FireClan Assignment - At the Border

My finished assignment for both Dawncloud and Kindlestar for

"T-Twenty five?" came the stammering voice of Dawncloud from behind Kindlestar as the leader's gaze reflected the same surprise as the massive warrior's. His face hardening with suspicion, however, Dawncloud strode towards the MoonClan patrol, his hackles raised. "And how do we know that this isn't just some trick of yours? How do we know you aren't just working with these cats and plotting an attack on FireClan? What's the matter? Prey running short? Why shouldn't we just bring you down where you stand?" Dawncloud snarled, his right paw already high in the air as he prepared to launch an attack.

"Patchstar!" Bluewing cried out, hackles just as raised as Dawncloud's as the tom got ready to attack.

"Dawncloud no!" Shortpaw called out at the same time, running after his mentor whom he already knew was way too eager to jump to crazy conspiracy conclusions when it came to the other Clans. Feeling a gust next to him, the gray apprentice stopped on his tracks, and as he looked up he saw the red and black stream that was Kindlestar already running towards the war happy tom.

"Dawncloud, that is enough!" Kindlestar snarled, stopping beside the warrior while she raised her left foreleg to let him know he wasn't to pass any further. The two of them exchanged glares for a moment, Shortpaw taking a deep breath as he thought that Dawncloud might just challenge their leader, but in the end the ginger and white tom took a step back, his ears flat on his head. Sighing in relief, Shortpaw took a few steps forward and stood behind his mentor, suddenly very self conscious of how close he was to the two leaders.

Taking her eyes off Dawncloud, Kindlestar shot an apologetic glance at Patchstar, although for a second she thought she could almost see the hint of an amused smile on the MoonClan leader's face, probably due to the fact that she was already familiar with the tom's rash behavior. "Please excuse him, he means no harm... It's just, twenty-five cats? That's a lot to take in... Still... if you are sure they are well within your custody..." The FireClan leader paused, her yellow eyes studying Patchstar's. "I will trust you, Patchstar. Thank you for letting us know. A group this big could be trouble not just for MoonClan, but for the four clans. FireClan will be happy to lend their assistance if things are to get out of hand."

This said, Kindlestar dipped her head in gratitude for the warning, ready to take the patrol back to the camp and eager to plan more security with the help of Rainfeather and her older warriors while the threat of the rogues was gone.

- - - - - - - -

Shortpaw ©
Patchstar ©
Bluewing ©
Dawncloud, Kindlestar and art ©