The Apprentice's Quest/Chapter 2

"I'm learning so much today! I feel like I'm becoming a real part of my Clan.

— Alderpaw's thoughts on his first tour of the territory in The Apprentice's Quest, page 24

The Apprentice's Quest
Chapter number:	2 (of 24)
Page numbers:	18-36
Point of View:	Alderpaw
Chronology

Below contains in-depth information for chapter two of The Apprentice's Quest. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.

Chapter Number: 2 (of 24)

Page Numbers: 18-36

Chapter Summary

Alderpaw's PoV

Alderpaw has trouble sleeping, finding himself being kept awake and only being able to drift off to sleep from being caught by the events of the previous day. Although Sparkpaw manages to sleep with ease, Alderpaw finds it difficult to do so, and thinks that the apprentices' den is awfully empty just with he and his sister. His thoughts are soon interrupted by a ginger face, and it turns out to be Cherryfall, Sparkpaw's mentor. She tells Alderpaw to give Sparkpaw a prod, because it's time for their first tour of ThunderClan's territory.

Alderpaw asks if he is to come along too, and Cherryfall says yes and tells Alderpaw that Molewhisker is waiting outside. Alderpaw wakes his sister, and Sparkpaw scrambles out of the den, happy that they finally get to tour the territory. Alderpaw follows, and sees Cloudtail, Bumblestripe, and Rosepetal emerge from the warriors' den. With Cloudtail in the lead, the three cats set off, and Molewhisker explains that they are part of the dawn patrol. Molewhisker says that they should give the group a little bit before setting off, and sends the two apprentices to eat some prey.

After eating their food, Alderpaw and Sparkpaw rejoin Molewhisker and Cherryfall, and the four cats head out. Alderpaw tings with anticipation as he makes his way through the narrow space marking the entrance to ThunderClan's camp and finally goes into the forest for the first time. Unable to find words to express his excitement, Alderpaw stays silent and takes in the surroundings. Sparkpaw breaks the silence, and asks Cherryfall if they can hunt. She says maybe later, and explains that their first thing to do is to explore the territory. She tells Alderpaw and Sparkpaw that by the time they're warriors, they will need to know every pawstep. Nodding, Molewhisker says that they will have to know every tree, every rock, and every stream that lies in ThunderClan's territory.

Their tour starts by heading towards ShadowClan territory. Sparkpaw asks about ShadowClan, and wants to know what would happen if they meet them. Molewhisker sternly meows that nothing would happen, and that each Clan is to stay on their side of the border. Soon, they reach a path that is surrounded by grass and plants on both sides, and Alderpaw asks why the plans do that. Molewhisker says that Alderpaw has asked a good question, and says that the path leads to an old Twoleg den, and he explains that the den is where Leafpool and Jayfeather keep their herbs. The four cats continue on, and their next stop is the lake, and both Sparkpaw and Alderpaw are in awe at its size.

Alderpaw believes that there is no end to the lake, due to the size, and Molewhisker corrects him saying that some cats have even traveled around the entire thing. He points with his tail to the opposite side, and explains that RiverClan makes their home there. Cherryfall adds to what her brother says, saying that RiverClan cats love the lake, and they often swim in it and catch fish for their prey. Sparkpaw asks if she can catch fish, and splashes around in the lake. Molewhisker sighs, and says that he won't if she keeps splashing around, and that prancing around making all kinds of noise will scare away the prey.

They finally make their way towards the border with ShadowClan, and Sparkpaw and Alderpaw are disgusted at what they can smell. Wanting to know what the smell is, Sparkpaw seems outraged that it could even be cat scent, and Molewhisker says that what they are smelling is ShadowClan. He goes on to say that it only smells that way because the ThunderClan cats aren't used to smelling it, and says that ThunderClan probably smells just as bad to them. Cherryfall tells Sparkpaw and Alderpaw that each Clan marks their borders with their scent, and says that it is to remind each cat to stay off of territory that does not belong to them. Molewhisker says that they will teach Alderpaw and Sparkpaw how to set those borders, and before long, the two apprentices will be doing it as part of a patrol.

Keeping up with their tour, Molewhisker and Cherryfall take Sparkpaw and Alderpaw to a large hazel thicket and asks them to stay quiet. She points out the clearing, which has many little dens made of strange green pelts. Molewhisker says that during greenleaf, the Twolegs live in the little dens. Alderpaw asks if the Twolegs are there now, and Cherryfall mews that they're probably still sleeping, calling them lazy. She says that since it's in ShadowClan territory, the problem isn't theirs to deal with, and the make their way on. Soon, they stop, and Cherryfall asks the apprentices what they are able to smell.

Concentrating, Alderpaw has a rough time being able to make out the many different scents, but Sparkpaw is able to instantly scent a mouse, and asks again if they are able to hunt. Cherryfall ignores Sparkpaw's pleading, and wants to know if the young cats can smell anything else. Ignoring his hunger, Alderpaw asks if what he can scent belongs to another Clan. Molewhisker and Cherryfall look at one another, and then back at Alderpaw, asking if he is able to identify which Clan he can smell. He guesses WindClan, and Cherryfall praises him. The cats walk closer to the border, following the bank of the stream. She points to the steep hill, saying that WindClan makes their home there. Molewhisker says that they don't live in the woods, and their camp is surrounded by gorse bushes. They are interrupted by a noise, and they turn and see a thin tabby chasing after a rabbit. Molewhisker comments on their speed, and Sparkpaw says that she could eat a rabbit.

Cherryfall says that they can head back to camp, but Sparkpaw protests, saying that she thought they were going to practice hunting. Alderpaw would rather go home, however, and hopes that his mentor would tell him no. Much to his dismay, Molewhisker says that they can practice hunting, but explains that they cannot eat what they catch, as the Clan must be fed first. They lead the apprentices to a huge oak tree, and the two apprentices soon scent a shrew. Cherryfall tells the two to try catching it, and briefly demonstrates the hunter's crouch. She warns the apprentices to keep low and set their paws down lightly on the ground. Molewhisker also tells Sparkpaw and Alderpaw to watch their tails.

After their brief lesson, it is Sparkpaw's turn to try hunting first. Keeping her paws tucked in close to her body, she leaps forward and disappears into the undergrowth. She soon reappears with a shrew dangling from her jaws. Cherryfall is impressed, and both she and Molewhisker say they haven't heard of an apprentice catching prey on her first time out. Alderpaw's turn follows, but not before they move to a different location. Alderpaw is concerned that he will mess up, and his belly churns in anticipation of his first chance at prey.

Characters

Major

• Alderpaw
• Sparkpaw
• Cherryfall
• Molewhisker

Minor

• Bumblestripe
• Rosepetal
• Cloudtail
• Unnamed WindClan cat
• Ivypool
• Birchfall
• Sorrelstripe
• Bramblestar
• Graystripe

Mentioned

• Daisy
• Squirrelflight
• Firestar
• Tigerstar