HeatherClan Book: Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Decisions

When the rest of the HeatherClan cats returned to their own camp, Silverstar knew that she had a lot of decisions to make.

She had seen with her own eyes how Willowpaw and Fernpaw had fought: like warriors.

Finally, she decided to consult Spottedleaf, Jayfeather and Goldenfur.

"Do you think they should become warriors?" she asked, after all three cats were in her den.

"Certainly," meowed Spottedleaf.

"They would make great warriors," agreed Goldenfur.

"Also, we would have more warriors to protect the camp, especially since we know that NightClan isn't giving up...yet," added Jayfeather.

"Then it's settled!" declared Silverstar. "Tonight, Willowpaw and Fernpaw will become warriors!"

The other three cats dipped their heads respectfully and backed out of the den. Silverstar settled down for a long deserved nap, and wondered if she would receive a sign about Willowpaw and Fernpaw's warrior names.

Silverstar was padding through a forest she did not recognize. All of the sudden, she came to a dark clearing with a willow tree in the middle.

"Where am I?" Silverstar wondered. "Has StarClan sent me here?"

Then she remembered that StarClan left them. Around the clearing, there were many fern plants. The leaves sounded like they were whispering.

Suddenly, Silverstar exclaimed, "Fernleaf! That'll be Fernpaw's warrior name!" Then a ray of light shone through the willow leaves.

"And Willowshine!" meowed Silverstar. "But if StarClan has left the Clans, who sent these signs?"

Right then, Silverstar heard the sounds of battle. She whirled around, alarmed, thinking that she had woken up and that NightClan was attacking. Instead, her eyes met five starry cats battling Tigerstar, Brokenstar, Hawkfrost, and Scourge!

A white she-cat turned around and meowed. "The other StarClan cats may have left, but we, the first leaders of the five Clans, will fight to the death! Do not lose faith, dear leader, and remember the five!" And with that, she turned back to the Dark Forest cats.

Silverstar woke with a start. Then she remembered her dream.

There are still StarClan cats supporting us! she thought excitedly. Silverstar raced into the medicine cat's den. "Spottedleaf!"

Spottedleaf woke up. "Whatisit?" she asked drowsily.

"There are still StarClan cats supporting us! Thunderstar, Riverstar, Skystar, Windstar, and Shadowstar!" meowed Silverstar.

"I know," mewed Spottedleaf. Silverstar thought she hadn't heard correctly.

"You...you know?" She widened her eyes incredulously.

"Yep," meowed Spottedleaf crossly. "They came to me in the dream you woke me up from. They said, 'remember the ', and then you woke me up."

"Remember the five!" exclaimed Silverstar. "That's what they told me, too! After they gave me Willowpaw and Fernpaw's warrior names, Willowshine and Fernleaf."

"Hmm..." meowed Spottedleaf thoughtfully. "I'll think about this."

"Jayfeather!" she called.

"Yes?" Jayfeather immediately hurried into the den.

"Silverstar here had a dream," she started, then explained the dream to Jayfeather.

"The five...Do they mean the five Clans?" asked Jayfeather.

"It can't be!" scoffed Spottedleaf. "We already know the five Clans! It has to be something else."

Jayfeather looked hurt, but muttered a low "Sorry".

"We'll talk about this later," decided Silverstar. "Right now, I have to announce the discovery of StarClan and two new warriors!"

She to the Highrock and yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey come and join me at the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Brackenfur came first, sleepily blinking his round green eyes.

Next came Gracepelt from the medicine cat den, being supported by Spottedleaf.

Then, Cedarheart limped slowly from the elders' den.

"What is it, Silverstar?" he meowed with a yawn.

Silverstar waited until all the warriors and apprentices were sitting beneath the Highrock.

"I had a dream today," she began. "And in that dream, I saw five StarClan warriors battling three Dark Forest cats and Scourge." Silverstar hadn't mentioned the Dark Forest cat names, for she feared that her Clan would become uneasy about the fact that the Dark Forest cats were very close to returning.

But even so, muttering broke out.

"You mean that StarClan hasn't left us after all?" Brook's voice rang out above all the others.

"Yes," replied Silverstar confidently.

"That's great!" meowed Graypaw. "Now we can all stop worrying!"

He clamped his tail over his mouth.

"Did I actually say that out loud?" he squeaked.

Goldenfur, who was sitting next to Silverstar, let out a purr of amusement.

"And there is one more thing," added Silverstar. "Yesterday, Willowpaw and Fernpaw fought as brave and as strong as a true warrior. Willowpaw, Fernpaw, please step forward. It is time for you to become warriors."

Fernpaw and Willowpaw's mouthes fell open. Their eyes blazed with excitement as Silverstar pronounced 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 Willowpaw. "Willowpaw, Fernpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

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

Fernpaw 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. Willowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Willowshine. StarClan honors your courage and your determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of HeatherClan." Then she turned to Fernpaw. "Fernpaw, from this moment you will be known as Fernleaf. StarClan will always admire your bravery and curiosity, and you are now a full warrior of HeatherClan." When she finished speaking, Silverstar stepped up to to Willowshine and Fernleaf, and rested her muzzle on their bowed heads. They both licked her shoulder respectfully, and then walked over to stand by Goldenfur and Brackenfur.

The watching cats raised their voices to chant the new warriors' name. "Willowshine! Fernleaf!"

They began to press around them, congratulating them and wishing them well.

Their mother, Gracepelt, pressed her muzzle against their flanks, while her dark blue eyes glowed with delight.

"Tonight you'll have to keep vigil alone," mewed Ashnose, giving Fernleaf a friendly nudge. "Thank StarClan! The rest of us can have a night off!"