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

[EliteCommander]

Rhazii's anger elicited no real emotion from Do'rhajul, as his answer was just as calm as his explanation. "There are two answers to that question. The first is one of justice. It was my leadership that sent many lycan souls to Vile's realm, so justice demands that I help to return them to their rightful place. I cannot resurrect those I have killed, but I can save their immortal souls. The second is a matter of honor. Sabine is the one who showed me the light, revealed the lie. She is the reason I am no longer serving the deceiver, and so I swore myself in service to her. I am bound to obey her commands, and she has commanded me to help you all."

Meesei was silent, but was observing the reactions of the other clan leaders at the table. Unfortunately, she found a certain amount of frustration in watching them. They had all become experienced leaders through the war, adept at dealing with other clans and factions as a consequence of their growing organization. Most of them knew how to keep their emotions held close to their chest, so it was difficult for her to determine if Do'rhajul was at all placating their concerns. It would likely be a longer more involved process for her to judge where they all stood.

[Muttonhawk]

Finally, after a silent moment staring at Do'rhajul with a deep frown, Rhazii relented. He lowered his eyes from Do'rhajul and looked to be holding back a different emotion to anger.

"We're not monsters, you know?" Rhazii's voice lowered drastically. "You know what it's like to be scared to lose your family. I almost lost Meesei, mother, and recently Sabine. You have to know how I felt. Remember that. We're just normal people."

Sabine drew a long breath in. "Rhajul," she said gently. "Perhaps you should tell Rhazii what you have seen these past few days, living in this clan."

[EliteCommander]

There was another pause from Do'rhajul, his eyes not drifting from the table in front of him. "No, there is no one here who does not have a right to be angry at me. My explanations serve only to give context to my actions, not to excuse them. I can say only that, if my death would somehow bring the souls of your people back from Vile's realm, I would drag the knife across my throat myself. But, that is not the case, so I must fight instead."

Most of the clan leaders, Meesei included, had already begun to dig in to their portions of the feast, but there was no question that everyone in earshot had been listening intently to Do'rhajul. The fact that their conversations became notably louder once he stopped was merely one piece of evidence for it.

If there was one, more positive observation for Meesei to make, it was that many members of their clan at the other tables did not seem so focused on the politics of it all. Do'rhajul's defection might have been a surprise for many and a concern for some, but most were behaving as Meesei would have expected for a feast. In particular, there were many scrambling at the chance to try a dragon's flesh for themselves. Ignoring political concerns among the leadership, the feast was going quite well.

[Muttonhawk]

Rhazii let out a slow breath and bowed his head. While Do'rhajul did not directly do as Sabine said, his words were enough to demonstrate to Rhazii the motives for his defection.

Sabine nodded to Do'rhajul. "Thank you, Rhajul." She looked about as if just noticing the food. "Please, eat, everyone," she said, gesturing to the table.

Noise grew as the silent group around Do'rhajul slowly began their meals. Just as well; the food was especially delicious considering most nights were the product of their own individual cooking.

The dragon meat was unique in its slight natural spice, though to compare its quality to a well fed duck, cattle, or goat meat was to lead to disappointment. The muscles were made from large strings of fibre that sprang rubbery between the teeth and held little richness. However, the chefs made up for the meat's shortcomings by preparing it with expensive spices and perfect cooking. Elsewhere, the offal was almost universally average, if large, excepting a few organs. In particular, the great chopped cubes of sweetbreads the chefs made from the dragon's thymus and heart were a delicacy none could ever compare to. Though they, too, were tough, they held a small magical side-effect to them which gave the illusion in the mouth of seemingly random flavours of mild intensity. Some were not to the eater's tastes, most were a pleasant surprise. Every mouthful was different.

Of course, hardly enough time passed to discover all these subtleties before Janius caught Sabine's eye shortly after Do'rhajul had finished speaking.

"So, sister," Janius said before swallowing his mouthful of baked yam. "Now that it's in the public, have you made any motions to select more members for your new pack?"

"Sabine's leaving the pack?" Rhazii asked, suddenly confused and just a trace hurt.

"I will not be leaving the family," Sabine clarified with a small smile. "I will still be as close to all of you as ever, but..." She breathed in. "I must form a new pack to be Rhajul's leader." Her eyes glanced up at Janius. "I have not found anyone else yet. I have not given it much thought."

