Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The crowd seemed indifferent to the letters for the most part. There appeared to be an understanding among them all as to why they chosen few were trusted by Jerrick. Apart from that, there were scant whispers passed around with Meesei's description of the poisoning. It was nothing that induced particular surprise or fear, but it was a confirmation of some suspicions.

All those requested to stand as witnesses to the test of the poison walked onto the dais without hesitation. Sabine was last to move, but she was encouraged by a pat on the shoulder from Carana. There was a short pause after Meesei's first question where Carana and Sabine glanced at one another, waiting for one to talk. They both breathed in at the same time and stopped again. Sabine preferred that Carana do the talking and gave her a quick nod.

"We tested the mixture of the poison and water in Jerrick's water skin," Carana started slowly as the explanation formed in her mind, but she quickly gained confidence. "To normal tests for poison, it was resistant, going into some useless state of black muck that refused any reaction. Sabine and myself have not seen any property that could do such a thing, so we concluded that the origin of the poison had to be from some kind of complex magic, or otherworldly ingredients and methods." Carana was careful not to specify that it was Vile that made the poison, she had no proof of that and didn't want to make people jump to the wrong conclusions. "Failing any way to identify it further, we instead set up a test to see how long it took to take effect upon the body of a lycan. This was done by making a...sort of fake life with a human heart. A kind of weak necromancy, but not quite the same as the undead you might think of. Simply put, we would add the poison to the system and measure how long it took to die. This time - give or take about an hour or two - would be the same time taken for the poison to kill Jerrick after he drank it." Many in the crowd looked slightly lost, but Najirra was looking on with full interest. "With Jerrick's time of death given, our test concluded that he would have to have been poisoned some time between the start of the meeting of the lieutenants that day, and that mid afternoon, about half way between lunch and dinner. We repeated the test in the same way with everyone here with us patiently watching -" Carana gestured to the witnesses, "- and that yielded a result with no significant difference."

A moment passed where it was clear that Carana had finished. Without shifting much, Najirra peered to the witnesses. "You can all confirm this? None of you have heard a falsehood from Carana. Speak if you have."

All of the witnesses gave affirmative nods. None seemed dissatisfied with Carana's story.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

So, looking back, I just realised that I originally created Najirra with the name Najirri. It's probably not the first of the names in this place that I've mangled, but whatever.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

There was a rustling of parchment as Najirra reached into his tunic and pulled out his rolled up letter and laid it flat against the table. Caldris and Grolak exchanged glances and hesitated.

Najirra's eyes shot up from his letter and he gestured to them both. "Caldris, Grolak, please come forth and present to this table, your letters." Grolak strode forward with confidence, but Caldris was a little slower in her pace. Both arrived at Najirra's side and placed their letters on his table for consideration.

"Najirra," Caldris murmured discretely, catching the judge's attention halfway through reading Grolak's letter, "The way that Jerrick proved his authenticity is...sensitive. I would appreciate it if-"

"I will see for myself," Najirra interrupted Caldris with a wave of his hand. Caldris' eyes darted around. Normally she had a cold demeanour, but now she was nervous. She kept her eyes on the ground and her hands behind her back while Najirra read the letters.

Barely another minute passed before Najirra cleared his throat and addressed everyone again. "I will read out these letters for the satisfaction of the trial, beginning with my own." The Khajiit slid the bottommost letter from the table and held it partway up.

"'Najirra, dear friend.

I need you to cast your mind back years ago. When I was but a boy, indoctrinated into this clan after wandering the wilderness you were there, as you were for many others before and after. I remember your calming tea, your way of reading others, and your magic. Most of all, though, I remember the only time I was ever able to surprise you. It was in one of our cave hideouts, seeing through the winter. We were talking in private, I was lamenting the death of my friend, Caleb, to lycan hunters. He was a close friend, as befitting the namesake of my son. Up until then, I was a wilful child, I was quick to anger and blame. When I told you that day that the only thing I wanted was for those hunters to not hurt anyone any more. It was so against my nature that you laughed at me. I was confused until you explained that you hadn't felt surprise from one such as me in a long time. If you can remember this, you will know that it is me that is writing this and not a forgery.

