EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Do'rhajul looked down at the platter in front of him. He had not eaten a bite yet, and his self-reflection certainly was not helping. "Indeed. You should take care not to mistake my words for excuses. There is no adequate excuse, only explanations for my mistakes. Vile's priesthood hid much from me, I see now, but they could not hide everything. I knew that I would be killing lycans, and that the gas would be killing lycans. I knew it would be indiscriminate. Do you know what they told me? That it was a mercy, in the end. I had been convinced that your clans were conspiring to spread lycanthropy to everyone, and were essentially keeping their people bound to them through their condition. I knew firsthand that a lycan could not survive among civilization, at least not without specific training. I thought that most of your people were being forced to serve your clans because they had no other option. The cultists, they convinced me that they did not have the means to cure every lycan, but that they could save your souls from being bound to Hircine for eternity."

The Cathay-raht could no longer bear to maintain eye contact with anyone around him. He had his head down, staring at the stone table in front of him. "Of course, even they did not try to convince me that Vile was doing it for charitable reasons. I was told that Vile to remove the beast spirits from your souls, then you could serve him for some time to earn your way out of his realm. Eventually, you would all be able to move on to Aetherius. It was a lie I should have seen through, but it was the one that motivated me to fight."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Their table was separated enough from the majority of the clan that they would not be able to clearly hear the conversation unless they were trying to speak to everyone intentionally, particularly over the general noise of the crowd. However, all of those at the their table could hear them clearly, and they were a rapt audience. It was a confusing announcement that Do'rhajul had been spared, and all of them sought an answer. Do'rhajul's explanation would be important for more than just calming Rhazii.

Do'rhajul felt the eyes on him, but he had little choice but to answer. There was a pause, and a deep breath from him before he finally spoke. "Did Captain gro-Konesh...Lorag, ever tell you the story of how he was turned, young one? His story was the same as mine, in that regard. I was, at that time, Tribune Do'rhajul, proud and loyal servant of our Emperor and his army. From my birth, it was my fate to serve our people. Our nation. We were the protectors of peace and safety for our, and it was the only life that I had wanted. It was not Stormcloaks, but lycans that ended the lives we had. We were on a patrol when they attacked. It was like nothing I had seen up to that point, and nothing I could have prepared for. We were not equipped to deal with such ferocious beings, and we were slaughtered because of it. I saw my brothers and sisters in arms ripped apart before my eyes, eaten alive. I only barely escaped, severely wounded...and infected. Until I learned of Lorag, I thought I was the only survivor."

With a brief silence, Do'rhajul's gaze moved between the clan leaders watching him. "It is not an uncommon story for lycans, I am told. From what I understand, Captain gro-Konesh went on to find your Champion, your pack. A family. I did not. What I found was isolation, fear. Before my turning, I had a family: a wife and child. I had my purpose in my career, camaraderie in my fellow soldiers. Afterwards, I had nothing. I tried to return to a settlement to get help to get back to my garrison, but that was a mistake. I am not sure what happened, but I found a farmhouse, the owner gave me clothes, a meal, a warm fire. I remember him giving me a map and explaining how I could get to the nearest village, then I spotted his little boy playing with his dog in the snow. I smelled them both more intensely than I had ever smelled anything in my life. Their flesh...the blood pumping through their veins. I don't remember anything else, except waking up in the wilderness somewhere hours later, some dried blood on my fur."

The pain that Do'rhajul's memories brought him was palpable in his expression, but he pressed on with only a brief delay. "After a while, I sought to end my own life, and was stopped only by the effort and charity of Yerig. He helped me to find some peace, but there was nothing to replace what I had lost. When I was found by Vile's cultists, I was easy to convince. I had only ever known lycans as the ones who had destroyed the lives of myself, and those that I had come to see as my brothers and sisters. When they told me that those monsters had a plan to infect all of Tamriel with their plague, I believed them. Why would they risk attacking an Imperial patrol otherwise, if they were not so confident? Everything I had seen of Hircine and his lycanthropy was monstrous, and Vile offered me the hope for a cure, and a return to my family. With all I had experienced, how could I not see their cause as righteous?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Do'rhajul stayed silent, raised up a hand slightly, and shook his head. He did not want any more attention on himself than he already had. Though, that was perhaps an effort in vain, considering how many eyes were already on him. He preferred to simply step back and find a seat that would make him at least somewhat less visible. He supposed he could join in the feast, though he did not have too great of an appetite at the moment.

