Chapter Seventeen

As well as ThunderClan's joy for the three new warriors in our midst, we have other pressing matters to focus on," Oakstar continued. "Mudsplash, come forward."

Echoshine searched for the deep brown warrior in the large crowd. Finally, she noticed his short pelt brushing forward. Mudsplash sat down in front of Oakstar and dipped his head solemnly.

Oakstar swept his gaze around the crowd of cats. "The young warrior standing before you has betrayed StarClan's noble code by choosing a mate in RiverClan."

Mudsplash bowed his head as hisses and whispers swept through the camp, as cold as a Leaf-bare wind.

"But," Oakstar looked at Mudsplash kindly, "if it weren't for him, then ThunderClan would have been beaten by the rogue attack. This brave cat ran to RiverClan for help and brought back reinforcements just in time for us to drive the rogues out."

Doubtful mutterings still rippled through the crowd.

"Mudsplash, you have shown your loyalty to both your birth Clan and your mate's Clan, but you cannot sustain your connection to RiverClan any longer whilst living in our territory. The time has come for you to make a decision as to where your true loyalties lie."

Echoshine tensed as she waited for Mudsplash to reply.

A wren hopped about nearby with a beetle in its beak. No cat paid any attention to it. All eyes were on Mudsplash.

The tom looked to the hostile crowd. "Hawkmist is my mate, and now it is time for us to live together, without having to be secretive. I will always remember the care and love I have received in ThunderClan, but I now know that my destiny lies elsewhere." He held his chin high.

Oakstar nodded. "I accept your choice, and I shall bear no grudges against you. However, I am leader of ThunderClan, and therefore ThunderClan shall be my first priority. If you are seen on our territories again, you shall be treated as any trespasser."

"No!" Sunshade raced toward her brother, their mother, Hollypelt close behind her. "Mudsplash, don't leave! What about Redstripe, what about Hollypelt, what about… me?"

Mudsplash touched his nose to her cheek. "I'll never forget you."

"But…" Sunshade trailed off as Mudsplash stood and padded away, out of ThunderClan's camp forever.

Hollypelt watched him go without saying a word.

Oakstar waited for the crowd to settle down before resuming the meeting. "As we all know, the rogues' attack interrupted our last Clan meeting, so I have much still to inform you all of," he shifted his paws, seeming uncomfortable. "I feel that since the rogue Tribe is still threatening our territory, it is my duty as Clan leader to inform you all of everything I know that may help us stand against the rogues. I have more of a link to the rogues than you all know."

He let the sentence hang in the air before continuing.

"I was born into their tribe, but my sister and I escaped. We were separated, and I found safety in ThunderClan, while she coincidentally was taken in by RiverClan." He sighed, and Echoshine realized that while the leader looked young, he was older than he seemed.

"Traitor!" A loud caterwaul rang in the air.

Echoshine stood on her hind legs, trying to pinpoint the cat that had spoken.

It was Shortwhisker. The grey tabby had his claws out. His fur stood on end.

"I bet you're the reason the rogues attacked in the first place!" He yowled. "I bet they were looking for their long-lost friend!" He shouldered his way up to the front of the crowd. "ThunderClan can't have a rogue for a leader! What will the other Clans think?"

If Oakstar was upset by the outburst, he didn't show it.

The leader dipped his head. "I understand how you feel, Shortwhisker, but I can assure you that I am most certainly not planning to side with the rogues. My loyalty is to my Clan, and only that."

"And hedgehogs fly!" Shortwhisker growled. "I give you one moon before you turn back to those rogues, crying for your mother! You're not a leader!"

Echoshine stepped in. "Nothing about Oakstar has changed since he told you this. He is perfectly loyal, and the best leader I have known."

"That's because you've only known one leader!" The grey tabby smirked. "And that's Oakstar!" He turned to the watching cats. "I say that this rogue," he looked to Oakstar, "should step down from his leadership. A true leader doesn't keep secrets from his Clan!"

Mixed yowls sparked through the air.

Oakstar silenced them with a flick of his tail. He turned to his Clan. "If that's what you all wish, then Beetlewhisker shall be the new leader."

Beetlestar!

Oakstar!

Oakfrost!

Echoshine's heart skipped a beat when she realized that the majority of the Clan were calling for Oakstar to step down from his leadership. She raised her voice, making sure it was heard. "Oakstar!" She couldn't let her leader step down.

The great leader sighed. "As you wish, Beetlewhisker shall become our new leader. But allow me to make a final announcement." He nodded to Jadestone.

The queen blinked blankly. Then a look of understanding came over her face. She scurried to the nursery, returning moments later with five exuberant bundles of fur.

Oakstar smiled at the kits. They had small patches of fur that stuck up all over the place, like they had been pulled backward through thorn bushes, except for Wrenkit, who had groomed herself with rapid, messy strokes of her tongue.

"Aspenkit, Molekit, Wrenkit, Brindlekit, and Thornkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed."

The kits quivered with anticipation.

"From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you shall be known as Aspenpaw, Molepaw, Wrenpaw, Brindlepaw, and Thornpaw." To Echoshine's amazement, he turned to her, Ashpool, and Rainysky. "Bouncelight, Skywind, and Hazelpelt, you have proven yourselves worthy of apprentices. You three have received brilliant training from your mentors, and you have shown yourselves to be brave and loyal warriors. Skywind, you shall be the mentor of Brindlepaw, Hazelpelt, you of Thornpaw, and Bouncelight, I trust you to guide Molepaw along the path of a warrior."

Echoshine stood tall to see over the crowd and watched as the three new apprentices scurried up to their mentors.

Hazelpelt stooped to gently touch noses with Thornpaw. Skywind and Bouncelight did the same with their apprentices.

"Aspenpaw and Wrenpaw, you are still without mentors." Oakstar turned his gaze to the last wide-eyed apprentices. "Frostwing, you shall be Aspenpaw's mentor. You are a skilled warrior, and I trust that Aspenpaw will learn much from your careful teaching. No cat can teach emotion regulation and patience like a former queen."

Oakstar traded a glance with Willowleaf. She nodded.

"Cats of ThunderClan, as you know, I have only one life to lose. I will not walk on ThunderClan territory forever. It is time I took on an apprentice. I have chosen a worthy cat to train alongside me, and learn to heal the Clan when ThunderClan is injured. The next medicine cat of ThunderClan shall be Wrenpaw." Willowleaf smiled at her new apprentice.

"Wrenpaw, do you except the position of medicine cat apprentice?" Oakstar asked.

"I do." Wrenkit grinned.

"Then at the next half-moon you shall travel with me to the Place of Starfire, where I shall announce your appointment before StarClan and the other Clan's medicine cats." Willowleaf raised her head to the sky, then dipped it down to touch noses with Wrenpaw.

"Molepaw! Thornpaw! Brindlepaw! Aspenpaw! Wrenpaw!" All of the warriors chanted.

After the cats settled down, Oakstar sat down. "Now, it is for the trust and safety of my Clan that I step down from my position as leader."

Echoshine felt a weight settle in her chest. She had forgotten.

"You may now call me by name of Oakfrost. Beetlewhisker, you will be a worthy leader of ThunderClan."