Warriors: The Prophecy of Frost - Apprentice's Journey

Chapter 17- Lessons

"Are you sure you don't need to rest?" Goldenstar asked Frostpaw.

The ThunderClan apprentice shook her head. "No," she replied.

Goldenstar shrugged. "If you say so."

He turned to Smallweb. "Come with us and Russetpaw too."

"Can Creampaw come?" Russetpaw asked, overhearing what Goldenstar had just said. "It would be fun!"

"Why not?" Smallweb mewed. "I'll inform Rockshade."

Smallweb didn't keep them waiting for long, for he had returned with a red and brown tom and a cream ginger she-cat.

"Let's go," the red and brown tom - Rockshade - mewed slightly impatiently.

The six cats padded out of the DragonClan camp and Frostpaw took the chance to take in the sights.

"Where does your territory end?" she asked, her eyes widening, "the lake seems pretty big."

"If you walk past those trees," Goldenstar gestured to the dense forest, "you should be able to see a stream. We don't usually go on the other side as that will be difficult to patrol. Plus, it is open moorland on the other side of the stream, and most of us can't run fast enough to catch those rabbits."

That territory sounds like WindClan territory! But it seems smaller than the moor at the forest.

"We will be nearing the lake," Rockshade began as they continued walking. "I don't want any of you to go close and fall in; don't expect us to come and pull you out."

Russetpaw and Creampaw nodded, although Creampaw seemed slightly annoyed. Frostpaw was half listening, but managed to catch the important things that Rockshade had said.

When they have arrived at the lakeshore, Frostpaw nearly tripped on a stick. Smallweb steadied her, and Frostpaw felt embarrassed. Why didn't I see that stick sooner?

"As you can see, the lake is big," Smallweb mewed, looking at the great expanse of water as he spoke, "therefore, it is very dangerous for young apprentices like you to fall in. You never know whether you will be washed to the middle or the lakeshore."

"Okay," all the apprentices mewed.

"We will show all of you the Sky Oak next," Goldenstar mewed. "Russetpaw, Creampaw, I know that both of you have toured the territory before, and the reason both of you came is that you can teach Frostpaw some things."

They nodded.

The tour continued on for the rest of the day. Occasionally either Russetpaw or Creampaw would add in some more details after their mentors or Goldenstar have finished speaking.

They hunted on the way back. Goldenstar caught a squirrel, surprising Frostpaw when he leaped on a tree branch to catch the prey. Russetpaw and Creampaw worked together to catch a rabbit. Smallweb and Rockshade didn't hunt but gave their apprentices a few tips before they started their hunt.

Despite the unfamiliar territory, Frostpaw managed to catch a decent vole.

"I am going to teach you some special hunting techniques tomorrow," Goldenstar mewed to her. "You should get some sleep."

As Frostpaw walked off to the apprentice den, she saw Goldenstar talking in hushed voices with Blaststorm, and the DragonClan deputy would look at her when he thought she wasn't looking.

Strange, Frostpaw mused.

She pushed her thoughts aside and lay down on her mossy nest to sleep, getting herself refreshed for the next day.

~~~~

"Frostpaw, wake up," Goldenstar's firm voice woke her up. Frostpaw leaped to her paws.

"What's happening?" she asked immediately. "An attack?"

"Nothing wrong is happening," he mewed in a reassuring voice. "Relax."

Frostpaw nodded, her eyes heavy with sleep.

"I have woken you before dawn-" Goldenstar began.

"Before dawn?" Frostpaw echoed. "Why?"

"I was about to explain, " he mewed in annoyance. "I woke you up at dawn because I found a hole where I could scent many mice in it. Based on my observations, most of the mice would come out at dawn."

"So you want me to catch the mice?" Frostpaw realised.

"Not only that," Goldenstar mewed. "It will be a good test on your... patience."

She frowned slightly. My patience isn't the best...

"Patience is a quality of a warrior," he rumbled. "Today is a test, and a lesson. Listen well."

Frostpaw followed Goldenstar out of the camp and towards the pine forest.

Finally, the golden pelted tom stopped by a small hole. "Now, we wait," he mewed.

Frostpaw siffled a yawn. Her paws were itching to move and she was beginning to feel restless.

She felt Goldenstar's gaze on her. Patience, she could practically hear what he was thinking.

Finally, a gray head popped out of the hole. Frostpaw want to just charge towards the mouse and kill it, but she prevented herself to.

If I kill it, the other mice wouldn't come out because of the sound.

Frostpaw saw Goldenstar giving her a slight nod of approval.

Soon, more gray shapes scampered out of the hole. "Now!" he hissed, pouncing onto the nearest mouse.

Excitement flooded through her as she chased after the squealing bundles of gray fur.

It wasn't long until the squealing stopped. They have caught a great heap of prey; five plump mice were caught.

"Have a quick rest," he mewed to Frostpaw. "Later we will work on some unique skills."

Frostpaw smiled to herself. I have managed my impulsivity and succeeded in the test. Maybe things will go well after all.