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Bren

New Member
Chapter 33

“He will be away for a few days only.” Aric said to Freya. “We will ride west into the hills to Labyrinthian and then turn north to rejoin the main road to Morthal.”

“I understand.” Freya said.

“Our guest in the stables will have fewer roommates.” Samuel said as he climbed into his saddle.

“It will be a blessing for his former roommates.” Freya said with a smile.

“I do not think it likely at this point that Runa and her party will arrive here.” Aric said, “but if I am mistaken, she will know where we have gone.”

“If they arrive soon after you depart, they can follow your trail and overtake you if they chose.” Freya said.

“It is good that the Whiterun guard are here to escort the wagon and the prisoner.” Aric said. “Keep the guard from the farm and the mine close. I do not anticipate trouble reaching here, but I did not anticipate having forty guests sleeping in our yard.”

“We will manage.” Freya said. “Do not be concerned.”



It was midday when we began to ride west into the hills above Aric’s house, passing the spot where Lucia had taught me to draw upon the poser of the Earthbones. The exact spot where I had placed my hand was clearly visible from horseback, the ground having a glasslike appearance.




“If I understand our route correctly” I said, a few hours after our departure. “we will turn north onto the same path that Railius and I took from Morthal to Whiterun.”

“It is a common shortcut, though it is also a favorite place for bandits.” Aric said.

I recalled the attack that we survived. Even in his later years Railius had eyesight that would be the envy of any bird of prey. Sharp eyes and steady hands, even though his hair had turned grey.

“Grey hair never did a solider any harm.” He said once. “Hands and eyes are more important.”

“You no longer need assistance into your saddle.” Aric said. “You have adapted quickly to the life of a warrior.”

“Not quite so quickly.” I said. “A bit more padding in either my armor or my saddle would be useful.”

Aric smiled and laughed.



We continued west across open country when a dot appeared in the sky to the northwest, and we heard a sound that I was growing all too familiar with.

"That is Skyborn Altar." Samuel said. "Nothing good originates from Skyborn Altar."

"Into the tree line." Aric said. "He may not have seen us yet."

We galloped to the nearby tree line and dismounted.

"What can we do?" Vilkas asked

"Pray it has not seen us." Lucia said.

"Could this not be your friend." I asked.

"No." she said simply.

The dragon continued to approach.

"Gods." Samuel said, as the distance between us and the dragon continued to decrease, "it is an Elder dragon."

"Is that bad?" Vilkas asked

"It is not good." Lucia said.

"How can you tell?" I asked.

"They are the only dragons with that pattern of color on their wings" Samuel said. "You can see it best when his wings are below his body when the sun is at this angle."

Aric unfastened his warhammer from his saddle.

"The four of you must stay together." Aric said to us "Do exactly what Lucia instructs, no matter what occurs." He looked at me and smiled, “This will be difficult. It will be more difficult if I must worry about the dragon and you as well. Brother," he said to Vilkas, "In this battle you must remain a spectator. As you love my daughter you must swear it."

The look on Vilkas' face showed the conflict, but he finally answered.

"I swear it, Brother." Vilkas said before clasping his arm. "Long life to you Companion."

"And to you as well Companion." Aric said.

There was no mistaking now that the dragon had seen us. His approach and descent was directly towards us.

Aric simply walked out to meet it.

"Please do not go." I whispered. But he had already moved into the open. My voice almost failed me when I said, "I love you."

"Keep a tight grip on your reins." Lucia said, who had her father's horse as well. "Face your horses away from the battle. We will have little time for escape if the battle goes ill. Mark the terrain. Mark the course you will ride."

The dragon's path and Aric's finally met. The dragon was still some distance above Aric as it released the massive breath of frost that it had been holding, enveloping Aric in the bitter mixture of snow and ice and air.

"NO!" I screamed, as two hand reached for my arms.

But Aric had simply knelt and covered himself with his cloak when the dragon had attacked.

The dragons path continued past Aric as it began to turn to approach for another attach.

It was then that Aric stood and cast a spell with his left hand that brought a blinding lightning bolt down upon the dragon from above.

The bolt struck the dragon squarely on the left wing. The dragon immediately began to fall as its path turned sharply, spiraling downward.

"It will crush him!" I pleaded. "Let me go!"

"Stay!" Lucia said. "He knows what he is doing!"

The dragon landed with a sound like thunder.

Aric spoke words I could not hear, and then it seemed as if he was a blur. One moment he was distant from the dragon bringing up his warhammer and the next he was upon him, his powerful swing coming forward and striking the side of the dragon's head.

"Talos' Blood!" Vilkas said.

The dragon reared its head back and lunged forward to strike. But Aric was no longer where he had stood. He had shifted at the last instant and landed another powerful blow onto the dragon's front leg.

The roar of the dragon was deafening even at this distance. It was hurt and angry. Its massive tail began to whip forward, and I remembered Aric's story of the dragon encounter with Sara.

But the dragon's tail failed to strike. Aric was back at the dragon’s head, casting a spell that brought liquid fire down upon the dragon.

The dragon bellowed its pain to the sky as Aric began to land a series of hammer blows, using his full strength. His hammer was taking a grave toll, when the dragon began to gather its wings, in preparation to take flight.

Aric held his hammer in his right hand, pointed his left palm straight down and cast a spell that thrust him off the ground, propelling himself high into the air.

"Gods!" I said.

His momentum carried him up and as he began to fall, he swung his enchanted war hammer up and brought it down with all his might. The dragon had just begun to lift off the ground when the blow fell upon his head with a thunderous crack.

The dragon was dead before it hit the ground, serving now only to cushion Aric's fall.

I tried to free myself from Lucia and Samuel.

"Stay but a moment longer." Lucia said.

"Let me go to him!" I cried

"In a moment." Lucia said. "Stay."

I continued my attempt to break free. But something was not right. It seemed that the dragon began to glow.

"Talos! What is happening?" Vilkas.

"Something consumes it from within." I said.

It seemed to burn from within, until all that remained were bones and scales. Until:

"Gods." I said, "what sorcery is this?"

It was a glowing stream of energy, moving from the dragons remains towards Aric.

"It will consume him!" I said. "Help him!"

"He does not require help." Samuel said.

"HUSBAND!" I screamed.

But when the glowing reached Aric, he seemed simply to absorb it, to breath it in like air. He glowed with it for a moment.

Then he inhaled a deep breath and looked up as his mouth opened and a sound like all the thunderclaps in the world combined rent the heavens.

Then it seemed like Aric's legs failed him, as he sat down hard, his head hanging down, his chin upon his chest.

The hands released me, and I began to run.

"No. No. No. No. No no no no.” I said as I reached him. “Beloved. Beloved, look at me. Look at me. Merciful Divines spare him. Do not take him from me." My voice sounded like it belonged to someone else. My chest felt as if a giant was standing upon it.

"You will not leave me, sir." I said, as I knelt beside him. "I have lost too much. I will not lose you as well."

"Not. Today. At least." Aric replied, his breath returning in gasps.

It was at that point that I felt it was safe enough to burst into tears, as I kissed every inch of his face.





“It grows worse.” Lucia said.

“It seems that there is a limit to the number of dragon souls a man can absorb.” Aric said.

“Is that what we witnessed?” I asked. “Is that what passed from the dragon to you? You consumed the soul of the dragon?”

“It is not by will or by choice.” Aric replied. “It is part of being Dragonborn. A gift from Akatosh.”

Merciful Divines, I thought, Kynareth, Magnus, Akatosh, the Old Gods of the Reach. How many Gods had a hand in creating this man that I love?

“Does it always affect you so?” Vilkas asked.

“Only recently.” Aric said. “Each additional soul is like too much wine poured in a cup. Some must be poured out. It leaves me somewhat drained afterwards.”

“That sound afterwards, the sound of the heavens themselves cracking open.” Vilkas said, “That was you pouring out the excess?”

“Yes.” Aric said. “It has become necessary these last few souls.”

“But it becomes worse.” I said. “Lucia says it grows worse.”

“The sickness afterwards becomes slightly longer with each new soul.” Aric said.

“Then you must cease the practice.” I said.

“I would gladly do so, my love, but it is not entirely within my control.” Aric replied.



“Are you well enough to ride?” Samuel asked.

“I have recovered.” Aric replied. “There is no cause for concern.”

“Your color has not yet returned.” I said.

“I can ride a horse, I assure you.” He said, as he took my hand. “Do not be concerned.”




We had been riding a short time after the dragon attack when Lucia road up next to me.

“You were quite upset during the attack.” She said. “I have seen you in battle before now, and you were always so confidant. Competent. This was different.”

“I was always a participant before.” I answered. “It is something different when you must stand by and watch the man you love die.”

“Sara was much of the same mind.” Lucia said. “She brought the wrath of the Gods down upon that dragon.”

“I would have sent this one to Oblivion to join it.” I said. “I do not know how you can calmly stand and watch your Father battle a dragon alone.”

“I have learned the skill over time.” Lucia said. “We have all had to learn it, as you will have to if you are to continue in his company.”

“Was it difficult for you at first?” I asked.

“I do not possess the word to describe how difficult it was.” Lucia answered.

“I would also have difficulty finding the correct words.” I said.

“Your choice of words during the battle was interesting.” She said.

“I have no recollection of saying anything during the battle.” I said in all honesty. “I have no recollection of breathing during the battle, let alone speaking.”

“You recall nothing of what you said?” Lucia asked.

“Nothing.” I answered. “I apologize if my language was hurtful, or in any way inappropriate. I was in extreme distress. Did I say something I should not have?”

“Not at all.” She answered with a smile.






“Railius and I were accosted by bandits here.” I said as we rode north, retracing in reverse the path that Railius and I took those months ago. I had begun to think of that time as another life. Before the loss of the man I considered to be my father. Before the shack. Before my life was turned upside down and inside out.

“Do you know, I never felt fear when I was with him? Not even during the bandit attack. He had a calmness that was contagious. Every situation was matter of fact to him. These are the facts; this is the solution. He was always right, up until the end.”

“I have lost count of the number of times I have thought, or said, I wish I had known him.” Aric said. “I would have loved him, if for no other reason than for producing such an excellent daughter, such an excellent woman.”

“I have used up all my tears on you, beloved, or your words would yield a new flow.” I said. “I thought I had lost you.”

“Clearly, I do not have the same affect upon you that your father had.” Aric said with a smile. “Your confidence in Railius was absolute.”

“Railius was never reckless enough to face a dragon in single combat.” I replied with my own laugh.





“Will you indulge me in a desire of mine?” he asked me a short time later.

“Have I not already provided the answer to that question, given sufficient privacy?” I asked, my smile changing form slightly.

“Would you allow me to erect a monument for your father?” he asked, “To mark his final resting place?”

“You know his mind on the subject.” I said, surprised by his request. “It this a matter close to your heart?”

“As close to my heart as you are.” He answered.

“In that case, sir, how can I deny you your heart’s desire?” I replied.






The hour was growing late when we arrived in Morthal.

“The number of my visits to this small hamlet grows long.” I said. “I will give serious consideration to personally financing a bath house if the number grows any larger. I am, after all, a woman of means and can afford it. Surly a bath house cannot be such a large expense?” I asked.

“I am Thane of Hjaalmarch.” Aric said. “and I will not hear of you bearing the entire expense of such an establishment.”

“Must Samuel now learn how to manage a bath house as well?” I asked with a laugh.



Our first destination after the stables was the Jarl’s hall.

“Well Thane, Reverend Mother, you arrive at last.” Idgrod said with her customary wit. “We had begun to think you had forgotten us.”

“Never, Jarl.” Aric said. “Developments in both Whiterun and my home in the Pale detained us for some time. We seek your council regarding some of those developments.”

“Would that you had been here earlier today when my daughter had one of her fits.” The Jarl said, “the Reverend Mother’s council would have been indispensable.”

“Your daughter had a fit, Jarl?” I asked.

“It is not the first such.” The Jarl replied. “But for the fact that she was awake at the time, they much resemble her sleeping fits.”

“You daughter had a waking dream?” I asked.

“You could refer to it that way, I suppose.” She replied. “She and Joric had just left Falion’s home when she simply stopped and became distressed.”

“What distressed her?” Aric asked. “Did it involve Falion?”

“No.” she replied. “Joric said nothing out of the ordinary occurred during their visit. She simply stopped walking and became quite agitated, speaking as if something terrible was occurring before screaming husband. Any vision of a husband that yield such results is a vision, and a husband, to be avoided.”

“May I see your daughter, Jarl?” I asked. “Is she well enough for visitors?”

“She is recovered.” Idgrod said. “She has sufficient practice now that she recovers quickly. You will find her in her room at the top of the stairs.”



She was kneeling at a shrine of Kynareth when I approached the door to her room. The room was somewhat larger than my cell in Wolfskull cave, and better furnished; but she was obviously not one for frilly decoration. It was not quite spartan, having a very nice rug, and an equally nice comforter; both of which I thought I recognized.

“I trust I do not disturb your devotions.” I said quietly.

She had been looking at the shrine but turned at the sound of my voice.

Her eyes grew quite large, and her hand flew to her mouth.

“It is you.” She said after a moment. “I know you. I have seen you before.”

“It is possible.” I answered. “I have stayed in Morthal before. Once with my father, and once with Thane Aric. May I come in?”

“You were there, in my vision.” She said. “You were there when the dragon attacked.”

Gods, I thought, she has the Gift. How much did she see?

“That was what you saw?” I asked. “Earlier today, when you stopped and had a vision, you saw the dragon attack Aric?”

“It attacked all of you, until lightening and fire rained down upon it, and the God of Magic struck it dead.” she said.

The God of Magic. Aric. The descendant of Magnus.

“Your mother said you cried husband.” I said. “Is the God of Magic to become your husband?”

“I did not cry husband.” Idgrod the Younger said. “you did.”

“Dreams and visions can be hard to interpret, and also to remember clearly.” I said. “You and my mother share the same gift, so I have some knowledge of this. Believe me that you will not always be so burdened. When you are but a little older it will resolve itself into a tamer version and become a true gift.”

“Your mother suffered as I do?” she asked.

“My mother did not suffer at all.” I answered. “She was skilled at dreaming and interpreting dreams. Many sought out her talent and council. It was how we survived. You only lack maturity, and some direction and instruction.”

“Can you instruct me?” she asked. “Can you help me tame this gift?”

“I am sorry, young Idgrod, I cannot.” I said. “This is not a gift I possess.”

“But other gifts you do possess.” She said. “You dress in the armor of a warrior. Yet you did not always do so.”

“How do you know?” I asked, my concern growing.

“I saw you.” She answered. “You were there on a road. You wore a dress. There was a flaming horse. And the God of Magic.”

Her mother said she would remember little of the vision of the south road. Clearly, she remembered something.

“Do all your visions involve the God of Magic?” I asked.

“Not all.” She replied. “But of late many do. I cannot explain it, or why he invades my dreams so.”

If she were to walk downstairs now and see Aric, she will certainly faint. I thought.

“There is very little I can offer you in way of assistance,” I said, “Other than to say that there is nothing wrong with you. You are as the Divines made you, and they have given you a great gift. It is a gift that is only given to the strong, to those who can use it for the good of all. You are blessed by the Divines.”

“What is your name?” she asked.

“My name is Noxaura.” I replied.

“I do not feel strong Noxaura.” She answered. “I have not felt strong in quite some time. You are a warrior, so it may be difficult for you to understand.”

“I understand it perfectly.” I said, “I am very well acquainted with the view from the edge of that cliff.”




“They will need a larger Inn if you continue to bring such numbers to Morthal, sir.” I said to Aric as we sat for a late meal before retiring. “Your number will increase by four if your broad-shouldered daughter and her party arrive.”

“Or the two of you must expand your plans and build a larger Inn and equip it with a Bathhouse.” Lucia suggested.

“At this rate of building Idgrod the Younger will inherit a much larger village when she is Thane.” Vilkas said.

“Is it true she had some sort of fit earlier?” Samuel asked.

“That cannot be a smile you wear can it, young sir?” I asked him. “Someone who does not know you better will think you mock her.”

“It was not my intention, your Grace” Samuel replied. “Has the young lady recovered?”

Young lady. Samuel and Idgrod were the same age. “She is quite recovered.” I said.

“Is she prone to fits?” Vilkas asked.

“She had a vision of the dragon attack.” I said plainly.

“Truly?” Vilkas asked.

“Yes.” Aric replied. “She gave an interesting account. Her mother says her visions are often quite fantastic when she describes them afterwards.”

“Did she share any particular details about the battle?” Lucia asked, as she looked at me.

I did not cry husband. Idgrod the Younger had said. You did.

Your choice of words during the battle was interesting. Lucia had said after the battle.

I felt the blood rush to my face, as I looked back at Lucia.

“gods” I whispered, finding the table top the most convenient point to focus my eyesight.

“You were in distress.” Lucia said softly. “It was your heart speaking. It was entirely natural. There is no reason to be embarrassed.”

“I would take it as a great personal favor if we were to change the subject to the weather.” I said.

“I have clearly missed something important.” Aric said.

“It is a subject for sisters to discuss.” Lucia said, before looking at Vilkas and Samuel in turn “and no others.”

Samuel and Vilkas looked at each other for a moment, passing messages in some nonverbal form.

“I do not take your meaning, madam.” Vilkas said, “neither Samuel nor I have the slightest idea of what you speak.”

“Well” Aric said, “I have received my marching orders. I am to mind my own business and go off to bed. We have council with Jarl Idgrod at a reasonable hour tomorrow morning. Do not feel the need to stir too early.”

“I will be only a few moments.” I said to Aric.

“As will I” Lucia said to Vilkas.

Vilkas gave her look that would have lit up a much larger Inn.

“We have traveled together before.” She said. “and have shared a tent more than once. This is no different.”

“I was in no way, shape, or form, complaining madam.” Vilkas said with a smile.

“I wonder if there is a tub or basin to heat water.” Aric said. “I would benefit from some form of bath.”

“We will search together, brother.” Vilkas said. “you have arrived only slightly before me at the same destination.”




“I will not deny that it is a dream that I occasionally allow myself to build.” I said to the tall mage seated across the table from me. “A home, a family of our own. A life in a world at peace. It is a fantasy, I recognize it as such, but a comfortable one that keeps me company at night when I cannot have the genuine article. Still, that does not excuse my behavior.”

“You must stop acting as if you have done something wrong.” Lucia replied. “The dream you wish most, your hearts dearest desire, distilled down to one word, poured out in a moment of extremis. There is no beating heart on earth that will fault you. I certainly do not fault you. I am happy for you.”

“Happy that I love a man I can never have, not as you have Vilkas, or will have soon?” I asked.

“Happy that you feel such a love for my father that it manifests in such a way.” She answered. “As for me and Vilkas, we are both wary of ruining something very precious by attempting to improve it.”

“I will tell you a secret then, sister.” I said, “Vilkas asked if I would perform two weddings this summer.”

“Did he?” she asked in a most unconvincing manner.

“He has told you already.” I said.

“We have reached an understanding.” Lucia said with a smile.

“Sister” I said, “I am happy for you. Both of you. I wish you joy.”

The door to the Inn opened as Idgrod the Younger entered.

“Your Grace” Idgrod said, “I am fortunate to find you are not all retired to your beds.”

“I was talking with my sister, sera.” I replied, “Have you met the Daughter of the new Thane of Hjaalmarch?”

“We have never been properly introduced.” Lucia said as she stood. “My name is Lucia, sera.”

“Please, madam, your Grace, sera is not appropriate for me. My name is Idgrod, a name I share with my mother.”

“You share more than that.” I said, “You will one day be Jarl in her place. Sera.”

“Divines willing that will be decades hence.” Idgrod replied as Samuel came out of his room.

“This small sliver of wax and string may no longer be referred to as a candle.” He said before stopping when he saw Idgrod.

