What Shall We Do Now? [CLOSED]

Jaystar waited in his den. His nest was undone but he didn't mind it. He wasn't sleeping much anyway. The leader watched at the light that came out of the cave under the willow tree waiting for the two cats that were called to his den. With Windclan forbidding them the privilege of crossing their land to reach the Moonstone, it was time to discuss what they could do. He didn't want to take a decision by himself since it concerned both Fallowpaw, the only medicine cat in the clan and Scorchclaw, his deputy who sometimes did the journeys to the Moonstone.

From his point of view, there were a few options. Search for an alternative path until Windclan decided to stop being a bunch of fox-hearts or attack Windclan to demand the right back... However... that would mean a cost of resources and the clan would have to be left unprotected with Shade still out there... There was a difficult decision to make in his paws.

Scorchclaw was livid. It was already well into the night, but the fluffy deputy had no intention of retiring to his nest. The gathering had just ended; worn out, most of the RiverClan cats that had attended were stumbling back to their respective dens. Their return had naturally roused the camp somewhat. Those that had stayed behind wanted to know what had happened at the gathering, and they were quickly filled in by those who had gone. A small part of the large brown tabby did not want to believe that Brindlestar had done what she had. Really, however, he wasn't surprised. It seemed just like something the fox-hearted leader would do. Judging from his words at the gathering Jaystar had been outraged. As his deputy, Scorchclaw was completely on the tall gray tom's side. Just as he had thought, he really could not stand the other clans. There had seemed to be some other tension between the leaders as well. While indistinct, he had made out some sort of a tense conversation from atop the Great Rock before the gathering had officially started. It seemed that one of RiverClan's warriors had been acting out of place, visiting the other leaders. Tinystar's report had confirmed it too. Why did things have to be so troublesome?

With a soft huff of indignation, Scorchclaw padded into Jaystar's den. "Here I am." He gave a low growl. His pale-green eyes were dark, simmering with anger that he tried to control. Thanks to Brindlestar's decision, they had to decide what they were going to do now.

Small paws led Fallowpaw to Jaystar's den, bright blue eyes flickering back and forth across the fairly barren camp. The few cats that she saw were those that had yet to retire to their dens for the night, those that were int he process of doing so. It had already been a long day for the young she-cat, being slightly sickly and having to care for an entire Clan in the process. She could only thank StarClan that Scorchclaw had noticed this and taken over some of the Moonstones for a while to give her a small break, allowing her time to rest, even if it was only a little. But now, she was completely in charge of them again. The allegations against RiverClan outraged the petite Medicine Cat Apprentice, but Brindlestar's trivial announcement pushed her far, far beyond outrage. There were no words to describe the livid flame that had ignited in Fallowpaw's heart. As she made a bee-line towards Jaystar's den, a resentment- No, a hatred- fiercer than anything she'd ever experienced before burned in her icy blue eyes.

Fallowpaw could care less about Brindlestar's petty reasoning behind what she'd done- It was no excuse for handing the lives of RiverClan's apprentices directly to a deadly traitor who had no intentions of sparing any RiverClan- or, for that matter, any Clan cats lives. Navigating this prominent issue would be difficult, but Fallowpaw didn't care. RiverClan would have their rights, regardless of what Brindlestar thought. As she ducked into Jaystar's den, she sat down with a huff right next to Scorchclaw. "Shall we begin?" A note of irritation was clear in the Medicine Cat's voice, and both toms knew it took a lot to actually make the she-cat mad. Obviously, it wasn't directed towards them, but if it didn't give them an idea as to what she was thinking, she wasn't sure what would.

The leader walked to one side to another like a trapped lion. As well as the other two cats, he was furious and offended but it was not time to unsheath his claws. He greeted the deputy and medicine cat with a nod and took a sit in front of them. "Thank you for coming. I will be quick this time and go straight to the point. We cannot ignore Brindlestar's actions and we have to do something about it. Even if I would love right now to make her change her mind by seeing how serious I was about watching her clan from ours, there's the fact that we can't leave the clan unprotected. There are greater dangers outside the clan that could attack the camp. It seems that Shade is no longer alone and I've received reports of a strange group of cats near the Twolegplace. We can go to war and risk it." His tail waved as he tried to keep his fur in one place but it was hard. The Windclan leader had crossed the line for something it was her warrior's fault. "Or, we can wait and find a temporal way to go to the Moonstone without crossing the moors until Shade disappears from the forest and we can be sure that no other group is ready to attack us. However... this would mean less protection for our apprentices and for you, Fallowpaw. We have to make sure that this new path is safe enough for you, far away from predators and Twoleg's nests. It will be longer than usual and will require more herbs, that's for sure." He let out a hiss and clawed a fallen leaf. However, he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. He had to stay cool, calm. Anger could only lead to more troubles and that was the least he wanted.

"Either way, apprentices can't be left without their journeys and the chance to speak to their ancestors. What do you both think?" The leader ended sharing his thoughts and shut his mouth, waiting for the other two cats to speak their minds.

