Laurelfern had some free time and figured she’d use that time to lead a hunting patrol, so she collected a pawful of hunters and sentries and headed in the direction of the western border. The boundary wasn’t far from the Skywalker camp, but she moved at a snail’s pace, pausing a few times to taste the air. Her patrolmates didn’t seem to mind, talking quietly amongst themselves or searching for prey like Laurelfern, and one of them even managed to catch a small mouse at one of their stops - it practically ran right into their claws. When they finally reached the border, Laurelfern started moving north. There was a strip of mountains between the Skywalker camp and Nightwalker camp and she thought they’d try their luck there.

As Laurelfern led her patrol along the border, a familiar scent drifted across her path. She recognized it from around the Riverwalker camp - from before it had actually been the Riverwalker camp, that is. She’d scouted the territory multiple times prior to claiming it as The Kingdom’s and this smell in particular had been quite strong near the lake. She hadn’t come across it in a while - until now. Laurelfern stopped, turned to her patrolmates and said, “Why don’t you go on ahead? I’ve got something to take care of, but I’ll see you back at camp.” There were some confused looks exchanged and a couple of questions, but in the end, her patrolmates agreed to continue without her.

She watched them go for a moment before following the scent. It didn’t take long to find the origin of it, a small orange and white tabby tomcat. Everything about him screamed tired. Laurelfern wondered if it was physical or mental exhaustion - or both. Either way, this stranger didn’t seem like much of a threat and she believed in treating others with respect until they proved they didn’t deserve it. As she neared, she meowed kindly, “Hello.” And as she sat down across from him, the border and a few tail-lengths of space between them, she asked, “Are you okay? You look worn out.” Laurelfern’s expression displayed genuine concern and her voice remained soft and friendly. “Is there any way I can help you?”

The tom didn’t show any animosity at all. There was respect in the way he dipped his head and he spoke courteously. Laurelfern believed she was a good judge of character, which was, perhaps, proven by how she’d proposed the idea of The Kingdom only to certain cats back when it had been just that - an idea. The tom was very clearly harmless and immediately, Laurelfern knew she liked this stranger. There was a hint of nostalgia in his tone as he spoke about his former camp that was now part of The Kingdom’s territory and how beautiful the area had been. Her heart went out to him. He’d found a home and she’d stolen it from him. Maybe she could make this right. Maybe she could give him a home. The Kingdom, after all, was home for anyone who needed one.

She nodded as he asked if the land was claimed now. The Kingdom wasn’t nearly as strict about its borders as the clans were, though. Although The Kingdom’s borders were regularly patrolled, outsiders were free to come and go as they pleased. However, there was a high possibility they’d be halted by a Kingdom patrol, one who might either invite them to join if they were friendly or warn them not to cross the boundary again if they were hostile. The point of borders in the clans was to keep those who weren’t born there out and those who were born there in, but The Kingdom’s borders would one day be known by all as the place where hope and new beginnings started. The Kingdom was still new and everyone was slowly learning how it worked - Kingdom cats, clan cats, and outsiders alike - but Laurelfern had big dreams for it.

“Take care of it, will you?” The tom requested, sounding an awful lot like he was ready to part ways, but Laurelfern wasn’t very eager to let the stranger go so easily. “You don’t want to stay and take care of it yourself?” she asked. Of course, the tom likely didn’t know much about The Kingdom, but if he’d had any run-ins with the clans, he probably assumed The Kingdom was like them and wouldn’t take in an outsider. “I recognize your scent. From near the lake, right? Well, I’m Laurelfern, founder of The Kingdom and leader of the Skywalkers. If you’re looking for a home, you’re in the right place.” Her voice softened as she continued, “I’m sorry I encroached on your camp. The last thing I want to do is prevent you from using it, but I also have made a home here. Many have. If you’re interested, you could join us?”

“Ah…” Laurelfern knew a rejection was coming. She couldn’t exactly blame the stranger for refusing her proposal, not when he didn’t know anything about what she was offering. When she’d approached others to ask them to consider joining her in the mountains, there was always some curiosity - questions asked, eyes flashing with interest - and Laurelfern never failed to let them know what to expect from The Kingdom. But this stranger didn’t even show a little inquisitiveness. His expression and body language didn’t change, not a bit, and he didn’t ask a single query. She assumed he must’ve already built a new home elsewhere. Typically, cats without a place to belong gave The Kingdom a chance, but those who already had homes had no reason to stay.

