November Gathering 2018

"Hi, Frog!" Sparkpaw replied cheerfully, unaffected by the interesting nature of her name. After all, one of the tom's father figures was named Starlord, which was less than traditional on his own. The dilute calico was hopeful that this time around there would be good memories made on top of the blood-stained, scorched earth of Fourtrees. For the most part, the gathering cats seemed friendly. But something Stagpaw said caused something to flicker over his maw. A brief frown flashed as he remembered Lichenmask. The former Riverclan tom had tossed so many cats that night as if they were nothing, knocked them aside like scattering leaves over the breeze. Several more had fallen dead at his paws. And yet, there was something about Lichenmask, something that had caused ridiculous words to fly from the apprentice's mouth during battle, and something that had kept him alive. Without thinking about it, Sparkpaw looked up at Stagpaw with a flickering green gaze, "I don't think Lichenmask was a bad cat. He did bad things. But he wasn't bad. He let me live."
___

As Finchpaw appeared at her side, Brookpaw leaned into his warmth. She wasn't really intimidated by the number of cats, nor the barrage of smells, but it was comforting to have her best friend beside her. A breathy laugh left her chest. It was true, those fish-eaters were always true to their name and by extension their smell. Glancing up at him with bright eyes, Brookpaw meowed, "I think you're right. They're incapable of keeping the stench to themselves. But it is incredible. This place... and so many cats." As she breathed out the words in awe, a purr rumbled in her chest. While there was a bit of a chill that threatened to cause her teeth to chatter, the warmth of the other apprentice was reassuring. While she still wished to be back in their own territory, the moment was right.

Even as Gingerstripe's eyes searched for familiar faces through the crowd of incoming ShadowClan cats, one of them found him first. A voice that he hadn't heard in what seemed like years startled him from behind, and he whipped around, green eyes wide. His daughter.... "Tansyheart?" he whispered in disbelief. He hadn't seen her in the crowds of ShadowClan lately, and so hadn't known where she was. Just seeing her was a reminder of the life he'd lost through his foolishness and two cats' bad decisions. Her black and white pelt, her figure the same as Copperfang's, her eyes beautiful even as wide and shocked as they were... "Tansyheart! Oh, StarClan, I missed you so much!" He ran the last few feet to her, immediately catching her in an embrace. It was his daughter, his own flesh and blood. The last time he'd tried to see her was the day he accidentally met Dewshine, and then he'd sworn off any connection to ShadowClan when he joined RiverClan, at Jaystar's behest. But he couldn't ignore his own kit... his last living connection to Copperfang, even if she hadn't loved him as he loved her.

Once all five leaders had assembled upon the Great Rock - returning Scorchstar's brief nod of greeting with one of his own - Leopardstar rose to his paws and stepped out onto the peak of the stone, gathering the chattering crowd's attention with a sharp yowl for silence.  The golden pelted leader looked regal against the backdrop of restored moonlight as his long tail swayed peacefully behind his head, face in its usual stoic form.  As he began to speak though, there was a definite note of sadness hidden within his husky voice, the scattered patches of crimson much more easily seen when looking from above.  "Greetings once again to cats of all clans...before I present my news, I would like to take a moment to recognize...the lost.  To gather once again in this clearing, peacefully, is a blessing that came with unbearable sacrifice.  Though I do not know all of their names or their faces...precious parents, brothers, and sisters, and sons and daughters were lost on these grounds no less than a fortnight ago.  So, it is for them - and all those injured or deprived in any way - that I wish to take a moment of silence."  And so he did, bowing his head low, the shadows of night engulfing his face as he prayed for the souls of the lost...if StarClan would even heed his requests.

After a long moment, the large tom flicked his ears and lifted his face, once again back to the usual business.  "ThunderClan has recovered well after the battle; all of our injured are healing swiftly, thanks to our new medicine cat apprentice, Pricklepaw.  Once a warrior apprentice, he has...accepted the path StarClan decreed for him, and I am confident he will serve us all splendidly.  Thanks as well to the return of StarClan - and WindClan's kindness - we have been able to welcome two new warriors to our ranks; Beartooth and Pantherclaw."  He allowed a moment for the crowd to cheer for the new additions, his chest swelling with pride, before sweeping on.  "As well, Thistlepaw, Icepaw, and Frostpaw have graduated to the apprentice den, and there are numerous new kits on the horizon.  We are strong, and with the coming of leaf-bare, vigilant.  That is all."  Lowering his eyes, the scarred leader turned and returned to his place beside Brindlestar, gesturing for the next of his fellows to step forward.

