In the oldest days, the world was only smoke and fog. All manner of creatures, from cats, to foxes, to fish, to dogs, darted through the fog alone, always chasing little moments of warmth in a world ruled by formless beasts. No one had time to stop and make a nice den or share tales of skill and cunning. All of the world was gray and cold, and all creatures knew nothing except this world. All but three.

Red Briar, who had found color in the roots of an ancient and crooked tree, and took it into her name, so she would not forget it in a world of gray.

Mist Whisker, who always had in her heart warmth to give to others, who was given her name piece by piece from those whose hearts she wound herself around like mist.

Storm Fang, who found her joy in surviving when the formless gray tried to smother her, who tore her name, tooth and claw, from those who would deny it to her.

When they met, they realized the world could be more. Red Briar knew that something existed beyond the endless gray. Mist Whisker knew that if only they had the chance, creatures would band together and be something more than aimless. And Storm Fang knew that no threat was invincible. Together, they had a dream and a purpose.

Against all odds, they stayed together in their quest. Red Briar gave them direction, Mist Whisker gave them comfort, and Storm Fang gave them safety. Together they scoured the empty land, trying to find anything that the fog did not touch. And at the top of a cold and lonely mountain, they finally broke through and found the sky.

But back then the sky had no shape or order. It was a blank place, a free place. And so the three stepped from the peak, into the sky, so that they might make something new.

Together they dreamt of a new land, of deep colors, of warm dens, of bright and twinkling lights. But they knew that there were still others who did not know these things, and so they returned and brought their new world with them on their backs.

Red Briar gave us cunning, ambition, and community. Mist Whisker gave us curiosity, stories, and compassion. Storm Fang gave us discipline, tradition, and honor. Together, the three of them drove the fog away, gave us the code, and the Clans, and they told us that so long as we follow them, when we finally perish, we may find our way into the stars.