Ravenpaw's Farewell by Erin Hunter Page A

apprentice will be known as Alderpaw,” Bramblestar announced. “Molewhisker, you will be his mentor. You are loyal, determined, and brave, and I know that you will do your best to pass on these qualities to your apprentice.”
    As he padded across the clearing to join his mentor, Alderpaw wasn’t sure how he felt. He knew that Molewhisker was Cherryfall’s littermate, but the big cream-and-brown tom was much quieter than his sister, and had never shown much interest in the kits. His gaze was solemn as he bent to touch noses with Alderpaw.
    I hope I can make you proud of me, Alderpaw thought. I’m going to try my hardest!
    â€œAlderpaw! Alderpaw!”
    Alderpaw ducked his head and gave his chest fur a few embarrassed licks as he heard his Clan caterwauling his name. At the same time, he thought he would burst with happiness.
    At last the chanting died away and the crowd of cats began to disperse, heading toward their dens or the fresh-kill pile. Squirrelflight and Bramblestar padded over to join their kits.
    â€œWell done,” Bramblestar meowed. “It wasn’t so scary, was it?”
    â€œIt was great!” Sparkpaw responded, her tail waving in the air. “I can’t wait to go hunting!”
    â€œWe’re so proud of both of you,” Squirrelflight purred, giving Sparkpaw and then Alderpaw a lick around their ears. “I’m sure you’ll both be wonderful warriors one day.”
    Bramblestar dipped his head in agreement. “I know you both have so much to give your Clan.” He stepped back as he finished speaking, and waved his tail to draw Molewhisker and Cherryfall closer. “Listen to your mentors,” he told the two new apprentices. “I’m looking forward to hearing good things about your progress.”
    With an affectionate nuzzle he turned away and headed toward his den. Squirrelflight too gave her kits a quick cuddle, and then followed him. Alderpaw and Sparkpaw were left alone with Molewhisker and Cherryfall.
    Molewhisker faced Alderpaw, blinking solemnly. “It’s a big responsibility, being an apprentice,” he meowed. “You must pay close attention to everything you’re taught, because one day your Clan may depend on your fighting or hunting skills.”
    Alderpaw nodded; his anxiety was returning. A hard lump of worry was lodged in his throat like an indigestible piece of fresh-kill.
    â€œYou’ll have to work hard to prove you have what it takes to be a proper warrior,” Molewhisker went on.
    His head held high, Alderpaw tried to look worthy, but was afraid he wasn’t making a very good job of it. Hearing Cherryfall talking to Sparkpaw just behind him didn’t help at all.
    â€œ. . . and we’ll have such fun exploring the territory!” theginger she-cat mewed enthusiastically. “And now you’ll get to go to Gatherings.”
    Alderpaw couldn’t help wishing that his own mentor was a little more like his littermate’s, instead of being so serious.
    â€œCan we start learning to hunt now?” Sparkpaw asked eagerly.
    It was Molewhisker who replied. “Not right now. As well as learning to be warriors, apprentices have special duties for the well-being of the whole Clan.”
    â€œWhat do we have to do?” Alderpaw asked, hoping to impress his mentor and show that he was ready for anything.
    There was a guilty look on Cherryfall’s face as she meowed, “Today you’re going to make the elders more comfortable by getting rid of their ticks.”
    Molewhisker waved his tail in the direction of the medicine cats’ den. “Go and ask Leafpool or Jayfeather for some mouse bile. They’ll tell you how to use it.”
    â€œMouse bile!” Sparkpaw wrinkled her nose in disgust. “Yuck!”
    Alderpaw’s heart sank still further. If this is being an apprentice, I’m not sure I’m going to like it .
    Sunlight shone into the den