Private Thread A Little Diplomacy

Coldstar kept his head held high, and posture relaxed as Cloudflare scampered away to fetch Fawnstar. Trying to live up to his name. Cold. "This is a matter between leaders, Beewhisker. Fawnstar will share what she feels is necessary." He recognized the warrior from their brief encounter at the border.

His enterauge kept their cool suprisingly well, he was glad to have chosen them. Mistydawn, as a show of faith and Stormsquall as a test of patience. He trusted the two young warriors to represent Riverclan - however they chose to do that. Cinderwisp was steady despite her own misgivings about her position and Nettle - an ever constant presence - pressing into his side. He had the best of the best with him. Nothing would go wrong.

Mistydawn had been surprised that Coldstar had chosen her to be a part of the patrol going to WindClan. She had no real feeling towards them, though she did feel both sad and indignant that a stupid, aggressive rogue managed to kill one of the Clans' medicine cats. Laying her ears back, she almost wished their patrol to meet the ingrate as they made their way to the borders.

Sadly, that did not happen and she made sure to relax her ears, her pelt, her tail so that when they met the WindClan patrol, she wouldn't alarm them and make them think they were an actual attacking force. Coldstar said they were there to talk.

Not that Mistydawn didn't doubt her ability to face any of the three on the WindClan patrol as she tried not to narrow her mismatched eyes- there was a tubby, fluffy apprentice who looked like he didn't even known his teeth from his tail followed by an older tabby bi-color. The look on that molly's face made the new warrior doubt there was anything going on between those ears. And the last one. Another plump, fluffy looking tortoiseshell who probably got along well with the bi-color tabby. She didn't know what was worse- being apathetic and just doing as one was told or being all up in one's business.

However, her mentor had taught her when it was the time to keep her jaw's shut and this was certainly one of those times. Better to no insult or agitate the ones her leader was coming to speak with. But oh, did she want to.

Fawnstar had lead her own hunting patrol and she was proud of what they had been able to catch and bring back to camp. Despite being on edge with the murderous rogue on the loose, Fawnstar had asked for a good hunt and StarcClan had provided.

So after leading her cats home and putting their catch on the fresh-kill pile, the chocolate tortoiseshell she-cat had just settled down to a nice wash. She had just lifted a hind leg and was starting to really get at a clump of mud from between her toes when her folded ears perked at pawsteps approaching.

A moment later, the white form of Cloudflare entered her den and murmured softly to her as Fawnstar lowered her leg once more to give the temporary deputy her full attention. Fawnstar. RiverClan is Here. Coldstar and Nettleplume is with them. They're asking for you.

Fawnstar blinked slowly as she inhaled deeply and let out a sigh. So much for finishing that bath. Or even getting a nap in. But she was WindClan's leader and that was how the prey ran sometimes. Her voice was calm and steady as she replied. "Thank you, Cloudflare. Will you seek Rowanglade and join us in the clearing outside camp? I'll take Coldstar and his patrol to speak with us there."

With that, she stood and shook her fur to smooth it out before flicking each paw in turn as she stepped out of her nest and followed the white tom from her den. Copper eyes scanned the RiverClan entourage, making a note of the cats accompanying Coldstar and Nettleplume. He brough a potential fighting force, but as there was a rogue on the loose and he was in WindClan territory, she didn't blame him.

When she spoke, her tone held neither significant warmth or ice but she couldn't hide the curiosity from the polite welcome. "Greetings, Coldstar. Nettleplume. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Fawnstar." Coldstar dipped his head in a show of deference to the leader - this was her clan and her territory after all. "Riverclan is here to offer our condolences to your medicine cat. And our claws to your cause." 

His tail flicked as he scanned the camp clearing, noting the many curious eyes and perked ears. "Although, this is a somewhat... delicate matter. We would appreciate discretion until everything is set in stone." He did NOT need rumors flying about potential agreements and half-treaties until after an alliance was properly ironed out.

Coldstar let Fawnstar and her small patrol take point - following her to the outskirts the camp before settling onto his haunches and letting his patrol fan out a bit from their tight knit ranks. They had nothing to be afraid of and meant to harm. There was no reason to remain in formation.

"Riverclan offers an accord - your situation is somewhat dire, would you not agree? A single medicine cat of advanced age without an apprentice and a rouge preying on your warriors." Riverclan was admittedly in a similar scenario with only a single Medicine Cat, but at least Nettleplume wasn't old enough to worry about Starclan calling him anytime soon. "We see the borders between Riverclan and Windclan as a barrier to our efforts to put this threat down. Riverclan proposes an annexation of the distinction between us - for the purposes of killing this menace."

There would be limits and checks of course. But the two clans had more to gain in working together than apart on this matter.

Fawnstar's eyes narrowed the smallest fraction when Coldstar greeted her and started right in on his proposal. Claws to her cause? But at least he understood her want for discretion as she led him from the camp, willingly following her out to the clearing just outside camp.

She noted the shift in his stance as he settled into a sitting position and the other Riverclan cats seemed to break formation- the odd-eyed she-cat that was one of the Four seemed reluctant to relax and actually seemed to sit look-out for the small gathered group.

She tilted her mottled head slightly before returning copper eyes to the Riverclan leader as he began to speak again and this time, she did noticeably narrow her gaze at his proposition before shifting to the form of her medicine cat as Rowanglade joined the discussion.

"Rowanglade speaks the truth. As much as I wish to be rid of the murderous monster that plagues us, I agree that unlimited access to WindClan lands is not something I am willing to agree with." She bobbed her head to older she-cat, fully acknowledging the other's protest and personally relieved that she wasn't the only one with such reservations. "However, you are correct in the fact that it is something we can work together to accomplish in case of such an event."

Fawnstar paused, tail giving a thoughtful twitch as she considered what Coldstar said. "The boundaries will remain, because as Rowanglade said, there must been four clans as StarClan demands." She gave a glance to both Rowanglade and Cloudflare before continuing. "However, if you were to confront the villainous brute and they should happen to flee onto Windclan, I would not be against your pursuit of them with the sole proviso that you send a messenger to us so that we are aware that such a hunt is occurring and allowing WindClan to partake in it as well."

Copper eyes were expectant as she twitched an ear at her deputy-stand-in and her medicine cat, inviting them to offer their opinion, whether positive or negative, to her suggestion. In truth, she hoped they did regardless, as she truly wanted to know