ButterflyClan: Monarchwing's Journey

Chapter Eight

A/N I've been working on this chapter since August, but it was all lost when it didn't save over a vacation with no Wifi. This is the first time I've ever continued something after losing part of it. The tour of the territory will take two chapters, which I wish I could prevent, but since this takes place in another world I think it's important to introduce it. I had a picture of the territory but it's not letting me post it. Does anyone know how to on the website?

~Goldenfeather74

The new apprentices were waiting for their mentors with Dartpaw and Quailpaw.

"Don't worry," assured Dartpaw. "They're probably just getting extra instructions."

"Did they do this when you became apprentices?" asked Cynapaw.

"Well... No," admitted Quailpaw. "But don't worry."

"Oh look, here are our mentors!" exclaimed Dartpaw, giving a bounce.

Buntingflight and Willowbloom were walking up, closer together than they would normally be. Monarchpaw had noticed this type of behavior yesterday at the ceremony, but thought nothing of it. But now she made a face. Imagine, grumpy old bossypelt Buntingflight... In love? There might be hope for him after all.

Buntingflight scowled. "If you make that face too often it will get stuck that way."

Maybe not.

He quickly took charge again. Addressing Dartpaw and Quailpaw, he said, "Today we will be bringing you out on a pre-assesment, to see when or if you're ready for your final. Any questions?" He gave them a look that implied, if you do ask a question, you'll be lucky if you become a warrior anytime before the end of the world. So of course, there were none.

The four older cats left, leaving the five new apprentices nothing to do but wait again. Soon they spotted Snowwing's white pelt appearing from the leader's den. They immediately sat up straighter as their mentors came closer, including Larkstar.

When the group reached them, Snowwing stepped forward. "So... What do you already know about outside the borders?"

Monarchpaw realized that she knew next to nothing about the outside world. Azuredusk was a poor story teller at best, and Swanfeather...

"What was it like when you were our age, mother?" Sparrowkit had asked.

"Well, it was mostly the same but with different cats and kits were QUIET," Swanfeather had snapped.

Somewhat later Peacockkit had begged for a story.

"Fine. Once upon a time there were three kits who would not SHUT UP, so they met a sudden untimely death. The end."

They had mostly learned their lesson by then, except for when Pearlkit inquired about how Swanfeather had fallen in love with Crowblaze.

"We went on patrol together. That's it." And that's all she would say.

Monarchpaw was snapped out of remembering by Pearlpaw's scathing mew, "Shouldn't Larkstar be talking? She's the leader." She glanced over to see Swallowclaw's gaze directed at the entire group, unblinking.

Snowwing looked toward her leader, and Larkstar nodded. "I have designated Snowwing to be the leader right now, we've talked it over in my den. Right now I am merely another mentor," Larkstar explained.

Monarchpaw was surprised at the venom Pearlpaw had displayed, usually she was very nice. But then she saw her friend look over to where Swallowclaw sat and suddenly she understood.

What was Pearlpaw's, well, Swallowclaw's, problem with Snowwing? What was she attempting to accomplish by being mean? Monarchpaw shook her head to clear it. The first day as a new apprentice was supposed to be happy, carefree. She wouldn't worry about anything else today.