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Post by Fate Admin on Mar 10, 2013 14:01:33 GMT -5
Batear raced over the scentline, the border his Clan had laid down for generations now, crossing into TreeClan’s territory with only the slightest hitch in his gait to show his hesitation a short time later. He wished he was faster, but he was pretty sure he understood Hawkstar’s reason for choosing him. He was strong, he was talented in battle, he could fight his way through any enemy that got in his way of delivering this important message to Lionstar. But he was also eloquent, he was trustworthy and he followed the warrior code to the very best of his abilities. If anyone could convince Lionstar to help them, he was sure he could, and if he couldn’t… he doubted there were many other cats in the Clan who could do more and who would try harder. He didn’t mean to be arrogant, simply honest. He felt he was one of the best cats, save perhaps Hawkstar, Wolfclaw, or Blackeagle, to do this.
Still, each step he took away from his warring Clanmates tore his heart. He should be fighting with them, not running away. But he knew what he was doing was important. They could not win. StoneClan could not defeat both LightningClan and RainClan at once. They needed help. Hawkstar had sent another cat to NightClan, but he knew very well what those cats were like. Only a miracle from StarClan would send even one NightClanner to help them, though he knew they had to try anyway. Surely TreeClan would help them, they were known for being honorable warriors. There were stories the elders passed down of how if it wasn’t for one of TreeClan’s ancestors, StoneClan wouldn’t even exist. Surely they would honor their ancestor’s memory and help them again?
As he tore through the forest, a huge weight slammed into his side, sending him sprawling, and suddenly a huge red-brown tom stood over him, claws pricking his pelt and fangs bared, “Trespasser!” the huge tom snarled, ears flattened. Batear took a moment to catch his breath, the wind having been knocked out him when the tom had slammed into him, and caught a glimpse of two other cats behind the large tom. Their scent was very clearly TreeClan.
“Wait, please. I must speak with Lionstar, it is urgent! Please, take me to him! I mean no harm, I swear by StarClan,” he gasped as the tom standing over him pressed down slightly in warning before finally stepping off, allowing him to stand though still eyeing him suspiciously. Batear dipped his head briefly, “Thank you. Please. I must speak with Lionstar as quickly as possible.”
Bloodtalon glanced at his companions and back at the StoneClanner before him, wary, then flicked his tail. He was the leader of this patrol, he would decide what to do. “Fine. You’ve got me curious. We’ll take you to see him, but don’t try anything or I’ll shred your pelt for the nursery.”
Batear found that threat to be rather morbid, but shook it off. He nodded, “I promise you on the lives of my Clanmates I will not.”
Bloodtalon was rather surprised by that statement. To swear on the lives of every single Clanmate… well. He didn’t particularly trust any cat who was not TreeClan, but this one seemed serious anyway. “Let’s go then, this way,” he waved his tail and the other two cats flanked the stranger before they set off at a brisk pace toward the TreeClan camp. Once there, Bloodtalon led Batear straight to Lionstar’s den, calling out to the leader, “Lionstar, a StoneClan cat is here. He says he must speak with you and that it is urgent.” He glanced back at Batear, who was standing stoically between his guards, his eyes fixed on the entrance to the leader’s den ever as other TreeClanners emerged and began murmuring about him. Bloodtalon couldn’t help but wonder what was so urgent.
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Post by Fawn on Mar 18, 2013 0:04:15 GMT -5
LIONSTAR TreeClan || 39 Moons It was almost problematic, how much space the disappearance of his apprentice took up in the forefront of the golden tom's mind. At the words 'urgent' 'Batear' and 'StoneClan cat', the first thought that raced through Lionstar's mind was not an open question or an attempt to break down the reason for such an out-of-the-blue visit; it was the slightly asinine hope that Bateart knew something about Featherpaw.
A cat didn't just disappear for 6 full nights for positive reasons; no one ever disappeared for positive reasons. Trying hard not to get his hopes up, but unable to fully prevent that spark of optimism from lightning a small fire in his chest, Lionstar approached Batear. "Thank you, Bloodtalon." Nodding to the bulky tom and flicking his tail to shoo away the guards around the StoneClan warrior, Lionstar addressed the cat with the particularly prominent smokey gray ears. After a brief search of memories of any StoneClan encounters, Lionstar finally tracked down a name.
