Post by Yoko on Sept 14, 2010 16:38:23 GMT -6
They had been walking for a while now. Snaketail's lower forelegs were thoroughly coated in mud, and not the watery kind. Unfortunately the rain, though heavy enough to thoroughly dampen their pelts, was too light to lessen the thickness of the mud. So like walking through dung, the octette continued to their destination.
The center of the marsh was muddy all around, yet it was nowhere near touching their bellies. As unstable and slippery as the ground may be, the assessment would press on. Even Snaketail knew that these conditions were precisely what Lizardeye had been hoping for. The darkness had even held out a while more. Not a glimmer of light rose above the shadowed figures of the trees. There was hardly any wind. The rain was merely pine-needle thin shards. No, Lizardeye would press on with their assessment for certain.
The tall tabby glanced at his cold brother who merely nodded in agreement. Snaketail stopped promptly and murmured to Fogpatch.
"We'll be stopping here."
He then turned to face the four apprentices trailing behind them.
"Your final assessment, will be taking place here, Honeypaw, Emberpaw and Eclipsepaw. Now although you, Brightpaw, have more assessments to come, we assure you that your participation is vital to our plans today."
Snaketail paused, glancing proudly over the four. The way they looked now, muddy, rain-soaked, it was completely fitting for the test today.
"Today, you will be simulating a battle patrol. As you know, Specklestar is quite set on her plans to strike against ThunderClan. We want you, our apprentices, to be as prepared as possible. And this is our last chance to glimpse at how well you will do"
Not to mention that if this session goes well, it will revolutionize training in ShadowClan.
Lizardeye contemplated this while Snaketail explained the more mundane aspects of the simulation.
1. Emberpaw will lead an attack on us, the "enemy patrol"
2. This will require stealth, speed, and accurancy.
3. Their goal is to take out four enemy cats as quickly and quietly as possible.
4. Teamwork is essential to any battle plan. Getting the agreement of the other three cats will be a true task for Emberpaw, while the others must struggle to follow orders and give their input where it is necessary.
5. Claws sheathed, though what would be a damaging hit with claws will be taken into account by the mentors.
Snaketail said all of this in a far more elegant and elaborate manner. If nothing else, Lizardeye was certain that Honeypaw at least would understand his wording, since she was so used to his speeches.
"We'll be giving them quite the run for their reward," Twistedclaw murmured to Fogpatch. "Now you have to remember, although we can never give them a perfect simulation because we are not willing to truly bring them harm. To not give them a good bat around the eats would be an injustice. You must look every bit as fierce as an enemy. And exploit their every mistake. We won't make it impossible for them to win."
Twistedclaw smirked maniacally.
"But it'll be close."
Eclipsepaw's eyes were wide with wonder. Their mentors had planned something so elaborate?! And to imitate a real battle at that! She wanted to lick all of their faces for this joyous occasion. Now she would know how she measured up to real warriors! She would know how it would feel to attack ThunderClan someday. But Snaketail was not yet done with his speech. Eclipsepaw glanced at Honeypaw.
Could he be more long-winded?
She caught her mentor eying her though and immediately straightened up, a slow sick grin crossing her face. Oh yes, there would be injuries!
Snaketail inhaled deeply and looked over the four of them again, his face more solemn than it had been all morning. He knew they were ready to go, but he had to have his final words.
"We want you to treat this as a real battle. It's your last chance at a practice for it. There's no preventing Specklestar's plans. They are for the good of ShadowClan. However, you have to brace yourselves for battle. In reality, you will hurt cats eventually, in this battle or in a border skirmish. And you will have to see your clanmates hurt. But we want to remind you that this is only a practice. And as much as you think you may harm us with your attacks...You will only harm us more in not giving this your all. Your warrior names hang in the balance! So keep your claws sheathed, and come at us with the strength and honor of True ShadowClan Warriors! "
He paused again, amber eyes bright.
"Off with you now. Go off into your planning. We will be making rounds about the Marsh as if we were a border patrol. Your mentors wish you luck. Your enemies wish you caution."
