EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Say, are you going to be in the US by the 21st of August? If so, you might be able to catch the total solar eclipse that's going to cut across the country.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"We have the means to store and study the relic safely; your friend does not. And we have been granted a budget with which to purchase the weapon, so it will not be as if your friend will not be compensated." Meesei added.

The look of suspicion did not fade from the Nord's face, but he did eventually relax his shoulders and let out a sigh. "Look...even if I did believe you, I don't know where Cyrus ended up going. Ever since he got that axe, the fool has constantly been going off for the next adventure. More and more dangerous each time, too. I don't know about any curse, but if you can get him to just slow down for a while..."

"You'll have to talk to his friends." The Nord continued. "Or drinking buddies. Whatever he considers them. I think...Matami owns a fish stall in the market. Near the north entrance. She might know. Just don't tell her I sent you. Unless you buy something."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"The Synod..." The barman said, his tone making it more of a statement than a question. He paused, but his demeanor did not reveal much about his thoughts, aside from some suspicion. "I know the man, but it wouldn't be right for me to start talkin' about one of my patrons behind his back to a bunch of strangers. Not without a really good reason. And I can't really think of what some scholars would want with a simple adventurer."

Meesei answered directly, or at least seemed to do so. "We have learned that Cyrus has obtained a cursed axe. It is a relic, unique, but dangerous in untrained hands. We wish to acquire it for safekeeping, and for our own study. We mean your friend no harm."

The Nord was mostly steadfast in his expression, though Meesei's warning about the axe being "cursed" did give him some pause. "I've heard a lot of crazy stories from customers over the years. Some drunk, some thieves and con artists. I can't just go trusting every stranger I meet."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"It should not be too difficult, as long as we are consistent in what we say." Meesei added. "We do not need to give too many specifics. The Synod are cagey enough with outsiders that they will likely not expect details from us. We are after a cursed axe and are looking to negotiate a deal to purchase it. Everyone we ask about will be for that ultimate goal."

Lorag gave a single nod. "Me and Kaleeth can be the bodyguards. Might be easier to sell it later if we get on our armor. Janius could make a good battlemage, or somethin'."

"Indeed, though it is not likely necessary for now. And we should likely avoid crowding the bartender with too many of us at once. Sabine, Fendros, join me and we will question him." Meesei decided.

Ahnasha chuckled, patting Sabine's shoulder before she stood up. "Don't worry. If you're acting like a Synod mage, just act like you're hiding your incompetence behind your Imperial authority, and you'll be fine."

The trio stood from the table and started walking up towards the bar. Most of the tavern paid them no attention, but the barkeeper easily recognized when others were looking for him, specifically. He was a close-to-elderly Nord man, mostly bald with a greying beard. He gave a nod of acknowledgement to the group as they approached him. "Everything alright with your drinks?"

"Yes, your drinks are quite fine." Meesei answered. "We were just hoping to ask you some questions."

The Nord leaned forward onto his bar in silence for a few seconds, sizing up each of the members of the group. After a notable delay, he finally responded tersely. "Alright."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Azayn pulled a parchment out of his bag and slid it onto the center of the table. "I have a sketch of our target, based on his description. I also have the names of some of his known associates: Paran al-tarn, Matami, and Trevius. Two Redguards and an Imperial, respectively. They are known to frequent this place, and I have a description of each of them written here. You could ask the bartender about them, though you may wish to simply wait for them if you wish to avoid drawing as much attention as possible. Unfortunately, I do not have much beyond that. I will leave the rest of my notes with you."

"Thank you, your help is appreciated." Meesei responded. "You may continue your own work as you see fit, though I would ask that, if you hear anything more of the General, please inform us."

Azayn nodded. "Of course, Champion. Good luck on your search."

Shortly afterwards, Azayn left on his way, leaving the pack to decide on their path from there. They had a few people they could talk to, who hopefully would come to them if they were patient. Although, in this situation, too much patience could be dangerous. "So, I suppose we can wait here for a while and see if any of those people come in. Otherwise, we can talk to the bartender. If we have to ask around, I would say we should present ourselves as members of the Synod and accompanying bodyguards. The Empire is diverse enough for it to be believable, and the Synod are known for collecting relics."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Probably so, I guess.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"The last sighting put them near the city of Hegathe, though that has been at least a week ago." Azayn clarified. "With how quickly you all move, they have had a hard time pinning you down."

