[IC] Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

[EliteCommander]

Despite Gallus speaking to her, Ri'vashi kept looking straight ahead towards Kaleeth and Newt. Her breathing was unsteady, and if Gallus was perceptive, he might notice her hands trembling. Again, she only gave a short, soft response. "It's not discomfort, it's that...just...not here, okay? Not now. After it's over."

Meanwhile, Kaleeth carefully poured the sap into the bowl. There was not much of it; just enough to fill up the bottom of the bowl. Any more would be far too much for a child; after all, the ceremony only normally called for a single lick of the sap. She handed it to Newt, who looked somewhat confused and surprised from the fact that such a small amount of sap could be so important.

"Please drink, son." Kaleeth instructed.

It took a few moments for Newt to get the viscous sap to the edge of the bowl, but it was only a few moments after the sap touched his tongue that he started to feel its effects, which, for him, were bizarre. The only time he had ever heard the voice of the Hist in his mind was when he was in Thorn a few years prior, but it was faint then. Granted, his current distance from Black Marsh meant that it was fainter than it could be, but the ingestion of the Hist sap made the Hist's voice much more pronounced in his mind. He heard them speak, not in anything that could be recognized as words, but yet something he could still understand. It was feelings, emotions, and an overall sense of presence. He felt like he was not alone inside his own mind, though there were no other distinct voices other than his own.

Back on her own Naming Day, Kaleeth remembered receiving a vision so strong from the Hist that she fell off of her feet. Sadly, Newt was not having the same kind of experience, but it was clear from the way he was acting that he was hearing something. Once he seemed more aware of his surroundings, Kaleeth stepped forward once more and accepted the bowl back from him. "You have become part of the root, son. You are connected to every other Saxhleel in the world. You are no longer a nameless hatchling; your name is Kaj-Julan."

Kaleeth's smile was the widest it had been since she had first seen her son hatch. She could not think of a name whose meaning was more fitting for her son.

[Muttonhawk]

Gallus nodded and looked ahead. "As you wish," he said casually. He remained by Ri'vashi's side and kept his attention on the ceremony. We was mildly worried but chose not to show it.

The ceremony was a curious sight for the onlookers. It was not filled with chanting and incense, or long prayers, or sacrifices to gods that some might have expected. It was merely Newt's reaction to the sap. It was odd, even worrying at points. However, Newt seemed neither in pain or particularly distressed.

After Kaleeth giving the name, some clapping was started by an Argonian parent present, which then spread to the rest of the group.

Janius couldn't help but show his teeth at Kaleeth's happiness. But he reminded Kaleeth with a hand on her shoulder. "Tell everyone what that translates to. We can show everyone why our son has such a name."

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth turned her head briefly to Janius with a small measure of surprise. "Oh, yes, right. Well, the direct translation to Cyrodilic for Kaj-Julan's name is a bit awkward. 'Ample Benefit,' or perhaps 'Giant Benefit.' Saxhleel names never seem to have the same beauty in this language. But, but what his name means, what it is meant to show, is all of the wonderful good he has done for me and Janius. For our whole pack. How he is simply a treasure to our family. I could not even think of living a life without our son. He is a wonderful boy with a wonderful heart, and there is no better name for him." She explained to the crowd watching. Newt, now Kaj-Julan, did not mind the attention, but the shower of compliments from his mother did cause him to become noticeably anxious.

Regardless of her son's reaction, Kaleeth recognized that she would probably need to give their guests more direction on what to do next. "Anyways, this would normally be the time that we started on the feast in my village, so we should probably eat."

Ri'vashi did clap, but she could not bring herself to do so with any real enthusiasm. As Kaleeth was suggesting that they start their meal, she was regretting her decision to join them to begin with. She was already in the back of the crowd, so she found it easy to slip away back into the mushroom forest, out of sight. It was difficult to tell if she was even looking for Gallus to follow her.

