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

[EliteCommander]

Rukeewei almost jumped with Ariel's touch. "Oh, my name is, um, Rukeewei." It went without saying that he was nervous. The knowledge that most of those around him were lycans was bad enough, but seeing a genuine witch, who was making no effort to hide that fact, was like something out of a story he would have been read as a hatchling. A cautionary tale to keep him from wandering away from his parents.

Regardless of Rukeewei's reaction, Marcaille was far more interested in Ariel. "Well, at any rate, I suppose Sabine is showing you around the city? These are my quarters, but if you ever feel the need to collaborate, I am sure we would be able to work better together. Though, I imagine the Champion will grant you your own personal laboratory, if you ask for it. She is dedicating every resource she can to finding an antidote to the poison, as well she should. Until then, I suppose you can make use of my resources. You are already...familiar with many of these implements, correct?"

---

Kaleeth leisurely nodded her head. "Yes, one of the Nords that moved here from the Riften clan. It wasn't too long before we left. He made the offer during lunch one day. Honestly, the way he talked, I think he just wants to impress the Champion. But since Meesei never needs anything forged, he asked me instead. I didn't have time then, but...I haven't been feeling as safe since I lost my armor. The hide and leather doesn't feel tough enough, and I don't think I'm good enough just to be fast with my shield. Those beast tamers have been raising chaurus, right? Maybe he can make something out of their shells, like the Falmer do? That might be too different from what I had before."

[Muttonhawk]

"Thank you for the offer. I'll take whatever I can get if it can help find an antidote faster," Ariel said, once again casting her eyes to the various items Marcaille was referring to. "And, yes, I have used or been taught to use most of what you have here. I admit, I have not come across most of them since I left my coven. But I'm sure Sabine has told you about all that."

Ariel's awkward stance made her glance back at Marcaille and curl her lips. "I look forward to working with you, Marcaille, but I feel I should tell you that I have never been referred to as a young prodigy before. I...don't know how Meesei or Sabine have described me, though I'm not sure if I really deserve to be called that." She turned her eyes down and rubbed her arm. "I might have some specialised knowledge from working with Sabine, but I'm hardly someone who can do everything. Not to mention, the suppression gas caused more pain than I ever wished it to, beyond even my applications." Her voice lowered nervously. "I don't think I could ever be proud of it."

---

Janius looked forward and lifted his lower lip in thought. "Hmm, come to think of it, it might be the closest thing to wamasu hide we have. I've never given Falmer equipment a second look, with it being so crude and made for their small frames, but for you?" Janius turned his eyes sideways to Kaleeth. "With a proper blacksmith crafting it? It'll certainly be better than the hide, leather, and chain that you have now. Those chaurus shells are tricky to crack. There are certainly no shortage of them, either."

Janius smiled. "I say give it a shot. See what you think."

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille huffed lightly. "I am not entirely sure that I even remember the details of how your sister described you. No, I made my judgments based on your accomplishments. Lycanthropy is...notoriously difficult to work with among mages and alchemists. Just the same as vampirism. They are afflictions that are bound up in the magic of Daedra, which is not easy to manipulate. Even if you don't recognize it, it does take talent to work with it. Without extensive training, it takes a certain kind of intuition to make discoveries where lycanthrpy is concerned. Your creation has certainly been troublesome, but that does not diminish the difficulty to create it. I'm eager to see your methods. Who knows, with your assistance, I may not be forced to cure myself of lycanthopy after all."

Looking away a moment, Marcaille gave a somewhat amused grin as she took a few steps over to a nearby table. There were all sorts of bottles and magical trinkets on the table, since she did not keep her chambers terribly clean, but the stone chairs had cushions on them to make them reasonably comfortable. "But, if you did just get here, you probably don't want to worry about all of this right now, do you? Have a seat, if you like. If we are all going to be working together, we should get to know each other better."

