#Mistsong

[neonflashkat]

Nostalgia - Warrior Cats OCs

Quietfoot & Mistsong

[griffinsmith]

awesome fanart i made for my friend @stephwhoawow and my's fic about our ocs rescuing nick jonas and releasing his soul back to the human world again

[swiftadrift]

“He was halfway smoke, halfway fog, with only the vaguest glimmers of starlight in his night-black pelt. But for the young and impressionable Heronflame, who was lonely and longing to meet anyone else but her parents - this didn’t matter.“

[blissintheeyesofstarclan]

Moon 1 (pt 1)

The sun peeked through the clouds, casting a soft light over BlissClan's camp. Morning dew held to the blades of grass as the Clan began to stir. Wheatstar padded toward the entrance, her mind focused on the upcoming training session she had been planning for Ferretpaw. But as she thought, she noticed Nectarwhisper at the corner of her eye, sitting alone near the fresh-kill pile, looking down. Wheatstar approached him, her eyes warm. "I know you have been troubled, Nectarwhisper," she meowed softly, "patience is key. StarClan will bless us with more kits, and you will be able to train a strong warrior of your own. A calm mind can make all the difference." Nectarwhisper nodded, soaking in his leader's words. He couldn't help but think back to Shiningclaw, the medicine cat who had treated him recently. The senior warrior was grateful for the tom's healing skills, which had allowed him to continue serving his clan. He only hopes for an apprentice of his own before something worse happens to him. Nearby, Darkdew was feeling unusually cheerful. He spotted Mothivy stalking him with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Before Darkdew could react, Mothivy leaped out from behind a bush, startling him. "Got you!" Mothivy purred with amusement. Darkdew burst into laughter, his earlier tension melting away. They both shared this moment before heading off on their separate duties. Shiningclaw watched the two warriors with a chuckle. The old medicine cat then noticed Heathpaw by the medicine den, looking troubled. He called the young apprentice over. "You look like you have something on your mind, Heathpaw," he mewed kindly. The apprentice hesitated before sharing a bit of her recent troubles, but kept the details vague. Shiningclaw nodded along, aware of her reluctance. He reminded her that she has the whole clan by her side when she needs help, and to never be afraid to seek that support. Soon after, Mistsong retrieved Heathpaw for some training. As they made their way out of camp, Mistsong noticed Heathpaw seemed distracted. Mistsong lead Heathpaw to a small stream, where she gently asked what was wrong. Heathpaw, after a moment of silence, confessed to having disturbing dreams that had been causing her anxiety. Mistsong listened patiently, offering comfort to her apprentice. She didn't quite know what to do, but it was clear that just being there for her was enough to make Heathpaw feel at least a little better, allowing them to resume their training.

[the-determined-sparks-au]

Thundergrowth Clowder

Bishop : Bishop Lilystrike {Bluestar/Willowbreeze}- a long furred blue/silver thick pelted molly with black horns and blue eyes. Icewillow has golden brown scales creeping up the back of her neck* Sibling: Lilystrike, Thistleclaw

Heir: None

Guardian: Sparrowsong {Halftail}- a very dark mackerel tabby tom with white horns, yellow eyes and pine green scales on his chest. Sparrowsong has a very short tail Apprentice: Raccoonpaw

Sibling: Patchbelly

Mate: Waspeye

Children: Wildrunner, Owlglare

Soothepurr: Featherwhisker- a long furred, thick pelted smooth silver- gray tom with light yellow eyes and teal gold scale crawling across his belly. Featherwhisker has yellow horns and yellow eyes. Apprentice: Spottedpaw

Warriors

Waspeye {One-Eye}- pale gray virtually blind molly with scars all over body and shredded ears along with patches of violet scales. Her left was clawed out and the wound has since healed shut- her remaining eye is a foggy yellow

Mate: Sparrowsong

Children: Wildrunner, Owlglare

Jaygrowl {Robinwing/Dappletail}- a small brown molly with patches of orange and black scales with thick sleek fur. Dapplewing has white horns and amber eyes

Parent: Mumblestep

Sibling: Thrushnose

Mate: Specklescorch

Children: Lionheart, Finchdawn

Patchbelly- a small black and white tom with green gold scales crawling on his face and shoulders. Patchbelly has white horns and yellow eyes {Patchpelt}

