LAST MOON:
Noble heaved himself to his paws with a grunt. He hadn’t slept well the night before. He guessed it was because of the newfound clan at their border - MistClan he think he heard a passing patrol say. They had hidden themselves well.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, padding out of his den, steps heavy with tiredness. Almost immediately Civetfang races over to him, excitement blazing in his bright eyes.
Noble groaned. Civetfang always had his look in his eye when he boasted or fawned over and about his two kits. And Noble was really not in the mood to have his General brag about some kits.
But Civetfang either didn’t notice Noble’s posture or ignored it. Eyes shining, he puffed out his chest and made his grand announcement: “Duskkit and Aspenkit are ready to become a Cadet and Rookie!”
Noble huffed. “That time already?”
Civetfang’s chest deflated at Noble’s uninterested attitude.
“I....it means....they....you...” Civetfang trailed off the fragmented sentence. “Do I care? Only for their new blood.” Noble said with a tired flick of his tail. “I’ll call a meeting.”
With protesting muscles, Noble leaped onto leader’s ledge and let out a loud Yoel. All the cats save for the dawn patrol gathered below the ledge. Elmblood emerged from the nursery, kits following. Duskkit’s ever step screamed nervousness but his puffed out chest and high held tail also showed he was proud. Aspenkit was more quiet with her excitement, and if she was nervous, she didn’t show it. This gave Noble a fair idea of who he wanted to mentor them.
As Elmblood, Civetfang, and their kits took a place in the front of the crowd, Noble leaped of the ledge and landed softly in front of them.
Then Noble started the ceremony. “Duskkit And Aspenkit, you have reached the age of six moons and are ready to become a Cadet and Rookie respectively. Duskkit, you will now be known as Cadetdusk. Flareblood, you are ready for a Cadet. I hope you will use all of your skills to train Cadetdusk. Gods look upon this pairing and approve of it."
The Empire erupted into cheers, Cadetdusk's name becoming a chant among caterwauls of joy. But despite the noise, it only took a single flick of his tail for Noble to quiet the Empire.
"Aspenkit, you will now be known as Rookieaspen. Swantalon, you may be young, but you are ready for a Rookie. I hope you will use all of your skills to train Rookieaspen. Gods look upon this pairing and approve of it."
The black tom sat back on his haunches as his cats cheered again. Blinking tiredness out of his eyes, Noble turned to go back to his den when a cough interrupted him. "Uh...my lord?"
Neritevine. Noble swung around to glare at the she-cat. She was flanked by Spottedtooth, Wormwood, and Rogerfang. "What is it?" The Supreme Leader muttered without any of his usual spunk.
"Remember when we evaluated Cadetstag's assessment a few days ago? Isn't it time he became a soldier?"
Noble hissed at himself. He was so tired he forgot about the new blood. "Gods help me." He muttered under his breath. If Neritevine or her companions heard him, they said nothing. "What are your friends here for?" Noble asked.
Wormwood dipped his head. "We think that Cadetsyrinx, Auletris, Cadetduo, and of course your cadet, Cadetmidnight are ready to take their soldier assessment."
Noble was suddenly on the tips of his paws, fur bristling. "What about my daughters!?"
Rogerfang winced and Wormwood backed up, leaving the answer to Spottedtooth. "They've been slacking in their training. They've only learned two skills out of the five necessary that the rest of the twelve moons old habe learned."
Noble sank back down, tiredness crashing upon him again. "Ah. We'll assess the Cadets and Auletris later this moon. Neritevine, get your Cadet ready for his ceremony. And make sure Cadetfallen has no hard feelings - sibling rivalry does not always turn out the way you want it."
Noble was thrown back into his memories; Strike's snarling face, telling Noble he amounted to nothing, the yip of a fox, the crack of Strike's neck against the tree. Noble snapped back to the present, shivering. He may not have liked Strike much, but he did respect his older brother. The four cats he was facing wisely did not mention his shivering.
"As you wish." Neritevine said with a dip of her head, and she and the others walked away.
---
Cadetstag was almost jumping on his paws.
"Really!? I thought King Noble forgot!" he purred when Neritevine announced his soldier ceremony.
"I'm sure he did. Now let me clean your pelt - you probably have half the territory in it!"
