EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I'm glad she improved. I know how important the Champion is to you, and she has been nothing but kind to me as well. Really, I don't know how well any of us would be faring without her. She is like...a symbol. She's unquestionably our leader, she's powerful, and she's accomplished a lot. I think there are some people who don't like her, but I don't think most people would be feeling hopeful about the future if she died, especially after last night." Peiter commented

Just as before, Peiter became visibly more uncomfortable once the topic shifted to him. "Uthri said she and Tzirret were with me all night. I don't want to talk to Gallus."

---

Ma'tanza nodded solemnly. "This one has been with her sister all night. She hasn't had a chance to...see how others fared." She explained. Based on what Tzirret had said so far, she guessed that at least Peiter was hurt, but was probably alive. "Who in your pack was hurt? Is everyone alright now?" She asked.

S'nishi, having been on the frontlines with Gallus' pack, knew what had transpired during the attack. She lowered her head regretfully, but she could not answer Ma'tanza's question.

---

Meesei gave a sigh as she continued to search the crowd around them. "You disappoint me, Gallus. I remember what happened to Peiter. Your actions then were certainly justified, no doubt. Indeed, it may have been the only way to safe him. But, he is still young, inexperienced, and he has been through more trauma than anyone rightly should. He woke only to be faced with the reality that his life has been forever changed for the worse. Even a career soldier would have a difficult time coming to terms with that. It does not seem likely that he is able to think rationally at the moment. But, it seems to me that you understand that now; I just hope he comes to forgive you. He will calm down in time; accept his situation. When he can look at the situation with a cool head, he will understand that you did the right thing to save him. But, I do not know how easily he will forgive your...reaction today. I would advise being patient, give him time to calm."

Among the crowd behind them, Meesei finally spotted Ri'vashi walking alongside the warriors, inspecting the formation. She was moving forward closer to them, though Meesei did not want to shout out for her quite yet, so she decided to wait until she grew closer. "For now, you should see to your own health, and not just physically. There will be a memorial for those who have fallen, like Irenya. I rarely spoke to her myself, but from what my pack has told me, she had turned around almost her entire personality prior to the attack. Ahnasha said that she showed genuine remorse for her treatment of her and Fendros, and even sought to make amends. To realize one's faults and work through them...it is one of the greatest examples of courage and mental strength I can imagine. It requires making an enemy of your own mind, then defeating it. Tamriel would be better to have more people like her."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Peiter started to look away, almost involuntarily. "It probably would, were it not for the potions." He answered simply, and briefly. He did not even like to think about his injury, and had a hard time looking at it. It was difficult for him not to try and shut himself away from everyone else, and all the looks people gave him. They were constant reminders of his own suffering. It was only because it was Sabine that he was being at all social.

"How many others are hurt? I remember the Champion looked very wounded when we were carrying her out." He asked.

---

Ma'tanza laughed, seeing Tzirret's question as a reminder of his tendency towards awkwardness. "No, don't worry. It's just that you've been busy enough running supplies and messages for the healers that we haven't been able to talk. Not about anything other than patients and potions. All of us are fine. S'nishi...she'll get better."

"Of course she will." Bheja sounded out from the other side of S'nishi. "Because my little kitten isn't going to let a few scratches keep her down." He said as he rubbed his hand under her chin.

---

Meesei moved over slightly on the cart. "Myself and my healers were clever. We devised a treatment. Speaking of, if you find any parchment and ink, send it over to me. We discovered a new treatment for severe silver poisoning, so it would probably do well for me to write it down. Anyway, have a seat, you look like you could use the break."

Once more, Meesei started to look all around them. "Also, tell me if you see Ri'vashi anywhere. I have something of particular importance that I would like to ask her. Anyway, are you faring well, all things considered? How is your pack handling everything?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Of all the people Peiter was angry with, Sabine was not one of them. In his last memories before falling unconscious, she was the one actually trying to help him from under the rubble, so he hugged her as tightly as he was able. "You have no idea how good it is to see you, safe and sound. Uthri told me you were okay, but...it's just good to see you. You're one of the few who actually seem to care about me right now." He said, though before she could respond, he pulled her into quite a long kiss.

Both Ma'tanza and Bheja were not particularly difficult for Tzirret to find, as they were both following right alongside S'nishi. The Senche-raht had been taken out of her armor for treatment, so her injuries were plainly visible. She had taken at least four arrows, based on the marks on her shoulders and chest. One had even struck her head, but glanced off of her rather thick skull at an angle. There was a patch of fur on her chest that had been burned away by fire, and a distinctive scar across her side from a bolt of lightning. Senche-raht were no doubt strong and durable, but the pain she had been through was was considerable. Bheja had not been on the frontlines for the majority of the fighting, and was essentially unharmed apart from a few bruises. He was walking along S'nishi's left side, reaching up and rubbing his hand behind her ear. Ma'tanza was preoccupied talking to the others, so she did not notice Tzirret until he was right next to them. "Oh, hello Tzirret. Does one of the healers need me, or can you talk now?"

Meesei had decided to rest on one of the carts, though she was not ready to lay down just yet. She had taken one of Sabine's potions, and was feeling considerably better apart from her general fatigue. She was sitting with her feet hanging off the back of the cart, scanning her eyes across the warband as they moved. There were those she had not yet spoken to since her recovery, like Ri'vashi and Gallus. If she saw either of them, she would call them over.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I don't think Qa'habi joined the warband. I think that was Bheja.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Normally, Peiter's reaction might have been submission to such an action by his alpha, but his mind was already clouded with anger, and Gallus was only serving to add fuel to that fire. His first reaction was actually to strike back, but with his now-missing dominant hand. When that failed, he continued to glare at Gallus instead.

Though Gallus was already leaving, that did not stop Peiter from shouting as he left. "You crippled me! You betrayed me!" He yelled before lowering his head and closing his eyes. After a few, quiet sobs, tears started to run down his cheek. "I trusted you." He said more quietly.

Outside, the camp was very near to being ready to move. Soon enough, Peiter, and all of the other wounded, would need to be moved to carts for transport as they headed out in the direction of Corinthe.

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.