EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha leaned back, supporting her upper body with her hands. Some of the conflict in her mind showed through into her expression, though it was not long before she gave an answer. "I think that really depends on how long this war actually lasts. It has already gone on for three or four years already, and we don't really have a way of defeating them for good. I mean, this isn't like a war between Empires and nations, we have to fight in the shadows, away from the prying eyes of civilization. That means this war goes...slowly. It takes us much longer to accomplish anything, so this still could go on for a while. I want to make sure I can have a place to safely raise Rhazii, but if he is old enough by the time it is over, then he can come with us. I'll be honest, I don't really like the idea of staying in one place for the rest of my life. I prefer to have some excitement."

Kaleeth chuckled and lightly shook her head. "There are others kinds of excitement other than danger, you know? When I was growing up, there were plenty of times I was able to enjoy myself without risking my life. I think family is much more important than all of that anyway. It doesn't mean we have to stay in one place the whole time; my clan moved from place to place with the seasons, but we always had that stability."

Ahnasha lowered her head slightly. "Yes, well...I just think I would be more comfortable overall in a smaller group." She said, though in truth, being in a large clan did not actually bother her. The trouble was that it made it harder for her to conduct her research.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros' mention of the food reminded Jo'rashaad to check on the meat. Fortunately, it was not overcooked, and would be finished within a few minutes. "This one believes it is called a sandcrawler. He will confess, he has not actually eaten one before, but he did make sure to ask how to prepare it. It is a type of desert crustacean, quite large and fairly common, but, um, much better when cooked. Jo'rashaad has already removed the shells, except for on the legs. The spices this one used to prepare them are not quite as sweet as some other Khajiit dishes; this one knows many non-Khajiit do not prefer that aspect of our cooking."

Somewhat surprisingly, Ciinriel was actually the next to speak. She had been as reclusive as usual when they first sat down, but it seemed that all it took to get her to open up was a slight push. "So, um, what do you all plan to do after all of this?" She asked, not directing the question towards any specific person. "I mean, after everything. After the war is over and everyone can settle down again. Do you think you will want to just stay in one place with your clan, or will your pack just keep traveling by itself. I remember before the attack on our clan, there were some packs and prides that wanted more adventure."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ciinriel did tense up reflexively when her name was called, but it only lasted a brief moment before she looked up to answer. "Oh, well it does make me a bit nervous. The attack, I mean. I have made a few new friends here, but a lot of my friends are going. After the attack on Senchal...I wish none of us had to fight anymore. But, at least it won't be a surprise this time. And, I can stay here with my parents."

With her attention taken away from Leaps for the moment, Ciinriel looked around and began watching Rhazii and Newt's game of tag. Instead of her prior, neutral expression, she started to smile. "Those two are pretty cute, you know. I always wanted a brother or sister like that, but...well it is good they will have each other growing up. I think I look forward to taking care of them. With them and Leaps, it might be fun."

"They are simply a joy to be around. They are more work than we ever could have imagined, but I don't regret any of the sleep I lost. I'm just so proud of how far Newt has come." Kaleeth commented. Pausing a moment, she leaned herself against Janius, placing her hands on both of his shoulders and planting a kiss on his cheek. "And I'm proud of how far you've come too. Would you have ever thought you would be where you are now before you met me?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sorry for the delay in the response. I was doing some things earlier. I am about to get to bed, though. Goodnight.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Huh...wait!" Newt shouted when Rhazii tapped his shoulder and started running. In his surprise, he ended up falling flat on his face as he tried to scramble to his feet. However, he was entirely undeterred, and simply stood back up and continued running after him. With the children now otherwise occupied, Kaleeth was able to move a bit closer to the fire.

With Janius' question, both Jo'rashaad and S'ajira looked to one another. With only a slight delay, they both shook their heads. "We are not really sure, in truth. Ra'kalesh has not spoken of it, and we have not asked. This one thinks he and Ri'nakhad have just been focusing all of their efforts on the attack. What happens after this march will likely determine our future. If it goes well, then we will probably start making plans for rebuilding. If, Hircine forbid, it doesn't...well, it depends on what happens. This one hopes we will be able to find a place to rebuild in the south. The location of the outpost where we found the clan is a good one. We took as much as we could from there, but we still would have something to start with. Though, it might do well to move closer to Torval, just for the convenience of trade. Pelletine is our home, and both of us hope to return. But if we...lose too many in this attack, we may have to stay here for a while. This one doubts we would ever directly plan to stay here permanently, but if we have to stay here for long enough, that may happen anyway. Our numbers are low all ready, and this one does not know how many of us will be needed to remain a clan of our own."

"That isn't going to happen, don't worry." Ahnasha said confidently. "I know I can't promise that the attack will go off flawlessly, but we won't fail."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes, we were quick to do anything we could to teach him about that." Kaleeth added. "You might get a bit of a static shock from touching him every now and again, but nothing worth worrying about. We usually take him somewhere humid at least once a day, and preferably warm. He seems to like it. And so does Newt, since I'm thinking about it. Just, um, keep an eye on Rhazii when they're both in the water. Newt likes to challenge him to things when they swim. One time, he challenged Rhazii to see who could stay under the water the longest. I...don't think Rhazii realized the problem at the time."

