#glintpaw

[pikaclan]

Moon 209

Midnightdash immediately gets another mate

Yew(crackle) joins the Clan. He is intact

Cicadapaw is named Cicadatalon

Micapaw is hostile towards a kittypet

Apprentices!

Rowanpaw almost has an accident but is saved by Skipraven

[canaryinacoalclan]

Moon 1 - Half-Moon Healer Meeting

Glintpaw paused at the top of the ridge, waiting for Iceflick to catch up. He frowned slightly at the way the older cat moved stiffly. He’d tried to get her to use some of their daisy leaves for her joint pain, but Iceflick was stubborn. They refused to use up any of their supply, at least so early in the growing season.

As she reached him, Glintpaw wordlessly fell into step behind them. Before the moon was anywhere near its peak, they’d reached the rocky outcropping that the healers of generations past had agreed to meet at each half-moon. In the moonlight sat the other healers, already having brought their Connections out from the shallow cave where they were stored.

Leaving Iceflick to rest and chat with the other healers, Glintpaw ducked into the cave to get their birdcage. Grasping the top of it in his jaws, he lifted it, careful not to let the bottom scrape the stony ground as he brought it onto the ledge. Not for the first time, he envied the other clans and their much less cumbersome Connections.

Mallowsnarl sat with a piece of Hawthornclan’s Starstone, a chunk of icy blue stone the size of a mouse. Firebird, the Teaselclan healer, had a strip of bark from the Moontree. It was much easier to carry than the heavy metal cage, but Glintpaw supposed it would be inconvenient to have to replace their Connection every few moons. He never knew what to make of Bleakclan’s Connection. It was a clump of something fluffy and white. Tumblestem had told him once it was a piece of the Fallen Cloud, but Glintpaw thought it looked too solid to be from a cloud.

At least theirs is soft. Glintpaw thought as he sat the cage down beside Iceflick and flexed his aching jaw.

“Before we begin, there is something I must attend to.” Iceflick began, fixing Glintpaw with a look that was both proud and sad. “It’s time to give you your full name.”

“I thought I had…another moon.” Glintpaw whispered, voice strained.

“Not to worry, I’m not retiring just yet. I’ll stay on with you for the rest of the moon, and I’ll be around to help when you need it.” Iceflick murmured, touching his shoulder gently with their tail.

“I ask our ancestors to hear these words. Glintpaw has learned how to heal, how to tend and gather the herbs, how to read the stars and signs, and is an apprentice no longer.” Iceflick tipped her head back, as if speaking directly to the stars, before turning back to Glintpaw. “You have undertaken your training with such dignity. I know Lilythroat should’ve been the one to name you. I only hope she approves of my choice.”

“From this night forward, you shall be known as Glintspark.” Iceflick finished, an emotional rasp to her voice. “May you only ever hear it said with love.”

“Congratulations, Glintspark.” Firebird said. “Now, let’s speak with our ancestors.”

Crouching, she bit gently onto the bark and closed her eyes. Mallowsnarl lay down, touching his nose to the stone. Tumblestem folded his legs underneath himself, half laying on his cloud-thing. Glintspark turned to Iceflick, but she shook her head.

“It’s tradition - you were named tonight, so you place your paw first.” They murmured.

Glintspark nodded. He wanted to say something, but his throat felt too tight for words to escape. Instead he placed his paw into the birdcage, feeling first the cold metal, then the warmth of Iceflick’s paw joining his, and then, finally, the sun-warmed stone of Starclan.

Blinking open his eyes, he found himself on the familiar large, flat stone where he always met with his ancestors. All around him was a grassy hillside dotted with large rocks and shrubs. The grass swayed gently in the breeze, and despite the night sky overhead the stone was still pleasantly warm.

The grass parted, and his old mentor Lilythroat stepped forward, purring with pride. She leapt softly onto the rock next to him, pressing her nose to the top of his head. Glintspark purred in return, but it stuttered in his throat. He couldn’t help but remember moons ago, when he’d been named her apprentice. 

