The Forthright Elder

OOC: This takes place after the deputy ceremony and after Kindle's exile. If you read the recent Cedar vs dog topic, pretend you never read it. I deleted that topic in order to make this work, and I will re-post that later. I know that some of you may assume that this first part is all OOC salt, and of course some of it is, but please know that Cedarfur is actually very protective of his close fam (Smoke and Ice), and so everything that he feels is fully in character, and him wanting to speak his mind/being forthright is also in character for him.

IC: Laying in the dimly lit elders den, Cedarfur let out a huff. For the past moon or so, life had been filled with more than enough stress for the older tom to handle, and it was starting to weigh him down. First Kindleblaze had been exiled, and then Smokepelt had been demoted. Kindleblaze, although his great niece and thus a member of his family, deserved her punishment. Smokepelt on the other hand… not so much. He still couldn't believe Ashstar’s decision and wasn't having an easy time forgiving her. Besides something the former deputy had done moons ago, he'd done nothing of the sorts since then, and the fact that she suddenly decided to demote him was beyond crazy, unfair, and proved that she was a becoming a mousebrain, or at least wasn't in the right mind when making that decision. Maybe all of the tension between RiverClan was really getting to her head.

Just remembering how the whole clan gathered together to hear the news made him want to claw some-cat's fur. Smokepelt had every right to be angry and the way that Brindlewhisker, his own niece had looked at her grandfather made Cedarfur wanted to vomit. Who did she think she was? She hadn’t even originally been a member of WindClan, and now she thought that she was all high and mighty? Of course he would always support his clanmates and most importantly, his family members, but with them all basically disowning and humiliating Smokepelt like that… he was starting to question his loyalties.

'Everything about this is just… stupid,' he commented silently as he stormed out of the elder den and across the camp to the leader’s den, his teeth bared and his tail lashing back and forth. He didn't need nor want to think about all of that right now, but no matter how hard he tried to stop, he just couldn't. What was done was done, but even though Ashstar was the leader, she obviously made a foolish mistake and he wasn't about to let that mistake go unnoticed. Besides, although angry at this whole ordeal, it didn't look like Smokepelt was about to confront his mother anytime soon, and it just so happened to be Cedarfur's nature to dispute things, especially when that thing had to do with his closest family members.

"Ashstar!" the abnormally tall elder yowled, standing a couple foxlengths away from the she-cat's den. He tried to stand as tall and determined as he could, but his back pains made him wince when he got too stiff. "We need to talk," he added in a more growl-like tone than he'd anticipated. It wasn't that he necessarily wanted to start trouble, but with all of the recent events that caused him to have loads of emotions crammed in his head, he needed to speak his mind and decided that he might as well share his thoughts with the clan, seeing that it’s not like he had much to gain or lose at this point in his life.

Icepaw blinked blearily where he sat, the tall apprentice's ears perking up at Cedarfur's calling. It wasn't unusual for cats to want to speak with their leader, but Cedarfur had been mostly confined to his den lately. It was the first time that he had seen the elder move out and about. Was something happening? Did someone get hurt? Maybe something bad had happened? Concerned, the apprentice ducked out his head to see what the commotion was.

Ashstar sat in the leader's den, trying to compose herself. Her heart was hurt, but she had to be strong for her Clan. All her family was treating her like she was crazy, or a mousebrain, but she knew she had made the right decision. The one that had to be made. It had hurt her, yes, which was why making the decision took so long. But what pained her the most was that her family, barring Brindlewhisker, didn't believe her. No- they hated her. The problem was, she didn't deserve it. Her choice had been completely fair and justified, whether they chose to see it that way or not. She had told Smokepelt everything, but he was still choosing not to believe her. The very fact that he thought she would lie or hold back information was almost debilitatingly painful in itself. As Cedarfur's angry voice yelled out across the clearing, the grief inside the leader temporarily kindled itself into anger. She shouldn't have to deal with this. StarClan and she knew that the choice had been right, and that should have been enough. Ashstar was a kind cat, but her kindness was being seen as stupidity and weakness. And, well, if her family was going to yell at her, she could yell right back. The leader turned around to face the angry brown tom coming at her, letting her cold anger at the unfairness of the situation show in her stony green eyes as she glared right back at him.

Ashstar was done playing the fool.

"Cedarfur?" Brindlewhisker called, confusion and annoyance evident in her voice, "What are you doing?" She mewed, tone frosty as she observed the Elder. If he thought he was being sly with his sulking glares and constant pouting, he was about as foolish as a Kittypet. It was clear that Cedarfur thought Smokepelt was the rightful Deputy instead of her- and he was treating Ashstar like some foolish elder because of this belief. The amount of disrespect being shown by their family made her want to claw some cat's eyes out. Were they seriously trying to pick sides in a situation like this? As if someone was actually a victim here? Shaking her head, the young she-cat continued to study Cedarfur with a cold detachment.

