EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Although Julan could see Rhazii's feint as it was happening, he simply had too much momentum to do anything about it. He failed to so much as lay a finger on Rhazii, though he did not notice that he had been hit until Rhazii pointed it out, which Lorag was quick to confirm.

"Now that one could've done some damage. Got to keep yourself ready to defend with every attack, Julan. Can't be reactive in this form. If you don't got anyone else watchin' your back, then you've got to plan ahead. If your mother's too busy to train you, then get another werecroc to do it. Probably gonna be more of those coming in from Black Marsh in the next few weeks." Lorag critiqued, though he only gave Julan time for a few words of advice before turning his attention back to his daughter.

"Right, so how unbeatable was he, again? Don't much matter that Rhazii is bigger than you; Julan overpowers the both of you easily. But experience still wins. Now, you gonna get serious about your training, girl? If so, then you'd better hope you haven't irritated these boys too much already, 'cause they're going to be the ones training you until I decide you're good enough. Now, I've got things to do, so you all get acquainted and all that." Lorag ordered, not waiting long before turning to leave.

---

Ahnasha hummed to herself a moment. She did give a few seconds of genuine consideration to Fendros' suggestion, but those thoughts were quickly overcome by the doubts she had spent years collecting. "Well...a lot of crying. Probably a lot of yelling and panicking over how to save my soul. Mostly from my parents. My brother would probably just slink away and try not to get too involved. I really don't know what he would think. I know he isn't as pious as my parents...though I do think he still believes, just less intensely."

"We should probably just...focus on the fact that we're all okay. They don't have to know that Rossarm left with us. I'm pretty sure their business deal is done, and I doubt they're going to want to see him again. I'm just going to tell them that there is a good reason we didn't want them to have to meet him, and that the rest of your family was still glad to have met them. If they ask about why you didn't panic, and how you stayed calm...we can just give an excuse or something. We could say that you've been training with the city guard back home and are part of a volunteer militia. For if the city is attacked, or something like that. That sounds reasonable, right?" Ahnasha asked, slowly reaching out her hand across the table towards Fendros.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Being evasive was simply not an option for Julan. He swatted at Rhazii's sword, but many of his blows found their mark. Though, Rhazii did not commit strongly enough to land a strike that would normally threaten a werecrocodile. However, Julan's own indecisive swings were even less effective. Rhazii could avoid him easily unless he committed fully, and aggressively. Even then, he had to try to predict how Rhazii would react so he could prepare ahead of time. He could not rely on being reactive.

Finally, Julan swung out his arm wide and charged forward, aiming to tackle Rhazii and win through sheer power. It was one of the more predictable approaches he could take, but it was the greatest advantage he had.

---

Ahnasha nodded, albeit hesitantly. "Yeah, for a minute or two. So...not really. They were shaken up. Vasiq said that my parents were just wanting to calm down for a while. They're up in their rooms, but they know I'm here. They'll be down soon enough."

Leaning forward over the table, Ahnasha sighed and stared into the water in her cup. "I don't know what I'm going to say to them, though. They don't deal with that kind of thing as often as we do, and I have to wonder what they're thinking about me. I mean, do you think they'll be...suspicious about how we reacted? Part of me just wants to tell them everything, but that's probably a horrible idea."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Even without Rhazii yet being in his own beast form, it was easy to see that Julan was far more nervous facing them than he had been with Narsi. Julan was still more massive than Rhazii's current form, and it was about the only time that he could overpower him outright. However, that advantage still did not instill much confidence in him. He was yet to best Rhazii in any duel that he was taking seriously, aside from the very first time that Julan had sparred in his werecrocodile form.

Nevertheless, Julan tried to be unpredictable. He started to make a swing with his left arm, but stopped short and held it out in front of himself to guard, then swung high with his right. As before, he avoided using his claws, but one swing from him would easily be enough to knock even Rhazii from his feet. However, no matter how deceptive Julan tried to get with his movements, his size had limitations he simply could not overcome. It would not be a challenge for Rhazii to see his swing coming.

