The sun was high in the sky, the cicadas sung fervently from the treetops. Not a breeze moved the stone pines’ needles. The temperatures had risen since the last moon, Clayclan’s camp seemed deserted, every cat hiding from the heat under the stones that protected their camp. The start of the cicadas’ song had the clan harrowed, they knew the lovers always came to dance with the first songs. Verfeor and Vifeor were well-known for both their richness and mischievous nature, their love was ferocious and pitiless, they knew Verfeor would dance for her lover again, no matter how many lives were at risk, and combust the forest in flames. The cats had prepared, like every other cycle, so that fleeing routes had been taught to every cat. Once the flames started their dance, everyone was to leave everything behind, for staying to secure camp would end up in death.
“He is dangerous, my leader.”
A couple of ears were raised in mild annoyance. A loud snore followed by a few purrs left one of the inferior dens and a kitten’s wail was heard from underneath a seemingly small den. The cicadas had stopped singing; from the highest den in camp, a deep sigh followed.
“Is he, Ilexstorm? Just like Sedgepelt or Fennelpaw are? No, don’t hide your blatant distrust on anyone but yourself by calling our seer a traitor. He shouldn’t pay for what the Forgotten did.” Genetstar spoke with voice rusted but melodic. Like a river that had made its way across the earth by mere patience. The tom spoke calmly, like he would do to a kit, but severe, berating his younger companion.
“But, sir-“
The tom sighed again. The seasons had behaved well on him, his fur was still brilliant and his eyes, tough tired, held as much passion as they did on his days as a rookie warrior. The stress of being leader on such troubling times had reduced his sleeping time, he no longer had time to properly spend time with his family or taste prey in peace. His patience was running thin and Ilexstorm had made an habit out of her constant bickering.
“No. You are deputy. Your clan chose you because they needed you, they trusted us with the task of fixing this clan. Stop losing everyone’s time, stop losing my time. Fulfill your duties. Now, if you don’t have anything else to say, you sho-“
“I have a request, Genetstar.” The young molly’s calico fur laid merely ruffled, her tail battering the dusty ground impatiently. Genetstar could feel her annoyance and, yet, he knew she was making an effort at keeping her anger at bay. Genetstar was sure her request would only trouble him and the clan but decided to let her continue nonetheless.
“Tell me, child.”
The molly’s fur lied down replacing her annoyance with loftiness, her whiskers twitched.
“An apprentice, for our seer.”
“How’s that? You don’t trust him with the power of his role but you want to give him an apprentice?”
“Yes sir. Kiteclaw was once a warrior, he only became a seer because no one else would take the place. Young Partridgekit has shown interest in the role, he will be named apprentice soon.”
The old tom was genuinely surprised.
“I don’t understand. Why?”
The molly’s eyes seemed to shine a little brighter.
“Because if Partridgekit were to become seer then Kiteclaw would be able of returning to his warrior’s duties. The clan needs warriors more than ever and Kiteclaw is still one of our best fighters, Genetstar. The smell of war is still thick in the air, his skills could be needed any day and as a seer he is of no use.”
Genetstar laid his ears flat. He knew of Ilexstorm’s lack of faith but it still stung his heart to hear such words. He momentarily thought about punishing her disrespect but her words had already made way through his head. She was right, during the Moonless Leadership the wars had been constant. Accused of murder, Brookclan and Seaclan had defended their honor with fang and claw. Victims, there were many, and Genetstar knew there wasn’t much he could do to stop a grieving clan from hating his own. He needed to be ready, for battles will still be fought.
“Saying that a seer is of no use is a great affront, Ilexstorm, but I will forgive you. Your words do make sense. I will speak to our seer so he can prepare to have an apprentice. Now, if you pardon me-“
“Not yet, Kiteclaw’s training isn’t over, you said it yourself, Genetstar. You send him over to Brookclan so he could finish his studies, didn’t you? There were no other motives, were there, my leader?”
Both cats knew that there were many motives for sending Kiteclaw away, but Genetstar couldn’t admit it. When Carobpath was killed, the seer place was left unattended for sunhighs, the clan feared they would be punished by the stars for their disrespect. Kiteclaw took the place when no one else wanted to, he was sent to Mountainclan were he was taught everything he needed to know. He was dutiful, obedient, willing to please and faithful; Genetstar had never once questioned him until the Forgotten’s crimes were exposed. When the Moonless Leadership was taken down, Genetstar decided to have faith. Protecting the seer from his own clan became a must, so he sent him away. He told the clan his training was not over yet even though he had been professing his faith as seer for many moons. No one questioned him, the clan was too tired, too numb, to do so. Anyone but Ilexstorm.
