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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2019 17:44:51 GMT -5
BELIEVE IN STRENGTH Pumafang TREECLAN - WARRIOR - 30 MOONS
It had been just a little over a day since the gathering, and Pumafang sought out the company of Lionstar. Double patrols of the NightClan border was wearing out even the most energetic of warriors, and Pumafang made himself present on them as often as he could. The heat had been getting worse though, and the tom often prayed for a gulp of fresh air during daylight hours: anything other than the stagnant, hot, and encompassing breath of the coming Greenleaf.
The Deer Path seemed quiet for now. Pumafang had attended the dawn patrol himself, and other than a few sharp words from the other side of the border, there was nothing out of the ordinary with NightClan. At least, that was how it seemed, but he wouldn't put it past Darkstar and her clan to practice treachery and cunning.
That was, after all, what they were renown for.
That and turmoil, a chaos that always seemed to burden TreeClan despite the conflict being NightClan's alone.
The chocolate black tom lumbered just outside of camp after satisfying his hunger with a squirrel. He had an appetite today, especially after wrestling it from the voracious heathen Birchfrost. Does he do anything at all for the clan? Pumafang pondered, still mildly disgruntled from his recent encounter with the stout, overweight beast. He saw the silver tabby tom hunt, but what Birchfrost brought back seemed meager compared to others.
It wouldn't surprise me if he ate half his catch in the territory. Pumafang thought, irritation making his tail flick ever so slightly.
In the warmer seasons, he wasn't even going to bother with it. TreeClan had more important matters at hand than determining the punishment and remediation of a food addict.
Amber eyes of TreeClan's stolid deputy traced Lionstar's form by the water's edge not far outside of camp, morning sunshine making his leader's pelt glow in a faint, rose-gold light. With each passing moment, Pumafang felt the sun's rays scorch his dark chocolate coat, the territory growing more sweltering by the step. He breathed in the scent of fresh water as he approached the lone golden tom calmly, listening to the stream rush and trickle over land and stone. Pumafang sat beside Lionstar, though granted him a more than comfortable space for conversation.
A thick, chocolate black tail wrapped itself neatly around large, dark paws.
"Good morning, Lionstar," Pumafang started respectfully in his usual monotonous resonance, pausing for a moment to let his introduction settle before continuing with a stodgy report. "All seemed normal on the dawn patrol along the NightClan border this morning. Apart from their commonly imperious and conceited ways, the nightdwellers appear to be acting in character. Rookshade, one of NightClan's more arrogant warriors, has a big mouth for such a small cat. I anticipate him heavily testing the composure of TreeClan in the future with his snide and inciting conduct. It is as expected though, Lionstar, the inanity of fools."
They needed to quench NightClan's confidence. Perhaps Lionstar had some ideas in regards to the future between TreeClan and their shadowy, imprudent neighbors?
Word Count: 525 Tags: Fawn Notes: xxx |
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Post by Fawn on Jun 28, 2019 18:50:17 GMT -5
Lionstar The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars The time of reflection by the brook came to an end, Pumafang's buzzing monotone chasing away any tired thought-trails Lionstar had been chasing before his arrival. Lionstar had much on his mind, and no cat could blame him; if he'd wanted an opportunity to mentally regroup, he should have stayed in the Ancient Stump, curled up and sharing tongues with Honeysong.
It was more important to him that he make an appearance this morning, despite the mental fatigue, so he'd brought his pensive state to the water's edge and tried to ignore the encroaching heat of the day.
"It is as expected though, Lionstar, the inanity of fools."
This drew a battleworn sigh from the aging tom's gray-and-gold muzzle. "Indeed. Half our battles with NightClan seem to be acted out on impulse and petty grievances. This time, they've gone too far..." The name of the victim in that last encounter did not need to be said out loud; Lionstar wore his grief and rage like a storm cloud, keeping the dark, bruised edges from bursting open into a violent downpour upon their neighbors.
"We can lessen the frequency of the Dawn and Sunhigh patrols. With the heat intensifying, I do not want the Clan going back and forth to the borders. NightClan cats are dark-pelted and sun-wary, I'd rather not exhaust our warriors without good reason." Lionstar's teeth flashed in a grimace, brow furrowed in consternation. "More than I already have. We cannot let our guard down with our neighbors - either of them, I feel this tension closing in worse than the greenleaf heat."