---

Kaleeth sat herself up straight, but stayed seated for the moment. She had an upbeat grin on her face as she looked around the courtyard. "I think I will.I don't want to have to go out again without something to protect me. Do you want to come with me? I'm sure they will watch Newt for a while." Kaleeth asked, motioning towards the parents of one of Newt's friends, who were having an "outdoor" lunch in the courtyard. Kaleeth wouldn't describe them as close friends, but they were acquainted and friendly with one another.

[Muttonhawk]

While Ariel could not completely disagree with Marcaille's reasoning, she didn't appear any less nervous. She gave Rukeewei a glance before moving to a seat. The travel fatigue coupled with the pressure to perform made even her progress to the table appear stilted. Sabine took a seat next to Ariel with the same smile she had been wearing the entire time.

"The thought had crossed my mind to cure lycanthropy as a way of making someone immune to the gas," Ariel said as she lowered herself into her seat. She made a conscious effort to try not to knock over any of the glassware in front of her. "But, considering that I had a hard enough time finding a cure for Sabine years ago, before all of this, and only came up with the suppression gas, I would be none-too-optimistic about that approach."

Ariel sat up straight with her hands in her lap and resumed slowly. "So, Sabine wrote that you are a talented healer. That you saved Meesei's life. You must be very experienced from what I heard of that...difficult time."

---

Kaleeth's excitement was infectious as ever. Janius stood up from the bench and spoke. "Sure, I'm interested to see if it would work." He extended a hand. "Let's let them know where we'll be and pick up Newt after."

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille laughed. "Yes, that would solve the problem, but that would just be cheating, no? I do know a cure for lycanthropy, if you think that would help make an antidote. Vampirism too, though I doubt that would help anything. Those were passed down from the sisters of my coven to me, so I cannot claim to have created them myself, sadly. They could have learned the cure from Hircine himself, for all I know."

Marcaille was not one to boast on her own, but as the conversation shifted more towards her, she had no problems talking about her capabilities. "I have a varied set of magical and alchemical talents. I've had many, many years to learn. I cannot even say that alchemy is my favorite aspect of magic, but it is undeniably important. Pretty much everything has some kind of latent magic just waiting to be released. Magic in an integral part of the very fabric of our world, so it makes sense that it would be so connected to everything."

---

The other couple had no problem agreeing to watch over Newt while Kaleeth and Janius headed over to the forge. Kaleeth knew that she was not going to be walking away with a completed set of armor that day, so she did not expect to be occupied for more than an hour or two before the blacksmith could get everything he needed from Kaleeth, such as her measurements.

Kaleeth had not often needed to visit the forge, so it took a bit of effort for her to actually remember where it was. Luckily, she had Janius to help her find it. Still, it was quite a bit busier than Kaleeth remembered from before they left. The clan had dedicated an entire building to various forms of craftsmanship. Since the clan, internally, did not have a normal economy, it was the closest thing to stores that the clan had. There were blacksmiths, tailors, alchemists that were not involved in research, and due to the over-abundance of soul gems in the cavern, enchanters that any member of the clan could make use of. Members of the clan were allotted a certain amount of resources based on their needs and roles within the clan; although, if had the gold to pay, there were hardly any craftsmen that would not do extra work for pay.

With the size of the clan, they had several forges that were in use near-constantly. Not only did they have need of armor and weapons, but also a small city's worth of forged tools and building materials. Fortunately, they also had no shortage of blacksmiths. Not all of them were experts, but they could meet the current demand. Kaleeth searched around with Gallus until they found a particular Nord working one of the forges. He was a hairy-looking Nord, apart from his bald head, wearing a standard blacksmith's garb.

"Hello Skuln." Kaleeth said on their approach. He was absorbed in his task for a few more seconds before he looked up at her. While some Argonians had trouble being recognized by Humans that lived far from the marsh, Kaleeth's tattoos made her immediately memorable.

"Huh? Oh...Kaleeth? I didn't know you all had come back. Do you need something...uh, ma'am?" Skuln asked, obviously caught off-guard.

Kaleeth nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, do you remember when we talked last? Before I left. You said you could make me some armor, and I was wondering if you could...do that? Maybe you could make something out of chaurus shells? Those beast tamers must have raised a lot of those by now, with how many eggs they lay."

