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

[Muttonhawk]

Vera swallowed, though it was not clear whether it was wrought of guilt or grief from reliving such a horrible day. She couldn't quite bring herself to make eye contact with Meesei while she answered. "Yes, quite. I believe it was...Oswall first, I remember he wanted to ask of you your tale about the Orc Lycan slayer. He was fidgeting all of the second half of the meeting like a boy needing the privy, he was so excited. Though, he didn't show it in his face." Vera glanced up and moved her eyes nervously, "Oh, um, sorry, I'm getting off track." She cleared her throat and resumed. "After Oswall, Darahil and Jerrick left the room and Harriet and I spoke for a while. I cannot remember exactly what it was we were talking about, I believe it was just an idle conversation about Caleb, now he was faring and such. I was getting peckish and I had some business with my packs, so I left before Harriet. I didn't spot anyone so much as touching Jerrick's waterskin before I left."

With the thought at the forefront of her mind now, Vera looked up at Meesei with her head angled forward. It was a curious expression, rather than a threatening one. "Do you believe Harriet might have placed the poison after I left? I don't know why she stayed behind, I just assumed she had further business to take care of."

[EliteCommander]

At the moment, Harriet was indeed one of Meesei's primary suspects, but she was careful not to show the extent of her suspicion, as she felt it was best to keep as much of the current status of the investigation a secret as possible. The only exception would be if she could safely exonerate any of the lieutenants, as they could be more helpful to her if they knew they were no longer suspects. Harriet was possibly the traitor, but Vera still could not be absolved of suspicion. She did take note that Vera seemed nervous, but given her relationship with Jerrick, those outward signals could also be attributed to grief. All of the lieutenants agreed that Oswall and Darahil had left without touching the waterskin, but so far, Meesei only had Vera's word that Harriet had been left alone with the waterskin. There was the possibility that Vera was lying, so without more information, Meesei could not yet make a judgment.

"If the waterskin was poisoned at the meeting, then it is a possibility, but there are other incidents I need to consider." Meesei answered. "Moving on to after the meeting, I have gathered that all of the lieutenants separated to their own tasks, apart from dinner, at which Jerrick was not present. After Jerrick informed me of what was to come, we made our plans for the ambush that night. I know what he was doing after the meeting, but not exactly where he went. If you can remember anything at all about his movements, after the meeting, it could be useful. Beyond that, I also need to confirm the alibis of each lieutenant after the meeting. Not only do I need to know if there is anyone or anything that can prove where you were, but I would also like to know if there is anything that could prove to me where the others were."

[Muttonhawk]

"I left the meeting to and stayed by Jerrick's side for a short while. We wandered to the dining hall, where he asked to speak with you. I proceeded to teach a class in writing for the rest of the afternoon, and I expected to see him before dinner." Vera ran a hand down her face, "Apart from speaking with you, I believe he mentioned that he was planning on dealing with some administrative issues. Those were normally manners of storage and resource allocation, but it might have also been about the hunting schedule of the packs. The only other time I saw him was when he was looking over the accounts and I brought him his dinner. That was the last I saw him alive."

Considering how distraught Vera was the night before, she was speaking in a surprisingly level and monotonous tone. It was clear that it was a deliberate effort to keep her feelings in check, though. As it had been all day. She only left a short pause to think about the movements of the other lieutenants.

"Oswall, I believe I remember him being set to assist with butchering some kills from the previous hunting party, but I didn't see him between the dining chamber at lunch and when you awoke us and gathered us. Darahil and Harriet, I'm afraid, I didn't hear of their movements myself either. Darahil normally keeps to himself and his packs up in the scholar's loft. No doubt he wanted to look over his findings from his expedition. I heard the commotion that Harriet and your packmate, Lorag, from my classroom, though. From all accounts that was an entertaining bout. However, I think all she had planned for that afternoon was to work at the forge." Vera clasped one hand in the other tightly, "She's a stronghold Orc, so she was raised as a fine smith."