The ginger tom went on to explain that he was more of a wanderer and how traveling was one of his family’s customs. Laurelfern nodded as he spoke, both to prove she was listening and also to show she was intrigued by his traditions. Wanderlust was what had brought her to the mountains all those moons ago, back when she’d been a RidgeClan apprentice. Exploring new lands and experiencing new things - it was compelling. But apprentice-aged Laurelfern could’ve never left her friends and family behind. And present Laurelfern had tied herself down when she’d created The Kingdom. But there was a role in The Kingdom that had yet to be filled, a role she’d once considered taking for herself to satisfy what little wanderlust lingered within her, but something had stopped her. Maybe she’d known someone better suited for the role would come along to occupy it. Sure, she didn’t even know the stranger’s name yet, but again, she believed she was a good judge of character.

“I understand your concerns,” Laurelfern said kindly. “But what if there was a way you could call these beautiful mountains home while also carrying on your kin’s traditions? There is a role in The Kingdom that has yet to be filled and that is its liaison. The liaison acts as The Kingdom’s mediator and much more. They travel between camps, carrying messages and resolving disputes. They may also travel to other groups, like the clans, if necessary. They’ll speak for The Kingdom’s leaders at Gatherings, too, which is when we, along with the clans, gather beneath the full moon under a truce to exchange news.” Laurelfern studied the stranger’s expression, searching for any sign that he might be tempted by the role. “If you’re interested, the liaison position is yours.”

Laurelfern knew this must be a lot for the stranger. Surely the last thing he’d expected to happen today was to be asked to join a group called The Kingdom - not just as a member, but as its liaison, a unique position with many important responsibilities. And he also probably hadn’t expected to be asked within moments of meeting the founder of The Kingdom. Perhaps Laurelfern should’ve taken it lower so as to avoid overwhelming the ginger tom. Perhaps she should’ve started with his name. She must sound an awful lot like a naive fool, inviting a stranger into her home. But this stranger was a traveler and he seemed rather equable and affable, which was exactly what she was looking for in a liaison. She couldn’t let him be the one who got away - not without fighting for him first.

The silence that settled over them as the ginger and white tom pondered her question was a bit anxiety-inducing, but Laurelfern managed to maintain her composure. “Another kind offer, one I would quite like to accept.” His words brought a smile to her face, a smile which didn’t disappear even as he asked if his family’s traditions could become part of The Kingdom’s culture. She knew she’d finally found the right cat to fill the liaison position and all she had to do to get him to agree to join was accept his terms, terms which she’d be happy to assent to. She might have created The Kingdom, but The Kingdom was for her supporters to shape. If the stranger wanted to share his rituals with others, then she wouldn’t stop him.

“Of course you may,” Laurelfern said. “We welcome those with all different types of backgrounds and their experiences are what mold The Kingdom. We’d love to learn from you.” She was eager to find out what the tom had to offer The Kingdom - all good things, she was sure. “Whenever we get new members, we introduce them to their new life slowly. Since you’ll become our liaison, I’d like you to spend several days at all three of our camps so you can get to know us well enough to speak for us. I figure we’ll start with the Skywalker camp and then we’ll work out the details of your upcoming tour when you’re ready to move on.” She didn’t want to rush him and scare him away from The Kingdom before he even got the chance to see how important it was to those who resided here.

In an attempt to soothe any anxiety she might be causing the ginger and white tom, she added, “I know this can be overwhelming. We can go at whatever pace works best for you. On our way back to the Skywalker camp, maybe you can tell me all about your family’s traditions. And maybe you’ll share your name with me, too?” With that, Laurelfern rose to her paws and backed up a few steps, gaze flitting between the border and the stranger. All he needed to do to make their agreement official was take that step over the boundary. “Are you ready?” This would be a huge change for the stranger, but she hoped that with some time and her support, he’d adjust. The Kingdom could benefit from a liaison and the stranger could benefit from The Kingdom. Could he see how good this would be for everyone?