EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Julan was silent for a time, but obviously focused in his thoughts. Between Zharanthixil and his father, they had given him quite a lot to consider. He knew he should say something, but hesitated several times in doing so before finally voicing his thoughts aloud. "So I could do any of the rites...if I wanted to. I...don't know if I could pass a magic rite. I'm not, um, I mean I can do magic, but...maybe one of the other ones. I know my mother did the endurance one, but I guess she also lived in the marsh all her life, so that one might not make sense for me. Hunting something doesn't sound too hard, but I could also do the one with the fight. I guess we would do that one here in the village?"

Zharanthixil took on a rather scolding tone. "The rite of might would take place in the village, yes. And refer to it properly. Take care not to take our sacred traditions lightly. I would discipline one of my apprentices for doing so, but I will concede that, as an outsider, you require education first. If you believe yourself a warrior to match a fully-trained hunter, then you can announce to the Master-Hunter your intention to undergo the rite. You are somewhat young...but you would not be the youngest to do so."

Julan looked up to his parents. "Would that one be okay? Do you think my training is good enough?"

---

The three of them stayed on the path out of the city for a short while before Ahnasha and Rhazii split off from Frendros, and into the forest. They started to head to the north and west, but even once they were out of sight of the city, Ahnasha did not show any indication of wanting to stop and find a place for their belongings, as Rhazii might have expected. Instead, she kept moving on towards some uncertain destination before finally speaking up to him.

"So Rhazii, I have noticed that you have been training a lot recently. Well, not recently as much as just always. It seems like there is hardly a moment that you aren't doing something to improve your abilities. You're not as bad as when Meesei was in her 'obsessive training' phase, but I have noticed your effort. This business with my parents has been reminding me of when I was your age. You've met them now, so you can probably imagine that they didn't like me going out and doing dangerous things. Fighting, magic, I had to learn it in secret. When I had you, I promised myself that I wouldn't do the same to you. That I wouldn't try to make you be like me. But...I guess I also have to be careful not to try to make you be different from me. I have to ask you if this is what you want? Being a warrior, that is? Soldier, hunter, battlemage, however you want to do it, are those the kinds of skills you want to develop?" Ahnasha asked.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I did have something of interest for Ahnasha and Rhazii's hunt. Did you have anything specific in mind for Narsi?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well then, he is right here." Zharanthixil answered, gesturing towards Julan and either not understanding, or not caring about any implied desire for privacy. "You said you want to learn more about your people, boy, right? Then you should experience yourself what it means to be one of us."

Julan was predictably nervous to have such pressure so squarely on himself, especially coming from his grandfather. "I...guess so. I've never really known much about us, but...would becoming one of you mean that I'd have to stay here?"

Zharan crossed his arms with a distinctly unimpressed expression. "I do not know why you would ever want to leave your own people just after gaining your belonging among them, but there would be nothing binding you to stay, no. Short of committing horrible crimes against us, you would always be a part of us. Even my daughter, your mother, after leaving us so long ago, is still a member of this tribe. You would always have your place in the world, whether or not you choose to take it."

Though still nervous, Julan was at least curious about Zharan's offer. "That does all sound like a...good thing. But...the rites don't sound safe."

Zharan scoffed, and ended up glaring at Janius. "Is this what you've taught your son, Human? To fear danger? No, the rites are not safe. Deaths are quite rare, but your safety is not guaranteed. The first lesson that any Saxhleel learns of the marsh is that it is unforgiving. It does not care if you are a warrior, or a scholar. A man, woman, or child. It is merciless, and will kill with no discrimination. We live every moment of our lives surviving against the dangers that lurk behind every bush or tree. The swamp never sleeps, and we must always be ready to meet its challenges. Our homeland strengthens us by its very nature, and makes us into a people worthy of defending it."

---

Ahnasha made no attempt to hold back a laugh. "Yes, welcome to the first...what was it? Eighteen, nineteen years of my life? I can hardly even remember at this point. My parents have always been like that. I can say that they honestly are well-intentioned, but it can come off as pretty heavy handed at times. Or most of the time, really. I would not expect my mother to stop singing your praises at any point."

Continuing on towards the city gates, Ahnasha shrugged after taking a few seconds to think. "I suppose we can go ahead and go for a hunt now. It doesn't really matter what part of the day we choose, as long as we are far enough from the city. That would also let us get more sleep tonight. Once we get a ways down the road, you can just follow me, Rhazii. I have a good idea of just where we can go. Stay, um...normal for now. We want to get some distance from the city."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth nodded to Janius, though already, she looked like she had some concerns. "Yes, for the rite of endurance. It's the one I chose." She answered, though Zharanthixil was quick to pick up where she left off.