As Meesei had been speaking, the organizers were already moving to the tables with platters of food and bottles of wine, ale, and mead. Although, they were going somewhat unnoticed with the low roar of conversation going through the crowd. For those sitting more closely to Meesei and Sabine, the reactions were no less varied. Ri'vashi and the rest of the council already, of course, knew of the announcement, so they were calm and mostly intent on observing the rest of the crowd. Ciinriel was showing some definite surprise and was currently leaned in, conversing in whispers with her husband, while Ri'kalesh was staring ahead silently, with an intense look of contemplation. Other clan leaders had been less personally-affected by Do'rhajul, given that he had mostly been operating out of Elsweyr, but everyone knew him by reputation. The Dunmer clan leaders gave each other subtle, but noticeably worried looks, and one gave a nod towards Fendros, wanting to speak to him in private later. The reactions of the Argonian clan leaders, meanwhile, were quite the opposite. While they were not outwardly "excited" about the news, they were already conversing in hushed Jel with one another about the potential merits of the arrangement. The leader of the Daggerfall clan was seated on the far end of the table from Sabine, and was one of the more difficult to read. He had his hands clasped together on the table in front of him, and his expression was mostly emotionless. His eye showed the faint remnants of a bruise from where Meesei had struck him before Sabine's return, but he did not seem focused on Meesei. His attention was on Sabine, and after a moment, he seemed to grin.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was likely nothing that Sabine could have said that would not have been divisive to some degree, and the reactions from the audience were as varied as might have been expected. Some were angry that Do'rhajul was alive, others respected Sabine's mercy. Some were pragmatic, accepting that the former enemy general would certainly be useful in the war effort, while some feared Do'rhajul. Those who were particularly devoted to Hircine would respect Sabine's abilities and accomplishments, though her power also caused some to fear her as well. Regardless of whether or not they agreed with him being alive, it went without saying that having Do'rhajul submit himself to Sabine's leadership was a strong demonstration of authority and strength, particularly among lycans.

Do'rhajul, understandably, was not keen on being the center of attention at this particular moment, but he had little choice at this point. His identity had been confirmed, so there would be no going back. At the very least, no one was being violent, though that could perhaps have just been because of the public setting. Still, less of the audience responded as negatively as he had anticipated. He supposed he may have understood lycans less completely than he had once thought.

In all honesty, Meesei could not say she was thrilled with the direction that Sabine had taken her speech, but she had to work with what she was given and think quickly to follow up Sabine. "Clavicus Vile's time to challenge us, and the rest of Tamriel, will quickly be coming to its end. With Do'rhajul having seen the truth, we now have all of the knowledge we need to devastate the last vestiges of resistance against us in Tamriel, and prevent Vile from attempting this again. So I encourage you all now: eat, and celebrate the victories we have had, and the victories that shall come soon."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

As they were speaking, the last of their guests found their seats at the table. The man who sat down on the other side of Ciinriel was a Bosmer man. He looked to be strong for one of his kind, though just about at an average height for a Bosmer. He was likely the husband that Ciinriel had mentioned, but Sabine would not have time to ask before Meesei stood up to get everyone's attention.

The moment that Meesei stood, the organizers began to quiet the crowd and prepared to bring the food out to the tables as soon as the speeches had been delivered. Meesei had planned out the timing of a certain reveal quite intentionally. "It is a great pleasure to have been able to gather all of us here in celebration for this great milestone in our war against our enemy. In fact, I can proudly announce that, with our recent accomplishments, we are but a few steps from eliminating our enemy from Tamriel entirely!"

There were some predictable cheers from the audience from Meesei's claim, but she continued quickly. "I understand there has been some frustration in the past in regards to the secrecy we have used in our plans, but I can announce that our efforts have won us a decisive victory. We have claimed not one, but multiple artifacts of legendary power that will give even the most powerful of Daedra reason to fear us. The leader our our enemy's armies, the general Do'rhajul, was defeated, and shall no longer act against us. And we have secured allies that shall help ensure the downfall of our enemy once and for all."

Meesei stepped slightly to one side, allowing Sabine space to take a more central position at the end of the table once it was time for her to stand. "As much as I would wish to claim credit for these accomplishments, it was not even the combined efforts of my pack that gave us these victories. Rather, it was the bravery, skill, and willpower of but one of its members." Meesei said, motioning her hand towards Sabine beside her. "Sabine Montgrave, the woman who was once my protégée, and who has become a true hero of our people. When captured by our enemy's general, tortured by Vile's zealots, she did not submit. Rather, she freed herself, and defeated Vile's most skilled agents by her own hand. She not only defeated Vile's general, but inspired the fearsome Do'rhajul to bend his knee in service to her, instead of the deceiver Clavicus Vile."

