Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧
The pale leaf-bare sun hung high in the sky as Palestar padded through the camp, her breath misting in the crisp air. The cold had settled in, but today, the wind was mercifully calm and it hadn't rained like the day before, the kind of afternoon perfect for a training session.
Her thoughts drifted briefly to her previous apprentice, Sootbounce, and the pride that had swelled in her chest when he earned his warrior name. Now, with Redpaw under her wing, Palestar felt a similar sense of responsibility. This wasn’t just any apprentice. Redpaw was her sister’s kit, and mentoring him was a chance to ensure he grew into a strong, capable warrior.
Once she caught sight of him, she called out. “Redpaw. It's time we began your training for the day. Are you ready?" Her sharp odd-eyes eyes gleamed, knowing the young tom would be eager to prove himself, just as she had been at his age.
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Redpaw walked a few paces behind Palestar, watching the leader quietly. He had looked up to her as a kit and being apprenticed to her was surreal. Was she going to teach him how to hunt? He had experience with that when Dazzlepaw and Duskpaw helped him catch that snake. Although now he wouldn't get in trouble for it. Now he was ready!
He felt like he was floating on air a bit when she called his name - his new name - and brought him crashing back to the ground.
"Ye-Yes!" He squeaked, flattening his ears in embarrassment at his voice. "Yes, I'm ready Palestar!"
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (M) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (M) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧ ⭒ ✧
Palestar let out a low, amused purr as Redpaw squeaked his response. His enthusiasm was clear, even if it was wrapped in a bit of nervous energy. She slowed her pace slightly, allowing him to catch up beside her, and turned her head to glance down at him.
"I'm glad to hear it." She meowed, her tone warm. "Before we get to the hunting and battle training, there's something every apprentice must understand first: the warrior code. A noble warrior isn’t just strong in body but in heart and mind as well. It’s the code that guides us, and it’s what sets us apart from rogues and loners.”
She paused for a moment. "Let me tell you the words of the warrior code, the law that every warrior and apprentice is bound to. Listen carefully, and remember these teachings - they will follow you throughout your life as a warrior."
With that, Palestar began to recite the code, her voice steady:
“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.”
She paused, letting the words hang in the crisp leaf-bare air for a moment before continuing. "These laws keep us strong, united, and honorable. Today, we’ll work on your skills, but I want you to always remember that without this code, strength means nothing."
FROM RIVERCLAN:
Cottonbright, ♀ Anxious Warrior
Nettleplume, ♂ Cynical Medicine Cat
Merrypaw, ♀ Steadfast Apprentice
Otterwhisker, ♀ Adventurous Elder
FROM THUNDERCLAN:
Brindlespice, ♀ Selfish Warrior
Bravesong, ♂ Gracious Elder
Leopardrose, ♀ Striving Warrior
Wildcry, ♀ Fierce Elder
FROM WINDCLAN:
Cloudflare, ♂ Suave Warrior
Barleyswipe, ⚧ Ornery Elder
Heatherkit, ♀ Sweet Kit
FROM SHADOWCLAN:
Palestar, ♀ Stern Leader
Honeyglow, ♂ Reserved Elder
Emberdust, ♀ Artless Warrior
Duskpaw, ♂ Opportunistic Apprentice
FROM WHITEHART & BEYOND:
Ahryndae, ♀ Princess of Camelot
Lelouch Von Noon, ♂ Marquess of Noon Cattery
Kosmo, ♂ Visionary Feral
Montgomery (Monty), ♂ Sentimental Semi-Feral
Redpaw sat, quietly and listened to Palestar's words. The code filled him with questions, but maybe ones that were best not asked to a Starclan ordained cat. He would have to ask the elders about it later if he remembered to.
A quiet nod seemed the best option here. He wasn't sure what 'skills' she was referring to - maybe hunting or fighting - but he also wasn't sure why a code was needed to make him better at those skills. His confusion was somewhat evident on his face but again - unlike her last apprentice - Redpaw said nothing and only rose to his feet at Palestar's words.
Characters:
Coldgaze: (M) Ruthless Riverclan Deputy
Lawn Gnome: (F) Motherly Semi-Feral Shecat
Redpaw: (M) Thoughtful Shadowclan Apprentice
Sootbounce: (M) Bubbly Shadowclan Warrior
Sturgeonpaw: (M) Altruistic Riverclan Apprentice
Sunstrike: (F) Anxious Thunderclan Queen
NPCs:
Quailcall: (F) Fierce Thunderclan Warrior
