Her Command (Lyss)

[Midnight]

Glorilyss only.

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A day had passed since Briarstar had officially announced Pebblestar's death and her mount to leadership to all of TalonClan. There were a few things left to do: for example, name the kittens in Pebblestar's last litter, decide who would raise them full-time, name a deputy, and talk to Duskflame about where she stood in TalonClan. Although she wouldn't admit it to herself, Briarstar was avoiding dealing with Pebblestar's kittens. It was too difficult, looking at them and seeing features of her within them. It was the same block that kept her from visiting Mousepaw, the poor young tom who had no family left.

Briarstar hurriedly headed into the medicine den, ready to get this conversation over with so she could assign patrols and do some hunting. "Duskflame?" Briarstar called out. "Duskflame, are you here?"

[Glorilyss]

For the first time since the exile of her brother, Duskflame woke with a heart unburdened with hate. The entire world seemed a little lighter, the colors a little sharper and the edges more focused. The medicine cat had been awake for some time, pawing through her store of herbs, her nose low to the ground to scent out rot and staleness. Even the scents seemed somehow clearer in her nose; her head felt light, as if she had climbed to the very top of the highest mountain and stood in the thinner air. She had been a healer with a soldier's heart before, filled with the determination to fight and win. Now, she was told that the battle was over.

Pebblestar was dead.

As if the thought had conjured her replacement, Briarclaw - rather, Briarstar now - could be heard entering the den. Her voice pulled the she-cat out of her heady reverie; the tortoiseshell turned toward the voice, grace and ease returned to her with the best news she'd had in moons. She lowered herself into a sitting position, indicating for the new leader to do the same. "Welcome, Briarstar, and congratulations on your new title. I trust that things went well with your ceremony?" she asked, her voice pleasant. It was not particularly hard to keep the wide grin from her face; she had become skilled at keeping a blank countenance, and now she wore only a mask of courtesy and pleasant welcome. "What can I do for you?"