A New Home, a New Hope [RC|O]

Thoughts swirled in Echostar's mind like muddy water, ebbing and flowing as she struggled to form coherency. The tension had only grown since the ceremony a few days prior. Roseclan's three new warriors carried themselves with pride and dignity, and seemed to have no troubles adapting to their new duties. Even so, the celebration had not lasted long. Indeed, it was only two days after that Echostar had been brought the news. More prey; torn, stinking, savaged. And, reportedly, howls on the wind. Surely, this heavy storm cloud could not idle for much longer. If there truly were dogs on the loose, and if they had already ventured this far in search of prey, it wouldn't be long before they discovered the two clans nearby. If there was more than one... Starclan help us all.

It was the noise that drew her out of her thoughts. A low murmuring, which gradually rose into an agitated buzz. Something was going on outside. Echostar could hear the excited whispers of her clanmates, and the shuffling of movement. Not long after, a scent was carried to her. Sharp, foreign, and murky with fear. She stood slowly, even as a shadow cast itself over the entrance of her den.

Kestrelheart's voice pierced the uneasy quiet. "Echostar? Can I talk to you for a moment?" He sounded nervous, though very few new warriors maintained their calm when approaching her den. She had always tried to assuage any intimidation that she might bring about in her clanmates, though she suspected her strictness didn't help. "It's quite urgent and important." She had no doubt, if the palpable tension hanging in the air was anything to go by.

Making one final survey of herself to brush away any traces of her previous unease, Echostar responded, "Of course. Come in, Kestrelheart." She had no qualms about leaving what she suspected to be at least two rogues in the camp. Kestrelheart was a sensible warrior, and wouldn't bring anyone untrustworthy into the heart of Roseclan. The question was why. Indeed, Echostar hoped her clan wouldn't get too nosy while their newcomers stood alone outside.

In the moment of silence between his question hanging and Echostar's reply, Kestrelheart thought his legs would give out beneath him, but he held himself tall, though his tail trembled slightly.  Echostar's calm and clear voice eased his nerves a little.  She wasn't the leader of Roseclan for nothing, she would certainly know the right course of action, Kestrelheart just hoped that her decision and his own thoughts lined up the same.

Taking one last deep breath, Kestrelheart stepped forward into Echostar's den, blinking while his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the cave.  He stood strong and firm, with much more confidence than he actually felt.  Dipping his head politely to his leader, and voicing a silent prayer to Starclan, he began his report, "I was out hunting by Dog Wood Pond, and while I was there I overheard two cats talking, they sounded most distressed.  I wanted to see them before I approached, to see if there was possibly a threat, but they were barely more than just kits, and they seemed very lost.  So I went up to them, making sure they were indeed the only ones there.  When I talked to them, they told me that their family was missing, I didn't want to press them on the subject, it seemed to be a thorn in the paw, so I offered to bring them back here where we could keep them safe and possibly send out a patrol to search for their family."

Kestrelheart paused, his mouth slightly dry, before continuing, "I know you'll want to talk to them, Echostar, to find where they last were with their family, but I have a feeling that we won't find them, and I promised the kits that if we didn't find their family that they would have a home with Roseclan."  His dipped his head, ears pinned back with embarrassment, "I did not mean to step out of paw, but they were very distressed, and I couldn't think of anything else to say that would make them feel comfortable."  He looked back up to Echostar, his word to the kits and his vow to the clan clashing within him, "I made a promise to them, and I would hate myself if I were to break it."

Kestrelheart bowed his head, waiting for Echostar's judgement.

( My apologies for the late reply. )

Echostar found herself resisting the urge to smile - she would hate for Kestrelheart to think she wasn't taking him seriously. She couldn't help but be proud, however. Just a few days prior, he had been an apprentice. Now, he delivered his words with the composure of a senior warrior. However, she was quickly deterred from these thoughts.

Lost kits? Out in the forest, no less? Her mind instantly flickered to each and every report she had received of mutilated prey and predator stench, a few of which she had even seen herself. They were absolutely savaged. If whatever was lurking in the deeper woods had found those kits...

