Private [ROF] Rise of the Falmer

Edwyn considered his situation. A high elf, Cyrodiilic knight, and an Argonian right around me. A man with a bunny in the corner and a worried looking man was in the other corner. They had all came in at around the same time, so they were probably in the same group. Maybe this is my chance to prove my superiority. "I say Geminus, you must be the most popular man in all of Skyrim. Obviously more popular than the Thane." "Speaking of the Thane, I believe me and my friend Vorman were going to do a little investigating in the morning and we'd just be oh so honored if you came with us to help out. You can even bring your group along if they're interested." Edwyn leaned back in his chair and chugged down another bottle of ice cold mead, pleased by the way he was holding his composure around all these people. Don't kill them all. DON'T DO IT. They could prove useful.

Geel could not help but be curious. A Thane, murdered? In Dawnstar? It was near impossible, the town had guards almost as good as those in Solitude! He scanned the man's eyes, trying to get his motive of bringing up this subject. He never trusted other mages, especially those who seemed confident in their ability. But he hid hs emotions too well, and Geel could not glimpse anything. He hastily turned towards Einarr, so the mage would not notice that searching gaze.

Einarr was sitting in a corner, and Geel realized how depressed he must be. To return back to such memories was no small feat. Perhaps he should go cheer him up, but he couldn't leave the table with a werewolf and mage there. He couldn't leave potential threats to wreak havoc.

He gave a glance to the rest of the inn. It was crucial that there was an escape route if something happened and those two got hostile. Geminus could help buy them some time (assuming he wasn't already the mage's Thrall), and perhaps Geel could make some flames to help mask their exit. They had to go upstairs, to get Emberlynn and the man, but how would they get back down? Hopefully there's a window up there. To slow them, he could barricade the stairway with chairs, but how long would it last?

On his guard, he scanned the Lycanthrope. This contractor of Sanines Lupinus could hardly blend in with the crowd, which would have caused some problem for him in the past. Should the wolf transform.... All he could hope was that he would go beserk and kill off the mage. Geel knew for a fact he could not take a full on Loup Garou in such a compact space.

THe mage. Back to the mage. He seemed a good fellow, but he knew most mages to have another intent. That coupled with the fact he was accompanied by what most considered a "beast of evil" (even though Geel did not believe so entirely), made it seem all the more likely they weren't here for a simple talk.

But he was interested in the conversation, and returned back to what he hoped looked like a calm relaxed position. He was much better at faking emotions being an Argonian, with their near unreadable faces, but this mage was good. From his grace and how open he was, Geel knew he feared nothing, and was worried.

Geminus leaned over to Geel, put a hand on his shoulder, belched..."Sorry..." cleared his throut and said into the Argonians ear slits, "What do you want me to do? Jump up and impale the boy with my sword? I don't know if he's good or evil, monster or man. He hasn't lost control of himself and hasn't appeared hostile to anyone... well maybe the barmaid and that bard..." He looked in the Argonian's eye... "maybe your new found sense of sight is being overwhelmed by your overly developed other senses from when you were blind. Relax friend, have an ale or mead or wine or whatever your drink of choice might be. Get some food, warm your scaley hide next to the fire."
He pushed himself back in his seat tipping it back against the wall and turned to Melee with a smile before turning back to Geel and saying, "Besides, no one's going anywhere in that storm out there."
Returning his attention to Melee he said, "'ow 'ave ya been luv? 'oldin' the rabble together well it seems."

With a shrouded glare as Edwyn took his attention away from Melee he replied, "I've 'eard a few rumor floatin' around the inn. Most believe the Falmer did it, but there's a few that think it couldn't 'ave been them shince he was in White Hall hiding with Jarl Skald at the time." he paused for a drink before continuing on.
"I haven't paid much mind to it though as I had just got back and was having a meal and a drink. We were originally planning to come 'ere to help that lad," Pointing at Einarr at the bar, "see what happened to his dad and friends after the recent Falmer attack." Turning to Melee, "Which I learned a bit of something about."
He hadn't realized he had leaned forward and set the chair back on all four legs. Pushing himself back against the wall, he took another pull off the tankard, then flagged the barmaid for another.

Melee couldn't help but stifle a small laugh as Gem asked how she had been; he'd clearly been making the most of the storm by taking the opportunity to stay in the warm inn and have a few drinks. Probably a few too many by the looks of it. Actually, definitely a few too many if he just called me "love". She rolled her eyes and smiled as she answered him. "We've made it this far so we've held together pretty well. Looks like we'll be in here for a while, considering the strength of that storm outside." She noticed Geel hadn't brought up Emberlynn or the older man, so she decided that bringing them up in front of two strangers probably wasn't the best idea.

