Wild Plains

Chapter Four

It was surreal to her. The Wind that had, seconds ago, been so strong and so wild was, like that, gone. But there was a strange sensation in her gut that she'd never felt before - it was different from nerves (she knew because she was feeling those too), different from the feeling you had when you saw your crush, different from the feeling you get when you know you're in trouble and bracing you're yourself for punishment. No, it was something else. Lyra didn't know what it was, and she hoped it would go away - it was freaking her out. After a few seconds of standing there, contemplating on the feeling, she realized that she had to walk back to the Clan. The was their Co-Lead now, and had to act like it. As she began the trek towards the assembly, she couldn't help but wonder about all the shifters who would affect her - and those she would affect in turn. Shorlyn had nodded at her earlier - did she predict her choosing? How did she feel about training the Streamsclan imposter to be her successor? What about Sanden? Was he proud of her? Worried? Confused? She hoped for the former - she'd always wanted to find a way to repay him, and maybe this was it. Being the best leader she could possibly be. She didn't really care as much about the rest of the Clan's feelings towards her - she'd lead them and earn their respect whether they liked it or not. They had pushed her aside her whole life, but not anymore. They couldn't anymore. The only problem was that she could no longer ignore them. That really sucked. Her only solace right now was in the fact that she couldn't be called a phony. No one could control the Great Wind, snd everyone had heard It pronounce her. She was forever greatful to It for being so ridiculously loud. No one could doubt her athourity - or her right- now. She'd been wondering for a while now why the Great Wind chose leaders and not the, well, actual leader. But now she knew why.

As she approached the herd of shifters, she had to fight against the instinct to slow down. To turn around. To bolt. Her fears began to circulate again - Would Shorlyn agree to teach her? How would Sanden feel? Would the Clan try to somehow accuse her of fraud? She swallowed down her thoughts and fears and she approached, lifting her head and hooves high, trying to look like the leader she was now supposed to be. It was very, very hard to hide her fear and uncertainty, but she did her best to shove them down for the time being. There was a time for worry - this was not it. It took everything she had to look directly at them, but she did. And what she saw suprised her.

Now Lead Mare, Shorlyn stood at the front of the crowd. That was pretty expected. What she hadn't expected was for Sanden to be standing there with her. She really, really, really wanted to run to her father and freak out in the safety of his arms, but she, once again, fought the urge. It seemed like all she'd done since getting close to the gathering was fight urges of fear. If mind-reading was real, she'd be completely screwed. Everyone would know that she was no great warrior, just some scared, lost filly who was misjudged. Then maybe they'd choose someone else. The problem was that the Great Wind was never, ever wrong, so she was stuck as her Clan's future leader.

The rest of the Clan stood stoticly behind Shorlyn and Sanden, and unlike the two of them, they had all shifted into person-form, most likely so that everyone could easily be close enough to see and hear the next proceedings. They looked at her, expressions filled with confusion, mistrust, and suprisingly, awe. Maybe the sight of her running into a massive tornado was impressive or something - and she promptly tried not to smile at the thought of being impressive.

Lyra stood within speaking distance of Shorlyn, and she was unsuccessful in keeping her nerves out of her stance. She was so scared that the Lead Mare would banish her or something equally drastic that she almost didn't hear her when she spoke.

"It's good to meet you, Lyra. The Great Wind has told us that your devotion to Plainsclan is true, and talking to your father has more than confirmed that for me. You have not been treated well by our Clan, because of things you cannot control or even explain. That is not right. However, beyond all that, you are able to hold love for this scruffy herd of Plains shifters - and I admire you for that. I hope you will allow me to teach you everything I know about leading that group, because I know for sure that you will be a strong, true, and just leader. One cannot deal with injustices without having seen or known injustices herself - and you have experienced too many. I hope - no, I know - that you will use those experiences to understand others, encourage the weak, and protect the overall welfare of the Clan, whether it be internal or external."

Lyra couldn't really believe what she'd heard - someone else cared? The Lead Mare believed that she'd make an amazing leader one day? Really? Wow. At first Lyra doubted Shorlyn's words, but after listening to her speak and looking into her face, she realized that she couldn't find any evidence of malice, lies, or trickery, just... honesty. And it was so, so, so, nice. It made her heart swell with happiness for the first time in a long time.

Shorlyn smiled at her before resuming her speech.

"I am honored to have someone as compassionate yet tough as you for my Co-Lead and protégé. It is my wish that we shall have many long, prosperous years together, and that you will continue in that fashion after my retirement, and even after I am long gone from the Earth. However, we can't do that if we never start," she said before looking at Sanden. "It is tradition that a parent of the new Co-Lead leads the ceremonial vows that will bond us together, so Mr. Sanden, if you may..."

