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Post by Jaecarys on Aug 29, 2023 10:36:46 GMT -6
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/920197329640902686/1128004475026686144/dawn_icon~jpg | ✹ dawnclaw, So if you look back and you hate my past, just know I'm doing everything that I can. I'm doing everything that I can. I told you that my whole life, could have sworn I would die young, my last words, twenty two years on my tongue—I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck. |
Dawnclaw left the tree he’d just marked at the southmost edge of their territory, prowling along the barrier between plains and the forest, following it west toward the gathering place. Inwardly he cringed — it had been a disaster, albeit one that could have gone worse. No fighting had broken out, but Mushroomstar made certain that news of the fight at the border spread like a heavy snow, drifting over the valley, coating every tongue. And for some reason, somehow, Hailstar had been the one defending him. Hailstar, the very leader Dawnclaw had charged against under Wolfstar’s order, defended him and now patrolled MistClan’s border alone with him. Funny, how quickly things change. It had only been one cycle of seasons since he’d left RidgeClan. Dawn paused at the edge of the tall grass, dusted with fresh snow. The frosted plains stretched further than he could see from the ground, but he knew the barn was out toward the furthest edge, close to the rapids. He flicked his tail. Someone had to know something. Those barn cats might at least know someone who would have taken the kits, maybe heard something about the kits. But the threat of war was on the horizon. He couldn’t be sure what state RidgeClan was in, whether Mushroomstar was prepared to attack, or just how much the structure of the Clan had eroded. Snowflakes started to drift, small and gentle. He flicked an ear, tilting his head up at the gray-wool clouds. They could become desperate, with the scarcity of prey now. Or they could predict MistClan to be weak and take their chance. He wondered if it would be a part two to the Holy War, or if this would be one of retribution. ”Hailstar,” he said. ”Are we prepared enough? Guards posted at the bridge are a good warning system, but perhaps we should make a permanent station there. Rotate our warriors. Increase border patrols.” Had he inherited his father’s paranoia, or was he a good strategist? He couldn’t tell anymore, and he was desperate to feel secure enough to leave, even if only for a short time. StarClan forbid an attack be launched while he and Iris weren’t there. |
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Post by shy on Sept 9, 2023 8:33:52 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/564x/28/06/a4/2806a44c062e380780351db734b7e242~jpg Hailstar, Leaf-bare had taken it's toll already. Hailstar had lost another life not that long ago, but there was no time to mourn it or linger. He had to show the clan he was fine, and as far as they knew he was recovering from a simple illness, not a lost life. Mistclan needed him to be strong. He'd been picking up more patrols to help compensate for the pawful of days he'd recovered from his illness. He had lives to spare that his clanmates didn't. Dawnclaw wasn't a common patrolmate of his, but between the warrior's spat with Mushroomstar and newfound interest in Irisfrost's lost kits, he'd heard much more from the tom in recent moons. And as an ex-Ridgeclan cat, he might have better insight into how his old clan was fairing. If his worries of war were justified. Snow had begun to stick to the ground. Hopefully Ridgeclan was struggling more than they had last leaf-bare. Hailstar didn't want to wish harm on others, but if they had only enough strength to keep alive in this cruel season, well that would make peace easier. " There is no need to post permanent guards here. Littlestar has given us no reason to expect an attack from her clan." If anything she'd shown the opposite. The change of a true alliance between their clans seemed a reasonable possibility in the future. " Remember what happened last time permanent guards were posted along a border?" He didn't hold Dawnclaw's actions against the tom, but it was worth remembering what happened. The last thing he needed was an enemy at this border, where they had so many places to invade from. Ridgeclan was limited to either the log or going through the gathering place, both much easier to monitor and defend. |
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Post by Jaecarys on Sept 10, 2023 7:17:20 GMT -6
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/920197329640902686/1128004475026686144/dawn_icon~jpg | ✹ dawnclaw, So if you look back and you hate my past, just know I'm doing everything that I can. I'm doing everything that I can. I told you that my whole life, could have sworn I would die young, my last words, twenty two years on my tongue—I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck. |
"There is no need to post permanent guards here. Littlestar has given us no reason to expect an attack from her clan." Dawnclaw was inclined to agree, but unbidden anxiety sunk icy claws into his chest. A wounded part of his mind festered with the idea of Littlestar coming to resent MistClan for harboring an ex-RidgeClanner, one with PrarieClan blood on his paws. His leader continued. "Remember what happened last time permanent guards were posted along a border?" It was like Hailstar had read his mind, verbalizing the violence he was prone to. His ears turned back, growing hot as he watched the falling snow. He gave a slight nod, but didn’t speak at first. His mistake was costing them desperately needed security. ”I didn’t mean to take his life,” he said, voice soft. ”I didn’t want to. When he pounced on me, all I saw was the first cat I—” The warrior swallowed hard. He’d made his apologies when he first arrived, explained his story and why he left RidgeClan. But in the cycle since the war, he never spoke of that. So he forced himself to say it. ”The first cat I killed. A PrarieClanner. It's what I was taught to do my whole life, actualized in that moment, and the unlearning…” He sighed. It felt impossible, sometimes. ”The things I’ve done, the mistakes I’ve made, they have made ripples in the valley,” he said, still watching the drifting snow. ”I fear without a guard on the RidgeClan border at least, we will have no warning of when those ripples reach us. Perhaps the fastest of us remain hidden, with orders not to engage, and only return to camp with an alarm or reports. It’s what I should have done.” And if it were only the fastest posted, he would not be one of them. |
