Web of Lies

i

Robinflight stared at Coralstar, dark brown fur morphing into a look of disbelief. The light gray tom looked at her, his light green eyes kind and soft, unaware that he just chose the weakest warrior in all of MossClan to become the leader once he eventually passes on his final life.

"I'm sorry, Coralstar, but I can't be deputy!" Robinflight spat out. "I'm just not cut out for this kind of duty!"

"Robinflight, I am growing old," Coralstar said calmly, sitting down on a bed of moss in his cave-like den. "My body is not meant to fight sickness, yet I still fight it. After I..." He searched to find a softer way to say the term. "...pass, I'll need someone I can trust to keep OceanClan off of us. They are growing stronger everyday, and we are growing weaker."

"But can't you choose someone who can fight, like Quailfern? He's an exceptional fighter! And he had all the skills needed to-"

"Robinflight," Coralstar said, cutting the rambling she-cat off. "Quailfern's loyalties lie somewhere else, not with MossClan or the cats in it. I'm doubtful he has any at all."

"Then why did you choose me?"

"You're trustworthy, and know when to talk, and what to talk about. You may not be the best fighter," Coralstar explained. "But you are strategic, and a planner. I have a tendency to... jump into battle, but now that I am on my last life, I know that planning is more important. You have skills I never will."

Robinflight shook her head as the panic started to set in. She couldn't be deputy, much less leader. She's too weak, too scared. If OceanClan attacked, she couldn't defend MossClan, much less think of a plan. Robinflight was just Robinflight, she could never be Robinstar. Quailfern was a better option in every conceivable way.

"Your ceremony will be at sun high," Coralstar said, standing up. "I'm off to the medicine den. I hope you will accept your role by then."

Coralstar padded out of the den, leaving a shaken Robinflight. Robinflight turned and ran out of the den, hoping to find her mother, Harepelt, before sun high. She ran through the camp, glancing at the sky every once and a while to make sure the sun stayed in the same place it was when she last checked.

"Hey, mother?" Robinflight whispered, so to not disturb the kits Harepelt was babysitting for a fellow queen.

"Hm?" Harepelt said absentmindedly. Robinflight huffed and tried again.

"Mother," Robinflight forced out, trying to keep her anger under control. Harepelt was ditzy and, dare she say it, rather dumb. "Coralstar has decided to make me deputy."

"I would've chosen Reedspeck, but to each their own..." Harepelt commented. Robinflight bristled at the mention of her sister. Why had she come to her mother for advice again?

"Yes, I'm sure Reedspeck would be the best choice to lead this clan, not that she's battle-happy or anything," Robinflight grumbled. Her sister, Reedspeck, was the clan favourite. She masked her sadism as good fighting skills, but Robinflight saw through her mask.

"Oh, yes. When OceanClan attacks she'd be able to take on every cat there..."

"My ceremony is at sun high," Robinflight said, changing the subject.

"Oh, I don't know if I can make it."

"What do you mean?" Robinflight spat out. Unless pigeons planned on stealing Harepelt's brain (Robinflight was doubtful she even had one) at sun high, almost every cat in MossClan can make it.

"Maybe not everyone has such a free schedule like you, Robinflight." Harepelt leaned down and licked the small kits head. Robinflight's eye twitched.