Meesei appeared understandably concerned. They had known for a while that Do'rhajul had formed a team to hunt them, but this was the first time that knowledge had been confirmed by their own sources. Not to mention, they were somewhat alarmingly close. "I am not so certain that the General would have been able to discern our goal. The Axe is not a terribly well-known artifact, and even Vile's own followers may not know of its location. Daedra do not have a great deal of control over their own artifacts when they are in Tamriel, usually. But even if they do not know where we are going, that will not stop them from tracking where we have been. If we are forced to stay in one location for too long, they may be able to find us, and we may have to confront them. Although, I would much prefer to avoid them, since we do not know their true strength. The best way to do that would be to find what we are looking for quickly. Do you have any information in that regard, Azayn?"

Azayn nodded. "Yes, I have a better description of the person you are looking for, as well as the identities of some of the people he has associated with. Unfortunately, our target may have left the city, but he has friends who are residents. Wait in this tavern long enough, and you will find them."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You may call me Azayn." The Redguard answered. "From all we know about the General, he was recruited based on his own, personal vendetta against our kind, and not because of any particular reverence to Vile. Even as Vile's goals change, his may remain the same."

Ahnasha huffed. "Seems strange that he would hate us so much, considering he is a werewolf."

"Doubt he's too happy about that." Lorag interjected. "He was a proud Imperial soldier, wholly dedicated to his men. And he was completely devoted to the cause. Then, all the sudden, he gets turned into a lycan and ends up havin' his entire life snatched away. He had a lot more to lose back then than I did, and, well, he did. If he's got it in his head that it was Hircine's fault, then I get the anger. Not to mention, he's a dedicated man. When he joins a cause, he's in it for the long haul. To a point, I guess. The man I knew wouldn't be trying to destroy Tamriel, so I'm pretty sure he don't know about that."

"Regardless of his motivations, you still may have to deal with him." Azayn commented. "He has a few companions that we are reasonably certain that we have identified. A few of Vile's long-time servants, some individuals with local notoriety in different places in Tamriel. No doubt, they are the best he could acquire."

Azayn put his cloth bag onto the table and pulled out what looked to be a small journal. "I do have some notes on a few of them. One is a reclusive Nord who used to live deep in the mountains of the Reach. He was a hermit, or perhaps a monk who gained a reputation in Markarth for helping lost travelers and protecting them from Foresworn attacks. We do not know much about his early history, nor does what we do know about him make him seem like a Vile cultist, so his motivation is unknown. Two of them are a pair of Orc brothers. Twins who became known as arena champions among some of the Orc strongholds in the Wrothgarians. At least for their version of an arenas. They may not be cultists exactly, but they may have made deals with Vile to put them in his service. Another is a Breton who was formerly a Daughter of Wroth, one of the witch covens in High Rock. She did not have any local notoriety, but she is one of Vile's zealots, through and through, and may indeed be one of their highest leaders in Tamriel. Her name is Arinette, and she was one of the first of the enemy that we identified after Saras assumed his current role. There are others beyond that, but we do not know anything of value about them. All we can say is that, if the General selected them, they must be dangerous."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The Redguard raised his brow. "A cutpurse? Hmm...doubtful that it is related." He commented.

The agent took a few moments to look around the tavern at each of the patrons before speaking particularly quietly. "I do have information on our...quarry. But, I also have a warning for you. Something troubling that we have been following up on these last few weeks. General Do'rhajul is here, in Hammerfell. He is been spotted in several places, places that you have visited. There is little doubt that he is tracking all of you, specifically. He is traveling with a rather diverse group of individuals, slightly larger than your group. I was told by Saras before I started on this mission that you learned of the fact that the General had formed a team to hunt you all specifically, yes? If so, they is likely those very specialists. We have tried to learn as much about his companions as we can, though we know much less about them as we do the General himself. Regardless, as difficult as you all are to track, he is following your trail, slowly but surely. I would recommend keeping as low of a profile as possible."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei grinned towards Rhazii. "I am hoping we will not need to be in the city that long, but if we are, you can enjoy the city as you like. As long as it does not interfere with the search, of course. I know these kinds of searches can be filled with downtime."

It did not take too long for the barmaid returned with their drinks, which helped the pack to pass the time until another figure finally entered the tavern. It was a Redguard whose eyes quickly focused on the corner of the room, to the pack. He was dressed in the same kinds of robes which were common to desert travelers, and which the pack was mostly wearing. He did not make any comment before walking casually, but purposefully towards the group and immediately sitting down in the empty chair that Meesei had left next to her.

"Champion." The Redguard said quite softly to acknowledge that he was their contact.

Meesei returned a quick nod, then leaned forward onto the table to get closer. "Is this still an appropriate meeting location?" She asked.

"Yes, it should be quite fine. I have not had any issues in the city thusfar. But...have any of you run into any trouble?" The Redguard asked.