EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Though somewhat afraid to speak, Peiter still felt just angry enough to lash out. There was still a part of him that was frightened to shout at his alpha, and worried about what might happen if he did, but that part of his mind was being effectively repressed by the rage he had awoken with.

"If you cared, you would have tried. You wouldn't have just...cut me out like some trapped animal. I remember Sabine tried, and I remember you stopped her! It's like you wanted me to be crippled for the rest of my life! It's over, my life is over. There's no point anymore; I can't do any of the things I've spent my life doing. I'm worthless now!" Peiter yelled. There were tears mixed in with his shouting, and while he was looking at Gallus now, he still could not bear to look him in the eyes.

Such defiance was not common for Peiter. In fact, he had never resisted Gallus in any appreciable way since he had joined his pack. Overall, it was as if Peiter were another person.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth shook her head lightly. "No, it was better you were focusing on protecting yourself. You're more important than any armor could ever be. I don't know if we'll ever be heading back there, but...well, this was going to happen eventually. Meesei did always tell me to try to avoid carrying too many things at once that I wouldn't want to lose. No point in worrying about it right now; we can just try to have breakfast with the others."

Whatever breakfast the pack was going to have, it would have to be a quick one, for Ri'vashi was intent that the camp be moved quickly. Above anything else, she wanted to get everyone to safety. The Senche-raht had not yet recovered enough to bear heavy loads, but the unwounded Senche were already preparing to pull carts. Most of the tents they were bringing were packed, and the majority of the work that remained was deciding which supplies to bring, and which to leave. Because of the number of warriors they had lost, some of their supplies, equipment, and particularly tents would no longer be needed. To save space, they would be leaving some of it behind. Meesei had found a seat on an overturned log and was watching her pack finish up their packing while she tried to finish the boar's leg she had taken as her breakfast. Around them, she could see the eyes of the other warriors on her, and hear their whispers. In the aftermath of the battle, and the rest of the night following, many rumors had been created concerting her condition. And, now that they could see her for themselves, all new rumors were forming.

---

Peiter's reaction was, perhaps, not what Gallus had been hoping for. His mood had by no means improved since speaking with Uthri, and the fact that Gallus delayed in visiting certainly did not help matters. Peiter did not greet Gallus, but instead glared. He had scarcely touched his breakfast, save for a few bites in a half-hearted effort to satisfy Uthri. Peiter looked away from Gallus, gritting his teeth.

"You don't care." Peiter finally said, softly but firmly.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Goodnight

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha gave a brief huff. "Please, there are trolls everywhere. The problem is that they only seem to show up when you least want them to. Still, we can look for any ingredients you need. It's just a healing potion you need to make, right? A long-lasting one, I guess. Otherwise, I know I'm not personally affected by the need for sunburn ointment, but...I'm sure everyone would be willing to go without for the wounded. Besides, we have plenty of clothing for everyone now."

Lorag was concerned about Meesei moving around already, but he was not going to question her. Instead, he gave his own input to the discussion. "Well, I know we're gonna have to stop at Corinthe to resupply before making the trek across the desert. We can get ingredients or potions there. Coin might be tight, but we'll manage."

Meesei steadied herself briefly on Fendros, but did not start to use him fully for support. "Do not worry, my legs are just sore. Rest assured, the danger has passed for me. Though, I could certainly use a meal."

Kaleeth, meanwhile, was practically giggling in Janius' arms. "This is just such a weight off my shoulders." She said somewhat quietly. I know there is still a lot happening to worry about, but at least there's hope. I do wish we could go back and get all those bodies to bury...and my armor. I think we'll have to leave it."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei nodded to Fendros with a grin on her face. "I suspect I will be receiving that sentiment quite often. I will live, of that I am fairly certain. We have managed to remove the vast majority of the silver, though some still remains. Sabine will be making long-lasting regeneration potions to counteract the damage of what is left. Unfortunately, I will probably need to take them for the foreseeable future. It will be incredibly difficult for me to remove what is left, but at least I will have time now."

Meesei stretched out the muscles in her neck and arms, though she did give a slight grimace of pain. Regardless, nothing in her demeanor suggested she was going to stop and lay back down at any point. "Well, even if I am not going to be packing up camp with all of you, I believe I am well enough to walk around with you all. I would like for the camp to see me up and, well, alive. Once we start moving again, I will get some rest in one of the carts."

"As long as you're sure you're alright." Ahnasha commented. "How many potions do you think you'll be able to make, Sabine? Will we need to get more ingredients for you? What are they made from?"

