Riften
Well, we managed to scramble down safely, and the rest of the night was spent getting back to the city. I didn't miss the smell, almost forgot, since I'd gotten used to it before I left. "Hey!" Maul grunted, and chucked his head. He stood up from his usual post, and uncrossed his arms, "Maven's been asking for you."
"I've been out of town." I shrugged.
"Yeah, well, she wants a report as soon as possible."
"Tell her I'll be in the B&B," I started that way.
"She wants you to go see Her," he followed, "Now."
I turned to him, not all that comfterble with him behind me, even if Jenassa was watching my back. Another thing I'd forgotten. Where I was, and what that means about my continued survival.
"She's waited till now," I crossed my arms, "She can wait for me to make myself, Presentable." I held up a hand, "If you must, tell her she doesn't want me stinking of the road when I walk into her nice clean house."
"Fine!" he grunted, not unlike Farkas, but a lot less friendlier, and if anything, at least as scummy. "I'll give her your message, but you owe me. I'm not your courior."
No, of course not. We both know who's boot he licks. Got to wonder what she has on him? Can't be his familly, because Dirge doesn't seem to have that problem. I just poured myself into a tub, tried to scrub the stains from my eyes, at least it hid the fategue in them. "Huhh."
I got some clothes in all my travels, so I figured that would be better than my filthy Scaled armor. It had all kinds of blood, fur, spider muck, and Gods knew what else all over it from fighting over here. I lent my guild set, but that would probably look bad, going into her place. I mean, everbody knew, but that doesn't mean she wants to hang a sign out front.
"Hmh," I layed it all out on the bed, the dress I got from the Tavern was probably a bit too much, exposure. Nice, and cool, but I was used to a tighter chest. I settled on a nice red padded doublet, and an Amulet of Kynareth. Some high black cuffed boots, and plain gloves. A copper, and garnet circlet to top it off, and keep the unruly chords in place, I even shaved the stubble off the sides.
"All freshened up, princess?" Maul, real sense of humor.
"Don't you have a wall to hold up?" If he was to be my escort, I certainly wouldn't be enjoying myself today.
"Watch yourself." He warned me.
Despite heading in for some more boring talking, I was actually a bit excited. With any luck, this would finally earn me the information I need to get in with the brotherhood. I actually Hoped, a little.
"Miss," the Mer at the door looked me over, "Dread Fall, is it?"
"Yes?" I rolled my eyes.
"This way," he looked back, and forth before allowing me in. "She left instruction for you to meet her in the basement." He pulled a key on a gold chain from the pouch at his hip, and carefully unlocked the door. I heard it click behind me, and noted that while the bar was up, there was no keyhole on this side.
"Is that you," she turned to me, "Dreadfull?"
I didn't correct her, merely nodded.
"Have you seen one of these before?" She stepped aside, revealing a ring of candles, with some objects on the floor. Objects of death, obviously, a dark ritual of some sort.
"You're a," I shook my head, "Necromancer?"
"Uhahahahaha." she laughed humorlessly, "Of course not. If I were, you would think I could conjure up some results." Obviously used to people laughing at her attempts to joke, I tried to smile, but not all that hard. "No, this is, was supposed to be the Black Sacrament, but it seems no one is Listening.'
Ahh, the Black Sacrement. Right. Uh. "So, what's this got to do with me."
"You know," she turned away, "Your ignorance, and niavetay cease to be charming." Okay? "Why, there are children who know of the Sacrement, the ritual to contact the Dark Brotherhood?"
"Yeah?"
"Here." she pretty much hit me with a piece of paper. "I want you to to take this to my contact, Gabriella, in Falkreath."
"Uh?" really? Another Fetch Quest?
"Go on, now," she waved, "We've wasted enough time already."
I turned back at the stairs. She just picked up a dagger, and knelt on a pillow on the floor. "Sweet Mother..."
I sighed, and hoped the Carriage went to Falkreath. At least I had a room for today, and some money, for some Mead.
Ratway Warrens:
While I was in town, I swung by the Flagon to see Etienne. He thanked me for loaning him the Armor, and told me what he knew about Esbern. He had to be farther down, in the Warrens, so we headded that way. Me, and Jensassa, that is, he wanted nothing to do with the whole business. Anyway, there was a door in the back of the Flagon, so we headded down, and immediately heard Elf accented voices searching.
Sneaking down, we came to this big room, with one of those gold armored guards on a walkway below. It was a low drop, so I just slipped down beside him, and killed him quickly, but not quiet enough, because I heard a shout, and the SNAP of magic through a barred window across the room.
Then, that sound from Oblivion, only instead of a little sword, a large globe of dark violet energies whirled on the floor below, and faded to reveal a giant frozen statue. WHAP! A spike of pure cold struck me in the shoulder, so I fell back to the tunnel behind me.
I seen a Flame Atronach, once, fighting what turned out to be a conjurer in the wilderness, but Jenassa just shot it. WHAP! WHAPAP! It continued firing out there, and I tried not to think about the explosion of Fire when it died. Too bad I can't figure out a bow, but at least it was distracted. I chugged a potion quick, and blew one of my precious Vampire Dusts to slip invisibly down to it's level.
It towered over me, and I could feel the chill coming off of it like a solid wall of Ice. How was that even possible? Damned magic. "HUAH!" I got a good THUNK!, but it just turned on me, barely even scratched, and took another swing. It's arm looked like a club as big around as my waste, and came down in a powerful smash. Then it stabbed with the other arm, as sharp as a spike. Thank Stendarr for Armor!
"Nerevar Guide Me!" She must have set herself on fire, and charged in with a torch. I just kept swinging, chipping away until it disappeared in a gust of Frost. "There they are!" Jenassa was brought to her knees, but I just chugged another potion, and turned to the sound.
And a face full of crackling lightning. "YuaAH!" the wizard stopped, raised his hands, turned, and fled! I charged after, but he was so fast, I finally caught up around the corner. I didn't bother making it pretty, just brought my blade down, again, and again until he was brought down to the floor. Panting, I just needed one more potion to recover, and found the other Thalamore soldier, searching frantically.
"There you are!" he brandished his nasty hooked mace. Jenassa just put away her sword, and started drawing her bow, but I stepped in, and raised my blade. "Come on," I sneered, "Lets see what you're made of, little Elf." He ran in, mace high for an overhand swing, but I simply swept his legs, turned under to follow through with a spinning backhand that sent him skidding across the floor to a corner.
"Think that's the last of them," Jenassa tucked her arrow back away.
"Careful," I dropped back into a crouch, "This is still the Ratway." Never hurt to be cautious, but the only other encounter was a Thug, standing with his back to the door like an idiot. Especially with the small horde of loot he was guarding. I had to pull his slumped body off the table to get all the scattered coin, Jenassa helped me with one of the Strong Boxes, and took the bow from the chest.
Then, it was down to the real depths, where some lady was muttering to herself. Now, this guy was being hunted, no doubt as paranoid as Delfine so it had to be that heavy Vault door that looked out of place in this stinky skeever infested hole. He pulled back a slot, "Go away, I have no business with you." I could barely make out his voice.
"Esbern, is that you in there?"
"Esbern?" He shook his head, "No Esbern here, go away!" He shut the slot.
"Come on, man." he wasn't much of a liar, "I just fought through the Thalmor to get here, now let me in."
"I don't know who sent you, but go back, and tell them I'm not here. Now, go away, before I have to call an Atronach." A chill ran down my back, but I needed to get him. What did Delfine say? I had to check my notes.
"Delfine sent me," Uh, "She sayed, 'Remember the 30th of Frostfall'?"
"Delfine?" the slot slid open, "I, You'd better come in." it took forever to unbolt the door. from the inside, it hung with more chains then the Helgen Torture Room.
We talked, but I won't detail the whole conversation here. For one thing, there are secrets I won't even write down. He agreed to join me only when I told him there was a Dragonborn, and I could take him to him. He started packing, and before he was done, I heard the Thalmor busting in outside.
"Dreadfall," Jenassa called from the door, "We have Company!" SNAP! So much for stealth.
"Shoot the wizard first," I charged past her, switching to the bow. "HrRaAGH!" The first fell with a crunch, and I ducked, rolling past the next to turn behind him. "Rugh!" a couple quick sweeps, and I turned looking for the wizard. The loud crackling magic stopped, and he crumpled full of arrows. "You know the way out of here?" I called up to Esbern. He nodded, ""Then let's go."
