username: wolfpack12
name:
Frostpaw, Frostsight
age: 21 moons
gender: male
rank: warrior
clan thread:
Crescentclanprompt:
The only thing Frostpaw could truly hear and focus on, was the beating sound of his heart. Rapidly thudding against his chest, as he tried to remain calm. There were three other apprentices alongside him. All four sitting in a line, in front of their leaders den. Sat at the paws of each young cat, was a feather. The full moon above them, provided them enough light to see what species of bird their feather belonged to. Frostpaw's feather belonged to a crow. Due to the fact that it was black, and had a slight glossy shine to it. However, he was too busy keeping his nerves in check, to be able to focus on what types of feathers his fellow apprentices had. It didn't help that all of the attention was focused on them. As if it were a thousand eyes surrounding him. Judging him. Which was why he nearly jumped out of his skin, when his leader finally decided to speak.
" I have gathered you all tonight, so that these young cats may prove their worth as warriors, by proving themselves within the 'Warrior of the night' trial, yes, it requires some skill to be able to safely navigate throughout our territory, but it takes a whole other level to be able to move about during the night, especially with the dangers that lay hidden within the shadows, before each of these apprentices lays a single feather, one that is hidden throughout our territory, I have requested of those who have hid these objects to not place them in any dangerous areas, for I do not wish to risk these young cats lives", Dawnstar said. Glancing down at the four young cats warily, as she wrapped her tail around her paws. The moon above, giving her a slight ominous look, as her pale green eyes watched them carefully." Apprentices, analyse your feathers and take in their details, for not one feather is like the other, this is to prevent you from cheating and grabbing someone else's feather, those who have hid them, have left their scent on your respective feathers, your skills will be required to follow the scent trail and to navigate your way to where they are hidden, for it is important to be able to fight within the darkness itself, but beware, for predators will not hesitate to attack an innocent cat, so be careful on where you tread, once you've collected your feather and returned safely, you will be welcomed as a full warrior of the night within your clan", she added.
Frostpaw gulped silently, as he flattened his ears against his head. Before looking down at the feather in front of him. Taking a deep breath, he carefully took in its scent. Once he was certain on who it was who hid his feather, he then turned around and sprinted out of camp. Faintly hearing the cries of his clanmates wishing both him and his fellow apprentices luck, as they left the safety of their camp behind them. It wasn't long till the mostly white tom found himself alone. Standing out like a sour thumb. Due to his mostly white fur, that shone like the moon itself when out in the open. Making it difficult for him to blend into the shadows. Once or twice he jumped a little, from the hoot of an owl or the snap of a twig. His nerves starting to get the better of him, as he shakily followed the faint scent trail. Stopping every so often to check his surroundings. Sniffing the air, to make sure he wasn't crossing paths with something unpleasant.
At one point, he narrowly avoided bumping into a fox. Not realising it was there, due to the moon being blocked by a cloud. Luckily he had caught its scent in time. Allowing him to quickly hide within a berry bush, that helped hide his scent from the larger predator. He only released his breath, once he saw the bushy red tail disappear in the distance. Mentally scolding himself for being so careless. Considering that the aim of the trial was to not just rely on the light of the moon. But to also rely on ones own eyesight. At the moment, he could barely see a whiskers length in front of him. But as he continued to follow the trail, he began to see things a little more clearly. Allowing him to pick out the best areas to step, and to avoid areas that were too dark for him to see properly. Which were often good calls, since he could of sworn he saw movement in one or two bushes.
As his vision continued to become clearer, his own confidence began to grow. Ears moving forwards, as he picked up the pace. Until he went into a light sprint. Swerving in between the trees, as he did his best to keep hold of the scent trail. At times he would lose it, due to either some areas being overlapped with too many scents or going the wrong way. Mainly because the owner of the scent, had made sure to go several different ways in order to confuse the young apprentice. Only for him to be able to find it again, after spotting claw marks on a fallen log or paw prints within muddy ground. Creating a small sort of excitement within him, as he quickly followed after it. His fears slowly evaporating, the closer he grew to his destination. If fact, if one were to see him from a distance, they would have mistaken him for a ghost. Due to the fact that his paws barely made a noise.
His ears pricked up once more, at the sound of rushing water. Announcing that he had came to the edge of the river. Glancing at the shimmering surface of the water, Frostpaw once more became uncertain. As he cast a glance at the opposite side. Not quite sure if he would be able to make the jump without falling in. However, that wasn't the only thing that made him uncertain. It was the fact that the scent trail had gone cold. Causing the young tom to have to come to a decision, in order to continue forwards. Either risk the jump, or continue to explore his side of the river. It didn't help that the night had become eerily quite. Making him realise just how alone and vulnerable he truly was. While he was no longer afraid of the dark. Due to his eyesight treating it as if the sun was still out. He was starting to feel as if he was being watched. Causing his fur to start to stand on end. Nearly releasing a screech when a frog hopped into his line of sight out of nowhere. It took a few deep breaths to be able to regain control of his emotions, as he once more gave a cautious glance at the other side of the river.
Just as he was about to try to make the jump, the wind picked up once more. Giving him the chance to pick up a familiar scent. One that did not lead over the river as he expected, but instead up the tree that stood nearby. Glancing upwards, he couldn't see anything at first. Until a small movement caught his eye. A small black dot, that was a darker shade than the leaves it was hidden within. Slightly narrowing his pupils. Frostpaw carefully and skilfully made his way upwards. Carefully picking out branches that would hold his weight, as he drew nearer to the object. Nearly crying out in joy when he saw his feather, as he made his way swiftly along the thin branch. Barely managing to catch it in time, as it broke loose from its hiding place. Once he was certain he had a firm hold of it. He then made his way back down. Agilely jumping from one branch to another until he was safely back on solid ground.
A warm chuckle behind him made him turn around. Only to be met with his mentors amber eyes." Well done", the older tom said. His dark coloured fur blending in with his surroundings. Which explained on why he felt as if he was being watched. Upon seeing the younger cats confusion, he simply shook his head in amusement."You didn't honestly think that Dawnstar would allow you to go by yourself without some form of protection, did you?", he asked. To which the younger cat simply smiled shyly in return. Relief flooding through his eyes, upon seeing the older tom.
Once back at camp, Frostpaw stepped forwards to place his feather down in front of his leader. Keeping his head bowed, as she lifted her gaze towards the rest of the camp. He had been the last to arrive, due to his feather being further out than anyone else. But even he was surprised, to learn that his eyesight was slightly better than those of the others." Frostpaw, your mentor has told me you've done well in both keeping track of your target and remaining out of sight from prying eyes, and therefore have earned your right to become a warrior of the night, from this moment onwards, you will be known as Frostsight, in honour of both your good eyesight and your ability to pick out details within even the darkest of places, may our ancestors continue to guide your path young one", she said proudly. Smiling down as Frostsight slowly looked up at her. A small smile of his own, as his eyes shone within the moonlight. Lifting his head proudly, as his clanmates chanted his new name behind him.
