He gives Sootstar an unabashed gaze as she leaps -- with some adjusted grace -- onto the platform beside him. 'Beside him,' meaning as far as she can possibly place her tiny blue form from him while still remaining on the surface of the stone. She appears regal as always, but his gaze is drawn with surprise -- and some dismay -- at the roundness of her belly.
This is why she sent other warriors in her place during the raid, he realizes, dark gaze widening. Kits, kits of the fox-hearted WindClan leader -- but kits nonetheless.
Had she had greencough, he wonders? He lets his eyes trail to the cats amassed below them. WindClanners. Some absent -- their young medicine cat included. A strange fear begins to tickle his belly, while guilt lances through his immense body like a lightning bolt sent by StarClan themselves. How many kits did I sentence to their deaths?
For the first time, he allows himself to feel this way -- responsible for another Clan, remorse for the callous way he'd turned WindClan aside.
Would Rain had acquiesced, he wonders? Would Rain have sent his warriors to camp, jaws loaded with catmint upon their return?
He does not voice any of this. He waits as the other leaders join them. Next is not Pitchstar, but Pitchstar's deputy -- Blazestar regards them with a blink of hello, though he doesn't bother giving them a verbal greeting. They don't seem to want to talk to anyone, not even their 'ally'. Emberstar is next, and she gives him an uncomfortable look that hurts him. One he understands. The wounds are still healing, he knows... But he dips his head to her, shows he owes her no ill will. "I hope ThunderClan is well," he murmurs. "And..." He's close to asking about Little Wolf, about Moonpaw and Burnpaw, but he's interrupted by the final leader's appearance.
Cicadastar. Blazestar's storm-blue eyes light with interest as the stately tortie chimera settles himself beside him. No more icy distance. He says hello to all of them, and his words to Sootstar cause the Ragdoll to shiver with anticipation.
"Hello, Cicadastar," Blazestar says, allowing himself to smile. He says nothing to or about WindClan, but he throws the small queen a self-righteous look as he takes to the edge of the platform.
"Let this Gathering commence!" He is not the brain-dead skeleton wearing a pelt he'd appeared at the last Gathering. He's himself, restored -- grieving with dignity, leading his Clan despite the losses he'd suffered. The battle and his alliance with RiverClan have returned his soul to his body, and he relishes the power he feels addressing all five Clans in the forest.
"SkyClan has taken time to recover from our tragedy." He lets his words ring out into the air, quieting any remaining chatter. "Our Clan celebrates its strength returning. My previous deputy, Deersong, has chosen to retire to the nursery. Please join me in welcoming the new deputy of SkyClan, Orangeblossom." He glances at the base of the stone, where the five deputies -- save Chilledgaze, of course -- stand statuesque. He sees that bastard of a black and white warrior where Duskfire had been before, and he narrows his eyes for a moment. It seemed he and Sootstar had both made some changes to their heirarchy -- had that cat been exiled, too?
Regardless, he continues: "We've also added a new lead warrior to our council, Sheepcurl." She hadn't come to this Gathering, preferring to help guard the camp. Being raided only moons ago, Blazestar had readily agreed. He continues: "As always, SkyClan grows with each day. Our ranks swell with new warriors and apprentices who hear of our dedication to one another and choose to join us." A bold way to say We've had numerous kittypets and loners join us, but he does not lower his head. "We also welcome a new warrior. My former apprentice, Cosmospaw, is now Cosmosbloom."
He flicks his tail. "Dawnglare has chosen a cat to follow in his pawsteps. He will visit the Moonstone soon. My son, Fireflypaw." Warmth creeps into his voice. He couldn't be more pleased with the medicine cat's choice, and it shows on his face. "SkyClan suffered briefly with greencough, but all of our cats have recovered fully." Here, he shoots Sootstar a look. It's neither challenging nor gloating -- neutral, searching. It's brief enough to not be noticed by any cat who isn't paying close attention.
"Many of you may have noticed there are SkyClanners who could not make it to this Gathering, and many of us wear new wounds." Now the look he gives the blue queen is blatant with hostility. "WindClan sent a patrol to our territory, demanding the catmint rightfully procured by our medicine cat for our Clanmates. When we turned them away, they attacked us at our own border." Heated now, Blazestar bares his teeth. "But that's not the worst of it. These foxhearts sent a patrol to raid our unguarded camp and ransack our medicine cat's den! We have sick cats, injured cats, elders, kits, queens, and WindClan showed no regard for any of those things."
His fur begins to bristle -- the enormous flame point appears double his size upon the Great Rock, facing Sootstar with belligerent blue eyes. "StarClan showed us fortune, though," he continues, knowing the taunt will irk Sootstar. "One of our apprentices, Greenpaw, thought quickly. He went to RiverClan to request assistance, and Cicadastar obliged. Together, we managed to drive the thieves from our camp and border."
He gives his coat a shake, letting the fur lie flat against his body again. His tone has cooled, though his eyes still hold heat. "Cicadastar and I have come to realize we make quite the team. Our two Clans have something in common." He smiles, and it almost seems genuine. "A common enemy, you could say."
But he does not outright say anymore, giving the black and white leader a look. He will let the RiverClan leader crush rock salt into the open wound. They share that pleasure now, don't they?
Blazestar exhales, long and slow, to calm his heart. It beats, rapid fire, but it slowly starts to secede into normalcy. "That is all from SkyClan."
[ PENNED BY MARQUETTE ]
