PROLOGUE
PROLOGUE
A jagged ridge sliced across thehorizon, piercing the black sky with its peaks. Four shapes, their pelts flecked by starlight, crouched on the silvered granite where the highest summit pushed into ice-cold wind.
“We have come.” The white she-cat hunched down harder against the chill reaching for her bones. “Just as you asked us to.”
Her companion dipped his head to the cats who had been waiting for them. “Greetings, Owl Feather, Broken Shadow.”
“Greetings, Slant.” Broken Shadow spiked her thick fur, muffling the stone-cold air. Her eyes reflected the rushing stars as she met the white cat’s gaze. “It is good to meet you again, Half Moon.” As she spoke, two more pelts moved like shadow over the stone.
“Bluestar, Spottedleaf, I’m glad to see you.” Half Moon welcomed the StarClan warriors as they settled beside the four Ancients.
Bluestar curled her tail over her paws. “We have come to prepare for the end,” she meowed solemnly.
Owl Feather narrowed her yellow eyes. “And to believe what we have to tell you?”
Spottedleaf let out a low growl. “Bluestar has always believed! It is the others we need to convince.”
“We’re running out of time!” Slant snapped.
The sky spun around them, its stars racing until they blurred into silver streaks—but the mountaintop seemed caught in stillness, like a warrior before the final pounce.
Bluestar’s eyes glistened. “The Clans will make their own choices. I can do no more.”
Slant leaned closer. “But the prophecies helped, didn’t they?”
“Yes.” Bluestar glanced at her medicine cat. “Spottedleaf recognized the flaming star that led me to Firestar.”
Owl Feather acknowledged Spottedleaf with a blink. “She used her gift well. All along, it has been Firestar’s kin who hold the last hope of the Clans in their paws.”
“What about the fourth?” Slant leaned forward, anxiety pricking his gaze. “When will they find the fourth cat?”
“The fourth must be found soon,” fretted Broken Shadow. “There is so little time left.”
Owl Feather’s tail twitched. “Are you sure we’ve done enough?”
“We have done everything we could.” Half Moon’s amber gaze flicked toward two figures clambering over the rocks toward them. “Midnight, is that you?”
“I come with Rock.” The great she-badger lumbered onto the smooth granite. Rock stepped out behind her, his furless body pale in the moonlight.
Broken Shadow shifted her paws. “Greetings, Midnight. I … I didn’t realize that you knew Rock.”
“Since the dawn of your time, we have known each other,” Midnight rumbled, turning her wide, striped head. “Since first cat put paw beside water.”
Rock sat down on the cold stone. His blind blue eyes were round and white as moons. “We watched the first sunrise over the lake.”
“It burst water into flame,” Midnight recalled. “And in fiery reflection we see future of all cats: Tribe of Rushing Water, five Clan, four Clan, forest, and lake.”
“We saw your whole journey, from lake to forest and back.” Rock tipped his head as if watching the cats process in front of him. “The prophecies all came from that first reflected sunrise—the cat with a pelt of flame that would save the Clans, the silver cat who would save the Tribe of Rushing Water, and finally the four who would carry the last hope, not just of the Clans, but of light itself.”
Midnight’s claws scratched the granite. “Now we fear we see a final sunset that ends your story.”
Half Moon stepped forward. “But the four? They will save us, surely?”
“They came as we saw they would and, when they came, they lit the darkest fires.” Midnight gazed at the Ancient cats, her beady black eyes intent. “So you and all long-dead cats burn like stars once more.”
“But evil is coming,” Rock warned.
Midnight cut in. “Darkness we saw born like littermate alongside the light. Now all must stand and fight.”
As the other cats shivered, Rock moved his blind gaze over them. “Thank you for safeguarding the prophecies for so long, and for passing them down from cats forgotten now and vanished.”
Broken Shadow sighed. “So many lives lost.”
“All lives are brief,” Rock reminded her.
“My son’s was too brief!” Her eyes flashed accusingly. “Why couldn’t you save Fallen Leaves?”
“It was never my duty to save anyone!” Rock flashed back at her. “What is the point of a life held in the paws of another? There must be choice. There must be freedom. I can point the way but every cat walks on its own paws.”
Slant narrowed his eyes. “Do the Clans walk alone into the final battle?”
Half Moon flattened her ears. “Never alone!” She lifted her chin. “I will fight alongside Jayfeather.”
Broken Shadow unsheathed her claws. “And I will fight alongside my son.”
“I will fight beside Jagged Lightning and my kits to defeat this darkness.” Owl Feather’s eyes sparked.
Bluestar thrashed her tail. “And I will die a tenth time to defend ThunderClan!”
“These cats will never stand alone,” Half Moon declared. “We are with them just as we have always been.”
“Light against dark,” Midnight growled. “This is the end of all things—this is the last sunrise.”
Rock touched her flank lightly with the tip of his tail. “It is what we have been waiting for, my friend.”
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
Someone’s bleeding!
Ivypool stiffened as the memory of Antpelt’s death flooded her mind, just as it always did when the scent of blood hit her. She could still feel his flesh tearing beneath her claws, still see his final agonized spasm before he stopped moving forever. She’d been forced to kill the WindClan warrior to convince Tigerstar of her loyalty. It had earned her the grim honor of training Dark Forest warriors, but she knew she would never wash the scent of his blood from her paws.
“Stop!” she yowled.
Birchfall froze mid-lunge and stared at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I smell blood,” she snapped. “We’re only training. I don’t want any injuries.”
Birchfall blinked at her, puzzled.
Redwillow scrambled up from underneath Birchfall’s paws. “It’s just a nick,” the ShadowClan warrior meowed. He showed Ivypool his ear. Blood welled from a thin scratch at the tip.
“Just be careful,” Ivypool cautioned.
“Be careful?” Hawkfrost’s snarl made her spin around. “There’s a war coming and it won’t be won with sheathed claws.” Hawkfrost curled his lip and stared at Ivypool. “I thought you were helping to train our recruits to fight like real warriors, not soft Clan cats.”
Birchfall bristled. “Clan cats aren’t soft!”
“Then why do you come here?” Hawkfrost challenged.
Redwillow whisked his tail. “Our Clans need us to be the best warriors we can be. You told us that, remember?”
Hawkfrost nodded slowly. “And you can only learn the skills you need here.” He flicked his nose toward Birchfall. “Attack Redwillow again,” he ordered. “This time don’t stop at the first scent of blood.” He narrowed his eyes at Ivypool.
Ivypool swallowed, terrified she’d given herself away. No Dark Forest cat could ever know that she came here to spy for Dovewing, Jayfeather, and Lionblaze. Growling, she lifted her chin and barged past Birchfall. “Do it like this,” she told him. With a hiss she hurled herself at Redwillow, ducking away from his claws, and grasped his forepaw between her jaws. Using his weight to unbalance him, she snapped her head around and twisted him deftly onto his back. He landed with a thump, which she knew sounded more painful than it felt. She’d hardly pierced his fur with her teeth and her jerk was so well-timed it had knocked him off his feet without wrenching his leg.
She glanced back at Hawkfrost, relieved to see approval glinting in his eyes. He’d only seen the flash of fur and claw and heard the smack of muscle against the slippery earth.
“Hawkfrost!”
Birchfall and Redwillow stared wide-eyed as Applefur appeared from the mist. The ShadowClan she-cat’s eyes were bright, her mottled brown pelt pulsing with heat from training. “Blossomfall and Hollowflight want to fight Dark Forestwarriors.”
Applefur’s apprentices padded out of the shadows. “We can fight Clan cats anytime,” Blossomfall complained.
Hollowflight nodded. “We come here to learn skills we can’t learn anywhere else.” The RiverClan tom’s pelt was matted with blood. Clumps of fur stuck out along his spine.
Haven’t you had enough?Ivypool glanced at Hawkfrost. “Are there any Dark Forest warriors close by?” she ventured, praying there weren’t.
“Of course.” Hawkfrost tasted the air.
The screech of fighting cats echoed through the mist. It had become like birdsong to Ivypool—filling the forest, so familiar that she only heard it when she listened for it. “Why aren’t we training with them tonight?” she asked. Most nights, the Dark Forest warriors couldn’t wait to share their cruel skills with the Clan cats.
Hawkfrost wove between Blossomfall and Applefur. “I want you to learn how other Clans fight.”
Ivypool shivered.
“You may be fighting side by side one day,” Hawkfrost went on.
Liar!
“You need to know your allies’ moves so you can match them, claw for claw.”
No, you’re training them to destroy one another in the final battle.
A husky growl echoed from the trees. “Four Clans will unite as one when it matters most.” Tigerstar padded from the shadows, his wide tabby head held high. “This is the law of the Dark Forest. Remember it.”
Birchfall nodded solemnly. “Four Clans will unite as one when it matters most,” he echoed.
“When will that be?” Blossomfall’s eyes were round.
“You’ll know when the time comes.” Mapleshade slunk from the trees. Her tortoiseshell pelt was so transparent now that the white patches showed the forest behind. Ivypool flinched at the reminder that she too would fade from every memory one day.
“Tigerstar?” Blossomfall was staring at the dark warrior. “Are we training for something special?”
Ivypool flinched. “Not yet,” she meowed quickly, one eye on Tigerstar. He nodded and she went on. “But you never know.” She remembered the vicious battle with WindClan in the tunnels only a quarter moon earlier. “There may be more cats like Sol ready to lead one Clan against another.”
Applefur stepped forward. “Next time a rogue tries to drive us apart, I’ll stand beside ThunderClan, not against them!”
Ivypool shifted her paws. These cats believe their loyalty to the Clans is being strengthened.She glanced at Birchfall. But who will they be loyal to when the final battle comes? Their Clanmates or the Dark Forest warriors?
Tigerstar flicked his tail. “Go back to your nests,” he ordered the Clan cats.
Hollowflight tipped his head. “But it’s early.”
“The senior warriors have a meeting.” Tigerstar nodded to Mapleshade and Hawkfrost.
“Can I come?” Ivypool asked.
Mapleshade narrowed her eyes. “No.”
“I’m a mentor now,” Ivypool pressed. She had to find out when the Dark Forest cats were planning to attack the Clans by the lake.
“While you still have the taste of living prey on your tongue, you’re not truly one of us,” Mapleshade snarled.
Tigerstar nodded. “Go back to your Clan and rest,” he ordered. “You’ll need your strength tomorrow night.” He turned and stalked into the shadows, Mapleshade hurrying after.
Blossomfall shrugged. “I guess we can practice our new moves in the forest as well as here,” she told Birchfall. Closing her eyes, she began to fade.
Ivypool watched her Clanmate vanish from the forest. She’ll take her wounds with her. And the memory of what she’s learned.Ivypool’s pelt pricked. She didn’t want those memories, these vicious skills in ThunderClan!
“Are you coming?” Birchfall flicked his tail.
Ivypool twitched her ears to send him on his way. “I’ll be right behind you.”
Hollowflight, Applefur, and Redwillow were melting into the shadows as Birchfall disappeared. As soon as they had gone, Ivypool turned to Hawkfrost. “You trust me to train cats for the Dark Forest, but not to attend gatherings of the senior warriors?”
His eyes gleamed. “Do you really want to be there?”
Ivypool nodded.
Hawkfrost leaned closer. “Tough.” He turned and padded after Tigerstar.
Ivypool flexed her claws. I’m coming whether you want me to or not!As Hawkfrost’s pelt shimmered away between the trees, she darted forward and, heart racing, began to shadow him. Keeping just enough mist and bramble between them so that he was little more than a flicker at the edge of her vision, she matched his pawsteps.
“Snowtuft?” Hawkfrost suddenly slowed.
Ivypool halted and pricked her ears.
Hawkfrost greeted his Clanmate with a growl. “Are you heading for the meeting?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for all the mice in the forest,” Snowtuft rasped. “Where are the Clan cats?”
Hawkfrost snorted. “Tigerstar sent them back to their nests.”
Snowtuft’s claws scraped the earth. “Are you sure there won’t be any hanging around the training rock?”
“Brokenstar will make sure there aren’t,” Hawkfrost growled.
The training rock!Ivypool flicked her tail. They’re meeting beside the river!She knew the Dark Forest well enough now to find her way without being spotted by Hawkfrost. She only had to follow the old stream to the hollow trunks, then aim for the riverbank.
Crouching, she slunk behind bushes until she could hear the deep murmur of the senior warriors. She slid behind a trunk and peered around. The mist cleared where the river cut through the trees. A large boulder stuck out of the mud on the shore. Ivypool flattened her ears. She had shared her first training sessions with her Dark Forest Clanmates here. Now it was circled by heavily muscled warriors. Feeling the stirrings of fear in her belly, she pushed them away. I am a warrior of the Dark Forest,she reminded herself. I am the equal of any of these cats!
Brokenstar stood on the stone, his thick, dark pelt spiked with excitement. “The time is close,” he growled.
Mapleshade lifted her fading white muzzle. “Good,” she hissed. “I’d hate to miss it.”
Hawkfrost sat and watched through narrowed eyes. Blue as ice, they followed Brokenstar’s every move. Shredtail and Thistleclaw paced while Tigerstar stood stiff-legged, his tail lashing. “Where will we strike first?” he demanded.
Brokenstar slid from the boulder and scratched a line in the muddy earth. “This is where the lake meets the land.”
Slash.
Slash.
Slash.
With deft claws he sliced more shapes into the ground. “We will come at them from here and here.” He stabbed the ground. “And while they are fighting there, another patrol will strike here.”
Ivypool stretched forward, desperate to see where he was pointing at, but Tigerstar and Shredtail blocked her view as they crowded close. Her heart pounding in her throat, Ivypool listened for clues instead.
“They’ll be weaker where the hill slopes down to the brook,” Brokenstar growled. “We can come at them from higher ground and drive them backward.”
“What if we approach from here instead?” Tigerstar jabbed the map with a claw.
Ivypool jumped as Brokenstar’s eyes lit up with interest. “At the very heart of the Clan!”
“Once the kits are dead, their mothers will have less to fight for,” Mapleshade pointed out.
“You’re right.” Brokenstar sat back on his haunches. “It’s decided, then.”
Hawkfrost looked over his shoulder, his gaze grazing the tree where Ivypool was hiding. She flattened herself to the ground, relief swamping her as Hawkfrost’s gaze swept past, missing her, and the Dark Forest warriors began to pad away from the river. As soon as the shore was deserted, she slid out from her hiding place and crept toward Brokenstar’s map. Tense as a rabbit, she glimpsed lines scored in the mud.
Suddenly, paws shook her violently. She jerked around, hissing, and lashed out at her attacker.
“Ivypool!”
Dovewing’s shocked mew brought her to her senses. Ivypool was in her nest. “You woke me up!” she snarled at her sister.
Dovewing stared at her, terror glittering in her eyes. “Ivypool? Are you okay?”
“I was dreaming!” Frustration tightened Ivypool’s throat. She was about to see Brokenstar’s plans!
“You’re awake now, though?” Dovewing asked uncertainly.
“Yes,” Ivypool muttered. “I’m awake.”
Dovewing met her gaze. “You never would have tried to shred me for waking you up before.”
“You know what happens when I dream.”
“That’s why I woke you. Your fur was on end. I was scared something was…” Dovewing suddenly narrowed her eyes. “Did you want to stayin the Dark Forest?”
Ivypool lifted her chin. Here, in the safety of her nest, the terror that had sharpened her dreams ebbed away. But the sense of danger still thrilled beneath her pelt. “I was doing something important!”
Dovewing leaned closer. “What?”
Ivypool turned away. “It’s too late now.” Brokenstar’s plans would be scuffed or washed away by tonight.
Dovewing suddenly wrinkled her nose. “You smell foul.”
Ivypool glanced down at her muddy paws and tucked them tighter beneath her. “Don’t worry. I’ll wash.”
“Good.” Dovewing squeezed past her and headed out of the den.
Ivypool glanced at Molepaw’s empty nest and Cherrypaw’s beside it. They’d already left for apprentice duties. Flexing her claws, she shouldered her way out of the den.
“Ivypool!” Bumblestripe called from the fresh-kill pile. The well-muscled gray tom had a fat blackbird at his paws.
Ivypool ignored him and ducked through the thorn tunnel, into the forest. How could she stay in camp, confined by the hollow, trapped with her Clanmates while her head still spun with the scents and sounds of the Dark Forest?
She bounded up the slope toward the ridge. Strength surged through her body. The Dark Forest had given her that power. It had trained her to be a more skillful warrior than her Clanmates, given her tactics that she would use against the Dark Forest cats when the final battle came. Ivypool’s claws sliced through brambles as she crested the slope and burst from the tree line. Below, the lake glittered beneath a pale dawn sky. Leaf-fall was beginning to tinge the treetops. The green haze that had enfolded the forests for moons was darkening to amber. Excitement surged beneath Ivypool’s pelt. There was no prey she couldn’t catch; no warrior she couldn’t defeat. Her paws itched to prove it.
Out of nowhere, a vision filled her eyes. Warriors swarmed from the shores and spilled into the forest. Torn-eared and scarred, their eyes gleamed with hate. Ferns trembled, brambles shivered as the woods seemed to heave, suddenly alive with battle-hungry cats. Shrieks echoed and Ivypool heard the thud of muscle against rock as the world shook in the claws of the Dark Forest warriors.
As the vision faded she could still taste the tang of blood and fear. Ivypool realized that she was shaking, and her pads were sweating. All the battle skills in the Place of No Stars would not be enough to stop that unrelenting tide of death.
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
Evening was creeping into the hollowand dew dampened his fur as Jayfeather took a mouse from the fresh-kill pile and settled beside the bramble to eat.
The half-moon would be hanging in a clear, pale sky. Would the other medicine cats obey the dire warnings from their ancestors and stay away from the other Clans? Or would they travel to the Moonpool to share their dreams with StarClan?
Should I go?
He felt the moon’s tug deep beneath his fur. Ignoring it made his heart ache. But since Dawnpelt had stood at the Gathering and accused him of murdering Flametail, the Clans had ordered Jayfeather to give up his medicine-cat duties. Firestar had given him permission to continue helping his Clanmates as usual, but he had been forced to surrender all his responsibilities outside the Clan.
The moon tugged harder. The will of StarClan was stronger than any living cat. And according to the prophecy, Jayfeather was stronger than StarClan. Besides, he knew he was innocent. He’d tried to save Flametail when he fell through the ice. No other cat had tried to drag the ShadowClan medicine cat from the freezing depths of the lake. Angrily Jayfeather ripped a bite from his mouse.
The trailing brambles swished beside him as Briarlight hauled herself out of the medicine den. Her forepaws were so strong now, she could easily pull her crippled hind legs around the camp.
“Do you want some of this?” Jayfeather held up his mouse with a claw.
“No thanks.” Briarlight paused beside him. “I’m in the mood for vole.”
He felt the sleekness of her fur brush past him as she pulled herself toward the fresh-kill pile. She was the cleanest cat in ThunderClan, washing herself tirelessly, checking for ticks twice a day, and rooting out every flea. An infected bite would weaken her and she was determined to keep exercising until she was the strongest she could be, even without the use of her hind legs.
Jayfeather sensed her fizzing excitement as she rooted through the fresh-kill pile, and her tiny jab of pleasure as she grabbed a vole from the bottom and dragged it out with sharp teeth. Nimbly she crossed the grass and settled beside Jayfeather. “Aren’t you hungry?” She poked his barely-touched mouse with her paw. “It’s half-moon. You’ll need your strength to travel to the Moonpool.”
Jayfeather growled softly. “I’ve been banned, remember?”
Briarlight scooped up her vole and took a bite. “Since when would that stop you?” she asked with her mouth full.
Brightheart’s paws scuffed the ground beside them. “Stop what?”
Jayfeather snorted. “None of your business.”
“It’s half-moon but Jayfeather isn’t allowed to go to the Moonpool,” Briarlight chipped in.
“Can’t you share dreams with StarClan in your nest?” Brightheart stroked her tail along Jayfeather’s spine.
He shook her off. “There’s more to visiting the Moonpool than sharing dreams!”
Jayfeather marched across the clearing. He ducked through the camp entrance, hissing as a thorn snagged his ear tip, and stomped into the woods.
Paws padded swiftly after him. Jayfeather tasted Firestar’s scent. The ThunderClan leader had followed him out of the hollow. “I know it’s frustrating,” Firestar began sympathetically.
Jayfeather turned on him. “Really? Do you think the Clans would believe Dawnpelt if I wasn’t half-Clan?”
Firestar stopped.
“Or if Leafpool hadn’t broken the medicine-cat code in kitting me?” He felt Firestar’s surprise. “Had you forgotten?” Jayfeather demanded.
“I don’t think about it.” There was honesty in Firestar’s mew.
Jayfeather blinked. “You don’t think about it?” he echoed. Every time he saw Leafpool or Squirrelflight or Brambleclaw, Jayfeather felt the prick of betrayal. He’d believed he was pure ThunderClan, that his parents were Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, until Hollyleaf had discovered that Leafpool was their mother and Crowfeather, a WindClan warrior, their father.
Firestar’s tail whisked over the fallen leaves. “You’re one of the Three. Your birth was meant to happen.” He padded closer. “Does it matter how you came to be born?”
“Yes!” Lit by rage, Jayfeather paced around Firestar. “I’m cursed by Leafpool’s mistake! Every cat thinks I’m unnatural because my birth broke two codes—the warrior code and the medicine-cat code! No wonder they’re so eager to think I’m a murderer. They certainly can’t think I’m blessed by StarClan.”
Firestar shifted his paws. “But we both know you areblessed by StarClan. More than any other cat.”
“No thanks to Leafpool!” Jayfeather clawed the ground. “Or Squirrelflight.”
“Leafpool kept your secret,” Firestar reminded him sternly. “She and Squirrelflight did the best they could for you and your littermates. It was Hollyleaf who told the truth. She believed she had to, and now what’s done is done. Squirrelflight and your mother are not responsible for the prejudices of the other Clans. And neither are you.”
“It’s not fair. Why couldn’t Leafpool have just followed the medicine-cat code?” Jayfeather pushed his way deeper into the trees. “It’s not exactly complicated!”
“And if she had?” Firestar called after him. “What then? If she’d never fallen in love with Crowfeather, where would you be? Think of the prophecy!”
Jayfeather raked the leaf mulch with his claws. “Why can’t I think about mefor once?” With a growl he stalked away, ducking through ferns and pacing over tree roots until he sensed dusk turn to dark around him. Suddenly he felt a wall of fur blocking his path. He leaped back. “Who is it?”
As he spoke, he recognized the foul stench of Yellowfang’s breath. Her muzzle was less than a mouse-length from his nose.“Why can’t I think about me for once?” she mimicked.
“Leave me alone!” Jayfeather backed away but her stinking muzzle followed him.
“You’renot important!” the old cat hissed. “Only the survival of the Clan matters! You’re one of the Three and you have to find the fourth to defeat the Dark Forest before it’s too late!”
“What do you mean, I’m not important?” Jayfeather spat back. How dare she? “How do you know that I’m not the mostimportant one?” His anger was pulsing so hard that the words flooded out of him. “If the Clans stop me from being a medicine cat, the whole prophecy might be wasted.”
Yellowfang wreathed around him, her matted fur brushing roughly against his. “Do you think herbsare going to save the Clans from the Dark Forest?” she snapped.
“There’s more to being a medicine cat than herbs!” Jayfeather tried to push past her but she blocked his way.
“Like what?”
“Like sharing dreams with StarClan!”
Yellowfang’s tail swished the ferns. “What do you think you’re doing now, mouse-brain?”
Jayfeather growled. “Why are you bugging me?”
“You need to find the fourth warrior!”
“We don’t know it’s a warrior!” Jayfeather snapped. “We don’t know which Clan this cat is in. We don’t even know it is a cat!”
“Stop making excuses! You haven’t even told the others there isa fourth cat, have you?”
Jayfeather’s ears twitched guiltily. Memory swept his mind clear and suddenly he was back on a dark, windswept mountaintop. The Tribe of Endless Hunting surrounded him, their eyes glowing with hope. Stonetellers from ages past whispered the words that still echoed in his thoughts.
The end of the stars draws near. Three must become four to challenge the darkness that lasts forever.
“You haven’t told them,” Yellowfang repeated.
“No.” Jayfeather sat down. “I’ve been waiting for the right time.”
“Really?” Yellowfang sounded unconvinced. “I think the truth is that you don’t want there to be a fourth cat. You can’t bear the thought that you need help.”
“That’s not true!” Jayfeather’s pelt burned. How did she guess?
“Then why keep the Tribe’s prophecy a secret when you know time is running out?”
Jayfeather closed his eyes, suddenly weary. “Aren’t our powers enough to save the Clans?”
Yellowfang’s pelt brushed his. “You’re facing the Dark Forest! You need all the help you can get! Find the fourth cat!”
“Okay!” Jayfeather snapped. “But where do I look?”
“If I knew, I’d tell you.” Yellowfang pushed away through the ferns.
“Wait!” Jayfeather dashed after her. A bramble tripped him and he stumbled. “I need you to do something for me.”
“Haven’t I done enough?” Yellowfang kept walking.
“I need you to find Flametail and tell him to visit Littlecloud.” Jayfeather bounded after her. “Flametail’s got to explain that I tried to save him from drowning, not murder him.”
Yellowfang shook her head. “Sorry, Jayfeather. StarClan is divided. I can’t cross Clan lines.”
“But you used to be ShadowClan,” Jayfeather reminded her.
She turned on him, and he felt her eyes blazing. “I am ThunderClan!” she hissed.
“But—” Jayfeather was pleading to empty air. Yellowfang had gone.
“Mouse dung!” Furious, Jayfeather broke into a run. Letting memory of his territory guide him, he raced up the slope till he broke free of the trees and felt the fresh, cold wind from the lake streaming over his pelt. He twitched his whiskers as he smelled another scent. “Leafpool?”
She padded out of the forest and stopped beside him. “Are you okay?”
Jayfeather tensed, ready to argue, but no words came. He felt hollow.
“Firestar seemed flustered when he came back to camp,” Leafpool meowed softly. “I was worried about you.”
Stop acting like my mother! It’s too late for that!
Leafpool moved closer without touching him. “I know how it feels, to lose your place as medicine cat.”
“Firestar says I can keep treating my Clanmates,” Jayfeather reminded her.
“Brightheart could treat the Clan,” Leafpool pointed out. “But that doesn’t make her a medicine cat.” Anger suddenly sparked from her pelt. “You need to be able to visit StarClan and share with the other medicine cats and our ancestors.”
Jayfeather jerked away from her, unnerved that she understood so clearly. “I don’t care,” he insisted. He wasn’t going to be tricked into feeling close to her.
“Go to the Moonpool.” Leafpool ignored his protest. “Share your dreams with StarClan. Find Flametail and make him tell the truth to his Clanmates.”
Jayfeather flattened his ears. “How can I go? I’m not allowed to be a medicine cat outside ThunderClan!”
“No one can stop you from visiting the Moonpool,” Leafpool argued. “Do you think any cat would risk displeasing StarClan by standing in your way? Go to them and makeFlametail tell the truth!”
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
Jayfeather closed his eyes, listening tothe leaves crunch as Leafpool padded away. He could sense starlight dancing on his pelt. Far below, tiny waves splashed at the shore. Though he hated to admit it, Leafpool was right.
When he reached the Moonpool, Jayfeather called out hopefully. “Is anyone there?”
His mew echoed back, unanswered. He was alone.
Pushing away disappointment, he followed the dimpled path that spiraled down into the heart of the hollow. The wind whined overhead, worrying at the encircling rock like an abandoned kit searching for its mother. Jayfeather longed to feel the pelts of long-dead cats that used to jostle and hurry him down to the water’s edge. But there was no sign of the Ancients who had dented the stone with their pawsteps over so many generations. Jayfeather stopped alone at the water’s edge, hollow with a loneliness he’d never felt before. Closing his eyes, he crouched beside the Moonpool and touched his nose to the water.
“Jayfeather.”
Jayfeather sat up. He had expected to wake in the warm meadows of StarClan. But he was still in the hollow.
“Jayfeather.” A she-cat sat beside him.
He’d awoken into a vision; he could see her white pelt, spotted black along her flanks. Her pink nose stretched toward him, twitching as she sniffed.
Jayfeather blinked at her. “Who are you?”
“Brambleberry of RiverClan.”
Brambleberry? Jayfeather suddenly recognized the pelt he’d seen often in StarClan’s hunting grounds. This was the gentle RiverClan medicine cat who tended to her Clan in the days before Leopardstar and Mistystar.
“Did Willowshine send you?” Jayfeather felt a flash of hope. Perhaps the RiverClan medicine cat was trying to communicate with him despite the rift between Clans.
Brambleberry shook her head. “I came to appeal to your wisdom, not hers.”
“But you’re RiverClan.”
“So?” Starlight twinkled in Brambleberry’s round blue eyes. “The Clans are like honeysuckle. One tendril chokes the other to reach for the light, believing they grow from separate stems.”
Jayfeather pricked his ears as she went on.
“When the sun shines, young leaves fight for its warmth. The struggle makes the bush strong, each branch seeking out the light and climbing ever higher.” Brambleberry’s eyes darkened. “But when there is no sun, when the leaves begin to fall and the branches wither one by one, the stem must look to its roots for nourishment.”
“So instead of four branches, there is one root,” Jayfeather murmured. “But how? The Clans have been divided since the beginning of time.”
“You have created your own boundaries, setting them and patrolling them.” Brambleberry tipped her head to one side. “But they exist only in your minds. Why else would you have to mark them each day with fresh scent?”
Was she saying they should live as one Clan? Jayfeather frowned. “But we need boundaries,” he argued. “To grow strong. You said so.”
“Perhaps,” Brambleberry conceded. “When the sun shines.” She leaned closer. “But a great darkness is coming.”
Jayfeather shifted his paws. “But I don’t want to become mixed up with ShadowClan, or WindClan, or RiverClan.”
Brambleberry gazed at him softly. “You’re already half-Clan.”
Jayfeather’s fur spiked. “I’m ThunderClan from nose to tail. And my heart is loyal only to them.”
“It was you who fixed your heart on ThunderClan,” Brambleberry insisted. “But you’re half-WindClan, just as Graystripe and Silverstream’s kits were half-RiverClan. And Stormfur’s heart beats for the Tribe now. Who knows where Feathertail’s loyalties would lie if she’d lived?” The old medicine cat dipped her head. “Loyalty makes Clan cats strong. But no Clan has pure blood running beneath every pelt.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Jayfeather’s tail twitched. “Being half-Clan isn’t a sign of strength. It’s what happens when cats are disloyal.” He unsheathed his claws. “It’s what happens when they betray the warrior code!”
Brambleberry’s gaze hardened. “Are you listening to me?” she growled. “Or are you too busy worrying about whether your blood smells of forest or moorland?” She snorted. “The Clans must unite! Don’t look for boundaries that aren’t there. Look for the ones that are.”
Wind spiraled down into the hollow and set the Moonpool rippling. Jayfeather turned and saw its surface color and change until it reflected a landscape. A circle of water shone at its center, surrounded by hills and trees.
“It’s the lake!” he gasped. “And there’s ThunderClan territory!” He gazed at the bright green forest. This must be how an eagle would see the Clans’ territories. Jayfeather squinted, trying to make out more detail.
“Are you looking for the scent lines?” Brambleberry flicked her tail. “Can you see them?”
“It’s too far away.” Jayfeather could only see one landscape blending into another, the gentle slope of valleys and glittering trails cut by rivers and streams.
“This is how StarClan sees your home,” Brambleberry explained. “We see the beauty of it and the richness. We don’t see which tree belongs to which Clan. Don’t look for boundaries that aren’t there…”
“…look for the boundaries that are.”Jayfeather echoed her words, searching the landscape again. “But where are they?”
Brambleberry touched his cheek with her tail-tip, guiding his gaze back to her. “The only true borders lie between day and night, between life and death, between hope and loss.”
Jayfeather stared at the medicine cat. “So why is StarClan telling us to stay inside our territories, to listen only to our Clanmates?” he asked.
Brambleberry shifted her paws. “We can’t see your lands anymore,” she confessed. Her gaze flashed toward the pool. “It’s all dark to us now and we are frightened.”
Jayfeather whisked his tail. “What can I do?”
“Make them see!”
“The Clans?”
“StarClan!”
“Why can’t you do it?”
“I wasn’t born with the power of the stars in my paws!” Brambleberry turned and began to follow the curving path out of the hollow. “Make them understand that the Clans must fight together or die divided.”
“Wait!” Jayfeather dashed after her. “How can I convince them?”
Brambleberry glanced back. “You already know the answer.” Her voice echoed as she reached the edge of the hollow. “Three must become four to save all the Clans.”
Jayfeather stared as her white pelt vanished into the darkness. He glanced back at the Moonpool. It reflected only the starlit sky. Blinking, he tried to wake from his vision, and the hollow disappeared. Relieved, Jayfeather welcomed back his blindness.
Then something flashed at the edge of his vision.
I’m not blind! I’m still dreaming!
Shapes moved around him. Trees towered on every side. Darkness clung to everything.
“You won’t see us coming,” a voice whispered in his ear.
Jayfeather jerked away. A pelt brushed against him from the other side. Terrified, he turned, trying to see who was there. But the shapes kept moving, too dark to make out.
A growl sounded behind him. “Your death will come slowly and painfully.”
Jayfeather spun around, straining his eyes into the trees.
“There is nothing you can do to prevent it.”
I know that voice!He tasted the air, the scent curling his tongue. He’d met this cat before, in the Dark Forest with Yellowfang. “Brokenstar?”
A shadow froze in front of him. Amber eyes gleamed from the darkness. Jayfeather jumped backward.
“Scared yet?” Brokenstar taunted.
Jayfeather lifted his chin. “We’re ready for you!”
“Really?” The eyes blinked. “I think some of your Clanmates are more ready than you know.”
“What do you mean?” Jayfeather stiffened against the shiver that clawed his spine.
“Listen.”
Jayfeather pricked his ears.
“Line up!” Somewhere in the trees, a tom was hissing orders. “Unsheathe your claws and prepare to attack!”
“They’re training,” Brokenstar explained.
“Which attack move do we use?”
Jayfeather’s fur bushed up as he recognized Blossomfall’s mew.
“The throat grip might work.” That was Birchfall!
“Not straight for the throat!” Breezepelt of WindClan snarled. “Death shouldn’t come too quickly. We must terrify our enemies before we kill them.”
“If we shred the cats in front it’ll unnerve those behind,” Tigerheart added.
“First scare them, then scarthem.”
“Nice one, Icewing.” Beetlewhisker congratulated his Clanmate.
This was worse than Jayfeather had imagined. We’ve lost so many to the darkness!Jayfeather thought in horror. The Clans mustfight as one, more fiercely than ever before, if they were going to defeat the Dark Forest army.
Pelts brushed bushes, fur snagging on thorns. Paws thrummed the ground. They’re coming!Jayfeather unsheathed his claws as he heard cats approaching swiftly through the trees. Hawkfrost broke from the shadows first. Behind him raced ranks of warriors, lean and low to the ground. Jayfeather scanned their faces. He recognized no one. He saw only eyes glittering with cruelty. These were different cats, Dark Forest warriors. They streamed toward him, teeth bared.
Jayfeather tried to run but his paws were frozen. As the first wave flooded around him, buffeting him, growls rumbling from every throat, Jayfeather blinked open his eyes.
He was blind again. The Moonpool lapped at his nose. With relief he felt smooth rock beneath his paws. His pelt was drenched with stinking dew, his breath fast as he struggled to his feet.
A voice startled him. “Jayfeather?”
“Mothwing?” Still struggling to push away his vision, Jayfeather tasted the air. The cold stone tang of the hollow was warmed by the scent of the RiverClan medicine cat.
“Are you all right?” Her whiskers brushed his cheeks as she leaned close.
“I’m fine.” Jayfeather shook his pelt and frowned. Why was Mothwing here? Although she was skilled with herbs and could treat any sickness, she had no connection with StarClan. She’d stopped coming to the half-moon Gatherings ages ago, letting her apprentice, Willowshine, share tongues with RiverClan’s ancestors instead.
“Are you the only one who came?” she meowed.
Jayfeather sat down. “Yes.”
“Willowshine refused.” Mothwing padded to the edge of the pool and Jayfeather heard her sniffing the water. “What is going on with StarClan? Willowshine told me they’d ordered her to stay away from the other medicine cats.” Her paws scuffed the stone as she turned to face Jayfeather. “It doesn’t make sense. Our shared code helps the Clans fight sickness. In the past it’s helped keep the peace.”
Jayfeather fixed his blind gaze on her. “Our code is no longer enough. StarClan is frightened.”
Surprise pulsed from Mothwing. “Of what?”
“The Dark Forest.” Jayfeather wondered whether to share what he knew. If Mothwing didn’t believe her ancestors lived on in the stars, she certainly wouldn’t believe in a forest filled with wicked cats. And yet, perhaps her lack of belief might be helpful. She couldn’t be touched by either StarClan or the Dark Forest warriors.
What if she’s the fourth cat!
Mothwing padded around him. “Willowshine says there will be a battle between StarClan and the Dark Forest.”
“She’s right,” Jayfeather meowed. “But when it comes, it won’t be just in our dreams; it’ll be real.It’ll be fought between living warriors on Clan territory.”
Mothwing halted. “How can that be?”
“The Dark Forest warriors have been training Clan cats as they sleep.” Jayfeather waited for disbelief to cloud Mothwing’s thoughts but, though fear sparked beneath her pelt, her mind was like a wide-open sky.
“Some of my Clanmates have been acting strange,” she murmured. “Restless and argumentative.”
Jayfeather pricked his ears. “Who?”
“Hollowflight, Icewing—”
“What about Beetlewhisker?”
Mothwing shifted her paws. “How did you know?”
Jayfeather ignored her question. There wasn’t time. “We need to unite the Clans.” He began to pace. “The battle won’t be fought over boundaries this time. Our very survival will be at stake.”
Mothwing’s breath quickened. “What can I do to help?”
Her offer sent a rush of hope through Jayfeather, but he knew he had to be honest. “Hawkfrost is involved.”
“My brother?” Mothwing’s tail swished over the rock. “How?”
“He has chosen darkness over light.”
Grief flared from Mothwing but she pushed it away. “I am not my brother,” she declared. “I have always chosen a different path from him. My loyalty is to living Clanmates, not dead littermates.”
“So you’d fight him if you had to?”
“Fight him? He’s already dead!”
“But the living and dead are training together to destroy the Clans!” Jayfeather pictured his Clanmates training in the Dark Forest. They can’t know what they’re doing, surely? No cat could persuade Birchfall or Blossomfall to harm their Clanmates!“They are using our own Clanmates against us.”
Mothwing’s paws scuffed on the stone. “How will we know who to trust?”
Jayfeather let out a slow breath. “We won’t until the battle begins. But if we can stop StarClan from driving the Clans apart, we stand a chance of winning.”
“I can’t help you change what dead cats do,” Mothwing meowed. “But I might be able to help guide the living ones. I’ll try to persuade Willowshine to visit the Moonpool again.”
“Will she listen to you over StarClan?”
Mothwing paused. “I don’t know. But I have to try.” Jayfeather felt the RiverClan cat’s determination tingling beneath her pelt. “And if I think of a way to make the other medicine cats listen, I’ll come and find you.” Her breath touched his muzzle as she leaned closer. “You’re not alone anymore, Jayfeather.” She turned and padded up the spiraling path out the hollow. “Are you coming?”
Jayfeather followed. Mothwing was the last cat he imagined would help him fight the Dark Forest. But perhaps she was the only cat who could.
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
Bright sunshine lit the hollow. TheClan was resting after its morning patrols.
As Lionblaze took a halfhearted bite from the mouse lying at his paws, Millie settled beside the warriors’ den.
“Bring me a shrew!” she called to Graystripe.
“There’s plenty.” Rosepetal was sharing a blackbird with Blossomfall. “We found a whole nestful.”
Graystripe padded toward the fresh-kill pile. It was well stocked. Hunting patrols had been stepped up to fatten the Clan before leaf-bare. Firestar wanted to make sure they faced the coming moons as fit and strong as any Clan.
“Can I join you?” Hollyleaf crossed the clearing and dropped a thrush beside Lionblaze.
Lionblaze rolled his mouse underneath his paw. “If you want.”
His sister settled beside him, nestling into the shade of the fallen beech. “Jayfeather’s not back,” she observed before taking a bite from her thrush.
“I know.” Lionblaze plucked distractedly at the mouse.
“Why did he go to the Moonpool?” Hollyleaf’s mew was muffled by feathers. “Firestar told him to confine his medicine-cat duties to camp.”
“I guess he had his reasons.” Lionblaze twitched his ears uneasily. Jayfeather had been reckless to travel alone. What if a WindClan patrol found him? Would they show mercy to a cat they believed was a murderer?
Cinderheart padded over to them. Lionblaze focused on his mouse while she greeted his sister. “It’s been a good morning for hunting.”
Hollyleaf brushed a feather from her muzzle. “I’ve never seen so much prey.”
Lionblaze lifted his head to glance quickly at Cinderheart. Her soft gray pelt shone and her long tail was sleek and well groomed. His heart ached. Why was she hanging around here? Shouldn’t she be in the medicine den? She wasn’t really Cinderheart, the cat he’d fallen in love with; she was Cinderpelt—an old medicine cat brought back by StarClan to fill some stupid destiny.
“Shut your mouth before your prey falls out,” Hollyleaf whispered in his ear.
Lionblaze flinched, suddenly aware that he’d been staring. He looked away, heat flooding his fur. “What do you want?” he asked Cinderheart sharply.
“Brambleclaw wants us to take a hunting patrol to the lake.”
“Don’t you have medicine-cat duties?” He’d seen her ducking in and out of Jayfeather’s den ever since her old knowledge of herbs and cures had flooded back.
“Why should I?” Cinderheart’s pelt spiked along her back.
“Jayfeather’s at the Moonpool.”
“He’ll be home soon.”
“I hope so.”
“Hollyleaf!” Brambleclaw called from beneath Highledge. “Take a patrol to the Twoleg meadow,” the deputy ordered. “I heard a dog there last night and I want to know if it’s tethered.”
Hollyleaf glanced ruefully at her half-eaten thrush, then headed across the clearing. Lionblaze watched her go, acutely aware of Cinderheart lingering at his side. “Don’t you want to go with her?” he suggested.
“We’re leading a patrol, remember?” She sat down beside him. “Who should we take?”
Lionblaze scanned the clearing, relieved to see Cloudtail trotting toward them. “Hi, Cloudtail.” He stood up. “Do you want to come hunting?”
“No, he doesn’t!” Brightheart trotted after Cloudtail. “We’ve been hunting all morning and he promised to fetch me something from the fresh-kill pile.” She nudged her mate. “Do you want me to go to the fresh-kill pile while you stay and gossip?” Her eyes flashed.
Cloudtail swished his thick white tail, purring. “I’m going!”
Lionblaze envied their easy familiarity. Once, he’d thought he and Cinderheart might be like that. But the return of her memories had changed everything. Now he felt as if he’d never known her at all.
Brightheart nodded to Cinderheart. “Have you checked on Briarlight this morning?”
“Was I supposed to?” Cinderheart looked up anxiously.
“No.” Brightheart shrugged. “I just thought, with Jayfeather away—” Her gaze flashed toward the medicine den as the brambles trembled at the entrance. “She’s coming out!” She hurried away to meet Briarlight as the crippled warrior dragged herself toward the fresh-kill pile.
“Wait for me!” Cloudtail trotted after her.
“That could have been us,” Lionblaze muttered to Cinderheart. “We could have been happy together.”
“I don’t think happiness is part of our destinies,” Cinderheart spat. Then her expression changed and she looked sadly at Lionblaze. “Let’s not torture ourselves by wishing.” She stood and stretched, arching her back. “Who do you want to hunt with?”
Lionblaze scanned the camp. Blossomfall had finished eating and was play fighting with Thornclaw beside the nursery. She spun around, steadying herself with her tail and dodging a well-aimed swipe. There was something relaxed and comfortable in the way they matched each other’s moves. “What about them? Thornclaw!”
The golden tabby looked over his shoulder. “What is it?”
“We’re hunting by the lake and we need extra paws.”
Thornclaw lifted his tail happily. “Can Blossomfall come, too?”
When Lionblaze nodded, the two cats ran toward the thorn barrier. Cinderheart bounded after them. Lionblaze shoved his half-eaten mouse beside Hollyleaf’s thrush and followed his Clanmates out of camp.
By the time he caught up, Thornclaw and Blossomfall were already climbing the slope, zigzagging through the brambles as though they were playing catch-the-squirrel with each other’s tails. Another season or two and Blossomfall would be nursing Thornclaw’s kits. His tail drooped.
“Ow!” Blossomfall let out a squeal.
Lionblaze broke into a run, skidding to a halt beside the tortoiseshell warrior. “What happened?”
Blossomfall writhed on the ground, her foreleg tangled in a bramble and her face twisted with pain. Thornclaw crouched beside her, holding the bramble between his jaws as he gingerly unwrapped it from around her paw. “Hold still,” he whispered. “Tugging will make last night’s battle wound worse.”
“Shhh!” Blossomfall hushed Thornclaw, her gaze glittering with guilt as it caught Lionblaze’s.
Lionblaze froze. These cats weren’t mates! They’d been training together in their dreams. Lionblaze felt the trees close around him. He struggled to take a deep breath. They don’t know what they’re doing.
Trembling, he watched Thornclaw pull the bramble away and help Blossomfall to her paws. If he couldn’t trust his Clanmates, who couldhe trust? He glanced over his shoulder at Cinderheart as she hurried to check on her Clanmate. Was she training in the Dark Forest, too? Lionblaze’s thoughts darted from one Clanmate to another. The familiar faces seemed suddenly strange and cold.
“Check her,” he ordered Cinderheart, but Cinderheart was already sniffing Blossomfall’s shoulder, then pressing gently with her paws.
“Does that hurt?”
Blossomfall let out a groan but shook her head. “Just a little.”
“Can you put weight on it?” Cinderheart asked.
Blossomfall tested it, her face tensing, then relaxing as her pad pressed against the earth. “Yes,” she breathed. “It’s sore, but I can walk.”
Cinderheart turned to Lionblaze. “There’s no heat in her shoulder,” she told him. “It’s just a light sprain. She’ll need to go easy—”
Lionblaze interrupted her. “Are you sure?”
Cinderheart’s eyes flashed. “Of course I’m sure!”
Lionblaze narrowed his eyes. Did she resent having her skills questioned? Or did she object to being asked to act like a medicine cat? Before he could decide, Cinderheart started nudging Blossomfall up the slope.
Thornclaw followed anxiously. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“It’ll be fine by the time we reach the lake,” Blossomfall promised.
Cinderheart glanced over her shoulder, catching Lionblaze’s eye. “Our apprentices have suffered worse injuries,” she told him. “So long as she doesn’t run or jump for a couple of days, she’ll be fine.”
“Should she go back to camp?” Lionblaze asked.
“No, I’ll stay with you. Even if I can’t chase prey I can help carry home the catch,” Blossomfall called. She began to walk a little faster, as if to prove she was okay. With a sigh, Lionblaze trudged after them.
In the end, there was little fresh-kill to carry home. Thornclaw hunted clumsily, making so much noise that birds set up alarm calls all along the shoreline the first time he stumbled on the slippery pebbles. Lionblaze was distracted, tracking his Clanmates closely, listening for clues about their Dark Forest training. Cinderheart’s thoughts seemed elsewhere and she let a mouse escape beneath her muzzle.
Lionblaze led them back into camp, a sparrow between his jaws. Firestar was dozing on Highledge beside Squirrelflight. Graystripe and Millie lay outside the nursery while Daisy and Ferncloud spread pawfuls of moss to dry in the sun.
At the entrance to the elders’ den, Mousefur sat staring into space with Purdy beside her. The old tom’s rumbling mew droned like distant honeybees.
Lionblaze headed for the fresh-kill pile with Cinderheart on his heels. Blossomfall limped after them, holding a shrew.
“Is that all you caught?” Bumblestripe bounced up to her. “It’s not leaf-bare yet!”
Cinderheart nosed him away. “She hurt her leg.” She sniffed at Blossomfall’s sprained shoulder. “How is it feeling?”
Blossomfall jerked away. “I told you! I’m fine!”
Lionblaze saw hurt flash in Cinderheart’s eyes. He dropped his sparrow. “Get some poppy seeds from Jayfeather if you think the pain will keep you awake tonight.” He glanced at Bumblestripe. “Is Jayfeather back?”
Bumblestripe nodded. “He got back just after you left.”
“Was he okay?”
Bumblestripe shrugged. “He snapped at Hazeltail for getting in the way, hissed at Cherrypaw for trampling on Ferncloud’s moss, and ordered Foxleap and Toadstep to fetch comfrey.” He glanced warily over his shoulder. “So I guess he’s fine.”
The thorn barrier rustled. Lionblaze turned to see Hollyleaf wriggle out. Rosepetal, Berrynose, and Whitewing trotted after her. Berrynose, his head high, eyes shining, was carrying a plump pigeon.
On the Highledge, Firestar got to his paws. “Borders clear?”
“Yes.” Hollyleaf halted beside the rock tumble. “And we remarked the scent line along the ShadowClan border. It was a bit stale.”
“Good.” Firestar bounded down into the clearing. “And you checked the tunnel entrances?”
Hollyleaf nodded. “No sign of invasion.”
Graystripe padded across the clearing. “WindClan wouldn’t dare come back after the shredding we gave them last time.” His eyes lit up when he spotted Berrynose’s pigeon. “Nice catch.”
Firestar’s whiskers twitched. “I think you’d better lead the next patrol.” He looked pointedly at his old friend’s round belly. “You could do with stretching your legs.”
Graystripe widened his eyes in mock indignation. “It’s all fur, you know.” He sat back on his haunches, revealing a wide expanse of soft gray fluff.
Hollyleaf purred. “You look like the pigeon!”
Whitewing padded around Graystripe, studying him. “You’ll certainly make it through leaf-bare.”
Graystripe stood up and shook out his pelt. “A good warrior needs to stay strong.”
Lionblaze stiffened, pelt pricking. A good warrior needs to stay strong.Was Graystripe training in the Dark Forest, too?
“Are you okay?” Hollyleaf murmured in his ear.
“Fine.”
“Come on.” Hollyleaf nudged him toward the entrance. “Let’s go for a walk.”
Outside camp, the early leaf-fall sun pierced the leaves with brittle shards of light. They dappled Hollyleaf’s black pelt. Lionblaze followed her along the trail to the Ancient Oak.
“What’s up?” Hollyleaf kept her eyes fixed on the trail.
“Nothing.”
Hollyleaf flicked her tail. “You hardly spoke this morning.”
“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” Had she forgotten he was supposed to be stopping the Dark Forest single-pawed?
“I saw how you were looking at Cinderheart.”
A mossy log blocked the trail here. Sunshine rippled over its crumbling bark. “So?” Lionblaze meowed.
“It bothers you, doesn’t it?” Hollyleaf guessed.
Lionblaze stopped. “What does?”
“Cinderheart being Cinderpelt.” Hollyleaf flicked her tail. “It worries me, too.” She shifted her paws. “She was my best friend before I—” Her voice dipped for a moment. “Before I left. But now I don’t know who I’ve come back to. Is she Cinderheart or Cinderpelt? Was she ever Cinderheart?”
Lionblaze wanted to reassure his sister, but he couldn’t. “I don’t know,” he admitted. He sat down. “Is there a difference? I mean, if she was born with Cinderpelt’s spirit, then she’s been Cinderpelt all along....”
“Is it that simple?” Hollyleaf frowned. “Cinderpelt was a medicine cat. Cinderheart is a warrior. How can she be both?”
Lionblaze shook his head. “I don’t think she knows.”
Hollyleaf tilted her head to one side, thinking. “StarClan gave her a second chance,” she meowed. “We should trust them and just deal with Cinderheart as she is now. Whether she’s a medicine cat or a warrior, she’s still our friend, right?”
“Yeah.” But if she’s a medicine cat, she’ll never take a mate.
“Come on!” Hollyleaf nudged him. “You’re getting too serious.” She leaped onto the log. “Let’s race to the oak!”
Lionblaze blinked at her. “I remember when you were too small to get over that. Squirrelflight had to nose you over.”
Hollyleaf scampered along the trunk. “And you used to graze your belly on it when we were apprentices.” She disappeared over the other side, her paws thrumming away along the trail beyond.
Lionblaze bounded after her, clearing the log without touching it. He spotted Hollyleaf’s black pelt streaking between the trees and chased after the flickering shadow. He caught up and fell in beside her. They raced side by side, leaping over roots and swerving bushes, their pelts brushing.
As the Ancient Oak loomed ahead, the tips of its branches pushing high above the other trees, he scrambled to a halt. “It’s like you never went away.”
Hollyleaf swerved and stopped ahead of him. “I wish that were true.” Her eyes shone suddenly dark. “So much has changed. You and Jayfeather have so much responsibility now. Not just because of the prophecy. You’ve changed. Become so much a part of the Clan. Everyone depends on you.”
“You’ve done a lot for the Clan, too!”
“Like what?” Hollyleaf plucked at the ground. “While you were fighting and hunting for your Clanmates, I was hiding from all of you. Hiding from what I’d done.” She stared at her paws.
“But you came back.” Lionblaze padded closer and nudged her shoulder with his nose. “And I’m glad you did.”
She lifted her gaze to meet his. “Don’t pretend the past never happened, Lionblaze.” She padded slowly toward the Ancient Oak. “It’s like my shadow. Always following me.”
The ferns behind them rustled and Lionblaze turned to see Jayfeather and Dovewing bound out onto the path.
“I told you they were here,” Dovewing mewed.
“Okay, big ears,” Jayfeather snapped. His blind gaze drifted toward Hollyleaf. “We need to talk.”
Hollyleaf blinked. “With me?”
“Withoutyou.” Jayfeather’s bluntness took Lionblaze by surprise. “I’m sorry, Hollyleaf.” He shrugged. “But this is something only the Three can share.”
Hollyleaf dipped her head. “Okay.” She padded back down the trail. “I’ll hunt by the lake.” Her purr sounded forced. “I might be able to do better than that limp sparrow you brought back earlier, Lionblaze.” She was trying to tease but her eyes glistened sadly.
Lionblaze trailed his tail along her spine. “You always were the best hunter.”
“Thanks.” She headed off the path and disappeared into the ferns.
Lionblaze turned his attention to Jayfeather. “What is it?” Was the Dark Forest ready to attack? He unsheathed his claws
“I have a message from the Tribe of Endless Hunting,” Jayfeather announced.
“The Tribe?” Dovewing weaved between Jayfeather and Lionblaze and sat down. “When did this happen?”
“When I was in the mountains.” Jayfeather swished his tail impatiently.
“And you’re only telling us now?” Dovewing mewed in surprise.
“Just listen, okay?” Jayfeather muttered. “They said we have to find the fourth cat.”
Lionblaze tipped his head, puzzled. “The fourth cat?”
“In the prophecy,” Jayfeather meowed.
Dovewing shifted her paws. “But the prophecy says there will be three.”
“That was the StarClan prophecy,” Jayfeather explained. “The Tribe of Endless Hunting told me something else: The end of the stars draws near. Three must become four to challenge the darkness that lasts forever.”
Lionblaze felt his fur prick. “Don’t they think we can manage by ourselves?”
Jayfeather flattened his ears. “Obviously not.”
“Have we done something wrong?” Dovewing’s eyes clouded with worry.
Jayfeather paced in front of them. “Who cares? We have to find the fourth cat.”
Lionblaze tried to ignore the uneasiness in his belly. “Did they say who it is?”
Jayfeather halted. “If they did, I’d have told you!”
“It must be Ivypool!” Dovewing’s eyes brightened. She stood up, tail-tip flicking. “She’s the only ally we have among the Dark Forest warriors.”
Jayfeather turned to face her. “Ivypool was recruited by the Dark Forest. She has no special powers.” He started pacing again. “It could be a cat from another Clan.”
A thought struck Lionblaze like a shaft of sunlight. “It’s Hollyleaf! That’s why she came back! To be the fourth cat.”
“If it was someone inside the Clan, we’d have noticed their special power by now,” Jayfeather objected.
“But it must be kin of Firestar’s kin!” Dovewing argued.
“Well, Mothwing is Brambleclaw’s kin and Brambleclaw was Squirrelflight’s mate.” Jayfeather lashed his tail. “That makes her kin, if you like.”
“Mothwing?” Lionblaze stared at his brother in astonishment. “What special power does she have?”
“What special power does Hollyleaf have?” Jayfeather shot back.
“Ivypool can dream her way into the Dark Forest!” Dovewing insisted.
“So can a lot of Clan cats! I told you it was pointless arguing.” Jayfeather headed away again. “We just have to hope that when the fourth cat is needed, we’ll know who it is.”
Lionblaze watched him go, his pelt pricking with irritation. How could Jayfeather be so stubborn? Hollyleaf should have been part of the prophecy all along. Of course she was the fourth cat.
Dovewing shifted beside him. “It’s got to be Ivypool.”
Lionblaze closed his eyes. “Whoever it is, how in the name of StarClan are we going to be sure?”
“Perhaps they’ll send a sign,” Dovewing mewed.
“They didn’t even know about the fourth cat.” The world shifted beneath Lionblaze’s paws: Cinderheart wasn’t Cinderheart; the Three were now four. How were they supposed to win a battle when nothing stayed the same?
His belly felt hollow. Did StarClan know what was happening? Nothing they said made sense, and now even their prophecy was wrong.
How could Lionblaze trust them with the fate of the Clans?
引子
引子
一道连绵不断的山脊，冲出地平线，划破漆黑的夜空，高峦微现。四个暗影蜷缩在银光影绰的花岗岩石上，皮毛间泛着点点星光，凛冽的寒风从高耸的岩石顶刮过。
“我们来了。”白色母猫使劲缩了缩身子，想要抵御这刺骨的寒气，“按照你们吩咐的那样。”
她的同伴冲等待他们的几只猫点了点头：“枭羽、碎影，你们好。”
“你好，斜日。”碎影抖了抖身上厚厚的皮毛，像是要甩掉身上冰冷的寒气。她的双眸迎着白色母猫，似有星光闪烁。“再次见到你太好了，半月。”在她说话间，又有两团皮毛如魅影般从岩石上掠过。
“蓝星、斑叶，很高兴见到你们。”等她们在四只远古猫身边坐下，半月朝两位星族武士打了个招呼。
蓝星卷起尾巴盖住脚掌，严肃地说道：“我们为决战而来。”
枭羽眯起黄色眼睛：“那你们相信我们吗？”
斑叶发出一声低吼：“蓝星一直都相信你们！不过其他猫说服起来有点儿麻烦。”
“我们的时间不多了！”斜日疾声说道。
周围，星云斗转，星光倏然划过，而后化作丝丝银光，渐渐没入苍穹；高山巍然屹立，仿若蓄势待发的勇士。
蓝星双眸闪动：“族群自会做出选择。我无能为力了。”
斜日靠近她：“但预言已经起到了作用，对吗？”
“没错。”蓝星看着她的巫医，“斑叶发现了那颗闪亮之星，我循着它找到了火星。”
枭羽会意地冲斑叶眨了眨眼：“她很好地利用了她的天赋。一直以来，族群的最后希望都掌握在火星至亲的掌中。”
“那第四只猫呢？”斜日向前倾了倾身子，眼中闪过一丝焦虑，“他们什么时候能找到第四只猫？”
“必须尽快。”碎影焦急地说道，“剩下的时间不多了。”
枭羽摇了摇尾巴：“我们真的不用再做什么了吗？”
“我们已经尽力了。”半月的绿色眼睛盯着攀上岩石正朝他们走来的两个身影，“午夜，是你吗？”
“是我，还有岩石。”一只身形巨大的母獾缓缓爬上光滑的花岗岩，岩石跟在它后面，光秃秃的身体在月光下愈发显得苍白。
碎影动了动脚掌：“你好，午夜。我……真没想到你和岩石居然认识。”
“你们的时代刚开始时，我们俩就认识了。”午夜摇晃着它那长着白色条纹的大脑袋，声音低沉地说道，“从第一只猫踏足湖区开始。”
岩石坐在冰冷的石头上，灰色的盲眼仿若满月一般明亮：“我们一起在湖边看过第一次日出。”
“湖水变成了一团火焰，”午夜回忆道，“火红的倒影中，我们看到了所有猫的未来：急水部落、五大族群、四大族群、森林还有湖泊。”
“我们看到了你们的整个迁徙过程。从湖区到森林，再回到湖区。”岩石仰起头，仿佛族群正从他眼前走过，“所有的预言都来自那第一个日出——火焰色皮毛的猫将拯救族群，银色猫将拯救急水部落，还有四力量，他们承载的是族群乃至星族最后的希望。”
午夜用爪子抓挠着花岗岩：“现在，我们担心的是，我们将看到最后的日出，你们的故事就此结束。”
半月向前迈了一步：“不是还有四力量吗？他们一定会拯救我们的，对吗？”
“我们看到他们如期而至，然后点燃了黑暗之火。”午夜凝望着远古猫，亮圆漆黑的眸子里充满着热切和渴望，“所以你们，还有所有逝去已久的祖先，都会像星星一样，再次熠熠生辉。”
“但是邪恶也即将来临。”岩石警告道。
午夜插话道：“黑暗总会伴随着光明而来，所以现在我们必须迎头而战。”
其他猫都颤抖起来。岩石的盲眼掠过他们：“感谢你们长久以来守护着预言，感谢你们将它一代代传递下去。”
碎影长叹一声：“那么多的生命已经消散。”
“一切生命都很短暂的。”岩石提醒她。
“可我儿子的命也太短了！”碎影的眼中闪过责备的光，“为什么你就不救救落叶呢？”
“我没有责任救任何一个！”岩石呛声道，“把自己的生命寄希望于别人有意义吗？生命总要面临抉择，谁都有选择的自由。我可以指明方向，但路却是要他们自己来走。”
斜日眯起眼睛：“在最后的决战中，族群将孤身奋战吗？”
半月平贴起了耳朵。“永远不会！”她抬起下巴，“我会和松鸦羽并肩战斗。”
碎影伸出爪子：“我会和我儿子并肩战斗。”
“我会和闪电还有我们的孩子共同战斗，打败这股黑暗力量。”枭羽的眼睛闪着光。
蓝星甩了甩尾巴：“为了雷族，死十次我都在所不惜！”
“族猫们永远都不会孤身奋战。”半月大声宣誓道，“我们将一如既往，和他们并肩前行！”
“用光明对抗黑暗，”午夜大吼道，“这是一切的终结。这是最后一次日出！”
岩石用尾尖轻拂着它的侧腹：“我们一直等待的时刻终于就要来了，我的朋友。”
第一章
第一章
有猫在流血！
藤池身子一僵。每次闻到鲜血的气味，藤池脑中便浮现出蚁皮死时的场景。时至今日，她依然能感觉到，在她的利爪撕扯之下，蚁皮痛苦地痉挛着，然后便永远躺在那里，再也动弹不得。为了向虎星证明自己的忠诚，她被迫杀死这位风族武士，为自己赢得了训练黑森林武士这种所谓的荣誉。可她清楚，自己将永远无法洗净脚掌上蚁皮鲜血的气味。
“停！”她大声喊道。
桦落冲了半截猛然刹住了，盯着她问：“怎么了？”
“我闻到鲜血的气味，”她疾声说道，“只是在训练而已。我可不想看到谁受伤。”
桦落一脸迷茫地向她眨了眨眼睛。
红柳从桦落脚掌下爬了出来。“只是个小伤。”影族武士说道。他给藤池看了看自己的耳朵，耳尖处有道细细的血痕。
“小心点儿。”藤池提醒道。
“小心点儿？”鹰霜的咆哮声在她身后响起，藤池赶忙转身。“大战在即，爪子不都伸出来，怎么赢？”鹰霜龇牙瞪着藤池，“我还以为你在帮着把他们训练成真正的武士，而不是些软弱的族群猫。”
桦落背毛竖立：“族群猫不软弱！”
“那你们干吗还要来这里！”鹰霜挑衅道。
红柳甩了下尾巴：“族群需要我们成为最优秀的武士。你当时也是这么告诉我们的，不是吗？”
鹰霜缓缓点了点头。“只有在这里，你们才能学到真本领。”说完他用鼻子示意桦落。“再攻击红柳一次，”他命令道，“这次就算闻到血的味道也不要停。”他眯起眼睛，瞪了藤池一眼。
藤池吞了口唾沫，心慌不已，生怕自己的身份暴露。黑森林里谁也不知道，她来这里是为鸽翅、松鸦羽和狮焰当密探的。她大吼一声，扬起下巴，从桦落身边冲了过去。“像我这样做。”她告诉他。接着，她嘶吼着冲向红柳，躲开他的利爪，一口咬住了他的前掌。然后又趁其重心不稳之际，猛一甩头，熟练地给他来了一个背摔。红柳重重摔在地上。不过藤池知道，这动静听着很大，但实际上摔得并没有那么痛。她并未用力咬破红柳的皮毛，转头的时机也把握得恰到好处，因而红柳只是摔在了地上，并没有扭伤腿。
她回头瞥了一眼鹰霜，看到他眼中闪过一丝赞许，不由得松了一口气。他只看到皮毛飞舞利爪闪动，听见身体在黏滑地面摔倒的声音而已。
“鹰霜！”
桦落和红柳瞪大眼睛，看着苹果毛从迷雾中钻了出来。影族母猫两眼发亮，因为训练，她那斑驳的棕色皮毛冒着热气：“梅花落和空飞想跟黑森林武士格斗。”
苹果毛的学徒们从阴影中走了出来。“我们随时都可以跟族群猫格斗。”梅花落抱怨道。
空飞也点了点头：“我们来这里，是要学习在别处学不到的本领。”河族公猫的皮毛上沾着斑斑血迹，背上的几撮皮毛支棱着。
你们还没打够吗？藤池瞥了一眼鹰霜。“附近有黑森林武士吗？”她壮起胆子问道，心里却暗自祈祷没有。
“当然有。”鹰霜嗅了嗅空气。
迷雾中，正在激战的黑森林猫的尖叫声响起，这种声音在藤池听来却仿若啾啾鸟鸣——她早已熟悉了这个充满了整座森林的声音。熟悉到只有刻意地去听，她才能听到它。“今晚我们为什么没跟他们一起训练呢？”她问道。大多数时候，黑森林武士总是迫不及待地想和族群猫切磋他们那些残忍的技巧。
鹰霜在梅花落和苹果毛中间穿梭着：“我想让你们互相学习不同族群的格斗技巧。”
藤池身子一颤。
“或许将来你们会并肩战斗。”鹰霜继续说道。
骗子！
“你们需要熟悉战友，才能与他们协同作战。”
不，你训练他们，是为了在最后的决战中让他们相互残杀。
森林里响起一声嘶吼。“危急关头，四大族群将团结如一。”阴影中，虎星走了出来，他硕大的虎斑脑袋高昂着，“这就是黑森林法则。记住了。”
桦落郑重地点了点头。“危急关头，四大族群将团结如一。”他重复道。
“那是什么时候？”梅花落的两眼瞪得圆圆的。
“到时候你就知道了。”枫荫从树下悄然走了出来。她那身玳瑁色皮毛现在变得更加透明，透过白色斑块的部分，能直接看到她身后的树林。一想到自己将来有一天，也会从所有猫的记忆中消失，藤池不由心头一紧。
“虎星？”梅花落盯着黑暗中的武士，“我们是在为什么特殊的任务进行训练吗？”
藤池心里顿时一紧。“不是。”她瞥了一眼虎星，赶紧说道。看见他点头，她又继续说：“但谁知道呢。”她想起几天前，刚刚跟风族在地道中进行的那场激战。“总会有些猫和日神一样，想诱使一个族群对抗另一个族群。”
苹果毛走上前来：“下次要是再有泼皮猫企图分裂我们，我一定站在雷族这边，而不是与他们为敌！”
藤池挪了挪脚掌。这些猫都认为自己对族群更加忠诚了。她看向桦落，但最后的战斗到来时，他们会忠于谁呢？他们的族猫，还是黑森林武士？
虎星摇了摇尾巴。“都回你们的窝里去吧。”他命令道。
空飞仰起头：“可现在还早呢。”
“资深武士要开会。”虎星冲枫荫和鹰霜点了点头。
“我能参加吗？”藤池问道。
枫荫眯起了眼睛：“不能。”
“可我现在是老师了。”藤池强调道。她必须得弄清楚，黑森林准备何时向湖区的族群发起进攻。
“只要你舌头上还残留着猎物的气味，那你就不能真正算作我们中的一员。”枫荫咆哮道。
虎星点了点头。“回你的族群去休息。”他命令道，“明晚你还需要力气训练。”说完，他转身大步走入阴影之中。枫荫赶忙追了上去。
梅花落耸了耸肩。“我想，我们在森林里也能像在这里一样，练习新动作。”她跟桦落说道。话音落下，她闭上眼睛，身体逐渐淡去。
藤池看着族猫从森林里消失。她将会带回累累伤痕，还有在这里学习的一切记忆。藤池的皮毛刺痛起来。她不想把这些记忆，还有这些可怕的技巧，都带回雷族去！
“你要回去吗？”桦落摇了摇尾巴。
藤池耸耸耳朵让他先走：“我一会儿就来。”
桦落消失了，空飞、苹果毛和红柳也没入了暗影之中。他们一离开，藤池就转向鹰霜：“你们信任我，让我训练黑森林猫，可却不让我参加资深武士的会议？”
鹰霜眸光一闪：“你真的那么想参加吗？”
藤池点点头。
鹰霜凑近她。“不可能。”说完，他便转身去追虎星。
藤池攥紧了爪子。不管你们让不让，我都要去！鹰霜的皮毛在树丛间时隐时现，渐行渐远，藤池赶紧跟了上去。她紧张得心怦怦直跳，一路尾随着他。她和鹰霜保持着同样的步伐。迷雾和黑莓丛刚好将他们隔开，又不让他走到她的视线之外。
“雪绺？”鹰霜突然放慢脚步。
藤池停了下来，竖起了耳朵。
鹰霜跟族猫打着招呼：“你要去参加会议吗？”
“就算把森林里所有的老鼠都给我，我也不会错过这个会议的。”雪绺粗声粗气地说道，“那些族群猫去哪里了？”
鹰霜轻哼一声：“虎星让他们回自己的窝里去了。”
雪绺的爪子抓挠着地面：“你确定训练石周围不会有任何族群猫了吗？”
“断星会确保没有的。”鹰霜低吼道。
训练石！藤池摇摇尾巴，他们要在河边开会！她现在对黑森林了如指掌，所以可以避开鹰霜直接找到那里。她只需顺着溪流走到空心树干，然后直奔河边即可。她伏下身子，在灌木丛中潜行，然后便听到了资深武士的低语声。她悄悄藏到一根树干后面，打量着周围。河水流经树林的地方，迷雾已经散去。岸边的淤泥里，一块大圆石凸立在那里。藤池向后贴平了耳朵，这里是她跟黑森林族猫第一次一起参加训练课的地方。现在，大圆石周围围着一圈肌肉健硕的武士。她感觉到了自己内心涌起的阵阵恐惧，但努力抛开了它。我也是黑森林武士，她提醒自己，我不比这些猫中的任何一只差！
断星站在圆石上，厚厚的深色皮毛兴奋地支棱着。“时间就要到了。”他低吼道。
枫荫抬起她那已褪色的白色口鼻。“很好！”她嘶吼道，“我一定不能错过这个时刻。”
鹰霜坐在那里，眯起眼睛，冰蓝色双眼注视着断星的一举一动。细尾和蓟掌在一旁走来走去，虎星则挺立在那里，甩着尾巴。“我们先攻打哪里？”他问道。
断星从圆石上滑落下来，在泥地上画了一条线：“这里是湖泊和陆地相接的地方。”
唰。
唰。
唰。
他用爪子熟练地在地上画出更多的线。“我们将在这里和这里向他们发起进攻。”他戳着地面说道，“等他们在这里还击时，另一支队伍攻击这里。”
藤池向前伸长脖子，想看清他指的是哪里，可虎星和细尾凑拢过来，挡住了她的视线。她的心提到了嗓子眼，仔细聆听着每一个线索。
“小溪上方的山坡，是他们的薄弱之处。”断星低吼道，“我们可以从高处攻打他们，把他们往回赶。”
“我们从这里向他们逼近怎么样？”虎星用爪子戳了一下地图。
“直入族群腹地！”断星眼中闪出兴奋的光芒，藤池恨不得跳起来去看个清楚。
“一旦幼崽死亡，母猫们也就无心再战。”枫荫指出。
“你说得对，”断星坐了回去，“那就这样定了。”
鹰霜突然回头，朝藤池藏匿的这棵树看过来。她赶紧伏到地。鹰霜没发现她，目光又扫向了别处，藤池松了一口气。黑森林武士们很快便从河边离开了。刚一走远，藤池便从藏身处溜出来，轻轻朝断星的地图走去。她紧张得像只胆小的兔子，看着画在泥地里的那些线条。
突然，有脚掌使劲儿地摇晃她。她跳转身，嘶吼着伸出利爪朝袭击者抓去。
“藤池！”
鸽翅的惊叫声将她唤回了现实，藤池这才意识到自己在窝里。“你把我吵醒了！”她朝姐妹咆哮道。
鸽翅惊恐地盯着她：“藤池，你没事吧？”
“我正在做梦！”藤池喉咙一紧，万分沮丧。她差一点儿就要看到断星的计划了！
“那你现在醒了吗？”鸽翅不太确定地问道。
“是的，”藤池嘟囔道，“我醒了。”
鸽翅迎上她的目光：“我以前叫醒你的时候，你从来都没像这样张牙舞爪的。”
“你根本就不知道我梦到了什么。”
“所以我才叫醒你啊。你的皮毛都竖了起来，我害怕有什么事情发生了……”鸽翅突然眯起了眼睛，“你是想留在黑森林？”
藤池昂起下巴。在自己安全的窝里，刚刚梦里的那种极度恐惧已渐渐退去，可她内心却依然有一种危机感，让她紧张不已。“我当时正在做一件重要的事！”
鸽翅靠过来：“什么事？”
藤池一扭头：“现在已经太晚了。”断星的那些计划，过了今晚肯定都被破坏或是冲刷掉了。
鸽翅突然皱了皱鼻子：“你闻起来好臭。”
藤池低头瞥见自己满是泥巴的脚掌，赶紧把它们缩在身下：“别担心，我会洗干净的。”
“好。”鸽翅从她身边挤过，朝巢穴外面走去。
藤池发现鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪的窝也已经空了。他们此时早已出去执行学徒任务了。她伸了伸爪子，也从巢穴里挤了出去。
“藤池！”猎物堆那边传来了黄蜂条的喊声。这只肌肉强健的淡灰色公猫脚掌上，抓着一只肥硕的乌鸫。
藤池没理会他，而是低头钻进了荆棘通道，朝森林里跑去。她现在满脑子都是黑森林的气味和声音，怎么可能待在石头山谷，留在营地，身处族猫们的包围之中？
她跳上山坡，朝山脊奔去。她感到自己浑身充满了力量，是黑森林给予了她这种力量，将她训练成比族猫们还要能征善战的武士。最后的战斗到来时，她可以用这些技能对付黑森林的猫。她张开爪子拨开荆棘，终于爬上坡顶，冲出了树林。苍茫穹顶之下，清晨的湖水泛着粼粼波光。树梢间，落叶季已开始爬上枝头。数月以来葱葱郁郁的森林，亦开始变得暗淡，露出了黄褐色。藤池心中充满了兴奋：没有她抓不到的猎物，也没有她打不败的武士。她的脚掌一阵痒痒，渴望证实这一点。
突然，一幅不知从何而来的景象映入她的眼帘：一群武士从岸边蜂拥而上，冲进了森林。他们耳朵被撕裂，浑身伤痕累累，眼中迸发着仇恨的光。蕨丛在抖动，黑莓丛在颤抖，整座森林似乎都摇晃了起来。刹那间，到处都是杀红了眼的猫，周围的尖叫声此起彼伏，藤池还听到肌肉重重撞在岩石上的声音。在黑森林武士的利爪下，整个世界仿佛都震颤了起来。
幻象消失了，藤池却依然能闻见血腥的气味，仍然心悸不已。藤池意识到，自己浑身颤抖，脚掌直冒冷汗。在无星之地所学的所有战斗本领，仍不足以阻挡死亡的无情脚步。
第二章
第二章
暮色已悄悄降临石头山谷，傍晚的露珠打湿了松鸦羽的皮毛。他来到猎物堆旁挑了一只老鼠，坐到黑莓丛边准备开吃。
半月即将爬上苍白清朗的夜空。其他巫医会遵循他们祖先的可怕警告，远离其他族群吗？他们会去月亮池，跟星族分享他们的梦境吗？
我要不要去呢？
他感觉月光在皮毛深处拉扯他。他不想理会，但心里却无比痛苦。自从曙皮在森林大会上指控他谋杀了焰尾之后，族群已经命令他放弃巫医职责。虽然火星允许他像以往那样继续帮助自己的族猫，可所有族群以外的职责，他却被迫放弃了。
月光更加用力地拉扯他。比起任何一只活着的猫，星族的意愿都要强大得多。根据预言，松鸦羽则比星族还要强大。再说了，他清楚自己是无辜的。焰尾掉进湖面冰窟时，他试图营救。换作任何其他的猫，都不会那么奋力，想要把一只影族猫从冰冷的湖水深处给拉上来的。想到这里，松鸦羽恼怒地咬了一口老鼠肉。
他旁边的黑莓丛窸窣作响，荆棘光拖着身子出了巫医巢穴。现在她的前脚掌变得强壮多了，所以能轻松拖着残疾的后腿在营地里四处活动。
“要不要吃点儿？”松鸦羽用一只脚掌举起老鼠问她。
“不，谢谢。”荆棘光在他旁边停下，“我想吃田鼠。”
她朝猎物堆挪去，松鸦羽感觉到她那光滑的皮毛与他相擦而过。她是雷族最爱干净的猫，总是不知疲倦地清洗着自己的身体，一天检查两次，只为清除掉身上的每一只跳蚤。因为如果被那些东西咬一口感染了，她将更加虚弱。她下定决心坚持锻炼，让自己能在后腿残疾的情况下尽可能地强壮起来。
她在猎物堆中翻找着，终于从最底下翻出一只田鼠，然后用尖牙将它拖出来。松鸦羽能够感觉得出她那隐约的雀跃。接着，她敏捷地挪过草地，坐在了松鸦羽身旁。“你不饿吗？”她用脚掌戳了戳松鸦羽面前几乎没动过的老鼠，“今天是半月，你需要积攒体力才能去月亮池呀。”
松鸦羽轻声嘶吼道：“我已经被禁止去那儿了，你不记得了吗？”
荆棘光抓起田鼠咬了一口。“从什么时候开始禁止的？”她嘴里塞得满满地问道。
亮心的脚步声从他们身边响起：“禁止什么？”
松鸦羽轻哼了一声：“不关你的事。”
“今天是半月，可松鸦羽被禁止去月亮池。”荆棘光插话道。
“你不能在自己的窝里跟星族分享梦境吗？”亮心用尾巴轻拂着松鸦羽的脊背。
他把她的尾巴甩开：“去月亮池不只是为了分享梦境！”他大步穿过空地，低头钻进荆棘通道。一根荆棘钩住了他的耳尖，他嘶叫一声，使劲跺着脚掌冲进了树林。
身后传来了急促的脚步声，松鸦羽闻出是火星的气味。雷族族长也跟着他跑出了石头山谷。“我知道这让你很沮丧。”火星同情地开口说道。
松鸦羽转向他：“真的吗？那你觉得如果我不是只有一半雷族血统的猫，其他族群还会相信曙皮的话吗？”
火星停住了脚步。
“又或者叶池没有违背武士守则生下我？”他感觉到火星很是吃惊。“你都忘了吗？”松鸦羽追问道。
“我从来都没想过这些。”火星的声音很诚恳。
“你没想过？”松鸦羽眨眨眼睛重复道。每次他看见叶池、松鼠飞或黑莓掌，总有一种被背叛了的刺痛之感。他曾坚信自己是真正的雷族猫，松鼠飞和黑莓掌是他的父母。直到有一天冬青叶发现，叶池才是他们的母亲，而他们的父亲则是风族武士鸦羽。
火星的尾巴轻拂过落叶。“你是三力量之一。你的出生是早就注定了的。”他走近一点儿，“所以，你是怎样出生的，这很重要吗？”
“当然！”松鸦羽的怒火被点燃，他围着火星转着圈，“我已经被叶池的错误诅咒了！所有的猫都把我当怪物，因为我的出生违背了两个守则——武士守则和巫医守则！难怪他们那么轻易就相信我杀害了焰尾。他们认为我不受星族庇佑。”
火星变换着脚掌：“可我们两个都清楚，你是被星族庇佑的。星族爱护你胜过任何其他猫。”
“但那不是因为叶池！”松鸦羽抓挠着地面，“也不是因为松鼠飞！”
“叶池一直保守着你的秘密。”火星严肃地提醒他，“她和松鼠飞为你，还有你的哥哥姐姐，已经尽力了。是冬青叶说出了真相，因为她觉得自己必须那样做。现在，事已至此，松鼠飞和你母亲都不该因其他族群的偏见而受到指责，你也是。”
“这不公平。叶池为什么就不能恪守巫医守则呢？”松鸦羽朝树林深处走去，“那根本就不难！”
“她遵守了又怎样？”火星在后面冲他喊道，“然后呢？如果她没有爱上鸦羽，哪里还会有你？想想预言吧！”
松鸦羽用爪子刨着地面的落叶。“为什么我就不能只为自己着想一次呢？”他低吼一声，大步跑开了。他低头钻进蕨丛，掠过一棵棵树根，直到感觉周围暮色渐近。突然，他感觉到有皮毛像一堵墙一样，挡住了他的去路。他向后一跃：“谁？”
在喊出这个字的同时，他闻出了黄牙呼出的臭气。她的口鼻就在离他鼻子不足一鼠身长的地方。“为什么我就不能只为自己着想一次呢？”她模仿道。
“别来烦我！”松鸦羽往后退去，可黄牙臭烘烘的口鼻一直跟着他。
“你并不重要！”老猫嘶吼道，“只有族群的存亡才是最重要的！你是三力量之一，你必须尽快找到第四力量，打败黑森林！”
“你什么意思？什么叫我不重要？”松鸦羽回敬她道。她怎么敢这样说？“你怎么知道我不是最重要的那只猫？”愤怒一下子涌上他心头，让他把话一股脑儿地都吐了出来，“如果族群不再让我当巫医，那整个预言可能也就作废了。”
黄牙围着他转着圈，凌乱的皮毛与他的皮毛粗暴地相擦着。“你以为草药可以挽救族群免遭黑森林的毁灭吗？”她厉声喝道。
“巫医的作用不只是使用草药！”松鸦羽想要推开黄牙，可她堵着不让他走。
“比如呢？”
“比如跟星族分享梦境！”
黄牙的尾巴扫过蕨丛：“那你认为你现在是在干什么，鼠脑子？”
松鸦羽吼了起来：“你为什么跑来烦我？”
“你需要找到第四位武士！”
“是不是武士我们并不知道！”松鸦羽回敬道，“我们不知道他是哪个族群的，甚至连他是否是一只猫都不知道！”
“别找借口了！你甚至都没告诉他们有第四只猫这件事，对吗？”
松鸦羽内疚地抽动着耳朵。回忆一下子清晰地涌上他的心头。突然，他又回到了那个漆黑幽暗、疾风呼啸的山顶。杀无尽部落的猫围在他身边，眼中闪烁着希冀和期待。他脑海里依然回响着不同时期尖石巫师的喃喃低语声。
星族的末日就要到了。三力量必须变成四力量，才能挑战无尽的黑暗。
“你还没告诉他们。”黄牙重复道。
“是的，”松鸦羽坐下来，“我一直在等待合适的时机。”
“真的吗？”黄牙的声音听上去并不相信，“我认为事实是，你不想有第四只猫出现，因为你无法忍受你需要帮助的事实。”
“不是这样的！”松鸦羽感觉浑身发烫。她是怎么猜到的呢？
“那既然都知道时间不多了，你为什么还要保守着部落预言的秘密？”
松鸦羽闭上双眼，突然觉得疲惫不堪：“难道我们的力量还不足以拯救族群吗？”
黄牙的皮毛与他擦身而过：“你面对的可是黑森林！你必须争取所有可能的帮助！找到第四只猫！”
“好！”松鸦羽回应道，“可我去哪儿找？”
“我要是知道，我早就告诉你了。”黄牙拨开蕨丛离开了。
“等等！”松鸦羽朝她猛追过去，一根荆棘绊住了他，差点儿绊倒他，“我需要你帮我做件事。”
“难道我做得还不够多吗？”黄牙边走边说道。
“我想让你找到焰尾，然后告诉他去见小云。”松鸦羽在她身后边跑边说，“焰尾必须解释清楚，当初他溺水时，我是在拼命救他，而不是要杀他。”
黄牙摇了摇头：“对不起，松鸦羽。星族现在分裂了，我不能越过族群边界去找影族猫。”
“可你曾经就是影族猫啊。”松鸦羽提醒她道。
黄牙转身面向他，松鸦羽能够感觉到她那愤怒的目光。“我是雷族猫！”她嘶吼道。
“可是……”松鸦羽对着空荡荡的周围祈求着，但黄牙已经不见了。
“老鼠屎！”松鸦羽恼怒地跑了起来。循着头脑中对领地的记忆，他冲上山坡，穿过树林，感受着湖面吹来的冷风拂过他的皮毛。突然，他动了动胡须，闻到了另一个气味：“叶池？”
叶池从森林里走了出来，站到他身边：“你还好吗？”
松鸦羽绷紧神经，很想和她吵架，但却说不出话来。他觉得心里空落落的。
“火星回营地的时候，看起来很不安。”叶池轻柔地说道，“我很担心你。”
不要再装得像我的母亲似的！太晚了！
叶池走近一点儿，但没有碰他：“我知道失去巫医身份的滋味。”
“火星说我可以继续为雷族猫治病疗伤。”松鸦羽提醒她。
“亮心也可以做这些，”叶池指出道，“但这并不能让她成为巫医。”愤怒突然从她皮毛下迸发出来。“你需要拜访星族，与其他巫医以及我们的祖先交流。”
松鸦羽猛然退后，没想到她对自己的心思看得这么透彻。“我不在乎。”他嘴硬道。他才不会中她的计跟她亲近呢。
“去月亮池吧，”叶池没理会他的抗拒，“去找星族。找到焰尾，让他把真相告诉他的族猫。”
松鸦羽平贴起了耳朵：“我怎么去？我不能在雷族以外行使巫医职责！”
“谁也不能阻止你去月亮池。”叶池坚持道，“你认为会有猫冒着得罪星族的风险阻止你吗？去找他们！让焰尾说出真相！”
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
Dovewing watched Jayfeather pad away.
There’s a fourth cat.Her paws trembled. Aren’t I good enough?Perhaps StarClan had hoped for more when they made her the third cat in the prophecy. So what if she could hear the Dark Forest warriors coming? It didn’t mean she could defeat them.
She glanced at Lionblaze. “Are we going to hunt?”
“Go ahead without me.”
Dovewing shifted her paws. Lionblaze had been her mentor. He was one of the strongest, bravest warriors in ThunderClan. Why did he seem so lost? “I’ll see you later, then?”
“Okay.” Lionblaze didn’t look at her.
She trotted into the trees, snatching a glance over her shoulder, wishing he’d follow. But he stayed where he was.
She leaped a small stream and pushed deeper into the forest, soothed by the shade and relishing the musty scents of nettle and fern. The first fallen leaves of the season specked the forest floor. Surely Ivypool was the fourth cat? She risked her life every night fighting with the Dark Forest warriors. She deservedto be the fourth cat.
“Ow!” Dovewing squeaked as a thorn speared her pad. She’d been so lost in thought she’d stepped into a trailing bramble.
A sharp growl made her freeze. “Did you hear that?”
ShadowClan stench flooded Dovewing’s nose. I’m at the border!She’d wandered up to the scent line like a mouse in a daze. She froze, ducking beside the bramble that spilled over the boundary. Holding her breath, she listened to the ShadowClan warriors prowling behind on the other side.
“Don’t worry, Dovewing.” A hiss sounded through the branches. “I’ll get rid of them. Just stay still.”
Tigerheart!
“It was just a rabbit,” Tigerheart called to his Clanmates. “It’s escaped into ThunderClan territory.”
“I don’t smell rabbit.”
Dovewing recognized the growl of Ratscar. The bush rustled as he snuffled his way into the brambles. She caught sight of his fox-red pelt through the leaves. StarClan, help me!Her lungs ached for air but she didn’t dare breathe.
“Come on!” Rowanclaw called to his warriors. “Blackstar wants us at the shore. A dog’s running loose there. We need to scare it off before it decides to head into the forest.”
Dovewing heard Ratscar give a dissatisfied growl. “But I can smell ThunderClan.”
“I’ll stay and check it out,” Tigerheart offered.
“Okay, but stay this side of the border,” Rowanclaw warned.
Ratscar growled again. “Let me stay too. If ThunderClan cats are sniffing about I want to make sure they know—”
“Tigerheart can check it out.” Rowanclaw cut the warrior off. “We need to meet Blackstar. You can lead a patrol back here later to re-mark the borders.”
Dovewing drew in a long, deep breath as the ShadowClan patrol pounded away toward the lake.
“Dovewing?” Tigerheart whispered through the thorns. “Were you looking for me?”
“Of course not!” Relief flared to fury. He must think she was a wide-eyed kit! And a traitor! “I heard you accuse Jayfeather of murder, don’t forget!”
Tigerheart crawled out from underneath the bush. “I had to support Dawnpelt.” He stared at her imploringly.
“Why?” Dovewing hissed. “She was lying!”
“She’s my littermate.” Tigerheart blinked at her. “And my Clanmate. What did you expect me to do?”
“You could have kept your mouth shut!” Dovewing lashed her tail. “Or do you believe her?”
Tigerheart’s ears twitched. “I couldn’t let her stand up alone. Not when she was making such a serious accusation.” He moved closer, eyes round. “You’d have done the same for Ivypool, wouldn’t you?”
“Not if I didn’t think she was telling the truth.”
Tigerheart narrowed his eyes. “And what if Ivypool had done something terrible? Would you abandon her?”
Dovewing’s fur prickled. “Ivypool couldn’tdo anything terrible!” Tigerheart’s tone unnerved her. “She wouldn’t!”
“Really?” His eyes gleamed with a hint of a challenge.
“What do you mean?” she demanded. Dovewing knew he and Ivypool both trained in the Dark Forest. Had something happened there, something Ivypool had kept secret?
Tigerheart dropped his gaze. “Nothing.”
Dovewing lifted her chin. “This doesn’t have anything to do with Ivypool. This is about Dawnpelt’s dumb lie!”
“Dawnpelt believes what she said.”
“Do you?” Dovewing arched her back.
“I miss you, Dovewing.” Tigerheart’s amber gaze pierced her. “Why do we have to argue?”
She flinched back in surprise as he leaned closer.
“Why can’t we meet like we used to?” He sliced a bramble leaf with his claw and watched it flutter to the ground. “When it’s just the two of us, everything’s so much simpler.”
Dovewing opened her mouth to argue. They were from different Clans. She shouldn’t even be thinking about him, let alone talking to him. Not like this. “I—I don’t know,” she stammered.
“You do know!” He took a step forward until their muzzles were almost touching. “You feel the same way as I do. I can tell.”
He trains in the Dark Forest!Dovewing tried to back away but his strength and warmth pulled her closer. For the first time in moons she felt safe, as though she could melt into him and never be afraid again. Ivypool trains there too,she reminded herself. Perhaps Tigerheart is spying for his Clan, like she is.
His breath was soft on her cheek. Just like it had been when they’d sat together in the old Twoleg place, away from Clan territory, alone beneath the moon.
“Tigerheart!” Ratscar’s yowl made her jerk away. The ShadowClan warrior was on the other side of the brambles.
“Coming!” Tigerheart scrambled under the bush. “Meet me tonight!” he hissed at Dovewing. “I’ll wait for you here.”
Trembling, Dovewing turned and ran. I can’t meet him!Her thoughts raced with her paws as she skimmed the drooping grass clumped between trees.
But why not? I’ll just meet him once. If it still feels wrong I won’t meet him again.
An orange pelt flashed in front of her. Skidding, Dovewing stumbled to a halt, missing Firestar by a whisker.
He reared back, surprised. “Dovewing!” Finding his paws, he stared at her. “Sorry. I was thinking about something. I didn’t even hear you coming.”
“I should have been looking where I was going.”
He gazed at her sympathetically. “Were you worrying, too?”
Yes. About Tigerheart.“I w-was just…” As she stammered guiltily, Firestar interrupted.
“… listening for danger?”
Dovewing bristled. There’s more to me than ears! I can hunt and fight as well!
The ThunderClan leader shook his head. “It’s hard knowing, isn’t it?”
Dovewing frowned. “You mean, knowing about the Dark Forest?”
“Yes.” Firestar stared deep into the forest. “The Clan feels it too, even if they don’t know what the danger is. They know something’s wrong. I ordered them to increase patrols and reinforce the dens. They’re not mouse-brains. They sense danger.” He suddenly turned toward her. “Are youokay?” His gaze was as green as the forest. “You’re young to have so much responsibility.”
Dovewing straightened. “I can handle it.”
“I know.” Firestar tipped his head. “But make sure you’re getting enough prey and rest, and remember…” He paused, glancing into the trees once more. “…the final responsibility is mine. You don’t hold the whole Clan in your paws. I just need you to do what you can.” He lifted his chin. “I’ll take care of the rest.”
第三章
第三章
叶池离开了。松鸦羽闭上眼睛，听着她脚掌踩在树叶上发出的嘎吱声。他能感觉到身上星光璀璨。山下，湖面微波荡漾，湖水拍打着岸边。尽管不愿承认，可他知道叶池是对的。
当他爬到月亮池时，满怀希望地喊了一声：“有谁在吗？”
回答他的只有自己的回声。这里只有他自己。
压下失望的情绪，松鸦羽沿着凹凸不平的蜿蜒小路，往山谷中央走去。狂风在他的头顶凄厉嘶鸣，仿若被丢弃的幼崽在嘶叫着寻找妈妈，泣诉着对周遭岩石的恐惧。松鸦羽渴望能触及那些总推搡着催促他向水边逝去已久的猫的皮毛。可这里连一只远古猫的踪迹都没有，尽管在过去的无数岁月里，岩石上留下了他们深深的脚印。松鸦羽独自站在水边，内心有一种从未有过的空虚和寂寞。他闭上双眼，在月亮池边蜷伏下来，然后用鼻子碰了碰水面。
“松鸦羽。”
松鸦羽坐了起来，他原以为会在星族和煦的草地上醒来。但他仍在山谷里。
“松鸦羽。”一只母猫坐在他身旁。
他清醒了过来，仿若进入了一幅幻象。他看到她通体雪白，侧腹有黑色斑点，粉红色鼻子正朝他凑过来，用力地嗅着他。
松鸦羽向她眨眨眼睛：“你是谁？”
“河族的黑莓果。”
黑莓果？松鸦羽突然认出了这身皮毛。他以前经常在星族狩猎场见到这身皮毛。她就是在豹星和雾星的时代之前，照料河族的那位温柔的巫医。
“是柳光请你来的吗？”松鸦羽心里涌起一丝期待。尽管目前族群之间有矛盾，可说不定河族巫医仍想跟他交流。
黑莓果摇摇头：“不是因为她。我是因为欣赏你的智慧才来的。”
“可你是河族猫。”
“那又怎样？”黑莓果圆圆的蓝色眼眸闪动着点点星光，“族群就像金银花一样。为得到阳光的照射，藤蔓之间会互相攀附竞争，它们还以为各自是从不同的根茎里长出来的。”
松鸦羽竖起耳朵听她继续讲。
“阳光照射时，新叶会彼此抢夺阳光的温暖。这样的竞争会让整簇金银花愈加茂盛，每根藤蔓都竭力伸到阳光下，都想爬得更高。”黑莓果的眼神黯淡下来，“但等到没有阳光的时候，叶子便会掉落，茎枝一根根枯萎，枝干只能从根部汲取养分。”
“所以，金银花没有四根茎枝，只有一条根。”松鸦羽喃喃道，“可族群呢？族群可是从一开始就是分开了。”
“是你们自己划分界线、设定边界、巡逻捍卫的。”黑莓果把头歪向一边，“但界线其实只存在于你们的头脑中。不然，你们为什么还要每天去更新气味标记呢？”
她是想说大家应该像一个族群一样生活？松鸦羽皱起眉头。“可我们需要有个边界，”他争辩道，“这样才能强大起来。这可是你说的。”
“也许吧，”黑莓果承认道，“在阳光照耀的时候。”她凑近他，说道，“但是可怕的黑暗就要来临了。”
松鸦羽变换了一下脚掌：“可我不想跟影族、风族、河族搅在一起。”
黑莓果温柔地看着他：“你已经是混族猫了。”
松鸦羽皮毛竖立了起来：“我从鼻头到尾尖都是雷族猫。我的心只忠于雷族。”
“你的确心系雷族，”黑莓果坚持道，“可你有一半风族血统，就像灰条和银溪的幼崽有一半河族血统一样。暴毛的心现在忠于急水部落。如果羽尾还活着，又有谁知道她会忠于谁呢？”老巫医低下了头：“忠诚让族群猫强大。可没有哪一个族群的每一只猫都是纯种血液。”
“你为什么要跟我说这些？”松鸦羽摆动尾巴，“混族猫不是力量的象征，而是猫不忠诚的结果。”他伸出爪子：“那是因为他们背叛了武士守则！”
黑莓果目光严厉起来。“你在听我讲话吗？”她咆哮道，“还是说你只忙着考虑自己的血液闻起来究竟是森林的还是荒原的味道？”她哼了一声：“族群必须团结起来！不要去寻找那根本就不存在的边界，去寻找那些真真切切存在的东西。”
狂风呼啸着卷入山谷，月亮池荡起阵阵涟漪。松鸦羽转身看见水面颜色正在变化，最后，一幅景象倒映其中：中间是一池波光粼粼的湖水，四周环绕着山丘和树林。
“是湖泊！”松鸦羽惊呼道，“那是雷族领地！”他凝望着那片葱翠的森林。老鹰眼里的族群领地应该就是这样的。松鸦羽眯起眼睛，想要辨认出更多的细节。
“你在寻找气味线吗？”黑莓果甩着尾巴问道，“你能看见它们吗？”
“太远了。”松鸦羽只能看到一幅彼此交错绵延起伏的景色，河流和小溪将缓缓的山谷斜坡和闪着微光的小路分隔开来。
“星族眼中你们的家园就是这个样子的。”黑莓果解释道，“我们看到的是它的美丽和富饶，看不出哪棵树属于哪个族群。不要去寻找那根本就不存在的边界……”
“……寻找那些真真切切存在的东西。”松鸦羽重复着她的话，再次在那片景色中寻找着，“可它们在哪里呢？”
黑莓果用尾尖碰了碰他的脸颊，将他的目光引了回来：“唯一真实的边界存在于白天与黑夜之间，生与死之间，希望与失望之间。”
松鸦羽盯着巫医：“那星族为什么还要让我们待在自己的领地里，只听自己族猫的话呢？”
黑莓果动了动脚掌。“我们已经看不见你们的领地了。”她目光扫过月亮池，承认道，“现在我们只能看到一片黑暗。我们很害怕。”
松鸦羽甩了下尾巴：“那我能做什么？”
“让他们看见！”
“族群吗？”
“星族！”
“你为什么不去做？”
“我不是生来就星权在握的猫！”黑莓果转过身，开始顺着蜿蜒小路往山谷外面走，“要让他们明白，族群必须共同迎战，分裂只会是死路一条。”
“等等！”松鸦羽追了上去，“我怎么才能说服他们？”
黑莓果已经走到了山谷边，她回头看了他一眼。“答案你已经知道了。”黑暗中传来了她的声音，“三力量必须变成四力量，才能拯救所有的族群。”
松鸦羽看着她那身白色的皮毛渐渐消失在黑暗之中。他又回头看了一眼月亮池。此刻，池面只剩下璀璨星空的倒影。他眨眨眼睛，想要从幻象中清醒过来。紧接着，山谷便消失了。松鸦羽松了一口气，准备迎接黑暗的到来。
接着，他意识到眼角有什么东西在动。
我还能看见！我还在梦里！
他的周围有身影晃动。树木林立，黑暗笼罩了一切。
“你看不到我们来了。”一个声音在他耳边低语道。
松鸦羽赶紧躲开。一团皮毛从他一侧擦身而过。他吓得迅速转过去，想要看清楚到底是谁。但那些身影还在继续移动，周围太黑了，他根本就认不出来。
突然，一声咆哮从他身后传来：“你会慢慢痛苦地死去。”
松鸦羽猛然转身，瞪大眼睛盯着树林。
“你根本就无法阻止。”
我听过那个声音！他嗅了嗅空气，一股味道卷上他的舌尖。他以前遇到过这只猫，是在黑森林，和黄牙在一起的时候。“断星？”
一个身影停在了他面前，一双琥珀色的双眼在黑暗中泛着冷光。松鸦羽往后跳了几步。
“害怕了？”断星讥讽他道。
松鸦羽昂起下巴：“我们准备好了，可以随时迎战！”
“真的吗？”那双眼睛眨了眨，“我倒认为你的几位族猫准备的，可比你知道的要充分多了。”
“你什么意思？”松鸦羽身子一僵，一股寒意从他脊背上冒了出来。他不禁浑身战栗起来。
“听听吧。”
松鸦羽竖起耳朵。
“列队！”树林某处，一只公猫正在下达命令，“亮出爪子，准备进攻！”
“他们在训练。”断星解释道。
“我们用哪个进攻动作？”
听到梅花落的声音，松鸦羽浑身的皮毛竖了起来。
“抓喉咙或许管用。”那是桦落的声音！
“不要直接抓喉咙！”风族的风皮怒吼道，“不要让敌人死得太快。杀死他们之前，要先吓破他们的胆。”
“杀死冲在前面的猫，后面的猫就都不敢过来了。”虎星补充道。
“先吓唬他们，然后再重创他们。”
“做得不错，冰翅。”甲虫须表扬着他的族猫。
眼下的情形比松鸦羽想象得严重多了。已经有太多的族群猫来到了这里！他惊恐地想道。族群必须比以往任何时候都要更加团结、更加勇猛地战斗，才能打败黑森林。
灌木丛和荆棘丛中窸窸窣窣的身影在穿行，地面传来了脚步声。他们来了！听到猫儿们急速穿过丛林朝这边而来，松鸦羽赶忙伸出了爪子。鹰霜率先从阴影中走了出来。在他身后，一排排武士低身贴伏着地面前行。松鸦羽扫过他们的面庞，却发现一只都不认识。在他们眼中，他只看到了冷酷残忍的目光。这些猫不一样，他们都是黑森林武士，此刻正龇牙咧嘴，朝他涌过来。
松鸦羽想要逃跑，可他的脚掌就像是被冻住了一样。第一波武士向他袭来，喉咙里发出阵阵嘶吼声。松鸦羽眨巴着睁开了双眼。
他又看不见了。月亮池里的水轻轻拍打着他的鼻子。他放松下来，感受到脚掌下光滑的岩石。浑身的皮毛已经被露水打湿。他喘息着，挣扎着站了起来。
“松鸦羽？”一个声音响起，把他吓了一跳。
“蛾翅？”松鸦羽竭力甩开刚才的那些幻象，嗅了嗅空气。河族巫医的气息似乎让山谷里冰冷的石头也变得温暖了。
“你还好吗？”蛾翅凑过来，胡须轻扫过他的面颊。
“我很好。”松鸦羽抖了抖身上的皮毛，皱起眉头。蛾翅为什么会在这里？虽然她熟知草药，能治各种疾病，可她却跟星族没有任何联系。很久以前，她就已不再参加半月时分巫医们的月亮池聚会了，而是让她的学徒柳光代替她跟河族祖先交流。
“就只有你自己来了吗？”她说道。
松鸦羽坐了下来：“是的。”
“柳光拒绝来这里。”蛾翅走到月亮池边。松鸦羽听见她嗅了嗅水面。“星族发生什么事了？柳光告诉我说，他们命令她远离其他族群的巫医。”她的脚掌在石头上拖动，转身面朝松鸦羽，“这没道理呀。我们共同的守则是帮助族群战胜疾病。过去是它帮助我们维持和平。”
松鸦羽的盲眼盯着她：“我们的守则已经不管用了。星族很害怕。”
蛾翅惊诧地问道：“害怕什么？”
“黑森林。”松鸦羽不知道是否应该把自己知道的一切都告诉她。如果蛾翅不相信她的祖先在星族继续存在，那她肯定也不会相信有一座充斥着邪恶的猫的森林。不过，也许她不相信也好，这样她就不会受星族或是黑森林武士的影响了。
说不定她就是第四只猫呢！
蛾翅绕着他转圈：“柳光说，星族和黑森林之间会有一场大战。”
“她说得没错。”松鸦羽说道，“不过等到开战时，一切就都不是在我们的梦里了，它会在现实中发生。这场大战将在族群领地上，在活着的武士间进行。”
蛾翅一愣：“那怎么可能？”
“黑森林武士一直在族群猫睡着的时候训练他们。”松鸦羽等待着，以为蛾翅会不相信。可尽管她很恐惧，思维却像天空一样辽阔。
“怪不得我们有些族猫的行为很古怪，”她喃喃道，“他们很是焦躁好斗。”
松鸦羽竖起耳朵：“都有谁？”
“空飞，还有冰翅。”
“那甲虫须呢？”
蛾翅动了动脚掌：“你怎么会知道？”
松鸦羽没理会她的问题。没时间了。“我们需要团结各个族群，”他转着圈说道，“这次我们不会再为边界而战。我们的生存将受到威胁。”
蛾翅紧张地问道：“我能帮什么忙吗？”
她的话给松鸦羽带来了一线希望。但他知道，他必须得对她实话实说：“鹰霜也卷入了。”
“我哥哥？”蛾翅的尾巴嗖地甩过岩石，“怎么回事？”
“他选择了黑暗而不是光明。”
悲痛涌上蛾翅心头，但她很快就将它抛开。“我和他不一样。”她坚定地表明立场，“一直以来，我跟他选择的道路就不相同。我忠于活着的族猫，而不是死去的同窝手足。”
“所以，如果有必要，你会迎战他，对吗？”
“迎战他？他已经死了！”
“可活着的猫和死去的猫正在一起训练，想要毁灭族群！”松鸦羽想象着族群猫在黑森林里训练的场景。他们真的知道自己在做什么吗？没有谁能说服桦落或是梅花落去伤害自己的族猫！“他们想要利用我们自己的族猫来对抗我们。”
蛾翅的脚掌在石头上抓挠着：“那我们怎么知道谁是可信的呢？”
松鸦羽慢慢吐了一口气：“得等到开战的时候才会知道。但如果我们能阻止星族分裂族群，那我们就有希望获胜。”
“我不能帮你说服那些死了的猫，”蛾翅说道，“但我或许可以帮忙引导那些活着的猫。我会想办法说服柳光再来月亮池的。”
“她会听你的吗？”
蛾翅一顿：“我不知道，但我会试试。”松鸦羽感觉到河族猫身上散发出来的坚定决心。“如果我想出说服其他巫医的办法了，那我就来找你。”她凑近松鸦羽，呼出的气息轻抚过他的口鼻。“你不会再孤单了，松鸦羽。”她转身走上通往山谷外的小路，“你不走吗？”
松鸦羽跟了上去。他从没想过蛾翅会帮他对抗黑森林。但也许，她是唯一能帮上忙的猫了。
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
Watery sunshine filtered through the den walls.
