EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha laughed quietly for a moment. "Not an uncommon occurrence for Khajiit, I'd say. Though, I suspect the reason is a bit different this time. It's hard to expect anything less in Hammerfell. Dominion spies have to be a legitimate worry for them. Of course, the Thalmor also have one of the most well-developed spy networks in the world, and they can get spies of different races, so singling people out probably isn't going to do much to help them."

The Sentinel markets were, by many visitors accounts, among the most exciting places to visit in Hammerfell. Sentinel itself, being a large port city and the intersection of many trade routes, was a cultural and economic center in the region, and a particularly popular destination for Breton nobility. Although, the war with the Dominion had diminished that splendor somewhat. They had lost many southern trade routes, and of course no longer openly imported goods from Dominion territories, even if they still could be found through black market sources. Regardless, it was ever bit as lively as it had always been, with shopkeepers in outdoor stalls and street performers all vying for the attention of every guest, particularly those who seemed foreign. Janius found himself the target of a Breton woman dressed quite provocatively in an outfit that looked like it was made of ribbons. Every movement she made looked like it was meant to be seductive in some form as she gently touched his arm. "Oh, a handsome Imperial in these lands. I am sure there will be much fortune in your future, but if you want to know for sure, I can, just for you, give you a free palm reading. Who knows what you might discover?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The walls above them looked even larger from Julan's perspective. He reared back his head and pulled back his hood so he could get a better look at the top of them. "I don't know; I can hardly see them from here. How could anything stop an arrow that big? How could anything even get through these walls?"

"Hmph, that's the point." Lorag commented nearby. "If they could set up trebuchets, they would have more range than those ballistas, but even that wouldn't be the best option. Now the docks, that's where the weakness really is. If the Dominion got enough naval superiority and made it to the port, that would open the city's defenses right up."

Although they had not been to Sentinel before, it fortunately did not take too long for Ahnasha to convince the stablemaster to house Leaps. In some cities, they could not convince anyone to deal with the wamasu for any price, but Sentinel was a trading hub that saw many exotic creatures, and the stables were already filled with far more than just horses. It was still expensive to pay for a spot for Leaps, but the Champion's pack was hardly struggling for gold. Soon enough, they were allowed through the gates into the city. Although, there were some unmistakable eyes of suspicion on Ahnasha and Rhazii in particular by a few of the guards. Dominion spies were undoubtedly a large concern for a city that was technically in a war with the Dominion. Any Altmer, Bosmer, or Khajiit would be watched more closely than most guests in the city.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Indeed, the first challenge will be finding him at all." Meesei responded. "If worst comes to worst, we can always steal it. Perhaps leave some coins in its place, if we wish to be kind about it. Of course, no matter how we do it, we will have to get the axe no matter how uncooperative he may or may not be. Everything depends on it."

Kaleeth slowly nodded. "I know what you mean. It is hard to imagine her with anyone, really. She just never seemed like she wanted to, and for people not in our pack, she is sort of...hard to approach. I guess someone who knows her, like someone on the council, might have been possible. Really, I would have expected her mate to be another lycan, or at least someone not so...bossy." She commented.

The pack was closing in on the city's eastern gate. Tall walls surrounded the city on three sides, with the fourth being the docks. Though the walls themselves were old, there were many new fortifications on them. Looking closely, the pack could see heavily armored soldiers patrolling atop the walls, with even more around the gate they were approaching. They could even see large weapons like catapults and ballista on some parts of the walls. It was a far stronger and more obvious military presence than was present in many of the cities they visited, which was no doubt intentional. While the Dominion and Empire were technically at peace, Hammerfell was independent, and still resisting the Dominion. While most cities had a military to defend them, those in Hammerfell had them on display to show their strength and discourage attacks. Before they approached the gate itself, Ahnasha went with Leaps to the stable to ensure that he would be taken care of while they were in the city.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei gave a nod to Sabine. "That may not be a bad approach. Particularly since the weapon's previous wielder faced an unfortunate end. If we can convince him of that, then it may not be so difficult to convince him to cooperate. Hopefully, the trader who gave it to him as a reward told him of how he acquired it. Although, even if he did not, we still might be able to use that as an explanation for why he was so willing to part with the axe. Nothing that we have learned about this Redguard suggests that he is a scholar of any kind. He is just an adventurer, perhaps a bit more skilled than usual, but not someone who would have any evidence against our story."

