[IC] Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

[EliteCommander]

Meesei grinned. "That you say that shows that you may be more ready than you think. A good leader knows that they do not know everything; they accept their limitations. Form a pack of capable people you can trust, and do not hesitate to listen to their advice. I am sure you know with what matters you are the expert, and where you will need help."

Meesei glanced quickly at the letter. That Sabine was receiving such sudden attention from faraway lands was unsurprising. "I would be aware that there are some clans who will just be looking to place their own people in more important positions, but that does not mean the volunteers themselves are unsuitable. At least, not all of them. Many will be seeking this opportunity to better themselves, and not for the politics of their alphas. They certainly be looking to impress you. It will be relatively easy to test their skills, but the true challenge will be to reach through whatever facade they have put on to find out who they really are. Pretty much everyone in the clans knows who 'Sabine' is, but I would say that most of them do not know exactly what you look like. At least not enough to identify you from any other Breton. You might use that to your advantage."

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine's eyes lit up in realisation. "I did not think much on how else to approach it but upfront. Perhaps I might learn more by entering without telling people who I really am. At least at first." She grinned. "Thank you for the idea."

Her smile faded as she opened her mouth to take another breath. "I will just have to try to avoid anyone who attended the feast not too long ago. I hope I can remember their faces."

Sabine stopped as she almost brought her fingers to her mouth to think. She looked down at the ink smudging her fingertips and rubbed them together. "I have an idea." She turned her eyes up to Meesei. "If I coloured my hair, do you think I would still be recognisable by the officials who came to the feast?"

[EliteCommander]

"If they were able to get a close enough look at you, possibly. Argonians would have a more difficult time discerning the more subtle details of your face, but they still might recognize you. Although, if you did more than just your hair, you might have more success. Changes to your complexion, eye color...there may be some alchemical concoctions that could accomplish that temporarily. Ariel would likely know." Meesei reasoned. "You can take some goods from our stocks and pose as a simple trader from another clan, if you arrive through the propylon chamber."

---

Kaleeth was in one of the training rooms, near to the bottom floor of one of the buildings. It was somewhat less commonly used than some of the other rooms since it was far out of the way, and the sounds of the boiling water and steam pumping through the pipes beneath them was a loud constant. Although, for what Kaleeth and the rest of the group she was currently with used it for, the noise of the pumps tended to be drowned out by taunting and cheers. They had their own, informal fighting pit, with fights that were generally far more brutal than simple sparring. There was gambling as well, but Kaleeth was far more interested in the fighting than coin. She had long been a member of these sorts of fighting rings ever since their mission to Elsweyr over a decade ago, but she had only put down any sort of wager on a fight a handfull of times, and even then, nothing truly significant. For her, it was the blood, pain, and satisfaction of victory that helped to satisfy her endlessly restless beast spirit.

Kaleeth had told Janius she had intended to fight that morning, but had lost track of the time several fights ago. She stood in the middle of their "arena", somewhat bruised, but hardly beaten. She wore a tattered and torn loincloth, as well as a few bloodstained strips of cloth wrapped around her knuckles. She generally avoided fighting with her claws, though it was not as if she needed them. There had been a time when she had not been the favorite in most fights. She had always been capable, but strength alone could not carry her to victory every time, and she had not always been terribly skilled. But, as she grew in ability along with the rest of her pack, losses became fewer and farther between. She started applying the techniques she had been taught more successfully, and her raw strength became an asset, rather than something she relied upon. Now, she mostly only fought those looking for a challenge, and most of her rounds went without bets unless someone like Lorag was her opponent. There were many who wanted to see her in a fight against Ri'vashi, but as of yet, no one had been able to convince her to join. Her current opponent was a tough Nord in his own right, and was just coming off of a win of his own, but he had not yet even touched Kaleeth.

[Muttonhawk]

"Ariel's business is still primarily in cosmetics," Sabine reminded. "I am sure she could help."

