Post by Hellion on Oct 28, 2020 12:25:42 GMT -5
[googlefont=Satisfy][googlefont=Lato][googlefont=Nanum Myeongjo][googlefont=Montserrat]
Oh all the money that e'er I spent
[smear:DAA520]VALIANT[/smear:f8eed3]STRIDE
ELDER OF STONECLAN
Oh all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
The distant calling of his name twitched his ears. By the time he opened his eyes the voice was gone. Whoever had been calling for him likely grew tired of the elder's lack of response. Rising onto grey-ing paws. Valiantstride headed from the elder's den in search of whoever called for him. In the early hours of night, very few cats were even awake to be looking for him. The first thought was perhaps an apprentice had been tasked with delivering poppyseed to him. Ebonyheart had made it per personal mission to keep the pain of aged joints as dulled as possible. He often found himself out of breath when thanking the young medicine cat.
Heading in the direction of the apprentice den, he found it filled with sleeping apprentices, not a single nest empty. He eased himself out of the entranceway, careful not to wake the budding warriors. It likely wasn't any of them that had called for him. He headed instead of Ebonyheart's den, but out of the respect for the medicine cat, he did not venture too far into her den but was able to spy her sleeping form just beyond the nest prepared for injured or ill cats. Once he realized that she had been sleeping for a while, Valiantstride concluded it was not the medicine cat or a helper calling for him.
Confused now more than ever, Valiantstride thought of his kits next. Had they wanted to check on their father after returning from a patrol? He trotted in the direction of the warrior's den and saw both kits sleeping quietly in their nests. He took a moment, carefully walking over the other sleeping cats to press his nose to each of their's cheeks. A gentle touch, filled with love. When they did not stirr, Valiantstride could only assume they were deep in sleep and had not called for him.
Refusing to admit how distressing it was to come to the realization he had heard things as vividly as he had. Valiantstride focused on his breathing, in and out to subvert the panic. He blamed it on exhaustion and old age. Not to mention it had come while he slept deeply, likely the leftover of a forgotten dream. He needed to go back to sleep, bury his head in Skunkspot's side and forget about the strange voice. Headed in the direction of the elder's den, Valiantstride entered the den but hesitated from going further.
There beside Skunkspot was his own body. Or what he could assume was his own form. Cats only ever saw themselves in reflections in water or the rare reflective ice formations. A cry of confusion caught in his throat when his name was muttered again. This time by the unmistakeable lit of Hawkfall. His greatest friend.
"What is going on?" He started, distress filling every word.
"It is time Valiantstride, StarClan wants to take away your pain and let you run free once more," Hawkfall explained
"I have to say goodbye to her," Valiantstride insisted, Hawkfall nodded, stepping back out of the den to give Valiantstride enough space. Valiantstride laid down opposite of Skunkspots now, his muzzle mere whisker-width away. He exhaled a deep breath but her whiskers did not move, he closed his eyes to avoid getting too caught up. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I want you to know that I never loved a cat more then I love you and I think I have to go first to make sure I find us our own spot. Where you can feel safe and we can watch over our kits. Until then I want you to stay here, you can be brave I know you can and only join me when StarClan says it's time," He whispered, rising lick between her ears. Thankful he could feel such a sensation.
Upon parting from his one true mate, Valaintstride exited the elder's den to find the camp clearing filled with so many cats his heart almost burst. The starry-coated shape of Nightpetal and his mate. Valiantstride caught a glimpse of two young kits, who upon seeing him shouted in unison. "Big brother!". His voice caught in his throat, realizing his sisters had come to greet him, to walk with him. "Mom and dad are waiting for you, hurry up!" He could only assume it was Iriskit that barked orders at him, the reminded him of their mother. Even Hawkstar and his mate came to greet him and bring him to StarClan, Wolfclaw nearby, a dip of his head in greeting. From one deputy to the other.
Fallenleaf came forward and for a moment Valiantstride tensed. Would she be angry for him leaving Skunkspots behind? He had often promised his mate to be with her until the end and in those moments of devotion, he had never considered he wouldn't have a choice when the end would be. Preparing to mutter an apology but Fallenleaf spoke before he could.
“Valiantstride. Your selfless strength is a loss to StoneClan, undoubtedly. But I wish for you, from the bottom of my heart, to find the peace you so deserve in StarClan. The same steadying breath you brought Skunkspots every waking moment.” Her words touched him deeply, calming the anxiety about leaving. The calm radiated further as her nose touched his shoulder.
"Thank you," He replied, choked up enough to need a deep exhale. Those who had gathered with him turned toward the exit of camp.
