It was at least some relief to hear that Ko'Srashi was capable of caring for Rhazii for the time being. In fact it sounded like she was more experienced than Fendros and Ahnasha were. Given how young she looked, Fendros could only speculate why Ko'Srashi's cub wasn't around now. The first thought was that she was a vampire, like others in the cult, but she also could have lost her child at some point. Given the sensitivity of that scenario, Fendros decided not to ask.
"Neither have we." Fendros said, now more comfortable with the fact that he was Rhazii's father and not afraid of social judgement about it. "We don't know exactly why, but he was born that way. Our best guess is that it's inherited."
The first part of Kaleeth's question was easy to confirm, but as she continued, all she said began to weigh down on his mind. Settling down somewhere stationary would mean separating from the pack. That was something Janius couldn't really fathom. What overwhelmed his own mind, though was having a child with Kaleeth. It wasn't the possibility of it; if they couldn't produce one, there was always adoption. Ahnasha and Fendros' child was technically an accident that they decided to go through with and it eventually worked out for them, but given the choice, Janius didn't feel a desire to do the same. He still felt too young, it was too soon. He couldn't be a father. His wanderlust had hardly died down since he travelled with the pack.
It was several nervous moments before Janius found the words. "The fighting will not last forever, I can promise that much. We'll see peace eventually." Janius looked down, wishing he had a better answer, "As for leaving the pack and having a child...I'm not sure I'm ready to think about that right now."
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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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Fendros was at first rather surprised. Orskan seemed had gone out of his way to have a Khajiit woman take care of Rhazii while they were away. Fendros didn't think he would be as considerate. He glanced over at Ahnasha, then looked back over at Ko'Srashi and opened the door fully. "You had better come inside," Fendros said, before turning around and walking to the supplies they had laid out. "Everything you should need to take care of Rhazii is here. Do you have experience with children?" Fendros realised then that he should probably slow down mind his manners, "Wait, sorry. My name is Fendros," he gestured to Ahnasha and Rhazii where they were seated, "This is Ahnasha, and our child, Rhazii. Your name was, pardon me, Ko'Srashi?"
With a sympathetic smile, Janius ran his hand down the back of Kaleeth's neck. "I could want nothing more, but that isn't possible today." Janius lowered his arm so it was around Kaleeth's shoulders and entertained the thought of laying there with her for the rest of the day, but his rational mind got the better of him, and he shifted to get out of bed. "Let's get ready. I haven't seen the sun in too long, but I don't think we'll have much time before we leave."
With a sympathetic smile, Janius ran his hand down the back of Kaleeth's neck. "I could want nothing more, but that isn't possible today." Janius lowered his arm so it was around Kaleeth's shoulders and entertained the thought of laying there with her for the rest of the day, but his rational mind got the better of him, and he shifted to get out of bed. "Let's get ready. I haven't seen the sun in too long, but I don't think we'll have much time before we leave."
Sabine began to awaken a short while after Meesei did, disturbed by the sound of her movement. She had opted to set up her own bedroll off to the side of the room for the last couple of days because she couldn't stand how soft the bed was. Her preparation was simple, because she only had a few potions to carry and hand out. As usual, she intended to stay back from the combat with a sling until she needed to transform. She was quiet out of natural anxiety, but helped Meesei where she needed it.
Opening his own eyes, Fendros beheld Ahnasha frantically darting around the room setting out things for Rhazii and got up to help her. He tried to calm her tension down at one point, but given that he himself was nervous about leaving Rhazii behind, and the reality of the coming situation was upon them, it wasn't so effective.
Eventually, there was a knock on the door. It was probably Meesei. Fendros felt even more rushed then. They had spent all this time on Rhazii's provisions that they hadn't had time to get combat ready. Fendros did as Ahnasha said and walked to the door to answer it. He opened the door ajar to see who it was. "Yes?"
In the next room, Janius took a breath in and came out of a rather vivid dream that he forgot shortly after regaining consciousness. He only remembered it to be unpleasant, as he woke up with a racing heart. He took a deep breath of subterranean air and winced at a soreness around his waist. He was about to try and remember if he had over exercised or injured himself yesterday when his hands found Kaleeth's arms around him in a vice-like grip again. Janius was in some pain, but became more concerned with her. He reached an arm across his body, placed a hand on Kaleeth's upper arm, and turned his head to her. She had her eyes closed, but there was no telling if she was asleep, or just trying to stay asleep. "Kaleeth," Janius spoke quietly and lightly nudged her arm, "Kaleeth, that hurts." Once he was able to loosen Kaleeth's embrace, he slid onto his back to look at Kaleeth properly, "Are you okay?"
