The early sun-rays warm Talon's back as he pads out of the forest, his pace increasing as he passes the first buildings. Why let me live, those were the forest warrior's words still echoing in his mind. Sighing quietly to himself, he ponders the answer he gave, traversing the outer parts of his territory. Maybe he really has grown soft. There were far more reasons to kill this tom than not to. He remembers the many nights observing the grey cat, how his demeanour changed, how at last under his claws his composure broke. Sure, Talon has been curious about the story behind it all, but does his curiosity excuse such recklessness? Should he really return there next night? He looks over his shoulder at the rising sun before increasing his pace further, running along the streets. It would not look good to not be there when Kestrel arrives, he must hurry.
Not long after, he arrives at his alley, many of his cats up and present. Padding past them towards his wall, Frost joins in beside him
„They are almost here. Most of our cats know the news by now. Reactions are mostly positive so far, most see it as a step in the right direction to reconcile with clanmates of ours. Some of our warriors doubt Kestrel's trustworthiness however."
„Rightfully so…"
Slowing down to a halt right by the wall, Talon looks at Frost
„But for now, our best chance in preventing Kestrel from stirring up trouble is convincing his cats that we are indeed the better option. Everything ready?"
The white cat nods his head, amber eyes looking at the entrance of the alley, expecting them to march in any second at the seems
„His new den is behind the window right under the sentry's post. No way to sneak off in the night without being seen. And close enough to mine for me to keep an eye on him if needed. Venom's taken the news well that she's to train young Rain. I think she's rather excited to teach him actually."
Talon slowly nods
„Good. In that case, let's try and make this work"
Giving himself a rushed grooming first, Talon climbs the wall, sitting down upon it, looking into the alley, just in time before Kestrel wanders in, his cats following right behind him. Under the eyes of Talon's cats, they march into the alley. A few of them carry food, Talon noting that the amount is not great for the number of cats. Observing them more closely, several of Kestrel's cats indeed seem thin. Food must be rare currently on their grounds, possibly one of the reasons for their eagerness to join up. Rain holds a large folded leaf containing herbs in his maw, accompanied by Wax carrying the same. As the cats halt, looking up at Talon returning their gaze, Kestrel steps forth to the wall.
„We're all here and brought our food and herbs, as you wished, Talon"
His golden eyes look up expectantly at the dark grey cat. He needs to speak a few words. Internally, Talon curses himself, of course he'd need to speak a few words, this is no small occasion. If he hadn't wasted so much time at the river, he could have thought of something by now. If his first words to these cats that are now to follow him are a failure, then not only does he risk losing their loyalty from the get go, but he'll be humiliated before his own cats too. Taking subtle breath before beginning, he tries to bury his anxiety behind his usual calm facade.
„I welcome you all. It has been too long since this many of our clanmates have come together under one leader, come together for what makes us Bloodclan. Come together to protect each other, to care for each other, to ensure all cats have something to eat, somewhere to rest, a chance at peace and family"
The reinforcing dog teeth hide that Talon's own claws are pushing against the bricks of the wall, his paw pads sweating. With a lot of willpower, he forces his tail to remain calm, his head and ears held high. Both Kestrel's cats as well as his own all look up to him, their ears collectively perked, eager to catch every word he speaks
„With our two factions merging, we are showing our clanmates that it is possible for Bloodclan to be one again, that we can return to the glorious days of Scourge. As of today, I announce Kestrel as my second-in-command. You did well in leading them here. Bloodclan will once more take care of it's own. With young Rain in training to be a true healer, we secure the future wellbeing of all cats here. I will require you by my side to help ease cats through the changes this union brings, and to work alongside me to the benefit of our clan"
Talon's eyes focus on the brown and cream coloured tom closest to the wall, meeting his golden ones. Up this close, could he possibly see his stress through his eyes? With acknowledging him and his position once again, this time before the cats of both factions, now to be one, he solidifies Kestrel's role, but also binds him to it. Though Kestrel's answer follows swiftly, the heartbeat that passes before it does feels like a lifetime to Talon
„I accept the position and thank you for your praise, Talon. My strength is yours to command. May Scourge lead your claws, as you lead us from here on out"
Talon's claws nearly break against his wall at the mention of Scourge's name. Is his wish genuine, or is he just reminding him that he knows more than he should? Still looking at Kestrel, Talon finds it difficult to tell, his golden eyes betraying no emotion this time around. The dark tom nods at Kestrel and with a flick of his tail invites him to join him up on the wall. No matter how this remark was meant, he cannot let his stress show, the facade may not break, not now, not here. Kestrel nods at the gesture and swiftly climbs the wall, seating himself beside Talon, looking over the assembled cats. Talon returns his gaze to them as well, taking a heartbeat to observe their reaction. All eyes remain on him, among the cats he spots several smiles. The eyes of some of them gleam with hope. Soot and Daze especially seem content, as their two kits look up in wonder, partially snuggled into their parents tails. Rain too, though he looks almost as nervous as Talon feels, seems to hold excitement in his gaze.
