Chapter 20
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey1 join here beneath the Highledge for a Clan2 meeting!” At the sound of Firestar’s voice Dovewing sprang up from the fresh-kil pile and gazed up at the Highledge. Firestar was sitting there with Brambleclaw beside him.
Although it was the height of greenleaf, the sky was covered with clouds. A chil , restless breeze rustled3 the trees above the stone hol ow and ruffled4 Firestar’s flame-colored pelt5. To Dovewing the murmuring of the leaves seemed to echo the murmuring within ThunderClan. She hardly needed her special senses to pick up the gossip.
“Did you hear that Cinderheart used to be Cinderpelt?”
“Yeah, and Leafpool and Jayfeather knew al along!”
“I can’t believe that Sorreltail didn’t realize. She and Cinderpelt were good friends, right?”
“They do look a bit alike. But how weird7 that Cinderheart knows al about that medicine cat stuff!” Dovewing closed down her senses and blocked out the whispering. “This meeting must be about WindClan,” she meowed to Ivypool, her heart beginning to pound with anticipation8.
Her sister swal owed her last mouthful of blackbird, then led the way closer to the Highledge.
She was moving awkwardly; Dovewing guessed that she had been injured in the Dark Forest, but as usual Ivypool was refusing to talk about it. Foxleap, Molepaw, Rosepetal, and Hazeltail came to sit beside them, while Dustpelt, Graystripe, and Mil ie settled a couple of tail-lengths away. Mousewhisker and Cherrypaw emerged from the medicine cat’s den9 and joined the crowd on shaky legs, flopping10 down to listen beside Poppyfrost and Berrynose.
Jayfeather and Briarlight remained beside the bramble screen.
“Everything is so strange right now,” Dovewing muttered as yet more cats appeared from the warriors12’ den. “Hol yleaf coming back, Cinderheart being a cat that everyone thought was dead—”
“And a medicine cat, at that,” Ivypool added. “With al Cinderpelt’s memories and skil s.” Hazeltail leaned closer. “So does that mean we have two medicine cats now?” she whispered.
“I guess we do,” Mousewhisker agreed.
“Surely we need warriors more than another medicine cat?” Foxleap mewed.
“That’s enough,” came a gruff voice behind them.
Dovewing had been so intent on what her Clanmates were saying that she hadn’t noticed Brackenfur had joined them. He flicked14 Foxleap’s ear with his tail.
“Firestar is waiting to speak.”
While the last scraps15 of conversation died away, Dove-wing spotted16 Hol yleaf by herself at the edge of the crowd. She looked awkward and self-conscious.
There’s been a lot of gossip about her, too, Dovewing thought. It’s only dying down now because there’s something else to talk about.
When Hol yleaf had first returned, Dovewing had tried to avoid her, nervous of getting too close to a cat who had kil ed a Clanmate, even if it had been an accident. But now she felt a stab of sympathy for the black she-cat.
Maybe Firestar’s right, and she’s been punished more than enough for not speaking up at the time.
After all, no cat is blaming Brambleclaw, and he saw it happen!
Dovewing was about to go and sit beside Hol yleaf to give her support, when she saw another cat slip out of the warriors’ den: Cinderheart. The gray she-cat padded across to Hol yleaf; without speaking she inclined her head toward Hol yleaf’s until their ears touched.
“I see the odd ones are sticking together,” Foxleap commented.
Foxleap ducked his head, embarrassed.
“Cinderheart was Hol yleaf’s best friend before she . . . went away,” Mil ie continued. “And now they have something in common, a big secret revealed.
They should be treated with kindness, nothing else.”
“Wel , Mil ie, you should know what it’s like to be the odd one out. Having been a kittypet and al .” Dovewing’s head whipped around as she tried to find the source of the whisper, but she couldn’t spot which cat had spoken. So many rumors19 and secrets, she thought with a shiver, wondering what else might be revealed. Her gaze fel once more on Ivypool, who was flexing20 one foreleg as if she were testing its strength. Definitely a Dark Forest injury, Dovewing decided21. That’s one secret that must be kept whatever happens.
