(And with this chapter now uploaded, the story is up to date. This means there won't be any more bulk posting anymore. As mentionned once before, new chapters will now be uploaded within as short an interval between AO3 and here as possible and there will be a new chapter roughly evers 1-2 weeks. I thank you all for sticking around and please, enjoy the latest chapter)

Talon is greeted, wordlessly, by the respectful nod of Wraith, as he steps to the meeting point in the old twoleg storage den. He returns his fellow leader's gesture before finding his spot to sit, the cats behind him finding their own places, most sitting, a few laying down, fewer still approaching individual warriors of Wraith's faction that approach them in turn. As quiet conversations start among those warriors, Wraith and Talon both remain quietly at their spots, the latter allowing himself a deep nasal breath, the only indication of the stress plaguing his mind currently. No other factions have arrived yet. This along with what Talon knows, appears to him as a clear reason for concern. Ice and Snake have been late and last to arrive a few times, but Wrath? The only time his faction ever arrived late was when he was too injured to come himself. And Granite is usually the first, or at the least second to arrive. Now, out of everyone, they are tardy? Talon can feel the warmth of the sweat dotting the ground under his pads. Could be too early to make assumptions just yet.

For a brief heartbeat, from the corner of his eye, Talon believes to see Wraith inconspicuously observing him from the side. Ever so slightly turning his head and looking over to the white she-cat, it seems as if her gaze has remained unmoved, looking ahead with the faintest hint of boredom, staring at nothing in particular as they wait for the other factions to arrive. Perhaps he was wrong, what reason would Wraith have to keep her eyes on him after all. Or her reactions hopelessly exceed Talon's, the most minute indication of movement having prompted her to look away. Either is possible. With mild frustration, the red eyed leader must confess to himself that anything going on in his ominous neighbouring leader's mind, be it her goals, her motivations, even most of her methods, remain absolute enigma. If he were to approach her about an alliance, would she accept unconditionally or drive her fangs through the top of his skull, or something in the vast spectrum between those two possibilities? He couldn't tell.

His thoughts are interrupted as Wraith suddenly moves, fist one ear flicking back, turned to the entrance of the building, then a slow turn of her head to observe in the same direction. Talon turns his ear in the same direction, though he doesn't register anything for a few heartbeats. Only then does he turn his head to look as well, faint sounds finally registering, the clacking of reinforcing dogteeth on the hard ground. A brief thought of awe arises. One would not think that the a cat of the territory with the iron snake place would have such sharp hearing, noisy as it can be there. Then again, any cat would be a fool to underestimate the cold blue eyed huntress. Moments later at last, a familiar pelt brushes past the sides of the door, making his way towards the other leaders. Harsh green eyes wandering from Talon to Wraith and back, as the large tom advances, his delegation for tonight pouring in behind him.

„Wraith. Talon…"

Wrath's gruff voice seems to faintly soften at Talon, but the dark grey tom could have just as easily just imagined it, as the massive black leader's expression and gaze remain as immovable and cold as steel. Talon nods in greeting.

„Wrath. I am pleased to see you up again."

They can't know for certain what and how much of the situation both Wrath and Granite might speak of tonight. Perhaps it'd be wiser of Talon not to let them know how much he knows. In fact, it might be best to make it seem as though he knows nothing at all for now.

Wrath glances Talon's way as he passes, making his way to his usual spot, roughly opposite from Talon.

„We shall see if that lasts. Granite should arrive any moment now, then we shall begin"

A quiet hum emits from Talon, his head mildly tilted. It is not hard to feign being intrigued by Wrath' words, as the curiosity is real. Keeping it free from any indications of the unsettling feeling, sitting squarely in Talon's gut, proves harder. Aside from insinuations not boding well for the twins, how would Wrath know when Granite arrives? Nothing about this is reassuring. It begins to demand somewhat active attention from Talon to keep his tail from lashing.

Wrath is barely seated, to Talon's surprise not with Abrarc right behind him, but Argent, that more noise already sounds from the entrance. Wrath's cats finding their places, Granite strides into the room with quick, long steps, followed a heartbeat later by his own delegation.

„Apologies for keeping everyone waiting. These are busy times and a few things kept me occupied."

Red eyes fixed on the older leader, Talon scans Granite closely. Though confidence is something one could always expect from the grey, dark flecked tom, the mild grin seeming to solidly stick to his face does little to ease Talon's mind. With quick motions arriving finding himself a place to sit in the circle, he barely waits for Copper to take his place behind him, let alone the rest of his delegation, before beginning in a clear voice, hints of his own mirth undisguised and audible

„We may commence, as all remaining leaders are now present."