It doesn't bode well for their family, either.

After Kestrelheart finished his halting report, he bowed his head. His uneasiness was obvious. In another situation, she might have been angry. Echostar didn't fancy her warriors (new warriors, no less) making major decisions without her input. However, she could find no fault with Kestrelheart's actions. He was simply trying to do what was best for these kits, and Echostar likely wouldn't have chosen any differently.

Her heart clenched with Kestrelheart's words. "I have a feeling we won't find them". It was unfortunate, but terribly likely. Unbidden, an image of smoke-stained fur and blackened walls sprung to her mind. It was painfully ironic - the way history repeated itself. Thank goodness Kestrelheart had found them in time.

"You were right to bring them here. It's not safe for kits to be alone in the forest." She responded evenly, giving a small smile to ease the tom's nerves. "You needn't worry. I wouldn't turn away kits, nor should you ever fear I will ask you to." Her eyes narrowed slightly, pained. "It-"

Quite suddenly, they were joined by a third. Echostar knew in an instant that this was one of the kits. The poor molly's tiny frame was ragged and weary, far too much for one her age. A misery hung about her, and for a moment, Echostar's breath halted. The kitten was clearly not well, but she had marched inside anyway and demanded care for herself, and her sister. It reminded her far too much of herself, just before she found Roseclan.

Echostar's lips curled in a smile. "Of course. I can show you to the Apprentice's Den - there's plenty of space right now. You and your sister may rest there." She turned her gaze to the new warrior once again. "Kestrelheart, could you fetch them something to eat from the fresh-kill pile? As soon as they're settled, I'll organize a patrol to search the territory for their family."

((Gah, sorry it took me a week to get to this.  And it's no problem Kia!))

Kestrelheart perked up slightly as Echostar's cool and calm voice reassured him that he had made the correct decision and that she would not turn the kits away in their time of need.  A sigh escaped from Kestrelhearts lips unbidden, he had not even realized he was holding his breath.  As a new warrior, he truly had had no idea what to expect, nor whether what he had done was entirely appropriate of one of his rank.  It was a major decision to be sure, and Kestrelheart was almost giddy with relief that he had done the right thing by the code, his clan, and the kits.  He hoped it would be awhile before he was faced with a choice like that again.

He had lifted his head to hear the rest of what Echostar had to say, waiting for the other paw to drop, when the tiny frame of Ruth appeared in the den, cutting off whatever Echostar had been going to say with her arrival.  Kestrelheart's ears burned red, he pinned them back, embarrassed and scared of the retribution the kit would face, you didn't simply walk into the leader's den without permission or approval.  But Echostar didn't seem to mind, at least she didn't show it, when the kit demanded that she and her sister have food and a place to sleep.

Echostar replied with a smile, and Kestrelheart forced himself to stop thinking about the "what-ifs" as his leader turned back to him, "Kestrelheart, could you fetch them something to eat from the fresh-kill pile?"  He dipped his head as she continued, "As soon as they're settled, I'll organize a patrol to search the territory for their family."

Kestrelheart hurried out of Echostar's den but, paused as he saw Eve sitting listlessly staring ahead.  He padded over to her, twitching his whiskers in anxiety, the journey from Dog Wood pond wasn't a big deal for a strong and healthy warrior like himself, but Eve and Ruth were barely apprentice age, if that, and they were malnourished.  Kestrelheart could've scratched himself for being such a dolt.  They were obviously exhausted, and he had certainly not helped them with his fast paced treck through the woods.  He decided that he would go see Hazelfoot about the kits as soon as he fetched them some fresh-kill.

"I'm getting you and Ruth some fresh-kill," he mewed comfortingly to the ragged looking kit, "Echostar will get you settled in the Apprentice's Den, and she'll be sending out a patrol to search for your parents soon."  He shuffled his paws before leaving the kit's in Echostar's care, they weren't solely his responsibility now, but he had a hard time leaving them, even if it was just to get them food.