The two young adults looked at each other and seemed to simultaneously lose the power of speech. Idgrod was first to recover.

“Good evening to you sir.” She said, “I trust my late visit did not disturb your sleep. I was sent to deliver a message from my mother.”

“I return your evening wishes, madam, and assure you that your visit is most welcome, at whatever time it occurs.” Samuel replied

Lucia was waging war with the muscles in her face to maintain her composure.

“Idgrod the Younger, daughter to the Jarl of Morthal and Hjaalmarch, may I introduce Samuel, Son to the newly minted Thane of Hjaalmarch, as well as a list of holds that grows too long to recall from memory.”

“Milady, I am honored to make your acquaintance.” Samuel said after a feeble attempt to restore his hair to some semblance of order.

“Please call me Idgrod, good Sir Knight.” Idgrod replied. “It is the only title I wear with any comfort at my age.”

“Gods, did he just bow?” Lucia whispered.

“You did not imagine it.” I whispered back.

“Samuel is fortunate that Runa is not here.” Lucia said, “he would never hear the end of it.”

The two smitten youths seemed to have forgotten anyone else was present.

“You mentioned a message, future Jarl.” I said. “Were you to recite it, or is it written down?” I asked as Lucia hid behind me and smothered her laughter with her hand.

“Forgive me your grace” Idgrod said as she produced a folded piece of parchment.

“Please allow me” Samuel said, as Lucia’s laughter had proceed to a shaking that vibrated against my back.

“Thank you, sir.” Idgrod said.

“I apologize.” Lucia said as she reemerged with a prominently red face. “I have inhaled some of this excellent wine.”

“If you will give me but a moment, Milady, I will deliver this to my Father and escort you home.” Samuel said.

“I thank you sir, but I need no escort to return to the only home I have ever known.” Idgrod said.

“I would not sleep a wink Milady if I did not see you safely to the door of your home. Please.” Samuel said.

“You are too kind sir.” Idgrod said. “Of course, I will accept your generous offer.”

Judging by the amount of time it took Samuel to deliver the message, he must have simply opened the bedroom door and flung the message in his father’s general direction.

“After you Milady.” Samuel said as the two left.

A fair amount of time was require before either Lucia or I could speak.






“Thalmor force crossed bridge west of Morthal before leaving main road and turning south.

Proceeding southeast by path and trail.

Estimate size of force at 25 - 35 soldiers, 4 Justiciars or Mages.”



Aric was laying on his side as he read the late-night message as I massaged his shoulder that had not escaped unscathed from the dragon attack. The bruise was developing nicely, but he swore it required nothing beyond my touch.

“They are avoiding the main roads.” Aric said. “They still attempt to avoid detection.”

“The bridge west of Morthal.” I said.

“They were forced onto the bridge if they did not wish to swim across the river.” Aric said. “They are coming from the direction of Dragon’s Bridge.”

“They have withdrawn their forces from Dragon’s Bridge?” I asked.

“Most, if not all.” Aric replied. “This force is estimated between thirty and forty in size.”

“Traveling southeast.” I said.

“If they are not careful, they will venture too close to Eldersblood Peak and a dragon will reduce their numbers further.” Aric said.

“Does the location you predicted for their assembly point lie in that direction?” I asked.

“Estimating where they would have turned towards the southeast, Silent Moons Camp is, more or less, directly southeast.” Aric replied. “On a path that intercepts an infamous dragon lair.”

“I am not certain what I should pray for.” I said, “that they should be spared the terror of a dragon attack or that they should not.”

“This message arrived late.” Aric said. “Idgrod has observers watching for Thalmor activity.”

“Is it stealth or urgency that they travel at night?” I asked, “It is certainly not prudence.”

“It is a fair question.” Aric said.

“Will I ever again hear of a party of elven soldiers and not think of those four who I now love so dearly?” I asked.

“I wish everyone had as kind a heart as you.” Aric said. “What a different world we would live in.”

“Your heart is bursting with kindness.” I said. “I have seen the result firsthand.”

“How came Samuel by this message?” Aric asked. “He delivered it in such a manner that I thought I should investigate whether the Inn was on fire.”

“Idgrod the Younger delivered it.” I said as I finished rubbing his shoulder and lay next to him. “She had meant to give it to me, but your Son moved almost as fast as you did during the dragon attack to intercept it and bring it to you. He was in a hurry to escort her through the dangerous streets of Morthal back to the safety of her home.”

“At that time of night, the most dangerous thing on the streets of Morthal would have been Samuel.” Aric said.

“You should have seen them.” I said to Aric as we nestled into our bed. “It was like one of the old stories. They could not take their eyes off each other.”

“It is a wonderful age to fall in love, and first loves are always special.” Aric said. “I worry that he may still be more in love with falling in love, than with the object of his love.”

“I remember it well.” I said. “I was fortunate that I never had the freedom to act. Mother Catilia kept close watch on all of us, but I always felt she singled me. Fewer liberties, more duties, more scorn, less praise.”

“I keep Samuel busy in part to distract him, but also because he truly has an excellent intellect. He is indecisive on his future, but I see the future Cleric in him. He will see it eventually. He will choose a Priesthood.”

“He has virtually the entire Pantheon to choose from, given your heritage.” I said. “But would he consider a new order?”

“A new order?” Aric asked.

“I have decided to take your, and Hamal’s, advice.” I said. “I will start a new Order in Skyrim. I will found it upon the tenants from the Order of the Communities as well as those of Kynareth.”

“I cannot find the words to express the joy and pride I feel.” Aric said. “This is excellent news for Skyrim.”

“I must write to the Mother Superior in Bruma, asking for dispensation and reinstatement.” I said. “I hope that she will allow it. It would give me the right to keep a shrine of Cybele in the Temple. And Danica must assist me with the rites of Kynareth.”

“Hamal would welcome you with open arms.” Aric said. “May your new order also include Dibella?”

“I would be honored.” I said. “Dibella has been on my mind this evening. The younger Idgrod would benefit from a visit to Markath, and the Temple of Dibella. Her visions trouble her still. Hamal could help her greatly. Others would also benefit from Dibella’s healing love, were it only a bit closer. That is why I will build a Temple in Whiterun.”

The way he was looking at me was rapidly erasing all thoughts but one from my mind. “You are a treasure to Skyrim.” He said. “And to me. You will have ample assistance building your temple. You will not want for funds.”

I looked back at that beautiful face. That face that I had kissed over and over as the tears poured down my own face.

“I thought I had lost you today.” I said. “It was like losing Railius again, the grief I felt. It consumed me.”

“You were not so disturbed during our first dragon encounter.” He said.

“I did not love you yet.” I said, wiping my eyes as a laugh escaped my lips. “And I was still plotting to murder you.”

He took me in his arms, his look still wiping my mind of all thoughts save for him and kissed me in that way that he knows lights the fire within me.

“Well then, it seems that your opinion of me has somewhat improved since then.” He said.

“Somewhat.” I replied, as I rolled on top of him.
 
Last edited:

Bren

New Member
Chapter 34


18th of Rain’s Hand




“Well, Thane, your visits seem marked by delay.” Idgrod said in lieu of a greeting. “My messenger to you yesterday evening was considerably delayed in her return. And when Aslfur investigated why she tarried so long on our front porch what did he discover? Your Son sir, and my Daughter, standing and laughing and chatting away as if it were the middle of the day rather than the middle of the night. They will both no doubt suffer ill health if they persist in this nocturnal behavior.”

“I understand you concern, Jarl.” Aric replied, the smile growing on his face. “I was myself put at personal physical risk as your message was delivered through the hands of the Son you mention, who flung it at me in such haste I was apt to lose an eye.”

Idgrod donned a smile as well. “It is to be expected, I suppose.” She said. “They are both at that age where common sense lags behind infatuation by a considerable distance.”

“Indeed.” Aric said.

“In any event, it seems to have had a positive effect on my Daughter.” Idgrod said. “She went to bed and did not stir until the morning. Late morning. It has been many weeks that she has slept so undisturbed.”

“I am very happy to hear it, Jarl.” Aric said.

“I wish to speak to you regarding your Daughter, Jarl, before our Council formally begins.” I said.

“Speak of whatever you like, your Grace.” Idgrod said. “Do not stand on ceremony. Divines know that I never do.”

“I believe that your daughter would greatly benefit from a stay in Markath, receiving instruction and counseling from Mother Hamal.” I said.

“You wish my daughter to become a Priestess of Dibella, and a practitioner of the physical arts?” Idgrod asked, “and emulate this fine specimen of a Thane who stands beside you?

“No, Jarl” I began “I only suggest that she receive instruction on controlling and channeling her gift.”

“The Reverend Mother has not yet learned to distinguish when the Jarl is serious from when the Jarl is facetious.” Aric said.

“I have known Hamal and her temple since before you were born, your Grace.” Idgrod said with a smile.

“Why do I now have the suspicion that my ignorance has once again been played upon.” I asked of the two smiling figures.

“It is a sign of endearment.” Idgrod said. “We would never treat strangers so.”

“In any case” Aric said, “it is an excellent idea. She may stay in my home in Markath. She will truly benefit from their care. She would also benefit from knowing Morryn, who has faced her own trauma. I suspect they would form a close bond.”

“She should be forewarned of the feathers.” I said.

“Feathers?” Idgrod asked.

“It is something we should discuss.” Aric said.





“What will you do now, Thane?” the Jarl asked Aric after all the recent facts were laid out. “Will the five of you simply ride to the secret Thalmor camp and demand that all clandestine forces leave Skyrim?”

“Samuel will not accompany us further.” Aric said. “Morthal was always his destination before returning home. And Elenwen is expecting a visitor bearing a token who will speak a word to the soldiers that guard her door. She has been warned of a plot against her life, and to admit no one, regardless of the authority they assert.”

“A token?” I asked. “Would I possibly have already seen this token?

“They are both made of gold” Aric replied “and as such I thought it a good opportunity for reuse. One token was included with the warning. I will have the second as proof of my identity.”

“That was kind of you.” I said. “I know you have no love for her. Yet you go out of your way to protect her.”

“She is the demon we know.” Aric replied. “An unknown quantity is yet one more thing we do not need.”

“Samuel will be heartbroken he cannot continue.” I said.

“It may be necessary for Samuel to remain in Morthal a day or two if we miss our reunion with Runa and her scouting party.” Aric said as he smiled. “He can continue his acquaintance with the younger Idgrod, which should be sufficient consolation.”

“My daughter is no prize, sir.” The Jarl said.

“Your daughter is a quite genuine prize, Jarl.” Aric replied. “For any man that wins her attention and affection.”

“Do not let her hear you say so, Thane” she said with her own smile, “she will exchange the younger dragon for the elder.”

“Are not the Empire’s officers in Solitude also owed a message, and a meeting?” I asked.

“Rikke also received a message warning of a secret Thalmor outpost in Haafingar.” Aric said. “If she has not investigated it by now it is because she was already aware. That would not bode well.”

“Rikke received no token” I said, “since there are only two in existence.”

“Rikke is a more complicated case.” Aric said. “There is enmity between me and Elenwen; there can be no argument that it is otherwise. She is too aware of my activities opposing her, some of them in her own embassy.”

“You breached the Thalmor embassy?” I asked.

“He did so during a reception which I attended.” Idgrod said. “As I recall, Thane, your absence coincided with a disturbance between Elisif and a drunken Redguard businessman.”

“You and Elisif plotted and executed a breach of the Thalmor Embassy?” I asked, the disbelief plain in my voice.

“With the help of others.” Aric said. “It was necessary to gain intelligence. We were also able to rescue a prisoner who was being tortured. It was that mission that revealed Ulfric’s connection with Elenwen.”

What he said amazed me. “I never suspected that such steel resided within that beautiful frame.” I said.

“Books and covers, your Grace.” Idgrod said.

“Indeed, Jarl.” I replied. “I apologize for misjudging her.”

“In Rikke’s case, she is, in theory, an ally.” Aric said. “If I treat her as such and it proves false, I am exposing our involvement and placing my family in great jeopardy.”

“Your head was once on the executioner’s block because of Rikke.” I said. “You have an interesting criteria for what constitutes an ally.”

Idgrod’s entire posture had changed at the words executioner’s block. She now seemed to have grown taller in her chair, as her eyes bored into Aric.

“You keep secrets from me, old friend.” Idgrod said to Aric. “How comes this knowledge to her Grace, who has known you for so short a time, before it comes to me, who has known you for so long?”

“It happened a very long time ago, Jarl.” Aric replied, “The Reverend Mother was present while I recounted the incident to my daughters.”

“I will hear this story, Thane, before you take your leave.” Idgrod said. “We will open a bottle and exchange stories of our misspent youth.”

“Did you misspend your youth, Jarl.” I asked.

“Whenever the opportunity presented itself.” Idgrod said with a devious smile.

“Please do not exclude me from your exchange, I beg you.” I said. “Until recently my life was quite cloistered. I had no opportunity to spend or misspend any portion of it. Please allow me this vicarious opportunity.”

“I will make you such a promise if the Thane will also do so.” Idgrod said.

“When circumstances afford us more leisure, I will match your promise, Jarl.”

“Well, now that important matters are settled, it seems you have two meetings to consider.” Idgrod said to Aric, “One with a confirmed enemy and another with a possible ally.”

“I risk little by meeting with Elenwen.” Aric said.

“Past your life.” I interjected.

“True.” Aric replied, “But my attempt to save her own life may erase a small portion of the enmity between us.”

“A very small portion perhaps.” Idgrod said.

“But if Rikke does prove false then I risk much.” Aric said.

“Must it be you who speaks to her?” I asked him.

“Someone must.” He replied, “Someone with direct knowledge of these events.”

“But preferably someone who is a stranger to her.” I said, “Someone who can disappear after the meeting.”

“You Grace sounds like she has someone in mind.” Idgrod said.

“You are perceptive, Jarl.” I replied. “I have a very specific someone in mind.”





“It is too great a risk for you to take.” Aric argued for the twentieth time.

“It is exactly the risk you take yourself.” I replied for the twentieth time.

“I will return when this band of minstrels has ceased to play the same song repeatedly.” Idgrod said before leaving.

“You would assume all the risk, thinking that you protect those you love.” I said “But your sight is clouded, and you do not see the trap you set.

Taking all the risk, you reduce the number of targets for the enemy to one. They need only eliminate you and their plan will succeed. I thought you a better tactician sir.”

“It is not a question of tactics madam when I risk your life or the life of anyone I love.” Aric replied.

“It is always a loved one’s life in jeopardy.” I said, “every soldier leaves Father or Mother or Husband of Wife and marches off to battle, and the possibility of death. If we are to defend ourselves and expel this plague in our midst it requires more soldiers than one.

You must rethink your attack. A simultaneous strike on multiple fronts; your meeting with Elenwen, my meeting with Rikke.”

“In all likelihood both will be under observation.” Aric said, as he seemed to begin to consider the details of a two-pronged attack. “Neither of our approaches will go unnoticed.”

“I will be simply a lone warrior arriving at Solitude.” I said, “a totally unremarkable event. I know the city well. I can mimic any number of warriors of my experience. I minor alteration to my appearance plus my excellent armor will render me invisible to anyone who I may have met recently. A feigned visit to the blacksmith will place me close enough to the castle entrance. It will be a simple matter at that point to gain entrance and meet Rikke.”

“It is a sound beginning of a plan at least.” Aric replied.

“It is your approach and admission to the embassy that will be more difficult. By a considerable amount.” I said.

“I am not sure.” He answered. “If our estimation is correct, they are consolidating their forces two hundred miles distance from the embassy. Any observers left watching will be a small number, possibly more of these irregular assassins watching specifically for Elenwen. My difficulties will begin with the Embassy.”
“Then do not enter the embassy.” I said. “Hold your meeting out of doors.”

“It would be too tempting for archers.” Aric replied.

“You could lend her your cloak.” I said in jest.

He was about to answer but stopped and did not speak.

“I know that look.” I said. “You would lay a trap with the Ambassador as bait, but only if her life was protected by an enchanted cloak.”

“It could work.” Aric said. “They can only observe the embassy entrance from one direction with enough elevation to clear the wall and be within bow range. The hills to the west that stand hard against the embassy wall.”

“Your plan would require someone in the hills to prevent the assassins escape.” I said.

“Yes.” Aric replied. “Our journey by boat would require a stop along the way.”

“You have it all planned I see” I said, “it only remains to plan my own expedition.”

“I am still not comfortable placing you anywhere near this.” Aric said.

“I have been squarely in the middle of this for quite some time.” I said, “since the mine, but you did not object.”

“I was not in love with you yet.” He replied, reflecting my own words back at me as he smiled. “And you were still planning to murder me.”

“Not in earnest.” I said, “It was my pain and my grief attaching to the only target within range.”

“You were within your right.” He answered. “I was the one responsible. I was the appropriate target.”

“Let us not litigate this again.” I said. “We both know who was truly responsible. The Divines have had ample time to judge her.”



It was at that moment that Idgrod the Younger entered the Jarl’s Longhouse.

Gods, I thought, not now.

My prediction of her reaction proved accurate. The younger Idgrod took one look at Aric and seemed to lose her balance, her legs folding under her as her face lost all color. Her right hip found the floor just before her right hand halted her total collapse. Her lips moved but could not seem to decide what to say.

“Calm yourself, lady.” I said as I rushed to her and knelt by her. “All is well. You have only friends here.”

Her eyes would not move from Aric. She seemed transfixed by him as he slowly approached and knelt before her, much in the same way she had knelt in front of the shrine in her room.



“Do you not recognize me, young Jarl-to-be?” Aric asked her gently. “My name is Aric. Your Mother has recently appointed me Thane of Hjaalmarch. We have met before, when you were somewhat younger. Do you remember? I carried a letter for you to Danica, the Priestess of Kynareth in Whiterun.”

“Slow deep breaths are what is called for now, madam.” I said to her. “The shock will soon pass, and you will return to us, and see that here before you kneels but a man. A fine specimen of a man, to be sure, but a man all the same.”

“Gods’ mercy, Daughter, these waking fits become too common.” Idgrod the Elder said as she emerged from her room.

“It is him” the younger said to the elder. “from my dreams. It is the God of Magic.”

“Well,” the Jarl said “I have often referred to his appearance as divine. Perhaps that is how you came to mistake him.”

“You killed the dragon.” The younger said to Aric. “With lightening and fire and thunder that rent the heavens.”

“Yes, madam, I did.” Aric said. “I did it to protect my family, as any man would, given no other choice.”

She began to regain her color as well as her composure.

“Does it help to talk about your dreams?” I asked her. “If so, you may speak to me about anything. The Divines decree that such conversations are holy secrets, never to be divulged.”

“I thank you your Grace.” Idgrod the Younger said. “I would like that if time permits. It was the shock of seeing you sir. You appear somewhat different in my dreams. I do recognize you now.”

“Will you sit on the floor the remainder of the day, or do your legs and feet regain their memory what they are for?” her Mother asked.

The daughter regained her feet.

“Samuel asked me to inform the Thane that his Daughter Runa and her party has arrived.” Idgrod the Younger said to her Mother.

“Thank you, madam.” Aric said. “I understand you made Samuel’s acquaintance yesterday evening.”

Idgrod’s face, which a moment ago had lost all color, gained far too much of it.

“Yes, sir.” She said. “He was generous enough to escort me home after I had delivered the message.”

“He escorted you the ten steps from the Inn to our front door.” The Jarl said, “and the two of you spent an hour in the damp air, which I am sure contributes to this latest infirmity.”

“We lost track of time.” The daughter said.

I am sure you did, I thought.

“I think it best if you rest a while.” the Mother said to her Daughter. “We three have business to finish and then I am sure the Thane wishes to greet his newly arrived daughter.”

“Yes Mother” the younger replied before walking up the stairs to her room.



“Women of all ages fall at your feet, divine Thane.” Idgrod said to Aric. “It must become tiring.”

