|
|
Post by -- WINTER on Nov 19, 2011 19:37:04 GMT -5
Winter paused in her slow escape when her name was spoken. Well, there went her plan. She joined the others, a look of complete befuddlement on her face. Clans? And she was to be the leader of one? "What's the Warrior Code?" She muttered the question, ashamed. She had never heard of any of these things...
|
|
|
|
Post by Toadstool. on Nov 19, 2011 19:50:16 GMT -5
Deciding she would tell the three the way she had been taught it, the she-cat began to label them off with little description. "1. Defend your Clan, even with your life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty must remain to your Clan, as one day you may meet them in battle.
2. Do not hunt or trespass on another Clan's territory.
3. Elders, Queens, and kits must be fed before apprentices and warriors. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders. If any warrior or apprentice is sick or injured, they may eat while the elders, queens, and kits are eating.
4. Prey is killed only to be eaten. Give thanks to StarClan for its life.
5. A kit must be at least six moons old to become an apprentice.
6. Newly appointed warriors will keep a silent vigil for one night after receiving their warrior name.
7. A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.
8. The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies or retires.
9. After the death or retirement of the deputy, the new deputy must be chosen before moonhigh.
10. A Gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. There shall be no fighting among Clans at this time.
11. Boundaries must be checked and marked daily. Challenge all trespassing cats.
12. No warrior can neglect a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.
13. The word of the Clan leader is the warrior code.
14. An honorable warrior does not need to kill other cats to win his/her battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is necessary for self-defense, and a warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet." Of course, she didn't label the only exceptions and the additional rules; for the she-cat didn't believe in them herself.
|
|
|
|
Post by -- WINTER on Nov 19, 2011 20:10:26 GMT -5
That was a lot to take in at one time. Winter thought that the rules, for the most part, seemed quite fair... but how would someone like her enforce them? "So... th-that's it?" she asked timidly. "We're just... i-in charge, just like that?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Toadstool. on Nov 19, 2011 20:15:34 GMT -5
"Basically. You'll be the one to take charge. Of course. you will have a deputy alongside you to work when you are sick and to take over when you pass away... But your deputy will be your choice." Stated the deceased cat, flashing a look at Northern's family and the three deceased Leaders. Why did she have to explain everything?
--
It seemed she was the only one would didn't notice that her mother had not mentioned why there was only three leaders, three cats chosen to be their successors, and no fourth leader or fourth cat. "Where is the fourth leader?" She asked, tilting her head.
|
|
|
|
Post by xx Northern on Nov 19, 2011 21:26:09 GMT -5
A startled expression flooded Northern's face. She... she was supposed to lead one of the ancient, long forgotten Clans of the past? Her yellow and blue eyes widened in surprise.
Her mother's tales had included the Warrior Code, but Northern listened to Reaction's mother as she went on to recite the Code followed by the Warriors of old.
"So we are to change our name's to fit the name's of a proper Leader?" Northern questioned with a lifted brow. "Meaning I would become Northernstar?" The name had a nice ring to it. Her mother nodded.
"Yes, you are each to change your name so that it ends with star. Also, you each are to recieve nine lives, just as the old Leader's did many generations ago." Arya meowed softly, glancing from each she-cat to the next. She glanced at Reaction's mother, unsure of how to answer Reaction's question.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toadstool. on Nov 19, 2011 21:41:31 GMT -5
Simply looking at her daughter with a quick shake of her head, Reaction's mother refused to answer her daughters question. "We don't know... And so, now that all are here; it is time to give these three young cats their lives." She said, steeping towards Northern first; feeling she should give her daughter her ninth life rather then her first. Bending down, the she-cat muttered the words she had only been taught to recite hours ago. "With this life I give you courage. Use it well guide your Clan in times of battle with the courage of your ancestors."
|
|
|
|
Post by -- WINTER on Nov 20, 2011 14:36:22 GMT -5
Nine lives and a new name? This was all so strange to Winter, and she felt so out of place... Northern and Reaction were both braver cats than she was, and probably smarter and definitely better leaders. She didn't deserve this...
|
|
|
|
Post by Toadstool. on Nov 20, 2011 15:33:04 GMT -5
The tabby flashed a look at Winter and then at Northern. It made sense for them to be leaders, but she? She was only a seven moon old cat... How could she survive as a cat leading a Clan? But, she did not state the judgement of her mother or the other cats surrounding the to-become Leaders. She stared, watching as one of the three Leaders approached each cat. Staring at the one standing in front of her, Reaction tilted her head at his words. "You will be leader of ShadowClan. Take my place and I will guide you until I disappear." He mewed in a strong, stern voice. He then bent his head to her. "With this life, I give you strength. Use it well to protect your Clan in times of battle." And then he stepped back, eyeing the two other deceased leaders.
|
|
|
|
Post by xx Northern on Nov 20, 2011 18:38:31 GMT -5
As her nose was touched by the older she-cat's, Northern was suddenly overcome but a sensation of... pure bravery. She felt as if she were able to scale mountains without a worry, or face off against enemies ten times her size. It was over within a few seconds, but it felt like hours to Northern.
But then there was another cat stepping up toward her, touching noses once more. Red hot pain flashed throughout Northern, and she couldn't help but let out a muffled cry.
|
|
|
|
Post by Toadstool. on Nov 21, 2011 22:25:22 GMT -5
As the cats were given the first of their lives, Reactions mother looked at Northern's family; waiting for them to give their lives to the three young leaders.
|
|
