General:Loranna's RP/Morrowind Moonlight
| This archival work is dedicated to Loranna Pyrel, who passed away in early 2023. Rest in peace, friend. — Rock |
| Book Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Source: | Elder Scrolls Forum | ||
| Archived Link: | lorannarp.pbworks.com | ||
| Book Date: | 3E 429 | ||
| Writer(s): | Ted Peterson | ||
| Publication Date: | June 2005-September 2005 | ||
| Up | Loranna's RP | ||
| Prev. | High Rock Highjinks | Next | Hearthfire Hearthfires |
Morrowind Moonlight
Morrowind Moonlight was the tenth campaign of the Loranna's RP series.
This page exists only to record the posts of Tedders, who was the only developer to participate in the roleplay. Not all concepts presented are original to Tedders' posts, as replies are built off of replies, and the original concepts of other roleplayers are frequently referenced in his content. For proper citation context, consult the archived forum threads.
S'reddit
Dagon Fel
There was a chill in the night air as the figure in the dark cloak stepped off the boat onto the dock. She shivered, and clutched at her arm. The wound she had suffered would not heal by magicka, only time. That was the nature of the spell.
All the woman wanted to do was to go back to her home in Vas, and tend to her garden. Dagon Fel was on the way, though, and she had business.
At the End Of The World tavern, she was to meet her contact, the girl who had paid her for the job. A much tougher job that one would have expected from the simple tavern girl, but, of course, she was not. She was a necromancer and a Telvanni mage, as was the target.
The cloaked figure saw her the moment she stepped into the tavern, and then the figure saw Shaka.
At least this time, he hadn't surprised her.
The tavern girl had been laughing at something that the other Argonian, another person she recognized, Falco, was saying. The girl, the Telvanni posing as a tavern girl, Merlys, looked in her direction, and the cloaked figure raised her hood and put her finger to her lips. Silence.
Kethiah slid up behind Shaka, and he could feel something sharp at his back.
'Are you following me, Argonian?' she hissed, without a hint of friendliness.
The tavernkeeper quietly stepped into the backroom. Some things he was better off not seeing.
S'reddit
Shaka felt the blade move away from his back. Kethiah slipped it back into the folds of her cloak, but he knew she could draw it faster than the fastest spell.
'You nearly fouled up my assignment in Ald Raathim,' she said, stepping next to him, and giving a polite nod to Falco who was continuing his tale, unaware. 'Why should I help you, old friend?'
S'reddit
After noticing Shaka looking at her, Merlys, the bar maid, gave Falco a kiss at an appropriate pause in his tale.
'That's priceless,' she giggled. 'I hope you're around tomorrow when I'm not so tired.'
The innocent smile never leaving her face, she went off to her room, not looking in the direction of Shaka and Kethiah.
Once out of sight, her expression changed. She did not know how Kethiah knew these men, but she could not have her identity compromised. Their business transaction would have to wait until the assassin had dealt with them, however she deemed best.
S'reddit
The next morning, Merlys and Kethiah were both gone.
Sheogorath
Castle Daruhn
Kallen was told there was a visitor, but was told nothing more. To his surprise when he entered the Great Hall, there stood a man in the heavy red armor that marked him as a member of the Royal Guard of Morrowind.
"Greetings, sera," said Kallen, bowing. "I am Kallen, seneschal to Sera Dres Loranna."
The guard nodded, and returned the bow. He handed Kallen a single slip of paper, folded, and bound by the seal of the King of Morrowind. "For her ladyship."
"Should I call for her?" asked Kallen, his face stony, unflappable.
"That won't be necessary. Just be sure she reads it."
The guard refused food or drink, and was desirous to return to Mournhold immediately, so Kallen escorted him to the docks, and then with surprising lack of calm, the young Dunmer ran back to the castle to find his lady.
S'reddit
The Kitchens of Castle Daruhn
Razbiah stared in wonderment and horror at the parchment. It wasn't possible. It was unnatural. It was obscene.
'This is wrong,' she said to Thianas.
He gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek, and returned to work. 'I know a bit of magicka which will keep it all together.'
Razbiah frowned, though she shouldn't be angry with Thianas. Everyone else, yes, but not him. Perhaps she had a little crush on her old lord and master, Jazbet, but that was not real. This was. If only she had the words.
