Dapplestar sat on top of the Streamrock, waiting for her Clan to gather. Her piercing eyes darted to the nursery, where Petalkit and Heronkit were bounding out, their wide eyes joyful. Icekit was being coaxed out by Leopardlight, and Dapplestar frowned. Even through the last four moons in RiverClan's camp, Icekit still walked around like a stranger. That will be rectified soon.
Dapplestar had two duties today. First, Leopardlight's kits had to be made apprentices. Second, Ryepaw and Amberpaw were due to become warriors. The Clan was getting stronger, and Icekit would surely be of some use to RiverClan, being pure ShadowClan. Dapplestar waited until the cats were gathered. She cleared her throat after examining her Clanmates.
"Clanmates," Dapplestar meowed when RiverClan was sitting at the foot of the rock. "We are close to unification. But to achieve that goal, we need new warriors. Amberpaw, Ryepaw, come here."
Amberpaw's bright golden fur fluffed up, and Ryepaw licked the dark brown stripes on his pale pelt. The two apprentices padded over to the branch, and Dapplestar leaped down to deliver the ceremony. "Your mentors tell me you have passed your assessments. Are you two ready to become warriors?"
Ryepaw nodded firmly, and Amberpaw's gold eyes sparkled. Dapplestar took that as the agreement.
"I, Dapplestar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Amberpaw, Ryepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Amberpaw meowed.
"I do." Ryepaw's voice was steady.
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I grant you your warrior names. Amberpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Amberfrost. StarClan honors your dedication and honesty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." Dapplestar rested her muzzle on top of Amberfrost's head, and the young tabby licked her shoulder in response.
Dapplestar turned to Ryepaw, who looked proud and strong, even without his sister. "Ryepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ryefern. StarClan honors your intelligence and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
Ryefern seemed to shake with excitement as Dapplestar touched her muzzle to Ryefern's head, and the tom licked her shoulder with respect. The two siblings turned to face their Clan, basking in the cheering of their fellow Clanmates. Fawnstep's blue eyes sparkled with pride for her apprentice, and Thistleflame touched his nose to Ryefern's.
"Well done," Thistleflame meowed, while Ryefern purred loudly.
"That is not all," Dapplestar meowed. "Petalkit, Heronkit, and Icekit have reached the age of six moons, and so it is the time in their life when they begin their training." Her gaze dragged towards the three kits. Petalkit began to bounce up and down on her paws, while Heronkit's sharp amber eyes glowed. Icekit showed no reaction, her blue eyes carved from stone as she gazed at Dapplestar.
When the three kits gathered forward, Leopardlight and Silverheart watching them with pride in their eyes, Dapplestar spoke. "Icekit, Petalkit, Heronkit, you three have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Icepaw, Petalpaw, and Heronpaw. I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find in your paws the strength and courage of a warrior."
Dapplestar focused her gaze on Petalpaw. Who would mold this gray-and-white she-cat into a good warrior? She was excitable and jovial, often jumping before thinking. There had been cats like that, before. Dapplestar waved her tail towards Shimmerwing. "Shimmerwing, you've done excellent work with Meadowdawn, Minnowflight, and Sunshine, and so I trust you to train Petalpaw the way you have done with those warriors."
Shimmerwing dipped her head in deep respect. "It would be an honor, Dapplestar."
Sharpfang suddenly leaped to his paws, looking furious. "Will any other cat get to become a mentor besides Shimmerwing?" he spat out, swinging his burning amber gaze across the clearing.
Dapplestar's tortoiseshell ears twitched in shock. Sharpfang was always calm and composed. She had never seen him lose his temper during a Clan meeting.
Shimmerwing glared at the dark gray tabby. "Sit down, Sharpfang," she hissed through clenched teeth.
"I'm just curious," Sharpfang sneered at Shimmerwing. "Maybe some other cats want a chance at mentoring young cats."
Heronpaw looked startled at Sharpfang's outburst. Moonshade glared at Sharpfang, his lip curling in disgust. Swiftcloud stared at her brother, frowning.
"Oho." Dapplestar chuckled. "Is that so? Do you think you can train a young apprentice to be a warrior of RiverClan's caliber, Sharpfang?"
"I know I can." Sharpfang's amber eyes blazed as he met Dapplestar's gaze.
"Then prove it to me. You shall mentor Heronpaw. When the time comes for their assessment, we will make it a competition, and see which one passes. Remember that apprentices' skills are based off what their mentors have taught them." Amusement made Dapplestar laugh once more. "Are you prepared to take that challenge, Sharpfang?"
Sharpfang looked unruffled by Dapplestar's challenge. "I am ready for what obstacles are thrown at me," the warrior growled. "This young cat will be the finest RiverClan warrior." He threw a glance at Heronpaw as the small cat padded towards Sharpfang, lifting his head to touch noses with his new mentor, his eyes wide with terror.
"Heh." Dapplestar chuckled. "We'll see." She turned to Icepaw, who looked alone and frightened without the company of her littermates. She had planned this from the start. "And you... young ShadowClan cat, will be my apprentice."
