Cub's shifting gaze refocused as the creature spoke. The embers cast shadows upon his grizzled snout, thick dark scales breaking up the light and splintering it around his mouth as his lip-less mouth hissed its woe. Fangs, claws, everything about it spoke of death, but nothing so much as its eyes. Grotesque slits in its face, they stared unblinking into the flame before it, some scene of carnage or loss heaving behind them. It was a look he'd often see Marassa wrestle with before turning her attentions to the task at hand. If he was anything like Marassa it only served to cement Cub's thoughts of the enigmatic beast that had remained silent for most of their time together.

Predator.

Cub's fear melted in his chest. Here sat everything Cub could have been. If he had just been faster, if that wench had just steered her damned ship right. Everything was lining up perfectly. He'd find Zhaveed, Malacath would return him to his place among the Orcs; Cub would be the predator he was meant to be. HE wouldn't have left Zhaveed get captured. HE wouldn't have let the Dwemer win.

Sitting up sharply Cub's hood fell away, the dull yellow of his crown illuminated in the fire. That damned fire. The only thing separating him from that godsdamned Predator, the fires of Rihad, the flame of battle, why did this creature deserve to be the hunter and Cub was made to suffer as prey? It was too much for him to bear, no longer aware of the dangers outside nor anyone around, Cub barked at the Argonian across the campfire.

"There is no offensive!"

The roar lingered in the air for barely a second, just enough time to catch the attention of those closest by. "You had an army behind you and still failed. We should hunt those bastards down in their holes and make them tell us where they took Zhaveed; he's the only one who can stop this. He's done it before, he'll do it again." Seething, ragged breaths brought clarity as Cub came back to himself, suddenly very aware of the eyes borrowing into his flesh.

Quickly tossing up his hood once more, he spoke again though much more sheepishly, his eyes now locked to the flame before him. "Renlief, are there any ruins around here or not?"