Prologue
Jared's eyes flew wide open. A voice... He had heard a voice. Jake was asleep, and so were his Housefolk. I can't understand half of what they say, anyway. Jared thought. "When the Stars fall, so will the Grounds. Rain will find it's down and all will be lost. Unless Fire helps the Shadows, peace will never again find the land." What the heck does that mean? He asked himself. He padded over to where Jake was eating, and flicked his tail in greetings. Looks like Jake wasn't asleep after all. "Hello, Jared." Jake meowed. Jake was a light brown tom. He had blue eyes and long whiskers. Jared had long whiskers, ginger fur, green eyes. And he was mute.