Turning her bright green eyes to the two strangers, Melee nods in their general direction with a faint smile. "So you're investigating the Falmer attacks as well? Perhaps we can all help each other then, since you've already started helping Gem." At the mage's remark, she raises one of her eyebrows slightly. She was detecting some sarcasm in his demeanor, and there was even a condescending tone to his voice, especially when he mentioned ''bringing the group'' along. She cleared her throat, and then leaned forward in her chair, resting her elbows on her knees so that her hands were clasped between them. "If you'd like us to help, I think you'll find that we're all more than capable of handling ourselves in almost any situation." She flashed a smile, unsure of what to think of this man. The other was being quiet, keeping his eyes down and looking uncomfortable. Maybe that one is the werewolf Geel was talking about? I'm not sure.

As Gem turned to Melee to talk to her, she had to quickly lean back, since he was almost about to knock his head into hers. He straightened up as he talked, and the last thing he said interested Melee the most. Something about the Falmer attack here? She put a hand on his arm, to pull his tankard away from his mouth so she could ask about it, but decided that maybe that should be done in private. She was still slightly wary of the two men he had just become acquainted with, and put her arm back down so that it rested on her leg.

She smiled as he gave her a dazed and confused look, and just waved her hand as she folded her arms. "Go ahead, have a good time. You look like you're enjoying yourself." And she had to admit, it was a little funny seeing him this way. She wondered if Geel would react the same way to alcohol, and laughed quietly as a mental image of everyone in group getting drunk flashed through her mind. Melee shook her head as she thought, No drinks for me. No thanks.

[Cliffs over Dawnstar]
The Falmer Shadowmaster and the small squad of falmers with him huddled together for warmth in the makeshift tent they put up to shelter from the storm. The cold of the storm didn't bother them, they were used to it from living in many of the ice cavarns in this region, it was the howling wind and the driving snow that made visibility nearly impossible and trechorous for the falmer that hadn't grown eyes yet. They had tracked the adventures to Dawnstar and watched them all go into the tavern. The Shadowmaster was wishing that they had not collapsed the tunnels leading to the mines. They could've snuck into town and maybe get better information for the Snow Prince, and be out of the howling snow. They'd have to wait here now until the storm broke and then watch what the nosey adventurers would do.

Einarr notices the laughter and joy that his gem and his new found friends are seeming to be feeling in fact every one seemed to be a little more relaxed. He on the other hand felt sick to his stomach. Half the patrons in the bar must of been hired sell swords or those who wished to see if Dawnstar had truly been attacked. Einarr found him self drifting to the memory's of the past.

Two years ago.
Einar was sprinting down the street, The falling snow stuck to his face and hair, A group of boys where chasing him. Apparently they didn't appreciate Einarr retaliating when they started picking on him. His legs carried him as fast as he could trying to escaped the beating that was sure to follow if they caught him.
He turned into an ally and stopped behind a building to catch his breath. He could hear them getting closer.
"Einarr?" A soft voice called out. Einarr spun around and saw Jessica standing beside an open window.
"What are you doing..." The question lingers in the air. Einarr is about to respond then the sound of the other children are heard. "Over here." "Yeah this way!.". Jessicas eyes widen slightly in understanding.
"Einarr get inside, quick." She backs up from the window as Einarr jumps up and pulls him self through. Jessica quickly closes the window and shutters and turns back towards Einarr.
"My fathers still at the mines.. So you should have a couple hours to hide out..." Her fingers drum on the wall shes on as she talks.
"Thanks." Einarr manages to finally say, His voice small and timid. He was always shy but even more so in front of Jessica who always seemed so confident and friendly. His eyes wander over her for a moment in the way that all teenagers do at one time or another. She looked different, When ever he saw her out she was always all done up. She had some thing called 'make up' which was shipped from the imperial city, and he always seemed to be dressed in her best clothing. But now he saw her in another light. She was dressed in simple woman's trousers, and a shirt that's collar hung rather loosely around her neck. And her long dark hair hung messily down her back. Einarr found him liking this look a lot more, She had a natural beauty about her, and even with out the fine clothing and makeup she still looked like some thing out of a dream, Or at least that was how he thought of her.

Jessica noticed his brief look and pulled her shirt a little higher up to cover more of her breasts.
"Sorry I must look like a mess." She walks over towards him feeling a little embarrassed and takes a seat next to him facing the fireplace
"No, you're beautiful more beautiful then any one I've ever seen." What Einarr said just seemed to pop out of his mouth, And as soon as he had said he he wanted to take it back. She was going to make fun of him, call him a milk drinker, turn him in to the others.
Einarr shut his eyes wanting to take it back, Waiting to see how repulsed she had to be. Then some thing he never thought could happen, Happened.