I snuck him out through the cistern, and graveyard. Some lizard attacked, apparently ment for him, by the note, but fell to his Ebony dagger. I stood back at the crackling flames at his fingertips, and armor spell clinging to him like a magical skin. Great, why did he have to be a wizard. "Careful with that magic," I put my blade away.
Now, I'm not into daggers, but his looked wicked. Black, with runic curls of metal shining through, and a lovely curve to it's sharp looking edge. He tucked it away, and let the flames die in his hand. Noone else attacked until we left Riften, but wouldn't you know, halfway to the ruin of Helgen, and a shadow passed over. SNAP! An Oblivion violet globe appeared in Esbern's hand, and expanded in front of him with that otherworldly sound.
I stepped back, blinking at the Flame Atronach, his Atronach, floating on a trail of fire. This close, I could see how beautiful it actually was, or she, judging by the shape. "Rrhh!" The dragon's roar in the distance snapped me out of it, then the bolt of lightning jumping from Esbern's hand.
Wow, okay. Along with the firepower of the Atronach, they outdid even Jenassa until it came down where I could reach it. "Jöl," it took a breath "Toor'shuullLL!" It snarled as I batted it's face. Snapped at me, but I stood firm, and struck again, and again until it reared, and roared it's last.
"What?" Esbern put away his magic, and looked at me, as if expecting something.
"Legends tell of a Dragon's roost near here." He pointed to a pass just visible through the blowing snow. "And the treasure it guarded."
I patted at the flames still clinging to my shoulder. "Well, then what are we waiting for?" I led the way, and presently came to a weird wall with scratches around it, and an ornate chest. "Ooh!" Must be my lucky day, because from within, I pulled a long handle attached to a heavy head, studded with leafy flakes of green glass.
"What do you make of this?" Esbern stood, studying the weird wall.
I joined him, studying the strange wedge shaped indentions around the base. "Idunno, looks like chiken scratch to me."
He crossed his arms, "It is the written language of the Dragons," he sayed, "A word of power, the basis for a Tu'um, or Dragon Shout."
"Oh, right." I shrugged, "So?"
"So," he scowled seriously, "Where you truly Dragonborn, as you told me, you would absorb that word of power, just as you would have the Dragon's soul when it died."
"Okay," I admitted, "You got me, but I do know the Dovakiin, and I can take you to him."
"Why should I trust you?" his arms uncrossed, and fire crackled in one of his hands.
"Woah," I backed up, hands up defensively, "Careful with that fire, now." Somebody could get hurt. I knew I could never pull either weapon before he could blast me now. "Look, he's in Riverwood, with Delfine, in the Sleeping Giant inn. Go see for yourself."
We parted ways there, and traveled on sepretly. I wasn't comfortable around all that magic, any way. It's not like he told me, or anyone else, and that was almost as bad, right?
"You better leave," he said on his way down, "Before the dragon comes back." I followed him as far as the valley floor. "Only a Dragonborn, a true Dovakiin can permanently kill a Dragon."
Arcwind Point
He took the southern pass, so I decided to take a side path West to see if we could get around him. This led high into the mountains, and eventually, to a Ruin. Just skeletons, at first, I unhitched my Glass Hammer to break it in. Took some getting used to, the head's so heavy, it really slowed me down, and they even got some hits in because of it.
Thankfully, they were just Skeletons, so it didn't hurt much through my armor. I'm sure with a little practice, I can learn to swing it faster. It hits like a Log Trap, so it's sure worth it, if I can learn the timing. Anyway, there was a lot of them, at least, and at last, we came to a big valley with an Iron Coffin in the middle of great triangular arches over it.
As we approached, the lid burst off, and a big Ice Mummy stood to challenge me. At last, a real fight! I pulled my trusty old blade, thinking it would be good for swinging speed. Jenassa got a few arrows in, but the mass of the fight was just me, and him. He shouted at me! I staggared back, but he was slow to swing with his old iron battle axe, so I took a step back, and struck him down when he missed. Nothing fancy, just a regular stickball swing, but it got the job done.
After that, we looked around for more loot, and found a chest, plus a couple more boneys. These had bows, but still didn't last long. Looking around, I spied a tower on the ridge, and found a broad staircase up to the side of it. It stopped at a great barrow arch with a door, and a Log trap. Think of the Daedra, indeed! I popped one of my healing potions, and proceeded cautiously.
A coffin burst open behind me, and I jumped, whirling around to face another mummy! "Zun," it spoke in a dry cracked voice, "Haal Viik!" It startled me so much, I dropped my blade, which clattered off the edge. I pulled my new hammer, and watch with dread as he drew his Handaxe. Instead of the same old rusted iron of the Ancient Nords, this was black, and decorated with steely swirls of an Ebony weapon.
"HrRAGH!" I charged in, but he blocked, and backhanded me, staggering a step. Then, he followed through with a vicious hack to my shoulder, which bled like a severed neck.
"Zun," I gripped the haft tight, "Haal VIIK!" It blew from my hands, and I ran to the cliffs edge. It's not fair! I can't die like this, before acceiving my destiny with the dark brotherhood.
"No," Dread Fall, "Not like this." Don't give in to dispair. "Thrue Nords neverh brch drhn!" My blood boiled, and I hunched with fury. The sky, and snow Turned Red with my Rage, and I raised my clawwed arms to roar!
"HRRAUGHR!"
Jenassa turned, mid swing, and ran. Good, he was all mine! He staggared back as I pounced from all fours. "HURH!" I struck him like a Troll, "HURH!" jumped on him, and tore at his chest. Then the hunger overtook me, and I chomped down, ignoring the dry rotten taste. Despite not gaining anything from it, I tore him apart until there was nothing left, and my rage subsided.
I cought up with Jenassa, over by the base of the tower. "Wot was that?"
"Here," I handed her the axe, "Sorry if I scared ya."
"I was wondering why you didn't get sick from those Vampires," she took my gift, and studied it. After the statue of Clavicus Vile, she shot down a Hawk for it's feathers, and offered me some, but I didn't need them, of course.
Falkreath
We skipped past Riverwood, and just followed the southern ridge from the foothills. Same safe boring valley, a few bandits, lots of wolves, and venison for dinner ever night. I never did find my Blade, but got enough practice with the hammer to catch wolves mid-leap. Never had to hit them twice, and once, it even got swatted dead over my shoulder with the power of my swing.
I asked Jenassa if she wanted to leave, but she stayed loyal. Unlike most of the people she'd worked for, I gave her a share of the spoils, and she patted the axe on her hip for emfassus. My heart warmed when she sayed "You're more than a mere employer to me, I consider you a dear friend."
I took the first watch, and had some meade to keep awake though the morning. Sure, this hold isn't very dangerous, but Bandits have a nasty habit of showing up whenever we raid one of their camps. It seams we made a name for myself, in those circles, some of the thugs had notes to scare me, it even sayed "Dreadfall" specificly.
The next night, we got to Falkreath, and the only things open were the Inn, and the Jarl's Longhouse. It's not like she had a sign on her door that sayed [Gabriella's House], so I guessed we had to ask around. Nobody in the Inn never heard of her, and despite not being very Well Rested, I chose not to get a room, and asked about work in the area.
The bartender sayed the Jarl often puts bounties on Bandits in the area, so I figured it would kill some time overnight. He was up, slouched on his throne, and suprizingly not much older than me. First, he wanted me to get him some Blackbriar Meade, and I laughed. "Hold, a moment," I turned around, and asked Jenassa if we still had any left. Only a couple bottles, but he accepted one, and I drank the other with him.
He seemed impressed, and told us where a bandit gang was holding out his cut. Such disrespect! The steward had one too, so I guessed that aught to fill up the night. I yawned, seems I don't get much out of sleep anymore, not that I need to, but I still do it out of habbit, and to pass the day.
Heading out, I looked North, but saw that the way is blocked by a mountain. The guard said that there is an old Nord Tomb, Shriekwind Bastion, that leads through the mountain, but to be careful. "Word is the dead aren't as dead as they should be in there." I refused to be creeped out. I know, the last time didn't work out so good, but that was no normal Draugr. Must have been a Lord in life, or a Jarl to have such power, like that shout.
Hopefully there was nothing that bad, because I was out of Vampire dust. Anyway, there was even some outside, but they were almost as easy to swat down as the skeletons. Jenassa liked her new toy, unlike all the bows I tried to give her. I finally understood why she prefered that old Hunting Bow, I sure missed my blade. Farkas was stupid to give it up, and just leave it on the floor like that.
