EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Jo'akith looked at Gallus with an expression that was, unfortunately, not encouraging. "As far as actual gold is concerned, the amount we have available is negligible. We took only what we had in our pockets when we fled after the attack, and we have not had any outside trading since we settled down here. It would be possible to find resources at our other outposts, but...that may not be a good idea. Only this outpost was kept out of our records. Vile's forces certainly know about the others, and may be watching, or even using them."

Ri'nakhad rubbed his mane, staring absently at the map as he contemplated the situation. "Those are fair points, Jo'akith, but it is worth mentioning that, while we do not have gold, we do have other resources that could be traded for it."

"Then that may be the way we could accomplish this successfully." Meesei commented. "If our greatest danger is the desert, then we can prepare against it. Ra'jorr, what would you say about this plan if you had more food and water available to you?"

Although Ra'jorr still seemed skeptical, his tone suggested that they could be on the right path to convincing him. "Well...those two resources would be our greatest concern. Water is the most important resource in the desert, but we can refill it completely at every oasis. We just need to ensure we have enough water storage to make every leg of the journey. Food would actually be harder to replenish. This one knows of a few locations where we could definitely trade for more, but overall, we would have to carry most of what we need for the journey. That too would take a lot of storage space."

Meesei nodded. "So storage space may be an issue. Are there any beasts of burden that can be used in the desert?"

"Yes, there are. It is not traditional for Khajiit, but camels have been used ever since they were brought here from the Alik'r. But purchasing camels would only reduce the amount of food we could buy." Ra'jorr answered.

"My pack still has a fair amount of gold from what we were allotted in Bruma, plus what we scavenged from Vile's outposts. We were going to use it for our journey back home, but we can use it to purchase these camels. Beyond that, Gallus' plan to trade for resources may work, but I do worry about the expense of hiring a ship to transport the cargo. If we could obtain the goods through Torval instead, we could simply move the entire clan closer to the city, so that no long distance transport would be needed. We would not need to divert far out of our path, and it is more than short enough of a journey that the clan should be able to make it without issue. Do you believe you could acquire goods from Torval in the same way, Gallus?" Meesei asked.

---

Peiter was laying in bed with Sabine, immediately following their second attempt. It had lasted longer this time, and he had not been as nervous through it. He laid facing her, staring into her eyes with a blissful smile. Despite the physical exertion, he felt energized. His heart was pounding, and his mind racing with thoughts almost exclusively about her. He simply felt alive.

"I...I wish I could think of more ways to say 'I love you.' How are you feeling this time?" He asked.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Goodnight.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I also may add a short bit for Peiter. It will be interesting writing for Meesei if she learns of certain events. Some realizations may or may not hit her like a truck.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

We can do either one. Depending on how long the meeting lasts, we could have a short scene or two going concurrently.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Certainly. It means La'khay won't need to go find Colors." La'khay answered as she wrapped her arms around Tzirret, then quickly untied his loincloth. Releasing her grip on him, she quickly looked around for a comfortable place to lay down, then lowered herself down onto her back again in a similar pose to before. "Take all the time you like."

---

The reactions of the lieutenants to Gallus' explanation was varied, from silent contemplation, to visible distaste. Miranor in particular had a worried expression. "Surely...this cannot be the best choice? We do not know for sure if Vile's forces are even looking for us. They may be dedicating their forces to more valuable targets. There has to be a way for us to just send warriors who can handle this journey?"

Ra'jorr shook his head. "No, in that, Ra'jorr believes they are correct. There is no way we could send a meaningful amount of warriors without weakening our defenses far too much to be safe. But, this one is still not comfortable with the idea. We do not have the food or water stores to make such an excursion safely.

