In other circumstances, the news that they had been watched the whole time might not have been the worst to hear, given that the cult seemed curious to talk. Perhaps even with their ways, they didn't want to aggravate Hircine when his power on Nirn had been gathered to fight a war. However, to Fendros, the Altmer's smug explanation gave him only a sinking feeling that bordered on panic. If they had been aware of their presence for days, that means they knew that Sabine and Rhazii were alone at the camp. They were in danger. They needed to run. Fendros wouldn't be able to forgive himself if the cult decided to kidnap them both for use as some kind of leverage, or worse.
Fendros stood up straight and stepped to reveal himself, giving the Altmer a threatening glower. Janius was surprised at first, but felt like hitting himself for not seeing such a predictable thing coming. He stepped out of his cover as well, none too happy himself. Each continued to follow Meesei's lead.
Muttonhawk Member
Let Slip the Corgis of War
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Dear Mr Curly,
I have done little travelling lately because I have been so dreadfully weary. Can it be true as the old Ecclesiastes said; that all things lead to weariness? Surely not. Perhaps the opposite is true: that all nothings lead to weariness. I have a peculiar feeling, Curly, that I am worn out from something I haven't yet done and the more I don't do it, the more exhausted I become. How strange. Could it be something I haven't realised? Perhaps it's something I haven't said? Something I haven't finished! It must be very large and true whatever it is and a lively struggle in the doing but I look forward to it immensely. I know I need it. First, however, I must curl up in my chair and sleep deeply with the duck. Perhaps I'll dream of this thing and wake up refreshed and do it. My fond wishes to you Mr. Curly, and to all Curly Flat.
Yours sleepily,
Vasco Pyjama
xxx
P.S. Not having breakfast can make you weary. That's for sure!
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As soon as the ruins were in sight, Fendros took no chances and removed an arrow from his quiver, nocking it to his bowstring in preparation for any surprises. While Janius had been holding his shield over his shoulder and his axe on his belt, Fendros' activity prompted him to ready his weapons as well. They were all silent as they could be while they followed Meesei's lead. It felt strange that this part of the swamp did not do much to hide the noise they inevitably made while moving. No birds, no insects, no frogs, even the water seemed more stagnant than usual.
In their approach, Meesei had spotted two figures near the xanmeer itself. As they approached, each in the pack found a way to obscure themselves behind trees, bushes, or reeds and stayed still. Some stayed completely focussed on the robed men, while others kept their wits about them, looking out for any unexpected encounters. All had their ears open to what the men were saying.
Fendros didn't like that they had decided to come outside simply to discuss something when there was clearly no one else around, unless this was meant to be a private conversation. He didn't know about the layout of a typical xanmeer, but surely they would have places for private discussions inside? He honestly wished his paranoia was less justified in a place such as this.
Meanwhile, Janius didn't allow his mind to wander. He held his mouth slightly open to hear every detail and kept himself sprung to act. He was actually interested in how much information they could get just from eavesdropping. In fact, as soon as they were done, these two seemed in a prime position to be surrounded and subdued, or if they were lucky, intimidated into surrendering. Still, he wasn't going to move unless Meesei signalled to.
In their approach, Meesei had spotted two figures near the xanmeer itself. As they approached, each in the pack found a way to obscure themselves behind trees, bushes, or reeds and stayed still. Some stayed completely focussed on the robed men, while others kept their wits about them, looking out for any unexpected encounters. All had their ears open to what the men were saying.
Fendros didn't like that they had decided to come outside simply to discuss something when there was clearly no one else around, unless this was meant to be a private conversation. He didn't know about the layout of a typical xanmeer, but surely they would have places for private discussions inside? He honestly wished his paranoia was less justified in a place such as this.
Meanwhile, Janius didn't allow his mind to wander. He held his mouth slightly open to hear every detail and kept himself sprung to act. He was actually interested in how much information they could get just from eavesdropping. In fact, as soon as they were done, these two seemed in a prime position to be surrounded and subdued, or if they were lucky, intimidated into surrendering. Still, he wasn't going to move unless Meesei signalled to.
Even though Sabine had heard most if all of what Ahnasha had said before, she nodded to every point attentively. It made sense that she would be anxious about separating with Rhazii, even for a day or two. Sabine carefully took Rhazii and readjusted to hold him properly. Almost immediately he squirmed uncomfortably in Sabine's smaller arms, but it wasn't quite enough to upset him. Sabine looked at Ahnasha with a small smile, "You be safe, too."