Oh! That reminds me there was this hidden door in there. I pulled the chain, and when it came down, a sword clattered off. Green curved, and jagged, with a good long grip for both hands, it sizzled warmly when I picked it up. {Orcish Greatsword of Embers, I swear that's where I found it.} I gave it a few swings, and hung my hammer back on my back.
It worked great. The skeletons still burst to peices with 1 hit, but now on fire! And, a few Vampires near the top that survived still burned to death, except their leader. More Dust, yay! Jenassa just looked at me, so I calmed down, stopped jumping up, and down, and giggling. The burning really seemed to help taking him down.
Then, at the top was one of those weird walls, and another boss Draugr. Thank Meridia he only pushed her back with what sounded like Foos Rho! I popped a dust to sneak behind him, and sawed his head off with a single clean stroke. "Show off," Jenassa shook her's, and chuckled.
I saw the ornate chest by the light of his still burning body, but it just had a big golden armor, and some jewelry. I let Jenassa take the silver stuff, but she didn't want the suit either. "Dwarven," she said, "Very rare, and valuable," but we had enough money. And a big jug of blue juice neither of us have any use for, though the neck was long enough, I could probably smash it over someone's head. The way those things work, it would probably give them Magic, so I didn't try it.
Anyway, we must have taken a wrong turn, because the door led out to an arch overlooking the town of Falkreath. Great, we had to backtrack, all the way down, through all the skeletons. I switched back to the hammer, for practice, and because the glow was starting to fade on my new sword. Jenassa explained that we needed to get some of those weird purple gems, and fill them with souls to charge it. Great, I never picked those up, because there ugly, but trapping souls sounded pretty fun, so I started grabbing them whenever I found them.
I knew we must be getting close when we got past the trap room with the 3 gates, and started encountering Bandits. One of them was actually pretty tough, and blocked a lot, but my hammer smashed through his hide sheild with eaze. Finally, I was learning how to use this clumbsy thing effectively.
So anyway, it was still dark, but one of the moons set when we finally got out, so we headded for the first camp. It turned out to be a mine, full of Orcs, hunters by all the skins, and meat they had on them. The Chief we was there for was way down in the bottom, but wandering around, muttering to himself.
I took a torch, and crouched behind the corner. He just walked right past me, and I drove him down into the floor like a fencepost. That done, we went on to the next camp, and I sneak struck as many as I could. One saw me, just a moment, but I ducked quick, and before he finished grunting "huh?" I was behind him, taking his head. I laughed, and kicked it off the wall.
There was a green bow, and arrows, which Jenassa took, saying they were "Fine Orcish Workmanship." I sure could attest to the swords, especially with the enchantment. I guess magic isn't all bad, if I'm on the handle end of it. To late to learn spells, though, as if I wanted to. He had a good chest too, with some scrolls in it. Turns out you don't need to know magic to use them, like Onmund's staff, whenever we played Magelight tag. It seemed so long ago.
Dead Man's Drink
It was getting light when we got back, and a Courior met me at the gate with a letter.
quote Gabriella
Meet me in Dead Man's drink, I will be waiting for you.
Gabriella
I could use a mead, any way, so I looked around the tavern, and try to pick her out. She stood up from a bench on the back wall, a Dunmer, in hooded blue robes, great.
"Dreadfall?" I nodded, "Good, I got a room, where we can talk." She closed the door, and sat on the bed. "The Jarl told me you were looking for me, you have a message from Maven?" I hadn't changed out of my Guild Armor, since we only just got back in town. "Hmh," she looked it over, "She doesn't sound pleased, but it says nothing about the contract's target."
"She told me," not to write it down, "Someone named Ellen Whenn, at the Thalmor Headquarters, in Solitude."
She blinked, "Elenwen, seriously."
"Yeah?"
The Embassador from the Aldmeri Dominion to the Empire!" she squeeked, and clapped her hands, "Oh my, this is, why we haven't, I must tell As," she looked up, and sobered conciderably, "Our Mother, about this." She got up, and tucked the note in her pouch. "Wait here, I'll tell the Innkeeper the room is yours for the day., I'll be back as soon as I can."
Oh well, I shrugged, and yawned, "Might as well get use for the bed."
"It's all right," I lay back, and put my hands under thr back of my hood, "I'm not very tired." Jenassa went back out to the bar, and I heard her ordering, more like demanding a drink, loudly.
She came back, and woke me up. Gabriella was back, with a woman covered to her eyes in black, and red leather. I looked down at the hilt at her hip, it didn't look quite Ebony, could it be Daedric? I could almost feel the blood hunger from it across the small room.
"This is her?" I could see the disbelief in her blue eyes, "How old are you, child?"
"Sixteen," in a few months.
"Well, Maven must have seen something in you I can't." she sighed, "am I to assume that you are the 'someone else' she mentioned in her letter?"
"What?" I shook my head, "I didn't READ it!" It's not like I want to die.
"Yes, of course." her hood moved in what I hoped was a smile.
"Look," I pointed to Gabriella, "She dressed as a Mage for our meeting," now she was in matching robes with a Black Hand on the front, "That's her cover. I much prefer people assume I'm just a petty bandit, all right?" I brushed down my scaled leather skirt.
"Of course," she sighed, and turned, "What do you think, Daughter?" Even through the mask, I could tell by her voice she was a Nord, and not at all Elven.
"A test?" she suggested hopefully.
"Yess," she turned back, a frightening smile in her eyes, "Of course. Prepair yourself, and wait in the Graveyard East of town. Your contact will meet you there at dusk."
I lowered my eyes, and nodded, "Yes, mistress."
When I looked up, I thought I saw a little impressed expression in her eyes.
The dark brotherhood! I waited for them to leave before giggling, and jumping with glee. Finally, my chance to make something of myself! I didn't know if I should take Jenassa along, but this was my test, and she gladly took over the bed. "I'm not a Vampire," she reminded me, "You know?"
Yes, of course. I didn't let her deadpan sarcasm get me down, but practically skipped to the Graveyard. "Dreadfall?" I jumped, and turned, then looked down.
"Uh," I blinked, "You might not want to be here, little girl." It might get dangerous, "I'm waiting for someone."
"Ahahaha!" she slapped her leg, "Never gets old, does it?"
I smiled, and looked around, "Come on," she turned, and waved, "It'll be dark soon."
"You're my contact?" I mean, her little kids clothes matched, I guess, but.
"Babbette," she didn't offer her tiny hand, "Try and keep up."
"Oh," I sprinted a moment, "kay?"
"It takes all kinds," she grinned tight lipped, "But some disguises are better than others." Why, she didn't even look 12, the minimum age to be considered more than a child. How could she even have enough experience to qualify as a Dark Brotherhood assassin?
But as we left town, her light childish skip changed to a smooth silent glide, as if her feet weren't touching the ground under that black skirt. I sniffed, picked up an odd oder at odds with her appearence. I couldn't place it, but it seemed somehow familiar.
"Uhm," I thought, Where're we going?
Sunderstone Gorge
"Ahh!" the creepy little girl stretched, and sighed as the sun set, "That's much better!"
"I'm not much of a daylight person myself." I made conversation.
She sniffed, "No," and her teeth flashed palely in the darkness, "Of course not." As we crept up, she went on. "Of course, our kinds haven't really gotten along since the Oblivion crisis," funny, she didn't look at all Mer, much less bestial, "But there's no reasons for the animosity. Since then, I've met several like you, and we get along fine."
"Uh huh?"
"Sh!" she stopped in a crouch, "We're here." Where else would we be? "Wait here, I'll take care of the guard out front."
I nodded silently, and watched as she stood up, and walked out. Once again, her posture changed, I swear she even looked scared. "Mommy?" she cast about, "Have you seen my mommy?"
The witch at the cave relaxed. "Are you lost little girl?"
"Uh huh!' she nodded, "She said not to wander off too far, but then it got dark, and I got so scared!"
"I'm sorry," the witch shook her head, "But I can't help you child." She looked back at the entrance, "It's not safe for you here."
Before she could turn back, Babette raised her hand, and hit the witch with a ball of teal light. She stiffened, glowing slightly, and relaxed. "That's right," Babbette advanced on her, "nothing to be afraid of," and pulled the blood from her body to her tiny outstretched hands.
I gasped, immediately remembering her odd odor, and where I had smelt it before. No longer any other threat around, I stepped from the shadows to join her. "You see," she grinned, and licked her teeth, "I remember the Oblivion Crisis, and these days, we can use any friend we can find." Her eyes flashed redly in the torchlight.
She didn't mean my "kind" as in Nords.
"Shall we continue?" Bright, and chipper again.
