[Closed] Weasel Encampment (11FG20)

It wasn't difficult for Clovershine to keep up the pace as they crossed ShadowClan territory. She had worked hard to strengthen her leg and it almost seemed like each day got a bit easier. It was only during certain battle moves and drills that she truly noticed her handicap- thankfully in this situation, it shouldn't be too much of a concern. 

Clovershine noticed the smell of the weasels long before she noticed anything else. Her nose scrunched up in disgust as they neared the pile of scat. "Ooh how awful! I can't wait until we get these menaces out of here!" The pale she-cat tended to be more openminded when it had to do with other cats, but something like weasels was just more than she cared to have around. This job would be important to the overall well-being of the clan. 

Nodding in agreement at Palestar's direction, Clovershine shifted her movement east, keeping her senses alert. Success would be determined  on how many of the creatures were here. Hopefully not more than a few! 

After a couple of moments, Clovershine noticed some paw prints in a spot of bare dirt. Looking closely, the ground was scuffed, making it difficult to determine just how many might have walked through this area. 

Best not to mention anything until I'm more certain. I can't risk alerting them with my voice by calling out to Palestar. 

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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With eager finesse, Palestar carefully stepped through the grass, carefully distributing the weight of her sleek form lower and lower until she slunk forward. They would get to the bottom of this soon - and hopefully have something to show for it. How quaint would it be to bring the kills back, memorialize the hunt with a boost of new-leaf morale!

Mouth parted to drawl in the scent, her eyes fell on a swathe of dirt, sniffing at the paw prints before confirming it to be their quarry. She counted one set, larger than the rest - two, maybe three smaller tracks. It had to be a queen with adolescent young. Facing the prospect of facing not one, nor two, but potentially four weasels made for a practical choice in bringing two warriors with her.

Wordlessly through body language, Palestar motioned with the tail tip of her ringed tail, ears swiveling suddenly towards a small clearing as scrapping and weasel-like chittering could be heard. Eyes narrowing, she stalked forward to lead the assault - hoping to catch them off guard.

As she wadded closer thru the weasel smell, another smell hit her nose - a fresh kill. Surely that would distract them enough if they were squabbling over it now...

Clovershine nodded at her sister's direction and padded forward, being careful to keep pressure off her hind leg in order to avoid stumbling. 

She could hear the prey now, yet she would wait for the command before rushing forward in order to make sure everyone was in sync. 

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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If she strained carefully, Palestar could hear the baleful barking of arguing creatures in the clearing up ahead. With a subtle, motioning gesture her paw falls padded her nearer, inching he way upwind where they'd be less likely to detect her. A change in wind direction would surrender their cover should it shift suddenly, and Palestar crept a little closer, finally catching a glimpse of a large female weasel hovering over a felled squirrel - which was in turn surrounded by three younglings, the source of the dreadful snarling.

She'd catch the mother weasel while her back was turned, while her and her broad would be caught unaware. They'd have the element of surprise, and with a final gentle gesture, was a streak of white and silver as speed brought her form bursting into the clearing.

Palestar hissed, ears falling flat against her skull as she met contact with the mother weasel, who in turn rounded on the intruder with a fell yelp. The she-cat's weight was angled in a way to catch the weasel underneath her, yet the lithe creature reared up, snapping at Palestar's face. Instinctively her head jerked back, face scrunched up in a snarl before a heavy paw buffeted the weasel, catching it off balance as it bounced to the ground at her side by her measured swat.

Clovershine had learned long ago that thanks to her injury, teamwork was always the best way to get a job done. Following Hollyclaw's lead, the cream point tabby cat went after the kits, running in a fashion as to keep her stiff leg out of the way as best she could. 

As Hollyclaw managed to separate one of the kits from the mother, Clovershine closed in on the other two, herding them away from the protection of their mother in order to pick them off. 

If only they weren't such a nuisance...

Clovershine hated having to take out young ones, but not only would they grow into more of a problem, but they'd also help to feed the clan. 

With a quick burst of speed. Clovershine pounced on the slowest of the two kits, killing it with a quick bite to the neck. Without missing a heartbeat, the she-cat launched after the second kit determined to give it a swift end. 

Her training with Palestar hadn't been for naught after all. 

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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The family had been struck. Kits separated from their mother, they squared off and were felled by her respective warriors. They were close to triumphantly returning with much kill to share with the clan - anyone who wanted a share of the spoils. Weasel wasn't exactly her favorite prey, but food was food, after all.

The fully grown vermin was attempting to give her trouble - and with a bounce and a skitter, the weasel was back on her feet, lunging but Palestar kept on her feet, skirting in time with the creature until it raised itself on its hind legs. Palestar pounced, raking her claws into flesh where she landed, and dived in close to finish the job.

Her bloodied maw lifted, eyes and ears scanning for any remaining offenders - but it seemed Clovershine and Hollyclaw made quick work of the kits. Pleased, she paused to lick at her paw, which was dirtied in the animal's blood. "Four less threats in Shadowclan territory, and many Shadowclan mouths that will be filled."

"Well done both of you!" Clovershine crowed, hopping about on her three good legs. It was exhilarating to accomplish such work and she was excited by the adrenaline rush.

"I think destroying the nest could be useful, what do you think, Palestar?"

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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A job well done, indeed. Palestar's chin tipped in a curt, distracted nod as she padded through the underbrush, following her scent to only a few foxlengths away where she spotted a burrow. Any other animal scent was drowned out by the stench of weasel, so she wasn't entirely sure if the weasel had dug out this den herself, or commandeered an old one. Either way, it would be prudent to destroy it. Motioning the others, she mewed.

"Yes. Wouldn't want another weasel, let alone a fox or badger, to be tempted a perfectly serviceable den. Search for other entryways. We'll cave in the cavities and bury it. Before we leave we should scent mark the area."

Palestar leaped onto the topmost entrance, noting that it seemed dug into the dirt and already could feel her weight make her steps uneasy as she pawed around.

"I'll start working on the scent markers!" Clovershine figured there was no need for all three of them to destroy the den now that the threat had been taken care of so she made her way towards the killed prey,  gathering them into a pile before walking around the perimeter to leave their mark. 

Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light; I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
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Palestar felt the dirt collapse between her paws, sealing off the main entrance to the weasel encampment. Now decimated! Giving a purr of purpose, the back off and anaylzed the remains, eyeing Hollyclaw out of the corner of her eye to see how she was faring before her form made a twist turn. Prey at her feet, she counted the blessings of their hunt. Four bodies of fresh kill to present to hungry Shadowclan mouths. She noticed that Clovershine was marking as she had said, and joined her, both spreading their scent and their victory. "Nicely done, Clovershine. We'll have plenty to show for it."