[Justice]

Leaf-Fall Day 17 Valley Year 5.

Amberwing

13 Moons, She-Cat, TreeClan

Most of the time patrols were assigned. But this time she'd taken a bit of inititive, just told anyone that asked that she wanted to have a run with Mockingbird so she could talk with her former mentor. Because she respected her and wanted to discuss hunting tactics and how she'd improved. Doting former apprentice things that were normal at her age. Things no one would question. She was catching on to how things were done. How the game was played. Cater to how they thought you should be, things went more in your favor. At least she hadn't been asked to go with her sister or something. She loved her family, but Fawnpaw wouldn't understand the things she needed to discuss with Mockingbird. This was something for adults only, and her sister wasn't quite there yet.

So she'd met the other she-cat at the entrance to camp and started on the way, not really setting a destination. Just away from camp so they could talk was her thought. Her body was getting bigger. Soon she'd out-stand her mother, which didn't surprise her from what she could glean of her mother's tails of her father. He'd been a big tom, so why shouldn't his kits get that big too? It didn't bother her.

Once she felt they were far enough away she slowed her gait to something casual and regarded the other she-cat. "I need your advice. "

And what a lovely night it is
To walk a moonlit field
To see the softer shades
That are by starlight now revealed
✦

Words ✦ Fawn ✦ Notes

[Fawn]

Mockingbird

42 Moons. Warrior-Queen of TreeClan

Mockingbird had returned from a brief sparring session with Berrypaw when she'd been informed Amberwing wanted a word with her. The quiet purr of acceptance of this news did not have to be faked. Dismissing her son to the apprentices' den, Mockingbird's lithesome form slipped back out of the massive hollowed tree and to the camp entrance. Which, unsurprisingly, was near the ancient stump.

Mockingbird's luminous golden eyes stared into their depths for a couple of heartbeats. She had to wonder... When Lionstar saw those eyes, did he think of her sire? Did he lose sleep over the fact that Grayowl was still alive, lurking in the shadows?

Oh, she hoped so.

Amberwing arrived shortly thereafter and they left camp together.

"You will have it," Mockingbird replied, lending her former pupil a listening ear. Few cats could claim to hold Mockingbird's attention without something sinister or conniving lurking underneath; outside of her mate and her kits, Amberwing was the only cat to hold such a title.

Their prior conversation had been about Finchpaw, so Mockingbird wouldn't be far off the mark in guessing that was also the topic of this discussion - however... Amberwing had surprised her before. She would make no assumptions until the young warrior spoke her piece.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

Justice - Notes - 209 Words

[Justice]

She slowed her pace when she felt as though they'd gone far enough away to be safe to have this conversation. She looked around for a few minutes then slowed almost to a stop so she could have a normal conversation. "Have you noticed how my mother tends to do whatever Lionstar tells her to? She has become one of his favorites." She shuddered in revulsion. "Mild and calm, and no opinion of her own save the one he gives her."

She hissed then, tail slashing around behind her as she turned to face the other she-cat. "When we first came to this valley, it was after she'd pulled us from beyond the valley by herself. She lived through death following her paws first with her family and then with her mate and half of my litter. She fought her way here with us still unweaned, ran her paws raw, fought and refused to give up all that time. When we first came she didn't want to be one of the crowd, she was independent, a she-cat that thought for herself and didn't abide by anyone's rules. But Lionstar backed her into a corner. He made her meek and maliable because he's twice her size and strength and she's still so young."

Green eyes narrowed and the grey she-cat paced back and forth as rage roiled off her body with each tense paw-step she took. "Moonfeather lost her fire. Lionstar threatened a half starved, injured, desparate queen with separation from her kits so that she'd do what he told her. He forced her to comply, and when she fought back he hung my siblings and I over her. Like he could take us away from her forever!" The words came out on a snarl, her fur standing out on end. Amberwing didn't see a reason to hold back her anger in front of Mockingbird. She'd understand where she was coming from.

"I wonder if it makes him feel like he's a good leader, beating down a cat barely old enough to be called a warrior until she has no personality natural to her left." She took a deep breath, shutting her eyes and dragging all that fire back inside herself. "I want your help rescuing my mother from Lionstar. What can I do, what can we do, to pull her from his control?"

