EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"We can move our people anywhere we like, certainly. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for a portal to Oblivion." Meesei replied to Oswall. "I cannot think of anywhere in Tamriel both spacious and safe enough for us to both collect a strong force, and open a portal to Oblivion in secret. Since we cannot open a portal directly between here and Vile's realm, the Hunting Grounds will be our staging area for our final attack, but we will still need to keep the portal between here and the Hunting Grounds open the entire time. Fortunately, sigil stones can keep Oblivion gates remarkably stable for an extended time."

Meesei could not say she was quite as confident about the matter of Molag Bal, given the unpredictability of the Daedra. However, she still had her plan for dealing with him. "I know we may be desperate, but that does not mean we do not have any leverage over Molag Bal. If Vile were to claim Mundus, then that would elevate him to a dominant power over the other Daedric Princes. Molag Bal knows that, so he will not want Vile to succeed any more than we do. He will certainly still try to demand something of me, so I will have to be prepared to stand firm in refusing him. I will have to make it clear that I am aware his position of power is not as strong as he will want to make it seem. Any Daedra who helps to invade Vile's realm could steal a lot of power in the process, so there would be some loss for Molag Bal if he refuses to help. If he still demands too much, then we can seek the aid of a different Daedra. I doubt many would want Vile to succeed, though I still think that Molag Bal is the best option to try first. Other Daedra that have helped us before, like Hermaeus Mora, could be more shrewd in negotiations. Molag Bal is a more...emotional entity."

---

Yerig rubbed the back of his neck with an uncertain expression. "That...could be a long shot. Guess it depends on how much she trusts you. She was definitely our strongest opposition in there, and she has a lot of good reasons to be angry."

"I would certainly try, but Yerig may be right. She may not be willing to listen to any of my counsel." Do'rhajul added. "Still, I do believe that I could be a great help to you. What I know about our enemy could make even the most loyal of his zealots worried, provided we act quickly enough. I think we will need to make multiple, simultaneous strikes to maximize the impact, and truly cripple their remaining operations in Tamriel. Hopefully, we can persuade your General to accept my counsel on practical terms."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

They were secret for a while, and still haven't been explicitly revealed to their allies, but once they were built and ready, all the clans started using them freely. So it didn't remain a secret among the lycan clans for long.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I think the clans would use propylon chambers for much of their trade. With those, it would probably be quick and convenient.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"If Marod and Lunise can convince them to use our propylon chambers, that should not be too difficult." Meesei replied. "We can make new chambers specifically for them, so they never encounter one another. Of course, that plan is the last resort in my mind. It would be best to convince them both to help willingly. Fortunately, I know those two well enough to know that they will be willing to work with me to convince their superiors. They know the stakes, as do many of their peers within the Thalmor and Penitus Oculatus. Their nations may be enemies, but those individuals that have been helping us in the war know that Vile cannot succeed. All of us together may be able to come up with a way to persuade their superiors. In fact, it may be wise for me to bring those two here so we can all discuss it together." She suggested.

---

Do'rhajul silently observed most of what Sabine showed them, but did not object when it was time for them to move on. He was not terribly keen on being out in the open, even if the risk of being identified was minimal. Even without being recognized, he was an individual who drew attention. There seemed to be few enough Khajiit in this place, much less Cathay-raht. The council member Ri'vashi was a Cathay, but even she did not match his size and presence. Once his identity was revealed, there would certainly be no hiding himself from the clan's members.

As they were moving on, presumably to the chambers that Sabine planned to arrange for them, Do'rhajul spoke up once more in a quiet voice. "I am not certain what your council will have me do for your clan. Or what they will trust me to do. All of my skills lie in warfare, but I do not know if they will trust me for something that could put them in danger."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Saras motioned a hand towards Janius. "You jest, but boldness like that may become necessary in these last days before our invasion. I am in agreement with the Champion. This is not the time for half-measures and compromises. We will need to be at the absolute height of our strength for the invasion, and be willing to accept any sacrifice required to get there. We can try to make as many plans for it as we want, but ultimately, the question of what happens after the invasion is irrelevant. There is no guarantee that our clan will even continue to exist after this, or if it does, that any of us will be alive to see it. But if it ends with success against him, then it will be worth the sacrifice."

Meesei nodded in agreement. "Indeed. I do not like the idea of deceiving either of Tamriel's major powers, but we will need both of them to help. Perhaps we will be able to get them to reach some sort of agreement, which I do believe should be our first choice. Even if it ends with us owing some favors, their cooperation would be preferred. But if not...they do not need to know that they are both helping us. This cavern is more than large enough to collect multiple armies in different parts of it, far enough away that they never see one another. Until they are in Vile's realm at which point the Daedra will be a far more immediate concern."

