You Will Understand Dependence When You Know the Maker's Land ✪ Patrols

[Dustystar]

✪ Align my Heart, my Body, my Mind​

indent "Thank you for being here. Now, what I wanted to go over-" Dustystar regarded the group of cats she had gathered - her council, of course, as well as skilled cats who weren't otherwise occupied. There was quite a few here - enough that Dustystar stood upon a small rock so that they all could see her, but not enough to warrant a meeting on the tallrock. "Now, I think we've done a fine job making this place into a home. Everyone is just about familiar with the areas around camp, and between here and the barn. However," Dustystar continues.
The prairie is far bigger than just camp, and we don't know enough about the landscape. I'd like to change that, today."

indentDustystar reaches a paw off of the stone, into the soil below, and draws a circle with an outstretched claw."I'm sending out five groups, led by the guard, Goldenroar, and myself, to get a lay of the land."

indent"Merrystalk will lead a group over to the thunderpath, and the Shadowclan border." she draws a line extending out of the circle, towards the east. "I'd like for Redveil, Hollowmumble, Eclipsepaw, and Burrpaw to go along with him. Remember, be civil. Shadowclan are our allies." She's not worried about Merrystalk's temper, but she's less sure of the others ability to stay on their best behavior.

indent"Next off, heading west," Dustystar draws another line. Goldenroar's already been to the gorge the separates us from Skyclan. I'd like him to go back and see if he can find a path to the bottom." This was a riskier expedition, with the risk of falling into the gorge as well as the threat of Skyclan crossing over the twoleg bridge to start a fight. Dustystar trusts Goldenroar, but she'll admit she's nervous. "Crowstep, Aurorabeam, Peafowlpaw, and Dandelionpaw, you go with him. And be careful. The point of this is to find a path to the bottom and back up incase we need to rescue someone, not to jump in and fall to your deaths for a laugh. Make good decisions."

indent"Honeyflower, I'd like you to follow the gorge to it's northernmost point." She draws a pointing to the northwest of camp. "Nobody's gone up there at all, I think. If the gorge is long enough that walking for a whole day wouldn't reach the end, don't bother going farther. It's not worth it at that point." She looks towards the cats that she's sending into unknown territory. "Tinytail, Molewhisker, Petalpaw and Coldpaw, you go with her." This journey could be frightening and difficult, but Dustystar is sure that Honeyflower's grounding presence will keep everyone in check.

indent"Next up," Dustystar says, drawing a line directly northward of camp "Is the spring, north of here." Dustystar had seen it, briefly, while traveling to the highstones. "Nutmegpurr, you lead the way. Mustardflight, Sparrowpaw, and Meadowpaw will come with you." It wasn't necessary to send five whole cats for this - they'd likely just be scouting it out and confirming that the water is clean, and safe to drink. Once it's no longer rainy, it'll likely be their main source of fresh water.

indent"Maremane, your group will be traveling alongside Nutmegpurr's until the last leg." Another line is drawn in the soil, branching out eastward from the one she had just drawn. "I want you to go to the highstones, just barely east of the spring. Harefoot, Gladebloom, Sunbeampaw, and Scorchpaw will accompany you. Stay on guard, it looks like the sort of place that'd be crawling with snakes." It's probably crawling with spirits, too, but she doesn't mention it. She knows many cats here are still skeptical of Starclan, and she'd prefer not to open herself up to needless scrutiny. They were just going to explore the area, they didn't need to know about the Moonstone's power.

indent"I'll lead the last group heading south." One final line is drawn, leading down from camp. "I've been lead to believe this area is a 'neutral ground' of sorts, between the clans. I'd like to be familiar with it myself." Ideally, she'd like to be familiar with the cats that may appear there, as well, but that's left up to luck. It's entirely possible that they find an empty clearing in the woods without another cat in sight. "I'll be taking Beetlepath, Sweetnose, Coyotepaw, and Warrenpaw with me. I hope you're up for a long walk."

indentWith that out of the way, Dustystar stretches and steps off of the rock she'd been using as a podium. "If you have anything else to do in camp, do it now. Eat something if you haven't already today. Then meet up with your group leaders and head out as soon as possible. I want everyone out by midday at the absolute latest. Don't dilly dally."

THUNDERPATH GORGE DOZER SPRING HIGHSTONES FOURTREES

• @Merrystalk @REDVEIL @Hollowmumble @Eclipsepaw @BURRPAW
  

  This expanse of tar rumbles now and again with monsters. Do you take the chance of hurrying it across to get a better view of the other side, and to meet our neighbors there, or do you decide to not take the risk?