“It is a curse I must bear with as much fortitude as I can manage, Jarl.” Aric replied.

“You will eventually trip over one, old friend.” The Jarl replied with a smile. “Have care not to injure yourself. Now, have you a plan or do you still argue?”

“We have half a plan” Aric answered.

“with details still to be added.” I said, “My involvement is still to be finalized, but as to that I begin to form a map in my mind how to proceed. But, as with the Thanes plan, I will require assistance.”

“Do not leave us in suspense devout lady.” Idgrod said.




“They have barely one-hundred-fifty soldiers and mages.” Runa said. “This last group, of which you already know, was the largest we had seen in days. The group that arrived was not as large as that which Idgrod’s observers reported.”

“By what amount?” Aric asked.

“By five soldiers and one Mage.” Runa said.

“Gods, I can sit here no longer without asking you to please tell me that these were not my beloved adopted sisters and their comrades.” I said, my hands clenched together.

“We are able to tell one Altmer from another, your Grace.” Jordis said. “rest assured. In any event, your friends are honest soldiers, and would not be out at midnight, moving with such stealth across country that anyone with the least knowledge of the area would know is not safe.”

“These clearly did not know the area.” Jenassa said.

“That is understandable.” Lucia said. “They wish to avoid detection, so they erect secret camps throughout Skyrim. Small pockets of soldiers that remain close to their outpost, awaiting orders.”

“Orders to cause mayhem in their assigned region.” Jenassa said. “Were they to travel any great distance they would be noticed, as these were.”

“They travel now out of dire need.” Runa said. “They are too few now for their main purpose. They are barely large enough for self-protection.”

“Which they are about to learn firsthand.” Aric said

“Sophie, Collette and their band encountered a group of eighteen west on the main road traveling west, otherwise this force would be larger still.” Lucia said.

“The assembled Thalmor are aware something is amiss. A group moved to make their meeting at Halted Stream Camp. Upon arriving and viewing the scene they did not tarry to investigate. They moved with haste to rejoin the main group.” Runa said.

“You have ranged far and wide.” I said, “can you truly have traveled so far in so short a time without being discovered?”

“I had the honor of tracking the party that ventured to halted Stream Camp and back again, your grace.” Jenassa said. “Blade and shadow, silence and death. These are my arts, as the Thane well knows. This is why he hired me for this mission.”

“Their troops barely trickle in now.” Runa said. “Soon they will have collected all their forces.”

“It is the opposite of what they should have done.” Farkas said. “They have done half the work for us already. They are, or soon will be, a single target. They can be penned in and slaughtered.”

“Farkas is correct.” Vilkas said. “They should have dispersed into smaller groups and awaited reinforcements. They do not appear to be well led.”

“It is almost certainly the High Justiciar that leads them, and he is not tactician.” Aric said. “He is a zealot. Their choice of commanders was already limited. Most of the professional soldiers who could command do not share their views. Those that did share them and traveled to Skyrim died in their secret outpost in Haafingar.”

“How do you know this?” Farkas asked.

Aric adopted a look and posture that I have come to know well.

“Forget I asked.” Farkas said.

“We should attack now.” Jordis said. “You killed two-hundred Thalmor in the mine, and then your force was comprised of yourself, Sara, Serana, and the Reverend Mother. You force is much expanded now. We can end this with an hour’s work.”

“You did what?” Farkas asked, looking from person to person. “Brother, your lack of surprise leads my thoughts in a particular direction.”

“I only recently learned the details of the mine. And the road.”

“Gods’ blood!” Farkas said, drawing attention from others in the Inn, before looking at me and lowering his voice. “You will never entice me to gamble with you, your Grace. You sat and betrayed nothing while my Brother and I discussed the mission we were given.”

“I do not require the details of this road or mine you speak of.” Jenassa said. “I formed my opinion of the Reverend Mother some time ago. Her hand in the death of two-hundred Thalmor merely confirms her status.”

“You are all much too generous.” I said. “My contribution was insignificant, and I continue to grieve over the lives I have taken. Good Companions, I earnestly beg your pardon. Those secrets that I withheld from you were not mine to tell.”

“They were my secrets.” Aric said. “It is my family at risk. Everyone I hold dear would be in grave danger if this faction discovered my involvement. That is why this secret must be kept. Elenwen and I are already enemies. She has tried in the past to end my life. She relented when the cost in men lost became too high. But she has never targeted my family. I risk nothing speaking with her.”

“But General Rikke is another matter.” I said. “Aric is not yet sure which side of this affair she supports.”

“She has received a communication informing her of two secret Thalmor outposts where soldiers wearing the armor of the Penitus Oculatus were assisting the Thalmor. She has had sufficient time to investigate.

She will next meet with a messenger who will show her orders found on the body of an Imperial officer at the outpost near Solitude ordering him to assist High Counselor Corelas, and to place all his men under Corelas’ orders.

His orders mention Corelas by name. It would be customary to say “The Thalmor Authority, or some such term, but his orders did not.”

“What will Corelas say when presented with this evidence of his involvement?” Farkas asked Aric.

“Gods.” Farkas said after receiving a duplicate of the look he received a moment before.

“The High Counselor’s rod and chain of office were taken as evidence.” Aric said. “The Counselor having no further use for them.”

“This faction may attempt to hide a great many things, but it cannot hide a Dominion High Counselor who fails to return to his seat in the Council because he is decaying in Haafingar.” Runa said.

“And we cannot simply charge their camp and kill what remains of their force and say afterwards, here are the last forces that have invaded our country, or simply say nothing and assume we have ended the threat.

Both the Dominion and the Empire must be informed while living evidence of the plot remains present in Skyrim.

Both must be allowed the opportunity to see and, if possible, question those that remain in command of this dwindling force.

Both must be informed of their own members part in this. Both must ensure that this attempt is never repeated.”

“Hence your dual meetings with the General and the Ambassador.” Vilkas said.

“But it must not be Aric, or anyone known to Rikke that keeps this meeting with her.” I said. “In case she proves false it must be a stranger that can disappear afterwards, never to be seen, or at least recognized, again.”

“Who will this messenger be?” Runa asked.

I did my best to duplicate Aric’s face and demeanor.

“Gods’ Blood!” Farkas said.




“You do not have to convince me, sister.” Jordis said, “I thank you with all my heart for asking me.”

“It must certainly be you.” I said. “You are well known in Solitude. You will be admitted without question, and Rikke would never deny you a meeting.”

“We have known each other for many years.” Jordis said. “And her treatment of my Thane notwithstanding, I have always considered her a friend. She rose faster in the ranks than I did, and I left the Legion many years ago, but we still share stories occasionally, of our time serving in The Reach.”

“She will need a reason for her visit.” I said. “something that will not draw suspicion.”

“I can supply that immediately.” Aric said, “It does not even require subterfuge. Jordis will tell Rikke that I intend to place a monument for Noxaura’s father at his final resting place in the Rift, which is the truth.

She will also tell Rikke that I wish to model it after the monument that sits above the final resting place of General Tullius, which is also true. She will say that I request the name of the stone mason that created the monument, and information on how and where he can be contacted. It was Rikke that oversaw the monuments design, construction, and installation. She will certainly have such information.”

“You have given Railius’ monument some consideration I see.” I said, my voice becoming thin.

Aric smiled at me and took my hand. “I told you.” He said, “It is a subject very close to my heart.”

“All that remains then is for Noxaura to allow enough time for Jordis and Rikke to be together before seeking admission.” Samuel said. “You are certain you will not be recognized?”

“I have never met her, and she has never met me.” I said. “I do not believe I have ever laid eyes upon her. And no soldiers will recognize the poor Priestess of my former life wrapped in the magnificent armor I will wear when I seek my audience.”

“We will take some basic precautions and disguise you in such a manner that will not draw suspicion.” Lucia said. “A very simply spell to straighten your hair, and a different arrangement. That at least will make a start.”

“I can wear my helm, sister.” I said. “It is as good a disguise as any.”

“She will request you remove it and will become wary if you refuse.” Aric said. “You are a stranger and she will want a good look at you.”

“Will she also disarm me?” I asked.

“She may, if she feels you may be a threat.” Aric replied. “We here present know that no one can ever truly disarm you. She has no such knowledge. It may put her at ease and make your mission easier.

Perhaps it is best if we do not send you with any weapon you would regret losing. You will have your ally with you. You will have powerful weapons at your disposal. If it came to flight, Jordis knows how to hamper pursuit while appearing to do the opposite. I have no doubt you would escape.”

“In that event, two shorter blades rather than one long blade.” Jenassa said. “Her mastery of twin swords is such that you could hand her any two and she would be deadly. It would take her some short time to learn the balance of the longer one, and even that short time she may not have.”

“Your concern is touching, comrades; but remember this is a mission of peace. Words will be the most powerful weapons I possess.”

“That is true, your Grace.” Vilkas said. “But two razor sharp short swords are an excellent alternative.”
 

Bren

New Member
Chapter 35


19th of Rain’s Hand



“It will cost you extra, Milord.” The Captain of the Dainty Sload said after Aric informed him of our altered route. “That island is crawling with vampires.”

“vampires do not crawl Captain.” Aric replied, “and there are now only two vampires remaining on that island. If I may borrow your phrase, the island is now crawling with Dawnguard.”

“I will take your word for it, Milord, but we won’t touch there.” The Captain said. “I will have you rowed to the dock in the skiff, since you won’t be taking the horses.”

“That will serve very well.” Aric answered. “Jenassa will remain on board. There will be an additional member in our party when we return.”




The plan had been set when Jenassa visited us late yesterday evening.

“I would speak with you, Patron. And with the Reverend Mother as well.” Jenassa said.

“I sense an urgency to your request.” Aric said to her.

“You should not send the Reverend Mother to this meeting alone. I do not doubt her ability, or her courage, but she should have a companion to accompany her.” Jenassa said.

“She will have an ally within the castle.” Aric said, “Is that not sufficient?”

“She should have one on the road as well.” The dark elf answered. “And every step of the way to the castle entrance. I would be that companion.”

“They would never admit you into the castle.” Aric said, “and our contract does not extend so far as what you suggest.”

“Our contract will end in the morning.” Jenassa said. “I do not speak of contracts now, Patron. I do not call it friendship, though I would not object to that term. The reverend Mother and I are comrades, and I chose to be at her side for as much of this mission as is possible.”

“This is a most generous offer, noble warrior.” I said. “I am honored that you make it.”

“You should be, your Grace.” Jenassa replied. “I would not make it for just anyone.”

I could not read her well enough to know if she spoke in jest or in earnest.

“I will not deny that I would be easier in my mind if she had a skilled companion with her, one that knows neither fear nor remorse.” Aric said.

“We will arrive in the city together; we will depart together.” Jenassa said. “I will stand at the castle entrance like a sheriff’s post until she emerges. If an alarm is raised within the castle beforehand, I will insure there are none in the courtyard to oppose her escape.”

“In all our journeys, rarely did we see a lone traveler, Aric. Even warriors recognize that this land is unsettled, and it is best to have a companion for self-protection.” I said. “You yourself will not go to your meeting without a companion. She will protect you as Jenassa will protect me.”

“You know here true mission.” Aric said, “But your point is taken. Very well. I will inform Samuel that they will have one fewer member in their party.”



It was an early departure for everyone. The sun had barely risen when three parties set off in three directions. Farkas and Vilkas would return Samuel to his home in the Pale before taking a meandering route back to Whiterun. A route that would stop briefly at Halted Stream camp before proceeding into the hills overlooking Silent Moon’s Camp.



“Report to Jarl Balgruuf. “Aric had told them. “Jarl Idgrod will have a message for him as well for you to deliver.”



Lucia, Runa and Jordis would set off on horseback at a pace that would be the envy of any fast courier, each aided by a small bag of enchanted grain.

“Remember” Aric reminded them, “feed them between Fort Snowhawk and the bridge. They should feel the effect just before Dragon’s Bridge.”

“I do remember.” Lucia said, “do not fret.”



Amidst the larger parting, smaller ones were also scattered. Vilkas and Lucia walked a short distance to speak in private. Runa and Farkas showed no such concern, standing close, talking, and laughing in much the same volume as always. And the Idgrods, both Young and Jarl, emerged from their longhouse, each for their own private parting.

“We will not see each other again until this mission of yours is concluded, for good or ill.” The Jarl said to Aric. “Therefore, I charge you, under my authority as Jarl of Hjaalmarch, to do your utmost to survive it in one piece.”

“I swear it, Jarl.” Aric said as Thane and Jarl hugged.

“Take care, old friend.” She said.



“I was fortunate to make your acquaintance, Lady.” Samuel said to Idgrod the Younger. “I look forward to a more peaceful time when we can deepen that acquaintance.”

“Gods, there is no doubt whose son he is.” The Jarl whispered to the Thane.

“He did not receive instruction from me, Jarl.” Aric whispered in return, “His studies at the Bard’s College included novels, some of the romantic variety.”

“The honor of our meeting was mine entirely, good Sir Knight.” The younger Idgrod answered. “I look forward to your next visit. Until then, please accept this bauble, which is meant to bring luck, and to be worn on one’s wrist. I hope the giving does not offend.”

“No gift from you will ever offend, Lady.” Samuel said. “I am only mortified that I did not think to emulate your grace.”

“It is a trifle sir.” She answered. “Please do not feel any obligation to reciprocate.”

“I will make it a point to return soon to reciprocate, Lady.” Samuel said, “Would you assist me in wearing this wonderful gift?”

“Perhaps if you two did not stand so close, or laugh so often, the placing of a simple bracelet would not take quite so long?” The Jarl asked loudly to the morning air in general after several minutes. “Come daughter, at this rate we will both catch our deaths, and the sun will reach its zenith before these adventures are away.”





The journey through the marshes to our meeting with the corsair vessel was uneventful. It seemed that it was still too early for predators and bandits to venture from their beds. We arrived at the small protrusion of land that was the agreed upon point, as the Dainty Sload was sailing back into the wind, tacking one last time before turning with the wind now propelling it towards its future passengers.

“We will be sailing close hauled Milord.” The Captain said. “Once we get pointed in the right direction. It will take time, but we will get you there.”

“Let it take time Captain.” Aric said. “I would not presume to offer any opinion on operating your vessel.”




“Gods, the size!” I said. “It requires the entire island to hold such a structure.”

“It is, perhaps, a bit on the large size.” Aric said. “Now especially, since only Serana and her Mother remain of the original occupants.”

“And these Dawnguard you mention.” I said.

“Yes.” He answered. “Though their other lodgings are equally impressive.”

“It is a wonder that it does not sink to the bottom of the sea under its own weight.” Jenassa said.

“It is the Sea of Ghost.” Aric said. “Far to the north is the frozen continent of Atmora.”

Atmora, the land of his heritage, at least a part of his heritage. I wondered what thoughts were passing through his mind as he looked north after we had entered the skiff and were rowed to the stone dock.

A figure awaited us on the dock, but as the distance decreased, I realized it was not a figure I recognized.

“That is not Serana.” I said.

“No.” Aric said, “That is her Mother, Valerica.”

My heart sank into my abdomen.

“Divines protect us.” I said. The men rowing the boat did not look happy either.

“She is a perfectly normal and reasonably woman.” Aric said. “At least, when one considers that she is two-thousand years old. Row dry gentlemen. There is no reason for this loss of coordination. You are in no danger unless it is a danger of sinking as a result of your own ineptitude.”



“Your mode of transportation is somewhat altered, Lordslayer.” Serana’s mother said to Aric as he was helping me out of the skiff.

At close range the resemblance was striking, as was the fact that she did not appear to be much older than her daughter.

“You look at me as if you know me, madam, but I am sure we have never met.” She said to me.

“Forgive me, noble lady.” I said. “I did not mean to offend. It is that you are almost the twin of my friend and sister Serana. You cannot possibly be her Mother.”

“I like this one, Aric.” she said.

“Valerica, may I introduce Noxaura Jarnesus, High Priestess of the Maetreum of Cybele.” Aric said.

“I am honored, Lady.” I said.

“The Order of the Communities.” Valerica said with a smile. “When I last saw the Temple and Mother House of Cybele in Bruma it had just recently finished construction.”

Gods. That was over fifteen hundred years ago.

“My last visit was somewhat more recent, Lady.” I replied

“Call me Valerica.” She said. “It is a perfectly good name.”

“As is Noxaura, if you will do the same.” I replied.

“We have come to seal your daughter away for a short time.” Aric said.

“You will not have long to wait.” Valerica said. “We observed your approach, at which point Serana took more interest in her appearance than she has since her arrival. What is it you have in mind that requires this Priestess to dress in very fine, but also very new, armor? Has the Order of the Communities become an order of warriors while I have been secluded on my island?”

“Thankfully no.” I replied. “It is only my recent life that has, out of necessity, transformed. But I look forward to the day when the robes of a Priestess are the heaviest garment I wear.”

“I must admit that Serana has shared details of what transpires on the nearby continent.” Valerica said. “I did not recognize you due to your armor, but your name I have already heard mentioned. You have suffered much, sister of my daughter. Yet I see it did not crush you.”

“It would have certainly done so, but for the intersession of this man, his family and your daughter.” I said. “I am alive because of them.”

“And because of your own strength.” She answered. “Serana has recounted what she has seen, and what she has heard told, of your strength.”

“She is too kind, I am sure.” I replied. “My strength is nothing compared to hers.”

“You would be a marvel if it were.” Valerica said, “given her heritage.”

“I would also request the loan of two short swords, that may be lost on this adventure.” Aric said to Valerica. “And it only now occurs to me to request your advice on how best to alter the Reverend Mother’s appearance slightly to conceal her identity during her mission.”

“I grow more interested in this mission with each passing second.” Valerica said.

“It is only a precaution.” I said. “I must hold council with someone who I have never met face to face, in a location where others may have seen me in passing only. It will certainly not require an Illusion, merely a minor change in appearance that need not last more than a few hours.”

“A darkening of your lovely skin and your quite striking eyes should suffice.” Valerica said.

“Lucia suggested a straightening of her hair, and a change in coiffure as well.” Aric said.

“Have a care Noxaura.” Valerica said. “I know this one too well. Your mission will be completed, but he will look upon you in your modified beauty and request a short delay and a private audience before you change back again.”





“Hestla made these ages ago.” Valerica said, indicating two short swords wrapped in dark silk being carried by a young woman in what Aric referred to as Dawnguard armor, who was accompanied by two large dogs that could have been wolves but for the predisposition to run up to anyone, friend or stranger alike, and request that every inch of their back and head be scratch as one of their rear legs moved in rhythm. “You should renew the edge on each, but it will not take you long. Noxaura and I will use the time to alter her appearance.”

Aric unwrapped the swords.

“These are exquisite.” He said. “You do recall my mentioning the possibility of their loss, do you not?”

“They are of no use to me, and Serana prefers other weapons.” Valerica said. “Put them to use as you see fit, and do not feel the need to return them. You recall the technique for working Daedric weapons?”

“I do.” Aric replied. “Do I recognize the wood that form the hilts?”

“If you recognize it as wood from the Eldergleam tree, I must answer yes.” Valerica said.

“It is extremely hard wood, but Danica would not like it.” Aric said to me. “The tree was the source of the sap I brought to Danica to restore the Gildergreen in Whiterun. The Eldergleam is the oldest living thing in Tamriel, and sacred to Kynareth.”

“If you were to expand your definition of living thing only slightly sir I might compete for that title.” Valerica said. “At any rate, the Eldergleam was much younger when this wood was collected, and the harm it suffered is long since healed and forgotten.”

“Aric, we cannot accept these.” I said, “they are far too valuable to risk.”

“They will assist you in your task, which is their only reason to exist at all, as is the case for any weapon.” Valerica said. “They hold no value for me. That you value them at all tells me that I place them into worthy hands.”

