EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well I meant what I said earlier." Ahnasha responded, giving no uncertainty in her tone. Monderyn's discomfort made a bit more sense after Fendros' explanation, but she honestly did not expect that he would be a problem long-term. The only real issue was, of course, Rossarm. Even having only met him for a few minutes, she felt safe in calling him stubborn. Under any other circumstances, she would not even think about putting in any effort to reason with him, but him being Fendros' father made him, unfortunately, important.

"Your father, by all accounts, is stubborn, but no one with an even reasonably normal mind can last forever opposing everyone they know." Ahnasha contended. "If he had people to validate him, maybe, but everyone he is going to be around on a regular basis is not going to be agreeing with him. Anytime he hears about you, it is going to come from someone who will try to convince him to see you. Even if he goes to his priests, they'll try to talk him into it. Do you really think he'll last a hundred years like that, or even more than a decade or two? If you suggest something to someone enough times, it will start to get to them eventually."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha moved herself around in front of Fendros, still keeping her arms around him the entire time. "Now, the wedding was definitely nice and everything, but you and I both know that the biggest issue with this whole thing was your family. They were the unknown, and they were the ones we spent most of our time with. I want to know how you feel about them. I want to know that you're happy with how things have gone with them so far, especially since I've completely avoided the option of literally smacking some sense into your father. Most of them have been glad to see you so far, particularly Llarasa and your mother."

Ahnasha somewhat delayed Fendros' answer by giving him another, proper kiss. She was keeping herself quite close to him, obviously in a good mood despite Fendros' apparent worries.

---

Lorag did not turn back to show the brief uncertainty on his face, nor did he give anymore farewells or other words to Harriet or his daughter as he left. For him, the past two days had been nothing but confusion, anger, and general frustration. These were not the kinds of problems he had any intention of dealing with, and in his mind, he had already done more than anyone should have expected from him. When he finally shut the door behind him, he hoped to never have to deal with it again, no matter how unlikely that hope actually was.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Yeah, we can summarize through that if you like. We should probably be getting to the next bit soon.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

After their temporary goodbyes, the group headed back to camp, which was not terribly far from the vineyard itself. Ahnasha reached the point where she could comfortably transform back, though she waited until they arrived at camp, if only so that the rest of the pack did not have to stop and wait on her.

There was some minor arguing from Newt, but fortunately, the children were actually tired enough that it did not take too long to get them to lay down. Ahnasha was, of course, in a reasonably good mood, but even she could not help but to feel relieved after a few hours of constantly watching her own behaviors and words to make a good impression on Fendros' family. Ultimately, no matter her own thoughts on family and how much she really wanted to be close with them, her primary reason for putting in so much effort to get along with every member of his family was for Fendros' benefit. She wanted him to be able to live without worrying about them or how they felt about him, so she was willing to put in as much effort as it took.

Once she finally had a free moment, Ahnasha sneaked up behind Fendros and wrapped her arms around his waist, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder. "So, how is my new husband feeling after all of that?"

---

The silence extended for a bit longer after Harriet spoke, as Lorag was mostly just improvising on what he was actually doing in her house. He did not have any real kind of goal from the moment he knocked on her door. "No, I...don't got no more to say. Just, uh, do a good job and all that. I'll...go now."

Lorag's gaze finally found its way to Narsi as he made eye contact with her. "Just take care." He said before turning to walk towards the door.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

This time, Meesei expected that her answer would be a bit more well-received. “Of course. We will be staying here for the night regardless, so it does not matter what we do before tomorrow. The largest question would be if you would like to have your dinner only with Fendros, Ahnasha, and Rhazii, or if you wish for all of us to join. I would not wish to impart the financial burden of a meal for all of us solely onto you. I could at least offer to pay for any…excesses ordered by any members of my pack, such as if Lorag decides to drink. Or, more accurately, ‘when.’”

By this point, the group had reached the edge of the vineyard, though they were still obscured from view by the forest. Ahnasha in particular was making sure to stay out of sight. “It looks like the vineyard is just ahead. It should not be too much longer before I can transform back comfortably, but I’m guessing I should probably stay hidden for now. I don’t quite remember how visible your home is from the road.”

---

Lorag rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh, yeah, we’re not in Bruma anymore. Left that Ayleid ruin behind. Remember that poison gas Alpha mentioned? Yeah, we didn’t want to be anywhere the enemy knew about. Found a better place, though, somewhere else. Not saying where, but it’s not close to Bruma. If she ever wants a pack, you can just tell whoever Alpha brings here to put in contact with you. Don’t think any clan would turn her away or anything.” Lorag explained. “Oh, and if Vile’s people ever do come here, just get out. Don’t care how tough you think you are, you can’t fight the air.”

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei spoke up to spare Ahnasha or Fendros from having to give an answer. "Unfortunately, we have spent as much time as we can spare here. We can stay the night, but we need to leave in the morning. Our business in Black Marsh cannot be delayed too much longer." She explained.

The group was starting to get close to the vineyard, based on the distance they had traveled so far. Ahnasha wanted to stay with Fendros' family for longer, certainly, but she saw some obvious complications with that plan. "I certainly would want to stay with you all for as long as possible in the time we have left, but...that would require us to be at the vineyard with you. I...well I would not know as much as you if that would be a good idea or not."

---

"Uh, yeah, hey." Lorag responded with something approaching nervousness, giving only a passing glance to Narsi. Despite the fact that he had went through the trouble of coming to Harriet's house to begin with, he did not want to get close to Narsi in any sense, and he certainly didn't want her knowing that he was her father.

