Book 3: Thawing Frost
Frostmask found herself holding her breath as Lizardpaw sprung and twisted, his paws flashing out in a flurry of blows against his opponents.
Her apprentice had grown into a skilled fighter. He was quick, and his long-legged form gave him a reach most cats couldn't match, allowing him to slash at his enemies while keeping his more vulnerable areas safely out of their range. In all of their most recent bouts of training, he'd been able to subdue Frostmask, despite her throwing every trick she knew at him. She no longer stood a chance against him one-on-one; he was simply better than her now.
Frostmask could see Swoopstrike in the way he moved— the speed and elegance as if battle was more of a dance than a fight. She wondered if he'd learned to move like that from her, or if it was an innate part of him, flowing in the blood he and Swoopstrike shared.
At the thought of Swoopstrike, Frostmask's thoughts turned to Dappledpelt, and a pang of grief stabbed in her chest as the not-yet dulled loss rose up in her like a tide.
At least they're together again.
That was the only consolation which brought Frostmask a scrap of comfort. In the moons she'd spent with them, both together and separately, before and after Swoopstrike's death, she'd begun to suspect that Swoopstrike and Dappledpelt had never seemed truly happy without the other's company.
Frostmask blinked, shaking off the grief to focus on what was happening in front of her again. In the dim light of a cloudy evening and a faint new-leaf drizzle, Lizardpaw was fighting both Yewpaw and Featherpaw in the Burnt Sycamore training hollow, while their mentors watched on in silence, no one allowed to give advice to the apprentices.
They were assessing their fighting skills, for what would, hopefully be, the final time. The three littermates had reached the end of their training, and all of them had turned into effective hunters and fighters.
Lizardpaw had worked especially hard to get where he was now. He'd had a lot of trials to overcome, both internal as he struggled with his insecurities, and external as many cats judged him harshly due to his disability.
It wasn't just that they were worried that his deafness would prevent him from doing certain things— they had entirely different standards for him. If one of his littermates, or another hearing apprentice, missed a catch, it was bad luck. If Lizardpaw missed a catch, it was because he was deaf and incapable of being a successful hunter. Nevermind the fact that he could track scent-trails better than any other cat in the clan and could sense prey digging deep beneath his feet thanks to vibrations and smell alone.
And, as for battle training, Yewpaw and Featherpaw would pass their assessment while fighting together against Lizardpaw, but Lizardpaw had to prove that he could hold them both off by himself.
It wasn't enough for Lizardpaw just to be good. He had to be above reproach.
Frostmask gave her head a small shake to dislodge the sting of anger at the injustice of it.
No matter what frog-brained cats thought, Lizardpaw had trained hard, and he was a contributing member to the clan. In Frostmask's eyes at least, he seemed more than ready to become a warrior.
But, there's really only one cat whose opinion matters here.
Frostmask glanced over to where Sedgestar was sitting a few tail-lengths away from her with Redclaw and Emberflower. She studied her leader's face, but his expression didn't give away any of his thoughts. Sedgestar's amber eyes were half-lidded as if he was on the verge of dozing off, but Frostmask knew much better than to be fooled by his outward appearance. Under his eyelids, Sedgestar's gaze was as sharp and analytical as ever, never leaving the apprentices.
Frostmask turned her attention back towards the mock fight. Lizardpaw ducked one of Featherpaw's blows, her paws just skimming the tops of his ears, but while his sister distracted him, Yewpaw crept around him from behind. Yewpaw was nearly in striking range when Lizardpaw's whiskers quivered as he sensed the vibrations of his brother's footfalls.
Frostmask finally released her breath with a sigh of relief as Lizardpaw dodged back from both of his littermates before Yewpaw could pounce, bringing them back into his field of vision. As Yewpaw and Featherpaw rounded on him, Lizardpaw's head weaved back and forth like a snake, keeping them both in his line of sight.
A warm glow of pride kindled in Frostmask's chest, and she glanced over at Sedgestar again to see if he was as pleased with Lizardpaw's display as she was. But, Sedgestar's impassive expression had not changed. Biting back a stab of disappointment, Frostmask focused in on the training demonstration again.
Yewpaw and Featherpaw worked together admirably, moving as one as they attempted to circle Lizardpaw, and get at least one of them out of his sight again. But, Lizardpaw wouldn't let them flank him. He kept retreating backwards rather than allowing one of them to circle him, and eventually he ended up with the Burnt Sycamore at his back, preventing any attacks from behind. Now forced to face him head on, Yewpaw and Featherpaw took turns harrying Lizardpaw as he fended them back with swift swats.
The fight seemed to draw to a stalemate, and although Frostmask suspected Yewpaw and Featherpaw would wear Lizardpaw down eventually, Emberflower rose to her paws to end it before it could get to that point.
"I think we've seen enough," Emberflower said, and the apprentices quickly stilled before all of them turned expectant gazes onto Sedgestar like a group of wide-eyed owls.
Frostmask couldn't stop herself from staring at Sedgestar too, searching his face for his thoughts. He'd hardly moved this whole time, as if he was a cat carved from stone.
"Well?" Frostmask asked.
A low purr began to thrum in Sedgestar's throat, and his half-lidded eyes opened fully.
"Well…" Sedgestar said, his amber eyes sparkling as he paw-signed in addition to speaking. "I think I'll be holding three warriors' ceremonies tonight."
Featherpaw threw her head back, letting out a caterwaul of pure delight. Yewpaw lifted his chin, his silver pelt prickling with pride, while Lizardpaw sprung forward, bunting his head against Sedgestar's side first before doing to the same to Emberflower, who affectionately rasped her tongue over her grandkit's ear. Lizardpaw turned to Frostmask, his eyes glowing with victory. A purr rumbled in Frostmask chest, and she leaned forward to brush her muzzle against his.
'I'm so proud of you,' Frostmask told him.
Lizardpaw ducked his head, burying his face in her shoulder fur and purring louder that she'd ever heard him before.
The group departed back for camp; Yewpaw, Featherpaw and Lizardpaw sprinting ahead to find their parents and friends to tell them the good news, while Emberflower, Redclaw and Sedgestar followed a bit more leisurely behind, and Frostmask making up the rear, her paw-steps slow as her mind was occupied.
Although she was deeply proud of Lizardpaw, she could hardly believe that her apprentice had already completed his training. It really wasn't so long ago that she was an apprentice herself, right? But, she'd already guided a member of a newer generation to warrior status.
