Become a lie - part three

"Coalpaw, Coalpaw, Coalpaw!"

There was admiration and excitement that rippled through the clan when they called his name. He had his head held high as he stood beside the tall leader on Pointed Stones, Mousestar's shadow spilling over the rock. Coalpaw looked up at Mousestar, and the tom gave him a nod of encouragement. The dark spotted tom leaped from the rock and padded down the slope to meet Jumpwing and exchanged a touch of their noses.

⁑

He sat just below the rock. It had been a few moons since he stood up there, remembering how proud he was of himself and seeing the pride in his mother's eyes from across the clearing. He had learned a lot from Jumpwing since; Coalpaw had attempted to teach some of the kits how do to a proper hunting crouch in his free time, though the attempts were futile. The apprentice hadn't really payed a lot of attention to them since moving out of the nursery. He had become busy training with his mentor and helping the older apprentices pass their assessments. He had built up more muscle with his practice of fighting. One day, he would have to face real danger and his paws itched to show his strength.

His attention was pulled back as Mousestar called the names. "Deerkit, Doekit," his tail glided over the surface of Pointed Stones as he commanded them to come up.

Coalpaw glanced behind him, looking past Twigleg and Jumpwing to peer towards the back of the crowd.