Prologue
The Moon was a thin silver claw in the sky, thick storm clouds approached from over the hills. The sky was dim, little stars glinted, giving courage and hope in the darkness. Silhouettes of all sizes were slinking into shallow burrows, woven reeds, bramble shelters, some curled up in the open, fearless of the storm. Like always, nothing was fully quiet or still. Rodents scrabbled on the forest floor, a raven took flight. Crickets began their night routine and leaves rustled.Air buzzed with tension, thunder rumbled far away. In the middle of a grassy clearing, sat a plump cat. Her white fur was almost silver in the pale night, her green eyes betrayed her worry and woe. She threw a glance at her round belly and sighed, both sad and happy. She could hear the slow, rhythmical breaths of her Clanmates from here, she thought of the cold moss nest she was supposed to be in. No, there's too much to sleep, she thought. For the first time in moons, she could appreciate the beauty of something.
'Still awake?' a concerned voice startled her, she spun around, feeling a little helpless. She sighed, relieved, it was her mate. 'Snowcloud, get some sleep. Big day coming any sunrise now, you need to be strong and brave' he purred, looking like a tiger in the shadows. 'I'm scared Tigertail' she whispered, looking at her paws. 'Asphodel-leaf is very stressed, he's old and has so much to do and you know how he's always so insensitive and brash and he'd rather not want the kits born at all because they'll only get under everyone's paws and Minnowheart keeps speaking of dark omens and I get nightmares when I'm alone and, and-' Snowcloud let out her emotion, quickly and silently.
Tigertail padded over to her and let her lean against his strong body. 'I am the only one that has survived the terrible greencough season form my litter, my kits will not die' he assured. 'Is there any point to it? Minnowheart says-' she was overlapped by the vivid ginger tabby. 'You know she longs for something exciting to happen, you know she hopes she'll be allowed to fight again some day. Think about how restless she must be as a medicine cat, she was always so stubborn and outspoken' Tigertail murmured. 'I wouldn't take her word' he added, seeing Snowcloud's cynical look. He sighed deeply.
'I promise I'll talk to Maplewhisker, he'll sort stuff out with old Asphodel-leaf, maybe this time he'll even consider taking an apprentice' Tigertail vowed, anything to make you happy, he thought. Snowcloud, however, snorted. 'Maplewhisker is not going to change the rotten elder's mind, he's having enough trouble with his duties already. I think Ravenstar was mistaken to choose him as deputy, he's too young' she whined, looking at her mate's brilliant amber eyes. 'I wish you were the deputy, it's what you deserve' she whispered.
'No' Tigertail said sternly. 'He may have his flaws but he is a good friend, and he's working very hard. I'll watch over you tonight, if it makes you feel safe' he offered, licking Snowcloud's cheek. 'Okay' she replied, some weight taken off her heart. 'I suppose it's all stress, sorry for being so unbearable' Snowcloud muttered, a little embarrassed. 'It's fine, I'm glad you let it all out. I've seen queens do terrible things from stress, you're really taking it well' Tigertail purred, he always knew how others felt and always tried his best to understand them.
The first icy drops of rain dripped down, breaking the buzzing tension in the warm green-leaf air. Rain was a relief, it meant the end of sweltering hot days, and even the smallest kit knew with rain came hope. The two cats stood in the drizzle for a few heartbeats, before Tigertail nudged the queen back to their camp. They curled up together and slept, tails entwined.
Only one cat didn't sleep, its thoughts whirling wildly. What's the best way, the cat thought, to kill a deputy?
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