EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

In immediate contrast to Rossarm, Meesei was giving a grin and a quick chuckle towards the Commander. "I think you personally would benefit from such a challenge, Teroiah. A new opponent with new strategies, new magic to observe in practice...I would take that opportunity in a heartbeat. And I have to admit that I am eager to see how you are able to improve when properly motivated." She remarked, allowing some of her own, more selfish desires to show through. There was a substantial part of her that wanted to see and learn from any unique forms of magic that Rossarm might have at his command. If Teroiah would not take the challenge, Meesei herself would certainly be willing.

Despite Meesei becoming somewhat distracted, Saras remained quite serious, and characteristically on-topic. He was no longer staring so intently at Rossarm, having evidently come to a conclusion on whatever he had been thinking on. "I would advise against entirely dismissing the idea of working with lycan troops. It may yet be the best fit for you. Since our clans began organizing more closely as a result of the war, former military officers have risen through the ranks in many clans, and many of our people now have training as 'professional' soldiers. They are merely more accustomed to changes in leadership. But, more to my point, I do have an idea of who you might work with. Try as I might, I cannot quite remember you. I too was in Mournhold at the time of the fabricant attack, but I was still injured and recovering from an incident a few days prior. I doubt we ever met. But, there is one other who comes to mind. I happen to know that the man who oversees training in one of our central Morrowind clans was once a High Ordinator in Mournhold, at the same time that you served the city by your description. Is Varalyn Madral a name you remember?"

---

Julan looked away from Janius, holding one arm over the other. The pessimistic thoughts that accosted his mind made him feel almost sick to his stomach, and there was a hesitation in his voice that betrayed his anxiety when he did speak. "I know...you have to fight. I know there isn't a...choice."

Julan swallowed after becoming briefly unable to speak. When he finally did make eye contact once more, there were tears streaming down the side of his face. He was shaking, and his gaze itself practically screamed out with a genuine terror. "What if you aren't tough enough? What if they kill you? What if they kill mother? What if they kill all of you, and then I'm alone? What do I do?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Our people do not have such a rigid hierarchical command structure as the Imperial and Dominion militaries." Ri'vashi spoke up. "It is not uncommon for leaders among lycan clans to change, usually through challenges. Many clans are different in many ways, but a common culture between us all is the strongest rise to the top. As long as they trust in your skill and experience, they will be willing to follow you, regardless of your lack of lycanthropy. We also have several clans from different parts of Morrowind, and though this one has not yet worked too closely with them, Ri'vashi is confident that their warriors and mages already practice the Dunmer military customs you are familiar with. Fighting alongside them would not likely require much adjustment from either side."

Although Meesei was still not completely sure if Rossarm would be willing to fight alongside lycans, she did agree with Ri'vashi's reasoning on the matter. There would be much less resistance to Rossarm taking a leading role among one of their clans than in a "professional" military. "I do believe that it is an option worth considering. Fendros is my second, and commands considerable respect among our people, especially the Morrowind clans. Being his father would likely lend you some credibility from the start."

---

"I...think so." Julan replied, though his tone was hardly convincing. He made an effort to force himself to stop concentrating on his tattoos, and turned entirely away from the stream so that he could not see his own reflection. "I guess there is a lot more out there outside the clans, but I do feel at home back...home. I've never wanted to leave or anything. I mean, really, I wish we could all spend more time there without you and mother being so busy."

Julan gradually started to seem more nervous as a select few of Janius' words got into his head. "You don't think anything...bad is going to happen to you or mother, do you? In the invasion?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei quickly noticed what she interpreted as surprise in Fendros' reaction, but did not dwell on it. In truth, she was somewhat surprised as well, but it was a pleasant surprise for her, as it meant he was far more likely to be a true asset to their invasion. "Well, then it seems Ahnasha's instincts were correct. I am sure we all know the reputation of Telvanni wizards, and that degree of experience can produce great strength through necessity. I am hopeful that your strength and experience will save lives during what lies ahead, though if I am being honest, if it were my choice, I would not want to pull you back into war, Rossarm. I would rather allow you to retire in peace, but the Daedra do not have a habit of giving us such choices, do they?"