„The twins won't come then…"

Wraith's voice, though a fair bit quieter than Granites, seems to echo with the gravity of it's words. Cats from her own faction look around between the leaders, somewhat uneasy, even if Wraith herself remains the very model of composure, not the smallest hint of her train of thought externally noticeable as her cold gaze lingers on Granite. Talon hears some movement behind him as well. Shifting, whispering. They haven't been told, but ever since Kestrel's seeking to report urgent news to Talon, they'd already known that something was up. Noise… Granite seems quite pleased at the small discord he ignited, while the beginnings of a headache begin to form in Talon's head. Pressing his teeth together behind closed lips, Talon all but can feel Scourge's scratch on his chest. He needs to think, consider his words carefully. This noise, it does not help. Nor does seeing Granite's pleasure at sowing disorder among his cats with such ease. The last thing he can afford now is to lose composure, let show that he is on edge as it is. It does not help, so it must CEASE!

With a forceful pull, the squealing, grinding noise of bone against concrete, shriller than it would have been on asphalt, sounds loudly. The echoing, vast and empty room throw the sound back around several times, as voices cease. Attention, of any and all, is drawn to Talon. The many gazes resting upon him keeps his pads sweating, but the background noise is gone. Silence, order. Taking the time of a slow, deep breath, managing to keep himself stone-faced, even if it is with effort, Talon pulls his tail forth and wraps it over his front paws.

„Now that we have order again… I presume you would know because you had a paw in making it so, Grante?"

Granite for a few heartbeats observes Talon, his expression retaking the same grin, but his eyes showing more complex things going on behind the mask. Disappointment that his delightful little chaos has been cut short, anger at it, but certainly surprise. He hadn't expected what must have been a well planned out attempt to sow a bit of unrest to be cut short. Wrath's eyes on the other paw sparkle with amusement for an instant, before he blinks and it's gone as if it'd never been there. His gaze turns to Granite as the older leader clears his throat in preparation of his response

„Ice and Snake were an embarrassment at best and a threat at worst, to all Bloodclan. Even you will have to agree that they needed dealing with. It would have cost a fair few lives for any one of us to just fight our way through to them. But much in the spirit of your ideas, I decided to preserve Bloodclan lives. When Wrath launched his retaliatory attack against them, getting rid of most of their rogues, I found myself invited by some… less than content clanmates from the twins faction."

Talon lets his gaze wander past Granite, to the cats in his delegation. After just a brief search, he finds Rocky and Eel sitting among them, returning the look in silence with determinate eyes. So the faction has ceased to be… the temptation to look over to Wrath's delegation, to try and spot if any of the twins cats are there now as well is considerable, but Talon fights it. If he now noticeably does so, they might consider this a sign that he already suspected their cooperation. No, they don't get to know what all Kestrel's sources got for them. Better to keep them in the dark, keep them underestimating Talon if possible. Considering his words carefully, Talon nods, though a single flick of his notched ear manages to worm it's way past his defences.

„Their faction has ceased then… Then, who holds the territory and warriors now?"

Raising his head pleasely, seeming to notice Talon spotting the newcomers among his followers, Granite turns his head to look back at them.

„Well, it was a joined effort, so the decision was made to share the spoils. Especially after I gave Wrath a… small gift. A show of good will, really"

Keeping the mask from slipping grows only harder for Talon sees the grim amusement in Granite's eyes when at last he turns his head back towards his fellow leaders.

„After all, Wrath has been wronged and in such an honour-less fashion. I was not about to deny him righteous vengeance for Fang, for Wicker, for Echo. And his quarry was elusive… or tried to be"

Wraith nods slowly, ears perked in the direction of Granite of Wrath both.

„The sons of Bone are dead then."

Wrath turns his gaze her way, his silence an answer more louder than any words as he raises one of his paws and taps one of his reinforcing claws against a trophy on his collar. A new one, the bits of leather around the puncture point still jagged and showcasing the typical brown colour that all leather collars seem to have under their outer colouring. His green eyes almost rival the white she-cat's in coldness. As he turns his gaze from her after a few moments, it crosses Talon's. There is no remorse to be found in their depths, no regret. Only the low gleaming embers of what used to be great rage, the flames of which have now been sated for now, smouldering on with the threat of being able to ignite anew should there be any cause. But for now, for now the heat burns low. Lower than usual at least. Leaving no question to his strength, his resolve, Wrath's eyes bear no challenge today. Perhaps even the fierce Wrath can feel some relief when such matters finally find themselves resolved.

Talon's stomach turns. It was always likely that those two would end up having to die, but this does not sound like they fell in battle. This sounds like nothing less than execution. Perhaps deserved, but still the thought dismays the red eyed leader greatly. But even so, there is another matter, for various reasons occupying his mind even more.

„What happened in terms of casualties?"

Granite flicks his tail, looking from Talon over to Wrath, seeming to expect the large leader to answer this one in his stead. Noticing, Wrath lets out a brief huff.

