3.03.12 GATHERING

[Rolo]

((Remember:
- You are able to bring whatever cats you wish to the gathering, and there are no limits to the number (but limit yourself to an amount you can handle!)
- If a leader does not post within 3 days of this starting, you are permitted to power play them in.
- Conflicts between Pineclan and Fogclan and Pineclan and Streamclan are encouraged.))


Volepelt paused as he reached the edge of Fogclan territory, his sights focused on the empty Gathering Place. Warmth flowed through him; it was only right that they were the first there. Anything else was unacceptable. Fogclan might have it's weaknesses in the form of heathens in the process of being civilised, but tonight he had bought with him only those who represented Fogclan's purity. Tonight his cats would be fireflies in a world of blackness; beautiful in their perfection and unharmable in their faith.

Volepelt looked back at the cats behind him, all allies in his ideals or cats dedicated to their clan's cause. They would not fail him tonight. Their eyes glowed visibly with the power given to them by Starclan, and strength came from the discipline of Fogclan.

Just as well, for they were about to enter a religious battlefield. Pineclan would soon dirty the sacred Gathering Place, bringing with them the rainclouds to cover the moon. The thought disgusted him. Gingerstar truely was the seed of evil in the forest, and he did not long to brush pelts with the vile vixen.

However, into war they all had to go. Perhaps, with his leadership and the blessings of dearest Miststar, he would show them all the way forth. The cats of Streamclan and Meadowclan, grey with their eyes dulled from lack of spiritual nourishment, would see the brilliance that was Starclan's doctrine and they would be saved. Perhaps.

"Keep away from Pineclan." He ordered roughly, "Remain strong and unified against all threats, and spread the love of Starclan to the lesser clans. That is your task. Do not fail me."

He turned and leapt into the clearing, his face expressionless. He sat himself on the leaders speaking place without ceremony, and watched his cats glow in the light of the moonlight.

[Pyro]

Jaegerstar's eyes turned cold as she spied and smelled the milling forms of FogClan: first to arrive at the Gathering. StreamClan was second...and well, for that, they might as well have been last. She made a mental note to rouse her warriors for the journey earlier next time. If she had to sit for two hours waiting for the rest of the clans, it would be better than...no. They would be first one day. And until that day, order did not matter. Besides, they were, most likely, the most well-fed of the clans. Were they small in number? Yes. But that wouldn't matter if they had to fight a bunch of scrawny, half-starved, border-line hobos. Border-line hobos. That brought the barest hint of a smile to her stony face. That smile was no where to be seen as she called a halt and turned, ever-so slightly, to address her clanmates. "You have been chosen to represent your clan. Represent it well or this will be your last gathering." Soft. Clear. Concise. Just loud enough that they could all hear the warning, and just frank enough for them to know the threat at the end was no joke. They could not afford to bring ruffians and firebrands to a truce. "We are few but strong. PineClan will try to cast you in the side of wrong for your comrades'...mistake. But we must take that mistake and use it to our advantage. We will show them we are not afraid of a challenge, and nor are we afraid to give one." The streamclan leader turned around again, to face the gathering place and motioned her warriors forward. "But just as we are strong, we are not fools. Start no fights. We will keep this on the borders." [bg=969797][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=3b5839][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] Cedarstar, for once, had chosen not to address his Clan before they left. He had simply climbed the Highrock, called out the names, and left. Left, with Elkstep, Foxpaw, Hawkheart, and Shrewstorm behind. The rogue. The rogue's apprentice. The former Clanmate. His own former apprentice. He couldn't deny it anymore. That was how he thought of them. Were the rumors influencing him, or had he truly started them? The leader was growing unsure of himself, which was dangerous. Possibly even deadly. Particularly next to the only three other cats in the forest who had power near-equal to his. As he climbed the cold, slippery rock to sit next to Volepelt and Jaegerstar, he gave them both cordial nods, saying nothing. The irony of the situation amused him; though his Clan itself was rife with internal dissent, they were the most at peace with the other Clans. True, they'd had one border dispute with StreamClan once, but that had been long ago. And he'd heard that PineClan themselves had threatened StreamClan's border, so there was a different scapegoat now. Let's be honest, a more popular one too. He had nothing against Gingerstar personally, but the Clan's lack of belief would always make him uncomfortable, and he was sure he wasn't the only one. "I pray you both are blessed with fresh prey now that newleaf is coming." He said in his deep mew. "After a relatively mild leaf-bare, it should be soon in coming." It was merely a stated fact, but it also carried some weight; a wish that with the return of prey, bellies would fill and tension would cease. MeadowClan might not be in any fights at the moment, but the brown tabby was not a mouse-brain; he knew perfectly well they could be drawn in one way or another if things got worse. Which was the last thing he needed.

