Sept 12, 2020 6:34:15 GMT
Post by The Guides on Sept 12, 2020 6:34:15 GMT
### words
for @tag
notes: Runaways offical start! Greenleaf 29th, character may post here but this is not meant as a thread more of an event. all the guides are NPC and move them as you like beyond their speaking at the start.
Dear fellow traveler, underneath the moon
The heat of Greenleaf did not seep and root itself in the ground anymore. The wind that carried change, reminded all in the lakeside forest that leaf-fall was fast approaching. No more so then those having returned to their lakeside homes to spread the warning and gain support.
Berrythorn sat, claw clutching aged deadwood near the outskirts of the gathering place. Shadeheart had planned to arrive early and so they had waited all day. Lilywish had arrived last by comparison. Her face a picture of distress, her mate had refused to join her. Putting into perspective the reality that many might not leave the lakeside territory.
Brooding on the subject, the black-coated tom heard the clearing of Firelight's throat. Before he could glance in her direction she moved around to stand before him. "I saw some movement from the moorland side, some cats are coming,"
"Will there be enough?" Berrythorn asked, the calico she-cat with her fiery eyes tsked.
"WindClan cats will, I have faith in my Clan," He reply was met with Berrythorn unamused expression.
"Leaf-fall is here, it is not the smartest idea to travel through the mountains, we barely made it the first time during Greenleaf," Berrythorn, while a devout believer in StarClan and their will also remained terribly honest.
"You heard what StarClan said, we all had the same dream. If we don't go now it will be too late," Firelight reminded him, eyes narrowed on the ShadowClan warrior.
"I know, but it doesn't mean I have to like it," He replied, and with that jumped from his perch to head back to the others. As he returned the rustling of leaves alerted the guides to coming felines.
Emerging from the entrance to the island, a motley crew of clan cats. Some well-known warriors, other young apprentices. As they all gathered, Firelight brow pitched, their numbers barely reached sixteen by her count. She noted just four from her clan, one of them an apprentice. Avoiding confronting them, she trotted ahead of them all to rejoin with her fellow guides. Sitting beside the still openly distraught Lilywish, who was frantically grooming her face for comfort before confronting the crowd. Firelight watched as Berrythorn muttered a few words to her, which seemed to make Lilywish smile. The journey back their first home had been equally as long as the way to the new home, and they had grown close.
"Thank you all for coming," Shadeheart spoke once Firelight joined them. As the more charismatic of the chosen four, he easily took the mantle of defacto speaker. "StarClan had set the four of us on a mission, to find a home better suited for our ways and free from the Colony," As he paused murmurs started, cats quickly chatting about the Colony and what they knew. Days prior all the leaders of the four clans had joined to agree with the Colony's plan. One each clan would take a turn offering up one kit on the night of no moon.
"We have found that home and ask you all join us in returning there," Shadeheart explained, watching as several cats spoke out. Some shouting questions, others claiming it was a betrayal to leave their home.
Shouting rose and rose until Lilywish yowled for silence.
"Queens do not give up their kits, as warrior we fight against those that wish to do us harm. We tried to stand for what is right, our clanmates died for it. If we stay here, it will never end. The Colony will only take more and more from us until there is nothing left. By staying we give up our ways!" Emboldened for a moment, Lilywish's voice rang loud and true, everyone listened.
"I'll go," It was a ThunderClan apprentice who spoke, which started the cascading of others joining in. Berrythorn watched, brow raised and ears pitched forward.
"Good, we must try and gather the others so go back and be back tomorrow night we will leave together by-," Firelight's orders by the rustling of leaves.
Emerging from the log-bridge, came the female who led the Colony. Pure white, like newly fallen snow, her soft blue eyes carried disdain.
"It seems we have a gathering of savages," Her tone while polite remained coated in malice. Two large tabby toms flanked her, a third just behind her, a she-cat of a calico pattern. "We offered your leaders peace and this is how you repay that?"
"We do not want your peace!" Firelight shouted back, jumping down to head toward the alabaster she-cat, the crowd of clan cats parting for her.
"Then I will give you a war," With a flick of her tail the two toms at her side lunged forward, racing at Firelight gain incredible speed given the short distance. Once colliding with the calico WindClan warrior, more colony cats emerged from the shadows.
The fighting raged. Firelight barely survived the assault by both toms, clawing, and biting until aid came in the shape of a RiverClan warrior who tore at the hindlegs of one tom.
Despite their training, the warriors were overwhelmed. The leader of the colony had healthy fighters and plenty of them. Beaten to the point she couldn't move, Firelight barely managed to utter a retreat yowl. Shadeheart heard it, calling out for them to escape off the island and run for the mountain beyond ShadowClan's territory. The runaways took for the path through ShadowClan territory. Those native to the land guides the less confident members of their now formed group.
The Colony only chased them to the Greenleaf towel place before stopping, but the escaping cats continued despite their injuries. Firelight among the few barely able to make it out alive.
