"How's it going over there?"
Quailkit jumped at the sound of Finchspeck's voice. He'd been concentrating on his work so much he had tuned the medicine cat out at some point.
"Almost done with this one!" he called over his shoulder.
With that, Quailkit went back to digging in the cold earth. Finchspeck had said he dug holes in the ground to put herbs in to keep them fresh, and had put him on digging duty. Quailkit had been helping him out for a while now, and it was getting harder and harder to dig with each hole. He chalked it up to the upcoming leaf-bare. It was colder and colder each day, and some Clan members have predicted that they'd see the first snowfall of the season soon.
Quailkit gritted his teeth as he continued to dig. This hole had better be deep enough, he could feel his paws starting to go numb from the cold. He pulled back to check over his work. Satisfied, he then turned to the small piles of herbs he'd set to the side.
Did Finchspeck say he wanted the goldenrod or the marigold in this one? I keep getting those two mixed up. Well, I guess it doesn't really matter.
With a small shrug he picked up the bright yellow marigold flowers and dropped them into the hole, then covered it with a few fern fronds.
"Looks good," Finchspeck said from behind Quailkit, startling him once again.
Quailkit whipped his head around, giving the StormClan medicine cat a fierce glare. "Geez, can't you ever announce yourself instead of scaring cats out of their pelts?!"
Finchspeck raised a brow at him. "I thought you wanted to be a warrior. Warriors are supposed to be aware of when they're being sneaked up on."
Quailkit hung his head and spat curses at him under his breath. Finchspeck ignored him, instead checking over his work once more before meowing, "I'll take care of the rest, you're done for the day. You can go now."
Sweet! Not bothering to respond, Quailkit happily jumped to his paws made for the den entrance. With little effort he squeezed through the crack in the hollowed out boulder that served as StormClan's medicine den. Once he was out in the clearing he shook out his pelt, shaking free the bits of herbs that had stuck to his fur.
"Quailkit!"
Turning at the sound of his name, Quailkit saw his brother bouncing up to him. Glee lit up Cedarkit's eyes as he approached his littermate. "Are you done for today?"
"Yep." It had been a while since Quailkit had started helping Finchspeck out. It had started a few little favors here and there, but soon he had found himself spending more time in the medicine den than in the nursery. For him, it had just been a way to kill his boredom, but his father apparently found it to be a valuable learning experience. Quailkit couldn't help but smile at the first time Finchspeck had suggested that the two of them help him with a chore. Poor Cedarkit had stumbled around in the medicine den so much he ended up crushing many of Finchspeck's juniper berry and poppy seed stock under his clumsy paws. From that point on Finchspeck had banned him from the medicine den unless he was sick or injured. Cedarkit had felt so bad for what he'd done, but Creekfeather had told him not to worry about it and said he could make it up to Finchspeck by staying out of his way.
"Doepaw and Tadpolepaw should be coming back from their hunting lesson soon," Cedarkit said, interrupting his brother's train of thought. "Wanna go meet them? Maybe they caught something good!"
Quailkit nodded. "Yeah!"
The two brothers set off for the camp entrance, passing by Quickbreeze, who was heading toward the fresh-kill pile. "You two better not be trying to sneak off again, ya hear?" he said with a teasing tone.
"Let it go, already!" Quailkit said, glaring at the young warrior. "That was ages ago, and we're just going to meet Doepaw and the others when they get back!"
"You know what they say, there are some things you can never live down!" Quickbreeze called after them as they padded away.
"Hopefully not," Quailkit muttered. With the entrance to the camp in sight, he could spot four figures coming into view. The brambles that made up the entrance barrier quivered as Hazelnose squeezed through, a small rabbit hanging from his jaws. Hawkfoot and Tadpolepaw fallowed his lead, each carrying two field mice, and Doepaw brought up the rear as she limped into camp. She was unsteadily walking on three legs as she held up her right forepaw, as it had a bright red gash spreading across it. Seeing this, Quailkit and Cedarkit immediately rushed up to her.
