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I think this is a beautiful, thought provoking poem.

A Poet About A Greek Deity.

Argus: the thousand eyed watchman who failed. 

Failed in his duty. 

Failed in his reason for being. 

I wonder about him after. 

I wonder if there were other watchmen like him. 

I wonder if he mourns. 

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Quote From "City On Fire"

Quote from a new short story, "City On Fire". An alternate retelling in a famous moment of Greek mythology. Check it out on Patreon.

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I adore Epic the musical and this art. There. That is the post.

The obsession for Epic continues with Odysseus and Athena

Their relationship is... Complex

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Rough and sketchy redraw (?) Of the figures on the cover of

Alcestis by Katharine Beutner

I'm trying to practice drawing more people 🤷🏼‍♀️

(Disclaimer: this is just a redraw. I don't own these characters or the cover art or anything like that)

This book is great and I recommend it btw

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Book Review: Ratters by L J Craven

This was an adventure-packed debut novel. I was hooked just by the description. I’m excited for the next book. I can’t wait to see the continuation and how these cats rebel against the humans. Dust, the protagonist, was an underdog leader who I enjoyed, but who I found myself really attached to and rooting for were the side characters. Rose, Violet, Conker, and Briar stole my heart and my interest right away. I can’t wait to learn more about their pasts and watch them grow as characters. The lore of this book was stunning. The recounting of the creation myth for this story made me shiver. I will admit that at the beginning of the story I found some of the cats’ terminology in how they described the building and rooms confusing but once I got used to it I really appreciated the feeling of being immersed in the cats’ world. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

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As a Thanatos devotee, I normally tend to hate the story of Sisyphus. I however usually see the Greek tales as metaphors for how the Greeks saw elements of the world interact with any other. Finally I decided to put some thought into the tale of Sisyphus, and finally I understood. Sisyphus hid death from the world, and his punishment was the torture of repetition. It’s a metaphor for how valuable death, Thanatos, is for us. Ares freeing Thanatos was a metaphor for how without Death there is no glory or passion in life. Without Death, or change, we are all suffering in stagnant repetition.

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Bats are underappreciated and over-villainized. Read the Silverwing series it's a+ 🤷🏼‍♀️

A comic (?) about my love of weird little bats for this halloween

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Welcome to my page/account! I am E̲l̲l̲a̲u̲r̲a̲ S̲h̲o̲o̲p̲, author of ten novels. My works span a wide variety of genres. I write middle grade fiction (ages 8-13), young adult fiction (ages 14-18), and adult fiction. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐩𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐬 describing my posts, that’s where you’ll find what audience that specific works are appropriate for.

All of my works are published on Aɱαȥσɳ except for Pride Book One: Falling Storm and The Meer The Marked: Blaze. These books are being rereleased and relaunched with new covers and new interior illustrations.

All of the books in 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨 will be relaunched with new covers over the next year or so, that is why the titles 𝕊𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖, ℙ𝕖𝕣𝕚𝕝𝕠𝕦𝕤 𝔾𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕕, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕝𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕠𝕗 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔻𝕖𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕥 are only available in electronic versions on Aɱαȥσɳ and/or Kindle Vella.

You can read a sampling of my work completely ⒻⓇⒺⒺ

ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇᴇʀ ᴀɴ ᴜɴᴛᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴀʟᴇ: ᴏɴʟʏ ʀᴀɪɴғᴀʟʟ (MG Animal Fantasy)

ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴇᴇʀ ᴀɴ ᴜɴᴛᴏʟᴅ ᴛᴀʟᴇ: ɴᴀᴍɪɴɢ ᴄʟᴀʏ (MG Animal Fantasy)

ᴛʀɪʙᴜᴛᴇ: ᴀ ʀᴇᴛᴇʟʟɪɴɢ ᴏғ ɪᴋᴀʀᴜs (YA Fantasy)

ℑ 𝔩𝔬𝔳𝔢 𝔥𝔢𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔣𝔯𝔬𝔪 𝔯𝔢𝔞𝔡𝔢𝔯𝔰! Feel free to send me a message with any thoughts or questions! (Please state your question or reasoning for messaging me in your message. I will not respond to solicitors.)

If you have read and enjoyed any of my works, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ʀᴀᴛᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ʀᴇ��ɪᴇᴡ them on αмαzσи αи∂ gσσ∂яєα∂ѕ! Or drop a like or comment on Wattpad or World Anvil regarding the free stories. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, a few stars (or all five if you prefer, I won’t argue with that) and a couple words. I’d really appreciate it. 𝕋ℍ𝔸ℕ𝕂 𝕐𝕆𝕌 :)

I’m looking to build my launch team as well! So, if you’d like to read ebooks for free message me through my 𝘍𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘗𝘢𝘨𝘦 and I’ll explain how it works. There are only a few spots open, let me know if you’re interested.