• @GOLDENROAR @Crow @aurorabeam @Peafowlpaw @Dandelionpaw
  

  Dustystar has called upon your patrol to investigate this gorge, the border that you share with Skyclan. There is the bridge, yes- but is there a way down to the water?

• @Honeyflower @Molewhisker @Tinytail @Petalpaw @COLD
  

  While traveling to the gorge's source, the group comes across and abandoned twoleg construction site, guarded by a bright yellow, dozing monster! Do they dare get closer to investigate, while risking the monster waking up and attacking? Or do they keep their distance, observing from afar?

• @nutmeg ♡ @MUSTARDFLIGHT @Sparrowpaw @Meadowpaw
  

  At the body of water near the foot of Highstones, the sun trickles in and warms the eddies that swirl there. Surely, this must be the watering grounds for lots of prey- or predators, too.

• @MAREMANE @harefoot @Gladebloom @dawn @hayloft
  

  The land slopes up and up until it juts towards the sky. This landmark could be seen from further away, but what lays within may call to one of your patrol members. There's the opportunity to investigate deeper.

• @Dustystar @Beetlepath @Sweetnose @Coyotepaw @Warrenpaw
  

  Dustystar is leading you to the meeting place between clans. What strange friends or foes might you meet here? And what will you discover about what transpired here, while you were sleeping softly in the barn?

Dustystar - 26 moons - Windclan Leader

 

[REDVEIL]

Quickly the tom heeded the leader's call. Limping less evident, now that he was healing. Redveil halted and stood stiffly in the gathering crowd, ears angled forward, fur prickling uneasily.

He hadn't expected to have another meeting so soon. Dustystar poised laying out tasks in quick succession. Pelt staying rigid and spikey as he registered it was patrol time.

At the sound of his name their breath hitched. He blinked, trying not to look as flustered as he felt. Thunderpath. Shadowclan border. Allies. Their stomach dropped. The warrior wasn't new to the idea of patrolling, sure but something about the way Dustystar's voice carried, deliberate and precise made it feel serious.

Redveil knew to stay close, keep his head up, and do what he was told. That task he could handle. Still his paws itched with discontent. "Thunderpath." The tuxedo muttered under his breath. Faint memories of the monsters belly, he had been thrown from now conjuring in his psyche.

Thankfully, Merrystalk's name anchored him. A breath of relief slipped past clenched teeth, quiet and quick. I can trust them. Redveil soothed, claws flexing in the dirt. Attempting not to stare so much at Goldenroar for a change.

The group is dismissed by Dustystar, and he dips his head in response. Making way toward Merrystalk for directions. Hoping the other would suggest something to share at the pile. He wasn't hungry, not really, but their leader had said to eat. No dilly dallying either.

Maybe if he focused on chewing, it would stop the fluttering in his pale chest.​

 

[Merrystalk]

—————————————— Dreaming along in a pace you'll understand. ✦

The plan seemed simple enough: 5 patrols covering as much of the territory as they could. Straight to the point, simple even! Merry watched as Dusty drew a makeshift layout in the dirt. Now just a case of what they were all being sent to-

"Merrystalk will lead a group over to the thunderpath, and the Shadowclan border." The tom had to stop himself from physically cringing. He could handle Shadowclan. The small patrol he had met was kind enough. But of course that damned Thunderpath stood in its way. He never went near it, never dared to. He'd heard stories from other cats as a kitten about the monsters. Those he knew weren't kitten tales either, the faintest memory of one speeding away when he was dropped off at the barn.

But of course, Merry steeled himself. Nodded with a smile to Dustystar. "Aye don't ya' worry, we'll be on our best behaviour." He hummed, agreeing to his given patrol route. No need to doubt her now, after all. Surely it wouldn't be too hard of a patrol, he trusted his fellow warriors.

He saw Redveil approaching him, Merry couldn't help but smile. They hadn't talked the most, but he knew the other was close to his brother, so any friend of Goldy's was surely one of his too. Though it didn't take a genius to see the nervousness emanating from the other tom. "Red, don't overthink it." He spoke, trying his best to reassure the other. "Thunderpath's kinda dauntin', but we're likely just gonna check 'round the perimeter." He clicked his tongue, he couldn't make any concrete promises, he had no idea if they might have a run-in with Shadowclan. But if anyone had any worries, it was something they could discuss on the way there.

"Have ya' eaten? Best fill up before we head out, maybe it'll calm yer nerves." Merry flicked his tail to motion the other tom to follow, eyes scanning the crowd for Hollow and the apprentices. He wanted to head out as soon as possible, being around the Thunderpath once it began to grow dark felt like a recipe for disaster.

