Chapter 83: Training Accident
Soon all of us mentors met up at the training clearing. There was Darkstripe, Fireheart, Longtail, Whitestorm, Dustpelt, Ravenfeather, me, Cloudpaw, Swiftpaw, Brightpaw, Fernpaw, and Ashpaw. Despite Fireheart and I being of a higher authoritative position, Darkstripe was the one in charge for this. Of course with Bluestar's request, I knew I was going to be combat assessment. As Bluestar said, I am the weakest warrior, so I wouldn't be holding back.
Darkstripe decided to start the assessments with a hunting assessment. With so many cats to be assessed and how much of our territory hadn't recovered yet, Darkstripe set up a set of rules. Instead of hunting as much as they could before Sunhigh, the apprentices were tasked with hunting two to three pieces of prey and returning to the clearing immediately after. They'd be scored based on the size of their quarry, the time it took to complete the task, their creativity in completing the task, and their overall technique. For this, Ravenfeather and Whitestorm were selected to be the observers since they were the ones with the best hunting skills of the mentors.
I have to brag somewhat about my apprentice. Ashpaw is one of the cleverest cats I know. He's resourceful and quick on his paws. This is partially due to his training and partially due to his mental condition. He was in essence a prodigy. He knew this forest well, having memorized several burrows and nests we'd spotted, at my insistence. He'd also picked up those Skyclan hunting techniques Mapleshade had me teach him. He could traverse through trees almost as well as he could traverse the land. It didn't surprise me to see him back first with a squirrel and a starling. He noticed he was back first and trotted over to me with a pep in his step.
"You did well Ashpaw. I couldn't have done better myself. In fact I know you are a better hunter than I. I am proud to se the cat you are becoming." I praised.
Wordlessly Ashpaw dropped his prey and pressed into me, basking in the affection I was giving him. I let him have it. Today was a big deal for him. I already knew he was ready to become a warrior. This was more of a formality, not that he knew that. I was quite frankly excited to see my dear apprentice made a warrior and to work with him on a more equal level in the future. I'd already known he saw me as a paternal figure. It wasn't all that uncommon for apprentices to see their mentor that way. This was likely somewhat heightened by Whitestorm's lack of presence in Ashpaw's life due to his inability to understand his son. Thus, Ashpaw very likely saw me as his real father, the one who saw the real him and supported him through it all. It wasn't too far from the truth anyways. Ashpaw is one of my few very precious cats I'd be willing to kill and die for. In a way, I really thought of him as my son even if we didn't share blood.
Swiftpaw was the second one to return bearing a mouse and a vole. He wasn't the most senior apprentice for nothing. Longtail praised his apprentice as well, but I spotted a hint of jealousy in the apprentice. He disliked how he'd been beaten by Ashpaw in the hunting assessment. He also noticed how the affection I was giving Ashpaw seemed more than his own mentor was giving him. He and Longtail held a more professional bond in comparison to Ashpaw and I, but that didn't dissuade the spark of jealousy he was displaying. It was just a look for now.
Cloudpaw was the next to return with a hare and a surprisingly fat mouse. He'd definitely receive bonus points for the quality of his prey. Brightpaw then returned carrying three scrawny mice. She at least had quantity going for her. Finally came Fernpaw with a mouse and a vole. She seemed rather sheepish after realizing she was the last to return, but Dustpelt reassured her she could make it up in the combat assessment.
We decided the order of the combat assessments at random. First would be Cloudpaw, followed by Fernpaw, then Ashpaw, then Swiftpaw, and finally came Brightpaw. The trial would be a standard spar of three rounds. Standard rules, no claws and no biting hard. It was first to pin.
I'd personally say Cloudpaw had a bit of an unfair advantage, having sparred with me before while I had Ashpaw cross train with Fireheart. He had an inkling of an understanding how I fought. That did not mean he knew all my moves. I planned to space out introducing new moves as the round progressed, hoping it'd keep him on his toes and prevent him from hard countering me.