ShadowClan needed all of the warriors they could get, that was sure. An uneasy truce had fallen over the forest since the battle between SkyClan and RiverClan, and ShadowClan and ThunderClan, but there was no way it would last. Although Frostmask had not been in attendance, she'd heard that the last gathering had been particularly tense, with threats thrown around by all of the leaders.
At the thought of the gathering, Frostmask's thoughts shifted to Paledusk. Since she didn't go to that gathering, she hadn't talked with him in quite a while. The last time she saw him was at the battle, but the last time they'd spoken was around a moon before that. Although they had originally agreed to meet up at the next new moon, Frostmask had not attended that meeting because it had fallen on the night after the battle. It felt wrong to go speak to him like nothing was wrong when Dappledpelt's death and her other clan-mates' injuries hung so heavily on her mind.
Her tail flicked with a hint of nervousness. She worried that Paledusk was upset with her. Even if he wasn't bothered by their clans fighting, he could be angry that she broke her promise to meet him.
But, Paledusk must have felt the same way, right? His clan faced injuries and casualties too.
Frostmask was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts as voices drifted over to her. Lost in her musings, she no longer had sight of the others in her patrol, but these voices didn't belong to them.
"You missed again?" Dampfang's distinctive voice said from the trees ahead of her.
Frostmask began to change directions, preferring not to run into him, but she paused as Pineshade's voice responded, bristling with defensiveness.
"Its position was difficult."
Frostmask hesitated for a moment longer as she deliberated between leaving them to their argument, or seeing if Pineshade needed her help. The desire to help won out, and Frostmask turned back towards them, their voices becoming clearer as she grew closer.
"You used to be one of the best hunters in the Clan, but now Cricketpaw brings back more prey than you each time," Dampfang said in low tones.
"Good. That means I taught her well," Pineshade shot back hotly.
"You know that's not what I mean," Dampfang growled, impatience creeping into his voice. "What's up with you?"
Pineshade sighed sharply like she was trying to wrangle control back over her irritation.
"I'm just still getting used to hunting with my injury. It makes it hard to judge distance sometimes," she said.
"It's been a moon. Shouldn't you have figured it out by now?" Dampfang asked, an edge of annoyance in his voice.
Pineshade released a wordless hiss, evidently giving up on her battle against her anger.
"Alright, why don't you try losing an eye, and then you tell me how long it takes you to adjust?" she spat.
Dampfang scoffed incredulously, but at that moment, Frostmask rounded the trunk of a large pine and came into their view. He and Pineshade were nose to nose, glaring at each other, but both cats stiffened at her appearance and turned to her. Frostmask swept a critical eye over their bristling pelts and twitching tails before her gaze settled on Pineshade for a moment.
Her wound was healing well. The socket of her missing eye had sunken in enough that rather than a gaping hole in her face, there was only a slit where her eye would have been, and the fur on her eyelid had mostly grown back as well, leaving only a few faint scars.
Frostmask turned away from her, instead directing her a cold gaze towards Dampfang.
"Everything alright here?" Frostmask asked him icily, her blue eyes burning into his green ones.
Dampfang curled his lip up, baring his fangs, but it was Pineshade who spoke.
"Fine," she said curtly.
Pineshade stalked away from Dampfang, her pelt prickling, but her aggressive body language softened as she approached Frostmask.
"How did Lizardpaw's assessment go?" she asked.
Frostmask somewhat reluctantly broke off her hostile staring contest with Dampfang to turn her gaze on to Pineshade. But, she couldn't hold on to her annoyance with Dampfang as pride for Lizardpaw built in her chest.
"Excellent," she purred. "Their warriors' ceremonies will be tonight."
Pineshade started to purr as well, her amber eye brightening.
"That's great!" she said.
Dampfang scoffed.
"Cedarpaw can easily match those three with hunting and fighting, but Sedgestar decided to make the deaf cat a warrior instead of him?" Dampfang sneered.
Frostmask's fur bristled, but it was Pineshade who whirled around towards Dampfang first.
"Yes," Pineshade hissed. "Because Lizardpaw passed his assessment, and he deserves it. Cedarpaw is talented, but him and his littermates are more than a moon younger than the others."
Dampfang just glowered at her rather than responding, and Pineshade turned back to Frostmask.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Pineshade said to her, stalking out into the forest and back towards camp.
Frostmask shot a final glare at Dampfang before following, happily letting the dense trunks of the pine trees block him from their sight. As they drew away from him, Frostmask sighed slightly, rolling her shoulders to dislodge the knots of tension that her muscles always gained uniquely by Dampfang's presence. She trotted slightly to catch up with Pineshade, coming to walk at her sighted side, since she knew that she hated it when cats approached her on her blind one.
Pineshade and Dampfang quarreling wasn't an uncommon occurrence these days; things had seemed tense between them for the past half-moon or so. But, the fight Frostmask had just witnessed seemed particularly heated. Pineshade's strategy with an irritated Dampfang was usually to appease him. However, she'd hardly seemed willing to back down this time.
It was a bit of a relief for Frostmask, honestly. It had never felt right to her when the normally so stubborn Pineshade turned submissive and placating to Dampfang. Now, she seemed more like herself.
"Is it just me or is Dampfang being a bit more annoying that usual?" Frostmask asked drily.
Pineshade gave an angry huff, her spiky-furred tail twitching.
"He offered to go hunting with me to help me adjust to having one eye, but then he spent the whole time acting like a condescending frog-brain," Pineshade growled. "He paradoxically treats me both like a kit on her first day out of the nursery, and like I should be able to do everything exactly the same, as I could before the injury. It's unbearable."
Frostmask was quiet for a moment. On one paw, she was unsurprised that Dampfang wasn't being particularly helpful, but on the other paw, she didn't think Pineshade would appreciate an 'I told you so.'
Pineshade should just find someone else to practice hunting and fighting with. But… when she makes her mind up about something, it's near impossible to change it.
Frostmask decided it was still worth it to try.
"Maybe you should train with someone else," she suggested gently.
Pineshade's ears twisted back.
"Maybe…" Pineshade said with a sigh, and pleasant surprise prickled Frostmask at her hesitant agreement. "I just don't understand why Dampfang can't be a bit more understanding about it."
Frostmask's first instinct was to ask what else Pineshade expected from a frog-brain like Dampfang. But, she bit the words back. Berating Pineshade for putting her faith in Dampfang wouldn't help her. Frostmask knew she had to ignore her bias if she wanted to be supportive.
