Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

While they quietly followed the robed Argonian to their rooms, Fendros could see the anxiety in Ahnasha's demeanour steadily rising. It rubbed off a little on him, even if he was stressed enough by having Rhazii with them in this place. As Fendros thought, Ahnasha let loose her emotion once she was in her room. Fendros followed her in and walked up to her quietly, seating himself down beside her and hugging both her head and Rhazii close to him. "Whatever happens, he mustn't let them even touch Rhazii." Fednros continued to try and hold the expression of his worry back in order to stay strong in front of Ahnasha. "We're in danger, but I promise, I'll not let them harm us. We'll not let them harm our son."

Sabine, now left alone with her shock, stood silently in the hallway for a few moments, before finally following Meesei and Lorag into their room. She just stood and stared for a while, trying to find some sanity between the situation they were in and just how opulent everything was. Sabine had never been in a room such as this. The bed was so big, you could fit five people in it. Now that the prying eyes had left, or at least any of the cultists, Sabine took the time to breath and try to calm. After a few moments, Sabine looked up at Meesei, having been greeted with silence to her last question. "Meesei, what did the woman on the throne say to you? What's going to happen?"

During the trip back to the camp, Janius stayed silent amongst the cultists. In the time he had to think, he came up with at least five more quips that would have been far sharper than his initial reaction to the Altmer's words. It was essentially for naught, though. It wasn't as if this wretched worm was worth arguing with. Seeing as he had four extra people, Janius took just about everything that they could carry with him, including bedrolls and food. He wasn't going to assume that they wouldn't be in dirty cells, despite the reality he had not been witness to yet.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Yes, I wasn't hurt," Sabine said back to Meesei, with a little shame in her voice. Being captured was certainly a heavy blow to Sabine's confidence, but Meesei was right. There was nothing she could have done. The cultists evaded both her own and Leaps' senses. They had to have known about her whereabouts beforehand. Unfortunately, the fact remained that they were effectively prisoners of an enslaving cult, saved purely by their representation for Hircine. While the pack were ushered towards their rooms, Sabine looked up to Meesei, still fearful, "What is going to happen?"

The Altmer's words were one thing, but the demeaning physical contact was a step too far. As soon as Janius felt Vinaremo's fingers on his head, he ducked his head forward and swatted his arm away with a sudden movement. It was then that Janius' eye contact was provoked. "I'm not your pet, Altmer," Janius spat, beginning to walk. He could tell that Vinaremo was trying to rile him up, but Janius would only tear him apart as soon as their mission was complete. He didn't want to experience any moment longer than he had to with this individual.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

As soon as Rhazii's screaming could be heard down the hall behind them, Fendros looked over his shoulder. Rhazii, held by Sabine, was escorted into the chamber. Fendros' reaction only came as it appeared that Ahnasha's actions were not objected to. He marched briskly up to Sabine and made sure his son was okay.

In response to Ahnasha's question, Sabine shook her head and let Rhazii go in Ahnasha's arms. Sabine held herself tensely and filled with fear. Her wide eyes presented her discomfort to all. "I'm...I'm sorry, they came out of nowhere," Sabine stammered.

Fendros didn't offer consolation to Sabine at this stage, clearly more worried than angry. He placed an arm each on Sabine and Ahnasha's shoulder, "They got us the same way, but we're all alright, that's the important thing now. Come." Fendros encouraged them back to the pack.

Looking over his shoulder as well, Janius was relieved to find that they weren't going to be keeping Sabine and Rhazii as separate hostages. Not that it mattered, they were all trapped here. He looked at Meesei with an uneasy expression, showing as much discomfort for the situation as the rest of them. "I'll volunteer to collect our things, if you want," Janius stated to Meesei.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Hal-Neesa may have been arrogant, as well as a little insulting, but she was also smart. Judging by her referencing an event that happened generations ago, she had extended her life in some fashion, probably by becoming a vampire herself. Fendros and Janius were both just thankful that she appeared to prefer the prospect of working with them rather than Vile's followers. What was also apparent, though, was that Molag Bal's cult hungered for souls. That came through in Hal-Neesa's desires, and would probably outline what favors the pack would have to give to gain the cult's favour.

With the way Hal-Neesa spoke to them all, Janius in particular didn't want to be the subject of any more word games. He was on the brink of calling out and demanding that their hostess name her price, but he controlled himself for now. If only for Rhazii and Sabine's sake.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

G'night!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

While Janius felt as though the mint condition of the xanmeer's interior seemed too good to be true, he had to admit that he was enthralled by the detail. He had been inside Ayleid and old Imperial ruins, but never ancient Argonian ones. The threat that their escort presented kept him on his toes, though. He tried to size up each of them, but they returned no eye contact and hid everything behind their robes. These were clearly mages as well. Judging the power of such people was not a talent Janius had, but he didn't not want to entertain the possibility of any of this being a bluff where Sabine and Rhazii were at stake.

Fendros continued to be distracted by worry for Rhazii. He didn't have the space in his mind to appreciate the scenery.

The Argonian woman who appeared to lead the cult, this Hal-Neesa, was not any less foreboding than any other members around them. While she still carried a similar arrogance to the Altmer, she did so with the justification that she was in charge of the entire situation. The large throne room only elevated the reverent aura that she commanded. Weaker minds than those in the pack would probably feel the urge to bow down. Nevertheless, they were here to talk, and Meesei was still the pack alpha. It was true that they probably only had Hircine's watchful eye to depend on for protection now, but the pack stood fast.

Neither Fendros nor Janius felt any particular need to share their names without prompt.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sorry, had a thing to do away from the computer for a little while. But, hello there familiar character!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Everything that justified a Dunmer's unmatched hate for Altmer was detailed in every way that this pale elf held himself. Fendros wanted to strike out at him, but his worst fear about the situation had come true. They had Sabine and Rhazii. He gave a worried glance to Ahnasha, then shouldered his bow and put away his arrow. They had been outplayed here. To fight would be to give up on Rhazii and Sabine.

---

The appearance of the robed figures startled Sabine such that she held Rhazii as close to her chest as she could. Her breathing quickened and she stumbled to a stand. Her head quickly looked to each of their faces and around for any means of escape. There was none.

She had planned on pouring a particular potion she had made into the campfire to make a great cloud of smoke, then transform to escape, but there wasn't enough warning here. If she tried anything, they would have ample time to strike her down and possibly Rhazii as well.

Sabine was transfixed with fear, her knees shook and she was afraid for her life. The skeletons had to step up and push her to get her to move, but she was soon walking on her own. She was wide eyed and afraid the entire time. Not only had she failed to protect the camp and Rhazii, but she was genuinely afraid for her life as well. She wished the pack was with her.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

RPGuild's not playing nice. There might be an accidental double post incoming.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

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.