Sibling: Sparrowsong

Thistleclaw- a huge gray and white tabby tom with uneven patches of yellow green scales crawling on his face and spiky fur. Thistleclaw has black horns, amber eyes and spiky fur that is said to be softer than it looks Apprentice:Tigerpaw

Siblings: Icewillow, Nectarpool

Child: Sleetsong

Rosetail- a gray ticked tabby molly with a bushy tail with red rose scales at the end. Rosetail has white horns and blue eyes

Parent: Poppydawn

Children: Racoonpaw, Spottedpaw

Lionheart- a large golden tabby tom with thick fluffy mane around his neck like Leo’s mane. Lionheart has patches of black scales; brown horns and green eyes

Parents: Specklescorch, Dapplewing

Sibling: Finchdawn

Mate: Frostnip

Turtlenose- a brown and white tom with golden brown scale legs and two white toes. Turtlenose has white horns and orange eyes and was formerly a Drifter

Mate: Sablewhisker

Children: Wisteriafog, Fireflydawn

Sablewhisker- a black spotted tabby with indigo scales crawling on her shoulders. Sablewhisker has silver horns and blue eyes and was formerly a Drifter

Mate: Turtlenose

Children: Wisteriafog, Fireflydawn

Sharpwatcher- light gray ticked tabby with white scales going up his legs. Sharpwatcher has small ears, black horns and copper eyes

Parent: Sheepear

Sibling: Frostnip

Frostnip {Frostfur}- a long furred speckle gray molly with white scales splash across her face. Frostnip has white horns, small folded ears and blue eyes

Parent: Sheepear

Sibling: Sharpwhisker

Sleetsong {Whitestorm}-a snowy white tom with tufted ears and patches of silver scales crawling on his face that shimmer in the light. Sleetstorm has black horns and blue eyes.

Parent: Thistleclaw

Mate: Wisteriog

Childrem: Tulip, Fern

Fireflydawn- a chocolate brown mackerel tom with an orange scaled tail. Fireflydawn has white horns, orange eyes and small ears.

Parents: Turtlenose, Sablewhisker

Sibling: Wisteriafog

Owlglare {Mousefur/Darkstripe}- small solid black molly with silver scales crawling up her tail. Owlglare has a pink nose, white horns and orange eyes.*

Parents: Sparrowsong, Waspeye

Sibling: Wildrunner

Wildrunner {Runningwind}- a lithe light brown tabby tom with black scales going across his face. Wildrunner has brown horns and green eyes.

Parents: Sparrowsong, Waspeye

Sibling: Mousetooth

Nightsnap {Nightkit}- sleek black molly with with darker strikes. Nightsnap has silver scales crawling up her face and neck, white horns and green eyes

Parent: Panthershade

Siblings: Mistsong, Tigerpaw

Apprentices

Raccoonpaw {Redtail}- a small brown furred tortoiseshell tabby tom with pale marigold scales going across his face and shoulders. Raccoonpaw has a vibrant ginger tail, amber eyes and white horns.*

Parent: Rosetail

Sibling: Spottedpaw

Spottedpaw- a dark tortoiseshell molly with white splotches on her face and belly. Spottedpaw has blue-black scales crawling up her back, amber eyes and black horns.

Parent: Rosetail

Sibling: Racconpaw

Tigerpaw- a large dark brown tabby tom blessed with the stripes and claws of Tigris. Tigerpaw has flecks of white scales crawling up his face and belly, red scales going across his throat, white horns and amber eyes.

Parent: Panthershade

Siblings: Mistsong, Nightsnap

Blazepaw- a long-furred bright flame-ginger molly blessed with the rosetted coat of Pardus with black scales crawling up her legs and belly. Blazepaw has a white chin, tip tail, black horns and arm-webs; green eyes. Formerly of Stratovden.

Parents: Jake, Nicole

Siblings: Sean, Ruby, Sootpaw

Monarchs and Caretakers

Head caretaker: Specklescorch {Speckletail}- a cream golden classic molly with splashes of dark red scales going down her back and tail. Specklescorch has yellow horns and green eyes.