Vera tried to think of anything else, but her silence following indicated that she was done.

[EliteCommander]

Meesei noticed a few potential inconsistencies in how Vera described the meeting. They did not tell her much alone and could very well have no meaning at all, but it was something she could ask about. "I see, but there is something I need to clarify. I just want to make sure I understand exactly how it happened. After Oswall left, Jerrick and Darahil stepped out to talk. You then spoke with Harriet for some time until you stepped out yourself. As I recall, there is only one way that you would normally enter the meeting chamber, so you must have ran into Jerrick and Darahil. What happened then? Did you hear anything they were talking about, and where did you go from there? Also, are you sure there is no one you can think of who can confirm that you, or the other lieutenants, were at the places you said you were?"

Meesei was starting to form questions in her mind about the accuracy of the information she had received. Some details were conflicting with her own memories of what she witnessed in the dining chamber, and while she had nothing solid yet, she had her suspicions. Vera had not yet named anyone specific Meesei could ask to confirm her alibi, though she may have simply been distracted by trying to recall the events of the day.

[Muttonhawk]

Vera was as forthcoming as ever behind her ebbing and flowing nervousness. "I only caught the end of their conversation. I had actually asked Jerrick what they were talking about, and he said that it was regarding you and your pack. We had discussed the matter in the meeting and agreed to trust you for then. However, I think Jerrick wanted Darahil's council away from the ears of the rest of us. Harriet and Oswall tend to be...reactive to some of the things that Darahil says, which sometimes suppresses his honesty, despite his wisdom. Even I have been concerned by some of his viewpoints, but he is too valuable a mind to push away. He never means the clan any real harm overall."

Vera paused to take a slow breath, getting back on track. She was keeping still, but only through tension. "People would have seen us on the mezzanine. Darahil remained there a while longer while we walked away. About halfway to the dining chamber, Jerrick realised that he left his waterskin on the meeting table and rushed back. I waited for him in the main chamber. He was only a few moments, but I just laughed. He always forgot his waterskin in meetings, without fail. I always kept telling him to keep it on his belt, but he said it was uncomfortable while sitting down for so long on the meeting chairs." Vera gently wiped at her eye with one finger, but remained still otherwise. "I'm not sure that there was anyone in the main chamber except a couple of young boys sparring. I didn't see their faces clearly. Everyone saw us in the dining chamber, of course. My students were present for my class, I can give you their names if you like. Dinner, again, was in the dining chamber. Grolak, the man in charge of rations, he saw me gather food for Jerrick and take it up to him via the mezzanine, and he'll never forget anything to do with the clan food supply."

Talking about other people loosened Vera's demeanour somewhat. "As for everyone else...the pack that brought back the kills that Oswall helped butcher would most certainly have joined him for that, I believe I remember which one. Harriet, if she was at the forge, would have definitely ran by the furnace master." Vera glanced up at Meesei, realising that she may not know who she was referring to, "The furnace master is in charge of the forge. He is an alpha of one of Harriet's packs; a large Redguard named Xander. He lives and breathes fire and metal and keeps the forge and smelting fires maintained. If anyone wanted to smith anything, they would have to have Xander allow it."

Vera moved her head to another angle and furrowed her brow somewhat. "Darahil...like I said, I don't know exactly what his activities were, but if he was with his research, his packmates would have seen him. There is rarely no one at the scholar's loft except during mealtimes."

[EliteCommander]

"Thank you, your answers have been very helpful." Meesei commented after a few moments of writing. Although she had some doubts in her mind, her own memories from that day in the dining chamber were not complete enough to make a judgment. She had been focused on telling her story, so she might not have seen everything that occurred. However, her own pack could be helpful in that regard, as they might have seen events that she did not.

