Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The first leg of return journey was mostly dominated by an atmosphere of anxiety and melancholy. It might have been a time for many to work through the pyrrhic victory they were walking away from, from the traumas of that past to the implications of the future. For many, it was. The hope that the champion presented was something everyone could look up to.

In Meesei's pack, the tension from Meesei's near-death experience melted away slowly.

Fendros and Ahnasha were more cordial than usual since their disagreement, and although they tried to approach Marcaille on a couple of occasions, they did not follow through just yet. The alchemist was far too busy to teach them anything just yet. They resolved to leave it until they reached Orcrest or until there were fewer casualties to deal with. Deferring the issue seemed to reduce stress slightly and they eventually repaired their attitudes.

Janius was just about back to his old self within a day or so. He and the others assisted Sabine in finding ingredients for Meesei's medicine.

As usual, Tzirret spent much of his time with Ma'tanza. Although, more often than not, he would attempt to interact with Peiter. He was terrible at hiding his worry, which meant that their conversations were stilted most of the time. He was glad to be so busy otherwise, as it meant the visits were short and he could focus on his tasks rather than the combined stress of the rest of his pack.

Gallus was mostly absent. He tried to find more to do every day than was his fair share. His interactions with his pack became short. Stress and exhaustion was evident over his face every day.

---

It was about a week into the march. Peiter was no longer bed ridden, but Sabine continued to worry about him.

That night, Sabine approached Peiter as he was finishing his dinner. It was quiet amongst their pack, as had become the new and uncomfortable norm. "Peiter, can you come with me?" Sabine asked with a smile.

The rest of his pack didn't react much, except for Gallus. "That reminds me, I have some business to attend to." He stood up and began to walk away from the group.

---

Gallus' 'business' ended up taking him to Ri'vashi's pavilion. The two had socialised and trained since the march resumed, but they had not had any time alone. Recent thoughts and events had put Ri'vashi at the forefront of Gallus' mind for a while now.

The guards let him through by habit and he pat the entrance of the tent in imitation of a knock.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ten years? Hoo boy.

Yeah, I'll have plenty as well.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Cool. It'll be a little while before I can get it written up.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I've been trying to write a time skip post to Orcrest on and off, but I think there are a couple more scenes that would occur during the trip. I'm not sure Sabine is going to let Peiter be depressed for the entire journey without trying to do something about it. As well, I think Gallus and Ri'vashi are going to need a scene.

Is that alright with you?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I think I'm good for now.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine appeared confused and worried at Peiter's attitude towards himself, though he couldn't see her face clearly while he looked away.

For a moment, Sabine was silent in thought. It might have been mistaken for hesitation. She looked down, turned to look towards her legs blankly, and then she began to move. She lifted herself onto her knees and then lowered the side of her upper body into Peiter's lap such that her knees were near his shoulder. Then, reaching out, she gently took Peiter's short right arm in her hands and inspected it. When Peiter began to respond, she brought a finger up to his mouth and simply said "Wait." Sabine lifted the stump up and down to get the best look she could in spite of the bandages, careful to avoid any spots that elicited a sore reaction. She even channelled some kind of magic that probed the area more deeply than anyone could see with their eyes, though that didn't so much as tickle.

Eventually, Sabine let Peiter's arm go and looked at his eyes. "Now I have seen all I need to of it," she said as she brought a hand up to his shoulder and smiled. "I do not think I love you any less."

---

With a conscious effort to try and stop crying, Tzirret ceased putting tears on Ma'tanza's shoulder after a few minutes. He pulled away from her so he could simply hold her hand while they walked and tried to sniff back residual tears. "This one is sorry for being a nuisance," Tzirret grumbled. He wiped his cheeks and eyes. "You looked like you were having a nice conversation before. Perhaps we...might start that again?"

---

Gallus had not been made aware of Meesei's proposal, so he let out an overwhelmed breath through pouted lips. He knew how much Ri'vashi had to do to hold onto her position as clan leader. To suddenly have an opportunity to contribute to something bigger by leaving it all behind would have been nothing less than daunting.

"If I may," Gallus leaned in and said slowly. "Commanding an assault followed by substituting sleep for stamina potions..." Gallus looked at the empty waterskin in his hand. "Well, I can't see it doing favours for making great decisions." Gallus raised an eyebrow at Meesei. "I assume this isn't something that has to be answered within the next few seconds?"

Gallus could only really grant Ri'vashi that much right now.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine let go of her hand and brought her arm over Peiter's shoulder. Whatever happened with Gallus had to be recent. Still, he had saved Peiter's life. It was a mystery to Sabine why there would be a rift between the two.

"You are still here." Sabine said, rubbing her hand over Peiter's opposite shoulder. "We do not have to worry if we can still be here."

They relaxed for a moment, but Sabine still had questions. She turned her head slightly towards Peiter. "Did the healers say how long you will be resting for?"

---

As much as Tzirret wanted to hold back, Ma'tanza's embrace was enough to send him over the edge. His entire face strained back and he slowly lowered the top of his nose onto Ma'tanza's shoulder. At that point, his pace of walking slowed down and he let in a short breath. His weeping was not something that he wanted attention from, but it was not something he could hold back.