"What has brought you to TreeClan, Batear? Would I be correct in assuming something is wrong in StoneClan?" Maybe it's Hawkstar. Or it has something to do with that hatred-spewing vixen... Thoughts circling back to Smokeface, they once again made an entire painful, stressed out circuit to the utterly absent Featherpaw, once again a gnawing sensation at the back of his mind wanting to believe that this was all just one big misunderstanding...
Realizing he was losing his focus, Lionstar gave himself a good mental shake, golden eyes dark but otherwise attentive as they settled upon the serious features of Batear, as though the longer he studied the tom's fact the more likely he was to find out what had happened to Featherpaw. Keep it together, Lionstar. Now is NOT the time to snap in front of the entire Clan and a StoneClan warrior. Conscious of how many eyes were upon them, Lionstar made the decision to move to somewhere less 'open'. "Follow me." Words short but not forceful, merely a curt order rather than the tension-filled bark it could've been. He was doing a decent job of preventing the stress of Featherpaw's disappearance into everything he did and every response he made to anyone, but how long that would last was anyone's guess.
Signaling for Bloodtalon to follow - Daringheart was out hunting from what he could tell, but should this situation require her opinion or presence, then he would send for her - Lionstar stepped into his den, walking towards the back to circle around and face their StoneClan guest. "Now then, speak freely."
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Post by Fate Admin on Mar 18, 2013 19:11:35 GMT -5
Batear dipped his head to the TreeClan leader as he questioned him about his purpose in being in the middle of his camp, “You would be correct, Lionstar.” He fought hard to keep his fur lying flat. Every moment spent here was another moment his Clanmates fought on, bled, and possibly even died without him there to help. Not that he was so overconfident in his skills that he thought he could turn the tide of battle on his own, that as why he was here, asking for help from another Clan. The odds were horribly against them, and while he had complete faith and confidence in his Clanmates’ abilities, they were vastly outnumbered in their own camp, with kits and queens and elders to protect as well as themselves.
He nodded as Lionstar turned, leading him away to his den. Bloodtalon followed behind him, ears perked with interest. When Lionstar had turned, addressing him again and telling him to speak freely, he fought to keep his claws sheathed, rather than dig them into the ground to keep his bearings. It could be seen as a threat here and he did not want to jeopardize what was probably his Clan’s only hope. He met the TreeClan leader’s gaze, “I come here at Hawkstar’s request to beg you to help us.” Yes, to beg. It grated on him to say such a thing, but he was prepared to beg, to grovel, anything to help his Clan. “We are under attack by RainClan and LightningClan both. They surrounded our camp before the sun rose and attacked. We are vastly outnumbered…. Without your help…,” he swallowed his pride, anything for his Clan, “I fear we will not win this battle. Without your help… many will die, and StoneClan….” He wasn’t entirely sure WHAT would happen to his beloved Clan.
His ears flattened against his head and he dipped it once more, in respect to the TreeClan leader, closing his eyes, “Please, Lionstar. My Clanmates bleed as we speak, our queens, our kits…. This attack was entirely unprovoked. Please… please help us.” He looked up at the leader hopefully, pleading with his eyes. Surely he would help. TreeClan would save them as their ancestors did so long ago. “I know it is a lot to ask, but we will… we will forever be in your debt.”
Bloodtalon stood back, listening intently. His pale gaze flitted between the StoneClanner and his leader, wondering what Lionstar would do. Bloodtalon had no interest in helping StoneClan for the sake of helping them, but what a battle it must be! He flexed his claws, itching to go, to wet his claws with the blood of enemies, to practice for that NightClan scum. He also looked hopefully at Lionstar, hoping he would say yes, that they would charge into battle in only a few heartbeat’s time. Having all of StoneClan in their debt was just a plus. Surely Lionstar would say yes? His tail twitched behind him, eager to be off.
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Post by Fawn on Mar 18, 2013 21:53:51 GMT -5
[smear:f5c633]LIONSTAR[/smear:000000] TreeClan || 39 Moons ((Fawn's 1,000th Post!))
