"Sable's scent joins with another here. It leads past the border." The healer's tone was matter-of-fact as he led Grousestar to the edge of the territory. He had insisted once he'd caught the deputy's scent on his own solo patrol to gather herbs in preparation for the encroaching leaf-bare. "I'm not familiar with that scent…" One of Cliffpelt's long ears flicked in annoyance at the obvious statement. "Yes, another loner perhaps. A molly for sure by the smell of it." He kept his tone even, waiting for her to figure it out. "Do you think he might've been attacked?"
Cliffpelt's head twisted towards his leader, wondering if she was actually stupid or simply in denial. "No, Grousestar," he said through bared teeth. "He walked off the territory if anything. He. Left. Of his own volition." He put emphasis on each word hoping their meaning burrowed into her skull. The gray and white molly's expression faded into something sadder, more tired. "So.. You're saying…" "Great Starclan, beat around the bush further won't you?" he allowed some venom to seep into his voice. "Sable left. With another cat. A loner. Over his own clan, you feather-brain."
A heavily silence settled between the two for several heartbeats before Grousestar spoke in a quiet voice. "You think its my fault.... don't you?" "Sable leaving? No." "I don't blame a cat who has no ties to a clan he joined on a whim. And you can do little to control the free will of a cat who's lived in solitude for most of their life. Only a fool would think like that." Cliffpelt hefted a sigh, tired blue eyes closing in thought, brow furrowed. "I do blame you for making him deputy. The clan is worse off because of your judgement. And we will need to make up for it."
"You. Will need to make up for it." Grousestar didn't bite back like she often did this time and Cliffpelt realized she was seriously considering his words for a moment. He gave her a look and turned away from her, trudging along the border, as he resumed his search for herbs deciding to let the leader stew in her thoughts. He didn't need another set of paws to find what he was looking for anyway.