— And it's harder than you think,

Telling dreams from one another. —

• 
  Merrystalk
  ✦—Windclan Gale Guard | 27 Moons
  ✦—He/Him
  ✦—"SPEECH", 'THOUGHTS', ATTACK
  ✦—A skinny, tortoiseshell cat with bright green eyes and pelt speckled with hay.
  #9D6E46

 

[Eclipsepaw]

ECLIPSEPAW // 07 moons // WindClan Apprentice // He/They // #ff9e42
A scruffy long-furred tortoiseshell tom with low white, large ears and sky blue and soft yellow heterochromia eyes
Son of ASTRO and NEBULA, sibling to TWINKLEPAW and COMETPAW
A young cat with a bit of an attitude, sometimes snarky but also loves to explore and fascinated with the stars.

---

Eclipsepaw would sit and look up to Dustystar enviously, his tail tip twitching back and forth as she announced five groups to check out different areas of the territory.

Eclipsepaw had been placed within the group that was being led by Merrystalk to the thunderpath and their border with ShadowClan, the young tom looked a little taken aback at first at having been placed in one of the groups especially without his brother Cometpaw but he didn't look unsure of himself or anxious, one thing he was always sure of was himself! But still, they'd be going to the thunderpath? That could be dangerous couldn't it? Maybe this meant he was trusted enough to not be dumb around it or seen as brave enough to go? He would fluff out his neck fur looking rather chuffed at thinking this.

As for being civil since ShadowClan was their allies... His brother might've been a better pick in that regard but he'd do his best, if they started something though then he couldn't be blamed for retaliating! He'd flick his tail as he got to his paws and trotted off towards Redveil and Merrystalk as their group began to gather together to get ready to go, he was eager to explore and would look to Merrystalk expectantly awaiting his lead. Come to think of it he hadn't really made much time yet to meet many of these cats more personally yet unlike his brother who he knew had spoken to some of these cats even before the fire. The tortoiseshells' whiskers twitched at the thought, hopefully they didn't think he'd be like Cometpaw... And hopefully he could still make some connections with his new clanmates despite not being like Cometpaw...

 

[Peafowlpaw]

When he was informed he was scouted for an upcoming patrol, the apprentice could hardly keep his cool demeanor together. His expression glowed, and the excited go lucky kitten he thought he outgrew threatened to shine through. His breaking point was when they were finally called forward: Peafowlpaw was quick to rise to his paws, head turning side to side to find the source of Dustystar's call and when his gaze found her, he rushed over- ears tall and backend wiggling.
He calmed down quickly, at least. Mellowing out as their leader spoke step by step. His mind detailed every stroke in the dirt he could recognize. Peafowlpaw was a wanderer at heart. He explored as far as he was allowed in any direction he could and when he hit the limits of his access, he would sit and stare out: mapping out anything he could. Places he would one day go.

Westward. Peafowl's head turned accordingly, alert. He would be going towards Skyclan, then. With…
Peafowl's attention turned back to the crowd of cats. Finding Goldenroar, and his patrol-mates in turn. He wouldn't be with Maremane, but that was alright. They were in good paws with Goldenroar.
The gorge, though... Understandably, he never went down there before. As much as he desired the freedom of exploration, he had a lot of respect for the environment as well. Quietly, Peafowl wondered if it was alright to actually send apprentices there, but they had to learn eventually. Maybe it wasn't as bad as he was making it out to be, but he'd find out soon.
He continued to listen to Dustystar, listening for certain names and where they would be heading. Knowing Nutmegpurr and Meadowpaw would be together brought him comfort and he smiled to himself. Maremane would be leading a group herself. Good for her.

Once they were dismissed, Peafowlpaw's attention fell to his paws. There were risks in all of their ventures, but his seemed… the worst, maybe? He'd rather that trek be his than theirs. Meadowpaw would have an awful time in his place. He was nervous, but for all his anxieties, he was just as excited. He shut his eyes tight, taking a deep breath before standing back upright and turning to make his way over to Goldenroar.

on my mind and ∅ with me all the time

• "speech" thoughts
  

• 

• peafowlpaw he/him, windclan, seven moons, 10.13.24
  ∅ long haired blue smoke chimera with bright amber yellow eyes
  comically large, fluffy ears and a long tail with black striped markings
  maine coon genetics
  always smiling. ever optimistic
  ∅ mentored by Maremane
  ∅ adopted brother of Nutmeg and Meadow
  ∅ peaceful and healing powerplay permitted
  ∅ penned by idola / / tag @.idola appreciated