EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Hmm, sure, I guess we can. I just hope we don't interrupt anything." Kaleeth replied. Julan was within sight, but too far away for even them to hear over the general noise of the village. Although, Kaleeth could observe a few things just by watching Julan. A decent-sized group of seven or so young Argonians had gathered around Julan, and he clearly was not exactly comfortable being the center of attention. He was not smiling and laughing as he often would with his friends back home, but neither did he look like he wanted to get away from the group. Some of the Argonians were excitedly talking to Julan any chance they had, while a few were looking at him silently, and perhaps judgmentally.

Regardless, Kaleeth joined Janius and approached Julan and the others. The girl who was firing questions at Julan like a volley of arrows did not notice as first, but most of the rest of them did. Most grew silent, and all eyes shifted to Kaleeth and, in particular, Janius. A tan-scaled boy sitting on a log in the back of the group sat with his arms crossed, staring up at Janius with a blank expression for a few seconds before finally speaking. "He doesn't look that strong."

---

As tempting as it was to embrace Rhazii's sympathy for her own comfort, Ahnasha did have a purpose to telling her story. Keeping her calm, she spoke softly and nodded to him. "And I would agree. I was furious when I saw him die, because I wanted to bleed him out slowly. I wanted to make him suffer in just the same way, but it was...Sabine I believe that finished him while they were rescuing me, more quickly than I would have liked. But, I still saw him die, and do you know what it was I saw? Fear, regret, pain. He was terrified to die...just like the man you killed. And yet, he got off easy compared to what he deserved, I think we would both agree. The point being that all people, no matter how despicable and deplorable they are, will tend to die in fear. The man you killed looked pitiful in his final moments, he looked like he deserved your mercy, but that doesn't mean he did. They were bandits. While I doubt they extensively tortured their victims, they still killed innocent people for a few bags of coins. Think of all the mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters that never returned home because of them, and think of all the people who will now live because of you. Don't...take this the wrong way, but I'm actually glad you reacted like this. Only a monster kills without feeling."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth looked uncertain for a few seconds, and had to think of how to word her response. She hummed to herself for a few seconds, then shrugged. "Um...sort of. I think all of this is just really hard for me to make sense of. A lot of our time we just spent talking about the past, about...memories. We talked about my mother a lot, especially about how she was after I left. It hurt her that I left, but I understand she didn't hate me for it. She wasn't like that. She, um...well she did probably hate you. A lot, unfortunately. Not because of who you are or anything, but just because you took me away from her. I think she would have liked you if she got to know you. The Elder agreed. She also thought it would be a good idea if I talked to Thorantilth about communing with the Hist properly. I think I will, but maybe not right now. I just need some time. So, how is Julan getting along with the others? Have you been listening in on them?"

---

Ahnasha shook her head. "No, our situation was different, but we did lack the will to endure what we needed to endure. You know that you were burned in a fire in Black Marsh, back when we were negotiating with Hal-Neesa's cult. That is all true. They were being attacked, and as a condition of our alliance, we were helping them. Neesa and her cult are awful people, make no mistake, but those mercenaries were every bit as detestable as them. They captured us, me and your father. They restrained us, with Fendros facing me, then had healers keep me alive while one of them while one of them cut me open."

For a moment, Ahnasha hesitated and broke eye contact to hide the pain that the memories brought back. Then, after a deep breath, she looked back to him and recited her story with a practiced lack of emotion. "He peeled back my skin from my neck to my abdomen, like a hunter skinning a deer. He cut through the muscle to put all of my insides on display for Fendros. He did anything he could to hurt me and force us to give up information on Neesa's stronghold for their attack. The stronghold where you were at the time. We failed. Fendros told them what they wanted to know; gave them intelligence they used in their attack. I blamed him for a while, but I could only do that by lying to myself. I wouldn't have lasted a minute longer. I would have told them, had he not. It was a different sort of mental willpower that we lacked, but just as important."

There was another brief silence from Ahnasha, but she managed to keep her thoughts focused. "And the man who did that to me, my torturer, what would you think should have happened to him, Rhazii? If it were your choice, what would you say he deserved?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth hesitated a moment, moving herself up alongside Janius and taking his hand in hers. "Not unpleasant, but...she was honest with me. Said some things I think I needed to hear. I did hurt my parents when I left. There's no sense trying to hide from that. But, she said there was...purpose to it. I'm, um, not exactly sure what she meant by that. She kind of started rambling for a while when we were talking. Her caretakers said she's not always able to focus like she should. She's still her, though, just a little bit crazier, I guess." She said, smiling lightly.