My Patreon has three tiers: Helper for $①, Guardian for $④, and Sentry for $⑧. Each tier offers different content so make sure to read the descriptions to find which one is right for you.

For exclusive content, such as access to short stories 𝔹𝕣𝕠𝕜𝕖𝕟 ℙ𝕚𝕝𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕤: 𝔸 𝕋𝕒𝕝𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝔸𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟𝕒 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕄𝕖𝕕𝕦𝕤𝕒 and 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕄𝕖𝕖𝕣 𝔸𝕟 𝕌𝕟𝕥𝕠𝕝𝕕 𝕋𝕒𝕝𝕖: 𝕀𝕟 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔸𝕓𝕤𝕖𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝕠𝕗 𝔽𝕖𝕒𝕣, and other perks become a   ⓅⒶⓉⓇⓄⓃ here: patreon.com/EllauraShoop

Discover my books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B087KGRR3T

Also check out maps of the territories and character profiles on World Anvil: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/the-meer-ellaura

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To find links to listed above everything, including my books and newsletter, find me on Koji:

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Some mongoose. Mongeese.

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I’ll admit that it took me awhile to hop on this bandwagon. I’d been aware that this book was very popular on Vella, but I insisted on waiting until the paperback was out (and my bank account fuller) to read it in its entirety. Despite my appreciation for ebooks and serialized online fiction, to me there’s still something magical about holding a book in my hands, flipping through the pages, and inhaling that papery scent. I indeed just purchased the hard copy- and enjoyed it! The cover art is splendid, and the interior is impressive. I’m an interior formatting nerd and Winter’s Myths was impressive in its organization and artwork.

The plot was intriguing and I immeadiatly fell in love with Winter and his family. Their characterization was my favorite part of the novel. I will admit that I had no idea who Kevin Bacon was, or what all the fuss was regarding him and this novel. I had to google him to find out he was an actor, and I don’t believe I recognized any of his movies. So, some of the humor involving Kevin Bacon was lost on me while I read the book.

The idea of Winter explaining the world, their situation, and comforting his daughters all at once by crafting these bizarre myths based on what he noticed around him was an interesting concept. Some of the myths did strike me personally as unnecessary because they took the reader out of the action at that moment and away from the characters I so loved, but most of them I enjoyed. This book was worth the read and author Gage Greenwood’s success is inspiring to a fellow author such as myself. The balance of comedy and horror, heartfelt and tragic, was epically done. A wonderful example to look to for fans of this genre.

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Night Warrior Book Thoughts

This book’s plot immeadiatly hooked me. After reading the description I knew I had to read it. A young author’s characters suddenly appear in her real life, and no one has any clue why or how? Sign me up. I would say I wish that would happen to me but then I’d have a ton of meerkats running about my house and I hardly think my pets would appricate that. Besides, it leads to a lot of problems for Viranda, the protagonist, which is of course what makes it so fun for us, the readers.

This story gives readers a spectacular glimpse of what could happen if a fantasy world intermingled with a big city. I won’t give any spoilers, but it causes some trouble. I was gripped by Viranda’s self-doubt from the start. She’s a highly relatable character and an underdog to root for. I was on the edge of my seat and the never-ending surprises of this novel had me baffled (in a good way). Overall, this book was a fun read and the author Jordan J. Scavone a pillar of the self-publishing community. It has been a pleasure to read this book, and share my thoughts with you.

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ɴᴏᴡ ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ꜰᴏʀ ᴘʀᴇorder ᴏɴ ᴀᴍᴀᴢᴏɴ~

Purchase your presale ebook copy of 𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕖𝕣 ℙ𝕒𝕣𝕜 ℂ𝕒𝕥𝕤 now so that you can start reading it the day it's released! Paperback release date TBD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYMG4WGK

🄵🅄🅁🅃🄷🄴🅁 🄽🄴🅆🅂...

This fun, adventurous middle grade novel (the prequel to Escape From Kitty City released last year) is perfect for cat lovers. As for the rest of my middle grade animal fantasy series, The Meer and Pride, will be put on hold for the time being. I will continue to write the series, not to worry, but as of right now my focus must be placed on other projects. I just wanted to let my followers know. Thank you so much for your support and I hope you enjoy this newest cat-tastic read 💞💞

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Taking a week off from posting due to some tendonitis in my wrist. I'll be back next week 😊

[ellaurashoop]

This book has so much potential. It reminded me of Erin Hunter's Warriors which is one of my favorite series. The main conflict revolves around the near destruction of a tribe of peacocks. The god of all birds had chosen three SkyTalons, birds meant to restore peace and maintain the safety of the five tribes and the Life Trees which preserve the god's power, to save this fragmented tribe. While there was a lot of action and some interesting worldbuilding I did feel like the plot and diction was lacking slightly. To me it seemed like there was the potential for a very gripping plot twist that may even be revealed as the series progresses but because of how this first book in the SkyTalons series ended I don't belive that's the direction it is headed. Overall, the book was worth the read and I'd like to see where the second book leads the characters. I was immeadiatly intrigued when I read in the description that the book centered around a pigeon, Cornelius, because I had only read one other book from a pigeon's perspective but was much more intrigued by Dustin, the blue jay, who only gets about two chapters from his POV I believe. Hopefully the next installment will reveal more about him. Otherwise the writing in general to me was lacking a little bit, the descriptions could've been more detailed and the suspense ratcheted up in certain spots. Parts of it were a tad predictable for my taste. I am glad I read the book though and am despite my drawbacks interested and excited even to see what happens in book two.

