August Gathering 2018

Shadow Empire
Tacitus stepped forward. A small sigh escaped silently from his nose as he looked out at the felines below. He was still nervous but having done this before made him feel a bit better about delivering his empire’s news. “Shadow Empire has been doing alright once again. I will start by saying that… a few more members have departed from us. Philos, Elin, Mordred, and Hiyori will likely not be returning, we take their leave with a heavy heart, but wish the best for them wherever they may be. We are also regrettfully aware that Yuki seems to have been captured by hunters... We hope to get her back as soon as possible. Though, thankfully, we also have a few new faces to welcome once again. We are joined by Gladiator Maxine as well as apprentices Nocturne and Grimm and cubs Apollyon and Mallory.”

“I have a few promotions to announce as well. Robin has proven himself worthy of becoming a full gladiator, we congratulate him on completing his training and know he will continue to make the empire proud. Julius Agenor, Souci, Neil and Liven are all prepared to rank up and begin their training. However, Eleka has prepared to begin teaching new blacksmiths, allowing Liven and previous gladiator Callum to be taken on as her new apprentices. Clarity Rose will be joining Sara and Quintin as an apprentice healer. I know you all will do a wonderful job furthering your skills and aiding your companions well.”


“And on a final note, our new gladiator apprentices will be needing mentors to train them as well. Julius Agenor will be mentored by Kazuro and Souci by Aquila, and Neil by Zoe while our newcomers Nocturne and Grimm will be mentored by Anane and Ambriel respectively…. I… believe that is everything.” With that the mountain cat dipped his head, backing up once again with the rest of the leaders.


Lightning Empire
Lightning Empire's leader was clearly ailing. Despite his best efforts to hide it, Slate was exhausted and found it difficult to stand alongside the other leaders as he patiently awaited his turn to speak, but he refused to sit down while the others stood. Since the raid that had left his Empire in such a bad place, even taking Slate’s own mate and cub from them, the snow leopard had thrown himself into his work and had taken little time to rest or take care of himself. In recent weeks he'd fallen rather ill, almost forcing him to stay home first the gathering and allow his Neri to speak in his stead, but this gathering was particularly important to the grey leader and he'd felt strongly that he needed to go, even if his scraggly appearance betrayed his current state to the rest of the Empires.


   As the leader before him to speak finished, he took a step forward clearing his throat with a cough. “Lightning Empire has been recovering steadily since the raid of the winter,” he stated simply. “Although we do have a few losses to report.. It seems the Hunters still haven't had enough, our gladiators Nona, Dyr, Zak and apprentice Vita as well as one of our newly promoted healer apprentices Pippin have vanished from our territory with clear evidence leading to Hunters being the cause.” Slate paused to allow a moment of silence fall before continuing. “We hold tight to the hope that we will be able to bring them back home safely.”


   Lifting his head a little higher, Slate carried on. “Although we have tried our best to assign suitable pairings for apprentice and mentor, it isn't always the case that they work out and this is no fault of either of theirs.. our apprentice Akira has been reassigned to be mentored by Astrid, and her former mentor Kiguara will be taking on the newly promoted Ramagi as his apprentice. We also have Agni beginning his apprenticeship to be mentored by Talion. I look forward to seeing both of you grow although you leave an empty nursery behind you.” Slate paused, the faintest of smiles touching the ragged felines tired face. “Promoting from apprentice to gladiator this season, we have Victoria, Aine, and my son, Crowley,” he said, trying to keep the pride he felt from being too evident in his voice although he'd made sure Crowley knew.


   He took on a somber expression once more however as he continued. “To prevent our healer Raoul and blacksmith Thor from having to continue to support our empire on their own since the raid, we've discussed and they've decided on a few felines who've shown they have the potential to become excellent healers and blacksmiths to take on as their apprentices. Our newest healer apprentices are Mer and we pray Pippin should she return to us soon.. and our newest blacksmith apprentice is my other son, Yudashi.” Once again a smile played faintly over the grey feline’s features. “You two and Pippin have a lot of work ahead of you, but I'm confident you will rise to the challenge and do well in your new roles.”


   “New arrivals in our empire this season are gladiators Sultan, Dorian, Marin, Evaine, Vale, and Alkira and apprentices Nimue to be mentored by Neri, Gwaine to be mentored by Marina, Duma to be mentored by Aleeza, Iseul to be mentored by Alaric, Dagonet to be mentored by Arum-Lily, and Shota to be mentored by Mellonia.”