“I cannot find the words to express my gratitude.” I said honestly.

“Then direct your words at my Daughter, who approaches finally.” Valerica said as Serana appeared through a door behind us. “Daughter, did you forget the way?”

“You know full well I did not.” Serana said. “Away, beasts, Away.” She said to the dogs. “It was but a short time ago you received your morning affection. My hands are finally clean, and I would keep then so.”

“That would be best.” Valerica said. “We have a task that requires two sets of hands, and for this task clean hands are called for.”







“You look like Tava herself.” Valerica said. “Were any Ra Gada to see you they would fall prostrate in worship.”

“The resemblance is uncanny, is it not?” Serana said to her mother.

“Again, I find, I must swallow my pride and admit my ignorance.” I said. “Who is Tava?”

“She is the Bird God in the Redguard Pantheon and is also known as The Lady of the Air.” Serana said.

“Yokuda is the ancestral home to the Redguard.” Valerica said. “The second group to settle that continent were call the Ra Gada. They revered Tava, calling themselves Tavans. Their armor and weapons included birdlike motifs.”

“The red-tailed hawk is considered sacred to Tavans.” Serana said. “Shrines to Tava are common in many port cities in Hammerfell.”



“I thank you both for your efforts.” I said, “I only hope that my disguise is more effective on the denizens of Solitude than it is on these two beasts, who continue to deform their entire bodies in anticipation of more back scratching.”

The two dogs had abandoned their previous companion and accompanied us to Valerica’s study, to observe the efforts of Mother and Daughter, and occasionally insinuate themselves between the three of us if they felt that we were not paying them sufficient attention.

“If the General or any member of her staff have a sense of smell as advanced as this pair then your disguise is in jeopardy.” Valerica said. “Failing that, your identity is safe.”

“Would a circlet serve in any way” Serana asked.

“It would serve only to gild this lily.” Valerica said. “We have done much in a short time. Our purpose was to make her anonymous. You would have the entire population of Solitude following her in worship.”

“The anonymity of the crowd would serve just as well, Mother.” Serana said, “But you point is taken. My only concern now is that Aric will take one look at her and force us to defend her from his advances.”

“It would be futile, Daughter.” Valerica said. “She would not lift one finger in such a defense, as you can plainly see for yourself.”

“I thank you for my darker complexion, comrades.” I said. “It serves better to hide how much I blush.”

“Come, we have done what we can, and Aric is certainly finished. You must bind your new swords, and there is a spell to teach you.” Valerica said.

“Bind my swords?” I asked.

“These are special swords. There can be only one true owner. Such ownership must be imprinted with a binding.” Serana said. “It is a simple spell. You are familiar with bindings; it will take but a moment.”

“And it will be required for the spell you will learn.”

Not The spell you may learn if you wish, or The spell I will teach you if you agree. The spell you will learn. It was a subtle, possibly unconscious, reminder that this was no ordinary beautiful woman. This was a Master Vampire that has walked the earth for over two thousand years and was accustomed to having her way.



“You have found the grindstone, I see.” Valerica said to Aric. “And have added an enchantment of your own.”

“It is a trivial addition if you chose to bind the weapons to her.” Aric said.

“It did not pass your notice then.” Valerica said to Aric.

“It would have been strange if I had not.” Aric said. “The summer sun at its zenith is less noticeable.”

“I will simply sit here quietly while the adults converse.” I said.

“I have added your bound sword enchantment to the swords.” Aric said. “They are now both a physical and a magical blade.”

“They will respond to your mind and your body.” Valerica said. “But they must first bind themselves to you. Them they will recognize only you as their master and bend themselves to your will.”

You must draw it to you and bend it to your will. Lucia’s words echoed in my mind. The Power of the Earthbones still fresh in my memory.



“What must I do?” I asked.

“First the binding.” Valerica said. “Hold one weapon in each hand. It is a simple spell, but you must prime it with your own magical energy. That is how it will identify its new master. Aric has the tome, familiarize yourself with the spell, focus your mind and then cast the spell.”

“Is it truly so simple a spell?” I asked after reading it.

“Yes, if you focus properly and feel the weapons draw to you.”

“Very well.” I said.

I closed my eyes and felt the weapons in my hands. There was a noticeable presence, in my hands, beneath my feet. It was strange and yet familiar. I focused my mind and cast the spell.

“Sitoa”

I felt the binding work, as the weapons seemed to form to my hands, and as the feeling I experienced in the hills above Aric’s house returned I did not fear it. I breathed out and as the energy left me and breathed it in again.

It was a much larger amount than my first attempt in the Pale.

Breath out. Breath in.

A glow began to appear, discernible even through my closed eyelids. The familiar feeling of power, of energy, began to fill my being; the joy swelled my heart, as something within me began to awaken and respond.

Breath out. Breath in.

“NOXAURA!” I heard dimly.

I opened my eyes.

My entire body glowed like the sun. My swords blazed more brightly than their bound cousins in the Pale, the pearls of multicolored light peeling away in random patterns.

Three faces greeted me. Only Aric’s face was visible, his enchanted cloak wrapped around him from his neck to his knees as he shielded his eyes with is free hand.

Valerica and Serana had combined their strength, it seemed, and were encased in a sphere of protective force.

I stood in the midst of a whirlwind of energy as I held my blades out like glowing wings and laughed with joy.

Aric’s face broke the spell that held me. He had never looked at me that way.

It was like swallowing an entire meal in one gulp, as I drew the energy back into me, and returned it to the earth.

The glow faded. My weapons were now only metal and wood. It took my eyes a moment to adjust to the relative darkness.

Mother and Daughter waited a moment before dropping their mutual shield.

“I apologize, friends.” I said my breath coming in rapid sequence. “I was not prepared for the effect your spell would have.”

“That was not the effect of the binding spell.” Valerica said.

“I cast the spell as it was written in the tome.” I said. “It was one word. There is little I could have gotten wrong.”

“You cast it correctly.” Serana said, her look still unlike any I had ever seen.

“Sister, do you truly look at me so, after all this time?” I asked.

“Give us a moment, your Grace.” Valerica said. “We are all attempting to regain our composure after your demonstration.”

“Something is clearly amiss.” I said. “I cast the spell as requested, yet you look as if a Dremora landed in your midst.”

“Your plucking my thoughts from my mind does not help my disposition, your Grace.” Valerica said.

“We are no longer on a first name basis, I see.” I said to her.

“For the moment, at least, that is true.” Valerica said.

“I do not understand.” I said.

“What thoughts passed through your mind as you were casting the binding?” Aric asked.

“That is was very similar to what Lucia showed me in the Pale, in the hills above your house.” I said. “Valerica’s description and Lucia’s were quite similar.”

“You cast the binding, and your thoughts flew to your attempt to draw upon the Power of the Earthbones.” Aric said.

“The power of the Earthbones.” Valerica said. “Gods, Aric, what have you been teaching her?”

“I felt a presence in my hands and beneath my feet.” I said. “I felt the swords as they formed to my hands, and then the energy as it left me and returned in greater and greater amounts. I thought it was the spell I cast.”

“The swords forming themselves to you was indeed from the spell you cast.” Valerica said. “The rest was not.”

“You drew upon the Power of the Earthbones.” Aric said. “Merely by standing upon a stone floor in a castle that is built upon the living rock, you were able to draw a great deal of power.”

“It was not my intention.” I said. “The energy flowed into me as freely as water from a bucket poured into a tub. It was sending the energy back to its source that required effort.”

“Gods.” Valerica said. “Did I not say she resembled Tava?” she asked Serana. “She is the Lady of the Air incarnate.”

Her words affected Aric greatly.

“You think she bears a resemblance to Tava?” Aric asked Valerica said.

“I have seen enough images and idols of Tava.” Valerica said. “There can be no question.”

“This is coincidence only.” I said. “There can be no significance to my resembling a God I have never heard of.”

Aric approached until he stood next to me and took the swords from my hands.

“This will be a shock for you to hear, but it is best heard now.” He said. “In the Redguard Pantheon, Tava is the name given to Kynareth.”

The most surprising aspect of my collapse was that all the power I had recently drawn from the earth offered me no protection whatsoever.




“It was a momentary indisposition.” I said a short time later in what was apparently an unconvincing manner. “If I could only have a drink of water I will be recovered. My mouth and throat are parched.”

“Rest a bit longer.” Aric said. “There is no hurry.”

“We both have meetings to attend.” I said, “and a hired vessel that will surely abscond with our horses if we delay our return.”

“Jenassa will see them dead before allowing that.” Aric said.

“Since none of us know how to operate their vessel that also does not advance our purpose.” I replied.

“Her wits seem to have returned.” Serana said, more like her old self.

“Forgive me, sister.” I said. “I caused you all alarm, after you have treated me with such hospitality.”

“I was concerned we had admitted a viper into our home.” Valerica said. “You gave me quite a start, sister to my daughter. That is not an easy task to accomplish an my age.”

“I fear we are only partially finished, Mother to my sister.” I said. “There is yet one more enchantment you would teach me.”

“Perhaps I will stand farther back for this next demonstration.” Serana said.

“It is a very simple enchantment.” Valerica said to her daughter

“You said that about the last enchantment.” Serana replied to her mother.

“Hush.” Valerica said to her daughter.

“Drink this.” Aric said as he handed me a cup of water.

“Thank the Gods.” I said after consuming the contents in two gulps.

“For this spell, place your newly bound swords on the table there and then return and stand in front of your chair.” Valerica said.

The distance from my chair to the two swords was now approximately six paces.

“Aric will show you the tome so you can memorize the spell, then we will all stand to the sides, so we are not between you and your weapons.” Valerica said. “place your hands out to your sides, away from your body. When you are ready, cast the spell.”

It was, once again, a spell comprised of a single word.

“Palata”

The two swords leapt from the table and flew to my hands, the hilts guiding themselves to my hands as if they had minds and eyes to direct them.

“Ha..” formed in my mouth; part laugh, part exhalation, before dying. I had never seen the like.

“My words fail me.” I said. “I am amazed.”

“You see now why the binding was necessary.” Serana said. “They will only ever return to you when called. The spell you cast is useless to me where these swords are concerned.”

“But it would be best if they do not reside in their scabbards when called.” Valerica said with a smile.

“Unless you wish to amuse your guests.” Serana said with a smile to match.

“Why do I feel that there is a story that we have not yet heard?” Aric asked.

“Another time, friend.” Valerica said. “Noxaura is correct. You have pressing matters before you. I promise to tell all when you both next visit.”





It was some time later that we were finally underway.

“Your appearance is quite striking.” Jenassa said as she stood a bit closer to me than usual and smiled a bit more than usual. “Once we are safely in our lodging in Solitude, perhaps we could open a bottle and you could describe to me in detail how it was accomplished.”
 

Bren

New Member
Chapter 36


“If you continue to speak as you always do, your disguise as a simple warrior will fail.” Jenassa said as our route exited the hills above Solitude and joined the main road. “You must cease to speak like a Priestess and begin to speak like a warrior.”





We traveled a short distance as a party of four after leaving the Corsair vessel before we were forced to split into our final groups of two.

“Past this point observation is possible.” Aric said. “Our route will pass north of the embassy, yours must pass south. It is likely you will be observed, but if you keep to your route you will raise no suspicions. Travelers who prefer a shorter route and do not fear the increased danger often take the paths you will travel.”

“Will you also come under observation?” I asked.

“Yes, but we will approach from the north, the opposite side from the entrance to the compound.” Aric said. “We will have sufficient time to position ourselves so that I will draw the attention of any assassins in the hills with my approach giving Serana the opportunity to position herself behind them.”

“Will you wait until dark?” I asked.

“I must approach while there is enough light to be seen.” Aric said. “after Serana is in position we will wait until dark before we spring our trap.”



The details of our meetings had been finalized while the Dainty Sload made her gentle way towards her dock near the Solitude lighthouse. Aric and I also held a private meeting to discuss another topic.

“I never believed that either of the Daughters of Coldharbor were capable of fear after such long lives, and what they both have endured.” Aric said. “It must have been a novelty for both of them. I have never desired immortality. I cannot imagine what it must be like to live so long, and see the same mistakes repeated over and over, every experience long since acquiring a mundane quality. You provided them both a novel opportunity, though I know it was not your intent.”

“I had no intent whatsoever.” I said. “It was no more than a stray thought, and I was breathing in energy as if it was air.”

“It is understandable that it would manifest as it did.” Aric said. “Your mind was already primed to expect your bound weapons. I had mentioned the enchantment I had place, and the first power that you summoned you used to cast your bound sword spell. It was the swiftness of summoning that exceeded your control. It is that of which we should speak.”

“The feeling of joy that comes over me when I am in its grip is intoxicating, like a narcotic.” I said. “I can see how it could become dangerous.”

“There is certainly a danger.” Aric said. “And you identify it immediately. You says when I am in its grip. You must not be within its grip; it must be within yours. You must hold that thought paramount in your mind if you are to continue this practice. In this there can be only one master. Either you will control it, or it will control you. It will pour itself into you, but you are too small a vessel to hold it in its entirety. It will not control you. It will destroy you. That is why you must be the master and not the servant. If you cannot, you should never draw upon it again.”

“What can I do?” I asked. “It was not in my mind to draw upon the Earthbones. It began as a simple spell before cascading larger and larger.”

“We can begin with a simple exercise of control.” Aric said. “A simple passing of magical energy back and forth between us. A controlled exchange.”

“I have never heard of such a thing.” I said.

“It will require a binding of sorts.” Aric said. “similar to the binding with the swords.”

“A binding between what two things?” I asked.

“A binding between the two of us.” Aric said. “We will bind ourselves one to another.”

What does a man do when his dreams become reality?

Vilkas had asked me that question. I was finding that out for myself.

Everything I wanted or prayed for these past months I was offered now by the only man I would ever love, even were my age to rival Valerica’s.

It was like being offer the world.

I felt like I would burst from pure joy.

It felt as if I had drawn all the energy from the world in one breath. If I shouted my joy, it would sound like the thunderclap Aric produced after his victory over the dragon. My face would shine like the noonday sun if I allowed even a portion of my joy to escape.

“You have done this before?” I asked while I battled my breathing and my tears for control.

“No.” Aric said. “I know of it as theory only. This will be my first attempt.”

“Will you be in any danger?” I asked him.

“I do not believe so.” Aric said. “It is like a pool of water. There is no danger until it becomes too deep. If we begin to exchange or hear each other’s thoughts, we approach dangerous shoals. At least, that is what I have been told.”

“What must we do?” I asked.

“We should first share a small cup of wine, and then find a comfortable posture together.” Aric said.



My thoughts were of little else after we parted; Aric riding north, sharing a saddle with Serana and carrying the swords that he and Runa had gifted to me, bound together behind his saddle next to his war hammer.

We would have shared much more than a cup of wine and a comfortable posture if time had permitted. At the end, when we had both become comfortable with the give and take of energy, and our bodies began to warm to each other, thoughts and images also began to pass between us. That they would quickly become erotic thoughts and images was not a surprise to either of us, but it made the knock at the cabin door and the need to end our exercise harder to bear.



I was softly massaging the very tenuous and residual connection to Aric and reviewing some of the thoughts and images we shared when Jenassa’s comment brought me back to the here and now.

“Do you mark my words, or would you prefer to hum and smile a while longer?” she asked me.

“I apologize.” I said. “Was I truly humming and smiling?”

“Yes, and it takes no stretch of imagination to infer the cause.” Jenassa answered. “If a stealthful approach had been required our mission would have long since been doomed.”

“Your point is taken.” I said. “Tell me how best to alter my speech so that I may pass as a warrior.”

“You may make a start by removing half the words from any sentence you form.” She said.

“My father was a soldier.” I said, “And could form a sentence out of more than a few words.”

“What was his speech like.” she asked.

I made my best attempt at copying his voice

“I’m naught but a common soldier.” I said.

Jenassa was quiet for a moment.

“Perhaps we should pretend you do not speak the common tongue and I will act as interpreter.” She said.

“Was it so bad?” I asked.

“Can you emulate Serana?” she asked.

“Do you recommend that I lift Rikke by her neck with one hand and threaten her with a ghastly death?” I asked.

“She has truly done as much?” Jenassa asked.

“And will no doubt do so again tonight if these assassins are found.” I replied.

“Gods.” she said.

“But her manner of speech much resembles Jordis.” I said. “I will attempt to be more direct, and refrain from please and thank you and you are too kind.”

“That will have to suffice.” She said. “It would have been best if you had practiced while we were still on the ship.”

“I was occupied with other matters.” I said.

“Is that so?” she asked with a smile that bordered on lecherous. “I had no idea.”





Jenassa estimated that there was no more than an hour’s sunlight remaining when we arrived in Solitude. The weather had turned before that and I was glad for the cloak that Idgrod the Elder had given me to replace my own, which was in my saddle bag with a change of clothing.

“The sisters will recognize their handiwork at one hundred paces.” The Jarl had said. “Keep your cloak hidden until you can don it with your old identity again.”

“I thought it would be too fine for a simple warrior to wear” Jenassa said. “But it agrees with your armor and your current visage. You still look like a warrior, but a wealthy one.”

“A cutpurse is the last thing I need now.” I said. “I must practice glowering before we must dismount.”

“Enough! I yield!” Jenassa said some time later when her laughing at my practicing had reached such a force and volume that I thought she would fall from her saddle. “I will glower for the two of us.” She said after wiping her eyes.

“I was attempting to emulate Maul, the walking behemoth who resides in Riften.” I said. “He must certainly be a master trainer in glowering. The effect he had on others was striking.”

“He is three times your size.” Jenassa said. “That certainly accounts for its fair portion of effect.”



It was under a raining lowering sky that we entered the Winking Skeever and rented a room in which to wait a decent amount of time before venturing out again.



“You will need a waterproof case to carry your evidence.” Jenassa said. “The rain will continue until tomorrow.”

“Aric ensured that I am well equipped.” I said. “I have two such cases.”

“Let us allow our cloaks to dry somewhat.” Jenassa “It will give us a moment for a cup of wine before our mission begins in earnest.”

“I admit that I am tempted to use a calming spell on myself.” I said. “After everything I have faced in these last months, can I truly be this nervous?”

“You are a warrior, not a spy.” Jenassa said. “this is a battle of a different kind than you are used to. Like any battle, once the fighting starts your nerves will disappear.”

“You sound like my father.” I said. “He told me something similar.”

“He died in battle, did he not?” she asked.

“Yes.” I said. I refused to let my tears flow. “He died defending me.”

“Since you stand here, it seems he was successful.” Jenassa said.

“We fought together.” I said. “We succeeded together, though I was the only survivor.”

“He fulfilled his duty as your father then.” She said. “He protected you.”

“Yes.” I answered. “He continues to protect me.”

We sat quietly for a short while, drinking our wine. It was too short a time for our cloaks to dry appreciably, but it was long enough for me to become resolved in my mind.

“Let us begin.” I said.



“I have come to speak with General Rikke.” I said to the two men guarding the entrance to the Castle. “She recently received a communication about certain activities which she was urged to investigate. I was to speak a word to confirm my identity, which one of you will have to convey to her.”



The guards did not know quite what to make of the two of us. Two women armed and armored; one an apparently wealthy warrior, the other a Dark Elf of indeterminate age in worn, well used but still exquisite ebony armor, with a glower which Maul would envy.

The two men looked at each other for a moment before one of them spoke.

“Wait here.” he said before motioning to another man in the courtyard to take his place before he entered the castle.

Jenassa and I stood where we were, and I attempted to emulate her look of tedium and boredom. However, the wait was short as the man returned.

“Which of you is the messenger?” he asked.

“I am.” I said fighting to keep the word sir silent.

“Come with me.” He said as he led me into the castle.

The hallway was straight and continued to a door that was guarded by two men.

We stopped at the door.

“You must surrender your weapons before meeting with the General.” The first man said.

