Chapter 36: Spotted Owl
Although the wind was frosty and bitter, cutting through cats' pelts sharper than a claw, the sun felt brighter than it had in moons. A smile crept across Spotted Owl's face, bright enough to rival the sunshine as she took a seat to wait. Her ears twitched as murmurs from the den behind her reached her ears, but she hastily turned her attention away. I shouldn't eavesdrop. They need their privacy. Instead, she turned to the gorge before her, draped in a white layer of dusty snow and bathed in the morning sunlight. Though the cold had worsened over the past few sunrises, the air in the Clan of Morning Sun's camp had been noticeably lighter. Five cats on a hunting patrol led by Smoke Pelt were fluffing up their pelts as they filed through the tunnel. Soaring Hawk poked his head out of the nursery and darted across the camp to snatch a mouse off the prey pile. The elders were venturing out of their den to bask in the sunlight as Tall Pine and Amber Mist cleaned out their cave.
Life in the Clan of the Morning Sun finally feels normal again after moons of ordeals, Spotted Owl noted. We have survived trial after trial, engaged in a war, and stopped a malicious plan in the last moon alone. But we have survived, and even though the Time of Frozen Earth is here, we are strong. While I know the Bands will be back, and our conflict isn't over yet, but for now, I am glad to have some peace, to rest and recover. To spend time with my family… The crunch of paw-steps on snow echoed in her ears as a smile stretched across her face. …and friends.
"Sharp." Spotted Owl rose to her paws and turned to greet tom. "How is Sage?"
"Much better with the care your healers have been giving her," Sharp responded, an obvious relief in his expression. "She was in bad shape when our father was holding her prisoner. I am so relieved that in even just three sunrises, she's improving. I think it also helps that we can both finally rest easy, knowing that we are safe in your Clan." He glanced at his paws, then looked up shyly. "Spotted Owl, I can never thank you enough for being given asylum in your Clan."
"Of course," the dappled she-cat said for at least the tenth time in the past few sunrises. "I made you a promise. I wasn't going to break it." Feeling the weight of someone's gaze on her back, she glanced over her shoulder to see Shining Feather glaring at her and Sharp, her animosity apparent in her ruffled fur and swishing tail like a snake. Great stars, not again. Spotted Owl forced herself to ignore the elder. "After everything you've been through and what you did to help us, I can't imagine that Mossy Moon wouldn't have given you asylum anyway. Although not all of my Clanmates are willing to accept it right now, both you and your sister belong in the Clan of the Morning Sun."
After the battle, Spotted Owl had sent everyone in her patrol except herself, her sister, and their instructors to ensure the Band cats left the Valley. Meanwhile, four of them had taken Sharp and Sage straight back to camp, where Red Maple had started taking care of Sage while the rest of them spoke with Mossy Moon. The chieftain had been pleased to hear of their success, though she'd been stern and silent as Spotted Owl explained the whole situation with Sharp, ending with her request. She'd remained that way in thought for a while before deciding to grant it. However, not all of the Clan of the Morning Sun cats were supportive of Mossy Moon's decision—and a few were outrightly hostile and distrustful—and Spotted Owl couldn't blame them, but she chose to focus on the positive. Sharp is safe and here with me.
The ginger tabby tom ducked his head. "Thank you, Spotted Owl. I'm glad you feel that way, and I'm so grateful for your support, especially since…"
Spotted Owl followed the angle of his ears across the camp toward Soaring Hawk, who was hurrying past them on his way back to the nursery. The senior fighter quickened his step as he neared them, giving them a look out of the corner of his eye. Without another word, she understood what Sharp was trying to say. "Yeah, I know," she murmured, turning back to him. "It will take a while, but eventually, all of my Clanmates will come to accept you. Just know that you have Mossy Moon, Yellow Sky, Rabbit Nose, my siblings, and me on your side. If any of our other Clanmates give you trouble, I will happily claw their ears off." She gave him a playful nudge.
