Post by Ghost the Undead Goddess on Feb 27, 2022 17:08:15 GMT -5
It was getting colder, the aging molly could feel it in the wind as it raced across the flattened grasses of the moors and she could feel it within the pain spiking inside the achy joints that still held her slender body together. The gray she-cat hated the cold, and Leafbare was never a good season for any cat in any of the clans as it often brought sickness, starvation and death to the valley. Her whole life the lanky feline had sworn that the chill, the snow and it's frostbitten temperature would be the death of her some day.
The moon was still raising into the inkiness of the surrounding sky as it's pale light brightened the open area that was growing closer and closer to looking like an actual camp rather than a mess of warrens and hills here and there. The Galeclan leader sat off to the side, watching as her cats continued to work their hardest while also starting to wind down for the night. Already after one day the Nursery and the Elder's den were almost complete and the fresh-kill pile was looking decent despite the chill of Leafbare already starting to creep in.
Luckily, the rabbits and rats of the moors were still feeling the need to race through the grasses instead of hunkering down to hibernate.
Wide amber hues slowly roamed from pelt to pelt as Owlstar mentally checked each of her cats to make sure they were all still healthy and doing well despite all the had happened to them recently. Her cats were survivors, they had worked together to make their way from the valley to the Tribe and they had done well to take care of each other while in the foreign territory of the Mountain. Even now, they worked together to make a new home in which they would continue to live and thrive - even long after the ancient molly was no longer at the helm of the newly named Galeclan.
She truly couldn't be more pleased with how her clanmates took care of each other, and after tonight a new warrior would be able to take the first watch of the new campsite.
Padding forwards with a slight limp as her shoulder was still bothering her - it seemed worse each day it felt, Owlstar made the way to the top of the hill in which she had given orders earlier that day. It was different than the mound she had been used to back in her old camp, back when they were still Lightningclan but soon enough this would feel normal too.
The moon was reflective within her wide hues, but the amber color shown like a rare gem as the whitening maw of the leader parted before her familiar raspy tone rang sharp and clear throughout the open campsite. "Let all Galclan cats swift enough to race across the moors gather here for a clan meeting." It wasn't like she really needed to call them, the moment the dilute feline had padded forwards many of the others turned to give Owlstar their undivided attention. Others who were still busy with den building or returning with jaws full of prey finished their duties before joining the forming crowd around the little grassy knoll of a gathering area.
"I am proud of all of you," She finally stated once everyone had joined and was settled in, the quiet whispers and murmurs coming to a stop at the return of her more authoritative tone. "It's only been a day, but everyone has worked hard to do their part and we have accomplished much." Her long tail flickered behind her slowly, in a serpentine like way as her mind continued to churn through the intense thought process that the old she-cat was well known for.
Her gaze wide spread for a moment before rotating to find a familiar ginger tabby she-cat as the apprentice sat calmly next to her rather fluffy mentor.
A twinge of sorrow rose within Owlstar's chest as the reminder that Rosefire, her sister, did not make it out of the earthquake. The former ginger warrior-queen of Lightningclan had left behind three kits, Noblepaw, Daringpaw and Valiantpaw - one of which would no longer take a spot inside the forming Apprentice's Den after tonight. Shifting her nimble, whitening paws the aging leader slowly padded down from the mound to stand squarely in front of her clan. "We lost many cats, warriors and brethren of our family. They live on in our hearts and in the wind that races across us through the moors."
She took a pause as some bowed their heads out of respect, she also caught the small mummers of some who quietly recited the names of those they missed as Silverpelt looked on.
"Today, we name our first Galeclan warrior into the ranks: Noblepaw." Owlstar turned her wedge-shaped head towards the young she-cat, wistfully wishing that Rosefire stood there next to Cloudthroat for this moment. Faintly, a small smile graced the leader's maw at the surprise within the apprentice's gaze as the youngster quickly padded forwards to take her spot before her elder aunt. "I remember your birth, your mother named you and your brothers with powerful names and I believe you grew into yours perfectly."
While Daringpaw and Valiantpaw also inherited traits similar to their names, it was not their day today as Noblepaw had excelled through her moons of training efficiently and quickly.
"Cloudthroat," Owlstar shifted her gaze from Noblepaw before her to where they unique and powerful minded warrior sat with his head high and chest slightly puffed out with potential pride. "I know that at the beginning you did not feel as though your paws were made for training, but I stand by the fact that you can mold a mind and strengthen a cat to be their best. For that, I am not only proud of what you have taught Noblepaw, but I am also proud of you for being the warrior and the mentor I knew you could be. You should be proud of your apprentice as well, I've seen her grow bounds and leaps beneath your supervision and I'm happy to perform her ceremony tonight."
A large, bat like ear flickered slightly as the aging molly returned her attention to Noblepaw to finish the ceremony at hand. "I, Owlstar, leader of Galeclan," The words felt foreign on her tongue but it didn't falter on her raspy tone. "Call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice, who has endured and trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend her as warrior in turn."
"Noblepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." It was a strong, powerful answer with very little hesitation and Owlstar couldn't help the swell of pride that rose within her chest at the two words spoken by her singular niece. With a small smile reaching the corners of the elder's whitening maw, she continued her ceremony.
"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names. Noblepaw, from this moment you will be known as Nobleflame. Starclan honors your noble spirit and your brilliant radiance, and we welcome you as a full warrior - the first new warrior of Galeclan." Leaning forwards to softly press her nose against Nobleflame's head a soft purr broke from the leader's throat that only the new warrior could hear. "Your mother would be very proud of you today." After the small lick on her shoulder, the scrawny gray warrior-queen took a step back as Galeclan rushed forwards to greet their new warior, her name being sang below the shimmering form of Starpelt.
OWLSTAR
Galeclan leader || 93 moons
1296 WORDS