---

Ahnasha sat nervously in one of the chairs at a corner table in Cheydinhal's inn. It was late evening, so it was crowded with locals that were somewhat loud and rowdy. By this point, most of those remaining had more than a few drinks in them. Ahnasha's family had been in their respective rooms for hours, but in the brief time that Ahnasha had spoke to them before, she knew they would be coming down at some point later in the evening. For now, Ahnasha decided to wait, partially to allow her more time to gather her thoughts.

It had been several hours since the others had returned to Blackreach. She had not been sure for how long Fendros would be held up dealing with his father, so it was a relief for her to see him step into the inn. In truth, she was not sure exactly how much he would be able to help her, realistically, but he at least made her more comfortable.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I think it could make sense to do a short scene alongside the one with Lorag and the children. Fendros can be there.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Although Narsi was at least attacking more intelligently, her inexperience still gave her a tendency to telegraph her intentions too heavily. He brought his arms close to protect himself, then charged with his shoulder right at her. Given his mass, he could not stop or turn quickly, but Narsi would need to be quick to react in order to take advantage of it, and her current mental state did not favor her odds.

"She might learn something if she'd use her head. Pay attention. She's just as stubborn as her mother without the experience to back it." Lorag remarked, grumbling under his breath for a few moments after. He gave a long look towards Rhazii as another idea went through his mind, then quickly snapped towards Narsi. "Fine, Narsi, take a break. How 'bout you fight your brother, Rhazii. Show her how it's done."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I have already earned their...well, respect may not be the right word, but they both have certainly been shown not to underestimate us. My point is that we know this enemy and how to fight them. So as long as you are willing to judge them fairly, then I am satisfied. It is all I ask. You may rest if you wish. I will not call on you for the rest of the day, unless you come to seek me out." Meesei answered before turning to take her leave.

---

Lorag paced just around the outside of the pair's fighting area. "Goin' berserk ain't gonna help you here. Pay attention, use that brain of yours."

Julan did not have the most control compared to others of his age, but he was at least not struggling for the moment. He did not feel terribly threatened by Narsi, nor was she prey, so the beast did not have cause to resist his mind. He swung wide at about Narsi's shoulder height, aiming to strike her with his palm rather than his massive claws. His swing had a long windup as he had to turn his whole body towards her, and he simply had a lot of weight to move. Even an inexperienced fighter could easily see what he was doing long before he did it, though even if her sword was in the way, his swing was not stopping. Since she did not attempt to dodge, she was easily knocked straight to her back.

"A werecrocodile has armored scales, and a lot of meat to cut through under it. Even a real sword wouldn't have hurt him much there. Only hits that are goin' to count here are hefty thrusts to vital spots." Lorag commented.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei simply grinned back at Rossarm, despite his pessimism. "You underestimate me, Rossarm. That seems to happen all too often, as of late. You have already witnessed how...distance is not so much of a concern for me. I have a method of ensuring that all of us can always be in a position to help one another, no matter where we might be."

After a moment, Meesei took a step back from the door. "But, with luck, such contingencies will not end up being necessary. It may not have been as pleasant of an introduction to us as I would have liked, but I do hope it has shown you the full importance of the situation. The Empire and Dominion both are not only cooperating militarily against Vile, which alone should be telling, but they are willing to allow Hircine's Champion to take the lead in the invasion. If you still had any doubts as to the necessity of what we are doing before you arrived here, I hope they have been settled. I cannot speak for what the Empire or Dominion will offer you, but I can say that there are powerful and professionally trained battlemages among my people who would be willing to follow someone like you. And I do have to insist that you explore the option."