Sharp chuckled faintly. "I appreciate that, but it's not necessary."
"You don't know that. But, you're probably right," she relented, tilting her head thoughtfully. "Tearing out ruffled fur doesn't exactly help smooth it over. So, I guess we should focus on the positive instead. You're now part of a Clan, with everything good that comes with that. You're going to get to sleep safely and soundly in a snug den, knowing that your Clanmates are watching your back. You're going to get to go to Gatherings and meet cats from other Clans. You'll become a hunter or a fighter and have the satisfaction of serving your Clan either way."
"Yeah, about that." Sharp's ears twitched. "So, I talked to Mossy Moon last evening, and we agreed that I am best fitted to being a hunter. Once she gets better, Sage will make an excellent fighter; she was always more skilled at it than me, and I'm happy to let her take that role." He smiled ruefully, his eyes glinting like dew in dawn light with sorrow. "I've had enough fighting for a lifetime."
Spotted Owl's eyes widened. Oh my stars, that's right. I remember him telling me he prefers hunting to fighting. It's no wonder; Thunderclap has forced him to do horrible things to other cats. Hunting is a safer job, and you get to help other cats rather than hurt them. "Oh, Sharp," she said aloud. "I'm glad that worked out for you. You're going to make a great hunter."
"Thank you," he murmured. "It's one thing I'm glad about being here in the Clan of the Morning Sun. But not the most."
"Oh? What is that?" The fighter trainee asked, her eyes sparkling.
"I'm happiest to be here with you," the green-eyed tom said shyly.
Oh, my stars. Warmth flowed into her chest. That's so sweet. I'm more elated than I can put into words that he is here with me too. She opened her mouth to respond but didn't get the opportunity.
"Spotted Owl," a familiar voice hollered. The pair turned to see Tall Pine, Blossom Dust, and Fern Dapple padding toward them. Her brother was hailing them with a swish of his tail.
Spotted Owl cleared her throat as she turned back to Sharp, blinking apologetically. "I'm sorry. Is it okay if we talk more later?"
"Yes, of course," he said hastily. "It's not a problem. I was about to get some prey for Sage anyway. Red Maple said she should eat. Uh, see you later." He ducked his head in goodbye and hurried away.
"See you later," Spotted Owl murmured, watching him go. Mouse-dung, she cursed internally. They could not have come at a worse time. I wanted to tell Sharp that I'm glad he's here too, but I missed the chance, and it's going to be awkward now. She felt the urge to call after him, but just then, Tall Pine padded up to her.
"Hey, Spotted Owl," the black and white tom meowed. "I hope we didn't interrupt anything."
"No, it's fine," she responded, biting back her irritation. "We were done anyway."
"Good." Tall Pine smiled as he beckoned for her to follow him over to where Blossom Dust and Fern Dapple had taken a seat a few fox-lengths away, in a private corner of the camp between the healer's den and the nursery. "I'm sorry that I interrupted you, but I thought all of us should talk. It's been a hectic three sunrises, so we haven't gotten the chance, and Blossom Dust has to leave on patrol soon."
"Spotted Owl." Blossom Dust greeted her sister with a friendly wave of her tail. "How are you feeling? How're your injuries?"
The young she-cat glanced down at herself where a few pink patches of skin were still visible on her chest and shoulder between her fur. She could feel a faint ache from the scratch on her ear. She shrugged. "I barely noticed them, so fine, I guess. And before any of you ask, my leg is also okay. What about you, Blossom Dust?"
"Fine as well. Thank the Clan of the Bright Stars that everyone is recovering well from the battle," the small she-cat said.
"Agreed. It could've gone so much worse."
"We are fortunate that there were not any major casualties, given the Bands' viciousness and ferocity." Fern Dapple nodded soberly. "But—" she gave herself a shake "—we uncovered the Bands' plan, defeated them before they could launch their plan, and drove them out of our home. If we're lucky, we've bought ourselves some time to rest and recover. It's enough of a victory." She turned to give both of the sisters a warm smile. "Congratulations. You both were incredible."