Firestar rose to his paws. “I have grave news,” he began, “and I’ve decided to share it with the Clan after discussing it with Brambleclaw and the senior warriors. I know you’re al curious about the extra patrols, and the fact that I’ve forbidden you to hunt along the WindClan border. It seems that Sol has betrayed us; he’s planning an attack with cats from WindClan.”
“What?” Mousefur screeched22, shakily struggling to her paws from where she was sitting at the entrance to the elders’ den, with Purdy beside her. “Didn’t I tel you that cat was trouble?”
Several cats had jumped to their feet along with Mousefur, letting out caterwauls of shock and defiance23. Dovewing glanced around at the cats she had overheard plotting with Sol, and noticed that Hazeltail and Rosepetal were exchanging horrified24 glances, while Blossomfal ’s jaws25 were gaping26 in utter shock. Mousewhisker was on his paws with the rest. “Traitor! Mange-pelt!” he yowled.
Dovewing narrowed her eyes. Maybe you’re just as furious as you seem, she thought. And maybe you’re not. But you’d better not put a paw wrong now, because I’ll be watching.
“Mouse-brains!” Ivypool muttered with an icy glare.
“They’re lucky we never told Firestar what you heard.”
“Thank StarClan Sol left, and they never got pul ed deeper in,” Dovewing responded in a whisper.
Firestar waited until the worst of the noise had died down.
“I can’t say I’m surprised to hear what Sol is up to,” he went on. “It explains why he hasn’t shown himself here in the hol ow for the last few sunrises.”
“We have to attack WindClan now!” Cloudtail’s neck fur fluffed up as he spoke18, and several other warriors caterwauled in agreement.
Dovewing half expected her Clan to stream out through the thorn barrier and race for the WindClan border without any more discussion. Even though she knew what a bad idea that would be, her paws itched28 to be on the move.
But Firestar raised his tail for silence. Gradual y the tumult29 died away and the cats sat down again, but their neck fur was stil fluffed up; their eyes glared with hostility30 and their claws scratched at the bare earth.
“We are not at war with WindClan yet,” the Clan leader meowed. “We have no way of knowing whether Onestar is aware of this, or whether Sol is making plans with a few cats he has befriended. And we’re not going to approach Onestar about it, because we don’t want to give him the idea of attacking.”
“Then what are we going to do?” Dustpelt chal enged. “We can’t just sit here and wait.”
“Of course not,” Firestar replied. “We’l plan for a battle with the whole of WindClan, but it might not come to that. We’l wait for WindClan to come to us, because we’re strongest in our own territory. We al know that WindClan doesn’t like fighting among trees.”
“That’s right!” Birchfal cal ed out. “We can climb trees and drop on their heads, like we did when we fought ShadowClan.”
“And ambush31 them from the undergrowth,” Sandstorm added. “WindClan cats are used to being able to see a long way in al directions.”
“Good suggestions,” Firestar responded, dipping his head.
“I can’t believe this!” Dovewing heard Poppyfrost murmur6 to Berrynose a couple of tail-lengths away.
“That fleapelt even lied about saving our kits32!” Berrynose nodded, flexing his claws. “How dare he betray us! I’l claw his fur off the next time I see him.”
“I knew we shouldn’t have trusted him again,” Graystripe meowed, overhearing them. He had an expression of grim satisfaction on his face. “He’s treacherous33 through and through.”
While they were speaking, Brambleclaw had risen to his paws and stepped forward to the edge of the Highledge. “We need extra border patrols,” he announced. “Sandstorm, wil you lead one with Cloudtail and Hazeltail? Graystripe, you lead the other; Spiderleg and Bumblestripe, go with him. And al the hunting patrols stil need to stay away from the WindClan border. We don’t want to look for trouble, so no more washing your paws in the stream!”
“As if we would!” Dovewing exclaimed indignantly, while Ivypool hunched34 her shoulders and gave her chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks.
“Dustpelt and Brackenfur,” Brambleclaw went on,
“I want you to work out a way to block off the entrances to the tunnels nearest the camp. We have to stop WindClan from attacking us in the heart of our territory.”
Hol yleaf sprang up. “Don’t block al of them!” There were a few gasps35 of shock, as if some cats couldn’t believe that the newly returned warrior11 would dare to interrupt the Clan deputy. Brambleclaw looked startled, his neck fur fluffing up as he turned his gaze on the black she-cat.