"Doepaw, you're hurt! What happened? Are you okay?" Quailkit asked, concern pricking at him like thorns. A flurry of questions, but he held his tongue and waited for the she-cat to respond.
Doepaw sat down and smiled at him, still holding up her injured paw. "It's alright, you guys. I'm fine."
"You don't look fine." Worry edged Cedarkit's mew as his sniffed at her wound.
Doepaw looked down at her paw. "Oh, this? It's nothing, really. You can blame that guy over there," she said, nodding at the rabbit Hazelnose had brought in, now being laid out on the fresh-kill pile. "The little bugger nicked me when I pinned 'em down earlier."
"You caught that rabbit all by yourself?" Cedarkit asked with wide eyes.
"Well, I pinned him down-"
"And I had to step in when he got the best of her," Tadpolepaw interrupted, a cheeky grin adorning his features. "Guess that old rabbit was too much for my baby sis to handle."
"I was just getting to that part, Tad," Doepaw said bitterly, rolling her eyes at her brother. "And no, it was not too much for me to handle! It just… it just caught me off-guard, that's all! We've only had a few hunting lessons since our confirmation, so give me a break here."
Tadpolepaw's grin grew wider. "Whatever you say, sis."
"Says the tomcat who, during his apprentice confirmation, ran for the nursery when he saw lightening flash screaming, 'StarClan save me!'" Doepaw snapped at him, making Tadpolepaw flinch.
Quailkit smirked, remembering that stormy night when the newly-made apprentice came rushing into the nursery and burrowed into his family's old nest. Stormflower had been so angry for having been woken up; she threw the poor tomcat back out into the storm, spitting venom at him all the while.
"A-Anyway," Tadpolepaw stuttered, trying to change to subject. "You ought to go get that cut treated, don't ya think?"
Quailkit turned back to Doepaw. "I can take you."
Doepaw smiled at him. "Thanks."
While Tadpolepaw bragged to Cedarkit about the mouse he'd caught, Quailkit let Doepaw lean on him as he walked her over to the medicine den. When they got there he stuck his head in the entrance and called out for Finchspeck. When the medicine cat didn't respond, Quailkit shrugged and figured he must've stepped out to take care of something. The two of them squeezed through the entrance and Quailkit helped the injured apprentice over to an empty nest. Quailkit then padded to the back of the den, searching for the things he needed to treat Doepaw's wound.
"Uh… do you know what you're doing?" Doepaw asked uncertainly as Quailkit rummaged through Finchspeck's herb stores.
Quailkit didn't respond, instead he padded back over to Doepaw's nest, a rolled up leaf in his jaws. He set the leaf down and rolled it out flat on the ground, revealing the sticky salve that covered it on one side. He gestured for Doepaw to reach out with her injured paw. Hesitantly, Doepaw did so and Quailkit wrapped the leaf around her paw. It stung at first, making her flinch, but the pain quickly faded to be replaced by a soothing feeling. Surprised, Doepaw drew her paw back and examined it.
"Wow, what is this stuff?" she asked giving it a sniff.
Quailkit shrugged. "I dunno, but it's great for cuts."
"How did you know?"
"Yesterday Ravenpaw was practicing a new move he learned and somehow managed to toss himself into the bramble barrier."
At that Doepaw burst out laughing. "S-Seriously? How'd that happen?" she said in a fit of giggles. "You know what, it's Ravenpaw. I shouldn't question it."
Quailkit smirked. "Yeah, only he could screw up like that. Anyway, he came stumbling in here while I was helping Finchspeck sort out some herbs, covered in thorn scratches. Finchspeck whipped up this salve and used it for treatment. We're lucky there was some leftover."
"That's pretty neat how you remembered that," Doepaw told him. "You planning on becoming Finchspeck's apprentice?"
"No way!" Quailkit shook his head so hard, for a moment Doepaw thought it would fall off. "I'm only helping him out, and he's still manages to get on every one of my nerves. I couldn't even imagine being his apprentice! Besides, I want to be a warrior!"