Einarr felt a pair of lips on his for the first time in his life, and he would never forget it. The softness of her lips, the sweet smell of her hair as he brushed his face. The warmth of the fire and complete sense of shock then joy as it happened. But then as all good things must come to an end their kiss did as well. Jessica pulled away and rested her head on his shoulder.
"You're sweet Einarr." She says as she looked into the fire. And that's what they did for the next few hours. They sat in silence taking joy out of each others company. No need for words or actions. Just the joy of that one pure sweet moment.

The present
Einarr felt a single tear fall down his cheek which he quickly wiped away with the back of his hand. The tavern had changed little since the last time he looked, The group was still going about their own tasks,Gem seemed to be in the drink rather heavily. Then he felt as though he was being watched, He looked around once and saw nothing, the again and saw a man with a ragged appearance looking straight at him. It took a moment to realize who it was then it hit him like a ton of bricks.

It was Jessica's father. He took a step towards Einarr, his eyes burning with anger and pain. But he was nearly drunk to the point of passing out and he stumbled on his second step. Einarr took this moment to quickly stand and make for the door, It swung open as snow went swirling into the tavern. But as quickly as he opened it,it shut again with Einarr outside.

He ran towards the center of town, The snow slapped against his face. Spells came to life in his hands with out him noticing it, Wards came up around him keeping the worst of the weather off of him. He had no idea where he was going but all he knew is that he wanted to be alone, Away from every one that reminded him of what happened, his old life. Then he saw it, His old house. Einarr stepped up to the door and pushed, the door opened slowly with a screech.

Einarr stepped inside and looked around, He could almost laugh.. He wanted to get away from any thing that reminded him of the past.. but here he was back in his old house. It felt so cold and lifeless. "Good." Eniarr thought to him self. He sent a firebolt into the fire place to catch the pile of logs inside on fire. "Still how I left them." He thinks again.

He stands in front of the fire place and looks up at the mantel where his mace, or his fathers, once stayed. He drew the mace and looked at it, He once thought it was the greatest weapon that could be forged but now.. all he sees a a piece of steel with signs of rusting. He lifts it up and rests it on the mantel. He was done with it. He knew he no longer needed it.

So there he was standing in his old home, the mace once again hanging on the mantel. Events coming full circle. Part of him died at that moment, Again he let go of part of his childhood and accepted his new life. He felt colder.. less joy inside of him, But with what is coming he may need to be cold to survive the coming storm

Vorman looked up, out of his brew and noticed how fast a rather large group of adventurers came in and settled down in the tavern. "Well.......Who are all of these then?" He asked turning towards Edwyn and Geminus, expecting an answer mainly from Geminus as he seemed to know them all quite well. "Ohhh, I'm sorry let me start again, the name's Vorman, Vorman Beastblood, nice to meet you all maybe you could explain who you are and why your here?" He said in a gentle tone, hoping for a positive answer that answered the question and not that type of 'none of your buisness' reply.

He caught the roll of her eyes and the smile as he greeted her and liked that, but then saw the quick dart of her eyes as if looking for something. He suspected he knew what it was about. They'd found Emberlynn and she was in no shape to be in a public place. "Glad tos hears youz made it here wishout inshident. Those curi...curei...oh hells, the runner guys... are damned squick shings aren't they."

He glanced back at the two new guys... what were there names... Oh right, Edwyn and Vorman...
At the mention of the Falmer he felt her touch his arm as he was going to take a swig and was about to say something but stopped and let him finish his tankard. He looked at his arm... that touch, so warm, so soft... but then she sat back and folder her arms say enjoy. A few almost improperly impure thought crossed his mind... but Vorman spoke up being rather inquisitive as the others came around to the table. He introduced himself again and this time Geminus caught his last name, "Beashtblued, intereshting name... ash to what weez are doin here, well thash obvish, wheer drinking ash the shnows falls." He smiled and tipped another mouthful of mead into his mouth... mostly as some ran down the side of his face into his armor.

Emberlynn's red eyes flutter open and she stares at the dimly lit wooden ceiling above her. The room around her is small, stuffy, and dimly-lit. Where am I? Though her body is no longer weak and fatigued, she chooses to remain lying there, motionless, studying the ancient beams of knotted wood as she tries to remember. How did I get here?

The last thing she could recall was... Oh Gods. She closes her eyes. Geel, Einarr, Melee... Rale. And that damned rabbit. She was such an idiot. How could she have put herself in that position? For a lousy ball of fur! More than a ball of fur... A small voice in the back of her mind seems to speak, reminding her.

Either way, she had been a fool. To fight in a battle when she was already so tired and weakened. To let the harsh rays of the sun hit her. To expose herself like that in front of the others... Others who probably feared her, hated her. Not all of them do. The voice seemes to whisper yet again, but she ignores it.