"We might want to present ourselves as coming from some sort of magical organization, to explain why we know so much about the axe." Ahnasha added. "Though honestly, I think we should take the curse approach as a backup option. Even a cursed weapon is a one-of-a-kind artifact, and some people might try to take advantage of that. If he gets it in his head that we might have some way to remove the curse, then he will still want to get rid of it, but he might take the chance to charge a higher price for it. We could start out as just being casually interested in buying a unique weapon, then reveal our 'true' intentions if he doesn't want to sell."

Kaleeth leaned in closer to Janius. She was wearing a hood to protect her head from the sun beating down on them, so at his angle, he could only see the end of her snout protruding from its front. Regardless, the tone of her whispers still showed her uncertainty. "I don't know. I always heard the Thalmor just cared about Elves, and were bigoted against everything else. But I mean...you saw everything yesterday. She was hugging and kissing Meesei. Would a Thalmor be willing to do that with an Argonian, even if it was all a lie? And, well, Meesei went back with Lunise last night, so they probably did a lot more than kiss. I do trust Meesei's judgment, though, and she has to know Lunise better than we do."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes, yes...of course." Meesei responded. She closed her eyes for a moment and took in a deep breath. Both of their moods were wonderful, almost to the point of being unbelievable on Lunise's part. It seemed like she was experiencing a part of life that she had never been through before, which could have very well been the case. Much like Meesei, professional concerns had dominated most of her life. For a few moments, it seemed like Meesei was about to get up. She had her hands on the ground on either side of Lunise's head and had pushed herself up somewhat, but then stopped and gave a suggestive grin. "...but, do you plan on waking up in that bed alone? I do recall that the door could be locked..."

---

Regardless of how much time Meesei would have wanted to spend with Lunise, she did have to be back in her camp just after sunrise in order to leave with the others. They were, after all, potentially getting close to their goal.

The sun was barely above the horizon by the time the pack had packed up their camp to start moving. Although they were not exactly in sight of Sentinel, it would not be a terribly far walk. Certainly, it was short enough that there would be no point in trying to teleport them and their supplies closer. Eventually, the tall walls and domed towers of the city started to become apparent over the horizon.

"Our Redguard hero is said to have frequented a particular tavern in the city, a short walk from the markets. I am hoping we can find him there, or at least someone who can point us to him. If we do find him, though, we need to be careful how we approach. I would prefer not to have to do anything risky to acquire the axe, so it would be best to simply buy it. But, if we accidentally let on to how valuable it really is, that might become expensive. We need to approach him subtly, in a way that seems natural. Fortunately, we should not be going in blind this time. Saras has at least one agent in Sentinel right now, and we will be meeting them in that tavern. The agent would have at least had yesterday to look into things, so we will see what they have learned." Meesei explained on their approach.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Even after Meesei's admission of her own feelings, she was practically speechless through Lunise's response. A part of her might have been uncertain about the true depth to which Lunise cared for her, but those worries had all but been erased. They both had their own reasons to care for each other in the way they did, but it was now certain what they shared. And with how stubborn and determined they could both be, it would take quite a large challenge to pull them apart.

Though Meesei's response was wordless, it could not have been clearer. Lunise's outpouring of emotion had moved Meesei to the point that her own tears gently fell onto Lunise's cheek. No response she could give seemed to be more appropriate than another kiss. Then another. They had only intended to step away for a short, private conversation, but Meesei was certainly not going to be counting the seconds. She would much rather be demonstrating her newly-confessed love.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I do." Meesei answered, her tone just as soft, but resolute as when she had spoke those words a few moments prior. She now had her arms around her neck, giving her perhaps the most intense, loving gaze that Lunise had seen from her yet.

