Blinking against the early sun, Talon quietly hums, sitting upon his wall. The alley only sees the calmly sitting leader, not his tail, hanging off the other side, swishing nervously. Cats gather below, a great patrol. Many pelts, collars of all colours, coming together, reading themselves to head out. Slowly Talon turns his gaze down upon his cats. Kestrel is lying on the dumpster by the wall, overlooking the whole thing, seeming pleased with himself and soaking up what little warmth the sun is willing to give. Mentally, Talon sighs, knowing he can't do so for real. Not today, not now. Any trace of doubt he'd show, the patrol would react to. What they do today is too important. He cannot be the reason this fails, he absolutely can not. If ever Scourge was watching to evaluate his actions, it'd likely be now. With a small scoff Talon shuts his eyes for a moment. Nevermind that now. This isn't just for Scourge, this is for them. As his eyes open again, he beholds the gathered warriors, excitedly chatting, making promises of their return to kin, pacing restlessly for it to begin. An upraising sight from afar, but those closer to the wall unwittingly reveal frightening truth. Clover and Frost, speaking with each other, backs towards the wall, the shape of their ribs faintly visible through their pelts, especially Frost's usually stronger limbs slimmed down from how they were just a few moons ago. They stand relatively strongly still, for now. But how much longer would that last at this rate. With tangible effort, Talon pulls his gaze away, a haunting, quiet panic flaring up in the back of his mind for a few heartbeats, before he manages to silence it again. No, not again, never again! He will not watch them starve.
After quieting his thoughts a bit, Talon leaps down to the dumpster, causing Kestrel to raise his head and look up. A few heads turn at the noise of Talon's impact, Frost among them. The white tom excuses himself briefly from Clover, padding over to the dumpster. Rearing up onto his hind legs, front paws resting against the wall of the dumpster, he looks up at Talon
„We are ready to head out at your orders, Talon."
The red eyed leader nods, looking from Frost out over the rest of the patrol
„Get Sparrow in the front once we start walking. Soon as we're underground, he'll need to take point. We're leaving soon."
Frost nods deeply before pushing himself off, away from the dumpster. With quick steps he makes his way through the patrol to find Sparrow. Kestrel observes the warrior leave for a few heartbeats before turning his head away, his expression difficult to read. Talon observes his second-in-command from the corner of his eye. This drama will need to be mended, or at least silenced enough to no longer be noticeable. Unfortunately, this fails to make itself a priority for now. No quarrelling to worry about if everyone starves, no longer his problem if tomorrow another leader opens his throat and claims his faction. Kestrel still functions as second-in-command, Frost remains an able warrior. For now that will need to suffice.
Leaping down from the dumpster and padding towards the assembled patrol, Talon's thoughts are somewhat interrupted as Grail and Lantern emerge from the group. Lantern bows his head, before sitting down on his haunches
„Greetings, Talon. We about to head out then?"
„Indeed. You two will be with us, I take it?"
Grail nods, her thick tail flicking behind her. Despite the clear excitement in her eyes, it seems the twitches on her right side remain relatively few and minor. Perhaps it's getting better slowly? The thought brings a feeling of warm hope to Talon.
„Edge remains to watch over Lantern's kits and help defend if needed. We are ready to follow you."
Talon looks to Grail. Is this wise? What if something happens? Though the discomfort of thinking clanmates of his could fall if things go badly already lays heavily in Talon's gut, he finds the idea of Grail coming to yet more harm to weigh just as heavily on him in itself. His stare must be reflecting his thoughts, as a look of nigh pleading enters Grail's eyes. No weak, cowering pleading, but strong, confident and most of all hopeful. She wants to prove herself, she wants a chance. That much she deserves, in fact this much Talon can't help but feel he owes her. Slowly the leader nods.
„Very well. I will be counting on you both. But remain cautious. We can't know all the risks we might face, every warrior must remain ready and vigilant at all times"
Though his words are meant for both of them and in fact all others who might be listening around, he finds difficulty in prying his eyes away from the fuzzy russet pelt and shining golden eyes, causing some amount of embarrassment as he finally manages to turn his head away. The two siblings nod in response, Grail's ear flicking in repetition as she then turns away as well. After a brief moment, Talon pads on, through the assembled patrol, soon finding Frost and Sparrow. As the two toms look up, Talon lets his eyes wander ack and forth between them
„We're heading out."
Frost is quick to nod, while Sparrow tilts his head to the side, impatience ringing in his voice
„Where will we enter the sewers? Important detail in all of this"
As Frost looks at Sparrow from the side, making no secret of his failure to appreciate the impertinence of the brown tom's tone of voice. Talon disregards it, turns his head and points his tail in the direction they'd be heading
„There is a decent access point near the lower end of where the border used to be. We'll get in easy enough there. After that, it'll be your turn"
Sparrow nods, thinking for a moment before nodding anew, mostly to himself by the seems of it
„I think I know where you mean. Yeah, should be doable. Alright, let's get going, right?"
