EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The two Dunmer leaders were quick to silence what they had been talking about when Fendros sat down beside them, though that could have just been because they were far more interested in speaking to him. The older Dunmer man was the first to speak, leaning in somewhat and speaking in a hushed tone that would be drowned out by the other conversations around them. "I can say that I have been satisfied with our treatment, yes. I do accept that a celebration is...appropriate, but I do have a concern." He said, his expression quickly becoming starkly serious. "Are you sure this is the wisest course of action, Fendros? Referring of course to your treatment of our former enemy. I am sure that I am not alone in my concerns over trusting the assistance of a murderer. Can you truly discern between genuine guilt and a devious actor?"

The Daggerfall clan's leader too dropped anything he might have been doing when Sabine approached him, though unlike the Dunmer, he was less willing to speak openly. He looked at Sabine briefly, but soon continued to scan his eyes across the others in attendance. "A fine feast, is it not? I would say you did well in your role in putting it together. Truthfully, dragon flesh seems to be decidedly average as a meal, but its novelty cannot be questioned, certainly. What I think I could use right now is another fine glass of wine. Would you care to join me?" He asked before standing from his seat. Of course, the feast's organizers would bring anyone at their table whatever drink they asked for, so it was merely an obvious excuse to speak to Sabine away from earshot of the others.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The Argonian gave a soft smile with Sabine's acknowledgement. "You may call me...Moves-Through-Grass. It is, um, easier than my Saxhleel name. I have been told." She replied. She spoke slowly, and very deliberately, with her words in a way indicative of someone who was not terribly comfortable with the language. She seemed to have to think about each word consciously, much as Kaleeth once had after she joined the pack. "And I would be...I would say it was an honor for you to visit my clan."

As much as he preferred to stay out of it, even Lorag could recognize the "politics" of clans trying to gain favor. That wasn't to say that Grass' clan did not have suitable candidates, but he figured that Sabine should probably stay alert to all options. He leaned back in his chair and gave a nod to Sabine from further down the table. "It's not a bad idea to look at options in other clans. Just remember, you've got all of the clans at your disposal, basically. You can afford to be picky."

The general hum of conversation was starting to grow around them as the topic drifted away from Do'rhajul himself, and the other clan leaders were not giving such rapt attention to Meesei and her pack. Though, there were certainly still matters that were not yet resolved. The Daggerfall clan leader was still giving Sabine the occasional, strange look, and Ri'kalesh still appeared upset as well. The Dunmer clan leaders had already grabbed Fendros' attention earlier, and Meesei had some questions for Lunise and Marod, and at least a few quick words for Rhazii as well. However, none of it was suitable for the feast itself, and likely would all be addressed more privately afterwards.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes, even with as much progress as we have made, we still need to close out this war." Meesei added. "Our packs will need to be quite capable in combat. I have actually been meaning to speak with you about that, Sabine. Strictly speaking, you do not need to keep your search only to those without a pack of their own. People do tend to remain with their own packs, true, but it is not as if it is uncommon for people to change as well. As their goals change, or their capabilities improve, there may be those looking to move more into the front line of this war."

Ciinriel had spent most of her time since the debate started trying not to seem as if she was staring at Do'rhajul. The announcement was no less of a surprise for her, but her friendship with Sabine made her more predisposed to trust Sabine and her judgment. When the conversation shifted towards Sabine's new pack, she was only somewhat hesitant to speak up. "That is true. It was sad to see Colors go from our pride, but he could hardly be a ship captain if he was stuck in our clan. People do move around when life makes them realize that they're not in the right place for them."

Meesei nodded in agreement. Do'rhajul was staying out of any conversation for now, which was probably wise, and Meesei wanted to at least attempt to get the other clan leaders to focus on something other than Do'rhajul. Having a "normal" meal with him could possibly make him seem like something of a less threatening figure. "You also do not need to restrict yourself to our clan in your search. If you find likely candidates from other clans, they would certainly be allowed here."

The Lilmoth clan leader had been listening intently to anything said by the Champion's pack that she could hear, and did not hesitate to speak when she had the opportunity. She was a black-scaled Argonian woman, with a head full of even darker feathers. Her garb was quite interesting to look at, consisting of a crocodile-hide loincloth and a sort of vest made entirely of the teeth of various Black Marsh predators, and the twine to bind it all together. Each took had to have a hole cut through it individually, and all of them were done precisely and cleanly so as not to ruin the teeth. Naturally, it would have taken considerable time, effort, and kills to make. "The best of my hunters would say it would be an honor to be picked by you, Sabine. You are a worthy leader." She said in heavily-accented Cyrodilic. Meesei was hardly surprised as her show of support. The Black Marsh clans had always been openly supportive of the leadership of her and her pack.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was another pause from Do'rhajul, his eyes not drifting from the table in front of him. "No, there is no one here who does not have a right to be angry at me. My explanations serve only to give context to my actions, not to excuse them. I can say only that, if my death would somehow bring the souls of your people back from Vile's realm, I would drag the knife across my throat myself. But, that is not the case, so I must fight instead."

Most of the clan leaders, Meesei included, had already begun to dig in to their portions of the feast, but there was no question that everyone in earshot had been listening intently to Do'rhajul. The fact that their conversations became notably louder once he stopped was merely one piece of evidence for it.

If there was one, more positive observation for Meesei to make, it was that many members of their clan at the other tables did not seem so focused on the politics of it all. Do'rhajul's defection might have been a surprise for many and a concern for some, but most were behaving as Meesei would have expected for a feast. In particular, there were many scrambling at the chance to try a dragon's flesh for themselves. Ignoring political concerns among the leadership, the feast was going quite well.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rhazii's anger elicited no real emotion from Do'rhajul, as his answer was just as calm as his explanation. "There are two answers to that question. The first is one of justice. It was my leadership that sent many lycan souls to Vile's realm, so justice demands that I help to return them to their rightful place. I cannot resurrect those I have killed, but I can save their immortal souls. The second is a matter of honor. Sabine is the one who showed me the light, revealed the lie. She is the reason I am no longer serving the deceiver, and so I swore myself in service to her. I am bound to obey her commands, and she has commanded me to help you all."

Meesei was silent, but was observing the reactions of the other clan leaders at the table. Unfortunately, she found a certain amount of frustration in watching them. They had all become experienced leaders through the war, adept at dealing with other clans and factions as a consequence of their growing organization. Most of them knew how to keep their emotions held close to their chest, so it was difficult for her to determine if Do'rhajul was at all placating their concerns. It would likely be a longer more involved process for her to judge where they all stood.

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.