---

Do'rhajul raised his brow at Sabine. "Chaurus? Are those the...large insect creatures?" He asked, his voice carrying a noticeable tinge of disgust. Or at least, he was uneasy at the thought of eating such creatures.

Yerig, however, simply shrugged. "Eh, they're not that bad in the right kind of stew. Never liked it much on its own, though." Although most people, even those native to Skyrim, had never so much as thought about eating a chaurus, it perhaps should not have been a surprise that an old hermit like Yerig would have made meals of some of Skyrim's more odd creatures. It was unlikely that he always had the luxury of being picky.

Do'rhajul hummed. "I suppose they are not terribly different from a desert sandcrawler. They were quite valuable in Anequina. Do you suppose it is likely that I would be allowed moon sugar? The same recipes could work with chaurus, I suppose."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I do not believe we should delay. Start making preparations as soon as you can. We should hold it within the next day or two." Meesei replied. "Though, you do make a point that we should allow members of other clans to witness our announcements. Clan leaders may not be able to free themselves from their responsibilities to join us on such short notice, but they should at least be able to send some representatives. Although, now that I am thinking about it, even the largest of our chambers may not be enough to hold everyone. Particularly with more coming from other clans. I had wanted to use an interior space to allow everyone to hear our speeches, but I think a spell or two could remedy that issue."

Saras nodded. "Very well. I will have the word sent to the leaders of each clan to send someone if they are able. Compared to the myriad of other challenges we have faced as of late, this should not be difficult. Perhaps even pleasant, if all goes well. However, there are still the...other matters you mentioned: the preparations for our invasion. The timing for when we inform everyone of our plans will be crucial. All clans will have to be united in this, they will all have to be willing to lend every single soldier to the cause. I think it would be helpful if we can show that we have outside support, aside from just our clans. If it seems like a united effort from all across Tamriel, then it may be easier for them to accept joining it. I am just concerned about the secrecy and security of our home in the meantime. I am not sure how likely it is that the Empire or Dominion will be willing to lend soldiers, but if they do, they will certainly want to send representatives here."

---

Both Do'rhajul's and Yerig's eyes were wandering between the buildings around them, both original Dwemer structures and the clan's additions, and the crowds going about their day. "It may not be as populous as a proper city, but I would say this is much more than just a small town." Yerig commented. "I know I haven't been here that long, but from what we have been able to see walking through this place, there would have to be well over a thousand people here. It's certainly much bigger than the villages I've visited in Skyrim."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei hummed a moment. "A Dragon is flesh and blood, like any other creature. I am sure we will be able to serve it."

Lorag let out a brief chuckle. "Just hope its flesh tastes good."

"Well, regardless, serving its head on a platter will send the same message." Meesei continued. "And I agree, sharing the reasons for her actions are not as important as the accomplishments themselves. It may be unavoidable that people would assume Sabine was tortured in the hands of the enemy, but we do not need to mention or dwell on it. Portraying Do'rhajul as being trapped in service of Vile, and subsequently rescued by Sabine may be effective. In any case, we need to make it clear that he is in service to her. I believe the largest of our dining chambers will be able to accommodate everyone, even if it is somewhat crowded. Fortunately, the Dwemer preferred spacious chambers."

---

Do'rhajul nodded in understanding. "If that is what you wish, then I shall abide by it. Where should I stay for now? I think that it would be best for me to keep out of the eye of the public until your leaders have announced my presence. I doubt most here would recognize me, but there may be a few who would know my face." He reasoned before giving a glance to Yerig. "Though, I do not think the same applies to you, my friend. You have never so much as even killed a lycan. I do not think you have to be as worried as I."

"Aye, though I don't mind keeping you company. If I'm going to be helping you, though, I think I'd like to know more about all of you." He turned his attention to Sabine. "I'm still a bit out of my element, here. I don't want to accidentally pick a fight with anyone, or something like that. No need to rush that, though. I'm fine just keeping to myself."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I think those rumors may turn to our advantage." Meesei replied. "Sabine did kill the main course of our feast herself, after all. If we unveil a platter with the head of a dragon, one of the most fearsome beings in Tamriel, in front of the clan, that will send a message. The people are going to need hope in the coming days, and we can give them a hero. I know that Sabine has never particularly wanted that kind of attention, but I am confident she would accept it for the sake of the clan. Her accomplishments were equal to those of figures who have been immortalized in song. That is something that our people can look up to. I think it would be best to emphasize how Do'rhajul is now a servant of Sabine. Our noble hero who caused even the greatest of our enemies to bend his knee to her. With the right kind of presentation, they may see it as an even greater accomplishment than killing him outright."

