Chapter 1
Bluepaw? Bluepaw wake up! Bluepaw's eyes stung as the sunlight pierced the bracken of the apprentices' den. Redpaw prodded her with his paw unmercifully. Wake up lazy furball, Iceclaw is going to make mouse food out of you if you don't get up soon! Bluepaw pathetically yawned and then stretched. Why do apprentices have to get up so early? Bluepaw looked lazily at Redpaw as he gave an exasperated sigh. You're not going to make a very good impression on Iceclaw if you're late for your first training session.
At this, I finally got up and raced after Redpaw, who was setting a blistering pace out the gorse tunnel. Bluepaw eventually caught up to Redpaw halfway to the sandy training hollow were apprentices practiced fighting moves. After reaching the hollow, Redpaw and Bluepaw looked around for Iceclaw. As they looked around the hollow for her, they heard a terrible hiss coming from a nearby shrub, moments later, Iceclaw, bleeding badly, burst out of the shrub with a yowl! Iceclaw stood rigid for several heartbeats, unaware of the apprentices that stood only a few tail-length behind her.
Just then, Iceclaw's attacker revealed itself; it was an enormous badger, which made Bluepaw look smaller than the tiniest mouse. It's ugly face, drawn back in a snarl, also seemed unaware of the smaller cats that had flanked its prey.
Suddenly, the badger charged right for Iceclaw, Iceclaw ducked under its huge claw and bit into its front leg. The creature let out a howl of pain and furry and bit down sharply into Iceclaw's back. Iceclaw released the leg and began to fall to the ground; the badger knocked her to the ground with its massive paw.
As the badger stooped to finish her off with a bite, Redpaw jumped onto the badger's back and raked his claws down its neck. In raged, the badger desperately tried to shake off his attacker, but Redpaw hung on with all his might. He cursed the badger as he sank his teeth into its neck.
Finally, the badger fell to the ground, it's face scrunched up with pain from the last cruel bite from Redpaw. Redpaw stood over its lifeless body, his face grim and dark. He quickly snapped out of his trance like state and rushed to Iceclaw's side. I quickly followed to stand by his side.
"Should I fetch Shinecloud"? Bluepaw asked. I don't think it would help much now, Redpaw said grimly. As I looked down, I immediately understood why he had said this. Iceclaw was dead.