Phina D Wolf wrote:White. Shallow, churned and scarred within the camp, crissed and crossed with the tracks of cats headed to their patrols. Within the camp, the snow had been cleared, packed around the dens for insulation, so now only a thin layer remained. Outside the camp, the snow quickly makes it impossible for all but the biggest of cats to force their way through it. The younger, lighter cats rejoiced in the thick crust that had finally become strong enough to be walked on, as long as you were careful.
Maplestarโs lithe form padded gently over the snow, his eyes roaming the horizon restlessly. A pale form flickered against the trees at the base of the mountain, and he darted forward, claws crunching into the icy crust of the snow. When he reached the spot, the cat was gone, its strange scent quickly dying in the chilled air. Between his resting paws shivered a tiny, pale bundle. His daughter. The proof of his betrayal. The thought shot through his heart like a dagger, the thought of what it would do to Magnolia tore at him as hi picked up the tiny thing. She could never know. It would destroy her.
Turning, he loped back to camp. The kit would be raised as their own. She would be told, eventually, that she was adopted. But she would never know the full truth. It would hurt too many.
~~~
Maplestar wove through the pushing crowds, just returned from patrols, ignoring the whispers and rumors that immediately began flooding the crowd as he carried the kit towards the nursery. โItโs his niece.โ some whispered, โHis sisteโr a rouge, and new that the kit was too weak to survive on her own.โ โNay!โ cry others, โItโs his sister, abandoned after his motherโs death. Look how downcast he is.โ it was only as he reached the entrance that he heard the rumor he feared most. โSheโs his.โ murmured an older warrior, โHe used to be the biggest ladies man in the area, heโs got kits running around all over. Poor Magnoliarose, how will she take it, her kits just born?โ
Maplestar slipped quietly into the nursery, laying the kit between his paws as he stopped a few paces from his mate. โShe was abandoned.โ he murmured, looking at her pleadingly, โWould youโฆ?โ
โOf course.โ Magnoliarose interrupted, โShe needs a mother, like my Skai did. They did their best with her, even if theyโฆwellโฆthey kept her alive and safe. Its the least I can do to repay Starclan for protecting her.โ she hesitated, โWill you ever tell her?โ
โYes. Eventually.โ Maplestar sighed, โItโs her right to know.โ
~~~
โHello love.โ
Maplestar flicked his ears, laughing, โHey Swanflight, whatโs with the pet names?โ
โOh, just goofing around.โ The molly murmured, rubbing against him lightly, โWhy so tense?โ
Maplestar hesitated, โIโฆI donโt know. I justโฆ.I feel like Iโm not cut out for this. The leading, the decisions, the complete power, it terrifies me. Iโm constantly afraid of making some drastic mistake.โ
โDonโt you trust your deputies?โ Swanflight asked gently, her eyes flashing slightly.
โMore than I do myself.โ Maplestar chuckled, โThey are always confident in their decisions, and are so much more in tune with the clan than I am. They have saved me from making a stupid decision more then once.โ
โThen pass it on to them.โ Swanflight urged, โOur generation is past. Our time in the sun is over. Itโs time to let the next generation take control. I trust the cats you have picked. Theyโll protect the clan.โ
Maplestar stood, staring out at the horizon. For several moments, there was silence, the tomโs eyes immovable, clouded, stormy, conflicted. Suddenly, his gaze was drawn back to the camp, where an argument had broken out between two of the younger warriors. Immediately, Loonfrost was at the scene, her sharp tongue driving the pair apart, then her calm voice soothing their anger, smoothing over the altercation. Both seemed abashed, and parted as grudging friends.
Letting out a long breath, he turned back to his mate. โYouโre right.โ he agreed. โTheyโve been training for this. I think that theyโre ready.โ
~~~
Several days had passed since Maplestar had made his decision. Having consulted with Sweetsun, who agreed with the readiness of the Head Med Catโs daughter and her mate, but cautioned that her pregnancy might hinder her. Maplestar brushed that issue aside, confident in Loonfrostโs ability. Stormrise had been considered, but had been rejected as being too volatile. Maybe if he were older, he would have been chosen, but for now, Loonfrost was the best choice.
Maplestar glanced around the clan, a mixture of relief and anticipation warring in his stomach as he stepped up onto the shining stone, the click of his claws immediately seizing the attention of everyone within hearing range. Their sudden silence rapidly swept over the clan, the last laughs and cries loud in the sudden, heavy, silence.
โSwiftclan.โ Maplestar began slowly, โI have not had the privilege to lead you long, but that was not what Starclan willed. I was put here to train up your next leader. Now that they are ready, I shall resume my position as a warrior.โ A rush of dismay washed over the crowd, but he silenced it with a flick of the tail. โLoonfrost, please join me.โ his voice was steady, gentle, quiet. His eyes were kind as Loonfrost started, trotting a little awkwardly to his side.