Lyra watched him as he stepped lightly over to them - she could tell he was just nervous as she was. Neither of them knew what to expect here, so at least she wasn't alone in that. And vows!? There were vows? She didn't know any vows!! Shorlyn probably saw her panicked gaze, because she smiled at her and spoke in a low voice so that only Lyra and Sanden could hear it.

"Don't worry, just follow my lead, and repeat what he tells you to say. I have important things to teach you today, and everything done here will make sense then," she promised before nodding to Sanden, who gave Lyra an encouraging smile before, oddly enough, tilting his head as if he were listening intently to someone. However, no one was speaking anywhere, and the wind was even still and silent. What could he possibly be listening to? And even weirder, that sparky feeling that Lyra had felt after the Great Wind had dissapated was back in full force, jumping around inside her like a frog or a grasshopper. She was getting more and more confused and freaked out as time went on, but remembering Shorlyn's words helped a lot. "Everything done here will make sense then." Lyra just had to hold on, and then everything would be explained.

She was jolted out of her thoughts by Sanden's voice - he was adressing Shorlyn.

"Lead Mare Shorlyn, do you accept the responsibility of training, working with, and helping Co-Lead Filly Lyra to become the best Plainsclan leader she can possibly be?"

Shorlyn nodded her graceful head. "I promise to train, work with, and help Lyra to become the best Plainsclan leader that she can possibly be," she responded loudly and clearly.

It wasn't immediately obvious, but Lyra realized that their voices were louder and carried further than they should - just like hers when she spoke to the Great Wind earlier. It was as if there was some... power in the air around them, magnifing their voices. She was ripped from her musings yet again by Sanden - but this time he was addressing her.

"And Co-Lead Filly Lyra, do you promise to devote your life to protecting Plainsclan until your retirement?" he asked her.

Scared out of her mind, but determined, Lyra stood taller, and answered. "I promise to devote my life to protecting Plainsclan until my retirement." Lyra knew that was a huge commitment - that meant she could have a spouse but no children of her own until after she retired - and that was extremely rare at that age. It meant that she would have to train a successor just like Shorlyn was doing now. That meant so many things, and as scared as she was, Lyra was sure. She wanted this. And she would do the best she possibly could.

Shorlyn and Sanden both nodded at her before he continued. "Lead Mare Shorlyn, do you promise to make absolute sure that your protégé understands the politics, needs, and struggles of her Clan, and know how to deal with them?"

Her stance somehow seemingly more regal than it had been, Shorlyn repeated the vow. "I promise to make absolute sure that Lyra understands the politics, needs, and struggles of her Clan, and that she knows how to deal with them."

The thought of that scared Lyra more than the commitment - how could she possibly learn all that?! But she quelled the worry so that she could listen closely to her father.

"Co-Lead Filly Lyra, do you promise to be a just leader, and uphold the laws and traditions of Plainsclan in the many years to come? Do you promise to teach them to your future successor one day and make sure that he or she does the same?" Sanden asked her, looking into her eyes. The sunlight caused his Palomino coat to appear as if it was glowing - it suited his kind, generous personality. He made it seem so easy, but this was the scary part - repeating after him. What happened if she forgot something? Stumbled on her own tounge? So many scenes tried to rush through her mind, but she blocked them out and focused only on the words.

"I promise to be a just leader, and to uphold the many laws and traditions of Plainsclan in the many years to come. I also promise to teach those traditions to my future successor, and make sure that he or she does the same," Lyra responded. Relief washed through her as the words came out clearly and correctly. She hoped they were almost done. Luckily for her, Shorlyn's and her parts were over.

Sanden's, however, was not. He now turned to the rest of the Clan, and spoke to them. Lyra was impressed by how his voice never wavered, how he never stumbled over his speech - he was an incredible speaker. She'd never realized that until now. Probably because the only speeches he gave during her childhood were about how she had to follow traditions and attend ceremonies, so much like the one he gave only an hour or two before. And now he was speaking to the whole Clan - and she had never been more proud to be called his daughter.

"Then, I pronounce to you our new Lead Mare and Co-Lead Filly - They have vowed to teach and carry on our traditions, respect our laws, and uphold those truths and dignities that make us a Clan, not a wild herd. Now we must hold up our end of the bargain, which is to support and trust their knowledge, expertise, and motives." Turning back to Shorlyn and Lyra, he spoke to them one last time. "We, your Clanmates, put our lives in your hands and your hooves. We trust that you will lead us true and strong until you retire, and we are ever greatful for the sacrifices you have made and will make to do so." He finished with a proud smile directed to me.

Shorlyn nodded at him, obviously impressed by his performance, and called to the Clan - "You are now dismissed. Celebrations for the transfer of leadership begin at sunset!!"

As the Clan cheered and began to disperse, Shorlyn turned to Lyra. "Now, come back to my tent with me. It is time for you to learn of the Wind's magic - a magic that you now possess."