Fernpool's and Sootfeather's plan for the first day was that they would lay a trail through the territory for their apprentices, which they were to follow as quickly and efficiently as possible.

The fact that they hadn't decided on a territory tour had confused Larkpaw. The thought alone had made her feel queasy and she had wondered if this was a common custom in RoseClan or if the two warriors had come up with that idea on their own.

Now the sun was almost at the highest point of the sky; time for Larkpaw and Amberpaw to set off. They climbed up the Birchtunnel and found themselves in the forest.

"I almost forgot what it looks like here." Larkpaw spun round once on her own axis.

"We haven't been out here a second time since we arrived," Amberpaw added, checking the air with her mouth open. "Sootfeather's scent leads this way."

Larkpaw looked in the direction Amberpaw was pointing. "That's where the ravine is, isn't it?" She reluctantly remembered the sight of the swift river between the narrow rock walls.

Amberpaw's fur bristled. "Oh no," she whispered in a hoarse voice. "I hope I don't have to cross it."

"I'm sure it won't be like that," Larkpaw meowed. "Sootfeather certainly wouldn't put you in danger on your first day."

Amberpaw raised her head timidly. "I guess you're right."

I hope so too. "We'd better get going," Larkpaw urged. "We don't know how long the trail will be." The apprentice sniffed her surroundings. "It looks like Fernpool went in a different direction. I guess that means we'll have to split up."

"Good luck!" Amberpaw called after her quietly before Larkpaw disappeared into the thicket.

All right, always follow Fernpool's scent trail. It can't be that difficult.

The path seemed easy for a while. Apart from a few small detours to avoid obstacles such as bushes or tree stumps, the trail led relatively straight ahead.

Again and again, Larkpaw allowed herself to look around and memorise the surroundings. In this part of the forest, where she was currently staying, there was less ground cover than further down and the ground, which usually rose most of the time, was flat.

A patrol trotted in the distance. Larkpaw thought she could recognise Mothspark, Mottlepaw's mentor, with his white pelt.

Fernpool's scent trail led straight to a large, unusually silvery rock that protruded lonesomely from a hollow.

It almost reached up to the branches of the trees, Larkpaw realised. If a cat could climb it, they could see forever. However, the rock was smooth and without notches. Therefore, any attempt was futile.

It seemed that Fernpool had tapped around the rock a few times. "I wonder what significance this place has," Larkpaw meowed to herself as she followed the scent trail closely. "Maybe a place dedicated to StarClan? Like the Moonvalley."

The crack of a twig sounded. Larkpaw jumped in fright. When she hit the ground again, she fluffed up her fur and looked around in panic.

Did anyone overhear me talking to myself? If that's the case, I want a hole to open up in front of me so I can disappear into it.

No one appeared. Larkpaw slowly relaxed again. She was in a forest. It was silly of her to worry so much about a single sound when the forest was never quiet.

Larkpaw ran on. After a while, the ground became a little steeper again, which caused her to put a paw down the wrong way every now and then and slide down a bit.

Snarling in frustration, Larkpaw pulled herself up the slope. It's probably better if I'm slower.

But no sooner had she conquered the hill than the next obstacle stood in her way - a rock face. It was higher than the one in the camp, but not as gigantic as the one in the river gorge.

Larkpaw looked up doubtfully. Do I really have to climb up there?

There was no other way. Larkpaw resolutely slammed her claws into the cracks in the rock and pulled herself up. It would be pathetic if she gave up because of a small rock face.

Larkpaw pulled herself over the edge with all her strength and remained lying there, exhausted. Oh, holy StarClan, I hope no one sees me like this!

Although her whole body was crying out for a long rest, Larkpaw kept running, careful not to lose the scent trail. Surely she only had to hold out a little longer.

It was starting to get a little cooler up here and instead of deciduous trees, fir trees were taking over. Larkpaw longed for something to drink. She hoped to pass a brook soon. She had helped herself at the waterfall in camp, but that had been a long time ago.