„Mostly rogues. Those that didn't die, ran when it became clear no reinforcements would ever arrive. We did not care to count their carcasses. Reborn got hurt… again. Hush and Sin both fought for fierce vengeance and were injured as well, but none as severely as last time. None in immediate danger. As for the other side…"

He turns his head slightly looking from the corner of his eye into his delegation, finally giving Talon a good excuse to scan the group of cats for any he's recognise from the twins faction, quickly detecting Foam, presumably the one Wrath is looking at. Large in figure and fierce of gaze, the former veteran warrior of the new dissolved faction fits in nigh seamlessly between the warriors of Wrath's group.

„Shed was leading the rogues in the twins stead. She fell. Snook apparently wasn't involved in Granite's conniving and attempted to buy Ice and Snake time."

Wrath's gaze shifts to Granite, narrowed and sparkling with disapproval at the word „conniving". Granite holds the larger leader's gaze, his expression unchanged.

„Did not having to fight the most actual warriors not help you out? If there had been a true battle, you would have way fewer warriors than you do now. And for your aspirations, you need warriors, do you not? And without me, you would not have completed your revenge, not truly. Don't you remember me kindly handing them over?"

His tone remains calm, until the end where the hints of a threat creep into his words, drawing a toothy snarl from Wrath.

„You? You plotted and schemed and used subterfuge. Flame handed over what was mine to claim."

Talon's breath briefly stops, the sweat under his paws running cold enough to give the impression he had frozen to the ground. Flame? That explains how the two couldn't have gotten away. He must have seen hunting down the fleeing twin leaders as a greater challenge than fighting them could have been. And Snook… poor fool. No wonder he did not make it, standing in Flame's way…

Granite gives an indifferent hum at Wrath's remark.

„It happened on my orders. You may consider it whatever you please."

Wrath scoffs, his head raised high

„As if your words and orders mattered. They didn't prevent Flame from tearing Timber's throat out."

Granite's eyes narrow, firing a fierce glare back at the large back furred leader. Apparently not something he'd intended to make known tonight. From the corner of his eye, Talon can see that this information is found to be intriguing even by Wraith, as the white pelted leader slightly tilts her head to ponder this new morsel of knowledge, remaining perfectly silent however. Flame is not a cat that can be ordered, that much is known. He can only be enticed, motivated by the prospect of a challenge, nothing else seems to be able to move the large warrior. And ever since Scourge's death, he's had few truly promising prospects for challenging himself. No doubt he contributes still as little, or even less than he used to back before the clan fractured. Understandable that some cats would get upset at time… although that is but the first possibility that enters Talon's mind. Needless to ask, he'd doubtlessly learn not much more of value about the matter. Granite's tail lashes behind him

„My words, I believe, should matter a great deal, Wrath. Consider my proposal. And consider how well you'd manage without me, nevermind against me. I agree with your wishes, your views. If they truly are what matters most to you, you stand to gain everything. Think on it…"

„Proposal?"

Granite and Wrath both slightly turn their heads at the sound of Talon's voice. Keeping it and his expression calm requires at this point draining amounts of energy. By the time this gathering ends, he'd likely have barely the fortitude left to make it to forest. If even… It might be wiser, though the thought saps what little joy this evening had, his anticipation for the river spot, to let Silver go again tonight. At the current rate of events, Talon will be lucky if he can drag himself into his den.

Granite shakes his head, a small grin arising on him once more

„Nothing for you to worry about just yet, Talon. Time alone will tell"

Wrath briefly looks back at Granite before returning his gaze to Talon, seeming to briefly ponder the situation, before he too shakes his head

„Nothing is decided yet, it is too early to speak of any would or could-be's. Something you too should remember, Granite… I have not agreed to anything yet. Do not act like you've won yet! And if I ever suspect that you would try the same kind of backstabbing as you did with the twins against me…"

A dangerous sparkle enters Wrath's eyes as he peers down at the elder leader, looking down upon him from his full, towering hight

„…then you better be quick to hide in your kit's shadow, and even that won't keep you safe from me."

A moment of tension flares up between the two leaders, although beside Wrath's seemingly reawakened menace, the smaller and old Granite ends up looking horridly outclassed. Not that that in any way lets the old one's fierce retaliatory glare lessen, his straight and proud posture crumble. Granite remains, posture unmoving like an ancient tree, roots growing deep and securing against any force that might try itself against him.

„That is your reports concluded then?"

Talon's ear flicks in surprise as Wraith's quiet voice cuts through the heat of the moment like a well sharpened claw. Wrath and Granite both find their gazes drawn away from each other, turning them to the huntress leader, her own blue eyes seemingly unimpressed wandering from one to the other. As the tension seems to dissipate, a slight feeling of déjà-vu arises in Talon. A heartbeat of silence follows, before Wrath gives a small scoff and lifts one of his paws to groom and clean the long reinforcing claws extending from it.