Mate: Dapplewing

Children: Lionheart, Finchdawn

Thrushnose {Thrushpelt}- a pale grayish brown with white scales crawling up his chest and neck. Thrushnose has white flecks across his snout, brown horns and green eyes

Parent: Mumblestep

Sibling: Dapplewing

Mistsong {Mistkit}- a gray molly with a white locket and belly. Mistsong has sky blue scales crawling up her legs and down her spine, black horns and amber eyes

Parent: Panthershade

Siblings: Nightsnap, Tigerpaw

Finchdawn {Goldenflower}-a golden tabby molly with gray torbie patches with blue scales across her shoulders and back legs. Finchdawn has a short tail, white horns and green eyes

Parents: Dapplewing, Specklescorch

Sibling: Lionheart

Children: Coyote, Jackal

Wisteriafog{Willowpelt/Brindleface}- pale gray spotted molly with white scales along her back; silver horns and blue eyes

Parents: Turtlenose, Sablewhisker

Sibling: Fireflydawn

Mate: Sleetstorm

Children: Tulip, Fern

Kits

Coyote {Sand/Bright}- a cinnamon tabby molly with torbie patches and a white belly. Sand has red scales crawling up her back and legs, green eyes and white horns

Parent: Finchdawn

Sibling: Jackal

Jackal {Swiftpaw/Longtail}-a pale sandy furred tom with dark black stripes and white splotches. Swift has silver scales on his toes, ears and legs with white horns and blue eyes.

Parent: Finchdawn

Siblings: Coyote

Lynx- a cinnamon torbie molly with dark brown tabby patches and yellow feathers on her shoulders and throat. Lynx has green scales going across her face, yellow eyes and black horns. Under the care of Thrushnose

Tulip {Graystripe}- dark gray tom with darker gray feathers along his spine. Tulip has bright teal scales along his shoulders and legs, black horns and yellow eyes

Parents: Wisteriafog, Sleetsong

Sibling: Fern

Fern- pale gray molly with darker flecks and a white belly. Fern has green scales along her throat and crawling up her face, white horns and green eyes

Parents: Wisteriafog, Sleetsong

Sibling: Tulip

Elders

Mumblestep {Mumblefoot}- a small graying brown tom with thick fur that is patched. Mumblestep has orange scales on the back of his neck and chest, white horns and amber eyes. The oldest cat in Thundergrowth

Children: Dapplewing, Thrushnose

Panthershade {Leopardfoot}- a sleek raven-black molly with white splotches on her face. Leopardshade has pink scales crawling on her legs and the tip of her tail, silver horns and green eyes.

Child: Tigerpaw

Sheepear {Smallear}- a gray tom with very small folded ears, one which has a nick in it. Sheepear has black scales crawling up his throat and down his chest, black horns and orange eyes

Children: Frostnip, Sharpwhisker

Poppydawn- long haired dark red molly with an extremely bushy tail. Poppydawn has golden scales going down her back and legs, brown horns and amber eyes.

Child: Rosetail

[ikes-waifu]

Cringe is dead. Ike (Blueflame) and Mist (Mistsong) as Warriorsonas.

[riceballgremlin]

Retainers!

Left to Right:

Mistsong (NIN)

Carryalot (FSH)

Avad (MIN)

Florus (BTN)

[official-schwaebisch]

Chili und Briegel tanzend im Hintergrund: "Mist! Mist Mist Mist Mist! Mist!" Bernd: "Wagt es ja nicht für diesen Mistsong abzustimmen"

People on Reddit suggested that we should send Bernd das Brot next year and honestly it's the best suggestion that ever came off Reddit.

[benirium]

[Примечательные персонажи; локации]

---

Описание сезонного инстанса «Страж Садов»

Несмотря на то, что Наследники (мы) сорвали сделку Лати (Рати) с призванным ею Иштаром, кисэн не оставляет надежды отомстить и готовит новый план: перенаправить пространственные врата иферийских садов в обратную сторону, чтобы выйти наружу и окончательно положить конец Щиту Богов. Всё ещё обладая способностями, дарованными Анталлоном, Лати создаёт в своих владениях новый уровень измерения, где тренирует очередную гвардию. Щит Богов вовремя получает информацию от своих шпионов, и агентам удаётся установить в центре Садов статую, формирующую защитный барьер. Начинается противостояние. оооооооооо

На иллюстрации из внутриигрового ролика — тот самый ритуал призыва Иштара.