"Oh, of course. Right, you wanted armor." Skuln rubbed his chin in thought. It took a few moments for him to respond, since he had not been prepared to speak to Kaleeth to begin with. However, when the right idea came over his mind, his expression turned to one that almost looked as excited as Kaleeth's. "Actually, I think I have something for you. Well, not for you, but something you can look at. I've been making armor non-stop for the warriors, and I recently made something for an Argonian. It's not completely your size, but you could try it on, and if you like it, I could make another just for you. How does that sound?"

Kaleeth smiled. "Oh, I would definitely like to try something right now."

"Great, I'll, uhh..." Skuln began, giving a glance to his forge. "I'll be back soon."

Skuln pulled a piece of metal out of the forge and set it aside on the stone before hurrying away out of the room. Kaleeth hoped she was not interrupting anything important, but he had not complained. "He seems excited." She commented.

[Muttonhawk]

Ariel's smile faded upon mention of Marcaille having a cure for lycanthropy. It remained that way, with her staring at Marcaille almost to the point of being strange. That was, until Marcaille paused to allow her to answer.

"Right, um..." Ariel blinked rapidly and cleared her throat. "Well, that is the fundamental principle with alchemy." Ariel forgot whatever the rest of that chain of thought was meant to be in an instant. "I would love to know about those cures you have. For...curiosity's sake, mostly. I worked hard to try and find the same on my own. Without as much time or Daedric assistance, granted."

Ariel's chest slowly rose as she silently pondered how to appropriately put her next question. "How did you come to be a witch in a lycan clan? If I may ask?"

---

The forges were one place that Janius wished he could stay close to the most, while at the same time being uncomfortably overheated in their presence. Such was the norm if he was ever out in the cold of Skyrim for long enough. The forge fires gave off a heat that made him forget that snow would ever exist when he stood nearby.

Janius wasn't immediately sure what to make of Skuln. There was no reason to believe that he was doing anything wrong, but he seemed ill-at-ease around Kaleeth. He might have simply been busy. At that thought, Janius hoped that he wasn't simply trying to get rid of Kaleeth by making her the same armour as he had for everyone else. Janius palmed his purse just in case the extra effort to put in would have to be compensated.

"Kaleeth, love," Janius asked with a half-smile. "What was it, exactly, that this man offered you before we left? He seems to be very busy, like all the other smiths here." He turned his head to the other work stations. "We might pay him if he's going to go out of his way for you."

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille nodded casually, despite how dumbfounded Ariel appeared. "Of course. For one with the proper training, such as yourself, it should not be difficult to learn with instruction. I can teach you the process, and believe me, it is a process. Hircine did not make his gift easy to take away; I wouldn't feel too bad about failing to create it before. I wouldn't have been able to. Though, I should also point out that you should refrain from telling any others in the clan that a cure is indeed available. That is not the kind of information you want to go spreading around here. Even if we could afford to lose as many of our number as would want to be cured, we could not even come close to having enough resources to meet the demand for cures. That would be a sure way to cause chaos. Now, as for my history with the clan...that is actually a bit of a long story. I had something of a falling out with my sisters in our coven in High Rock. It was rare for one of us to want to become a lycan, but it was allowed. However, I did underestimate how hard it would be to control being a wereboar. I lost control once or twice, but I still didn't want to be cured, so they made me leave. I would have been allowed to come back after I gained control, but then I found Ennond's fledgling clan. He was Ri'vashi's father. Do you know her; have you met Ri'vashi yet?"

---

Kaleeth certainly enjoyed the heat in the room, but at the same time, was not entirely comfortable around the forges. The air tended to be very dry, which was not particularly comfortable to an Argonian. However, it would take a while for that to really start bothering her. She gave Janius a curious look. "Oh, well he saw me training without armor, so when we were eating, he offered to make me some. So he offered to make me...armor, I guess? We didn't really talk about anything specific. I knew it wasn't going to be long before we were leaving. He never mentioned anything about gold, so I'm sure it will be fine. His job is making armor, right? So he isn't really going out of his way for me, he's just doing his job."

