Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Now that the group had run through the agenda set out, they all strode out to their separate ways. The lieutenants exchanged varying looks with Harriet, but they had no words for the situation. Even if she did betray them, they couldn't be sure. There were no appropriate words to give while they were near one another in the corridor.

Fendros looked at Ahnasha and Rhazii again and felt rather dubious about remaining with Darahil, but he knew that this wasn't over yet. He brushed a hand over Ahnasha's shoulder and gave her a somewhat forced smile. "Duty calls, I'll see you later then."

At the end of the corridor, Oswall stopped and turned to the others. "Darahil," he focused up to the stern Altmer, "I would discuss what you had in mind for the announcement. Are you busy?"

"I am always busy, but I think it fine that we talk now. Let us go to my office." Darahil responded.

Upon Meesei's suggestion, Vera found Kaleeth and asked her to accompany her search for Caleb. They would start by finding his friends and asking them about the last time they saw him.

Harriet paid no one any heed and headed straight to gather up her alphas. As soon as Meesei objected to bringing to many of her followers together, she had them shooed away and found a quiet spot to meet with them. She was bombarded by questions from every direction, but she answered none. She managed to contain the simmering anger that was evident in her expression for a surprising amount of time, especially with the difficulty in finding a spot where she could confide in her followers privately, while still being close enough to other residents that Meesei and Lorag did not feel as if they would be ambushed. It seemed as if Harriet was about to explode until they eventually found a small chamber with a closable door near to the school chamber. Harriet ordered her alphas to take a seat before she began.

"Alright, shut up everyone," Harriet gazed across her alphas from a head angled forward. "First thing's first. Everything said here? Doesn't get said anywhere else unless I say so, okay? If I find out you've been yappin'-" Harriet pointed her finger around to everyone, "-I'm gonna toss you out. For good. No exceptions. Is that understood?" Harriet was deadly serious in her tone. Her alphas picked it up and nodded, murmuring in agreement. They were all still slightly confused as to what the situation was. "I heard that a lot of people have been asking questions. You can all feel that something isn't right. Darahil and the others are going to give you all the full story tomorrow, but basically...Jerrick was found dead last night."

The alphas gave each other sideways glances as a quite shock struck the room to silence. Harriet let it sink in before continuing.

"He was poisoned." Harriet lowered her eyes from those around her. She flicked her head in Meesei's direction while she started again. "The champion here has accused me of doing it. Her story is pretty good." At this point Harriet looked up to face her followers, not with a stern and angry face, but with a pleading expression. She betrayed just a hint of fear. "I'm telling all of you the truth when I say I didn't kill Jerrick. The champion's got the upper hand because she gets to hear all of this, but I need your help to prove to everyone that her story doesn't add up." Harriet looked over to Meesei once more, "I'll just ask once. Are you sure you can't let me talk privately?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I appreciate the offer, but I think I will just go myself, unless you wish me guarded like before. You need all the hands you have to keep track of..." Vera paused and gestured around her, "...this situation. As for Caleb, he has an independent mind, but he doesn't normally disappear like this." Vera's voice became slightly solemn as she contemplated out loud, "He is young and rash sometimes, I must admit. If you told him about Jerrick, then he has likely become angry and withdrawn, that is what he does when he is upset. I feel that he is smart enough not to put himself into danger, though. It's just a matter of finding him."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"We will do our very best," Oswall said as he stood up with Darahil, "Personally, I am glad that this wretched business is nearing closer to resolution." They both spoke no further as they exited the chamber.

Vera wasn't exactly thrilled about speaking of her husbands death in front of the entire clan, but she didn't protest to Meesei. She just remained seated, looking to one side. The betrayal of trust that Harriet had apparently committed was still staggering her mind. After a short moment, she spoke up to Meesei without looking at her. "It's about Caleb, isn't it?" Vera asked, "I've not been in contact with him either. I was going to try and find him after this meeting."

[Heavy Fantasy] The necromancer's curse

Haven't decided whether or not to join yet, but I'll be watching :)

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was a pause before Vera spoke to answer. "...I think it would be best if one of us would announce it." Her head hung down as her voice lowered, "I'm not sure that I could bear to, though."

"Either myself or Darahil will do. We have both been seniors in the clan for a long time." Oswall shifted to address Darahil in a less serious pose, "As much as I am loathe to hand out compliments to the likes of you, Darahil, I believe you are superior in oratory. We will be by your side if you would address the clan."

Darahil made took no outward notice of Oswall's humour, though humour did not seem in his nature. He considered for a few moments, then sighed and nodded. "Very well. Champion, is there anything in particular you wanted announced beyond simply explaining the situation?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Oswall raised his eyebrows at Meesei's suggestion. "A trial by combat? Now that would be a gamble and a half."

"Champion, if you were to attempt that, you would have to make sure that it isn't in desperation, else Harriet could easily decline and resume goading the packs." Vera reccomended, "It would only be her pride, if anything, that would cause her to accept."

Darahil responded to Vera, "Harriet would also have the pride of those who follow her to satisfy. If she declines, she may lose the faith of a key few regardless of circumstance." He looked to Meesei again, "Still, it would be best it we attempted to maintain unity from the outset. Harriet is a fierce warrior, but also a cunning one. Challenging your packmate Lorag was spur of the moment, but she has had a couple of days to size you up, champion. Do not be surprised if she is prepared for a fight."

