CHAPTER 17
Lionblaze paced the clearing. Rain drippedfrom the dens2, though the clouds had cleared to reveal a clear dawn sky. The Clan3 was beginning to stir. Nests rustled4 and the honeysuckle shivered as Purdy padded yawning from the elders’ den1.
“You’re up early, young ’un!” the old tom called across the clearing.
“I’m waiting for the dawn patrol,” Lionblaze told him. His claws itched5 with worry. Would they return with news of more strange cat scents6?
“You should be resting.” Firestar bounded down from Highledge. “You were out on moonhigh patrol!”
Lionblaze halted. “So were you.” They’d crossed the whole territory with Brackenfur and Sandstorm and found cat scent7 in every gully and hollow.
Sandstorm poked9 her head out of the leader’s cave. “How can any cat sleep knowing the woods are filled with enemies!”
Sandstorm scrambled11 down the rock tumble and wove around her mate. “Sorry,” she murmured. “But shouldn’t the Clan know?”
Firestar dug his claws deep into the soil. “Not until I decide how we tackle this.” His gaze met Lionblaze’s.
How will he explain it to the Clan?Were they ready to know that the Dark Forest was preparing to launch an attack that could destroy all the Clans12? Lionblaze shivered. It had been shocking to smell Ivypool’s scent among the others. Had Firestar guessed that the young warrior14 had been with the Dark Forest cats? He might just think it was stale scent from a hunting patrol.
The brambles at the entrance to the medicine den trembled and Jayfeather pushed his way out. “Lionblaze.” He trotted15 to his brother’s side. “I shared dreams with StarClan,” he whispered in Lionblaze’s ear.
Lionblaze steered16 Jayfeather toward the far edge of the clearing. “Did they tell you anything?” he hissed17.
“I found Flametail!” Jayfeather’s sightless eyes were bright. “He told the other medicine cats the truth about his death. We’re meeting at the Moonpool tonight.”
“What if it’s too late?” Lionblaze mewed grimly. If the Dark Forest cats were leaving scents so casually18 in the lakeside territories, the final battle must be near.
“We have to believe it’s not!” Jayfeather hissed. “If the medicine cats are willing to join together once more, they might be able to get their leaders to do the same!”
“We still need to find the fourth cat,” Lionblaze reminded him. What good was uniting if the prophecy was still unfulfilled?
“It’s not Flametail,” Jayfeather announced.
Lionblaze stared at his brother in surprise. “What made you think it was?”
“Mothwing showed me an omen,” Jayfeather explained. “A reed was burning with a flame that the rain couldn’t put out. I thought it meant Flametail might be the fourth cat. But Spottedleaf told me he wasn’t.”
Lionblaze whisked his tail, frustrated20. “I don’t suppose she told you who it was?”
Jayfeather shook his head. “I don’t think she knows.” He paced around Lionblaze. “We have to find out for ourselves.” He stopped.
Paw steps were thundering toward the thorn barrier. Lionblaze tasted the air. Brambleclaw.The dawn patrol was returning.
The barrier rustled as Brambleclaw exploded into the camp. “WindClan has reset21 the borders and put a permanent watch at the stream.” Fur ruffled22, he headed for Firestar. “We should do the same.”
Graystripe and Millie followed the ThunderClan deputy into camp, with Molepaw, Rosepetal, and Dovewing right behind.
“What could you have done alone?” Millie argued.
Firestar narrowed his eyes. “Go back,” he ordered Graystripe. “Don’t start anything, but warn us if there’s trouble.”
“We’re not sure,” Firestar told her. “But it’s better to be prepared.” He signaled to Brambleclaw with his tail and the two warriors scrambled up the rocks to his cave.
Molepaw bounced around Rosepetal. “Can I go with Graystripe?” he begged. “My hearing’s sharper than his. I’ll know if they’re coming waybefore him.”
Rosepetal gazed sternly at her apprentice26. “Graystripe has the experience to know the difference between the sound of threat and the sound of action.” She nudged him toward the fresh-kill pile. “We don’t want any false alarms. Now go and eat.”
As Molepaw stomped27 away, Dovewing joined Lionblaze and Jayfeather. “WindClan is furious,” she warned. “They’ve found enemy scents all over the moorland, especially ThunderClan scent.”
Jayfeather narrowed his eyes. “At this rate the Dark Forest won’t need to invade,” he muttered. “The Clans will tear one another to pieces on their own.”
