Sootpaw's Warrior Ceremony

Murkystar stood at the edge of Jaggedrock, looking out over her clan. There were a couple apprentices ready to become warriors, and tonight another would be named. The future of ShadowClan taking their oaths. A recent discussion with Nightstalker had confirmed what she had suspected - Sootpaw was ready. Lifting her chin, Murkystar sent her voice out over the clan. "ShadowClan! Gather in the shadow of Jaggedrock."

Swiftheart awoke from a nap in the warriors den hearing the call of a meeting she poked her head up before getting a good stretch in...

She walked out of the den and sat below the big rock, she glanced up at her mother with a grin this was hopefully a good meeting.

Spotting Nightstalker she walked over to sit by him.

OOC: IC soot is older than deer so...

Deerpaw slid out from the apprentice den at the familiar call. she watched the cats gather and squeezed herself beside Swiftheart. she looked up at Murkystar, wondering what she was about to announce.

Sootpaw peered cautiously out from the apprentice den at the gathering cats before trotting over to join their ranks. His tail twitched uneasily, he could only hope the meeting wasn't bad news. Sitting in front of the Jaggedrock, he looked up at Murkystar and waited to hear the announcement.

Snowpaw had just finished a welcome meal after a day of training and padded silently to the shadow of Jaggedrock when she heard the call. Her whiskers twitched a little, she’d felt self-conscious a bit lately due to the rogue drama and her own origins.

The clan didn't take long to gather, and Murkystar noted Sootpaw among them all. As the final stragglers joined the crowd, she continued. "ShadowClan, I've gathered you all here today to act as witnesses to an apprentice rising to the rank of a warrior. Sootpaw, please step forward." She requested, waiting patiently for the apprentice to do so before continuing. "I, Murkystar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Sootpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Sootpaw's eyes widened in surprise as he stepped forward. He stood tall, a proud gleam in his eyes as he listened to Murkystar's words.

"I will." He vowed, meaning the words with every fiber of his being. He would make his clan proud.

Murkystar dipped her head, acknowledging the tom's response before she continued. "Then by the powers granted to me, I give you your warrior name. Sootpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Sootwhisker. ShadowClan honors your dedication and confidence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." She mewed, leaping from Jaggedrock to rest her head briefly on the newly named warrior's. "Don't forget, you will hold a silent vigil today to mark the beginning of your warriorhood. Congratulations, Sootwhisker." She mewed, backing away after a heartbeat to allow the rest of the clan to step forward to congratulate the new warrior.

Swiftheart smiled happily and walked over to the newly named warrior. "Congratulations, Sootwhisker!" You have worked and trained hard for this, I am so happy for you!" she purred grinning at him.

"Sootwhisker! Sootwhisker!" Deerpaw cheered her clanmate's new name with the rest of the clan. her amber eyes glowed as she padded up to the tom and licked his cheek.