Ivypool yawned, arching her back till her legs trembled. She was aware of every muscle tensed beneath her skin, each one a little stronger after another night’s training in the Dark Forest. Now that she was mentoring Birchfall and Redwillow, she woke with fewer wounds, but weary from the effort of demonstrating moves and running through them again and again. Redwillow was a quick learner and Birchfall was clearly hungry to prove that he was as good a Dark Forest warrior as he was a ThunderClan one. He’d picked up the rearing lunge she’d shown him on his first try and, though he was her father, not her kit, Ivypool had felt a fond rush of pride.
Dovewing yawned.
“You look tired.” Ivypool could see weariness in her sister’s blue eyes, and Dovewing’s pelt was unkempt, dusted with fragments of leaf. Had she been out of the camp?
“The forest noises kept waking me.”
Ivypool guessed it must be hard to sleep with ears that heard far beyond the walls of the den. “You could try stuffing them with moss.”
Dovewing blinked, confused. “What?”
“Your ears.” Ivypool frowned. Dovewing seemed like she was in another world.
Molepaw rolled over and struggled to sit up. “I wish I’d stuffed my ears with moss,” he mewed sleepily. “Then I wouldn’t be woken up by you two chattering like blackbirds.”
Cherrypaw stretched. “It’s dawn,” she pointed out. “Time to wake up.”
“But Rosepetal and Foxleap are practicing tree climbing with Spiderleg,” Molepaw reminded her. “Which means no training for us.”
Cherrypaw lifted her head. “Why can’t we train with them?”
“Spiderleg thinks we’re too small to jump off a branch.” Molepaw lashed his tail. “I bet I could jump down from the Ancient Oak and land safely.”
Ivypool cuffed his ear gently. “We can’t risk any injuries.” Not with the Dark Forest getting ready to attack.She ducked out of the den and padded over to where Brambleclaw was doling out morning duties.
“Prey is starting to go to ground,” the ThunderClan deputy declared. “We must hunt while we can. But we can’t forget battle training. The Clans are nervous. And nervous Clans are dangerous.”
“Is that why WindClan tried to attack us through the tunnels?” Sorreltail called.
Cloudtail narrowed his eyes. “And why ShadowClan accused our medicine cat of murder?”
Firestar bounded down from Highledge and joined Brambleclaw. “We mustn’t be drawn into Clan squabbles. We have to concentrate on preparing for leaf-bare.”
And the attack from the Dark Forest.Ivypool’s tail twitched. Her Clanmates were fretting over the threat from their neighbors. They had no idea a far greater threat hung over the forest.
Brambleclaw padded forward. “Firestar’s right. We must prepare for the cold moons, but keep training. Berrynose!” He looked up to a nest woven on top of the beech trunk. A wide, cream head poked out.
“Yes?”
Brambleclaw beckoned him with a flick of his tail. “I want you to help Spiderleg train Foxleap and Rosepetal in tree battle.”
Berrynose slid out of his den and jumped into the clearing. He shook out his pelt, his muscled shoulders rippling. “Great!” His eyes shone. With claws as strong as an eagle’s talons, he was one of the best climbers in the Clan. And he knew how to time a drop so that he could land squarely on any warrior passing underneath his branch.
Spiderleg looked expectantly at Brambleclaw and, when the ThunderClan deputy nodded, headed for the thorn tunnel. Rosepetal and Foxtail followed, Berrynose bounding after. Molepaw watched them go, his brown-and-cream pelt fluffed up along his spine.
Brambleclaw blinked at the apprentice. “You and Cherrypaw can train with Dovewing and Ivypool today.”
Ivypool’s tail drooped. She’d spent all night training apprentices in the Dark Forest.
“Did you hear that, Dovewing?” Cherrypaw hopped out of her den, calling over her shoulder. “You’re training us today.”
Dovewing slid out, yawning.
Ivypool frowned. Why is she so tired? I’m the one who’s been up all night.“Come on.” She marched past Dovewing, heading for the entrance.
“Can we learn some battle moves?” Molepaw’s wide amber gaze fixed on Ivypool. “Blossomfall said that you know some awesome attack moves.”
“Let’s concentrate on defense today.” She’d taught enough killing moves in the Dark Forest last night.
“We can practice attacking if you like, Molepaw.” Dovewing padded along the trail.
Ivypool stared after her. Didn’t you hear what I said?She opened her mouth to argue but Cherrypaw and Molepaw were already haring toward the training hollow.
“Be careful!” Ivypool yowled after them. “I don’t want any injuries. Keep your claws sheathed.” This isn’t the Dark Forest.
As the apprentices disappeared up the trail, Ivypool caught up with Dovewing. “What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why are you acting like you woke up in the wrong Clan?”
“I’m not.” Dovewing stared ahead.
Ivypool was unconvinced. “What really kept you up last night?”
“I told you.” Dovewing shrugged. “Noises.”
They reached the training hollow and Ivypool jumped down the short, steep slope. Molepaw and Cherrypaw were already tussling on the smooth, sandy earth.
“Battle crouch!” Ivypool ordered.
The apprentices rolled away from each other and dropped to their bellies.
“Keep your tail still.” Ivypool pressed the twitching tip of Molepaw’s tail with a paw and turned to Cherrypaw. “Shoulders down and tuck your hindpaws in.” She nosed Cherrypaw’s haunches till the ginger she-cat drew her hind paws tighter beneath her. “It’ll add power to your jump. Now practice your leap and see which one can reach the farthest.”
She padded back to Dovewing, who had settled at the edge of the clearing. “Don’t forget to stretch out your forepaws,” she called back to the apprentices. “You want to meet your enemy clawfirst, not nosefirst.” She sat beside her sister. “I know something’s wrong,” she hissed.
Molepaw and Cherrypaw launched themselves across the clearing, more like panicking rabbits than warriors.
“Try again,” Ivypool suggested. “And keep trying till you’ve got it.” She turned back to Dovewing. “Well?”
Dovewing’s round, blue eyes glistened. “It’s the prophecy,” she whispered.
“What about it?”
“The Tribe of Endless Hunting told Jayfeather there’s a fourth cat.”
Ivypool’s tail stiffened. “A fourthcat? Who?”
“Jayfeather thinks it’s Mothwing.” Dovewing’s gaze drifted to a point on the far side of the clearing. “Lionblaze thinks it’s Hollyleaf.”
“Didn’t the Tribe say who it was?” Ivypool flexed her claws. Why did the Ancient cats make everything so difficult?
“I don’t think they know.”
“What about StarClan?”
Dovewing shrugged.
“Who do youthink the fourth cat is?” Ivypool murmured.
“You.”
“Me?”Ivypool blinked. “Just because I’m your sister doesn’t mean—”
Dovewing cut her off. “You risk your life every night in the Dark Forest.”
“I’m just spying for you.” Ivypool shook her head. “StarClan hasn’t spoken to me.”
Dovewing leaned closer. “Are you sure? Have you had any special dreams?”
Ivypool rolled her eyes. “I don’t have time for special dreams,” she pointed out. “I spend every night in the Dark Forest.”
“Can we try swerves now?”
Ivypool swung around as Molepaw interrupted them. “Soon.” She turned back to Dovewing. “Surely it’s Hollyleaf?”
“What’s Hollyleaf?” Cherrypaw padded toward them.
“Practice your leap,” Ivypool ordered.
“But Molepaw’s taking up the whole clearing!” Cherrypaw complained.
Ivypool glanced at the brown-and-white apprentice. “Molepaw! Keep to the edge and let your sister use the middle.”
“But that’s not fair—”
Ivypool growled. “Are you training to be a warrior or a kit?”
Muttering, Molepaw trailed to the edge of the clearing and hunkered down, ready to leap again. Cherrypaw lifted her tail defiantly and marched to the middle of the hollow.
Ivypool turned back to Dovewing. “Why else would Hollyleaf come back now?”
“If she was part of the prophecy, she wouldn’t have gone away,” Dovewing argued. “It has to be you!”
“I don’t have any special power,” Ivypool pointed out.
“You have courage,” Dovewing mewed fiercely. “You spy every night on our greatest enemies. It mustbe you!”
A squawk made Ivypool spin around. Molepaw and Cherrypaw were fighting in the center of the clearing. Ivypool darted toward them and hauled Molepaw away. “What in the name of StarClan are you doing?”
“He kept jumping into my space!” Cherrypaw hissed.
“You’re Clanmates!” Ivypool snapped. “What use will you be in battle if you end up fighting each other?” As she spoke, a well of despair seemed to open up in her chest. What horrors and betrayal lay ahead for her innocent Clanmates?
As the sun peaked over the camp, Ivypool padded to a pool of light beside the fallen beech and lay down. Her belly was full and her pelt was warm. Weary from the morning’s training, she closed her eyes. Am I really the fourth cat?Dovewing’s words echoed in her head. You spy every night on our greatest enemies. It must be you!Ivypool tried to push her sister’s voice away. I’d know if I was the fourth! I’d have a special power, wouldn’t I?
“Ivypool!” Birchfall’s hiss jerked her from her doze.
She sat up. “What?”
Her father was a dark shadow against the blazing sunlight. She blinked, adjusting to the brightness, and made out Mousewhisker standing beside him. Ivypool’s shoulders drooped. This was going to be about their Dark Forest training.
“We need to talk.” Birchfall twitched his nose toward the camp entrance. “In private.”
Ivypool gazed across the sunny camp. Poppyfrost and Leafpool were sharing a mouse outside the elders’ den. Beside them, Mousefur rested her nose on her front paws, her eyes shut while Purdy washed her pelt with long strokes of his tongue. Cherrypaw and Molepaw were trying to outdistance each other, practicing their attack leaps beside the nursery.
“Come on, then.” Wearily, Ivypool padded toward the entrance. She didn’t meet Mousewhisker’s eye in case he spotted her reluctance. She had never imagined that so many of her Clanmates would be taken in by Hawkfrost’s lies.
I was.She’d been so eager to learn new battle techniques that she didn’t care who taught her. And Hawkfrost had been so convincing, charming her into believing he was helping her to become the best warrior she could be. Why would Mousewhisker be any wiser?
The forest was cool outside the hollow, shaded by leaves that swished in the soft breeze. Ivypool led Birchfall and Mousewhisker along the trail and stopped at the edge of the training hollow.
“We’re going to meet up with the Dark Forest cats from the other Clans.”
Birchfall’s confession made Ivypool stiffen. “When?”
“Now.”
Ivypool swallowed. “Why?”
“We need to practice fighting in daylight,” Mousewhisker added.
Birchfall leaned forward, eyes bright. “If we can practice what we’re learning in the Dark Forest, we can improve our skills.”
“And we’ve got to think of a way for the Dark Forest warriors to get to our territory if we need their help.”
Ivypool stifled a gasp. “Why would we need their help?” The thought of Hawkfrost and Tigerstar running freely beside the lake made her feel sick.
Birchfall blinked at her. “That way, if one Clan’s threatened, we can all help them.”
Do they really believe that?Ivypool stared at her Clanmates. Their eyes were wide and clear. Everything’s upside down!The Clans were on edge, threatening one another’s borders as their fear rose, while the warriors training in the Dark Forest grew closer and closer. She searched her father’s gaze, desperate to confess what she knew and warn him that he was stalking wolves, not mice.
Her heart quickened. She couldn’t tell them she was a spy. What if they betrayed her?
A sharp wind whisked through the branches overhead.
“So?” Mousewhisker demanded. “Are you coming?”
Ivypool shifted her paws. “Where?”
Birchfall flicked his tail excitedly. “We’ve arranged to meet Sunstrike at the border.”
“She’s bringing Larkpaw and Harespring,” Mousewhisker added.
Ivypool fought to keep her fur smooth as horror surged through her. How mouse-brained were they? She stared at Birchfall. His light brown tabby pelt was glossy and smooth, his chest puffed up. He actually thought he was being loyal to his Clan by meeting WindClan warriors to share battle moves!
I have to stop this!
As Birchfall and Mousewhisker headed away through the trees, Ivypool stretched her ears, wishing she had her sister’s hearing. She couldn’t order them not to go because it would reveal too much about what she was doing in the Dark Forest. She had to keep spying as long as possible. She had to find out when and where Brokenstar planned to attack.
“Wait for me.” She hurried after her Clanmates as they joined the trail that led to the WindClan border. Following the path upward, she scanned the forest. Birds flitted from branch to branch. A squirrel was skittering across the forest floor beyond the ferns. She suddenly spotted a fox-red pelt in the brambles beyond. Someone was stalking the squirrel.
Her heart lifted. “I’ll catch up.”
Birchfall looked back at her. “We’re meeting at the stream,” he mewed.
“Okay.” Ivypool veered off the trail and ducked into the ferns. Poking her head out the other side, she saw the squirrel run. The fox-red pelt darted after it, landing squarely on the squirrel and killing it with a bite.
“Foxleap!” Ivypool raced from the ferns.
The warrior turned, the squirrel dangling between his jaws. He dropped it. “What’s up?”
Ivypool glanced over her shoulder. Mousewhisker and Birchfall had disappeared over the rise. “Bring a patrol to the WindClan border,” she hissed. “Not this way. Follow the lake trail.” She couldn’t risk a ThunderClan patrol catching up with Birchfall and Mousewhisker and following them directly to the meeting place.
Foxleap tipped his head. “Why?”
“I smelled WindClan scent at the border,” she lied. “I think patrols have been crossing the stream.”
Foxleap frowned. “I’ll fetch some others.” Scooping up the squirrel in his jaws, he raced toward camp.
Ivypool rushed to catch up with Birchfall and Mousewhisker.
“Is everything okay?” Birchfall narrowed his eyes.
“Fine.” Ivypool fell in beside him, lifting her chin. “I just had to make dirt.”
Birchfall’s gaze flicked back to the trail. Ivypool could see the trees lighten as they neared the edge of the forest. She slowed her pace. The stretch of grass beyond ran straight to the border. She had to give Foxleap time to fetch the patrol.
“I’m proud of you.” Birchfall’s pelt brushed hers as he murmured in her ear. “Seeing you in the Dark Forest makes me realize how much I’ve underestimated your skills in the past.”
Would he be as proud of her if he knew she was lying to everyone? She should warn him about the dangerous path he was choosing. She should confess she was only in the Dark Forest to find out what Brokenstar was up to. But she couldn’t. There was too much at stake.
They padded into the sunlight. Ahead, the ground sloped down toward the border stream. Beyond that, WindClan’s smooth, grassy moor rose, stark against the brilliant blue sky. Ivypool scanned the heather for pelts, then glanced furtively toward the lake. There was no sign of WindClan or Foxleap’s patrol. She spotted a gorse bush clinging to the slope, a few fox-lengths from the stream. “Let’s hide there till they come.”
Mousewhisker bristled. “Why should we hide?”
Ivypool marched past him. “You don’t want everyone knowing about the Dark Forest, do you?” She ducked underneath the low branches of the gorse. Spikes tugged at her pelt as she squirmed as far in as she could. She wriggled around and hissed to her Clanmates. “Come on, there’s plenty of room.”
Birchfall and Mousewhisker squeezed in after her and she lay, hot and prickly, staring out at the moor. Her heart thumped against the ground. Please, StarClan, don’t let Birchfall and Mousewhisker smell my fear-scent.What if Foxleap arrived first? Birchfall might guess she’d given them away. Ivypool peered into the heather beyond the stream, praying for pelts to appear.
Fresh ThunderClan scent seeped under the bush. Foxleap!Straining, she saw the young warrior climbing the slope from the lake. Brackenfur and Graystripe flanked him. As they neared the gorse bush, the heather on the far side of the stream swished and Harespring padded out, scanning the border. Larkpaw and Sunstrike followed.
“Any sign of them?” Sunstrike murmured to his Clanmates. He stared across the stream as they approached the border.
“Stay back!” Foxleap’s yowl sounded from the slope. The ThunderClan patrol ran toward the border and skidded to a halt opposite the WindClan cats. “What are you doing here?”
“Checking the border.” Sunstrike met his gaze. “Just like you.”
“You’ve been trespassing!” Brackenfur accused.
“We haven’t crossed the border!” Harespring hissed.
“Not this time,” Foxleap growled. “But warriors have picked up WindClan scent this side of the stream.”
Birchfall stiffened beside Ivypool. “Have they?” he whispered.
Ivypool shrugged. “I don’t know,” she lied.
Mousewhisker’s tail flicked. “Why did Firestar have to send a patrol here now?” he grumbled.
Sunstrike stood on the edge of the small gorge cut by the stream. Foxleap faced her on the other side. Both warriors were bristling, ears flat.
Sunstrike bared her teeth. “No WindClancat has crossed the border.”
Graystripe lashed his tail. “Are you accusing ThunderClan of crossing the scent line?”
Brackenfur dropped into a crouch—the same one Ivypool had spent the morning teaching Molepaw and Cherrypaw. Don’t attack!Guilt flooded through her. She didn’t want to start a fight. She just wanted to save her Clanmates from making a terrible mistake.
Harespring met Brackenfur’s gaze through narrowed eyes. “Onestar says we should challenge any cat we find on our land.”
“This is our land.” Brackenfur’s hindquarters twitched as he bunched his muscles.
“Stop!” Birchfall shot out from the gorse.
Foxleap spun around, his eyes wide. “What are you doing here?”
“Guarding the border.” Birchfall straightened up and signaled to Mousewhisker and Ivypool with his tail. Mousewhisker slid out from under the bush and, reluctantly, Ivypool followed
Foxleap’s eyes narrowed. “How do you guard from inside a bush?”
“We were waiting to see if they’d cross.” Birchfall’s gaze slipped toward Sunstrike. The WindClan cats began to back away. Graystripe shifted his paws.
“No one’s crossed any borders,” Birchfall announced. “Let’s just all retreat.”
Foxleap growled. “Not till I’ve checked for WindClan scent on our land.”
Sunstrike’s ears twitched. “You won’t find any.” She turned and led her Clanmates back into the heather.
Foxleap was pacing the border sniffing every clump of grass. “There’s no sign of invasion.” He glanced expectantly at Ivypool, since she was the one who’d told him about WindClan cats crossing the border.
She looked away, relief flooding through her. “Not this time,” she murmured.
Foxleap sniffed the gorse once more, then left a scent marker. “Come on, let’s get back to camp.”
Ivypool was first into the trees. Her paws were heavy as stone and she wished she was still asleep in the sun beside the fallen beech. A pelt brushed hers and she turned to see that Foxleap had caught up with her. “Did you know they’d be there?”
She flinched. “No.”
“But there’s no sign of WindClan crossing the border.” Foxleap was frowning. “What made you call for a patrol? Did you overhear something in the tunnel battle?”
Ivypool shook her head. “It was just a hunch,” she muttered. “You know how tense it’s been between the Clans. I must have caught a whiff of WindClan scent while I was in the woods and I was just on edge—”
“… and you overreacted.” Foxleap finished her sentence.
“I suppose so.” Ivypool’s ear twitched.
“Well, it was a good guess.”
Ivypool glanced at Foxleap, her belly tightening as she saw doubt shadowing his gaze. He doesn’t believe me.Tail flicking with unease, Ivypool pushed harder against the ground and raced for home. Being a spy was forcing her to betray her own Clan after all.
How much longer will I have to live like this?
第四章
第四章
明媚的阳光照耀着石头山谷。黎明的巡逻已经结束，族猫们此刻都在休息。
狮焰心不在焉地咬了一口脚掌边的老鼠，米莉在武士巢穴边坐了下来。
“帮我带只鼩鼱！”她对灰条喊道。
“有很多。”玫瑰瓣正跟梅花落分食一只乌鸫，“我们找到了一整窝呢。”
灰条朝猎物堆走去。猎物堆堆得满满的。狩猎队一直想要在秃叶季来临之前，把族猫们养得胖胖的。火星要确保他们能在未来的几个月里，和其他族群的猫一样健康强壮。
“我能坐在你旁边吗？”冬青叶穿过空地，将一只画眉扔在狮焰身旁。
狮焰翻动着脚掌下的老鼠：“请便。”
冬青叶在他身旁那棵倒下的山毛榉树的阴影处坐了下来。“松鸦羽还没有回来。”她观察了一下，然后咬了一口画眉。
“我知道。”狮焰心烦意乱地拨弄着老鼠。
“他为什么去月亮池？”冬青叶嘴里满是羽毛，含混不清地问道，“火星不是告诉他，他仅限于在营地范围内行使巫医职责吗？”
“我猜他有他的理由。”狮焰不安地抖了抖耳朵。松鸦羽独自出去有欠考虑。如果被风族巡逻队发现怎么办？他们会对一只被认定为凶手的猫仁慈吗？
炭心走了过来。狮焰忙把注意力集中到那只老鼠身上。“今早的天气不错，很适合狩猎。”炭心对冬青叶说道。
冬青叶拂掉嘴边的一根羽毛：“我还从来没见过那么多的猎物呢。”
狮焰抬起头，飞快地瞥了一眼炭心。她那柔软的灰色皮毛闪耀着光泽，长尾巴上的皮毛整洁顺滑。他的心痛了起来。她为什么来这儿闲逛？她不是应该待在巫医巢穴里吗？她不是真正的炭心，不是那只他曾深爱的母猫。她是炭毛——那只被星族带回来完成什么愚蠢使命的老巫医。
“快闭上嘴，不然你的猎物要掉出来了。”冬青叶在他耳边轻语道。
狮焰吓了一跳，这才发现自己一直在盯着炭心。他赶紧扭过头，尴尬得浑身燥热。“你有什么事？”他冷冷地问炭心。
“黑莓掌想让我们带一支狩猎队去湖边。”
“你不是还有巫医的事情要做吗？”自从草药和治病的知识重新涌回她的记忆后，他看见她总是在松鸦羽的巫医巢穴里进进出出忙碌着。
“谁规定的？”炭心后背的皮毛竖了起来。
“松鸦羽去了月亮池。”
“他很快就会回来的。”
“希望如此。”
“冬青叶！”黑莓掌在高石台下喊道。“带一支队伍去两脚兽巢穴那边的草地。”副族长命令道，“我昨晚听见有只狗在叫，去确认一下它是否已经被拴着的。”
冬青叶看了看吃了一半的画眉，然后穿过空地。狮焰目送她离开，却发现炭心还在他身边没有走。“你不跟她一起去吗？”他问道。
“我们要率领狩猎队，你忘了吗？”她在他身旁坐下，“我们带哪些猫去？”
狮焰扫了一眼空地，欣慰地发现云尾正朝他们跑来。“嘿，云尾！”他站起身，“你想去狩猎吗？”
“不，他不想！”在云尾身后追赶的亮心喊道，“我们一早上都在狩猎。他刚刚答应我，要去猎物堆给我拿点儿吃的。”说完，她轻推了一下伴侣。“难道你想让我自己去猎物堆，然后你留在这里聊天吗？”她冲他眨了眨眼睛。
云尾嗖嗖甩了两下他那粗大的白色尾巴，咕噜了一句：“我去拿！”
狮焰很是羡慕他们之间的那种默契。曾经，他认为他和炭心也能像他们那样。可是，随着她那些记忆的恢复，一切都改变了。现在，他感觉自己好像从来就没真正地了解过她。
亮心冲炭心点了点头：“你今早给荆棘光检查过了吗？”
“我应该去吗？”炭心不安地抬起头来。
“不是。”亮心耸了耸肩，“我只是觉得，松鸦羽不在……”她看了一眼巫医巢穴，发现入口处的黑莓屏风在晃动。“她出来了！”她赶紧跑过去看荆棘光，残疾的武士正拖着身体朝猎物堆挪去。
“等等我！”云尾小跑着追了过去。
“我们本来也可以那样的。”狮焰轻声对炭心说道，“我们本来可以幸福地生活在一起。”
“我觉得幸福并不是我们命运的一部分。”炭心回答道。说完她脸色一变，难过地看着狮焰。“我们就不要再用希望来折磨自己了。”她站起来，伸展了一下身体，又弓起后背，“你想带谁一起狩猎？”
狮焰扫视着营地。梅花落刚吃完猎物，正在育婴室旁跟鼠须练习格斗动作。只见她猛一转身，用尾巴稳住身体，躲过了完美的攻击。他们相互之间动作配合默契，看上去很是轻松惬意。“叫上他们怎么样？鼠须！”
灰白相间的公猫转过头：“什么事？”
“我们要去湖边狩猎。一起去吧？”
鼠须高兴地竖起了尾巴：“梅花落能一起去吗？”
狮焰点点头，于是两只猫往荆棘屏障跑去。炭心追了上去。狮焰把吃了一半的老鼠推到冬青叶的画眉旁边，也跟着族猫们跑出了营地。
等他追上他们时，鼠须和梅花落已经开始爬坡了。只见他们在黑莓丛中迂回穿行，追逐着彼此的尾巴，就好像在玩捉松鼠的游戏。再过一两个季节，梅花落就该怀上鼠须的幼崽了吧。想到这里，他的尾巴耷拉了下来。
“哎呀！”梅花落突然发出一声惊叫。
狮焰赶紧跑上前去，停在玳瑁色武士身旁：“怎么了？”
梅花落在地上扭动着身体，她的前腿被一根荆棘缠住了，脸疼得扭曲了起来。鼠须蜷伏在她身旁，用嘴巴咬着荆棘，小心翼翼地将她的脚掌从中绕了出来。“别动，”他轻声说道，“你越挣扎，昨晚留下的战伤就痛得越厉害。”
“嘘！”梅花落赶紧示意鼠须打住话头，眼神内疚地看了一眼狮焰。
狮焰一愣。原来他们不是伴侣，而是一直在梦里一起训练的伙伴！狮焰感到周围树木纷纷向他逼来。他努力长叹一口气。他们根本就不知道自己在做什么。
他颤抖着看着鼠须挪开荆棘条，然后帮梅花落起身。如果他连自己的族猫都不能相信，那他还能相信谁呢？他回过头，看见炭心也赶过来查看族猫的伤情。她也在黑森林里接受训练吗？族猫们的身影一个个地在狮焰的脑海中掠过。突然间，那些熟悉的面孔似乎全都变得陌生和冷漠起来。
“帮她检查一下。”他对炭心命令道。可炭心早就已经这么做了。只见她嗅嗅梅花落的肩膀，然后轻轻按压她的脚掌。
“这里疼吗？”
梅花落呻吟了一声，摇了摇头：“只是有一点点痛。”
“能用力吗？”炭心又问。
梅花落脚掌踩在地面试了试。她脸色先是有些紧张，但很快就放松了下来。“能，”她喘息道，“虽然有点儿酸痛，但是能走路。”
炭心转向狮焰。“肩膀处没有发热，”她说道，“只是轻度拉伤。她只需要放松……”
狮焰打断了她：“你确定吗？”
炭心眼神一变：“我当然确定！”
狮焰眯起双眼。她是不满我质疑她的巫医本领吗？还是她不愿意被迫履行巫医职责？还没等他得出结论，炭心已经开始轻轻推着梅花落上了山坡。
鼠须焦急地跟了上去：“你确定没事吗？”
“等到湖边就好啦。”梅花落向他保证道。
炭心回头迎上狮焰的目光。“我们的学徒受过比这还要严重的伤。”她说道，“只要她几天内不跑不跳，就没事。”
“她应该回营地吗？”狮焰问道。
“不，我要跟你们在一起。虽然我不能追赶猎物，但我可以帮着把猎物送回家。”梅花落喊道。她加快步伐，像是要证明自己没事似的。狮焰只好叹了口气，跟了上去。
最终，他们要带回营地的猎物很少。鼠须的狩猎动作太笨拙，结果在湿滑的鹅卵石上摔倒时，弄出了很大的动静，惊飞了湖边的鸟；狮焰心不在焉的，只顾着紧跟在族猫身后，仔细听他们的交谈，留意他们是否会透露出任何与黑森林训练相关的线索；炭心的心思好像也在别处，结果生生让一只老鼠从眼皮底下逃脱了。
狮焰嘴里叼着一只麻雀，带大家返回了营地。高石台上，火星正在打盹儿，松鼠飞则守在他身旁。灰条和米莉在育婴室外躺着休息，黛西和香薇云则忙着把苔藓铺在太阳底下晒干。
长老巢穴入口处，鼠毛正坐在那里看着四周。波弟在她的身旁，老公猫低声说话的嗓音，听起来就像远处蜜蜂的嗡嗡声。
狮焰朝猎物堆走去，炭心紧随其后。梅花落叼着一只鼩鼱，一瘸一拐地跟着。
“你们就抓了这些吗？”黄蜂条蹦蹦跳跳地跑了过来，“还没到秃叶季呢！”
炭心用鼻子将他顶开。“梅花落的腿受伤了。”她在梅花落受伤的肩膀上嗅了嗅，“现在感觉怎么样？”
梅花落躲开了：“我跟你说了！我没事！”
狮焰看到炭心眼中闪过一丝受伤的表情。他扔下麻雀。“如果你觉得今晚可能会疼得睡不着，就去松鸦羽那里取些罂粟籽。”他又看了看黄蜂条，“松鸦羽回来了吗？”
黄蜂条点了点头：“你们刚走他就回来了。”
“他没事？”
黄蜂条耸耸肩膀。“他呵斥榛尾挡了他的路，吼骂樱桃爪踩了香薇云的苔藓，命令狐跃和蟾步去采紫草。”他紧张地朝狮焰身后瞧了瞧，“所以，我猜他没事。”
荆棘屏障沙沙作响。狮焰转过身，看见冬青叶扭动着身子钻了出来。玫瑰瓣、莓鼻和白翅跟在她身后。莓鼻高昂着头，嘴里叼着一只肥硕的鸽子，眼中的兴奋溢于言表。
火星在高石台上站起身：“边界平安没事吧？”
“是的。”冬青叶在落石堆旁停住了，“我们在与影族的边界处更新了气味标记，原来的那些不新鲜了。”
“好。”火星顺着落石跳到了空地上，“你们检查隧道入口了吗？”
冬青叶点点头：“没有入侵的迹象。”
灰条穿过空地走了过来。“自从上次被我们打退之后，风族不敢再来了。”看到莓鼻嘴里的鸽子，他双眼一亮，称赞道，“干得漂亮。”
火星胡须微颤。“我认为下一轮巡逻最好由你带领。”他意有所指地看着老友那圆滚滚的肚子，说道，“你得活动活动腿脚了。”
灰条假装生气地瞪大了眼睛：“都是毛，你知道的。”说完他往后一坐，露出一大片柔软的灰毛。
冬青叶打趣道：“你看起来像这只鸽子！”
白翅绕着灰条走了一圈，上下打量着他：“秃叶季你肯定不用愁了。”
灰条站起来抖了抖身上的皮毛：“优秀的武士需要保持强健的体魄。”
狮焰一愣，皮毛竖了起来。优秀的武士需要保持强健的体魄。灰条也在黑森林训练吗？
“你没事？”冬青叶在他耳边轻声问道。
“没事。”
“走吧。”冬青叶推着他往营地入口走去，“我们去散散步。”
营地外面，落叶季初期的阳光从树叶间照射下来，落在冬青叶黑色的皮毛上留下斑驳的阴影。狮焰跟着她，沿小路朝老橡树走去。
“出什么事了？”冬青叶目视前方问道。
“没什么。”
冬青叶摇了摇尾巴：“你今天上午没怎么说话。”
“我脑子里要想的事情很多。”难道她忘了他要独自阻挡黑森林吗？
“我看到你看炭心的眼神了。”
一根长满苔藓的树干挡住了去路，开裂的树皮上洒落着点点阳光。“那怎么了？”狮焰说道。
“你很苦恼，对吗？”冬青叶猜测道。
狮焰停下来：“什么？”
“炭心变成了炭毛。”冬青叶摇了摇尾巴，“我也很困惑。”她移动了一下脚掌。“她曾经是我最好的朋友，在我还没有……”她沉默片刻，“在我还没有离开之前。可是现在，我也不知道我回来看到的是谁。是炭心还是炭毛？她还是之前的炭心吗？”
狮焰想要安慰姐姐，可是却做不到。“我不知道。”他坐下来，承认道，“这有区别吗？我是说，如果她是和炭毛的灵魂一起诞生的，那她一直就是炭毛……”
“有那么简单吗？”冬青叶皱着眉头说道，“炭毛是巫医，而炭心是武士。她怎么可能两者都是？”
狮焰摇了摇头：“我想连她自己也不知道吧。”
冬青叶把头歪向一边，思索着。“星族给了她第二次机会，”她说道，“我们应该相信星族，炭心现在是什么样子，我们就接受她什么样子。无论她是巫医还是武士，她始终都还是我们的朋友，对吗？”
“嗯。”不过，如果她是巫医，她就永远不能有伴侣。
“快走！”冬青叶轻轻推了下狮焰，“你太严肃了。”她跳到树干上，说道：“我们比赛看谁先跑到老橡树！”
狮焰向她眨眨眼睛：“我记得你还是幼崽时，翻不过去这根树干，还是松鼠飞用鼻子把你拱过去的呢。”
冬青叶顺着树干蹦蹦跳跳地往前走。“我们还是学徒的时候，你还经常擦伤肚皮呢。”她很快便消失在树干的另一头，继续往前走。
狮焰飞身跃过树干。他看见冬青叶黑色的皮毛在树林间疾驰，于是便朝着那个忽隐忽现的身影追了过去。他追上冬青叶，和她并排往前跑。他们皮毛相擦越过树根，在灌木丛中穿梭着。
前方，老橡树终于出现了，它的树梢高高伸到其他的树梢上面。狮焰缓缓停住了：“我感觉就仿佛你从未离开过。”
冬青叶转身在他前面停下。“我也希望那是真的。”她的眼神突然暗淡下来，“可很多事情都变了。你和松鸦羽现在肩负了那么多的责任，不仅仅是因为预言。你们都变了，变成了族群的重要组成部分，大家都很依赖你们。”
“你也为族群做了很多！”
“比如？”冬青叶抓挠着地面，“在你们为族猫战斗和狩猎的时候，我却只能躲着你们，因为自己做过的事躲避起来。”她低头盯着自己的脚。
“可你还是回来了。”狮焰靠近她，用鼻子轻推了一下她的肩膀，“我很高兴你回来了。”
她抬头迎着他的目光。“不要假装过去的那一切都没有发生，狮焰。”她慢慢走到老橡树跟前，“它就像我的影子，会永远跟随着我。”
他们身后的蕨丛晃动了起来。狮焰转过身，看见松鸦羽和鸽翅跳出小径。
“我就说他们在这里吧。”鸽翅说道。
“算你厉害，大耳朵。”松鸦羽揶揄她道，说着他目光转向冬青叶，“我们需要谈一谈。”
冬青叶眨巴着眼睛：“跟我？”
“不是你。”松鸦羽直白的语气让狮焰很是吃惊。“抱歉，冬青叶。”他耸了耸肩，“可这事只能三力量知道。”
冬青叶低下了头。“好的。”她退回小道往下走去。“我去湖边狩猎。”她喉咙里发出咕噜的声音，听上去很勉强，“或许我能做得更好，找到比你先前带回的麻雀更好的猎物，狮焰。”虽然她尽力装出玩笑的语气，可眼睛里却有悲伤闪过。
狮焰用尾巴拂过她的脊背：“你狩猎一直都是最棒的。”
“谢谢。”冬青叶沿小路走开，消失在了蕨丛中。
狮焰把注意力集中到松鸦羽身上：“什么事？”黑森林准备进攻了吗？他伸出了利爪。
“我从杀无尽部落得到一个消息。”松鸦羽说道。
“杀无尽部落？”鸽翅从松鸦羽和狮焰中间穿过去，坐了下来，“什么时候的事？”
“我在山区的时候。”松鸦羽不耐烦地甩动着尾巴。
“你到现在才告诉我们？”鸽翅惊讶地问道。
“你只管听着，好吗？”松鸦羽嘟囔了一句，“他们说，我们必须要找到第四只猫。”
“第四只猫？”狮焰歪着脑袋，一脸的困惑。
“预言是这么说的。”松鸦羽说道。
鸽翅挪动了一下脚掌：“但预言说是三力量啊。”
“那是星族的预言。”松鸦羽解释道，“杀无尽部落又告诉了我一些别的：星族的末日就要到了，三力量必须变成四力量，才能挑战无尽的黑暗。”
狮焰感觉自己的皮毛刺痛起来：“难道他们认为我们三个应付不了吗？”
松鸦羽平贴起了耳朵：“显然不是。”
“那是我们做错了什么吗？”鸽翅忧虑地问道。
松鸦羽走到他们面前：“管它什么原因呢？我们必须找到第四只猫。”
狮焰尽量不去理会心中的不安：“那他们有没有说是谁？”
松鸦羽停了下来，蓝色的眼睛瞪得大大的：“他们要是说了，我早就告诉你们了！”
“有可能是藤池！”鸽翅的眼睛一亮，“她一直在监视黑森林。”她起身甩了甩尾尖：“肯定是她。她是黑森林武士中我们唯一的同盟。”
松鸦羽转身看着她。“藤池是被黑森林招募过去的，她没有特殊力量。”他步子越走越快，“也有可能是其他族群的猫。”
突然，一个想法犹如一束阳光，钻进了狮焰的脑海里：“是冬青叶！所以她现在回来了！她就是第四只猫。”
“如果是族群里的猫，那我们现在肯定早就注意到他的特殊力量了。”松鸦羽反驳道。
“但他必须是火星的至亲！”鸽翅争辩道。
“嗯，蛾翅是黑莓掌的至亲，黑莓掌曾是松鼠飞的伴侣。”松鸦羽甩着尾巴，“照你这么说，蛾翅也算至亲。”
“蛾翅？”狮焰惊愕地盯着弟弟，“她有什么特殊力量？”
“冬青叶有什么特殊力量？”松鸦羽反问道。
“藤池能在梦境中进入黑森林！”鸽翅坚持道。
“很多族群猫都能做到！我说了，争论这个没有意义。”松鸦羽再次往前走去，“我们只希望，等需要第四只猫的时候，我们能知道他是谁。”
狮焰看着松鸦羽离开了，气得浑身的皮毛都竖了起来。松鸦羽怎么那么固执呢？冬青叶本来就应该是预言的一部分，她当然是第四只猫。
鸽翅走到他身旁：“肯定是藤池。”
狮焰闭上了双眼：“不管是谁，可星族啊，我们怎么才能确定呢？”
“或许他们会送来一个预兆的。”鸽翅说道。
“可他们连第四只猫是谁都不知道。”狮焰感觉脚掌下的世界在旋转：炭心不再是炭心；三力量现在变成了四力量。一切都变了。他们该如何赢得这场战斗呢？
他心里觉得空落落的。星族知道正在发生什么事吗？他们以前说的那些话毫无意义，现在，甚至连他们的预言也都是错的。
狮焰怎么能将族群的命运托付给他们？
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
Jayfeather dropped the pebble a mouse-lengthaway from Briarlight’s nest. “Can you reach that?”
“Easy!” Briarlight leaned out, grabbed the pebble, and heaved it into her nest, the firm muscles in her shoulders curving under her pelt.
Jayfeather stuck his nose into her nest and picked up the pebble between his teeth. He strained to lift it out. He’d chosen a heavy one for today’s exercise. He dropped it half a tail-length from her nest. “What about this?”
Briarlight stretched out with her forelegs again, puffing a little this time, but she still scooped the stone back into her nest with nimble paws.
“Let me check your spine.” Jayfeather buried his muzzle into her pelt, feeling her muscles with gentle nips. They felt healthy and strong all the way down to the break. Beyond, they were lifeless and thin, but the fur covering them was sleek and shiny. “You’ve worked hard.” Jayfeather sat up. “As long as we keep up with your exercises, you’ll be fine.”
Briarlight flung the pebble out of her nest and began reaching for it again. “I want to be able to climb trees using my forepaws alone,” she puffed.
As she struggled to reach the stone, Jayfeather’s attention drifted. He’d been worrying all morning about the fourth cat. Mothwing was the only one who’d offered any help fighting the Dark Forest. It must be her. He cast his mind out, as though releasing a bird, and let it skim across the lake toward RiverClan territory. As it reached the camp, he blocked out the clamor of emotions and probed for Mothwing. He sensed Willowshine, counting herbs, and felt Mothwing beside her, but as usual he could not penetrate the mist that swathed the medicine cat’s thoughts like cobweb.
She has to be the fourth cat! She’s the only cat whose dreams were safe from the Dark Forest. She couldn’t be lured into their treacherous plans.
“Can you finish your exercises by yourself?” he asked Briarlight. “I need to go out.”
“Of course I can.”
Outside the den, the morning sunshine was warm on his pelt. Lionblaze and Whitewing were sharing a mouse beside the thorn barrier. Thornclaw and Sorreltail shared tongues at the edge of the clearing. Ferncloud and Daisy were gossiping outside the nursery, while Seedkit and Lilykit stalked fallen leaves in the shadow of the beech.
Lionblaze hopped out of the way as Jayfeather ducked into the entrance tunnel. “Where are you going?”
“To see Mothwing.”
Alarm flared from Lionblaze. “I’ll come with you.”
“No, thanks.” He didn’t want his brother arguing all the way around the lake that Hollyleaf was the fourth cat. “This is medicine-cat business.”
“But you’re not supposed to be a medicine cat anymore,” Lionblaze called after him.
“StarClan will protect me.” Jayfeather scooted through the tunnel, aware of his own lie. Brambleberry had told him that StarClan could no longer see the cats by the lake. For them, the darkness had fallen already. “Tell Firestar where I’ve gone.” He listened for Lionblaze to follow, relieved when he heard only a sigh of resignation drifting through the thorns
“If you’re not back by dusk, I’m coming to look for you,” Lionblaze called.
“You won’t need to.” I hope!
He headed for the shore. He’d follow it through WindClan territory. He opened his mouth to taste the air, checking the shore for WindClan warriors. There was a trace of familiar scent…
Onestar!
Jayfeather tensed. The WindClan leader was standing at the water’s edge a few fox-lengths ahead.
Jayfeather approached cautiously. “Greetings, Onestar.”
Onestar didn’t move. “Jayfeather.”
“I’m sorry for trespassing on WindClan land.” Jayfeather dipped his head. “I’m on my way to speak with Mothwing.” He tensed, expecting anger to flare from Onestar’s pelt. But the WindClan leader’s fur stayed unruffled.
“You may pass in peace,” Onestar told him. “Although I thought the medicine cats no longer spoke to one another.”
“That is StarClan’s wish,” Jayfeather meowed. “Not mine.”
“You would go against StarClan?” Onestar sounded surprised.
“Yes.” Jayfeather made no apology. “If it means keeping the peace between the Clans.”
He heard pebbles shift as Onestar sat down. “The Clans have always fought, but this is the first time the medicine cats have been divided,” the WindClan leader said heavily. “I feel as if something bad is coming.” Onestar’s gaze seared Jayfeather’s pelt. “The water is calm,” he murmured. “But currents pull beneath the surface. Though they can’t be seen, they have the power to drag cats to their death.”
“Not if you know where they lie.” Jayfeather leaned forward. “Watch your borders, Onestar, but keep an eye on your own Clan, too.”
Pebbles cracked as Onestar turned to face him. “Are you saying that my warriors aren’t loyal?”
Jayfeather backed away. “Any cat can be tricked into disloyalty.”
Onestar’s breath billowed in Jayfeather’s face. “Are you talking about Sol?”
“No.” The threat from the Dark Forest was far more dangerous than a troublemaking loner. “Just look out for unusual behavior among your warriors.”
Fury sparked from the WindClan leader’s pelt. “I trust my Clan with my life!”
Jayfeather bent his head. “Forgive me.” He slunk past Onestar and walked on toward the RiverClan border. His fur prickled as he felt Onestar’s angry gaze follow him along the shorePerhaps I shouldn’t have tried to warn him.
The scent line at the RiverClan border reached down to the water’s edge, marking the stones on the shore. Jayfeather crossed it.
“What are you doing here?”
Jayfeather spun around, claws unsheathed. He could smell the fierce scent of Beetlewhisker. Troutstream and Mintfur were bristling beside him.
Jayfeather lifted his tail. “I’m here to speak with Mothwing.”
“You’re not a medicine cat anymore.” Beetlewhisker’s fishy breath grazed Jayfeather’s cheek.
Jayfeather stifled a shiver. He’d heard Beetlewhisker training in the Dark Forest. “ShadowClan doesn’t make decisions for StarClan,” he hissed. “Only StarClan can deny my power to heal.”
Mintfur murmured to her Clanmate. “I think Mistystar should decide.”
“I guess.” Distrust edged Beetlewhisker’s mew. Jayfeather suddenly wished Lionblaze was with him after all.
Troutstream strode forward. “Come on.” The she-cat nosed him uphill and Mintfur and Beetlewhisker fell in beside them.
“There’s a tree-bridge here.” Troutstream’s pelt brushed Jayfeather’s whiskers as she leaped up ahead of him. Jayfeather smelled the stale sap of a fallen trunk. It must span the river that carved RiverClan’s camp from the mainland. He scrambled up after her, digging his claws into the peeling bark, and followed her gingerly, his heart lurching as the log rocked under the weight of Mintfur and Beetlewhisker behind him. The river swished beneath him. It would wash him into the lake if he fell.
When he felt the trunk divide into brittle branches, he knew he’d reached the other side. He gathered his haunches under him and leaped forward, hoping to clear the top of the fallen tree. He landed clumsily among some trailing twigs but Troutstream steadied him.
“This way.” She led Jayfeather through tall grass. RiverClan scent bathed him as they reached a clearing. He could sense shock flash around him from the cats in the camp.
“Why’s hehere?”
Heronpaw was silenced by Rushtail. “Listen and you might find out.”
“Welcome, Jayfeather.” Mistystar’s pelt scraped against twigs as she squeezed out of her den. “Have you come to see Mothwing and Willowshine?”
Jayfeather dipped his head. “Yes, if I may.”
“He’s got no right!” Beetlewhisker snarled.
Jayfeather could feel warmth flooding from Mistystar. At least she was pleased to see him. “He has the right of StarClan,” she cautioned her warrior. Her tail-tip touched Jayfeather’s flank. “I’ll take you to the medicine den.”
He followed her across the camp, into a tunnel of grass that opened into a small clearing. Jayfeather inhaled the familiar scents of coltsfoot, borage, and watermint. Grass swished and paws scuffed the ground.
“Jayfeather?” Mothwing sounded surprised.
“Is everything okay?” Willowshine’s tail brushed the soft earth.
Mistystar turned beside him, her pelt brushing his as she padded away. “I’ll leave you to talk.”
Willowshine was at his side in a moment. “What’s the matter? Is someone sick?”
“I needed to talk to Mothwing,” Jayfeather explained.
“But you’re not a medicine cat anymore.” Willowshine sounded puzzled. “Dawnpelt accused you of—”
Jayfeather interrupted her. “If ShadowClan told the river to stop flowing, would it?”
Willowshine stiffened. “It’s not just ShadowClan!” she protested. “StarClan has shared dreams with me and they told me that medicine cats must stay away from one another.”
Mothwing snorted. “They’ve said nothing to me, so you can go collect mallow while I talk to Jayfeather.”
Jayfeather felt silence harden between the two medicine cats. Then Willowshine whipped her tail over the ground. “Okay.” She stomped from the den.
Mothwing’s tail twitched. “If StarClan told her to jump in the lake, she would!”
Jayfeather shrugged. “She can swim.”
A growl rumbled in Mothwing’s throat. “Don’t joke. This is serious. It’s you who told me we are facing a terrible battle.”
How will I know if she’s the fourth cat?He crouched beside her. “The Clans need to unite for the battle that is coming, but that’s impossible while the medicine cats are divided.”
Mothwing’s claws scratched the earth. “It’s so mouse-brained! Ignoring common sense just because some starry old cat tells you to.” Her tail whisked past Jayfeather as she tucked it around her. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I know you believe in StarClan and I respect that. Faith has helped to guide the Clans through difficult times before, but right now it seems to be getting in the way.”
Jayfeather understood the frustration in her mew. StarClan was making the threat of the Dark Forest more dangerous by driving the Clans apart. “If only I could talk to Flametail, perhaps I would be able to persuade him to tell Littlecloud the truth.”
“That would be a start.” Mothwing shifted her paws. “The medicine cats are never going to come together while they think you’re a murderer.” She sat up. “I’ll talk to Littlecloud and Kestrelflight. I might be able to persuade them to see that they’re undermining the strength of the medicine-cat code.”
“Would they listen to you over StarClan?”
Mothwing’s claws scraped the earth. “I’m glad I don’t have StarClan buzzing like bees in my brain! How can you think clearly with old cats muttering in your thoughts all the time?”
“Jayfeather?” Mistystar’s mew sounded softly in the entrance tunnel. “You have to leave.”
But I still need proof that Mothwing’s the fourth cat!
“My senior warriors no longer see you as a medicine cat,” Mistystar explained apologetically. “I have to respect their feelings. You can’t stay here any longer.”
Jayfeather could sense hostility prickling in the air outside the medicine den. “They think I’m a trespasser.”
“I’m afraid so.” Mistystar nudged him to his paws. “It would be best if you left now.” He nodded to Mothwing and headed through the tunnel.
Beetlewhisker paced the camp, Hollowflight and Minnowtail flanking him. Reedfeather stepped forward. “We’ll lead you to the border.”
“Thank you.” Jayfeather dipped his head to the RiverClan deputy. Four warriors to escort me home?He flattened his ears. I’ve done nothing wrong!
He felt Mothwing at his heels. “I’ll come and tell you if I manage to persuade the others to see reason,” she whispered
“I think the Clans have losttheir reason,” Jayfeather hissed back. He could sense the RiverClan warriors flexing their muscles as though they were about to go into battle. You’re fighting the wrong enemy!Forcing his pelt to stay smooth, he followed Reedfeather out of camp. Hollowflight and Beetlewhisker walked on either side, hurrying him up onto the fallen tree, while Minnowtail nudged him from behind.
“Do you want me to fall in?” Jayfeather hissed as his paw slipped off the trunk and dangled in thin air for a moment. The river splashed hungrily below.
“Hold tight, then,” Beetlewhisker growled, nosing him onward.
Jayfeather dug his claws into the rotting bark, his heart lurching as he scrambled along the log. At the other end, he jumped down before Beetlewhisker could give him a shove. He held his tongue while his escorts steered him through the marsh grass. At last, he scented the WindClan border and crossed it without a word.
“If you want to come back, bring a patrol and be prepared to fight!” Hollowflight growled after him.
Lashing his tail, Jayfeather marched away from her. He tasted the air. Where’s the shore?He could smell heather above him and hear water lapping below, but it was quiet, meaning he was too far inland. Turning his paws toward the lake, he weaved through the tall grass, the ground boggy beneath his paws.
Suddenly a chill touched his tail-tip and spread over him like a leaf-bare fog. It carried the stench of decaying prey. Jayfeather stopped and jerked around. Shapes swarmed around him like hornets, dark and cruel. His mind flooded with images of bloodstained pelts.
“Who’s there?” Spinning the other way, he lashed out with a paw. Fear shot through him as his claws grazed hard flesh. “Who are you?”
A shoulder buffeted him. Claws scraped down his spine.
Jayfeather ran. Blind, he stumbled over the marshy earth, his paws sliding on the mud and plunging into puddles. Sharp as thorns, claws raked one side, then another. Pelts jostled him and hot, stinking breath scorched his ears. He tripped and fell sprawling into the mud, scrabbling to his paws, fighting the blurry shapes that jabbed from every side
“Can’t StarClan guide you?” Brokenstar’s sneer made Jayfeather freeze in horror.
Have the Dark Forest cats broken through into the real world?
Hawkfrost pushed him from the other side. “We shall taste victory soon!”
Now Tigerstar blocked his path. Jayfeather lashed out but strong paws blocked his desperate swipes. “All the power of the stars in your paws?” Tigerstar’s growl dripped with scorn. “I don’t think so.”
Jayfeather crouched, his body pulsing as his heart seemed to thump the ground beneath him. “You’ll never win!” Terror exploded into fury. He sprang forward, claws stretched, and slashed at his shadowy attackers. Claws raked his muzzle and teeth sank into his tail.
Yowling with rage, Jayfeather fought harder. “You can kill me!” he screeched. “But that won’t stop me. I’ll find you beyond my death, and I’ll stop you!”
“Jayfeather!” The call of a WindClan warrior made him stop in his tracks. The stench of the Dark Forest warriors faded and the scent of Owlwhisker, Nightcloud, and Gorsetail flowed around him, warm and familiar.
“Are you okay?” Owlwhisker leaned over him. “Did you fall into a thornbush?”
Jayfeather could smell his own blood as it welled in his stinging wounds. “Y-yes.” He struggled to find his paws and felt Gorsetail’s muzzle beneath his shoulder as he helped him up.
“What are you doing?” Jayfeather recognized Crouchpaw’s mew. The WindClan apprentice sounded frightened. “That’s the medicine cat who killed Flametail!”
“Murderer!” Nightcloud growled.
“Be quiet!” Gorsetail silenced them. “This is a Clan cat who needs our help.”
“I—I’m okay.” Jayfeather fought the tremor in his voice.
Owlwhisker brushed past him. “We’ll escort you to the border.” His mew was brisk.
“Can you walk that far?” Gorsetail asked.
Nightcloud growled. “If he can’t, we’ll drag him.”
Owlwhisker ignored his Clanmate and sniffed Jayfeather’s pelt. “It’s just a few scratches.” He headed down to the shore. “Come on.”
Gingerly Jayfeather followed, testing out each paw. He was relieved to feel his scratches didn’t reach too deep and he hadn’t wrenched any muscles. He quickened his pace, using scent to follow Owlwhisker’s pawsteps. Gorsetail padded behind him while Nightcloud and Crouchpaw hung back, distrust sparking from their pelts.
Jayfeather was still trembling from his vision. Surely it was a vision? The Dark Forest cats hadn’t found a way to break through to the lake territories, had they? He pushed the thought away. No.Ivypool would have warned them. Or StarClan…
Despair washed through him. StarClan was useless. No Ancient cat had rushed to protect him from a vision that had been so real, it had left him scratched and battered. Where was Yellowfang, or Rock? Jayfeather’s paws dragged on the pebbles. The Clans were going to face the Dark Forest warriors alone.
The familiar scent of ThunderClan touched his nose. They had reached the border. “I can manage from here.”
“We’d better see you to your camp,” Owlwhisker told him.
“You seem a bit shaken up,” Gorsetail added.
Jayfeather wanted to argue, but how could he reject their help? He’d been wishing the Clans would unite.
Owlwhisker called to Nightcloud and Crouchpaw, who were still trailing along the shore. “Go and hunt! We’ll catch up with you later.”
Jayfeather felt a prickle of relief, silently thanking Owlwhisker. At least he wouldn’t be bringing an entire WindClan patrol onto ThunderClan territory. He led the way through the forest, the trail comfortingly familiar under his feet, until he reached the slope down to the camp.
“I can make it home by myself now,” he told Owlwhisker.
“I know.” Owlwhisker padded past him. “But I want to speak with Firestar.”
Unhappily Jayfeather followed the WindClan warrior into camp, Gorsetail on his heels.
“Purdy!” Mousefur’s alarmed mew sounded from the honeysuckle bush. “Is it an invasion?”
“I doubt it. There’s only two of them,” Purdy reassured the old she-cat.
Firestar jumped down from Highledge to meet them. “What’s happened?” He sounded concerned as he sniffed Jayfeather’s scratched muzzle.
Brambleclaw hurried from the warriors’ den. “Are you okay?”
“He stumbled into a thornbush,” Owlwhisker told the ThunderClan deputy.
“On our territory,” Gorsetail added pointedly.
“You shouldn’t have been there, Jayfeather.” Firestar’s mew was stern. “You are no longer a medicine cat!”
Jayfeather didn’t argue. What else could Firestar say in front of the WindClan cats? “May I go to my nest?” he muttered
“Yes.” Firestar was simmering with fury. “And don’t wander out of the territory again. I’ve got more important things to worry about.”
Jayfeather padded to the medicine den, leaving Firestar to smooth the WindClan warriors’ ruffled fur. He pushed through the brambles and headed for his nest.
“Are you okay?” Briarlight called from beside the pool. The pungent smell of horsetail filled the air.
“I’m fine.” Jayfeather climbed into his nest. “What are you doing?”
“Cinderheart told me to soak herbs for Mousefur’s tick,” Briarlight explained. “She’s put on a poultice but she wants a fresh one ready for the morning.”
The brambles rustled at the den entrance. Jayfeather tasted the air. “Brightheart?”
For some reason, joy and anxiety were clouding the warrior’s thoughts. Tired to his bones, Jayfeather ignored the buzz of emotions and began washing his stinging muzzle.
Brightheart padded to his nest. “Can I speak to you?”
“Can’t it wait till the morning?” Jayfeather just wanted to sleep.
“It won’t take long.” Brightheart sat down heavily beside his nest. “I’m expecting kits.” Jayfeather heard a note of uncertainty in her voice. “They’ll be okay, won’t they? Even though I’m not as young as I used to be?”
Jayfeather sat up straight. Why would any cat bring kits into the world now? They would just be more lives to give up to the Dark Forest warriors! “What were you thinking?” he snapped. “Leaf-bare’s on the way and we might starve without having extra mouths to feed!”
Brightheart reared back. “B-but—”
He didn’t let her finish. “What a dumb time to have kits! Is everyone here a mouse-brain?”
Brightheart stood up. “How dare you speak to me like that?” Anger sparked from her pelt. “I never thought I’d have kits again, and they won’t be the first to be born in leaf-bare. I thought you’d be pleased!”
“Kits!” Briarlight hauled herself quickly across the den. “That’s great news!”
“Try telling that to Jayfeather,” Brightheart growled.
“Why?” Briarlight sounded baffled.
“StarClan knows!” Brightheart stalked out of the den and Jayfeather sank into his nest.
“Well? What’s up?” Briarlight prompted.
Jayfeather tucked his nose under his paw and ignored her. Weariness washed over him. How could he ever find enough strength to fight the Dark Forest?
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
“No, not like that!” Bumblestripe yowled.
Dovewing spun around to face him, gripping hard on the branch to stop herself from falling out of the tree. “You told me to climb, I’m climbing!” she snapped. Can’t I do anything right?
“Not the trunk.”Bumblestripe padded along the thick oak branch toward her. “In a battle, if everycat climbed the trunk, it’d be chaos.” He tipped his nose up and focused on the branch two tail-lengths above his head. Crouching, he sprang and gripped it with his forepaws, then hauled himself up. “Your turn.” He peered at her through the browning leaves.
Dovewing scowled. Hunkering down, she bunched her muscles, then leaped and dug her claws into the branch above. Flicking her tail, she landed nimbly beside Bumblestripe. “Is that better?” she sniffed.
Bumblestripe glanced at the leaves she’d sent fluttering to the ground. “You really need to aim for a bare bit of branch,” he suggested. “The enemy’s going to know you’re here if you shower him with leaves every time you move.”
Dovewing clamped her jaws together to stop herself from snarling at the arrogant furball. I can’t believe I ever thought we might be more than just friends!Seeing Tigerheart again made her realize what a dumb choice that would have been. I only ever liked you because you’re a ThunderClan cat.Tigerheart wouldn’t bother about whether she climbed the trunk or rustled too many leaves. He was a warrior, not a worrier!
They’d been practicing tree-battle all morning and Dovewing was hot and tired. “Why are we doing this?” she grumbled at Brambleclaw. “What cat is going to climb a tree to fight? There is no SquirrelClan!”
Bumblestripe flashed her a warning look. “Shut up!” he hissed.
But Brambleclaw was already bounding along the narrow rowan branch. It bounced under his weight, making Toadstep cling on with his fur spiked up. Brambleclaw jumped and cleared the space between the trees easily. The sturdy oak hardly trembled as he landed. “I know some cats don’t like tree training,” he meowed as he padded along the branch toward them. “But it gives us a strong advantage over the other Clans. If we can move through our territory and attack from above them, it’s a great surprise.”
Dovewing rolled her eyes. “I know.But Bumblestripe’s acting like I’ve never been up a tree before. Every time I do something wrong he points it out like I hadn’t already noticed.”
Bumblestripe stared at his paws. “I was just trying to help.”
Brambleclaw flicked his tail. “It’s good of Bumblestripe to be so patient with you, Dovewing.”
“Patient?”Dovewing retorted. He’d criticized every move. “Can’t we just move on to drop attacks and go hunting?”
“Is she ready for drop attacks?” Brambleclaw asked Bumblestripe.
“I guess.” Bumblestripe’s ear twitched. “Having seen her tree skills, I think she’d better practice falling out of them.”
Dovewing glared at him. “Okay!” she snapped. “I’ll practice climbing some more!” Bristling, she bounded onto a higher branch and kept jumping till Brambleclaw and Bumblestripe were nothing more than patches of fur far away through the leaves. Relieved to be away from Bumblestripe’s fussing, she stared out across the forest. She hadn’t been this high since her night with Tigerheart. She could see the wooded hillside they’d chased along. It looked a long way off. She could hardly believe they’d traveled so far in a single night.
Her ears pricked up. ShadowClan voices sounded at the border. Dovewing stiffened, listening harder.
“What’s the point of visiting the ThunderClan camp?” She recognized Ratscar’s growl. “Firestar will just make lame excuses.”
Blackstar answered him. “He can make as many as he likes, as long as he gets the message.”
“He should be grateful we didn’t turn Lionblaze into crow-food,” Ratscar muttered.
“ShadowClan!” Dovewing hissed down to her Clanmates.
Brambleclaw’s gaze flashed up through the leaves. “Where?”
“Heading for our camp!” She scrambled down, slithering from branch to branch until she landed beside Brambleclaw and Bumblestripe.
Bumblestripe swiveled his ears. “I can’t hear them.”
“Too many leaves,” Dovewing mewed quickly. “It sounds clearer up there.”
Brambleclaw lashed his tail. “It must be an invasion!”
“No!” Dovewing thought fast. How could she explain that they were planning to talk to Firestar, not attack the camp, without giving away her secret power? “It’s a small patrol by the sound of it, and they’re not even trying to keep quiet.”
Dovewing could hear the ShadowClan patrol heading past the Ancient Oak. “If we hurry, we’ll get to camp before them.”
“We should find them first,” Toadstep growled. “And offer them an escort the rest of the way.”
Dovewing flicked her tail toward camp. “Shouldn’t we warn Firestar?”
Brambleclaw flexed his claws. “You’re right.” He glanced back into the forest. “Let them find their own way to the hollow.” He bounded away, taking a trail that cut through a clearing and skirted the training hollow.
Dovewing listened harder. The ShadowClan patrol had stopped speaking but she could hear their paws scuffing the earth as they headed toward camp. She quickened her pace, following Brambleclaw’s tail as it whipped between bushes ahead of her. Toadstep ran behind, his paws thrumming on the leaves.
Just as they made it into the hollow, Dovewing heard ferns swish behind them. She turned to see Ratscar and Tigerheart appear at the top of the slope. Stoatpaw stood at their side, his eyes glittering.
Blackstar padded from the rear and stared down at the ThunderClan warriors. “I’m here to speak with Firestar.”
Brambleclaw dipped his head and signaled with his tail.
Firestar was waiting beneath Highledge, his head high and his pelt smooth. Dovewing scurried around the edge of the clearing to join her Clan leader. “They’re coming to talk about the fight with Lionblaze,” she whispered.
“Thanks, Dovewing.” Firestar shifted his paws and lifted his chin higher as Blackstar halted in the center of the clearing. “Lionblaze!”
Lionblaze padded from the warriors’ den, eyes narrowed. The wounds from his fight were still visible through his pelt. His muzzle was striped with dried blood. His gaze swept past Blackstar and met Firestar’s. “What do they want?”
Blackstar growled. “You know what it’s about!”
Firestar stepped forward. “Lionblaze crossed your border and provoked a fight.”
Ratscar drew back his lip. “At least they admit it.”
“ThunderClan warriors don’t lie,” Firestar told him evenly. “Nor do they make excuses for their mistakes.” His green gaze flicked to Lionblaze.
Dovewing felt tension thicken the air. She fixed her gaze on Blackstar, trying not to look at Tigerheart, even though his dark, sleek pelt flashed temptingly at the edge of her vision
Firestar’s tail twitched as he frowned at Lionblaze. “Well?”
Lionblaze flexed his claws, then sheathed them again. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.
Blackstar tipped his head to one side. “By the look of you, I’m not surprised you’re sorry.” He turned back to Firestar. “Ratscar is a fine warrior, but he expected Lionblaze to be harder to beat.”
“It was like fighting an apprentice,” Ratscar scorned.
Lionblaze flattened his ears. Dovewing could hear a soft growl rumbling in the golden warrior’s throat.
Blackstar circled his Clanmates. “Now is not a good time to be losing your edge,” he snarled menacingly to Firestar.
Firestar stepped forward, fur spiking. “And it’s not a good time to be making threats you can’t back up.” He met the ShadowClan leader’s stare without flinching. “I think you should leave.”
“Only when you’ve given your word that your warriors will stay off our land,” Blackstar countered.
“I crossed the border once,”Lionblaze hissed.
“There was another scent,” Stoatpaw blurted out.
Dovewing gulped. I must be more careful!She sneaked a sly look at Tigerheart. He was staring at his paws.
Firestar’s ear twitched. “Are you sure your Clanmates aren’t mistaking rabbits for warriors?”
Blackstar’s gaze flitted toward Lionblaze. “If we are, it’s an easy mistake to make.”
“Are you calling me a rabbit—”
Firestar cut Lionblaze off. “It’s time you left,” he ordered Blackstar. “Do you need an escort?”
“What about the trespassing?” Blackstar held his ground.
“No ThunderClan warrior will cross your border,” Firestar told him.
Blackstar flicked his tail. “Good.” He turned and headed for the barrier. “And don’t bother with the escort. We can find our own way home.”
Dovewing watched Tigerheart fall in behind the ShadowClan leader. As he passed her, his gaze caught hers. She looked away quickly, feeling hot.
Bumblestripe crossed the clearing as the ShadowClan patrol disappeared. “Do you still want to go hunting?”
Dovewing blinked at him. “What?”
“You said you wanted to go hunting after tree training.”
“Did I?” Dovewing stared at the entrance. The thorns still trembling where Tigerheart had slid through.
Bumblestripe’s pelt lifted along his spine. “And while we’re out, we can make sure those ShadowClan cats have left our territory.”
Dovewing dragged her gaze from the brambles. “Let’s take Foxleap.” She didn’t want to hunt alone with Bumblestripe. He’d only fuss over her stalking technique. “Hey, Foxleap!”
The russet warrior was pacing by the entrance to the hollow, his tail twitching. “What?”
“We’re going hunting,” Dovewing called. “Do you want to come?”
Foxleap narrowed his eyes. “I want to make sure Blackstar’s crossed the border.”
Bumblestripe stretched his claws. “We can do that as well.”
Blossomfall crossed the clearing. “I’m coming too,” she growled. “While I still have the taste of ShadowClan on my tongue.”
As Bumblestripe headed for the entrance, Blossomfall raced past him and slipped out of the camp first. Foxleap chased after them. Dovewing paused. The clearing still smelled of Tigerheart.
“Come on!” Foxleap beckoned her with his tail.
She hurried to catch up. By the time she ducked out of the thorns, Bumblestripe, Foxleap, and Blossomfall were racing up the slope.
“We’re heading for the ShadowClan border,” Bumblestripe called over his shoulder. “Are you coming?”
“I’ll check the beeches, in case they’ve strayed deeper into the forest.” Dovewing was glad of the chance to be alone.
“Pssst!” A hiss from an elderflower bush made her jump.
Dovewing tasted the air. “Tigerheart!” Heart lurching, she jerked around, scanning the forest for her Clanmates.
“It’s okay.” Tigerheart slid out from beneath the bush. “They’re busy tracking Blackstar. I doubled back to find you.”
“How did you know I’d be out of the hollow?”
His whiskers twitched. “Just a hunch.”
She flattened her ears. “And you assumed I’d follow you?” she mewed indignantly.
“It’s not every day I get an excuse to be in ThunderClan territory.” Tigerheart shrugged. “We might as well make the most of it.” His bright gaze softened. “I’ve missed you.”
Dovewing nudged her head against his shoulder. “Me too.”
“I can’t stay long.” Tigerheart glanced over the top of her head. “I told them I was just checking scents to see if I can match any to the one we found over the border.”
Dovewing dropped her gaze. “We can’t make that mistake again. It’d be even harder to see each other if the Clans were at war.”
“Next time we’ll meet outside the Clan borders.”
“The Twoleg nest?”
Tigerheart nodded. “Can you come tonight?”
Dovewing rubbed her muzzle along his jaw, excitement fizzing in her paws. “I’ll try to get there just before moonhigh.”
“Great.” Tigerheart peeled away from her and began to head into the trees. “I can’t wait.” He looked back over his shoulder. His dark amber gaze made her heart swell.
Dovewing shivered with excitement as he bounded away between the trees.
“Can you smell ShadowClan?” The ferns beside her quivered and Bumblestripe padded out.
Dovewing tried not to look too startled. “Er, yes, I can.” She shifted her paws. “They must have come this way.”
Bumblestripe frowned. “I thought I’d tracked them to the border.”
“Maybe they made a detour on the way and you didn’t notice.” Dovewing twitched her ears, trying to sound unconcerned. “They’re gone now.” She tasted the air, relishing the fading scent of Tigerheart. “The scent’s stale already.”
Bumblestripe wrinkled his nose. “Typical ShadowClan,” he growled. “They never do anything straight. They only came to the camp to gloat about beating Lionblaze.”
“ShadowClan cats have always been fox-hearted.” Dovewing stared at her paws. And handsome.She looked up, surprised to see Bumblestripe’s eyes dark with worry.
“I’m sorry,” he blurted out. His tail brushed the ground.
“What for?”
“About being so fussy about the tree training.”
Dovewing had forgotten all about it. “Oh.” She flicked his shoulder with her tail-tip. “That’s okay. I was being a pain.”
Bumblestripe brightened. “That’s true.”
“Hey!” Dovewing swiped him playfully with a paw.
Bumblestripe ducked, purring. “Should we get on with that hunt?”
“Okay.” Tigerheart must have made it to the border by now. But just to be sure, Dovewing led Bumblestripe deeper into the forest, in the opposite direction. “Let’s see what we can find near the beech copse.”
“Come on!” Dovewing jumped down from the star-dappled ribs of the Twoleg nest. “Let’s follow the beaver trail.”
Tigerheart landed beside her. “Beaver trail?”
“The one we followed to the dam.”
Tigerheart blinked. “That feels like a lifetime ago! I had only just been made a warrior. Now I feel like a different cat, but the same, if you know what I mean.” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Dovewing understood exactly how he felt. Back then, she’d just learned she was one of the Three. She didn’t realize then how much it was going to shape her life. Now the whole Clan’s depending on me.Her belly tightened. She pushed away the thought of the Dark Forest and the battle to come. She only wanted to be here, now, with Tigerheart. “Next leaf-fall you might be living in ThunderClan,” she whispered. The idea made her warm. “We might have kits.”
Cold air hit her pelt as Tigerheart drew away. “Whoa!” He glanced sideways at her, not breaking his pace. “That’s not important right now, is it?” His mew was light, but his words felt like a claw-scratch on Dovewing’s heart.
“O-of course not!” Why had she blurted out such nonsense? If Tigerheart wasn’t ready, that was okay. Just being a warrior is great!
Her ears twitched. Voices?She listened harder. There were paw steps moving through ThunderClan territory, far away below them. Perhaps Firestar has ordered a night patrol.She tried to make out the voices, but they sounded unfamiliar. And they were edged with anger.
“Come on!” Tigerheart flicked her flank with his tail and shot off into the darkness. “Let’s race!”
“You’ll lose!” She bounded after him, her paws scattering leaves. The forest blurred around her as she ran, the earth thrumming beneath her paws. Tigerstar’s pelt flashed between the trees a few tail-lengths ahead. “I’ll catch you!” she yowled. Blood pounded in her ears, drowning out the murmuring from ThunderClan territory. It was probably nothing. Surely her Clanmates could cope without her for one night?
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
Lionblaze followed the moonlit trail backto camp. Should I tell Hollyleaf she’s the fourth cat?The thought had been stuck like a burr in his mind since Jayfeather had told them about the Tribe’s prophecy. But what if she’s not? She wanted to be one of the Three so much. Is it fair to raise her hopes again?
Lionblaze tried to think about something else. Overhead the trees rustled in the breeze. The birds were quiet now that night had fallen. He glanced over his shoulder. Sorreltail and Squirrelflight padded behind him. They’d patrolled the borders. There was no sign of trouble. Now they were heading home.
Squirrelflight yawned. “I can’t wait to get to my nest.”
Sorreltail shook out her pelt. “It’s not that late.” She glanced up. “It’s just getting dark earlier.”
Squirrelflight shivered. “And chilly.”
Why do we need a fourth cat?Lionblaze’s mind started whirling again. Doesn’t StarClan believe in us? Asmall pang jabbed his heart. I was going to save the Clans. It was my destiny. But now…Now the prophecy had changed. Lionblaze stared at his paws as they followed the well-worn trail down toward the hollow. Has my destiny changed, too?
“Is everything quiet?” Firestar was waiting for them in the clearing. The camp looked deserted, the Clan tucked in their dens for the night.
“WindClan re-marked its border,” Lionblaze reported. “ShadowClan seems to have been sniffing around the big bramble, but they haven’t strayed into our territory.”
Firestar’s green gaze glittered in the dark. “Anything else?”
Lionblaze knew he was asking if there was any sign of the Dark Forest warriors. Surely they couldn’t break through from the Place of No Stars?But Lionblaze had seen the wounds Ivypool carried back from her dreams. Those were real enough.
“Nothing,” Lionblaze reported. He dipped his head to the ThunderClan leader and headed for the warriors’ den. His nest was tucked near to the trunk of the fallen beech and he picked his way carefully among the sleeping warriors, settling eventually beside Cinderheart, asleep in her nest. He closed his eyes. But his mind kept churning.
“Hey!” Cinderheart jerked her head up. “Stop fidgeting!”
“Sorry.” Lionblaze lifted his muzzle.
“Can’t you sleep?” Cinderheart blinked at him.
“I’m not used to the early nights,” he admitted.
Cinderheart heaved herself to her paws. “Come on.” She hopped out of her nest. “Let’s go for a walk.”
Lionblaze watched her slide from the den. Like we used to.Hope flickered in his chest. He followed Cinderheart into the clearing. The moonlight turned her gray pelt silver.
“Don’t look at me like that,” she muttered, turning as he reached her and stalking away toward the thorn barrier. Confused, Lionblaze followed as she led him up the slope and out of the forest. The lake glittered below them.
“Come on.” Cinderheart raced away along the ridge.
Lionblaze bounded after her, speeding down the hillside, swerving around bushes, his paws skidding on the grass. At the bottom, he leaped the short, steep drop onto the beach.
Cinderheart was already waiting at the water’s edge. “When I see the lake like this, it feels like nothing could ever go wrong. Not for us, not for any of the Clans.”
Lionblaze followed her gaze toward the distant shore. The marshlands of RiverClan glowed beneath the moon, rippling in the starlight as wind stirred the reeds. He could feel Cinderheart’s pelt brushing his.
“It’s never going to happen, is it?” Cinderheart turned her sad, blue gaze on him. “No matter how much we want it to.”
“What’s never going to happen?” Suddenly Lionblaze wished he hadn’t spoken. He knew what she meant, and he didn’t want to hear her answer.
She turned back toward the lake. “We have to stop fighting our destinies.”
“I’m not fighting mine.”
“Really?” Cinderheart rested against him for a moment. “Then why did you follow me here?”
“How do I know you’re not part of my destiny?”
Cinderheart pointed her muzzle toward the stars. “You’re closer to them than you are to me.”
“That’s not true!”
“But StarClan has chosen youto protect the Clans.” Pebbles crunched beneath her paws. “I can’t get in the way of something so important.”
“Don’t Iget to choose?” Lionblaze argued.
Cinderheart looked at him. “It’s not that simple. I need to figure out my own destiny, too. I have to find out if I’m supposed to be a medicine cat or a warrior. And I can’t do that if I take a mate.”
Lionblaze bristled. “So you wouldn’t choose me over your destiny?”
“Do you want me to make the same mistake Leafpool did?”
Her words sliced through his heart. “That’s not fair!”
“None of this is fair.” Cinderheart turned and headed for the slope. “We have to make the right choice. Lives depend on it.” She glanced back. “Are you coming?”
Lionblaze ignored her. The lake reflected his face, dark against the starry sky. He stared down, losing himself in the image he saw there. Is that really me?
Jerking back, Lionblaze growled, “I can’t do this anymore.” He turned, hoping to see Cinderheart’s warm gaze, but she’d gone. Suddenly weary, he sank onto the stones and closed his eyes.
Lionblaze woke feeling stiff and cold. Water lapped at the pebbles a whisker from his nose. Dew soaked his pelt. Above the moor, a streak of pale dawn lit the sky. Wincing, he stumbled to his paws and shook out his fur. I’ll show Cinderheart we don’t have to be ruled by our destinies.Numb with cold, he headed up the hillside and into the trees.
A gray pelt was moving between the bushes down below. Graystripe.Lionblaze tasted the air. Cloudtail, Squirrelflight, and Millie too.It must be the dawn patrol. Plunging down the slope, he raced to catch up.
“Can I join you?” He skidded to a halt behind Squirrelflight.
She spun to face him, her eyes wide. “Lionblaze!”
Graystripe turned. “Were you out all night?” His gaze swept along Lionblaze’s damp pelt.
“I slept by the lake,” Lionblaze murmured.
Cloudtail tipped his head. “Are you okay?”
“Of course.” Lionblaze paced around his Clanmates. “Where are we heading?”
Millie crunched over the leaves and stood beside him. “The ShadowClan border.”
“Good.” Lionblaze ducked beneath an arching fern and nosed his way into a swath of bracken. His paws itched for trouble.
Graystripe pushed past him, bending the brown stalks to take the lead. Lionblaze fell back. Fresh warrior scents were drifting on the wind. He called to Graystripe, “Can you smell that?”
“Smells like Ratscar,” Graystripe growled. The gray warrior quickened his pace. Lionblaze speeded into a trot, pelt pricking with excitement.
Graystripe bristled. “I can see them!”
Six ShadowClan warriors moved along the border.
Lionblaze’s fur rippled along his spine. He opened his mouth, the scents of ShadowClan so strong they soured his tongue. Cloudtail unsheathed his claws and let them sink into the soft earth as if he was imagining a ShadowClan pelt beneath his paws. Millie halted beside the white warrior, her tail bushed up. Squirrelflight arched her back.
A growl rumbled in Millie’s throat. “Are they planning an invasion?”
Lionblaze flattened his ears. “They wouldn’t dare.”
Sniffing trees and ferns, the ShadowClan warriors seemed to be searching for something.
“Come on!” Lionblaze surged forward.
Graystripe chased after him with Squirrelflight and Millie pounding behind. Cloudtail swung wide, protecting the patrol’s flank. The ShadowClan warriors froze as the ThunderClan warriors skidded to a halt at the border. Lionblaze recognized Ratscar, Smokefoot, and Stoatpaw. With a growl he spotted Dawnpelt behind them, Snowbird and Olivenose beside her.
“What are you doing here?” He scanned the ground on the ThunderClan side of the border, looking for claw marks or leaves disturbed by ShadowClan paws.
“Don’t bother!” Ratscar squared his shoulders, hissing. “We haven’t crossed the scent line.”
Smokefoot stepped forward. “Which is more than you can say.”
Cloudtail stiffened. “What are you talking about?”
Stoatpaw darted to the boundary and hissed. “A ThunderClan cat has been on our land!”
Lionblaze tasted the air again. Dovewing!Her scent hit his nose, fresher than the ShadowClan stench pouring across the border. She must have been spying.
Dawnpelt barged past Ratscar and leaned across the border, spitting, “So you’re trespassers as well as murderers!”
“Let me check.” He strode across the border, tail whipping behind him. He sniffed out Dovewing’s scent in a moment and stood squarely on it, masking it with his own. “I smell nothing.”
Ratscar glared at him. “Get off our land.”
Lionblaze flexed his claws as the ShadowClan warriors closed in. This was the perfect chance to show Cinderheart he shaped his ownfuture.
“Get back here!” Graystripe ordered.
“What’s the matter?” Lionblaze looked slowly around at the ShadowClan cats. “Are you scared I’ll hurt someone?”
“Get back, Lionblaze!” Graystripe growled. “We didn’t come here to start a fight.”
Lionblaze lifted his chin. “Perhaps we got here just in time to stop one,” he growled.
Ratscar backed away. “Is he crazy?” He eyed Graystripe nervously.
Graystripe watched Lionblaze through narrowed eyes. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Squirrelflight’s eyes widened. “Come back, Lionblaze!”
Lionblaze flicked his tail toward her. “They claimed a ThunderClan cat had been on their land,” he snarled. “I’m just giving them proof.” He spat at Ratscar. “Happy now?”
Ratscar narrowed his eyes. “Stoatpaw,” he murmured. “You wanted a chance to practice your attack moves.” He nodded toward Lionblaze. “Go on. Try them.”
Stoatpaw’s whiskers twitched and the skinny ginger apprentice dropped into an attack crouch. Not him!Lionblaze bristled with frustration as the ShadowClan cat hurled himself forward. He reared up and batted Stoatpaw away. Who’s going to believe I was beaten by an apprentice?While Stoatpaw scrambled to his paws, Lionblaze glared at Ratscar. “Does ShadowClan send its apprentices into battle first?”
Ratscar drew back his lips, showing stained, yellow teeth.
Lionblaze pressed harder. “Do you want me to finish him off before I start on you?”
With a screech, Ratscar lunged toward Lionblaze.
“Help him!” Squirrelflight darted forward but Graystripe trapped her tail under one of his front paws.
“He started this fight,” the warrior growled. “Let him finish it.”
“No!” Lionblaze yowled as Ratscar hit him. Lionblaze lifted his paws to shield his face from the worst of the blows, but he didn’t attempt to strike back; they rained hard and fast and Lionblaze could feel clumps of fur being ripped from his cheeks and shoulders and flanks as he ducked down. Don’t fight back! Don’t fight back!
When he could feel blood running through his fur, he rolled over and thrust Ratscar away with his hind paws. They mustn’t think I let him win.Aware of his Clanmates watching in horror, Lionblaze swept out a paw and hooked Ratscar’s paws from under him in a classic battle move. But Ratscar was no fool. He leaped in time and Lionblaze caught nothing but leaves.
Claws pierced his pelt, reaching deep until Lionblaze screeched out loud. Is this what it feels like for other cats?
“Get off our land.” With a mighty heave, Ratscar shoved Lionblaze backward, sending him staggering over the border.
Teeth grabbed his scruff. “Enough!” Graystripe was pinning him to the ground. “Hold him!” he ordered Squirrelflight and Cloudtail.
Lionblaze felt their paws press him down. His muzzle scraped leaves as he struggled to see what was happening.
“I’m sorry.” Graystripe faced Ratscar. “We had no orders to cross into your territory.”
“Don’t ThunderClan warriors understand discipline?” Ratscar scolded. His eyes flashed with satisfaction.
“Tensions are running high in all the Clans,” Graystripe reminded him.
Dawnpelt flexed her claws. “In that case, you should go home.”
Stoatpaw paced the border, fur bushed. “Unless you really want a battle.”
Graystripe backed away with his ears flat. “Come on,” he growled to his patrol. “Let’s go.”
Lionblaze felt the paws lift from his spine and he jumped up. Pain seared beneath his pelt. It filled him with satisfaction. I don’t have to be invincible!Limping, he followed his Clanmates away from the border. I can choose my destiny!
“Tell Firestar that there will be a real battle if any more ThunderClan cats cross the border!” Ratscar yowled after them.
Graystripe stiffened, but kept his eyes fixed ahead. Lionblaze glanced sideways and caught Squirrelflight’s shocked gaze.They must think I’ve turned hare-brained.He lifted his chin and padded silently after his Clanmates.
“What in the name of StarClan did you think you were doing?” Graystripe suddenly turned on Lionblaze.
Squirrelflight wove between them. “He crossed the border deliberately.” She searched Lionblaze’s gaze. “Didn’t you? You were covering up a ThunderClan scent, weren’t you?”
Graystripe nosed Squirrelflight away. “He didn’t have to start a fight.”
Lionblaze pushed past the gray warrior. “I’m sorry, okay?”
Graystripe growled. “Let’s see what Firestar’s got to say.”
The patrol walked on in silence, tails twitching. Lionblaze winced with each paw step. Blood dripped into his eyes.
Cloudtail padded beside him. “Lean on me,” he murmured.
Lionblaze shook his head and quickened his pace. He was first back in camp.
“Lionblaze!” Sandstorm’s shocked mew greeted him as he wriggled through the thorns.
“What happened?” Spiderleg bounded across the clearing. Berrynose and Poppyfrost crowded around.
“ShadowClan patrol,” Lionblaze muttered.
Poppyfrost stared at him in amazement. “But you’re our best warrior.” She blinked as the rest of the patrol emerged from the barrier. “The ShadowClan patrol must have put up quite a fight.”
“Lionblaze?” Cinderheart’s mew made him turn to the fresh-kill pile, where she had been depositing a thrush. Lionblaze blinked the blood from his eyes and gazed at her.
“What have you done? You’re not supposed to get hurt! What happened?” Cinderheart was at his side in a couple of paces, lapping the blood from his muzzle. Then she stiffened. “There’s only one way this could have happened. You did this on purpose.” Her words were no more than a breath in his ear. “Tell me you didn’t.” She backed away, staring at him.
“You told me we could choose our destiny,” he reminded her, feeling a stone of fear in his belly. “I chose to be an ordinary warrior for once.”
Cinderheart blinked. “I told you we had to make the rightchoice!”
“How do you know I didn’t?”
“Look at yourself!” she hissed, gesturing with one paw at his wounds.
Lionblaze’s heart seemed to split as Cinderheart turned and walked away, the fur bristling along her spine. A flash of gray fur caught his eye.
“Come on.” Jayfeather was beside him, nosing him gently toward the medicine den. Lionblaze braced himself for another lecture. He was ready to be told he was a mouse-brain. A traitor, even, because he had rejected the prophecy. But Jayfeather just guided him through the brambles into his den.
Briarlight was lying in her nest, propped up on her forelegs. “What happened?” she gasped as she caught sight of Lionblaze.
“Go and get some fresh-kill,” Jayfeather told her.
“But—”
Jayfeather flicked his tail. “Now.”
Hauling herself over the edge of her nest, Briarlight dragged her hind legs out through the entrance.
Jayfeather padded to the crack in the rock at the back of the den. “Sit down.” He stuck his head into the shadows and pulled out a wad of leaves. Crouching, he began to chew them into a poultice.
The brambles swished at the mouth of the den. “Are you going to explain to me what just happened?” Firestar stood in the entrance, green eyes sharp with rage. “Graystripe told me that you started a fight with a ShadowClan patrol!” His ears twitched as he studied Lionblaze. “Why did you let them do that to you?”
Lionblaze stiffened. “Do I have to win every fight?”
“Yes!” Firestar thrust his muzzle into Lionblaze’s face. “That’s your destiny! That’s what the prophecy has decided!”
Lionblaze growled. “So I don’t get a choice?”
“No! You don’t get a choice!” Firestar flexed his claws. “You have to follow your destiny.”
Fury swept through Lionblaze like wildfire. “I wish I didn’t! I never asked for it! You can’t make me do anything I don’t want to do!”
Firestar stared at him a moment, then took a step back. “You’re right.” His mew was weary. “I can’t force you to follow the path StarClan has chosen for you, Lionblaze.” His tail brushed the ground as he turned. “It’s a destiny you must choose for yourself.”
Lionblaze watched his leader disappear through the brambles. “So?” He turned on Jayfeather. “Aren’t you going to tell me how dumb I am, too? Go on!” he goaded. “Remind me againhow the prophecy is the most important thing in the world!”
Jayfeather picked up a mouthful of chewed leaves and padded to Lionblaze’s side. He dropped the leaves and rolled them under his paw. “No.”
Lionblaze blinked. “What?”
Jayfeather lapped up a tongueful of leaf pulp and licked it into a wound. Lionblaze gritted his teeth, shocked by the pain. “Whatever you want to say, get it over with!”
Jayfeather sat back on his haunches. “What canI say?” he murmured. “What if the prophecy isn’t enough to save the Clans? What if it’s just the last desperate hope of a Clan of fading ancestors?” He sniffed a long scratch on Lionblaze’s cheek. “You can fight; Dovewing can hear; I can wander into thoughts and dreams. But does it make any difference? Are we any closer to defeating the Dark Forest? If we were, why would we need a fourth cat?”
“You think the prophecy won’t save the Clans?” Lionblaze suddenly forgot the sting of his scratches.
“I don’t know.” Sighing, Jayfeather began working on the rest of Lionblaze’s wounds.
Lionblaze lay back on the hard stone floor. Could his brother be right? Was the prophecy nothing more than StarClan’s last hope?
