Stonefall ate his prey thoughtfully, listening intently as she spoke of Maplestream's disappearance and her nerves about mentoring Honeypaw. "Well," he mewed softly, "Maplestream is a fine warrior. I'm sure that she just got sidetracked, perhaps she's been so busy hunting she lost track of time," he added with a soft rumble, clearly trying to cheer up Spidernose a bit. "I doubt that she's in serious danger, and I'm certain the patrol will find her soon."

He brushed his tail against Spidernose's side, trying not to think about how good it felt to have the slender cream-colored she-cat there, and added quietly, [color=8EBDC1]"Fernstar chose you because you are a bright, kind, fierce Warrior who will help Honeypaw become the same. Honeypaw has had a hard time in her short life, so I'm sure that Fernstar chose you to help her settle into the Warrior she is to become, because she knows you'll do a great job." Stonefall purred a little, unable to help himself. "I understand nerves though, I still...I still feel them," he admitted, hoping Spidernose wouldn't think less of him. He hadn't been Deputy that long, and still felt anxiety about the seriousness of the role.

Stonefall noticed Fernstar signaling him with her tail, and he stood, giving a stretch of his muscled limbs before shyly dipping his head to Spidernose. "It looks like Fernstar needs me for something. Thank you for sharing prey with me, Spidernose. I'll come relieve you of your patrol in a bit," he gently touched Spidernose's flank with his tail before trotting over to Fernstar, who was eating traveling herbs. "Fernstar, are you ready for your journey?" he asked, sitting near his leader, his eyes bright and alert.




Honeypaw's eyes were wide at Stormheart's stories of living with other animals. Honeypaw hadn't even seen many other animals, and her memories were hazy before living here, filled with cold and darkness. She couldn't fathom having a whole life before living in WillowClan! The little apprentice squeaked, "Wow! I can't believe you just...decided to come here! That's so cool!" Honeypaw shuffled her paws excitedly. She noticed that Spidernose wasn't talking to the deputy anymore, and she waved her tail excitedly at her mentor. "Did you know that Stormheart lived with something called a HORSE?!" The little tortoiseshell she-cat practically bounced with excitement, before realizing that she wasn't doing a very good job keeping watch. She sat back down with a soft plunk, her ears falling back in a bit of dismay. "Oh, I'm sorry Stormheart and Spidernose, I keep getting distracted when I'm supposed to be watching. I just...I like hearing stories so much." She tried to refocus on the watch, but was having a hard time focusing, her mind whirling with questions about Stormheart's previous life, wondering about Spidernose's previous life, wondering about what her own must have been like...

At Stonefall’s reassurances, she did seem to relax a little. He was right, Maplestream was a strong and capable warrior, the chances were she’d gotten side tracked and not realized how long she’d been away from camp. Nothing bad will have happened to her, probably. The she-cat’s whiskers twitched as she listened attentively to what Stonefall had to say. When he confessed his own worries about his duties as deputy, she blinked comfortingly at him, reaching out to nudge his shoulder with her forehead briefly. “Well, I think you’re doing a great job, so far.” she promised. “Fernstar chose you for a reason, too, you’re a good cat. A lot of the Clan look up to you, you know.” even her, though she wasn’t quite brave enough to admit it yet. Speaking of the leader, though, Stonefall quickly had to excuse himself as Fernstar needed him for something, so she gave him a quiet purr of her own, nodding. “Okay. Take care, I’ll see you when you get back.”

She turned her attention back towards her other Clanmates, just in time to hear them talking about some sort of creature called a...a horse? Well, Spidernose had never heard of such a thing before, and her mother had taught her about a great many of the other animals that the Clan were sharing their territory with. But, if Stormheart said he’d seen some then they must be a real thing, so Spidernose twitched her whiskers in amusement and chuckled. “No need to apologise, Honeypaw. It’s good practise, someday when you’re on watch duty without me you may have to talk to hunting patrols or the medicine cats as they pass you while watching out for danger at the same time.”