The only one that came to mind, as she returned to the simple, wholesome, healthy food she was preparing was, 'One can't make a cake with twenty-eight layers, each one wider than the last. It will fall over.'
'Watch me,' the Dunmer pastry chef said with a wink.
S'reddit
Tel Dresori, Morrowind
Dres Minsero addressed his army. They were to be given full commissions for service, even more generous that than had anticipated. The time had come, he said, to reduce the army down to a personal guard, merely enough for defense. It was a good thing, he emphasized. Proof of peace.
Barenziah, dowager queen and now regent of Morrowind, did not stand with him, but listened. She smiled, as he left his army and came to her. He thought, as he saw her, sitting alone and guardless on a little bench in his garden, that she was still beautiful. Her hair had turned silver in recent years, and her face was a tissue of lines, but still she had wise but flirtatious eyes and ... that smile ...
He was still angry, but they spoke as friends. They never spoke of blackmail.
"How far is it to Ald Raathim?" she asked, though he knew she knew.
"A few days," he replied. "You intend to visit Dres Loranna?"
"Yes. Do you have an opinion of her?"
"Oh, yes," Dres Minsero nodded. "But I would not want you to prejudge her."
Barenziah laughed, and made her way to her boat.
Minsero began his letter to Loranna. If he used his fastest courier to transport it, it might get there before Barenziah. He hoped so.
Sheogorath
The Royal Barge was quite unmistakable on the Inner Sea. A slim, black hulled boat with mithril accents that reflect the blue of the water, its sails were vast and as light as it was, it almost seemed to fly over the waves.
It could be seen from the topmost tower of the castle, and would clearly be arriving within an hour or two.
The castle was alive with activity, every surface being scrubbed and buffed while the kitchen staff prepared the feasts. Razbiah stole glances at the cake in the pantry. It was like a totem of a foreign God, impressive and heretical.
Sheogorath
The crowd on the dock cheered as a bright white figure stepped on onto the deck on the ship and waved to them. The Queen Mother was wearing a white gown and a matching white cloak that whipped around her in the wind, so she seemed to be a spirit, not flesh and blood at all. The white was a marked contrast with the dark flesh of her face, and the severe, formal style of her silver hair.
As the ship drew closer, all could see that Barenziah was actually laughing as the ship came into the docks. She turned the laugh into a more dignified smile, but her eyes still held the shine of a private joke.
The red-armored royal guard prepared the ship for landing.
Sheogorath
Barenziah kissed Loranna's cheek. "Lovely, lovely, my dear, thank you. I cannot wait to see everything. I haven't been back here in ... oh, I shouldn't say, but many hundreds of years ... Lead the way."
The crowd roared and applauded.
Sheogorath
"I don't know what amusements you have planned, if any," Barenziah whispered to Loranna as they made their way through the cheering crowd toward Castle Daruhn. "But I would appreciate some time to compose myself. My barge is very comfortable, but the journey is fatiguing. And I'm obviously dressed for a crowd, not for a quiet night at the castle."
Sheogorath
"Thank you, dear lady Loranna. Oh, things haven't changed here in three hundred years, not one bit," Barenziah beamed. "It's just lovely here. I only wish this old body could keep up with me still, or I'd take a running leap right into the bay, the way I used to."
Kallen guided the Dowager Queen and her servants to her room.
Sheogorath
Barenziah dressed for dinner in a flowing rose-colored gown. Not too formal. She even loosened some of her hair, letting silver curls drop to frame her face.
Then she stepped out onto the balcony, and began pulling at a heavy urn of flowers. Inch by inch, it began to move.
Sheogorath
"No, my Lady, but I seen her ..." the servant girl lowered her voice to a whisper. "Climbing around the balcony, moving things around! It was most peculiar!"
Sheogorath
Barenziah smiles at Loranna's approach. "I almost have it."
With a slight grunt, she moved the flower pot another inch.
Using a handkerchief, she wipes the dirt away from the stone beneath, revealing the letters "SY."
"I carved those there a very, very long time before you were born, when I was a foolish young queen in love," Barenziah smiled. "My little iron dagger broke before I finished his name."
