|☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁| Windclan: The Swift & Loyal |☾ ☼ ϟ ≈ ☁|

“Hm. It looked like a shadow. Something moving for sure. But the issue is that it was so far away. How did I see it then? It must have been much bigger than a cat.” Cobblepaw admitted with a frown. “But the Clan’s already cross with me. I doubt they’ll believe me. I probably imagined it anyway.” He sighed, though he quickly brightened. “Maybe it was a patrol going to the Moonstone. Who knows!”

Vixenfrost nodded. He settled in more at his spot, waiting for their relief. He wished he had more time to go hunting today. Though he was fine guarding the camp, he wanted to stretch his legs.

Slushfur shook her head. Between prey-maulers and wind vortexes, now was not the time for WindClan to be facing another new threat. "Don't say that. If this is serious enough, we can tell Swiftstar. He'll believe me, and if he doesn't at first, I know Blacktail could convince him." she said. "A threat to Highstones is especially dangerous. Our connection to StarClan is too important to be at risk. So, if it's bigger than a cat... could it have been a Prey Mauler?" she asked, hoping it wasn't true.

((*Yoinks all my cats* Hello everyone, it's good to be back!))

Swiftstar sat inside the leader's den feeling torn. The excitement over Fallowmeadow's kits felt overshadowed by a sense of....anxiety? dread? He let out a low cough as his chest tightened. What if he wasn't around to see them become warriors, or even apprentices? His ears pricked as Tigersong called out to him. "Come in" he called, flicking his tail.

Silverspirit padded into camp, a rabbit hanging from her jaws. She dropped it into the prey heap and padded over to a sunny area and began to give herself a quick wash.

Fireblaze yawned as she stepped out of her nest. It was a late morning for her, but she had spent the night in the Dark Forest and didn't feel rested. She shook the stiffness out of her legs, quickly licking her fur over a new scratch on her shoulder.

Cobblepaw seemed a bit stiff at that, looking unsure as he implored. “But… but that can’t be. Cedarstar said they were in Shadowclan at the gathering. If the prey-maulers showed up near Highstones, then they would have had to cross into Windclan at least once? How could we have not noticed it by now?” He did bristle a bit, ears falling. “What if I wad imagining it and nothing shows up?”

Tigersong shifted, hoping she didn't forget anything they had talked about. She decided to bring up Valleyfern's idea first, seeing as it made the most sense as far as prevention. 

"Valleyfern thinks it would be a good idea to set paw traps along the ShadowClan border, since we know they are already being seen there. That way, it will make it difficult for them to cross into our territory." Tigersong said, her tail swished nervously behind her. The undivided attention of their leader was making her nervous. She suddenly wished one of the other two had come with her. "And Vixenfrost said we could also make heavy scent trails that are marked frequently throughout the day, every day, that lead away from camp. So the trails that lead to camp aren't as tempting to follow."

Tigersong perked her ears up at the leader's suggestions. Of course that would work. Some of the tunnels were quite delicate in the first place, making them weaker on the surface wouldn't take much. She nodded. "I think that would work. There are certain tunnels that are already weak." she agreed, then shifted again, nervous about her next words. This was something she had only discussed with Vixenfrost at this point, but she wanted to say it anyways. "I think it would be beneficial if we had mixed patrols as well." she said, nervous at his reaction. "I also have been scouting certain tunnels that could fit more cats in them at once for a possible escape, the prey-maulers wouldn't fit. I'm sure other tunnelers have thought of this as well. They are an advantage to have, not just for us who prefer closed spaces," she explained. "And having mixed patrols would help in many ways. To plan escape routes - start off on the moors and end in the tunnels. Of course, no one has to go into a tunnel if they don't want to while we aren't in danger. It's just for planning." she took a deep breath before she went on.

"I think it would also help to have tunnelers and moor-runners patrol together just in case a patrol is attacked while out. A moor-runner would know better ways to evade aboveground than a tunneler - and a tunneler would be able to guide moor-runners through tunnels if that is the safest way to go. Imagine a patrol of moor-runners having to escape through a tunnel by themselves. They'd get lost, or stuck, or worse. Or a tunneler trying to evade above ground, not knowing where there are paw traps already set for prey, holes, hiding places. The tunneler might very well lead the prey-mauler to camp because it is all they know - or worse, get turned around and end up a meal to the mauler."