"Thank you, but what you and Tall Pine did was important and amazing as well." Blossom Dust gave her friend a nudge. "You discovered Gray Moon's plan to kill Mossy Moon, launched a successful counterplan, and convinced him to stop the war between our Clans. That's no small feat."
"I suppose so." Fern Dapple ducked her head.
"You should've seen Fern Dapple," Tall Pine added, his eyes shining. "She was fearless when standing up to Gray Moon and held him accountable for the responsibility he bears for the war."
"Thanks," the silver tabby she-cat said crisply. She glanced at the hunter trainee from out of the corner of her eye, her expression suddenly turning frosty. Tall Pine shifted, the warmth in his eyes dissipating as uneasiness bloomed like a toxic flower.
"Spotted Owl was phenomenal as well," Blossom Dust piped up. "Mossy Moon chose her, a trainee, to lead the battle patrol. I would've been so nervous, but she commanded the respect of our Clanmates, made difficult decisions, and looked like a natural leader. Even when the rest of us weren't willing to, she put her faith in Sharp. It was that that enabled her to lead us to victory."
"Oh, I don't know about that—" Spotted Owl started to say, her ears burning with embarrassment. Did I really do that well?
"Don't say that," Tall Pine chided. He grinned as he bumped her shoulder with his. "You've earned the right to be proud."
"Yeah, I suppose so." Spotted Owl's uncertainty gave way to a wide grin as both Blossom Dust, and Fern Dapple nodded in agreement to her brother's statement.
"I am proud of you too," Tall Pine added softly. "It must have taken a lot for you to trust Sharp, even after learning the truth. It must have taken even more for you to confront Thunderclap after all this time. You have become so strong and brave."
"I'm sorry for doubting you about Sharp," Blossom Dust said. Her ears twitched. "It's hard to trust him after everything we've been through. But you were right, and while it'll take some time, we will come to trust him as well. In the meantime, We will support you both and stand by you if any of our Clanmates give you trouble. I believe that Mossy Moon was right to grant Sharp and his sister asylum."
"Thank you," Spotted Owl murmured, warmth filling her chest.
"You know," Fern Dapple said, changing the subject. Her expression was thoughtful. "Gray Moon said something right before he left that has been like a burr under my pelt for the past three sunrises."
Tall Pine's eyes lit up in recognition. "Oh, yeah. He gave us a bunch of warnings like 'this isn't the end' and 'sleep with one eye open.' I figured they were empty threats since he was definitely angry with us."
"No, not those." Fern Dapple shook her head. "What he said about there being traitors within our Clan."
"Traitors?" Blossom Dust gasped. "What in the stars could he have meant?"
"Could he have been talking about Sharp?" Tall Pine wondered. "I mean, Mossy Moon had just told him about the Bands' plan, specifically Sharp's role in it."
Despite her shock, Spotted Owl shot her brother a look, her neck fur rising. "But Sharp isn't a traitor. Thunderclap forced him to help the Bands by threatening his sister. Sharp proved his trustworthiness by risking his life to betray his father and the Bands to help us defeat them. We can trust him."
"I know that. But Gray Moon didn't at the time," Tall Pine pointed out.
"Still, I don't think that's the answer," Fern Dapple said, bringing them back to the topic.
"Then what could he have meant?" Blossom Dust asked, giving her friend a worried look. "Was he just making empty threats to frighten us, or do you think he actually meant…"
Fern Dapple's eyes were faraway as she stared into space. "I don't know. But I sure hope he was just making empty threats."
Blossom Dust nodded, though she looked only half-reassured. She shifted her weight, looking at the ground, then back up at her siblings. "There is also something that's been bothering me—"
"Blossom Dust," came Rabbit Nose's call from across the camp, echoing in the hushed stone gorge.
The golden-brown she-cat sighed. "I guess that's my cue to leave for the border patrol." She gave both of her siblings a brief nuzzle. "I'll see you later?"