Golden eyes closed, just then, so that he might cast his judgments without too much sway from Batear's desperate gaze or the words that hung in the air between them, as thick as mist over the chilly surface of a lake. The weight of the StoneClan tom's statements carried more than just the lives and health of his Clanmates, they carried the weight of a decision that would likely change the dynamics of the forest so severely, it was impossible to predict the outcome. If TreeClan were to come to the aid of the Clan whose blood was splashing against the stones, would the raging tide of war turn upon them for this act of kindness? Would LightningClan and RainClan become the storm that toppled the forest because he had grown soft in a situation that required a fortified heart?
There was no sugarcoating the situation, and while Lionstar inwardly felt sympathy to Batear in particular for having to deal with the agony of waiting, the golden tom, despite his own issues, could not rush into this situation blindly. This was not the TreeClan of old. They would not rush so blindly to the aid of other Clans without first considering all options, weighing the cause and effect – even in a situation that required immediate action. Assuming the battle is waging as terribly as Batear says it is, then StoneClan's fighting force is rapidly depleting. If this were a case of StoneClan versus either LightningClan OR RainClan, and not both, then the answer would be obvious. But would a Clan-and-a-half be enough to drive away a fully united force?
Lives would be lost. TreeClan lives would be lost.
So many cats spoke of honor, so many cats spoke of dying for a good cause – but was this one such cause? Was the fight of another something TreeClan needed to take up themselves?
StoneClan could label him selfish, but Lionstar did not feel overly swayed to rouse a fighting force and charge into the heat of battle for the sake of nothing more than it being a good cause.
The golden tom's tail-tip twitched, and a low, pensive thrum rose out of his throat – neither a growl nor a purr, simply a noise of contemplation, as if to reassure the two sets of eyes settled upon him that he was not wasting their time. This required as much delicate consideration as he could muster. What's to stop LightningClan and RainClan from tearing us apart next? Who would we turn to then, NightClan? This almost brought a disgusted laugh out of the figurehead of TreeClan, as if he found the very idea as distasteful as it was unlikely. A warrior, covered in scratches and with terror in her eyes would not be sent to plead with the overly proud and bigoted Ravenstar, not from TreeClan, not ever. Is that my pride talking? With the idea that this StormClan or whatever they called themselves was enough of a reason to have the scales of justice tilt in StoneClan's favor, to force the tom to come to a decision that didn't necessarily sit so easily with him.
Lionstar opened his eyes, able to catch the bloodlusty look out of the warrior he had allowed to sit in with him, Bloodtalon's peculiar taste for battle not at all lost on him. In the instance that he looked out into the peaceful surroundings just beyond his den, the congregated cats with their ears pricked forward and their jaws moving ever so slightly, able to see the questions on their tongues of what's going on? The TreeClan leader knew he could not so recklessly endanger their lives for some outdated sense of chivalry.
TreeClan must survive. Even if this would earn them the debt of StoneClan, he would rather lose their debt then let a single one of his Clanmates fall from interfering in a battle they had no place in.
”I am sorry, Batear, but TreeClan cannot help you.” The finality in his tone consented that he did not wish to discuss it with anyone else beyond his own inner critic. There was no time. He may not have been able to supply StoneClan and Batear in particular with the assistance necessary to perhaps turn the tide against a horrible, double-Clan attack, but Lionstar would not worsen the damage by keeping the warrior from the Clan that needed him so badly. I cannot, in good conscious let him go without at least sending someone to heighten their chances of survival, no matter how slim. He would not send a single apprentice or young warrior. It would be experienced warriors only – there was no other kind of cat he would dare risk the lives of, not with so high a potential for outright slaughter. They've gotten out of control. What is Sandstar thinking? He could not attest to the judgment of Redstar, for she was new – and had Batear mentioned Hawkstar in the beginning?
If this battle was truly as horrendous as he thought it was, then whomever Hawkstar had chosen for deputy may yet step up to succeed him, if Hawkstar had not made the trip to the Moon Tree.