Once she was finished with her own notes, Meesei tore out a page from the journal and handed it, along with her writing implements, to Vera. "All I need now is for you to write down the names of all those you mentioned who you think I should speak to about confirming your alibi, and those of your fellow lieutenants. After that, we can return to my pack's room for a moment, then you can go back to the dining hall, or wherever you need to be." Meesei explained. After Vera was finished with her list, the pair stepped outside and returned to Meesei's room with Sabine.

During the interview, each of the lieutenants had stopped by at some point to retrieve their meals, and Ahnasha had returned as well to take over caring for Rhazii. As soon as Meesei returned to their room, Meesei took a moment to step out into the hall with Kaleeth to ask for her recollection of the previous day's events, as well as her report on her day with Vera. Once she had all of her pack's information gathered together, she hoped she would have a more complete picture of what transpired.

After a few minutes, Meesei returned back inside with Kaleeth and gave a respectful nod to Vera. "Thank you, Vera, for your patience and cooperation. I only have one more favor to ask of you. I would like to spare Ahnasha from having to run around any longer, so after you get back to the dining hall, would you mind finding Harriet and telling her that I would like to speak to her now? Just...try to avoid doing anything that might suggest I have any specific suspicions towards her."

[Muttonhawk]

There was no protest or hesitation from Vera as she wrote down the names of those she had mentioned and where they might be found to the best of her knowledge. Truthfully, not even she could know the movements of all clanspeople, so some of the names were annotated with the direction to ask their alphas, which were more accessible figures that Vera indicated to locate.

Vera left the storage room where the interview took place with an expression that wasn't exactly sullen, but she had her gaze cast low and she didn't look as if she was fully aware of everything. It was thought, Sabine concluded upon seeing her. It lasted for the entire time that she sat patiently in the pack's room waiting. Meesei's voice was able to snap her out of her contemplation. "Ah, very well. I'll do that," Vera responded while standing up. Kaleeth was waiting in the hallway, so Vera left without anything more.

The speed at which Harriet ate her food almost left her teeth obsolete. By the time Harriet and Kaleeth entered the dining hall, she was already half an hour into and arm wrestling tournament with her alphas. A jeering circle of clanspeople, one in lycan form for no discernable reason, egged her and one of her alphas on as they grit teeth with hands locked. The their arms stayed in the centre for a long time and Vera opted to stay back until the bout was over. The tensed arms began to quiver and Harriet slowly overpowered her opponent, much to the merriment of the crowd. It was then that Vera stepped forward.

"Harriet," Vera said firmly to speak over Harriet's followers loudly talking around her.

Harriet spun slightly in her seat to look over her shoulder at Vera, grinning from her victory. "Oh, hey Vera. Whaddaya need?" Harriet said in a chipper tone. Her previous mood was all but forgotten.

Vera smiled, grateful that there was still goodwill, at least in public. "The champion needs to speak with you as soon as you can. She's in her chamber."

"Oh," Harriet's grin faded and she looked away. She nodded to one side in acknowledgement of the situation. "Alright, I'll be right up," Vera brought her hands to the table and the back of the chair she sat upon and stood herself up. She turned and pointed to the lycans gathered. "I have some business to take care of, you guys had better not dole out the bets without me. I'm still in this competition, you hear me?" Some muttered agreement interspersed with chuckling as she walked off, looking back only to confirm that 'Big Boy' was following.

Vera took a little while to get moving to find a seat herself. She was incredibly distracted, more so after speaking to Harriet. Searching for any solace, she looked to her watcher. "Kaleeth, have you ever had reason to doubt your best friends before?"

Harriet's approach to Meesei's pack's chamber was a little less ravenous than before. She at least peeked through the window of the gate and raised her knuckles to knock. She stopped short of that, however, once she spotted that Rhazii was fast asleep. She gave that favour to Ahnasha at least.

