EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Peiter's blank expression did manage to brighten slightly when Sabine approached him, though it was not by a great deal. He was once again becoming frustrated at the surprising difficulty that some common tasks now carried for him. Even something as simple as eating could cause him a measure of annoyance.

Regardless of his general depression, Peiter was at least still trying to keep up positive spirits around Sabine. He gave a half-hearted smile in return, stood to his feet, and steadied himself briefly on her shoulder. Even his balance was feeling off. "Yeah, sure. What do you want?"

---

In Ri'vashi's tent, it appeared she was about to retire early for the night. Her tent was fairly bare, since there was no point in unpacking any of the tables she had previously used for planning, but she had organized her belongings fairly neatly on the ground. She had her armor arranged in one corner, and by the hammers nearby, it seemed as if she had been hammering out dents. She had evidently washed her clothing, as it was all hanging from a string tied across the tent to dry. They were at the very edge of the forest, about to head into the desert, so they would not be able to use water liberally after the next day.

Ri'vashi herself was laying on her bedroll, and had to roll over to face Gallus. "Oh, Gallus. Did something happen?" She asked, her hand moving reflexively to the katana beside her bedroll.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I'll attempt to post before going to bed, though it will be a quicker one.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I think after those scenes, we can do a brief one in the Orcrest clan, then move on to the ten-year montage. I do have several scenes in mind for the long timeskip.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sure

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Peiter trusted Sabine enough that he did not argue with or resist Sabine through whatever it was she was doing, despite how much he wanted to. He was still quite self-conscious about his injury, and as such, did not like for any attention to be drawn to it. Despite the fact that her spell caused no pain, he still squirmed under her touch. Even after she finished, and after her expression of love, he still looked almost embarrassed.

Regardless, Peiter wrapped his arm around Sabine for a hug, then laid himself down on his back and pulled her down with him. He still had nothing to say, but it seemed as if he simply wanted to be close to her and rest.

---

Ma'tanza nodded in agreement, then pulled Tzirret in closer to S'nishi and Bheja. "Of course. What do you think you're looking forward to the most once we get back to Orcrest..."

---

"Indeed. It is an offer, and not one you are required to accept by any means, Ri'vashi. But, it will allow you to apply your expertise to more than a single clan. I understand you want to protect your clan, but you may be able to do so more effectively by directing the course of the war as a whole. You should have plenty of time between now, and when we leave for Bruma." Meesei answered.

After her long pause, Ri'vashi finally took in a deep breath and responded. "You...honor Ri'vashi, Champion. She does not think herself to be a genius on military matters, but if you believe this one to be skilled, she does understand the need for such experts in your clan. It...would be quite a drastic change for this one's clan, however, and Ri'vashi does not want to take this choice lightly. Ri'vashi promises she will have an answer by the time we return to Orcrest."

As she was speaking, another thought entered Ri'vashi's mind after she passed a glance to Gallus. She was a professional, and had been performing her duties without distraction since the attack, but what had occurred between herself and Gallus was not gone from her mind. Whenever the thought had crossed her mind, she had always remembered that they would eventually be going their separate ways. Now, she was realizing that she should not have made that assumption so quickly. There was a very real possibility they would be spending the next few years in the same clan. This would be awkward.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

I accept your challenge.

Annabeth is afraid of thunder.

Annabeth likes greasy/oily food.

Annabeth has once ridden an elephant.

@Lucius Cypher

Forgot about this.

I think it's the first one. The second one is too easy, and since it is Annabeth we are talking about, I can only assume the third is an innuendo.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Is there any more you intend to do with each of these scenes? I don't think we should dwell on the return trip for long. Perhaps just timeskip to their return to Orcrest. I didn't really have anything in mind for the journey.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Peiter shook his head. "They just said to rest until I was feeling better. I don't really feel weak or anything. I can walk around, I just...don't feel like doing anything right now. It's hard to even think about doing anything else right now, and it's not like I can carry anything heavy. I just feel worthless right now."

Turning his head away, Peiter started showing more discomfort. "And I know you must have a hard time looking at me right now. I'm mutilated, disfigured. Everyone has been staring, and I know it can't be easy for you to act like you don't want to as well. I know you don't want to hurt me, so...thank you."

