Muttonhawk

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rossarm paused to ensure Ahnasha was done. He then slowly gave a nod.

"Fendros can carry the pressure, too," Janius added, putting on a smile which repelled Rossarm's quiet judgement. "He has many lives on his shoulders, many responsibilities. But he has demonstrated he knows when to get involved directly, when to trust, when to delegate, and when to hold himself accountable. We support him where we can, though that kind of weight could still crush anyone else."

Sabine also spoke. "He is also calm without being easy to push around. He is better at doing that than I am."

Rossarm also gave Sabine a nod, but did not say anything to either of them in return. Instead, he walked quietly over to Rhazii, Julan, and Narsi. They had been silently watching on, either sensing the gravity of the situation or not knowing what the matter was at all.

"You are Rhazii, correct?" Rossarm asked.

Sitting down, Rhazii did not have to look far up to look back Rossarm's eyes. He glanced at his mother and father unsurely.

Fendros gave him an encouraging look.

"Yes, sir," Rhazii said to Rossarm.

Rossarm craned his head forward. "What is your father to you? How does he measure in your eyes?"

Rhazii furrowed his brow. He stood up, taller than Rossarm and most everyone at the gathering. His ears were pinned back and his mouth was clamped shut in an effort not to bare his teeth. "Stop trying to knock down father," he said firmly.

With his back turned to the adults, it was hard to discern Rossarm's immediate reaction.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rossarm quietly considered Sabine for a time. He then turned to Fendros with a discerning frown. He asked Fendros, "Do you consider yourself a greater mage than Montgrave?"

Sabine's smile disappeared, partly with confusion.

Fendros felt dread sink into either side of his jaw muscles. He took a breath and reminded himself not to be how he used to be. "No, Sabine is the greater mage."

Rossarm raised an eyebrow.

"I am not the leader Fendros is," Sabine cut in, as was unlike her. "I may have greater aptitude in magic, but I do not think I can defeat him."

Perhaps mirroring Fendros' tempering, Rossarm also took a breath. "I would hear how my son earned his position as 'second' from you all, firsthand. If you would indulge me."

Fendros wished he could tell whether Rossarm was genuinely interested or looking to take Fendros down a notch. He twisted his mouth uncomfortably, but stayed quiet for now.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros somehow saw Lorag and Rossarm look at each other as if mirrored, despite their noticeable difference in height and build. It was the looks in their eyes.

Rossarm did not hesitate to reach out and take Lorag's hand. "Rossarm Avarul," he said.

Off to Lorag's side, Janius waited a beat so he wouldn't interrupt Rossarm and Lorag, though the older men had no comment. Janius offered his handshake as well. "Janius. You proved quite the mage, and quite the shaper of mages."

Rossarm took Janius' hand with a frown. "Lycanthropes have a natural fortitude," he responded, almost humbly.

Fendros smiled behind him.

Of all people, Sabine was the next one eager to introduce herself. "I am Sabine Montgrave." She showed a small smile and gestured to the vision-impared Karl holding her hand. "And this is my partner Karl. I am glad you could join us."

Rossarm simply nodded. "I understand you were the protege of your late leader."

Sabine lowered her gaze. "That is correct. But, so were we all. In her pack."

"You as well, Lorag?" Rossarm asked.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

The family picnic was perhaps the most normal everyone had been able to look as a group ever before, though the details showed just how changed they truly were.

Janius was his usual charismatic self, driving conversations that never failed to continue. He kept close to Kaleeth for reassurance. He wanted to make sure it was an enjoyable time for her, even with the difficult thoughts plaguing her.

Rhazii, Julan, and Narsi were tak8ng turns exchanging arm wrestles, with Rhazii being the clear champion but having to fight for it all the same.

Lunise was sitting back with a quiet contentment under a lacy and prickly looking black veil held in place with a black hat which obscured her identity from those that weren't looking. Her black down and jewellery clearly marked her as in mourning, and somehow more impressively than the many mourners that walked the Silent City in recent times. However she had arranged her excuse for being out here, coming surreptitiously was obviously a motive she left unclear.

The gathering was complete with Sabine, Karl, and Sabine's packmate Tarna arriving not too long before Fendros, Ahnasha, and Rossarm.

Rossarm's appearance turned everyone's heads and slowed every conversation. The attention caused Rossarm's nostrils to flare. Even that tiny expression brought tension to the lot of them, knowing his general opinion of Fendros' found family.

Rossarm was standing almost to a soldierly attention. He projected his tired voice low. "...We have not been properly introduced."