“Glintspark.” Lilythroat said, pulling back. “It’s a good name. Tell Iceflick I think she’s done a marvelous job for me, alright?”

[ivyclan]

IvyClan :: Year 0 - Newleaf

Summary.

This season covers Moons 0-2.

❧ Detailed breakdown available below.

───── ⋆⋅❦⋅⋆ ─────

Events.

Ceremonies ❧ Glintpaw is apprenticed to Basilwhisker. (Moon 1) ❧ Raggedpaw is named Raggedfur and honored for her sense of justice. (Moon 2)

Births & Deaths ❧ Nothing interesting happened this season...

Health ❧ Nothing interesting happened this season...

Relationships ❧ Raggedpaw complains Basilwhisker never does anything useful. [---] (Moon 1) ❧ Ivystar clears up a misunderstanding with Basilwhisker. [++] (Moon 1) ❧ Basilwhisker is rethinking how he feels about Raggedpaw and gives her another chance. [++] (Moon 1) ❧ Lynxback is surprised Basilwhisker's life isn't as easy as he thought it was. [+++] (Moon 1) ❧ Lynxback thinks Glintpaw is being annoying [---] (Moon 1) ❧ Downydance had a fight with Basilwhisker. [---] (Moon 2) ❧ Downydance had a disagreement with Lynxback over kits. [--] (Moon 2) ❧ Ivystar is surprised to hear Raggedfur express an ideal he agrees with. [+++] (Moon 2) ❧ Glintpaw notices Ivystar has been avoiding his responsibilities lately. [--] (Moon 2)

Miscellaneous ❧ Nothing interesting happened this season...

───── ⋆⋅❦⋅⋆ ─────

Camp.

❧ Raggedpaw wants nothing more than to live by the warrior code. (Moon 1) ❧ Raggedpaw's opinion of Ivystar has grown to platonic love. (Moon 1).

❧ Ivystar thinks he's hearing the voice of StarClan cats. (Moon 2) ❧ Basilwhisker had a nightmare. (Moon 2)

───── ⋆⋅❦⋅⋆ ─────

Patrols.

Training ❧ Raggedpaw starts an argument with Downydance. Downydance rolls his eyes, annoyed but amused by the audacity. (Moon 0) ❧ Downydance tells Raggedpaw of The Descent and how it changed their hunting patterns. (Moon 1) ❧ The earth caves in under Glintpaw. Basilwhisker, hearing her screams, dashes in to save her at the last moment. The earth must still be shaken from The Descent... (Moon 1)

Hunting ❧ Ivystar and Owlfeather bring a huge amount of prey back to camp. (Moon 1)

Border ❧ Downydance leaps for a rabbit on another Clan's territory, but fumbles. (Moon 2)

Herb Gathering ❧ Ivystar talks to Lynxback about the haunting voices of StarClan he's heard. Lynxback comforts Ivystar, who helps bring back herbs. (Moon 2)

[pikaclan]

Moon 210

Lavenderstar suddenly looses their last life at 158 moons old, leaving Finchstar (who is 69 moons old hehe) to lead PikaClan. Finchstar chooses Halfmark as deputy

Hushember has a litter of two kits, one of which born without one of their feet

Yewcrackle immediately joins the elders

Splintershell heals from her infection

Caterpillarpaw is (re)named Caterpillarmeadow

Micapaw is (re)named Micatoe

Fun story passed down to apprentice

[canaryinacoalclan]

Moon 1

Iceflick was enjoying a quiet morning when Whistlebone limped in, looking sheepish. Iceflick sighed, giving him a cursory look over. He had several long scratches on his legs and back, but they didn’t appear to be deep.

“So, what happened this time?” Iceflick asked, pulling out marigold and cobwebs.

“There was a big dog.” Whistlebone explained. “I hid in a bramble thicket, so it didn’t get me, but the brambles were pretty sharp. Also, the stress gave me a stomach ache, but I’m sure that’ll clear up in a bit!”

