Dapplepaw had woken up and was scared out of his fur when he left the apprentice den. Coldeyes had been waiting just outside the den for him.
"Crowflight needs someone to bring him fresh moss for his nest. And maybe search him for ticks." Coldeyes said. Dapplepaw blinked at him but nodded with determination. The little apprentice raced off to the entrance of camp.
He didn't have to run for very long though, there were bundles of moss near camp. Dapplepaw eyed them at first. Did Coldeyes bring the moss closer to camp for him?
Did he not want Dapplepaw going far because he didn't know the territory like the back of his paw yet?
Dapplepaw sighed and shrugged. He went and picked up a bundle of moss and carried it into camp. He went to the elders den and saw a black tom. He had a few silver hairs throughout his pelt.
The apprentice put down the moss.
"Crowflight? I have new moss for you... Do you want me to look for ticks too?" Dapplepaw asked. The elder's ears perked up at hearing him speak.
"Oh, oh yes. Thank you." He said, the rust in his voice surprised Dapplepaw, he didn't look that old but then again he was an elder.
Dapplepaw walked further into the den and Crowflight got up off his nest. Dapplepaw took the old moss and started to arrange the new batch.
"I hope your nest is better then the last one." The old cat wheezed. Dapplepaw smiled.
"Usually I like mine thicker so its cushier. I bet that is something you like too?" Dapplepaw asked, glancing at the elder. Crowflight nodded, his silver whiskers twitching.
"Who is your mentor? There is so many of you I always forget.." Dapplepaw looked up at him.
"Uh its Coldeyes." Crowflights eyes widened a bit.
"I'm surprised by that. Sandstar keeps putting that tom through heart ache and casting the sun on him for no reason... especially with your name." Crowflight said, mumbling the last part. Dapplepaw eyed him.
"What do you mean? Coldeyes isn't what I expected but he is a strong warrior and I want to be like him, not as.. distant but just as strong and true." Dapplepaw said, finishing with the nest. Crowflight held up a tail to the apprentice for him to calm down.
"I didn't say there was anything wrong with it. I just question why Sandstar would be so cruel to your mentor. Oh but.. you don't know why. I should probably explain that." Crowflight said, moving into the new nest. Dapplepaw sat down in front of the elder.
"It was before you were born. I remember seeing Coldeyes with his brother wandering around the camp. That was back when his name was still Whitekit-"
"His name wasn't Coldkit? Wow.." Crowflight chuckled.
"Well yes that was because of what happened to him." Crowflight said. Dapplepaw looked at him expectantly.
"Oh yes, um.. well later on after his mother had left with his brother he became friends with a she-kit in the nursery named Dapplekit. They were rather close, nearly inseperable. But when she became an apprentice and was doing her final hunting assessment a snake decided her fate." Crowflight paused to sigh sadly.
"Was a shame to see such a beautiful she-cat, inside and out, die so early in life. But.. Coldeyes was devestated and he pulled himself into the deepest darkest hole I have ever seen a cat go into." Crowflight paused again, shaking his head slowly. Dapplepaw frowned.
Thats why he brought moss up closer to camp.. he didn't want me to die like the other Dapplepaw did..