Blizzardpaw was the first to run after the coyotes, face twisted in rage for his dead mentor. Not so long afterwards, Ravenheart's face shadowed with the same thirst for revenge.

Sealfin, however, was fueled by the desire to prove herself to her leader. Ravenheart, Ripplestar and Blizzardpaw fought the coyotes together.

Foolishly, instead of joining them, she slashed a coyote from behind, who turned to face her.

Sealfin shuddered, finding herself fighting a coyote alone. She darted under his paws, trying to unbalance him with the same technique she had used to win against Brindletooth, but the coyotes were wise to her tricks, so it danced away from her flashing claws. A giant dusky brown paw landed on her tail, and the coyote moved in for the kill. The feel of the coyote's jaws never came, and the weight of its paws lifted. Sealfin turned quickly; ready to move back into battle, but there was no need. Both the coyote and Ripplestar lay motionless on the ground. Blizzardpaw and Ravenheart, having finished off the other coyote, dashed to Ripplestar in worry. Ripplestar took a breath and climbed shakily to her paws, and Blizzardpaw and Sealfin sighed in relief, but Ravenheart was still worried. Sealfin brushed pelts with her friend.

"What's wrong?" she whispered. Ravenheart shook her head.

"This is her last life, and the Clan is not in any condition to lose their leader now." Ravenheart replied anxiously.

"It's my fault," Sealfin said in dismay. "That was a stupid move."

Ravenheart could find no words to comfort Sealfin.

The four cats stopped at a barren stretch of snow. Ripplestar glanced up at the sky, where the North Star was climbing. She clambered up a chunk of ice jutting above the powdery new snow.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Icepile for a Clan meeting!" she yowled.

Sealfin closed her eyes, trying to pretend that she was back at the camp, with the Clan and everybody she loved.

"Blizzardpaw, come up here."

Blizzardpaw obeyed, tail held high and proud.

"I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the warrior code and fought valiantly today. Blizzardpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?"

Blizzardpaw's grief was replaced with pride for a moment as he mewed loudly.

"I do!"

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Blizzardpaw, from this day forth, you will be known as Blizzardcloud."

Blizzardcloud's face hardened as he heard how few voices could chant his name.

Ripplestar continued to speak.

"According to the warrior code, the new deputy must be appointed before the North Star's high point. I say these words before StarClan, so that they may approve my choice."

Sealfin held her breath in anticipation.

"Sealfin will be the new deputy of IceClan." Sealfin lashed her tail.

"I have no experience! I can't be the deputy!"

"You are the oldest warrior here." Ripplestar said. Sealfin looked around. There was a medicine cat and a second old warrior. She dipped her head.

"I'll do my best." She said, pushing away the doubts that circled her head like blowing snowflakes.