The Five Giants - Book 1

Chapter 14 - Swift

Today was my Warrior's Assessment.

No one's actually told me yet, but I can tell because of all the supportive looks I've been getting from cats in the clan. Honeyheart had also been giving me subtle hints, such as talking about my future when I'm a warrior.

And good Starclan, was I scared out of my mind.

If my Warrior's Assessment was today, that means that most of the other reborn's assessments are today. Which means that the truce we made when we had just turned apprentices was officially over, and death was no longer prohibited.

Well, frowned upon, but we can't call one of our deaths 'unfair'.

While I was thinking, Honeyheart had walked over to me, and was now standing in front of me. "Are you ready?" I gave the she-cat a nod. "Good. The other's are already waiting for you. They'll meet us at the training hollow. Follow me."

We started heading to the training hollow, keeping a quick pace. "Are you nervous?" Honeyheart asked.

I decided to be truthful. "Yep."

"Don't be. I know you'll do just fine. Just remember what I taught you and you'll be the star apprentice today." I gave Honeyheart a feeble smile at these words. I know she was trying to help, but she didn't understand the deeper meaning behind becoming warriors. Which was fine, I wasn't going to blame her for it.

We finally reached the training hollow, where all of the other apprentices, minus Finchpaw, of course, were waiting for us.

"Someone took their time." Crowear complained.

"Sorry, Crowear. I guess we were a bit slow." Honeyheart responded

Now that was a lie. We had kept a fast pace the entire time. The others were just early. I assume that Honeyheart just didn't want to start any squabbles.

"Shall we get started?" Foxflame inquired.

Cinderface nodded. "Yeah." She turned to the apprentices, "We'll be testing you not only on your strength in fighting, but also in your hunting skill and cunning. Since there are so many of you, we'll be splitting into groups. Swiftpaw and Doepaw, you'll start in the training hollow with Crowear and Foxflame. Dahliapaw and Stagpaw, you'll be with myself and Honeyheart."

Stagpaw raised his tail. "Why aren't we taking our assessments with our mentors?"

"Your mentor already knows all of your skills, and could possibly show bias when we report to Gorsestar," Foxflame responded, "So none of you will have your mentor in your group."

We split up into our respective groups, and the Dahliapaw's group headed out into the forest.

Crowear turned to face us. "We'll start you two with sparring while they hunt. Doepaw, Swiftpaw, head to opposite sides of the hollow, and we'll begin."

I slowly moved over to the south side of the hollow, breathing heavily. I don't know why I was so nervous, I had done this before and had done fine.

"On the drop of my tail, you may begin." Foxflame said, "Are you two ready?" We both nodded. "Three, two, one..."

Foxflame extended the pause to way longer than it should've been. Doepaw looked over to him in confusion.

Big mistake.

Foxflame finally dropped his tail, and I sprang towards Doepaw, my tail streaming out behind me, lips pulled back in a menacing manner.

I slammed into the she-cat, tumbling over with her towards the edge of the hollow. When I was finally able to maintain some stability, I stood, pinning her. Doepaw churned her hind legs against my stomach, trying to execute a move we've been taught so many times.