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Almost first thing at the gathering, one cat predicted that it would be a mild leaf-bare and that nothing would go too badly. Whoever it was was backed up by three or four more chorusing voices

These dumb optimists, Brambleclaw thought, glancing at the central tree where the leaders were.

The rest of the gathering continued decently. There was less tension in that gathering; all the cats looked fairly calm. Eventually, as the night wore on, it concluded, and all the cats started on their jouney back to camp, leaving the island deserted once more.

They were grateful that the moon was still bright, flooding the forest with a positive light.

Brambleclaw was grateful that he hadn’t been added to any late-night patrols, because he was very tired after the long night, and was in need of a rest.