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Post by Dawn on Jul 9, 2012 14:30:37 GMT -5
Too late... too late... too late... A yowl ripped through her body, a scream echoing into the night. She was too late. Shard fell to the ground; insatiable waves of scarlet lapped at his jet black pelt, washing him in a final caress. Her lover. Her only friend. The only cat she'd ever cared for. Too late to save him. Too late to see him. Too late to speak. Too late. Too late, she had heard from the gossiping forest cats. Too late, she had run to get here, to aid the strongest fighter she had ever known. Shard. Unbeatable. Frostbite was breathless. She felt night closing in over her into dawn, and felt claustrophobia running wild through her lungs. The silver tabby crouched to the ground and kept her head low, breathing raspily. Moments passed. In the chaos after the bloody battle, an outsider could go unnoticed. Especially one that had the smell of clan cats clinging to her fur. Slowly, the rogue raised her head, and her piercing amber eyes struck one tom, one vision, a lean, black tom. Shard? No, not Shard. One that Shard had spoken of. One that she had seen before. Just like Shard. Frostbite stared at the tom, taking in his green eyes. Not just like Shard, but the resemblance was chilling. "Voidstar!" Frostbite roared, unable to help herself. "Voidstar," she jeered again, loudly, raising to her paws, stalking across the clearing, blankly stepping through the pool of blood, the red unnoticed as it seeped into her moon-hued paws and forelegs. "Voidstar. Voidstar, Voidstar, Voidstar."
The rogue bristled. While the clan cats hadn't eaten well, and many had ribs showing on their frames, Frostbite was lean and well-fed. In her territory, she had been affected by the flooding, nearly drowned, but she had stolen prey when she had to during the storm and had hunted strategically. Now she was steady as she stared down the leader, unaware of the danger she was placing herself in. Frostbite laughed coldly, leaning perilously close and lifting her head, straightening so that she could look into his eyes and grasp the fact that he was not his brother. "VOIDSTAR! Greatest leader in the forest! Leader of the strongest and the bloodthirstiest! Or so they said." Her breathing was irregular, gasping through her nose as the stench of blood rose all around. "HE WAS YOUR BROTHER!" Frostbite leaned closer still, so close, rabid. "COWARD! He was your brother, and you let him fall! Like a coward, you watched him die! Crow chaser! Maggot chewer! Mouse brained, fox dunged-! Wretched! Betrayer!"
Her eyes blazed and she pulled back, still ranting. "I loved him! I would have fought for him! You let him die! How could you?" She spat out her words like bits of crowfood, eaten in a hard season. "You disgust me. You are no kin of his, if you will let his death go unchallenged," she whispered, staring at Voidstar. "He would have avenged you." Her tongue flicked over her teeth, open mouthed panting. "He would have saved you. SHARD. WAS. NO. COWARD!" Her dark whisper hitched a notch with hysteria, madness coursing through her words. "Unlike you. Coward. Fox hearted, lowly coward. No-blood leader. Many-lived coward. Star gifted, but what would you ever have the GUTS to do with it?" Frostbite snapped her jaws closed and waited for his response.
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Post by MiNTY♥ on Jul 10, 2012 11:09:42 GMT -5
hear us now, clear and true, wretches and kings we come for you For once in his life he could barely even hold his head up high. Each blow he had flinched and shrank back, struggling to maintain his composure throughout the fight. The frustration inside just kept building up inside him and he had to keep his legs rigid to stop him from moving from his spot, situated at the back of the crowd of cats. He just had to get out of here before he exploded. There was nothing he could do here because every other feline here would go against him if he protested. He could understand why they wanted him dead but he hadn’t done any harm in a long while and he had never hurt Voidstar. Sure, he had been the cheeky little brother who annoyed the hell out of him, but it was not uncommon to have a cheeky little brother and he could forgive Shard for not being able to grow up. Apparently his other sins were too much to forgive and as the cheering got louder he turned and padded away from the group. Yet someone wouldn’t let him leave in peace, he was shouted after time and time again and more than anything he just wanted them to go away. Eventually as they got closer he stopped and turned around to recognise Frostbite and he rolled his eyes. This was just what he needed to put the cherry on top of such a great day.
