River (book)/Chapter 10

==Chapter description==
:Flamepaw paces beneath the Highledge only to be accidentally be scared by Finchlight. She tries to reassure his anxiety but her choice of words accidentally upset Flamepaw as he waits for Bramblestar to watch his warrior assessment. His sister is doubtful, mentioning that no cat had seen Bramblestar much and had heard earlier arguments between him and Squirrelflight. Flamepaw assures her that he promised as he recalls the tom making it. As he continues to wait, the apprentice wonders if he should tell Bramblestar that he is about to start his assesment or to hurry up. Before he can Twigbranch announces the arrival of RiverClan cats.
:Poppyfrost and Molewhisker lead two RiverClan warriors, Minnowtail and Havenpelt, through the thorn tunnel into camp. Molewhisker explains they had found the rival Clan cats whilst patrolling and asks them if they wanted to see the ThunderClan leader. Minnowtail answers that they wouldn't want to bother him and simply ask if any cat had seen Reedwhisker, the RiverClan deputy. Flamepaw listens with a confused glance to his sister, as Molewhisker quizzes the strange query. The RiverClan cats reply swiftly which Flamepaw notices and wonders if they're hiding something. The two she-cats soon leave as ThunderClan remain skeptical about the appearance. Thornclaw poses the question that RiverClan are up to something, not looking for Reedwhisker. Twigbranch agrees with the elder, even suggesting that Mistystar's original siding with Bramblestar's impostor made her suspicious. This sparks an argument as Honeyfur reminds the other warrior that even ThunderClan cats sided with the false Bramblestar. Flamepaw and Finchlight watch as the argument gets heated as more cats join in, and the two wonder if the cats are going to fight. Before it comes to that Squirrelflight appears from the leader's den and stops it. After breaking up the argument, Squirrelflight asks Flamepaw if he is ready for his assessment. Flamepaw asks if Bramblestar is still coming and the deputy tells him that the leader is busy so she will observe in his place. At this tom feels disheartened as he fetches Lilyheart so he can start his assessment. His thoughts turn negative and bitter as he reflects on Bramblestar not attending to support him.
:Flamepaw begins his assessment near the abandoned Twoleg nest, detirmined to simply catch something. He waits there only scenting faint traces of a thrush and another bird he doesn't know. He wonders to himself if he was being tested to show initiative. He leaves the long grass and soon finds the thrush. As he prepares to make the kill, the other bird scent returns and he realizes it is a hawk as the shadow sweeps over him. The tom watches the hawk, noticing it is also hunting the thrush. He wonders if he's quicker than the hawk, but thinks that may be a mousebrained idea. However, Flamepaw wonders if he would be made a warrior if he outsped the other hunter. He imagines Squirrelflight praising him for such a daring action, being proud of her grandson. Gathering himself, he catches the thrush before the hawk can and manages to safely avoid conflict with the larger bird. From behind the abandoned Twoleg nest, Lilyheart and Squirrelflight emerge, with the former praising her apprentice. Squirrelflight, however, critizes him for his recklessness. Flamepaw tries to interupt her but fails as Lilyheart questions if she should pass him. The deputy explains to the she-cat that it is her own decision as the tom's mentor, as Squirrelflight is only voicing her own opinion. Flamepaw watches his mentor as she sadly doesn't pass him so that he can develop better habits around caution. This disheartens the tom as he heads back camp, milling over in his mind how he continued to struggle to live up to the name that doesn't suit him.
:The tom later sits by an elder bush near the stone hollow. He tries to avoid his Clanmates as it feels awkward in camp due to his failed assessment. As he sits there, Finchlight comes to ask if he wants to eat with her. Flamepaw snaps at her as she sits with him, continuing to try and make him see reason behind Squirrelflight failing him. The tom argues about it, sick of hearing the excuse of Ashfur and that Squirrelflight likely hates him because his name is linked to failure. Finchlight asks her brother if he really thinks that and when he doesn't respond she tells him that he's being immature and that if that is truly what he believes then he should remain as an apprentice.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
Category:River (book)
Category:A Starless Clan arc
Category:Chapter subpages