News from High Stone

[Yoko]

Specklestar padded into her den after Feathercloud. It was especially dark in their, but her keen senses were able to decipher Feathercloud's face and the position of her nest and all of the necessities.

"No, no," Specklestar mewed, green eyes shining in amusement. "Poppyfrost has had her kits while you were away. Don't worry! I requested for Earthfoot to come and help us while you were away. You have several new patients to care for Feathercloud. Brindlepelt was injured on dawn patrol by a fox, and another warrior has broken a leg. But you can go and check on them after we speak. First, tell me the news from Starclan."

The den was very roomy, nearly a circle in shape. But the roof, made up of gnarled tree roots, was lower in some places than in others.

[Ki]

Feathercloud winced as her leader spoke. Specklestar's tone wasn't cold or angry, but guilt weighed down on her heart all the same. The she-cat was firmly devoted to her Clan, and was ashamed for not having been there when they needed her! They had to ask Earthfoot to come help, for StarClan's sake! "I'm sorry I wasn't present, Specklestar. You know I didn't intend for my journey to last any longer than a day."

"StarClan didn't seem to want me to leave Highstones." Feathercloud said, a slightly edge of irritation in her voice. Not at her leader, but the cats she so often shared dreams with. "I received many signs while I was there. Most of them seemed to involve kits." This worried her. Was there some ominous danger lurking out there, trying to snatch ShadowClan's next generation away? "Something waits for them."

[Yoko]

Specklestar nodded. "I know you did not Feathercloud," she mewed seriously, and noted that she shouldn't have taken such a light tone a moment ago. Afterall, it had been very difficult for her to ask Thunderclan's help and Feathercloud's absense had caused complications, but there was no need to trouble her too much over it it had been necessary.

"That's all? That's all they told you in the space of a full day?!" she mewed, incredulous.

[Ki]

Feathercloud winced again. "No, that is not all. One of the dreams I had involved two kits wandering into the swamps with a warrior. I think it means we'll have two new future warriors." She curled her tail around her front paws again, her eyes on the ground. "And I also had a much darker dream...I saw two other kits being dragged away from the territory..." From the mewls she'd heard in that dream, the kits weren't willing to leave either. What did it mean? To gain two future warriors, they had to lose two future warriors? Or were the other Clans planning on stealing ShadowClan cats to make up for their own lack of warriors?

"There's something else...with all these dreams about kits...dying or being born...we can't deny that we're growing, Specklestar. What will happen when ShadowClan has too many cats and not enough prey? Feathercloud asked seriously, raising her eyes to meet her leader's gaze. There had been no message about starvation. But with all of these kits and these messages involving them, one couldn't help but wonder. [b"I didn't receive any messages about our Clan starving...but I think the point is there. Paleflower and Poppyfrost both have their kits now, and we're already the biggest Clan."[/b] The idea in itself was frightening.[/color]

[Yoko]

Specklestar listened carefully. It wasn't often that Starclan said so much. The news of two new warriors interested her, as did the disappearance of two. She hoped that that didn't mean death. Hopefully those cats would just leave. Specklestar would rather they not die, even if they had to be banished or left. She cared for all her warriors despite their great numbers.

Her eyes narrowed. It was not like Feathercloud to ask such a question, but she supposed that it was valid. She felt her medicine cat was loyal enough to know. "To be perfectly honest, Feathercloud, I believe we have the food supplies and medicine supplies we will need for quite a while. However, this territory will not sustain us for much longer than a few green-leafs. So I feel that it is time that we expand the territory.

[Ki]

"Expand territory?" Feathercloud repeated quietly, her amber eyes growing slightly in surprise. The other Clans wouldn't have it! But, the medicine cat wondered, would they really have a choice? ShadowClan was vast. So vast that a few Clans, such as ThunderClan and WindClan were dwarfed in comparison. Feathercloud knew that this would mean war. War that would, undoubtedly, spill blood. But her loyalty to her Clan would remain steadfast, whatever the reason. "When will this...expansion come?"

[Yoko]

Specklestar could see the worries of her Medicine Cat. This was why she had not announced it to the entire Clan tonight. Though, many had been asking for an expansion long ago.

"I suggest you start stocking medicine supplies," she mewed seriously. She felt that much was sufficient. "I would appreciate very much if you kept this to yourself, Feathercloud. I don't want to panick any cat. But this has to be done."