---

They were setting out today. Janius double-checked the supplies they had packed. He made Julan triple-check his belongings, especially for anything perishable that the swamp would take as a casualty.

As for Kaleeth, Janius knew where she would be even if she had not told him beforehand. The fighting pits were as often an attempt to relieve her own anxiety as her beast spirit's. However, with how soon they would be leaving, she should have been back a while ago.

The smell of anger and excitement near the training room was soon joined by the smell of blood and sweat. Janius walked in unnoticed behind the small crowd as it jeered and shouted. It took him a moment to find a view of the ring, less time to spot Kaleeth. He smirked and crossed his arms when he saw her opponent. She could have this one last fight.

[EliteCommander]

"I would think so, though perhaps we should save the business for the end of the visit. I have everything I need with me, so I will follow you to meet up with the others, unless you require privacy, of course." Meesei replied.

---

To an ignorant observer, the larger Nord might have seemed to have some physical advantage, but everyone present knew well that Kaleeth's size was misleading. For the Nord, he was having a hard time even approaching her. Every slight mis-step, every brief moment of over-aggression, was punished with a hefty punch. Even Kaleeth's fighting style was as odd as it was effective. Despite being an Argonian living among Nords, she fought nothing like either of them. To one educated in such things, the core of her style was reminiscent to the Khajiit Whispering Fang, thanks to the training Ri'kalesh had given herself and Janius during their mission in Elsweyr. It had been the starting point that she had built upon and evolved from ever since.

Even just watching for a short time, Janius would be able to see that Kaleeth was in full control of the pace of the fight. The Nord tried to feint, then jab for her gut, but she grabbed his wrist and pulled him in while jamming her knee into his abdomen. She could easily hold the advantage in a grapple, but she seemed to release him on purpose just to deliver another punch to his chest, then allowed him the time to recover.

After another two attacks from the Nord with an equal lack of success, Kaleeth let out a subtle sigh, looking as if she were bored with the fight. It lasted for just a few moments before she one more started to stare down her opponent with much more intensity. Instead of allowing him to initiate his attacks, she started to step forward, slowly, but with purpose. The Nord, to his credit, side-stepped and delivered a jab that could punish her less cautious movements, or at least force her on the defensive. However, unfortunately for him, Kaleeth had already decided against fighting "optimally." She simply accepted his jab to deliver an even stronger strike of her own. A flare of pain pulsed out from Kaleeth's ribs, but she knocked the breath out of him, and this time, she did not allow him to recover before going straight back on the offensive. The Nord fought back, landing hit after hit. A punch to Kaleeth's jaw, kicks strong enough to nearly fracture bone, and all of which Kaleeth should have been fast enough to block. But, for all of the injuries the Nord was delivering, he was receiving even worse.

Based on some of the cheers and anticipation in the expressions of a few of the members of the crowd, they had seen this from her before.

[Muttonhawk]

Janius was subdued compared to the roaring spectators around him. He knew Kaleeth's tenacity and fighting skill well, though he did not often watch her in these fighting pits. Watching Julan or tending to other duties almost always kept him too busy. In this, he realised for the first time just how adept Kaleeth had become in hand-to-hand fighting. She made it look easy. Her practice had paid off.

Still, Janius never could shake off the empathetic twinge he felt every time Kaleeth suffered a hit like her opponent was dealing out. He hoped she would finish the bout soon without leaving both her and the challenger in a bloody heap.

What would her tribe think if she returned so wounded?

[EliteCommander]

In the few moments longer that the fight continued, Kaleeth showed progressively less and less of the expert technique she had demonstrated throughout the fight, instead opting for pure ferocity. If he could look closely enough, Janius could see that primal force in her eyes that had been such a problem for them in the past. No matter how much control she gained, it had never truly gone away; she merely knew better how to live with it. Right now, it was relishing each blow she delivered, and even those she received. Kaleeth's nose was bloodied, and many of the scales on her arms and chest were discolored from bruising, but in this straightforward slugging match, Kaleeth could easily outlast her opponent.