[Dakki ♥ ❤ ❥]

The gathering.

Anticipation thrummed in the Medicine cat as he raced forward to keep up with the rest of his clan. He had fallen a bit behind, he thought that he had seen come Marigold springs and stopped to investigate. When he realized his mistake the herd of cats were already several cat lengths in front of him. He sighed as he reached them, his gray tabby fur standing on end. He was a bit worried coming to the gathering this moon, but he didn't know why. Glancing up at Silverpelt he prayed that nothing would go wrong and that the peace would be upheld.

The long-legged tom trotted into the clearing, seeing that the leaders of Fogclan and Streamclan were already present. His hazel eyes scanned the cats as he looked for Brightnose and Storkflower. His whiskers twitched when he did not pick them out right away and allowed his eyes to settle on his own leader. He was already seated with the other two, speaking words that did not reach the half deaf cat. Aldernose knew that they were waiting for Pineclan now, before the meeting could start. He walked away from his own clan and began looking for the other Medicine cats. He wondered if they were already beginning to stock up on spring herbs like he had, and if they had found everything okay.

---

A small white and ginger tom sat away from the crowd, his tail wagging from side to side as he sat. He was from Streamclan, but he didn't want to talk to any of the other cats. What he wanted to know is where his mate was. She promised to meet him near the outskirts of the Gathering! They had yet to tell her brother that they had chosen to become mates, and he was wondering if that is what she had planned for today. Speckledfur and her brother were very close, and he knew that he wouldn't take the news very well. Maybe the gathering was the best place to do it then, he would be surrounded by other cats.

Mottletail glanced around again, shivering with longing. They had promised that if they got broken apart on the trip here that they would meet in this spot. He didn't quite know what happened, but somehow they got split up. Hopefully she would hurry, the meeting was going to start soon.

[RiiRii]

Streamclan was second to arrive, Next was Meadowclan, that mast mean that Pineclan was last.

Sparrowclaw had noticed this, sitting down in her spot with the deputies and held her head high. Her green eyes closed and her tail wrapped neatly around her forepaws, ears alert and pricked.

The beautiful she-cat wasn't going to say much unless it was necessary, she was laughing silently as the traitorous group was deliberately left out. It was their loss, they deserved what they were getting and she knew it.
The tabby lashed her long tail, the tip flicking up a small bit of ground and flattening an ear to her scalp. She may look weird, but she cocked her head slightly to hear the mingle of the cats.

-

Speckledfur and Frostpelt were walking with each other, they could smell Fogclan and the smell was strong; they were here before Streamclan. Frostpelt looked towards his sister, she had watched the front of the group with eager eyes and would fall over things because she just wasn't paying attention to the ground.

As he watched her, she dashed towards Mottletail in a second when he had stopped and sat down; leaving him behind. Of course, he walked over to his sister and the tom and sat down deliberately between them but made quick conversation to hide this fact.

"How is your paw feeling, Speckledfur? You did stub it on a /root/ after all." He smirked as she lifted her paw and shook it, licking the creases and then looking back at her brother with the calm and collected look she always once had.
"Doesn't hurt, nor bruised. " She placed her paw down safely on the ground and winked.
"No need to worry, either of you." With that, she stood up and walked to mottletail's side and sat down beside him, leaning against him slightly and twining her tail through his which left her brother on the other side of Mottletail.

