CHAPTER TWO

SWIFTLAKE | RIVERCLAN CAMP

A paw prodded Swiftlake in the side, murmuring words too soft for Swiftlake's ears to hear.

    "Wake up, Swiftlake." The voice became clearer when Swiftlake lifted her head, shaking herself to get a better grip of her surroundings.

    "Why..." she groaned, taking one look outside and hiding her face in her paws. Great StarClan, why was she being woken up at sunhigh?

    "Marigoldstar is calling a meeting." Her friend, Sunfur, jabbed her in the ribs this time.

    "Gah - Sunfur, I'm getting up!" she nipped the fluffy paw that tried poking her again, smirking when Sunfur let out a yelp of surprise.

    Swiftlake boosted herself to her paws and followed Sunfur out of the warriors den, joining her fellow Clanmates who sat before Marigoldstar. Waveheart sat beside her, looking proud per usual.

    Once a few more cats had found their places, Marigoldstar began.

    "RiverClan, we gather today for the making of two warriors. Lakepaw, Ryepaw, step forward."

    Swiftlake perked up, smiling at the thought of her old denmates finally joining her and Hailhop in the warriors den.

    "I, Marigoldstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Lakepaw, Ryepaw, do you two promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

    Lakepaw and Ryepaw didn't miss a beat. "I do," the siblings meowed.

    Marigoldstar continued. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Ryepaw, from this moment you will be known as Ryebranch. StarClan honors your energy and speed, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan. Lakepaw, from this moment you will be known as Lakepelt. StarClan honors your compassion and patience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."

    Swiftlake beamed, loudly chanting her former denmates' names with the rest of her Clan.

    "Ryebranch! Lakepelt!"

    Cats began getting up, knowing the meeting was over - or, figuring it was over. Swiftlake beelined for the warriors den.

    "Wait," Marigoldstar yowled. "I have one more thing to say."

    Swiftlake stifled a groan, stopping in her tracks. She wheeled around, impatiently standing near the back.

    Once every cat had settled down again, Marigoldstar seemed to hesitate, but she finally spoke two words.

    "I'm retiring." No grand speech trailed after her words.

    Every cat was taken by shock, and Swiftlake even blurted "What!?" and immediately swung her gaze to Waveheart's smug expression.

    After all the questions fired at her, Marigoldstar realized she couldn't just dip to the elders den without a proper explanation.

    "I'm old-"

    "Snowstar and Snakestar are older than you!" Skybird's mew rang out.

    "And they too should retire. ShadowClan's already a mess, but that's not what we're focusing on. I just want to rest now. I deserve it, and you deserve a new leader." Marigoldstar murmured. "At dusk, Waveheart, Softfur, and I shall travel to the Moonpool."

    That fleabag doesn't deserve to be leader! Swiftlake narrowed her eyes, claws flexing.

    "Clan dismissed."

    Swiftlake huffed angrily, whipping around. Just as she took a step, a pelt pressed firmly against her own.

    "What's wrong?" Hailhop, her brother, asked, his bright amber eyes troubled. "You seem agitated."

    "I just think there are better candidates than Waveheart." Swiftlake hissed.

    Hailhop's troubled gaze faded, and a teasing, mischievous gleam twinkled in his eyes. "Some cat has their eye on leadership."

    Swiftlake snapped at him. "No, I don't care for that position. Waveheart just doesn't deserve so much power." Swiftlake could tell she had shaken her brother; he cringed away, hurt distinct on his face. Swiftlake felt a stab of regret in her heart, but she turned away wordlessly, hoping that she was cranky just because of being woken up.

    The only other cat in there was Leopardspots, who waved her tail at Swiftlake in a friendly manner, proceeding to curl up in her nest.

    Swiftlake sighed, laying down with a thump.

    It's not my place to worry about what the future of RiverClan may look like. StarClan will send Softfur a sign if Waveheart has to be taken down. Swiftlake told herself, burying her muzzle into her fur, closing her eyes.

***

    Swiftlake opened her eyes to complete darkness, smiling to herself. She felt better, not so irritated and quick to anger. Swiftlake quickly crossed the den to the entrance, noticing how she hadn't stepped on as many tails this time. Then, once the nearly full moon's light lit up the clearing outside, she noticed half of the warriors were waiting for Marigoldstar, Softfur, and Waveheart's return. That explained why there were less tails stepped on.

    Hunger took her mind off of those random thoughts. She padded toward the pile of prey, taking a trout and taking a seat near a group of senior warriors, digging into the fish.

    "Welcome back," the gentle voice drew Swiftlake's attention to the exit.

    Marigoldstar - or whatever her warrior name was - walked in, Waveheart - ugh, Wavestar - and Softfur behind her.

    "So you're Marigoldfur now." One of the senior warriors, Ebonywish, assumed.

    "Indeed." Marigoldfur confirmed. "And Waveheart is now Wavestar."

    Several heads bowed with respect to both the former leader and the new leader. Swiftlake rolled her eyes, focusing on her trout. No way was she going to show any sign of respect to Wavestar.

    "Welcome to the elders den, Marigoldfur." Thornpelt's warm voice reached Swiftlake's ears. "We've made your nest."

    Swiftlake looked over at the elders, then at the sky, staring at the large moon. Tomorrow was the Gathering, but Swiftlake had a feeling she wasn't going to attend. Wavestar wouldn't reward her.

    Speaking of the silver tabby, the new leader was conversing with the senior warriors beside Swiftlake, keeping up her charade of a completely innocent warrior.

    Swiftlake continued to glance at Wavestar, tail twitching. Perhaps I'm being too pessimistic. Cats can change. Swiftlake thought, then dropped her gaze. Cats can change for the worse.

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