[Phoenix]

Gorsetail

Deputy of TreeClan

i wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight

Above his head, the canopy of leaves that threw dappled shadows across the forest floor was beginning to thin. Giving the trees a fiery appearance, green leaves had given way to brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows, while a layer of dried ones blanketed the ground and crunched under every paw step. The Great Maple, as always, was a sight to behold (though the drought of the previous season had seemed to make its impressive display slightly less vibrant), but there was very little time to admire the stunning foliage around them. Leaf-bare was coming. They were well into leaf-fall now, and though preparations for leaf-bare were well under way, they were not quite where Gorsetail and Lionstar would prefer they be. It was not a fault of their warriors, for TreeClan cats were smart enough to know without needing to be told what was expected of them as the days grew colder.

Not entirely comfortable in his new role as deputy, he had been content to let his den mates continue as they were, but he had started to notice the lack of direction taking its toll. The fresh kill pile was a respectable size, but the dens were looking a little shabby. It was that little detail that had the deputy up early in the middle of the camp, trying to organize and juggle patrols to do this or that while also trying to not let anyone slip past him because they needed all the paws they could get on these matters. Gorsetail found himself empathizing a little more with Meadowleaf. The deputy position and the amount of work – organizing patrols and making sure everything that needed to get done got done was, not to mention keeping an eye on training progress and the LightningClan border – required was not insignificant. No wonder exhaustion had weighed her down toward the end.

Something caught his attention, and he glanced over to see Silentsong lumbering over toward the fresh-kill pile, heavy with kits that were due any day now. Nodding at her (he didn’t know if she saw), he turned back around just in time to see a white tom leaving the warrior’s den. ”Hey Skyfall,” Gorsetail called to the senior warrior. ”I’d like for you and Duskpaw to find Appleshade and Lightpaw, and the four of you can go see what you can catch around Wildflower Clearing.” During the greener seasons, that area was always full of prey of every shape and size, and it would be good to capitalize on any lingering activity from green-leaf. Appleshade and Skyfall seemed to get along well enough, and the hunting would be good practice for the two apprentices, both of whom were nearing the end of their training. He made another mental note to ask about their training at a later time and perhaps bring up the prospect of their final assessments.

A striped tom emerged from the warrior’s den, and Zephyrfang’s new early bird habits were no longer quite as strange. The deputy approached the tom, fully intending to send him and Stonepaw out into the forest to collect some moss for the nursery when frantic tail waving caught the corner of his eye. He turned to see Silentsong collapsed half way through the entrance to the den and knew in that instant any possibility of getting the new father to do anything productive had just been blown to bits. ”Go,” He directed Zephyrfang before turning away to catch Rowanberry emerging from the den, blinking sleep from her eyes. Gesturing with his tail, the deputy called her over. ”This morning, can you and Fernpaw go find moss and feathers – anything that is good insulation – and work on repairing the elder’s den?” The nursery needed it as well, but StarClan knew there was enough excitement over there for one day. Which reminded him: ”Take Stonepaw with you, please. His mentor’s a little busy right now.”

And so it continued. Magpiewing, Sootmask, and Shadowclaw were assigned to another hunting patrol, and though Gorsetail felt a little bad about assigning Shadowclaw to a patrol with two of TreeClan’s more unapproachable cats, he knew the warrior could handle himself. After all, it wasn’t as though Shadowclaw was a ball of sunshine himself. With LightningClan on the mind, the deputy had Emberstorm leading a patrol along that border, accompanied by Scorchwing, Spiderdance, Firepaw, and Nightpaw. ”The dawn patrol hasn’t seen any unusual activity,” He relayed to the assembled cats, glancing at his sleepy apprentice with a small smile. ”But with the cold weather coming, it’s important to be extra vigilant. You all heard StoneClan’s warning.” The open woods, not quite forest but not quite moorland, had always been a rather contentious border, and he wouldn’t put it past LightningClan to try to increase their hunting grounds.

Feathercloud and Sparrowdawn were assigned to a hunting patrol around the Great Maple with their apprentices, and Gorsetail had Moonfeather, Littlestep, and the newly returned Nightpaw work on repairing some of the dens around camp, hoping that perhaps the quiet tabby she-cat could befriend the loner-turned-queen. And finally, another border patrol was directed toward the NightClan border. Although LightningClan seemed a more likely antagonist, he was not about to let NightClan slip something by them because they were so distracted by their other neighbors. Sprucefur was told to take Blackwing, Cloudpool, Birchpaw, and Badgerpaw to renew the border markings. They could hunt on the way back to camp. To Falconstorm, the deputy said, "With the weather growing colder, Bluejay'll be stocking up on her herbs, and since she doesn't have someone there to help her anymore, I told her I could lend her an extra set of paws. Would you mind going to see if she needs help? You can join a hunting patrol if she's all set."

