"Good morning, Mountainstar." Mountainstar's ears twitched as she stepped out of her den and heard a friendly voice. She looked towards the direction of the call and noticed Spiderstorm padding towards her with Sparrowpaw close behind him. The young tom had excitement burning in his eyes.
"Good morning you two." Mountainstar purred, greeting the two toms. "What can I help you with?"
"All of us mentors want to hold the first assessment for our apprentices but I just wanted to double check with you what exactly we're supposed to do."
Mountainstar thought for a moment. "The way Earthpelt described it was that the apprentices will go hunting and you will monitor them but make sure to stay hidden. You will judge the apprentices based on how well they hunt, not just based on how much they catch either."
"Got it, thank you." Spiderstorm dipped his head.
"I'm so excited!" Sparrowpaw padded forward, waving his tail happily. "I've gotten so good at hunting."
"Well I'll be looking forward to hearing about how well you've done." Mountainstar purred. "Good luck."
Sparrowpaw's eyes shimmered and he left alongside with his mentor, meeting up with the other apprentices and mentors. Mountainstar felt pride rushing into her heart, the three kits that she raised as her own were turning into true warriors. She couldn't wait to finally give them their warrior names and she already had them picked out. She was equally excited to make Petalpaw and Mossypaw warriors as well.
She had also noticed that many of the cats within MountainClan were getting closer to each other, namely Riverstep and Antwhisker. The two cats were always hunting together and spending time together and Mountainstar couldn't help but wonder if they would soon have kits.
The first kits born in our new home. Mountainstar thought proudly. It hadn't even been two moons yet but MountainClan had really found their way in this forest. Mountainstar couldn't help but feel a sharp sense of pride. It's strange to think that three moons ago I never even considered this way of life.
"Good morning, Mountainstar." A new voice spoke and she turned her head to spot the MountainClan deputy Nettleheart limping towards her. Since arriving in their new home, Nettleheart had been the closest cat to Mountainstar. She couldn't be happier that she selected the she-cat to be her deputy.
"Good morning." Mountainstar purred, dipping her head. "Aren't you joining the other mentors for the apprentice's assessment."
"I am, I told them I would catch up. I just wanted to relay the patrols planned for while I'm gone to you in case anyone had any questions."
"Oh, perfect." Mountainstar mewed. "What do I need to know?"
"The dawn patrol should be returning here shortly, when they get back I have Troutstream leading a hunting patrol with Riverstep, Poppysong and Flintfoot. The sun high patrol will go along the MoonClan border and is led by Fireclaw alongside Gingersky, Hazelspring, Antwhisker and Briarfall."
"Wonderful." Mountainstar dipped her head. "Thank you, Nettleheart. Good luck with the assessment." With a wave of her tail, Nettleheart padded off and vanished into the forest. Mountainstar took a look around the camp and mostly saw that her Clanmates were preparing for their upcoming patrols. I don't think they'll need to check with me at all. Mountainstar thought with a rush of pride.
While she hadn't seen the other Clans working, she couldn't help but feel that her Clan was moving together as if they had all been born warriors. She was very proud of the progress they had made, and she was excited to report that at the gathering tonight.
Mountainstar felt a breeze pick up and her body shivered, leaf-bare was nearly upon them and while she felt a twinge of anxiety about the upcoming season, she had faith in her Clan. No longer did these cats have to huddle alone during the harsh snowy nights, they had dens and Clanmates to keep them warm and hunt for them, and they had Mothflower to keep them healthy.
Mountainstar decided to check on the young medicine cat to see if she was doing alright in her preparations for the upcoming season. While the warriors of MountainClan seemed to be settling in just fine, Mothflower still doubted herself a lot. Mountainstar knew there was a lot more to being a medicine cat than there was a warrior, but she also had faith in her.
Mountainstar padded over to the medicine cat den which was just under hers. She peered inside and was greeted by the tangy scent of herbs. She spotted Mothflower in the back of the den, her brown pelt shrouded by the shadows of the dimly lit den. "Good morning, Mothflower." Mountainstar called into the den.
Mothflower jumped slightly but turned around to look at Mountainstar. "Oh, good morning Mountainstar." She dipped her head. "Was there something you needed help with?"
"I just wanted to check on you, actually. Have you been preparing for leaf-bare?"
"As best I can." Mothflower sighed. "The others told me that the most important herb during this season is catmint but I can't seem to find enough of it. I have a small amount but not nearly enough based on how urgent it was described to be by the other medicine cats." There was panic brewing in her yellow eyes.