Since Skuln was just checking a nearby storage room, it did not take long for him to return. He leaning in through the doorway and motioned quickly to Kaleeth. "Okay, it's ready. Come here and you can see what you think."

"Oh, okay. I'll be right back soon." Kaleeth answered, looking quickly to Janius before heading out to the nearby room. It took some time for Kaleeth to get herself equipped; perhaps longer than Janius would have expected for a set of chitin armor. However, that was quickly explained when she finally did return. It was not chitin armor that Skuln had given her, but rather a full suit of plate armor. Its style was distinctly Nordic, but it was made for an Argonian out of Dwemer metal. The plates clanked together loudly as she walked towards Janius, since the suit did not exactly fit her properly, but it still made her look almost like some kind of Argonian knight. The helmet, while large on her head, was perfectly shaped. It was a full-faced helm, though had large enough holes for her eyes to give reasonable peripheral vision. She also held a large, round shield that again had Nordic-styled engravings, but was made from Dwemer metal.

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine and Ariel exchanged a glance, and then Ariel shook her head. "No. I have been told a little about her, but not met her."

If Ariel acknowledged Marcaille's warning, she didn't express it. The revelation of a cure still had her shocked for a while after the subject changed.

"I was told that Ri'vashi is currently a sort-of military leader for coordinating the various clans," Ariel recounted. "I don't imagine that to be an easy job. She must be an impressive woman."

"She is impressive," Sabine confirmed flatly.

Ariel backtracked to the last topic. "I hope no one was...killed when you were getting used to it," she said. She had almost said that she hoped no one was 'hurt' and thought better of such an inevitability.

---

It took a blank second for Janius to recognise the clattering shape in bronze-yellow metal striding out with Skuln. He looked the armour up and down with a raised brow. "Wow..." he said, striding around Kaleeth. "That is nothing to be sniffed at." He let out a laugh. "You look ready to take on an army, Kaleeth. This is fine work, Skuln, was it?" Janius looked to the Nord smith to confirm.

Janius turned his attention back to Kaleeth, stepping to a spot where she could see him through her visor. "Though, it looks perhaps a bit heavier than you're used to. How does it feel?"

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille shook her head. "No one in the coven died, unless you count the horse. Anyways, like I was saying, Ennond was Ri'vashi's father and our leader at the time. He had really good training and instincts to keep us safe. This was way before all of this business with Vile, before lycan populations in Tamriel started exploding. So, our clan was a lot smaller then. Still, he was charismatic and capable; great leader. Eventually, though, the Thalmor started closing in on him, looking for former Blades. He didn't want to put the clan at risk, so he offered to leave, but it was pretty unanimous that we wanted him to stay. So, he pulled one of the most brilliant moves I've seen and had us pack up our clan, straight across Tamriel to Elsweyr. We were right in the Thalmor's backyard, and it was the last place they thought to look. He died of old age a while back and his daughter took over. Though, she really wasn't in charge all that long before the Champion showed up and both me and Ri'vashi ended up coming here."

Although she was not terribly detailed, Marcaille had answered Ariel's question. "I wish I would have been able to come to this place sooner. It's a boon for pretty much any kind of scholarship. I'm not a historian, but I'm sure they like it here, learning all about the ancient Elves that built it. There's soul gems everywhere in the rocks, and there are ingredients here that I don't think can be found anywhere else. All those glowing mushrooms out there have a lot of potential for poisons; they're probably part of what the Falmer make their poisons from. Oh, and take a look at this."

Standing up quickly, Marcaille walked over to a metal drawer next to her alchemy lab. Opening it allowed the distinct hum it had been muffling to become audible to the others. From the drawer, Marcaille produced a potted nirnroot plant, which was dark crimson in color. She placed it down in front of Ariel to invite her to examine it. "Have you ever seen a nirnroot like this? There are plenty of them in the cavern, usually around water, like most nirnroot. I have hardly even begun to learn its properties, with how busy I tend to be working on the cure."

