Chapter 3

Silverkit woke and padded out of the nursery. She sat outside it and started grooming her pelt. Today was her apprentice ceremony. Sandkit was Sandpaw now, apprenticed to Peaknose. Silverkit thought about the prophecy she received moons ago and she wondered when it would be time for the four cats to start their journey. She raised her head as her mother padded from the nursery followed by Ravenkit and Snowkit. "Can you believe it? We're going to be apprentices today!" Ravenkit and Snowkit nodded, smiling. Snowkit was about to reply when Sparrowstar leapt onto the Great Rock. "Cats of LifeClan, join me under the Great Rock for a clan meeting." Once the clan had gathered, Sparrowstar beckoned the three kits forward. "Today is an important day for three kits. They will become apprentices. Do you three promise to uphold the warrior code and defend it even at the cost of your lives?" The three kits nodded and replied. "I do." Sparrowstar nodded. "Snowkit, from this moment until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Snowpaw. Your mentor will be Leafwhisker. He was mentored by Dawnwing and I expect him to pass everything he learned on to you. Ravenkit, from this moment until you earn your warrior name you will be known as Ravenpaw. Your mentor will be Spiritsong. He was mentored by Duskrose, my loyal deputy. I expect him to pass on everything he learned on to you. Silverkit, from this moment until you earn your warrior name you will be known as Silverpaw. Your mentor will be Coaltail. He was mentored by your mother, Shadowfeather, and I expect him to pass on everything he learned on to you." The three new apprentices nodded and Sparrowstar leapt from the Great Rock, disappearing into her den followed by Duskrose, Sunheart and Lionflight. Coaltail, Leafwhisker, Spiritsong, Peaknose and his apprentice Sandpaw padded up to the apprentices and Coaltail stepped forward. "We are going to take you three on a tour of our land. Peaknose and Sandpaw will join us." When the eight cats returned, Snowpaw, Ravenpaw and Silverpaw followed Sandpaw to the apprentice's den. He showed them where they can make their nests and soon all of them were curled up, fast asleep.