"At any rate..." Meesei continued. She glanced briefly at Saras, as she noticed he was now concentrating more strongly on Rossarm's face and other features. However, since Saras said nothing for the moment, she simply continued to question Rossarm. "...I would like to hear your own thoughts on what sort of military force you would be the most comfortable fighting alongside. I know the Legion was active in Morrowind during the timeframe you described, but it does not sound like you fought with them."

---

Julan nodded to Janius, though his eyes were soon examining the markings on his own arms. "Yes...sort of. That is the...thought they gave me I think. I'm not too sure; I don't really understand all of this, but I don't think any of it was an accident. Mother leaving the village, being with you, and me not...being a part of the Hist. I think they expected it. I was afraid they would hate what I am, but the only feeling that kept coming to me over and over was just sadness."

There was another sigh as Julan's arms flopped back down by his side. "I don't know why I have to get all these marks if I'm never going to be a part of them, but I guess there's no going back now."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ri'vashi too followed in introducing herself. "This one is Ri'vashi, commander of all warriors in the service of Hircine, who fight under his Champion's banner."

Meesei turned her head back towards Rossarm with a nod. "And I, of course, am Meesei, the Champion of Hircine. 'Champion,' is acceptable for my title." She answered to him before finally answering gro-Tagnud. "I have not recruited another battlegroup this time. Rossarm is an individual, but one of substantial power, as one of my packmates has assured me. He is a mage of considerable skill and experience, like myself and Commander Teroiah. A significant asset, as I am sure you can all imagine. I called you here so that we can discuss in what role, and with what army, his abilities would be put to the best use."

Ri'vashi took a brief moment to look over Rossarm. She did not have a uniform, but she had come to dress as formally as the others for such meetings. Though, she was not partial to robes or dresses, instead opting for simple, but colorful trousers and a doublet. "Ri'vashi would agree that he could be helpful, but that would most depend on what exact skills and experience he actually possesses. What sort of magical training do you have, Rossarm, and do you have any experience fighting Daedra?"

---

"I'm not sure..." Julan started, his voice trailing off for a few seconds as he continued to stare into the water. He let out a long breath, and only looked away once a frog disturbed the surface of the water and broke up his reflection. "I almost didn't recognize my own reflection at first. It's just so...different. They said it was all meant to be, and I really have earned the honor and respect of the marks, but...I'm not really one of them. I'm not a part of them."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha followed through the portal shortly after Calia, and Meesei allowed it to close right away. Opening multiple portals so soon after one another had been draining on her, though she did not show it. Instead, she simply gestured down the hallway, back in the direction they had came from. "We should go meet with the others right away. Fortunately, they should all be available now."

---

Since Meesei had already given word beforehand that she intended to bring back another "asset", it was not too long before the other military leaders were ready. They went to one of the usual chambers, near to the top of one of the towers, which allowed them to meet with comfortable privacy. In addition to Meesei and Fendros, they were joined by the Imperials' Legate General, Ri'vashi, and Teroiah. Saras too was present, and was the one to lock the large Dwemer doors to start off their meeting.

As Saras came to join them at the table, Meesei gave a brief nod towards him to catch his attention. "Did Hal-Neesa notice you gathering everyone up for this?"

Saras shook his head. "No. In fact, I believe she is currently distracted by some...issue with some of our scholars at one of the nearby Dwemer sites. Miss Montgrave took her pack to deal with the situation."

Meesei shifted to a grave look towards Saras. "Is this something I need to deal with? Do you believe she is in any danger?"

Saras stood straight and spoke confidently. "There is no certain answer with the vampire, but in my honest opinion, no. I did not see any evidence of violence from our guest, and I believe Miss Montgrave can be trusted to handle it."

"Very well." Meesei nodded, finally turning her attention to Rossarm. "Then we may begin. Do you have anything you would like to say, or ask, before we start, Rossarm?"