Ciinriel began to scratch Leaps' stomach, though all of the talk of him having the ability to electrocute things did make her somewhat nervous in doing so. Nevertheless, Leaps kept up his current lazy, relaxed demeanor. He did not seem to have a great deal of energy at the moment, else he would likely be more direct in getting someone to play with him.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Jo'rashaad, for a brief time, seemed confused by Janius' description of how the attack unfolded. At first, he was confused on how Leaps was even involved, until he put together the explanation in his mind. "Wait, did...Leaps shoot lightning down from the ridge? Wamasu can shoot lightning? Jo'rashaad...did not know this. Well, he has of course heard of the hunt of Haynekhtnamet, and the dagger carved from its tooth, but he didn't know all wamasus had such power. How do they do such a thing, being simple animals?"

Kaleeth, while she was no expert on the nature of animals or magic, had grown up with stories of most Black Marsh creatures. "I heard about the wamasu growing up. I was told outsiders described them as 'intelligent dragons with lightning for blood.' But, I don't think any of that is really literal. They aren't dragons, and they are pretty smart, but I think it is just instinct that lets them use lightning. And they definitely do have blood. They do seem rather...how would I put it, in tune with lightning though. Even their eggs put out lightning until just before they are ready to hatch. If I would have remembered that back when we found the egg, I probably would not have picked it up."

"This one sees." Jo'rashaad commented, though as he looked over to Ciinriel and Leaps, a hint of worry came over his expression. "Um...does he do it often? Use his lightning, that is?"

---

With Ma'tanza holding onto S'nishi's piece of the amulet for the moment, she nodded to Tzirret. "Thank you, Ma'tanza thinks we will go look for them." She said before placing her hand on M'ibasa's shoulder and looking to Tzirret somewhat apologetically. "We, um, wanted to spent what time we have left together as a family. But...Ma'tanza will find you after the march start, okay? This really was thoughtful of you; thank you, again." She continued. M'ibasa was urging her to get moving with a few subtle movements, but she still remained for the moment.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Oh?" Jo'rashaad said curiously, while S'ajira perked up her ears to show her interest. "Jo'rashaad does not think he has heard this story. Was it during that ambush outside of Senchal, or some other time?"

Ahnasha smiled at Leaps. Even if the situation they had been in had not been a particularly pleasant one, it had at least shown a glimpse of what Leaps might be able to do in the future. Not to mention, it demonstrated quite clearly that Leaps' mind did hold some connection to the pack. Wamasu were not domestic creatures, so Leaps was tamed at best. For all the time they had been raising him, there had always been the question of how safe it would be to be around him as he aged. "This was before we arrived in Elsweyr. Just north of the Imperial City, on the shores of Lake Rumare. Some of us went down to the lake for a swim, but evidently, there had been some bandits tracking us. We outnumbered them, but with us split up and distracted, they took their chances. Well, Leaps noticed. I stayed back at camp and wasn't by the shore, so I don't know exactly what happened."

---

By her expression, Ma'tanza was genuinely surprised with Tzirret's gift. It was simple, clever, and surprisingly meaningful. Ma'tanza was actually rather touched by the fact that Tzirret was giving her a gift not as a show of his own affection, but to help serve as a reminder of her own family. It was not a "selfish" gift in any sense.

Clutching both her and S'nishi's pieces in her hand, she quickly gave Tzirret another hug. "Thank you, Tzirret. This is very thoughtful." She said before putting her piece around her neck, wearing it as an amulet. Turning to S'nishi, she glanced down to the other piece contemplatively. S'nishi was not wearing anything at the moment, so it could not actually be tied to her. "Hmm...we can probably make this one into an amulet too. We just need a bigger cord, or we can tie it to your armor once you get that on."

M'ibasa put on his piece as soon as it was handed to him, though after a few seconds, S'nishi gave him a quick, stern look, which he immediately understood. "Oh, thank you." He said, with only a slight hint of reluctance.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"It is not a problem. Jo'rashaad thinks he remembers someone mentioning Leaps to him at some point, regardless." Jo'rashaad answered, leaning himself forward slightly to get a look at Leaps on the other side of Ciinriel. "He does not seem to be too much trouble. Though, from what this one has heard of wamasu, that may not hold true after a few more years."

Kaleeth wanted to get up and move over to Leaps as well, but wanted to avoid disturbing Rhazii and Newt for the moment. "He will still be able to fit through the doors. Back in Bruma, that is. We did the measurements. But, we might have some problems bringing him around to places after a while. We could leave him in stables outside cities for a while, but...stablemasters might start getting afraid of him trying to eat the horses once he is too big. And honestly...he might. Some people have told me that it might be hard to train him both to be a war creature, but also passive towards smaller animals when unattended. I know he loves catching rats, and rabbits, and foxes, and one time a bear cub...we had to step in and help him after that one."

---

Ma'tanza did not greet Tzirret with nearly as much enthusiasm as he had on his approach. She did return his hug, briefly, but quickly moved back closer to M'ibasa. "Oh, hello. We were just getting breakfast." She responded simply. M'ibasa waved hello as well, and S'nishi gave Tzirret a quick nod, but all three of them appeared to be more focused on one another than Tzirret. Ma'tanza did not necessarily act as if she were angry or otherwise upset with Tzirret, but rather was just not paying him much attention.

"So what are we going to have?" Mi'basa asked. "Since it's our last day...we can have those sweet cakes we saw before?"

Ma'tanza hesitated only briefly before returning a nod. "If we can find them again, sure. Maybe with us joining in the march, they will let us have a bit more than usual."

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

As soon as Ssarak hears of the hunt, he will be flying there regardless of what anyone else says or does.