[Ki]

"I see." Feathercloud said understandingly. She was already calculating in her mind which herbs she would need most. Cobwebs, for sure. As all as a few to prevent infection. The medicine cat nodded once as her leader spoke again. "I won't tell a soul, Specklestar." The thought of war, however, made her head reel. Some part of her told her this was necessary however. ShadowClan was becoming huge. They needed more territory or else they'd all starve, from the oldest elder to the youngest kit. Meanwhile ThunderClan was barely half their size and had tons of territory it didn't even need.

"Some of the warriors might be happy about this. I know a good many have been asking for this." Deep in her heart, Feathercloud prayed it would not come to blood spill. Perhaps Specklestar and the other leaders could work something out. After all...they must all be able to recognize ShadowClan's need, correct? Maybe the leaders could end up thinking of some way to peacefully resolve this. "Have you consulted StarClan on this matter?"

[Yoko]

Specklestar knew that Feathercloud's word was solid, truly dependable. She wondered briefly if other Clan medicine cats were just as loyal. They would have to be. If they weren't the clans would have fallen to chaos long ago. She had come as an outsider to the clans, and maybe that was why she could see the vast importance of Medicine Cats. She could see Leader's and Medicine Cats as more equal than her clanmates could ever see.

The speckled leader laughed, "I would have sent you if you hadn't gone." She was joking of course. Afterall she had been considering this for moons. She became serious again. "No. I have not. And to be honest, I think that if there was anything they wanted us to do instead of this, they would have told you today."

[Ki]

"Very true." Feathercloud agreed. She didn't receive any messages or dreams about yowling cats or any odd signs. (Other than those keeping her at Highstones.) Though it was odd, almost unsettling, that StarClan had remained silent for so long. They must have known that Specklestar had (hopefully) been pondering this for many moons. Wouldn't they have sent a sign to either her or Feathercloud herself? "Just tell me about any signs or dreams you have, then." Feathercloud didn't like this. It didn't bode well to any of the Clans. But she would do her best to bite her tongue. This DID seem very reasonable. It wasn't like they were asking for something they didn't need.

"So you're planning on telling the Clan soon?" Feathercloud asked. If it was close enough for her to stock up on herbs, then the day of the announcement was fast-approaching.

[Yoko]

Specklestar hoped she had not troubled Feathercloud too much. She would need her support and dedication to this Clan more than ever. Now was not the time for wavering judgement. She was again a little suprised by Feathercloud's question. Yet again, it was valid.

"I haven't set a date yet. In fact, I've not decided which side to attack yet. You say that, WindClan should be handing over at least two kits, correct?"

[Ki]

"Yes, that's what it looks like. And two will also be stolen. If they're the same two, I don't know." Feathercloud replied. She looked her leader over. Specklestar was wise and strong. This would all turn out right. She would support her leader and Clan through this. Regardless of her worries. Feathercloud uncurled her tail from around her paws and let it swish at the air determinedly. When she had the time, she would have to practice her battle skills. She was far too small to ever do any real damage, but she could at least hold a cat off for a few precious moments. There were bound to be times where she would have to defend kits or a wounded warrior. "Promise lurks for some of ShadowClan's young, while danger lurks for others."

[Yoko]

Specklestar sighed. She had been stressed lately and while she'd done a great job of hiding it. She suspected that this would only grow worse in the moons to come...she must be strong too.

"I will tell the Clan, when I myself know," she mewed. "I just hope there will be some warning first. If WindClan gives us those kits, and we attack anyway, all three clans will destroy us. I cut it close this time I admit...we could have gone to war just two sunrises from now and would hardly have had time to tell the Clan. I will try and be more prudent next time."

She sighed. So much trouble in what had started as a peaceful greenleaf.

:You should go," she mewed quietly. "You have patients to care for, and I don't want to keep you here."

[Ki]

Feathercloud nodded once. She got to her paws and began to pad out of the den, grateful to be able to go tend to her patients. The ShadowClan medicine cat hesitated however. She turned back around with the swish of a fluffy tail. "Whatever you decide on, Specklestar, I'll stand by." Specklestar was what Feathercloud would consider a best friend. They had to work together and in harmony in order for the Clan to function properly. The two had to be close. "And put my mind at rest and post a guard near the nursery, please..." With that, the tiny she-cat hurried off to see her patients.

[Yoko]

The Medicine Cat's words settled Specklestar's mind a bit. At least she didn't have to fear for her Medicine Cat's loyalty. "I'll be sure to do so, Feathercloud." she mewed as the Medicine cat left.

((Thread closed))