Chapter Twenty-Two
Briarpaw blinked hard, straining to keep her heavy eyelids open. It would be disrespectful to fall asleep at Thistlevine's vigil, but it was hard to stay awake after getting hardly any sleep the night before. The nap she had taken earlier just wasn't cutting it.
But I want to stay, just a little longer. She owed that much to the dark-furred deputy. He didn't deserve to die so soon.
Neither did Breezecloud.
She exhaled softly. No one does. Shivering, she pressed herself harder into the thick pelt of her father, who crouched beside her.
Glancing around the clearing, she saw that a few cats had headed to their nests for the night, but most had stayed at the vigil. A few cats, like her, seemed to just barely be resisting the urge to doze off, especially the ones who had been on patrol earlier. Swiftwing had left to go watch over his kits in the nursery, giving Flickerflame some time to grieve her Clanmate. She crouched over his body now, gently reaching out to stick her muzzle into his cold pelt. On the other side of the deputy, Tawnystar was lying on the ground, his head on his paws, watching Thistlevine's body with clouded eyes. She felt a pang of pity for him. Unlike the others, he seemed to have no trouble staying awake. Briarpaw suspected that he wouldn't be able to sleep, even for a while after the vigil.
A flicker of movement caught Briarpaw's eye, and she raised her head to see Mossfoot's lithe figure padding towards Tawnystar. The leader didn't even seem to realize she was there, so, gently, she reached down and touched her muzzle to his shoulder. As he looked up, she whispered gently, "Tawnystar, it's nearly moonhigh. It's time to pick the new deputy."
The leader blinked at her, a surprised look in his eyes. For a minute, Briarpaw held her breath, worried that Tawnystar had been so lost in his grief that he hadn't yet decided who he would make deputy, but the leader's expression cleared, and he merely glanced up at Silverpelt before getting to his paws and making his way to the Tallrock.
Calling his summons to the Clan, the cats turned towards him, shaking out their pelts and blinking sleepily. Cats who had been in their nests climbed out, stretching. Although the cats moved in a tired way, their eyes were sharpening with interest. Briarpaw found herself glancing around the clearing, wondering who Tawnystar might make deputy. Snowhawk and Squirrelleap would have the most experience, but they would lack the energy and vigor of the younger cats. They would likely only be deputy for a little while before retiring to the elder's den. Palefire was wise and patient, and her peaceful nature would help the Clan avoid unnecessary battles, but it might not satisfy some of her more eager Clanmates. Flowerfoot would be a strong, determined choice, albeit being slightly bossy at times.
She let her gaze fall to the younger cats. Perhaps their leader would take that route instead. Stagleap was loyal and brave, and Dewpetal was thoughtful and level-headed. Her eyes drifted thoughtfully to Doespring. She was brave, tough, and strong-willed. Although her apprentice hadn't yet finished his training, she had proved herself to be a good choice of mentor. She was quite different from Thistlevine, but maybe the Clan would be better off with something new.
She would be a smart choice.
But so would many of the other cats. Looking over her Clanmates, she felt glad that she wasn't in Tawnystar's paws. This would be a tough decision to make.
"Cats of WindClan," he began, "It is time for me to name a new deputy. It pains me to do it so soon, still in the shadow of this fresh loss. Yet StarClan has decreed that every deputy must be named before moonhigh, and if we hope for strong leadership, we must respect the code that has been laid out for us. But even in the short time since Thistlevine's passing, I have been thinking about who would be worthy to succeed him. I hope my choice is one that he will agree with." Pausing to take a deep breath, he continued, "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of WindClan will be Mintfur."
His words were met with approving growls as the Clan chanted, "Mintfur! Mintfur!" Briarpaw felt a purr building in her chest. The middle-aged tom had the determination of a new warrior and the wisdom of a senior one. He was a solid choice, not to mention a popular one.
The tom dipped his head. "I am honored to be chosen, Tawnystar, and I gratefully accept the role you have granted to me."
