Maybe some cats would consider what he was doing foolish.
Astraeus cared not.
Rising early, he made his way to the Abandoned Barn, cutting straight across WindClan territory. At one point, he’d found the remains of a hunt and a fight, deep within the moor-grass, but not a single WindClanner. He supposed they were still sheltering at Highstones- and if he was quick enough, he wouldn’t be caught taking his little shortcut. His object was the old, warm barn he’d fought an owl at- a place where the scent of other cats was faint. Aye, he’d elected to remain at Fourtrees for the foreseeable future, yet Astraeus loved to plan ahead. SkyClan would return to their forest, and then what could he use as a base? It was getting colder, and he’d much prefer to have somewhere safe-ish to return to.
Hence the barn.
The silvery tom stopped just outside the opening, sniffing around with caution. No cat-scent fresher than his faint own. Leaping inside, he thoroughly explored the place for any signs of inhabitation. Nothing at all fresh. For now, he decided, he would claim it, rubbing his cheek on the door, and if no-one disputed it by the time that SkyClan returned to their forest, he would consider it a safe base. Logical and cautious. As always.
It was the work of only a few minutes for the silver tom to catch a few mice and head back to Fourtrees, prey in his maw. He would have to be cautious- why had no one else claimed such a source of food? Perhaps the owl that he’d killed- aye, that was likely enough, and more would turn up- yet that was good, even. Something to scare away others, yet something he could take down himself if need be.
It was with a smile that Astraeus returned to Fourtrees.