Silently he leaned over to Mottletail, close enough that his breath was against the tom's ear.
"What happened between you and my sister, eh? I am curious." His tone was hostile, his eyes narrowed and his fur ruffled slightly. "Do tell"

-
Speckledfur nuzzled into Mottletail's neck from the other side, not realizing her brother was whispering with Mottletail. She sat close to him, close that their pelts brushed each other.

Already, she was lost in her own world. A world with her mate in... Her one true love by her side.

[Cloudbat]

Ahaha, a Gathering. She loved Gatherings. It was so funny to ignore the tension. To make the dirty jokes she adored. To relish the awkward expressions on others' faces. To know that even if a mood swing took her, she could slip away and no one would notice. It let her forget that she didn't belong. Even she could belong among the tangle of smells and bodies and the many-patterned pelts because no one did. Currently she was sitting alone, near but not part of a few chatting groups. One was a mixed bunch; the other...she sniffed. Hah. Her own Clan. Speckledfur and Frostpelt, the dynamic duo, and of course Mottletail. The tortoiseshell toyed with the idea of brazenly walking up to a deputy or medicine cat, but discarded it. Jaegerstar was already irritated with her for the...incident, despite her lack of concrete proof that the multicolored warrior had been involved. She smiled. Oh, that silver tabby. Can't live with her, can't live without her. At least she'd managed to slip in among the chosen cats pretty easily, and she was sure she could avoid her leader's notice. [bg=ede9cb][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

It was chilly, but the kind of chill that merely made one's joints groan as they traversed the well-worn path to the center of the territories. It was a dry coldness at least, not a piercing wind that dug like claws into her pelt and flattened her ears, mused the long-furred elder as she padded along. Plovereye was not overly fond of Gatherings, but nor did she dislike them. To her it simply seemed somewhat pointless. The Clans were enemies - fine - so what on earth compelled them to leave their warm dens every moon for this daft meeting? To share news, perhaps, but if she was perfectly honest she really only cared for the affairs of PineClan. Surely I'm not the only one who feels this isn't the best idea. Yet I must admit it's nice to see elders from the other Clans, apprentices too. She sat near the highrock of the leaders, casting a slight glance at No-ears who was nearby, and smiled. He made her feel like perhaps Gatherings were not so pointless after all. [bg=2e2c2b][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

It was a relief. A slight break from her own quiet hell that she lived through every day, putting on the mask of support for this wretched regime while dying inside from her helplessness. The verse echoed, but she was weary even of it now. It could not help her. It could only taunt her. She looked for rebellion now. The calico sought a way to save her broken Clan. But she did not know where to start. Maybe she could start here. In camp, she was always afraid that if she looked for a rebel and was seen talking to them, the Council would find out and assume she was healing them illegally. Then she would be under their bloody claws herself, and be too weak to help. It was a poor excuse, but she clung to it all the same. But here...here perhaps there was a chance of speaking with someone, anyone who could help her see a way. She no longer trusted StarClan. Perhaps they were fighting their own war against the fools who had sent Miststar that accursed dream. She did not know, and they weren't telling her. "Broken wings wants to be mended wings now." She muttered to herself. "It's time to wake the dead, both stars and those who wear the faces of the living." [bg=090806][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Pyro]

"How melodram-matic. You know, you never talked to me after the q-quarter moon." Storkflower was quick to sidle up to the first familiar face he saw...even if that face did belong to Brightnose. Old habits died hard, and for all his new-found crabbiness crowds still made him exceedingly nervous: a stutter was already beginning to worm its way into the black and white tom's voice. But. Aside from seeking the social-safety that came with having someone to talk to and thus having a way to avoid looking the part of the lonely fool, Storkflower was also interested in what Brightnose had hinted at during the walk to the moodglade. Though driven partially by a nosey and curious nature, he was tempered by the feeling that whatever she had to say was important; not just idle gossip. She might not want to talk about it in the midst of a gathering, but they could find the edges of the meeting place or else talk later. Either way, it would be good to remind her that he had not forgotten what she had said before. "I promise you I'm among the living. Unless you r-refer to those who are d-dead and do not know it yet." [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Rolo]

