Code of the Clans/Code 8

:Below contains in-depth information for code eight of Code of the Clans. If you are looking for a shorter summary of the entire book, please check the main article.
==Chapter description==
======
:Leafpool explains that in the past, the Clans selected their leaders based on kin rather than skill or suitability. The kin of leaders were well respected among Clanmates and such cats were put forth to lead the Clan after the death of a leader. Leafpool goes on to say that not every cat selected were as skilled in leadership as their predecessor, as shown in the story she tells.
:Beechstar is lying among a clump of ferns. His breathing is troubled and his voice is raspy as he calls out to Robinwing, who draws closer to him and promises the leader that his Clan is safe. Beechstar replies that SkyClan won't be safe for long, and that they must strike before RiverClan does. Beechstar is urged by Mothpelt, Beechstar's kit, to be quiet and rest before they return him to camp the next day. The leader explains that he is losing his last life and StarClan is awaiting him. Beechstar speaks to someone behind the group but when Robinwing looks, he cannot see any other cat there. Beechstar instructs Mothpelt to lead well and make him proud as his ninth life slips away despite Mothpelt's protests. Robinwing exchanges a look with SkyClan's deputy, Maplewhisker, with whom he shares worries about Mothpelt's suitability as a leader. The three had grown up together and watched the tom's troubles as a mentor. As they head back to camp, Maplewhisker reasurres Robinwing that Mothpelt is loyal to his Clan and kin and that he was fearless in the battle a day before. Robinwing hopes silently that Mothpelt will live up to Beechstar's legacy as their Clan was at war with RiverClan over a portion of SkyClan's territory across the river and he would need to lead well if they were to defend their land. Maplewhisker continues that they must support Mothpelt as he is now their leader.
:Mothpelt calls a Clan meeting during a storm the day after Beechstar is buried and announces that his father's dying wish was that SkyClan brings the battle to RiverClan's territory. Despite the yowls of agreement from the rest of the Clan, Robinwing remains silent and wonders how the heavy rain would affect the river's height. Mothpelt charges out of camp with his warriors and apprentices close behind. Robinwing falls back to assist his own apprentice, Rubblepaw, who was struggling in the rain and debris. Rubblepaw exclaims that he feels like he will drown before he even reaches the river and Robinwing worries silently that he'll drown when he gets there as he encourages the apprentice on aloud.
:Robinwing briefly shares his concerns with Maplewhisker before they finally arrive at the river. It had grown twice its size in the downpour and the shore is almost completely submerged. Mothpelt orders SkyClan forward but a petrified Robinwing yowls for him to stop as he bowls him over. SkyClan stops behind them while Robinwing states that he won't allow his leader to cross as it is too dangerous. Mothpelt accuses him of allying with RiverClan but Robinwing calmly replies that he is loyal to his Clan and refuses to watch his Clanmates drown. The leader insists that Beechstar must be avenged and dives into the swollen river, barely making it to the first stepping stone. Half of the SkyClan cats lined up on the shore plunge after him, much to the horror of Robinwing, to join him in battle Maplewhisker, Robinwing and Rubblepaw agree that they must help their Clanmates before they are swept under by the strong currents and Maplewhisker announces a rescue plan to the remaining SkyClan cats on the strip of land - they would form a chain with their tails to reach the cats struggling in the river. Robinwing agrees and offers to chain with Rubblepaw and Spiderpelt while Maplewhisker stays behind to point out which cats to rescue.
:Robinwing leaps into the river and kicks towards Squirrelfur, who is struggling weakly against the waves. He grabs the tom by the scruff and is dragged back to land by Rubblepaw and Spiderpelt where Maplewhisker gets a hold of the exhausted warrior. Robinwing dives in again and rescues another warrior and two apprentices before Maplewhisker suggests that he had done enough. Robinwing replies that he needs to help Mothpelt, who was still perched on the rock. He asks that Maplewhisker promises to become the new leader of SkyClan, much to the she-cat's surprise. Spiderpelt and Rubblepaw voice their support and the deputy reluctantly agrees on the condition that Mothpelt approves. As Robinwing splashes back into the river, he thinks to himself that he will introduce a new rule to the warrior code; deputies will lead the Clan after their leaders join StarClan as the cats most experienced in leadership and enemy Clans.
======
:Leafpool begins with the fact that fallen leaders have abundant time for reflection over the choices they made and they must face the consequences as they watch from StarClan's hunting grounds. She tells of one such leader, Tallstar, and his conversation with Bluestar about a particular choice he still frets over.
:Tallstar requests to speak with Bluestar, as he tells her that his thoughts are keeping him awake. He notes that Bluestar believes Tallstar made the wrong choice, but he stands by his actions against Mudclaw. Bluestar tells him that she would choose to let Mudclaw lead the Clan for the sake of the warrior code and her Clanmates but Tallstar can only recall his vision of bloody moors filled with anguished yowling and cats drained of life, suffering from the consequences of a battle that need not have been fought because Tallstar had chosen to allow Mudclaw to lead WindClan. He questions how he could let that happen to his Clan.
:Tallstar acknowledges that many cats believed his judgement to be unsound as death approached, even Firestar and Brambleclaw who had supported his final desicion. The former leader says that had not the breath to explain his reasoning to his Clanmates and he joined StarClan with the knowledge that his Clan may never forgive him for his choice. He believes Onewhisker would have made a good deputy and will make an excellent leader in Mudclaw's place.
:Tallstar goes on to state that he knows Bluestar thinks him arrogant, but he insists that it was the only way to save WindClan. He is assured that his Clan will be safe under the leadership of Onewhisker. Tallstar finishes by saying that even if his choice proves to be the wrong one, he cannot go back and change it, and he is sure that it could never be worse than the glimpse he had received of Mudclaw's reign.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Important events==
*The eighth rule of the warrior code is added: The deputy will become Clan leader when the leader dies or retires.
===Deaths===
*Beechstar; killed by wounds a RiverClan warrior inflicted.
==Notes and references==
de:Das Gesetz der Krieger/8. Gesetz
Category:Code of the Clans
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Field Guides