Cats bounded up to him, offering their congratulations and nudging him supportively. Briarpaw hurried over to Smolderpaw, who stood a few tail-lengths behind the new deputy.
"Wow, Smolderpaw!" she purred. "Isn't it great, having your father as deputy? I bet you feel so proud!"
"Yeah…" Smolderpaw's reply was distant, and he didn't meet her gaze, just continued to stare at his father, a shocked look in his eyes.
She nudged him. "You are happy for him, aren't you?"
Her touch seemed to snap him out of his trance. "What? Oh, yes, of course I am. It's just a little weird, seeing my father being Clan deputy, you know? I didn't really expect it." Looking down at his paws, he muttered, "I suppose things are going to be a little different now."
"Of course they are! Mintfur's going to be organizing patrols all the time, helping out Tawnystar, watching over the Clan… he's going to be a great deputy, I can feel it!"
He shot her an amused glance. "Don't get too excited, now."
She forced her fur to lie flat and lowered her voice. "Sorry! It's just exciting. I… I was never as close to Mintfur as I was to Breezecloud, but he still feels like kin to me."
"Of course." He nuzzled her shoulder before turning away. "I'm going to try and get some rest. See you in the morning."
She nodded to him, watching his dark figure slowly pad away into the darkness. Tiredness dragged at her pelt, and she figured she would probably join him soon.
But first, I want to go congratulate Mintfur! Jerking her gaze away from Smolderpaw, she hurried over to the new WindClan deputy.
…
Briarpaw climbed out of her nest, stretching, and looked around the clearing. It was unusual to see the camp so empty at this time of day, but not surprising, as the Clan had been working harder than ever lately. The loss of Thistlevine was still fresh in their hearts, but the Clan was forced to move on regrettably quickly, as they currently had more pressing matters to worry about.
She let her gaze drift to the fresh-kill pile, where Crowtalon was picking through it with a forepaw. Only a few small mice and a rather stale-looking robin were in it. The elder flicked his tail crossly, muttering under his breath. Fogstripe padded up to him, draping her tail over his shoulders. "Be patient, Crowtalon. It's still early, the hunting patrols haven't returned yet."
"They better hurry up," he huffed, snatching up a mouse and hurrying over to his den to eat it. Fogstripe sighed, shaking her head before sniffing the pile and hesitantly grabbing another mouse. Turning, she walked over to join her denmate.
Before Crowtalon even had a chance to bite into his mouse, pawsteps sounded behind her, and she turned to see a hunting patrol padding into camp, their jaws laden with prey. Palefire, Creekwater, and Ripplepaw each dropped a couple small mice bodies into the fresh-kill pile. A few tail lengths behind them, Ebonypaw was half-carrying, half-dragging a rabbit towards them.
"Careful," Palefire warned, nosing her apprentice. "You don't want to spoil the rabbit by getting it all dusty."
Ebonypaw lifted his chin, raising the rabbit's hind legs up off the ground.
A scrabble of pawsteps announced Tawnystar emerging from his den. As he came over to the patrol, he meowed, "You brought back quite the catch today."
Palefire nodded. "That rabbit almost got away from us, but Ebonypaw was quick on his paws and was able to catch it before it escaped."
"And Ripplepaw discovered a whole nest of mice," Creekwater added, gesturing to the small heap of young mice they had collected. "We might've stayed out for longer, but we weren't sure if we would be able to carry any more."
Tawnystar nodded to the two apprentices. "You did well today. Check that the elders and Flickerflame have all been fed, then go ahead and take something for yourself. An expression that Briarpaw couldn't read clouded his eyes as he watched the two apprentices bound away.
Blinking, he turned his head sharply towards the camp entrance as another patrol padded through it. Mintfur was in the lead, Amberpaw beside him, with Dropsplash and Slatefrost close behind.
Hurrying towards them, he asked. "How did it go? Did you see anything?"