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Otterpaw's Courage

** these characters are owned by Erin Hunter, not me. This is an original work of Warriors fanfiction following how RiverClan apprentice Otterpaw earned her warrior name. Originally posted to AO3. **

Warm sunlight spilled across Otterpaw’s back, staving off the chill of leafbare. The rock she lounged on, about halfway up the tumbled mass of basking stones the Clans called Sunningrocks, absorbed every shard of light and her pelt soaked up the warmth like a starving kit suckles milk. This was the first time in over a moon that the ice on the river had thawed enough to hunt in the frigid water, as proved by the huge trout resting at her side. The river murmured as it chugged along, and the breeze whispered through the reeds. The distant mews of her clanmates trickled to her and she sighed, hope sparking in her for the first time since the harsh leafbare settled over the forest. She had just passed her hunting assessment and now all that remained was for her mentor, Duskblaze, to assess her fighting techniques before she got her warrior name. Right now, Duskblaze was with her brother, Owlpaw’s, mentor Tanglewhisker helping him to judge Owlpaw’s hunting on the other side of Sunningrocks. A purr built in her chest as she imagined her impatient brother stalking land prey. Soon her eyelids were drooping.

            Snap. A twig broke, the crack ringing from the tree line. Otterpaw’s eyes popped open, and she sat up. Peering about, she pricked her pale ginger ears, listening for the sound of her clanmates approaching. Sudden, overwhelming ThunderClan scent clawed her muzzle. Otterpaw’s fur spiked, and her gaze went wide with alarm. A warning yowl flew from her tongue, and she lifted one forepaw, eyes darting wildly as she tried to spot her enemies. Paws slammed into her spine from above and her yowl became a wordless wail of surprise.

            Instinct took over. Otterpaw crouched allowing her opponent to press their weight into her back. She coiled her muscles and bucked. The ThunderClan cat was so surprised that he stumbled to the side, and she gave a graceful leap, landing further down the pile on a jutting stone. Back arched and fangs bared, she twisted to face the intruders. “Trespassers!” she hissed, her rage momentarily swamping her fear.

            Four ThunderClan warriors faced her, she recognized them from gatherings. The new ThunderClan deputy’s red-ginger pelt glowed in the streaming light of midday. “Sunningrocks is ours, it always has been,” Sunfall mewed from the very top of the heap, his yellow eyes flashing. Otterpaw could see what Pinestar saw in him as the big tom cast a noble shadow, head held unapologetically high, yet his fur was flat. He was trying to appear nonthreatening.  

            He thinks I’m alone, Otterpaw realized with mounting hope. That means we still have the element of surprise.

            “Ew,” ThunderClan’s newest warrior, Stonepelt, mewed as he prodded the dead trout, muzzle crinkling with disgust. Otterpaw’s hackles lifted.

            “What clan leaves an apprentice to guard a piece of valuable territory?” the mottled brown tom Adderfang taunted.

            Otterpaw’s claws scraped against the stone, and she hissed loudly, “What kind of clan attacks a lone apprentice?”

            Sunfall frowned but it was a pale tabby she-cat who answered. “Run along back to the river, fish-cat,” Speckletail mocked. “Send some real warriors to fight, if there are any in RiverClan.”

            Addefang chortled and Stonepelt chuckled lightly. Sunfall’s frown deepened, a new concern entering his gaze as he eyed Otterpaw. His jaws parted as if to give an order, but Otterpaw didn’t let him get the words out. “ThunderClan filth!” she spat. “I’m more of a warrior then you’ll ever be!” Then the apprentice hurled herself at Speckletail.

            As she was running, she saw a spotted tawny blur drop onto Sunfall’s back. With a yowl the ThunderClan deputy rolled, and the tawny tom aimed blow after blow at his head, blue eyes glowing with fury. Duskblaze! Adderfang crouched to pounce at Sunfall’s attacker, but a streak of matted, dark fur bundled into his side. Tanglewhisker’s claws hooked into Adderfang’s shoulder and the ThunderClan tom stumbled. Her brother, Owlpaw, was nowhere to be seen and she hoped that meant he was already heading back to camp to fetch reinforcements.