“I’ll get you some juniper for your stomach, don’t worry.” Iceflick told him as she applied the poultice to his scratches.

Glintpaw walked into the den a moment later, pausing briefly to greet Whistlebone and Iceflick. He began sorting through the herbs, setting the juniper aside upon Iceflick’s request.

“We’ll need more soon.” Glintpaw commented softly. “These are beyond dried, and there’s only a few left.”

“Give what’s left to Whistlebone. I’ll go out and gather more.” Iceflick told him as they patted the last of the marigold into place. “Try not to move too much. Let the herbs sit for as long as possible.”

Iceflick padded out of the den, leaving Whistlebone and Glintpaw alone. Glintpaw continued sorting herbs while Whistlebone searched for something to say. Finally, he spoke up.

“So, you’ll be getting your full name soon. Are you excited?” Whistlebone asked.

“I don’t know if excited is the right word.” Glintpaw said slowly. “But I know Iceflick is looking forward to retiring again, and it’ll be nice to be a fully fledged healer. I’ve still got at least another moon of training, though.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The juniper berries were not hard to find. However, most of them had already been picked in leaf bare, and much of the remainder had been eaten by birds. The remaining berries were largely unripe, hard and green and of no use to Iceflick. As she was carefully studying a juniper tree near the border, a voice called out and caught her attention.

“Hey! Is this Canaryclan?”

Iceflick turned, seeing a ginger and brown tortie kittypet emerge from a clump of bushes. Around her neck was a black collar, studded with spikes.

“Yes. Are you looking to join?” Iceflick approached cautiously, careful to stay on their side of the border.

“Not me, no. But you take the cursed ones, right?” The kittypet asked, her eyes flicking over first Iceflick then the territory beyond her. “I was told you already had one.”

“Ah. That.” Iceflick felt her lip curl with distaste. “If that’s what you want, yes.”

The tortie nodded, either not noticing or refusing to acknowledge Iceflick’s judgemental stare. Instead, she turned back to the bushes she’d come from, beckoning with her tail. A moment later the leaves rustled, and a small kit padded shyly out. She was mostly a dark brown tabby, except for a splash of bright orange across her face and at the end of her tail.

“It wasn’t so obvious at first, you know.” The kittypet said quietly, peering down at her daughter. “But the yellow eye brightened, and the hazel eye darkened. I don’t know if I even believe in curses, but…it’s just not safe.”

Iceflick softened her gaze as she peered at the kit, leaning down to sniff her gently. To her relief, the kit smelled healthy. Aside from her mismatched eyes, which the kittypets, rogues, and Hawthornclan claimed were a curse, the kit was completely fine. 

“And do you have a name, little one?” Iceflick asked gently.

“Honey.” She murmured politely, staring up with wide eyes.

“It’s nice to meet you Honey. My name is Iceflick, and I’ll be taking you back to my home, Canaryclan. We’ll take good care of you, don’t worry.” Iceflick said gently.

“Ok.” Honey mewed, ducking her head to allow Iceflick to pick her up.

Iceflick frowned. She’d known many kits in her moons, and few things worried her more than a kit who was too polite. Nodding stiffly to the kittypet, who was watching with a blank expression, Iceflick lifted the young kit and began padding back to camp.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The clan camp was full of quiet chatter when Shatterpaw slipped back in. She’d snuck out to wish Smokepaw good luck on her assessment, and she’d expected sneaking back in to be more difficult. Especially now that Newtpelt was her mentor - he was much more attentive to her than Tawnypurr had been when she was her mentor.

Except when she peered around the corner to check if the coast was clear, she didn’t see her mentor looking frantically for her. She saw him leading a small brown and orange kitten around the camp, gesturing to different caves, clearly giving a tour. Shatterpaw tipped her head to the side, watching curiously.

“Her mom left her with the clan.” Rimepaw’s voice startled Shatterpaw, and she jumped backwards.