“We have to find out exactly what Brokenstar’s planning.” Lionblaze leaned closer to Dovewing. “Get Ivypool. It’s time she told us what’s going on in the Dark Forest.”
“She must be sleeping.” Dovewing glanced at the apprentice den. “I don’t like to wake her.”
“I don’t care,” Lionblaze hissed. “Go get her!”
As Dovewing headed for the yew29 bush, Lionblaze nudged Jayfeather toward the fallen beech30. Poppyfrost was stretching outside the warriors’ den. Berrynose pushed past her and headed for the fresh-kill pile, where Foxleap and Toadstep were already rooting through yesterday’s catch.
“Has Brambleclaw organized the patrols?” Foxleap hooked a shriveled shrew with his claw. “We’re going to need something fresher than this.”
“I should think so.” Ferncloud padded from the nursery. “Brightheart’s hungry and she won’t want to eat stale mouse. With the kits31 coming soon, her appetite is fussier33 than ever.”
“I’ll go hunting!” Molepaw offered.
Rosepetal sat down. “We just got back from patrol!”
Foxleap rubbed his nose with his paw. “I’ll take Molepaw and Cherrypaw out while you rest,” he told the dark cream she-cat.
“Thanks,” Rosepetal breathed.
The yew bush shivered and Dovewing emerged. Ivypool followed, her eyes bleary with sleep. Lionblaze signaled to them with his tail, huddling34 deeper into the shadow of the beech.
“What is it?” Ivypool yawned as she reached him.
Jayfeather shifted his paws. “You have to tell us what’s happening in the Dark Forest,” he hissed.
Lionblaze beckoned35 Ivypool closer with a flick36 of his muzzle37. “There are Dark Forest scents all over Clan territory.” He fixed38 her gaze with his. “And yours.”
Ivypool flattened39 her ears. “I’m not the only Clan cat visiting the lake from the Dark Forest,” she mewed defensively. “The others come too.”
“Why?” Lionblaze lowered his voice.
Ivypool glanced over her shoulder to check no one was listening. “Brokenstar says we need to learn about each of the Clan’s territories. So we can help one another if there’s an emergency.”
Anger pulsed through Lionblaze’s paws. “Do the Clan cats actually believe that?”
Ivypool twitched one ear. “Most of them don’t realize how evil he is.”
“But some do?” Lionblaze tried to understand.
Ivypool’s mew dropped to a whisper. “A few of them wantthe Dark Forest to win. They think their leaders have grown too soft.”
Lionblaze’s eyes widened. How could warriors turn on their own Clanmates? Didn’t they believe in the warrior code? “Who are these cats?” he hissed.
Ivypool stared at her paws. “They may still change their minds, once the battle starts.”
Jayfeather padded between them. “Let’s trust Ivypool on this,” he cautioned. “They may decide to fight on the right side when the battle comes. If we condemn41 them now, we risk making them enemies for sure.”
Ivypool flashed a grateful glance. “We have to do what Brokenstar says.” Her tail quivered. “Or he says he’ll kill us. And he means it. He killed Beetlewhisker.”
Lionblaze gripped the ground with his claws. “Beetlewhisker?”
Dovewing was already pricking43 her ears. Ivypool nodded, staring round-eyed at her sister. Lionblaze knew the Dovewing was listening for signs of the young RiverClan warrior. He held his breath, praying Ivypool was wrong.
“He’s gone,” Dovewing reported. “RiverClan can’t find him. I can hear them calling for him but there’s no sign.”
Ivypool shrank back, trembling. “He’ll lie in the Dark Forest forever.”
“We know what we’re up against,” Jayfeather growled. “If Brokenstar is prepared to kill his own recruits before the battle has started, he must feel confident.”
Lionblaze nodded. “And they’re clearly scouting45 the territories for the best places to attack.” He lifted his chin. “We have to tell Firestar.” He padded from the shadow of the beech and crossed the clearing. “Come on, Ivypool!”
Dovewing started to follow but Lionblaze waved her back with his tail. “Stay with Jayfeather.” Firestar’s den would be crowded enough. “Give Ivypool some space.”
He leaped up the tumble of rocks, showering Ivypool with grit46 as he reached the ledge8. He waited for her to catch up, then nosed her into the den.
Brambleclaw looked up, surprised. “What are you doing here?” He was sitting beside Firestar.