Golden eyes found Pumafang's, and he addressed the deputy fully. "A midnight patrol along the NightClan border. We would escape the heat, and freshen our scentlines when NightClan is most active. As much as I would love for every cat in camp to get a decent night's sleep during the cool hours, I would like to avoid giving NightClan any chances to catch us off guard even more." Having said his piece, he gave the floor to Pumafang and listened for that studious drone of the chocolate tom's voice to sound above the quiet gurgling brook. I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king 99 Moons || TreeClan || 359 Words || @jet |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2019 21:43:30 GMT -5
BELIEVE IN STRENGTH Pumafang TREECLAN - WARRIOR - 30 MOONS
It seemed time had returned Lionstar's reason.
Midnight patrols were an excellent idea, and taking TreeClan out of the heat of day was one of Pumafang's biggest concerns. He had been careful to watch who Rainfur had chosen for the patrols along Deer Path, a likely futile effort to collect insight on NightClan's motives. Nonetheless, he did not notice a pattern. Pumafang knew NightClan hadn't forgotten about the events leading up to the present: it was the lack of change in demeanor that was most nerve-racking about it. Perhaps midnight patrols would give TreeClan more information about their nocturnal neighbors?
Lionstar's words rolled to a stop, and after a moment of silence, Pumafang responded.
"I couldn't agree more. I will see it done starting tonight." The deputy paused, tail twitching slightly. "Though I do question how you plan to proceed with Darkstar should tensions remain high. She seems desperate for a battle, one that I fear will only to further taint our relations and fail to resolve the matters at hand."
It was something he had been meaning to ask since the gathering. It was something that had since then haunted his dreams.
Word Count: 206 Tags: Fawn Notes: xxx |
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Post by Fawn on Jun 28, 2019 22:22:24 GMT -5
Lionstar The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars "A battle is inevitable." Lionstar remarked flatly, displeased but believing this to be true. He caught Pumafang's eye, adding, "if an opportunity presents itself to form some sort of fragile peace or stalemate with NightClan - one that does not involve my son dying - I will take it. But behaving as if the coming moons will not bring at least some bloodshed is foolish. Dangerously foolish."
A warm breeze stirred the golden tom, and he lifted his jaw to it, feeling it brush against his whiskers and traipse across his muzzle. It was not the refreshing sensation he wanted, but he preferred it to the stagnant heat. "I have been entrusted with the guardianship of TreeClan longer than you've been alive," Lionstar spoke slowly, calling attention to his moons of experience - not to brag, but to teach. "Ravenstar, Dimstar, Pinestar, Foxstar. Those are the leaders of NightClan that I have known and outlived. Ravenstar was an aggressive tyrant, as battle-thirsty as any leader. Dimstar had a calculating air that could have been dangerous, but he kept NightClan to NightClan. Pinestar's rule was brief, but it started something as close to peace between our two Clans as we can hope to achieve. Foxstar, for whatever reason, did not challenge us over the Deer Path for almost eight seasons."
It was a matter of pride and dignity for NightClan, now. They had wrested control of the Deer Path and taken back the Branch Trail - which Lionstar would admit, had been a bold move by TreeClan to begin with - the trouble with victory was that it created a hunger for even more. Darkstorm was young, eager to prove herself, eager to make up for whatever sins or faults her predecessors possessed; Blackwolf, as he understood it, had been Darkstorm's mentor.
"Darkstorm reminds me of Ravenstar in many ways; hot-tempered and unforgiving." Lionstar's sigh was one of aggravation. "She is a cat who prefers action to discussion. NightClan has made it clear that she is who they have chosen to follow. The time for peace is over, Pumafang. It was a blessing to have lasted this long. Whether that was Foxstar's folly or StarClan's will, who am I to say? We may not begin the battle, but we must be ready when it comes."
Lionstar squared his shoulders to the coming turbulence, a dry, lifeless chuckle adding to the warm wind. "If you have any ideas concerning NightClan, I am all ears." He hadn't chosen Pumafang just for his strength, after all. I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king 99 Moons || TreeClan || 412 Words || Tags |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2019 22:48:48 GMT -5
BELIEVE IN STRENGTH Pumafang TREECLAN - WARRIOR - 30 MOONS
"If you have any ideas concerning NightClan, I am all ears."
Lionstar's wisdom clouded Pumafang's mind, steering his thoughts in search of a solution. If NightClan had been such a problem for so long, why were they still dealing with their antics? Tales of old had proven that a clan could be driven from the valley: it was only in the more recent generations that SkyClan, now StoneClan, had realigned with their ancestors. It lasted for seasons upon seasons, the banishment of the clan for the benefit of the valley.