Making another quick decision, Lionstar addressed Bloodtalon, voice sharp, tinged with urgency. ”Bloodtalon, you will escort Batear back to StoneClan – take two or three senior warriors with you who are fit enough to join the battle. Help where you can, but do not linger or senselessly endanger yourselves.” Golden eyes flicked to their corners, settling upon the tom who had so correctly been named for his ears. ”I cannot give you any more than this, Batear, but should Hawkstar and your deputy survive so steep a battle, let them know that an effort was made. We are not the ThunderClan of old, Firestar is long long dead – but we have not lost all our compassion. Go now, your Clan needs you.” Just as I am needed here.
As soon as Bloodtalon departed with Batear and the chosen few, Lionstar would leap upon the Ancient Stump and layout the entire ordeal, intending to deliver the facts that had been presented to him with as much professionalism as possible. He was not asking for their approval or their opinions, he was simply outlining this strange, weighty turn of events – and that the Clan amongst the trees should sleep with one eye open, and be weary of those who hailed from Rain and Lightning.
A storm had fallen upon StoneClan, and Lionstar had been given no such indication that the storm was simply going to stop.
With the survivability of TreeClan always in mind, even sending so few a number of warriors for Batear to bring back with them did not sit well within the heart. It was a battle between his sworn obligation to TreeClan and TreeClan alone, and well as his reluctance to sit back and do nothing while a Clan was so grossly turned against and chased from their home.
Lionstar's pelt bristled, mane spiking outwards in all directions, his golden eyes narrowing as though he could see the enemy advancing across the front lines.
Thoughts of his vanished apprentice had been soundly driven from his mind, and for a few embittered seconds, Lionstar faintly wished that feeling afflicted over Featherpaw disappearing was the only thing he'd have to worry about the rest of this newleaf.
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Post by Fate Admin on Mar 18, 2013 22:51:46 GMT -5
”I am sorry, Batear, but TreeClan cannot help you.”
That simple phrase had Batear’s heart dropping to his toes like a stone in the river. He opened his mouth to argue, to plead more with the TreeClan leader, but the tone in which Lionstar had spoken was clear. There was nothing more he could say to sway the other tom; he had made his decision. His jaw closed with a sharp clack of his teeth as desperation filled his eyes. If TreeClan would not help then NightClan certainly would not be… StoneClan stood alone, and Batear was not stupid or naïve enough to think they stood a chance. They stood alone, and alone they would fall. His mind raced, trying to come up with some solution, something that would save his Clan, but even his highly strategic mind could come up with no such miracle.
He looked down at his paws, the knowledge sinking in that this their last hope was shattered, that he would be returning to a hopeless battle, that he had been unable to bring the help his Clanmates needed most. He looked up sharply as Lionstar spoke again, a spark of hope flaring that perhaps he had reconsidered after all. But no. Not exactly anyway. He glanced back at the bulky tom who had brought him here. Bloodtalon was his name. His pelt rippled with unease at the name, though he supposed it might better explain his morbidity earlier. A cat with such a morbid name was bound to be morbid himself, surely, at least to some extent. He turned back to Lionstar as he was addressed once more and dipped his head sadly.
He held no real anger for the TreeClan leader. Under the Warrior Code a cat owed loyalty only to their own Clan. Lionstar had no real obligation to help them at all and Batear would not hold it against him if he did not want to get his cats involved in a battle that had nothing to do with their Clan. He had no idea what hardships TreeClan might be facing on their own… last he knew NightClan was stealing their prey, after all. He stood, drawing himself up and taking a deep breath, preparing to return to the battle, and to give his life if Hawkstar asked him to. He nodded slightly to Lionstar, “I… understand, Lionstar. Thank you…. I hope to see you again. May StarClan light your path.” And ours. With that he turned and exited Lionstar’s den to find Bloodtalon had already found a small patrol of warriors to accompany him back. There was a strange look in the dark tabby’s eyes… an eagerness that Batear was rather confused about. Oh well, he didn’t have time to dwell on it. Like Lionstar said, his Clan needed him.
It was Bloodtalon who stepped forward to address him, “We’ll take you the fastest route out of TreeClan territory to StarClan’s Claws. You can take the lead from there.” He kneaded the ground excitedly, anxious to be off, to see this great battle and to partake in it.
Batear simply nodded, turning toward the entrance as Bloodtalon flicked his tail and charged forward, following the TreeClan cats with a heavy heart. He only hoped now that he had not dallied here too long.
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