---

Ma'tanza kissed Tzirret's cheek in an attempt to comfort him, and held on to him even more tightly. "We had to leave everyone behind, but Ma'tanza is sure they understand. Irenya and all the others would want us to be safe. With all the people we lost...this one doesn't think it would be safe to go back. If it was, we would be staying to bring them back out of the fortress; Ma'tanza is sure of it. They're all in the Hunting Grounds now, so they don't have to worry about fighting enemy soldiers."

---

Meesei shook her head. "No, but the matter is far from a simple one. As you are both well-aware, this attack did not go to plan, but it could have been much worse. Our attack went as well as it possibly could have until the point where the enemy revealed their new weapon. Were it not for that, we would have taken the fortress and killed or captured the General without many casualties of our own. We all played our role in that effort, but it was your military prowess that truly stood out to me, Ri'vashi. You have a reputation among your peers in your clan as a military leader, and this attack proved it to me. The way you coordinated our soldiers during the initial attack was near flawless, and you not only held off against a flanking force, but you defeated them despite being outnumbered."

Meesei took in a long breath and lowered her head, though it was more just to get a look at her own body than out of any feeling of shame. "But, more to my point, this ordeal has, as you might expect, caused me to think on my own mortality. I have already sorted the matter of my own succession, but it has caused me to think on who will take over other roles. For the past few years, myself and my council have served to direct all of our expansion and operations throughout Tamriel. Individual clans handle their own missions and other concerns, of course, but we have been directing our overall strategy. We have talented people in Bruma, but it would be foolish of me to think that we have the most qualified people for every aspect of the war. For us to have the best chance of success possible, I need to find our best merchants, bureaucrats, mages, alchemists, spies. And for our best general, I believe that would be you, Ri'vashi. I would like for you to return with us to Bruma and direct the overall military strategy for all of Tamriel's lycan clans. It would, unfortunately, mean stepping down from your position as clan leader, but I believe you could save many lives as our military leader."

To say Ri'vashi was speechless would have been an understatement. The Champion's compliments on her performance were flattering enough, but to be offered such a position was an immense honor. Though, the ramifications of such a choice did not escape her. She did not relish the thought of leaving her clan, and for the moment, she could not think of any intelligible response at all.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Ssarak has nearly drowned on two occasions.

Ssarak secretly desires to rule the Esyire people.

Ssarak once smashed in the skull of a toddler with his boot.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Peiter remained visibly uncomfortable and remained silent long enough to create some awkwardness between them. "No he...I just don't...really want to talk about it right now. Sorry, it's just...not a good topic for me. Sorry." Peiter answered, muttering by the end. He shifted himself over to try to get a better hold on Sabine. He had his arm around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. "I'd rather just try to relax and stop worrying right now.

---

"You don't need to say anymore. Ma'tanza understands." She answered. Her spirits fell knowing that Tzirret's friends did not fare nearly as well as her own family. S'nishi's injuries had her worried almost beyond reason the night before, but Peiter had experienced a crippling in jury, and Irenya had not made it at all. Bheja was out of sight on the other side of S'nishi, and remained entirely silent. He was not good at comforting others, so he chose to say nothing at all.

Ma'tanza did not have anything she could say, but she did put her arm around Tzirret as they walked and allowed him to lean on her if he so chose.

---

Meesei gave a single nod in agreement. "The past is immutable. It can be a resource for you; something from which you can learn, but for any leader, the fate of those around them relies on their ability to plan for the future."

Eventually, Ri'vashi drew close enough that Meesei was able to call her over. At first, the Cathay held a worried expression, but Meesei made sure not to give the impression that anything was wrong. "Ri'vashi, it is good to finally be able to speak to you. I understand you have had quite a lot to contend with this last night. I figured I wanted to show you myself that I am alive and in...reasonably good health. There is a matter of some importance that I wish to discuss, but first, how are you faring?"

"Fatigued, but uninjured. One of Ri'vashi's pride was slain in the fighting, but her judgment will not be affected. This one knows that he will be honored, by us in the clan, and by those in the Hunting Grounds." Ri'vashi answered.

Meesei answered softly. "I know, Ri'vashi. Just do not be afraid to relax if you need to."

Ri'vashi breathed in deeply. "Of course."