第五章
第五章
鸽翅目送着松鸦羽离开。
还有第四只猫。她的脚掌颤抖着，难道是我不够好吗？或许当初星族选定她为预言中的第三只猫时，曾对她寄予更大的期望吧。可即便她能听见黑森林武士的进攻，又能怎样？那并不意味着她能打败他们。
她瞥了一眼狮焰：“我们去狩猎吗？”
“不用管我，你自己去吧。”
鸽翅动了一下脚掌。狮焰曾是她的老师，是雷族最强壮、最勇敢的武士之一。可为什么他看起来那么失落呢？“那么，我们过会儿见？”
“好。”狮焰并没有看她。
她慢慢跑进了树林，中途还回头看了狮焰一眼，希望他能跟上来。可狮焰还是待在原地没动。
她跳过一条小溪，朝森林深处跑去，那里的树荫，以及荨麻和蕨丛的气味，都让她感到平静放松。地面上零星散落着这个季节的第一批落叶。藤池是第四只猫吗？她每晚都冒着生命危险，跟黑森林武士打斗。她理所当然是第四只猫。
“哎哟！”一根刺扎进了她的脚掌，疼得她尖叫了一声。刚才她想得太入神，踩到黑莓藤上了。
“你听到动静了吗？”一声低吼让鸽翅身子一僵。
影族猫的恶臭气味涌进她的鼻腔。我在边界！恍惚之间，她居然像只老鼠一样，溜达到边界来了。她一怔，赶紧低头躲进延伸过边界的茂密黑莓丛里，屏住呼吸，仔细倾听着另一边影族武士的搜寻声。
“别担心，鸽翅。”树枝间传来了低语声，“我来引开他们，你在这里待着别动。”
是虎心！
“只是一只兔子。”虎心对族猫说道，“它跑进雷族领地里去了。”
“我没闻见兔子的气味。”
鸽翅听出这是鼠痕的声音。一阵沙沙作响之后，他抽着鼻子钻进了黑莓丛，鸽翅能从枝叶间看到他那棕色的皮毛。星族啊，快帮帮我！她憋得胸口都疼了，可还是不敢出一口气。
“走吧！”花楸掌呼唤着族猫，“黑星想让我们去湖边看看。那儿有只狗没拴着，我们需要在它窜进森林之前，把它赶走。”
鸽翅听见鼠痕很是不满地低吼一声：“可我闻见了雷族猫的气味。”
“我留下来查看吧。”虎心提议道。
“好吧，但记得别越界。”花楸掌提醒他。
“让我也留下吧。如果有雷族猫敢在这里嗅来嗅去，我就让他们知道……”鼠痕再次咆哮道。
“虎心会查看的。”花楸掌打断了他，“我们需要先跟黑星会合。你过会儿来边界更新气味标记时，可以带队再来这里检查检查。”
影族巡逻队终于朝湖边走去了，鸽翅长长地舒了一口气。
“鸽翅？”虎心透过黑莓丛轻呼道，“你是来找我的吗？”
“当然不是！”鸽翅的欣慰顿时变成了愤怒。他肯定认为她是个天真的幼崽！还是个叛徒！“别忘了，我可是亲耳听到你控诉松鸦羽是凶手！”
虎心从灌木丛下钻了出来。“我必须支持曙皮。”他真诚地看着鸽翅。
“为什么？”鸽翅嘶吼道，“她在说谎！”
“她是我的同窝手足。”虎心冲她眨了眨眼睛，“也是我的族猫。你觉着我能怎么做？”
“你至少可以把嘴巴闭上！”鸽翅甩了一下尾巴，“还是说，你相信她说的话？”
虎心抖了抖耳朵。“我不能让她孤立无援，尤其在她做出如此严重控诉的时候。”他瞪大眼睛，靠近了一点儿，“如果换成是藤池，你也会这么做，对吗？”
“如果她说的不是事实，那我就不会。”
虎心眯起了眼睛：“那如果藤池做了什么可怕的事情呢？你会抛弃她吗？”
鸽翅皮毛竖立了起来。“藤池不可能做什么可怕的事情！”虎心的语气让她紧张起来，“她不会的！”
“真的吗？”他眼中闪过一丝挑衅。
“你什么意思？”她追问道。她知道虎心和藤池都在黑森林受训。会不会在那里发生了什么事，藤池不想被别的猫知道？
虎心垂下目光：“没什么。”
鸽翅扬起下巴：“我们现在说的跟藤池没有关系。现在说的是曙皮那个愚蠢的谎言！”
“曙皮相信自己说的都是事实。”
“那你相信吗？”鸽翅弓起了脊背。
“我想你，鸽翅。”虎心琥珀色的眸子深情地望着她，“我们为什么总要争吵呢？”
他说着靠了过来，鸽翅惊慌地往后退。
“为什么我们不能像以前那样见面呢？”他用爪子扯下一片黑莓叶，看着它飘落在地上，“只有我们两个，一切都简简单单的。”
鸽翅想要张口争辩。他们属于不同的族群。她甚至都不应该想他，更不用说跟他讲话了。他们不可以这样。“我……我不知道。”她结结巴巴地说道。
“你知道！”他向前一步，直到他们的口鼻都快要碰到一起了，“你跟我的感受是一样的，我能感觉出来。”
他在黑森林里训练！鸽翅想要退开，可他身上散发出的力量和温暖却让她不由自主靠得更近。几个月来，她第一次感到安心，好像她与他融为一体，再也不会担惊受怕。藤池也在那里训练，她安慰自己道，或许虎心跟藤池一样，也是去为族群刺探消息的。
他温柔地在她耳边呼吸，一如从前他们远离族群领地，坐在两脚兽巢穴附近月下畅聊一样。
“虎心！”鼠痕的吼声吓得鸽翅立即跳开。影族武士就在黑莓丛的那边。
“来了！”虎心赶忙从黑莓丛下爬出。“晚上见！”他轻声对鸽翅说道，“我会在这里等你。”
鸽翅颤抖着转身跑开了。我不能见他！她脑子里不停地闪过各种念头，脚下却一刻不停，飞快地掠过林间低垂的草丛。
可为什么不能？我就见他一次，如果还是感觉不好，那我就再也不见他了。
突然，一个火焰色的身影闪现在她眼前。她滑动脚步急停下来，只差一根胡须的距离就撞到火星身上。
火星吓了一跳，往后一退。“鸽翅！”站稳后，他看着鸽翅，“对不起，我刚刚在想事情，根本没听到你过来。”
“我也应该看着路的。”
他同情地看着她：“你也在担心什么吗？”
是的，在担心虎心。“我……我只是……”她满心愧疚，结结巴巴地说道。火星打断了她。
“……在听有没有危险？”
鸽翅皮毛竖立了起来：我不只是有两只耳朵！我还能狩猎和战斗！
雷族族长摇了摇头：“很难听到，是不是？”
鸽翅皱了皱眉：“你是说黑森林的事？”
“对。”火星凝望着森林深处，“族猫们都感觉到了危险，虽然大家并不知道这危险是什么。他们知道出事了。我命令他们加强巡逻，加固巢穴。他们又不是鼠脑子，肯定察觉到危险正在逼近。”他突然转身面朝她。“你还好吗？”他的双眸如森林般碧绿，“你那么年轻，却肩负着这么大的重任。”
鸽翅挺直了身子：“我能应付得了。”
“我知道。”火星点了点头，“但一定确保自己吃好、休息好，记得……”他顿了一下，再次往森林里扫了一眼。“……最后的责任都由我来承担。整个族群的命运不是你能掌控的，我只需要你尽力而为就好。”说着，他抬起下巴，“其他的由我来负责。”
第六章
第六章
如水般的阳光渗过巢穴墙壁。
藤池打了个哈欠，使劲儿弓起后背，直到四肢发颤。她能感觉出来，皮毛下每条肌肉都紧绷绷的。在黑森林里多训练一天，她的肌肉就会变得强壮一点儿。自从她开始训练桦落和红柳，她每次醒来时的伤就变得少多了。但一遍遍示范动作，一趟趟在他们中间跑来跑去，还是让她疲惫不堪。红柳学得很快，而很显然，桦落渴望证明他是位优秀的黑森林武士，就如他是优秀的雷族武士一样。她只示范了一遍跃扑动作，桦落就领会了。所以，虽然他是她的父亲而不是幼崽，藤池还是由衷地感到自豪。
鸽翅打着哈欠。
“你看上去很累。”藤池从姐妹那蓝色的眼睛中看到了疲惫，而且鸽翅的皮毛也很蓬乱，上面还沾满了碎叶片。她昨晚出营地了吗？
“森林里的喧嚣声吵得我睡不着。”
藤池猜，有一双能够穿透巢穴围墙、听到远方动静的耳朵，应该是很难入睡的吧。“你可以试试用苔藓塞住。”
鸽翅眨了眨眼，一脸的困惑：“什么？”
“你的耳朵。”藤池皱了皱眉。鸽翅似乎在另外一个世界里神游。
鼹鼠爪翻了个身，挣扎着坐了起来。“我也希望能用苔藓塞住耳朵。”他睡眼惺忪地说道，“这样就不会被你们吵醒了。叽叽喳喳的，就像乌鸫一样。”
樱桃爪也伸了个懒腰。“天亮了，”她说道，“该起来了。”
“可玫瑰瓣和狐跃要和蛛足一起练习爬树呢。”鼹鼠爪提醒她，“也就是说，现在我们没有训练任务。”
樱桃爪抬起头：“为什么我们不能跟他们一起训练呢？”
“蛛足觉得我们太小，还不能从树枝上往下跳。”鼹鼠爪甩甩尾巴，“我敢打赌，我肯定能从老橡树上跳下来并安全着陆。”
藤池轻轻拍了一下他的耳朵：“我们不能冒险，会受伤的。”黑森林可正准备发起进攻呢！她钻出巢穴，朝黑莓掌走去。黑莓掌正在空地上布置上午的任务。
“猎物已经开始藏到地下去了，”雷族副族长大声说道，“所以我们必须抓紧狩猎。但是也不要忘记作战训练。族群关系紧张，容易引发危险。”
“所以风族才会从隧道里入侵我们吗？”栗尾大声问道。
云尾眯起了眼睛：“所以影族才会控诉我们的巫医谋杀？”
火星从高石台上跳了下来，站到黑莓掌旁边：“我们千万不能卷入族群纷争。我们必须集中精力，为秃叶季做好准备。”
还有黑森林的入侵。藤池抖了抖尾巴。族猫们只知道为邻族的威胁烦恼，却不知道一个更大的威胁正悬在头顶上。
黑莓掌向前一步：“火星说得没错，我们必须边训练边做好准备，迎接未来寒冷的几个月。莓鼻！”他抬头看向山毛榉树干顶端的一个窝，一个硕大的奶油色脑袋露了出来。
“什么事？”
黑莓掌摇了摇尾巴示意他下来：“我想让你帮蛛足来训练狐跃和玫瑰瓣，教他们如何进行树林战。”
莓鼻从巢穴里滑下来跳到空地上。他抖了抖皮毛，肩上的肌肉线条一鼓一鼓的。“太棒了！”他的眼睛发亮。他的爪子跟鹰爪一样有力，他也是族群里爬树最厉害的武士之一。而且，他还知道如何计算往下跳的时机，这样有猫从树下经过时，就能稳稳地落在他们身上。
蛛足一脸期待地看着黑莓掌，得到副族长的点头许可后，他便朝着荆棘通道走去。玫瑰瓣和狐跃跟了上去，莓鼻在后面跟着。鼹鼠爪看他们离开，后背上棕色和奶油色相间的皮毛顿时竖了起来。
黑莓掌冲学徒眨了眨眼睛：“你和樱桃爪今天可以跟着鸽翅和藤池训练。”
藤池的尾巴顿时耷拉了下来。她可是整宿都在黑森林里训练学徒啊。
“听见了吗，鸽翅？”樱桃爪从巢穴里蹦了出来，回头大喊道，“你们今天负责训练我们。”
鸽翅也打着哈欠跑了出来。
藤池皱了皱眉。她为什么那么累？我才是那只整宿没睡的猫。“来吧。”她从鸽翅身旁走过，率先往荆棘通道走去。
“我们能学一些战斗动作吗？”鼹鼠爪琥珀色的眸子睁得大大的，看着藤池，“梅花落说，你会一些很棒的进攻动作。”
“我们今天先集中练防守。”她昨晚在黑森林已经教了太多杀戮动作了。
“如果你想学，那我们就来练习一下进攻吧，鼹鼠爪。”鸽翅沿小路走了过去。
藤池盯着姐妹。难道你没听见我说的话吗？她张开嘴想要争辩，可樱桃爪和鼹鼠爪已经朝训练场冲去了。
“小心！”藤池在他们身后大吼道，“我不想看到谁受伤。爪子要收着。”这里可不是黑森林。
等学徒们消失在小路的尽头，藤池追上鸽翅问道：“出什么事了？”
“没事。”
“那你为什么表现得像是梦游似的？”
“我没有。”鸽翅盯着前方。
藤池不相信：“昨晚到底为什么睡不着？”
“我告诉过你。”鸽翅耸耸肩，“吵闹声。”
他们到达了训练场，藤池从那段陡直的短坡上跳了下去，而鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪早已在光滑的沙地上打斗了起来。
“摆出战斗蹲伏姿势！”藤池命令道。
学徒们彼此分开，分别朝两侧滚去，蹲伏了起来。
“保持尾巴不动。”藤池用脚掌压了压鼹鼠爪抖动的尾尖，然后又转向樱桃爪，“肩膀放下，后脚掌收紧。”她用鼻子顶了顶樱桃爪的后臀，姜黄色母猫将后脚掌收在了身下。“这样起跳才能有力。现在，练习你们的跳跃，看你俩谁跳得远。”
说完，藤池走回到已在空地边上坐下的鸽翅身边。“别忘了伸出前掌。”她回头大声对学徒猫们喊道，“要先用爪子迎敌，而不是鼻子。”说着她坐在姐妹身旁。“我知道肯定有什么事情不对劲。”她轻声道。
鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪向空地那边冲去，不过不像武士，倒像是两只惊慌失措的小兔子。
“再试一次。”藤池提议道，“接下来就练这个动作，练到学会为止。”说完，她又转向鸽翅：“怎么回事？”
鸽翅圆圆的蓝眼睛闪着光。“是预言。”她低声说道。
“预言怎么了？”
“杀无尽部落告诉松鸦羽，还有第四只猫。”
藤池尾巴一僵：“第四只猫？是谁？”
“松鸦羽认为是蛾翅，”鸽翅的目光飘向空地的另一边，“狮焰则认为是冬青叶。”
“杀无尽部落自己没说是谁吗？”藤池伸缩着爪子。远古猫们为什么总把所有的事情弄得那么复杂？
“我觉得他们也不知道。”
“那星族呢？”
鸽翅耸了耸肩。
“你认为谁是第四只猫？”藤池小声问道。
“你。”
“我？”藤池眨了眨眼睛，“我是你姐妹不假，可那并不代表……”
鸽翅打断了她：“你每晚都冒着生命危险去黑森林。”
“我只是在为你们打探消息。”藤池摇了摇头，“星族从来没有跟我对过话。”
鸽翅靠近了一些：“你确定吗？你没做过什么特别的梦吗？”
藤池翻了个白眼。“我哪有时间做什么特别的梦，”她说道，“我每晚都忙着在黑森林训练呢。”
“我们现在可以试试转身了吗？”
鼹鼠爪打断了她们的谈话。藤池转身对他说道：“很快就可以了。”她又转向鸽翅：“肯定是冬青叶，对吗？”
“冬青叶怎么了？”樱桃爪朝她们走了过来。
“练习你的跳跃去。”藤池命令道。
“可鼹鼠爪占据了整个空地！”樱桃爪抱怨道。
藤池瞥了一眼棕色和奶油色相间的学徒：“鼹鼠爪！你靠边点儿，让你妹妹在中间练。”
“可那不公平——”
藤池吼道：“你是要训练成武士还是幼崽？”
鼹鼠爪只好嘟嘟囔囔地挪到空地边蹲下，准备重新起跳。樱桃爪挑衅地竖起尾巴，迈开大步朝空地中间走去。
藤池转回到鸽翅：“要不然冬青叶为什么现在回来？”
“如果她是预言的一部分，那她当初就不会离开了。”鸽翅争辩道，“所以只能是你！”
“可我没有任何特殊力量。”藤池说道。
“你很勇敢，”鸽翅坚定地说道，“你每晚都去监视我们最可怕的敌人。所以一定是你！”
一声尖叫响起，藤池赶紧转身。鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪在空地中间打了起来。藤池冲过去拉开了鼹鼠爪：“看在星族的分上，你们在干什么？”
“他总是跳到我这里！”樱桃爪嘶吼道。
“你们是族猫！”藤池呵斥道，“如果你们在战斗中自己先打起来了，还怎么打败敌人？”说出这些话时，她的心里突然升起一股无尽的绝望。她的这些无辜的族猫要面临的，会是怎样的恐惧和背叛呢？
骄阳当空，藤池走回倒下的山毛榉树干旁躺下。这里阳光充足，她肚子吃得饱饱的，身上也感到很温暖。一早晨的训练让她疲惫不堪。她便闭上了眼睛。我真的是第四只猫吗？鸽翅的话在她脑海中回响着：你每晚都去监视我们最可怕的敌人。所以一定是你！藤池想要甩掉姐妹的声音。如果我就是第四只猫，我自己会感觉到的。那样的话，我也会有特殊的力量，不是吗？
“藤池！”桦落的嘶吼声将她从半睡半醒中惊醒。
她坐直了身子：“怎么了？”
在耀眼的阳光下，父亲站在背光处像是个暗影。她眨眨眼，适应了一下明亮的光线，然后发现他旁边还站着鼠须。藤池的肩膀一垂。看来是有关黑森林训练的事情。
“我们得谈一谈。”桦落朝营地入口处抽动了一下鼻子，“私下里谈。”
藤池看着阳光明媚的营地。罂粟霜和叶池正在长老巢穴外分食一只老鼠。旁边，鼠毛将鼻子搁在前掌上，正闭目养神。波弟用舌头慢慢清洗着她的皮毛。樱桃爪和鼹鼠爪正在育婴室旁练习进攻跳跃动作，努力想要比对方跳得更远。
“那就走吧。”尽管很疲惫，藤池还是朝着营地入口处走去。她不敢看鼠须的眼睛，害怕他看出她的勉强。她从未想到，居然会有那么多族猫相信鹰霜的谎言。
我也一样。她曾经也是那么渴望能够学到新的格斗技巧，根本就不在乎是谁来教。鹰霜的话是那么地动听，那么地有说服力，让她相信他会帮她成为最优秀的武士。那鼠须又为什么就该比她更明智呢？
石头山谷外的森林里很是清凉，周围枝叶成荫，微风一吹，沙沙作响。藤池带着桦落和鼠须，沿小道往前走，在训练洼地的边上停住了。
“我们要去见其他族群的黑森林武士。”
桦落的话让藤池一愣：“什么时候？”
“现在。”
藤池咽了下口水：“为什么？”
“我们白天也需要练习一下战斗技巧。”鼠须补充道。
桦落身子前倾，双眼闪着亮光：“如果我们能多加练习黑森林里所学的技巧，那我们肯定会有很大的提高。”
“而且我们应该想办法，在我们需要那些黑森林武士的帮助时，让他们到我们的领地来。”
藤池倒吸了一口冷气：“为什么我们需要他们的帮助？”一想到鹰霜和虎星会在湖边肆意奔跑，她就感到浑身不舒服。
桦落冲她眨眨眼睛：“那样的话，如果某个族群受到威胁，我们就都能去帮助他们。”
他们真的相信吗？藤池望着族猫们。他们目光清澈，眼睛睁得大大的，充满了期待。一切都颠倒了！眼下族群之间关系紧张，恐慌与日俱增，边界也不断遭受威胁，可在黑森林里受训的武士之间却关系越发亲密。她看着父亲的目光，真想不顾一切把自己知道的向他坦白，警告他正在接近的是狼，而不是老鼠。
她的心跳加快了。她不能告诉他们她是卧底。万一他们出卖她怎么办？
一阵强风从头顶上方的树枝间呼啸而过。
“那么，”鼠须追问道，“你来吗？”
藤池动了动脚掌：“去哪里？”
桦落兴奋地摇动着尾巴：“我们打算去边界见日击。”
“她会把云雀爪和兔泉一起带来。”鼠须补充道。
藤池竭力让自己的皮毛平顺下来，恐惧漫过她的全身。他们是多么鼠脑子啊？她看着桦落。桦落那浅棕色的虎斑皮毛光滑平顺，胸膛高高挺起。他真以为，去见风族武士，和他们切磋格斗动作，就是他对族群的忠诚？
我必须阻止这一切！
桦落和鼠须穿过树林继续前行，藤池伸长耳朵仔细聆听着动静。她多么希望自己能有姐妹那样的听力啊。她不能命令他们不去，因为那样会暴露她去黑森林的目的。她必须尽可能长时间地监视那里，弄清断星准备发起进攻的时间和地点。
“等等我。”看着族猫们转向通往风族边界的那条小路，藤池赶忙去追他们。她一边往上爬，一边扫视着森林。鸟儿们在树枝间欢腾跳跃，一只松鼠从蕨丛另一侧的林地上一掠而过。突然，她看到远处黑莓丛中，有一身狐狸颜色的皮毛。有猫在追猎这只松鼠。
她心头一动：“我一会儿去追你们。”
桦落回头看了看她。“那我们在小溪边等你。”他说道。
“好。”藤池走下小路，低头钻进了蕨丛。她从另一侧探出头，看见那只松鼠在拼命跑着，而狐狸颜色皮毛的猫紧追不舍，最后稳稳跳到它身上，一口咬死了它。
“狐跃！”藤池从蕨丛中冲了出来。
武士转过身，松鼠在他嘴里晃荡着。他放下猎物，问道：“什么事？”
藤池回头望去，鼠须和桦落已经消失在坡顶处。“带一支巡逻队去风族边界。”她小声说道，“不要走这条路，走湖边那条。”她不能让雷族巡逻队追上桦落和鼠须，然后直接跟着他们去会合地点，那样做太危险。
狐跃歪头问道：“为什么？”
“我在边界闻到了风族的气味。”她撒了个谎，“我想他们的巡逻队可能越过小溪了。”
狐跃眉头一皱。“我去叫其他猫。”说完，他叼起松鼠，朝营地跑去。
藤池快步追上了桦落和鼠须。
“一切还好吗？”桦落眯起了双眼。
“很好。”藤池跟他并肩前行，抬起下巴又说了一句，“我只是去方便了一下。”
桦落回头望了望来时的那条小路。快走到树林边时，藤池看到树木变得稀疏起来。她放慢了脚步。只要沿前面的那片草地一直往前走，很快便会到达风族边界。她得给狐跃争取一些时间，让他带巡逻队来。
“我为你感到骄傲。”桦落的皮毛擦过她身侧，在她耳边轻声说道，“看到你在黑森林的表现，我突然意识到，我以前低估了你的本领。”
如果他知道她对所有猫都说了谎，那他还会以她为荣吗？她应该警告他，他选的这条路很危险。她应该向他坦白，她去黑森林是为了刺探断星的阴谋。可是她不能。那样风险太大。
他们走进了阳光中。前面的地面向下倾斜，通往边界处的小溪。小溪的另一边，风族那平坦茂盛的荒原出现在了眼前，在明媚蓝天的映照下很是荒凉。藤池扫了一眼石楠丛，然后又偷偷瞥了一眼湖边。没有风族猫的踪迹，也没看到狐跃的巡逻队。她看到距离小溪几狐狸身长的斜坡上有一簇金雀花丛，于是说道：“我们先藏在那里等他们来。”
鼠须怒问道：“我们为什么要藏起来？”
藤池从他身边走过。“你不想让所有猫都知道黑森林的事情吧？”说完，她低头钻进了低矮的金雀花丛。她扭动身子使劲往里钻，尖刺划过她的皮毛。她一边努力向前钻着，一边朝族猫嘶吼道：“快进来，里面空间足够大。”
桦落和鼠须跟在藤池身后挤了进去。她伏在地上，紧张地盯着外面的荒原，心怦怦直跳。求求你，星族，不要让桦落和鼠须闻到我害怕的气味。如果狐跃先到了怎么办？桦落或许就能猜到是她出卖了他们。藤池不停地瞥着小溪对岸的石楠丛，祈祷着能有风族猫出现。
灌木丛中飘来了新鲜的雷族猫的气味。是狐跃！藤池紧张地看着年轻武士从湖边往山坡上爬。蕨毛和灰条跟他并排走着。快要到金雀花丛时，小溪那边的石楠丛发出一阵响动，兔泉走了出来。他扫视着边界，在他的身后，跟着云雀爪和日击。
“看到他们的踪迹了吗？”日击轻声对自己的族猫说道。他们边往边界走着，边留意盯着小溪对岸。
“往后退！”狐跃的吼声从山坡上响起。雷族巡逻队朝边界跑来，在风族猫的对面停了下来：“你们来这里做什么？”
“检查边界啊，”日击迎着他的目光说道，“和你们一样。”
“你们快要越界了！”蕨毛怒斥道。
“我们没有！”兔泉冲他嘶吼道。
“这次是没有，”狐跃咆哮道，“但之前，我们的武士在小溪的这一边闻到了风族的气味。”
蜷伏在藤池旁边的桦落身子一僵。“他们闻到了吗？”他悄声问道。
藤池耸耸肩。“我不知道。”她撒了个谎。
鼠须尾巴一甩。“火星为什么要现在派巡逻队到这里来？”他嘟囔道。
日击站在被溪流冲刷出来的沟壑旁边，狐跃则站在小溪的另一侧正对着她。两位武士全都皮毛竖立，耳朵平贴。
日击龇着牙说道：“风族猫从未越界。”
灰条甩了甩尾巴：“你是在指责雷族越界吗？”
蕨毛放低身子蹲伏下来——动作跟藤池早上教鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪的一样。不要进攻！她心里涌上一股愧疚。她不想开战，只是想阻止族猫们犯下可怕的错误。
兔泉眯起眼睛盯着蕨毛：“一星说我们不用惧怕任何踏上我们领地的猫。”
“这是我们的领地。”蕨毛臀部摆动着，绷紧了肌肉。
“停！”桦落从金雀花丛中冲了出来。
狐跃猛地转过身，瞪大了眼睛：“你在这里干什么？”
“保护边界。”桦落挺直身子，用尾巴示意鼠须和藤池。鼠须很不情愿地从灌木丛钻出来，藤池跟在他后面。
狐跃眼睛一眯：“你们躲在灌木丛里怎么保护边界。”
“我们是在等着看他们是否会越界。”桦落的目光瞥向日击。风族猫开始后退，灰条也移动着脚掌。
“谁都没越界。”桦落宣布道，“那我们就都往后退。”
狐跃咆哮道：“等我检查完我们这边的风族气味再说。”
日击耳朵抽动了几下。“你肯定闻不到的。”她转身带着族猫钻回了石楠丛。
狐跃在边界来回走着，在每个草丛里嗅来嗅去。“没有入侵的痕迹。”他满怀期望地朝藤池看去，因为是她告诉了他风族越界的消息。
藤池扭头看向一边，心里却松了一口气。“看来这次没有越界。”她喃喃道。
狐跃又嗅了嗅岸边，然后在此地留下了雷族气味标记。做完这一切，他说道：“好了，我们回营地吧。”
藤池第一个跑进树林。她脚掌像石头一样沉重，她是多么希望自己仍在倒下的山毛榉树旁睡觉晒太阳啊。突然，感觉身子被碰了一下。她回头一看，原来是狐跃追了上来：“你知道他们会来这儿吗？”
她心头一紧：“不知道。”
“但边界没有风族越界的痕迹。”狐跃皱着眉头说道，“你为什么要叫巡逻队呢？你是那次在隧道战斗时听到什么了吗？”
藤池摇了摇头。“只是有一种感觉。”她轻声道，“你知道，现在族群之间关系很紧张。我当时肯定是在树林里闻到了一些风族的气味，太紧张——”
“……所以你反应过度了。”狐跃替她把话说完。
“我猜应该是吧。”藤池抖了抖耳朵。
“嗯，我猜得没错。”
藤池看向狐跃。看到他怀疑的目光，她心头不由一紧。他不相信我的话。她不安地摇动着尾巴，用力蹬着地面，往营地跑去。当卧底迟早会逼得她背叛自己的族群的。
我还要像这样生活多久呢？
第七章
第七章
松鸦羽把一块石头扔到离荆棘光的窝一老鼠身长的地方：“你能拿到吗？”
“简单！”荆棘光探出身子，抓住石头缩回到自己的窝中。她肩上的肌肉在皮毛下滚动着。
松鸦羽将鼻子探进她的窝，用牙齿咬住石头，然后使劲儿将它叼起。今天的训练，他选了一块较重的石头。他又将石头抛到离她的窝半尾长的距离处：“这个距离呢？”
荆棘光再次伸出前腿，这次有点儿费力，但她还是用灵活敏捷的前掌，将石头抓回到窝里。
“我来检查一下你的脊柱。”松鸦羽将口鼻埋进她的皮毛，轻咬几下，感受着她肌肉的张弛。骨裂处以上的肌肉非常健康有力，往下则萎缩无力，不过皮毛依然光滑柔顺。“你很努力。”松鸦羽坐起身，“我们坚持练习吧，你会好起来的。”
荆棘光将石头抛到窝外，又开始去抓。“我希望只用前掌就能爬上树。”她喘着粗气说道。
她努力去拿石头时，松鸦羽的思绪飘远了。整个早上他都在琢磨第四只猫的事情。蛾翅是唯一一只答应帮忙对付黑森林的猫。肯定是她。他释放出意识，就好像放飞一只小鸟一样，让其掠过湖边飞往河族领地。等到达河族营地，他屏蔽掉所有喧嚣吵闹的杂音，开始搜寻蛾翅的踪迹。他感觉到柳光在清点草药，蛾翅在她身旁。只是，跟以往一样，他还是无法穿破那层迷雾，它就像蜘蛛网一样将河族巫医的内心包裹得严严实实。
她肯定是第四只猫！只有她的梦境不会受黑森林的干扰，所以她不可能被诱惑参与黑森林的阴谋。
“你自己能完成训练吗？”他问荆棘光，“我要出去一下。”
“当然可以。”
巢穴外面，清晨的阳光照在他的皮毛上，暖洋洋的。狮焰和白翅正在荆棘屏障旁分食一只老鼠。刺掌和栗尾在空地边上互相清理着皮毛，香薇云和黛西则在育婴室外面闲聊，旁边小种子和小百合正在山毛榉的阴影里追踪着落叶。
松鸦羽正准备低头钻进荆棘通道，狮焰跳过来说道：“你要去哪里？”
“去找蛾翅。”
狮焰顿时警觉地说道：“我跟你一起去。”
“不了，谢谢。”他可不想一路上跟哥哥争论冬青叶就是第四只猫，“只是巫医的事情。”
“但你不是不再担任巫医了吗？”狮焰在他身后大喊道。
“星族会保护我的。”松鸦羽知道自己在说谎，所以赶紧快步钻过通道。黑莓果告诉过他，星族现在已经看不到湖区的猫了。对他们而言，黑暗已经降临了。“告诉火星我要去哪儿。”说完他等着狮焰跟上来的声音，好在他只听到荆棘通道那边飘来一声无奈的叹息。
“如果到傍晚你还没回来，我就去找你。”狮焰喊道。
“肯定用不着的。”希望如此！
他往湖边走去，准备沿着湖岸穿越风族领地。他张开嘴嗅了嗅空气中的气味，想知道湖边是否有风族武士的踪迹。有一股熟悉的气味……
一星！
松鸦羽心头一紧。风族族长就站在前方湖边几狐狸身长的地方。松鸦羽小心翼翼地走了过去：“你好，一星。”
一星没有动：“松鸦羽。”
“很抱歉擅闯了风族领地。”松鸦羽点了点头，“我想要去找蛾翅。”他心里很紧张，担心一星会暴跳如雷。可风族族长那里却是一片风平浪静。
“你可以安心走你的，”一星告诉他，“虽然我认为巫医们早就互相不联系了。”
“那是星族的期望，”松鸦羽说道，“不是我的。”
“你要违背星族的旨意吗？”一星听上去很是吃惊。
“是的，”松鸦羽毫无悔意地说道，“如果这意味着维护族群和平的话。”
他听见鹅卵石哗啦一声，应该是一星坐了下来。“族群之间的争斗时有发生，但这是第一次，连巫医们都分裂了。”风族族长语气沉重地说道，“我感觉好像有什么可怕的事情就要发生了。”一星的目光灼烧着松鸦羽的皮毛。“水面风平浪静，”他喃喃道，“可水面下却暗流涌动。尽管深不可见，但其力量却足以将族群猫拽进死亡。”
“只要你知道它们藏在哪里就不会。”松鸦羽身子前倾，“守护好边界，一星，但也要留意你自己的族猫。”
鹅卵石哗啦一响，一星转身看着他：“你是说我的武士们不够忠诚吗？”
松鸦羽退开了：“任何猫都有可能受骗，背叛族群。”
一星的呼吸喷在松鸦羽的脸上：“你是在说日神吗？”
“不。”黑森林的威胁可比那个爱惹麻烦的独行猫更危险，“只是留意一下武士们的异常举动就好。”
风族族长怒气冲冲地说道：“我相信我的族猫，我敢以性命担保！”
松鸦羽低下头，说了句“抱歉”，然后便从一星身边挤过，继续朝着河族边界走去。他能感觉到，一星一直在愤怒地看着他沿岸边走着，皮毛不由得竖立了起来。或许我就不应该试图警告他。
河族边界的气味标记一直延伸到水边，就在岸边的石头上。松鸦羽越了过去。
“你来这里干什么？”
松鸦羽猛地转过身，亮出利爪。他闻见了甲虫须的浓烈气味，旁边还有皮毛倒立的鳟溪和薄荷毛。
松鸦羽竖起了尾巴：“我来找蛾翅。”
“你不再是巫医了。”甲虫须那满是鱼腥味的气息喷在了松鸦羽的面颊上。
松鸦羽强压下心头的战栗。他听说甲虫须也在黑森林里训练。“河族做不了星族的主，”他嘶吼道，“只有星族才能免去我行医的权利。”
薄荷毛悄声对族猫说道：“我想还是让雾星来决定吧。”
“我想也是。”甲虫须的语气里仍透着一丝不信任。松鸦羽突然希望狮焰能跟他在一起就好了。
鳟溪大步走上前：“来吧。”母猫用鼻子将他往山坡上推，薄荷毛和甲虫须则走在他们旁边。
“那里有个树桥。”鳟溪身子擦过松鸦羽的胡须，跳到松鸦羽的前面去带路。松鸦羽闻见倒下的树干散发出来的陈旧的树汁味，它肯定是横跨水面，将河族营地跟陆地分隔开来。跟在鳟溪身后，他奋力地攀爬上树干，爪子紧紧抓进剥落的树皮中，小心翼翼地挪动着身体，心里七上八下。身后的薄荷毛和甲虫须也爬了上来，树干立刻剧烈晃动起来。水从他脚下奔腾而过。如果他掉下去，肯定会被冲进湖里的。
等感觉像是走到了树干的枝杈处，松鸦羽知道已经到达了对面。他收紧后臀肌肉向前一跃，希望能赶紧远离树干。他笨拙地落在一些散落的小树枝上，好在鳟溪扶住了他。
“这边走。”她带着松鸦羽穿过高高的草丛。一路上直到空地，周围全是河族的气味。他能感觉到营地里河族猫都很惊讶。
“他怎么来了？”
冲尾示意鹭爪保持安静：“仔细听就知道了。”
“欢迎你，松鸦羽。”雾星从巢穴里钻了出来。松鸦羽听见她皮毛擦过树枝的沙沙声。“你是来找蛾翅和柳光的吗？”
松鸦羽点了点头：“是的，如果可以的话。”
“他没这个权利！”甲虫须咆哮道。
松鸦羽能够感觉到来自雾星的热情。至少，她是很高兴见到他的。“他有星族赋予的这个权利。”她提醒自己的武士。她用尾尖碰了碰松鸦羽的侧腹说道：“我带你去巫医巢穴。”
松鸦羽跟在她身后，穿过营地，进入一条通往空地的青草通道。一股熟悉的草药味扑鼻而来：款冬、琉璃苣，还有水薄荷。草沙沙作响，还有来回走动的脚步声。
“松鸦羽？”蛾翅听上去很吃惊。
“一切还好吗？”柳光的尾巴拂过柔软的地面。
雾星转过身，擦着他的身体走开了：“我走了，你们自己聊。”
柳光很快就走到了他身边：“出什么事了？是谁生病了吗？”
“我需要跟蛾翅谈一谈。”松鸦羽解释道。
“可你现在不是巫医了呀。”柳光的语气很是困惑，“曙皮指控你——”
松鸦羽打断了她：“如果影族让河流停止流动，河流会吗？”
柳光身子一僵。“这不光是影族的问题！”她反驳道，“我在梦里已经见过星族了，他们告诉我说，巫医们要彼此回避。”
蛾翅不屑地哼了一下：“他们可什么都没告诉我，所以你去收锦葵吧，我来跟松鸦羽说话就好。”
松鸦羽感觉到两位巫医沉默了一会儿。然后，柳光尾巴拂过地面。“好吧。”说完，她便踩着重重的步子走出了巢穴。
蛾翅抖了抖尾巴：“如果星族让她去跳湖，她也会去的！”
松鸦羽耸了耸肩：“可她会游泳。”
蛾翅喉咙里响起低沉的咕噜声：“别开玩笑了，我是说真的。是你告诉我，说我们正面临一场可怕的战斗。”
我怎么才能知道她是不是第四只猫呢？他在她身旁蹲伏了下来：“族群需要合力面对这场即将来临的战斗，可现在连巫医都分裂了，族群根本就不可能团结起来。”
蛾翅用爪子抓挠着地面。“简直是鼠脑子！仅仅是因为一些闪着星光的老猫的话，他们便没有了常识。”她将尾巴收起来，尾尖轻拂过松鸦羽。“对不起，”她抱歉地说道，“我知道你相信星族，我也很尊重你的信仰。信仰曾引导四大族群度过了艰苦岁月，可现在，它似乎成了我们的挡路石。”
松鸦羽听得出她语气里的沮丧和难过。星族将族群分开，使黑森林的威胁变得更加危险。“如果我能见到焰尾，或许我能说服他跟小云说出真相。”他说道。
“可以从这一点上开始。”蛾翅移动着脚掌，“只要巫医们认为你是凶手，那他们就永远都团结不了。”她坐起身说道：“我会跟小云和隼飞谈一谈。或许能说服他们，让他们知道自己的做法破坏了巫医守则。”
“他们会违背星族的意思，听你的吗？”
蛾翅抓挠着地面：“我很高兴，我脑子里没有像蜜蜂一样整天嗡嗡叫的星族！老猫一直在你脑子里咕咕噜噜的，你怎么可能清楚地想事情呢？”
“松鸦羽？”雾星轻柔的声音在通道入口处响起，“你该走了。”
可我需要证明蛾翅就是第四只猫！
“我们的资深武士不再把你看作巫医了。”雾星抱歉地解释道，“我得尊重他们的感受。所以你不能在这里待太久。”
松鸦羽能感受到巫医巢穴外，空气中散发出来的敌意：“他们认为我是入侵者。”
“恐怕是这样。”雾星轻轻把他推起来，“最好你现在就离开。”松鸦羽冲蛾翅点了点头，便朝着通道走去。
甲虫须快步穿过营地，空飞和鱼尾走在他两侧。芦苇须走向前说道：“我们带你去边界。”
“谢谢。”松鸦羽冲河族副族长点了点头。四位武士护送我回家？他平贴起耳朵，我又没做错任何事情！
他感觉到蛾翅跟了过来。“如果我能设法说服其他巫医，让他们清醒过来，那我就去告诉你。”她悄声说道。
“我想族群已经疯了。”松鸦羽低吼道。他能够感觉得出，河族武士正活动着肌肉，似乎准备战斗。你们弄错战斗对象了！他强迫自己的皮毛平顺下来，跟着芦苇须走出了营地。空飞和甲虫须走在两边，催促他跳上倒树，鱼尾则从后面推着他。
“你们是想让我掉到水里吗？”松鸦羽嘶吼道。他在树干上滑了一跤，身子在空中晃荡了几下，脚掌下水流湍急地流淌着。
“那就抓紧一点儿。”甲虫须用鼻子推着他，咆哮道。
松鸦羽将爪子插进腐烂的树皮里，沿树干走着，心中狂跳不止。等走到对岸，不等甲虫须来推他，他便跳了下来。一路上，他缄默不语，任由身旁的河族猫引着他穿过沼泽中的草地。最后，他终于闻到了风族边界的气味，一言不发地跨了过去。
“如果你还想回来，那就带支队伍来，做好战斗准备！”空飞冲他吼道。
松鸦羽甩了甩尾巴，大步离开了。他嗅闻着空气中的气味。岸边在哪里？他能闻到头顶上方石楠丛的气味，也能听见下方水波荡漾的声音，可那声音听上去太轻了，也就意味着他离着岸边还很远。于是，他穿过高高的草丛，踩着泥泞的地面，朝着湖边走去。
突然，一股寒意袭入他的尾尖，就像秃叶季的雾气一样迅速蔓延至全身。随之而来的，是一股腐臭猎物的气息。松鸦羽停下脚步猛然转身。四周影影绰绰的身形像马蜂一样围着他，幽暗而冷酷。他脑海中立刻浮现出猫儿们血迹斑斑的样子。
“谁在那儿？”他又猛地转向另一边，并用力打出一掌。他的尖爪划过结实的肌肉，这让他心下顿时害怕起来：“你是谁？”
一只肩膀向他撞来，爪子划过他的脊背。
松鸦羽拔腿就跑。可因为看不见，他在沼泽里跌跌撞撞的，不是脚掌下打滑，就是一脚掌踩进了水坑。像荆棘一样锋利的尖爪，抓向他身体的一侧，紧接着又抓向另一侧。他们用身体推搡着他，臭烘烘的呼吸灼烧着他的耳朵。突然，他一下子被绊倒在地，在泥泞里挣扎着又站起来，还击着四周那些攻击他的模糊身影。
“星族不能指引你了吗？”断星的讥讽让松鸦羽心头升起一阵恐惧。
黑森林猫已经闯到现实世界里来了吗？
另一侧，鹰霜也推搡着他：“我们很快便会品尝到胜利的滋味！”
紧接着，虎星又拦住了他的去路。松鸦羽用力一击，却被其有力的脚掌挡了下来。“你不是星权在握吗？”虎星不屑地吼叫道，“我可不这么认为。”
松鸦羽蹲下身子喘息，浑身起伏着。他的心怦怦直跳，仿佛在撞击着身下的地面。“你们永远赢不了！”他内心的恐惧变成了愤怒。他向前一跃，伸出爪子向那些影子一样的敌猫猛击过去。利爪划过他的口鼻，尖牙咬进了他的尾巴。
松鸦羽怒吼一声，打得更激烈了。“你们可以杀了我！”他嘶吼道，“但却无法阻止我。我死了也会找到你们，阻止你们！”
“松鸦羽！”风族武士的喊声突然打破了这一切。黑森林武士的臭气消失了，枭须、夜云和金雀花尾围在他身边，让他感到既温暖又熟悉。
“你没事吧？”枭须凑近他，“你掉进荆棘丛里了吗？”
鲜血从松鸦羽刺痛的伤口中不断涌出，他闻到了自己身上鲜血的味道。“是……是的。”他挣扎着想要起身，感觉到金雀花尾用口鼻推着他的肩膀，帮他起来。
“你在干什么？”松鸦羽听出来这是蹲爪的声音。风族学徒的声音听上去很害怕：“他是杀死焰尾的那只巫医！”
“凶手！”夜云大吼道。
“安静！”金雀花尾不让他们继续说下去，“这只族群猫需要我们的帮助。”
“我……我没事。”松鸦羽努力不让自己的声音颤抖。
枭须从他旁边擦身而过。“我们护送你去边界。”他快速说道。
“你能走那么远吗？”金雀花尾问松鸦羽。
“如果他走不了，那我们就拖着他走。”夜云吼叫道。
枭须没理她，嗅了嗅松鸦羽的皮毛。“只是些抓伤。”说着，他朝着岸边走去，“来吧。”
松鸦羽小心翼翼地跟了上去。他试了试自己的脚掌。好在抓伤并不深，肌肉也没扭伤，这让他松了一口气。他加快脚步，循着气味跟上枭须的步伐，金雀花尾则跟在他身后。夜云和蹲爪拖在最后，浑身透着对他的不信任。
松鸦羽还在为刚才的幻象颤抖不已。那真的是幻象吗？黑森林猫还没找到闯入湖区领地的办法，对吗？他把这个想法抛开了。肯定还没找到。不然藤池会警告他们的。或者星族……
绝望笼罩了他的全身。星族已经不起作用了。刚才的幻象是如此真实，让他身受重创遍体鳞伤。黄牙在哪儿呢？或者岩石？松鸦羽拖着脚步在鹅卵石上缓缓走着。族群猫将要独自迎战黑森林的武士。
雷族那熟悉的气息飘进了他的鼻子，他们到边界了。“这里我可以自己走。”
“我想，我们最好送你回营地。”枭须说道。
“你看上去受到了惊吓。”金雀花尾也说道。
松鸦羽想要争辩，但他怎么能拒绝他们的帮助呢？他一直都希望族群能够团结起来。
枭须朝没精打采走在岸边的夜云和蹲爪喊道：“去狩猎吧！我们一会儿去找你们。”
松鸦羽心下一阵欣慰，暗自感激枭须。至少他没有把整支风族巡逻队带进雷族领地。他带领他们穿过森林，脚下的小路是如此熟悉，这让他很是安心。最后，他们来到了通往营地的山坡。
“剩下这段路我可以自己走回去了。”他对枭须说道。
“我知道，”枭须从他身边走过去，“但我还想跟火星谈一谈。”
松鸦羽不高兴地跟着风族武士进了营地，金雀花尾跟在后面。
“波弟！”鼠毛的惊叫声从金银花灌木丛中传了出来，“是有猫入侵吗？”
“我看不像，只有两只猫。”波弟安慰老母猫道。
火星从高石台上跳下来迎接他们。“发生什么事了？”他嗅了嗅松鸦羽被抓伤的口鼻，关切地问道。
黑莓掌也从武士巢穴里急忙跑了出来：“你没事吧？”
“他摔进荆棘丛里了。”枭须对雷族副族长说道。
“是在我们的领地里。”金雀花尾意有所指地补充了一句。
“你不该去那里，松鸦羽，”火星的声音听上去很严厉，“你现在已经不是巫医了。”
松鸦羽没有反驳。当着风族猫的面，火星还能说什么呢？“我可以回我的窝里了吗？”他小声问道。
“去吧。”火星生气地说道，“不要再走出雷族领地了。我还有更重要的事情去操心呢。”
松鸦羽朝巫医巢穴走去，留下火星去安抚不满的风族武士。他挤开黑莓丛，朝自己的窝走去。
“你还好吗？”荆棘光在水池旁边喊道，空气中充斥着一股刺鼻的马尾草的气味。
“我没事。”松鸦羽爬进窝里，“你在做什么？”
“炭心让我泡点儿草药，给鼠毛治疗虱子咬伤。”荆棘光解释道，“她已经给鼠毛敷了药糊，想让我为明天早上准备一些新的。”
入口的黑莓丛一阵沙沙响。松鸦羽闻了闻空气：“亮心？”
不知什么原因，武士的脑海中悲喜交加。只是他累得浑身的骨头像是散了架一样，便没去理会武士的复杂情绪，开始清洗自己那刺痛的口鼻。
亮心走到他的窝旁：“我能跟你谈谈吗？”
“不能等到早上吗？”松鸦羽现在只想睡觉。
“不会占用你太长时间。”亮心重重地坐在他的窝旁，“我怀上幼崽了。”松鸦羽从她的声音里听出一丝迟疑和不安。“他们会没事的，对吗？尽管我已经不像以前那么年轻了？”
松鸦羽坐直了身子。为什么会有猫要这个时候把幼崽带到这个世界呢？这样只会让黑森林拥有更多的武士！“你是怎么想的啊？”他厉声说道，“秃叶季就要来了，就算不多几张嘴，我们也有可能会挨饿的！”
亮心身子往后一缩：“可……可是……”
松鸦羽没等她说完：“现在要孩子太不是时候了！这里的猫都是鼠脑子吗？”
亮心站起了身。“你怎么能这么说我呢？”怒火在她的皮毛间闪烁，“我从来没想过会再有孩子，而且他们也不是第一批出生在秃叶季的幼崽。我还以为你会高兴！”
“幼崽！”荆棘光拖着身子快速冲过巢穴，“这真是个好消息！”
“这话你应该跟松鸦羽说！”亮心咆哮道。
“为什么？”荆棘光一头雾水地问道。
“只有星族才会知道！”亮心大步走出了巢穴，松鸦羽又退回到自己的窝中。
“怎么了？出什么事了？”荆棘光追问道。
松鸦羽将鼻子埋在脚掌下没理她。疲惫向他袭来。他怎样才能找到足够的力量来对抗黑森林呢？
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10
Ivypool shuddered. Mist swirled around herpaws. The Dark Forest seemed colder than ever. Was it leaf-bare here, too? She glanced up at the trees, searching for browning leaves, but darkness swallowed their branches.
“Tonight will change everything.”
Tigerstar’s growl yanked her back to the present. The dark warrior stood on a fallen tree, his claws curling into the slimy moss. Shredtail, Hawkfrost, and Darkstripe stared up at him while Mapleshade hung back in the shadows with Sparrowfeather. Thistleclaw and Brokenstar watched through slitted eyes. Applefur, Hollowflight, and Redwillow clustered together, their fur spiked with excitement. Birchfall and Beetlewhisker were there too, as well as Tigerheart and Furzepelt. How could so many cats have fallen for Tigerstar’s lies?
Tigerstar’s eyes gleamed. “This mission will be the first of many.”
Ivypool leaned closer to Blossomfall. “The first of many whats?” She hadn’t been listening.
Blossomfall stuck her muzzle in Ivypool’s ear. “Special patrols. Tigerstar’s going to start taking us into Clan territories.”
Ivypool felt sick. She stared at the dark warrior, his shoulders rippling in the eerie light.
“Knowledge is power.” Tigerstar’s amber gaze swung around and fixed on her.
Ivypool met his eyes, chin high, and held it as he went on.
“Knowledge of your battle territory will give you the greatest advantage imaginable because it will be the last thing your enemies expect. Most of you are unfamiliar with the territories beside the lake, so I will be taking you to visit each Clan—without them realizing, of course—and you can learn the best places to fight.”
Redwillow stepped forward. “Where to lie in wait!”
Hollowflight clawed the earth. “Where to corner your enemy.”
Thistleclaw swung his long, gray tail. “And where to chase your prey.”
Prey?Ivypool dug her claws into the ground to stop her paws from shaking. He means warriors.
Blossomfall’s breath stirred her ear. “Four Clans will unite as one when it matters most.”She was quoting Tigerstar! “We’ll be able to fight for whichever Clan needs our help.”
Ivypool jerked her head around and stared at her Clanmate. How can you be so dumb?She turned back to Tigerstar. “Which territory will we start with?” she called.
Tigerstar’s whiskers twitched. “ThunderClan.”
“I’dlike to see that.” Mapleshade shambled forward.
“Me too!” Sparrowfeather bounded to the fading warrior’s side.
Tigerstar narrowed his eyes. “Any other volunteers?”
Tigerheart and Furzepelt shouldered their way to the front.
Tigerstar nodded. “And from RiverClan?” His gaze stopped at Beetlewhisker. “You’ll do. And Hollowflight.”
Ivypool stared straight at Tigerstar. Was he only going to show ThunderClan’s territory to the other Clans? She stepped forward. “What about myapprentices?” she challenged. “Birchfall and Redwillow deserve to go.” Ivypool tipped her head toward Blossomfall. “And her.” Go on! Refuse!If Tigerstar only showed ThunderClan territory to their enemies, someonemust work out that he wasn’t doing it for the good of the Clans but for his own twisted reasons. She willed Tigerstar to give himself away.
Tigerstar dipped his head. “Very well, Ivypool. They can come too.”
“And me?” She stepped closer.
Tigerstar showed his teeth. “Of course,” he murmured smoothly. “You can be our guide.” The dark warrior nodded to Brokenstar. “I’ll report back when we return.” He leaped from the log and padded between the trees, signaling with his tail
As Ivypool followed the patrol, she glanced over her shoulder, then scanned the trees and bushes they passed. If this route led from the Dark Forest to the lake territories, she wanted to remember it. They walked through gloomy glades, past foul-smelling bogs and across streams that were no more than muddy trickles. The earth beneath Ivypool’s paws, at first slippery with moss, suddenly softened into grass. Ivypool looked up. She could see the branches of the trees above her head. The shadows had lifted and beyond them the moon shone in a wide, starry sky.
We’ve crossed over!She didn’t recognize the slope that rose ahead of them. But as they climbed, brambles began to crowd the trail. The trunks of the trees suddenly became familiar, and the ferns spilling across their path were rich with ThunderClan scents.
Hollowflight wrinkled his nose. “How can you live with this stench?” he murmured to Ivypool.
Ivypool flicked the RiverClan warrior’s ear with her tail. “If you put up with our scent, then I’ll put up with yours when we visit RiverClan’s territory,” she teased.
Redwillow fell in beside them. “Thanks for getting me on the patrol,” he whispered. “The more I learn, the sooner I’ll be like a real Dark Forest warrior.”
“A realDark Forest warrior?” Ivypool jerked her head around and stared at him. “Don’t you just want to be the best ShadowClan warrior you can be?”
“Dark Forest warriors are waystronger.” Hollowflight nudged her. “And they don’t worry about rules.”
Redwillow nodded. “I feel like I’m training with kittypets when I’m with my Clanmates.”
“Here, only the strongest survive,” Hollowflight growled.
“It should be like that in the Clans,” Redwillow added.
Ivypool stared at him. “Would you let your Clanmates die if they were weak?”
Alarm sparked in Redwillow’s eyes as though he realized he’d revealed too much. “O-of course not.” His gaze flashed to Hollowflight. “We were just saying that we’ve got a lot to learn from the Dark Forest warriors, that’s all. So we can be true warriors.”
“Yeah.” Ivypool kept walking, trying to stop her fur spiking in horror. “I guess that’s what we’re training for.”
Tigerstar halted at the top of the slope, the trees behind him framing the lake below. “See how thick the tree trunks are.” He nodded toward a sturdy beech. “That’s why we teach you to climb in the Dark Forest. Here in ThunderClan territory you have to be prepared to fight in trees.” His gaze sought out Blossomfall’s. “Why don’t you explain?”
Blossomfall pushed her way to the head of the patrol, her chest puffed out. “All ThunderClan cats are taught to climb so we can drop on enemies from above, and we can move through the forest by jumping from branch to branch without touching the ground.”
“Like squirrels,” Redwillow muttered.
Blossomfall flicked her tail. “We move like squirrels, but we fight like foxes!”
Ivypool’s fur lifted along her spine. Blossomfall was giving away all of ThunderClan’s secrets! “We hardly bother with tree-fighting now,” she lied quickly.
“But Dovewing and Brambleclaw were practicing earlier!” Blossomfall blurted.
Ivypool caught Birchfall’s gaze, relieved to see that his eyes were glittering with worry. He understands the danger!
“They don’t have to know everything, Blossomfall,” Birchfall cautioned.
Tigerstar shifted his paws. “Don’t worry, Birchfall,” he meowed. “We’re among friends.” He gazed around the patrol. “We’re Clanmates now. Secrets aren’t necessary.”
Mapleshade padded heavily up the slope and stopped beside Tigerstar. “Perhaps Birchfall doesn’t feel part of our Clan.” There was menace in her mew.
“Of course he does!” Ivypool growled, stepping in front of her father.
“Then why doesn’t hetell us something about ThunderClan territory?” Tigerstar invited.
“I-it’s all woods,” Birchfall began. Ivypool could tell he was feeling uncomfortable from the way the tip of his tail quivered. “Except for the slopes down to the shore and to the WindClan border.”
“And is it better to fight in woodland or the open?” Tigerstar pressed.
Birchfall’s gaze darted nervously toward Furzepelt. “ThunderClan fights better in the woods, I guess,” he admitted. “We can use the undergrowth to trap our enemies.”
We’re giving everything away!Ivypool padded to the top of the slope and stared across the lake toward RiverClan. “Why don’t you tell us about your territory, Beetlewhisker?”
Beetlewhisker lifted his tail. “We have pine trees, not oaks,” he began.
Brambles swished at the bottom of the slope. Ivypool stiffened. “Someone’s coming!” Spiderleg’s pelt was moving through the undergrowth below them. Brambleclaw was following him.
“Are you sure you heard voices?” Brambleclaw asked.
“I was guarding the entrance and I heard paw steps.” Spiderleg faltered. “I wasn’t sure at first if they werepaw steps, to be honest. I thought I’d imagined them. But then I heard voices coming from this direction.”
“It’d better not be another WindClan invasion.” Brambleclaw growled. “We should check the tunnel entrances.”
“But the voices came from here.” Spiderleg’s pelt disappeared under ferns as he headed up the slope.
Blood pounded in Ivypool’s ears. “We’ve got to get out of here!” she hissed to Tigerstar.
“And miss a chance to practice our battle skills?” Tigerstar spat back.
“You can’t!” Fear shot through Ivypool. “Take us back now!”
“Are you scared of your Clanmates?” Tigerstar’s murmur was no more than a breath in her ear.
They mustn’t find out I’m visiting the Dark Forest!The brambles shivered below them. Ivypool felt panic rising. “If they find us here,” she whispered, “they’ll start sending out night patrols.” Hope flickered in her belly as Tigerstar’s ear twitched. “And when the final battle comes, we’ll have lost the advantage of surprise.”
Tigerstar narrowed his eyes. “Very well.”
Relief rushed through Ivypool as the dark warrior signaled with his tail and led the patrol quickly and silently along the crest of the slope. Swallowed by brambles and creeping juniper, Ivypool kept low and followed Tigerstar, checking behind to see that the rest of the patrol was keeping up. The undergrowth grew darker and when she looked up, the moon had disappeared. The ground turned slimy once more beneath her paws and ferns gave way to tangled thorn bushes. Ivypool wrinkled her nose as the air soured with the stench of decay. They were back in the Dark Forest.
As the patrol broke from a thicket of sticky brambles, Tigerstar halted.
Mapleshade paced around him. “Why didn’t we stay and fight?”
Blossomfall lifted her muzzle. “We went there to learn, not to fight.”
Redwillow sat down. “I’ve never been so deep into ThunderClan territory.” He ran a paw over his whiskers. “Wait till you see ShadowClan’s forests. They’re totally different.”
“So is RiverClan territory,” Hollowflight chimed in. “The reed beds make great places for ambushes.”
Sparrowfeather flexed his claws. “I’m looking forward to learning all your territories.”
Why can’t they see the menace in his eyes?As Ivypool glanced nervously at the Dark Forest warrior, claws pierced her shoulder.
“Don’t ever challenge me like that again.” Tigerstar thrust her to the ground, eyes blazing.
Buckling under the pain, Ivypool glared up at him. “I was only trying to protect the patrol!”
Birchfall’s eyes widened with alarm. Be careful! Ivypool stiffened as Birchfall padded toward Tigerstar. Don’t defend me!You’ll make it worse for both of us.
Birchfall faced Tigerstar. “What exactly was the point of visiting the lake?”
He’s trying to distract him.Ivypool felt a flood of relief and gratitude. She winced as Tigerstar’s claws sunk deeper into her shoulder. “Why don’t you explain it to your Clanmate, Ivypool?” the old warrior snarled.
Ivypool swallowed. “The more we know, the better warriors we can be,” she gasped.
Tigerstar loosened his grip.
“We all follow the warrior code,” Ivypool continued. She wriggled away from Tigerstar and stood beside her father. “Knowing all the territories like they are our own will help us to help one another.” She hated lying to defend Tigerstar but there was no other way to hide her treachery against the Dark Forest.
A growl sounded behind Tigerstar. “How did it go?” Brokenstar padded into the clearing. Behind him, Dark Forest warriors swarmed like rats, their eyes bright with curiosity.
“What was it like?” Shredtail growled.
“Did you see the stars?”Darkstripe snarled mockingly.
Ivypool gazed around the ranks of scarred, scowling faces and thought of her Clanmates sleeping peacefully back in the hollow. They have no idea of the danger they’re in.Her heart ached with pity. But I promise I’ll protect you, right to my very last breath
第八章
第八章
狮焰沿着洒满月光的小道返回了营地。我要不要告诉冬青叶，她就是第四只猫呢？自从松鸦羽告诉他们有关杀无尽部落的预言之后，这个想法就在他脑子里盘旋。可万一她不是呢？她那么想成为三力量之一。再次燃起她的希望，真的好吗？
狮焰试着去想点儿别的。头顶上方，树叶在微风中沙沙作响。夜幕已经降临，鸟儿也都安静了下来。他回头一看，栗尾和松鼠飞跟在身后。她们刚巡逻完边界，好像没遇上什么麻烦。现在，她们正准备回营地。
松鼠飞打了个哈欠：“我恨不能现在就回窝里睡觉。”
栗尾抖了抖身上的皮毛。“还不算太晚。”她抬头看看天，“只是天黑的时间早了。”
松鼠飞打了个寒战：“还变冷了。”
我们为什么需要第四只猫呢？狮焰又忍不住回到了预言上。星族不相信我们的力量吗？想到这里，他的心不由得一阵刺痛。我将要拯救族群，因为那是我的使命所在。可现在……现在，预言改变了。狮焰低头盯着脚掌，和族猫一起沿着熟悉的小路朝山谷走去，那我的使命也改变了呢？
“一切平安无事吧？”火星在空地上等着他们。营地看上去很冷清，族猫们都藏到巢穴里过夜去了。
“风族在边界更新了气味标记。”狮焰汇报道，“影族似乎一直在那边的大黑莓丛里嗅来嗅去，但他们没有进入我们的领地。”
火星翠绿的眸子在黑暗中闪烁着：“还有别的什么吗？”
狮焰知道他是在问是否有黑森林武士的动向。他们真的无法冲出无星之地吗？但狮焰看过藤池从梦境里带回来的那身伤，那可都是真实存在着的。
“没有了。”狮焰回答道。他冲雷族族长点了点头，然后便朝武士巢穴走去。他的窝就在倒下的山毛榉树干附近。他小心翼翼地在已睡着的武士们中间绕来绕去，最后终于走到在窝里熟睡的炭心旁边，安顿下来。他闭上了双眼，可是大脑却依然疯狂地转动着。
“喂！”炭心猛地抬起了头，“不要再翻来覆去了！”
“对不起。”狮焰抬起口鼻说道。
“睡不着吗？”炭心冲他眨眨眼睛。
“天黑得早，我还不太习惯。”他坦白道。
炭心站起身。“走吧，”她从窝里跳出来，“我们去散散步吧。”
狮焰看着她悄悄出了巢穴。就像我们过去那样。他胸中又燃起了希望。他跟着炭心来到空地，月光将她灰色的皮毛染成了银白色。
“别那样看着我。”他走过来时，她轻声说道，接着便大步朝荆棘通道走去。狮焰疑惑地跟着她爬上了山坡，走出了森林。下方的湖面上波光粼粼。
“走吧。”炭心沿着山脊快速跑了下去。
狮焰跟在她身后跳跃着，飞速跑下山坡，绕过灌木丛，脚掌飞一样地滑过草地。等跑到山下，他跃过低矮竖直的岸堤，来到了沙滩上。
炭心已经在水边等着他了：“我每次看到这样的湖面，就感觉一切都不会有问题。我们不会，其他族群也不会。”
狮焰跟随着她的目光，看向远处的湖岸。月光下，河族的沼泽地闪着微光。微风吹动芦苇，泛起点点星光。他感觉到炭心的皮毛擦着他的皮毛。
“但那永远不可能，对吗？”炭心转过头，用她那哀伤的蓝色眼睛看着他，“不管我们有多么渴望。”
“什么永远不可能？”刚说完，狮焰就后悔自己问了这句话。他明白了她的意思，可他不想听到她的答案。
她已经把目光转向湖面：“我们不得不停止和命运抗争。”
“我没有和我的命运抗争。”
“真的吗？”炭心靠在他身上一会儿，“那你为什么跟我来这儿？”
“我怎么就知道你不是我命运的一部分呢？”
炭心用口鼻指向星星：“你离他们比离我更近。”
“那不是真的！”
“可星族已经选择你来保护族群。”炭心脚掌下的石头被踩得噼啪响，“我不能妨碍如此重要的事。”
“难道我自己就没有选择的权利吗？”狮焰争辩道。
炭心看着他：“没那么简单。而且我也需要弄明白我自己的命运，到底是应该成为巫医还是武士。可如果我有了伴侣，那我就无法弄清楚这一点。”
狮焰皮毛竖立了起来：“所以，你只会接受命运的安排，而不是选择我？”
“你想让我像叶池那样，犯同样的错吗？”
她的话让他心如刀绞：“那不公平！”
“没有什么是公平的。”炭心转身往山坡上走去，“我们必须做出正确选择。我们的选择关系着族群猫的命运。”她回头瞥了狮焰一眼：“你不走吗？”
狮焰没理她。湖水倒映着他的脸，璀璨星空下，他的脸色阴沉晦暗。他低头看向湖面，迷失在自己看到的影像中。那真的是我吗？
狮焰猛地缩回头，咆哮道：“我再也受不了这些了！”他转过身，希望能看到炭心那温暖的目光，可她已经走了。他突然感觉很累，颓然倒在石头上，闭上了眼睛。
狮焰醒来时，感觉又僵又冷。离他的鼻子一胡须远的地方，湖水拍打着岸边的鹅卵石，露水浸湿了他的皮毛。荒原上方，一丝鱼肚白染亮了天空。他皱了皱眉，挣扎着站起身，抖了抖皮毛。我要向炭心证明，我们不会被命运左右的。然后，他拖着被冻僵的身子，爬上山坡，进入了森林。
有个灰色的身影正在下方的灌木丛里穿行。灰条。狮焰嗅了嗅空气，云尾、松鼠飞，还有米莉。是黎明巡逻队。他冲下山坡，快步追了上去。
“我能加入你们吗？”他在松鼠飞身后猛地停住了脚步。
她猛地转过身，眼睛瞪得大大的：“狮焰！”
灰条也转过身。“你整晚都在外面吗？”他的目光打量着狮焰湿漉漉的皮毛。
“我昨晚在湖边睡着了。”狮焰轻声说道。
云尾歪头问道：“那你还好吗？”
“当然。”狮焰围着族猫们转了个圈，“我们去哪儿？”
米莉踩着树叶，站到了他旁边：“影族边界。”
“好。”狮焰低头钻进一簇拱形蕨丛里，在蕨丛里拱出一条道。他的脚掌痒痒的，很想惹点儿麻烦。
灰条从他身边挤过，压弯了褐色的草茎，走到了队伍的最前面，狮焰则落到了后面。一股新鲜武士的气味随风飘了过来。他在灰条身后喊道：“你闻见了吗？”
“闻上去像是鼠痕。”灰条喊道。灰色武士加快了步伐。狮焰小跑了起来，兴奋地竖起了皮毛。
突然，灰条皮毛竖立了起来：“我看见他们了！”
六位影族武士正沿着边界移动着。
狮焰脊背上的皮毛蓬松开来。他张开嘴，影族那强烈的气息刺激着他的舌头。云尾伸出爪子，插进松软的泥土中，似乎影族猫就在他脚掌下。米莉站在白色武士身旁，尾巴高高竖起。松鼠飞弓起了后背。
米莉喉咙里一声低吼：“他们是计划入侵吗？”
狮焰平贴起了耳朵：“他们不敢。”
影族武士嗅嗅树木又闻闻蕨丛，似乎是在找什么。
“来吧！”狮焰冲到前面。
灰条追了上去，松鼠飞和米莉跟在后面，云尾则左右跑动保护着队伍的侧翼。等雷族武士猛然冲到边界停住，影族武士一愣。狮焰认出了鼠痕、烟足和鼬爪。接着，他又在他们身后看见了曙皮、雪鸟以及她身边的橄榄鼻，怒吼了一声。
“你们在这里干什么？”他扫了一眼边界这边的雷族领地，看看有没有影族的爪痕，或是被他们踩踏过的树叶。
“别找了！”鼠痕抖了抖肩膀，嘶吼道，“我们根本就没有越界。”
烟足向前一步说道：“你们就不敢这么说吧。”
云尾一愣：“你什么意思？”
鼬爪冲到边界嘶吼道：“有只雷族猫闯入过我们的领地！”
狮焰嗅了嗅空气。鸽翅！她的气味扑鼻而来，比边界那边影族猫的臭味还要浓，她一定是在刺探敌情。
曙皮冲到鼠痕前面，在边界上探着身子怒斥道：“所以你们不只是凶手，还是入侵者！”
“我来检查一下。”狮焰甩着尾巴，大步跨过边界。他立刻闻出了鸽翅的气味，于是便径直站在上面，用自己的气味将其掩盖住，说道：“我什么都没闻见。”
鼠痕怒视着他：“滚出我们的领地。”
影族武士围了上来，狮焰活动着利爪。这是个绝佳机会，可以向炭心证明他能主宰自己的未来。
“快回来！”灰条命令道。
“怎么了？”狮焰缓缓打量着周围的影族猫，“你是怕我会伤到谁吗？”
“回来，狮焰！”灰条咆哮道，“我们不是来这里打架的。”
狮焰昂起下巴。“或许我们来得正是时候，阻止了一场战斗也说不定呢。”他大吼道。
鼠痕往后一退。“他疯了吗？”他紧张地看着灰条。
灰条眯起眼睛，看着狮焰：“你确定要这么做吗？”
松鼠飞瞪大了眼睛：“快回来，狮焰！”
狮焰冲她抖了抖尾巴。“他们说有雷族猫进入过他们的领地，”他怒吼道，“我现在就给他们留点儿证据。”他朝鼠痕啐了一口：“现在满意了？”
鼠痕眯起了眼睛。“鼬爪，”他轻声说道，“你一直都想找个机会试试你的进攻动作。”他朝狮焰点了点头：“那就去试试。”
鼬爪胡须抽动了几下，接着，瘦弱的姜黄色学徒做出了蹲伏的进攻姿势。不是他！影族猫冲上来时，狮焰失望地竖起了皮毛。他跳起来，挡开了鼬爪的进攻。谁会相信我会被一位学徒打败呢？鼬爪爬起身，狮焰怒视着鼠痕：“影族居然会先派学徒出战？”
鼠痕一咧嘴，露出脏兮兮的黄牙。
狮焰继续逼他：“你是想让我先解决他，然后再来对付你？”
鼠痕一声怒吼，扑向狮焰。
“快去帮他！”松鼠飞刚要冲上前，但灰条用前掌踩住了她的尾巴。
“是他挑起事端的，”武士大吼道，“让他自己去应对。”
“不！”鼠痕击打在他身上时，狮焰大吼一声。他抬起脚掌遮住脸，躲避着猛烈的进攻。他根本无意还击，鼠痕的爪子像雨点一样又快又狠。狮焰埋头躲避时，感觉脸颊、肩膀和侧腹的皮毛，都被撕扯了下来。不要还击！不要还击！
当他感觉鲜血在他的皮毛中流淌时，他在地上打了一个滚，蹬出后腿击退了鼠痕。千万不能让他们看出来是我故意让鼠痕赢的。一想到族猫们正惊恐地看着他，狮焰使出一个经典的格斗动作。他前掌一扫，想从鼠痕身下钳住他的脚掌。但鼠痕也不是傻子，他及时跳开了，结果狮焰除了一把树叶，什么也没抓到。
尖爪插进他的皮毛，深深地刺了进去，疼得狮焰发出一声大吼。其他猫被刺穿时也是这种感觉吗？
“滚出我们的领地！”鼠痕用尽浑身的力气，将狮焰往后推了出去。狮焰踉踉跄跄地被推到了边界这边。
有牙齿咬住了他的后颈。“够了！”灰条将他按在地上。“抓住他！”他对松鼠飞和云尾命令道。
狮焰感觉到他们的脚掌将他按住了。他挣扎着想要一看究竟，口鼻却被按在地上，蹭着地上的落叶。
“非常抱歉。”灰条看着鼠痕说道，“我们并没有接到命令，要进入你们的领地。”
“难道雷族武士不懂得纪律吗？”鼠痕眼中闪过一丝满意，责备道。
“族群之间现在形势太紧张。”灰条提醒他。
曙皮活动着爪子：“既然那样，你们就应该赶紧回家。”
鼬爪皮毛竖立，在边界上走来走去：“除非你们真的想挑起战斗。”
灰条放平耳朵，退开几步。“来吧，”他冲巡逻队大声喊道，“我们走。”
狮焰感觉后背上的脚掌挪开了，于是赶紧跳了起来。皮毛下的伤口仍在灼痛，但他却很满意。我不必总是战无不胜！他一瘸一拐地跟着族猫们离开了边界，我可以选择自己的命运！
“告诉火星，如果再有雷族猫敢越边界，那就真会发生战斗的！”鼠痕在他们身后大喊道。
灰条身子一顿，但仍目视前方没有回头。狮焰扫视周围，发现松鼠飞正一脸震惊地看着他。他们肯定以为我变成兔脑子了。他昂起下巴，默默地走在族猫后面。
“看在星族的分上，你到底想干什么？”灰条突然转身面对狮焰问道。
松鼠飞插到他们中间。“他是故意越界的。”她看着狮焰的眼睛，“对吗？你掩盖了一只雷族猫的气味，对不对？”
灰条用鼻子将松鼠飞推开：“他没必要挑起争斗。”
狮焰从灰色武士身旁挤了过去：“我错了，行不行？”
灰条怒吼道：“我们看火星怎么说。”
巡逻队的成员们晃动着尾巴，一路沉默不语地走了回去。狮焰每走一步都要皱一下眉。鲜血滴到了他的眼睛里。
云尾在他身旁走着。“靠在我身上吧。”他轻声说道。
狮焰摇摇头，加快了步伐。他第一个回到了营地。
“狮焰！”他挤出荆棘通道时，沙风震惊地迎了上去。
“发生什么事了？”蛛足从空地一边跑了过来，莓鼻和罂粟霜也都围了上来。
“碰到影族巡逻队。”狮焰轻声说道。
罂粟霜惊讶地看着他。“可你是我们最优秀的武士呀。”她眨着眼睛说道。这时，巡逻队其他猫也都钻出了荆棘屏障。“影族猫一定被好好教训了一顿。”
“狮焰？”炭心的声音从猎物堆那边响起，狮焰转向她。炭心刚刚将一只画眉放下。狮焰眨掉眼睛里的鲜血，看着她。
“你干什么去了？你怎么会受伤呢！发生什么事情了？”炭心几步便跑到他身旁，舔掉他口鼻上的鲜血。突然，她身子一僵。“发生这种情况只有一个可能，那就是，你是故意的。”她的声音在他耳边低得犹如喘息，“告诉我你不是。”她后退开来，盯着他。
“你说过，我们可以选择自己的命运。”他提醒她，感觉恐惧像一块石头似的压在心头，“我选择当一次普通的武士。”
炭心眨眨眼：“我告诉过你，我们必须做出正确的选择！”
“你怎么知道，我的这个选择就不是正确的呢？”
“看看你自己！”炭心嘶吼道，用一只脚掌指了指他浑身的伤痕。
说完，炭心后背皮毛竖着，气鼓鼓地转身走开了。狮焰的心都要碎了。一个浅灰色身影挡在了他眼前。
“跟我来。”松鸦羽站在一旁说道，用鼻子将他轻轻推向巫医巢穴。狮焰做好了再挨一顿训的准备。他已经准备好被骂作鼠脑子，甚至是叛徒，因为他曾想要放弃预言。可松鸦羽什么都没说，只是带着他钻过黑莓屏风，进入到巫医巢穴里。
荆棘光正在窝里躺着，她撑着前腿起身问道：“发生什么事情了？”等看到狮焰，她不禁倒吸了一口气。
“去吃些猎物吧。”松鸦羽对她说道。
“可是——”
松鸦羽甩了甩尾巴：“现在就去。”
荆棘光从窝里抬出身子，拖着后腿出了入口。
松鸦羽走到巢穴后部的岩缝边，说道：“坐下。”他把头探入阴影处，拖出一团叶子，然后蹲伏下来开始将它们嚼成糊状。
巢穴入口的黑莓屏风沙沙作响。“刚刚发生的这件事，你是不是要给我做个解释？”火星站在门口，绿色眸子迸射着怒火，“灰条告诉我说，是你故意挑衅影族巡逻队的！”他双耳耸动，打量着狮焰，“你为什么要让他们这样对你？”
狮焰身体一僵：“难道我每次战斗都必须赢吗？”
“没错！”火星的口鼻猛地凑到狮焰面前，“那是你的命运！预言就是这么决定的！”
狮焰咆哮道：“所以我别无选择？”
“没错！你没有选择！”火星活动着爪子，“你必须接受你的命运。”
愤怒像野火一样漫过狮焰的身体：“我希望我没有这样的使命！我又从来没要求过！你不能逼我做我不想做的事情！”
火星瞪了他一会儿，接着后退一步。“你说得没错。”他的声音听上去很是疲惫，“我不能逼你接受星族为你选择的命运，狮焰。”他转过身，尾巴拖在了地上：“你的命运必须由你自己选择。”
狮焰看着族长穿过黑莓屏风。“那你呢？”他转身看向松鸦羽，“你也不打算告诉我我是个鼠脑子吗？说啊！”他刺激松鸦羽道：“并且可以再次提醒我，预言是这个世界上最重要的！”
松鸦羽含住一口嚼碎的叶糊，走到狮焰身旁。他将草药放下，滚到他的脚掌边：“不。”
狮焰眨眨眼：“什么？”
松鸦羽舔了一口草药浆，然后将它舔在伤口上。狮焰疼得直咬牙：“无论你想说什么，赶紧说吧！”
松鸦羽坐了下来。“我能说什么？”他喃喃道，“如果连预言也不足以挽救族群呢？如果这只是即将逝去的祖先们，在绝境中的最后一丝希望呢？”他嗅了嗅狮焰面颊上那道长长的抓伤：“你善战，鸽翅善听，我能随意进入大家的思维和梦境。可那又有什么区别呢？那样我们就更有把握打败黑森林吗？如果能，那为什么我们还需要第四只猫呢？”
“你认为预言不能挽救族群？”狮焰突然忘记了伤痛。
“我不知道。”松鸦羽叹了一口气，开始处理狮焰的其他伤口。
狮焰躺在坚硬的石头地面上。弟弟说得对吗？难道预言真的只是星族最后的希望？
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11
The sun slid behind the trees,washing the hollow with shadow. Sitting outside the medicine den, Jayfeather felt the light disappear and shivered as his Clanmates shared tongues around him.
“They must have been rogues.” Brambleclaw’s tail flicked against the ground beneath Highledge.
“But Spiderleg said there were Clanscents among them,” Firestar pointed out.
Sandstorm shifted beside her mate. “Have the other Clans formed an alliance against us?”
“Why would they?” Jayfeather heard tension in the ThunderClan leader’s growl.
Graystripe must have heard it too. “It’s something we should be prepared for,” he cautioned gently.
Despair pressed at the edges of Firestar’s thoughts. Jayfeather felt him push it away. “Then we will be prepared.” Firestar shifted his paws. “Brambleclaw, organize more patrols in the daytime. And make sure the borders are checked at moonhigh.”
Surprise sparked from Brambleclaw’s pelt. “You want the whole Clan to get involved in night patrols? Won’t that alarm them?”
“If the Clan faces danger, it should know.” Firestar’s tone was grim.
Jayfeather let his attention drift away and sweep the rest of the Clan. He felt a stab of pain prick from his brother’s pelt. Lionblaze was eating a mouse, flinching with every mouthful as the wounds on his cheek stung. You chose to get hurt!But Jayfeather’s irritation with Lionblaze’s decision faded in a flash. He understood why his brother had tried to veer from the path he’d been given.
Claws scraped the ground. Briarlight was hauling herself toward him, her powerful forepaws digging hard into the earth. “I’m going to my nest,” she told Jayfeather as she passed.
She’s very tired.With a prickle of concern, he sensed weariness in her broken body. “I’ll come, too.”
Irritation flashed from her pelt. “I can manage!”
“I know,” Jayfeather replied. “But I’m sleepy.”
He nosed into the medicine den after her. “Why are you so tired?” He tried to hide concern from his mew.
“Millie thought of a new exercise for me.” Briarlight yawned. “She and Whitewing hoisted me up to a low branch sticking out of the beech and I hung on with my forepaws for as long as I could.”
“That sounds tough.” Jayfeather was impressed.
“It was good to feel the breeze on my belly,” Briarlight mewed.
“If you keep trying, you may be able to haul yourself right up onto the branch.”
“I’m going to practice until I can.” Briarlight tipped herself over the edge of her nest and slithered inside.
Jayfeather crossed the den, stopping when he felt the twigs of her nest poke his forelegs. “Comfortable?” He leaned down and tugged moss up around her, secretly feeling for any fever with his muzzle. She felt cool, her muscles limp with fatigue. Satisfied, he leaned back. “Sleep well, Briarlight.”
“Are you okay?” Briarlight’s question surprised him. “It seems like there’s something on your mind.”
“It’s nothing,” he lied. “I’m just tired.” He turned away and padded to his nest. He felt Briarlight watching him for a moment, then heard her rustle deeper into her bed. Climbing into his own pile of soft moss, Jayfeather circled down and tucked his tail over his nose.
The Dark Forest flashed in his mind. Eyes blinked from the shadows. He imagined the army massing beyond his vision.
Borage leaves cure fever. Catmint cures greencough.He began listing remedies in his head to block out the nightmarish thoughts. Dock soothes scratches. Feverfew cools fever.
“Can’t StarClan guide you?”
Mapleshade’s sneer flooded his thoughts. Comfrey mends broken bones.
“We shall taste victory soon!”
He could still feel where Hawkfrost had shoved him into the mud. Mouse bile treats ticks.
“All the power of the stars in your paws?”
Jayfeather flattened his ears as though he could block out the memory of Tigerstar’s jibe.
Marigold stops infection. Coltsfoot eases breathing. Poppy seed soothes pain and shock and brings sleep.Jayfeather fixed his thoughts on the neatly stacked herbs lining the wall of his store, repeating their names over and over until the words grew hazy and jumbled and he slipped into sleep.
When he blinked open his eyes, he could see dense green forest crowded around him, thick with familiar scents. I’m dreaming.Birchfall and Spiderleg’s musky odor still clung to the bushes they must have passed on patrol. This was ThunderClan territory. Jayfeather looked up and saw stars twinkling beyond the canopy of leaves. An owl screeched nearby and branches shivered as it swooped through the forest.
The ferns behind Jayfeather rustled. He turned, tasting the air. “Dovewing? Is that you?”
The young gray she-cat slid out from between the fronds.
“Dovewing?” A second mew echoed Jayfeather’s. Lionblaze was padding along the trail toward him.
The three cats stared at one another uncertainly.
“How did I get here?” Dovewing glanced at the trees. “I was in my nest.”
“Me too.” Lionblaze halted beside Jayfeather.
“We’re dreaming,” Jayfeather explained.
Lionblaze frowned. “So you’re in my dream?”
“We’re sharing one.”
“Why?” Dovewing peered through the shadows.
Jayfeather nodded toward the short steep slope beside them. A hole yawned in the earth, and the scent of stone and water, of endless dark tunnels, drifted out. “I think we’re supposed to go down there.”
“Are you sure?” Lionblaze sounded doubtful.
Dovewing padded forward and sniffed the tunnel entrance. “Why else would our dream bring us to this part of the forest?” She padded inside and was swallowed up by the shadows.
“Wait.” Lionblaze was staring hard at Jayfeather. “You looked at the tunnel like you could actually see it.”
“I can,” Jayfeather answered evenly.
“How?” Lionblaze’s eyes widened.
“I always see in dreams.”
“So you know what I look like?” The idea seemed to shock the golden warrior.
Jayfeather narrowed his eyes. “You looked better when you weren’t covered in scratches.”
Lionblaze flicked his tail. “I’ll heal.” He ducked into the hole after Dovewing.
Jayfeather darted after them, pushing past his Clanmates in the crowded space. “I’ll lead,” he told them. “I’m used to the dark.” The floor of the tunnel was damp and muddy beneath his paws. It turned to freezing stone as he headed deeper into blackness. His pads began to ache with cold. He let his whiskers guide him along the twists of the jagged walls. “Are you two okay?” he called over his shoulder.
“Fine.” Lionblaze’s mew echoed from the stone. “Dovewing?”
“I’m right on your heels,” she answered.
Lionblaze’s muzzle touched Jayfeather’s tail-tip. “Do you know where you’re going?”
“No.” But Jayfeather felt sure-pawed as he led them farther into the tunnels. Curiosity was tempting him onward. Behind him, he heard Lionblaze tasting the air, his tongue flicking against his lips. The warrior’s mind was crowding with images of claws and blood.
“There are no WindClan cats here this time,” Jayfeather promised.
“Listen!” Dovewing halted. Fear flashed from her pelt.
Jayfeather pricked his ears. The sound of water rippled ahead of them, echoing around stone walls. Jayfeather felt his brother’s pelt slide past him as Lionblaze rushed ahead.
“I know where we are!” Lionblaze called.
Jayfeather caught up to him. Light silhouetted the warrior’s broad shoulders as the narrow tunnel beyond him opened into a wide cavern. Moonlight was seeping through a hole overhead, lighting the tall stone walls and glinting on the fast-flowing stream that cut the wide, sandy floor in two.
Dovewing padded out of the tunnel, blinking. She stopped at the edge of the stream and touched it with one paw. The black water flowed around her claws.
“You came.”
She leaped back as a voice rasped from high above them. Jayfeather jerked his head up to the ledge that jutted from the wall of the cavern. The moon illuminated a grotesque tom crouching on the stone, hairless and white-eyed, his pale skin wrinkled, his blind eyes bulging.
“What is it?” Dovewing squeaked.
Jayfeather flicked his tail. “It’s Rock.” He gazed up at the Ancient cat. After such a long silence, why had he summoned them now? Anger flared in his belly. The last time Rock had appeared, it had been to tell him to let Flametail drown. Jayfeather glared up at Rock, ears flat.
“You made me leave Flametail in the lake! Did you want the other Clans to think I was a murderer?”
Rock met his gaze boldly, almost as though he could see Jayfeather’s bristling pelt. “What does it matter?” he hissed. “I couldn’t let you die trying to change another cat’s destiny!” The ugly cat curled his lip, his sightless gaze taking in all three of them. “Why do you keep straying from the paths we laid down for you?” Rage cracked his mew.
Jayfeather’s paws trembled. What did Rock mean?
“Who is this?” Lionblaze whispered.
Dovewing was staring up at Rock, frozen in horror. “Is he from StarClan?”
Rock growled. “Not StarClan! This was my home before StarClan was ever dreamed of.”
Jayfeather could feel confusion sparking from his brother. “How do you know this cat?” Lionblaze murmured as he peered up at Rock.
Rock leaned over the lip of the ledge, his head weaving from side to side like a snake about to strike. “Jayfeather and I have known each other for moons,” he snarled.
“Can he see us?” Dovewing’s gaze fixed on Rock’s bloated, white eyes.
Rock straightened up, his tail flicking ominously. “I never realized your companions were so mouse-brained. I summon them in a dream and they stand around asking questions like kits on their first day out of the nursery.”
Jayfeather stepped forward. “You summonedus?”
Rock blinked at him. “Did you think you were the only cat with power over other cats’ dreams?” Sneering, he showed his teeth. “You idiots!” Suddenly stretching onto his paw tips, Rock arched his back, spitting.
Lionblaze drew himself up in response, his tail bushing up, claws scraping against the rock.
“Just listen to him,” Jayfeather warned in a whisper.
“This is all your fault!” Rock yowled. “You are the Three. If you had never been born, the Dark Forest would not have risen!”
Jayfeather stiffened in shock. “We never asked to be born!”
“But you were!” Rock spat. “You fulfilled a prophecy written at the beginning of time and gave power to enemies who should long since have faded from the memories of all cats!” He paced the tiny ledge, twisting like a cornered rat, back and forth, his skin rippling with anger. “Now, because of your existence, the Clans face their darkest moment.” He froze suddenly, leaning forward from the ledge. “You Clan cats hold memories too long! You remember dead warriors and dwell on old enemies, passing on stories of battles that should be left behind, not picked over like rotting carcasses!”
Jayfeather swallowed, bristling with indignation that Rock should scorn the Clan’s heritage.
“The Clans have brought this battle upon themselves,” Rock snarled. “You bear grudges too long and refuse to let go of cats so cruel and unnatural they deserve to be forgotten! You keep them alive in your memories and let them find kindred spirits at the edges of StarClan where no star dares shine.” He shook his head, his spine softening. “Why couldn’t you just let them fade into the past?”
“Like you?” Dovewing stepped forward, hackles up. “Do you wish you’d been left to fade?”
Jayfeather tried to hook her back with a paw, but Dovewing pushed past him, her claws curling over the edge of the stream as she gazed unblinking up at Rock.
Rock sat down. “Even me,” he croaked quietly.
Jayfeather felt a rush of indignation. How could Rock blame them? “We thought we were doing the right thing by honoring our ancestors.”
“It was forged into the destiny of the Clans.” Rock’s shoulders drooped. “That you should remember those lost to you.”
Lionblaze lifted his chin. “It has made us strong.”
“And now it has become your greatest threat.” Rock shook his head. “We always knew this moment would come. Without darkness there is no light, and now the darkness between the stars is rising up to banish the light forever.” He thrust his muzzle forward, eyes widening once more. “You were our only hope, the Three joined with the fourth!”
Jayfeather swished his tail. “We still are!”
“Really?” Rock looked straight down at him, white eyes shining in the gloom. “Then why has each of you given up before the battle has begun?”
Dovewing flinched away from the stream and slunk back to join the others. Lionblaze dropped his gaze. Before he had time to guess what his Clanmates were thinking, guilt jabbed at Jayfeather’s belly. “The Tribe of Endless Hunting told me that we weren’t enough!” He flung the words at Rock. He hadn’t lost faith without reason! “They told us we couldn’t do it alone; that we needed a fourth cat.”
“And have you found this fourth cat?” Rock hissed.
Jayfeather shrunk back. “We didn’t know where to look.”
Rock cut him off. “You’ve gossiped and guessed. There’s no time for that! Find this cat! Choose your destiny! That is the Clan’s last hope!”
The moonlight suddenly flickered as though clouds were passing over the hole in the roof, and Jayfeather noticed eyes blinking from the darkness below Rock’s ledge. Cats were crouched there, watching. Jayfeather crept closer to the stream and tasted the air. These weren’t StarClan cats. The scent of endless sky and wind-scorched stone clung to their fur, as though they came from more ancient times. Were these Rock’s Clanmates? Jayfeather stiffened as he tasted one scent among the others that made his heart quicken. Half Moon!
Now he could see her pale white pelt among the others. And then he noticed another shape, much larger than the others. A badger ambled forward out of the shadow.
Dovewing pressed against Jayfeather, her eyes sparking with surprise. “Is that Midnight?” she whispered. “From the nursery stories?”
Jayfeather nodded.
Lionblaze nudged his shoulder. “Who are the others?”
Jayfeather gazed at Half Moon. “They are Ancient cats.” Looking closer, he recognized Broken Shadow and Owl Feather among less familiar pelts. “Some are from the Tribe from long ago.”
“We have waited long.” Midnight’s rumbling growl sounded across the stream. The old badger’s round, black eyes fixed on Dovewing. “Learn who to trust. It is heart that knows truth.” She turned her wide, striped head toward Lionblaze. “Don’t close eyes and wait for path to choose you. Choose path and follow it.”
Jayfeather leaned forward, waiting to hear the words Midnight would share with him.
“You!” He flinched as her gaze pierced him. “When all cats have closed eyes, we gave the gift of sight to the cat who is blind. You see more than most, but look inside, too. See your own strength.”
Was that it? See your own strength.Frustration shot through Jayfeather. “Stop talking in riddles. Tell us how to save the Clans! At least, tell us who the fourth cat is!”
Rock growled from the ledge. “We have seen your weakness. Do you want us to make you weaker?” With a shove of his paw, he sent grit and stone showering down. Two pale shards—like broken bones—thudded onto the earth below. “You haven’t tried hard enough!” he snapped.
Jayfeather hardly heard him. His attention was fixed on the pieces of wood that had fallen from the ledge. He darted forward and leaped over the stream, weaving between the Ancient cats until he was standing beside the scattering of debris.
My stick!
His heart quickened as he saw the twin halves of the ancient branch. In the watery moonlight, he could still see the scratches that had recorded the lives and deaths of so many cats lost in the tunnels countless moons ago.
“All those brave warriors!” Rock hissed down to him. “They took their chance in the darkness and found their way back to the light.”
Jayfeather gazed at the half scratches etched in the wood. “Some didn’t,” he murmured. He felt Broken Shadow flinch beside him. Fallen Leaves’s death was marked there.
More grit showered down as Rock peered over the ledge. “But they tried!”
Broken Shadow moved closer. “So many cats have waited for you,” she whispered.
“Since before the dawn of the Clans!” Rock added.
Jayfeather looked up and saw Half Moon staring at him. “What gives you the right to abandon us?” she pleaded, and he saw many lifetimes of sorrow in her eyes. Jayfeather felt hackles rising around him. He backed away as growls rumbled in the throats of the Ancients. A screech rang around the cave.
“How dare you abandon us?”
Jayfeather sprang back across the stream and crouched beside Lionblaze. The Ancients were advancing on them, pelts bristling, eyes flaming.
“Would you let us all die again?” Rock screeched from the ledge.
Water washed Jayfeather’s paws. He jerked back but only splashed deeper into wetness. Was the stream flooding? Panic rose as he looked down. The river had broken its banks and was washing the cave floor, but it wasn’t black anymore. It was red.
Blood!It streamed around Jayfeather’s paws, drenching his fur. He swallowed back a yowl of terror. This is all my fault!Jayfeather blinked open his eyes and found himself blind and awake. His pelt was spiked with fear; his heart pounded so hard it seemed to shake his whole body.
Find the fourth cat!Rock’s voice wailed in his ear. Find the fourth cat!
第九章
第九章
“不，不是这样！”黄蜂条大喊道。
鸽翅赶紧转身看着他，紧紧抓住树枝，防止自己从树上掉下来。“你让我爬，我是在爬啊！”她生气地喊道。怎么我做什么都不对呢？
“不是爬树干。”黄蜂条沿着一根粗大的橡树枝向她走去。“战斗中，如果每只猫都来爬树干，那可就乱套了。”他扬起鼻子，看准头顶上方两尾高处的树枝，蹲伏下来，猛然一跃，然后使劲儿用前脚掌抓住，将自己拉了上去。“该你了。”他透过褐黄色树叶看着鸽翅。
鸽翅阴沉着脸，蹲下身，然后收紧肌肉猛地一跳，紧紧抓住了上方的树枝。她摇了摇尾巴，灵活敏捷地落在黄蜂条身旁。“这次好多了吧？”她不服气地哼道。
黄蜂条看着被她弄得纷纷向地上飘落的树叶。“看来你真的需要瞄准光秃秃的树枝。”他建议道，“如果你每次移动都撒落一堆树叶到敌人头上，那他们就知道你在树上了。”
鸽翅闭着嘴，以免自己冲这只傲慢的毛球咆哮起来。我简直无法相信，我居然会觉得我们之间有超越朋友关系的可能！再次见到虎心，让她更加清楚地意识到，如果她做出了那样的选择，将会是多么愚蠢。我喜欢过你，只是因为你是一只雷族猫。虎心才不会在乎她是否爬树干，是否碰掉了很多叶子。他是武士，不是事儿精！
他们一上午都在练习树战，鸽翅又热又累。“我们为什么要练习这个呀？”她朝黑莓掌嘟囔道，“什么猫要爬上树去打仗啊？又不是松鼠族！”
黄蜂条警告地瞪了她一眼。“闭嘴！”他嘶吼道。
但黑莓掌已经开始在那根细细的花楸树树枝上走动了。在他的重量压迫之下，树枝一颤一颤的。蟾步吓得皮毛直立，只好紧紧抓住树枝。黑莓掌跳起来，轻松地在树枝之间穿越。他落下时，粗壮的橡树几乎纹丝不动。“我知道有些猫不喜欢树战训练，”他说着沿树枝朝鸽翅这边走来，“但它让雷族比其他族群多了一个优势。如果我们能从他们上方穿越我们的领地，攻击他们的话，他们肯定会大吃一惊。”
鸽翅转了转眼睛：“我明白啦。可黄蜂条弄得我好像从来就没爬过树似的。每次我出错，他都要指出来，就好像我自己没注意到似的。”
黄蜂条低头盯着自己的脚掌：“我只是想帮助你。”
黑莓掌摇摇尾巴：“黄蜂条很好的。他对你很耐心，鸽翅。”
“耐心？”鸽翅反问道，他恨不能每个动作都批评她，“我们能不能练习下落进攻，然后去狩猎啊？”
“她可以练习下落进攻了吗？”黑莓掌问黄蜂条。
“也许吧。”黄蜂条耸了耸耳朵，“看过她的爬树技巧，我觉得她最好再练一下怎么从树上落下来。”
鸽翅怒视着他。“好！”她气呼呼地说道，“那我再练练爬树！”说着，她皮毛竖立着跃上了一根更高的树枝，然后继续往上跳，直到透过下方树叶，看到黑莓掌和黄蜂条变成了两团皮毛。再也听不见黄蜂条的吹毛求疵了，她终于松了一口气，凝望着远处的森林。自从那晚跟虎心见面之后，她再也没来过这么高的地方。从这里，她能看见那晚他们追逐奔跑过的那个山坡。它看上去是那么遥远。她真不敢相信，他们一晚上竟然跑了那么远。
她竖起耳朵，影族的声音从边界传来。鸽翅身子一顿，认真地听了起来。
“去雷族营地做什么？”她听出来这是鼠痕的吼叫声，“火星会找借口指责我们的。”
黑星回答道：“他爱找多少借口随他意，只要他知道这事就行。”
“他应该感激我们没把狮焰变成鸦食。”鼠痕嘟囔道。
“影族！”鸽翅朝下面的族猫嘶吼道。
下方枝叶间，黑莓掌抬头看了过来：“在哪里？”
“正朝我们营地走来！”鸽翅赶紧往下爬。她从一根树枝滑到另一根，最后落在了黑莓掌和黄蜂条身旁。
黄蜂条动了动耳朵：“我没听见他们的声音。”
“这里树叶太密了。”鸽翅急忙说道，“上面听得更清楚。”
黑莓掌摇摇尾巴：“肯定是来攻打我们的！”
“不是！”鸽翅脑子转得飞快。她怎么才能不用暴露自己的秘密力量，解释清楚他们是来找火星谈谈，而不是来攻打营地呢？“听声音只有几只猫，而且他们也没有刻意掩饰动静。”
鸽翅听到影族的队伍已经过了老橡树：“如果我们快点儿，就能赶到他们之前到达营地。”
“我们应该先去找到他们，”蟾步咆哮道，“然后把他们带到营地。”
鸽翅朝营地摆了摆尾巴：“我们要不要先通知火星？”
黑莓掌伸缩着爪子。“你说得对。”他回头看向森林，“还是让他们自己找路去山谷吧。”说完，他便抄近路穿过一块空地，绕过训练场，直奔营地。
鸽翅更努力地听着。影族猫不再说话，但她能听到他们朝营地进发的脚步声。她加快步伐，紧紧地跟着黑莓掌。黑莓掌走在最前面，尾巴在灌木丛中时隐时现的。蟾步则在后面大步跑动着，树叶在他脚掌下被踩得嘎吱作响。
他们刚进入山谷，鸽翅便听见身后蕨丛中传来一阵响动。她转过身，看见鼠痕和虎心出现在了坡顶，鼬爪站在他俩身旁，眼睛里闪着亮光。
黑星从他们身后走了出来，俯视着下面的雷族武士：“我是来找火星的。”
黑莓掌点点头，摇摇尾巴示意他们过来。
火星已经收拾好顺滑的皮毛，在高石台下昂首以待。鸽翅快步绕过空地，跑到族长身旁悄声说道：“他们是来谈跟狮焰冲突的事情的。”
“谢谢你，鸽翅。”看到黑星在空地中间站定，火星动了一下脚掌，昂起下巴喊道：“狮焰！”
狮焰从武士巢穴走了出来，双眼微眯。他身上战斗的伤痕依然清晰可见，口鼻处还挂着干了的血迹。他的目光扫过黑星，又看向火星：“他们想干什么？”
黑星咆哮道：“你知道是为什么！”
火星向前一步：“狮焰越界挑起了争斗。”
鼠痕撇了撇嘴：“他们至少还承认了。”
“雷族武士从不说谎，”火星平静地告诉他，“也不会为自己的错误寻找借口。”他绿色的眸子看着狮焰。
鸽翅感觉到了气氛的紧张，她尽量不去看虎心，而是将目光转向黑星。可是，虎心那光滑的深棕色皮毛却始终在她眼前闪动，诱惑着她。
火星抖了抖尾巴，皱着眉头看着狮焰：“嗯？”
狮焰伸出爪子又缩了回去。“对不起。”他小声说道。
黑星的脑袋歪向一边。“看你的样子，我一点儿也不惊讶你会难过。”他转向火星，“鼠痕是位优秀的武士，但他没想到狮焰会这么不经打。”
“就像打一位学徒那么容易。”鼠痕讥讽道。
狮焰平贴起了耳朵，鸽翅听见金毛武士的喉咙里发出一声低吼。
黑星绕着自己的族猫转着圈。“现在可不是发脾气的时候。”他冲火星威胁地吼道。
火星也向前一步，竖起了皮毛。“现在也不是你们随意威胁的好时机，后果你们可承担不起。”他毫不畏惧地迎着影族武士的目光，“我想你们可以走了。”
“你必须命令你的武士离我们领地远一点儿。”黑星回敬道。
“我只越过一次边界。”狮焰嘶吼道。
“还有另一只雷族猫的气味。”鼬爪突然说道。
鸽翅心里一惊。我得再小心点儿！她偷偷瞥了一眼虎心。虎心正低头看着自己的脚掌。
火星耳朵一动：“你确定你的族猫不是把兔子错认成了武士？”
黑星的目光瞥向狮焰：“如果真是那样，那我们的武士也就太白痴了。”
“你是说我是兔子……”
火星打断了狮焰。“你们该走了。”他命令黑星，“需要带路吗？”
“越界的事情怎么说？”黑星站着没动。
“不会再有雷族武士越过你们的边界。”火星告诉他。
黑星甩了甩尾巴。“很好。”他转身朝荆棘通道走去，“不必麻烦，我们自己能找到回去的路。”
鸽翅看着虎心跟上了影族族长。经过她身旁时，他的目光与她的目光交汇。她赶紧看向别处，感觉身体发烫。
等影族队伍消失了，黄蜂条穿过空地问道：“你还想去狩猎吗？”
鸽翅眨眨眼睛：“什么？”
“你说过想在树战训练结束后去狩猎。”
“有吗？”鸽翅盯着入口处。虎心钻过的地方，荆棘丛还在颤动着。
黄蜂条的皮毛沿着背脊起伏着：“我们出去的时候，可以确认一下那些影族猫是否已经离开了我们的领地。”
鸽翅将目光从荆棘那儿收回。“我们叫上狐跃吧。”她可不想单独跟黄蜂条去狩猎，否则他又会对她的追踪技巧百般挑剔了，“喂，狐跃！”
棕色武士刚从入口那边回到山谷，他抖了抖尾巴：“什么事？”
“我们要去狩猎，”鸽翅喊道，“你要不要一起去啊？”
狐跃眯起了双眼：“我想去确认一下黑星是否已经出了边界。”
黄蜂条伸出爪子：“我们可以顺便去看看。”
梅花落穿过空地。“我也去，”她怒吼道，“趁着影族猫的气味还没从我的舌头上散去。”
黄蜂条走向荆棘通道，梅花落从他身边跑过，率先冲出了营地，狐跃也追了上去。鸽翅停下脚步，空地上还残留着虎心的气息。
“快点儿！”狐跃摇动尾巴示意她。
她赶紧追了上去。等她钻出荆棘通道，黄蜂条、狐跃和梅花落已经开始朝山坡上跑去。
“我们要去影族边界，”黄蜂条回头喊道，“你去吗？”
“我要去山毛榉树林那边看看，万一他们在森林里迷路了呢。”鸽翅很高兴能有机会独行。
“嘘！”接骨木丛里传来的一声响动，吓了她一跳。
鸽翅嗅了嗅空气。“虎心！”她心里一惊，赶紧转身去看四周有没有族猫。
“没事。”虎心从接骨木丛里钻了出来，“他们都忙着去追黑星了，我专门回来找你。”
“你怎么知道我会从山谷里出来呢？”
虎心胡须抖动：“直觉。”
鸽翅耳朵平贴了起来。“你就那么肯定我会跟出来？”她生气地说道。
“我并不是每天都能找到理由来雷族领地的。”虎心耸耸肩，“所以我们应该充分利用这个机会。”他明亮的眸子变得温柔起来：“我一直都在想你。”
鸽翅将头靠在他肩膀上：“我也是。”
“我不能待太久。”虎心越过她的头顶，朝她身后看去，“我告诉他们，想来检查一下气味，看能否找到跟在边界发现的气味吻合的。”
鸽翅目光低垂：“我们不能再犯那样的错误了。如果族群之间爆发了战斗，我们要见面就更难了。”
“下次我们到边界以外的地方见面。”
“两脚兽巢穴？”
虎心点点头：“你今晚能来吗？”
鸽翅用口鼻蹭了蹭他的下巴，兴奋得脚掌发麻：“我争取在午夜前到那里。”
“太好了。”虎心从她身边退开，开始朝树林里走去，“我都等不及了。”他又回头看了她一眼，深邃的琥珀色目光让她的心荡漾起来。
虎心在树林间越走越远，鸽翅兴奋得浑身颤抖。
“你闻见影族猫的气味了吗？”她身旁的蕨丛一阵晃动，黄蜂条钻了出来。
鸽翅努力掩饰着心里的吃惊。“嗯，是的。”她变换了一下脚掌，“他们肯定是从这边走的。”
黄蜂条皱着眉头说道：“可我觉得我一路追着他们去了边界呀。”
“或许他们在这里拐了个弯，你没注意到。”鸽翅耸了耸耳朵，想要装得漠不关心。“现在他们已经走了，”她嗅了嗅空气，品味着空气中渐渐消散的虎心的气味，“气味已经不新鲜了。”
黄蜂条皱着鼻子。“典型的影族风格。”他咆哮道，“做事从来都不光明磊落，来营地也只是为了炫耀他们打败了狮焰而已。”
“影族猫一直就是狐狸心肠。”鸽翅低头看着自己的脚掌。而且还很英俊。她抬起头，惊讶地发现黄蜂条目光中满是担忧。
“对不起。”他突然开口说道，尾巴拂过地面。
“对不起什么？”
“树战训练的时候那么挑剔你。”
鸽翅早就忘了。“啊，”她用尾尖碰碰他的肩膀，“没事，我也有做得不对的地方。”
黄蜂条眼睛一亮：“确实是。”
“嘿！”鸽翅顽皮地用脚掌打了他一下。
黄蜂条咕噜着躲开了：“我们现在还去狩猎吗？”
“好啊。”虎心现在肯定已经到边界了。但为了确保万无一失，鸽翅带着黄蜂条朝相反方向的森林深处走去。“我们看看能在山毛榉树林附近找到什么。”
“快来！”鸽翅从星光点点的两脚兽巢穴的横梁上跳下来，“我们顺着河狸路走。”
虎心落在她旁边：“河狸路？”
“就是我们去大坝时走的那条路。”
虎心眨了眨眼睛：“感觉好像是很久以前的事情了！我那时候刚刚成为武士。现在的我，感觉自己像是变了一只猫，但有一点儿没有变。我想你明白我的意思吧。”他若有所思地眯起了眼睛。
鸽翅完全能体会到他的感受。那个时候，她也是才刚刚得知自己是三力量之一，还没有意识到那将会如何影响自己的命运。现在，整个族群的命运都依赖着我。想到这里，她不禁心下一紧，努力不去想黑森林和即将到来的战斗。她现在只想在这里，好好跟虎心独处。“下个落叶季，你或许就已经生活在雷族了。”她轻声道，这个想法让她感觉很温暖，“我们或许还会有自己的孩子。”
虎心从她身旁挪开身体，冷空气向她袭来。“哦！”他侧眼看着她，却没有停下步伐，“现在这些都不重要，是吗？”他的声音很轻，但他的话却像利爪一样，从她的心头抓过。
“当……当然不。”她都胡言乱语了些什么呀？如果虎心还没准备好，那没关系。只当武士就已经很棒了！
她耳朵突然一动。有声音？她更仔细地听，发现在他们下方很远的地方，有脚步声正穿过雷族领地。或许是火星安排了夜间巡逻。她努力想要辨认出是哪些猫，可那些声音听上去都很陌生，而且，他们都怒气冲冲的。
“来吧！”虎心用尾巴碰了一下她的侧腹，便冲入黑暗之中，“我们来赛跑！”
“你会输的！”她朝他追去，脚下的树叶四散开来。她疾步飞驰着，身边的森林模糊了起来，只有土地在她脚下咚咚响着，还有虎心的皮毛在几尾远处若隐若现。“我会抓住你的！”她大喊道。血液涌进了她的耳朵，淹没了雷族领地的低语声。应该没事儿吧。就一晚上没有她，族猫们肯定能应付得了，对吧？
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
“Lionblaze! Quick!”
Lionblaze jerked his head as Jayfeather’s hiss woke him. He sat up in his nest, blinking in the pale dawn light of the warriors’ den. The dream was still vivid in his mind: the cavern, the blind tom, and the ghostly Ancients. He hauled himself out of his nest and padded, paws numb, out of the den. He shivered as he looked around for Jayfeather.
“Lionblaze.” Jayfeather darted from beside the warriors’ den. “We have to talk about the dream.”
Lionblaze nodded toward the apprentices’ den. “Is Dovewing awake?”
“I just woke her.”
As Jayfeather spoke, Dovewing crept from the den, her eyes bleary with sleep.
“Come on.” Jayfeather hurried toward the thorn tunnel with Dovewing close behind. Lionblaze scampered after them.
Jayfeather rounded a bend in the trail and stopped beside a bramble. Lionblaze halted beside him and glanced over his shoulder.
Dovewing’s eyes were bright. She was fully awake now. “So we didall share the dream?”
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!”
Lionblaze curled his tail over his back. “Since before the dawn of the Clans!”
“We need to concentrate on what happens now!”Jayfeather insisted, flexing 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.”
“It’s not Ivypool.” Dovewing twitched her tail. “I’ve asked her.”
“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.
“I don’t know.” Dovewing sighed. “It could be a warrior from another Clan.”
“Why don’t we ask Firestar to make an announcement at the next Gathering?” Jayfeather muttered sarcastically. “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.”
“He’s not kin of Firestar’s kin,” Jayfeather pointed out.
“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 dens 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 muzzle, his eyes still blurry with sleep. Spiderleg stopped to stretch as he emerged from the warriors’ den. On the other side of the clearing, Ferncloud poked 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?”
She kept her eyes fixed ahead. “You were murmuring in your sleep. Bad dreams?”
“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 stiffen 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 glistening. “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.
Hollyleaf was stretching at the entrance. The stiffening wind ruffled her fur.
“Come on.” Lionblaze nudged her shoulder with his nose. “Let’s go hunting.”
Hollyleaf straightened up, stifling a yawn. “Who else is on the patrol?”
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 reassured him.
“I know.” Lionblaze scrambled 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 shards of light as it rippled with the wind. Dying leaves swirled 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 beech 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 apprentice again, out in the forest with his littermate, his thoughts on nothing but his first catch. He pushed hard against the grass, almost skidding as he hurtled after Hollyleaf. Hollyleaf veered sideways as they reached the stream and leaped into the middle of the wide, shallow outlet, splashing through the water like an otter.
“Have you turned into a RiverClan cat?” Lionblaze yowled in surprise as she trotted confidently against the current.
Hollyleaf stopped and turned, whiskers twitching. “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 pelt.
Lionblaze followed, surprised by how soothing the water felt as it flowed around his paws. Hopping onto the bank beside Hollyleaf, he purred, “Race you to the beeches!”
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 blurred 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 lighting 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 lighter and stronger than their Clanmates. He spotted 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 glided 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 hind legs swung down as she gripped on with her forepaws.
“Be careful!” Lionblaze yelped as Hollyleaf swung perilously. A gust of wind made the trees swirl. “Hang on!”
“I’m okay!” Scrabbling with her hind legs, Hollyleaf dragged herself up onto the branch and stood triumphant, 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 shuddered. 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. Scrambling down backward, he zigzagged around the jutting 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 rustled. Lionblaze looked up.
Hollyleaf poked her head through the leaves with a squirrel dangling from her jaws. Purring, she jumped down beside him and dropped her catch. “So?” There was a challenge in her gaze. “Did I pass the assessment?”
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?”
“There’s a fourth cat.” Hollyleaf’s ears pricked as Lionblaze went on. “I think it could be you.”
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 torment. “Ashfur died because I was so angry that I stopped caring about what was right!”
Anguish stabbed Lionblaze’s belly. “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 stammered. “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.”
Hope flickered again in Lionblaze’s heart. “Isn’t that proof you’re the fourth cat?”
“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.
Lionblaze’s tail drooped. He couldn’t argue anymore.
“You and Jayfeather and Dovewing are special,” Hollyleaf went on. “If I have any destiny, it’s to protect you three so you can fulfill 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.”
CHAPTER 14
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 Gathering the moment she’d woken into the Place of No Stars. She had to represent ThunderClan. Applefur, who had proved herself worthy of full warrior status here, stood for ShadowClan, while Breezepelt—WindClan’s representative—shifted from one paw to another, eyeing Brokenstar warily.
“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 Clans 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?”
Sparrowfeather sat down, ears twitching. “What’s this meeting about?”
Darkstripe flashed him a warning look, then dipped his head to Brokenstar. “Sparrowfeather asks questions like a kit.” 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 warriors 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 killing blow.”
Applefur frowned. “Warriors don’t kill.”
Mapleshade whipped around. “Clan cats don’t kill but they’re not real warriors,” she hissed. “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 uncertainty in Applefur’s voice.
Shut up!Ivypool glared at her. Why creep into a fox’s den, then complain about the smell?
Hawkfrost’s blue eyes glinted in the half-light. “We recognized your need for better training. It led us to you.”
Mapleshade’s whiskers twitched. “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 gratitude.
“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 flexed like waves beneath his pelt, 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.”
Breezepelt puffed out his chest. “I’m ready for anything!”
“Good.” Brokenstar’s whiskers twitched. “There are difficult times ahead but loyalty 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 amber gaze blazed like a scorching sun. Ivypool narrowed her eyes against it.
“Our enemies,”Brokenstar growled. “Our courage will be tested but we will be ready.”
“Enemies?” Beetlewhisker stretched his muzzle forward, eyes puzzled. “What enemies?”
Mapleshade blinked at him. “Don’t you know yet?” She flicked 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 bristled. “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!”
Tigerstar’s eyes flashed. “The weak should be left to fend for themselves.”
Beetlewhisker blinked. “But that’s the opposite of everything the warrior code teaches us!”
Brokenstar lowered his head and spoke quietly. “The warrior code teaches you how to be weak.”
“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 rogues because of you. They’re frightened by our nighttime visits to their territory. I don’t want to be part of that.” His voice softened. “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 flattened. “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?”
Beetlewhisker lashed his tail. “Not as dumb as you hoped! I’m going, and you can’t stop me.”
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 growl started low and grew louder, sharpening into a screech. 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 spurting from his nose. “StarClan help me!”
“You think StarClan listens to what happens here?” Brokenstar hissed. He lunged again and clamped his jaws around Beetlewhisker’s neck as though he were prey. 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 thumped 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 racing as she met Brokenstar’s gaze. Ivypool pressed against her reassuringly. 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.”
Ivypool’s chest tightened. How could he sympathize with these murderers?
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 rumors 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 steadily, she met his eyes. “My recruits will be ready when the battle comes,” she vowed. “We’re ready to kill every lake cat we meet.” She ignored Applefur’s wince 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.”
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
Dovewing sat in the entrance andpeered out of the den. The camp smelled of wet leaves. “It’s stopped raining.”
Ivypool stretched in her nest. “Is it clearing up?”
“Yes.” Clouds still streaked the sky but a brisk wind was sweeping them away. “It’ll be clear by the time we get there.” Dovewing’s whiskers twitched. There would be a Gathering after all. The past stormy days had left her restless. She hadn’t seen Tigerheart since the last moonlit night. StarClan, let him be at the Gathering.