”Congratulations, you know my name.” He growled and narrowed his eyes at her as she approached, apparently haven splashed about in the blood like a kit. As she drew closer he stepped away not wanting to scent the blood that was splashed up her legs. His eyes glowed in the moonlight, pupils widening in outrage. ”Fine then Frostbite, let’s see you go and attack all of those cats back there with nobody to back you up.” He snarled in response nodding his head towards the clearing a little way off where all the cats were still gathered. ”There’s what? Roughly forty of them so be my guest.” He spat at her. Maybe now she would realise that it wasn’t possible to stop what had just happened. That her anger was actually directed at the wrong tom cat, it should be Wraithlight she was furious with and not him. It was Wraithlight who had started the fight. Perhaps she should have been mad at Pyrestar and Flamingarrow for cheering the younger tom cat on in the battle. ”I may have seven lives Frostbite, but I would be a fool to try and stop what went on over there. You think I wanted that to happen? I promise you I would have stopped it if there was any possible way, but guess friggin’ what? There was no way. It was impossible to save him and anyone trying to do so would be on a suicide mission. Marching over here and having a tantrum won’t do you any good, Frostbite.” He snarled at the female who was so sure that he had done wrong. She wanted to hide her grief with anger, but that wasn’t going down with him.
However, the anger crazed female never relented and continued to look for revenge; something to take away the sting from her loss. ”You don’t think that I am hurt by this too? Do you not think that it tore me apart to try and stand there with the others as though nothing was wrong? They would have made a meal of me and they would have made a meal of you. When that little rat instigated the fight I did not for one second think he would ever beat Shard. And sometimes in life we just have to swallow our pain and get on with it, which I strongly suggest you do.” He snarled. He just could not believe the nerve she had to come over here and accuse him, as if this was his fault.
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Post by Dawn on Jul 10, 2012 12:04:29 GMT -5
His calm, biting words soothed her if only because of their familiar and unfamiliar logic. Would his brother have spoken quite so clearly? "When that little rat instigated the fight I did not for one second think he would ever beat Shard. And sometimes in life we just have to swallow our pain and get on with it, which I strongly suggest you do.” Frostbite shivered. To have watched the fight, she could not have endured it. How could Voidstar have stood there, possessed by reason, as his own brother was killed? How could he bear it now? "No one..." she muttered, tired by her gripping rage, unable to clearly finish the thought: No one can beat Shard. "Doesn't blood mean anything to you? Dripping, coursing, flowing, making us who we are." With her impassioned words her wide amber eyes glistened. "Doesn't it? Doesn't kin mean anything to you, Voidstar? Vengeance? An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? A life for a life?"
Her head dipped with weight, and she noticed from where the stench of blood truly arose, from about her paws. It reminded her of the fight with Jango, when she had seen Shard just after the season turn. It disgusted her; Shard's blood. On her paws, but not of her doing. Normally she would have licked them clean, but she couldn't bring herself to do it- it repulsed her. Shard's blood... Fighting the rising nausea, with eyes still downcast Frostbite padded past Voidstar and toward where she saw a bit of shine. A puddle made in an indent in the ground, thanks to all of the rainfall.
It wasn't very deep, and the bottom was murky, but Frostbite plunged her paws in anyway, twisting them about in an attempt to wash the blood away. She was rapidly coming down from the manic craze that had come over her, thinking sensibly, forming a plan. A plot, and a murderous one at that. "I'm not just going to swallow my pain and get on with it." She stared down into the pool, which was rapidly turning a rusty, dirty color. They were alone, and her voice was lowered, so she continued on steadily: "I'm going to kill Wraithlight, and you're going to help me."
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Post by MiNTY♥ on Jul 15, 2012 9:34:50 GMT -5
hear us now, clear and true, wretches and kings we come for you Out of the corner of one eye he watched the crowd, studied them as they still chattered excitedly. Their behaviour was absolutely despicable and none of them took one moment to put themselves in his situation. If he challenged their kin and slaughtered them right in from of them then he was sure that they would be outraged. They would all accuse him of being cruel. At that moment in time Wraithlight had been no better than Shard, typical like father like son. The white tom perhaps thought by killing Shard he could escape turning out like him, but it was already too late since he had already committed his first murder. Wraithlight’s life was not in danger and so he had broken the warrior code. When would Pyrestar crack her whip? Or was this an exception to every rule just because it was Shard. He had his reasons for what he did, but they would never understand.
