Post by Thorne on Sept 5, 2022 15:48:07 GMT
With so many problems to try and deal with at once, Ravenstar had nearly forgotten that Magpiekit had reached his sixth moon. The sudden outbreak of an unknown illness among her Clanmates had been enough to cause panic throughout camp. She wished she could do more than just watch and try to seperate the sick from the healthy, but medicine was not in her roster of skills. She had to leave matters in Spiderface's paws and pray that he could crack open the answers to the cure.
When word reached her that it had spread to the nursery, Ravenstar had relocated Magpiekit to her den. One one paw, if he had gotten sick, he could have stayed until he was cured, giving her more time with her beloved son. But on the other, she had no idea if he was strong enough to survive it, being so little. It was far safer for him in WindClan where the only threat was wolves. They'd teach him how to cross the territory through the tunnels. Stormstar would pair him with a Fire Elemental to light the way during his underground travels so he wouldn't be scared.
It would be better for him in WindClan. She had to put on a brave face for him, give him the courage that he did not inherit from his mother. She could no longer be there for him, to nuzzle him when he was scared of the dark, or from a nightmare he'd had. But she would try to send him off with enough to face this new chapter of his life with his head held high.
She took her place on the Perching Rock, clearing her throat. "Let all healthy cats gather for a Clan Meeting!"
"It is...with great sadness that I say that Magpiekit has reached his sixth moon...and will no longer be able to live with us here in DarkClan." She began. Ravenstar could not bear to meet his gaze, not wanting to see the same heartbreak she felt in his eyes. She could not allow herself to falter in front of her Clan. She was their symbol of strength, of resilience. They would not see her cry. Hell would freeze over before she'd ever let herself show any sign of weakness. "But this is not a moment to be sad. We should be proud of how far he's come, that he's grown to become a fine apprentice. He may not be an apprentice of DarkClan, but he will always have a home among us here."
"I've taken the liberty of collecting some keepsakes for him, so that he will always have a piece of home, no matter where the wind carries his paws." She said. "And I would like us to continue this tradition for moons to come, for any kit that must leave to continue their training elsewhere. Every one of us here knows what it's like to have to leave loved ones behind for the promise of a better life. DarkClan was created with the hopes that none of our kittens need feel the same pain. But StarClan seemed to have other plans, already having too many kits born with a different element." She sighed. "But they should not be punished for something out of their control."
Ravenstar flicked her ear. "Any cat born in DarkClan is a DarkClanner through and through, no matter their element. From this day forward, I hereby grant them a second home here. Should they ever wish to come home to visit, they have full permission to return to our camp to see friends and kin. There will always be a warm nest and a fresh meal waiting for your return." She said. "We will always welcome you here with open paws, Magpiekit. Please do not be afraid to come home and visit us. WindClan may be your new home, but we will forever be your kin."
She lifted her chin. "From this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as Magpiepaw." Her voice shook. Ravenstar took a few shaky breaths before continuing. "I place my full trust in Stormstar to choose an excellent mentor for you, so that you may never know the threat of consumption."
Ravenstar collected her bundle of assorted feathers and leaped down from the rock, approaching her beloved son. She placed the bundle down at his paws, then pressed her nose gently against his forehead. "These are owl and nightingale feathers I've gathered from our territory. They are nocturnal birds, as many of our Clanmates have chosen to live a similar lifestyle. I pray you will find comfort in them, knowing that we will always have you in our hearts. Should they ever become damaged or lost, I will be happy to replace them when you come to visit." She nuzzled him gently. "I will accompany you on your journey to WindClan to ensure your safe arrival. Please take a few moments to say your goodbyes."
She could find no joy in the prospect of seeing Stormstar again, not like this. Her heart was shattered at the thought of losing Magpiepaw's smile, even his frightened sobs in the night. She choked back tears, averting the looks of her Clanmates. She knew that the promise of unrestricted visits and feathers were not enough to fix the fact that he was being forced to leave. Ravenstar prayed that he would someday understand that it was for his own safety, both in relations to his element, and his health. She couldn't change the law that she'd created because it was convenient for her. She could not abuse her power, or shake her Clanmates' faith in her leadership. They trusted her with their lives and futures when they'd joined her movement moons ago. She would not allow herself to disappoint them. No matter how much it hurt. This was the price she had to pay.
