Posts of the Week

It was early, the sun just high enough to begin burning away at the morning fog. Most of the clan was still lingering in the clearing of their dampened camp, finishing up their breakfasts or lingering to hear what patrols were going out.

Well, suppose he shouldn't keep them waiting.

Where Sablestar commanded the nights, the days were Wolfpacks domain– early mornings in particular. He moved to his own familiar speaking place near the slope leading out of camp, pausing a moment to shake a loose bit of moss out of his fur before straightening up and calling the clan forward with a "Patrols!" and sharp flick of his tail.

Today, the dappled tomcat had something new in mind. And while the older, more seasoned cats might not be so happy to fall under the command of someone younger and less experienced, Wolfpack didn't really care.

Today, he was running his own tests for new blood among the ranks of warriors.

"Vanillathorn, you'll be leading the morning patrol out toward Thunderclan once this meeting's done to put down fresh markers on the border,"

Mismatched eyes cut toward the tall bobtail as he spoke, making sure there was no room, for misunderstanding. If she messed this up, she may not get the privilege again– the same cutting sentiment each patrol leader would receive here today.

"Snakefang, Websight, and Tickfrost, you're on late morning hunting. Take a few others with you if you need the extra paws." If they failed to take the job seriously, they'd have a bunch of hungry clanmates to answer to.

"Sealdawn, you'll be hosting training this afternoon." he called, tone betraying none of what he may or may not be feeling when his attention settled on her next. "We've seen an increase of predators within our borders lately, and Sablestar wants the clan properly educated on how best to survive any encounters with them. You were among those that fought with the coyotes when they attacked Fleafire. Teach your clanmates what you learned from that encounter."

His gaze lingered on her for a beat longer, before moving on.

"Pepperblaze, you'll be leading the evening patrol out to our border with Windclan. Freshen up the markers, and remember to keep things civil– Sablestar wants us on good terms with them, so keep you'r cats in line." He didn't love the idea of lasting alliances, but with the way the other clans were running, it might not be a bad idea to have someone on their side with the way lines were being drawn.

"Fleafire." he called, blue and amber-gold eyes finding her easily in the crowd. "You'll take the night hunt. Bring a group out to fourtrees and see if you can get lucky with some rabbits or whatever else might have wandered in from the other territories. The nursery needs the fresh furs, and the caretakers would appreciate something without scales or slime for a change."

As far as he was concerned, the old colony camp was neutral territory when it came to resources. He wouldn't stand for the other clans trying to keep them out of it– especially when the only ones with a rightful claim on it to begin with were Shadow and Thunder. Skyclan and their codes could shove it.

"That's all for patrols-- but I do have one last announcement to make."

Shadowclan was growing, and with that growth came a demand for new skills. New systems. Ones better suited to a clan like their.

"I'm sure some of you have already heard talk of it, but we're formalizing things starting today." he began, gaze lazily scanning the crowd as he recalled what had been discussed among the council. "Anyone who would like to claim a specialty may now do so. Either as a trapper, or a thief."

Some of the cats had already chosen which path they wished to walk– while others preferred not to claim a specialty at all– but he had a feeling there were still others who had yet to hear about the new system at all.

"Trappers are hunters that specialize in marshland hunting, spywork, and ambushes," the tomcat explained, "while Thieves are trained in stealth scavengry, and bringing home resources from rival lands or neutral territory to decrease the strain on our own here at home."

Pretty straightforward, in his opinion.

"If you're interested in either, find me by the ends of the day to let me know. I've got some tasks in mind for the near future and need to know who I can count on for them."

And if they weren't, that was fine too. But it'd damn well better be because they'd already mastered both paths and not because they were too lazy to commit to either. That, or there was some other special skill they could give back to the clan with, like the Caretakers or medicine cat did.