Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Marod genially bowed his head. "As you wish, Champion. It is nice to get out and breathe some fresh air every now and then. Have a lovely day, all of you." And like that he folded into the crowd.

Calia had no further words. None even to see off Marod's departure out of courtesy. There was more than enough to keep her distracted, not least of which was the automaton hollowly trundling by. The only credit she was due in retaining her appearances was to keep herself walking straight-backed, evenly, and with her mouth shut.

In contrast, Rossarm had his eyes in every nook and cranny. He frowned at the details around him, sizing the place up. A few errant sights caused his upper lip to curl ever so slightly, though it was anyone's guess what exactly affected him.

"We were far fewer when we arrived here," Fendros said. He rathered speaking himself than walking with the entire group in silence. "Only a few dozen packs from Cyrodiil. Now, this is where everyone goes in Hircine's world. A crossroads, I suppose."

---

In response to Do'rhajul, Sabine nodded firmly. "Thank you."

On the way up the tower, the grey Argonian woman tracked a passing spider with her eyes before looking ahead and asking. "How much should Tarna know about this...vampire?"

"She is very old," Sabine said in a hushed tone. "Very powerful. Strange. Not unreasonable. But...not kind either. Not kind to most people, that is." She glanced back. "Be wary, Tarna, and polite. Be ready to get behind Rhajul. You will not be able to ward her or hide from her."

A hint of fear flashed over Tarna's eyes, but she quickly grew determined and nodded.

They continued up and up until they were halted by the spheres. Sabine and Tarna's heads shot up to look at Hal-Neesa.

Sabine's voice started small. She felt her knees shaking just a little. "Greetings Hal-Neesa." She took another breath. "Um...The scholars are okay. I apologise, Meesei is out right now." She wished she was better at speaking. "We were wondering...would you tell us why you became upset? And what are you doing up there?"

Divinus: The God RP, Mk. III. Finished in Record Time™!

Kirron

Long, smooth oarstrokes took Kirron through Fengshui Fuyou most rapidly. The place was oddly quiet. Kirron admitted to himself the lapping of the water was a nice change of pace. No wonder Shengshi was real soft if this was his home. At least the mud worms were tasty.

All errant thoughts, of course. Kirron was here for a greater reason than exploration. His narrowed eyes and severe face showed as much.

He muttered under his breath. "Almost there..."

Sure enough, through the low layer of mist a grey shape appeared. Jutting out of the water and stretching up to Kirron's right in a great, growing limb laying halfway rested in the rivers system, falling with softly spraying waterfalls. A finger of raised land leading up to the heights of the world spring. But it was toward the end of this finger that Kirron steered his beverage-laden vessel.

The prow pointed to a sunken cave opening. Kirron slowed down only enough to prevent the hull splintering against the rocks, letting his boat drift silently into the darkness. He sniffed at the air and hummed a low, gravely note that reverberated from the stony walls.

The cave itself held just enough water to float on, but its walls and ceilings were hardly accommodating. Kirron had to lay flat to squeeze under some passages, and even had to dive under the water and drag the boat and his booze along with him in other places. The winding halls branched often into short dead-ends, loops, or passages to some other unknown abysses, but Kirron never strayed, following his nose as he did.

Finally, after an uncounted amount of times where Kirron or his boat almost got stuck, he saw light around a corner. A breeze rushed by him front-on. It had the strongest smell yet. Carefully, he rowed. Faint dripping echoed. His boat cruised into the light, Kirron leaning forward to frown at what he saw -- a vast natural cavern with more than enough water to moor.

Not water. Blood.

Kirron looked up. The cavern's ceiling was crumbled away in places, showing a bright morning light streaming in. He looked down. The blood pooling here was a mix of familiar and unfamiliar. He looked across. Rivulets of blood seeped from the cavern walls and dripped from stalactites above. All fed the pool he floated on.

Kirron slumped back, lips parted, and sighed. "So this is it." He thought out loud. "This is why you put me here."

An odd fatigue overtook Kirron's body. He let his eyes drift shut and sat listening to the pit-pit-pat-dripping of the blood.

He lifted his upper lip in disgust. "What, is this the time for moping? You've got more you can do." He opened his eyes and leant back on his wine barrels, weaving his fingers together behind his head.

A small tweak let his liver release the special ingredient saved up from Shengshi's drinks.

"Heh..." He quirked a grin. "Heh...heheh. Heheheh..." His belly pulsed with every laugh. "HehehehahahaHAHAHAHAHAHA!" He drew in a great breath and bellowed out into the echoing chamber. "HAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Is that all that has been spilled so far!?! This place will hardly be large enough!"

