I wouldn't really have time to write a lot tonight. I think I'll write a bit more from Kaleeth's perspective.
And I am honestly not sure what to do with Kaleeth. I never expected her to be a significant character, so I have no idea.
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Hmm, what should we do now?
When Meesei wrapped her arms around Sabine, just like after the last fight, she washed over her body with restoration energy to purge the poison from her body. This time, however, there were nowhere near as many injuries to heal, only a few scratches and bruises. Neither of the combatants looked like they had been hurt too badly, at least not with any lasting injuries.
"I told you that you could win." Meesei said with her arms still wrapped around her. Once she was sure all the injuries were taken care of, she cast a longer-lasting, low-power restoration spell onto her that would take care of any residual soreness. When she finally released the hug, she put her hands on Sabine's shoulders and looked at her with a smile. "Your trials are over. Now, all that remains is the ritual itself. I will be there to help guide you when it is time."
"Indeed, I can think of no better guide." Thorantilth commented as he approached the pair. "The trials have shown that you have the strength of body and will to undergo the ritual, but still, it would be best if you were well rested and in good health. We will perform the ritual tomorrow, around midday."
Kaleeth let out a sigh. Of course it was not going to be easy, why would it be? Everything else about the whole situation had been stressful and complicated. Still, she had choices about who to seek out for help. "I...do not think I can really say. I mean, I not really know a lot about Daedra, but I do know the Hist. I assume Hircine is a powerful being too, yes? If he is like the Hist, then his mind is above ours. Mortals can't know the minds of gods, it is...not smart to try to predict them, or anything like that. I would just say what comes to my heart, it's all I could do. I don't think planning like that would really help me talk to a god."
"I told you that you could win." Meesei said with her arms still wrapped around her. Once she was sure all the injuries were taken care of, she cast a longer-lasting, low-power restoration spell onto her that would take care of any residual soreness. When she finally released the hug, she put her hands on Sabine's shoulders and looked at her with a smile. "Your trials are over. Now, all that remains is the ritual itself. I will be there to help guide you when it is time."
"Indeed, I can think of no better guide." Thorantilth commented as he approached the pair. "The trials have shown that you have the strength of body and will to undergo the ritual, but still, it would be best if you were well rested and in good health. We will perform the ritual tomorrow, around midday."
Kaleeth let out a sigh. Of course it was not going to be easy, why would it be? Everything else about the whole situation had been stressful and complicated. Still, she had choices about who to seek out for help. "I...do not think I can really say. I mean, I not really know a lot about Daedra, but I do know the Hist. I assume Hircine is a powerful being too, yes? If he is like the Hist, then his mind is above ours. Mortals can't know the minds of gods, it is...not smart to try to predict them, or anything like that. I would just say what comes to my heart, it's all I could do. I don't think planning like that would really help me talk to a god."
Sam grinned. "As do I. Thinking back on it, it was hardly a romantic spot, wasn't it? Still, I don't regret it for a second. The real beauty of love isn't where it formed, but who it formed with. We could have been in the most polluted city or filthiest swamp and it would have been just as beautiful."
Looking at the clock, Sam could see that they were making good time. It was probably only going to be about 1:00 PM when they arrived, so they would have plenty of time to get their camp set up and get accustomed to the area. "We will be heading deeper into the forest this time, somewhere people very rarely go. Hopefully, it will help us not to be disturbed. I've been studying a map of the area, and there are a few landmarks I hope to familiarize myself with in case we get lost and need to get back. It's not perfect, but we will be much better prepared than last time."
Soon enough, Sam turned off onto a small side road, then onto a dirt road that headed up into the mountains. After a short while, he found the spot to turn off-road onto a small, overgrown path that used to be used for walking and ATVs. His car would barely fit through, but he nevertheless was able to make it to a decent sized clearing: the spot he intended for them to make their camp. Shutting off the car, he stepped out and took in a deep breath of the air around him. "Well, here we are, our new home for the next week. We should probably go ahead and get everything set up."
Looking at the clock, Sam could see that they were making good time. It was probably only going to be about 1:00 PM when they arrived, so they would have plenty of time to get their camp set up and get accustomed to the area. "We will be heading deeper into the forest this time, somewhere people very rarely go. Hopefully, it will help us not to be disturbed. I've been studying a map of the area, and there are a few landmarks I hope to familiarize myself with in case we get lost and need to get back. It's not perfect, but we will be much better prepared than last time."