Cadetstag purred at his adoptive mother's joke, but sat still for her. If he had to choose one thing he really cared about, it was this - the pride in Neritevine's eyes, the glittering amusement in Cadetfallen's - wait, wait, wait. "When did you get in here!?" Cadetstag yelped, jumping up as he saw his brother.
Cadetfallen snorted. "With you two yowling praise at each other, a deaf badger with the loudest snores could hear you!"
"Hey!" complained Cadetstag. Cadetfallen smiled, but sadly. "To bad I can't become a soldier with you."
As Neritevine finished grooming his pelt, Cadetstag touched noses with his brother. "You just came later than us. You'll be fine - you'll learn everything quickly then you can be with me!"
Cadetfallen nuzzled Cadetstag back when King Noble's yowl called the Empire to leader's ledge. Suddenly forgetting everything, Cadetstag was out in the clearing faster than Rogerfang. As soon as King Noble saw the Cadet, he began the ceremony.
"I Noble, leader of the Empire, proudly call on the all-powerful Gods and Goddesses to look down on this cat. He has learnt the ways of your mighty code and is ready to become a full soldier. Cadetstag, do you promise to uphold the Empiric Code, protect this Empire, it's members, and the faith of the Gods, even if you must give away your life?"
"I do."
"Then by the power invested in me, I present to you your warrior name. Cadetstag, from this moment on, you will be known as Staghorn, for your fierce readiness to spear any enemy with your claws, sharp as horns."
Noble raised his head to the sky and yowled, "Staghorn! Staghorn!" The rest of the Empire joined in, Neritevine and Cadetfallen loudest of all. Staghorn puffed his chest out, the model image of pride. This was something he could get used to.
---
Noble turned to go back to his den again after Staghorn's name had worn his Empire out, before remembering what Neritevine said about his daughters slacking earlier. He groaned and pulled himself towards the fresh kill pile, where his daughters were sitting, sharing a hare. "Rookieslate! Rookieice!" He called.
His daughters shot each other a look before standing to face him.
"Dad." They both said. Rookieslate looked serious and Rookieice, sheepish.
"I'm sure you know what I'm here about." Noble said. Silence. Then Rookieslate broke the tension with a sigh.
"I'm sorry dad. I didn't really think training would be this hard - or the consequences so harsh. Even Cadetduo bragging left and right is better then being held back a few moons."
"I'm sorry too." Rookieice whispered. "I'll try harder next time, I promise."
Noble sighed, rubbing his muzzle against his daughters'. "You two got so old, so fast. How I wish your mother was here to see you now."
Rookieslate looked up with a sad smile. "She's watching us from The Isles of the Blessed, I'm sure!"
Noble's small smile faded. "I hope so, my little rock. I hope so."
---
Immediately Ryepatch felt his fur spike up with apprehension when he had smelled the cat scent. Of course, Lemonfur had insisted on going into this strange territory anyways, and as her protector and lover Ryepatch followed. But now they had ended up facing off with two toms and three she-cats.
"What do you want," a gray tom, the leader of the patrol said, "And if it isn't anything good I would suggest getting your furry butts out of here!"
Lemonfur curled her lip. "Me and my protector here are looking for a place to stay. And if you puny cats are all this territory here has to offer, I'm sure we can handle you."
"Lemonfur..." Ryepatch warned.
The gray tom crouched onto his haunches, ready to pounce on Lemonfur but a tortoiseshell molly laid her tail on the gray tom's haunches. "Graystorm." She said softly.
Immediately Lemonfur's demeanor changed. "Graystorm? That's a clan name, right?"
The tom relaxed, obviously seeing Lemonfur's manner as no threat. "Not a clan name, an Empire name."
Lemonfur shrugged. "Sounds similar enough. Me and my friend Ryepatch here were looking for a place to stay, as I said earlier. Could you take us to your leader?"
Graystorm and the tortoiseshell she-cat shared a glance before Graystorm flicked his tail. "He seemed tired, but I guess I could."
Ryepatch flicked his tail uneasily but he trusted Lemonfur's judgement and followed her and the patrol in silence until they reached the pyramid. Something Ryepatch had only heard about in stories but here it was - real. Graystorm led them inside.
The air in what was obviously the camp was cool, but not stale - perfect. A beam of sunlight cut through the open top of the pyramid, and cats were sunning themselves there. A calico tom stood upon their arrival. "Who are they!?" He hissed.
