Red Skies In Morning [Clan Meeting]

Ashfall was unsurprised to hear that war was on the horizon, but was surprised that Lilacstar had asked Dawnhawk to leave. Honestly, she wasn't sure Lilacstar had it in her to do so, but it was good to hear her father wasn't acting the coward again as she had begun to assume. Maybe he had a courageous bone in his body after all, but it wouldn't change her mind about him, he probably would've ran anyway at the first sign of Skyclan. They couldn't trust him. So she sat, and listened to the rest of Lilacstar's words. She couldn't leave camp. Fine, Dawnhawk was no longer in camp to worry her. It felt more like Lilacstar just wanted them in camp to ensure that they weren't speaking with Dawnhawk, Skyclan wouldn't assault single warriors within Windclan borders she'd hope, Unless they wanted the wrath of Windclan at their doorstep, at least. Then the council, not a terrible idea, it could make Lilacstar's decisions hold more weight. Perhaps it would allow her to trust her decision-making once again as well.

As the meeting ended, Ashfall decided to make her way over to her mother, Hayglow, and Muddyleap, catching Muddyleap's words as she approached. "Don't worry about protecting me Muddyleap, I'm not a kit anymore. Fairly sure you made protecting myself possible being my mentor and all." Her gaze flicked to her mother, pleased to have seen her with her family. "I'd bet Rye won't be happy about being forced into staying in camp. I'll try to stick close for a while, I don't want anything happening to you if Skyclan comes, mom. I know you're a warrior and can defend yourself, but if I'm here I should be protecting this clan and that includes you." Her gaze then turned to the remaining group of Windclanners, scanning for her brother. She didn't see him, was he even in camp? Great, now she'd have to tell him when he came back. Or maybe he was just hidden within the rest of the cats, it'd certainly be more convenient.

Fawnstep had assembled with the rest of the clan, eyes trained up at Lilacstar as she spoke. It had been obvious, the tension mounting between the clans at the gathering. He clenched his teeth, realizing the implications that there was someone among their clan who wasn't trustworthy. Icy blue eyes raked the crowd and tried to reach their expressions. If he ever found out who had betrayed Windclan, the brown and white warrior was determined to find his claws sunk deeply into their pelt...

He was interrupted from his thoughts of vengeful slaughter at the continued speech of his leader. It further baffled him for several reasons: the idea that Windclan wouldn't respect their leader, and that he was now a part of a council; the second was significantly less shocking. Fawnstep sat straighter, putting his lean and handsome coat fully on display before the clan. Starclan themselves had chosen Lilacstar and she had chosen him. The tom was determined show them the strength in his limbs and why he had been paw selected, why he was to be respected as one of Windclan's top warriors.

He would show Skyclan that no matter what had afflicted them in the past, Fawnstep and Windclan didn't need to worry about it; he would tear them to shreds.

The news Lilacstar brought shocked Smallbean more than he thought it would. What could he say? He was expecting something bad, but never did a full-on war cross his mind. The lack of Dawnhawk and the presence of tension hinted that there was something going on, but he'd never have expected to hear that they would be preparing for war. War between clans was something he'd never known, and something that he wished he would never have to know. As a medicine cat, thought, it was inevitable. He would have ended up on the battlefield one day or another, but it seemed as thought it would be coming sooner than he had expected. He could only be glad that he would be fighting with herbs and not claws, though.

His gaze lowered to his paws as he struggled to sort his thoughts, trying his best to not panic- as difficult as that was turning out to be. It wasn't as if there was any other cat he could go to for advice or confide in, it was just him and his herbs. The mention of his name interrupted his thoughts, and he returned his attention to Lilacstar to hear the rest of the cats who are on this council. The fact that this council even had to be made brought unease to Smallbean, but at least he knew he could trust the cats that were within it.

He had been right to feel dread and anxiety as he picked a spot to sit alongside his clanmates at his mother's call to gather. Whatever this meeting was about... wasn't going to be anything good. In fact, he had speculated this to be whatever had happened at the Gathering, all the information leaked and how SkyClan was going to take it. He still wasn't sure who gave away the Dawnhawk secret but they probably intend things to go sour. They want the situation to worsen. Just thinking about that made his fur crawl.

As he'd predicted, things were... worse. Really bad in fact. WindClan was being threatened. RiverClan was going to aid but at a cost. They had to sleep with one eye open now in fear of an attack at the camp. This wasn't right. This shouldn't be happening. Swift... had been right. It was foolish for WindClan to take in outsiders so easily. Things like this happen. 'But if Dawn hadn't arrived here or hadn't stayed for as long as he did, Ash and Rye wouldn't have been here either.' his mind reminded him. He loved his niece and nephew with all his heart. They didn't deserve such an awful future. Sunnyskip, his dear half-sister, didn't deserve this future either. She was pure. She was amazing and wonderful, all that Dawn could never be. Did he even love or care about her? What about his kits? What were they to him?

Silverlight bit the inside of his cheek as he scanned his clanmates' reactions, eyes wary and anxious. He could hear a lot of fears and worries, which were absolutely warranted. The young warrior eyed his kin and sadness overtook him when he did. Muddy was determined to fight and protect but he wasn't allowed. His half-brother had always been so protective. It's a big reason Silver looked up to him. Ashfall's attempts to reassure her mother and Muddy were commendable. She had always been so strong and fierce yet loving and gentle. He couldn't see Rye anywhere and he prayed to the stars above that wherever he was, he was safe. Sunnyskip... he could see her from where he sat but he couldn't tell what her expression was. Oh StarClan, protect them all...

Goldenfang’s eyes widened at the news. Somehow, SkyClan found out about Dawnhawk and they would no doubt be out for his blood—except now Dawnhawk wasn’t even here! Her fur rose along her spine. Though she was a fully trained warrior and had confidence that she could handle an altercation, Goldenfang was a Newleaf kit; she was still young and hadn’t even been around for the horrors of the Asylum occupation. This was new territory for the golden she-cat.

By the end of the announcements, Goldenfang’s shock had morphed into apprehension and then again into anger. ”We shouldn’t have to beg RiverClan for help. Dawnhawk’s not even here, what does SkyClan have to gain?” The young warrior hissed audibly but not loudly. She wouldn’t contradict her leader, not intentionally anyway. But she couldn’t help being irritated that RiverClan would be intervening and they’d have to share land. To top it all off, Lilacstar announced the new members of a so-called council to aid in decisions going forward, and Goldenfang wasn’t included. Sure, she had no right to be in the council as she was just a young warrior with a hot head, but she would have loved the recognition and sense of importance. It was ultimately irrational and selfish, but she couldn’t push away her desire to be respected.

Her angered gaze slid to Sunpaw as he mewed in fear. ”We’re WindClan. We’re real warriors, every one of us. If SkyClan does something stupid, they’ll regret it for seasons.” Goldenfang snapped.