Her tail whisked absently through the snow as she thought, angling her ears to the other fully grown warrior as she added. “Besides, stories from cats that came from other walks of life before joining WillowClan can be good and helpful information for us to protect the Clan from future dangers. I can’t say I’ve ever seen one of these…”horses” before...are they dangerous?” she asked the tom, equal parts wary and curious to know more.

Stonefall could feel Fernstar's hidden excitement, read her shifting paws for what it was. Not nerves. Not anxiety. But excitement. He couldn't help but feel his heart swell in pride for his leader, whose wisdom and strength had brought this Clan together where before there had been nothing. His life alone had been utterly transformed by her, by this Clan, let alone all of the other Warriors, the Apprentices, all of them. And now...now she was going to be welcomed by StarClan.

He couldn't wait.

At Fernstar's question, Stonefall felt a bit of doubt creeping into his mind. You're too young for this. There are better cats for this. You don't actually belong here. You'll always just be a stray.

"Well," Stonefall mewed softly, resolving himself to shoving those doubts away. Fernstar, in all of her wisdom, had chosen him for a reason. He just needed to remember that. "I don't think any of us are really ever ready when a new challenge comes along like this." he continued thoughtfully, wrapping his long tail around his paws as he spoke, eyes glinting in reflection. "But I do know that I will do everything in my power to protect my Clanmates and keep them safe while you are away." The sound of his Clan behind them, Spidernose's soft, light voice, Stormheart's laughter, the sounds of life. Stonefall heard Honeypaw's excited mewing, thought of Moosepaw's Warrior ceremony coming soon, felt nothing but excitement at the prospect of everything to come.

And he would defend them all to his last breath.

Blackpelt walks out of his den, leading the other cats out into the dusk light. "We'll have to move quickly. There's only a small window of time to speak with them, when the pool is lit by the moon. And none of us can eat on the way there, remember that. I'm not sure about the way back." His tail flicks. "Let's go." He pads out of the camp, heading off to the pool he saw in his vision.

Duskwing watched as Moosepaw heeded her words and walked off towards the apprentice's den. She knew he'd take what she said to heart. She checked around the rest of the camp and saw that most of the cats in camp were prepping to leave. She hoped they'd be back quickly since that didn't leave many to guard the camp. She glanced towards the warrior's den before looking towards the entrance as Blackpelt and Stormheart pushed their way out. She padded towards Spidernose for a quick word before going to the den for some much needed rest. "If either you or Honeypaw need a break at any point during the night I can take watch." This was a rough time for all of them and they needed each of their clanmates in top shape while Fernstar was gone.



Stormheart purred warmly at Honeypaw's excited chatter towards Spidernose as Stonefall left to speak with Fernstar. It was nice to have the bright liveliness of a younger cat in camp, especially with Maplestream missing. "Don't worry about it Honeypaw, we haven't left just yet." He turned his attention towards Spidernose at her question and shook his head, "Not really dangerous, at least not on purpose. They're really big so I kept out of the way to not get stepped on most of the time. The two-legs would get their feet stepped on sometimes and it always looked like it hurt." He did remember one of the beasts that was much smaller than the rest. He used to hop up onto it's back during the leafbare months since they were always extra warm and fluffy. He did occasionally miss the easier life that came with being a barn cat, but he wouldn't trade what he had here in the clans for anything.

He stood up and shook out his pelt, "I should go meet with the rest of the patrol," he smiled warmly towards Honeypaw, "I can tell you more stories when we get back." He passed through the entrance to camp and met with Fernstar and the rest of the patrol; giving a nod to her and Stonefall as he settled next to Sunfur and waited for the order to move on.

Spidernose blinked gratefully at Duskwing as the other she-cat passed them on her way to the warrior’s den and once more offered to take over if the two cats guarding the camp entrance got tired. This was the sort of belonging that her mother had told her and her sister about when they were kits, and Spidernose was so grateful to have found it. Being together and looking out for one another...this Clan was everything a cat could need. She herself was used to long nights out in the cold, having lived life as well...she supposed they would have been “loners”, wouldn’t they? So this really wasn’t anything new to her and she intended to see her full watch through until Stonefall came to relieve her; but she supposed Duskwing could take over from Honeypaw if the apprentice got tired before then.