---

The progression throughout the week for Julan had been remarkable, at least in terms of his marks. Despite how extensive they were, Thorantilth could work quickly. The magic he used greatly accelerated the process, and it was clear he was experienced. Though, Julan himself rarely commented on them, and tended not to say much when he did. By this point, they were nearly complete. Unless something happened to slow down the Treeminder, this would be the last session for him to receive the final touches on the tattoos.

Julan was late for breakfast, but would not be hard to find. He was at the edge of the village, at the same spot Janius had found him a few times throughout the week. He was standing at the edge of a slow-moving stream, staring into his reflection on the water. The marks, by this point, wrapped around much of his body. The creature they depicted was stylized much like the carvings on one of the ancient Argonian xanmeers. Its head, and in particular its gaping maw, was situated on his chest, right over his heart. Its front legs extended out onto Julan's arms, with long claws reaching towards his hands. Its legs went down to just above his feet, and its tail wrapped around his own. The ink was mostly a dark shade of blue, there were some other colors in some of the smaller details.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Upon Calia's request, Meesei immediately started work on creating another portal. "Very well, this portal will take you to the same place from which we left, not too far from your vineyard. Again, if you ever change your mind, you would be a welcome visitor here."

"I think I will go with her." Ahnasha interjected. "I still need to talk to my parents, and I'm not sure when they are going to get back from their meeting with the Count." She stopped a moment and placed a hand on Fendros' shoulder. "You should probably stay for the big meeting with the other military leaders. You can have Meesei send you back later too, if you want."

It was not long before Meesei's portal was ready, and she opened the magic gateway in the middle of the hallway.

---

"Yes. I will deliver you the list of what I need once I've had enough time to examine the mechanism. Perhaps by tomorrow. And I will re-iterate, no one is to bother me here, unless I specifically request their presence." Neesa replied with a brief, mildly threatening glare towards Sabine.

"Oh, and since I am going to be busy, do be a gracious host and bring me some fresh blood. I would rather not have to interrupt myself by transporting back to Black Marsh." Neesa added.

Last of the Jedi (EliteCommander and Sep)

Kresst continued to look out over the grasslands, though his eyes opened as Mevenn spoke. He did not feel called upon as Mevenn was describing, but his feelings could not deny the power of the Force in the world around them. It was hard to place, and not the strongest he had ever felt, but there was something different compared to the average agrarian colony world. There was a pause after Mevenn finished speaking, and Kresst took in another long breath. "There is something...special about this place, isn't there? It is placid, remote, mostly uncorrupted by civilization, of course, but also...something beyond all of that. Something more than just hills and grasslands. Perhaps it is no accident that I just happened to point to this world on the star map."

Eventually, Kresst finally brought himself to stand up and turn back to Mevenn. Despite how distraught Mevenn was, Kresst kept his steps, and demeanor, calm. "Trust in the Force and trust in each other. Those were our instructions, yes? I do not know what it is you are feeling, but I do trust you, Mevenn. We are going to make good and bad decisions in the coming days, but indecision...that is what is going to end up killing us. If something does. Trust your feelings..." Kresst began as he reached out and placed a hand on her leg, since he could not possibly reach her shoulder. "...but realize that you do not have to face any of this alone. Whether it is destiny or deceit calling you, I can accompany you. It will be some time before the Empire will be able to track us here, even with our ship's ID codes."

Once again, Kresst momentarily broke the situation's rather serious tone with a light chuckle. "Though, if we don't happen to have a speeder stored away somewhere in the ship, you may want to carry me there...else the Empire might have already risen and fallen in the time it takes these legs to actually walk any real distance."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha shrugged, moving herself in close to Fendros and glancing to the door. This was all not going quite as she had expected, but she supposed that was not a bad thing. She had expected much worse. "Well, if your mother convinced him that the threat we're fighting is real, then he might just genuinely see the need. I mean, regardless of the kind of man your father might be, I doubt he wants to die and have his soul stolen by Vile. And if he does care about his family, then he doesn't want the same to happen to them. I mean, by Hircine, that monster Neesa is going to be fighting with us, and she is essentially the definition of heartless. It might be simple self-preservation."