Where had they taken her? Had they kidnapped her? Taken her away to cure her? Kill her? Neither one sounded very appealing. Finally, she sits up and fully takes-in her surroundings. The din of several voices from the floor below and the howling of the wind through the walls tells her they must be in an inn. The Nightgate? No... There was a carriage...

Her head still feels heavy as she swings her legs over the side of the small, uncomfortable bed. She was so thirsty. All she needed was a little blood. Surely that would clear her head, let her focus. Figure out what was going on.

Emberlynn's still-tired mind focuses again on the voices downstairs. Mostly loud, deep. Men. The inside of her mouth moistens at the thought. A series of sudden violent images crosses her mind. If she could just get one of them alone... Make some small talk, give him a sweet smile, invite him up to her room... Poor fool would never know what was coming.

Her eyes close as she clutches the bedding beside her with both fists, willing the fantasy to pass. She was getting used to it. These sickening, violent urges were becoming not so much horrifying as they were annoying. It was like a severe coughing fit, or sudden hiccups -- Involuntary, unpleasant, persistent. But it always passed. Though Emberlynn was quite sure she had never felt such a thrill, such a rush of energy and lust, during a bout of the hiccups...

She shakes her head briefly. Get it together. The girl tells herself as her eyes fall on a small vial sitting on her nightstand. The liquid inside looked black, thick. And the smell was... Well, not quite like what she was used to. But it could only be one thing. Where had it come from? She wonders vaguely. But right now, it doesn't matter.

Emberlynn's pale white hand reaches out for the bottle and she pulls out the stopper, bringing it to her lips and letting the blood flow down her throat. It's not very pleasant... bitter and thick. Certainly not from man or mer. But it helps to quench her desperate thirst. And, for now, that's enough. She smacks her lips in spite of herself as she drains the last drops from the bottle, longing for more. Her thoughts once more travel to the men downstairs, but this time, it's easier to resist. No. Not now, not here.

Here. Where is "here" anyway? Emberlynn still had no clue. Surely one of her companions would know. But where were the others? And could she trust them? Only one way to find out... Creeping silently out of the bed and trusting her heightened sense to guide her, she tiptoes to the door and steps soundlessly into the narrow hall, listening intently to the voices below.

Geel snarls in annoyance, eyes slitting. His amber pupils bore into Geminus, and his rage threatened to overflow. He could not stand others speaking badly about his new gift of sight. Of course, he would never understand. They were born into a world of light, a world where everything was steady and made for them. He never had to fight for survival from birth, never had to worry about the next step in his life. Everything was planned for him.

Standing up from the table, he nodded his horned head towards Vorman, the likely Loup Garou. Geel wished he could stay cool, keep calm and continue with the conversation. It could be some valuable information. But Geel felt too angered to feel in the mood for chatter. He tried to tell himself that the Soft-skin called geminus was not entirely at fault- he would never know what it was like to live in fear of the constant, pressing darkness.

"My name is Geel. Vorman.... Beastblood. Interesting name. We are in this town to restock on supplies and get some stuff sorted out. Anything you could tell us about this town?"

As the conversation carried on and he heard the replies of the other people at the table, he looked at Gem, and was disgusted to find him drunk. Of course, he had to get drunk now. Just when Einarr was in the town associated with his alcoholic father, when he knew what was the consequences of drink and booze. Relax, Geel. His eyes shifting back to Einarr, and was shocked to see him gone. His eyes flashed round the whole room, but he could not see the boy.

As his eyes flared around the room, he suddenly remembered the vampire, Emberlynn upstairs. Wha....what if went upstairs and got attacked my her? It seemed unlikely, but still.....

"I got to go, nice meeting you lot" He mumbled, walking hastily up the looming stairway. It seemed to fill him with dread, and the idea he had failed his previous master by letting the boy die was unthinkable...

Emberlynn quite literally leaps backward at the sound of steps on the stairway below her. She crouches low in a dimly-lit corner, prepared for an attack, if necessary. Slowly, the figure comes into view, and her muscles relax slightly when she sees it's just Geel. He won't hurt me. She tells herself. Or at least, she hoped not.

Hesitantly she steps toward the Argonian. "Geel?" Her voice is just above a whisper. "What's going on? Where are we?" She asks, noting with interest the way his eyes seem to focus on her as she speaks. Can he... see me?