Talon looks out into the amassed patrol, a fair few eyes returning his gaze.
„I think they'll grow restless if we don't. LET'S MOVE OUT!"
The dark grey tom's voice rises to a commanding shout, slightly echoing off the walls of the alley. Several ongoing discussions fall silent as Talon turns and strides onward, hearing the patrol moving behind him. The sound of reinforcing claws clacking on the asphalt, shuffling, tiny stones and litter kicked out of the way, quiet talking slowly reviving itself among the ranks. Familiar sounds, a familiar act, moving out in a larger patrol like this. Familiarity muddled and overshadowed by the pressure that much like during their raid on Thunderclan, Talon is not among the mass of warriors, but marching in front, leading, responsible. The only mercy is the mostly snowless ground, leaving not much traces of the red eyed leader's sweating pads.
Padding on for a while, trying to stay as much as possible away from the thunderpaths, preferring alleys and paths the monsters rarely venture with a group this large, the sound of someone approaching rapidly from out of the patrol makes Talon look over his shoulder. Lantern, slender and quick footed, overtakes Frost and Sparrow, reaching the leader's side.
„Something to report, Lantern?"
Lantern shakes his head briefly
„Not to report, really. But there was something I meant to talk to you about."
Talon observes the tom from the side for a moment, not stopping the patrol's motion. Mildly surprising, but not unpleasantly so.
„Sure. It'll be a moment before we get there. What's on your mind?"
The brightly pelted warrior nods, but pauses for a moment, visibly considering how best to address the matter.
„I think we can agree by now that… Grail's thoughts on you are no longer much of a secret."
Despite the palpable caution of Lantern's words, the surprise turns to mild embarrassment for Talon. The red eyed tom actively puts effort into not letting any behind them see. Ears up and forward, tail confidently raised. Keep it up, keep moving on. Lantern chose an odd time to have this kind of conversation. After a few heartbeats, the blue eyed warrior goes on
„And from what we can tell, you're not impartial to her as well"
„Your point?"
Despite the attempt to keep his voice calm, Talon's answer comes a bit too quick to veil his discomfort. Lantern takes another moment to consider his words.
„Edge and I are of course happy to see our sibling happy with her company. As are we for you, of course, we respect you. We wouldn't have followed you were it otherwise. But one thing we just want to make sure, ever since, well, the dog"
Talon slowly nods. He can't quite guess what the concern is, but at the mention of the dog, guilt tints his eyes and feelings. The memory of Grail unmoving on the ground, which had evoked terrible dread at the time, now is nigh haunting. A hum from Lantern pulls Talon back a bit, finding the pale blue eyes of the warrior actively seeking his own.
„This is precisely what I mean. You feel guilty about something you shouldn't. And we, especially I, worry you draw the wrong conclusions. Grail wanted to impress you, but her actions are her own. No matter how things proceed, do not let it be out of a feeling of guilt of the thought that you owe her companionship. I know her, Talon, and it would wound her worse then anything a dog, rogue or twoleg could inflict upon her."
Talon's pace slows a bit as he lowers his head in thought. Slowly blinking, his legs moving forth on their own Talon rakes through his memories, through what he feels. He did bring her food because he felt responsible for what happened. Something more has begun to stir since, but what is it truly that has kept their brief courtship alive? Could he even call it that? He has no idea what he's really doing in regards to the russet she-cat.
„You picked some time to drop that on me, Lantern. We should be focusing on the mission today…"
Lantern lets out a guilty chuckle
„I'm not known for my timing. Truth be told, between the kits and my duties, I haven't had much time to speak up lately. You're right, we should focus on the food for now, just… keep it in mind, please. She's my littermate and I do not want her to suffer. Our family is complicated enough as is"
The butterscotch warrior lets out a sigh, laden heavily with memories, looking somewhat emptily ahead for a moment before looking back at his leader.
„She loves you as a warrior, Talon. Please don't love her back as anything less than that. That's all I wanted to say. Take all the time you need to consider things. We'll follow you either way, all three of us."
„I never doubted your loyalty."
Truthful though they are, Talon's words are noticeably clouded with consideration. Noticing Frost and Sparrow gaining on him, he speeds up again. They probably didn't hear much thus far. Talon would not care to change that. The clan, the faction, may have a claim on him as their leader, but this is not leader's business. This will be for him to ponder, not for them to gossip on or interfere in. Lantern nods, slowly beginning to fall back, sending a warm, appreciative glance towards Talon.
