Prophecies and Decisions

[nightstorm]

Russetfang padded towards Ravenstar's den, and called out. "Ravenstar? You wanted to see me once I had finished with the kits?" he called out, shifting from paw to paw. He knew that the kits were likely to be just fine, once they recovered from the shock, but, like most medicine cats, he was reluctant to leave a patient in another cat's paws. He trusted Rowanclaw, and, surprisingly, Finchstep, to watch over the kits, but as always, Russetfang preferred being there.

((Short post... >.< Rivermist will enter soon....))

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Sitting in his den with his paws tucked underneath him, Ravenstar waited patiently for Russetfang to care for the ShadowClan kits and come to see him. Their arrival had certainly been a surprise, but not an unfavorable one. For once Finchstep had done him a great favor; it may have been an inconvenience to tolerate the presence of the loners she brought with her until the kits were cared for, but the opportunity to indebt ShadowClan to them was well worth it. Once he found out whether or not the kits were in good health, he could turn his attention back to the more important issue at paw. How was he to keep Rivermist's kits in WindClan without starting a fight with ShadowClan?

The black tom assumed that the queen would want to keep her kits in the Clan. It was true that their father lived in ShadowClan, but the issue of the kits moving to their father's Clan had never been raised before. And if anything, it made more sense for the tom to change Clans and live with his mate and kits than to split them between their two parents. Ravenstar considered this option, but didn't put a lot of confidence in it. More likely, he would have to persuade Specklestar out of her demands by himself. That was, assuming Rivermist refused her request. He doubted that she would want to give up four of her kits, but perhaps she felt more indebted to her mate than he had previously considered.

Hearing the sound of approaching pawsteps, Ravenstar was ready when Russetfang called out to announce his presence. "Come in," the thin tom ordered calmly, letting his pale green eyes flick to the medicine cat. First things first; he had to assess how the kits were. Much of their standing with ShadowClan depended on whether or not they found their young in good health. "How are the two kits faring?" he queried. "Have you tended to their needs?" He blinked questioningly at the other tom, letting concern color his questions. Once he was assured of the two cats' safety, then he could proceed to the main focus of their conversation; Russetfang's dream.

[nightstorm]

Russetfang padded into the den, his green eyes meeting Ravenstar's. He dipped his head respectfully, and sat down, his tail once more curled over his paws. "The kits will be fine," he said, with palpable relief. "They just need time to recover from the shock...they've had quite the unfortunate experience. Their wounds are superficial, though, and I think they will be fine in a few weeks. Though, the grey one, Duskkit...she may have a broken rib or two. I'll leave it up to Feathercloud to decide what treatment she wants to go with." He ran over the list of the kits' injuries in his mind, making sure he had gotten everything. Yep. He had treated them well. Now, if they would just eat the rabbit, they could grow stronger.

Now on to Rivermist's decision, and his dream. "Rivermist isn't in camp," he commented. "But I think she will be back soon. I do not envy her this decision. It can't be easy...I feel certain that this dream has everything to do with Rivermist's decision. Or, at least the Great Split does...not sure about the death and new life part..."

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Nodding, Ravenstar tucked away the information in a corner of his mind and filing it away for later. It was good to know that the two kits would recover; now, on to more immediate concerns. The small tom listened intently to Russetfang's thoughts about the dream that he had received. "So, you believe that the prophecy has to do with Rivermist's kits?" He wondered how this could be the case, and mulled over the possibility of this affecting all four Clans. Still, something about the dream bothered him. Translating the truth of prophecies that StarClan sent was the job of the medicine cat, but Ravenstar couldn't help but form his own ideas about what meaning the dream might hold.

"It is possible that you are correct," he began, "and the splitting of Rivermist's kits may affect all four Clans. ShadowClan could easily grow bolder if we give them the kits, or they could attack if we do not. Such tense situations could easily result in conflict between all four Clans. However, one thing about this split perplexes me. You told me that StarClan said to you 'a great split is coming,' and 'from death, new life will spring.' Important as Rivermist's kits are to her and to the Clan, I can't help but wonder if that alone is enough to warrant a warning about a 'great split.' You said yourself that you do not see how the second part of your dream could relate to Rivermist's kits. Is it possible that the prophecy that StarClan sent you has two meanings?"