   Slate gave a heavy sigh, stepping back and lowering his head in an exhausted manner. “That is all Lightning has to report.”


Air Empire

Amongst the leaders and their silvers atop the rocks, Erie felt a cold chill settle on his tired shoulders. The pressure of the leaders around him had the newly promoted Air Silver wishing his Leader was present for this, wishing that their empire was not in such a mess currently... But he pressed forward. Someone had to get the word out about their status, and though it was disheartening to announce further misfortunes at this gathering, many of these felines cared about their friends and family in Air... They deserved to know.

Stepping up behind the tired snow leopard, Erie gave him a gentle and weary smile, but his green eyes clearly said otherwise. Looking to the few Air felines who had managed to make it to this gathering, the Asian Golden bobcat released a sigh as he began.

"It is my apology that Nemo is not present this gathering to report to you the happenings of Air's recent misfortunes." He called out, tail flickering nervously. "It is my duty as his chosen silver however, to relay that he is away on an important task, as our empire continues with these hardships. We pray he and the ones who travelled with him come home quickly."

"In light of this, I am saddened to announce that many of our own have disappeared." Erie grimaced at this, his tone more forced. "Of those gone missing, Gladiators Fabius, Jessamyn, Lunette, Amethyst, and Xanthos have disappeared. Valuable members of Air's own, and it pains me further to announce that even our younger ones were not spared. Apprentices Ruaidhri, Rosemary, Gale, Alina and Suzuki have gone missing as well as cubs Tiberinus and Caspian..." Heart heavy at the losses, Erie pressed on, trying to be strong for his comrades.

"We have gained a few new faces in the empire since we've last gathered. Candor and the twins Estella and Lydia have joined our ranks, as Gladiator and apprentices respectfully. Estella will apprentice under Candor and Lydia under Remington. Nemo and Caroline brought into our empire Caspian, Brooklyn, Tisza, and Tiberinus, while Lunette and Quentin have gifted Air with four additional cubs, Felixicus, Latios, Desmond, and Lavender. And one of our own has made it home from the city! Suri, welcome home."

"Promotions this time around, we are proud to announce that Kai has completed his apprentice training and is now a full gladiator and Khronos has risen to the rank of apprentice as well and will be taught under Sikeena. Our healers, Sky and Ash have decided that with recent events, to take on two apprentices, Vanya and Antheia. We look forward to what they will bring forth to the empire."

"Though we are struggling in these trying times," Erie gave the gathered cats his a heartfelt smile. "We in Air empire remain vigilant and determined to make it through this darkness clouding our hearts and homes. That is all I have to report. May the wind carry your paws and hearts onto happier days, friends." Dipping his head in thanks, the bobcat hybrid stepped back to his place amongst the leaders and silvers, shoulders slumping as he waited for the next feline to speak.

Ice Empire

Chara sighed deeply as she looked at the other leaders. Her blue eyes sad as she heard the troubles of the Empires. With a deep breath, she bowed her head. "I shall go next." She stated, stepping forward as she looked at the gathering felines. "I'm so sorry for all of the loses that the Empire has face. Ice has lost many as well." Her heart dropped as she made the comment, though most already knew about their loses because of the last meeting. "My silver, Rue, has stepped down from the position and I have chosen Vespa as my new silver. I trust she will guide the Empire well by my side."

"We have not had many captures since the Winter, however we are still missing members from our family members. Aedan and Kivuli are still trapped with in the walls of the city. Sora and Iphigenia are lost as well to those walls. One of our apprentices, Alix, has also fallen victim of a hunter attack." The Lioness hung her head for a moment to pay respect to the losses.

In an instant, Chara swung her head back into the air, stiffening her shoulders and standing firm. "But in the ashes of our losses, we welcome new members to our family. I would like to welcome our new gladiators; Shen Gong Bao, Banshee, Everly, Kyria and Sindri. I'd also like to welcome sisters November and Lyn Caeda into the apprentice ranks, with Nadia joining them as well. November shall be trained by Pluto, Lyn shall be trained by Tsar and Nadia shall be trained by Faraji.

Among those joining, gladiator Phillip has returned to our home." With a large grin, Chara kept speaking. "We also have some promoting to do. Apprentices Griffin, Tolmi, Valeriana, Crispin and Phoenix have proven themselves worthy of the title of Gladiator." She glanced at the couple, and felt her heart ache, thought felt a little lighter when she saw the proud smile of her daughter. "I welcome you into the rank of Gladiator. Lamia has finished her training, and has been proven herself to ready to be a full healer. Cubs Aloe, Pearl, and Rosalie are ready to start their training. Aloe will be trained by Othello, Rosalie shall be trained by Domitius and Pearl will be trained by Meso. Lilac has returned safely, and will continue to be trained under Agamemnon.

