Talon descends into his den, greeted by the eyes of Silver and Frost, the two toms nodding their heads as the dark-grey cat joins them

„We're here as ordered, Talon. What do you need?"

Frost hums, flicking his ear in the dim light of the small den

„Several things. But one at a time. For now, I feel I should keep a few cats in the know of things. You two I trust. The dream has… progressed is no longer the right word"

While Silver remains perfectly calm, ears perked to listen for Talon's every word, Frost's initially shining eyes cloud with a bit of disappointment. Perhaps the tom expected preparations for a new action alike the raid instead. He makes little effort to hide that he feels let down a bit.

„It turns out, it was not truly dreams. Scourge was attempting to reach out indeed, just needed a while to get it right"

„How unlike Scourge to not excel"

Frost's expression has returned to a neutral look, his ears perked like Silver's and his eyes unreadable.

„The aftermath of death is hardly something he could have prepared for much. Be that as it may, he is watching events unfold in Bloodclan. He demands we unify the clan again."

Silver hums quietly

„I imagine he would. But it will be a long and difficult time till we get there. Has our former leader given advice?"

Talon nods, though his expression sombers, the interest of both veteran warriors roused by it. Scourge's predictions were rather dark and remembering them brings a measure of worry to Talon.

„He said difficult times are ahead. He would train me regularly from now on, advise me on matters of leadership. It seems he shares some of your concerns, Frost."

The white tom nods, a feeling of confirmation radiating in his eyes

„Scourge was all about doing what was necessary, not what was easy or nice. Emulating Scourge more would strengthen your odds of uniting us again. Let things be as they were."

„Perhaps it would, but there is one more matter he mentioned that I feel you should know"

There is little point in telling them about the abyss and Scourge seeking out their dead clanmates just yet. Let alone Starclan and Scourge's current refuge in this Dark Forest. It'd needlessly prolong the conversation and move in directions Talon is not yet certain he should let it. Silver sounded relatively open to the possibility of an afterlife or even Starclan's faith, but Frost seems far less interested about the subject. Under the curious gazes of Frost and Silver, Talon mews

„Scourge believes we may have a traitor amongst our own. Owl was right, someone fed Kestrel information, one of us"

Silver's fur spikes some at the possibility of a traitor, but remains otherwise calm. Frost tilts his head, lashing his tail.

„Perhaps there is. But since when does Bloodclan listen to dead cats. That is forest clan folly. If we have a traitor among our own, we would find them ourselves soon enough anyway."

„Would we though? With Kestrel now as second-in-command, he could try to shield any accomplices he has amongst our cats."

Silver's calm eyes meet Frost's angered gaze. Talon, though externally calm, finds himself surprised at his former second-in-commands emotions. Frost is usually calmer, yet this discussion about his dream and Scourge's warning seems to have caused something to stir in the white furred tom.

„Then we must get it from the source. We make Kestrel tell us who is working against us, better yet, we get rid of him. He is where all the danger of treason and rumours come from, with Kestrel gone all will be calm once more"

Talon shakes his head. Frost's eagerness to take radical action against Kestrel slightly shocks Talon.

„We would risk losing the cats of his faction. With the other leaders now brought up against us, we would place ourselves in grave danger, Frost. We have to keep him around for now. That and he has taken no hostile action against us. He has heard something he shouldn't, as far as we know that's all"

Frost is sighing and shaking his head. Slowly calm returns to his voice, though his eyes show discontent.

„So, we have a second-in-command who might be plotting against us and we do nothing"

„Kestrel did tell me something that he knows I could use against him. A peace offering of sorts in his own words"

Talon flicks his nicked ear, Frost tilting his head at this

„Rain is apparently Kestrel's son."

„And as long as he remains in our healer's den, he is firmly in our grasp", Frost concludes with some satisfaction, earning a nod from Talon. The white tom seems to calm at this information

„If that is true, and that's not necessarily a given with Kestrel, then we have leverage against him"

„Talon has leverage", Silver corrects, his eyes upon the other veteran warrior.

„Leverage that should not be abused. We should not forget that Rain might not have part in any of his father's plans. He should not be punished for treason he not commit."

Talon nods, his tail laying over his paws. Rain is a kind young tom, eager to help his clanmates. The idea of the healer in training being hurt nearly causes Talon's pelt to bristle.

„Kestrel cooperates right now and we have nothing to indicate he is seeking to betray us currently. As long as that remains the case, there will be no talk of getting rid of him and even less of harming Rain, understood?"

The two toms nod in agreement, letting Talon exhale in relief.

