Hi. Have I completely made myself infamous from reviews? Definitely. Am I going to ignore that I'm mean? No... but I'll still continue to be me. If I review on your story rudely, look past the 'mean' stuff, and see the truth. Anyways, enough of my stupid blabbering. Here's the story idea.
In ancient kingdoms, there are Kings. The king usually have children, or in this case, kits, who usually become heirs to the throne. And, rather unfortunately, humans are greedy for power, as they will practically do anything to earn satisfy their hunger, which includes killing. This is a cat version of this brief explanation. Confused by my brief rambling? Same here, but maybe we'll figure it out.
Moonkit allowed a admiring smile to spread across her features as she watched two older male kits battle it out, a contrasting flurry of black and white fur. Her small, thorny claws sheathed and unsheathed, imagining herself in a real battle, or even a small kittish skirmage such as the one playing out before her. After a few moments of muffled grunts, the black tom ended, his large paws unsheathed and covered with blood and some white fur. His victim, Frostkit, was an ugly sight as he bounded off to the herb den.
She was about to bound over and congratulate the victor, Stormkit, however, before she could even move her light silver paw, a sleek golden tabby came rushing over, her emerald eyes sparkling in the morning rays. Moonkit let out a disgusted snort and refused to admit to her jealousy, instead turning to pad over to the large prey pile. Her eyes swept over the multiple choices and she picked a few candidates; a plump pigeon, a large and juicy looking squirrel, and a beautiful blue jay, a speck of dark crimson blood dotting it's neck's feathers.
Moonkit let out a unsatisfied grunt and stiffly picked up the blue jay by it's light blue feathers and dropped it off onto a large flat boulder. Staring at her prey without making a move, she quietly grumbled about the imperfections and that the workers were not trying enough. With a shake of her head, and a flick of her tail, she called, her voice clear and managing as much authority as a kit's voice could get,"Snowpaw! You stupid slave! Get your lazy rump off that nest and clean this bird!"
A small white dappled female apprentice quickly scurried out of a den, a small trail of unrested dust and dirt trailing behind her. Moonkit spat at the cat's head and sneered,"Where's your dignity? How can you expect to serve me with all your life while looking like that? Disgraceful!" She spit and let out a cracked laugh, unsheathing her thorny paws and clawing the snowy pelt of her servant, adding to their pile of scars.
Mortified, the white apprentice crouched down even further, and flipped themselves over, revealing their stomach, littered with unsightly scars. Moonkit slapped her tail down on the boulder and snarled,"Get out of my sight!" Quickly, head bent down and ears flattened, the she-cat quickly scrambled off of the boulder with her stump of a tail between her legs and disappeared behind a pile of overgrown ferns, probably to clean herself.
Disgraceful, Moonkit thought, sniffing as if somehow, just the presence of a low rank would make her infected. Losing her appetite, the small silver kit shook her head and left the bird, untouched. Jumping off the boulder gracefully as she had so many times since first opening her eyes, she calmly padded over to a shaded area, two pure blue eyes shining mysteriously in the shadows.
Moonkit purred and hurried her pace, settling down in the shade, another long purr rumbling down her throat. The grey tabby next to her, was her oldest sister, most likely to take the position as queen if their sickly brother, Sootkit, took his inevitable death. "Moonkit, lovely day, wouldn't it be," her sister's silky voice meowed, the sound ringing and echoing like waves lapping up a shore, a rare smile showing in the dim light.
Moonkit looked outside of the small clearing and let out a casual laugh, though the pricked fur along her spine betrayed her casual demeanor. "Indeed, High Heir Steamkit." Moonkit's unique golden-amber eyes narrowed slowly as she spotted Daisykit, bathing on her rock, her golden fur gleaming a pale sandy color in the sunlight, fluffy tail lazily flicking back and forth.
Steamkit followed Moonkit's gaze and let out a light chuckle,"Jealous? Dear sister?" Moonkit stared back, her tail shifting behind her uncomfortably. After a few moments of soothing silence, Moonkit spoke, "Perhaps. It often comes to me, why Stormkit would pay more time for stupid Daisykit. He knows it would be more," Moonkit paused," Worth it, to have kits with the queen's line."