Ivypool shifted from one paw to another.
“You need to know what’s going on.” Lionblaze could just make out Firestar’s pelt47 in the shadows at the back of the cave. “Ivypool has been visiting the Dark Forest in her dreams.” As Firestar stiffened48, Lionblaze went on, “She’s been spying for us.”
Brambleclaw jerked his head up. “What in the name of StarClan is going on?”
Firestar’s tail swished over the den floor. “The Dark Forest is rising, Brambleclaw.” His eyes gleamed as he stared at Ivypool. “And I’m guessing these are the cats invading our territory each night.”
Ivypool nodded. “Brokenstar and Tigerstar have convinced cats from every Clan that they’re learning to be great warriors, and that training them together will make them stronger.”
“Tigerstar?” Brambleclaw’s eyes shone in the half-light. “What’s he got to do with it?”
“He’s one of the senior warriors in the Dark Forest,” Lionblaze explained. “He’s been recruiting cats from around the lake and training them in their dreams. Now he’s found a way to bring his warriors onto our territory.”
Firestar’s eyes glazed50, as though he was reaching for some distant memory. “This battle has been coming for a long time.”
“What battle?” Leafpool’s mew sounded at the mouth of the cave.
“Who are we fighting?” Squirrelflight peered, wide-eyed, over her sister’s shoulder.
Firestar padded forward and leaned close to Lionblaze. “It’s time you shared your destiny with your kin13. They are here now. Tell them.”
Lionblaze backed away. “It’s none of their business!” Heart racing51, he glanced from Brambleclaw to Leafpool. “And they’re not my kin!”
Firestar’s breath touched his muzzle. “Leafpool kitted you. Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw raised you. Without them, the prophecy would never have been fulfilled.”
It still hasn’t been!How was any of this going to help find the fourth cat? Or fight the Dark Forest?
Brambleclaw got to his paws. “Come with me.”
Lionblaze suddenly felt like a kit32 again. The warrior he’d known for so long as his father padded past him and left the cave. Quietly, Leafpool turned and followed, Squirrelflight on her tail.
“Tell them everything, Lionblaze,” Firestar murmured. “They need to know.” He sat down. “While you’re gone, Ivypool can tell me what she’s learned from her dreams.”
Reluctantly, Lionblaze scrabbled down the rock tumble and followed Brambleclaw, Leafpool, and Squirrelflight toward the camp entrance.
“Firestar says I have to tell them about the prophecy,” Lionblaze growled.
“I’ll come with you.” Jayfeather fell in beside him.
“Get Hollyleaf,” Lionblaze meowed. “She’s part of this.”
“She’s not part of the prophecy,” Jayfeather reminded him.
“She’s our littermate,” Lionblaze insisted. “She knows as much as we do.”
As Jayfeather headed back across the clearing, Lionblaze ducked through the tunnel. He snorted as Leafpool’s tail trailed over his muzzle. By the time he emerged, thorns scraping his pelt, Brambleclaw was sitting in the shallow dip beyond the camp entrance. His tail was tucked over his paws while Squirrelflight paced solemnly beside him. Leafpool settled a fox-length away.
“What’s the matter?” Hollyleaf’s mew sounded from the tunnel. She pushed her way out, blinking in surprise when she saw the cats gathered outside the camp.
Jayfeather crept out after her and nudged her forward. “We’re going to tell them about the prophecy.”
“Now?” Her ear twitched.
Yes, now.Lionblaze gripped the earth, dead leaves crackling beneath his claws. “A long time ago, Firestar was given a prophecy,” he began. “He was told that three kits would be born with the power of the stars in their paws.”
Brambleclaw stiffened. “You three?” His gaze flitted from Lionblaze to Jayfeather and Hollyleaf.
“Not me,” Hollyleaf corrected him quickly.
Jayfeather moved closer to his sister. “Though we thought she was one of the Three at the beginning.”
Squirrelflight leaned forward. “Who’s the third cat?”
Anger flared54 in Brambleclaw’s eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me? Was it because I’m not your true father?” He glared at Squirrelflight. “Did youknow? Is that why you lied about them being your kits?”
Squirrelflight backed away, eyes widening. “No!”
Lionblaze walked between the two warriors. “None of you knew.” He glanced at Leafpool. “Only Firestar and us.”
“But we could have helped you.” Leafpool’s eyes clouded. “You didn’t have to carry this burden alone.”