Her brow furrowed, and she was silent for a few moments as she thought, choosing her words carefully.
"I think…" Frostmask began slowly, "that he has high expectations of you. I mean, his high expectations make some sense, you're a great warrior, of course, so you're capable of it. But, also as his mate, your excellence reflects back on him. So, he's being harsh because he wants to push you to be your best, and I think… from his perspective at least, he believes he's helping."
Pineshade's ears pricked and swiveled towards Frostmask in an expression of surprise.
"Are you… being nice to Dampfang?" Pineshade asked incredulously, her eye wide.
Frostmask exhaled a sharp breath.
"Yes. But, it was really painful, so don't ask me to do it again," she joked, rumbling a purr.
Pineshade's whiskers twitched in a brief flash of amusement, but it faded just as quickly as her brow furrowed.
"I don't know if he is helping, though," Pineshade said.
"I didn't say his strategy was a good one," Frostmask pointed out.
Pineshade's gaze flickered away from Frostmask, turning down towards the ground.
"What if I never get to be as good as he wants me to be?" she muttered. "What if I never meet his expectations again?"
"Then he'd be wrong," Frostmask said sharply, her shoulder fur bristling. "If he can't see your value, then he doesn't deserve your time."
Pineshade purred softly.
"Now that sounds more like what I expect from you about Dampfang," she said drily.
"I'm being serious," Frostmask insisted, lightly flicking her tail against Pineshade's flank for emphasis. "Remember how he was when we were still apprentices, and he was a warrior? How he didn't think you were worthy of him? But, he was wrong then, and if he starts thinking that again, he'd still be wrong."
Pineshade's uncertain gaze was drawn back up to Frostmask.
"I'm not saying that he will be like it again," Frostmask clarified. "But… it's maybe just something to be aware of, right?"
"I guess," Pineshade sighed, her expression twisting with bitterness. "I just wish I could figure this 'one-eye thing' out quickly, and everything could go back to normal. It's bad enough that Cricketpaw has had to train with Snakeeyes for the past moon. But, she might end up being a warrior before I can hunt or fight properly again at this rate."
Pineshade glared down at the ground and growled softly, her claws unsheathing.
"I feel like a failure of a mentor and a warrior," she grumbled.
"No, you're not!" Frostmask protested. "You just need more practice, that's all. It's only been a moon, and you spent over half that time just recovering from the injury. But, you'll figure it out."
Frostmask's brow furrowed.
There must be other cats in the clan who'd be able to help Pineshade with training.
An idea started to form in Frostmask's mind.
"Maybe you should ask Sedgestar if you could train with Snakeeyes and Cricketpaw. You guys could be like… a mentor-apprentice trio," Frostmask said.
Pineshade shot her a sharp look from the corner of her eye.
"And, would I be the mentor or the apprentice in this scenario?" she asked.
Frostmask's ears flicked. Pineshade wasn't going to like this part of her suggestion.
"…Maybe a bit of both," she admitted.
Pineshade started to scoff, but Frostmask lightly flicked her tail against her flank again.
"Hear me out!" she protested. "You miss training with Cricketpaw, right? This way you'd be able to do that with her— there's still a ton you can teach her. Just because you're learning how to adjust to one eye doesn't mean that you can't go on border patrols with her, or give her advice as she practice fights with the other apprentices, or things like that, right? But, you could also train with Snakeeyes. Remember, she's deaf in one ear. It's not the same as being blind in one eye, of course, but she might still be able to give you some pointers about how to perceive and pinpoint a sense when you've only got one side working."
Frostmask searched Pineshade's expression, but she still looked doubtful.
"It would probably be more bearable than training with Dampfang at least," Frostmask added with a wry twitch of her whiskers.
Pineshade released a soft huff of amusement at that, but she glanced away from Frostmask, turning her gaze forward.
"It's not a terrible idea," Pineshade reluctantly agreed. "But, it's already embarrassing needing to train like an apprentice again. It seems even more embarrassing to train as an apprentice with my apprentice."
"But, you're not going to be an apprentice again," Frostmask argued. "You know how to do everything already, at least in theory. You just need to practice doing it with one eye. And, there's no shame in getting some help with that."
Pineshade fell quiet as she thought about it, and the two of them just walked in silence for a while.
"If you don't want to train around Cricketpaw, though, that's understandable," Frostmask broke in as the silence stretched on. "You could still help her with her training, but train with a different warrior, instead of Snakeeyes. Now that Lizardpaw's becoming a warrior, I'll have a lot more free-time, and we could go together."
"…Thanks Frostmask. That might be nice," Pineshade murmured finally with a sigh. "I'll talk to Snakeeyes too and see what she thinks about me joining in with Cricketpaw's training… and also if she thinks she could help me too."
Frostmask gently bumped her shoulder to Pineshade's, giving a supportive purr as they reached the camp's entrance. As they emerged from the thorn-tunnel, Frostmask spotted Sedgestar standing near his den at the base of the Oak Tree with Redclaw and Emberflower. He summoned Frostmask to them with a flick of his tail. Frostmask mewed a goodbye to Pineshade and padded towards their leader, following him, Redclaw, and Emberflower into his den for a private meeting.
"Well, you all know why we're here. Let's discuss warrior names," Sedgestar said without preamble, signing for Frostmask, Emberflower, and Redclaw to sit as they entered the earthen cave.
He turned his attention onto Redclaw first.
"Any suggestions for Featherpaw?" he asked.
Redclaw gave a small shrug.
"I think she'd be pleased with anything as long as it's not something quote-unquote 'boring' like Featherfur or Featherpelt," Redclaw said, an affectionate purr rumbling in her throat.
Sedgestar's whiskers twitched in amusement, apparently not offended that one of his apprentices feared that his naming conventions would be dull.
"Duly noted," he said drily. "Nothing boring. And, for Yewpaw?"
He glanced over at Emberflower. She gave a slow blink, her tail swishing thoughtfully.
"Perhaps something for his strength of spirit?" she said.
Sedgestar's brow furrowed for a moment as he thought.
"Yewheart?" he suggested.
"Like his father?" Redclaw asked.
Sedgestar nodded.
"I'm sure Rowanheart would be pleased to have his son named after him," he said.
"Yew trees are poisonous though," Emberflower pointed out, her brow furrowing. "So, Yewheart may give the wrong idea. It'd be like naming a Foxpaw, Foxheart."
