Halfpaw's Assessment

Salmonstripe headed into the apprentice's den and searched for Halfpaw, her adopted niece. "Halfpaw, wakey wakey. It's time for your assessment."

Halfpaw poked her head up. Finally! "All right," she meowed instead. "What will we be doing?"

"Well, maybe a little bit of easy hunting, some ice-fishing, a speed test and a test battle." She nodded and headed out of the den, snatching a piece of fat prey and dropping it onto the ground for Halfpaw to eat.

Halfpaw nodded, biting gratefully into the fish. "How does it work, exactly?" she asked after a moment of chewing.

Salmonstripe stopped walking and turned around. "How does what work? I'm not sure I understand your question." She said gently, tail twitching in anticipation.

"The assessment," Halfpaw clarified. "Do I just go off and do my own thing? Do we do it together? Do other warriors or apprentices help?"

"Well, I tell you what to do and you go do it, while I watch you. Don't worry about me, though. I'm sure we'll do fine. Now let's go before Sunhigh." Salmonstripe spun around and headed out of the camp, waiting by a tall and stiff oak tree, poking the clear pale blue sky. "We'll do running and climbing first. Or should I call off the running? It's pretty hard to dig your claws into this frozen ground. Nah, a challenge is good. She'll do both," She murmured to herself, staring at the sky.

Halfpaw followed her mentor across the stiff, frozen ground. Hunting shouldn't be too hard, thank StarClan- leafbare was the one time that her white pelt was an advantage. "Which first, though?" she asked. "Running or climbing?"

"Running. Now, remember to try and dig your claws into the ground. I'll meet you there!" Salmonstripe took off, her breed (Egyptian Mau) giving her an advantage. She sped straight ahead then skidded to a halt at the edge of the frozen river.

Halfpawskittered on the frozen ground for a moment, but managed to get her footing, using her claws for traction. Instead of bunching the strength into her hind legs, like she usually did, she evened it out, which felt strange, but worked. She followed her mentor and relative until Salmonstripe stopped, after which Halfpaw slid to a halt, panting for breath.