Minkstar.

Minkstar and Mellowpaw, along with their accompanying warrior, had arrived back shortly before the sun breached the horizon, shortly before it painted the sky a myriad of colors. The day had passed with some ease, some self-imposed, fake-it-till-you-make-it vigor. She hadn’t felt like sleeping, despite how bone tired she was. But, things needed to be done, the life of the clan did not stop just because she was tired. Minkstar handled all the deputy’s duties for the time being, still organizing as she once had.

Patrols were organized, and sent out, and now with only the evening patrol still out, Minkstar prepared. She thought over what she would say, and how she would say it, composing her speech and solidifying her choice of deputy.

As the evening patrol entered back into camp, Minkstar called a meeting.

”Shoreclan! Gather here for a clan meeting!” She yowled, loud enough for all in the clan to hear. ”It’s time to announce the new deputy of Shoreclan!” She said, before settling upon her perch a little above the clan, so that she could be seen. She settled with her tail curled around her paws, waiting patiently for the Shoreclan cats to assemble beneath her. Her eyes sought out each clanmate as they gathered around, and settled in their comfortable spots beneath the meeting place, all looking up with curious, expectant gazes.

’Starclan, I hope I’m making the right choice,’ she thought to herself. She felt confident in her choice, and felt that the warrior would serve the clan well until she came to lose all of her lives.

Minkstar had still not fully adjusted to being leader, but it was customary to appoint a new deputy before Moonhigh the next day after the leadership ceremony took place. This was what their customs dictated, and had since before the clans had reformed beneath the three leaders of Shore, Gale, and Orchid, as tales had said. Minkstar twitched her ear slightly, looking out amongst her clanmates. Did any of them suspect who might be appointed? Was the choice obvious to them as it was to her?