Lowing his head, Tinystar did what Leopardstar wished. While he respected the clan cats who died in the battle, he didn't feel any remorse or sympathy for the deceased exiles, seeing as though they were all traitors to their clans, and would surely not give them any sympathetic words. Lifting his head and putting a smile on his muzzle, he stood up as Leopardstar finished and motioned for one of them to take their place. Making his way to the tip of the rock, Tinystar looked out among the gathered cats. "Let me start off by saying, I'm glad to see that all of the clans seem to be making quick recoveries after the battle," he began. SkyClan is also fairing well. Sagepaw and Breezepaw have joined the other apprentices in training and we welcome several new litters of healthy kits to the clan," the small leader mewed above the subtle murmurs from bellow. "While much has happened recently that might bring others down, SkyClan is continuing to look forward towards better times, even with the upcoming Leaf-bare. That is all," he finished and sat back down among the other leaders.

Even though they never had some sort of a good relationship, Jaystar had to agree with Leopardstar's first words and he lowered his head in respect, keeping the minute of silence for all those who died in the battle. Flamewish, who was formerly a Thunderclan apprentice, and Firepaw, Dewshine and Gingerstripe's son. Both of them were now resting in Starclan...

The tom then raised his head once more and heard the words of the spotted tom and then took a glance to his awfully small clan. He actually doubted if they were growing as much as he claimed since they were the smallest clan but he didn't say a word. After all, he could say why he said that. There was no way a leader could show weakness to other clans, especially in leaf-bare. Like always, Tinystar's announcement wasn't much of his interest. Just a few promoted apprentice and nothing more.

Finally, his moment came and the Riverclan leader stood up to take his turn to speak. He looked at the crowd with those fierce, serious eyes his mother had. War, loss, death and traitors had changed him. That shy, nervous tom could not be allowed during his leadership. If Riverclan was to survive after all the hardships they had gone through, he had to be harsher and more determined to do what it takes to make his clan great. "Shade is dead." He mewed loudly but shortly. "I tracked him down thanks to the aid of Starclan and with the help of one of our strongest warriors, Silverfang, we killed him. The last leader of the war is gone but I would like to warn the clans that the rogue group that helped Lichenmask is still out there. They may have no leader for now, but future conflicts might happen again." Finally, it was done. His mistake for not executing Shade when he had the chance was now retrieved because he did not only kill... but lost a life during the fight. That was the sacrifice he had to make. "With that traitor on the Dark Forest with Lichenmask, Riverclan has been fairing well, recovering thanks to Goldeneye and Fallowpaw. Our lives have returned to normal and we welcomed multiple apprentices into our ranks: Beepaw, Kitepaw, Eaglepaw, Galepaw, Sunpaw, Sootpaw and Myrtlepaw. An apprentice has also completed his training and now Mottledspark has joined the warriors' den."

Now that the regular formality was done, Jaystar suddenly turned his sight to Brindlestar. There was no hostility or anger this time. He wanted to talk, that was all. And depending on how things were going to be, there might be more conflict or even another war. "On other note, I would like to address Windclan and what have they done to my clan. Brindlestar, I ask you to come to your senses and retrieve to my clan the safe passage to the Moonstone that you unfairly took from us. The wrongs we did to you in the past can't be erased yet I would hate to keep creating more conflict between our clans, so please, don't take from my clan the privilege to talk to our ancestors safely. As I stated, Starclan has not turned our back on us for the past wars and my clan, as well as the other clans, deserve the chance to ask for guidance, to let their apprentice complete their moonstone journeys without any problem." His green gaze was fixed on her blue eyes. As he discussed in the past with the rest of the high-ranks, if Brindlestar refused to give him what they needed, then war was unavoidable. Riverclan's apprentices needed that safe place, especially during leaf-bare. "I'm not here to fight and argue about this. I know what we did was wrong... I admit it. My mother was mistaken by attacking your clan for herbs but I can't change the past. I can only say sorry and I apologize if I can't give you the neutral ground for the Gorge because my clan needs that extra hunting ground."