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth was nervous and uncertain as she sat down beside Vera. It was easy to tell what she meant by her question, and it was not something she felt she could truly understand. Unless she was the killer, then one of her friends had definitely murdered her husband. Kaleeth could not begin to imagine how that would feel, and she hoped she would never have to. "I, um, well, I really started to doubt my father in the days before I left my village, but...that isn't really the same thing, is it?" Kaleeth answered meekly, unsure how to express her sympathy.

Meesei was watching the door as she waited for Harriet, so fortunately, she did not need to make any noise when she finally arrived in order to alert Meesei to her presence. Meesei turned to Sabine and whispered so as not to disturb Rhazii. "You can remain here with Ahnasha this time. I will have Lorag keep watch." She said briefly before quietly heading over to the door and slipping out into the hall.

"Come, there is a room at the end of the hall for our conversation. I would like you to stand outside and keep watch, Lorag. Tell us if anyone comes close enough that they might hear us." Meesei explained as she led the pair of Orcs down the hall. Just as before, she stepped into the room with Harriet and took a seat on one of the crates, then started a new page in her notes.

"I am sure you would like to get back to your packs as soon as possible, so I shall begin immediately. Firstly, I would like to ask if you have been able to recall anything over the past day that might be helpful to my investigation. If not, then my next question would be if you remember seeing Jerrick as you passed through the main chamber on the way to the meeting yesterday. I would like to know if you saw him drinking from his waterskin." Meesei asked.

[Muttonhawk]

At first, Vera's response to Kaleeth was a dismissive silence. It didn't seem like Kaleeth could relate. However, after a few moments, Vera considered that it might have been relevant and Kaleeth was just being modest. She did seem nervous after all. Vera turned her head to Kaleeth and asked directly, seeing as drawing comparisons to the current situation would not be appropriate in public. "What was it that your father did? Who was he to you?"

Harriet's posture as she sat down opposite Meesei seemed mostly relaxed. She was leaning back on her outstretched arms behind her, sitting on the same crate that Vera did. She had her legs crossed casually, but her head displayed an attentive frown as it angled backwards slightly.

Harriet considered Meesei for a few moments after her question. She began by raising her brow and shrugging, "I saw him doing his lesson in the main chamber on the way to the meeting. He was in his wolf form, though. I didn't see him drinking then." Harriet shifted slightly and looked at the wall above Meesei, "As for your investigation. I don't know what to tell ya. He was poisoned, yeah? I guess you'd have to have a look at his meals. With what you mentioned, I'd only think Oswall would be both stupid and stubborn enough to knock off Jerrick even if it put the whole clan at risk. Darahil's too preoccupied to care and Vera was his wife for Hircine's sake. Unless something went on behind closed doors, but you'd have to ask other people about that."

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth scratched the back of her neck nervously. "Oh, well, I don't think it is the same thing as...all of this, but he was my village's Master Hunter. He was one of our leaders, but...he hated everyone but Argonians. Especially Imperials. He tried to teach me to as well, but...I never really thought about it much. I never saw a non-Argonian until Meesei's pack showed up in the village. I was curious, then I spent time with Janius, then...we fell in love. I tried to hide it from my father, but he found us mating outside the village." She explained. Her tone did not change in the slightest, demonstrating how surprisingly open she was about discussing such matters. "I thought father was going to try and kill him. The look in his eyes frightened me, but luckily he didn't. Still, he yelled at me, he called me a foolish disappointment. He said I was betraying him and our people. I didn't know what to think about it all. I have always loved my father, but I felt terrible, stupid, and angry at the same time. I might have stayed, but after I became a lycan...that couldn't happen. Like I said, though, none of that is as bad as, well, you know."

"I will consider that." Meesei responded simply as she made a few notes on Harriet's response. She had not seen Jerrick drink directly in the main chamber, but then again, Meesei had not truly expected her to. Oswall would have been more likely to see him drink, and perhaps Darahil if he was attentive. However, he did take note that Harriet was attempting to blame Oswall. That either meant she believed he was guilty, or she was trying to shift suspicion from herself. "Next, I would like to focus on the meeting itself. After myself and my pack were sent on our way, how, and in what order did the rest of you leave the room?" She questioned.

