EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

In the interest of avoiding any confrontations, Ahnasha let Monderyn close the door without another word. After the last time they had visited, she had no reason to doubt him. Although, she was glad that they had come as early as they had to speak to them; if they had waited until later in the week, there would have been a chance for them to run into her own family at the inn.

Ahnasha started off away from the door right away, just to make it less likely that Fendros' father might see them out of the windows. "Well, so far so good. If we're lucky, this will all go smoothly. And, I suppose it will be nice to see your brother and sister again. Even your mother, if she comes along."

---

"Call it the 'wisdom of age', or whatever." Lorag answered. Just seeing Harriet in her more familiar Orc form was enough to flare up a small measure of anger within him again, but he kept it in check. "Besides, everyone else is goin' around tying up their loose ends. Figured I may as well too."

Lorag eyed the small cabin. If being around the other children in his pack was anything to go by, Narsi would not be keeping her ears to herself for long. Still, he had no intention of holding anything back in the conversation; he had not come here to maintain whatever illusions Harriet may or may not have. "If you think I've come here to try to be a father after lettin' you do all the hard work, then you're probably giving me too much credit. I never asked for children, but I've still got my...responsibilities, I guess you'd call it. How much does she know? Does she know her options? Does she know about you?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Just so posts don't get too long, I'll wait until one scene ends to continue the last.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha was far more on-edge than she likely needed to be. Strictly speaking, the stakes of today, or indeed, whatever happened in the next week, were far lower than their average mission. There were no life or death situations, and the most that was in danger was some of their family members' opinions. However, that sort of rational perspective was doing nothing to calm Ahnasha's mind. She was relieved that it was at least Monderyn that answered the door, though she still glanced past him to look for his father several times while he spoke.

"That will probably be fine." Ahnasha answered. "I don't think it is anything to worry about today, it's just...I'll give you the short version. My family has finally found an excuse to come to Cheydinhal, and I just know they are going to want to introduce themselves. I guess we can talk more when you can get away."

---

Lorag huffed, and gave the first hint of any measure of uncertainty that he had shown since he arrived. Although, he still showed no signs of influence from their aggression. "Hmph, now ain't that a good question. Not too sure I know the answer myself. Could've gone the rest of my life without laying eyes on a traitor like you again, but, well, here I am." He glared sharply at Harriet, but that anger left his expression after only a few seconds.

Lorag sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Look, things have happened. Things are going to happen, and it's all got me thinking about...things. You can calm down, I'm not here to hurt anyone. Trust me, if someone ever decides its time for justice, it'll probably be Vera comin' and kicking down your door. Maybe her son. Or maybe Gallus. Just not me. I wanted to just forget about all this, but I've got that irritating voice in the back of my mind nagging at me, tellin' me that I can't go into what's to come without...dealin' with things." He said, his eyes focusing squarely on the younger werewolf as he spoke.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The vineyard was not far, being that it was within view far down the road, but they did yet have time to exchange at least a few words. "Different from home? Of course. We're in, or at least near, a city, so you should behave like we've taught you in cities. Act like that, and you should be essentially fine. You just have to accept that there is no pleasing your grandfather, and you should just avoid speaking to him if at all possible. Let us handle him. I know you, Rhazii, and I know you still have it in your head to talk to him, but really, your time is worth more than him."

At this point, the three of them were hardly a minute away from stepping through the vineyard's gates. Ahnasha stopped for just a moment, resting a hand on Fendros' back. "Okay, I think I'll let you go first. Hopefully, we can find your sister first, or your mother."

---

Despite hearing her approach well before she revealed herself, Lorag did not react with any particular vigor. He turned his body almost lethargically and settled his eyes on the werewolf. He looked her over for a few seconds, but did not give the slightest hint of fear, or even any degree of anxiety. He did not seem to raise his guard, or even shift his stance to make him more ready for attack. He simply looked at her, appearing almost as if he was unimpressed. If she had ever come into contact with another person in her current form, Lorag showed none of the terror that she might have come to expect. In fact, he gave no indication that the interaction was even unusual for him. "Hey kid, your mother home?" He asked directly.

---

"Hmph, I know, I know." Kaleeth replied, still holding onto a smirk. "I guess I just didn't think you'd have the answer to the questions I had. I mean...you didn't, but I also guess I didn't need that answer near as much as I thought I did. And I'll admit, we do have a way of figuring out things together."

Kaleeth lifted her head up just enough to plant a quick kiss on Janius' lips above her. "Well, I guess there's no reason to just lay here anymore. I don't think it's going to be suddenly inspiring my memory or anything. It's just a river. I should probably get to sleep soon. My village has to be somewhere close around here, so we might end up finding it tomorrow if we can find a fresh scent."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The four of them started towards the city gates as soon as Lorag went off his own way. Although, Ahnasha did not quite agree on where they should go first. "Eh, based on when they sent their last latter, I don't think I would expect them this soon. The earliest they could get here from Leyawiin would be about a week from now. Give or take a day. Or two, I suppose. Still, we should be okay to just go straight to your family. Besides, on the off-chance that my family is somehow here so soon, but hasn't met your family, I would want to warn them as soon as possible." Ahnasha argued.

