1
Duskpaw tried hard to control her trembling. None of the other students seemed to be as nervous because of the forthcoming appointment as herself.
She knew how the appointment ceremony proceeded ... she herself had so often watched, had dreamed about it, went through it step by step in her head.
And yet she was afraid to screw it up somehow.
Her tail twitched uncontrollably.
Then her name was called, she went to the leader and the ceremony was completed.
She listened carefully, regardless of the fact that she knew the points at which she had to say or do something by heart.
"Your new name will now be Dusklight."
She breathed out, reliefed. It was done.
The other Clan members called her name out loud and some congratulated her friendly.
Most oft hem liked her, because she had never made any trouble, but she was too shy to really make friends with someone properly.
Then she saw acornpaw stomping towards her.
Inwardly, she cringed. Since she had once defeated him in a sparring match before all other students eyes, he could not stand the sight of her and took every opportunity to harass her.
"How can they let a bumpkin like you become a warrior, that's idiotic!"
he hissed in passing and jostled her.
She avoided looking at him and stepped aside.
Do something. Defend yourself, for Heavens sake!
She winced. This voice, that whispered things to her, gave advice and sometimes ordered things, was present very oten lately.
She silently called it coldheart, because almost everything that the voice said was cruel and malicious, and every time it spoke a cold shiver ran down the spine.
He must not treat you like this! YOU are a warrior now, he is only a student! Bring him to reason!
She shook her head involuntarily. The voice took on a contemptuous tone.
You are a coward. And you want to be a warrior? You are weak!
With all the strength she could affort she pushed coldheart aside and ran to the warriors burrow. There, two young warriors waited for he, birdcloud and foxclaw. Birdcloud was the only cat in the Clan that Dusklight could describe as her friend, and foxclaw was a friend of hers.
" Twilight , over here! " Birddance cried, jumping up and down .
Her white - brown - speckled fur shone in the sun .
Foxclaw was a tall, dark tomcat , black coat with red paws and tail tip .
He had beautiful bright green eyes that always seemed to see everything .
Even now he sat quietly in front of the entrance to the Warriors burrow , watching her with a lurking intensity. She did not know him for long , but had always been fascinated by him .
" Come on , we'll show you where you can sleep! " Birddance nudged her and ran forward into the Burrow, where she stumbled and almost crashed.
Dusklights whiskers twitched with amusement. Birddances' carefree gaiety was the main reason why many liked this cat, including her.
"Take the nest next to me! "
She nodded and made her way to it. Behind her, foxclaw appeared.
" Don´t forget that you have to keep the vigil. You better get going. "
Well, we know that, you idiot . Mind your own business!
" Thanks," she muttered and trotted to the entrance.
The fact that the voice said „we" now scared her.
As if they were two different cats ... but the voice was a part of her, wasn´t it?