---

"It's understandable, but I'm glad you trust me. In truth, I've always worried about you following in our footsteps, and living the kind of life we live. It's dangerous, and not for the feint of heart. But, I also know that it is not my place to stop you, and if being a warrior is the life you want, then I need to do everything in my power to prepare you for it. I brought you out here to help prepare you mentally for the road ahead of you. To have a stronger mind than...I did, when I was younger." Ahnasha explained. She paused, releasing a long breath as she lowered her head, as if in shame. She pulled back somewhat from Rhazii and brought her hand up to her chest. For the first time during their hunt, she actually looked uncertain, or even nervous.

"A weak mind will not just get you hurt; it can hurt the people you care about the most. Me, your father, we both had weak minds when we needed to be strong the most." She said as she began tracing a finger down the prominent scar down the center of her body. "I told you this was an old battle scar. That was not true, at least not entirely. This scar is a constant reminder for how we failed you, and how our failure scarred you for life." She said, bringing a hand up to Rhazii's cheek, over the remnants of his burns.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth had not specified exactly how long she had intended to speak with Reanaseer, but it was likely longer than Janius had been anticipating. She ended up being away for almost a hour and a half, which was far longer than it took for Julan to have his dinner. Most of that time was rather dull for Julan, considering that he was still too anxious to approach anyone himself. He constantly was getting looks from others, some suspicious, and some merely curious. However, it took someone else approaching him before he interacted with any of the village beyond just asking for food. It was almost an hour after he sat down, but Janius would finally see Julan talking, albeit nervously, to a group of villagers around his own age.

For Janius, Kaleeth did eventually return from Reanaseer's hut, though her demeanor did make it hard to tell exactly how that conversation went, at least at first. It was hard to tell if she was depressed, or merely self-reflective as she approached. "Um...sorry I took so long. I guess time got away from me. Is everything still alright?"

---

Once she caught up, Ahnasha approached Rhazii more slowly. She kept her voice calm, but still firm. "Your beast does not enjoy leaving behind the spoils of a hunt. I am not surprised it is lashing out, considering all of the meat ran from. It wants its reward."

Ahnasha stepped around and knelt down in front of Rhazii. Before saying anything further, she pulled Rhazii into a hug and held him there. She wanted to give him a few moments to vent his emotions in silence, but she did need to keep him calm enough to avoid transforming. "Breathe a moment. Just focus on that, on each breath. You're here with me, with your mother, who wants nothing but the best for you. Do you trust me, Rhazii? Do you trust that, more than anything on this world, I want what is best for you?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

We can probably skip ahead to Julan's rite. With all the other things happening, I suppose we should not linger too long on anything superfluous.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Oh...okay." Julan replied nervously. They had reached the cooking fires and could easily smell the scents of both raw and cooking meat in the air, though he did not recognize what was being cooked. His stomach growled, though he was not exactly sure what the etiquette was for grabbing a meal. Was it okay just to take what he wanted, or did he need to ask someone specific? In either case, he just decided to stick close to his father and hoped they would be able to figure it out together.

---

Ahnasha sighed to herself. She had hoped that Rhazii would not have such difficulty moving past his previous concerns, but she supposed she always knew it was a possibility. He had already carried out his first kill, so Ahnasha supposed she just needed to help him get past this one last obstacle before he would be ready to truly be a warrior. She tried to avoid showing any frustration as she started to jog after him. "Rhazii, just slow down a second. I understand you have a lot to think about now, but it's not something you can just run from. We need to talk about this, together."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Julan did not have a response for Janius in regards to the upcoming fight, though he had given him something to think about. He would be fighting someone who should be better than him, if their training was not too different. Although, he had no guarantees in regards to training. From what he had been told, their clan had given him better training than he usually would have had access to in most other places, but the fact remained that he knew nothing about the village's hunters. He truly had no idea what to be expecting.

The mention of food was enough of a distraction to pull Julan back into reality. "Um, yes, I think I'm hungry. What kinds of things do you think they have?" He asked, though his attention was shifting to the people around them. Naturally, he, and especially Janius, attracted a lot of attention by the mere fact that they were present in the village. But, what Julan seemed to notice more than anything were a group of young Argonians, around his age. Back in the Silent City, there were a wide variety of residents, including Argonians, but Argonian children were still rather rare as permanent residents. In fact, there were only a handful, including Julan. It was a far different experience than being in a place where the only people his age were Argonian.