Spotted Owl smiled at their sister at the same time as Tall Pine murmured his "see you later."
Fern Dapple rose to her paws at the same time as Blossom Dust, her tail twitching. "I'm going to go as well. I need to speak with Mossy Moon."
After Spotted Owl and Tall Pine murmured their goodbyes to her as well, the two she-cats padded off side by side, leaving the brother and sister sitting together as the sun crept higher, bathing them in a warm golden pool.
"Hey, Spotted Owl." Tall Pine turned to her after they had sat in comfortable silence for several heartbeats. "I wanted to say this before when we were talking about Sharp, but I thought it would be better to tell you in private. I know I've told you before, but I want to say it again. I am sorry for not trusting you and for trying to force you to talk. I was worried about you, and I wanted to protect you, but I know now that you can take care of yourself. If you ever want to talk to me, I will always be available, but I'll wait for you to come to me."
Spotted Owl touched her tail to his shoulder. "It's okay. You can let it go. I know that you were worried because you care."
"Thank you. But you were right about Sharp in the end," Tall Pine admitted. "You were right to start trusting him again, and you were right to put your faith in him three sunrises ago. You were able to see past your anger and trauma even when I—and the rest of our Clanmates—were too blinded by our distrust and hostility to recognize that Sharp had been telling us the truth but was being manipulated, and to not only be kind and supportive but to forgive him. That takes a lot of strength and courage."
Have I truly forgiven him? Spotted Owl frowned as she withdrew internally, searching deep into the depths of her being. I empathize with Sharp for what Thunderclap put him through. I fought for him and Sage to stay with our Clan. Though it does make me a little nervous still, I enjoy being around him…immensely. Her ears flushed a little. But have I forgiven Sharp for everything he's done? He pretended to be my friend all those moons ago, only to betray my Clan. He killed Scattered Leaves and tried to start a war. He played a role in capturing the other Clan cats on the patrol and I, and was involved with our interrogations. But, she also acknowledged, he did try to free me from the Bands' camp. He was brave enough to stand up to Thunderclap by taking the risk of leaving the Bands. He comforted me when I was struggling and let me sleep in his den when I had nightmares. He did everything he could to protect Sage. So, have I truly forgiven him? She asked herself. Then, like a quiet sigh, came her answer with certainty as strong as the mountains. Yes.
"Thank you, Tall Pine," she murmured aloud. "It did take a lot for me to do that, but I couldn't be more glad that I did. Sharp and Sage need our Clan's protection, and they deserve to be here. But, it is still a little difficult, as he did hurt me again even though it wasn't his fault, so in a way, we were both half-right in the end."
Tall Pine glanced at her. "So, how are Sharp and Sage doing?"
Spotted Owl smiled faintly as she saw Sharp emerge from the healer's den, Sage leaning on his shoulder for support as he helped her limp around the periphery of the camp. Sage's face was tense with concentration, masking a grimace of pain, but as the young she-cat watched, Sharp murmured something that made her laugh, her tense expression morphing into one of joy and fondness. Spotted Owl's smile grew wider.
"I think that they're doing well," she said, turning back to her brother. "As you know, Sage was pretty weak when she first came, but she's recovering. Sharp is doing better just because she is. I think that they are both glad to be safe with our Clan, despite some hostility from some of our Clanmates."
Tall Pine's ears twitched. "That's good." He gave her a meaningful glance. "And how are you and Sharp doing?"
"Well—" Spotted Owl thought for a heartbeat or two. "I think we're doing okay. As I said, it is a little difficult because I'm still wary around him after everything that happened. Sharp's also shy around me. But I know that I can trust him, so I think we'll become more comfortable around each other given time. And—" she hesitated for a heartbeat before continuing in a soft voice. "I'm also very relieved that everything worked out, so Sharp is safe and here with us. Over the last few sunrises, I've realized how precious he has become to me."