"Shortly after the sun had risen, the twolegs came out with their dogs and opened the gate where the sheep had been staying overnight," Mintfur reported. "The dogs herded the sheep out into the field, where they grazed. The twolegs left, and the dogs stayed there for a while, keeping an eye on the herd. They didn't seem too concerned- we did what you said and hid well, but I don't think they were paying very close attention anyway. They never strayed far from the herd. I don't think they're meant to be guard dogs… more to just keep the sheep in line. But that doesn't mean they won't pose a danger to us- even if they don't attack, they'll probably alert the twolegs if they see us."
Tawnystar nodded thoughtfully. "So it seems they will stay peaceful as long as we don't get near them. Then we will continue to avoid that stretch of our territory for the time being."
Briarpaw caught some of the warriors who had stopped to listen to the conversation exchanging glances. She guessed that they didn't all agree with Tawnystar's decision. Without being able to hunt in that part of their territory, their fresh-kill pile would suffer. So far, no cat had gone without prey, but the hunting patrols were having to work harder than ever to keep it that way. Already, she could see that the fresh-kill pile, seeming so abundant a moment ago, was almost empty again, after the warriors had taken their share. Although the mice had been abundant, they were small, and they wouldn't satisfy the warriors for long. There was still another hunting patrol that had yet to return, and more would be sent out later, but Briarpaw wondered how long they could handle the frequent patrols before the whole Clan grew exhausted.
Yet she agreed with Tawnystar's decision. The twolegs were dangerous. They had killed Thistlevine. Saving any other of their Clanmates from the same fate seemed more than worth having less prey for a little while, in her opinion. She wondered why the rest of the Clan couldn't see that.
Because they weren't there, she realized. Tawnystar told them what happened, but they didn't actually experience it. They don't know what it's like- what the twolegs are capable of, because they didn't see it in front of their own eyes like Tawnystar or I did.
She felt a shudder pass through her pelt. I hope they never have to.
Mintfur glanced behind Tawnystar, towards the fresh-kill pile. "I suppose I should organize another patrol?"
"Most of the Clan has already eaten, although it couldn't hurt. They'll get hungry again later, after all."
"I'll let everyone finish their meals first," he said, nodding to the eating warriors. "Amberpaw," he added, "See what's left."
The golden brown apprentice hurried over to the fresh kill pile. Doespring was standing nearby, and Amberpaw called out to her older sister. They briefly exchanged words that Briarpaw couldn't hear, then Amberpaw dipped her head in thanks and turned back to the fresh-kill pile. Nosing her muzzle into the shallow scoop in the ground, she emerged with two of the young mice in her jaws. Hurrying back over, she dropped them at her mentor's paws.
"Should I take these to Flickerflame?"
Mintfur frowned. "Hasn't she eaten already?"
"Doespring said she has, but these mice are pretty small, so she's probably still hungry."
Mintfur shook his head. "That's alright, we'll catch her something nice and tasty- and hopefully more filling- later. You can have those. You need to keep your strength up if you want to go out again."
Tawnystar blinked at him as Amberpaw padded away. "You're sending her out again? She just got back."
Mintfur shook his head. "Stubborn, that one. She was determined to help. The Clan's lucky to have such a devoted cat."
"What about apprentice training?"
Mintfur hesitated, seeming uncertain. "Well… honestly, Tawnystar, I'm not sure there's a whole lot left to teach her. She's getting pretty advanced… I often find myself struggling to defeat her. She has the makings of a true warrior."
Nearby, Briarpaw caught Amberpaw's ears perk up.
"Although, I think it's best if we hold off all apprentice training for a couple days," Mintfur added. "Our main focus right now is getting enough prey for the Clan, and we can't afford to not send any of our apprentices or mentors hunting."
"They need to keep their skills sharp, though."
"I know. But just for a little while. Perhaps I can send the apprentices out alone to practice together. They don't need all of their mentors to be there."
Amberpaw had gotten to her paws and was slowly edging towards them. "WindClan will need more warriors to keep it strong." Her voice was tentative, but hopeful.
Tawnystar was watching her thoughtfully. "I suppose we do." After a moment of silence, he shook his head, his eyes clearing again. "Now, if you've finished eating, you can go hunting with Flowerfoot, Lionpaw, and Finchwing. I want Mintfur to stay here to organize some more patrols."