Lionblaze growled at her. “We wouldn’t have had to carry it at all if you hadn’t broken your code!”
As hurt flashed across Leafpool’s gaze, Squirrelflight darted in front of her sister. She glared at Lionblaze. “Would you rather have never been born?” she snapped. “Who would have saved us from the Dark Forest then?”
“We haven’t saved you yet,” Jayfeather muttered.
“But you will.” Leafpool padded past Squirrelflight. Her gaze cleared. “You were born to save the Clans.”
Brambleclaw’s tail flicked55 angrily. “Did there have to be so many lies?” He was staring at Squirrelflight. “Couldn’t you have told me the truth?”
Squirrelflight dipped her head. “It was never my secret to tell. Leafpool had so much to lose.”
“No, I didn’t.” Leafpool lifted her muzzle. “I watched my kits grow into fine warriors, and I still serve my Clan with all my heart.”
Lionblaze felt his heart prick42. Perhaps this was the truth that was most important. Leafpool had sacrificed so much and, even though her kits rejected her time and again, she’d never stopped loving them. In his darkest moments, he couldn’t deny that.
“Brambleclaw, I’m sorry.” Squirrelflight moved closer to the ThunderClan deputy. Her voice was stronger now, as if she was tired of being punished for something she had believed to be right. “You have to understand that I never intended to hurt you. I loved you, and was proud to raise these kits with you. You were a wonderful father.”
“But I wasn’t their father!” Brambleclaw hissed.
“Yes, you were!” Squirrelflight thrust her muzzle close to Brambleclaw’s. Her eyes blazed. “Don’t throw away everything just because you are angry with me!”
Lionblaze swallowed. “I was so proud to be your son.”
Brambleclaw looked at him in surprise, as if he’d forgotten Lionblaze was there. Something in the deputy’s expression changed. “And I couldn’t have asked for a better son. And you, Jayfeather. Or a better daughter, Hollyleaf.” Hollyleaf opened her mouth as if to protest, but Brambleclaw spoke57 first. “You played no part in this deception58, I know that. Whatever you did, it was because of the lies that had been told when you were born.”
“It was my fault alone,” Leafpool meowed quietly. “You are wrong to blame Squirrelflight. She was just being loyal to me. And now that we know about the prophecy, surely the only thing that matters is that these kits were accepted by their Clan? It’s not about us, after all. It’s about them.Their destinies shaped ours, right from the moment they were born.”
Squirrelflight nodded. “Everything was meant to be.”
Lionblaze looked down at his paws. If these cats could accept their destinies, then he had enough courage to accept his. I am one of the Four.
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1
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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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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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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itched
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| v.发痒( itch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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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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lashing
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| n.鞭打；痛斥；大量；许多v.鞭打( lash的现在分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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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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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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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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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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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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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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casually
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| adv.漠不关心地，无动于衷地，不负责任地 | |
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fulfill
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| vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意 | |
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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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reset
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| v.重新安排，复位；n.重新放置；重放之物 | |
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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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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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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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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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apprentice
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| n.学徒，徒弟 | |
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stomped
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| v.跺脚，践踏，重踏( stomp的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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yew
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| n.紫杉属树木 | |
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beech
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| n.山毛榉；adj.山毛榉的 | |
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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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kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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fussier
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| adj.瞎忙的( fussy的比较级 )；紧张不安的；过分琐碎的；装饰太多的 | |
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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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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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flick
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| n.快速的轻打，轻打声，弹开；v.轻弹，轻轻拂去，忽然摇动 | |
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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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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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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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traitors
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| 卖国贼( traitor的名词复数 )； 叛徒； 背叛者； 背信弃义的人 | |
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condemn
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| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
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42
prick
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| v.刺伤，刺痛，刺孔；n.刺伤，刺痛 | |
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pricking
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| 刺，刺痕，刺痛感 | |
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suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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scouting
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| 守候活动，童子军的活动 | |
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46
grit
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| n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关 | |
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pelt
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| v.投掷，剥皮，抨击，开火 | |
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stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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rumbled
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| 发出隆隆声，发出辘辘声( rumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 轰鸣着缓慢行进； 发现…的真相； 看穿（阴谋） | |
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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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51
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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52
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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53
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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54
Flared
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| adj. 端部张开的, 爆发的, 加宽的, 漏斗式的 动词flare的过去式和过去分词 | |
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55
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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56
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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57
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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58
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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