If you are reading this, I am dead.

Not a few nights past I received a vision from our lord Hircine. I am destined to be murdered by my closest in rank, enabled by the machinations of our now adversary, Clavicus Vile. This will be to the end that I can only assume will resemble this clan's utter destruction. With the timing, you can see as well as I that this was planned. We have become overfull, unstable. One full moon without cohesive command could have us tear each other apart. All is not lost, however. Lord Hircine mentioned he would send assistance before it was too late. I could not have imagined that it would be our lord's champion, Meesei. With all else, there is no coincidence in her arrival. We have conversed, Meesei and myself, and I believe she can be trusted to keep this clan together. You, my friend, are receiving this letter as I believe you can be trusted to hold high the fate of this clan over any affiliation to my lieutenants. Additionally, all know you to be this way, neutral to squabbles of succession. Please assist Meesei in finding my killer and preserving this clan however you see fit.

I'll see you on the hunting grounds,
Jerrick Dechora.'"

Najirra readjusted himself on his seat and put the letter aside, bringing up Grolak's letter. "Each letter has similar words outlining the situation, but each has different proofs of identity. Harriet, you may read these as you wish. This one will now read out part of Grolak's letter to prove Jerrick's hand here.

"'Grolak, dear friend.

Six tumblers. The second requires a gentle touch, the fourth and fifth are like harlots. Any picks you break you have to replace yourself. You were the only one to teach me how to pick the lock on the livestock door, now you understand why I asked you to replace it last night.'"

"A brief story. Grolak, can you confirm this?" Najirra turned his head to the bearded Orc man.

Grolak sniffed, "Yeah, he was the only one I taught about that lock, but more importantly, the words he used there were the exact words I used while teachin' him." He raised his voice to the crowd, "Before any o' you get any ideas, I did replace that lock with somethin' more difficult."

Najirra gestured his palm down to settle Grolak. "Thank you, you may stand aside." Najirra put the letter aside, "Now, Caldris requested that her anecdote be kept in confidence, but I can confirm its validity and Harriet may wish to read it as well. Caldris, can you confirm its truth?"

Caldris nodded, betraying a passing glance at Vera who was at the front of the audience. She walked off the dais as soon as Najirra saw fit to say "You may be now stand aside."

The few whispers that ended the affairs with the letters were silenced by Najirra speaking further. "And as this one confirms the truth of his letter, Meesei may continue where she left off."

Even though the letters stayed in a neat pile beside Najirra, Harriet made no motion to inspect them.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Though both were standing by him for support, Najirra slowly walked across the clear dais with only one of his daughters supporting his arm. In his other hand was his cane, shivering with his elderly frame as he strained to support himself. He smiled and nodded politely to Meesei upon receiving the staff that would serve as a gavel might in other courts. As his small steps slowly lead him to the table presiding over both sides, the crowd murmured, but it was not a perturbed tone. Rather, most people were surprised that they could not guess Najirra to be the judge. It seemed so obvious that he would take the role on. If anything the atmosphere's tension was relaxed slightly. Najirra's wisdom was known to all.

Najirra lowered himself into his seat and quietly dismissed his daughters. They walked to the edge of the rope behind his chair, ready to assist if necessary. They didn't seem to keen on all the attention.

"Beloved cla-hm-" Najirra put a hand to his mouth and cleared his throat. His voice did not project well. He realised this and cast a nondescript green spell about his throat before silencing the crowd with the staff. "Beloved clan," his voice was still gentle, but boomed with magical amplification, "This one has been asked to hear of the tragic poisoning of Jerrick, our late clan leader. Normally, this one tries to stay clear of issues of leadership, but under such circumstances, I would sooner lend myself to see justice served than to let this event divide us. This one will hear the stories of the investigator and the accused and pass judgement. It would be appreciated if all present could remain with their words in their minds, that I might hear what is important easily." Najirra's eyes went directly to a particular direction into the crowd, "Harriet, if you please to come forward and be seated."

