Speckledkit's Apprentice Ceremony

The days had grown colder as whitecough swept through camp. A heavy cloud seemed to sit over WindClan, both physical and metaphorical. Finchstar could feel it in his own chest as well. The rattle in his throat, the mucus running from his nose. The sickness had sent Barleytuft to the medicine den, and rendered Raventail ill as well. The leader was most worried about the kits and elders; those most likely to take the brunt of the chill. However Finchstar smiled as he found hope in their bitter leafbare. Life would go on, and they would grow as they always had. This time Speckledkit would ascend into the ranks of apprenticeship. The tom spotted her from atop his spot on the Tallrock, smiling fondly as she played with her denmates. It was time. "All cats old enough to run the moor, gather beneath the Tallrock for a clan meeting!"

Speckledkit gathered by tall rock and watched interestingly.

Spotlake watched Speckledkit step forward. It was time for her to become an apprentice. Spotlake couldn't have been prouder.

Crowspirit curled his tail in pride, padding towards the Highrock from the rock he had cleared of it’s snow dusting to lie on. Petalpaw was already an apprentice, and today it was Specklekit’s turn. He knew he wouldn’t be able to mentor her, but he hoped it would be a cat he knew well, like Raventail or Ploverpuddle. Maybe his mother, although she hadn’t had one since Spotlake. Crowspirit trusted , though, and figured he would just sit and see.

Finchstar smiled as the cream she-kit found her way below the rock. The joy of such a soul seemed to spark hope in all of WindClan. The leader dipped his head and grinned. "Speckledkit, you've been deemed old enough to become an apprentice. Quite an exciting prospect." The tom stifled a larger grin as the sun flashed in his eyes. "From this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Speckledpaw. Spotlake will be your mentor. She is a brave queen and a braver mother. May she pass down all she knows to you."

Finchstar leapt from the Tallrock as WindClan erupted in cheer. He raised his muzzle to the sky along with his clanmates', praising the newest addition to the apprentice's den. "Speckledpaw! Speckledpaw!"

Spotlake padded up to her daugther. She now had her first apprentice, one of her daughthers. "Training will begin tomorrow." Said Spotlake purring warmly.