„Rain will move into the healer's den, to learn from Venom. Kestrel has received a new nest as well in the alley to help lead as his position demands. I invite the veteran warriors new here to find residence in or around the alley as well, however they, like all warriors, remain free to choose their own nests throughout the territory. Orders, news and food will all be distributed from this alley now. It will be a time of change for some, but we are Bloodclan. We have weathered far worse, and nothing may ever change that. Together, we are stronger than anything the world can throw at us. May Scourge guide your claws"
As Talon nods his head at the cats of the alley, they erupt into a cacophony of victorious howls and joyous mews, stomping and cheering. Talon lets out a breath he was holding, looking upon the many cats before him, the intense pressure slowly falling off of him.
„Not bad as far as speeches go"
Kestrel flicks his ear, looking over to Talon as Moon and Owl show the newcomers where to deposit the food, Silver escorting Rain and the still herbs holding Wax to an already waiting Venom by the healer's den.
„Mostly improvised, if I'm to be honest."
Talon returns the golden eyed warrior's gaze, tail winding around his front paws in his typical position
„I think so. I didn't even notice how on edge you were until I was up here"
His voice carries a hint of amusement, eyes lowered to Talon's paws The claws finally sheathed again, but small traces having been edged into the brickwork. Talon returns his gaze back to the alley. Of course he'd have seen his claws from beside him, how foolish to allow such a dead giveaway. He'll need to be mindful not to let Kestrel see his stress in the future.
„Not many speeches being held these days, let alone ones that are of actual importance. No matter now. You think they will settle in alright?"
Kestrel hums and follows Talon's eyes. In the alley, both groups of cats have begun to intermingle, sharing tongues, showing each other around, settling down under the still ascending sun together over some food. Some show some cautious trepidation, but overall things are looking hopeful.
„I think so. They took it pretty well and after your speech I think most of them see the wisdom in it. We can make it work. Most of them do still know each other after all. It feels so long ago, but it hasn't really been that many seasons since we were all one under Scourge. Only the younger ones wouldn't remember"
Talon nods slowly, noticing from the corner of his eye that Kestrel's gaze has shifted, fixated now on the healer's den. His eyes hold something Talon did not expect, a deeply caring look. Is Rain's training this important to the tom?
„Rain is in good paws now, Kestrel. You remember Venom, no doubt. She's a kind cat. Also she's apparently quite excited to have a cat to teach. She will make a fine healer out of Rain"
The brown cream tom nods, ears rotating for a moment to listen if any cat is too close by. Talon's interest is immediately peaked by this caution from his new second-in-command.
„Since I know a secret of yours, Talon, and there will have to be some trust between us for this to work, not to mention you being the leader… there is something you may wish to know. Very few cats know this. It is about Rain, where he's from"
Talon tilts his head, observing Kestrel for a moment before following his golden gaze back down to the healer's den
„I had assumed he joined your faction like many cats initially joined Bloodclan. As a loner or a kitty-pet seeking something more in life. That not so?"
Kestrel chuckles, his usual smile growing on his face
„Well, you were in part correct. His mother is a kitty-pet. But he does hold our clan's blood in his veins"
„His father is Bloodclan then. More than one such case in the clan. So far nothing out of the ordinary."
Flicking his ear, Talon wonders where this is going. They are not the forest clans, many loners of rogues that come together to form Bloodclan had been kitty-pets or have some kitty-pet blood in them. That bothers no-one here, why should it bother him? Or is his father the reason for this secrecy?
„Yes, his father is Bloodclan. I trusted few with this knowledge so far, Talon. I feared it might make him a target otherwise. His father is me."
Kestrel turns to face his new leader, whom looks at him with astonished eyes. It makes sense to have hidden such a thing, of course. With the risk of cats like Granite leaping at the opportunity to hold leverage over another leader, it would have been risky to let many cats know.
„I never would have guessed that you had a kit, Kestrel. He'll be safe here, we will make it so"
The slightly smaller tom nods slowly
„I think he will be, I hope so. It is one of many reasons why I chose to offer this union. He knows, of course, but… because of it all I did not get to spend much time with him so far. Cats might have gotten suspicious otherwise. I would like to change that now, recognise him openly as my son."