[Muttonhawk]

Vera looked at the table in front of her and held one hand in the other. "That must have been hard for you," she said, "Estrangement from family is a part of lycanthropy that often weighs heavily." However much sympathy Kaleeth expressed, Vera seemed to relate to her in a way as well. She decided to keep the conversation going, if only as a distraction this time. "I'm curious, you say that you turned when the champion's pack was in your village, but they are all werewolves, and you have the scent of a werecrocodile. There is no mistaking it. What happened?"

Harriet took a slow breath in through her nose before answering. "Pretty sure Oswall was first. He wanted to hear that story that everyone was talking about from you. Darahil and Jerrick went out next. I had a quick chat with Vera before following them out. Vera must have come along eventually as well."

[EliteCommander]

"I...don't know exactly. I don't remember everything about it." Kaleeth began. She still seemed nervous, though not to quite the same degree, as it seemed like Vera was more interested in her past than she thought. "I was not sure what I wanted to do. I wanted to stay home with my family, but I also didn't want to leave Janius. I remember asking him about being a werewolf, but he did not like the idea of making me into one. He said it was something I couldn't take back. I couldn't decide myself, so I decided to try and commune with both the Hist and Hircine. I went on my own into the marsh and...that is where my memories start to go away. I remember trying to kill a...crocodile, I think, as an offering, but I made a mistake. I didn't get it at first, and it bit me badly. I was bleeding everywhere. I think I did commune with Hircine, but I don't know for sure, and I don't remember anything else, not until I woke up as a werecrocodile."

As usual, Meesei showed no particular visible reaction, apart from writing down a few notes, but her suspicion was immediately strengthened by Harriet's answer. There was an inconsistency: Harriet claimed she left before Vera, while Vera claimed the opposite. Currently, did not know who was being honest, but once she got her own pack's statements, that might change. Regardless, Meesei remained composed, not intending to let Harriet know of her suspicions just yet. "I see, so just to clarify, you are saying that Oswall left first, followed by Jerrick and Darahil, then you, then Vera? Do you remember what it was you and Vera spoke about?" She asked.

[Muttonhawk]

"That's..." Vera turned her head to Kaleeth, "That's rather peculiar. It sounds as if you either killed a werecrocodile, which is most impressive, or...Hircine may have had a direct hand in your turning. Have you ever thought, perhaps, that there was a reason why you might have been turned? You might have a role to play, more than you might think."

"That's right," Harriet gave a single nod. "I talked to Vera about her son, Caleb. Just how he was doing. Vera keeps coddling him, being all disapproving when he comes along to join my pack's training sessions. Now, I work my boys and girls hard, but I don't let anyone get crippled. He can stop joining us whenever he likes, he just wants to get a little tougher is all." Harriet's eyes looked to one side and the volume of her voice lowered slightly, "At least Jerrick understood that."

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth shook her head. She doubted that there was anything particularly important about her, and did not think that was likely to change. It was true that her training had made her stronger since she turned, but she would not go as far as to think she had some important destiny. "I don't think I am that important, really. I've been training, but I'm not that great at fighting. I'm really strong, but so is any other werecrocodile. I just...don't have anything that makes me special. I would be happy just being useful."

Meesei was silent for a few moments, even after she finished writing. Up until now, she had kept many of the important details from her interviews hidden from the other lieutenants, but now, she had a definite inconsistency. Both Vera and Harriet had declared and confirmed that they each left last, so one must be lying. Given that Sabine's test had essentially ruled out a poisoning before the meeting, a lie among those two firmly places suspicion on them. Meesei had been reserved so far, but now was the time for her to press her suspicions based on the evidence she had gathered. However, she would still do so tactfully. No matter what she said, narrowing her suspects between the two would certainly cause some worry for Harriet, but if she made herself seem open to the idea that Vera could be the killer, then she might say something useful, or incriminating. Meesei let out a deep breath as her expression became more severe. "Then I know I have been lied to, but not yet by whom. You see, I know that Jerrick was poisoned through his waterskin, and that waterskin was left on the table when he stepped out with Darahil. You claim that Vera was the last one left in the room, while she claims that you were the last. That moment would have been the perfect opportunity to poison him. Do you believe that Vera was capable of killing Jerrick? Do you know anything that might provide evidence for that?"

