Windclan's Hope

Chapter 15

Stemnose twisted himself under Ravenstar's grip, pain gripping him as the tom's claws raked down his back. He arched his back and shoved his spine into the Riverclan leader's belly. Ravenstar reared giving him enough time to dart from under him. Stemnose darted but turned before the tom could react. He leapt onto him, claws in his eyes. Ravenstar backed up with a shriek, shaking his head. Stemnose kicked the tom in the chin with his hind legs and shoved him down with claws at his throat. "Retreat or lose a life." He snarled. "I am Windclan's leader and you will accept this." He stretched his claws to pierce the tom's throat. Ravenstar, bloody eyed and whining, wriggled under his grasp. "Fine, but we'll be back. Just you wait." Ravenstar hissed. "Riverclan, go home!" He yowled. "We'll be stronger next time!" Stemnose let him leave camp. Splashstar's warriors kept fighting but were heavily outnumbered by Shadowclan and Windclan. "Thunderclan lets go, we'll be back too." Splashstar pulled away from a Shadowclan cat that Stemnose had met on the patrol, Stoneface. Stemnose sighed. "Ivypaw, check on the elders, they were attacked!" He heard Squirrelpaw's yowl. His sister rushed past everyone. Stemnose saw Mudheart come from the Windclan medicine den, he must have been in the second patrol they were ahead of. Sweetwhisker came out too, she helped Turtleheart with the major injuries while their apprentice's checked on minor injuries.
Stemnose sat down, cleaning his wounds. "Hey, Stemnose right?" He looked up. "I have my nine lives. Its Stemstar now." He lifted his chin. Seedstalk and Talonpaw stood in front of him. "We want to talk to you and Adderstar. Its important." Stemstar nodded and led the way to the spare den for them to talk. Adderstar followed behind his warriors.
Stemstar listened to Seedstalk. "Graytooth raised us, me and my brother Blacktuft. Twolegs stole us and we separated. Clearly i see where he ended up." Seedstalk rolled his eyes. "With this information, Talonpaw, me and my mate, Lakespirit wish to join Windclan. The silver tabby she padded into the den, her green eyes flashing with friendliness. Adderstar bristled. "You want to leave your own clan?" He asked. "To be with Graytooth, who saved me from our father." Seedstalk mewed. Adderstar nodded. "I understand, while im not happy i understand. You will always be Shadowclan, Seedstalk. I hope you and your family does well here. It is clear you have windclan's skills, i have seen that. Stemstar, Shadowclan is still Windclan's ally. We will see you win this war." Adderstar stood and padded away, calling his clan. "We are glad to have you three." Stemstar purred.
"Let all cats gather to hear my words." He announced, the three newest warriors sitting in the crowd. "Seedstalk and Lakespirit have joined Windclan along with their kit, Talonpaw. Talonpaw will take his last moon of training learning Windclan's ways along with his parents. With Seedstalk's permission i would like to appoint a Windclan mentor for Talonpaw and some cats to guide Lakespirit and him." Stemstar mewed. Seedstalk nodded. "Talonpaw deserves a mentor that knows your ways." He mewed. "Sheepfur, you will guide Seedstalk into Windclan's ways. Doveface will guide Lakespirit. Birdnose will take over and continue Talonpaw's apprenticeship. He was my mentor, i know he will do well. I was a dumb apprentice." He purred in amusement. "Lastly, Squirrelpaw. You fought like a warrior today. I think, along with Whiteclaw, you are ready for your warrior name." He leapt down from Tallrock. "I, Stemstar, leader of Windclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice and hail her by her warrior name. Squirrelpaw, you will be known as Squirrelfoot." He yowled. The clan chanted her name as he rested his muzzle on hers. "Congratulations, my sister." He purred before stepping back. "We will both hold vigil together since I never held mine." Stemstar announced.
Stemstar sat next to Squirrelfoot, a chilling wind howling along the moor. He fluffed his fur our, pressing closer to his sister. He looked around, his back wounds aching. He felt Ivypaw's presence and gasped quietly as the poultice she applied stung. When the apprentice moved to Squirrelfoot, she did the same.
As the sun rose he was having trouble staying awake, they'd had no strange noises during the night and after the battle he was exhausted. Stemstar lifted himself to his paws as Whiteclaw nudged him. "Good morning, great leader." He teased. "Finally. Set patrols while i nap." He smiled. "Already done. Im taking all four new apprentices hunting with Owlfeather since he is the best hunter. Sheepfur and Doveface are taking Seedstalk and Lakespirit out to show them the territory. Thats the border patrol." Whiteclaw reported. "Owlfeather, gather the apprentices!" He turned and yowled to the warrior. Stemstar stretched, smiling as Eaglepaw and Cloudpaw dropped prey at his and Squirrelfoot's paws.