Bumblestripe padded from the fresh-kill pile, a mouse in his jaws. “Hi, Dovewing.” He dropped it at her paws. “I thought you might be hungry.”
She pushed the mouse away. “No, thanks.”
Bumblestripe tipped his head. “Are you sure? It’s a long way to the island. I’m starving already.”
“Then go and eat something,” Dovewing meowed. On the other side of the clearing, Firestar was emerging from his den. “We’ll be leaving soon.” Dovewing glanced at Ivypool. “You look better for your rest.” At least the bad weather had meant the Clan had been confined to camp and Ivypool had been able to catch up on sleep. “Perhaps Brambleclaw will change his mind.”
The ThunderClan deputy hadn’t chosen Ivypool for the Gathering. When Dovewing had begged him to let her littermate join the patrol, he’d shaken his head. “She’s been looking tired for moons. Perhaps Jayfeather should check her.”
“She’s fine,” Dovewing had quickly reassured him.
Ivypool turned in her nest. “I’d rather stay here and sleep.”
Dovewing blinked at her. Did she want to dream her way back into the Dark Forest already?
Ivypool’s gaze flicked toward Blossomfall and Birchfall as the warriors passed the den entrance. Then she closed her eyes. “Brambleclaw’s right,” she murmured. “I amtired.”
Dovewing ducked outside and crossed the clearing to where Lionblaze and Cloudtail were already waiting by the thorn tunnel. Foxleap sat beside them, while Cherrypaw patted playfully at Molepaw’s twitching tail.
“Wait for me.” Rosepetal hurried to catch up. “Bumblestripe’s trying to cram in an extra mouse before we leave.”
Dovewing snorted. “He’ll be as fat as Graystripe if he keeps eating like that.”
The pale gray warrior was rummaging through the fresh-kill pile, his black stripes like moon shadows across his pelt. Graystripe nosed in beside him. “Any good prey left?”
Bumblestripe hooked out a shrew and licked his lips. “This must have been hidden at the bottom.”
“You’d better offer it to Mousefur first,” Graystripe advised. “She loves shrew.”
Bumblestripe looked across to the honeysuckle bush. Mousefur was outside, washing her ears with a trembling forepaw. Bumblestripe held out the shrew, letting it dangle from a claw. “Are you hungry, Mousefur?”
She looked up, whiskers twitching. “Not really. I wish I still had a warrior’s appetite.”
Beside her, Purdy rolled onto his back and stretched. “Do you ever miss hunting?” he asked.
“As much as you’d miss talking if your tongue fell out,” Mousefur rasped.
Bumblestripe looked at the shrew, his eyes lighting up. “I guess it’s mine, then.”
Ferncloud marched from the nursery. “Brightheart would probably appreciate it more.” She nipped the shrew from his claw and carried it back to where Brightheart lay resting, her belly round in the moonlight. Bumblestripe’s tail drooped.
Dovewing purred and nudged Rosepetal. “Poor old Bumblestripe. Always first to the pile and last to get fed.”
Firestar jumped down from Highledge and gazed at the rising moon. “We should leave.” He glanced over his shoulder as Sandstorm landed beside him. “The break in the weather might not last long.”
Brambleclaw stretched beside the warriors’ den, then followed Firestar across the clearing. Cinderheart padded out of her den and stared wistfully at the thorn barrier.
Squirrelflight hopped out after her. “Are you going to the Gathering?”
Cinderheart shrugged. “Not tonight.”
“What about Jayfeather?” Lionblaze met Firestar as the ThunderClan leader reached the camp entrance. “Is he coming with us?” Jayfeather stood in the entrance to the medicine den, brambles draping his spine.
Firestar shook his head.
“But no Clan goes to a Gathering without their medicine cat,” Lionblaze objected.
Brambleclaw smoothed Lionblaze’s ruffled fur with a flick of his tail. “He’s not our medicine cat as far as the other Clans are concerned.”
Lionblaze growled. “I don’t like the other Clans telling us what to do.”
“Nor do I.” Firestar flexed his claws. “But this is not a battle worth fighting.”
Rosepetal stepped forward. “Couldn’t Cinderheart take his place? She used to be ThunderClan’s medicine cat.”
Cinderheart, still watching from the warriors’ den, pricked her ears.
“No.” Firestar dipped his head toward Cinderheart. “The Clans don’t need to know Cinderheart’s history until she decides for herself which path she must choose.”
To Dovewing’s surprise, Cinderheart looked relieved. Didn’t she want to return to her old role as medicine cat?
A gust of wind rattled the thornbush. “Let’s go.” Firestar pushed into the brambles. “There’s more rain coming. It may be a short Gathering.”
The patrol pounded up the slope as Firestar followed the trail to the forest’s edge. Pelts flashed between brambles. Dovewing’s paws slithered on wet leaves. As Blossomfall steadied her with a flick of her tail, a gray pelt caught the edge of her vision. Dovewing turned to see Bumblestripe fall in beside her, his feet skimming the ground as he matched her paw step for paw step. She pushed harder to pull ahead. The gray warrior seemed to be there every time she looked over her shoulder. She veered around a bramble, sliding across his path so he had to pull up and let her take the lead.
She reached the top of the slope before him and, breaking from the trees, stared down at the lake. Please, StarClan, let Tigerheart be there.The prayer pierced her heart, more an ache than a wish.
“Tired already?” Rosepetal pulled up beside her.
“I’mnot!” Blossomfall mewed as she pelted past them, skidding down the slope after her Clanmates.
Bumblestripe scrambled to a halt beside Dovewing and Rosepetal. “You nearly ran me into a tree!”
“You should watch where you’re going,” Dovewing growled. “I nearly tripped over you.” Muttering under her breath, she ran down the slope. “Clumsy mouse-brain.”
“Why do you have to be so mean to him?” Rosepetal’s whisper took Dovewing by surprise. “It’s not a crime, you know!”
“What isn’t?”
Rosepetal’s gaze darkened meaningfully as Bumblestripe raced past them.
“What?” Dovewing repeated. Why did Rosepetal look so angry?
“It’s obvious he likes you!” Rosepetal snapped. “You don’t have to keep biting his head off. He’s your Clanmate, not prey!”
Dovewing flattened her ears. Why should she feel bad? “Why do I have to tiptoe around him just because he likes me? It’s not my fault.”
Rosepetal looked sideways at her. “Do you enjoy hurting his feelings?”
“Of course not!” Guilt flashed under Dovewing’s pelt.
“Then apologize.”
Dovewing winced. Rosepetal was right. If Bumblestripe had feelings for her, it wasn’t fair to punish him for his attention. “Okay!” She pulled ahead, following Bumblestripe’s tracks through the grass. She bounded down the short slope onto the shore, landing on the pebbles a moment after Bumblestripe. He glanced over his shoulder and kept running.
“Wait!” Dovewing panted, pebbles spraying out behind.
Bumblestripe eased his pace enough for her to catch up. “What?” he growled.
“Look.” Dovewing tried to catch her breath but Bumblestripe was still running hard. “I’m sorry I snapped.”
Bumblestripe turned his head to look at her, his gaze hard as ice. “I’m tired of being used as your scratching post,” he hissed. “From now on sharpen your claws on someone else.”
Dovewing’s pelt pricked. “It’s not my fault!”
“I getit, okay?” He didn’t even look at her. He just kept running. “You don’t like me the same way I like you. I’ll get over it. I’m just disappointed you’re not the cat I thought you were.”
Dovewing bristled. How dare he say that to her? She gave everything to the Clan, and he wanted more! It wasn’t fair. She slowed, letting Bumblestripe pull ahead.
“So?” Rosepetal caught up to her.
“Thanks a lot,” Dovewing growled. “Next time I’ll let you apologize.”
“Is he angry?”
“Yes.” Dovewing lashed her tail. “And he’s not the only one.”
She raced after the patrol, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground and flattening her ears to the gossip of her Clanmates until they reached the tree-bridge that spanned the water between the shore and the island. Hanging back, she let her Clanmates cross first. As they filed across, she opened her mouth, hoping to catch a taste of Tigerheart. But the air was thick with scents from every Clan.
Dovewing nosed her way out of the grass. The clearing was swarming with pelts. Faces turned as ThunderClan padded out from the grass.
“Did he come?” Dovewing heard a ShadowClan apprentice whispering to his denmate.
Ears twitched as eyes scanned ThunderClan.
“Can you see him?”
“He wouldn’t dare!”
Dovewing stiffened. “Who are they talking about?” she whispered to Whitewing.
Whitewing lifted her chin and wove through a knot of warriors. “Jayfeather,” she meowed.
Dovewing followed her mother past the staring faces and halted beside Blossomfall and Squirrelflight. Firestar shouldered his way through in front of them, heading for the Great Oak. Brambleclaw joined Reedwhisker, Rowanclaw, and Ashfoot at the bottom, while Molepaw and Cherrypaw trotted over to sit with a cluster of apprentices at the edge of the clearing. Dovewing scanned the rows of faces, looking for Tigerheart.
Three medicine cats, Littlecloud, Kestrelflight, and Willowshine, were gathered below the oak. Dawnpelt paced in front of them, lashing her tail.
Dovewing glanced at Whitewing. “She looks like she wants Jayfeather to come so she can start a fight.”
She felt hot breath on her ear and turned to find Redwillow leaning close. “Murderers deserve to be punished!”
Dovewing turned on him, bristling. “Jayfeather is not a murderer!”
Pebblefoot stepped between them. “Why isn’t he here, then?” he challenged Dovewing. “Too guilty to show his whiskers?”
Dovewing glared at him. “You told him not to—”
Whitewing barged Pebblefoot away with her shoulder. “Stay close to your Clanmates, Dovewing,” she warned. “Some cats don’t seem to realize there’s a truce.” She glanced up at the round full moon hanging over the island. A cloud hung across it like a smear of cobweb.
Dovewing turned her back on Redwillow and Pebblefoot. She wasn’t going to be the one to make StarClan angry. “It’s not fair,” she hissed to Whitewing. “They tell Jayfeather not to come and then say it proves that he’s guilty!”
Whitewing smoothed Dovewing’s ruffled pelt with her tail. “They’re just trying to provoke us.”
“But why?” Didn’t they care about the truce? As anger boiled in her belly, Dovewing caught sight of two dark ear tips on the far side of the clearing. Lifting herself onto her haunches, she peered over the other cats. Tigerheart!
“Can I squeeze past, please?” Dapplenose was nosing her way through a cluster of ShadowClan cats.
Dovewing shuffled to make room for the RiverClan elder. “You can sit here, if you want.” She beckoned with a flick of her muzzle.
“Thank you.” Dapplenose sat beside her.
Dovewing closed her mouth to block out the stink of fish rising from the old cat’s pelt. “No problem,” she muttered between clenched teeth.
Silence swept the Clan as Blackstar lifted his muzzle and yowled, “Let the Gathering begin.” He gazed over the Clans from the wide, low branch of the Great Oak. “Thank you, Firestar.” He dipped his head to the ThunderClan leader.
Firestar narrowed his eyes.
Blackstar went on, “You have followed the wishes of the Clans and kept Jayfeather confined to camp until we discover the truth about Flametail’s death.”
Dawnpelt’s eyes flashed from beside Littlecloud, and she nodded importantly to show that she agreed.
Dovewing flexed her claws. Who made you leader of everyone?
Spiderleg rose on his haunches and called, “How will the truth be known?”
Littlecloud stepped forward. “We are waiting for StarClan to speak.” He glanced at Dawnpelt. “It’s a difficult situation for us all.”
Willowshine stood up. “None of us are comfortable with it.”
Dovewing tried to see Tigerheart. Was he feeling uncomfortable?
“Don’t stare!” Her mother’s hiss made her jump. “We don’t want to challenge ShadowClan!”
Flinching, Dovewing dragged her gaze back toward the leaders. Onestar had stepped forward, his tail curving over his back. “WindClan has had good hunting over the past moon. We are ready for the coming season.”
Mistystar nodded. “We, too. Greenleaf filled the lake with fish and there has been no illness in RiverClan.”
Firestar flicked his tail. “StarClan has blessed all the Clans this greenleaf.”
Dovewing saw unease flicker in his gaze for a moment before he blinked it away. This might be the last greenleaf the Clans would see.
Mistystar interrupted her thoughts. “RiverClan has had only one concern.” She tipped her head, her eyes questioning as she scanned the Clans. “There have been traces of rogues and loners appearing in our territory. No cat has been spotted, but there have been strange scents and paw prints.”
Dovewing froze, remembering all the nights she’d roamed with Tigerheart beyond the bounds of Clan territory. Had their scents drifted into enemy territory?
Mistystar twitched her tail. “And yet we have found no trails across our scent lines. It’s as if the cats simply appeared inside our territories.”
Whitewing leaned closer to Dovewing. “Perhaps the tunnels reach into RiverClan territory, too,” she whispered.
But Dovewing hardly heard her. Don’t let it be our scent!She drew her paws tighter under her. Hadn’t Spiderleg reported hearing strange cats on a night vigil? Brambleclaw had ordered moonhigh patrols. Was that our fault, too?
Firestar put his head on one side, his eyes sharp with interest. “We have also seen signs of rogue intruders.” His tail trembled. “They’ve come at night and we’ve set up extra patrols, but no cat has actually been seen.”
Onestar shifted his paws. “We’ve had strange scents, too,” he admitted.
Blackstar hunched his shoulders. “There have been rogues in ShadowClan’s forests as well.”
Firestar leaned forward. “Have you actually seenanything?”
Blackstar shook his head. “Just scents, broken branch tips, tufts of fur.”
Mistystar’s fur lifted along her spine. “Whereabouts?”
“Deep in our territory,” Blackstar replied.
Onestar nodded. “Same here. Nothing at the borders, but traces right at the heart of the moor.”
Blackstar’s claws scraped the bark. “Most scents have been found in areas perfect for ambushes.”
“As though an enemy is scouting for an invasion,” Firestar commented grimly.
Dovewing felt pelts bristling around her. Murmurs rippled through the Clans.
“I found orange fur on a gorse bush!” Heathertail called. “It smelled like no Clan cat I know.”
Smokefoot lifted his muzzle. “There were paw prints near our training ground that had a foul scent.” The ShadowClan warrior wrinkled his nose.
Dapplenose shifted beside Dovewing. “There was a trail of footprints tracking the river around our camp,” she rasped.
Blossomfall raised her head above her Clanmates. “I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. Greenleaf has been warm and sunny,” she called. “Kittypets, rogues, and loners always stray farther during fine weather.”
Dovewing glanced at her Clanmate. Why was she so keen to dismiss the danger?
“These were no rogues! I smelled RiverClan among the other scents!” Rowanclaw yowled.
Brambleclaw nodded. “And there was definitely ShadowClan scent in ThunderClan territory.”
Blackstar narrowed his eyes. “No ShadowClan warrior has trespassed across your border!”
A growl rumbled in Mistystar’s throat. “RiverClan has no need to stray into other territories. We have everything we need in our own!”
Eyes glittered like tiny moons as the leaders flashed warning looks at one another. Dapplenose drew away from Dovewing, her gaze suddenly suspicious. Onestar’s tail was lashing. Blackstar glared accusingly at Firestar.
“Listen to what you are saying!” Firestar hissed. His green gaze swept the restless crowd. “We haven’t all been invading one another’s territories!”
“Then how do you explain the scents?” Dawnpelt challenged from the bottom of the tree.
Firestar stepped forward to the end of his branch, his shoulders rippling beneath his pelt. “If rogues have been traveling across all the territories, they could have picked up scents and spread them like fleas in their path.”
Mistystar’s fur smoothed a little. “The scents havebeen confusing.”
Onestar’s eyes had narrowed to slits. “If rogues could carry scents from one territory to another, then so could a Clan patrol.”
Firestar met his gaze. “Then we should all step up patrols and try to find these cats.”
“Send out more patrols!” a ShadowClan tom called from the crowd.
“We must stay alert!” a RiverClan warrior yowled.
Firestar pressed on. “And if any Clan finds evidence, we must share it with the other Clans!”
Onestar bristled. “And warn them they’ve been found out? Never!”
Mistystar backed away from the other leaders. “I protect my own Clan,” she growled. “No other.”
Dovewing gasped as a WindClan cat barged past her, heading for his Clanmates farther down the clearing. All around her, warriors were weaving closer to their denmates. Dovewing glanced over her shoulder. The knot of apprentices had broken up and Cherrypaw and Molepaw were scurrying back to the ThunderClan warriors.
Blackstar jumped down from the Great Oak. Mistystar slithered down the trunk next, while Onestar glared at Firestar before leaping into the clearing.
“Come on, Dovewing,” Whitewing meowed. “There won’t be any sharing tongues tonight.”
Dovewing stretched her head up to find Tigerheart. There was no sign of him among the streaming pelts. “I’ll catch up!” she called to Whitewing as her mother headed after Squirrelflight and Blossomfall. She felt buffeted like a leaf on a river as cats moved around her, heading for the tree-bridge, clustering close to their Clanmates.
“Dovewing?” A familiar mew sounded behind her.
She spun around, her heart leaping as she saw Tigerheart.
His tail was high. “I thought we’d been found out with all that talk of drifting scents!”
“Me too!” Dovewing saw relief in his gaze. “We have to be more careful from now on.”
Tigerheart nodded. “There’ll be more patrols.” He stretched his muzzle close to her ear. “Let’s meet outside the territories again tomorrow night,” he whispered. “At the Twoleg nest.”
As Dovewing nodded, she felt the fur bristle on the back of her neck. She looked past Tigerheart and saw Bumblestripe staring at her. Her heart missed a beat. “We were just discussing the intruders,” she told her Clanmate quickly. “Tigerheart was asking if I’d noticed anything.”
Bumblestripe’s eyes widened.
“I thought it would be a good idea to talk to other patrols, to see if the scents have been picked up on the same nights.” Dovewing realized she was chattering like a blackbird.
Bumblestripe shrugged. “You can talk to whoever you like,” he meowed. “It’s a Gathering.” He began to follow the other cats toward the tree-bridge and disappeared into the long grass.
Dovewing turned back to Tigerheart. “I’d better go.”
Tigerheart dipped his head. “Me too.” He headed away, slipping between Rowanclaw and Dawnpelt as they passed.
Dovewing bounded after Whitewing, following her scent into the grass and catching up with her as she reached the shore. Whitewing glanced sideways at her as they waited for the other Clans to pass one by one over the fallen tree. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” Dovewing mewed as brightly as she could.
Whitewing didn’t answer, but moved closer to her daughter till Dovewing felt her soft pelt brush her flank. Above them, clouds rolled across the sky and the wind lifted, sending waves scudding across the lake. Dovewing wished she could tell her mother everything: about Tigerheart and how much he meant to her; how heavy the prophecy seemed and how small she felt under its weight. But she couldn’t talk about the prophecy to any cat beyond the ones already involved, and Whitewing would be devastated if she knew her daughter loved a cat from another Clan.
Whitewing pressed closer. “I’m always here if you need me.”
Rain began to fleck Dovewing’s pelt. Her vision blurred, and she told herself it was just raindrops. “Thanks, Whitewing,” she whispered.
“Come on.” Whitewing nudged her toward a gap in the stream of cats. “We’ll be home before you know it.”
第十章
第十章
藤池浑身哆嗦着。脚掌边上迷雾缭绕，黑森林似乎比以往任何时候都冷。这里也到秃叶季了吗？她抬头看去，想找到一些正在变黄的树叶，可黑暗连树枝都已吞没了。
“今晚将改变一切。”
虎星的咆哮声将她拉回到现实中。一位深色武士站在一棵倒树上，爪子插进滑溜溜的苔藓中。细尾、鹰霜和黑条全都仰头看着他，枫荫则跟雀羽躲在阴影处。蓟掌和断星眯起眼睛观察着周围。苹果毛、空飞和红柳挤在一起，皮毛兴奋得竖立了起来。桦落和甲虫须也在，他们跟虎心和荆豆皮在一起。怎么会有这么多的猫被虎星的谎言所骗呢？
虎星的眼睛闪着光：“这次行动将是众多中的第一次。”
藤池凑近梅花落：“众多什么中的第一次？”她刚才没有听清楚。
梅花落的口鼻附在藤池耳边：“特别巡逻。虎星将开始带领我们进入族群领地。”
藤池心里一阵恐慌。她盯着深色武士。怪异的光线下，他的肩膀若隐若现。
“知识就是力量。”虎星琥珀色的目光扫过众猫。最后，他的目光落在了她的身上。
藤池迎着他的目光，高昂起下巴，听他继续往下讲。
“熟悉战场会让你们获得可以想象出的最大优势，因为你的敌人根本就不会想到这一点。你们中的大多数对湖区附近的领地很陌生，所以，我会带你们参观每个族群的领地——当然，是在族群毫无察觉的情况下。这样，你们就能找到战斗的最佳地点。”
红柳迈步向前：“还有隐藏待命的最佳地点！”
空飞爪子抓进土里：“将敌人逼入绝境的最佳地点！”
蓟掌甩了甩长长的灰色尾巴：“以及追捕猎物的最佳地点！”
猎物？藤池将爪子深深插进土里，以免脚掌颤抖起来。他指的是族群武士。
梅花落的呼吸落在她耳朵上。“危难时刻，四大族群将团结起来。”她引用的居然是虎星说过的话！“不管哪个族群需要帮助，我们都能为之战斗。”
藤池猛然转过头，看着自己的族猫。你怎么能那么蠢呢？她又转头看向虎星。“我们先从哪个领地开始？”她喊道。
虎星的胡须一颤：“雷族。”
“我很想去那里看看。”枫荫慢慢走上前来。
“我也去！”雀羽一下子跳到身影暗淡的武士旁边。
虎星眯起双眼：“还有谁想去？”
虎心和荆豆皮挤到前面。
虎星点点头。“有河族的吗？”他的目光停在甲虫须身上，“你也去，还有空飞。”
藤池直视着虎星。他只是带其他族群的猫去雷族领地吗？她向前一步。“我的学徒呢？桦落和红柳也有资格去。”藤池大着胆子说道，接着又歪头看向梅花落，“还有她。”来呀！拒绝呀！如果虎星只带敌猫去熟悉雷族领地，肯定就会有猫猜出，他那样做，不是为了族群的利益，而是出于他自己的历史恩怨。她希望虎星能暴露出真面目。
虎星点点头：“很好，藤池。他们也可以去。”
“那我呢？”她又向前一步。
虎星露出了牙齿。“当然可以。”他平静地轻声说道，“你可以当向导。”他又冲断星点点头：“回来之后，我会向你汇报。”他跳下倒树，走进树林，用尾巴示意大家跟上。
藤池跟了上去。她回过头，打量着他们经过的那些树木和灌木丛。如果这条路能从黑森林通往湖畔领地，那她得记住它。他们穿过阴暗的空地和臭烘烘的沼泽，蹚过只能称作泥水沟的小溪。刚开始，藤池脚掌下的泥土很滑，布满苔藓。突然，苔藓变成了草叶。她抬头望去，看见头顶绿树成荫。暗影散去，辽阔的星空中，一轮明月照耀着大地。
我们已经穿过来了！她不认识他们面前的这个斜坡，但是攀爬时，路边的黑莓丛开始变得茂密起来，树干也变得越来越熟悉，两侧生长的蕨丛上，有着浓烈的雷族气味。
空飞皱了皱鼻子。“你们怎么能忍受得了这么臭的气味？”他悄声对藤池说道。
藤池用尾巴拍拍河族武士的耳朵。“如果你不得不忍受我们的气味，等我们去河族领地时，我肯定也不得不忍受你们的。”她揶揄他道。
红柳走在他们旁边。“谢谢你让我参加到队伍里来。”他悄声道，“我学得越多，就能越快成为真正的黑森林武士。”
“真正的黑森林武士？”藤池猛地转头看向他，“难道你不是只想成为最优秀的影族武士吗？”
“黑森林武士要强大得多。”空飞戳了她一下，“而且他们还不受守则的约束。”
红柳点了点头：“我和族猫一起训练时，感觉就像是在和宠物猫一起训练。”
“在这里，只有最强的猫才能生存下去。”空飞大叫道。
“族群也应该那样。”红柳补充道。
藤池盯着他：“那如果你的族猫很弱，你就会让他们死吗？”
红柳眼中闪过一丝警觉，似乎意识到自己说得太多了。“当……当然不会。”他瞥了一眼空飞，“我们只是在说，我们还有很多需要向黑森林武士学习，没别的意思。那样，我们就会成为真正的武士。”
“没错。”藤池继续走着，竭力不让自己的皮毛因为恐惧而立起来，“我猜，这也是我们来黑森林训练的目的。”
虎星爬到坡顶停了下来。透过他身后的树木，可以隐约看到下方的湖泊。“看看那些树干是多么粗啊。”他朝一棵挺拔坚实的山毛榉树点了点头，“这就是我们在黑森林训练大家爬树的目的所在。在雷族领地上，你们必须做好在树林里作战的准备。”他捕捉到梅花落的目光：“不如你解释一下？”
梅花落挤到队伍前列，挺起胸膛说道：“所有雷族猫都学过爬树，因此我们可以从树上落下来扑向敌人，而且我们还可以从一根树枝跳到另一根树枝，在不触地的情况下穿越树林。”
“像松鼠一样。”红柳嘀咕道。
梅花落摇摇尾巴：“我们像松鼠一样移动，像狐狸一样战斗！”
藤池脊背上的皮毛竖立了起来。梅花落把雷族的秘密都说出来了！“我们现在很少进行树战了。”她赶紧撒了个谎。
“可鸽翅和黑莓掌之前还在练习呢！”梅花落不加思索地说道。
藤池捕捉到桦落的目光，看到他眼中闪烁着担忧的神色，心里不禁感到一丝欣慰。他也意识到了危险！
“他们不用什么都知道，梅花落。”桦落提醒道。
虎星动了动脚掌。“别担心，桦落。”他说道，“这里的猫都是朋友。”他扫视了一圈队伍：“我们现在是族猫，相互之间没必要保守秘密。”
枫荫迈着沉重的步伐爬上山坡，停在虎星身旁。“或许桦落没觉得自己是我们族群的一分子吧。”她的话语中带着威胁的意味。
“他当然是一分子！”藤池走到父亲前面低吼道。
“那他何不给我们讲讲雷族领地的情况？”虎星诱导道。
“我……雷族领地里全是树林。”桦落开口说道，藤池能听出他心里很不舒服，因为他的尾尖在颤抖。“只有通往湖边和风族边界的斜坡没有树。”
“那在树林里打仗好，还是在空地上好？”虎星追问道。
桦落紧张地看向荆豆皮。“我想，雷族更擅长在树林里作战。”他承认道，“我们可以利用灌木丛围攻敌人。”
我们泄露了所有的秘密！藤池走到坡顶，望着远处湖对面的河族领地：“不如你跟我们说说你们的领地，甲虫须？”
甲虫须竖起了尾巴。“我们那里有松树，没有橡树。”他开口说道。
坡下的荆棘丛沙沙作响，藤池身子一顿。“有动静！”她紧张地看向蕨丛。蛛足的皮毛在他们下方的灌木丛里移动，后面跟着黑莓掌。
“你确定听到声音了吗？”黑莓掌问道。
“我在入口处警戒，听到了脚步声。”蛛足有些迟疑地说道，“说实话，我一开始并不确定是不是脚步声，以为是自己想象的。可紧接着，我听见有声音从这里传了出来。”
“希望不是风族又来入侵了。”黑莓掌咆哮道，“我们必须检查所有的隧道入口。”
“可声音是从这里传出来的。”蛛足的身影消失在蕨丛中，朝这边山坡爬了过来。
血一下子涌上藤池耳朵。“我们必须马上离开这里！”她冲虎星嘶吼道。
“然后错过练习战斗技巧的机会？”虎星厉声回道。
“你不能这样！”恐惧袭遍藤池全身，“马上带我们回去！”
“你是在害怕你的族猫吗？”虎星凑在她耳边低语道。
一定不能让他们发现我在造访黑森林！下方的荆棘丛在晃动，藤池的心里越来越恐慌。“如果他们发现我们在这里，”她悄声说道，“他们就会加强夜间巡逻。”看到虎星耳朵一抖，她心中闪过一丝希望：“那样一来，等最终的决战来临时，我们就丧失了出其不意的优势了。”
虎星眯起双眼：“说得不错。”
看到深色武士用尾巴示意了一下，开始带大家迅速安静地离开坡顶，藤池松了一口气。队伍渐渐被荆棘丛和匍匐的杜松丛吞没。她伏低身子，跟在虎星身后，不时回头望着，看看其他猫是否都跟了上来。灌木丛里越来越暗，她抬起头，月亮已经不见了，脚下的地面再次变得滑溜溜的，蕨丛变成了缠绕的荆棘丛。空气中弥漫着一股酸腐味，藤池不由得皱了皱鼻子。他们又回到了黑森林。
等队伍从滑溜溜的黑莓丛里钻出来，虎星停下了脚步。
枫荫围着他转着圈：“我们为什么不留在那里战斗？”
梅花落抬起口鼻：“我们是去那里熟悉领地的，不是去打仗的。”
红柳坐了下来。“我以前从未如此深入雷族腹地。”他用脚掌挠了挠胡须，“等着看影族的森林吧，那里完全不一样。”
“河族领地也不一样。”空飞插话道，“芦苇荡是最佳的伏击之地。”
雀羽屈起了爪子：“我渴望熟悉你们大家的领地。”
为什么他们看不到她眼中的危险信号呢？藤池紧张地看着黑森林武士，突然肩膀被利爪深深地刺穿了。
“不准再那样对我的命令表示怀疑。”虎星怒目圆睁，将她推倒在地。
藤池疼得蜷起身子，抬头盯着他道：“我只是想保护我们的队伍！”
桦落惊恐地瞪大了眼睛。小心！看到桦落走向虎星，藤池身子一僵，不要保护我！那样只会对我们俩都不利！
桦落直面虎星说道：“我们去湖区的目的到底是什么？”
他是想分散虎星的注意力。藤池的心中一阵宽慰和感激。虎星抓在她肩膀上的爪子插得更深了，疼得她身子直往后缩。“藤池，你为何不同你的族猫解释一下呢？”年长的武士咆哮道。
藤池咽了一下口水。“我们知道得越多，就越能成为更优秀的武士。”她喘息着说道。
虎星松开了爪子。
“我们都遵守武士守则。”藤池继续说道，她扭动着身子远离虎星，站到父亲身旁，“像熟悉我们自己的领地一样熟悉其他族群的领地，这样有助于我们相互帮助。”她讨厌说谎巴结虎星，可为了掩饰她对黑森林的背叛，她别无他法。
虎星身后传来一声咆哮。“事情怎么样了？”断星朝空地走来。在他身后，成群的黑森林武士像老鼠一样蜂拥上来，闪闪发亮的眼睛里满是好奇。
“领地是什么样的？”细尾大喊道。
“你们看见星星了吗？”黑条嘲讽地喊道。
藤池看着一张张伤痕累累、满是戾气的面孔，想起了此刻正在山谷中静静沉睡的族猫。他们全然不知危险就在眼前。她的心难过得痛了起来，但我发誓，我一定会保护你们，直到我生命的最后一息。
第十一章
第十一章
太阳落到树后，山谷笼罩在一片阴影之中。松鸦羽坐在巫医巢穴外，感觉到光线一点点消失，不禁打了个寒战。周围，族猫们正在舌抚着。
“肯定是泼皮猫。”高石台下，黑莓掌的尾巴拂过地面。
“可蛛足说那里面有族群猫的气味。”火星指出。
沙风在伴侣身旁动了动：“会不会是其他族群结盟对抗我们？”
“他们为什么要那样做？”松鸦羽从雷族族长的怒吼中听出了紧张。
灰条一定也听出来了。“我们得有所防备才行。”他轻声提醒道。
火星的心头涌上一丝绝望。松鸦羽感觉得到，他正把这种感觉抛到一边。“那我们就好好准备。”火星移动着脚掌，“黑莓掌，白天多组织几次巡逻，午夜时分也要巡视边界。”
黑莓掌惊愕地竖起了皮毛：“你是想让整个族群都加入夜间巡逻吗？这样会不会引起大家的恐慌？”
“如果族群面临危险，那就应该让大家都知道。”火星严肃地说道。
松鸦羽让自己的注意力转到族群其他成员的身上。他感觉到哥哥心中一阵刺痛。狮焰正在吃老鼠，每吃一口，脸上的伤口便会痛得收缩一下。你是自作自受！但对狮焰做出的莽撞举动，松鸦羽的不满也只是一闪而过。他明白哥哥为何想背离星族为他选择的道路。
他听到爪子抓挠在地上的声音。荆棘光正拖着身子朝他挪来，她有力的前掌深深地插入泥土里。“我要回窝里去了。”她经过松鸦羽身边时说道。
她很累。他感觉到她残疾的身子很是虚弱，心里有些担心，便说道：“我也回去。”
“我自己能行！”她顿时恼怒起来。
“我知道。”松鸦羽回答道，“可我真的是困了。”
他跟在她身后，也进了巫医巢穴。“你怎么那么累啊？”他尽力掩饰着语气里的担忧。
“米莉帮我想到了一个新的练习方法。”荆棘光打了个哈欠，“她和白翅将我顶到山毛榉树一根低矮的树枝上，我用前掌吊着，尽可能吊更长时间。”
“听上去很难啊。”松鸦羽很佩服地说道。
“让肚子吹吹风感觉挺好的。”荆棘光说道。
“如果你坚持练习，或许你就能将自己直接拉上去了。”
“我会一直练习，直到做到为止。”荆棘光从窝边爬了进去。
松鸦羽走过巢穴，感觉她的窝里有根枝条伸了出来，戳了一下他的腿，便停住了。“不舒服吗？”他弯下身子，塞了塞她周围的苔藓，同时偷偷地用口鼻感觉了一下她是否发烧。她体温正常，只是四肢累得绵软无力。他放心地直起身子说道：“好好睡一觉吧，荆棘光。”
“你还好吗？”荆棘光的话让他一惊，“你好像心里有事。”
“没事。”他撒了一个谎，“只是有点儿累了。”他转身朝自己的窝走去，感觉荆棘光在后面盯着他看了一会儿，接着听到她缩进窝的深处。他也爬进自己那堆松软的苔藓，蜷缩起身子，把尾巴盖在鼻子上。
黑森林突然跳入他的脑海中。幽暗之中，有无数双眼睛在闪动。他想象着正在他看不到的地方集结着的队伍。
琉璃苣能退烧，猫薄荷能治疗绿咳症。为了摆脱这些梦魇般的念头，他开始在脑子里罗列着那些药方，羊蹄叶能缓解抓伤，小白菊也能退烧。
星族不能指引你了吗？
枫荫的讥笑涌上他的心头。紫草能接断骨。
我们很快就可以品尝到胜利的滋味了！
他仍然能感觉到鹰霜将他推进去的那个泥地。老鼠胆汁能防止虱子叮咬。
你掌中不是星权在握吗？
松鸦羽收紧了耳朵，仿佛这样就可以把虎星的嘲笑挡住了。
金盏花防止感染，款冬能缓解气喘，罂粟籽能止痛压惊和催眠。松鸦羽将注意力集中到整齐堆垒在石壁边草药库里的那些草药上，一遍遍重复着它们的名字。直到这些词汇变得模糊起来，他才渐渐睡了过去。
等他眨巴着睁开眼睛时，他看见自己周围是茂密葱郁的森林，空气中弥漫着浓烈而又熟悉的气味。我在做梦。灌木丛中残留着桦落和蛛足的气味，他们肯定刚刚在这里巡逻过。空气中还散发着松鼠的气味，这里是雷族领地。松鸦羽抬起头，透过遮天蔽日的枝叶，他看到了星光璀璨的天空。附近，一只猫头鹰的尖叫声响起，它拍动翅膀掠过森林时，树枝都跟着颤动了起来。
松鸦羽身后的蕨丛窸窣作响。他转过身，嗅了嗅空气中的气味：“鸽翅？是你吗？”
年轻的浅灰色母猫从蕨丛中钻了出来。
“鸽翅？”回答松鸦羽的是另一个声音狮焰，他正沿小路朝松鸦羽走过来。
三只猫疑惑地相互看着。
“我怎么到这里来了？”鸽翅看着树林，“我刚才还在自己的窝里呢。”
“我也是。”狮焰停在松鸦羽身旁。
“我们现在都在梦里。”松鸦羽解释道。
狮焰皱起了眉头：“所以你也在我的梦里？”
“我们在同一个梦里。”
“怎么回事？”鸽翅凝望着阴影处。
松鸦羽冲他们身旁那段不长的陡坡点了点头。地上有个洞，里面飘来了石头、水以及没有尽头的隧道的气息。“我想我们应该下去看看。”
“你确定？”狮焰听上去有些犹豫。
鸽翅走向前，嗅了嗅隧道入口。“不然的话，为什么要将我们三个带到森林这里呢？”她往里走去，很快便被幽暗吞没了身影。
“等等。”狮焰紧盯着松鸦羽，“你看起来像是能看见隧道似的。”
“我能看见。”松鸦羽平静地回答道。
“怎么可能呢？”狮焰的眼睛瞪得大大的。
“我在梦里一直都能看见。”
“所以你知道我的模样？”这个想法让金色武士很是震惊。
松鸦羽眯起双眼：“要是没有这些抓伤，你会更好看。”
狮焰摇了摇尾巴。“我会好起来的。”说完，他低头跟在鸽翅后面，钻进了洞里。
松鸦羽赶忙跟上他们。洞里面的空间很狭窄，他从族猫身边挤过，走到了最前面。“我来带路，”他说道，“我习惯了黑暗。”脚掌下，地道的路面潮湿泥泞，越往黑暗深处走去，空气就越加阴冷，他的脚掌贴着冰凉的地面，感觉到了微微的刺痛。他用胡须探测着两边蜿蜒曲折的石壁。“你们还好吗？”他回头喊道。
“很好。”狮焰的声音从石壁上传来，“鸽翅？”
“我就跟在你后面。”鸽翅回答道。
狮焰的口鼻碰到了松鸦羽的尾尖：“你知道我们在哪里吗？”
“不知道。”但松鸦羽仍步履坚定地带着大家往隧道深处走去。好奇心驱使着他继续前行。他的身后，狮焰嗅闻着空气，舌头舔舐着嘴唇，武士的脑海中闪现的全是利爪和鲜血的画面。
“这次，这里没有风族猫。”松鸦羽向他保证道。
“听！”鸽翅突然停住了，恐惧从她的皮毛中散发出来。
松鸦羽竖起耳朵。前面水声潺潺，在石壁间回响着。松鸦羽感觉哥哥从他身旁挤过，冲到了前面。
“我知道我们在哪里了！”狮焰大喊道。
松鸦羽追上他。前面，狭窄的隧道变成了开阔的洞穴，微光勾勒出金色武士宽阔的肩膀。月光透过头顶上方的洞隙洒落进来，照亮了高高的石壁。一条湍急的河水闪烁着粼粼波光，将宽阔的沙地分成了两半。
鸽翅走出隧道，眨动着眼睛。她在河边停住了，用一只脚掌碰了碰河水，黝黑的河水从她的脚掌间流过。
“你们来了。”
一个沙哑的声音从他们上方很高的地方响起。鸽翅赶紧纵身往后一跃，松鸦羽也猛地抬头看向洞穴石壁凸出来的那块壁架。月光下，一只怪异的公猫正蹲在石头上。他浑身光秃秃的，灰色的盲眼向外凸着，苍白的皮肤皱巴巴的。
“他是谁？”鸽翅惊叫道。
松鸦羽摇了摇尾巴：“是岩石。”他抬头望着远古猫。他沉寂了那么久，为何现在又召唤他们呢？怒火在他腹中燃烧。上一次岩石出现，就是为了告诉他让焰尾溺死。松鸦羽平贴起耳朵，抬头怒视着岩石。
“是你让我把焰尾留在湖里！你是想让其他猫认为我是凶手吗？”
岩石不为所动地迎着他的目光，就好像他能看到松鸦羽竖起来的皮毛似的。“那有什么关系？”他嘶吼道，“我不能让你为了改变另一只猫的命运而死！”丑猫蜷缩起嘴唇，盲眼扫视着他们仨。“为什么你们总是偏离我们为你们设定好的道路呢？”他沙哑的声音里透着一丝愤怒。
松鸦羽的脚掌颤抖起来。岩石是什么意思？
“他是谁？”狮焰悄声问道。
鸽翅抬头看着岩石，震惊地愣在了那里：“他是来自星族吗？”
岩石咆哮道：“不是！星族还没出现的时候，这里就已经是我的家了！”
松鸦羽感觉到了哥哥心中的困惑。“你怎么会认识这只猫的？”狮焰一边瞥着岩石，一边悄声问道。
岩石从岩壁上探出身子，他的脑袋来回摇晃着，仿佛随时准备出击的蛇一样。“松鸦羽和我很早以前就认识了。”他吼道。
“他能看见我们吗？”鸽翅的目光定定地看着岩石那凸出来的灰色眼睛。
岩石直起身子，尾巴愤怒地摆动着：“我没想到你的同伴那么鼠脑子。我在梦里召唤他们，他们却像育婴室里第一天出生的幼崽，问出这样的问题。”
松鸦羽向前一步：“你召唤我们？”
岩石冲他眨了眨眼睛。“你以为只有你才有本事进入其他猫的梦境吗？”他讥讽地龇着牙，“白痴！”他突然用爪尖站着，弓起后背，厉声骂道。
见此情景，狮焰也站起身，竖起尾巴，爪子抓挠着石头。
“听他讲。”松鸦羽悄声警告道。
“全都是你们的错！”岩石咆哮道，“你们是三力量。如果你们不出生，黑森林就不会崛起。”
松鸦羽顿时惊呆了：“又不是我们自己要出生的！”
“可你们已经出生了！”岩石驳斥道，“你们的出生实现了最初的一个预言，将力量赋予了早该从猫的记忆中消失的敌人！”他在狭小的岩架上走来走去，像是被逼入绝境的老鼠一样，身上的皮毛因为愤怒而不停地颤抖。“现在，由于你们的存在，所有的族群都要面临最黑暗的时刻。”突然，他身形一顿，从岩架上探出身：“你们这些族猫的记忆太长久了！你们记得那些死去的武士，对宿敌念念不忘。那些本该被遗忘的战斗故事，却被你们一代代传了下去，而不是让它们像腐尸一样烂掉！”
松鸦羽咽了一口唾沫，愤怒地竖起皮毛，他没想到岩石居然这样讥讽族群的传承。
“这场战斗是族群猫自找的。”岩石咆哮道，“你们心存怨念太久，总是不愿忘却那些凶残、怪异的猫，他们早该被彻底忘掉！你们让他们活在你们的记忆里，让他们在星光照耀的边缘地带，找到臭味相投的猫。”他摇摇头，让脊背松弛下来：“你们为什么就不能让他们消失在过去呢？”
“就像你一样？”鸽翅向前迈了一步，颈毛竖起，“你希望自己被遗忘然后消失吗？”
松鸦羽想要用脚掌将她拉回来，但鸽翅从他身边挤了过去。她用爪子抓住河岸的边，抬起头，眼睛一眨不眨看着岩石。
岩石坐了下来。“就算我也一样。”他嘶哑的嗓子轻轻说道。
松鸦羽感到一阵愤怒涌上心头。岩石怎么能指责他们呢？“我们怀念我们的祖先，我们觉得我们这样做是对的。”
“这早已铸进族群的命运之中。”岩石的肩膀耷拉了下来，“你们应该记住逝去的猫。”
狮焰抬起下巴：“那会使我们更加强大。”
“可现在，它已经成了你们最大的威胁。”岩石摇了摇头，“我们一直都知道，这一刻终将到来。没有黑暗，就没有光明。现在，黑暗正从群星间崛起，将永远遮蔽光明。”他向前探出口鼻，再次鼓起了眼睛：“你们曾是我们唯一的希望。三力量再加上第四只猫！”
松鸦羽甩了甩尾巴：“我们现在仍然是！”
“真的吗？”岩石径直朝下看着他，灰色的眼睛里满是担忧，“那为什么战斗还没开始，你们就都要放弃了呢？”
鸽翅从河边退了回来，站到松鸦羽和狮焰旁边，狮焰也垂下了眼帘。松鸦羽没时间揣测族猫们此时的想法，因为他自己心里也感到非常愧疚。“杀无尽部落告诉我说，只有我们三个是不够的！”他冲岩石喊道。他不是无缘无故失去信心的！“他们说我们无法独自完成使命，说我们还需要第四只猫！”
“那你们找到第四只猫了吗？”岩石嘶吼道。
松鸦羽往后直缩：“我们不知道去哪里找。”
岩石打断了他：“你们在犹豫猜疑。已经没时间了！找到那只猫！完成你们的使命！这是族群最后的希望！”
月光突然摇曳起来，仿佛乌云飘过遮住了洞顶的缝隙。松鸦羽看到岩石站着的岩架下方的黑暗之中，无数双眼睛在闪动。有很多只猫蜷伏在那里看着他们。松鸦羽靠近河边，嗅了嗅空气。他们都不是星族猫。他们身上有着广袤天空和风蚀的石头的气息，仿佛来自更远古的时代。他们都是岩石的族猫吗？突然，松鸦羽在他们中间闻到了一股气息，身子不由一僵，心跳加快了。半月！
他在众猫之中看到了她那白色皮毛。紧接着，他又注意到另外一个身影，比其他猫都要高大。一只獾从阴影处缓缓走了出来。
鸽翅满眼惊讶地凑到松鸦羽旁边。“那是午夜吗？”她悄声问道，“我在育婴室里听说过它的故事。”
松鸦羽点了点头。
狮焰轻轻推了一下他的肩膀：“其他的猫都是谁？”
松鸦羽看着半月。“他们都是远古猫。”他凑近一点儿，在众多不太熟悉的猫中，认出了碎影和枭羽，“有些是很久以前急水部落的猫。”
“我们已经等得太久。”河对岸传来了午夜喑哑的低吼声，老獾用那双黑色的圆眼睛看着鸽翅，“要知道该相信谁，你的心会告诉你答案。”老獾又将硕大的条纹脑袋转向狮焰：“不要闭上眼睛，然后等着命运选择你。选择自己的路，走下去。”
松鸦羽身子前倾，等着听午夜跟他讲话。
“还有你！”午夜眼睛一瞪，他不禁缩了一下身子，“当所有猫都闭上眼睛，我们把视力给了你这只瞎猫。你比其他猫看得更多，但还要继续往深处看，要看到你自己的力量。”
什么意思？看到自己的力量？松鸦羽感到一阵沮丧：“不要再打哑谜了，直接告诉我们怎么拯救族群吧！至少，告诉我们谁是第四只猫！”
岩石在岩架上咆哮起来：“我们已经说出了你们的弱点。你还想让我们把你们变得更弱吗？”说着，他猛地一挥，沙石飞落下来，两截苍白的碎片——看起来就像断骨——砰的一声落在了下方的地面上。“你们没有尽到你们最大的努力！”他呵斥道。
松鸦羽几乎没听他在讲什么，他的注意力全都集中在岩架上落下来的那两块木头碎片上。他冲上前，跃过小河，绕开远古猫，站到了散落的碎片旁。
我的棍子！
看到两截一模一样远古的木棍，松鸦羽的心跳加快了。在如水的月光下，那些刻痕依然清晰可见，它们记载着无数个日月前消失在隧道里的众猫的生和死。
“那些都是勇敢的武士！”岩石低头向他嘶吼道，“他们在黑暗中抓住机会，找到了通向光明的路。”
松鸦羽看着刻进木头的一道道痕迹，轻声说道：“有些没有。”他察觉到身旁的碎影向后缩去。落叶的死也记在了这上面。
岩石在岩架上看着他们，更多的沙石飞落下来：“但他们努力过！”
碎影靠近松鸦羽。“这么多的猫一直在等待着你。”她轻声说道。
“从族群出现之前就一直在等着！”岩石补充道。
松鸦羽抬起头，看到半月正望着他。“是谁给了你抛弃我们的权利？”她恳求道。他看到悲痛从她眼中闪过。他感觉到周围远古猫的颈毛竖了起来。他们低吼起来，松鸦羽不由得后退了几步。洞穴里，突然响起一声尖啸。
“你怎么敢抛弃我们？”
松鸦羽跃过小河，跳了回来，蹲伏在狮焰旁边。远古猫朝他们走了过来，皮毛倒竖，怒目圆睁。
“你们会让我们再死一回吗？”岩架上，岩石尖声问道。
河水没过松鸦羽的脚掌，他赶紧往后退去，却发现陷入了更深的水中。河水泛滥了吗？他惊慌地低头看去。河岸已经决堤，河水冲刷着洞底。只是这河水不再是黑的，而是红的。
血！鲜血流到了松鸦羽的脚掌上，浸湿了他的皮毛。他吓得差点儿喊了出来。这都是我的错！松鸦羽睁开眼睛，发现自己醒了，又成了盲猫。因为恐惧，他的皮毛全都竖立着，心也剧烈地跳动着，仿佛全身都被震得晃动了起来。
找到第四只猫！岩石的声音在他耳边回响着，找到第四只猫！
第十二章
第十二章
“狮焰！快！”
听到松鸦羽的嘶吼声，狮焰猛地抬起头，醒了过来。他从窝里坐了起来，在武士巢穴微亮的晨曦中眨着眼睛。脑海中，那个梦境依然历历在目：洞穴、盲眼公猫、鬼魅般的远古猫。他从窝里爬出来，四肢僵硬着走出巢穴，四周看着，寻找着松鸦羽。
“狮焰，”松鸦羽从武士巢穴旁冲了过来，“我们得谈谈那个梦。”
狮焰朝学徒巢穴点了点头：“鸽翅醒了吗？”
“我刚才叫醒她了。”
松鸦羽话音未落，鸽翅便睡眼惺忪地从巢穴里溜了出来。
“来吧。”松鸦羽匆忙朝荆棘通道走去，鸽翅紧跟在他身后，狮焰快步跟了上去。
松鸦羽绕过一道弯，在一处黑莓丛旁停住了。狮焰刹住脚步，回头张望着。
鸽翅两眼放光，她现在已经完全清醒了：“这么说，我们做了同样的梦？”
松鸦羽点点头。
狮焰眯起双眼：“你以前见过那些猫？”
“是的。”松鸦羽大声说道，“但那不重要。”
鸽翅从狮焰身边挤了过去，焦躁地转着圈：“真不敢相信，那些猫已经等了那么久！”
狮焰将尾巴卷到背上：“在族群出现之前就已经开始等着了！”
“我们得集中精力讨论眼下这件事！”松鸦羽活动着爪子，坚持说道，“我们之所以在这里，是因为我们的祖先用信念将我们带到了这里。”
“还有黑森林。”狮焰残酷地提醒他。
“没有信念，就不会有黑森林。”松鸦羽轻哼一声，重复着岩石的话，“但事已至此，我们必须找到第四只猫。”
“不是藤池！”鸽翅抖了抖尾巴，“我问过她了。”
“蛾翅呢？你弄清楚了吗？”狮焰看着松鸦羽。
松鸦羽摇了摇头：“她没有表现出任何迹象。”
“那肯定是冬青叶！”狮焰异常肯定地说道。他姐姐从一开始就是预言的一部分。她回来的也正是时候，帮助雷族打败了风族的入侵。
鸽翅皱起眉头：“我觉得我们找错了地方。”
“那正确的地方在哪里？”松鸦羽轻哼道。
“我不知道。”鸽翅叹了一口气，“也可能是其他族群的武士。”
“我们何不在下次森林大会时，让火星声明一下？”松鸦羽讽刺道，“他可以让第四只猫高高竖起尾巴，这样我们就知道是谁了。”
鸽翅没理他：“我们肯定忽略了什么显而易见的东西。”
“对。”狮焰开始走动起来，“冬青叶！”
“如果不是冬青叶，”鸽翅大着胆子提议道，“我们就需要开始寻找一只跟我们一样，生来就肩负特殊使命的猫。”
松鸦羽眯起双眼：“一只星权在握的猫。”
“风皮？”鸽翅建议道，“他跟你们是同父异母的兄弟，或许也有特殊之处呢。”
“但他不是火星的至亲。”松鸦羽指出。
“那个是星族预言里说的。”鸽翅争辩道，“或许这个新预言里不在乎这个。”
狮焰甩了甩尾巴。“你俩可以一直争论到太阳落山！”他呵斥道，“我自己去弄个清楚。”说完，他转身沿返回山谷的斜坡跑了下去。只要跟冬青叶单独待一会儿，他就会弄明白的。
阳光已经开始在山谷中的树梢上染上一抹绯红，但所有的巢穴仍笼罩在阴影中。高石台下，黑莓掌正在洗脸，用厚厚的脚掌擦着口鼻，睡眼蒙眬。蛛足从武士巢穴里走出来，停下来伸了个懒腰。空地的另一侧，香薇云从育婴室探出脑袋。狐跃和蟾步则一边练习着战斗动作，一边等着族猫集合。
炭心正朝黑莓掌走去，狮焰走到了她身边。
“你还好吗？”炭心问道，不过没有看他。
他瞥了她一眼：“很好啊。怎么了？”
她一直目视前方：“你睡觉的时候一直在说梦话。是做噩梦了吗？”
“没有，只是做梦而已。”
见她没说话，狮焰继续说道：“我犯了一个错误。”他知道，他根本不应该去尝试选择一种不同的命运。他眼前的这条路上，有太多的生命在指望着他。“以后不会再发生这样的事了。”
他感觉身边炭心一愣，她知道他的真正意思。我再也不会为你分心了。
她停下来，转身面向他，眼中闪动着盈盈的光芒。“好的。”她的语气很平静，但他从她的目光中看到了悲伤。
狮焰心中也绞痛起来。对不起，炭心。
“族群第一。”她温柔地说。
“族群第一。”狮焰低头从她身边走了过去。他停在黑莓掌面前问道：“我可以跟冬青叶一起去狩猎吗？”
黑莓掌停止了洗脸：“只是你们俩？”
“是的，我需要跟她谈一谈。”
“好吧，如果你这么想。”黑莓掌说完继续舔舐着脚掌，再次清理自己的口鼻。狮焰朝着武士巢穴走去。
冬青叶正站在巢穴入口处伸着懒腰，冷风吹起她的皮毛。
“走，”狮焰用鼻子轻推她的肩膀一下，“我们去狩猎。”
冬青叶挺直身子，打了个哈欠：“还有谁？”
狮焰朝荆棘屏障走去：“就我们俩。”
冬青叶追上他，他们一起出了营地，朝斜坡爬去。“我已经学会了所有的狩猎技巧。”她信心满满地对他说道。
“我知道。”狮焰爬上一段陡峭的坡路，“我想我们能抓到松鼠。”
爬到坡顶，他从树林里冲出来，眯起眼睛迎着阳光。山下，湖面闪动着细碎的光芒，微风吹过，荡起阵阵涟漪。枯叶从水边的树上飞舞而下，飘落在岸边。天边乌云密布，傍晚夜幕降临时，估计就该下雨了。
“我们从哪里开始？”冬青叶追上他问道。
“我们沿着小溪往前走吧。”狮焰提议道。从这里，他能看见那道从森林里一直延伸到湖边的水沟。
“不如我们顺着小溪去山毛榉树林那边，”冬青叶继续说道，“那里会有很多找坚果的松鼠。”说完，她便冲向前去，跑下了山坡，微风吹动着她的皮毛。
狮焰感到了一种久违的快乐。有那么一瞬间，他感觉自己又变回了学徒，跟同窝手足一起在森林里，一心想着第一次捉到的猎物。他奋力在草丛中飞奔着，连滚带滑地追赶着冬青叶。跑到小溪边时，冬青叶掉转方向，跳进了旁边宽阔的浅沟中，像水獭一样泼溅着溪水。
“你变成河族猫了吗？”看见姐姐信心十足地逆流而上，狮焰惊奇地大喊道。
冬青叶停了下来，转过身，脸上的胡须颤动着。“这说不定是落叶季最后一个阳光明媚的日子了呢！”她大喊道，“我们还是好好享受吧。”说着她跳上岸，抖了抖皮毛。
狮焰也走进水中，惊讶地发现，脚掌间流淌的溪水是如此的清凉舒服。他跳上岸，走到冬青叶身旁，咕噜道：“我们比赛看谁先跑到山毛榉树林！”
说完他便快速跑了出去，在树林里来回穿梭。冬青叶追了上来，他能感觉到她呼吸到他尾巴上的热气，于是跑得更加卖力了。你能跑多快呢？他全速奔跑着，两侧的灌木丛变得模糊起来。他回头看了一眼，希望冬青叶能突然从身边掠过，比森林里任何一只猫的速度都要快。这可能是一个迹象，表明她就是第四只猫了。可冬青叶虽然尽力跟在后面，却被落得越来越远。
狮焰停了下来。冬青叶气喘吁吁地停在了他旁边。“太好玩了！”她上气不接下气地说道，眼睛环顾着四周。当她看到第一棵山毛榉树时，不由得眼前一亮，立刻爬上树干，从最低矮的树枝上往下看：“上来啊，慢虫子！”
狮焰把自己拉了上去。“我们来看看到底能爬多高！”他又开始试探她，每次都让她自己选树枝先跳，观察着她的每一跳是否比其他族猫更轻盈更有力。他看到他们所在的这棵树，和旁边的山毛榉树之间隔得很远，便说道：“看！”
冬青叶停了下来，顺着他的目光看去：“什么？”
“你觉得自己能跳过去吗？”
“那棵树吗？”冬青叶若有所思地歪着脑袋，然后便沿树枝开始冲刺，并在树梢处一跃而起。
看着她在空中飞跃，狮焰的心跳几乎都停止了。他爬到树梢处，正好看到冬青叶在另一棵树边伸出脚掌，抓住了树梢，血液顿时涌进他的耳朵。冬青叶用前脚掌抓住树枝，后腿则在空中乱蹬着。
“小心！”看到冬青叶在树枝上危险地晃荡着，狮焰大喊了起来。一阵风吹过，树枝开始晃动摇曳起来。“抓紧！”
“我没事！”冬青叶扑腾着后腿，将自己拽到了树上，然后得意扬扬地看着他说，“该你了。”
狮焰看着两棵树之间宽大的空隙，不由得一阵眩晕。下方的缺口仿佛正张着大嘴等着他。他刚才让冬青叶去冒生命危险，只是为了证明自己的想法没错，证明她就是第四只猫。她做到了，可也只是勉强过去而已。他能跳那么远吗？“我们——”
还没等他说完，冬青叶突然抬头往上看去。她上方的树枝在颤动，是松鼠。只见她一跃而起，很快便消失在泛黄的树叶里。她的身后，枯叶纷纷飘落下来。狮焰目不转睛地看着，仍心有余悸。山毛榉树一阵晃动，冬青叶吼了一声。然后一切又归于平静。
“冬青叶？”他喊道。
没有回应。
“冬青叶！”狮焰滑落到身下的另一根树枝上，朝树干冲去。他一直往下爬，在交错的树枝间绕来荡去，直到看见下方的地面时，才松开爪子，跳了下去。
“冬青叶！”她是摔下去了吗？他扫视着地面，恐慌袭遍了全身。突然，头顶上的树枝沙沙作响，狮焰抬头看去。
冬青叶从树叶中探出了头，一只松鼠在她嘴边晃荡。她咕噜着跳到他身旁，扔下猎物。“怎么样？”她眼中流露出挑战的神色，“我通过测评了吗？”
狮焰惊讶地眨眨眼睛。“这不是测评。”
冬青叶歪着脑袋：“那你为什么和我在森林里赛跑，又让我在树梢上跳来跳去，好像我长着翅膀似的？”
狮焰迟疑了起来。风更大了，吹得头顶上的树枝咔嚓作响。“是跟预言有关。”他承认道。
“好吧。”冬青叶点点头，“预言怎么了？”
“还有第四只猫。”冬青叶耳朵竖立了起来，狮焰继续说道，“我觉得可能是你。”
冬青叶低头看着自己的脚掌：“不可能。”
“为什么？”狮焰凑近她，“你刚刚已经证明，你的爬树和狩猎本领都很高！”
“我是一位受过训练的武士！”她争辩道，“我当然会爬树和狩猎。而且我有很长一段时间，是自己照顾自己，独自生活。”
狮焰没理会她的争辩。“可你会为族群做任何事情！在隧道和风族作战时，你有勇有谋。”他看着她的眼睛，“你没做过什么梦吗？星族没有给你传过话吗？或者是杀无尽部落？”
冬青叶看着他：“我又不是巫医！”
“但你是预言的一部分……”
“我不是预言的一部分！”冬青叶的语气里透着一丝恼火，“我杀死过一只猫，你忘了吗？”她开始来回走动，爪子撕扯着落叶。“而且那不是因为我多么勇敢或是多么高尚。我之所以杀死蜡毛，是因为我们的出生违背了武士守则，所以我很生气！”她猛然转身，眼中闪动着痛苦，“蜡毛的死，是因为我怒不可遏，丧失了判断是非的能力！”
狮焰心里一阵刺痛。“这不是你的错！”他轻触着她的皮毛，想要尽力减轻她的痛苦，“是叶池和松鼠飞造成的，要怪就怪她们！”
冬青叶摇了摇头。“不，她们确实犯了错，但她们正在想办法让事情变得更好。叶池的心让她走错了路，可没有哪只猫应该因此而死。”她定定地望着狮焰，“每只猫在一生中的某个时刻都会犯错，对吗？”
狮焰后退了几步。“我……我想是的，”他结结巴巴地说道，“但最后，真正的武士会做正确的事情，不是吗？”
“是的，”冬青叶坐下来，疲倦地摆弄着死松鼠，“所以我才一直在尽力回报我的族群。”
狮焰心中再次燃起一丝希望：“难道这还不能证明，你就是第四只猫吗？”
“不，”冬青叶抬起头，“那只能证明我跟其他雷族猫一样，是一位武士。”
“可你比任何一只雷族猫爬得都高，还在上面抓住了一只松鼠。”
“我受过很好的训练。”
“在隧道的作战中，你表现得比任何一位武士都要勇敢善战。”
“长久以来，那些隧道一直是我的家。”
“你忠于武士守则。”
“所有族猫都是这样。”冬青叶眼睛一眨不眨地望着他。
狮焰的尾巴耷拉了下来，他没话说了。
“你、松鸦羽，还有鸽翅，都是特别的。”冬青叶继续说道，“如果说我有什么使命，那就是保护你们三个完成你们的使命。”她凑了过来，狮焰能感觉到她温暖的气息吹拂在他的皮毛上。“我从来没做过什么特别的梦，也没看到过任何奇特的幻象。我所做的每一件事，任何一位武士都能做到。”雨点开始滴答落在他们头顶上方的树叶上。“我不是第四只猫。”她轻声说道。
“我多希望是你啊！”狮焰难过地告诉她，“你有资格成为预言中的猫。”他耳朵抖动着，“我们需要找到第四只猫，否则将会失去一切。”
雨下得更大了，冬青叶将自己的肩膀靠向狮焰的肩膀。“别灰心。”她轻声说道，“我们的祖先已经带领我们走了那么远，现在更不会把我们引向失败的。”
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 15
Jayfeather wrinkled his nose as heswallowed a mouthful of herbs. The tansy tasted bitter and would sit like nettles in his belly till sunhigh, but he was determined not to catch any of the coughs and sneezes spreading through the Clan like fleas. He sniffed Briarlight. The tang of green leaves was fresh on her breath. “Have you eaten all of them?”
“Yes.” Her fur brushed the floor as she crossed the medicine den and Jayfeather heard her lapping from the pool. “Why do herbs have to taste so bitter?” she complained.
“It stops the rabbits and mice from eating them,” Jayfeather replied.
The days of rain since the Gathering—nearly a quarter moon ago—had brought with them the first real chill of leaf-fall. The Clan had been sheltering in their dens when they weren’t patrolling, and every sniffle had been passed from nest to nest. Nothing serious, but the sound of coughing and wheezing made Jayfeather edgy.
He had turned Millie away yesterday when she’d come to visit Briarlight. “No cat is allowed in the medicine den except me.”
Millie had tensed, her tail twitching with annoyance, but she hadn’t argued. Jayfeather sensed worry pricking beneath her pelt. Millie wanted to keep Briarlight safe from infection as much as he did. Although Briarlight’s forepaws were strong enough to haul herself onto the fallen beech now, Jayfeather couldn’t predict how well she would fight sickness. The daily ritual of swallowing herbs was the best way he could think of for keeping them both safe from infection.
He pawed through the leaves he’d lined up outside the store. The stock of tansy was lower than he’d hoped. He reached instead for mallow. It should work just as well on Purdy’s cough. He grabbed a wad of leaves between his jaws and headed for the entrance. “Stay in the den,” he ordered Briarlight through clenched teeth. “And no visitors.”
“What if Millie comes?” Briarlight asked hopefully.
“I’ve told her to stay away.” As Jayfeather nosed his way through the trailing brambles, drizzle washed his face. He flattened his ears against it and headed toward the honeysuckle bush. Murmuring sounded from the dens, muffled by leaves that had been pawed into the woven walls to keep out the wind. Jayfeather ducked into the elders’ den. The warm scents of Mousefur and Purdy filled his nose. Purdy was damp and the musky odor of fresh mouse hung in the air.
Jayfeather dropped the mallow beside Purdy’s nest. “Have you been hunting?”
“Mousefur was hungry,” Purdy rasped.
“Don’t use me as an excuse!” Mousefur snapped. “He wanted to hunt,” she told Jayfeather.
“We’ve been stuck inside for days,” Purdy complained. “I needed to get out for a while.”
Mousefur shifted in her nest. “Bored of my company?”
A purr rumbled in the old tom’s throat. “I thought you could do with a break from my stories.”
“Your stories are the only interesting thing that happens around here,” she croaked.
Jayfeather picked up a few mallow leaves and dropped them beside the cantankerous elder. “Perhaps you could spend more time with Lilykit and Seedkit. They’re getting to that restless age.”
“Brightheart’s kits are due soon,” he added. “You’ll be busy enough once they’re bouncing around the clearing looking for trouble.”
“I suppose.” Mousefur sniffed. “No doubt it’ll be up to me to teach them manners. Kits nowadays don’t know how to show any respect.”
Jayfeather’s whiskers twitched with amusement.
“Don’t you believe it,” Purdy whispered. “She was teaching Lilykit and Seedkit how to reach under the wall of the warriors’ den and catch stray tails yesterday.”
“I heard that!” Mousefur snapped.
Jayfeather left the two old cats bickering and pushed through the honeysuckle into the rain. The nursery rustled on the other side of the clearing. Fur scraped thorns and Jayfeather smelled the scent of Cinderheart. She was squeezing into the bramble bush.
Jayfeather crossed the camp and poked his head inside. “Is everything okay here?”
Brightheart shifted in her nest. “Ferncloud’s under the weather,” she puffed. Her belly was so round with kits that even sitting up to talk was an effort.
“She’s got a bellyache.” Cinderheart’s mew sounded beside Ferncloud’s nest. “I thought I’d check on her. You’ve got plenty to do.”
Jayfeather hesitated, uncertain as usual whether he should let Cinderheart act as medicine cat or tell her to go back to her warrior duties. But it was a decision she needed to make for herself. “If you need herbs, let me know,” he told her. “I’ll leave them outside the medicine den for you.”
Jayfeather withdrew, turning toward the apprentices’ den, where he could hear Molepaw coughing.
“Cough again, Molepaw.” Leafpool’s mew surprised Jayfeather. She was already inside the den. Molepaw forced out a cough and Leafpool sat up. “It’s not bubbling in his chest. Perhaps some honey will soothe his throat?” Jayfeather felt her gaze flit toward him.
There are more medicine cats than sick cats!Ruffled, Jayfeather pushed past Leafpool and listened to Molepaw’s chest. She was right. It sounded clear. “I’ll wrap some honey in a leaf and leave it outside my den.” He turned and stomped from the den.
“That was quick.” Briarlight greeted him as he pushed his way through the brambles and shook the rain from his pelt.
“Cinderheart and Leafpool are helping,” Jayfeather muttered. He padded to the store, hauled out a lump of honeycomb, and folded it in a laurel leaf. Then he picked a few chervil roots for Ferncloud’s bellyache. Grasping them between his jaws, he carried them to the den entrance, thrust his head out, and dropped them on the ground.
A familiar scent surprised him. RiverClan.As he slid out into the clearing, he tasted the air. Poppyfrost and Brackenfur were padding from the thorn tunnel. The two warriors smelled fresh from the forest. And there was a third cat behind them, walking into the clearing with hesitant steps. Mothwing?
Poppyfrost called to him. “Mothwing wants to speak with you.”
“It’s a RiverClan cat!” Squeaking excitedly, Lilykit dashed from behind the warriors’ den.
“Why’s she here?” Seedkit bounced after her sister.
Jayfeather waved them away with his tail and hurried to greet the RiverClan medicine cat. Nodding to Poppyfrost and Brackenfur, he steered Mothwing to the edge of the clearing.
Behind them, Spiderleg grumbled, “Why is she allowed to tramp across our territory when our medicine cat isn’t even allowed at the Gathering?”
Jayfeather ignored him. “What is it?”
“You have to come with me,” Mothwing told him.
Stones clattered as Firestar bounded down from his den. He skidded to a halt beside Mothwing. “Is anything wrong?”
“No,” Mothwing meowed evenly. “There’s just something I need to show Jayfeather.”
Firestar shifted his paws. “Jayfeather can’t leave ThunderClan territory.”
Mothwing’s pelt brushed Jayfeather’s. “He can for this.”
“What is it?” Firestar thrust his muzzle closer.
“Something only Jayfeather will understand.” Mothwing headed away. “Are you coming?” she called to Jayfeather.
“I’d better go with her,” Jayfeather meowed apologetically to Firestar. He ran after Mothwing as she vanished into the thorns. What was so important that she’d overrule a Clan leader?
Excitement sparked from Mothwing’s pelt as she headed onto the narrow beach and followed the edge of the lake, crossing the WindClan border without even pausing to taste the air. Jayfeather followed, his pads pricking with curiosity. He hardly noticed the rain battering his face. Had Mothwing discovered proof she was the fourth cat? Hope flared in his chest.
A shout from the hillside made him jump. Crowfeather.The WindClan warrior was pelting toward them, yowling.
“He’s leading a patrol,” Mothwing warned. She shoved Jayfeather behind her and waited as the WindClan cats swished through the heather.
“What are you doing here?”
Jayfeather flinched as Crowfeather slowed to a halt in front of them. He tasted the scents of Whitetail and Owlwhisker as they joined their Clanmate.
“He’s not allowed to cross Clan territory,” Crowfeather growled.
Mothwing didn’t move. “This is not your territory. We’re within a tail-length of the water.”
“It’s not a full moon!” Crowfeather snarled. “There’s no truce.”
Jayfeather dug his claws into the pebbles. He couldn’t believe this bad-tempered warrior was his father.
“We’re medicine cats,” Mothwing meowed calmly.
Crowfeather padded closer. “He’s not.”
Owlwhisker growled, “Let’s escort him back to his border.”
Whitetail shifted her paws. “He’s not doing any harm,” she meowed.
“He’s a murderer!” Owlwhisker hissed.
“Do you believe everythingShadowClan says?” Whitetail snapped at her Clanmate.
Stones rattled beneath Mothwing’s feet as she stepped closer to the WindClan patrol. “Let us pass,” she insisted.
Crowfeather’s tail lashed the air. “Jayfeather is trespassing.”
“Do you want to fight me?” Mothwing challenged. “Because you’ll have to if you lay a claw on him.” There was a growl in her mew. “Would StarClan approve of you harming a medicine cat?”
Jayfeather felt frustration flare from Crowfeather’s pelt. “You can pass.” He leaned closer to Jayfeather. “But this is the second time we’ve caught you trespassing on our territory.” His breath smelled of rabbit. “Make it the last.”
Mothwing’s tail flicked past Jayfeather’s nose. “He’ll have to travel back,” she pointed out. “Will I need to escort him? Does WindClan take pride in attacking blind cats?”
Jayfeather swallowed a hiss. He hated his blindness being used as an excuse, but this was no time to let pride get in the way.
“Very well.” Crowfeather backed away, his Clanmates retreating with him.
Shaking raindrops from her whiskers, Mothwing headed along the shore. Jayfeather trotted after her, impressed by her courage. “You should have been a warrior,” he meowed as the WindClan patrol faded from earshot.
“Maybe, but I am a medicine cat,” Mothwing replied in a tone that didn’t invite further questions. She led him across the RiverClan border and into the reed beds. The ground grew boggy underpaw and marsh grass brushed Jayfeather’s pelt as he followed the medicine cat along a twisting path.
“What’s that?” Jayfeather stiffened as the faint smell of smoke touched his nose.
“That’s what we’re going to see.” Mothwing kept going and Jayfeather hurried after her. “Duck,” she warned as the marsh grass thickened.
Dripping fronds trailed over Jayfeather’s nose, filling his muzzle with wet seeds that made him sneeze. Spluttering, he padded after Mothwing until suddenly she halted, and Jayfeather lost his footing in the mud as he tried to avoid crashing into her.
“Here,” Mothwing announced.
The smell of smoke was even stronger. Why had she led him to a fire? “What is it?” he asked.
“One reed is smoldering,” she told him. “It’s been smoldering for days.”
“In this rain?”
“The rest of the reed bed is soaked, but this one keeps burning,” Mothwing explained. “It doesn’t burn completely. The tip just glows with a tiny flame.”
Jayfeather leaned close, the smoke making his eyes sting. Pain stung his nose as it touched the smoldering reed. He stepped backward. “How long has it been like this?”
“Three sunrises,” Mothwing told him. “Ever since the Gathering.”
“It’s a sign!” Jayfeather turned to Mothwing. “You know it’s a sign, don’t you?”
She sat down. “For me, it’s a trick of the marshes,” she meowed. “But I knew you’d find an omen in it. That’s why I showed you.”
“Has Willowshine seen it?” Surely Mothwing would show it to her own Clanmate first?
“Willowshine isn’t looking for signs,” Mothwing told him. “Not like you.”
Jayfeather leaned closer to the tiny flame. As its heat touched his nose again a vision flared in his mind. Fire shot like a stalk in front of him, spearing up toward the sky, glowing orange like a… Jayfeather’s mind whirled … like a tail!
Flametail!StarClan was sending him a sign. Find Flametail!
He’d already been to the Moonpool in his search for the dead ShadowClan cat. But that time he hadn’t even made it to StarClan’s hunting grounds. Maybe StarClan was ready now.
“Thank you!” Jayfeather ran his tail gratefully over Mothwing’s flank. Was he right about her being the fourth cat? Maybeit’s Flametail.This sign changed everything! If he could talk to Flametail and persuade him to tell Littlecloud he drowned accidentally, the medicine cats could unite once more. And with the medicine cats working together, the Clans might join forces in time to face the Dark Forest.
“I have to get back.”
Mothwing stilled him with a paw. “Do you know what it means?”
“I think so.” It would take too long to tell her everything. Jayfeather wanted to get home, curl into his nest, and dream his way to StarClan’s hunting grounds. “It means I can find Flametail now.”
“But he’s dead, right?” Mothwing asked uneasily.
“Not to me!”
Jayfeather felt sorrow flood Mothwing. “I envy your faith,” she murmured. “You can always find hope, even in the darkest moments.”
Jayfeather tipped his head. “If only that were true.” A few sunrises ago he’d given up all trust in the prophecy and his power to fulfill his destiny. Now there seemed a tiny chink of light, but the darkness still loomed on every side.
“I’ll always be here if you need me,” Mothwing told him. “I may not share your faith, but I will always help you fight for what you believe in.”
“Thank you.” Jayfeather broke away, his paws itching for home.
“Do you want me to go with you?” Mothwing offered as he headed back along the trail.
“I’ll be okay!” Running, he followed his own scent along the narrow path until he burst out onto the shore.
Mothwing’s mew sounded from the reeds behind him. “I’ll keep watching the flame!” she yowled. “If it goes out, I’ll know you’ve found what you’re looking for!”
第十三章
第十三章
鸽翅坐在巢穴入口向外张望，营地里弥漫着潮湿树叶的气息。“雨停了。”
藤池在窝里伸了个懒腰：“天晴了吗？”
“是的。”乌云在天空快速移动，不过冷风正在将它们吹散。“等我们到那里时，天就晴了。”鸽翅抖动着胡须说道。又要召开森林大会了。过去几天的暴雨天气，让她坐立不安。在那个月光明亮的夜晚见面之后，她就一直没见过虎心。星族啊，让他来参加森林大会吧。
黄蜂条从猎物堆那边走了过来，嘴里还叼着一只老鼠。“喂，鸽翅，”他将猎物扔在她的脚掌边，“我估计你可能饿了。”
她将老鼠推到一边：“我不饿，谢谢。”
黄蜂条歪着脑袋说道：“真的吗？去小岛要走很远的路。我早就饿了。”
“那你赶紧去吃点儿东西吧。”鸽翅说道。
空地的另一边，火星从巢穴里走了出来。“我们很快就会出发，”鸽翅瞥了一眼藤池，“你休息之后脸色好多了。”恶劣天气意味着族猫只能待在营地里，这样藤池就可以趁机补觉，“黑莓掌或许会改变主意的。”
雷族副族长没有选藤池去参加森林大会。鸽翅央求他，让姐妹一起去。黑莓掌摇了摇头说道：“这几个月来，她看上去一直很疲倦，或许应该让松鸦羽给她检查一下。”
“她没事。”鸽翅急忙向他保证。
藤池在窝里翻了个身：“我宁可留在这里睡觉。”
鸽翅冲她眨了眨眼睛。她现在就想在梦里回到黑森林吗？
当武士们从巢穴门口经过时，藤池的目光扫过梅花落和桦落，然后闭上了双眼。“黑莓掌说得对，”她喃喃道，“我确实太累了。”
鸽翅低头钻出巢穴，穿过空地，走到在荆棘通道旁等候的狮焰和云尾身边。狐跃坐在他们旁边，樱桃爪则在顽皮地拍打着鼹鼠爪那晃来晃去的尾巴。
“等等我。”玫瑰瓣匆忙追了上来，“黄蜂条想在出发前再吃一只老鼠。”
鸽翅哼了一声：“如果他再那样吃下去，就会长得跟灰条一样胖的。”
浅灰色武士此时正在猎物堆里翻找着，他身上的黑色条纹像极了月光下的阴影。灰条凑到他身边问道：“还剩下什么好吃的？”
黄蜂条钩出一只鼩鼱，舔了舔自己的嘴唇：“这只肯定是藏在了最下面。”
“你最好先把它给鼠毛送去。”灰条建议道，“她最喜欢鼩鼱。”
黄蜂条往金银花灌木丛看去。鼠毛正坐在巢穴外，用颤颤巍巍的前脚掌清理着自己的耳朵。黄蜂条伸出脚掌，鼩鼱在他爪间晃动着：“你饿不饿，鼠毛？”
鼠毛抬起头，胡须颤动着：“我不饿。真希望自己还能有武士们的好胃口啊。”
她旁边的波弟翻了个身，伸着懒腰问道：“你怀念狩猎吗？”
“就好像不说话你的舌头会掉出来似的。”鼠毛粗声粗气地说道。
黄蜂条看着鼩鼱，两眼放光：“那么它就归我了。”
香薇云大步从育婴室里走了出来。“亮心可能更需要它。”她轻轻咬住黄蜂条爪中的鼩鼱，然后带回给正躺着休息的亮心。月光下，亮心的肚子圆滚滚的。黄蜂条的尾巴耷拉了下来。
鸽翅咕噜着，轻轻推了推玫瑰瓣：“可怜的黄蜂条，总是第一个去猎物堆，却是最后一个吃到猎物。”
火星从高石台上跳了下来，凝望着初升的明月。“我们该出发了。”他回过头，沙风刚好跳到他身旁，“雨停一会儿可能还会下。”
在武士巢穴旁的黑莓掌伸了个懒腰，然后便跟着火星穿过空地。炭心走出巢穴，忧伤地看着荆棘屏障。
松鼠飞从她身后跳了出来：“你要去参加森林大会吗？”
炭心耸了耸肩膀：“今晚不去。”
“松鸦羽呢？”雷族族长走到营地入口时，狮焰迎上来问道，“他要和我们一起去吗？”松鸦羽正站在巫医巢穴入口处，黑莓藤垂在他的脊背上。
火星摇了摇头。
“可是，没有哪个族群不带巫医去参加森林大会的。”狮焰反对道。
黑莓掌用尾巴抚平狮焰竖起的皮毛：“在其他族群眼里，他现在已经不是我们的巫医了。”
狮焰咆哮起来：“我不喜欢让其他族群来告诉我们该做什么。”
“我也不喜欢，”火星屈起了爪子，“可因为这个和其他族群开战不值得。”
玫瑰瓣走上前来：“不能让炭心替他去吗？她过去就是雷族的巫医啊。”
正在武士巢穴外看着他们的炭心，听到这话竖起了耳朵。
“不。”火星冲炭心点了点头，“在炭心自己决定选择哪条路之前，没必要让其他族群知道她的事情。”
让鸽翅惊讶的是，炭心看上去像是松了一口气。难道她不想再成为巫医吗？
一阵大风吹来，荆棘丛窸窣作响。“我们走吧。”火星钻进了荆棘丛，“一会儿还会下雨。这次的森林大会可能开不长。”
火星沿着小路往森林边缘进发，雷族队伍跟着爬上了山坡。荆棘丛中猫影闪动。鸽翅的脚掌在潮湿的树叶上直打滑，梅花落用尾巴托住了她。这时，一个灰色身影出现在她的视野里。鸽翅转过身，看到黄蜂条走到了她旁边，跟她保持着同样的速度往前走着。她加快脚步，想要冲到前面去。但每次她回头看时，灰毛武士似乎都在她身边。她绕过一簇荆棘丛，挡在黄蜂条的前面，这样他就不得不停下，让她先过去。
她在他之前爬到了坡顶，冲出树林，往下方湖边看去。星族啊，求求你们了，让虎心来森林大会吧。祈祷仿佛刺入了她的心，让她无比疼痛。
“累了吗？”玫瑰瓣追上了她。
“我可不累！”梅花落从她们身边跑过，冲下山坡，去追赶族猫去了。
黄蜂条在鸽翅和玫瑰瓣旁边停下了脚步：“你差点儿让我撞在树上！”
“你走路应该看路，”鸽翅大吼道，“我还差点儿被你绊倒呢。”她嘟嘟囔囔地跑下了山坡：“蠢笨的鼠脑子！”
“你为什么对他那么凶？”玫瑰瓣的低语声吓了鸽翅一跳，“你知道的，这又不是什么大错！”
“不是什么？”
黄蜂条从她们身边跑过去时，玫瑰瓣的目光阴沉下来，似乎想着什么。
“不是什么？”鸽翅重复道。为什么玫瑰瓣看起来那么生气呢？
“他显然很喜欢你！”玫瑰瓣厉声说道，“可你也不用一再伤害他，就像要把他脑袋咬掉似的。他是你的族猫，不是猎物！”
鸽翅平贴起了耳朵。玫瑰瓣为什么会那么难过？“就因为他喜欢我，我就必须小心翼翼围着他转吗？这不是我的错。”
玫瑰瓣斜眼看着她：“伤害他的感情，你很享受吗？”
“当然不是！”鸽翅心里闪过一丝愧疚。
“那就给他道歉。”
鸽翅心里一惊。玫瑰瓣说得没错。如果黄蜂条喜欢她，那么，因为他的关心而去惩罚他是不公平的。“好吧！”她跑上前去，循着黄蜂条的踪迹穿过草丛，跑下短短的斜坡，跟在黄蜂条身后跳落到湖滨的鹅卵石上。黄蜂条回头看了她一眼，继续向前跑去。
“等等！”鸽翅大口喘着粗气，鹅卵石被踢得四处乱飞。
黄蜂条放慢脚步等她追上来。“什么事？”他冷冷地道。
“嗯……”鸽翅想要喘口气，可黄蜂条并没有放慢速度，“对不起，我刚才说话太冲了。”
黄蜂条转头看向她，目光冰冷：“我受够了被你当成磨爪石。”他嘶吼道，“从现在开始，你去找其他猫磨爪子吧。”
鸽翅皮毛竖起：“又不是我的错！”
“我知道了，行吗？”他这次甚至都没看她，只是一直往前跑着，“你并不像我喜欢你那样喜欢我。我会放弃的。只是，我很失望，你不是我想象中的那只猫了。”
鸽翅皮毛倒竖了起来。他居然敢这么说她？她为族群付出了一切，他还想要她怎样！这不公平。她放慢了脚步，让黄蜂条跑到前面。
“怎么样了？”玫瑰瓣追上她。
“非常感谢。”鸽翅咆哮道，“下次，我会让你去道歉看看。”
“他生气了？”
“是的。”鸽翅抽动着尾巴，“而且，生气的不只是他。”
她跟在队伍后面，眼睛盯着地面，伏平耳朵，不再去听族猫们的闲聊。终于，雷族猫来到横在小岛和湖岸之间的树桥旁。她拖在后面，让族猫们先过桥。等他们都过去了，她张开嘴巴嗅着空气的味道，期待能捕捉到虎心的气息。但空气中混杂着各个族群的气味。
鸽翅从草丛中探出头来。空地上都挤满了猫。雷族猫一出现，所有的脸都转了过来。
“他来了吗？”鸽翅听见影族学徒正在跟同巢猫窃窃私语。
他们抖动着耳朵，目光扫视着雷族。
“你能看见他吗？”
“他不敢来！”
鸽翅一愣。“他们在说谁？”她悄声问白翅。
白翅抬起下巴，从一群武士中挤了过去。“松鸦羽。”她说道。
鸽翅跟着母亲，从那些打量她们的面孔前走了过去，然后停在梅花落和松鼠飞身旁。火星挤到她们前面，朝大橡树走去。黑莓掌走到树下，和芦苇须、花楸掌还有灰脚站在了一起。鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪则跑到空地边上，坐在学徒们中间。鸽翅的目光扫视着一张张面孔，寻找着虎心。
三位巫医小云、隼飞和柳光，正聚集在大橡树下。曙皮抽动着尾巴，走到他们面前。
鸽翅瞥了一眼白翅：“她好像挺盼着松鸦羽来。那样她就可以挑起战斗了。”
她感到耳边有热气，转头一看，发现是红柳凑了过来。“凶手就应该受到惩罚！”
鸽翅转过身，皮毛倒立：“松鸦羽不是凶手！”
卵石足走到他们中间。“那他怎么没有来呢？”他挑衅地问鸽翅，“是不是自感罪孽深重，不敢露面了？”
鸽翅怒视着他：“是你们不让他——”
白翅用肩膀将卵石足挤开。“离族猫们近一点儿，鸽翅。”她警告道，“有些猫似乎忘记了休战协定。”她抬头看向小岛上空高悬的满月。一团乌云横在它前面，就像是脏兮兮的蜘蛛网。
鸽翅转过身，不再理会红柳和卵石足。她才不会惹星族生气呢。“这不公平。”她冲白翅小声说道，“是他们不让松鸦羽来的，现在又说他不来正好证明他有罪！”
白翅用尾巴抚平鸽翅的皮毛：“他们只是想激怒我们。”
“可为什么呀？”他们不在意休战协定吗？鸽翅心中满是怒火，这时，她瞥见空地那边有两只深色的耳朵尖。她站起来，用后腿支撑着身子，从其他猫上方看去。虎心！
“我能过去一下吗？”斑鼻从一群影族猫里挤了出来。
鸽翅赶忙给河族长老让出地方。“如果你愿意，可以坐这里。”她动动口鼻示意道。
“谢谢。”斑鼻在她旁边坐了下来。
鸽翅闭上嘴巴，以免闻到河族老猫身上的那股鱼腥味。“不客气。”她咬紧牙关低声说道。
黑星扬起口鼻，大声宣布“森林大会开始”，空地上安静了下来。黑星站在大橡树那粗壮低矮的树枝上，俯瞰着族群。“谢谢你，火星。”他冲雷族族长点了点头。
火星眯起了双眼。
黑星继续说道：“你遵照族群的意愿，将松鸦羽禁足在营地，直到我们找出有关焰尾死亡的真相。”
曙皮的眼睛在小云身边闪动着。她郑重其事地点了点头，表示赞同黑星的话。
鸽翅屈起了爪子。是谁让你当各个族群的领导了吗？
蛛足直立起身子，大声喊道：“什么时候能知道真相？”
小云向前一步。“我们也在等星族告诉我们。”他看了一眼曙皮，继续说道，“现在这种情形，让我们大家都很为难。”
柳光站起身：“我们都为此感到不舒服。”
鸽翅想去见虎心。他也感觉不舒服吗？
“不要盯着看了！”母亲的嘶吼声吓了她一跳，“我们不想挑衅影族！”
鸽翅缩了缩身子，将目光又转向族长们。一星已经走上前来，尾巴卷到背上：“过去的一个月里，风族的猎物很丰盛。我们已经做好迎接下个季节的准备了。”
雾星点了点头：“我们也是。绿叶季湖边水肥鱼美，河族也没受到疾病的困扰。”
火星甩了甩尾巴：“绿叶季里，星族保佑着我们所有族群。”
鸽翅从他眼中看到了一丝不安，不过他眨了眨眼睛，很快便掩饰了过去。这或许是族群猫能见到的最后一个绿叶季了。
雾星的话打断了她的思绪。“河族只担心一件事，”她歪着脑袋，用质疑的目光扫视着各个族群，“我们的领地里出现了泼皮猫和独行猫的踪迹。我们没找到这些猫，不过却发现了奇怪的气味和脚印。”
鸽翅一愣，想起自己跟虎心在领地外面散步的那些夜晚。他们的气味飘进河族领地里去了吗？
雾星抖了抖尾巴：“另外，我们没发现那些猫越过边界的痕迹，他们好像一下子就出现在我们领地里了。”
白翅凑近鸽翅。“说不定隧道也能通往河族领地呢。”她悄声说道。
但此时，鸽翅几乎什么也没听见。千万别是我们的气味！她将身下的脚掌收得更紧了。蛛足守夜的时候，不是汇报说听见了奇怪的猫的声音吗？黑莓掌因此已经安排了午夜巡逻。那也是我们的错吗？
火星把头偏向一侧，犀利的目光中透着关心。“我们也发现了泼皮猫的踪迹。”他的尾巴颤动着，“他们是夜里出现的。我们已经加派了巡逻，但还没有真正看到过一只猫。”
一星动了动脚掌。“我们也闻见了奇怪的气味。”他承认道。
黑星耸耸肩膀：“影族的树林里也发现了泼皮猫的踪迹。”
火星往前凑了凑：“你们有没有真的看到什么？”
黑星摇了摇头：“只有气味、折断的树梢和几撮皮毛。”
雾星后背上的皮毛竖了起来：“在哪里发现的？”
“在我们的领地腹地。”黑星回答道。
一星点点头：“我们也是在领地腹地。边界上没发现什么，但却在荒原中央发现了一些踪迹。”
黑星的爪子抓挠着树皮：“很多气味都是在最佳伏击区域发现的。”
“像是有敌人在侦察地形。”火星严肃地总结道。
鸽翅感到周围的皮毛全都竖起，族猫们群情激愤，纷纷议论了起来。
“我在金雀花丛里发现了一撮橘色皮毛！”石楠尾大喊道，“闻起来不像我认识的族群猫。”
烟足抬起口鼻：“我们的训练场附近有脚印，闻起来臭臭的。”说完，影族武士皱了皱鼻子。
鸽翅旁的斑鼻动了一下。“我们营地周围也有一串脚印通往河边。”她粗声粗气地说道。
梅花落从雷族猫中抬起头。“我觉得没什么好担心的。绿叶季一直都是温暖和煦，阳光充足。”她大声说道，“天气好的时候，宠物猫、泼皮猫还有独行猫总是离我们远远的。”
鸽翅瞥了一眼自己的族猫。她为什么要这么着急地对危险轻描淡写呢？
“这些不是泼皮猫！我闻见里面有河族猫的气味！”花楸掌吼道。
黑莓掌点点头：“雷族领地里也发现了影族猫的气味。”
黑星眯起双眼：“没有影族猫越过你们的边界！”
雾星的喉咙里发出隆隆的低吼声：“河族也没必要进入其他族群的领地，我们的领地上什么都有！”
族长们警惕地打量着彼此，眼睛闪闪发亮，就像四对小月亮。斑鼻从鸽翅身边挪开，她的眼神中突然充满了怀疑。一星甩着尾巴，黑星则责难地怒视着火星。
“听听你们都在说些什么啊！”火星嘶吼道，他绿色的眸子扫视着不安的猫群，“我们都没有入侵其他族群的领地！”
“那怎么解释这些气味？”曙皮挑衅地在树下喊道。
火星迈步走向树梢，他肩膀上的肌肉鼓动着：“如果有泼皮猫越过了每个族群的领地，他们有可能沾染上了其他族群的气味，然后把它们带到沿途各处，就像传播跳蚤一样。”
雾星的皮毛平顺了一些：“那些气味的确令我们费解。”
一星的眼睛眯成了一条缝：“如果说泼皮猫能将气味从一个领地带到另一个领地，那族群巡逻队也可以做到这一点。”
火星迎上他的目光：“那我们都应该加派巡逻，找出这些猫来。”
“加派巡逻！”一只影族公猫在猫群里大喊道。
“我们必须保持警惕！”一名河族武士咆哮道。
火星继续说道：“如果任何族群猫发现了证据，必须和其他族群分享。”
一星竖起了皮毛：“然后警告他们已经被发现了吗？不行！”
雾星从其他几位族长身边退开。“我只保护自己的族群，不保护其他族群。”她咆哮道。
一只风族猫从鸽翅身边冲过，朝空地那边的族猫跑去。在她周围，武士们开始向自己的族猫靠拢。她回头一看，学徒们已经散开，樱桃爪和鼹鼠爪正急急忙忙跑回雷族武士身旁。
黑星从大橡树上跳下来，雾星紧跟着滑了下来。一星狠狠瞪了火星一眼，然后跳到了空地上。
“来吧，鸽翅。”白翅说道，“今晚不能跟其他猫闲聊了。”
鸽翅抻长脖子，寻找着虎心的身影，可是移动的猫群中找不到他的任何踪迹。“我会追上你们的！”白翅去追松鼠飞和梅花落，鸽翅对母亲喊道。周围所有的猫都跟自己的族猫挤在一起，慢慢挪动着朝树桥走去。她感觉自己就像河面上的一片叶子，在波浪中起伏着。
“鸽翅？”一个熟悉的声音在她身后响起。
她猛一转身，看见了虎心，心不由得怦怦跳了起来。
虎心的尾巴竖得高高的：“刚才说到那些乱窜的气味，我还以为我们被发现了呢。”
“我也是！”鸽翅在他眼中看到了庆幸，“从现在开始，我们得加倍小心。”
虎心点了点头。“各族群会加强巡逻。”他将口鼻凑近她的耳边，小声说道：“我们明晚在领地外面见面吧。在两脚兽巢穴。”
鸽翅点点头。突然，她颈毛竖起，朝虎心身后看去，发现黄蜂条正盯着她。她惊得差点儿停止心跳。“我们只是在讨论那些入侵者的事情。”她赶紧跟族猫解释道，“虎心问我有没有注意到什么。”
黄蜂条瞪大了眼睛。
“我觉得跟其他族群的巡逻队谈谈是个不错的主意，看看那些气味是不是在同一天晚上发现的。”鸽翅感觉自己就像只乌鸫似的，叽叽喳喳说个不停。
黄蜂条耸了耸肩膀。“你愿意跟谁讲话，那是你的自由，”他说道，“这是在森林大会上。”说完，他朝树桥那边的族猫追去，很快便消失在了高高的草丛中。
鸽翅重新转向虎心：“我得走了。”
虎心点点头：“我也是。”他走开时，正好花楸掌和曙皮经过，他便溜到了他们中间。
鸽翅去追白翅，循着她的气味钻进草丛，在快到岸边的地方追上了她。她们等着其他族群猫一只接一只地走过树桥，白翅侧眼看着她问道：“你没事？”
“没事。”鸽翅尽可能高兴地说道。
白翅没再说话，只是向女儿靠得更近了些。鸽翅感觉到了她侧腹柔软的皮毛。风起云涌，湖面上掀起阵阵波浪。鸽翅真想和母亲说出一切，说说虎心，说说他对她有多么重要。她还想跟母亲说说那个预言，它是如此沉重，让她感觉自己很是渺小。但是，除了已知道预言的几只猫，她跟谁都不能说起预言。再说了，如果白翅知道自己的女儿爱上了外族猫，她一定会发疯的。
白翅靠近她：“如果你需要我，我随时都在。”
雨水滴答，落在了鸽翅的皮毛上，她的视线模糊了。她在心里对自己说，那只是雨水。“谢谢你，白翅。”她喃喃道。
“走吧。”白翅轻轻将她推到猫群中的一个空隙里，“我们很快就到家了。”
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
Jayfeather shivered. A cold wind hadwoken him. He sat up, feeling rain spatter his pelt. Where am I?He’d awoken on a grassy hillside, the sky darkened by rainclouds and the dismal landscape patched together by dying trees and storm-battered meadows. Was he in the Dark Forest? StarClan had always seemed to exist in perpetual greenleaf, with only the lightest breeze to stir the prey-scented air. Jayfeather fluffed his pelt against the chill and headed for a cluster of trees lower down the slope. No bird sang, no creature moved. He strained to hear paw steps. Were there cats here?
Fur brushed bark. Heart thumping, Jayfeather ducked beneath a tangle of dripping bracken. He pressed his belly to the ground and peered out. Four muddy paws padded toward him. Was it a Dark Forest warrior? He scrabbled backward, deeper into the bush. A familiar scent bathed his tongue. Spottedleaf!Light-headed with relief, he dived out from under the bush.
Spottedleaf stopped. “Jayfeather! What are you doing here?”
“Are these StarClan’s hunting grounds?” Jayfeather gazed up at the browning leaves.
Spottedleaf flicked her ears. “Yes.”
“What’s happened?”
“Leaf-fall.” Spottedleaf hunched against the chilly wind. “The first StarClan has ever known.” Her mew was flat. “And I can taste leaf-bare on the wind.”
“Leaf-bare in StarClan? That’s impossible!”
“Not anymore. The Dark Forest is rising,” Spottedleaf shivered. “And StarClan could fall.”
Jayfeather whisked his tail. “Not if I can help it!” He scanned the woodland, hoping to see more pelts. “I’ve come to speak with Flametail.”
Spottedleaf looked surprised. “Why now?”
“I saw the sign,” Jayfeather explained.
Spottedleaf stared at him blankly. “The sign?”
“The one StarClan sent. The burning reed.”
“StarClan sent no signs.” Spottedleaf tipped her head to one side. “We can’t even seethe lake.”
“One of you must have!” Jayfeather shook rain from his pelt. “Last time I tried to find Flametail, I never made it past the Moonpool. But now I’m here!”
“StarClan sent no sign,” Spottedleaf insisted.
Jayfeather padded past her and stared into the trees. “Well, someone did.” Was it Rock?“I have to speak to Flametail. I have to reunite the medicine cats.”
Spottedleaf glanced around warily. “You know StarClan is divided. You won’t find Flametail. He’ll be in ShadowClan’s part of the hunting grounds.”
Jayfeather snorted. “There are no borders here.”
“There are now,” Spottedleaf snapped.
“They’re not real!” Why was she making this so difficult? “I’m going to find Flametail!”
Spottedleaf narrowed her eyes. “Things have changed!”
“The truth hasn’t,” Jayfeather spat. “And I’m going to make Flametail tell Littlecloud that I didn’t kill him.”
“It won’t be as easy as you think,” Spottedleaf warned. “ShadowClan won’t let you cross their scent line.”
Frustration surged through Jayfeather. “You don’t have to help me!”
He flinched as Spottedleaf thrust her muzzle close. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t help you!” she hissed. “I’m just warning you it won’t be easy. Yellowfang’s been feeding StarClan’s fears like a mother feeding her kits! The stupid old fleabag!”
Jayfeather backed away, startled by her anger. “Then you’ll take me to Flametail?”
“Of course!” She began to head up the trail. “ShadowClan’s territory is this way.”
Jayfeather scurried after her.
“Did you actually think I’d abandon ThunderClan?” Spottedleaf muttered.
“This isn’t just about ThunderClan,” Jayfeather corrected her. “It’s about all the Clans now.”
They broke from the trees and crossed a meadow. The long grass was crushed, battered flat by wind. Jayfeather narrowed his eyes against the stinging rain, his paws squelching over rotting flowers. He heard the river ahead. As they reached the bank, his heart twisted. The water was brown and foaming, running in full flood, crashing over rocks and swirling between the muddy banks.
“Where is everyone?”
Spottedleaf flicked her tail toward a huddle of cats crouching upstream, beneath a rocky overhang. Whitestorm?Jayfeather hardly recognized the white warrior. His pelt clung to him, showing jutting ribs beneath the soaked fur.
“Prey’s scarce now,” Spottedleaf explained.
Longtail was sitting beside Whitestorm, staring out from the cramped cleft. His eyes were clear and bright, his eyesight restored, but his gaze was tinged with sadness.
Jayfeather broke away from Spottedleaf and headed toward his Clanmates. “Longtail!” He greeted the old tom with a purr.
Longtail dipped his head. “It’s good to see you,” he murmured.
A pelt flashed at the corner of Jayfeather’s vision. Brindleface was picking her way down the steep bank edging the rocks. “Jayfeather? Is that you?” She broke into a trot as she drew near. “Something terrible has happened to StarClan! We can’t see the Clans anymore.”
“I know,” Jayfeather mewed. “It’s because of the Dark Forest.”
“How is Firestar?” Whitestorm asked, standing up and circling Jayfeather.
“He’s fine.”
“What about Mousefur?” Longtail blinked anxiously at him.
“Grumpy.” Jayfeather forced out a purr. He wanted to reassure them that nothing had changed in ThunderClan territory. “And Ferncloud rules the nursery as ferociously as any warrior.”
“What about Briarlight?” Longtail asked. “Has she recovered?”
“She’s doing well,” Jayfeather promised. “And Brightheart’s expecting kits.”
Whitestorm’s eyes gleamed. “That’s great news!”
“Jayfeather!” Spottedleaf’s mew called from behind. “We should get moving.”
“Where are you going?” Longtail leaned forward.
“To find Flametail.” Jayfeather’s ear twitched.
Whitestorm’s gaze darkened. “Don’t cross the border,” he warned.
“StarClan shouldn’t have borders,” Jayfeather growled.
Longtail lowered his head. “StarClan shouldn’t have leaf-fall, either.”
“I have to find Flametail.” Jayfeather turned away.
Whitestorm whipped around him, blocking his path. “You can’t go there!”
Spottedleaf ran her tail down the old warrior’s spine. “We must,” she mewed gently.
Whitestorm blinked at her, worry sparking in his gaze. “They’ll force you back.”
“They won’t stop me.” Jayfeather flattened his ears. “This is too important.”
Whitestorm backed away, letting Jayfeather pass.
“Be careful!” Brindleface called as he followed Spottedleaf away from the rocks.
She led him downstream, following the river across the meadow till it turned and headed away toward a distant wood, finally stopping beside a tree stump. “We’ve reached the border.”
Jayfeather could smell the washed-out scent of ShadowClan clinging to the dripping brambles that lined the path. He glanced nervously around. This is StarClan!he reminded himself. All cats are safe here.
“Get down!” Spottedleaf suddenly crouched, signaling to Jayfeather with a flick of her tail. Pawsteps sounded ahead. Spottedleaf’s gaze darted from side to side. “We should hide,” she warned.
“No! This is ridiculous.” Lifting his chin, Jayfeather marched past her and stood in the center of the path. He lifted his tail as Russetfur rounded the corner and halted.
The ShadowClan deputy curled her lip to show sharp yellow teeth. “What are you doing here?”
Raggedpelt and Hollyflower appeared behind her. Raggedpelt hissed as he caught sight of Spottedleaf. “I thought we told you not to cross the border.”
“This is StarClan!” Jayfeather hissed. “There should be no boundaries.”
Spottedleaf weaved around him. “I know you think you’re doing the right thing,” she meowed. “But we have only come to speak with Flametail. Once we’ve done that, we’ll leave.”
Raggedpelt unsheathed his claws. “What do you want with Flametail?”
Jayfeather let his fur smooth and met the ShadowClan deputy’s gaze. “I had a sign,” he explained. “It told me I should talk with Flametail.”
Hollyflower bristled. “StarClan sent no sign.”
Jayfeather dipped his head. “With respect, given all these boundaries, how would you know?” he pointed out. “A cat from any Clan could have sent it. But it wasa sign.”
