Who Goes There? Lightwing Teaches Border Tactics.

After the borders were set, cats of neighboring Clans started to meet frequently across their borders when on patrol. Mentors began to teach the young Apprentices on how to handle such disputes. Here is Lightwing teaching a group of CloudClan Apprentices in Border Tactics.

CloudClan Territory

"Is everyone here, Jaypaw, Lionpaw, Hollypaw, Leopardpaw, and Runningpaw?" Lightwing asked.

"Yeah!" Runningpaw said. Lionpaw pushes Jaypaw into the brambles.

"Lionpaw stop pushing Jaypaw into the brambles. I'm not blind; I can see what you're doing. Jaypaw, go to the other side of the line," Lightwing said.

"What if he has fleas?" Runningpaw asked.

"He doesn't have fleas! Now stand still, all of you!" the CloudClan Deputy said.

"What are we going to do?" Leopardpaw asked.

"As Blackfoot has told you, we're going to practice border defense today. You will be the border patrol and I'll be the Deputy from LeafClan who's crossed the border."

"I don't want to do this!" Hollypaw said.

"Who wants to lead the patrol?" Lightwing asked. Runningpaw backs away some. "Don't look so terrified, Runningpaw. I won't make you leader of the patrol if you don't want to be."

"What can I do?" Leopardpaw asked as she jumps around excitedly.

"All right, Leopardpaw, why don't you have the first turn?" Lightwing points to a twig that is lying on the ground behind Leopardpaw. "If you would just pick up that twig in your mouth and use it to draw a line across the dirt, we will call that the border."

"But it's not straight!" Jaypaw said.

"Jaypaw, it doesn't matter if the line is shaky. Boundaries are not whisker-straight, are they? Therefore, now, you're on that side and I'm on this side. You are the Dawn Patrol. Off you go. Patrol!" The five Apprentices charge away and come along as if they are really doing the Dawn Patrol. Runningpaw yawns widely. "Did you really have to yawn like that, Runningpaw?"

"But it's the dawn patrol and I'm tired," Runningpaw said.

"Oh, I see. Well, let's pretend that you had a great night's sleep and have a lot of energy t spare. Now, what should you be doing?"

"Sniffing – tasting the air," Hollypaw said.

"For what?"

"For CloudClan border marks," Jaypaw answered.

"That's right and what else?"

"The border marks of either LeafClan or SunClan," Leopardpaw said.

"Correct. But only where the two borders meet. Besides the dirtroad and the river. It will be bad news to find any scents of LeafClan or SunClan, because it will mean they crossed over from their side. So keep sniffing," Lightwing said. Lionpaw sniffs so much that he gets dust in his nose. "Not that much, Lionpaw, have a good sneeze and you should get the dust out of your nose. So border marks, border marks." Lightwing deliberately steps over the line that Leopardpaw drew in the dirt. "But what's this? A cat from another Clan has ignored the marks and stepped over your border?"

"We're being invaded?" Runningpaw asked.

"No, Runningpaw, I didn't mean we were actually being invaded. The cat from the other Clan is me. See how I stepped over the line in the dirt? So what are you going to do about it?" Lightwing asked. The five Apprentices attack Lightwing with sheathed claws. "Wha—whoa! Stop shredding my ears!"

"But launching an attack is good, right?" asked Leopardpaw.

"Well, yes, Leopardpaw, launching and knocking me back across the border is one option. However, is it wise to take on a Warrior twice your size? Alternatively, should you take on a Warrior with more experience than you do? The purpose of a patrol is to assess the situation and report to Nightstar. Moreover, you can't do that if your fur is clawed to pieces at the farthest part of the territory. Any other ideas?"

"What are you doing in my territory?" Jaypaw hissed.

"That's a good question. I may have a valid reason for crossing the border, especially if I'm alone."

"What do you want?" Hollypaw asked.

"That's right. That question is a good way to start. However, don't be too hostile: remember you're in the stronger position; because this is your territory and you have the right to defend it. Unless I have a reasonable explanation for crossing your border, I don't have any rights at all. What do you think my reply might be?"

"You might need our help," Runningpaw said.

"Yes, that's a valid reason. My Clan might have been invaded; we might need your help. We might have serious trouble with prey, or we might have a sickness that needs your herbs. All of these reasons make me weak, therefore you can allow me into your territory, and however you must keep me in sight."

"What if you're hostile?" Leopardpaw asked.

"Then meet me with hostility – which isn't the same as aggression, Lionpaw. You've started with a good challenge – what do you want? – And now you need to give me some type of warning. Jaypaw, what would you say?"

"Get out or I'll claw your ears off!" Jaypaw yelled.

"If that's your course of action, then try not to look so terrified in the process. Runningpaw, would you like to try?"

"Get out; you're only one cat while I have a whole patrol!" Runningpaw said as she motions to the other four Apprentices, beside her with a flick of her tail.

"Good indication of your patrol, Runningpaw. It's always good to let the enemy Clancat know they're outnumbered," Lightwing said. Lionpaw picks up a fire ant in his jaws gently and shows it to Hollypaw. "Lionpaw put down the fire ant now!"

"I was only showing it to Hollypaw, because she's never seen them," Lionpaw said.

"I don't care that she doesn't know what they are. It I not the time to show her – and he doesn't need to be bitten by one either. You've challenged the trespasser warned me that you have an entire patrol here that can take me to Nightstar if that's what I want; now what?"

"Let the intruder speak…?" Leopardpaw asked.

"Correct. Let the intruder speak. If I can't convince you for the reason why I'm on your territory; if I don't ask to be taken to Nightstar at once, then chase him or her off with no more questions. Don't provoke a full-scale battle – chasing is chasing, not catching, and clawing," Lightwing confirmed. Jaypaw jumps around.

"Oh! Oh! I know!" Jaypaw said happily.

"Yes, Jaypaw?"

"We just need to show that we are willing to defend our borders against any kind of invasion, even a single paw over the border," Jaypaw said.

"That's right! A true Warrior is always ready to fight, however only when it is truly needed. A good Warrior will seek a peaceful solution with sheathed claws first."

"But what if it doesn't work?" Hollypaw asked.

"Don't be doubtful. You'll have to find some courage to be as good as your Denmates. Your hunting skills are perfect – Lionpaw, you'd do well to teach your littermates. Who knows? You might even lead this Clan someday! Now back to the camp with you and leave this old cat to enjoy the sun," Lightwing said. The five Apprentices run back to the CloudClan camp. Lightwing lies in a sunny patch of dirt.