---

Kaleeth took a few steps, a few forward and one to the side, while looking down at her feet to try to get a feel for the armor. "It feels...weird, honestly. Not really heavy, just weird."

Skuln was quick to interject, perhaps in defense of his work. "Oh, well, that suit was made for someone a bit taller, with a bit, uh, less pronounced hips. I can assure you that you would hardly even feel a suit made just for you. My craftsmanship is the finest, especially with all the tools I have to work with. My forge is well-made, and this metal...well, it might not be Skyforge steel, but I will admit that the Dwarves had a knack for metallurgy. No one has ever been able to figure out how to actually make the metal since they disappeared, but luckily, we have more of the metal than we could need down here. I mean, the spoons are made from Dwemer metal, for Hircine's sake." He laughed.

"I don't really know a lot about armors. Or at least metals." Kaleeth admitted. "But I've never really wore armor like this. Except Lorag, we've always just wore light armors."

Skuln huffed. "Yeah, well things aren't like they used to be. A lot of lycans seems to like to be hunters, and rangers, and those kinds of things. That's fine for when you're just a pack surviving out in the woods, but right here, right now, that's not what we need. We're in a war, right? Well wars aren't fought with hunters, they're fought with soldiers. We need to train soldiers, and we need to give them equipment befitting soldiers. A suit like this will keep you alive when it comes time to meet the enemy head-on."

[Muttonhawk]

Ariel leant forward over the table to get a better look at the plant. "Red leaves? No, I've never seen such a thing before. I wonder what has caused it?" She reached a hand to feel one of the leaves between her fingers. "And these are found down here in the cavern? If they are anything like regular nirnroot, I don't imagine their secrets would be any easier to reveal." Ariel smiled. "Who knows? Perhaps this might hold what we need for a cure. Or maybe something else in this cavern. It looked like I could spend a lifetime studying all the different reagents."

Pausing, Ariel brought her fingers below her nose and sniffed. "It doesn't seem very different from nirnroot on a cursory look." She dabbed her thumb on her tongue. "The Falmer may have made poison from this as well. I would try something of a more directly magical nature to test it further. Comparing it with regular nirnroot, side by side, might make it easier to spot interesting properties."

Ariel went still and looked up at Marcaille. "Apologies, it is your sample." Ariel lifted her hands. "I shouldn't impose when there is still work to be done on the cure."

---

Janius extended a curled hand and rapped on Kaleeth's left pauldron. "I don't doubt that. Anyone wearing this on a battlefield would have an edge."

With Kaleeth still getting used to the armour, Janius lifted the helmet from her head to see her face. As the fins on her head unfurled, Janius couldn't help but grin. "It's a bit hard to imagine you under all this metal. But now it seems to suit you all of a sudden."

Janius turned the helmet in his hands to inspect it. Skuln wasn't lying about his skills; even just holding the helmet felt like it was made with practiced deliberation and expertise. "I'm not unfamiliar with heavy armour, though I have only worn iron and steel. This is something else." Janius turned his head over to Skuln. "And you have been making these suits for our soldiers? Your skill is readily apparent. How long does it take you to craft a suit like this?"

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille waved her hand to dismiss Ariel's apologetic tone. "There will be plenty of time to work, after today. If I know the Champion, she will probably call for a meeting with the council first thing in the morning. Probably early, so be ready to get up early. Then, we will start working that day. You may experiment with any ingredient you like, if you think it will help to create an antidote. I am sure we will be exchanging quite a lot of knowledge tomorrow. Now, do you have any more questions for me, or should I let you return to your tour of our city?"