Fendros also approached Sabine and put his arm on Ahnasha's shoulder reassuringly. He gave instruction to Sabine, but if he had worry, he was hiding it. "Just remember the nanny's book if you can't remember how to do something we instructed you on. We will see you soon, Sabine."
The final thing that Janius did before leaving was to find Leaps and lead him to the centre of the camp. The wamasu just seemed to continue to grow over the time they had him, so lifting him up was more difficult. Thankfully, he seemed receptive to Kaleeth and Janius' training enough that he could follow basic commands. Still, Janius leaned forward and spoke to him like he understood. "Now, Leaps-On-Elves, we're going on an important task today. We'll be back soon, but we need you to stay here and guard Sabine and Rhazii, okay? You take care of them now." Leaps chirped and jumped off his front legs excitedly, to which Janius stopped him with a forefinger in front of his eyes. "No, Leaps. Stay. Stay." Leaps stayed put, standing near to Sabine. Janius slowly stood up straight and turned to move away.
Everyone gathered to Meesei, geared up and ready to move. There didn't appear to be any more preparation, so they began to move. Whether by not having her scent nearby, or by some other instinct, Rhazii began to squirm more and start to cry as soon as Ahnasha was some distance away. Sabine looked up at Ahnasha, but didn't convey any trouble as she began to rock him, just as Ahnasha had taught her. Sabine shushed the child gently and slowly sat down. Rhazii didn't quiet by the time the pack had left, but Sabine was patient.
Fendros also approached Sabine and put his arm on Ahnasha's shoulder reassuringly. He gave instruction to Sabine, but if he had worry, he was hiding it. "Just remember the nanny's book if you can't remember how to do something we instructed you on. We will see you soon, Sabine."
The final thing that Janius did before leaving was to find Leaps and lead him to the centre of the camp. The wamasu just seemed to continue to grow over the time they had him, so lifting him up was more difficult. Thankfully, he seemed receptive to Kaleeth and Janius' training enough that he could follow basic commands. Still, Janius leaned forward and spoke to him like he understood. "Now, Leaps-On-Elves, we're going on an important task today. We'll be back soon, but we need you to stay here and guard Sabine and Rhazii, okay? You take care of them now." Leaps chirped and jumped off his front legs excitedly, to which Janius stopped him with a forefinger in front of his eyes. "No, Leaps. Stay. Stay." Leaps stayed put, standing near to Sabine. Janius slowly stood up straight and turned to move away.
Everyone gathered to Meesei, geared up and ready to move. There didn't appear to be any more preparation, so they began to move. Whether by not having her scent nearby, or by some other instinct, Rhazii began to squirm more and start to cry as soon as Ahnasha was some distance away. Sabine looked up at Ahnasha, but didn't convey any trouble as she began to rock him, just as Ahnasha had taught her. Sabine shushed the child gently and slowly sat down. Rhazii didn't quiet by the time the pack had left, but Sabine was patient.
"I understand," Janius responded with a calming smile. The incident earlier in the week was probably going to stay fresh in Kaleeth's mind for a while longer yet.
Sabine spoke up to remind of her stance. "I don't mind staying to care for Rhazii and making sure that Leaps doesn't follow you. Ahnasha and Fendros taught me what I need to know."
In Fendros' mind, there probably was more to teach Sabine about taking care of Rhazii than would be possible over the few days they had. She knew the essentials though, and she was sensible enough to be trustworthy with Rhazii. Fendros only hoped that there were no incidents where Sabine would require the wisdom of the books they had. He knew she wasn't the greatest at reading Cyrodilic, let alone had any knowledge of Ta'agra.
As for Meesei's plan, Fendros nodded in agreement. It was wise to stay back and gather as much information as they could, acting appropriately on that information. If it turned out that the cult was not a challenge, a show of intimidating force might be all they needed. If the cult was more powerful, as Fendros suspected, they would need to take a more cautious approach. It still wasn't perfect, but perfection was more than they could hope for at this point.
Sabine spoke up to remind of her stance. "I don't mind staying to care for Rhazii and making sure that Leaps doesn't follow you. Ahnasha and Fendros taught me what I need to know."
In Fendros' mind, there probably was more to teach Sabine about taking care of Rhazii than would be possible over the few days they had. She knew the essentials though, and she was sensible enough to be trustworthy with Rhazii. Fendros only hoped that there were no incidents where Sabine would require the wisdom of the books they had. He knew she wasn't the greatest at reading Cyrodilic, let alone had any knowledge of Ta'agra.