---

Lorag had not expected much difficulty in finding Harriet. Regardless of the means, he doubted he would be able to miss the signs of lycans when he saw, or smelled, them. He continued heading along the narrow dirt path, still finding those hints of blood along the way. His pace held steady, and his demeanor completely firm, regardless of any uncertainty that might have lurked beneath the surface within his mind. He was not armored like a soldier, though he was armed as usual. He did not move as if he were on-edge, or expecting any conflict, yet it could hardly be said that the Orc had any sort of "peaceful" look about him. He was serious and severe, without being outwardly aggressive.

Eventually, the small path ended at the cabin Meesei had described. It was small, likely only containing one or two rooms, and did not have much in the way of a clearing surrounding it. Lorag did not say a word, nor do anything else to otherwise announce himself. He did not approach any closer to the cabin, instead opting to wait. He had not made any effort to hide his approach, and certainly would have been noticed if anyone was present.

---

Again, Kaleeth was silent for a short while, but her worry soon gave way to a look of realization. "Huh, that is...you know, maybe that is the answer." She began, looking up at Janius with the hint of what might have been a smile. "It was a mistake. A stupid mistake. It's not a mistake I regret, and I would make it again every time. But, it was just the mistake of two stupid children thinking more with their loins than their heads."

By this point, Kaleeth was outright laughing. "My parents were young once; they can understand that. I don't need to explain it, or...come up with an excuses. You're right, I just need the truth. Or, a truth, at least."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei was not privy to the conversation that had been going on before her arrival, but the outburst she had heard from Rhazii upon entering gave her enough context to guess at the topic. Regardless, she agreed with Fendros' assessment. Whatever problems may or may not come in the future, they would only be able to deal with them in person. As such, she created her portal as soon as she was able.

As usual, Meesei brought them into the forest some distance outside of the city, and it was a few minutes worth of a walk before the walls came into view. Although, the moment they saw Cheydinhal, Lorag was the one to stop her, pointing his finger up to the mountain overlooking the other side of the city. "So...she's up there, right?"

Meesei nodded. "Yes. From the reports, about halfway up the mountain, along a small path that splits of from the main road."

Lorag let out a long breath, still staring intensely towards the mountain. "Hmph, well, best get this over with."

"Are you sure you do not want some company for this?" Meesei asked.

Lorag stopped after a few steps, though did not even turn around before shaking his head. "I can deal with this on my own."

It seemed that Lorag had meant his words when he said he would not stay in their hair for long, as it seemed he did not even intend to go into the city with them. Meesei did respect his self-reliance, though she did hope he would not do anything drastic. Regardless, she did not think that she should serve as any more than an observer in these situations. "Would you like for me to wait in the inn?" Meesei asked Ahnasha and Fendros.

---

There was little that seemed to be changing about Kaleeth's uncertainty. Indeed, she appeared even more confused than when Janius had first arrived. She could not deny that Janius made reasonable points, but her doubts had been gnawing at her for weeks at this point. "I just don't know. I mean...maybe you are right? Maybe they won't be angry, and will just be glad to see me. That could always happen, but I just don't know. They could also be really angry, and I don't know if I can handle that either. I'm just so terrified of seeing them again, I can hardly stand it. Part of me wants to just run away, and part of me just wants to get it over with."

There was another pause, and another obvious look of worry on Kaleeth's expression, followed by another question out of nowhere that would likely take even Janius off-guard. "Do you think you really loved me back then?" She asked, lowering her head almost as if ashamed. "I mean, I thought I did, but looking back with all I know now...I don't know if I understood love when I was so young. I was only in my nineteenth year back then; I was barely more than a hatchling. I know now that I love you, that I fell in love with you over time. But, I had only known you a few days back then. I can't help but think that I just made a stupid, childish mistake back then that I got lucky enough to end up being the right choice. I don't know how I can defend that to my parents."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha shared Rhazii's expression for the most part, though hers was more strongly focused towards her anger. She grunted, showing her teeth just slightly as she looked at Rhazii. "Oh, trust me, I share that feeling. Judgemental wretch of a man that he is, if I ever ended up alone in a room with him, I'd..." Her voice trailed off, descending into grumbling and growls after a few words. With the kind of violence Ahnasha had come to accept over the last few years, it was difficult to tell if she was serious, or simply venting.

"Hmph, it doesn't matter. The rest of them at least make up for him, for the most part. But, as for my parents agreeing to leave him alone...I just don't know. I've only talked to them through the occasional letter for so long, it's hard to say if I really know them anymore. The parents I knew back when I was a cub, I would say...probably would respect your request. But, people can change. I can only really guess." Ahnasha answered.

A few moments later, there was another knock on the door, and this time, they were greeted by the expected person when Ahnasha opened the door. Meesei noticed Lorag as soon as she stepped inside, but showed no signs of surprise that he was present. She simply nodded towards him and greeted him, then returned her attention to the others. "Is everyone ready to leave?"