"Just, uh, remember all that. And, uh, if she wants to when she's older, make sure she knows she's not exiled from the clans or anything. It's better for our kind there than in places like this." Lorag added.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"How long do you think it could last?" Ahnasha finally chimed in. She had seen that Monderyn had been distant for most of the ceremony, though she was not sure how to approach him until now. As she might have expected, it was concern and uncertainty that seemed to trouble him the most, so the most effective way to deal with that would likely be actual, realistic answers.

"You, your mother, your sister, and even your local priest all seem to be of the same mind on this issue. But your father stands alone. Now, I do not know him even remotely as well as all of you, of course, but I do know people. I was raised to be able to read people, to understand them. And people do not like to be alone. For how long will he be able to denounce Fendros with no one supporting him? He is a Dunmer, and therefore patient, but even Elven patience is not eternal. How many nights will he have lying in bed thinking on the son he used to have? How many dreams will he have to remind him before the thoughts of his family weigh too heavily on him? In a group, people can validate their opinions with one another, but if your father has no one to agree with him, I don't think it will last forever. Eventually, he will find an excuse to speak with Fendros again." Ahnasha said, looking to Monderyn with confidence.

---

Lorag kept his arms firmly crossed, his whole body unconsciously taking on a defensive posture. "That girl ain't my responsibility. She's gonna stay with you, unless you turn traitor again or somethin'. I just came here to make sure you were doin' it right. You've got to be out of practice by now, but I guess you can teach the girl something 'bout how to fight. I don't care that much, but..."

Lorag let out a sigh, lowering his guard at least somewhat as he finally brought himself to look Harriet in the eye. "Look, the city's nothing compared to the wilds, but it's got some decent options. My mother ran the Fighter's guild here back before I turned. Don't know if she still does, or if she's even alive, but if she chose her successor herself, then they'll still be tough. They'll train kids once they're old enough for gold or labor. Oh, and there's been skooma traders working out of the city's east neighborhoods for as long as anyone can remember. Keep her away from those. Oh, and let her learn magic if she wants; just don't let her go anywhere near those 'College of Whispers' idiots. Politicians is all they are. There's this older Dunmer that works for the Fighter's Guild. Mostly just does paperwork, but he teaches magic on the side, and he's decent for an elf."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha stepped slightly ahead so she could look over to Monderyn. Again, she could not give any kind of normal, reassuring expression, so she had to settle for focusing on what she said, instead of how she said it. "Think about it this way, I am now your friend. A member of your family. Someone who is willing to help you when you need it. If you are ever in trouble and need help, then there are lycans who would do so just because we asked them to. You would probably be surprised at how many allies you now have in the world, with your connection to us."

---

Lorag did not take a seat, instead just standing with his arms crossed and staring down Harriet. "I don't care about your house. An Orc can be raised under a bunch of sticks and leaves and be stronger for it. You don't even need any other Orcs to raise a child right, you just need to be strong yourself. And you need to have the mind to be able to pass that on. So assuming that you're not lyin' through your teeth and that girl really is mine...well, I'm not gonna let any blood of mine be raised like some dainty Elf. I want to know she's bein' raised like an Orc should be."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha was genuinely amused at Llarasa's comment. She could not laugh in any recognizable way, but she did give a distinctly non-threatening grunt. "I think that is the first time I have heard of anyone being jealous of a lycan. Well, anyone other than me before I turned. It is a burden, of that there is no doubt. It can destroy a person if they try to deal with it alone. But, I would not change what I am. It makes us into the perfect hunters, suitable for Hircine's domain. Even in our normal forms, our strength and senses are enhanced beyond that of a normal person. If you want to have a short weightlifting competition, Monderyn, I could demonstrate."

Shortly after mentioning him, Ahnasha looked to Monderyn, and after a brief delay, continued more seriously. "How are you feeling, Monderyn?"

---

"I don't even know why I bothered coming here." Lorag snapped back, being perhaps the most truthful thing he had said so far. He looked away for a few moments and considered just leaving before deciding to continue. He would go inside if she did, but he was not about to rush through the door.

"Look, let's just pretend I really am the father for a second. I didn't want a kid, didn't ask for it, didn't pick a spoiled potion. But if she's my blood, then she's my blood. I want to know she's bein' raised like she should be." Lorag said firmly.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth smiled at Llarasa. "Thank you. It was scary at first, but we've found ways to deal with it. Now I just get nervous in cities because of all the little weird things that city people do, instead of me worrying about accidentally eating any of them."

"It is not too much trouble." Ahnasha responded, shaking her head lightly. "Transformations never quite stop being painful, but you do stop being bothered by it after a while. Right now, I scarcely feel any different than you likely do; just more...capable than usual. My beast spirit is more present in my mind, but I have control over it."

When Monderyn mentioned heading back to the farm, Ahnasha gave a look in its direction. "If you do not mind walking through the forest, we could walk back with you. It's on the way to camp anyway. I just can't transform back so soon; my beast spirit would not be keen on that. I could force it, but it would not be that pleasant."

---

For all that had been going through Lorag's mind leading up to him knocking on the door, he ended up almost freezing in thought when Harriet immediately opened with a question he did not know how to answer. Regardless, after a few seconds of just staring at her, he did manage to at least say something.

"I want to know how you're lyin' to me. I want to know whose kid that is." Lorag demanded.