Her nose pressed into his fur, she breathed in deeply. RiverClan. "I-I missed you too!" she breathed. She hadn't been to a Gathering in moons... maybe she had been missing her father the whole time! She pulled away from him a little bit, seating herself next to him to avoid drawing too much attention. "What happened? Have you been in RiverClan, this whole time?" She knew she shouldn't be asking these questions, especially if he was in fact a part of RiverClan, but he was her family. Her only family, in fact, that was still alive, as far as she knew. And she had missed him so much... this was just what she needed to brighten her spirits.

For several confounding moments, only bemused silence met Jaystar's rigorous plea.

There was a slight tilt to Brindlestar's head as she peered over at the RiverClan Leader, a guarded wariness emanating from within the cool depths of her queer gaze. What in the name of the seasons was this tom going on about? Her prior judgement had been revoked prior to the first deep freeze, yet he spoke as though he was unknowing! Goldeneye came without the knowledge of Jaystar, the molly's features creased lightly at the immediate recollection, but surely she would've passed along the agreement that had been reached, right? For a brief moment, the molly's perplexed gaze sought out the amber one of the rival Medicine Cat before inevitably whisking away once more. For once in her life, the scarred molly was almost unsure of the words that needed to be said in response. "You have a suitor's tongue," Brindlestar eventually responded, soft voice laden with wary curiosity, "But speaking plainly would've sufficed well enough."

"The morning immediately after the exile of Lichenmask and the death of Littlestar, your Medicine Cat ventured to my territory with the hopes of bargaining- presumably on the behalf of the entirety of RiverClan. In exchange for the reversal of my previous decision, she offered up the return of the original Gorge borders." Paws shifting atop the ancient stone, wrought with the clawmarks presumably etched into the surface by the actions of Lichenmask, the molly's tail swept out alongside her seated form in leisurely arcs. Why she was having to explain such a decision was unknown, but it was painfully obvious that for whatever conniving actions of fate, Jaystar and likely the rest of RiverClan was oblivious to the deals previously done. "I agreed to the terms, thus freeing RiverClan to travel through my territory nearly two moons ago. Did your patrols not see that the borders were pressed back to their original states?" Brindlestar eventually questioned, voice void of any emotion but slightly apathetic bafflement.

Leopardstar's narrowed eyes followed Tinystar as he stepped forward to deliver SkyClan's news, cheering along with the rest of the crowd for their two new apprentices; all the while though, he mentally contemplated the short-legged tom's vows of renewed strength.  Despite neighboring each other, and SkyClan proclaiming an age of neutrality, he remained cautious of them.  Just because they weren't actively seeking war didn't mean that threats could not emerge, and he hoped that their temporary union through Mintwhisker and Pricklepaw's training would foster goodwill and good faith.

Once Jaystar took the pale-pelted leader's place though, Leopardstar's hazel eyes darkened.  That blue-grey tabby pelt would always ring warning bells within his heart, and it was not something he believed could be rectified.  Generations of wrongs against his clan - his family - could not be forgotten so easily; he though, was not quite so bold as Brindlestar.  The she-cat sitting beside him had cut off the river cats from their usual pathways to the sacred grounds of StarClan...yet, no clouds had ever covered the moon.  No sign of anger, or wrongdoing...  He was drawn to agree with her choice, yet something still niggled deep within his stomach at the sight of such brash hatred.  It was a lesson for the entitled clan...yet he didn't entirely believe they deserved it.

Taking note of both the death of Shade and the continued growth of RiverClan, he cast his gaze out into the crowd; great StarClan...how did they grow to such inexplicable numbers?  They more than double all the other clans...how long will it be until their territory runs bare of resources?  Will they cast their greedy gaze toward our side of the river...or safely far away?  He was knocked out of this terrifying concept by the tom's next words, and instantly the golden spotted tabby's ears pricked with interest.  As Jaystar turned around, he could see over his ally's head how gravely the RiverClan leader's eyes shone and squinted his own eyes in return.  Stiffening his shoulders, he stood as an imposing force at Brindlestar's side, willing to defend his friend's decision even if he wouldn't have made it himself; the words that came out of the lynx-pointed leader's mouth though instantly shocked him.  W-what? A medicine cat approaching a rival leader to negotiate what's right...seemingly without the leader's knowledge?  That...  Widened eyes finding their way to the base of the stone, where the medicine cats usually communed, the golden she-cat's bulky form stood out against the black ash covering the ground, though he couldn't see her face.

