Untold Omen

Ch.4

The next few days were occupied by hunting.

Snakepaw spent a lot of time learning to land his leaps, and Patchpaw was still perfecting her crouch.

Today, though, Crowwatcher had promised Patchpaw they'd start on their battle training.

Snakepaw, Patchpaw, Bluepaw and Silverpaw were grouped together by the camp entrance, waiting for their mentors to finish eating.

Snakepaw, Bluepaw and Patchpaw were sharing tongues while Silverpaw picked a thorn from his paw pad.

Eventually, Rednose, Crowwatcher and Adderthorn approached the three, and the group headed towards a spot in the woods designated for training apprentices.

Snakepaw stepped into the bare spot in the woods.

They were surrounded by pine trees, but the clearing was completely empty aside from the fresh snow that had returned overnight.

"I want Bluepaw and Silverpaw to show these two what you've already learned," Rednose spoke. "-then we will pair you up to practice."

Bluepaw and Silverpaw separated themselves from the group, standing facing each other.

They both backed up until there were a few fox-lengths between them.

Silverpaw jumped down into a crouch, and Bluepaw followed.

Snakepaw watched the way Silverpaw held himself. The ambition in his green eyes was unmissable.

Bluepaw's focus was on his target, but he was otherwise calm. Silverpaw had something else stirring in his head.

Without any verbal cue, Silverpaw launched himself off his haunches toward Bluepaw.

Bluepaw predicted this move and darted under the tom, quickly turning around and biting into Silverpaw's fluffy tail.

Silverpaw let out an exasperated yowl as he was tugged off his feet.

Bluepaw took the opportunity to jump onto the tom's back, pinning the tom down with soft paws wedged between his shoulder blades.

Silverpaw was able to shuffle his legs under him and forced himself upward.

Bluepaw scrambled to hold onto the tom's back, but Bluepaw, not wanting to hurt Silverpaw with his claws, slipped down onto the ground next to him.

Silverpaw turned and placed a paw on the smaller tom's back, rendering him unable to stand.

"That's enough," Addorthorn called, his voice gruff.

Silverpaw's mentor, Twigrush, wasn't here to keep him in line, and Adderthorn clearly wasn't impressed with the apprentice's display of strength.

Rednose looked at Snakepaw and Patchpaw expectantly.

"Bluepaw is smart. He predicted that Silverpaw would rely on his strength rather than his witts, but Silverpaw is larger and stronger. Bluepaw, I want you with Patchpaw. Silverpaw, you're with Snakepaw."

Rednose and Adderthorn stepped back to give the four apprentices more room.

Crowwatcher gave Patchpaw a supportive lick on the shoulder before joining the other warriors.

Snakepaw padded over to his section of the clearing, stretching out his legs.

He dropped down into a ready stance, preparing for whatever Silverpaw was capable of.

On the other side of the clearing, Patchpaw was preparing herself to spar with Bluepaw.

Silverpaw gave a subtle nod to Snakepaw, letting him get the first move.