Beside her, Tall Pine let out a chuckle. "That's good. I'm glad." His expression sobered. "That reminds me. I want to apologize again for meeting secretly with Frosted Leaf. I know it wasn't right, and—"
Spotted Owl's ears pricked up in alarm. "Tall Pine, no, I told you that you don't owe me an explanation. You don't have to apologize. I trust you."
"No, I want to explain," the hunter trainee insisted. When she relented, he continued quietly, "At the very least, I want to tell you that I've realized now what matters the most—what is most precious to me. That is you, Spotted Owl. You and Blossom Dust. Drifting Leaf and Fern Dapple and our Clan. You all are the most important things and will always be where my loyalties lie. You will always come first. It took me a while to realize that, but I will never forget that now."
Spotted Owl took a deep breath, feeling her emotions settle like falling leaves on the forest floor. "Thank you for telling me," she said seriously. "You, Blossom Dust, and the rest of our Clan are precious to me as well. But—" her tone became playful, eyes sparkling. "—you know that there is another cat whom you are very precious to, right?"
Tall Pine recoiled slightly, his expression creasing into a frown. "Spotted Owl, what are you talking about?"
Oh, my stars. Spotted Owl shook her head, grinning as she stifled a chuckle. He really is oblivious. I'm not the most observant cat, but even I began to notice after a while and put two and two together. "You know," she said, shaking her head in mock disappointment, "for someone who is so observant and perceptive of others, especially those you care about, you sure are blind when it comes to yourself."
Tall Pine's frown deepened as he stared at her incredulously. "What do you mean?"
Movement flashed in the corner of Spotted Owl's vision. She turned her head slightly to see Fern Dapple emerge from the chieftain's den. The blue-eyed she-cat's gaze lingered on Tall Pine, but when she saw the dappled she-cat looking, she hastily looked away. Spotted Owl looked at Tall Pine, glanced at Fern Dapple before looking meaningfully back at him. He really doesn't see it?
Tall Pine looked from Spotted Owl to Fern Dapple several times, his face contorted with confusion. Then his eyes widened and his jaw dropped open, realization striking like the sun coming out from behind clouds. "Do you really mean—"
Before he could finish, Spotted Owl broke down in a fit of giggles that shook her so hard she fell to the ground. Oh, my stars— He really—
"Spotted Owl," a familiar voice cut through the young she-cat's reverie, a stern edge to it.
Uh oh. Spotted Owl hastily pushed herself into a seated position. She shook the dust out of her fur and tried—and failed—to look composed. Yellow Sky stood before her, her gaze serious, though a smile tugged at Quick Clouds's mouth, who stood beside her. Across the camp, Rabbit Nose and Blossom Dust, who were supposed to have left a while before on patrol, reappeared through the passageway.
Spotted Owl frowned. "What's going on, Yellow Sky?" The fur on her neck started to rise. "Did something happen?"
Yellow Sky was silent for a heartbeat, considering her trainee. Then her face broke into a small smile, which made Spotted Owl even more bewildered. "Quick Clouds, Rabbit Nose, and I spoke two sunrises ago, and we all agreed, so we went to talk to Mossy Moon. Our chieftain just notified us that we could go ahead. Congratulations, you two, it is time for your and Blossom Dust's assessments."
"Assessments?" Tall Pine blurted out, his jaw slack with shock again. "H-hunter and fighter's assessments."
"Yes," Quick Clouds confirmed with a nod.
"When?" Spotted Owl leaped to her paws as they turned away.
Yellow Sky glanced back over her shoulder. "Right now."
. . .
Oh, my stars. Oh, my stars. Excitement babbled inside Spotted Owl like a swollen mountain brook. Her steps were as light as the flurries tumbling down from the chalky-white sky as she trotted along behind Yellow Sky. Blossom Dust and Rabbit Nose were close behind her. It's finally time for our assessments. If we pass, we'll become full members of the Clan of the Morning Sun.