            Specktail’s gaze flickered to the battling toms above her head and Otterpaw took her chance. She leaped and her forepaws smashed into Specktail’s side. With a shriek of shock, the two she-cats plummeted down the rocks, landing on the sandy shore of the river. Otterpaw pinned the taller cat and lunged to bite into her shoulder. Speckletail brought her paws up, pressing into Otterpaw’s white and ginger patched chest, and pushed. Otterpaw strained, hissing through her teeth, to keep the warrior pinned. Specktail wiggled and raised her hindpaws, pummeling the apprentice’s stomach. As claws raked her skin and hot blood sept through her fur Otterpaw was forced to loosen her hold and Specktail heaved her off. She stumbled and the ThunderClan she-cat sprang at her. Otterpaw thudded to the earth, Speckletail’s pale paws gripping her shoulders.

            A pained scream shattered against the cold air, sending a shiver of dread down Otterpaw’s spine. Her gaze was drawn to the top of Sunningrocks. Sunfall and Adderfang were batting at Tanglewhisker, but the experienced RiverClan warrior was holding them off with his own ducks and faints. None of them had screamed. A glossy gray pelt shone in the high sun brightness and strong shoulders silhouetted at the crest of rocks. Beneath the gray warrior’s paws was the limp form of Duskblaze. Her mentor’s blue gaze glistened as he met her eyes. He blinked once, expression full of pride and blood gushing from a slash across his neck. Then he went still.

            No! For a horrifying moment Otterpaw couldn’t move.

            Stonepelt stared at his raised paw in disbelief, eyes wide and horrified. He staggered away from Duskblaze’s body and screeched again. Speckletail’s claws flayed the skin of her shoulder and her pain quickly seared into anger. Snarling, Otterpaw’s legs kicked out swifter than a striking adder, and Speckletail tripped. Shooting to her paws, the apprentice rounded on the warrior, her rage fueling her. Seeing the burning in her gaze Speckletail hesitated. Otterpaw’s claws flashed, flailing into the soft flesh of the she-cat’s ear. Speckletail growled and tore her ear away, but Otterpaw wouldn’t let up. She grabbed Speckletail’s ankle and bit into it, hard. Blood welled between her teeth, salty and warm. Otterpaw shook her head viciously.

            Her growl turned into a wail and Speckletail thrust the RiverClan apprentice away with a desperate twist. Then she was pelting into the trees as fast as she could with a heavy limp. The fire of fury within Otterpaw only grew brighter as the warrior’s tail tip vanished into the shadowy forest. Otterpaw swung about and charged up Sunningrocks, her focus shifting to Stonepelt. He was still standing, staring, paralyzed at her mentor’s body. He shook and trembled, causing more blood to trickle from the tears in his pelt. If she had to guess, Duskblaze was the first cat he’d killed in battle. A haze of red descended over her vision, and she wondered if Stonepelt would be hers.

            But the young ThunderClan warrior took one look at her climbing towards him and fled.

            Otterpaw halted panting, pelt twitching, and breaths heaving. She watched the breeze caress Duskblaze’s fur and anguish swelled inside her. You died protecting me! You died fighting for our clan! How could I let this happen? Then she shook her head. Mourn later. She turned to survey the fight.

            Two more ThunderClan warriors had joined the fight and Tanglewhisker was badly outnumbered. They formed a line, pushing him farther and farther back towards the edge of the large, flat stone they tussled on. His eyes were wide and desparate as he lashed out at one then another, his tiring blows glancing off the enemy warriors without so much as drawing blood. Otterpaw rushed to his aide, launching herself at Adderfang.

            At the last moment the mottled brown tabby spotted her and met her leap with a foreign move, twisting so that his whiskers brushed the stone he raised his paw high and brought it down on her cheek. Knocked from the air, Otterpaw slammed into the stones, her head striking hard enough to draw blood. She winced as dark spots marred her vision but did not get up. Tanglewhisker took advantage of Addefang’s distraction to swipe at his face, forcing him to retreat and giving the RiverClan tom a chance to drop down beside Otterpaw. His dark brown paws danced before her eyes, and she saw six strong figures cutting through the water towards Sunningrocks as her eyes drifted shut…

 

*****

 

The world blurred around her as Otterpaw’s eyelids cracked open. Soft light spilled through the bramble screen and a cat with lush white fur dotted with black speckles slipped through and vanished. Slowly, Otterpaw’s vision sharpened, and she sat up. The pungent stench of herbs greeted her, and she found that she was in a nest inside the medicine den. Her head ached with the movement, and she felt the mushy pulp under a cobweb wrap on the side of her forehead. There was a nasty gash underneath, but it already felt like it was healing and besides the ache there was no pain. She was going to ask if it was alright to leave the den, but the medicine cat was nowhere to be seen. Stretching and yawning away the grogginess, Otterpaw slid from the den.

