Chapter Nine
Greypaw flopped down into his nest, exhausted. How do the others stay awake for so long after crossing two whole territories twice? He wondered, listening to the voices of his clanmates discussing the Gathering. I'm ready to fall asleep standing up!
Greaypaw blinked, then gasped. He was no longer in his nest in the apprentice's den. He was standing on a high stone, surrounded by shadows and white and wind. The wind whistled in his ears and he could hear a loud, crashing roar on top of that. If he strained his ears, he could hear a faint whispering.
"Hello? Anyone here? Where am I?"
"Jay's Wing?" The form of a white she-cat appeared out of the shadows, but Greypaw couldn't make out any details.
"No, Greypaw!"
"Jay's Wing!" her voice was happy. "Jay's Wing! Have you returned?" It was hard to tell what she was saying, as her voice rose and fell with the wind.
"My name isn't Jay's Wing! It's Greypaw!" Greaypaw called back, but his voice was lost in the wind. Suddenly, the wind picked up and the moon came out from behind a cloud, revealing hundreds of muddy cats sitting in the snow, many who appeared faint and shimmery. At the front was the white she-cat, her eyes wide.
"Jay's Wing! Jay's wing!" the entire group began to chant.
Their cries faded as the dream dissipated, leaving Greypaw sleeping soundly.
. . .
Greypaw did not remember much of his dream when he awoke. He shook his pelt out and padded after Muddyear to train.
"What are we doing today?"
"Were giving you, your siblings, Flightpaw, and Bloompaw an assessment!" The two twins had had their ceremony just a while ago, and Greypaw was surprised they were ready.
"Our final assessment?" Greypaw asked hopefully.
Muddyear shook his head. "Sorry, but no. This is just on the stuff we've learned so far. You still have a while to go!" he purred. Greypaw sighed.
"But I want to be a warrior! I'm tired of apprentice duties!" Flightpaw mewed as she caught up with them.
"Ha! Wait 'til you've been doing them as long as me!" Nightpaw retorted, trotting up to them.
"You know, even warriors have to do apprentice duties from time to time. It's not all the good life," Sandyfur warned. Bloompaw groaned.
"So you're saying I'm going to be searching elder's pelts for ticks for the rest of my life?" the light she-cat whined. Hopmist mrrowed with laughter, whiskers twitching.
"If you whine like that, then yes!"
"Wait for us!" Sunpaw called, and Greypaw turned. Sunpaw was trailing behind Cloudclaw, who was obviously having trouble staying slow for Sunpaw. Sunpaw was hardly able to keep up with the others. He seemed to always stumble over every last bramble and root in the forest. Greypaw winced as his point was proven; Sunpaw squeaked as he toppled over.
"I bet he'd trip over a ladybug!" Bloompaw whispered to her sister. Greypaw growled at her.
"Watch what you say about my brother!"
Bloompaw blinked. "Sorry. I didn't think you would hear that," she said. "But, Greypaw… Sunpaw is so slow, and he has trouble with even the simplest of hunting crouches. You can't just ignore it," she pointed out, not unkindly. Greypaw scowled. He wasn't that mad at her, just mad that what she said was true.
Is Starclan really watching over Sunkit?