“Do not dare doubt my word, rud*.”
“I do not, sir. My point is, if Kiteclaw’s training isn’t over, then he surely isn’t ready to train an apprentice. Partridgepaw should be sent to another clan so he can properly learn the ways of the gods. Carobpath himself said it once, ‘there is nothing as important as the will to learn of an apprentice’, we shouldn’t decide over this young kitten’s future just because he has no available mentor. Turnstonenose of Duneclan could prove a good one. Duneclan has no quarrel with us and Turnstone’s fame precedes her, she would be a good mentor. Once Partridgekit is named seer Kiteclaw shall return to his warrior duties. If he accepts, my doubts will then disappear and you, my leader, could dispose of a powerful fighter once again.”
Genetstar sudden purr made Ilexstorm raise to her paws. Genetstar had caught on her plan a long time ago but he wanted to hear it from her.
“It does sound like a clever idea, my child. You want him out of the seer role, don’t you? why?”
The molly seemed to relax, returning to her resting position she uninterestedly licked her paw. Now that she had her leader’s attention she could allow herself to be bold. Genetstar squinted at the molly but kept her attention on her.
“Because he is dangerous. We cannot, and shouldn’t, forget that he was Brown-“
Genetstar’s spirit seemed to momentarily leave his body. The tom squinted harder and hissed at the molly who lowered her head slightly.
“Ilexstorm.”
“-The Forgotten’s brother. He could have known everything before paw, he could have been behind the murder of Darkstripe or Carobpath or Nut-“
Pain shot through the leader’s body.
“Enough.”
The molly fell silent. Looking at his leader expectantly. Genetstar fixed his gaze on her, somehow, through her hatred and unfaithfulness, he could see a hurt rookie grieving for her mate. Both cats had lost a lot to the Forgotten. He sighed. Serleum had nearly finished his rush across the heavens. Through one of the biggest entrances of the dens, one surrounded by moss, clay-stone and wood, the sky could be seen slowly staining blood-red. Genetstar neared the entrance slowly, with solemnity, turning his back on his deputy. The temperatures had dropped. A soft breeze made the spotted cat’s whiskers dance. The tom let memories flood his senses.
Ilexstorm shuffled her paws impatiently. She had planned this through, she wanted it to be perfect. Her clan wouldn’t be endangered by prophets and murderers again, not while she was deputy, not while she could do something to stop it. She started to move, nearing her leader.
“I’ll think about it.”
Genetstar’s words seemed to echo through the den. Ilexstorm was frozen to her place.
“Thanks, sir.” She couldn’t belive she had done it. “Tough your answer must come in quick” She wanted more.
“Isn’t it enough that I’m considering it?”
Her leader turned, fixing his hazel eyes on her own blue ones. For a moment Ilexstorm saw a father, one that had lost much and was still grieving. She blinked and the sight was gone.
“I fear not, Genetstar. Partridgekit’s naming ceremony will be held soon. I am deputy, it is my role to decide who shall mentor who.”
The tom let a tired purr leave his muzzle once again.
“Clever molly. Then I accept, I can foresee that peace will make us wait, we need warriors and a devoted seer will surely make the gods turn their good eye on us. Kiteclaw won’t oppose and I’m sure Duneclan won’t either. You may start the preparations; I leave it in your paws to send a patrol to Duneclan. You shall lead this patrol and Kiteclaw will go with you. Discuss your idea with Buzzardstar and bring me good news. That old tom and I are good friends, I’m sure he’ll accept. Partridgekit and their family must be informed too. Now leave, all this blabbering is giving me headache. The sun is low, notify whose warriors shall leave with you, prepare the last border patrol of the day and sleep. You will need it. You may leave by next twilight.”
Ilexstorm rose to her paws with cheer, like an apprentice that has just caught a really juicy prey.
“Thank you, sir. I’ll leave now.”
As the molly turned heels, the last sun-rays of the day casted shadows upon the clan, the sight made Genetstar anticipate with dread. The old tom often found himself wondering if his deputy was to be trusted. She was change, and once he was gone, she would become future. The idea frightened him and kept him awake at night. What would become of Clayclan if lead by someone without faith? Someone without fear? Someone young and bright as Coaen herself? The tom shook his fur.
“Loanara watches, Ilexstorm.”
The molly turned, resting a careful gaze on her leader.
“And Serleum hears, Genetstar.”
