Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You will have your ingredients," Jerrick said, "As for entrances, there are two. One is the main entrance, that goes to the corridor including my quarters and the lieutenants' rooms, and to the mezzanine. There is also a secret door that the wall opens up to which leads to a balcony above the main chamber, but that can only be opened from the inside. How long will it take to prepare everything?" Harriet's reaction to having Lorag's jaws wrapped around her throat was to struggle momentarily. Though, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get her arms up and she couldn't free herself from Lorag's grip. Her entire body relaxed as she gave up. "I yield," she uttered bitterly. A portion of the crowd around them cheered at Lorag's victory, while others were dumbstruck to see a lieutenant get defeated like this. Either way, they had evidently put on a good show. Harriet began to transform back once she was released. Despite her hot temper, she demonstrated impeccable control over her beast spirit. Her expression when her eyes met with Lorag's was a glower that could light a candle. Hadryn looked up and mouthed words that Fendros recognised to be numbers in Dunmeris. It took a moment to recall, but his answer was certain enough, "Eight or nine years, I believe. She started young, at about your ages I would think. She replaced the only woman on the table, an Imperial named Helen, after Helen died in a hunting mishap with a troll. A dreadful tale, really. Harriet had initiative and passion, however, and she wasn't slow of mind, either. The bickering started before she was even a lieutenant, though. I think the others must have believed her to have some good ideas, so they brought her on board." "It doesn't surprise me that a smaller pack wouldn't be troubled so." Fabian commented with a gesture to Ahnasha, "Our little community isn't exactly a town or a country, but it's just big enough to share some of the problems of such organisations. It is an advantage sometimes, but a disadvantage in other ways." Theresa leaned forward with a curious face and interrupted with a raised index finger. "If I may, sorry...Kaleeth-Rei, that is your name? You're a werecrocodile, yes? I have learned only a little about your kind, but I was under the impression that you tended to be solitary in the wilds. How did you come upon and join Meesei's pack?" Theresa brought up her hands, "I'm just curious." Janius smiled to Kaleeth encouragingly. He was giving no clue that it would be inappropriate to explain. He thought it would be nice for her to be included in the conversation.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"That would be appreciated, but I think I will fast for tonight. Taking food from you would be suspicious. I can remain in the meeting room to look over accounts and ask not to be disturbed. Normally I have Darahil around to help me with them, but I can ask him to leave me alone this time. There should be sufficient darkness for one of your pack to find a hiding place, but you will need a way to mask scent." Jerrick said. He seemed confident on just how far he could push his behaviour without discouraging the assassin. He knew his inner circle well enough for that at least. Getting locked into a scrim of sorts prompted Harriet to stand her ground against Lorag's strength. At first, she seemed to be able to push him back and was on the verge of toppling him, but she began to slow and shudder. After a few more seconds, Lorag turned the tables and she had to break off. Harriet attempted to shake Lorag off by slashing him in the torso, but she ended up getting interrupted by his attempts to bite her and they had a clash of frantic twisting and fencing with their snouts in an attempt to get at each other's necks and at the same time deflect the other from doing the same. This only lasted as long as it took for Lorag's weight to take Harriet over and push her to the ground. She landed hard, some of her blood brushing on the white stone ground. Harriet desperately attempted one last swipe at Lorag's face before she could be pinned. The three that the pack had approached all seemed to smile in amusement at the mention of Harriet's behaviour. "Well, Harriet is probably the most prideful of the lieutenants," Fabian said, "Hadryn would know better, he has been here for longer than I have." Hadryn the Dunmer nodded, "Prideful, dominant, and skilled, but I think violence is really her way of showing affection. Unless he provoked her, it might be that he caught her eye." Hadryn glanced to the noises coming from the corridor, "All those youngsters out there think that the spectacle is about dominance and competition, and that's some of it, but not all of it." While it was amusing that Lorag might have got more than he bargained for with accepting Harriet's challenge, Fendros decided to continue their approach in terms of their objectives. "When we met the lieutenants and Jerrick, there was mention of Oswall and Harriet duelling. Was there something between them?" With that, all three laughed harder than last time. "No! No, no, no," Theresa assured them, "They hate each other. Everyone knows that." "Hate with respect, in truth," Hadryn added, still chuckling, "No, that was probably when Oswall issued Harriet a challenge in combat. He was beaten and never really lived it down." Fendros smiled with them, "Does Harriet bicker with other lieutenants as well?" "Oh yes. On all matter of things, lad." Hadryn was surprisingly open about all this, but then again, there was no reason not to be, "From what I hear, there's not a single meeting where that she-Orc doesn't disagree on something. She is not beyond convincing, though, from what I hear." At that point, they seemed fine to converse, but Hadryn turned the subject to Meesei's pack appropriately, "How is your Orc friend? What did you say his name was...Lorag? Is he similar?