Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Taking Ahnasha's cue, Fendros began to strip down to swim. "I just fear that there may be times where we are forced to take an innocent life for all this." He shook his head lightly. "I don't want it to come to that."

Fendros stepped into the water after Ahnasha and took her hand, looking down at it and holding it between his palms. "What kind of things carry grand white souls? The enchanters here have more gems than they know what to do with, thanks to the mines here."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros looked at his hands. "I had hoped it wouldn't take such a large sacrifice," he said. His eyes turned up to Ahnasha. "We are in a war, though. It doesn't have to take too much longer if planned right. We can find those souls, I'm sure. The average warrior doesn't even know what a soul trapping looks like." Fendros pursed his lips. "It's afterwards that I am more concerned about. You're going to have to find someone to murder every few years? How are you going to do that?"

There was the matter of Ahnasha's age, but Fendros wouldn't address that over his other concerns unless pressed to.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros stared for a moment, blinked, looked down, and leaned back on his hands. "We can only get so many from our missions," Fendros whispered back. "And the more time we're out there..." Fendros trailed off an knitted his brow at Rhazii. He was laughing at something Julan had said.

Fendros turned his worried look to Ahnasha. "We are already absent more than I would like from our son's life. These missions. I know that this will take a lot of work, but Rhazii isn't getting any younger either. I don't want you to miss out on him growing up by shutting yourself away too long for your research. He'll miss you."

Looking ahead, Fendros lifted his knees and considered Ahnasha's words. "How many? What kind?"

---

Gallus let his arms slide free as Ri'vashi stood up. He didn't give her any more words. His frowning, tear-streaked face gave one firm nod and watched her leave.

Several seconds after Ri'vashi was out of sight, Gallus took a couple of stumbling steps backwards, landing his back against the mushroom stalk Ri'vashi had been leaning on. He slid down to the ground, his knees bent and pointed upwards. His face fell into his hands and he let out all the air in his lungs through pouted lips. Holding his breath, his eyes emerged from above his fingers, reddened once again. Some faces of people he knew in the Orcrest clan flashed in his mind and his next breath came in sharply.

He didn't rejoin the celebration for another ten minutes.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros was quietly confused by Ahnasha's words. He looked over his shoulder at her and asked. "Hurry where? Have you got an assignment today? I thought you said you were free for the naming day."

So caught up in the celebration was Fendros that mortality was hardly on the forefront of his mind.

---

Leaning the side of his head against hers, Gallus resumed his embrace of Ri'vashi. He rocked them both gently from side to side, letting Ri'vashi pour out her grief and shock.

"You know, I can't imagine your burden," Gallus murmured by Ri'vashi's ear. "I never lead a clan, I never directed a campaign..." He took a deep breath and sighed. "...I hope that what has happened to you won't befall anyone else, let alone myself. Even so, I want you to remember that we're here for you. I'm here for you, to support you. Even with what you've lost, you're not alone, Vashi." Gallus pat a hand on Ri'vashi's back and held her a little tighter. "You're not alone."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The next thing you have is a mission for the pack, right? I think it would be interesting to hear how it's handled without Meesei at the clan. I'll bring it forth when appropriate.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I think the next thing to skip to would be fairly close to the final act (unless there was anything else between now and then). I'm thinking that background thing would probably reach Saras' attention first, with him being the spy master. Did you want to hear it from me or should I play out a letter written from one of his agents?

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius had served Rhazii just as big a piece of cake by the time the nameless girl talked. He bit into his sweetcake and spoke through his mouthful, launching a few crumbs in front of him. "Bring rots o' cake! We'll all come, dff if grea'!"

---

Gallus looked around at the various giant mushroom stalks. Words came to him eventually. "If it wasn't the Orcrest clan, Ri'vashi, it would have been another. I know you have been doing what you can with the resources we have." He paused. "It doesn't bring them back, nothing will. But...we have to fight. Like we have for years now."