Gorsetail paused to take a breath for the first time in what felt like forever, and he looked around to see the camp bustling with activity. Green eyes glanced around him and spied a familiar golden tom not far from him, but whether he was waiting for him or simply watching their clan go about their business, he wasn’t sure. Padding over to Lionstar, the deputy greeted his former mentor and his friend. ”Leaf-bare is coming,” He commented lightly, looking back around camp. ”But we’ll be ready when it does.”

Fawn

better days | background image

BlooRey DVD Amber @zen Hellion @marshymutt @teeks Justice @bluebird @dreamer @savagewolf Insidious Silver @aureux @poptart @sparrow @sky @sparrowkeeper @jem

Hunting Patrols
Appleshade, Lightpaw, Skyfall, Duskpaw - Wildflower Clearing
Sparrowdawn, Sedgepaw, Feathercloud, Sparrowpaw - Great Maple
Magpiewing, Sootmask, Shadowclaw - wherever

Border Patrols
Firepaw, Nightpaw (Zen), Spiderdance, Scorchwing, Emberstorm – LC border
Blackwing, Cloudpool, Birchpaw, Sprucefur, Badgerpaw, – NC border

Den Repair
Moonfeather, Littlestep, Nightpaw (Smokey) - Wherever
Rowanberry, Fernpaw, Stonepaw – Elder's den

Zephyrfang is with Silentsong. Falconstorm is not yet MCA, but he's been told to go see if Bluejay needs any help collecting herbs. If I forgot someone, just let me know~

[Fawn]

LIONSTAR

leader of treeclan

Blinded by the light of a new sun

That Gorsetail was embracing his new role in TreeClan was the best thing Lionstar could have hoped for. He smiled, head high, gaze warm with satisfaction as the Clan seemed to come alive, every ablebodied cat doing something in preparation for the harsh season to come. For the first time in many moons, Lionstar felt as if there was a weight lifting from his shoulders.

He was no longer alone in the guardianship of TreeClan, and there was a cat he had personally trained and considered a friend able to take care of their Clan when he was away. Glancing to the tabby warrior approaching, Lionstar nodded, letting slip a pleased smile. "Yes. We'll be ready. It's not just leafbare we need to prepare for, however."

The golden tom swept his tail towards the ancient stump standing sentinel in front of the camp, and together they walked to the leader's den, Lionstar inviting him to sit on top of it so they could still oversee the camp activities and enjoy the sunshine. "Nightpaw, Moonfeather, Grayowl..." He chuckled a little dryly, tail-tip flicking at the last name as if shooing away an irritating insect. "Where to begin? With our guest, I think. What are your thoughts on her? She and I went hunting the other day, and she has the talent for it, she just needs a proper education." Lionstar angled his head thoughtfully, muzzle pointed skyward. "I'm hoping she and her kits will join us, like Zephyrfang did. Don't misunderstand me - I have no bias or love for loners - but with her Clan name, and her kits having Clan names... It seems like a sign."

Awaiting Gorsetail's thoughts on the matter, Lionstar let out a small sigh, feeling the cool wind stir his pelt, which had already thickened considerably in preparation of his own for leafbare. Despite the many things weighing on the mind of a leader, he felt... peaceful. The camp was always it's most mesmerizing at it's busiest. One would think that he enjoyed ceremonies the most - and in a way, he did - but no, it was the quiet moments that he enjoyed so much. Quiet, in that there was no danger, only the occasional squabbles between Clanmates or the patrols coming in to report their findings.

Take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem

words 375 Words | tagged Phoenix | notes

background image | So Alive | table by phoenix

[Phoenix]

Gorsetail

Deputy of TreeClan

i wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight

Gorsetail followed Lionstar toward his den and at the golden tom’s gesture, leapt lightly onto the ancient stump. Settling down and making himself comfortable, the tabby cat turned to cast another glance over the camp, surveying the familiar area from this new perspective. It was strange – but not in a bad way. Never before had he stood from up here, and with a jolt, he realized that one day this view would no longer seem as strange. One day, he would be Gorsestar, the leader of TreeClan, and he would be the one making all of the important decisions and leading clan meetings and performing ceremonies. The thought made his head swim, and even as he found himself gripping the wood beneath his paws with unsheathed claws to keep his balance, he sent a fervent prayer to StarClan that the day he stand upon here as leader was far, far into the distant future.