"Stand down Staghorn." The tortoiseshell said, putting her tail on the tom's. "You're not on vigil 'till nighttime."
Staghorn sniffed unhappily with a rotten look at Lemonfur and Ryepatch. "I can take my duties as seriously as I want to slacker." He said with a sniff, turning back on his odd guard. The tortoiseshell, though obviously his senior, grinned with amusement at his insult and padded over to a den.
As she called inside, Ryepatch heard Graystorm whisper to Lemonfur, "That's Spottedtooth. She's rugged, completely loyal, and could probably best half of the clan by herself."
Ryepatch snorted and Graystorm shot him a look and Ryepatch shot him back an apologetic smile. Jokes were great 0 if you weren't going to like someone laughing at them, don't say them!
Then Spottedtooth came back with a black tom who had obviously been awoken from a nap.
"Yes." He said, scanning the former GraveClan cats. "New blood. Could be handy. What are your names?"
Lemonfur answered for herself and Ryepatch. "Lemonfur and Ryepatch. I'm the former, he's the latter."
The black cat's eyes sharpened with interest. "Those sound like clan names. What clan did you two come from?"
This time Ryepatch answered. "GraveClan. They disbanded."
The black tom let out a tsk noise. "As so many tend to do." He turned to Spottedtooth. "Tell Civetfang to watch over their work this mood. They may be handy." Ryepatch puffed out his chest at the half-praise. Then the black tom and Spottedtooth left, the rest of the patrol breaking up.
"So." Ryepatch said. "So." Answered Lemonfur.
Silence stretched between them before Ryepatch sighed. "That black tom seems just like Wiltedstar."
Lemonfur sighed. "I just hope this place is a better place to bring up kits."
Ryepatch was startled. Why was she talking about this now. "I...I thought you liked me only as a friend!"
Lemonfur shot him a surprised look, her face then curling into a sad smile. "I do. I mean...with a different tom. I know it breaks your heart to hear that...but our mateship would ruin our friendship. And..your a great tom friend."
Ryepatch was sure every cat anywhere could hear his heart shattering again. He and Lemonfur had had this coversation many times but it still broke his heart everytime. "It's ok." Ryepatch said, surprised his words could stay even. "We can't always get what we want."
---
After her nap, Peregrinefeather felt refreshed. She was glad to have left GraveClan and Wiltedstar once and for all, but she longed for the company of cats again. That was why, when she picked up the scent trail of two cats she had followed it. It led here, to what was definitely the border of something - a seemingly endless fence. And the she-cat knew she had to go over it.
"Flying." She muttured to herself. "Great."
With a grunt the she-cat pulled herself up the fence and dropped down on the otherside. She stood sniffing the air for a second before voices caught her ears. A black tom, looking invigorated, crested the hill in front of her, shortly followed by a slightly smaller tom. Then a white molly, a ginger cat she couldn't tell the gender of, and a brown tom. "Oi!" she called.
She knew they had seen her the moment they had crested the hill, but they acted surprised to their credit. Or at least, everyone but the larger black tom and the she-cat did.
"Who are you?" The smaller black tom reached Peregrinefeather first. "I - " she started, only to be tackled by the white molly. "What do you want and who are you?" she hissed, slashing Pereginefeather's nose.
The hurt she-cat hissed in pain, but little blood trickled out of the wound - it was not deep, had barely drawn blood - it was just painful.
"Alright Winterfang, Cadetmidnight, that's enough." The larger black tom said lazily. Peregrinefeather scrambled to her feet as the white molly relieved her weight. The larger black tom looked Peregrinefeather in the eye. "You smell like those newbies. Lemonpelt and Ryepatch, was it?"
Peregrinefeather felt her pelt bristle in suprise. Ryepatch? She remembered him from GraveClan, leaving with Lemonfur! That must be Lemonpelt, only the black tom had got her name wrong.
"I believe we come from the same clan, GraveClan, yes." Peregrinefeather said, hesitant to tell these strange cats more.
The ginger cat's eyes - Peregrinefeather could now tell he was a tom - sharpened with interest. "Are all you GraveClan cats so strong and grumpy?"
The brown cat wacked the ginger with his tail and Winterfang snorted with annoyance, pushing them apart. The large black tom shot them all a look. "New blood." He said looking back at Peregrinefeather.
"The Empire needs to grow if we are to be feared, and strong cats add to the image. I think I shall invite you to join The Empire of the Gods...what is your name?"