Icepaw stared at Dapplestar, her bright blue eyes wide. Whether it was from terror or shock, Dapplestar did not know. Instead, she met the apprentice's gaze with a fearless grin. You'll be a better warrior here than you ever would be in ShadowClan. Finally forcing a nod, Icepaw touched noses with Dapplestar.
Murmurs spread through RiverClan's camp. Ryefern and Amberfrost were warriors after moons of training, and three new kits were apprentices, with respected mentors. Sharpfang finally got the apprentice he was waiting for, and Dapplestar and Shimmerwing were mentoring Petalpaw and Icepaw. Dapplestar found herself clicking her tongue in irritation at Icepaw's fear. This will take time. And we'll start now.
"Come," Dapplestar ordered Icepaw. "Training begins now. Keep up!"
Icepaw nodded quickly and followed Dapplestar as Dapplestar crossed the stream across camp. Icepaw suddenly skidded to a halt, staring at the water, shifting her paws nervously. Dapplestar eyed her from where she shook the water from her thick pelt.
"What's wrong, Icepaw?" Dapplestar asked. "Afraid of water?"
"I…" Icepaw stared at her paws. "No."
"So what are you waiting for?" Dapplestar's gaze bore into Icepaw's fur, waiting for her to dare to defy her. "Cross."
Icepaw swallowed.
"Cross."
Icepaw put one of her snow-white paws in the water. She flinched as her paw dipped into the waves. Then she put her other paw in the water, wincing with every movement. Dapplestar watched her struggle as the white she-cat brought her back paws in the water. When her entire body was submerged, Icepaw flailed in the water.
"Move your paws, you fool," Dapplestar spat at her. "You'll stay there forever if you don't move forward!"
The former ShadowClan cat nodded quickly and began to propel forward, paddling rapidly. She blinked back water from her eyes until she finally dragged herself onto the shore. Pulling herself out of the warrior, she bent down, breathing rapidly, coughing up the water. Dapplestar let her regain her composure, and then flicked her tail. "Let's go."
Icepaw lifted her head and nodded wearily. Dapplestar turned on her heel and began to run, looking over her shoulder to make sure Icepaw was behind her the whole time. When the two she-cats finally reached a secluded glade, far away from the marshland, dappled with greenery, Dapplestar skidded to a halt. "Stop."
Icepaw paused in her tracks and sat on her haunches, breathing heavily. Dapplestar watched her, completely unimpressed. I'll have to train all this softness out of her. When Icepaw calmed down, Dapplestar spoke. "Icepaw."
The new apprentice looked up. "Yes, Dapplestar?" she asked.
"You know that you are from ShadowClan. Cats have told you that. Is that right?" Dapplestar stared at the white she-cat.
"Yes," Icepaw meowed. "Leopardlight told me that. My real parents…"
"…Are of no concern to you," Dapplestar snapped. Icepaw recoiled at the force of Dapplestar's voice. "You are a RiverClan apprentice now. Your primary concern is serving your Clan. Have you learned the warrior code, Icepaw?"
"Runningflame taught me some of it," Icepaw replied.
Dapplestar nodded slowly. "Warriors are responsible for everything that they have done and everything that they have said and all of the consequences that follow. They are immensely loyal to all of those in their care. To everyone that they are responsible for, they remain fiercely true. That is what you must learn."
Icepaw lowered her head. "Yes, Dapplestar."
Dapplestar let out a small sigh. "I cannot allow the land to continue to fight with each other. I have you as my apprentice because I see something special in you. I think you are the cat that can help me stop the wars. And to do that, you must learn to fight."
"Yes, Dapplestar," Icepaw meowed again.
"Let us go over a few basic moves. This is a simple one." Dapplestar raised her big paw and struck it down Icepaw's face, gently to not hurt the cat. Icepaw recoiled, and Dapplestar clicked her tongue in irritation. "Now, try it on me."
Icepaw looked Dapplestar up and down, and Dapplestar waited for the small she-cat to strike. When she did, Dapplestar stepped out of the way, leading the white she-cat to land on nothing but grass. Dapplestar waited for her to come again, watching as Icepaw stalked around her. Again, the she-cat lunged, but again Dapplestar avoided her. Irritation flooded Dapplestar's senses, and to coax Icepaw to try harder, the RiverClan leader found herself raking her claws down Icepaw's shoulder. Crimson bubbled out of the tear in the white she-cat's shoulder, and Icepaw skidded to a halt.
"Do not stop!" Dapplestar snapped at her. "Keep going until you get me!"
Icepaw nodded quickly in response and came at Dapplestar again. The white she-cat was panted as her front paw lashed down on Dapplestar's face. Dapplestar let the toes of the she-cat hit her face, and then nodded to her. I let you have that one. Icepaw looked over at her shoulder, wincing at the bleeding wound.
"You will bleed on the battlefield," Dapplestar growled.
