A Council Meet

[Graymane]

Drummercat
Council Members

Chopsticks entered the council chamber, the aged old Church, long since left empty was a heaven for homeless humans and also many cats. most of which were members of the Jellicle Assassins, a unique hidden group of Jellicle Cats and also humans who did the same thing. Without the true knowledge of what their own 'guard cats' truly did until a few months ago when the cats trusted the humans enough to let them see them as they truly were.

Settling in for a rather long council meet Chopsticks took his seat at the next to head of the 'table' Normally that seat was reserved for a human male or female that was currently in command of the Assassins. But the Jellicles used it as well. And their Mentor, Graymane was on a personal errand concerning his extended family. His sisters son was to begin his training. But there was trouble brewing with the sudden arrivals of the Pollicles along the riverside across town. And also to the north of town. The humans too were worried.

No sooner had he taken his seat when the council members started bickering. "I think we should attack as soon as we can!" Said one, his name was blacktail, a solid white Himilayian male with a solid ink black tail.

"No I think we should scout them out, find out what they are planning and what threat they truly pose, and more find who they work for. For all we know it is the same group that oppose our human allies!" Said another, whose name was Glittermitts. a solid black feline with bright white paws and silver claws that tended to 'glitter' in the light of day.

"I think we should first track down the leadership and slay it once we learn their plans." A third said. At that the table begain bickering ever more. Finally Chopsticks stood up

Raising his hans he shouted, then when that did not work he hammered hard on a cymbal. When the room quieted he spoke, "My brothers and sisters, my friends and fellow Assassins of the Jellicle Order. We need to keep our heads. Something is coming and we do not know what it is. Our leader Graymane, and his human as well are in the city and visiting loved ones to make sure they are safe and well. We all know that our leader Graymane has taken in his sisters son, Munkustrap, as his student. The boy has promise I think he will make a good Jellicle Assassin."

"You are just a Mentor, you are not the Master of the Order, who are you to tell us what we can and cannot do ?" Crowed out one of the Assassins at the table

Chopsticks looked at the cat, then the others, the room had then gone dreadfully silent, "You are that certain of your self Goldmane ?" He asked, when the other tom did not answer right away Chopsticks went on. "If you truly beloeve you can handle yourself, then good luck, scout those Pollicles, find their leader and what they plan, and report back to us with your findings!" That oughta shut him up, Chopsticks thought.

And shut up the other cat quickly it did, none of the cats present wanted to do the task. There were too many of the enemy, felines mostly, in the city to even get close enough. Finally Redmane cleared her throat. "I have some sad news concerning that plan, Mentor Chopsticks, Its about your daughter, Aruile. the healers are with her now. She says other cats fought her, alley cats possibly. But she said they were too well orginised to be simply alley rabble." Those seated at the table started murmuring among themselves. Aruile was a very good fighter and even better killer. Not yet a Mentor, but an otherwise perfect Jellicle Assassin.

Drummercat looked throughful, For a long moment he did not speak, finally he said. "It is as Graymane feared. The alley cats that attacked his nephew were not simple alley rabble either. It seems we have another enemy here in this city that is not part of the Pollicles, or those our human friends fight. This may be the so called 'Hidden Paw's' men that we have heard so much about. What do we have on him ?" His eyes regarded the table. his eyes laid briefly on Redmane, whose human given name was Lake, her fur was solid red and long, a Norwegian Forest breed. Her defining detail was her paws. seven fingers on her forepaws, and eight on her hind paws. A rare occurrance, yet one most welcome for a Jellicle Assassin.

When no answer came he spoke again, "Very well, find out what we can. I want everyone in pairs when they leave the Church grounds. Double the patrols on the walls. Nobody goes anwhere alone until we have more information." He said.

He was about to end the meeting when Redmane spoke up again, "What about Master Graymane ? Do you want to send one of our own Mentors after him ?" She had half stood by then, ready to go after their Mentor and Master Assassin.

Drummercat waited a moment in thought then shook his head, "As much as I know you want to go after him Lake, that you cannot do. You have others to train here. Until I change my mind everyone stays in pairs. Lake, I wish to speak to you, alone." At that the meeting ended.

*~*~*

A few minutes later and the two cats were still in the room alone. Redmane sat across from Chopsticks. the older cat seemed older then normal. Finally he asked. "How bad is it ?" He was worried for one person alone. And Redmane knew exactly who he worried most about.

Redmane sighed, "When she got here and the Healers got to her I can only pray they got to her in time. She was not in good shape. Whoever these cats belonged they knew where to strike to do the most harm."

Chopsticks nodded and stood, pacing he began to speak, "This new enemy, the Hidden Paw, what do we know of him, nothing. Nothing at all. He is gathering forces of his own in the city. and nearly took my own flesh and blood from my Second Queen, my only daughter! From me." he slammed his fist in the side of the wall, splintering the wood deeply. Redmane stood up, startled at the sudden action and destruction of the wood. After a long moment Drummercat spoke, his voice sounded feeble and old. "Go. Find Graymane and tell him what has happened here and then stay with him. I am going to find the Healers. I want to see Aruile. I want to see my daughter" Redmane nodded and turned to leave, Drummercats' voice stopped her when he said "Oh, and Lake...."

She looked at him, "Yes, Mentor ?" She asked

He smiled then, a truly feral, almost evil smile. "If you come across any of these new enemy cats, raise hell... After you get information from them on what their leader's plans." With that he let her leave and he himself went to find the healers the Jellicle Assassins possessed. He knew of Redmane's skill, a Mentor in the Jellicle Assassin ranks. Not even a human could take her on in a one on one fight, or even in groups. It was harder still for a cat or even a Pollicle to try and take her on for that matter.

Redmane nodded, with a curt bow to her friend and elder, she took off from the room on her new mission.