Book 2 - Warriors: The Servant's Promise

Chapter Thirty-Six

"My king, you must wake," came Intono's deep voice. "Rain wishes to make a ceremony, and you must be present, for it is custom in this situation." Evectri sighed.

"Since when did this happen in our past?" he asked. Intono opened his mouth but Evectri silenced him. "Don't answer that." The silver king sat up, noticing the growing flexibility in his wounds. He smiled, content as he began grooming himself.

"The ceremony consist of burying the dead," Intono began. "There are proper words to say among the cats, apparently." Evectri's blinked curiously.

"Really? Well that's curious," he said. "Are they just burring their own dead?" Intono stiffened.

"He was wondering if you would allow our own to be buried like the cats," Intono answered with a frown.

"Does anybody here have an objection?" asked Evectri. Intono shook his head.

"No, my king," Intono answered, his amber eyes looking quite different. "They state that they have seen so many traits within us as within them to refuse to act different." Evectri smiled, his expression softening. It's happening, he thought. It's finally happening...

"I will meet Rain immediately," Evectri told Intono. "If you would, ready four other toms of our kind to fly back home. We must gather our kingdom and bring them here soon if Bravepaw is to return on time." Intono nodded before taking off into the sky.

☼☼☼

The silver king padded up to the base of the Great Oak tree and lifted himself into the sky. He flew up to the third branch to where Rain sat, his eyes clouded with thought as he looked down to the cats below him.

"Is there something wrong, Rain?" asked Evectri. The grey and white tom didn't seem to hear him, but eventually, he sighed.

"My son is important, yes, but why? I feel like I lost another memory, and yet I have this sensation that I'll never get it back," Rain explained. He shook his head. "StarClan has screwed with my mind—I need to focus. If I am going to be leader of these cats, and if I am really going to perform this ceremony, I need to be focused." Evectri smiled.

"You'll be fine," he reassured his friend. "You've done something like this before, I'm sure." The silver king flew down to a branch below Rain's and sat, waiting for the gathering to begin.

Evectri noticed that there were more cats than usual. Twice as many, if only. He then caught the scent of Smoketail, Mudroot, and the other cats Rain sent to retrieve the rest of the cats. With that conclusion, Evectri figured out that all the Clan cats were gathered.

"Let all cats capable of walking, gather hear beneath the Great Oak for a Gathering!" Rain called. Many of the cats looked up and padded over, awe and curiosity soon filling the air. Evectri noticed these cats gathered very similarly to the way that the Cats of the Storms did.

"As you all may know, there are many who have passed away to StarClan, and though they are gone, they will be remembered for all that they are," Rain began. "Death is no sadness...no, I've had my share of it, and it is only a pathway to a new life. Grieve as you will, but know that they are not sad to leave nor happy to let go. They are simply watching you, hoping to guide your lives now that their mortal life has ended.

"Usually those from different Clans would bury their own with the others who died previous to this battle," Rain said, mostly to himself. "However, I believe that these cats died for too special a reason. I believe, and maybe you do to, that these cats deserve to become a reminder of those who fought and died protecting these Clans. Then, maybe from many moons in the future, decedents beyond will remember this battle and praise those who died." There were whispers, and Evectri smiled. Everything was going nicely so far.