Why couldn't the clans just cut the head off the snake?
"What if," Pumafang's amber eyes glinted, voice rumbling deeply like distant thunder. "What if NightClan was never meant to exist here, in the valley?"
Their leaders had been dying like flies, chaos ensued at every turn, and only trouble seemed to arise from their existence. What if these were omens throughout Lionstar's entire reign, that NightClan's disarray was a message from the universe: that NightClan was meant to dissolve. Would RainClan accept a portion of NightClan's territory in exchange for their support? Would LightningClan accept the entire Open Woods, for their support?
That just left StoneClan, likely the hardest to convince due to their past.
Pumafang's mind wandered in murk and shadow as he waited, almost apprehensively, for Lionstar's response.
Word Count: 234 Tags: Fawn Notes: xxx |
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Post by Fawn on Jun 28, 2019 23:03:16 GMT -5
Lionstar The crown is getting heavy
But they've written my name in the stars Lionstar's breath was snatched from his lungs, and he regarded Pumafang as if the cat had grown another set of fangs. His blood had turned to ice, and Lionstar's jaw firmed, not even giving that unthinkable suggestion any proper thought. "Get that idea out of your head," Lionstar growled, back fur bristling along the length of his spine. "I'll forgive it because you're young, but do not speak of such a thing again. That is not for TreeClan to decide. I may hate NightClan for what they've done, but to punish an entire Clan for the actions of a few is monstrous."
The pain etched in Batear's face, the frantic tom pushing his way through to their camp, desperately pleading for TreeClan's help as StormClan drove them out - it was a face that haunted Lionstar's memories, even to this day. "I will not devastate an entire generation of cats by driving them from their home. Let them keep their marshes and their pines, it is their right. "
A sharp glance was thrown Pumafang's way, as if he were calculating how best to reach in and physically stop those dangerous thoughts from snowballing. "If we try to solve our problems without morality and compassion - even for our enemies - then we will make dark, hideous decisions that we could never recover from." NightClan had caused them much pain over the seasons. Ironically, it was their own snakes in the grass that had caused the most trouble for TreeClan. But NightClan would not be the cause of TreeClan losing their heart and soul.
Battles were awful and the scars from those clashes would be deep. But at least they would go to StarClan knowing they had been honorable where it counted, and compassionate where it counted more. That was how he chose to live his life, and Lionstar hoped, a sharp pain in his heart, that some of the values he'd lived by had been instilled in the Clan he'd led. It was up to Pumafang to continue them. I've been building up all these kingdoms for so long
It's good to be king 99 Moons || TreeClan || 321 Words || Tags |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2019 23:42:06 GMT -5
BELIEVE IN STRENGTH Pumafang TREECLAN - WARRIOR - 30 MOONS
Pumafang almost flinched at Lionstar's biting and passionate remarks.
"Forgive me." TreeClan's deputy replied quickly and cautiously, though he questioned whether Lionstar had given the possibility much thought. What would TreeClan need to recover from? Where was the guilt in exterminating a conflict that had been pestering, maiming, and killing TreeClan time after time again? Why not halt the generations of enmity here and now? Where was the honor in letting an outside threat ravage the peace of the valley?
Pumafang had once thought world peace was the answer, but perhaps he was naive to think of such a euphoric outcome. Lionstar said so himself, that peace was a lost cause. Why keep fighting petty battles? Morality and compassion seemed only to harbor more ill will with NightClan still around, but without their presence, couldn't the whole valley know peace?
As far as Pumafang was concerned, the only clan needing to recover would be NightClan themselves.
They would devise their own demise.
"I will not speak such atrocities again." The large tom meowed flatly, though his mind still lurked among dangerous thoughts.
How unfortunate. Pumafang thought unenthusiastically.
He must have read Lionstar all wrong when the golden tom spoke of war. He would not speak so loosely again.
Pumafang pulled himself to his paws and dipped his head to TreeClan's leader, a force he could not quite understand pulling him towards camp.
Timberfrost.
The chocolate black tom would not speak truthfully of his solutions regarding NightClan to anyone, though her presence calmed his racing thoughts and theories.
Perhaps time would also heal Darkstar's grief as well, for NightClan's sake.
Word Count: 280 Tags: Fawn Notes: xxx |
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