"What about Karl?" Janius asked.

Sabine's smile faded. "I...do not want him to be in the same danger I will be in. He has his own sounder anyway."

Karl could be seen seated with his sounder on a table separate to the leadership. He was talking and laughing with the same sounder Sabine mentioned, though he kept stealing glances up to the main table. He likely could not make out where Sabine was with his eyes the way they were.

[EliteCommander]

"Yes, even with as much progress as we have made, we still need to close out this war." Meesei added. "Our packs will need to be quite capable in combat. I have actually been meaning to speak with you about that, Sabine. Strictly speaking, you do not need to keep your search only to those without a pack of their own. People do tend to remain with their own packs, true, but it is not as if it is uncommon for people to change as well. As their goals change, or their capabilities improve, there may be those looking to move more into the front line of this war."

Ciinriel had spent most of her time since the debate started trying not to seem as if she was staring at Do'rhajul. The announcement was no less of a surprise for her, but her friendship with Sabine made her more predisposed to trust Sabine and her judgment. When the conversation shifted towards Sabine's new pack, she was only somewhat hesitant to speak up. "That is true. It was sad to see Colors go from our pride, but he could hardly be a ship captain if he was stuck in our clan. People do move around when life makes them realize that they're not in the right place for them."

Meesei nodded in agreement. Do'rhajul was staying out of any conversation for now, which was probably wise, and Meesei wanted to at least attempt to get the other clan leaders to focus on something other than Do'rhajul. Having a "normal" meal with him could possibly make him seem like something of a less threatening figure. "You also do not need to restrict yourself to our clan in your search. If you find likely candidates from other clans, they would certainly be allowed here."

The Lilmoth clan leader had been listening intently to anything said by the Champion's pack that she could hear, and did not hesitate to speak when she had the opportunity. She was a black-scaled Argonian woman, with a head full of even darker feathers. Her garb was quite interesting to look at, consisting of a crocodile-hide loincloth and a sort of vest made entirely of the teeth of various Black Marsh predators, and the twine to bind it all together. Each took had to have a hole cut through it individually, and all of them were done precisely and cleanly so as not to ruin the teeth. Naturally, it would have taken considerable time, effort, and kills to make. "The best of my hunters would say it would be an honor to be picked by you, Sabine. You are a worthy leader." She said in heavily-accented Cyrodilic. Meesei was hardly surprised as her show of support. The Black Marsh clans had always been openly supportive of the leadership of her and her pack.

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine twisted her mouth with uncertainty at Meesei's advice. "I have hesitated," she said. "I have always been in the same pack. I have always known my packmates as family I can trust. Finding new packmates from those I have not met before...does not feel right. And Hircine has not shown me where to find my pack like he did for you, Meesei."

Even with her ambivalence, Sabine smiled thankfully at the Lilmoth leader. After a caught breath and a glance at both Do'rhajul and Meesei, Sabine leant forward to address the dark-scaled Argonian. "I thank you. And...perhaps I could meet them later? I must start somewhere, I think. What is your name?"

[EliteCommander]

The Argonian gave a soft smile with Sabine's acknowledgement. "You may call me...Moves-Through-Grass. It is, um, easier than my Saxhleel name. I have been told." She replied. She spoke slowly, and very deliberately, with her words in a way indicative of someone who was not terribly comfortable with the language. She seemed to have to think about each word consciously, much as Kaleeth once had after she joined the pack. "And I would be...I would say it was an honor for you to visit my clan."

As much as he preferred to stay out of it, even Lorag could recognize the "politics" of clans trying to gain favor. That wasn't to say that Grass' clan did not have suitable candidates, but he figured that Sabine should probably stay alert to all options. He leaned back in his chair and gave a nod to Sabine from further down the table. "It's not a bad idea to look at options in other clans. Just remember, you've got all of the clans at your disposal, basically. You can afford to be picky."

The general hum of conversation was starting to grow around them as the topic drifted away from Do'rhajul himself, and the other clan leaders were not giving such rapt attention to Meesei and her pack. Though, there were certainly still matters that were not yet resolved. The Daggerfall clan leader was still giving Sabine the occasional, strange look, and Ri'kalesh still appeared upset as well. The Dunmer clan leaders had already grabbed Fendros' attention earlier, and Meesei had some questions for Lunise and Marod, and at least a few quick words for Rhazii as well. However, none of it was suitable for the feast itself, and likely would all be addressed more privately afterwards.

