Bitter News [SkyClan Meeting]

Lighttail was quick to answer the summons, although she felt a bit hesitant. She was old enough, certainly, but were her tree-climbing skills up to scratch? Nevermind that, this seemed to be an emergency.

Harespring wasn't expecting to hear his sister's voice. So steel eyes looked up at the Tall Branch to see his sister standing there. Eyes seemingly anxious. He had watched her enter the leaders den before and now she was here. Something urgent must of had to happened, something he didn't know about. He let out a quiet sigh, staying in his spot. He could hear fine from here, whatever it was that had to be shared.

Brackendaw placed himself beside his apprentice, nodding at Harespring as he passed his brother. Blue eyes met Honeydew's and he felt his heart stall. He knew that look. Something was wrong, very wrong. She wished she would tell him more... There was so much on his sister's shoulders with her new duties and while he knew she trusted him, moments like this left him feeling alienated. If they were still apprentices, still of the same rank, she would have told him what troubled her straight away, but now... It seemed to only be their grandma which she conferred with. At least what weighed on Honeydew would be revealed soon, then he could give her his council and ease the burden of her shoulders.

Wolfstar followed Honeydew out of the den, the rest of the patrol that had brought them the unsettling news behind her. Like Honeydew, the leader found that she could not hide the worry and unease this news brought to her, and as the clan gathered at the deputy's call, Wolfstar leapt up beside her. So many cats she cared about were staring up at them, she could see how many of them wondered at what the meeting was. She wished more than anything that it could have been a ceremony or something happy, something good. Not more trials for a clan that had been through enough.

Wolfstar took a slow breath, and began to speak. There would be no coating this in honey, just ripping the cobwebs off. "One of our patrols returned with news of a dead fox." Wolfstar began, "Always a welcome thing, as I'm sure some of you will remember our troubles with them in the past. But this one... This one was... Eviscerated. The work was no doing of a cat, but rather something much larger. I think most of us here have seen the threat a fox can be." Anyone who had been in camp that day nine of the beasts had attacked... Stars, what a nightmare that had been. Skyclan had prevailed then, and now would be no different if they could work together.

"As whatever killed that fox is still out there, we are tightening up some rules regarding patrolling the territory. The safety of the clan is important, and I will not have any cat risk themselves for valor or because they did not take these words seriously." This might not be popular to some, but it was necessary. "As of now, nobody is to leave camp alone. Not the senior warriors, not our medicine cats... Not even me. Certainly not apprentices - who must be accompanied by a full patrol of warriors - or kits - who should not leave camp at all. All patrols will be made up of four warriors and no less. The night guard will be increased to 3 cats instead of our standard 2." A sigh left the deputy as she finished speaking. "These rules will remain in effect until we can be assured that this threat is no longer on our territory."

"For now, that is the extent of what the patrol knows - they elected to come back and inform us of the potential threat. Patrols will be organized to scout and keep tabs on the territory, and in the meantime should any more predators turn up in such a state, should you find anything strange... Report it to Honeydew and myself. Whatever took out a fox with such brutality is not something I will have my clanmates face without the proper resources. I trust all of you to remain vigilant and to follow our guidelines for leaving camp." Resources as in extra bodies. "I shouldn't have to tell you all to be careful, but I will. If there are no questions, this meeting is over."

OOC: The clanwide information thread contains these IC updates as well as more information.

Chilly tendrils of unease bled freely from the simmering center of Hawkpaw's vital points, an apprehensive stare that instinctively pivoted between the familiar figures of Wolfstar and Honeydew atop the ceremonial standing points high above. An emotion not too entirely dissimilar from outright fear and discomfort gathered high and tight in the constricted fathoms of his rapidly beating heart, the tendency to overthink his past days spent unrestricted and without knowing burning to the forefront of his thought. The idea of a fox being entirely ripped to shreds was... Hawkpaw resisted the urge to shudder at the ghastly sight reigning prominence behind his eyes, and instead shifted to seek out Myrtlebloom's presence among the crowd.

Stormwatcher's eyes narrowed at the troubling news.

"This is clearly riverclan at work!" he hissed angerly. That smug looking perchstar probably orchistrated whatever beast this was to come to their lands. She probably had soem of her oath breaking warriors lead the beast with bait onto our land.

"We should confront that good for nothing leader and remove her from power once and for all!! Ill 1v1 her if I have to! I am sick of her!"

A chill ran down Brackendawn's spine, instantly coming to the conclusion that whatever was lurking on their territory was his fault. The wolves were back with a vengeance for their escaped meals. He could see them, hear them almost, hovering just outside of camp. Eyes searing into their pelts, and soft tongues tracing yellowed fangs, fantasising about the crunch of his clanmates' bones and the taste of hot blood warm flesh. They'd been weak before when they fled, unable to face the beasts, but now... Perhaps they could take out a few. Brackendawn would at least try, he had to ensure the safety of his family. The brindled tom quickly approached Honeydew, his expression as grim as her own. "Sign me up for all the patrols." he mewed. His tail thrashed behind him, and he glanced nervously around before lowering his voice. "Honeydew, you can speak to me about anything. Please don't push me away... I know you have a duty as deputy, but let me share your burden," His blue eyes searched hers desperately "Please."