Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 21

Emberspirit glanced around, the stiffness in his shoulder was back but he prowled forward without complaint. Pikesky was next to him, tail up and mouth open, drinking in scents of prey. Redmist and Reedpaw were following, the reddish brown toms amber eyes keen on impressing the deputy with his hunting skills. 

Today was assessment day for all of the apprentices, a task that all deputies had to undertake. He had watched Nutpaw, Gorsepaw, Goldenpaw, and Barkpaw already and dubbed them good hunters, now Reedpaw had to live up to his denmates successes. 

The apprentice moved forward like a snake, Emberspirit had caught the faint whiff of rabbit and watched impressed as the tom followed it's trail, his paws barely making a sound. 

The warriors crouched and followed the apprentice and saw the rabbit munching on the lilies in the patch. 

Reedpaw stalked forward, his tail down but his eyes excited before he lunched forward and hooked the rabbit on its haunches, pinning it down and giving a swift bit to the throat to finish it silently. 

"Well done!" Redmist cried, moving forward as Reedpaw held up the catch, pride in his eyes. "It's about as big as you Reedpaw!"

"Yes, it was well done." Emberspirit moved from his crouch to stand in front of the apprentice. "The Clan will eat well tonight because of you and your denmates." He told him, feeling proud that his Clan had such good apprentices. 

Reedpaw puffed at his praise, his eyes bright, when he dropped his rabbit. "I smell blood." He mewed, the fur along his spine raising. 

Emberspirit instantly scented the stench of dog, "R-Reedpaw, be-behind me!" He growled as his patrol formed a defensive line. 

It was a tense few moments, Emberspirit unsheathed his claws and dug them into the sodden dirt when Patchfur and Lionscar exploded from the reeds, along with Wildclaw, panting hard.

"The dog saw us! Chased us!" Wildclaw snarled angrily, thankfully the Twoleg stopped it." 

Emberspirit relaxed at the sight of his grumpy adopted father. "Thank StarClan you aren't hurt."

"We can't go on with it here." Lionscar mewed, "That's for sure."

"We can't count on the Twoleg being able to stop it all the time either." Patchfur murmured, glancing worriedly at the Reedpaw. Emberspirit guessed she was thinking about her own kits, who were the same age as Reedpaw.

"We won't have too." Redmist promised, "Have you figured out when they come and go?"

Wildclaw nodded, "They come at dawn then leave mid-morning, then come back around a little after sunhigh and leave a little before sundown." He reported.

"Then we should attack at dawn." Pikesky murmured, "They'll be tired and sluggish."

"E-Even a t-tired d-dog is d-da-dangerous." Emberspirit murmured, "B-But y-yes, i-in four days." He told Wildclaw, noticing that he had a torn claw. "G-Give t-that t-time to h-heal. I-I wa-want yo-you b-by m-my side." That wasn't the only reason either. Tigershade was known for his fighting prowess but Wildclaw outclassed even him and was known as the best fighter in the entire Clan, if things went south Emberspirit wanted the tom by his side for that reason. 

Pikesky nodded, "I'll come too." He mewed, his blue eyes determined, "You're my best friend Emberspirit, if you plunge yourself into danger, I'll be right behind you." He laid a paw on the deputy's shoulder.

Emberspirit purred and nodded, "I'll be g-g-glad to have you beside me Pikesky." he murmured, licking the gray toms paw.

"Alright, now that that's settled." Redmist interrupted, making the deputy turn towards her. "Look at this huge rabbit that Reedpaw caught!"