[Muttonhawk]

Vera smiled and closed her eyes in response to Kaleeth's humility. She spoke when she opened her eyes again, "Perhaps your true worth is yet to be revealed, Kaleeth." Vera turned forwards in her seat and brought her fingers up to her face to inspect them. "How is life in your pack anyway, Kaleeth? I am told it isn't always easy for a werecrocodile. Are you happy?"

For a few moments, Harriet was silent. She stared at Meesei with her face turned slightly to one side in mistrust. "I've seen Vera kill with her bare claws, but Jerrick? That's a long shot. Are you sure it was during that point? What's made you think that?"

[EliteCommander]

"Well...I'm getting better." Kaleeth answered. "Meesei said that it has been harder for me than all of the others to learn to control it. Wolves don't like to be alone, but crocodiles are the opposite. They are almost always by themselves, and when I turn, I can feel that's what my beast spirit wants. It's like...a fight between what it wants and what I want, but it is also a part of me, and I'm part of it. I wasn't happy at first; I just wanted to go home and be with my family, and my beast spirit just wanted to run away. I...still sometimes think about it, but I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. I love traveling, and I love being with Janius. I know I can still be happy."

Meesei found it interesting that Harriet did not move to trying to blame Vera. There was still the possibility that she was not the killer, and if she was, then she supposed trying to blame Vera would be the obvious move. The atmosphere had become markedly more tense, but Meesei decided to continue to press her suspicions and watching Harriet's reactions very closely. "I know because I have the poison. I can tell around when it must have been administered. Rest assured, I am pursuing all possibilities here, but this is the most likely, not only because of the timing, but because a lie has certainly been told. Do you have any way to prove you left the room first? As well, I am also asking all lieutenants for the names of people who can confirm their alibis after the meeting." She questioned. Her expression remained unchanged, but she was watching every detail of Harriet's movements like a hawk. She paid attention to every subtle twitch, every movement of the eye, in order to judge her reaction.

[Muttonhawk]

"I am glad to hear it," Vera said gently. "Sometimes I think of my family as well. I was turned when I was sixteen. It has been a long time since I've been in contact with..." Vera stopped abruptly as someone called out her name from the other side of the room. Vera slowly looked at something over Kaleeth's shoulder with a concerned frown. There was the sound of stumbling furniture all of a sudden and Vera shot up from her seat. "One moment," Vera said firmly, striding towards the incident quickly.

What Vera was walking towards was what appeared to be a number of people trying to hold down a younger lycan that was struggling to prevent herself from turning. As opposed to the thrashing and gasping of the youngster, Vera began to turn as she walked. Her shift was so effortless that it was almost calm beyond the loose points of her dress tearing until it fell from her shoulders. Her Lycan form was imposing, similar in size to Meesei's.

The young lycan she was approaching had transformed completely now and had thrown off those trying to restrain her. The young one was barely two thirds the size of Vera, but still stalked around, bared its teeth, and flattened its ears. Vera held her ground close to the young lycan and sounded a low growl. In a fit of savagery and fear, the young lycan pounced at Vera, going for the neck. Vera responded by immediately swatting the lycan to one side and pinning her to the ground. No matter how the lycan thrashed, there was nothing she could do about Vera's might as an alpha of alphas. In this display of dominance, and with a loud clacking of Vera's jaws, the lycan stopped struggling and began to breath at a slower rate.