"This time, she won't be fighting as part of her own personal mating ritual," Oswall mentioned in a severe tone.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"No quarter of the clan would attack the rest, surely," Vera answered.

"I would not question the loyalty of Harriet's alphas, but the lycans below them will range from devoted to hesitant." Darahil crossed his arms as he was wont to do while discussing serious matters, "What I would be more worried about is if it was a free-for-all. It may be possible, however difficult, to incite violence between our packs if we lieutenants cannot keep them united. Then it would be a fairer fight for Harriet's followers."

"Hmm..." Oswall's gravely voice followed with advice that was more pertinent to his experience, and was spoken with less characteristic patience. "If Harriet knows that we are trying to avoid bloodshed, she may use that as leverage against us. It would be the one that strikes first that will be at fault. We mustn't be the ones to do that or it could fracture loyalties throughout our own packs."

Vera looked between Oswall and Darahil. "Yes, but after the evidence is heard, there will be doubts within her own ranks as well, will there not?"

"Quite, but not enough to reduce the threat until negligible." Oswall turned his head and waved a hand, "Is would be a gamble to rely on the evidence to convince them all. If I were in her position I would see my only escape as sewing chaos within the clan enough to escape during the confusion." Oswall leaned forward and looked at Meesei intently, "If she truly believes herself innocent, I think the trial will be far less troublesome."

"I don't understand. Why would Harriet want to tear the clan apart?" Vera asked.

Darahil attempted an answer. "If it weren't for the champion, and Hircine's forewarning, she might be alpha by now. I suspect that there is more communication between the traitor and Vile's followers than the we bargained for. More ruses to pull, had the plan not been disrupted. Remember the last ambush against Vile's followers? It was lead by Harriet, and there were those who escaped. Knowing Vile, however, he would have twisted the outcome to cause the downfall of the clan in any case. If she tries to destroy us now, it will be because she has no other choice."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

None of the lieutenants answered immediately. Only Darahil was looking at Meesei directly. Oswall appeared to be brooding and Vera was on the edge of being distraught.

"You are...absolutely sure that the poison was administered during the meeting?" Darahil asked in a deep voice, "If there was no point before or after where Jerrick could have been poisoned, I have no reason to presume Harriet's innocence. However, I will hear her out."

"She's plotting something." Oswall began with his arms crossed, "It's a mistake to let her pack to her packs. She is going to cause a schism immediately between us and them, you'll see."

Darahil wasn't taken by Oswall's recommendation. "What would you suggest that wouldn't raise the ire of her packs, Oswall? Locking her up? No. We may be followers of Hircine, but we aren't savages. Living in a community as large as this has given us the obligation to hear an accused party's defence."

"What is the point? She is guilty, is she not?"

"Oswall," Vera had wiped her eyes dry and stood up, "I am just as angry and saddened as you that Jerrick was killed. If not more. If it weren't for the clan, I would sooner have Harriet beheaded, but we still need to take care of this clan. I think she is guilty as well, but this is the most stable way to keep the clan together." Vera looked to Meesei, "You have done a good job, champion. I thank you for not letting emotion get involved, as you've demonstrated. I am of the same opinion as Darahil in this."

Oswall conceded with a grunt. "Fine, have it your way."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Before Meesei had entered the room, most wayward glances in the room were directed towards Harriet with suspicion. The only talking was brief murmurings between Meesei's packmates. Everyone had been suspecting Harriet today after what Meesei had eluded to. Now that Meesei had put forth her conclusions, the looks were lingering on Harriet, and they shot disdain from all directions. Harriet glared back at them threateningly. She was no particular threat from her as she was unarmed and outnumbered, with no time to transform and escape. Still, she emanated a presence that punished everyone's insolence.

The silence expecting Harriet's answer was interrupted early by Vera. She was as disgusted as everyone, but tears of betrayal were welling up in her angered eyes. "How could you..." Vera said in a low voice, "He trusted you. We all trusted you. You were a friend!-"

"I wasn't the one who killed your damn husband, Vera!" Harriet shouted over Vera as she stood up quickly from her seat by the balustrade. She scanned her eyes over everyone. Her own disdain fought back against their judgement. "I wasn't the one! I'll prove it all to you," Harriet's eyes stopped at Meesei, "Especially you, champion." She stabbed a finger through the air towards Meesei, "Let me show you why you're wrong in this trial you want to hold. In the meantime, my packs will follow me to the end. See that you remember that." Harriet took a step forward and spoke through grit teeth, "Now you can guard me all you like with your kids and dancing idiots, but I suggest you let me do my own defence building before I call out to my packs and start spilling blood."

Oswall started to raise his voice. "You wouldn't dare..."

"...You know I would!" Harriet shouted in Oswall's direction. "If I have to play your game I will, but don't think I won't go down fighting if you just wanna lynch me!"

Despite not offering any immediate counter-argument to Meesei, those in the room were for the most part affected by Harriet's outburst. She could have been lying through her teeth, and for that they retained reasonable suspicion, but there was doubt now as well.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

In unison, Caldris and Grolak looked at each other, not sure who should talk. Grolak's eyes went back to Meesei after a second and decided to oblige. "Ahnasha, the one with the kid, she just told us to come up here tell you to meet in a room near Najirra's. We'll take you there once we find this extra name, who is it?"

Caldris was quick to point out an extra detail. "Ahnasha went to try and find Caleb, Jerrick's son. But no one has seen him in the past day or so. She is rounding up the last couple of people you asked for right now, but we couldn't find Caleb ourselves."