CHAPTER 14
“Are we all here?” Brokenstar’s eyesgleamed in the darkness as he scanned the circle of cats.
Ivypool lifted her chin. Hawkfrost had told her about the Dark Forest Gathering1 the moment she’d woken into the Place of No Stars. She had to represent ThunderClan. Applefur, who had proved herself worthy3 of full warrior4 status here, stood for ShadowClan, while Breezepelt—WindClan’s representative—shifted from one paw to another, eyeing Brokenstar warily6.
“Beetlewhisker.” Brokenstar greeted the RiverClan cat with a voice like ice as Beetlewhisker padded from the trees. “Did you have trouble finding your way?”
Ivypool tucked her tail tighter over her paws.
“I was at the Gathering.” Beetlewhisker took his place beside Applefur. “I didn’t get to my nest till well after moonhigh.”
Tigerstar padded around the edge of the circle. “You can’t be in two Clans7 at once,” he murmured, pausing in front of Beetlewhisker before sliding in between Mapleshade and Hawkfrost.
Thistleclaw dug his claws into the ground and tore out a pawful of slimy grass. “Can we start now?”
Darkstripe flashed him a warning look, then dipped his head to Brokenstar. “Sparrowfeather asks questions like a kit10.” He crossed the circle, blocking Brokenstar’s view of the mottled tom. “I’ve told him already we’ve come to praise our brave recruits.”
Brokenstar curled his lip.
“Our young warriors11 have practiced hard.” Mapleshade took the center of the circle, shoving Darkstripe back to his place. “I’ve watched their training carefully. They can climb, run, swim, and fight.” Her gaze slid toward Beetlewhisker. “Though not enough of them have learned to deal the killing12 blow.”
Applefur frowned. “Warriors don’t kill.”
Mapleshade whipped around. “Clan2 cats don’t kill but they’re not real warriors,” she hissed13. “If they were, why weren’t you satisfied with their training? Why did you seek us out?”
“I thought you sought me out.” There was a note of uncertainty14 in Applefur’s voice.
Hawkfrost’s blue eyes glinted in the half-light. “We recognized your need for better training. It led us to you.”
Mapleshade’s whiskers twitched16. “That’s right,” she purred. “And you’ve learned a lot.” Her gaze flitted from Applefur to Breezepelt, then Beetlewhisker and Ivypool.
Ivypool met it, forcing her legs not to tremble. “You taught us well,” she meowed with what she hoped was the right note of gratitude17.
“You had more courage and strength than I imagined,” Mapleshade conceded. “I’m proud of your progress.”
Ivypool’s heart quickened as Brokenstar padded forward. Muscles flexed18 like waves beneath his pelt5, as though he was ready for battle. “Pride is not important.” He waved Mapleshade away with a sweep of his tail. “Power is important, and the willingness to use it.”
“Good.” Brokenstar’s whiskers twitched. “There are difficult times ahead but loyalty20 to the Dark Forest and hunger for victory will carry you through.”
Ivypool swallowed. “Victory over what?” She had to find out exactly what these cats were planning.
Brokenstar jerked his head around and stared at her. His amber21 gaze blazed like a scorching22 sun. Ivypool narrowed her eyes against it.
Mapleshade blinked at him. “Don’t you know yet?” She flicked26 her tail. “Have your Clanmates never doubted you even though you were right? Has Mistystar never acted like a mouse-heart, siding with weaker cats while punishing the strong? Have your denmates never treated you like a kit when you are more skillful and dangerous than they could even imagine? I don’t know how you can bear returning every sunrise to feed and protect such feeble creatures!”
Beetlewhisker bristled27. “My Clanmates are not feeble or mouse-brained! Mistystar is noble. If she sides with the weak, it’s because the weak need our protection!”
Beetlewhisker blinked. “But that’s the opposite of everything the warrior code teaches us!”
“It teaches us how to be strong!” Beetlewhisker snapped. “I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but you’ll never make me despise the warrior code, or my Clan!” He took a step toward Brokenstar. “My Clan thinks it’s being targeted by rogues30 because of you. They’re frightened by our nighttime visits to their territory. I don’t want to be part of that.” His voice softened31. “I appreciate everything you’ve taught me, I really do. You’ve made me a stronger warrior than I could have ever dreamed of being, but I can’t stay here. I must leave and protect my Clan. I won’t be coming here again.” He turned and padded away.
Ivypool’s paws trembled as she watched Beetlewhisker shoulder his way past Hawkfrost and Applefur.
Brokenstar’s ears flattened32. “No cat leaves the Dark Forest unless I say so.” He unsheathed his claws. “Your loyalty is to us now.”
Run!Ivypool silently begged Beetlewhisker. Run and don’t look back!
Beetlewhisker paused and glanced over his shoulder. “My loyalty is to RiverClan, just as it has always been,” he meowed. “You promised me that coming here would make me stronger for my Clanmates. It has, and I’m grateful, but you must have known that I’d leave eventually.”