---

"He was armed, and he tried to kill you. Were the roles reversed, he would have killed you. Without hesitation." Ahnasha remarked without any hesitation. "You are looking at him too much as if he is like yourself. Truth is, these bandits are more like the animals you usually hunt than you think. Really, I would say they are even worse than the Falmer. At least those Elves have a few thousand years of insanity as their excuse for their crimes. Brigands like these are just pathetic all-around."

Ahnasha looked down and gestured towards the body. "Just look a the body, but imagine it as someone else's. One of your aunts or uncles? Mayble Llarasa, or your eccentric, but kind-hearted grandmother? Imagine if one of them were just laying dead on the side of the road because a bandit decided they wanted their coinpurse. That is how much of animals these bandits really are. They chose to live their lives preying on the weak and innocent, and this is the price they deserve to pay. If we pulled a random Legion patrol off the road and showed them these bodies, they would probably commend us on our initiative. So yes, you killed that man, but in your position, he would have bled you out slowly, then laughed about it. Watching you that whole time, I can say that I'm proud of you, Rhazii. Even with all of those worries swimming around in your head, you did what you needed to do. Your training really has set in well."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius' answer did not leave Julan looking much less uncertain. "Um, well, I don't think I've learned that quick. Mother has been teaching me for a while. And Aunt Meesei only ever speaks Jel when it's just us. I think mother asked her to."

Julan stayed close by his father, obviously intending to go wherever he went. He was hungry, but still was not thinking much about food at this point. "Do you think the rite really is a good idea? What if...I mean...I'm very strong, you know?" He asked incoherently. He was much stronger than any normal Argonian his age should be, but was not sure how to phrase it around others, even if most did not speak Cyrodilic.

---

Ahnasha did not budge from where she was, though neither did she show any signs of being upset with Rhazii. "Come on, let's just sit down for a moment. It's a lot to take in. I'll admit, my first kill might have been a bit easier. I was attacked; had to defend myself. I didn't have much time to think about it until later. Hunting someone is a bit harder, but safer, overall. Tell me, what is it about this that you think is troubling you? From your own perspective, what is it that you are having a hard time dealing with? I've killed more people than most warriors will ever even fight, so I guarantee I can offer you some help."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth gave Janius a quick kiss. "Thank you. I shouldn't be too long. Maybe you could...get some dinner? My people might have something you would like." She suggested.

After Kaleeth took her leave, Julan looked quietly up at his father. Most of what had occurred over the last few minutes was both confusing and worrying to him, for a number of reasons. Juran-Selth was not as frightening as he had imagined, but he now had reason to worry about others in the village. "So, do you think we are...safe here?" Julan asked.

---

The Imperial did not take long to die, shortly after which Ahnasha's storm atronach faded back into Oblivion. The ambush had been executed in its entirety in hardly over a minute. The gravity of what Rhazii had just done was not at all reflected in Ahnasha's reaction, as she was practically smiling as she stepped up alongside Rhazii and gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Good work. You've helped make Cheydinhal just a bit safer, and overcome one major barrier to being a warrior. And I must say, I am proud of your form as well. Even in a stressful situation, you stuck to your training well. Just don't get too overconfident. These bandits were not that well-trained."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I know, it's just all so confusing." Kaleeth replied, giving a defeated gaze towards the ground. "It was hard to find people who I could feel safe and comfortable with. My father loved me, but he could be...harsh. It was usually my mother who gave me comfort, but now...I think I want to talk to someone. Reanaseer, the Elder. I wasn't around her as much as my mother, but I always liked her. She was old and wise, and could be firm without being frightening. It's just...I think I want to talk to her myself. Just me and her. I have some things I want to talk about that I think we should be alone for. I'm not wanting to hide anything, we can talk about it later, but...do you think you and Julan will be okay in the village with just you two? For a little while?"

---

The Imperial was certainly panicking, and obviously did not have the benefit of extensive training to fall back on when his mind could not form a conscious plan. He had undisciplined footwork, and an instant of indecision in how he tried to react. His attempt to protect himself was present, but clumsy. He ducked his head down and to the side, while trying his best to push Rhazii's blade away in the bind, with hardly any success. Before the Imperial could back off, the tip of Rhazii's blade found its way across the his throat. He immediately clutched his hand tightly over the gash, squeezing as if he were trying to choke himself, but the sheer amount of blood that was pouring down onto the man's shirt told of the damage he had done. Even if it was not instant as Rhazii might have hoped, his death would be upon him shortly.

Perhaps not even realizing the extent of the wound, the Imperial fought his growing lightheadedness to stagger forward and take a swing at Rhazii, though it would likely be his final act.