[Muttonhawk]

Once the time to eat had been announced, Janius turned and knelt to face Kaj-Julan with the same proud smile he had before. "Congratulations...Kaj-Julan. It is wonderful to watch you grow." Janius gently pulled him into a hug. "I'm sure you will be and ample benefit to everyone. You're a big-hearted boy, you know that?" Janius moved Kaj-Julan away and held him by the shoulders. His smile evened and he looked into Kaj-Julan's eyes curiously. "Did you see or hear anything interesting when you tasted the sap?"

The group began to shuffle and murmur as the pack helped hand out food and drink.

Ri'vashi's movement caught Gallus' eye. He spun on a heel to watch her until it was clear that she was pacing away in a rush. To that, he unclasped his hands and jogged to catch up. "Hey, you aren't staying to eat?"

By that point, she had obscured herself from the eyes of the crowd. Gallus briskly walked whether she answered or not. Once they were both out of sight and stopped, Gallus gave Ri'vashi a concerned look, craning his neck. "Are you alright, Ri'vashi?" He asked with no trace of teasing.

[EliteCommander]

Kaj-Julan was glad when everyone started to focus more on finding places to sit and eat than paying attention to all the praise he was getting. Janius' hug allowed him to focus on something else. Though, he could not answer his father's question without some uncertainty and confusion on his part. "Um, well...I think so. It was like voices...but not voices. They weren't talking, but I think I understood them. I still think I might hear them a little bit, like...like someone whispering to me from really far away. Is it normal? Did I do everything right?"

Ri'vashi stopped once she heard Gallus walking after her. She closed her eyes, standing in silence for a few moments before falling back against one of the taller glowing mushroom trees. She looked like she was going to collapse, or perhaps burst into tears, at any moment. "It was stupid of Ri'vashi to try to come out here. She didn't want to...make anything seem wrong. She didn't want to detract from an otherwise good day; the Champion's pack have earned that. But...oh by Hircine, Gallus, Ri'vashi can hardly even think straight right now. She, she got a letter and...Gallus, it was hit. There was an attack, the...Orcrest clan was hit. It's all gone, Gallus. Just...gone."

[Muttonhawk]

"I believe so," Janius brought one palm up to Kaj-Julan's cheek. "That'll be the Hist. You're hearing it just like your mother. As long as you hear it, you don't ever have to be afraid of being alone."

Gallus thought he had an idea of what was on Ri'vashi's mind. When he found himself mistaken, he was struck dumb and the blood drained from his face. All of a sudden, the forest closed in on his perception. His brow lowered. "Gone?" he breathed in disbelief.

His head darted to the floor beside him. "How di-...how is that possible? They wer-...How could they have found them?" His eyes darted around and were caught on Ri'vashi's face. In the shock, it had passed his mind that this was more than just a devastating loss for her. "Oh..." Gallus' expression softened. "Oh, Ri'vashi, I..."

Gallus finally closed his mouth and stepped up to Ri'vashi, bringing his arms around her torso. "I'm so sorry," he whispered with wide eyes.

[EliteCommander]

"Mamma hears it too? That's good. I didn't know what it was. They didn't say my name, though. My, um, new name. Did you or Mamma give me my name? Why wasn't Newt a good name?" Julan asked, though as he spoke, his eyes started drifting over towards Rhazii and his other friends. They looked like they were just about to eat, and getting their selection of the different foods on-hand.

As much as Ri'vashi had tried to collect herself, Gallus' reaction was all she needed to let loose her own emotions. While he was hugging her, she allowed herself to slide down the mushroom tree to sit on the ground, her back propped up against its stalk. She was fully in tears by this point, and she could not bear to maintain eye contact. There were yet more details to the news, and she hoped for some benefit by sharing them. "There were...some survivors. Many non-combatants got out through the escape tunnel, made it into the desert. But our warriors...there wasn't nearly enough antidote for everyone. They couldn't do anything against the gas, and they couldn't hold long enough for everyone to get out. The reason we know about it is because of the survivors, but there were so many lost...there is no Orcrest clan anymore. Just refugees. Don't even know where they can flee to. The Torval clan will take any who can make it to them, but they are still re-building themselves, and already they're being pressed into hiding by the enemy. They may have to flee into Valenwood. The enemy's hold over Elsweyr is getting absolute."