Soon enough, Sam turned off onto a small side road, then onto a dirt road that headed up into the mountains. After a short while, he found the spot to turn off-road onto a small, overgrown path that used to be used for walking and ATVs. His car would barely fit through, but he nevertheless was able to make it to a decent sized clearing: the spot he intended for them to make their camp. Shutting off the car, he stepped out and took in a deep breath of the air around him. "Well, here we are, our new home for the next week. We should probably go ahead and get everything set up."
Okun was in a bad situation, and he knew it. His attack had failed, so Sabine had managed to flip him over and throw herself onto his back. She had his arm twisted in a way that was causing him constant pain, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't throw her off of him. He tried to reach back with his free arm to get her off of him, but with how little leverage he had, he could accomplish little more than tugging on loose clothing.
After a few moments of struggling, Okun finally relented. "Ow, ow, stop, stop, stop!" He shouted, which was enough for Thorantilth to call the fight to a close.
"Enough, the fight is over. Victory goes to Sabine. The Trial of body is concluded." Thorantilth said, with the healer approaching immediately to make sure Okun was unharmed.
Kaleeth had hoped Janius' answer would provide her a more solid idea of what to do, but she supposed it would make more sense to ask Meesei herself. After all, she knew her own motivations more than anyone. At first thought, it wouldn't make sense for the Hist to put an Argonian on a course that would separate her from them, but that was a mortal thought from a mortal mind. The Hist thought on a much higher level than herself.
"You are right, it would be better to ask her, to ask everyone. I can't decide on my own, so I should get help from everyone. Maybe...maybe I should try to commune with the Hist? Saxhleel always hear the Hist in our minds, but if I drink some of the sap, they might give me visions to help me. The Treeminder always taught me to trust their guidance, so it makes sense to listen to them now. And...you say becoming a werewolf would bind my soul to Hircine? I do not know about him very well. I know he is Daedra. Maybe...what would I have to do to commune with Hircine?" Kaleeth asked.
After a few moments of struggling, Okun finally relented. "Ow, ow, stop, stop, stop!" He shouted, which was enough for Thorantilth to call the fight to a close.
"Enough, the fight is over. Victory goes to Sabine. The Trial of body is concluded." Thorantilth said, with the healer approaching immediately to make sure Okun was unharmed.
Kaleeth had hoped Janius' answer would provide her a more solid idea of what to do, but she supposed it would make more sense to ask Meesei herself. After all, she knew her own motivations more than anyone. At first thought, it wouldn't make sense for the Hist to put an Argonian on a course that would separate her from them, but that was a mortal thought from a mortal mind. The Hist thought on a much higher level than herself.
"You are right, it would be better to ask her, to ask everyone. I can't decide on my own, so I should get help from everyone. Maybe...maybe I should try to commune with the Hist? Saxhleel always hear the Hist in our minds, but if I drink some of the sap, they might give me visions to help me. The Treeminder always taught me to trust their guidance, so it makes sense to listen to them now. And...you say becoming a werewolf would bind my soul to Hircine? I do not know about him very well. I know he is Daedra. Maybe...what would I have to do to commune with Hircine?" Kaleeth asked.
Sharee shouldn't have expected Kahl to have any real useful information, being that he was a slave. Still, it didn't hurt to ask. They at least had a few options and a reasonable amount of information. When Serge showed up, she noticed their group was growing a bit large to be inconspicuous, so she decided it would be best to continue this conversation somewhere less public.
"Yes, we have." Sharee answered to Serge. "Come on, let's get back to the ship to discuss this further." She ordered, motioning the others to follow her. It was getting late, so it would be time to retire for the night soon enough...after carrying out Noelle's punishment, of course. She was going to make sure the entire crew was there to observe that. It would serve as a good warning to those who were thinking about crossing her, which was really the biggest reason she wanted to do it in the first place. Sharee didn't actually care that much about what Noelle did. If anything, her actions had motivated her to research countermeasures to mental manipulation.
As they walked, Sharee ruminated about the options they had. By Noelle's report, the Miriam had quite a lot of skooma and would be a profitable target, albeit a dangerous one. She knew well the state of her ship and how few resources they had for proper armor and weapons. Malakaus and Sarel would do whatever they could for the vessel, but they only had so many resources to work with. Sharee was definitely overconfident in her abilities, but she wasn't stupid, and more importantly, she trusted no one. In her eyes, her crew could easily fail her, so she wanted to play it safe for now. The other vessel, the one owned by Kahl's old master, might not contain as much skooma, but they stood a better chance of taking it. Plus, the boy was enthusiastic about taking on his master. She doubted he could be of much help in a fight, but in her mind, she had a few ideas of how he might be useful. By the time they made it back on the deck of their ship, she had a rough idea in mind of something they could do, something that would involve both the Miriam, and the other ship.