Kaleeth's mood had improved to the point where it looked like she was going to start jumping. Her smile lit up her face as she walked over and grabbed Janius' hand, then hugged him for no particular reason. They had all been through a tragedy, and they would no doubt return to worries and grief soon enough, but for the moment, Kaleeth had something she could simply be happy about.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

We could. I'm doing some things, so my next one may be a bit.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth did not hold back in hugging Meesei, perhaps a bit too tightly. Nevertheless, after a strained groan from Meesei, Kaleeth relented enough that they could actually speak. "Sorry, Meesei, it's just...this is a miracle. I just couldn't imagine our pack going on without you. You've been so understanding, so patient with me. I know I've been so much trouble with my beast spirit; I think a lot of other alphas would've made me be alone like all the other werecrocodiles a long time ago. And you've helped me so much in learning to live outside our homeland; you're just the best kind of friend."

"Thank you, Kaleeth. I do appreciate the praise. And now, since your biggest fear of last night has passed, perhaps you can accept some of your well-deserved praise as well? Your actions during our escape last night were outright heroic. Without you breaking through the gate, and straight into their lines, none of us may have made it out of that fortress." Meesei responded.

Lorag stepped up alongside Kaleeth and gave her a few hard pats on the back. Obviously, his current mood was a far cry from what it had been the night before. At the moment, he was practically jovial. "Yeah, that naive hatchling this city boy scooped out of a swamp has really grown into her own. Now, obviously I could've broken us out of there too..." He began, chuckling. "...but you did alright. I'm glad to see our Alpha alive and well."

---

Peiter had no response for Uthri, and was remaining just as silent as Tzirret. Despite the offer of support, he could not help but to feel angry. At the moment, his mind was racing, and overwhelmed with an intense mixture of anger and fear. His mind was having a hard time coming to terms with the reality of his situation. The idea that he was going to be doomed to a life of disability left him wanting something or someone to blame. He was in no position to be thinking objectively on what Gallus and the others had done.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

When Janius and a few of the others made it to the tent, Meesei decided she would greet them not just with words. She smiled, then stood up, albeit somewhat shakily. As another demonstration of her improvement, she walked up to Janius, arms outstretched, and greeted him with a hug. "No Daedra this time. Sabine, Marcaille, some tenacity, and a lot of luck. I think that is an adequate summary."

"I gather that the camp is being packed, so I am assuming the Senche-raht are in good enough condition to move. I would help pack the tents, but my legs are still having difficulty with my own weight at the moment. Honestly, I may get some sleep on the carts once we leave. I feel like I need some rest quite badly at the moment." Meesei added.

---

Peiter covered his eyes, and for a short while, was entirely unresponsive. He did not acknowledge Uthri's answer, nor Tzirret. It was difficult to tell exactly what was going through his mind, but it was clear from his demeanor that he was still distraught. Their attempts at calming him had not yet been effective.

Finally, Peiter's sobs were broken up by words. "I remember...Sabine was trying to help me, then Gallus just...he didn't even try. You didn't even try! Just cut me out without a second thought." He shouted. For now, at least, Peiter would not be easily calmed, as he was not thinking rationally.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei, despite her overall fatigue, remained sitting up on her bed, instead of laying down to rest. When the rest of her pack did come to see her, she wanted to erase any fear from their minds of her safety, so she did not want to appear still bedridden. While she was waiting, she decided to start work on the long process of healing her scars. With how long they had gone untreated, it would take some effort to return her scales to their normal shiny, smooth state.

---

Peiter was groggy when he first opened his eyes. At first, he was not entirely sure where he was or what had happened; that is, until he tried to rub his eyes. He looked to his right, and was overcome with an almost unparalleled feeling of horror. "What? Oh, no...no no no no no. How could this be? I...I remember."

Bringing his hand up to his head, Peiter tried to hide his tears. He could not bring himself to look at Uthri or Tzirret, and was not particularly responsive towards them. "Why me? Why did he do this?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes...please. Thank you." Meesei answered, carefully allowing herself to be seated. "I am sure there are many who would like to know. Marcaille went to go inform Ri'vashi, but I am sure our pack will be happy to hear the news. Certainly, I was pleased when I learned of it." She chuckled. "As long as I have a constant boost to my natural regeneration to counteract the silver, I should be fine. I am using my own magic at the moment, but I am feeling quite intensely tired, as you might imagine. The rate of injury from the remaining silver is slow, but I would not want to go to sleep without a healer present, or a potion."

Outside, the camp as a whole was busy. The healers had given Ri'vashi the word that the Senche-raht were ready to move, so she had given the order to pack up the camp. Or, at least what was necessary. With the warriors they had lost in the attack, not all of their tents would be needed, so many were being left behind to save space. Supplies were being taken off of the carts to be carried by soldiers, so that the carts could be used to carry those still too wounded to move on their own. Ri'vashi herself was exhausted, but continued to direct her soldiers with just as much energy as usual, thanks to the many potions of stamina she had been drinking.

In one of the healers' tents, Peiter had awoken, though he was far from being in a good mood. He had very little risk of dying at this point, but he was still confused, frightened, and angry. That anger would become even more apparent if he happened to see Gallus.