Dawnberry's Escape

Chapter 8

  Dawnkit sat beside the Skyrock, delight pulsing through her. She was finally going to become an apprentice! Streamlight gave her a final wash on her ears, and purred proudly, Stormheart giving a nod of approval.

  She, and Bluekit and Morningkit, had been washed so thoroughly that not a single piece of fur was out of place. Brightstar addressed the Clan on the Skyrock. 

  “Bluekit!” She called. Dawnkit watched as her brother walk up proudly, puffing up his chest.

  “Bluekit, you have been in RiverClan for six moons, and have learnt what it is like to be part of RiverClan. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Bluepaw. Rainfeather, you are ready for another apprentice. You will be the mentor of Bluepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to him.” Bluepaw and Rainfeather touched noses, both looking pleased. 

  “Dawnkit.” Dawnkit padded forward, excitement prickling through her. “It is time for you to receive your apprentice name as well. From this day onwards, you will be known as Dawnpaw.” Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw was very excited. “Your mentor will be Ivywater. Ivywater, Splashfoot had been your mentor, and have trained you excellently. I trust that you will pass on your kindness and skills to your first apprentice, Dawnpaw.” 

  Dawnpaw and Ivywater touched noses. “I will be the best apprentice!” Dawnpaw mewed. 

  “I know you will be.” Ivywater purred, warmth in her eyes. Dawnpaw was very happy with her mentor. She was nice and a skilled warrior. Dawnpaw liked her very much. 

  “Morningkit!” Brightstar beckoned. Morningkit stepped forward nervously. “Morningkit, from this day on, you will no longer be known as Morningkit. You will be known as Morningpaw until you receive your full name. Your mentor will be Nightleaf, if she accepts you to be her apprentice and the next RiverClan medicine cat.” Surprised murmurs spread through the Clan. 

  “I accept Morningpaw.” Nightleaf nodded. 

  “Then at half-moon, Morningpaw, you must travel to the Moonpool to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats. The good wishes of RiverClan goes with you.” Brightstar concluded. Nightleaf and Morningpaw touched noses, and Dawnpaw could see the happiness in Morningpaw’s eyes. 

  “Bluepaw!”

  “Dawnpaw!”

  “Morningpaw!” 

  Streamlight led the chant, and Dawnpaw was happy to see the other apprentices and all of RiverClan was cheering their names. She was an apprentice at last! 

  "Congratulations!" Many cats purred at them, and Dawnpaw was too excited to stand still, kneading her paws into the ground. 

  "You're an apprentice at last!" Leafshade congratulated. "We could go on patrols together now." 

  "I know!" Dawnpaw bounced up and down. "I can't wait to be a warrior!" 

  "You still have to finish your training first!" Leafshade reminded her cheerfully. 

  "You're finally an apprentice!" Minnowpaw gave Dawnpaw a lick on the cheek. "Whitepaw and I gathered some moss for your nests and Honeypaw, Carppaw and Willowpaw made your nests for you." 

  "Thanks, Minnowpaw!" Dawnpaw was glad that she wasn't the youngest anymore. Even Maplefang gave Dawnpaw, Bluepaw and Morningpaw a nod. 

  "I'm so proud of you!" Streamlight gave her kits another lick each. "I won't be used to your fidgeting for a long time." She sighed wistfully, but her eyes were full of pride. Stormheart stepped up next to her, purring as well. "Well done you. Let's hope that you won't chase after badgers yourselves!" He growled half-heartedly. 

  Surprisingly, Dawnpaw also noticed Brightstar gazing at her, Bluepaw and Morningpaw with an expression of pride on her face. The Clan will be having more warriors. She must be happy about it. Dawnpaw decided. 

  When the congratulating had died down and the warriors had gone to do their duties, Ivywater stepped up to Dawnpaw, Rainfeather and Bluepaw close by. Morningpaw had already disappeared into Nightleaf's den. 

  “Let me show you around the territory, first, Dawnpaw. You must be itching to get out of camp.” Ivywater suggested. 

  “We’ll come with you.” Rainfeather spoke up, Bluepaw twitching beside her.

  “Come on then.” Ivywater led the way out of camp. Dawnpaw could hardly keep still. She  was an apprentice! 

  “We’re finally getting out of camp!” Dawnpaw glanced around her surroundings. Bluepaw was looking around as well, marveling at the trees around her. She had seen some of the parts before on her adventure with Bluekit, Morningkit and... Spottedkit. Are you an apprentice too in StarClan? Dawnpaw asked silently. 

  "With permission." Ivywater's mew jolted her from her thoughts, eyes still shining with pride.

  “This is all so huge, Rainfeather! I won’t be able to remember the way back!” Bluepaw gasped. 

  Rainfeather purred. “I’ll show you the way back. When we go on patrols, you will gradually know and remember the territory.” Dawnpaw and Bluepaw nodded. 

  They finally reached a place, where they could see the lake. The sun was just shining over the great piece of water, making it sparkle. There was a bridge extending out to the shimmering lake, which ended abruptly after a few fox-lengths. 

  “It’s beautiful.” Dawnpaw breathed. 

  “What is that bridge for? You can’t get to the other side.” Bluepaw looked at Rainfeather for answers. She shrugged. 

  “We don’t know. We call it the Half-Bridge. It’s some sort of Twoleg thing. Come on, I’ll show you where the ShadowClan border is.” Rainfeather started walking again. 

  Dawnpaw bristled slightly as she remembered the battle which happened just a quarter-moon ago. Thank StarClan that ShadowClan had learnt their lesson. 

  The four cats started seeing some pine trees, and Dawnpaw scented a vaguely familar stench, back when she was looking at the injured warriors a moon ago. ShadowClan! The mentors stopped.

  “This is the border between RiverClan and ShadowClan. Remember their scent well.” Ivywater told the apprentices. 

  Rainfeather tasted the air. “Our markers are a little stale. Since we’re here, let’s mark them again. So ShadowClan won’t be ‘confused’ again.” 

  Dawnpaw wrinkled at the stench. “Yuck! They smell horrible. How could they live like that?” 

  Bluepaw replied her, “Not all cats smell as good as RiverClan.” 

  Once they have finished marking the border, Ivywater led them away from the border. They eventually reached a black, gritty path. 

  “This,” Ivywater mewed in disgust. “Is the Thunderpath. This is a small one, but the monsters that come on this are very, very fast and they are very dangerous. You must never walk on a Thunderpath without a warrior. Understand? These could kill.” 

  Dawnpaw glanced at the Thunderpath. She didn't notice Bluepaw stepping onto the stinking Thunderpath. 

  There was a rumbling, and Rainfeather glanced at the Thunderpath, freezing as she saw the gray apprentice on the grit. 

  "Bluepaw!" Rainfeather snapped. "Get back here at once!" Dawnpaw could see a bright silver monster in the distance, zooming towards her brother. 

  "Monster!" Dawnpaw yowled in fear. Bluepaw's head shot up, and his mouth dropped in horror, his paws glued to the Thunderpath in terror. 

 Dawnpaw could only watch as the monster roared closer and closer.