"Wake up, sleepy-head!" said Bramblepaw to Smolderpaw. Smolderpaw blinked her eyes, and stood up. She stretched, yawning, before grooming her messy pelt.
Bramblepaw smiled, "Eh, you sure get up easy! That'll serve you well."
Smolderpaw grinned, and shook herself off. "Thanks for the compliment, Bramblepaw!" she meowed, smiling.
He nodded, "No problem! But since you're awake, you may wanna get ready to start training. Junipersight will be ready for you."
Smolderpaw nodded, and walked outside, feeling the warm rays of newleaf. She then walked over to the clean-prey stash and took a mouse for herself. A quick, but delicious breakfast for her to eat before she continued on with her day. Junipersight then emerged from the Chiefs' den, and Fallowstar followed him out. Smolderpaw strained her ear to listen, and picked up a bit of the conversation.
Junipersight looked at his Chief, and spoke, "I'll have to renew the borders while I'm out with Smolderpaw today. We can't risk anything from the Circle."
Brightstar strode up beside them. Nodding, Fallowstar licked her paw, rubbing it behind her ear. "What you've told me bothers me as well, Junipersight. News and activity from Circle has been unheard of for many seasons now. It's not like them to be this quiet unless something has occurred. Be careful out there today," she meowed.
Junipersight nodded, and the Chiefs dismissed him. He then walked over to the clean-prey stash, and ate a vole, quickly. He then spotted Smolderpaw, who had been sitting near the middle of the camp, waiting for him. He walked up to her after taking his last few bites, and licked his muzzle.
"Morning, Smolderpaw. Are you ready to go?" he questioned.
She grew a confused look. "Now? But shouldn't we wait until the Clan has woken up?" she mewed.
The great brown lion seemed to tower over her. "Ah, it's fine. Besides, I'm not going to teach you fighting or hunting methods quite yet. You'll first need to know the boundaries of LionClan, if you ever want to do both of those things," Junipersight meowed warmly, chuckling even.
"Well, don't go off without us!" shouted a voice. The two turned around to spot Gingerpaw and Foxflight striding towards them.
Foxflight smiled, "We would like to join you is what Gingerpaw meant to say," she said, and looked at Gingerpaw.
Then, Lynxfang and Owlpaw strode up to them. "We should join you as well. Young Owlpaw will need to know clan boundaries if he wishes to make a fine lion someday," Lynxfang spoke in his deep voice, a little more serious than Junipersight's warm tone.
Owlpaw smiled at his guide, and nodded to Junipersight. Junipersight nodded to his friends, and they headed out. This was it! Smolderpaw shivered as she headed up the cold stone tunnel. She relied on her nose as the inside of the tunnel was too dark. Eventually she found her way out, and was hit with a blast of cold air. She looked out, and saw she stood on top of a mountain, forest territory below her, and she could see the rising sun, the Skyriver she had heard about, and the Loud-leg place. She was breathless for a moment, and Owlpaw walked up beside her, and pressed his pelt to hers. They were both astonished.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" a voice interrupted. The two realized Junipersight was watching them. They mewed a quick apology.
Along the way, the guides told the lionets about each landmark. They passed Firefly Grove, and renewed the scents. Then they headed towards the boundary to the Loud-leg place.
As they drew nearer, Smolderpaw's nose stung. She started to sneeze, and sat down, covering her nose with her paw. "What is that foul smell?!" Smolderpaw exclaimed.
Foxflight turned around, and padded up to her. "Don't worry, Smolderpaw. We're almost there," she spoke.
Foxflight continued to trot with Smolderpaw with her dainty black legs, and wrapped her fuzzy tail around the small she. She really did live up to her name!
They kept up the pace, and suddenly, she saw what was emitting the acrid stench. "This is the Deathwalk," Lynxfang told them, "This is what keeps the toughclaws and softpaws over there, and what keeps us over here. But we still need to renew the markings."
Smolderpaw sniffed for any unfamiliar scents, but could barely smell anything. "Why can't I smell anything but the Deathwalk?" she asked, remembering the conversation Junipersight had with the Chiefs this morning.
"Well, Smolderpaw, that's nothing to be concerned with. It's a good thing!" Foxflight meowed enthusiastically, but Smolderpaw could tell something was of concern.
Owlpaw walked up to Smolderpaw and Foxflight. "Those stupid toughclaws better stay away! They better! I may not be strong enough to fight like a lion, but they better not underestimate my clan!" he said.
Smolderpaw beamed at him. He felt just the same as she did. Smolderpaw nodded. To worry even the bravest cats is terrifying to think of.
YOU ARE READING
- The Origins of Smolderspirit -
Adventure"The Clan Within The Stars, what should I do?" Smolderspirit spoke aloud to the silence of the forest. It was as if everything was sleeping. "I loved him so dearly, and now, I've lost him. Is Willowsong really his destiny?" The night sky glittered...
