Code Seven

A cat cannot become Deputy without having Mentored at least two Apprentices.

When a new Deputy was chosen, they didn't have the chance to learn how to give orders to other cats. In the past, they were chosen by sheer ability. This Code is from CloudClan.

Second in Command

"HeavenClan, hear me as I make my choice. Featherstorm will be the new Deputy of CloudClan," Hollystar said. Hollystar stretches her head out and rests her chin lightly on the top of Featherstorm's head. The Clan calls Featherstorm's name.

"Good luck, Featherstorm," Poolcloud said.

"Thanks," Featherstorm said. Behind Poolcloud, Featherstorm can see her Apprentice, Glowpaw, glaring at her, his pale ginger face screwed up in indignation. Do all Apprentices award their Mentors with such fierce loyalty? I haven't had an Apprentice of my own, so I don't really know what it would be like to train a young Warrior and watch him or her develop from a playful Kit to a strong skillful cat. Poolcloud returns to Glowpaw.

"That should have been you!" Glowpaw hissed.

"Maybe one day," Poolcloud replied gently.

"Featherstorm, you need to sort out the hunting and border patrols for the day," Hollystar said.

"Oh, right, of course. Moonflower, Weedwhisker, and Sagewhisker, you can go on a hunting patrol."

"We went on a hunting patrol this morning. We should have a Training Session with our Apprentices next," Moonflower said gently.

I feel like these young Apprentices are looking at me with undeniable scorn and pity… Featherstorm thought. "Oh, yes, of course, training. Well, maybe you can take the evening hunting patrol."

"Sure! We're always in the mood for hunting after an afternoon of training!" Acornpaw said scornfully.

Why didn't I think about that? Why am I being such an idiot? Featherstorm thought. "Right, okay, Poolcloud, you, and Glowpaw can do the hunting patrol instead."

"You want us to go by ourselves?" Poolcloud asked.

"Er…no. I'll go with you," Featherstorm said. Why did Hollystar have to make me her Deputy when I'm completely useless?

Afternoon

Hollystar's Den

"You'll do fine, Featherstorm. Prey is prey is running well this summer. You'll catch plenty with Poolcloud and Glowpaw," Hollystar said. Featherstorm leaves the den and heads to the camp entrance where Poolcloud and Glowpaw are waiting for her. The three of them leave the camp, instantly catch the scent of prey, and immediately start stalking it.

CloudClan Territory

As Featherstorm is running, she detects another scent in the air and stops near the shared border with SunClan. SunClan cats are too noisy to catch CloudClan prey so why would even try? Featherstorm thought. Featherstorm walks along the border, as the scent grows stronger. She sees three SunClan cats walking along the shared border. "Do you want something?" she asked the SunClan Warrior.

"Just doing a patrol," Foxheart said. Featherstorm looks at the youngest cat which is an Apprentice, who has light gray fur stuck to her nose.

Only one type of prey has that kind of fur! Featherstorm thought. "Have you been stealing squirrels?" Reedpaw's eyes stretch wide in guilty horror.

"As if, we'd waste our energy chasing your puny prey," Reedfeather said in a snooty voice. Featherstorm can barely taste the scent of freshly killed squirrel clinging to SunClan cats, but before she can do anything Poolcloud and Glowpaw hurtle up from further along the border.

"We found a few dead squirrels!" Glowpaw panted.

"They had SunClan scent on them!" Poolcloud finished. Featherstorm flattens her ears.

"So you did steal our prey!" Featherstorm accused.

"They were already dead. We know better than to waste good prey unlike your Clan!" Foxheart said.

"They did look old and they smelt funny. They could have been dead for days. Yuck, you just ate crow-food!" Glowpaw said in a disgusted voice.

