[Fawn]

They had been warned early. Almost six full sunrises before the Clan cats had even stirred. The Tribe was many things - isolated, unorthodox if looked at from their neighbors’ perspective - but they had an advantage the Clans did not. Their ancestors did not bicker, and had no past allegiances to contend with in their grand discussions. The multitude of voices that came to Skyteller were unified, even with young overlapping old and old overlapping young; their message was clear. Dig deep your claws. Hold on to the earth. This is not enough to uproot you. Many paws are coming...frightened of the change they cannot stop… It trailed off in an ominous, whispered way, and Skyteller awoke, alarmed, in the safety of his private cave - but he knew what needed to be done.

The Tribe was easily rallied, and with the light of dawn spilling into their cavern home, he made his vision known. ”The ancestors have spoken to me. The earth’s rumblings have been felt by all of us, but we need not fear. We are safe in our mountains. The cats down below, however…” Skyteller’s gaze fell in the direction of the craggy slopes that led into the valley, as if he could picture the cats, unsuspecting, going about their lives without any idea of what was to happen next. ”What’s going to happen to them?” Squeaked one of the to-bes, too young to understand the faux pas of speaking out of turn to their Healer.

Skyteller smiled peacefully, waving his tail to the guide who had come over to shush the young cat. ”The ancestors did not say, only that they will try to find their way here in the future.”

From this simple statement burst a flurry of low-spoken worries and anxious, flicking tails.

”What are we supposed to do with all those cats? We can’t feed five whole Clans!”

”Yeah, some of them are twice our number!” A ripple of anxiety passed through the various prey-hunters, with the exception of the Lead Prey-Hunter, who maintained an air of calm. ”When are these Clan cats coming, Skyteller?”

The large ginger tom shook his head. ”The ancestors have not spoken unto me an exact time or day.” Even as he spoke, the earth seemed to gently rumble under their paws, as if thunder were trapped inside the very mountain itself. Skyteller drew in a bracing breath. ”But it will be soon. We will carry on as normal, but stay vigilant. Our mountains shield us from many dangers, but that does not mean we should wander out like baby rabbits.”

To the Lead Cave-Guard, he spoke directly. ”Keep an eye on the areas where the mountains meet the valley. If the valley cats begin to make their way here, or send envoys, I want to know immediately.” The Lead Cave-Guard bowed his head curtly. ”It will be done.”

Skyteller backed away towards his cave, letting them know that the meeting was more or less concluded. But he did not retreat into his den so soon, instead he lingered by its entrance, watching as his Tribemates processed what had been said. What that meant. Older cats appeared grim faced, and younger appeared almost excited, too naive to understand the implications.

Nearby, a dark-furred she-cat tiptoed over, her tail slightly spiked. ”Why didn’t the ancestors give me a dream, Skyteller?”

Skyteller smiled, and this time it was gentle. ”You are still learning, Blackbird. The ancestors will speak to you in time.” The she-cat looked far from soothed, but it was clear to both that the matter wasn’t going to be discussed further. Too many other things demanded their attention. ”As my to-be, you can be my eyes and ears where I cannot. Spend some time with your Clanmates today,” said Skyteller. ”Reassure them. Get used to them turning to you for answers.”

”You’re right. Of course you’re right. Thank you, Skyteller. I have much to learn still.” Eye of Curious Blackbird seemed to straighten, and the bottlebrush look to her tail began to diminish. With a now renewed sense of purpose, Blackbird nodded, and immediately went to mingle with anyone still lingering by the water.

Only when the young she-cat was out of sight did Skyteller retreat into his den. The rumblings seemed to almost intensify, as if the earth had been holding its breath - giving him a brief moment to soothe a young healer to-be’s fears before the world…changed.

---

LightningClan was the first to arrive. Their envoy, Galestorm, heralded their arrival. Even as the Tribe cats grit their teeth against the horrific quaking, they stood aside and welcomed the haggard throngs of cats pouring in from the valley. NightClan followed, led by their deputy Dapplefire. RainClan, their progress slowed by the river, their paws and coats muddy and thrashed by harsh terrain, shambled in next. Silverstar brought up the rear.

Then, the rest of NightClan, led by Cloverstar.

TreeClan and StoneClan, meeting somewhere along the route to the tribe, arrived last. A mudslide took a heavy toll from StoneClan, and they arrived, leaderless and deputyless, with a handful of stragglers stumbling into the oasis early the next morning.

The Tribe had gone from quiet, and comparatively few in number, to being dwarfed and crowded in by what remained of the five valley Clans.

”Clan cats, listen to me.” Skyteller’s voice rose above the sea of eyes and pelts and tails. It was worse than the gatherings; while that had an air of invitation and reverence, this positively reeked of desperation and grief.

”May your leaders join me in my den, so that we may discuss what happens next.” That StoneClan in particular seemed to flinch at this call did not escape Skyteller’s notice. His heart tightened in sympathy. Birdstar was missing, but ‘missing’ in a disaster such as this…

Slowly, the Clan leaders - or stand-ins - peeled away from the crowds, and the distinctive faces of Pumastar, Cloverstar, Redshadow, Emberlight and Nightrunner.

”Come in, please. I will get you back to your Clans as quickly as possible, for you to pass on my words to your higher-ups.” After a breath, Skyteller laid out his plans. ”While you are here, I ask that your warriors adhere to Tribe ways. Send your best hunters with ours, and your best fighters with ours. So many cats scattered over unfamiliar territory will not yield positive results. Prey will be scarce, and you are unfamiliar with these mountains.”

He could tell by the flicking tails that they were listening, their eyes glittering in the darkened cavern Skyteller called home. ”Prey will be eaten the Tribe way. It is better to give every cat a mouthful than to have a few with empty bellies. I have herbs to spare, but we must be careful. It is my hope that the valley will settle quickly, and you will be able to return to your homes. For the meantime, you are our charges. Treat us with respect, and the very same will be given.”

The strange muddled scents were overwhelming at this proximity, and it was a relief, then, when the figureheads began to disperse. The earthquake had begun to settle late into the night, but the valley, with its fresh wounds, would take a while yet to heal.

Skyteller prayed to the ancestors that their guests, their many, hungry, wounded guests would not stay long.

Their beloved mountain home was not meant to sustain such numbers.


OOC:

This meeting took place on Greenleaf 13th, after the stragglers arrived and the Clan cats could get their wits about them.

RainClan
Silverstar is recovering from injuries sustained during the earthquake. Leadership falls on Emberlight’s shoulders for the time being.
Dewfrost and Rustpaw are working hard to tend to the wounded.

StoneClan
Birdstar is missing and presumed dead.
Sorrelclaw is dead.
Ebonyheart shoulders the burden of keeping the Clan calm, on top of her healing duties.

TreeClan
Despite the split, most of TreeClan - Pumastar included - are able to rejoin within the mountains.
Pumastar is withdrawn and cold for the following days.
On Greenleaf 16th, Pumastar slips away from the Tribe, leaving his Clan behind.
Mossheart is the defacto leader.
Falconstorm and Sagepaw tend to the wounded.

NightClan
Cloverstar keeps firm watch on her Clan.
Dapplefire assists her.
Shadowchaser, with Newtstripe’s help, tries to keep up with the many injuries and shattered nerves from the disaster.

LightningClan
Owlstar, gravely ill from the journey, recovers slowly.
Nightrunner acts as her eyes and ears for several days following LightningClan’s arrival.
Kindleflare again faces the challenge of being LightningClan’s sole medicine cat.

As their survival depends upon it, the firmly drawn lines between Clans begin to break down. Allegiance means very little when cooperation is the only way forward.

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