And with that, he motioned the other mentors away and began to leave with a stony expression.
ooc: For your benefit
Combat Techniques
www.warriorswish.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=512:2011-super-edition&catid=69:typography
Tail signals
warriors.wikia.com/wiki/Tail_Signals
The center of the marsh was muddy all around, yet it was nowhere near touching their bellies. As unstable and slippery as the ground may be, the assessment would press on. Even Snaketail knew that these conditions were precisely what Lizardeye had been hoping for. The darkness had even held out a while more. Not a glimmer of light rose above the shadowed figures of the trees. There was hardly any wind. The rain was merely pine-needle thin shards. No, Lizardeye would press on with their assessment for certain.
The tall tabby glanced at his cold brother who merely nodded in agreement. Snaketail stopped promptly and murmured to Fogpatch.
"We'll be stopping here."
He then turned to face the four apprentices trailing behind them.
"Your final assessment, will be taking place here, Honeypaw, Emberpaw and Eclipsepaw. Now although you, Brightpaw, have more assessments to come, we assure you that your participation is vital to our plans today."
Snaketail paused, glancing proudly over the four. The way they looked now, muddy, rain-soaked, it was completely fitting for the test today.
"Today, you will be simulating a battle patrol. As you know, Specklestar is quite set on her plans to strike against ThunderClan. We want you, our apprentices, to be as prepared as possible. And this is our last chance to glimpse at how well you will do"
Not to mention that if this session goes well, it will revolutionize training in ShadowClan.
Lizardeye contemplated this while Snaketail explained the more mundane aspects of the simulation.
1. Emberpaw will lead an attack on us, the "enemy patrol"
2. This will require stealth, speed, and accurancy.
3. Their goal is to take out four enemy cats as quickly and quietly as possible.
4. Teamwork is essential to any battle plan. Getting the agreement of the other three cats will be a true task for Emberpaw, while the others must struggle to follow orders and give their input where it is necessary.
5. Claws sheathed, though what would be a damaging hit with claws will be taken into account by the mentors.
Snaketail said all of this in a far more elegant and elaborate manner. If nothing else, Lizardeye was certain that Honeypaw at least would understand his wording, since she was so used to his speeches.
"We'll be giving them quite the run for their reward," Twistedclaw murmured to Fogpatch. "Now you have to remember, although we can never give them a perfect simulation because we are not willing to truly bring them harm. To not give them a good bat around the eats would be an injustice. You must look every bit as fierce as an enemy. And exploit their every mistake. We won't make it impossible for them to win."
Twistedclaw smirked maniacally.
"But it'll be close."
Eclipsepaw's eyes were wide with wonder. Their mentors had planned something so elaborate?! And to imitate a real battle at that! She wanted to lick all of their faces for this joyous occasion. Now she would know how she measured up to real warriors! She would know how it would feel to attack ThunderClan someday. But Snaketail was not yet done with his speech. Eclipsepaw glanced at Honeypaw.
Could he be more long-winded?
She caught her mentor eying her though and immediately straightened up, a slow sick grin crossing her face. Oh yes, there would be injuries!
Snaketail inhaled deeply and looked over the four of them again, his face more solemn than it had been all morning. He knew they were ready to go, but he had to have his final words.
"We want you to treat this as a real battle. It's your last chance at a practice for it. There's no preventing Specklestar's plans. They are for the good of ShadowClan. However, you have to brace yourselves for battle. In reality, you will hurt cats eventually, in this battle or in a border skirmish. And you will have to see your clanmates hurt. But we want to remind you that this is only a practice. And as much as you think you may harm us with your attacks...You will only harm us more in not giving this your all. Your warrior names hang in the balance! So keep your claws sheathed, and come at us with the strength and honor of True ShadowClan Warriors! "
He paused again, amber eyes bright.
"Off with you now. Go off into your planning. We will be making rounds about the Marsh as if we were a border patrol. Your mentors wish you luck. Your enemies wish you caution."
And with that, he motioned the other mentors away and began to leave with a stony expression.
ooc: For your benefit
Combat Techniques
www.warriorswish.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=512:2011-super-edition&catid=69:typography
Tail signals
warriors.wikia.com/wiki/Tail_Signals