Author's Note: Remember, if you forget what positions some cats hold, refer back to the Names and Positions page. Usually I will hint at what they do in the chapter, but I won't always be able to. I didn't name every Hunter or Trainee in the Names page but if/when they become an important character they may be added. Suggestions for names are always welcome!


B.R.I.A.R.

"Now tell me, where would I be able to find nightshade?" the large brown tabby tom sat off to one side of the pile of rocks. In front of him was a handful of separate piles of various herbs and a shivering young tom cat. "Well? I told you this information no less than five times!"

"Uh..um..um by a river?" the cat spoke up timidily, ducking his ears back uncertaintly. He tried so hard to remember, but this cat, this Brair, just kept telling him information when he didn't understand why he was here. Suddenly a swipe of claws barreled him over, forcing him to yelp in surprise as he struggled to regain his paws.

"Pathetic" the young tom cat froze as the voice slid over him as smooth as silk, yet hard as ice. He couldn't resist a shiver as a long haired red shecat entered his vision. She stalked past him without another glance as she headed towards Briar.

"Metra E'tani" the Shaman meowed dipping his head respectfully. He eyes the Nemesis as she approached, careful to keep his face blank. Unlike her second in command, he did not hold the same level of trust to act friendly towards one another. Though why any cat would want to act that way was beyond him. He respected power and that was one thing no one could deny this fiery shecat had. He resisted his own shudder as those icy blue eyes pinned him with her gaze, tail flicking lightly back and forth.

"Report Briar. Is there any use for this cat?" she asked him softly, watching his every movement as if daring him to lie to her. She had already made her decision based on the attack of the young cat and would dispose of him unless Briar put forth a very convincing argument. Shaking his head at the young cats fate he sighed.

"Worthless, just as you originally thought. Doesn't know a thing about herbs nor can he retain information after hearing it." Briar stated knowing full well that he just sealed this cat's fate. But in this world, it was kill or be killed and he saw no reason to stick his own neck on the line for some cat that no one would remember five minutes from now.

"Very well." Metra finally looked at the young tom, motioning with her tail. "Follow me"

Briar followed the two out of his nest and towards the first floor of the stone house that they League was currently residing in. As the group emerged, more and more cats followed after them. Whispers were soon heard as cats were beginning to realize what was happening.

"Talon!" Metra called out as the grouped stopped by the entrance to the forest. "Bring your trainee, it is time for her…test"

At those words, whoops and hollers were heard as the cats parted to let a midnight black tom through. His flat golden eyes narrowed as he dipped his head to his leader. An ugly red scar ran through his left eye, put there many moons ago by an owl who thought that he would make an easy meal. "She is ready Metra" he meowed motioning forward another cat.

This time a black and silver stripped shecat stepped forward who was not much bigger than the young tom who was currently keeping very still in the center of the clearing, afraid to bring attention to himself.

"Very well Talon, we shall see now won't we." Metra meowed, a smirk on her features. "Trainee, are you prepared for your test? Remember, should you accept and fail not only you will die, but your mentor Talon as well for failing to train your properly."

The silver shecat nodded, bracing her shoulders to stand proudly. "I am"

Metra nodded approvingly before turning back to the young tom cat. "Listen here and listen closely. I am giving you a chance to run and leave this group behind. Past the river is where our border ends. Get past there and no one shall come after you"

Briar inwardly smirked as he watched the hope flash across the tom cat's face. Mousebrain, did he really think it was as simple as that? He shook his head as the tom took off, running into the woods and disappearing from sight. He watched as Metra turned to Silvari after a few heartbeats and nodded. The trainee sprang after the tom cat, hardly making a sound as she disappeared from sight.

"And now we wait" Metra laughed settling down as the group waited for the results.

As the Shaman, Briar never had to partake in this particular ceremony that every trainee must complete. It began when a prisoner was given their "freedom" and allowed to leave League territory and go back to where ever it was they came from. Then the trainee was sent after them in a game of cat and mouse. The trainee must locate, kill and return with the corpse of the prisoner before they managed to reach the border. Failure to do so meant death not only for the trainee, but the mentor as well. This cut down on the amount of hunts until a mentor was certain there was no chance of failure. This could mean that a cat was a trainee for many, many moons or maybe just one. But no matter how much or how little training was done, there was only one chance to succeed. The League had no use for weaklings of any kind.

Briar glanced at Talon, but the Hunter was simply watching the tree line for any type of movement. His golden eyes were watchful, not missing a thing. Briar didn't know how the other Hunter wasn't concerned. He knew that he would never want to place his life in some other cat's paws.

However, true to Falcon's faith after a while the trainee emerged from the bushes. Her pelt was filthy and he could see blood running down her front paw and neck, but her gaze was smug as she dragged the lifeless body of the young tom cat who had come so close to freedom behind her.

Metra stood up as the silver shecat placed the body at her E'tain's paws before stepping back and dipping her head respectfully. "I have slain the cat and brought his body back to the League. I await your judement"

"A life for a life" Metra meowed indicating the tom cat's body. "You have earned your new life and place in the League. We are now your one and only family. Protect your fellow Hunters against any threat for they are the only ones who will never leave your side. From now on your shall be known as Silvari, Hunter of Primal Instinct."

Briar quietly got up and padded away as the other members of the League moved forward to welcome their newest member. He would congradulate her himself in a little while when she came to see him about her wounds. He glanced back, guessing how many cobwebs he would need when he caught sight of another cat slipping back through the entrance, as quiet as a ghost. Seraphiel, the E'tani's personal assassin padded past him and disappeared into the stone house. Brair knew that he assignment was over now that the trainee had succeeded in killing the young tom cat. Had Silvari failed to catch him before he left their borders or was not able to kill him, Silvari would not have lived to return to the camp. It was Seraphiel's duty to be the silent shadow and observe in the test. In no way was she allowed to assist or step in at any time unless the trainee failed. Then it was the assassin's job to take care of both the trainee and mentor. Briar knew it was necessary but never would he want to be on the same patrol as the assassin let alone the same den. She was a silent and efficient killer who took care of problems before they reached the Nemesis or Warden.

After a moment's hesitation he padded among the rocks, back towards his own nest. There was still much to do and the trainee test had taken much of his morning away. Pulling out the rest of the herbs, he sat down to carefully sort them as he debated slipping one of the trainees who had brought damp moss into his nest with some nightshade. He grinned piercing one of the round red berries from a pile. Or if not nightshade, then at least a deathberry or two. That would teach the current trainees to be more careful with his nest, least it cost them their lives…..