„The new border runs along the thunderpaths of the narrowest point of Ice and Snake's old territory, to the bridge to the neutral territory. Foam, Burn, Chili, Steam and Rust joined us, the rest went with Granite. That now concludes my report."

Talon nods in acknowledgement. It seems Wrath still won't mention the fallen of the last battle before the other leaders. Nor does he seem inclined to address Argent now sitting by him as second-in-command. It would not be like him to admit to anything that'd indicate any kind of weakness on his faction's side. As far as Wrath knows, only Talon and his faction know of their dead and Talon won't waste what little good will he bought from Wrath by revealing this now, even though it saddens him. Granite nods after a deep breath

„Yes. Rocky, Fidget, Otter and Eel have joined us, food remains manageable, borders both new and old are secure. Not much further to be said. What of you then, Talon?"

Once more, Talon nods, though this time slower. Moments to silence pass as he tries to arrange the right words. Wrath may choose to withhold such matters, just as Granite seemed unwilling to mention Timber's death of his own, and as leaders such might be their right. But Talon will not. The pause and silence only seeming to have build some anticipation for the other leaders, Talon speaks with a clear, but even voice, attempting his best to sound as strictly matter-of-factly as possible.

„We engaged on a venture outside Bloodclan territory to secure food. Our supply, along with the remaining food sources of our territory are now well sufficient to keep us fed the remainder of leafbare. This boon, however, came at a cost. Owl and Wax have committed their honourable sacrifice to enable this for us. Sparrow has been elevated to veteran warrior for his role in the undertaking and Rain is shaping up to be an able healer under Venom's guidance. Beyond that, our borders remain secure and our warriors strong"

A quiet murmur goes through the other factions. Granite flicks one of his ears, before giving a quick and courteous bow, though his eyes show very little care. Wrath takes a moment longer before giving a short bow of his head, though it is slightly deeper than Granite's. As the massive tom raises his head anew, despite the same unmoved expression of displeasure remains upon him, Talon feels like it is closer to being genuine than the other leader's. A brief flicker of sincerity behind the lime green eyes that otherwise yield not their eternal glare. Talon only notices Wraith's bow as her white head arising back from it catches his peripheral vision.

„Condolences. Theirs was an honourable deed."

Head slightly turned in her direction, Talon observes the she-cat. Neither her voice, nor her expression change in even the slightest. The red eyed leader couldn't begin to figure if Wraith's words are meant to be taunting or genuine, or just emotionless politeness. He believes to spot some sympathy in Asphalt's expression, sitting right behind her leader and looking over to Talon and his faction. The second-in-command's warm green eyes far less difficult to decipher than her leader's icy blue ones, but even so, Asphalt's intact ear remaining vigilantly scanning in the direction of the other two tom leaders regardless. Commendable, prudent…

Talon returns a small nod of the head.

„We thank you for your words. Honourable and brave are the only words befitting their selfless act. I hope you and yours fared well in the meantime?"

Wraith's tail sways behind her briefly in the slow and curved motion of a snake, a short heartbeat passing before she turns her head back towards the center of the circle.

„Prey and food are well. The rogues seem restless, but the border remains secure. Further, we confirmed that Moth is pregnant. We presume the kits will be due in time for the beginning of new-leaf"

Wraith's quiet, yet steadily monotone voice fails to diminish to surprise as it hits Talon. Judging by the sudden increase in talking among several factions, the red eyed tom is far from alone in that sentiment. With a brief look through her delegation, he finds Hawk, the father to be, unable to keep himself from growing a proud smile upon his white face, the grey-brown fuzz of his mane only adding to accentuate his expression.

„We extend our congratulations. The beginning of new-leaf would be an auspicious time for kits."

Hawk turns his gaze over to Talon and briefly but gives a visibly appreciative nod, but knows better than to speak aloud among the leaders. Still he receives warm looks from the cats around him, Thunder placing his tail on his shoulder in a show of camaraderie. Talon's eye wanders just a little further, only barely noticing Wraith few quiet words of thanks as his eyes land on Forge. The large ginger tom, father of Grail, of Edge and Lantern, smiles as warmly as the other warriors around him at Hawk, yet Talon can't shake the impression that he very actively avoids looking too far in the direction of Talon's faction. Although, with all the information and feelings of today's gathering, the headache it has by now brought upon Talon he could be imagining it. There is too much to ponder already in either way. Talon's plans for the beginning of new-leaf will need to be reconsidered thoroughly now… if no more ominous matters come to pass before that still. Returning his eyes back to Wrath and Granite, worry grows preeminent in his mind, despite the joyful news from Wraith' faction. She must know it too, no doubt. Wraith may be difficult to evaluate, but she is certainly no fool. This is alarming, to both of them. And it risks getting worse yet…