"Perhaps." Meesei remarked, though she was not entirely certain herself. "It could be that he never showed his true colors in the time you knew him, Fendros. Or at least, not the full extent of his character. I doubt your family ever endured this sort of a crisis while you were with them."

---

Hal-Neesa did not even bother to look away from the mechanism in her reply. "Obviously. I took it as a given that you would provide me with whatever I ask. You're the one that cares about your people's casualties, not me. I shall give you a list of all of the items I will need. Though...I should probably give you a list of descriptions of the items; I doubt you a have the understanding to recognize them properly by name. And of course, keep those 'scholars' away from here, and away from me. I showed them all mercy before, but if any of those fools find their way up here again after I already warned them away, then I will not guarantee that no one will be...injured."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well, if that is your choice, then that is perfectly fine. I'm sure your children will be keeping in touch, if you ever change your mind." Meesei replied, glancing to Fendros and Ahnasha.

As requested, Meesei started inside to show Rossarm to his quarters. All of the rooms on the hall that her pack used were taken, but they had been able to re-purpose another room on the ground floor of the same tower to be private quarters for him. There had not been a stone bed built into the room, but it had been easy enough to have a comfortable bed made for him, as well as all of the furniture needed for a functional living space. It was situated close to one of the dining chambers, so it was actually reasonably conveniently located.

---

Hal-Neesa gestured to one of the blue-green crystal-like objects at the center of the mechanism, which appeared like a container of sorts. "This particular mechanism, what you ignoramuses have come to call an Oculory, looks like it was built to hold an Elder Scroll. Though, that is long gone. I never saw one being used in such a way, so I can only make some educated guesses as to why. Tonal manipulation is about the only thing that is as fundamental as an Elder Scroll, so it might have influenced the light tones...maybe to track the echoes of power in the temporal plane as well.."

The vampire's voice trailed off as she stared at the mechanism for a few seconds, then focused back on Sabine. "Well that's not important, regardless. I don't need an Elder Scroll for this. It's just a matter of making a few repairs, changing out a few parts, and I can convert the...Oculory, back to its more common function. You see, the device collects starlight. That much, your people were probably able to figure out, unless even I give them too much credit. The Dwemer could use it to track the constellations, the moons, draw from sources of power, and observe anything out there floating in the Void. Including, most importantly, planes of Oblivion. If it works, and with the right...tuning, it could be used to create a projection of Vile's realm, in it's current state. And without Vile knowing about it. Then, you people can have your 'advanced scouting', and stop pestering me about it."

Last of the Jedi (EliteCommander and Sep)

"We just need some parts; nothing too rare." Eeruna added. "I can do the repairs myself, and we do have the credits to pay for them, so we're not asking for charity."

The Human nodded to both Eeruna and Mevenn. "I'm sure we can help you, then. I know Daris would just love to have your business. Things aren't too busy here, so I can show you to his shop. It's not far. As for the holonet, I think we've actually been having some problems with that today. I was going to make a call earlier, but I couldn't get through. Not sure if our technicians have fixed our equipment yet, or if it was even a problem with our equipment. If you're not getting a connection right here, you can try the cantina. Just through the door behind me, all the way down the road on the left at the first intersection."

Eeruna turned her head towards the others. "I can go deal with the parts and repairs myself, so you two can do whatever you need here." She offered.

"Yes, thank you." Kresst replied, remaining as non-specific as possible in the presence of the other Human. It was highly unlikely that he was any threat to them, but the less information they revealed to anyone, the better.

However, as the Human led Eeruna away to the parts dealer, Kresst did not immediately follow into the city. Instead, he wandered over to the edge of the landing pad, looking out over the expanse of hills and grasslands before him, beyond the town. After a few seconds of silence, he sat himself down with his legs hanging off the edge of the landing pad, with his feet reaching down just low enough to have the tall grass brush against them in the wind. Dantoo Town was not entirely silent. Even from here, there was the low sounds of speeders and machinery, but it was magnitudes less busy than the bustling city of Coruscant. For the most part, right now, it was just the sounds of birds in the distance, chirping insects, and the feel of the breeze through Kresst's feathers. It was the kind of calm that, right now, Kresst could lose himself in.