All of a sudden, Gallus' voice became more resolute. "There'll be a lucky break, somewhere. Perhaps even as a result of showing their hand at Orcrest. Something that'll turn this around. I have a good sense for this stuff. And even if we don't find it for another decade..." Gallus bent forward just enough to be at Ri'vashi's eye level. He had a stone face, cracked by a tear that had escaped his red eyes and left a wet line down his cheek. "None of us are going to stop fighting."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius was amused at Julan's excitement. "Of course," he said, squatting down and cutting the cake. He gave Julan a generously sized piece of the cake.

"Newt gets sweetcake before eating his vegetables?" Rhazii asked after confirming that was he was seeing was real. He tugged on Janius' leggings. "Can I have some, too, uncle Janius?"

Janius raised his brow at Rhazii. "You'll have to ask your mama and dada, Rhazii." He raise a finger. "Remember, your brother's name is Kaj-Julan now. Not Newt."

"Oh, sorry," Rhazii said quickly, before sticking his food between his teeth to hold it and scrambling up to go and ask Ahnasha for cake.

---

"Ri'vashi, that's unfair," Gallus shook his head. He understood that no immediate action would help at this stage, but her guilt was not justified in his mind. "You're a tactical genius, but even you couldn't have helped. You would have died in there and everyone needs you here." Feeling that his words weren't enough, Gallus curled his lips and exhaled.

Another idea came and he lifted Ri'vashi's chin with his curled forefinger. "Listen." He interrupted himself and blew out a sigh from his nose. He was still shaken by the news and was tripping over himself. "Answer me this; what would your father really think of you now? Sincerely? After how well you have lead the war -- after all the lives you have saved from here by your decisions? You once told me that he had his own demons, that he couldn't save everyone either. Don't think that he could be ashamed. In grief, like you? Certainly. Ashamed?" Gallus shook his head. "Impossible."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius chuckled. "Mamma and I had the same question on our minds. The thing is, a newt is just a little lizard, like you were as a hatchling." Janius tickled Kaj-Julan on the belly briefly. "But Argonians get a name on their naming day that suits how they are growing. You've grown into a kind and big-hearted child. Your mother came up with your name and it suited you."

Janius turned his head to look at where Kaj's eyes were wandering. "Come, let's get some food and you can join your friends." Janius stood up, taking his son by the hand. "It's a special day today, so you have some cake first if you like."

As Ri'vashi slid down the tree, Gallus readjusted his arms to that she could cry into his shoulder. He held his arms around the back of her neck, stroking her sympathetically.

Knowing the sheer volume of emotion Gallus himself felt when he lost his own packmates, or had them injured, the empathy he felt for Ri'vashi losing almost all of her clan made him start to well tears up in his eyes. He did not quite cry, instead he focussed on Ri'vashi's words.

"If there were survivors, that much is at least something to hold on to." Gallus said quietly. "I am sure other clans can take them in."

Gallus stayed silent, comforting Ri'vashi for a while longer. He wanted to give her all the time she needed, but with such important news, he eventually pulled back and looked Ri'vashi in the eyes. His voice was soft but serious. "Look, this is big. I can't imagine that it will be easy to think right now, but we need to do something about this." Gallus glanced over in the direction of the ceremony and back to Ri'vashi. "I can go and tell Meesei now, she can organise a meeting immediately. Kaleeth and Janius will understand, I'm sure."

Returning to a tender tone, Gallus tightened his grip on Ri'vashi's shoulder. "Are you going to be okay?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I believe so," Janius brought one palm up to Kaj-Julan's cheek. "That'll be the Hist. You're hearing it just like your mother. As long as you hear it, you don't ever have to be afraid of being alone."

Gallus thought he had an idea of what was on Ri'vashi's mind. When he found himself mistaken, he was struck dumb and the blood drained from his face. All of a sudden, the forest closed in on his perception. His brow lowered. "Gone?" he breathed in disbelief.

His head darted to the floor beside him. "How di-...how is that possible? They wer-...How could they have found them?" His eyes darted around and were caught on Ri'vashi's face. In the shock, it had passed his mind that this was more than just a devastating loss for her. "Oh..." Gallus' expression softened. "Oh, Ri'vashi, I..."

Gallus finally closed his mouth and stepped up to Ri'vashi, bringing his arms around her torso. "I'm so sorry," he whispered with wide eyes.