Two years of living in an underground city, earmarked by the occasional mission, did not assist in the security of the pack's life. However, it did galvanise them. Each time they went out, they came back improved, until all of them were capable units in the field. That was, of course, excepting the children.
Only one mission had Rhazii and Newt tag along with the pack in that two years. That was only because it was something of a trade and negotiation mission with another clan -- nothing to do with attacking Vile's forces. With every other time leaving them in the hands of guardians within the clan, they even started to get used to their parents' being away for portions of time. It made their bond as brothers more secure than ever, especially with Newt growing to understand more of the world around him.
Even with the children being separated from their parents so often, the greatest tumult in the pack was suffered by Sabine. She was under the most consistent stress in trying to find an antidote for the soul tearing gas. Marcaille found the synergy she shared with Ariel to be quite extraordinary after a while. It began to seem as if they communicated through telepathy with how closely and efficiently they worked. Even a novice alchemist could deduce that either of them working alone could not have done half the amount of research that they pulled off within the year of Ariel's stay. Even so, the weight of responsibility was heavy on Sabine, causing her to require support from Ariel and Meesei on more than a few occasions. The closure in finding the cure was one that all the clan knew when they saw Sabine darting through the streets of the Silent City. She even burst through the door into an ongoing council meeting to announce it.
Though, the cure was bittersweet, not just for its drawbacks, but because it was found close to the end of Ariel's stay. They improved it with the time they had left, taking as much time in one another's company as they could before they said their farewells once again. It was not quite as emotional as the first time the pack left Ariel in Thorn, but there was no shortage of grief. Even Rukeewei got an emotional farewell. He couldn't escape forging an attachment with the rest of the pack over the year of his stay. In the end, Ariel promised the pack once again that they were always welcome to visit. Sabine promised that she would visit after the war, no matter what.
Once the cure was finished, Sabine had some time to pursue her previous training more closely. With Meesei's instruction and the missions the pack undertook, she advanced from an accomplished mage to an impressive one. Meesei's magic was still superior, if only because of extra experience, coupled with what she had studied from the Black Book. However, Sabine could how cast a spell to summon a whirlwind of deadly freezing air around herself, her warding had made her a stubborn magical duellist, and she was now skilled enough in restoration that she could actively assist and participate in Meesei's self-treatment in removing the trace silver from her heart.
Janius smiled in turn, bringing his arm around Kaleeth's waist. Upon her insistence, he was dressed in traditional garb as well, sans a tail hole. Janius played along, as he knew next to nothing about the ceremony without Kaleeth telling him. Although, he was able to assist Kaleeth's worries before by reminding her that their pack alpha used to be a tree minder herself. Kaleeth and Meesei were able to assemble the ceremony with much greater authenticity together.
"It is amazing," Janius said. "I won't pretend that it has been all easy. But...it's still a vivid memory, seeing him hardly bigger than my arms. I'm proud of Newt. Hmph, might not be calling him Newt after today." In a moment of pedantic anxiety, Janius looked to Kaleeth directly. "You have the sap? Is everything ready?"
The rest of the pack were all there. Fendros stood next to Ahnasha, piggybacking Rhazii, despite the young Khajiit being markedly larger than most children his age.
"Dada? Why does Newt get a special party for his birthday this year?" Rhazii asked.
"Well, little one, Argonians have a special birthday once when they're children," Fendros explained. "It's special because it's when they get their names."
"But Newt has a name. It's Newt."
Fendros grinned. "That's just a nickname, son. And not one he is likely to lose." Fendros threw Rhazii a fraction further up his back to readjust. "He'll get a true name today. Just like you got the name Rhazii."
Emerging from the gate was a familiar voice. "Sorry for keeping all you waiting!" Gallus lead Uthri, Peiter, and Tzirret to the pack with a characteristic grin on his face. "Oh, are we dressed appropriately?" Gallus asked as he placed a hand each on Janius and Kaleeth's shoulders. "We wouldn't miss something like this, not for friends like you."
"Congratulations, you two," Uthri mentioned with a smile. "We shall have to congratulate the boy, too. He looks so cute in those clothes!"
StarfrostedFox
Scrawl Banditta
Lord Zee
SkyeOfStars
Vec
corneredbliss
LaserGunPewPew
EliteCommander