[Muttonhawk]

Janius chuckled. "Mamma and I had the same question on our minds. The thing is, a newt is just a little lizard, like you were as a hatchling." Janius tickled Kaj-Julan on the belly briefly. "But Argonians get a name on their naming day that suits how they are growing. You've grown into a kind and big-hearted child. Your mother came up with your name and it suited you."

Janius turned his head to look at where Kaj's eyes were wandering. "Come, let's get some food and you can join your friends." Janius stood up, taking his son by the hand. "It's a special day today, so you have some cake first if you like."

As Ri'vashi slid down the tree, Gallus readjusted his arms to that she could cry into his shoulder. He held his arms around the back of her neck, stroking her sympathetically.

Knowing the sheer volume of emotion Gallus himself felt when he lost his own packmates, or had them injured, the empathy he felt for Ri'vashi losing almost all of her clan made him start to well tears up in his eyes. He did not quite cry, instead he focussed on Ri'vashi's words.

"If there were survivors, that much is at least something to hold on to." Gallus said quietly. "I am sure other clans can take them in."

Gallus stayed silent, comforting Ri'vashi for a while longer. He wanted to give her all the time she needed, but with such important news, he eventually pulled back and looked Ri'vashi in the eyes. His voice was soft but serious. "Look, this is big. I can't imagine that it will be easy to think right now, but we need to do something about this." Gallus glanced over in the direction of the ceremony and back to Ri'vashi. "I can go and tell Meesei now, she can organise a meeting immediately. Kaleeth and Janius will understand, I'm sure."

Returning to a tender tone, Gallus tightened his grip on Ri'vashi's shoulder. "Are you going to be okay?"

[EliteCommander]

Julan's face lit up. "Really? Mamma said there would be sweets, but I can have them before dinner?" He remarked, practically skipping alongside Janius as he walked with him over to his friends. He ran up and dropped down to sit next to Rhazii, as per usual. The bags carrying their food had been untied and laid out among the group, allowing everyone to eat as they saw fit. Predictably, his eyes went to the sweetcake among the desserts. "Can I have a piece of that?" He asked, pointing to it.

Ri'vashi, overall, was receptive to Gallus' attempts to comfort her. Currently, he was the only other person in the clan that knew of the news she bore, apart from the messenger that had carried it all the way from Elsweyr. As such, his was the first sympathy she had received. However, once he suggested telling Meesei, Ri'vashi started shaking her head.

"No, no...that won't help anything. Ri'vashi almost told her right away, but it wouldn't do any good to interrupt the celebration. They deserve the time to be happy together. We have a meeting scheduled for this evening anyway, and this one can just tell the whole council then. Ri'vashi wants to help what's left of her clan; she is going to help what is left, but it will take weeks, or longer, to do anything for them. This happened over a month ago as it is; a few hours isn't going to do anything. Ri'vashi just...this is like every nightmare she has ever been fearing. This is why she shouldn't have left her home. She could have led them better, helped them survive. Ri'vashi failed everyone she loved. Her father would be ashamed of her."

[Muttonhawk]

Janius was amused at Julan's excitement. "Of course," he said, squatting down and cutting the cake. He gave Julan a generously sized piece of the cake.

"Newt gets sweetcake before eating his vegetables?" Rhazii asked after confirming that was he was seeing was real. He tugged on Janius' leggings. "Can I have some, too, uncle Janius?"

Janius raised his brow at Rhazii. "You'll have to ask your mama and dada, Rhazii." He raise a finger. "Remember, your brother's name is Kaj-Julan now. Not Newt."