Her head swivelled back to Stormheart briefly as he answered her question about the horses, the she-cat dipping her chin in confirmation. “Right. Well, that makes perfect sense I suppose. If they’re that big I’m sure getting stepped on could really hurt a cat.” the fur along Spidernose’s spine rose slightly in discomfort at the thought, but she filed the advice away for later. Just in case I DO ever run into a “horse”. but as of right now, well...she really hoped she didn’t. Stormheart left them then to join the rest of the patrol that was leaving the camp. Her ears angled back towards her apprentice and she purred gently. “How are you feeling, Honeypaw? Not too cold? I won’t be angry if you want to turn in early, I can wake Duskwing to take over from you if you need to go back to the apprentice’s den and get warm and rest.”

"We're going to meet some noble, and legendary, cats. Me and you, that is. Sadly, the others can't join us at the Pool itself. I don't control that, Starclan told me that." He whispers to Fernstar, "Firestar, Sandstorm, Bluestar, Yellowfang, Cinderheart, Onestar, Tallstar, Skystar, and Ravenpaw." He nods. "It's a large pool in a cave. On the half and full moons, the moon lights up the pool for a few hours, and that's when we have to get there. He looks up at the sky. "We need to hurry. This way." He walks down a long, barely visible path.

Duskwing flicked her tail in acknowledgement of Spidernose's thanks before pushing her way into the warrior's den and settling into her nest with a long sigh. It had been a busy day, for many of them, and she could feel the slight ache and pull of her muscles from both the long hunting patrol she and Moosepaw did as well as their sparring match. She knew he was more than ready for anything the territory could throw at them. Her only worry was that he seemed much more nervous than excited about the assessment and ceremony. She remembered the nerves but they were overshadowed by the thrill of getting her warrior name. She would have to speak to him and make sure there wasn't something else that was bothering him. He needed all of his focus to be on his assessment, especially in leaf-bare.

Those were concerns for the morning and she let her thoughts settle for a well earned rest.



Stormheart stood as Fernstar signaled for them to get moving and followed after the other three cats. The snow under his paws was cold and the branches above did little to shelter them from the frigid air of leaf-bare. He kept a close eye on there surroundings as Fernstar pulled ahead to speak with Blackpelt, likely about something he wouldn't understand in the slightest. With luck they would find Maplestream alive and well with little trouble and could return to help the rest guard the camp. They were still too few and the likelihood of some desperate, hungry beast finding camp grew with every day the snows stayed. He trusted his clanmates but there was only so much they could do against a stronger creature.

He turned his attention to Sunfur, "How long should we stick with Fernstar and Blackpelt? Do you think it's likely Maplestream would travel all the way to the rapids?" For all they knew she went in the complete opposite direction. He didn't think she would have a reason to do so, but they couldn't be sure. He didn't want to waste any time when there was a chance that she could be hurt or lost amongst the snow. Hopefully StarClan was on their side in this and watching over all of them.

Stonefall nodded his head in goodbye to Fernstar, Blackpelt, Sunfur and Stormheart, his long silver tail-tip twitching in a combinaton of excitement and nerves. He was beyond thrilled for Fernstar, but worries about the camp being left with so few Warriors, and about Maplestream, still plagued him. Regardless, he had to do his job, and he turned back into the camp with his long, easy stride, looking about and seeing that most cats had gone to sleep. Spidernose was still guarding the entrance, her eyes alert, and little Honeypaw was diligently sitting next to her, but Stonefall sensed that the young she-cat was fading fast. He trotted over and took a seat next to Spidernose and Honeypaw, just in time to hear Spidernose asking Honeypaw how she was doing.

