The Apprentice's Curse (A Shrouded Path book 1) {COMPLETE}

Chapter 7

Ashstar nodded, then turned to Shadebelly. "Set up the patrols," he ordered his deputy. "And make sure the fresh-kill pile is stocked. We've several more mouths to feed now." His tone was lighter than Minnowpaw had ever heard it.

While Minnowpaw was reeling about the news- four kits!- Shadebelly began assigning cats to various patrols. "Twigtail, you can lead the dawn patrol," he mewed. "Take Sweetstripe, Nettlestep, and Cinderpaw. Birchclaw, take a hunting patrol to the river with Ashflower and Pebblenose. Bristlepelt, you can take another hunting patrol with Mudpelt and Minnowpaw."

Tawnyclaw cut in from where he sat outside the warriors' den. "Actually, I'd like to take Minnowpaw out for an assessment," he meowed, then added, "if you can spare her." Minnowpaws ears pricked. An assessment? Suddenly she was nervous.

Shadebelly dipped his head respectfully to his fellow senior warrior. "Of course, Tawnyclaw. I'm interested to see how our oldest apprentice is coming along. Sorrelstream, you can hunt instead."

Their duties all assigned, the RiverClan cats began to break up and go about their business. Minnowpaw caught a glimpse of Flamepelt and Bristlepelt leading Redpaw and Poppypaw out of camp, no doubt for training. She wondered if Flamepelt was nervous to be training his first apprentice alongside an older, more experienced warrior.

"Ready?" Tawnyclaw's voice snapped Minnowpaw to attention. She looked at him. "Sorry that it's so short-notice," he apologized, "but I think you're more than ready for your first assessment."

Minnowpaw gulped. "Are you sure? What if I mess up?"

Tawnyclaw purred. "I don't see how you could," he said warmly. His praise boosted Minnowpaw's spirits, and Tawnyclaw flicked her ear with his tail. "Come on," he said. "Even with two hunting patrols out, we could still use some more fresh-kill. Go out hunting and later I'll assess your fighting skills."

Minnowpaw nodded. "Are you coming with me?" she asked.

Tawnyclaw shook his head. "No, but I'll be watching you. Now go on, and good luck."

Minnowpaw nodded and dashed out of camp. She knew she should stay away from the other hunting patrols, so she made sure to keep clear from their scent trails. She padded softly through the ferns, listening intently for sounds of prey. While RiverClan cats weren't accustomed to catching forest prey like ThunderClan, none of them would pass up a slow mouse or pigeon. Fresh-kill was fresh-kill.

The smell of vole stopped Minnowpaw. She sniffed the air, and soon saw rustling in a bush a few tail-lengths ahead. She dropped into a crouch and slowly crept forward. The small animal jumped out of the bush, sniffing intently at the ground. It took no notice of Minnowpaw in its search for food. Minnowpaw leaped, nearly overshooting, and landed on the vole. It gave one frightened shriek before Minnowpaw killed it by biting its neck. The scent of prey bathed her tongue and her belly growled; she wished she had taken the time to eat. But she couldn't eat now, so she hid the vole in a clump of reeds and headed on towards the river.

By the time the sun had risen to the top of the sky, Minnowpaw had caught an impressive amount of prey, including a water vole and a young thrush. The cold river cooled her paws in the growing heat, and Minnowpaw stopped after a while to drink. She wondered if Tawnyclaw was watching her right now, or if he'd gone back to camp. She hoped she'd done well in her assessment; she'd be embarrassed and ashamed otherwise.

A flash of movement out of the corner of her eye caught Minnowpaw's attention. Looking up, she saw a mouse creeping out of the rocks on the other side of the river, heading towards the water. She thought for a moment. Should she go after it? It was so close she could almost feel her claws gripping its gray body. Then she thought otherwise; it was technically on Sunningrocks, which made it ThunderClan prey. The last thing she wanted was to be caught stealing prey, especially during an assessment.

Minnowpaw began to turn away when an ear splitting screech cut through the air and a massive body landed on her back. Claws gripped her shoulders and Minnowpaw fell, her muzzle dipping below the surface of the river. Her attacker hissed viciously in her ear as it bit down, hard. Yowling, Minnowpaw struggled to get free. She managed to get loose, but felt her fur ripped away in the other cat's claws. Turning quickly, she came eye to eye with the attacker; it was Copperfoot!

"Prey-stealer!" He hissed, and launched himself at Minnowpaw again. The two grappled at each other in the water, splashing and spitting. Copperfoot was much larger, Minnowpaw noticed, and she had a hard time staying upright. She lashed at his face with unsheathed claws, managing to scratch his nose fiercely. He jumped onto her again and ripped at her flanks with his claws. Minnowpaw yowled in pain, dropping. His weight was crushing her, and she found it hard to breathe. But she couldn't let him win!

Summoning all her strength, Minnowpaw threw herself upwards, head-butting Copperfoot's belly and sending the ginger warrior flying. Not missing a moment, she leaped at him and raked her claws along his momentarily exposed belly. He stood on his hind legs, and Minnowpaw did the same. The two cats slashed and growled until Copperfoot brought his entire weight down on Minnowpaw, crushing her into the river again.

Just when Minnowpaw thought she'd never get back up again, Copperfoot's weight suddenly disappeared. A flurry of hisses and screeches sounded, and Minnowpaw pulled herself out of the water and saw Tawnyclaw grappling with Copperfoot. Her mentor had come to help her!

Minnowpaw launched herself back into the battle, fighting side-by-side with Tawnyclaw, scratching at the ThunderClan warrior's face and leaning forward to nip sharply at his legs and underside. Both he and Minnowpaw were bleeding into the river from their various wounds, and Minnowpaw didn't know how much longer she could fight. But then Tawnyclaw shoved Copperfoot forward and out of the river, back onto his own territory.

"Go home!" he snarled, flexing his claws.

Copperfoot met Tawnyclaw's vicious stare, his flanks heaving. Drops of blood fell onto the rocks from the gash in his stomach. "Teach your apprentice to stay in her own territory!" he retorted.

"I was in my territory!" Minnowpaw hissed, furious. She'd never set a paw out of the river!

Tawnyclaw growled again, and for a moment Minnowpaw thought he was going to launch himself at Copperfoot again. Instead, he growled, "Go home, and thank StarClan you're walking away in one piece. Next time you won't be so lucky." Without waiting for a reply, the gray warrior turned and exited the river.

Minnowpaw followed quickly, remembering to pick up her catch before following Tawnyclaw into the reeds.