It was almost midday, a bright full sun showering Gingerpaw in warmth. She tried to control her panting as she crept towards a patch of grass. If she paused long enough she could hear the tiny beat of a rodent's heart. She was yet to catch something for the competition Nightstar had suddenly announced in the morning.
Gingerpaw sat bleary eyed with the other apprentices under the high boulder. Everyone's mentors were there, Cloudfang included. They'd been woken up just as the sun was beginning to rise by Lizardglare. Nighstar was perched regally on the high boulder, clearing her throat to address them. 'Apprentices of Duneclan, as you know leaf-fall will be approaching soon. Events in the past moon have been unfortunate-'
Gingerpaw thought unfortunate was a little bit of an understatement.
' So I have organised a small competition for the next couple of days with your mentors. Today is hunting. As soon as this meeting is over you have until sun-high to catch as much prey as possible. Day 2 will be a swimming competition and the final day will be fighting" Nighstar explained as the group seemed to brighten up and become more interested.
Silentpaw however seemed to be quite confused, as if he was looking around for someone to tell him why he was taking part. Cloudfang seemed to hook onto it and raised a paw. "Yes, Cloudfang?" Nighstar sighed.
"I think Silentpaw would like to know why he's taking part when he hasn't had the same training" Cloudfang told her, taking a quick look back at Silentpaw.
"Well, Silentpaw is an apprentice too, it would seem unfair that everyone else got a chance to compete and not him. It's a bit of fun to boost morale and teach life skills, is that satisfactory?" The leader seemed to have a slightly snarky tone of voice, Gingerpaw was beginning to feel like Nighstar didn't like the medicine cat that much.
So that was what had led her to hunting alone in the dunes this morning. She was hoping that prey was just scarce today and that she'd get back and everyone had struggled. She froze as the small rodent, a vole, waddled out from behind a clump of grass. She thought about where she was placing her paws so as to not disturb too much sand.
"Uh oh!" A sing-song voice chimed from the grass as a white tom barged through. The vole scampered away. "Glowpaw!' Gingerpaw hissed standing up and scowling 'You did that on purpose"
Glowpaw licked a paw, swiping it over his ears. "Yeah I did". She was gonna wipe that smug grin off his face right now. Growling, she launched herself at him, pummeling him with her paws. Glowpaw was half laughing and half going 'ow'.
"Hey, hey! It wasn't against the rules! I'm being strategic!" Glowpaw laughed.
"Right so crouch down, but not so low your belly touches the floor" Lilytail instructed him. Since the competition had begun she'd been helping him the entire way. It was like actually being trained to be a warrior, he liked it a lot. Next time they met in person (well, in a dream) he'd ask if she could train him to fight and hunt. They were both useful skills after all.
She'd complimented him on how quietly he was able to walk, but despite this he was yet to catch anything. "Over there, the reeds"
His blue eyes flicked to the side, spotting the tail end of something smooth and scaly. It appeared to be slipping into the pond. "Pounce!"
Silentpaw leaped into the air, his paws catching the end of the creature. Sand flew with the impact. His claws hooked into its skin, allowing him to backtrack and pull it out onto the sand. It was a sort of snake, Silentpaw backed away as it thrashed on the sand. What if it was an adder?
"Don't let it go! It's a grass snake- no venom" Lilytail shouted with excitement, she was enjoying the moment. If she was there with him he could imagine her hopping up and down like a kit in a frenzy. It's pale underbelly flashed in the sun as it began to roll.
Frantically he grappled onto the end of its tail again and threw it to the side of him. Giving it no time to escape, he pounced on it, jaws ready to deliver the kill bite to its collared neck. He tried to bite down, missing it as the snake thrashed from side to side hissing angrily.
"Get him! Get him! Get him!" Lilytail chanted. Silentpaw bit down desperately down into the snake's neck, pulling upwards. His muzzle was spattered with blood as its head came off in his mouth and he fell onto his hind. The body continued to squirm about as if the head was still there, blood pooling out on the sand. "Well that's a bit grim..I mean good job? but grim"
Silentpaw grimaced. At least he'd caught something though. He was cleaning himself up before doing anything else.
By midday, almost all the apprentices were back at camp. With help from mentors extra prey had been carried back and was ready for counting. She'd managed to catch a small wren, not that impressive but better than nothing. Silentpaw had surprised her by waltzing into camp with a headless snake, its tail end dragging behind him in the sand.
If she was honest she didn't think he stood much of a chance of catching anything. Troutfin was sat by the elder's den, a dull hungry look in his eyes. She considered maybe 'accidentally' leaving some prey by the elders' den in the hope he might eat something.
She was sitting in between Shadedpaw ( a rainbow trout and a small bird) and Treepaw ( A baby mouse). Her brother hadn't caught anything and seemed disappointed. Rabbitpaw had also returned empty pawed.
It was when Glowpaw strolled into camp, a large buck rabbit in his jaws and shrew hanging by its tail which had been clamped between the rabbit and his jaw. Ghostfalcon padded after him with a small mouse. She seemed impressed.
Shadedpaw gasped "Hey he stole the rabbit I caught!" the young tom shouted indignantly. Glowpaw continued walking, as cool as a cucumber, sitting down at the end of the row. Ghostfalcon put the mouse down in a pile in front of her apprentice. She could almost feel Shadedpaw seething next to her.
"Glowpaw, did you take Shadedpaw's rabbit?" She asked, raising a brow. Glowpaw was unwavering. "Nope" He smiled. Gingerpaw narrowed her eyes, knowing him he probably did.
"He purposely scared away prey and called it strategic" She butted in, grinning as Glowpaw's face cracked and he glared at her. Crabfang peered at Glowpaw. "Is that true?" the warrior asked.
Glowpaw seemed to stumble mentally, opening his mouth, deciding against it, starting a sentence and then trailing off...Treepaw started laughing. "I'm going to take that as a yes" Ghostfalcon tutted, annoyed at her apprentice.
"Glowpaw, I'm disqualifying you for cheating" The white tom seemed crestfallen at his mentor's decision. Gingerpaw smirked and turned away. She wasn't winning this contest, but at least Glowpaw wasn't going to win.
Reviewer responses!:
Mintflight0245: Thanks for the reviews! I think your the first person to say they're unsure about Shadedpaw (I am too lol). Floodpaw means well but doesn't know when to stop. I also like Lilytail, she deserves good things
ReadingEevee: Lots of cats are also upset, they're just not allowed to show or voice it. Silentpaw is just trying to avoid her getting in trouble.
Succulentsofa: She be swimming now lol. Silentpaw ends up having everyones problems dumped on him, the only cat he was properly communicate with is also troubled and dead.
I know this chapter is probably bit dull and short, but the plot picks up again soon so son't worry :)
Question of the chapter: Could there be another reason for Nighstar to suddenly announce a competition...?