Volepelt acknowledged Jaegerstar with a quick nod. However, there was no such welcome for the Pineclan leader, as he shifted his body until he was sitting as far from her as possible. The last thing he wanted sit within the shadowy aura of the Dark Forest-borne leader, which hung around her like the stench of crowfood. He turned his face to look away from her without a hint of subtlety, his ears back and his mouth twitching into a slight snarl. It was then that he caught sight of the Meadowclan leader. As the longfurred tom climbed up onto the rock, he dipped his head respectfully. He might not know Cedarstar personally, but, as a clan leader that attempted to keep to the traditions Starclan set out for them and had never caused trouble for his clan, Volepelt acknowledged his presence sincerely.

Volepelt nodded his head as the seasoned leader's blessing. "May your clan be blessed with plentiful food, Cedarstar. Starclan has certainly supported Fogclan through this leafbare, which I thank them for."

Volepelt pointedly ignored Gingerstar in this exchange.


---


No-ears had started walking to the gathering early, aided by one of Gingerstar's senior warriors. The plan had been that, as the other cats walked more quickly, they'd catch up with him just as he was approaching the Gathering Place. Luckily, this had worked out perfectly, and, for the first time in moons, he arrived at the same time as everyone else and without exhausting himself too much.

Still, as he took his seat at the bottom of the talking rock, he had to sit and catch his breath a while. It seemed to be getting harder to get enough air every day now. He was thankful he'd made it through last leafbare to the warmer days, where his lungs were less likely to crackle.

Recovering his composure, he forced his body into a position of authority and his face into an expression of warmth. Despite the journey, he did enjoy gatherings. He loved the activity, the unlikely friendships he could form, and the news he was fed. He was especially delighted when he saw a shy new apprentice lurking in the crowd, usually cowering in the shadow of their mentor. The gathering was always a unique event, and it was never ever dull.

However, as he looked up at the gathering rock, he noticed the uneasy atmosphere that surrounded the leaders. He couldn't help but narrow his eyes at Volepelt, who was pointedly disrespecting his leader. It was astonishing how a cat with so little grasp of social graces could become a deputy, let alone a leader.

It was then that No-ears got an inkling that this gathering might not be the best one to make friends at.

[Pyro]

"Gingerstar. Volepelt." Jaegerstar greeted them each with a nod in turn, not seeing fit to wish them well in their affairs. If barest cordiality was all they could manage, then it was all she could manage. For Cedarstar though, she could be a bit more genial, if not because he'd obeyed the rules of conversation etiquette, then because it was her understanding that he had played a paw in taking the clans out of Forestclan. Though she herself was not a part of the journey, it was not beneath her to admit that with no journey, there'd be no Streamclan, and of course, she would never be in the elevated position she was in now. "Leafbare did not treat us as harshly as I had thought it would...but I will be glad to see larger numbers of fish populating our streams with the thaw. I trust Meadowclan is doing well?" She was tempted to pose the question to Gingerstar (Volepelt had already implied that Fogclan was doing well), but with the border issues...well. Her supposed concern might not be welcome, and far be it beyond Jaegerstar to invite a fight at a gathering. Then again, if everyone was going to ignore Gingerstar, things might be going downhill anyway. Besides, it was bad form to leave someone out of a conversation they could clearly be included in. "And Pineclan as well, Gingerstar?" [bg=969797][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Cloudbat]