Saras hummed in contemplation. "That is possible. The rumors I have heard circulating around already do seem to focus on Sabine. We would just need to take care in how exactly we portray the events. And in what order they are announced."

---

Do'rhajul let out a long breath with his eyes closed, hesitating just a few seconds before responding. "They said nothing to me I have not already said to myself." His eyes opened and firmly fixated upon Sabine's. "But I am at a disadvantage in this place. I am clearly not as familiar with your clans as I had thought. I want to know what this means for you; your Champion seemed surprised at the Altmer's suggestion."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Since we have heard your testimony, I do not believe there are any more questions for you at the moment, Sabine." Saras stated, looking around at the other members of the council. With no objections, he nodded to Sabine. "Very well. Feel free to get him settled as you see fit. However, I would not recommend allowing anyone else to learn his identity just yet. We are going to need to find a way to announce this development to the clan, though I suspect that shall not be easy."

Meesei raised one hand up from the table slightly. "I believe I have an idea in that regard. In fact, I believe we should plan out the details sooner, rather than later."

Do'rhajul had maintained a stoic silence through both Vera and Oswall's response. It was likely unclear to them how he was taking their words, but Sabine would be familiar with the kind of guilt he felt. Regardless, once it became clear that his presence was no longer desired in the meeting chamber, he gave a respectful bow to the council and approached Sabine to guide him out. Ri'vashi had bowed out of the conversation, bearing a distant expression since her begrudging agreement to the plan, but she nevertheless acknowledged Sabine with a nod when she asked for them to meet later. Darahil had not specifically mentioned Yerig, but he assumed they would not want him to be there either, so he followed suit.

Meesei waited for Sabine to take Do'rhajul and Yerig out of the chamber before continuing. "In the wake of recent events, we are now closer than we have ever been to being ready for our invasion of Vile's realm. We have the Rueful Axe, and from what Saras told me when I spoke to him before, our other teams have gathered enough sigil stones to carry out the plan in full. The only step left is to have the Axe empowered by another Daedra, and I intend to approach Molag Bal with that request. But, assuming I am successful, we will have to get everyone ready. Everyone. Every single lycan under our command in all of Tamriel who can help in any capacity will need to be gathered here in Blackreach. Every hunter who serves Hircine, every non-lycan ally. If we can persuade the Empire or Dominion to lend troops, then they will need to be gathered here as well. It will certainly compromise the secrecy of this place, but at that point, it will not matter. If we survive, we can move the clan, but we will need every single soldier we can possibly gather for such a monumental undertaking. To invade Oblivion...we will need to put every resource we can into it. If we have to spend every last coin we have buying weapons or supplies, then we will do it. Tamriel will not be afford failure from this invasion, because if we do, then nothing we have done for the past decade will have mattered."

Meesei paused, giving a severe look to each member of the council. "That is the magnitude of what we are going to be asking from our people. We are going to have to inform them of the details of this plan eventually, so we are going to have to keep morale as high as we can. People will have to believe that we can succeed, else we will not have an army with which to fight against Vile. To that end, I propose announcing our recent successes, and Do'rhajul's defection, with a feast for everyone in the clan."

Coruscant Sacked: Aftermath

Feena, Strike Team Encampment, 14th Hour

Fa-Val-Kuul

Fa stared over the body of one of the creatures, her lightsabers giving it a green and orange glow. She took in its scent, then closed her eyes as she took in its dark side aura. The entire forest felt wrong just to be in, but just as Master Gar had said, the creatures themselves felt even more corrupt. When she finally looked away from the creature, she spent a few seconds looking over the encampment itself. The soldiers were already moving the wounded into the cavern for treatment.

“Hmm, we have to make use of natural cover as much as we can. We can fortify the cavern as much as we like, but the encampment needs to remain hidden from the air. If the Sith ever do discover our presence here, then they will be able to cover ground quickly with fighters and shuttles. We have to make sure that we are not vulnerable to scouting efforts from the sky. A simple wall might be too noticeable. We might be able to find other methods to keep safe from the wildlife. We will have to.” Fa reasoned.

Fa pointed a finger towards one of her officers. “Lieutenant, prioritize getting our early-warning system set up. We need motion sensors all around the perimeter. We cannot have these creatures catching us off-guard.”