"Peregrinefeather."
"Great, too long, I don't care. Your new name is Falconfeather. Got it, now follow me."
And that was the end of conversation. Peregrinefeather - no Falconfeather was now stuck with some sort of clan she had never even agreed to join.
THIS MOON:
Nettlesting settle down in the shadows of a corner of the camp, Tawnyfall following. Her little rebellion, minus Roamingthunder. Nettlesting frowned. This rebellion had to grow if it was to be successful.
"What are we going to do now?" Tawnyfall asked, her yellow eyes glittering.
Nettlesting felt a grin creep across her face. "I'll tell you in a moment. And, pass this first bit of info over to Roamingthunder: we need more cats in the rebellion."
Tawnyfall's face fell. "You're not talking about the rogue scent you found a few days back, are you?"
Nettlesting nodded. "They could be substantial for the big fight, but I want to wait a moon to make sure they stay nearby. If they leave, they're to restless to stay and wait for the plan to go through. If they stay - they'll wait."
"And what makes you convinced they'll follow your plans?"
"Power. Offer them a place in our new clan, a clan after the Empire."
Nettlesting could tell Tawnyfall wasn't happy about this comment, but she continued on anyways. "Anycats you could see who would be willing to join us?"
Tawnyfall thought for a moment. "Those new GraveClan cats. And Rogerfang."
Nettlesting mulled that over. "Lemonfur's an immediate no. She wants kits, and she seems to be getting along with Graystorm swell - and he's a pretty big follower of Noble and his ideals. Ryepatch is just sad because he likes her and she doesn't share the feeling. Falconfeather on the other paw....she would probably join us. Same goes for Rogerfanf. I'll ask them next moon after the rogues make their decision."
Tawnyfall nodded. A look of cunning and excitement was creeping back onto her face now. "I can tell you're planning something for the rebellion Nettlesting. What is it?"
"Murders. Murders of Noble's followers."
Tawnyfall's face went slack and Nettlesting got the feeling her smile wouldn't come back. "M - murders!? Nettlesting, that's going pretty far, even for you!"
Nettlesting glared at her accomplice. "We can't get anything done if all these mini-Nobles stand in the way! Besides, the less vicious the cats in our new clan after the rebellion wins, the better."
"I - you - no." Tawnyfall choked out. Nettlesting was on her paws immediately. "How would you like me to tell Noble about you organizing this rebellion and dragging me and Roamingthunder into it, hmmm?"
"But I - that was you!"
Nettlesting shot Tawnyfall a look full of victory. "But Noble doesn't know that, does he?"
Silence. "Fine. I'll do what you need me to do."
Good. Thought Nettlesting. She is scared for her own safety.
The red-brown she-cat smirked. "Our first target is Blazelion."
Tawnyfall was bristling again. "But he's a father! Hi kits are barely two moons old!
"Which is exactly why he would make a perfect target. He couldn't train his kits to be Noble-lovers, and Mantasting can't do that either, as she is a perma-queen."
Tawnyfall took a deep, shaky breath. "Fine." She said. "Fine. But don't you think I will defend you if the blame falls on you."
As the tortoiseshell stalked away, Nettlesting called after her with a sing-song voice, "Remember I can tell Noble about the rebellion you started any time!"
---
Snowclaw stepped over Cranekit and Aspkit, who were wrestling in front of the nursery. "Move." She said to Woodkit, who was blocking the nursery entrance, grooming himself. "Sorry, Snowclaw, m'am!" He yelped, scrambling out of the way.
Snowclaw rolled her eyes. What have I gotten into? She wondered as Oakface's mind swam in her head. She didn't like him, not one bit, but they were trying for kits for the sake of their clans, not love. But it's forbidden love! Her mind sang. Snowclaw snorted at herself. Since when did King Noble care about forbidden relationships? His adopted kits were half clan!
As she entered the cool nursery cave, Snowclaw stopped for a moment to let her eyes adjust to the calm darkness. "Snowclaw?" Mantasting asked, surprised, her white pelt glowing in the dark.
"Hmph." Snowclaw answered. Mantasting purred, pushing herself to her paws. "Who is the lucky tom?"
"Er -" Snowclaw wondered how the queens would react to her knews that she was trying for kits with a MistClan tom. "No one yet. I was just thinking of trying for kits."