The brambles behind Russetfur shivered and Cedarheart stepped onto the trail. “Let them pass.”
Russetfur bristled. “Why?”
Cedarheart tipped his head on one side. “What harm can it do to let them speak to Flametail?”
Hollyflower growled, “They crossed our border.”
“And they’ll cross it again to return to their own territory before long,” Cedarheart told her.
Russetfur padded closer to Jayfeather. “What’s the point of boundaries if we let any cat cross?”
Cedarheart didn’t move. “Jayfeather isn’t just any cat. You knowthat.”
There was a pause. Then Russetfur lowered her head and took a step backward. “I guess we can make an exception,” she muttered.
Jayfeather nodded. “Thank you.” He padded past the ShadowClan patrol, feeling their gaze burn his fur. He glanced back for Spottedleaf. The ThunderClan medicine cat was following, eyeing the ShadowClan cats warily as she passed. Once they rounded the corner, Jayfeather picked up the pace. “Come on,” he urged over his shoulder.
“Do you know where to look for him?”
“The vision was a burning reed,” Jayfeather told her. “He must be near reeds.”
Spottedleaf looked doubtfully at the pine trees that loomed ahead. “Reeds? In ShadowClan territory? That sounds more like RiverClan.”
It was a fair point. Jayfeather scanned the brambles, wondering if there was any water close by.
“Wait.” Spottedleaf halted, her tail lifted. “The river runs through this part of the hunting grounds.” She veered off the path and slid between the rambling bushes. Jayfeather followed, his fur snagging on thorns. Spottedleaf twisted between the stalks, seeking out gaps they could squeeze through. The ground sloped down beneath their paws and before long, Jayfeather heard the whispering of the river once more.
“There.” Spottedleaf nodded to the muddy river swirling ahead. The slope flattened into reed beds at the river’s edge. “ShadowClan claimed this land just to spite the RiverClan cats.”
Jayfeather scanned the swath of pale stalks, hoping for a flash of orange. “Can you see him?” he asked Spottedleaf, but she was already bounding down the bank. As she slid between the reeds, Jayfeather raced after her. “Flametail?” He nosed his way into the thicket, shivering as cold water swallowed his paws.
He glimpsed Spottedleaf’s tortoiseshell pelt through the reeds. “Any sign?” he called. Then he paused. A scent touched his nose. ShadowClan, definitely, and fresh. Could it be Flametail? He headed onward, the ground growing softer beneath his feet. Water brushed his belly fur and he began to struggle with every step as the spongy peat sucked him down. “Flametail?” He strained to see through the stalks. “Flametail!”
Jayfeather tried to take another step but his hind leg was stuck. He tugged, trying to pull it out of the black peat, but the mud sucked harder and he sank deeper. He stretched his shoulders, trying to pull out his forepaws, but they slid farther down until he was buried to his knees. “Spottedleaf! Help!” Panic flooded him. With every tug on one paw, another sank deeper. Wetness rose past his belly, soaking his flanks. He lifted his chin as mud began to climb his chest.
“Have you found him?” Spottedleaf poked her head through the reeds.
“Don’t come any farther!” Jayfeather screeched. “I’m sinking!”
Spottedleaf lunged forward and tried to grasp Jayfeather’s scruff in her jaws, but her teeth clacked shut beside his ear. She scrambled back onto firmer ground. “I can’t reach!”
“Stay there!” Jayfeather hissed at her. “We can’t both drown!”
Spottedleaf’s eyes glittered. “Keep as still as you can! I’ll find a stick. You can grab it with your teeth.” She turned, her tail whipping past Jayfeather’s nose as she hared away.
“You look as if you’re in trouble.” A voice sounded from the reeds. Jayfeather jerked his head around and saw an orange face peering at him through the stalks.
“Flametail!” The ShadowClan cat was watching him coldly. “Help me! I’m drowning!”
Flametail took a step forward, then stopped, his eyes burning. “I know how you feel.”
“Can you reach me?” Jayfeather strained to see the ground behind him. Perhaps it was solid enough there to take Flametail’s weight.
“Why should I?” Flametail’s mew was icy. “You didn’t save me.”
“I tried!” Jayfeather felt his whiskers brush the surface of the mud. He tipped his head back, feeling the peat suck at his chin. “But I couldn’t! It wasn’t my time to die. I had to survive!”
Flametail hissed. “And I didn’t?”
Jayfeather searched desperately for something to say to convince the ShadowClan cat that his death wasn’t Jayfeather’s fault, but bitter-tasting water was bubbling into the corners of his mouth.
“It wasn’t fair,” Flametail snarled. “It was such a stupid way to die!”
“But you still have a destiny to fulfill!” Jayfeather shook his head and spat out a mouthful of black water. “You are the only one who can save ShadowClan now! A darkness is coming that will wipe out all your Clanmates if you let it! I need you to unite the Clans. It’s the only way we’ll survive!” He coughed again as a lump of mud hit the back of his throat. “You have to tell Littlecloud I didn’t drown you!”
“Why should I believe you?” Flametail spat. “ThunderClan is full of murderers! Even if you didn’t drown me, your Clanmate tried to kill me as soon as I arrived here.”
“Here?” Jayfeather struggled to speak. “Who?”
“Ivypool!” Flametail thrust his muzzle through the reeds. “I was looking for the path to StarClan and she tried to claw my throat out! She would have succeeded if Tigerheart hadn’t stopped her! Now I’m going to let you die instead!”
Water flooded Jayfeather’s mouth. He slammed his jaws shut, drawing air desperately through his nose as the mud seeped up around his cheeks.
“Flametail!” Spottedleaf’s yowl cut through the air. “Stop making threats like a warrior! You’re a medicine cat!” Flametail’s gaze shot toward the tortoiseshell she-cat. She glared at him, a twisted branch at her paws. “You have more power than you ever dreamed of,” she snarled. “You only need to tell the truth.”
Flametail flattened his ears as if he didn’t want to hear.
“Help the medicine cats work together again.” Spottedleaf was begging now. “If our code is broken, the Clans will fall. We are the heartbeat of the Clans, not the warrior code. Think of the promises you made.”
Water bubbling at his nose, Jayfeather watched Flametail shift his paws. Mud slid over his spine and he could no longer feel his legs. A strange peace had washed over him, as if he knew there was no point fighting anymore.
“Is it really in my power?” Flametail murmured.
Jayfeather tried to nod. Yes! You have the power of the stars in your paws!But his muscles wouldn’t work and he closed his eyes, suddenly feeling more tired than he had ever felt in his life. He was dimly aware of a blur of movement in front of him, but it seemed a long way off.
Suddenly he felt something jabbing against his forepaws. Spottedleaf had pushed the branch deep into the mud and was prodding him with it. “Wake up, Jayfeather! Come on!” she hissed. “I will not let you die like this!”
There was a crackle of reeds and the sound of splashing as Flametail forced his way through the reeds to join her. He crouched down and held the end of the stick in his teeth, steadying it while Spottedleaf steered the other end closer to Jayfeather.
“Come on!” Spottedleaf yowled.
Jayfeather blinked. He couldn’t give up. He had found Flametail! There was still hope! Fighting through the mud, he flailed his paws until he hooked a claw around the tip of the branch. Dragging it closer, he wrapped both front legs around it. Sodden peat splashed into his face, forcing his eyes to close and making him retch, but he didn’t let go.
“Pull!” Spottedleaf gave the order and the two medicine cats began to heave on the branch.
Jayfeather felt himself being hauled forward and upward. He gasped as his mouth surfaced, gulping in air. Spottedleaf and Flametail grunted with effort as they slowly dragged him from the mud. Kicking out with his hind legs, Jayfeather managed to scrabble out of the bog. He collapsed, panting among the reeds, and felt Spottedleaf’s paws massaging his chest.
“I’m okay,” he gasped. “I only swallowed a bit.” A hacking cough cut him off and he spewed up muddy water.
“We should go.” Spottedleaf turned away. “There isn’t much time.”
Flametail nudged Jayfeather to his paws. “Time for what?”
“To speak to the medicine cats!” Spottedleaf called over her shoulder as she bounded up the slope. Flametail shot after her.
Not much time?Jayfeather pushed through the reeds and struggled up the slope. When he reached the top, he saw Spottedleaf and Flametail pelting toward the pines. He raced after them, gathering speed as the shock of his soaking began to fade. What’s the hurry?
Then he remembered. They’ll be dreaming like I am. We must speak to them before they wake up!He pushed harder against the ground, closing the gap on Flametail and Spottedleaf until he caught up with them at the edge of the pines.
Spottedleaf stopped and stared into the trees wild-eyed. “We have to find them!” she panted. “Before the sun rises.”
Flametail’s eyes widened. “Quick!” He hared along a trail that swerved among the pines. “I know where Littlecloud visits!”
Jayfeather pelted after him, Spottedleaf at his heels.
“Littlecloud!” Flametail called his Clanmate’s name as they crested a low rise.
The ShadowClan medicine cat was standing in a hollow. He jerked around, blinking in surprise. “Flametail? Jayfeather?”
Jayfeather bounded down the slope toward him. “I know,” he mewed quickly. “I’m not supposed to be a medicine cat anymore, but Flametail has something to tell you!”
Littlecloud’s gaze flicked to the orange medicine cat. “Where have you been? I’ve been searching for you.”
Flametail dipped his head. “I’ve been staying out of sight since I died,” he meowed apologetically.
“But now I know you’re safe with our ancestors.” Littlecloud touched his Clanmate’s cheek with his muzzle.
Spottedleaf nosed between them. “We can’t stay here. We have to tell all the medicine cats while they’re still sharing dreams with StarClan. Littlecloud, come with us.” She turned to Flametail. “What’s the quickest way to WindClan’s part of the hunting grounds?”
“Out of the pines and head for the gorse.” Spottedleaf nodded and raced away.
Jayfeather paused before following her. He held Flametail’s bright blue gaze for several long heartbeats. There was so much he could say, but he had a feeling Flametail knew what it was already. “Thank you,” he murmured.
Flametail nodded. “For the Clans,” he meowed.
“For the Clans,” Jayfeather echoed. Then he spun around and sent pine needles spraying behind him as he dashed after Spottedleaf. He heard Flametail and Littlecloud racing after him, their paws ringing hollow on the damp earth.
They broke from the pines onto a hillside crowded by heather; it rose toward a glowering, purple-gray sky. Spottedleaf plunged through a gap between the bushes and disappeared. Jayfeather raced after her, Flametail and Littlecloud at his heels. The path wound steeply upward, walled by prickly bushes on either side. Jayfeather sensed they were not alone: Pelts flashed between the stems, eyes shining in the shadows, but no cat stopped them.
As they neared the summit, a thick swath of gorse blocked their path. Zigzagging frantically, Jayfeather spotted an opening and darted through. He exploded out onto a rocky plateau.
Spottedleaf burst out after him. “There he is!” She raced toward a lone figure that sat at the edge of the rock. Kestrelflight turned to face them, his ears flat.
Spottedleaf scrambled to a halt beside him. “We need to talk to you!”
Jayfeather skidded on the smooth stone, gasping as he saw the ground drop away. He dug in his claws and stopped just in time. Kestrelflight’s front paws were curled over the edge of a steep cliff. Far below, a wide valley rolled toward a distant horizon where it was swallowed by billowing cloud.
Kestrelflight frowned. “What’s going on?”
“We need Willowshine!” As Littlecloud and Flametail caught up, Spottedleaf scanned the valley. “Is that RiverClan land down there?”
“There’s no need to go there.”
A voice sounded behind them. Willowshine was stalking across the hilltop toward them. “I saw you and wondered what you were doing.” She stared at Jayfeather. “Are you here because of Mothwing? She said you’d visited RiverClan today.”
“Yes.” Jayfeather could hardly get his breath. “There was a sign for me.”
Willowshine nodded. “That’s why she told me to share dreams with StarClan tonight. I thought it was strange. She doesn’t usually mention StarClan.”
Panic flashed through Jayfeather as he realized that the RiverClan medicine cat was beginning to fade. Willowshine was being pulled away from StarClan. Kestrelflight was growing paler, too. And Littlecloud. Jayfeather looked down at his front paws and saw gray stone where his toes should have been.
“The sun is rising over the lake! The medicine cats are leaving us.” Spottedleaf gazed at Flametail. “Quick, tell them!”
“Jayfeather didn’t kill me!” Flametail blurted out the truth. “I drowned. Jayfeather was trying to save me. But I was too heavy and the current was too strong. My death was not his fault!”
“Thank you, Flametail.” Jayfeather dipped his head as the landscape around began to swirl. “You have fulfilled your destiny.”
The flame-colored ShadowClan medicine cat lifted his head. He must be the fourth cat.Jayfeather looked around at the other medicine cats. They were almost transparent. “Let’s meet at the Moonpool tomorrow.”
“Yes!” Kestrelflight called.
“I’ll be there!” Willowshine promised.
“Me too!” Littlecloud’s mew was no more than a whisper as he disappeared.
Flametail’s orange pelt burned against the fading rock. “How strange that I had to wait until I died to fulfill my destiny.” He stared at Jayfeather. “Thank you for coming to find me.” Peace flooded his gaze. “Whatever happens now, I’ll stand side by side with the Clans. All of them.”
“Jayfeather.” As the world disappeared, Spottedleaf’s breath brushed his ear fur. “He’s not the fourth cat.”
“He must be!” Jayfeather shifted in his nest.
“No! You have to keep looking!” Spottedleaf’s voice echoed in his mind as Jayfeather woke, opening his eyes into blackness.
第十四章
第十四章
“都到齐了吗？”断星扫视着围在四周的猫群，他的眼睛在黑暗中闪烁着。
藤池抬起下巴。她刚刚进入无星之地，鹰霜就告诉她说要召开黑森林大会。她得代表雷族。苹果毛已经证明了自己有资格获得这里的正式武士身份，所以她将代表影族。而风皮——风族的代表——正在那里不停地移动着脚掌，警惕地盯着断星。
看到甲虫须从树林里走来，断星冷冰冰地跟河族猫打着招呼：“甲虫须，你找不到来这里的路了吗？”
藤池更紧地用脚掌包裹着脚掌。
“我刚才去参加森林大会了。”甲虫须在苹果毛旁边站住了，“我一直等到月上中天才回到窝里。”
虎星在空地边上来回走着。“你不可能同时出现在两个族群里。”他停在甲虫须面前，轻声说道，然后站到了枫荫和鹰霜中间。
蓟掌将爪子深深插进地里，扯出一把黏糊糊的草：“我们现在能开始了吗？”
雀羽抖抖耳朵，坐了下来：“这次集会要做什么？”
黑条警告地瞪了她一眼，然后冲断星点了点头。“雀羽问的问题简直就像是幼崽。”他穿过猫群，挡住了斑驳公猫断星的视线，“我已经告诉过她，我们来这里是为了表彰勇敢的武士们。”
断星卷起了嘴唇。
“我们这些年轻武士训练很刻苦，”枫荫走到猫群中间，将黑条推回他的位置，“我一直在仔细观察他们的训练。他们能爬、能跑、能游、能打。”她的目光瞥向甲虫须：“不过，他们中还有一些没学会如何使出致命的一击。”
苹果毛皱起了眉头：“武士不杀戮。”
枫荫猛地转过身来。“族群猫不杀戮，可他们不是真正的武士。”她嘶吼道，“如果他们是，那你们为什么还对他们的训练不满意呢？为什么你们还要找我们呢？”
“我觉得是你们找到的我。”苹果毛的语气里带着一丝怀疑。
闭嘴！藤池瞪着她，进了狐狸洞，还想抱怨狐狸臭？
鹰霜那冰蓝色的眸子在阴暗的光线中闪动着：“我们觉察到了你的需求，知道你想得到更好的训练。是它指引我们找到了你。”
枫荫的胡须一抖。“没错，”她咕噜道，“而且你们已经学到了很多。”她的眼睛从苹果毛看向风皮，又从甲虫须看向藤池。
藤池迎上她的目光，竭力不让自己的腿颤抖。“你们教得很好。”她希望自己的语气中真的有感激之情。
“你比我想象得还要勇敢、强大，”枫荫也夸赞道，“我为你的进步感到骄傲。”
断星走了过来，藤池不由得心跳加速。断星的肌肉就像波浪一样，在皮毛下起伏着，似乎已经为战斗做好了准备。“重要的不是骄傲，”他甩了一下尾巴，示意枫荫离开，“而是力量，以及利用这种力量的意愿。”
风皮挺起胸膛：“我已经做好了一切准备！”
“很好。”断星的胡须抖动着，“前方的困难有很多，但对黑森林的忠诚以及对胜利的渴望，将会带领你们战胜困难，赢得最终的胜利。”
藤池咽了一口唾沫。“什么胜利？”她一直想要弄明白这些猫到底在谋划着什么。
断星猛地转头看向她，琥珀色的眼睛像灼热的太阳一样。藤池眯起双眼迎上他的目光。
“我们的敌人。”断星大喊道，“我们的勇气将受到考验，不过我们已经准备好了。”
“敌人？”甲虫须伸出口鼻，满眼困惑地问道，“什么敌人？”
枫荫冲他眨眨眼睛。“你还不明白吗？”她甩了甩尾巴，“你的族猫从没怀疑过你，即便有时候你才是对的那个？雾星就从没有像老鼠那样胆怯，与弱者为伍，惩戒强者？还有，你的同巢猫就没有把你当成幼崽过，即便你比他们想象的都要厉害和危险？真不明白你怎么忍受得了每天日升时回去，喂养和保护那些弱小的家伙。”
甲虫须的皮毛竖立了起来：“我的族猫既不胆怯，也不是鼠脑子！雾星非常高尚，她跟弱者为伍，那也是因为弱者需要我们的保护！”
虎星眸光一闪：“弱者应该学会自己养活自己。”
甲虫须眨了眨眼睛：“可那与武士守则的规定相悖！”
断星低下头，轻声说道：“武士守则只会教你如何变成弱者。”
“不，它教我们如何变得强大！”甲虫须争辩道，“我不知道你们想干什么，但你们永远不可能让我背叛武士守则，或是背叛我的族群！”他向前一步走近断星。“因为你们，河族以为领地遭到了泼皮猫的侵袭。我们夜访他们的领地，吓到他们了。我不想再去了。”他的声音低了下来，“我感谢你们教给我的一切，真的非常感激。你们让我成为更强大的武士，这在以前我想都没想过。可是我不能留在这里，我必须去保护我的族群。我不会再回这里了。”说完，他转身便走。
看着甲虫须从鹰霜和苹果毛中间挤过去，藤池的脚掌不由得颤抖起来。
断星平贴起了耳朵。“没有我的允许，没有哪只猫能离开黑森林。”他亮出利爪，“你现在必须忠于我们。”
快跑！藤池在心里为甲虫须默默祈祷着，快跑！不要回头看！
甲虫须身子一顿，回头看着断星。“我只忠诚于河族，自始至终一直都是。”他说道，“你答应过我，只要来这里就能让我变得强大。你做到了，我非常感激。但是你肯定也知道，我早晚是要离开这里的。”
断星的眼睛露出残忍的神色：“你不会是真的那么蠢吧？”
甲虫须抽动着尾巴：“我不像你希望的那么愚蠢！我要走了，你拦不住我。”
说时迟那时快，断星已经从猫群中冲了出来，挡住了甲虫须的去路。藤池移动脚掌，但蓟掌一甩尾巴，拦住了她。
“不要管。”灰白相间的武士警告道。
苹果毛的尾巴颤抖起来。“不要走，甲虫须，你在这里有那么多的朋友。”尽管她竭力装出开心的声音，可藤池还是从她的眼神中看出了恐惧。
“谢谢，苹果毛。”甲虫须冲影族母猫点了点头，“但我必须得走，现在正是离开的时候。”
“真的吗？”断星的吼叫起初很低，可后来越来越大声，最后变成了尖啸。黑森林武士后腿直立，身影完全覆盖住整个空地。紧接着，他伸出前脚掌，龇出利齿朝甲虫须扑了过去。
甲虫须惊恐地睁大了眼睛。他抬起脚掌去迎战这只邪恶的公猫。可断星一记猛击，便将他撞得连连后退。甲虫须踉踉跄跄站稳脚跟，鲜血从他的鼻子里涌了出来。“星族啊，帮帮我吧！”
“你以为星族能听见这里发生的事情吗？”断星嘶吼道。他又扑了上来，张嘴咬住了甲虫须的脖子，仿佛那是一只猎物。断星抬起头，两眼中露出凶光，使劲撕扯着甲虫须的喉咙，直到空气中传来了咔嚓的断裂声。
甲虫须的身体在断星嘴里瘫软下来，藤池感到一阵晕眩。黑森林武士张开了嘴，甲虫须的尸体砰的一声掉落在地。
“还有谁想离开？苹果毛？”断星恶狠狠地看着影族母猫，“你想回到你的族群吗？”
“不……不。”苹果毛移动着脚掌。
看到苹果毛看向断星的目光，藤池明白她的想法。藤池靠近她，安慰着她。现在，所有的族群猫都明白了，这里是邪恶之地，他们必须逃出去！
“风皮？”断星又看向风族武士。风皮正眯着双眼看着甲虫须的尸体。
“你听见我说话了吗？”断星低吼道。
“我为什么要离开最强大的族群？”风皮抬起头，“我的族群在照顾老弱病残猫上浪费了太多时间。如果由你来带领我们的话，我们就永远不用再向其他族群请求帮助了。”
藤池心中一紧。他怎么能与这些凶手为伍呢？
断星跨过甲虫须的尸体，迈开大步朝猫群走来。尽管身上的每一根肌肉都在劝她逃跑，可藤池还是稳稳地站在那里。“你们都必须留在这里，”断星说道，“你们必须忠于我。否则，我会把你们全都杀光。”他将口鼻凑到苹果毛的脸上：“从你开始。”
苹果毛咽了一口唾沫。
“不要对其他猫提起今天的事情。”断星命令道，“你们将和我们并肩作战。如果让我听到你们之中有谁在黑森林族猫中散布谣言或谎言，你们将受到闻所未闻的惩罚。”说完，他转身走到虎星和鹰霜中间。“走。”他咆哮道，渐渐消失在阴影中，“好好训练我的武士。最后的战斗就要打响。”
藤池感觉到，阴暗处虎星质疑的目光刺穿了她。她努力让自己呼吸平稳下来，然后迎上他的目光。“战斗到来时，我训练的猫将会做好准备。”她发誓道，“我们会杀掉遇到的每一只湖区猫。”她没去理会旁边苹果毛害怕的神情。我保证，我决不向邪恶妥协！我这么做，都是为了救我们大家。虎星盯着她看了一会儿，然后转身离开了。
鹰霜眼中闪动着微光，冲藤池点点头，然后便跟上了他的父亲。经过甲虫须血迹斑斑的尸体时，他恶狠狠地踢了他一脚：“我从来就没相信过他。”
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 17
Lionblaze paced the clearing. Rain drippedfrom the dens, though the clouds had cleared to reveal a clear dawn sky. The Clan was beginning to stir. Nests rustled and the honeysuckle shivered as Purdy padded yawning from the elders’ den.
“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 itched with worry. Would they return with news of more strange cat scents?
“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 scent in every gully and hollow.
Sandstorm poked her head out of the leader’s cave. “How can any cat sleep knowing the woods are filled with enemies!”
“Hush!” Firestar shot back at her, lashing his tail.
Sandstorm scrambled 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 Clans? Lionblaze shivered. It had been shocking to smell Ivypool’s scent among the others. Had Firestar guessed that the young warrior 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 trotted to his brother’s side. “I shared dreams with StarClan,” he whispered in Lionblaze’s ear.
Lionblaze steered Jayfeather toward the far edge of the clearing. “Did they tell you anything?” he hissed.
“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 casually 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, frustrated. “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 reset the borders and put a permanent watch at the stream.” Fur ruffled, 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.
“I should have stayed at the border,” Graystripe growled.
“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.”
Sorreltail poked her head out of the warriors’ den. “Is WindClan planning to invade?”
“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 apprentice. “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 stomped away, Dovewing joined Lionblaze and Jayfeather. “WindClan is furious,” she warned. “They’ve found enemy scents all over the moorland, especially ThunderClan scent.”
Has Ivypool been there too?Lionblaze’s tail twitched.
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 yew bush, Lionblaze nudged Jayfeather toward the fallen beech. 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 kits coming soon, her appetite is fussier 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, huddling 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 beckoned Ivypool closer with a flick of his muzzle. “There are Dark Forest scents all over Clan territory.” He fixed her gaze with his. “And yours.”
Ivypool flattened 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.”
Lionblaze growled. “Tell us who these traitors are! We should warn their leaders.”
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 condemn 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 pricking 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.
“Well?” Lionblaze couldn’t bear the suspense.
“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 scouting 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 grit as he reached the ledge. 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 pelt in the shadows at the back of the cave. “Ivypool has been visiting the Dark Forest in her dreams.” As Firestar stiffened, 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.”
A growl rumbled in Brambleclaw’s throat. “Will I never be free from my father?”
Firestar’s eyes glazed, 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 kin. They are here now. Tell them.”
Lionblaze backed away. “It’s none of their business!” Heart racing, 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 kit 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.
Jayfeather darted over. “What’s going on?”
“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?”
“Dovewing.” Lionblaze pressed on. “We are destined to save the Clans from the Dark Forest.”
Anger flared 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.”
Jayfeather took a step forward. “We had to fulfill our destiny on our own.”
“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 flicked 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.”
“She lost everything anyway,” Brambleclaw snarled.
“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 prick. 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 spoke first. “You played no part in this deception, 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.
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 19
“Brightheart has kitted!”
Poppyfrost’s cry woke Dovewing. She jumped from her nest and darted into the clearing. The hollow sparkled with dew. Mist hung on the trees at the top of the hollow. The musty scents of leaf-fall laced the chilly air. Faces peered from dens, whiskers quivering, eyes bright.
Cloudtail was pacing outside the nursery while Mousefur hurried across the clearing on stiff legs. “How many?” the old she-cat rasped.
“Three.” Cloudtail carried on pacing. “Two toms and a she-kit.” He glanced anxiously at the bramble den as Jayfeather poked his head out of the entrance. “Is Brightheart okay?”
Dovewing’s belly tightened as she crossed the clearing. Brightheart was old to be kitting.
“She’s fine,” Cinderheart purred. “Come and see.”
Dovewing halted beside Mousefur. “It’s the first good news we’ve had for a while.”
The elder whisked her tail. “Perhaps Firestar should have sent her away to kit outside our territory.” Her eyes were dark. “They’d be safer.”
“Safer?” Graystripe padded toward them. “The safest place for any kit is at the heart of its Clan.”
Lilykit slithered out of the nursery. “No one’s sending me away!”
“Of course not.” And you shouldn’t have been eavesdropping.Dovewing wrapped her tail around the tiny tortoiseshell. “ThunderClan fights for its kits. They’re the heart of the Clan.” She nudged Lilykit toward the warriors’ den. “Why don’t you go and tell Sorreltail about Brightheart’s kits?”
Firestar jumped down from Highledge, Sandstorm on his tail. He weaved past Dustpelt and Squirrelflight and stopped beside Graystripe. “How many?” he asked, stretching his muzzle to peer through the entrance.
“Three.” Graystripe nudged his friend. “You always were softhearted over kits.”
Sandstorm stopped beside them. “We should have had more,” she murmured wistfully.
“It’s a dark time to be born.” Firestar narrowed his eyes. “The battle is near.”
Graystripe looked at him sharply. “We can’t be sure.”
“It won’t be long.” Dovewing heard a growl in the ThunderClan leader’s mew.
Graystripe’s ear twitched. “How do you know? Have you had a sign?”
“I had a dream last night.”
Before Graystripe could question him more, Cloudtail slid out of the nursery, bright-eyed. “They’re lively!” he purred. “Fighting over who gets to be closest to their mother’s belly.”
The thorn barrier rustled and Jayfeather hurried into camp. The ThunderClan leader padded away, calling to Cloudtail over his shoulder. “Tell Brightheart I’ll welcome her kits to the Clan later.”
Mousefur shifted beside Dovewing. “I’m glad we have Firestar to lead us.” She sat down heavily. “He has courage and strength enough for all of us.”
Graystripe nudged her. “I remember when you argued with Bluestar about bringing him into the Clan.”
Dovewing glanced at Firestar as he guided Jayfeather to the shadow of Highledge. Even though the whole Clan knew he had come from a Twoleg nest, it was hard to believe that the battle-scarred warrior used to be a pampered kittypet.
“I was wrong to argue.” The old she-cat’s eyes clouded. “I wonder if Bluestar knew that one day he would be our best hope for survival.”
Graystripe glanced up at the sky. “She’s probably watching now.”
“Get Lionblaze.” Dovewing jerked around as Firestar called to her. Heart racing, she leaped onto the beech trunk and padded to a den woven beneath a jagged stump. She stuck her nose inside. “Firestar wants us.”
Lionblaze woke, jerking his head from beneath his paw. “What’s happened?”
“Jayfeather just got back from the Moonpool and Firestar’s acting like the battle’s about to start.”
Lionblaze shot out of his nest. He jumped down into the clearing and Dovewing followed.
As she reached Firestar, she noticed Jayfeather fighting a yawn. “Shouldn’t you rest?”
“She’s right,” Firestar agreed. “There’s time for you to sleep before sunhigh.”
Lionblaze pricked his ears. “What happens at sunhigh?”
“We meet with the other leaders and medicine cats on the island,” Firestar told him. “Jayfeather has united StarClan. Now I must unite the Clans.”
“He’s the fourth cat.” Jayfeather’s eyes shone.
Firestar!Dovewing blinked.
Lionblaze lifted his tail. “You were close, Dovewing, when you said we needed to start looking for a cat who was born with a special destiny.”
Firestar’s eyes darkened. “I just hope destiny is enough to save us.”
Sunlight pierced the leaves and lit the forest floor.
Jayfeather was still yawning from his nap as Dovewing followed her Clanmates out of the hollow. Her belly churned. Suddenly the coming battle felt real. She could almost hear the screech of warriors and taste the stone tang of blood.
“Squirrel!” Lionblaze tasted the air a moment before a gray flash shot up a birch tree beside them.
“There’ll be fresh-kill when we return,” Firestar told him. “Brambleclaw’s sending out extra hunting patrols. I want the pile fully stocked.”
Dovewing followed her Clanmates through the woods, swerving as she raced in their paw steps. The warm sun was driving mist from the lake, making the surface glitter like a fish. As Dovewing leaped from the bank and landed on the shore, she tasted the scents of forest and water mingling on her tongue. Pebbles scattered behind her as she charged onward. Firestar skirted the water’s edge, his gaze fixed on the island. He slowed the pace and Dovewing, relieved, caught her breath. By the time they reached the tree-bridge, she was hardly panting. She pulled up beside Lionblaze as Firestar sprang onto the fallen tree and crossed the water. Jayfeather followed, landing neatly on the far shore.
“Go on.” Lionblaze flicked his muzzle toward the tree and Dovewing jumped up, digging her claws into the rotting bark as she padded carefully across.
The island clearing was empty. Lionblaze paced, his tail twitching, while Jayfeather sat in the center beside Firestar. Dovewing padded nervously around them until the grass swished and Onestar slid out. Kestrelflight was at his side.
The WindClan leader circled the clearing, keeping his distance from the ThunderClan warriors. “It seems that our medicine cats are in charge of the Clans now.”
Firestar dipped his head. “They know things we don’t.”
Kestrelflight crossed the clearing and sat beside Jayfeather. “We have seen our enemy,” he explained to his leader. “You have not.”
“Not yet,”Firestar added grimly.
Lionblaze sniffed the undergrowth at the edge of the clearing, ears pricked. “There’s some ShadowClan scent here.”
Onestar glanced at him. “Probably left over from last full moon.”
Lionblaze narrowed his eyes. “Probably.” He padded back across the clearing.
Dovewing moved aside to let him sit beside Firestar. She pricked her ears and listened. Mistystar was coming, Willowshine and Mothwing beside her. Their paw steps crunched on the shore near the tree-bridge. Blackstar and Littlecloud were already rustling through the long grass on the island. Dovewing listened harder. The RiverClan camp buzzed like a beehive while ShadowClan chattered inside their bramble walls like starlings. She reached for WindClan and heard anxious whispers whipped away by the wind.
“They shouldn’t have gone alone.”
“What’s Firestar up to this time?”
“It must be a trap.”
“But Firestar is a noble warrior.”
“Firestar wants to rule all the Clans. He always has.”
They were scared of him! Dovewing twitched, surprised. But he’s your last hope!
Blackstar emerged from the grass. Littlecloud padded after him, chin high.
The ShadowClan leader’s gaze narrowed when he saw Lionblaze. “Why have you brought warriors?”
Firestar wrapped his tail over his paws. “I’ll explain when Mistystar gets here.”
Blackstar glanced over his shoulder at the trembling grass.
Mistystar padded out, leading Willowshine. “Willowshine insisted I come,” she growled. “She says the Dark Forest warriors are planning to invade Clan territory.” Her eyes glittered with disbelief. “Has she gone mad?”
Mothwing nosed her way from the grass. “Willowshine has never been wrong before.”
“But how can the dead threaten the living?” The RiverClan leader halted in the middle of the clearing.
Blackstar stayed near the edge. “Littlecloud told me they’ve learned to cross into our territories.”
“That’s impossible.” Onestar circled his medicine cat.
Jayfeather’s tail whipped from side to side. “How dare you question your medicine cat?” His gaze swept like fire over the leaders. “Do you think we’d lie?”
Mistystar shifted her paws. Onestar flattened his ears. Only Blackstar replied. “StarClan and the Dark Forest have always been beyond our reach. Now you tell us we are part of a war between them?”
“Not just between them,” Firestar growled. “The Dark Forest has declared war on all the Clans. We must unite against them.”
Onestar scowled. “Is that why you brought warriors with you? To force us to join you?”
“I brought them because they’re part of a prophecy,” Firestar explained. “Many moons ago I was told that the kin of my kin would be born with the power of the stars in their paws. For a long time I didn’t know what that meant. Now I do.” He nodded toward Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Dovewing. “The time has come. These are the kin of my kin, and each has a special power that will lead them to fulfill the prophecy.”
Blackstar leaned closer, flattening his ears. “What power?”
Lionblaze lifted his chin. “I cannot be defeated in battle.”
“I can sense thoughts and walk in dreams,” Jayfeather told him.
Dovewing’s breath quickened as all four leaders turned to her. “I—I can hear things that are far away.”
“What do you mean?” Mistystar demanded.
Dovewing felt her tail droop. This felt more like an admission of guilt. “I could hear your Clanmates now if I tried.”
Mistystar’s pelt bushed. “You’re a spy!”
“I would never spy!”
Blackstar showed his teeth. “Really?”
Littlecloud darted forward. “You’re missing the point!”
Jayfeather backed him up. “They were given powers to savethe Clans, not harm them.”
Blackstar wove around Lionblaze, a growl rumbling in his throat. “So you can never be defeated, eh?” He stopped and stared at the golden warrior. “Rowanclaw told me he shredded you.”
“I lethim!” Lionblaze snapped. The muscles beneath his shoulders rippled.
Blackstar backed away and looked at Firestar. “Suppose we believe you about this prophecy?” he growled. “What is it all for?”
“Why have you kept this secret from us until now?” Onestar put in.
“The time was not right before,” Firestar snapped.
Blackstar flexed his claws. “And what makes it right now?”
Willowshine padded to Dovewing and touched her shoulder with her muzzle. “Can you hear as far as the Dark Forest?” she whispered.
Dovewing stiffened. “I—I don’t know.”
“Will you try?”
Dovewing nodded and stretched her ears till the tips ached.
Blackstar narrowed his eyes, staring at her. “What’s she doing?”
Willowshine met his gaze. “She’s showing you your enemy.”
Dovewing’s throat tightened. What if her power failed her? She reached out from the island, letting her hearing spread in every direction at once. The murmurings of the Clans swept over her; every movement and word crashed in like waves but she kept reaching farther, past the Clans and into the darkness at the edges. Slowing her breath, she forced herself to relax, opening her senses and letting whatever lay beyond the darkness seep in.
A distant yowl sounded from far away. Tensing, Dovewing focused her hearing on the cry and rushed toward it, every sense raw. She gasped as trees blurred at the edges of her vision. The sounds of the forest formed images in her mind, which sharpened and strengthened as she hunted deeper. Spindly undergrowth grew in tangled heaps. An eerie light glowed just strong enough to make them out. She glanced up and saw only darknessThe Place of No Stars!
“I’ve reached it!”
Onestar gasped. “You can actually hear what’s going on there?”
Littlecloud meowed, “Don’t disturb her.”
“But do you really expect us to believe she can visit the Dark Forest in her thoughts?” Blackstar whispered.
Mothwing shook out her pelt, filling the air with the scent of herbs. “You believe that all the cats in StarClan can see beyond normal boundaries,” she pointed out. “Why should one living cat not be able to do the same?”
“Hush!” Mistystar quieted them, and Dovewing concentrated harder.
A deep growl sounded beside her. “Dig your claws deeper into the muscle! He must feel fire touch his bones!”
Dovewing jerked her attention toward it. A scarred warrior, torn-eared and matted, loomed from the shadow. A tortured yowl screeched through the trees. Was this where Ivypool came every night? Dovewing’s heart lurched. “They’re training for battle,” she breathed.
“They train every night,” Jayfeather put in.
Willowshine twitched beside Dovewing. “They’re as brutal as dogs.”
“They have no warrior code,” Littlecloud added.
A bloodcurdling shriek made Dovewing flinch. Instinctively she tried to snatch her thoughts away from the Dark Forest, but Willowshine pressed against her till she could feel the steady beating of her heart. “Keep going,” she whispered.
She focused on the scarred warrior again, and this time she saw another tom beside him. Two more wrestled on the slimy ground ahead of them.
“We need to shred every Clan cat who ever lived.”
Dovewing stared at the dark tabby who spoke. His shoulders were massive and his claws were longer than she’d ever seen.
“She’s found Brokenstar,” Jayfeather reported.
“How do you know?” Onestar gasped.
“I can see into her thoughts.” Jayfeather’s breath touched Dovewing’s cheek. “He’s talking to his Clanmates.”
“What’s he saying?” Blackstar demanded.
Dovewing began to quote Brokenstar’s words. “Destroying the puny warriors who huddle like mice around the lake will be fun, but when we kill StarClan … that will be the final revenge.” The growl in his throat suddenly turned into a wild purr, so loud it hurt Dovewing’s ears. She shrank away, turning her ears to another part of the forest.
A white she-cat was slinking through the trees, complaining.
“Why do we have to train in this stinking forest?”Dovewing repeated the warrior’s words. “Why can’t we train on our own land?”
“Is that a Clancat?” Mistystar exclaimed.
“Why would a Clan cat be in the Dark Forest?” Onestar snapped.
Dovewing focused harder, until she recognized the snowy pelt.Icewing!It was a RiverClan warrior. I can’t betray her!
Dovewing shut off the sound, and pressed closer to Willowshine.
“Thank you, Dovewing.” Firestar’s gentle mew sounded in her ear. She opened her eyes, relieved to see the island clearing.
Mistystar was staring at her in dismay.
Onestar didn’t move, his gaze leveled at Firestar. “How do we stop them?”
Firestar straightened up. “We fight.”
“And we’ll win!” Blackstar hissed. “They don’t stand a chance on our territory. We know our own land like we know our own markings.”
Dovewing got to her paws. “They know it, too,” she ventured
“What?” Blackstar turned on her.
“They’ve been sending patrols onto every Clan’s territory to scout out the best places to ambush and fight,” Dovewing told him.
“Have you heard them?” Blackstar hissed.
Lionblaze flattened his ears. “The scents you found?” he snapped. “They were from the Dark Forest. This enemy is better prepared and more deadly than any we’ve faced before.”
Mistystar tipped her head. “There were Clan scents mixed with the rogue stench.”
“They’ve recruited Clan cats,” Lionblaze told her.
“Never!” Blackstar spat. “ThunderClan might have traitors among its warriors, but not ShadowClan!”
“They’ve been recruited from every Clan,” Firestar told him grimly.
“You must have seen them!” Onestar challenged Dovewing. “Tell us who they are!”
Dovewing shifted her paws. “I—I can’t say,” she stammered
Blackstar padded toward her. “Are you a traitor, too?”
“Of course she isn’t!” Firestar stepped in front of her. “No one’s a traitor yet. We don’t know which side any cat will choose until the battle begins.”
Onestar prickled. “But if we know who they are, we can be prepared.”
For the first time Mistystar looked frightened. “Tell us who you’ve seen, Dovewing.”
“They must be punished.” Blackstar hissed.
Dovewing dug her claws into the earth. “I can’t tell you,” she meowed steadily. “Firestar’s right. They haven’t betrayed anyone yet.”
Firestar flicked his tail. “They believe they are training for the sake of their Clan. They don’t realize they are being prepared for our destruction.”
“Then they’re fools,” Blackstar snarled.
Mistystar swished her tail. “They may be foolish, but Firestar is right. Until they turn their claws on their own Clanmates, we cannot condemn them.”
“Some are only staying because Brokenstar has threatened to kill any cat who betrays him,” Lionblaze explained. “You’ve had a glimpse of how ruthless the Dark Forest warriors are. Their recruits might be too scared to disobey their new leader. We must be ready to fight our own Clanmates.”
Onestar tilted his head. “Or free them.”
“So what do we do about the Dark Forest?” Blackstar demanded.
Lionblaze stepped forward. “We must stand together.”
Blackstar backed away. Mistystar glanced at her paws.
“How can we trust one another?” Onestar asked quietly.
Firestar glanced at the medicine cats, then back to the leaders. “The time has come to fight our greatest enemy,” he declared. “We can fight alone, or we can stand together. We’re stronger side by side, as we were for the Great Journey. Uniting against the Dark Forest is our only hope.”
Silence gripped the clearing, broken only by the fretful song of a sparrow high above them.
“Very well.” Mistystar dipped her head. “RiverClan will join ThunderClan in this battle.”
Dovewing suddenly realized she’d been holding her breath. She let it out, her chest aching.
“WindClan will join the alliance.” Only Onestar’s tail-tip moved, twitching as though caught by a breeze.
Firestar turned to Blackstar. “We will do what we can to defend you, even if you choose not to join.”
Blackstar curled his lip. “My Clan will join.” He began to pace around the others. “But there will be one condition.”
“Very well.” Firestar pricked his ears.
“On ShadowClan territory, ShadowClan is in charge of any warrior from any Clan.” He scowled at Firestar. “Even a Clan leader.”
Firestar nodded. “Okay.”
Jayfeather sat down beside Kestrelflight. Willowshine, Littlecloud, and Mothwing gathered around them. “StarClan will be pleased,” Jayfeather meowed as the other medicine cats murmured their approval.
Firestar faced the Clan leaders. “We need to make a battle plan.”
“Where do you think the Dark Forest will attack first?” Mistystar asked.
Lionblaze shrugged. “It could be anywhere or everywhere at once.”
“Patrols must move through all the territories night and day,” Onestar suggested. “There must be no borders to block their way.”
Blackstar’s eyes glittered. “Enemy patrols moving freely through my territory?”
“We’re not enemies now,” Firestar reminded him. “I suggest there be one patrol in each territory made up of warriors from all four Clans. I’ll send three warriors to each of your camps at dusk.”
Mistystar stiffened. “So soon?”
“We must be prepared,” Firestar insisted. “Will you each send three warriors to ThunderClan?”
Dovewing watched the leaders nod, their gaze shadowed. She felt cold to the bone.
“How do we know which cats we can trust?” Onestar narrowed his eyes. “Harespring keeps coming home with unexplained injuries.”
“Troutstream has been bad-tempered lately,” Mistystar admitted.
Onestar glared at her. “I don’t want your traitors on my territory!”
“And I don’t want yourtraitors on RiverClan land,” Mistystar spat.
“We don’t know that they aretraitors!” Dovewing exclaimed. “We should be concentrating on the battle, not trying to guess who our enemies are.”
Blackstar frowned. “But what if they tell our plans to their Dark Forest allies?”
“It’s a risk we have to take,” Firestar growled. “We must trust that enough Clan cats remain loyal to make our plans work.” He began to pace. “Battle patrols must focus on protecting the camps of each Clan. Each camp must be defended by warriors from all four Clans. We must keep our kits and elders safe.”
Onestar flexed his claws. “Once the camps are secure, then the patrol must draw the attackers away.”
“We’ll need messengers,” Blackstar added. “To share news or offer reinforcement.”
“The swiftest two cats from each Clan will be messengers,” Firestar decided.
Onestar circled the ThunderClan leader. “They must swear not to be drawn into battle. They must only carry news. I don’t want a camp lost because help doesn’t arrive in time.”
Blackstar nodded. “Agreed.”
“Good.” Firestar turned and stared through the trees, across the water. “Go home,” he growled. “Prepare for battle. It will strike everywhere at once, but remember that we are fighting together. Not alone.”
As he spoke, Dovewing saw the ferns at the far side of the clearing move. She froze as she spotted a pair of green eyes flash. Tigerheart?As Blackstar, Mistystar, and Onestar headed into the long grass, she glanced nervously at Firestar.
“Come on.” The ThunderClan leader began to pad after Onestar. Lionblaze fell in beside him and Jayfeather followed, his eyes glazed with tiredness.
“I’ll catch up!” Dovewing called.
As her Clanmates disappeared into the grass, she hared across the clearing and dived into the ferns. Tigerheart backed away, his eyes wide.
“What are you doing here?” Dovewing demanded.
“Did you really hear all the way to the Dark Forest?” Tigerheart’s mew was barely a whisper.
“You know I did!” There wasn’t time to explain. “I’ve told you about this before.” Anger surged through her. He wasn’t supposed to be here. Didn’t he ever follow rules? Or take anything seriously?
“But I’ve never actually seen you use your powers.” Tigerheart blinked. “It was great!” He moved closer, thrusting his muzzle toward her cheek.
Dovewing jerked away. “What are you doing?”
“What I always do!” Tigerheart protested. “What’s the matter? Nothing’s changed between us, has it?”
Doesn’t he realize the Clans are on the verge of being destroyed? Or is he here to spy for the Dark Forest?
“I don’t know.” Dovewing’s paws pricked.
“We can have one more night together, can’t we?” Tigerheart pleaded.
“No, we can’t.” Pain stabbed at Dovewing’s chest. “I have to concentrate on the prophecy! There’s a battle coming.” A lump rose in her throat. “I don’t know who to trust anymore!”
Tigerheart shot to her side, pressing close. “You can always trust me.” The warm scent of him made her shake. “I loveyou!” he breathed.
Dovewing wrenched herself away. “This isn’t the time.” She shook her head. “I have a battle to fight.” She met his gaze. “So do you.”
“What about afterward?” he murmured.
“There will be four Clans again.” Dovewing shut her eyes tight. “You’ll belong to ShadowClan and I’ll belong to ThunderClan, and … and maybe that’s how it should be.”
Tigerheart stabbed the earth with his claws. “You can give me up so easily?”
Dovewing shook her head. “There’s nothing easy about this,” she hissed. “How can you be more worried about us, with everything that’s going on? You know what’s happening better than most cats!” It was as if she was looking at him for the first time: a ShadowClan cat, and a Dark Forest warrior. A cat who thought her powers were cool, but had no idea how important the prophecy was. What am I doing?
Spinning around, she crashed through the ferns and raced across the clearing. She heard Tigerheart call after her, but she didn’t look back.
Her mind whirled. Tigerheart was training in the Dark Forest and he knew the Clans’ battle plans. And now she had rejected him. What if the ShadowClan warrior decided to make her suffer in return?
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 18
Jayfeather paced along the edge ofthe Moonpool. The stone felt icy beneath his paws and a cold wind moaned above his head. Please, StarClan, let them come!Last night, the medicine cats had promised to meet him here.
It seemed a moon away now. When Lionblaze had revealed the prophecy that afternoon, it felt as though he’d shaken the world between his claws. Leafpool’s words echoed in his mind. You were born to save the Clans.Hope had sparked from her pelt, and the anger, which had been knotted around Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw for so long, finally began to unravel.
A pebble clattered beyond the lip of the hollow.
“Watch out!” Kestrelflight snapped.
“Sorry!” Fur brushed stone as a cat heaved her belly over the ridge.
Jayfeather padded forward, feeling the rock dimpling underpaw. “Willowshine, is that you?”
“We’re here.” The RiverClan medicine cat followed the spiraling path toward the Moonpool. “Mothwing sends good wishes.”
“Why didn’t you wait for us by the stream?” Kestrelflight bounded down to join them.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come.” Jayfeather shifted his paws.
Littlecloud padded stiffly into the hollow, his old bones tired from the journey. “We told you we would be here.”
“I’ve had to leave a camp full of sneezing warriors.” Kestrelflight fluffed out his pelt. “The first cold of leaf-bare has brought sickness.”
“Anything serious?” Littlecloud asked.
“Nothing more than runny noses and a cough or two,” Kestrelflight told him with obvious relief. “I’ve left Whitetail in charge of the herb store. She knows how to treat a sore throat.”
Willowshine’s paws scuffed the stone. “Perhaps it’s time you took on an apprentice?”
Jayfeather cut her off. “Kestrelflight won’t need an apprentice if the Dark Forest destroys us!”
Willowshine’s breath touched his nose. “What do you mean?”
“They’ve found a way of crossing over from the Place of No Stars,” Jayfeather announced.
“Into ourterritory?” Willowshine whispered.
Littlecloud’s claws scratched the rock. “It’s been them all along!” Fear edged his mew. “It’s been Dark Forest warriors sneaking into our territory!”
“Into all our territories,” Jayfeather corrected him. “They’re looking for the best places to fight. They could attack any day!”
Kestrelflight growled. “We can fight off a few mangy dead cats.”
Jayfeather leaned forward, his heart pounding. “It’s not just a few dead cats!” he hissed. “They’ve been training our Clanmates.”
Willowshine gulped. “How?”
“In their dreams!” Jayfeather ignored the shock sparking from the pelts around him. They had to know the truth.
“WindClan wouldn’t betray their own!” Kestrelflight snarled.
“Most of them don’t understand what they’re doing,” Jayfeather explained. “They believe they’re being loyal. They think Brokenstar and his Clanmates are teaching them to be better warriors so they can fight for their Clans.”
“Mostof them?” Willowshine echoed. “What about the others?”
Jayfeather faced her. “Some of them want the Dark Forest to win.”
“We can handle a few traitors!” Littlecloud paced around Willowshine.
“I hope you’re right,” Jayfeather muttered darkly. “But Brokenstar has threatened the worst punishment to any cat who betrays him. And in the chaos of battle—with all four Clans under attack—do you really think the battle lines will be so clearly drawn?” Jayfeather stalked down to the water’s edge. “Blood will flow from every Clan.” He turned, widening his sightless eyes. “It’s Tigerstar’s destiny to destroy us all.”
“What can we do?” Willowshine breathed.
He crouched beside the Moonpool. “It’s my destiny to stop him.”
“How?” Littlecloud padded closer.
Jayfeather hesitated. “I don’t know.” He’d warned the medicine cats. They could pass on his warning to their Clans. But would that be enough?
Willowshine shifted her paws. “StarClan will protect us.”
“StarClan is divided,” Kestrelflight reminded her.
Jayfeather gripped the rock with his claws, fighting back the fear that was turning his belly cold. “They’re more scared than we are,” he murmured.
Willowshine’s breath quickened. “How can we fight the Dark Forest alone?”
When all cats have closed eyes, we gave the gift of sight to the cat who is blind. You see more than most.Midnight’s words suddenly flooded back to him, and Brambleberry’s mew echoed in his ears: You already know the answer.
Jayfeather lifted his chin. “Flametail united us,” he declared. “Now I will unite StarClan.”
“How?” Littlecloud’s tail-tip whipped the stone.
“I’ll let them see the danger for themselves!” Jayfeather turned and touched his nose tip to the Moonpool.
At once, the world opened around him and his blindness lifted. He was on a grassy hilltop, dark clouds skimming overhead. Wind-battered meadows stretched below him. Trees huddled in the valleys, stripped of leaves. StarClan’s hunting grounds had slid deep into leaf-bare.
“Where’s the sun gone?” Willowshine shimmered into view beside Jayfeather, her nose sparkling with water from the Moonpool.
Kestrelflight stalked from the long grass, eyes round as he adjusted to the gloom.
“Now what?” Littlecloud’s pelt brushed his flank as the ShadowClan medicine cat joined them.
“Each of you must go to your own ancestors and bring them here.”
Willowshine stared down to a muddy river flowing between the fields. Littlecloud faced the swath of dark forest spreading beside it while Kestrelflight fixed his gaze on the rolling moorland beyond.
“Can you do it?” From here Jayfeather could see the tops of the mighty oaks where ThunderClan sheltered beneath.
“I’ll bring every cat that I find.” Littlecloud headed down the hillside.
Kestrelflight broke into a run, streaking toward the moors.
“Willowshine?” Jayfeather saw the RiverClan medicine cat hesitate.
She whisked her tail. “Will the Dark Forest warriors come here, too?”
Jayfeather flattened his ears. “We won’t let them.”
Willowshine flashed him an anxious look and began to trot toward the river. Jayfeather headed down the hill and into the woods.
A white pelt moved at the edge of his vision. He snapped his head around. Whitestorm!The ThunderClan warrior was stalking prey. Tail down, muzzle low, he crept forward, his eyes fixed ahead. A mouse skittered over a tree root a tail-length away. Whitestorm sprang and landed on it squarely, killing it and sitting up with a purr rumbling in his throat.
Jayfeather padded out of the shadows. “I’m glad there’s still prey here.”
Whitestorm jerked around, blinking. The mouse dropped from his jaws. “Hi, Jayfeather.”
“Follow me, Whitestorm. Please, it’s important.” He stared into the white warrior’s eyes. “We need to gather StarClan.”
Whitestorm tipped his head. “Everyone?”
“As many as we can.” Jayfeather bounded forward and broke into a run.
Whitestorm chased after him. “But what about the boundaries?”
“The other medicine cats are helping me gather ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan.” He ducked just in time to avoid the prickly stem of a bramble.
“Didn’t StarClan order you to stay away from the other medicine cats?”
“Yes.” Jayfeather caught sight of a matted old tom snoozing in the shelter of a fern. “Goosefeather!”
The old ThunderClan medicine cat lifted his head, then hauled himself to his paws. “Is it half-moon already?”
“Come with us.” Jayfeather flicked his tail. “We’re gathering the Clan.”
Goosefeather glanced at Whitestorm. “What’s going on?”
Whitestorm shrugged.
“Come on!” Jayfeather raced away. He crested a rise to find Sunstar picking his way along an ivy-choked trail.
Jayfeather caught him up. “Follow us!” He didn’t even pause. There wasn’t time to explain. The ground grew muddy underpaw and ferns gave way to bracken. “Frostfur!”
The white she-cat was reaching up into a cloud of tumbling leaves, batting at them with her paws. Her gaze widened as she saw Whitestorm, Goosefeather, and Sunstar on his tail. “Where are you going in such a hurry?”
“Join us!” Jayfeather called, racing past the she-cat and heading for a swath of brambles.
“Bluestar!”
The old ThunderClan leader was eating a vole in the shade of a withering juniper. She looked up in surprise.
“Follow us!” Jayfeather told her.
Bluestar glanced down at the vole, then bounded toward them, her eyes shining with excitement. “Where are we going?”
“Wait and see!” Jayfeather led the cats down a ravine that cut through the middle of the woods.
As they scrambled up the other side, Jayfeather glanced over his shoulder, surprised by the long line of cats trailing in their wake. Tawnyspots, Frostfur, Swiftbreeze, and Adderfang had joined them. He reached the top of the ravine and caught sight of a thick, tangled pelt lurking in the shadows. “Yellowfang?” Her amber eyes narrowed as he called to her. “Come with us!” he urged.
She curled her lip. “What are you up to?”
Jayfeather stumbled to a halt. “I’m uniting StarClan!”
“Why would I follow fools?”
Jayfeather lashed his tail. “Don’tcome, then! Stay here in the dark. My words will be wasted on you anyway.” He bounded forward, his Clanmates scrambling after him.
Pale light showed ahead and he pelted for the edge of the forest, breaking from the trees, tail high. The hill rose before him. Charging through ferns, he led his Clanmates onto the grassy slope. Cats were swarming from every direction, racing for the hill. He spotted Willowshine’s gray pelt leading a horde of RiverClan warriors. Kestrelflight raced from the valley, warriors skimming over the grass behind him like a flock of starlings.
Jayfeather’s paws ached from running but hope was swelling in his chest. At the crest of the hill, he stopped and turned, amazed by the ranks of StarClan cats crowding over the slopes below him.
Kestrelflight halted beside him. “Word must have spread.”
Willowshine slowed, panting, and sat down.
As Jayfeather plucked at the grass, Littlecloud scrambled to the top of the hill and stopped beside him. His eyes stretched wide as an owl’s as he saw the cats amassed below.
“Yellowfang came,” Willowshine whispered in Jayfeather’s ear. The mangy, old she-cat stood apart from the other cats, eyeing them distrustfully.
“StarClan!” Jayfeather stepped forward and lifted his chin. “Listen!”
“Why?” Yellowfang yowled. “We have the wisdom of ages. You have the stupidity of youth!”
Sunstar jerked around and hissed at her. “You can leave if you want to!”
Yellowfang flattened her ears but didn’t move.
Jayfeather tried again. “You must listen to me!” he called. “Yellowfang’s right. I’m younger than any of you.”
Mosskit flicked her tail as she padded out from behind Snowfur.
“Younger than most of you,” Jayfeather corrected himself. He unsheathed his claws. “There is a terrible threat to you all! And to the Clans you once lived in. You know the Dark Forest is rising. You can see it in the dead leaves that litter your hunting grounds, and the clouds that block out your sun.” Jayfeather glanced up at the gray sky. “You must face the truth. And the truth is worse than you ever imagined.” He gazed around the raised faces, hoping they understood. “The Dark Forest must be met and fought. You will not win by huddling together like families of mice. You must stand together or fall divided!”
“But how can we beat an enemy that can bring leaf-bare to StarClan?” Raggedstar called.
Darkflower’s eyes glittered. “They have grown stronger than us.”
Sunstar padded forward. “When we sent you the Prophecy of the Three, we didn’t know the Dark Forest would grow so powerful.”
“But now they are Four!”Bluestar pushed past her old leader. “The Ancients gave them an ally to make them strong enough to fight any enemy.”
Jayfeather’s pelt ruffled. “We don’t know who it is yet.”
Bluestar tipped her head. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Jayfeather frowned.
“You are not the first cats guided by a prophecy,” Bluestar prompted. “I was promised long ago that fire would save the Clan. It has never needed saving as much as it does now.”
The fire in the reeds. Always fire.
Bluestar nodded, as if she could see into his thoughts. “Get him,” she mewed softly. “He needs to know what is happening.”
Jayfeather spun and darted away down the far side of the slope. Skidding to a halt, he closed his eyes. Forcing his thoughts into the minds of his Clanmates, tucked tight in their nests in the hollow, he searched their dreams for the cat who had always been destined to save his Clan.
“Surrender, you fox-hearts!”
“Never!”
Jayfeather crashed into a battle. He felt smooth rock beneath his paws. It stretched, flat and wide, toward a dark wall of pine trees. Jayfeather flinched as cats fought around him, throwing up dust from the sandstone as they reared and slashed at one another. A flame-colored pelt glowed at the heart of the battle.
“Firestar!”
The ThunderClan leader was wrestling with a dark-furred ShadowClan warrior. “Sunningrocks will never be yours!” With a sharp thrust of his hind paws, Firestar heaved the warrior away. His muscles flexed with the strength of a young cat, and his eyes were green and fierce.
“Firestar!” Jayfeather yowled again, dodging between the battling warriors.
Firestar froze, blinking at him.
Jayfeather halted in front of his leader. “Come with me.”
Firestar pricked his ears. “Why?”
“The prophecy needs more than the Three. We need a fourth cat.”
“What do you mean?”
Jayfeather twitched his tail impatiently. “When I went to the mountains, the Tribe of Endless Hunting told me that the prophecy could only be fulfilled if we found another cat. Mothwing showed me an omen, a fire in the reeds by RiverClan. It’s you,Firestar. You are the fourth cat.”
Firestar tipped his head to one side. “Yet again, fire will save the Clan,” he murmured. “Very well. What do you need me to do?”
“Follow me.” Jayfeather turned and dived between the battling cats, racing to the edge of the wide, flat rock.
Firestar quickly caught up. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” Jayfeather drew in a breath and flung himself over the cliff, feeling a rush of air before his paws hit grass. Firestar landed beside him, eyes wide. They were on top of the hill beside the medicine cats. Below, StarClan was waiting.
“They needed to see you,” Jayfeather explained.
“Why?”
“Because the prophecy makes you part of this. The life you have left will save the Clans.” Jayfeather turned to face the ranks of StarClan. “You must follow me once more,” he yowled. “You need to see for yourselves.” Beckoning with his tail, he headed down the slope, not to Firestar’s dream battlescape, but into a dingy forest where slimy bushes choked the roots of the trees and the sunshine turned to eerie half-light. Firestar’s pelt brushed his as they crept deeper into the woods. Behind them, StarClan sparkled in the shadows, muttering.
“How can any warrior live in such darkness?”
“It smells foul.”
Jayfeather heard a battle cry echo between the trees. “Look.” He flicked his muzzle toward the shadows ahead. Dark pelts flitted through the slippery undergrowth. Agonized cries rose and fell in the darkness. Then one voice rasped louder than the others.
“Hook your claws into her spine and go for her throat!” Mapleshade loomed suddenly in front of them. Blind to the watching StarClan cats, she aimed a heavy blow at the ear of a scrawny tom and sent him reeling away.
Brokenstar stalked from the trees. “Hasn’t Shredtail mastered the death blow yet?” He scowled at the tabby, who was wiping blood from his nose. Then he yanked the tortoiseshell to her paws, blood welling on her fur where his claws pierced her pelt. “If your opponent wasn’t so useless, you’d be ripped to shreds by now. I want as many Clan cats dead as there are birds in the forest!”
“Where’s the sun?” Mosskit’s frightened whisper echoed in the darkness.
Snowfur wrapped her tail over his back. “Hush, little one!”
Creeping like prey, the StarClan cats headed back along the trail. Firestar walked heavily beside Jayfeather, his head low. “How can we fight such evil?” he murmured.
“The prophecy says we can win.” Jayfeather felt daylight dapple his pelt. The trees had thinned and StarClan were flooding back into their hunting grounds.
“We’re back!” Mosskit scampered onto the grassy slope. He turned, blinking, as StarClan streamed past him and stared at Jayfeather. “Why did you take us to see those horrible cats?”
Bluestar paused beside her kit and touched his head with her muzzle. “We have to know our enemy.”
Firestar lifted his voice to the whole of StarClan. “Now that you have seen them, have heard what they are threatening our Clans with, are you afraid to fight?”
Raggedstar bristled. “Never!”
Jayfeather saw determination hardening the gazes of the StarClan warriors. “But will you fight together?” he questioned.
Bluestar swished her tail. “We can’t fight such cruelty while we’re divided.”
Yellowfang stepped forward. “How will we know who to trust?”
“You can trust me.” Firestar straightened up, his pelt bright. “And one another.”
Raggedstar padded forward. “How could such horror have thrived?” he growled. “We should have been able to crush it before it grew so strong. After all, we have the power of the stars in our paws.”
Jayfeather met his solemn gaze. “No,” he meowed. “That is my destiny. Mine and Firestar’s.”
Beside him, Firestar nodded. “I am the fourth cat,” he declared. “The prophecy has come true.”
Jayfeather opened his eyes into blackness. The Moonpool rippled at his nose. Kestrelflight, Littlecloud, and Willowshine were waking, their pelts brushing the stone as they clambered to their paws.
Jayfeather felt blood welling on his pads. The long journey had left him grazed and aching. “StarClan is united. Now we must gather the Clans.” He pushed himself up. “We must tell them everything.”
Littlecloud’s claws scraped the rock. “Let’s bring them to the island.”
“But we don’t know which warriors to trust.” Worry edged Willowshine’s mew.
“We can trust the leaders, surely?” Kestrelflight’s tail swished.
Jayfeather nodded. “I’ll bring Firestar.”
“And I’ll bring Blackstar,” Littlecloud promised.
“I’ll bring Mistystar.”
“I’ll bring Onestar.”
Jayfeather felt determination harden beneath their pelts. “Let’s meet at sunhigh,” he decided. “We have to make them realize that the only way to win this battle is to unite the Clans.”
第十五章
第十五章
松鸦羽皱着鼻头，吞下一口草药。艾菊的味道较苦，而且会像荨麻一样，在他肚子里待到日高时分才能消化掉。但他不想染上咳嗽和感冒，它们就像跳蚤一样，正在整个族群肆虐蔓延。他嗅了嗅荆棘光，她口中的绿叶气味还很浓：“你把它们全吃了吗？”
“是的。”她穿过巫医巢穴时，肚皮上的皮毛蹭着地面，松鸦羽听见她正从水池里舔水喝。“为什么草药都那么苦呢？”她抱怨道。
“这样兔子和老鼠就不会把它们吃掉了。”松鸦羽回答道。
森林大会以来，天一直下着雨，让他感受到了落叶季的第一次真正的寒意。没有巡逻任务时，大家都缩在窝里，有一只猫打喷嚏，整个巢穴的猫就会接连着被传染。尽管没有什么严重情况，咳嗽声和气喘声此起彼伏的，让松鸦羽很是紧张。
昨天米莉来看荆棘光时，被他拒绝了：“除了我，谁也不能进巫医巢穴。”
米莉情绪很激动，气得尾巴甩来甩去的。不过她没有跟他吵架，松鸦羽从她的皮毛下感觉到她很担心。其实米莉跟他一样，不想让荆棘光被传染。虽然荆棘光的前脚掌现在已经足够有力，能将自己拽到倒地的山毛榉树上，可松鸦羽还是觉得她可能无法抵抗疾病的侵袭。所以每天坚持吃点预防的草药，是他认为保证她免受感染的最好办法。
他在草药库外排列整齐的草叶中摸索着，艾菊的库存量比他想象中的要少。他便取了些锦葵。锦葵对波弟的咳嗽有效，应该跟艾菊的效果差不多。他叼起团叶子，朝巫医巢穴入口走去。“待在巢穴里。”他从紧咬的牙缝中挤出几个字，“不要让任何猫进来。”
“那如果米莉来了呢？”荆棘光一脸期待地问道。
“我已经告诉她不要再来了。”松鸦羽用鼻子拱开垂落在地的黑莓藤，细雨落到他的脸上。他伏平耳朵抵挡着细雨，然后朝金银花灌木丛走去。巢穴里传来了低语声，但听不太清楚。为了防风，长老巢穴的围墙中编入了很多树叶。松鸦羽低头钻进长老巢穴，鼠毛和波弟的温暖气息扑鼻而来。波弟浑身湿漉漉的，空中弥漫着新鲜老鼠的浓香。
松鸦羽把锦葵放在波弟的窝里：“你去狩猎了吗？”
“鼠毛饿了。”波弟粗声粗气地说道。
“不要拿我当借口！”鼠毛呵斥道，“是他自己想去狩猎。”她告诉松鸦羽。
“我们困在巢穴里好几天了。”波弟抱怨道，“我需要出去透透气。”
鼠毛在窝里翻了个身：“跟我在一起待够了？”
老公猫的嗓子里发出咕噜的声音：“我还以为，我一时半会儿不给你讲故事，你没问题呢。”
“你的故事是这里唯一有趣的事情了。”鼠毛声音嘶哑地说道。
松鸦羽叼起几片锦葵叶，放到坏脾气的老猫旁边说道：“也许你可以多和小百合和小种子玩玩，她们已经到了闲不住的年纪。”
“亮心的幼崽就要出生了。”他又说道，“幼崽们开始在空地上四处乱跑找麻烦的时候，你可就有的忙了。”
“我想也是。”鼠毛抽动着鼻子，“毫无疑问，我会负责教他们一些礼貌。现在的幼崽都不知道尊重为何物。”
松鸦羽开心地抖了抖胡须。
“等着瞧吧，”波弟悄声说道，“她昨天还在教小种子和小百合，怎么去武士巢穴的围墙底下捉武士们的尾巴尖。”
“我可听见了！”鼠毛大声说道。
松鸦羽留下两只老猫去斗嘴，钻出金雀花藤蔓进入了雨中。空地另一边的育婴室那边传来窸窸窣窣的声音。有皮毛蹭过荆棘丛，松鸦羽闻出了炭心的气味。她正往黑莓丛里钻。
松鸦羽穿过营地，将头探进育婴室：“这里一切还好吗？”
亮心在窝里动了一下。“香薇云的身体不舒服。”她气喘吁吁说道。因为怀了幼崽，她的肚子圆滚滚的，连坐起来说话都费劲。
“她只是有点儿肚子疼。”炭心的声音从香薇云的窝边传来，“我来检查吧，你要忙的事情已经够多了。”
松鸦羽迟疑着，不太确定他是该让炭心承担巫医的职责，还是让她回去执行武士的任务。但这是一个需要她自己来做的决定。“如果你需要草药，就告诉我。”他告诉炭心，“我会把它们放在巫医巢穴外面。”
松鸦羽退出育婴室，又朝学徒巢穴走去。他听见鼹鼠爪在咳嗽。
“又咳嗽了，鼹鼠爪。”叶池的声音吓了松鸦羽一跳。原来她已经在巢穴里了。鼹鼠爪使劲咳嗽了一声，叶池坐直了身子。“他胸部没有呼噜呼噜的气泡声。或许只需要吃点儿蜂蜜缓解一下喉咙的不适就行？”松鸦羽感觉她的目光正朝他瞟过来。
巫医比病猫还多！松鸦羽气呼呼地从叶池身边挤过去，听了听鼹鼠爪的胸口。她说得没错，鼹鼠爪的呼吸声听起来很清晰。“我会用叶子包些蜂蜜，放到巫医巢穴外。”说完，他转身大步走出了学徒巢穴。
“那么快呀。”松鸦羽挤过黑莓丛进到巫医巢穴，甩了甩身上的雨水，荆棘光跟他打着招呼。
“有炭心和叶池帮忙。”松鸦羽嘟囔道。他走到草药库旁，拽出一个蜂巢，用月桂叶包好。接着，他又挑了几根山萝卜根来治疗香薇云的腹痛。然后他叼起两样东西，走到巢穴入口，探出头，将它们放在了地上。
一股熟悉的气味让他一惊。河族猫。他走到空地上，嗅了嗅空气。罂粟霜和蕨毛正从荆棘通道钻出来。两位武士刚从森林里回来，身上还带着一股清新的味道。他们身后还有一只猫，正迈着步子犹犹豫豫朝空地走来。蛾翅？
罂粟霜冲他喊道：“蛾翅想要跟你谈一谈。”
“是河族猫！”一声兴奋的尖叫响起，小百合从武士巢穴后面冲了过来。
“她为什么会在这儿？”小种子蹦蹦跳跳地跟在姐妹后面。
松鸦羽挥了挥尾巴，把她们赶走，然后赶紧过去迎接河族巫医。他冲罂粟霜和蕨毛点了点头，便带着蛾翅来到了空地边上。
在他们身后，蛛足嘟囔道：“为什么她可以踏入我们的领地，而我们的巫医却连森林大会都不被允许参加呢？”
松鸦羽没理他：“怎么了？”
“你得跟我走一趟。”蛾翅说道。
碎石哗啦作响，火星从他的巢穴跳了下来。他在蛾翅身边刹住脚步，问道：“出什么事了吗？”
“没有。”蛾翅平静地回答道，“只是我有东西要给松鸦羽看一下。”
火星动了动脚掌：“松鸦羽不能离开雷族领地。”
蛾翅的皮毛从松鸦羽身边擦过：“为了这个东西，他可以出去。”
“到底是什么东西？”火星将口鼻凑得更近了一些。
“只有松鸦羽才能看明白的东西。”蛾翅迈步走开了，“你赶紧跟上啊？”她冲松鸦羽喊道。
“我最好跟她去一趟。”松鸦羽抱歉地冲火星说道。蛾翅的身影已经消失在荆棘通道中，他连忙跑着追了上去。到底是什么东西那么重要，让她连族长都敢顶撞？
蛾翅走上狭长的湖岸，沿着湖边往前走去，她的皮毛间闪动着兴奋。穿过风族边界时，她甚至都没有停下来嗅嗅气味。松鸦羽跟在后面，好奇心让他的脚掌痒痒的。雨水打在他的脸上，但他都没怎么注意到。蛾翅发现她是第四只猫的证据了吗？希望从他的心中升起。
山坡上的一声喊叫吓了他一跳。是鸦羽。风族武士正咆哮着向他们冲来。
“他带着一支巡逻队。”蛾翅提醒松鸦羽。她将松鸦羽推到自己身后，等着风族猫从石楠丛中钻出来。
“你们在这里干什么？”
鸦羽在他们面前慢慢停了下来，松鸦羽不由得后退了几步。他嗅到了白尾和枭须的气味，他们也跑了过来。
“他不能穿越族群领地。”鸦羽咆哮道。
蛾翅站着没动：“这里不是你们的领地，我们离水边的距离连一尾都不到。”
“现在不是满月！”鸦羽咆哮道，“没有休战协定。”
松鸦羽的爪子插进鹅卵石里。他无法相信，这位脾气暴躁的武士居然会是他的父亲。
“我们是巫医。”蛾翅平静地说道。
鸦羽走近一些：“可他不是。”
枭须大吼道：“我们押送他回他的边界去。”
白尾动了一下。“他又没干对风族不利的事。”她说道。
“可他是凶手！”枭须嘶吼道。
“你真的相信影族说的话？”白尾冲族猫厉声说道。
蛾翅脚掌下的石头咯吱作响。她靠近风族武士，坚定地说道：“让我们过去。”
鸦羽的尾巴在空中抽动着：“松鸦羽是在擅闯领地。”
“你想跟我打架吗？”蛾翅威胁道，“如果你敢动他一爪子，你就得先把我打倒。”她用低吼的声音说道：“星族会赞同你伤害一位巫医吗？”
松鸦羽感觉到了鸦羽皮毛下的沮丧。“你过去吧，”他靠近松鸦羽，“但这是我们第二次抓住你擅闯我们的领地了。”他的呼吸中带着一股兔子的味道：“这最好是最后一次。”
蛾翅的尾巴拂过松鸦羽的鼻子。“他还要从这里回去。”她指出道，“我还需要送他回来吗？难道风族以袭击盲猫为荣吗？”
松鸦羽强忍住心中的怒意。他讨厌拿他的盲眼当借口，但现在不是维护自尊和骄傲的时候。
“很好。”鸦羽退开了，他的族猫也都退了回去。
蛾翅抖落胡须上的雨水，继续沿着湖畔往前走去。松鸦羽小跑着跟在她后面，很佩服她的勇气。等风族武士消失在了远处，再也听不到他们讲话的时候，他说道：“你应该成为武士的。”
“也许吧，可我是巫医。”蛾翅回答道，好像并不想说太多。她带着他穿过河族边界，进入芦苇丛。脚掌下的地面越来越松软，沼泽里的草蹭着松鸦羽的皮毛。他跟着巫医沿一条蜿蜒小路继续往前走。
“那是什么？”一股微弱的烟味飘进松鸦羽的鼻子，他身子一顿。
“那就是我们要去看的东西。”蛾翅继续前行，松鸦羽赶忙跟了上去。“低头。”沼泽上的草越来越浓密，蛾翅提醒松鸦羽道。
低垂的草叶拂过松鸦羽的鼻子，草籽掉落到他的口鼻中。他打了个喷嚏，跟在蛾翅身后继续向前。他的脚踩在泥地上，发出啪啪的声响。蛾翅突然停住了。为了不撞上她，松鸦羽摔倒在了泥里。
“就是这儿。”蛾翅说道。
这里的烟味更浓了。她为什么领他来看火？“这是什么？”他问道。
“一根芦苇在燃烧。”她告诉他，“已经燃烧了好几天了。”
“在这样的雨天里？”
“其他的芦苇都湿透了，只有这根一直在燃烧。”蛾翅解释道，“可它不是整根都在燃烧，只是芦苇梢上有些微弱的火苗。”
松鸦羽探出身子。烟熏得他眼睛生疼，碰在阴燃的芦苇叶上的鼻子也感到了些刺痛。他退后一步：“这样几天了？”
“三天了。”蛾翅告诉他，“森林大会以后就这样了。”
“这是一个预兆！”松鸦羽转向蛾翅，“你知道这是预兆，对吗？”
她坐了下来。“在我看来，这只是沼泽地里的怪异现象而已。”她说道，“但我知道你会从中找到预兆的，所以我才带你来看看。”
“柳光看过了吗？”蛾翅当然会先给自己的族猫看吧？
“柳光又没有在寻找什么预兆。”蛾翅告诉他，“但你不一样。”
松鸦羽靠近那簇微小的火苗。当它的热量再次碰到他的鼻子时，他的脑海中浮现出一幅景象。火焰在他面前腾起，像植物的茎一样向上燃烧着，发出橙红色的光芒，就像……松鸦羽的脑子飞转着……就像一根尾巴！
焰尾！星族是在向他传递一个信号，找到焰尾！
他已经去月亮池寻找过那只死去的影族猫，可那一次他甚至都没能到达星族的狩猎场。或许星族现在准备好了。
“谢谢你！”松鸦羽感激地用尾巴拂过蛾翅的侧腹。他认为她是第四只猫，这是对的吗？也许是焰尾。这个预兆改变了一切！如果他能跟焰尾谈一谈，劝他去告诉小云，他的溺亡只是个意外，那巫医们就又能团结起来了。只要巫医团结一心，四个族群就能联合起来对抗黑森林。
“我得回去了。”
蛾翅用脚掌拦住了他：“你知道这是什么意思吗？”
“我想是的。”如果把一切都告诉她，要花费太长的时间。松鸦羽现在只想赶紧回营地，蜷缩进窝里，然后进入梦境去星族的狩猎场。“意思是说我现在能找到焰尾了。”
“可是他死了，不是吗？”蛾翅不安地问道。
“对我来说，没有！”
松鸦羽感觉到了蛾翅心里的悲伤。“真羡慕你的信仰。”她喃喃道，“你总能找到希望，即便是在最黑暗的时刻。”
松鸦羽歪着头说道：“要真是这样就好了。”几天前，他已经放弃了对预言的所有信心，不相信自己有完成使命的力量。可现在，似乎又有了一线微光，尽管周围仍然笼罩在黑暗之中。
“如果你需要我，我一直都在。”蛾翅说道，“我可能无法分享你的信仰，可我会永远帮助你，为你的信仰而战。”
“谢谢你。”松鸦羽转身离去。他已经迫不及待要回到营地了。
“要不要我陪你回去？”他沿小路返回时，蛾翅问道。
“我自己可以！”松鸦羽沿着留有自己气味的狭长小路，冲到了湖边。
蛾翅的声音从他身后的芦苇丛中传来。“我会继续观察火苗的！”她大喊道，“如果它熄灭了，我就知道你已经找到要找的东西了！”
第十六章
第十六章
松鸦羽颤抖着，他是被一股冷风吹醒的。他坐起身，感觉雨点落在皮毛上。我这是在哪里？周围山坡上长满小草，天空阴云密布。枯死的树和被暴雨摧残过的草地，构成一幅阴郁的景象。他是在黑森林吗？星族似乎永远都是绿叶季，那里微风拂动，空气中总是弥漫着猎物的气息。松鸦羽蓬松起皮毛，抵御着寒气，迈步朝山下的那片树林走去。这里没有小鸟唱歌，没有动物跑动。他竖起耳朵仔细听着脚步声。这里会有猫吗？
突然，他听到皮毛刮蹭树皮的声音，心怦怦跳动起来。他低头钻进一簇低垂的蕨丛，伏下身子，腹部紧贴着地面，偷偷往外看着。四只沾满泥巴的脚掌向他走来。是黑森林武士吗？他缩到灌木丛深处。一股熟悉的气味从他的舌头上飘过。是斑叶！他松了一口气，高兴地从灌木丛里冲了出来。
斑叶停住了：“松鸦羽！你来这里做什么？”
“这里是星族的狩猎场吗？”松鸦羽抬头看着那些正在渐渐变黄的树叶。
斑叶耸了耸耳朵：“是的。”
“发生什么事了？”
“落叶季来了。”斑叶弓起身子，抵御寒风，“这是星族有史以来的第一个落叶季。”她的声音很是平静，“而且我还能在风中嗅到秃叶季的气息。”
“星族的秃叶季？不可能！”
“没有什么是不可能的。黑森林正在崛起。”斑叶瑟瑟发抖地说道，“星族很可能灭亡。”
松鸦羽颤动尾巴。“如果我能帮上忙，就不会那样！”他环视着林地，希望能看到更多猫的身影，“我是来找焰尾的。”
斑叶惊讶地看着他：“为什么现在来？”
“我看到了一个预兆。”松鸦羽解释道。
斑叶茫然地看着他：“预兆？”
“星族传送的预兆。燃烧的芦苇。”
“星族没有传递任何征兆，”斑叶把头歪向一边，“我们甚至连湖都看不到了。”
“一定是你们中的一位传递的！”松鸦羽甩掉身上的雨水，“上次我想找焰尾，可我连月亮池都过不去。但现在，我来到了这里！”
“星族没有传递任何预兆！”斑叶坚持说道。
松鸦羽从她身边走过，凝望着树林深处。“好吧，那肯定是有猫这么做了。”会是岩石吗？“我必须和焰尾谈一谈，我必须把巫医们团结起来。”
斑叶警惕地扫了一眼四周：“你知道的，星族已经分裂了。你找不到焰尾的，他现在在狩猎场的影族区域。”
松鸦羽哼了一声：“星族是没有边界的。”
“现在有了。”斑叶反驳道。
“那些边界都不是真的！”为什么她要把这件事说得这么困难呢？“我要去找焰尾！”
斑叶眯起了双眼：“情况已经变了！”
“可真相不会变。”松鸦羽坚定地说道，“我要去说服焰尾，让他告诉小云，我没有杀他。”
“没你想的那么容易。”斑叶警告他道，“影族不会让你越过他们的气味线的。”
沮丧涌上松鸦羽心头：“你不帮忙就算了！”
斑叶一下子将口鼻凑过来，松鸦羽后退了几步。“我没说过不帮你！”她嘶吼道，“我只是在提醒你，事情没那么容易。黄牙一直在给星族制造恐惧气氛，就像母亲吓唬幼崽一样！那只愚蠢的老跳蚤皮！”
松鸦羽吃惊地退了几步，他没想到斑叶会如此愤怒：“那你会带我去找焰尾吗？”
“当然！”她开始沿小路往上爬，“影族领地在这边。”
松鸦羽赶忙追上她。
“你是不是认为我抛弃了雷族？”斑叶轻声说道。
“这不仅仅关系到雷族。”松鸦羽纠正她道，“现在，这和所有的族群都息息相关。”
他们钻出树林，走过草地。这里长长的草叶早已被狂风吹得伏倒在地。雨水落到眼睛里，让松鸦羽感觉一阵刺痛，他不得不眯起双眼，脚掌从那些凋零腐烂的花朵上踩了过去。他听见前面河水流动的声音。等他们走到岸边，松鸦羽的心一阵揪痛。河水已经变成了棕色，泛着恶心的泡沫；水流奔腾汹涌，从岩石上倾泻而下，在泥泞浑浊的堤岸间翻滚着。
“大家都去哪儿了？”
斑叶用尾巴指了指上游蜷缩着的那一群猫，他们正挤在一块悬垂的岩石下。那是白风吗？松鸦羽几乎都没认出白毛武士。他已经瘦得皮包骨头，湿漉漉的皮毛下肋骨清晰可见。
“现在猎物稀少。”斑叶解释道。
长尾正坐在白风旁边，从狭窄的岩缝里往外面看。他双眼明亮清澈，视力已经恢复，但他的眼中却闪动着悲伤。
松鸦羽离开斑叶，朝族猫跑去。“长尾！”他咕噜一声，跟老公猫打着招呼。
长尾点点头。“见到你真好。”他低声说道。
一个身影出现在松鸦羽的视线中。纹脸正小心翼翼地沿着岩石边陡峭的河岸往下走来。“松鸦羽？是你吗？”她快靠近时跑了起来，“星族发生了可怕的事情！我们再也看不见族群了！”
“我知道。”松鸦羽说道，“是因为黑森林。”
“火星怎么样？”白风站起来，围着松鸦羽转着圈。
“他很好。”
“那鼠毛呢？”长尾焦急地冲他眨着眼睛。
“还是爱发脾气。”松鸦羽勉强着呼噜了一下，他想让大家放心，雷族领地里一切都没有改变，“香薇云像武士一样严格管理着育婴室。”
“荆棘光怎么样了？”长尾问道，“她恢复得好吗？”
“她恢复得很好。”松鸦羽向他保证道，“另外，亮心就快要生幼崽了。”
白风眼睛一亮：“这可真是个好消息！”
“松鸦羽！”斑叶的声音从后面传来，“我们该走了。”
“你们要去哪里？”长尾凑过来问道。
“去找焰尾。”松鸦羽抖了抖耳朵。
白风的目光暗了下来。“不要越过边界。”他警告道。
“星族不该有边界的。”松鸦羽咆哮道。
长尾低下了头：“星族也不该有落叶季。”
“我必须找到焰尾。”松鸦羽转身就要离开。
白风甩起尾巴，挡住了他的去路：“你不能去！”
斑叶的尾巴拂过资深武士的脊背。“我们必须得去。”她温柔地说道。
白风冲她眨了眨眼睛，眼中闪动着担忧：“他们会把你们赶回来的。”
“他们阻止不了我。”松鸦羽伏下了耳朵，“这件事非常重要。”
白风只好退开，让松鸦羽过去。
“你们当心点儿！”纹脸看着他跟斑叶从岩石边走开时，大声喊道。
斑叶带着松鸦羽往下游走去。他们沿着河边，穿过先前的那片草地。接着，河道转了一个弯，流向远处的树林。
他们最终停在了一根树桩跟前。“我们到边界了。”斑叶说道。
松鸦羽闻出路两侧低垂的黑莓丛中，仍残留着被雨水冲得很淡的影族气息。他紧张地打量着四周。这里是星族！他提醒自己，所有的猫在这里都是安全的！
“伏下身子！”斑叶突然蹲伏下来，并摇摇尾巴示意松鸦羽。前面传来了脚步声。斑叶的目光飞快地打量着两侧。“我们应该躲起来。”她警告道。
“不！这太荒谬了。”松鸦羽抬起下巴，从她身边大步走了出去，站在了路中央。他竖起尾巴，看见黄毛拐过弯停了下来。
影族的前副族长龇着尖利的黄牙咆哮道：“你们来这里做什么？”
残星和冬青花出现在她身后。残星看见斑叶时，发出了一声嘶吼：“我记得告诉过你，不得越过边界。”
“这里是星族！”松鸦羽也嘶吼道，“星族里不应该有边界。”
斑叶绕到他身边。“我知道你认为自己做的事情是正确的。”她说道，“但我们来这里只是想找焰尾说说话，说完我们就走。”
残星亮出利爪：“你们找焰尾做什么？”
松鸦羽让自己的皮毛平顺下来，迎视着影族族长的目光。“我得到一个预兆。”他解释道，“它告诉我说，应该找焰尾谈一谈。”
冬青花皮毛竖立起来：“星族没有发出任何预兆。”
松鸦羽低下了头。“我不是要冒犯你。可这里有那么多边界把你们分隔开，你怎么知道没有呢？”他指出，“任何族群的任何一只猫都可能发出预兆。而且那确实是个预兆。”
黄毛后面的黑莓丛一阵晃动，石牙走到了小路上：“让他们过去。”
黄毛发怒道：“为什么？”
石牙把头歪向一边：“让他们和焰尾谈谈，对我们能造成什么伤害吗？”
冬青花低吼道：“他们越过我们的边界。”
“他们很快就会再次越过边界，回到他们自己的领地。”石牙说道。
黄毛向松鸦羽身边走近一点儿：“如果我们任由猫随意进出，那还要边界做什么？”
石牙站着没动：“松鸦羽不是一只普通的猫，这你是知道的。”
沉默了片刻，黄毛低头往后退了一步。“我想我们可以有特例。”她低声说道。
松鸦羽点了点头。“谢谢你。”他从影族巡逻队旁边经过时，感觉到他们的目光灼烧着他的皮毛。他回头看了一眼斑叶。雷族巫医也跟了上来，边走边警惕地盯着影族武士。他们刚一拐过弯，松鸦羽便加快了步伐。“快走。”他回头催促道。
“你知道去哪里找他吗？”
“幻象是燃烧的芦苇。”松鸦羽告诉她，“焰尾肯定在芦苇附近。”
斑叶迟疑地看着前头的松树林：“芦苇？在影族领地里吗？怎么听起来像是在河族的领地里。”
说得有道理。松鸦羽环顾四周的黑莓丛，想知道附近是否有河流。
“等等。”斑叶突然停了下来，竖起了尾巴，“那条河流流经狩猎场的这一部分。”她拐下小路，钻进蔓生的灌木丛。松鸦羽跟着她，两侧的荆棘撕扯着他的皮毛。斑叶在茎秆中迂回前行，寻找着他们可以钻过去的缺口。不一会儿，他们脚掌下的地面往下斜去，松鸦羽便再次听见了潺潺的河水声。
“那里。”斑叶冲前方汹涌浑浊的河水点了点头。这里地势缓平，斜坡在河边时变成了芦苇荡。“影族占领这片土地的唯一目的，只是为了刁难河族猫。”
松鸦羽扫视着那些苍白的芦苇茎秆，希望能找到那一抹橙色。“你能看见他吗？”他问斑叶。可母猫已经跑下河岸，钻进芦苇荡里去了。松鸦羽赶紧追了上去。“焰尾？”他钻进芦苇深处，冰冷的河水没过脚掌，他不由得战栗起来。
他瞥见了芦苇荡中斑叶的玳瑁色皮毛。“看到了吗？”他大声喊道。突然，他停了下来。一股气息扑鼻而来。肯定是影族猫，而且还很新鲜。会是焰尾吗？他继续往前走着，脚掌下的地面变得松软起来。河水没过他腹部的皮毛，他的脚步变得吃力起来，每迈一步，脚下的泥浆就像海绵一样，将他往下吸。“焰尾？”他努力在芦苇荡里寻找着，“焰尾！”
松鸦羽正准备继续走，后腿却被困住了。他用力拉，想要将腿从黑色泥浆里拔出来。可泥浆的吸力越来越强，他陷得更深了。他挺直肩膀，想把前脚掌先拉出来，可它们却陷到了更深的地方。最后，泥浆埋到了他的膝盖处。“斑叶！救命！”恐慌涌上他的心头。他每拽一只脚掌，另一只就会陷得更深。很快，泥浆没过他的腹部，浸湿他的两侧。他赶紧抬起下巴，可泥浆已经涌上了他的胸口。
“你找到他了吗？”斑叶从芦苇中探出脑袋。
“不要过来！”松鸦羽尖叫道，“我在下沉！”
斑叶向前扑来，想要用嘴咬住松鸦羽的后颈。可她的牙齿在他耳边咔嚓一声，咬空了。“我够不到你！”她哀号道。
“别过来！”松鸦羽冲她嘶吼道，“我们不能都溺死在这里！”
斑叶眼中闪着泪光。“尽量别动！”她大吼道，“我去找根树枝，你用牙齿咬住它。”她转身冲出了芦苇荡，尾巴从松鸦羽鼻子跟前一闪而过。
“你看上去好像遇上麻烦了。”芦苇荡中响起了一个声音。松鸦羽赶忙转过头，看见一张橙色的脸，正从芦苇茎秆中看着他。
“焰尾！”影族猫正冷冷地看着他。“救我！我要淹死了！”
焰尾向前一步，可接着又停了下来，眼睛中燃烧着怒火：“我知道你现在的感受。”
“你能够到我吗？”松鸦羽抻长脖子去看焰尾身后的地面。或许那里够结实，能承受得住焰尾的重量。
“我为什么要救你？”焰尾的声音异常冰冷，“你当初也没有救我。”
“我尽力了！”松鸦羽感觉到自己的胡须已经碰到了泥浆。他把头往后一仰，感觉泥浆已漫过他的下巴了。“可我没办法救下你！那个时候我不能死，我必须活下来。”
焰尾嘶吼道：“那我就不能活下来吗？”
松鸦羽拼命想找到什么来说服这只影族猫，让他相信，他的死并不是松鸦羽的错。可是，苦涩的河水已经流进他的嘴里。
“这不公平。”焰尾咆哮道，“那样死去太愚蠢了！”
“可你仍然有使命要去完成！”松鸦羽摇摇头，吐出嘴里的脏水，“现在，你是唯一能够拯救影族的猫！黑暗即将来临，如果你放任不管，那么它将吞噬掉你所有的族猫！我需要你的帮助来团结族群。只有这样，我们才能生存下来！”一块泥巴堵在了他的喉咙里，他忍不住咳嗽了起来：“你必须告诉小云，我并没有淹死你！”
“我为什么要相信你？”焰尾恶狠狠地说道，“雷族猫都是凶手！即便你没有淹死我，我刚到这里的时候，你的族猫也曾企图要杀了我。”
“这里吗？”松鸦羽吃力地吐出几个字，“是谁？”
“藤池！”焰尾从芦苇中探出口鼻，“我在寻找去星族的道路，她却想要抓断我的喉咙！如果不是虎心阻止了她，说不定她已经杀死我了！现在我也要让你去死！”
河水没过松鸦羽的嘴巴。他紧闭嘴巴，拼命地用鼻子呼吸着空气。这时，泥浆已经浸到他的脸颊。
“焰尾！”空中传来了斑叶的吼声，“别像武士那样威胁他了！你是巫医！”焰尾的目光看向玳瑁色母猫。斑叶怒视着他，脚掌中抓着一截弯曲的树枝。“你的力量远超你的想象。”她咆哮道，“你只需要说出真相。”
焰尾伏下了耳朵，似乎不想听到这些。
“帮助巫医重新团结起来吧。”斑叶开始请求他，“如果我们的守则被破坏了，族群必将消亡。族群的核心是我们，而不是武士守则。想想你发过的誓言吧。”
河水汩汩着流入松鸦羽的鼻子，他看见焰尾动了一下脚掌。泥浆流过他的脊背，他已经感觉不到自己的腿了。一种奇怪的宁静漫过他全身，就好像他知道，再做挣扎已经没有意义了。
“我真的有这种力量吗？”焰尾喃喃道。
松鸦羽拼命地想要点头。是的！你星权在握！可他的肌肉已经不能活动。他只好闭上眼睛，感觉这辈子从来没有这么疲倦过。恍惚之中，他感觉有东西在他眼前移动，但似乎离得好远好远。
突然，他感觉到有什么东西在戳他的前脚掌。斑叶将树枝深深地插入泥浆中，戳着他。“醒醒，松鸦羽！快醒过来！”她嘶吼道，“我不会让你这样死掉的！”
这时，芦苇的断裂声响起，接着是泥浆飞溅的声音。只见焰尾从芦苇中冲到了斑叶身旁，他蹲伏下来，用牙齿咬住树枝的一端固定住，而斑叶则将另一端伸到离松鸦羽更近的地方。
“快点儿啊！”斑叶大喊道。
松鸦羽眨了眨眼睛。他不能放弃。他找到焰尾了！还有希望！他在泥浆中挣扎着，踢打着脚掌，直到一只爪子钩住了树枝的边。他把树枝拉近一些，用两条前腿抱住了它。湿乎乎的泥浆迸到他的脸上，他只好闭上眼睛，肚子里一阵恶心，可他咬牙忍住了。
“拉！”斑叶发出指令，两位巫医开始拉动树枝。
松鸦羽感觉自己一点点地移动着，慢慢被拉了上来。等他的嘴巴逐渐浮出泥浆，便张开嘴巴，大口地呼吸起来。斑叶和焰尾使出浑身力气，终于将他从泥浆里拖了出来。松鸦羽蹬着后腿，奋力爬出泥沼。他一下子瘫倒在芦苇丛中，喘着粗气，感觉斑叶正用脚掌按摩着他的胸口。
“我没事。”他喘着粗气说道，“只是呛了一些泥水。”一阵干咳打断了他，他又呕出几口泥水。
“我们得离开这里。”斑叶转过身，“时间不多了。”
焰尾推着松鸦羽站起身：“什么时间不多了？”
“跟巫医讲话的时间！”斑叶一边回头大喊，一边飞快地爬上山坡。焰尾赶紧追了上去。
时间不多了？松鸦羽拨开芦苇丛，挣扎着爬上了斜坡。等爬到坡顶，他看见斑叶和焰尾正朝松树林飞奔而去。他跑着追了上去，刚才溺水的恐惧渐渐消失了。他们为什么那么着急？
接着，他便想了起来。其他巫医跟我一样，也是在做梦。我们必须在他们梦醒之前说上话！想到这里，他更加用力地蹬着地面，缩小着与焰尾和斑叶之间的距离，终于在松树林边上追上了他们。
斑叶停下来，疯狂地盯着树林深处。“我们必须得找到他们！”她大口喘息着，“在太阳升起之前。”
焰尾眼睛也瞪大了。“快！”他沿着在松树间蜿蜒的小路冲了出去，“我知道小云在哪里！”
松鸦羽追了上去，斑叶紧随其后。
“小云！”翻过一个小山头，焰尾开始呼唤族猫的名字。
影族巫医正站在山谷中。他猛地回头，惊讶地眨着眼睛：“焰尾？松鸦羽？”
松鸦羽冲下山坡，朝他跑去。“我知道，”他疾声说道，“我不再是巫医了，可焰尾有话对你说！”
小云的目光看向橙色皮毛巫医。“你去哪里了？我一直在找你。”
焰尾低下了头。“自从我死后，我就躲了起来。”他抱歉地说道。
“不过现在我知道了，你跟我们的祖先安全地生活在一起。”小云用口鼻轻触族猫的面颊。
斑叶挤到他们中间。“我们不能在这里逗留。我们必须在所有巫医跟星族分享梦境时告诉他们。小云，跟我们来。”她转向焰尾，“怎样才能最快到达狩猎场的风族区域？”
“出了松树林，往金雀花丛方向走。”斑叶点点头，飞快地跑了出去。
松鸦羽没有立刻去追她。他停下来，看着焰尾那明亮的蓝色眼睛。他有很多的话想说，但他感觉焰尾已经知道自己想要说什么。于是，他只说了一句：“谢谢你。”
焰尾点点头，说道：“为了族群。”
“为了族群。”松鸦羽重复道。然后，他转身冲出去追斑叶，脚下的松针被踢得四处乱飞。他听见焰尾和小云跟在他后面快速奔跑着，他们的脚掌踩在潮湿的地面上，发出沉闷的回响。
他们冲出松树林，来到了长满石楠的山坡。坡顶高处，是阴暗的紫灰色天空。斑叶钻进灌木丛中的一个缺口消失了。松鸦羽追了上去，焰尾和小云也紧随其后。小路蜿蜒陡峭，一路向上，两边长满全是刺的灌木。松鸦羽感觉灌木中有猫影闪动，黑暗中他们的眼睛闪着幽光。但没有猫出来阻拦他们。
快到坡顶时，一簇浓密的金雀花丛挡住了去路。松鸦羽焦急地在里面绕来绕去，终于发现一个出口，冲了出去，来到了岩石林立的坡顶。
斑叶跟着他冲了出来。“他在那里！”她朝坐在岩石边上一个孤独的身影冲去。隼飞转过身看着他们，平贴起了耳朵。
斑叶刹住脚步，停在他旁边：“我们需要跟你谈谈！”
松鸦羽在光滑的岩石上滑行着，当他看到前面没有路时，不禁倒吸了一口冷气。他用爪子紧紧抓住岩石，才将将停了下来。隼飞的前掌正搭在峭壁悬崖的边缘。远远的下方，一片宽阔的山谷绵延通往远处的地平线，最后被涌动翻滚的乌云吞没。
隼飞皱起了眉头：“发生什么事了？”
“我们需要找到柳光！”小云和焰尾追上来时，斑叶扫视着山谷，“下面是河族领地吗？”
“没必要去那里。”
一个声音从他们身后响起。柳光正大步从坡顶朝他们走来。“我看见你们了，但不知道你们要干什么。”她看着松鸦羽，“你是因为蛾翅才来这里的吗？她说你今天去过河族。”
“是的。”松鸦羽几乎快要喘不上气来，“那里有个预兆，是给我的。”
柳光点点头：“难怪她让我今晚跟星族分享梦境。我还觉得很奇怪，因为她通常不怎么提星族的。”
当松鸦羽意识到河族巫医已经开始淡去时，心中闪过一丝恐慌。柳光马上要被从星族带走了，隼飞也越来越苍白，小云也是如此。松鸦羽低头看着自己的前脚掌，发现本该是脚趾的地方，现在却是灰色的石头。
“太阳就要从湖面上升起来了！巫医们就要离开了。”斑叶盯着焰尾，“快，快告诉他们真相！”
“松鸦羽没有杀我！”焰尾开口说出了真相，“我自己溺水，松鸦羽想要救我，可我太沉了，水流又急。我的死不是他的错！”
“谢谢你，焰尾。”松鸦羽点点头，他周围的景物开始旋转，“你已经完成了你的使命。”
火焰皮毛的影族巫医抬起头。他肯定就是第四只猫。松鸦羽朝周围其他巫医看去，他们几乎都是透明的。“我们明天在月亮池见！”
“好的！”隼飞喊道。
“我会去的！”柳光保证道。
“我也会去的！”随着小云的消失，他的声音最后变成了低语声。
在淡去的岩石的映衬下，焰尾橙红色的皮毛仿若燃烧的火焰。“我得等到死后才能完成自己的使命，这可真奇怪。”他看着松鸦羽。“谢谢你来找我，”他的目光平静如水，“现在，不管发生了什么，我都会跟族群站在一起，和你们大家站在一起。”
“松鸦羽，”当眼前的世界消失时，斑叶的呼吸拂过他耳边的皮毛，“他不是第四只猫。”
“他肯定是！”松鸦羽在窝里翻了个身。
“不是！你必须继续寻找！”松鸦羽醒来时，斑叶的声音还在他的脑海中回荡着。他睁开眼睛，又陷入黑暗之中。
第十七章
第十七章
狮焰在空地上来回走着。尽管乌云已经散去，露出了晴朗的晨曦，可雨水还是不停地从巢穴顶上滴落下来。族猫们正在醒来。猫窝里一阵窸窣作响，金银花灌木丛晃动了几下，波弟打着哈欠，从长老巢穴里走了出来。
“你起得好早啊，小年轻！”老公猫在空地那边喊道。
“我在等黎明巡逻队。”狮焰对波弟说道。他满心焦虑，爪子痒痒。他们会带回更多关于那些奇怪猫味的消息吗？
“你现在应该休息。”火星从高石台上跳了下来，“你刚参加完午夜巡逻！”
狮焰停住了脚步。“你也一样。”午夜时分，他们和蕨毛、沙风一起走遍整个领地，在每一条水沟和山谷里都发现了猫的气味。
沙风从族长巢穴里探出脑袋：“知道树林里全是敌人，谁还睡得着啊！”
“嘘！”火星猛地回头看了她一眼，抽动着尾巴。
沙风爬下落石堆，走到伴侣旁边。“对不起。”她低声道，“但我们真的不让整个族群都知道吗？”
火星的爪子深深地插入土中。“等我想好对策后再说吧。”他看着狮焰的眼睛。
他会怎么跟族群解释呢？他们已经做好准备，可以知道黑森林要发起进攻，摧毁所有的族群了吗？狮焰浑身颤抖起来。在那些奇怪的猫的气味中闻到了藤池的气味，这让他无比震惊。火星是不是已经猜到年轻武士一直跟黑森林猫在一起呢？他或许只是以为那是狩猎队留下的陈旧气味吧。
巫医巢穴入口的黑莓丛晃了晃，松鸦羽钻了出来。“狮焰，”他跑到哥哥旁边，“星族与我分享了梦境。”他在狮焰耳边悄声说道。
狮焰忙领着松鸦羽走到远处的空地边上。“他们给你说什么了吗？”他低声问。
“我找到焰尾了！”松鸦羽的盲眼闪闪发亮，“他把自己死亡的真相告诉了其他巫医。我们打算今晚在月亮池见面。”
“万一已经太晚了呢？”狮焰严肃地说道。如果黑森林的猫已经如此随意地在湖畔领地上留下气味，那只能说明，最终的决战即将到来。
“我们必须相信为时未晚！”松鸦羽嘶吼道，“如果巫医们再次团结起来，他们或许能说服他们的族长，让所有族群团结起来！”
“可我们仍然需要找到第四只猫！”狮焰提醒他。如果没有完成预言，团结起来又有什么用呢？
“那只猫不是焰尾。”松鸦羽说道。
狮焰惊讶地盯着弟弟：“你怎么会认为是他？”
“蛾翅给我看了一个预兆，”他解释道，“是一根燃烧着火焰的芦苇，雨水都浇不灭它。我以为那表示焰尾是第四只猫。但斑叶告诉我说，不是焰尾。”
狮焰沮丧地甩着尾巴：“我想她没告诉你是谁吧？”
松鸦羽摇了摇头。“我觉得她也不知道。”他围着狮焰转着圈，“我们得自己去找。”他突然停住了。
荆棘屏障那边传来了沉重的脚步声。狮焰嗅了嗅空气。是黑莓掌。黎明巡逻队回来了。
荆棘通道一阵窸窣作响，黑莓掌钻进了营地。“风族已经更新了气味标记，并且在小溪边设立了一个固定岗哨。”他皮毛蓬松着，朝火星走去，“我们也应该那样。”
灰条和米莉也跟着雷族副族长进了营地，后面跟着鼹鼠爪和玫瑰瓣，鸽翅走在最后。
“我应该留在边界那儿。”灰条咆哮道。
“你独自留下能做什么？”米莉争辩道。
火星眯起双眼。“你去吧。”他命令灰条，“但不要挑起事端，有什么麻烦赶快警告我们。”
栗尾从武士巢穴探出头来：“风族要入侵了吗？”
“还不确定，”火星告诉她，“但准备一下总是好的。”他用尾巴示意黑莓掌跟上他，然后爬上落石，朝自己的洞穴奔去。
鼹鼠爪在玫瑰瓣身旁蹦来蹦去。“我能跟灰条一起去吗？”他哀求道，“我的听力要比他好，如果敌猫来了，我会比他更早知道。”
玫瑰瓣严厉地盯着自己的学徒。“灰条很有经验，他能从声音里判断出是威胁还是普通行动。”她把学徒往猎物堆那边推去，“我们不想虚惊一场。现在去吃东西吧。”
鼹鼠爪跺着脚走了。鸽翅走到狮焰和松鸦羽身旁。“风族发怒了。”她说道，“他们在荒原的每个地方，都发现了敌人的气味，尤其是雷族的气味。”
藤池也去那里了吗？狮焰的尾巴抽动起来。
松鸦羽眯起眼睛。“照这样下去，不用黑森林来进攻，”他喃喃道，“族群自己就会自相残杀，把彼此撕成碎片。”
“我们必须弄清断星的计划。”狮焰靠近鸽翅，“去叫藤池来，是时候让她告诉我们黑森林里的情况了。”
“她肯定还在睡觉。”鸽翅看了一眼学徒巢穴，“我不想把她吵醒。”
“我管不了那么多。”狮焰嘶吼道，“赶紧去叫她！”
鸽翅朝紫杉灌木丛走去，狮焰推着松鸦羽，走向倒下的山毛榉树。罂粟霜在武士巢穴外伸了个懒腰。莓鼻从她身边经过，朝猎物堆走去。狐跃和蟾步已经在昨天剩下的猎物里翻找着猎物了。
“黑莓掌组织狩猎队了吗？”狐跃用爪子钩出一只已经干瘪的鼩鼱，“我们需要一些更新鲜的猎物。”
“我也那么认为。”香薇云从育婴室那边走了过来，“亮心饿了，她不想吃不新鲜的老鼠。她的幼崽马上就要出生了，她吃东西也比以前更挑剔了。”
“我去狩猎！”鼹鼠爪自告奋勇道。
玫瑰瓣坐了下来：“我们刚巡逻回来！”
狐跃用脚掌揉揉鼻子。“你休息吧，我带鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪出去。”他对深奶油色母猫说道。
“谢谢。”玫瑰瓣轻声说道。
紫杉灌木丛颤动起来，鸽翅重新出现了。她的身后跟着睡眼惺忪的藤池。狮焰用尾巴示意她俩到山毛榉树的阴影深处。
“什么事？”藤池打着哈欠走到狮焰跟前。
松鸦羽移动了一下脚掌。“你得跟我们说说黑森林里的事情了。”他低声说道。
狮焰动了动口鼻，示意藤池靠近一些。“整个领地里，到处都是黑森林的气味。”他紧紧盯着她，“也有你的气味。”
藤池平贴起了耳朵。“黑森林的猫来过湖区，里面不止我一只族群猫。”她辩解道，“其他族群的猫也都来过。”
“为什么？”狮焰压低声音问道。
藤池回过头，确认不会有猫听到后才开口说道：“断星说我们需要熟悉所有族群的领地。这样的话，发生紧急情况时，我们就可以相互帮助。”
狮焰气得脚掌发抖：“族群猫真的相信他的话？”
藤池抖了抖一只耳朵：“大多数族群猫没意识到他有多么阴险。”
“但是也有一些猫觉察到了，是吗？”狮焰想问清楚。
藤池几乎耳语般说道：“有几只猫希望黑森林能赢，他们认为自己的族长太懦弱。”
狮焰瞪大了眼睛。怎么可能会有武士背叛自己的族猫？难道他们不相信武士守则了吗？“哪些猫这样认为？”他问道。
藤池盯着自己的脚掌：“大战开始后，他们或许还会改变主意。”
狮焰低吼起来：“告诉我们，这些叛徒是谁！我们应该提醒他们的族长。”
松鸦羽走到他们中间。“这事我们应该相信藤池。”他谨慎地说，“战斗来临时，他们或许会决定站在正确的一方。如果我们现在就谴责他们，很有可能会把他们变成真正的敌人。”
藤池感激地看了他一眼。“我们必须对断星言听计从。”她的尾巴哆嗦着，“否则，他就会杀了我们。他把甲虫须杀了。”
狮焰的爪子紧紧抓着地面：“甲虫须？”
鸽翅已经竖起了耳朵。藤池点点头，圆圆的眼睛盯着姐妹。狮焰知道，鸽翅是在听那位河族武士的动静。他屏住呼吸，祈祷藤池说的不是真的。
“怎么样？”狮焰忍不住问道。
“他不见了。”鸽翅汇报道，“河族找不到他。我能听见他们在喊他，但没有任何回应。”
藤池往后缩了缩，颤抖着说道：“他将永远躺在黑森林里。”
“我们知道我们面临的是什么。”松鸦羽低吼道，“如果在大战开始之前，断星敢杀死自己招募的猫，那他一定对胜利充满了信心。”
狮焰点点头。“他们显然是在领地中寻找最佳的进攻地点。”他抬起下巴，“我们得告诉火星。”他从山毛榉树的阴影中走了出来，穿过空地：“来吧，藤池！”
鸽翅刚想要跟过去，但狮焰摇摇尾巴示意她回去。“你跟松鸦羽留下。”都去的话，火星的巢穴里会太挤。“给藤池一些空间。”
他跳上落石堆，迅速爬上了高石台，沙土溅了藤池满身。他等着藤池上来，然后用鼻子推着她进了火星的巢穴。
黑莓掌惊讶地抬起头。“你们来这里做什么？”他正坐在火星的旁边。
藤池紧张地移动着脚掌。
“你们需要知道正在发生的事情。”洞穴深处的阴影中，狮焰只能隐约看到火星的皮毛。“藤池一直在梦里去黑森林，”火星身子一僵，狮焰继续说道，“她是在帮我们监视黑森林。”
黑莓掌猛地抬起头来：“看在星族的分上，这到底是怎么回事？”
火星的尾巴扫过洞穴的地面。“黑森林正在崛起，黑莓掌。”他看着藤池，眼中闪烁着微光，“我猜，每晚入侵我们领地的，就是那些猫。”
藤池点点头：“断星和虎星已经让前往那里的每个族群的猫相信，他们正在学习成为伟大的武士，一起训练会让他们变得更强大。”
“虎星？”黑莓掌的眼睛在半明半暗中闪动着，“他跟这有什么关系？”
“他是黑森林的资深武士之一。”狮焰解释道，“他一直在湖区招募族群猫，然后在梦里训练他们。现在，他已经找到了突破黑森林的办法，把他的武士带到我们的领地。”
黑莓掌的喉咙里发出一声低吼：“我就永远摆脱不了我的父亲了吗？”
火星的眼中迸射着光芒，似乎在追溯着遥远的记忆：“这场战斗已经酝酿很久了。”
“什么战斗？”叶池的声音从洞口传来。
“我们要跟谁打仗？”松鼠飞也瞪大眼睛从姐姐肩膀后往里面瞧着。
火星靠近狮焰：“是时候把你的使命告诉你的至亲了。他们现在都在这里。告诉他们吧。”
狮焰后退了几步。“这跟他们没关系！”他的心狂跳起来，一双眼睛看看黑莓掌，又看看叶池，“而且他们不是我的至亲！”
火星的呼吸喷到狮焰的口鼻上：“叶池生下了你，松鼠飞和黑莓掌养大了你。没有他们，预言永远不可能实现。”
预言现在也没有实现！这对找到第四只猫有什么帮助吗？对打败黑森林有帮助吗？
黑莓掌站起身：“跟我来。”
狮焰突然感觉自己又变回了幼崽。这个很久以来被他当成父亲的武士，从他身边挤过，出了洞穴。叶池也默默地转身跟了上去，松鼠飞跟在她后面。
“把一切都告诉他们吧，狮焰。”火星轻声说道，“他们需要知道真相。”他坐了下来：“你不在的时候，藤池可以告诉我她在梦中得到的信息。”
狮焰迟疑地爬下落石堆，跟着黑莓掌、叶池和松鼠飞，朝营地入口走去。
松鸦羽冲过来问道：“怎么了？”
“火星说，我必须把有关预言的事情告诉他们。”狮焰低吼道。
“我跟你一起去。”松鸦羽跟在他身旁。
“也把冬青叶叫上吧。”狮焰说道，“这也跟她有关。”
“她不是预言的一部分。”松鸦羽提醒道。
“她是我们的同窝手足。”狮焰坚持道，“她知道的不比我们少。”
松鸦羽穿过空地往回走，狮焰则低头钻进了荆棘通道。叶池的尾巴拂过他的口鼻，他打了个喷嚏。等他满身荆棘地钻出来，黑莓掌正坐在营地入口外的那个浅坑里。他把尾巴盖在脚掌上，松鼠飞在他身旁默默地来回走着。叶池坐在离他们一狐狸身长的地方。
“出什么事了？”冬青叶的声音从通道里传来。她钻出来，看见营地外聚集的猫，惊讶地眨了眨眼睛。
松鸦羽跟在她身后钻了出来，轻轻推着她往前走：“我们打算告诉他们有关预言的事情。”
“现在吗？”她耳朵抽动着。
对，现在。狮焰抓挠着地面，枯叶在他的脚掌下咔嚓作响。“很久很久以前，火星得到一个预言。”他开口说道，“他被告知，有三只即将出生的幼崽，星权在握。”
黑莓掌一愣：“是你们三个？”他的目光从狮焰、松鸦羽、冬青叶身上一一扫过。
“不包括我。”冬青叶立刻纠正他。
松鸦羽靠近姐姐：“不过一开始的时候，我们以为她就是三力量之一。”
松鼠飞凑近了一些：“谁是第三只猫？”
“鸽翅。”狮焰继续说道，“我们的使命是，将族群从黑森林的威胁中拯救出来。”
黑莓掌的眼中燃起怒火。“你们以前为什么不告诉我？因为我不是你们的亲生父亲吗？”他怒视着松鼠飞，“你是不是知道？所以你骗我说他们是你亲生的孩子？”
松鼠飞后退几步，睁大了眼睛：“不是的！”
狮焰走到他们中间。“你们都不知道。”他看了一眼叶池，“只有火星和我们自己知道。”
松鸦羽向前一步：“我们必须自己完成使命。”
“但我们可以帮你们啊。”叶池的眼中布上了一层阴郁，“你们没必要独自承受着这个重担。”
狮焰冲她怒吼道：“如果不是你违背了武士守则，我们根本就不必承受它！”
叶池眼中闪过一丝痛苦，松鼠飞赶紧冲到姐姐前面，怒视着狮焰。“你宁可自己没有出生吗？”她呵问道，“那谁来拯救我们，打败黑森林？”
“我们还没拯救你们呢。”松鸦羽低声道。
“但你们肯定会。”叶池走到松鼠飞前面，她的眼神明亮起来，“你们就是为拯救族群而生的。”
黑莓掌生气地甩着尾巴。“为什么要有这么多谎言？”他盯着松鼠飞，“你就不能告诉我真相吗？”
松鼠飞低下了头：“可这是我永远不能说出的秘密。叶池已经失去了太多。”
“她结果还是失去了一切。”黑莓掌咆哮道。
“不，我没有。”叶池抬起了口鼻，“我看着我的孩子们长大，成了优秀的武士。我依然全身心地为我的族群服务着。”
狮焰感觉自己的心刺痛起来。或许这才是最重要的真相。叶池牺牲了那么多，尽管她的孩子一次次地拒绝她，她却从来没有停止爱他们。就算是在这个最沉重的时候，他也无法否认这一点。
“对不起，黑莓掌。”松鼠飞靠近雷族副族长，她的声音比刚才大了些，仿佛她也受够了，不想再因为她相信是做对了的事情而受到惩罚，“你要明白，我从来都没想过要伤害你。我爱你，也很高兴能和你一起抚养这些孩子。你是一位了不起的父亲。”
“可我不是他们的父亲！”黑莓掌嘶吼道。
“不，你是！”松鼠飞将口鼻凑近黑莓掌的口鼻，眼睛里闪动着柔情，“不要因为生我的气，就否定所有的一切！”
狮焰咽了口唾沫：“我为是你的儿子而自豪。”
黑莓掌惊讶地看着他，仿佛刚才忘记狮焰还在这儿。副族长的表情柔和了下来。“我也不可能有比你更好的儿子了。还有你，松鸦羽。也没有比你更好的女儿，冬青叶。”他望着他们仨。冬青叶张了张嘴，似乎要抗议，可黑莓掌先开了口：“我知道，你们在这场骗局里并没有错。即便你们做了什么，那也是因为你们出生时的这些谎言造成的。”
“都是我的错。”叶池轻声说道，“你不应该责备松鼠飞。她只是为了不出卖我。既然现在我们都知道了预言，那最重要的就是，这些孩子已经被雷族所接受了。毕竟，预言不是我们的，而是他们的。从他们出生的那一刻起，他们的命运就开始影响我们的命运了。”
松鼠飞点了点头。“一切都是命中注定。”她轻轻说道。
狮焰低头看着自己的脚掌。如果这些猫能接受自己的命运，那他也有足够的勇气接受自己的命运。我是四力量之一。
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 20
Lionblaze followed Firestar into camp, breathlessafter the race from the island. A cold wind had whipped them all the way home. He ducked through the thorn tunnel, Dovewing and Jayfeather on his tail.
