The Apprentice's Quest

“Oh, mouse dung!” Sparkpaw’s gaze was sympathetic, and she pressed her muzzle briefly into Alderpaw’s shoulder. “Never mind.

You can share this thrush. There’s plenty.”

“Thanks,” Alderpaw mewed miserably. Am I always going to depend on other cats for food?

As he took his first bite, Sparkpaw glanced curiously up at Bramblestar’s den on the Highledge. “Are you in trouble?” she asked. “Is that why

Bramblestar is talking to Molewhisker?”

Alderpaw’s belly lurched. I never thought of that. I was just so relieved to have the training over. “Of course not,” he responded, gazing nervously up at the Highledge. But he couldn’t keep a quaver out of his voice, and he knew Sparkpaw realized he didn’t believe what he was saying.

As he watched, Bramblestar and Molewhisker emerged from the den, Jayfeather and Leafpool walking in their wake. All four cats climbed down the tumbled rocks to the ground. Bramblestar waved his tail to beckon Alderpaw. Oh, StarClan! It is about me, Alderpaw thought. Exchanging a glance with his sister, he swallowed and headed toward his Clan leader.

“I know you’ve been working hard as an apprentice,” Bramblestar began as Alderpaw joined him. His voice and his eyes were kind.

“I’m really proud of all you’ve learned. But sometimes a cat can find himself halfway down the wrong path.”

Alderpaw blinked at his father. “I don’t understand.”

Bramblestar’s eyes softened. “It appears that you now have a new destiny: you’re going to be a medicine-cat apprentice.”

Alderpaw gaped. “What?” He had expected to be punished for his failure, but never that he would be taken away from Molewhisker altogether. “I’m not going to be a warrior anymore?”

Bramblestar nodded to the two medicine cats. “Leafpool and Jayfeather saw your new destiny in a vision.”

“But I can’t!” Alderpaw had never in his wildest imaginings thought of being a medicine cat. I’d be even more useless at that!

Besides, he couldn’t really believe in this vision. Surely it was just an excuse so that Bramblestar could protect his feelings.

Leafpool and Jayfeather don’t need another medicine cat, he thought. He was so horrified and humiliated that he wanted to flee from the camp and run and run until he was far away from any cat who knew about his failure.

“Please,” he begged. “I promise I’ll do better. I’ll listen to Molewhisker and try really hard!”

“I know you’ve already been trying hard,” Molewhisker told him sympathetically. “I’m not angry with you.”

Leafpool took a step forward. “This isn’t a punishment,” she explained. “Jayfeather and I asked Bramblestar for this.”

“They said they believe you’ll be able to talk with StarClan,” Bramblestar put in.

Alderpaw began to realize that his Clan leader, his father, wouldn’t lie to him. But he was still doubtful. I can’t think what’s given Leafpool and Jayfeather the idea that I can speak to StarClan. “Isn’t there anything I can do to make you change your mind?” he asked desperately.

Bramblestar shook his head. “It has nothing to do with me,” he replied. “It is the will of StarClan. This is what you are meant to do.”

Realizing it would do no good to keep on arguing, Alderpaw took a deep breath. “Okay,” he sighed. When Bramblestar dismissed him with a nod, he staggered back to where Sparkpaw was still eating, and stared blankly at the remains of the thrush. I’m not hungry anymore.

“What did Bramblestar and Molewhisker want to tell you?” Sparkpaw asked curiously.

“They said…” Alderpaw’s voice was trembling; he took a breath and started again.

“They said I have to be a medicine-cat apprentice.”

Sparkpaw’s eyes stretched wide with amazement. “That’s great!” she exclaimed.

“Medicine cats are really important.” Then she seemed to realize how unhappy Alderpaw was feeling and added more sympathetically, “But it doesn’t seem like it’s as much fun to be a medicine cat as it is to be a regular warrior. All those icky herbs!” She blinked thoughtfully for a moment. “Maybe that’s why you’re so bad at hunting—you’re meant to be a medicine cat.”

Alderpaw felt as if he wanted to retch up every piece of prey he had ever eaten. I’m sure that’s why they want me to be a medicine cat: not because I’m special and important, but because I’m no good as a warrior apprentice.