"Good point," Sedgestar conceded, inclining his head towards her. "Maybe something for his appearance then… What do you think of Yewstripe?"
Redclaw let out a sudden huff of laughter.
"Don't think that it's been so long that we've forgotten your warrior name, Sedgestripe," she said, rolling her eyes.
Frostmask's ears pricked in interest. She'd never heard her leader called by his warrior name before, although, doing so did seem a bit disrespectful. At least, Frostmask would definitely not appreciate being called Frostpaw or Frostkit.
Sedgestar didn't seem pleased by Redclaw's comment either. The fur on the back of his neck prickled, but when he spoke it wasn't out of offense that Redclaw referred to him by his warrior name. But, rather, out of defense of the name.
"So is '-stripe' never supposed to be used again until I die?" he asked, his tail swishing agitatedly behind him and ruffling the moss of his nest. "It's a good name."
"I'm not saying that you can never use the name. All I'm saying is, consider the fact that Yewpaw is your grand-kit. So, naming Yewpaw after Rowanheart honors your son," Redclaw teased, her green eyes bright with mischief. "But, naming Yewpaw after yourself is just plain narcissism."
Sedgestar scoffed.
"Well I don't see you offering any alternatives, Redclaw," he said, shooting her a sharp glance. "The reason I brought you in here was to help me, not to mock me."
Emberflower directed a lovingly exasperated look first at her mate and then her sister, interrupting their fight.
"StarClan, by the way you two are squabbling right now, you'd think we're the ones back in the apprentice den instead of them!" she scolded.
Sedgestar's tail continued to flick in annoyance, but his expression smoothed as he relinquished to his mate. Redclaw, though, kept her chin stubbornly raised, as unapologetic as ever.
Frostmask licked a paw and ran it across her face to try to cover the fact that her whiskers were twitching in amusement from the older cats' argument.
Is this what they were like when they were younger, growing up together? The apprentices' den must have never been quiet thanks to them!
"…I like Yewstorm," Emberflower finally declared in a tone that left no room for argument.
Sedgestar shot a sidewise glance at Redclaw from out of the corner of his eye.
"Any objections to that?" he asked.
Redclaw shook her head.
"Nope," she meowed. "It's a good name."
"Alright," Sedgestar said, nodding at Emberflower. "Then it will be Yewstorm."
Sedgestar finally turned his attention onto Frostmask.
"And for Lizardpaw?" he asked.
Frostmask lifted her chin, her previous amusement fading as, instead, a solemn emotion settled down on her shoulders.
She didn't need to think or debate about a name for her apprentice. It had lived in the back of her head for a few moons now.
"Lizardstrike," she said.
Sedgestar paused, tilting his head thoughtfully, and the den was silent for a moment.
"A powerful name," Redclaw commented.
Frostmask glanced to her, a little worry twinging in her chest.
"Do you think it doesn't fit?" she asked.
Redclaw purred reassuringly.
"No, it does," she said. "He's fast, clever, strong— a good fit."
"It also reflects his fighting prowess," Emberflower added, nodding. "Not many other apprentices fight against two others in their final assessments."
Frostmask's chin lifted as she preened slightly in pride for Lizardpaw before she turned her gaze back to Sedgestar, waiting for him to make the final decision. His amber eyes met hers.
"For Swoopstrike?" Sedgestar asked.
Frostmask's blinked, bowing her head slightly in confirmation.
"For the both of them," she added quietly, gazing down at her paws. "I wouldn't have picked it, if the name didn't suit Lizardpaw too."
Sedgestar began to purr quietly.
"I like it," Sedgestar said and purr began to build in Frostmask's throat to match his. "It's all decided then?"
Redclaw, Emberflower, and Frostmask all nodded.
"Perfect. I'll hold the ceremonies after sundown," Sedgestar said, signaling their dismissal.
Emberflower remained in the den with Sedgestar while Frostmask followed Redclaw out, but she paused right at the base of the Oak Tree before properly entering camp. The evening was wearing on, but with new-leaf lengthening the days, sunset was still a little ways off. Frostmask swept her gaze across the camp, searching for something to do to kill the time until the ceremony.
Larkfoot and Amberberry sat side-by-side outside of the nursery, watching as Amberberry's three kits, Marigoldkit, Minnowkit, and Mallowkit, tumbled around, splashing through muddy puddles. Dewleaf was outside the nursery too, but she sat further away from the older queens and the rambunctious, muddy kits, sheltering from the drizzle beneath the thorny boughs of the den. Poolcloud was curled up next to her, soothingly grooming her ears. Dewleaf shifted her position to lean further into Poolcloud's side, revealing her swelling belly; it wouldn't be that much longer until their kits were born.
Frostmask's gaze drifted from them to the stump of the ancient pine that sheltered the elders' den, which was crowded with cats— all of the elders wanted to stay out of the damp weather.
With Clearstream now retired, there were more elders in ShadowClan than Frostmask had experienced ever before. The clan was slowly adjusting to the change. Elmclaw was a good medicine cat, but he didn't command the same reverence that Clearstream did, especially not among the senior warriors who could easily remember back when he was a kit. But, that kind of respect Clearstream had took time to develop, and Frostmask figured that Elmclaw would get there eventually. Most cats liked him at least.
Frostmask's gaze flickered from the elders' den to Elmclaw himself, watching him greet Grovepelt as he exited his den. Frostmask's stomach twisted with unease as her eyes scanned where Grovepelt crouched just inside the cleft in Clanrock that formed the entrance of the medicine cat's den.
Although Pineshade and Mosspounce had moved back into the warriors' den and were allowed light duties, Grovepelt remained in Elmclaw's care. His shoulder wound was healing poorly, and it wasn't helped by the fact that it had become infected. With the aid of Elmclaw's herbs, he'd managed to fight the infection off, but the wound still refused to seal properly. He had a constant bandage of herbs and cobwebs on his upper foreleg to cover the raw flesh, and he seemed more tired than Frostmask had ever seen him these days, as if he barely had the energy to limp around camp when he used to patrol with such vigor.
Frostmask turned in his direction, stopping by the fresh-kill pile to grab two little songbirds before continuing to his nest. Grovepelt purred warmly as he caught sight of her approaching.
"Hi Frostmask, do you need something?" Grovepelt asked, his green eyes brightening as she padded up to him.
