Brokenstar was upset. The ThunderClan cats were multiplying. If this was allowed to continue, they might rebel. He padded to the High Tree, where he addressed his empire. There, Brokenstar found his mate, Sedgetail, curled into a ball. He stretched out next to her, as visions of ShadowClan's might growing ever greater marched through his head.
**********************************
Brokenstar woke with a growl, rolled his shoulders, and stood. He looked out over the marsh, and saw the hundreds of enslaved ThunderClan cats working hard to build nests, dens, and other stuff. Each group was supervised by a ShadowClan warrior, all making sure that the slaves did their daily quota and did not slack. The thought that the slaves were getting to numerous crossed his mind again. As he walked back into his den, his medicine cats, Sol and Lun, came up to him.
"Master Brokenstar," Sol mewed in his deep voice, "We have noticed that the slaves seem to be multiplying."
"If this keeps going," Lun continued, "ShadowClan could be overrun."
"Yes, my cats, I have realized this as well. And, I have come to a conclusion. All the tom kits must be killed. Get a group of warriors together. Then, raid all of the ThunderClan nurseries. Throw the toms upon the Sharp Rocks. With no toms, they cannot multiply. Go."
Sol and Lun dipped their heads. "Your wish is our command, Master." They turned to go.
"Wait!" Brokenstar called. "Double the workload of the slaves. Show them that we still control their lives."
The two medicine cats nodded, and then left the High Tree. Brokenstar smiled to himself. He was the ruler, absolute ruler of his domain.
************************************
The ShadowClan warrior watched impassively as the ThunderClan cats groaned at the news of doubled workloads. Soon, one began to sing, and the others joined in. The warrior did not stop them; he only shouted what the slaves needed to do:
[ShadowClan Guard]
Mouse...Snake...Water...Sparrow...Faster!
Mouse...And lift...Snake...And Pull
Water...And raise up...Sparrow...Faster!
[ThunderClan Slaves]
With the sting of the bite on my shoulder
With the salt of my sweat on my brow
Oh please, StarClan on high
Can you hear your Clanmates cry:
Help us now
This dark hour...
Deliver us
Hear our call
Deliver us
Ancestors of all
Remember us, here in this marshy sand
Deliver us
There's a land you promised us
Deliver us to the promised land...
********************************
A she-cat slipped through the shadows. Her name was Goldenflower. With her were her son and daughter, Acornpelt and Milkweed. She carried her little kit by his scruff. All around her were the sounds of mothers crying for their kits, as the tom kits were taken away. Goldenflower was heading towards the river, and as she ran, she sang:
[Goldenflower]
Yal-di ha-tov veh ha-rach
(My good and tender son)
Al ti-ra veh al tif-chad
(Don't be frightened and don't be scared)
My son, I have nothing I can give
But this chance that you may live
I pray we'll meet again
If StarClan delivers us
While she ran, Goldenflower could here the slaves singing as well:
[ThunderClan Slaves]
Deliver us
Hear our prayer
Deliver us
From despair
These years of slavery grow
too cruel to stand
Deliver us
There's a land you promised us
Deliver us
Out of bondage and
Deliver us to the promised land...
Goldenflower reached the river, and lay her kit on a raft of river weed. She pushed him out into the current, and lifted up her voice to him as he drifted away:
[Goldenflower]
Hush now, my kitten
Be still, love, don't cry
Sleep as you're rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember my last lullaby
So I'll be with you when you dream
River, o river
Flow gently for me
Such precious cargo you bear
Do you know somewhere
he can live freely?
River, please deliver him there...
Milkweed padded alongside the river, watching as her brother traversed the water. She looked ahead of her, and saw, to her horror, the place where Brokenstar's den met the river. Sedgetail was there, washing herself. Milkweed pulled back into the reeds, and watched as her brother was sighted by the queen. Sedgetail waded out, and pulled the raft close. She took the kit off by the scruff and purred. Then, Sedgetail turned and went back in the den. Milkweed smiled. It seemed as though her brother was safe, after all. As she turned to return to Goldenflower, Milkweed began to purr a song to her brother's retreating form:
[Young Milkweed]
Brother, you're safe now
And safe may you stay
For I have a prayer just for you:
Grow, my sweet brother
Come back someday
Come and deliver us, too...
As if the slaves could hear her, they began to sing once again, adding to Milkweed's song:
[ThunderClan Slaves]
Deliver us
Send a Leader to lead us
And deliver us to the promised land
Goldenflower tilted back her head, and yowled to the sky her plea:
[Goldenflower]
Deliver us!
**************************************
Brokenstar watched as his mate brought him a tom kit. "What is this?" he asked.
"I found him in the water. I wish to keep and raise him," Sedgetail replied.
"Fine," Brokenstar meowed.
Sedgetail purred in delight, licked Brokenstar on the ear, and set the kit down. "I will call you 'Drawn up out of the water.' Welcome..... Firekit."
A/N: Well, here is the first chapter of 'Prince of Shadow." Hope you enjoy it. And, please leave reviews, I love getting them.