Kirron continued his nigh-uncontrolled laughter for long enough to row to the edge of the pool, step off, and, with braced feet and a great breath in, slam his fist into the stone. Cracks formed to frame the bellowed-out earth as a section of wall crumbled. Kirron laughed again and threw his other fist forward. Onward he dug for as much blood as Galbar would require.

Drunken Excavation, the Best Kind of Excavation

Kirron travels through Fengshui Fuyou's natural connection to the single cavern that is the raw Horizon Grotto. It's relatively easy to get to because there's not nearly as much blood being spilt right now, so it ain't exactly gushing the stuff. Still, it's a winding, branching cave that is conventionally dangerous as flooded caves go.

Kirron beholds the grotto and shows mixed feelings on the matter. He decides not to dwell on it and instead allow himself to get under the influence of Shengshi's booze. (Blood borne toxins are not too bad for him to deal with, as it turns out).

In his drunken stupor, Kirron quickly realises that the grotto is not nearly big enough. With a seemingly endless peal of drunk (gallows?) laughter, he punches the walls to bring the grotto to the appropriate size.

Might Summary

Before: Kirron - Blood - 10 MP - 20 FP

-8 FP: Shaping Horizon Grotto to its appropriate size.

-5 MP: Acquiring the Strength portfolio. (Unlocked with 10 FP from the 20 FP continent raised in turn 1)

After: Kirron - Blood, Strength - 5 MP - 12 FP

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The reactions lined up with Meesei's expectations. Rossarm kept his eyes down, not out of disinterest, but almost as if he had a reason not to look. Calia, on the other hand, had the same speechless amazement turning her head up and around and taking it all in at once as Meesei had seen plenty of times before.

"But this...this is a Dwemer structure!" Calia exclaimed. She spun around to Meesei. "But how would you bring armies in and out? All on your own?"

"Chambers, mother," Fendros interjected. "Meesei worked out how to get propylons working- May we move on?" He gestured to the stairs, looking uncomfortably at Meesei.

Calia finally remembered to close her mouth. She spoke with a bewildered laugh behind her words. "I was expecting a village in the woods. Nothing like this."

---

Sabine eyed each and every scholar, even leaning around the man talking to her at times. She only stopped when she was satisfied that no one was hurt. "We will go and speak to her." Sabine said. "You should...all of you should start packing up. Immediately. She is bringing your belongings out because she does not want you inside."

While Sabine did not have the most authoritative voice, but she was high ranking. Do'rhajul's presence also lent weight to her words, she found.

"Francois, please help packing up here." She continued. "Everyone, we will tell you when it is safe to return."

Sabine turned and started towards the tower door but kept her ear open for any parting questions.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Calia took a moment to tear her eyes away from the magic Meesei weaved in her hands. She cleared her throat. "I shall accept your offer. I can fare you well there, Rossarm."

Rossarm nodded. He had narrowed his eyes at Meesei's magic but did not show any other reaction.

---

Sabine shook her head. "Stay for a while. Um, please. We need to save time. What did you say your name was?"

The portal opened up with Sabine and the Scholar stepping through first. Sabine's eyes were on every detail the moment they set foot on the other side, alert for any signs of danger.

Behind them was Do'rhajul, standing tall with his sword drawn, if held low. Though ready for a fight, he was mostly covered by a hooded cloak and a scarf. In spite of his size, he had an easier time during the day by staying scarce.

Finally, creeping in Do'rhajul's shadow was a younger Argonian woman with stony grey scales and a small crest spanning back over her head. Her eyes looked nervous but ready for action. She wore a light chitin armour under a covering of vaguely camouflaged clothing, and on her belt was a green glass dagger and sword.

"I think...she has not become violent," Sabine thought out loud while observing the scholars without the building.

The Argonian did not put herself at ease. "Should I circle around? See what's inside?" She asked, heavily accented.

Sabine shook her head. "No. She will know we are here soon. Stay with me."

They approached the perturbed scholars. "Excuse me," Sabine asked unsurely. "Can you tell me what happened here?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The short walk out of the city had not a word spoken between anyone in the group. Even Marod, usually so eager to probe the personalities of those around him, kept his mouth shut, only occasionally throwing glances between Rossarm and Fendros.

With Calia in tow, Rossarm's demeanour did not change from his neutral, if somewhat tired and distant appearance. He did not respond to Meesei's explanations at all. Fendros avoided eye contact.

Calia moved as elegantly as ever, though even her eyes were drawn to the ground. "Is your clan's home far from here?" She asked.

---

Saras did raise true points, but Sabine was under no illusions. Hal-Neesa was the single most powerful creature in their entire city. Without Meesei, no one would help matters in any sense that she could see in that moment. Her hands tightened further. She wished she knew where the Staff of Magnus had been hidden.