[bg=3b5839][atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,500,true] The thick-furred tom nodded, his breathing turning to faint fog in the chilly air. He was privately thankful that the low temperatures also dulled the scents of the other Clans; they were not unpleasant as such, but not something one wanted to be around for the longest time either. Still, whatever tensions existed between the other three, at least he was being treated with his due respect and for that the striped brown feline was grateful, though of course it was expected. "My thanks, Volepelt. And indeed, Jaegerstar. The ground prey is slow to recover but we have many birds returning from migration. New burrows are also being excavated. And your Clan, Gingerstar? How do they fare?" Out of respect to the orange leader, who he might not like personally but who was also the leader of a powerful Clan, he did not mention StarClan. It was true that all the Clans were blessed, but he knew the non-believers might not see it that way. That is their own affair, he thought to himself, mentally shrugging. Unless we enter a dispute for other reasons, I will leave it be. He was devout, (not at the level FogClan took it to, which he felt unneccessary for everyday life.) Still, it was none of his business. After all, Elkstar had always said that if you do not stick your muzzle into a bees' hive, they will mostly likely not sting you. Right now that was the last thing he needed - as long as the other Clans did not find out about the possible rift in his Clan, there was no need to make enemies.

Oh, the little fish. Cat? Fish-smelling-cat. Stork-something. Bird-named fish-smelling cat. Storkflower. Bird-plant-name fish-smelling cat. Another broken wings? No. But not quite whole, either. Melodramatic. Ha. What was melodrama when your Clan and yourself were insane? What was it? Nothing. No, it was you and your brain and whatever illogical, sickening, words decided to torment you. "And you wanted me to? How sweet. No one wants the fallen to talk to them. I'm just there to be used, or not. I'm not quite on the side of sanity right now, Storkflower." She said dryly. She didn't care how much sense she was making, or if she was at all. The black-and-white tom was interrupting her break, so let him deal with it. If he left, fine. If he kept talking...well, she'd see what would happen. Then she faltered, not realizing he'd heard her lines. She was on the point of lying and denying it. Then the calico just thought to herself, fox it. He wants to know, he's getting the whole tale. "I might. You see the Council? Surely you must have. Miststar's pet torturers, though really Volepelt's now I guess. Thrushflower, who would murder a child. Tawnywhisker, who would shame a proud warrior who did nothing but stand up for his apprentice. Reedfoot, slightly better than the others on the outside, wearing a facade of kindness but still rotten beneath. Rowanheart, whose own son was forced into my care against his will. All of them should be dead, for it would be kinder to the Clan on whom they sharpen their claws. But all we can do is hope for them to wake up. Hope and wait while every irrational drop of blood is spilled for a fool's dream. You promise me you are among the living, StreamClanner? Then choose now whether you wish to hear the sorry tale of my Clan or turn your back. It's up to you." [bg=090806][atrb=width,469,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

Casting her one-eyed gaze around, she could spot neither a young apprentice (older ones tended to either be uncomfortable or bratty) or any of her elder friends from the other Clans. Kitewhisker didn't seem to be here, and she couldn't pick out the scents or pelts of Lichenheart or Flamestorm. FogClan, unfortunately, possessed no elders. A shame, she thought to herself. They must suffer greatly from their lack of experience and stories. After all, FogClan might be strange but she didn't hate them. They were simply on the other end of the spectrum from PineClan, and none of them had ever done anything to her or her kin. None of them were present either - not Otterfur or his kits, not even his grumpy mate. Sighing, she wafted her tail over the hard ground - and a smile slowly appeared on her white-flecked muzzle as she remembered (and saw) No-ears. Rising with a few winces and a muttered curse, she strode over and quietly took a seat beside him, wrapping her fluffy tail around the aged tom in a gesture of camaraderie. "None of our comrades in the other Clans seem to be here, nor any of my kin. Sorrowful, but then again perhaps they're the wise ones." She noted, sniffing slightly. "I won't say I'm enjoying the weather, but I would say it's at least better than last time, no? With any luck the bees will be out soon." She added wistfully. The old she-cat liked bees. Certainly, they were vicious if you weren't careful, but they also seemed to be absolutely vital for the life of certain plants, and they created their tasteless but soothing honey. Something about their noise and the way they flew with such tiny wings fascinated her. [bg=2e2c2b][atrb=width,500,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Pyro]