”How about seeing some of your own blood then?” He growled, staring her down with his gaze. He flicked his tail angrily, which at the same time warned the female to give him some space. ”I took him in Frostbite. I even let you stick around as well to ensure his happiness. I compromised my clan for him. Nobody gets that but kin. Yet I would hardly expect you to understand what it’s like for a leader to do that since you were never raised in a clan.” He hissed in response. Frostbite was so very ignorant to the situation. In the rogue world you could do anything you wanted as long as you were prepared to fight but in a clan you had to think about more than just yourself. He had to consider everyone in his clan and unfortunately the majority of them would not be willing to participate in an act of revenge.
”Don’t be silly Frostbite. They will be expecting something now. I will wait until my feelings no longer cloud my judgement and strike at the opportune moment. Not now. You hear?” He replied, half addressing her and half talking to himself. Voidstar had never been one to react to a situation while still very angry about it. He found that when he took time out and thought about it rationally he could always come up with something better and his enemy would be very surprised. ”Since you are so amazing, in your opinion, then you should be able to plan your own revenge, Frostbite.” He chuckled darkly. ”And on top of that what makes you think that I would need your help you get revenge?” He asked, wearing a self-centred smirk upon his maw. If she wanted anything from him then she would have to come up with a very good reason as to why he should help her, especially when he had his clan to take care of considering the situation that they were in. They came first and here was a female he barely even knew trying to distrEact him from that.
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Post by LYNX ♥ on Jul 18, 2012 17:56:54 GMT -5
it was really spectactular, she thought anyway, but her morals weren't exactly a thing to behold. but watching that battle, the two strongest cats she'd seen, bent on killing each other, the lust in their eyes that she'd never truly witnessed before, and the power they displayed with their expert moves, a fluid grace between them each that came only from heartwrenching amounts of practice and moons of experience, and fueled by something not even the battle-hungry brazenpaw could decipher, but if she could she would have known it was naught but their father-son bond and the heartbreak it had caused. she didn't catch on to that part, but only the spar itself, staining vertigoclan's land scarlet with the blood of both toms. she continued to watch, her composure showing a calm but interested young cat, while her eyes danced with a bit of a crazed light. she was utterly entranced, and peered about her for the reactions of the other cats, gathered from various clans. vertigoclan's cats, of course, were smug ands content, their ugly mugs oozing with pride for their little while brat, hellbent for his father's blood, while tempestclan cats seemed mostly shocked, and the other clan cats showed various mixtures, but mostly relief. that made sense; everyone had hated her father, though herself was not included, but no one had wanted to see the battle go the other way, with the young white tom, so full of potential, killed by his smug father's experienced paw. no that would do for no one, so they were content.
brazenpaw herself wasn't entirely sure how to feel, considering she had just watched the execution of her very father. it had been a fair fight though, and blackshard had simply not the strength or will of his younger flesh and blood. of course, this battle revealed something else to the tempestclan apprentice, and that was the existence of an older brother. albeit half-brother, he was kin and she was thoroughly awed by this gutsy display. she watched him walk away with an old sand-colored female who she assumed was someone's medicine cat, and turned away from the crowd, which had begun to disperse. what excitement! she should have figured something like that would have to come from all the clans converging, but never in her life did she think she'd witness her mysterious half-brother spawned from the wisecracks from vertigoclan destroy the second most powerful cat whom she knew just like that. what a rush, truly what a thrill it had caused.
