The Clash of Stars Book 1: The Key

Chapter 13: Sunnyheart

Sunnyheart stared ahead, ears flat with anxiety. Next to her, Flamewhisker attempted to offer comforting words, but, for the most part, seemed at a loss of what to say.

What if I fail? Sunnyheart fretted. What if she hates me? What if I get her killed?!

She shook her head, claws digging into the sandy earth under her. Now that she was here, she didn't care if Bumblespring had beaten her to it.

I'm not ready to be a mentor!

Flamewhisker gave a fond sigh, nudging her. "Your tail is twitching," they whispered.

Sunnyheart firmly held her tail still, taking a deep breath as Gryphonstar took her place at the base of the Highest Peak.

Since the Gathering, Gryphonstar and her new deputy, Hawkflash, had been trying to bring FlashClan back to some semblance of normalcy. The Gryphonstar standing at the head of the Clan was a far cry from the one that had been ruffled and grieving just a quarter moon ago. Now, her fur was sleek and her muscles rippled under her marbled pelt. Her wings were well groomed and intimidating, and her crystal blue gaze swept over the gathered cats as she began speaking.

"We are gathered here today for one of the most important ceremonies in a young cat's life — creating new apprentices." She nodded towards the nursery, where Dovewish was struggling to get in a few last laps at her kits' heads. Streamkit wriggled in an attempt to bound away, tail bushing in excitement despite her mother's efforts. Next to her, Palekit looked more than reluctant to even leave the nursery.

Poor Palekit looks so nervous, Sunnyheart thought. Flamewhisker will probably end up mentoring her — no way she's going to be a striker.

Gryphonstar waved her tail in encouragement as the kits finally padded to sit in front of her. "From this day forward," she began, "you will be known as Streampaw and Palepaw." She bent down, dwarfing the two young mollies as she touched her nose to each of their heads in turn.

The FlashClan leader turned to Flamewhisker. "Flamewhisker, you are ready to take on an apprentice," she said, and Flamewhisker puffed out their chest. "You received excellent training from Vanillabird, and have shown yourself to be diligent and clever."

In front of Gryphonstar, Palepaw was staring at the ground. Sunnyheart tried not to shake her head in sympathy. Don't worry, Palepaw, she thought, Flamewhisker will be the best mentor you could have.

Gryphonstar continued, "You will be mentor to Streampaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to this apprentice."

Sunnyheart jolted to attention. She just managed to nudge Flamewhisker in support as they padded to Streampaw and touched noses with her.

Gryphonstar turned to Sunnyheart. "Sunnyheart, despite the recent setbacks you've been through, you have persevered and are ready to take on an apprentice." The rest of Gryphonstar's words faded into a faint buzzing as she continued speaking, and then suddenly Sunnyheart was standing in front of Palepaw.

Palepaw had already looked so scared — Sunnyheart felt as though she'd already failed the little fawn-colored apprentice.

Palepaw was looking up for the first time, but she looked on the verge of panic, her yellow eyes flickering around anxiously.

Snapping out of her worries, Sunnyheart bent down to touch noses with her apprentice.

"Palepaw has expressed interest in training to be a striker," Gryphonstar explained. "I expect you to pass on everything you know to her."

"Of course," Sunnyheart replied firmly, determined to not let her fears stop her from being a good mentor. "I'll do my best."

The Clan's voices rose to call the apprentices by their new names. "Palepaw! Streampaw! Palepaw! Streampaw!"