Эрин Хантер: Secrets Оf Тhe Clans

Isn’t it cool in here? It’s so dim and shady. Firestar sleeps back here on this bed of ferns and moss. It looks soft and springy. I don’t know how he keeps it so neat all the time. Doesn’t it make you want to jump on it and roll around? Oops! I thought it would hold up better than that. Do you think he’ll notice? Maybe we should get out of here.

See the caves where the apprentices and the elders sleep? The warriors—like me!—sleep under that big thornbush over there.

Under the biggest bramble thicket is the nursery. Want to visit my friend Sorreltail? She has the cutest kits in the world. Come on, let’s go over and stick our noses in.

Hello, Sorreltail. Hi, kittens! Oh, Sorreltail does look sleepy.

Sorry, we’ll let you get back to napping.

Across the camp is the medicine cat’s den. Hurry, Brambleclaw is coming with his extra-grumpy face on. What cute kits! I don’t want any of my own yet, though. I want to do a lot more warrior stuff first. Although it does look comfortable in the nursery.

You can’t see the den here because it’s hidden by this curtain of hanging bramble tendrils. But slip through it and—see? Look at this great cave! Hey, Leafpool, how’s it going? My sister is our medicine cat. The smell in here always makes me sneeze. Achoo!

Oops, sorry, Leafpool… were those supposed to be stacked like that? Look, this is my friend. I wanted to show how nice it is in here. It almost makes you want to get sick. The sand is really soft, and there’s a little pool in the back for water. Leafpool stores her herbs in these cracks in the wall, or, I guess, out here in a pile where any cat can step on them. What? I didn’t do it on purpose!

Uh-oh—hear that yowling? That’s our bossy tabby friend looking for me. Perhaps you’d better go. Tell you what, I’ll jump on him, and you make a dash for the tunnel. Then you might want to keep running as far and as fast as you can. Brambleclaw can be very seri-ous about scaring off trespassers. Okay, ready? All right, go! Run!

Quick as you can!

Only some leaders and medicine cats are remembered by the Clans. Their names cast long shadows over the history of the forest; their deeds—good or evil—are told and retold by each generation until they pass from history into legend. Of the others, the ones whose names and deeds have been forgotten or, in some cases, banished from living memory, only StarClan knows.

Large orange tom the color of autumn leaves, with amber eyes and big white paws.

Strong, courageous, and determined.

Founder of ThunderClan—worked with Wind, Shadow, and River to develop the warrior code. According to legend it was Thunderstar who insisted on its more compassionate elements.

Deputies:Lightningtail, Owleyes (later Owlstar) Apprentices:Unknown

Dark gray cat with large, unblinking amber eyes.

ThunderClan’s second leader was a legendary hunter, who learned the ways of the tawny owl to stalk prey by night in silence.

Deputies:Unknown

Apprentices:Unknown

Tom with yellow tabby stripes, green eyes, and long fur.

Fair minded, even tempered, wise.

Held his Clan together through dangerous leaf-bare.

Fought to keep Sunningrocks away from RiverClan.

Deputies:Tawnyspots, Bluefur (later Bluestar) Apprentice:Lionpaw (Lionheart)

Blue-gray she-cat with piercing blue eyes and silver hairs tipping muzzle and tail.

Wise, kind, beloved, and strong.

Brought a kittypet named Rusty to join ThunderClan. Rusty (renamed Firepaw, and later Fireheart) grew to become one of the most essential, valued, and respected cats in all the forest.

Deputies:Redtail, Lionheart, Tigerclaw, Fireheart (later Firestar) Apprentices:Frostpaw (Frostfur), Runningpaw (Runningwind), Firepaw (Fireheart)

Tom with bright green eyes and flame-colored pelt.

Brave, intelligent, loyal—a natural leader.

Has an unusually strong connection with StarClan, and is the subject of StarClan’s prophecy, “Fire alone can save our Clan” (see Prophecies and Omens ).

Brought WindClan back from exile after they were driven out by ShadowClan.

Uncovered Tigerclaw’s treachery in time to stop him killing Bluestar.

Saved Clan from terrible fire in camp.

Discovered Tigerstar’s scheme to unleash a pack of dogs to the camp, and organized plan to save Clan.

Led the Clans of the forest against BloodClan.

Kept Clan together through the Twoleg destruction and brought them safely to new lake home.

Deputies:Whitestorm, Graystripe, Brambleclaw Apprentices:Cinderpaw (Cinderpelt), Cloudpaw (Cloudtail), Bramblepaw (Brambleclaw)

Long-furred black tom with white ears, white chest, and two white paws.

Inquiring, curious, and thoughtful, though sometimes appeared shy and reserved.

Very interested in the theory of medicine—not quite so keen on dealing with sickly kits.

Discovered the difference between greencough and whitecough, and identified catnip as a possible cure. (See Beyond the Territories, How the Moonstone Was Discovered. )

Pale, silvery gray tom with bright amber eyes, unusually long feathery whiskers, and a sweeping plume of a tail.

Sunstar’s medicine cat and also his brother.

Gentle, sweet-natured, and kind mentor—passed on his compassion and deep connection with StarClan to his apprentice, Spottedleaf.

Worked tirelessly to save Clanmates during greencough epidemic, which ultimately killed him.

Beautiful dark tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes, white paws, black-tipped tail, and distinctive dappled coat.

Skilled interpreter of StarClan’s mysterious messages.

Received StarClan prophecy that led Bluestar to bring Firepaw into Clan.

Walks dreams of ThunderClan cats, especially Firestar’s.

Ornery gray she-cat with bright orange eyes and broad, flattened face.

Gifted healer—could be bad-tempered and difficult.

Helped rescue ThunderClan kits from ShadowClan.

Became ThunderClan’s medicine cat after Spottedleaf was killed.

Died as lived—fighting to save Clan.

Fluffy gray she-cat with enormous blue eyes.

Bright and energetic with boundless enthusiasm.

Quick learner—could have been agile warrior, were it not for injury.

Rescued two ShadowClan cats and nursed them back to health against orders.

Nursed Bluestar back to health when she contracted greencough.

Saved Brightpaw’s life after the apprentice was mauled by the pack of dogs.

Died fighting to save Sorreltail.

Small, light brown tabby with amber eyes, white paws, and white chest.