Steamkit nodded silently, her blue eyes showing nothing as she spoke, her voice a soft whisper,"Lightningkit seems to like you." This seemed to cause Moonkit some strangely humored amusement, as she let out something close of a cackle. Moonkit shook her head and stood up, licking her paw slowly- not that there was anything to clean from her clean fur. Steamkit let out a small mumble, causing Moonkit to turn around, tilting her head in question.
The grey tabby simply laughed and shrugged nonchalantly before explaining, "I'll be an apprentice by tomorrow, sunhigh. Make sure you don't miss it while mooning over Stormkit." Instead of the initial embarrassed reaction for Moonkit to start blushing petals, Moonkit snorted, but nodded curtly before ambling out.
That was from Moonkit's third perspective view. This, would be from Stormkit's perspective.
Letting out a luxurious yawn, he slowly blinked open my fluttery eyelids and pressed a black paw on his fluffy feathered nest and stood up. Shaking his ruffled pelt, he called for his servant, Mistpaw. The blue-gray she-cat scrambled over, head bowed and stumpy tail flat behind her. Stormkit scoffed,"Clean me." Quickly, the apprentice began to smooth out his messy mane and skillfully undid the knots in his pelt. As she began on his tail, he quickly curled it to his side and snarled, smacking Mistpaw, his abnormally long claws cutting deep on the closest part to him, her muzzle. Wincing in pain, the she-cat let out a few shrieks of pain and she writhed on the ground.
Stormkit smirked and let out a laugh,"You know not to touch the high-ranks tails. Tails, as you know," he paused, looking down at his servant with a sneer on his face,"Are too pure for the likes of you. They mean our identity. You just tried to touch my tail. You have no right to start whimpering as you are." With a last stoney glare at his servant, he shouted, his voice bleeding with contempt,"Get this stupid thing out of my den!" He began to laugh scornfully as two large workers came bounding to the entrance of the nursery, sympathy showing bright in their eyes as they saw the 'thing', that Stormkit wanted to be thrown in the river.
Mistpaw, through her dazed state, still whimpering, allowed her big eyes to go watery with shock. She realized what situation she was in, and on instinct, looked with a pleading at her master. Stormkit quickly slashed out her eyes for this, and he continued reprimanding,"You know you shouldn't look in our eyes. You stupid fox-dung excuse for a cat." He paused and let a dark sly smile spread across his face,"It's like mother and daughter..." As Mistpaw gave a shout of grief whilst recalling her blinded, dead mother, the black tom simply laughed smugly. Quick as lightning, he shot his large paws out and threw the apprentice out of the den. Crack.
There was an ear-breaking screech of pain. Without hesitation, he padded into the workers den and picked a small, pretty light brown tabby and lead her out of the den, managing a seductive look in his kittish eyes. He stopped in a clearing and motioned with a gentle flick of his tail for her to join him. There was a moment of hesitation, but the tabby slowly sat down. Stormkit smiled and began licking her pelt, a show of affection. The tabby let out a whimper of shock before relaxing and purring.
The black tom stood up and laughed as the tabby began nuzzling his paws. She'll make a good servant. He allowed his tail to sit across her back, and she began purring into one of his large paws...
Stormkit was a confident, unusually large kit. His paws were extremely powerful for only 5 and a half or so moons. Quick as the weather he was named after, his large paws bashed against the she-cats skull and he stepped aside calmly, as if he hadn't just given a cat a possible concussion. Inside of her pelt, he drew his claw and made a strange cloud shape in her back, claiming her as his servant. Casually, he sauntered away to sit near Daisykit, who's eyes lit up with longing as when he started licking her back. A growl rose from behind him, and Frostkit's stupidly venemous voice snarled,"Daisykit. Move."
Stormkit's brother's demand, was short and simple, but it summarized a lot. Confidently, Stormkit tilted his head to meet his brother's infuriated amber ones. he pressed a paw on Daisykit, securing her. Stormkit let out a laugh and broke their gaze, ending their silent fight.
