Frecklepaw's Assessment

Leopardfang stood at the entrance of camp. The night was just beginning, and a gentle rain was coming down. It would prove a challenge, but not an impossible task. The deputy didn't bother calling his apprentice from her den; she would have become used to waking early for training. The rain was not comfortable to sit in, but comfort was not a thing he was very concerned with. Instead he finished the lizard he was eating and groomed his fur, thinking ahead to the assessment to be done and how his latest apprentice would do.

Frecklepaw padded out of the apprentices' den, yawning, to see her mentor. "What are we doing today, Leopardfang?" she meowed drowsily.

He was not impressed with her apparent sleepiness. He gave her a pointed look before answering, saying, " Tonight is not a normal training night. You are getting skilled enough and maturing enough to become a warrior soon. With these unsettling times, ShadowClan needs strong warriors and I believe you're ready. But I must test you first. Tonight is your assessment. I'll be watching you closely. Your task is to catch three pieces of prey before midnight. The rain may make it more challenging, or it may not even affect you. We'll only know once you begin. Go on, then." He said, nodding his head to the camp entrance.

Frecklepaw nodded, a little nervously, and headed off into the forest. It was a cool night, though the sky was full of clouds. The ground beneath her feet still held a little warmth from the sunlight of the previous day, but it slid beneath her feet from the moisture of rain. The air was rich with the scent of prey, and she could hear the scurrying of little feet and the flaps of wings as animals tried to get out of the rain. The ginger-flecked apprentice halted and sniffed the cool breeze that flowed towards her, looking for whatever prey was closest. She could smell a mouse a few tail-lengths away, most likely looking for its own food before retreating into its den. Dropping down immediately into a hunter's crouch- haunches down, tail erect, claws ready- she stalked silently forwards and pounced on the mouse, killing it with a swift swipe of her claws. The apprentice quietly thanked StarClan as she had been taught, and buried the mouse in a small hole. The rain was getting a little harder now, and more of the prey scent was starting to leave. Frecklepaw stiffened as she heard the hoot of an owl, but the uneasiness turned into a grin as she realised that the big bird could probably lead her to some prey. She quietly followed the owl as it flew above the forest, finally landing on a tree branch and looking at a group of two or three rabbits. Strange- rabbits usually stayed in WindClan territory. The apprentice assessed the situation. If she was smart about it, she could get probably two of the rabbits, ending her prey quota. If the owl got one, the others would probably run for cover, but scaring off the owl would mean scaring off the rabbits, too. And with the downpour growing steadily bigger, soon there would be not much other prey left out and about, and that would leave her with the tricky task of venturing into animals' dens, something she really didn't want to do. So she would have to be quick about it if she wanted to do well. After checking that the breeze was still blowing towards her and not carrying her scent to her intended prey, Frecklepaw stalked into the bushes near the small group of rabbits. The owl spread its wings, ready to get its meal for the night. No. Sorry owl, but I need to be a warrior. I need to be strong for my Clan. The speckled she-cat gathered all her strength into her hind legs and pounced on the rabbits, immediately killing one with a strike of her paw. The others immediately bounded away. You're not getting away that easily! Frecklepaw ran, faster than she'd ever run before, after the second rabbit she had landed near. It took sharp turns, obviously hoping to throw her off, but with great, leaping bounds, the apprentice landed on top of it and ended its life with a bite to its throat. Picking up the plump piece of prey with her teeth, the apprentice carried it back to the other rabbit. She managed to carry them both over to where she had buried the mouse. Her mouth full of fur, she set down the prey and looked into the forest for Leopardfang. Thank you, thank you, StarClan. I will do my best to be a warrior. Thank you for the life of this prey and for my luck. Not wanting the prey to get soggy, she dragged the fat rabbits under a bush. Maybe she could share one with her mentor when they got back to camp.

The deputy slipped through the dark territory behind his apprentice. It was going well. He stepped lightly, watching with keen eyes and examining her form. He was impressed by her caution. Good enough to pass, most likely. She was watching her surroundings like a seasoned warrior. He would have to commend her for her use of other predators to find prey. Her speed was surprising, as well, but he had no trouble keeping up with her quietly. That last rabbit was the third, and that marked the end of the assessment which had turned out to be rather quick. "Well done. I will gladly speak with Thrushstar about your ceremony. I'm pleased with your progress." Leopardfang meowed as he came into sight, shaking the water out of his sleek pelt. Wordlessly, he picked up a rabbit to help bring it to camp and jerked his head in the camp's direction, leading Frecklepaw back home. A quiet purr rumbled in his chest.