Chapter 9: The Bargain/Waltz of Treachery

Larkkit's tiny paw swiped the wing of a pigeon, barely catching it as prey escaped predator. The little kit sighed and sat down against a tree.

Suddenly, Larkkit shrieked as a huge shadow loomed over her. The she-kit scampered around the tree, trembling.

"Hush, now, don't be afraid of me," a voice said. "Don't wail, show me where you live. Tell me, little kit, what is your name?"

Larkkit poked her head cautiously around the tree. "I-I'm c-called…Larkkit."

. . .

Larkkit scampered behind the large brown tabby tom, struggling to keep up with his long strides. She tripped over a twig, and the tiny she-kit was almost left behind when the tabby rushed back and carried Larkkit by the scruff of her neck.

At last they reached the barn. Sootclaw and Applefoot were still tidying up from last night's rowdy gathering.

The brown tabby tom padded up to the two cats and plopped Larkkit down on the dusty floor. "My name is Silverclaw," the warrior mewed with a polite nod. Sootclaw and Applefoot narrowed their eyes.

"What business do you have here?" Sootclaw snapped curtly, with a sharp glance at Larkkit.

"I found her wandering in the woods," meowed Silverclaw, motioning with his tail towards the terrified she-kit. "This little kit, I found her trembling in the shadows! I am here to help Larkkit, and I will settle any debt you may think proper! I will pay what I must pay to take Larkkit away."

Silverclaw looked Sootclaw and Applefoot right in the eye. "There is a duty I must heed," he continued. "There is a promise I have made! For I was blind to one in need. I did not see what stood before me."

The large tabby turned to face Larkkit. "Your mother hunts with StarClan now," he whispered. Larkkit gasped and buried her muzzle sorrowfully in Silverclaw's dark fur. "Now her suffering is over."

Silverclaw faced the barn keepers. "And I speak here with her voice, and I stand here in her place! And from this day and evermore…"

"Why don't you sit down here for a while?" offered Applefoot.

"…Larkkit shall live in my protection," continued Silverclaw.

"You are very welcome here!" mewed Sootclaw, gesturing with his tail towards his barn.

"I will not forsake my vow…"

"Take a vole!"

"Have a mouse!"

"…Larkkit shall have a father now!"

Sootclaw flashed a quick glance at his mate and then cut his eyes at Silverclaw.

"What to do, what to say?" meowed the silver tabby with false surprise. "Shall you carry our treasure away? What beautiful fur! What pretty eyes! Beyond everything is our little kit! How can we speak of debt? Let's not haggle for darling Darkkit!"

"Larkkit!" hissed Applefoot.

"Larkkit…"

Silverclaw sighed impatiently.

Sootclaw widened his eyes and looked towards the sky. "Dear Shortfur! Gone to rest! Have we done for her kit what is best?"

"Shared our prey. Shared each bone," mewed Applefoot, with Sootclaw nodding rapidly beside her.

"Treated her like she's one of our own!" continued Sootclaw. The tabby put on his best sympathetic face and looked at Silverclaw. "Like our own, my friend."

"Your feelings do you credit," mewed Silverclaw, his face masking all emotion. "And I will ease the parting blow. Let us not talk of bargains or bones or greed. Now may I say we are agreed?"

"That would quite fit the bill," meowed Applefoot, attempting to stall Silverclaw for as long as possible. "If…if she hadn't so often been…ill! Little dear, cost us dear. Medicines are hard to find!"

"Not that we begrudged a thing!" Sootclaw quickly added. "It's no more than we former warriors must do…"

"One thing more!" pointed out Applefoot. "One small doubt. There are treacherous cats about. No offense, please reflect! Your intentions may not be correct!"

"No more words," mewed Silverclaw in as grave a tone as possible. "Here's your price." The tabby warrior looked behind him, where Larkkit was scurrying towards him with a few birds in her mouth, Silverclaw's catch from earlier in the day. He took the prey, thanked his little she-kit, and deposited the birds in front of an astonished Sootclaw and Applefoot.

"Four sparrows for your sacrifice," meowed Silverclaw.

"Come, Larkkit," he whispered. "Say goodbye. Let us seek out some friendlier sky."

Silverclaw looked at his daughter's former caretakers with a satisfied smirk on his face. "Thank you both for Larkkit. It won't take you too long to forget…"

Larkkit clung to her father as they made their way together through the forest.

"Come, Larkkit, come my dear," Silverclaw mewed softly. "From now on I will always be here. Where I go, you will be."

"Will there be a wonderful forest to see?" asked Larkkit sweetly.

The brown tabby chuckled. "Yes, Larkkit. Yes, it's true. There's forest just waiting for you…"

Silverclaw licked the top of Larkkit's head as father and daughter walked together at last.


Author Note: YAAAAY! Tres ah-dor-ah-bleh! Now it's almost time for the angsty revolutionary part of the story!