Chamomile is also ready to start his training, however, his training shall be a little different. He has shown a lot of promise and has been chosen by Lamia and Rubiria to train as a healer. I know they will guide him well. Perceus has also decided to take Aedus under his wing, teaching him the ways of a blacksmith. He will learn well."

Chara then glanced at Shabeel, then Meso before turning back to the gathering. "Among those joining out ranks, we also have new life. Shabeel and Zadar had welcomed four beautiful cubs into the empire; Forseti, Mumu, Aldrnari, Valkyrie and Prima. Myself and my mate, Meso, also welcome new life into the empire; Enfield, Naga, Kraken and Amaroq. Every day the grow stronger with the love and support of the Empire.

Finally as she wrapped up her news, Chara smiled fondly at her empire. Despite their anger toward her, she still love them with all her heart. "Ice has been put to the test. But we keep moving forward. Nothing will stand in our way. I thank you for your time." She finished, bowing her head again and stepping back for the next leader to speak.

Fire Empire
Kestrel listened to the other leaders and finally it was her turn. Last, but not least, she stepped up and took a deep breath. She looked to Ethan and then to the crowd. “Fire empire has been well, however there have been some disappearances.” She began, holding her breath. “Nix, Tamir, Alienor and Calithea have all gone missing, along with Ezykiel, Caelus and Brutus. Abella and her cubs, Delico and Jahzara have also gone missing.” She sighed, looking at her paws. “We lost Eos to old age, may she rest peacefully.”

The looked back at the crowd. “We’ve also encountered some hunters, and two of our apprentices, Tam and Felix, have been captured along with gladiators Olympia and Celeri.” Kestrel finished, her voice wavering.

“Despite this our empire is still growing, and I’m happy to announce that not one, but two of our empire’s couples have given birth. Celeri and Cedar had four healthy cubs, Sioux, Avelina, Arbor and Salvus. And Mitsu and Spartan had three young ones, Alexandrite, Andesine and Melachit.” She forced a smile, but her voice was convincing. “Along with this we’ve found cubs Ashanti, Titiyalo and Sauda and have taken them in.” She hesitated, forcing another smile. “There are some other new felines to welcome to the empire. New gladiators Prasiolite, Bean, Alathea and Heroides. As well as apprentices Ouni, Finley, Elias, Tidepool, Severn and Lacerta. Ouni, Finley, and Elias will be mentored by Suferue, Nysa, and Bazhud respectfully, Severn and Lacerta will be mentored by Flynn and Anomus, and I will be training Tidepool.” The young leopardess scanned the crowd of felines before continuing. “Due to the loss of some felines, Karona will now be training under Collude, Polaris will be training under Vesta and b>Julian will be temporarily trained by Xephos.”


She flicked her tail and grinned. “We have one new gladiator to name. Halcyon, you’ve proven yourself to be a worthy gladiator, blind or not, and we welcome you into the ranks as a full fledged gladiator.” The young leader’s blue eyes scanned the crowd, but she had to look away. To focus on anything else.


So Kestrel looked to Ethan again. “I’m also proud to announce Ethan as my Silver Gladiator.” She stepped aside and allowed Ethan to come forward beside her.

Her gaze flicked from Ethan, to the crowd and, finally, to the sky. As tears welled up in her eyes, her grin faded. She took a deep breath and a moment to settle herself. Despite her efforts, nothing worked to ease her mind. Despite being a new leader with no right to start drama and no respect earned to back her up, she couldn’t hold back.


“One final announcement..” She murmured. She hesitated, her sadness turning to bitter anger and she turned her teary, blue eyed gaze to one feline in particular beside her, her eyes narrowed and her jaws parted into a snarl. “A shadow empire gladiator has killed one of our defenseless cubs while she was out walking with her father. She wandered a little too far, and before she could be brought back, she was dead. Nitzie has been killed.” She growled. “How dare you, Tacitus, allow your empire to murder a cub? Your empire is full of monsters, killers!” She raised her voice till she was yelling, and stepped toward the smaller leader. She loomed over him and her nose was a whisker away from his. “You’re a murderer!” She screamed. She was livid and it shone through her entire body. She took a step back, though she still faced the Shadow leader as Ethan began to speak.