After a few moments of silence, he chuckled coldly and responded, his voice icy,"Try me." Without hesitation, Stormkit launched himself at his brother, thorny claws unsheathed. Frostkit countered with a swift kick, his white hindpaw meeting nothing but air. As all of his momentum went into the single attack, Stormkit had already landed. The white tom tried and failed miserably totake his ground again, as Stormkit had already started battering him with blows. Frostkit's white stomach was covered in liquidish red, and his pants were heavy.
While Stormkit had let a few of his brother's uncoordinated scratches reach him, he definitely was the victor. Frostkit let out a choked sneer before hurrying himselve to the herb den. In the corner, he saw Moonkit staring at him, admiration and an emotion he couldn't decode fazing over her eyes. Stormkit laughed internally, let her be jealous. Ditch Daisykit and she'll follow you immediately. Pathetic.
He had once found Steamkit extremely beautiful, but he knew she had no feelings in return and anything romantic would be extremely one sided. In addition to that, she was too intelligent to fall for his tricks. His respect for her was too high for him to even consider the following; forcing her to bare his kits.
Ignoring Daisykit as she began licking at his paws, again, pathetic, he purred and whispered into her ear,"Father wanted to talk with me about apprenticeship." She nodded understandingly and curled up. She almost looked cute while she was sleeping, but Moonkit would still be his final choice. Technically, he had not lied to Daisykit, as King did indeed want to talk to him, but about his mate.
It was rather obvious that Stormkit would become the king, as Frostkit had less of the highranking she-cats mooning over him. Sootkit was pathetic. Slightly tense, Stormkit put on a regal look and marched into his fathers den, head held high. As he entered, his body immediately resumed his casual posture and he greeted his father cheerfully,"Hello!"
Shadowcall looked up and allowed a small smile. On the side, sat Silverstar, the queen, Rosetail, Featherleaf, and his mother, Sweetwind. Managing an enthusiastic voice, Silverstar spoke, her voice smoother than honey,"We've come to the understanding at you would be the male heir, but you would only take the throne if Steamkit was your mate."
Shadowcall spoke up,"I have talked to Steamkit about this and she informed me that she will not be mating with you unless you impress her." Sweetwind added encouragingly,"I'm sure you'll win her over. Stormkit blinked and mumbled,"What about Moonkit?" Silverstar let out a hiss and growled, her beautiful eyes narrowed,"And you leave Lightningkit or Frostkit to claim my Steamkit? They're unworthy."
Stormkit allowed himself to take in the slight praise, before considering the choices. He could settle for Moonkit but allow Steamkit to possibly get mated by his horrid half-siblings, or he could sacrifice his pride and try to earn Steamkit's love. The choice seemed rather obvious. He nodded and left the den without another word.
Still confused? Yeah. I guess I didn't explain much in this first chapter, other than some derpy basic stuff. Well, here goes the boring info...
King - There is one in the clan, that acts as the leader, and has the rights to everyone- but the queen-'s life. This means, anyone has the risk of being killed at any moment if they do something to displease the king. The male heir will become the next king, unless deemed unworthy. If the male is denied or there is no male born when the king dies, the female heir becomes queen, and their mate, king. The king will have one queen, and the queen is not a demotable rank. There can be up to 3 other mates, who will provide more high ranking warriors, or in some rare cases, will become the heir. The queen's kits are the one's that are first entitled heir.
Queen - There is one in the clan, that acts as a second leader, and has the rights to everyone other than the king's children and other mates lives. This means, they have the power to harm-but not kill the other mates and their children, and the lower ranks may be killed as pleased. The king's chosen mate- the one they love the most, or their parents decided for them- becomes the queen. In some occasions, the female heir will become queen, and their mate, their king.
King's Mate - There can be 3 in each clan at a time, that act as respected deputies. They must not have any other mate, or they will be executed. These cats are chosen by the king, and if a king passes away, they will become normal high ranks. Their kits will only become heirs if the queen's kits are denied or dead. They hold as much authority as normal high ranks, although they act more superior and have higher spots on the boulder pile.
