Time to Learn the Way of a Warrior ~Emberpaw's training~

Lichenshine was surprised when she saw Emberpaw waiting at the camp's entrance. She half expected the kit to be snoozing until sun-high, not that she'd allow it in the first place.

"It's time to go. We'll walk the territory today." They padded straight past Emberpaw, expecting him to follow after her. "If you think I'll go easy on you because you're not Clanborn, you're wrong. The only reason you're here is because our code forbids us from turning you away," Lichenshine maintained her quick pace, shooting a glance back at the tom. "If anything, that's the reason you'll work twice as hard as any Clan cat." She couldn't let him make her look like a bad mentor. Not for her first apprentice, and not when Rabbitstar was looking for guardians. If Rabbitstar wanted to give her a challenge, he'd find out what she was capable of.

Lichenshine headed immediately west, towards Sunchaser's Meadow. The thought made them groan. They'd have to explain Sunchaser and Moondancer to Emberpaw. Did he even know about StarClan? Maybe I'm in for a history lesson. What a waste of time. Nursery kits know that stuff.

With her brisk pace, the walk to Sunchaser's meadow was quick. She leaped to a nearby boulder, looking down at Emberpaw. "Sit," she ordered her apprentice.

Lichenshine looked at Emberpaw, whiskers twitching with interest. "Before we can do any training, we have to figure out what you know." Lichenshine had to ignore the bubbling frustration she felt at even having to do this. A warrior's training shouldn't include lectures, let alone about such obvious topics. "Tell me everything you know about the Clan by now."

Lichenshine wanted to be surprised at Emberpaw's lack of knowledge, but she couldn't. Emberpaw was meeting her expectations, and it wasn't a good thing.

"Great," Lichenshine replied flatly. "Well, let's start from the beginning. StarClan are the warrior ancestors of both StarClan and MoonClan. Warriors who are dedicated to their Clan and die in honor go there. Warriors who disgrace their Clan, who are lazy and unmotivated, or who break the warrior code, those warriors go to a place we call the Dark Forest." Their voice was foreboding, almost trying to scare Emberpaw. "That's why it's so important to follow the warrior code."

Lichenshine looked at Emberpaw waiting for a response and trying to gauge his reaction to the information.

Lichenshine's whiskers twitched. "No. We don't associate with cats worthy of the Dark Forest. Cats who break the warrior code or who betray their Clan end up there. It's the worst punishment StarClan or anyone can give you."

They'd slightly narrow their eyes at their apprnetice. "That's why you're here. You were just a kit when we found you. It was against the warrior code to turn you away. If we'd found you at this age, it'd have been a different story. The warrior code also tells us to drive trespassers away from our territory."