The walk through other cat's territories was somber not a cause for celebration. It was a full moon and that made it almost like a day for the feline champions.

As they marched they could hear the caterwalling for miles. The council was in session and in an uproar. Cats were arguing and discussing, even demanding action. Into this cat-cacophony they strode.

Dizzy

She walks in side by side with Shadow, her head & tail high. They have much to be proud of the two of them and there will be a telling of what they know later probably.

She knows that Shadow is ambitious. She is not, being young and new to the area, so she feels he should speak first though and so she drops back just a step to let him take more prominence.

Her eyes scan the cats that are gathered, primarily looking for Jezzabella but also to gauge reaction to their arrival.

Shadow

None could accuse Shadow of lacking ambition, and he wasn't shy when it came to throwing his weight around either. The wiry ginger looked around imperiously, and yowled,

"Order! We know what has been going on, and would share it with the council! Be still, and listen, now!"

The cats lowered their meowing and moved to the side. They seemed willing to listen and hear what had happened. Though the looks in their eyes were doubtful.

Dizzy

She is content to let Shadow have his moment of glory but if she can helpfully add anything or support him she will. They have been through quite a lot together in this last 24 hours.

Shadow

With all eyes upon him, he revelled in the attention. Preening for a moment before launching into the tale. He began with the strange malady striking at the Burdens, and of their travails at the place where sick Burdens were taken. As a kindness to Dizzy, he minimised as much as possible her Burden's involvement, lest any about them think it might fall afoul of the most vital law of them all.

He described the siphoning thing, and how they severed it from the burdens whose life it was draining. He went on about their talk with the elemental spirit, and of their travails involving the heart of the problem, revealing Sable's involvement with a showcat's flourish, and detailing the crimes and foulness with which he had been involved.

Dizzy

He tells a good tale and it is riveting listening, even though she had been part of it herself. She does nod from time to time, to endorse the tale but leaves the telling of it to Shadow. She does watch the other cats though to see how they are reacting.

The cats are thrilled by Shadow's artful telling of the tale. They give him rapt attention. As the tale climaxes there are meows of awe. When Sable's involvement is mentioned, many cat heads shake. They clearly knew he was a bad cat from the beginning. At least that is what many would have the others believe.

Jezzabella rises at the end of the tale calling the pair heroes. "You have saved our town, our burdens, and many feline lives. For this and all of your heroic actions, we and the council thank you. I for one, am grateful and in your debt for the discovery of the traitor's actions.

"You have a place of honor at our meetings from now on." She looks like she might say something else, but just shakes her head instead.

Dizzy

**A hero? Me?**

She finds it hard to think of herself in that way but being granted a place of honour is nice. She wishes her mother was here to see this. She would be so proud as she had taught Dizzy as a kitten.

She wonders if she should bring up replacing Sable but maybe she would see if someone else mentions it first.

Shadow

Excellent. Ambition and effort rewarded before all present, but Shadow wouldn't be Shadow if he didn't try to leap just a little bit further.

"Sable was in a high position among us. That position is now empty, it is a territory unclaimed..."

Many cat's eyes twinkled at that thought. They looked at Shadow to see if he would say more, make an official challenge? Many of the cats shrunk from his forceful look, they didn't want the role Sable represented. That was too much responsibility for some.

Shadow

His eyes were on Jezzabella. He could try to claim it outright, but letting the string dangle there was deliberate. Given how Sable had ended up, letting the current leader have their say on the matter seemed the savvier move, working from that if needed.

Dizzy

Her eyes follow where Shadow's are looking as she too waits to see if Jezzabella will say anything.

The old cat watched, her eyes still sharp and intent. She gave him the smallest of inclinations of her head. He had played it well, and she acknowledged that. Less fur flying was better in this moment of uncertainty.

She straightened, her old form rising a bit unsteadily. She remained silent as the gathering quieted. All conversations stopped, they gave her the respect she was due. "Sable is of the past. He was a travesty that didn't have cat's interests in his heart. His only ambition as proven by his actions was for power.

"We need new blood. I need a responsible apprentice to carry out duties, and handle things. Shadow has proven he has what it takes to be my second. As always I value this council's opinion. I could decree, and we all would accept it. But in this time of turmoil, we must be united.

"I nominate Shadow to replace Sable. Do I have a second?"

Dizzy

This is her moment.

"I will second. I am well placed to do so as I have been with Shadow over the last day and night and have seen his bravery, his steadfastness and his good judgement at work, in circumstances that any of us would have found most testing."

Jezzabella nods at Dizzy's meow. "It has been seconded. Any challengers? Any dissenting voices speak now." Though the cats move and look at each other. Shadow is known throughout the town for being a fierce defender of his territory. None of the cats make any sound against the proposed promotion.

The old cat nods once. "So it is to be. Shadow is now my second. He speaks for me in all matters that I can not attend. Is this understood?" Almost as if one, all the cats give their agreement.

"Take your place of honor Shadow, and we will give you our call of blessing."

Shadow

He stretched, and picked his way forward towards that place with proud grace. The culmination of all that he had done, all that he had striven for, and now here he was, truly in the Shadow Of The Highest.

Now, it was time for his next plan to begin.

But that is a tale for another day. For now, he exulted in his exaltation, revelling in the approbation of his peers.

Once he had taken his place, Jezzabella slipped back into a reclining position. It was his moment, and she was happy to let him have it. Many of the cats came to offer homage or congratulations.

The receiving line devolved into a general celebration. Life was meant to be celebrated, and this night brought that into sharp focus.

Dizzy

A good result.

She is happy for the way things have turned out. She too will offer Shadow her congratulations, celebrate a little with the others.. and then head home.

And she has a home now with Jayden.