---

Kaleeth did not answer immediately, but the look on her face quickly told Janius that she was not keen on his idea. After a few moments of thought and apparent worry, she started to shake her head. "I...no, no I can't do that. It would be a bad idea. Very bad idea. They might go from hating me to fearing for my soul. Or just hating me even more. If they still love me, then they would not want to rest until I was cured and my soul could return to the Hist again. And if they don't care about me any more, they might just attack us. I don't think I could handle having to fight anyone in my village, not like that."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Um, well, to be polite, they certainly would..." Ahnasha answered, awkwardly running her fingers through the fur on her neck. "I never told them where they could send their letters, but your family name might be enough for a courier to figure it out. Honestly, I hope they didn't get one to them successfully, though. I would really rather it be us who are the first to tell them about it. We should have about a week to get ready, give or take a day or two."

Ahnasha leaned back her head, looking up to the stone ceiling and releasing a sigh. "I suppose it won't matter much either way. We're going to have to deal with the same things regardless. I know what the real problem is going to be. My family is going to want to get to know each and every one of yours. I'm sure most of them will be perfectly amiable; even Monderyn will probably be acceptably friendly. But I know my parents, and if your father tries to push them away, they'll just try to get that much closer. They're so...irritating like that. Just so kind and forgiving to a fault. I mean, you saw how easily they forgave me. They see people like that and just see it as a challenge to 'spread the love of the Divines' to them. If your father called the guards on them, that, honestly, would probably be the easy way out. I doubt they would go that far to keep trying after that. Oh, my parents are both quite stubborn, and my brother was too. I guess they passed that trait onto him."

---

Kaleeth gave a single nod, though she looked no less uncertain than before. "I...guess that is why I'm here, they do deserve to know. But...that still doesn't mean they're going to be happy about it. I mean, they could be glad to know I'm alive, but still end up mad at me for leaving once they know I'm safe. I wish I had something I could tell them to let them know that it was all worth it, from their perspective. I don't think my reasons for being happy will work on them."

Again, Kaleeth went briefly quiet and stared at the water. After a moment, she bared her teeth with at least slight irritation. "I still can't remember anything else about that day, but it's not like it would matter anyway. It's not like I could just tell them what I became, even if I did remember. It was a stupid idea, and I shouldn't have bothered going out of my way to come here."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Don't bother worryin' about me." Lorag replied. "I'm not gonna be sticking around, and it probably won't take me that long. I just need to use the portal, then I'll go my own way."

Ahnasha shrugged. "Suit yourself, but if things don't go to your plan, you can probably stay with either us or Meesei, depending."

While not ignoring Ahnasha, Lorag still was not terribly receptive to the offer. "Hmph, well I'm sure I'll figure it out."

Lorag was clearly not interested in speaking, so after a while of waiting around in silence, Ahnasha finally sat back down next to Fendros, looking understandably anxious. She spoke softly, though not in a way that made any attempt to hide what she was saying from the others. "So...what kind of problems do you think to expect from your family? Or, well, no need to pretend it could be from anything else: what do you expect from your father?"

---

Kaleeth looked away again. "I...don't know what to tell them. I don't know if there is anything I can tell them. I'm their daughter, and I abandoned them. A year after their son, my brother, died, I just left them for someone I just met. Obviously, I don't regret it now. I love you, and my family, and I'd do the same thing again, but...I know I hurt them. I didn't understand it then, but now that we have Julan, I can understand what I did to them. I was a horrible daughter. Maybe if some divine being pulled me away for some higher purpose, then they might feel better about it, but...I just don't know. I don't know why I thought I would remember anything. It was a stupid idea."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"That's my business, cub." Lorag replied unusually harshly, even for him. Although, his irritation seemed to fade away just as quickly as he stepped into the room and headed over to the farthest chair in the corner.

Ahnasha sighed and glanced over to Rhazii, speaking considerably more softly. "Just leave him be. You know Lorag is someone who likes to keep his business to himself, for the most part."

"I'm not gonna be in your hair for too long." Lorag spoke up. "Alpha had someone keep an eye on her after we found her. They said she's moved out of the city, up to some cabin in the hills. A short walk from the city, but still outside the walls. Probably 'cause the girl was getting old enough that her lycanthropy was gonna be a problem."

---

Kaleeth nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess. I mean...there's nothing wrong with me or anything, I just..." Her voice trailed off as she looked over to the side across the river's surface. She seemed to be focusing on something, but all Janius would be able to see was water. Her silence went on for almost long enough to be worrying before she finally spoke up again. "I could never remember what happened when I went out into the swamp that day. I remember leaving the village, wandering around for a while...looking for something to hunt, since that felt like what I should have been doing. Then I came out into the water and...then nothing. I don't remember anything after that. Did I commune with Hircine? Did he appear to me like Ahnasha and say anything? Did he send a werecrocodile after me? Or did I just find one? Did he have some purpose for me, or was I just stubborn? I hoped I would start to remember one day, but I never did."

Finally, Kaleeth turned her head to make eye contact with Janius again. "Did you recognize this place? I can't remember if I was near here when you found me, but this is where I came. The last place I remember before I was infected. I thought maybe seeing it would remind me of something, but...nothing."