"Oh, sorry," Rhazii said quickly, before sticking his food between his teeth to hold it and scrambling up to go and ask Ahnasha for cake.

---

"Ri'vashi, that's unfair," Gallus shook his head. He understood that no immediate action would help at this stage, but her guilt was not justified in his mind. "You're a tactical genius, but even you couldn't have helped. You would have died in there and everyone needs you here." Feeling that his words weren't enough, Gallus curled his lips and exhaled.

Another idea came and he lifted Ri'vashi's chin with his curled forefinger. "Listen." He interrupted himself and blew out a sigh from his nose. He was still shaken by the news and was tripping over himself. "Answer me this; what would your father really think of you now? Sincerely? After how well you have lead the war -- after all the lives you have saved from here by your decisions? You once told me that he had his own demons, that he couldn't save everyone either. Don't think that he could be ashamed. In grief, like you? Certainly. Ashamed?" Gallus shook his head. "Impossible."

[EliteCommander]

Ahnasha was close by, so Rhazii did not have to go far to present his question to his mother. Ahnasha was generally strict and disciplined with him, but she was also fair. She stuck to the rules she created, but this would not be the first time she made a specific exception for him. "Well, seeing as this is a celebration, little one, you have my permission to eat what you like. But, don't go expecting this to change any rules. This is for special occasions only."

Julan grabbed up his sweetcake the moment it was cut for him, to the envy of those friends whose parents were not quite as generous. Regardless, their regular dinner contained some treats of its own. Chaurus meat and eggs were staples of the clan, since they were convenient to raise underground. So, meats like mutton and beef were more of a rarity, seeing as there was little reason to raise other livestock. Aside from the psychological factor of eating giant insects, there had been few complaints about the taste of the chaurus meat, but the steaks and lamb chops they had brought with them today provided some welcome variety in their diet.

Julan gave some curious looks to his friends. "Is anyone else getting a new name, or is it just me?"

An Argonian girl, the daughter of the only other Argonian parent among the group, raised up her hand. She was about a year younger than Julan, but unlike him, her more traditional parents had not given her any nickname to go by during her early years. Still, her friends found other ways to refer to her. "I'm getting a name next year. I guess I'll have a big celebration too."

---

Ri'vashi looked away. "You don't know what Ri'vashi could have done." She responded, though she did not have the energy to continue to put into arguing against Gallus' points. Questioning her about her father did cause her to at least stop and think about him, but at least at first, it was difficult to tell if that would actually have a positive effect on her.

"He might not be ashamed. Maybe. But that still doesn't change that Ri'vashi lost everything he built. She inherited his greatest work and let it be...smashed into nothing. All the people Ri'vashi grew up with, she has no idea which of them are even still alive. If any. Even if coming up here wasn't a mistake, Ri'ashi still could have helped. She could have gave them more forces, or told Saras to dedicate more gold to their spies. We knew the enemy had been operating in Elsweyr, we knew they would be searching for them. There was certainly something we could have done." Ri'vashi reached up her hands and ran them down the front of her face. "What does Ri'vashi have to do to stop this enemy?"

[Muttonhawk]

Janius had served Rhazii just as big a piece of cake by the time the nameless girl talked. He bit into his sweetcake and spoke through his mouthful, launching a few crumbs in front of him. "Bring rots o' cake! We'll all come, dff if grea'!"

---

Gallus looked around at the various giant mushroom stalks. Words came to him eventually. "If it wasn't the Orcrest clan, Ri'vashi, it would have been another. I know you have been doing what you can with the resources we have." He paused. "It doesn't bring them back, nothing will. But...we have to fight. Like we have for years now."