            She found the island clearing where RiverClan made their camp full to bursting. It seemed that every kit, elder, apprentice, and warrior had gathered and were staring at her. She fluffed her fur against the leafbare chill, her skin flushing with embarrassment as she realized that she must have interrupted a clan meeting. She glimpsed Hailstar’s pale, thick gray pelt through the throng and dipped her head in apology, prepared to accept a seat at the back and catch up on what she’d missed.

            “Otterpaw!” Hailstar’s blue eyes brightened when he spotted her, and he waved his tail. “Join me!”

            For a moment Otterpaw was so shocked that she couldn’t move. Why would the clan leader want to converse with an apprentice during a clan meeting? Her gaze flashed over the group trying to pick out Duskblaze. Instead, she saw a short brown and white tom watching her with a mixture of happiness and grief. It was her brother, Owlpaw. Suddenly, sadness wrenched her gut so hard that it knocked the breath from her. Her claws curled into the icy ground as the battle at Sunningrocks rushed back to her.

            Duskblaze wasn’t there because he was dead. Her close friend and mentor was gone. He’d never see her grow old, or have kits, he wouldn’t be there to advise her when she led a patrol for the first time or was given an apprentice of her own to train, he wouldn’t be there when she earned her warrior name…

            Hailstar was still watching her, his wise face patient and gaze warm. The rest of the clan too was waiting, they had parted to make a path for her. Stamping down her grief, Otterpaw took a deep breath and padded up to Hailstar. Shellheart, who’d been named deputy at the beginning of leafbare when Brokenstem retired, sat by the RiverClan leader’s side. His dappled gray pelt was thin and whiskers haggard from all the lean, hard moons of cold. But his gaze was kind as she approached. A tiny piece of her grief melted like frost in the sun as she was reminded that she still had the clan, and the clan still had her.

            “Otterpaw,” Hailstar purred and blinked at the white she-cat dappled with black spots over Otterpaw’s shoulder. “Brambleberry, is she ready?”

            The pretty medicine cat nodded. “Yes, I don’t see why it’d hurt her to rest while baring a new name.” Brambleberry fixed Otterpaw with a harsh glare. “As long as you promise to rest for at least a quarter moon.”

            Otterpaw’s heart seized. A new name? Was this actually happening or was she dreaming? She stammered a hasty, “Y-Yes.”

            Hailstar beamed with amusement. “Very well.” As he began the ceremony Otterpaw found her brother’s eyes again and asked a silent question. She felt guilty, receiving her warrior name before he got his.

            Owlpaw seemed to read her thoughts and shook his head. Grinning, he mouthed, you deserve it. Pelt tingling with gratitude and joy, Otterpaw turned back to Hailstar, whose expression had grown solemn.

            “While tonight we mourn for one of our own, Duskblaze, who died defending the clan that he loved from invaders and now walks among StarClan, today we celebrate his apprentice. I have heard how remarkably you fought, chasing off two ThunderClan warriors and holding your own against a full patrol until Duskblaze and Tanglewhisker arrived. Obviously Duskblaze has passed down his courage and relentless spirit to you. It is only because of Duskblaze’s sacrifice, Tanglewhisker’s strength, Owlpaw’s speed, and your bravery that Sunningrocks still belongs to RiverClan. I am confident that if Duskblaze were here, he would agree that you have earned your warrior name.”

            Otterpaw’s throat constricted as a fresh wave of sadness washed over her, but at the same time her heart was light. Hailstar believed in her, her clan believed in her, and Duskblaze had always believed in her. There was no reason for him to stop now. She was sure that he looked down from StarClan with a wry twitch in his whiskers and an amused expression on his face as he waited for Hailstar to get on with it. “I, Hailstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Otterpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

            Otterpaw forced the shakiness from her mew and answered with determination, “I do.”

            Hailstar rested his muzzle briefly on her head and she licked his shoulder. “Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Otterpaw, from this moment you will be known as Ottersplash. StarClan honors your intellect and heroism, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan.”

[ellaurashoop]

Dewpaw's Lesson

** these characters are owned by Erin Hunter, not me. This is an original work of Warriors fanfiction following how ThunderClan apprentice Dewpaw earned his warrior name. Originally posted by me on AO3 **

Almost.

            Dewpaw was really starting to hate that word. Whitewing said he was almost ready for his warrior ceremony, that he had almost passed his assessment, and he had almost caught that crow. How many times did he have to prove himself before she would admit that he was ready? He could barely stand the sight of Amberpaw and Snowpaw, his littermates, drawing a crowd to the fresh-kill pile. He looked down at his dull gray paws, tail lashing, and fumed silently.

            Soft paw steps patted the ground and then his kin and mentor, Whitewing, was by his side. She shook out her fluffy white pelt and touched his shoulder with a delicate paw. Dewpaw shifted away without looking up, his fur burning with humiliation. “Why are you doing this to me?” he muttered, his ears sliding back.

            “I’m not doing anything to you.” There was a chiding tone to Whitewing’s voice that made his ears flatten. “You can try again tomorrow when the ground is drier.”