OoC// Oh, Night, I don't know if you were aware, but the plan we're going with right now is for Rivermist to just decide to agree to Specklestar's request and give four of her kits to Foxfur. RiverClan and ThunderClan are going to come in later and demand some, thus splitting them further, so Rivermist doesn't need to decide to split her kits off into four Clans on her own. She just has to decide to send some to their father.

[nightstorm]

((I figured, Spore, but I admit I was a bit unsure. Thanks! ))

Russetfang nodded. "Yes, I believe the first half of the prophecy does have to do with the kits. After all, either way Rivermist chooses, as you said, it will definitely affect us and ShadowClan. If Rivermist gives the kits up, then ShadowClan is stronger, and there is a very strong possibility that ShadowClan will try for more territory. You know how ambitious Specklestar is. But if Rivermist decides to keep them, then ShadowClan will most likely attack anyways. Either way, there is a very real possibility of a future battle." He sighed. This was going to be complicated.

He cocked his head as Ravenstar asked about the possibility of two prophecies. "Yes," he admitted, "The possibility had crossed my mind. However, I cannot fathom what they mean by 'from death, new life will spring'. It could mean that there will be battles, which brings about death, and new litters, which is new life. But it could also mean many other things as well. What were you thinking?" Yes, he may the medicine cat, and it was his job to interpret dreams, but he always was careful to ask Ravenstar's opinion. Two heads were better than one, after all.

((I'll bring in Rivermist in a few more posts....))

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Ravenstar shook his head at Russetfang's question. He may have been an observant, analytical cat, but he was no medicine cat. StarClan rarely spoke to him unless he sought them out first. "Your guess is as good as mine, Russetfang," he said cautiously. "It could really mean anything. Life is always followed by death, and the opposite is true as well. It is a cycle that has continued since before even StarClan remembers. My only advice would be to keep this dream in mind over the next several moons. Hopefully it will become clear in time." Flicking his tail and wrapping it more securely around himself, Ravenstar narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he considered the matter further. "As for the first part of the dream, we should probably keep this from the Clan unless StarClan wishes for it to be otherwise. There is no need to concern them until we are sure exactly what the prophecy means."

OoC// Enter Rivermist? Best to get this going as quickly as possible.

[nightstorm]

Russetfang nodded. "True. I shall continue to think more about it, and try to decipher the second part of the dream. And I agree. There is nothing to indicate that this dream is vital to the rest of the Clan's knowing, so let's just keep this from them, until I can figure it out." His ears twitched at the sound of approaching pawsteps, and a familiar scent flooded his scent glands. Rivermist. Had she heard anything?

((Enter Rivermist!))


The queen poked her head into Ravenstar's den, her eyes dull. "Ravenstar?" she asked, her voice slightly raspy. Seeing her leader, and Russetfang, Rivermist tentatively entered. "I've made my decision," she said softly, not meeting their gazes, and staring down at her paws. "I've made my decision," she repeated, half to herself, as if she couldn't believe that the words were coming out of her mouth.

Russetfang's gaze flickered to Ravenstar's, then back to Rivermist. She looked tired, and worn-down, and it seemed as if she was having trouble just staying on her feet. She did not look happy. Oh StarClan, she's giving up her kits... Russetfang's heart ached for the troubled queen. She would not be so grieved if it was the other way. No, she would merely be anxious.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

OoC// Fast post. I just want to get this done. x3

Ravenstar flicked his eyes to the den entrance at the sound of approaching pawsteps and saw Rivermist padding reluctantly into the den. As soon as he saw the queen, the thin cat knew what her decision had been. The guilt and grief on her face was enough to tell him without her saying anything that she had decided to allow some of her kits to be moved to ShadowClan. The black tom wished briefly that the queen would reconsider, but he wouldn't try to force a decision on her. Doing so would likely only earn her distrust, so he would have to make the best of what came. "Are you sure, Rivermist?" he asked calmly, as if he didn't already know that her mind was set on one decision. He waited patiently for what she had to say next.

[nightstorm]

Rivermist raised her gaze to Ravenstar, her grief nearly choking her. "Four of my kits will go to ShadowClan," she rasped at last. "But please...do not ask me to choose which ones. I cannot merely give them away, or favor one over the other. You do the choosing."

