Life 2:16
Things had progressed smoothly ever since Snakepaw's classes began. Already, four warriors were digging short tunnels. Snakepaw and Tallstar both agreed that deeper tunneling would be something they'd reinvent later. For now, diggers were encouraged to dig short tunnels that only went two or three cat's length before resurfacing. Since they weren't very deep, even cave ins weren't all that dangerous. Additionally, these short tunnels served a purpose.
Snakepaw was inspecting one of a warrior's tunnels for faults and was generally pleased to see no major issues. The shaping was a bit rough, but that was something honed through repetition, not instruction. He then noticed that the center was a bit wider. A slight smile crept across Snakepaw's face. This warrior may have gotten wise to the purpose of the short tunnels, but he'd have to quiz them. Snakepaw emerged from the tunnel, giving the waiting warrior a smile.
"It looks good. The walls could be a bit smoother, but I noticed that the tunnel widened at the center. Did you do this on purpose and for what reason?" Snakepaw queried.
"Well, I was thinking about how hard it'd be to get out of the tunnel if someone came in the other entrance at the same time. Either of them backing out would be incredibly difficult. Thus, I expanded the center enough for a cat to turn around or for one cat to pass another. That didn't weaken the tunnel, right?" The warrior replied.
Snakepaw shook his head. "No. The tunnel is perfectly sound. I was asking because it seems that you reinvented one of Windclan's old tunnel styles. This tunnel type serves a specific purpose. Can you guess what it is? I'll give you a hint. We primarily constructed tunnels like this close to our borders."
Tallstar, having caught wind of this discussion, padded over. "What's this about a new tunnel type?" he queried.
"Not my question to answer. This cat here. Onewhisker right? Is the one who designed the tunnel. It has a wider center than the entrances. I'm right now questioning him as to the usage of such a tunnel." Snakepaw replied.
Onewhisker was hunkered in both embarrassment and thought. He hadn't wanted called out like this, but now he needed to think on his paws. How could a tunnel that's wider in the center help Windclan? Snakepaw hinted at it having something to do with the borders. Was it useful combat wise? That's when Onewhisker had an epiphany.
"It's a trap. If an enemy warrior chased one of our warriors into there and we had a cat already in the tunnel, the Windclan cat could slip right past the waiting warrior. The waiting warrior would then move up to the choke point, keeping the enemy from slipping past." Onewhisker answered.
Tallstar hummed in thought before adding onto the idea. "Theoretically, the retreating warrior could then loop around and get the enemy warrior from behind. They'd be totally at the mercy of our warriors."
Snakepaw bounced with joy at the answer. "Congrats! You figured it out, and I didn't even need to give you the idea. This is the unique skill of Windclan that no other clan knows about, the ability to design our own battlefields. Of course, these tunnels only really work if runners and diggers get along and trust one another to fulfil their parts. It was honestly sad when the runners and the diggers started to divide. It was once common practice to pair a digger with a runner upon being apprenticed. Some developed bonds deeper than blood. Some discovered their mates. To lose one's partner was a great tragedy. I even know a few who decided they could not live without their partner and chose to end their lives early to rejoin them. I'm hoping partnerships return. No bond I know was deeper than a partner in Windclan."
"That sounded pretty nice until you threw in your usual bit of morbidity. Regardless, I believe it is something we can reimplement. It likely won't be immediate or even soon, but the idea holds potential. Onewhisker, how would you like to test out this partnership thing with me? You have a knack for this digging thing. I personally have some knowledge of it, but my calling is running. I believe that together we could create something new." Tallstar mewed.
Onewhisker looked abashed at Tallstar's request. "What? But… Don't you already have Snakepaw? I mean, he already knows everything I know and then some. How could I compete with that?"
Tallstar gave Onewhisker a comforting look. "You are an innovative cat Onewhisker. While your idea of the tunnel may not be entirely new, you came up with it without knowing the previous design existed in the first place. For reasons I cannot discuss, Snakepaw will never be a cat's digging or running partner. He does serve the clan well by teaching us the old ways, but we cannot become slave to them. We must make our own way, and Snakepaw simply cannot create something new. Snakepaw's purpose is to give us the first guiding steps on how to grow and reinvent our clan. It is up to us to do the rest, and I believe that you are meant to go further. You think beyond simple instruction and invent solutions to problems you foresee. I need a cat like you to help me through such changing times."
Onewhisker was embarrassed by the praise, but his confidence was also renewed. He forced himself to sit straighter in front of Tallstar. "I'll do it. I'll be your digger partner, even if I do not know exactly what that entails. I'll do my best to live up to the title."
Tallstar let a light smile display on his face as his eyes met Onewhisker's warmly. "You already are. Now, I believe lessons are over for the day. I'd like you to join me for a meal while I discuss with Deadfoot about the potential placement of your new style of tunnels. I'd appreciate your input as well. I'm no digger, so I wouldn't be the best cat to ask about if the ground was stable enough or if we could hide the entrances."
"What about Snakepaw?" Onewhisker faintly protested.
"Snakepaw will do as he always does, teach when he can and act like a kit when he can't. I want your opinion, not his." Tallstar responded, guiding the digging prodigy Onewhisker away.
Snakepaw couldn't help chuckling to himself at the sight. "It looks like Windclan has been set back on the right path… Though, that begs the question, how much longer will I last?" A faint pain in his joints hinted at the answer. Snakepaw stretched the limb, relieving the ache that was of a very similar nature to growing pain. "At least they will no longer need me when the time comes." Snakepaw mewed to himself morosely. Snakepaw hid his frown behind a smile and took off to go crash Tallstar's tunnel meeting.