Bearstrike stared at Yarrowbreeze in disbelief. The two were sat waiting to leave for the Gathering when she told him the news of what occurred that morning.
"I can't even imagine a queen saying that to her own kit. I'm so sorry Yarrowbreeze, I never thought she'd actually interact with us, let alone like that." The tom said gently.
Yarrowbreeze groomed her coat, "Honestly I expected to never talk to her." she admitted. "but I know that letting her comment get to me is what she'd want, so let's just ignore it."
Bearstrike nodded and looked at his sister sympathetically.
"All right, everyone who is leaving for the Gathering, let's go!" called Fernstar from the head of the group.
Whispering Brook followed their leader out of the ravine and across their territory. The Gathering took place close to the center of the four territories, and leaders climbed to the lowest branch on a massive, gnarled willow. The path up had been worn away by generation after generation of leaders, making it accessible to cats of any ability.
The rest of the cynn cats would sit at the base of the tree in a field of clover. Here, cats from all cynns could catch up, and apprentices had their first look at the other cynns.
Whispering Brook filtered into the wide clearing and were met by Boulder Ridge. Bearstrike called to a cat he recognized and at that, Yarrowbreeze was by herself. Not that she particularly minded, she enjoyed watching the cynns interact with each other.
Boulder Ridge's leader, Pebblestar, was already seated on a stretch of the Great Willow when Fernstar dipped her head in greeting. The freckled tom returned the gesture, and the two sat quietly as Wandering Marsh and Meadow Grove filtered in.
Yarrowbreeze watched her cynnmates tense as the stench of Wandering Marsh filled the clearing. Their cynn camp was centered in a swamp surrounded by dense marshlands. While the territory offered excellent protection against enemy attacks, moss and stinking algae often clung to their coats.
Yarrowbreeze stopped her nose from wrinkling as a tom she knew, Cranefeather, took a seat next to her.
"Greetings, Yarrowbreeze." The grey tom said politely.
"Greetings, Cranefeather. How's the hunting in Wandering Marsh?" She asked, remembering how close they had found signs of a hunt to their border.
"Hunting is excellent right now. The frogs are finally out in full force, so I have no complaints." replied Cranefeather, licking his lips.
A chill went down Yarrowbreeze's spine at the thought of eating a frog. Sure, she could eat a fish, but a slimy, bug eyed frog? No way!
"I would like to speak first." Called Adderstar from the Great Willow.
The other leaders all gave each other a look, but no one objected.
"Greetings, cats of all cynns." The ginger tom started, puffing out his white chest. "The first Gathering of green-leaf is always one to look forward to. Wandering Marsh is thriving, and we have just named a new apprentice, Blackpaw."
The cynn cats cheered Blackpaw's name until Adderstar spoke again. "Our cynn has also taken in an outsider. I want to introduce her here and now, so that no other cynn tries to attack us for it later."
The crowd of cats was silent. While it wasn't unheard of for rogues or kittypets to join cynns, it wasn't common. The Warrior Code allows outsiders to join a cynn completely after a six moon apprenticeship, no matter their age. They are also required to have a cynn name, but it may include their name from their previous life. The cat must also be made a member of the cynn at a Gathering, so all cynns can welcome them.
Yarrowbreeze was excited to see a moment of cynn history being made. Her own cynnmate, Whiskerpelt, was previously a kittypet named Whiskers. The Teller gave so much to Wandering Brook, and any cat would defend him to the death.
But some cats, Boulder Ridge in particular, weren't so welcoming. Pebblestar's pelt was bristling, making the already massive tom look larger than life.
"River, please step forward." Adderstar directed.
A black she-cat with a white underbelly made her way to the front of the Great Willow. Her round form was an indicator of how heavily pregnant she was, and Yarrowbreeze was astonished at how she even made it to the Gathering without kitting.
"She's close to kitting! You should have waited until the next Gathering, this is dangerous!" cried Tansystar from beside Fernstar.
"Great, just what the cynns needed. An outsider bringing more soft cats into the cynns." grumbled a Boulder Ridge warrior.
"Enough!" Bellowed Adderstar. "River, you have spent the last six moons learning all there is about life as a cynn cat. You have hunted with us, lived beside us, and we have trusted our lives to each other. Do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and protect your cynn, even if it means sacrificing your life?"
The clearing was so silent that a leaf could fall and be heard, the air electric with anxiety and excitement.
"I do." Promised the queen with a surprisingly powerful voice.
"By the power of our Warrior ancestors, may all cynns hear my voice. River, from this moment forward you shall be known as Riverstep. The Great Pool honors your bravery and sacrifice, and we welcome you as a full member of Wandering Marsh. Our ancestors walk together now." Adderstar concluded.