---

"That's actually a harder question to answer than you might think." Skuln answered. "It was a lot of effort to get our forges in the state they are in now. There weren't any serviceable Dwemer forges left, so we had to do all the repairs and make new ones ourselves. We made steel equipment at first, but it was obvious that we were going to switch to the better Dwarven metal, since the stuff is literally everywhere. Thing is, not all of us had worked with it before, so there were some, uh, growing pains to get everyone trained up. Especially once some smiths moved in from out of the clan. Had to teach 'em how to smith like Nords, after all. So, our, uh, production capacity has been slowly increasing every step of the way. All of us work together, so I can't actually say I made every part of the suit. I did do the majority of the work on this one, though. This suit took about two months, I think. Might not have taken quite that long, but we botched two helmets. Never made one shaped like that before. Now that we're in our rhythm, though, I'd say we can get a suit like this in a month. For maille or scale armor, maybe a week or two. We have more than enough metal to make plenty of these, but it's more an issue of time. I'd say we need to get as many of our soldiers as possible something like this, but some missions are going to need to be run quicker than that. So, our focus is more on simpler armors right now, but with enough time, we'll have more of these made. Vile's cultists and mercenaries aren't going to have anything like this."

Kaleeth did feel better without the helmet, particularly since she was not wearing the right padding underneath. But, she was also getting a sense of why someone would want to wear something like this. She felt like she had a wall between her and the outside world that, while cumbersome and "unnatural," would make her feel much, much safer when swords and arrows were flying at her. "Well...I've never really been that agile anyways. I'm not that good at outmaneuvering people, and Lorag has always told me to play to my strengths when fighting. And my strengths are...strength. If I wear something like this, then I don't have to worry so much about being fast. I can just focus on hitting them harder. But if you're that busy, then will you even be able to make something like this for me?" She asked Skuln.

Skuln nodded confidently. "Don't you worry about that. You two are with the Champion's pack, so you're always the top priority. You all do the toughest missions, right? So it only make sense that you'd get the best equipment. I can make your armor, and if you want any weapons replaced with better quality metal, then we can do that too. This Dwemer stuff, it holds an edge better than steel. It's harder, more durable. It doesn't rust, and it doesn't take near as much maintenance."

[Muttonhawk]

At this point, Ariel seemed somewhat less uncomfortable. She gave a relaxed smile as she sat up straight. "I'm sure we will have plenty to talk about over many pots of tea. I don't get to consult with many witches these days." Her smile faded into curiosity again. "I just have one more thing before we head off. I'm sure it can wait, but...how long have you been a lycan? It sounds like you contracted it by choice, you do not strike me immediately as someone who would do that."

---

Janius grinned with a hint of excitement. "That's very nice of you. I certainly wouldn't mind some Dwemer metal equipment." He turned to Kaleeth. "And neither would the rest of us, I think. I know Lorag's going to be grumbling with jealousy until he sets a set like yours, Kaleeth."

As he continued, Janius became tempered again. "But still, if it is matter of time, I don't think every one of us is going to make use of heavy suits of Dwemer plate. Our missions involve plenty of travelling, sometimes in hot weather, and I know most of us would probably rather be consulted about any new equipment. Perhaps we could pass on the offer to the rest of our pack and come by with suggestions?"

Janius breathed in before letting Skuln answer. "Oh, and one more thing. Is there anything we can do to assist you here in the forges? We will unlikely have the time to give you much of a hand with the labour, but if there is anything we can do to thank you for the work you're all putting in...?"

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille had to pause and concentrate strangely hard to get the dates together in her mind. "Oh, let me think. Okay, I remember I started studying restoration when I was sixty. It was my goal for that decade. I think it was thirty or thirty-five years after that when I decided to be turned. The incident happened not too long afterwards and I was, uh, cast out. So, I've been a lycan for twenty to twenty-five years." She explained. Of course, the timeframes she was talking about would place her actual age far above what her appearance would suggest.

---

Skuln had to pause to consider the actual feasibility of making weapons for the rest of the Champion's pack. If he was making armor for Kaleeth, he would have to delegate a lot of work to other smiths. "Now that I think about it, you could get some improvements more quickly. We still have some Dwemer weapons in the armory that haven't yet been distributed. And by Dwemer weapons, I mean actual weapons made by the Dwarves however many thousands of years ago. They were just sitting in their armory, untouched for all that time. Some armor too, but it's all been claimed by the people who happened to fit in the suits. And they weren't made for Argonians, of course. Anyways, the weapons are as good as anything made today; I tested a few of them myself. Some cleaning, maybe a good sharpening, and they're battle-ready. And you don't need to thank me or anything. I'm just doing my part for the clan. We already have more apprentices than we can use, so we'll be able to take care of everything no problem. Just, uh, if you ever hear that the Champion ever needs anything forged, let her know that I can help." He said hesitantly. The delivery of his request made his motivation for going through all of the effort he was promising fairly apparent.

