Code Fourteen
Not every part of the Messenger Code is born out of wisdom and it may seem like this one came from a dangerous lapse of judgment from all six Clan Leaders.
Leaders take advice from their Medicine Cats and senior Warriors – one cat alone rarely decides anything. Even the best Warriors are afraid to challenge their Leaders.
This Code comes from the SunClan Leader Brindlestar.
Brindlestar's Law
Gathering Island
Stonescar holds his breathe as Brindlestar heaves herself onto SkyRocks. Brindlestar is nearing the end of her ninth life and she looks so frail… Stonescar thought. Brindlestar uses her hindlegs to give herself a boost. Stonestar, the SkyClan Leader, pads over and helps Brindlestar by sinking his teeth into her scruff and hauling the last few pawsteps. Brindlestar is too breathless to thank him and lies on her side panting while the sixth Leader, Blackstar, jumps up.
Brindlestar has been a strong and well-respected Warrior for all of her lives. I have been her Deputy for many moons and dread the day I will have to watch her slip away from our Clan forever. Stonescar thought. Stonescar is standing with the other Deputies at the base of the Highstones and is facing the cats that attended the Gathering.
The WaterfallClan Leader, Blackstar, begins with his report. "There are Humans staying in the fields on the far side of our territory; they come every summer and don't seem to know that we are there, but lately they have come with their dogs, which come very close to the camp. My Warriors have chased them off with their tails between their legs," Blackstar said. Owlstar, the LightClan Leader, pads forward to give her report.
"Prey is running well. We have two new litters of Kits and three new Warriors." Stonestar takes Owlstar's place.
"We have a new litter of Kits and two new Warriors." Dapplestar, the LeafClan Leader, takes Stonestar's place.
"An old wolf's been causing trouble at the edge of our territory because it does not seem to be afraid of anything." Neverstar, the CloudClan Leader, pads forward with his head and tail held high.
"We have three new litters of Kits and five new Warriors. We thank HeavenClan for making the prey run so well in CloudClan this season and we hope we can continue to feed ourselves in autumn and winter." Neverstar glances at Brindlestar whose head is hanging down with her eyes closed.
Did Brindlestar miss the thorn-sharp edge in Neverstar's report? CloudClan patrols have been spotted more frequently on the boundary that we share; not just border patrols but hunting patrols too. With so many mouths to feed, are they looking beyond their territory for sources of prey? Stonescar thought. Blackstar nudges Brindlestar from behind. Brindlestar's head jerks upright. She pads to the edge of the Highstones, her milky amber eyes gaze down at the cats in the clearing before she speaks.
"Cats of all Clans, I, too, have an announcement to make. I wish to give part of SunClan's territory to CloudClan in order to feed their new Kits." Stonescar stares at Brindlestar in utter shock. All along the line of SunClan cats, their fur is bristling and cats whispering to each other in alarm. Stonescar glances at Hollyberry who shakes her head. She looks as stunned as he feels right now. Brindlestar raises her head which is outlined in the brilliant moonlight, it is possible to see her as the strong Warrior that she once was.
"CloudClan may have the stretch of land that brings the river on our territory as the new border. May these hunting grounds be as good to you as they have been to us!" Brindlestar continued. Stonescar jumps to his paws.
I can't listen in silence any longer. Stonescar thought. He looks up at his Leader. "Brindlestar, are you sure?" I hate that all of the other Clans will see me challenge my own Leader, but I don't know what else to do. Brindlestar is handing nearly a quarter of SunClan territory to CloudClan. Is she so afraid of fighting that she wants to make peace with Neverstar before our borders are threatened?
Everyone looks at Stonescar. Ignoring the gasps of shock, Stonescar jumps onto the SkyRocks and puts his face close to Brindlestar's face. "What do you think you're doing? Don't you trust your Warriors to defend our territory? No Clan has ever given away any of its territory before," Stonescar hissed. Brindlestar pulls away from Stonescar, her jaws set in a stubborn line.
"CloudClan has more mouths to feed than we do," Brindlestar said.
"The Messenger Code says we must protect our border no matter what!" Stonescar protested. Brindlestar looks at Stonescar. Stonescar is unnerved by the strength in her amber gaze. Brindlestar stands up and the cats in the clearing fall silent as if they are waiting for the next lightning strike that she will drop among them.
"Forgive my featherbrained Deputy. He does not know what it means to be truly loyal to one's Clan. Neverstar, the land is yours. My Warriors will set the new scent marks at dawn," Brindlestar said. Neverstar dips his head his eyes full of questions and are narrowed however, he does not question the offer. Stonescar looks desperately up at the sky.
Is HeavenClan really going to allow this to happen? Stonescar thought. The Full Moon floats on a perfect round circle. There aren't any clouds in the sky.
Our Warrior Ancestors can't make it any clearer that Brindlestar can do as she wishes with the territory of SunClan. Hollyberry thought. Stonescar's tail droops and he turns to leave the Highstones.
It will be up to me to send out patrols to reset the border marks and shrink SunClan's hunting grounds. Stonescar thought.
"Wait!" Brindlestar said. Stonescar stops and looks around. "I want you to witness a new law to the Messenger Code." Brindlestar's eyes are gleaming but are not focused anymore. Stonescar's fur stands on end.
Has my Leader gone completely mad right in the middle of a Gathering? Stonescar thought.
"No Leader should have to face in subordination in front of the other Clans. I propose the law that makes the word of the Leader the Messenger Code. What we say will never be challenged. HeavenClan gave us power to lead; HeavenClan will wish this to be," Brindlestar said.
No! This can't be made part of the Messenger Code. Leaders are cats first and foremost, good, bad, or a mixture of both. Stonescar thought. Stonescar's jaw is open and he is shaking his head. He forces himself to stay still and closes his mouth in case he says something that will make Brindlestar angrier. I don't care about being punished myself, however it suddenly feels like I'm all my Clan has left.
"I support Brindlestar's law!" Neverstar said.
That's not a surprise. Will any of the Leaders point out how stupid the law is. I mean every cat in each Clan has a worthy opinion. Stonescar thought. Dapplestar, Stonestar, Owlstar, and Blackstar step forward in agreement.
Dapplestar's eyes are troubled. Windclaw, Blackstar's Deputy, stares intently at Blackstar as if judging the wisdom of his decision. The Law, nevertheless, is accepted. The Leader's word is now treated as if it is part of the Messenger Code.
"The Gathering is now over," Neverstar said. Neverstar jumps down from the Highstones and beckons to his Clan to follow him with a flick of his tail. The other Leaders follow Neverstar, leaving Brindlestar to dismount last; she pauses as she goes past Stonescar, who is still sitting in the shadows of the rock.
"You can continue to serve as my Deputy, but never question me like that again. The borders will be changed at dawn," Brindlestar said. Brindlestar jumps down to the ground and calls the SunClan cats with a flick of her tail. They head off the island still muttering to each other. Nightblaze and Shadowblaze look back at Stonescar.
"Has he been exiled for arguing with Brindlestar at the Gathering?" Nightblaze asked thoughtfully.
No, just humiliated. I know I won't leave. SunClan deserves better than that. Better than Brindlestar even… Stonescar thought. Stonescar stays on the rock until the shadows have stopped rustling with departing cats. He stares up at the moon, still expressionless and cloud free. Did you really let this happen, HeavenClan? What will happen when a Leader comes, who wants to change everything? Such as turning the Clans against one another, wiping out the values we have lived by for so long? What will you do then?