The little tortoiseshell she-cat looked up at her mentor, trying to stay awake, but she felt herself fading fast. She was about to pipe up and answer Spidernose that she was fine, that she could stay here, when she heard a low voice rumble above her. She unintentionally squeaked, not having noticed Stonefall's approached. "Actually, Honeypaw, I was hoping you would do me a favor. Could you go and let Moosepaw know that I would like him to move in to the Warrior's den tonight? I want everyone to be together while our Clan is spread out like this, with Fernstar's journey. And then go to the Warrior's Den and let Duskwing know that Moosepaw is sleeping there on my request? I'd also like for you to stay there as well, just for tonight," he mewed, more than a little bemused at the wide way her eyes looked at him, at how her tail shot straight up at having a job from the Deputy.

"Yes, of course Stonefall!" Honeypaw mewed excitedly, nodding her head to the Deputy. "Thank you for our first training session, Spidernose," she then mewed to her mentor. Feeling a little shy, she scooted forward to Spidernose and gently pressed her nose into Spidernose's flank, letting out a tiny purr. "I'm going to go and talk to Moosepaw and Duskwing right away, Stonefall," and the little she-cat bounded to the Apprentice's Den.

She found Moosepaw, and gently poked at the much larger apprentice with her small paw. "Moosepaw, Moosepaw get up," she meowed, and when he finally opened his eyes she found her tail tip twitching, her whole body vibrating. She had her first solo job as an Apprentice, and it was given to her by the Deputy. "Stonefall has asked for you to sleep in the Warrior's Den tonight, on account of our numbers being low with everyone gone, and now I'm s'posed to go tell Duskwing," and when she saw that Moosepaw had acknowledged her, she found herself bounding out of the Apprentice's Den with renewed energy and vigor. She slipped into the Warrior's Den, feeling much too small for the big space, and approached an almost-asleep Duskwing nervously.

"D- Duskwing? I'm so sorry to bother you, but Stonefall asked me to let you know that he wants Moosepaw 'n me to sleep in here tonight, on account of our short numbers with Fernstar gone," and the little she-cat yawned as she delivered her message. Satisfied with herself, Honeypaw glanced around the den, unsure of where to settle in for the night. She finally decided to just tuck herself in the corner behind Duskwing, and kneaded at a little patch of moss for a moment before curling up. She didn't realize it, but Honeypaw shifted naturally towards Duskwing's warmth, her little body pressed into Duskwing's side, and let out a soft purr of comfort as she fell asleep.

Meanwhile, Stonefall settled in beside Spidernose, wrapping his long tail around his paws. "I hope it's alright I sent Honeypaw on that "errand," I know she's your Apprentice and I don't want to interfere with your mentoring. I just figured that would be an easy way to get her to go to sleep, she seems like she could easily push herself too far in her desire to prove herself. And besides, I really do want everyone together in the Warrior's Den tonight," he mewed softly, his deep voice only carrying as far as Spidernose's ears.

Stonefall instantly leapt to his paws upon the arrival of the skinny black tom and the other two cats. They looked to be in sorry shape, fear evident in their eyes, covered in scratches and cuts. Stonefall stepped forward to the skinny black tom-cat, opening his mouth to try and scent them, his ears twitching as he listened as best he could outside the camp, every nerve on edge at the sudden intrusion. "Raccoons? Where did you encounter them? Did they follow you here?" Stonefall asked, his mind quickly trying to calculate who they had here in fighting shape in case the raccoons tried to attack their camp. His whole body was on high alert, and he didn't smell any raccoons nearby, or on the strange cats, but that didn't mean that they hadn't encountered them. The smell could have been covered up by their injuries, or even just the territory around them. The young Deputy kept his focus trained on the new cats, flicking his tail a little at Spidernose to make sure she stayed on high alert as well in case the raccoons they spoke of suddenly appeared.