"Just coming to see if you'd like some company," Frostmask said, placing the prey down at her feet. "And, to see if you were hungry."
"Oh, thank you very much," Grovepelt purred. "I'd welcome a meal with a companion right about now."
A purred began to rumble in Frostmask's chest in response, and she pushed one of the birds towards him with her paw before settling down next to him to tuck into her own food. They ate in silence for a few moments, the only sound between them the crunching of fragile bird bones.
"You must be very proud of Lizardpaw," Grovepelt said. "You've both worked hard."
"He more so than me," Frostmask said, her voice warm with affection. "But, yes I am. He'll be a warrior that will make ShadowClan proud too."
Grovepelt nodded, opening his jaws to say something else, but he was interrupted when a tabby head emerged from between the ferns that framed the den's entrance. Frostmask blinked in surprise at the sight of her leader as Sedgestar slipped into the cave.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said. "But, I was hoping I'd be able to steal my deputy away for a bit before the warriors ceremony."
Frostmask's and Grovepelt's conversation had barely started, and Frostmask had only taken a few bites of her bird. But, she dipped her head obediently to Sedgestar, about to pick up her fresh-kill and leave the den when Grovepelt spoke up.
"At least let poor Frostmask finish her meal," Grovepelt said, lightly brushing his thin tail against her flank to still her. "There isn't any rush, and she came here to keep me company. It'd be very impolite to turn her away."
Sedgestar hesitated for a moment like he wanted to protest, but then he nodded and sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws and gazing at Frostmask and Grovepelt. Awkward silence filled the den. Pelt prickling self-consciously, Frostmask bent her head to take a few rapid bites of her food, knowing that Sedgestar likely wanted her to be done as soon as possible. Grovepelt, however, didn't continue eating. Instead he just levelly met Sedgestar's gaze.
"Have you thought more on my request?" Grovepelt asked.
Sedgestar eyes widened slightly in surprise before his brow furrowed.
"Let's wait a moment to speak about that. I don't think this is something we should be discussing publicly," he said, and Frostmask didn't miss the glance he shot her from the corner of his eyes.
"Why not?" Grovepelt asked, blinking once. "The whole clan will know it soon enough."
A soft, discontented growl rumbled in Sedgestar's throat for only a heartbeat before he was silent again. Grovepelt seemed to take this as Sedgestar's answer. He sighed quietly, but didn't press the issue, instead just bending his head to pick at his food.
Frostmask rose to her paws, having finished her meal with such record speed, even Poolcloud would be impressed.
"Thank you for stopping by, Frostmask," Grovepelt said, breaking the tense silence.
Frostmask dipped her head to him and Sedgestar in farewell.
"Of course," she meowed, backing out of the cave.
She sighed in relief when the wall of ferns closed between her and the den.
Stars, that was awkward! There's definitely something going on between them.
Frostmask turned, trotting away from the Clanrock.
Maybe Sedgestar is just stressed that he's still having to do most of the duties of deputy and leader.
"Hey, Frostmask!" Autumnleap called from where he sat across camp, sharing tongues with Weaseltail and Redclaw.
He waved his tail, gesturing for her to come sit with them.
Frostmask blinked, shaking off the speculation.
Well, whatever it is, I'm sure they'll sort it out.
She padded over to them, a purr of greeting in her throat.
The earlier clouds and rain had completely cleared, as if all of StarClan wanted to be present to watch ShadowClan's warriors ceremony. The moon was only a slender claw in the sky, but the starlight was so bright Lizardpaw's white pelt almost shimmered as he bowed his head before Sedgestar.
"…From this moment on, you will be known as Lizardstrike," Sedgestar spoke and paw-signed, his voice ringing throughout the camp. "StarClan honors your resilience and your determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan!"
Sedgestar touched his muzzle to Lizardstrike's forehead, concluding the ceremony.
Pride, warm and joyful, swelled in Frostmask's chest as Lizardstrike took a step back to stand next to the newly named Featherfall and Yewstorm, lifting his chin as his brilliant blue eyes glowed with happiness.
"Featherfall! Yewstorm! Lizardstrike!" Frostmask chanted with the clan as she stomped her paws.
She brought her feet down so hard they ached. But, she wanted Lizardstrike to feel her cheering for him with his paws, while she shouted as loud as she could, as if the strength of her voice and her feet could convey the amount of affection she felt for her former apprentice. She wanted her cry to reach the stars, so Swoopstrike would know what strong cats his kin had become.
Thank StarClan that none of their clan-mates had protested Lizardstrike's warriors ceremony as they had when he'd become an apprentice. There were still cats that disagreed with him being a warrior, that Frostmask was certain of, but perhaps they had resigned themselves to the fact that Sedgestar refused to be swayed from this path.
Maybe they also knew that if they had interrupted the ceremony, Snakeeyes surely would have launched herself at them, fangs and claws bared. And, I'd be right behind her.
Now, Snakeeyes and Rowanheart were the first to rush to their kits, purring so loud as they twined around them, Frostmask could clearly hear it from fox-lengths away. Frostmask rose to her feet to join them and their other clan-mates in greeting the new warriors, purring as she rubbed her temple against Lizardstrike's before flicking her tail affectionately against Featherfall's and Yewstorm's sides.
The entire clan was on their paws now, either congratulating the new warriors or turning away to return to their own activities. However, before anyone could leave camp or slip back into a den, Sedgestar bounded back up on Clanrock, letting out a quiet yowl for attention.
"Before we end the meeting, there are a few more things that I'd like to address tonight," he said, sitting and wrapping his tail around his paws.
Cats' ears pricked in surprise, and they turned back towards him. Frostmask took a few steps out of the crowd that still surrounded the new warriors and took a seat to watch Sedgestar. The rest of the crowd settled down too, and soon every cat in ShadowClan blinked inquisitively up at their leader.
"This leaf-bare wasn't an easy one," Sedgestar began, giving a soft sigh. "Many good warriors went to join our ancestors' in their hunting grounds, and not a single cat here hasn't suffered at the claws of SkyClan or RiverClan during this past season. I know many of you have been feeling stressed and strained… But, we are a powerful and stubborn Clan. The tenacity and mettle of the Great Shadow herself pumps in our blood. Not only have we survived, but now in the peak of new-leaf, the bounty of our lands are unmatched. Our clan will only grow stronger from here on out."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the clan, and a purr began to rumble in Sedgestar's throat.
