Chapter 2

The next morning, Barkface and Maplepaw went out to collect herbs. When they returned, their mouths were full. The sharp tang of yarrow filled Maplepaw's nose; therefore she did not scent her father, Tallstar, approaching.

"Greetings, Barkface, Maplepaw," mewed Tallstar, dipping his head to each of them.

Maplepaw put the yarrow down and turned her head to Tallstar.

"Hi Tallstar! Do you need something?" she asked the black-and-white tom.

"I was wondering if you wanted to practice some battle moves with me? Barkface has asked me—"

"I need to take some chervil roots to Morningflower, she's been complaining of bellyache," interrupted Barkface, putting down his wad of herbs and turning around again to face the two cats.

"Oh-okay," replied Maplepaw. "I'll just go put these in the den and I'll meet you by the fresh-kill pile!"

Tallstar nodded, turned, and padded away to wait.

***

Maplepaw trotted behind her father as he led the way up the hill out of camp. When they reached the hill's peak, he veered sharply left until they reached an open space where there wasn't any huge boulders to be seen. The big gray rocks loomed over any tiny kit, but the warriors enjoyed basking in the sun on any nice day.

Tallstar halted, almost causing Maplepaw to run into him. She skirted to a stop. Tallstar turned and trotted off to stand a few fox-lengths away.

"Now," mewed Tallstar, dropping into a crouch, "Defend yourself."

Maplepaw thought this odd, as mentors usually allowed an apprentice to attack them before they told the apprentice to defend themselves against an attack from their mentor.

Pushing the thought away, Maplepaw brought her attention back to Tallstar, watching his every move. His eyes darted back and forth, yet he stayed completely still.

Suddenly he charged at Maplepaw, but he ran towards her side.

Thinking she could easily dodge her father, Maplepaw stepped lightly to the side as he ran by. But what she did not expect was for him to stick his paw out and trip her, which is exactly what he did.

Maplepaw fell forward into the short, dusty grass, getting sand into her mouth. She sat up, coughing.

Tallstar walked back around so sit in front of her, and wrapped his tail neatly around his paws.

"Never think you have won an attack that easily. Your enemy wouldn't give up."

Maplepaw nodded.

"Let's try again!" she mewed excitedly. "I want to try again."

Tallstar agreed and started walking again away from Maplepaw.

Without warning, he spun around and charged directly at her. Maplepaw barely had a chance to dodge him. Tallstar knocked into her, bowling her over. She tried to aim a swipe at his head, but she hit only air. She felt sudden weight on her, pinning her down. When she looked up, Tallstar was staring at her.

"Maybe we've done enough for today," he mewed, releasing Maplepaw.

Maplepaw scrambled up and ducked her head to lick the dust off her chest fur.

"You need to always be prepared for a surprise attack." Tallstar told her. "But good thinking to try and hit me. But it doesn't work to do that if your eyes are shut."

When Maplepaw looked up, she saw amusement in her father's eyes, and couldn't help but feel amused too.

"I'll remember that next time," she mewed. "Now can we head back to camp? I'm hungry."

Tallstar blinked. "Of course."

Maplepaw followed her father as he turned to head back to the camp. She was looking forward to a good night's sleep tonight!