As if their ancestors were telling him that Lionstar was not dead yet, he became aware that the leader was speaking from beside him, and it was upon catching Grayowl’s name that he realized that his words were meant to be the start of a conversation and not an idle observation. The golden tom had every intention of asking his opinion about something, and reigning in his thoughts, the deputy began to listen intently, only to feel a burst of confusion when his conversation partner seemed to switch ideas entirely. Pretending that he wasn’t frantically trying to find some way piece Grayowl and hunting together, Gorsetail nodded along, but it wasn’t until Lionstar mentioned kits that he understood who the leader was talking about. Ah. Moonfeather. Suddenly, everything seemed to make a lot more sense.

”I haven’t talked with her myself,” The deputy began, ear flicking as his gaze found the nursery and all the activity around it. Silentsong had managed to move her way entirely into the shelter of the den, and he thought he caught the tip of Zephyrfang’s anxiously (excitedly? both?) waving tail. He wondered if Moonfeather had left her kits in there or if she had temporarily shifted them to another den, for kitting was not pretty. The strength of her protective instincts toward Fawnkit and Amberkit had not escaped Gorsetail’s notice, and while he was certainly willing to introduce himself to the little family, he had held back. ”I think she’s a little overwhelmed with everything – I would be too, if I was her – so I’ve been trying to give her some space.” He paused. ”She doesn’t seem to bear any ill will toward us.”

It was something that he thought was on both of their minds. Exiling Grayowl may have gotten him out of their camp, but it meant that they had no idea where he was or what he was up to. Gorsetail remembered that day and the shock of finding out that a warrior would truly do such a thing as try to kill his own clan mate. A shiver traveled down his spine at the thought. ”If she wants to join TreeClan, then I think it would be good to give her a chance. Prey is running scarce, and we don’t really need any more mouths to feed… But I would feel bad turning her and her kits away to face the cold alone.”

Fawn

better days | background image

[Fawn]

LionstAr

blinded by the light of a new sun
take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem

”If she wants to join TreeClan, then I think it would be good to give her a chance. Prey is running scarce, and we don’t really need any more mouths to feed… But I would feel bad turning her and her kits away to face the cold alone.”

"Scarce prey or not," Lionstar fixed Gorsetail with a resolved expression "I told her she and her kits could stay until newleaf. I won't turn a queen and her kits out into the cold, not even if StarClan demanded it." He had asked for Gorsetail's opinion, of course, but sometimes it helped to hear another voice on the matter to understand where he stood. "I won't go back on my word."

If this leafbare hit them as hard as the last one... It would surprise him none to have to give the order that all elders and queens were to hunt if they could spare the time. He felt sorry to ask the oldest members of the Clan to return to service, but there were many kits and many apprentices to be fed. Lionstar glanced at the nursery, able to faintly catch the supportive words of Zephyrfang to his mate as Silentsong brought new life to the Clan.

"I've spoken to her about joining," Lionstar said, getting back on track. "She said she would consider it. She's barely over the age of twelve moons, for her sake and TreeClan's, I hope she and her kits decide to stay." They would make TreeClan stronger - provided they could get through these two cold seasons.

His thoughts now on chillier, more unpleasant things, a low growl reverberated from the golden tom's throat. "StarClan knows what should be done about Grayowl. That menace is going to be a thorn in my hide for as long as we're both alive." Now here was a subject he would greatly appreciate another opinion on. Lionstar felt a glimmer of woe in his breast as he considered Bloodtalon and Stormchaser, Daringheart and Thunderclaw - warriors all whose opinions he would have considered on such things.

There was nothing in the Code about hunting down an exiled Clanmate and killing them. It put a sour taste in his mouth, to have to give that order; it felt as if he were lowering himself, turning his back on what was right just to deal with someone who was so very wrong. Whose to say he or his warriors wouldn't end up sullied by the deed?

Lionstar snorted, disgusted as well as frustrated. If only that lynx would do us a favor. Eat Grayowl and that takes care of two problems at once - gets rid of that fleabag and feeds the bigger fleabag. It would be a nasty way to go, but Grayowl had not earned any mercy. Lionstar was fully aware of his vindictive side, that his own emotions could carry him away to thoughts of killing the tom himself, and with every new transgression from Grayowl, it became harder and harder to put his emotions back in check.