Walking across the deck with the others behind her, she approached the railing and leaned onto it, looking out over the harbor. "So, we have two ships we know of that have skooma, the Miriam, and the one owned by Kahl's old master. The way I see it, the Miriam is too hard of a target to hit just yet, but that doesn't mean we can't use it. I have an idea, an opportunity we can exploit. I just have two questions. One, Noelle, do you know if the Miriam has already loaded all of its skooma, or do you think they are going to get any more? Two, what do you think would happen if you went back to your master, Kahl?"
"Yes, we have." Sharee answered to Serge. "Come on, let's get back to the ship to discuss this further." She ordered, motioning the others to follow her. It was getting late, so it would be time to retire for the night soon enough...after carrying out Noelle's punishment, of course. She was going to make sure the entire crew was there to observe that. It would serve as a good warning to those who were thinking about crossing her, which was really the biggest reason she wanted to do it in the first place. Sharee didn't actually care that much about what Noelle did. If anything, her actions had motivated her to research countermeasures to mental manipulation.
As they walked, Sharee ruminated about the options they had. By Noelle's report, the Miriam had quite a lot of skooma and would be a profitable target, albeit a dangerous one. She knew well the state of her ship and how few resources they had for proper armor and weapons. Malakaus and Sarel would do whatever they could for the vessel, but they only had so many resources to work with. Sharee was definitely overconfident in her abilities, but she wasn't stupid, and more importantly, she trusted no one. In her eyes, her crew could easily fail her, so she wanted to play it safe for now. The other vessel, the one owned by Kahl's old master, might not contain as much skooma, but they stood a better chance of taking it. Plus, the boy was enthusiastic about taking on his master. She doubted he could be of much help in a fight, but in her mind, she had a few ideas of how he might be useful. By the time they made it back on the deck of their ship, she had a rough idea in mind of something they could do, something that would involve both the Miriam, and the other ship.
Walking across the deck with the others behind her, she approached the railing and leaned onto it, looking out over the harbor. "So, we have two ships we know of that have skooma, the Miriam, and the one owned by Kahl's old master. The way I see it, the Miriam is too hard of a target to hit just yet, but that doesn't mean we can't use it. I have an idea, an opportunity we can exploit. I just have two questions. One, Noelle, do you know if the Miriam has already loaded all of its skooma, or do you think they are going to get any more? Two, what do you think would happen if you went back to your master, Kahl?"
Okun had not expected to have any success, but he somehow managed to push her off of him, at least mostly. She was still right beside him, and still very much a threat. He had to act quick, to hit her hard enough to throw her off balance and allow him to really get a good hold of her. Unlike Wutanxeex, he didn't want to hurt her, so he actively avoided the head and instead tried to deliver a strong punch to her stomach. Instead of retaliating quickly as he expected, however, Sabine braced defensively. As Okun wound up for his punch, she moved her arm in the way so that his fist deflected off of her forearm into her stomach, instead of a direct hit. While her arm probably hurt, it reduced the overall force of his blow, meaning he had now left himself open and had nothing to show for it.
Upon Janius' suggestion, Kaleeth stared ahead, deep in thought. Even one who could not understand more subtle Argonian expressions would be able to tell she was conflicted. There were aspects of this situation she had not even thought about, and honestly, really did not like thinking about. "I...can't even imagine talking about this to mother or father, but...I will have to. The Treeminder, I don't know what he will say. I know my path through the river is my own, he will probably say the same. It's just...sometimes the waters are cloudy and the way is unclear. Sometimes, people do not understand the path the Hist want for them. It's just...could the Hist's path for me really make me separate from them? I mean...your friend Meesei, she said she is following her path faithfully, right? Does she believe being a werewolf is what the Hist wants from her? Or do you not know?"
Upon Janius' suggestion, Kaleeth stared ahead, deep in thought. Even one who could not understand more subtle Argonian expressions would be able to tell she was conflicted. There were aspects of this situation she had not even thought about, and honestly, really did not like thinking about. "I...can't even imagine talking about this to mother or father, but...I will have to. The Treeminder, I don't know what he will say. I know my path through the river is my own, he will probably say the same. It's just...sometimes the waters are cloudy and the way is unclear. Sometimes, people do not understand the path the Hist want for them. It's just...could the Hist's path for me really make me separate from them? I mean...your friend Meesei, she said she is following her path faithfully, right? Does she believe being a werewolf is what the Hist wants from her? Or do you not know?"