“It’s better that we keep the WindClan cats contained in a smal area when they do attack,” Hol yleaf explained. Her voice was quiet, and she dipped her head respectful y to the deputy. “There are tunnels at the edge of our territory that we should block off first, to stop the WindClan cats from surrounding us.”
Brambleclaw blinked thoughtful y, recovering from his surprise, his neck fur flattening37 again. “So, which tunnels should we block?”
“Come down here, and I’l show you.” While Firestar and Brambleclaw ran down the tumbled rocks, Hol yleaf used her tail to clear fal en leaves from a patch of earth. She began to sketch38 a plan with her claws; Dovewing wriggled39 in frustration40 that she was too far away to see.
“These are the farthest tunnels,” Hol yleaf mewed, slicing her claws at the ground. “They should be blocked first.”
Dustpelt and Brackenfur shouldered their way through their Clanmates so they could watch.
“There’s sense in that,” Dustpelt admitted.
“What’s the best way to block the openings?” Brackenfur asked.
“Use stones to shut out the light.” Dovewing was surprised at how confident Hol yleaf sounded. She’s thought all this out! “Sticks wil let light through, and so cats wil try to get out that way. If you use stones, they’l just think it’s a dead end.” Remembering her own time in the tunnels, Dovewing winced41 at the thought of meeting darkness at every turn. She had to remind herself that WindClan was the enemy. No cat asked them to attack. I shouldn’t feel a mousetail of sympathy for them!
“Hol yleaf,” Brambleclaw meowed, “wil you train us in fighting skil s that are suitable for the tunnels, in case we have to take the battle underground?”
“Of course I wil ,” Hol yleaf replied. “I—”
“What?” Spiderleg interrupted, thrusting himself forward. “Is she coming straight back as a warrior, then?”
Brambleclaw gave him a steady glance. “Why not?”
“Wel . . .” Spiderleg scuffled his forepaws in the dust. “She’s been away for so long. What if she’s forgotten everything?”
Hol yleaf looked up from her plan, her neck fur bristling42 and her green eyes sparking with annoyance43. “You think I didn’t have to catch my own food while I was away?” she hissed. “Or fight off rogues44 and foxes without help? I promise you, Spiderleg, my skil s are as sharp as they ever were.”
“Just like your tongue,” Berrynose muttered.
There were no more interruptions while Brambleclaw organized the hunting patrols, and named warriors for battle training sessions with Hol yleaf and to help Dustpelt and Brackenfur block up the farthest tunnels. He paused when he came to Dovewing and Ivypool, looking them up and down as he flicked the tip of his tail.
“Since you’ve already been underground,” he mewed, “you’d better learn to look after yourselves properly. You can go into Hol yleaf’s training group.” Dovewing and Ivypool crossed the clearing to where Hol yleaf was waiting. Brackenfur, Brightheart, Thornclaw, and Toadstep were clustered around her.
“Okay, let’s go,” she meowed. “Listen to everything I tel you, because it could save your life.”
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1
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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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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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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flopping
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| n.贬调v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的现在分词 )；（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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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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flicked
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| （尤指用手指或手快速地）轻击( flick的过去式和过去分词 )； （用…）轻挥； （快速地）按开关； 向…笑了一下（或瞥了一眼等） | |
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scraps
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| 油渣 | |
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spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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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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spoke
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| 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 | |
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rumors
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| n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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flexing
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| 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 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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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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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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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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itched
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| v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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kits
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| 衣物和装备( kit的名词复数 )； 成套用品； 配套元件 | |
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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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hunched
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| （常指因寒冷、生病或愁苦）耸肩弓身的，伏首前倾的 | |
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35
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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36
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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flattening
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| n. 修平 动词flatten的现在分词 | |
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sketch
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| n.草图；梗概；素描；v.素描；概述 | |
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39
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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frustration
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| n.挫折，失败，失效，落空 | |
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41
winced
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| 赶紧避开，畏缩( wince的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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rogues
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| n.流氓( rogue的名词复数 )；无赖；调皮捣蛋的人；离群的野兽 | |
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