---

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{ К Содержанию }

[nelmyrion]

[ArcheAge]

Mistsong Summit — Сады Наслаждений

[eloquentsocs]

Anaca Flamestar - Ursaring (normal)

Fenien Flamestar - Whimsicott (grass/fairy)

Zulador Flamestar - Cyndaquil (fire)

Dentak - Whirlipede (bug/poison)

Ayrna Canick - Lampent (ghost/fire)

Isseta Mistsong - Sewaddle (bug/grass)

Garex - Skrelp (poison/water)

Grenci - Mienfoo (fighting)

Zarashari Moonbane - Absol (dark)

Nouvel LeCheval - Noibat (flying/dragon)

Kidpar Willowleaf - Furret (normal)

Auane Blademight - Pawniard (dark/steel)

Eleshia Canick - Emolga (electric/flying)

Dylan Canick - Drifloon (ghost/flying)

Treld Luxford - Sealeo (ice/water)

Radriston Quickhammer - Litleo (normal/fire)

Kyouka - Haxorus (dragon)

Arinata - Tirtouga (water/rock)

[griffinsmith]

Kind of disappeared for a while but don’t worry I still think about my funny wizard guys

Devin (owned by me) and iridian (owned by @stephwhoawow) but awesome

[swiftadrift]

woe, sumire upon ye

Noo Sumire 😢😢

She's going to ban me for Mistsong posting 😢😢

[shanie-plays-wizzy]

Wizard101 Character Showcase James

James (Storm Wizard) is based on Jim Moriarty from BBC Sherlock. Yes, I used to be one of those types. Please forgive.

Anyway, Jim is originally from Britain and of Irish descent. He was brought to the spiral to ostensibly save it but, really, he just agreed to follow Merle in order to learn magic and become more powerful. When he found out about Malistaire, he originally hoped to employ the fallen Death Professor. When Malistaire refused, Jim set out to destroy him.

After taking out Malistaire, he was fully prepared to return to Earth. Unfortunately for him, Morganthe showed up and, after she insulted him, he started gunning for her as well. He’s currently in Zafaria, suffering through the heat and muck, on a quest to end Morganthe as he once did Malistaire.

James is a violent man by nature, having originally been brought to the spiral as a teenager. He joined the Storm School at ravenwood after being told that it was a challenge to master and that it held the greatest power. He prides himself on his abilities but has shunned the traditional school attire for a fine tailored Marleybonian suit. He also is a skilled swordsman and, after Diego sent him on a mission to recover his treasured heirloom sword, James kept it for himself, giving Diego a replica in return.

James doesn’t work alone, however. He has an associate, Genevieve MistSong, who he encountered in Wizard City some time ago. She was lost and looking for her friend Duncan. When Jim saw that she had also been enrolled in the storm school, he saw great potential in her as an employee and apprentice. Under the guise of helping her find her friend, he joined forces with her, developing her talent as a Storm Student and showing her the spiral and it’s many wonders. His ultimate motivations for his partnership with Gen are still unknown, but he did have an apartment built in the basement of his home for her to live in, always close by and on hand for whatever mission he needs to send her on.

Of note: James is extremely smart and manipulative. As such, he has managed to keep his true intentions hidden from both Merle and the powers of the spiral. There was a moment when they were almost revealed, during the Test of Character in MooShu. When he faced the judgement of the Moodha, the Moodha saw the evil in his heart and cursed him with demon eyes and wings. With the reflection of his true self now visible to all, it took all his cunning to convince the Palace guards and his professors at Ravenwood of his supposed “good heart”. Luckily for James he is a master actor and manipulator and, while still stuck with his demonic appearance, is still enrolled in Ravenwood.

What drives James to save the spiral? Outside of him being a part of the spiral for the moment, his neverending determination to be the biggest dog in town, combined with him never letting go of a grudge has led him to reluctantly take on the quest to save the spiral. If it were up to Jim, the entire Spiral would be his to rule as he saw fit and, secretly, he hopes to some day gain enough power to do so. But, for the time being, he’s ‘playing the game’, waiting for his moment and gathering resources and allies for the endgame.

[firemagicked]

In Betweens

"It should only be a couple of days," Lyren explained to his friend, anxious, ears pinned against his head as he monitored the bond with frantic worry. Ash was unconscious, the bond was steady there. Lyn was a wall of nothingness who hadn't come out of his lab since Ash was stabilized. His eyes flicked away from the broad elf toward where his own home stood miles away. "Just until… things are calmer. I'm useless to him right now."

"Firebug," the tall elf laid a hand on his shoulder. Sahfelon Mistsong's fel green eyes were warm and creased with concern at the edges. "It's fine. It's hardly the first time you've had to leave him here a few days. He's a little more traumatized than usual about it but then… so are you."