in that moment, though, another thought occurred to her as she followed her paws, not knowing exactly where they were taking her, nor was she paying attention. the first most powerful cat whom she knew. voidstar. she knew then that she wanted to find her mentor and uncle, but she didn't know what she would do when she did. exactly how upset was he? she didn't think he held any true affections for his late brother, but he had been made into a laughingstock by some young vertigoclan buck, which made things all the worse for him. he'd had no choice but to watch in horror, and keep his distance while that all unfolded, and that had to suck for him. did he have a plan? he wouldn't want consolation from a mere apprentice as herself, but she sensed he wouldn't just sit and shut up about it. at last, his musky odor reached her nose, and she knew she was close. instinctively, she dropped into a stealthier crouch and moved forth despite her half-blindness, scenting all at once another presense, though this one almost completely unfamiliar. I'm going to kill wraithlight, and you're going to help me. brazenpaw heard a female voice rasp, grating against her ears, which immediately lay flat with unease. she listened to her uncle's sharp, smooth retort and couldn't keep a grin to herself. what could she do? would the she-cat really back down? brazenpaw could practically smell her rage, coming off of her in waves.
the stocky brown apprentice made up her mind, and stepped forth, appearing between the two adult cats. her pose was confident, but with her blind eye nearer to the silver tabby rather than the tom she trusted, she was still feeling a bit uneasy about the whole situation. still, she was sure of how she stood with voidstar, so she turned to face him and chose to ignore the she-cat, who she eventually recognized as shard's lover after a quick, judging glance. "voidstar, whatever you plan to do, I'm going to help you." she meowed clearly, though her tone was soft. she had the sense to know this wasn't a conversation one should bring attention to. her gray-green gaze was piercing and passionate though- she wouldn't let her mentor cast her to the side this time. now, she would prove herself to him.
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Post by Dawn on Jul 24, 2012 16:26:09 GMT -5
Frostbite seethed silently from where she stood in the puddle, listening to Voidstar hiss at her. "You need my help." Frostbite mewed, very calmly and absolutely. "When kin kills kin..." The silver tabby shook her head, and stepped out from the water, padding back to sit a respectable distance from the leader, now dripping wet but calmed and not stinking of Shard's blood. She gazed at the tom, noting the striking similarities again, and knew she had to tell him. He was the one to tell, even as Shard hadn't known, would never know...
Brazenpaw came between them. Shard's daughter. The irony pierced her. Should she say it anyway? "Voidstar, whatever you plan to do, I'm going to help you." She had to admit that something of the spunky cat's determination impressed her. But she could also see how it would be smart to keep an apprentice out of this- especially one with blood like her's. She was just going to come right out and say it: there was no need for grace, there wasn't going to be any hiding this or being sensitive about it later on. Brazenpaw being here, or in on it, or vengeance or not, she had to say it.
Frostbite blinked, her eyes sweeping over Brazenpaw and focusing intently upon Voidstar again. "I'm pregnant," the rogue murmured, almost able to feel the power of the offspring within. These would be strong kits. Their kits. Even without Shard to help her raise them, she would ensure that they were trained well. If she could put herself in just the right position, they were guaranteed safety and protection. But if she let the wrong cats know, too soon, she was bound to be in danger, and for that, her kits were too. "Shard is not just a fallen lover, a mate, to me. He is as much mine to mourn as he is yours, Voidstar. He's the father of my kits. Your kin, too."
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Post by MiNTY♥ on Jul 26, 2012 9:00:43 GMT -5
hear us now, clear and true, wretches and kings we come for you The black tom watched Frostbite through narrowed eyes as she padded off to sit down. For the first time since she had begun shouting at him he actually allowed himself to feel some sympathy for her. He could see the hurt behind the anger that she had taken out on him. ”I’m sorry Frostbite.” He gulped. Although Voidstar wasn’t totally sure about what he was apologising to her for. Perhaps it was because they were both suffering from a great loss and they didn’t really know how to deal with it. Maybe it was just because he didn’t see why helping her with her revenge would make a difference to what had already happened. ”Neither of us saw it coming.” He added and blinked softly. He had never known how to deal with hurt, and so he just shrunk back inside himself and grew colder than ever.
As a rusty coloured female appeared in his view he was a bit caught off guard since he had been so deep in thought, but he recovered quickly. ”Brazenpaw, I...” He trailed off not really sure how to tell her no. Then he felt guilty for not giving her a chance since she was his apprentice, which meant she had received only the best training. It was true that she had a problem with one of her eyes but while training her she had been able to overcome that and he had made sure that she had very good hearing on that side of her face. Some would see it as a little harsh but he felt that always going for her blind side as they fought had taught her what other cats would do if they figured out her weakness and she was well prepared for that. Once he had thought through that he decided it wasn’t her eye that was stopping him from saying yes. He had just lost his brother making him more sensitive than usual and he didn’t want to lose someone else who was close to him but he knew she would simply get pissed if he treated her like a kit. Plus her warrior ceremony would be very soon and he had to let her grow up. ”Ok, if I am going to retaliate then I will include you.” He finally replied after much inward deliberation.