Tigersong stopped finally, feeling like she had already spoken for too long. Her whiskers twitched as she wanted to keep going and explain her idea further, but that would just be too much. She was trying to compensate so that Swiftstar would take her seriously. In reality, she knew how unlikely it would be to have mixed patrols - not only that, but the possible conflicts that could come from it. But she couldn't shake the feeling that it was important. 

Tigersong felt a twitch of annoyance when she saw her leader's brief amusement, but she bit it back. She was eager, that must have been something he wasn't prepared for when she walked in. It was hard to contain it, though, when she felt so strongly about this. She had always hated the divide between the two types of warriors, it was the topic of many conversations with her brother seeing as they represented both sides. The scathing looks and double-sided comments made her skin crawl and her fur bristle. If she didn't care so much, she'd have started clawing ears off ages ago. She leaned forward slightly as he began to speak, though disappointment started to creep in at his words. He didn't think it would work. His question landed on her shoulders and she twitched her tail with frustration. It wasn't a matter of if she could set the example - which she definitely would, and gladly - but there was something else important. 

"I only remember the fuss that was made," she commented, trying to keep her tone level. "I would be glad to set the example, and I know Vixenfrost would be behind me every step. Valleyfern seemed open to the idea, I told him we could organize one of the first patrols." she said and then hesitated, unsure if this was something she should be doing. It was not in her character to hold anything back, but this was the leader of her clan. If he didn't like what she said, she could be forced back to apprentice duties for a moon as punishment. With a flick of her ear, she decided it was worth it. "the better question is you, Swiftstar. Would you be willing to uphold it, even if there was pushback?" she asked. She had tried to phrase it in the most respectful way possible, and she hoped that was clear. 

Fallowmeadow herded her kits out of the den, shooing them off gently to go play as she settled near the entrance of the nursery.

Milkkit giggled as she hurtled through a few scattered leaves, shrieking with delight as they crunched beneath her paws.

Goldheart awoke not far from Fireblaze, not making eye contact with his sister as they made their way from their nests, similar wounds also adorning his pelt. He fluffed out his golden fur, hoping it would hide his injuries well enough.

Eclipsesky exited the tunnels with a yawn, shaking the dirt out of his pelt. He was becoming more and more comfortable in the dark cool of the tunnels, finding peace down there despite all the recent trauma related to the tunnels.

Tigersong stared at him for a few moments, biting remarks playing in her head that she bit back. She knew it wasn’t a good idea to insult him anymore than she may have already. She had pushed her luck far enough as it was. So after a moment, she took a deep breath and nodded.

“Of course, Swiftstar. I understand.” She said and dipped her head to him respectfully. “I know you and Sagefoot will decide what’s best for the whole clan.” She shifted on her paws, wondering if she had to be dismissed before she could leave or if she could dismiss herself.

“The other ideas, they are doable without mixed patrols, if you think they will work. I’d be glad to lead a tunneling patrol into the tunnels near the ShadowClan border to make those collapsible traps, if you would like.” She told him, remembering that the conversation had been much more reasonable at first.

Falconpaw swayed as Violetpaw collided with her, a heavy weight on her shoulders. She quickly rolled, hoping to dislodge Violetpaw in the sudden movement.

"Good! Don't let your miss distract you Violetpaw. Any second of hesitation can mean defeat in battle." Jasmineheart called.

Milkkit rolled as Rabbitkit launched at her, frowning as the leaf she was playing with seemed to shatter into dust underneath them. "Rabbitkit! My leaf!"

"You good, Tigersong?" Larkbounce asked, poking his head into her tucked away alcove. He had seen her leave Swiftstar's den, and while he was mildly curious, the expression on her face stopped him from engaging any more. His blue gaze noted the dirt kicked up from her flop, now making her fur slightly less... white. Larkbounce and Tigersong didn't usually cross paths, the she-cat headstrong, outspoken and a tunneler, while Larkbouce was a people-pleaser at heart and a moor-runner.

Tigersong jumped at the voice, not expecting anyone to approach her. She lifted her gaze to see Larkbounce. She sat up and shook her head to try and get some of the dust out of her fur and shrugged. “I’m okay. I just spoke with Swiftstar and it…could have gone better.” She said, choosing her words carefully.