"One of my husband's has no hand," he snapped, bristling defensively. "I think I have the right to be a bit rattled."

"Uh-huh." Sahfelon shrugged, watching him. "Didn't say you didn't. Just maybe think about not taking on so much by yourself. And stop blaming yourself."

He opened his mouth to object. A hand covered his open mouth before he could get a syllable out. "No, don't even try that. You are, you do, you're playing the 'what could I have done differently?' game in your head. We all do it. You especially. I could point out an example, but then Kaden will probably come out and hack you to pieces you after you light me on fire. Then our kids will be raised to become mortal enemies. Mine will win. Sorry, superior genetics."

His attempt to point out all of them were adopted was ignored. "So I'm not gonna remind you about what you were like after Lis died - wow I got through that entire sentence that's actual improvement for - ow! Stop that."

Sullenly, Lyren crossed his arms and let the flicker of flames licking around Sah's fingers die out. He raised an eyebrow pointedly. Sah grinned at him, patting his cheek with the hand not risking death by fire and teeth. "Seriously, though. Take care of your husbands, but remember to take care of yourself. It wasn't your fault. Ashenvald is gonna be fine. Take a deep breath. And get some fucking sleep, you look awful."

The hand was finally removed. Lyren granted it permission to live unburned another day only because this was one of his oldest friends. "You're just always so charming, Mistsong. So easy to see why Kaden stays with you."

"You really don't like it when other people mother hen you instead of the other way around," Sah said cheerfully. "Take your deflections and get out of here, sparkler. Say hi to your collection of terrifying fire creatures for me. Remind Lyn how much more handsome I am than him. And tell Ash we'll take the kids to see his next Darkmoon show."

It was the easy confidence in Sah's voice that made Lyren breathe easier. That there would be a next show. Not even a hope, just an unwavering expectation that the world would work exactly as Sahfelon expected it to. Lyren couldn't even call him on it. The arrogant asshole would be too busy being smug because he had succeeded in his plan.

He walked away. Tam behind him, safe inside Sah and Kaden's home - Ashenvald and Lyn in front of him with a future a little less frightening.

(( @ashenvald for mentions. And Lyn. And Kaden. All of which are also yours.))

[calitraditionalism]

Arc Four: Chapter Six

(AO3 counterpart here.)

The renegades were up and moving just as the sun was halfway past the horizon in the north. Hunger and not a little sleepiness made all of them quiet and slow, but they trudged on after Darkpelt, who kept them going with cheery encouragements of “keep your feet moving” and “we’re on a good trail, don’t worry”.

Darkpelt had always been exceptionally nimble – Mistface still hadn’t seen her bump into anything on accident – but it was on this mountain that her skills really shined. She weaved around pines in their path, stepped over their protruding roots and ducked into tunnels that the rest would have walked past, completely unaware. She never paused, only slowed her paces a little to taste the air and continue on with a murmur of “that’s right, it was here”.

“I have no idea why you got called -pelt,” Laurelclaw said eventually. “None of us could do this.”

“Advantage of low expectations, my lad,” Darkpelt replied, tail waving over her back. “Only an idiot of a spy would want to be named after their skills. I was actually in the running for -shade or -pad, but the deputy wanted to call me some -tail variant.”

“-pelt sounds better,” Littlepaw piped up. “Darkshade is a little redundant, I think.”

“And, more importantly, cats would know something’s up with me.” Darkpelt turned her head a little to speak in Littlepaw’s direction. “Be a real risk to my job, it would.”

“Mistface did the same thing,” Greyleaf said, and then to his brother, “What were your options again?”

“Lessee…” Mistface tilted his head, thinking. “The -cloud and -throat types, if I remember right. Almost went with -song, but I decided otherwise.”

“Mistsong sounds super pretty.” Littlepaw’s eyes sparkled. Then she frowned and looked back at Mistface. “Why did you choose -face?”

Mistface gave her a smile of amusement. “Same as Darkpelt – didn’t want folks expectin’ anythin’ of me.” He huffed a small breath as he added, “No one’ll ask a pretty face to do some task or another. Liable to think we’re all stupid and lazy.”

“Well, you’re not stupid,” Greyleaf said, “but you are lazy.”

Flyfang snorted. “And you got dragged into being a spy, so you had to work. That must suck.”

