haha; you've been summoned

[tenacious]

RiverClan needed to know the plans; they needed to know what would take place to ensure no cowardly Clan tried to attack them and they needed to know what exactly had gone down at the Gathering. The latter was the least of Rookstar's concerns; he figured the majority of cats would know everything that had gone down. At least, he hoped so. It would save him the time of explaning everything. The tabby tom flicked his tail as he emerged from his den and made his way towards the rocks in the camp. The top of the stone was smooth, except for some claw marks from leaders getting far too agitated while addressing their Clan.

He hoped that most of the warriors would agree; Rookstar was not usually a tom that enjoyed to fight. He would rather talk things through but this was something that could not be talked about. It would come down to a fight eventually and Rookstar would not give the chance for prey to return and give ShadowClan more food for their warriors. While the river was now frozen, Rookstar knew his Clan was better off; they still had water voles and the like, for one, and in the early part of Leaf-bare they did have the river. Even in the later parts, when the snow turned to mush beneath the paws of a warrior. In short, they hadn't been lacking prey all Leaf-bare; they still had full bellies, unlike ThunderClan and ShadowClan.

The slightly arrogant tom leapt onto the rock and stood, sweeping his gaze across the camp before speaking, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Flat Boulder for a Clan meeting!"

He waited for a few minutes as cats emerged from their dens; some eyes were full of curiosity. Rookstar sat, as he usualy did atop of the Flat Boulder.

"As many of you know, the moor was the main topic of discussion at the last Gathering," Rookstar began strongly, "Willowstar has challenged RiverClan for the right to the moorland! Elkstar has foolishly backed out of the battle." A light snarl slipped into the leader's mew.

"We must prepare for a battle," Rookstar added, "and we must make sure no cats can sneak into our territory. I want no less then two warriors, capable of fighting, in camp at a time. Patrols will be increased along our borders," the grey cat realized he'd need volunteers for that- he would help lead some patrols, but he would also be training Snowpaw, "We will now have a pre-dawn patrol and a night patrol to ensure this."

He would not put it pass ShadowClan to attack in the middle of the night; they were ShadowClan for StarClan's sake!
Perhaps even ThunderClan as well- that could be the reason Elkstar stayed out of the arguement with the moor. A cover.

Rookstar paused to gather his thoughts before continuing on, "Now, onto some better news," his whiskers twitched slightly, "Snowpaw has been lacking a mentor since the death of her original mentor. I shall take over as the young cat's mentor."

[Willow]

The air was cold and thick with moisture. Wind blew strongly through the protected island that created RiverClan's camp. The moisture clung to Snowpaw's thick fur, forming frost along the tips of the hairs. The little apprentice shivered as she meandered over to the fresh-kill pile. She had done her share of hunting for the day and was entitled to a nice, warm piece of prey. The pile was small, but the scent coming from it was as enticing as ever. Mouth watering, Snowpaw padded through the dusting of snow upon the ground. She was reaching her head down, about to grab a water vole in her teeth when Rookstar's call broke the silence of the winter air.

Snowpaw ruffled her fur in irritation, gave the vole one last longing glance, then turned to gather with the rest of her Clan beneath the flat boulder. What did Rookstar have to say now? Radiating bad temper, Snowpaw took a seat at the edge of the clearing, near a patch of brown reeds that helped to shield the frigid wind. She turned her brown gaze to Rookstar as he began to speak. He was talking about what had transpired at the last gathering. But they'd already heard all this, even if they themselves hadn't attended. He mentioned patrols. This was so not worth waiting for that vole. She was about to turn and go retrieve the prey when Rookstar got off the topic of patrols and battles and the other Clans. He was talking about her. Snowpaw stayed right where she was and raised her head high, pride radiating from her small form. She felt eyes on her but was unfazed.

