Fernpelt wanted to know what language the foxes names are in and the answer is Latin. I took a year of latin once and I really loved the language itself. (The class sucked.) So I figured, I'd give the foxes cool latin names and take a leaf out of JK Rowling's book. (If you'll pardon the pun.) Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far. Keep reading!

Chapter 5: Speaking

"We need to feed the Fire Tails! Prey is scarce. You can't rush around saving every multi-colored cat that enters out territory!"

"Ictus would you listen to me! This is the cat, I'm sure of it. The Star Walkers said he would come on this day and he did!"

The raging voices brought Sagepaw back to consciousness, acutely aware that the paw that had been placed on his chest was gone. He cracked open his eyes and peered up at the two foxes standing above him. They were facing each other, their ears flat on their skulls, their teeth bared. Even with Tawnypelt's reassurance that they wouldn't hurt him, Sagepaw was scared.

"Are you sure it's him?" the she-fox demanded.

"Yes," the male hastily answered.

"Then why did you nearly kill him!" screeched the vixen madly.

"It was an accident!" the male fox cried, "He was moving too much, I had to hold him down."

Sagepaw took a deep breath and scrambled to his feet, repeating Tawnypelt's words in his head to calm him down: Do not be scared. The foxes will NOT hurt you.

Sagepaw barely came up to the male fox's shoulder so he quietly cleared his throat. The two foxes whipped around, their teeth bared. Sagepaw gulped.

I hope StarClan is right about this, he prayed.

"He's awake," whispered the female fox.

"Thank you, I can see that Ictus," the male spat.

"H-hello," Sagepaw stuttered.

The vixen gasped loudly and spun to face the male. "Did you hear that! It spoke fox!"

"Um," Sagepaw said, "what's your name?"

The amber-eyed fox stepped forward, glaring into Sagepaw's eyes. "How is it that you can speak our tongue?"

"My ancestors gave me this gift. They said I had to help something called the Fire Tails," Sagepaw said, sticking his chin into the air, attempting to be courageous.

"Your ancestors?" the vixen asked.

"See!" the male said, turning triumphantly to the she-fox, "His own ancestors told him the name of our clan of foxes! He must be the one!"

"Excuse me," Sagepaw interrupted, "but what are you talking about?"

"My name is Acerbitas," the male fox said, addressing Sagepaw tersely, "and this is my mate and the Fire Tail's Watcher, Ictus."

Sagepaw's head reeled. So these foxes were part of a clan called the Fire Tails? Tawnypelt had said that they needed his help. But how could a newly apprenticed cat without a Clan like himself help a group of foxes? And what in the world was a Watcher?

"My name is Sagepaw," the tom said, trying to contain all his questions.

"What kind of a name is that?" yipped Ictus.

"A cat name," Sagepaw said, and left it at that. He didn't want to get into a whole explanation of life in the Clans. He also didn't want to give these foxes a map to the lake and his Clan so they could kill them.

"Sagepaw," Acerbitas said, "I am the Leader of the Fire Tails and as much as it pains me to ask for help from a cat, we are in need of your assistance."

Sagepaw nodded, noting the fox's tone. This was not a creature he wanted to mess with. "My ancestors told me that I need to help your Clan," he stated.

Acerbitas nodded. "I received a prophecy from the Star Walkers many seasons ago: 'A two-toned cat, out of all creatures, will smooth the ruffled fur of the Fire Tails and bring peace to us.' Since then, my foxes have been instructed to be on the lookout for cats that look like you. We have found a few, but none are the chosen one. Except for you."

One thing from Acerbitas's speech stuck in Sagepaw's mind. "Uh, what happened to the cats who weren't the chosen one?"

Ictus got an ugly look on her face and Acerbitas stared at Sagepaw. "We ate them," he said simply, "I need to feed my foxes."

Sagepaw felt sick to his stomach. All those cats, killed, just because they looked like him. His paws trembled slightly.

"So will you help us or will we devour you as well?" Ictus asked.

Sagepaw felt a shiver go up his spine but was determined to not let his fear show on his face. If this was what StarClan wanted, he would do as they said. Tawnypelt had not made him into an apprentice so he could shirk in the face of danger.

"I will do my best to help your Clan," Sagepaw proclaimed.

Acerbitas nodded his approval and then glanced back at the pool of water. He sniffed the air lightly and turned his head towards his mate. "We should get back to the camp now. Vorago has a new job and the rest of the foxes must know about this."

"Wait," Sagepaw called out, "would you tell me what I'm supposed to be doing?"

Acerbitas stared down at the cat, confusion spreading over his face.

"You're here to save us but you don't even know what it is you have to do?" exclaimed Ictus harshly.

Sagepaw shook his head, embarrassed. StarClan could at least have told him what he was expected to do to help these foxes. He tried to remain calm. He didn't want to think about what would happen if Ictus or her mate got tired of him.

"We'll explain back at camp," Acerbitas commanded, flicking his bushy tail at Ictus. The vixen twitched her ears, annoyed, and then stood behind Sagepaw.

"Follow Acerbitas," Ictus snapped, "I'll follow from behind."

Sagepaw set off behind the Leader of the Fire Tails. And even though StarClan had promised he'd be safe, he still couldn't help feeling like he was a prisoner, walking to his doom.