Warriors - Times of Anarchy (Book 1, The Flame)

Chapter 3

"Let all cats who step on shards and hide the shadows gather at my words for a clan meeting," meowed Molestar, leaping up on a rotting twoleg chair to see his clan from above. The last rays of sun sinking down behind him and casting long shadows in the gaps of the ruins of the Twoleg house. Ruinclan's camp was partially protected from the rain, and the cats had become accustomed to being closed in the rotting interior.

They gathered slowly, like shadows slowly blending in the constant gloom of the camp. Pairs of eyes glittered at Molestar, who supposed he mustn't look more than that himself. His voice rang with echo as he began to summon the name ceremony, his breath shallow. Only one star glittered in the gap of the nest's roof, and he knew his warrior ancestors were watching.

Or were they...?

He shook his head, eyes turning cold at the thought. Of course they were!

"Cats of Starclan, tonight I wish for you to look down at these kits, for they are six moons old and ready to take on duties in the clan as apprentices."

His eyes glowed with pride as the light of the half-moon glowed inside the camp, turning the pelts of his three kits silver, even Flamekit's, who had a bright orange pelt. Hiddenkit and Thirdkit stood by him, their pelts neatly groomed and glittering like they were part of Starclan themselves.

It must be a sign, thought Molestar, Starclan accepts this ceremony. Even if the warrior ancestors were more distant to the clans then ever before, he knew they surely still looked upon the three clans around the lake.

"Saltlake, you're a fine warrior with great dedication to the warrior code. You'll will mentor Thirdpaw," began Molestar, as Thirdpaw reached eagerly and hit his nose againsy his mentor, who yowled in surprise. Purrs of amusement rose from the crowd as apprentice and mentor tried rubbing away the pain with their paws.

"Rainstep, your mother and grand-mother were great leaders and she-cats with skill and wisdom. Pass this on to Flamepaw." meowed Molestar, and Flamepaw pressed his nose against his mentor's, eyes bright. Rainstep looked back at him with as much vivacity in her blue gaze, for he was her first apprentice that she had waited a long time for.

"Lastly, Ravenskies, I wish for you to train my only daughter into the finest warrior of the forest," Molestar paused, and he saw his daughter look down in embarrassment at his words. "You'll mentor Hiddenpaw, since it's been awhile that you've had an apprentice of your own." he continued, as the two she-cats touched noses.

"Hiddenpaw, Flamepaw and Thirdpaw, until you have earned your warrior names, learn much from your mentors and fight bravely," yowled Molestar, as the clan chanted their new names.

"Hiddenpaw, Thirdpaw, Flamepaw!" cried cats across the camp, as they repeated their names and congratulated the new mentors.

"Hiddenpaw, Thirdpaw, Flamepaw!" yowled Tinynose loudest, pushing her muzzle over the crowd and giving Hiddenpaw a lick between the ears.

"I'm so proud of you!" she exclaimed, and Thirdpaw purred in amusement.

"We haven't been made warriors yet!" he exclaimed, and Flamepaw twitched his whiskers in amusement at his brother. Thirdpaw weaved around the dispersing cats and Flamepaw followed after him. Hiddenpaw was already heading towards the apprentice den, accompanied by another apprentice.

"You'll be sleeping in our den tonight!" meowed the she-cat, who touched noses with Hiddenpaw. "Come on, me and Lungepaw already made them."

"Thanks, Sunpaw." replied Hiddenpaw, and Flamepaw saw his sister weave away after Sunpaw, a pretty tabby she-cat. Flamepaw heard his sister let out a long, tired sigh.