Unbroken Echos: A Shadow in Destiny (Book 1)

~ Chapter 2 ~

As Weevilpaw scrambled up the last length of the fallen tree, her heart raced with excitement as she leaped onto the forest floor. The scent of wet bark filled her lungs, mingling with the rich, earthy aroma of the damp leaves from the new-leaf rain the night before.

Sorrelflight was already on her paws, stretching and eyeing her with that familiar mix of patience and determination. "All right, Weevilpaw," she meowed, her yellow eyes gleaming in the dappled sunlight. "You ready to finally start your first training session?"

"Yes, I really am, Sorrelflight." Weevilpaw replied.

"Good. Today, we're only going to be focusing on hunting techniques." Sorrelflight went on, "Just to keep in mind of that fuzzy little head of yours, stealth is key. You want your prey to feel like nothing is watching them, not a clumsy apprentice making so much noise the whole forest can hear them."

Weevil nodded. "I'll try my best, Sorrelflight. I promise."

"Let's find somewhere where we can find some cover," Sorrelflight suggested with a nudge at Weevilpaw's shoulder, before she began padding away deeper into the territory. They crossed a small stream, its water glittering like scattered stars, except in the sun.

Weevilpaw carefully hopped from one stone to another, trying not to get her fur wet, and to maybe impress her mentor with hopping so smoothly. But would she really? Weevilpaw thought while taking a last leap off one of the rocks. Hopping off stones in the water isn't really a warrior trait. . . . Maybe a BogClan trait, but I'm not sure about LinnClan.

Something rustling in the bushes caught her attention. Her body tensed with anticipation. What if was a fox, or maybe a badger? Or maybe a small rabbit? She didn't know which one to believe.

Antpaw emerged from the bush first, his mentor, Rooklight, came out soon after. Antpaw's eyes widened at Weevilpaw, stepping back a bit.

Sorrelflight realized from a tail-length away that Weevilpaw wasn't following her, so she turned back. She came up to Weevilpaw's side and dipped her head at the sight of Rooklight. "Good hunting, I suppose, Rooklight?"

Rooklight dipped his head in response back at her. "Surely, Sorrelflight. We wish it is. We just came out to go hunting," he added.

Weevilpaw met Antpaw's gaze as both their mentors were talking. He came forward to her, tilting his head sideways. "I'm surprised our Clanmates let you out of camp--don't you have to sneak out to avoid embarrassing the Clan?"

Weevilpaw stepped back a bit at his words, surprised. She wasn't close to the tom, but she definitely didn't expect him to say all that to her. Would this happen more? she thought to herself.

Weevilpaw's ears flattened to her head, but she tried to push the anger inside that was suddenly forming inside her belly. "I'm here to have my first hunting session, Antpaw. I'm here to learn."

"Only if you put in enough effort into hunting as much as you do when you're sneaking off, or daydreaming--"

"Enough, Antpaw," Rooklight interjected, his fur bristling and his tone sharp. "Sorrelflight and I have decided that we're going to train alongside them today, just to show Weevilpaw some hunting techniques. If you want to bicker, then you can travel back to camp right now."

Antpaw lowered his head, rolling his eyes when Rooklight wasn't looking.

The group began to continue through the territory until Sorrelflight finally arrived at the perfect spot for the training session, which was a grassy clearing shaded by low-hanging branches.

"Now, let's begin," Sorrelflight meowed as she demonstrated a hunting crouch, her body gliding into position with such grace that Weevilpaw looked upon her in awe. "When you're doing a hunting crouch, remember to keep your body low and move slowly, without stepping on fallen leaves or sticks. Got it?"