Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2016 11:12:18 GMT -5
Redstar
It was with a slight tremble in her paws that she crested the Hill Top, her eyes narrowed against the watery, leaf-bare sunlight. The enormity of what she was about to do was almost overwhelming, but Redstar knew that it was the right decision, the best decision. It was something that had been bothering her for several moons now but, unlike most worries, it was not one that she had been able to quickly swat away like a pesky fly, it had continued to pester her until she had finally come to accept it.
Inhaling a lungful of cold morning air, she drunk in the view one last time, absorbing it all. LightningClan camp looked as it always did early in the morning, bustling with life as cats went about their duties. There was nothing to suggest the sudden news that Redstar was about to deliver. All but one were totally oblivious. The one member of LightningClan who she'd told was her trusted deputy, Firesky.
Drawing breath, Redstar let the familiar words roll smoothly off her tongue. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below the Hill Top for a clan meeting!"
Her words hung in the cool air, her breath billowing into ghostly clouds. The clan didn't take long to assemble around the base of the hill, tightly clustered together to share the little warmth they had. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, amber eyes softening. She hoped they would accept her decision, even if they didn't quite understand it.
Once satisfied that most of the clan were present, she took a step forward and gestured for silence with a sharp flourish of her tail. The murmurings died away, a hush settling over the group of cats.
"My clanmates," she began gently, breaking the silence with clear words. "I have some important news which I must share with you all."
There seemed no point drawing out this announcement. Letting her gaze sweep over each and every one of her clanmates, she spoke in crisp tones. "I have come to the decision to step down from my position as leader."
It was as if speaking those words had lifted a weight from her shoulders. Taking a step back, Redstar allowed the clan to digest the news before she continued. "I will be travelling to the Moon Tree in a few days to give up my remaining lives and be stripped of my leader's name.
"It has been an honour to lead you, but I have my full confidence in Firesky and I know she'll make a wonderful leader." A slight smile twitched at the corner of her lips as her amber gaze sought out the calico she-cat amongst the crowd. She alone knew the reason for Redstar's resignation. It had always been a desire of hers to raise her own family, but a female leader having kits was almost unheard of. LightningClan deserved a leader who had their undivided attention, she wouldn't be able to do that with furry bundles scampering around her paws. It was hardly as easy as simply stepping down as leader to start a family, but it was the first step of many.
"I know this is very sudden," she meowed coolly, her eyes briefly lifting to the pale sky. "But I hope that you will all accept my decision."
Exhaling, she let her gaze drop back down to her clanmates once more, searching their faces for a reaction.
Inhaling a lungful of cold morning air, she drunk in the view one last time, absorbing it all. LightningClan camp looked as it always did early in the morning, bustling with life as cats went about their duties. There was nothing to suggest the sudden news that Redstar was about to deliver. All but one were totally oblivious. The one member of LightningClan who she'd told was her trusted deputy, Firesky.
Drawing breath, Redstar let the familiar words roll smoothly off her tongue. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather below the Hill Top for a clan meeting!"
Her words hung in the cool air, her breath billowing into ghostly clouds. The clan didn't take long to assemble around the base of the hill, tightly clustered together to share the little warmth they had. A faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips, amber eyes softening. She hoped they would accept her decision, even if they didn't quite understand it.
Once satisfied that most of the clan were present, she took a step forward and gestured for silence with a sharp flourish of her tail. The murmurings died away, a hush settling over the group of cats.
"My clanmates," she began gently, breaking the silence with clear words. "I have some important news which I must share with you all."
There seemed no point drawing out this announcement. Letting her gaze sweep over each and every one of her clanmates, she spoke in crisp tones. "I have come to the decision to step down from my position as leader."
It was as if speaking those words had lifted a weight from her shoulders. Taking a step back, Redstar allowed the clan to digest the news before she continued. "I will be travelling to the Moon Tree in a few days to give up my remaining lives and be stripped of my leader's name.
"It has been an honour to lead you, but I have my full confidence in Firesky and I know she'll make a wonderful leader." A slight smile twitched at the corner of her lips as her amber gaze sought out the calico she-cat amongst the crowd. She alone knew the reason for Redstar's resignation. It had always been a desire of hers to raise her own family, but a female leader having kits was almost unheard of. LightningClan deserved a leader who had their undivided attention, she wouldn't be able to do that with furry bundles scampering around her paws. It was hardly as easy as simply stepping down as leader to start a family, but it was the first step of many.
"I know this is very sudden," she meowed coolly, her eyes briefly lifting to the pale sky. "But I hope that you will all accept my decision."
Exhaling, she let her gaze drop back down to her clanmates once more, searching their faces for a reaction.