[i]"Kaleeth attempted other rites, and failed a few times. They are not easy, and not always safe. The rite of endurance can be the easiest, or most deadly depending upon how the Hist wills to test the apprentice. The apprentice is led far from the village, and left alone, with no belongings nor weapons. Unlike the other rites, there is no definite opponent to defeat, but they must show that they are able to survive on their own, forage and hunt effectively, and be able to follow their trail back to their home without losing it. They are taken far enough that it can require upwards of a week to return. If they return alive, they receive the mark of the vine, and become a hunter." Zharan explained, glancing down at Julan. It was certainly not an encouraging description, Julan did show some of his nervousness.

Zharanthixil continued. "There are also three other rites. The rite of might shows that an apprentice values strength and ability in combat. And that their skill is beyond average. It requires that they are able to defeat a hunter beyond their years in single combat. It is not a fight to the death, but the weapons used are real. It is no simple sparring match. These hunters receive the mark of the leviathan. The rite of wit is a magic-focused test, and naturally appeals to hunters who fight with their minds as well as their bodies. I was never the one to administer it, so I am not completely familiar with all of its details, but it requires several magical tests, and a magical duel. Succeeding grants the hunter the mark of the wamasu. Finally, the rite of the predator requires tracking and killing sufficiently dangerous prey, then presenting the body to the Master-Hunter for inspection. The apprentice must hunt alone, but can use any weapons or strategies to make their kill. Their prey must be challenging to kill, so the Master-Hunter inspects the prey afterwards to make sure that the apprentice did not choose an already sick or injured target. These hunters receive the mark of the viper. For Julan, passing a rite would mean receiving his marks, and being accepted as a hunter of our village."

---

Although Gwindir and S'nashi did take turns repeating their "goodbyes" at least three more times, they did eventually allow them to take their leave. Ahnasha and Fendros headed out of the inn, with Rhazii in tow just behind them. Ahnasha kept glancing back towards the inn several times, just to make sure that her family did not follow after them before she finally allowed herself to relax. She released a long breath, releasing much of the anxiety she felt being around her parents. "Fendros, I think I will take Rhazii on a hunt tonight. I could really use the distraction. Would you mind keeping an eye on things here in the city?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Um, I think so." Julan answered, standing up and facing his parents. "He asked me a bunch of questions, and I...think he's happy with everything. But...now he wants me to go fight some people...or something?"

Zharanthixil did not give Janius time to question what Julan was saying before he stepped in to elaborate. "I want him to be tested according to the standards and customs of one of our hunters. I have spoke to the boy, examined him, and I shall admit, it seems you have done more for him than I would have expected. He is strong for a boy of his age, and though you have obviously been putting him through some sort of odd...Imperial form of training, he was able to answer my questions on the basics of combat. I am not sure if he is a knowledgeable hunter; the kind of creatures he describes hunting do not exist in Black Marsh. He cannot ambush his quarry in the swamps by hiding in...[/i]snow, whatever that is."

Zharanthixil stood as well, albeit more slowly. He was a tall man, but his limp and his cane removed much of the intimidation his presence once held. "More to the point, a hunter's worth cannot be judged through simple questions alone. I want the chance to have my grandson join his people in earnest. To be a true equal among our hunters. We have several rites that a hunter may undertake to end their apprenticeship. The rites of the predator, might, endurance, or wit. An apprentice need only complete one to earn their marks, and their place among our hunters."

---

Gwindir stood from his seat, with S'nashi following suit short after. He walked up alongside Fendros' chair and, with a wide smile, gave Fendros a few enthusiastic pats on the back. "I wouldn't worry so much, son, it'll be a great time for all of us. Your family included, you'll see. You are right that me and my wife do need to go meet with my associate. I told her that I would come meet with her as soon as we got settled in town, and she's not someone I think I should keep waiting. But, we definitely should all get back together as soon as we can. Then, you can tell us all about how you got to the city so quickly."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth started to laugh softly. "It's, well...it's hard to describe why that question doesn't make any sense to ask." She said, pausing again as she obviously was having a difficult time thinking of how to phrase her answer. "We all think together. The Saxhleel, the Hist, we are all connected together. It's why we are the 'people of the root.' We're connected by the Hist, so our minds are...together. But not completely, or consciously. At least not all the time. I'm not hearing words, I'm..."

Kaleeth interrupted herself with a long, frustrated sigh and rubbed her hand over her head. "I feel like I'm trying to describe color to a blind person. I don't know if I can make it make sense. Maybe someone else will be able to describe it the right way. I'm probably just going to end up confusing you. And me."