Tzirret spoke in pauses during his near-silent sobbing. He struggled to remain intelligible. "We...We had to leave her body behind..."

---

Gallus had little to say to Meesei's advice. There were some aspects that made him look slightly ashamed, though his lack of worded response was relieved by Ri'vashi.

Relaxing was something that Gallus felt Meesei was permeating to everyone at this point. It just made Gallus more tense. That much showed as he hastily quaffed down the last of his potion.

Gallus eyed the both of them with his head bowed slightly and his brow raised. "Is this matter of importance a private one, or...?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

At first, Sabine seemed puzzled by Peiter's words. She was silent for a few moments while she tried to think about why he wouldn't want to speak with Gallus. "Did Gallus say something to you?" Sabine asked. She held onto her upper arm. "I hope I did not make him angry by hitting him away last night."

---

Tzirret did not make eye contact with Ma'tanza. "Peiter became trapped under falling rubble when the enemy tried to raze the keep. Gallus had to cut his arm off to free him. He is alive, but...very upset and angry." Worry lined Tzirret's face and his ears went back further. "This one does not know what to do. And also..."

Again, Tzirret tried to resist his tears. He bowed his head further and swallowed as if he could keep them back. Though, he didn't want to give a white lie to Ma'tanza. Making the effort to answer betrayed a waver in his voice. "It's Irenya, she didn't..." Out of embarrassment over his own emotions, Tzirret trailed off with a shiver. He knew he couldn't say anything more without bursting into tears. Even so, his demeanour made clear everything he didn't say.

---

There was nothing that Meesei said that Gallus could disagree with. He simply nodded and frowned. Irenya's impression made him stop nodding, if only to keep in control.

"Yes, I was...extremely proud of her." Gallus spoke in a low voice. "Even though she was many years my senior, she still had much potential. I just wish I could have told her as much..." Gallus raised his chin. "Still, I can't mourn just yet. I've been trying to stay strong, like you do. I have to. Even if there are regrets, I have to look forward, especially now, at this...dangerous point."

Mid/High Casual - Divinus: The Deity Roleplay Mk.II

Sounds like the agrarian societies will also have to start cultivating their holy magicks, quick-smart.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine had her hands together in her lap and her head tilted forward to look at Peiter with concern. The way he changed the subject hinted at his struggles, at the very least. Not that Sabine imagined losing an arm to be anything less.

In response to his question, Sabine looked around to the various wounded on the cart. Most were trying to sleep. "Many people were wounded. No one from my pack was hurt badly..." Sabine lowered her eyes and swallowed. "Except Meesei. She nearly died last night. There was just so much silver in her body. Myself, some healers, and an alchemist named Marcaille, we had to stay up all night to keep Meesei alive." Sabine's voice became quiet. "I was terrified. She could have let go at any moment."

Before she looked especially low, Sabine lifted her head and pushed some hair out of her face before giving Peiter a smile. "But Marcaille is very smart. She and Meesei used a potion I made and combined it with their treatments. They were able to get almost all of the silver out. Meesei is still weak, but she will not die now. She has time to get the rest of the silver out slowly. I have made some medicine to help her this morning, which was why I could not see you before the march."

Sabine then carried her dialogue onto a thought that made her lower her brow slightly. "But, Uthri, Tzirret, and Gallus would have kept you company, did they not?"

---

"Right, ahem..." Tzirret tried to play off his awkwardness as he leaned forward again to speak to S'nishi. "It is good to hear that S'nishi is recovering. This one hopes that her wounds do not hurt too much."

Tzirret straightened and looked at the ground ahead with a forlorn look. "This one did not sleep so well. He was beside Peiter most of the night, sleeping in a chair. His pack..." Tzirret stopped to blink a few times and frowned. He was surprised at how easily his eyes burned at just the thought of what had happened. He took another breath and tried again, sounding rather monotonous in his effort to not get upset. "Tzirret's pack did not return unscathed."

---

Gallus blew a breath out of his nose, closed his eyes for a moment, and shook his head. "I'm fine walking, thank you. I'll be sure to get you some writing things in a minute." Gallus then looked away, considering Meesei's question. "Ri'vashi ought to come past soon enough. She's been doing rounds as well."

He tried to think of answers while he spoke, but nothing particularly eloquent came forth to describe Gallus' situation. It was another few moments before he just began answering with what he had. He deliberately avoided talking about himself in particular. "My pack's still in shock, frankly. Irenya's passing was...is hard. Uthri's still quite hurt, even though she's trying to comfort those around her. Tzirret is...well, he has been performing well, considering everything, but I don't doubt he's having some trouble."

Gallus took an exasperated breath in and out. "It's Peiter who's having the most problems. He's always wanted to be a warrior, so losing an arm at his age has caused him to really lash out. I even snapped at him this morning." Gallus' teeth clenched. "I saved his life and he just...said I ruined it. I was furious. I...I even hit him. He was too upset to be thinking straight, now I'm beginning to regret it." Another annoyed breath. "I'll have to have a talk to him later, once he's had time to cool off."