I shook my head, "sure," and followed.
"Here," she handed me a couple bottles, "This one will protect you from Magic, and you can coat your weapon with the other to drain their's." For herself, she chugged a large bottle that definitely wasn't milk, and grinned with a pinkish glow. {Resist Fire 150%)
"careful," she stopped me with a whisper inside. "traps." She pointed out a pressure plate, and I looked up to see the hanging mammoth skull. Good eye.
Carefully stepping around it, I went behind to grab a coinpurse, and good sized healing potion behind it. Bait, this triggered it, but it missed me in my crouch, and the childlike assassin was safely past it. Then, there was another, with oil pooled on the floor. She threw another ball of teal light at it, and a firepot fell, igniting it. With a whoosh, a ribcage blew in front of the tunnel with an iron shield.
"Your turn," she pointed. I crept out onto the still warm sand, and looked ahead. Then back, but she had dissapeared. Right, Vampire. Dust, I used up all my doses sneaking past the bone chimes, spiked wall trap, and first robed figure. THUNK! Armor spells SNAPped all around me, and I rolled around a pillar.
"Gulp!" Flames burst all around me.
"Gah!" someone cried, "AhhHH!" then screamed. The fires turned like bull's eye lanterns, and I crept around the other side to see another robed back. SLHKT! I charged another, and cut him down before he could react. "KAIA!" the others turned, and fled, straight into the waiting arms of the horror child. One fell to her embrace, and the last to my burning blade.
"Not bad!" she grinned wickedly, and nodded, "The old divide, and conquer."
"Thanks," my face warmed.
She giggled, "Cummon," and skipped up the ramp. Opening the door, she crouched, and waved me foreward. "the leader's in there," she whispered, "i'll wait here while you take care of him."
"ohkay," I snuck in, but she paced boredly. Fortunately, there was a pillar to hide behind, but I wished I'd saved a Vampire Dust. No, I wouldn't have made it this far through that firefight, and almost ran out early as it was. I wish I'd had more of it.
"Where are those Imbeciles?" she turned back, and stamped petulantly over to the potion table. A quick roll, and I was behind her, coming up with my blade pointing down, back grip to stab through her chest, and she slid down to the floor, flames licking up around the wound.
"Nice!" I jumped, and whirled, but she just looked up as me, hands clasped in front of her. "I guess I can take you home." I looked at the weird wall, while she was grabbing some Fire Salts, and other stuff lying around. Some purple book with the Ωblivion symbol on the cover. I checked out the chest, lots of blue juice, a staff, and scrolls.
The Black Door
She gave me the password, so I said it, and followed her. Gone again, I shook my head, and snuck down. Not that I was afraid, but I was new here, and hoped I could impress them out of some brownie points showing off my skills.
"Ah," I jumped, "Welcome, sister." I recognized her voice, and with the mask off, saw she was in fact Nord. "Relax," she smiled, "welcome to the family. We don't have to worry about being invaded with the pass-locked door, so you can let down your guard."
"I'm Astrid," I straightened up. "Here," she handed me a dark bundle, "Your Uniform, you can change in my room if you like, or if you prefer," she waved to a dresser, "We have unarmored clothes as well."
She even had a mirror, too high for Babette to use, but I tried everthing on, and twisted to look at every angle. I didn't like the cowl, it clung too tight, and covered my ears so everthing sounded Muffled. I don't want the enemy to hear me, but not give them the same advantage in return.
The armor was nice, and form fitting. I stretched to settle it around me, and pulled on the hood. "Better," I nodded, and lowered my head to the mirror. "Much better." Even my hasty ill thought out warpaint gave my eyes an ominous bloody shadow, and it hid the harsh manly corners of my jaw that I never liked. "No," I told my reflection, "I am from the Dark brotherhood," ominously, "And your time has come." I giggled.
"Come on," I jumped, "and meet your new Family, shall we?"
Not at all like I imagined, it really was more like a family, at least all the ones I ever saw before. They weren't brooding, or quiet even, but stood around, and joked, told stories. For the first time in my life, I felt at home. I sighed, and listened while Babette told about the Massacre at Sunderstone Gorge. She made it all sound real good, giggling as she told about my final assassination of the real target.
A big guy came around, and patted my back, "Welcome," he sniffed, "Sister." and winked. I sniffed him back, and caught a whiff of Farkas, or not quite that strong, more like Vilkas.
"Odd," Astrid frowned, "MY HUSband doesn't usually warm up to newcomers so quickly."
"Uh," I stepped away, "I guess we got a lot in common." Okay, other than he's male. "Don't worry," I assured her, "He's not my type." I had a feeling that even with her new warm motherly affection, I didn't want to see her jealousy.
"Welcome Child!" an old man, in robes like Gabriella's spread his arms towards me. I don't hug. But he didn't insist, and let it drop. "Here, let me have a look at you."
"You're a Wizard?" I guessed. Like Babette said, it takes all kinds, and that certainly seemed to apply to this motely collection.
"Yes, of course," he nodded, "Destruction mostly, but I dabble in other areas."
"Huh," I dug around in my sachel, "What do you make of these?"
"Hmh," he held the scrolls at lenth, "let's see," and squinted at the markings. "Oh yes, this one is Iron Flesh, an Armor spell from the School of Alteration," he handed it to me, "And these," I think his eyes were failing, "These appear to both be Turn Undead, that's Restoration, Mind you, and well!" He held up the last, "This little beauty is a Scroll of Mayhem, you might want to hang onto it."
"Mayhem!" I like the sound of that.
"Oh yes!" he chuckled, "A very powerful Illusion, it causes all those around you to attack at random, but it takes quite a while to cast."
"What good is that?" won't they attack me?
"Well, it's better than them All attacking you, isn't it?"
Good point, I nodded. "Destruction, eh?" I shook my head, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but there isn't much stealth to a Fireball?"
"No," he mused, "Though I can cast it quietly, I find that I only have to get close enough to make it count. It's quite all right if that's the last thing they hear."
"Ah," I caught on.
"I'm Nazir," a dark skinned Man, definitely not Mer offered his strong caloussed hand.
"Are you a," never saw one before, "Hammerfeld'ir?"
He laughed, "I was an Alikir, once," and nodded, "But most people call us Redgaurds."
"Ah," at least he had a sword, instead of a little dagger. Short, and 1 handed, but curved, with a heavy looking end.
"I usually handle the Contracts for Initiates, but Astrid tells me you brought us a juicy one of your own?"
"Yes," my face heated, "I, uh." looked over to her.
"It's all right, dear," she nodded, "We don't keep secrets from our family."
Okay, all this brother sister mother daughter stuff was getting old.
"Ellenwehn," I tried to say it like Gabriella did, "The Thalmor Ambassador."
"Well!" he laughed, "That certainly is an ambitious target. I hear security has been trippled at the Embassy since the recent attack."
"Great." My jaw tightened, "As if it wasn't tough enough before."
"What?" Astrid came around to confront me, "You've been inside?"
"No?" I stepped back, "I mean, I was there, but we didn't make it in, just created a distraction around the perimeter."
"The Dragonborn is said to have been the one who did the assault." The lizard, I hadn't gotten his name yet said.
"Yeah, well I bet they're already singing songs about how his Chosen Oneness did it all by himself, but never mention the little people that helped make it happen."
"I take it you aren't his biggest fan?"
"I met the guy, he's a self absorbed ass, strung up by his own legend to a puppetmaster's fingers." I fumed.
"Huhuhaha!" Angbjorn laughed, "I knew those stories couldn't be all true."
"They are," I turned to correct him, "In as far as he is that powerful. I saw him take down a Dragon in the crappiest set of peice-mail ever. Do not underestimate his Voice, he could be a powerful ally, but an Unstoppable Enemy."
"So," Astrid hugged my shoulders, "Then it's up to us to make sure he's an ally, right?"
"Sure," as long as I don't have to deal with him.
"But he trusts you, right?" I nodded, "And how about this puppetmaster you mentioned?"
"I doubt it," I thought, "I doubt she trusts anybody, but I sure don't trust Her. I may not be much a judge of character, but there's something about her, so slick, and conniving even I can see it."
"Would you be willing to share this information with us?" I stepped back. All of a sudden seeing very much the same thing in her.
"Not yet," I shake my head, "Maybe later, first I have to make sure it's safe." Then again, she was an assassin. The mother assassin of the Dark Brotherhood, so I guess it's to be expected. The other one, she pins herself up as the Hero, a paragon of the righteous fight. That's what made it all the more wrong.
