Chapter 58: Naming a Successor
After a day for us, or rather everyone but me, to mull over their newfound revelation, Bluestar called Lionheart, Whitestorm, and I into her den to discuss what was to happen going forward. It was time to decide what would be Tigerclaw's fate and how we'd deal with the coming vacancy in the deputy position.
"So, I've brought you three here since you three are in the know. I can tell you right off that Tigerclaw is going to be exiled. We cannot prove he killed Redtail, but his attempts at killing me are enough to warrant that punishment. Any arguments?" Bluestar mewed.
"If he killed Redtail, then I would say put him to death… Regardless of my personal desires, we do not have any evidence to that. I agree we banish him." Replied Lionheart in a calculated monotone.
"I just… I never thought Tigerclaw would do this. I still disagree that Tigerclaw killed Redtail, but I cannot deny his attempts on your life. I unfortunately agree. Exile is the best mercy I can give him." Whitestorm answered mournfully.
"I had personally hoped that after Redtail I would have been able to rehabilitate him, teach him the proper way to get what he wanted. I'm sure you all remember the additional training Tigerclaw was giving me. In these sessions, I was attempting to train Tigerclaw as well. I think he could have been a good and respectable leader if only his ambition and impatience hadn't gotten in the way. I know him well. If we exile him, I do not believe it will be the last time we see him. Regardless, I agree. Exile is the best option." I stated, laying it all out there.
Nodding at our unanimous vote, Bluestar motioned for us to begin the next topic. "Very well. Now onto another urgent topic. Who shall we put as deputy after Tigerclaw is removed? Lionheart, are you willing to retake the position?"
Lionheart shook his head. "After that last trip to move Brokentail, I've found that my leg is giving me more trouble than I thought. Seeing as whomever becomes your deputy is likely to be your successor, I cannot in good conscience accept the position."
"I see… Whitestorm?" Bluestar asked.
Whitestorm shook his head as well. "I'm not in a good mindset right now. Tigerclaw's betrayal has shaken me. I am sorry Bluestar, but I must refuse. I fear I could not handle the additional duties on top of the stress from this revelation."
Then Bluestar's gaze turned to me. "Smudgefoot. I must ask if this is some kind of power play on your part. Are you looking to be my successor?" Bluestar asked with a hint of aggression.
"What I want is for those I care about to be safe. I do not want to be a star. I believe I'd be a great deputy but a terrible leader. I'd rather you put in a good word for whoever is your successor to appoint me their deputy." I replied confidently. Bluestar's eyes seemed to soften at my response.
"Well, seeing as none of you want to be deputy, who do you suggest?" Bluestar asked.
I let them mutter between each other a moment before putting in my two cents. "I think Fireheart could be a good successor. Now, before you both reject the idea, hear me out. The deputy chosen is not chosen for their qualities on being a good deputy. We are looking for a cat with leadership qualities. As we all know, a leader is somewhat above the code, so they must not only act on the interests of the clan. They must also act for the greater good for the forest, even if that slightly hurts their own clan. Among our clanmates, who exactly has gone out of their way to help an outsider or another clan without noting what repayment they could get? I can only think of one."
"I have noting against Fireheart, but why should we trust him with the position? If he is as you say, how can we count on him to keep our clan safe and strong?" Whitestorm bit back.
"That's where I or his future deputy come in. We'd act as their opposite by being logical and our interests being solely to benefit our clan. Checks and balances. At least, that is my opinion. I defer to you Bluestar." I mewed.
"A valid suggestion Smudgefoot. We don't have a large selection of cats able to be deputy at this time given that they need to have taken an apprentice at least once. I'll take your nomination in mind. Do you two have any others?" Bluestar asked the pair.
The two seemed to debate in hushed mews for a moment before Lionheart spoke up, clearly to Whitestorm's disagreement. "The mentor issue can easily be remedied. Cloudkit, Ashkit, and Fernkit are close enough in age to be apprenticed. Even though Smudgefoot rejected the position, I nominate him anyways. His wariness to taking the position and his similarity to you suggest he could be an excellent leader."
"I disagree!" Whitestorm hissed in response.
"I know you're hurting knowing what Tigerclaw did, but blaming Smudgefoot for letting us know does not undo what Tigerclaw has done. You are a senior warrior. Master your feelings." Lionheart half placated and half growled.
Whitestorm grumbled for a moment before replying. "Fine. I guess Smudgefoot did act in the interests of the clan. I personally have no favoring on the two nominees. Fireheart is clearly the kinder and more benevolent of the two, but he also is the one whose optimism and overly welcoming demeaner could spell trouble for the clan. On the flip side, Smudgefoot would definitely act in the interests of the clan, but as he said, his interests would only be for the clan. I am not sure of his capability to cooperate and help the other clans. I'll leave it to you Bluestar."
Blestar nodded slowly, clearly thinking on the decision before mewing. "I'll think on this. In the meantime, I'll apprentice the three waiting kits. As I promised, Ashkit is yours Smudgefoot. Fireheart will receive Cloudkit. The question is who should I give Fernkit to?"
Whitestorm decided to enlighten us about Fernkit's personality. "Fernkit is a soft and caring kit. She's mostly nonviolent, so she'll probably need a mentor more focused on hunting and non-battle based activities."
"That removes Mousefur and Sandstorm from the potential mentors. I assume you don't want another apprentice Whitestorm. Given your injury, I imagine you do not want one as well. Who does that leave?" Bluestar pondered.
"Darkstripe was an incredible mentor from what I remembered. I'm likely to require his aid training Ashkit moving forward given my own disability, my own slow reaction speed. I believe it might benefit the siblings to have somewhat of a rivalry." I mewed.
"Very well, if there are no other suggestions…" Bluestar began before Lionheart cut in.
"There's also Dustpelt to consider. If you're looking to up the number of cats eligible to be deputy, Dustpelt fits the part. It'd also be good for him to experience doing something difficult. Darkstripe was also his mentor, so he'll likely be receiving aid from him as well. That way we could have Darkstripe kept as an assistant to the mentors and keep all training on track."
Bluestar paused a moment before nodding. "Then Fernkit will go to Dustpelt. When we leave, let Darkstripe know that he's been put in charge of keeping the mentors on track. He's been needing the ego boost."
With that, our meeting drew to a close. When Bluestar would reveal Tigerclaw's treachery, we did not know. At any moment, she could spring it on him like a loaded beartrap. She was likely looking for a good opportunity, either after Tigerclaw acts again, or things quiet down enough for her to call the trial without disrupting the operations of the clan. Tigerclaw had just lead a successful counter raid, so nnow was not the time.