All at once, Meesei's demeanor became far more severe. She did not show anger, or much extreme of any particular emotion, but she was showing more of a commanding presence. "I have noticed how you act towards my people. So I intend to dispel, right here, and right now, any notions you have about all of the lycans who follow my command. In case you have not observed such already, we are not animals in caves. We have been fighting a war that has lasted over a decade, and you will find that shows in our soldiers. We may not have been fighting in the open, but we have been fighting longer than the Oblivion Crisis, Argonian invasion of Morrowind, and the Great War combined. They are veterans by any definition. We may not be as numerous as the legions of the Empire or armies of the Dominion, but we have become just as professional. Do not doubt them...and do not doubt me."

---

Narsi may not have been able to judge much from Julan's indistinct reptilian expression, but she would easily see the fury in her father's face. So angered was he, in fact, that he marched up between the two of them, completely ignoring the rather agitated werecrocodile and instead glaring straight down at Narsi. "Not good enough! You can fail all you want. You can botch every technique I try to teach you, lose every duel, and be the biggest failure of an Orc this clan has ever seen. You could do all that, and I'd still train you. But one thing you WILL NOT do is give up. Not for as long as I'm trainin' you. Understand, girl? I don't care if he turns himself into a damned dragon, you pick up a weapon, or take out your claws, and you FIGHT your opponent!"

Lorag took a glance towards Julan, his voice lowering at least somewhat once he returned his attention to her. "Look, a werecrocodile is bigger and stronger an any werewolf will ever be. But so what? The boy's mother is even bigger than he is, but it took her years to even get a single sparring match over on me. And I still win most of 'em. Power ain't just muscle, girl. Yeah, you're probably gonna lose, that's because he's better than you. Not 'cause he's got bigger arms."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei glanced briefly to the side at Rossarm. "They will be safe because she is coming with us. Talking with her, she has made it very clear that she has no intention of confronting Vile directly, but she will be joining the invasion. Along with all of the other forces that Molag Bal chooses to send. I do get the impression that she is not fond of that fact, but it is on her master's order. I do not trust her, and especially not Molag Bal, but if Vile succeeds, it would result in a substantial imbalance of power among the Daedric Princes. Molag Bal does not care for us, but in this case, stopping Vile does align with his interests. Not to mention the power he can steal from Vile's realm in the process, if he is defeated. Hircine will be taking the majority of the risk in this invasion, so Molag Bal has little to lose. As for Neesa herself, not only is she subject to the orders of her master, but she has expressed that Vile dominating Mundus would be detrimental to her, obviously. She claimed it would interrupt her path along the Walking Ways."

As Rossarm's quarters were on the first floor, they reached them in short order, though Meesei still lingered just outside the door. "But, all of this is just our reasoning for taking the risk. It is still a risk, and we are acutely aware of that. If everything is as it seems and she will be helping us, then she will obviously be a great asset to us in combat. She had millennia more experience than all of us combined. But, we are still preparing for the worst as best as we can. That is actually another reason that I am glad to have you here. Hal-Neesa is exceptionally powerful, but as much as she would like to have us believe it, she is not invincible. And far from infallible. She is here because I defeated her in single combat. She was arrogant, overconfident, and far underestimated me. She did not anticipate me being capable of an attack that could penetrate her defenses. I have seen how it affected her. Even in the duel you just had with her, I could tell she stayed focused throughout. The final spell you launched at her, I do believe she could have guarded it with the kind of wards I have seen her use. Yet, she was cautious and used that other barrier. You, me, Teroiah, we can challenge her. And all working together, I do believe we could defeat her, if something were to go wrong."

---

Lorag held up a hand towards Rhazii. "It's fine." He said sternly. "Your brother can handle her."

Julan did yelp at the pain, but it was not all that much compared to what he felt in his trial. Even Orc tusks could not match the burn of trying to fight on a leg that had been pierced by an Argonian spear. Nevertheless, he struggled to wrestle his arm free. Kneeling over her, he brought his knee up to hold down one of her arms so that he could raise his free hand up high, then brought it down hard straight onto her chest. Even at his age, a good, solid blow from Julan could break bones, but he held back enough to just guarantee to knock the breath out of her. Her reflexes would loosen her jaw's vice grip on his arm to pull it free.

