"So why are you the 'future' leader of this Clan? You seem to be the leader already to me." Lionheart brushed his tail against the cooling rock.
"To truly become a Clan leader, we commune with StarClan to gain nine lives. StarClan is all of the stars you see in Silverpelt – each star there represents a warrior ancestor."
"So, you believe in star-cats?"
"Precisely that. StarClan send omens and prophecies to the living and guide us."
"Alright. What is the warrior code?" Frostfur asked.
"The warrior code is a set of rules that we live by. We defend our Clans with our lives. Other Clans exist. Regarding them, we may have friendships with those from other Clans, however the Clan comes first. Divided loyalties are tricky to navigate in battle. We do not hunt or trespass on other Clans' territories unless we need to request help or share urgent news. Elders, queens, and kits eat first. Kits are the Clans' lifeblood..."
"Why elders?" Lionheart asked.
"They have served the Clan many times over and deserve to be honoured for the prey they have caught and the battles that they have fought."
"I understand. Now that you say it, it's a good rule to have."
"As well as elders, sick or injured cats may also eat. They need their strength. We kill prey only for eating and thank StarClan for its life. We only make apprentices at six moons old to give kits a chance against full-grown warriors. We had a leader in the old forest who ignored that rule. Countless kits were mercilessly slaughtered..."
"But that's horrible!"
"Brokenstar was a horrible cat. He was driven out and later killed for his evil deeds. New warriors, such as you, keep a silent vigil for a night. This is to help new warriors learn and reflect on their new duties. I believe an elder in SkyClan said it was because the new warriors kept doing stupid things."
"Is there anyone else we keep vigil with?" Frostfur asked.
"Cloudtail was appointed last night. He will guard with you. Moving on, cats cannot be deputy, that is, the Clan's second-in-command, without first having mentored an apprentice. This is so they understand the welfare of all cats and learn patience. The deputy becomes Clan leader when the leader dies, retires or is exiled, though I have yet to hear of a leader retiring."
"But surely that's natural?" Frostfur interrupted.
"Oh, you'd be surprised. The leaders' kits often got the role."
"Ah, nepotism." She scoffed.
"Yep. And once a deputy is not a deputy for whatever reason, another must be chosen before moonhigh. We had a nasty case of cats who wanted power fighting to their deaths. Mossfoot and Jumpfire, I believe they were called. Or was it Mossfire and Jumpfoot?"
"Was this in your time?" Lionheart asked.
"Oh, it was long ago. Elders tend to pass on stories via word of mouth. They may look old, but they remember a lot. We gather at the full moon to share news. We may not have four Clans yet, but we can certainly gather within ourselves. We check and mark boundaries daily to ensure that they are secure and that any trespassers are doing so intentionally. The most important rule in my opinion is the rule that states that no warrior should ignore a kit in pain or danger, regardless of Clan or lack thereof."
"I'm extremely glad that rule is in place." Frostfur commented, glancing at the apprentices' den.
"I am too. The word of the leader is the warrior code, although warriors are expected to challenge a cruel leader or one who threatens the Clan. I never understood that one. A warrior does not kill to win battles unless it is necessary for self-defence or to defeat cats who are beyond the code. And finally, a warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet. From what I have heard that was added recently, when a leader named Pinestar gave up his position to become one."
"But surely then kittypets wouldn't be allowed into Clans?"
"The Code says life of a kittypet, not blood of a kittypet. I myself was a kittypet, but I rejected that life when I journeyed into the forest for the first time."
"So Fernpaw and Ashpaw have done the same?"
"They have."
"I think we understand better now." Lionheart told Fireheart. "Are we allowed to rest before the vigil?"
"Go ahead. Cloudtail's getting some well-earned rest right now, so pick a spot in the warriors' den, Lionheart. Frostfur, maybe you would be better suited to the medicine den for now. If your vigil causes you pain on that leg, tell me and we'll move it to when your leg is better."
"Thank you." Frostfur dipped her head, licked Lionheart on the cheek and padded off towards the medicine den.
Fireheart padded over to Graystripe and Ravenflight, who were playing with Featherkit and Stormkit while Silverstream swam in the camp's river.
"Aren't they meant to be in the nursery?"
"We decided that missing out on most of their play was punishment enough. Besides, Silverstream was going stir-crazy in there." Ravenflight explained, before wheeling about to Graystripe.
"Graystripe, you're meant to catch the moss ball, not headbutt it!"
"Hey, why don't we try a new game?" Fireheart asked the group.
"What new game?" Featherkit quizzically asked.
"How about a game called Keep-away? You keep the moss away from a cat. The cat who had it last once the cat gets it becomes the player who you're trying to keep the moss away from." Fireheart explained.
"Great!" Stormkit squeaked.
"I'll be it."
"Alright, everyone, you've got to keep the moss away from Graystripe!" At that, Ravenflight flung the ball over Graystripe's head. He tried to catch it but stopped short. Featherkit picked up the moss and batted it to Stormkit, who attempted to pass it to Fireheart when Graystripe clawed it out of the air.
"Nice try." Graystripe told him, before tossing the moss to Fireheart, who quickly passed it to Ravenflight. He tried to confuse Stormkit by feinting but was foiled when Stormkit jumped at his paws and took the moss squarely from his paws.
"That was a great move!" Featherkit praised.
"Beaten by a kit, Ravenflight?" Fireheart laughed.
"I'd like to see you do better." The black tom purred.
Featherkit took a flying leap for the moss flung by Stormkit, barely managing to catch it, however she overbalanced. There was a large splash as she fell into the river. Her head broke the surface as she floated near Silverstream, who scooped up the sodden kit and deposited her squarely on the bank.
"That's it." Silverstream moved towards the group as Featherkit eagerly bounded back, no worse for wear.
"What's it?" Graystripe asked.
"I think we should give everyone a swimming lesson. That river's not going to disappear, you know."
"That is a good idea." Ravenflight remarked.
"When shall we hold them?" Fireheart asked.
"How about tomorrow at sunhigh? That'll give the warriors on vigil time to rest." Graystripe suggested.
"Then it's decided. Everyone at sunhigh tomorrow will need to learn how to swim." Fireheart mewed. As the sun slipped below the horizon at last, Fireheart went to collect Cloudtail, Lionheart and Frostfur.
"Wake up." He told the toms. "Vigil time."
Cloudtail stretched as Lionheart yawned. "That time already?"
"Yep." He raced out of the warriors' den, prodding Frostfur awake.
"Vigil." Frostfur blearily opened an eye.
"Alright, alright! I'm getting up!"
When all three had assembled outside, he instructed them on what to do. "You are not to talk until dawn today unless it is to fetch me in case of an intruder. Don't hesitate to fetch me if there is something." When they nodded, Fireheart led Lionheart and Cloudtail up to the Skyrock, while he stationed Frostfur at the river's edge.
"I'll see you at dawn." He padded away from the group into the warriors' den, curling around Sandstorm as he closed his eyes.