Sleeping Giant Inn, Riverwood:
So, astrid sent me to get what information I could get, while they did some "intelligence gathering" about the target. One thing I can say about Delfine is she's no friend of the Thalmor, and the Dovakiin could help a lot, since he'd been in there, so after I told her all I could, I grudgingly returned to Riverwood.
But she wasn't there. Her husband sayed she left, with Dovakiin right after the old guy showed up. "Didn't catch his name."
"Old guy, eh?" he nodded, "Mage, Ebony dagger?"
"Yeah, that's the one." Thankfully, I remembered to go pick up Jenassa from the other Inn.
"She didn't tell me where she was headded, but she turned over the Inn to me, so I'm not expecting her back soon."
Great, now i had to track her down. "You any good at tracking?" I asked my friend when we got out.
"It's not my specialty," she shrugged, "But I've lived long enough to pick up a few tricks." She asked a guard. She was last seen headed west, and knowing that party, we should be able to pick up the trail of bodies, and blasted craters on the way.
Karthspire Camp, The Reach.
"Mer, these Foresworn are a pain!" Jenassa frowned at me.
"I believe they are Bretons," she raised her nose, "and i don't like how you use that Word like a curse." Right, after what she told me about all her people have been through. Sorry, but I wasn't raised all that opene minded, and I'm still learning this acceptance of other cultures.
"I don't mean it like that," I shook my head, "I mean, back in the day, when I was with my Nord friends, I would say, 'Man, that's a big mammoth,' or 'that was pretty chill, Man'." She looked less than persuaded, "but if it bothers you so much, I'll stop saying it."
"Thank you," she nodded down to the valley we were crouched over. "Hagraven," she pointed with a nocked arrow.
"Dangerous?"
"So I hear," she nodded, "Do you have any sort of plan?"
I decided to stop by Whiterun, and see Eorlund. Did a little side quest for traveling money. Rescued some priest, who was being held by a Master Vampire. "The usual?" I held up a sachet, and slipped down the outcrop.
"I'll Wait Here," she figured.
Once I was on the ground, I could Roll Silently to catch up with her constant pacing. 2, 3, 4, PUFF! she turned back, and I held my breath, but she muttered something alien, and kept pacing. "THUNK!" I wouldn't know how to cut her throat with that stooped over posture, but she survived that blow, despite her apparent frailty. "KHH!" she hissed, and hobbled off, throwing healing light over her shoulder.
TWP! I almost tripped over a missed arrow, then resumed my charge, and brought down Dagger with another satisfying THUNK! The soul exploded from her, to a gem I had in my pouch. Festus said I could rename my Skyforge Steel blade when he showed me how to Enchant it. Happened to have an Iron Dagger of the Soul he didn't mind destroying in the process, once I bought it. He laughed, but every good assassin needs a good Dagger, right?
"RrhH!" I crouched, and rolled for the tent. There was a nice big chest there, but I was more interested in the Dragon I just heard. It's shadow passed, and I held my breath. "JOL," I closed my eyes, "TOR'SHUULLL!"
Nowhere near me, and thankfully it flew off. "Foos!" I know that Voice, "RHO'DAH!" it snarled, and I came out to see it locked in battle, hammer, and tongs with all 3 of them. Esbern held up a sheild spell in one hand, and threw a swirl of frost, while his Atronach flipped, hurling fire. Delfine smacked it right in the nose with a shield, then spun, and backhanded it with her long, narrow, slightly curved blade. I knew Dovakiin had to be in these somewhere, I could hear him, and Jenassa came around behind me to loose another arrow.
I charged, and sank Dagger into the wing before it could take off, or they finished it without me. "KHRH!" it snarled again, so I got a sideswing in, then the backhand. Then, I just stopped, let my blade hang in my hand like my jaw, and watched.
Delfine, I swear she jumped right on it's head, slashed viciously at it's eye, and bashed it with the edge of her shield. "KHRH!" it's bucking head fell, and she jumped down before the soul tore out, and flowed straight for Dovakiin. Thief! Not enough he steals all the glory?
"There they are!" Then the Foresworn charged. Hard to believe I beat them there, but somebody figured it had to be Carthspire when I asked him, on the road. Enough of that, because what followed was the roudiest Melee I ever been in. We got Foreswarmed, they just piled on like bandits on a dropped diamond, and kept coming!
I even wound up fighting side-by side, then back-to-back with Her. Delfine, of all people, but my animosity for her has a time, and place. Right then, she was the best person to have my back. Jenassa was smart enough to stay out of it, and Dovakiin was busy blasting them off the catwalks. We took a bridge, so they couldn't surround us that much, and I managed to clear the rear, so I could turn around, and stand at her shield side.
"Never should have come here!" I had her head. Then the big one with a hole in his chest, and a big wooden deer head on for a helmet. He hit me with all kinds of fire, so I ducked and rolled. Swept his legs from the side, and followed through over my head to bring it around, and across his back. He went down, "Mercy!" reached out, "I yeild I yeGHLK!" His headless body fell into the puddle of his own blood.
"We're routed, Fall Back!"
"Where's Esbern" I turned to her.
FAHWOOM! We both turned up to see the battle of the Atronachs, his Flame going down before the Frost, and exploding in a spreading sheet of fire. It broke up, and another Foresworn fell back, Warding with both hands. Lightning stabbed out, blasting them away, then he crouched, cupping his hands together at his side, around the crackling light before releasing it, to throw her tumbling back like the Dovakiin's battlecry!
"Wow," I was at a loss of words, "Wouldja look at that?" It was pretty much a mop-up after that.
Sky Haven Temple
"Who're you?" I stopped once we regrouped, and studied the walking suit of armor that joined us. "Lydia," it said in a woman's voice, "Thane Dovakiin's personal Housecarl." So that's what the full Dwarven set looked like, right down to the Axe, and Shield.
"Thanks for the help," I turned to Delfine, and she held out a hand. I grudgingly took it, but she gripped me by the forearm. "You really did well for yourself out there."
"Thanks," okay. I still hate her, but now I don't have any fantasies about taking her on. Maybe if she turned her back..?
"So," she released my gauntlet, "What brings you to the reach?"
"Ah," I wiggled my wrist in it, "Well, can we talk privately?" I looked around.
"Go on ahead," she nodded to Dovakiin, "I'll catch up." Lydia, and Esbern went along. "So," she turned back, "What's this about, what're you two doing here?"
"I need some help. My," I stopped myself, "The people I've been working with want Elenwen, dead."
Her eyes widened, "You mean Maven Blackbriar."
"Yyeeah!," That was convenient, "But the problem is we don't know enough about her, and the Enbassy to proceed, so we were hoping you, or Esbern would have some information."
"Huh!" she sighed heavilly, "As much as I would like to see her dead, I'm afraid I can't be much help."
"But, I thought you got the Dragonborn smuggled in, and" she interrupted me!
"That was a fluke," she held up her hand, "A one shot thing they'll be looking for now, so it won't work again."
"Well, tell me what you can," I shrugged, "Never know what'll help?"
She sighed, and sayed, "Well, I guess you better come up." reluctantly.
"Ahh yes." Esbern crouched in front of 3 short obelesques, "This appears to be the Akaviri symbol for Dovah, that is Dragon, or Dragonborn." He spun the other two, and a ramp descended.
"Hey," I interrupted, "Dovakiin."
He turned, "I'm kind of in the middle of something here."
"Come on," I started up the ramp, "We can still talk." He turned to Delfine, who nodded. "What can you tell me about the Thalmor Embassy, what did you see when you were in there?"
He told me the story, I didn't write it down, but we had to stop while he walked across some pressure plates which it seems only he can do. I walked right next to him, careful not to trigger the ones I was on until he pulled the chain.
"Now, about this Brown Elf," I went on.
"Bosmer," Jenassa helped me out.
"Yes, this Serving girl that helped with the distraction," I went on, "Was that the same one that came out of the cave when you, and Etienne escaped. Where did she go after that?"
"I'ano," He lifted His helmet to scratch under it, then let it hang from his hand by one of the horns.
There was some other stuff, but then we got up to the big room with the chest, and Delfine forbade me from going any further. "This is sacred ground, and I must insist only the Dragonborn, or members of the Blades may enter."
"What about her?" I pointed at the golden mass named Lydia.
"She can wait out here, but you must leave, now before we enter the Temple Proper."
"Why's that," I looked down on her, "Exactly?"
