Fate Weaver's convergence

C40

"So, Lady Elexis, now that we have access to our old fishing ports... what's our next move?"

Brand, a rather grizzled manticore, was prodding Elexis for her thoughts on their current plans. In the span of a week, they had partially avenged her slain siblings, progeny and attendants, and gained a steady foothold by recapturing the port of Autumn. With this, they now had a guaranteed source to keep their army fed and a better chance at reaching out for help. Moreover, thanks almost entirely to the bounties of fish, they were eating like royalty comparatively to the past year or so. Unfortunately, Elexis was nearly unresponsive as she stared at the meal, the fresh taste of revenge possibly souring her mood still.

"Elexis?"

Brand prodded once more, coming to stand next to her. Nudging Elexis's shoulder lightly, the manticore managed to rouse her from her thoughts.

"Ah, my apologies, where were we?"

Elexis picked up the conversation as if she'd not heard Brand's last question. Turning around with a sigh, Brand made his way back to his place, leaning against a fireplace as he asked once more.

"Our next move, Lady Elexis. Last we discussed, it was about re-establishing which clans would lend aid, now that we communicate our survival?"

Elexis leaned each way in her chair, adjusting her position before answering.

"Our next move is to take hunting parties to gather pelt and meat. We need to harvest what we can; we aren't prepared for the winter like before. Doubtless, us being on the coast will not make it any easier."

Elexis struggled to find a direct move they would make aside from that, as she thought.

"We can't keep skirmishing along a specific line with them. We are on a peninsula, we won't win if it becomes protracted, and we'll never receive aid from the Empire north nor... nor our sister clan in Shinrin if that becomes the case. So yes, we need to establish an alliance with whatever Clan we are able for now."

Elexis said as she began to prod at the meal atop her plate finally.

"I do remember you and Juro cursing up a storm about how spiteful his parents were. Are you sure they wouldn't be so fickle as to abandon support with Juro's death?"

Elexis shot a look of disdain before it quickly faded, replaced with a frown.

"My apologies, I felt a prod from that somehow. I know that was against his family, I guess, I don't want to think about that possibility... But, no, it is safe to assume they would lend some form of support for now. They still have blood here in Kiyomi and Danae, as much as they wouldn't want to admit so... That's all we can do for now. Anything else would be prattle."

Elexis finished her sentence with a loud crack, breaking open a large River Crawler claw and exposing the meat and its aroma to the room. Coupled with the atmosphere of the nearly empty dining hall, the warm crackle of a fireplace, the sweet aroma, it added to the atmosphere.

"Hunting River crawlers were an old past-time for Juro. Kiyomi grew up stuffing her cheeks as much as she wanted since these things never cease breeding year-round. I imagine if she were here, she'd be eating alongside us happily, considering these make up most of our food reserves now."

"That she would've, Elexis... What about Danae? She doesn't have a taste for them?"

Brand asked, deciding to follow Elexis's lead and distract from their plans himself. Shaking her head, Elexis swallowed a piece of the tender flesh before letting out a strained gasp.