„We all trust you, you know? When we get back you can ponder all that. After we get what we set out for. We know you'll guide us to success. We don't doubt you will, so no need for you to do so."
As the tom let's himself slow, Frost and Sparrow passing him, briefly interrupting a quiet discussion they were having to observe the bright pelt fall back into the main body of the patrol, Talon is left alone at the top again.
Abuzz as it has set his mind, the talk aided in passing time. They are nearly at their access point now. Letting out a deep breath, Talon raises his head again. Difficult it may be, he needs to remain focused. He'll have a lot to work through either way now when they get back. No need to add to it by provoking mistakes. Turning a corner and downward some of the older thunderpaths, not as smooth as the others, but composed of cobbled stones, neatly alined row after row after row, their target comes in sight. An opening, a stream of water, mostly molten snow right now, pouring forth quietly from it. Steel bars are sealing it off from dogs or twolegs, but the ample space between the bars assures it would be no obstacle to any of them. Drawing closer to it, Talon lets out a huff as his nose twitches. The oder is less severe than most other places to access the sewer might be, perhaps because only actual water seems to flow from it, but being connected to the rest leaves none the less an awful aftertaste upon the scent. And it'll only get worse when they move deeper into it.
Talon stops before the gaping access to this place he'd not hoped to ever have to venture into, turning towards the patrol as it increasingly gathers before him. Wary looks wander from many to the tunnel, a fair number strengthening themselves with purpose and determination as they then fall back onto Talon. The last stragglers soon arrive, eyes upon their leader. With a flick of his tail, he summons Frost and Sparrow to his side.
„Sparrow will walk beside me, guiding our direction in there. But the right way will serve us none if we lead ourselves blindly into a swarm of rats or worse. Frost, select one or two cats, stay close to Sparrow and I. You'll lead them forward to scout ahead whenever we embark down a new tunnel, make sure we don't run into dangers."
The white veteran warrior nods, trying to turn, only to be stopped by Talon's long, fuzz tail.
„Only scouting. I don't want anyone, or anything, down there to know of our presence any more than the rogues above us. Proceed in silence and any danger spotted, you report it immediately."
Talon's words are firm, masking the worry behind them. They know little of the sewers. Too little. Risks could spiral out of control too easily if they are careless. Could cost them all dearly. The knot of wariness in Talon's gut lightens a little at Frost's renewed nod, amber eyes dead serious.
„Understood."
„Good…"
As Talon's tail pulls back, Frost hurries over to the rest of the patrol to take his pick. Left alone with Sparrow, the red eyed tom looks over to their guide to be.
„We're depending on you a lot for this, Sparrow. You are certain you can find us the right way?"
The brown tom looks up from drawing a few grooming licks over his mane, mild annoyance flickering in his eyes
„I will, I said I would."
Talon nods slowly, turning his head to look into the looming dark of the sewer
„If you do this well, you'll do a great service to the faction and the clan. A service, I don't intend on forgetting once we're back"
One of Sparrow's ears locks on to Talon, a brief moment of interest flashing in his eyes.
„We'll get there and back. All that's left is to do it. Can't say I look forward to the smell though"
A mildly amused scoff escapes Talon, Frost already returning with Lantern and Wax by his side
„No kidding. But… we do what must be done. Let's go."
At the return of the former second-in-command, Talon gives the white tom a nod towards the sewer. Without another word, the three cats designated to scout on move past between the steel bars and into the sewer, Talon slowly walking in after them, with Sparrow at his side and the rest of the patrol following. Talon at them over his shoulder.
„Stick together! No lingering in the back. Only together we're strongest. Alone we may well get lost."
Slowly, they proceed onwards. The smell worsens quickly, but it seems warmer than outside. Padding along the small stream running past them, Frost and the other scouts soon returning.
„Clear till the next cross section, not far ahead."
The grey leader gives a curt nod of acknowledgement
„Good. We'll proceed this way each tunnel we enter. How long about till we might get there?"
Talon turns his head to Sparrow. The brown tom hums, eyes remaining focused down the dim tunnel
„Getting there, walking straight, would be perhaps till barely before sunhigh. Twists and turns down here, no doubt it'll be longer. Don't think we'll be back before well after sundown."
Besides a small hum, Talon gives no further response. Not ideal, but to be expected. Still, remaining together, remaining watchful, it seems doable. Not much light down here anyway most likely, so it'll not hamper their way back much. His jaws pressed tightly against each other, Talon leads the way forth with Sparrow. They'll make it. They have to.