"Because," she bowed up to meet me, "You are associated with the Thieves' Guild, and I don't want the secrets of the ancient Akiviri to be sold to the Highest Bidder, so leave, Now!" He hand rested on her sword, and twisted it edge up, for some reason. It looked awkward, but I wasn't willing to bet I could reach back, and draw my "Dagger" before she cut me down.
"Fine," I turned my back on her, "But I may need to talk to you again. To get The Job done?" I just headded back down. There were some Foreswarn left, and they'd had time to regroup. I needed to work out a little frustration.
Sanctuary
"Okay," I reached up for her hood, "Let's see what we, oh."
"What?" Gabriella blushed.
"Well," it kind of set off her eyes, but, "When was the last time you washed your hair?"
"When was the last time You washed your's?"
"Huh?" I patted my Dredd Hawk, "I wash it all the time!"
So, we had something resembling a plan. See, there's this guy, Erikur, and though he's a Nord, he seems to have a thing for Elves. Count me out, and for all I know, they already got a Dossier for me and Jenassa by now. She's pretty enough, I guess, but something has to be done about that hair.
"Come on," I took her hand, and set off to look for a basin. "Take this off," I helped her out of the hood, "and maybe the robes too."
"Wuh?" she covered herself.
"It's okay," I turned my back, "You don't have anything I don't." I think? I really don't know all that much about all these weird kinds of people.
"Okay?" Kind of skinny, but I'm not sure what Erikur is into, anyway.
"Just lean back," I slipped the bowl under her head, "That's right." The dingy brownish grey didn't wash out, but at least the strands seperated, so I combed them straight with my fingers. No use sharpening a knife, I couldn't cut it any longer, but it didn't look That bad slicked back to the nape of her neck.
"Come on," I took her back to the room. Past the stained glass window, we usually slept up over the dining hall, but we could have a little privacy.
"You ever done something like this before?"
"You mean seducing someone to kill them?" she grinned, "Yeah."
"Me too." I jumped. Got so used to not worrying about having my back to the door, here.
"Babette," I waved her in. Now, most of the folks around here had light feet, but she could sneak up on her shadow! "C'mon in." Still hard to remember she's actually the Oldest member of our little familly. "You know the plan?"
"I got the gist from Astrid." She nodded.
"You got any dies, or face paints?"
"Of course!" she squeeked, and brought out a sachel. "Now, none of these will last very long, but what do you need?"
"Let's start with her hair," she reached up to touch it self consciously. "I know the Bosmer he liked had a rich woody brown."
"So, you're going to make me into a Bosmer?" Gabriella frowned.
"Of course not," I shook my head, "You're too tall, anyway, but we're hoping you'll look enough like what Erikur is attracted to. Unfortunately, the only one we know of, just happened to be Bosmer."
"Oh," she nodded, "Okay."
"How about some flush for her cheeks," I asked Babette, "Can we do that?"
"I don't see why not?" She stepped in front of me, "What for?"
"Well," I shrugged, "She just blushed, and it really brough out the red in her eyes.
"Uh," Gabriella put up a hand, "Can I ask why she's deciding how to make me more attractive?"
"What?"
"I mean, no offense, but what's with those stains around your eyes?"
"Uh," I blinked, and looked away, "I made a mistake," got up, "I didn't think it was going to be permanent," and left them to figure it out.
"So how's she coming along in there?" Astrid looked over my shoulder at the door.
"She's in good hands," if tiny ones. I turned, and quickly wiped my eyes. "By the way, I was wondering something."
"What would that be?" she looked interested.
"Well," I started walking, "It's about the Armor." I was still getting used to how tight fitted it is.
"What about it?" she shook her head.
"Well," how do I put it, "It's great, and all, but don't you think it's a little, conspicuous? I mean what we do, it's all about stealth, right?"
"Yes, of course," she stopped me, "But Red, and Black are the colors of Blood, and the Night. Besides, blood itself doesn't show up too well on it, by design." She turned unexpectedly, and I skipped to catch up. "Let me show you something," she crouched, and for a moment, even though I was looking right at her, she dropped out of sight. A movement caught my eye, and I made her out across the room.
"As you can see," the shadow talked, "the red is quite black in the shadows." She stepped out, "But, as I come into the light, the color comes out." I blinked, and saw the truth of it. "So, while you're sneaking in, and out of shadows, you can look at your gauntlets, and use them as a kind of Indicator of whether or not you're in shadow, or just on the edge."
"Oh!" I didn't know what else to say.
"The last thing is, some times we Want to be recognised. Some of our missions are public, to set an example, and maintain the Fear we enjoy from the rest of Tamriel." She headded back to the foyer, or the room she shared with Angbjorn. "On the missions where Stealth is more important, or you don't want it associated with us, there's no reason why you have to appear in uniform. Especially when you have to infiltrate somewhere first, a disguise may be more appropriate, so I suggest you have backup armor, and even clothes should you need them."
"Ok," I had a wardrobe to myself in the common quarters, and that was barely enough, "That's not really a problem for me."
She rubbed my hair, "I know," and smiled nicely.
Falkreath Barracks/Hold:
Ok, I guess I lost my temper. This guy was coming out of the Trader's when I was walking down the street, with two Dunmeri women, and asked me what kind of Nord am I? Just to be clear, I warned him, got right in his face and asked him to explain himself. He called me a "Traitor to my people," and I might have slightly cut him down where he stood, a little.
In broad daylight, guards all around, I have to admit it wasn't a well thought out plan. So, I put my "Dagger" away, and let them take me to jail. I had the 1000 septims, but that's a lot of money, and the Jarl said I had to buy a home, and make a name for myself in the hold to be Thaned.
Ok, probably not the best way to go about it, but I bet I could make it up in fetch quests. Anyway, I found myself in this cell, with some paper, and charcoal within reach, so I got something to do in between sharpening this piece of steel I found on the floor.
How hard can it be, I seen Jenassa do it enough, and I'm still officially a member of the Guild as far as I know. Killing my way out probably isn't a good plan, so that means picking that lock. How hard could it be?
"Um," let's see, she usually lined it up with the corners first, like this. No, not that one, so how 'bout, no, don't put too much Power into it, this is a finnes thing, "Ah!" That click felt good, and I peeked the corner before swinging it open. Eazy beezy!
Now, let's empty this chest before he sees me. No time to put on my armor, but keep Dagger out just in case. Ope! I ducked down this side passage, it's only about as deep as a doorway with the bars there, but the guard just kept walking.
Then I smell this guy behind me, before I hear him. He's wearing ragged trousers, and like I thought, he admits he was brought in after changing. Doesn't have to tell me what kind of change, he can smell me too, just gives me this ring, and asks me to go find Hersene to give it back.
Now, that's what I call a Quest! By then, I got my armor back on, so I sneak back out, and thank goodness it night out, or it'd be a lot busier. I guess I should start thanking Hersene, since that's who I'll be ending up with, if the legends are to be beleived.
Thing is, I'm not much a hunter, and that Stag was fast! I got so frustrated, and then mad when I got to this log bridge got in the way, and the bandit archers started shooting at me, so the stag got away, and the ring started glowing bright enough to shine through my pocket.
So, I ran up to kill the bandits, and chowed down to make it last, and found the stag a lot easier to chase, and kill. Only it's ghost started talking to me, and it turned out it was Herne the whole time. I know, Hersene, but it's just a lot easier to write out Herne over, and over, and I guess He doesn't mind, because he never corrected me.
So anyway, he said good job, and all, but now I have to go kill Sinding, finally learned his name, for taking the ring. I wasn't all for it, but I thought I'd check it out, so I put my armor back on, and spent all night running up there. Somehow, I could feel the goal, which is weird, and annoying, so I figured I'd go see if I could at least get rid of this distraction in my head.
Then I came to the lake, which sucks, because swimming in all that armor with a greatsword really wears a body out, but at least there were islands where I could take a break, and split a couple Mudcrabs. Then, there was this Standing Stone thing, like the ones over by Riverwood, and I figured I'd gotten good enough at sneaking, so I'd find out what it does.
I don't feel anything yet, but since I got enough rest, I guess I'll head on...
Bloated Man's Grotto
First, we made love by the light of the blood moon, then Hircene blessed his hide. I don't know how long I cried after that, but by the time I could get up, the sky was normal again, and it was dark outside.
Sanctuary
"Wow!" Gabriella petted my shoulder, "Where did you get that fur!?"
"I," looked away, "Don't want to talk about it." and squeezed shut my eyes. Thanks to Herne, I hadn't a tear left in me.
"I'm sorry," she stepped back, "You aren't mad?"