„Good… now, there is more to be discussed, but for that I want Kestrel here as well. As second and being who he is, he would find out before long anyway and I would rather you hear the news from me than let Kestrel spread his own version of it unopposed. We gather back in here"

Their curiosity certainly roused, the two cats mew their acknowledgement and hurry out of the den to gather up the other cats. Talon sighs once he is alone. This discussion could go poorly if he does not put his paw down from fairly early on. This will be stressful and Talon is painfully aware of it. Still, it is less dangerous than letting Kestrel or the traitor find out more about his nightly escapades and twist it into something that might rile up the clan even more. Slowly the dark-grey tom rises from his den, blinking against the bright sunlight. While Silver and Frost run off, seeking out the second-in-command, Talon observes the alley. Further down, Dawn and Lion are pawing a tiny empty bottle back and forth between each other, squealing in youthful joy under the careful gaze of their mothers. Edge and Grail are sharing tongues with Wax and Sparrow, calmly speaking over some food as if they had never been separated into opposing factions. A brief, warm sense of pride rises in Talon's chest. This is what Bloodclan should be once more. Kits playing in safety, cats united instead of opposing each other.

Soon Talon spots his two veteran warriors returning with the brown-cream coloured second-in-command between them. Letting out a small sigh before they get within earshot, the dark-grey warrior slips back into his den, awaiting their arrival. How to best explain the situation to them? With discomfort Talon remembers Scourge's words to him. For being a leader, it does not suffice to only lead sometimes, he must lead at all times. If he allows doubt to set in, in himself or in those he leads, he cannot be worthy of being chosen by Scourge. Reminiscing about the small black leader during the time he knew him, Talon ponders how he would have handled this. The answer occurs to him quickly as he looks up, the three cats entering his den and dipping their heads. Scourge only knew only one way to deliver news, decisions and orders; matter-of-factly. It never sounded like a debate or even a choice, but like unshakable facts. The small tom simply stood above reproach or criticism. Perhaps Frost is right, attempting to emulate the late leader may be a suitable strategy, if Talon is to rise above the other leaders. This discussion being as good a point as any to start doing so, or attempt it anyway.

„You're here, good"

„I'm told you have news to share, Talon. I'm interested to hear it"

Kestrel licks his paw before pulling it over his ear a few times, interest glistening in his eyes. Talon nods, his tail winding to lay over his paws

„Indeed. I have decided to train a cat from beyond Bloodclan and take them under my wing."

Frost tilts his head, the news clearly not expected but his expression easily betraying that he wonders why that would require the secrecy of his den, until an idea seem to enter his head

„Have you found a mate outside the clan? I'm sure most our clanmates would welcome her. More than one cat who became a clanmate that way"

Silver prefers remaining quiet and just listening, while the sparkle in Kestrel's eye betrays that he suspects something more, ears perked in intrigued curiosity. Talon fights back against the surprise Frost's words cause in him. Is that where his former second thought he went off to regularly? And why was the most so pronounced in his statement, would someone object? As he said himself, many Bloodclan cats find mates among the kitty-pets. Although the very idea of matehood hadn't crossed Talon's mind in many moons, nor is the current situation really suited to go looking for it either.

„No. I have chosen to train a warrior by the name of Ashfur. I believe that in time, he might be valuable to the clan"

Kestrel's usual calm smile grows into a smirk

„Ashfur. A warrior with a two pronged name. You have been about the forest, haven't you, Talon?"

Before Talon can speak another word, Frost falls in, fur bristled on end

„You dare accuse Talon of conspiring with forest cats? Is that your newest plot? Slander our leader until you get to replace him?"

Silver rests his tail on Frost's shoulder, trying to calm the tom

„Your wish to defend Talon's honour is praiseworthy, Frost, but I think Talon can defend himself. We should hear Talon out before anything else, no?"

Talon gives a small appreciative nod at Silver, as slowly the tail lashing Frost forces himself to compose himself. So much for trying to dominate the discussion as Scourge would have. Kestrel, having recoiled slightly from Frost, sits back straight, flicking his tail.

„I assure you, I meant Talon no disrespect. But everything he said indicates it"

Before Frost attempts to have another go, the shrill screech of Talon's claws dragging forcefully against the stone top of his den under the wall makes the warrior flinch and return his attention back to Talon. The dark-grey leader sighs quietly to himself, a stressful headache building up in him. Until his presence suffices, it seems this trick can buy him the quiet he needs in discussions, for now. The dark furred leader continues

„Ashfur is from the clan we raided. I've been staking him for a while now, deeply discontent with his current situation in his clan. I was able to gain valuable insight into the forest clans from him already and I expect to learn much more still as time goes on."