Ethan
The snow leopard hybrid stood back his fur prickling as his leader shouted out the words he didn't want to hear. His own anger bubbling up and now beginning to boil over as his mind traced the thoughts led up to this day. She was dead… They murdered her...no someone murdered her... He snarled a bit as Kestrel yowled in the face of Shadow leader. They had a peace treaty and they broke it. Untrustworthy scum now… Stepping up he piped in to back up his leader in case Tacitus made a move. “We had a truce! Your Felines dare double-cross paths this way. By murdering a cub! An innocent life”. He took another step. Despite the cub having been in shadow territory in the first place it was still no excuse to harm a cub.
“Fire empire will no longer be your ally. We won't rest until we find the B*stard of your empire that murdered her. Your empire will rue the day they did this to us, specifically If the traitor does not come forward or if you harbor such a vile fiend among you... Our flame may be small but we can burn down any forest that stands in our way.”. He yowled out eyeing each and everyone one of the shadow cats he could find with a threatening green stare. How dare they…. He would find the cat behind this, he didn't care who it was. He would find them and he would end them... No cat will get any with cub murder...Shadow or not...

Tacitus
The moment the venom-laced words started to fly, Tacitus was entirely taken by surprise, flinching and recoiling in distress. His ears pinned back flat against his skull, showing him— for a moment— genuinely terrified of the prospect that had been thrust upon him so suddenly for all to see. His jaw fell open, trembling as he attempted to find his own words to retaliate, but before he could, Fire’s Silver joined in and threw even more at him. He was left aghast…


"N-now hold on..!" Tacitus called, his voice starting up finally but sounding frail and panicked... his frame trembling slightly. "Y-You should have just spoken to me before throwing such harsh accusations... do you really... think that I...would allow something so heinous?" His voice cracked, eyes wide with shock, whiskers shaking with a mixture of horrible emotions as he choked up on the words. Yet, as his own fear and sense of injustice lingered, his thoughts drifted him towards an anger of his own... For the first time in his life, the small feline's terror shifted into some form of resolve and intense determination to finally stand up for those around him. He had to make this right...all of it… Both for his own empire and the poor cub who had so tragically lost her life…


"I-I am very sorry for your loss... truly...” the Shadow leader began to speak again, sounding genuinely remorseful in his tone. “But, even if someone from Shadow Empire did commit such a... horrible crime... do NOT drag the rest my empire down into the mud with such ill hatred. There are plenty of other innocents who do not deserve such scorn." The mountain cat's fur prickled, surprised at his own sudden rage and forwardness that appeared out of the crevices of his mind... something he previously never quite thought he would be capable of... But the harsh words and distain thrown towards his empire-mates before even bothering an attempt to prove guilt made his blood boil.


"Need I remind you..." he growled, glancing towards Ethan with a lash of his tail. "That Fire Empire already broke their own promises in regards to our agreement by not even attempting to lift a single paw to aid Shadow Empire in its most recent times of desperate need... that boundary has long since been crossed already." He blinked, turning back towards Kestrel. "But I was willing to let that go if I thought we could sort things out with the recent changes in leadership."


He sighed, clearly still tense and rigid despite his words flowing with a bit more certainty. "Regardless... I promise you all that I don't take such a tragedy lightly... and if I discover that a member of my empire is to blame for this... they will be properly punished..." His bright orange gaze narrowed, appearing a bit more threatening now. "If you choose to remain hateful and not believe me when we could work together to handle this situation rationally... then that is your mistake to make."

Rafael
To say the sudden shift caught the hybrid off guard would be an understatement. For a moment he was left speechless by the heavy accusations thrown onto them by Fire Empire's leaders. The Empire that already left Rafael feeling just a little nauseous in his stomach. The Empire that they held a treaty with to supposedly help one another but in their time of need when the camp had fallen and lives lost and disappeared, Rafael ground his teeth as his mother's face flashed through his head. They were left homeless, their leader gone and supplies in ruins...And they did nothing. He bit back his tongue holding back the thoughts in his head that rolled to that tip of his tongue just awaiting to snap back with but his gaze fell quietly upon his leader. Gathering himself he took a breath through gritted teeth and joined the smaller feline's side. "May I ask why the cub and her father was even in our territory in the first place?"

Slate
Slate turned his gaze to Fire Empire's leader as she stepped forward with one final announcement, angling and eventually flattening his ears back against his skull as the announcement turned into an accusation. He'd witnessed disputes over territories or border crossing before, but this was far worse.. and the implications much more dire. The snow leopard felt the fur along his spine bristle as the female raised her voice, both herself and her silver moving in aggressively towards Shadow Empire's leader. He cast his gaze towards his own Empire, hoping to make out their moods and hoping they would be able to get away relatively unscathed, should a fight break out between the two empires although he hoped it wouldn't come to that.