Meesei nodded in understanding. "I...regret that this is the situation we find ourselves in. It is my greatest purpose to protect the lives of my fellow lycans, my brothers and sisters in blood. To take an option that is likely to cause deaths is not something I would ever consider lightly. But, as Gallus said, we are low on options. Vile has the advantage in Elsweyr, and if we do not regain it soon, many more deaths will follow. If you do not have the resources to travel, then perhaps we can find a way to gain them?" She said, looking to Gallus briefly to see if he had any suggestions.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

La'khay was confused by Tzirret's reaction, but as soon as he began to hug her, she returned it just as tightly. She was not quite sure why he felt he needed it, but if it was helpful, she would not argue. After a few move moments, she began to chuckle. "You are a strange Khajiit sometimes, Cloudy-Cat, but that, you shouldn't change. Some of these quirks of yours may be cute to some girls."

Once Tzirret eventually ceased his sobbing and pulled away from La'khay, she looked him in the eyes with a grin, and a hand on his shoulders. "La'khay hopes that was what you needed. If you're absolutely sure you don't want to mate, we can head back. You have a clan to explore."

---

As expected, Meesei's was not exactly met with smiles and applause. Instead, they received a mix of grim stares and worried glances. Ri'nakhad leaned over the table with his hands on either side of map, visibly frowning. "That is...a lot to ask. To move the entire clan such a distance...We have made a journey like that before, when we moved from Senchal to here after the attack. But, that was not as far, and we did not have to cross a desert. This one fears the losses we would take."

"I understand, Ri'nakhad, but this time, you would have much more of an opportunity to prepare." Meesei responded with a respectful tone, then motioned to Do'ajee. "That is why I have requested Do'ajee's presence. She was raised in Anequina and has lived a large portion of her life in its deserts. Your tribe was as large as this clan, correct?"

Do'ajee nodded. "Yes, this one's tribe was around the size of the clan...in it's current state. She knows the paths between the desert's oases. It would be possible, but...not easy. If Do'ajee is not mistaken, Ra'jorr is also a native of Anequina, correct?"

The Pahmar-raht gave a nod, but then, the gemstone on his pendant began to glow with a bright blue light. Shortly afterwards, it produced a strange, almost ghostly voice. "Yes, this one knows the desert well. It is possible for large groups to survive it, and he has no doubt that his warriors have the constitution for it, but to ask that everyone else in the clan, all of our young, injured, and elderly, make such a journey is a dangerous suggestion. Ra'jorr will not say it is impossible, but they are not accustomed to what they will need to face. If you wish to do this, you need to be absolutely certain it is necessary."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Just a quick comment. The enemy's stronghold isn't near Torval, but rather Corinthe.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

La'khay smiled towards Tzirret and began to pat him on the back. "You do not need to say goodbye yet, Tzirret. La'khay is not going anywhere, and there will be plenty of time for goodbyes when your pack leaves. She understands you are hurting right now, but she knows you will feel well once you start opening up to others. You may always think of La'khay as a friend, one who will be very upset if you keep letting fear dominate you." She answered, though her tone was friendly.

"Ah, but to your question, of course. La'khay will be more than happy to mate with you. You are becoming skilled." She said, sitting herself down on the ground in quite the seductive position. Evidently, she had interpreted his words as a euphemism. No matter what happened to her, it seemed as if there were some aspects of La'khay's personality which would never change.

---

Ri'nakhad nodded. "Yes, this one has spoken with his lieutenants. But first, there is another matter he should bring up first. Ra'kalesh, as you have likely noticed, Ishora...did not survive the attack, and we have not filled the position she left behind on this council. You were her second, and her friend. There are few among the clan who have served it as faithfully as you, and it is truly a blessing from Hircine that you have been returned to us. This one has spoken with the other lieutenants, and we believe it would be best for you to fill her position. This one would like to offer you the rank of lieutenant within our clan."

"Thank you, Clan Leader." Ra'kalesh said, breathing in deeply and with a solemn expression. "It is...unfortunate that this has occurred under such circumstances, but Ra'kalesh is honored to be selected for this role. This one swears that he will do all he can to live up to Ishora's example, and to serve the clan to the best of his ability."