            That was another thing that the ThunderClan apprentice was sick of, rain. Just as it had ushered in newleaf the rain was now drenching the forest again as greenleaf took hold. It was nothing like the terrible flooding storms of a few moons before, but it was still miserable to hunt in. If the ground hadn’t been so slick Dewpaw knew he would’ve been able to catch that crow before it fluttered up into the treetops with a jeering caw. Whitewing pulled him from his thoughts by brushing her tail across his back. “I’m sure Snowpaw and Amberpaw won’t mind waiting a day and you all can receive your warrior names together.”

            Dewpaw ducked away with a growl, at last lifting his head to face her. His amber eyes blazed against his gray pelt and the white splashes of fur on his chest and neck glowed in the dreary dusk. “They shouldn’t have to wait, and neither should I!” he hissed. “How many times do I have to prove to you and the clan that I have what it takes to be a warrior? I was helpful during the flood and ever since then I’ve done everything that has been asked of me.”

            “I know,” Whitewing said in a soothing voice, as if trying to shush him.

            Dewpaw’s lips drew back in a snarl, and he regarded his mentor coldly, hiding his surprise that he now matched her in height. “I deserve my warrior name! You’ve seen me hunt, you know I can do it!”

            Whitewing blinked at him just as coolly, her frosty white tail tip twitching. Her gaze glistened with disappointment that only served to rankle Dewpaw’s pelt.  “Patience is a virtue every warrior must have. Maybe there is still something for you to learn after all.” With that she slid further into the clearing, and he heard her warm mew as she congratulated Amberpaw and Snowpaw.

            It’s not fair! He clamped his jaws to hold in the kit-like wail in and stomped over to the apprentices’ den. Ignoring his empty stomach, he clambered into his nest and curled into a tight ball fastening his eyes shut tight as if that might hamper his swirling thoughts. Eventually, Amberpaw and Snowpaw trickled into the den and settled. He heard them mewing and felt their stares searing his fur but refused to crack an eyelid. He couldn’t face them, not after he’d failed his assessment that day while they passed with ease and grace. Part of him wanted to apologize for making them wait, if they were even willing to wait for him, and part of him wanted to rage at them for succeeding.

            “It was just dumb luck,” Snowpaw offered sleepily.

            “Yeah,” Amberpaw agreed and he heard her nest rustle as she shifted. “The part of the forest where we hunted was more sheltered and not as wet.”

            If possible Dewpaw squeezed his eyes shut tighter.  

            Eventually Amberpaw and Snowpaw fell asleep and Dewpaw waited until their snores filled the den to get up. Allowing his loud littermates to cover his exit, he slipped from the den. The camp was quiet and still. In the weak moonlight he could just make out Rosepetal’s back, her ears perked as she kept watch at the entrance to the stone hollow. He crept to the dirtplace, his belly fur brushing the ground. He paused inside and when he heard no sounds of waking cats Dewpaw snuck out the other side and into the shadow shrouded forest.

            The chatter of the humid night enveloped him. Crickets and other insects buzzed and chirped. Bats wheeled from tree to tree, swooping, and diving, and clicking. Small crashes echoed from the branches high overhead as something- probably a squirrel- jumped from limb to limb. Dewpaw’s blue eyes flashed in the low light. Heavy gray clouds streaked the sky, blotting the moon and stars. The grass was moist under paw and the breeze smelled like rain. He glared up at the sky for a heartbeat, as if daring the clouds to shed even a drop onto him. When they didn’t, he lifted his paws and tail high and plunged deeper into the undergrowth.

            It wasn’t long before the slight, musky scent of mouse blossomed in the air and Dewpaw’s whiskers bristled. This’ll show Whitewing I can hunt just as well as Amberpaw and Snowpaw! Better actually because they’ve never caught anything at night! His paws tingled with giddiness at the thought and his nose twitched. Dropping into a crouch, he stalked under a trailing fern and ducked around a bramble thicket. There was the little brown mouse, huddled between the roots of a tree, nibbling a seed. Its jaw made tiny tik, tik, tiks as it worked at the shell. The breeze stirred and the mouse’s warm scent cloyed around his whiskers. His tail trembled with excitement.

            The mouse glanced in his direction, large round ears swiveling. Dewpaw forced his tail to still and held his haunches taut. His mouth filled with saliva, but his gaze never relinquished the prey. One more moment, just hold still one more moment… He took even, calming breathes, mustering every scrap of patience that he possessed.

            The mouse turned it’s back to him. Dewpaw pounced, slamming a paw down on his prey. The mouse’s final squeal was cut off and Dewpaw broke its neck with a quick, clean bite. “Thank you, StarClan, for this prey,” he murmured with an appraising look at his catch. Triumph and pride filled his chest with warmth. He couldn’t wait to return to the camp and tell Whitewing! Recalling how he’d had to wait for the mouse to turn, Dewpaw even admitted to himself that maybe Whitewing had a point. He needed to have patience, and by catching this mouse he’d proved that he did.

