Shadows Burning

Falcon gave Eagle a nod of thanks. "I think we can use it against the Cat Clan. We could raise it, and/or refuse to give it back to them untiul they agree to give us our territory."

crow walked to falcon's side, wondering what the leader would say. 

The leader didn't say anything for a minute. He looked up from the infant in Falcon's arms to Falcon's face. "I think it would work, Falcon. However, until we decide exactly what to do with it, it will need to be taken care of. Since you were the one who found it, I think you should be the one to do it."

Falcon gaped. "But...but- no! Not ME! I mean, please, chief! I-I can't do it! I've never taken care of a child before, and I have to hunt and fight for the clan!"

Crow turned away to hide her laughter.  it was hard to imagine Falcon taking care of a baby, but she wasn't surprised by the leader's decision.  she was just glad it wasn't her.   

Before Eagle could stop herself, a giggle escaped from her. "You are the oldest." She said. "I don't mean to take sides, but your probably the only one who actually could take care of it. Not to take sides or anything...."

Crow rolled her eyes.  "you have to take sides with the leader, Eagle,"  she said,

Falcon, still fuming, took the baby over to her nest.

crow hurried after falcon before the leader could tell her to do something useful.  the camp was a mess, and most of the clan was busy repairing it.  but nobody asked her to help.  that was the nice thing about being the wicked one; nobody expected her to do anything nice. 

Eagle raced over to Crow. "Well, sorry! What do you think I would have done with it the first day! What would you do with it?"

Falcon just shook her head and laid the baby down to sleep.

And so Falcon spent the next month caring for the cat child, until the leader called everyone to announce his decision.

crow sat with her friends.  whatever the leaderhad to say, she hoped it would help them defeat the cat clan. 

"I've decided," said the leader, "to let our possession of the child be known to the cat clan. we will request a meeting with them and tell them, and demand that they give up and make peace in return for their child."

Crow tapped her foot impatiently as the clan shouted their approval.  instead of joining in, she practiced her wickedest cackle and daydreamed about when she would get the chance to use it. 

The next day, a messenger was sent to the cat clan, carrying the sign of a truce.

Crow wished she could fly after the messenger to spy on him, but her wing wasn't fully healed, so she stayed in the camp, eagerly awaiting his return. 

After a few hours, the scout returned. "The cat clan has agreed to meet with us, right at the border tomorrow morning." He said.

Crow pretended not to care, but inside she was envious.  A group from her clan would get to attend an exciting meeting with the cat clan.  but of course, with her injury, she wouldn't be allowed to go.

The leader announced who would be going to meet with the cats. "Falcon, Eagle, Dove, Owl, and Crow."

Crow was suprised.  Why would the leader choose her?  she looked at her friends with wide eyes

Dove blinked and tried to process. She had expected the others to be chosen; they were reliatively big and could defend themselves if things turned nasty. She had completely botched things up in the last battle. She had nearly been killed, and by one who could have been a house cat, no less.