Tsunar led the three west for a day. Eventually his nose picked up the scent. He'd smelled elk and deer before but this, this had a faint difference. As though its soul was just a bit tougher than its kin. Eventually they came to a clearing and saw it. A large white stag, drinking from a pond. The beast was a truly majestic sight. Tsunar felt a tad sorry to be taking such a wonder out of the world, but if it meant purifying this ring, the poor animal had to go.
Seeing how Hircine would commune with whoever killed the stag, Tsunar drew his blade and instructed Meeko to frighten the animal. Scare the stag into running straight into Tsunar's new blade. Borgakh was a trained huntress, but her armour was far too loud. She'd either have to ditch it for a few minutes or sit the hunt out. Choosing to keep a look out and ensure no one stole this kill, she headed to the edge of the clearing and kept out of sight. Meeko stalked around the white stag as Tsunar took its flank. Within moments, Meeko leaped from the bushes, startling the elk. Tsunar's plan went off without a hitch as the elk turned to flee, only to meet Tsunar's blade at its neck. As Red Eagle's sword struck the stag, blue fire spread across its hide. The elk reared up for a moment before falling, flames going out as it died.
Tsunar called Borgakh back once the deed was done. Once she returned to the group, the elk began to glow. A light blue essence started to flow from the animal and form a mirror image, all be it, translucent and light blue. Once the stag formed, Tsunar could hear a voice in his mind, "Well met hunter."
"I assume you're Hircine?" Tsunar responded, sheathing his saber.
"I am but a glimpse of the Spirit of the Hunt." The voice responded, " Of the glorious stalker your kind calls Hircine."
"Yes would've sufficed." Tsunar said, "Lord Hircine, will you remove the curse from this ring, that I may use its power?" He asked, holding his hand up.
"I may." Hircine replied, "The one who stole it has fled to what he thinks is his sanctuary. Seek out this rogue shifter and make his blood an offering to me."
"He's done me no wrong. I won't end an innocent life that you chose to torment." Tsunar growled.
Hircine scoffed at Tsunar's remark, "You may think this, but wolves always heed my commands. There are others who vie for my favour. If not you, one of them shall earn my boon."
"Then I'll kill them first." Tsunar said as he turned leave the clearing.
"Fly my hunter." Came the daedra's reply as the ring vanished from Tsunar's finger and the stag faded away.
It didn't take long for Tsunar to pick up the scent. Seems Sinding fled northwards. Following the trail, the three were in the middle of nowhere for a solid three days and going around a large lake and a mountain before they found Sinding's hiding spot, just as the Sun had set. It looked like an old cave.
"Think he'll attack?" Borgakh asked, drawing her axe.
"Depends," Tsunar replied adjusting the straps on his shield, "Has he gone feral?"
As the three descended into the cave, Secunda vanished from the sky and Masser turned a dark red. Hircine's favourite omen, The Blood Moon, hung high in the sky as the hunt began.
The small tunnel led into a large grotto. The area looked untouched by man or mer. At least until Tsunar looked right. Tsunar had smelled blood on his way in, and seeing the cause of the smell, he was suddenly reminded why Borgakh was suspicious of him since revealing himself to be lycanthropic. A small camp lay coated in blood and torn to shreds. The tents were caved in, bodies lay all around, few whole. All the marks on the bodies, tends and even the ground where of large claws. Tsunar could tell the kind of beast responsible even if he hadn't known Sinding was here.
"Still think he's innocent?" Borgakh asked, looking to a mutilated orc laying in a tent.
"Something tells me they didn't give him a choice." He responded, pulling an amulet from the orc's neck. The dark leather necklace held a silver circle on the end with a carving of a wolf's head. "You don't wear Hircine's jewelry without hunting."
Heading further into the grotto, Tsunar could smell the other hunters. He could even smell the silver they carried. One good swing of a silver sword or one half decent shot with a silver arrow and Sinding would be dead before Tsunar could do anything. So would Tsunar if he wasn't careful. Rounding a corner, Tsunar saw Sinding. The wolf stood atop a rocky outcrop, The Blood Moon lighting him from behind.
"Sinding." Tsunar called, "Hircine demands your blood."
"And I would deserve it, wouldn't I?" Sinding called back. Borgakh seemed surprised to hear the wolf speak.
"As far as I'm concerned you're innocent." Tsunar relied, "I know what it's like when you first get infected. Who can be hurt. And I'd rather kill Hircine's hunters than a man struggling with the hand dealt to him by a demon prince."
"Truly?" Sinding's surprise was evident in his voice.
Tsunar dropped his sword and shield and undid the leather of his armour as he took on his own bestial form, "We hunt together brother!"