Doepaw giggled. "Okay, okay, I get it. But still, it's not too bad being in here is it?"
Quailkit looked around the medicine den, considering her words. Was it really that bad? He knew that there were many in the Clan who didn't like coming in here because they found it to be dark and dreary, but he actually found it quite cozy. There was only one opening, so there was less cold coming into the den, and the light that flitted through the entrance seemed to just the right amount; not too much and not too little. Plus there were all the interesting and tangy smells of the herbs that helped to clear his sinuses on a bad day. It was actually really nice. "No. I guess not…"
At that moment a strong voice could be heard from outside.
"Let all those old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Thunder-rock for a Clan meeting!"
Both Quailkit and Doepaw swiveled their heads toward the den entrance, ears perked with interest.
A Clan meeting! But… I can't just leave Doepaw here alone…
Suddenly Stormflower's silvery tabby face poked through entrance, looking irritated and out of breath. "Finchspeck, have you seen-" Her eyes lit up when she spotted her son. "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you!"
Quailkit blinked in confusion. "What do mean? Is something going on?"
Stormflower squeezed into the den and hastily made padded over to him to give his pelt an inspection. "Yes, something happening! You and Cedarkit are going to be made apprentices!"
"W-What?" Quailkit stuttered, staring at her in shock. "Now?"
"Yes, now!" Stormflower snapped. "And just look at you, you look like you've been rolling around in Finchspeck's stores!"
Quailkit knew she must've been referring to the bits of leaves that had clung to his fur despite him trying to shake them off. Not giving him a chance to respond, Stormflower.
"Ugh, there's no time! Come on, we're going to be late!" With that she tugged him by the scruff out of the den and over to where Creekfeather and Cedarkit were waiting. Creekfeather looked like he was about to burst from pride. Cedarkit's pelt look recently-groomed, but he was so nervous he looked as if he might get sick. They weren't the only ones in the clearing.
Doepaw had followed them outside and was watching with excitement from the medicine den entrance. Tadpolepaw was sitting with his mother, Morningcloud, while the other two apprentices, Kinkpaw and Ravenpaw, were sitting together not too far away. Their mentors, Clearwater, and Starlingflight, padded over to join them, exchanging a knowing look. The elders emerged from their den, the irritated look on Graywolf's face indicating he'd just woken up, while the rest of the warriors gathered in the clearing. Breezetail padded from her den, closely followed by her kits. The tabby queen had long given trying to keep them from attending meetings, as the four kits had proven to be too much to handle at times.
It seemed like every cat in the Clan was in attendance, and while the thought did make him nervous, Quailkit couldn't shake the feeling that there was someone missing. Looking, he couldn't spot the familiar gray and ginger pelt of Finchspeck. That was strange; he was definitely here earlier, but now it's like he disappeared into thin air! Didn't the medicine cat care enough to attend Quailkit's apprentice ceremony?
Stupid fleabag, I thought we bonded… sort of…
"My clanmates, I'm sure you all are aware of the hardship leaf-bare brings each year," Troutstar began. "Soon snow will be on the ground, and many of the good prey will retreat into their burrows to endure to cold. With prey scarce, the other Clans will soon grow hungry, but we will stand tall and protect what we have from those who would dare try to steal it!"
At this, murmurs of approval spread through the crowd.
Troutstar continued, "To do this, however, we will need good hunters and strong warriors to defend our territory. That is why, today, we will be celebrating new warriors and apprentices!"
Quailkit furrowed his brows. He and Cedarkit were definitely the apprentices he was talking about, but warriors? Wait, did he mean-
"Kinkpaw, Ravenpaw, come forth."
Gasps and murmurs of astonishment could be heard through the crowd of gathered cats. The two had been apprentices for a while now, so it was expected that they would get their warrior names, but this was pretty short notice.
