Эрин Хантер - The Apprentice's Quest

The dawn air was damp and chilly, striking deep into Alderpaw’s fur. Above his head the sky was washed with the pale light of dawn, and a faint breeze was rustling the trees on top of the hollow.

It seemed to Alderpaw that the whole of ThunderClan was out in the clearing, most of them clustering around the medicine cats’ den.

Their excited murmurs sounded like the buzzing of a whole colony of bees.

Alderpaw and Sparkpaw pushed their way through the crowd to join Jayfeather and Leafpool outside their den. Cherryfall, Molewhisker, and Sandstorm were already waiting there, and Leafpool was distributing small leaf wraps of herbs to them.

“There you are!” Jayfeather mewed to the two apprentices. Alderpaw had expected to be scolded for being late, but for once Jayfeather sounded friendly. “Come and have some traveling herbs.”

Leafpool set down two more leaf wraps in front of Alderpaw and Sparkpaw. Alderpaw delicately separated the herbs with one paw, studying them carefully.

“That’s sorrel to quench thirst.” Jayfeather identified the herbs by sniffing at each one.

“Daisy to keep your joints supple, and—” He broke off, then added, “But I guess you know all this. You’re really starting to learn your herbs.”

“Chamomile to ease tiredness, and burnet for strength.” Alderpaw identified the other two herbs in the mixture. He was happy at Jayfeather’s praise. He and Leafpool have been treating me differently since they talked to Bramblestar about my vision, he reflected.

It’s almost as if they think that there’s more to the quest than they know about, and they believe I know the truth. He suppressed a shiver. And, of course, I do know.

Jayfeather nodded at Alderpaw’s accurate description. “Good. We give these herbs to every cat who needs to travel. They’ll help keep you going even if you don’t have the chance to hunt.”

“They taste weird,” Sparkpaw commented as she licked up her share.

Jayfeather rolled his eyes but said nothing.

While Alderpaw was eating his share of the herbs, he noticed that Bramblestar had appeared and had drawn Sandstorm away from the other questing cats. The two of them were having a quiet conversation, their expressions serious.

Alderpaw caught a few words.

“If this secret gets out, it could be devastating for the Clans,” Bramblestar meowed.

“But StarClan gave Alderpaw this vision…,” Sandstorm began. Alderpaw lost the rest of what she said as the cats moved away.

Uneasiness stirred in Alderpaw’s belly. This was his own quest, and yet there was so much about it that he didn’t understand. And suppose I give away the secret about SkyClan? I wouldn’t mean to, but… what would happen then? He heaved a massive sigh. At least Sandstorm is coming with us, and she can advise me.

At last Bramblestar stepped back from Sandstorm with a nod of agreement, and he bounded across the camp to climb up to the Highledge.

Sandstorm padded over to Alderpaw and rubbed her cheek against his, her green eyes shining with pride in him. “You look worried,” she murmured.

“I heard part of what you and Bramblestar were saying,” Alderpaw confessed. “It sounds like he doesn’t trust me.”

“Nonsense!” Sandstorm responded. “It’s not that Bramblestar doesn’t want you to know about SkyClan; he doesn’t want any cat to know. It’s not his feelings about you. It’s his guilt about what the four Clans allowed to happen to SkyClan.”

But that was seasons and seasons before Bramblestar was born, Alderpaw thought. Why should he feel bad about it? It wasn’t his fault.

“I’m not sure I understand,” he mewed.

“Maybe you will in time,” Sandstorm responded.

Alderpaw dipped his head respectfully.

“Thank you, Sandstorm. I’m glad you’re coming with us.”

“Cats of ThunderClan!” Bramblestar called from the Highledge. “Alderpaw has had an important vision—and this vision is to set him off on a quest that, I predict, will prove as important to our Clan as the one that Dovewing undertook as an apprentice, when the drought came and she saved our lake.” Dovewing raised her tail proudly.

Alderpaw was aware of every cat turning to stare at him. He was startled to see the respect and admiration in their eyes. He ducked his head in embarrassment and stared at his paws. I really don’t deserve this.

“The medicine cats’ prophecy told us that unless we embrace what we find in the shadows, the sky will never clear. Alderpaw’s vision gives us hope that the cats of ThunderClan can find what lies in the shadows, and if so, then our Clan will prosper.”

The whole of ThunderClan erupted into enthusiastic yowling. “Alderpaw! Alderpaw!”

Alderpaw froze, almost wishing that a big owl would swoop down and carry him off. Then Sparkpaw gave him a nudge. “Come on, slow mole!” she meowed, giving him an affectionate glance. “It’s time to go.”

Alderpaw straightened, bracing himself.

“I’m glad you’re with me, Sparkpaw,” he murmured.

To his relief, Sandstorm took the lead as he and the other questing cats headed for the thorn tunnel. The rest of ThunderClan padded along with them, calling out their good wishes.

“Best of luck, Alderpaw!”

“Keep safe!”

“May StarClan light your path!”

At the last moment, before Alderpaw and Sparkpaw stepped into the tunnel, Squirrelflight bounded up to them. Alderpaw saw fear in her eyes, but her voice was brisk as she meowed, “Don’t you dare get yourselves killed! I want to hear all about it when you get back.”

“We’ll be careful,” Alderpaw promised.

“I’ll look after him,” Sparkpaw added with an impudent glance at her littermate.

Squirrelflight touched noses with each of her kits, then took a pace back. Alderpaw was aware of her gaze on him until he headed into the tunnel.

This is it! The quest has really begun!

The sun was rising as Alderpaw’s group headed through the forest toward the lake, strong rays of sunlight striking through the trees and making patterns on the forest floor.

Alderpaw remembered how vast and frightening the territory had seemed when he first left the camp. Now he found it familiar and safe.

“How long will this quest take?” Sparkpaw asked, bouncing along at his side. “Where’s the place you saw? I want to know more about your dream—no, wait, your vision .”

“I have no idea where the place is, or how far it is,” Alderpaw replied, feeling a prickle in his pelt at his littermate’s questions. “And I can’t really talk about it. It’s medicine-cat stuff.”

“Oh, come on, you can tell me . Were there cats in your vision? What did they look like?

What did they say?” she persisted, her eyes sparkling eagerly.

Alderpaw’s nervousness increased under the flood of questions, until he felt like he had rats gnawing at his belly. He wished he could tell the truth to the other cats; it felt really awkward having to lie. Especially to Sparkpaw. I’ve never kept secrets from her before.

He staggered sideways as Sparkpaw gave him a hard prod in his side. “What’s wrong with you?” she asked crossly. “I’m only trying to help. I want to find what lies in the shadows and save ThunderClan. So how do you know your vision’s got something to do with the prophecy? Huh?”

“Sparkpaw, stop nagging your brother,” Sandstorm meowed tartly, pausing to let the younger cats come up with her. “You heard him.

It’s medicine-cat business.”

Sparkpaw glared for a couple of heartbeats, then shrugged, relaxing. “Okay. I’ll find out soon enough, anyway.” She bounded over to Cherryfall, who had moved into the lead. “What do you think?” she asked. “What does