Averiwing’s Legacy/Chapter 3

Stormstar ducked into the den. The large blue-gray tom padded over and sniffed at Averipaw's wounds gingerly. "Are you sure she can begin the trials today, Shinepelt?"

Shinepelt nodded. "Averipaw is young and strong, she will heal from her wounds easily. The most severe ones have healed. The minor ones have sealed up. Best not to strain her too much today."

Stormstar nodded. Averipaw shifted uncomfortably, not trusting Shinepelt's words. The bruises still ached inside of her. Her claw scratches still stung a little. She swung her head over her shoulder to peer at Smokehawk, who was glowering in the darkest corner of the medicine cat den. He glared at her, his amber eyes smoldering, and he flexed his claws threateningly.

"Up, Averipaw." Stormstar nudged Averipaw gently.

Averipaw staggered to her feet, stretching out her muscles, and arching her back in a delicious stretch. Her muscles had stiffened during the seven days she had spent in the medicine cat den. Wrinkling her nose at the smell of herbs, she asked Stormstar, "What are we doing today?"

"Easy now, young Averipaw. You haven't completed your trials, remember? So we can't begin training yet."

Averipaw's tail drooped. "So I'll be stuck to boring old apprentice duties like pulling out the ticks from the elders?"

"No, we're going to start your first trial today. Follow me." Stormstar beckoned with his tail. Heart leaping in excitement, Averipaw eagerly followed, trotting up to Stormstar, easily keeping pace. The tom led her out of camp and towards a wooded, secluded hollow. Averipaw gasped as she reached it. Gazing down, she saw a hollowed out floor with a sandy ground, and with nuts scattered everywhere, and birds pecking at them. ''Why are there nuts... in the training hollow?''

"Cob nuts," Stormstar mewed, as if reading her mind. "We're attracting prey here for your first trial."

"First...trial?" Averipaw repeatedly dumbly.

"Catching a bird midair," Stormstar explained matter-of-factly. "For FeatherClan warriors, it's an easy task, considering we have wings. But for you that may be different. Your trial starts now, and you have five minutes to catch a bird."

Averipaw stretched her limb muscles and crouched down in the grass. A plump thrush, one of her favorite prey, was pecking at one of the cob nuts. She put each paw forward silently, her pose excellent. She stalked forward until she was poised to attack. Suddenly, Stormstar stepped on a twig, and alarmed, the thrush shot up into the air. Cursing under her breath, Averipaw leaped up into the air, her haunches carrying her up far, and her claws snagged the thrush's golden-brown feathers. She landed down and delivered a killing bite.

"Your hunting skills are superior," Stormstar purred, and Averipaw puffed up with pride. "You have passed your first trial, I'm sure of that. Now let's take this catch back to camp."