CHAPTER 12
“Lionblaze! Quick!”
Lionblaze jerked his head as Jayfeather’s hiss1 woke him. He sat up in his nest, blinking in the pale dawn light of the warriors’ den4. The dream was still vivid in his mind: the cavern5, the blind tom, and the ghostly Ancients. He hauled himself out of his nest and padded, paws numb6, out of the den. He shivered as he looked around for Jayfeather.
Lionblaze nodded toward the apprentices’ den. “Is Dovewing awake?”
“I just woke her.”
“Come on.” Jayfeather hurried toward the thorn tunnel with Dovewing close behind. Lionblaze scampered11 after them.
Jayfeather rounded a bend in the trail and stopped beside a bramble. Lionblaze halted beside him and glanced over his shoulder.
Jayfeather nodded.
Lionblaze narrowed his eyes. “And you’ve met those cats before?”
“Yes,” Jayfeather snapped. “But that’s not important.”
Dovewing brushed past Lionblaze, pacing anxiously. “I can’t believe that all those cats have been waiting for so long!”
“We need to concentrate on what happens now!”Jayfeather insisted, flexing15 his claws. “We are here because the faith of our ancestors has brought us here.”
“And the Dark Forest,” Lionblaze reminded him grimly.
“Without faith, there would be no Dark Forest,” Jayfeather snorted, echoing Rock’s words. “But there is. And we have to find the fourth cat.”
“Did you find out if it was Mothwing?” Lionblaze gazed at Jayfeather.
Jayfeather shook his head. “She’s given no sign.”
“Then it must be Hollyleaf!” Lionblaze was absolutely convinced. His sister had been part of this since the beginning. And she’d returned just in time to save ThunderClan from WindClan’s attack.
Dovewing was frowning. “I think we’re looking in the wrong place.”
“What’s the right place?” Jayfeather snorted.
“Why don’t we ask Firestar to make an announcement at the next Gathering17?” Jayfeather muttered sarcastically18. “He could ask the fourth cat to stick their tail in the air so we know who it is.”
Dovewing ignored him. “We must be missing something obvious.”
“Yes.” Lionblaze began to pace. “Hollyleaf!”
“But if it’s notHollyleaf,” Dovewing ventured, “we need to start looking for a cat who was born with a special destiny, like we were.”
Jayfeather narrowed his eyes. “A cat with the power of the stars in their paws.”
“Breezepelt?” Dovewing suggested. “He’s your half brother. Maybe he’s special too.”
“That was the StarClan prophecy,” Dovewing argued. “Perhaps the new prophecy doesn’t care if it’s kin.”
Lionblaze swished his tail. “You can argue till the sun sets!” he snapped. “I’m going to try to find out.” He turned and ran down the slope back to the hollow. If he could just spend some time alone with Hollyleaf, then he’d know.
The dens21 lay in shadow, even though sunlight was beginning to color the tips of the trees above the hollow. Below Highledge, Brambleclaw washed his face, swiping a heavy paw over his muzzle22, his eyes still blurry23 with sleep. Spiderleg stopped to stretch as he emerged from the warriors’ den. On the other side of the clearing, Ferncloud poked24 her head out of the nursery. Foxleap and Toadstep practiced battle moves while they waited for their Clanmates to gather.
Lionblaze fell in beside Cinderheart as she padded toward Brambleclaw.
“Are you okay?” she asked without looking at him.
He glanced at her. “Fine, why?”
“Just dreams.”
When she didn’t comment, he went on. “I made a mistake.” He knew that he should never have tried to choose a different destiny. Too many lives depended on him following the path laid out for him. “It won’t happen again.”
He felt Cinderheart stiffen26 beside him. She knew what he really meant. I won’t be distracted by you anymore.
She stopped and turned to face him, her eyes glistening27. “Okay.” Her mew was calm, but he could see sorrow in her gaze.
Lionblaze’s heart twisted. I’m sorry, Cinderheart.
“The Clan comes first,” she murmured softly.
“The Clan comes first.” Lionblaze dipped his head and padded past her. He stopped in front of Brambleclaw. “Is it okay if I go hunting with Hollyleaf?”
Brambleclaw stopped washing. “Just the two of you?”
“Yes. I need to speak with her.”
“Okay, if you wish.” As Brambleclaw licked his paws and began once more to smooth his muzzle, Lionblaze headed for the warriors’ den.
“Come on.” Lionblaze nudged her shoulder with his nose. “Let’s go hunting.”
Lionblaze headed for the thorn barrier. “Just us.”
Hollyleaf fell in beside him as they emerged outside the camp and headed up the slope. “I’ve caught up with all the new hunting techniques,” she reassured31 him.
“I know.” Lionblaze scrambled32 up a steep bank and skirted a bramble. “I thought we could hunt squirrels.”