"No," I sighed, "You'd know if I was angry," and then maybe you wouldn't like me any more.
"Why," she turned her head to the side, "did you do that?"
"What?" then I remembered, "OH!" How long had it been? "Well I, don't know, really. It's just, he was insulting you, and you're my friends."
"I'm pretty sure you went mad there," she laughed, nervously.
Not as mad as I can get, "Did I miss anything?" Over the past few days.
"Oh yes," She remembered, "Go talk to Astrid."
It turns out that Brelas, the Bosmer from the embassy has turned up. A stroke of luck that a new member saw her at the Candlehearth Hall, in Windhelm. I met him, a little cat man, never learned to pronounce their name, much less spell it.
Astrid went up to give him his initiation, and I missed it. Apparently cleared 3 contracts in the process, but she doesn't brag about these things, like the other. Music of life, and all that. She admitted she doesn't trust him yet, because he doesn't "talk enough," and tends to creep around, as if spying on our conversations.
I didn't see much of him, so I was sent to run a mission. I went to see Jenassa, who was back at the Drunken Huntsman, and also see the Companions to let them know I was alive. It's okay that he tagged along. Turned out to be a conjuror, cast a weapon like the Thalamore soldiers, only a gosly glowing bow with tendrils of blue mist flowing from it.
I must say, it was effective. Jenassa is no slouch with a bow, but that infernal thing sent Wolves flying back, even a white one we ran into, which I know are much tougher. Jenassa was fine, though she admitted boredom always waiting for me when I was down in the sanctuary, where she can't go. We had a meade together, but she said that if someone doesn't come by to hire her, she might have to come find me.
I thought I might need her for "The Job" coming up, she knew what I ment.
Then, I went to see Aela, said I wasn't looking for work, I just missed her. She hugged me, and the little cat man had a creepy smile when it looked back. I took him out of the practice yard right away after that. Then, I told him to wait, while I went into the Grotto. My, how it had changed, he was gone, but there were spriggans, with lots of bears, and wolves.
Someone put up a shrine of Talos, and left a sword that looked a lot like Delfine's. The handle was long enough for both hands, but I found it too light, so I let the cat man carry it. For once he spoke.
"This one has no need for Blades," he whispered, "Only claws, and the bow." I think I liked him better silent. "XYZZY is never disarmed." Now, that I could understand.
"How do you spell that?" I wondered on the way back, "Your name?" He told me, and I laughed.
"Is okay," he nodded, "Better than a man called Plugh."
I just left that cryptic statement alone, and hurried back home. I needed that, to clear my head of all Distractions before the Contract. After reporting to Astrid that "He seems quite capable," she took him asside and talked to him privately.
Unfortunately, the lack of distraction wasn't to be. While I was gone, someone else arrived. I should say he was something else, I thought I had seen on the road while I was chasing that damned White Stag. No, it Had to be him, noone else would dress like that, though he had some interesting boots, and gloves.
Candlehearth Hall.
I put down the journal, and rubbed my eyes. I was so glad when I found them. While XYZZY was in there spying on Cicero, Astrid had me sneak into his room to see if I could find out anything about what he was hiding.
They started out all right, and I had plenty of time to read on the carraige up to Windhelm, but now that I'm partway through the third one, his obvious decent into madness is starting to get to me. Just one more to go, after this, if I can make it that far, but taking a break to write seems to be helping.
Brelas finally showed so I could talk to her. There might be a side job in here, but I don't know how these things work. I read A Kiss, Sweet Mother, but she didn't do the Black Sacrament. There's nothing in the 5 rules, and I don't know that those even apply any more.
The night mother, I thought Astrid was the Sweet Mother, until She showed up as a silent corpse in a box. And now Cicero says that XYZZY is the listener, like he's the most reliable source. He doesn't deny it, but how well do we know him?"
"Huh!" Brelas left, so I might as well write it down while I remember. She seems upset about how Erikur treated her, then had her tortured for refusing his advances, for some reason. She sayed "I'm not a Slave any more," apparently they brought her from Cyrodiil. Unfortunately, she has little to offer in payment, so she's depending on my sympathy, or somesuch nonsense.
Maybe Gabriella, she seemed to truly feel for her, or maybe she really is a good actor.
Blue Palace:
I sniffed, and looked around, waiting for Jarl Elisif. We stopped by the Radiant Rainment, and the lady there gave me some clothes to wear, and see if she liked them. Simple enough, but it's just a convenient excuse to be seen here, where Erikur seems to spend a lot of his time.
I smelled Vampire. Problem is, there's too many bodies in the room, and I have no way to see the difference. Could it be him? I never met him before, but he kept his mouth shut.
Okay, she said she liked them, and would be placing an order, so I went back, and got some decent clothes. Those were so fancy, I was afraid to move, or breathe in them. Nice, and lose, but heavy across the shoulders, and hot. I put my beloved's hide back on, and dreamed of seeing him again in the hunting grounds.
But no time for that, there's business at hand. Erikur certainly seemed interested enough, though he only followed as far as the door.
Winking Skeever
He sent a corior for me, so here I am. I gave him the cover story, that I need to speak with Elenwen, privately on a matter of the utmost importance. Gabriella flirted skillfully, he asked if she was a dark elf, or wood elf, and commented that he found the combination "Exotic." I don't know if they can breed, but I doubt he does either. We just worked it into the deception.
He agreed to take her my message, and hinted what he would like in return. Exactly as planned. I demanded his attention for him to repeat it, and he got the important parts right.
"Yes yes," he waved boredly, "You've found 2 old Blades she was looking for. The oldest one is Magical, while the other is still bright, and sharp." No idea what it ment.
He offered to take the "Contract" I brought along to her, but I gripped it in both hands, and insisted I deliver it personally, in private. He looked back at Gabriella on his way out, and none too soon. We were scaresly back at our room when it wore off.
"So," Babette grinned viciously, "How did it go?"
Thalmor Embassy, Front Gate:
"Hult!" the guard held up a hand. I tried to breathe, but felt so exposed out there without armor, or the reassuring weight of a weapon at my back. He, and another blocked the gate, while a Wizard came, and said something through the bars. It didn't even sound like words, but his eyes glowed, and he looked me over.
"Let me see that," he held out his hand for the Scroll, and inspected it.
"That's my message for Elenwen," I lied, "It's sealed, so only I can open it."
"And the ring?" I held it up to the gate, and his eyes widened.
"It's cursed," another lie, "Can't be removed."
"Let her in," he nodded, and stepped back for the gate. Security sure was better, in the yard there were countless soldiers, plus the 2 in front, 2 behind me, and the Wizard escorting me. "That is a Shrouded Hood," he noticed, "Is it not?"
I nodded, silently, and let him draw his own conclusion.
"Follow me," the guards locked the gate, then door behind us, but left our sides. I was in! Maybe I could take the wizard myself, but I had to wait, to see the target, lest she escape. Don't forget, I told myself, why you're here.
"Ah yes," I recognized her, "Welcome to My Embassy." From Helgen, she was on a horse when Ulfric came in on the cart.
"So, you're Elenwen?" I nodded slightly, "I've heard so much about you."
"Of course," she turned, and walked back into the large ornate room, "And I won't insult you by asking your name, nor who sent you." A guard straightened next to the door, eyes straight ahead like a statue. Even her skin, and War Paint golden to match her armor.
She waved it open, leading me back to a hall, and let it close behind me. I heard the lock click, and noted more guards around the room. "My message is for your ears only," I waved at them, "Is there some place private I can give it to you?"
"This way," she led me up the steps, "I had thought your," she turned to look over her shoulder, "Faction would be more Prompt," and sniffed, "but so long as you get the job done."
I blinked, "of course," was She offering a contract?
"Now," she let me in an office, "have a seat," but remained standing. Alone at last, the door closed all on it's own, and she raised her hands. I held up the scroll, but she just let them fall, a sapphire light spreading across the floor to the walls, and up them until it met overhead. "There, no one can hear us now."
She Muffled the whole room? I had to bite my thumb to open the blood seal, thankful they hadn't thought to kill me, and open the scroll. Not that it would have done them much good, but I'd still be dead. "I'm waiting," she tapped her foot, and looked down her long nose at me. Even standing, she towered over me, like a Troll, but I killed them too.
"Do you know Daedric?" I looked over the strange letters.
"Yes, of course," she looked down, but I said it before she could make it out.
"Azt Feledésnek Taglós Saját Kezemet!" just like Festus taught me. Made me practice, over, and over until I could say it perfect. She stepped back, gasping, and raising her hands as the words flashed bright ultra purple, and consumed the parchment.