[{Otter}]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=black] Blah, blah. Clan meeting. All Ottersplash knew as Rookstar's words reverberated throughout RiverClan camp was that he was being roused from a lovely sleep, in which newleaf had returned and he was chasing butterflies to his heart's content. And now? Eh, even a sloppy warrior like him couldn't ignore the call for a meeting. He was interested, whether or not he cared much for Clan politics or battles. With a heavy yawn the chocolate warrior rose to his paws and stretched, groaning as he loosened his stiffened limbs. The cold did nothing good for the body of even the youngest RiverClan warrior. Not like he was skinny, though. Heck, he was getting too pudgy, even. River frozen and all, he was eating too much and not moving around enough. So he supposed he might as well get up and walk the few tail-lengths it took to get to the clearing. Maybe burn off a tenth of a fish, or something. Slowly he padded out into the frigid air and plopped himself on the ground. Surprisingly, somehow, he was the first warrior out here. Odd. What was with his fellow Clanmates? It was a bad sign when the laziest goofball was second at a meeting. "As many of you know, the moor was the main topic of discussion at the last Gathering. Willowstar has challenged RiverClan for the right to the moorland! Elkstar has foolishly backed out of the battle." Those words, and a sneer, were the next things from Rookstar's mouth. Pale yellow eyes blinked in surprise. Far be it from Ottersplash to care for Gatherings, so he hadn't bothered to ask anyone what had gone on. This was all news to him, for sure. A breeze picked up, rustling the ferns around the camp, and Ottersplash's mind began to wander. He heard none of Rookstar's next words about "more patrols" and "prepare for battle". Even if he had, the words would have gone in one ear and out the other. Finally, his mind wandered back to the meeting, and he managed to hear Rookstar's announcement about Snowpaw. Well, the little apprentice was getting the leader to train her! It was impossible not to feel good for Snowpaw, even though Ottersplash would have hated such a thing to happen to him. Heck, what mentor could be more serious than the leader? Bah, it wasn't a fate Ottersplash would have chosen for himself, but it seemed like everyone else loved the idea. So...he was excited. Sort of. "Congrats, Snowpaw," he mewed amiably, though he couldn't help but feel bad, too. No one had wanted Snowpaw's mentor to die, of course. It was a sad deal, any way a cat looked at it.

[blackhawk]

Blackhawk stared out through the opening in the reeds. She smiled at Rookstar's call. At last she would learn of the going's on at the meeting. Finally she would learn what the other clan's were going to do. She turned and hurried to the rock. She stared up at her leader. Listening to what he had to say. An outraged snarl came out of her tiny body at the news that Shadowclan was supposed to face off against her very own clan.

How dare those cowardly fools think to fight against Riverclan. The fearsome and strong clan who ruled during winter. Who were the most powerful when the river froze over. When everyone else was at their weakest. She felt her little shoulders throw backwards and she felt pride at being a Riverclan cat. Though she wasn't the strongest feline here she was definitely one of the fastest and agile, making her a great battler.

As the last bit was said, she grinned a bit over at the young apprentice. Sadly they had lost her mentor but she felt the young cat would get on well. And though Blackhawk gave a small grin to Snowpaw she did not go to congratulate her as it was not her way. She felt since she did not smile at others often it would be enough.

[blue]

Rookstar's call was still ringing in the air when Shrewclaw slinked out of the warrior's den, tabby coat puffed up against the chill. It was about time he called a meeting, too. Shrewclaw had a tough time remembering when the leader had. And now especially, what with ShadowClan and all, was as good a time as ever to announce something to the entire clan.

Ah, the moor. It was good hearing his leader speak about the abandoned territory. Naturally this meeting was going to revolve around it as well. Not that he minded. Oh no, of course, just hearing about the open meadow did Shrewclaw well. He could imagine that he was running through the dry grass now, the wind rushing against his fur. But he shook his head, focusing again on Rookstar, and whatever else the tom had to say. Daydreaming could come later.

The tom frowned. Why was Rookstar calling Elkstar foolish, now? Personally, Shrewclaw thought it was smart of ThunderClan to back down from the battle for the moor. They wouldn't have to face his claws - because StarClan knew he'd fight for that land. Honestly, it belonged to WindClan, wherever they may be. But he'd rather RiverClan have it then those stinkers from ShadowClan, most definitely.

