Contradictions and anomalies

Sprucebark showed up to the meeting place for his patrol right on time as always.  Not a minute too early or too late.  Being exactly on time was all apart of his well maintained schedule which provided order to his day.  After all, a good warrior ought to be well organized, maintained and accountable to the code.

Sprucebarks fur was all neatly groomed down.  If the warrior nests were to be examined his would be nearly made every day.  The orderly tom gave a respectful nod of his head seeing that perchstar was to be his patrol double this time.  

Perchstar, good afternoon. he greeted formally.  

He walked alongside his leader as they left camp to check the borders.  

It was very clear that even though he was focused on the task that he was also thinking of something else quite a bit.  


Sprucebark had always been very forward and open to his feelings and thoughts.  Mainly they were shared with poppyshine his mother but he wasn’t against sharing them with perch too.   He felt she often had good advise.  And while some of his clanmates may be initial spooked by her initial lack of emotions;  he was not.  She was probably just thinking about things he figured.  And besides for what he wanted advise and guidance on today it might be good to have someone who was more logical thinking than emotional such as his mother.  

(Meh… ^^ that whole paragraph was not getting across what I am trying to very well.  It’s coming across too harsh which it isn’t meant to be.  I guess the point is he is not bothered by her more logical approach)


Perchstar?” the young Tomcat meowed after a bit no longer able to keep his thoughts to himself.  

I am pondering a particularly difficult query in which I was hoping you could shed your thoughts (his fancy version of “I have a question”. I always think of spruce being very formal and with a British accent maybe)


He took a bit of a pause glancing over to her.  If she at any point signaled him to be quiet he would obey of course.  After all she was the leader and such.  And you don’t need to remind him of the code which he has memorized word for word.  The leaders word is the code.
“I was considering the most recent gathering actually.  It was… quite …. Well something” he said thinking about it all.  


“I have been thinking non stop almost about the code and how it would apply here and in all truth… I uhh I don’t know. he looked at his front paws almost ashamed that he didn’t know.  He was basically a walking encyclopedia of all sorts of rules and traditions but this gathering… it fell into such a grey area of ambiguity.  He didn’t like it! Not one bit!

It wasn’t so much the disruption that bothered him as the not knowing what the correct thing was in this senecio.


“The code tells us that the leaders word is law and should be taken as the code… he began with what he knew to be true

But it also gives us clear instructions on how to live out our lives to preserve each of the clans heritages he continued… yes of course and these two things normally would not be at odds with one another.

But… what if a leader breaks the code he muttered it almost in a whisper trying to figure it out as if it was a secret.  How are we supposed to even interpret that? For the code states the leaders word is law so if the leader speaks to act against the code… he shook his head very unsatisfied.

Hmm I guess I never thought about this senecio before and it had been bugging me nonstop

Perchstar was not always sure exactly what to think about Sprucebark. The tom--Poppyshine and Rushtalon's son--was one of the more senior in the Clan, due to how many of their warriors had died or disappeared. He normally had good judgement and was very loyal. However, he didn't always seem to know how exactly to work with his loyalty. The time he'd brought a dripping wet SkyClan cat back to their camp came to mind. He was a very capable tom for sure, even if he had difficulty getting along with his brother Rowansong at times, and she was glad to have him in the Clan. But sometimes she wondered just how much of the difficulties of Clan life he really, truly understood the reasoning for. Following the code was one thing, but understanding it was another.

Either way, they were out on the territory together today, patrolling the borders. Given the small number of her Clanmates, it was only the two of them. She'd expected it to be a simple and quiet excursion. However, the tom spoke up, asking for her opinion. Though she kept focused on the path in front of her, an ear swiveled towards him as he spoke, indicating that she was listening. When he mentioned the Gathering, she nodded, feeling a brief spike of annoyance towards how things had gone during the past full moon. Nearly half a year's worth of peace, practically destroyed by the poorly-thought-out actions of a single medicine cat. Why hadn't the stars stopped Batsong? Or... had she truly been acting at their behest as she so confidently claimed? Perchstar shook her own thoughts away, deciding to listen to what Sprucebark had to say for now. She didn't blame him for being conflicted. It certainly had been an awful time for everyone involved.