Eventually, the pressure that Kaleeth was putting on the Nord reached the point where he was no longer effectively fighting back. Kaleeth continued to let out a satisfied shout with each punch, hitting two against his arms, then getting one around to his stomach. He lurched forward, and was met immediately with a blow to his jaw.

"Alright, alright, I give. You got me." The Nord managed to stammer out, just intelligibly enough that Kaleeth was able to bring herself to stop, albeit reluctantly. For a few seconds, there was a genuine disappointment on Kaleeth's expression that she was no longer able to fight. She stopped, taking in a long, deep breath to immerse herself in the scent of blood in the air. It fed her beast's desires, but ultimately, it did not bring her into any risk of losing control. She was more than experienced enough to know her limits, and what could trigger the beast. Ultimately, the fighting was helpful for her mental state in the long run.

[Muttonhawk]

With the winner more than conclusively realised, a short cheer emerged from the crowd and Kaleeth's combatant limped back to his friends with welts and bruises already bulging from his beaten body. Janius took the moment of moving and shaking between then and the next fight to shoulder his way through to Kaleeth.

"You sometimes make me wonder why you need to wear armour at all, my dear," Janius said with a smile. He mostly spoke to get her attention as he approached. "I don't want to cut your fun short, but you've been down here a while. Julan and I are all packed and ready."

[EliteCommander]

Between the two of them, it was clear which of the fighters had received the worst of the punishment, though it was not as if Kaleeth had emerged unscathed after having ignored her own defense in favor of indulging in the attack. But, such superficial injuries were not something that typically concerned lycans, and Kaleeth in particular. With their regeneration, it generally required a severe maiming to create lasting injuries, and Kaleeth was a step even beyond that level of durability. An Argonian werecrocodile, specifically, had perhaps the most stellar regenerative properties of any creature in Tamriel. She was bloody and bruised now, but was not likely to have a scratch on her within a few hours. Although, the confidence her robust nature gave her could be a curse as much as a boon. In combat as well as in training, Kaleeth had become more willing, over the last few years, to accept injuries if it meant accomplishing her goals, and she was not invincible.

Kaleeth look surprised, then suddenly embarrassed when Janius finally called her attention to him. For a few, brief seconds, she had that look of innocent confusion that had been so common for her early in their relationship. Of course, it did quickly fade into a normal sort of embarrassment. "Oh, um, has it been that long? Sorry, I was just trying to clear my head with some fights, and...I guess it took...longer."

One of the more enthusiastic Nords in the crowd, meanwhile, peered back up at Janius and Kaleeth behind him and let out a brief chuckle. "Heh, what's the matter Kaleeth? Your wife come to drag you away from your fun?"

Kaleeth tilted her head to the side, again caught off guard. "Huh? What do you mean about a wife? Janius is a man." She said, not understanding the joke.

[Muttonhawk]

Kaleeth's return back to her bashful self would have been jarring after such a savage performance, but Janius expected it by now. Having both traits added to her charm in his eyes. Janius opened his mouth to respond when they were interrupted.

Janius smirked at the joke. Back in his youth, he might have taken the slight with more aggression. He instead looked across to the Nord and angled his head to reply to Kaleeth. "I think he's making a claim about my strength," he said in good nature. "Do you think he wants to fight? I can spare time for a bout."

[EliteCommander]

The Nord's face, for a brief moment, flashed a hint of anxiety, or perhaps fear, at Janius' challenge. Despite the man's former confidence, Janius' ability was just as famous among the clans as the rest of his pack's. It took the Nord a few seconds of stammering longer before he came up with an excuse. "I'd, uh...love to, but...we can't really have two fights in a row without bets, now can we? Got to keep the coin moving or some of the milk-drinkers here get agitated. You understand, yeah?"

