Post by Ghost the Undead Goddess on Apr 25, 2022 0:12:47 GMT -5
Ebonyheart,
Livin' in ruins of a palace within my dreams
Leafbare was finally upon the clans, it's frosted snow peppered the valley and hid the once green land from view beneath the cold, alabaster powder that fell from the sky. The sounds of birds were gone, and even the shuffle of prey in the main territory was quiet due to the nature of the rough and violently chilly season.
Already the sounds of sore throats and congested lungs were starting to make their selves known within the confines of Gorgeclan's new camp. Yet another obstacle thrown at the clans to see if they could survive what the would seemed to constantly launch without fear at each living feline.
Not all seemed to be a looming threat of darkness though, as the newly named Healer, Sageheart had brought news after the latest meeting of the Medicine Cats. Information that Starclan seemed wasn't imperative for the ebony coated molly to know - probably more of a punishment for her but it wasn't like that seriously bothered the elder of the two healers.
Starclan was being petty, and a gut feeling told Ebonyheart that their ancestors pinning all their hopes on the former Treeclan was going to be a sour note in the end. Granted, the inky she-cat hoped that feeling was wrong as she didn't want anything to happen to Sageheart herself - but since the merging of the clans the younger molly seemed to be less invested in just warriors and more about those that didn't have the support and expertise of healing.
When Sageheart was ready, Ebonyheart figured the younger feline would finally come and speak to her as any apprentice would their mentor.
On top of the celebratory news for their new leadership, Gorgeclan had also been successful in continuing the genes of both former Treeclanners and former Stoneclanners as Foxfire and Icefang's litters both seemed to be thriving and healthy for now - though hopefully the little ones stayed that way through the remainder of the winter.
The sounds of the three moon old kits playing within the safety of the camp found it's way to the healer's ears as one flickered slightly. A pang ran through her chest, a longing that the inky molly didn't realize would be so horribly strong. How she wanted nothing more than to curl up with the milk-scent den of the Nursery with the kits that were being passed off as Icefang's young ones. How much the secret queen wished to raise those that she had birthed only a few moons prior at the end of Leaf-fall.
Oh Birdstar... I wish you were still here...
The former leader had disappeared during the earthquake though his dilute body had yet to be found - nor did Starclan even allow her to see the tom that had been her forbidden mate, the father of her kits. She wasn't as young as she had been once, but still she couldn't help but hope for him to be around so she could still come to him when she needed advice or help...
Or just to have him listen to her worries once more. What she wouldn't give to hear his soft voice, or to look into those deep, whimsical green hues that always seemed to stare into the depths of her soul.
"Ebonyheart-?" The soft voice of the dilute blue Somali broke through the black she-cat's inner thoughts, the fog lifting around her eyes as she returned to the present time with Sageheart. The former Treeclanner's eyes were gentle as she watched her elder for a moment but if there was a question upon her tongue she didn't voice it. "I was thinking of going to look for more Catnip before the snow kills it all, um... just in case."
Ebonyheart had always been good about praising the hard work and strong heart of the younger molly, something she hadn't received very often from her former mentor. Still, it seemed like Sageheart had a hard time finding her voice and a comfortable medium with another. Like perhaps she was still questioning her worth or her knowledge - despite the fact that Starclan had personally accepted her and given her a full name.
The inky molly's tail nub flickered for a second before she responded in her normal, sharp tone though it almost sounded like there was an underlying hint of exhaustion wriggling within the depths of her chest. If Sageheart noticed anything she kept her mouth shut rather than speak. "That's a good idea, make sure to take a warrior or two with you."
It was a dismissive tone, but one that was respectful to Sageheart who dipped her head and quietly slipped off to find cats she felt comfortable scouring the territory with.
After a moment of just listening to life thriving within Gorgeclan's camp, the long coated she-cat finally pulled herself to her paws and padded from the isolation of the healer's den. Unreadable, mossy hues watched as cats went about their business or lazily shared tongues with those they kept close to their hearts - another pang washed through Ebonyheart's chest.
However, a different sound seemed to have that beating organ float for a moment as the tiny voices of excited kits broke above the quiet murmur of older felines. With the weather the way it currently was, none of the youngsters were out and about within the snow but they were easily making quite the ruckus within the confines of the Nursery.
Peaking her fluffy head through the entrance, the healer was met with an amusing site. While Foxfire was no longer forced to fully stay within the Nursery, another older and more gentle tempermented she-cat was watching the trio of fire-pelted kittens rolling around with intense playful ferocity. The chunky gray body of Puffinkit and the creamy coat of Cardinalkit were mixed in, despite still being a bit younger and smaller than the other brood.
Icefang lay off to the side, soft dozing with her eyes closed but her ears perk and intent on listening to the five children playing in her vicinity. At her flank, however, rested the tiny form of Jaykit, as the scraggly gray tom lay comfortably against the warm belly of his mother. He was the runt of the three disguised as the gray and white queen's kits, and somewhat more sickly than his bigger littermates. Ebonyheart took it upon herself to do routine checks, making sure Jaykit remained healthy and happy through the harshest of Leafbare.
It also gave the sharp toned molly more time to spend with the kits that she had secretly given birth too. More time to spend with those who bore her blood but could not openly bare her name.
Padding softly forwards, to avoid the wrestling of future Gorgeclan warriors and so as not to disturb the resting Icefang, Ebonyheart folded her legs near the warm nest and laid down comfortably. "Good morning Jaykit, how are you feeling today?" Generally her routine exam consisted of the elder healer listening to his chest as well as checking his ears and eyes to make sure there wasn't a single possibility of him falling ill. A soft light twinkled within her mossy hues as the black she-cat leaned forwards to gently press her nose against his head.
42 Moons GorgeClan Medicine Cat