“Stars, Rimepaw, warn me next time.” Shatterpaw grumbled, shaking her head. “Anyways, why’d she do that? I mean, it’s not like we don’t take in adult cats, too. She could’ve stayed with her kit.”

“The kit - Honeykit, by the way - is like you.” Rimepaw blinked calmly, gesturing with his tail to Shatterpaw’s eyes.

“That curse stuff again?” Shatterpaw huffed, the fur on the back of her neck lifting. “Isn’t it bad enough we have to hear about it from Hawthornclan, now the kittypets too? Where’d this curse thing even come from, anyways?”

Rimepaw only shrugged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sprite time :)

Honeykit - Dark brown and ginger tortie molly with yellow and hazel eyes, 2 moons, polite, quick witted.

Rory (Honeykit's mother) - Ginger and brown tortie molly with yellow eyes, 30 moons, spiky leather collar, troublesome, incredible runner, very clever.

[canaryinacoalclan]

Moon 1 - Part 1 - The Gathering

The full moon was only just visible over the horizon when Jadestar led Canaryclan into the gathering field. The wide stretch of ground was dotted with wildflowers, and already two of the other clans milled about in front of the Forgotten Beast. Deepscratch saw Rimepaw hesitate at the sight of the massive monster, and was quick to reassure his young apprentice.

“It’s long dead, don’t worry.” Deepscratch said, his voice low in an attempt to avoid embarrassing the young cat. “Monster corpses just break down much slower than other creatures. Some cats think it’s not even a proper corpse, just a shell. The clans have met here for generations, the leaders perch on top of it almost every moon, and no ones ever been seriously injured.”

Rimepaw nodded, although it was aimed more at the ground than at Deepscratch. He hunched further in on himself as cats brushed past, and Deepscratch sighed internally. 

“The apprentices usually gather by that shrub, if you want to go join them. Glintpaw will likely be with the other healers, but maybe Shatterpaw can show you…” Deepscratch trailed off, eyes scanning for the other apprentice.

“She won’t be over there either.” Rimepaw mumbled. “I heard her talking about it - she has a Hawthornclan friend, they always sit together.”

“Still, you should give it a try. Let’s see, there’s…oh, Peppervalley’s apprentice - Amberpaw, right?” Deepscratch called out, seeing the pale gray molly weaving through the crowd. Getting the apprentice’s attention, Deepscratch motioned to Rimepaw. “This is Rimepaw. It’s his first gathering, will you introduce him to the other apprentices?”

“Sure thing. There’s a couple other first time apprentices from Bleakclan already over there, I’ll introduce you.” The older apprentice said brightly, flicker her tail across Rimepaw’s shoulders.

It earned a small smile from Rimepaw, and the pair padded off together. Feeling satisfied, Deepscratch went to join the other deputies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shatterpaw slipped away from the crowd as quickly as she could, staying low to the ground in the hopes of avoiding notice. Beyond the Forgotten Beast lay an old tree, long since fallen over and hollowed out. Waiting beside it was a lithe dark gray tabby molly, with white paws, small patches, and pale green eyes that brightened as she saw Shatterpaw arrive.

“Smokey! Were you waiting long?” Shatterpaw called, leaping down to bump her head into the other apprentice’s.

“Yeah, but only because Prancestar always has to be the first to arrive. He had us leave practically at sunset!” Smokepaw replied, rolling her eyes. “I’ll be glad to be rid of him next moon.”

“Yeah.” Shatterpaw said slowly, glancing at her paws.

“Do you still want to?” Smokepaw asked softly. “If you don’t…it’s okay. I can hang around the borders, or something, we can still be friends.”

“Well, I do…sort of? I know the plan was to leave together, but what if instead…you joined Canaryclan?” Shatterpaw shuffled her paws, feeling uncharacteristically shy. “I don’t know if you heard, but Emberstar died, finally. And Jadestar’s actually been trying? She’s way better than Emberstar, at least.”

