Hey everyone! I had an assignment to write from a fictional character's perspective- so here we are with a short story from Nightstar's POV. This will also explain a few plot conveniences in the prologue, and generally, just make everything make more sense. Enjoy!
[``-``]
Murmurs of disbelief swept through the group of cats gathered at the base of Clanrock. Sighing, Nightstar cleared his throat and flicked his tail for silence. His greying ebony fur blew in the light breeze.
The crowd grew hushed as he began. "Now, everyone," he sighed, "As most of you know, RiverClan has declared war against ThunderClan, and both Clans will try to sway WindClan and ShadowClan to their respective sides."
He paused as Hawkflight jumped to his paws. "You're not seriously considering allying with RiverClan, are you?" the brown tabby questioned, anger and pain in his green gaze.
"That group of fish-eating rogues slaughtered my mate! And StarClan knows where my only remaining kit is now!" he hissed.
Berryfoot padded over to Hawkflight and lightly rested her tail tip on his shoulder as she whispered gently in his ear.
I've never stopped to think about how Hawkflight feels about all this, he did lose his mate, and his only kit left- Nightstar mused. I do feel bad for him, but he needs to hear what I have to say.
"Now, I know some of you have rather blatantly voiced your concerns," Nightstar mewed drily, locking eyes with Hawkflight for a moment, "-but joining with RiverClan is our best option. We cannot risk RiverClan being driven out as there have been four Clans for innumerable seasons, and StarClan wishes it to be that way."
"But how do we know that ThunderClan won't be driven out, then?" murmured Flowerpaw.
Nightstar glanced at Flowerpaw for a moment. "Well, ShadowClan shows signs of being closer allied in morals to ThunderClan and Adderstar is smart enough to concede if he's outnumbered," he mewed gently.
"But Nightstar!" yowled Hawkflight. Nightstar swallowed a hiss as Hawkflight stared indignantly at him. "We can't let RiverClan think we've gone soft enough to refuse to follow through with a well-founded accusation!"
Don't they all realize I'm just as shocked about Willowberry's death as any of them? Or are they seeing me as apathetic because of my being stoic? Nightstar reflected, conviction welling in his stomach until he could feel his energy ebbing away.
Despite the pained look on her face, Berryfoot hissed, "Hawkflight! Stop interrupting and listen to what he has to say, for StarClan's sake. I'm sure Nightstar has a logical explanation for all of this. I know you miss Willowberry, but fighting RiverClan won't solve that, especially since we can't be sure it was them in the first place!"
Berryfoot's words rang out into the sandy clearing, every cat silent in an act of respect for their medicine cat.
Nightstar inhaled, shaken by Berryfoot's words. "Thank you, Berryfoot. Now, although the scent in the nursery was reminiscent of RiverClan, I doubt they would stoop so low and I instead suspect ShadowClan."
"We will inspect more information as it comes, and for now I want WindClan to show no animosity toward any other Clan. Is that clear?" Nightstar meowed.
The cats of WindClan nodded, affirming mews sounding from below.
"Good. Clan dismissed, and after patrols are assigned, Vineshade, I need you and Berryfoot to meet me in my den."
Sighing, Nightstar jumped down from Clanrock, his legs staggering as he landed. He made his way toward the rock cleft in the sandy dip in the moorland that was the WindClan camp.
After a few moments, Vineshade appeared at the entrance of the den with Berryfoot. "You wanted to talk to us, Nightstar?" Vineshade murmured.
Nigthstar nodded. "As you both know, the loss of Willowberry has shaken this Clan to its core, and we're the ones who will have to put in the work to restore WindClan to its former glory."
As he spoke, Nightstar noticed Berryfoot shuffling her paws. The dappled cream she-cat was not over the loss of her littermate and was not making an effort to hide it.
"Most of that work will fall on both of your shoulders, considering I'm not as young as I used to be and I have two lives remaining."
Vineshade's green eyes widened as the blue tom choked on his words. "T-that means- I-I'll- Nightstar- are you feeling alright?" Vineshade sputtered, startled at the thought of his impending leadership. Nightstar could commiserate with the tom, however.
I know how he feels right now, that feeling when you realize you're closer to having a Clan squarely on your shoulders than ever before... Nightstar pondered wistfully.
"Nightstar?" mewed Berryfoot quietly, her husky voice shaking Nightstar out of his thoughts. "I know Hawkflight is upset about Willowberry and- and Fallowkit-" she trailed off, her amber eyes fixed on something unseen.
Fallowkit. No one had dared speak that name since the incident. The heartbreak of losing one of WindClan's finest warriors and the last kit of a litter of four was unimaginably upsetting to everyone. I'm a bit suspicious of ShadowClan's new apprentice, but it could be just a coincidence. I'm not going to stir up unnecessary trouble by provoking ShadowClan with the amount of tension between the Clans at the moment.
"I know, Berryfoot- and I'm trying my best to resolve it. But for right now, we need to focus on peace within our Clan before branching out to anything else." Nightstar mewed, his voice faltering with guilt.
Vineshade and Berryfoot nodded solemnly.
"If that's all, you are both dismissed," replied Nightstar.
As he watched them leave, Nightstar settled down into his nest.
I don't know how to feel- Willowberry and all her kits are gone, but on the other paw, one may still be alive, although that being true suggests ShadowClan may be less bound to morals than we think.
[``-``]
And with that, my little mini-novella is complete! Of course, the Prologue to As The Shadows Dance still has some plot conveniences, but hopefully my characterization of Nightstar and WindClan's situation as a whole helped shed some light on the situation. Until next time, everyone!