Meanwhile, Kaleeth held up her arm in front of her and looked over the gauntlet. "So...how do I get out of this?" She said aloud, to no one in particular.

[Muttonhawk]

Ariel frowned and tilted her head. A few moments of her own arithmetic working passed before she spoke. "That would make you at least one-hundred and ten years old, wouldn't it?" She straightened her head. "I don't mean to be rude, but unless you have been taking greater care of your skin than I could fathom, you must be doing something to preserve your youth. There aren't many ways to do that, but if you are a lycan, that narrows down the options considerably."

---

Janius gave an understanding grin. "I'll be sure to let her know," he said, knowing full well how few things Meesei used forged metal for.

As for Kaleeth, Janius put a hand on his hip. "You don't, you're trapped for life," he joked. "No, short of transforming, Skuln can show you the right straps and ties. One downside to plate armour is its complexity in doing on and off. Come, I'll help as well."

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille nodded. "Yeah, somewhere around there. A hundred and ten, a hundred and fifteen. You stop keeping track after a while. There's a few different ways to manipulate a lifespan. You can strengthen the body and soul, or even manipulate time. Though that is more of a...Psijic specialty. Giving your soul to Molag Bal is also an option, like many of my former sisters, but not one I would take. Forms of the Old Magic relating to conjuration, that was my interest in my younger years. There are some things that can really blur the lines between living and dead. Or, you can just take the basic route with necromancy. For that, you just need a lot of soul energy and talent. I figure I'll stick around on Nirn until something kills me, or I get bored with it. Did your coven even bother teaching you the secrets of immortality? Do you want to learn? I'm already teaching Ahnasha, and it wouldn't bother me if someone else attended the lessons."

[Muttonhawk]

Ariel's intimidated demeanour returned. "They tended to keep secrets like that away from sisters that were young and liable to run off." She looked down. "I don't even know if they knew such things."

Her next thoughts drew Ariel's eyes to glance either side of herself. First to Sabine, then to Rukeewei. Her eyes returned to Marcaille with more confidence. "I will respectfully decline. For now. I think I would like to focus more on this cure before contemplating outliving my future children."

At this point, Sabine drew eyes by her head movements as she glanced between Ariel and Marcaille. She spoke quietly in Marcaille's direction. "Could I join?" She shifted her eyes nervously. "I...don't have a husband like Ariel. I don't know if I want children yet."

Ariel gave Sabine a surprised look. "Are you sure, Sabine? It will not be an easy thing to learn."

"I know some conjuration. I could try."

Ariel took a quick breath in and out. "Sabine, you are a grown woman, and a fine one at that, but surely you don't have to worry about living longer right now? You're still young and exploring the world."

Sabine bit her lip and turned to Marcaille again. "If I did not learn now. If you left. Could I find you again to learn, Marcaille?"

[EliteCommander]

Marcaille was surprised that Sabine had spoken up about joining in on her lessons. However, she was not entirely certain on how to answer her last question. "Honestly, I'm not sure I can answer that. It would really depend on why I left and where I went. If this war ends and I decide to go back to Orcrest, you'd find me there. But, on the other hand, if something goes wrong in the war and we end I end up fleeing this place, I'd be doing everything possible to make sure no one can find me. So I guess my answer is 'maybe.' If you want a guarantee of being able to learn, you'll need to learn now."

Another thought came across Marcaille's mind as she thought about what Sabine said. Before anyone could respond, she continued. "I should point out, if you only know some conjuration, you'll need to seek help outside my lessons to improve your skills there. What I am teaching does require a lot of conjuration ability to perform, so you'll need to catch up. Your friend Ahnasha might be willing to help you."