“I can say this,” Mistface said. “If Greyleaf here hadn’t been part of it, I would’ve stayed home and slept my life away. This has been exciting enough to almost make it worth it, though.”

He received a laugh from Flyfang and couldn’t help a snort himself at Greyleaf's jolt at the sudden noise. Laurelclaw had a look like he was restraining a chuckle.

“Oop- careful here.” Darkpelt lifted a paw and swiveled her ears. “These tunnels coming up are pretty weak. Don’t bump into the walls, Laurelclaw, or you’ll bury all of us.”

Laurelclaw ducked his head preemptively, chuckle forgotten. “I won’t, I promise.”

“These are quite the stomping grounds to grow up on, Darkpelt,” Flyfang remarked. “How did you not, like, fall to your death or roll down the slope?”

“Oh, I rolled plenty.” Darkpelt half-laughed. “But I learned the hard way, and I got better at finding my feet. I was even better than the purebreds in Versant after a while.”

“There are purebreds in Versant?” Redheart asked. “I thought that everyone there has mixed blood.”

“Some of the older families didn’t breed out,” Darkpelt said. “But my mother was Scattered and my father brought her in to live here.” Her tone became philosophical. “Poor Mom. She was so worried for me, you know. She wanted to raise me in the valley. It was ‘safer there’ or something. Thank the aspects for Pops – he kept me here, and I got trained well in footwork.”

Littlepaw asked a question, but Mistface didn’t catch it. He had just remembered to check on Beetlefoot, who was close behind him and had been silent the entire walk. His eyes were on the ground and his face was… ‘sullen’ was not the right word. ‘Troubled’, to some degree, but that was too vague. He looked like he hadn’t heard a thing said this morning, drowning in his own thoughts.

Mistface slowed a little to distance himself a little from everyone else and turned his head as well as he could while walking to murmur, “You alright?”

Beetlefoot didn’t respond at first. Slowly, his eyes lifted and he raised his head a little. “What?”

“You’re just awful quiet, is all,” Mistface said, voice still low. “Somethin’ troublin’ you?”

For just a heartbeat, Beetlefoot opened his mouth. Then he stopped, eyes lowering, and closed it again. He shook his head.

“Nothing,” he replied, repeating quietly, “Nothing.”

Mistface was concerned enough to want to prod, but he had a strong feeling that doing so wasn’t going to go anywhere helpful. He sighed through his nose and left it with, “Well, you wanna talk, go ahead.” Then he turned forward again and sped up his pace to catch up to the rest of the group.

It took Beetlefoot a long moment to do the same.

 --

 The rebels aren’t that sneaky after all, Viceroyclaw thought with satisfaction.

The path was invisible from the bottom of the mountain, but small dots and their shadows wobbled along near the top – some dark, some grey, one big white, and one red. They sank out of view, seemingly going into the earth, only to bob back up again a little further north. Viceroyclaw didn’t know if they had seen the patrol following them, but she assumed the tall grass had protected her crew from view.

“Where in the world do they think they’re going?” One of the patrollers, Frostclaw, craned her white neck to squint at the dots. “Don’t they know they’ve got Brae territory up ahead?”

“They must be looking for a way up the mountain,” Glorypelt mused. “That’s the only way to escape us.”

“Either way,” Fogpetal cut in with narrowed eyes, “we’re following them.”

“What if they leave over the crest, ma’am?” Boarpaw looked anxiously at the grey deputy and Viceroyclaw, who were standing together. “Are we followin’ them then?”

Fogpetal turned her gaze on the calico next to her. Viceroyclaw felt every eye turn on her instantly.

She cleared her throat. “If they leave the Territory, they’re out of our paws. Whatever is waiting for them, let them deal with it.”

There was a collective wave of relief that rippled through the group – some cats sighing, others just relaxing.

“Good,” Shreddednose said. “I’m not willing to go up against catamounts for a couple idiots.” She turned her scarred face to Fogpetal. “No way we can get up there from where we are now, though. It’s way too steep.”

“Then we’ll continue on from down here,” Fogpetal said easily. “If they’re heading north, they have to come down eventually.”

The patrol seemed quite happy about this, and Viceroyclaw didn’t blame them. The mountain’s reputation had not been without merit; the soil was loose and the slope was way too steep for even these cats to traverse. Trying to clamber up this rise from the bottom with no knowledge of the secret paths Versant cats took would be idiotic. The rebels were going to exhaust themselves trying to be stealthy, anyway. It was much simpler to stay on flat ground and wait.

