Talon yawns wide, stretching his body after arising from his nest. The only brief sleep weighs him down a little, and yet he feels lighter than he has for quite a while. Despite the emotional ups and downs of yesterday's talks with Ashfur, being able to have these ups and downs without having to veil it, being able to speak aloud the doubt and guilt plaguing his mind, has proven to be everything the red eyed leader had hoped for and more still. It is not gone, quite possibly parts of it will never fully go away, but it haunts the background of his thoughts far less. More still, a pleasant sense of accomplishment strengthens the dark furred tom, as he strides out of his den. He has the target he sought, more informations on it than he even expected to receive. It will be quite a different procedure from their last raid, but provided these Windclan cats prove even remotely sensible, it may even be safer than their last one. After the bittersweet success of their search for food, it will raise moral to pull this off, not least for Talon himself.

Blinking against the light of the rising sun, he observes the alley as it slowly awakens to life, warriors arising from their dens, stretching in the early light, greetings and the first discussions coming up. After a slow turn, Talon leaps up onto the dumpster and from there on up, onto his wall. Kestrel isn't up yet, it seems. No matter, he will be up soon enough. He knows that there'll be news today, he'd not pass it up being among the first to hear it. Would not be like him. Then again, there is no need to hurry, this will best be shared with the veteran warriors, once they are all up and about. Perhaps, it would be wise to first fill in those who know of Ashfur, secure himself some support. It risks being a somewhat dividing subject, considering the question of where these informations came from will indubitably come up. Then again, it might not be necessary to waste time on two rounds of discussion. Silver will certainly stand by him, Moon likely as well. Venom is pragmatic, probably won't mind, and Kestrel so far has dependably towed the line. Frost may not like it, but with a firm word from Talon, he should fall in line. Only Castle and Sparrow are unknown in how they might view the matter, but at least the latter should still be in a good mood from his ascension to veteran warrior. The more he thinks about it, the more it seems like it may go reasonably well. With mild guilt, the realisation arises that Owl's demise may have saved him some debating on this matter, but with a quiet scoff the red eyed tom banishes the thought. No, not a good thought to have. Owl gave his life for the faction. No matter the disposition the old tom had, his sacrifice ought not to be diminished.

Still, with all things as they are, it'll be a quicker procedure to just call in the veteran warriors once for this. Slowly beginning to groom his front legs and paws, one after the other, Talon also reminds himself of the both empowering and sobering fact that he is, in fact, leader. Yesterday's talks at the river, pleasantly unbound from his position had almost allowed it to slip his mind. Scourge would not ask or debate, he would inform about the already made decision. And though their search for food has cost them, when pressed or inspired, Talon's orders have always reached their intended goal in the end, wether they were for patrols and regular gathering, or more exceptional like their recent raids for food or herbs. Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to attempt at appearing more imperial, more leader-like. Scourge urges it, Frost and Silver advised it… If the clan is to truly unite under him, it'll be unescapable that he appears more like their founder in time, regardless of wether that is his heart's truth or not.

Barely done with the quick wash, Kestrel hopping onto his dumpster draws Talon's eye. With a small bow of his head and his usual confident grin, the second-in-command greets the dark furred tom above.

„Greetings. Was your night been productive? You seem reasonably pleased."

Talon flicks his nicked ear before leaving it turned towards the brown tom below.

„It proved very productive. We have a target and know how to proceed. All we need to do is get ready and strike when the opportunity presents itself"

Kestrel nods, though his eyes betray a certain pensiveness, hidden behind the remaining warm smirk.

„Very good. Venom will certainly be pleased. That and we may all profit from it, should it come to… altercations"

„Should I be concerned that we'll have such a one? I presume your night wasn't eventless either"

The brown tom shakes his head

„Not us, not for now. But yes, I kept busy. Something interesting has been overheard, Laurel and Blackbird on a patrol at the twins border. Sadly it was only heard in passing, so we only know so much, but there seems to be confusion in Granite's faction about a plan to partition territory. Now, I'm just speculating, but the way they've been keeping an eye on Ice and Snake's territory and Wrath certainly striking back against them…"

Talon narrows his eyes, turning his head towards his second-in-command

„You think they might support Wrath for a part of the territory when he attacks? How did they organise this?"

„That is what bothers me the most. I do not think Wrath knows anything of this yet. There has never been a meeting between them, no talks. Granite is plotting on his own, but if he manages to make this is the first stepping stone towards an alliance between them… we are safe because we have the numbers of two factions. If they conquer the territory between them with minimal further losses, together they'd have the cats of three factions, not even factoring in the strength of Wrath and Flame fighting alongside each other."

A cold shudder slides down along Talon's spine, all pushing all earlier joy aside

„Not good. If it happens. Granite does not strike me as the kind to share power though. Perhaps he just wishes to even his odds against us by taking in half of the twins faction?"