"Let's go," Hawkfall told him once again, this time Valiantstride nodded. Walking in time with Hawkfall as the party moved out. Iriskit and Yewkit bounced ahead eager in their eternal youth. As the group traveled upward into the stars, Valiantstride began to run. For the first time in moons, he could feel the wind in his fur and the rush of his heartbeat. The pain that had plagued him now gone, his body rejuvenated. For all his time spent devoted to his clan, he could run free.
Heading in the direction of the apprentice den, he found it filled with sleeping apprentices, not a single nest empty. He eased himself out of the entranceway, careful not to wake the budding warriors. It likely wasn't any of them that had called for him. He headed instead of Ebonyheart's den, but out of the respect for the medicine cat, he did not venture too far into her den but was able to spy her sleeping form just beyond the nest prepared for injured or ill cats. Once he realized that she had been sleeping for a while, Valiantstride concluded it was not the medicine cat or a helper calling for him.
Confused now more than ever, Valiantstride thought of his kits next. Had they wanted to check on their father after returning from a patrol? He trotted in the direction of the warrior's den and saw both kits sleeping quietly in their nests. He took a moment, carefully walking over the other sleeping cats to press his nose to each of their's cheeks. A gentle touch, filled with love. When they did not stirr, Valiantstride could only assume they were deep in sleep and had not called for him.
Refusing to admit how distressing it was to come to the realization he had heard things as vividly as he had. Valiantstride focused on his breathing, in and out to subvert the panic. He blamed it on exhaustion and old age. Not to mention it had come while he slept deeply, likely the leftover of a forgotten dream. He needed to go back to sleep, bury his head in Skunkspot's side and forget about the strange voice. Headed in the direction of the elder's den, Valiantstride entered the den but hesitated from going further.
There beside Skunkspot was his own body. Or what he could assume was his own form. Cats only ever saw themselves in reflections in water or the rare reflective ice formations. A cry of confusion caught in his throat when his name was muttered again. This time by the unmistakeable lit of Hawkfall. His greatest friend.
"What is going on?" He started, distress filling every word.
"It is time Valiantstride, StarClan wants to take away your pain and let you run free once more," Hawkfall explained
"I have to say goodbye to her," Valiantstride insisted, Hawkfall nodded, stepping back out of the den to give Valiantstride enough space. Valiantstride laid down opposite of Skunkspots now, his muzzle mere whisker-width away. He exhaled a deep breath but her whiskers did not move, he closed his eyes to avoid getting too caught up. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I want you to know that I never loved a cat more then I love you and I think I have to go first to make sure I find us our own spot. Where you can feel safe and we can watch over our kits. Until then I want you to stay here, you can be brave I know you can and only join me when StarClan says it's time," He whispered, rising lick between her ears. Thankful he could feel such a sensation.
Upon parting from his one true mate, Valaintstride exited the elder's den to find the camp clearing filled with so many cats his heart almost burst. The starry-coated shape of Nightpetal and his mate. Valiantstride caught a glimpse of two young kits, who upon seeing him shouted in unison. "Big brother!". His voice caught in his throat, realizing his sisters had come to greet him, to walk with him. "Mom and dad are waiting for you, hurry up!" He could only assume it was Iriskit that barked orders at him, the reminded him of their mother. Even Hawkstar and his mate came to greet him and bring him to StarClan, Wolfclaw nearby, a dip of his head in greeting. From one deputy to the other.
Fallenleaf came forward and for a moment Valiantstride tensed. Would she be angry for him leaving Skunkspots behind? He had often promised his mate to be with her until the end and in those moments of devotion, he had never considered he wouldn't have a choice when the end would be. Preparing to mutter an apology but Fallenleaf spoke before he could.
“Valiantstride. Your selfless strength is a loss to StoneClan, undoubtedly. But I wish for you, from the bottom of my heart, to find the peace you so deserve in StarClan. The same steadying breath you brought Skunkspots every waking moment.” Her words touched him deeply, calming the anxiety about leaving. The calm radiated further as her nose touched his shoulder.
"Thank you," He replied, choked up enough to need a deep exhale. Those who had gathered with him turned toward the exit of camp.
"Let's go," Hawkfall told him once again, this time Valiantstride nodded. Walking in time with Hawkfall as the party moved out. Iriskit and Yewkit bounced ahead eager in their eternal youth. As the group traveled upward into the stars, Valiantstride began to run. For the first time in moons, he could feel the wind in his fur and the rush of his heartbeat. The pain that had plagued him now gone, his body rejuvenated. For all his time spent devoted to his clan, he could run free.
[smear:DAA520]VALIANT[/smear:f8eed3]STRIDE
ELDER OF STONECLAN