            A growl cut through the night like a claw, ripping a ragged hole in Dewpaw’s excitement. He whirled to see a flash of crimson and a white-streaked chest. Mean, slitted eyes watched him from a long, dog-like face. It was a fox, and it was at least twice his size.

            Dewpaw backed away, his pelf fluffing and back arching. His gaze darted from the mouse to the fox. It wants my prey. He hesitated a heartbeat, then grabbed the rodent and flung the still warm body away from him. It flopped at the base of another tree with pale bark. Heart thudding, he retuned his gaze to the fox and waited.

            The fox turned towards the mouse. Take it and go. Take it and go. Dewpaw pleaded silently, he knew he had no hope of fighting off this fox by himself. The fox padded to the limp body of the mouse, snuffled at it, then lifted its head. It looked back at Dewpaw, and another growl rumbled in its throat. Dewpaw’s lips peeled back in a snarl and his eyes widened. Why wasn’t it taking the prey? Dewpaw had planned to escape while the fox wasn’t looking.

            It’s eyes burning with anger, it took one territorial pace towards him. Dewpaw twisted and ran. He heard the fox break into a gallop and crash through the undergrowth behind him. Hot, rank breath parted the fur of his tail tip. Eyes so wide he was stunned they hadn’t fallen from their sockets, Dewpaw careened on instinct into a patch of wild roses, thick with unkept vines and tussocky grass sharp enough to cut skin. Using his smaller size to maneuver through the vegetation with minimal damage to himself, he ducked and weaved until he popped out on the other side. He heard the fox bark in frustration as it pulled up short of the roses. Good, I have a bit of time. Dewpaw glanced about for an escape and his spirits plummeted. There was no way he'd be able to pace the long-legged fox in this relatively clear section of forest. Then he caught a dark looming shape in the corner of his eye and the sweet fragrance of catmint engulfed him.

            It was the abandoned twoleg den, the garden sprouting with the catmint Jayfeather and Leafpool had planted. The decrepit entrance loomed like the giant maw of a great beast, his fur spiked just looking at it. But he didn’t have much of a lead, he could hear the fox huffing as it looked for a better way to get around or through the thorny-stemmed roses. He needed to decide. Now.

            Dewpaw sprinted for the abandoned twoleg den, pushing himself until his lungs seared with every influx of breath. His nimble paws were a whisper on the earth, claws out to grip, toes grazing the grass, and stomach brushing the ground. Behind him the roses clattered, in the dull flat way that plants clatter, as the fox forced its way through. A shadow fell over him and worn wood tore into his paw pads, splinters flying from the shearing of his claws into the molder. The temperature dropped and Dewpaw skidded to a halt, panting, and gaping at the ten shades of darkness coiled in the corners and pitched ceiling. Two wooden beams crossed below the roof. He glanced over his shoulder.

            Pebbles skittered off the path as the fox barreled after him, snarling. Without thought Dewpaw sprang at the wall. He slid and then his claws caught in the decaying wood. His legs screamed but he hauled himself up until he was crouched on one of the beams. It wobbled under his weight, and he sucked in a tapered breath. Once it settled, he huddled, shaking, his pulse shrilling in his ears. This is what I get, he thought, shutting his eyes. Whitewing was right. If only I’d been more patient…

            The fox charged into the den, nostrils flaring for his scent. Dewpaw had never sat so utterly motionless in his life, the atmosphere electric with his fear scent, and fur spiking in great swaths. The smell of the raging fox, molding walls, and fungus coated boards making his head swim. His eyes cracked open. The fox padded warily into the middle of the floor, head swinging as it tried to pinpoint his location. Dewpaw’s tail trembled, sending vibrations through the beam. He saw that halfway down its length was a weathered crack where the wood was splitting from the time and weight of existance. Dewpaw suppressed a whimper, feeling like a kit again and longing for Brightheart or Cloudtail. His parents always knew what to do. I should’ve listened to you, Whitewing!

            Grumbling wordless, unintelligible sounds climbed as the fox swished it’s tail and turned to face the entrance. It was leaving! Relief washed Dewpaw’s pelt like a cool breeze. Then a familiar scent drifted to his muzzle on the stagnant air, faint at first, but steadily growing stronger. It was ThunderClan scent mixed with the aroma of crushed herbs and the stale acrid reek of whitecough. Dread built in Dewpaw’s throat like bile. Jayfeather.

            The fox had smelled the ThunderClan medicine cat as well and it’s ears pressed back, and gaze blazed with fury. Its mouth practically foamed with hunger. It was protecting this territory as if it were its home and it was willing to kill and maybe eat any cat who challenged it. The blind medicine cat had no chance against the ferocious creature. And now Jayfeather’s paw steps could be heard as a gentle patter. He couldn’t let it hurt Jayfeather, not when this was his mistake.

