The last cat Spidernose had expected Fernstar to call forward was her and for a moment all the she-cat could do was sit there and blink in surprise, her dark ears shooting upwards and her tail whisking through the snow where she sat in disbelief. M-Me?! Really…? Wow! to maintain her dignity, she sat a little straighter and tried not to look as excited as she felt, waiting for the ceremony to end, she gave Fernstar a firm nod as a way to promise she would do her best to teach her apprentice everything she needed to know about being a warrior of WillowClan. She heard Stormheart call out his congratulations and gave him a twitch of her whiskers, then turned to Duskwing as the more experienced mentor promised to help her out with pointers if she needed it. Spidernose was a little relieved by the offer, as happy as she was to have been chosen as Honeypaw’s mentor, this would be the first time she’d ever taught another cat anything and she was sure she didn’t know everything there was to know about being an apprentice’s mentor. “Thank you, Duskwing. I’m grateful...I’ll definitely come to you for some pointers soon!” she purred before the other she-cat got too far out of earshot.

Hearing the smaller, shuffling pawsteps of the little tortoiseshell as she skittered up to her, Spidernose too got to her paws and dipped her head downwards to touch her nose to Honeypaw’s forehead gently, like she remembered her mother telling her warriors used to do in Clans when they met their apprentice for the first time. And of course she wanted Honeypaw to feel welcome and safe with her. ”Hello there, Honeypaw.” she purred back in a friendly tone as she drew away from the apprentice’s forehead to smile down at her. “It’s very good to meet you, I’m excited for the chance to be your mentor. Now, I’m sure you heard what Fernstar said about Maplestream?”

She knew it would probably be disappointing for Honeypaw, but as warriors (and future warriors) one of their main duties was to protect and provide for their Clan and she figured this was a very good opportunity to introduce Honeypaw to that concept. “Of course, with Fernstar and Blackpelt both leaving camp for that important trip, that means there’s less warriors to guard it. So tonight I’m afraid you and I will have to do that job, but I promise first thing at sunrise tomorrow morning I will take you out into the territory to show you around, okay?”

Honeypaw purred as she stooped to touch noses with her, and Spidernose felt some of her own insecurities melt away a little. Maybe this would be okay, she could do this. She just hoped the poor kid wouldn’t be too disappointed to be stuck in camp for one more day, but they really couldn’t afford to leave the Clan undefended. Spidernose let out a tiny huff of relief, however, as the apprentice seemed just as excited by the task she had proposed. If she could make it sound important enough, perhaps it could be just as good for Honeypaw as a territory tour would have been. “Excellent, I’m glad. It shouldn’t be too tricky, tell you what we’ll do, is go and meet the others at the entrance there. You can see Fernstar, Blackpelt, Sunfur and Redleap off with me, and we’ll sit either side and keep watch until one of them gets back, just use your ears and your nose and if you hear or smell anything strange, you let me know and we can warn the rest of the camp. That sound good?”

The she-cat flicked her tail towards where the other cats she’d mentioned were gathering, keeping her strides small to allow her new apprentice to keep up with her better as they padded through the settling snow to join them. “Take care, all of you. May StarClan watch over your paws. We’ll keep the camp nice and safe while you’re away.” Spidernose promised, settling herself on one side of the entry tunnel and curling her tail over her paws so she could hunker down comfortably. It might be a long night, if Honeypaw got tired before then, she was willing to let the poor kid head off to the apprentice’s den and finish the watch by herself, unless Stonefall insisted someone else relieved her before then. Spidernose would sit guard all night if she had to.

Spidernose’s attention had been fixed upon the camp entrance, her eyes barely blinking and her ears perked forward to detect the tiniest of sounds in the underbrush outside. She listened to the pawsteps of the patrol, the leader and the medicine cat as they pattered away on their own journeys. Silence settled across WillowClan once they were far enough away, and for a few heartbeats there was nothing to break it until she heard Honeypaw squeak out her name and a question nearby.

The older she-cat’s ears angled towards the apprentice and her whiskers twitched slightly in amusement.
“Try not to worry too much, Honeypaw. It’s more a precaution than anything else. The border patrol ran into a fox earlier and while they chased it away, it might come back with a friend.” she explained, her tail flicking from side to side absently. “The chances of us needing to see anything off are pretty low, what with leafbare creeping up on us. Most things will go to ground at night to stay out of the cold.”