(Sorry it's ridiculously short, but A I'm at work and B I can't really say much else without a reply from Geel XD)

Melee glanced around the bar, faintly smiling as she gradually tuned out the conversation going on around her. She saw Geel stand out of the corner of her eye, quickly excusing himself as he hastily made his way upstairs. Her smile faded, wondering what had caused him to seem so upset. Maybe he's going to check on Emberlynn and the man they found? I wonder if they're awake yet. She considered getting up and going with him, but she decided against it. He probably wants to clear his head. He had seemed a little angry, and probably wanted to be by himself to blow off some steam. And she knew that he could handle himself, especially now. If someone could survive (especially in their slightly dysfunctional group) this long while being blind, she was pretty sure they could handle almost anything that got thrown their way.

Einarr, however, was a different story. She had also caught a glimpse of him keeping to himself over by the bar until a man approached (Well, it was more like staggered toward) him. Upon seeing him, Einarr had turned white and bolted out of the inn before either of them could say a word to each other. Perhaps that was his father? Melee frowned slightly and looked toward the door. I should check on him. It must be hard being back here after everything he's gone through, even before the Falmer arrived.

Melee stood and turned toward the group, nodding in the two newcomer's direction. "It's very nice meeting both of you. If you choose to accompany us, I will see you later." She placed her hands on her hips, looking to Gem who was thoroughly enjoying himself. He's going to be feeling that in the morning, she thought with a slight shake of her head. "Gem? Maybe you should slow down soon. You're starting to make a mess." She smiled slightly and headed out the door, snow swirling into the inn as she closed the door behind her.

The storm had calmed down, and was no longer raging through the town. Instead, a slight breeze was blowing snow through the air in glistening and shining whirls that were very pleasant to look at. She saw faint footprints in the snow, and kneeled down to look at them. She looked up from the imprints in the snow, squinting slightly to see better in the dark cover brought about by clouds passing in front of the moon. Most likely Einarr. I wonder if I can find him. As she stood up, she saw other larger dents in the snow, ones that had a spherical shape to them. There were also patches of melted snow in some places, and thick spurts of ice in others. It looks like a battle went on here. I need to find Einarr.

Melee continued following the footsteps, quickening her pace until she came up to a small, modest house. She walked up the door, slightly ajar and moving with the winter breeze. She slowly entered, peering around in the dark and sftly calling out, "Einarr? Are you in here?"

"Emberlynn? Dammit Emberlynn you took long!" He exclaimed with joy, struggling to keep his voice down. For a brief moment, the joy came sweeping back to him. But then the slow realization of what this could mean if Emberlynn was awake crept up, and he could not help but look around for Einarr's body. "You....You seen Einarr?" he asks, worried about the answer.

" We are here because we need to restock. You sort of fainted after helping us, so...." Geel lets his eyes trail to the open doorway. The man was still in the room, very much alive. His bottle of blood had been drunk, so he knew that he wasn't facing a blood starved vampire at the moment. HE breathed a sigh of relief, certain that Einarr had not been here. He worried for the boy, and hoped he was alright.

"You must still be hungry, that vial probably wasn't enough. Give me a moment." He opens his bag and pulls out the liver he packed. The blood inside was still moist and hopefully a large quantity. Rubbing the back of his neck, he passed the liver to Emberlynn, "It probably doesn't look too good, theres Falmer blood in it, but it should quench you."

That was strange. One second we're having a nice conversation about why we're here and where we're from, the next the Argonian is practically running up the stairs and the High Elf is walking out the door, trying her best to hid her worried expression. Probably worried about her friend that had recently left the bar. Sometimes I wish I wasn't so aware of everything around me. "Well Gem ol' buddy, I think I'ma call it a night. We Bretons can usually hold our mead pretty well, but I'm pretty tired. Me and Vorman didn't get much sleep on that carriage. We'll just be in the empty room upstairs. Wake us if you plan on leaving anywhere, we must get better acquainted." And with that, Edwyn and Vorman went upstairs to try and get a little sleep. Strange that that Argonian is now talking to an Imperial. They got to their room and Vorman took the bed while Edwyn sat on a chair. It was more comfortable than the carriage.

Einarr sat cross legged his back to the door, his eyes fixxed on the fire Fire and ice swirled in both his hands. It was during his practice that he heard the soft foot steps of some one coming towards his door, and the soft voice of melee. He hesitated at first if he should call out. He wasn't sure if he wished to speak to any one but then he felt guilty, he must of worried them hurrying out of the tavern so quickly.
"Yeah.. Melee I'm here." He says softly just loud enough so she can hear.
"Come inside if you want." Einarrs hands shut and his spells fade away he didn't want her to mention his training wile being alone, or to notice the scars on his hands glowing.

