‘They kill my father. I am going to take my revenge!’ said Tiglon furiously.
‘What?’ shouted Firestar suddenly, ‘Galen was killed!’
‘Yes,’ Tiglon nodded. ‘You know my father?’
‘Yes, of course I know him,’ replied Firestar, ‘He was ThunderTribe’s benefactor. The three
bandits are snow leopard hunters. Bone, Ice and Blood attacked our camp for our treasure, Stone
of Destiny and they hunted for our pelts. Luckily your father saved us. Although the stone was
stolen, no one was hurt. That time, our leader was Bluestar and he thanked your father for saving
us. But unfortunately, after Galen left, the three bandits attacked the camp again and killed
Dustfoot’s parents and siblings, and also my father and my sister. I was a cub at that time, but I
have never forgotten that bloody and horrible night.’
He cleared his throat and continued, ‘StarTribe sent me an omen for the night you became a
warrior. The omen is “An ice, a bone and a scourge was controlled by a precious stone. They were
struck by fire, but it didn’t break the stone. The stone made them go mad. Only a knife could break
the stone and stop them from destroying the Gobi Desert.” Let’s go to Starpool immediately and
get the hints that StarTribe sent us for the quest.’
When they arrived at Starpool, it was already evening. Firestar and Tiglon entered an ancient
tunnel in the Highstones, and Firestar swam across the Moonpool and jumped onto a glimmering,
blue-green stone while Tiglon stood beside the pool. The stone was called the Moonstone, where
the leaders received their nine lives and tribe healers went to speak with the StarTribe. After a
while, Firestar jumped down from Moonstone and led Tiglon to leave there.
That night, while Firestar was having dinner with Tiglon, he talked to him, ‘Tiglon, StarTribe
sent me the hints of the quest of finding the Stone of Destiny. He said, “Slip out of your den in a
starry midnight. Leave your own kin in his den. Bring your apprentice and cross the Silk Road to
find the cliff of flame. In a bright cave, you will have your battle of the stone.” The cliff of flames
means the Flaming Cliffs in Gobi Desert, and we must cross the Silk Road. We have to begin our
journey this midnight.’
‘Will we bring Leafstorm with us?’ asked Tiglon.
‘No, we won’t. He has already shown his loyalty to his tribe for risking his life to fight an
eagle with you, to protect Willowpelt’s two cubs and he deserved to be a warrior with you. Also,
the omen said that not to bring my own kin. Leafstorm was my own kin so I shouldn’t bring him.
Now, just have a full stomach to fight for the quest because you need power to finish the quest,
and you are the one to save the whole Gobi Desert.’ Firestar said sincerely.
A heavy pressure suddenly landed on Tiglon’s shoulders as he knew that he was the one in
the prophecy that StarTribe sent to save the Gobi Desert. He had his dinner dully. While he was
resting in his own den, he stared at a glittering star and prayed, ‘Mum, please guide my step, bless
and protect me to finish my quest safely!’
Tiglon and Firestar slipped out from the camp that midnight while every snow leopard was
sleeping in their dens. While they were running down to the foot of the mountain, Tiglon glanced
at the old cottage where he used to live with his mother. He felt a pang of sadness and loneliness,
but when he thought of his important quest, he went on and followed Firestar to the Flaming Cliffs.
During the long journey, Firestar let Tiglon ride on his back to have a rest. Finally, they
arrived at the Flaming Cliffs. They saw piles of tall red mountains that looked like they were just
flamed by sun. Tiglon took out the Knife of Destiny and grasped its hilt tight, as if battle was
going to start any second.
