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"Nettlepaw! Nettlepaw, oh my goodness, now focus!"
The sun was just beginning to light up the sky and Larkwing was already at her wits' end. Together with Stormpool and Briarclaw, she had been given the task of testing the three youngest apprentices on their fighting skills that day.
Admittedly, it had surprised Larkwing that it had started so early. She could still remember well that her first battle training had only taken place after at least a moon and a half. But times had changed, and so Palestar and Honeyclaw had thought it would be better to prepare the apprentices as early as possible, in case of an emergency.
At first, Larkwing could hardly wait to at last be the one to give the orders. Unfortunately, she hadn't reckoned with Nettlepaw's absent-mindedness. Not three heartbeats passed without the orange and white tom being distracted by some little thing. No matter if it was a noise several tree-lengths away or a supposed movement under the pine needles, Nettlepaw's attention always wandered away.
Only with difficulty did Larkwing suppress a hiss. "It'll never work like this!" she scolded. Whirling up the leaves, she stomped over to Nettlepaw and stood in front of him with her legs apart. "If you could please, please just listen to me for a moment. Don't forget what kind of situation we're in right now. The Shadowless always attack without warning. At a time like this, you definitely don't want to be caught unprepared or even have to rely solely on the others to protect you."
His blue eyes widened, Nettlepaw lowered his head anxiously. "I'm sorry," he squeaked, then his gaze drifted off into the distance again.
Even if his apology is meant sincerely, it won't stop him from continuing to make the same mistake. At a loss, Larkwing scratched her flank. She had never imagined it would be so difficult.
Glancing around for help, she looked to Stormpool and Briarclaw. But to her secret frustration, they were having no trouble getting the other two apprentices to listen. Fluffed up and with twitching ears, Blossompaw and Owlpaw sat there, absorbing everything that was said to them.
Or maybe it's just because of me that Nettlepaw doesn't want to listen. Suddenly doubts gnawed at Larkwing. She had no idea how to deal with an apprentice. Maybe she should ask Heatherwing to let a more experienced battle strategist take her place today.
Then Larkwing forced herself to pull herself together. Somehow she would find a way. "Listen," she meowed. "Look at Blossompaw and Owlpaw. They've probably learnt more than you in the time you've been daydreaming — and you haven't learnt anything at all today."
Nettlepaw bristled his fur. "Don't compare me to them!" The tip of his tail twitched as a sign of his irritation.
Without really meaning to, anger flared up in Larkwing. She knew she had to try to get Nettlepaw's attention without degrading him. But how was she supposed to do that if nothing had worked so far?