Geminus looked up when he heard the chairs scrape away from the table. He must've dozed off as he watched Edwyn and Vorman head off to their rooms. Melee had left and the rest of the group had dispersed too. The town folk were breaking up and heading home too. Pushing the chair forward onto all four legs he then stood up, and promptly sat down again. "Oh me head... " He had to hold onto the table until the room stopped spinning. The barmaid, Karita, "wasn't she singing earlier too?" came over and placed a large tankard of water before him as she sat down. "You might want to drink up some water before moving to fast, you've nearly drank us dry of mead this evening. You must be trying to forget something painful or maybe punish yourself for something. Either way, if you don't mind me saying, you were rather rude to your guests, especially that Argonian."
He took a long pull on the tankard of water and looked at the bard, barmaid... "Geel, that's the Argonian. Yeah, probably... long story... but I've got to big of a headache now to explain it. Thanks for the water, could I have another and some bread with cheese?" Karita looked at the armored Imperial, "Tell me your name first and then I'll get you some more water." Geminus looked at her for a moment as if thinking about his name, or trying to figure out what she was doing... "Geminus... Sierrius, of Cyrodiil." Karita smiled, "Good you remember your name. I'll get you some more water and food. Be right back." With that she stood up and went to the bar counter.
While he waited for more water and the food he tried to think back, was he really that rude to Geel? To Melee? To the two newcomers? He wasn't so sure now. He'd have to try and apologize to them in the morning. He tried to stand up again and sat down hard pushing the table and chair backwards. Karita ran over and steadied him, "will you sit there and patient. I'll have some food and water for you in a moment. Then if you're still to drunk to stand I'll help you to your room." Geminus looked at her, "why are you being so friendly to a drunk out of towner? I thank you though." He pulled the table closer and set his arm on the table and then his head on his armored arm. The steel was cold to his forehead and it felt good. He considered going to his room stripping off the armor and running into the cold waters of the harbor, but then looked over at Karita who shook her head as if reading his thoughts. A few minutes later she brought another tankard of water, bread and cheese. She had mixed in some herbs to the water and noticed him look at it funny. "I'm not trying to poison you, if that's what you're thinking. They help with the headache you've got to be having right now. It's a recipe we've worked up over the years to help others in your situation." He finished the first tankard and started on the cheese and bread. He didn't realize how hungry he was and finished it in a few bites. Karita smiled and waved over the cook who set a bowl of stew down in front of him. "Drink the water and then eat the stew, in the morning you'll be ready to go and well refreshed." He looked at her smiling and asked, "why?" To which she replied, "because you looked like you could use it and you seem like you're a good man despite the way you acted earlier," she paused, "and honestly, a bunch of us hope you can help put this town to right again after the attacks we had."
He looked at her amazed she was so forthcoming. "I hope so," pausing to drink down half the tankard of water, "the young boy that came in with the group earlier, Einarr, he's from here, saw the attack from the hills overlooking the town but ran away. He wants to make amends, help out, find the beasts. We had similar goals and decided to help him." He stopped wondering where Einarr had gone, not to far he hoped. He looked at the bowl of stew and started eating while Karita watched and then said, "Einarr, I know him. He was such a saint. He put up with so much from his father who blamed him for his mothers death. His father worked the mines and spent all his money getting drunk. Einarr was kind of sickly though, not a strong as the other boys his age who almost always picked on him. There was one girl though, Jessica, that fancied him, though secretly, she told me as much one day when we were out picking herbs. It's tragic though, she was taken by those Falmer in the attack. It would probably do them a world of good if you could find her."
She stopped as she realized Geminus had finished the stew, bread, cheese and the water and was starting to stand again, probably feeling a lot better. "Let me help you to your room, thankfully it's on this floor." She guided the armored Imperial to his room and left him standing in the middle of the room. She quickly ran out and got his shield, helmet and duffle bag and dragged them into the room before closing the door.
Geminus started unbuckling the armor and she quietly helped quietly humming a tune that he didn't recognize. After a few minutes, he was undressed and standing in his tunic, she led him to the bed and let him lay down. "Rest my friend and you'll feel better in the morning. Then you can find your friends, and we hope help the town." His eyes fluttered a few times and then he was fast asleep snoring ever so quietly.

Melee slowly walks through the door way once she hears Einarr's voice, hardly audible even in the overwhelming silence of the house. Her feet, which had been making what seemed like booming crunching steps out in the snow were now taking light steps across the hard wood floor. They sent small echoes throughout the house as she crept through the room, finding Einarr sitting on the floor in one of the other rooms with his arms resting on his crossed legs.

"You had us worried, Einarr. You ran out of there like you had seen a ghost." Melee sat down next to Einarr, crossing her legs and twirling one of the plants from her satchel between her fingers. She glanced over at him, concern evident on her face. "I know it can't be easy being back here. Are you ok?"