20mia08
When word reached her that it had spread to the nursery, Ravenstar had relocated Magpiekit to her den. One one paw, if he had gotten sick, he could have stayed until he was cured, giving her more time with her beloved son. But on the other, she had no idea if he was strong enough to survive it, being so little. It was far safer for him in WindClan where the only threat was wolves. They'd teach him how to cross the territory through the tunnels. Stormstar would pair him with a Fire Elemental to light the way during his underground travels so he wouldn't be scared.
It would be better for him in WindClan. She had to put on a brave face for him, give him the courage that he did not inherit from his mother. She could no longer be there for him, to nuzzle him when he was scared of the dark, or from a nightmare he'd had. But she would try to send him off with enough to face this new chapter of his life with his head held high.
She took her place on the Perching Rock, clearing her throat. "Let all healthy cats gather for a Clan Meeting!"
"It is...with great sadness that I say that Magpiekit has reached his sixth moon...and will no longer be able to live with us here in DarkClan." She began. Ravenstar could not bear to meet his gaze, not wanting to see the same heartbreak she felt in his eyes. She could not allow herself to falter in front of her Clan. She was their symbol of strength, of resilience. They would not see her cry. Hell would freeze over before she'd ever let herself show any sign of weakness. "But this is not a moment to be sad. We should be proud of how far he's come, that he's grown to become a fine apprentice. He may not be an apprentice of DarkClan, but he will always have a home among us here."
"I've taken the liberty of collecting some keepsakes for him, so that he will always have a piece of home, no matter where the wind carries his paws." She said. "And I would like us to continue this tradition for moons to come, for any kit that must leave to continue their training elsewhere. Every one of us here knows what it's like to have to leave loved ones behind for the promise of a better life. DarkClan was created with the hopes that none of our kittens need feel the same pain. But StarClan seemed to have other plans, already having too many kits born with a different element." She sighed. "But they should not be punished for something out of their control."
Ravenstar flicked her ear. "Any cat born in DarkClan is a DarkClanner through and through, no matter their element. From this day forward, I hereby grant them a second home here. Should they ever wish to come home to visit, they have full permission to return to our camp to see friends and kin. There will always be a warm nest and a fresh meal waiting for your return." She said. "We will always welcome you here with open paws, Magpiekit. Please do not be afraid to come home and visit us. WindClan may be your new home, but we will forever be your kin."
She lifted her chin. "From this day forward, until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as Magpiepaw." Her voice shook. Ravenstar took a few shaky breaths before continuing. "I place my full trust in Stormstar to choose an excellent mentor for you, so that you may never know the threat of consumption."
Ravenstar collected her bundle of assorted feathers and leaped down from the rock, approaching her beloved son. She placed the bundle down at his paws, then pressed her nose gently against his forehead. "These are owl and nightingale feathers I've gathered from our territory. They are nocturnal birds, as many of our Clanmates have chosen to live a similar lifestyle. I pray you will find comfort in them, knowing that we will always have you in our hearts. Should they ever become damaged or lost, I will be happy to replace them when you come to visit." She nuzzled him gently. "I will accompany you on your journey to WindClan to ensure your safe arrival. Please take a few moments to say your goodbyes."
She could find no joy in the prospect of seeing Stormstar again, not like this. Her heart was shattered at the thought of losing Magpiepaw's smile, even his frightened sobs in the night. She choked back tears, averting the looks of her Clanmates. She knew that the promise of unrestricted visits and feathers were not enough to fix the fact that he was being forced to leave. Ravenstar prayed that he would someday understand that it was for his own safety, both in relations to his element, and his health. She couldn't change the law that she'd created because it was convenient for her. She could not abuse her power, or shake her Clanmates' faith in her leadership. They trusted her with their lives and futures when they'd joined her movement moons ago. She would not allow herself to disappoint them. No matter how much it hurt. This was the price she had to pay.
20mia08