I waited the amount of time it took me to inspect each of the three faces that were likewise inspecting mine. Then I drew each of my short swords in turn and handed them to my guide.

Their appearance did not go unnoticed by him as he carefully held one in each hand and signaled for the door to be opened.

He entered first before my path was blocked by the two men. He whispered to the General, who stood next to Jordis, and handed her my swords.

I began to think that we had erred in accepting these gifts. They drew too much attention. But the General placed them on the side table and signaled the guards, who let me pass.

I walked into what was clearly a map room. Rikke held up her hand to stop me several paces from her, and several paces further still from my weapons.

“It is not polite in our culture to wear a helm indoors.” Rikke said.

Clever I thought. It also meant that my foreign appearance led her to believe that I did not have experience with Imperial customs.

Jordis seemed to have no need to feign ignorance of my identity, or any other emotion. The shock on her face when she looked at me said all that was required about my disguise.

I remove my helm, and the shock seemed to increase.

FACE. I thought at her with all my force of mind. She turned away for a moment and drank from a cup that sat on the table as the man who guided me turned and closed the door.

“You have me at a disadvantage.” The General said. “You know who I am, but you are a stranger to me.”

“That is true.” I said. “we have never met.”

“What is your name?” she said bluntly.

“Taviah Mirel” I said, reciting the name that I had practiced repeatedly.

“By what title should I call you?” she asked.

“I have no title.” I replied. “Call me what you will.”

“You are not a native of Skyrim, Taviah Mirel.” Rikke said. “You are far from home.”

“You are correct.” I said. “My home lies far south.”

“How far, if I may ask?” Rikke asked.

“Bruma.” I said simply and, in good part, truthfully.

“That is indeed far.” Jordis said.

“You have a word to speak to me, Taviah Mirel.” She said. “Do you not? You have gone to great effort to arrive here to speak it. Please do not let me delay you any longer.”

Petso” I said.

“It is the word I was expecting, but I do not recognize the language.” Rikke said.

“Not many would.” I replied.

Jordis turned back and inspected her cup again.

“You message was received.” Rikke said. “The reports I received from the two locations disturbed me greatly. How came you by such information?”

“I am but the messenger, General.” I said. “The information was obtained by my Patron; some of which resides in this waterproof case.”

“It is the rainy season in Solitude.” Rikke said. “As your expensive armor and cloak will attest. Will I ever see the contents of this case?”

“I delay only so as not to surprise your bodyguard with a sudden motion.” I said with a nod to Jordis.

“We are forewarned.” Rikke said.

I slipped the strap for the case over my head and handed it to Jordis, who approached and took it in her hand as she looked me in the eye.

It seemed that I was not the only one in need of a calming spell.



Rikke opened the case upon a personal journal and two slightly crumpled, blood-stained documents.

“This is the personal journal of General Tertius.” Rikke said as she began to leaf through the worn leatherbound journal.

“It is the later entries you will find most pertinent.” I said.

“I have received orders from Tribunus LaticlaviusTappius to assume command of that portion of the Legion detached from regular service and to proceed to Skyrim and place myself and my men under the command of High Counselor Corelas at the location indicated.” Rikke read after nearing the end of the Journal. “Neither the Imperial authority nor the Thalmor authority are to be informed of our presence or our mission.”



She looked briefly at other pages of the journal before moving on to the documents.



Lieutenant Selles,

Thalmor Commander Mithlas requests an Imperial officer to take command of the Penitus Oculatus patrolling the grounds of their outpost. He claims that our men do not show proper deference to Thalmor authority. Take charge of our men. Allow no one to approach the compound. We cannot waste all our efforts to begin fighting amongst ourselves. I am well aware of Thalmor arrogance, I see it at close range from Mithlas and Commander Solira. You may say so to the men, but also say that we have a mission to complete.


General Tertius


addendum

As a precaution, report any order given to any Penitus Oculatus by any Thalmor if you are in doubt whether it is proper.



“Tertius.” Jordis said. “Can this be genuine?”

“Yes.” Rikke said. “The bodies in the compound had been set upon by scavengers, but those in the buildings lay were they fell. There was significant decay, but the report from that outpost states that one of the Imperial bodies wore the armor of a general in the Penitus Oculatus.”

“What does the other say?” Jordis asked.



Commander Mithlas,


By order of Counselor Corelas, you and Commander Solira are promoted in rank and are to assume command all Dominion and Imperial forces outside the Manor.


Imperial Lieutenant Selles will be placed in command of the Penitus Oculatus forces patrolling the grounds outside the Manor but will report to you. Keep all Imperial forces away from the Manor and the Barracks. They are temporary allies only. Use them, but do not trust them.


General Tertius seems immune to the charms of our agent. She reports that he shows no interest in her. Another agent may have more success. I will ask our Nord ally if one of his race can be provided. It is a remote chance to gain intelligence, but we lose nothing in the attempt. If the second attempt fails, we will not pursue it further.


Glory to the Dominion.


General Erundil



“Gods.” Jordis said. “What have you uncovered Rikke?” She asked. “Who is Counselor Corelas?”

“Brother to the High Justiciar, that monumental thorn in my side. Corelas is a member of the Aldmeri Dominion High Council.”



“Why is a member of the High Council in Skyrim directing Thalmor Generals and Commanders to keep Imperial soldiers away from a secret outpost?”

“What do you know of this?” Rikke asked me.

“I know nothing of it firsthand.” I said truthfully. “I have never set eyes on either the outpost or the Counselor.”

“But other knowledge you have.” Jordis said.

“I know that as we speak evidence is also being delivered to the Thalmor Ambassador.” I said. “Evidence that includes a rod and chain of office.”

“Gods, it is true.” Jordis said.

“What of the outpost at the border to Cyrodiil?” Rikke asked.

“Nothing of that.” I said. “If you have a report from that location then you know much more than I. I know nothing.”

“That is the second location you mentioned?” Jordis asked Rikke

“Yes.” Rikke said. “The Thalmor erected a checkpoint at the Cyrodiil border. The situation was much the same. Many Thalmor and Imperial bodies, disturbed my predators; but enough armor and materials remaining to estimate the origin and size of each force.”

“What was the estimate?” Jordis asked.

“Forty Thalmor and twenty Penitus Oculatus.” Rikke said.

Jordis looked at me.

“What was the estimate from this secret compound?” she asked me.

I remained silent and looked at Rikke.

“Higher.” Rikke said. “Fifty Thalmor and thirty Penitus Oculatus.”

“Gods’ blood.” Jordis said. “That is more Penitus Oculatus than the whole of Skyrim should contain.”

“General,” I began “Are you not the ranking Imperial officer in Skyrim?”

“Yes.” Rikke said, looking at me in a way I was sure I did not like.

“How comes it to pass, then, that so many Imperial soldiers die under your command and yet go unnoticed?” I asked.

“Speak your mind, messenger.” Rikke said.

“It is not my mind I speak, General, but the mind of my Patron.” I said.

“Who is your Patron?” Rikke asked.

“That is a secret, General.” I said, a smile forming on my face that Serana would have envied.

“We have experience prying secrets from those who would wish to keep them.” Rikke said.

“Let us not quarrel, General.” I said. “you have been quite hospitable until now, and I have repaid your hospitality in kind. If you threaten, then I must also repay that in kind. It were best if we remained friends.”

“Best for you perhaps.” Rikke said. “You are unarmed. You are in no position to threaten.”

“My weapons are there, General, for all to see.” I said as I held my hands out at my sides.

She nodded to the guard in the room and then motioned towards me.

It was a mere thought in my mind.

Palata


I did not let it gain control of me.



There can be only one master. I heard Aric’s voice. But more than that, I felt him with me. Our bond came to life.

I am master here.

My swords burned with enchanted blue fire as I held them out at my sides. But the whirlwind that enveloped me, and the energy that flowed from my feet to my head were mine to command, and I bent them to my will.

It needed no pretense on Jordis’ part. She had stepped back and drawn her sword, as had the guard and the General. It took no effort to hold the door in place. No force of men would open it.

“What will you do, General, to the greater threat to Skyrim, to the Empire?” I asked, my voice echoing in the enclosed space. “Will you threaten it as well, until it shows its strength and rises up against your threats as I have? Will you then retreat from it, because to oppose it would be your end?”

Their faces were frozen in masks of fear. They feared me. Even Jordis.

You must let them go, beloved. I heard his voice in my mind. You must guide them now to the path they must take.

It does not control me. I thought in reply. I am master here.

You are. He replied I am proud of you. I love you.

It was as if his words broke a spell I was under.

I swallowed the energy back down and sent it back to its source.

The room seemed dark now, only lit by what few candles that had not gutted. My weapons were once again only physical weapons. I returned the to their scabbards.

“We are not enemies General.” I said. None of them had sheathed their swords. Most painful for me was the way Jordis continued to look at me.

“Trust me that I am your friend.” I said to her, my sword sister. The General would think I spoke to all of them, but I could see that Jordis understood.

“If you would know your true enemy, and look upon him, and the force he has collected, the force that is a plague upon this country that you call your home, that you are sworn to defend, look to Silent Moons Camp. It is there that you will learn the truth.”

Jordis was first to sheath her sword. She exchanged a look with Rikke who did the same.

“If you are committed to learning the truth General, you will find like minded allies west of Silent Moons Camp three days hence. If not, or if you play a very well-acted part, it is enemies you will find there at that time. I will leave you in peace and unharmed to decide which. Do not force me to kill any of your soldiers as I do so. The Empire has lost enough of them already.”

She thought for only a moment.

“See her safely out of the castle. Let no one interfere.” Rikke said.

The guard was not at all pleased to be assigned to escort me. He opened the door on an empty hall and stood as far away as possible as I walked out. The two guards had retreated to the far end of the corridor. They stood aside at a signal from my escort, and in a moment, I was outside, in the courtyard. The rain continued as it would until morning if Jenassa was correct. It seemed that no alarm had been sounded, that the walls of the castle were thick enough to muffle the effects of my efforts, and the guard too stunned to think to call for help.

It seemed like Jenassa had planted her feet and not moved from where I saw her last.

“Let us get out of this rain.” I said. “And I would be very happy to eat something.”

“And to drink something, I hope.” Jenassa said.

“You are a mind reader, friend.” I answered.
 
Last edited:

Bren

New Member
Chapter 37

20th of Rain's Hand

"There is someone on the stairs." Jenassa whispered.

The sun had only just risen. Jenassa and I were packing our few belongings, but we had not yet donned our armor.

The final steps of our plan were all that remained.

"You must arrive as two simple warriors, and you must depart so." Aric said during our final planning session on board the Dainty Sload. "It will be noticed if Janessa departs on her own, otherwise I would spirit you to Proudspire Manor in secret and you could resume your previous incarnation in the comfort of a warm bath."

"How long until it is safe to revert to my natural appearance?" I asked.

Aric smiled at me and lightly took my hand in his. "Must you revert at the first opportunity?" he asked.

"Pay up, sister." Serana said, holding out her hand. "A wager is a wager."

"I freely admit that yours is the winning hand." I said to Serana as I handed her a gold coin.

"I am clearly missing something, but I have a suspicion that I should not ask further." Aric said. "We will meet at the appointed time and place." Aric said. "Take great care that you are not followed. We will review our progress then."

Our timetable did not allow for an extended battle just to exit the Winking Skeever. A prolonged battle to be free of Solitude proper would mean no meeting would occur. But if the Rikke meant to take us captive, she would not have chosen the inside of an Inn as her venue.

"How many?" I asked.

"Only one." Jenassa replied.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"The intruders of Solitude are courteous." Jenassa said.

"Sister." A voice whispered quietly.

I banished from my mind the spell that I was about to cast and opened the door as quietly as possible to find Lucia in plain clothes wearing a plain, though damp, robe, the hood still covering her head and face.

"Sister." I said in return as we hugged each other.

"Close the door." Jenassa whispered. "And continue your reunion in private."

"I would never have recognized you but for Jordis' description." Lucia said. "Do you know it took two cups of wine before she would recite what transpired in the castle?"

"She looked at me in a manner that nearly broke my heart." I said. "I fear she will never look at me again as she once did."

"Do not worry." Lucia said. "You may recall a similar reaction on my part. Yet I recovered. Jordis has recovered as well."

"I will be glad for the opportunity to hear her say so." I said, "And to greet her as you greet me now."

"You may like to know that your demonstration had a marked effect on General Rikke." Lucia said. "Rikke needed a cup or two to regain her composure as well. She asked Jordis, "Why does someone with such power come to us with this? She could destroy these invaders herself."

"How did Jordis answer?" I asked.

"She replied that it seemed that you and your Patron were of the opinion that the solution to this problem should come from a more official source." Lucia said.

"She spoke the truth." I said.

"She believes Rikke will move on this." Lucia said.

"Because I caused them to fear me?" I asked.

"Because Rikke knows now that you do not bring this to her to gain some advantage." Lucia said. "What advantage could Rikke give to one so powerful, one who is capable of so much?"

"It appears that all my newfound ability is good for is scaring my friends, as well as strangers." I said.

"Remember," Lucia said. "Power can also be used to heal as well as harm. As with all power, the blade has two edges."

"Thank you, sister." I said.

"You really do look quite striking." Lucia said with a smile. "Runa will be disappointed that she cannot see you for yourself."

"The date is not yet set when she will revert to her original form." Jenassa said, her smile returning. "For my part, she can remain this way forever."

"You father has also inquired about a short delay." I said with my own smile.

"Gods." Was all Lucia said.

"Excuse me warrior, I believe you dropped this." A familiar voice said from behind Jenassa and me as we approached the Solitude gate.

I turned to see Sara, robed against the rain, holding out a small parcel and looking at me and smiling. Jordis must have described my appearance earlier, and Sara's look held less shock than the Housecarl's did the night before. Her broad-shouldered sister had left her glass armor at home and chose more comfortable attire but kept her distance, standing next to a vegetable stand and watching from underneath her own hood as Sara handed me the parcel.

"Thank you miss." I said, before whispering "do not hug me." which brought a smile to her face. We gazed at each other for a moment before we both turned and continued on our separate paths.

"I commend you on your spell, Taviah" Jenassa said, which made me smile. "I have been dry and warm this entire time."

"I apologize for taking so long to think of it." I replied. "If my mind had not been so filled with other things yesterday, we would not have suffered as we did."

"You can continue to make up for your lapse by giving me another of those pastries that the Thane's daughter gave to you." She replied.

"I had not realized how much I had missed her until that moment." I said as I handed Janessa the last of the pastries and placed the empty wrapping in my saddle bag. "I needed just as much reminding as she did not to exchange hugs."

Aric had chosen a rebuilt house located in the hills to the northwest of Solitude, west of the Thalmor Embassy and east of a standing stone that was accessible only by climbing a set of stairs that would make Markath proud.

"Once our meetings are concluded, if they go well, there should be little to fear of observers for anyone traveling away from the Embassy or Solitude." Aric said during our shipboard planning session, "Though common bandits are always to be expected."

"And if our meetings go ill?" I asked.

"Then we will have more pressing concerns than observers that will require our attention." He answered.

His chosen meeting point was closer to the embassy, and he would certainly arrive first. Jenassa and I would arrive a few hours later, and our route would take us past the location of Aric and Sara's dragon attack, and past the entrance to the cave where I had lived a large portion of my life.

It was at that entrance that I now gazed. It was only a slight deviation west from our true route. I had no intention of entering, and no desire to do so. But the need to see at least the exterior of my previous home, which contained the bulk of my memories of Railius, had been growing the closer we rode.

"Was this truly your home for so long?" Jenassa asked

"Yes." I said. "It was difficult at first, when I was very young, the transition from the mother house in Bruma to a cave in Skyrim. It was one reason that Railius was given to me. Catilia had no interest in dealing with my constant tears and crying. Railius was employed to protect us from bandits and anyone who would seek to plunder our home. But she gave me into his care and his purpose quickly converted to taking care of me."

"He knew nothing of the true purpose of your Order?" Jenassa asked me.

"Not at first." I said. "In the beginning there was nothing for anyone to discover, except that we were an odd Order of Priestess who took up the study of Necromancy as part of a deeper research into the history of Skyrim and it's rulers. That was all we were at the start."

"That was how he became your father." Jenassa said.

"Yes." I answered. "He had recently lost his own wife and daughter. He was alone and looking for purpose. He took up the first that was presented: protecting a religious order that had chosen an odd home in a cave where it was researching history."

"And in so doing, he found a different purpose." Jenassa said, "one he could never have expected, or even dreamed of. He became a father again."

"He became my father, and I became his daughter." I said, as the tears rolled done my face. But I did not feel the grief that had always marked my memories of Railius. "He scooped me up in his arms, which were still quite strong then. It is still a surprise to me how strong arms can be so gentle."

"You speak of your father's arms, or do other arms also qualify?" Jenassa asked me playfully.

"Do you not find it so as well?" I asked her.

"I do, though it is the strong arms of a woman I prefer." She said. "When I find a woman who prefers the strength of my arms, gently applied, in return."

"What a beautiful way to describe it." I said. "There is a poet in you, friend."

"There are many things in me, friend, were you to know me as well as I would wish." She said.

"I am flattered beyond words, dear friend, but my heart is bound in its entirety to another." I said.

"Another, with a strong set of arms." She said. "He is not the type to stir the least fire within me, but I admit that it is not a strain upon my eyes to look at him."

"It is strange to think of it now, but it was Catilia's actions that gave me Railius, and it was her actions that took him from me. It was her actions that saved me from Potema, and it was her actions that nearly killed me, and in so doing brought me to the only man I will ever love, even were I to live a thousand lifetimes." I said.

"You are fortunate to have found each other." She said.

"The Divines brought us together." I said. She had no idea how true that was. "Can a journey that began with so much pain truly end with happiness?"

"Every child brought into the world begins its life with a journey of pain." Jenassa said. "And while not all achieve happiness, many do. I am not sure if that thought is any comfort."

"I had never looked at it that way." I said. "Thank you, friend, for your wisdom. You are another gift to me from the Divines."

"Do not spend too much flattery on me, friend." Jenassa said, some of her former smile returning. "my thoughts of you already run along a path that has an abrupt ending."

The path we rode to our meeting also came to an abrupt ending a short time later.

"Stand and deliver!" The highwayman said as he emerged from the trees directly into our path, his notched bow in his left hand on display.

Jenassa and I looked at each other for a moment.

"This is surely a jest of some sort." I said.

"Have a care, sir." Jenassa said to the man. "You will light upon some traveler who thinks you are in earnest rather than in jest and you will soon find yourself in jeopardy."

"That was quite cleverly done, sister." I said to her. "It was mastery, though I am not sure whether it should be called poetry or prose."

"It formed in my mind and flew to my lips like lightening." Jenassa said. "It was as if the Divines spoke through me."

"No jest!" The man said, as he attempted to flex his muscles. "If you wish to depart with your lives you must pay, each of you, with gold."

Jenassa's attempts to keep her laughter from escaping had risen to such a level that I began to fear she would cause herself an injury.

"You wish payment from me sir?" I asked as I dismounted. "In return for my life?" I began to walk slowly towards him. "Why did you not say so at the beginning? I will certainly accommodate you."

My paralyzing spell took him completely by surprise.

We resumed our rainy journey finally, pausing from time to time to drop an article of the highwayman's armor, or clothing or another of his possessions in the center of the road, ending finally with the last article, his bow and quiver of arrows.

"He picked a poor day to wander the countryside searching for prey." I said.

"It is an equally poor day to walk the main road virtually naked in search of his belongings." Jenassa said. "At least the rain will clean him somewhat."

"Perhaps he will rethink his life, and repent." I said. "though self-reflection does not appear to be one of his gifts."

"Neither does brigandry." Jenassa said. "It is a wonder he does not starve."

