At La'khay's interpretation of Tzirret's request, he actually swiftly exhaled, bowed his head forward, and let out a high laugh. His wide smile was exaggerated as he was still trying to hold back his sadness, but he was able to speak with a light heart. It was a change from stumbling over his words; it was certainly not the first time he had seen La'khay in such a position.

"No, no, this one did not mean that," Tzirret corrected with one palm forward and facing the ground. He bent over, took La'khay's hand, and pulled her to her feet, before throwing himself against her. He wrapped his arms around her tightly and buried his face into her collar. He also made sure to keep their balance so they didn't fall. It took three gradual seconds for his brief mirth to be replaced by another release of emotion, tears flowed and muffled sadness sounded from Tzirret's hidden face.

It was not hopelessness and despair in Tzirret's sobbing this time, no crying for help or self-deprecation, no cowardice or depression. It was just as he had implied; saying goodbye. Not to La'khay as a friend, specifically, but to the extra feelings he had attached to her, as well as his fear of giving them up. It was a relief in his tears. He was letting go.

[hr]
Though Gallus did not know the clan as intimately as the present lieutenants, he smiled to hear that Ra'kalesh was selected to be a new one. He was a wise alpha and an asset to them all.

When the meeting begun properly, Gallus paused to allow others to speak. When everyone else hesitated, he decided to start things off. "Very well...as we know, now, we have located Vile's stronghold in Pelletine. Likely disguised or otherwise well hidden. A base marked on our map near Corinthe. In order to recover this clan and secure the region, this base must fall. We do not have the numbers here, but joining the military power of Orcrest's clan with Senchal's may prove to be strong enough. This, however, leads us to a dilemma."

Gallus rolled out a map of Elsweyr and weighed the curling corners down with whatever was on hand. He started by gesturing to their current position and Orcrest. "The journey must be done as quickly as possible as the current position is on borrowed time while Vile's scouts continue to search. However, sending messengers to Orcrest for a coordinated attack is not guaranteed due to those who have disappeared. We cannot leave this clan unguarded either, hidden as it is. So, if the fighters of this clan leave, the rest of the clan goes with them." Gallus slid his finger along an undrawn line between the coast and Orcrest, "We would like to discuss the possibility of an overland trek, migrating everyone."

Gallus did not expect the response to the proposal to be favourable, but Meesei had her arguments prepared.