Russetfang padded up so that his fur brushed the queen's. "But aren't there a few of them that don't get together as well? Perhaps you should choose which four, Rivermist, and ensure that the four are with those that they are most comfortable with..." He blinked in surprise as the she-cat whirled on him, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Do not ask me to choose which of my kits I love more," she spat, her green eyes venomous. They wanted her to choose between her kits! An impossible decision, for she loved them all, equally. The rational part of her mind suggested that Shadowkit and Streamkit be separated from Swiftkit, but she could not bring herself to admit it. She turned towards Ravenstar, her chest heaving with barely suppressed rage. "I refuse to choose the four," she said through clenched teeth. "The decision is yours, Ravenstar. Do whatever you think wisest..."

[Yoko]

Bristlepaw had gone ahead at the order of his mentor. He moved quickly, thinking that Ravenstar would want to have plenty of time to meet the unexpected arrivals. Part of him was shocked that this was actually happening. He never thought he'd see the day when ShadowClan would be allowed to traipse into their camp! But he refused to question Hailwhisker's judgement. He would just have to get back to camp as fast as he could.

He entered camp swiftly, trying not to bowl over his clanmates. At first the scent of the loners suprised him, but he reminded himself that they had already been there. Loners and ShadowClan cats? I have a bad feeling about this... But he concentrated on the task at hand. Ravenstar was not in the clearing. He must be in his den. Bristlepaw noticed Ripplepaw on his way there but just winked at her, so she knew he would explain later.

He paused outside the leader's den, hearing Rivermist's voice inside. That was right...Foxfur was on the patrol too. Maybe he should tell her that so she doesn't die of shock when she sees him. Be serious, Bristlepaw! he scolded himself.

"Ravenstar!" he called clearly from the entrance. He entered tentatively. He had never been inside before, and he was suprised to see Russetfang present too. "Hailwhisker ran into a border patrol on ShadowClan territory. They want to come and check on the ShadowClan kits and they are already on their way."

[nightstorm]

Russetfang opened his mouth to speak once more, but was interrupted by pawsteps. Hearing the words, ShadowClan patrol, he instinctively looked towards Rivermist. The queen was tense, painfully so, her eyes widened and nostrils flared.

A faint scent touched her scent glands, and Rivermist felt her fur begin to bristle. ShadowClan! Foxfur! She stood, feeling as though she had been turned to stone. "Does he know?" she whispered. "Has he seen them yet?" There was no doubt of what she was speaking of. Had Foxfur seen their kits yet? He had come, to steal them! "He mustn't take them from me..." she murmured to herself dazedly.

Looking at Rivermist with a concerned expression, the medicine cat padded to her side, brushing his pelt against hers soothingly. "Let's go see what they want then," he told Rivermist. Looking towards his leader, Russetfang continued, "I need to make sure one of the ShadowClan warriors let's Feathercloud know about what treatments I used for the kits. She would want to know." He felt Rivermist suddenly break away from his side, her steps hurried as she exited Ravenstar's den without a word.

[. s p o r e l e t t ♪]

Ravenstar blinked slowly at Rivermist's grave announcement, not surprised at her ultimate decision, but at her refusal to choose which kits would be going to ShadowClan. He felt certain that it was a decision she would later regret, but that was little concern of his. For now, they still had three days until ShadowClan expected their decision; he had until then to choose which kits would be going and which would not. "If that is your choice," he meowed to Rivermist, "then I will, of course, do as you ask." He looked up at the sound of pawsteps outside the den, and saw Bristlepaw waiting outside.

"Yes, Bristlepaw?" he called, waving his tail for the young tom to come in. The apprentice had been sent out with Harewhisker to inform ShadowClan about their kits; he knew that the older warrior wouldn't have sent his apprentice to speak in his place unless it was important. Listening attentively to the tom's report, he grimaced inwardly at the news of yet more cats on their way to his camp. Had WindClan's camp become the new Gathering place, now? Getting to his paws, Ravenstar looked at Rivermist and Russetfang and nodded for them to go. "I'll be out shortly," he told the medicine cat as Rivermist rushed away. He would wait a moment to collect himself, then go out to greet his ShadowClan guests in person.