He knew Lightning Empire had very little place in this conflict.. and the last thing they needed was to become involved in a fight between these empires. Not now. Not when they had just barely begun to make it out of the dark place that winter's raid had left them in..  Although he didn't want to remain silent, if they was a way he could help diffuse this conflict before it escalated he would certainly do it.


Slate cast an unsure glance in Neri's direction before looking back towards Fire and Shadow’s respective leaders, now each joined by their silvers. “Forgive me if I am speaking out of place..” the sickly leader said in grim tones. “I am very sorry to hear of your loss as well..” The leader took a moment to choose his words.. “She was killed in Shadow's territory.. but is there no way it could have been a Hunter or rogue? Did someone see it happen?” he asked cautiously although concern shone clearly through his voice. The story Kestrel gave left Slate admittedly with more questions than answers and she'd jumped on Tacitus with such suddenness and anger, even going as far as to call the entirety of Shadow Empire killers. He knew the murder of one so young was severe, and he couldn't help his thoughts from turning to Laertes who had also hailed from Shadow Empire before he'd been cast out for the senseless murder of Hunter tribunes.

Erie
Erie’s tall ears had immediately drawn back at the leopardess’ accusation of the Shadow leaders. A cub? Killed? The bobcat hybrid and the few cured that had made it to the gathering this time would no doubt be in shock. The last incident of cub killing… That rogue empire had been made. Erie may not have been here when that occurred, but he had sure made aware of the repercussions of such a taboo. Banishment. To commit this crime was equivalent to death, no matter what faction that cub may have belonged to.

With Nemo not here to help evaluate the story they were given, the hybrid was left with little to no choice but to back out of this conflict as the present leader of Air in this setting. Bt that did not mean he couldn’t speak a piece to the two heated felines, following after Slate’s example in cautiously interjecting. “I apologize for your loss, it… Is difficult to imagine someone of our empire would commit such a heinous crime to a cub. But as Slate has stated, “ Nervously, Erie glanced between the leaders, mint eyes showing the concern he so desperately wanted to convey. “It could have been anyone... We cannot be sure who it was without some kind of evidence…” He stressed. This debate had escalated to extents of the Fire leader calling Shadow a group of killers… And the knowledge that Stone’s creator, Laertes, had been cast out from the same empire had Erie’s worries frazzling further. It was a case of judging a book by its cover, very plain and simple, and the faun colored male worried for both empires should this escalate further…

Neri
Neri was left rigid as she watched the scene unfold before her, beginning to rise as the darker colored feline made his declaration. All over some.. cub, too, oh sol... she wasn't sure how to even feel about this, she never entirely enjoyed cubs; sure, once they grew up they were fine, but in the beginning it was always rough for her. Certainly lead to some poor decision making on her part, at the very least. That part of her twitched in annoyance, were these cats really ready to break out into a fight over some poor whelp of life that got an early release?


However, as she looked back at them and began to rise onto the podium to stalk tentatively over to Slates flank as the shadow empire cat began to speak, her face twisted with a distrust that had rooted itself into her brain since the raid so many months ago. Her eyes were narrow, ears low as she scanned the leaders, mildly surprised by the tentativeness of the other smaller feline. She wasn't sure if it could be helped--though, Sol, she wasn't sure about nearly anything she did anymore. She stood by Slate, more so incase something serious happened, not about to let herself be caught off guard.

Chara
A sharp pain pierced through Chara’s heart as she began to hear what the Fire Leader began to say. Oh dear, a cub. This will not be good. As harsh words began to be thrown around, accusations made Chara looked at the Lightning Leader. He was quite right. Stepping forward, the tall lioness nodded her head. “The loss of a child is always hard, but to murder a cub, that is a crime that will never be forgivable. To lose a life, one that has barely begun to live, there are no words.” The lioness sighed softly. “There is no place in the world for a cub murderer. But, to blame a whole Empire...as my fellow Leader has stated, it could have been a rogue...a hunter, we all know how active they have been. I am so sorry to you, Kestrel, and the cub’s parents. Losing a cub is never easy.”

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Uneasy were the empires. Wary of the accusations tossed through the air, whisked about by the wind and carried to each feline's ears. Who do you believe? If anyone at all.

You may rp below! Feel free to react to the accusations. You might see leaders continuing the discussion below in the comments as well.