"SNAP!" both of them threw out bright light that hardened around her as the glow spread in a line before me, and I reached out to grip it. Even as the tendrils curled around the end, swirling into a platter sized blade. I dropped it into my other hand.
"The night mother sends her regards," she warded with both hands, but the mystic battleaxe smashed straight through, barely slowed by her waist, and cutting a deep furrow into the wall behind her. Her legs fell first, followed by her top, the shocked expression still on her face, and the glow faded from around the room.
Thalmor Enbassy Courtyard
Right out the door was a crush of golden armor. I tried to Shout them back, but they were so blocked in the doorway, they couldn't even flee. They pushed me back, so I took a step to the side, spun, and swept them with my magical blade. Then, I charged, striking one down for an opening to the wizards behind. The air rippled in Oblvion Violet, and lightning crackled around 2 floating cairns flanking the central figure.
In black spiked armor, it seemed to glow blood red from within. "A CHALLENGER APPEARS!' The demon reached back for the most wicked blade I'd ever seen, but I was already running through the lighting crackling all over the room. I managed to stagger Him, but barely scratched that infernal armor. It just created an opening to jump over the stairs.
I hit them already turned to run across the larger room. A storm of energy crackled down from the balcony, but I made it to the hallway, and foung the door barred. "DAMN!" I caught my breath, and crouched in a storeroom, ghostly haft held defensively in front of me while I looked frantically around for something, anything to help.
There! I gasped. One of those big club shaped potions, but green, and a couple tiny pink ones I downed almost instantly. "KAH!" I could feel the energy returning, and my wounds rapidly closing up. "I SMELL WEAKNESS!" It caught up, blocking the door, but at least didn't surprise me. I blocked His attack, and brought my pommel foreward into his face.
Then folowed through, swinging around over my head, and down onto His. He staggared again, but straighted up, I back pedaled with the pause to recover, enough to duck, and roll foreward with a powerful foreward smash. THUNK! A normal haft would have snapped with the force, but he rippled, and fell back, disappearing in thin air.
"Never should have come here!" I could only run, panting, but in their armor, the couldn't keep up. Almost cornered, I struck one down before she could reach me with her mace, side stepped to sweep another's head off, and charged through more lightning to strike a wizard down.
"KZH!" I staggared back from a bolt of lightning, and the wizard crouched, cupping his hands to his side. I barely managed to roll away before it thundered into the wall behind me, and the last Storm Atronach released a blast that struck him accidentally. He drew a dagger, but his thrall disippated before his body fell to the floor.
"Huh, huh, huH!" my weapon faded, as I bent to recover some armor. Great, nothing but maces I have no idea how to use, and 3 daggers. I raided the place, at least they stock lots of potions, and took stock. Most of them are Regeneration, which is good, but like the armor, useless to fight my way out unarmed.
The Dragonborn said the tunnel was in the basement of the Solar, clear across the courtyard. Then, I have to get through that building, and Why don't these damned elves use any decent sized weapons, Ever!? I found the side door, though, crouched around the corner, and chugged the potions down. Looking up at the moons, I felt the warm comfort spreading up my arm from my Ring.
Not with rage, but the embrace of Hircine, it was like returning home after a long frightning journey, or waking well rested. "Go now," he spoke to me, "the Hunt awaits..." I could feel my beloved Sinding smiling down on us.
hhrrRRARRGH!!!
Drunken Huntsman
"Well," Jenassa stood, "What a sight for sore eyes you paint." We embraced as old friends, and I saw she had switched back to her old Leather Armor without the helmet. "Want me for some more of your adventures?" She grinned, "Free of Charge."
I laughed, "That's okay," I didn't want to say I don't need her any more. "Would'ja lookat this?"
I pulled out a bundle, and handed it to her.
"Well!" her eyes went wide, "Where did you come across this?"
I pulled up a chair, "It's a long story." She ordered Mead. "Huh! Well, I took care of our friend overlooking Solitude," she nodded understanding, "But when I got out, I was unarmed, and just had some golden armor for protection. So, I snuct into a crypt, found an old axe stuck in the floor, and started back. I didn't dare return to the Stables, and even skirted Morthal."
"Is that where," she couldn't keep her eyes off the bow, and arrows lying on the table, and the guy behind the counter seemed to take notice as well.
"I'm getting to that," I rolled my eyes, "Anyway, I found these stairs up to this pass. It was real wide, but an old ruin stretched all the way across it. I ran into a Frost Troll, and I can usually handle them now, but then came another, and another. I finished the first one quick, but I had to fall back. I ran east, up some stairs to see if I could take them one at a time, but wouldn't you know it, aNother one ran out from behind me!"
"And then?" She sat foreward, fingers together in front of her like those triangular arches.
"I had to run, down these stairs to a door, and thank Hircine they didn't follow." I took a breath to steady my fingers. "Now, you know I'm not usually creeped out by those places, but some of them Draugr, they were real tough. It seemed almost all of them could throw Frost, if not icecicles, or Atronachs. I got a really good old sword off one, like my other one, but much sharper, and that helped.
Anyway, it was near the end when I got to this dark room, and a horned one with," I waved at the table, "Well, that. He saw me, and shot me once, and I thought I was gonna die. So I retreated to heal," look around to see if anybody was listening, "howled out, and that wasn't even enough to more than wear him down. I don't know how many times he almost killed me, but when I was myself again, I threw some dust, and rolled away to behind a pillar."
I remembered, "Oh, there was some Vampire lair in there, Movarth, I think his name was. So anyway," I got back on track, "I used it all, rolling in invisible, then out until he calmed down, then back to tackle him again. Then, I had to drop down, where there was another one, with this."
I grinned, and pulled out my new treasure. "He was tough too, but I got real good at blocking, and bashing, so he barely even hurt me." I just kind of trailed off, got lost in the beautiful swirls, and black glass of my new knife. Sighing, I put it back, and got up. "So, I want you to have that, nobody I know could get better use from it, and as you can see, I got my own Ebony now."
Sanctuary
"We need to talk," Astrid met me at the door, with what's his nuts, the new Kajit.
"Both of you?" I looked down on him, "I thought he just Listened."
"Yes," he looked nervous, "But this one must speak for our Mother to be heard." Like Dovakiin, he seemed to have swallowed the whole Chosen One spiel, and only answered to The Listener now.
I sighed, "Let me change," and stripped off the Elven Light Armor before pulling on my Beloved's hide, Fine Armguards, and some boots I got off a Stormcloak officer. I petted the fur, and felt better immediately. "So," I met them in the Night Mother's chamber, "What's up, a new Contract?"
"The Mother was with you," Astrid leaned back, crossed her arms, and let him do the talking, "She knows what you saw, sees what you know."
"Ah," I pulled up a chair, "And?"
"She says there was a Black Sacrament in the basement of Elenwen's Solar." I remembered, "And a chest full of Gold."
I sighed, "Yeah, well the contractor's dead," she had one of her Wizards do the ritual for her, he was delicious.
"Yes, but you took the Gold," he nodded, "And therefore accepted the Contract."
"What?" I looked over at Astrid.
"He's right," she nodded soberly, "We can, of course get someone else to perform it, but by turning away from the Brotherhood, we cannot let you leave, alive."
I caught my breath. I was so used to the homey safe atmosphere that I'd even left my sword by my bed. I looked back, at the closed door behind me. Even if I escaped them, and fought my way to the Black Door, they would find me. "Huhaha!" I pretended to laugh, "That won't be neccessary. I'm glad to help, but I was just unaware of that rule."
"You read the tenents," She smiled coldly, "While we may have, strayed from them before." you mean You did, "But with the return of the Night Mother comes a return to Traditions. Even without her, we couldn't let such an infraction go."
"Of course not," I swallowed, "It was just a misunderstanding."
"You brought the note?" the Listener crept foreward.
"No," I shook my head, "But I read it.
"Who's the target?" I turned back to Astrid.
"Delfine," I sighed, "The leader of the Blades."
"Truly we are blessed!" Astrid spread her arms to the coffin, "By the Night Mother. First Elenwen, then the Emperor, and now this!"
"The Emperor," I boggled, "THE EMPEROR!? Of the Empire?"
"Yes," she laughed, "and with this, the Dark Brotherhood will Rize Again!"
It almost didn't even sound like her.
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I hate to be the bad wolf of the blog but I’m afraid I have to ask that you change the time stamp of your post as you have already posted one less than twenty four hours ago. Members can only post one blog in every twenty fo... more