[Muttonhawk]

"Of course," Sabine said back to Lorag. "I shall visit many clans, I think. There are several roles I believe need filling in a new pack." She nervously smiled, glanced at Moves-Through-Grass, and turned her eyes down. "But mostly I will be looking for new friends. Prepare your best for when I shall arrive, Moves-Through-Grass, but I will select none that cannot cohere with Rhajul and me. And I may take some time to decide from all the candidates."

Conversations moved on and those at the high table relaxed into their food and drinks. Sabine spent a little more time catching up with Ciinriel and chatting with others, but the Daggerfall leader's looks did not escape her, nor did his still-visible welt from Meesei's fury. An opportunity came around when Fendros excused himself to find a seat closer to the Dunmer leadership.

Sabine caught the Daggerfall leaders' eye and gestured subtly to the empty seat Fendros left behind. She wanted to know whether the leader wanted his agenda hidden or not. Either way, Sabine still wanted to apologise to him for what Meesei did.

Meanwhile, Fendros made his way around to the quiet discussions of the Dunmer requesting his attention from before. He addressed them genially to start. "Good day my friends. I take it the hospitality has been to your liking so far?"

[EliteCommander]

The two Dunmer leaders were quick to silence what they had been talking about when Fendros sat down beside them, though that could have just been because they were far more interested in speaking to him. The older Dunmer man was the first to speak, leaning in somewhat and speaking in a hushed tone that would be drowned out by the other conversations around them. "I can say that I have been satisfied with our treatment, yes. I do accept that a celebration is...appropriate, but I do have a concern." He said, his expression quickly becoming starkly serious. "Are you sure this is the wisest course of action, Fendros? Referring of course to your treatment of our former enemy. I am sure that I am not alone in my concerns over trusting the assistance of a murderer. Can you truly discern between genuine guilt and a devious actor?"

The Daggerfall clan's leader too dropped anything he might have been doing when Sabine approached him, though unlike the Dunmer, he was less willing to speak openly. He looked at Sabine briefly, but soon continued to scan his eyes across the others in attendance. "A fine feast, is it not? I would say you did well in your role in putting it together. Truthfully, dragon flesh seems to be decidedly average as a meal, but its novelty cannot be questioned, certainly. What I think I could use right now is another fine glass of wine. Would you care to join me?" He asked before standing from his seat. Of course, the feast's organizers would bring anyone at their table whatever drink they asked for, so it was merely an obvious excuse to speak to Sabine away from earshot of the others.

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros leaned his forearm on the table and sighed from his nose. He eyed the food in front of him, thinking for a moment, before catching the leader's eyes directly. "Do'rhajul's history does validate your concerns, I will grant. It would be foolish to assume that any remaining allegiance to Vile was impossible. However, there are a number of reasons I am comfortable with this arrangement." Fendros turned his hand and lifted fingers with each point. "First, I trust Sabine. I heard the details of what happened when she was captured. She never overestimates her capabilities and I believe she can keep Do'rhajul under a close eye. Secondly, none trust Do'rhajul but her. Even if the information he provides to strike at Vile's cult are accurate to the letter, he will not be given charge of anything he can use to undermine us. He is a broken, impotent old Khajiit guarded by one of the most powerful lycan mages in the world. I can assure you as one with firsthand experience against the man, we have taken necessary steps."

Sabine barely got out a greetings before the Breton Daggerfall clan leader began. She gave Do'rhajul a fleeting look before giving the leader a nod.

On the way to the wine cask, Sabine clutched at her upper arm and avoided eye contact at first. "I understand Meesei took out her anger on you while I was captured. I want to say sorry for arriving and leaving without explanation. I was...not managing myself with the forethought I should have at the time. I feel partly responsible." She looked at him again. "I am sorry, I also have a poor memory for names. What is yours?"