“Huh. Well, I’ll think about it. Let’s see how Jadestar does while we’re still apprentices and decide once we’re warriors.” Smokepaw decided. “For now, let’s enjoy the gathering.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jadestar shifted atop the Forgotten Beast, trying her best to look confident. To one side of her sat Prancestar, the pale tabby tom staring past the crowd, his gaze pinned on the horizon. On the other side was Icestar, the pale blue, black, and red calico molly flicking her tail in irritation. Jadestar was only relieved that she wasn’t the one holding everything up. 

“Hello! Hello, we’re here.” A friendly voice called, the white marbled tom it belonged to appearing a moment later. “Not to worry, Teaselclan has arrived.”

“How kind of you to join us, Hollyhockstar.” Icestar called, displeasure dripping from every word.

“Oh, well, you know how hard it is to get everyone up the mountain.” Hollyhockstar brushed off Icestar’s cold words. “And Jadehusk! Is Emberstar sick, or…?”

“No, Emberstar lost her final life. I’m Jadestar now.” She explained.

“Ah. A shame.” Hollyhockstar did not sound upset in the slightest. “Well, I’ll begin. Teaselclan has nothing to report. Other than that my daughter is showing great talent, no doubt she’ll be a fantastic apprentice.”

“You could’ve just stayed home.” Icestar growled softly, before sighing and speaking up. “Bleakclan survived another icy leafbare on the bald. We have three new apprentices - Cragpaw, Airpaw, and Streampaw. Additionally, one kit was born during leafbare - Graykit.”

Stepping back, she nodded to Prancestar, who finally blinked and looked away from the horizon.

“Hawthorn clan thrives as always, due to our observance of the rules that some cats are quick to toss aside.” Prancestar began, sneering at Hollyhockstar. “I have no doubt that next moon we will have a new warrior. And we must congratulate Palepelt and Eggshimmer on the birth of their youngest kit.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Smokepaw, you have a sibling now?” Shatterpaw gasped quietly.

“Depends on who you ask. Palepelt named him Silverkit. Eggshimmer was…nice, and I think she was starting to get it, but” Smokepaw glanced around before leaning in even closer and whispering. “Prancestar doesn’t want us to say anything, but Eggshimmer had a bad fall and hit her head really hard. Sometimes she seems ok, sometimes not.”

Shatterpaw made a sympathetic noise in the back of her throat. “I’m sorry. Are you…are you sure about leaving, next moon? If she’s still in bad shape?”

“Mallowsnarl thinks she’ll be alright.” Smokepaw said, her voice only wavering slightly.

Shatterpaw pressed closer to her friend, and the two turned their attention back to the Gathering. Prancestar had finished speaking, but Icestar had stepped forward, cutting Jadestar off.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“And what of your deputy, Prancestar?” Icestar asked mockingly. “You say you’re thriving, but in the last Gathering of leaffall you had a strong, experienced warrior as your successor. Now you’ve replaced her with this untested kit. Has he even had an apprentice?”

“Moonstripe has enough experience, and I don’t plan on dying so soon. Unlike some leaders, I still have most of my lives.” Prancestar snarled. “As for Vervainbark, she was caught breaking the code. If she wants to lie with kittypets, she can live with them too.”

“You banished her?” Hollyhockstar said with a frown. “Icestar’s right though, Moonstripe is awfully young. Isn’t that a lot of pressure?”

Jadestar bit back a sigh as the three of them bickered, grateful that at least Emberstar wasn’t there to bicker with them and make everything worse.

None of them know when to quit. Jadestar thought, tipping her head back to watch the moon. I guess Starclan is used to this by now. Poor Vervainbark, though. I hope she’s happy, at least.

By the time Jadestar was able to share her news, the night was nearly over. She gathered her cats around her, leading them back to the safety and shelter of the tunnels.

Whatever else happens, at least my first Gathering as leader is done!

[canaryinacoalclan]

Canaryclan Lore Bits - Non-Spoilery Cats!