...that, takes guts.

A bit impressed despite himself, his attention returned to the two tense leaders, paws prickling with an emerging apprehension.  This could cause trouble, not only for them but possibly for him!  It was imperative that he listened closely, yet didn't open his mouth to say a word.  He had no part in this directly, and he didn't think the independent WindClan leader would appreciate him stepping in.  Plus, if he could avoid being caught in the crossfire, he would gladly take that route; his clan - and himself - needed time to recover before jumping into the next frivolous argument.

Goldeneye resisted the pressing urge to shrink under the scrutiny of all the cat's gazes but stayed strong. "That's right... I'm afraid I had not had the time to tell Jaystar or Scorchclaw about it and for that I'm deeply sorry, Brindlestar." She dipped her head, her chin jutting. "I fully intend to keep up my end of the bargain." Goldeneye meowed stiffly, only briefly meeting Brindlestars gaze before looking away again. She feared Brindlestar's wrath much more that Jaystars, and not just because they were in love, or had been. Goldeneye braced for the onslaught of outrage, began dreading for when they got back to camp, scorn was something she was used to. Perhaps she would have feared the retribution for her actions more if it was back when she had truly loved her mate.

That was not... what he expected. Jaystar immediately turned his sight to the scarred golden she-cat who dare who go behind the backs of the whole clan. And when she finally decided to speak, the eyes of the leader who once called her his love were now full of betrayal and anger. But, he kept his composure and just looked at her, his tail's fur slightly bristled. "Asking for forgiveness to Brindlestar instead of me, the one you lied to by keeping such precious from not only your leader but to your whole clan, Goldeneye? You have no excuse here and you have no rights to make deals with another leader when you were never sent to bargain." The tom mewed, not caring anymore of the public around them. What did it matter? After all, all had heard about this fraud and Riverclan inner issues were now revealed to the whole clans. Goldeneye brought up this to herself by not saying anything during two full moons. Back at the Riverclan camp, she, Scorchclaw and he had to talk about the consequences of her actions.

Jaystar returned his sight to the Windclan leader, seriously. "I'm afraid my medicine cat went behind the backs of the whole clan without consulting me and my deputy about it. The gorge keeps being part of Riverclan's domain, yet I'm willing to negotiate again with you, leader to leader. My patrols did inform me about several skirmishes but they were all sent back. That can change but I'll to talk to you personally about it, as soon as possible, if you let me."

WHAT?!

If Scorchclaw had had any less self-control over himself than he did, he would have said the word out loud. Instead, his calm, emotionless demeanor cracked. His pale-green eyes widened, an expression of disbelief taking over his features. In an instant, he was sitting straighter, his tufted ears perked up. The fur along his back began to rise, bristling with anger. Goldeneye had gone to bargain with Brindlestar without Jaystar's permission? In exchange for safe passage to the Moonstone, she had given the Gorge back to the WindClan leader. How dare she?! She had made such crucial decisions on her own when she did not have the authority to. He could see the value of regaining their shortest path to the sacred mountain range, but Goldeneye's actions took it too far. The Gorge was essential hunting grounds for RiverClan right now, especially when they had such large numbers. Was communication with StarClan really that important, after what they had just done to the clans? Sneaking around behind her leader's back, making deals of her own accord--in the two moons or so that had followed her bargain, she had not so much as mentioned a word about it to him or Jaystar. By revealing everything in the middle of a gathering, she showed the four other clans that RiverClan's leader did not even know what his medicine cat was doing. At this moment, he had to really question the loyalty the medicine cat held towards her clan. Did she even hold a shred of respect for Jaystar? He could not believe that she would do such a thing. While others might have seen Goldeneye's actions as noble or courageous, he only saw them as traitorous and foolish.