As if Najirra innately knew where Harriet was standing, his gaze is where she emerged. The sour looking Orc lieutenant emerged from the crowd amongst the guards that had been responsible for her for a while now, including Lorag. They left her side as she proceeded across the dais and took her seat. By the way she sat crossed-armed, she wasn't a fan of all the ceremony, even if it was less ritual than city courts.

"Harriet Gra-Kalgodo, you have been accused of murdering our leader, Jerrick Hasset Dechora. Are you guilty, or not guilty?" Najirra's normally default smile had faded to a wide eyed studying look that was more focussed than cross or judgemental.

Harriet moved her eyes up from the table in front of her to meet Najirra's, however piercing his gaze was. "I'm not guilty," she answered flatly.

"Very well, let us begin in good faith. Our lord Hircine is not a god of rhetoric. He is, however, a patron of the chase. May the fittest of mind be proven right in this hunt for justice." Najirra leaned back and exchanged glances with both Meesei and Harriet, "Neither one of you need be reminded that truth is an axiom of this process. Speak only when given permission, and stay your beast forms." Najirra's missing words were the method of telling the truth from lies, but all that knew him were aware of his eye for such things. No lie would get past the old Khajiit.

He turned his attention fully to Meesei. "Meesei, Champion of Hircine, you have been the one to investigate this matter and have laid your accusation upon Harriet. As fitting, you may now justify yourself." He waved his hand gently in her direction, "Speak."

As Najirra waved his hand, Meesei was given a sensation of relief, almost as if she would have had a hard time speaking even if she wanted to before, but only just noticed it. An effort to detect any magical effects would only reveal tiny threads of alteration in the air when concentrated upon. Whatever power Najirra held, he was incredibly subtle with it. He clearly intended for this trial to go without descent into a two-sided rant.

Harriet just stayed cross armed and cross legged, shooting an adversarial look at Meesei while she watched and listened.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The remaining time leading up to the trial was marked with the same mix of fear and tension preceding the announcement of the trial. The lieutenants, now one less in number, had an even harder time keeping packs placated. Despite their best efforts, they could not be everywhere at once and scuffles did break out. Thankfully, alphas of the opposing packs were able to contain them to merely a few grazes and bruises. The most aggressive behaviour resulted in minor punishment. The fact that kept people from speaking out too much about the situation was the hope that the trial would form a resolution, but with the full moon so near, no felt entirely secure.

Carana and Sabine worked safely, but sacrificed sleep to get their work done. Even if Carana didn't outwardly express it, she was just as tense as Sabine was in the situation. For a while, talking amongst themselves gave some distraction, but even getting to the point of calling each other friends didn't change the greater situation around them. They shortly before the trial, they reported that the mote of substance left in the vial was indeed the same poison used to kill Jerrick. As for the cork, they had not yet determined any particular identity apart from Meesei's by the time the trial was convened.

The morning of the trial did not have any fights or scuffles, any vocal disagreements or threats. Everyone stayed to their own packs with murmurings amongst themselves. Some speculated on what Harriet might do to meet her accusations, others made plans in secret corners if any large scale fights were to break out. Any questions about such plans were flatly denied when asked about, but people seemed more fearful than angry at this point.

After breakfast, the entire clan gathered in the main chamber, not the dining chamber. The illuminated dais normally populated with scores of sparring partners was cleared off save for three tables and enough chairs to furnish the parties directly involved. The edges of the dais were cordoned off by a length of rope along the floor and a number of volunteer pack alphas that were there to instruct the meaning of the rope. No one was allowed beyond except those with express permission. Currently, only the alphas around the border and Meesei were within the rope.

