Hailpaw's Warrior Ceremony

This was a special moment. It was not only the first warrior ceremony he started but it was also the ceremony of his dear daughter, Hailpaw, who was now old enough to join her fellow clanmates in the warrior den. With a gleam of excitement in his eyes, the deputy leapt on the willow branch and made his voice clear and loud enough. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the willow branch for a clan meeting!" He called, raising his tail a bit.

The apprentice heard the call as well as the rest of the camp. She stood up and sat between her clanmates, her eyes fixed on her father. A first, she thought it was another apprentice ceremony (the apprentice den was already crowded enough and she disliked the idea of having one more cat inside there) but when his father looked at her directly, she knew what this was about. "Hailpaw, Otterleap has informed me that you are now ready to undertake your warrior ceremony. If you believe this to be true, step forward so we may begin." He stated, already knowing the answer.

Hailpaw heartbeat started to be faster and she barely managed to stand up on her paws and walk to Jaystream with a clearly surprised look. Was she old enough now? Were her efforts worthy? She felt she was ready but... was she really? The she-cat gulped nervously but at the end of her steps, she stood straight and proudly. This was an important moment of her life... from this day on... she would work hard to make her place in the clan.

The deputy watched his daughter approach and he couldn't help but think of Cinderpaw, his mate. She would have been so happy to see this... maybe she was watching them right now. With that thought in his mind, he continued, remembering the words his mother used during these ceremonies. "I, Jaystream, deputy of Riverclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn, Hailpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" This time, his expression turned to a serious one. This was an important promise...

And Hailpaw knew that...

The she-cat lifted her heard and her yellow-green eyes met Jaystream's, the cat who was her deputy and father, the cat who raised her and her siblings without their mother. Thanks to him... thanks to Goldeneye... she found a home here. And she was going to follow their rules until the end to protect it. "I do." She said simply but determined. Jaystream, on the top of the branch, nodded, acknowledging her decision.

For a few moments, he thought of the name that would suit her better but he couldn't come out with anything until a breeze shook his fur and he heard the quiet but beautiful sound of the reeds being shaken and a bird singing, as a signal of what he had to do."By the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this day forth, you will be known to all as Hailsong. RiverClan honours your undoubted honesty, independence and wisdom." When the name came out of his mouth, something inside Hailsong warmed her chest, as if that name was the one she was destined to have. She smiled slightly, happy for her name... Hailsong... she liked how that sounded.

"As per tradition, you will hold a vigil over our camp in silence once the last light of the sun fades. Until then, you may celebrate our newly appointed warriorhood. May StarClan guide your path." With those words being said, Jaystream stopped being the diligent deputy and he jumped to his daughter's side. Fatherly, he embraced with his head around her neck, nuzzling her lovingly. "I'm so proud of you, Hailsong."

Mosspaw had seen apprentice ceremonies before. They were short and exciting and made Mosspaw full of energy, welcoming a new apprentice like himself! But warrior ceremonies were different, somehow.

The little black tom had bounded over at Jaystream's familiar voice, skidding to a stop just before the willow branch to hear Hailpaw being called forward. But instead of tripping over her paws in enthusiasm or ears flattening in anxiety, the she-cat stepped forward with purpose in her step. Steadiness.

The tom's green eyes were wide as he saw Jaystream look down -- an almost wistful look in his eyes. The words spoken were much more serious, to Mosspaw. But he felt admiration in him grow as Hailpaw -- an older apprentice he'd seen, but never had the chance to talk to -- step forward and swear herself to Riverclan.

It was pretty awesome.

As he gave her a new name -- Hailsong -- Mosspaw sprung to his paws; feeling the cats around him surge in that moment. As other cats seemed to congratulate the she-cat around him, Mosspaw eagerly began yowling in, green eyes sparkling.

"Hailsong! Hailsong!"