Icepaw's Warrior Ceremony

A chilly northern breeze ruffled the decaying moorland, dredges of a thick chill incessantly lingering within the dying light of the late evening sky. The faint rivulets of silvery light that bled freely from the untouched moon above felt nearly alien, partly unwelcomed after such a pronounced absence within the night sky. Pulling herself atop the frost-dusted surface of the Tallrock, Brindlestar was captivated by the plethora of emotions that had befallen her throughout this peculiar time. Icepaw, her eldest Apprentice, had finally achieved the remaining requirements that had obscured him from the title of fully-fledged Warrior for so long- it was a long-awaited moment. Shaking away the lingering tendrils of unease and exhaustion, the pale-furred molly's voice arose in the familiar summons, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Tallrock!"

The tom's fur fluffed up against the chill that snaked its way to the sandy hollow. Ever since his moonstone journey, he had felt as if all winds were colder than usual. That strange "Icepaw" that visited him spouted a bunch of nonsense, but something about her words left his bones shaken.

No, it was just a bunch of nonsense. He would prove it today. She said his warrior name would be Icewhisker. He hadn't requested the name like she suggested. What were the chances that Brindlestar gave him such a name? With a lick of his chest fur, Icepaw made his way to the Tallrock.

The sea of stiffening grasses that unfolded endlessly upon the moorland before them twisted and curled under the strain of the continuously brisk gales. The chill arose from both the stone beneath Brindlestar's paws and descended from the darkening evening sky. Shifting her weight atop the smooth, practically frigid stone, the pale molly blinked as cats gradually began to gather. Even though it was enlightening to see one of her former Apprentice's earn his name, there was always that tendency to succumb to whatever unease was currently plaguing her. "We gather here today to bestow the title of Warrior upon one of our Apprentices." She eventually mewed, tilting her scarred features skyward, gaze cast out towards the faint sparks of starlight that were gleaming among the richly colored night sky. "He has proven himself worthy to climb the ranks of WindClan and receive his Warrior name." Gaze slowly drifting back towards the young tom who lingered below the looming outline of the stone,  the molly's raspy voice was slow and methodical as she finally voiced the highly anticipated command.

"Icepaw, please step forward."

There was a slight hesitation in his movements before the tom stepped forward. Icepaw drew his attention to the leader, trying to ignore the doubts in his head. Of course that tabby was a crazy she-cat. He wouldn't believe her until he saw with his own eyes her words come true.

"I, Brindlestar, Leader of WindClan, call upon my Warrior ancestors to look down upon this Apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble Code, and I commend him to you as a Warrior in return." Unknowing to the dilemma exuded by Icepaw, Brindlestar merely gazed down upon the ashen pelt of her Apprentice with the faintest touch of fondness. Whether he was merely reclusive or seriously anxious in the company of even his Clanmates, she had never discerned such a reason for his behaviors at time- but hopefully he would at least lighten up upon this eve to enjoy such a well-deserved moment of celebration. Icepaw had been training even longer than Elmpaw, already past the full changing of seasons. "Icepaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

The hesitation struck his body once again, freezing the words in his throat momentarily until they came blurting out. "I do," he meowed, the moment passing before he could realize.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I shall grant you your Warrior name." Casting her sharp gaze back out towards the darkening sky, which bled with the richest colors that many saw during this lifetime, the glimmers of starlight seemed to look down upon the proceedings in response. Hopefully their ancestors were listening to the proceedings of such a proud moment, they had been absent enough as of late- it was the least they could do in honor of such sacred traditions. "Icepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Icewhisker. StarClan honors your intelligent and capable nature, and we welcome you as a full Warrior of WindClan." Feathered tail brushing softly against the well-worn stone she stood upon, Brindlestar was quick to abandon her position atop the Tallrock and instead join the mingling celebration that bunched together around the newly-named Icewhisker.