It was time. Perhaps more than enough time for everything to settle. Silver paws find themselves clambering up the meeting stump.
With a good chunk of cats gathered he scans the crowd for one apprentice in particular. Once he finds them, he motions a paw forward.
And now came a difficult decision. One that he knew would be met with rage. However, it would be in horrible faith to allow them to graduate. The silver leader looks to a certain black tom and sighs,
On the matter of Rosepaw... His gaze turns to the red molly.
A silver paw gestures for a brown apprentice to step forward.
For a while, the Riverclan leader lets the clan congratulate their new warrior and for the new pairings to converse with one another. Eventually, everyone settles down.
As for Thunderclan, there isn't much to say.
Here comes the tough part. I don't think I'm ready, but when will I ever be?
"Good morning Riverclan."
Several heads turn to him. "I know its been some time since the gathering and how you may have some questions. I promise to go over them today, but I'd like us to turn our attention to the apprentices first."
Ears flick at sound of whispers and paw steps drawing near. Slight guilt gnaws at him seeing the groggy faces and yawning cats being called for a meeting so early, but he figured this would be best to hold in the morning than afternoon.With a good chunk of cats gathered he scans the crowd for one apprentice in particular. Once he finds them, he motions a paw forward.
"Mistpaw, you have completed your training and have proven your skills. From this moment on you will join the ranks of the warriors, and it is my honor to give you the name Mistveil for your loyalty and tenacity."
While he had some reservations about Adderfang, he couldn't deny that the former lead warrior trained Mistveil well. The only thing he worried about was Mistveil's attitude towards other clans, but with how things have been going on as of late... He could see the value.And now came a difficult decision. One that he knew would be met with rage. However, it would be in horrible faith to allow them to graduate. The silver leader looks to a certain black tom and sighs,
"Rookpaw... I have decided that you'll remain an apprentice until you've shown improvement. However, you will be assigned another mentor. It's clear to me someone with a stricter paw is needed."
Green eyes ignore the daggers sent his way from the apprentice and land on one of his council members. "Pigeonpearl will be taking over your training."
It wouldn't come as a surprise to Pigeonpearl, as the pair had actually discussed this. Originally the life guard was going to take over Rosepaw's training, but with what transpired between Rookpaw and Petalbreath? Yeah, some adjustments needed to be made. All he can do is nod as he saw the life guard make her way to Rookpaw and settle him down.On the matter of Rosepaw... His gaze turns to the red molly.
"Rosepaw, training has been put to a sudden hold with Adderfang gone. Like Rookpaw you will be given a new mentor. I have decided that I'll be your mentor for the remainder of your training.
Without a doubt his workload has increased by taking on a second apprentice alongside Iciclepaw and was advised against it, but when he explained he wanted to see for himself what Adderfang had passed down... The other council members allowed it. They were still apprehensive about the decision, yet they figured Pikestar would only have to mentor the red molly for only a few moons. Rosepaw only needed to be taught a few more things or needed some help perfecting the ones she already learned.A silver paw gestures for a brown apprentice to step forward.
"Sparrowpaw you too will be reassigned a mentor. I've heard from your previous mentor Brackenfur that you are interested in weaving and wish to become a weaver yourself. The cat who I entrust with the remainder of your training is Hydrangeabloom. He is one of Riverclan's finest weavers. I'm certain he will help you achieve your dream as well as teach you other skills."
Hydrangeabloom may not have any experience with teaching, but after hearing Brackenfur speak so fondly of Sparrowpaw... He figured the apprentice and warrior would get along the most. Hydrangeabloom wouldn't worry about Sparrowpaw trying to rile them up. No, all he had to worry about was an enthusiastic apprentice who wanted to learn all that they could about weaving. For a while, the Riverclan leader lets the clan congratulate their new warrior and for the new pairings to converse with one another. Eventually, everyone settles down.
"Now... to answer some questions."
I should start there."I have eight lives left. Starclan gives each leader nine lives to lead their clan with. This means dealing with each clan is all the more complicated, since every leader is given more than one chance."
He can't help but wonder what is going through their minds. The ones at the gathering and had seen him come back to life could no longer avert their eyes to the truth. For those who remained at camp, they still had a chance to. It seemed unbelievable, but with how downtrodden everyone was when they returned... It was difficult not to consider it as truth. Especially with the lack of Adderfang among their ranks and Pikestar's new scars. Or maybe they're thinking of Sablestar. How he would come back to life. We're still suffering from Shadowclan, I can't imagine anyone being happy hearing they'd have to kill Sablestar more than once."Speaking of leaders... Before my death I was able to converse with Juniperstar and Dustystar."
Perhaps it is unwise to share this with Riverclan, but it is because of him they are in this mess. His lack of honesty has caused grief and he wouldn't do it again. They had a right to know. He had made this decision on their behalf. "Dustystar is unwilling to give up her alliance with Shadowclan. I have accepted her decision since the two clans are kin. However, we both decided that Riverclan and Windclan are not enemies. Our clans are certainly not friends. She has accepted and understands that Riverclan will be wary of Windclan for their association with Shadowclan."
He can only hope they are satisfied by this outcome. That they are not expected to be friendly with the other clan and that Pikestar has not foolishly tried to become friends with a clan who stands by Shadowclan.As for Thunderclan, there isn't much to say.
"Juniperstar has been friendly as always, but its become clear that the mention of Sunningrocks is met with some apprehension. Riverclan can't afford anymore trouble, so I advise everyone to keep respecting our borders. Otherwise, while not official, our relationship with Thunderclan is good."
The rocks will be an issue in the future he can feel it in his bones. However, things are fine between their clans right now. They should try to maintain their good standing as much as they can while they still recover from... Everything really.Here comes the tough part. I don't think I'm ready, but when will I ever be?
"I've failed you as a leader. I'm not asking for your forgiveness or pity."
Green eyes land on Pineheart. "Someone told me they don't give a shit about apologies. They just want things to be better."
The silver toms lips curl into a smile before returning his attention to the rest of the clan. "And they're right."
How many of you have waited for things to get better? How many more of you now want things to get better? The idea causes a pang to his chest, but he can't allow himself to drown in it. Not anymore. He's done with being a child king who keeps hiding behind others. "What we our clan needs now more than ever is direction. An anchor. I hear that Hawkstar spoke of a code. A code that's been passed down generations from leader to leader. Our clan has no code. Nothing to guide us and it shows. The other clans, especially Shadowclan are aware of how divided we are."
He lets the words linger in the air. Shadowclan was a dangerous word to bring up, as their anger hadn't subsided. His goal is not to anger his clan, but to motivate them into action. Their pride wouldn't allow thieves to be better of them. "I believe our best course of action is to learn what this code of theirs is."
-
Warrior ceremonies:
— @MISTPAW >> Mistveil
Apprentice reassignments:
— @rookpaw >> @PIGEONPEARL
— @ROSEPAW. >> @PIKESTAR
— @Sparrowspring >> @Hydrangeabloom -
PIKESTAR— leader of riverclan, former shipyard cat
♱ 40 moons — he/him — ages realistically on the 1st — mentoring iciclepaw
♱ speech is"#36D9AB"— thoughts are italics — attacks are underlined
♱ short haired silver mackerel tabby with green eyes
♱ peaceful & healing powerplay permitted — underline & tag when attacking
♱ penned by velou — kasaven on discord — open to plots & dms