The first leader of Canaryclan was not Canarystar! They were named Fleckstar, and Glintpaw is a distant descendant of them.

Iceflick trained Chasmpaw and Lilythroat before retiring, only coming out of retirement to finish Glintpaw's training when Lilythroat died.

Sam, Lilythroat's mate and Shatterpaw's father, was a kittypet who briefly joined the clan. While in the clan he was called Pinespot. He is currently a kittypet again.

Mel, Newtpelt's littermate, left the clan as an apprentice. They never fully recovered from Sweetkit's death. When they were 7 moons, a slightly older kittypet (9 moons) joined the clan and befriended them. When she decided to leave the clan and return to her former life, she convinced Mel to go with her. This is why Tawnypurr, their mother, is suspicious of kittypets joining the clan.

On the other hand, Spotfreckle is very sympathetic to kittypets joining the clan, as she was one herself. Her first litter consisted of only Freezepaw, who died in a flood (hence why she asks about floods when granting her life). Her second litter consisted only of Rimepaw, but she died when Rimepaw was still a young kit.

Despite being his grandmother, Emberstar had little to do with Deepscratch. She visited him once when he was still a kit, while his other parent (her child) was still around, but otherwise treated him like she did the rest of the clan's kits. Pebblecry tried to get her involved when Deepscratch was very young, but by the time she died she'd fully given up and had instead turned to her friend Batflight for help raising him.

Sweetkit became lost in the deeper tunnels while the clan was in the cold season camp. She eventually ended up in the old coal mines, and was unable to make her way back to camp. That's why she asks about moving the clan to the warm season camp - she doesn't like being around/checking in on the clan when they're in the darker tunnels.

This is implied during the ceremony itself, but Mulberrysilk's child was exiled as an apprentice.

[canaryinacoalclan]

Family Tree(s)

Only relevant cats included for the most part, but some names have been redacted for spoiler reasons :) If there's just a question mark, no cat-box, then I don't have a cat to go there at the moment.

Stars indicate a cat confirmed to be in Starclan. Cats without stars are either alive, status unknown, or afterlife unknown.

Currently Mulberrysilk, Pebblecry, Batflight (and their unnamed mate), Chasmpaw, Birdkit, Lilythroat, Carppaw, Tawnypurr, Sweetkit, Wildheart, Spotfreckle, and Freezepaw are confirmed in Starclan.

Sam and Mel are kittypets, not confirmed dead or alive at the moment. Glintpaw's parent and Mulberrysilk's child are also not confirmed one way or the other.

Emberstar is dead, but is not confirmed to be a Starclan cat. Her child is presumed dead, but not confirmed to be in Starclan (not really confirmed dead, either).

[canaryinacoalclan]

Moon 0 - Spring begins

Jadehusk shivered. Newleaf had arrived, but its light had never seemed further away than here in the depths of the tunnels. Normally, the clan would have moved to the warm season camp already, a place at the mouth of the tunnels that offered protection from the weather while still allowing in the light and air of newleaf and greenleaf. But they’d been kept in the deeper cool season camp by Emberstar…

Jadehusk shuddered again. Emberstar…if only I’d known what you were thinking, maybe…

She shook her head. There was no use dwelling on it. Either Emberstar would tell her later tonight, or she wouldn’t.

Turning to glance at Iceflick, she nodded to the old healer. Iceflick sighed, heaving herself to her paws. No doubt she’d be glad to return to retirement once Glintpaw was trained.

“If it were any other cat, I’d say let Glintpaw practice.” Jadehusk said quietly, mindful of how voices echoed in the tunnels. “But it being Emberstar…”

“I think he’s had plenty of practice these last moons.” Iceflick replied. “Besides, a leader is a leader, nothing else to it.”

Stepping into the main chamber, Jadehusk glanced around at the remnants of her clan. The cavern seemed huge around them, the days where the clan had filled it easily now long gone. Only a few cats remained, circled loosely around the still form of Emberstar.