Tail giving a furious lash, the newly-named Deputy quickly rose to her paws, face clearly expressing irritation at the situation unfolding within camp. "And please do explain to me as to why you think you can address Ashstar in such a manner?" She added, tone inhospitable. Brindlewhisker padded towards Ashstar's den, annoyance evident in the twitching of her thick fur. Was the Clan going mad? In what world was it okay for an Elder to address their Clan Leader in such a way? A quick peek into Ashstar's den confirmed what Brindlewhisker believed- clearly she wasn't the only one fed up with their families kit-like behavior. Good. It was time to handle this once and for all.

Meanwhile, Stonekit watched the public display with wide eyes, looking at the elder with shock. 'No one should yell at their leader like that, it's not right!' The kit thought with surprise. 'The warrior code wouldn't let this happen, right? She's supposed to be respected!'

His mind flipped through the memories of him looking up to Ashtar, the leader's voice echoing throught the camp as she spoke to the clan. He aspired to be just like her. He wanted to be the best warrior he could be and uphold the code. There was nothing better than the warrior code, Stonekit had decided, and wanted to continue to uphold Windclan to be the best clan of them all.

It was these thoughts that made Stonekit want the elder to stop, but he couldn't because he knew that a kit had no right to interfere. Instead, Stonekit would believe in Ashtar in that she would take care of the elder herself.

Raccoonfang was laying in the sun off to the side of camp, but she was able to see what was happening. The brown warrior went from a relaxed position to sitting up, her pale green eyes narrowing as the new deputy confronted the deranged elder. "Clearly he thinks he can since some of Windclan's cats stopped believing in the part of the code that stats 'leader's word is law'." The brown and white warrior remarked with sass edging her voice. Or rather they stopped following the code in general.

Gustpuddle was confused with all the commotion. She heard Cedarfur yowling and jumped up. When she realized he wasn't hurt, she calmed down a little, but her voice still quivered with anxiety. "W-whats going on? Is everyone alright?"

Upon hearing Brindlewhisker's voice, the elder snapped his head to the she-cat. "Stay out of this, deputy. This is between me and the leader of WindClan, not you," the abnormally tall tom hissed, not in any mood to deal with her suddenly thinking she was all powerful. Ignoring Racconfang's smart-alic remark, he waited for Ashstar to emerge from the den, and when she did, he didn't even know how he could face her. His sister in law, the lover of his dead brother, and leader to the clan. All these things and he should be on her side supporting her, but with all that had happened... he found it hard to stand by her side.

Maybe it was just him that felt this way, but even so, he'd rather stand alone for what was right instead of standing within a crowd of cats who didn't have a clue as to what was really going on. "Ashstar," Cedarfur started, facing the leader and meeting her cold gaze and using every ounce of his strength to calm down. This wasn't the Ashstar he knew, and he wasn't about to submit to it without a fight.

"As a member of this clan and one of the only elders, it is my duty to stand up for what's right, even if it's to our leader," he mewed calmly, trying not to lose his temper over the matter. "And I'm assuming you know what I've come here for. I believe that you demoting Smokepelt was unjust, and I think that I speak for more than one cat," he mewed loud enough for the gathering clan to see and looked around the crowd. 'Please, someone stand with me on this,' he prayed silently and turned back to Ashstar.

"I'm not looking for a fight, but would like to simply talk about your decision. Whether or not it will change your mind is up to you, but I'd like for you and the clan to hear what I have to say," the elder finished, meeting the grey she-cat's gaze and preparing for her comeback. Hopefully she would take up his offer and not immediately snap back, seeing that at this point, she might as well listen up.

"Cedarfur we all understand that you have a personal stake in this matter, but you should learn your rank when addressing Ashstar. Remember- no matter what you think, your moons of experience don't exactly equate to the multiple lifetimes of wisdom that Starclan bestowed upon her." Brindlewhisker simply mewed, eyes hardening in disgust at the manner that Cedarfur brashly and imprudently addressed Ashstar, although her words only remained a strained calm. Despite how Cedarfur seemed to be determined to trod all over her in a last ditch attempt to restore Smokepelt to the Deputy position, she wouldn't resort to his rude and seemingly petty behavior. She was better than lowering herself like that. Forcing her fur to remain smooth, the young she-cat remained planted close towards Ashstar's den in a defensive manner, sucking in a deep breath as she continued to listen to Cedarfur's words, ear twitching in a disdain.

"If you have an issue with Ashstar appointing me as Deputy, you should take the matter up with me-" Brindlewhisker continued, a slight growl evident in her abnormally cool words, "Instead of disrespecting Ashstar's Starclan-given right to appoint a Deputy as she sees fit. Even if you are rabbit-brained enough to challenge that right, no matter how you present this case, a new decision would never be made on Ashstar's part just because the other party feels 'slighted' or 'humiliated'." She added, tone a bit more harsh now, unwilling to back down from the challenge being presented at her paws. Feeling a bit more satisfied with the words she had spoken, Brindlewhisker merely shut her jaws tightly and twisted her head around to stare at Ashstar, pale eyes wide as she waited for the grey She-Cat to finally speak on this nuisance of a matter.