Even Kaleeth did not believe the Nord's excuse, though now that her mind had returned to their planned trip, she had other worries going through it. "I guess we should probably go now. I, uh, still need to go pack my supplies, but that shouldn't take too long. I'll...OH! Wait, I still need to stop by the blacksmith and get my armor. I meant to do that yesterday; I don't even know if it's going to be fitted right. That could take a while, and...if you're ready, then Sabine is probably ready too. Oh, I'm going to be holding everyone up, I just know it. I'm so sorry! Could you please, please pack my supplies up too? I need to run over to the forges...I'll make it up to you, I promise."

[Muttonhawk]

Janius kept his good natured tone. "Understood completely," he said. "If ever you change your mind, friend, just say the word."

There was little point making more of an example of the man. He had lost face. What was left unsaid allowed Janius to remain genial and, at the same time, not to be trifled with. Just like he liked it.

Besides, they were still on a time limit. Janius chuckled at Kaleeth's forgetfulness and shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Kaleeth. Julan and I will get your things together. I'm sure Sabine will understand." He brought a hand to her arm. "I'll meet you at our chambers, okay?"

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth gave Janius a quick kiss in thanks, then rushed away as quickly as she could. She was away for about an hour, which was likely longer than Sabine and the others had been expecting to need to wait, but still quite quick considering all she needed to do in that time.

When Kaleeth returned to their chambers, Meesei, Janius, and Julan were all present and waiting. Ironically, it was actually taking Sabine longer to speak to Karl than Kaleeth had needed. In lieu of her usual heavy dwarven armor, Kaleeth was wearing a set of chaurus chitin armor much like Fendros', though heavier. They were not planning on any fighting during their travels, but they would be heading into the depths of Black Marsh, which was unquestionably dangerous. Her usual armor was ill-suited for that environment, and chitin was about the heaviest armor she felt that she could get away with. Otherwise, she was carrying her usual sword, shield, and mace.

"Okay, I'm here. I am so sorry I took so long. I forgot about my armor yesterday." Kaleeth said immediately before raising her brow towards Meesei. "Oh, hello. I didn't expect you to be here, Meesei. Are you going to be taking us instead of Sabine?"

Meesei nodded. "No, Sabine is just taking some time to try and convince Karl to join us. She should be back any minute. I managed to make some free time for myself, so I thought I would join her in Thorn."

[Muttonhawk]

The time waiting was passed with patient sitting around. Checking over all they packed was only going to occupy so much time with how light they were travelling. If there was any silver lining, Janius got to take the time to chat with Julan about what he was up to. Janius' busy lifestyle made him realise just how few times he could just sit and talk with his son. He hoped it would be an indication of the rest of the journey.

By the time Kaleeth arrived, most of the conversation was spent. They were all rearing to go.

Janius stood up to greet Kaleeth. "You're not too late, dear," he said, before he walked around her to regard her new armour. "Those armourers do a fine job, don't they? We'll have to take care not to give people a fright at the sight of you." He almost laughed. "How does it fit? Is it what you wanted?" Janius even gave Julan a look. "What do you think of mother's new armour?"

Whatever answers they had, it was just enough time for Sabine to arrive. She walked around the corner, arms-locked with the familiar face of Karl, staring absently -- if nervously -- ahead and tapping the stone in front of himself with a thin cane. In contrast, Sabine had a genuinely happy smile on her face. They carried a knapsack each on their backs for the journey, along with Sabine's usual shoulder bag.

"Sorry we are late," Sabine said. "We had to finish some last-minute business."

"It's rude to disappear without notice, I would have offended someone, either way," he said jokingly. It did not quite alleviate the anxiety held in his slightly hunched shoulders.

[EliteCommander]

Julan scratched his head, obviously surprised to have his opinion asked, which caused it to take a few moments longer for him to even form it. "Oh, well, um...it's pretty hard. They gave us chitin armor to practice with in training because we have plenty of it. It's heavier than I thought it would be. I wanted to try to wear one of those real metal suits, but the blacksmiths say it would be a waste of metal to make full suits that aren't adult-sized. It just felt...weird to wear armor made of chaurus shells when we also hunt with chaurus and everything. Living ones. Seems like they would get mad at that, or something."

