Author Note: Feel free to leave a review. I'd appreciate comments on my writing style and how you feel the characters' personalities are turning out. Any advice on where I could twist the narrative would also be appreciated.
Chapter 7: Darkstripe's Connections
Darkstripe was a cat that always had a paw in everyone's business whether they knew it or not. He didn't hide that. He just never brought it up. This day he was waiting on his apprentice Dustpaw. Dustpaw was seething as usual about still being an apprentice. Dustpaw had many qualities that Darkstripe had seen in himself. Darkstripe decided to subtly solve this problem. He led the apprentice outside of camp to talk.
"I've been watching you Dustpaw and I'm impressed. I've left you to your own devices for days to see how you'd handle yourself, and I've noticed you haven't been lazy. You seek out patrols and practiced battling without prompting. You show incredible independence. Now the question is when do you want to be made a warrior? Would you rather go through a hunting and battle assessment or wait for the current tensions to break and a battle to take place? This decision will affect Sandpaw as well. She will likely be made a warrior with you."
Elation crossed the apprentice's face before contemplation. "How soon do you think a battle would take place?"
Darkstripe smirked at this. "I've gotten some news from reputable sources that Shadowclan and Riverclan currently have an ill standing with us. On top of that, Brokenstar is soon to make a move. He's been seen gathering rogues from the Twoleg Place. I'd say two moons tops for something to occur and you to be there."
Determination displayed clearly on the young tom. Darkstripe knew Dustpaw wouldn't settle for a simple assessment. He was a tom that valued valor and, like him, dreamed of legacy to his name.
"I'll wait for a battle." Said the tom excitedly.
"You can tell Sandpaw if you wish, but remember, this is something that requires patience. A lot of things are moving and we don't know how it'll all turn out. I expect a chain reaction of battles off high tension in the near future."
Dustpaw considered this for a while before asking, "How do you know this?"
"The Dark in my name isn't just for show. I've got friends in strange places. Maybe someday if you show an aptitude for diplomacy I'll set you up with your own set of contacts."
Darkstripe then faked a limp towards the medicine den. He was specifically feigning a thorn in his pad. He quietly slipped in and decided to start a deal with the old Shadowclan medicine cat.
"So, I've heard from talk around camp that you're low on some herbs common to the other clans. I can set you up with a supply if you're willing to trade some of our commons as well as mousebile."
Yellowfang turned in surprise.
"You! I never thought you were the Thunderclan dealer. Who'd have thought D…"
Darkstripe cut her off. "Don't use our real names when you talk about clan dealers. Its protection from eavesdroppers. We go by our clan name. I'm Thunder for reference. Tonight will have a heavy cloud cover, so it'll be a perfect time to trade. So the question is what do you need and what are you willing to part with?"
Yellowfang stared at the strange tom for a minute before answering. "I've got some herbs I wouldn't mind losing, but what was that about mouse bile?"
"You'd be surprised how little Riverclan can get of that stuff. They aren't great land hunters. I'm sure you know that Shadowclan doesn't always have a good or safe supply either."
Yellowfang curtly nodded remembering times rat bile had caused infections.
"I can't believe you of all cats set up the dealers."
An amused look crossed the dark tabby's face.
"I've always believed the best way to live is build a legacy. If the dealers become a permanent thing, I feel I'll never fade from Starclan. Even Bluestar, the conservative micromanager, lets me do this."
"So you think just trading herbs will make you be remembered?"
"I don't just trade in herbs. I trade anything that won't hurt the clan to lose, and I don't just trade to the clans."
Yellowfang bristled. Darkstripe had a strange air about him as he continued. "I trade information, friends, protection, food, unique items. If some cat values it and I can acquire it from some cat that can safely lose it, I'll move it. Needless to say, this trade system is on a need to know basis. A lot of cats could be harmed if word gets out, so I'll trust you to keep this under wraps."
Darkstripe walked out feigning his usual moody self. Yellowfang was begrudgingly impressed with the dark warrior. Who knew such a loud cat could make moves so subtly. He's a strange and well connected friend but would be a nightmare as a foe.
Darkstripe slipped out of camp to host a meeting with a new contact. He was a black and white kittypet from the edge of the Twoleg Place.
"So, I heard you were willing to provide information about what's going on in the Twoleg Place and act as primary contact for low value trade. What do you want in return?"
The tom shifted himself nervously from paw to paw before finding his resolve.
"I have a friend that became a part of your clans. His name is Rusty or Firepaw now. I want him protected."
Darkstripe was astonished. A friend of the Fireheart here? It had to be Starclan guided.
"Deal! I'll even keep you updated about him since you aren't the first to ask me to keep an eye on him. I'll make sure he doesn't do anything too stupid. Now about the current factions in the Twoleg Place?"
"Currently there are four factions that are battling it out. Bloodclan currently holds the most territory, but they've been avoiding the forest for some odd reason."
"That's because of another dealer. Tiny's his dealer name. I keep tabs on a cat for him and he keeps his cats away from our territory. Don't know why, but I guess he sees that as equal value. Say, you have a dealer name yet buddy."
"Everyone calls me Smudge."
"That's your first mistake. You don't go by your real name when dealing. Choose something you'll remember and hides your identity."
Smudge felt a wave of embarrassment before responding. "You're right Thunder. I think I'll take my old friend's name. Call me Rusty."
Darkstripe nodded to the cat before turning.
"I see a lot of potential as a dealer in you Rusty. Just be careful out there. A dealer's best skill is the friends they make."