I need to go somewhere, I'll post when I get back.
Okun could not breathe for a few moments after Sabine's strike. The sudden reversal left her in an advantageous position, and himself confused. She had both of his arms and was pinning him to the ground. Luckily, he was on his back, as if he was on his stomach, she would probably be able to pull back his arms and force him to submit. Still, he was out of breath and at an altogether terrible disadvantage. He tried to struggle to get his arms free of her, but even with the mud and rain, he couldn't shake her grasp. As a last ditch effort, he tried to put as much force as he could to pushing her off of him so he could roll onto her and give himself the advantage, but with her strength, he did not hold much hope of succeeding.
Kaleeth kept her head lowered for a few moments before looking up at Janius meekly. "I...not know what I want." Most parts of the life Janius described sounded great, apart from the separation from the Hist, but she knew she loved her life in the village as well. None of the other downsides really bothered her too much. She didn't care about living among civilizations, other than her own, and the village was always in danger just as Janius' family was. The physical capabilities of werewolves seemed amazing, but that was less of a factor in her decision than the ability to be with Janius. Everything she could choose involved giving up something and someone. The whole situation was almost too much for her to bear.
"I just don't know; I can't think. There is so much to think about. Both choices will take me from more than one thing that I love. I...am already torn apart, I just want to know what to pick to put myself back together more. If...if I joined you, what would happen?" Kaleeth asked, with a hint of desperation in her voice. The indecision, more than anything, was what was tearing her apart.
Kaleeth kept her head lowered for a few moments before looking up at Janius meekly. "I...not know what I want." Most parts of the life Janius described sounded great, apart from the separation from the Hist, but she knew she loved her life in the village as well. None of the other downsides really bothered her too much. She didn't care about living among civilizations, other than her own, and the village was always in danger just as Janius' family was. The physical capabilities of werewolves seemed amazing, but that was less of a factor in her decision than the ability to be with Janius. Everything she could choose involved giving up something and someone. The whole situation was almost too much for her to bear.
"I just don't know; I can't think. There is so much to think about. Both choices will take me from more than one thing that I love. I...am already torn apart, I just want to know what to pick to put myself back together more. If...if I joined you, what would happen?" Kaleeth asked, with a hint of desperation in her voice. The indecision, more than anything, was what was tearing her apart.
While Okun still felt that he was falling behind, he had at least managed to pull Sabine to the ground as well. Since they were both on the ground, it was fair to fight, and he definitely felt the effects of that when he was kicked in the head. Neither of them were really able to use their weapons at this point, but Okun still wasn't in an advantageous position. Getting up onto his hands and knees, Okun quickly tried to crawl towards her and grapple her. If he could get his arms around her neck, maybe he could force a submission? Of course, with all the mud, and with a disadvantage in physical strength, how he was going to do that was beyond him.
"Oh..." Kaleeth began, though her voice quickly trailed off. She rested her head against Janius' chest and tried to think about what she should do. The idea was not out of her mind, but she was very conflicted. No choice she could make seemed to lead to a good outcome. For a few moments, she simply tried to enjoy the feeling of the rain against her scales, a part of her wishing that all of her troubles could just vanish. What was the point of all of this if they were going to be torn apart so soon? And what was the point of continuing with her normal life if she couldn't be with the only person she had ever really cared about in this way? At this point, she was not choosing what she felt would be best for her, but rather what would destroy her life the least.
"Well...what are the good parts?" Kaleeth asked, trying to at least see all sides of the issue.
"Oh..." Kaleeth began, though her voice quickly trailed off. She rested her head against Janius' chest and tried to think about what she should do. The idea was not out of her mind, but she was very conflicted. No choice she could make seemed to lead to a good outcome. For a few moments, she simply tried to enjoy the feeling of the rain against her scales, a part of her wishing that all of her troubles could just vanish. What was the point of all of this if they were going to be torn apart so soon? And what was the point of continuing with her normal life if she couldn't be with the only person she had ever really cared about in this way? At this point, she was not choosing what she felt would be best for her, but rather what would destroy her life the least.
"Well...what are the good parts?" Kaleeth asked, trying to at least see all sides of the issue.
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