Turning to face Frostbite he half expected her to refuse to let the young female help them but instead she blurted out something completely unexpected. The tom shook the thoughts from his head to make sure that he had just heard her correctly. ”Wait, what?” He replied abruptly, suddenly feeling on edge. It couldn’t be, it had to be impossible after all Shard just used she-cats and flirted with them all the time. Yet, when Frostbite continued she seemed adamant that Shard had loved her, and that she loved Shard. Suppressing a snort he looked up at the silver female with big round pools for pupils. Everything she said seemed so sincere that he could almost believe it had been love between the two cats. Nevertheless he didn’t know what to do about kits; he knew how to lead a clan. Yet these kits were his kin as Frostbite had stated, and he could never turn away kin and he would be damned if he ever let these kits get hurt. Then he recalled that Brazenpaw was with them, she was Shard’s daughter too so perhaps some siblings would not please her and he cast his gaze to his apprentice, then back to Frostbite. Females were so utterly confusing.
”Well then you absolutely cannot go through with this crazy plan for revenge while you are carrying kits, I won’t have it. Even if I have to assign you a guard to keep you in your nest. You can’t possibly think that I would allow you to fight in such a state.” He scolded; standing tall and proud to show that there was no use arguing with him. Females may have been confusing but as leader he had the last say and they could not argue with his decision. ”You may be used to the rogue life just like Shard, but if you hope to continue that way then I fear for the kits safety. If you don’t rest then I don’t think they will survive. It’s your revenge or the kits. Promise me that you will take it easy.” He growled. In the back of his mind he worried that she would make him do her bidding while she rested and he figured that he would have to. Turning to Brazenpaw he gave her an awkward smile. ”Now you will have some kin to be setting a good example for.” He told her gently, hoping that she wouldn’t blow up on him.
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Post by LYNX ♥ on Jul 26, 2012 15:25:34 GMT -5
for one thing, she was pretty thankful that no hostility was aimed toward her and her entrance to the conversation- she knew, with older cats, interruptions were rarely tolerated well. still, these two seemed far too intent on sizing each other up to pay her much heed and for once she was alright with that. she sure as hell didn't want to brunt of their combined frustrations about the current situation. the stocky she-cat shifted her weight from paw to paw, swinging her head back and forth in order to keep her good eye on each adult in turn. voidstar was the first to direct his attention to her, but his response was unusual, and she chose to disregard it for the moment, until he spoke up again. I will include you. though for a heartbeat doubt crossed her mind, and she narrowed her eyes at her mentor and uncle, wondering if he would stick to his word, she still meowed a "thanks," that she hoped sounded grateful. "I'd never let you down." then, the silver tabby female spoke up, her voice softening when she did.
brazenpaw couldn't help but gasp at the news the she-cat released like a dangerous weapon- not out of surprise, but perhaps disgust. she couldn't help but speak up, out of turn, with a tone dripping with vehement disapproval, "so you're scheming for some stupid revenge because you think your unborn kits want their father's killer- the same amount of kin to them as I am, mind you- dead? that's worth risking their tiny helpless lives over? really?" she couldn't help but condescend- this cat was obviously brain damaged! "and yet you're lecturing voidstar about the importance of kin? sounds pretty damn hypocritical to me." she observed sharply, forgetting for a moment where her place was. still, even upon remembering it she considered herself above this other female who, while older, was little more than a streetrat. some rogue who thought they could make it in a clan, begging for refuge and acceptance. brazenpaw snorted and backed away a step before sitting, and dragging her tongue over a forepaw, doing her best to reign in her temper. the only reason the tabby was here was because she had been clinging hopefully to shard's tail, and now she was doing her best to cling to voidstar's instead. how obnoxious- not to mention the kits! brazenpaw thought that if she had kits she wouldn't give a damn about their father if it meant risking their lives and killing the poor things! the apprentice wasn't one for maternal feelings, but it was silly to disregard unborn kittens as nothing more than excuses for vengeance.