At the top of the slope, he broke from the trees, screwing up his eyes against the sunshine. Far below, the lake flashed shards33 of light as it rippled34 with the wind. Dying leaves swirled35 from the trees along the edge of the water and clouds thickened on the horizon. There would be rain before nightfall.
“Where should we start?” Hollyleaf caught up to him.
“Let’s head along the stream,” Lionblaze suggested. He could see the gully from here, running from the forest onto the shore.
“If we follow it to the beech37 copse,” Hollyleaf prompted, “there’ll be squirrels looking for nuts.” She raced ahead, the wind lifting her fur as she flew down the slope.
Lionblaze felt an unexpected burst of joy. For a moment he was an apprentice8 again, out in the forest with his littermate, his thoughts on nothing but his first catch. He pushed hard against the grass, almost skidding38 as he hurtled after Hollyleaf. Hollyleaf veered39 sideways as they reached the stream and leaped into the middle of the wide, shallow outlet40, splashing through the water like an otter41.
“Have you turned into a RiverClan cat?” Lionblaze yowled in surprise as she trotted42 confidently against the current.
Hollyleaf stopped and turned, whiskers twitching43. “It could be the last sunny day of leaf-fall!” she called back. “We might as well enjoy it.” She bounded onto the bank and shook out her pelt19.
Lionblaze followed, surprised by how soothing44 the water felt as it flowed around his paws. Hopping45 onto the bank beside Hollyleaf, he purred, “Race you to the beeches46!”
He sped away, weaving between the trees. Hollyleaf pounded after him. He could feel her breath on his tail and pushed harder. How fast can you run?Bushes blurred47 beside him as he ran at full-pelt. He glanced over his shoulder, hoping Hollyleaf might suddenly fly past, showing speed greater than any cat in the forest. That could be the sign that she was the fourth cat. But she was trailing, falling farther behind with each paw step.
Lionblaze pulled up. Hollyleaf slowed to a halt beside him, panting. “That was fun!” She fought to catch her breath, then glanced around, her eyes lighting48 up as she saw the first beech. She scrambled up the trunk and looked down from the lowest branch. “Come on, slow slug!”
Lionblaze hauled himself up the tree after her. “Let’s see how high we can climb!” He was testing her again, letting her take every jump first, following the path she chose through the branches, watching every leap to see if it was lighter49 and stronger than their Clanmates. He spotted50 a wide gap between their tree and the beech beside it. “Look!”
Hollyleaf paused and followed his gaze. “What?”
“Do you think you could make that jump?”
“To the next tree?” Hollyleaf tipped her head, thoughtful, then raced along the branch and leaped from the end.
Lionblaze’s heart skipped a beat as she glided51 through the air. He scrambled to the end of the branch, blood roaring in his ears as Hollyleaf stretched out for the next tree and caught hold of a branch tip. Her hind10 legs swung down as she gripped on with her forepaws.
“Be careful!” Lionblaze yelped52 as Hollyleaf swung perilously53. A gust54 of wind made the trees swirl36. “Hang on!”
“I’m okay!” Scrabbling with her hind legs, Hollyleaf dragged herself up onto the branch and stood triumphant55, staring back at him. “Your turn.”
Lionblaze gazed at the wide space between the trees, feeling sick. The gap yawned below him. He’d asked Hollyleaf to risk her life, just to prove he was right to believe she was the fourth cat. She’d made it, but only just. Would he be able to jump as far? “Let’s—”
Before he could finish, Hollyleaf’s gaze jerked up. The branches above her were trembling. Squirrel.She sprang upward and disappeared through the browning leaves, sending them fluttering down behind her. Lionblaze watched, stiff with fear, as the tree shuddered56. Hollyleaf yowled once and then the leaves fell still.
“Hollyleaf?” he called.
There was no answer.
“Hollyleaf!” Lionblaze slithered down onto the next branch and raced for the trunk. Scrambling57 down backward, he zigzagged58 around the jutting59 branches until he could see the ground beneath him. Unhooking his claws, he dropped and landed on the forest floor.
“Hollyleaf!” Had she fallen? He scanned the ground, fear coursing through every muscle. The branch above him rustled60. Lionblaze looked up.
Hollyleaf poked her head through the leaves with a squirrel dangling61 from her jaws62. Purring, she jumped down beside him and dropped her catch. “So?” There was a challenge in her gaze. “Did I pass the assessment63?”
Lionblaze blinked in surprise. “It wasn’t an assessment.”
Hollyleaf tipped her head. “Then why race me through the forest and ask me to jump around the treetops like I’ve got wings?”
Lionblaze hesitated. The wind strengthened around them, swishing through the branches overhead. “It has to do with the prophecy,” he confessed.
“Okay.” Hollyleaf nodded. “What about it?”
Hollyleaf looked down at her paws. “No way.”
“Why not?” Lionblaze leaned closer. “You’ve just proved that you’re a great climber and hunter!”