We left the main road where the stony hills ended, yielding to flatter terrain, and proceeded in a slow leftward arc skirting the stone protrusions that ended as we passed between two crags to reveal a house that Aric said he found derelict and restored and expanded many years before when his previous life required the use of well-hidden refuges such as this.

"Well sir, I see the ambassador saw fit to release you after having you in her clutches." I said to him as I set my saddle bags down upon the floor of the considerably expanded house, my banter covering the relief I felt at seeing him again.

"You are correct, madam." Aric replied. "Though it may interest you to know that I was not the only, or even the first, visitor to the Thalmor embassy."

"After your message to admit no one, she chose to allow another visitor within the premises?" I asked

"It seems that Aric's was not the first warning Elenwen received." Serana said. "Ulfric sent one as well, worded almost identically."

"He arrived shortly before I did." Aric said.

"What a strange turn of events." I said. "Surly no scryer in Tamriel would have made such a prediction."

"It seems that we struck the target dead center in the Jarls council." Aric said. "Virtually the moment my meeting with him was concluded Ulfric called his spies and began his own investigation."

"And reached a similar conclusion." Serana said "The loss of his benefactor in the embassy would be a grave blow to the Stormcloak rebellion. Once he was made aware, there was no possibility that he would allow that to occur unopposed."

"Ulfric wrote to Elenwen much like we did, though he did not hide his identity." Aric said. "Still, she ensured that he was alone and unarmed when he entered the embassy."

"As she did for you as well." Serana said.

"You should have seen the look on her face when she saw for herself the source of the token and mysterious warning." Aric laughed. "Ulfric's look was only less surprised. I have been turning up unexpectedly in his path since Helgen. You would think he would have grown accustomed to the phenomena by now."

"Ulfric did not bring a warning of nearby assassins, though." Serana said. "Or a plan that ultimately produced the assassins themselves."

"That is true." Aric said. "His message, and his person, arrived first, but we outdid him ultimately. I do not envy those men, who are certainly as we speak not enjoying the hospitality of the Thalmor embassy."

"How was it accomplished?" I asked.

"Much as we had planned." Aric said. "My passage in plain sight gained their attention long enough for Serana to position herself to their rear. Elenwen was not happy, but after a demonstration involving my cloak, a Thalmor of no name or rank, and three Thalmor archers at much closer range than those she would face, she was convinced.

We three exited the embassy by the front entrance. She kept the hood down long enough to be identified and then turned her back to the west. Two arrows shattered upon my cloak, Serana struck, two unconscious assassins were taken into custody along with the body of a third."

"What happened to the third?" I asked.

Serana's smile made me shiver, which of course she saw, and enjoyed.

"Elenwen must certainly have been grateful." Jenassa said.

"Her gratitude increased once the Thane of Windhelm departed, and the Champion of Dibella arrived." Serana said.

"The Champion of Dibella sir?" I asked, as my eyebrows raised to their limit.

"Are you angry, beloved?" Aric asked.

"I have not now, nor have I ever had, sole claim to your body or your heart." I said, covering what I admitted to myself was a wounded heart. "I am aware of the responsibility you carry as the Champion of Dibella."

"She is a woman, like any other." Aric said. "She has been under considerable stress, and the strain was taking its toll. She had been a prisoner in her own embassy since receiving the warnings of the plots against her life. It is a common reaction to a rapid reduction in anxiety. And her position in Skyrim is such that she has few options for physical release even when she is not the target of assassins. The combination, with a glass or two of wine, allowed her to prescribe her own remedy."

"Twice." Serana said.

"Who is telling this story?" Aric asked.

"See seemed much more relaxed when we departed this morning." Serana said playfully. "She positively smiled at me and wished me well."

"I will not deny that my heart is immune to this news," I said, "but I know it was a kindness on your part, and in any case, you belong to no one, and to everyone."

"No portion of my heart remained in the embassy when I took my leave." Aric said. "You know this certainly, but I would not miss an opportunity to affirm my love for you."

"Noxaura is a grown woman, Patron." Jenassa said. "And not one to pine and die at the news you share. Besides, she herself met a suitor on the road here."

My laughter, which was quickly mixed with Jenassa's darker variety, somewhat delayed the recounting of the incident, as well as what transpired in my meeting with Rikke.

"Elenwen and Ulfric certainly thought I was having a fit when I stopped talking in mid-sentence." Aric said after drinking from his cup. "The strength of our connection took me by surprise. I convinced them later that it was nothing, a stray thought that escaped my grasp. But once it was gone, I did not know how to establish it in any form, large or small, to convince myself that you were well."

"It persisted for some time as Jenassa and I road towards Solitude." I said, "It was much fainter, but it was definitely there."

"I recall it well." Aric said with a smile. "It was a quite pleasant distraction during my own journey. You have quite an inventive imagination."

"I found it necessary eventually to demand that he cease his incessant smiling." Serana said.

"Gods!" Jenassa said, "I also. And her humming."

"It was when I called my swords to me that the connection flared to life." I said, "I could feel you, and when you spoke, I could hear you."

"You spoke to her without words across a distance that far?" Jenassa said.

"Yes." Aric said. "She came to life in my mind. I could not see through her eyes, not as I see now. But she painted an image that I could interpret, almost like a memory of something I had seen recently."

"Did you likewise see an image?" Serana asked me.

"No." I said. "Perhaps there is some deficiency on my part that I did not see one."

"Or perhaps there is a deficiency on my part that I did not paint one." Aric said.

"The fault must surely be mine." I said.

"Do not be too sure." Aric said. "You master the power of the Earthbones with barely a thought. I have no such talent.

Make no mistake, I possess the innate gifts that the Divines granted me, and they are considerable. But your affinity for the Earthbones and the manner in which your body becomes a living weapon when you draw upon it, those are unique in my experience. None of my children possess these gifts. I certainly do not."

"I have seen you in combat sir." I said. "Your power is immense. You surly have ten times my strength."

"My Patron is correct." Jenassa said. "I called you a living weapon when first we met, do you recall? It was in my mind even then, when all you held were practice swords against my edged steel."

"But your true gift," Aric said, "The one given to you by Kyne herself, is your compassionate heart, and your desire to heal rather than harm. As powerful a warrior as you may become, you will be an even more powerful healer. I believe your calling was always to be a Healer Priestess rather than a Warrior Priestess."

"Do not change her destiny today, not two days before we meet Corelan and his forces in the field." Serana said.

"Jordis believes that Rikke will be at Silent Moons Camp at the appointed time." I said. "What of Elenwen?"

"And what of Ulfric?" Jenassa asked

"Ulfric will mobilize his forces from the Stormcloak camp in Haafingar." Aric said. "Elenwen's position is similar to Faison's. In any case, we cannot have two elven forces fighting each other. We would never be able to tell them apart."

"It appears, then that we have Ulfric's forces allied with Rikke's forces, and any force you personally gather." Serana said.

"Will it be enough?" Jenassa asked.

"Must open conflict be the natural conclusion?" I asked. "Should we not, once our forces and Corelan's are in opposition in the field, ask for parlay and offer him the opportunity to withdraw from Skyrim, never to return? He must see at that time that his plans are for naught, that he is discovered. Would you not chose to save what men remain, to return them to their homes?"

"His brother is dead. If he returns in failure he will be also and, I suspect, his father, who I believe to be mastermind of this scheme." Aric said. "It is also possible that every man who followed him to Skyrim that returned home would suffer the same fate."

"Would you rest easy in your mind afterwards if you did not at least try?" I asked.

"I would rip their hearts out, each and every one and then go home and sleep like Old Man Log." Jenassa said.

"Spoken like a Dark Elf." Serana said.

"This from the woman who ate an assassin yestereve." Janessa said.

"I did not eat him, pretty mercenary, though I did gnaw on him somewhat." Serana said.

Jenassa and Serana looked at each other in a way that did not bode well for a restful night.

"They have demonstrated their intentions clearly." Aric said. "However, I will fly a flag of parlay, and if Corelan walks out a safe distance to inquire, we may make the offer you suggest. But mark me, you will get nowhere near him without wearing that fine armor that Adrianne supplied specifically for times such as this. We can certainly find you a set of robes that can encompass both it and you in combination."

"I will take what is offered if it means that I have any opportunity to avert this battle." I said.

"Spoken like a Healer Priestess." Serana said, as she and Jenassa continued to look at each other.

"You have not asked about changing your appearance back." Aric said as we lay in bed.

"To be perfectly honest, I had forgotten." I said, "Without a reflection it is easy to forget that I do not look like myself."

"I thought you were humoring my whim." Aric said with a smile, as he wrapped his arm around me tighter and kissed my forehead.

"Was it so different," I asked, "making love to an image of Tava? Or do Champions of Dibella not talk about such things?"

"We talk about many things, in the shared warmth afterwards." He said, "But never with others. It is a private intimacy and must remain so."

"I had thought after our first night together to make some quip regarding the Champion of Dibella and his mastery of his art" I said, "but I worried you would think less of me, that I was cheapening the moment, or making a comment that many others had made."

"I would have forgiven you." He said. "Many do not know how to respond afterwards. Some make the quip you mention. Others profess their undying love. The reactions are as varied as the women involved. Each comes to me, or I go to her, for a particular reason; but happiness is the ultimate goal. For many, physical intimacy is the one thing that is lacking to achieve that."

He was quiet for a moment.

"But I was not the Champion of Dibella with you." He said. "You did not turn to me out of need, and I did not approach you to offer a service that I believed would benefit you. I was simply a man, being captured by a woman. A slow surrender of pieces of my heart. A love, gradually built, piece by piece. It was you who crafted this love. From the day I met you there was never any possibility that I would not love you."

I had begun crying at some point but could not remember when.

"For a fraction of a moment, in the temple in Markath and afterward, I thought that you had used some potion or enchantment to make me love you." I said. "How could I have ever been so deluded, even for so short a time?"

"Your life was still in turmoil." Aric said, "And you did not know me yet."

The sounds of passion from the other bedroom increased to an impressive volume.

"It appears sir, that in their case, your services are not required." I said as I wiped my tears from Aric's shoulder and chest.

"That is fortunate" Aric said, as he looked at me and the fire ignited in my once more, "because at this moment I am otherwise engaged."
 

Bren

New Member
Chapter 38


21st of Rain's Hand

"You are back to your old self." Serana said. "Did you wait a sufficient amount of time beforehand?"

"Such a lascivious smile should not be worn by someone who made quite as much noise last night as you did." I said, matching her smile with my own.

"She drank the potion, and I cast the spell just before we put out the candle and went to sleep." Aric said. "Prior to that, no activity we might have engaged in, except possibly for fashioning an entire set of plate armor, would have been noticeable to either of you."

"I did not set the sleeping arrangements, Patron." Jenassa said as she smiled at Aric and Serana in turn.

"No, but neither did you object, unless your repeated invoking the names of the Gods last night were requests for succor." Aric replied.

"In that event" Serana said, "we were both of us crying for rescue, since some of those cries were surely mine."

"If my face is not bright red from such talk it is because my heart has stopped from shock." I said.

"I seem to recall a cry or two emanating from your side of the house, sister." Serana said. "I thought at first you were praying, though I could not recall ever hearing a Priestess of any order pray to any God quite so loudly."

"I like this company more and more I find." Jenassa said.



It was no leisurely ride from our hidden lair in the hills of Haafingar to the plains of Whiterun.

"We have the furthest distance to travel, and barely enough time to travel it." Aric said. "We must acquire a horse for Serana in Dragon's Bridge. Until then, our speed will be limited. We can make up some of that time afterwards, but all of us, the two footed and the four, must arrive still fit for battle."

"Do you still possess the enchanted grain that virtually give horses wings?" I asked

He smiled. "You have a talent for a beautiful turn of phrase." He said. "The answer to your question is yes. But like any potion, the price to be paid comes at the end, and I would not have our horses fail us in the middle of battle."



Every other group of participants had at least a day's head start over us. If Lucia and her party were not careful, they would meet Rikke and her Imperial soldiers on the road, and questions might be raised.

"Ulfric and his men had struck out in darkness from the embassy to the Haafingar Stormcloak camp a short time after his meeting at the embassy." Aric said. "He will almost certainly arrive first."

"What will Rikke and Ulfric do when they meet?" I asked. "Will we have one battle to fight, or two? And which side would we take in the event it is the latter?"

"They will have a shared enemy to their front." Aric said. "That will take priority. In any event, neither will have a full army at hand. Were they to fight, it would be a skirmish at best, and not worth the risk to either that a lucky arrow might robe their side of its leader. The armistice meeting in High Hrothgar that was necessary to gain the Greybeards assistance in the fight against Alduin is evidence that Skyrim's leaders can come together when it is necessary."

"Can it be true that this ordeal will be over in two days' time?" I asked.

"Let us say that Skyrim's ordeal will have two fewer participants." Aric said.



The road back to the cave entrance was free of the items we had dropped earlier. Our pace increased after Dragon's Bridge, and the number of legs in our party had increased by four.

The rain had stopped overnight and though the land was still waterlogged the roads had begun to dry. It was a few hours after midday when we crossed the bridge where the Thalmor had been observed by Idgrod's spies.

"Unless you wish to witness another dragon battle, we will not follow the direct route that the Thalmor chose." Aric said.

"I am in complete agreement, sir." I said. My desire to avoid any future similar battles cannot be overstated."

"In that case, we will continue along the road, and then take the well-worn path south just after Labyrinthian." Aric said.

It was after dark when we finally made the turn south and Aric stopped. There was still no sign of Lucia's small group.

"She knows the land as well as anyone." Aric said. "And Jordis would not miss this battle for all the gold in the world."

"I cannot be quite so cavalier, I find, when thinking upon tomorrow." I said.

"Do you chose to sleep under canvas, madam, or might I interest you in the comfort of an ancient ruin?" he asked me.

"Are you serious, sir?" I asked.

"It will be warmer and drier." He answered. "It has long since been cleared of any long-term residents, though it may already be temporary home to travelers like us."

"With you indulgence, sir, I will chose the variety of camp that we have shared on our previous travels." I said. "I know your preference for a simple camp, since it is also my preference."

"Then I know an excellent spot a short distance south." He said. "At the very least it will be far less muddy."




"You have an overabundance of weapons, madam." Aric said to me as we arranged our belongings in our small tent. "Surely five weapons for any being with only two hands is excessive."

"The burden falls predominantly upon me sir." I said as we crawled into our not-yet-warm nest. "When the battle commences, I must raise my voice to all combatants and say: "A moment, brave warriors, I cannot decide which of these excellent weapons serves best for the violence to come."

"It were best, then, that you do not wait until then to make your choice." Aric said as he lay down next to me and covered us both with fur.

"Is there any hope of averting a battle tomorrow?" I asked.

"Corelan has few choices, and all of them are bad." Aric said. "I cannot see a way forward that does not involve bloodshed."

"If Fasion Adus' messages reach their destinations and are acted upon, this battle will mark the end of Corelan's fanatical adventure." I said. "We will be owed a portion of peaceful existence before the next calamity, surely." I said. "The Divines love balance, do they not?"

"Some Divines." Aric said. "Some do not."

"Then we must pray to those Divines who share our hopes and desires." I said.

"A dry branch and an empty flour sack will be a poor flag of parlay." Aric said. "I pray that the Divines do not laugh at it. There will certainly be enough laughter from the mouths of men tomorrow when it is displayed."

"Your flag will compete with my robe sir." I said. "I resemble a sausage when I wear it over my armor."

"It is not as bad as all that." Aric said. "It clings to your form, which is plain for all to see even when you are armored, and you have an excellent form."

"You approve of my form, sir?" I asked as my foot began a slow massaging of his leg, and my lips stopped an inch from his. "even though I no longer resemble the Lady of the Air?"

"The Lady of the Air is all well and good." Aric said, as he decreased the distance between our lips. "But it is the lady in my arms that I most prefer."



"Jarl Ulfric, do I recognize the face of your aide-de-camp?" Aric asked

"You have a keen eye, Thane" Ulfric replied. "It has been some time since you have seen him."

"He is certainly taller," Aric said, "and broader. But there is no mistaking that he is your son Uthred."

If we had traveled only a short distance farther the night before we would have landed in the camp of Ulfric and his Stormcloak soldiers, that numbered at least twenty-five. They were in the process of breaking camp when they came into view.

"We are not as late as I had feared." Aric said.

"Or we are all late." Serana said.

"Honor to you Thane." The younger version of the Jarl said, before quickly scanning the few faces in our party. "Would your daughters Sophie and Collette, perchance, make up a part of your company?"

"Sadly no." Aric said, as Ulfric rolled his eyes at the question. "We four are the entirety of our force."

"I see one in your party who I recognize from your adventure outside the embassy." Ulfric said. "And one who is an occasional visitor to Windhelm. But this lady is a stranger to me."

"Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, may I introduce Reverend Mother Noxaura Jarnesus, High Priestess of the Maetreum of Cybele."

"Divines protect you, and your company, Jarl." I said.

"Reverend Mother." Ulfric said. "You honor us with your presence. This is a rare treat. We do not have a temple of Cybele in Skyrim."

"I mean to rectify that oversight, Jarl." I said. "Once this unpleasantness is ended and a small portion of peace is restored A temple of Cybele will be erected a short distance from where you stand."

"Her Grace's plans are quite grand, and will eventually include an orphanage and school, as well as a temple where many faiths will be welcomed, studied, and taught." Aric said.

"That is grand." Ulfric said. "Will Talos be welcomed your Grace?"

"He will sir, if for no other reason that my adopted sisters are likely to marry two brothers who are themselves devout worshipers of Talos." I said. "It is on my very long list of tasks to employ clerics devoted to those Divines that are not in opposition to my own faith. You would honor me with your recommendation to fill that role for Talos when the time comes."

"I would be honored, your Grace." Ulfric said. "Assuming that this camp is ever disassembled to the point that we can get under way."



We joined the main road, retracing the route that Railius and I followed to Whiterun, emerging eventually onto the flat, though muddy, plains when we encountered another group of soldiers, and two faces that proved familiar to more than one of us, camped near an ancient cairn.

"Gods," I whispered to Aric, "do you think she will recognize me?"

"Your robe covers your armor for the most part." He said, "You wear your own cloak, and your appearance is much changed since she saw you last."

"Who is the Altmer with her?" I asked

"Elenwen." Aric answered.

"The ambassador." I said.

"Yes." Aric replied. "You will forgive me, now, if I repeat myself."

"General, do I recognize the face of your aide-de-camp?" Aric asked Rikke.

"Gods, I should have known." Rikke said as she and Aric looked at each other.

"This must surely be your daughter Rilia, General." Ulfric said.

"This must surely be your son Uthred, Jarl." Rikke said in return.

"This must surely be the oddest alliance in Tamriel." Elenwen said as all the mounted members of our joint party dismounted.

"It is good to see you again." Elenwen said to Aric, winning a glance between Serana and Jenassa, and a modest eye role.

She had brought no soldiers except for what appeared to be her personal guard. Four elves of the larger variety, each encased in glass armor. Two were armed with glass great swords, the other two with glass battle axes.

"It is good to see you as well," Aric said as he smiled, at which point I felt it necessary to turn away and view the Thalmor amassed to the east. "Though I am surprised to see you here. We had agreed, I thought, that you would remain in the safety of the embassy until this remnant was dealt with."

"If I had spent less time within the embassy compound this situation might have been identified earlier." Elenwen said.

"Or you would not be alive to stand here now." Ulfric said.

"I may not be alive much longer if I continue to stand here." Elenwen said. "I sink further into the mud each passing second."

"It could be worse." Aric said as he began to remove his flag of parlay from behind his saddle.

"How so?" Elenwen asked

"It could be raining." Aric replied.

"What in the Gods names are you unfurling, sir?" Rikke asked Aric. "Do you advertise the opening of a bakery?"

Aric's prediction proved accurate, as the laughter spread.

