Chapter 21

Spiralkit’s ears perked up as Nightstar’s mew rang through the camp. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!”

There was a rush of paw steps and Flowerstem and Stemfall dashed over to Spiralkit and Crystalkit, who was sitting beside Spiralkit. “What’s happening?” Crystalkit mewed as their parents began licking them fiercely.

“You’ll see,” Stemfall replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

They all padded into the center of camp to join the other cats, and Spiralkit exchanged a confused look with Crystalkit. When had they ever been invited to a Clan meeting?

“Spiralkit and Crystalkit have reached the age of six moons,” Nightstar, who was now in the middle of the ragged semi-circle the Clan had made, mewed, “and are ready to be apprenticed.”

Nightstar beckoned the two kits with her tail, and they walked side by side into the middle to her.

A trill of joy shook Spiralkit’s body. An apprentice, at last!

“From this moment you will be known as Spiralpaw and Crystalpaw,” Nightstar went on. “Cinderlight, you have proven yourself to be a quick-thinking and brave warrior, and I’m sure you’ll pass down your skills to Spiralpaw.” Nightstar leaned down and whispered in Spiralpaw’s ear, “Now go and touch noses with Cinderlight.”

Spiralpaw bounded away and stopped in front of the pale brown she-cat. “I’ll teach you everything I know,” Cinderlight murmured, leaning down to touch noses.

“Blacksky,” Nightstar meowed, “you are strong and intelligent, and I hope you’ll pass down these qualities on to Crystalpaw.”

Spiralpaw saw Crystalpaw scamper over to her mentor and touch noses with the black-and-white she-cat.

“Spiralpaw! Crystalpaw!” the Clan cheered. After a few moments they broke apart and returned to their duties.

Stemfall and Flowerstem bounded over to Spiralpaw and Crystalpaw. “I’m so proud of you,” Flowerstem murmured, giving each of the new apprentices an affectionate lick.

“You’re going to be great warriors,” Stemfall agreed.

Cinderlight beckoned Spiralpaw with her tail. “Let’s go explore the territory with your sister now.”

 

Spiralpaw turned in her new nest as Berrypaw called to her.

“Spiralpaw? Are you awake?”

“I am now,” Spiralpaw replied sleepily. Cinderlight and Blacksky had taken her and Crystalpaw around ThunderClan’s territory and then taught them how to change the elders’ bedding.

“I’m so excited,” Berrrypaw whispered.

“For what?” Spiralpaw yawned. Is he going on a hunting patrol or something? Nothing for me to worry about.

“Sandpaw and I are going to have our assessments soon!” Berrypaw exclaimed so loudly that Lilypaw grunted in her sleep.

Spiralpaw gasped. “Congratulations! I didn’t know you were so close to being a warrior!” Her heart was aching with something. What? she wondered. It’s almost like…I’m sad. She thought for a moment. Oh, she realized. I don’t want him to sleep in the warriors’ den. I want him here!

“I’m going to catch more prey than Sandpaw,” Berrypaw went on. “I’m going to catch enough prey to feed the whole Clan!”

“Quiet down, will you?” Lilypaw hissed with her eyes closed. “Some of us are trying to sleep!”

Berrypaw sighed and sank down deeper into his nest.

Spiralpaw waited until the dark ginger apprentice’s breathing slowed. She slowly sat up and glanced at him. He was fast asleep. Good. That’ll make it easier for me to sneak out.

Spiralpaw pulled herself out of her nest and padded toward the entrance. She froze as Lilypaw’s mew sounded again.

“Where are you going?”

“Just the dirtplace,” Spiralpaw lied.

Lilypaw shrugged and turned away.

Spiralpaw padded quickly out of the den. She couldn’t risk being seen again. Snowfern was on guard. The white warrior wouldn’t be suspicious if she used the dirtplace exit.

Spiralpaw slipped into it, wrinkling her nose at the smell. She quickly squeezed through the other exit, gulping in the fresh air of the forest. She crept through the trees, wondering where she should go. The place where she had met Heatherfur the other day?

I should try the climbing clearing, where Ambercloud died, she decided. It’s closer anyway.

Spiralpaw pushed through the leaves, breaking into a run. By the time she reached the clearing, she was panting and her chest was aching. She padded slowly toward one of the trees.

“Spiralpaw.”

Spiralpaw froze and turned around. She relaxed as she found Heatherfur sitting behind her. She dipped her head to the StarClan cat respectfully.

“Looking for me?” Heatherfur asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

“Yes,” Spiralpaw meowed. “I was hoping to ask you more –”

“Spiralpaw, you are ready,” Heatherfur meowed warmly, and Spiralpaw’s heart beat faster. “You have become an apprentice. I will give you my message now. Head toward the setting sun, beyond Clan territory. Find the Crystal Sun. Be back by the second full moon from tonight, or all will be lost.”

Spiralpaw glanced at the sky. Tonight was a half moon, which meant the medicine cats were at the Moonpool. She looked back at Heatherfur. She still didn’t understand what the pale gray she-cat meant. “But – only me? And what is the Crystal Sun?”

“No,” Heatherfur answered. “You will take other cats with you.”

“Who?” Spiralpaw asked. Could she take Crystalpaw? Or Swirlpaw and Curlpaw?

Heatherfur blinked at her. “This won’t only be ThunderClan’s business,” she mewed as if she had heard Spiralpaw’s thoughts. “These are the cats you will take: Pinepaw from ShadowClan, Swirlpaw from ThunderClan, and Skypaw from SkyClan. Work together to find the Crystal Sun.”

Spiralpaw stared at Heatherfur, her mouth dry. “But –”

“Go,” Heatherfur whispered. “Or all will be lost.” She started to fade.

Spiralpaw watched the StarClan cat go in silence, thinking. Pinepaw from ShadowClan. Swirlpaw. Skypaw from SkyClan.

“I’ll do all I can,” Spiralpaw promised to Heatherfur’s fading shape.