Spidernose made no protest to the order her apprentice was given, even she could see the tired, glassy look in the little tortoiseshell’s eyes, that was why she’d asked, truth be told. She’d hoped it would give Honeypaw enough of a prompt to admit her tiredness, but an instruction from the deputy worked just as well. She bent her head briefly to touch her nose to Honeypaw’s forehead, her whiskers twitching in amusement as she watched the apprentice scurry away out of sight.
“Perfectly fine.” she promised the grey tom, her ears angling to catch any surrounding sounds even as they continued their conversation. If she hadn’t been the camp guard tonight, she might have even been tempted to shuffle just that little bit closer to Stonefall...but perhaps later tonight, when they took their turn to rest. “I think it’s a good idea, keeping the Clan together will give us a sense of security while we’re waiting for-”

She didn’t get to finish the sentence, for suddenly the camp entrance erupted as a small group of bloodstained, wild-eyed cats burst through it. She’d thought she heard pawsteps outside, but with embarrassment, Spidernose had assumed it was simply the fading steps of their patrols leaving. But perhaps not. She was slower to get to her paws than Stonefall by a few mousetails, but the she-cat was soon on alert even before her Clanmate asked it of her.

The group certainly looked like they’d been set upon by raccoons, their pelts littered with still oozing scratches. Still, she couldn’t smell any racoon scent, even as she opened her jaws to draw in more air and double check. “I don’t smell any raccoons nearby, I don’t think they’ve followed them here, although they could have outrun them. They might still be on their way.” If there was something dangerous in the area, they would need every able cat to defend their home, so as Stonefall questioned the strangers, she asked. “Should I go and wake Duskwing?”

Pale green eyes blinked back open as Honeypaw crept into the den and Duskwing nodded in acknowledgement of the order that Honeypaw conveyed. "Thank you for telling me Honeypaw." It was wise of Stonefall for all of them to be in one place, it'd be easier to protect the younger members of the clan if they were together rather than apart. She imagined her Moosepaw would be lumbering his own way in soon if he actually woke up long enough to make it across camp. She twisted her head around as she felt the small bit of warmth press against her side. Her whiskers twitched slightly in amusement as Honeypaw fell asleep almost the moment she laid down. It'd been an already busy day for one so young. She let her tail wrap slightly around the small tortoiseshell before giving back into the soft blanket of sleep.

She was fairly certain her sleep did not last long as a commotion started in the direction of the camp entrance. She immediately felt on high alert as she heard and scented unfamiliar cats, speaking in frantic voices about something she couldn't quite catch. She pushed herself to her feet and whispered to Honeypaw, "Stay here. Until we know it's safe." She wasn't sure if the young she-cat was awake, but better to make sure she was taken care of.

She pushed her way out of the warriors den as she heard Spidernose mention waking her, "No need. The noise woke me." She padded up next to the other she-cat and Stonefall to get a look at the strange cats that were now in their camp. Skinny, scratched, and a wild look in their eyes; it looked like they'd gotten into a fight with the forest itself and lost. "What's going on?" She couldn't scent anything odd, other than the cats themselves. They needed more cats but with Blackpelt gone there was also the chance those scratches could get infected and they certainly don't have the resources to take care of three who can't pull their weight, but it wouldn't feel right to turn them away. Though with Fernstar gone the decision on what to do about them went to Stonefall.

He pads off down a overgrown path, and his tail flicks. He walks down the thin trail, and sniffs the air, looking around. "I....need to tell you something. I can see dead cats. Like Goosefeather. I see them everywhere. I have a hard time telling between the two sometimes."

The snow was cold under Stormheart's paws and the faint but cold breeze didn't help matters. He followed along behind Fernstar and Blackpelt as they conversed about Starclan and some cats that he definitely did not recognize the names of. He hadn't been around long, so he supposed it made sense, but he still felt a bit anxious being so out of the loop. It would be easy enough to ask her and Blackpelt when they returned, and when they found Maplestream safe and sound. That was where his main focus was right now, on finding his clanmate and making sure that nothing back had happened that would've stopped her from coming back to camp.

He snapped out of his thoughts as Fernstar's tail flicked in his direction. He listened intently to what she had to say and gave a firm nod, one that looked more confident than he felt, as she finished explaining what they were to do. "We'll be careful. Make sure you and Blackpelt stay safe as well."

As Fernstar bounded off to catch up with Blackpelt he began the trudge through the snow in the direction that she had suggested. He kept his jaws slightly parted hoping to catch some scent of Maplestream that wasn't too old that they could follow. "What do you think could've happened to her?" he directed the question at Sunfur, "You've known her for much longer than I have."