Warriors: The Prophecy of Frost - Apprentice's Journey

Chapter 7- The Journey Begins Again

Frostpaw was trying to have a good sleep but Timberclaw wouldn't let her. He shook her until she woke up.

"Why did you wake me up so early?" she yawned.

"I am going to teach you some survival skills," he mewed. "Sometimes, danger may come early in the morning, so you better get used to it."

Frostpaw sighed. Her back ached from the day before's training and her eyes were heavy with sleep.

"Race you to Tallpines!" Timberclaw called out, taking off.

Forcing her aching paws to move, she ran after him. This time, she was careful not to crash into any thorn bushes.

When she arrived, she was relieved that Timberclaw wasn't going to spring onto her back as he was waiting for her by a tree trunk.

"You arrived faster than last time," Timberclaw mewed in approval. "For this lesson, I will need you to listen carefully."

Frostpaw nodded seriously.

"Survival is important, and you nees to know how to hide from potential enemies, hunt prey that is fit to eat and avoid poisonous plants or herbs," he began. "First, you need shelter. If you are lucky, you can shelter in an abandoned Twoleg den or an unused badger set. But if you can't find any, you will have to sleep on a tree."

"On a tree?" Frostpaw mewed in surprise. "What if I fall?"

"That's why you need good instincts," he explained. "Even in your sleep, you must be at least a little bit alert. And you can't step onto any old branch. You need to find one that is strong and thick enough."

Timberclaw paused and mewed, "We shall practice tree climbing. You will have to learn about other things on your own. You should also ask Sunstream to teach you about basic herbs."

"Why can't I ask Stagwind?" Frostpaw asked.

"Because she is more likely to tell Silverstar or worse, Hailfall," he replied. "Let's get training before we waste more time."

~~~~

"Why so you want to learn about herbs?" Sunstream asked, narrowing her eyes.

"I..." Frostpaw hesitated. "I received a sign from StarClan to go on a journey to somewhere far away."

The medicine cat apprentice widened her eyes in shock. "Stagwind didn't tell me anything and I didn't recieve any sign."

"But StarClan came to me," Frostpaw mewed. "Can you please teach me? I need to go on the journey as soon as possible."

"Okay," Sunstream sighed. "I suppose you want me to keep a secret, even from my mentor, am I right?"

Frostpaw nodded.

"I will start with herbs for cuts and injuries. Cobwebs stop a bleeding wound and you can find it quite easily, especially in dusty places. Marigold and horsetail can prevent infection. Dock leaves can help sore pads. Burdock root or wild garlic for rat bites. Juniper berries for belly aches and strength."

"Slow down," Frostpaw mewed, her head dizzy. "Can you repeat that?"

Sunstream sighed. "No wonder you are not a medicine cat apprentice. Your memory is terrible!"

Frostpaw smiled sheepishly.

~~~~

Timberclaw woke her up early, as usual. But on that day, Frostpaw is going to start the tough journey that was laid out for her.
Sunstream had left a bundle of traveling herbs behind the nursery and Frostpaw swallowed it gingerly.

"I will come with you as far as the end of WindClan territory," Timberclaw mewed to her. "Good luck, don't forget what I have taught you."

Frostpaw nodded as Timberclaw led her out of the camp through the thorn barrier. Appleshade, who was guarding the exit, nodded as they walked past. She probably thought that Timberclaw was bringing Frostpaw for another early training session.

As Frostpaw stepped out of camp, she knew that she wouldn't be coming back for a long time.

She let out a sigh and followed her mentor. They past by Fourtrees, walking in a quick but steady pace.

Soon, they reached WindClan territory. "The WindClan cats should not be up this early," Timberclaw mewed. "I hope."

When they were at the end of WindClan territory, Timberclaw stared at her with a smile.

"I am proud to teach you," he mewed. "You are my first apprentice and I am impressed by your tolerance for my training methods."

"They were useful," Frostpaw mewed.

"I hope to teach you again when you come back," he mewed with a sad smile. "Good luck for your journey."

With that, her mentor ran off, leaving Frostpaw on the edge of WindClan territory.

"Goodbye," she mewed, taking a deep breath. She then took off towards the Twoleg nest that Timberclaw told her about.

~~~~

Stepping into the Twoleg nest, Frostpaw blinked to get used to the dim light. The nest was full of hay and she could smell mice nearby.

She spotted the mouse's grayish pelt, getting ready to pounce but a voice stopped her.

"Who are you?" a she-cat appeared behind a bunch of hay, looking at Frostpaw with no signs of hostility.

"Who are you?" Frostpaw asked nervously.
The she-cat blinked. "My name is Sofie."

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A/N: SmileSweethearts here is your character, Sofie! :D