Male heir - The king's oldest son from the queen. They will become king once the king dies or retires. They will take on one mate- or their parents will decide- that will become their queen once they take the position. They are treated with admiration and often look down on the king's mates and their 'Noble kits'.
Female heir - The king's oldest daughter from the queen. They will become queen if the male heir is denied or dies. They will take on one mate- or their parents will decide- that will become the king if they happen to become queen. They are treated with admiration and often look down on the king's mates and their 'Noble kits'.
Royal heirs - The other kits of the queen. There can be 4 in total, including the male and female heir. If the number is overshot, one kit will be chosen to be adopted by one of the king's mates, and they will be immune to any slaughtering when the amount of noble heirs goes over. They will take up the roles slowly, still by age, if the male or female heir is denied or dies)
Noble heirs - There can be 9 at most at a time in the clan, and if at any time that number is over shot, the noble heirs will gather for inspection, the less prodigy looking kits will be slaughtered quickly and thrown into the river. They will take up the roles of Male heir and/or Female heir if both the original's are denied or die (Including all the other royal heirs). They are taught to admire the king and the queen, and are often spoiled by their mothers, but not as much as the queen's kits.
Highranks - They are the cats that make up the high ranking category and have their own boulder. They can not be demoted, and there can be at most 9 at a time in the clan. If the number is overshot, a cat will be slaughtered. (The demoted royal heir would still be immune to this process)
Herb Ranks - There will be 2 of these cats, a mentor, and an apprentice. They are allowed to have a mate, but not kits. They are treated with respect, and they heal. This clan does not believe in afterlife.
Low ranks - These cats are looked down upon, and they are usually called 'workers'. They patrol and hunt. These cats can not mate with higher ranks, and there will only be 15 of these cats at most. If the number is overshot, the weakest looking will become servants, however, if all the highranks already have a servant, they will be slaughtered.
Servant- The worst possible position you can be in. These cats are stepped upon by their masters, and practice the back-straining chores such as filling out new nests, fixing dens, and serving to any need of their master. These cats are unable to get out of their position, and if they ask for anything, they will be brutally tortured, and some cruel cats may not kill them instantly, instead, forcing their wounds to dry up with blood and reopen while doing more work. These cats might be randomly chosen at any time by a high rank, who will either get straight to the point, or seduce them and see what they would be like as a play thing.
Anything notable:
Moonkit is a Royal heir.
Steamkit is the Female heir.
The highranks have a large cliff filled with large ledges called 'boulder's', where they can choose to sleep on if they wish too, and where they might choose to eat. Near the top are perches where high rank cats that have been called for a ceremony sit. It is called the Ledge. This is where the clan has meetings.
There is only one 'clan'.
Stormpaw and Daisypaw are from different litters and they are Noble heirs.
Sootkit is a dark gray tabby with sickly yellow eyes, weak with a birth-started greencough. It's obvious that his small body will die on him soon.
The king is Shadowcall. (This clan keep's their warrior name if they become king)
The queen is Silverstar. (Star is not a sacred word anymore, as they do not believe in ancestory)
The kits want to have kits to keep their bloodline running. They fight over the other gender. Its common to know who your mate will be once you get to apprenticeship. If they are too late to have kits, they may be killed before they have another chance.
Noble Heir's and Royal Heir's mentor situation: Nobles have 2 mentors (Unless they choose the path of herbs) that are occasionally shared with other nobles if there are not enough high ranks, and royals have the same situation, but at times, the king and their mates will train them.
Now, I know that this is extremely similar to Embers and Ashes, so apologies on that, but thats done, so I hope you enjoyed whatever the heck this mess was. I honestly don't know how to write, so please review any errors I made, or anything that might need to be cleared up. Im really sorry for all the info, but its just something that I need to base it off of. Its kind of like the allegiances, but not. Something most people skip, but yeah.
Is this against the rules? Probably.
QOTC (Question of the chapter)
What do you think of the highranks' behaviors towards their servants?
Have a good day! Cookies to anyone who reviews. Any type of review. Other than a copy and pasted one.