Do'rhajul, upon Meesei's instruction, had been standing alongside the table, and stepped forward with his head bowed once Meesei called attention to him. Naturally, that particular announcement sparked a rush of gasps and surprised conversation among the crowd, but Meesei still continued quickly. "And among all of those accomplishments, Sabine still found the time to bring us the main course of this feast."

On his cue, one of the organizers revealed the contents of the largest, gold-plated platter at the end of the table: the roasted head of the dragon. From there, Meesei simply remained silent to allow the crowd time to react, and for Sabine to say anything she wished.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Though it was a secret to a majority of their people, the relationship that the clans had with the Empire and Dominion was known to the leadership of each of the clans, which meant that most of those at the table at least knew of Marod or Lunise if they had not met them in person. Although, no one would be mentioning their allegiances aloud, given the very public setting.

Ciinriel could not help but to give a chuckle. "Exhausting. I don't think I slept for a week after she was born. Her name is Telawen, and she is, well, she is my entire life. Being a mother...well, imagine it like having someone who demands all your attention all the time, screams at you for everything she wants with no patience whatsoever, and will quite literally vomit on you without a second thought, then gets mad when you put her down to clean yourself up. But, no matter what she does, or what she managed to cover herself in, she is still the most beautiful and precious thing you could ever imagine. And you will do everything she wants and more because there is no part of your mind that could even entertain the thought of not loving her. I think that somewhat describes it."

Being that they were now at the table, their conversation was now a bit less private. Just across from Sabine, a few of her pack were seated, including Ahnasha and Rhazii beside one another. Given the topic, Ahnasha grinned along with her comment. "I'd say that's completely right. And it never goes away either. Rhazii here will always be my cute little cub." She said in a quite intentionally exaggerated tone as she reached up and ruffled up the fur on top of Rhazii's head. She did indeed enjoy embarrassing Rhazii with her "motherly affection" from time to time.

For a few brief seconds, Ciinriel looked visibly surprised. "That's little Rhazii? I knew you were a Cathay, but...last time I saw you, I could've held you in my arms. You've grown like a graht-oak. Do you remember me? Ciinriel?"

At this point, people from the city were being directed to their seats, and Meesei soon took hers. As soon as she was given the signal from the organizers that they were ready, she would stand and call for everyone's attention. It was difficult to speak intelligibly to such a large group, though they had prepared as best as possible. They had set up some enchanted gems on pedestals around the clearing to help her voice to echo farther, though it would still require some shouting on her part.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Since their relationship with the Empire and Dominion is still a secret to those not in leadership positions, Marod probably wouldn't be in uniform.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Say, are either Lunise or Marod present?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ciinriel and La'khay had their seats with the rest of their pride, near Ri'kalesh, but they were still close enough to be able to talk to Sabine. La'khay tapped a finger to her chin in thought as she figured out how to word her answer. "Oh, La'khay loves La'tahne greatly. But neither of us have wanted to be mates like you would think of them. We will be together until our deaths, but not...exclusively together. We do not wish to keep our love to ourselves, you understand. And we do so enjoy mating with anyone who wants to share in our love."

Meanwhile, Meesei was taking some time to greet several of the other clan alphas, or their representatives. Most of Tamriel's clans had sent at least someone to attend, often more, which made for quite a crowded and diverse table. It seemed like pretty much every cultural group in Tamriel was represented by someone among them. There were some that likely would have been at odds with one another, or at least in more conflict, were it not for their lycanthropy to unite them.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ciinriel kept a bright smile. "Married with children, actually. His name is Lenuin; he moved all the way from his home in the Arenthia clan just so he could stay with me. Our daughter was born just a few months ago. I wanted to take her with us, but we still think she might be a bit too young to take her to faraway places. La'tahne is watching her right now."

Around them, people were starting to come in from the city. Given the size of the event, the Council had assigned organizers to direct people to the feast in groups, so the crowds would not become too large at once. Meesei moved over to the head of one of the tables to take her seat. As the Champion, she was naturally given the most prominent place of honor, but Sabine had her seat right beside her for this announcement. Being members of Ri'kalesh's pride, Ciinriel and the others would at least be seated at the same table, though.

Seeing that people were beginning to gather, Ciinriel started to move towards the table as she continued. "What about you, Sabine? Have you found a new mate? Colors talked about you in one of his letters a while back. Such a coincidence that you happened to run into him. He mentioned that you were no longer with Peiter, right?"

La'khay, following nearby, laughed and waved a hand. "Oh, she certainly has. Just look at her. Such a beautiful and powerful woman; she is irresistible! The only real question is who he is. So, what's his name? What does he look like? How good is he in bed?"