It had been two weeks since the defeat of Scrylla. I had spent the entire time learning as much as I could, my head felt packed with information. It was pretty good until today, Jay's fourteenth birthday.

It had started out normally, I had a new nest with Zara, considering she was my sister. I got up and had breakfast, a nice mouse, then Jay stormed in. His fur was bristling with electricity and his ears were back. I had no idea why, no one had informed me about today.

"Whoa, Jay, what happened?"

"It's my birthday!" He growled.

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"My fourteenth birthday."

"Aaahhhh, you worried that my dad's going to make you a Meðal-claw?"

He sighed dejectedly, "yeah, I don't see how I can change his mind."

"Maybe he won't," said Zara.

"Maybe, I just don't want to be stuck inside the Meðal den sorting herbs, I'd go insane."

"What time is your ceremony?" I asked.

"Noon," he groaned.

"That's almost now," Zara said.

"What am I going to do?" He sighed and banged his head against the round stone that acted as a table.

All of a sudden a long haired black she-claw with green eyes walked over. She was older than us by a long shot, aged enough to have kits of her own. She seemed to carry a respectful aura and even I technically had a higher rank then her as heir, I felt like obeying her every command.

"Come Jay, we need to get you ready." Her voice was both warm and cold, inviting yet serious.

He sighed "I coming Eudora, I'll see you later guys."

He followed the black claw out of the dining hollow with his tail down and his ears pulled back in sorrow. I felt kinda sorry for him, my birthday was in a week and I was sure to become a Battle-claw, I hope. I'm pretty sure Zara had the same birthday as me, and she also had a fighting destiny. Back when I first arrived Zara explained that you get placed into three groups, Meðal-claws, Scribe-claws, and Battle-claws, you were chosen defined on your strengths,

"Hey Zara, do we have the same birthday?"

"Yep, twins."

"Cool, do you think there's anything we could do to help Jay?" I asked hesitantly.

"We could talk to Dad but..... usually he doesn't make exceptions. He does always try to make sure you're put in the occupation he knows you'll enjoy."

"We can't just walk away without trying, can we?"

She shrugged. "I guess it's worth a shot, after all, what's the worst that could happen?"

---------------------------------------------

"You want me to do what?" Nepal exclaimed.

"Jay isn't feeling as though his destiny is in being a meðal-claw," I said.

"If you could just think about it?" said Zara.

He sighed "I understand he is your friend, but I as the chief of Ice-claws feel like this is where his path leads, now its time and I have a ceremony to perform," he coughed dryly and walked out of the den.

"But-" I started.

"No Zach, there's nothing we can do now," he let loose another coughing fit and my forehead wrinkled in concern.

We ran into the tunnels and into the big hollow. All the Ice-claws had gathered in front of a large rock. Zara and me had to make our way through the crowd to the middle, where Jay was sitting, his fur neatly cleaned and shinny. Nepal jumped onto the rock and stood tall, waiting for everyone to quiet down. He cleared his throat and started speaking.

"Today a young cat has reached the age of fourteen winters, Jay, step forward."

Jay swallowed nervously and walked to the base of the rock.

"Jay, let me tell you I have always felt like you were a son of mine, I know you may not believe that the path I choose for you is the right one, but I hope you grow to love it as much I believe you will.

"Jaysen, you will become apprentice to Sarah in the path and learning of a Meðal-claw, may Glamora watch over you and guide you in your paw steps, may you grow in learning and respect, may you live long and help others with the gift I know you have, congratulations Meðal-claw Jaysen."