„Yes, I was under that impression as well… I'm keeping my many eyes and ears out there on it. Perhaps it's just that, though it'd still not be ideal for us. Dangerous times. Best we can do is remain watchful and perhaps get something out of Granite about it during the next gathering. Doubtful that anything happens before that anyway."

„Granite would not diminish what he stands to gain if anyhow he can. Tired and wounded warriors are at risk after a fight in Leafbare, the long march home might claim more lives than the battle. More territory doesn't help much if you no longer have the numbers to make something of it."

„Agreed. But let's not fall into doom and gloom just yet."

Kestrel fixes his whiskers briefly before looking back up to Talon

„After all, you have good news as well. I presume you'll want to tell us about it sometime today?"

Taking a deep breath first, Talon nods, before looking out into the alley again

„Yes. I'd like you to gather the veteran warriors later. It's time to reveal our next target."

Kestrel tilts his head

„Certainly. Anything else planned before that, or why else delay this to later?"

Talon observes him for a few heartbeats with no answer, before rolling his eyes in mild embarrassment

„If you must know, I promised Grail yesterday to eat with her and her brothers before their patrols today. I planned on sending at least one of them before sunhigh along the border with Wraith, that doesn't leave much time…"

Unable to withhold a chuckle, Kestrel turns his head away, scanning the alley

„I'm not saying anything. Fine, then I reckon we should arrange to patrols for this half of the day now and gather the veterans just after sunhigh. That sound workable then?"

„Sounds like a plan. Let's get it done."

„How can we be certain of this information? There's no reason to assume a forest cat would tell us how to attack their own"

Castle shakes her head in dismay, her tail lashing behind her, the eyes of the circle of veteran warriors on her. Having found a quiet place on the other side of the wall of Talon's alley, the meeting has consisted of little more than Talon recounting the situation as he knows it, from the full moon gatherings of the clans, down to where Windclan camp should be. Of course, the explanation where this knowledge came from seems not to sit equally well with everyone. Sparrow pulls a somewhat discontent grimace.

„I'm all for clear directions, but this seems like a good way to ambush us. All the way to the lake, there'd be a lot of room to cut us off."

„You manoeuvre trough the sewers, but some plains and flat moors worry you?"

Soot observes Sparrow with somewhat tired eyes, but an entertained tone to his voice. One of the few lying instead of sitting amidst the other veteran warriors, the calm tom flicks his ear

„Would not be ideal, but if it came to it, we are still Bloodclan. We could fight our way out. And if it does go well, along wit what remains of the last raid we should be uniquely well stocked, right?"

Before Sparrow gets a chance to voice his very visible agitation, Soot looks to Venom, whom nods and flicks her tail

„Uniquely is right. We'd have more herbs than we even had at the best points when the clan was united. Of course, not all is equally useful, but it would give us a much more secure situation. Avoid the mess Wrath's warriors were in."

„No one is debating the idea behind another raid. It's wether or not the direction we've been given won't lead us into a trap that we need to talk about"

Sparrow scoffs, shaking his head, still shooting a glare towards Soot. The golden eyed black tom however shows no signs of caring about the sharp looks in the least, after a few heartbeats simply beginning to clean his front paws. Silver clears his voice, drawing some attention to himself

„If it eases minds, on Talon's orders I have encountered the forest cat myself already. I do no believe he would lure us into a trap. Not only does he not strike me the type, he had plenty opportunities to attempt such on Talon or I. If he won't organise an ambush on one Bloodclan cat, I do not believe he would a large Bloodclan patrol, let alone over a clan his own is at odds with."

Small discussion continues on, mostly between Castle, Sparrow and Silver, Moon occasionally chiming in to back Silver's calm rational reasonings, much to the entertainment of Soot. Kestrel simply listens, not adding much of his own and Venom scoffs, rolling her eyes at the ongoing noise she clearly does not consider herself much of a participant of.

Talon throws Frost a glance from the side. He expected the white tom to voice his opinion with at least the same volume Castle does, yet he remains fairly quiet, taking in the round of discussion before somewhat absently. Curiosity somewhat arises in Talon on what might occupy his former second-in-command's thoughts right now, though it seems a poor time to ask. Perhaps he could be awakened from his state if Talon were to cut the talking short. He had considered this to be a potential time to show himself more strongly in control. His red eyes wander among the circle of honoured warriors, his pads sweating. When Scourge wished to speak while others talked, Bone silenced them, Scourge himself never raised his voice much to be heard. Talon does not have a mountain of a cat at his side to such ends. But there is something that has worked before. He glimpses down at his reinforcing claws for a brief moment. Doing this too often will wear them off, force him to regularly fix or replace them, but he is to make the impression he wishes to, he must have something that will certainly work. A half-measure won't do.

The talking goes on for a heartbeat longer, before the loud sound of bone forcefully dragged against asphalt cuts it short. Heads snap over to look at the origin of the shrill grating sound, only to be met by Talon's gaze, slowly moving over the assembled veteran warriors.