โI have never been good at ceremonies.โ he began, โSo I shall keep this brief. Loonfrost, deputy of Swiftclan, do you promise to dedicate your like to the protection and preservation of Swiftlcan?โ
โI..I do.โ Loonfrost agreed, squaring her shoulders determinedly.
โThen, Swiftclan, I relinquish my title and take the name Maplesun. Loonfrost, I give you the name Loonstar. Bear it well.โ
There was a pause, then a cry rose from a voice at the edge of the crowd. โLoonstar!โ Luxxstrike called out, Stormriseโs voice following almost immediately. Her familyโs voices began to cry out, swiftly the rest of the clan joining their chant as Maplesun stepped off the stone.
Allowing a few more chants, Loonstar flicked her tail firmly, bringing silence to the crowd, her eyes hardening as she scanned the crowd. โThank you.โ she said quietly, โAnd this may seem forward, but my first act as leader cannot wait.โ she smiled gently at a pale molly near the front of the crowd. โSwanflight, would you please join me?โ
Purring expectantly, Swanflight practically swaggered up onto the shining stone. She failed to notice the subtle flicks and twitches the new leader made, or the movement of her closest friends, encircling the stone.
โSwanflight has been a huge help to me, these past many months.โ Loonstar began, โHer mentorship has taught me many things.โ Smiling at the molly, she continued, โHow to act, lie, cheat, steal, pass secret messages, poison, and murder without anyone being able to trace me.โ her voice became colder with each word, โHow to charm someone you feel nothing for, and how to twist their mind. How to control the succession of an entire clan.โ
Swanflightโs eyes widened and she took a step back. Immediately, she felt fur. Glancing behind her, she saw another member of her cult, Stormrise, his eyes glittering.
โHow to brainwash young warriors.โ Loonstar continued, turning to the other molly, โHow to form a rebellion. How to resist the pull of a cult.โ She spat the last word out. โAnd I have used this information well. Congratulations, Swanflight. You have placed the head of the rebellion in the position of leader. And now, having made your nest, you must lie in it. Stormflight, please detain Swanflight under the charges of the murder of Falconwatcher, despite our best efforts to prevent this horrible act, the attempted poisoning of Sweetsun, and the plotted murder of Maplest..Maplesun if he refused to step down, as well as manipulation of succession.โ
Swanflight attempted to bolt, but Stormriseโs teeth closed around her scruff, lifting her so her feet barely touched the ground. A screech of despair was torn from her as she was dragged away.
Loonstar whirled, her eyes locked on a slinking figure, โSwayingtrees!โ she hissed, โYou, while not the mastermind, were responsible for the murder of Falconwatcher! Out! You have a day to be gone from our territory, or I will have you killed!โ
The dark form darted away, the crowd hissing furiously, in shock at the massive betrayal that had grown within their midst. Taking a deep breath, Loonstar continued, โAny other members of Swanfrostโs cult, I already know who you. I also understand your intent. You meant well. You are free to continue your lives as before.โ
~~~
โAre you sure you want to make all these changes?โ Stormrise asked, hesitating, โI mean, a new deputy, a new governing system, and splitting the clan? All in one moon? Are you sure this is a good idea?โ
โYes.โ Loonstar confirmed, โThe clan needs to be protected from anything like this happening again. Plus, Swiftclan is becoming too large to live all in one place. Splitting up will be easier on our resources. Plus, your little sister will make a great deputy. And, next moon, each camp elects their own deputy, so theyโll have their say too.โ
Stormrise hesitated, then nodded, โI trust you Looney. Letโs do this."
[swiftclan consumes x4 big fish and x3 birds]
[bearmask, dipperwing, heronface, liontuft, pondfall, and softheart go hunting]
[luxx, skysun, sleetfall, sushicry, sloeface and sweetbriar go hunting]
[sheephop, pumicetail, pumpkinpatch, reedwhisker, rivergaze, and robinpatch go hunting]
[stormrise, rowan, aniella, hailstorm, argusfang, and cottonflight patrol]
[rowanfern, brambleleaf, velvetflicker, strawberryfall, aloestem, gladestep, mottledberry, leafrush, sheephop, and luxx, go hunting for kitting herbs]
(anellia, luxx, stormrise, sheephop, hailstorm, and rowan have applicable powers)
[ magnoliarose is kitting! father x2 raspberry leaves are used]
[ mothwhisker is kitting! father x1 raspberry leaves are used]
[ lavender is kitting! father x2 ragwort are used]
[loonstar requests a new member]
[train all apprentices]
