Chapter 56: Misleading Moonlight
As the full moon rose, we moved to head out. Ravenfeather may have had to stay behind, but Fireheart padded at my side. Most of us were roughly spread out, but Fireheart was brushing against me in his stride. He had a questioning look for me.
"I know you've been busy Smudgefoot. I know I have with teaching Brackenpaw. Can you tell me what all you've been up to? We haven't gotten many chances to talk, and I feel we won't have many more in this coming moon." Fireheart asked.
"Don't worry. If everything is moving as I anticipated, there shouldn't be so much need for cloak and dagger. I've got Bluestar, Whitestorm, and Lionheart working with me on it. Hopefully by this time next moon I won't need to operate so discreetly. Just know the problem won't see it coming. Though, if you want to make it any easier on me, I'd like you to see if you can get a witness from the you know when event. I'm sure Ravenfeather would help you with that." I mewed, accidently slipping in a term that no cat should really know, but Fireheart got the gist of it.
"One more moon. I can wait one more moon. I've just been feeling really lonely. Graystripe just isn't acting normal. I know why, but I can't support it. He's still my friend, but what he's doing… I don't like it. The only thing I can do for him is keep silent." Fireheart mewed.
Of course I already had an idea of what was going on. Graystripe wasn't exactly stealthy about what he was doing. He always stank of river water and there was a faint undertone of a molly's scent. I honestly had no gripes with the relationship besides the timing. Riverclan was already at our throats. There was no need to exacerbate the issue.
"You know, I understand the whole code thing about not taking an outsider mate, but I also disagree with it from a logical principle. I know it is about ensuring loyalty, but the drawbacks are just too dangerous to entirely adhere to." I stated.
"What do you mean?" Fireheart asked.
"I mean the gene pool. There's a reason we don't breed our siblings. It causes genetic issues such as blindness, albinism, mental illnesses, and other nasty things. I'm all for strong loyalty, but I'd also like for our clan to have healthy kits and future generations. I believe this code is not so much wrong as needs reworking. Of course, this is a complicated issue with how overfocused on blood relations the clans are. Me and you are already proof that blood means nothing when it comes to loyalty in the clan." I mewed firmly.
Fireheart paused to analyze my words before responding. "You really don't care about interclan relations?"
"Not really. As long as the kits are loyal and raised well, why should it matter? Honestly, the parents would already punish themselves when the kits came. One would always have to sacrifice for the other, whether that be their allegiance or their kits. Again, it is complicated, but the clans also need more genetic variance. I've already said Tigerclaw is a sociopath, likely a genetic trait, and Ashkit is definitely showing signs of being the same. I'm sure we'll see more issues with genetic issues in the future." I answered.
Unfortunately, our discussion was cut short as Fourtrees was just ahead. Thunderclan branched apart, with cats going to their own favored gossip circles. I decided to wander the masses, listening for anything worth listening to. For the most part, it was useless banter. What did catch my notice was Swiftpaw being near Tigerclaw. Tigerclaw had clearly baited Swiftpaw into telling the story about Brokentail's raid. I decided to head off the issue before Switpaw got too far.
"Hey Swiftpaw. I know that raid was interesting and all, but you weren't really there. How about you tell them about how you managed to best me? I'm sure that'd make an interesting story." I mewed encouragingly.
Swiftpaw, caught up in the moment, nodded excitedly the other clans' apprentices begged for the story on how he bested a warrior. I couldn't help but notice the anger flash in Tigerclaw's eyes, but I responded with a teasing grin. I wanted Tigerclaw to know I foiled his plan, but I also wanted him to believe I had done it just to get a rise out of him. He took the lie easily. I knew he took it when he padded up to me.
"You're a nuisance." He mewed.
"We can't always have things go right. I'm sure you'll get me back soon enough." I mewed goaded.
Tigerclaw responded with a single harsh laugh before looking at me seriously. "Yes. You got me, but it won't happen again. Don't mess with what I'm doing. It is far too important for you to ruin it for the sake of a joke."
"Sheeze. Little bit intimidating there buddy. I won't mess with you again, but you have to be ready for these kinds of things. If you can't roll with the unpredictable, you'll be trampled underfoot." I mewed.
It was then that the gossip period was drawn to a close as the leaders leapt onto the high rock. Apparently, my efforts at stopping Swiftpaw hadn't been enough as Nightpelt managed to find out the results of the Brokentail raid.
"Bluestar. We of Shadowclan demand to know why you let Brokentail live."
Tallstar voiced his support in that moment. "Yes Bluestar. I'd also be rather interested in why you let a murderer like that live as well."
I'll give her credit. Bluestar did not back down to the two at all. "That is not your concern. Brokentail was blinded in his raid leaving him crippled and defenseless. It is against the code for us to mindlessly kill the defenseless when we have better options. Regardless, we will deal with Brokentail in time after we've had ample time to assess his condition and how best to pass judgement. I will promise you that by next moon Brokentail will not be any clan's problem. That is all I am willing to tell."
How clever of Bluestar. She not only curtailed the other clans' plans of vengeance with a referral back to the founding code, but she also managed to sidestep the issue on saying Brokentail would survive. I'm sure the other leaders had an inkling of what Bluestar meant, but power largely rests in public opinion, and masses aren't so good at picking up on word games like Bluestar just displayed. There were murmurs going throughout the crowd, but I was sure Bluestar's efforts would tide us over for another moon, allowing us to do what we planned. If she were a human, I'd believe Bluestar could trick the average human to get checkmated in two. Again, she scares the fur off me, but that made me respect her. It isn't often I get a chance to interact with someone more than or equal to me in manipulativeness, but she matched me paw step for paw step. Us working together was a match made in heaven… or hell, maybe purgatory. Regardless, we were a terrifying force. Tigerclaw better watch out, because we've got our sights set on him now.