Lilywish and Berrythorn who had stayed behind long enough to gather any wayward runaways looked over their lakeside home one last time.
"Do you think we will ever get to come back home?"
"It's not our home anymore, Lilywish," He told her touching his tail to her shoulder She followed him, without a second glance toward the lake.
Berrythorn sat, claw clutching aged deadwood near the outskirts of the gathering place. Shadeheart had planned to arrive early and so they had waited all day. Lilywish had arrived last by comparison. Her face a picture of distress, her mate had refused to join her. Putting into perspective the reality that many might not leave the lakeside territory.
Brooding on the subject, the black-coated tom heard the clearing of Firelight's throat. Before he could glance in her direction she moved around to stand before him. "I saw some movement from the moorland side, some cats are coming,"
"Will there be enough?" Berrythorn asked, the calico she-cat with her fiery eyes tsked.
"WindClan cats will, I have faith in my Clan," He reply was met with Berrythorn unamused expression.
"Leaf-fall is here, it is not the smartest idea to travel through the mountains, we barely made it the first time during Greenleaf," Berrythorn, while a devout believer in StarClan and their will also remained terribly honest.
"You heard what StarClan said, we all had the same dream. If we don't go now it will be too late," Firelight reminded him, eyes narrowed on the ShadowClan warrior.
"I know, but it doesn't mean I have to like it," He replied, and with that jumped from his perch to head back to the others. As he returned the rustling of leaves alerted the guides to coming felines.
Emerging from the entrance to the island, a motley crew of clan cats. Some well-known warriors, other young apprentices. As they all gathered, Firelight brow pitched, their numbers barely reached sixteen by her count. She noted just four from her clan, one of them an apprentice. Avoiding confronting them, she trotted ahead of them all to rejoin with her fellow guides. Sitting beside the still openly distraught Lilywish, who was frantically grooming her face for comfort before confronting the crowd. Firelight watched as Berrythorn muttered a few words to her, which seemed to make Lilywish smile. The journey back their first home had been equally as long as the way to the new home, and they had grown close.
"Thank you all for coming," Shadeheart spoke once Firelight joined them. As the more charismatic of the chosen four, he easily took the mantle of defacto speaker. "StarClan had set the four of us on a mission, to find a home better suited for our ways and free from the Colony," As he paused murmurs started, cats quickly chatting about the Colony and what they knew. Days prior all the leaders of the four clans had joined to agree with the Colony's plan. One each clan would take a turn offering up one kit on the night of no moon.
"We have found that home and ask you all join us in returning there," Shadeheart explained, watching as several cats spoke out. Some shouting questions, others claiming it was a betrayal to leave their home.
Shouting rose and rose until Lilywish yowled for silence.
"Queens do not give up their kits, as warrior we fight against those that wish to do us harm. We tried to stand for what is right, our clanmates died for it. If we stay here, it will never end. The Colony will only take more and more from us until there is nothing left. By staying we give up our ways!" Emboldened for a moment, Lilywish's voice rang loud and true, everyone listened.
"I'll go," It was a ThunderClan apprentice who spoke, which started the cascading of others joining in. Berrythorn watched, brow raised and ears pitched forward.
"Good, we must try and gather the others so go back and be back tomorrow night we will leave together by-," Firelight's orders by the rustling of leaves.
Emerging from the log-bridge, came the female who led the Colony. Pure white, like newly fallen snow, her soft blue eyes carried disdain.
"It seems we have a gathering of savages," Her tone while polite remained coated in malice. Two large tabby toms flanked her, a third just behind her, a she-cat of a calico pattern. "We offered your leaders peace and this is how you repay that?"
"We do not want your peace!" Firelight shouted back, jumping down to head toward the alabaster she-cat, the crowd of clan cats parting for her.
"Then I will give you a war," With a flick of her tail the two toms at her side lunged forward, racing at Firelight gain incredible speed given the short distance. Once colliding with the calico WindClan warrior, more colony cats emerged from the shadows.
The fighting raged. Firelight barely survived the assault by both toms, clawing, and biting until aid came in the shape of a RiverClan warrior who tore at the hindlegs of one tom.
Despite their training, the warriors were overwhelmed. The leader of the colony had healthy fighters and plenty of them. Beaten to the point she couldn't move, Firelight barely managed to utter a retreat yowl. Shadeheart heard it, calling out for them to escape off the island and run for the mountain beyond ShadowClan's territory. The runaways took for the path through ShadowClan territory. Those native to the land guides the less confident members of their now formed group.
The Colony only chased them to the Greenleaf towel place before stopping, but the escaping cats continued despite their injuries. Firelight among the few barely able to make it out alive.
Lilywish and Berrythorn who had stayed behind long enough to gather any wayward runaways looked over their lakeside home one last time.
"Do you think we will ever get to come back home?"
"It's not our home anymore, Lilywish," He told her touching his tail to her shoulder She followed him, without a second glance toward the lake.