Instinctively, he had unsheathed his claws. They were digging into the hard-packed soil now, as he furiously restrained himself from giving the ginger tabby molly an earful of his inner thoughts regarding the situation. There would be a time and place for it, and they were not here and now. Jaystar must have been just as angered. Although the fluffy deputy did not turn and look up at the RiverClan leader, he knew that Jaystar managed to maintain his composure. Addressing Brindlestar in a calm yet serious tone, the tall, gray leader made clear that the bargain she had made with Goldeneye was not valid. Of course it wasn't! Scorchclaw could have huffed out loud; instead, he narrowed his eyes, gaze alighting on said medicine cat in the crowd. If his glare could set fur on fire, Goldeneye would be reduced to a smoldering pile of ashes within a minute.

The frigid, tense air was heavily laden with freshly dusted flecks of frost, softening the unpleasantly brisk late evening air with the sweet taste of humidity. Only the occasional stray breeze, borne from an unknown place beyond the furthest reaches of the ancient mountains, was exhaled to life in the absence of any unwelcome movement. Merely gazing after Jaystar, and the ensuing reactions on behalf of Scorchclaw and Goldeneye, with a benign sense of insufferable amusement faintly evident. Bewildering at best, if not profitable. How confounding, the ability to bemuse not one but two Leaders- all due to a lack of a simple conversation. Forepaw arising and flicking about as though she was warding off the irksome presence of a insect of some sort or another, the molly clicked her tongue against her teeth sharply. "Alas, the deal I made with Goldeneye proves to be the only deal capable of withstanding these baffling progressions. The current borders of the Gorge remain until you serve to sort out these... circumstances." Gaze slitting a fraction, Brindlestar's demeanor subtly sharpened like the shifting of a faint breeze, "I should like to hear what you intend to speak on behalf of these said negotiations, but I do not intend on fostering these interests for longer than a few nights to be generous. Once you've done what you must to handle this unraveling situation, you may travel to my camp and speak your piece and present your case."

Ear twitching dismissively, the pale molly redirected her attention outward to the throng of cats who milled about- likely sorely lacking in attention, as per usual. Rising into a more formal seating position, with narrow shoulders straightening out into an uncharacteristic display of elegance. "Recent follies in taciturn deal-makings aside, WindClan fares quite well in spite of the Exile's wishes. We have plenty of young kits this season, with even more Apprentices above them. Hopefully this cold season shall be kinder without the presence of Lichenmask." Pulling away from the edge of the Great Rock with hardly a single sound, the molly's gaze was inhospitable at best as she merely gestured for the next speaker to take their place in the lapse of highly sought silence.

Scorchstar listened in rather awkward silence at the display put on before the five Clans. He was never going to say it out loud, but he heavily disapproved of Goldeneye's decision to go behind Jaystar's back to bargain with Brindlestar just as much as the other leaders -- perhaps a little more so considering the friendship and mutual respect he shared with the RiverClan leader. Of course, there were times where a medicine cat would be allowed to do certain things with or without the leader's consent, but doing what she had done was not one of them. At the end of the day, above all else, the Clan leader's word was law, as stated in the warrior code, and Goldeneye should have known better than to break the code the way she did.

The night was getting late, and the air was growing colder with each passing heartbeat, as Jaystar and Brindlestar tensely conversed. Finally, it seemed the two had reached some sort of agreement, so he figured it would be the best time to jump in with his own report before anyone else could say anything and risk the Gathering being ended early due to a fight before he could even speak on ShadowClan's behalf. "I suppose I shall be the last to speak for the night. I, too, wish to acknowledge the unfortunate losses of Lichenmask's rogues, the ones we called our friends, our family, and our Clanmates once upon a time. They were led astray from the warrior code, but I do hope that, in spite of everything that had happened, StarClan chose to grant these cats mercy and allow them to join their ranks." All except Lichenmask, of course, and especially Shade. "ShadowClan is faring well after the battle. In spite of the colder season of leaf-bare right on our tails, we have been blessed with several new kits and apprentices."

With a rather self-conscious clearing of his throat, he decided to add, "Also, upon the return of StarClan after Lichenmask's fall, I was finally able to travel to the Moonstone to be granted my nine lives and leadership title and name. I will do my best to lead my Clan and to respect my allied Clans as fairly and respectfully as Littlestar had." He stepped back once he was finished.

---

Poppyheart's ear flicked upon hearing Redpaw addressing him. He looked over at her and softly huffed, shooting a side-glance at Asterspark briefly, watching has he decided to skirt around the assembled cats to sit all by his lonesome. "...I'm sure I will be with time. Maybe."