HeatherClan Book: Chapter 25

Chapter 25: New Warriors

She paused to catch her breath, then continued. "Also, there are a couple more things. We need more warriors, and our apprentices are all ready. Dapplepaw, Dovepaw, please step forward. It is time for you to become a warrior." Their eyes shined excitedly as Silverstar began to speak the ritual words. "I, Silverstar, leader of HeatherClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." Silverstar fixed her blue gaze on the two apprentices. "Dapplepaw and Dovepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," meowed Dovepaw boldly.

Dapplepaw trembled slightly, but her voice was steady as she too, meowed, "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Dapplepaw, from this moment you will be known as Dapplelight. StarClan honors your thoughtfulness and your determination. Dovepaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Doveheart. StarClan will always admire you boldness. We welcome you both as full warriors of HeatherClan."

When she finished speaking, Silverstar stepped up to to Dapplelight and Doveheart, and rested her muzzle on their bowed heads. They both licked her shoulder respectfully, and then walked over to stand by the other apprentices.

The watching cats raised their voices to chant the new warriors' name, but Silverstar wasn't finished yet.

"Mistypaw, Minnowpaw, please step forward. It is also time for you to become a warrior."

Their mouthes fell open in shock.

"Us?" gasped Minnowpaw.

Silverstar nodded and pronounced the ritual words. "I, Silverstar, leader of HeatherClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." Silverstar fixed her blue gaze on them. "Mistypaw, Minnowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," meowed Mistypaw, her head held high.

"I do," mewed Minnowpaw softly.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Mistypaw, from this moment you will be known as Mistytail. StarClan honors your courage." Then she turned to Minnowpaw. "Minnowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Minnnowtail. StarClan will always admire your determination, and you are now full warriors of HeatherClan."

When she finished speaking, Silverstar stepped up to to Mistytail and Minnowtail, and rested her muzzle on their bowed heads. They both licked her shoulder respectfully, and then walked over to stand by Dapplelight, Doveheart, Crookedpaw.

Next, Crookedpaw was summoned.

"Windflight, is Crookedpaw ready to become a warrior?"

Windpelt stood up. "He is," he answered. "Crookedpaw has lost his only brother to FearClan, yet he still remains strong. He is a good hunter, and a brilliant warrior. Crookedpaw is definitely ready to become a warrior."

Silverstar dipped her head and began to speak. "I, Silverstar, leader of HeatherClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in their turn." Silverstar fixed her blue gaze on Crookedpaw. "Crookedpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," he meowed, his eyes shining.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Crookedpaw, from this moment you will be known as Crookedtail. StarClan honors your determination, and we all know you will always be the best warrior you can be. We welcome you as a full warrior of HeatherClan."

Finally, she called up her own kits, along with Amberpaw.

"I, Silverstar, leader of HeatherClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." Silverstar fixed her blue gaze on them. "Birdpaw, Moonpaw, Rainpaw, and Amberpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," they meowed.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Birdpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Birdflight. Moonpaw, you will be known as Moonnose, and Rainpaw as Rainwhisker." Then she turned to Amberpaw. "Amberpaw, you shall be known as Amberheart."

Silverstar straightened up, then continued. "StarClan will always admire you as brave young cats, and you are now all full warriors of HeatherClan!"

At this, the clearing erupted with cheers. HeatherClan had nine new warriors! But they needed new apprentices too, and Silverstar was prepared, for all the kits were already at least six moons old.