"I think sanity is all in perspective." Storkflower was...admittedly shocked at Brightnose's next words. Child murderers? And...her tone. Maybe Brightnose really was crazy. And maybe they shouldn't be talking so at a gathering with her clanmates so near. But he had the feeling that this was one of the only chances he'd get to talk to Brightnose. It would be wrong of him to squander it. The only other option was cowardice and well, hadn't he been a coward long enough? Brightnose had always struck him as highly logical and clearheaded. If she was this worked up, and if Fogclan was as bad as she implied... "Brightnose what are you talking about? Council? Murderers? What is wrong with Fogclan?" Seriously. She made it sound like hell on earth. He inched a little closer, as if mere proximity to him could help his fellow medicine cat's mental state. And what was that about Finchpaw? But...He'd always seemed so at home with the rest of the medicine cats. Was it really against his will? Storkflower shuddered. If it had been, then he could sympathize. His own father had had similar views on being able to choose your own path. It was only because he'd been so weak that Storkflower had been saved from him. "Please. What happened after Owlstar...left. Maybe I can help." As if. He was barely qualified for the position he held, nevermind helping another clan. "Or maybe Jaegerstar could..." Not in his lifetime. She'd probably kill him just for suggesting they help another clan. "Well maybe not Jaegerstar, but I could." [bg=f9fdd9][atrb=width,467,true] [atrb=border,0,true]

[Whiskers [Archive]]

Gingerstar, in all honesty, had almost decided not to come to the gathering at all. And who could really blame her what with all the drama lately?

Recently, it seemed as though the other clans were picking on hers, for lack of a better word. With Fogclan whispering about her clan of heathens and picking unnecessary fights at previous gatherings, and now Streamclan having the nerve to step a paw out of place and onto her territory, Gingerstar felt like they were just asking her to get angry. And she was known for having a short temper. How was she supposed to feel when she was getting...bullied like this? Was she supposed to want to show up at this stupid ceremony to say her fake hellos and purr her way onto the leaders' good sides? Because that's not how Gingerstar operated. She wanted nothing more than to be completely absent. Keep her clan at home completely. But no, the elders would get on her tail for being childish-- "the silent treatment is no means of punishment," that old Sableheart would say. "The Warrior Code, now more than ever, must be preserved," No-ears would scold her.

But she was annoyed. Peeved. Agitated-- angry. And acting like she wasn't--and seeing the other leaders act like they didn't know what was going on with Pineclan-- was getting under her fur in the worst of ways. She wanted to spit on Jaegarstar's face and hiss at Volepelt to get out of her way. The only leader she wasn't ready to claw was, for once, Cedarstar, whom she despised anyway. It pained her that Jaegarstar of all cats would let her cats violate borders like that and steal prey...and if the leader was merely ignorant, then that was perhaps even worse. All respect that Gingerstar once had for the female leader was slowly beginning to dwindle.

"Pineclan is as strong as ever. Leaf-bare barely touched our clan," Gingerstar said, not bothering to hide her coldness from either Cedarstar or Jaegarstar. "In fact, we barely even noticed the chill. I suppose 'Starclan' favored us as well, hmm, Volepelt?" She mocked the leader lightly, unable to resist doing so after he had given her the cold shoulder in such an obvious way. She would not be put down in such a manner.
--

Rowanheart was scanning the crowd of mingling cats with sharpened ears, ready to pounce on any potential naysayers or troublemakers at a moments notice. He knew that not everyone was happy with the new leadership-- and that most of these cats were filthy with sin anyway. He didn't blame them for their uncleanliness of course. How could it be there fault when the world was so naturally corrupt? Even he, Rowanheart, was marred with mistakes and regrets; the only difference between himself and his clanmates is that he was a tool of Starclan now and Their purest Word. They had washed him clean, forgave him of his sins, and set him on a mission to right the wrongs of this unjust world.