Besides, RiverClan was more suited for the terrain. They were sleek, used to open areas. ShadowClan lived with trees all over their territory. And marshes, wet, muddy marshes. More patrols would be good, he agreed silently. The added defense would surely keep those good for nothing ShadowClanners out of their territory, and out of the moor. Shrewclaw definitely wouldn't mind taking some of those patrols out himself, either. Especially the night ones. It was always more comforting at night, and less cats would probably be prone to doing a night patrol anyway.

And then the apprentice, which, he didn't honestly care about much. Yeah, it was good she had a mentor now. Especially the leader of her clan. And of course, it was horrible to remember that her mentor - a RiverClan cat - had actually died. Death was never a good thing, especially when it was from your own clan. But hey, it wasn't like he knew the cat well. The warrior stood still for a moment, before turning his head to study the white furred apprentice. "Congratulations, Snowpaw," he said politely, no real emotion behind his words.

[tenacious]

No cats voiced disagreement, which pleased Rookstar. A divided Clan won little battles. He could not have RiverClan warriors arguing amongst themselves now, not when a cloud of danger loomed over their heads, threatening to strike at any moment. That was one of the worst things about fighting ShadowClan- those cats were sly and cold-hearted. One could never predict when they would attack. He lashed his tail slightly before leaping down from his perch, smiling lightly as cats mewed congratulations to Snowpaw. It would be important to train the apprentices efficiently and to not dawdle. Of course, no mentor should push their apprentice, but going too fast would do more harm then good. Perhaps the extra patrols would also help with this; the apprentices would be able to get more familiar with the borders and what would be expected of them when they became warriors.

Yes, Rookstar decided, I’ll take Snowpaw out on a pre-dawn patrol soon. He added silently before sweeping his gaze over the cats, searching for his deputy. He had to speak to Mintleaf; no cat had voiced disagreement, but Rookstar knew some may come to that conclusion later on, or they were simply thinking it. He needed to make sure he and his deputy were on the same page. Mintleaf would also have to be able to organize the patrols of appoint a warrior to assist her with one or two.

The grey leader padded forward slowly, head raised as he continued searching for the she-cat, though his mind still wandered. If RiverClan won the moor, the extra patrols would have to stay. It would tire the warriors out, he realized, but they would grow used to it and the extra prey would do them well. During Leaf-bare, they would not have only one food source to depend on when the river froze. They would have two. And, during the warmer seasons, his Clan would have three prey sources! RiverClan would never know hunger again. Excitement played in his eyes at the thought; while the other Clans starved and grew weak, his would remain strong. Strong enough to fight any battle and win.

Not only that, but the river could flood as it had long, long ago. Rookstar would never voice this worry out loud, but the moor would make an excellent place to shelter if the water intruded too far into their territory. WindClan had survived there for generations, after all. Rookstar knew his Clan could survive there as long as floodwaters trespassed in their territory.

[{Otter}]

((I keep forgetting I have Icefeather!))

Light brown eyes watched Rookstar closely, and small white ears swiveled forward to hear every word. She agreed with him. ShadowClan would attack, and they would have to defend themselves. More patrols seemed to be a perfectly lovely idea, and she yowled her approval as he ended his little speech. Oh yes, they'd claw the ears off of any ShadowClan scum that decided to show itself on their land. There was nothing, nothing, Icefang enjoyed more than raking her claws across the faces of any cat outside her Clan.

As Snowpaw was called forward, the previously-fierce eyes softened greatly, and she purred with pride as her daughter was named Rookstar's apprentice. Her kits deserved nothing less, she decided, than the best training, and surely the leader was the best. The lean white she-cat rose to her paws and padded over to her daughter, leaning down to lick her forehead. "Congratulations, Snowpaw.You'll get the best training in the Clan," she purred softly in her daughter's ear.

Then, turning to Rookstar, she mewed, "Might I go on the next patrol?" She was ready to start. Ready to fight again. ShadowClan especially.

((Sucks, sorry. I'm still trying to get into Icefeather's character))