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Jerrick had to think for a few moments on what he wanted to do now. In light of Meesei's arrival, things had changed, but they were still not ideal. He took a breath to speak, not wavering for a moment. "Meesei, I have known about this fate for a week and a half now. I have accepted that I may die soon whether I try to prevent it or not. All I care about right now is that my clan survives, all else is secondary, even the preservation of my life if it means a better chance at finding the traitor. I will find you a soul gem and go along with your plan. If there is anything I can do to help keep this clan together, I will take it over my life at this point." Lorag and Harriet collided in a tumbling mess of growling and snapping. Lorag had managed to keep the upper hand and had forced Harriet to the ground, but she wanted to punish him for every step he took. She thrashed and bit at his arms and his neck in an attempt to keep him from fully pinning her, then tried to roll him off her with all her strength. While she could still resist, this fight wasn't over. "Good idea, let's go find some more people," Fendros said, rising from his seat and beckoning everyone else. Fendros, Ahnasha, Kaleeth, Janius, and Leaps wandered over to another group of three people around a different fire who were having a conversation about something. From the words used, it actually seemed to be a discussion about conjuration magic. The one person on the opposite side of the fire facing the approaching pack noticed their approach with a smile and raised a hand. This prompted the other two to halt their conversation for a moment and also face the pack, though their expressions were more dubious. Fendros opened things up, "Greetings, may we join you?" "Of course. You are the champion's pack, correct?" The smiling one responded. He was a Breton man with sandy short hair. He wore hides like everyone else, but sounded well-spoken. "My name is Fabian. You will have to forgive me and my friends, we don't indulge in rumours as much as other people. What might your names be?" "Fendros, nice to meet you," Fendros said, taking a seat. "Janius," Janius said in turn while he also found a space to sit. The other two, a Dunmer man and an Imperial woman, seemed to remember their manners and gave their own names with something of a smile. "I am Theresa," The Imperial said. The Dunmer had the lesser smile, but was not rude, "And I am Hadryn."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I have thought about it beforehand. Anyone who is close to me that I trust either has motive to kill me by the advancement of one of my lieutenants, or would not hold enough respect to sway the clan without looking biased to one lieutenant. That's why you're the only one I have told. Not even my wife knows." Jerrick looked up with a glint of hope, "Actually, Najirra might help you. He's an old man, he stays away from conflict. However, he has helped enough people in the clan that he garners respect." Jerrick looked to Meesei, "I can pen a note to him, and that should be sufficient to vouch for you...there's just one problem." Jerrick pursed his lips, "He hasn't left his room since we moved here. He has daughters that tend to him, but his hips make it painful to walk very far." Jerrick resumed looking at the opposite wall to him, "It's a hope, though. If the traitor puts blame onto you, and don't doubt it if you mean to set a trap or a guard, then having Najirra on your side will maintain your authority." There was a pause where Jerrick recalled the previous point, but he answered before Meesei could talk. "As for trying an ambush, there is no way I would be able to find somewhere to stay without the inner circle noticing. Each of them are master hunters that would be able to follow my scent. The risk is too great if I die somewhere else. You will get the greatest blame, no matter how many respected people we can get to vouch for you. If you want to try an ambush, I must still be the bait." The crowd vocalised in tune with the movements of Lorag and Harriet. Harriet's counter was less effective at gathering ground than she would have liked, but she was still learning about Lorag's style. He was testing her, that much was clear on how little he committed. She thought she might try a gambit and attempt to tackle him if he tried such a move again. If she could overwhelm him there, it would be his own fault for being inattentive. That plan had to change in her mind when it seemed as if he was going to pounce himself. She could have also pounced to meet him in the air, but by habit, she simply reared and braced to stop him. It was a trick on Lorag's part. His pounce went to her side and now she was badly balanced to face him immediately. She had to react quickly, but she still had her eyes on him. She kicked off one foot and attempted to charge into his side and barrel him over. It was not the most powerful pounce that she could muster, but she needed to keep Lorag from being in control if she wanted to have a chance. With all the noise coming from the main chamber now, Fendros kept glancing to the corridor that led to it. Although it might have been interesting to gauge the strength of one of the lieutenants, he didn't really have a desire to watch the fight while they had the moment to themselves beside the fire. "Do you think maybe we should take this opportunity to find someone to speak to about the clan's leadership? It looks like the only people left are those...less interested in watching a fight, I suppose." Fendros didn't know how else to describe those that remained. They seemed to be spread out in age and appearance about as much the clan as a whole. There were a few people repairing clothes, some people still eating and talking amongst themselves. And Grolak, of course, but he seemed to be a sentinel of the rations more than just a caretaker. Janius scanned the chamber as Fendros did and came to about the same conclusion. Even the group accompanying Sabine were all still there, except the two boys that were with them. It didn't surprise him that they would disappear to watch the fight as well.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I am surrounded by people that can and would stop an assassin at a moments notice if one was spotted, but what you say is true. Anything that would make finding the traitor easier is worth taking the extra step." Jerrick didn't seem very hopeful about saving his life, but at least he was willing to see Meesei's sense. "You may post at least one of your pack near my quarters for tonight. Perhaps it might intimidate the traitor to delay his or her plans until we can track him down. Hircine was certain that I would die, though. I don't want to hold up false hopes." Jerrick looked up at Meesei from his bowed forward face, "Perhaps you might get a head start by talking with my lieutenants tonight? Even knowing that you are keeping an eye on them might make the traitor back down." With Lorag's probing strike, Harriet showed her experience with fighting in this form. She shifted forward enough and moved her arm to check Lorag's slash and attempted to deter him by bringing her other clawed hand up to his chin. If Lorag didn't want his eyes raked out, he would need to step back to where he was and then some. Harriet had tried to take the opportunity to get some ground on Lorag.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