All of a sudden, Gallus' voice became more resolute. "There'll be a lucky break, somewhere. Perhaps even as a result of showing their hand at Orcrest. Something that'll turn this around. I have a good sense for this stuff. And even if we don't find it for another decade..." Gallus bent forward just enough to be at Ri'vashi's eye level. He had a stone face, cracked by a tear that had escaped his red eyes and left a wet line down his cheek. "None of us are going to stop fighting."

[EliteCommander]

Ahnasha was, naturally, sitting with Fendros, just across from Janius and Kaleeth. Rhazii was with Kaj-Julan and the other children having their meals, though they would probably be running around playing just as soon as they were finished. They were in a safe enough area, so Ahnasha felt no need to keep a particularly close eye on him. He was getting old enough that she could trust him to be at least a bit more independent. Certainly, if he was going to learn, she would have to give him the freedom to make a few mistakes.

Although, as Ahnasha's mind went to Rhazii's growing maturing, the matter of aging once again found its way into the forefront of her mind. Leaning back onto her hands, she closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "I really need to hurry." She muttered, though Fendros was perfectly within earshot.

---

Ri'vashi stared straight ahead. At this point, her voice was wavering as she spoke, making her seem chocked up. "We are always fighting. We'll always be fighting. There's nothing else to do but fight."

Tilting her head down, Ri'vashi let out a long, soft, shuddering breath. "Maybe one day we'll accomplish something with it." She added before leaning herself up against Gallus, as he was doing to her. For the moment, she just wanted to rest in silence and try not to think too much about the future.

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros was quietly confused by Ahnasha's words. He looked over his shoulder at her and asked. "Hurry where? Have you got an assignment today? I thought you said you were free for the naming day."

So caught up in the celebration was Fendros that mortality was hardly on the forefront of his mind.

---

Leaning the side of his head against hers, Gallus resumed his embrace of Ri'vashi. He rocked them both gently from side to side, letting Ri'vashi pour out her grief and shock.

"You know, I can't imagine your burden," Gallus murmured by Ri'vashi's ear. "I never lead a clan, I never directed a campaign..." He took a deep breath and sighed. "...I hope that what has happened to you won't befall anyone else, let alone myself. Even so, I want you to remember that we're here for you. I'm here for you, to support you. Even with what you've lost, you're not alone, Vashi." Gallus pat a hand on Ri'vashi's back and held her a little tighter. "You're not alone."

[EliteCommander]

"Huh, oh, no." Ahnasha responded in confusion, as she had not actually intended to speak to Fendros. She was more exclaiming her frustrations to herself. Regardless, it was a topic she had been meaning to talk to him about, though not necessarily in a public setting. "I was just noticing how much Rhazii has grown, and...I really feel that I need to bring my, uh, research project to completion. I'm not getting any younger; if I don't dedicate myself more to it soon, there won't be any more time to wait. I need..." She began, pausing as she brought her voice down to a whisper. "Souls. Many of them."

---

Ri'vashi did not have much of a response for Gallus. He was not wrong, and she knew consciously that she would have as much support as she needed from all of those close to her, but the sting of her loss was still too fresh for it to go away. Slowly, she lifted herself up, using the glowing muchroom's stalk as a support while she brought herself to her feet. "Ri'vashi thinks she needs to rest. Just lay down for a while."

Ri'vashi took only a few steps towards the city before looking back towards Gallus. "But...thank you, Gallus."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros stared for a moment, blinked, looked down, and leaned back on his hands. "We can only get so many from our missions," Fendros whispered back. "And the more time we're out there..." Fendros trailed off an knitted his brow at Rhazii. He was laughing at something Julan had said.

Fendros turned his worried look to Ahnasha. "We are already absent more than I would like from our son's life. These missions. I know that this will take a lot of work, but Rhazii isn't getting any younger either. I don't want you to miss out on him growing up by shutting yourself away too long for your research. He'll miss you."

Looking ahead, Fendros lifted his knees and considered Ahnasha's words. "How many? What kind?"