The small village did not take long to traverse, even with the attention they attracted along the way. They made their way back into Zharanthixil's home, and found everything much the same as when they left. Zharan and Julan were sitting across from each other on the mats in the center of the hut, apparently in silence. Although, with the noise outside, even Kaleeth was not sure if they had been talking just before they returned. As expected, Julan did not appear to be any worse for wear for his time spent with his grandfather, but for just a moment, he did give a slightly worried look up towards his parents.

---

"Oh, we are staying in this inn, so I am sure one of us will be here when you need to find us, at least." Gwindir answered. "Although, we do not have any real proper place to actually host a dinner, unfortunately."

Finally, with the plans being made on her behalf, Shevari finally chimed into the conversation. "I don't think we'll be able to go anywhere with a proper kitchen, but...I don't think I'll need one. As long as I have the right ingredients. Perhaps a few more pots, pans, bowls, and such. Maybe we could all have a nice picnic outdoors, as long as the weather cooperates? Perhaps at that lake outside of the city?"

"A fine idea, I would say." Gwindir replied, gesturing back towards Fendros. "If your family would not mind going to the lake, we could have it there. Otherwise, I would be more than happy to visit them in their home, if they prefer. Perhaps we can keep the fact that Shevari is our chef a secret until after they have had a chance to try her meal? Just so they do not have any sort of...expectations about it."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth did not look to be encouraged by Janius' answer. Regardless, she slowly brought herself to stand up, but still kept her hands touching the tree. "And I don't even know how to help him. Maybe one experience with the sap was enough, but...what if it wasn't? What if there is something permanently wrong with him because of us? I...guess I just have to hope that Thorantilth can help. He is a Treeminder, like..."

Kaleeth stopped mid-sentence. For a few seconds, she ran her hands across the tree bark before finally turning away towards Janius. "...like Meesei was. Meesei was trained to be a Treeminder, right? Before she...left? She knows all the rituals, and she would have known if we were doing something wrong. Maybe I am worrying too much? I'm sure she would have done something to help if we were making any mistakes. I don't know; maybe we should get back to my father before I worry myself to death. I do want to visit Reanaseer soon, but I don't think there will be any problem with us staying here."

---

Just based on their expressions, it did not seem like either Gwindir or S'nashi were taking the situation with Fendros' father quite as seriously as he was presenting it to be. Although, Vasiq did at least look to be more concerned. Gwindir's response remained just as upbeat as before. "Well, I'll be glad to meet whoever you would like to introduce us to for now. I'm sure that once we all get together and get to know each other, we'll figure out a way to work it out. I still think we should make it a dinner; a great meal is a great thing to bond over, I find."

"I think that's a wonderful idea." S'nashi added immediately. "I think there is so much we need to catch up on, and that would give us plenty of time to do it. I can hardly even imagine all that must have happened, even just for you alone, Ahnasha. Or maybe not...I mean, you hardly even look like you've aged a day. You simply must tell me your secret."

Ahnasha crossed her arms nervously on the table. "Oh, I've just kept myself healthy. Perhaps with a...little bit of alchemy from a friend."

"Well, if your friend ever comes to Leyawiin, they just have to pay me a visit." S'nashi grinned.

"As long as their services are not too expensive, of course." Gwindir commented, though he soon looked more seriously at Fendros. "Do you think you could arrange for a dinner with your family? Do you think your family would want to be the ones to host? I would like for Shevari to be able to be the one to cook for us."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth still looked to be uncertain. She turned her head to the side and pressed it up against the tree, closing her eyes and concentrating on the Hist itself. Although, after a few seconds, she continued, albeit more quietly. "You don't understand. It is...fundamental to us. An Argonian that does not know the Hist would be like living without one of your senses. It would be as if your parents had forced you to live your childhood blindfolded."

Looking back up at Janius, Kaleeth hesitated, then sighed. "Well...I guess you're not wrong either. We did do something for him. We gave him a naming ceremony, and the sap, but...we should have done more, I think. More sap, at least. I can't imagine how he is experiencing all of this. This is probably the first time he is really feeling the full presence of the Hist. It's natural to me, even after being away for all this time, but he has to be hearing the voices in his mind, speaking without words. Has he...been acting strangely. I should know, but I might have been too distracted by my own worries."

---

Both Gwindir and S'nashi frowned, though of course, S'nashi was the first to speak up. "Oh my, that just...all sounds like such a shame. Especially for such a fine young man like you. A respectable person like you deserves to be, well, respected."