"The Reverend Mother's conscious cannot sit easy unless we request parlay and offer Corelan the opportunity to leave Skyrim alive, never to return." Aric said after the laughter had begun to die down.

His statement ended any remaining laughter quickly.

"Never to return is an accurate description." Elenwen said. "You know his fate if he returns to the Dominion as well as he does."

"He will never agree to this." Rikke said. "The time for priests robes and priests' solutions is past. It is the time of warriors and steel now. I am surprised that you would bring her at all."

"We will meet him at a safe distance." Aric said. "The Reverend Mother and I will fly our flag"

"If that is what you chose to call it" Rikke's daughter interjected.

"The Reverend Mother and I will fly our flag and walk out two hundred paces." Aric said. "Those leaders who wish to join the parlay or hear what is said may accompany us."

"What if he does not come out to meet you?" Ulfric asked. "What if his men simply charge?"

I turned finally and faced the group of leaders. "Well then" I said with a smile, "I, for one, am faster than I may appear, and I will race the Thane back to the safety of our line."



The lines of battle were formed when we walked our two-hundred paces forward, out flour sack flapping at the end of our dry branch.

"It will look much better from a distance." Aric said.

"It could certainly not look worse." Ulfric said.

"I like the look of their soldiers better from a distance as well." I said.

"You may go back to the line, your Grace, and we will follow you and end this fool's mission." Rikke said.

"As I am the only Priestess here, and may soon be committing your soul to Sovngarde, General, a more civil tone may be what is called for now." I answered her.

"A more civil tone can, at least, not hurt, Rikke." Elenwen said. "We all walk towards the same enemy. Do you bear some enmity towards her Grace?"

"She only delays the inevitable." Rikke said. "It is that to which I object."

"You have a loved one in the ranks behind us, as does the Jarl." I said. "I would have thought any delay in placing their lives in danger would be welcome."

"We are soldiers, your Grace, and our children as well." Ulfric said. "It is the vocation we have chosen, and the danger you refer to is a part of that."

"But you do not spill blood needlessly nor gratuitously." I said. "If this battle cannot be avoided then it will be fought, and I will fight it with you. But I will do my duty to the Divines first and seek a path that does not rob so many mothers of their children, whatever their race."

"We said, your Grace." Elenwen said.



It was clear as we drew closer to the opposing line that it was not only Thalmor opposing us.

"Those men wear your colors, General." Elenwen said to Rikke.

"Gods." Rikke said, "I had hoped the reports were wrong."

"There numbers are small." Aric said. "There cannot be more than twenty. I am surprised they did not pack up and return to Cyrodiil after such attrition."

"I have not yet asked you what part you play in this Thane." Rikke said.

"Aric uncovered a plot to assassinate and replace me." Elenwen. "He was kind enough to warn me and deliver three assassins that were lurking outside my embassy."

"You did not explain as you traveled here together?" I asked.

"Strangely enough, the topic never came up." Elenwen replied

"And which of you convinced the Jarl of Windhelm to show an interest in this affair?" Rikke asked.

"My interested is born out of my desire for a land that the Nords can claim as their own, without interference from any outside force." Ulfric said. "I discovered this affair myself, as you would have if you had inquired at all."

"The General and I have both been remiss in that regard." Elenwen said. "We could both, perhaps, have spent our time better by inquiring into the affairs of the land that has been placed in our trust."

"It is fortunate then that the Divines blessed us with this Jarl and this Thane that assumed the responsibility and acted in your stead." I said.

Our conversation had taken up a good portion of our walk. Two Thalmor figures and one figure wearing Imperial armor continued to walk towards us. The distance was becoming close enough that talking was no longer advisable. Except:

"I request the honor of being the first to speak with my countryman." Elenwen said.

Rikke and Ulfric looked at each other but said nothing.

"No voices being raised in opposition; the resolution is adopted." Aric said.



"Forgive my tardiness," the tall Thalmor in the center said. "From a distance you appeared to be simply a common soldier drying his tunic in the morning breeze."

"A sense of humor is a gift from the Divines, sir." I said amidst the laughs of my comrades. "You lift my hopes that we can avoid bloodshed and all live to see another sunrise."

"If you wish to avoid bloodshed" the second Thalmor said, "turn around, take your men and depart the field. You are outnumbered."

"Who is this, Corelan?" Elenwen asked of the tall elf. "And where did he receive instruction in manners? He should ask that his tuition be refunded."

"I am Actar Hirgus." Answered the impolite elf. "Your name I know well. That you are yet living will shortly be corrected."

"That your brother is no longer living is a fact also known" Elenwen said to Corelan, "and permanent. I offer you my sympathies, Corelan. He conspired against me, and I do not mourn his death, but I know you do."

"We come under flag of truce to avoid any more deaths, sir." I said to Corelan. "You father has lost one son already. Must he lose you as well?"

"What do you know of this?" The Imperial wearing Penitus Oculatus armor asked.

"It is a serious crime to impersonate an officer of the personal bodyguard of the Emperor." Rikke said to the imperial soldier. "and punishable by death."

"I am no counterfeit." The man said. "I hold a commission from the Emperor."

"The Emperor you would replace, even to the point of assassination?" Rikke asked "Decide which side of your mouth you speak from, sir."

It was while Rikke was speaking to the Imperial soldier that I noticed it. Flashes of sunlight off polished metal from the northern hills overlooking our potential battleground. A quick look at Aric convinced me that he had seen it as well.

There was a force of men in the hills to the north, observing us. Were they friends or foes?

"An Emperor that is weak is unfit to lead." The man said. "How much land must the Empire cede before Imperials rise up and demand an Emperor that can make the Empire strong again?"

"If you wish to march upon the palace and kill the Emperor, I will gladly help you." Ulfric said to the Imperial. "But if your aim is to make the Empire strong by crushing me and my forces, and turning Skyrim into a mere vassal state, look to your life sir."

"We travel in circles gentlemen." Aric said to the three faces standing in front of us. "You have each lost the bulk of your forces. Your clandestine efforts are exposed and have come to nothing. The Reverend Mother asks you now to think of your men.

Those of you who plotted and lead this ill-conceived adventure almost certainly face death upon your return home. Those common soldiers who followed out of a sense of duty to their commanders may yet be spared. Do not force us take their lives. The Divines will not look kindly upon any of you when they pass judgement."

"I do not fear death." The Imperial said. "Sovngarde awaits me. My ancestors are smiling at me."

Aric and Ulfric looked at each other as Ulfric rolled his eyes.

"This is your force, Corelan." Elenwen said, "It is for you to choose."

"I will save him the choice." Said Actar Hirgus as he drew a dagger and lunged for Elenwen.

He was mere feet from her but was still too slow for Aric, who drew his sword and removed Actar Hirgus' head with a clean stroke.

It was then that the Imperial drew his sword and attacked the person standing nearest him: me.

I had my armor but was not wearing my helm. I was wearing my cloak over my restrictive robes, which would not accommodate any weapons, and would allow none to be drawn in any case. I had kept my hood up, which was fortunate, because his attack took me by surprise and all I had time to do was turn my back before his sword struck my cloak, shattered, and sent metal shards into the air. The imperial was barely a sword length away as I spun back and impaled him with an ice spike that entered his chest before exiting his back and continuing on its path.

Our flag of truce lay on the ground with the bodies of Corelan's two comrades.

"You have violated the flag of truce." Elenwen said to Corelan. "You attacked us during parlay."

"I did nothing." Corelan said. "It was they that acted."

"It no longer matters." Ulfric said. "It appears this parlay has come to an end."

He was correct. The Thalmor force had witnessed the deaths of two of its commanders and had chosen for themselves.

"We are in a less than ideal position." Ulfric said as Corelan turned and ran back to his advancing forces. "I suggest an orderly advance to the rear, and the safety of our own line."

"Your tactical prowess is on full display, old friend." Rikke said.

"I believe haste is called for." Elenwen said as we all began to retreat quickly to our advancing line, the mud pulling at our feet every step..

"I hate being right constantly." Rikke said.

Stop running. A voice said to me.

"What?" I asked.

"I said I hate being right constantly." Rikke said. "I knew this was a fool's errand."

"Calvary!" Ulfric yelled.

Stop running. A Queen should never run. A voice said again.

It was the same voice.

I stopped where I was.

Better. The voice said

"Who is speaking to me?"

"Noxaura!" Aric yelled.

"What is she doing?" Ulfric asked him

They will be upon you in a moment. Your friends will die unless you act. The voice warned me.

I could identify its source now. I had felt it awaken in Serana's castle on the island when I had drawn upon the power of the Earthbones. It was awake again. Much more awake.

You are finally awake as well. And you are finally strong enough. Strong enough to defeat these fools. You will never be a victim again. The voice said to me.

"NOXAURA!" Aric yelled.

"What is wrong with her, Aric?" Rikke asked. "Does she forget which direction to run?"

"They are upon is!" Ulfric said as he stopped to draw his sword and face the approaching attack.

Ten Thalmor on horses were approaching rapidly.

I knew what I must do. It took very little effort, and even less thought.



Breath out, breath in.



The power began to flood my very being.



Breath out, breath in.



My bound swords blazed to life as my body began to burn like the sun, and the whirlwind of energy expanded outward.

I began to run towards the horsemen who had stopped at the sight that they beheld. My bound swords stretched out like glowing wings.

Like a giant bird of prey or the wings of a dragon I thought. As an image formed in my mind. A giant image with glowing wings. It was the size of a dragon, but it had the aspect of a bird.



Show them. The voice in me said.



Breath out, breath in.



The word formed in my mind, and became a spell, an enchantment, a summoning.



" Banahrafn"



The power was massive. The swirling energy and pearls of light flying from my bound swords began to merge and combine as the image in my mind took form.

Horses and men began to scream in alarm as a giant glowing bird of prey the size of a dragon took form and flew high into the air before diving in attack.

These are the worms that would hurt you and your friends. The voice said to me as the horsemen attempted to retreat to their line, and as the glowing bird of prey began rending them into pieces.

Will you stand idle and allow that? The voice asked. Or will you be a Queen? A Queen would destroy her enemies.

Who are you? I asked the voice

Child, you know already. The voice replied.

"Noxaura!" Aric yelled from the edge of the whirlwind, as I stood motionless while our forces passed the two of us to take up the battle.

"What ails her?!" Serana asked Aric as she joined him, having to shout just to be heard.

"I do not know." Aric responded in the same volume. "She was not this affected in the castle."

"Her giant bird of prey helps even the odds, but there is still enough work here for all." Jenassa said as she resumed her run to the main battle. "If you delay you will be left out."

"There is a voice speaking to me." I said to him. "It is not you, not like in the castle."

You are the true Queen the voice said. His shell was a last resort. He is powerful, but not as powerful as you.

"Gods." I said.

You finally see. said the voice of Potema in my mind. You are finally ready. Feed my seed. You have the power. Feed the seed I planted within you and put out the pretender. Become the Wolf Queen as you were always meant to be. Kill that superfluous shell and take your throne.

Kill the superfluous shell. Aric. She asks me to kill the man I love.

Queens are not loved, they are feared. Potema said.

Send this one on her way, lass. Another voice said in my mind. She's a bad 'un. We want no part of her.

"Father?" I asked

The battle in the physical world was raging while I was fighting the battle in my mind. The force from the hills to the north had descended to reveal Lucia, Runa Vilkas, Farkas and a pair of twins that lowered their lances as each picked their targets. There was no longer any discernible battle line. It was now a collection of individual struggles for survival.

Lucia and her group had formed a wedge as they rode into battle, cleaving the Thalmor group in two as they passed through, leaving dead in their wake before they split into two groups as well, half wheeling left, the other half wheel right before passing back again through the Thalmor force. They were now separated from each other, each one now involved in individual battles of life and death.

Sophie and Collette had left their lances where they had last planted them: each in the torso of a Thalmor soldier. They now wielded log cavalry swords, their horses trodding on any bodies under their hooves.

Farkas had leapt from his horse and stood as solid as an ancient Oak, feet planted into the muddy field, sweeping his sword left and right.

Vilkas had likewise left his saddle but was conducting a running offensive, churning mud and blood with each step he took.

Runa kept a ward up with her left hand while the glass sword in her right hand kept up a constant hammering of Thalmor opponents.

Lucia had cast a spell that had hurled aside anyone nearby, creating a space around her as she began to engage those Mages that were still alive, using spell and staff and, without doubt, Aric's potion to protect from paralyzing spells.

Everywhere the ground turned to mud, and blood. The glowing bird of prey had showed a preference for horsemen at first. The carcasses of horses, whole or in pieces, were scattered where they had fallen after being picked up and torn by huge glowing talons, to fall back to earth, their riders suffering a similar fate. It now began to focus on individual Thalmor soldiers.

Our force had been outnumbered three to one, but the glowing bird of prey continued to diminish the ratio as Aric's daughters and the twin Companions took their toll and added it to the number our forces had struck down.

But I could see through the swirl of energy that surrounded me that the Thalmor were taking a toll as well.

Runa and her horse went down, lost from my view in the mass of Thalmor that enveloped her.

"RUNAAAAAAAAAA!" was Farkas' response to seeing the woman he loved fall, his battle cry rising even above the dim of the battle, as he uprooted his feet and ran towards her, cleaving anything in his path that impeded him.

"Noxaura!" Aric shouted again from as close as he dared approach, "Who speaks to you?"

"She speaks to me." I said to Aric. "Potema is alive in my mind."

"It cannot be." Aric said. "She is banished."

"We ended her rebirth." Serana said. "How can this be."

"The marks." Aric said. "The marks of Potema that Noxaura and I both have."

"Her seed within me came alive in Serana's castle." I said, "I felt it then, but did not know what it was."

I could see the seed within me in my mind. A small thing, with a strong desire. A desire for life. A desire for power.

"What can we do?" Serana asked.

"Nothing." Aric said. "It is for her to do now."

You owe him nothing Potema said. He is defenseless. Kill him now, and all will worship you.

I do not want all to worship me. I replied.

What do you desire most? Potema asked me. Become the Wolf Queen and then you must only think it and it will be yours.

I could not help where my thoughts flew.

I want my father back.

The image formed in my mind as if summoned. Railius as he was the day we met. His arms still strong, his hair still dark, the lines on his face smoothed.

Father, I asked him, what should I do.

But he did not answer. He did not move. He simply stood and smiled.

Father, what is wrong? I asked.

That's not me, lass. Railius' voice said. That's her. She's a liar. Don't believe aught she shows you. You have to let me go.

I can't I said.

You must, lass. Railius answered. I'm gone already. That man next to you, he's your life now. You have a choice to make, choose her, or choose him.

"Beloved!" Aric said, barely discernible over the roaring noise of the whirlwind of energy. "Remember! There can be only one master!"

I am master here, fool. Potema said

"No." I said with words in the world of the living, the world where the man I loved resided. "I am master here."

You? You are nothing. Potema said as she formed an image of a glowing wolf the size of a mammoth in my mind. Do you truly believe you can defeat the Wolf Queen?

I felt the smile form on my face as I answered her in my mind, my own glowing image forming; an image much larger than hers, the Earthbones feeding me whatever energy I required.

The Wolf should never threaten the Dragon, poor diminished Queen. I said as my glowing dragon rent her wolf to pieces.

It was a simple matter then of reaching out, the seed within Aric as plain in my mind's eye as my own.

"DO NOT!!!!.........................." The voice of Potema cried out and faded into nothing, as the two seeds flared brightly before burning out of existence.

"There can be only one master." I said.

"Beloved!" Aric said. "You must regain control!"

"I never lost it." I said calmly, as I closed my eyes.

It was as if I was seeing the world through the eyes of my bird of prey. It was as if I was its mind, as I chose my next targets. It was through those eyes that I saw the young elven soldiers, and the fear on their faces. And it was in that moment I knew what must be done.

"Do not fret, beloved." I said to him. "It is the Healer Priestess who is the master now."

My bird of prey began to lose its form as I drew the power back to me, and sent it back into the earth, as I slowly walked towards the remaining battle.

The whirlwind was still quite large as I walked into the center of the fighting. All soldiers, man and elf, were forced to scatter to avoid being consumed. Fighting ceased as the combatants were forced apart.

I stood in the middle of those who still lived. My whirlwind cloak of energy had swept the ground clean as I approached, clearing a path in which nothing that was not earth and rock remained. I turned to observe all the remaining faces, those that were familiar and those that were not.

My energy cloak dissipated, my bound swords only requiring a second longer to follow it.

Fear. Shock. Expressions I could not identify.

"This battle is ended." I said simply. "Collect any wounded, regardless of allegiance, and arrange them around me. Quickly. This is the wish of the Reverend Mother."

It took a few minutes to identify the wounded and place them in a circle around me. One in particular garnered special attention. One in very bloody glass armor, carried in the arms of an equally bloodied, wounded, weeping Companion.

"Help her, sister." Farkas said to me. "In the name of Talos or any God you choose, help her."

Runa had lost all color. There was a great deal of blood. She had many wounds. She barely breathed. Lucia and Jordis ran up to the now kneeling Farkas, Runa wrapped in his arms, her body draped across his legs.

Aric knelt by his dying daughter.

"Gods." Lucia said, her breaths coming in rapid gasps, as she viewed her sister bleeding her life's blood out onto the man who held her, the man she loved in return.

"Are there others?" I asked.

"No." Vilkas said as he stood next to his brother.

"All of you here standing also. Come forward. Gather close." I said.

It required only one cycle of breath.



Breath out, breath in.



The energy flooded into me, but I controlled the stream; taking only what I thought would be required, as I close my eyes and cast my healing spell.

It was a different sort of whirlwind that formed and expanded around me, encompassing everyone, the two legged and the four, the prone and the standing, the barely wounded and those near death. It was the Power of the Earthbones, used as it has been for hundreds of years, to heal rather than harm.

It was more than enough energy. Enough that it was not just newly acquired wounds that were cured. Other maladies, some quite old, were also healed, as I recalled the false image of Railius in my mind. My father, younger, stronger. I could not predict how my healing would manifest.

It was only a moment once the spell had ended before those who had been seriously wounded began to stir, and rise, and look at themselves and inspect limbs or other parts that had just moments ago been maimed. They stood together in groups, Elf, Stormcloak, Imperial, talking and marveling at their sudden return to health.

"What will you all do now?" I asked "Now that the Divines have given you a second life? Will you turn upon each other once again, to damage that which has just been healed? And do so again when the Divines again give you life? How often must you experience death, or near to it, before you tire of it?"

All eyes were on me. There was no sound except for my voice. I could still see fear on some faces, Rikke's being one. Her daughter had been one of the those seriously wounded, now returned to health. Ulfric's son, and Ulfric himself, had received less seriously wounds, also now healed. The man and the woman before me, still covered in her blood. Runa's color had returned. She seemed as if she were simply waking from a light sleep as Farkas, his wounds also healed, began weeping in earnest, as he kissed the bloody face of the woman he had almost lost.

But closest, and most importantly, the eyes of the man I loved, more than I loved my own life. The man who had stay at my side while my internal war with Potema raged. The man who now looked at me as if nothing had changed between us.

There was no portion of my vision that I could spare for anything else. My gaze never wavered from him.

"You could heal my knee, if you find a moment of free time in your busy schedule." Railius' voice said in my mind.

"Hush, Father." I replied in my mind as well. "You detract from the moment."

"Well, we can't have that, can we." He answered, as my vision began to blur, and my legs falter.

"I have you." Aric's voice said to me as I felt myself being lifted and carried. "I will never let you go."

For a moment I could not remember where I was.

"Husband, what has happened?" I asked, my vision as blank as my memory.

"Well, for a start, you have torn your robe." He answered.

I could hear his smile, even though I could not see it. But I could certainly feel my own.
 
Last edited:

Bren

New Member
16th of Sun's Height

"Except for the figure at its center it is a copy of the monument that stands above the final resting place of General Tullius." Aric said.