"You can always ask them again tonight, Mothflower."
"Oh right," Mothflower took a deep breath. "I forgot that the gathering was tonight. Oneflight told me how dangerous greencough can be, I'm worried that I won't have enough. We don't have a lot of warriors as is and I don't want to risk losing any of our cats to sickness."
"We'll be okay, Mothflower." Mountainstar purred, resting her tail across the medicine cat's shoulders. "I remember being told by Leafdawn that greencough is more dangerous to elders and kits, which we don't have any right now. Even my kits are nearly eight moons by now. We'll be okay and we can always ask for help."
Mothflower looked Mountainstar in the eye, but she wasn't sure that her words helped that much. I don't know what to do to help Mothflower find her confidence as a medicine cat. "Thank you, Mountainstar. I will talk to the other medicine cats tonight."
"You can do this, Mothflower. I know you can."
*****
Mountainstar faced the gathering hollow and took a deep breath. She still wasn't quite used to sitting up there with the rest of the leaders, some of which have been leading for many seasons. They all had a certain regal energy to them and Mountainstar wasn't sure she had that same energy.
Regardless, Mountainstar pressed forward and led her Clan into the hollow. Most Clans seemed to have already gathered with the exception of AshClan. MountainClan worked their way into the hollow and soon dispersed to talk to the other Clans. While Mountainstar knew that not everyone cat in the forest was used to a fifth Clan living in the territories, she could also see that her Clan was welcomed by the rest. Especially by the cats who led them here.
Mountainstar was eager to see how Owlpaw was doing with her training, but before she could she caught movement from the corner of her eye and saw Timberstar padding up to her. "Good evening." Mountainstar dipped her head respectfully.
"To you as well." Timberstar gave her a nod. "I wanted to speak with you before the gathering began, I don't want to make a big deal of this."
Mountainstar felt a twinge of anxiety in her chest but she stayed calm in front of the LichenClan leader. "Of course, what is it?"
"Some of my warriors caught MountainClan scent over the border. It wasn't a lot and just over the border. I understand that some of your warriors are still adjusting to their new lives so I won't be too harsh. I just wanted to ask if you could discuss this with them."
"Of course, Timberstar." Mountainstar responded. "I will speak with them right away, thank you for telling me."
"It's no problem." Timberstar nodded. "I will also be having my warriors strengthen the scent lines, this isn't a display of aggression but rather to help your warriors learn our scent better."
"Thank you again, Timberstar. We deeply appreciate your understanding while we adjust."
Timberstar dipped his head once more before returning to his Clanmates. Mountainstar thought for a moment, wondering which of her warriors it could've been. She was certain that it was just a mistake and she would talk to them after the gathering.
Not long after Timberstar left, AshClan arrived and it was time for the gathering to begin. Mountainstar took a deep breath and took her place on the rock. She shuffled her paws slightly as all the eyes were on them.
"I'll go ahead and start." Riverstar mewed, the fierce AshClan leader raised her head. Mountainstar couldn't help but feel slightly intimidated by Riverstar. "We don't have a lot to report, but Tetra has moved into the nursery expecting Graypelt's kits." There was a moment of soft purrs to welcome to the new queen. "We are more than prepared for the upcoming season and AshClan is as always, strong."
"New kits are always good news." Timberstar spoke up. "I will go ahead and go next. We recently welcomed Dapplepool as our newest warrior." Cheers rang out for the new LichenClan warrior. "You may go next, Mountainstar."
Mountainstar's chest tightened slightly, she wasn't used to this yet but she held her high and kept her voice clear. "We are very much fitting into our new role as warriors, we're still learning but I am incredibly proud of the progress that these cats have made." She noticed the MountainClan cats in the crowd holding their heads high and their eyes shimmering with joy and pride, Mountainstar felt a purr rise in her chest.
"That is wonderful to hear." Dawnstar spoke with a purr. "SunClan does not have a lot to report but our Clan is as strong as ever and we are prepared for the cold season."
Once Dawnstar finished it was time for Shadowstar. "We also welcome a new queen into the nursery, Rainpetal. Other than that we have no news to announce."
"That was an easy gathering and its not too cold yet, we have time to enjoy each other's company." Dawnstar suggested and the leaders jumped down. Mountainstar was glad that the gathering had been smooth. She looked over her Clan proudly as they made friends with the others. I'm so proud of them. We'll fit in just fine.