"Who is this young one's mentor?" Vera's voice carried throughout the dining chamber despite its low rumbling tone.

One of Vera's pack leaders stepped forward without fear. "This one's mentor is at the latrine, I'm afraid. A good thing you were around, Vera."

"Loren," Vera addressed the alpha by name, "Do you know why she transformed?"

"Jenna here has been having trouble laying her fears of transforming to rest. An unfortunate circumstance of her first turning." Loren's eyes shifted from Vera to the young lycan, Jenna. "I'll have a chat to her mentor about this as soon as I can."

"Not yet," Vera responded, "I need you to take her hunting to sate her spirit. Now."

Loren paused and then nodded. "Of course, Vera." With that, Loren transformed on the spot and led the droop-eared young lycan out of the dining chamber.

Vera shifted back just as easily as she had turned and gathered up her clothing before wandering back to Kaleeth. "My apologies."

After a couple of seconds of blinking rapidly, Harriet opened and closed her mouth nervously, and then responded to Meesei's questions. "Uhm...I dunno, the people looking up at the mezzanine? It's not like these floors leave footprints. As for people who saw me after the meeting, big boy-" Harriet pointed a thumb to the door, but interrupted herself, slightly flustered, "-uh, I mean Lorag, he can tell you where I was most of the time. Otherwise I was at the forge that afternoon. Just ask Xander, he's almost always there, hammering away at somethin'."

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth was silent for the whole ordeal, watching from the sidelines. With all the young lycans in the clan, she guessed that unwanted transformations happened pretty often, though with so many other lycans around, there were a lot of people available to control them. In her werewolf form, Vera was big, like Meesei and Lorag, so she especially did not have much trouble subduing the young lycan.

"I have done that before." Kaleeth commented as Vera returned. "I've turned when I didn't mean to, especially when we were still in Black Marsh. Janius always had to be the one to deal with me since I wouldn't attack him, even as a crocodile. I...still get nervous going into cities. I've gotten better, and I haven't turned like that in a long time, but I still worry that it could happen. Does that ever go away?"

Harriet certainly seemed nervous, and she offered no concrete proof for her version of the story. She noted that Harriet did not mention Darahil and Jerrick, who she certainly would have had to pass if she left first. Instead, she directed Meesei to find someone who happened to be looking up at the mezzanine. It was possible to explain all of this by saying she was nervous at being a suspect and not thinking clearly, but it still shifted more suspicion in her direction. Nevertheless, there was more Meesei needed to confirm before making an accusation, but she felt she was getting close.

"Alright, I will make sure to ask them. For the moment, however, I feel this discrepancy is something that needs to be addressed. I would like for you to return to my room and wait there with me while one of my pack goes and collects Vera and the others." Meesei said as she stood to her feet. "Now, I would prefer that neither you nor Vera remained armed for this, so I would like for you to give me your sword." Meesei requested, holding her hand out expectantly. Her voice remained polite, but notably firm.

[Muttonhawk]

Vera began the process of dressing herself, retying the cords that slipped free to preserve her dress. It would take a few minutes, but she was still able to answer Kaleeth. "Most lycans have done that before, whether they be young or experienced, but mostly when they're young. The danger of accidentally transforming never completely goes away, but it is incredibly unlikely as long as you practice proper control. Beast spirits are like young children; they need an outlet for their energy. If you keep it locked away too long, like that girl had, it breaks out. Sometimes it reacts to your own personal anxiety and stress..." Vera slowed down, realising that she was explaining perhaps further than she needed to. "...I assume your friend Janius would be teaching you all of this."

There was a tense moment where Harriet sat completely still, save for her eyes glancing between Meesei's hand and face. Harriet wore a look that would have tore the courage of any lesser person asunder, and for a few seconds the possibility of her lashing out became an ever-increasing possibility. Just before Meesei needed to repeat her request again, Harriet pursed her lips, exhaled sharply through her nose, and then swiftly leaned up straight to unbuckle her scabbard from her waist. She held the scabbard with her slightly curved Orcish sword forward tightly, pushing it into Meesei's waiting hand. "Anyone else would have got a fist to the face for asking that, champion," Harriet said gravely.