However, since Lorag was not calling an end to the fight, Julan supposed he had to get Narsi to concede. Despite everything Lorag had been saying, he did not feel right just beating her senseless while sparring, but she was surprisingly hard to hold down. Fortunately, he now had another option that had not been available during his trial. He started to transform, his body twisting and contorting over her. His rapidly growing weight would bear down on her even more, though as he was not fully aware during the transformation, she might find the opportunity to wriggle free in the midst of it. In any case, the transformed Julan's massive size, thick scales, and immensely powerful jaws would make it abundantly clear to Narsi that he certainly was not a werewolf.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei placed a hand lightly upon both of Sabine's shoulders the moment she reached her. "It is alright, Sabine. She was just administering a test of Rossarm's abilities. She gave me a list of items she needs for some purpose, and I will trust your judgment on why you promised her these things. In fact..." Meesei began, reaching into her satchel for the parchment Neesa had given her. "...how about you bring this list to the scholars while I tend to our guest? A glance at the list tells me that it is mostly parts of Dwemer make that she needs. Now, you should have some rest, Rossarm. I will show you back to your quarters."

It was now long after Meesei walked away with Rossarm that she started to deliver on her promise of an explanation. Though, she did wait until they were inside just to make sure that Neesa was not still in earshot. "So, as is rather obvious, Hal-Neesa is a vampire. One that is truly ancient, and currently in the service of Molag Bal. If her own account can be believed, she was born a slave to the Ayleids, just before the time of the Alessian Slave Rebellions. We do not exactly have any way to confirm that, but she is powerful, and she does speak the Dwemer language, and has considerable knowledge of the operation of their machines. In any case, she is no one that I would normally desire as a friend. She is dangerous, arrogant, and sees all of us as little more than children compared to her. But, we do need her. Or rather, the master she serves. Our attack against Vile is going to require the power of a Daedric Prince other than Hircine, and Molag Bal is the only one we have found who is willing to become directly involved. Certainly for his own, selfish reasons."

---

Narsi did not react as Julan expected, but that did not cause him to lose his composure. He focused his blade on parrying her axe to protect himself, though he could not act quickly enough to give himself an opening to counterattack with it. Unlike Lorag, he did not predict her attacks before she made them, nor did he always come up with the perfect response to punish her mistakes. However, he could still press an advantage when he saw it. Narsi kept wanting to press close, but he realized that a grapple would be to his advantage. When he saw the opening for it, Julan let go of his own blade so that he could grab Narsi's wrist securely in his hand to control her weapon. Then, he gave up on struggling for the shield, and instead got his arm over her shoulder and through himself on her to wrestle her to the ground. Not only was he older, but his innate strength made the gap in physical power between them larger than Narsi was probably expecting.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"For me? No, I have seen what I needed to see." Neesa replied, entirely ignoring the fact that the question was directed at Meesei. "Perhaps the Altmer will come up with another task for you to justify her presence, but I have taken my measure of you. Insisting you fight a few lowly daedra would accomplish nothing. Your reliance on equilibrium will probably get you killed, but as long as you are useful enough to us before you die, I don't care."

As Neesa was stepping out of the arena, Meesei stepped in, telekinetically pulling one of the healing potions she had brought to her along the way. "Here, to recover your strength." Meesei offered, though her voice came down to barely above a whisper as she continued. "I apologize; I would have preferred to give you a different introduction to her. She is an ally to us, but...not by anyone's first choice. I can explain in more detail once we have some privacy. In fact, I would say you have earned some rest right now, if you want to return to your quarters. We can talk on the way."

---

Julan's first reaction was to deal with the most immediate threat, which meant that his blade was in position for defense against her axe instead of trying to force another opening. He could not stop her from charging into him; however, that was not necessarily to his disadvantage. He held strong in place, stumbling only slightly. He could not get a good swing on her with his sword, but he did get his free hand onto her shield. As Narsi was trying to back away, Julan yanked on the shield as hard as he could, attempting to rip it from her hands entirely.