"I will just bring my pack," she answered, almost as if downplaying the issue. "I will need Tarna's help to travel there anyway."

Sabine had been quiet about her new friend from Thorn's lycan clan. Saras would have known about her, though few others would. It would be a trivial matter to collect her and Do'Rhajul within a few minutes.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rossarm listened to Meesei then turned his head to Calia. Calia looked back at him with a frown and and nodded towards Meesei. Rossarm eyed Meesei for just long enough to give the impression that he was looking for deception.

He finally answered with a surprisingly resonant voice. "I'll help you. You need not know more."

---

A few details ran through Sabine's mind. Her eyes wandered. She recalled Karl mentioning the name of the tower at some point, though its exact details escaped her. A lot of moving parts was all she remembered, and that narrowed little down in the realm of Dwemer ruins. What concerned Sabine more was Hal-Neesa's knowledge of Dwemer technology and the attitude shown when delving too deeply into it.

"We should go after her right now," Sabine resolved. "Is the tower close by?"

She unconsciously tightened her hand. Even now she could not shake the wish to have the Staff of Magnus in her hands at the prospect of confronting Hal-Neesa.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The wait at the inn lasted longer than anyone present would have preferred. Fendros, Ahnasha, and Rhazii were tense enough as it was, though even Marod showed hints of restlessness after a while. Upon being asked, Marod merely put his demeanour onto how busy he has been, preferring that he had brought some work with him. He continued into striking up small talk, which Fendros did not appreciate. The way Marod spoke always seemed as though he was robbing you of all your secrets with every twitch or hesitation in his presence. He even tried underhandedly suggesting to Rhazii that he might have a place in the Imperial legion. At that point, Fendros lost his patience and firmly silenced them both, silencing everyone else in the process. Rhazii soon after stepped outside to find a space to perform his sword drills on his own.

Each time the door opened from the outside, everyone's heads would turn. There were few enough patrons and staff, but more than a few disappointments. They were considering ordering lunch by the time the door opened to reveal two familiar Dunmer.

The first to step into view was Calia. She wore the same clothing as she had to pick up the writ -- a modest dress and a silver bracelet. Behind her was the dour visage of Rossarm, who wore an entirely different garment to anything any of them had seen him in. It was a robe of sorts, made with lightweight purple-dyed fabric, covering hints of what appeared to be some kind of sturdy-looking and subtly decorated leather armour. He also carried a small knapsack over his shoulder.

Fendros stood up carefully. He and Rossarm met eyes and lingered in their stare, both their faces stern and ready to act. Calia took steps towards the group and clasped her hands. Rossarm followed along. They stood side by side, Rossarm scanning his eyes judgementally over each person present.

Calia cleared her throat. Rossarm did not speak first.

---

Sabine had been instructing a few other alchemists in working with difficult ingredients at the time Saras made his entrance. Marcaille's language was disruptive to the extend that Sabine did not carry a particularly strong voice to speak over her, but Sabine had been used to the seniority of her rank and skill for some time now.

She looked up from her evaporating glass with curiosity, glancing over Saras' shoulder at the scholar he brought with him. Her eyes took on a little worry at the mention of Hal-Neesa.

"I see," she said to him. "Um...I'll come with you. Zara, would you show everyone the rest?" Sabine pinched her own fingers and started on a walk out with Saras. She continued when they were on the move, away from spying ears. "Did she say why she wants to see Meesei?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Yeah, Marod would agree to make a writ. I don't think there would be any surprises from him in that exchange.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The only thing I had planned was a short scene showing Rossarm's decision. Maybe a quick continuation of Narsi and Lorag's as well. I reckon we should still stick to two scenes at a time, though, so we can do any two of them.

As a personal vote, I'm most curious to see how Julan goes with his marks.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Janius allowed himself a small smile. "At least the Hist had the courtesy not to tell us whether that would happen. Let's do our best not to fall. Even if we're sacrifices, we have Kaj-Julan as well."

It was nothing they did not already know.

After a moment, Janius' tone grew lighter. "Did your mother say anything about me? Am I still low in her regards?"

---

"We'll come up with something," Fendros said.

Calia, though noticeably relaxing now that their talk was drawing to a close, remained slightly unconvinced. "I shall not interfere with whatever you decide to do regarding your family. They are pleasant company, Ahnasha. I am glad to have finally met them." She briefly pursed her lips. "Take it from one who grew up with idols of Mephala. The best webs are the ones that require the fewest threads..."

"...If you catch a fly without a web, you've weaved better than any." Fendros finished for her. "I fear we may have a few too many threads already, but we shall make do."

Calia and Fendros began standing up.