“I’m a trained warrior!” she argued. “I’m supposed to be able to climb and hunt. And I spent a long time taking care of myself.”
Lionblaze ignored her. “But you’d do anything for your Clan! You had the courage and skill to fight WindClan in the tunnels.” He searched her gaze. “Have you had any dreams? Has StarClan shared tongues with you? Or the Tribe of Endless Hunting?”
Hollyleaf stared at him. “I’m not a medicine cat!”
“But if you’re part of the prophecy—”
“I’m notpart of the prophecy!” Anger edged Hollyleaf’s mew. “I killed a cat, remember?” She started to pace, her claws ripping leaves. “And not because I was being brave or noble. I killed Ashfur because I was angry that our birth had broken the warrior code!” She swung around, her eyes glittering with torment65. “Ashfur died because I was so angry that I stopped caring about what was right!”
Anguish66 stabbed Lionblaze’s belly67. “It wasn’t your fault!” He brushed around her, desperate to ease her grief. “Leafpool and Squirrelflight started it. You should blame them!”
Hollyleaf shook her head. “No, they made a mistake. They were just trying to make it better. No one should have died because Leafpool’s heart led her along the wrong path.” She fixed Lionblaze’s gaze with hers. “Doesn’t every cat do that sometime in their life?”
Lionblaze backed away. “I—I guess,” he stammered68. “But in the end realwarriors do the right thing, don’t they?”
“Yes.” Hollyleaf sat down and wearily pawed the dead squirrel. “Which is why I’m doing everything I can to make it up to my Clan.”
“No.” Hollyleaf looked up. “It’s just proof I’m a warrior, like any other ThunderClan cat.”
“But you caught a squirrel higher than any ThunderClan cat has ever hunted.”
“I’m well trained.”
“You fought in the tunnels better than any warrior.”
“Those tunnels had been my home for a long time.”
“You’re loyal to the warrior code.”
“So is every one of our Clanmates.” Hollyleaf’s gaze was unblinking.
“You and Jayfeather and Dovewing are special,” Hollyleaf went on. “If I have any destiny, it’s to protect you three so you can fulfill71 yours.” She padded closer until Lionblaze could feel her warm breath on his fur. “I’ve never had any special dreams or visions. Everything I’ve done, anywarrior could do.” Rain began to patter on the leaves above them. “I’m not the fourth cat,” she murmured.
“I wish it was you,” Lionblaze told her sadly. “You deserve to be part of the prophecy.” His ears twitched. “We need to find the fourth cat or everything will be lost.”
Hollyleaf pressed her shoulder against his as the rain fell harder. “Don’t give up,” she whispered. “Our ancestors have led us this far. They won’t let us fail now.”
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收听单词发音
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1
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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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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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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numb
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| adj.麻木的，失去感觉的；v.使麻木 | |
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darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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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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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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scampered
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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clans
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| 宗族( clan的名词复数 )； 氏族； 庞大的家族； 宗派 | |
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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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twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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dens
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| n.牙齿，齿状部分；兽窝( den的名词复数 )；窝点；休息室；书斋 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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23
blurry
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| adj.模糊的；污脏的，污斑的 | |
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24
poked
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| v.伸出( poke的过去式和过去分词 )；戳出；拨弄；与（某人）性交 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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26
stiffen
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| v.(使)硬，(使)变挺，(使)变僵硬 | |
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glistening
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| adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 ) | |
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stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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29
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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stifling
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| a.令人窒息的 | |
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reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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32
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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33
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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rippled
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| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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swirled
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| v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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swirl
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| v.(使)打漩，(使)涡卷；n.漩涡，螺旋形 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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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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39
veered
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| v.（尤指交通工具）改变方向或路线( veer的过去式和过去分词 )；（指谈话内容、人的行为或观点）突然改变；（指风） （在北半球按顺时针方向、在南半球按逆时针方向）逐渐转向；风向顺时针转 | |
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40
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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41
otter
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| n.水獭 | |
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42
trotted
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| 小跑，急走( trot的过去分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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43
twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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44
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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45
hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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46
beeches
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| n.山毛榉( beech的名词复数 )；山毛榉木材 | |
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47
blurred
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| 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 | |
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48
lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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49
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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50
spotted
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| adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的 | |
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51
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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52
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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53
perilously
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| adv.充满危险地，危机四伏地 | |
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gust
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| n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发 | |
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55
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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56
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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57
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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58
zigzagged
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| adj.呈之字形移动的v.弯弯曲曲地走路，曲折地前进( zigzag的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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59
jutting
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| v.（使）突出( jut的现在分词 )；伸出；（从…）突出；高出 | |
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60
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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61
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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62
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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63
assessment
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| n.评价；评估；对财产的估价，被估定的金额 | |
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64
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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65
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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66
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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67
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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68
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
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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70
drooped
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| 弯曲或下垂，发蔫( droop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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71
fulfill
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| vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意 | |
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