Desertstar
Leader of Windclan
Fur disheveled and dripping with rainwater, Desertstar stood at the edge of their devastated camp, her golden eyes reflecting her weariness. The previous two moons had brought unprecedented challenges, as the weather veered from one extreme to another. After unleashing its wrath, the storm that’d hit them earlier in the day had finally relented, replaced by frigid temperatures and a cold drizzle that seeped into their very bones. The once familiar moorland now lay flooded, frozen and inhospitable beneath their tired paws, and with a heavy heart, she called for a clan meeting.
"Windclan," she began, her voice quivering with a blend of weariness and steely resolve, "I know this isn’t what any of you want to hear, but we must make the difficult decision to retreat to the mountains." Her words hung in the air, mingling with the mist. The cats around her shifted uneasily, their breath forming visible puffs in the chilly air. Desertstar's gaze hardened, her voice growing stronger as she continued, "It will be dry there, and the peaks will offer shelter and safety from the elements,” she reassured them, understanding the fear that accompanied such a transition. While she and many of the older warriors had traveled to the mountains once before, for many, this would be their first.
The clan exchanged hesitant glances, their eyes betraying their inner doubts and fears as they grappled with the unknown. However, the Windclan leader did well to conceal any hint of anxiety. She squared her slender shoulders and raised her head up high in a graceful display of confidence, as if to encourage them that everything would be fine and they need not fret or fear. As always, she would do her best to ensure their safety.
With authority lacing her words, she addressed the apprentices first, urging them to lend a helping paw to the elders. "Apprentices, I expect you to assist our wise elders. Ensure they do not fall behind and treat them with the respect and care they deserve," she told them, her tone firm yet filled with warmth, knowing in her heart that they would do their best. Then, shifting her focus to the warriors, she continued, "I need a couple warriors to aid the queens and help carry their precious young. They are too small to keep pace and must be kept off the ground,” she requested, highlighting their vulnerability and the need for protection. The leader didn’t want the youngsters to even attempt to brave these conditions on their own. As cold as it was, they’d most likely freeze or be swept away. “I also need a few warriors to assist Littlewoods and Moosepaw, our medicine cats, and help them carry herbs, supplies and any other tasks they may need help with," she carefully instructed, ensuring that every aspect of the clan's well-being was accounted for. Their collective efforts were crucial for the survival and success of the clan.
Satisfied that she had covered all necessary details, she cleared her throat and declared, "We shall leave at moonhigh.”
S k i p p e r p a w
WindClan's energetic medicine cat apprentice
{interactions include: Daisykit and Oasismist}
Hues of honey golden peered up at the shadow that seated itself next to her with a swirl of fear and confusion before realization struck. Oasismist had briefly been mistaken for a stranger, and while Skipperpaw didn't personally know the older warrior she still recognized her clanmate. She sighed softly with relief - liking thinking that the 'stranger' had been something more than a simple cat - and offered the warrior a bright smile. "Don't worry, Oasismist! We'll be safe and sound as long as we follow Desertstar and stick together! We're all a big family, and mama always told me that nothing can go wrong as long as family sticks together!"
Her soft smile turned into a full grin that showed her pearly whites and it was entirely possible that the naive apprentice was mistaking Oasismist's warning for nervousness. In true Skipperpaw fashion, she tried her best to be uplifting and positive so as to settle the warrior's "anxiety" towards the move. Her attention only faltered when she noticed young Daisykit wobbling out of the nursery and she politely excused herself from Oasismist's company to go greet the young kitten.
By the time she approached the small group that was worriedly fussing over the sickly kitten Littlewoods had already soothed some of her coughing and was handing out herb bundles. "I'm going to be more towards the front of the patrol, but if you get bored and want a travel buddy, I'm just a meow away," she purred softly. Her long feathered tail wrapped protectively around her little patient and she leaned down to give Daisykit an encouraging lick on the forehead. "Carrying herbs should be left to the grumps so that we won't have to listen to them fuss as much," she whispered to Daisykit with a mischievous smile and a little giggle of her own.
With that, Skipperpaw scooped up one of the little emergency bundles of herbs, for she wanted to be prepared to take care of injuries at the front of the patrol if she needed to. She then moved forwards to catch up with Desertstar who had begun to lead the clan out of their now swampy home.
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Skipperpaw's thick fur was barely any protection against the cold winds that struck them. The barren lands and lack of shelter made it easy for the elements to assault them on any and all fronts. Her happy-go-lucky demeanor hadn't changed, however, even with the wind giving her fur a windswept look while her eyes were squinted and her ears were angled back. "Ish hekkim' wimdy," she observed around her bundle of herbs. Her paws carefully navigated different cracks and rocks and she often found herself moving to hug the rocky walls to allow others to pass her by so that she could cast her gaze over the line of elders, warriors, apprentices, queens, kittens, and her mentor who trailed behind her.