"With who?" That was Cleopatra's teasing voice now. Every cat with a brain cell in the Empire knew Cleopatra's flirty personality and affinity to have affairs with other toms. Maybe she would be okay to talk to about a MistClan-Empire relationship, as her mate was a tom from some unheard of clan.
"Er...fine. Oakface of MistClan." Snowclaw spat the words out, worried about something for once, even if it was her own safety. Silence. Then, Cleopatra. "Oh."
Fernlight, the newest queen to the clan, shrugged. "I'd be no help here. I'll go check on the kits." The tabby queen squeezed between Snowclaw and the tunnel entrance and padded away, pawsteps echoing.
Cleopatra gave a minute shrug. "You love him, try for kits. You just want kits, do it. Just want to help the Empire - even better. Just do it. Either way, you'l end of loving your kits." At this last sentence, fondness creeped into Cleopatra's voice.
Mantasting snorted. "I'd say only do it if you love him. No love is a sad, sad thing."
This time, both Snowclaw and Cleopatra snorted. "I don't love Redstar, and Snowclaw's as hard as a rock - I doubt she loves this Oakface either. Do you?" Asked Cleopatra. Snowclaw didn't have to hesitate on her answer.
"Not really no."
Mantasting tossed her head in exasperation. "Well why are you going to try for kits? Do you just...want them?"
"I...yes." Sighed Snowclaw. Admitting that seemed to relieve a weight of her shoulders. "Then do it! And leave us alone, good riddance." Snapped Mantasting, obviously still annoyed at Snowclaw not liking Oakface.
"It's not like he likes me back." the general muttered under her breath as she left the nursery.
Cranekit untangled themself from Aspkit's claws once again. "Why are you so good at fighting!?" They complained.
The molly just smirked back. "Because you're a bird brain!"
"Oi!" Cranekit said, tackling the younger kit. Aspkit cackled, pushing Cranekit off easily. "You'll have to try harder, little crane!"
Cranekit readied their body by crouching, scanning Aspkit for weakness when Rookiestream's voice cut into the game. "Aspkit, whya re you associating with this strange little kit."
"Hey!" Cranekit complained, standing up. Rookiestream ignored them.
"You sure Cranekit's indecision about his gender isn't going to rub off on you?" The rookie sneered.
Aspkit was bristling now. "Hey! Cranekit is a they no matter what you say! And no, we are both perfectly satisfied with our gender, thanks."
Rookiestream cocked her head...well cockily. "Are you sure - "
But Cranekit cut her off. "Why don't you, you insecure, disgraceful form of a Rookie go away and leave us alone! In case you didn't notice, everyone is happy until you come along, you....you insignificant fluffbutt! A mess of scratches!" They hissed, using Graystorm's signature insult.
The Rookie's eyes widened and she stood flexing her claws for a moment before hissing and taking a swipe at Cranekit's nose before stomping away, obviously wincing about their remarks about her scars from the training incident. Cranekit grinned from where they had ducked Rookiestream's blow. "You missed!" They called after her. To her credit, she didn't respond.
---
Blazelion was sitting besides Stormthrush, awaiting Civetfang to assign him to a patrol, when Tawnyfall came up to him. "Hey, uh, Blazelion, could we do a one-on-one patrol? I kinda want to talk about mentoring one of your kits." The tortoiseshell shot a furtive look back towards the nursery, where Nettlesting sat watching them. When she realized Blazelion had been looking, the young molly snapped her head away.
Blazelion sighed, looking towards Tawnyfall. "Did Nettlesting put you up to this? I know you're friends and all, but she's not going to get on my goodside with you being there."
Tawnyfall shook her head quickly. "No - I wanted to mentor one of your kits, and....and Nettlesting did to. But she was too scared to ask you herself - afraid you'd lash out or something."
Blazelion's mouth formed a small and silent 'oh' and he pushed through the crowd of cats surrounding Civetfang. "Civetfang, Tawnyfall and I are heading out on patrol." The gray tom nodded distractedly. "Alright, you do that."
Blazelion pushed back to Tawnyfall. "Let's go." He said with a flick of his tail. As they headed out of the camp, he started talking about his kits to Tawnyfall. "I think sweet Cranekit would be a perfect fit for you, they love strong she-cats..."
As Blazelion rambled on, Tawnyfall realized she would never feel as sorry as she would soon, when she would take Blazelion's life from his kits.