The dark gray molly had been arranged neatly on a bed of feathers and moss, her short fur scattered with petals. Iceflick and Jadehusk took their places by her head, and the funeral began.

“As is tradition, I will speak first.” Iceflick rasped. “Emberstar was…a cautious cat. She wanted the clan to be safe, and she believed that everything she did was a step towards that goal. May the stars grant her safe passage into the afterlife.”

“If anyone else would like to speak, now is the time.” Iceflick said, peering around the circle.

Deepscratch and Glintpaw stayed stoically silent, and Whistlebone only smiled politely. Rapidfeather wrinkled his nose, and Newtpelt and Rimepaw carefully avoided her eyes. Shatterpaw glared boldly down at Emberstar’s body, and for a moment Jadehusk thought she would curse the former leader. A moment passed, and no one spoke.

“Very well. Jadehusk, as her deputy and our next leader, it is your turn to speak.” Iceflick nodded to her.

“Emberstar was…complicated.” Jadehusk began hesitantly. “She was my mentor, when I was young. She seemed so wise and brave, and she truly believed in everything she did. I looked up to her so much, and even if…even if things had changed, I wish her peace.”

With that, the ceremony ended. There were no elders to bury her, but Jadehusk knew Iceflick would take care of it. There would be no vigil, of that she was certain. But she couldn’t stay to help - the Cave of Cages awaited her.

The tunnel into the Cave of Cages was long, dark, and eerily smooth. Unlike the rest of the tunnels, which twisted and curved, it ran straight down without any branching. At the end lay a simple cave, lit from above with moonlight shining through the collapsed roof. Whatever cave in had destroyed the roof had long ago been cleared away, and no more rubble remained on the floor.

Instead, there were bird cages. Small wire cages, rusted with age. Most of them were set in orderly rows along the walls, and small offerings lined the bottoms of them. Dried flowers and herbs, a carefully cleaned bone, some nice rocks - gifts for loved ones and offerings for Starclan.

In the center of the cave stood nine cages, a little larger than the rest, and in better condition. Eight of them had closed doors, leaving only the center one open. Jadehusk took a steadying breath, then padded forwards and closed it.

Stepping back, she winced as the light suddenly flared in the room, glinting off the cages and turning them from rusted and gray to bright shining silver. A starry cat sat in each of the nine cages, and murmuring around them told Jadehusk that if she were to look around she would see more cats in and around the other cages.

“Greeting, Jadehusk.” A familiar voice called from the central cage.

Blinking stars out of her eyes, Jadehusk purred at the sight of Chasmpaw. The young tom blinked kindly up at her, before clearing his throat and beginning the ceremony.

“Jadehusk. Emberstar chose you to be her successor. Now you must choose for yourself - are you willing to take on this mantle?”

“I am, if the stars are willing.” Jadehusk replied.

“The stars hear your answer, but each shall speak for themselves.” Chasmpaw replied, dipping his head to her before turning to look at the first cage.

Jadehusk followed his gaze. In the first cage sat Lilythroat, her steady emerald gaze staring back. With her long silver and white pelt, she looked so much like her daughter.

Except I don’t think I’ve seen Shatterpaw that calm in moons. Jadehusk mused.

“Jadehusk. I accept your answer. You were my friend in life, and I always knew you to be true. But as is my right, I will ask you a question of my own.” Lilythroat narrowed her eyes. “Do you believe in curses?”

“No. Not the kind you mean.” Jadehusk answered with relief, grateful to her old friend for starting with an easy, uncomplicated question.

“Then I grant you a life for compassion.” Lilythroat replied, pushing the door to the cage open with one paw and vanishing in a whirl of starlight.

The ceremony progressed steadily. Not every question was difficult. Pebblecry asked her if she had chosen her deputy - she had, it would be Deepscratch, which earned approving nods from both Pebblecry and Chasmpaw. Sweetkit only asked if she would move the clan to the warm season camp soon, and Wildheart wanted to know if she would let Iceflick retire soon.