A clearing surrounded by pines appeared in front of her. Fernpool's scent led straight to it. It wasn't difficult to realise that this place was important and that Larkpaw absolutely had to remember it.

Interested, she crept between the trees. The ground was softly covered with sand and pine needles. Could this be the place where the apprentices learn how to fight?

The longer Larkpaw thought about her idea, the more logical it seemed to her. She purred happily at the thought of telling Fernpool about her observations. I'm sure she'll be proud of me!

Then Larkpaw's mood clouded over again, as if grey clouds were gathering in the sky. She had to try much harder to be a good apprentice. Naming places wasn't nearly enough.

Then she noticed splashing. She seemed to be so focussed on this clearing that she hadn't even noticed the stream flowing behind the trees.

Thank StarClan! Larkpaw dashed towards it and dipped her muzzle into the water. Water had never felt so good before.

When she thought she had sufficiently quenched her thirst for the rest of the way, Larkpaw's strength was restored and she was ready to continue running.

But her curiosity was aroused and she leapt across the stream, determined to find out what lay back there. She seemed to be in the highest part of the territory, but she was desperate to know how long it would go on for.

Pushing her actual task to the back of her mind, Larkpaw trotted straight ahead - and stopped abruptly just a few steps later.

On reflex, she clutched herself tightly as she stared down a high cliff, eyes wide open. By my whiskers, how many cliffs are there to fall down?

While she tried to calm her breathing again, Larkpaw stared in awe at the surroundings that spread out before her. Endless valleys and forested mountains as far as the eye could see. In the distance, Larkpaw thought she had spotted a large lake, or at least a large grey area glistened between the mountains.

Larkpaw would have liked to climb over the edge to explore this strange place, but she hadn't missed the scent line that marked the end of the territory, and besides, she had another goal.

With her energy replenished, Larkpaw found Fernpool's scent again. Her path led her straight ahead for a while, away from the pine glade, before she started to descend again.

As she got closer and closer to the river, Larkpaw began to worry a little. What if she had taken too long? She glanced quickly at the sky, which was still blue but would probably soon be bathed in the orange light of the setting sun.

Larkpaw quickened her steps until she was running. She weaved around the trees, jumping over roots and small bushes until she finally slithered down a small, well-trodden path and arrived at the gravelly bank of the river.

Oh! This is really hot! Larkpaw jumped in fright when her paws touched the sun-heated stones. She quickly pranced back into the shady shelter of the trees and breathed a sigh of relief when she felt the cool soil under her pads again.

When Larkpaw looked to the right, she could see the narrow River Ravine there. The river flowed between the high cliffs and gradually became wider and calmer, even though the current still looked very strong. On the opposite side, one rock face led even further.

Somewhere in the treetops above Larkpaw, a bird was chirping. Annoyed, she turned her head upwards and hissed at it. If you have nothing better to do than fly around here, you might as well come down and let me eat you!

Larkpaw dropped her muzzle to the ground in frustration. She hadn't eaten anything since this morning - if one could call it a decent meal. Fernpool and Sootfeather had allowed Amberpaw and her to share an old mouse from the previous night's hunt so that she would at least be a little stronger for the journey. But it hadn't really done much good.

And what if I try to hunt something? The next moment, Larkpaw changed her mind. She had no experience in hunting yet, and besides, she would be breaking the code to eat without making sure the elders and kits already had something.

Larkpaw straightened up again and carefully stepped out from between the trees. She would walk across the hot gravel now and find Fernpool, no matter what the cost.

Fernpool's trail ended right by the water. Had she crossed the river? Larkpaw sniffed the bank a few times to be sure, but her suspicions remained.

Oh well. Carefully, Larkpaw took a step into the water. It was pleasantly cold.

I can't imagine that Fernpool swam. The river must be shallow enough to wade through.

Determined to finally find her mentor, Larkpaw put one paw in front of the other, moving further and further away from the shore.