Shadow
The next sunrise Dappledkit was curtly nudged awake by her mentor before any other cat in the Clan stirred. It was still dark and there wasn't a hint of sunlight anytime soon. 'If you're so clever, why don't you go out and find some heather nectar today, after all you asked for a so-called REAL challenge' the old tom set a challenge. 'You'll have to squeeze it out of the heather. Heather is purple and bell-shaped, best growing in shady areas so you might try that knot of trees near WindClan-' but the little determined apprentice was already scuttling outside.'If you don't get back by sunhigh you'll be clearing my store for the rest of the day!' the elder rasped, chuckling a little, sure the little apprentice won't even find her way to WindClan border because she didn't bother to listen to his directions. Dappledkit, meanwhile, was carefree and alone outside camp, she skipped left then right, and paused. 'Right, WindClan. What did Elmflower always say...yeah, I think it smells of grass and gorse' she muttered to herself and let her nose guide her.
Upon reaching the crumbly Thunderpath or rather the shadow of a true Thunderpath, Dappledkit turned around, remembering this was the way to ShadowClan. She wandered like that until the sun was nearly at its peak, and panicked because clearing the store for the rest of the day was equal to torture. Especially if old Asphodel-leaf was around to gloat. The dappled golden molly just ran, as far away from her current position as possible, and knocked into something skinny but solid.
'Hey there! Watch it little apprentice!' a familiar, friendly mellow voice greeted her. 'Maplewhisker! Hi! I'm so glad I ran into you, I need directions to WindClan!' the medicine-cat-in-training squeaked. 'You're on pretty much the right way already, just keep running' the light ginger tom gave advice and purred a little.
'I'm proud of you, really. Tigertail, your father, is like kin to me. He sort of is, when his mom died and no father took him up, Elmflower did raised him. I was her only kit then, and we spend our whole lives together. I thought we'd be close as ever when we're warriors, but I'm a deputy and I've got little time for family. I always thought he'd be deputy first' Maplewhisker ended his short autobiography.
Dappledkit heard this story many times, form him, Elmflower, Snowcloud or Tigertail himself. She liked it, it was an end but also a beginning to something. She was about to sprint off, but then something fishy struck her. 'Um, hey, what are you doing in the middle of the forest...alone?' the little apprentice tried to sound casual, but she was curious and excited.
A cloudy look came into Maplewhisker's light green eyes and he flushed under his short smooth pelt. 'Oh-' he faltered. 'I was just, um, gotta...gotta tell her something! Bye!' and the deputy clambered away for the wide-eyed Dappledkit. She shrugged, it was scary, but probably it was stress of a young deputy. Many cats admitted the Clan needs a more experienced warrior, but Ravenstar had an iron will and a menace of a stare. Dappledkit found her way to a stream, the border obviously because she could smell the grassy, windy smell of cats that Elmflower told her about.
Remembering her mentor's words, she edged her way to a clump of trees, alerting a squirrel. Every instinct told the kitten to chase it, but no time could be lost for running around. Finding heather was east after that, it was a pretty purple pant. Grabbing a stray chestnut leaf, a little brown around the edges but good to use, she squeezed some nectar into it. She wondered what is the use to this golden liquid.
It was almost sunhigh, and carrying the leaf all the way to camp while trying to run wasn't easy. Dappledkit nearly ran into a bramble bush and tripped over a root, causing some nectar to spill. When she burst into camp, the sun was at its peak and she could see the gray muzzle of her mentor inching out of the dark den. 'I'm back!' she yowled shrilly, and many cats looked around her.
Avocetclaw, named for the bird and his fighting skills, even rolled his amber eyes in annoyance. He used to be a loner until a few season back and he joined the Clan in early new-leaf with his sister. He was far from friendly and all anyone knew about him was that he had to fight for his life during a harsh leaf-bare, being barely in apprentice age.
Asphodel-leaf was dumbstruck for a moment, then shook his golden tabby head. She sighed and groaned. 'Let's see what you collected before we consider it a success' he mumbled and ambled over to the leaf. 'Not bad' he remarked and took the nectar to his den. He came back and set another challenge for the day.
'I'm surprised you completed your task, and you saved me some time. With progressive training, you might just become a good medicine cat' the elderly cat was saying. 'Now, Snowcloud often helped me with herbs instead of participating in battle. Did she teach you some herb-lore?' Asphodel-leaf asked. 'The basics' his apprentice answered truthfully. 'Right then. Will you be able to find me some dock leaves?' the mentor asked again. Dappledkit nodded her head vigorously. 'You have until, say, around before dusk. I'll be ready with another quick lesson by then' the old tom said and went to fetch some herbs for the upcoming tutorial.
Dappledkit set off again, happy and lighthearted that this time she didn't have to hurry. Asphodel-lead underestimated her and gave her loads of time, and she could easily find sorrel form Snowcloud's tips. 'It has a tangy smell, looks leafy and grown in leafy areas' she recited her mother's words. Before collecting some, the little cat wanted to check the Sandy Clearing, in case her brother or any other apprentice was training there.