But others were more challenging. Tawnypurr and Spotfreckle wanted to know how she would handle cats joining from other clans or from outside the clan. Her answer that if they were not hostile she would welcome them seemed to satisfy them enough to give her lives for acceptance and vigilance, but she wasn’t sure she had entirely won either of them over. Freezepaw wanted to know who she would save first if the camp flooded.

Finally, there were only two left - Chasmpaw and Mulberrysilk. Mulberrysilk had been watching her intently. He’d never been an aggressive cat in life, but he had turned somber in death. His pale green eyes were full of heartbreak, and his normally sleek yellow marbled fur was ruffled.

“Jadehusk. I accept your answer, but with some hesitation. If you want the life I give, answer this question for me.” Mulberrysilk said. “Will you give amnesty to those exiled by Emberstar?”

Jadehusk blinked sympathetically, guilt tugging at her heart. I know there are rules, I can’t lie and I can’t promise a favor in exchange for a life, but…I think I can answer the question he’s actually asking without breaking those.

“Any cat who was exiled before they were 12 moons old will be welcomed back without question.” Jadehusk began, seeing the immediate shift in Mulberrysilk’s demeanor as she did so. “Older cats will be given amnesty after a clan discussion. And of course cat’s expecting kits will at least be allowed to stay until the kits are weaned, as is clan law.”

Mulberrysilk purred with relief, pushing open the door to his cage and leaping out practically before he’d finished saying that his life was one of forgiveness.

“The stars have given you their blessing, and the final life is mine to give.” Chasmpaw said softly. “But I too have a question, the same one always given to a new leader - will you follow Emberstar’s path, or carve your own?”

Jadehusk lifted her chin, confidence briefly flowing through her. “I’ll carve a new path for myself, and for all of Canaryclan.”

“Then I grant you this life for courage. You will need it, I’m afraid. The stars still do not know who caused the cave-ins, only that none of the cats who died were responsible.” Chasmpaw said, gently pushing open the final cage. “With this final life, I hail you by your new name - Jadestar!”

[canaryinacoalclan]

Meet the Founders!

Leader - Jadestar (formerly Jadehusk), she/her Pale brown and white molly with green eyes, 90 moons old, lonesome, clever.

Deputy - Deepscratch, he/him Gray tabby tom with dark blue eyes, 57 moons old, strict, good speaker, good hunter. (Apprentice - Rimepaw)

Healers - Iceflick, she/they Light brown speckled molly with cobalt eyes, 121 moons old, careful, good storyteller, good teacher. Came out of retirement to finish Glintpaw's training.

Glintpaw, he/him Black speckled tom with pale yellow eyes, 10 moons old, responsible, active imagination.

Warriors Rapidfeather, he/him Pale brown tabby and white tom with cyan eyes and long fur, 112 moons old, childish, den builder.

Whistlebone, he/him Brown tabby and white tom with copper eyes, 111 moons old, oblivious, impressive climber, natural intuition.

Newtpelt, he/they Red and white patched tom with amber eyes and rosy moth wing accessory, 14 moons old, childish, great kitsitter. (Apprentice - Shatterpaw)

Warrior Apprentices Shatterpaw, she/her White and silver tabby molly with yellow-green and emerald eyes and long fur, 10 moons old, fierce, avid playfighter, never sits still.

Rimepaw, he/him Gray marbled tom with bronze eyes, 6 moons old, gloomy, splashes in puddles.

Starclan Guide Chasmpaw, he/him White and ginger tom with pale yellow eyes, 8 moons old (Living), 47 moons dead, healer apprentice, cold, good climber, great mediator.

[pikaclan]

Moon 215

Graydrift died as did Ivypurr :(

LionClan + Glintpaw is (re)named Glintshadow

Shrubmunch saves Pinekit

Grief

Barkpuddle was maid mediator

Different branches of the Twig line are dying out and with such a lack of kits i'm scared it won't hold. I try to force mates as little as possible. Due to this, unknown second parent is temp on