Kaleeth had spent some time talking with Thorantilth, with predictable results. He did not wish for her to leave the village. He did say that all Saxhleel have a path the Hist desires for them, and sometimes that path leads away from home, but in his opinion, she was just young and overcome with emotion. He felt that her desire to leave was not brought on by the Hist's will, but her own desires. She had to admit, he might be right. Maybe she was just being stupid in wanting to abandon her home, but she was still going to talk to others and get as much advice as she could before making a decision. 

It was late when Kaleeth returned to the common hut, long after Janius and his friends had gone to sleep. She could have gone to sleep herself, but she could not bring herself to sleep just yet. As quietly as she could, Kaleeth knelt down beside Meesei and gently shook her awake. [i]"Sorry, but can I talk to you Meesei? It is very important."[/i] She asked sincerely.

Any irritability Meesei might have had at being awoken was erased when she saw Kaleeth's concerned expression. As soon as she came to her senses, Meesei sat up and nodded as she rubbed her head. [i]"What is it, Kaleeth?"[/i]

[i]"It is...important. Can we talk outside?"[/i] She asked, rubbing her hands together nervously. 

Meesei could guess about which topic she wished to discuss if it meant speaking away from others, so she nodded silently, then followed her outside. The nighttime air was humid and warm, as it always was in the marsh. The moons were not out, so the area was blanketed in thick darkness. Kaleeth walked slowly, though her familiarity with the area let her find a good place to talk.

[i]"Meesei, I...have questions for you, about...me and Janius. I have been dreading the day you are leaving, and I was wondering...if I should leave with you. If I should become a werewolf?"[/i] Kaleeth asked nervously. 

Meesei responded in a firm tone. [i]"Kaleeth, embracing lycanthropy is no simple action. It requires that you join your spirit to that of a beast, it requires you bind your soul to the Hunting Grounds of Hircine. It requires you embrace a beast that can take control of your mind away from yourself if you cannot control it. Most of all, it requires you abandon everything you know. Your family, friends, the village, all of which you would never see again, in this life or the next. That is the gravity of this choice."

Kaleeth lowered her head. [i]"I know, Janius told me all of that. I know how much of a sacrifice it would be...which is why I am wanting to learn about it. Even knowing all of that, even knowing all I will have to give up, there is still a part of me that believes it is what is best for me. I just want to know everything I can about it, so I can make the best choice. I want to know what the Hist's path for me really is. Do you believe the Hist want this path for you?"[/i]

Meesei paused for a moment. That was a question she had asked herself for years. When she first left her village, it was because she felt she was growing stagnant by merely surviving. Recent events, however, had made her question if there really was a greater purpose to it, if there was something she was doing away from the Hist that she could not do otherwise. She did not know, however, so she could not answer Kaleeth's question with certainty. [i]"I cannot say I know, Kaleeth. The mind of the Hist is more unknowable than anything in the mortal plane. I have meditated on that question many times before, but I can say with certainty that I believe my path is right for me. That does not, however, mean it would be right for you."[/i]

Kaleeth seemed a bit disappointed that Meesei did not have a definite answer, but when it came to the HIst, expecting a direct answer was rather unreasonable. Nevertheless, she felt there was more she could learn from Meesei.[i]"I...I understand. Do you...think you could tell me more, though? Can you tell me more about werewolves, things that Janius may not have thought about?"[/i]

Meesei was silent in thought for a few moments, then nodded. [i]"Very well, if it helps you make an informed decision, then I will tell you what I can."[/i]

---

Despite staying up talking to Kaleeth for over an hour the previous night, Meesei brought herself to wake early, this time to help both Sabine and herself. She collected a good sized breakfast for both of them, as they would both need to be in good condition for the ritual. As her guide, Meesei would undergo the ritual as well and help Sabine's soul to understand whatever visions or challenges the Hist decided to give her. The ritual could be used for many purposes, but there was no need to do anything differently to accomplish something different. The Hist would be able to feel Sabine's pain, and if they found her worthy, they would do what they needed to help Sabine repair it.

With a sizable meal between them, Meesei gently shook Sabine awake. "Good morning, Sabine."