---

Gallus let his arms slide free as Ri'vashi stood up. He didn't give her any more words. His frowning, tear-streaked face gave one firm nod and watched her leave.

Several seconds after Ri'vashi was out of sight, Gallus took a couple of stumbling steps backwards, landing his back against the mushroom stalk Ri'vashi had been leaning on. He slid down to the ground, his knees bent and pointed upwards. His face fell into his hands and he let out all the air in his lungs through pouted lips. Holding his breath, his eyes emerged from above his fingers, reddened once again. Some faces of people he knew in the Orcrest clan flashed in his mind and his next breath came in sharply.

He didn't rejoin the celebration for another ten minutes.

[EliteCommander]

Ahnasha hesitated as she looked around at the people around them, many of whom were not part of their pack. "We should go for a swim I think, dear. Is sounds fun; relaxing." She said at a more average conversational volume. Seeing as no one was finished with their meals, Ahnasha suspected that no one would be joining them for at least a short time.

Ahnasha left Fendros little room for argument when she grabbed his hand and stood up to guide him away, towards the nearest river. She kept her eyes straight forward, facing away from the group behind them. "I don't need any more research. Marcaille said I know everything I need to know; I can extend my life. I know the process inside and out, and I have practiced it on some short-lived creatures. The concept is no different for a person. All I need now is the resources to accomplish it. Unfortunately, it requires a...hefty investment at first. A few dozen black souls. That's what I need. With that kind of soul energy, I can initiate the process. There may be more efficient methods out there, but I don't know them. I'll also need a fresh black soul occasionally to maintain the...I guess you'd call it an enchantment. Fortunately, I'll only need one every few years once it is started. I know that doesn't sound like too many souls, but I'll need a few dozen black soul gems to begin with, which is a pain in and of itself. Then I'll need people to fill them, but I can't just take someone's soul in front of any random warrior from the clan. I need to be able to do it discretely. It could take a long time, and..."

Breathing out a sigh, Ahnasha stopped once they reached the river and took Fendros' hands in hers. "I'm almost in my thirties, Fendros. I know it might be hard for you to really get a sense of my timeframes, but...Dunmer live for over a thousand years on the high end, right? That means I would be, what? Almost in my three hundreds? Strictly speaking, you are older than me, yes. But, in terms of my body, you can basically consider yourself married to a three hundred year old woman. Every year that I don't perform the ritual is like losing ten years with you."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros looked at his hands. "I had hoped it wouldn't take such a large sacrifice," he said. His eyes turned up to Ahnasha. "We are in a war, though. It doesn't have to take too much longer if planned right. We can find those souls, I'm sure. The average warrior doesn't even know what a soul trapping looks like." Fendros pursed his lips. "It's afterwards that I am more concerned about. You're going to have to find someone to murder every few years? How are you going to do that?"

There was the matter of Ahnasha's age, but Fendros wouldn't address that over his other concerns unless pressed to.

[EliteCommander]

Ahnasha crossed her arms defensively, though quickly realized that she probably should be getting undressed if she wanted to sell the illusion that she actually wanted to swim. "It's not murder if they attack me. Besides, if we do survive this war, we kill people all the time. It's just a part of our lifestyle. The world will never run out of bandits, highwaymen, or other scum, and it won't be hard to find them if we ever go back to living in the wilds."

Once undressed, Ahnasha turned and took a few steps into the water. It was certainly cool, but not unbearable. "And, well, white souls can...technically work. It just takes a lot more of them, unless they are grand white souls, but those are even harder to come by than black souls."

[Muttonhawk]

Taking Ahnasha's cue, Fendros began to strip down to swim. "I just fear that there may be times where we are forced to take an innocent life for all this." He shook his head lightly. "I don't want it to come to that."

Fendros stepped into the water after Ahnasha and took her hand, looking down at it and holding it between his palms. "What kind of things carry grand white souls? The enchanters here have more gems than they know what to do with, thanks to the mines here."