“There’s a battle coming,” the ThunderClan leader growled.
Brambleclaw jerked around. Daisy thrust her head out of the nursery. “Battle?”
Outside the elders’ den, Purdy wrapped his tail around Mousefur as Firestar crossed the clearing.
The ThunderClan leader leaped onto Highledge. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather to hear my words.”
The Clan was already flooding the clearing, pelts pricking. Molepaw and Cherrypaw pressed together, their eyes round as they stared up at Firestar. Poppyfrost shuffled closer to Berrynose.
Cloudtail hurried to the nursery to find Brightheart. “Stay inside,” he ordered his kits as they peered out like tiny owlets.
Lilykit popped her head out beside them. “I’ll make sure they stay in their nests,” she promised earnestly.
“Me too,” Seedkit squeaked from behind.
The brambles at the entrance to the medicine den rustled as Briarlight thrust out her muzzle. Jayfeather hurried toward her, Millie on his tail, while Blossomfall and Birchfall lingered at the edge of the crowd, glancing nervously at Mousewhisker as he settled beside them.
“Clanmates, we face an enemy stronger than we have ever known!” Firestar yowled. “The danger comes from dead cats as well as living. The Dark Forest has sworn to destroy the Clans.”
“How can dead cats harm us?” Mousefur croaked.
Firestar looked steadily at the elder. “The warriors in the Place of No Stars have found a way to cross into Clan territory.”
Ferncloud gasped.
“That’s impossible!” Cloudtail growled.
“Oh, StarClan,” Blossomfall whimpered to Birchfall.
He met her gaze, frozen until Mousewhisker murmured in his ear. Birchfall shook the young warrior away, eyes narrowing in disgust as though Mousewhisker had asked him to eat crow-food. Lionblaze watched Mousewhisker shrink away. What could the young warrior have said?
Firestar leaned over the lip of Highledge. “You’ve all smelled the scents and seen the paw prints in the forest.”
“They’re just rogues!” Dustpelt snarled.
Firestar returned the tabby tom’s gaze. “Have you forgotten the scent of Tigerstar?”
Dustpelt stared at him. “I … I thought I imagined it.”
Firestar went on. “A battle is coming that we have to win, for the sake of every warrior that ever lived. We must fight alongside the other Clans, because this enemy threatens us all. ShadowClan, WindClan, and RiverClan will each send three warriors here at dusk to join our patrols. We will send three warriors to their camps.” He glanced down at his deputy. “Brambleclaw, you choose who will go.”
Thornclaw’s tail brushed the earth. “Won’t ShadowClan just take advantage of this to steal our territory?”
“If they do, all will be lost,” Firestar muttered darkly.
“How will I protect my kits?” Brightheart wailed.
Cloudtail pressed against her. “I won’t let anything harm them!”
Ferncloud lashed her tail. “Nor will I!”
Sorreltail lifted her chin. “No one will hurt ThunderClan kits.”
Ivypool walked to the front and turned to face her Clan. Lionblaze saw her take a breath and steady her trembling paws. “I know how they fight. I can teach their moves to the Clan.”
Blossomfall huddled closer to Birchfall.
“How do you know?” Dustpelt hissed.
“I sent her to spy.” Firestar leaped down the rock tumble and stood beside Ivypool. “She knows more about our enemy than any cat. Learn from her.”
Mousewhisker gaped at her. “You were spyingin the Dark Forest?”
Cherrypaw’s eyes grew as round as moons. “You’re so brave!”
Lionblaze narrowed his eyes. Had Firestar asked Ivypool who else had been training in the Dark Forest? He glanced around his Clanmates, searching faces for a glimmer of guilt. Some of them must have visited the Place of No Stars with Ivypool, trapped by Tigerstar’s lies and Brokenstar’s false promises. His claws sank into the wet ground and he felt the fur rise along his spine.
Firestar lashed his tail. “We will win this battle because we are fighting for our lives and the lives of our Clanmates. Our enemies are already dead. They fight only out of hate and that will be their weakness.”
“We’ll beat them!” Cloudtail yowled.
Molepaw reared up and raked the air with unsheathed claws. “I’ll shred any Dark Forest warrior I lay my paws on!”
Firestar nodded. “Then let’s start training. For victory!”
The Clan broke into clusters, murmuring like anxious pigeons. “We need to teach the elders and queens some defensive moves,” Lionblaze told Brambleclaw. “I’ve already thought of some tactics Daisy can use even though she’s never had warrior training.”
“Good.” Brambleclaw scanned the Clan. “Spiderleg can train Mousefur and Purdy. He’s known them longest. They won’t mind taking orders from him.”
Spiderleg was huddled deep in conversation with Brackenfur. Lionblaze noticed for the first time that his black muzzle was flecked with gray. He’ll be moving into the elders’ den before long.His pelt pricked. If there’s a den left.
Brambleclaw flexed his claws. “We need to prepare for a new type of enemy.”
“We have to learn to fight as viciously as Dark Forest warriors.” Lionblaze swallowed the anger rising in his throat. “They’re forcing us to break the warrior code.”
“Defend your Clan above all things,”Brambleclaw reminded him. “If that means fighting like rogues, then we must fight like rogues.”
“I’ll fight like Brokenstar if it means protecting the Clan.”
“You may have to.” Brambleclaw turned his dark gaze toward Spiderleg and called to the warrior. “I want you to teach Mousefur and Purdy some moves.”
“Okay.” Spiderleg headed for the elders’ den.
“Hollyleaf!” Brambleclaw meowed. “Take Molepaw, Rosepetal, and Whitewing out of camp and practice every battle move you know. Ivypool will come and train with you next.”
Sorreltail bounded toward the ThunderClan deputy. “Let me train with Ivypool first,” she begged.
“If she shows us the Dark Forest’s most deadly moves, we can figure out how to defend ourselves,” Dustpelt added.
While Brambleclaw divided the Clan into training patrols, Lionblaze headed for the nursery. He padded past Daisy and stuck his head inside.
“My poor kits!” Brightheart was in her nest, curled around three squirming scraps of fur. Cloudtail crouched beside her, his pelt ruffled. Lilykit and Seedkit sat on the edge of their nest, chins high.
“We’ll protect them,” Seedkit declared.
“You’llstay hidden in your nests,” Lionblaze ordered. He turned to Cloudtail. “Join your Clanmates. I’ll teach Brightheart how to defend Snowkit, Amberkit, and Dewkit.”
As Cloudtail slid out, Lionblaze hopped past him. “Come here, Daisy,” he called. “I need you.”
“What do you want me to do?” Daisy heaved her soft body inside. “I don’t know any warrior moves.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Lionblaze told her. “You and Brightheart are going to work together. You’ve got five kits to protect. Sorreltail will be needed on battle patrol so I’m relying on you to help defend the nursery. There is no cat more dangerous than a queen!” He flicked his nose toward Brightheart. “Stand up!”
Brightheart pushed herself to her paws. Lionblaze lunged toward her kits, teeth bared. Hissing, Brightheart lashed out as fast as lightning, her claws raking his nose.
Lionblaze pulled away. “See? All her instincts will protect her kits.”
Daisy glared at Lionblaze. “How dareyou attack her like that?”
“It’s okay.” Brightheart met Lionblaze’s gaze, excited. “Let me practice another move.”
Lionblaze flicked his tail toward Daisy. “You can learn this one, too.” He moved backward, focusing on an imaginary attacker, then jabbed a forepaw high and swung his other one low. “It’s easy to do and confuses your attacker.”
“Let me try it on you!” Brightheart balanced on the edge of her nest. “Come at me.”
Daisy hesitated, then darted toward Brightheart. Brightheart swiped high and Daisy instinctively looked at her paw. As she did, Brightheart used her other paw to scoop Daisy’s forelegs out from under her. Daisy stumbled forward and bumped her muzzle on the den floor.
“If you work together, one can trip an enemy while the other attacks.” He was relieved to see that the fear had faded from Brightheart’s gaze. “Just make sure you always keep one eye on your kits.” Dewkit, Amberkit, and Snowkit were clambering up the side of their nest, staring at their suddenly ferocious mother. “You three, stay in the nest. Right at the bottom,” Lionblaze ordered.
Blinking at him, they slid down and huddled deep in the moss.
He turned back to Daisy and Brightheart. “Working together will make you as strong as the fittest warrior.” He felt a rush of satisfaction. For the first time in a long while, he felt as if he was doing exactly what he should. He’d spent too much time worrying these past moons. Now he was ready to fight like the warrior he was born to be. Midnight’s words echoed in his ears. The journey you make is your choice.
My choice!He froze, his heart leaping. It’s all my choice!
“Can I leave you to practice?” he asked Brightheart.
“Can we work out some moves of our own?” she asked.
“Sure.” Lionblaze stuck his head through the wall of the nursery and scanned the clearing. “I’ll be back soon to watch them.”
Where is she?He tasted the air and finally detected Cinderheart’s scent mingled with Icecloud’s and Leafpool’s. He followed it across the clearing and out of the camp, breaking into a run as he headed up the slope. Leafpool and Icecloud were batting each other with their forepaws, practicing swipes while Cinderheart watched.
“You need to be quicker,” Cinderheart told Icecloud. “Try using shorter blows.”
“Cinderheart!” Lionblaze called from the bank.
She turned, ears pricked. “Lionblaze? What are you doing here?”
“I have to talk to you!”
She must have detected the urgency in his mew because she nodded to her Clanmates and hurried toward him. “What’s the matter?” Worry pricked her gaze.
“Follow me.” Lionblaze weaved past a clump of ferns and halted at the foot of a gnarled beech.
Cinderheart stared at him. “Is something wrong?”
Lionblaze took a deep breath. “You have a destiny,” he began. “Just like every cat. But you also have a choice.” StarClan, let her understand!“And so do I.” Cinderheart leaned forward, opening her mouth, but before she could interrupt, he pressed on. “Our destinies guide our paws, but they don’t shape every step. That’s up to us. We walk the path we choose.”
Cinderheart said nothing. Lionblaze persisted. “Whatever our destiny says, we still have to choose our own path, don’t you see? We can walk side by side if we wish.”
Cinderheart backed away, her gray pelt ruffling. “It’s not that easy!”
Lionblaze padded after her. “It is!”
“My head is so full of memories!” Cinderheart wailed. “I feel as though there are two lives inside me, not one. How can it be my choice to make? Doesn’t Cinderpelt have a choice? I can’t make her be a warrior! She was a medicine cat!”
Lionblaze pressed his muzzle closer. “She chose you,” he murmured. “She gave youthe choice.”
Cinderheart began to tremble. Lionblaze could sense her mind whirling. “You can only live one life, Cinderheart. It’s your choice! This is yourdestiny, not Cinderpelt’s. She lived her own life.”
Cinderheart gasped. Then her pelt smoothed. She lifted her chin. “Then I choose the life of a warrior.” Her blue eyes shone. “And I choose you.”
A breeze stirred the ferns. Lionblaze glimpsed a pale gray shape appear like a shadow beside Cinderheart. Stepping back in surprise, he saw it peel away from her and drift up like a cobweb carried by the wind. A soft voice whispered, Thank you.
Lionblaze’s fur stood on end. “Did you see that?”
Cinderheart was watching the shadow disappear into the trees. “It was Cinderpelt,” she breathed. “I’ve set her free.”
Lionblaze purred loudly. “Will you fight alongside me?”
Cinderheart pressed her muzzle fiercely against his. “Always.”
第十八章
第十八章
松鸦羽在月亮池边上来回走着。脚掌下的石头冰凉，冷风从头顶上呼啸而过。星族啊，请让他们来吧！昨天晚上，巫医们答应要来这里跟他见面。
那似乎已经是一个月前的事情了。那个下午，狮焰把预言的事情全部说了出来，那种感觉，仿佛他用爪子撼动了整个世界一样。叶池的话还在他脑中回响着：你们就是为拯救族群而生的。希望在叶池的皮毛间闪烁，松鼠飞和黑莓掌之间长久的隔阂也终于在他们把话谈开后消失了。
山谷边上发出一声响，一块鹅卵石落了下来。
“当心点儿！”隼飞大声说道。
“抱歉！”一只猫从山脊上翻了过来，皮毛擦过石头。
松鸦羽走上前，感觉脚掌下的石头正颤动着：“柳光，是你吗？”
“我们来了。”河族巫医沿着盘旋的小路朝月亮池走来，“蛾翅让我代她向你问好。”
“你为什么不在小溪边等我们？”隼飞跳下来加入他们。
“我不确定你们会不会来。”松鸦羽动了动脚掌。
小云迈着僵硬的步子走进山谷，长途跋涉快要折腾死他这把老骨头了：“我们说过我们会来的。”
“我得把一营地打喷嚏的武士们都抛下。”隼飞蓬松起皮毛，“秃叶季的第一波寒意，已经带来了疾病。”
“严重吗？”小云问道。
“只是流鼻涕，偶尔咳嗽几声。”隼飞很欣慰地告诉他，“我让白尾负责草药，她知道怎么治疗喉咙疼痛。”
柳光的脚掌在石头上拖着：“或许，你该收一位学徒了。”
松鸦羽打断了她：“我们来这里不是为了讨论隼飞的学徒的！如果黑森林毁掉族群，他就再也用不着学徒了！”
柳光的呼吸喷到他的鼻子上：“你什么意思？”
“他们已经找到了突破无星之地的方法。”松鸦羽说道。
“进入我们的领地？”柳光低声问。
小云的爪子划过石头。“原来一直是他们！”他的语气里透着一丝恐惧，“是黑森林武士潜入了影族的领地！”
“是我们每个族群的领地。”松鸦羽纠正道，“他们正在寻找最佳作战地点。他们随时都会发起进攻！”
隼飞咆哮起来：“几只疥癣死猫，我们能打败他们！”
松鸦羽向前倾了倾身体，心狂跳起来。“可不仅仅是几只死猫！”他说道，“他们一直在训练我们的族猫。”
柳光倒吸了一口冷气：“怎么训练？”
“在他们的睡梦里！”松鸦羽没去管周围众猫皮毛中散发出来的震惊。他们必须知道真相。
“风族猫不会背叛自己的族群！”隼飞咆哮道。
“他们中的大多数都不知道自己在做什么。”松鸦羽解释道，“他们也相信自己忠于族群。他们以为断星和黑森林猫在教他们如何成为更优秀的武士，让他们更好地为族群而战。”
“大多数？”柳光重复道，“那其他猫呢？”
松鸦羽转向她道：“一些族群猫希望黑森林能赢。”
“如果只有几个叛徒，我们完全能够应付！”小云在柳光身边走来走去。
“希望你是对的。”松鸦羽忧心忡忡地说道，“但断星威胁说，如果有猫背叛他，将会受到最严厉的惩罚。而且，如果混战中四个族群一起受到攻击，你们真的认为战线能画得那么清楚吗？”松鸦羽大步下到水边。“每个族群都会血流成河。”他转过身，那双看不见的眼睛瞪圆了，“虎星的目的就是毁掉我们大家。”
“那我们能做什么？”柳光屏息问道。
松鸦羽在月亮池边蹲伏了下来：“我的使命就是要阻止他。”
“怎么阻止？”小云走近了一些。
松鸦羽有些犹豫。“我不知道。”他已经警告过巫医们了，他们可以去警告自己的族群了。只是，这样就够了吗？
柳光移动着脚掌：“星族会保护我们的。”
“星族已经分裂了。”隼飞提醒道。
松鸦羽用爪子抓住一块岩石，竭力抵抗着那种让他浑身泛冷的恐惧。“他们比我们还害怕。”他喃喃道。
柳光的呼吸加快了：“我们怎么能独自打败黑森林？”
当所有猫都闭上眼睛，我们把视力给了你这只瞎猫，你比其他猫看到的都要多。午夜的话突然涌上他的心头，黑莓果的话也在他耳边回响着，你已经知道答案了。
松鸦羽抬起下巴。“焰尾将我们团结了起来，”他宣布道，“现在，我要把星族团结起来。”
“怎么团结？”小云的尾尖甩在石头上。
“我要让他们看到他们面临的危险！”松鸦羽转过身，用鼻子轻触月亮池。
一刹那，世界展现在了他的面前，他的视力恢复了。此刻，他正站在长满野草的山坡上，头上乌云压顶，身下是狂风肆虐的草地。山谷里，树木杂乱无章，树叶都掉光了。星族的狩猎场已经进入了秃叶季。
“太阳去哪里了？”松鸦羽的身旁隐约现出柳光的身影，她鼻子上沾着月亮池的水，闪着微光。
隼飞从长草中大步走了过来，转动着眼睛适应昏暗的光线。
“现在怎么办？”小云的皮毛从松鸦羽侧腹擦过，影族巫医也到了。
“你们必须到你们自己的祖先那里去，把他们带到这里。”
柳光看着下面那条流经田野的浑浊河流，小云看向小河旁边绵延阴暗的森林，隼飞的目光飘向远处起伏的荒原。
“你们能做到吗？”从这里，松鸦羽能够看见参天橡树林的顶部，那下面就是雷族的栖息之地。
“我会把能找到的猫都带来。”小云往山下跑去。
隼飞也飞跑起来，朝荒原奔去。
“柳光？”松鸦羽看到河族巫医还在犹豫。
她抖了抖尾巴：“黑森林武士会不会也来这里？”
松鸦羽平贴起了耳朵：“我们不会让他们来的。”
柳光焦虑地看了他一眼，然后向河边跑去。松鸦羽跑下山坡，钻进了橡树林。
一个白色身影走进了他的视线。他迅速转过头。白风！雷族武士正在追踪他的猎物。只见他垂着尾巴，放低口鼻，悄悄前行着，眼睛盯着前方。一尾远处，一只老鼠从树根上掠过。白风一跃而起，稳稳地落在了它身上，一口将其咬死，嘴里咕噜一声坐了下来。
松鸦羽从阴影处走了出来：“很高兴这里还能有猎物。”
白风猛地转过头，眨了眨眼睛，嘴里的老鼠掉到了地上：“嘿，松鸦羽。”
“跟我来，白风。请一定跟我来，这件事很重要。”他望着白毛武士的眼睛，“我们需要召集星族猫。”
白风把头歪向一侧：“所有的猫吗？”
“越多越好。”松鸦羽朝前跳去，最后跑了起来。
白风追着他：“那边界怎么办？”
“别的巫医会帮我召集影族、风族和河族。”他低下头，及时躲过一根长满刺的黑莓藤。
“星族不是命令你们远离其他巫医吗？”
“是的。”松鸦羽瞥见一只皮毛蓬乱的老公猫正在一簇蕨丛下打盹，“鹅羽！”
雷族老巫医抬起头，费劲地把自己拖了起来：“已经到半月了吗？”
“跟我们来。”松鸦羽摆摆尾巴，“我们在召集雷族猫群。”
鹅羽瞥了一眼白风：“发生什么事了？”
白风耸耸肩。
“快来！”松鸦羽跑开了。他翻过一座小山包，发现日星正小心翼翼沿着长满常春藤的小路走着。
松鸦羽追上他。“跟我们来！”他甚至连停都没停。没时间解释了。脚掌下的地面变得泥泞不堪，蕨丛变成了蕨叶。“霜毛！”
白色母猫正在用脚掌拍打一堆凌乱的树叶。当看到白风、鹅羽和日星跟在松鸦羽的身后时，她瞪大了眼睛：“你们这是要赶着去哪里啊？”
“跟我们走！”松鸦羽高喊着从母猫身边跑过，朝一簇黑莓丛奔去。
“蓝星！”
前雷族族长正在枯萎的杜松树下吃着一只田鼠。她惊讶地抬起了头。
“跟我们走！”松鸦羽告诉她。
蓝星低头瞥了一眼田鼠，便向他们跑来，眼中闪动着激动和兴奋：“我们要去哪里？”
“等着瞧吧！”松鸦羽带领众猫，顺着森林中间的山涧往下跑。
等他们爬上山涧的另一边，松鸦羽回头瞥了一眼，惊讶地发现后面居然跟了一长串猫，褐斑、霜毛、捷风，还有蝰蛇牙，都加入队伍之中。他爬上山涧的顶端，看见阴影处有一大团乱蓬蓬的皮毛。“黄牙？”听到喊声，黄牙那琥珀色的眼睛眯缝起来。“跟我们走！”松鸦羽催促道。
她卷起了嘴唇：“你想干什么？”
松鸦羽猛地刹住脚步：“我要将星族团结起来！”
“我为什么要跟着一群傻瓜走？”
松鸦羽甩甩尾巴：“那你就别来！就在这黑暗中待着吧。我对你说什么都没用。”他向前跑去，族猫们在后面跟着。
前方微光乍现，松鸦羽高高地竖起尾巴，在树木间穿行，朝着森林边缘跑去。山丘出现在他的眼前。他带领族猫钻过蕨丛，来到了长满草的山坡上。成群成群的猫正从四面八方赶来，全都朝山坡上跑去。他看见柳光的灰色身影正带领着一群河族武士。隼飞也从山谷里飞奔出来，在他身后，武士们像鸟儿一样从草地上掠过。
连续的奔跑让他脚掌刺痛，而希望之火却在他心中滋长。等跑上山顶，他停下来转过身去，惊奇地发现下方的整个山坡上挤满了星族猫。
隼飞来到他旁边：“消息已经传开了。”
柳光慢下脚步，气喘吁吁地坐了下来。
松鸦羽扒拉着脚掌下的草地，小云也爬上山头，站到了他身边。当他看见下面成群的猫时，眼睛瞪得像猫头鹰。
“黄牙来了。”柳光附在松鸦羽耳边小声说。皮毛蓬乱的母猫正独自站在一旁，怀疑地盯着他们。
“星族猫们！”松鸦羽向前一步，抬起下巴，“大家听我说！”
“为什么要听你的？”黄牙吼叫道，“我们都是经验丰富的老猫，而你却只是一个愚蠢的小猫！”
日星猛地转过头冲她嘶吼道：“如果你不想听，那就离开！”
黄牙伏下了耳朵，但却没有动。
松鸦羽再次开口。“你们必须听我说！”他大喊道，“黄牙是对的，我比你们中的任何一位都要年轻。”
小苔藓甩着尾巴，从雪毛身后走了出来。
“比你们大多数。”松鸦羽赶紧纠正自己的话。接着，他亮出利爪。“大家现在正面临着战争的威胁！你们曾经生活过的族群，也正面临着战争的威胁！你们都知道，黑森林正在崛起。从狩猎场散落的枯叶，还有遮天蔽日的乌云中，你们都能看到。”他抬头看了一眼灰蒙蒙的天空，“你们必须直面真相，而且真相可能比你们想象中的还要糟。”他注视着周围一张张抬着的面庞，希望他们都能明白他的话：“我们必须迎战黑森林，打败黑森林。如果只是像老鼠一样挤在一起躲起来，那你们永远都赢不了。你们必须团结起来，分裂意味着失败！”
“但我们怎样才能打败这些能把秃叶季带到星族的敌人呢？”残星大喊道。
暗花眼中闪动着微光：“他们已经比我们都要强大。”
日星走向前：“我们将三力量的预言传递给你们时，我们并不知道黑森林居然会变得如此强大。”
“但现在，他们是四力量了！”蓝星从老族长身边挤了出来，“远古猫已经给他们派了一个同盟，让他们足够强大，足以打败任何敌人。”
松鸦羽蓬松起皮毛：“可我们还不知道第四只猫是谁。”
蓝星侧了侧脑袋：“难道这还不够明显吗？”
松鸦羽皱起了眉头。
“你不是第一只受预言指引的猫。”蓝星继续说道，“很久以前，我就得到预兆，说火能拯救雷族。而现在，族群比以往任何时候都更需要他的拯救。”
芦苇中的火。一直都是火。
蓝星点点头，像是能读懂他的想法。“去找他吧，”她轻声说道，“他需要知道现在正在发生的事情。”
松鸦羽转身朝山下冲去。突然，他刹住脚步，闭上了眼睛，他找到那些还在山谷的窝中蜷缩着的族猫，强迫自己的意识进入他们的头脑，搜寻着他们的梦境，寻找着那只一直就被赋予了拯救族群使命的猫。
“投降吧，你们这些狐狸心肠的猫！”
“休想！”
松鸦羽闯入一场战斗中。他感觉脚掌下光滑的岩石平坦宽阔，一直延伸到松树林。周围猫群激战，跳跃撕扯中，扬起道道沙石。松鸦羽躲闪着。突然，他看见一个火焰般的身影，从战场中间闪过。
“火星！”
雷族族长正跟一位深色皮毛的影族武士打在一起。“太阳石永远都不会是你们的！”只见他后脚掌猛地一踢，将影族武士甩了出去。他浑身的肌肉爆发出年轻猫的张力，绿色眸子迸发着勇猛和犀利。
“火星！”松鸦羽躲闪着激战中的武士，又喊了一声。
火星身子一顿，冲他眨着眼睛。
松鸦羽停到族长面前：“跟我来。”
火星竖起耳朵：“为什么？”
“预言需要的不仅仅是三力量。我们还需要第四只猫。”
“你在说什么呀？”
松鸦羽急躁地摆动着尾巴：“我去山区时，杀无尽部落告诉我说，必须找到第四只猫，才能实现那个预言。蛾翅给我看了一个预兆，是河族一根燃烧着的芦苇。那指的就是你，火星。你就是第四只猫。”
火星将脑袋歪向一侧。“又是这样，火将拯救族群。”他喃喃道，“很好。你需要我做什么？”
“跟我来。”松鸦羽转身从激战中的猫群中冲了出去，朝平坦大岩石的边缘跑去。
火星迅速追上他：“我们去哪里？”
“你马上就会知道。”松鸦羽深吸了一口气，翻过岩石，感觉一股气流扑面而来，接着他的脚掌便落在了草地上。火星落在了他旁边，眼睛瞪得大大的。他们站在坡顶，旁边刚好是巫医们。山下，整个星族都在等着他们。
“他们要见你。”松鸦羽解释道。
“为什么？”
“因为预言让你成为这件事中的一部分。你失去的生命将拯救族群。”松鸦羽转身面朝星族猫群。“你们必须再次跟随我，”他大吼道，“你们需要亲眼看看。”他摇摇尾巴示意大家跟上，然后便朝山下走去。但他们去的火星刚才的梦境战场，此刻是一片幽暗的森林。在这里，滑溜溜的灌木丛阻断了树根，阳光也变成了忽明忽暗的鬼魅光影。火星和松鸦羽肩并肩，一起悄然走入树林深处。在他们身后，星族猫的身影在幽暗中闪耀着光芒，窃窃私语声响了起来。
“怎么会有武士住在这么黑暗的地方呢？”
“闻起来好臭。”
松鸦羽听见树林里传来了一声战斗中的吼叫。“看那里。”他用口鼻指了指前面的阴影处。只见黑色的皮毛在湿滑的灌木丛中穿梭。黑暗中，痛苦的哀号叫声此起彼伏。紧接着，一个粗哑的声音响起，盖过了其他的声音。
“爪子紧紧抓住她的脊背，扣住她的喉咙！”枫荫突然出现在他们面前，她看不到旁边正看着她的星族猫。她朝一只瘦骨嶙峋的公猫耳朵狠狠击了一下。公猫连连后退。还有一只遍体鳞伤的玳瑁色猫，在她脚边痛苦地扭动着。
断星从树林里大步走了出来。“细尾还没学会致命一击吗？”他恼怒地看着正在擦拭鼻血的虎斑公猫。接着，他一爪抓向枫荫脚边的玳瑁色母猫，鲜血从他爪子划过的地方冒了出来。“如果不是你的对手那么没用，你现在早就被撕成碎片了。我要让更多的族群猫去死，多得和森林里的鸟一样！”
“太阳在哪里？”黑暗中回响起小苔藓的惊呼声。
雪毛将尾巴搭在她的背上：“嘘，小家伙！”
星族猫像猎物一样，小心翼翼地匍匐着，沿小路退了回去。火星低着头，沉重地走在松鸦羽旁边。“我们怎样才能打败这些邪恶的猫呢？”他喃喃道。
“预言说我们能赢。”松鸦羽感觉到日光洒在身上，树木稀疏了起来，星族正返回他们的狩猎场。
“我们回来啦！”小苔藓跑到杂草丛生的山坡上，然后转过身，眨了眨眼睛，盯着松鸦羽，“你为什么带我们去看那些可怕的猫呢？”
蓝星在她的幼崽身边停住，用口鼻碰碰幼崽的脑袋：“我们必须知己知彼才行。”
火星抬高音量，对整个星族说道：“现在，你们都看到了他们，也听到了他们对我们族群的威胁。你们害怕战斗吗？”
残星皮毛倒竖：“永远都不会！”
松鸦羽看着目光愈加坚定的星族武士，问道：“那你们会并肩作战吗？”
蓝星甩了甩尾巴：“分裂不可能让我们打赢这场恶战。”
黄牙向前一步：“我们怎么知道谁是可信的？”
“你们可以相信我。”火星挺直了身体，“还有你们彼此。”他的皮毛闪闪发亮。
残星走上前来。“这个可怕的势力是怎么发展起来的？”他咆哮道，“在它发展壮大之前，我们就应该消灭它。毕竟，我们星权在握。”
松鸦羽迎着他那严肃的目光。“不。”他说道，“消灭他们是我的使命，我和火星的使命。”
在他一旁，火星点了点头。“我是第四只猫。”他宣布道，“预言已经实现。”
松鸦羽睁开眼睛，重新回到黑暗中。在他鼻子旁边，月亮池泛着阵阵涟漪。隼飞、小云和柳光也都醒了过来。他们站起身，皮毛刷过石头。
松鸦羽感觉掌垫已经充血了，长途跋涉磨破了他的脚掌，钻心地疼。“星族团结了起来。现在，我们必须集结所有族群。”他努力站起身，“我们必须把一切都告诉他们。”
小云的爪子划过岩石：“我们把他们都带到小岛上去吧。”
“可我们不知道哪些武士是可信的呀。”柳光的声音里透着担忧。
“我们可以信任族长，这总没错吧？”隼飞甩了甩尾巴。
松鸦羽点点头：“我会带火星去。”
“我带黑星去。”小云保证道。
“我带雾星去。”
“我带一星去。”
松鸦羽感觉到了他们坚定的决心。“那我们就日高时分见。”他决定道，“我们必须让他们意识到，赢得这场战斗的唯一办法，就是把所有的族群都团结起来。”
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 21
Ferns scraped Jayfeather’s spine as hegathered comfrey from the patch near the camp entrance. Dew was already beading on the soft leaves. Dusk was drawing nearer. The patrols from WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan would be here before long. He shook out his paws. They ached from gathering herbs all afternoon while the warriors trained.
Muscle thumped against earth behind him. “Don’t forget what Ivypool taught us!” Squirrelflight called to Dustpelt. “Dark Forest warriors will go for your throat. Make sure you’re always ready to fend off a killing bite.”
Dustpelt’s fur brushed the ground as he struggled out from under Graystripe. “How can I attack properly if I have to defend myself all the time?”
Graystripe was panting. “What about leading more with your shoulders and keeping your head low?”
Jayfeather plucked a final leaf and stacked it with the rest. Bundling them between his jaws, he headed back into camp. He ducked through the tunnel and hurried around the edge of the clearing, skirting Rosepetal and Molepaw as they practiced a tricky battle move.
“Never turn your back on a Dark Forest warrior!” Ivypool yowled.
“Can we try it next?” Leafpool paced restlessly while Cloudtail plucked at the sandy earth, anticipation pricking from his pelt.
Brambleclaw sat beneath Highledge with Lionblaze and Squirrelflight. “Sorreltail, Thornclaw, and Spiderleg should go to ShadowClan,” he meowed.
“Whitewing, Berrynose, and Hazeltail could go to WindClan,” Squirrelflight suggested.
Jayfeather dropped the herbs beside his den and joined them. “Do you think we’ll be ready in time?”
“We’ll have to be,” Brambleclaw growled.
Jayfeather tasted the air. “Where’s Firestar?”
“He’s setting traps with Sandstorm and Sorreltail,” Dovewing told him. “Stretching brambles across trails and hiding rabbit holes with nettles.”
Ivypool’s mew cut in. “Use your tail to balance, Rosepetal! You need to be able to fight on two paws as well as four! These warriors want to kill you!”
“How do we kill them?”Cloudtail called. “They’re already dead!”
Jayfeather frowned. Good question.“I’ve seen StarClan warriors fade when there’s no cat left to remember them,” he recalled, raising his voice to reach Cloudtail. “If StarClan can fade, perhaps Dark Forest warriors can die.” He stiffened as he sensed darkness suddenly engulf Ivypool. He reached into her mind and was plunged into the Dark Forest.
Antpelt was struggling beneath Ivypool’s paws. Her claws ripped deeper into the warrior’s throat as life ebbed out of him in a pool of blood. His shape began to fade until there was nothing left but a scarlet stain on the withered grass. Jayfeather recoiled, feeling sick. She’s killed a Dark Forest warrior!He wondered if she’d tell Cloudtail that dead cats could vanish forever, but he felt her push the thought away.
Brambleclaw carried on planning. “I’m sending Foxleap, Toadstep, and Rosepetal to RiverClan,” he decided. “They can share Ivypool’s moves with Mistystar’s warriors.”
“I wonder who she’ll send to us?” Jayfeather tried to imagine RiverClan warriors in the ThunderClan camp.
Anger flashed from Molepaw. “Are we expected to hunt for them and let them sleep in our dens till the battle begins?”
“Yes!” Brambleclaw turned on the apprentice. “If that’s what Firestar wants. They’re our allies now.”
Cloudtail bristled. “I’m not sleeping next to a ShadowClan cat.”
“Would you rather be in the patrol I send to fight alongside RiverClan?” Brambleclaw snapped. “There’s no time to worry about Clan rivalries. We’re facing the end of everything we know. We’ll fight alongside the other Clans as though they are our Clanmates, and there will be no argument.”
Lionblaze’s tail whisked impatiently. “Firestar also wants two runners to pass messages between the Clan during the battle.”
“Molepaw and Cherrypaw can do that,” Brambleclaw meowed.
“But I want to fight!”Molepaw crossed the clearing. “It’ll be my first battle.”
“And you’ll serve your Clan best as a messenger,” Brambleclaw told him. “You’re one of our fastest runners.” The ThunderClan deputy dropped his voice to a whisper as he turned back to Lionblaze and Dovewing. “We need to find out which ThunderClan warriors the Dark Forest have recruited. We might be able to stop them.”
“We could ask Ivypool.” Jayfeather glanced toward the young warrior.
Dovewing was passing on her way to the elders’ den with a piece of fresh-kill. She dropped it when she heard Jayfeather speak. “But Firestar said we didn’t need to know who—”
Brambleclaw interrupted her. “It’s better to find out who our enemy is now,” he meowed. “Ivypool!” He waited for her to reach them. “Which ThunderClan cats are training with you in the Dark Forest?”
Ivypool backed away. “I can’t betray them!” she gasped. Jayfeather felt fear pulsing beneath her pelt. “They d-don’t realize what they’re doing,” she stammered. “When the battle comes, they’ll make the right decision!”
“We can’t punish them,” Dovewing argued. “They’ve done nothing wrong yet.”
“We’re not punishing them,” Brambleclaw meowed gently. “We’re trying to save them.”
“Tigerstar lied when he recruited them,” Ivypool mewed.
“I know,” Brambleclaw assured her.
“And Brokenstar threatened to kill them if they left.”
“Then let us have a chance to protect them. Who’s training in the Dark Forest?” Brambleclaw pressed softly.
“Birchfall,” Ivypool whispered. “Blossomfall and Mousewhisker.”
“Cloudtail, Molepaw, Rosepetal!” Brambleclaw called to his Clanmates, firing orders. “Get Blossomfall. She’s training in the sandy hollow. Birchfall and Mousewhisker are hunting. Find them and bring them back to camp.”
As Cloudtail, Molepaw, and Rosepetal raced from the camp, Brambleclaw sat down. “We’ll make them understand. They can be our allies in the Dark Forest. Like you, Ivypool.”
Jayfeather let his fur smooth. After all the moons of waiting, it was a relief to face the danger head-on. He glanced toward his den. “I have to check my herb supplies.” He headed across the clearing and picked up the bundle of comfrey. Pushing through the brambles, he padded into the den. Briarlight was fast asleep. He could hear her snoring as she lay among the herb stacks.
“Briarlight?” He touched her gently with his muzzle.
She jerked awake. “Sorry!” She heaved herself up. “All that counting made me sleepy. We’re going to need more marigold and nettle.”
“Go to your nest and rest properly,” Jayfeather told her. “I’ll keep going here.”
“I can help,” Briarlight argued.
“Rest,” Jayfeather ordered.
“But—”
“Now!” He was going to need all her strength when the battle began. Briarlight’s nest rustled as she slid into it. Jayfeather pricked his ears, listening till her breathing deepened. Then he began gathering herbs from each pile and rolling them into bundles. Each bundle contained the herbs and cobwebs he’d need to treat a single injury. It would save time once the battle began.
“Jayfeather?”
Leafpool’s mew surprised him. He looked up, heady from the smell of herbs.
“Can I help?” She slid through the brambles. “When the battle’s finished, there are going to be a lot of injured warriors.” Her whiskers were trembling. “I—I’d like to help. Even if it’s just carrying wet moss to thirsty patients.”
“Moss?” Jayfeather frowned. Moss! Of course!
“I realize that I have no right to ask but—”
“I’d completely forgotten about moss.” Jayfeather jumped to his paws. “We’ll need pawfuls. I’ll send a patrol out to find some.” He brushed past Leafpool, heading for the entrance.
“Everyone’s training or hunting,” Leafpool reminded him. “Can I get some?”
Jayfeather paused. “Collect moss?” He felt her flinch, ready for rejection. “That would be a waste of your skills,” he mewed briskly. “Molepaw and Cherrypaw can collect some when they get back. I need you working here.”
“Really?” Shock sparked from Leafpool’s pelt.
“You have as much experience as me,” Jayfeather told her. “It’d be dumb not to use you. You said it yourself—there are going to be a lot of injured warriors. I’ll need you to help treat them.”
“B-but what about StarClan?” Leafpool stuttered. “They told me I was no longer a medicine cat.”
Jayfeather growled. “Things have changed, Leafpool. We have to do what we think is right for the Clan. And if that means going against StarClan, then we must.”
Leafpool padded closer. “Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?”
Jayfeather returned to bundling herbs. “There’s nothing to forgive,” he sniffed. “You did what you thought was best. No cat can blame you for that.” He pushed a pile of borage toward her. “Start gathering herbs like I’m doing. I want plenty of cobweb in each bundle. And remind me to ask Molepaw and Cherrypaw to collect more when they go for moss.”
Aching relief spilled from his mother as she sat beside him and began picking herbs from the piles. Jayfeather brushed against her as he reached for another pawful of marigold. He felt stone scrape beneath his claws. “We’re running out.”
Leafpool purred. “I’ll remind you to ask Molepaw when he gets back.”
They worked in silence until a yowl split the air outside the den. “They’re gone!” Cloudtail pounded into camp. “We can’t find them anywhere!”
Jayfeather scrambled out of his den. “Who?”
“Birchfall, Blossomfall, and Mousewhisker.” Cloudtail was pacing in front of Brambleclaw. Molepaw and Rosepetal panted behind him.
“Are you sure you’ve looked everywhere?” Brambleclaw demanded.
“We’ve had the whole Clan scouring the forest,” Cloudtail reported. “There’s no sign of them.”
Jayfeather crossed the clearing, his mind whirling. Dovewing!He tasted the air, searching for her. She was resting beside her den.
“Listen for them!” He hurried toward her. “Find out where they are.”
She sat up, trembling. “Okay.”
Jayfeather reached into Dovewing’s mind as she stretched her senses across the forest. Where are you?His heart began to pound as Dovewing’s hearing ranged beyond the lake and the forest and reached into darkness. She was venturing back into the Dark Forest.
“Has the battle begun?” Blossomfall’s anxious mew sounded from the shadows. Dovewing focused in. The tortoiseshell warrior was following a twisting path through slimy bracken. Birchfall paced beside her.
Behind them, Mousewhisker stared into the trees. “How will we know when to attack?”
Blossomfall was shivering from cold or fear. “Don’t worry, we’ll know. Brokenstar promised, remember? There’s no way he’s going to let us escape from fighting alongside him.”
The voices vanished as Dovewing’s senses jerked back to the clearing. Reeling, Jayfeather straightened up.
“Where’s Ivypool?” Dovewing wailed. “She has to go after them, bring them back before the battle starts.”
Jayfeather shook his head. “There isn’t time,” he told her heavily. “They’ll have to save themselves now.” He turned his head, listening to the sounds of preparation for battle going on all around him.
It’s all any of us can do, to defend ourselves against the vengeance of the Dark Forest.
第十九章
第十九章
“亮心生啦！”
罂粟霜的喊声惊醒了鸽翅。她从窝里跳出来，冲到了空地上。山谷里，露珠晶莹剔透，山谷上方的树梢笼罩在雾霭之中，寒气中夹杂着落叶季发霉的气息。猫脸从巢穴里探了出来，胡须颤动着，眼睛微微发亮。
云尾在育婴室前走来走去，鼠毛则拖着僵硬的四肢匆忙穿过空地赶过来。“生了几只？”老母猫粗声问道。
“三只。”云尾继续来回走着，“两只公的，一只母的。”他焦急地看着黑莓丛中的巢穴。当松鸦羽从育婴室入口探出头来时，他急忙问道：“亮心还好吗？”
鸽翅正在穿过空地，不由心头一紧。亮心年龄太大了，生幼崽很危险。
“她很好。”炭心咕噜道，“进来看看吧。”
鸽翅走到鼠毛身旁：“这是这段时间以来，我听到的第一个好消息。”
长老摆动着尾巴。“或许火星应该送她到我们领地以外的地方生产。”她的眼中一片阴郁，“那里更安全。”
“更安全？”灰条朝他们走过来，“对幼崽来说，最安全的地方就是自己的族群腹地。”
小百合从育婴室里悄悄走了出来：“没有猫能送走我！”
“当然不会。”而且你也不应该偷听。鸽翅用尾巴圈住小虎斑猫。“雷族会为了幼崽们而战，他们是族群的希望。”她把小百合往武士巢穴推，“为什么不去把亮心生幼崽的事告诉栗尾呢？”
火星从高石台上跳了下来，沙风紧随其后。他从尘毛和松鼠飞中间穿过去，站到了灰条身旁。“生了几只？”他一边问，一边探出口鼻往巢穴里看。
“三只。”灰条推了他一下，“你总是那么喜欢幼崽。”
沙风站到了他们旁边。“我们本来应该有更多的幼崽。”她憧憬道。
“现在不是生孩子的好时机。”火星眯起了眼睛，“大战在即。”
灰条用锐利的目光看着他：“我们还不确定呢。”
“不会太久了。”鸽翅感觉雷族族长的声音听上去像怒吼。
灰条抖动耳朵：“你怎么知道？你得到预兆了吗？”
“我昨晚做了一个梦。”
灰条还想继续问下去，云尾从育婴室里钻了出来，眼睛亮闪闪的。“他们太可爱了！”他咕噜道，“居然已经为了靠妈妈肚子更近一点儿开始打架了。”
荆棘屏障里一阵窸窣，松鸦羽匆忙走进了营地。雷族族长疾步走开了，又回头冲云尾喊道：“告诉亮心，我稍后再欢迎她的幼崽来到雷族。”
鼠毛在鸽翅身旁移动着身子。“真高兴有火星领导我们。”她重重地坐了下来，“他的勇气和力量，足以保护我们所有的族猫。”
灰条推了她一下：“我可是记得，蓝星把他带到雷族时，你还质疑过蓝星的决定。”
鸽翅看向火星。他正带着松鸦羽朝高石台下的阴影走去。尽管整个族群都知道，他来自两脚兽巢穴，但大家仍然很难相信，这位伤痕累累的武士，曾经是只宠物猫。
“是我错了，我不该质疑的。”老猫的眼中蒙上了一层阴影，“不知道蓝星当时是否知道，有一天，火星会成为我们生存下去的最大希望。”
灰条抬头看着天空：“她说不定正看着我们呢。”
“去叫狮焰。”听见火星喊她，鸽翅赶紧转过头去。她的心跳加快，赶紧跃上山毛榉树树干，朝编织在树桩下的一个巢穴奔去。她将鼻子伸进巢穴喊道：“火星叫我们。”
狮焰醒了过来，脑袋从脚掌下猛地抬起来：“发生了什么事？”
“松鸦羽刚从月亮池回来，而火星的样子就好像战斗马上要开始了。”
狮焰从窝里弹了出来，跳到空地里。鸽翅急忙跟上了。
等走到火星身边，鸽翅注意到松鸦羽正竭力抑制着不打哈欠：“你不用休息一下吗？”
“她说得对。”火星赞同道，“日高之前，你还能睡一会儿。”
狮焰竖起耳朵：“日高时分有什么事情？”
“我们要去小岛，跟其他族群的族长和巫医见面。”火星告诉他，“松鸦羽已经把星族团结了起来。现在，我必须把族群团结起来。”
“他就是第四只猫。”松鸦羽眼中闪着光。
火星！鸽翅眨着眼睛。
狮焰竖起了尾巴：“和你当初猜得差不多，鸽翅。你说过，我们需要寻找一只生来就肩负特殊使命的猫。”
火星的目光暗了下去：“我只希望，完成这个使命能拯救我们大家。”
阳光从树叶间照射进来，照亮了森林大地。
小睡之后，松鸦羽还不住地打着哈欠，鸽翅跟着族猫们走出了山谷。她心潮澎湃。突然间，即将来临的大战变得那么真实。她几乎能听到武士们的号叫声，尝到血腥的味道。
“松鼠！”狮焰嗅了嗅空气，紧接着，一个灰色身影一闪而过，冲上他们旁边的白桦树。
“我们回来的时候，会有猎物的。”火星说道，“黑莓掌增派了狩猎队。我想让猎物堆堆得满满的。”
鸽翅跟着族猫钻进树林，踩着他们的步子在林间迂回穿行着。温暖的阳光驱散了湖边的薄雾，湖面看上去就像鱼一样，闪着粼粼的波光。鸽翅跃过岸堤落到了湖边，嗅了嗅，舌尖上品尝到了森林和水的混合味道。她继续向前奔跑着，鹅卵石被踢得散落在身后。火星沿湖边行进着，目光一直盯着远处的小岛。他放慢了脚步，鸽翅欣慰地喘了口粗气。等到达树桥时，她已经几乎不再喘粗气了。她跟在狮焰旁边，火星跳上倒树走了过去。松鸦羽跟了上去，敏捷地落在了对岸。
“上吧。”狮焰用口鼻指着树桥。鸽翅跳了上去，爪子插入腐烂的树皮，然后小心翼翼走了过去。
小岛的空地上空荡荡的。狮焰甩着尾巴来回走着，松鸦羽则和火星坐在空地中央。鸽翅紧张地在他们身边走来走去。突然，草丛中一阵窸窣响，一星钻了出来，旁边跟着隼飞。
风族族长绕着空地转了一圈，和雷族武士们保持着距离：“现在好像是巫医掌管了族群啊。”
火星点了点头：“他们知道我们不知道的事情。”
隼飞穿过空地，坐在松鸦羽身旁。“我们已经看到了我们的敌人。”他向风族族长解释道，“你们还没有。”
“是暂时还没有。”火星严肃地补充道。
狮焰嗅了嗅空地边上的灌木丛，耳朵竖了起来：“这里有影族气味。”
一星瞥了他一眼：“或许是上个满月时留下的吧。”
狮焰眯起了双眼。“也许吧。”说完，他穿过空地走了回来。
鸽翅往旁边挪动一下，让他坐在火星身边。她竖起耳朵仔细听。雾星正在往这里来，柳光和蛾翅跟着她，吧嗒吧嗒的脚步声从树桥附近的湖边传了过来。黑星和小云也已经到达小岛，正在草丛中穿行。鸽翅又使劲儿往远处听去。河族营地像蜂巢一样嗡嗡叫着；影族猫则在黑莓围墙内说着话，简直像乌鸫一样。她又转向风族，听到风中传来了焦急的耳语声。
“他们不应该单独去。”
“火星这次想干什么？”
“肯定是个陷阱。”
“可火星是位高尚的武士。”
“火星想要统治族群，他一直都想。”
他们害怕他！鸽翅心中一震，很是惊讶。可他是你们最后的希望！
黑星钻出了草丛，小云跟在他身后，下巴高抬着。
看到狮焰，影族族长眯起了眼睛：“你为什么带武士来？”
火星将尾巴盖在脚掌上：“等雾星到了，我会做解释的。”
黑星回头看着摇曳的草丛。
雾星带着柳光走了出来。“柳光非要让我来。”她咆哮道，“她说黑森林正计划入侵族群领地。”她的眼中闪烁着怀疑：“她是不是疯？”
蛾翅也从草丛中钻了出来：“柳光以前从未出过错。”
“可死了的猫怎么能威胁活着的猫呢？”河族族长走到空地中央停了下来。
黑星待在空地边：“小云告诉我说，他们已经找到进入我们领地的办法了。”
“那不可能。”一星在他的巫医身旁转来转去。
松鸦羽的尾巴来回摇摆着。“你们怎么敢怀疑自己的巫医？”他的目光从族长们身上扫过，“你们认为我们在撒谎吗？”
雾星动了动脚掌。一星伏下了耳朵。只有黑星回答道：“一直以来，星族和黑森林都离我们很遥远。可现在，你们却告诉说，我们被卷入了他们之间的战争？”
“并不只是他们之间的。”火星吼道，“黑森林已经对所有族群宣战了。我们必须团结起来打败他们。”
一星怒气冲冲地说道：“所以你带了武士来？是想逼迫我们加入你们吗？”
“我带他们来，是因为他们是预言的一部分。”火星解释道，“很久以前我被告知，我至亲的至亲出生时，脚掌中握有群星的力量。很长一段时间内，我都不知道那是什么意思。可现在我明白了。”他朝狮焰、松鸦羽和鸽翅点了点头：“这个时刻终于到来了。他们就是我的至亲的至亲，他们都拥有一种特殊的力量，从而帮助他们完成预言。”
黑星平贴起了耳朵，靠近了一些：“什么力量？”
狮焰抬起下巴：“我战无不胜。”
“我能感知其他猫的思想，进入他们的梦境。”松鸦羽告诉他。
看到四位族长全都看向她，鸽翅呼吸急促起来：“我……我能听到远处的事情。”
“什么意思？”雾星追问道。
鸽翅耷拉下了尾巴，这种感觉就像是要认罪似的：“只要我愿意，现在就能听见你的族猫在说什么做什么。”
雾星的皮毛竖了起来：“你是密探！”
“我永远不会当密探！”
黑星龇出了牙：“真的吗？”
小云冲上前来：“你们没抓住关键！”
松鸦羽急忙附和道：“我们被赋予力量是为了保护族群，而不是伤害族群。”
黑星在狮焰身边打着转，喉咙里发出一声低吼。“这么说，你永远不会被打败，嗯？”他停下来，盯着金色武士，“鼠痕告诉我说，他差点儿撕碎你。”
“是我故意让他赢的！”狮焰厉声说道，肩膀上的肌肉上下起伏着。
黑星退开几步看着火星。“就算我们相信你说的这个预言，”他咆哮道，“它的目的究竟是什么？”
“你为什么到现在才告诉我们这个秘密？”一星插话道。
“以前的时机不对。”火星厉声说道。
黑星活动着爪子：“那为什么现在时机就对了呢？”
柳光走到鸽翅身旁，用口鼻轻触她的肩膀。“你能听到黑森林发生的事吗？”她悄声问道。
鸽翅一愣：“我……我不知道。”
“那你试试？”
鸽翅点点头，然后张开耳朵，直到耳尖生疼。
黑星眯起眼睛，瞪着她：“她在干什么？”
柳光迎着他的目光：“她要让你见识一下你的敌人。”
鸽翅喉咙发紧。如果她做不到怎么办？她将自己的力量从小岛释放出去，向四面八方听去。族群的低语声纷纷向她袭来，每一个动作，每一句话，都像是波浪一样向她涌来。但她还是继续往远处听去，越过族群，进入黑暗之地。她放慢呼吸，强迫自己放松，然后释放出感知，让黑暗中的一切渗入进来。
远处传来一声吼叫。鸽翅一惊，将听力集中过去，并且将各种感觉迅速向前延伸。树木在她眼中变得模糊起来，她不由得屏住了呼吸，继续往深处探去，森林里的各种声音在她脑中形成影像，并且渐渐清晰起来。细长的灌木缠绕着生长，鬼魅的光影刚好勾勒出它们的轮廓。她抬头看去，看到的只是黑暗。无星之地！
“我已经到那里了！”
一星一惊：“你真的能听到那里发生的事？”
小云说道：“不要打扰她。”
“可你真的期望我们相信，她的意识能进入黑森林吗？”黑星低声说道。
蛾翅抖了抖皮毛，空气中立刻充斥着草药的气息。“你们相信所有的星族猫能看到普通边界以外的地方，”她指出道，“那为什么活猫就不能呢？”
“嘘！”雾星让他们保持安静。鸽翅注意力更加集中了。
一声低吼在她耳边响起：“爪子再往肌肉里刺得深一些！必须让他有种火烧骨头的感觉！”
鸽翅赶紧把注意力转向那里。一只浑身伤疤、耳朵开裂、皮毛蓬乱的武士，在阴影中时隐时现。一声凄厉的尖叫在林间响起。这里就是藤池每晚都要来的地方吗？鸽翅的心揪了起来。“他们正在进行战斗训练。”她轻声说道。
“他们每晚都训练。”松鸦羽插话道。
鸽翅旁边的柳光颤抖着：“他们像狗一样凶残。”
“他们没有武士守则。”小云补充道。
一声毛骨悚然的尖叫吓得鸽翅缩了一下，本能地想要将注意力从黑森林里收回。可柳光紧靠着她，直到感到她的心跳稳定下来。“继续。”柳光悄声说道。
鸽翅将注意力重新集中到浑身伤痕的武士身上。这一次，她看见他身边还有另一只公猫。在他们前方泥泞的地面上，还有两只猫翻滚着。
“我们要撕碎所有活着的族群猫！”
鸽翅盯着说话的那只深色虎斑猫。他的肩膀很宽，爪子比她见过的任何一只猫的都要长。
“她发现断星了。”松鸦羽汇报道。
“你怎么知道？”一星又是一惊。
“我能进入她的思想。”松鸦羽的呼吸轻拂过鸽翅的面颊，“断星正在跟他的族猫讲话。”
“他说什么？”黑星追问道。
鸽翅开始重复断星的话：“摧毁那些像老鼠一样蜷缩在湖区的怯弱武士，一定很好玩。不过等我们消灭星族……才是最后的报复。”断星喉咙里的低吼突然变成了狂喊，声音震得鸽翅的耳膜都疼了起来。她赶紧将注意力移开，将耳朵转向森林的另一边。
一只白色母猫正在林间悄然穿行，一边走一边抱怨着。
“为什么我们要在这个臭烘烘的森林里训练呢？”鸽翅重复着武士的话，“为什么我们不能在自己的土地上训练？”
“那是一只族群猫吗？”雾星惊呼道。
“族群猫为什么会在黑森林里？”一星大声问道。
鸽翅凝神屏气，最后认出了那身雪白皮毛。是冰翅！她是河族武士，我不能出卖她！
鸽翅赶紧屏蔽掉那个身影，紧靠在柳光身边。
“谢谢你，鸽翅。”火星轻柔的声音在她耳边响起。她睁开眼睛，看到小岛的空地时，松了一口气。
雾星正一脸惊恐地看着她。
一星站在那里没动，目光盯着火星：“我们怎样才能阻止他们？”
火星挺直了身子：“我们将战斗！”
“并且要胜利！”黑星嘶吼道，“在我们的领地里，他们不占优势。我们熟悉自己的领地，就像熟悉我们的气味标记一样。”
鸽翅站起身。“他们也熟悉。”她大着胆子说道。
“什么？”黑星看向她。
“他们一直在派遣队伍去每一个族群的领地，就为侦察地形，找出最适合埋伏和战斗的地点。”鸽翅告诉他。
“你听到过吗？”黑星嘶声问道。
狮焰平贴起了耳朵。“你们不是闻到过他们的气味吗？”他厉声说道，“那些气味都来自黑森林。我们的敌人有备而来，而且比我们以往见过的都要危险。”
雾星侧着脑袋：“那些泼皮猫的臭味里，还混杂着族群猫的气味。”
“他们也招募了族群猫。”狮焰告诉她。
“不可能！”黑星厉声说道，“雷族武士里或许会有叛徒，但影族不会！”
“他们从每一个族群都招募到了猫。”火星严肃地告诉他。
“你肯定看见过他们！”一星逼视着鸽翅，“告诉我们，他们是谁！”
鸽翅移动着脚掌。“我……我不能说。”她结结巴巴地说道。
黑星走近她：“你也是叛徒吗？”
“她当然不是！”火星站到鸽翅前面，“目前还没有叛徒。大战开始之前，我们也不知道族群猫会选择站在哪一方。”
一星皮毛倒竖：“可如果我们知道他们是谁，我们就能有所准备。”
雾星第一次看起来有些害怕：“把你看到的都告诉我们吧，鸽翅。”
“他们必须受到惩罚。”黑星嘶吼道。
鸽翅将爪子插进地里。“我不能告诉你们。”她坚定地说道，“火星说得对，目前他们谁也没有背叛我们。”
火星甩甩尾巴：“他们认为自己是在为他们的族群受训，根本就没意识到训练是为了摧毁族群。”
“那他们真够愚蠢的。”黑星咆哮道。
雾星甩动着尾巴：“他们或许很愚蠢，但火星说得对，只要他们还没将爪子伸向自己的族猫，那我们就不能谴责他们。”
“有些猫留在那里，是因为断星威胁说要杀死每一只背叛他的猫。”狮焰解释道，“你们已经见识过黑森林武士的残忍。他们招募的族群猫，或许会因为太害怕，而不敢反抗这位新族长。我们必须做好迎战我们自己族猫的准备。”
一星侧着头：“或者把他们解救出来。”
“那我们该怎么对付黑森林？”黑星追问道。
狮焰走上前：“我们必须并肩作战。”
黑星往后退，雾星则盯着自己的脚掌。
“我们怎样才能相互信任？”一星轻声问道。
火星瞥了一眼巫医，然后转向众位族长。“是时候该去打败我们最强大的敌人了。”他宣布道，“我们能独自作战，也能团结起来共同应敌。如果像大迁徙那样并肩战斗，我们将会变得更强大。团结起来迎战黑森林，这才是我们生存下去的唯一希望。”
空地上陷入一片沉寂，唯一听见的，只有头顶上空一只麻雀焦躁的鸣啾声。
“很好。”雾星点了点头，“河族将和雷族一起战斗。”
鸽翅突然意识到，她一直在屏着气息，憋得胸腔都疼了。此刻，她呼出一口气。
“风族也将加入联盟。”一星的尾尖抽动着，像是在随着微风摇摆。
火星转向黑星：“即便你选择不加入，我们也会竭尽全力保护你们。”
黑星卷起嘴唇。“我的族群也加入。”他开始围着其他几只猫转来转去，“但有一个条件。”
“好。”火星竖起了耳朵。
“在影族领地，影族要指挥任何族群的任何武士。”他直视着火星，“包括族长。”
火星点点头：“没问题。”
松鸦羽在隼飞旁边坐下了，柳光、小云和蛾翅围在他们周围。“星族会很高兴的。”松鸦羽说道，其他几只巫医也纷纷表示赞同。
火星正视着几位族长：“我们需要制订一个作战计划。”
“你们觉得黑森林会先从哪里进攻？”雾星问道。
狮焰耸耸肩：“可能会是任何地方，也有可能会是所有地方同时行动。”
“不管是白天还是晚上，巡逻队必须巡视所有族群的领地。”一星建议道，“一定不能受到边界的阻隔。”
黑星目光闪烁：“敌族的巡逻队可以自由出入我的领地？”
“我们现在不是敌人了。”火星提醒他道，“我建议每个领地上都有一支由来自四大族群的武士组成的队伍。我黄昏时分就给你们每个营地各派三位武士。”
雾星一愣：“这么快？”
“我们必须做好准备。”火星坚持说道，“你们每族也会派三位武士来雷族吧？”
鸽翅看见族长们神情复杂地点了点头。她感觉寒意刺骨。
“可我们怎么知道该信任谁呢？”一星眯起眼睛，“兔泉身上经常有无法解释的伤。”
“鳟溪最近脾气暴躁。”雾星承认道。
一星瞪着她：“我可不想让你的叛徒到我的领地来！”
“我也不想让你的叛徒到河族领地！”雾星呛声道。
“我们还不知道他们是不是叛徒！”鸽翅大喊道，“我们应该将注意力放在战斗上，而不是胡乱猜疑谁是敌猫。”
黑星皱起了眉头：“可如果他们把我们的计划透露给黑森林呢？”
“我们必须冒险一试。”火星吼道，“我们必须相信，忠于族群的猫有很多，他们足以实现我们的计划。”他开始来回走动起来：“战斗队必须集中精力保护每个族群的营地，而每个营地也都必须由我们四个族群的武士来保护。我们一定要保证幼崽和长老们的安全。”
一星活动着爪子：“一旦营地安全了，战斗队还得把入侵者赶走。”
“我们还需要信使。”黑星补充了一句，“来传递消息，或是提供增援。”
“每个族群跑得最快的两只猫，将作为信使。”火星决定道。
一星在雷族族长周围转着圈：“他们必须发誓不参战，只负责传递消息。我可不想有营地因为救援没能及时赶到而被攻陷。”
黑星点了点头：“我同意。”
“好。”火星转过身，目光穿过树林，越过水面。“现在回家，”他咆哮道，“准备战斗。战斗随时随地可能打响，但请记住，我们是在并肩作战，不是孤立无援。”
说话间，鸽翅看到空地另一边的蕨丛晃动。一双琥珀色眼睛闪过，她一下子愣住了。虎心？此时黑星、雾星、一星已经走进了草地，她紧张地瞥了一眼火星。
“来吧。”雷族族长开始去追一星他们。狮焰走在他身旁，松鸦羽也跟了上去，眼睛里满是疲惫。
“我会追上你们的！”鸽翅喊道。
等她的族猫全都消失在草丛中，鸽翅快速穿过空地，冲进了蕨丛。虎心后退几步，眼睛睁得大大的。
“你来这里做什么？”鸽翅问道。
“你真的能听到黑森林吗？”虎心的声音小得像耳语。
“你知道我能！”没时间解释了。“我以前跟你说过。”恼怒涌上她的心头。他不应该来这儿。他从不遵守武士守则吗？还是他根本就没把武士守则当回事？
“可我从没见过你使用你的力量。”虎心眨着眼睛，“太好了！”他靠近了一点儿，将口鼻向她脸上伸去。
鸽翅猛地躲开了：“你在干什么？”
“我一直都这样呀！”虎心抗议道，“怎么了？我们之间什么都不会改变，对吗？”
难道他没意识到族群正处在被毁灭的边缘吗？还是说，他来这里是为黑森林刺探情报的？
“我不知道。”鸽翅的脚底感到一阵刺痛。
“我们一起再待一夜，可以吗？”虎心哀求道。
“不，我们不能。”鸽翅胸口疼痛起来，“我必须把精力集中到预言上来！战斗就要开始了。”她的喉咙哽住，“我不知道该相信谁！”
虎心冲到她身边，靠紧她。“你永远可以相信我。”他温暖的气息让她颤抖起来。“我爱你！”他轻声说道。
鸽翅挣脱出来。“现在不是时候。”她摇了摇头，“我还有一场战斗要去打。”她迎上他的目光：“你也一样。”
“那之后呢？”他喃喃道。
“之后还是会分成四个族群。”鸽翅紧紧闭上了眼睛，“你还是属于影族，而我属于雷族，然后……或许本该就是那样吧。”
虎心将爪子插入泥土里：“你那么轻易就放弃我了？”
鸽翅摇摇头。“这一点儿都不容易。”她嘶吼道，“现在这种情况，你怎么还能只想我们的事情呢？你比很多猫都了解现在的情形！”她好像是第一次认真打量他：影族猫，还是黑森林武士。这只猫认为她的特殊力量很酷，但却不知道预言有多么重要。我到底在做什么呀？
想到这里，她猛地转过身，冲出蕨丛，跑过空地。她听见虎心在后面喊她，但她没有回头。她脑子里一片混乱。虎心在黑森林受训，他知道族群的战斗计划，现在她又拒绝了他。万一影族武士决定要报复她，那可怎么办？
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 22
They’ll have to save themselves now.
Jayfeather’s words turned Dovewing cold with fear. She tasted the air, searching for Ivypool, then darted to the apprentices’ den. Ivypool was curled in her nest, eyes tight shut, ears twitching. She’s trying to dream herself into the Dark Forest to find Blossomfall, Birchfall, and Mousewhisker.
Dovewing padded closer. But they know she’s a spy! What if they’ve already betrayed her to Tigerstar?Suddenly, a voice sounded at the edge of her hearing.
“The time has come.”
It was Brokenstar’s rasping mew, ringing from the Dark Forest.
Cats crowed their approval, their yowls echoing through leafless branches. Dovewing closed her eyes and searched out the sound. She cast her senses between shadowy trees and heard the sluggish wash of water over slimy banks. A little farther along the river, a legion of cats jostled for position around a blackened tree stump.
“This is the last night you’ll spend in this stinking forest!” Brokenstar declared from the stump. His amber eyes gleamed as he surveyed the sea of bristling pelts.
“What does he mean, the last night?”
Dovewing recognized Blossomfall’s whisper. The tortoiseshell crouched at the edge of the crowd with Mousewhisker and Birchfall huddled beside her.
Tigerstar leaped onto the tree stump and nudged Brokenstar aside. “Tonight we will sweep away the warrior code that has robbed the Clans of true honor for so long. For too many moons, the Clans have nurtured the weak and rejected the strong.” He swung his broad head around to take in all the cats below him. “But tonight we will rage through the Clans like a storm until only the strong remain. We will build a new Clan where strength and victory are prized above weakness and failure!”
“No more warrior code!” yowled a battered tabby.
“The Dark Forest will rule the Clans!” Cries rose from the crowd.
“Follow me tonight!” Tigerstar lifted his voice. “And I promise you more power and freedom than you have ever known.”
The Dark Forest warriors’ cheers rang in Dovewing’s ears. With a gasp, she spotted Sunstrike of WindClan and Minnowtail from RiverClan. They were staring at Tigerstar, their eyes wide with shock. Not far away from them, Mousewhisker was backing toward the trees.
“The Clans have been flawed for too long.” Hollowflight stretched up among the Dark Forest warriors. The RiverClan tom’s eyes shone. “We have to show them that only the strongest will survive.”
Dovewing felt sick. How can a Clan cat believe in such cruelty?
Icewing’s white pelt flashed at the corner of her vision. The RiverClan she-cat nudged Mousewhisker back toward Blossomfall and Birchfall. With a flick of her tail, she beckoned Furzepelt and Harespring of WindClan closer. “Don’t let Tigerstar see you’re afraid,” she hissed. “Keep quiet and do exactly what he says or you’ll never see your home again.”
Birchfall started to object but a ragged tortoiseshell turned to face him, eyes narrow. “I don’t hear you cheering for our leader,” she growled.
Icewing met her gaze. “We’re planning our strategy, Mapleshade,” she meowed. “Don’t forget we have the edge when it comes to fighting the Clans. Our Clanmates trustus.”
“Really?” Mapleshade sounded unconvinced. “Let’s hope you’re prepared for the battle of your lives.” She leaned closer to Icewing. “Because fighting alongside us is the only way you’ll survive.”
A thin, black tabby tom pushed his way from the crowd and stopped beside Mapleshade. “How are our recruits doing?” he sneered.
“Darkstripe.” Mapleshade greeted him with a curt nod. “They’re scared as kits.”
Darkstripe’s gaze swept over the Clan cats. “Don’t be,” he snapped. “You’re on my patrol and I’ll make sure you fight like heroes.” His eyes narrowed suddenly. “Where’s Ivypool?”
“She’s coming,” meowed Blossomfall.
Darkstripe flexed his claws. “She should be here already.” He glanced at Mapleshade. “I never trusted her,” he growled. “Always trying too hard to please Tigerstar. Sly as a Twoleg’s dog.”
Birchfall lashed his tail. “That’s not true!”
Hawkfrost summoned them from the tree stump. He’d jumped up beside Tigerstar and Brokenstar, his pelt glossy in the eerie half-light. “Our warriors are ready,” he yowled. “Death to the Clans!”
As the Dark Forest warriors picked up the chant, wind surged through the trees. It dragged at the branches, splintering bark and stripping shriveled, dead leaves. Lightning split the sky as thunder burst in Dovewing’s ears.
She flinched, but kept watching as Tigerstar jumped down from the stump. The crowd parted to let him through and he raced for the trees, Brokenstar and Hawkfrost at his tail. The Dark Forest army surged after them.
“Death to the Clans!”
“Death to the Clans!”
The storm lit up the forest and tore at the trees. Battle cries ripped the air. Dovewing’s breath caught in her throat as she heard countless paws thundering closer. Oh, StarClan, help us! They’re coming!
She jabbed Ivypool with a paw.
Ivypool jerked up her head. “I was just starting to dream!”
“It’s too late!” Dovewing nudged her sister to her feet. “The battle has begun. We have to tell Firestar.” She darted from the den, then skidded to a halt at the edge of the clearing.
Around her, the Clan was watching Oakfur, Smokefoot, and Snowbird pad into camp.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” Cloudtail muttered. “ShadowClan warriors in our camp.”
“Welcome, Oakfur.” Firestar hurried to meet them, flashing Cloudtail a warning look.
Brambleclaw caught up. “Smokefoot, Snowbird, it’s good to see you.”
“There’s prey if you’re hungry,” Lionblaze offered.
“We’ll catch our own if we need to,” Smokefoot meowed stiffly.
Prey?Dovewing ran forward. “There’s no time to worry about prey! They’re coming!”
Firestar turned. “The Dark Forest cats?”
Dovewing pricked her ears and heard paws thundering over bare earth, then the sudden soft swish of ferns. “They’re in the forest!”
The ShadowClan patrol faced the barrier, hackles high. Lionblaze unsheathed his claws and dropped into a battle crouch.
Hazeltail was staring at Dovewing. “How do you know?”
“She just does, okay?” Jayfeather bounded from the medicine den and stopped in front of Dovewing. “Which way are they heading?”
Brambles rustled and leaves crackled loud enough to make Dovewing’s ear fur tremble. “I can’t tell!”
Brambleclaw snapped his head up, scanning the tree line above. Dovewing stiffened as she realized that the paw steps were close enough for any cat to hear. Firestar swung his head around, meeting the panicked gaze of his Clanmates. Foxleap pushed between Berrynose and Hazeltail. Poppyfrost and Cinderheart pressed close beside Rosepetal and Thornclaw. Millie lifted her chin, never more distant from her kittypet roots.
“It’s time,” Firestar meowed. “I trust you to do whatever you must to save our Clan.” His gaze flicked to Smokefoot. “To save allthe Clans.”
Brambleclaw stepped forward. “Sorreltail, Thornclaw, and Spiderleg, go as fast as you can to ShadowClan,” he ordered. “Fight like they’re your own Clanmates. Whitewing, Berrynose, and Hazeltail, you must help WindClan.” The warriors raced out of camp. Only Sorreltail hesitated, glancing toward the nursery.
“We’ll keep Lilykit and Seedkit safe,” Firestar promised her.
Sorreltail dipped her head and charged after her patrol.
Brambleclaw flicked his tail toward Foxleap.
The russet warrior was already running for the entrance with Toadstep and Rosepetal on his tail. “We’ll get to RiverClan before the Dark Forest warriors,” he called over his shoulder.
Cherrypaw and Molepaw dashed across the clearing and stood in front of Firestar. “Where should we go first?”
The ThunderClan leader nodded at the two eager runners. “Molepaw, head for WindClan and then RiverClan. Cherrypaw, go to ShadowClan. Bring back any news you can. We need to know where the Dark Forest strikes first.”
Poppyfrost met her kits as they headed for the thorn barrier. “I know you’ll be brave.” She lifted her chin. “I’m very proud of you, remember that.”
She stood aside and let them rush out, her eyes glistening. Berrynose padded to her side and pressed his cheek against hers. “They’re warriorstoday,” he murmured.
Dovewing glanced around the camp, shocked to find it so empty now that the patrols had left. Were there still enough cats here to defend it? Above, the sound of fur brushing undergrowth was so loud that she flattened her ears to muffle it. Jayfeather hurried toward the medicine den and grabbed a trailing bramble in his jaws. He hauled it across the entrance and Millie rushed to help him.
Briarlight called through to them from the den. “I’ve lined up the herb parcels and put moss to soak in the pool.”
“Push the emergency supplies to the back of the store,” Jayfeather told her, dragging another tendril to block the entrance.
Graystripe headed for the elders’ den, where Purdy and Mousefur peered out. “Stay inside!” he ordered.
“What about the fighting moves Spiderleg taught us?” Purdy asked.
“Use them if you have to, but don’t enter the battle until it finds you.” The gray warrior nosed the elders back into the depths of the honeysuckle.
Daisy and Ferncloud paced outside the nursery, the fur on their spines sticking up like thorns. “Are Seedkit and Lilykit in your nest, Brightheart?” Daisy called through the bramble wall.
“They’re all tucked in together,” Brightheart answered.
“No cat will reach them,” Ferncloud promised with a growl.
“We need to meet our enemy outside the hollow,” Firestar decided. He nodded to Brambleclaw. “You stay in camp. Choose your patrol.”
Brambleclaw turned to Squirrelflight first. “Will you fight beside me?”
Their eyes met for a long moment. “Always,” she meowed.
“Good.” Brambleclaw nodded. “Dustpelt, Bumblestripe, Cinderheart, Leafpool, and Graystripe, you’ll help defend the hollow.”
“Graystripe comes with me,” Firestar put in, with a glance at his oldest friend.
Brambleclaw dipped his head. “Of course.”
Lionblaze lashed his tail. “Where do I fight?”
“With me.” Firestar faced his Clan. “Fight like rogues if you have to,” he growled. “We’re fighting for everything that matters. Whatever happens, no cat will forget that the Clans fought first with their hearts and then with their claws.”
Smokefoot looked at the thorn barrier. “What about the WindClan and RiverClan patrols?”
Firestar pricked an ear toward the battle cries rising at the top of the hollow. “We don’t have time to wait for them.”
“Firestar,” Sandstorm hissed. She walked over and stood between Firestar and his Clan. “This is your last life.” Dovewing heard her whisper fiercely. “You can’t risk losing it now. Your Clan needs you.”
“They need me to fight,” Firestar replied.
“But what will they do if you’re killed?”
“They’ll fight harder.” Firestar’s green eyes glowed. “My warriors have only one life, and they are willing to give it up for their Clanmates. I’m no different. My place is beside them.”
Sandstorm pressed her cheek against Firestar’s. “I love you,” she breathed.
“I love you too,” Firestar murmured. “Stay with Brambleclaw and guard the camp.” He broke away and raced for the entrance. Lionblaze and Graystripe led the patrol after him, sweeping past Dovewing. She chased behind them, fear surging beneath her fur. Where’s Ivypool?There was no sign of her sister’s black pelt.
Heart pounding, she broke from the thorns. Firestar had scrambled to a halt outside the camp and was commanding silence with gleaming eyes. The patrol clustered around him, bristling. Above them, the forest shivered with movement. Dovewing held her breath. Firestar whispered in Graystripe’s ear, then silent as an owl, flicked his tail one way, then the other, ordering the patrol to split in two. Dovewing shuffled toward Graystripe and found herself squeezed between Cloudtail and Snowbird. The ShadowClan she-cat smelled like pinesap, her fur sleek and the muscles beneath it like stone. Firestar nodded Graystripe toward the slope that circled one side of the hollow. Then he padded to the slope opposite, beckoning his half of the patrol to follow.
He wants us to climb up from both sides and trap the enemy at the top.
Dovewing waited for Firestar to give the order to charge, surprised when he summoned her forward with a jerk of his muzzle
“Are they everywhere?” he hissed as she reached him.
She stretched her ears. A shriek rang out from beyond the ShadowClan border. On the moor, heather creaked as warriors pushed through and, beyond the lake, reeds snapped beneath paws. Her breath quickened. “Yes. They’re attacking all the territories at once.”
Firestar nodded. “We knew this would happen.” His muzzle brushed hers. “Stay strong. Good luck.” Eyes flashing at Graystripe, he lashed his tail.
It was the signal to begin fighting back. Dovewing took a deep breath. This is it. The battle is here.
May the powers of the stars truly be in my paws.
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24
Lionblaze pounded toward the ShadowClan border.Ferns whipped the tips of his whiskers. Graystripe raced after him, Snowbird, Oakfur, and Smokefoot flashing through the trees alongside. The ground blurred beneath his paws.
“Oomph!” Graystripe stumbled behind him, falling with a grunt.
Lionblaze slewed around and raced back.
Graystripe was scrambling to his paws. “A bramble tripped me,” he growled.
For a moment, Lionblaze saw frailty mist the old warrior’s eyes. Suddenly he noticed the stark outline of bone showing along his spine.
Graystripe curled his lip. “Why are you looking at me like that? Come on! We’ve got a battle to fight.” He hared after Smokefoot and Snowbird.
As they crossed the border, Lionblaze heard the screech of battle cries. Pelts writhed behind a low juniper bush.
“Crowfrost!” Snowbird screeched, and she sprang over the bush.
Two ShadowClan warriors thrashed in the claws of three Dark Forest warriors. The Clan cats’ pelts were ripped and bloody. Their eyes sparked with fear.
“Toadfoot, we’re coming!” Oakfur followed Snowbird. He cleared the juniper and launched himself at the nearest Dark Forest tom, sending him tumbling while Snowbird hauled another away from Crowfrost.
Lionblaze slowed. Another knot of warriors clashed farther along the trail. He recognized the pelt of Snaketail writhing among the battling cats. Snaketail’s an elder! But we can’t get distracted by skirmishes. Blackstar needs us.“We have to get to the camp,” he urged Graystripe.
“Snaketail needs help,” Smokefoot called.
“Then help him.” Lionblaze veered off the trail and cut through brambles, taking the straightest route. “Come on, Graystripe.”
As the pines thickened, Lionblaze heard wailing. Brambles rose ahead. The ShadowClan camp.Holes had been torn in the boundary. Outside, the bracken was crushed and spattered with blood. Swallowing against the stench of fear and Dark Forest scent, Lionblaze ducked through a gap in the brambles.
Injured cats littered the clearing. Pinenose, a black queen, wailed over the small, lifeless body of a kit. Tawnypelt weaved around her Clanmate, her gaze sharp with horror. Four Dark Forest warriors paced at the far end of the camp, watching the Clan like foxes waiting for cornered prey to wear itself out.
A ragged line of ShadowClan warriors faced them. Emberfoot, Gorsetail, and Furzepelt of WindClan stood with Ratscar and Tawnypelt. Hollowflight, Robinwing, and Petalfur swelled their ranks.
Graystripe scrambled to a halt beside Lionblaze. “Why isn’t ShadowClan fighting back?” he panted.
“Do you want us to lose morewarriors?” Littlecloud squeaked as he dashed past, darting from one wounded Clanmate to the next. “Blackstar’s lost a life.” The ShadowClan medicine cat paused beside Scorchfur, who was lying on his side, blood pooling at his belly. He pressed down on the wound, but blood bubbled around his paws. “I’m running out of supplies!” Panic edged his mew.
Graystripe strode forward. “You need moss.” He beckoned to Kinkfur trembling at the edge of the clearing. “Go and find some!” he ordered. “As much as you can carry.”
She darted away, her eyes lighting up as though she was relieved to know what to do.
“Cedarheart! Whitewater!” Graystripe called to the elders crouching beneath the battered brambles. “Find cobwebs! There are wounds to dress!”
An ominous growl sounded from the head of the clearing and Lionblaze saw a flash of fur. One of the Dark Forest warriors crashed through the ShadowClan line and hurled himself at Graystripe.
Graystripe met him with a swipe that slammed the tom backward. “You’d better wait for backup before you try taking us on,” he growled.
The tom glared at him, but slunk back toward his Clanmates.
“They’re waiting for the next wave to come.” Lionblaze leaned toward Littlecloud. “You need to patch up as many of these cats as you can. They have to keep fighting.”
Scorchfur lifted his head weakly. “I’ll fight to the death if I have to.”
Lionblaze scanned the camp again. “Where’s the ThunderClan patrol?” There was no sign of Sorreltail, Thornclaw, or Spiderleg.
Littlecloud didn’t look up from his patient. “They must have chased Dark Forest warriors into the forest.”
Cedarheart raced toward him, his forepaw wadded with cobweb. “Here!” He held it out for Littlecloud to unwrap. “Whitewater’s bringing more. The hollow tree’s thick with it.”
Kinkfur ran across the clearing and dropped a bundle of dripping moss beside Littlecloud.
“Thanks.” Littlecloud began wrapping cobweb over Scorchfur’s wound, the tension in his shoulders easing as the blood stopped pulsing. “Get more.”
As Kinkfur raced away Littlecloud pawed the moss closer; Scorchfur twisted and lapped at it thirstily.
Lionblaze scanned the camp. The panic that had frozen the Clan seemed to be fading. Cats were darting in and out through the ragged bramble wall, fetching moss and cobweb. Ratscar began to pace, his tail flicking menacingly. Lionblaze leaned closer to Graystripe. “Stay here and guard Littlecloud.” He crossed to the warriors facing the DarkClan cats. “Move closer,” he whispered to Ratscar. “Very slowly. One claw-length at a time.”
Ratscar nodded, signaling to his patrol with a flick of his ear before shuffling forward. The line moved with him, then moved again. The Dark Forest cats shifted uneasily. One of them eyed the camp wall hopefully, as though looking for reinforcements.
“Just keep creeping forward,” Lionblaze whispered to Ratscar. “Not too close, just enough to distract them while I see how Blackstar is doing.”
Ratscar nodded toward a gap in the brambles. “He’s in there.”
“Thanks.” Lionblaze hurried toward it and ducked inside.
Rowanclaw met him, bristling. “You came.”
“Of course.” Lionblaze glimpsed Blackstar lying on the sandy floor behind the ShadowClan deputy. “How is he?”
“Recovering.” Rowanclaw blocked Lionblaze’s way. “He’s not on his last life but he’ll be weak for a while.” His eyes flashed defensively. “ShadowClan’s not beaten yet. We’ll be fighting again in a heartbeat.”
“Good.” Lionblaze weaved around the ShadowClan deputy and crouched beside Blackstar. “We’ve come to help.”
The ShadowClan leader’s eyes were glazed, but his breathing was steady.
Rowanclaw leaned down and sniffed his leader. “He’ll be on his paws soon.” Blackstar’s tail twitched as breath stirred his fur. “Where did these rogues come from?” Ratscar whispered. “I’ve seen cats I thought were dead!”
“Evil lives forever,” Lionblaze murmured. “We were wrong to think that only StarClan could survive death. The Dark—”
A shriek from the clearing cut him off.
“Get him up!” Lionblaze ordered Rowanclaw. But the ShadowClan deputy was already nosing Blackstar onto his paws.
Lionblaze raced from the den. Dark Forest warriors streamed through the gaps at one side of the camp. “Ratscar! Get your warriors into groups. Try to force the enemy apart. Don’t let them form a line!” He raced to Littlecloud. “We need to get the injured to shelter.”
“Underneath the camp wall should do.” Littlecloud flicked his tail toward the drooping brambles at the edge of the clearing. “Kinkfur! Whitewater! Help me!” He grabbed the scruff of an unconscious tom in his teeth and started to haul him toward the brambles.
“Tallpoppy!” Lionblaze beckoned the ShadowClan elder.
The long-legged she-cat raced across the clearing, dodging past a Dark Forest warrior, and picked the dead kit up in her jaws. Nudging Pinenose ahead of her, she bundled the grieving queen behind the trailing brambles and laid her kit at her paws. Emberfoot, Robinwing, and Ferretclaw clustered in the middle of the clearing, pressing their spines together and lashing out at the onslaught of Dark Forest warriors. Dawnpelt and Starlingwing stood side by side, keeping tight and slashing furiously against a river of stinking pelts.
“Hold your positions!” Lionblaze yowled.
Emberfoot’s patrol disappeared beneath a wave of bristling warriors. Lionblaze leaped forward and started lashing out on all sides, feeling his paws connect with flesh and fur. It seemed as if there were no ShadowClan cats left on their feet. Was this the end for the proud, battle-skilled Clan?
“They’re overrunning us!” Graystripe shouldered past Lionblaze, throwing warriors aside with mighty swipes. He reached Emberfoot’s patrol and hauled a matted tortoiseshell from the WindClan warrior’s back.
Suddenly paw steps sounded beyond the camp wall. Lionblaze stiffened. Another attack?The camp was already overwhelmed.
The brambles trembled and collapsed as a patrol of bristling warriors burst through. Lionblaze stared at the newcomers. Their pelts were transparent, moving like shadows into battle. He could see trees and grass behind them, where he should only have seen fur and solid muscle. But when he looked closer, he knew he had seen these cats before. The Ancient cats from the Cave!
The ghostly warriors streamed among the Dark Forest cats. Eyes narrow, ears flat, they began to lunge with outstretched claws and snapping teeth, landing blows as real as any forest cat.
Rowanclaw darted to his side. “Who in the name of StarClan are they?”
A faded, mottled she-cat paused in front of the ShadowClan deputy. “We were here before StarClan, youngster!” She glanced at Lionblaze. “We meet again.”
“Owl Feather!” A pale, ancient warrior called to her. “Help me finish this one off.” The warrior was driving a Dark Forest tabby backward across the clearing.
“I’m coming, Half Moon!”
As Owl Feather darted away, a massive creature crashed through the remains of the camp wall. Its white, striped muzzle was as big as a dog’s, its gray shoulders huge beside the battling cats.
“Midnight!” Graystripe called to the badger as she lumbered across the clearing. Dark Forest cats and ShadowClan warriors fled from her path, terror lighting their eyes. “It’s okay!” he yowled. “The badger is an ally!”
With a roar, Midnight plucked a Dark Forest warrior by the back of his neck and lifted him high, then tossed him away like a piece of prey. Hope flaring, Lionblaze grabbed the nearest stinking tom and pinned him to the ground. He slashed his cheek and raked his flank, then kicked him away.
“Nice move.” Half Moon fell in beside him, her pelt as pale as mist.
A Dark Forest tom lunged at her. She ripped her claws across his cheek. The tom snapped at her legs. Quick as a fox, Lionblaze slid under the tom and thrust upward, sending him flying. Half Moon leaped up and snatched him from the air as though she were plucking a bird from the sky.
“Help!”
Lionblaze jerked around as a shriek sounded beyond the brambles. He jumped over the remains of the camp wall and raced through the trees.
“You’ll die like a traitor!” A vicious Dark Forest tom was pinning Ratscar between the roots of a pine.
“No, Shredtail! Please!” Ratscar struggled in terror as Shredtail curled his claws tighter around his throat.
Lionblaze skidded to a halt. “Let him go!”
Shredtail lifted his head. “Let him go?” He stared scornfully at Lionblaze. “But he betrayed his Dark Forest Clanmates.”
Lionblaze stared at Ratscar. “Clanmates?”
“They never told me they were training me to destroy my own Clan!” Ratscar croaked.
Shredtail tightened his grip, making Ratscar’s eyes bulge. “You knew what would happen if you disobeyed me!” He lifted a paw, claws flashing.
Ratscar writhed desperately.
“Get off him!” White fur streaked past Lionblaze and knocked Shredtail sideways. Snowbird landed hard on all four paws, back arched and spitting with fury. “Ratscar’s my littermate!” she hissed as Shredtail recovered his balance. “He’d never betray his Clan.” Behind her, Ratscar scrambled to his feet.
Shredtail glared at Snowbird. “Oh, really?” he sneered. “Then why has he been training in the Dark Forest?” He flicked his muzzle toward the camp. “And he’s not the only one.” His gaze fixed on a dappled ginger tom who was dragging Dawnpelt across the clearing by her scruff.
“Redwillow?” Snowbird stared in disbelief.
“Yes,” Shredtail snarled. “Redwillow.”
Redwillow spun around as he heard his name and let go of Dawnpelt.
The ShadowClan warrior leaped to her paws, eyes wild with fury. “What are you doing, mouse-brain? I’m not the enemy!”
“Come here, Redwillow!” Shredtail called.
“What is it?” Redwillow raced toward Shredtail, his eyes glittering with excitement.
“How’s the battle going?” Shredtail tipped his head.
“Great!” The treacherous warrior glanced hungrily back at the action. “At last I can fight properly. You’re right about the Clans being weak and lazy. This is easy. They’re so obsessed with being honorable and sticking to the warrior code, I can pick them off like mice!”
Snowbird lunged at him. “The warrior code is more important than any cat’s life!” She flung him backward and dug her claws into his throat. “I’m going to kill you.”
“Stop, Snowbird.” A voice trembled behind Lionblaze.
Blackstar was limping toward them, the scent of death still on him.
Snowbird backed away. “But he’s a traitor!”
“I’m loyal to my newClan!” Redwillow jumped to his paws and stood beside Shredtail. He glared at Blackstar. “Your time is over,” he snarled. “You’re nothing but an elder growing old over and over. Why don’t you just give up and die?”
Blackstar padded closer to the young warrior. “I am still leader of this Clan,” he growled. “And you have betrayed us all.” Fast as a bird, his paw flew out and slashed deep into Redwillow’s chest. Blood gushed from the wound, pulsing onto the forest floor. Redwillow stared in astonishment, then glanced down at the gash. Legs buckling, he collapsed. As his head thumped onto the pine needles, his eyes rolled and turned dull.
Shredtail turned on Blackstar. “You killed my loyal warrior!”