How many more incidents before he goes too far? Anything that happened now... As much as he wanted to blame Grayowl, if he chose to ignore the problem, then any disastrous results that ensued would be on him.

leader of TreeClan

535 Words | Phoenix , Justice | notes: Tagged for Moonfeather mention.

so alive | background image | table by phoenix

[Phoenix]

Gorsetail

Deputy of TreeClan

i wish everyone was loved tonight
and somehow stop this endless fight

Lionstar could have been a complete stranger and still Gorsetail would have been able to see how resolute the leader was in his intentions to offer the loner-queen a home during the unforgiving leaf-bare moons. A different cat might have not been so willing to potentially jeopardize his clan’s well-being for the sake of a stranger, but the golden tom’s voice held no hint of any hesitation. The tabby tom felt a warm burst of affection for his former mentor while his heart filled with pride at the unshakable moral code by which their leader – and by extension, the clan – stood.

Moments later, however, the warmth faded at the mention of a very familiar name. Ever since his exile, Grayowl had become something of a frightful wraith, lurking just out of sight, hidden away in some dark crypt deep in the mountains. No one quite seemed to know what had become of him, yet traces of his existence – most recently, the newly returned Nightpaw – indicated that he was still around and had not forgotten. It was hard to connect the warrior he had once known to the malevolent figure he had become. Though he remembered it as if it were yesterday, the exile had happened so long ago; there were young apprentices, now, who had never seen the gray tom with yellow eyes – they had only heard his name and been told to stay away. It was a bizarre thought that made him feel old.

Even as he nodded along with his former mentor’s words, Gorsetail glanced away toward the trees, as if the colorful leaves hid the answer to Lionstar’s unspoken question. As his companion had said, it seemed as though the exiled warrior would sooner die than lose interest in making TreeClan’s leader pay for his actions, and though he held no doubt that Lionstar could hold his own against whatever Grayowl might hope to throw at him, the situation became more dangerous when the clan became collateral damage. But did that mean they ought to take action against one with whom they had once shared tongues? It seemed wrong to actively hunt down another cat, even if they had good reason to, but the idea of knowingly placing the clan in the potential line of fire by choosing to do nothing put an equally bitter taste in his mouth. These were cats that Lionstar, and now him as well, had been charged with protecting, cats who trusted them and looked up to them for guidance – to take that trust yet still leave them vulnerable to attack felt like a betrayal.

He found himself voicing his concerns. ”Do you think he’ll start targeting other cats to get to you?” His mind drifted to Nightpaw once more. Really, he already knew the answer to his question: Grayowl had no qualms about using others and warping their minds to suit his needs. ”More regularly, I mean. So far, we only know that he’s been in contact with Nightpaw, but if there are others who are also easily suspectible…” His voice trailed off, and green eyes found gold. ”If he starts hurting the clan, hurting others, then we’ll have to do something.”

But what would that something be and if they waited until provoked, would it already be too late? Grayowl was a formidable warrior, and now free from the Warrior Code, Gorsetail thought that the exiled tom had likely become more ruthless than ever. What made him dangerous, however, was not as much the accuracy of his claws but the intelligent mind resting in his skull. It seemed as though the former clan cat held all the advantages: he knew where to find TreeClan, and having lived as one of them for so long, he knew exactly where to hit them so it would hurt.

Fawn

better days | background image

[Fawn]

LionstAr

blinded by the light of a new sun
take it to the world, gonna sing it like an anthem

”Do you think he’ll start targeting other cats to get to you?”

"Yes." Grayowl knew that his Clan was his family, his source of pride, the thing he loved most in this life and every single one he'd been given to use for TreeClan's sake. Grayowl wasn't going to stop; not so long as he still breathed. "We need to find him. He is outside the warrior code, and I have been merciful long enough." It was a grim discussion, but it was one they needed to have. If Grayowl continued to make himself a violent antagonist of TreeClan's, then Lionstar was going to have to act.

"Nightpaw may be the key to finding him," Lionstar murmured. "Before leafbare." Was that possible? It would take one more weight off of the golden warrior's shoulders to know that his old enemy was dead and buried. Prey shortages and greencough were sure to come this leafbare, and with Grayowl skulking about, tempting his Clanmates into betrayal or twisting the minds of apprentices - what if he reached out to his grandkits? That would be just what they needed - their coldest season was shaping up to be their toughest.

Tougher than it needed to be.

Now that they were on the subject of Nightpaw, Lionstar shook his head. "Let's talk about Nightpaw for a moment. Now maybe I'm a sentimental old fool at this point, but I think a new apprenticeship ceremony for her would smooth the transition back into the Clan." And it would clarify things for the rest of them. She was still Nightpaw to them, but there was a... disconnection. As if she hovered on the edges of the Clan, not fully a part of it like she used to be. It was clear to any warrior or apprentice that saw her, that she wasn't the same innocent kitten she had been almost more than four seasons ago.

leader of TreeClan

319 Words | Phoenix | notes

so alive | background image | table by phoenix