"What if a leader breaks the code?"

Perchstar nearly stopped in her tracks, but managed to recover the brief stumble in her step. Hopefully it hadn't been noticed. With how peaceful and quiet, if stressful, things had been since her return... she'd nearly forgotten about the father of her own kits. About the fact that, however accidentally, however unintentionally, she had technically broken the rule about having no mate from outside of one's Clan. No one knew. Not even Poppyshine... No one knew. But the stars might. The stars might blame her. What if, one day, Batsong arrived condemning Perchstar for bearing the kits of a Clanless loner? What if her kits bore that burden? Her eyes narrowed for a moment. It shouldn't count. Breaking the code was done intentionally to harm others. She had not done so intentionally... and neither, it seemed, had Mottlestar. Which was why she had been so upset. Not only because her friend had not deserved such ire, but because it reminded her of her own failure.

Either way, Sprucebark's question was a good one. He did not know about Perchstar's lapse. Perhaps, if he did, he would not venture the query. Perhaps, if he did, he would want her removal and Poppyshine's instatement as leader. But for now he had no clue. He seemed to be viewing it from a strictly logical standpoint, which she appreciated. Even she had had difficulty separating emotion from logic in the moment of Batsong's impudence. However, after time to think it through, her arguments against it had grown only the stronger. "What Batsong did was ultimately wrong, as she has no right to meddle in the affairs of other Clans," Perchstar responded neutrally. "It should have been handled in private, between other high ranks of ThunderClan and ShadowClan. If the stars wished retribution, it should be had--but not at the Gathering, of all places. However... you are right that the concept of leaders breaking the code is an alarming one. I believe that this is not the first time such a thing has happened." Her ear flicked as she thought. Light blue eyes glanced at Sprucebark appraisingly. "The leader's word is still law. However, if the leader breaks the code, it is up to the stars and their own Clan to judge them. Perhaps it was a mistake made, in which case the deputy and other Clanmates should discuss the leader's change of heart. Perhaps it was a pattern, like with--if the allegations are true--Nightstar's violence towards other Clans. If so, then I believe it is the duty of the stars to make such things known to the rest of the Clan, and for the deputy to take the leader's place."

For a moment, she remembered Jaystar. The tom who had so arrogantly brought the Dark Forest into RiverClan with welcoming paws, not so much as bothering to consider the repercussions. His disappearance had been both a blessing and a curse. She, burdened with only the role of deputy, had taken over both sets of duties while Vixenstar, a decaying ghost from times past, had lorded over her in a technical rule of authority that could not be reasonably challenged. But now that she thought about it, she should have done. She should have challenged Jaystar--vocally, outwardly, immediately--when he had made such a decision. At the time, she'd been scared for her Clanmates. She'd been scared for her apprentice. But it had been cowardly to hang back and wait for the stars to save her. She had eventually stood up against Vixenstar, but it had nearly been too late by then. Perchstar met Sprucebark's eyes again. She intended to tell him about what she had been thinking--but different words emerged from her mouth instead. "Tell me, Sprucebark... what would you do if I had broken the code? This is only a hypothetical, so don't worry. I would just like to hear your thoughts." Perhaps she shouldn't be saying this. It made her heart pound to even consider that someone would find out that technically, she ought to be in despite of the stars. But she was interested to hear what he thought. Maybe he could give her some insight into what a regular Clan cat would think of these proceedings.

Sprucebark listened very intently on his leaders thoughts of the matter. It allowed for a new perspective one different than the many conversations he had with himself regarding the code and all its many rules.