"That is all we can ask." Ri'nakhad responded before turning his attention back to the others. "Well, this one supposes we should begin."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"And I love you. If you want to try again so soon, I'm certainly willing. I might, uh, need a few minutes, but it will take a bit to get back there anyway." Peiter answered. After rubbing his hands across her stomach for a few moments, he reluctantly let her go, as he needed to gather his belongings as well.

Once they were both ready, Peiter walked up and took Sabine by the hand. He did not think he had stopped smiling since they climbed out of the river, and looking at her only made it grow wider. He was not sure how long they simply stood looking at one another before Peiter realized he should probably say something. "Well, after you, beautiful."

---

La'khay did not quite smile, but her expression became more satisfied when Tzirret took the pendant. She patted his shoulder and looked at him approvingly. "Good, good. Make sure you do it alone; La'khay will not ask you to prove that you went. This is something you need to do for you, not anyone else. If you refuse to try, you will not be hurting her, it will only hurt you. This one would wish you luck, but she knows you do not need it. She has seen what you can do when you have the confidence to try, so she knows you can succeed. La'khay would still be glad to mate with you if you wish, but she understands if you do not want to do that any longer. Either way, she trusts that you will keep your promise."

---

Up in the outpost, Meesei, Gallus, Do'ajee, and Ra'kalesh entered the meeting hall within a few minutes of one another. At the table at the room's center, near the end, Ri'nakhad and three others, presumably his lieutenants, were waiting. One was a brown, black-striped Dagi-raht male with more covering clothing than the others, like a robe made of leather. Around its edges, one might be able to see the faint tinge of magic. Another was a light-haired Bosmer woman with a scent that was that of neither a werewolf or werelion, and the last was a Pahmar-raht. He had a similar fur pattern as S'ajira, but was much larger, though not to the extent of a Senche. Interestingly, he also had what looked like a steel amulet with a blue gemstone tied around his neck, from which Meesei could also feel the presence of magic.

"Excellent, everyone is here. Please, take a seat." Ri'nakhad said once everyone had arrived. After they all complied, he motioned towards the others with him. These are my lieutenants, Jo'akith, Miranor, and Ra'jorr." He introduced, pointing to the Dagi-raht, Bosmer, and Pahmar-raht respectively.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Peiter grinned and wrapped his arms around her waist as he kissed her on the cheek. "Dear, love, beautiful, the light of my life, there is a lot I could call you. I feel...well it's hard to put words to it, exactly. I'm sure I made some mistakes, but I feel good. I feel almost peaceful and, well needless to say, I really enjoyed that. Are you feeling good? Did I do alright?" He asked in a noticeably nervous tone.

---

"Nothing worth doing is ever easy, Tzirret." La'khay said firmly. "La'khay has been nice to you, but she is nothing special. Your friends, your alpha, this one has seen that they are just as nice to you as her. The only difference is that you are not attracted to them. If you were attracted to more than only Khajiit, then this one does not doubt you would already have found a girl for you before we even met. Your problem isn't that no one is willing to be nice to you, it is that you are not willing to talk to them. It is true that most people will not approach someone who does not look like they want to be approached. People like La'khay, or your friends, are unusual like that. La'khay is willing to bet that, since you joined your clan, you have never been the one to approach a stranger, unless it was absolutely necessary. You have always waited for others to come to you. What you must do is to open yourself up to others. What you must do is to be the one to approach them, and most importantly, you must have the courage to be patient. You may not be staying with our clan for too long, so you may not find your mate here. But, you may find friends, or at least a girl willing to mate with you a few times. If you start talking to people at all, it will be a step in the right direction."

Standing up straight, La'khay extended her hand with the pendant down towards Tzirret. "La'khay wants you to agree to something. Later in the day, when others in the clan are swimming in the river, this one wants you to come out to the river again. Alone. This one wants you to approach people you have never met and talk to them. Learn about them, share stories with them. Some will be nice and friendly like La'khay, some will be mean, rude, and maybe even insulting towards you. For that kind of person, you will want to avoid them, but under no circumstance should you give up. Now take this pendant and keep it. Keep it until you find the girl who is willing to be your mate."