At first, Janius didn't even realise where Sabine had wandered off to. He held his head up over the heads of the crowd and scanned the room until he spotted Sabine with a group of teenagers. "Will do, alpha," Janius responded. Though, Sabine didn't seem afraid in her position. It Janius' eyes weren't deceiving him, she was actually showing a smile every now and then. Maybe she was making some friends? Janius decided to get to know Oswall a bit better, asking of his own exploits. In his age, the Nord had experience, and many stories to tell. Janius hardly got in a word the entire time. Before leaving with Meesei, Jerrick gave Vera a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll just be a moment." Vera nodded and smiled understandingly, and Meesei and Jerrick were soon promptly walking with a brisk pace towards the larder. Upon leaving the dining hall, Jerrick's smile lowered into a far more serious expression. He gave a glance to Meesei when she asked her question. "I fear the situation is different. We will need to talk where there will be no one to listen." Through the corridors of crops, Jerrick didn't say another word. They came upon the livestock pens and the larder, upon which time Jerrick retrieved a ring of keys from his belt and unlocked the way though. With Meesei in tow, he closed the gate and made his way to the larder itself. It was dry, but much more cold than the rest of the city. Vents could be spotted near the ceiling that were letting in the mountain air and cooling the hanging carcasses and containers of fruits and vegetables. Jerrick even put his hands under his armpits in this place, but at least it wasn't occupied by any other living creature than Meesei and himself. To make sure, he pulled out a scroll from under his belt and channelled its power. It was clearly a spell to detect life. Satisfied, he started explaining to Meesei properly. "Right, I'd best start by thanking you for coming at such an opportune time." Jerrick was having trouble keeping eye contact at this point, but his expression hid less behind diplomacy and manners, "I have to apologise, but what I said in front of my inner circle was not the complete truth. Hircine gave me more information in the vision he gave me, but nonetheless, my clan is still in danger." He took a breath that was either uneasy from the cold, or from the weight of his words, "I'm going to die tonight, Meesei. I don't know how, when exactly, or who by exactly, but I am going to be murdered. I know for a fact that it will be one of my lieutenants. Despite their loyalty, some are power hungry and one has been given the ability to kill me to get my position. What they don't know is that if I am murdered, everyone will point to one another. Factions will form behind each of my friends and this clan will be torn apart. That's what Vile wants, and I cannot allow that to happen." Now Jerrick looked up at Meesei, he spoke with absolute sincerity, but took his time. "I cannot control my death tonight, but I beseech you, champion, to help me. To help us all. You are not what Vile was expecting here, and you need to keep this clan together. You've seen how the people are like, you are respected by all, unlike the lieutenants, who have a tangled web of opinion about them. Not only that, you are a neutral party. You will not be viewed as having bias towards a single lieutenant over another. With this, I need you to do three things: Firstly, find the traitor, bring him or her to justice. Hircine told me it was one of my lieutenants. Secondly, select a new clan leader. Take charge if you have to, but someone who has been with us for longer and know how things work here may be more suited. Thirdly, keep the clan together. Vile wants to splinter us off so we can't organise against him, and so he can hunt down untrained packs with impunity. You have one week until the full moons, if you don't complete those objectives by that time, instinct will mix with suspicion and we will have no chance." Jerrick's eyes looked to the ground again and he leaned against a barrel, "I know this is sudden, and probably not what you were expecting, but you are my only hope at this point. Do you have any questions?" Harriet narrowed her eyes and grinned before she turned and headed to the main chamber. Chanting and shouting, the crowd followed her and Lorag to the main chamber. Some people stayed in the dining room, but it was comparatively relaxed now. The chanting crowd found the main chamber and the lit central dais was cleared for Lorag and Harriet to start stripping down. Harriet's last movement was to unclip her long hair and let it flow down either side of her head. Her stance was squat and primal, her arms spread like she had already transformed. "Remember, to submission! Let's see what you've got, big boy!" She shouted across before her body began to warp and crackle into the shape of a lycan. Impressively, she was about the same size as Lorag, despite being perhaps a little younger. The crowd cheered each of them on, but kept their distance as the two circled each other on all fours.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