When Sabine returned, Meesei was glad to see that she had been able to convince Karl to join them. She was sure that Ariel would be overjoyed to have them all present. "Well, you have the highest deferment possible from your responsibilities, so you can feel free to clear your mind of worry and enjoy the moment. Kaleeth just arrived a few minutes ago, so you are actually precisely on time. Sabine, will you help me with the portal?" Meesei requested as she already began to cast the spell. All of their supplies were packed and ready, most of which would be going with Janius, Kaleeth, and Rhazii. They would be without access to teleportation for an extended time, so they had several large bags worth of various supplies, selected to last for as long as possible in the swamps.

To avoid alarming anyone, the group's portal brought them at least a few minutes walk away from being in sight of the city. The immediate area around them was, of course, swampland like any other in Black Marsh. For the humans of the group, it was like stepping into a sauna in comparison to the mild, even cool air of Blackreach, and they did not have the famous beauty of Thorn around them to greet them. Though, that would change quickly once they approached the city. "Do you three think you will want to stop in and visit for a while as well, or do you want to set out right away." She asked, looking towards Janius and Kaleeth.

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine stepped up to assist Meesei without a word. Between the two of them, opening the portal was down from difficult and draining to plain hard work. Sabine shook for a moment in the process. She noticed herself doing so at times when she felt the Staff of Magnus absent.

Janius blew a breath out between his teeth when he stepped into Black Marsh. He was immediately less comfortable but the feeling was familiar to him.

On contrast, when Karl stepped through with Sabine's help. He breathed heavily through mouth for a while. "The air, it's so thick," he said.

Sabine responded over the sounds of insects and frogs around them. "This is Black Marsh. Very humid. It will be better at Thorn; there is an ocean breeze that helps."

"I should have worn lighter clothing," Karl remarked.

A few moments later and the entire group was on the other side. The sun, high in the blue sky, beat down on them all. But they were only at the beginning of their journey.

Janius gave Kaleeth an asking look after Meesei asked her question of them. "It would be nice to go and say hello, but we cannot spare too much of the day. What do you think, Kaleeth?"

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth tapped a claw against her chin for a few moments in thought, though it was honestly not much of a debate for her. As much as she was trying to hide it, the return to her home was frightening for her, and catching up with Ariel would provide yet another way to distract her mind from it. "For a few minutes, at least. We're already here, so it can't really hurt, and Julan will finally get to meet her properly."

Julan had technically met Ariel before, but as he had been quite a young hatchling at the time, he did not have many strong memories of her. Of course, he had heard plenty about Ariel, and particularly about her contributions to the clans. She was not as well-known around the clans as the Champion's pack, but she was immensely well-respected, and even Julan could understand why.

The group had started out towards Thorn, and it was only a few minutes before the trees thinned out and the city came into view. It was every bit as beautiful as Meesei remembered, particularly with the effort the city put into maintaining its reputation. The path leading up to the city walls was lined with a multitude of colorful flowers. Inside the gates, the first impression given to visitors were pristine stone buildings with walls draped in flowering vines, expertly-sculpted statues, and other artwork. Not all of the city could live up to that standard of beauty, but it was clear that they wanted to make a good impression right off of the start.

Naturally, Sabine was leading the way ahead of the group. Ariel was likely aware that Sabine intended to visit, thanks to their exchange of letters, but Sabine could not have been so specific on exactly when they would be arriving. There would probably be some surprise to their arrival, and hopefully, Ariel and Rukeewei both would be available to meet them.

[Muttonhawk]

It was decided. The group stayed together for a while longer, walking into Thorn.

To Janius, Sabine, and Meesei, Thorn's front gates were only a hint of the vast and elaborate beauty the city displayed on their first visit, during the festival they attended years ago. Still, there was little else in the world exactly like it. Even Karl's impaired vision did not prevent him from tracing the broader patterns and colours around the gates as he was lead through on Sabine's arm.