Ashstar bristled as Cedarfur dismissed Brindlewhisker so callously. This was not her former apprentice, not the brother-in-law she knew. Her gaze remained cold as she glared at the pelt of another cat she lived who didn't trust her. "Cedarfur, I would like you to remember that she is, in fact, the deputy of WindClan. You do not have the right to demand that she stay out of anything. What you have to say to me, you can say to her." Cedarfur's words cut her to the core, despite his pretended respect. Now even he was deciding to doubt her, to treat her as a mousebrain. No. I cannot stand for this. I can't talk to him until he's back in his right mind. Grief has driven him to do what he wouldn't otherwise... just like it has me. But this will not be allowed.

The leader listened as Brindlewhisker spoke up, fire in her eyes, the love of Clan life and order in her speech. She did not regret choosing this she-cat as deputy. "Brindlewhisker is right, Cedarfur. It is not your position to challenge or question what I can or cannot do as leader. It is my StarClan-given right to demote and appoint deputies as I see fit, and every choice I make- this choice especially- is for the good of all of WindClan. Though you may see challenging me as your 'right' as a part of this Clan, I assure you, Cedarfur, that no one, even you, has the right to demand that I see their point of view."

The gray she-cat drew herself up farther, fury in her eyes. "Listen to me, Cedarfur. I have done the right thing, whether you choose to see it or not. Nothing you could say would ever change my mind about helping my Clan, so a 'discussion' would benefit us both nothing. Nothing you have to say will help the Clan in any way, only cause dissension." Her voice took on a loud, commanding tone, echoing through camp. "I am Ashstar, leader of WindClan! Smokepelt is my son and I love him. Despite this, I have consulted with StarClan and I believe that he is not the right deputy for WindClan. Brindlewhisker is WindClan's deputy, and you will treat her as such. The warrior code explicitly states that the leader's word is law. I am the leader, and I am telling you that the demotion of my son was perfectly fair and justified. I respect you all as my Clanmates, but this has to stop NOW!" Ashstar's voice built up to a powerful roar before she stopped, staring into Cedarfur's eyes. Her voice lowered dangerously. "Does anyone else want to challenge their leader?" When no one responded, the leader's face relaxed and she let out a worn out sigh. Hopefully her expression would show her Clanmates that she really did care. "Thank you all."

"Do we not have the right to know why?" There was a faint trembling in his voice at how Ashstar roared her last words, but the apprentice stood still with the same strength that had been passed onto him from his father. He'd grown up with a distant father, one who held them all at a distance, lost in the grief of his demotion. He knew that a leader's word was the warrior code, but did that mean that he had to cast aside all doubt at the drop of a leaf? That seemed wrong, if this was clan life then he hated it. His voice could be cast aside as young and dumb, but Cedarfur was an elder. If an elder had no right to question, then were they all just pawns to Ashstar and StarClan's will? "I- I don't mean to challenge you, but he's my father. I want to know why. I deserve to know why." Icepaw's voice got more and more bold, his green eyes that were eerily similar to Ashstar's glimmered as he continued. "You say that you consulted with StarClan, did they tell you personally that my father was wrong? Or was it because of RiverClan coming all those moons ago about Kindleblaze? Did Fishstar force our hand? I just want to know Ashstar, and I'm sure there are others. If I just understand, maybe... Maybe it'll help us move on..."

"Please." He finished, quaking on the spot in fear. Icepaw wasn't stupid, he knew that he was going to get ripped apart for this, maybe even made to be a kit for all his days or exiled, but Smokepelt was his father. His father would fight for him, it was only right that he did the same. Family, duty, honour. Family came first.

Ashstar let out a sigh and looked at her grandkit. All of the recent disrespect was making her blood boil, but something about Icepaw's confused innocence made her calm down a little. His father's gotten to him, hasn't he? The poor apprentice didn't understand. She didn't want to add more fuel to the fire by explaining all of the reasons that her son was unfit for then position, but she didn't see that she had any choice anymore, really. "I tried to avoid having to explain this to all of you, for my son's sake," the leader sighed out, voice hoarse, looking at everyone but Cedarfur. "There are many reasons that I considered him unfit to serve as deputy any longer. In the first place, the whole ordeal with Fishstar, while I hoped it would fade away, has only been boiling and festering in the hearts of RiverClan cats. While Smokepelt had apologized, looking at his temper issues, it's hard to believe that something similar won't happen again. The recent problem with Morningfog, though it seems to have been resolved, looks like it has only made our enemy Clan more angry."

"After all of my worries, and some other personal reasons I'm not at liberty to discuss, I consulted with StarClan, who gave me an easy solution to protect my Clan and to end my fears. I demoted Smokepelt from his position in the best interests of everyone, including himself. I didn't exile him, or anything equally drastic, only removed him a slight step down from the position, giving him the opportunity to remain a loyal warrior and regain my trust. He is still my son, and I still love him, but StarClan has told me that with him as our deputy, this Clan will fall. I will protect this Clan with my dying breath. I would rather that it hadn't come to this, but who am I to argue with StarClan when they gave me personal revelation?" The tired gray she-cat nodded at all of her Clanmates. "I appreciate your concern. Now please accept StarClan's decision and mine, and speak of this no more. Thank you." Ashstar got up and walked back into her den, ending any further protests. There. It's done, and I hope you're all satisfied.... Oh, StarClan help my Clan to understand.