As for Meesei's plan, Fendros nodded in agreement. It was wise to stay back and gather as much information as they could, acting appropriately on that information. If it turned out that the cult was not a challenge, a show of intimidating force might be all they needed. If the cult was more powerful, as Fendros suspected, they would need to take a more cautious approach. It still wasn't perfect, but perfection was more than they could hope for at this point.
The anticipation of confronting the cult would have been enough if not for the uneasiness caused by the very atmosphere of the ruin's surroundings. No one really trusted the cult to be willing to talk on diplomatic matters, let alone be hospitable, so everyone equipped themselves for combat. Janius put on his armour before even taking breakfast. While he ate, he looked over to Kaleeth as she approached the fire. "So, what did you want to do? Did you want to come with us into the xanmeer, or stay behind?" Janius had asked Kaleeth the same question not long after they left for Gideon, but it was too soon to really have an answer. He had been meaning to ask again, but it either wasn't appropriate at the time, or he simply forgot. Either way, Janius was confident in Kaleeth's skill, but didn't want to force her into a dangerous situation if she didn't want to be in it.
The answer to Janius' question was also relevant to Ahnasha and Fendros, also equipped to fight. While they had asked Sabine if she would be willing to look after Rhazii, if Kaleeth was going to stay behind anyway, Meesei might find it more useful to have Sabine come along. Sabine didn't really know what to expect from the cult of Molag Bal, so she didn't mind. Much of her contribution came in the form of brewing potions for the pack. Each already had magicka and health potions as necessary. She even managed to make a couple of potions to resist magic, handing one each to Lorag and Fendros, though they could be passed around as needed.
"Also, Meesei, what specifically have we come up with to appeal to the cult?" Fendros asked between mouthfuls.
The answer to Janius' question was also relevant to Ahnasha and Fendros, also equipped to fight. While they had asked Sabine if she would be willing to look after Rhazii, if Kaleeth was going to stay behind anyway, Meesei might find it more useful to have Sabine come along. Sabine didn't really know what to expect from the cult of Molag Bal, so she didn't mind. Much of her contribution came in the form of brewing potions for the pack. Each already had magicka and health potions as necessary. She even managed to make a couple of potions to resist magic, handing one each to Lorag and Fendros, though they could be passed around as needed.
"Also, Meesei, what specifically have we come up with to appeal to the cult?" Fendros asked between mouthfuls.
G'night!
May as well.
Janius couldn't say he knew for sure what was running through Kaleeth's head. Having the context of her last conversation might have helped. Still, it seemed his words helped somewhat. He settled for staying by her and comforting her for as long as she needed him to. It was true that Janius was angry at himself for a short while beforehand. However, between letting out his energy scraping his claws along some treetrunks, and feeding his beast spirit on a boar he had managed to find, he was able to calm down and realise that it would be a better idea to help Kaleeth.
In response to Meesei, Sabine managed to smile. If felt good to be helping others with words instead of being helped similarly. Sabine wasn't an expert in comforting people, but Kaleeth's situation seemed just similar enough to what Sabine's was that she didn't manage to make mistakes, as far as she was aware.
In response to Meesei, Sabine managed to smile. If felt good to be helping others with words instead of being helped similarly. Sabine wasn't an expert in comforting people, but Kaleeth's situation seemed just similar enough to what Sabine's was that she didn't manage to make mistakes, as far as she was aware.
I'm out of time to post. I'll be back in about an hour.
If Kaleeth really was alright, she was doing a bad job of demonstrating it in Janius' eyes. Janius sighed and moved to sit down beside her, looking into the water as well. "Kaleeth, I know it's a big shock to have killed and eaten someone." Janius spoke with patience, trying to console Kaleeth, "To us in the pack, it's only an inevitability because we are warriors of Hircine as well as hunters. As for you, it was an unfortunate accident. I wish I could have protected you from it, I really do. From now on, while hunting, we'll try to stay away from the roads. But..." Janius reached for Kaleeth's hand and held it tightly, "...please don't give up. I've seen your progress, you can control it. All you need is practice."
In the river, Sabine stayed put and let Kaleeth and Janius talk. She turned to Meesei and asked quietly, "Did I say the right things? Will Kaleeth be okay?"
In the river, Sabine stayed put and let Kaleeth and Janius talk. She turned to Meesei and asked quietly, "Did I say the right things? Will Kaleeth be okay?"
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