            Dewpaw gathered his haunches and leapt. His paws landed hard on the crease in the beam and there was a shattering crack. Then he was falling and falling. The wind whooshing in his ears and streaming through his whiskers. He twisted with desparate grace, trying to avoid the huge plank of wood as it drooped. It landed with a heavy crunch. Dewpaw landed on his paws with a thud and a jolt so hard that he toppled to the side and rolled.  Dust and splinters showered onto his fur, and he coughed, his vision going dark. He thought he heard the pound of paws but was too dizzy to be afraid of the fox. Jayfeather, his mind trailed. If I failed let the fox take me, not Jayfeather…

            “Dewpaw!” Suddenly paws were shaking him, and a concerned mew was loud in his ear. “Dewpaw, are you okay?”

            Sputtering, Dewpaw pushed himself up. He balked at the sight of Whitewing, white pelt a glossy silver in the moonlight, and whiskers bristling with worry. Ferns and other long-stemmed plants framed her as she leaned over her apprentice, eyes glittering. She let out a sigh as he revived. “Oh, thank StarClan!”

            “Let me through!” Jayfeather shouted and shouldered through the stocks, glaring at Whitewing. His mentor regarded him with a blank stare and Jayfeather’s pelt twitched. “Well!” His tone was as grumpy as Dewpaw had ever heard it. “I can’t treat him unless I can touch him!”

            “Oh!” Whitewing jumped back, giving her chest fur an embarrassed lick. “Sorry.”

            “Dramatic, stupid, warriors,” Jayfeather muttered as he ran his paws over Dewpaw’s spine and legs with gentle ease. “Nothing’s broken. Can you walk?” The sightless gray tabby asked, rheumy blue gaze bright and intense as always. Nodding, Dewpaw rose. He swayed for a moment but then the dizziness faded and besides the slight bruises and scrapes covering him from head to tail, he seemed fine. Jayfeather shook his head, sleek whiskers flicking. “Apprentices are even worse. What were you thinking, going off by yourself like that? You’re lucky I heard your stomping out of camp and woke Whitewing.”

            Dewpaw looked to his paws, feeling very much like a chided kit.

            “If you would’ve come to the fresh-kill pile with me you would’ve heard Lionblaze reporting fox scent in this area to Bramblestar and Squirrelflight,” Whitewing added.

            Shame writhed, hot and flaming, in Dewpaw’s chest. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, unable to raise his voice.

            “What were you thinking?” Jayfeather asked again, in apparent disbelief of how dumb an apprentice could be.

            “I know what you were thinking,” Whitewing answered before he could and Dewpaw looked up at her at the softness in her tone. “You thought it wasn’t fair that the rain spoiled your hunting assessment, and you were right. I know you can hunt but I also know that there’s more to being a warrior than hunting and fighting.”

            He was about to lower his gaze again, the shame burning hotter so that his fur scalded with it, when Whitewing surprised him by laying her tail across his shoulders. She met his gaze, muzzle curled with fondness. “You know that too.” Dewpaw’s ears pricked in shock, a little flutter of hope rising in his chest. “You proved that you would defend your clan and clanmates even at the cost of your life tonight.”

            Dewpaw’s breath caught as he remembered his frantic dash to safety in the abandoned twoleg den. “The fox-”

            “Is dead,” Jayfeather finished. “I arrived in time to hear the crash. The beam landed on the fox and broke its spine. Whitewing dragged you out. You lost consciousness for a moment.”

            The wild panic leaked from Dewpaw’s eyes, and he nodded.

            “And,” a mischievous glint entered Whitewing’s gaze, “We came across the bedraggled carcass of the mouse you caught. I’m guessing it took some patience to catch it.”

            A hearty purr burst from Dewpaw’s throat. “Does that mean…?”

            “As long as you never stop learning and keep the spirit of bravery that you showed me tonight,” Whitewing purred back and he felt the vibration through her pelt, “you’ll make a strong and dedicated warrior tomorrow alongside your littermates.”

            Dewpaw sprang to his paws and bounded in a circle like a kit, his aches and soreness forgotten, making Whitewing chuckle. Jayfeather griped, but Dewpaw thought he heard a note of affection behind his annoyed tone. “Great StarClan, what has become of us?”

            Dewpaw couldn’t help it, he howled with delight and gave the medicine cat a lick on the cheek. Jayfeather swiped the spot and Whitewing dissolved into laughter as well.

            The next day ThunderClan welcomed three new warriors, Snowbush, Ambermoon, and Dewnose. From that moment onward, Dewnose promised never to stop learning.

[ellaurashoop]

The first artwork I've received of one of the characters, Slate, from The Meer Series!! I'm so excited. It's really stunning and I couldn't be happier with it. Done by the incredible Feline Artsy. I'd be happy to share the link to their Facebook page in the comments 😊