The Apprentice's Quest Read Online Free PDF Page B

envious thoughts aside.
    â€œWe’ll move on,” Cherryfall decided. “We’ve probablyscared all the prey away around here.”
    Alderpaw felt his paws growing heavier with every paw step as he followed the mentors. I just know I’m going to mess up. His belly was churning by the time they halted beside a small pool, with bushes and long grass growing around its edge.
    â€œWe should find something here,” Molewhisker meowed. “Okay, both of you, show me the hunter’s crouch.”
    Alderpaw squatted beside his sister, his pelt prickling with anxiety as both mentors padded around them, observing them closely.
    â€œGood, Sparkpaw,” Cherryfall mewed. “But keep your tail a bit closer.”
    â€œAnd Alderpaw, tuck your paws in a bit more,” Molewhisker added.
    â€œYes, you can’t have your hindpaws sticking out if you want a good pounce,” Sparkpaw put in.
    I know that, Alderpaw thought, giving her a glare.
    â€œAnd you have to be really, really quick,” Sparkpaw went on. “Your prey won’t wait around for you. And your claws—”
    â€œSparkpaw, knock it off.” Molewhisker’s tone was irritable. “You’re not the mentor here. You’re a brand-new apprentice, just like Alderpaw.”
    Sparkpaw flattened her ears, then nodded reluctantly, while Alderpaw gave his mentor a grateful look. Molewhisker responded by brushing his tail over Alderpaw’s shoulders.
    â€œRemember what we told you about keeping low,” Cherryfall continued. “And watch where you’re putting your paws.The snap of a twig, the wave of a fern frond, and your prey’s gone.”
    Alderpaw nodded, trying to take in all the information. Then the moment he had dreaded finally arrived.
    â€œNow, Alderpaw,” Molewhisker meowed. “See if you can find some prey.”
    Alderpaw narrowed his eyes and concentrated, tasting the air. The scents here weren’t quite so complicated, and he soon pinpointed a vole underneath a bush close to the water.
    â€œThere’s a vole under there,” he murmured to Molewhisker, angling his ears toward the bush.
    Molewhisker gave him an approving nod. “Good. Go after it, then.”
    Alderpaw adjusted his crouch and began to creep forward, then hesitated. Is the vole really under that bush, or in the clump of long grass just beside it? Should I go straight for it, or loop around the grass so it can’t see me coming?
    â€œWhat’s the matter?” Molewhisker hissed impatiently. “Go!”
    Alderpaw was frozen with indecision. I have to get this right, but I don’t know how!
    While he was still hesitating, unable to move, the vole suddenly scampered out of the depths of the bush, plopped into the water, and vanished.
    â€œMouse-brain!” Sparkpaw exclaimed.
    I probably deserve that, Alderpaw admitted to himself. He hung his head in shame as Molewhisker padded up to him. “A good hunter doesn’t hesitate,” his mentor meowed. “You needto trust your instincts.” Then he relaxed a little and touched Alderpaw on the shoulder with his tail. “Never mind. There’ll be other prey.”
    His mentor’s kindness only made Alderpaw feel more ashamed. I’ve let Molewhisker down.
    Sparkpaw suddenly darted off into the bushes, and Alderpaw looked up, startled. She emerged a moment later, swinging the body of a plump mouse by its tail.
    â€œSparkpaw, that’s amazing!” Cherryfall’s eyes were sparkling with delight. “You’re going to be a great hunter.”
    â€œYeah, good catch,” Molewhisker muttered, his tail-tip twitching in annoyance.
    I’ve let him down again, Alderpaw thought wretchedly. I wanted so much to make him proud of me!
    Cherryfall picked up Sparkpaw’s shrew and led the way as the cats headed back toward camp. Alderpaw trudged along with his head down, feeling more miserable and disgraced with