He sniffs at the herbs, and carefully makes two more herb wraps, setting them aside for the warriors that will be joining them on the trip to the Moonpool. He swallows nervously, and scratches at his neck for a moment, trying to calm his nerves. He then eats his own traveling herbs, and passes the other piles to the warriors that will be joining them. His thin fur gives little protection from the cold, but he can't worry about that now. His leader needs him. He bites his lip, and takes the herbs to the three cats. "Eat these, then we can leave. I know where the pool is, so follow me carefully. It's a long journey."

Honeypaw listened intently to Spidernose's words, trying to memorize everything her mentor said. The chances of them encountering danger were low, but it was important to protect the Clan from a fox that the border patrol had seen earlier. Honeypaw's ears twitched at the mention of a fox, having never seen one, but knowing that they were incredibly dangerous. She nodded her head, keeping her eyes alert and focused on the camp's entrance.

Suddenly, Fernstar approached, and Honeypaw's heart warmed at the sight. Fernstar draped her tail over Honeypaw's small frame and the young she-cat purred, leaning into Fernstar a bit for reassurance. She nodded at Fernstar's words, her confidence in Honeypaw spurring the new apprentice to do her absolute best. "Thank you, Fernstar. I will not let you down!" She meowed, trying to project more confidence and bravery than she felt. As Fernstar left, Honeypaw took a moment to glance around the camp. She saw their new deputy, Stonefall, sitting with Moosepaw. She spotted the two Warriors who were to go on the patrol, though she couldn't recall their names. She spotted Blackpelt approaching with traveling herbs, and she dipped her head respectfully to the Medicine Cat. She kept glancing at Spidernose to make sure she was sitting her vigil correctly, trying to stay focused, but feeling slightly overstimulated and overwhelmed by all of the changes and thoughts whirling around in her head.




Stonefall dipped his head to Moosepaw, meowing quickly, "One moment, Moosepaw. I want to hear how your training is going but I need to check in with Spidernose." The sleek silver and black Deputy stood, dipping his head in brief farewell to the large apprentice, before trotting smoothly over to where Spidernose was sitting. He nodded in greeting to both Spidernose and Honeypaw, who looked incredibly nervous and possibly excited at his approach. Stonefall sat, curling his long tail around his paws.

"Spidernose," he began, "Thank you for sitting watch for the first part of the night. I'll relieve you at Moonhigh so you can get some rest." He hadn't been Deputy for long, but he knew that it was important he keep tabs on his Warriors and made sure they were taken care of, especially in Fernstar's absence. She was a beloved leader, and Stonefall would do everything in his power to make sure that the Clan she trusted him with was safe. "And thank you, Honeypaw, for sitting vigil with Spidernose. Congratulations to you both on your new mentor and apprentice relationship," he added, his voice rumbling deeply with heartfelt emotion. He had yet to have an apprentice, and he craved that special bond. Spidernose was a great Warrior, loyal and fierce, and he knew that she would teach Honeypaw well. Honeypaw opened her mouth to thank the Deputy, but all that came out was a slightly undignified squeak of "Thanks!!" and she nervously lowered her head to her paws. Stonefall couldn't blame her. They hadn't interacted much and she was very small and young.

He turned back to Spidernose, his eyes sparkling with merriment at the young apprentice's nerves around him. The little she-cat clearly didn't have a lot of experience with toms, and Stonefall had a tendency to be imposing at first glance, with his striking green-blue eyes and silver and black tabby coat. "Well, Spidernose, let me know if you need anything. I'm going to eat before I get some rest to relieve you at Moonhigh. Would you like something while you watch over the camp? I think I spotted some delicious looking mice on the fresh-kill pile," he meowed conversationally. He thought about pressing his nose to Spidernose's cream coat in solidarity during these uncertain times, but didn't want to overstep. He still felt a little out of place with some of the other cats, and while the cream-colored she-cat had made an impression on him, he wasn't sure where he stood, other than as new Deputy and sometimes patrol-mate.

Duskwing dipped her head to Fernstar, "I'll do it first thing in the morning. Be safe Fernstar." She watched as the other she-cat walked off towards where Spidernose and Honeypaw were watching the entrance to camp and the search patrol for Maplestream was getting ready to depart. She'd make sure to wish them luck before she went to bed. It had been a long day for the whole clan and they needed good news of both Starclan and Maplestream's safety.

She trotted over towards where Moosepaw was sitting just as their newly appointed Deputy, Stonefall, passed by her. She gave him a respectful nod as he passed by. She'd also have to make sure to congratulate him on his new position. The well-built tom was a good fit for Deputy. He had the kindness to care for the clan but enough of a forceful nature to make sure that everything got done when it needed to. His loyalty to Fernstar matched her own and that was certainly something she could respect.