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Post by shy on Sept 24, 2023 16:20:03 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/564x/28/06/a4/2806a44c062e380780351db734b7e242~jpg #s://i~pinimg~com/564x/28/06/a4/2806a44c062e380780351db734b7e242~jpg Hailstar, ” I didn’t mean to take his life.” Few cats ever did intend to kill their enemies, at least consciously. Fights were fast, brutal. Mistakes get made, or someone acts without thinking. And as a result cats die, and tensions rise. It seemed that Dawnclaw might've taken his comments as a reprimand instead of a reminder. Hailstar let the tom talk, listening as he stared out at the border. ”The things I’ve done, the mistakes I’ve made, they have made ripples in the valley.” How sad that such a young warrior held so much on himself. " You aren't the only cat who killed someone that day. If Prairieclan seeks revenge they will not seek it at our borders." While his clan harbored some born of Ridgeclan, so did Prairieclan. And the densest concentration of those at blame for the war still stood squarely across the river. " If you fear retribution from some specific cat, then simply avoid the border when alone. I'll ask the deputy to ensure you are stationed elsewhere or with another." Hailstar could not imagine Prairieclan attacking, especially in leaf-bare. His biggest concern was that they would not assist Mistclan against another Ridgeclan attack. " Do not assume that your past mistakes will haunt you forever. Time moves on, consider joining it in the present." He had made his own mistakes in the past. Luna, chief among them. Yet here he stood, leader of Mistclan. More recently he stood as the supposed father of Riversong's kits. He would do everything to ensure their lives stayed normal and safe. Everyone deserved a chance to move on from the past. "I will not post extra guards at this border at this time. Our attention is better served on feeding the clan. That is final." |
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Post by Jaecarys on Oct 13, 2023 17:24:10 GMT -6
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/920197329640902686/1128004475026686144/dawn_icon~jpg | ✹ dawnclaw, So if you look back and you hate my past, just know I'm doing everything that I can. I'm doing everything that I can. I told you that my whole life, could have sworn I would die young, my last words, twenty two years on my tongue—I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck. |
Dawnclaw remained silent and frustrated, jaw clenching as he stared out at the moors. But still, he listened. Hailstar wasn't Wolfstar - he was the leader for a reason, leading a peaceful Clan with allies, one that was faring well in the wake of war. You would do well to listen to your elders, boy, Sunstorm said in his mind. "I will not post extra guards at this border at this time," Hailstar concluded. "Our attention is better served on feeding the clan. That is final." Dawnclaw forced his tail not to lash. It isn't even this border I'm worried about, he almost cried like an indignant apprentice. That first kill he'd ever made haunted him still, seeing the shock in that PrarieClanner's eyes, but no, that had been war. They all had blood crusted under their claws. It was Mushroomstar he was worried about. Taking that life was the mistake that could make waves in the valley. The vitriol he displayed the gathering was enough concern for a war. He almost voiced these concerns. Almost. "Yes, sir," he murmured instead with an incline of his head, forcing himself to trust Hailstar's judgement. It was harder than he thought it would be, after Wolfstar. He lapsed into contemplative silence as they continued their patrol, trying to sort through what thoughts were logical and what thoughts were driven by emotional paranoia. It felt impossible to judge. "I've been spending time with Irisfrost lately," he said, breaking the silence. Easier to talk about something solid, something not about him. "I know the last time we spoke about her kits, I asked about pushing beyond the borders... and we'd like to, her and I. We want to speak with the barn cats." |
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Post by shy on Oct 23, 2023 17:25:49 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/564x/28/06/a4/2806a44c062e380780351db734b7e242~jpg #s://i~pinimg~com/564x/28/06/a4/2806a44c062e380780351db734b7e242~jpg Hailstar, Hailstar watched Dawnclaw, wondering if his words had actually reached the young tom. The warrior agreed not to push the matter further, but would it truly be the last he'd hear of it? His next words caught Hailstar off guard. Irisfrost? He'd heard that she and Dawnclaw had gotten closer, but that was hardly relevant to this conversation. Then the tom continued, and it became clear. Pushing beyond the borders. A risky move, no doubt. Especially in leaf-bare. The barn cats were likely no threat, and most loners or rogues could be repelled by a strong force, but Mistclan needed its warriors focused on getting the clan to newleaf. But then again, maybe the clan needed something positive to rally behind. A reason to move forward other than simple survival. If the kits were found, it would be a powerful moment for the clan. A victory. A show of strength to the other clans. Though the odds were beyond slim after this long.