He was becoming obsesed with it very much so and often times would stay up late at night pretend arguing with himself about if what Batsong had done was correct or not and what should happen to Nightstar as a result of it all. Often times he found his opnion being wavered from one side to the other. The code was just vauge enough that all this seemed to fall into a very difficult spot. One he did not like. The warrior was happy to have perchstars insights to it.

He thought very carefully about what she had said... hmm handle it in private... well maybe so but if the leader of the clans were breaking code then they could silence their underling clanmates if they truely wanted to... it was quite a difficult situation indeed and one he was not sure of if it had a definitive answer or not too.

"maybe..." he echoed thinking about it all though he did not sound entierly convinced. Perchstar seemed to belive that a high amount of things should be left up to starclan and their fate... but if such things were true then why did starclan not cover the gathering with cloudcover? Perhaps what was said was meant to be said.

"I generally tend to think that the stars try their best to stay out of such things.
I dont think that we can always leave up to starclan things like this. After all, from everything I have studied of the code I believe that they try their best to remain neutral where possible. Which makes sense given that they are the combination of all of our ancestors. he finally said thoughtfully and respectfully as possible.

Hmm... In either case regardless of what she did was correct or not... I think it would be perhaps wise to keep a closer eye on Nightstar and shadowclan in general. I am sure you already thought of this but I wanted to voice concerns of it as well. Hopefully this mess will stay between those two clans but if what they said was true... his voice carried off as he walked along with his leader thinking more about it.


However, then it was Perchstars turn to ask a question and it caught Spruce a bit off gaurd.

"Tell me, Sprucebark... what would you do if I had broken the code? This is only a hypothetical, so don't worry. I would just like to hear your thoughts."

He glanced at her deep in thought for a long time. It was luckily not an akward silence. It was a silence that was clear that he was trying to think of the most accurate answer, one that was sincere and honest.

Finally he spoke: "In this hypotetical... I would ask that you step down from leadership. I would not demand it though. I think that you are a great leader Perchstar and part of a great leader is owning up to mistakes such as code breaking. If you were caught breaking the code I would almost expect that you would step down on your own. If it was left up to me I would ask that you do so but not demand it meaning that if you chose to stay in power there wouldnt be much I could do to really stop you from doing so." he glanced at her continuing the hypotetical.

"if ... in this imaginary senerio you refuesed to step down... I think I would heavily consider leaving the clan. I would not want to be in a situation where I would have to pick between my leader and the code. I dont think that shadowclan would be a good pick and for the same reasoning neither would thunderclan... Skyclan and us have had... problems in the past although your relation with bird seems to be smoothing them over... If this happened and if you didnt step down I would proably join skyclan or windclan or become a loner for awhile perhaps."

He said it directly and didnt try and beat around anything. Perchstar was direct with him and he appreciated such things and so he figured his answer likewise should be.

"luckily, I doubt we will ever have to go into such things although it is an interesting thought experiment. I think however that you do not have to worry of such things. You wouldnt ever break the code and besides, you have trained mum well and given her lots of guidence for when one day she will become leader.

Perchstar nodded at Sprucebark's responding caveat. She had relied a lot more on her warrior ancestors as a deputy, and some specific... recent events... had led her to trust them even less. "Of course, I don't mean that everything must be done by the stars. There is a reason we are down here and they are up there. We are to act in the ways that we see fit. I simply mean that since the stars give each leader their lives, then it is their prerogative to come with lightning and thunder if they determine a leader is unfit to rule, not to simply tell a medicine cat to cause havoc at a Gathering. We saw before when those apprentices fought that StarClan can--and will not hesitate to--control the weather. Why not, then, do so when necessary to condemn a leader they no longer support?" She flicked an ear. "But either way, you are correct that not everything is up to StarClan. And if, in such a case, they were to give no answer, we would need to act on our own prerogative."