If any in the audience were not already reverent of Meesei's presence, they were now. In none of the rumours and exaggerations had anyone thought that she would take a silver spear to her middle and survive. There were murmurs left and right about the story's believability, the skill the pack must have had, and the luck they came across. However, no one seemed shifted quite far enough to proclaim that they didn't believe in the story. Oswall let out a deep and entertained laugh, then pat Fendros and Janius on the back so hard that it made them grunt and winded them. Thankfully neither had food or drink in their mouths at the time. "You and your pack is mightier than the rumours claim, Meesei! Truly you are worthy of the title of champion." Everyone in the crowd sounded unanimous agreement with Oswall. "With you spearheading this war, Vile doesn't stand a chance!" The crowd erupted in a cheer. "But this gas, it is concerning. Are we likely to face more?" It was then that Jerrick shouldered his way between everyone and put a hand on Meesei's shoulder from behind her. He leaned down and spoke quietly, "If I might borrow you for a moment?" It seemed that Janius was willing to pick up where Meesei left off after seeing that she was occupied. He addressed Oswall's question in her stead. "There was more of it there that was needed for us, so we believe we took out a stockpile. We were able to investigate further and find a coven of witches that was producing it. With some alchemical tricks, courtesy of Sabine, we burned their fortress down." "That sounds like an adventure in itself!" Janius chuckled, "A story for another time I think." His words left the crowd mostly crestfallen. Fendros had all but finished his food, so he put an arm around Ahnasha. "I seem to remember more happening than just that," he murmured to her. "Hey! Lorag!" A familiar voice sounded from the crowd, which parted to reveal Harriet the Orc with her arms crossed in front of her. Her expression was severe, but not completely without moderation. She knew what she was doing. "You're the big guy in your pack, right? I wanna see just how tough you guys are." She pointed to Lorag with a thrust of one finger, "You-" she turned her and to point to her chest with her thumb, "-and me. We're gonna fight till submission. Lycan form." "Not in the cook fires, you ain't!" An elderly Orc shouted from near the food crates. "Take it to the main chamber!" Harriet rolled her eyes, "Shut up, Grolak. What? Do you think I don't know the rules?" She turned her attention back to Lorag, "Come on." If anything was a well timed distraction from the crowd, it would be a fight between one of the lieutenants and one of Meesei's packmates. Some in the crowd goaded them on with excited thrown comments. At first, Fendros was concerned that Lorag might make it personal due to his age, but it seemed like Harriet was no younger than thirty years old herself.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"You make it sound easy," Janius commented while Meesei paused. It drew the attention of everyone.

