Heartstar's rise : Book Two

Ch. 15

Sharp teeth bit into Heartpaw's ear. He rolled away and sprang to his feet. He lashed out his right paw. 

              "Hey, chill," said Eelpaw, looking at Heartpaw with wide eyes. 

              "Oh," said Heartpaw. "It's just you." 

            "Uh yeah, who'd you think it was?" asked Eelpaw. "ShadowClan?" He rolled his eyes. Heartpaw shook himself and yawned. He followed Eelpaw out of the apprentice den. He looked around, the camp was empty and quiet. 

               "Blacktail, Moorpelt, Beestripe and Deerpaw went out on a patrol," explained Eelpaw. "Let's eat." Heartpaw shrugged and followed Eelpaw towards the fresh-kill pile. Eelpaw picked a small sparrow and they trotted down towards the stream together. They shared the sparrow, eating hungrily. Heartpaw licked his mouth and trotted down to the stream for a drink when he had finished the bird. He remembered the dream he had had that night. He shuddered at the thought. How could Blizzardkit kill him when he was in a Clan which didn't even share borders. Plus Blizzardkit was just a kit. Heartpaw didn't feel very threatened. He only felt sad. Sad that Stormpelt had betrayed him. But mostly, sad that Stormpelt had betrayed Brightheart. He couldn't believe it. All the time he had been so happy to see Stormpelt when he came back from patrols and from his duties. And Stormpelt had been so nice to him, kind, loving, caring. Stormpelt had treated Heartpaw as his kit but all that time he had been with Goldenheart. And they had kits together. Heartpaw growled. Eelpaw stood behind him. 

               "You ok?" asked Eelpaw concerned. 

               "Yeah," assured Heartpaw. 

               "Why're you randomly growling?" asked Eelpaw. 

               "I.. didn't- growl," Heartpaw said. Eelpaw shrugged. 

              "If you say so..," frowned Eelpaw. "Come on, I think our mentors are back." Heartpaw trotted beside Eelpaw and they pushed past a bush into the clearing. Indeed, Deerpaw, Beestripe, Moorpelt and Blacktail had just come back from a border patrol and were talking to Reedpelt. Reedpelt flicked his tell lovingly to Deerpaw then padded away. Blacktail spotted Heartpaw and smiled. She beckoned to him. He joined her side and smiled at Deerpaw. She smiled back and followed Moorpelt out of camp once more. 

               "Heartpaw, I have very exciting news," said Blacktail. "I know you're just over twelve moons old aren't you?" Heartpaw nodded. "Well, you're going to have your final assessment soon." Heartpaw beamed. 

                 "When?" he asked.  

                 "A quarter moon," said Blacktail. Heartpaw's jaw hung. He wouldn't be ready!

                "I won't be ready!"exclaimed Heartpaw. 

                "Yes you will, I was the one who suggested to make it earlier. It was supposed to be in half a moon. So please don't disappoint me," Blacktail said. "Come on." She slipped out of camp and Heartpaw followed her, bewildered. They stopped at the river. 

                 "Right, today I will pretend to test you on your fishing. Then tomorrow we'll do hunting. The next day some stalking and tracking. And then some fighting. Then we'll do a bit of climbing and finally swimming and you'll be ready," explained Blacktial. Heartpaw gulped. It sounded like a lot. 

                  "Right, let's start, position yourself," Blacktail said. Heartpaw crouched near the river and brought his front right paw out slightly so he could bring it quickly down into the water to catch any passing fish. He fixed his eyes on the water and made sure he was in a comfortable position as he might be staying like that for a long time. He waited, listening to his breath. Suddenly, he saw a flash of silver. Without thinking, he dug his paw into the water and cupped it. He felt the scaly fish against his paw, wiggling frantically. Swiftly, he flipped it out of the water and a silvery shape flew out of the river. Heartpaw turned back to see the fish jumping around on the grass. He shivered as he saw its empty black eyes.