River (book)/Chapter 2

==Chapter description==
:Curlfeather prepares Frostpaw for her apprentice ceremony at the Moonpool. Frostpaw voices her excitement at the prospect of her new role, but also her anxieties about it. Her mother reassures her by explaining that StarClan had chosen her based on previous dreams. She mentions one that foretold Jayclaw, her mate and Frostpaw's father's, death and another about a thunderstorm. Curlfeather also notes that her daughter had been helping Mothwing in the medicine den for the past few days. Frostpaw feels grateful for her mother's reassurance as she finishes her grooming. Frostpaw watches as Mistystar and Reedwhisker leave the leader's den. The apprentice notices weariness in the leader's voice as she sends Reedwhisker for a border patrol. The young she-cat wonders how many lives Mistystar has left, also noticing that the leader is beginning to look thin and frail. She reasons that when she is a medicine cat she would come know these details. Her thoughts are interupted by Mothwing call for her. Curlfeather sees her daughter off as she goes to follow her mentor. As they leave Frostpaw's littermates, Mistpaw and Graypaw, praise her and wish her good luck.
:Mothwing and Frostpaw travel past the horseplace towards WindClan territory as the sun sets. The apprentice takes in the open space around her, noting this was her first time away from RiverClan camp and that she could never have imagined what it all looked like. Mothwing explains that medicine cats are exempt from the border rules, but it was still best to remain near the lake. The two cats continue on their way and eventually reach the unclaimed area nearing the Moonpool. This excites Frostpaw as she wants to tell her littermates, but, she soon feels exhausted as she follows behind Mothwing. Despite her exhaustion she's grateful that her mentor isn't treating her like a kit. The apprentice breaks the silence by asking Mothwing what would happen when they reach the Moonpool. The older she-cat explains that they would meet the other medicine cats. Mothwing gives a few of her opinions on a couple of them, those being Shadowsight and Jayfeather. She goes on to explain that they would all exchange news of the Clans and then it was her duty to present her new apprentice to StarClan. This excites Frostpaw, specifically when Mothwing mentions speaking with StarClan. The gray she-cat asks her mentor if it is true she doesn't speak with StarClan. The golden she-cat confirms it and says that the other medicine cats will help her if its needed. The two continue on their trek and Frostpaw thinks about how she never expected StarClan to choose her to be a medicine cat, as she was expecting to grow up as a warrior alongside her littermates.
:As the first stars appear in the sky Mothwing and Frostpaw arrive at the Moonpool. Along the way Mothwing tests the young cat's knowledge with herb questions. Frostpaw answers them to the best of her ability, getting one wrong. But, she brushes that off after Mothwing scolds her, believing that speaking with StarClan is more important than the healing aspect. The two cats follow the ancient pawsteps down into the hollow as Mothwing introduces the younger cat to the other medicine cats already gathered. Frostpaw takes note of all the gathered cats as she is introduced. After some chatter and warm welcomes Whistlepaw chats with Frostpaw who is grateful to have someone around the same age to train alongside. Mothwing soon calls for Frostpaw to begin her ceremony. She asks the young cat if its her desire to share knowledge with StarClan as RiverClan's medicine cat and Frostpaw agrees. The golden she-cat continues the rest of the ceremony, and Frostpaw notices that she looks deep in thought as she pauses and wonders if she's thinking about Willowshine. As she finishes the ceremony, Mothwing instructs Frostpaw to touch her nose to the water. The young cat goes to do so, but notices Mothwing and to her surprise, Shadowsight, sitting back from the other cats. Whistlepaw shows her what to do and Frostpaw copies and as her eyes close she sees swirling faces of cats appear. She struggles to recognize them, but thinks she sees Willowshine amongst them. The vision fills her with pride as she believes she'll be the medicine cat RiverClan needs.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*Frostpaw is presented before StarClan as RiverClan's new medicine cat apprentice.
===Ceremonies===
==Notes and references==
Category:River (book)
Category:A Starless Clan arc
Category:Chapter subpages