Amberpaw didn't answer, just looked down at her paws. Mintfur glanced at Tawnystar, but the leader's gaze gave nothing away. Nudging his apprentice, he meowed, "Why don't you try going near the ThunderClan border? While you're there, you can check to make sure they're not stirring up any trouble. I would check it out myself, but me and Tawnystar need to talk about a few things. Can you do that for me?"
She nodded. "Sure, Mintfur."
Mintfur called Flowerfoot, Finchwing and Lionpaw over for the patrol, and as the four headed towards the camp entrance, Tawnystar called after them, "Be back before sunhigh!" Gesturing to Mintfur, the two toms padded away towards the base of the Tallrock. Briarpaw blinked at them, baffled. What had she missed? What was going on?
But before she could think about it any longer, she heard a squeal from the nursery. Whipping her head around, she heard excited squeaks coming from inside.
"I'm gonna look first!"
"No, I am!"
A tan tomkit with a white tail-tip and white paws stumbled out of the nursery, gaping in awe. A red she-kit with ears the darkest red that Briarpaw had ever seen bowled after him, bumping against him with a thud.
"It's huge!" the tomkit gasped. He gazed around the camp, his eyes traveling over the lean, muscled pelts of the warriors, some of which had stopped to watch fondly.
Flickerflame pushed her way out of the nursery behind them. Looking up, Swiftwing spotted the kits and hurried over to them, purring.
"Wow!" The she-kit gasped. "There are so many cats! Who are they?"
"These are your Clanmates," Swiftwing said. "They will catch prey for you and protect you, and then they'll train you until you're old enough to do the same for future generations."
"Are they gonna teach us fierce battle moves?" the tomkit asked, dropping into a crouch. "I bet I'll be so good at that!"
"Yes, and how to hunt too, as soon as you become an apprentice."
"When do I get to be an apprentice?"
"Not until you're six moons old," Flickerflame told him.
"What? But that's ages away! I want to be an apprentice now!"
"I'm gonna practice every day!" The she-kit squeaked. "I'll be the bestest apprentice ever!"
"Nuh-uh! I will! I'm gonna be the fiercest, most strongest cat ever!"
The she-kit let out a squeal, and pounced on her littermate. The two scuffled, rolling over in the grass. As Briarpaw padded closer, the she-kit broke free, and bumped up against her leg. Scrambling to her paws, she looked up at Briarpaw with wide amber eyes.
"Applekit!" Flickerflame called. "Be more careful!"
"S… sorry…" the little kit stammered.
"It's alright," she purred.
"Are you… a warrior?"
"No, not yet. But I'm in training to be one. My name's Briarpaw."
"I'm Applekit," she breathed.
"I know."
"You do?"
"Yes, your father told me all about you. The whole Clan has been looking forward to meeting you."
"Hey, Snookkit!" Applekit called to her brother. "This is Briarpaw- she's a real live apprentice!"
Snookkit bumbled over. "Wow! Do you have warrior training every day?"
"Usually, and I patrol the borders and go hunting as well."
"That's amazing!" Applekit sighed. "I can't wait until I get to be an apprentice."
"What sort of stuff do you learn?" Snookkit asked eagerly.
"All kinds of battle moves, and hunting techniques. A warrior needs to be prepared for any situation."
"Can you teach us one?" Snookkit begged. "Please?"
Briarpaw opened her mouth, but before she could respond, Mintfur called out to her.
"Briarpaw! Could you go on a hunting patrol with Spotfur and Featherwhisper?"
"Sure," she replied, and, turning back to the kits, she added, "Sorry, but I have to go now. Maybe another time." As she padded away, she heard Applekit squeal, "Look Snookkit! She's going on a hunting patrol! With warriors!"
Snookkit sighed. "She's so lucky."
Briarpaw felt a purr building in her chest. Kits were just what the Clan needed in a time like this, to bring them together and raise their spirits.
Please, StarClan, let us catch enough prey to feed them.