"I think it's high-time that we remember all that we have achieved and endured," he said, lifting his chin. "That we celebrate ShadowClan and all the strength we find in ourselves and in our loyalty to each other. So, in honor of that and the coming green-leaf, tonight, let's feast!"
Their clan-mates' murmuring turned to meows of surprise and delight.
"Rowanheart and Beeclaw," Sedgestar said, glancing down into the crowd. "Do you mind passing out some fresh-kill and ensuring that every cat has something to eat?"
The two warriors nodded and padded over to the large fresh-kill pile, where they began distributing the prey.
Not long afterwards, Frostmask found herself nestled next to Lizardstrike and Snakeeyes, munching on a frog as the clan lounged around camp, talking and purring and sharing tongues like it was sun-high, instead after sundown, when ShadowClan should be hunting and patrolling their territory. In the center of camp, Yewstorm and Thornheart sparred for entertainment as cats shouted encouragement and wagered soft feathers for nests, juicy bits of prey, or favors, on who they believed would be the winner.
Near the base of Clanrock, Grovepelt sat with Greytail, the two of them taking turns telling a story to Amberberry's litter. The kits listened raptly, with more attention than they'd give to anyone else, as the older cats weaved legends about massive, mythical cats called tigers that once roamed the forests. They talked of the silent grace the tigers prowled and hunted with, and how ShadowClan were successors to that talent.
As Frostmask gazed around camp, a cozy feeling of comradery settled in her chest.
Sedgestar's decision here was a wise one. He must have felt the cracks forming, beginning to divide the clan into factions, and a relaxing night of fun was an excellent choice to bring ShadowClan back together. Even Dampfang looked like he didn't have anything to say in protest of Sedgestar tonight— instead he was yowling supportively after Cedarpaw as his apprentice raced his sisters around the edge of camp. From next to Dampfang, Pineshade urged Cricketpaw on instead, shoving Dampfang's shoulder playfully, and he purred.
Sedgestar, for all his encouragement of the festivities, wasn't participating himself. He remained crouched on the top of Clanrock, just watching his clan make merry. Frostmask's brow furrowed as she shot an occasional glance up at him.
Although Sedgestar was never the most extroverted cat, she still found his behavior to be a bit strange.
It's almost like he has more to say, but something is holding him back.
As the night wore on, Frostmask's hunch was finally proven correct. The thin sliver of the moon climbed closer and closer to its zenith, and Sedgestar finally cleared his throat and rose back to his paws. Cats came to attention slowly as a lazy ripple passed through the crowd. The chatting died down, the play-wrestling stilled, and eyes turned upward towards Sedgestar once more.
"It makes me so happy to see you all enjoying yourselves," Sedgestar said, his words warm but his tone tight. "But, I have one final announcement to make tonight before the festivities continue."
Sedgestar hesitated, and his ears rotated back.
Frostmask's brow furrowed as his silence stretched on from a slight delay to an uncomfortable pause. A cold feeling of unease started to worm its way into her stomach.
What was wrong with him? Sedgestar was normally much more confident when giving announcements…
The only thing that'd be able to give him such pause would have to be something bad.
Frostmask's slight unease transformed into an impending sense of doom, circling in her mind like a dark vulture. An unbidden memory crept up to the forefront of her thoughts, whispering a reminder of the last time she'd seen Sedgestar this uncertain and off-balance— the night he accused her of betraying ShadowClan.
Frostmask gave her ears a small but hard shake.
No. This can't be like that again… right?
Her dread turned colder, and Sedgestar finally found his voice again.
"As you all are aware, Grovepelt's leg hasn't been healing well," Sedgestar continued, a slight waver entering his voice. "He hasn't been able to take over full deputy duties for around a moon now."
Frostmask couldn't help but feeling a pin-prick of relief as she realized she misjudged the situation. It wasn't about her after all, and now she knew Sedgestar's announcement couldn't be that bad. Yes, Grovepelt was still healing, but he wasn't already a pawstep into StarClan's hunting grounds either. She just spoke with him earlier— he was getting better. Whatever was bothering Sedgestar now, must just be what he and Grovepelt had been arguing about before.
Sedgestar inhaled deeply, closing his eyes for a moment.
"We have come to a difficult but necessary decision," he continued, his amber eyes snapping back open as his tone took on its typical firm and decisive traits again. "Grovepelt has chosen to retire to the elders' den, and I hope tonight can also act as a celebration of his many accomplishments as ShadowClan's deputy."
Frostmask's ears jutted up in shock as soft gasps and murmurs spread through the Clan at the announcement. Frostmask suddenly straightened, worry running down her spine like cold water. She glanced over at Grovepelt. He was still sitting with Greytail and the kits, his chin raised unashamedly.
Although each cat in ShadowClan knew the health issues Grovepelt faced, the announcement still caught everyone off guard. No cat had truly thought that Grovepelt would step down. Frostmask had assumed that if he was planning on it, he would have done is sooner after the battle, or when he first got the infection.
Not now, nearly a moon later.
Frostmask's mouth turned dry, and dread reared back up in her. She knew her emotions had outpaced her rational mind when she had the sudden, all-encompassing urge to flee. It was as if she was in one of those stories that the elders' talked about— how cats could sometimes sense disasters, like earth tremors that'd level an entire forest, before they even happened.
But, she forced her paws to remain still as Sedgestar barreled on, hardly acknowledging the shocked murmurs of his warriors.
"ShadowClan is in need of a new deputy." He spoke brusquely. "I say these words before StarClan so that they may hear and approve my choice. Frostmask will be the new deputy of ShadowClan."
The sounds of crickets chirps and cicada hums from the marsh flooded into clearing as utter silence fell over the camp. It was as if everyone all at once forgot how to breathe.
Frostmask did, at least. She found her chest too tight— her lungs and paws equally as frozen as frigid cold slowly crept over her, turning her whole body to ice.
Just two thoughts bounced around in her skull:
No. No. No. No. No.
And,
What game is Sedgestar playing at?
Sure, she'd known that this had possibly been coming for a while— Grovepelt had told her, straight to her face, moons ago that Sedgestar was considering her for the position. But, she never let herself think through what it would be like if she was actually ever chosen. It hadn't even entered her mind as a real possibility.
