A Red Spot in the Marsh

Number of posts : 1307

The first thing that Red knew was the warm scent of her mother, a large presence licking her dry, and weak purring as she wiggled toward the scent of milk that she instinctively knew to drink. Her entire world was her, her mother, and the scent of milk, content for it to stay that way.

When the purring stopped, the milk flow dried up, and the warmth left the body of her mother, she knew, in her little day-old mind, that something was wrong. Kneading with her tiny little paws, she tried to rouse her mother, or at least get more milk to come. When the effort proved to be in vain, she raised her little voice, crying out in hopes that her mother would wake once more.

Little did she know that her mother would never wake up again.

Subject: Re: A Red Spot in the Marsh Mon 9 Dec 2019 - 14:30

The tall yellowed grasses of the marsh were littered in a light frost. Soft white snow had dusted itself over the territory, and low lying grass was crushed with a soft crunch beneath Thornstar's heavy paws.

The sound made her wince.

The feeling was far too similar to that of the Skyclanner's neck beneath her weight.

It made her stomach lurch.

Thornstar had been struggling since the night of the battle to find it in herself a reason to not resign as leader and exile herself. It wasn't the ending of the tom's life that was weighing on her exactly. Taking a life is just the way of war. It happens. But what she couldn't get out of her mind was the fact that she had allowed herself to slip so easily. Beanpaw's... no, Beanheart's death hadn't been intentional. It had been an accident. She'd lost control. That tom had lost his life not in the heat of battle, but in an accident. She'd meant to stun him. Get him out of her way long enough to deal with Spottedstar and that cowardly warrior beside him.

She hadn't meant to kill anyone.

Shaking herself, she snapped herself from her thoughts. That particular foxden was best left to be delved into when she was alone. Not patrolling beside her son and clanmate.

Turning her gaze to the two, she nodded to them. They were en route to the Thunderpath. The goal was to refresh border marks and check for any signs of trespassing...

It was simple really.

... or it was supposed to be.

Leaping over a jagged stone, a small keening cry met the massive leader's ears. She turned her head, slowing to a stop as she sought the direction of the sound.

Was that... a kit?

This far out?

She exchanged a glance with Cardinalcry. She herself was currently rearing kits. Her presence on this patrol was to give her a chance to stretch her legs and get some air. If there was a kit this far from camp...

It couldn't be a Shadowclan kit, could it?

She changed direction sharply, heading towards the high pitched wailing.

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^{_{★☆★ Take what you can ★☆★}}

A Red Spot in the Marsh QNTjwT2

Subject: Re: A Red Spot in the Marsh Mon 9 Dec 2019 - 14:42

Flintshard silent trudged along side his mother, enjoying the peaceful silence that had fallen over the patrol. The two warriors were really out just to stretch their legs but it didn't mean that work couldn't be done while patrolling with the leader. Flintshard was slowly recovering, his leg getting stronger although it would be a good long while until he would be freed from a limp - if ever... His ears twitched, having been focused on the sounds of nature, it wasn't hard to pick up the sound that didn't belong. He slowly came to a stop as his mother did, gaze turning in the direction of it...It was...Crying? His head titled in confusion, turning to glance at Thornstar but she was already changing directions toward the sound. He blinked as the question he was forming died on his tongue, and lolloped after her without waiting to see if Cardinalcry would join them.

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A Red Spot in the Marsh ABC-Gang-Acornstar-2

Acornstar ♀ ~ Badgermask ♀ ~ Creamsky ♂ ~ Duckpaw ⚧ ~ Eveningmoon ♀
TC T5 Leader (80 HP - 170 SP) ~ SC T5 Warrior (70 HP - 160 SP) ~ SkC T5 Warrior (70 HP - 160 SP) ~ RC Apprentice (20 HP - 60 SP)~ WC T2 Warrior (35 HP - 70 SP*)
Rosybrown (Forest)/Sandybrown (Feral) ~ Indigo ~ Tan ~ Olive ~ Icyblue
*Disadvantage Stats

Subject: Re: A Red Spot in the Marsh Mon 9 Dec 2019 - 15:24

Cardinalcry was completely ready for a peaceful, uneventful patrol. Of course, that wouldn't happen. A clear, high wail pierced the cold air. Her ears pricked up, and her instinct was that what if Frecklekit had gotten out of camp and was hurt? Oh, she knew she shouldn't have left her.. No. No, she told herself. That was a different kit. Her tail still lifted in alarm and she shared a glance with Thornstar before speeding towards the sound. No matter whose kit it was, the cry sounded... sad, hungry, something not good.

She screeched to a stop as the scent of death clouded the air. A queen, one singular living kit at her belly. Dark ginger, similar to herself. She took the next few steps forward. Beneath the scent of death was something of no clan. She gently licked the kit. "I'll take care of her." She said. "We're not leaving this kit, right, Thornstar?"