She bumped her shoulder against Moosepaw as she got closer before settling down next to her apprentice, for what would likely be one of the last times. It was a bittersweet thought. She would miss getting to train the intelligent young tom, but she knew he would make a proud and capable warrior and Willowclan needed all the warriors it could get. "Saw you talking to Stonefall. Not giving me a bad report I hope." She flicked her tail across his ears, "Your assessment is going to be tomorrow morning bright and early. If all goes well you'll be the first warrior in Willowclan appointed by a Starclan approved leader, but don't think that makes you better than the rest of us."



Stormheart followed after the other members of the patrol as they approached the entrance to camp. He was starting to feel his usual, and problematic nerves, prickling across his pelt and making him sink his claws into the ground to steady himself as they stood and waited for Blackpelt and Fernstar. He trusted his clanmates one-hundred percent and knew that they, and himself, wouldn't give up until Maplestream had been found or all of their paws fell off due to the frigid snow. He was more grateful than ever for his thick, silver pelt that both protected him and let him blend in better.

He settled off to the side of the entrance to wait until everyone was ready. Sharp yellow eyes tracking the movements of all of his clanmates. He gave Honeypaw a warm smile as she and Spidernose placed themselves on either side of the entrance, and a nod to Fernstar as she approached, spoke briefly to Honeypaw, and slipped out of camp. He could tell the young she-cat was nervous with all of the larger warriors around, even Stonefall who was probably one of the most approachable cats in the clan due to his kind demeanor. As Stonefall turned his attention towards Spidernose he shifted slightly and looked towards Honeypaw, "Quite the job for a newly appointed apprentice," he meowed softly, "I'm glad to see we're leaving camp in such capable paws."

He kept an eye out across camp for Blackpelt and Sunfur who would be joining them on the patrol. He didn't see either of the toms yet, but he figured they'd be on their way soon. "You're doing more now than I think I've done in all the moons I've been alive," he chuckled slightly, "We're lucky to have such a dedicated clanmate."

Spidernose caught her apprentice looking sideways at her every so often, as well as the nervous gleam in her eyes, and chuckled softly under her breath. “Relax a little, Honeypaw. You tense up like that and you’ll make it worse for yourself. If it helps at all though, you’ll probably smell a fox before you see it, they stink.” she advised. As the new Clan deputy made his way over, too, the cream she-cat sat a little straighter in greeting, though she was far less stiff than Honeypaw. He was ranked higher than she was, but she had known Stonefall for a little longer, at least, and from what little she had interacted with him before she knew him as a calm and reasonable tom.

As Stonefall sat nearby, Spidernose dipped her head politely to the tom, and looked quite relieved when he promised to relieve them at Moonhigh. Though she had of course been willing to sit there all night if it meant keeping the Clan safe whilst Fernstar and the others were gone, it would have been a very long watch shift and, especially in the cold of the snow, she would have started to feel the cold sooner or later. “Of course, I’m more than happy to do my bit for the Clan, that’s what a good warrior does. Thank you, though, Stonefall. We appreciate it.”

At Honeypaw’s squeak, her mentor twitches her whiskers in amusement and wiggles her ears in the little tortoiseshell’s direction in an attempt to comfort her a little bit. “Don’t look so worried, it’s only Stonefall. He’s a Clanmate the same as you and I.” Stormheart soon makes his way over to chat to the apprentice, too, and Spidernose decided to leave her be and return her attention to Stonefall instead. At the mention of prey, the she-cat did lick her lips, suddenly seeming to realise for the first time how hungry she actually was. She hadn’t eaten very much earlier at all, far too concerned with getting Sunfur back to camp, and then going out to try and hunt some more as the hunting patrol had brought back so little because of the accident. She purred gratefully at the tom and dipped her chin, murmuring softly. “That would be nice, actually, yes please...thanks, Stonefall.”

Honeypaw pricked her ears up at Stormheart's words. She could hardly believe her good fortune, to have been brought into a Clan filled with so many skilled, loyal Warriors, let alone so many that were willing to talk to her. She sat up from her crouched position and flicked her tail, nodding her head decisively at Stormheart's words. "I'm determined to do my best, Stormheart!" she mewed, her voice bright and focused. She glanced around the camp like Stormheart had done, trying to mimic his watchful gaze, but unable to keep track of more than the few cats just in her vicinity.

"How long have you been a Warrior, Stormheart? I want to be a Warrior so badly!" she asked, trying to distract herself from her nerves. It seemed like Stormheart was maybe a little nervous too, so Honeypaw thought that asking him questions might distract both of them. Besides, the patrol hadn't even left camp yet so there wasn't much to stay on the lookout for, right? And Spidernose and Stonefall didn't seem too concerned at the moment. Honeypaw's bright gaze focused on Stormheart, eager to hear the Warrior's story.




