"We should get going if we're going to find the Solstice Gathering site before winter comes," Brambleclaw said, his voice serious as he drew a paw over his nose, brushing away the remnants of his meal. His eyes were focused on the horizon, the dark clouds overhead a constant reminder that time was slipping away. Winter was fast approaching, and they couldn't afford to waste any more time.

Purdy's ears perked up at the mention of the Solstice Gathering site. "Solstice Gathering site?" He repeated, his voice tinged with recognition. "I remember that place. A lot of cats live there. The Tribe of Rushing Water calls themselves nice folks." His tail twitched in interest as memories flooded back. "I used to pass by there sometimes. They were always peaceful, but... a bit strange. They don't hunt like you cats do; they rely more on the water for food. They live closer to the riverbeds, away from the forest."

Nyx raised an eyebrow, the mention of the Tribe of Rushing Water piquing her curiosity. She had heard whispers of the tribe from her travels, but she hadn't had a chance to encounter them herself. "Are they different from regular Clan cats?" she asked, her tone thoughtful. She could feel her heart pounding with anticipation. If they were headed to the Solstice Gathering site, it could mean meeting cats she had never crossed paths with before—and that, in turn, could lead to answers about her own purpose in this world.

"They are," Purdy replied with a thoughtful flick of his tail. "They have their own ways, their own rules. But they're kind enough, or at least they were to me." He padded around the group, glancing at each of them as if trying to gauge their readiness for what lay ahead. "You should prepare yourselves. The Solstice Gathering site is a sacred place for them, and the cats there value their peace and their traditions. They don't like disruption."

Squirrelpaw's ears perked up. "So... do we have to be careful around them? What if they don't want us there?" Her voice carried a note of concern, but she quickly straightened, trying to mask her unease.

"I don't think they'll mind us visiting," Brambleclaw said, his voice calm but firm. "We're not going there to cause trouble. The Solstice Gathering site is a meeting place for all sorts of cats, and I'm sure we'll be welcomed." His eyes met Nyx's for a brief moment, and she could tell he was trying to reassure her as much as he was reassuring the others.

The group gathered their things, with Nyx taking one last glance at the Twoleg house. It had been a strange place to stop, but the time had come to leave. The rain had eased off, though the air was still thick with the promise of more to come. They would need to move quickly, and Nyx was already eager to continue the journey.

"Let's go," she said, her voice low and determined. "The sooner we reach the Solstice Gathering site, the sooner we'll know what we're really up against."

With that, they began their trek once more, moving as one. Despite the uncertainty of the path ahead, there was something solid in the bond they shared. For now, it was enough.