His other point was also a good one. "And I agree that we ought to keep an eye on Nightstar. Thankfully his Clan does not border ours, but such a long catalog of crimes as the one Batsong listed should make the rest of the forest think twice about dealing with him. Hopefully, like you said, the matter remains between ShadowClan and WindClan." Hopefully Mottlestar would not be dragged into their wars. Most of the bad blood had been between Nightstar and Batsong, and since ThunderClan did not border the moors, perhaps her friend would not be involved in the incoming bloodshed. Either way--Sprucebark had come to similar conclusions compared to her. His judgement was not flawless, but she appreciated that their logic had led them close to each other.

Then--his answer to her hypothetical. Which might, of course, not be as hypothetical as he would like. Though she hardly viewed her accident as anything near the level of code-breaking required for malicious murder or disloyalty to one's Clan, Perchstar knew that a stickler like Sprucebark might not make any distinction between the different kinds. So, interested, she listened.

As she had expected, he did not ask what kind of code-breaking she meant. So all types were equal in his view... or he simply had not thought of the differences. His view was black-and-white. It wasn't surprising, all things considered, but a little bit disappointing, given how similar their answers had been on the matter of Batsong and Nightstar. She tried not to feel her stomach churning as he explained that he would expect her to step down on her own in the event of any code-breaking, and that if she did not, he would simply leave the Clan. His mention of Poppyshine caused another twist of her insides.

"You wouldn't ever break the code."

I wouldn't. Not willingly.

There was no point in defending herself from an accusation that would never come. Instead, Perchstar contemplated for a moment before responding calmly. "I find it interesting that you did not bother to distinguish between different types of code-breaking. Would a murder or a bite of food from Twolegplace induce the same response in you? What of something minor, like eating prey before bringing some to the elders? Of course, we rarely think of these smaller infractions, because they happen so infrequently beyond the age of apprenticeship. But we need to remember that not all breaches of the warrior code are equal." Her heart pounded a little bit, but her expression remained steady. "For example, what of the difference between accidentally killing someone in the heat of battle, and seeking someone out to kill them? The difference between crossing a border and stealing another Clan's prey? The difference between an accidental night resulting in kits, or a full relationship with secrecy and intent to betray one's Clan? It's important to realize that not everything comes in easily distinguishable shades of black and white. Sometimes they meld together into a lighter or deeper gray. That does not mean smaller rules being broken are not also wrong, but they do not always merit the same punishment." It was a lesson she herself had learned the hard way before. But what would Sprucebark think of it?

Sprucebark listened as they walked along on their patrol.  Perchstar had many interesting ideas and further questions all of which he liked alot.  Getting to talk this much code had him very excited and invested fully into the conversation.

"hmm interesting questions." he purred thinking about it as they went even further.

He paused a bit as they came nearer to the river however and his focus was clearly disrupted for something.  Which was odd since he had been so deep into the conversation.

His ears flickered back and forth agitated.  He tried not to look at the river but their patrol was nearing it now and the constant sound of it bothered him greatly.  They were approaching where his sister Minksplash had died and where he had found her drowned body.  He hadnt ever truly processed it and mostly just shoved it in the back to be left.  He was not one to get very emotional after all even so, the repressed memories were not fun at all whenever he went to this spot of their land.

He said nothing about it for now even though he probably outwardly showed it in his actions of giving the river a very wide space between himself and it.  

He refocused best he could to think about the topic... as much as he didnt like the river anymore he did want to continue this with Perchstar.

"hmm well of course a murder is much worse than eating a twoleg snack" he agreed.

"so... yes varying levels of punishment are correct so that they fit the crime.  And usually that is left for the leader to decide what the correct punishment should be.  When we are talking about the leader though who breaks the code... then it becomes more serious.  After all... in most cases the leader has the say for what the punishment should be.  However they should obviously not be the judge of their own case.  Which is why I would ask them to step down." he glanced at her shrugging hoping that made sense.