„You have been informed of how the information we WILL use has been obtained. Now, we move on from that, to our plan of attack"

He raises his dogteeth from the rough ground, white lines remaining visible on the asphalt. No need to look, Talon already knows he'll need to carve the tips back into shape again. Though now that can not matter. His voice remains clear and serious as he keeps letting his gaze wander among the cats assembled. Sure enough, Frost has been pulled from his thoughts as well, fur standing slightly on edge, visibly somewhat startled.

„We can not approach this the same as our other raid. There is no way to do this without detection, so we must proceed speed and precision instead."

Castle gives a small grumble, but nods. Both Moon and Sparrow are quick to nod in agreement as well, while Soot and Silver watch with interest. Returned from his pondering, Frost gives a quiet hum, before speaking

„What would you have us do?"

Talon looks over at the white tom. The initial startling having departed already by the look of it, Frost returns the look with now very attentive, as well as a certain a pleased surprise.

„Simple, we use both our knowledge of them and our own reputation in our favour. We go in once their gathering patrol has left, and seize a few of the cats nearest to their camp's entrance, beginning with their guard if they have one that night. The only way to get what we want and get out is to make attacking us too dangerous to their own."

„Taking hostages. As long as we're quick, it should work. They won't doubt for a moment that we'd kill them if they don't comply, which ironically will be what keeps them safe. And us uninjured."

Silver nods slowly, pondering the situation. Frost grows a small grin, raising one of his dogteeth armed paws

„And if we bring enough warriors, with some of their own already out of camp, they must see that they would be on the losing side even if they did take the risk to fight. A good plan, straightforward."

Sparrow tilts his head pensively, leaning it slightly into his mane like fluff

„Perhaps. We'll need to know the way though. After a stunt like that, we'll want the fastest route out of there"

„We will have a fast escape route, worry not."

It nearly startles Talon as, after a brief moment of other voices making themselves heard and eyes wandering once more, the sound of his words instantly draw in the others attention once more. All attentive, all perking their ears to hear what he has to say. Holding his façade, he goes on after a heartbeat

„We know their camp isn't that far from their border with Thunderclan, a river. The same river that flows through twoleg-place. Thunderclan will have no patrols out at that time, so once we have what we need, we'll head for that border, that river, and follow it back home. Their precious code prevents them from carelessly crossing borders, so if there is trouble, we just cross it and head into Thunderclan territory before continuing home."

Kestrel smirks, nodding

„Not bad, good thinking."

Moon looks from Kestrel to Talon

„We just need to make sure we do get the drop on them."

„Then we must make sure of it"

Talon stands up, slowly walking towards the wall. As he observes it, figuring the best way to climb it, he can hear everyday life going on in his alley on the other side.

„We establish who all comes with us early and ALL of them train their sneaking in the days before we go. Frost is already with us, I want three more of you with us. Kestrel, we will discuss which warriors to bring along in the coming days. We got some time before then, let's not waste it."

Leaping up, Talon begins his ascent, the rough wall giving him sufficient chances to cling to it by his claws to keep climbing, tough the larger reinforcing claws are proving as cumbersome as ever when trying to climb. Very soon though, Talon arrives atop the wall, hearing the veteran warriors slowly beginning to discuss amongst themselves, while someone else is climbing the wall, soon to be revealed as Venom, leaping down onto the dumpster.

„We'll get you your supplies, Venom."

The healer walks to the edge of the dumpster before looking back up to Talon

„I know, I've never doubted your word. I know you'll get what you're setting out for. Though, it sounds like you want this all to happen without bloodshed. I don't mind, Talon, but while your reasoning is sound as far as the rest of these clan cats go, take it from a healer: being held down can make some cats very feisty, even if it's to their own good. Make sure our warriors understand that to avoid… accidents with the hostages. Just something to think of"

Talon blinks as Venom turns and leaps off to pad to the healer's den. Good point, not something he'd thought of. Between mild admiration for Venom's sharp mind and mild frustration that despite his own pride at the plan he came up with, he has to admit that there was an oversight. It could be a problem… it will need to be adressed when they head out and they need to hope for the best. It'll have to work out. Ashfur gave him this information under the purview of trying not to kill any cat. With a quiet sigh, the leader overlooks the warriors wandering about in the alley, Lantern play fighting with Dusk and Dawn at the far end. No plan is perfect. The decision is made now, he even managed to project himself decently before his veteran warriors. There is only forward now. He will do his best, to get what he needs and keep his word to a friend.

As Kestrel descends off the wall and onto his dumpster, Talon briefly observes his second-in-command before just looking ahead at nothing in particular. So proud to find a functional solution, only for there to be stress on a possible weakspot in the plan after all. There is no rest for the wicked, certainly not for him anytime soon. Though despite that, a fresh memory warm Talon all the same. It was nice, to sit by Grail and her kin's side this morning. Despite Lantern's knowing looks. Thankfully, he needn't worry about getting those from Edge. All in all is was pleasant. Perhaps they could share a meal again soon. He'd like that.