---
Noble's tiredness from earlier in the moon had evaporated. The black supreme leader stood at the sunhole at the top of camp, looking down at the tiny cats below them. A weird thought entered his head. They look like ants.
Shaking the kit-like thought off, Noble found his eyes drawn to a few cats in particular - Nettlesting, the cat he loathed and was sure to try to undermine him or leave the Empire soon. His daughters and son, practicing fighting near the fresh kill pile. And.....Barleyslash. Her beautiful white and ginger pelt. Her fierce personality and willingness to protect Noble. How her flirting had dissapeared quickly and the way she looked at him, like he was the sun. She loved him. And he....did he love her?
No, he couldn't - Midnight, Icenose, his two kits in HurricaneClan - all gone or far away from him. Anycat he loved seemed to have bad fortune. And besides, if he loved again, what would Icenose think, up in one of the afterlives?
All of a sudden Noble smelled her sweet scent and felt her fur brush his. But when he looked around, she wasn't there. It will be okay, my love. She seemed to whisper. Your love will last long and strong. And Barleyslash is a great cat, especially for you - and we will meet and have peace her with the Gods.
Noble felt Icenose fading away. "No, don't go!" He called to her invisible spirit, but the wind whipped the last trace of her sweet scent away. "Icenose....." Noble murmured.
He shook his head, eyes locked on Barleyslash as her form slipped out of his view, towards the camp entrance. The supreme leader turned and watched her head towards the forest. With a small grin, he allowed himself to love again.
---
Barleyslash trotted into the forest, some snow still sitting on the branches. The long-furred she-cat relished the chill - soon it would be greenleaf, and her pelt would burn off. Currently she was looking for a place to admit her love...to her supreme leader.
Yes, she knew Noble had a dead mate. Yes, she knew he had kits, even if they were adopted, from her. And yes, she knew he was just Noble - fierce, disagreeable, snappy, but also loyal, steadfast, and intelligent. And her love had won over her better judgement, and the molly was looking for the perfect place.
And then she found it. A young tree, who's leaves had not started blooming yet, with branches encased by ice, some having half-dripping frozen droplets. It would melt soon, yes, so Barleyslash needed to find her love. But first she would relish this moment - and the cold.
---
Tawnyfall had taken charge of the patrol, muttering mmmhmm, and sure, and yea, to whatever babbling about his kits the tom was still doing. She needed somewhere nice and quiet to - no, she couldn't think about it. Gods, forgive me for what I am about to do. She thought. Then, as soon as the reached the forest at the edge of Empire territory, the molly spun around to attack her clanmate.
Her claws dug into Blazelions side, and she slashed them down, causing Blazelion to howl with pain. But even, hurt, he was faster then Tawnyfall had expected. As he danced away, Blazelion's voice turned into a snarl. "You traitor!"
"I'm sorry, I have to!" Yelped Tawnyfall, dodging the tom's lunge. "No - you - don't!" The ginger tom said through breaths. He sliced open Tawnyfall's nose and the tortoiseshell yowled in pain. Blazelion took the chance to hare around her and sink his teeth into Tawnyfall's tail. Her yowl grew louder.
Tawnyfall wrenched her tail away from him with a hiss. The battle was real now, she dove under his belly before arching her back, sending her spine into his stomach. He grunted and fell to the side, winded. Tawnyfall raised a paw to deliver the killing blow, but Blazelion rolled to the side, Tawnyfall's claws only nicking the back of his neck.
"Gods above!" Tawnyfall hissed unhappily. Maybe the battle wasn't real. She didn't like the bloody task anymore then she did now.
Blazelion lunged into Tawnyfall's slide, claws barely piercing her skin. But his deed was done as Tawnyfall collapsed with an "Umph." on her side and the top lay all his wait on her muzzle, trying to deny her air.
Tawnyfall gasped into his stifling fur, hind claws scrabbling at his fur until a claw hit his stomach and he hissed in pain, leaping away.
Tawnyfall took her chance to lunge into Blazelion's side, knocking him down. Her head reeled from lack of air, and as Blazelion's paw came up to wack her in the temple, Tawnyfall's dizziness worsened and she knew she wouldn't stay consious much longer. But she had to kill him now....or she would be killed herself. "I'm sorry." She whispered. Her claws struck true and Blazelion's body went still. And then Tawnyfall's world faded to black.