"now... would I call for your removal just because you ate some twoleg food?? No of course not.  Although... I dont know why you would want to eat that rotten stuff" he stuck his tongue out in disgust. Only to quickly not do that since it was probably improper and not polite to do especially in front of a leader as they continued on.

"When I was captured by the twolegs they tried to force me to eat that stuff.  I didnt even touch it, smelled so bad.  I think they were worried cause they saw I didnt eat for days so finally they let me go" he thought back during that awful time.

"But obviously... if lets say hypothetically a warrior was seriously injured... or perhaps during the harsh season there was no food to feed the clan.  Then in extreme conditions I think it is okay to break parts of the code like that.  Starclan can not fault a starving warrior for eating twoleg food.  

I suppose... in the same way about your quesiton of the heat of the battle this could be extended... but... that is alot more questionable.  Killing is flat out wrong and only in the most extreme self defence should be used.


He paused not sure if he should add on this part but decided to go for it.  He was learning that in most cases Perchstar and him saw mostly eye to eye on things and that when they did not it was okay too.

"Mom told me all about Softfall.  How he claimed that he was defending his land.
If you ask me... he sounds alot like Nightstar." he shrugged.

"Admittedly I was not even born then so I only know what mum told me about it.
I think the whole killing in the heat of battle is a dangerous line.  Its dangerous because cats like Softfall will try and hide behind it after what they do..."

"Perhaps you are right that not EVERYTHING can fit into a black and white box neatly.
However, I like to the best of my ability be able to keep the grey areas to a minimum.  That is why this gathering has been on my mind so much. It brought up so many grey areas I had not even considered.  But being able to talk with you has helped me sort these grey areas out into their proper place of white and black again.  I recon that before long I will have all of the grey areas once again cleared out and I will feel much better once I do.  he smiled very satisfied about that.

"In fact... I think I now understand the warrior code more than I ever have before"


Perhaps he had missed the point a bit... Perchstar had meant that each thing should be taken as a situation when looked at.  He was still a bit too rigid for that type of idea in that he liked everything to belong in nice organized piles of what was allowed and what was not allowed.  So in this sense he is following his very orderly personality of not liking these grey areas at all.

However, now the patrol was leading closer to the river his tail flicked back and forth uneasily.

"Perchstar?" he asked in a much quieter voice the tone shifting significantly now.

"I need to ask a request from you"

Perchstar stopped as Sprucebark did, looking sidelong at him as he attempted to tear his gaze away from the river. Briefly, confusion caused her ear to twitch. Wait, why would he...? Oh. Minksplash and Sootspirit. First Poppyshine fell in as an apprentice, then Cloverheart was drowned by Beechfang, and now two of her warriors had been found dead in the river during her absence. It was unfortunate that so many RiverClan cats would have bad associations with their very namesake, the water that gave them life. Certainly suboptimal.

”Don’t some of your Clan-mates drown? Living so close to a large body of water, I assume it would be unavoidable.”

Her ear flicked again--this time with more irritation than anything else. Thankfully, Sprucebark must not have noticed, because he returned again to their conversation. Almost automatically, Perchstar switched sides, beginning to walk between him and the river. She did so casually, not deliberately, as if there was no reasoning behind it. "Of course, the leader would not be the one holding themselves accountable. But if the crime were small, could they not decide upon an appropriate punishment with the input of their deputy and Clan?" she debated. "I don't believe that, in extreme cases like betraying the Clan or killing unnecessarily, that would be the correct course of action. But in smaller cases, then perhaps. I also believe that the circumstances of the code-breaking are important. Like you mentioned, killing in self-defense is much different than seeking out with the intent to kill."