Talon hums slowly, contemplating the implications of Kestrel's revelation, as well as the weight it must have been to keep his own son's identity a secret for his own safety.
„So you know something about me that could shake the believe of cats in me, and now I know something that I could use to hurt you… is this your idea of a peace offering?"
„You overestimate the reaction of cats to those dreams of yours, Talon. I don't think it'd be seen as more than an oddity by most and some might genuinely believe you."
The brown warrior chuckles, eyes remaining fixed on the healer's den.
„But yes, it is a sort of peace offering. We both know there must be some trust between a leader and his second to rule a clan. We both know I desire leadership same as you, let us not kid ourselves. But for Rain's sake… I'm willing to be patient and careful, and to that end loyal"
Talon hums quietly. If he told any other leader such a thing so directly, he would at the very least have an ear shredded for it, if not far worse.
„A bold thing to admit, Kestrel. You understand that if cats had heard that, I would have had to bloody you for admitting that you're just in it to succeed my position"
„I am not saying anything you wouldn't have thought of already yourself, am I?"
Kestrel looks back at Talon, his tail swinging off of the wall
„We both genuinely care about the clan. We also both care about our own power. I don't think those two things are as mutually exclusive as many cats like to believe."
„As long as you know which to prioritise, Kestrel. An important detail"
Talon's ear flicks, as he begins to groom his tail. What he says is not wrong by any means. Between revealing his son and his honest views, perhaps he can be trusted, for now at least. It certainly would make leading with him at Talon's side a lot easier.
„If we're already on laying ourselves bare, perhaps you'd have advice for me, or rather an opinion"
Kestrel, tilts his head with a measure of curiosity
„Sure. I imagine that is part of a second-in-command's duties after all. What would you like my opinion on then, Talon?"
Talon lets out an ironic chuckle. Too long a list to work off now. Perhaps he will ask once Kestrel has had the time to prove his loyalty a bit more. For now, it may still be more prudent not to give him anything he doesn't know of already.
„Many things, but one thing at a time. Those dreams…. I still don't know what to make of them. I'm both looking forward to seeing how they will further unfold, yet I also feel like once they do something may change, for me, the clan or both"
His red eyes meet Kestrel's, laden with thoughts and contemplation. Kestrel takes a moment to think as well
„Well… I admit, interpreting dreams is not really a strength of mine. That said, I may not have been at the great battle, but I know what cats spoke about after it, especially when they thought no-one was listening. That tends to be when the most interesting conversations happen."
He chuckles as he looks up at the slowly moving clouds, taking clear pride in knowing things he shouldn't
„Bloodclan is full of cats who don't know what to believe, Talon. Whatever happened in that forest, it shook up many of them. They all feared ridicule at first and after Wrath's rise, they fear admitting any belief at all might make them sound like forest sympathisers. But they are there, cats with doubts, cats that wonder if there might be more to this whole Starclan-nonsense. However the notion that the forest clans carry blame for how things are now is fairly common among all factions. Which is why I think your dreams are not your most pressing concern anyway"
Resting his tail on his front paws again, Talon hums quietly
„And what is the more pressing concern then?"
„That the other factions might propagate you as soft for having refused to kill forest cats. I understand your reasoning, and I'm sure at least Granite and Wraith do too, but ultimately cats might think you're becoming blood shy, Talon. My advice would be to deal with that first. Take down some rogues or lead a dog hunt, be seen shedding some blood, proving your prowess. It will silence them and their naysaying for a while. Luckily, I believe can help with that"
Talon slowly rises to his paws, thinking about the proposal. It has been a small while, it might be good to have a true fight again. Moreover, Kestrel's advice seems sound. There are always a few rogues around stirring up trouble, but a dog could make for worthwhile prey, if one can be found somewhere. A chance for some of the younger warriors to earn their reinforced claws, and to silence any talk of weakness. It carries risk, but all things do in twoleg-place. Slowly, the dark tom nods
„Try to find a dog worth hunting in the coming days, Kestrel. It might make for a good exercise for the young warriors of both factions to work on their coordination as well."
„Always pragmatic, eh?"
Kestrel chuckles and nods before standing up as well
„Consider it done. With your permission, I'd like to have a look at my new den now and then see how Rain is settling in."
„You do that then. Return when you are done. We still need to arrange patrols for our new territory today. Preferably mixed patrols, we want them working together as one as fast as possible"