Brokenstar’s eyes glinted menacingly. “You really are dumb, aren’t you?”
In a flash, Brokenstar shot from the circle and blocked Beetlewhisker’s path. Ivypool started to move, but Thistleclaw’s tail whipped her backward.
“Stay out of this,” the dark tabby warned.
Applefur’s tail trembled. “Don’t go, Beetlewhisker. You’ve got friends here.” Her mew was straining to be cheerful but Ivypool could see fear darkening her gaze.
“Thanks, Applefur.” Beetlewhisker nodded to the ShadowClan she-cat. “But I have to go. This is the right time for me to leave.”
“Really?” Brokenstar’s growl23 started low and grew louder, sharpening into a screech33. The Dark Forest warrior reared up until his shadow stretched right across the clearing. Then he dived toward Beetlewhisker with his forepaws stretched out and his teeth bared.
Beetlewhisker’s eyes widened in horror. He put up his paws to fend off the vicious tom, but Brokenstar knocked him backward with a fierce swipe. Beetlewhisker staggered to his paws, blood spurting34 from his nose. “StarClan help me!”
“You think StarClan listens to what happens here?” Brokenstar hissed. He lunged again and clamped his jaws35 around Beetlewhisker’s neck as though he were prey36. Eyes shining, Brokenstar lifted his head, hauling Beetlewhisker by his throat until a crack split the air.
Ivypool felt sick as Beetlewhisker fell limp in Brokenstar’s jaws. His body thumped37 to the ground as the Dark Forest warrior opened his mouth and let it fall.
“Would anyone else like to leave? Applefur?” Brokenstar challenged the ShadowClan she-cat. “Do you want to return to your Clan?”
“N-no.” Applefur shifted her paws.
Ivypool could see her thoughts racing38 as she met Brokenstar’s gaze. Ivypool pressed against her reassuringly39. Every Clan cat must understand now. This place was evil. They had to get out!
“Breezepelt?” Brokenstar turned to the WindClan warrior, who was peering at Beetlewhisker’s body through narrowed eyes.
“Did you hear me?” Brokenstar growled quietly.
“Why would I leave the strongest Clan?” Breezepelt lifted his head. “My Clan wastes too much time looking after the sick and old. If you led us, we’d never have to beg another Clan for help again.”
Brokenstar stepped over Beetlewhisker’s body. Ivypool held her ground as he strode back into the circle, though every muscle begged her to run. “You will all stay here,” Brokenstar told them. “You will all be loyal to me. Or I will kill every one of you.” He thrust his muzzle into Applefur’s face. “Starting with you.”
Applefur swallowed.
“Say nothing to any cat,” Brokenstar ordered. “You will fight alongside us. And if I hear of any one of you spreading rumors41 and lies among your Dark Forest Clanmates, you will suffer beyond anything you have ever known.” He turned his back and pushed his way between Tigerstar and Hawkfrost. “Go,” he growled, disappearing into the shadow. “Train my warriors. The final battle is near.”
Ivypool felt Tigerstar’s questioning gaze pierce her through the gloom. Forcing herself to breathe steadily42, she met his eyes. “My recruits will be ready when the battle comes,” she vowed43. “We’re ready to kill every lake cat we meet.” She ignored Applefur’s wince44 of alarm beside her. I promise I’m not evil! I’m doing this to save all of us.Tigerstar watched her for a moment then turned away.
Hawkfrost nodded at Ivypool, his eyes glowing, before following his father. As he passed Beetlewhisker’s blood-streaked body, he kicked it viciously. “I never trusted him anyway.”
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1
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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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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twitching
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| n.颤搐 | |
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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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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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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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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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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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uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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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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16
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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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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flexed
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| adj.[医]曲折的，屈曲v.屈曲( flex的过去式和过去分词 )；弯曲；（为准备大干而）显示实力；摩拳擦掌 | |
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puffed
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| adj.疏松的v.使喷出( puff的过去式和过去分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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loyalty
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| n.忠诚，忠心 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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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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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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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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bristled
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| adj. 直立的，多刺毛的 动词bristle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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fend
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| v.照料（自己），（自己）谋生，挡开，避开 | |
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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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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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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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screech
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| n./v.尖叫；(发出)刺耳的声音 | |
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spurting
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| （液体，火焰等）喷出，（使）涌出( spurt的现在分词 )； （短暂地）加速前进，冲刺； 溅射 | |
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jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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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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thumped
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| v.重击， （指心脏）急速跳动( thump的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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reassuringly
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| ad.安心，可靠 | |
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40
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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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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42
steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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43
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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44
wince
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| n.畏缩，退避，（因痛苦，苦恼等)面部肌肉抽动；v.畏缩，退缩，退避 | |
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