She'd also thought she'd have more time before Grovepelt started thinking of stepping down; time enough to muse on it and actually figure it out. But, up to this point, anytime the concept had drifted into her mind, even for a brief moment, it just made her body tense with anxiety and her head ring. And, maybe that's why she hadn't seriously considered it, because it was more comfortable for her to pretend like it was impossible. But, here she was now, ears ringing, chest tight, stomach twisting, and utterly unprepared.
Why would Sedgestar choose to make her deputy? There were so many other cats he could've picked instead, all of whom probably wanted it more than her, and who weren't half-SkyClan and half-rogue. And, yet he chose her? He didn't even trust her! What was he thinking!?
Frostmask forced a deep breath in through her nose, trying to calm her frantic, racing thoughts.
Despite the ringing in her ears and the lack of feeling in her body, the leaden dread she had experienced prior to the announcement was gone, leaving her feeling oddly weightless. She found herself moving, rising to her paws. She took a moment to lick her lips, her mouth dry.
"I accept," she said numbly.
What else could she say? She couldn't say no. She should be honored to serve her clan. Becoming deputy was the greatest achievement a loyal warrior could hope for.
Frostmask clenched her jaw painfully.
But, I don't want it. So, what does that say about me?
"You can't be serious, Sedgestar." The appearance of Dampfang's snarling voice was almost a relief, since it sliced through Frostmask's whirling thoughts, tethering her back to herself. "Her?!"
"She is awfully young," Treefur chimed in, frowning slightly. "There are many other, more experienced. warriors who would be good for the position."
"I was around the same age as Frostmask when I first became deputy, as I'm sure you recall, Treefur," Sedgestar responded, his tone cool. "Do you believe that has negatively impacted my leadership?"
Sedgestar's question was an obvious trap— there was no way for a cat to disagree with him and come out with their whiskers intact. Treefur seemed to know this because his ears flicked in irritation, but he just bowed his head to Sedgestar instead of responding.
Dampfang wasn't backing down so easily though.
"But, she's—" Dampfang cut off abruptly for a moment, but he worked his jaw furiously as he searched for the right words. "But, are you sure she's the right cat for the job? Could a cat who wasn't born here truly ever understand ShadowClan enough to possibly one day be its leader? And, what would the other clans think about us having a rogue-blooded cat for a deputy or a leader? You're inviting hostility and ridicule."
Whispers rose from the crowd, but Frostmask couldn't tell if the voices were in support of Dampfang, or her, or perhaps some of both. She couldn't afford to glance around and figure it out either. Her head was still spinning too dizzyingly for her to do anything but to stare straight ahead. She couldn't even find the words to defend herself from Dampfang.
...If she even wanted to? Of course he was being cruel and offensive, but maybe it'd be for the best if he was able to convince the clan she wasn't fit for the job. It would get her out of it at least.
"Since when have the opinions of the other clans affected ShadowClan's personal affairs?" Sedgestar asked, his fangs flashing in a hint of a snarl. "Would you prefer us to be cowards that bend to the whims of others?"
Dampfang dug his paws into the ground as if physically bracing himself against Sedgestar's words.
"I'm just trying to think of ShadowClan's future," he said stubbornly, his tail lashing behind him.
Grovepelt rose to his paws, lifting his voice above the clan's murmuring.
"It is not a cat's blood that makes them great, but rather their actions. Frostmask has proven herself a devoted ShadowClan warrior, and I am assured she will make an equally devoted deputy."
Grovepelt turned to Frostmask and dipped his head to her.
"She has my support," he meowed.
Frostmask's stomach clenched. Out of all the bizarre twists of the night, that was by far the worst. Receiving that gesture of respect from Grovepelt, the most wise and highly regarded cat in all of ShadowClan, felt so, so wrong.
But, his endorsement seemed to turn the tide. The murmurs quieted, and instead a cheer went up for Frostmask. She could hear her friends leading the cry, although Dampfang turned his face away in defiance, and his voice wasn't the only one of her clan-mates' missing from the cheer.
"Frostmask! Frostmask! Frostmask!"
She was the new deputy of ShadowClan, and she was utterly miserable.
The Ancient Clans
Allegiances:
Cats outside of Clans:
Deceased: May— a thin, fluffy grey-point she-cat with blue eyes (Former mate: Paledusk. Mother of Frostmask)
Pepper— a small white tom with black flecks and spots in his fur
Salt— a large grey tabby tom with white markings
Leo— an elderly dark ginger tom
Lucky— an elderly black-and-white she-cat
ShadowClan:
Leader: Sedgestar— a light brown, long legged, tabby tom with amber eyes (mate: Emberflower)
Deputy: Frostmask— a long-furred, grey-point, tabby she-cat with tufted ears, blue eyes, and white paws (mate: Autumnleap)
Medicine cat: Elmclaw— a massive dark tabby tom with green eyes (mate: Beeclaw)
Warriors: Emberflower— a ginger she-cat with green eyes (mate: Sedgestar)
Weaseltail— a brown tabby and white tom with amber eyes and a long tail (mate: Redclaw)
Redclaw— a tortoiseshell she-cat with dark ginger patches and green eyes (mate: Weaseltail)
Kestrelmoon— a pale cream tom (mate: Amberberry)
Dustleap—a light ginger tom
Marshnose— a brown tabby tom with a white muzzle
Snakeeyes— a sleek white she-cat with a blue eye and a green eye (mate: Rowanheart.)