As a familiar name tumbled from Sprucebark's mouth, Perchstar couldn't help but blink in mild surprise. She hadn't thought of the long-gone warrior in quite some time. Softfall... the cat who had attempted stealing prey from RiverClan as an apprentice, and then made it his purpose to destroy her for calling him out. The one who had mauled Poppyshine. Remembering that injustice--and the way that he nearly would have escaped punishment had things gone badly--made the leader's blood run warmer for just a moment. However, the only outward sign of her thoughts was the surprised blink of light blue eyes. "...I suppose so. I have had no such experience with Nightstar, and have reasonable doubt towards Batsong's words. However, if he had done any such thing as she claims, then it would certainly have been wrong." Some part of her very much did not want to spend any time thinking about the ShadowClan leader. With all the other things she had to worry about, it felt like a waste of mindspace to be concerned about the one Clan that did not border hers in any way. However, after his callousness towards Mottlestar... perhaps she should bother considering it, after all. "I agree. I hope that none of us ever have the need to kill anyone. Rest assured that were any of you to be forced to do such a thing, however, that I would hear out your reasoning with honesty."

Her huff of exasperation at the warrior's next words was silent, hopefully also going unnoticed. He had missed her point completely. Not that she necessarily blamed him; perhaps they ought to have had this conversation when he was younger. However, she was not a parental figure to him, and he was not going on any dangerous paths. His own reasoning was his own business. They were simply discussing--that was all. "Do not be too surprised if there is always some gray," she murmured. "There is no way to possibly consider every plausible situation. The Code is a list of guidelines. Many Clans do not apply them consistently to each other, depending on the circumstance, and the giver and receiver of punishment. It is simply not possible to think out every interaction ahead of time." When he said that he had a request, Perchstar glanced at him once more, noticing the nervous flicker of his tail. "Yes?" she responded simply.

Sprucebark blinked a couple times thinking about all that his leader had said as they walked along. Although he did not consciously realize the switch of Perch now being closer to the river : the subconscious was greatly appreciative that she had.

He slowly nodded understanding more of what she meant now.  "I guess you are right.
Its not possible to have every situation planned out.  Like when I was captured by the twolegs alot of had to be improvised... as much as I did not like that.  It was the only way we could survive"

He glanced over to her "I understand more now.  The code is our best guide but sometimes like you say there has to be a grey area.  An area where we must decide based on our knowledge what is right and wrong."

Sprucebark gave a small purr feeling alot more satisfied by what they had found and discussed now.


"Thanks for talking with me about this.  I really do enjoy this line of discussion" he purred.  It was clear that he was very passionate about it and cared, and even better he had learned alot from perchstar here.

He liked Perchstar alot and she always had good advise as his leader. Although rigid in his ways, the ideas of Perchstar carried alot of merrit and weight in his mind. If she said that sometimes instinct had to be used then perhaps it was worth thinking over.

"I think I understand more what you mean" and he did too.  He always would be a very strict rule follower but this at least allowed him to recognize the ideas put forward and how grey areas sometimes had to be dealt with the best you knew how to.


He walked along with her a little further again grateful for her being between him and the river which lead back to his request.

"Perchstar? I feel... well sometimes like my home isn't the same it once was.  The river that is supposed to protect and feed me and my clan has taken my littermates.  I used to hear the river and be comforted by its sound.  Be reassured by its cool waters.  Now: it makes me filled with anxiety and of memories of Minkspla- he voice cut out not able to finish his sisters name as he stared sadly at the river.

He looked down at his paws.
"I talked to mum about it.  She said that time can help but it depends cat to cat. I never got to say goodbye to them or even thought such a thing could ever happen." he said quietly. "ever since then... home hasnt felt the same.  I dont know how else to describe it.

He closed his eyes a bit nervous telling her all this.  He was always open to Poppyshine about how he felt... but would Perchstar be disapointed in him for not even liking the river when they were Riverclan??  He hoped that would not be the case.

"The request I want to ask... is if I can take a solo visit to the moonstone.  I want to try and see Minksplash one last time.  I feel that I need that closure if I want to get past my current block.