Icepaw dipped her head.
"Let's go again." And, with that comment, the two cats trained for hours. Only when the sun began to set in the sky did Dapplestar realize how late it had gotten. Her apprentice was panting in front of her, her white fur ragged, the blood on her shoulder dry. Dapplestar pulled back and sat down.
"You did fine today," Dapplestar commented. "But the days here will get harder. You will be a strong warrior, one of the best in the Clan. You will have to work hard to get there." Leaving those words hanging in the air, Dapplestar turned on her heel and began to bound away. Icepaw followed her, her breathing heavy as the two cats cut through RiverClan territory and reached the stream that encircled camp. Dapplestar plunged in, swimming strongly to the camp, while Icepaw picked her way through the water.
When the mentor and apprentice entered camp, Petalpaw and Heronpaw were already back. Heronpaw gasped as he bounded over to Icepaw. "Did you get attacked by an enemy patrol?" he asked, his eyes wide with horror.
"Oh, just a little error in the training clearing," Dapplestar meowed to the apprentice. "It won't happen again, will it, Icepaw?"
Icepaw shook her head. "No, it won't. Dapplestar is right, I just got clumsy."
"Okay." Heronpaw's face was guarded. "If you say so. Be more careful, Icepaw!"
The white she-cat nodded once, and the gray-and-white apprentice, with the same fur as his sister, Petalpaw, turned away and headed over to the apprentices' den. Icepaw glanced over at Dapplestar. "May I go with him?"
"Yes," Dapplestar replied. "Be ready at dawn tomorrow. We have a lot of training to do if you are to assist me in unifying the Clans."
"Yes, Dapplestar." Icepaw lowered her head and followed Heronpaw back into the apprentices' den. Petalpaw was waiting for them, and when the two cats met up with her, Petalpaw purred, brushing her muzzle against her littermates' muzzles. Icepaw's blue eyes glowed with affection for her friend. Hm…
The next morning, Icepaw was waiting for Dapplestar, just as the tortoiseshell had said – at dawn. Dapplestar padded over to her and nodded. With a flick of her tail, Dapplestar took off, heading for the same glade she had trained with the she-cat the other day. But this time, Dapplestar had more things to say to her. When the mentor and apprentice approached the glade, Dapplestar sat down. Icepaw was going to be a lot of work. She had to lay out the ground rules.
"You must know of the tension going on in the Clans right now," Dapplestar meowed as she sat.
"Yes," Icepaw meowed. Dapplestar could hear her voice tremble.
"What are they?" Dapplestar quizzed her apprentice.
"Erm…" Icepaw tilted her head, deep in thought. "WindClan and ShadowClan threaten our borders."
"Ha!" Dapplestar threw her head and chuckled to the sky. "You're naïve, Icepaw."
Icepaw lowered her head.
"ShadowClan is still a threat," Dapplestar meowed. "They must be crushed with an iron paw. After all, they were the one who dropped you off here, Icepaw, like you were nothing more than a burden to them. Isn't that horrible of them? They are so cruel."
"Why did they drop me off?" Icepaw asked daringly.
Dapplestar narrowed her eyes, eyeing her apprentice. "Why, your parents decided to give you up to our Clan to end the war between us," she said. "On the outside it seems like a viable solution, does it not? But..." She paused. "It truly portrays just how cruel ShadowClan is, to give up their tiniest kit to RiverClan, and yet the wars still are not at an end... giving you up did not work. It is because you are here that the wars still continue."
"I'm... one of the causes of the war...?" Icepaw echoed, her blue eyes wide with horror.
"Yes," Dapplestar replied, her voice flat. "To end ShadowClan and to bring peace to the realm, you must train to be a warrior of my caliber. You must have no feelings."
"Feelings?" Icepaw asked. "Why would I not have any feelings?"
"Feeling makes you weak," Dapplestar growled. "They make you second guess what you must do for the sake of your Clan. They get in the way. To the children of darkness, the feelings of cats are nothing more than stones in our path. If you want to achieve your end goal, by all means, you must rid yourself of feelings before they stop you. Anger, hatred, love, sympathy, compassion, pain... all of it. Your only purpose is a warrior who needs to bring peace to the Clans, no matter the methods. There is no world for you beyond the shadows. It is far easier to live when your heart is dead."
As those words spilled out, Dapplestar finally realized that they weren't for Icepaw. They were for her. During her years as a leader, it had dawned on her that mercy, that sympathy, was not enough in the world of war. Having mercy on an enemy did not change them into an ally. Dapplestar had given mercy to ShadowClan too many times, letting them leave with their lives, and they ended up being a problem every single time. Dapplestar had sheltered WindClan when they needed it, and WindClan never repaid that debt. It was time to deal with her problems with an iron paw.
There was no more mercy.
Icepaw was quiet as she studied Dapplestar. I will not take no for an answer, Dapplestar thought as her apprentice stared at her. As Icepaw finally nodded, Dapplestar went on. "We will learn a few more battle moves today…"