Flame

Chapter Seven

They followed the river for a while, if you could call it a river, for it was only few tail-lengths wide. Traveling in silence was getting harder every second for Flame. Finally, Flame made an feeble attempt at conversation. “The river looks kind of dry, don’t you think?” “Yes, there must have been a drought recently.” Dovewing said absently. A few more minutes passed, Flame tried to interest himself in the scenery, but it looked the same as it had ever looked. Brown bark, green leaves, mud, river, and fish. Flame tried another conversation, “Don’t the leaves look a little brown around the edges?” Dovewing swerved toward the shady trees and sat down with a plop. “No, they aren’t, and you know it.” Her eyes looked deep into his, “Why don’t I tell you my story now?” Flame scuffed the mud with a paw and said, “If its too painful…” Dovewing cut him off. “I would not have offered if it was.” she took a deep breath.

“Dovekit, your name shall be Dovepaw until the time when you complete your warrior training. Emberfoot, you will mentor her,” Brightstar beamed at her, and all the cats in the clearing took up her new name. “Dovepaw! Dovepaw! Dovepaw!” Dovepaw’s head spun as she saw her leader’s head bent reassuringly, and received congratulations from her clan. She dragged her creamy paws to the camp entrance to sit her silent vigil, and began to think about tomorrow. Emberfoot! My mentor! Emberfoot had just recently killed, single pawed, a badger. Dovewing went over what her mother had told her about badgers. Razor-sharp teeth, viciously long claws and they’re three times the size of a normal cat, She thought. ‘Never, never, ever try to face a badger alone,’ had said her father once. Emberfoot did! And he is my mentor! 

The morning came all but soon enough. Stumbling, she made her way to her new den, unaware of the intense heat of her leader’s stare.

The prodding of a paw broke her dreamless sleep. “Not now, Timberkit…” Her eyes fluttered open, and she jumped up at the face of Emberfoot. “I know it’s hard to adjust to this, but its time to get up,” She followed him, and stretched her tired back. “Go get yourself some fresh-kill to wake up,” suggested Emberfoot. As she picked a mouse from the pile she concentrated on waking up. After she ate, Emberfoot called to her, “Dovepaw! We are going to patrol our territory today with Bramblehare and Leafpaw,” Dovewing trotted over and joined with her fellow apprentice and her mentor.