Private Thread A Pellet For Your Thoughts (17CF20)

Dovepaw followed Mistyleaf through the undergrowth towards the approach to Fourtrees. Her ears twitched lightly, trying to seem interested despite the heat of the day attempting to sap her energy. If they were heading to Fourtrees, the lesson today might be an interesting one.

As she watched her mentor's gaze shift to the Owl Tree and then back to her, the dilute tortoiseshell waited to see what was said next. She had to make an almost physical effort to keep from laying her ears flat at Mistyleaf's meow. The warrior code? Again? Ugh!

Dovepaw gave a soft, impatient huff of breath, glad it didn't come out in the hiss that she was tempted to make it into. Then the apprentice parroted in a less than impressed voice, though she did try not to sound too bored:

"Noble warrior who hears StarClan’s Call,
Will walk in the light one day over all.

Before all else shall your clan be your life,
And give for its safety your blood in battle’s strife.
Though family you’ll have and friends may be gained,
No honor above your clan should be maintained.

Respect be always in each word you say,
And learn to treat all in the same noble way.
Suffer never shall helpless and innocent kit,
And claws must never a Medicine Cat hit.

Territories must each clan maintain,
So the Clan may hunt and fresh-kill be gained.
But paws of a Clan to their own land must stay,
To keep borders secured and marked every day.

Know the prey in your home is StarClan’s Gift,
So hunt must you always remembering thrift.
Food first shall go to Clan members in need,
Then may a warrior who hunted then feed.

Never in cold blood shall you cause a loss,
Unless that cat StarClan’s code does cross,
Or only by killing may lives dear be saved.
Never soft like those Twoleg-enslaved."

((Session summary:

Mistyleaf and Dovepaw discuss ethics and diplomacy, and thinking of the Gathering's revelations about sick land prey, Mistyleaf has them inspect the Owl Tree to see if anything's befallen its inhabitants. They later work on combat training))