her eyes more focused than they had been in moons.
Briarpaw opened her eyes and stared at her father and mother. “Where are my back legs? Are they still there?”
Millie let out a muffled squeak147, and the fur rose along Graystripe’s spine. Briarpaw’s hind legs were stretched out behind her, looking just as they always had, strong and glossy148. But she couldn’t feel them—and if she couldn’t feel them, she couldn’t stand or walk or run….
A torrent149 of grief swept through Lionblaze, and for one unbearable150 moment he wondered if the lively young apprentice would thank him for saving her life.
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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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scattering
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| 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 | |
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shuffled
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| v.洗（纸牌）( shuffle的过去式和过去分词 )；拖着脚步走；粗心地做；摆脱尘世的烦恼 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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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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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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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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relished
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| v.欣赏( relish的过去式和过去分词 )；从…获得乐趣；渴望 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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growled
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| 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 | |
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provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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haze
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| n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊 | |
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gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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14
buffeting
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| 振动 | |
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15
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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16
whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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17
stiffen
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| v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬 | |
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18
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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19
pelted
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| （连续地）投掷( pelt的过去式和过去分词 )； 连续抨击； 攻击； 剥去…的皮 | |
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20
pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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21
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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22
spun
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| v.纺，杜撰，急转身 | |
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23
rim
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| n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界 | |
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24
skidded
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| v.（通常指车辆） 侧滑( skid的过去式和过去分词 )；打滑；滑行；（住在）贫民区 | |
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25
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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26
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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27
scrambled
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| 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 | |
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28
apprentices
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| 学徒，徒弟( apprentice的名词复数 ) | |
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29
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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30
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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31
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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32
hopped
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| 跳上[下]( hop的过去式和过去分词 )； 单足蹦跳； 齐足（或双足）跳行； 摘葎草花 | |
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33
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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34
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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35
sprawled
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| 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） | |
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36
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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37
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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38
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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39
glazed
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| 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 | |
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40
scooped
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| v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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41
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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42
dawdling
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| adj.闲逛的，懒散的v.混（时间）( dawdle的现在分词 ) | |
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43
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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44
skidding
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| n.曳出，集材v.（通常指车辆） 侧滑( skid的现在分词 )；打滑；滑行；（住在）贫民区 | |
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45
moss
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| n.苔，藓，地衣 | |
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46
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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47
herding
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| 中畜群 | |
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48
gut
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| n.[pl.]胆量；内脏；adj.本能的；vt.取出内脏 | |
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49
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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50
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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51
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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52
beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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53
prodded
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| v.刺，戳( prod的过去式和过去分词 )；刺激；促使；（用手指或尖物）戳 | |
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54
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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55
huddling
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| n. 杂乱一团, 混乱, 拥挤 v. 推挤, 乱堆, 草率了事 | |
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56
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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57
dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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58
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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59
blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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60
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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61
smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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62
deafening
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| adj. 振耳欲聋的, 极喧闹的 动词deafen的现在分词形式 | |
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63
shards
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| n.（玻璃、金属或其他硬物的）尖利的碎片( shard的名词复数 ) | |
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64
flailing
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| v.鞭打( flail的现在分词 )；用连枷脱粒；（臂或腿）无法控制地乱动；扫雷坦克 | |
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65
flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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66
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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67
wrenching
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| n.修截苗根，苗木铲根（铲根时苗木不起土或部分起土）v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的现在分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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68
crunch
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| n.关键时刻；艰难局面；v.发出碎裂声 | |
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69
rims
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| n.（圆形物体的）边( rim的名词复数 )；缘；轮辋；轮圈 | |
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70
lithe
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| adj.(指人、身体)柔软的，易弯的 | |
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71
underneath
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| adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面 | |
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72
propped
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| 支撑，支持，维持( prop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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73
prop
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| vt.支撑；n.支柱，支撑物；支持者，靠山 | |
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74
talons
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| n.（尤指猛禽的）爪( talon的名词复数 )；（如爪般的）手指；爪状物；锁簧尖状突出部 | |
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75
wriggle
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| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
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76
wincing
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的现在分词 ) | |
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77
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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78
snarled
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| 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 | |
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79
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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80
yelped
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| v.发出短而尖的叫声( yelp的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
collapsing
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| 压扁[平]，毁坏，断裂 | |
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82
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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83
scrambling
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的现在分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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84
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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85
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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86
crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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87
strands
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| n.（线、绳、金属线、毛发等的）股( strand的名词复数 )；缕；海洋、湖或河的)岸；（观点、计划、故事等的）部份v.使滞留，使搁浅( strand的第三人称单数 ) | |
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88
wreckage
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| n.（失事飞机等的）残骸，破坏，毁坏 | |
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89
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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90
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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91
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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92
bracing
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| adj.令人振奋的 | |
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93
props
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| 小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋 | |
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94
stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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95
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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96
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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97
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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98
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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99
steering
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| n.操舵装置 | |
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100
shredded
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| shred的过去式和过去分词 | |
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101
bough
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| n.大树枝，主枝 | |
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102
wailed
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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103
propping
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| 支撑 | |
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104
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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105
fraying
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| v.（使布、绳等）磨损，磨破( fray的现在分词 ) | |
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106
mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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107
tantalizingly
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| adv.…得令人着急，…到令人着急的程度 | |
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108
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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109
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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110
oozed
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| v.（浓液等）慢慢地冒出，渗出( ooze的过去式和过去分词 )；使（液体）缓缓流出；（浓液）渗出，慢慢流出 | |
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111
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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112
wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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113
grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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114
pricking
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| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
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115
delving
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的现在分词 ) | |
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116
ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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117
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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118
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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119
croaked
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的过去式和过去分词 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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120
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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121
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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122
squealed
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| v.长声尖叫，用长而尖锐的声音说( squeal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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123
spine
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| n.脊柱，脊椎；(动植物的)刺；书脊 | |
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124
shuddered
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| 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 | |
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125
agonizing
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| adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式) | |
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126
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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flopped
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| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
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128
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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130
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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131
gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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132
sniffing
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| 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 | |
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133
devastated
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| v.彻底破坏( devastate的过去式和过去分词)；摧毁；毁灭；在感情上（精神上、财务上等）压垮adj.毁坏的；极为震惊的 | |
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134
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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135
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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136
sniffed
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| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；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 | |
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137
pulp
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| n.果肉，纸浆；v.化成纸浆，除去...果肉，制成纸浆 | |
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138
perplexed
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| adj.不知所措的 | |
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139
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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140
flickered
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| （通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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141
instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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142
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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143
frustrated
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| 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 | |
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144
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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145
sodden
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| adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑 | |
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146
massaging
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| 按摩，推拿( massage的现在分词 ) | |
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147
squeak
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| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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148
glossy
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| adj.平滑的；有光泽的 | |
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149
torrent
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| n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发 | |
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unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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