Kinkpaw nudged her mentor's shoulder. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"We wanted it to be a surprise," Clearwater said, eyes gleaming. "Now go on, he's waiting."
They didn't have to be told twice; Kinkpaw and Ravenpaw strut forward up to the Clan leader, who'd jumped down from Thunder-rock to face them.
"Kinkpaw," Troutstar said, addressing the orange she-cat. "Do you swear your life to StormClan, to protect and preserve its honor, through sickness and in health?"
"I do," Kinkpaw responded, standing tall and proud.
"Then from this point on, you are no longer Kinkpaw. You are Kinktail!" The newly named warrior bowed her head so that Troutstar may rest his muzzle on it. She then stepped aside to let Ravenpaw walk up.
"Ravenpaw," Troutstar began again. "Do you swear your life to StormClan, to protect and preserve its honor, through sickness and in health?"
Ravenpaw inhaled sharply. "Yes, sir- I mean, I do."
A slight smile spread across Troutstar's features. "Then from this day forward, you shall cast aside your apprentice name. You are now the warrior, Ravenclaw!" Just like with Kinktail, Troutstar pressed his muzzle to the new warrior's head, then stepped back.
The yowls of their clanmates filled the air, "Kinktail! Ravenclaw!"
Kinktail and Ravenclaw stood side by side, their eyes shining. As the proud yowls soon died down, Troutstar climbed back onto the Thunder-rock.
"While we all should be proud of our newest warriors, they are not the only ones who will be celebrated here today," Troutstar said, regaining everyone attention.
This is it! Quailkit sat up so straight he thought he was going to tip over.
Troutstar's gaze swept over the Clan, until he reached the soon-to-be-made apprentices. He gaze a little smirk at the nervous gazes they returned. "Quailkit and Cedarkit, come forward."
Quailkit swallowed. "That's us," he whispered to Cedarkit. On unsteady legs the two of them padded forward, well aware of all the eyes of the Clan that followed them.
"Willowfur," Troutstar continued. "I know you've been eager for an apprentice since Honeywhisker became a warrior. I believe you'll be a fine mentor for Cedarpaw."
"You bet!" Willowfur happily trotted up to Cedarpaw, who was trembling slightly. He bent down to touch noses with the new apprentice and gave him a reassuring wink. "Don't worry, I'm a fun mentor. Just ask Honeywhisker."
This seemed to calm Cedarpaw down a bit, and he gave Willowfur a little smile in return.
Quailkit was happy for his brother. Willowfur was a charismatic cat, and was generally well-liked by others, even by cats of other clans. Cedarpaw should have no problems with a mentor like him.
But now it's my turn.
"Quailkit," Troutstar continued. "I already have a choice in mind for your mentor, but given that you've been spending a lot of time in the medicine den with Finchspeck recently, do you perhaps…?"
Quailkit quickly shook his head.
"Alright, then. I believe I have the perfect cat in mind for your mentor." Troutstar's gaze flitted to the side of the clearing. "Loudstorm, you are a fine warrior. I trust that you will pass on your skills and knowledge to Quailpaw."
Loudstorm!
Quailpaw turned just in time to see the crowd part, revealing his new mentor. Muscles rippled under the tomcat's sleek gray coat as he made his way towards him. He held his head high, and his blue eyes gleamed in the afternoon light. Quailpaw swallowed nervously when he halted in front on him. The gray warrior towered over him, and Quailpaw was hidden in his shadow.
He's huge! No wonder they call him the biggest cat in StormClan!
It soon became apparent that Loudstorm had leaned forward, and was staring down at him expectantly.
What's he waiting for- Oh!
Quailpaw reached up and tapped his nose against Loudstorm's, bringing a warm smile to the tomcat's face.
"I'll make you the best warrior you can be," he said, a deep purr rumbling in his throat.
Quailpaw almost couldn't hear him; the sounds of his clanmates greeting him by his new name rang in his ears.
"Quailpaw!"
"Cedarpaw!"
I'm an apprentice now! I'm Quailpaw!