[Muttonhawk]

The reality of Marcaille's response was perhaps more biting than Ariel's. Sabine pinched one of her fingers in front of herself and took a pause for a second thought.

"I will speak with her," Sabine said, discouraged.

Ariel leaned to one side to place a hand on Sabine's arm. "Another thing to consider, Sabine. If you end up losing contact with Marcaille before improving your skills of conjuration enough, Ahnasha might be willing to teach you what she has learned in the meantime."

Sabine did not look up. "Mmn," she hummed.

---

The tour continued on a short while after the short meeting with Marcaille. Sabine did not dwell on Marcaille's offer too much after they left. She wore a smile as she showed Ariel the rest of the scholar's compound.

The day ended after a meal and getting settled into Sabine's room for the night. There were no shortage of bedrolls to make use of, but Ariel and Rukeewei still had enough anxiety about this new place that they held each other tightly enough to use just one throughout the night.

Marcaille had predicted correctly. Sabine gently shook Ariel awake early in the morning to usher them to a meeting with Meesei. It was difficult to wake up without natural light, but stepping outside to bask in the light of the orb above the silent city was a close enough substitute.

Sabine sourced fresh clothing for Ariel and Rukeewei before guiding them to the council chambers. Ariel walked in bracing herself for a lot of sitting and talking.

[EliteCommander]

In addition to being an introduction for Ariel to the council, and vice versa, Meesei also called the meeting to catch herself up on events in the clan since they departed. As such, anyone with news of relevant importance was also asked to attend. Namely, both the Dwemer scholar Brenann and the beast tamer Peralain were both in attendance once again. Their meeting chamber was far cleaner than the first time they had made use of it. They had more torches for better lighting, and they already had written reports at the table in front of several of the seats. As usual, Vera and her lieutenants were in attendance, as well as Ri'vashi and Saras, Meesei's selected spymaster for her council, and Marcaille. Although Sabine was not a leader of any part of the clan, Meesei had also been sure to invite her to attend, since she would be working closely with Ariel and Marcaille. Rukeewei had wanted to stay by Ariel, but Meesei could not permit him to attend a confidential meeting. As such, he had settled for closing himself into the room that he had slept in that night.

Once everyone was seated, Meesei started them off. "It is good to be back, and to speak with you all again. I suppose we should start with the most obvious piece of news. As you can see, Ariel, the original creator of the suppression gas, has agreed to help create an antidote to the weapon Vile's forces now use. She will stay here for a period of at least a year, or until an antidote is found. Her husband has also accompanied her, but he will not be privy to clan secrets."

Pierrette spoke up first. "So you are the one we have heard so much about. I certainly do hope that your knowledge will be as valuable as predicted. I have...seen the expense reports for your recruitment."

Tola turned her head to her right towards Pierrette, crossing her arms. "Have some respect, Pierrette. You've heard the stories of how she helped the Champion. I'm sure she knows what she's doing. Good to finally meet you, Ariel."

[Muttonhawk]

The opening comments on Ariel's arrival didn't fill her with confidence. She was sitting still and tense with her hands held tightly in her lap. She managed a friendly smile and nod at Tola at least, but she tripped over her speech.

"I- thank you. I...I hope I can be a help to you all." Ariel swallowed. "I know there were sacrifices in bringing me here. I don't want anyone here to think I came because I was miserly -- I very much appreciate...What I mean to say is that Sabine here is my flesh and blood. If she or her family or friends are in danger, and I could help, I would do so even without the reward."

Oswall grinned and chuckled behind his beard. He interrupted to give Ariel some reprieve. "Now, there's no need to prove your convictions here, young lady. It's Pierrette's job to be tight about our purse." He nodded and gestured an upturned hand. "Welcome to the Blackreach clan, or whatever the scouts want to call this place now."

"Indeed," Darahil spoke up with his trademark emotionless visage. "Prove yourself in the laboratory, not here, missus Montgrave."