[EliteCommander]

The older Dunmer seemed to be at least slightly less guarded when speaking to Fendros. Still, his expression was severe in general. "Hmm...not the worst answer you could give, I shall admit. I believe I would speak for many if I were to say that it would be unacceptable to give him any significant degree of trust. Any...authority that he might abuse." He said, pausing as he leaned in and stared sternly into Fendros' eyes. "But I would ask if you can say, with certainty, that you find this arrangement acceptable. If tragedy strikes, your pack shall be the most vulnerable to it."

"Geran." The Breton answered without skipping a beat. As he opened up the tap on the cask, he looked over straight into Sabine's eyes. "You need not worry, I have not cast any blame onto you for the Champion's crimes. I cannot presume to understand what kind of a state you must have been in, with all you went through. I know full well how ruthless Vile's cultists can be, and you have my greatest sympathy for any suffering you had to endure."

Geran finished topping off his cup, then leaned back against the side of the cask. "So it is all true, yes? I have little doubt, considering that you brought most of those cultists straight back to my clan in bindings. Not to mention the dragon. I have to say, it is all most impressive. The rest of the clan alphas have known of you and the rest of your pack for years, of course, but I have to say that you have become something so much greater than just the Champion's shadow."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros looked around. The corner of his mouth tensed up. He would have to choose his words carefully. "I will be honest. If he died, I would feel safer. But right now he knows details that are invaluable to us. I am willing to take the risk of essentially holding him prisoner for that much." He weaved his fingers together. "I fear that he will be given untoward freedoms eventually. However, I do not believe I shall be the only one to pull my weight to stop that. At least until the information he provides can be confirmed."

Fendros gave Do'rhajul a sideways look from his distance across the table and spoke quietly to the Dunmer. "If there is an opinion I can agree on driving this outcome, however, it is that Do'rhajul is more dangerous outside than here. He is an Imperial general and a powerful warrior. Not a spy, not a conman, and certainly not an assassin."

Sabine was immediately put off by Geran's description of Meesei's outburst as her 'crimes.' She took a cup of wine cautiously and sipped it while Geran spoke. She lowered her eyes and momentarily thinned her lips at Geran's sympathy for her plight. She was perhaps too distracted to thank him for it before he continued.

As for the praise, Sabine exhaled a laugh and let her usual modesty embarrass her. "I...am not used to having this much attention," she said, tightening the grip on her staff. "I have not been called that before, though." She brought her eyes to Geran's face. "The Champion's shadow? Meesei is not my competitor. She is my mentor and...was my alpha."

[EliteCommander]

The younger of the Dunmer gave a very brief chuckle. "Hmph, keeping your enemies closer, I see."

The older Dunmer gave the other only a quick glance before continuing. "I appreciate that there is some rationality among the Champion's inner circle. This may not be the path that I would have chosen myself, were I in charge, but I suppose there are justifications for it. Just be sure to make the risk worthwhile. Leverage any advantage he can give us, but take care not to be caught up in any possible treachery. It would be unfortunate to lose you to such a mistake."

Geran simply sipped his wine, unphased by Sabine's modest nature. "I am afraid it is not the choice of you or the Champion. Whether you like it or not, any of your feats, your accomplishments as a pack, eventually become attributed, at least mostly, to the legendary Champion of Hircine as the word spreads through the ranks of the people." He explained. He did not seem to even attempt to hide some disdain in his tone when he spoke Meesei's title. "Lycans love to have strong leaders; it is simply in our nature. Our beasts are socially-minded creatures that appreciate strength. Having a hero to look up to is comforting for them, and it is easy for them to try and ignore their hero's flaws if it keeps them happy. And I think there are many people who are just the same, even without their beast's influence."

Reaching out one hand, Geran smiled and gave Sabine a quick pat on the shoulder. "But this, well, this is different. Nothing of what you accomplished can be...gifted to Meesei's legend. This is yours, and yours alone. Even though you quite obviously do not want the accolades, you do deserve them. For a true leader, humility is something beautiful, and I think it is something you have in the very core of who you are. You are not like most lycan heroes, and I think that is what makes you the greatest among them. I think that you are a more qualified leader than, say...our current Champion."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros gave a stiff, reaffirming nod. "Believe me, if I didn't think I could keep myself or my family safe around this, I could not have let it happen." He leant back. "Besides, you have your own matters to think about without worrying over me. We're getting close to the end of this war. Our focus should be finishing it."