Meesei was well-aware that her statement may have been unexpected, but she was not intent on going back on it. "It has been quite a long time since I have felt this way towards someone, but I still recognize it. The last time I felt this kind of love, I let it slip away out of fear and uncertainty, and I do not want that to happen again. I am not someone who believes that every person has a singular 'soul mate.' There are likely many people in the world who would be the 'right match' for both of us, but regardless of how many there are or who they might be, I know we are the right match for one another. We are two women who live our lives in command of others. We wield authority, and demand respect and loyalty. One might think that we would clash with one another, but I think it only helps to keep us together. I do not always want to be in charge. I could not be a mate to someone who is submissive and subservient to me. We challenge each other; we do not merely bow to each other's whims or demands. I know it may seem strange, but the fact that you do not have to listen to me is...oddly attractive. Not only because of any sort of 'official' authority, but because you are a willful and strong woman in your own right, and you do not take my judgment as law. That strength of character is one of the many reasons that I love you, and why I am overjoyed that our relationship had a real chance of working out in the long run."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei grinned. "I think that, given their expectations of a Thalmor Justiciar, pretty much anything you could have done would be better than their expectations. You showed them that you are a person, not just a political or military figure. And I do not think it will be such an effort for you forever. The more you are around them, the more you will learn about them. You will learn what they like or despise, their quirks, traits, and flaws. And they will learn the same about you. It will just be natural to be around each other. Although, once you are all comfortable with each other, I would expect a few of them, especially Lorag and Ahnasha, to start firing back when you find yourself being, how did you say it...uncharitable. Do not worry, they can take an argument in stride. You would be surprised at the insults those two have come up with for each other."

Meesei leaned into Lunise, resting her head on her chest. "You have no idea how happy even the thought of all this makes me. The prospect of you getting along with, and perhaps being a part of my family, even in a limited sense, gives me hope that we can really do this. As a Daedric Champion and a Justiciar, we can still be together. We can be mates. Nothing has to inevitably drive us apart. It seemed insane just a few months ago, but it is reality."

With a somewhat different flavor of a grin, Meesei put her hands on both of Lunise's cheeks to pull her into a kiss as she rolled herself onto her. "i love you, Lunise."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You have no idea how much I appreciate this." Meesei responded, still wanting to hold tightly onto Lunise. "I was frightened going into this about...how everything would go. But tonight...it has given me hope. You are well-aware of how singularly important my family is to me, my clan. I have hope that, well, you can be a part of that family. Not in the exact same way that they are, of course, but that you will not always be a stranger or an outsider to them. Nor they to you."

Meesei finally relented with her hug, though her expression was still locked into a smile. "I know it will not be terribly frequent that we will even have the chance to get everyone together safely like this. Though, it could be possible if we were to meet in the security of my clanhome. There is plenty of space there for us to meet without being noticed. As long as I do not show you an entrance, it would not present any real security risk that my council would need to be concerned with, so there would be no need to inform them of our secret."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"If you do not wish to join, then you need not. I can take you back if you wish." Meesei answered in a reassuring tone. She paused a moment to stand up back to her feet, then extended a hand down to Lunise. "Although, before we leave, I would like to speak to you, just for a few moments, in private. If that is not too much trouble, of course." She said before motioning in the direction of her tent on the other side of camp.

The pack had set up tents at the bottom of a hill on one side of the oasis, with trees and foliage, along with the hill itself, raising above them on one side. They had also been erected in such a way as to be sturdier in the direction that the wind was most likely to be coming from. Even though they were camped at an oasis, it was still possible for a sandstorm to kick up, and their tents would keep them and their supplies protected in that event.

The moment Lunise entered her tent, she would find herself being hugged by a particularly overjoyed Meesei. She had been unmistakably happy for most of the night.