LEADER OF SKYCLAN
.
Hawkstar sits high on her perch, ramshackle straight as befitted her stature as SkyClan's illustrious king. The cold clutches of leaf-bare tickled at the back of her neck, threatening its presence with some sort of sordid glee: one, two, three cats lost on the Journey. One, two, three lost this past moon. One, two, three - one, two, three, one one one -
Already her clan settles beneath her, knowing, sensing before she even opens her mouth. They work as one, one clan, one breathing living thing, and soul bound by blood and suffering. Still, so close to leafbare, they look strong. Capable. Unshaken by the elements.
Hawkstar notes, with pride, that her clan is twice the size and the condition of the clan she left the gorge with a year ago.
"Our ancestors have looked upon us favorably on this moon. Acornheart has returned to us. His journey was done alone, with no medicine cat or leader to guide him. His strength and commitment is nothing if not leonine, and I am happy to call him a warrior among our ranks.
Acornheart, for your courage and your unwavering determination, I will gift you with a new name: Cloudbearer. Wear it with pride."
Applecloud comes to mind then, with his jovial grin and unapologetic fervor to live. Cloudbearer held that same zeal, though where Applecloud's was all joy and fun, Cloudbearer was hard-set and stoic. Back from the dead and alive enough to tell the tale… She wondered briefly if she could even hope to expect the same for the others they lost.
"And a newcomer brings even more little friends. Congratulations, Rain, for Mothkit, Pearlkit, Flutterkit, and Songkit. Kits are a blessing, and I have no doubt you'll be begging for a warrior's duty within a fortnight." She flashes the young mother a knowing grin. Even Starlitpath as a kitten made her want to tear her fur out, as precious and sweet as her single birthed kit was. On top of chasing around the slightly older Threetoe and Badgertail … eesh, best to leave that nonsense to Milkheart now!
"Born just in time, since we have young ones all ready to leave their caregivers and mentors. Ptarmigankit, you are now old enough to gain a mentor and begin some serious training. I will be your mentor .. I hope you can keep up with that?
Creampaw, Swirlpaw, and Chestnutpaw, you three are more than ready for new names as well. Creampaw, for the kind-heart you inherited from your father and the modesty passed down from Daisydream, you will be Creamcurl. Chestnutpaw, for your smart mouth and quick mind, I name you Chestnutjaw. And Swirlpaw, because of your tireless energy and unbreakable spirit, your name is now Swirlstrike."
The pointed king takes a breath, not a hint of disappointment coloring the scarred mask of her face. Perhaps it was biased (it was), but she could not muster anything but pride for her friend's children, all grown up and ready to take flight on their own proven wings. It was as exhilarating and as nerve-wracking as when her own children earned their names under Coffeestar's shining eye.
If only she would've lived to see this, no doubt she would be smiling just as big with that very same twinkle in her eye.
/ please wait for flowercloud w patrols