"Firestorm, take the far end of the gathering. Make sure the apprentices aren't stepping out of bounds," Rowanheart directed his son with a sniff. Firestorm obediently ducked his head and scurried off.

As for him...

His eyes fell on Brightnose, conversing with another medicine cat. She had been off recently. Muttering things, racing in and out of her den...it was not a good sign from a servant of Starclan. His ears twitched toward her and the words "sorry tale of my clan" drifted toward him, faint, but clear enough to set off warning bells.

Rowanheart smirked. So his suspicions were right about her. Even a chosen one from Starclan, it seemed, could fall into the teeth of corruption and filth. He was now happy that he had forbidden Finchpaw from coming to these Gatherings (Finchpaw couldn't be around the Pineclanners; he was too weak and too chummy with Crowflower). It gave him a chance to talk to his mentor alone.

Rowanheart sauntered up to the medicine cats with an easy gait, eyes downcast at the both of them. "Brightnose, Storkflower. Good to see you both this evening. Trading secrets about herbs and things? Careful Brightnose-- you wouldn't want to trade something too valuable away," he chuckled lightly, but the laugh did not reach his eyes as he stared at the medicine cat.

[Cloudbat]

Cedarstar closed his eyes briefly and groaned slightly. It was just like Gingerstar to stir up strife at what was supposed to be the one tranquil night of each moon.

"Let us not debate such delicate matters as faith." He said, assuming a harsh, grave tone that would make even the hardiest of warriors quail. "This is a night of peace. It must remain so. We all obey the code, do we not? Then let us adhere to it." One could fancy that the large tom's eyes glowed slightly in the shadows made by the contrast of moonlight, warning none of the other leaders to object as he stood above them, taller even than the substantial Gingerstar.

"We should start the announcements. Who would like to go first?" He added more calmly, as if nothing had happened.

---

The calico did not flinch, did not show any sign that the arrival of the ginger Council member perturbed her in the slightest. The only sign of her despair and hatred that she let show was a slight twitch in her multicolored tail.

"It depends on what you consider valuable, Rowanheart." She answered evenly, staring with her baleful hazel eyes right back into his pale green ones. "How much does a life cost?" She let him taste the barbs behind the question before looking back at Storkflower, simply looking into his yellow-green eyes as she cast out words.

You see? They are watching, always watching. Do you understand now? What they could do to any of us at the beat of a heart? The tiniest imagined sin? We are utterly oppressed.

After having waited, she continued. "By sharing my knowledge, Storkflower might be able to heal a cat he never could have otherwise, and vice versa. All lives have the same worth, no? Well, perhaps not. We wouldn't want to equate sinners' lives with ones as mighty as yours, now would we?" She asked sweetly, hoping to reach down deep into the tom's heart and tear it like he'd torn Finchpaw's. Hoping to make him feel some sort of guilt for the utter sickening waste of not allowing her to heal wounded cats.

Retribution will come for you one day, Rowanheart. Even if you punish me for this, it will be a chance to show Frostpaw that I meant it. Yes, your own apprentice woke me up. Take that, you star-blinded fool. Her mind is so much more precious than yours.

[RiiRii]

Watching Rowanheart, the she-cat's ears flattened her ears. He was acting like he was deputy, commanding cats and ordering them.

Her tail wrapped neatly around her forepaws and she felt her hackles threaten to rise. Calm down, Sparrowclaw. No fighting when there is a truce. she reminded herself, shaking her head slightly and her green eyes flashed with anger at the tom. He should be listening to the 'stars and not walking around and commanding the other cats.

As she glanced around the cats, hoping one would at least tell the tom to stop but seeing none would do so; she sighed. Why were the clan cats so frustrating!? Her eyes narrowed, glaring at the tom she focused on him directly. Waiting for him to notice her glare and realize he was to sit. The young she-cat deputy's tail flicked side to side and she held her breath, counting each second as it went by and then taking a slow out take of breath. Rowanheart... if you were in my clan, I would of... Sadly, she was 12 moons younger than he was and she wasn't as strong.