As they rounded a bend in the trail, Spotted Owl paused at a break in the evergreens. Before her lay an extremely familiar weather-worn boulder with a flattened surface. On an impulse, she dashed a few steps and leaped up onto its top, where she skidded to a halt, breath catching as she laid eyes on the sweeping view of the Valley of Hidden Stars. She had seen this view many times before, during the Time of Thawing Earth, with buds just beginning to bloom, during the Time of Green Earth with the leaves bright and emerald-green, and during the Time of Freezing Earth with the mountainsides blazing with the colors of the sunset. But now, at the beginning of the Time of Frozen Earth, the landscape was transformed, bone-bare and gray and lifeless and snuggled in a blanket of crisp white snow, waiting to be woken again in a few moon's time.
Time seemed to slow as Spotted Owl stood there, her breath making little spirit cats in the frosty air. All of a sudden, fresh in her mind, was the first time she'd ever stood there, in what felt like mere heartbeats after her trainee ceremony, just over six moons before—right before an eagle had snatched her up and a particular ginger tom had come to her rescue, putting into action every event that had led up to this moment. A lot has happened since then, she mused, a lot of good and a lot of bad. I've grown and learned and changed so much. I am not the same cat I was six moons ago. Yet, I am finally to the point that I dreamed about all the time back then; my fighter's assessment. If I pass, I will begin my service to my Clan as a fighter.
My stars, it's finally here, Spotted Owl thought, nerves springing up like weeds as it finally sank in fully. What if I don't pass? What if my leg becomes an issue? As soon as the thoughts formed, she shook her head, stopping them in their tracks. I can't think like that. I've trained every sunrise for the past six moons for this assessment. I will be fine.
"Spotted Owl." A call jolted the dappled she-cat out of her reverie. She turned to see Blossom Dust hailing her. Shaking herself, she glanced one last time at the view before she hopped down off the boulder and hurried to join her sister.
"What were you doing?" Blossom Dust raised her brows.
Spotted Owl shrugged. "Thinking."
The other fighter trainee accepted that answer without further question. "Can you believe we're finally here, taking our fighters' assessments?" She asked, changing the subject.
"Yes." Spotted Owl nodded fiercely. "I can. We've worked so hard for this moment. I have no doubt we'll both do great."
Blossom Dust smiled and bumped her sister with her shoulder. "Me too."
The sisters fell into silence as they continued padding along, each lost in their own thoughts as they mentally prepared themselves for the assessment. After a ways, they rounded another bend in the trail and entered a passageway through a steep and sheer, though not extremely tall, cliff rising from the mountainside. The path, dusted with falling snow, wound around, rising as it went until they emerged onto the vast training plateau beneath the open sky.
"Spotted Owl." The young she-cat turned to where her instructor sat a fox-length away, beckoning her over with elegant sweeps of her tail.
Spotted Owl trotted over to Yellow Sky and took a seat, looking at her expectantly. Rabbit Nose took Blossom Dust aside on the other side of the plateau and was murmuring to her in low tones.
Yellow Sky's golden eyes glowed like twin moons as she considered her trainee for a few heartbeats in silence. "When I first received a sassy, disobedient, lazy kit as a trainee six moons ago, I was convinced that I had gotten the worst trainee ever," she began at last. "You would oversleep and be late for training. You would talk back and disobey orders, even directly defy them. You were always angry and brooding, and if anyone dared to cross you, you would lash out uncontrollably."
Spotted Owl shifted in her seat, her ears burning. I wasn't that bad. But then memories from her first few moons of training flashed across her vision. Her nearly attacking a Clan of the Dark Caves trainee while on patrol. Cats yelling at her as she dashed out of camp, disobeying her instructor's orders. Yellow Sky pulling her aside for yet another talk. Okay, maybe I was.
"But—" Yellow Sky continued, tilting her head. "—after the rough start and even a brief break from being your instructor, I noticed that you started to change your attitude and your actions. I saw how hard you began to work and how dedicated you became to your training. I saw that you not only wanted to become a fighter, but you were willing to do what it took to get there. But, after what happened with the Bands the first time, I was careful with you, as I knew you were going through a lot."