Kestrel nods, a pleased smile upon him

„You're creating a spy among them. Always a valid way to learn more about your enemy. With that we'll know any of their moves against us in advance"

Frost remains quiet, though his fur stands on edge, his tail slowly lashing behind him. Silver hums, seeming to ponder the situation for a moment before speaking, his green eyes shining calmly in the dim light of the den

„It might be useful, if he can be trusted. We've worked with rogues before in similar manners, perhaps it will work the same with a clan cat. Are you certain this one can be trusted, Talon?"

Talon flicks his ear, his eyes slowly wandering between the three cats before him

„So far it seems so. As for his motives, he hasn't been doing well for quite a while now, only getting worse as time goes on. I'll try to find out the precise reasons soon. In the meantime, you are now in the know where I disappear off to from time to time. Until more comes of it, I would prefer no further cats to know about it."

Frost shakes his head, his fur only slowly flattening

„I think it is a bad idea. Not only for your safety, but if cats find out your loyalty might be questioned"

Kestrel looks over to Frost, flicking an ear

„The way I see it, it's the forest warrior who's loyalty stands in question. Knowing what other cats are doing is valuable information. If the forest clans ever try to attack us, we'll know and be able to lure them into ambushes and traps."

The white pelted warrior scoffs, his narrowed eyes piercing the second-in-command

„We know what strategies you are fond of, Kestrel. The less honour needed, the better, right?"

Kestrel puffs up his chest fur, his tail flicking with some agitation

„What is wrong with trying to not have my warriors fight and die pointlessly?"

„MY warriors now, Kestrel. Do not forget that. And Frost, you are speaking to my second-in-command. Would you dare speak to me in such a way?"

A low growl rumbles in Talon's throat as anger rises in him. He invites them in to hear about his plans and they bicker like kits over stolen toys, causing him a splitting headache in the process. How is the clan meant to come back together if grown cats can't behave reasonable enough to speak? They are still both Bloodclan warriors. Frost turns his gaze to Talon, it remaining every bit as sharp and hostile, causing the dark-grey tom's fur to bristle. For a moment, the tension grows heavy enough within the den to slice it with a claw, Talon's claws slowly unsheathing under Frost's glare. After a few moments however, Frost backs down and his gaze softens, his pelt lying flat once more as he bows his head deeply before Talon

„No, of course I would not. I apologise."

Talon's pelt flattening again as well, he nods slowly, unwinding his tail to flick it dismissively

„That is all. Frost, you take the next patrol along Granite's border. Kestrel, make sure we continue stocking up on food. Leafbare will begin any day now, we must be prepared."

Finally his gaze falls upon Silver, where he pauses for a moment

„Silver, stay just a moment longer. You two, you have your orders"

Kestrel and Frost both nod and pad out of the den, leaving Silver and Talon alone. Once Talon is satisfied that they are well and out of earshot, he sighs and shakes his head before looking to Silver

„Frost has been unusually irritable all day today. Did anything happen that I am not aware of?"

The older veteran warrior shakes his head as, humming as he looks out of the den's entrance

„Nothing I would know, I'm afraid. He always could get aggressive, but I've not seen him like that before. Let alone before you. Any orders for me, Talon?"

Talon thinks carefully as Silver returns his gaze onto him, his green eyes adjusting to the dimmer light. Every warrior is allowed some bad days, but usually they have better self-control still. The red eyed leader shakes his head. He will calm down again in due time. More important matters await.

„I want you to pick two younger warriors and another more experienced one to accompany me on a doghunt tomorrow. Kestrel found one near Wraith's border. Ferret and Spider will already come with us, they have yet to earn their claws. As good a time as any."

After letting Silver think for a moment, Talon is surprised to see Silver's whiskers twitch as a small smile grows upon the experienced warrior

„As you wish, Talon. I think I know the right cats for the job. They will be ready to move out by first light tomorrow."

Intrigued but trusting the older cat, Talon nods and dismisses him with a flick of his tail without much further questions. Silver is very calm and down to earth, what could amuse him about the rather mundane task of assembling a patrol for a hunt? Perhaps more things are happening in his faction than Talon knows. Sighing quietly, he hopes that some of those mysteries are positive at least, as he rises from his den. The pain in his skull only slowly abates, but he can't afford a break yet. The clan needs to be fed, the borders secured. Twice the territory means twice the work. Much still to do today.