[Abyss]

- Though the few days after initially leaving the tribe had been exciting enough, the excitement continued on into the early days of Leaffall. The whole clan was in the camp now, everyone was getting to know each other, and some more territory exploring was being done. There had even been a litter of kits born already, and it had only been a few days. A lot was going on already, but, after some long conversations in private, it was time to get the gears going even more. Whitehawk turned to his co-Deputy, exchanging a nod. “Bracken, I think it is time.”

- "Right behind you." Brackenstride flicked his tail, preparing himself to take on a more central role in the Clan again. Continuously, he found himself impressed with Whitehawk's poise and easy command. It was familiar, the way a watered down taste is familiar after the first sip. Though an anxious, determined energy still roiled inside of Brackenstride, he felt a strong sense of conviction, of peace in the fact that he was doing everything he could to make sure this new Clan survived.

The plan they had discussed was an extension of that, and he paused once to stretch out his front and hind limbs, to regain body awareness of his own musculature. They would all be working hard today.

- The pair of toms walked together to the center of the camp, both stepping atop the tangle of roots that had been chosen as a meeting place, for it was tall enough to overlook the camp and those beneath. “Let all cats old enough to fend for themselves gather where the roots meet.” It was a strange feeling, saying this sort of thing, but they had brainstormed it for when a meeting would need called. “As much as I wish we could settle down and get used to our new home, there is still much to do. We need to build up all of our supplies and materials, and we need to begin securing the camp. Me and Brackenstride will both be leading our own halves of this ordeal. I will be staying here in camp to help with securing the walls, the dens, the path up the plateau, and moving things where they need to go.” He looked to Brackenstride at his side.

- "Whitehawk will handle interior fortification. I, and anyone who wants to lend a paw, will be securing our territory and gathering prey. That means looking for signs of predators, or places where predators might try to make a den for the coming snowfall. If we can, we're going to block up these places with rocks and earth. Make it that much harder on them." Brackenstride's eyes glinted with satisfaction at his own plan. Some might think it a little cruel, to hinder another animal's right to seek shelter - but grief, hardship and disaster had toughened his hide.

Such sensitive thoughts were for other cats. Brackenstride found Sagepaw in the crowd. "If any of our healers need help searching for herbs, they can come with my group." His bit finished, he looked to Whitehawk to close out this meeting.

- ”We need the collective efforts of everyone capable. If you want to help Brackenstride outside of camp, follow him and he will help instruct you in what needs done. If you want to help me with securing the camp, please meet me here and I will get us started.”

- Brackenstride didn't linger on the tangled roots. Even with all the conferring between himself and Whitehawk, it still didn't feel right. Or maybe, in his heart of hearts, he just didn't want the responsibility. The weight of legacy forced him time and time again to plant his feet, to fill his lungs and be prepared to say whatever he needed to so that progress could keep moving.

But he'd be lying to himself if he said he wasn't looking forward to the days when he didn't have to. "If you're with my patrol, gather up by the entrance!" He called above the twitching ears and flicking tails of his Clanmates. It was time to get started. Winter waited for no cat.
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As Brackenstride parted from his side, something uneasy settled on the one-eyed tom’s stomach standing alone on the roots. Replacing his unease with intent, wide white paws stepped down from the roots and planted him right in front of it, looking around waiting for those who planned to stay and help with the camp to approach.

When a good amount of others stood before him, he cleared his throat, taking a deep breath.

“Our two main priorities for now will be to secure both the border around the camp and the dens. Luckily we already have a solid stone wall behind the Nursery, and the ring of bushes around the edges of the plateau are already covered in thorns. But they are full of holes and loose threads. We need to use everything we can to make the walls more…solid. Branches, stones, more thorns, anything we can.

As for the dens, our primary focus needs to be on the Nursery and the Warrior and Apprentice dens, since they are inside of bushes. More branches, moss, leaves, even mud if we can find any. Whatever we can to get the insides more insulated and warm before it really starts to get cold.”

He looked to those around him, his skin tingling beneath his pelt at the feeling of many eyes meeting his own. Leafbare wasn’t here yet, but time had a way of sneaking up on you. Before they knew it the cold and snow would be upon them, and if at least the dens weren’t fully secured, only Starclan, wherever they were, knew what would happen to those who didn’t have another warm pelt to huddle against.

“I need a good bit of cats to go out and get supplies. In the gorge, right up on the other side, anywhere we can get what we need. Carry as much as you can, without weighing yourself down too much. And don’t go far, in case you need help. Everyone else, find all of the openings in the thorn wall and in the den walls. If you think that an opening is too small to matter, it does, so remember where it is. As the others start bringing supplies back we need to pack it all together, seal up all of the holes, get good cover over the dens. Just be careful about the thorns; we don’t need any prickly trips to see Ebonyheart and Sagepaw.”

He waited for acknowledgment from those around him before he said his final piece.

“Those who want to gather and bring back supplies, go ahead and head out behind Brackenstride’s group. Try to stick together. As for the rest of us, split up and start checking the thorn wall and the den walls for all openings.”

With this, the large white tom turned and passed the hollow-rooted tree that would be the Medicine Cat den, going behind it to start at the portion of the thorn wall closest to the Nursery. He would start his search here and work his way around the edges of the camp in one big circle.

| "Speaking." | Thinking. |

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| Notes: notes here |