Fendros raised his eyes from his meal and raised one hand slightly. "Let her get to the good parts, Janius," he said in Meesei's defence.

None of this diminished the crowd's interest. If anything, the story's build up was making people more excited. The addition of learning from first hand experience in combating hunters also held their attention like glue.

While Meesei paused, Jerrick and Vera walked into the dining area to take their own place at the edge of the crowd to listen to Meesei's story. Fendros noticed them approach from between the faces and took another glance up at the mezzanine. It appeared as though Darahil had moved on.

It took a few moments, but the people whispering and throwing looks at Sabine eventually quietened when one girl stood up and started to walk towards Sabine's table. She looked about Sabine's age, give or take a year, but was taller. A Nord, by the looks. She wore a smile, but held the fingers of one hand in the other. Sabine stopped eating when she neared, returning her look with a mix of curiosity and wariness. She had just escaped all of that attention, was it going to pursue her?

"Hi! I'm Freida." She waved and gave a charming smile, "You're in Meesei's pack, right? What's your name?"

Sabine's expression still seemed careful. "Sabine," she answered simply.

Freida paused turned her head slightly, expecting a more open response. Still, she kept her smile. "Would you...like to sit with us? I can introduce you to everyone."

For a while, Sabine seemed unsure whether she wanted to meet Freida's friends. She looked over to the circle around Meesei and the pack, then over to the table. She had to admit that it did seem out of the way. That, and Freida didn't seem overbearing like the other strangers.

"Come, we'll be nice," Freida beckoned Sabine to come with her, "I promise."

Sabine was about convinced by then. She stood up off her seat and picked up her bowl. Freida seemed to grin so widely that it looked like her cheeks were going to fold over her eyes if they went much further. With Sabine in tow, she returned to her circle of friends, who all seemed to be just as friendly from the outset. There was Caleb, a dreadlock haired Redguard who kept giving Sabine sideways glances; Thyme, a Bosmer girl who was the smallest, but the loudest; Peiter, a smart mouthed Breton boy; Angela, a black haired Imperial girl who spoke softly, but purposefully; Rikki, an Altmer girl who was precious about her looks; and Sara, another Imperial girl who seemed to laugh at everything. Even if Sabine didn't say much for fear of saying something wrong, she enjoyed the group's company. They were fun and interested, not to mention Sabine felt a connection with them through similar age.

New Game Plus (MuttonHawk and Ontos)

I've got work tonight. Probably won't be on the IRC until several hours from now.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Meesei's story had everyone rapt. Some in Meesei's pack were glad to have relief from the never-ending questions while everyone sat silently. So far, with the way Meesei was presenting the tale, the stage was set for an exciting recount. Fendros and Janius were listening on, feeling a little uncomfortable at the images of the pack they were shadowing getting slaughtered in front of them. Sometimes Fendros wondered if they might have been able to help them if they had charged forth, but it was in the past. Up on the mezzanine, Darahil and Jerrick conversed quietly. Eventually, Vera emerged from the meeting room, and then she and Jerrick walked hand in hand out of sight towards the hub. Darahil remained to watch on. During the story, Sabine quietly stood up and weaved her way through the crowd to find a place out of the way to eat. She found an unused table that would do and resumed her meal, but she spotted a bunch of children, boys and girls, looking at her from across the room and whispering amongst themselves. Amongst the crowd that formed one person spoke out of turn. "How many were there?" He shouted, causing a number of people to glare and shush at him.