Opening his own eyes, Fendros beheld Ahnasha frantically darting around the room setting out things for Rhazii and got up to help her. He tried to calm her tension down at one point, but given that he himself was nervous about leaving Rhazii behind, and the reality of the coming situation was upon them, it wasn't so effective.
Eventually, there was a knock on the door. It was probably Meesei. Fendros felt even more rushed then. They had spent all this time on Rhazii's provisions that they hadn't had time to get combat ready. Fendros did as Ahnasha said and walked to the door to answer it. He opened the door ajar to see who it was. "Yes?"
In the next room, Janius took a breath in and came out of a rather vivid dream that he forgot shortly after regaining consciousness. He only remembered it to be unpleasant, as he woke up with a racing heart. He took a deep breath of subterranean air and winced at a soreness around his waist. He was about to try and remember if he had over exercised or injured himself yesterday when his hands found Kaleeth's arms around him in a vice-like grip again. Janius was in some pain, but became more concerned with her. He reached an arm across his body, placed a hand on Kaleeth's upper arm, and turned his head to her. She had her eyes closed, but there was no telling if she was asleep, or just trying to stay asleep. "Kaleeth," Janius spoke quietly and lightly nudged her arm, "Kaleeth, that hurts." Once he was able to loosen Kaleeth's embrace, he slid onto his back to look at Kaleeth properly, "Are you okay?"
In response to Opus' query, Shiva looked across to each of the team's faces she could see, then reached to a solid container hanging on her waist. She unclipped the container and revealed a collection of clean manual surgical implements that Shiva had to fall back on if she didn't have the energy to manipulate her magic. Secured to it was a spool of sturdy thread that she would normally use for sutures, but hardly ever had need to employ for that job. The thread was strong enough to hold masulu limbs together in a combat environment, so Shiva suspected that it would probably be strong enough to serve as a garrotte, or tripwire, or whatever else Opus might have had planned to use it for.
She unclipped the spool, then extended it out for Opus to inspect. "Will this be sufficient?"
She unclipped the spool, then extended it out for Opus to inspect. "Will this be sufficient?"
"Likewise, Ahna. Let's get us all through this alive," Fendros said with a grin, before leaning across and kissing Ahnasha on the lips. Experimenting with his grip, Rhazii brought Fendros' finger to his mouth and began to suck on it. Fendros looked down at Rhazii again. "Even you, little one. Especially you."
There were a few things that Janius wanted to say to Kaleeth. One of which was something that was normally addressed quickly with new members of the pack, but due to the relative lack of humanoid activity in the swamp, Kaleeth had been spared it up until now. Janius hoped that when he mentioned the pack's occasional cannibalism, Kaleeth wouldn't be too put off.
"If you aren't too close to needing to turn, you should have more control. I'd say that the only way Vinaremo or the cultists could make you turn on him is if he started threatening you too much. Even so, you will need to transform if you get caught in a position you can't get out of in your regular form. No matter what happens." Janius shifted across the bed and put a hand on Kaleeth's shoulder, "If all goes smoothly, though, that won't have to happen. Just be prepared."
There were a few things that Janius wanted to say to Kaleeth. One of which was something that was normally addressed quickly with new members of the pack, but due to the relative lack of humanoid activity in the swamp, Kaleeth had been spared it up until now. Janius hoped that when he mentioned the pack's occasional cannibalism, Kaleeth wouldn't be too put off.
"If you aren't too close to needing to turn, you should have more control. I'd say that the only way Vinaremo or the cultists could make you turn on him is if he started threatening you too much. Even so, you will need to transform if you get caught in a position you can't get out of in your regular form. No matter what happens." Janius shifted across the bed and put a hand on Kaleeth's shoulder, "If all goes smoothly, though, that won't have to happen. Just be prepared."
Fendros moved his head in the direction that Ahnasha's claws were moving to minimise the pain. He needed to pull up his lips to one side to smile, but he would say he was amused if asked. The mention of Rhazii's teeth caused him to raise an eyebrow. "His teeth?" Fendros looked more closely at Rhazii's smile and spotted the specks of white that were the beginning of his fangs. Given how Ahnasha had been feeding Rhazii up to this point, his expression dropped into realisation and he felt a tingle of empathy for Ahnasha. "...Oh," Fendros said, "Do you think we'll be using the bottle and the rag more often soon, then? Or do you think we'll be feeding him other things soon?"
"There is likely going to be more than one." Janius stated flatly, "If you're confident with it, then use that technique, but try not to establish too much of a pattern. If there is an observant fighter among them, he might think to counter you." He slid off his second boot and tucked them away, then twisted to look at Kaleeth, "And, yes, we will be sticking together. If they outnumber us, which they likely will, we will have to make sure they don't get behind anyone on our side. Help protect your shield-brothers, and they'll protect you, so the saying goes."