Blackstar met his gaze, unflinching. “I killed one traitor, and now I’m ready to kill another.”
Shredtail’s eyes lit. “You think you can kill me?”
“No!” Lionblaze sprang between them. “Fight me!” He narrowed his eyes at Shredtail. “Or are you afraid?”
“Nothing scares me.” With a hiss, Shredtail leaped at him.
Lionblaze felt the thud of muscle against his chest, surprised for a moment by Shredtail’s strength. He dug his hind claws hard into the needle-strewn earth and reared up, ready to swipe Shredtail’s muzzle. But Shredtail backed away and crouched down, his eyes gleaming as if he knew every move that Lionblaze would make.
Lionblaze paused. Shredtail thinks he can win.Doubt pricked his belly. He batted it away and attacked. Hurling himself at Shredtail, he twisted and hooked a paw around Shredtail’s forelegs.
Shredtail hopped backward. “You won’t beat me fighting like a kit.” He lunged for Lionblaze’s throat. Lionblaze dodged just in time, flinching at the snap of empty jaws beside his ear. He stood up on his back legs, ready to slam Shredtail with his forepaws, but Shredtail spun away too quickly and thrust his hind paws into Lionblaze’s belly so hard it sent him stumbling backward.
Shredtail lashed his tail. “When are you going to start fighting like a real warrior?”
“Now!” As Lionblaze leaped forward, claws grabbed him from behind, fastening around his throat. He tried to struggle free, body thrashing, fighting for breath, scrabbling to find a grip on the slippery needles.
“Shall I let my Clanmates finish you off?” Shredtail gloated. Then he glanced past Lionblaze’s shoulder and his gaze suddenly glittered with fear.
The paws gripping Lionblaze’s throat dropped away. He smelled the scent of badger’s breath as Midnight moved behind him. “Destiny is the choice of every cat,” she rasped in his ear. “But some cats have destiny chosen for them.” She turned and lumbered away.
I am going to kill this cat.Lionblaze saw what would happen next as clear as a star-specked sky. I may not be able to match your fox-hearted tactics, Shredtail, but I can fight like the best warrior that ever lived.
Shredtail lifted a paw and flexed his claws. “It’s a shame your badger friend won’t fight for you.” He drew back his lips to reveal teeth already stained with blood.
Energy surged beneath Lionblaze’s pelt. Exploding from the ground, he sunk his teeth deep into Shredtail’s throat while pine needles showered around them. The softness of flesh in his mouth and the taste of blood made him gag, but he held on, tearing deeper and deeper until, gurgling and thrashing, Shredtail collapsed. Lionblaze clamped his jaws harder and the Dark Warrior fell limp.
Letting go, Lionblaze staggered back and watched Shredtail’s body fade. Growing paler against the forest floor, it disappeared. He looked up, suddenly aware of the other cats watching, feeling his face wet with Shredtail’s blood. The Dark Forest warriors began to back away, then turned and pelted back toward the camp.
“Lionblaze?” Blackstar stepped forward. “I’m proud to fight beside you.” He nodded toward the battle. “Now shall we get rid of these other fox-hearts?”
“Lionblaze?”
Graystripe’s mew took him by surprise. He turned and saw the gray warrior pushing through the bracken with the dark brown ancient on his tail.
“Half Moon says we should go home.” Graystripe glanced over his shoulder toward the ShadowClan camp. “They don’t need our help anymore.”
Blackstar nodded. “Thanks to you. Go on, fight with your Clanmates now.”
Lionblaze dipped his head to the ShadowClan leader. “Okay.” He flicked his tail. “Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 23
Dovewing swerved, feeling the patrol turnwith her, and began to head up the slope, treading lightly, moving slick as a weasel through the thick undergrowth.
A thorn ripped her leg. Stumbling, she yelped.
“Are you okay?” Cloudtail crouched beside her.
“My paw’s caught.” A bramble was looped around it.
“Let me help.” He pressed closer.
Dovewing could feel him trembling. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” He swallowed. “I never… I never expected this.” He grabbed the bramble in his jaws. Twisting, he loosened its grip on her leg.
“What do you mean?” She pulled her paw free.
“Being attacked by dead cats.”
Dovewing suddenly remembered that Cloudtail didn’t believe in StarClan. It was the only part of his kittypet birth that he carried with him. “I don’t think any cat expected this,” she meowed.
As she spoke, paws skidded on the slope above. Someone had come back to find them.
“It’s okay! We’re comin—” Dovewing froze as she recognized the black-and-silver pelt of Darkstripe from her vision of the Dark Forest. “Look out!” She screeched a warning to Cloudtail, but the white warrior was already on his hind legs, claws flashing.
Muscle thumped against muscle as the toms crashed together. Cloudtail staggered backward but stayed on his paws. “Darkstripe! I’m not surprised to see you’re with the Dark Forest traitors,” he snarled.
“So you believe in StarClan now?” Darkstripe challenged.
“I believe in evil!”
“At least you believe in something, kittypet!”
“I’ve always believed in the warrior code and I always will.” Flattening his ears, Cloudtail swiped at Darkstripe. Blood spattered the brambles as he sliced the tom’s nose. Darkstripe growled and charged Cloudtail like a badger, knocking him backward and leaping onto his exposed belly. Cloudtail struggled to find his paws. Dovewing sprang forward, hooking her claws into Darkstripe’s pelt. Grunting with the effort, she heaved him off Cloudtail.
“Brave little warrior!” Darkstripe hissed and thrust out his hind legs. He pushed himself backward with such speed that he sent Dovewing flying. She landed, winded, and Darkstripe found his paws first. Flying at her, he caught her muzzle with a vicious kick.
Half-blind with pain, she glimpsed Cloudtail beside her. The white warrior bushed out his fur and curled his lip at Darkstripe. Darkstripe’s pelt didn’t even ripple. Smooth as a snake, he darted at Cloudtail, slithering beneath him and raking the warrior’s belly. Blood sprayed the forest floor.
“Get off him!” Dovewing staggered to her paws and hurled herself at Darkstripe, throwing her paws around his shoulders and clinging on desperately. As he tried to shake her off, she hooked a hind paw beneath his and toppled him. Together they rolled down the slope till brambles snagged them.
Teeth ripped into her shoulder. Shocked, she let go and dragged herself free, digging her claws into the earth to stop herself from falling. Darkstripe slashed her cheek with a blow that sent her reeling. She staggered, looking for Cloudtail. She would never be able to beat this warrior single-pawed.
“Bad luck, mouse-heart.” Darkstripe glanced up the slope. With a gasp, Dovewing saw Cloudtail shrieking with fury as a tabby held him fast, churning his hind paws against his spine. “Sparrowfeather’s finishing him off.” Darkstripe curled his lip. “Which means I get to kill you all by myself.”
Warriors don’t kill!Rage roared through Dovewing. Fight like rogues!Firestar’s order rang in her head and she launched herself at Darkstripe. Snapping her jaws, she sunk her teeth into his foreleg. He yowled and tried to shake her off but she crunched harder, feeling bone. Guard your throat!She remembered Ivypool’s training as teeth clamped her neck. Frantic with terror, she flipped her hind legs around and managed to gouge Darkstripe’s belly. He let go with a snarl and Dovewing ducked away, brambles scraping her ears.
A yowl split her ear fur and she turned just in time to catch a mighty swipe from Sparrowfeather. Reeling, she fell and landed hard. Paws thumped into her flank as Sparrowfeather leaped on top of her. Digging his claws deep into her pelt, he held her down and raked her with his hind paws. Dovewing struggled for breath, the wind knocked from her. Terror flooded her as she tried to fight her way free. The Dark Forest tom raked harder and a yowl of agony rose in her throat.
“Come on, Sparrowfeather! Darkstripe!” A new voice sounded on the slope beside them. A Dark Forest warrior was charging past. “Those two are beaten. Leave them to bleed to death. We’re attacking the camp.”
Dovewing felt Sparrowfeather’s claws rip free as he let go and raced after his Clanmates.
“Cloudtail?” Dovewing struggled to her paws, fighting for breath.
Cloudtail lay a few tail-lengths up the slope, his pelt slick with blood. She raced to him and crouched down, wincing with pain. “Cloudtail!”
He lifted his head, eyes dull.
“They’re attacking the camp!”
Cloudtail hauled himself to his paws. “Come on!” he croaked. “We’ve got to stop them.” He plunged down the slope, his front leg buckling beneath him.
“Are you okay?” Dovewing caught up to him in a couple of strides. Her pelt was fiery with pain.
“I have to be!” Cloudtail straightened up and pushed on.
Outside camp, Squirrelflight and Sandstorm were side by side, matching their blows as a patrol of Dark Forest warriors snapped at them like foxes. Sparrowfeather and Darkstripe barged through and joined the attack.
“We need backup!” Squirrelflight yowled.
Brambleclaw, Leafpool, Cinderheart, and Dustpelt raced from the entrance, but more ragged pelts swarmed from the trees and began to drive the Clan cats back against the thorn barrier. The ferns shivered on the far slope and Firestar and Lionblaze crashed out. Paw steps skidded behind Dovewing and she turned to see Snowbird and Graystripe race past her and leap into battle. Shaking the blood from his eyes, Cloudtail followed them.
Dovewing plunged in after him. She spotted Darkstripe’s pelt and slashed at it. Fight like a rogue.She dropped the skillful swipes she’d been taught as an apprentice and instead dug her claws into whatever flesh she could reach. She spun around, raking warrior after warrior, pelts blurring before her eyes.
“Watch out!” Squirrelflight yelped beside her. Dovewing had accidentally scraped her Clanmate’s flank.
“Sorry.” Quickly, she turned back, aiming for a darker pelt, relieved as she sunk her teeth into foul-smelling flesh.
“They’re in the camp!” Lionblaze’s yowl split the air.
Dark pelts were streaming through the thorns, turning the narrow entrance into a ragged hole. Lionblaze flashed in after them.
“Cinderheart! Dustpelt! Graystripe! Go with Lionblaze and drive them out!” Firestar sent a Dark Forest warrior flying with a backward kick. “We’ll hold the rest off here.”
Dovewing heard Ferncloud shriek. The kits!She raced for the thorns but long claws hauled her back and sent her flying. She landed with a thump. Struggling to her paws, she suddenly spotted familiar pelts on the slope above camp. Warriors from RiverClan and WindClan had arrived. Dovewing just hoped they were on the right side.
The patrols thundered down the slope and Troutstream, Pebblefoot, and Mintfur hurled themselves into battle beside Dovewing. She watched them closely for a moment, then breathed out in relief when she realized they were aiming only for Dark Forest cats.
“There’s more in camp!” Firestar screeched, batting away Darkstripe.
“We’ll deal with them.” Owlwhisker disappeared through the barrier with Whitetail and Boulderfur on his tail.
As screams sounded from the hollow, the RiverClan warriors turned tail-to-tail and began driving the Dark Forest warriors apart. Dovewing dived into a gap between two tabbies and, with whirling paws, began pushing them farther away. Within moments, the Dark Forest throng was split into much smaller groups.
Firestar lined up beside Bumblestripe and Poppyfrost and began herding a knot of warriors toward the trees. Dovewing joined Millie and Squirrelflight to push back another cluster. She reared and dived, sure of her movements, knowing exactly where to aim. She nipped at a tabby’s hind legs while Millie batted his muzzle. Squirrelflight tripped another and Dovewing sliced his ear. The Dark Forest warriors jerked around, looking at their scattered allies with dismay before turning and running for the trees.
Dovewing spun around. Lionblaze was chasing a tabby up the slope. Leafpool sent a black tom staggering backward. The Dark Forest cats had thinned to a few stragglers.
Firestar stood stiff-legged in front of them. “You can run or you can die,” he offered in a low growl.
They froze, then turned and pelted for the forest.
“Cowards!” Ferncloud hissed from the entrance to the hollow
Pebblefoot and Sandstorm exploded out from behind her, driving the last few Dark Forest warriors out of camp. As they hurtled past, Dovewing pricked her ears and followed the sound of their wailing back into the Dark Forest. Excitement rose in her chest. We survived!
Then she froze.
Beyond the wailing she heard fiercer yowls. Battle cries. Paws slapped against slimy earth. Not fleeing, but marching—heading this way. “There’s more coming,” she whispered.
“Cloudtail! Pebblefoot! Dustpelt!” The ThunderClan leader called to the bloodiest cats. “Medicine den! Now!”
They limped across the battered thorns, turning the branches red.
“Is anyone else badly hurt?” Firestar scanned the patrol. Millie rubbed at a torn ear. Graystripe pressed against her, his eye swollen. Poppyfrost licked a wrenched claw. Mintfur sniffed a scratch on Troutstream’s flank while Smokefoot shook out his ragged pelt.
Leafpool wove between them, checking wounds. “Nothing dangerous,” she meowed.
Brambleclaw ducked out of camp. “All clear,” he reported. “The kits are safe.”
“For now,” Firestar answered darkly.
Dovewing stiffened as paw steps pounded beyond the rise.
Cloudtail arched his back. “Who is it?”
A young ShadowClan cat appeared at the top of the slope.
“Stoatpaw?” Brambleclaw padded forward. “How’s ShadowClan?”
“Blackstar’s losing a life!” Stoatpaw raced toward them, eyes wide. “We’ve been overrun! We need help!”
Smokefoot darted forward to meet the apprentice. Oakfur and Snowbird watched their Clanmates, panic lighting their eyes.
“Have you seen Cherrypaw?” Poppyfrost asked.
Stoatpaw blinked. “Isn’t she here?”
Poppyfrost stiffened.
“Perhaps she’s gone to WindClan to find Molepaw.” Leafpool pressed against the tortoiseshell warrior. “Or she might be lying low until it’s safe to travel.”
Firestar looked at Dovewing. “How near is the next Dark Forest patrol?”
Dovewing listened, relieved to find that their paw steps were still muffled by Dark Forest mist. “They haven’t broken through yet.”
The ThunderClan leader lashed his tail. “Lionblaze, go to ShadowClan. You go too, Graystripe. We can manage here without you.”
Can we?Dovewing trembled. The paw steps might still be far away, but they were approaching steadily, relentless as storm clouds.
“Smokefoot!” Firestar called to the ShadowClan warrior. “Take your patrol home. Your Clanmates need you more than we do.”
As Smokefoot nodded, Brambleclaw weaved around Lionblaze. “Save them, Lionblaze.” He touched his muzzle to the golden warrior’s cheek as though they were still father and son. “I know you can.”
Lionblaze gazed for a moment into Brambleclaw’s eyes, then pulled away and raced into the forest. Graystripe and the ShadowClan patrol hurtled after him, Stoatpaw trailing behind on tired legs.
Dovewing’s belly felt hollow as they disappeared. She glanced around at her Clanmates. Fear sparked in their eyes.
“The camp’s been destroyed,” Ferncloud growled.
“We’ve rebuilt it before.” Firestar turned and headed through the ragged barrier. “We can rebuild it again.”
Dovewing tried to block out the distant thrum of approaching paws. Only if we survive the next attack.
第二十章
第二十章
狮焰跟着火星进了营地。从小岛回来时，他们一直顶着寒风，跑得上气不接下气的。他低头钻进荆棘通道，鸽翅和松鸦羽跟在他后面。
“战斗就要到来了！”雷族族长大吼道。
黑莓掌猛地转过身。黛西从育婴室里探出脑袋问道：“战斗？”
长老巢穴外，波弟忙用尾巴裹住鼠毛。火星穿过了空地。
雷族族长跳上高石台：“所有能够独自狩猎的猫来此集合，我有话要说。”
族猫们已经竖起皮毛，开始朝空地涌来。鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪紧紧靠在一起，眼睛瞪得圆圆的，抬头看着火星。罂粟霜拖着脚步靠向莓鼻。
云尾匆忙去育婴室找亮心。“待在里面别出来。”看到幼崽们像小猫头鹰一样探头往外看，他命令道。
他们身旁的小百合猛地探出头。“我会确保他们待在自己的窝里的。”她认真地说道。
“我也会的。”小种子在后面尖声说道。
巫医巢穴入口的黑莓丛一阵窸窣，荆棘光探出了口鼻。松鸦羽赶忙朝她走去，米莉跟在他身后。梅花落和桦落待在猫群边上，看到鼠须在他们身边坐了下来，他们俩紧张地瞥了他一眼。
“族猫们，我们正面临着有史以来最强大的敌人！”火星高声说道，“危险不仅会来自活猫，也会来自死猫。黑森林发誓要摧毁所有的族群。”
“死猫怎么能伤到我们呢？”鼠毛用沙哑的声音问道。
火星目光坚定地看着长老：“无星之地的武士已经找到了进入族群领地的办法。”
香薇云惊呼起来。
“那不可能！”云尾大吼道。
“哦，星族。”梅花落冲桦落小声道。
桦落看着她的眼睛，愣在了那里。这时，鼠须在他耳边悄声说了些什么，桦落一下子把年轻武士抖开，眼睛厌恶地眯了起来，就好像鼠须让他去吃鸦食。狮焰看见鼠须缩着身子退开了。年轻武士刚才到底说了什么？
火星的身体探到高石台的边上：“你们都闻到过森林里的气味，也都见过那些脚印。”
“他们只是泼皮猫的！”尘毛大喊道。
火星看向虎斑公猫：“你忘记了虎星的气味吗？”
尘毛盯着他：“我……我以为是我臆想出来的。”
火星继续说道：“战斗即将打响。为了每位曾在此生活过的武士，我们必须取胜。我们必须跟其他族群并肩作战，因为敌人威胁着所有族群。影族、风族，还有河族，会在黄昏时分，分别派三位武士过来加入我们的队伍。我们也要给他们的营地各派出三位武士。”他低头看向副族长：“黑莓掌，你来安排吧。”
刺掌的尾巴扫过地面：“影族会不会利用这个机会，侵占我们的领地呢？”
“如果他们真的那样做，一切将会失去。”火星阴沉地低声说道。
“我怎么保护我的孩子啊？”亮心哀号道。
云尾靠向她：“我不会让他们受到任何伤害！”
香薇云抽动着尾巴：“我也不会！”
栗尾抬起了下巴：“没有谁能伤害雷族的幼崽！”
藤池走到前面，转身看着族猫。狮焰看到她吸了一口气，然后稳住颤抖的脚掌。“我知道他们怎么战斗，我可以把他们的动作教给族群。”藤池说道。
梅花落跟桦落靠得更近了。
“你怎么会知道？”尘毛嘶吼道。
“我派她去刺探情报。”火星从落石堆上跳下来，站到藤池身边，“她比任何猫都了解我们的敌人。大家跟着她学就行。”
鼠须目瞪口呆地看着她：“你去黑森林刺探情报？”
樱桃爪的眼睛瞪得像月亮一样圆：“你太勇敢了！”
狮焰眯起了双眼。火星有没有问过藤池，还有别的猫在黑森林里训练吗？他扫视着族猫，搜寻着，想看看谁的脸上会露出愧疚之情。他们中肯定有像藤池那样，被虎星的谎言和断星的虚假承诺所迷惑，一起去过无星之地的。想到这里，他的爪子插入潮湿的地里，感觉后背的皮毛竖了起来。
火星抽动着尾巴：“我们会赢得这场战斗，因为我们是在为自己、为族猫们的生命而战。我们的敌人已经死了，他们战斗只是出于仇恨，那会是他们的弱点。”
“我们一定会打败他们的！”云尾大吼道。
鼹鼠爪立起身子，伸出利爪抓向空中：“黑森林武士要是落在我的爪中，我一定会把他们撕成碎片！”
火星点点头：“那就开始训练吧。为了胜利！”
族猫三五成群分散开来，像焦虑的鸽子一样，低声交谈着。“我们需要教长老和母猫们一些自卫动作。”狮焰对黑莓掌说道，“我已经想到了一些黛西可以用到的技巧，虽然她从没接受过武士训练。”
“好。”黑莓掌扫视着族群，“蛛足可以训练鼠毛和波弟。他认识他们的时间最长，所以他们不会介意听他的命令。”
蛛足正跟蕨毛在一起激烈讨论着。狮焰第一次注意到，他的黑色口鼻附近，居然也有了灰白色斑点。他很快就会搬进长老巢穴了，他的皮毛竖立了起来，如果到时巢穴还在的话。
黑莓掌收缩着爪子：“我们需要做好准备，迎接全新的敌人。”
“我们得学会像黑森林武士那样残忍地作战。”狮焰压下涌上心头的怒火，“他们在迫使我们违背武士守则。”
“保护族群胜过一切。”黑莓掌提醒他，“如果那意味着要像泼皮猫一样战斗，那我们就要像泼皮猫那样作战。”
“为了保护族群，我会像断星一样去战斗。”
“你或许不得不这样。”黑莓掌将阴沉的目光转向蛛足，冲他喊道，“我想让你教鼠毛和波弟一些动作。”
“好的。”蛛足朝长老巢穴奔去。
“冬青叶！”黑莓掌说道，“带鼹鼠爪、玫瑰瓣和白翅去营地外，练习一下你们知道的每一个战斗动作。藤池稍后会去和你们一起训练。”
栗尾朝雷族副族长跑了过来。“让我先跟藤池一起训练吧。”她央求道。
“如果她把黑森林的致命动作教给我们，那我们就知道如何保护自己了。”尘毛补充说道。
黑莓掌将族群分成多个训练小组，狮焰则朝育婴室走去。他从黛西身边走过，脑袋探了进去。
“我可怜的孩子！”亮心正蜷缩在窝里，三只小毛球在她身边扭动着。云尾皮毛倒竖，蹲伏在她身旁。小种子和小百合高仰着头，坐在窝的边缘上。
“我们会保护他们的。”小种子说道。
“你们得好好地躲在你们的窝里。”狮焰命令道。然后，他转向云尾。“去跟族猫在一起吧。”他说道，“我会教亮心如何保护小雪、小琥珀和小露珠。”
云尾走出了巢穴，狮焰从他身旁跳过。“黛西，你过来一下。”他喊道，“我需要你帮忙。”
“需要我做什么？”黛西柔软的身子挤了进来，“我可不懂任何武士战斗动作。”
“没关系。”狮焰对她说道，“你和亮心一起协作。有五只幼崽需要保护。栗尾得加入战斗的队伍，所以保卫育婴室就要靠你们了。没有哪只猫比猫后更危险！”他用鼻子示意亮心：“你站起来！”
亮心努力站起身。狮焰则龇着牙扑向她的幼崽。亮心一声嘶吼，像闪电一样迎了上去，爪子抓向狮焰的鼻子。
狮焰躲开了：“看到了吗？她会本能地保护幼崽。”
黛西怒视着狮焰：“你怎么会那样对她？”
“没事。”亮心兴奋地看着狮焰，“让我练习另一个动作吧。”
狮焰冲黛西甩甩尾巴。“这个动作你也可以学。”他往后一挪，注意力集中在假想敌身上，然后高举一只前脚掌向前戳去，另一只则放低，不停摆动着。“这个简单易学，可以迷惑进攻者。”
“让我在你身上试试！”亮心在窝边稳住身子，“来吧。”
黛西犹豫了一下，便朝亮心冲去。亮心伸出前脚掌往高处打去，黛西下意识地看向她的脚掌。就在这个当口，亮心的另一只脚掌伸到黛西身下，钩住了她的前腿。黛西向前跌去，扑通一声，口鼻向下摔倒在地。
“如果你们彼此配合，那么就可以一个诱敌，另一个进攻。”看到亮心眼中的恐惧逐渐消失，狮焰很是欣慰，“不过你们必须随时留意幼崽。”小露珠、小琥珀和小雪正趴在他们的窝边上，盯着突然凶猛起来的母亲。“你们三个待在窝里。藏在最下面。”狮焰命令道。
幼崽们冲他眨了眨眼睛，滑了回去，蜷缩到苔藓深处。
狮焰转回黛西和亮心。“相互配合会让你们变成最强大的武士。”他感到一阵满足。这是这么久以来第一次，他感觉自己在做该做的事情。过去的几个月，他把过多的时间花在担心上了。现在，他终于准备好，要像他注定成为的那位战无不胜的武士那样，去勇猛战斗。午夜的话还在他耳边回荡着：你的道路是你自己选择的。
我自己选择的！他愣住，心脏猛烈地跳动起来，都是我自己的选择！
“你们能自己训练了吗？”他问亮心。
“我们能自创一些动作吗？”她问道。
“当然。”狮焰从育婴室探出头，扫视着空地，“我很快就回来，看看你们的动作。”
她去哪儿了？他嗅了嗅空气，最后发现炭心的气味跟冰云还有叶池的在一起。他循着气味穿过空地，来到了营地外面，爬上山坡奔跑起来。叶池和冰云正在用前脚掌互相攻击着，练习着挥掌，而炭心则在一旁观看。
“你需要再快点儿。”炭心对冰云说道，“试试用短攻。”
“炭心！”狮焰站在岸上喊道。
炭心回过头，耳朵竖了起来：“狮焰？你来做什么？”
“我有话跟你说！”
她肯定听出了他的语气里的急迫，因为她冲族猫们点了点头，便匆忙朝他奔了过来。“怎么了？”她眼中闪过一丝担忧。
“跟我来。”狮焰绕过一簇蕨丛，在一棵盘根错节的山毛榉树下停了下来。
炭心盯着他：“出什么事了吗？”
狮焰深吸一口气。“你有你的命运，”他开口说道，“就像所有的猫一样。可你也可以有自己的选择。”星族啊，让她明白我的意思吧！“我也有。”炭心身子前倾，张开嘴巴想要说些什么。可还没等她开口打断，狮焰就继续说道：“我们的命运指引着我们的脚步，但它们并不能决定每一步该怎么走，一切都要看我们自己。我们要走我们自己选择的路。”
炭心没说话。狮焰又说道：“不管我们的命运如何，我们还是要选择自己的道路，你明白吗？如果我们愿意，我们可以并肩前行。”
炭心后退几步，灰色皮毛蓬松了起来：“没那么容易的！”
狮焰靠近她：“很容易！”
“我脑子里全是过去的记忆。”炭心哀号着，“我感觉就好像我的身体里住着两条生命。怎么可能只是我的选择呢？难道炭毛就没有选择了吗？我不能让她成为武士，她本来是巫医！”
狮焰将口鼻凑近她。“她选择了你。”他轻声说道，“她把选择权给了你。”
炭心颤抖起来，狮焰能感觉到她脑海里的激烈挣扎。“你只能活一次，炭心。你需要自己来选择！这是你的命运，而不是炭毛的！她已经活过一次了。”
炭心惊愕地喘着气。过了一会儿，她的皮毛平顺下来，抬起了头。“那我选择成为武士。”她那蓝色的眸子熠熠生辉，“还有你。”
微风吹动着蕨丛。狮焰依稀看见炭心旁边出现了一个淡淡的灰色身影，就像一个影子一样。他惊讶地后退几步，看到那个影子从炭心身上剥离开来，然后便像蜘蛛网一样被风吹走了。一个温柔的声音轻轻响起：“谢谢你。”
狮焰的皮毛顿时竖立起来：“你看见了吗？”
炭心看着影子消失在树林里。“那是炭毛。”她轻声说道，“我让她自由了。”
狮焰大声咕噜道：“那你会跟我并肩战斗吗？”
炭心将口鼻紧紧贴在他的口鼻上：“永远。”
第二十一章
第二十一章
松鸦羽正在营地入口附近采摘着紫草，蕨叶蹭着他的脊背。柔软的草叶上凝结起了一颗颗露珠。黄昏越来越近，风族、影族和河族派来的猫就快要到了。他抖了抖早已酸痛的脚掌。整个下午，武士们都在备战，他则一直在采集草药。
他身后传来肌肉撞在地上的声音。“别忘了藤池教给我们的动作！”松鼠飞冲着尘毛喊道，“黑森林武士会直扑你的喉咙，一定要预防那致命的一咬。”
尘毛皮毛从地面上拂过，奋力从灰条身下挣了出来：“如果我不得不一直这样自卫，我还怎么有空进攻呢？”
灰条大口喘息着：“把肩膀再往前送一些，然后把头再放低一些怎么样？”
松鸦羽摘下最后一片叶子，将它跟其他叶子放在一起，然后叼起它们朝营地走去。他低头钻进荆棘通道。空地上，玫瑰瓣和鼹鼠爪正在练习一个复杂的战斗动作。松鸦羽从他们身边绕过。
“绝对不要背对黑森林武士！”藤池大吼道。
“接下来，我们能练习一下吗？”叶池不停地走来走去，云尾则抓挠着沙土，皮毛间散发着期待。
黑莓掌正跟狮焰和松鼠飞坐在高石台下。“栗尾、刺掌和蛛足去影族。”他说道。
“白翅、莓鼻和榛尾可以去风族。”松鼠飞建议道。
松鸦羽将草药放在巫医巢穴旁，也来到了他们跟前：“你们觉得我们能及时做好准备吗？”
“我们必须做好准备。”黑莓掌大声说道。
松鸦羽嗅了嗅空气：“火星呢？”
“他在跟沙风和栗尾一起设置陷阱。”鸽翅说道，“在路上铺上黑莓藤，用荨麻遮住兔子洞。”
藤池的声音传了过来：“用尾巴保持平衡，玫瑰瓣！你必须学会用两只脚掌战斗，就像用四只脚掌战斗那样！那些黑森林武士想杀死你！”
“可我们怎么才能杀死他们呢？”云尾喊道，“他们已经死了呀！”
松鸦羽皱了皱眉。问得好。“我见过星族武士消失的情景。当没有猫记得他们时，他们就会渐渐消失。”他回忆道，抬高嗓门好让云尾也听到，“如果星族武士都可以消失，或许黑森林武士也会死吧。”他身子一僵，因为他感觉到黑暗吞噬了藤池。他进入了藤池的思想，来到了黑森林里。
蚁皮在藤池脚掌下挣扎着。她的利爪深深刺入武士的喉咙，蚁皮的生命在一摊血水中渐渐消逝。他的身体开始消失，最后，枯萎的草地上只剩下一块深红色血迹。松鸦羽后退几步，感到十分恶心。她杀死了一位黑森林武士！他不知道她是否会告诉云尾，死猫会永远消失，但他感觉到她把那个念头抛开了。
黑莓掌继续安排着。“狐跃、蟾步和玫瑰瓣去河族。”他决定道，“他们可以把从藤池那里学到的动作教给雾星的武士。”
“我不知道雾星会派谁来？”松鸦羽努力想象着河族武士在雷族营地的情景。
鼹鼠爪眼中闪过一丝愤怒：“我们是不是要管他们吃住，直到战斗开始？”
“是的！”黑莓掌看向学徒：“如果火星需要这么做的话。他们现在是我们的同盟。”
云尾皮毛竖了起来：“我可不睡在影族猫旁边。”
“那你愿意我派你去跟河族并肩战斗吗？”黑莓掌呵斥道，“没时间去考虑族群间的恩怨了，我们得跟其他族群共同作战，把他们当成我们的族猫，不能发生争吵。”
狮焰的尾巴烦躁地摆动着：“火星还想选两位信使，负责战斗中在族群间传递信息。”
“鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪可以担任。”黑莓掌说道。
“可我想战斗！”鼹鼠爪穿过空地跑了过来，“这会是我的第一场战斗。”
“你担任信使，将更好地服务族群。”黑莓掌对他说道，“你是雷族跑得最快的猫之一。”雷族副族长又转向狮焰和松鸦羽，压低声音说道：“我们还需要找出被黑森林招募的雷族武士。我们或许可以让他们迷途知返。”
“我们可以问藤池。”松鸦羽瞥向年轻的武士。
鸽翅叼着一块猎物，正要去长老巢穴。听到松鸦羽的话，她放下猎物说道：“但火星说我们不需要知道谁——”
黑莓掌打断了她。“但现在找出谁是我们的敌人会更好。”他说道。“藤池！”等藤池走了过来，他问道，“还有哪些雷族猫跟你一起在黑森林训练？”
藤池后退了几步。“我不能出卖他们！”她急忙说道。松鸦羽能够感觉到恐惧正从她的皮毛下涌出。“他们没……没有意识到自己在做什么。”她结结巴巴地说道，“战斗开始时，他们会做出正确的选择！”
“我们不能惩罚他们。”鸽翅争辩道，“到目前为止，他们并没有做错什么。”
“我们不是要惩罚他们。”黑莓掌轻声说道，“我们是想救他们。”
“虎星招募他们的时候骗了他们。”藤池说道。
“我知道。”黑莓掌让她放心。
“断星威胁说，如果他们离开就会杀死他们。”
“那么就给我们一个机会来保护他们。还有谁在黑森林里训练？”黑莓掌温和地问道。
“桦落，”藤池小声说道，“梅花落，还有鼠须。”
“云尾、鼹鼠爪、玫瑰瓣！”他对族猫们下达着命令，“去叫梅花落来。她在沙坑训练场训练呢。桦落和鼠须在狩猎。等他们回来，带他们来营地。”
云尾、鼹鼠爪和玫瑰瓣快速跑出营地。黑莓掌坐了下来：“我们要让他们明白，他们可以成为我们在黑森林的内应，就像你一样，藤池。”
松鸦羽让自己的皮毛平顺下来。毕竟，等了那么久，现在终于能直面危险，这让他松了口气。他扫了一眼自己的巢穴说道：“我得检查一下我的草药库存。”他穿过空地，叼起那捆紫草，钻过黑莓屏风，走进巢穴。荆棘光躺在草药堆里睡着了，他能听见她的鼾声。
“荆棘光？”他用口鼻轻轻碰了碰她。
荆棘光一下子就醒了。“对不起！”她坐起身，“我数着数着就睡着了。我们需要更多的金盏花和荨麻。”
“去窝里好好休息一下吧！”松鸦羽对她说道，“我来接着清点。”
“我可以帮忙的。”荆棘光争辩道。
“去休息！”松鸦羽命令道。
“可——”
“马上！”战斗开始后，他需要她的全力帮助。随着一阵窸窣声响起，荆棘光钻进了窝里。松鸦羽竖起耳朵，听着她的动静，直到她的呼吸逐渐绵长起来。然后，他开始从每堆中拿出一些草药，放在一起，把它们滚成捆。每一捆里都有治疗伤口需要的草药和蛛丝。大战开始后，这会节约很多的时间。
“松鸦羽？”
叶池的声音吓了他一跳。松鸦羽抬起头，草药的气味熏得他有点儿头晕。
“我能帮忙吗？”叶池从黑莓丛里钻了进来，“战斗结束以后会有很多受伤的武士。我……我想来帮忙，哪怕只是把湿苔藓给口渴的病猫送去也行。”
“苔藓？”松鸦羽眉头一皱。苔藓！当然需要了！
“我知道我没有权利要求，但——”
“我彻底把苔藓给忘了。”松鸦羽跳了起来，“我们会需要很多。我会派几只猫去采摘一些回来。”他从叶池身边挤过，朝巢穴入口处走去。
“大家不是在训练，就是在狩猎。”叶池提醒他，“我能去采摘吗？”
松鸦羽停住了。“采摘苔藓？”他感觉叶池后退了一下，以为会被拒绝。“那个对你来说，太大材小用了。”他飞快地说道，“鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪回来的时候可以去。我需要你在这里帮忙。”
“真的？”叶池皮毛间散发出震惊。
“你和我一样经验丰富。”松鸦羽说道，“傻子才会不用你呢。你自己刚才也说，会有很多受伤的武士，所以我需要你来帮我治疗他们。”
“可……可星族会介意吗？”叶池结结巴巴地说道，“他们不准我再当巫医了。”
松鸦羽咆哮起来：“情况已经发生了改变，叶池。我们必须做我们觉得对族群有益的事情。如果那意味着要违背星族，那就违背吧。”
叶池走近一些：“这是不是代表，你已经原谅我了？”
松鸦羽转回去继续捆草药。“没什么需要原谅的。”他抽了抽鼻子，“你做了你认为是最好的事情。谁也不能因此责备你。”他把一堆琉璃苣推向她：“像我这样，开始捆草药吧。我需要每一捆里面都有很多蛛丝。还有，记得提醒我，让鼹鼠爪和樱桃爪多采摘些苔藓回来。”
叶池坐在松鸦羽身边，开始从草药堆里挑拣草药。松鸦羽能感觉到母亲心中的欣慰和夹杂在其中的痛苦。他从她身边走过，想去拿另一把金盏花，爪子碰到的却是石头。“金盏花用光了。”
叶池咕噜一声：“我会提醒你，等鼹鼠爪回来，让他再去采摘一些。”
他们开始默默干活，突然，巢穴外面的一声吼叫打破了宁静。“他们不见了！”云尾冲进营地说道，“我们哪里都找不到他们！”
松鸦羽爬出巢穴问道：“谁？”
“桦落、梅花落和鼠须。”云尾在黑莓掌前面走动着，鼹鼠爪和玫瑰瓣在他后面喘着粗气。
“你们确定什么地方都找过了？”黑莓掌追问道。
“我们已经发动整个族群，把森林都翻遍了。”云尾汇报道，“可还是没有他们的踪迹。”
松鸦羽穿过空地，大脑飞速转动着。鸽翅！他嗅了嗅空气，寻找着她。鸽翅正在她的巢穴旁休息。
“听听！”他匆忙朝鸽翅奔去，“看看他们在哪里。”
她坐起身，身子颤抖着：“好的。”
松鸦羽进入鸽翅的思绪。鸽翅将感知释放了出去，越过了森林。你们在哪里？鸽翅的感知飞过湖面和森林，到达了黑暗之中。松鸦羽的心跳猛然加速。鸽翅又冒险回到了黑森林。
“战斗开始了吗？”阴影处传来了梅花落焦急的声音。鸽翅集中精力听着。玳瑁色武士正沿一条蜿蜒的小路穿过黏滑的蕨丛。桦落紧跟在她旁边。
在他们身后，鼠须盯着树林深处问道：“我们怎么知道什么时候开始进攻呀？”
不知是寒冷还是恐惧，梅花落浑身瑟瑟发抖地说道：“别担心，我们会知道的。断星发过誓了，不是吗？他不会让我们逃脱，他一定会让我们跟他一起战斗。”
他们的声音渐渐远去，鸽翅的意识也又回到了空地。松鸦羽踉跄一下，挺直了身子。
“藤池在哪里？”鸽翅哀号道，“她必须去追他们，得在开战之前把他们带回来。”
松鸦羽摇了摇头。“没有时间了。”他沉重地告诉她，“他们现在只能靠自己了。”他转过头，听着四周的战斗准备声。
这是我们唯一能做的了，保护自己，抵御黑森林的复仇。
第二十二章
第二十二章
他们现在只能靠自己了。
松鸦羽的话让鸽翅感到浑身冰凉。她嗅了嗅空气，寻找着藤池，接着便冲向学徒巢穴。藤池正蜷缩在窝里，眼睛紧闭，耳朵抖动着。她正试图做梦进入黑森林去寻找梅花落、桦落和鼠须。
鸽翅走近一些。可他们知道她是卧底！万一他们把她出卖给虎星呢？突然，一个声音在她耳边响起。
“时间到了。”
断星粗哑的声音从黑森林传来。
众猫欢呼着，嘶吼声在光秃秃的树枝间回响。鸽翅闭上眼睛搜寻着。她让感知进入幽暗的树林，听到缓缓水流冲刷着黏滑的河岸。沿河岸往前一点儿，一大群猫正推搡着围在一截黑乎乎的树桩周围，争夺着自己的位置。
“这是你们在这个臭烘烘的森林里度过的最后一个夜晚！”断星站在树桩上宣布，琥珀色的眼睛扫视着眼前皮毛竖立的众猫。
“他这是什么意思，最后一个夜晚？”
鸽翅听出那是梅花落的低语声。玳瑁色武士正蹲伏在猫群的边上，鼠须和桦落则蜷缩在她身边。
虎星跳到树桩上，将断星推到一边。“今晚，我们将抛弃武士守则。长久以来，武士守则剥夺了族群的真正荣誉。族群照顾弱者，否定强者。”他转动着硕大的脑袋，将下面众猫的样子尽收眼底，“但今晚，我们将像暴风骤雨般横扫族群。最后，只有强者生存下来。我们会建立一个新的族群，力量和胜利将受到奖赏，让软弱和失败见鬼去吧。”
“让武士守则见鬼去吧！”一只伤痕累累的虎斑猫吼道。
“黑森林将统治族群！”猫群中传来阵阵喊声。
“今晚跟着我！”虎星提高声音说道，“我向你们保证，你们会得到前所未有的权力和自由！”
黑森林武士的欢呼声在鸽翅耳中不断回响着。突然，她倒吸了一口气，因为她看到了风族的日击和河族的鱼尾，她们正瞪大眼睛，震惊地盯着虎星。在离她们不远的地方，鼠须正往树林里退。
“族群已经被误导得太久。”空飞从黑森林武士中站起身，这只河族公猫两眼放光，“我们要证明给他们看，只有强者才能生存下来。”
鸽翅感到一阵难受。族群猫怎么会支持这么残忍的事情？
冰翅的白色皮毛从她眼角一闪而过。河族母猫将鼠须推回到梅花落和桦落身旁。她甩了甩尾巴，示意风族的荆豆皮和兔泉靠近一些。“不要让虎星看到你们的恐惧。”她小声说道，“保持安静，照他说的去做。否则，你们将再也看不到家了。”
桦落刚要反驳，一只皮毛粗糙的玳瑁色母猫转头看向他，眯起了眼睛。“我怎么没听见你们为我们的族长欢呼。”她咆哮道。
冰翅迎着她的目光，说道：“我们正在商讨策略呢，枫荫。别忘了，跟族群猫作战时，我们可是有优势的，因为我们的族猫信任我们。”
“真的吗？”枫荫听上去并不相信，“希望你们已经为这场生命之战做好了准备。”她凑近冰翅：“因为跟我们并肩作战是你们活下来的唯一办法。”
一只瘦削的黑色虎斑公猫从猫群中挤出来，站到了枫荫旁边。“我们招来的猫怎么了？”他讥讽道。
“黑条。”枫荫冲他微微点了一下头，打了个招呼，“他们像幼崽一样，吓坏了。”
黑条的目光扫视着族群猫。“不要害怕。”他厉声说道，“你们和我一队，我保证让你们像英雄一样战斗。”突然，他眯起了眼睛：“藤池呢？”
“她快到了。”梅花落说道。
黑条活动了一下爪子。“她早就该到这里了。”他扫了一眼枫荫。“我从来都不相信她。”他哼道，“她总是竭力讨好虎星，简直跟两脚兽巢穴里的狗一样狡猾。”
桦落抽动着尾巴：“她不是这样的。”
鹰霜在树桩那边呼唤他们。他已经跳上了树桩，站到虎星和断星身旁，皮毛在若隐若现的鬼魅光影中闪烁着。“我们的武士已经准备好了。”他大吼道，“消灭族群！”
黑森林武士正高呼着口号，这时，狂风大作，席卷森林。大风摇动着树枝，撕扯着树皮，卷走了那些枯叶。一道闪电划破天空，一声炸雷在鸽翅耳边响起。
她吓得身子一缩，但还是一直盯着眼前的场景。虎星从树桩上跳下来，猫群分列开来让他通过。他冲向树林，断星和鹰霜紧随其后。黑森林的大部队黑压压地跟在后面。
“消灭族群！”
“消灭族群！”
闪电照亮了森林，狂风撕扯着树木。战斗的呐喊声响彻天空。鸽翅听到无数的脚步声如雷鸣般越来越近，心禁不住提到了嗓子眼。啊，星族啊，帮帮我们！他们来了！
她用一只脚掌戳了戳藤池。
藤池一下子抬起头：“我刚要开始做梦呢！”
“太晚了！”鸽翅将姐妹推起来，“战斗已经开始了。我们得去告诉火星。”她冲出巢穴，然后在空地边上停住了。
空地上的族猫们正看着橡毛、烟足和雪鸟走进营地。
“我简直无法相信眼前的一切。”云尾喃喃道，“影族武士正在我们的营地里。”
“欢迎你，橡毛。”火星匆忙上前迎接他们，同时警告地看了云尾一眼。
黑莓掌也走上前来：“烟足、雪鸟，很高兴见到你们。”
“如果你们饿了，这里有猎物。”狮焰主动招呼着。
“如果有需要，我们自己会去抓的。”烟足生硬地回道。
猎物？鸽翅跑上前：“没时间想什么猎物了！他们来了！”
火星转过身：“黑森林猫来了？”
鸽翅竖起耳朵，听见如雷般的脚步踩在光秃秃的大地上，接着又踩在柔软的蕨丛中。“他们进森林了！”
影族武士颈毛倒竖，面朝着荆棘屏障。狮焰也亮出利爪，蹲伏下来准备战斗。
榛尾盯着鸽翅问道：“你怎么知道？”
“她就是知道，行了吗？”松鸦羽从巫医巢穴冲出来，跑到鸽翅面前，“他们走的哪条路？”
黑莓丛沙沙作响，树叶也哗啦啦落下，震耳的声音让鸽翅的耳毛都颤动了起来。“我听不出来！”
黑莓掌猛一抬头，看向山谷上方的树梢。鸽翅身子一僵，她意识到脚步声已经很近了，所有的猫现在都能听到了。火星转过头，看到族猫们的眼中都露出惊慌的神色。狐跃挤到莓鼻和榛尾中间；罂粟霜和炭心紧靠在玫瑰瓣和刺掌身边；米莉高昂起下巴，一点儿也看不出她曾经是宠物猫。
“战斗的时间到了。”火星说道，“我相信你们会不惜一切保护雷族。”他将目光转向烟足：“保护所有的族群。”
黑莓掌向前一步。“栗尾、刺掌、蛛足，全速赶往影族。”他命令道，“要像为了自己的族猫一样勇敢战斗。白翅、莓鼻和榛尾，你们去帮助风族。”武士们冲出了营地，只有栗尾仍犹豫地看着育婴室。
“我们会保证小百合和小种子的安全的。”火星承诺道。
栗尾点点头，转身追上了她的队伍。
黑莓掌朝狐跃摇了摇尾巴。
棕色武士已经朝营地入口跑去，蟾步和玫瑰瓣紧随其后。“我们会赶在黑森林武士之前到达河族。”他回头大喊道。
樱桃爪和鼹鼠爪冲过空地，站到火星面前：“我们应该先去哪里？”
雷族族长朝两位急切的信使点点头：“鼹鼠爪，你先去风族，再去河族。樱桃爪，你去影族。有任何消息都要带回来，我们需要知道黑森林从哪里先发起进攻。”
看着赶往荆棘屏障的两个孩子，罂粟霜迎了上去。“我知道你们会很勇敢。”她抬起下巴，“记住，我为你们感到自豪。”
然后，她站到一旁，看着孩子们冲出去，眼角闪动着泪光。莓鼻走到她旁边，将脸颊贴在她的脸上，轻声说道：“他们今天是武士了。”
鸽翅扫视了一圈营地，惊讶地发现这里变得空荡荡的，因为所有的队伍都已经出发了。剩下的猫够保卫营地吗？头顶上方，皮毛穿过灌木丛的声音是如此响亮，以至于她不得不伏下耳朵屏蔽响声。松鸦羽嘴里叼着一根黑莓藤，匆忙朝巫医巢穴奔去。他想把一根黑莓藤拽到巢穴入口，米莉冲过去帮他。
荆棘光在巢穴里冲他们喊道：“我已经把草药包排好了，把苔藓浸泡在水池里了。”
“把应急草药包放到草药库的最后面。”松鸦羽告诉她，接着又拽过来另一根藤蔓堵住入口。
灰条朝长老巢穴走去，波弟和鼠毛正从里面往外瞧。“待在里面！”他命令道。
“蛛足教我们的战斗动作什么时候用？”波弟问道。
“需要时再用，但不要主动参战，除非敌人发现了你们。”灰条用鼻子将长老们推回到金银花灌木丛的深处。
黛西和香薇云在育婴室外来回走着。她们脊背上的皮毛竖得像一根根刺。“小百合和小种子在你的窝里吗，亮心？”黛西冲黑莓墙壁里问道。
“她们都在这儿，已经被藏起来了。”亮心回答道。
“谁也不能伤害她们。”香薇云低吼着保证道。
“我们得到山谷外面迎战敌人。”火星做出了决定。他冲黑莓掌点点头说：“你选一支队伍，留在营地中。”
黑莓掌首先看向松鼠飞：“你愿意和我并肩战斗吗？”
他们目光交汇，那一瞬间仿佛被无限拉长。“永远。”松鼠飞说道。
“好。”黑莓掌点点头，“尘毛、黄蜂条、炭心、叶池，还有灰条，你们协助我保卫山谷。”
“灰条跟着我。”火星瞥了一眼老友，突然插了一句。
黑莓掌点了点头：“没问题。”
狮焰抽动着尾巴：“我在哪里作战？”
“跟我一起。”火星面对着他的族猫，低吼道，“如有必要，要像泼皮猫一样战斗。我们为我们所珍重的一切而战。不论发生什么，族群猫都不要忘记，我们战斗时，先用心，再出爪。”
烟足看向荆棘屏障：“风族和河族的猫怎么还没来？”
火星竖起耳朵，听着山谷上方此起彼伏的号叫声：“我们没时间等他们了。”
“火星！”沙风嘶吼一声，走过来站到火星和族猫中间。“这是你的最后一条命了。”鸽翅清晰地听到了她的低语，“你不能冒失去它的风险。你的族群需要你。”
“他们需要我战斗。”火星回答道。
“可如果你要是战死了，他们该怎么办？”
“他们会战斗得更加勇猛。”火星的绿色眸子闪动着亮光，“我的武士们只有一条命，可他们愿意为了族群牺牲掉。我也一样。我将永远和他们在一起。”
沙风的脸颊紧紧贴在火星的脸颊上。“我爱你。”她轻声说道。
“我也爱你。”火星轻声说道，“你和黑莓掌待在一起，保卫营地。”说完，他转身离开，朝荆棘通道跑去。狮焰和灰条带领队伍从鸽翅身旁冲过，跟了上去。鸽翅追上他们，恐惧在她的皮毛下涌动。藤池在哪里？这里面没有姐妹那银白相间的身影。
她的心怦怦跳着，冲出了荆棘通道。火星停在营地外面，目光凝重地示意大家安静。战斗队个个颈毛直立，围在他周围。在他们上方，整个森林都在颤抖。鸽翅不禁屏住了呼吸。火星在灰条耳边悄声说了些什么，然后便像猫头鹰一样沉默不语了。他尾巴甩向一边，再甩向另一边，命令战斗队一分为二。鸽翅悄悄走向灰条，发现自己挤到了云尾和雪鸟中间。影族母猫闻起来有一股松树汁的味道。她的皮毛顺滑，皮毛下的肌肉硬得像石头。火星冲灰条点点头，示意他带队朝山谷一侧的斜坡进发，自己则走向另一面斜坡，同时示意剩下的队伍跟上。
他想让大家从两边夹击坡顶的敌人。
鸽翅等着火星下命令进攻，却惊讶地发现他动动口鼻，示意她过去。
“他们向各处都发起了进攻，对吗？”等她走到跟前，他小声问道。
她张开耳朵，一声尖叫从影族边界传来。荒原上，石楠丛被冲进来的武士踩得嘎吱作响；湖的那边，芦苇发出被脚掌踩断的声音。她的呼吸急促起来：“是的，他们对所有领地同时发起了进攻。”
火星点了点头。“我们早就知道会是这样。”他用口鼻轻触着她的口鼻，“勇敢战斗吧。祝你好运。”说完，他瞥向灰条，使劲地抽动了一下尾巴。
这是开始反攻的信号。鸽翅深吸了一口气。终于来了！战斗要开始了！
但愿我真的星权在握！
第二十五章
第二十五章
藤池在排便通道里蹲伏着，她能听见火星在空地上下达战斗命令。山谷上方，吼叫声在不断回响，黑森林武士已经到达树林了。
藤池沮丧地竖起了皮毛。鸽翅把她戳醒得太早了。我本来是想在战斗开始前，跟梅花落和桦落会合的！可现在，已经太迟了！我得去找到他们。她开始竖耳倾听。
“你跟着黑莓掌，留下来保卫营地！”火星发出最后的指令，然后便冲出了营地。
藤池等待着。断星会把招募的雷族猫派到哪里去呢？肯定不会派回雷族吧？他们更希望能去攻打其他族群的。藤池爬进黑莓丛深处，绕过排便处，从蕨丛里钻过，跑出了营地。黑暗笼罩着阴冷潮湿的森林，寒风从树梢间呼啸而过。
“藤池？”黑莓掌的声音让她一惊，“你不应该是在火星的战斗队里吗？”
藤池猛然转身，看见雷族副族长正站在一棵花楸树下。黑莓掌知道她在黑森林里接受训练。万一他以为她背叛了族群呢？“我……我必须找到梅花落、桦落和鼠须。”
黑莓掌走近了一些：“那你知道他们在哪里吗？”
“不知道！我也希望能知道。我想阻止他们，以免……”藤池突然打住了话头。
“以免他们背叛自己的族群？”黑莓掌眯起了眼睛。
“他们不会的！”她大声说道，“我知道他们不会的！但他们会害怕的。断星威胁说，如果不跟他一起战斗，那他就会杀了他们。”
黑莓掌用口鼻碰了碰她的头：“去找到他们，藤池。”
“真的吗？”她眨着眼睛，“我真的可以去吗？”
“全靠你了。”
“谢谢你！”藤池松了一口气，赶紧转身朝风族领地跑去。荒原那边传来的尖叫声在湖面上回响着，但她没有看到任何猫。她加快了脚步，快要到达边界上的那条溪流时，脚掌在湿滑的草地上不住地打滑。
“藤池。”一声吼叫吓了她一跳。水沟那边，一双琥珀色的眼睛在黑暗中闪烁着。
藤池猛地一停，亮出了利爪：“谁？”
虎心从蕨丛里钻了出来。
藤池眯起了眼睛。“你这是要去哪里？”她跳过小溪，与深棕色武士保持着一定的距离，“你知道战斗开始了，对吗？”
虎心回头看了看：“鹰霜让我在这里等他。”
藤池移动着脚掌：“你在他的战斗队伍里？”
“你呢？”虎心怀疑地盯着她。
“我……我还不知道呢。我还没接到命令。”她的大脑飞速旋转着。虎心站在哪一边呢？
“鹰霜到了这里后，会告诉你做什么的。”
可我得先找到我的族猫！藤池开始往蕨丛里钻。
“你要去哪里？”虎心警惕地问道。
“我没时间等他了！”藤池继续往前钻，“战斗已经开始了！”
“可你不知道要去打谁！”
藤池心里一阵沮丧。“我当然知道要去打谁！”她转头看向虎心。“我见到黑森林武士就打！”她瞪着他，“还有跟他们一起战斗的族群猫！”
“我还以为，黑森林武士才是你现在的族猫呢。”虎心向前一步靠近她，带着威胁的口吻说道，“这不就是你一直以来训练的目的吗？”
藤池摇摇头：“我知道自己该忠于谁。我就算是死，也不会跟断星和鹰霜为伍的。”
虎心龇牙咆哮道：“这恐怕由不得你。你听到过断星说的话，知道背叛他会有什么下场。”
藤池看着虎心的眼睛，怒火在她的皮毛下涌动：“我不在乎。”
“你的口气跟你姐妹很像。”虎心讥讽道。
藤池皱起了眉头：“这跟鸽翅有什么关系？”
“在她心里，族群比我更重要。”
“那又怎样？”虎心的目光黯淡了下来。藤池继续说道：“你也应该把你的族群放在首位！难道在黑森林里的这几个月，让你忘记了武士守则吗？”
虎心龇牙说道：“我什么都没有忘记。”
旁边的蕨丛一阵窸窣作响。藤池心里一紧，急忙转身。鹰霜钻了出来。“藤池。”他眼神闪烁着，“你去哪里了？”
“我在找梅花落和桦落。”藤池结结巴巴地说道。
鹰霜将口鼻探了过来。“找到他们。”他嘶吼道，“现在就去。然后直接去风族营地。我希望你和我一起参加第二轮进攻。”
藤池点点头跑开了。她又回头看了一眼，正好看见虎心在鹰霜耳边说着什么。她心中不由一阵恐慌。如果他告诉鹰霜我是叛徒，那我就死定了！她的心怦怦直跳，赶紧低头钻进石楠丛逃跑了。“桦落！”她不住大喊着，“梅花落！”
“藤池！”
听见桦落的声音，她赶紧刹住了脚步。她的族猫此时正蜷缩在一簇被风吹得东摇西摆的金雀花丛下，那身浅棕色的虎斑皮毛在黑暗中微微闪动着。梅花落和鼠须挤在他旁边，眼睛里闪动着恐惧的神色。突然，附近几声尖叫响起，两位风族武士飞奔而过，黑森林武士在后面紧追着。远处山坡上，更多的武士打在一起，狂风呼啸中传来了他们的阵阵吼叫声。
“我们该怎么办？”梅花落悄声问道，“我们不能去进攻族群猫！”
藤池抬起了口鼻：“我们当然不能！而且我们还要保护族群，反抗黑森林。”
桦落盯着她：“你是不是一直都知道他们想干什么？”
“是的。”藤池承认道。
鼠须冲她眨眨眼睛：“那你为什么不告诉我们？”
“我当时是卧底。”她直起身子，“我不知道该信任谁。所以，我只能让你们自己去弄明白。”
“她是对的。”桦落走上前来，“我们早就应该猜到是怎么回事。”
鼠须回头看了看：“那我们现在怎么做？”
“我们就如断星命令的那样，投入战斗。但我们是为族群而战。”藤池告诉他，“我们一直在黑森林训练，所以，我们可以用他们的那些办法来对付他们。”突然，一股熟悉的气味突然飘进她的鼻子。“苹果毛？”闻到影族母猫的气味，她警觉地喊了一声。影族母猫会有勇气反抗黑森林武士吗？
苹果毛从石楠丛里钻了出来，风皮也从她身旁挤了过来。当看到跟在他们后面的蓟掌和雪绺时，藤池的皮毛不禁开始竖立起来。
“原来你们在这里！”风皮眼睛一亮，“我们正要去进攻营地！”
“可鹰霜让我们跟他会合。”藤池找借口说道。
“你们会的。”蓟掌咆哮道，“他会从另一侧发起进攻。”
藤池冲白色公猫眨眨眼睛。“好的，那我们走吧。”她拼命给族猫使眼色。我们现在得先假装听从命令！她跟在风皮和其他猫身后，快速朝风族营地冲去。“我们到了那里后，不用非得进攻风族。”她低声对走在旁边的桦落说道。
石楠划过她的皮毛，阵阵腐臭淹没了花香，脚下的泥土黏腻湿滑。荒原正在变成黑森林！藤池竭力摆脱这个想法，不行！我不会让它变成黑森林的！
“快点儿！”鼠须冲到了她前面，“我们不能让他们先到那里。”
藤池跟在桦落和梅花落后面，在灌木丛中不停地往上爬着，她感觉肺部疼得厉害。从坡顶她能看到风族营地，空地上到处都是惊叫哀号的猫。烬足后腿直立，正迎战着一位黑森林武士，那家伙正尖叫着扑向风族武士的后腿。还有一位黑森林武士将鸦羽掀翻在地，正用利爪攻击着他。藤池认出了白翅、莓鼻和榛尾，他们跟轻盈娇小的风族猫相比，显得格外肩宽体阔。河族的锦葵鼻和影族的鼩鼱足也在和他们并肩战斗。一位黑森林武士猛击锦葵鼻，将他打飞；一只公猫紧紧抓住了榛尾的腹部；另一只猫则从白翅的侧腹扯下了几撮皮毛。族群武士以寡敌众，拼命抵抗着。
风皮甩着尾巴在坡顶上走来走去，蓟掌则俯视着营地。
“我们什么时候进攻？”苹果毛的声音听上去很害怕。
“等第一支战斗队削弱了他们的力量之后。”蓟掌告诉她。
梅花落不安地移动着脚掌。藤池能感受到她竖起的玳瑁色皮毛下的焦急：“我们为什么不现在就去帮他们呢？”
“等一等。”蓟掌抬眼看向营地的另一侧。鹰霜正坐在那里，白云下，他的身影清晰可见。他身旁的战斗队焦躁地来回走动着，虎星的虎斑皮毛尤为醒目。
一声哀号从下面传来。藤池呼吸一滞，看见一只猫后正起身扑向一只黑森林猫，将他从一只幼崽身边赶跑。小家伙正躲在残破的营地围墙边瑟瑟发抖。
快呀！她强迫自己待在原地不动。接着，她看见鹰霜竖起尾巴，向下一甩，发出了信号。
“进攻！”蓟掌咆哮一声冲下山坡，穿过石楠围墙进入了营地。雪绺跟在他后面也冲了下去，紧接着则是梅花落。
藤池挡住苹果毛的去路：“你不会站在他们一边的，对吗？”
苹果毛惊恐地看着藤池：“可……可我必须这样！”
“你必须保卫族群！”藤池嘶吼道，“让断星当你的族长，岂不是生不如死？”
苹果毛眨了眨眼睛。
“你依然是武士。”藤池提醒她，“武士守则说，为了族猫，我们应该奉献自己的生命。他们现在比以往任何时候都更需要我们！”
苹果毛点点头。“你说得对。”她轻声说道，“想想我的所作所为，献出生命只是很小的补偿。”
“现在没时间忏悔了。”藤池告诉她，“忠诚勇敢地战斗吧，这是族群对你的唯一要求。”
“我现在就这么去做！”说完，苹果毛一跃而起冲向营地。藤池快步跟在她身后。她必须找到风皮。她冲出石楠丛，四肢落地，脚掌在黏黑的空地上打着滑。到处都是撕扯号叫的猫。她扫视营地。风皮正跟在蓟掌后面在猫群中穿梭。藤池悄悄跟了上去。
“不！”风皮立起身刚要去攻击一位风族武士，藤池扑了上去。她一头撞在风皮的侧腹，将他撞飞了出去。“你不能为黑森林战斗！”
“你疯了吗？”风皮挣扎着站起身，怒视着她，“我们训练就是为了今天！”
“但你要知道这是不对的！”突然，一双利爪抓过藤池的面颊。疼痛刺穿了她，她踉踉跄跄倒向一边。
蓟掌正虎视眈眈地看着她。他卷起嘴唇，露出泛黄的长牙：“叛徒！”
“我不是叛徒！”藤池嘶吼道，“我一直都忠于自己的族群！我来黑森林只是为了弄清楚你们的阴谋！”
突然，鹰霜出现在了蓟掌的背后，藤池心下一惊。接着，雪绺也跳到她身旁，眼睛里充满了仇恨。
“我们也不会为你们战斗！”桦落朝一只黑森林虎斑猫扑去。
苹果毛扑向一只皮毛蓬乱的公猫：“我为族群而战！”
鹰霜眼露凶光：“那么，在消灭你们那可恶的族群之前，我们先杀死你们！”
藤池挺直身子准备迎战。她感觉有皮毛从身旁闪过，利爪刺进她的侧腹时，不由一怔。她猛然转身，却被雪绺使足全身力量给撞倒在地。她赶紧跳起来，向那只瘦骨嶙峋的白色公猫扑去，爪子插进他的肩膀，将他用力往后拖去，但雪绺一个转身猛地咬向她的喉咙。藤池及时躲开，但却一头撞进一只深棕色的虎斑猫的侧腹上。
虎心！她闻出了他的气味。“难道我也必须和你打吗？”她咆哮道。
虎心眯起眼睛。“我是武士。”他低吼道，“我为族群而战。”他转过身，后腿一踢，将蓟掌蹬开了：“黑森林武士不属于这里。这里是族群的领地！”
藤池心中燃起希望。她将雪绺推开，爪子扯下他的一撮皮毛。“那你为什么来黑森林？”她冲虎心大喊道。
虎心低头钻到蓟掌身下将他掀倒：“和你一样，我想弄清楚他们要干什么。”
蓟掌逼视着他：“可你是虎星的至亲！”
“但那并不意味着我就要像他那样。”虎心猛地朝蓟掌袭去，“他曾经几乎毁掉影族。我不会让他再那样做了！”
鹰霜长啸一声，从蓟掌身边掠过。“我要杀了这个叛徒。”他朝虎心扑去，“你和雪绺对付藤池。”
藤池感觉有利爪撕扯着她的肩膀。她腿下一软，踉踉跄跄朝旁边退去。雪绺和蓟掌双双从后面向她扑来，并轮番猛击她的口鼻，开始合力将她赶出残破的营地围墙。藤池抬起前腿，想要挡开这些攻击，可她的后脚掌在泥地上直打滑，皮毛也被石楠丛钩住了。她踉跄几下，被绊倒在地，又迅速起身，赶在雪绺向她扑来时，及时跳开了。她抬起头，发现自己跟族群猫已被隔离开来。她看到空地那边，虎心被一群黑森林武士团团围住。营地另一边，桦落正在保护一只幼崽。苹果毛和梅花落背靠背，正在抵抗四只黑森林公猫的攻击，鲜血从她们的胡须上滴落下来。
星族啊，帮帮我吧！雪绺和蓟掌的攻击一次比一次猛烈，藤池被逼得连连后退，最后退到了石楠丛深处。营地渐渐从视野中消失，最后被黑暗吞噬。终于，他们停了下来。雪绺一下子瘫在地上，两眼瞪着她，蓟掌也站在一旁喘着粗气。
藤池迅速转身，一边大口喘息着，一边寻找着逃跑的路线。但四周都是浓密的金雀花丛和荆棘丛，唯一的出路也被雪绺和蓟掌给堵住了。
“我们困住她了！”蓟掌回头喊道。
鹰霜大步朝这块小空地走来。“你真以为背叛了我之后还能活着？”他瞥了一眼蓟掌和雪绺，冰蓝色的眼睛流露出深深的恨意。“让她慢慢去死。”他咆哮道。
说完，他便朝藤池扑了过来，将她撞得向后倒去。他的力气太大了，几乎将她撞背过气去。藤池刚喘了一口气，便感觉利爪抓上了她的脊背，接着，蓟掌的身影在她眼前闪过。雪绺也从后面紧紧抓住了她。尖牙和利爪撕扯着她，疼痛灼烧着藤池的每一寸血肉。我不能轻易地死掉！恐惧让她力量倍增，就算是死，我要带上你，鹰霜！想到这里，藤池咆哮一声，像一只强壮的獾一样立起身子，将敌猫甩飞了出去。
鹰霜敏捷地落在地上。“我把你训练得太好了。”他咆哮道，眼睛死死地盯着她的喉咙。
藤池往后退着。鹰霜猛扑上来时，藤池猛地转过身，朝鹰霜的身下钻去。可鹰霜的利爪插进了她的尾巴，将她死死压在地上。蓟掌和雪绺也咆哮着从两侧向她袭来，撕扯着她的耳朵。她挣扎着想要摆脱他们，却撞在了坚硬的肌肉上。鹰霜此刻已绕到她背后，将利爪刺入她的肩膀。藤池看见鹰霜的牙齿在她喉咙边发出寒光，不由倒吸了一口冷气。就在此时，一个黑色身影从金雀花丛上掠过，稳稳地落在了她的身边。
“放开她！”冬青叶低吼道。
黑毛武士朝鹰霜挥出一记重击，将他打倒在地，滚到了金雀花丛中。藤池感到一阵眩晕。摆脱了鹰霜的利爪，藤池立刻转身向蓟掌和雪绺扑去。她开始挥舞着前掌左右砍杀，回想起每个夜晚的训练。在她旁边，冬青叶后腿直立，配合着她的每一次出击，就好像本能地知道藤池下一步会打向哪里。藤池划破了雪绺的口鼻，抓烂了蓟掌的鼻子，他俩的鲜血洒在了森林地面上。紧接着，她后腿踢出，将蓟掌踢得连连后退，然后牙齿咬进了雪绺的脖子。
白毛武士尖叫一声，从她口中挣脱出来，仓皇钻进蕨丛逃走了。藤池嘴中尝到了他的鲜血的味道。她迎上蓟掌的目光，吐出一团带血的雪绺的皮毛。蓟掌的眼中流露出了恐惧的神色。
“跑吧。”她嘶吼道，“因为你要是还待在这里，我会杀了你。”
话刚出口，蓟掌就慌忙逃窜，消失在了金雀花丛中。藤池身后突然传来一声尖叫。她转过身，看见冬青叶正朝鹰霜的口鼻袭去。冬青叶一掌将黑森林武士击飞，鹰霜轰隆一声落到地上，费力地爬起身。鲜血从他面颊上流了下来，一只眼睛也高高肿起。他看了冬青叶一眼，赶紧逃进了金雀花丛中。
藤池看着黑色母猫：“你救了我的命！”
冬青叶身子摇晃了几下，接着倒在了地上。
“冬青叶！”藤池一个箭步冲到她的身边，看见鲜血正从她脖子间的伤口上汩汩流出。藤池心中一阵恐慌。
她用牙咬住冬青叶的后颈，开始半拖半扛着她，朝雷族边界走去。松鸦羽会知道怎么办。
“我会带你回家。”藤池从咬紧的牙缝中喊道，“我发誓一定把你带回家。”
一个虎斑身影从金雀花丛中冲了出来，朝她们奔来，藤池振作精神，准备再次迎战。
“我来帮你！”虎心停到她旁边，用鼻子推起冬青叶的肩膀。他的侧腹紧靠着藤池，支撑起冬青叶一半的重量。“我们一起把她带回家。”
他们俩合力拖着受伤的武士离开了。风族营地里的激战声被他们甩在身后，渐渐听不真切了。
第二十三章
第二十三章
鸽翅转了个弯，感觉战斗队也跟着她转了过来，然后开始往山坡上爬。他们脚步很轻，像黄鼠狼一样身形敏捷地在浓密的灌木丛中潜行。
一根荆棘划过她的腿。她身体一晃，忍不住叫了一声。
“你还好吗？”云尾在她身旁蹲伏了下来。
“我的脚掌被缠住了。”她的脚掌上缠绕着一根黑莓藤蔓。
“我来帮你。”云尾凑近了一些。
鸽翅感觉到他在颤抖：“你还好吗？”
“还好。”云尾吞了一口唾沫，“我只是从没……从没想过会是这样。”他用嘴巴叼住黑莓藤，扭动着，将它从鸽翅的腿上松开了。
“什么意思？”她把脚掌抽了出来。
“被死猫攻击。”
鸽翅突然想起，云尾并不相信星族。这是他身上留下的唯一的宠物猫特征。“可能谁也没想到会这样吧。”她说道。
正说着，山坡上方传来了脚步声。有猫回来找他们了。
“没事！我们来——”看到黑色和灰色相间的皮毛，鸽翅不由得僵住了。她在黑森林的幻象中，看到过黑条的样子。“当心！”她尖叫一声警告云尾，但白色武士已经挥舞着爪子扑了上去。
两只公猫扭打在一起，传来了肌肉碰撞的声音。云尾踉跄几步，站稳了脚跟。“黑条，看到你跟黑森林叛徒在一起，我一点儿也不惊讶。”他咆哮道。
“所以你现在相信星族了？”黑条挑衅道。
“我相信邪恶的存在！”
“至少你还有可相信的，宠物猫！”
“我一直都相信武士守则，而且永远都会相信。”云尾平贴起耳朵，朝黑条扑去。他的爪子划过公猫的鼻子，鲜血溅到了黑莓丛上。黑条咆哮一声，像獾一样朝云尾扑来，将他撞得背着地，紧接着便跳到了他裸露的肚皮上。云尾挣扎着想要翻过身。鸽翅一跃而起，爪子狠狠刺入黑条的皮肉里，使出全身力气，闷声一吼，将他从云尾身上拉开。
“勇敢的小武士！”黑条嘶吼一声，迅速向后踢出后腿，一脚便将鸽翅踢飞了出去。鸽翅摔倒在地，喘息着。黑条率先站起身，向她扑过来，狠狠踢到她的口鼻上。
鸽翅痛得眼前发黑，她瞥见了旁边的云尾。白毛武士皮毛蓬松着，龇着牙朝黑条扑了过来。可黑条甚至连皮毛都没有起伏一下。他像一条蛇一样，快速冲到云尾跟前，钻到云尾的身下，猛击云尾的腹部。鲜血溅到森林地面上。
“放开他！”鸽翅摇摇晃晃站起身，拖着身子向黑条扑了过去，爪子抓住他的肩膀，然后死死地钩住不放。黑条想要将她抖开，可她却将一只后爪伸到黑条身下，一下子将他掀翻在地。他们一起滚下了山坡，最后被一簇黑莓丛拦了下来。
黑条的牙齿咬进她的肩膀。鸽翅大吃一惊，赶紧松开黑条，挣脱开来，然后将爪子插进地里，不让自己倒下。黑条冲着她的面颊猛地一击，打得她原地转了几个圈。鸽翅踉跄几步，寻找着云尾。仅靠她自己，永远打不败这位黑森林武士。
“你的运气不好啊，胆小鬼。”黑条往山坡上看了一眼说道。鸽翅看到云尾被一只虎斑猫死死地摁倒在地，那只虎斑猫用后脚掌狂踩着他的脊背，云尾发出愤怒的尖叫，不由倒吸了一口冷气。“雀羽正在了结他。”黑条蜷起了嘴唇，“也就是说，我只得亲自动手把你杀了。”
武士不能杀戮！怒火在鸽翅身体里咆哮，像泼皮猫一样战斗！火星的命令在她脑中响起，她再次朝黑条冲了过去。她猛地一咬，牙齿死死咬住了黑条的前腿。黑条狂吼一声，想要甩开她，但她咬得越来越紧，都能感觉到黑条的骨头了。保护你的喉咙！当有牙齿咬住了她的脖子时，她想起藤池训练时说过的话。惊恐之下，她胡乱踢打着后腿，想方设法踢向黑条腹部。黑条咆哮一声，松开了她。鸽翅掉头就跑，黑莓藤从她耳朵上划过。
一声怒吼震得她耳毛颤动，她转过头，刚好被雀羽狠狠打中。她感到天旋地转，身子一倒，重重地摔倒在地。雀羽跳到她身上，猛击她的侧腹。紧接着，雀羽摁住她，爪子深深插入她的皮肉中，并用后脚掌猛烈击打她。鸽翅挣扎着刚想喘口气，雀羽又是重重一击。恐惧涌遍她的全身，她想要杀出一条血路，可黑森林母猫却越打越狠。鸽翅的喉咙里发出一声痛苦的号叫。
“快走，雀羽！黑条！”一个新的声音从他们旁边的山坡上传来，一位黑森林武士冲了过来，“那两只族群猫已经被打败了。让他们流血死掉吧。我们去攻打营地。”
鸽翅感觉到雀羽松开了爪子，朝自己的族猫追了过去。
“云尾？”鸽翅挣扎着站起身，大口喘息着。
云尾躺在几尾远的山坡上，皮毛已经被血浸透。鸽翅赶紧跑过去蹲伏下来：“云尾！”她的伤口被扯动了，疼得直皱眉头。
云尾目光呆滞地抬起头。
“他们开始攻打营地了！”
云尾拖着身子站起来。“走！”他声音嘶哑地喊道，“我们得去阻止他们。”说完，他的一条前腿弯起来拖在身下，冲下了山坡。
“你没事吧？”鸽翅几个大步追上了他，她浑身的皮毛火辣辣地疼。
“我必须阻止他们！”云尾挺直身子，继续往前挪动。
营地外面，松鼠飞和沙风正并肩作战，她们配合默契。黑森林武士像狐狸一样向她们扑来，咬向她们。雀羽和黑条也赶了过来，加入了进攻。
“我们需要增援！”松鼠飞咆哮道。
黑莓掌、叶池、炭心和尘毛冲出荆棘通道，可更多的黑森林猫从树林里蜂拥而来，将族群猫逼回了荆棘通道附近。远处山坡上，蕨丛一阵晃动，火星和狮焰冲了出来。鸽翅身后响起了脚步声，她回过头，看到雪鸟和灰条从她身边冲过，投入了战斗。云尾抖落眼睛上的鲜血，也加入了他们。
鸽翅也跟了上去。她看见黑条的身影，上去就是一通猛击。像泼皮猫一样战斗。她把自己学徒时学的那些娴熟动作抛到一边，反而用利爪抓向任何她能碰到的皮肉。她来回翻转着，狠击着身边的一位又一位黑森林武士。皮毛模糊了她的视线。
“小心！”松鼠飞在一旁喊道。原来鸽翅不小心抓到了族猫的侧腹。
“对不起。”鸽翅说着飞快转过身，对准一个深色身影，将牙齿深深嵌入那个腐臭的皮肉里。她感到一阵欣慰。
“他们进营地了！”狮焰的吼声划破了天空。
一团团深色皮毛正从荆棘通道往里钻，将狭长的入口撕裂成了一个破烂的大洞。狮焰闪电般追了上去。
“炭心！尘毛！灰条！跟上狮焰，把他们都赶出来！”火星一记后踢腿，将一位黑森林武士踹飞了出去，“我们把其他的拦在这里。”
鸽翅听见了香薇云的尖叫声。幼崽！她朝荆棘通道冲去，可一双长长的爪子将她拖回来，扔了出去。她重重地摔在地上。她挣扎着站起身，突然看到营地上方的山坡上出现了几个熟悉的身影。河族和风族的武士到了。鸽翅希望他们会站在正确的一方。
战斗队如迅雷一般冲下山坡。鳟溪、卵石足和薄荷毛跑到鸽翅旁边，加入了战斗。她仔细观察了他们一会儿，发现他们的目标是黑森林猫，终于松了一口气。
“营地里还有很多！”火星吼叫着击退了黑条。
“我们去对付他们！”枭须消失在荆棘通道里，白尾和圆石毛紧跟了上去。
尖叫声从山谷里响起，河族武士开始将黑森林猫分散开来。鸽翅跳进两只虎斑猫中间，挥舞着脚掌，开始将他们往森林深处赶去。不一会儿，黑森林猫就被分隔成了几个小队。
火星、黄蜂条和罂粟霜站成一排，一起将一撮黑森林武士赶向树林。鸽翅、米莉和松鼠飞则一起逼退另一队。鸽翅越战越勇，不管是跃起还是俯冲，都能准确地命中目标。她咬住一只虎斑猫的后腿，米莉则猛击他的口鼻。松鼠飞绊倒了另一只猫，鸽翅冲上去撕扯他的耳朵。黑森林武士四处逃窜，惊慌失措地寻找着散落的同伴，急忙转身朝树林里逃去。
鸽翅转过身。狮焰将一只虎斑猫追到山坡上，叶池则把一只黑色公猫逼得踉跄着连连后退。黑森林猫就只剩下几只来不及跑掉的了。
火星直直地站在他们面前。“你们要么逃跑，要么死掉。”他低吼道。
黑森林猫先是一愣，然后转身逃向了森林。
“胆小鬼！”香薇云在山谷入口处嘶吼一声。
卵石足和沙风从她身后冲了出来，将最后几位黑森林武士赶出了营地。他们从鸽翅身旁快速逃窜时，鸽翅竖起耳朵，循着他们的哀号声听到他们跑回了黑森林。一阵激动涌起在胸口。我们活下来了！
可紧接着，她便愣住了。
除了哀号，她还听到了更为凶残的吼叫声。那是战斗的呐喊声，还有脚掌踏在黏滑地上的声音。那不是逃窜，而是前进——正朝这边而来。“有更多的猫来了。”她悄声说道。
“云尾！卵石足！尘毛！”雷族族长冲流血最多的猫喊道，“去巫医巢穴！马上！”
他们一瘸一拐地从被毁的荆棘屏障钻了进去，鲜血染红了枝条。
“还有谁受伤严重吗？”火星扫视着战斗队。米莉摸了摸被撕裂的耳朵。灰条一只眼睛肿着，安慰地靠近她。罂粟霜舔了舔扭伤的脚掌，薄荷毛嗅了嗅鳟溪侧腹的抓伤，而烟足则抖了抖浑身蓬乱的皮毛。
叶池在他们中间来回穿梭着，检查着他们的伤情。“都不严重。”她说道。
黑莓掌钻出了营地。“黑森林猫都被打跑了。”他汇报道，“幼崽们都很安全。”
“只是暂时。”火星表情严肃地回答道。
突然，山顶那边传来了咚咚的脚步声，鸽翅身子一僵。
云尾弓起后背：“是谁？”
一只年轻的影族猫出现在了坡顶。
“鼬爪？”黑莓掌走上前去，“影族怎么样？”
“黑星丢了一条命！”鼬爪朝他们奔来，眼睛瞪得大大的，“敌人数量太多！我们需要帮助！”
烟足迎着学徒，冲了上去。橡毛和雪鸟看着他们的族猫，眼中闪动着惊慌的神色。
“你看见樱桃爪了吗？”罂粟霜问道。
鼬爪眨眨眼：“她不在这儿吗？”
罂粟霜一愣。
“或许她是去风族找鼹鼠爪了。”叶池贴近玳瑁色母猫，“也有可能她躲了起来，等安全了再上路。”
火星看着鸽翅：“黑森林的下一拨战斗队距离这里有多远？”
鸽翅听了听，发现他们的脚步依然在黑森林的迷雾里回荡，舒了一口气：“他们还没突破黑森林。”
雷族族长抽动着尾巴：“狮焰，你去影族。灰条，你也去。这里我们可以应付。”
我们可以吗？鸽翅颤抖着。那些脚步声或许还离得很远，可他们正在稳步前进，像暴风雨一样无情，势不可当。
“烟足！”火星朝影族武士喊道，“带领你的队伍回去吧，你的族猫比我们更需要你们。”
烟足点点头。黑莓掌绕到狮焰跟前。“去救他们，狮焰。”他将口鼻贴在金色武士的面颊上，就好像他们仍是父亲和儿子，“我知道你一定行。”
狮焰凝视着黑莓掌的眼睛，然后便转身朝森林里跑去。灰条和影族武士也跟在他后面冲了出去。鼬爪拖着疲惫的双腿跟在后面。
看着他们消失，鸽翅心中感觉空荡荡的。她打量着周围的族猫，眼中不由闪过一丝恐惧。
“营地已经被摧毁了。”香薇云哀号道。
“我们以前就重建过营地。”火星转身穿过残破的荆棘屏障，“这次也能重建。”
远处，吧嗒吧嗒的脚步声正在靠近，鸽翅想要屏蔽住。但愿我们能在下一场进攻中活下来。
第二十六章
第二十六章
鸽翅屏气凝神仔细听着。黑森林武士已经退去，但她能听到第二批战斗队朝营地冲过来的脚步声。他们很快就会突破黑森林，进入雷族腹地。她屏蔽掉这些声音，努力将注意力放在营地里。
“他们直奔幼崽而来。”叶池在她身边停下来，放了一捆草药。她的声音有些发颤。
育婴室入口前的黑莓藤蔓已经被扯得七零八落。巢穴外，香薇云来回走着，她的利爪伸着，皮毛上血迹斑斑。
罂粟霜正在舔舐自己侧腹上的抓伤。这时，她抬起头来，说道：“不过，我们把他们赶跑了。”
“我们做到了。”长老巢穴外，鼠毛站在波弟旁边，抬起脚掌，轻揉着鼻子上的抓伤。她的身体明显变得灵活起来，不再那么僵硬。
我只希望我们能挺过第二次进攻。鸽翅沉重地想道。
透过残破的围墙，鸽翅看见亮心正把幼崽拢在身前，用舌头一下下轻柔地舔舐着他们，幼崽们惊恐的叫声渐渐平静下来。她的尾巴紧紧地圈住从窝边往外看的小种子和小百合。
“我们最好把能修的修补一下。”蕨毛已经开始从巫医巢穴旁拖过来一些黑莓藤蔓，“薄荷毛、鳟溪！”他冲河族武士喊道，“你们能帮帮忙吗？”
他们赶紧来到蕨毛身边，一起将黑莓藤蔓拖过来修补育婴室。鸽翅闻到了叶池的草药气味，皱了皱鼻子，很好奇叶池一会儿当武士，一会儿当巫医，到底是什么感觉。雷族有她真是够幸运的。如果他们能挺过下一次的袭击，那他们将会比任何时候更需要巫医。“黛西怎么样？”鸽翅问道。
“她口鼻上的抓痕有点儿严重，但她不会有事的。”叶池叼起草药捆，朝鼠毛走去，“松鸦羽正在帮她处理伤口。”
鸽翅舔舔鼻子，想清理掉鼻息间的草药味儿。鲜血！她身子一顿，发现这气味是从石头山谷外飘过来的。踉跄的脚步声正往营地走来，还伴随着皮毛拖拽的声音。“有猫来了！他们受伤了！”她冲过空地，从荆棘屏障上的一个缺口钻了出去。
藤池正摇摇晃晃地走下山坡，旁边还有虎心，冬青叶则四肢无力地挂在他俩中间。
“松鸦羽！叶池！”鸽翅回头大喊了一声，然后便冲过去接他们。“藤池，你受伤了吗？”她围在三只猫身边，寻找着他们的伤口。那么多的血！她嗅了嗅虎心，他身上有黑森林猫的气味。是他干的吗？他在为断星战斗吗？不可能！
火星从营地里冲了出来，松鸦羽跟在他后面，鸽翅赶紧跳到旁边。
“我来抬她。”雷族族长从藤池肩上接过冬青叶，跟虎心一起担起所有的重量。“你能坚持到营地吗？”他问影族公猫。
“能。”虎心嘟哝道。
鸽翅看着影族武士低头钻过荆棘屏障。“发生什么事了？”她问姐妹。藤池看向她的身后，瞪大的眼睛中满是震惊：“冬青叶救了我的命。”
你差点儿死了吗？鸽翅努力让自己的呼吸平稳下来，贴紧藤池，将她带进了山谷。
虎心和火星将冬青叶轻轻放在地上。黑莓掌和松鼠飞在空地边上震惊地看着。如水的月光洒在母猫那不断涌出鲜血的黑色皮毛上，闪动着刺眼的光芒。
罂粟霜悄悄走到空地边，停在藤池身旁：“你看见樱桃爪，或是鼹鼠爪了吗？”
藤池耸了耸肩。“没有，他们有可能在别的地方。”她心情沉重地喃喃道。
叶池蹲伏在女儿身旁：“冬青叶？”
冬青叶半睁着眼睛，呻吟起来。
“没事了。”叶池舔舐着她的面颊，松鸦羽在一旁打开草药捆。他嗅了嗅她的皮毛，开始把蛛丝敷在流血的地方。
“她这里也在流血！”叶池惊慌失色地说道。鲜血从她脚掌间涌了出来。她抓起一把蛛丝，将它们全都塞在了冬青叶的脖颈上。
“没事的，叶池。”冬青叶的眼睛眨了眨，再次睁开了。“我不担心。”她声音低哑地说道，“我很高兴回到雷族了。”她努力呼吸着，胸口剧烈地起伏。“我无法忍受……不跟妈妈相认就离开。”
“救救她！”藤池尖声喊道，“你们一定要救救她！鹰霜想杀我，是冬青叶把他打跑的。”
“鹰霜？”在冬青叶身旁的黑莓掌抬起了头，眼睛阴沉了下来，“是他干的？”
藤池点了点头：“我正跟雪绺和蓟掌打在一起，帮不了她。”
鸽翅紧贴着姐妹。“你将她带回了家。”她安慰道，“你已经尽力了。”她突然竖起耳朵，听到了黑森林战斗队脚掌踩过树叶的声音。“火星，”她嘶吼道，“他们到树林了。”
叶池身边的火星身子一僵。
“冬青叶。”叶池将口鼻紧紧靠在女儿的面颊上，“冬青叶？”
冬青叶的头耷拉了下去，眼睛渐渐失去了光彩。
叶池疯了似的看向松鸦羽：“她没有呼吸了！”
“她失血太多了。”松鸦羽轻声说道。他轻抚着冬青叶的皮毛，脚掌颤抖着说道：“我们救不了她。”
山谷外传来了坚定而又急促的脚步声。火星将目光从静静躺在地上的黑色身影上挪开，挺直身子喊道：“准备战斗！”
黑莓掌示意松鼠飞和沙风去保卫育婴室。此时，香薇云正用鼻子将亮心往残破的黑莓丛里推。风族和河族战斗队迅速在空地上散开。鼠毛和波弟则守卫在长老巢穴外。在族猫们准备战斗的时候，叶池将冬青叶的尸体拖到山谷边，蹲伏在一动不动的尸体上方，仿佛要用身上的温暖让她活过来。
残破的黑莓屏障晃动起来，桦落从外面跳了进来。他冲到空地上，后面还跟着梅花落。鸽翅心里一惊。难道是他们带队来进攻了吗？她的父亲，居然在为黑森林而战！
松鸦羽冲向巫医巢穴，消失在黑莓丛里。“荆棘光！”他大吼道，“躲回草药库里去！”
火星看着桦落的眼睛。“你怎么可以背叛我们？”他向前逼近族猫，龇牙咧嘴咆哮道。
鸽翅的脚掌变得冰凉：“我还以为你会选择站在我们这一边。”
“他是的！”藤池冲向前来，“在风族营地时，他和我一起战斗。”
桦落竖起尾巴：“我们永远不会背叛雷族！”
鼠须冲进营地：“我们是来向你们报信的！”
梅花落插话道：“我们看见黑森林战斗队了！他们就要来了！”
说话间，一只高大的灰白色公猫从荆棘通道里闯了进来。他的口鼻上伤痕累累，一只眼睛肿了起来，但在他的皮毛下，结实的肌肉抽动着。“叛徒！”他冲桦落咆哮道，“拜你所赐，我们失去了风族营地！”他身后的尾巴抽动着：“我要把你留到最后再杀！”
“我要先杀了你，蓟掌！”桦落嘶吼道，“是你欺骗了我们！”
黑森林武士开始涌入山谷。一只虎斑猫前脚掌用力一扫，便将黄蜂条打飞出去。两只公猫扑向虎心，将他扑翻在地。一波恶狠狠的武士袭来，松鼠飞被淹没在了里面。
“保卫育婴室！”火星大吼道。
一群肩宽体阔的武士从沙风身边冲过。黑莓掌冲过空地，将他们一只只拖开。虎心挣脱出来，冲过去帮忙。黛西从黑莓丛里冲了出来，开始疯狂地撕打着那一张张血盆大口。
“快藏起来！”当一只黑森林公猫跑到残破的巢穴围墙跟前时，香薇云一掌劈在公猫的口鼻上，然后将亮心和她的幼崽推到窝的深处，转身用牙齿叼起几根黑莓藤蔓，盖在窝上，将母猫藏了起来，“我不会让任何猫靠近！”
亮心吃力地从黑莓丛里站起身：“我不会让你独自战斗的！”她从窝里爬出来，跳到香薇云身旁。
“黑条！”鼠毛的嘶吼声从长老巢穴外响起，“我本来再也不想见到你的。”老母猫朝咆哮着的公猫猛扑了过去。
黑条出掌还击，打得鼠毛团团转。
鸽翅冲过空地，将黑条撞开。黑条转过身，嘴唇后缩，露出了血淋淋的牙齿。
“你攻击他的耳朵！”炭心跳到她旁边，“我攻击他的腿！”
鸽翅脚掌快如飞鸟，朝黑条袭去，炭心则钻到他身下，钩住了他的前脚掌。黑条摔倒在地，鸽翅趁机将他的口鼻死死摁在地上。
“干得漂亮。”炭心跳上黑条的后背，用后脚掌开始猛击他的脊背。
更多黑森林武士涌入营地。
“准备好了吗，鼠毛？”波弟冲他的同巢猫点点头。两只长老猫背靠金雀花灌木丛，弓起身子，开始迎战。
鸽翅看见山谷上方闪过一道姜黄色身影，樱桃爪正从山崖边上往下瞧。火星用尾巴示意她，樱桃爪赶紧跑开，去找族群战斗队来帮忙。
突然，有脚掌打在了鸽翅的肋间。她踉跄几下，转过身。
“你为什么不投降？”一只玳瑁色猫朝她扑来，用牙齿咬住鸽翅的脚掌。
“因为我宁愿死！”鸽翅用一只爪子钩住玳瑁色猫的嘴巴，然后用力一拉。玳瑁色猫号叫着击打着鸽翅的口鼻。
鸽翅感到鼻子上顿时一阵火烧火燎的疼痛，鲜血流进她的嘴里。鸽翅立起身刚想还击，一双利爪锁住了她的脖子。一只虎斑猫把她往后一拉，顺势将她摁在地上。
“从我姐妹身上滚开！”鸽翅眼角的余光看到藤池一闪而过，她的牙齿深深咬入虎斑猫的肩膀。趁虎斑猫盛怒哀号之际，鸽翅一个翻身挣脱开来，旋即一跃而起。
藤池将虎斑猫用力往后推去：“我们寡不敌众！”
炭心冲进藤池和鸽翅中间：“坚守阵地！”
“我们怎么做？”黑莓的刺拉扯着鸽翅的脊背。黑森林武士排成一排将她们往巫医巢穴逼去。
“紧靠在一起战斗！”炭心向前扑去，从一位黑森林武士的面颊上扯下一撮皮毛，鲜血溅到了他那橙色和黑色相间的皮毛上。“你们这些狐狸心肠的东西，杀死了我最好的朋友！”她飞快地瞥了一眼空地边上那团黑色的皮毛，“你们要为此付出代价！”
藤池冲到那只猫身下，用牙齿咬住他的脚掌。鸽翅则跳起身，稳稳地落在他身上，将爪子刺入他的脊背。那只猫弓起后背想要甩开鸽翅，可她一直抓着死死不放。她能感觉到公猫皮毛下的肌肉硬如石头。她用一条后腿钩住公猫的腿，成功地将公猫掀翻在地。虎斑猫一瘸一拐地退回到黑森林猫群中。鸽翅没有去追他。
“当心！”鸽翅听见了炭心的警告，可是已经太晚了。一只皮毛蓬乱的公猫从旁边扑了上来，用嘴咬住了她的一只前脚掌。公猫狠狠地咬了下去。
疼痛传遍了全身。她赶紧将公猫甩了出去。这时，荆棘屏障晃动起来，鸦羽跳进了山谷，后面还跟着风皮。他们冲进了猫群。鸽翅突然一个趔趄，一只脚掌抓住了她的后腿，尖锐的利爪死死扣住了她。鸽翅飞起一脚将其踢飞，然后转身去查看藤池那边的情况。
藤池正后腿立起，来回摆动尾巴保持着平衡。她挥舞着前脚掌，将两只公猫逼回到猫群中。炭心将一只玳瑁色公猫摁倒在地，用后脚掌猛击他的脊背。鸽翅屏住呼吸，在战场上寻找着她认识的那些身影。云尾在育婴室外扭打着；松鼠飞刚把一只黑森林武士甩开，又有一只朝她身下扑来；冰云立起身子站在山毛榉树旁，被一张张血盆大口团团围住。石壁间回荡着绝望的尖叫声，所有的族群猫都陷入困境，正在为活命而战。
突然，狮焰从荆棘屏障中钻了出来，灰条出现在他身后一步的地方。看到更多的猫从他们身后涌了进来，鸽翅惊得倒吸了一口冷气。这些猫她一只也不认识，而且他们的皮毛出奇地苍白——几乎是透明的。透过他们的身子，后面的树木和草地清晰可见。可以肯定的是，这些都不是活着的猫。难道是又一批黑森林武士将狮焰和灰条赶回了营地吗？
旁边的炭心也愣住了：“他们是谁？”
长老巢穴外，鼠毛瞪大了眼睛。冰云的爪子迟疑了片刻，被一只黑森林公猫打了一个踉跄。
“别紧张！”狮焰喊道，“他们是比星族还要早的远古猫同盟！是来支援我们的！”
一只苍白色母猫从他身边冲过。月光下，她的皮毛跟影子差不多。只见她跳向一只黑森林虎斑猫，将他击得连连后退，然后又扑上去一顿猛抓。虎斑猫顿时惊叫起来。一只公猫跟在苍白色母猫身后，姜黄色和白色相间的皮毛不过是模糊的一团，却将一只皮毛蓬乱的公猫直接撞倒在地。
紧接着，一个庞然大物从通道里冲进了空地。
“獾！”梅花落尖叫起来。
“午夜！”火星眼前一亮，“别紧张！它是站在我们这一边的！”
午夜缓缓走进空地，猫群在它的面前四散开来。
一声咆哮在鸽翅耳边响起。“一只獾和一群快要消失的老猫，根本就救不了你们。”蓟掌俯身朝她压了过来。鸽翅迅速挥掌打向他那只肿胀的眼睛，动作快如老鼠。蓟掌哀号一声，转身逃开。鸽翅退到空地边上，却被那只姜黄色和白色相间的公猫绊了一下。只见他飞身而过，冲到冬青叶身旁停了下来。鸽翅看到那只鬼魅般的猫在死去的武士身旁蹲伏了下来。
“落叶！”另一只远古猫冲了过来，“现在没时间哀悼。”
落叶悲伤地抬起头：“她不该死在这里，碎影。我……我答应过会再来见她。”
“她是为保卫她的族群而死。”碎影将公猫轻轻推开，“用帮助他们来纪念她吧。”
鸽翅听到身后的黑莓丛被分开。她转过了身。松鸦羽从巫医巢穴里走了出来。他鼻子抽动着。“半月！”他的喊声听上去几乎是哀号，“你来了吗？”
“松鸦翅！”一只苍白色远古猫从战场上冲过来，跑到了他跟前，温柔地和他口鼻相触。
“你终于来了。”松鸦羽轻声说道。
“当然，我的爱。”半月将面颊在松鸦羽的脸上贴了贴又分开了，“我得去战斗。”
松鸦羽点了点头。“如果有伤猫，送到我这里。”说完，他用鼻子挤开黑莓丛，走回到自己的巢穴。
半月看了一眼鸽翅。“来吧。”她飞快地说道。
鸽翅跟在远古猫身后，重新投入了战斗。黑暗之中，她几乎什么都看不见。山谷上方，乌云滚滚，遮蔽了群星。营地周围，皮毛翻滚扭打在一起。她分辨出了午夜的高大身影，只见一群黑森林武士蜂拥着扑到了它的后背上。午夜一声嗥叫，摔倒在地，被无数双爪子拖拽着，撕扯着。
鸽翅竭力忍住惊慌。
“跟我一起战斗吧！”她听出这是狮焰的吼声，然后便转过身，看见金毛武士正盯着她。
“我们还是寡不敌众。”她哀号道。
“那我们就需要更加勇猛地战斗。”
“当心！”鸽翅惊呼一声，风皮从空地边上扑了过来。
狮焰赶紧转身，却被撞得失去平衡，倒在了风族公猫的脚掌下。
风皮的利爪划过狮焰的面颊。“你并没我想象中那么强壮啊！”他嘲弄地说道。
“风皮，不要！”藤池从猫群中钻了出来，“求求你，不要这样！你真的想为了断星而毁灭族群吗？”
风皮将狮焰的头向后掰，然后狠狠地往地上撞去。狮焰咆哮着，试图甩开他，但风皮却将他压得更紧。
“这与断星无关。”他瞪了藤池一眼，“狮焰从一开始就不该出生。他们都不该出生。”他幸灾乐祸地用尾巴指了指冬青叶的尸体。“她死了，现在轮到你了，狮焰。”说完，他一口朝狮焰的脖子咬去。
“我们是兄弟！”狮焰倒吸一口冷气。
“永远都不是！”怒火在风皮的眼中燃烧着。
一个深灰色身影从鸽翅身旁冲了过去。鸦羽！风族武士的爪子深深刺入风皮的肩膀，将他往后拖。狮焰爬了起来。
“够了！”鸦羽将风皮摁在地上，“我不会让你伤害那只猫一根胡须！”
风皮扭动着身体，咆哮道：“我就知道你恨我！”
“我从来就没恨过你！”鸦羽吼叫道，“那只是你自己一意孤行地那样相信。夜云也在怂恿你。”
“不是她的错！”风皮呛声道。
“就是！”鸦羽嘶吼道，“我应该早点儿采取些什么措施，可现在一切都太迟了。你已经选择了黑森林。”他将风皮拽起来，扔了出去：“从这里滚出去！”
风皮看着自己的父亲，眼睛瞪得大大的，接着便转身冲出了营地。
“对不起！”叶池从战场上冲了过来，眼中充满了悲伤，“我从没想过会发生这样的事情！”
“他是武士。”鸦羽嘶吼道，“这是他自己做出的选择。”
叶池低头看着鸦羽的脚掌：“或许我们一直不分开，事情就不会这样了。”
鸦羽的眼睛亮了片刻，旋即叹了一口气：“谁也没想到会这样。”叶池眸光躲闪，但鸦羽用尾巴碰了碰她的侧腹。“我不后悔。”他轻声说道，然后将目光转向狮焰，“一点儿都不后悔。”说完，他抖了抖耳朵，从战场上的众猫中间挤了过去，朝着遮蔽冬青叶尸体的黑莓丛走去。他钻进黑莓丛，用口鼻轻触着冬青叶那已经失去生命迹象的皮毛。
一个皮毛粗糙的身影推了鸽翅一把，她一个趔趄撞在了藤池身上。“怎么回事？”是更多的黑森林武士到了吗？她转过身，眨了眨眼睛，一只体形巨大的白色公猫出现在了她身边。
“白风！”灰条的喊声在空中响起，他朝他们扑了过去，“你们来啦！”灰条热情地推了推武士的肩膀。
白风用肩膀将他拱到一旁。“让开，愣小子。”他大吼一声，“这可是在战斗中，不是聚会。”他跳起来，前掌用力一击，便将一位黑森林武士打得踉踉跄跄往后退去。
“鼠毛在哪里？”鸽翅耳边响起了一个熟悉的声音。
“长尾！”看见已经死去的族猫和她擦身而过，鸽翅不由得惊呼起来。
“她在哪里？”长尾追问道。
“在保卫她的巢穴。”鸽翅朝着金雀花灌木丛点了点头。鼠毛正在那里和波弟一起并肩战斗。
“来吧！”长尾跳起来，将黑森林武士从他的去路上打开了。
鼠毛正嘶吼着，她抓住一只皮毛蓬松的虎斑猫，用后爪猛击他的脊背。
长尾将虎斑猫一把拽开。“我来帮忙！”他在虎斑猫的侧腹上划出一道深深的口子，然后将他扔给了族猫。
“你来得太慢了！”鼠毛咕哝道，“总是迟到，这是你的缺点。”
“希望还不算太晚。”长尾回了她一句。
说话间，一只黑森林公猫从后面扑了过来。他将长尾撞开，一口咬住了鼠毛。鼠毛重心不稳摔倒在地，眼睛里满是惊愕的神色。
“不！”长尾扑向虎斑猫，低头咬住了他的脊背。虎斑猫疼得呼吸一滞，赶紧松开了鼠毛，歪歪扭扭倒在了地上。
“快！站起来！”长尾叼起鼠毛的后颈，想要把她拽起来，可鼠毛还是瘫软着身子。鸽翅惊恐地看着这一幕。鼠毛的头奇怪地扭着，眼睛已经没了光彩。
“不！”怒火在长尾的眼中燃烧。他咆哮着，转身冲进激战中的猫群。
波弟出现了，他的口鼻上沾满了鲜血。看到鼠毛，他走到她身边蹲伏下身子，眸光中闪动着悲伤。“你终究死得像位武士。”他没有抬头，只是摇摇尾巴让鸽翅离开。“回去战斗吧，”他轻声说道，“我会照看她的。”说着他将鼻子埋进同巢猫的皮毛里。
鸽翅脚步虚浮，踉跄着离开了。
“嘿！”
她踉跄着撞到黄蜂条身上。
“你没事吧？”年轻公猫用口鼻抬起她的口鼻，看向她的眼睛。
“鼠毛死了。”
黄蜂条耳朵一颤，然后挺直身子。“来，我们一起战斗。”他将她的身子转向战场，“我们一起训练过无数次了。”
鸽翅有些茫然地跟着他，冲进一片交错的尾巴和利爪中。
一只黑森林公猫挡住了他们的去路。“我还以为我们把最逊的族群猫都给消灭了呢。”他咆哮一声，接着便朝鸽翅的喉咙扑去。可黄蜂条抓住他的后颈，将他拽了个四脚朝天。鸽翅本能地猛击公猫裸露的腹部，直到黄蜂条松开他。接着他们合力出击，相互配合，一掌接一掌将他逼得连连后退。
趁黄蜂条将公猫打得东倒西歪，鸽翅钻到公猫身下钩住他的脚掌，公猫侧身倒地。
“漂亮。”黄蜂条夸奖道。
他们一起跳到黑森林猫身上，公猫吓得尖叫一声，从他们身下拼命挣脱出来，仓皇逃往荆棘通道，从两只刚刚冲进营地的小猫身旁冲过。
鼹鼠爪！樱桃爪！鸽翅轻推了一下黄蜂条：“他们安然无恙。”
樱桃爪兴奋地摇着尾巴。“其他族群都胜利了！”她宣布道。
“河族已经把他们一直赶到了边界！”鼹鼠爪上气不接下气地喊道。
鸽翅扫视着空地，寻找着罂粟霜。她看到自己的幼崽回来了吗？玳瑁色母猫正在跟一只身上有着斑点的虎斑母猫并肩作战。蜜蕨！姐妹俩正合力将一只黑森林公猫朝倒地的山毛榉树那边赶。她们俩轮番攻击，你打一掌我扫一腿，就好像她们一直以来都是在一起训练似的。
罂粟霜停下动作，她伸出舌头尝了一下空气中的味道。“鼹鼠爪！樱桃爪！”她转身用力往后一踢，便将黑森林武士踹了出去，然后赶紧跑过来迎接她的孩子。蜜蕨又补上最后一掌，将公猫打倒在地，然后也飞快地跑了过来。
一个浅棕色身影从鸽翅耳边飞驰而过，吓了鸽翅一跳。
“奔风！”火星在体态轻盈的浅棕色虎斑猫身旁停住了脚步，“你腿脚还是那么快吗？”
“当然！”
火星用尾巴指了指荆棘通道入口处，黑森林武士正往山谷外逃窜。“那就带上尘毛，确保将那些狐狸心肠的家伙赶回黑森林！”
“我跟他们一起去。”一位英俊的武士将两只黑森林猫的脑袋狠狠撞在一起，然后从他们倒下的身体上跨了过去，“我已经很久都没有追过这种猎物了。”
火星眼睛发亮：“谢谢你，狮心！”
“走。”黄蜂条在鸽翅耳边低吼道，“我们确保这些黑森林胆小鬼再也不会回来了。”
鸽翅兴奋地跟着黄蜂条跑出了营地。她听到身后传来了脚步声，转过身看见了沙风。
“火星让我也去。”沙风喘着气说道，“以防这是陷阱。”
黄蜂条率先冲到前面，快速追上星族武士，跟着他们一起钻进了树林。
沙风突然刹住了脚步：“看！”
“什么？”鸽翅急忙转身停了下来。
沙风正抬头透过树梢往上看。“我看见一丝月光，就像抓痕似的。”她轻声说道，“这肯定是个好兆头。”
“可惜不是给族群的。”一声咆哮从蕨丛中传了出来。
看到这个皮毛蓬乱的玳瑁色身影，鸽翅不由得一愣。
沙风皮毛竖了起来：“你是谁？”
“你应该知道我是谁。”老猫嘶吼道，“雷族毁了我的一生！”
沙风皱起眉头：“你叫什么名字？”
那只黑森林母猫从阴影中走了出来。“我的名字叫枫荫！”说完，她嘶吼一声，一跃而起，落在了沙风身上，将她的口鼻摁到地上。
“我要让你为星族赋予你的一切，付出代价！”枫荫在沙风耳边狂吼道，“为他们从我这里偷走的一切！”
鸽翅赶忙冲过去帮忙，但有爪子摁住了她的尾巴。她转身朝抓着她的黑色公猫打去，但没打中。公猫再次袭来，爪子划破了鸽翅的面颊。阵阵灼痛之下，鸽翅听到了枫荫的吼叫。
“你得到了我渴望的一切，沙风！我本来有爱我的伴侣，可以亲眼看着幼崽长大，有属于他们自己的幼崽，还有族猫们的尊敬！这一切都应该是我的！”枫荫死死咬住沙风的喉咙，眼中迸射着怒火。
“放开她！”一只星光闪烁的玳瑁色猫从蕨丛中冲了出来，将枫荫从沙风身上扯开。沙风蹲伏在那里咳嗽着，玳瑁色猫则把枫荫甩到了地上。
枫荫挣扎着起身转向星族猫。“斑叶！”她嘶吼道，“你为什么不让我杀了她！她把火星的爱从你身边偷走了！”
斑叶脊背上皮毛竖了起来：“根本就谈不上偷。沙风给了他幸福！”
枫荫向她扑去。斑叶被她沉重的躯体撞倒滚了出去，脚掌胡乱地踢打着。枫荫怒吼一声，一爪撕破了巫医的喉咙。
“不！”一声尖啸划破天空。火星嗖地从蕨丛里冲了出来，抓住枫荫的皮毛，将她扔向后方。沙风爬起身，扑到毛发蓬乱的母猫身上又撕又咬。火星从一侧跳起，将枫荫撞倒在地。沙风立刻跳到她身上，用荆棘般锋利的爪子刺入她的腹部。枫荫疼得尖叫起来，奋力挣脱出来往山坡上逃去。沙风追了上去，鸽翅看着她那姜黄色皮毛消失在了树林里。
荒凉的森林里，火星蹲伏在斑叶颤抖的身体旁，将脸颊贴到她的脸颊上。鲜血从斑叶的脖子上不断涌出，浸透了火星面颊上的皮毛。“斑叶！求求你不要走！”鸽翅听到他的声音中带着呜咽，“你答应过我，要在那里迎接我。”
斑叶虚弱地摇了摇头：“那永远不可能了，我的爱。我再也不能陪你走下去了。对不起。”
火星轻抚着她：“不！我还需要你！”
“让她走吧。”一只皮毛乱蓬蓬的灰色长毛母猫走了过来。
“黄牙？”火星抬起头，绿色眸子哀求地看着她，“不要让她消失，求你了！”
“这是她的宿命。”黄牙用口鼻轻触了一下火星的头，“就让她从命吧。”
“可是她说过要在星族等我的！”火星的声音在喉咙里哽咽住了。
斑叶抬眼看着他，张开了嘴，好像想要说些什么，却只发出一声轻叹，就无力地瘫软下去。她的皮毛开始变得模糊，慢慢剩下微弱的轮廓直至消失殆尽。最后，草地上只留下斑斑血迹。火星的头低垂了下来。
身旁的蕨丛一阵窸窣，沙风钻了出来。她在火星身旁蹲伏下来，点头示意鸽翅离开。鸽翅转身往营地走去。她回头看了一眼，看见沙风紧紧地靠在火星身上。
她来到空地中。在星族猫、远古猫和午夜的追赶下，黑森林猫已经逃掉了一半。但蓟掌领导的战斗队皮毛竖立，还在负隅顽抗。栗尾的队伍已经从影族营地回来了。蛛足正跟蓟掌扭打在一起，栗尾将黑条摁倒在地，刺掌嘶吼着从山毛榉树上跳到一只肌肉强壮的虎斑猫身上，而午夜则将一群尖叫着的黑森林武士赶进了巫医巢穴旁的黑莓丛。
突然，一声尖叫从育婴室里传来。鸽翅看到黛西正一掌将一位黑森林武士打倒在地，亮心则怒吼一声，扑向他的喉咙，牙齿深深咬了进去。鸽翅的皮毛竖立了起来。现在谁在保护幼崽呢？鸽翅往破烂不堪的巢穴里扫了一眼。香薇云正站在亮心的窝旁，朝一只体形巨大的黑色公猫猛击着。愤怒之下，她扑向他的喉咙。黑森林武士往旁边一躲，张嘴咬住她的后颈，向后仰起头，将她拖向巢穴外。
他的牙齿深深咬入她的脖颈。香薇云惊恐地抬头看着他，然后呻吟一声，便没了动静。
“香薇云！”火星冲进营地时，黑森林武士正俯身看着死去的猫后。
武士转过头：“太迟了，火星。”
“断星！”火星龇牙吼道。
断星盯着他，眼睛里迸射着仇恨的光芒。火星向前一跃，撞到体形高大的公猫身上，但他没能站稳，摔倒在了地上。
“火星！”营地里响起了沙风惊恐的尖叫声，她跟在火星后面跑进了营地，“你不能再战斗了，你只剩下一条命了！”
“每位武士都只有一条命！”火星爬起身，重新面对断星。
断星得意扬扬地盯着他。“我要把你撕成碎片，让你去不了星族。”他咆哮道。
突然，一束星光照在火星身旁，鸽翅认出是黄牙。“够了！”老母猫嘶吼着朝断星扑了下来，一口咬住了他的喉咙。鸽翅听到骨头断裂的声音。黄牙杀死了断星。她将儿子的尸体扔在地上，然后看着它在月光下慢慢消失，直到再也不留一丝痕迹。
“断星死了！”蓟掌从蛛足身边退开，腿脚僵硬。
“断星？”黑条耳朵一伏，猛地转身从栗尾身边跳开。
“撤！”蓟掌的喊声里透着一丝恐惧，跌跌撞撞地朝入口处跑去。黑森林猫们像蝙蝠一样从他身边飞奔而过，向入口处逃去。
鸽翅爪子插进土里。她感觉皮毛刺痛，脚掌也像石头一样，沉重得抬不起来。斑驳的月光透过云层洒在她的周围。一切真的结束了吗？
小种子和小百合从窝里往外偷偷看着。
“过来吧，我的宝贝们，现在安全了。”栗尾摇动尾巴向她们示意。她们从育婴室跑出来，冲到母亲身边，紧紧地贴在她沾满鲜血的皮毛上。
鳟溪和卵石足一瘸一拐地穿过空地。白风和长尾则气喘吁吁地站在一边，累得尾巴都耷拉了下来。香薇云一动不动地躺在育婴室旁，那束最明亮的月光洒在她的尸体上。
“香薇云怎么睡着了？”小琥珀抬起脑袋问道。
“战斗了那么久她当然是累了呀，傻瓜。”旁边的小露珠说道。听见尘毛踩着重重的脚步声走进了营地，小露珠竖起耳朵说道：“尘毛会吵醒她的。”
“结束了吗？”虎斑武士猛然刹住脚步，顺着族猫们的目光，他看到了自己的伴侣。“香薇云？”他身子一僵，“香薇云！”他冲到她身边，用一只爪子疯狂地扯着她。
桦落和冰云走到了他身边。看着母亲的尸体，他们眼中闪着泪光。
尘毛猛地转过身：“别只是傻看着！快去叫松鸦羽。”
火星低下了头：“太晚了，尘毛。”
尘毛眼中迸着怒火，龇牙吼道：“你们为什么不保护她？”他的目光又看向冰云，“她需要你的时候，你在哪里？”
火星走到虎斑武士身边。“谁也救不了她。”他轻声道，“就算你在也救不了她。”
尘毛抬头看着雷族族长。“我能。”他坚持道，“如果当时我在这里，我肯定能救她。”
火星用口鼻轻轻碰了碰尘毛的肩膀：“她从断星爪下救出了幼崽们。”
入口处的荆棘又是一阵晃动，一位伤痕累累、步履蹒跚、浑身是血的武士走进了营地。是鹰霜。
“战斗已经结束了。”火星咆哮道。
“对他来说还没有。”黑莓掌跟在鹰霜后面走了进来，“我在森林里发现了他，他正企图逃回黑森林。”
鹰霜怒视着雷族副族长：“让我回我自己的族群去。”
黄牙动了动身子，抬头看着两位武士。
藤池冲上前，眼中充满了仇恨。“你杀了冬青叶！”说完，她朝深棕色公猫扑了上去。他一掌将她打开，但藤池敏捷地落在地上，立刻又向他扑去。
“不。”鸽翅冲上前想要帮忙，但火星拦住了她。
“让藤池自己来吧。”雷族族长命令道。
“可他可能杀了她！”看见藤池张开利爪，飞身扑向鹰霜，鸽翅不由得屏住了呼吸。
“凶手！骗子！叛徒！”她对准他的眼睛，后爪抓向他的肚子。鹰霜大吼一声，将她甩翻在地，脚掌用力地踩在了她的脊背上。藤池痛苦地呻吟起来。
“你才是叛徒。”他将她的口鼻摁进土里，“这次，我要杀了你。”
“不，你休想！”黑莓掌朝鹰霜扑去，将他撞了出去。还没等黑森林武士转过身，黑莓掌的牙齿已经咬进了他的脖子。只听咔嚓一声，山谷中传来骨头断裂的声音，鹰霜倒在地上死了。
藤池摇摇晃晃地站起身。突然，一个低沉的声音从巫医巢穴旁传了过来。月光下，虎星走了出来：“干得漂亮，黑莓掌。”
黑莓掌惊恐地盯着自己的父亲。
虎星那琥珀色的眸子看向火星，雷族族长伸出了利爪。“还没结束呢。”黑森林猫咆哮道，“我们会再在战斗中相遇。但我要让你看着你的族猫一个个死去。”
火星抽动着尾巴：“战斗已经结束了！”
“黑森林是不会消失的。”虎星嘶吼道，“那里的武士多得让你无法想象，战斗才刚刚开始。”
鸽翅冲上前：“可断星和鹰霜都死了！他们现在还为什么而战呢？他们连族长都没了。”
“他们还有我。”虎星伸出爪子，然后举了起来，月光下，利爪闪动着寒光。
第二十四章
第二十四章
狮焰朝影族边界冲去，两侧的蕨丛抽打着他的胡须。灰条跟在他后面一路狂奔。雪鸟、橡毛和烟足也在森林里飞奔着。脚掌下的地面变得模糊起来。
“嗷呜！”身后的灰条被绊倒了，疼得呻吟了起来。
狮焰掉转方向，又跑了回来。
灰条挣扎地站了起来。“被黑莓藤绊到了。”他低吼道。
有那么一刻，狮焰在老武士眼中看到了虚弱和迷茫。突然，他注意到，灰条脊背上的骨头轮廓是那么突出。
灰条卷起嘴唇说道：“你干吗那样看着我？快点儿！我们还要去战斗呢！”说完，他朝烟足和雪鸟追去。
他们刚越过边界，狮焰就听到了战斗的呐喊声和嘶叫声。低矮的杜松灌木丛后，有皮毛在翻滚。
“乌霜！”雪鸟尖叫一声，跃过了灌木丛。
三位黑森林武士正在撕扯两位影族武士。族群猫的皮毛蓬乱着，血迹斑斑，他们眼中闪烁着惊恐。
“蟾足，我们来了！”橡毛跟在雪鸟后面冲了过去。他跃过灌木丛，向最近的黑森林公猫扑去，将其打翻在地。雪鸟则将另一位黑森林武士从乌霜身上拖开。
狮焰放慢了脚步。远处的小路上，另一群武士在激战，他认出了蛇尾。蛇尾是长老！但我们不能被这几个小冲突拖住，黑星需要我们。“我们得先去营地。”他催促灰条。
“可蛇尾需要帮助！”烟足喊道。
“那你去帮他。”狮焰跑下小路，钻过黑莓丛，找到最近的路线，“快点儿，灰条。”
松树越来越茂密，狮焰听到了哀号声。前面出现了一簇黑莓丛。是影族营地。营地周围被撕开很多大洞，营地外面的蕨丛已被踩碎，上面还沾着斑斑血迹。黑森林的臭味和强烈的恐惧气息扑面而来。他一低头，从黑莓丛的缺口钻了进去。
空地上横七竖八散落着受伤的影族猫。黑毛猫后松树鼻正趴在一具失去生命的小尸体上哀号着。褐皮正从族猫身边走开，目光中透出惊恐的神色。营地的远端，四位黑森林武士来回走着，他们像狐狸一样盯着族群猫，仿佛在等待被困的猎物自己死去。
他们对面，一排皮毛蓬乱的影族武士正在和他们对峙。风族的烬足、金雀花尾、荆豆皮，跟鼠痕和褐皮站到一起。空飞、知更翅和花瓣毛也加入了他们的行列。
灰条追上来，停在狮焰身旁。“影族为什么不反击？”他气喘吁吁地问道。
“你想让我们失去更多的武士吗？”小云尖声说道，他在伤员间辗转着，挨个查看伤情，“黑星已经失去了一条命。”影族巫医停在了焦毛旁边。焦毛侧卧着，肚子旁边流了一大摊血。小云按住了伤口，但血还是从他的脚掌间往出冒。“我的草药用光了！”他的声音里透着惊慌。
灰条大步走向前。“你需要苔藓。”他冲空地边上瑟瑟发抖的杂毛命令道，“去找些苔藓！越多越好。”
杂毛飞跑开了。她的眼神明亮了起来，似乎很高兴知道该做些什么。
“杉心！白水！”灰条朝躲在残破的黑莓丛下的长老喊道，“去找些蛛丝！敷伤口要用！”
一声阴森的吼叫从空地的另一边传来，狮焰看到皮毛一闪，一位黑森林武士冲破影族防线，向灰条扑来。
灰条用一记重击迎接他，将公猫击退。“你最好等援兵到了，再来挑战我们。”他咆哮道。
公猫怒视着他，但还是溜回自己的族猫队伍里去了。
“他们在等待下一拨猫来。”狮焰靠近小云，“你得尽可能帮这些猫把伤口包扎好。他们还得继续战斗。”
焦毛虚弱地抬起头：“如果需要，我会战斗至死。”
狮焰又扫视了一圈营地。“雷族的支援队在哪儿？”栗尾、刺掌和蛛足都不在这里。
小云的目光仍盯着他的伤员说道：“他们应该是追着黑森林武士跑进森林了。”
杉心冲到焦毛跟前，他的前脚掌上缠着蛛丝。“给！”他伸出脚掌让小云绕下，“白水会拿来更多，空心树上有很多。”
杂毛穿过空地跑了过来，在小云身旁放下一捆湿漉漉的苔藓。
“谢谢。”小云将蛛丝敷在焦毛的伤口上。血止住了，焦毛肩膀上的肌肉也放松了下来。“再去拿一些。”小云说道。
杂毛跑开后，小云将苔藓挪得近些。焦毛扭过头来，迫不及待地舔舐着苔藓。
狮焰扫视着营地。刚刚笼罩着族群的恐慌，似乎正在减退。众猫从破破烂烂的黑莓围墙里进进出出，采集着苔藓和蛛丝。鼠痕开始来回走动，尾巴还示威似的摇来摇去。狮焰靠近灰条：“留在这里，保护小云。”他又走到正与黑森林猫对峙的影族武士身旁。“向他们靠近，”他悄声对鼠痕说道，“要很慢很慢。每次挪动一爪子那么长就好。”
鼠痕点点头，抖抖耳朵，示意战斗队跟着他。他动一下，队伍就跟着动一下，然后再次移动。黑森林猫不安地移动着脚掌，其中一只满怀期待地盯着营地入口，仿佛在寻找援军。
“继续慢慢往前靠近。”狮焰对鼠痕悄声说道，“别太近，只要够分散他们注意力就好，我去看看黑星怎么样了。”
鼠痕朝黑莓丛的一个缺口处点了点头：“他在那儿。”
“谢谢。”狮焰匆忙走过去，低头钻了进去。
花楸掌迎了上来，浑身的皮毛都竖着：“你来了。”
“是的。”狮焰瞥到黑星正躺在影族副族长身后的沙地上，“他怎么样了？”
“正在恢复。”花楸掌挡在狮焰面前，“这不是他的最后一条命，但他现在很虚弱。”他眼中闪过一丝警惕：“影族还没被打败，我们很快会再次还击。”
“很好。”狮焰绕过影族副族长，在黑星旁边蹲伏了下来，“我们来帮忙了。”
影族族长目光呆滞，但呼吸很平稳。
花楸掌俯下身，嗅了嗅自己的族长。“他很快就能站起来。”他的呼吸吹动黑星的皮毛，黑星的尾巴抖动了一下。“这些泼皮猫是从哪里来的？”花楸掌悄声问道，“我看到了一些猫，可他们早就已经死了啊。”
“是一些永远死不了的恶猫。”狮焰喃喃道，“我们都以为只有星族才不会死亡，但我们错了。黑——”
一声尖叫从空地上传来，打断了他的话。
“帮他起来！”狮焰命令花楸掌。影族副族长已经开始在用鼻子把黑星顶了起来。
狮焰冲出巢穴。黑森林武士从营地一侧的缺口涌了进来。“鼠痕！把你的武士分成组，将敌人隔开。不要让他们聚在一起！”他朝小云跑去，“我们需要把伤猫隐蔽起来。”
“营地围墙下应该可以。”小云朝空地边上低垂下来的黑莓藤蔓摇了摇尾巴。“杂毛！白水！帮我！”他叼起一只失去知觉的公猫，用牙齿咬住他的后颈，拖着他往黑莓藤蔓跑去。
“高罂！”狮焰冲影族长老猫点头示意。
长腿母猫冲过空地，躲开一位黑森林武士，叼起死去的幼崽，将悲痛不已的松树鼻推到了黑莓藤蔓后，又将她的幼崽放在了她脚边。烬足、知更翅和雪貂掌聚集在空地中央，彼此后背紧靠在一起，用前掌击打着冲上前来的黑森林武士。曙皮和八哥翅紧靠在一起，愤怒地攻击着一拨拨臭烘烘的皮毛。
“守住位置！”狮焰咆哮道。
烬足的战斗队在一拨毛发直立的黑森林武士中消失了。狮焰跳上前去，开始四面出击。他感觉脚掌下全是躯体和皮毛，似乎影族猫再也没有一只是站着的了。难道这个骄傲善战的族群就要这样灭亡了吗？
“敌我力量悬殊！”灰条挤到狮焰旁边，猛力一挥，将黑森林武士扔了出去。他冲进烬足的战斗队，将一只皮毛蓬乱无光的玳瑁色猫从风族武士的后背上拽了下来。
突然，营地围墙外传来了脚步声。狮焰动作一滞。又一轮进攻开始了吗？可整个营地已经沦陷了。
黑莓丛颤抖起来，接着倒下了。一群皮毛直立的武士冲了进来。狮焰盯着眼前刚到的这些猫。他们的皮毛透明，行动起来像影子一样，投入了战斗中。在本来只能看见皮毛和肌肉的地方，他却能看见他们身后的树木和草地。他再仔细一瞧，发现自己以前见过这些猫。他们是来自洞穴的远古猫！
这些犹如幽灵一般的武士涌向了黑森林猫。他们眯起眼睛，收紧耳朵，亮出利爪，露出尖牙，就像一只只真正的森林猫一样，开始攻击黑森林猫。
花楸掌冲到狮焰旁边：“看在星族的分上，他们是谁啊？”
一只暗淡的杂色母猫停在了影族副族长面前。“早在星族之前，我们就在这里了，小伙子！”她瞥了一眼狮焰，“我们又见面了！”
“枭羽！”一只苍白色远古猫在喊她，“快来帮我把这个结果了。”武士正将一只黑森林虎斑猫赶过空地。
“来了，半月！”
枭羽冲了过去。这时，一个巨大的身影从营地残破的围墙中冲了过来。它的白色斑纹口鼻和狗的一样大，跟四周战斗的猫相比，它那灰色的肩膀显得巨大无比。
“午夜！”看到它穿过空地，灰条冲这只獾喊了一声。黑森林武士和影族武士满眼恐惧，纷纷躲开。“没事！”灰条喊道，“这只獾是我们的同盟！”
随着一声狂吼，午夜抓住一只黑森林武士的后颈，将他高高举起，像对待猎物一样抛了出去。狮焰心中燃起希望。他抓住旁边离他最近的一只臭烘烘的公猫，将他死死摁在地上，撕破他的脸颊，重击他的侧腹，然后一脚将他踢了出去。
“漂亮。”半月来到他旁边，皮毛如同薄雾般苍白。
一只黑森林公猫朝她扑来。她用爪子划过他的面颊。公猫又朝她的腿咬去。狮焰快如狐狸，迅速冲到公猫身下往上一顶，便将他顶飞了出去。半月向上一跃，在空中抓住那只公猫，犹如空中的飞鸟。
“救命！”
一声尖叫在黑莓丛那边响起。狮焰猛地转过身，跃过残破的营地围墙，冲到树林里。
“你会死得像叛徒！”一只邪恶的黑森林公猫正将鼠痕死死压在松树根中间。
“不，细尾！求求你！”鼠痕惊恐地挣扎着。细尾收紧抓在鼠痕喉咙上的利爪。
狮焰猛然刹住脚步，停了下来：“放了他！”
细尾抬起头，“放开他？”他轻蔑地瞪着狮焰，“可他背叛了黑森林族猫。”
狮焰盯着鼠痕：“族猫？”
“他们从没告诉我，他们训练我，是为了让我毁掉自己的族群！”鼠痕嘶喊道。
细尾抓得更紧了，鼠痕的眼珠鼓了起来。“你知道违抗我会是什么下场！”他抬起脚掌，爪子眼看就要落下。
鼠痕绝望地挣扎起来。
“放开他！”白色皮毛从狮焰身边一闪而过，将细尾撞到了一旁。雪鸟稳稳落在地上，弓起后背，愤怒地骂着。“鼠痕是我的同窝手足！”她冲刚刚稳住脚跟的细尾嘶喊道，“他永远不会背叛自己的族群。”在她身后，鼠痕挣扎着站了起来。
细尾怒视着雪鸟，“噢？是吗？”他不屑地讥讽道，“那他为什么一直在黑森林训练？”他将口鼻转向营地：“而且还不止他一个。”他的目光落在一只毛色斑驳的棕色和姜黄色相间的公猫身上。后者正咬住曙皮的后颈，将她拖过空地。
“红柳？”雪鸟怀疑地瞪大了眼睛。
“没错。”细尾咆哮道，“红柳。”
听见自己的名字，红柳松开曙皮，猛地转过身来。
影族武士跳起来，眼中喷着怒火：“你在干什么，鼠脑子？我不是敌人！”
“过来，红柳！”细尾喊道。
“怎么了？”红柳朝细尾快速跑了过来，眼中闪动着兴奋的光芒。
“战况如何？”细尾歪着头问道。
“好极了！”叛徒武士回头看看战场，一副饥渴的神情，“我终于能好好打一仗了。你说得没错，族群猫软弱又懒惰，打败他们很容易。他们醉心荣誉，固守武士守则，抓他们就像抓老鼠一样容易！”
雪鸟扑向他。“武士守则比猫的性命更重要！”她将他扑倒在地，把爪子刺入他的喉咙，“我要杀了你。”
“停下，雪鸟。”一个颤抖的声音从狮焰身后响起。
黑星正一瘸一拐地向他们走来，死亡的气息依然笼罩着他。
雪鸟退开了：“可他是叛徒！”
“我忠于我的新族群！”红柳跳起来站到了细尾旁边，怒视着黑星。“你的时代已经结束了。”他咆哮道，“你什么都不是，只是一只不断衰老的老猫而已。你为什么不让出位置，死了算了？”
黑星走近年轻武士。“我现在还是这个族群的族长。”他咆哮道，“你背叛了我们大家。”说着，他的利爪如飞鸟般快速挥出，深深插入红柳的胸膛。鲜血从红柳的伤口处喷涌出来，溅到了森林地面上。红柳惊愕地瞪大了眼睛，然后低头看向伤口。接着，他腿一弯，便瘫倒下去，一头倒在了松针里，眼睛一翻，渐渐失去了亮光。
细尾看向黑星：“你杀了我忠诚的武士！”
黑星毫不示弱地盯着他的眼睛：“我杀死的是一个叛徒。现在，我还准备要杀死另一个。”
细尾的眼睛亮了起来：“你以为你能杀得了我？”
“不！”狮焰跳到他们中间，“你跟我打！”他眯起眼睛看向细尾：“难道你害怕了？”
“我什么都不怕。”细尾嘶吼一声，便朝狮焰扑了过去。
狮焰感觉到了撞在他胸口上肌肉的力度，不由愣了一下，对细尾的力气很是惊讶。他后爪用力插入满是松针的泥土里，然后直立起来，准备击打细尾的口鼻。可细尾往后一退，蹲伏下来，眼中微光闪过，像是知道狮焰的每一个动作。
狮焰身子一顿。细尾好像胜券在握。他心中疑窦顿生，但旋即又将这个念头抛开，发起进攻。他朝细尾扑去，扭动身体，伸出一只脚掌钩住了细尾的前腿。
细尾往后一跳。“你那些幼崽似的战斗技巧可打不倒我。”说完，他朝狮焰的喉咙袭去。狮焰及时躲开了，细尾的那张大嘴将将从他耳边擦过。他蹬起后腿，准备再次用前掌猛击细尾，可细尾迅速转过身，伸出后脚向狮焰腹部猛地一踹。狮焰踉踉跄跄连连后退。
细尾抽动着尾巴：“你什么时候才能像真正的武士一样战斗啊？”
“现在！”狮焰刚要跳向前去，有爪子从后面抓住了他，紧紧锁住了他的喉咙。狮焰拼命想要挣脱。他扭动着身体，喘着粗气，想要在滑溜溜的松针上稳住身子。
“我要不要让我的族猫解决掉你呢？”细尾嘲弄道。可当他往狮焰肩后看去时，眼中突然充满了恐惧。
抓着狮焰喉咙的爪子松开了，狮焰闻到了獾的气息。午夜已经到了他的身后。“每只猫都有选择命运的权利。”午夜粗哑的声音在他的耳边说道，“但有些猫的命运是早就注定了的。”说完，它转过身，步履沉重地离开了。
我要杀了这只猫。狮焰清晰地感受到了接下来要发生的事情，我或许比不上你的狐狸心肠和阴谋诡计，细尾，但我却能像有史以来最优秀的武士那样去战斗。
细尾抬起一只脚掌，收紧了爪子。“很遗憾你的獾朋友没有帮你。”说完他咧嘴露出尖牙，上面已经沾满了鲜血。
力量在狮焰皮毛下奔涌。他一下子从地上弹起，牙齿深深咬进了细尾的喉咙。四周的松针纷纷落下。肌肉柔软的触感和鲜血的味道让他一阵作呕，可他忍住了，并越咬越深，直到鲜血汩汩涌出。一阵挣扎扑腾之后，细尾终于瘫软下来。狮焰更加用力地咬住牙齿，黑森林武士终于一动不动了。
狮焰松开了口，摇摇晃晃地后退几步，看着细尾的身体逐渐褪色，在森林地面上越来越浅，最后消失得无影无踪。狮焰抬起头，突然意识到其他猫都在看他，这才感觉自己满脸都是细尾的鲜血。黑森林武士纷纷开始后退，然后转身朝营地入口逃去。
“狮焰？”黑星走上前来，“能跟你并肩战斗，我感到很自豪。”他朝战场点点头：“现在，我们是不是该去消灭那些狐狸心肠的坏家伙了？”
“狮焰？”
灰条的叫声吓了他一跳。他转过身，看见灰色武士正从蕨丛里钻过来，身后还跟着一只远古猫。
“半月说我们应该回家了。”灰条回头看向影族营地，“他们不再需要我们的帮助了。”
黑星点了点头说道：“谢谢你们，快回去吧，去帮你们自己的族猫。”
狮焰冲影族族长低下了头。“好吧！”他对族猫们摇了摇尾巴，“我们回家。”
第二十七章
第二十七章
“可你不是族长，虎星。”火星走近他，“你从来都不是。”
虎星咆哮道：“我要是族长，要比你优秀得多。”
“族长会将族群利益放在首位。”火星甩了甩尾巴，“而你，只是利用族猫为你战斗，而不是为他们自己。”
“真正的武士热爱战斗。”虎星讥笑道，“我给了他们一个为梦想而死的机会。”
鸽翅探寻着虎星的眼睛。他疯了吗？无数的猫为了他的战斗而死。他真的以为他是在成全他们？
火星的皮毛起伏着，肌肉颤动着：“你那些战斗是为了什么呢，虎星？是什么梦想值得那么多武士为之献出生命？”
虎星的眼睛顿时燃起怒火：“当然是打败你。”
火星迎上他的目光：“你还是没打败我。”
鸽翅屏住了呼吸。黑森林武士眼中的疯狂让她感到害怕。
“所以我来了。”虎星咆哮道。
“黑森林猫不会追随你的。”火星说道，“现在，他们知道不可能打败族群的。他们不会再尝试了。”
“我不需要他们。”虎星的目光扫过空地上那些皮毛竖立的众猫，“我只需要打败你，然后就可以把你的族猫一个个消灭，直到一个都不剩。”
火星的目光从香薇云和冬青叶的尸体上掠过。“我不会再让你伤害任何一只我的猫，决不。”说着，他的尾巴嗖地甩过地面。
“那你得先杀了我。”
火星眯起了眼睛：“这样做值得吗，虎星？所有这些仇恨？这么多的死亡？”
虎星耳朵平贴了起来。“永远都值得。”说完，他眼睛眯成缝，开始进攻。他将爪子深深插入火星的肩膀，用脚掌连续猛击火星的脊背。“从蓝星发现你的那一刻开始，我就什么都不是了！我等了这么久，就是为了报仇雪恨！”
火星从他脚掌下挣脱，旋即朝他猛击过去。黑森林武士往后躲去，一低头，咬住了火星的一只后掌，将他拖倒在地。接着虎星立起身子，用前脚掌猛击火星的脊背。“你死了，我就可以统治族群，或者杀死他们。”
灰条龇出牙齿就要往前冲：“休想！”
白风拦住了他：“不，灰条。这是火星的战斗。”
火星用脚掌撑起身体，转身面向虎星。“除非森林能免受你的威胁，否则我是不会死的。”说完，他扑向黑森林武士。他在半空一个转身，落在了离虎星侧腹一胡须的距离处。虎星刚要转身防护，火星便猛然抬起脚掌踹向黑森林武士的身体。虎星一个趔趄失去了平衡，摇晃了几下便摔倒在地。火星的脚掌雨点般落在了虎星的头上。
虎星打了个滚儿，挣扎着站起身。他眨眨眼睛，将上面的血珠甩掉，又朝火星的喉咙猛扑过去。雷族族长立刻往后退去，虎星则步步紧逼，爪子划过火星的脖子。
沙风怒吼着跳上前去，但被栗尾抓住后颈，用力拽了回来：“你改变不了他的命运，沙风。”
火星将后爪刺入虎星的腹部，将他甩了出去。雷族族长喉咙上的皮毛被扯下了几撮。
不！鸽翅屏住呼吸，以为鲜血会从伤口奔涌而出。不过好在只是露出了苍白的皮肤而已。虎星那一爪太笨拙，只扯掉了火星的皮毛。
火星跃了起来。“你活得像只泼皮猫，那就让你死得也像只泼皮猫吧。”说时迟那时快，他如闪电般飞过空地，朝虎星的喉咙扑去。他怒吼一声，牙齿深深咬住了虎星的脖子。虎星扑腾挣扎着，但火星一直没有松口。最后，虎星摇晃几下，瘫倒在地。
火星继续咬住黑森林武士，鲜血从他脚掌缝间流了出来。虎星终于停止了颤动，火星松开了他的喉咙。他挺直身子看着虎星目光渐渐呆滞，身体渐渐消失。
鸽翅转向藤池，颤抖着说道：“虎星死了！”
话音刚落，一记响雷划破天空。她抬起头，只见一道闪电劈中了火星旁边倒着的山毛榉树。大树立刻被火焰吞噬，浓烟在火星周围升起。鸽翅泪眼蒙眬，胸脯急剧起伏，吃力地想看清自己的族长。她正透过浓烟往里看时，云层裂开，雨点哗哗落入山谷，火焰渐渐消退最后彻底灭了，只剩下山毛榉树发出嗞嗞啦啦的声响。
鸽翅竖起尾巴，轻松漫过了她的全身。“真的结束了！”她朝着藤池大喊道。
“火星！”沙风悲痛的喊声瞬时盖过了雨声，她冲向刚才虎星倒下的地方。一个身体正躺在那里。鸽翅眉头一皱。虎星已经消失了，不是吗？可血迹斑斑的草地上为什么还蜷缩着一个猫的身体？
不！
她跟在沙风后面冲了过去。他不能死！她猛然刹住脚步，惊恐地看着火星的身体。
沙风将鼻子深深埋入伴侣那火焰般的皮毛中。“我告诉过你，不要浪费掉最后一条性命。”她轻轻说道。
黑莓掌穿过空地走到她身边，雨水从他的胡须上滴落下来：“他没有浪费。”
“火将拯救族群。”藤池喃喃道。
灰条从虎心和白风身边挤了过来，蹲伏在老朋友身边。“如果可以的话，我愿意替你去死。”他的声音嘶哑，听上去悲痛万分。
“火星！”尘毛轻声喊道，“如果你见到香薇云，告诉她我爱她。”
波弟挤了过来：“他死了吗？”
“是的。”黄蜂条的尾巴轻轻搭在长老的后背上。
虎心的耳朵一颤：“那是他的最后一条命了吗？”
“是的。”鸽翅冲圆石毛和鳟溪点了点头，他们和战斗队的武士们正在入口处不知所措地徘徊着，“你们也该回家了。战斗胜利了，我跟族猫们在一起。”可为什么感觉像是失去了一切呢。鸽翅深吸了一口气，默默走过去，站到黄蜂条身边。雨水落进了她的眼睛里，她眨眨眼甩掉它。黄蜂条侧过身来，用温暖的皮毛紧靠着她。鸽翅感觉他的呼吸吹在自己的耳朵上。
“你现在安全了。”他轻声说道。
她靠在他的肩膀上。“我知道。”她听见虎心离开营地的声音，但是她没有回头。
黑莓掌抬起口鼻：“战斗已经结束。我们的胜利属于火星！”
说话间，雨停了，一束月光透过云层洒落下来，照亮了地上那一动不动的火焰色身体。突然，营地入口处传来了轻微的脚步声。鸽翅抬起头，看见一位星族武士正闪着熠熠星光，从残破的荆棘屏障下走了出来，蓝色的眼睛仿若天穹般闪亮。
“蓝星？”黑莓掌摇摇尾巴跟她打了个招呼。蓝星冲他点点头，走出阴影穿过空地。一只玳瑁色公猫跟在她身后，皮毛间闪耀着点点星光。紧接着是一只银色母猫，她旁边闪闪发光的则是一只皮毛斑驳的灰色公猫。他们身后，一只黑白相间的公猫紧随其后，走在最后面的则是黄牙。
族群众猫向两侧分开，让这些猫通过。奔风和狮心也悄然走过去，加入星族猫的行列。鸽翅抬头看向石头山谷周围的石壁，悬崖在星族皮毛的映照下，似乎也都闪动着星星点点的光芒。潮湿的石头散发出的浓烈清冷的气息，包裹着她的舌头。难道这就是星光的味道吗？
等他们围着火星的尸体站好了，松鸦羽向前一步。“这些猫赐予火星九条命。”他向族群解释道，“红尾——”他冲玳瑁色武士点了点头，“赐予他公正之命。银溪赐予他忠诚之命。”
灰条站起身，望着那只漂亮的母猫：“银溪！”
母猫也回望着他，蓝色的眸子里满含着思念。“我会一直等着你的。”她轻轻说道。
“纹脸，”松鸦羽冲皮毛斑驳的灰色虎斑猫点了点头，“你赐予他保护之命。迅爪——”他蓝色的盲眼转向那只小巧的黑白色相间的公猫，“你赐予他教导之命。”
黑莓掌点了点头：“火星是我最好的老师。”
“黄牙赐予他同情之命，狮心赐予他勇气之命，奔风赐予他的则是不知疲倦的体能之命。在火星活着时，他一直用这些命为族群服务着。”
说到这里，松鸦羽停了下来。蓝星走向前，用脚掌碰了碰火星的皮毛。“斑叶已经不在星族了，”她的声音里透着一丝悲痛，“但她赐予了火星爱的生命。”
沙风啜泣着肩膀颤抖起来。
蓝星继续说道：“我赐予他高尚之命，尽管他生来就比我认识的任何武士都要高尚。”她那蓝色眼眸中闪动着悲伤。“我很久以前就知道，火星会拯救族群。先是作为火，接着作为最古老预言里的第四只猫，他都做到了。现在，他把雷族托付给一位新的族长，”她看着黑莓掌，“如果你能有火星一半的勇气和忠诚，你将会成为雷族的好族长。”
在她说话时，星族猫们靠近了火星的尸体。他们走过去轻触其皮毛，然后低头凝视着他。突然，一个影子从火焰色的轮廓中蠕动起来。
鸽翅屏住了呼吸。火星慢慢地站了起来，他的身影如一缕月光苍白，动作如清风一样优雅。
“他的灵魂就要离开了。”松鸦羽轻声说道。
火星的目光缓缓掠过每一只族猫。等看向鸽翅时，鸽翅紧张地吞了一口唾沫，接着便放松了下来。火星的目光暖暖的，像阳光。
“该走了。”蓝星轻声说道。
火星冲黑莓掌点了点头，接着俯身用口鼻碰了一下沙风的口鼻。沙风抬起头望着他，眼睛里闪动着悲痛的泪花。接着，火星转过身，跟着星族猫们走出了营地。突然，鸽翅余光瞥见一个黑色身影在动。她转过头，看见冬青叶的灵魂也跟了上去。
“快看！”栗尾惊呼道。
鼠毛的灵魂从她的尸体中跳了起来，然后便像幼崽一样，蹦蹦跳跳地穿过空地跟了出去。
波弟晃了晃尾巴：“她一直都想狩猎，现在终于可以随心所欲了。”
“香薇云醒了。”育婴室里传来了小琥珀的惊呼声。
香薇云的灵魂缓缓升起，跟上了鼠毛。她在荆棘屏障前停下来，转身冲尘毛点了点头，然后便跟着其他猫消失了。鸽翅盯着黑莓丛里的那个缺口，一时间忘了呼吸。
沙风站起身：“黑莓星！”
“黑莓星！”狮焰也将口鼻伸向渐渐晴朗的天空。
整个族群都加入了进来：“黑莓星！黑莓星！”
黑莓星抬起头，鸽翅循着他的目光，看到群星之中一颗新星正在闪闪发光。火星已经到那里了吗？
“我敬重我在星族的祖先，”黑莓星宣誓道，“而非那些曾在黑森林里的祖先。愿先辈武士指引我前进的路。”他低下头，又补充道，“还有我现在的武士们。”
松鸦羽用尾巴碰碰黑莓星的脊背。“该选副族长了。”他轻声催促道。
鸽翅扫视着族群。黑莓星肯定会选狮焰吧？他是战斗中唯一不会被打败的武士，将来肯定会成为强有力的副族长和族长。
“你愿意成为我的副族长吗，松鼠飞？”
母猫盯着他，身上的每一根皮毛都在颤抖：“这是真的吗？”
黑莓星点了点头：“你是我最信任的猫。你所做的每一件事都有最好的理由。我现在终于明白了。”
松鼠飞点了点头：“那么，我愿意。”
一只身材苗条的浅棕色母猫走上前来，是叶池。“我的妹妹，”她将头紧紧贴着松鼠飞的头，轻声说道，“你应该得到这个荣誉，甚至比这更多。谢谢你所做的一切。”
松鼠飞舔了舔叶池的耳朵。“需要的话，我会毫不犹豫地再做一遍。”她轻声说道。
松鸦羽走过来，站在鸽翅身边。“这是结束，也是开始。”他轻快地说道。
鸽翅看着狮焰。金色武士的目光沉重，他肩膀耷拉着，看上去很是疲惫。有那么短暂的一刻，他们星权在握。现在，一切都已结束。悲痛哽住了鸽翅的喉咙。他们拯救了族群，可火星却死了。
松鸦羽的尾巴轻拂着她的肩膀。“他把生命献给了他最看重的：他的族猫们。”他柔声说道，“他现在真的是星权在握了。当那一天到来时，你会再次见到他的。”
微风拂动鸽翅的皮毛，好像有什么东西从她身边擦过。她抬起头，看见族猫旁边正站着两个身影，看着他们。一个是脸上长着条纹的獾，它的双眼闪动着智慧和善良；另一个则是一只怪异的无毛猫，他的眼球凸出，像是什么也看不见，又好像洞悉了一切。他们迎着她的目光，只是轻轻点了一下头。谢谢你。鸽翅听到了一个声音，那声音比叹息还要轻。
将会有三只猫，你至亲的至亲，星权在握。他们会找到第四只猫，并在光明和黑暗之战中赢得胜利。一位新的族长将在他死亡的阴影中诞生，族群也将循着他的记忆生生不息，世代绵延。过去是这样，将来也必将如此。精彩内容抢先看
  《猫武士》五部曲预告
“另一个地方正等待着我们之中的一些勇士。那里四季阳光充沛、气候温暖、猎物充足，我已经……在梦里见过那里了。”
前所未见的酷寒降临山中，风雪与饥荒威胁着初来乍到的部落。生死存亡之际，一群年轻的猫遵从尖石巫师梦境的指引，踏上了通往新家园的阳光之路。
远行之路漫长而艰险，残酷的天气、陌生的怪物、伙伴的牺牲，无一不在考验着远征猫的决心。在历尽种种艰难险阻后，颠沛流离的部落猫群终于踏上了阳光明媚的荒原。然而此刻，属于他们的传奇才刚刚开始。
在选择营地与猎场的过程中，难以调和的分歧很快令山地猫们分成了两派，各自定居在荒原与林地；同时，在这片猎物丰沛的土地上，远道而来的他们才是外来者。面对泼皮猫的排斥与驱逐，山地猫必须做出改变，以适应这里全新的生活方式，但即使如此，理念的冲突也早已在他们之间埋下了战争的种子。
占领土地的意义真的存在吗？所谓的责任能比至亲间的血脉更重要吗？和平与谦让难道是遥不可及的吗？面对接踵而来的剧变，灰翅无法给出哪怕一个答案……
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 26
Dovewing caught her breath. The DarkForest warriors had gone but she could hear the paw steps of a second patrol pounding toward the camp. They’d break out of the Dark Forest soon, into the heart of ThunderClan. She blocked out the noise and tried to focus on the camp.
“They went straight for the kits.” Leafpool stopped beside her and dropped a bundle of herbs. Her mew was shaky.
Shredded brambles hung from the nursery. Ferncloud paced outside, her claws unsheathed, her pelt streaked with blood.
Poppyfrost looked up from licking the scratches on her flank. “We saw them off, though.”
“We did.” Mousefur stood beside Purdy outside the elders’ den. She lifted a paw, her stiffness apparently gone, and rubbed at a scratch on her nose.
I just hope we can do it again,Dovewing thought grimly.