((I'm really sorry this is so short! I'm just exhausted but I felt bad having not posted anything in a while. =( ))

The first thing Sempronius became aware of was that he was ravenously hungry. The second was that his whole right side felt as if he’d been trod on by a mammoth. He was pretty sure he wasn’t in Oblivion, but wherever this place was, it was warm, smelled of rotten meat, and was filled with a shrill noise, like the squeals of a dying skeever. Vision returned slowly. When he opened his eyes, at first he could see only a soft, flickering glow that blanketed his whole field of view. He blinked slowly, several times, and the glow slowly resolved into the image of a small room illuminated by candlelight reflected off the walls. He lay on what felt like a straw-stuffed mattress, with his cloak laid over him like a blanket. He tried to pull off the covering, but only half-succeeded, as his right arm refused move.

‘And no wonder,” he thought, as he tilted his head to examine the appendage. What he saw on his now-exposed shoulder explained both his impaired mobility and the rotten meat smell. He had seen wounds fester before, in many lives, and could easily tell dead flesh from living. His shoulder, and the arm below it, were already dead and decomposing. If he had remembered his healing spells back on the road near Irkngthand, he could have prevented this, but now there was no way to undo the damage, or to further delay the inevitable. Even if the rot hadn’t already set in, there was no way he could heal himself. The only spell he could remember now was…

Cursing himself silently for a fool and a madman, Sempronius summoned Romag Orgroth to him. The Dremora appeared in a flash of darkness that produced a low rumble, barely audible above the squealing noise coming from the next room. He leaned over until his scowling red-and-black face completely filled Sempronius’ vision. He spoke a single word; a word charged with more hate and contempt than a mortal voice could possibly convey. “What?”

Sempronius’ lungs could barely move enough air for him to form words. “I am dying, Romag,” he all but whispered. “I wish this not to be so.”

“But, perhaps I want it to be so. Why do you believe I would delay your passage to the Deadlands, even if I could?”

“Because you are bound to my service?”

“Hah! Your death would break any such binding. I look forward to meeting you in Oblivion, Senectus. I have such sights to show you, such pain to give you-”

“-Apocrypha.”

“What was that?”

“I go not to the realm of your Lord Dagon, but to Lord Mora’s library in Apocrypha.”

“How do you kn-”

“I took an oath. ”

“Oaths may be broken, as you well know.”

“But this oath cannot be broken by a mere mortal such as I,” the old man looked the Dremora lord in the eye, his meaning clear.

Orgroth’s scowl deepened. “My master is the Lord of Change. He will change Lord Mora’s mind on this issue, for he is also vastly more powerful than that petty hoarder of secrets. But, for now…” He placed a hand on Sempronius’ shoulder, and the old man croaked in agony (the closest he could come to a scream).

Little rivulets of flame flowed from Orgroth’s fingers and slithered down the old man’s arm, eating away the dead flesh. This fire produced no heat or smoke, it left the bed and makeshift-blanket unsinged, and the flesh it burned was dead and without feeling. Yet Orgroth’s magic hurt Sempronius just as much as a true flame would if applied to his living arm. When the Dremora finally released his grip, the relief was so great that Sempronius almost thanked him for it.

Instead, he took a deep, gasping breath (his lungs were nearly empty from trying to scream) and, in what he hoped was a calm and authoritative tone, dismissed his servant. “Your task is complete. I release you, Romag.”

But Orgroth did not leave.

“I thought I told you ‘I release you,’ Romag.” Sempronius could already feel his strength returning. He sat up and faced the Dremora. “You hate Mundus. You usually leave me and run back to your ‘Deadlands,’ the moment I unbind you.”

“Do you understand the price you must pay for what I’ve done?”

“’Price?’ For what? What great service have you done me, eh? Any restoration mage worth his robe could heal a-” Sempronius stopped in mid-sentence. He was going to raise his right arm, to illustrate his point, but it still wouldn’t move. The old man looked down, and gasped.

The arm that hung limply by his side was shriveled down to almost nothing. The upper arm was now no bigger around than his left wrist. A short stump of forearm hung down below a bony elbow, and the whole was covered in rough, white scar-tissue. His right hand and wrist were gone altogether.

“I have ‘healed’ nothing.” For the first time in their long acquaintance, Sempronius saw Romag smile. It was a scary sight. “You asked for continued life. I have granted it: you will not die this day. But I do this only to give my Lord Mehrunes Dagon time to transfer Hermaeus Mora’s claim on your soul to me. I will see you in the Deadlands, Senectus, and you will repay me there for the years of humiliation I have endured here. You. Will. SUFFER!” And with that, Romag Orgroth disappeared, leaving Sempronius Senectus staring at what was left of his wounded arm.