The day before, Darahil had enchanted a staff to make loud and dominating claps when struck against a hard surface and offered it for the trial. Everyone was talking amongst themselves, waiting for the judge and parties to be summoned and for the proceedings to begin. Most did not know what to expect from the trial, having never seen one like this before.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sorry the post is a bit short. I have my first exam tomorrow and didn't want to leave this flagging.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

She thought as much. Sabine smiled to Meesei, then turned her head to Carana. "I learned from witches," she said without apprehension.

"Truly?" Carana raised her brow. She looked surprised, but less fearful or misunderstanding than Sabine thought she might. "That explains a few things. I've never met a witch before." She made an inquisitive hmph and resumed helping with the tests on the droplet of poison. "I dare say that we may have a lot to talk about while we work," Carana changed her tone to address Meesei again, "We will do what we can about the cork. Was there anything else that you needed, champion?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine carefully took the rag from Meesei and briefly held it close to her nose. It did certainly have traces of Harriet on it, that much was obvious. She turned to Carana, hoping that it might help. She hadn't shifted much.

"That may make things easier, thank you." Carana glanced at Sabine and Meesei in turn before continuing. "We'll do our best, but you must understand that this won't be easy. It will take some time. I can't guarantee having results before the trial starts."

"We can do it, then?" Sabine asked quietly.

Carana nodded. "I believe so. I haven't actually had to do anything specifically like this before, but there are some methods we may try." Carana gave an amused huff, "Actually there are many new things I've had to do lately. I've learned as much from you, Sabine, as you might have from me." She turned her head slightly, "While it's on my mind, where did you learn alchemy, Sabine?"

There were a few seconds of silence. Sabine wasn't ashamed or afraid so much as unsure. She looked to Meesei and spoke in a hushed tone, "This isn't really a city. Am I allowed to say?"

The Depths of Deception

"Huh, I didn't know humans liked fish," Shiva said in response to Telmeck. She held no illusions about the humans' fish being the same as masulu favourites, but it was a curious similarity. For a moment, Shiva was tempted to point out that fish weren't the only thing that masulus ate, but the necessity didn't come upon her before Rareth looked up places to go.

Shiva hadn't been to a proper restaurant in many years. With her tattoo, she would rather have kept it that way, but the cuisine that Rareth listed off made her curious. "Wait, humans eat things that are woolly? Wouldn't that get caught in your throat?" Shiva stood up from where she was leaning. "This, I have to see. Who's coming?" Shiva leaned her hands on the back of the couch she was next to and gave a smile to the rest of the team. Despite her choice of words implying that she would check it out anyway, she knew that it was probably not look good for her convict-marked self to go alone even on assembly territory.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

After being told to tone down her worries, Sabine stopped to reflect for a moment. There were enough near misses while they were with the clan that some of her worries were justified, but they were still in a safe place. The tension over the trial was being contained well.

Sabine was brought out of her worries and thoughts when she looked up curiously at Meesei in reaction to her next request. She didn't outright refuse, but her still expression told of wheels turning in her mind. After a solid moment, Sabine took a breath and half-turned to Carana, who was still standing nearby and waiting. "Carana," Sabine's voice had a little more confidence in it, "how do we find a scent like that?"

"Well, Sabine, scents always come from something, no matter how tiny," Carana unclasped her hands and looked over at the equipment they had set up, "It would be a matter of isolating it. If it is the scent of a person, it would most likely be oil or dust from skin, or sweat, or something of that nature. Picking it out would be difficult, however. We might get it just before it evaporates away, or gets sunken into the mixture again...or even sucked up our noses as we test it. The nature of isolating it would likely destroy the sample as well. If the poison already has an overwhelming scent, well..." Carana trailed off and shrugged.

Sabine turned her head to Meesei apologetically. "I'm sorry."