---
Barleyslash had heard the yowls. She had ran as fast as her paws could carry her. And now, as she sat in surprise staring at the bodies of her two clanmates, the molly shook of her shock and padded tentatively over to them to see if they were alive. She saw the rising and falling of Tawnyfall's flank - good, she was alive - but Blazelion was still and his fur was going cold. Barleyslash blinked here eyes, praying the father of two moon old kits was not dead, but his state didn't change. Then Paisleyburner and Cadetpool burst into the clearing.
"What was the yowling? Barleyslash are you okay?" Pasileyburner demanded immediately. Cadetpool took in the scene first. "Oh." He said quietly, crouching down no sniff Blazelion's body. "Dead."
"Tawnyfall is still alive." Barleyslash said, turning away to go back to camp. She must tell Mantasting - Blazelion's mate - and his kits about his untimely demise.
"Barleyslash." Paisleyburner's voice was gentle. "You must go back to camp to tell Mantasting - " Barleyslash cut the Shaman off. "I know, I know."
The mostly white molly took her time on the way back to camp, but her paws led her to the inevetible. Almost as soon as she entered camp, Noble was by her side. "I have something to tell you." He purred, obviously not noticing her mood.
"Me to. Blazelion is dead." Barleyslash sighed. Noble's posture changed immediately. He was suddenly rigid, lips curled back in a snarl, tail lashing. "What!?"
Nettlesting, from where she had obviously been eavesdropping from a few feet over, leaped to her paws. "It must of been the rogues I scented earlier this moon! Tawnyfall was with him, right? How is she?"
Noble didn't give Barleyslash time to answer. "YOU SCENTED ROGUES AND DIDN'T TELL ME!?" Nettlesting looked shock by his outbursts. "I - I thought they would pass by, like any sensible rogue."
Noble was fuming. "You." He growled. "And me. Little talk later." Then he spun around without looking at Barleyslash and stalked into his den. For once, Nettlesting looked scared.
Cranekit and Sunkit were not scrambling up to Barleyslash. "Why was My Lord yowling?" Cranekit inquired, their small tail flicking worriedly. "Are you okay?" Sunkit also asked the same time. "Hush little ones." Barleyslash whispered. "Where is your mother?" The two kits pointed towards the nursery entrance, out of which Mantasting was hurrying. As she approached Cranekit, Sunkit, and Barleyslash, she looked at the molly worriedly. "What happened to make Our Lord so mad?"
Barleyslash gave a small sigh. "A rogue group Nettlesting didn't warn us about attacked Tawnyfall and Blazelion." Mantasting froze. "No." She whispered, catching on immediately. "Blazelion was dead when I found him, and Tawnyfall unconscious." Barleyslash continued. A pause. The quiet words that she knew would not console: "I'm sorry."
The Empire consumes x3 hares.
Cadetmidnight, Cadetsurinx, Cadetduo, and Auletris take their solider assessment. If they pass, their names will be Midnightclaw, Syrinxfur, Duopelt, and Auletris.
All Cadets and Rookies train in some unlearned skill except for those taking their assessments.
of MistClan.
Noble, Blizzardcrest, Graystorm, Barleyslash, Splashingtorrent, and Wormwood patrol.
Tawnyfall and Blazelion 'patrol.' However, Tawnyfall's real intention is to kill Blazelion, and that she does.
Fernlight, Staghorn, Dewfang, Winterfang, and Roamingthunder hunt.
Pasileyburner and Cadetpool hunt for herbs, specifficaly herbs to heal battle wounds in case the 'rogues' attack again.
Rookiestream is give x1 poppy seed, x1 lamb's ear, x1 wintergreen, and x1 moon of rest. 1 moon of rest left.
Tawnyfall will need healing for her wounds. You can choose what to use!
None this moon.
Cadetmidnight, Cadetsurinx, Cadetduo, and Auletris take their solider assessment. If they pass, their names will be Midnightclaw, Syrinxfur, Duopelt, and Auletris.
Duskkit and Aspenkit become Cadets and Rookies, Cadetdusk and Rookieaspen. Cadetdusk's mentor is Flareblood and Rookieaspen's mentor is Swantalon.
None this cycle.
Blazelion is murdered by Tawnyfall.
Whoops sorry about that! It should be fixed now! However, Icekit's link is driving me crazy and is not working in the url code.
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