The only big struggle, Viceroyclaw realized as they moved throughout the day, was that there were pine trees cropping up now and again to block the view of the rebels, when they weren’t suddenly gone already. It steadily got worse as the scattered trees began bunching together, gradually broadening into a loose forest. The terrain was getting harder to see anything on, as well – rocks jutted out in the gaps between pines and the earth clumped up, becoming darker and denser, carrying a rich, pungent scent. A few times, the patrol lost sight of the rebels and had no choice but to keep moving on the assumption that they were still on track with their targets.

It was late in the afternoon when the patrol reached a split in the forest, starting from the top of the mountain and running evenly down to the foot. Viceroyclaw’s heart jumped with excitement when she saw the rebels again. They were up on a rocky cliffside, still surrounded by trees, but they were much closer now. Viceroyclaw could make out the patches on the apprentice from here.

The problem was that they had clearly seen the patrol too. They stopped where they were, as did the patrol. The two groups were still, staring at each other, some of each party speaking to each other on the next course of action.

“Hold your position,” Viceroyclaw told her cats. She narrowed her eyes as she watched the rebels. “Just wait for them to make a move. We’ll get them.”

 --

 “Ain’t much likin’ our odds, I’ll be honest,” Mistface said.

Redheart, crouched on the ledge they currently stood on, hadn’t taken her eyes off the cluster of cats below them. She said nothing.

“Should- should we turn ourselves in?” Laurelclaw asked. His fur was fluffed out with fear. “We’re sort of stuck.”

“We can get past them,” Flyfang snapped. Laurelclaw flinched. “Sorry. We can, though. We just need to find a way out of here. Darkpelt, do you know where we can go?”

Darkpelt’s teeth clicked, and her ears slid back. “This is about as far as I’ve ever gone in this area. None of this smells very familiar to me.”

Flyfang cursed under her breath. She looked around at each cat, as if expecting one of them to come up with an idea. When no one did, she said exasperatedly, “Look, if they could get to us, they would have already. There has to be some path we can take to lose them.”

“But then we have the Brae to deal with.” Greyleaf fur along his back was raised. “Son of a weasel.”

“What about over the mountain’s top?” Littlepaw asked, doing a poor job of hiding her fear.

“We have no idea what’s up there,” Redheart said. “And I don’t know if there’s a trail for us to climb that way.”

“Well, we have to do something!” Flyfang almost shouted. She was bristling much more than Greyleaf. “We’re not going down there and getting arrested!”

“We ain’t,” Mistface said as soothingly as he could. “Give it a moment. This is unfamiliar ground we’re walkin’ on, so-“

“I can handle it,” Beetlefoot said suddenly.

Everyone looked at him, surprised and puzzled. He stood stiffly, not meeting anyone’s eyes. He was half-glaring, half-contemplating something off the cliffside.

“The path we’d take would bring us close to them,” he said, sounding like he wasn’t really mentally present for what he was saying. “But I can get their attention and lead them into Brae territory. The family will handle them from there, and I’ll lead us to a safe spot.”

There was a heartbeat of silence as everyone exchanged uncertain looks. Mistface took a small step forward.

“They ain’t all gunna follow you,” he said quietly. “They’ll send their fastest after you, I’m sure, but some of them are bound to stay for us.”

“Then I’ll bring the Brae to them,” Beetlefoot said. He finally looked up and met Mistface’s eyes, his bright yellow ones focused again and sparking with determination. “And those that do come after me - good luck catching me."

Redheart stood straight and turned to move closer to Beetlefoot, regarding him with concern. “Those are your own down there. Are you willing to lead them to potential harm?”

Beetlefoot’s eyes narrowed and he turned his attention to the patrol below them. He didn’t say anything, but the barely-restrained anger in his expression told Mistface enough.

“If he knows a way down, he’ll be alright,” he said to Redheart. “I trust he can do it.”

This endorsement seemed to give the rest some hope. Some nodded, and some looked to Redheart, waiting for her direction. Redheart gazed at Beetlefoot with a sort of sympathy-worry mixed face.

“Good luck, then,” she said.

Beetlefoot didn’t respond, just walked to the edge of the cliff facing partly away from the valley. He bunched his body up, ears forward and tail still with focus…

And leaped.