Janius turned his body and raised one knee up on the bed, leaning on one hand. "During the fight, if the circumstances demand it, we may have to take on our beast forms." Janius didn't look directly at Kaleeth while he explained, but he retained a serious tone. "That could mean a repeat of the incident with the highwaymen, albeit less of an accident. For your sake, I need to know that you will transform if you need to. Are you prepared to do that?"
"There is likely going to be more than one." Janius stated flatly, "If you're confident with it, then use that technique, but try not to establish too much of a pattern. If there is an observant fighter among them, he might think to counter you." He slid off his second boot and tucked them away, then twisted to look at Kaleeth, "And, yes, we will be sticking together. If they outnumber us, which they likely will, we will have to make sure they don't get behind anyone on our side. Help protect your shield-brothers, and they'll protect you, so the saying goes."
Janius turned his body and raised one knee up on the bed, leaning on one hand. "During the fight, if the circumstances demand it, we may have to take on our beast forms." Janius didn't look directly at Kaleeth while he explained, but he retained a serious tone. "That could mean a repeat of the incident with the highwaymen, albeit less of an accident. For your sake, I need to know that you will transform if you need to. Are you prepared to do that?"
"Of course. We should just be on the lookout for any-ah-" Fendros stopped and inhaled sharply through his teeth. Rhazii, it seemed, had already started growing needle-like claws that he had decided to rake across Fendros' palm. They weren't long enough to draw blood yet, but the scratches came as a surprise. Now Rhazii's grip was just that little bit more secure on Fendros' hand. "When did his claws come through?" Fendros said through a chuckle, "I suppose we have plenty of scratches to look forward to now."
Janius was carefully removing his own armour when Kaleeth asked her question. It caused him a short pause of staring into space to determine himself whether he was afraid. "A little, I would say. We don't know much about these mercenaries, so the fight might be tougher than we think." Janius resumed unbuckling his armour while he spoke, "But, we don't really have a choice but to fight while the cult holds Rhazii. It isn't just our own lives at stake. Having fear going into this is only natural, not to mentioned being the..." Janius stopped to consider whether he should say 'prisoners' or "...guests of these people."
Seating himself on the foot of the bed, Janius began to remove the last piece of armour he wore, his boots. "How about you?"
Janius was carefully removing his own armour when Kaleeth asked her question. It caused him a short pause of staring into space to determine himself whether he was afraid. "A little, I would say. We don't know much about these mercenaries, so the fight might be tougher than we think." Janius resumed unbuckling his armour while he spoke, "But, we don't really have a choice but to fight while the cult holds Rhazii. It isn't just our own lives at stake. Having fear going into this is only natural, not to mentioned being the..." Janius stopped to consider whether he should say 'prisoners' or "...guests of these people."
Seating himself on the foot of the bed, Janius began to remove the last piece of armour he wore, his boots. "How about you?"
When Ahnasha started to knead the stress from Fendros' shoulders, he was at least able to recognise how high his emotions has become. He closed his eyes, focussed on his breathing and listened to what she had to say. After a lengthy sigh, Fendros responded. This time with a calmer voice, "I suppose you're right, they are murderers all the same. I just don't know whether we'll be condemning them to torture." Fendros turned his head to look at Ahnasha and gave a look of concession. He didn't want to lose her after her short natural lifetime elapsed. "Alright Ahna, let's go this far if only to see if whatever Orskan's tome holds is possible."
Fendros allowed Ahnasha to continue her massage and thought about whether he would really want to extend his own life, as Ahnasha said. He smiled to himself as the first objection he came up with was learning magic in further depth. Though, more seriously, the prospect didn't attract him. Even though residing with Ahnasha on Nirn for eternity was a nice thought, he was sure that he would have lived a fulfilling life when his time came. There wasn't really any reason he could think to live for any longer. He decided to postpone the thought for a more relevant point in time.
After a moment, Fendros placed the dagger he held into the pouch with the soul gems and looked either side of himself. There was a wriggling against his upper leg where Ahnasha had placed down Rhazii between them on the bed. Carefully, Fendros picked up the cub with both hands and looked into his eyes. He wondered if Rhazii might wish to extend his life at some point. If he was Khajiit in form, it would follow that he would have a Khajiit lifespan. That would be his personal decision, Fendros concluded, as he allowed Rhazii's weak grasp to hold onto his finger. "Ahna," Fendros said softly, "do you remember when that aspect of Mephala warned us about a Breton offering us eternal life? Do you think that is going to happen still? I've spotted a couple of people who might be Bretons in the cult, but I don't think they're involved in this opportunity."