The passage of time turns difficult to keep track of, down here. It wasn't long after entering that the tunnels mostly leading water outward opened up to the less savoury wider sewers. Wandering on beside streams of murky waters, dirt and things difficult to even recognise, more than once is it heard that someone in the patrol wretches. The scent of this place is beyond abysmal, foul and mouldy, putrid in a dozen different ways. To Talon's surprise, there are some twoleg lights here and there in he wider sections. The stone paths are slick and disgusting, but at least it's less likely someone missteps and falls into the horrid stream. Talon makes a mental note to walk through any little patch of snow or grass he can when they get back out in their territory. Cleaning his paws is bound to leave a stomach heaving taste in his mouth for a while either way, any chance to lessen that would be beyond welcome. Still, a certain satisfaction has since arisen, quelling his worries a bit. So far things have gone smoothly. They may not advance as quickly as they could, but all remains fine for now. Down some tunnels, the noise of rats has been heard, but all were avoided thus far. Focused on his work, his mind visibly at work, Sparrow remains very quiet beyond pointing the way each time they come upon a new spot where the tunnels split. Moths in flight let the bit of light the twoleg lights seem slightly flickering and there are enough cobwebs in some parts to fill the healer's den twice over. Still, progress, continuous progress.
His thoughts cease as Talon happens upon Frost, Lantern and Wax again, the three waiting where the tunnels split once more. Sparrow briefly looks at the paths ahead, pointing towards one and pressing on. Frost and Wax move on ahead, but Talon halts, seeing Lantern hesitating, casting a look down another tunnel.
„What's wrong?"
Startled a bit by Talon's words, Lantern shakes his head.
„I'm not sure. Sparrow, where do you think this one leads?"
He points down the tunnel he'd been eyeing. Sparrow lets out a grunt, making no secret of his displeasure at being disturbed in his work and focus.
„You see there's a curve ahead down there. It leads back into the territories. If it goes mostly straight after that, somewhere under Kestrel's or Wraith's territory."
Frost stops, looking back.
„Talon's territory now, Sparrow"
„Don't you start…"
The annoyance behind Sparrow's grumble is emphasised by his lashing tail. Talon shakes his head at the two before turning back to Lantern.
„Why? Heard something down that way?"
Lantern again hesitates briefly, tilting his head as if questioning himself
„No, not heard… but I thought I caught a scent. A somewhat familiar one…maybe I'm wrong"
„Would be surprised if you could distinguish any scent at all. Greatest filth of all twoleg place down here…"
Owl grumbles, trying to wipe his nose with the back of his paw, the rest of the patrol arriving, never far behind Talon. Lantern nods with a thoughtful expression.
„Maybe. Doesn't make much sense anyway"
Talon flicks his ear
„What did you think you smelled anyway? We don't know what all could be down here."
Raising his gaze to Talon or a few heartbeats before looking back down the tunnel, the butterscotch tom flicks his tail a few times
„I thought… it was Brick's scent. But that's not really possible, right? Brick left, either dead or a long way from Bloodclan's territory by now."
Interest sparkles in Talon's eyes at the mention of such a reminiscent name. Mutters, whispers and quiet conversation go through the patrol. He hadn't seen Brick among the dead in the Dark Forest, so he may still be alive. But as Lantern says, he left with a pawful of others when the clan began to splinter. He'd always assumed he went somewhere far off, maybe tried to make his own, new Bloodclan in another twoleg place. Why would he remain so close by still? The journey too dangerous? Why not at least let the clan know he's still somewhere around? If he's indeed alive dow here, he must have survived for a long time in these dank tunnels. No one ever reported noticing his scent again on the surface.
„Talon!"
His train of thought is interrupted by Sparrow's voice
„We're losing time. We still got a way to go."
Looking down the tunnel from which Lantern reported the scent, Talon remains still for a few heartbeats, before letting out a mildly annoyed growl. Yes, they are wasting time. The clan is thinning, cats are hungry. No matter how much this intrigues him, the priority today remains clear. For today at least. He nods and resumes on his way.
„We might look into that another time. We need to keep going, Lantern. And we still need the path ahead secured"
After one last inquisitive look, Lantern turns towards Talon again, giving a deep nod an bounds to catch up with Frost and Wax, whom have already advanced a bit further down the way. Curious as lantern is, this is not likely to let go of him anytime soon. Although, Talon has to admit to himself that he is no less interested. Brick basically founded Bloodclan beside Scourge and Bone. One of the very first Bloodclan cats, a cat he'd seen and spoken to many times before the forest. If anything, Brick would have had the most solid claim to become the next leader out of everyone… before he left. Annoyance boils in Talon's mind that he can not find out if Lantern was right or not right now. But nothing can come before today's mission. They need the food, urgently. Only that can matter now. And they are getting there. He won't watch these cats hunger and starve. There can only be success, nothing else can be allowed. He'll do what must be done. Scourge will see that he understands, even if others don't. Not because the former leader wishes it, but because Talon has to. Onward he walks, with his scouts before him and his patrol behind him, into ever deeper tunnels.