Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Something of a strange feeling came over Fendros, Janius, and in particular Sabine. A kind of half-relief that came with letting go of the current worry, only for background worries to conspicuously remain. There was still an endless amount of preparation to do back at the camp that they might have been doing instead. However, as Meesei's words sunk in, they could at least return her smile.

"It...would be nice to take a short break," Fendros admitted. "What did you have in mind, Meesei?"

"When in the hunting grounds?" Janius suggested to everyone with a half-smirk.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The pack united and ventured to the meeting place as a group. The thorough preparations for the invasion had kept everyone largely optimistic and motivated. However, they were under no illusions that Meesei's problem had not been solved. The mood was therefore sombre and quiet.

Ahnasha and Fendros walked hand in hand. Ahnasha would not admit to any hard feelings upon herself, but Fendros did not want her to go through any fatigue-induced negativity on her own. Indeed, Sabine was only still awake by alchemical means. Even being forced to sleep to prepare for the big day could not be enough to keep her worry from draining her. Janius and Kaleeth similarly walked with hands joined, though Janius resolved to take his optimism with them. Meesei was not doomed until she was dead, as far as he was concerned. What they all did have in common was uncertainty about the exact nature of the meeting.

Fendros was the first to step up and speak when they found her. "Meesei?" he said. "How are you feeling?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Feel free to move us forward to the next scene.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Tzirret followed suit, standing up as well. "This one is very much looking forward to seeing Gallus again. Though the memories may not be as wistful, he has missed being called 'Cloudy Cat,' somehow."

Sabine grinned. "There is no guarantee of that with the kind of person you are now. But let us go find him."

Fortunately for all of them, Sabine's position did provide the convenience of lycan officers being helpful in their search, let alone giving her the time of day. In a short enough period of time, they found both Gallus and Uthri finishing up a conversation with a quartermaster about provisions. They both had excited embraces and congratulations for Tzirret and Ko'tanza in seemingly endless supply. Gallus even betrayed tears at seeing the both of them standing pridefully in the robes of healers with their own child in arms.

Gallus and Uthri both had greyed and matured, not only in looks but in demeanor. While Uthri was always blunt and grounded, and Gallus witty and boastful, the two of them were closer and relatively subdued. They were long term mates, much to Tzirret's surprise considering their past. Whatever transformation they undertook had evidently subdued the lengths of their personas. Probably for the better, they tacitly agreed.

Gallus was a fully fledged officer as his father had wanted. He commanded over a hundred fighters. Uthri was one of them, even if she sometimes commanded him when off the battlefield.

After a while, Pieter was mentioned. He was still in the Silent City – his days of being a warrior were behind him since he lost his arm. Regardless, Sabine made a mental note to seek him out before the invasion began.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I think I'm alright. Gallus would have changed a number of ways in the intervening time, but I'm not sure there would be much to say. I reckon I'll just summarise it in my next post and we can move on.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"I know, but..." Sabine held her mouth silently open. She wished she could tell Ko'tanza the truth. However, Ko'tanza did not lie. Sabine took another second or two to let go of her response before drawing Tzirret and Ko'tanza both into a hug. Her eyes were shut against their shoulders. The two of them promised as much as they could be expected to.

"You can count on these ones," Tzirret added. "You can count on Meesei, and you can count on yourself."

"Of course," Sabine said sadly. "I just get nervous. Thank you both."

The three of them pulled away slowly.

Sabine tried to smile a little. "I should perhaps try to help you find Gallus and the others now. Or did you want to settle with the child back in the Silent City?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine flushed and breathed out a laugh at Ko'tanza's teasing. Though what Ko'tanza said afterwards caused Sabine to hold her breath. A wave came over her that forced the air out of her lungs and made her scrunch her eyes shut.

Tzirret leaned in, concerned. "Is Sabine okay?"

All Sabine could manage was to nod and carefully hand Miruza back to Ko'tanza. "Tzirret. Ko'tanza. I...I trust you. I must not tell you why but...should Meesei come to you harmed I want you to promise me she will not die..." her voice trailed off into a harsh tightness in her throat. Tears sprung out of the corners of her eyes.

With appropriate care, Tzirret shuffled to beside Sabine and Ko'tanza and put a hand each on their shoulders. He glanced to Ko'tanza to affirm, before craning his head down to look up at Sabine. "We promise these two will do everything they can," he said slowly and confidently.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Perhaps he should try travelling first," Sabine suggested. "There are many strange and wonderful sights across Tamriel. I think learning perspective from different lands may help him find what he wants." She smiled. "But be wary of that. He might find a new place from which he does not want to re-...Oh..."

Miruza's protests made Sabine give Ko'tanza a sympathetic look on the baby Khajiit's behalf. However, behind it was genuine regret. "I would very much like to catch up. But I fear the limited responsibilities of a young apprentice are behind both of us these days." She took in a slow breath. "Especially with...things right now. If I have spare time and energy, I will seek you out. But until then I can only promise to get all the people I care about together after this invasion and hold them tightly. I will probably cry."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine readily followed Ko'tanza's gestures, easing Miruza into her grasp with a smile.

Tzirret answered while they handed the baby over. "I still think he will find someone eventually. You and your sister do sometimes crowd him overmuch."

Miruza began to squirm in Sabine's arms. Sabine stared down at her with such an endeared look that she might have melted. There was no telling how comfortable Miruza would remain in the following moments, but at least Sabine spotted the tiny Khajiit open her big eyes for a squinting, grumpy look at her new carrier.

"You two are lucky," Sabine mentioned. "Your child is such a sweet thing."

Tzirret put an arm around Ko'tanza. "The sweetest thing," he said.

Sabine turned her eyes up. "I recall your little brother. Um...something-Basa, correct? Is he having trouble?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Sabine was somehow less anxious to respond to Ko'tanza's suggestion. "Oh, I do not think either of us want an extravagant wedding. Just an intimate ceremony. I still remember Fendros and Ahnasha's. It was small. But even when watching it was so...just nice."

Mention of Miruza brought Sabine out of her reminiscing. "I...believe Gallus is leading some infantry. He has taken to more responsibility over the years but I do not see home very often. I hear he reunited with Uthri romantically. Perhaps you can find him with the other officers." She shifted in place. "I will help you find him, but first...um..." She looked down at Miruza again. "May I hold her? Just for a moment?"