"Fine." He spoke after contemplating for a few seconds. " But know this, the search cannot take away from other duties. The clan must be fed, the borders must be guarded." " And if you truly wish to speak to the barncats, we'll need to let Littlestar and Praireclan know first. They could provide introduction, or permission to cut through their lands if we're lucky. At the very least they deserve to know cats would be in the area." The last thing they needed was their only friendly neighbor upset at them, or suspicious. |
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Post by Jaecarys on Nov 2, 2023 11:47:11 GMT -6
#s://cdn~discordapp~com/attachments/920197329640902686/1128004475026686144/dawn_icon~jpg | ✹ dawnclaw, So if you look back and you hate my past, just know I'm doing everything that I can. I'm doing everything that I can. I told you that my whole life, could have sworn I would die young, my last words, twenty two years on my tongue—I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck, I'm bad luck. |
Dawnclaw waited in tense silence, until finally, Hailstar relented. “Fine,” he said. "But know this, the search cannot take away from other duties. The clan must be fed, the borders must be guarded." The warrior’s tail lifted, and he nodded. ”In leaf-bare especially. I understand.”"And if you truly wish to speak to the barncats,” he went on. “We'll need to let Littlestar and Praireclan know first. They could provide introduction, or permission to cut through their lands if we're lucky. At the very least they deserve to know cats would be in the area." He nodded again, slowing his steps to look out across the field of grass, like he might find someone to ask then and there. It was a necessary process, but damnit it all if he wasn’t frustrated by it. The sooner they started, the better. There had been little time to question any of their clanmates about that night, but he certainly still intended to. Someone had been involved, and someone had to know something. He met his leader’s eye. ”Maybe Briarpelt, Iristfrost, and I could speak with them,” he suggested. ”If we set out as soon as possible, we could have clues within the quarter moon.” Dawnclaw paused, flicking his tail. ”Hailstar. What are your thoughts on what happened that day?” Surely he had to suspect something. |
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Post by shy on Nov 3, 2023 17:33:41 GMT -6
#s://i~pinimg~com/564x/28/06/a4/2806a44c062e380780351db734b7e242~jpg #s://i~pinimg~com/564x/28/06/a4/2806a44c062e380780351db734b7e242~jpg Hailstar, Dawnclaw seemed satisfied with Hailstar's decision. No doubt Irisfrost would be as well. And as for the rest of the clan, ideally it would give them a spark of hope to keep them going till newleaf. " I'll let Briarpelt know I've agreed to expand the search." How would the deputy take the news? Briarpelt had been there for her since the kits went missing. Maybe he'd agree with Hailstar on this. " Speak with him when we get back, see if he agrees with you three as a patrol. Listen if he disagrees." Even with cats searching outside the borders, would it make a difference? Dawnclaw seemed certain they'd find clues, and soon. But trails ran cold easily. They'd need luck, more luck than Mistclan had in recent moons. If the kits were alive, and found, it would be a greater miracle than he'd seen in his youth when finding his lost sister. " There's little point in hearing my speculation on the matter. You have your theories and plans, I'm sure. Focus on those first." Hailstar didn't want to discourage the tom. In his opinion, they were likely dead or long gone. At best maybe one or two had survived long enough to be adopted by twolegs or loners. At worse, well many animals made meals of kits. " All I'll say is good luck. And keep me updated on the search." |
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