She could see Brightheart through the torn nursery walls, clutching her kits to her belly and calming their frightened mewling with gentle strokes of her tongue. Her tail was wrapped tight around Lilykit and Seedkit, who peered from the nest beside her.
“We’d better fix what we can.” Brackenfur was already hauling brambles from beside the medicine den. “Mintfur, Troutstream!” He called to the RiverClan warriors. “Can you help?”
They hurried to join Brackenfur in dragging brambles to patch the nursery. Dovewing wrinkled her nose at the scent of Leafpool’s herbs, wondering what it felt like to be a warrior one moment, and a medicine cat the next. ThunderClan was lucky to have her. If they survived the next onslaught, they would need medicine cats more than anything. “How’s Daisy?”
“She’s got a nasty scratch on her muzzle, but she’ll be fine.” Leafpool picked up her leaf bundle and headed toward Mousefur. “Jayfeather’s seeing to it now.”
Dovewing licked her nose, washing away the herb smell. Fresh blood!She stiffened as the scent wafted from outside the hollow. Paws were staggering toward the camp, fur dragging behind. “Someone’s coming! They’re injured!” She raced across the clearing and barged out through a hole in the barrier.
Ivypool was lurching down the slope, Tigerheart at her side. Hollyleaf dangled limply between them.
“Jayfeather! Leafpool!” Dovewing yowled over her shoulder before racing to meet them. “Ivypool, are you hurt?” She circled the trio, looking for wounds. So much blood!She sniffed at Tigerheart. He smelled of Dark Forest cats. Had he done this? Was he fighting for Brokenstar? He can’t be!
Dovewing hopped out of the way as Firestar raced from the camp, Jayfeather at his tail.
“Let me take her.” The ThunderClan leader lifted the weight from Ivypool’s shoulders, sharing the burden with Tigerheart. “Can you make it into camp?” he asked the ShadowClan tom
“Yes,” Tigerheart grunted.
Dovewing watched the ShadowClan warrior duck through the barrier. “What happened?” she asked her sister.
Ivypool gazed past her, eyes round with shock. “Hollyleaf saved my life.”
You nearly died?Fighting to steady her breathing, Dovewing pressed against Ivypool and led her into the hollow.
Tigerheart and Firestar were gently rolling Hollyleaf onto the ground. Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight stared, frozen, at the edge of the clearing. Watery light shone on the she-cat’s black pelt, glittering where blood welled through the fur.
Poppyfrost crept around the edge of the clearing and stopped beside Ivypool. “Have you seen Cherrypaw? Or Molepaw?”
Ivypool shrugged. “No. They could be anywhere,” she murmured bleakly.
Leafpool crouched beside her daughter. “Hollyleaf?”
Hollyleaf half opened her eyes and moaned.
“It’s okay.” Leafpool lapped at her cheek as Jayfeather unrolled a leaf bundle beside her. He sniffed her pelt and began to press cobweb where there was blood.
“She’s bleeding here!” Leafpool gasped in panic. Blood was pooling around her paws. She grabbed a pawful of cobweb and stuffed it underneath Hollyleaf’s neck.
“It’s okay, Leafpool.” Hollyleaf’s eyes flickered open again. “I don’t mind,” she croaked. “I’m glad I came back to ThunderClan.” Her chest fluttered as she fought for breath. “I couldn’t bear to … to leave without getting to know my mother.”
“Save her!” screeched Ivypool. “You have to save her! Hawkfrost tried to kill me, but Hollyleaf chased him away.”
“Hawkfrost?” Brambleclaw looked up from beside Hollyleaf, his eyes darkening. “He did this?”
Ivypool nodded. “I was fighting Snowtuft and Thistleclaw. I couldn’t help her.”
Dovewing pressed against her sister. “You carried her home,” she soothed. “You couldn’t have done more.” She pricked her ears as she heard the paw steps of the Dark Forest patrol crunch over leaves. “Firestar,” she hissed. “They’ve reached the woods.”
Firestar stiffened beside Leafpool.
“Hollyleaf.” Leafpool pressed her muzzle against her daughter’s cheek. “Hollyleaf?”
Hollyleaf’s head fell back and her eyes dulled.
Leafpool turned frantically to Jayfeather. “She’s not breathing!”
“She’s lost too much blood,” Jayfeather mewed gently. He touched Hollyleaf’s pelt. His paw trembled. “We couldn’t have saved her.”
Paw steps sounded outside the hollow, determined and fast. Firestar wrenched his gaze away from the still, black shape on the ground and straightened up. “Prepare for attack!”
Brambleclaw signaled to Squirrelflight and Sandstorm, sending them to guard the nursery, where Ferncloud was nosing Brightheart through the shredded brambles. The WindClan and RiverClan patrols spread out across the clearing. Mousefur and Purdy lined up outside their den. Leafpool dragged Hollyleaf’s body to the edge of the hollow. As her Clanmates prepared for attack, she crouched over the motionless cat as if she could nurse her to life by the warmth of her fur.
The shredded barrier quivered as Birchfall leaped through it. He skidded into the clearing with Blossomfall just behind him. Shock pulsed through Dovewing. Are they leading the attack?Her own father, fighting for the Dark Forest!
Jayfeather raced for the medicine den and disappeared through the brambles. “Briarlight!” he yowled. “Get back in the herb store!”
Firestar met Birchfall’s gaze. “How could you betray us?” He advanced on his Clanmate, his lip curled into a snarl.
Dovewing’s paws turned cold. “I thought you’d choose to fight on our side.”
“He did!” Ivypool shot forward. “He fought with me at the WindClan camp.”
Birchfall lifted his tail. “We would never betray ThunderClan!”
Mousewhisker skidded into the camp. “We came to warn you!”
Blossomfall butted in. “We saw the Dark Forest patrol! They’re coming!”
As she spoke, a huge gray-and-white tom crashed through the thorns. His muzzle was striped with wounds, one eye swollen, but hard muscle twitched beneath his pelt. “Traitors!” he snarled at Birchfall. “We lost the WindClan camp thanks to you!” His tail whipped behind him. “I’ll save killing you till last.”
“Not if I kill you first, Thistleclaw!” Birchfall hissed. “You tricked us!”
Dark Warriors began to flood the hollow. A tabby sent Bumblestripe flying with a powerful front-paw swipe. Two toms leaped on Tigerheart, hurling him to the ground. Squirrelflight disappeared under a wave of spitting warriors.
“Guard the nursery!” Firestar yowled.
Broad-shouldered warriors surged past Sandstorm. Brambleclaw launched himself across the clearing and began hauling them away. Tigerheart struggled free and rushed to help. Daisy shot out of the brambles and began slashing wildly at the wall of snapping jaws.
“Hide!” Ferncloud thrust Brightheart and the kits deep into their nest as a Dark Forest tom reached through the tattered den wall. She slashed his muzzle, then spun around and grabbed a bunch of bramble stems in her teeth. She dragged them across the top of the nest, covering the she-cat. “I won’t let any cat near!”
Brightheart struggled up through the brambles. “I won’t let you fight alone!” She straddled her nest and reared up beside Ferncloud.
“Darkstripe!” Mousefur’s hiss sounded from outside the elders’ den. “I hoped I’d never see you again.” The old she-cat lashed out at a snarling tom.
Darkstripe hit back, sending Mousefur reeling.
Dovewing skidded across the clearing and knocked Darkstripe away. He turned to her, lips drawn to show bloodstained teeth.
“Go for his ears!” Cinderheart landed beside her. “I’ll go for his legs.”
Dovewing swiped at Darkstripe, her paws fast as birds. He stumbled as Cinderheart hooked his forepaws from under him. Dovewing battered his muzzle into the earth.
“Nice.” Cinderheart sprang onto Darkstripe’s back and began scrabbling at his spine with her hind claws.
More Dark Forest warriors streaked toward them.
“Ready, Mousefur?” Purdy nodded at his denmate and the two elders arched their backs against the honeysuckle den and began fighting.
Dovewing saw a ginger pelt flash at the top of the hollow. Cherrypaw was peering over the edge. Firestar signaled with his tail and she darted away to get help from any Clan patrol she could find.
Suddenly paws slammed into Dovewing’s ribs. She staggered, turning.
“Why don’t you just give up?” A tortoiseshell lunged at her, grabbing Dovewing’s paw in her teeth.
“Because I’d rather die!” Dovewing hooked the tortoiseshell’s lip with a claw and tugged hard. Squealing, the tortoiseshell raked her muzzle.
Pain seared her nose. Blood flooded her mouth. As Dovewing reared to strike back, claws hooked her neck. A tabby yanked her backward and pinned her to the ground.
“Get off my sister!” Ivypool flashed at the edge of Dovewing’s vision. She sank her teeth deep into the tabby’s shoulder. As he screeched with rage, Dovewing writhed free and sprang to her paws.
Ivypool flung the tabby backward. “We’re outnumbered!”
Cinderheart barged between Ivypool and Dovewing. “Hold your ground!”
“What do we do?” Brambles stabbed Dovewing’s spine. The wall of Dark Forest warriors was pressing them back toward the medicine den.
“Stay close and fight!” Cinderheart lunged forward and tore a lump from a Dark Forest warrior’s cheek, sending blood spraying across his orange-and-black fur. “You fox-hearts killed my best friend!” Her gaze flicked toward Hollyleaf, a huddle of black fur at the edge of the clearing. “You’ll pay for what you’ve done!”
Ivypool darted low and caught his paw in her teeth. Dovewing jumped and landed square on the warrior’s back. Digging in with her claws, she hung on as he bucked beneath her. She could feel muscle hard as stone beneath his pelt. Hooking a hind leg around his, she managed to unbalance the tom. She let go as the tabby went staggering through the mass of Dark Forest pelts.
“Watch out!” Dovewing heard Cinderheart’s warning but dodged too late. A matted tom lunged from the side and caught her forepaw in his jaws. He bit down hard.
Pain scorched through her. As she flung the tom off, the thorn barrier rattled. Crowfeather leaped into the hollow, Breezepelt on his tail. As they dived into the throng, Dovewing stumbled. A paw was clutching her hind leg, clinging on with thorn-sharp claws. Kicking out, Dovewing knocked it away and turned back to check on Ivypool.
Ivypool was on her hind legs, her tail lashing to balance her. Paws swiping, she drove two toms back into the throng. Cinderheart pinned a tortoiseshell to the ground and paddled her hind paws against his spine. Dovewing caught her breath, scanning the battle for the pelts she recognized. Cloudtail writhed outside the nursery. Squirrelflight shook a warrior from her back while another lunged beneath her belly. Icecloud reared beside the beech tree, encircled by snapping jaws. Desperate shrieks echoed from the stone walls. Every Clan cat was locked in a battle for life.
Suddenly, Lionblaze appeared through the thorns. Graystripe landed a paw step behind him. Dovewing gasped as more cats streamed after them. She recognized none of them, and their pelts were oddly pale—almost transparent, with trees and grass clearly visible through them. These were no living cats; that was for sure. Had a new wave of Dark Forest warriors chased Lionblaze and Graystripe back to camp?
Cinderheart froze beside her. “Who are they?”
Outside the elders’ den, Mousefur’s eyes widened. Icecloud hesitated midblow and was sent reeling by a Dark Forest tom.
“It’s okay!” Lionblaze yowled. “They’re Ancient allies, from before StarClan! They’re on our side!”
A pale she-cat shot past him, her pelt no more than a shadow in the moonlight, and leaped for a Dark Forest tabby. The tabby screeched in surprise as the fading she-cat sent him bowling backward and lunged at him with a flurry of claws. A tom sprang after her, his orange-and-white pelt little more than a blur as he knocked a tattered tom to the ground.
Then a massive shape crashed through the entrance to the hollow.
“Badger!” Blossomfall shrieked.
“Midnight!” Firestar’s eyes lit up. “It’s okay! She’s with us!”
The badger lumbered through the clearing. Cats scattered before her.
A snarl sounded in Dovewing’s ear. “A badger and a bunch of fading elders won’t save you.” Thistleclaw loomed over her. Fast as a mouse, Dovewing slammed a paw into his swollen eye. Yowling, he spun away and Dovewing dodged around the edge of the clearing. She tripped over the orange-and-white tom as he whipped past and skidded to a halt beside Hollyleaf Dovewing watched as the ghostly cat crouched beside the dead warrior.
“Fallen Leaves!” Another Ancient rushed to join him. “There’s no time to grieve now.”
Fallen Leaves lifted his head, his eyes filled with sadness. “She wasn’t meant to die here, Broken Shadow. I … I promised I’d see her again.”
“She died defending her Clan.” Broken Shadow nudged the tom away. “Honor her memory by helping.”
Dovewing whirled as brambles shifted behind her. Jayfeather slid out of the medicine den. His nose twitched. “Half Moon!” His cry was almost a wail. “Are you here?”
“Jay’s Wing!” A smoke-gray Ancient ducked away from the battle and rushed to meet him. She touched her muzzle softly to his.
“You came,” Jayfeather whispered.
“Of course, my love.” Half Moon held her cheek against Jayfeather’s, then broke away. “I must fight.”
Jayfeather nodded. “Send any wounded to me.” He nosed his way back into his den.
Half Moon glanced at Dovewing. “Come on,” she meowed briskly.
Dovewing raced after the Ancient as she plunged back into battle. She could hardly see in the darkness. Cloud pressed down above the hollow, extinguishing the stars. Pelts writhed and tumbled around her. She could make out the huge shape of Midnight, but Dark Forest warriors were swarming over the badger’s back. With a howl, Midnight fell, dragged down by countless claws.
Dovewing fought back panic.
“Fight beside me!” She recognized Lionblaze’s growl and turned to see the golden warrior’s eyes flashing at her.
“We’re still outnumbered,” she wailed.
“Then we need to fight harder.”
“Look out!” Dovewing shrieked a warning as Breezepelt flew from the edge of the clearing.
Lionblaze turned, caught off balance, and fell beneath the WindClan tom.
Breezepelt ripped his claws along Lionblaze’s cheek. “You’re not as strong as I expected,” he gloated.
“Breezepelt, no!” Ivypool snaked through the throng. “Don’t do it! Please! Do you really want to destroy the Clans for Brokenstar’s sake?”
Breezepelt pulled back Lionblaze’s head and smacked it hard against the ground. Growling, Lionblaze tried to shake him off, but Breezepelt held on tighter.
“This has nothing to do with Brokenstar.” His gaze flashed at Ivypool. “Lionblaze should never have been born. None of them should.” He flicked his tail triumphantly toward Hollyleaf’s body. “She’s dead; now it’s your turn, Lionblaze.” He bit into Lionblaze’s neck.
“We’re kin!” Lionblaze gasped.
“Never!” Fury blazed in Breezepelt’s eyes.
A black pelt barged past Dovewing. Crowfeather!The WindClan warrior sank his claws deep into Breezepelt’s shoulders and hauled him back. Lionblaze scrambled to his paws
“This has to stop!” Crowfeather pinned Breezepelt to the ground. “I will not watch you harm a whisker on that cat!”
Breezepelt writhed, snarling. “I always knew you hated me!”
“I never hated you!” Crowfeather growled. “That’s just what you were determined to believe. And Nightcloud encouraged you.”
“It’s not her fault!” Breezepelt spat.
“No,” Crowfeather hissed. “I should have done something much earlier. But now it’s too late. You chose the Dark Forest.” He hauled Breezepelt to his paws and flung him away. “Get out of here!”
Breezepelt stared at his father, eyes wide, then turned and raced from the camp.
“I’m so sorry!” Leafpool burst from the battle, her eyes clouded with grief. “I never meant for this to happen!”
“He’s a warrior,” Crowfeather hissed. “He’s been making his own choices for a long time now.”
Leafpool looked down at his paws. “Perhaps if we’d stayed together, things would be different.”
Crowfeather’s gaze sparked for a moment, then he sighed. “It was never meant to be.” Leafpool flinched, but Crowfeather touched his tail to her flank. “I don’t regret anything,” he murmured. His gaze flicked toward Lionblaze. “Nothing at all.” Ears twitching, he shouldered his way through the battle to the brambles sheltering Hollyleaf’s body. He slid beneath them and touched his muzzle to her lifeless pelt.
A rough pelt jostled Dovewing and she stumbled into Ivypool. “What’s happening?” Had more Dark Forest warriors arrived? She turned, blinking, as a massive white tom appeared at her side.
“Whitestorm!” Graystripe’s yowl rang through the air and he came plunging toward them. “You’re here!” Graystripe nudged the white warrior’s shoulder warmly.
Whitestorm shouldered him away. “Move over, youngster,” he growled. “This is a battle, not a reunion.” He reared up and sent a Dark Forest warrior staggering back with a powerful front-paw swipe.
“Where’s Mousefur?” A familiar voice sounded in Dovewing’s ear.
“Longtail!” she gasped as her dead Clanmate squeezed past.
“Where is she?” Longtail demanded.
“Defending her den.” Dovewing nodded toward the honeysuckle bush where Mousefur fought beside Purdy.
“Come on!” Longtail leaped away, knocking a Dark Forest warrior from his path.
Mousefur was hissing, a ragged tabby in her grip as she churned at his spine with vicious hind claws.
Longtail plucked the tabby away. “Let me help!” He sliced a gash in the tabby’s flank, then flung him back toward his Clanmates.
“You took your time,” Mousefur muttered. “Always late, that’s your trouble.”
“Not too late, I hope,” Longtail retorted.
As he spoke, a Dark Forest tom lunged from behind. Knocking Longtail out of the way, he grabbed Mousefur in his jaws. Surprise lit Mousefur’s gaze as she stumbled and fell.
“No!” Longtail dived for the tabby and bit down on his spine. The tabby gasped and let go, then fell twitching to the ground.
“Come on! Get up!” Longtail snatched Mousefur’s scruff in his teeth and tried to drag her to her paws, but she slumped onto her side. Dovewing stared in horror. Mousefur’s head was twisted strangely, her eyes dull.
“No!” Rage flared Longtail’s gaze. Snarling, he turned and exploded into the battling cats.
Purdy appeared, his muzzle smeared with blood. He stopped when he saw Mousefur and dropped down beside her. His eyes glittered with grief. “You died a warrior’s death after all.” He sent Dovewing away with a flick of his tail. “Go back to the fight,” he murmured. “I’ll watch over her.” He buried his nose in his denmate’s pelt.
Dovewing reeled away, dizzy.
“Hey!”
She had stumbled into Bumblestripe.
“Are you okay?” The young tom lifted her muzzle with his and stared into her eyes.
“Mousefur’s dead.”
Bumblestripe’s ears twitched, then he straightened up. “Come and fight with me.” He turned her toward the battle. “We’ve trained together enough times.”
Blindly, Dovewing followed him into the tangle of tails and claws.
A Dark Forest tom blocked their way. “I thought we’d picked off the weakest,” he snarled. He darted for Dovewing’s throat, but Bumblestripe caught him by his scruff and dragged him onto his back. Instinctively, Dovewing slashed at the tom’s exposed belly till Bumblestripe let go, then together they drove him backward, matching blows, swipe for swipe.
As Bumblestripe knocked the tom sideways, she scooped the Dark Forest warrior’s paws from under him. The tom crashed onto his side.
“Nice move,” Bumblestripe puffed.
Together, they sprang onto the Dark Forest cat. Screeching with panic, he squirmed from under them and raced for the thorn barrier. He fled past two small figures who were bounding into the camp.
Molepaw! Cherrypaw!Dovewing nudged Bumblestripe. “They’re safe.”
Cherrypaw flicked her tail excitedly. “The other Clans are winning!” she announced.
“RiverClan has driven them right to the border!” Molepaw called breathlessly.
Dovewing scanned the clearing for Poppyfrost. Had she seen her kits arrive? The tortoiseshell was fighting beside a dappled tabby she-cat. Honeyfern!Together, the sisters were driving a Dark Forest tom toward the fallen beech. Taking it in turns, they jabbed and swiped as though they’d been training together for moons.
Poppyfrost paused, her tongue flicking out as she tasted the air. “Molepaw! Cherrypaw!” She turned, thrusting the Dark Forest warrior backward with a powerful hind kick, and raced to greet her kits. Honeyfern batted the tom to the ground with a final swipe and raced after her.
Dovewing jumped as orange fur flashed past her ear.
“Runningwind!” Firestar stopped beside a lithe brown tabby. “Are you still fast on your paws?”
“Of course!”
Firestar flicked his tail toward the entrance. Dark Forest warriors were racing from the hollow. “Then take Dustpelt and make sure those fox-hearts flee all the way back to the Dark Forest!”
“I’ll go with them.” A handsome warrior clashed two Dark Forest heads together and stepped over the falling bodies. “It’s been a long time since I’ve chased this kind of prey.”
Firestar’s eyes glowed. “Thanks, Lionheart!”
“Come on,” Bumblestripe hissed in Dovewing’s ear. “Let’s make sure those Dark Forest cowards never come back.”
Excited, Dovewing ran after Bumblestripe out of camp. She heard paw steps at her heels and turned to see Sandstorm.
“Firestar sent me too,” Sandstorm panted. “In case it’s a trap.”
Bumblestripe pulled ahead, racing to catch up with the StarClan warriors as they pelted away through the trees.
Sandstorm suddenly skidded to a halt. “Look!”
“What?” Dovewing swerved and stopped.
Sandstorm was staring up through the trees. “I saw a clawscratch of moonlight,” she breathed. “That must be a good sign.”
“Not for the Clans.” A snarl sounded from the ferns.
Dovewing froze as she spotted a matted tortoiseshell pelt.
Sandstorm bristled. “Who are you?”
“You should knowwho I am,” the cat hissed. “ThunderClan destroyed my life!”
Sandstorm frowned. “What’s your name?”
The Dark Forest she-cat stepped out of the shadows. “My name’s Mapleshade!” With a hiss, she sprang. She landed on Sandstorm and pushed her muzzle into the earth.
“I’m going to make you pay for every blessing StarClan gave you!” Mapleshade growled in Sandstorm’s ear. “And every blessing they stole from me!”
Dovewing raced to help but claws pinned her tail. She turned and swiped at the black tom who’d grabbed her. Her paw missed and the tom hit back, slicing Dovewing’s cheek. Through searing pain, she heard Mapleshade’s yowl.
“You have everything Iwanted, Sandstorm! A mate that loved me, kits that I could watch grow up and have kits of their own, the respect of my Clanmates! I should have had all that!” Mapleshade’s eyes shone with fury as she grasped Sandstorm’s throat in her jaws.
“Let her go!” A star-flecked tortoiseshell cat darted from the ferns and ripped Mapleshade away from Sandstorm. As Sandstorm crouched, coughing, the tortoiseshell flung Mapleshade to the ground.
Mapleshade scrambled up and turned on the StarClan cat. “Spottedleaf!” she hissed. “Why didn’t you let me kill her? She stole Firestar’s love from you.”
The hair rose on Spottedleaf’s spine. “There was nothing to steal. Sandstorm made him happy!”
Mapleshade lunged at her. Spottedleaf rolled under the warrior’s weight, paws flailing as she fell. With a snarl, Mapleshade sliced open the medicine cat’s throat.
“No!” Firestar’s screech ripped through the air. Exploding from the ferns, he grabbed Mapleshade’s pelt in his claws and threw her backward. Sandstorm scrambled up and hurled herself at the matted she-cat, claws slashing, jaws tearing. Firestar sprang from the side, sending Mapleshade crashing to the ground. Sandstorm jumped on her and raked her belly with thorn-sharp claws. Shrieking with pain, Mapleshade struggled free and pelted up the slope. Sandstorm raced after her. Dovewing watched her orange pelt streak away into the trees.
In the deserted forest, Firestar crouched beside Spottedleaf’s trembling body. Blood welled at her neck, soaking Firestar’s cheek as he pressed against her. “Spottedleaf! Please don’t go.” Dovewing heard a sob in his mew. “You promised you’d be there to welcome me.”
Spottedleaf gave a tiny shake of her head. “That was never going to happen, my love. I cannot journey with you anymore. I’m so sorry.”
Firestar pawed at her. “No! I still need you!”
“Let her go.” A she-cat shimmered into view, her gray fur long and matted.
“Yellowfang?” Firestar looked at her, his green eyes pleading. “Don’t let her disappear. Please.”
“This was her destiny.” Yellowfang touched her muzzle to Firestar’s head. “Let her follow it.”
“But she said she’d wait for me in StarClan!” Firestar’s mew caught in his throat.
Spottedleaf looked up at him and opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something. A small gasp escaped her; then she fell limp. Her fur started to blur, leaving a faint outline and then nothing but bloodstained grass. Firestar’s head drooped.
The ferns rustled beside them and Sandstorm slid out. She crouched beside Firestar and nodded Dovewing away. Dovewing turned and headed for camp. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Sandstorm press closer to Firestar.
She skidded into the clearing. Half the Dark Forest cats had gone, pursued by StarClan and Ancients and Midnight the badger, but the remains of Thistleclaw’s patrol fought on, pelts bristling with rage. Sorreltail’s patrol was back from ShadowClan’s camp. Spiderleg grappled with Thistleclaw himself. Sorreltail pinned Darkstripe to the ground. Thornclaw launched himself, hissing, from the beech and landed on a muscled tabby while Midnight drove a gang of Dark Forest warriors shrieking into the brambles beside the medicine den.
A screech sounded from the nursery. Dovewing’s pelt spiked as she saw Daisy slam a Dark Forest warrior onto the ground. Brightheart lunged for his throat, sinking her teeth in with a growl. Who is guarding the kits?Dovewing scanned the shattered den. Ferncloud straddled Brightheart’s nest, slashing at a massive black tom. Spitting in fury, she darted for his throat. The warrior dodged and caught her scruff between his jaws. Snapping back his head, he dragged her from the den.
Ferncloud stared up at him in terror as he sank his teeth deep into her neck. With a grunt, she fell still.
“Ferncloud!” Firestar raced into the camp as the Dark Forest warrior crouched over the dead queen.
The warrior turned. “Too late, Firestar.”
“Brokenstar!” Firestar showed his teeth.
Brokenstar glared at him, eyes bright with hatred. Firestar sprang forward but when he crashed into the huge tom, he lost his footing and thumped to the ground.
“Firestar!” Sandstorm’s terrified screech rang across the hollow as she followed him in. “You can’t fight anymore. You only have one life left!”
“Every warrior here has only one life!” Firestar scrambled to his paws and faced Brokenstar again.
Brokenstar eyed him gleefully. “I’m going to shred you till there’s nothing left to join StarClan,” he growled.
A burst of starlight shone beside Firestar, and Dovewing recognized Yellowfang again. “Enough!” yowled the old she-cat. She dived at Brokenstar and grasped his throat in her jaws. Dovewing heard the crack of bone as she killed him. Yellowfang dropped her son’s body, then watched it fade in the moonlight till no trace remained.
“Brokenstar’s dead!” Thistleclaw stepped back from Spiderleg and stood stiff-legged with dismay.
“Brokenstar?” Darkstripe spun away from Sorreltail, ears flat.
“Retreat!” Thistleclaw stumbled for the entrance. Fear edged his cry. Pelts swooped past him like bats as the Dark Forest patrol fled.
Dovewing sank her claws into the earth, her pelt stinging, her paws as heavy as stone. All around her, shafts of moonlight streamed through the clouds. Was this really the end?
Lilykit and Seedkit peered up from their nest.
“Come here, my dears. It’s safe now.” Sorreltail beckoned them with a flick of her tail, and they slid from the nursery and hurried toward her, pressing hard against her blood-soaked fur.
Troutstream and Pebblefoot limped across the clearing. Whitestorm and Longtail stood panting with exhaustion, their tails drooping. And the brightest beam of moonlight landed on Ferncloud’s body, lying motionless beside the nursery.
“Why is Ferncloud asleep?” Amberkit asked, popping her head up.
“She’s tired after all the fighting, silly,” mewed Dewkit beside her. He pricked his ears as Dustpelt pounded into camp. “Dustpelt will wake her up.”
“Is it over?” The tabby warrior stumbled to a halt, following the gaze of his Clanmates toward his mate’s body. “Ferncloud?” He stiffened. “Ferncloud!” He raced to her and tugged at her pelt with a frantic paw.
Birchfall and Icecloud joined him. Their eyes glistened as they gazed at their mother’s body.
Dustpelt jerked around. “Don’t just stare! Get Jayfeather.”
Firestar dipped his head. “It’s too late, Dustpelt.”
Eyes bright with anger, Dustpelt curled his lip. “Why didn’t you protect her?” His gaze flitted to Icecloud. “Where were you when she needed you?”
Firestar approached the tabby warrior. “No one could have saved her,” he murmured. “Not even you.”
Dustpelt looked up at the ThunderClan leader. “I could have,” he insisted. “I wouldhave. If I’d been here.”
Firestar touched his muzzle to Dustpelt’s shoulder. “She saved the kits from Brokenstar.”
The thorns at the entrance quivered again as a battered warrior staggered, bleeding, into camp. Hawkfrost.
“The battle’s over,” Firestar growled.
“Not for him.” Brambleclaw followed Hawkfrost in. “I found him in the forest trying to run back to his Clanmates.”
Hawkfrost glared at the ThunderClan deputy. “Let me return to my Clan.”
Yellowfang stirred and lifted her head to watch the two warriors.
Ivypool darted forward, her eyes dark. “You killed Hollyleaf!” She sprang toward the gray tom. He slammed her away but she landed nimbly and turned on him again.
“No!” Dovewing raced to help but Firestar blocked her way.
“Let Ivypool settle this,” the ThunderClan leader ordered.
“But he might kill her!” Dovewing’s breath caught in her throat as she watched Ivypool fly at Hawkfrost, claws flashing
“You murderer! Liar! Betrayer!” She gouged at his eyes and raked his belly with her hind claws. With a howl, Hawkfrost flung her off. Ivypool grunted as his powerful paws crushed her spine.
“You’re the traitor.” He pushed her muzzle into the earth. “And this time I’ll kill you.”
“No, you won’t!” Brambleclaw flung himself at Hawkfrost and peeled him away. Before the Dark Forest warrior could twist free, Brambleclaw sunk his teeth into his neck. The snap of bone echoed through the hollow and Hawkfrost fell dead.
As Ivypool staggered to her feet, a deep growl sounded from beside the medicine den. Tigerstar stepped into the moonlight. “Well done, Brambleclaw.”
Brambleclaw stared at his father in horror.
Tigerstar turned his amber gaze on Firestar as the ThunderClan leader unsheathed his claws. “Not yet,” the Dark Forest cat snarled. “We willmeet in battle. But not until you’ve watched every one of your Clan die.”
Firestar lashed his tail. “The battle’s over!”
“The Dark Forest is endless,” Tigerstar hissed. “It has more warriors than you could ever imagine. The battle is just beginning.”
Dovewing darted forward. “But Brokenstar and Hawkfrost are dead! Why would they fight now? They have no leader.”
Tigerstar flexed his claws, holding them so they caught the moonlight. “They have me.”
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 25
Ivypool crouched inside the dirtplace tunnel.She could hear Firestar in the clearing, ordering patrols. Yowls echoed above the hollow. The Dark Forest had reached the woods.
Ivypool bristled with frustration. Dovepaw had prodded her awake too soon. I was trying to reach Blossomfall and Birchfall before the battle started!Now it was too late. I’ve got to find them.She pricked her ears.
“Stay with Brambleclaw and guard the camp.” Firestar gave a final order, then thundered out of camp.
Ivypool waited. Where would Brokenstar send ThunderClan recruits?Not to their own Clan, surely? They’d be more eager to fight other Clans. Ivypool crept deeper into the brambles and skirted the dirtplace, pushing through ferns until she was clear of the camp. The forest smelled dank as darkness swallowed it. Wind roared in the treetops.
“Ivypool?” Brambleclaw’s mew took her by surprise. “Shouldn’t you be on Firestar’s patrol?”
She whipped around to see the ThunderClan deputy standing underneath a rowan tree. Brambleclaw knew she’d trained in the Dark Forest. What if he thought she was betraying her Clan? “I—I have to find Blossomfall and Birchfall and Mousewhisker.”
He padded closer. “Do you know where they are?”
“No! I wish I did. I want to stop them before…”
“Before they betray their Clan?” Brambleclaw narrowed his eyes.
“They wouldn’t!” she gasped. “I knowthey wouldn’t! But they’ll be scared. Brokenstar has threatened to kill them if they don’t fight alongside him.”
Brambleclaw touched his muzzle to her head. “Go find them, Ivypool.”
“Really?” She blinked. “It’s okay?”
“I’m depending on you.”
“Thank you!” Bursting with relief, Ivypool spun around and pounded toward WindClan territory. Screeches rang from the moorland and echoed across the water, but there was no sign of pelts. She pushed harder, paws skidding on the slippery grass as she neared the stream that marked the border.
“Ivypool.” A growl took her by surprise. Amber eyes flashed in the darkness beyond the ditch.
Ivypool halted, unsheathing her claws. “Who is it?”
Tigerheart slid out of the bracken.
Ivypool narrowed her eyes. “Where are you heading?” She leaped the stream, keeping her distance from the dark warrior. “You know the battle’s begun, don’t you?”
Tigerheart glanced over his shoulder. “Hawkfrost told me to meet him here.”
Ivypool shifted her paws. “Are you in his patrol?”
“Are you?” His gaze sparked with suspicion.
“I—I don’t know yet. I haven’t gotten my orders.” Her mind whirled. Which side was Tigerheart on?
“Hawkfrost will tell you what to do when he gets here.”
But I have to find my Clanmates!Ivypool began to push through the bracken.
“Where are you going?” Tigerheart challenged.
“I don’t have time to wait!” Ivypool kept going. “The battle’s begun!”
“But you don’t know who to fight!”
Frustration raged through her. “Of course I know who to fight!” She turned on Tigerheart. “I’ll fight any Dark Forest warrior I meet.” She glared at him. “And any Clan cat who fights with them!”
“But I thought the Dark Forest warriors were your Clanmates now.” Tigerheart took a step closer. There was menace in his mew. “Isn’t this what you’ve been training for?”
Ivypool shook her head. “I know which cats deserve my loyalty. I’ll die before I fight beside Brokenstar and Hawkfrost.”
Tigerheart showed his teeth. “You may have to,” he growled. “You heard what Brokenstar said he’d do if we betrayed him.”
Ivypool met his gaze, anger surging beneath her pelt. “I don’t care.”
“You sound like your sister,” Tigerheart spat back.
Ivypool frowned. “What’s Dovewing got to do with this?”
“She put her Clan ahead of me.”
“So?” Tigerheart’s gaze darkened as Ivypool went on. “You should put your Clan first, too! Have all these moons in the Dark Forest made you forget the warrior code?”
Tigerheart bared his teeth. “I haven’t forgotten anything.”
The bracken beside them rustled. Ivypool whipped around, her heart lurching. Hawkfrost emerged. “Ivypool.” His eyes flashed. “Where have you been?”
“Looking for Blossomfall and Birchfall,” Ivypool stammered.
Hawkfrost stretched his muzzle close. “Find them,” he hissed. “Now. Then go straight to the WindClan camp. I want you with me in the second attack.”
Ivypool nodded and raced away. She glanced back once to see Tigerheart leaning toward Hawkfrost’s ear. Terror scoured her belly. If he tells Hawkfrost I’m a traitor, I’m dead!Her heart pounding, she ducked into the heather and fled. “Birchfall!” she yowled. “Blossomfall!”
“Ivypool!”
She skidded to a halt as she heard Birchfall’s mew. Her Clanmate was crouching beneath a clump of wind-blown gorse. His pale tabby pelt glowed in the darkness. Blossomfall and Mousewhisker huddled at his side, their eyes glittering with fear. Suddenly there was an explosion of shrieks close by and two WindClan warriors streaked past, Dark Forest warriors on their tail. Farther up the slope, more warriors clashed, their yowls splitting the roar of the wind.
“What should we do?” Blossomfall whispered. “We can’t attack Clan cats!”
Ivypool lifted her muzzle. “Of course we can’t! We have to defend the Clans against the Dark Forest.”
Birchfall stared at her. “Did you know all along this is what they were planning?”
“Yes,” Ivypool confessed.
Mousewhisker blinked at her. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I was spying.” She straightened up. “I didn’t know who I could trust. I had to let you work it out for yourselves.”
“She’s right.” Birchfall stepped forward. “We should have guessed earlier what was going on.”
Mousewhisker glanced over his shoulder. “So what do we do?”
“We join the battle, just as Brokenstar ordered, but we fight for the Clans,” Ivypool told him. “We’ve been trained by the Dark Forest, so we can use their own tricks against them.” A familiar scent touched her nose. “Applefur?” she called warily as she smelled the ShadowClan she-cat. Would she have the courage to oppose the Dark Forest warriors?
As Applefur slid out from the heather, Breezepelt barged past her. Ivypool’s fur lifted when she saw Thistleclaw and Snowtuft at his tail.
“There you are!” Breezepelt’s eyes shone. “We’re going to launch an attack on the camp.”
“But Hawkfrost told us to meet him,” Ivypool argued.
“You will,” Thistleclaw growled. “He’ll be attacking from the far side.”
Ivypool blinked at the dark tabby. “Okay. Let’s go.” Her gaze flitted desperately to her Clanmates. We have to play along for now!She charged after Breezepelt’s patrol as it sped toward the WindClan camp. “We don’t have to attack WindClan cats once we’re there,” she hissed to Birchfall as he fell in beside her.
Heather brushed her pelt, its flowery scent smothered by the stench of decay. The peaty earth felt slimy beneath her paws.The moor’s turning into the Dark Forest!Ivypool pushed the thought away. It can’t! I won’t let it!
“Hurry!” Mousewhisker dashed past her. “We can’t let them get there first.”
Scrabbling up between the bushes, her lungs aching, Ivypool followed Birchfall and Blossomfall. From the top she could see into the WindClan camp. The clearing teemed with shrieking cats. Emberfoot reared over a Dark Forest warrior who lunged, screeching, at the WindClan warrior’s hind legs. Another Dark Forest tom slapped Crowfeather to the ground and began thrashing him with claw-spiked paws. Ivypool recognized Whitewing, Berrynose, and Hazeltail, broad-shouldered and sturdy among the lithe WindClan cats. Mallownose of RiverClan and Shrewfoot of ShadowClan fought beside them. A Dark Forest warrior batted Mallownose away with a vicious swipe. A tom clawed at Hazeltail’s belly while another tore lumps from Whitewing’s flank. The Clan warriors were outnumbered and fighting for their lives.
Breezepelt paced the top of the rise, tail lashing. Thistleclaw gazed down into the camp.
“When do we attack?” Applefur sounded scared.
“When the first patrol has weakened them,” Thistleclaw told her.
Blossomfall shifted her paws. Ivypool could feel the tortoiseshell’s pelt pricking with frustration. “Why don’t we help them now?”
“Wait.” Thistleclaw lifted his gaze to the far side of camp where Hawkfrost sat, silhouetted against the clouds. His patrol weaved impatiently beside him. Tigerstar’s tabby pelt shone among them.
A wail flared below. Ivypool caught her breath as she saw a queen rearing up to grapple a Dark Forest tom away from a tiny kit shivering beside the frayed camp wall.
Hurry up!She fought to keep her paws rooted to the spot, then saw Hawkfrost lift his tail. Lashing it down, he gave the signal.
“Attack!” Thistleclaw yowled and charged down the slope, crashing through the heather wall into camp. Snowtuft charged after him, Blossomfall on his tail.
Ivypool blocked Applefur’s way. “You’re not going to fight on their side, are you?”
Applefur stared at Ivypool, her eyes wild with terror. “B-but I have to!”
“You have to defend the Clan!” Ivypool hissed. “Isn’t deathbetter than having Brokenstar as your leader?”
Applefur blinked.
“You are still a warrior,” Ivypool reminded her. “And the warrior code says we should lay down our life for our Clanmates. They have never needed us more than they do now!”
Applefur nodded. “You’re right,” she whispered. “My life is a small price to pay, considering what I’ve done.”
“There’s no time for guilt now,” Ivypool told her. “Fight loyally, and with courage. That is all your Clan asks of you.”
“Then that is what I will give them!” Applefur sprang away toward the camp. Ivypool raced after her. She had to get to Breezepelt. She exploded through the heather and landed, skidding, on the peaty clearing. Cats grappled and yowled on every side. She scanned the camp. Breezepelt was chasing Thistleclaw through the throng. Ivypool snaked after him
“No!” As Breezepelt reared up to attack a WindClan warrior, Ivypool launched herself at him. Smashing into Breezepelt’s flank, she sent him flying. “You can’t fight for the Dark Forest!”
“Are you crazy?” Breezepelt struggled free and stared at her. “This is what we’ve been training for!”
“But you can’t believe that this is right!” Suddenly claws raked Ivypool’s cheek. Pain shot through her and she staggered sideways.
Thistleclaw loomed over her, his lip curled to show long, yellow teeth. “Traitor!”
“I’m no traitor!” Ivypool hissed. “I’ve been loyal to my Clan all along! I only came to the Dark Forest to find out what you were planning!”
Her heart froze as Hawkfrost appeared behind Thistleclaw’s shoulder. Then Snowtuft landed beside her, his eyes darkening with hate.
“We won’t fight for you either!” Birchfall flung himself at a Dark Forest tabby.
Applefur lunged for a ragged tom. “I fight for the Clans!”
Rage flared in Hawkfrost’s gaze. “Then we shall kill you first, before we destroy your wretched Clans!”
Ivypool braced herself, stiffening as fur flashed beside her. Claws pierced her flank. She spun around as the full weight of Snowtuft sent her sprawling. Jumping to her paws, she hurled herself at the skinny, white tom. She hooked her claws into his shoulders and hauled him backward, but he twisted and snapped at her throat. She dodged just in time and crashed into a dark tabby flank.
Tigerheart!She recognized his scent. “Do I have to fight you, too?” she snarled.
Tigerheart’s eyes narrowed. “I’m a warrior,” he growled. “I fight for the Clans.” He turned and kicked out with his back legs, sending Thistleclaw sprawling. “Dark Forest warriors don’t belong here. This is Clanterritory!”
With hope flaring inside her, Ivypool thrust Snowtuft away. His fur ripped in her claws. “Then why were you in the Dark Forest?” she called to Tigerheart.
Tigerheart ducked under Thistleclaw’s belly and shoved him off balance. “Same as you. I wanted to find out what they were up to.”
Thistleclaw rounded on him. “But you’re Tigerstar’s kin!”
“That doesn’t mean I have to be like him.” Tigerheart swiped at Thistleclaw. “He almost destroyed ShadowClan once before. I wasn’t going to let him do it again!”
Roaring, Hawkfrost barged past Thistleclaw. “I’ll finish this traitor off.” He hurled himself at Tigerheart. “You and Snowtuft deal with Ivypool.”
Ivypool felt claws slice her shoulders. Legs buckling, she stumbled sideways. Snowtuft and Thistleclaw reared over her, side by side. Together they began to drive Ivypool back through the ragged camp wall, swinging blow after blow at her muzzle. Ivypool raised her forelegs, trying to fend off the strikes, but her hind paws slipped on the peaty floor. Heather snagged her pelt and she tripped and fell, finding her feet just in time to leap out of the way as Snowtuft lunged for her. Looking up, she realized she’d become separated from the Clan cats. She could see Tigerheart in the clearing, surrounded by Dark Forest warriors. Birchfall was defending a kit at the far side of the camp. Applefur and Blossomfall fought back to back, blood dripping from their whiskers, fending off blows from four Dark Forest toms.
StarClan, help me!Snowtuft and Thistleclaw kept forcing Ivypool back with stinging blows. The camp slid from view, swallowed by shadow as they drove her deeper and deeper into the heather. Then they paused. Snowtuft dropped onto all fours and stared at her. Thistleclaw stood panting beside him.
Ivypool whipped around, catching her breath as she looked for an escape route. Gorse, thick with thorns, crowded every side. Snowtuft and Thistleclaw blocked the only way out.
“We’ve trapped her!” Thistleclaw called over his shoulder.
Hawkfrost strode into the tiny clearing. “Did you really think you’d live after betraying me?” His blue eyes shone as he glanced at Thistleclaw and Snowtuft. “Let’s make her death slow,” he growled.
He lunged at Ivypool, throwing her backward with such force that it knocked the wind from her. Gasping for air, she felt claws rake her spine. Thistleclaw’s pelt flashed at the edge of her vision. Snowtuft grabbed her from behind. Teeth and claws ripped her pelt. Pain seared her flesh. I won’t die easily!Terror sent power surging through her. And I’ll take you with me, Hawkfrost!With a roar, Ivypool reared up, strong as a badger, and sent her attackers flying.
Hawkfrost landed neatly on all four paws. “I trained you too well,” he snarled. His gaze fixed on her throat.
Ivypool backed away. She twisted and ducked under him as he leaped, but his claws sank into her tail and pinned her to the ground. Thistleclaw and Snowtuft attacked from opposite sides, snarling, slicing her ears. She struggled away from them, crashing into hard muscle. Hawkfrost was behind her now. He stabbed his claws into her shoulders. With a gasp, Ivypool saw his teeth flashing beside her throat. Then a black pelt flashed over the top of the gorse. Paws landed with a thump beside her.
“Get off her!” Hollyleaf yowled.
Ivypool’s world spun as the black warrior slammed into Hawkfrost and sent him reeling into the gorse. Free from Hawkfrost’s claws, Ivypool turned on Thistleclaw and Snowtuft. She began slashing with her front paws, remembering in a crystalline moment every moon of training. Hollyleaf reared up beside her, matching her blow for blow, as though she instinctively knew where Ivypool would strike next. Blood sprayed the forest floor as Ivypool sliced Snowtuft’s muzzle and tore Thistleclaw’s nose. Turning, she kicked out with hind legs and knocked Thistleclaw backward, then sank her teeth into Snowtuft’s neck.
The white warrior screeched and ripped free from her jaws. Ivypool tasted his blood as he hared away through the bracken. She met Thistleclaw’s gaze. Fear sparked in his eyes as she spat out a bloody clump of Snowtuft’s fur.
“Run,” she hissed. “Because if you stay, I willkill you.”
Mouth open, Thistleclaw fled, disappearing through the gorse. A shriek exploded behind Ivypool. She turned and saw Hollyleaf swipe at Hawkfrost’s muzzle. The force of the blow sent the Dark Forest warrior crashing away. He dropped with a thump and scrabbled to his paws. Blood dripping from his cheek, one eye swollen shut, he glanced at Hollyleaf and tore his way through the gorse.
Ivypool stared at the black she-cat. “You saved my life!”
Hollyleaf staggered and fell to the ground.
“Hollyleaf!” Ivypool darted to her side and saw blood pulsing from a wound in her neck. Panic formed a hard lump in Ivypool’s belly.
Grasping Hollyleaf’s scruff in her teeth, she began to half drag, half carry her Clanmate toward the ThunderClan border. Jayfeather would know what to do.
“I’ll get you home,” Ivypool growled through gritted teeth. “I promise I’ll get you home.”
A tabby pelt crashed through the gorse toward them. Ivypool braced herself, ready to fight again.
“Let me help!” Tigerheart stopped beside her and shoved his nose beneath Hollyleaf’s shoulder. Taking half the weight, he pressed his flank against Ivypool. “We can do this together.”
The screeches of the battle for WindClan faded behind them as they began to haul the injured warrior away.
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 27
“You’re no leader, Tigerstar.” Firestar paddedcloser. “You never were.”
Tigerstar snarled, “I’m a better leader than you could ever be.”
“A leader puts his Clan first.” Firestar lashed his tail. “Instead, your Clanmates are made to fight your battles, not theirs.”
“Real warriors love battle,” Tigerstar sneered. “I give them a chance to die for a cause.”
Dovewing searched Tigerstar’s gaze. Was he mad? Countless cats had died in his battles. Did he really believe he’d done them a favor?
Firestar’s pelt rippled, his muscles twitching. “And what have all your battles been for,Tigerstar? What cause is worth the lives of so many warriors?”
Tigerstar’s eyes burned. “Defeating you, of course.”
Firestar met his gaze. “You haven’t defeated me yet.”
Dovewing held her breath. There was a wildness in the dark warrior’s eyes that terrified her.
“That’s why I’m here,” Tigerstar growled.
“The Dark Forest cats won’t follow you,” Firestar told him. “They know now that they can’t beat the Clans. They won’t try again.”
“I don’t need them.” Tigerstar glanced at the cats bristling at the edge of the clearing. “I only have to beat you. Then I can pick off your Clanmates one by one, moon after moon, till there’s no one left.”
Firestar’s gaze flitted from Ferncloud’s body to Hollyleaf’s. “I’m not going to let you harm another of my cats, not ever.” His tail swished low over the ground.
“Then you’re going to have to kill me.”
Firestar narrowed his eyes. “Has it been worth it, Tigerstar? All the hate? All the death?”
Tigerstar flattened his ears. “Every moment.” Eyes slitted, he attacked. Hooking his claws deep into Firestar’s shoulder, he raked his spine with churning paws. “The moment Bluestar found you, I became nothing! I have waited all this time to have my revenge!”
Firestar twisted free and slashed at him. The dark warrior ducked back, head low, and grabbed Firestar’s hind paw in his teeth. Biting hard, he dragged Firestar onto his belly, then reared up and slammed his forepaws onto Firestar’s spine. “When you’re dead, I can rule the Clans or kill them.”
Graystripe darted forward, teeth bared. “Never.”
Whitestorm blocked him. “No, Graystripe. This is Firestar’s battle.”
Firestar heaved himself to his paws and turned to face Tigerstar. “I will not die until the forest is safe from you.” He leaped for the dark warrior. Swerving in midair, he landed a whisker away from Tigerstar’s flank. As Tigerstar spun to defend himself, Firestar smashed his paws into the dark warrior’s side. Unbalanced, Tigerstar staggered and fell. Firestar rained slashing blows onto Tigerstar’s head.
Writhing away, Tigerstar struggled to his paws. He blinked blood from his eyes and lunged at Firestar’s throat. The ThunderClan leader lurched backward. Tigerstar clung on, his claws spiking Firestar’s neck.
Sandstorm leaped forward, hissing with rage, but Sorreltail reached out and heaved her back by her scruff. “You can’t change his destiny, Sandstorm.”
Firestar dug his hind claws into Tigerstar’s belly and thrust him off. Fur ripped at the ThunderClan leader’s throat.
No!Dovewing held her breath, waiting for blood to pulse from the wound. But only pale skin showed through. Tigerstar’s clumsy grip had torn nothing but fur.
Firestar jumped to his paws. “You lived like a rogue. You can die like a rogue.” Flashing like lightning across the clearing, he flew at Tigerstar, aiming for the dark warrior’s throat. With a vicious snarl, he sank his teeth deep into Tigerstar’s neck. He held on while Tigerstar thrashed and staggered and finally collapsed to the ground.
Firestar kept hold of the dark warrior as blood flowed over his paws. When Tigerstar finally stopped twitching, Firestar let go of his throat. He straightened up and watched Tigerstar fade away, his gaze blank.
Dovewing turned to Ivypool, shaking. “Tigerstar has gone!”
As she spoke, thunder cracked the sky. She looked up as a bolt of lightning struck the fallen beech beside Firestar. The tree exploded into flame. Smoke rolled over Firestar. Eyes streaming, chest burning, Dovewing struggled to see her Clan leader. As she peered through the smoke, the clouds opened. Rain pounded the hollow. The burning beech hissed and crackled as the fire faded and died.
Dovewing lifted her tail, relief flooding through her. “It’s really over!” she gasped to Ivypool.
“Firestar!” Sandstorm’s yowl sounded above the thrumming of the rain. She raced toward the place where Tigerstar had fallen. A body was lying on the ground. Dovewing frowned. Tigerstar had disappeared, right? Why was there still a huddled shape on the bloodstained grass?
No!
She pelted after Sandstorm. He can’t be dead!She skidded to a halt and stared in horror at Firestar’s body.
Sandstorm buried her nose deep into her mate’s sodden fur. “I told you not to waste your final life,” she whispered.
Brambleclaw crossed the clearing, rain streaming from his whiskers, and stood beside her. “He didn’t waste it.”
“Fire will save the Clan,” Leafpool whispered.
Graystripe pushed past Tigerheart and Whitestorm and crouched beside his old friend. “I would have taken your place, if you had let me.” His voice was hoarse with grief.
“Firestar!” Dustpelt called softly. “When you see her, tell Ferncloud I love her.”
Purdy nosed past him. “Is he dead?”
“Yes.” Bumblestripe wrapped his tail gently over the elder’s back.
Tigerheart’s ear twitched. “It was his last life?”
“Yes.” Dovewing nodded toward Boulderfur and Troutstream, who lingered uncertainly near the entrance with their patrols. “It’s time for you to go home. The battle is won and I need to be with my Clanmates.” And yet it feels as if everything has been lost.She drew in a breath, then slid quietly in beside Bumblestripe. Rain dripped into her eyes and she blinked it away. Bumblestripe shifted so that his pelt rested warmly against her. Dovewing felt his breath against her ear.
“You’re safe now,” he murmured.
She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I know.” She didn’t look around as she heard Tigerheart pad away.
Brambleclaw lifted his muzzle. “The battle is over. Our victory belongs to Firestar!”
The rain eased as he spoke and a shaft of moonlight sliced through the clouds and lit up the unmoving orange body. There was a faint noise at the camp entrance and Dovewing looked up to see a StarClan warrior glimmering beneath the ragged thorns, her blue eyes glowing like circles of sky.
“Bluestar?” Brambleclaw beckoned to her with his tail. With a nod, Bluestar stepped out from the shadows and walked across the clearing. A russet tom followed, his pelt glittering with stars. A silver she-cat padded after; a mottled gray tabby sparkled at her side. A black-and-white tom padded at the back, with Yellowfang tagging on behind.
As the Clan parted to let the cats pass, Runningwind and Lionheart slipped out to join their starry Clanmates. Dovewing blinked up at the walls of the hollow. They rippled with light from StarClan pelts. The scent of wet stone, sharp and cold, bathed her tongue. Is this what starlight tastes like?
Jayfeather stepped forward as they circled Firestar’s body. “These cats gave Firestar his nine lives,” he explained to the Clan. “Redtail”—he nodded to the russet warrior—“gave a life for courage. Silverstream gave a life for loyalty.”
Graystripe got to his paws and stared at the beautiful she-cat. “Silverstream!”
She gazed back at him, her blue eyes filled with longing. “I’ll be waiting,” she whispered.
“Brindleface.” Jayfeather dipped his head to the mottled gray tabby. “The life you gave was for protection. And Swiftpaw”—his blind blue gaze drifted to the small black-and-white tom—“yours was for mentoring.”
Brambleclaw nodded. “Firestar was the best mentor I could have had.”
“Yellowfang gave compassion, Lionheart gave courage, and Runningwind gave tireless energy, which he used to serve his Clanmates through all his lives.”
As Jayfeather paused, Bluestar stepped forward, her paws touching Firestar’s pelt. “Spottedleaf isn’t with StarClan anymore.” Grief thickened her mew. “But she gave Firestar a life for love.”
A sob shook Sandstorm’s shoulders.
Bluestar went on. “I gave him a life for nobility, though he was born with more nobility than any warrior I ever knew.” Her blue eyes glazed with sorrow. “I knew that Firestar would save the Clan many moons ago. As fire, and then as the fourth cat in the oldest prophecy, he succeeded. He leaves ThunderClan in the paws of a new leader.” She looked at Brambleclaw. “If you have half the courage and loyalty of Firestar, you will be a fine leader for ThunderClan.”
As she spoke the StarClan cats drew closer around Firestar’s body. Touching pelts, they gazed down. A shadow stirred over the orange shape.
Dovewing gasped. Pale as moonlight, graceful as the wind, Firestar stood up.
“His spirit is leaving,” Jayfeather murmured.
Firestar’s gaze swept slowly over his Clan. Dovewing swallowed as it reached her, then relaxed. It felt warm like sunshine.
“It’s time to go,” Bluestar breathed.
Firestar dipped his head to Brambleclaw, then leaned down and touched his muzzle to Sandstorm’s. She stared up at him, her eyes glistening with grief as he turned and followed the StarClan cats out of the hollow. Dovewing jerked her head around as a black pelt moved at the edge of her vision. Hollyleaf’s spirit was padding after them.
“Look!” Sorreltail gasped.
Mousefur’s spirit leaped up from her body and bounded like a kit across the clearing.
Purdy whisked his tail. “She’ll get all the hunting she wants now.”
“Ferncloud’s awake!” Amberkit squeaked from the nursery.
Ferncloud’s spirit rose and padded after Mousefur. It paused at the thorn barrier and turned, dipping its head to Dustpelt, then disappeared after the others. Dovewing stared at the gap in the brambles, her chest aching.
Sandstorm stood up. “Bramblestar!”
“Bramblestar!” Lionblaze lifted his muzzle to the clearing sky.
The Clan joined in. “Bramblestar! Bramblestar!”
As Bramblestar looked up, Dovewing followed his gaze. A new star was shining among the others. Is Firestar there already?
“I will honor my ancestors in StarClan,” Bramblestar vowed, “but not those who have ever walked in the Dark Forest. Guide my steps wisely, warriors of the past.” He lowered his head. “And warriors of now.”
Jayfeather touched his tail to Bramblestar’s spine. “It’s time to choose a deputy,” he prompted gently.
Dovewing glanced around her Clanmates. Surely, Bramblestar would choose Lionblaze? He was the only warrior who couldn’t be beaten in battle. He’d make a powerful deputy and leader one day.
“Will you be my deputy, Squirrelflight?”
The she-cat stared at him, every hair on her pelt quivering. “Really?”
Bramblestar nodded. “There is no cat I trust more. Everything you do is for the best of reasons. I understand that now.”
Squirrelflight dipped her head. “Then I accept.”
A slender brown cat burst forward. It was Leafpool. “My sister,” she murmured, pressing her head to Squirrelflight’s. “You deserve this honor, and more. Thank you, for everything.”
Squirrelflight licked Leafpool’s ear. “I would do it again in a heartbeat,” she whispered.
Jayfeather padded forward to stand beside Dovewing. “An ending, and a beginning,” he observed briskly.
Dovewing looked at Lionblaze. The golden warrior’s gaze was heavy, his shoulders drooping with exhaustion. For a brief moment, they had held the power of the stars in their paws. And now it was over. Grief welled in Dovewing’s throat. They’d saved the Clans, but Firestar was dead.
Jayfeather’s tail brushed her shoulder. “He gave his life to save the thing that mattered most to him: his Clanmates,” he meowed softly. “He truly has the stars at his paws now. You will see him again, when it is time.”
A breeze stirred Dovewing’s pelt, as if something had walked past. She lifted her head and saw two shapes standing just beyond her Clanmates, watching. One was a badger with a narrow, striped face and wise, kind eyes, and the other was a grotesque hairless cat with bulging eyes that saw nothing and everything. They met her gaze and nodded, just once. Thank you,Dovewing heard, quieter than a sigh.
There will be three cats, kin of your kin, with the power of the stars in their paws. They will find a fourth, and the battle between light and dark will be won. A new leader will rise from the shadows of his death, and the Clans will survive beyond the memories of his memories. This is how it has always been, and how it will always be.