Breezepad skirted away from the crowd, hoping to talk to Lightfoot. But several other dogs surrounded her. Maplepad and Rosepad, two sisters, were congratulating her excitedly. Breezepad didn't know how to interrupt them without being rude, so he flattened his ears and padded sadly away. Suddenly a shadow cast over him. He lifted his head to see Blizzardpelt, a large Husky with one emerald green eye and another frosty blue.
"Where are you going?" Blizzardpelt growled.
"I was going to go get something to eat from the fresh-meat pile." Breezepad said, staring steadily back at the large warrior.
The Husky lowered his head threateningly. "It's the middle of branch-frost, Breezepad. There's barely any fresh-meat left. First go and make sure that the elders have been fed first.
Breezepad nodded forcefully, a complaint nearly forming on his mouth. "Yes, Blizzardpelt."
"Blizzardpelt!" Both of the dogs turned. A golden cocker spaniel padded forward. Breezepad gave a sigh of relief; it was his mentor, Amberclaw. "I think it's in my place to order my apprentice around."
"I was just, pointing him in the right direction." Blizzardpelt said, scowling. He was much larger compared to Amberclaw, but the strength of her glare put him in his place.
Amberclaw took a breath, as though containing her anger. "Come on, Breezepad."
Breezepad gladly followed her to the other edge of camp.
"What did he tell you to do?" Amberclaw asked.
"To make sure the elders were fed first." Breezepad said meekly.
"He just sent Moosepad to do that." Amberclaw said angrily, reminding Breezepad that Moosepad was Blizzardpelt's apprentice. He felt sorry for him. "Blizzardpelt knows that the elders and queens have already been fed."
"…"
"Go on and eat." Amberclaw said, rolling her eyes.
Breezepad happily trotted back over to the fresh-meat pile, his eyes on a plump rabbit. Lightfoot was already there, staring longingly at it.
"What's wrong?" Breezepad asked.
"Don't you remember? The day you're made warrior, you're not allowed to eat."
"Oh." Breezepad said, and his stomach rumbled. He wanted to eat that rabbit, but it would be extremely rude and unkind to eat it right there in front of her.
"Well, if you aren't eating, then I won't." Breezepad said determinedly as his stomach groaned loudly again.
"I'm Charmed." Lightpad said. She tilted her head to the side. "Listen, I'm sorry we weren't made apprentices together Breezepad."
"What? No, it's fine!" Breezepad said. "It's my fault that I had that argument with Blizzardpelt. I just never knew he felt so angry about it that he'd convince Sootmuzzle to postpone my warrior ceremony."
"You really don't like Blizzardpelt, do you?" Lightfoot asked, casting a glance at the intimidating Husky.
"No." Breezepad said bitterly. "Something about him just gives me the creeps.