Fawn

[Fawn]

Mockingbird

42 Moons. Warrior-Queen of TreeClan 

Amberwing's fire was a pleasure to witness. Mockingbird heard the vehemence in the words her apprentice spat out, and saw the deep-rooted discontentment in every movement, every part of Amberwing's posture. Mockingbird agreed and disagreed with Amberwing's assessment of Moonfeather's recent meekness, however any faults she found in Amberwing's argument didn't matter. All that mattered, was that Amberwing was sharp enough to realize that their oh-so-benevolent leader was not as 'perfect' as he portrayed himself as.

"The burdens of leadership take a toll on any cat," Mockingbird replied, tail curling around her paws as she sat. "In Lionstar's case, it manifests in bullying, heavy-handedness, and favoritism. Though he has always favored brute strength over logic. Moonfeather must be reminded of her own strength, her own voice." Mockingbird seldom respected or admired others. However, the trials Moonfeather had been through - taking care of two very young kits and traveling on what must have felt like an unending journey - earned Mockingbird's respect. It was no easy feat, and though she favored keenness of the mind over physical endurance, something could be said of Moonfeather's resilience.

And, from one mother to another, Mockingbird respected the risks Moonfeather took to ensure her family survived.

"The less time she spends with Lionstar," said Mockingbird. "The better. Remind her of the importance of family. Reconnect, so that her connections with those who truly matter are strengthened; bonds are like leaves. If they are not nurtured, they will wither." It was time to let the unhealthy bonds die, and the true roots grow strong.

And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

Justice - Notes - 257 Words

[Justice]

Her tail was still lashing violently behind her, though outwardly that was the only lingering sign of her displeasure. She reached inside of herself for calm and considered her mentor's words. "If Gorsetail was any better option there would be a Lionstar anymore." Her tone was frigid, even as she spoke of murder. "Anyone that disturbs my family deserves no mercy from me." She sighed. "But that's not an option right now, not in the long run. Even if Lionstar were to die, he'd just come back. Then I'd be separated from my family anyway. For now, it seems we must remain under his rule."

Amberwing considered the matter of her mother again, pacing a little back and forth. "He doesn't have as much time for her anymore, not with a mate and kits on the way. Pulling her away now is the best time while he's distracted. She's really fond of Gorsetail too, but one problem at a time." She sat down, head tipping and considering her options.

"Maybe Fawnpaw, Aspenpaw, and I could all go out hunting with mother. She'd like that. Maybe make it a trip and get permission," Here she rolled her eyes, "from Lionstar, to have her show us the route she took into the valley. Not beyond, just how she found herself within TreeClan territory."

Fawn

[Fawn]

Mockingbird

42 Moons. Warrior-Queen of TreeClan 

"Anyone that disturbs my family deserves no mercy from me."

Mockingbird smiled; it was authentic, and perhaps there was something unpleasant about that - but Amberwing would not see it that way. They were in good company, teacher and student. Looking at the gray feline outlining a plan to undermine Lionstar's influence, Mockingbird felt as if she were staring at a reflection. The similarities were just that - similarities, not perfect matches - but they were enough to stir feelings of fondness and kinship in a cat who rarely felt either of those sensations outside of her immediate family.

"That seems a wise endeavor. Even if our beloved leader's hold over Moonfeather is stronger than anticipated, there is nothing stronger than kinship. If I, or my mate can be of help, you need only speak up." Magpiewing would likely enjoy this issue of Amberwing's to be worked out; scheming aside, it was long overdue that Magpiewing meet the real Amberwing.

And that Amberwing meet Owlstrike, in all his craftiness and manipulative skill. He played their game so well, and their beliefs aligned... perfectly. This was what Mockingbird wanted; an alliance of blood, a Clan within a Clan, where kinship and ideals could withstand being trapped in this forest full of idiots and lesser minds. Where Lionstar and all his ilk could not sully them.

Mockingbird would defer to Amberwing's judgment when it came to Moonfeather; for a cat who felt as passionately about family as she did, Mockingbird understood all too well how quickly it could rankle and annoy if someone else were to act as if they knew what was best for their loved ones. An irritating lesson she had been forced to learn when Lionstar incorrectly assigned Ravenpaw to Honeysong, much to her daughter's absolute disgust.

If Lionstar had been so keen to make a mistake, Mockingbird would have instructed him to toy with someone else's offspring.

We've got secrets
Buried deep inside these walls
But you'll never hear them talk
There's no stopping now.

Justice - Notes - 313 Words