Fendros glanced at his father and took a breath. "Everyone, most of you know my father Rossarm. Perhaps not under the best of circumstances. I would like us to try again, if you would indulge us."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rossarm spared Ahnasha a glance as he kept his eyes on where he was stepping on the unpaved ground. He gave the proposal some silent consideration. He had to stop before they came into view to fully decide. When he did he spoke staring into the middle distance. "I will speak to him, but let me be perfectly understood. It is not for the purpose of thrusting the expectation of greatness on his shoulders."

Beside them, Fendros waited without knowing how exactly to interpret what his father meant by his words. He wondered at first if it was his prejudice, though he did not wear it on his face as he had seen before. It was like he was too exhausted to be disdainful.

Fendros spoke up to try diffusing things. "We will be happy enough if you give him a chance to be your grandchild for an afternoon."

"Hm," Rossarm acknowledged. He stepped to proceed whether Ahnasha was done or not.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rossarm looked to pay attention to Ahnasha's words, but was otherwise remaining still. The seconds passed between the three and all that moved were Rossarm's eyes, flicking back to Fendros, back to the doorway, and into space.

He took a slow, considered step around and began folding up the paper on his desk. There were words on it written too small to read while he folded, though they were clear and fresh.

Fendros patiently cleared his throat as Rossarm took his time without a response.

Satisfied, Rossarm slid the now small folded note into his pocket and then leaned on the desk with both hands. He sighed a long sigh. "Are you seeking forgiveness, Fendros? Now that you have shown your virtue?"

Fendros confidently and calmly responded. "No, father."

"Then I will not demand you seek it," Rossarm said. "I have learned much more about the man you have become since you returned to our lives. I would see it personally, even as I struggle-" he clamped his mouth shut and held his hand against his pocket. He closed his eyes and silently breathed. "I will be with you today. Then I must return to Cheydinhal. Lead the way."

"Thank you," Fendros risked a small smile. He gave Ahnasha a look of thanks as he headed for the door.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Rossarm considered the offer carefully, as far as Fendros could tell. He seemed too on guard to be considered hesitating. But the pause he left did seem unfamiliar.

He gently pushed the door open the rest of the way and turned around to walk to the desk. The room was immaculately orderly. The only evidence he had even lived in it was his already packed bag and writing equipment on the desk.

He turned over a note on the desk and kept his back toward them. The way he moved was so tired.

"Come in," he said.

Fendros unconsciously held his breath and stepped inside.

Rossarm took a breath. "My condolences for your leader."

"...Thank you."

"What do you require of me?" Rossarm finally turned around and straightened his back. Fendros, for the first time, noticed their height was not so different.

Fendros straightened as well. "We are having family and friends for lunch outside the city," he said directly. "I would have you come with us. Not as an order, just..." He pushed past indecision over words under the pressure of Rossarm's look. "Just to have you with us."

Rossarm slowly blinked as if a gust of wind had blown in his face.

Fendros guessed he was not expecting the invitation.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I'm on break from work for a few weeks. I'm hoping to post more frequently for a short while. Thanks for waiting.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

At first, Fendros did not look so sure. But Ahnasha did make him close his eyes and breathe into a laugh. In that laugh, he thought, and he thought some more when it passed.

Then he spoke out in the direction of the cavernous view. "You're right. He cannot deny that without lying to himself. And even if he did, I cannot fathom how I should be scared of this. I do not need to be scared of him." He slowly frowned. "And I should not put this off for later..."

He hesitated one last time, but clenched and loosened his fist at his side. "Let's find him," he said.

---

Rossarm's guest quarters were generous, considering all the other allies the clan hosted for the battle. He was afforded a room large enough to comfortably walk around a bed, side tables, a bookshelf, desk, chair, a chest, and some other minor amenities besides. Fendros knew this, though he had not set foot inside past the shut door during his father's stay. When he and Ahnasha approached and knocked, it suddenly felt as though their may as well have been Vile's tower inside.

There was a silent moment. A careful shuffling.

"State your business," Rossarm intoned, impatient and muffled by the door.

Fendros felt his heart race. "It's me, father."

Another long pause.

Then the door opened halfway. Rossarm stood with his head bent slightly forward, stony-faced as ever. His red eyes glanced at Fendros and Ahnasha in turn. Fendros noted how tired he looked. Perhaps that was why he did not gurn with disgust at the very sight of them.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Fendros emerged from the meeting with a slight hurry in his steps. Though in a much less exhausted state today, he was eager to find some time for family. He greeted Ahnasha in good spirits.

"My father?" Fendros repeated over the daytime noise in the square. But he knew after a second that was what Ahnasha asked. Fendros turned aside and sighed through his nose. The idea had been rolling around in his mind behind all the duties of leadership, unresolved for old fears.

Fendros answered after a moment. "I have not spoken to him on a personal level since before the battle. I really could not tell you how I think he sees us now."

He continued to hesitate.