Rowanheart— a ginger tom (mate: Snakeeyes)
Apprentice: Hollowpaw—a mostly black tortoiseshell she-cat
Beeclaw— a black tom with green eyes (mate: Elmclaw)
Thornheart— a brown tabby tom
Leafbreeze— a grey tabby she-cat
Dampfang— a large, sleek-furred black tom with green eyes and a torn ear (mate: Pineshade)
Apprentice: Cedarpaw— a dark brown tabby tom
Pineshade— a spiky-furred black she-cat with one amber eye, and no left eye (mate: Dampfang)
Apprentice: Cricketpaw— a fluffy grey and cream tortoiseshell she-cat
Poolcloud— a large, fluffy black and white tom with amber eyes (mate: Dewleaf)
Autumnleap— a fluffy dark ginger and white tom with amber eyes, a long scar down his belly and a torn ear-tip (mate: Frostmask)
Mosspounce— a pale cream she-cat
Murmurstep— a long-furred pale golden she-cat
Lizardstrike— a long legged, deaf white tom with bright blue eyes
Yewstorm— a sleek-furred, silver tabby tom
Featherfall— a fluffy tortoiseshell she-cat
Queens: Larkfoot— a pale tabby she-cat (mate: Darkpelt)
Amberberry— a fluffy golden she-cat (mate: Kestrelmoon. Minnowkit—a golden she-cat, Mallowkit— a ginger she-cat, Marigoldkit— a pale cream tom)
Dewleaf— a fluffy grey she-cat with blue-green eyes (Mate: Poolcloud. Expecting kits)
Elders: Grovepelt— a pale brown tom with a greying muzzle and green eyes
Clearstream— a long-furred light grey tabby she-cat with blue eyes (retired medicine cat)
Darkpelt— a massive black tom with one lame foreleg (mate: Larkfoot)
Treefur— a dark brown tom with poor eyesight
Greytail— a grey she-cat
SkyClan:
Leader: Fennelstar— a pale brown tom with bushy fur
Deputy: Paledusk— a white tom with long, sleek fur, tufted ears, green eyes, and a scarred face
Medicine cat: Swallowfur— a blue-grey she-cat
Warriors: Cloudleap— a long legged grey and white tom
Brokenbranch— a ginger tom with a bend in his tail
Apprentice: Flypaw— a black tom
Doepelt— a light brown tabby she-cat
Apprentice: Galepaw— a grey tabby tom
Poppyfur— a tortoiseshell she-cat
Mapleflight— a dark ginger tom
Stormfang— a grey tom
Yewstalk— a dark brown tabby tom
Larchtail— a light brown tabby she-cat with a nicked ear (mate: Mottledflame)
Aspenbreeze— a grey she-cat
Oakflight— a grey tabby and white tom
Mottledflame— a beautiful tortoiseshell cat with striking markings and hazel eyes (mate: Larchtail)
Sootpelt— a black tom
Queens: Suneyes— a grey she-cat with bright golden eyes and a torn ear (Hawkkit— a white and grey tom, Blizzardkit— a mostly white tom with tabby paws, Birdkit— a tabby she-cat with white markings)
Elders: Birdstrike— a heavily scarred, pale grey and white she-cat with dementia
RiverClan:
Leader: Willowstar— a grey tabby, sleek-furred she-cat
Deputy: Perchpelt— a brown tabby tom
Medicine cats: Pebblestripe— a dark grey tabby tom
Hailberry— a white and grey she-cat
Warriors: Violetfur— a black she-cat
Stoneripple— a grey tabby tom
Waterwhisker— a fluffy ginger and white she-cat
Heronfur— a brown tabby tom
Reedheart— a tortoiseshell she-cat
Sandpelt— a pale ginger she-cat
Ospreyscar— a brown and white tom with a long scar down his side
Rainspot— a dappled black and white she-cat
Turtleshell— a brown and white tom
Murkfoot— a black tom
Otterfang— a dark brown she-cat
Finchfall— a pale ginger tom
Ivycreek— a tan and cream tortoiseshell she-cat
Queens: Wavepelt— a grey she-cat with long, wavy fur (Volekit— a black tom, Dovekit— a grey tabby she-cat, Drizzlekit—a white she-cat with few grey patches)
Elders: Fishtail— a white and grey tom with a long tail
Sleekclaw— a nearly blind, once beautiful tabby she-cat
ThunderClan:
Leader: Morningstar— a large, pale grey tom
Apprentice: Boulderpaw— a grey tom.
Deputy: Acornear— a brown tom with small ears
Medicine cat: Fallowtuft— a pale brown and white tom
Apprentice: Squirrelpaw— a brown tabby tom
Warriors: Pineclaw— a dark brown tom with a big rip in one ear
Beechfur— a brown tabby tom
Fernclaw— a tortoiseshell she-cat
Birchtail— a grey and white tom
Juniperfrost— a grey and cream tortoiseshell she-cat
Apprentice: Cloverpaw— a grey tabby she-cat
Foxbite— a ginger she-cat with unusually long fangs
Barredclaw— a dark brown tom
Screechfang— a dark brown tabby tom
Duskfall— a black she-cat
Seedstorm— a tortoiseshell she-cat
Brackenstep— a golden she-cat
Queens: Nettlepelt— a dark grey she-cat with spiky fur (expecting Acornear's kits)
Elders: Pearnose— a dark brown tabby she-cat (retired medicine cat)
WindClan:
Leader: Rabbitstar— a light ginger tom with large ears
Deputy: Wheatfur— a golden tabby she-cat
Medicine cat: Falconpelt— a brown tabby tom
Warriors: Thrushleap— a tan tabby she-cat
Apprentice: Pigeonpaw— a grey and white she-cat
Tumblefox— a ginger tom
Oatbreeze— a tortoiseshell and white she-cat
Volefur— a pale grey tom
Pounceclaw— a black tom
Nighteyes— a black and white she-cat with blue eyes
Stormcloud— a grey tabby and white tom
Eagleflight— a golden-brown tom
Lavenderfoot— a grey and cream she-cat
Deerleap— a grey tom
Ryefur— a tan tom
Harestrike— a brown tabby and white tom
Honeystorm— a tan tabby and cream she-cat with spots of white
Queens: Wheatfur (Heatherkit— a golden she-cat, Swiftkit—a grey tom, Mudkit— a brown tabby tom)
Elders: Slatepelt— a grey she-cat
Author's Note: Ahhh and so the final book begins with a bang and some new allegiances! Thanks for reading everyone!
Reviews:
Autumnleap: Aww yes cute kits are coming soon! And I definitely agree about Murmurstep and Pineshade. They definitely much more cute than Pineshade and Dampfang, that's for sure lol.
Avalanche: Thank you so much! I'm excited for Pool and Dew's kits too; they will be here soon! Pine will still have some issues with adjusting to one eye, but she's a tough gal so I think the actual loss of the eye doesn't bother her all that much (Her problem is more with how it's making her feel like she's not as good as she was before, rather than the physical reality of her no longer having an eye, if that makes sense?) Also aw thank you for your comment about how I write personalities! Honestly, my characters not having separate enough personalities from each other is something that I worry happening about a lot with my writing, so it makes me really glad that that is not the case! And, I hope you have a good day/night too :) Thank you for reading!
murphypaw: Aw thank you so much! Your comment made my day when I first saw it :) I'm so glad to have you reading and that you've been enjoying the story. And, I'm deeply humbled that you've been able to find comfort from your loss in the story. I hope you've been feeling better recently. Thank you again for your kind comment, and for reading!