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{*} I am Kade or Jade {*}
Loner, Rowan 45/140 #b44924

Number of posts : 1307

New scents had entered Red's world, and another rough tongue smoothed her fur. She turned her face towards the newcomers, and cried out, turning and trying to wiggle her way towards them. The scent of the cat who had licked her smelled of milk, and her cries renewed as she gave a voice to her hunger, now that she knew there was a chance of food and safety with the new arrivals.

Subject: Re: A Red Spot in the Marsh Tue 10 Dec 2019 - 14:34

Cardinalcry sped ahead of the group, reaching the source of the keening before the leader and her son.

Not that Thorn could blame her.

Upon nearing the dead queen, Thornstar's gaze flickered briefly with empathy. The sight was something she'd seen once before...

She studied the nameless kit as Cardinalcry swept her tongue over her head. The little scrap was mewling strongly, kicking her little legs out for attention and food. A pang lanced through her chest. This clanless kit was living the same nightmare Dappleshine had.

She was prepared to step forward and lift the little furball up when Cardinalcry spoke.

"I'll take care of her."

The ginger she-cat's gaze drew pause from Thornstar, and the massive leader studied her former apprentice for a moment.

But only a moment.

Nodding, she turned her gaze back to the kit. "Shadowclan doesn't turn their back on kits of any blood. I trust you'll raise her well, Cardinalcry."

Turning to the mother, she pressed her muzzle to the she-cat's pelt. Her body was cold, and likely had been for a while now. She was definitely a rogue. Her fur didn't have the same softness of a kittypet, nor that sickly-sweet scent that came from a life lived among twolegs. The orange-white she-cat also bore enough scars to disqualify her as a loner.

Still, Thornstar felt for her.

"Flintshard, are you feeling well enough to help me bury the body?"

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^{_{★☆★ Take what you can ★☆★}}

A Red Spot in the Marsh QNTjwT2

Subject: Re: A Red Spot in the Marsh Tue 10 Dec 2019 - 14:45

Flintshard had come to a lazy stop at the trio reached the body, keeping his distance as both Cardinalcry and Thornstar stepped forward to tend to the kit and expect the body. A lone kit, huh? His ears twitched at the sound of its cries, feeling perhaps almost a bit silly for not recognizing them for what they were sooner but said nothing. There wasn't much for him to say, to do. He didn't have the instincts or...Care enough to help tend to the kit - if he had been on his lonesome, he would have done his best to help as it was what was expected but with the two older she-cats...There was really no need.

And so he stood there, a bit awkwardly until Thornstar turned her attention onto him. "Of course," he responded, although he knew it would be a bit tricky. He lumbered forward, poking around at the ground for a soft spot before he started to slowly started to claw at the ground, a slight pain flickering through his leg as the weight and work he was forcing it to handle, but it was nothing that bothered him. And so he dug, slowly forming a pile of mud and dirt next to him.

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Acornstar ♀ ~ Badgermask ♀ ~ Creamsky ♂ ~ Duckpaw ⚧ ~ Eveningmoon ♀
TC T5 Leader (80 HP - 170 SP) ~ SC T5 Warrior (70 HP - 160 SP) ~ SkC T5 Warrior (70 HP - 160 SP) ~ RC Apprentice (20 HP - 60 SP)~ WC T2 Warrior (35 HP - 70 SP*)
Rosybrown (Forest)/Sandybrown (Feral) ~ Indigo ~ Tan ~ Olive ~ Icyblue
*Disadvantage Stats

Subject: Re: A Red Spot in the Marsh Wed 11 Dec 2019 - 7:32

Cardinalcry smiled at her former mentor and brought the little one away from the mother. Well. She had to name it. It was ginger, much like her and the late couple Redwing and Poppyheart. She still felt like Redwing's death was her fault to some extent. So, maybe she could save a life to exchange for it. "Redkit." She continued to lick the kit, in an attempt to keep little Redkit warm.

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{*} I am Kade or Jade {*}
Loner, Rowan 45/140 #b44924

Number of posts : 1307

The newly-named Redkit calmed down a little as the queen continued to lick her, and she began to purr, a tiny, almost inaudible sound. She was starting to grow warm again, but she was still quite hungry, and continued to give voice to that need. She tried to wiggle her way to the source of the milk-scent, but couldn't move far due to Cardinalcry's attention and licking.

Subject: Re: A Red Spot in the Marsh Wed 11 Dec 2019 - 15:05

Nodding to her son, she helped him dig until the hole was deep enough to fit the rogue she-cat.

It didn't take long to bury her, despite the ground being semi-frozen.

As they filled in the hole, Thornstar caught the whispered name of the kit. Redkit. A fitting name, with how vibrant her fur was. But it was also a weighted name. Redwing's death still echoed in the leader, and Poppyheart's recent death had only renewed her feelings regarding it.

Maybe that's why Cardinalcry chose it.

With the mother of the kit buried, it was better that they return home at this point. The borders could be refreshed another time, and the kit needed to be brought to the nursery.

"Let's go home."

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^{_{★☆★ Take what you can ★☆★}}

A Red Spot in the Marsh QNTjwT2