He glanced back up to her, he wasnt usually this emotional, and usually he was all logic dependent much like his leader : but the death of his littermates had shaken him alot, even if time had passed since then being the one to find their lifeless bodies washed ashore had kept him awake many sleepless nights.

"I could be back in a couple weeks time" he added on quietly.  "Time to get there and time to spend at highstones to try and do some spiritual searching.  It always felt... different up there I can't really explain it."
He closed his eyes knowing this all sounded like alot... he wasn't even sure if starclan would grant his wish of getting to see his sister but if he did not try he would always be wondering if he could have.

"I understand if your answer is no... and I realize I am asking during a time when windclan territory passage is probably at an all time high risk... and asking at a time when we are short on warriors." It felt awful requesting all this.  Him a senior warrior in the clan running off when Perchstar might need him most?  But at the same time he didn't know how else to confront what he felt.

"but even realizing all that... I am still asking because, I dont know how else to get past it. I have tried what mum said and tried to be patient for time to heal it... but it still hurts alot and I can hardly look at the river anymore without just feeling hollow inside. He glanced back finally unsure what her reaction would be to all that.

"Would it be okay if I did that trip?"
Of course, if she said no : he would not go. He was of course obedient to whatever her decision was. If she decided against this he would not even consider trying to sneak out, it simply just was not who he was.

This conversation had been good for both of them. Sprucebark had expanded his worldview a little bit, and Perchstar had learned more about the view of her warriors towards the Code--even if it did make her heart hurt somewhat. It had been good. They had learned more of each other. This was what discussion was for. She nodded at him when he expressed his gratitude. "I do as well. Perhaps we ought to make a habit of it. Let me know if you think of any other questions I might be able to answer."

Perchstar perked her ears when the tom said he had a question. His voice had grown somber. She listened carefully, unsure of what to expect. His words were certainly not the ones she had been bracing herself to hear--not only were they a complete shift of topic from their prior conversation, but Sprucebark had always seemed so sure of himself, despite his back luck and occasionally less-than-thought-through positions in life. Another pang of guilt struck her for being gone from her Clan for so long. She hadn't been there when Minksplash and Sootspirit died. She hadn't been there for Poppyshine... and she hadn't been available for Sprucebark, Rowansong and Sandyshell, either. There had been no consoling authority figure, no rock to lean on, when the river had taken two of their own. Perhaps she hadn't been careful enough in making sure all of the apprentices learned properly how to swim. Quietly, she shoved the thoughts away. Blaming herself would not be productive at the moment. Besides, no matter how unfortunate the reasoning behind it was, Sprucebark's request was not unreasonable.

"I miss them too," Perchstar murmured, a rare note of sorrow infusing her voice as she met his eyes. "Minksplash and Sootspirit were valued warriors of RiverClan, and I trusted them. To hear that they were gone when I returned..." She shook her head. She'd meant to answer the question, not ramble on about her own feelings. It was unlike her to even begin by addressing her own flawed emotions. "Poppyshine almost died in the river too, you know. I don't believe she's felt much the same about it since then. But she is still a very important member of RiverClan--and the deputy, no less. So do not feel that this anxiety towards the water makes you any less worthy of your warrior title. If you would ever wish to confront your fear, then let me know, and we could try swimming together. But don't push yourself." Her torn ear flicked once, thoughtfully. "As for your request about the Moonstone... I don't see why not. It may be a little unorthodox, but I believe that it should not be disallowed. However--as you mentioned--passing through WindClan may be difficult right now. And that is why I insist that you should not go alone."

But who should she send with him? Everyone was busy--they all had several different apprentices. To send Sandyshell again would likely make the poor medicine cat faint with anxiety. Poppyshine had far more important duties to tend to. I have been meaning to attempt communing with the stars... Her mind was made up. Perchstar blinked once, then returned her gaze to Sprucebark. "I will accompany you. I wish to speak to a member of StarClan, myself. It would be better to catch two fish with one swipe, don't you think? If... that is amenable to you."