Geran's agenda was slowly becoming clearer with every word he said.

Sabine held her wine cup close to herself. Years ago, she would have reacted to Geran's comments by turning around and leaving. Though she was still uncomfortable, she instead wanted to at least understand why Geran thought so differently of Meesei.

"I disagree that humility makes me a better leader than Meesei," Sabine said with her eyes shifting around. "I am not interested in such a thing." She lifted her chin level and hinted at worry. "But I can tell you do not like her. Why is that? I understand her hurting you was insulting and inappropriate but she has been a strong leader, has she not?"

[EliteCommander]

The Dunmer hummed a moment in thought. "Well, I suppose if Do'rhajul wishes to 'redeem' himself by dying in combat against Vile, I shall not stop him. I suppose I can accept this, given the current circumstances. Although, you should be aware that the matter of Do'rhajul will likely be much more...contentious without the threat of Vile looming over us. If he still lives when the war ends, he will need to be dealt with."

Despite Sabine's obvious worry, Geran remained friendly, and even smiled. He took a sip of his wine, then held up one hand. "Oh, I would not for a moment say that Meesei has been a bad leader. It would be dishonest of any rational person to say such a thing. Tamriel's lycan clans went from a disorganized array of vaguely aligned organizations that hardly even knew of each other outside their local areas, to a continent-spanning, unified group with a defined hierarchy. All in a matter of years. That was an impressive feat, and for the longest time, I was willing to follow Meesei without question."

Geran paused, staring out seemingly at nothing as his visage became more serious. "Then the cracks started to show. Her flaws. For how long did she hide herself away with her research a few years ago? Ignoring her duties, chasing her own goals. I heard rumors that even her very body started to decay, as if she was neglecting basic nourishment. That was not the picture of strength we had become accustomed to. And now, she has shown herself impatient, impetuous, quick to anger. She has shown herself vulnerable to irrational behavior when under stress. It may not have always been like that, but perhaps the stresses of war have gotten to her. She can hardly be blamed, of course; war can destroy even the strongest of minds. I still greatly respect all she has done, her legacy, but this is war, yes? Vile will not care about her legacy. We need our absolute best leader to guide us in these final days. I think that is you, Sabine. Meesei should still be held in the honorable position she deserves, but you should take the lead as Champion for the final push. Try not to think with your feelings; think objectively. If it were Meesei who were captured, would she have done as you did? Would she have saved Do'rhajul's life, and captured his whole team without a single casualty? Or would she have gotten angry? Would she have killed him? All of them? Do you think, perhaps, she might have tortured them out of rage for what they would have done to her? I think that you have the calm temperament needed to make the right decisions for all of us."

[Muttonhawk]

"Again, I fear that you are correct," Fendros conceded. "But...hmph..." He smiled and looked over at Sabine and her staff, then leant in to the Dunmer leader. "You heard what she said about anyone who wants to 'deal' with Do'rhajul." Fendros pointed a thumb in Sabine's direction. "Are you going to challenge her?" He asked jokingly.

Sabine listened with a tumult being tossed around in her mind. She was blank, lips slightly parted, staring Geran down in disbelief. Her mind went to the time Sabine spent watching Meesei decline as she became absorbed in her black book. The devotion Sabine spent in supporting Meesei, arguing with her, feeling hopeless, being struck by her. Meesei did what she did to end the war for all their sakes. She loved Sabine like a daughter. Sabine did what she did because she loved Meesei like a mother. That bond drew Meesei out of her addiction in the end.

But even with that entire unpleasant experience relived in just a few moments, Sabine's composure was brought further down by Geran bringing up Sabine's more recent experiences. The intense, prolonged pain. The terrifying rage she felt. Her beast spirit cowering within her.

She did not care that Meesei mentioned she would have done exactly as Geran suggested. Geran was making far too many assumptions. Sabine had to slowly place her wine cup down just to weather the indignant anger she felt.

"Objectively..." Sabine repeated. She breathed in deeply through her nose as her jaw unclenched. "Okay..." Her shoulders went back and she stood up straight. She had to look at Geran for another long moment just to compose a response that was not screaming in his face. "Geran," she resumed with a quiet gravity. "I think you have grievances with Meesei that you have not spoken to her about. Have you tried?"