For the rest of the day, Janius led Kaleeth through the proper handling and techniques of the shield. It mostly involved defending from a variety of attacks, then led on to sparring. Given how little time they had to practice, Kaleeth could hardly be considered a trained soldier by the the end of the session, but her survivability had increased substantially. In order to find proper armaments for Kaleeth, Janius decided to find Vinaremo, and was promptly passed from person to person such that he didn't think anyone really wanted to deal with them. Eventually, Janius was referred to a lower-ranking member, whom he was able to threaten into helping them by mentioning how upset his superiors would be if they found out that their secret weapon was not properly equipped. The mace and shield he found was dusty and cobwebbed in a closet somewhere, no doubt the former belongings of someone captured by the cult, but at least they looked sturdy enough. The mace happened to be made of steel, but wasn't so hefty that it was unwieldy. Kaleeth would be able to make up for it with her own strength. The shield was round and made from wood reinforced with steel. After wiping the dust off, Kaleeth was now well equipped for a fray.
Fendros allowed Ahnasha to continue her massage and thought about whether he would really want to extend his own life, as Ahnasha said. He smiled to himself as the first objection he came up with was learning magic in further depth. Though, more seriously, the prospect didn't attract him. Even though residing with Ahnasha on Nirn for eternity was a nice thought, he was sure that he would have lived a fulfilling life when his time came. There wasn't really any reason he could think to live for any longer. He decided to postpone the thought for a more relevant point in time.
After a moment, Fendros placed the dagger he held into the pouch with the soul gems and looked either side of himself. There was a wriggling against his upper leg where Ahnasha had placed down Rhazii between them on the bed. Carefully, Fendros picked up the cub with both hands and looked into his eyes. He wondered if Rhazii might wish to extend his life at some point. If he was Khajiit in form, it would follow that he would have a Khajiit lifespan. That would be his personal decision, Fendros concluded, as he allowed Rhazii's weak grasp to hold onto his finger. "Ahna," Fendros said softly, "do you remember when that aspect of Mephala warned us about a Breton offering us eternal life? Do you think that is going to happen still? I've spotted a couple of people who might be Bretons in the cult, but I don't think they're involved in this opportunity."
For the rest of the day, Janius led Kaleeth through the proper handling and techniques of the shield. It mostly involved defending from a variety of attacks, then led on to sparring. Given how little time they had to practice, Kaleeth could hardly be considered a trained soldier by the the end of the session, but her survivability had increased substantially. In order to find proper armaments for Kaleeth, Janius decided to find Vinaremo, and was promptly passed from person to person such that he didn't think anyone really wanted to deal with them. Eventually, Janius was referred to a lower-ranking member, whom he was able to threaten into helping them by mentioning how upset his superiors would be if they found out that their secret weapon was not properly equipped. The mace and shield he found was dusty and cobwebbed in a closet somewhere, no doubt the former belongings of someone captured by the cult, but at least they looked sturdy enough. The mace happened to be made of steel, but wasn't so hefty that it was unwieldy. Kaleeth would be able to make up for it with her own strength. The shield was round and made from wood reinforced with steel. After wiping the dust off, Kaleeth was now well equipped for a fray.
G'night!
Rolling the enchanted dagger in one hand, Fendros bit his lower lip. He was quiet until they reached the guest rooms again. He sat down on the bed and looked at the floor, breathing unevenly. "Ahna, I..." Fendros' voice gave away that he was quite overwhelmed, "I know that this is important, and we might not get an opportunity like this in the future, but...I just can't shake the feeling that this is wrong. I'm sorry, I want to see this through, but whatever Orskan has planned for the souls...I'm not sure I would wish that upon anyone. Don't you feel that too?" Fendros narrowed his eyes and showed distress.
Janius looked up, thinking for a moment. "You might try a shield. It's not too difficult to use, and it makes it much easier to fight defensively. You'll just have to get used to it first." Janius looked to Kaleeth again, "How about this, we'll try some basics with the shield for today, and if you're still not comfortable with fighting, then stay to the side tomorrow. It will be no use fighting for the sake of it if you're only going to get hurt. Don't be ashamed that you've not had the time to be instructed fully, okay?"
Janius looked up, thinking for a moment. "You might try a shield. It's not too difficult to use, and it makes it much easier to fight defensively. You'll just have to get used to it first." Janius looked to Kaleeth again, "How about this, we'll try some basics with the shield for today, and if you're still not comfortable with fighting, then stay to the side tomorrow. It will be no use fighting for the sake of it if you're only going to get hurt. Don't be ashamed that you've not had the time to be instructed fully, okay?"
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