Once Fallowpaw had joined the other two toms, the meeting begun. Following his leader, Scorchclaw sat down on the sandy floor of the den. A tense, agitated atmosphere filled the hollow beneath the Willow Tree. Even the medicine cat apprentice, who seemed to have a relatively good temper, seemed to have been pushed past her limit by the events of that night. The fluffy deputy listened with pricked ears and a sharp gaze as Jaystar spoke up. Just as the tall gray tom pointed out, something had to be done. If WindClan thought that RiverClan would roll over and allow the moor-dwelling clan to carry through with their decision, they were sorely mistaken. However, there were other factors to take into account. With the sporadic twitch of his tail tip, Scorchclaw sat silently until the leader was done speaking. He had heard the same reports that Jaystar mentioned. No group of cats Shade associated with could be good news. RiverClan was lacking crucial information such as the number of rogues in the group and their--no, Shade's--purposes. How likely was an attack from these cats when RiverClan was fighting against WindClan? Gritting his teeth forcefully, the fluffy brown tom lashed his tail. As much as he would have liked to go to war against WindClan right at that very moment, he knew he had to make a rational choice.

"I could take a patrol of warriors to scout out a new route." He said after a moment of silence. His tone was more controlled than he really felt on the inside. "There might be a path that could work for now. As best as we can, we should try to gather more information on Shade's activities. The risk that he attacks the unprotected camp seems low, but we can't say that for sure. For now, we should wait and watch.” Even if only for a short while, he hated the idea of letting Brindlestar get away with what she was doing. Nevertheless, they couldn't be rash in making such a decision.

The tip of Fallowpaw's tail twitched back and forth as the she-cat listened to the older tom's words, comparing Scorchclaw's with her own and nodding agreeably. As much as she wanted to go against every nerve in her body pointing her towards war, she made an effort to calm herself as she looked at the two fluffy cats discussing what would happen. She was better than that, she knew how to make reasonable decisions... Unlike that WindClan scum, Brindlestar. She could not for the life of her figure out what would compel the she-cat to do such a thing when it was a warrior of her own that had caused the situation she so emptily blamed on RiverClan. Brindlestar was supposed to hold a position of respect, one that takes great effort and hard work to obtain. At one point, Fallowpaw found herself in awe of her, looking up to her in so many ways. But now... Any traces of that were burned to a crisp. She nodded her head gently when it was time for her to speak. "Before I properly begin, I would like to request one small favor, if it's not too much to ask. I think it would be fit to send one warrior to accompany myself and the apprentices on each Moonstone Journey. Having to travel further only poses a greater opportunity for Shade to lay his claws on them or myself." She nodded gently, seeing that Jaystar and Scorchclaw seemed to be in agreement. After that, her voice was devoid of it's usual sweetness that she'd begun to be known for.

Fallowpaw curled her fluffy tail over her paws and looked from Scorchclaw to Jaystar. "I think, surely, that it is unfair to blame the whole of WindClan for the actions of one she-cat, just as it is unfair to blame Viperstorm for the events that took place at the Gorge. As much as we may want to, I do not believe war could be considered rational in a situation such as this, with the threat of Shade lurking around every corner." In the absence of war, Fallowpaw wanted to offer something else, but she wasn't convinced that it was something that the two of them would like. What's wrong with a shot in the dark, though? "Brindlestar's choices are far, far from what we know to be reasonable. But it is to my understanding that your predecessor, Ivystar, was known for making decisions that were likely seen unfair in the eyes of WindClan. They should know just as we do how it feels." 'Wait... Where am I even going with this? Back on track.' "Unlike WindClan in those times, we cannot sit by and watch them take everything we know from us. Yet, that seems to be exactly what we're doing. Shade and his accomplices will need to be dealt with, no matter the situation. I say why not catch two fish with one claw?" She shook out her pelt, trying to shake off any uncomfortable feelings along with it. "As soon as Shade is dealt with, we've got to do something. It isn't right for the entirety WindClan to suffer for Brindlestar's actions, but it is equally as bad for us to endure the consequences of letting it slip." She looked down at her own paws. As much as she hated to say it, violence might be their only option. "I think we should give Brindlestar a choice. Revoke her statement, or subject her Clan to RiverClan's tooth and claw."

occ; just to be clear, Fallow is suggesting The Choice™ AFTER Shade has been dealt with.

The leader heard with attention the words of both of his clanmates and somehow, he seemed to relax under the rationality of both of them. Their propositions were right what Riverclan needed and even if Fallowpaw's words were confusing as well, he agreed with her. They couldn't remain quiet but jumping to war was nonsense too.

Jaystar nodded once the she-cat was done and he raised his tail slightly, with a resolution in his mind. First, he glanced at his deputy. "Lead a dawn patrol in order to search for this new, temporal path. Make sure is safe enough and that there's no scent of Twolegs or dogs. We cannot risk the safety of Fallowpaw and the apprentices. That's why..." He turned his face to the lighter-furred she-cat. "I agree with your request. Every Journey you will be accompanied by at least one warrior to make sure that you will be okay."

He then took a look on both them, his pose firm and his expression stoic. "Riverclan cannot tolerate this injustice and after hearing your suggestions, I believe that the warning will be the most suited solution for now. There's no point on starting a new war unless Brindlestar decides to be same unreasonable cat she had proven to be until now. And, as you suggested, Scorchclaw, we have to keep track of this new group and start to search more deeply for Shade. He had to be dealt with quickly... Riverclan has lost too many good cats because of his blood-thirst... and we need to keep our cats alive and healthy if a new Windclan war starts."