Once Meesei took the sword, Harriet stood up and walked out of the room with a narrow eyes and an intimidating posture.

[EliteCommander]

"Then I am glad you recognize the gravity of this situation. Rest assured, my judgment will follow the evidence. If you are innocent, you have nothing to fear." Meesei responded as they left the room. As the three made the short walk back to their room, Meesei told Harrier to go inside while she spoke to Lorag for a moment. Lorag should have been able to hear everything they were saying inside, so he likely knew what was going on. The first question Meesei asked was simply if Lorag could confirm where Harriet had been, and she made sure to do so loudly enough that Harriet could hear it in the room. For her following questions, however, she switched to a whisper. Just as with Kaleeth, she wrote down Lorag's statement for what he remembered seeing in the dining chamber the previous day. Fortunately, none of it seemed to conflict with what she already knew.

"Make sure to keep a close eye on Harriet; currently, she is my primary suspect." Meesei whispered almost inaudibly. "However, she is not guaranteed to be guilty. There are a few more questions I need to have answered before I am comfortable making an accusation, but fortunately, I believe I am in a position to have them answered quickly. Here, I want you to hold onto Harriet's sword for me. I feel she might be at least slightly more comfortable if you have it instead of me."

Lorag nodded and buckled the scabbard around his waist before they finally joined the others in the room. As soon as she was through the door, Meesei turned her attention to Ahnasha. "Ahnasha, I need you to go collect Vera and the other lieutenants for me. Tell them that it is urgent, and that I will explain what is going on when they arrive. You can take Rhazii with you." Meesei explained. Although Sabine could easily take care of Rhazii while Ahnasha was away, Meesei's decision to have her bring him along was quite intentional. If the situation did turn violent, then Rhazii would be out of harm's way. Although, with both Meesei and Lorag there to stand guard, she doubted that Harriet would try anything rash.

Ahnasha of course accepted her new task without protest, sensing the urgency in Meesei's tone. Just as she exited the room, Meesei followed her out into the hall just outside the door and stopped her. "Ahnasha, after you find the lieutenants, I need you to collect these people as well." Meesei explained quietly as she handed her the page with the list of names she had gathered. "The three that I've written on the top of the page are the ones you should find first. They have knowledge of what is going on and are trusted enough to help. You can have them help you find the remaining people on the list. However, do not bring them directly back to our room. Find a quiet place nearby, then come get me so I can question them myself." Meesei explained. Ahnasha took the list and nodded in confirmation, then started down the hall as Meesei returned to the room.

Kaleeth nodded to Vera. "Yes, he and Meesei have taught me a lot about it. Meesei explained a lot of how all of this works, but Janius has to be the one that helps me practice. Well...Meesei and the others might be able to practice with me now. I've gotten a lot better and I feel closer to them, but...I just feel better with Janius. I know I won't hurt him. It's good that I transformed not too long before we got here, or I wouldn't feel so comfortable helping to protect you. I would be afraid to transform inside this place, with all these people around. My beast spirit doesn't like crowds. We got into a fight in Black Marsh where there were dozens, maybe even over a hundred people fighting at once. It wasn't so bad since I could let my beast spirit fight, but if I was trying to stay calm in such a big crowd...I don't know if I could do it. Not to mention, I'm not nearly as good at making clothes that don't rip apart as you seem to be." She said with a bit of a smile.

Shortly after Kaleeth finished speaking, Ahnasha entered the dining hall once more and went straight to Vera and Kaleeth, as they were seated in the same place as last time. "Sorry to interrupt again, but Meesei needs to see you once more. She says it is urgent and that she will explain when you arrive." She explained.