She was in luck, upon arriving she witnessed an excellent surprise leap from Sandpaw, as he tackled Robinpaw to the ground. 'For StarClan's sake Robinpaw!' Antstorm sharply scolded the little tortoiseshell. 'You could have dodged him! You're smaller therefore faster, and you could have always went limp, he'd fall for it!' the ginger molly was shouting. Patchflower let out a small purr of laughter and addressed her friend. 'Calm, Antstorm. It's their first day! You can hardly expect them to know complex moves and tactics' the calico pointed out, extinguishing Antstorm's passion.
'Try again' the sulky molly ordered Robinpaw. 'Remember what I told you, sidestep or just anything' she said. Robinpaw was looking angry with herself and grouchy too. Dappledkit began to ponder her mentor and Antstorm. She and Asphodel-leaf were like night and day, contrasting terribly, but they didn't fight, just strongly disagreed. Antstorm was much like Robinpaw, they were both ambitious and moody but didn't get on. 'Life's weird sometimes' Dappledkit muttered to herself and watched a second try.
This time Robinpaw attacked Sandpaw first, before he could dodge she was on top of him. 'That's better, at least you made a move' Antstorm remarked, slightly bored watching the kits tumbling around. 'I want to see you dodge now, not attack' she said. Dappledkit spectated a few more tries and then set off to find some dock. It was near the Twoleg Den ruins, and she plucked as much as a kitten could carry. It was just about dusk feeding time when she skipped into camp and she was greeted by her mentor. 'Good, put them down here, beside the other herbs' he instructed. 'Careful' he added.
'Can you identify these herbs?' he asked, pointing his tail at the display of leaves and stalks and other things. 'Sure. That the heather nectar from earlier, that's the dock, that's horsetail I collected last sunrise and them little white flowers...' she stumbled. 'They look like daisies, I think you said something about them at some point' she finished. The tom nodded, 'Well done' he said and began a lesson on daisies.
'They grow anywhere, when the leaves are chewed into a poultice or paste and applied, they cure bone aches. I think cranky old Mottledpelt will like them' Asphodel-leaf explained and told Dappledkit to tell him the uses of the other herbs. She was highly skeptical about the fact Mottledpelt might like anything, the spotted pale gray molly was always whining and making life difficult. 'Snowcloud told me dock soothes scratches and stings, I think' she began.
'Yes, that's true but applying can sting the cat a little itself' and while her mentor said that, Dappledkit realized he's really clever. Guess he isn't called -leaf for nothing, she thought and went on the her little test. 'Horsetail is used to treat infections, and wounds' she said. 'Bleeding, not wounds' Asphodel-leaf corrected. Dappledkit wanted to say something about the nectar, but she had no idea what it's used for. The elder medicine cat noticed this. 'The nectar is used to sweeten the taste of other, more bitter or sour herbs. It's also helpful while swallowing' he explained.
His apprentice nodded eagerly, she was learning without boredom! 'Right, I think you deserve an apprentice name by now, I'll unofficially call you Dappledpaw but don't get cocky, you'll be a true medicine cat when we visit the Moonpool this half-moon. I think it's not due until a few more sunrises' Asphodel-leaf showed some enthusiasm to be a mentor after all. Dappledpaw purred, finally she was named properly. 'It's getting a bit late and you've been working all day, why don't you get some fresh-kill and you're free' the old tom muttered, while Dappledpaw ran over to get a mouse for supper.
She was just about to grab a nice plump one in her jaws when a long-furred dark ginger molly snatched it before her. 'Beat it kid!' Antstorm growled through the brown pelt of her mouse and flicked her tail in annoyance. 'She's having a bad mood' Emberpaw padded over to her Clanmate. 'I heard she's upset with Maplewhisker about something, I think it's gonna be a major gossip thing now' the tortoiseshell spread rumor, with a couple of cats leaning in to listen. 'D'you think it's serious?' Dappledpaw asked, after all Maplewhisker helped her out today and having Antstorm upset over you in not a good sign.
'Nah!' Emberpaw brushed the smaller apprentice off. 'Seriously, they'll be fine in a few days. Maplewhisker probably told her she's spiky as a thorn' the molly purred. Dappledpaw was amused by this, and felt a bit better about the story. 'Did anything interesting today?' Emberpaw lowered her voice, curious. 'Yeah! I'll tell you all when Sandpaw gets back' Dappledpaw whispered gingerly, excited that she's accepted into the warrior apprentice life. 'I thought you'd treat me like Asphodel-leaf' the dappled kitten said. 'No way! You're one of us, we're nearly same age too!' Emberpaw assured. That made Dappledpaw's day.
***
The next few sunrises were busy and bustling for the apprentices. Their mentors insisted on making most of the good weather, and crammed in extra lessons. Dappledpaw was having plenty of work with learning off, and she even had a chance to prove her skills when Starlingwhisker, a black molly with white paws, locket and tail-tip, came in with a bee sting. She was a chatty and mellow patient, and admired the young cat's skill greatly. 'Wow Dappledpaw, didn't expect a wriggly thing like you to be a fine medicine cat!' she exclaimed, all patched up and examined.