The cynns yowled their approval, shouting Riverstep's new name so loud Yarrowbreeze was sure that their would be no prey in the forest for at least a moon.
"Wandering Marsh is done sharing news." concluded Adderstar, sitting back down beside the still bristling Pebblestar.
Tansystar spoke next. Meadow Grove was doing well, and the prey was abundant. Next was Pebblestar, who, other than being grumbly, had good news to share about new apprentices, Dapplepaw and Brindlepaw.
Fernstar concluded the Gathering with news of ample prey and well running rivers. The cynns went their separate ways, and Yarrowbreeze couldn't wait to carry her heavy legs into her nest to sleep.
"I can't believe we watched an outsider be named, a queen no less!" Bearstrike beamed.
"I know! Although Boulder Ridge didn't look too happy." Yarrowbreeze pointed out. Bearstrike rolled his eyes. "Boulder Ridge is dramatic about everything. They'll get over it."
"Boulder Ridgehas a way of sticking their nose in everyone's business even when it's not needed. This isn't the last we'll hear about this, I'm sure of it." interjected Rookstep.
The siblings looked at Rookstep with respect and agreed quietly. Rookstep was a senior warrior of Whispering Brook who was well liked by all. The jet black tom had enough scars for a whole cynn, let alone a single cat. Despite his age he was still a lithe and intense cat, one that anyone would be hesitant to face in battle.
Once the cynn had returned to camp, Yarrowbreeze was ready to collapse. From dawn patrol to the Gathering, the excitement of the day was over, and the drone of the forest was beginning to lull her to sleep.
"Yarrowbreeze, do you have a moment?" called Beetlespots from the mending den.
Yarrowbreeze padded over to the den, too sleepy to feel anxious. "Is everything okay?" She asked the Gazer.
"No need to worry, but please collect your brother as well." the she-cat called.
The siblings entered the mending den. The musky and aromatic scent of dried herbs flooded their senses, and a feeling of calm washed over them. The Gazer hung strips of heather and lavender over the entrance to the den, greeting anyone who entered with a soothing welcome.
"I have some news regarding your mother." Beetlespots began.
Bearstrike's tail lashed. "She is not my mother. I want nothing to do with the cat."
Yarrowbreeze said nothing, but her belly was twisting like she had eaten crow food.
"After the cynn left for the Gathering, Redstripe and Minnowpelt found Palebriar at the base of a tree in the territory. It looked as though she had fallen, and there was significant bleeding from her ears and nose." The she-cat paused for a moment, formulating the right words. "I believe her brain may be bleeding, and if that is the case she may not have much time left."
Yarrowbreeze and Bearstrike looked at each other with the same, unreadable expression.
"I gave her some poppy seeds to make her comfortable, but for something like this there's not much more I can do." the Gazer warned.
"She was never there for us, she is barely a mother, why are you telling us this?" Bearstrike asked gruffly.
"Bearstrike, stop it." Yarrowbreeze hissed. "Imagine if we weren't told, you'd be upset then too."
Beetlespots padded wearily over to a den in the far corner of the mending den. "If you have anything you'd like to say, now is the time." she said quietly.
The two siblings stood over Palebriar. It was weird to imagine her as a strong warrior, and it was the first time the siblings had been so close to her since they were kits. She was much more frail than they imagined, and fur jutted out randomly around her joints. It was clear that she was unwell, and Yarrowbreeze thought for a moment that her confrontation with Palebriar earlier in the day may have just been the start of her mother's concerning behavior. The fall must have been the end of the line for her, she thought sadly.
"Yarrowbreeze, I have nothing to say to this cat, but I will stand by your side for as long as you need me." Bearstrike murmured, pressing his pelt against hers reassuringly.
Yarrowbreeze didn't know what to say. She felt rage, rage at her mother for abandoning her. For not giving her the love she deserved at a kit. And beneath the rage was a desperate longing to curl up beside her mother, to share Palebriar's last moment on earth just like her first moment on earth- curled up together, mother and daughter.
And that's what she did. Bearstrike froze as Yarrowbreeze curled up beside Palebriar's sleeping form. He opened his mouth to say something but closed it, and padded over to join his sister.
Yarrowbreeze could feel the bones beneath Palebriar's pelt, and could hear her ragged breath weakening. The two siblings were so large that Palebriar was nearly hidden between them. Yarrowbreeze locked eyes with her brother, and they wept.
Beetlespots left the three cats alone in the back crevice of the mending den. It was quiet, except for muffled tears and raspy breath.
Yarrowbreeze felt Palebriar's final breath leave her body.
"She's gone."