voidstar was speaking, though, and he sounded very sensible. the brass-colored female looked to him with admiration glowing in her hazy green eyes. she knew her diplomacy was something she needed to work on, because that was something she desired. "kin, hm." she grunted, when his attention returned to her presense. she didn't care either way. though they would be her half-siblings she supposed, they would grow up much the same- with no father, and a slimy rogue female for a mother. they would be relatable, sure, but not like kin. shard had been as much of a parent to her as he would be for them. her heart briefly panged with pity before her gaze hardened and she looked away from frostbite and stared hard at her own forepaws, clenching and unclenching. "I'll only have kin if she doesn't kill them," she muttered under her breath, not meaning for either adult to hear. she spoke up and said, "I'll do my best for em, 'course."
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Post by Dawn on Jul 27, 2012 13:03:44 GMT -5
Frostbite ignored Brazenpaw completely, speaking only to Voidstar now. She had no time for arguing with apprentices. "I won't do anything to hurt these kits of ours. But Wraithlight... has to die. I would never trade the life of my own for vengeance, but no matter when it is, I will have revenge for Shard's murder." She let her silver fur lay flat, licking her shoulders to calm down. "I promise that I will protect them with my life. But I am early on yet and I won't be due for a while. If," she meowed carefully, "there was to be a plan made... I would strongly request you keep me in on it." Her voice was hard, and she glanced to the side, noting a flicker of movement. There wasn't much else they could speak of here, with others in hearing distance. It was too dangerous. "Which is not a threat, no, Voidstar. If you choose to shut me out, there is nothing I can do about it- but I am greatly weakened, the more time that passes. Cats will guess that these are Shard's kits, and they will be in danger just for that. My involvement with Shard was not a secret." Frostbite stood but did not turn to go yet. "Think about it."
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Post by MiNTY♥ on Jul 27, 2012 14:15:46 GMT -5
hear us now, clear and true, wretches and kings we come for you ”I know that you wouldn’t, Brazenpaw.” He replied to the apprentice fondly. She always wanted to do the best she could and she rarely ever let herself mess up. His main concern was that if anything did happen to her then he would end up blaming himself in this instance. When he thought back to how awkward it was on their first training session it was impossible to believe the relationship they had now. At first he thought that they would never manage to get on, never mind have a bond.
”Quieten down please.” He growled softly at the young female who had spoken out of turn. Although he agreed with the points that she was making there was a time and a place for everything. The time and place for her stating her feelings was not here while he was trying to reason with a difficult rogue. It was clear she was certain of what she wanted and that changing her mind was not going to happen anytime soon. He cast a slightly sympathetic look at the rusty female before turning back to Frostbite to listen to her side of the argument. Inside he had known this whole time that she was not going to change her mind about getting revenge and playing dumb had not altered that one little bit. Pressing his fangs down on his tongue he slowly approached the silver feline, holding her gaze.
”Listen to me Frostbite. I feel like you are asking a lot here, if you think about it my clan might actually suffer from this so we will need to plan this carefully. That also means that I have the right to lay down a few rules, and if you don’t like them then we are not doing this.” He told her, waiting for a moment to let his words sink in. ”I will include you in any plotting that I come up with, however I will not allow you to do any fighting or strenuous activity and that is not negotiable. I will also be putting my clan first so if any of your ideas puts them in danger then I will have to say no to it, and well basically I will get the final say.” He continued, using a no-nonsense type of tone. He began to turn away to leave but paused briefely to look between the two female cats. ”Also you two will try to get along and put your differences aside. In the future I would appreciate it if you could hold your tongue a little better” He added, mainly looking at Brazenpaw but he wouldn’t be surprised if at some point Frostbite argued with her.
”Now if you will excuse me, since the crowds have cleared off a bit I will be taking Shard’s body and burying it. If either of you wish to join me in doing so then you are very welcome to.” He replied, his tone a little strained. Waving his tail in farewell he sauntered off towards the scene of the crime, ready to face the truth.
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