Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The notion of conjuring a bound fishing rod was amusing to Sabine. She could barely conjure a bound blade, let alone anything with moving parts. "I would have to ask Ahnasha if that is even possible," Sabine said through a grin, "I have never used a fishing rod before. It does not look like much, it is just standing and waiting for fish to bite bait, yes?" Sabine shifted her head, remembering something, "The last ship I was on, the crew, they used little wooden cubes and sheets of parchment, I think. They had pictures. They used them to play games. The crew did not want to talk to me, but this crew might be different. We could ask."

"This one, before he turned, he remembers a game with cards as you say," Tzirret said, before turning apprehensive, "I am curious about fishing, but I don't want to catch any dreugh."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

With Meesei's fair compromise, the room arrangements were sorted out in short order. Uthri and Fendros headed stern. Uthri gave no reason, while Fendros just followed Ahnasha. Being friends by closeness of age this point, Tzirret and Sabine took the last places starboard, even if it meant potentially sharing a bed with Leaps. Tzirret had not been so afraid of Leaps while he looked so vulnerable while wounded. That left Gallus occupying the Port room. Despite his comment, he didn't mind taking a hammock. There was no further drama at this stage, as there was a general understanding that they could probably trade rooms if they wanted.

When Peiter approached, Tzirret just looked to Sabine. He had no idea.

"Probably boring, once we get to sea," Sabine said with a wistful smile, "But there is plenty to see on the way to Leyawiin, along the banks."

"There won't be dreugh climbing up the sides of the boat, will there?" Tzirret asked.

Sabine giggled, "No. There were none the last time. Dreugh stay under the water."

"No they don't," Tzirret said, "This one read about it. They sprout legs and go onto land."

"I do not think they climb onto ships, Tzirret, don't worry," Sabine said, reassuringly putting a hand on his shoulder. She addressed Peiter again, "It might be relaxing, but ships are boring."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I thought as much. That was a quick response, haha!

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Although there were no more risks taken by the packs leading up to the Imperial City, a night of rest and the exercise of the next day brought them back into higher spirits. Whatever Gallus had said to Tzirret on the night of the ambush, it seemed to get him out of his withdrawn state, but he was still nervous as ever.

When they arrived, the relative safety from bandits in the Imperial City was quickly replaced in sentiment by its maze-like streets and stifling crowds, but they would not be there for long. Anyone who hadn't been there before took the time to take in the sheer scale of the place.

The accommodation on the ship was better than expected, despite the lack of space. Fendros immediately spoke after Ahnasha, "Yep, that is my vote as well."

"Well I've had a sore back for the last few days," Gallus said sarcastically, rubbing a clearly faked pain in his lower back, "Surely I deserve one of these doubles to myself."

Uthri wasn't impressed. "Pft, you've a snowflake's chance in the Deadlands of convincing us, Gallus. Why don't we draw straws?"

Most in the packs seemed to make non-committal shrugs and sounded mild agreement.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

All good to move on from my end.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

After a second, Gallus gave an angled nod. "Understood," he said. With that, he dropped the issue and seated himself. There was silence for a few moments and a judging glare from Fendros, but Gallus paid him no heed. What he spotted next was Tzirret's current state. He hadn't so much as whispered since Gallus had finished with the bandit. Gallus decided to get up again and walk around to Tzirret. "Hey, sunshine, come, let's have a talk."

Tzirret seemed compliant enough. The both of them walked off to a spot out of the way and spoke beyond the clear hearing of anyone else. No one doubted that Tzirret was probably coming to terms with killing someone in beast form.

The rest of the group sat quietly. The ambush had sucked out the mirthful mood they were all in before. It wasn't long before they all had to pack up and shift camp away from the carriages. The bandit leader was attached to another tree nearby the new camp, just to be safe.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

While Sabine and Tzirret did not pay Meesei much attention, Fendros and Janius looked dubious. It sounded like the drivers were a loose end now. Thinking on why Meesei would let them go caused the reality to dawn upon them. Neither of them liked it, but it was too late now.

Gallus had no illusions about the fate of the drivers. They had been innocent people, but he himself doubted that they would be convinced after the reaction they gave. Regardless, he had his own loose end to tie up with Meesei. "If I may, Meesei, I spoke to the leader," Gallus looked back at her, she was just out of earshot by the distance, "Five people thrown up against us all. It served no purpose that I can see for Vile to have sent them. She has nothing left, let alone anything to threaten us. I thought, maybe, we could let her bury her companions in the morning and let her go. She's a criminal, so she's not going to dob us in like the drivers were. I was thinking..." Gallus scratched at his upper arm, "...we send her up north with scant details. With a new life, she could be a help."

"You're seriously considering letting that highway bandit know about how to find the clan?" Fendros interjected.

Gallus addressed him with composure, "She needn't know everything. She already knows of us as lycans by now."

Fendros lowered his brow, "You saw her companions, they threatened to kill us. Why should she be any different?"

"She's a thief; they never intended for anyone to die," Gallus retorted, "Like most in her position, Fendros, she is not there because she wants to be. Regardless," Gallus gestured to Meesei with both hands while looking at Fendros, dismissing him, "I would hear Meesei's thoughts."

With a frustrated huff, Fendros silenced himself. It was baffling to him why Gallus would keep her alive at all.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sure thing.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Glancing down for a second, Gallus pulled a quick, wide smile. "You'd be surprised what beasts can do." He leaned forward and patted her roughly on the shoulder a couple of times, "I'll let you have a think about it overnight. You can give me a final answer in the morning." With that, Gallus stood up, sheathed his dagger, and walked back over to the camp fire with everyone else. Gallus had placed the bandit where they could see her, but the consequence was that she could observe them through the night as well.

"I heavily doubt that any of these ne'er-do-wells were sent by you-know-who," Gallus said to the packs gathered, "If they were, I don't think they knew it, or at least they knew not of us. I'll have a chat with Meesei as for what to do with the survivor."

Now that Leaps was stabilised and the danger had all but passed, everyone was dressed and simply coming down from the shock. Janius had gathered up all of the valuables and weapons on the bandits and loaded them onto one of the carriages. Fendros was cooking dinner. Sabine was sitting next to Peiter and a quiet Tzirret by the camp fire as well, with her knees drawn up in a familiar fashion. THough, unlike her state before the ritual, her eyes were not wide and scanning, but low and sad. Tzirret was sitting cross-legged and had washed off his bloodied hand by now, but he didn't have many words. Uthri eventually returned and was caught up with the situation.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I'd like to quickly finish up with Gallus and the bandit leader before skipping forward. It doesn't have to last too much longer.