Post by Fawn on Sept 27, 2017 9:07:24 GMT -5
LIONSTAR
leader of treeclan
Blinded by the light of a new sun
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather to the Ancient Stump!"
It was a new season. New challenges. This leaf-fall, Lionstar hoped for more progress than disaster; they weren't going to be caught in leafbare unawares. However, there was much to be done in the here and now than start fretting over the cold months.
"As you are all aware, the incineration of the wildflower clearing has left us without one of our best hunting spots. With that in mind, TreeClan will be pushing into NightClan territory over the next few days. My intentions are to reach as far as the branch trail, but only StarClan knows if this will go according to plan." With a distracted internal chuckle, Lionstar realized that in over 30 moons of service, this was his first direct act of attack against another Clan.
How fitting that it should be NightClan? Though he did not want war, now was not the time to be soft-hearted. There was too much at stake for him to be worried about diplomacy with their pine-forest-dwelling neighbors. While the Clan had burst into excited murmurs over this new development, Lionstar had sought out Mockingbird and Appleshade among the crowd. Mockingbird looked impassive, and Appleshade looked unusually distracted - but they both stared back curiously when he caught their gaze.
"That is not all. Now, it's time for two of our brightest apprentices to be welcomed into the ranks of warriorhood. Amberpaw, Owlpaw, step forward." Lionstar smiled, the expression calmed by the certainty he felt of his choices. The other apprentices - his own included - were making leaps and bounds (with the exception of Berrypaw), however, excellence beget reward, and he wouldn't deny these two the chance to move up a rank because it would leave their siblings behind.
Fawnpaw, Berrypaw, Ravenpaw and Aspenpaw would catch up in due time.
"I, Lionstar, leader of TreeClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend Owlpaw and Amberpaw to you as a warrior in their turn. Amberpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Mockingbird's done well. It felt like swallowing a piece of crowfood, but he had to give credit to the daughter of Grayowl. For all the... fury and the paranoia Grayowl had caused, his offspring were being tame.
Maybe he had misjudged them. Maybe Magpiewing's thanks for giving his mate a chance to prove herself, all those moons ago, had been sincere?
"Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Lionstar had almost second-guessed his decision to give Owlpaw to Appleshade. The pretty she-cat could be a little flighty and dramatic, two things that he would not associate with a capable mentor - but Lightspirit had grown into a fine warrior, and he knew Appleshade had had a part in that.
With both apprentices swearing the oath, Lionstar spoke the final words and then rested his muzzle on each of their heads.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Amberpaw, from this moment you will be known as Amberwing. StarClan honors your shrewdness and hunting skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of TreeClan. Owlpaw, from this moment you will be known as Owlstrike. StarClan honors your dedication and your battle prowess, and we welcome you as a full warrior of TreeClan."
It was a new season. New challenges. This leaf-fall, Lionstar hoped for more progress than disaster; they weren't going to be caught in leafbare unawares. However, there was much to be done in the here and now than start fretting over the cold months.
"As you are all aware, the incineration of the wildflower clearing has left us without one of our best hunting spots. With that in mind, TreeClan will be pushing into NightClan territory over the next few days. My intentions are to reach as far as the branch trail, but only StarClan knows if this will go according to plan." With a distracted internal chuckle, Lionstar realized that in over 30 moons of service, this was his first direct act of attack against another Clan.
How fitting that it should be NightClan? Though he did not want war, now was not the time to be soft-hearted. There was too much at stake for him to be worried about diplomacy with their pine-forest-dwelling neighbors. While the Clan had burst into excited murmurs over this new development, Lionstar had sought out Mockingbird and Appleshade among the crowd. Mockingbird looked impassive, and Appleshade looked unusually distracted - but they both stared back curiously when he caught their gaze.
"That is not all. Now, it's time for two of our brightest apprentices to be welcomed into the ranks of warriorhood. Amberpaw, Owlpaw, step forward." Lionstar smiled, the expression calmed by the certainty he felt of his choices. The other apprentices - his own included - were making leaps and bounds (with the exception of Berrypaw), however, excellence beget reward, and he wouldn't deny these two the chance to move up a rank because it would leave their siblings behind.
Fawnpaw, Berrypaw, Ravenpaw and Aspenpaw would catch up in due time.
"I, Lionstar, leader of TreeClan, call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend Owlpaw and Amberpaw to you as a warrior in their turn. Amberpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Mockingbird's done well. It felt like swallowing a piece of crowfood, but he had to give credit to the daughter of Grayowl. For all the... fury and the paranoia Grayowl had caused, his offspring were being tame.
Maybe he had misjudged them. Maybe Magpiewing's thanks for giving his mate a chance to prove herself, all those moons ago, had been sincere?
"Owlpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Lionstar had almost second-guessed his decision to give Owlpaw to Appleshade. The pretty she-cat could be a little flighty and dramatic, two things that he would not associate with a capable mentor - but Lightspirit had grown into a fine warrior, and he knew Appleshade had had a part in that.
With both apprentices swearing the oath, Lionstar spoke the final words and then rested his muzzle on each of their heads.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Amberpaw, from this moment you will be known as Amberwing. StarClan honors your shrewdness and hunting skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of TreeClan. Owlpaw, from this moment you will be known as Owlstrike. StarClan honors your dedication and your battle prowess, and we welcome you as a full warrior of TreeClan."
Take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem
