Jaystar watched how his cats started to gather around and he couldn't help a sad expression in his face. His chest ached at the sight of his own screaming in pain and sorrow because of Firepaw's death. This all victory was far from satisfactory for him. His former apprentice, the she-cat who earned her place in Riverclan after the crime she committed was gone... taken away from this life too soon after all what she had to go through. He fixed his green eyes on Stormstrike when he spoke to him. The leader just lowered his head, making clear with his expression that the battle was not what they expected to be.
A single tear fell down his cheek as he closed his eyes, trying to earn the courage to find his voice and speak. "Cats of Riverclan! With the help of the four clans -as you might see with the sun back- we've defeated Lichenmask and his army once and for all... However, lives were lost and blood was spilt. This new dawn is not one to celebrate but to mourn the loss of two young cats of our clan. Both of them fought bravely against the evil that was threatening the life of the clans and now they are resting in Starclan." The tom lowered his head, his ears down and with a bitter taste on his mouth. Why did they have to die so young? The tom gulped and lifted his head one more time. He didn't mind anymore that Goldeneye was in Starlord's chest. Jealousy was a thing that could be easily forgotten with the great sorrow inside his heart. "Riverclan honours Flamewish and Firepaw's brave actions during the fight. Both of them, despite where they came from, they had the heart of loyal, strong and brave Riverclan warriors. As their leader... and mentor... I'm truly thankful and I won't let their memory fade away during my leadership..." Jaystar fixed his eyes on the broken-hearted family and friends of the two deceased ones. He knew their pain very well and he knew it would be hard to move on... but not impossible. Dewshine and Gingerstripe still had kits to take care of and family. Nutfur was not alone. As long as they kept the memory of those who passed away in their hearts, everything would be okay with time and healing.
"I would like to announce other important matter. With the sun and stars back, Moonstone Journeys will start again following the temporal route our medicine cats had found. However, the past rule of not leaving the camp with a partner is still applying. Shade escaped the battle and we already know what he is capable of with an army of rogues behind his back. Apart from the normal patrols, every day I'll assign special patrols with senior warriors to track where he is hiding to end with his threat as soon as possible. It is my goal to make Riverclan safe again before leaf-bare... and I ask you, both as your leader and as your friend, to help me accomplish this, in order to avoid more death and sorrow to all of us."