The walk through the city was not quite as they expected. Sabine kept slowing down ahead and occasionally looking down at a letter in her other hand, written in Dunmeris. They were not on the streets familiar to them the last time they visited Ariel.

"Uh, Sabine, where are we going?" Janius asked.

Sabine answered without taking her eyes off the landmarks around them. "To Ariel's new store. She moved into a larger building when she was expecting children."

"Ah," Janius nodded. "I've been living away from cities for so long, I almost forgot about such matters."

It turned out their destination was not far after all. It was in the same district as before, though not a small shop tucked away in an alley like before. On a main thoroughfare, close to where the market day stalls would set up each week, was a two story, ochre painted townhouse with a generous glass storefront, creeper vines up one corner, and a familiar looking sign. The building was closer to Argonian architecture than Imperial. It appeared to be built for resilience to Thorn's climate and was well positioned to avoid the more common floodings of the area. More notably, it was at least half as much larger than the previous store.

There was no pretending it was lavish compared to the wealthier parts of the city. Ariel was still a frugal individual. But, after the reward for helping the clans with her skills, it would make less sense for everything to remain the same.

Sabine smiled. "This is it."

[EliteCommander]

Kaleeth did look at the shop when it was pointed out, but it seemed that her attention was more fixated on the city as a whole around her. It was not uncommon for her to be awestruck at some of the places they visited if there was something about them that was new to her, but she never would have expected to experience it in a city in her own homeland. "I can't believe I never visited this place when I still lived in Black Marsh. I know the tribes don't always think the most highly of more settled Saxhleel, but...it still would have been nice to visit."

Julan, meanwhile, was staying quite close to Janius. This had not been the first time that he had visited a crowded city, but he was now at the age where his beast spirit was more of an influence on his mind. Being that he was born a lycan and was able to adapt to it gradually, it had not taken him too long to reach an acceptable level of control, but he was still a werecrocodile like his mother. It made him at least somewhat more comfortable to stay close to his parents.

Meesei stopped, taking a moment to look at the displays through the window. Apart from the time she had been helping them, Ariel had been running a shop for over a decade, and that experience showed in all the little details of how she arranged her displays to best advertise her store at a glance. Merely having coin was not sufficient to be a merchant, or at least, not a successful one. Reward or no, Ariel's business would not still be open had she not developed those types of skills. "I had wondered what Ariel would do with her reward. It seems she invested it, or at least part of it. I am glad she has found her success. Well, I think you should naturally be the first to see your sister, Sabine, so lead the way."

[Muttonhawk]

Sabine took another moment to brace herself outside of the door. If their reunion would be anything like previous times, there would be plenty of suspense leading up to the inevitable surprise.

Although, perhaps because of the new storefront providing visibility, it was Sabine who found herself surprised instead. Or at least startled as the door flew open with an excited Ariel storming through.

"Sabine!" She virtually jumped across to hug Sabine tightly before anyone could react. Ariel was just the same in personality and dress, though she had noticeably aged over the past decade. Her once-rich Auburn hair was more wiry and showed strands of white and her face was creased with the broad smile she gave. She had apparently matured just the same as the pack, if a little more gracefully, courtesy of her own cosmetic alchemy.

"It's so good to see you!" She said at a frantic pace. "I was wondering if you were going to surprise me but you keep arriving when I never quite expect, though I knew this time because of our letters-- oh, but never mind! Hello, everyone, welcome!" She released Sabine and looked around to the others. "Meesei! Hello again!"

Meesei received a tight hug, as did Kaleeth and Janius in turn. Julan was not spared from attention, either.

"My goodness, Kaj-Julan?" She said with surprise. She glanced to Janius and Kaleeth for confirmation. Janius nodded and Ariel laughed. "Kaj-Julan, you've grown like a reed! It's been so long since I last saw you but surely not that long!"

Ariel had not addressed Karl yet, though the excitement of the moment left her with too long an agenda to speak about everything before the others could respond.

"I had no idea all of you would be coming, how wonderful!" Ariel said. "Are the rest of the group well?"