'I do believe she might just be a fine healer' Asphodel-leaf agreed. He's been looking younger, he had more time to take care of himself and got much more sleep since his apprentice was doing chores for him. He'd grown fond of the rebellious molly, even when they didn't agree on something. 'I'm going out to collect poppy seeds! Behave!' Asphodel-leaf called out and rambled down the ledge, then outside camp. Dappledpaw took this chance to sneak out a hidden exit Robinpaw told her about, it took some clambering and help from a sneaky Emberpaw, but she was out.
Dappledpaw enjoyed the faint sunshine and freedom, she even chased a thrush, rather ungracefully but certainly fine for a little cat. She wandered around for a bit, and found herself much more further from camp than she intended. Too bad, she thought. I'll creep back in later, I'm sure old stiff-boned Asphodel-boredom won't be back yet. Dappledpaw spend the rest of the day sunning herself, blissful and lax. Only when it began to get cold she realized she was gone for a very, very long time. She leaped up and dived through a bramble bush, fur snagging on the thorns. She bravely ploughed on, and burst into camp covered in twigs and leaves and other little bits and pieces. She almost did a double-take when she saw the scene inside.
Maplewhisker's lean, skinny body was lying in the center of the camp, various cats milling around it, others hanging their heads down. A clean cut on the neck was the only thing that truly signaled the deputy's dead. 'There you are!' Snowcloud shrieked and ran over to her still kit. She let Dappledpaw lean against her. 'Cherryclaw was leading a patrol with Nightingaleface, Pearpaw and Sparrowfur' she murmured softly.
Cherryclaw was an energetic ginger molly, mother to Pearpaw and Robinpaw. Sparrowfur was a young, critical warrior, sister to Avocetclaw, a muscular black and white warrior with scars, named after the bird. She was mean and kept close to her brother, after all they've had a very tough life as loners. Harsh leaf-bare weather drove the two loners near Clan territory, and WindClan taught them a lesson. They were barely apprentice-aged, and Avocetclaw had to fight hard to protect his runty sister. They were outcasts of the Clan, but did their share of work.
'They found him in a shady part of the woods, just outside our boundaries. There was a rock beneath him, and a snapped branch beside him. We think it's an accident, but your mentor says the cut is too clean. Don't you worry now, security will be raised greatly' the white molly updated shocked Dappledpaw. 'Let's get you some thyme' Snowcloud gave her daughter a nudge and she obediently chewed the herb. Her shallow breathing slowed down, her mind came into focus. 'I'm alright' she muttered glumly, and padded off to find Asphodel-leaf. He was carefully rubbing some rosemary onto Maplewhisker's light ginger pelt.
'So it's true' she muttered. She was taking it well, the thyme obviously helped but she was strong too. 'Do you really believe it was murder?' Dappledpaw asked seriously, brash and open. 'I can't be certain' her mentor whispered hoarsely.
Ravenstar made an emotional speech from his ledge, his voice was controlled and steely but his amber eyes betrayed devastation. After a few heartbeat of silence, he named a new deputy. 'I say these words before the body of Maplewhisker, so he can hear and approve of my choice' he called out, into the stars. 'Tigertail, will be the new deputy of ThunderClan' he announced, and despite the grief there was a grand chorus of cheers and brightness. Snowcloud fretted, and Lavenderfur promised to talk to Ravenstar so he can assure some safety for the new deputy.
Lavenderfur was a rather small gray molly, very plain but clever and polite. She was the mother of Smokepaw and Emberpaw, but for some reason Ravenstar never really publicly showed her affection. Elmflower, who was lying beside her son's cold body, told the younger cats that he has a reason for that, but always added he shouldn't let his past get in his way after all them Moons. The apprentices instinctively huddled together, even the smug Smokepaw who was lest speechless.
'Poor Elmflower, she doesn't deserve this' Pearpaw muttered, her odd eyes showing compassion. The vigil came, Dappledpaw and her whole family barely blinked through the night. The puffy-eyed molly didn't even clean herself after the crash though the woods. When dawn came, Snowcloud did it for her. The elders buried Maplewhisker beside a huge, brilliant maple tree, and Elmflower never lived another day without visiting this spot.
Tigertail was taking his new duties well and Smokepaw, who didn't get on with Sandpaw seeing him as a 'common warrior with no ambition or creativity', began to respect him. 'He thinks that having an important cat in the family makes you important' Emberpaw rolled her eyes. 'Then he should be worshiping you two!' Elmflower said to Dappledpaw and Sandpaw. 'Hollystar is your biological kin! I know Snowcloud hates to brag, but you should ask her' the queen purred.
'Oh. Hollystar. Right' Snowcloud stammered when she was questioned by her kits. 'She's my mother, she was a leader, and um, she's in StarClan' the white molly unhelpfully explained. 'Hollystar was a peaceful leader, and quite a good one too' Rainpelt, a speckled gray elder with darker and lighter patched said. Training and patrols went on as normal, they were only a bit reinforced. Every cat forgot about the possibility of assassination.
All except two.
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