"That's not the point!" Featherstorm said. What kind of Deputy lets the first patrol that she meets get away with trespassing and theft? "These cats have stolen our prey. They must be taught a lesson that they will never forget! CLOUDCLAN ATTACK!" Featherstorm springs at Foxheart, claws unsheathed. To her surprise, Foxheart does not try to jump out of the way or fight back. Featherstorm thuds to the ground and looks over her left shoulder. Poolcloud and Glowpaw are standing close together watching her.

"ATTACK!" Featherstorm yowled again.

"Don't be such a featherbrain. I'm not putting my Apprentice in danger for the sake of crow-food. If they want to eat rotten prey that will give them a bellyache that's up to them," Poolcloud said.

"But they trespassed!" Featherstorm protested.

"Actually, we didn't, the squirrels were on our side of the border," Reedfeather said. Featherstorm glances at Poolcloud with a questioning look. Poolcloud nods her head quietly.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Featherstorm asked.

"We were going to but you didn't give us a chance," Poolcloud said.

"And now I think you'll find that you're trespassing on our territory," Foxheart said pointedly. Featherstorm walks stiffly back across the border.

"Poolcloud, Glowpaw, we're going back to camp. Hollystar needs to be told that squirrels have died on SunClan's territory," Featherstorm said in an agitated voice. Poolcloud looks faintly surprised but to Featherstorm's relief she doesn't argue.

"This means it belonged to us anyway! You should pick your battles more wisely!" Reedfeather said snidely.

I don't know enough to be Deputy. I'm going to tell Hollystar that I can't do this. Featherstorm thought.

CloudClan Camp

Hollystar's Den

"You've made a mistake. You'll have to choose another cat to be Deputy," Featherstorm said. Hollystar looks at Featherstorm her amber eyes glowing in the half-light.

"When you became an Apprentice, did you already know all of the fighting moves and how to hunt prey?" Hollystar asked.

"Of course not."

"And when you became a Warrior, did you know how to lead patrols, how to find the best places to hunt, and where our rivals were most likely to cross our borders."

"No…"

"Then why do you expect to know everything about being Deputy on your first day? Every cat knows that you have things to learn, but once you have, you'll be as good as Hawkheart."

"I'll never be as good as Hawkheart."

"Think back to when you were an Apprentice. Remember what it was like to learn new things every day, knowing they would all lead to making you a Warrior of CloudClan."

"But that was different. I did not have the responsibility of the whole Clan in my paws then."

"And you still don't. I'm still the Leader. Why do you feel that you're unworthy of giving orders to your Clanmates, Featherstorm?"

"Because I really don't know how to! Look what happened today: Poolcloud would have never given the order to attack. She would have found out all the needed information then made sure that her Apprentice wasn't in danger if a fight did start. She would make a better Deputy than me!"

"But I chose you." Hollystar falls silent for a while. Featherstorm tries not to shuffle too much. Hollystar then lifts her head and looks directly at Featherstorm. "I'm sorry. I should have given you at least two Apprentices first. You would have gotten use to giving orders and you would understand why Mentors are so protective about sending young cats into battle," Hollystar finished sadly.

"It's not too late. You can give me an Apprentice now and I can learn. Dawnstripe's Kits are nearly six moons old. Let me have Sunnykit," Featherstorm said quickly. Hollystar holds Featherstorm's gaze.

"If I do that, will you stay on as my Deputy?" Featherstorm nods her head.

"I'll be the best Deputy that I can be. Hawkheart trained me to do that."

"And you will be as good a Mentor to your Apprentice as he was to you. I think I'll suggest an addition to the Messenger Code at the next Gathering: that a Warrior cannot be made Deputy without having trained at least two Apprentices." Featherstorm winces visibly. "Not that I regret choosing you, Featherstorm, but because you're right. Training an Apprentice teaches a cat how to give the needed orders, how to protect the less-experienced fighters, and establishes bonds of loyalty that can survive even the worst battles. Now go and sort out the dawn patrol for tomorrow. Then you might like to visit the Nursery to see how your future Apprentice is coming along."

This is Code Seven