This is it [Change in Leadership]

Sparrow was dead.

Lark had known it before anyone, having traveled with her to collect herbs in the Stone Steppe. Everything had happened so suddenly, giving neither of them a chance to properly react, but it was Sparrow that had been attacked first and he hadn't been able to do anything to stop it. Or, he couldn't keep the thoughts from forming in his head, maybe I could've done something to save her. Maybe it really is my fault after all. He couldn't keep these thoughts from assaulting him, barraging all his senses and rendering him almost completely stunned, unable to comprehend what had happened - or what he was supposed to do now.

Once he was certain she was gone - though he knew little about healing, he had no doubt in her mind that nothing could help her. No, she was gone before anyone could so much as react, and after finding her Lark didn't have the heart to return to Abaven. Not right away, at least. Surely his children would notice his absence, though he couldn't stay out long. He needed to check on Lillie. He was returning home not only with bad news, but with no herbs for her, either. How ironic, that she had died trying to help the one wolf she disliked most in this world - or had she truly hated Lillie? Lark decided it didn't matter much anymore,

Somehow, Archon had found Sparrow even before he had returned, and his call was a clear announcement of her departure. He'd already been heading back to Abaven's lands, and he dragged his paws with each step, approaching the gathering silently. His head hung sullenly, not bothering to acknowledge anyone here. The scents were familiar, and very briefly his eyes found Shaye, someone he remembered from his childhood but didn't know much of. Why was she back? Was she only returning because she'd caught wind of Sparrow's death?

He only caught the tail end of the conversation that was happening, but bit his tongue and let the hurt and anger stew inside of him like a unpredictable storm slowly brewing. "It's not worth the argument," he snapped suddenly at Peggy, wishing he could feel anything besides the overwhelming grief that threatened to topple him over. He felt powerless to its effects, and his voice trembled. "Sparrow wouldn't have wanted us arguing like a spoiled whelps, so let it be. Let the man go if that's what he's doing. Fuck it." Lark could only assume that he was leaving, based on what Arpeggio had said, and he was far too tired to figure it all out - and he was reminded suddenly of Peggy's mother scolding him in a similar way, once upon a time, but instead of feeling nostalgic he simply felt nauseous over the memory. Oh, what he wouldn't give for life to be that simple again. "Vaffanculo," he shot finally, matter-of-factly, in Archon's direction an with a sneer before his hazy gaze focused back on the dirt at his paws.