Yeah, I was. Spotted Owl twitched her ears as she gazed at her paws. Though worse was still to come.
"But then you proved me wrong again." A hint of a smile coalesced on Yellow Sky's face. "You and your siblings spoke up for yourselves after you were excluded from spy patrols on the Bands. You survived the horrors of being imprisoned by the Bands. I've seen how you've struggled with your leg injury and your trauma from that experience, but you haven't let any of your trials defeat you. Instead, they've made you stronger and shaped you into the cat you are today." Yellow Sky met her trainee's gaze dead-on, serious, though they shone with pride at the same time. "Spotted Owl, you have grown so much since you first became a trainee. You have become a resilient, dedicated, and talented fighter and a hardworking and loyal Clanmate. I am so proud of you, and I know that you will make an excellent fighter of the Clan of the Morning Sun."
Oh, my stars. Spotted Owl's body tingled as warmth burned inside her like the embers of a fire at the senior fighter's unusual praise. She's proud of me. She thinks I will be a great fighter. "Th-thank you, Yellow Sky," she stammered. "You have no idea how much it means to me to hear you say that."
"You're welcome." Yellow Sky's eyes twinkled. "And thank you. It was an honor to be your instructor. You will be one of the best fighters that the Clan of the Morning Sun has ever seen. But never forget that you don't have to do it alone. In a battle, you know that the other Clan of the Morning Sun fighters have your back. Off the battlefield, know that your Clanmates, your friends, and your family will always be here to help and support you. I may not be your instructor anymore after today, but I will always be here if you need me."
"Yes, of course, I will." Spotted Owl nodded seriously. "Thank you, Yellow Sky."
"Good." The senior fighter gave her one last fond smile before rose to her paws and padded to the center of the plateau. Spotted Owl followed. Rabbit Nose finished speaking to Blossom Dust before joining the other instructor and trainee pair. The sisters stood side by side as their instructors faced them.
"Welcome, Spotted Owl and Blossom Dust, to your fighters' assessments," Rabbit Nose said grandly.
"Here's how it's going to work." Yellow Sky's expression was set with its usual fierce seriousness. "This assessment will take place in five sections; each meant to test the different skills you have learned not only as a fighter but as a loyal Clan of the Morning Sun cat. You will be assessed not only by Rabbit Nose and me but by other experienced fighters as well." Spotted Owl turned her head in the direction where Yellow Sky angled her ears as Cloudy Water, Quiet Sun, and Soaring Hawk padded out of the passageway onto the plateau, making her gulp. "In the first section," Yellow Sky went on, drawing her attention back, "you both will face off against your instructor. All of us will assess you based on your technique, strategies, stamina, and skills employed, not based on whether you win or not. Spotted Owl, you and I will go first."
Oh, stars. The young she-cat's heart pounded in her chest as she padded to the center of the plateau. Dropping into a crouch, she faced off against her instructor. I can do this.
"Are you both ready?" Rabbit Nose called from where he, Blossom Dust, Quiet Sun, Cloudy Water, and Soaring Hawk sat out of the way.
Spotted Owl exchanged a glance with Yellow Sky, her determination mirroring the smoky-gray she-cat's. They both nodded.
"Begin."
Here is Spotted Owl's final chapter for this book! There are only two chapters (plus an epilogue) left—I can't believe we're this close to the end! So, surprise, here is one of the twists I was talking about—Spotted Owl, Blossom Dust, and Tall Pine are having their assessments! Yay, finally! But, stay tuned, as the biggest twist has yet to come…
Fun Fact: Right from when they first met, Sharp admired Spotted Owl's ferocity and boldness. As she's grown, he wished he could have the same strength and courage she has. He loved getting to spend time with her when he came for asylum, and was heartbroken when she told him about her nightmares. Sharp is more overjoyed than he has admitted to be with her in the Clan of the Morning Sun, but is too afraid to ever tell her because he thinks that she is too good for him.
- A Warrior At Heart