Gwindir sat back in his chair, nodding. "I think my dear S'nashi is quite right. You've been nothing but a loving and faithful husband to our daughter, and I think you deserve better. And, just going from your description here, it doesn't sound completely hopeless. Your siblings, your mother, if they can accept you, Ahnasha, and us, then that just leaves your father alone. I can't imagine having my whole family against me on something as important as this, but not even giving a thought that they might be right. Surely, he has to have some doubts? Even if he keeps them bottled up inside himself. Surely there is some hope that he could change his mind? I think we should have a nice, big dinner together; our family and yours. With all you've done for our daughter, I'd like to at least try to help you repair your relationship with your father. We can all get to know each other, Shevari can cook up something delicious for us. It would be nice."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

For just a few moments after leaving Thorantilth's hut, Kaleeth seemed aimless once more. However, she again ended up moving in a direction without really thinking, and ended up standing at the base of the village's Hist tree, a short distance from the hut. She placed her hand on its bark, staying silent for a few seconds before lowering herself down to sit and lean back against it. "I think there is a lot I should do here. I should have come back here long before now, but...I don't know. Things just feel wrong to me, in a way, but it's hard to explain how. It's been so long, I almost forgot what it is like to have the voice of the Hist in my head again. I wish you could understand it like I do, but I don't think there is any way I could put it into words. I just feel like I should have let Julan experience it before now. He isn't like me; he wasn't raised close to the Hist's voice. He was able to drink the sap, but not as often as most Saxhleel hatchlings. I feel like we've been mistreating him by keeping him so far from Black Marsh for so long."

---

Unfortunately, S'nashi was just as dismissive of Fendros' warning as Ahnasha had expected she would be. She waved a hand towards Fendros. "Oh, don't you worry. I've met plenty of those 'traditional' types before. But you know, a little kindness can go a long ways. Why don't you all sit down? No sense in just standing around in the middle of the inn." She said before finally turning back to sit at the table. "Why, Shevari's family was just like that. I don't know if you know, but some Khajiit and Argonians around Blackwood have been at each other's throats for a long while. They didn't like her falling for our Vasiq, but we helped them come around."

Gwindir, though perhaps less dismissive than S'nashi, still shared her opinion. "Besides, you never said in your letters that you were on bad terms with your family. If they can accept you and our daughter, then I'm sure they can come around to accept us."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Thorantilth took a moment to have more of his tea. He did not act as if he were in a hurry, though Kaleeth had alluded before to the fact that he likely had many other responsibilities to attend to. "She has lived for as long as the Hist has willed her to live. She was in quite fine health until the most recent cycle of the moons. I believe the Hist has decided that it is time for her memories to return to the root. It is good that she will be able to add one last memory of you to that collection, Kaleeth."

Kaleeth smiled, having finished most of her tea by this point. "Well, I don't know if memories of me will be too useful to the Hist, but it will still be nice to speak to her again. I will also make sure our son has a chance to come see you, Thoran. I'm sure there is a lot you will be able to teach him. As long as my father will allow him out of his sight long enough for him to visit. He did actually seem pleased to see Julan. I really wasn't sure if I should have been expecting that."

There was a single, slow nod from Thorantilth, and a few seconds of silence before he spoke. "I suspect your father was much happier than he let on to see you again. And though I certainly doubt that he gave you this impression, I also suspect he did not mind you being there as well, Janius. Zharanthixil is a harsh man, shaped by a harsh life, but he still experiences love, respect, and compassion like the rest of us. He is just adverse to showing it, to the point of outwardly denying it."

Kaleeth started to stand up, appearing briefly uncertain of how to respond. "I...hope so. I really don't want to make my father any more unhappy than he already was. Maybe just spending some time here with him will help. Thank you for all of your kind words, Thoran. If there is anyone in the village as wise as Reanaseer, it would be you." Kaleeth took Janius' hand, ready to go on their way. Speaking to the Treeminder had improved her mood, but that mood was still only a thin barrier to the uncertainty and despair that had recently been poured onto her.

---

Gwindir nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but his words were quickly overshadowed by S'nashi's enthusiasm. "Oh, without a doubt. There is nothing I have wanted more since meeting my new son than to meet the people responsible for raising him into being such a fine young man."

S'nashi finally turned her attention away from Rhazii long enough to give Fendros the same tight hug that she had given to Ahnasha and Rhazii. "I understand that your family owns their own vineyard? You know, I have always felt that winemaking is an almost...romantic sort of business. Beautiful and majestic fields of grapes, the class and respect that comes with making such a refined and elegant product. If I am being entirely honest, I don't personally understand why you would prefer to run a hunting shop, but I can see where you got your business acumen."