Apprentices of The Place of No Stars (short story)
It was hard to believe that this was happening.Â
Jackdawfoot hadnât been a father since he was alive, and he left when all of his daughters were adults. Then suddenly, he had a mate again, became a father again, and now, his fluffy chest puffing out in pride, was watching his kits receive their apprentice names again.
The ceremony wasnât like that of a regular Clan. Not everyone in the Dark Forest was going to show up, but all the important cats were here, kin to Redkit, Blackkit and Mudkit, and Wormkitâs adoptive parents, and of course, the parents themselves. As well, there were the mentors, making it no real surprise who they would be. There was also Fungichomp, the main caretaker of the âDaycare,â as well as some onlookers.
Jackdawfoot and Ferndoe had discussed long and hard about who they wanted to train their precious son and daughter. They initially wanted to train them themselves, knowing they could protect them and keep them safe, but decided that what Mudkit and Blackkit needed was help from someone they didnât already know to bring them out of their shells. âDaycareâ could only do so much.
Beside him, Wordweaver made a noiseâsomething of a purr. Or maybe a word, because it made Daisysong chuckle.Â
Jackdawfoot couldnât pin down why exactly Wordweaver was here. Was it because Wormkit was her kin? Because Redkit was the kit of her kin? Could it be because Blackkit had been the first voice her mate heard when she arrived in the Dark Forest? Because Ferndoe, Blackkitâs mother, was a good friend of Daisysongâs? Or perhaps it was for their son, Mellowpaw, seated between his mothersâ legs, chattering on about how he wanted to show the new apprentices that ârealy cool training grove.â
Jackdawfoot hoped it was somewhere safe.
At least Wormkit was doing better. Jackdawfoot still wasnât too fond of the kit, and he had made his request to keep him away from his kits clear to Fungichomp, but he was still a kit, and Jackdawfoot had to acknowledge how much better Wormkit was doing. He, reportedly, didnât get in half as much trouble as he usually did these days, and once even helped another kit find their lost pinecone.
He wasnât all the way better just yet. He still had his moments, but that was why he was beginning training. Jackdawfoot knew that his mothers agreed that the âDaycareâ and themselves had helped Wormkit as much as they could, and now he needed one-on-one attention.Â
Training would have begun earlier, as well as Mudkitâs and Blackkitâs, if they had not met Redkit. They met because of their parentsâ connection, bonding so well that Blackkit cried about not getting to become an apprentice alongside his friend. It wasnât about a difference in age, more of a difference in readiness.
Ready. His kits were ready. A pang stabbed Jackdawfootâs chest. He wanted Blackkit and Mudkit to remain as they were, small and able to fit in his paws or climb over his back. He didnât want them to grow. He didnât even know that they could.
âWelcome, everyone,â Alderstar spoke up from where he stood on a tall, jagged stone, cutting into Jackdawfootâs thoughts. Jackdawfoot couldnât suppress an amused grin. Being Alderstarâs friend, he had found it funny that so many looked to the golden leader for advice and ceremonies, as if he hadnât also been a serial killer. Alderstar had never forced a meeting or respect. Perhaps that was why he always seemed to get it.
âThis moon, we welcome four young cats into our ranks of warriors. They will learn skills the Clans were frightened of teaching. They will be taught lessons in sonderness and survival, fighting not for cats who would have asked them to give their life for the greater good, but for themselves, their own worth, and their own loved ones. Redkit, step forward.â
At the front of the crowd in the line of kits, Redkit visibly shook. From nerves or excitement, Jackdawfoot couldnât be sure. All the same, she obliged.Â
âWith request of your fatherâmy son, your dad, and Fungichomp, your mentor shall be Hootpetal. I know her as a strong and compassionate warrior, and trust that she will protect you and allow you to thrive in ways that will thrill you.â
Redkitâs tail flicked. She was clearly much happier now, touching noses with her grandmother with a little chirp, before settling down next to her. Hootpetal turned to Perchclaw on her other side. âIâm so proud of you!â she exclaimed, licking at his ear.
âMom!â Perchclaw complained, ducking away, but try as he might, he couldnât hide the grin.
âWormkit, step forward.â
Jackdawfoot held his breath. He scanned the crowd, wondering which of them would receive the kit.Â
âWith request of your mothers and Fungichomp, your mentor shall be Snowwing. He is a passive, skillful warrior, whom I expect will pass on everything you need to know.â
Jackdawfoot heard the hint in his words. It wasnât just about skills in fighting, but in other things Wormkit needed a lesson or two about. But it had been stated in a kind way, disguised as to not embarrass or anger the kit.
He realized that Snowwing, Wormkitâs adoptive brother, was probably the best choice anyone could have made. He visited his mothers often and likely met Wormkit before, but not so much that that could soften his lectures for Wormkit. Too, he really was passive, always having a resting bored face and never feeling bothered enough to fight. He was the kind of cat that would respond to an insult with âwell, I donât think that,â and move on. It would certainly help to focus Wormkit on his duties, and on not trying to hurt someoneâs feelings once he figures that that is an impossible thing to do.
âMudkit,â Alderstar spoke again. Jackdawfoot and Ferndoe both straightened as high as they could. âWith request of your parents and Fungichomp,â--Jackdawfoot and Ferndoe exchanged a nervous glance. He hoped their choice was the right oneâ âyour mentor shall be Hawkjay. A clever convergent thinker, I trust her to keep you safe and teach you well.â
Jackdawfoot narrowed his eye, paying close attention to Hawkjayâs and Mudkitâs actions as they touched noses. Mudkitâs ears were flat, but that was to be expected. Hawkjay bent down carefully to reach her, blue eyes warm. âI look forward to getting to know you,â she said in a low voice so that only Mudkit, and the parents close by, could hear.Â
âBlackkit,â Alderstar went on. âWith request of your parents and Fungichomp,â--the nerves returnedâ âyour mentor shall be Lovagecreek. A warrior with a big heart is something of interest in a place like this, and I trust that he will use it to make you feel safe and happy to the best of his ability, until you are able to do so on your own.â
On your own. The pang pricked deeper. Blackkit and Mudkit werenât just becoming apprentices, they were growing upâgrowing apart from him. He forced his muzzle straight and not quivering as Alderstar finished. âWe welcome you as apprentices of the Place of No Stars!â
To a Clan cat, to Starclan, maybe even to kittypets, that would have felt like a thing to be ashamed of. But Alderstar managed to speak as if it was an honour only the best of cats get to experience. Maybe it actually was.Â
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--Daycare in quotations because itâs Jackdawâs POV and he doesnât know where the name came from and doesnât know what to make of it.
--Jackdawfoot doesnât know about the water incident with Wormkit/paw.
--I was going to give Mud and Black to mentors that werenât my characters, since Red and Worm already were, but then realized that Lovage and Hawk havenât been seen in a while.
--Snowwing is the kind of person to respond to âI think you look like shitâ with âokay. I donât think that.â and his opinion on the matter is the only one he should care about, so it doesnât bother him.
--The ceremonious words are a little different than that of the Clans (and also with some shade). While the Clans view importance in the group (protect this Clan even at the cost of your life), the Dark Forest views it in the individual.Â
As well, because theyâre in Hell, they do need to know extra fighting skills that are more....violent than Clan cats would have learned, in order to stay safe. I donât know how much hunting they would learn, considering thereâs no food, but thereâs probably lessons in other things that wouldnât have been taught to living cats (like sonder).