Stonefall stood and trotted over to the fresh-kill pile, grabbing two mice that looked appetizing. The large, sleek tom strode back to Spidernose, dropping one of the mice at her paws. He crouched next to her, their sides just barely touching as they shared fresh-kill. In between bites, Stonefall meowed softly, not letting his words reach past Spidernose. "I hope Fernstar's journey goes smoothly. I'm a little worried, if I'm honest. Maplestream's disappearance is...unusual." The tom kept a keen eye on the camp entrance.

He sighed, trying to push the troubling thoughts away. There was no use fretting about what he couldn't control. All he could do was watch over the camp while Fernstar was gone and make sure that his clanmates felt safe. "How have you been doing?" he asked softly, turning his gaze to Spidernose. "I know things have been strange...and I just want to thank you for all that you've been doing to help. If you need anything, you can always let me know," he meowed softly, concern showing in his light green blue eyes, his long tail wrapping around his paws as they ate.

Duskwing tucked her paws underneath her chest as Moosepaw expressed his concerns, "It's understandable to be nervous. I know I was when I first came to camp and stood in front of Fernstar for my warrior name." She was a loner with no one else to look after her when she first stumbled across Willowclan and it had changed her life for the better. She knew Moosepaw would succeed and could be one of the best warriors the clan had; he just needed to believe that for himself. "You've become an adept hunter and a successful fighter," she purred warmly, "I don't think there's much else I could teach you. Besides, we'll still be able to go on patrol together and I can train even if you've got your warrior name. I doubt Fernstar would complain."

She purred warmly at his final comment. "That's what'll make you a good warrior Moosepaw. You care for the clan as much as any of us and that's what we need." He had learned everything she could teach him, now it was just up to him to take care of the final assessment. She had no doubt he would pass with flying colors once he was in the thick of it. "You'll do just fine. You caught probably half the prey on the pile right now and gave me a beating in training. Just make sure you get some rest beforehand."



Stormheart let out a warm purr at Honeypaw's enthusiasm, "I'm sure you will, and you've got a great mentor to show you the ropes." They were lucky that, even with their newly formed clan, to have cats that were so determined and enthusiastic about protecting and serving it. If Starclan didn't give Fernstar her nine lives after everything she'd done to keep them all together and safe without them, they were making a big mistake. He didn't even want to consider the thought that Fernstar might come back just the same, but even if she did she'd still be their leader. He didn't care what Starclan thought; she was their leader no matter what.

He blinked in surprise at her question and twitched his whiskers as he settled further into the snow, "Hmm, I think for about 8 or so moons now. I didn't come to the clan as a kit like you did, so I was given my warrior name when I arrived." He chuckled slightly as he remembered his life before Willowclan: comfortable, easy, and incredibly boring. "I used to live in a barn actually with a bunch of big, weird animals called horses, and as many mice as you could possibly imagine." He could remember the two-legs coming in every so often to give him food, but other than that they mostly left him alone. "One day I just decided to go into the woods and see where my paws took me and they brought me here to Fernstar and the rest of the clan."

"You'll be a warrior in no time at all. Spidernose won't know what to do with all that boundless energy." He flicked her gently with his tail and gave he a warm blink, "You'll do better than I did when I had to prove myself. I tripped over my own paws and scared off all the prey in the forest."

Spidernose dipped her head gratefully as the stone-grey tom padded back over and set a mouse down at her paws, her whiskers twitching slightly as she felt his side brush hers, and for a brief moment, the she-cat shifted to nudge his flank gratefully with the end of her tail before she hunkered down to eat. As she chewed the first mouthful, her ears flattened with worry at the mention of their missing Clanmate, and, once she had swallowed, Spidernose nodded her agreement.
“I know...it worries me, too. Sunfur and I were hunting with her just this sunhigh.” the cream she-cat sighed worriedly, finishing another few bites before she spoke again. “I was sure she came back to camp with us, Stonefall, I-I don’t understand where she could have gone...I do hope they find her and that she’s alright.”

As she finished what was left of the mouse, Stonefall instead asked how she was doing, and while she cleaned her whiskers, she offered him a quiet, contented purr. “I’ve been doing alright, a little disappointed that we didn’t manage to catch very much on the hunting patrol today, but that can’t be helped during leafbare I suppose, so no point dwelling on it. Really surprised Fernstar picked me to be a mentor, maybe a little nervous, too...I hope I do a good job.” she admitted, looking down at her paws in embarrassment.