Warriors: Beetlestar's Path

Chapter Twelve

     A bright sky stretched overhead with only a few thin clouds to dot the empty space. Beetlewing watched Troutpaw with a tired purr in his throat as his apprentice gave way to a perfect crouch. Troutpaw lunged forward, slamming into Fawnface and wrapping his paws around her neck. Fawnface in turn grappled him by the chest and twisted around on her hind legs to throw him. 

    Troutpaw let go and kicked off against her, and he rolled on the battered grass. His paws dug into the earth and he immediately bolted towards Fawnface with his belly almost touching the ground. She braced herself, ready to deflect a blow, but Troutpaw threw himself at her with his shoulder towards her and crashed into her. 

     Beetlewing burst out laughing at the trick. Fawnface tumbled and got to her paws while Troutpaw hopped up in seconds. "Kinkedtail told me about that!" He trilled. 

     Fawnface curled her lip. "That was stupid. That's not a battle move! You just threw your weight about." 

     Troutpaw purred with delight. "It worked though, didn't it?" 

     Beetlewing snickered at Troutpaw's enthusiasm. "It worked. But be careful doing things like that. You can hurt your back, or make yourself vulnerable to attack." He stood and slid off of the rock. A slight breeze ruffled his fur and he turned to lick his shoulder. "Let's get that patrol over with. Come on." He caught a glimpse of Fawnface's displeased expression but elected to ignore it, turning away and starting off with Troutpaw bounding after him. 

     "Badgerpelt was telling me about how Mom managed to catch a snake all by herself when she was an apprentice," Troutpaw mewed. "Is that true?" 

     Beetlewing glanced at Troutpaw, curious where the conversation would head. "Dovescratch was a reckless cat. But yes, she did. And it was silly of her to try." 

     Troutpaw puffed. "But she still did. So . . . do you think I could?"  

     Fawnface let out a groan behind them. "Yeah, if you wanted to die a painful death, maybe." 

     "But if I could, that'd be pretty cool, right? Maybe I could even be a warrior after that?" Troutpaw stared intently at Beetlewing, who shot him a harsh look. 

     "If you even try to go after a snake, I'll make sure you don't become a warrior until Brownspots' kits are warriors themselves." 

     Troutpaw's eyes went wider than usual and he twitched his white and brown pelt indignantly. "I'm never going to be a warrior," he grouched. Fawnface scoffed. 

     "You're halfway through your apprenticeship! It's not that long anyways." 

     "Well- why can't I become a warrior earlier? Kinkedtail became a warrior early!" Troutpaw hopped in Beetlewing's path. 

     "Kinkedtail was close to the end of his apprenticeship. Besides, he was rewarded for acting heroically in battle. He saved Fawnface." Beetlewing shouldered past his apprentice. "Troutpaw, you're still young. You have a lot to learn. Just keep training and you'll be a warrior soon enough." 

     Troutpaw sighed behind him, and Beetlewing only picked up the pace. They would make it to the outer border soon, not far from the Serpent Crags. He considered showing Troutpaw the hole that Kinkedtail had almost fallen into but figured it best to dodge the area completely. My luck, he'll dive right in. And then where would we be? 

     "So, what's beyond the east border?" Troutpaw questioned, demolishing the moment of peace and quiet that Beetlewing had begun to relish. "I mean- like- obviously I've seen the stuff in the distance, but what is it?"