[EliteCommander]

The Dunmer acknowledged the joke, though he did not laugh. "I do not think I shall be getting ahead of myself, not when Vile's minions may end up solving the problem for us before it is all over. Hopefully the former general will not prove to be too competent. If there is any shred of honesty in his words, he may not be too cautious with his own life." He remarked. The Dunmer finally took a few moments to pay attention to his own meal as he cast his gaze further down the table. "If that fails, perhaps the lizards can take him. They are certainly always eager to do anything the Champion says."

Although he was not budging from his opinion, Geran was patient through Sabine's objections and remained just as friendly in his attitude. He smiled, speaking softly and staying respectful towards Sabine. "Unfortunately, my grievances are that she is quick to anger and behaves irrationally when angered. That is not a wise grievance to bring up with someone who is quick to anger, yes? I do not doubt her power, and if I were to confront her, I know she would demand that I challenge her authority in the traditional way. I cannot defeat her in a duel, nor would I wish to try. I have no desire to try and take her position myself; I am humble enough to admit that I would not be a good candidate to be the Champion. But what I can see is your potential. You have proven your power to everyone here, and to me, you have shown your wisdom. Meesei, she loves you. I have seen the evidence of that firsthand." He said, pointing a finger to his blackened eye. "I believe that, if you decided to become the Champion, you would need only ask and she would make it so."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros followed the leader's eyes to glance at the Argonian delegates before turning back to face him. "I would not be so sure of that. Those lizards are smarter than you give them credit for. Do you think they would antagonise the Elsweyr clans just for Meesei's favour? Do you think we would allow that kind of resentment to be fostered by our actions?" Fendros gestured to make sure we referred to himself and his pack, not the Dunmer around him. "No. The only way for Do'rhajul to go is here at the top, with Sabine keeping watch over him. She's committed. Any attempt on his life from our side and Sabine will run off with him. Even if she wasn't like a little sister to me, she's too great a resource, you must understand."

Sabine blinked. Her next question was simple. "And what if I do not want to become Hircine's Champion?"

[EliteCommander]

The Dunmer did not break eye contact with Fendros. "You mistake my words for threats, Fendros. They are a warning. No matter my own thoughts, I do not see a world where Do'rhajul can be tolerated forever. His actions affected too many. If someone murdered your son, for how long would you be able to resist enacting our revenge if the opportunity was in front of you, every single day? That overgrown cat never killed anyone close to me, so I can think...rationally about this. But you would be foolish to think that you can reason with every grieving parent or sibling among us. You need not say any more to me, but I would heed my warning. You had best plan for when this is all over."

Geran laughed, his attitude completely in opposition to Sabine's. "Well, that would be why I am speaking to you right now. I am hoping you will see why we need you right now. Meesei is exceptionally capable, but right now, we need a calm, collected leader. I know that you are willing to make sacrifices, and take great risks for the benefit of our clans. You have shown that indisputably. That you do not want to be Champion is, in fact, a laudable trait. People who want to claim that kind of power often do so for selfish reasons, but you would be doing it out the need to help your people. You are someone who wants to help others more than you want to help yourself, and that is why we need you."

[Muttonhawk]

Fendros had to hide his mild embarrassment at his words coming off strongly enough to imply he had been threatened. Still, his eyes involuntarily found Ri'kalesh and Ri'vashi in turn, sulking into their food. He returned the Dunmer leader's look. "I understand. I shall keep the aftermath in mind, as you say." He sighed. "If things do come to blows -- in the worst case, of course -- my...standing advice is to remain neutral. After all the effort spent building and unifying, all the progress, even the hope of someday overcoming stigmas and so on...well...If you have not already lived through a civil war, you would know enough history to see our fate down that path."

No amount of pleading had shifted the poor impression Geran had left on Sabine. She cautiously thought about what to say next. In reality, she wanted to drag him in front of Meesei and make him express his worries directly. But, Geran was clearly manipulative. He would probably take the opportunity to discredit Meesei and hide behind her to avoid retaliation. He would make a public scene without the desire to help Meesei change.

Her next consideration came from entertaining his idea without accepting it. At least by implication.

"And what about Fendros?" Sabine asked, remaining flat and direct. "He is Meesei's second. Not me."