The horrid squealing outside had stopped, and Sempronius heard hurried footsteps approaching. “He’s awake,” a woman’s voice called from the doorway. A pretty young redhead (provocatively dressed, I might add) rushed into the room and immediately pushed him back down on the bed. “Oh gods! You shouldn’t be sitting up in your condition! Lay down, and let me look at your wounds, sir. Abelone,” she called over her shoulder, “get some clean water and rags. And a jack of ale, too, I think.” The young woman turned back to Sempronius, and it was her turn to gasp. “How? How did this-”

“I am a mage of the Arcane University, young lady. I possess knowledge of magics you Northerners have never even imagined, much less studied.” This was true, strictly speaking. ‘I just wish I could remember some of those magics,’ he thought.

“Oh...well, I heard a shout, and I thought you were in your death-agonies, sir. I never expected to find you alive and…well, like that!” She gestured toward the shriveled stump of an arm. Just then, the freckle-faced Nord woman called Abelone came in, carrying a bucket full of wet rags and a wax-lined leather cup full of watered-down ale. She, too, seemed shocked at the old man’s appearance, but said nothing.

“We won’t be needing the water, but leave the ale on table,” Karita said, but Sempronius interrupted.

“Leave the water and rags as well, miss…uh…Abelone. I would like to wash. I would also like to eat. I…uh…am eternally grateful to you girls for nursing me for so long. How…how long did I sleep, anyway?”

“It wasn’t us who nursed you, sir,” Karita explained. “It was those people you were traveling with. They paid for your room and the Argonian left me instructions for tending your wounds.”

“But we figured all we could do was give you a peaceful end,” Abelone added.

‘Travelling companions? An Argonian?’ he thought, ‘How long have I been unconscious?’ Did he dream any of these people’s lives while he slept? He didn’t think so. His only Argonian memories were from when he was known as Talks-in-Circles, so that ruled one out. He’d have to talk to these others and see if any of them “felt” familiar. On the other hand, getting close enough to talk to anyone might be a bad idea right now. He was just starting to get his memories in order, and he now had a very important task to perform. He had to warn the jarls of Skyrim about the rebel slaves; about the Falmer. And the memory of Umfazac Gthan kept clamoring for him to take a more direct part in the destruction of that race. He addressed Karita once more.

“I’ll have to thank my companions when next I see them. But, for now, I would like to be alone.” He looked at the open archway that connected this room to the rest of the Windpeak Inn. “I don’t suppose there’s someplace I could bathe in private? A room with a door; a wine-cellar perhaps?”

“No, I’m afraid not. Perhaps we could hang a blanket across the doorway for you, though. Come, Abelone.” The two women returned to the common-room, and Karita could be heard talking excitedly with her father. Sempronius took up the jack of ale in his left hand, and drank deeply.

As he spoke with Emberlynn, Geel was shocked to see the man leave the room. He gazed open-eyed as the old man walked calmly out, and could not help but marvel at how well he recovered. But as he walked down the stairs, he realized in horror there was something different... skeletal. Watching from the corner in which he and Emberlynn lurked, his worries were confirmed.

The man. His arm.

Rationally speaking, he should be dead. Even wounds to extremities would be fatal. Geel had heard of people dying in pain when limbs were amputated without proper experienced medics. Such a wound seemed to have eaten up his arm, for it seemed nothing more than a tree branch. By the time he stopped gawking, the man had gone downstairs. It was good they provided such service here; not only did they aid him as he requested them to, but they moved with such haste that they did not see the pale vampire. He only hoped the man would be alright. He knew little about the man, but surviving such a flesh wound... He could not help but admire his bravery.

Geel realized that Emberlynn was looking more and more like a vampire too. Once in a while, heer eyes would shift color. Like how a Werewolf's eyes would turn a bloodshot red or a feral orange, a Vampire's eye shade would sometimes shift under different types of light. Geel had realized that under the morning sun, hers would turn a slightly different shade. It was subtle, but any experienced vampire hunter would find out. Coupled with her pale skin, Geel worried that she may get hunted down by the guards.

Einarr sat facing the fire, his shadow laying across the wall behind him. His hands where clenched tightly as he takes a deep breath.
"I guess I did see a ghost... A man inside the barr was the father of a girl I knew we where." He pauses for a moment. "Close." He unclenched his hands and the scars on them glow faintly red.
"I saw the falmer take her away when I ran away." He looks down as if in pain from the memory.
"I ran and left her to be taken, and seeing her father. I panicked and ran back home." He geasures around him, The one room house; dusty and smelling of alcohol.
"It's hard being back here.. So many of those people in the tavern are stranger.. perhaps moving here or trying to help. Like us. So many of the old faces that I had gotten used to are gone. My dad being one of them" His hand drifts to his face rubbing his eyes. He felt rather cold about whats happened, He only was ever close to Jessica. Feeling sad about the others, even his dad seemed forced.