The spar began rather slowly. We postured while sizing each other up. Cloudpaw was a rather hefty apprentice. I still had weight on him, being older and all, and I also had better stability since I had a lower frame. Meanwhile he had speed and range on me, things he didn't typically have on other cats. The question was if he could leverage those advantages correctly. Finally, I started things off with a charge. Cloudpaw went with his go to, which was to try and just resist the hit. It didn't work out for him since I had more mass and hit lower. He stumbled hard and I pressed my advantage. I was caught unaware when he hit me with a stunner, dazing me for a moment or two. He took advantage of that moment to press his attack. I tried to retaliate, but once I'm put under pressure in combat, I tend to break. He eventually pinned me. In round two, I got a cheeky pin early on by catching him right away in a new combo I made, but in round three he'd already gotten wise to his advantage and pressured me into submission with his better range and speed.
Fernpaw was hesitant once she entered the arena In the posturing phase she seemed genuinely nervous and hesitant. As much as I'd have liked to stop and talk to her about her self-confidence, this was an assessment. I pressured her hard, and she caved quickly in both rounds. The sad part was that I knew she could have beaten me, but her hesitance kept her from taking advantage of my weaknesses and her strengths.
As I said before, Ashpaw was a given. He knew my moves inside and out. While he didn't have the weight to overcome me, he pulled off something I hadn't expected. He tricked me into chasing him to the edge of the clearing where he used a tree as a springboard to give him better striking force and roll me. I was forced to submit when I felt his jaw gracing my collarbone. The second round lasted a fair bit longer. I was able to pace myself and push into his attack when he tried to go on the offensive reversing him into the defensive, which is a state I better excel at. In the end, he got me by pressuring me into the edge of the clearing where I didn't have the room to make a small retreat to reestablish my momentum. I congratulated him on besting me. He worked hard for it, and it showed.
Swiftpaw was the next in the ring. I already knew he had a speed and reach advantage on me, but I had better endurance and could push into his attacks. It'd definitely be a new experience for him. The fight began the same way the others did, posturing. I was still a bit tired from my bout with Ashpaw, but this wouldn't hold me back. Swiftpaw, on the other paw, looked angry. I just couldn't place it. Why would he be angry? I shook off the thought as the round began. Swiftpaw tried to leverage his superior speed against me, but I had anticipated the rush and parried his opening strike and tackled him. I severely outweighed him, so I was able to force the first pin of the assessment. In round two, Swiftpaw was more wary. He didn't let his own momentum push him into a disadvantageous position, which I must say was a good lesson learned. Eventually he managed to catch me in a hasty pin after hitting me with a barrage. Then it was the final round, the decider. We both had a good understanding of each other. That last round had been very close, and I was learning. Swiftpaw attempted to push me into another barrage, but I was ready. This bout turned out to be a long one, with Swiftpaw constantly evading me and me never giving any ground. I could tell Swiftpaw was exhausted and desperate. I baited him into a standing attack and met him. Very swiftly he realized his error and panicked. He knew I was going to topple him and pin him. In his panic, he lashed out. A paw with extended claws slashed over my left eye. I got extremely lucky in that I flinched and closed that eye. I pulled off the apprentice, clearly bleeding from the new wound. Longtail quickly intervened, stopping the fight. Ravenfeather was soon at my side, checking out the wound. I could already feel blood dripping into my eye. I had to hope it was only the eyelid. Before I made to leave, I had to give an order.
"Ashpaw and Cloudpaw pass their battle assessment. Fernpaw, you need to work on your confidence. Swiftpaw, I would have passed you even if I won, but you broke the rules of a spar. I do not know the depths of what you did to me, but I cannot pass you. Brightpaw, if you are willing, Darkstripe can act as your opponent for the assessment or you can wait until I recover. I've got to get back to camp and get this eye checked out. I hope for your sake Swiftpaw that you did not blind me." I commanded before Ravenfeather guided me back.
I thought I could faintly see light through my closed eye, I had reason to believe the eyelid was split. Cinderpelt confirmed it when we got back and bandaged it up. It was unfortunate that Ravenfeather and I's plans were canceled due to the injury, but Bluestar decided to hold off the new warriors ceremony until tomorrow. Cinderpaw didn't seem to mind Ravenfeather staying with me of the rest of the day and night. It wasn't what we planned, but we at least got to cuddle.