[Taxx]

Teller of the Mountain Sky

It was early morning, the sun just peeking over the horizon and spilling warm orange light into the mouth of the cave, creating long shadows among the cats who sat gathered in front of Skyteller: two groups, one of prey-hunters and one of cave-guards, sat just a bit back, with Light and Osprey side by side, and in front of them, their four kits, each bright-eyed and expectant. Skyteller met each kit's gaze for just a moment, and then he spoke, lifting his chin. "I have decided that the time is right to add to our ranks. These four are ready to take their place among the prey-hunters, who keep us fed, and among the cave-guards, who keep us safe. Shadow of Soaring Eagle," he continued, turning to the lanky young she-cat, "Your parentage is mixed, as not many are, and you have taken after your father's lean form. As such, I name you a to-be of the prey-hunters, and I entrust your instruction to them. Dusk that Shrouds the Forest, I place her in your care. You are still new among us, but your loyalty is plain to be seen. If you have doubts, or questions, the other prey-hunters will be there to give you what guidance you will need." A short pause to allow the two to greet each other, and then he turned to the other three. He couldn't quite help feeling glad that they had taken after Light's stouter frame, for their need of cave-guards; even Rock, with his lame leg, was strong and stocky. "Stag in Morning Light, Song of Rushing Stream, and Jagged Rock Under Tree Root, you all have the makings of sturdy cats, and as such I name you to-bes of the cave-guards. Hail from Storm-Dark Sky, Rose With Crimson Petals, I give you Song and Stag. You are both reliable, and I know you will do well in guiding them. Dark Clouds of Gathering Storm, I give you Rock. I know you will do your best to guide him." Another pause, another moment to let the three new to-bes to disperse, and then he called Speckled Leaf in Snow and Roar of Rushing River forward, raising them to full status as prey-hunter and cave-guard. And then, with that over, he ended the meeting, releasing the Tribe to begin their duties for the day. Fawn williams BlooRey DVD @calico Hellion

made by redox of gs

[Deleted]

Eagle was so excited, she could barely keep still. Skyteller had gathered all his cats around, divisions clear between the prey-hunters and the cave-guards, so they were clearly distinguished by their frames.

The prey-hunters were long, lithe and limber. The cave-guards shorter, stockier, sturdier.

Eagle knew all three of her littermates were destined to be cave-guards. They had taken after their mother, whereas Eagle had taken her father's stature. She wasn't sure what her place was, she hoped that she'd become a prey-hunter, be able to make a direct impact on the longevity of the tribe by enabling them all to eat at the end of a long day.

Her mother had groomed all four kits to within an inch of their lives; Eagle could still feel the gentle roughness of her mother's tongue as it had rasped over her pelt, smoothing down any kinks in her fur, making sure it all laid flat (and in the same direction). She had asked, then, what was about to happen, why she was being groomed so thoroughly.

"Because, my sweet love, today you're going to become a to-be."

She was told no more than that, hence her current feeling of nervous energy.

Skyteller approached her, named her a to-be prey hunter.

Fantastic! Exactly what I wanted to be.

When Dusk was named as her mentor, she scampered over to the group of prey-hunters, immediately touching noses with him. She tried her hardest not to plague him with questions as her brothers and sister were named as to-be cave-guards.

258 / Taxx Fawn BlooRey DVD Hellion williams

[Fawn]

Dusk that Shrouds the Forest

If you get lost you can always be found

Prey-Hunter, 57 Moons

"Dusk that Shrouds the Forest, I place her in your care. You are still new among us, but your loyalty is plain to be seen. If you have doubts, or questions, the other prey-hunters will be there to give you what guidance you will need."

Dusk's throat unexpectedly tightened, a surge of disbelief and gratitude putting a lump in his airway that prevented him from purring his thanks. Gaining an apprentice had been an impossibility, in NightClan. He knew in his heart that he should stop comparing 'what was' with 'what is', but the contrast was at times so drastic - and so... meaningful to him that he could not help dwelling on these things.

An excited nine-moon old kitten, all excited limbs and twitching whiskers, rushed over to greet him. Dusk wrested with his emotions, smiling fully as their noses brushed in greeting. "I am Dusk that Shrouds the Forest. I wasn't born a Tribe cat, but that doesn't mean I do not understand what it means to be one." The tortoiseshell tom's heart was thundering with excitement, and he was grateful he'd taken an extra dose of goatweed before settling down to sleep last night. This morning might have gone very differently, otherwise.

It was important to get his condition out of the way. If he was honest and upfront about it, most cats generally accepted that he was an oddity, and left it at that.

"There's something I want to talk about, before we leave the Oasis and get a look at some of our hunting lands." Dusk began softly, willing his courage not to fail him as he tried not to anticipate a negative reaction from Eagle. "I have a...disability, where sometimes if my heart beats too quickly and I get too emotionally worked up, I fall asleep without warning. It usually lasts only a few seconds. Do not be frightened if it happens suddenly while we are out." Dusk's tail twitched with embarrassment, but he smothered it as best he could. Honesty was important. He wanted to start off on his mentoring duties with a nice, open dialogue between them.

"I'm not hurt or dying, or anything like that. I'm just asleep. I can be nudged awake, or simply speak my name loudly and clearly, that should do the trick. Any... questions?" The former NightClan cat braced himself.

Tribe of Forgotten Waters

393 Words // @calico Taxx // Notes