…
The sun was high overhead as Briarpaw dropped the limp body of a starling onto the fresh-kill pile. Spotfur and Featherwhisper each dropped a mouse. The hunting had been fair, but their lack of territory was starting to show.
She forced the negative thoughts away. There's still a hunting patrol yet to return.
The thought had barely entered her head when she saw Tawnystar's ears prick from where he was sitting near his den. She followed his gaze to the entrance of camp, where Amberpaw was returning with the rest of her patrol. She felt some of the tension in her muscles release as she saw that the other patrol had been more lucky than them. Flowerfoot was carrying a young rabbit, and Amberpaw held a plump lark. Lionpaw and Finchwing each had a mouse.
Despite her rather impressive catch, Amberpaw merely flicked her ears at the other cats before dropping her catch onto the fresh-kill pile and padding back towards the apprentice's patch.
She must be tired after doing two patrols in a row.
Before her friend had the chance to reach her nest, however, Tawnystar leaped up onto the Tallrock, calling his summons to the Clan. Amberpaw paused, turning back to face her leader, an unreadable expression in her eyes. As she reached the gathered cats, she took a place at the edge of the crowd. Amberpaw jumped slightly as she realized Tawnystar's gaze was lingering on her. As Briarpaw watched, she saw his gaze drift over to Ripplepaw and Ebonypaw as they casually padded towards the assembled cats, chatting brightly to each other.
"Cats of WindClan," he began at last. "As you know, a lot has been going on recently- first the foxes, then the sheep, dogs, and twolegs… and with it, the loss of two of our beloved Clanmates. But even in hard times, the Clans must endure, and I admit that I have allowed myself to neglect one of the most important traditions that a Clan leader must carry out."
Murmurs broke out in the crowd, and the cats exchanged questioning glances.
"Amberpaw."
The cats silenced as their leader spoke, and Amberpaw's eyes widened, her pelt prickling slightly. Slowly, the cats stepped back, clearing a path between her and their leader. Swallowing, the golden-brown she-cat padded forward tentatively.
"Amberpaw, you have proven yourself to WindClan many times over again. You performed wonderfully in your assessment, you fought bravely in the battle with foxes, and you have shown strong determination to provide for your Clan in these times of hardship. This is something I should have done long ago, and for that, I apologize."
Amberpaw's gaze shifted from nervous to surprised as he went on.
Casting his gaze up to the sky, Tawnystar continued, his voice ringing out throughout the clearing. "I, Tawnystar, leader of WindClan, 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." Lowering his gaze to stare into Amberpaw's bright eyes, he added, "Amberpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Amberpaw's voice was soft, but clear and resolute. "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Amberpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Amberheart. StarClan honors your kindness and dedication, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan."
Bounding down the Tallrock, Tawnystar rested his muzzle on Amberheart's head, and she licked his shoulder in return. As the two cats parted, the Clan burst into cheers.
"Amberheart! Amberheart!"
Cats around her butted her playfully, meowing their congratulations. But before Briarpaw could make her way over to her friend, Tawnystar spoke once more.
"Wait- I'm not done. There is something else I must do as well." As the Clan's murmurings faded into silence, he gestured Ebonypaw and Ripplepaw forward with a flick of his tail. The brothers exchanged a glance before stepping forward.
"As long as the twolegs are in our territory, our hunting grounds will be smaller. If we are to feed the Clan, we need to have as many warriors as we can get. Amberheart is not the only one who will be getting her new name today."
Ebonypaw's eyes widened. "But Tawnystar! We haven't had an assessment yet!"
"As leader, I have the ability to make apprentices into warriors without an assessment, if I feel they have proven themselves otherwise. And you two certainly have. Every patrol, you work hard and come back with good prey for the Clan. You've been working really hard lately- don't think I haven't noticed. Now, more than ever, the Clan needs more warriors, and I think you are ready."
The two toms exchanged excited glances as Tawnystar repeated the words of the ceremony. After they made their vows, Tawnystar turned to face the black apprentice.
"Ebonypaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Ebonyflight. StarClan honors your spirit and resourcefulness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan."
Tawnystar rested his muzzle on the new warrior's head, and he reached forward to lick his shoulder. Then, the leader turned to the other tom.
"Ripplepaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Ripplepool. StarClan honors your thoughtfulness and resilience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan."
Tawnystar repeated the same gesture with Ripplepool that he had done with Amberheart and Ebonyflight, and the Clan called out the names of the new warriors. "Ebonyflight! Ripplepool!"
The Clan crowded around the new warriors, and after they had made their way out, Briarpaw hurried over to them, and she saw the other apprentices doing the same.
"Congratulations!" Briarpaw purred, nudging Amberheart. "I can't believe you're warriors now!"
"Me neither!" Amberheart replied, her eyes sparkling.
As Lionpaw, Daisypaw, and Duskpaw greeted them with gentle nudges and encouraging licks, Briarpaw noticed that Smolderpaw was holding back slightly. She hesitated, cocking her head at him. "Smolderpaw? What's wrong?"
As the others turned to look at him, he shrugged, looking a little embarrassed. When no one said anything, finally, he admitted, "Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for you guys, but aren't any of you worried that things will be… different, now that you're warriors?"
Duskpaw shrugged. "I guess, but it won't be long before we're warriors too." His eyes lighting up, he glanced at Daisypaw. "Hey- do you think Doespring's getting ready to plan my assessment? Should we go ask her?"
Amberheart swatted him playfully. "We've only just become warriors. And Lionpaw's next, not you."
Duskpaw puffed up his chest. "Well, just you wait. I bet I'll be a warrior in no time."
Daisypaw nodded. "He always trains really hard! Soon, Tawnystar will have to make him a warrior."
"You too," Briarpaw meowed in amusement, nuding the small she-cat. "You're his littermate. You'll get your warrior name at the same time."
Daisypaw hesitated a moment, before nodding quickly. "Of course."
As the black tom darted away, his sister in tow, she turned to face Smolderpaw again. He didn't seem quite satisfied with Duskpaw's answer.
"Smolderpaw," she asked gently, "What's wrong?" She hoped that with Duskpaw gone, he would open up a little more.
The dark tom shuffled his paws. "It worries me, Briarpaw. Even after we all become warriors, things will still be different. Things are going to never be the same again." In a quiet voice, he whimpered, "I don't want things to change."
Briarpaw hesitated a moment, musing over her answer. "Change is hard," she said slowly, "but it's part of life." Turning to face the whole group, she added, "Our friendship is too strong to be broken by this. In the future, we will endure much harder challenges than just becoming warriors, but as long as we stick together, we can handle anything that is thrown at us."
Amberheart nodded, rubbing her cheek comfortingly against Smolderpaw. "Briarpaw's right. Things will change, but we will always be here. We will always be your friends."
Ripplepool's eyes were soft with compassion. "You're worrying too much, Smolderpaw. Just relax a little bit, allow life to take its course."
"Come on guys," Amberheart called to Ripplepool and Ebonyflight. "We need to set up new nests by the warriors."
The two toms padded after her, Ebonyflight giving Smolderpaw a reassuring lick over the ear as he passed him.
"I'm starving," Lionpaw growled after they had gone. "I want to try that tasty lark Amberheart caught on patrol, but there's no way I can finish it on my own- it's huge! You guys want to share it with me?"
"Sure," Briarpaw replied, and the three of them padded over to the fresh-kill pile together. As they settled down to share the large bird, Briarpaw glanced over at Amberheart, Ebonyflight, and Ripplepool, arranging new nests of moss and heather by the warriors, and she had to admit that it felt a little weird to not have them by her side.
But this doesn't change our friendship. We're too strong to allow a little distance to hurt us.
She thought back on the words she had spoken to the others. We will endure much harder challenges than this.
She felt herself shiver slightly, wondering how true that statement would turn out to be.
It doesn't matter, she reminded herself. As long as I have my friends by my side, everything will turn out fine.