"Does that figure hold a little girl as this one does?" Samuel asked

"Did General Tullius have children?" Sara asked.

"I believe it is the most beautiful monument I have ever seen." I said.

It was, indeed, a most beautiful monument, with a most beautiful figure at its center. A figure of an Imperial sergeant holding a little girl in his arms. The flowers and candles that we had just arranged on its base added to the beauty. My tears where they had fallen upon the stone were still visible, but rapidly drying in the afternoon summer heat.

I hope you paid the stone mason extra. Railius voice said in my mind. I was never that tall or had arms like that.

It is how I remember you I said.

I'm not objecting, mind you. He replied. I'm just saying.

"I may build a house nearby." I said to Aric. "That way I can be close to him when I choose."

"You are certainly wealthy enough to build wherever you wish." Aric replied. "And the road they were required to cut to deliver and install your father's monument will be a great help to any builders."

With the exception of Serana, we were the same group as when Aric saved my life so long ago. Could it truly have only been seven months since that day? Could so much have transpired in that short a time? Can a life change so utterly in less than a year, as my life has changed? Unless this has all been a fever dream, the answer to all those questions appeared to be yes.


Seven months since the man standing next to me became a part of my life. Three months since he carried me from the battlefield of Silent Moons camp. Three months since I rode, a bundle in his arms, back to Whiterun to be placed in bed where I would lay motionless and senseless.

Some actions require payment in advance. Some, it would appear, require payment upon completion of service.

I awoke, finally, in the large bed in Aric's home in Whiterun, as the sun filtered through its windows. Quiet, mundane household noises could be heard from below. I did not understand the cause for my weakness at first, nearly falling down the stairs as I attempted to make my way down.

"Thank the Gods." Lydia said. "You are returned to us. We began to fear the worst."

"I feel as weak as a newborn kitten." I said.

"You have lay motionless for two days and two nights," Lydia said, "and more than half of today. Allow yourself time to recover. Sit here and I will bring you a bit of broth."

News of the battle had traveled quickly. And no one in Whiterun, apparently, failed to observe Aric carrying me through the city gates and whisking me into his home. A series of concerned friends arrived in series, soon followed by well-wishers, and concerned citizens. The phenomena was repeated when Runa, Farkas, Lucia, and Vilkas, still covered in blood and mud, returned. Soon anyone wearing any mud at all was asked if they had been present at the battle and was it true that the Reverend Mother had transformed into a huge bird of prey and swooped down to shatter the Thalmor force.

The story was apocryphal, but the Thalmor force was indeed shattered. Corelan was dead, as were all the Penitus Oculatus he commanded. Half the Thalmor force lay dead on the field of battle. No officers of any rank survived. It was a question for Elenwen now what was to be done with the Thalmor common soldiers that survived. She had not joined the battle, remaining with the horses and baggage, along with her bodyguard.

Ulfric and his son had paused only briefly to take council with Balgruuf before returning to Windhelm. He had lost a third of the men who had accompanied him. His entire force would return to Eastmarch, the Haafingar camp to be garrisoned with new men, it's old residents would certainly have a story to tell.

Rikke, her daughter and soldiers remained longer to provide security for Elenwen and to guard the Thalmor prisoners. The Imperials had lost a quarter of their soldiers. Those that survived would also be sharing stories of the encounter in the Inns in and around Solitude.

One of those stories would be the complete lack of wounded. Dead, yes certainly there were more than enough of those to go around, but no wounded. Men covered in their own blood, who had begun to hear the voices of their ancestors welcoming them into Sovngarde, would tell the tale of how they had escaped death that day.

The news would eventually spread across Skyrim; spread across Tamriel, once the official reports were written and sent. Whiterun simply absorbed the news and continued in its daily routine. This was to be expected. Those directly affected by the battle were concentrated in a single house. The steady stream of wounded who would normally have filled the temple and anywhere else required to house them failed to appear because they did not exist.

The only change in Whiterun's routine was the steady foot traffic in and out of the Thanes home.

But even that returned to normal eventually.

"I still cannot believe what I have heard." Danica said during the first of many visits.

"Do not believe all accounts from a battlefield, Danica." Lydia said.

"Did you heal every wounded and dying soldier who remained on the battlefield with a single spell?" Danica asked me.

"Yes, however…" I started.

"Yes is all the answer I require." Danica said as she hugged me.

"I have never seen Ulfric behave in such a manner." Balgruuf said during his only visit. "He is not one for hyperbole or wild exaggeration, but you would not know it from his description of what he saw you do. He wore the oddest expression the entire time we spoke."

"I would have grieved for him if his son had been lost." I said. "I am happy for him. But too many mothers lost children that day."

"Many more would have been lost if not for you." He replied.

"I had hoped to avoid a battle entirely." I said. "I believe I would have succeeded, but for the actions of one elf, whose name escapes me now."

"You saved those you could save, my friend." Balgruuf said. "Remember that, while you wander the forest of grief for those who were lost."

"You have been a good friend to me, Jarl." I said. "I do not deserve such friends."

"My friendship is a poor reward for your efforts, dear lady." He said. "You deserve much, much more."

"We wished to see how your recovery progresses." Saffir said during her visit with Amren and Niha.

"I am nearly recovered." I said. "Lydia oversees my care, and I will soon be able to return to my training regime."

"I have heard more than one report from the battlefield, revered student." Amren said. "I feel a complete fool now, teaching you the sword when you possess such powerful weapons."

"You should feel no such thing, sir." I said. "Your instruction and your friendship are beyond value to me. I cannot begin to thank you."

"You must excuse me, your Grace." Amren said as his eyes filled. "I am overcome by your words."


The rhythm of life resumed.

"Jordis and I must ride to Solitude tomorrow." Aric said one afternoon as he and Lydia and I sat outside and enjoyed the cool breeze. "Elisif is owed a full report on what transpired. Should you wish to visit Solitude, this time in your own form, you are most welcome."

"I thank you, sir." I said in reply, "But I have business that keeps me in Whiterun for a bit longer."

"Business?" Lydia asked, as she poured more excellent ale into my oversized mug.

"I have spoken with Balgruuf." I said, "and have purchased his hunting lodge. The one with the excellent bathhouse on the road between Whiterun and Riverwood. We have arranged to remove those possessions he chooses to keep, and install what few possessions I own, or will purchase soon. I will take possession a few days hence."

"Do we truly lose your company so soon?" Lydia asked.

"I have imposed on your generosity far too long." I said. "I am a grown woman, and it is past time I began to explore life as such. But it will wound my heart greatly if I do not receive visitors from Whiterun regularly. Visitors from Solitude as well, since I will write to my sister Sara and invite her to stay, once she can separate herself from the new addition to your family."

"In that event, you will certainly require assistance as you move into your new home." Lydia said, "I know several sets of willing hands that will not take no for an answer."

"I will pass back through Morthal to report to Idgrod, and to speak to my builder on the progress of my new home in Hjaalmarch." Aric said. "She I bring you anything when I return?"

"If your stay in Solitude allows the time, I would appreciate a robe from the sisters that is a better fit over my armor, that accommodates weapons, and that can be removed quickly. The sisters should still have my dimensions."

"Your dimensions have somewhat altered of late, and the addition of armor will alter them further." Lydia said, "But I believe they are up to the task."

"They may put their derision and condescension in writing, and you may deliver that with the garment, since they cannot deliver it in person." I said to Aric.


Spring had begun to turn into Summer when A familiar face greeted me as I walked the streets of Whiterun while the supplies I had purchased were being loaded for their trip to my new home.

"Your Grace, I hope I find you well." Sergeant Alens said.

"Sergeant, you return from Rorikstead." I said. "It is wonderful to have you home again."

Aric and I had promised to return to that small hamlet during the summer season that was now beginning to come alive, but it seemed that it would not be to celebrate or attend a wedding.

"The house sits as it always has." Sergeant Alens said. "Them two don't speak a word to each other."

"It is sad, and certainly inconvenient in a village that small." I said. "They can barely keep their distance from one another."

"They are still young." He replied. "They may patch things up. Love is a funny thing."

"You speak the truth, Sergeant." I said.

"You are a blessing, Nabil." I said to the tall Khajiit who stood before me with his brother Nader.

"Nabil's heart is warmed equally by such a beautiful smile and such beautiful words, gracious Priestess. This one will always be at your service. Simply whisper the name of Nabil upon the wind and I will soon be by your side."

"I believe he likes you." Adrianne said as the two Khajiit rode their cart back down the main road towards Whiterun.

It no longer seemed appropriate to refer to my home as a hunting lodge, since I had never hunted and had no intention of ever doing so. Lydia introduced me to Ysolda, a local trader who in turn introduced me to Nabil and his brother.

"This is what family is for." Lydia said when I thanked her. "You must grow accustomed to others poking their noses into your life and helping you, even when you do not request it. That is what comes from being a part of a large family. Do not cry, dear child. It will ruin your reputation as the newest godling of Skyrim."

"I would ruin it gladly." I replied as I wiped my nose on my sleeve. "I apologize, that was far from a god-like thing to do."

Nabil and his brother now rode away with the last vestiges of hunting that had remained, leaving in their place hand crafted carpets, wall hangings, furniture, and an assortment of books that I could not have dreamed owning a year ago.

My alchemist work bench was now as fully stocked as any in Aric's homes. New planters dotted the outside of my property. A supply of kló crystals (the common variety) sat in a jar on a shelf near my bath. But my Enchanters workbench was not linked to Aric's network.

"It is a short journey to Whiterun." I said to Lydia. "And I hope and pray to Mother Cybele that my life will now be one of peace, with no need for urgent messages."


"I cannot imagine what the Jarl was hunting that he needed a forge that would rival my own were it to have a weapons smith as skilled as I am." Adrianne said as she observed her just completed repairs. "And if he wished to hunt, he needed to look no further than his forge's chimney. Every manner of animal in Skyrim seemed to have made a home within it at some point."

"There is no weapons smith as skilled as you." I said to her.

"There are some in Whiterun who hold a different opinion." Adrianne said, though I could see the pride she felt clearly on display on her face.

"I am not one of them." I said. "and neither is Aric."

"What is that unusual looking forge in the small, covered alcove outside?" Adrianne asked.

"It is a Atra Luna forge." I said. "It is used in the development of conjured weapons. It is a field of study that has held my interest for half my life."

"It looks to be a recent addition." She said. "The stonework appears new and does not fully match the rest."

"You have a keen eye." I answered. "The son of the original builder finished it not a week ago. He used stone from the original source and reassures me that in a few years you will not be able to tell the difference."

"You have not yet brought it to life." She said.

"Not yet." I answered. "I will do soon. It requires a particular enchantment and a combination of salts and shards of soul gems, but once it is lit it requires very little attention."

"I am intrigued." Adrianne said. "I would very much like to see it once it is lit."

"In that case, sister, come with me." I said.

It is a distinct advantage to have the proper materials, all fresh and plentiful, and a reserve of health to draw upon when lighting an enchanted forge; advantages I did not have in the Rift. This forge flared to life immediately, the blue/indigo/black fire displaying its full beauty.

"Gods!" Adrianne said. "It is beautiful."

"You may thank your neighbor in Whiterun." I said. "He reviewed my recipe and changed the ratio of salts slightly. He has an eye for such things."

We sat and talked and gazed at the enchanted flame until it was time for her to depart.

"Do not be a stranger to Whiterun, now that you have such a cozy home, tucked in such a cozy nook." She said to me as we parted.

"Do you not become a stranger, now that you know in which cozy nook my cozy home resides." I answered.

Alone finally, I sat on my covered porch with a cool drink and simply breathed in the sights and sounds and smells. The waterfall provided a soothing tone that began to put me to sleep; a dangerous prospect if I fell forward out of my chair, since the waterfall would be the first thing that would break my fall. I retreated to a hammock that was rigged in shady spot and drifted off to sleep. I awoke late in the afternoon but did not stir immediately. Could my life truly revert to one of calm and simple tasks?


I returned to my former daily routine in Whiterun eventually when peace and quiet began to give way to loneliness. Loga was happy to visit her old stable mates. Jervar paid her extra attention to insure my care of her was adequate, but also because it seemed he had missed her.

Amren agreed that our afternoon sessions would be conducted in the hills near my new home.

"It is an ideal location to train" He said, "And it will spare you the time and effort of making two round trip journeys to Whiterun."

Danica welcomed me with her customary affection before we began our rounds treating the sick of Whiterun; many of whom would only speak to me in hushed tones, and rarely looked at me directly.

"They do not know how to act in the presence of a godling." Danica said. "There is no one in Whiterun who has not heard stories of what occurred. Be patient with them."


Aric returned eventually from his assortment of meetings with Jarls, accompanied by Sara and Samuel.

"Sister!" Sara squealed as she ran up the steps of my porch and gave me a hug more suited to someone twice my size.

"Peace, sister, you will kill me with affection." I said as we both laughed. "Gods, how I have missed you."

"I missed you just as much." Sara replied. "When last I saw you, I almost cried out at your appearance, even though Jordis had warned me, and I thought I had prepared myself."

"Was my appearance so startling?" I asked.

"That is not the word that was foremost in my mind when I first saw you." Aric said, "as you may recall."

"I recall it nightly in my dreams, sir, if I am fortunate." I said as I kissed him.

"Samuel comes bearing gifts." Aric said. "The sisters were called before both the Jarl and the General and informed that if they did not outdo themselves, they would be drummed out of Skyrim."

"In all fairness I should object to the behavior they received, but upon my life I cannot find the strength to do so." I said taking the wrapped bundle. "Gods, this is heavy enough to contain a set of chain mail."

"Robes and garments fit for the High Priestess of Skyrim was the order they received. It may seem like overabundance, but once they had the bit between their teeth, they would not hear of anything less." Aric said.

"Gods, Aric, these cannot possibly be for me." I said as I lay the garments out. "They must surely have given me a parcel meant for Elisif."

"I promise you that these are intended for you." Aric replied, "Elisif being somewhat taller, and lacking your fine warriors form."

"Would you please refrain from referencing her form in the presence of your children, Father?" Sara asked.

"Father brings more than a parcel of clothing." Samuel said. "He has letters specifically addressed to you. One is from the Emperor."

"Do not jest, young sir." I said to Samuel, "are we not still friends?"

"It is true." Aric said. "Fasion Adus was true to his word. His messengers both reached their destinations. As did General Rikke's official report of unsanctioned activities in Skyrim."

"Divines save me." I said as I sat down. "I am not sure I am comfortable with the Emperor being aware that I exist at all, let alone knowing my name."

"It will not only be the Emperor that is aware you exist." Aric said. "Elenwen wrote also, speaking at length of how you risked your life by placing yourself between the two forces and urged each side to consider a peaceful solution."

"Did she also mention that I was heavily armored, and conjured a magical bird of prey the size of a dragon that in no way contributed to this wished for peaceful solution?" I asked.

"She may have omitted a detail or two." Aric said.

"You did WHAT?!" Sara asked me, her question rising in volume with each syllable.

"You did not tell them?" I asked Aric.

"I may have omitted a detail or two." He said.

"FATHER!" Sara screamed.

It was true. I letter from the Emperor.

By the hand of the Emperor, Titus Mede II, in recognition of her service to the Emperor and the Empire, Reverend Mother Noxaura Jarnesus is hereby Appointed and Granted the Titles of High Priestess and Custos Urbi of Skyrim, and Advisor to the Imperial Court of Cyrodiil.

"What does Custos Urbi mean?" Sara asked

"It means that her Grace is, by order of the Emperor himself, a Prefect over all of Skyrim." Samuel said.

"During religious festivals only, my soon-to-be brother Cleric." I said to him.

It was not the only letter I received.

Sister,

We have received reports from both the Imperial Council and from the Aldmeri Dominion High Council of your actions in Skyrim, performed in the name of Cybele, our Divine Mother. We had thought you lost to us many years ago and are filled with joy at your return. We are overwhelmed by the magnitude of your efforts, which are equaled only by your dedication to the Blessed Mother and her charge to be a beacon of light to the entire world. We are aware that the Emperor has charged you to take up the burden of Skyrim as its High Priestess. We look forward to your return to Bruma at your earliest convenience for your formal reinstatement and investiture as High Priestess of the Maetreum of Cybele

Blessings of the Mother Goddess be upon you,

Mother Superior Helena Oranius

"Is it bad news, Sister?" Sara asked as my tears welled and spilled onto the letter.

"No." I said, handing her the letter, "It is quite the opposite."

"This is wonderful news!" she cried as she hugged me.

"I confess that my nightly prayers did not forget to include a formal reinstatement." I said when I recovered my voice. "It is a blessing from Cybele."

"You deserve, and are owed, much more." Aric said, his face shining with joy. "I feel I will burst from happiness."

"You will ruin my new rug if you do." I said, as I placed my hand upon his chest and filled my eyes with his exquisite face from a closer distance.

"I have other news that is not written down." Aric said in that softer version of his voice that made me wish we were alone. "The stone mason has set off for the Rift with the monument for your Father. It is expected to be installed in three- or four-weeks' time, depending on the condition of the roads."

"I see our journeys will once again take us the length and breadth of Skyrim." I said. "We must keep our promise to return to Rorikstead during the summer season. And I will fight like a saber cat before I give up my reunion with my twin elven sisters. I am resolved that they and Sara will meet and form a close bond if I have to tie them all together to achieve it."

"Well," Aric said. "I am well acquainted with your claws, madam. I would not dream of standing in your way."

"If you are done flirting, would one of you for the love of the Gods recount the story of Noxaura's dragon sized bird of prey? Sara asked.


"You have your work cut out for you." Railius said as we sat upon the grass and gazed at his monument.

"It was only a month ago that I thought my life had reverted to its more peaceful variety." I said. "I now find myself an itinerant wanderer. I begin to lose count of the destinations I have yet to visit before the colder months set in."

"The life of a Prefect is not an easy one." Railius said with a smile as he carved a horse from a piece of wood.

"It is a title only." I said. "Though the villages enjoy having a Prefect recite something grand to mark the opening of a festival. The main danger to me is one of gluttony. I must practice the art of polite decline if I am to be able to wear the excellent garment from the sisters of Solitude."

"They know their work." He answered. "And, however they might fuss and complain, they take pride in saying The High Priestess of Skyrim wears our cloths. You can expect gowns fit for a Prefect once words gets around.

"At this rate, I will require a pack animal of my own to accompany me on any journey." I said.

Railius laughed. "Do you recall that tiny chest that held all your worldly possessions?"

I laughed back before hugging him. "Yes, and I recall how you carved my name into the lid. I believe it was the first time you demonstrated your skill for me."

"My hands had not acquired their palsy yet." He said.

"You make too much of a minor shaking, Father." I said. "Your current masterpiece shows no flaw or blemish."

"That is because you are dreaming, lass." He answered. "Such things are smoothed over in dreams."

We sat quietly for a time, as small curls of wood flew from the knife in Railius' hand.

"We must be away tomorrow." I said. "We must visit the cousins in Helgen and plan their return home. We must visit Rorikstead. We must visit a host of places before our journey south begins in earnest. Chorrol, Bruma, Nibenay should I wish to visit the home of my youth. When will I have time to select the site for my Temple? When will I see my cozy cottage again?"

"You have all the time in the world, lass." Railius said. "And you have a family now. Remember what Lydia said about family."

"You are my family also." I said to him. "You must keep your promise that you will never leave me."

Railius smiled. His hair had darkened during our recent dreams, his arms had become stronger and the lines on his face had smoothed. I wondered if it was only my dreaming mind that had made him younger or was the Shaping of my mass healing upon the battlefield still working.

"How does your knee feel?" I asked him.

I will never tire of his laughter.
 

Bren

New Member
Thank you everyone who took the time to read any part of Noxaura's story. Please leave a comment when you have a minute.
 

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