Sheogorath
"That indeed is the great advantage to being queen," Barenziah smiled. "Though my husband did scold me for it. He thought it was silly and unbecoming. And I loved him the more for being so grumpy and ridiculous. That is how it is. When you love a man, his greatest faults are the most appealing things about it ... Your lover is a Khajiit, yes?"
Sheogorath
"I knew Jazbet, yes," smiled Barenziah fondly, taking Loranna's hand. "And I've familiarized myself with Slyvos's situation. Let's eat, and discuss these matters of the heart on a full stomach."
Sheogorath
Barenziah smiles to the newcomers. "Pleased to meet you."
Kallen had transformed the dining room, filling it with flowers. The glass and silver gleamed in the candlelight.
The red-armored knights raised their glasses at their entrance: "Long live Helseth! Long live Barenziah! Long live Loranna! Blessings be on Morrowind!"
Sheogorath
Barenziah raised her glass and also gave a cheer, "To freedom!"
The assembled company roared along with each toast.
Razbiah's feast began to come out. It was beautifully presented, undoubtedly with Thianas's influence. Usually, it was a symphony of grays and beiges, but not today. The taste, Loranna could tell just by looking at it, was going to be Razbiah's usual. Healthy and bland.
"I have been told," Barenziah said to Loranna after all had been seated. "That this food will make me live another 500 years."
Sheogorath
"You're lucky in your staff, my Lady Loranna," Barenziah said, waving away her taster. "Obviously Dram keeps you safe, Kallen keeps you organized, and Razbiah keeps you healthy." Barenziah swallowed her first bite of the food. "And not too fat."
Sheogorath
"I have not been intimately involved in imperial politics for some decades now," Barenziah replied. "My friend Ocato tells me that it is business as usual there ... and my spies concur. Why do you ask?"
S'reddit
Indeed, Loranna had open a few bottles of Breton wine, and the Queen Dowager and Regent Barenziah was drinking it with a great smile, once again waving away her taster whose job it was to make certain she wasn't poisoned.
"Now, this takes me back to Eadwyre," Barenziah sighed but without regret. She chuckled. "I didn't like it at first. I was used to flin and mazte and brandy ... I would ask my stepdaughter to send me some, but then I really would need my poison tester. Actually, there is the finest, rarest wine of all in your home province, my lady. I only had it twice, first when I was very, very young, and I stole some from the Baron's cellar. The second time, when I was with Tiber Septim."
"He was a great man, but I assumed otherwise, because I was determined not to show respect to people others revered," Barenziah smiled. "The folly and righteousness of youth. Always assuming you must know better than your elders. You are right about it exactly half the time."
S'reddit
"I have heard of you, Arynel," Barenziah said. "I would be honored if you would sing, if not tonight then another?"
S'reddit
Barenziah listened to the song, smiling sometimes, frowning others.
"Aye," the Queen Mother said at last. "Some of that is true. It is no great pleasure to have your many, many follies and rare moments of goodness immortalized in book and verse, but it is an education to hear while I'm still alive how I will be remembered. You have great talent, sir."
S'reddit
Thianas, carrying in the cake with two assistants, overheard the song. He paused, shaking, and murmured, "B'Vek, the Queen will have his tongue for that," before he composed himself, afraid of toppling over the multi-layered, gravity-defying cake, held just barely aloft by magic.
S'reddit
"I admire your bluntness," Barenziah replied, her face resolute. "He lives still, kept alive by magic and his own will, but it may not last."
Sheogorath
Thianas bowed to the company and supervised the disassembling of his tenuously assembled cake. This was a performance as well. Each plate was given a small piece from each layer, so one assistant stood on a ladder, another on the ground, slicing. Every cut brought out a burst of sparks. On the plate, it reassembled itself, so that when eaten it was never less than perfect, only smaller and smaller.
The cake itself was the finest any assembled had ever eaten. There was no magic to its flavor, except the magic of a master chef.
Razbiah had tears in her eyes.
Sheogorath
Razbiah leaves quickly and Thianas, after taking a few compliments, goes out after her.
"I take back what I said about your staff keeping you thin," Barenziah said, her fork still in her mouth. "If you keep this mer on your staff, and you do not go out adventuring daily, you will be the sload lady of Ald Raathim."
Sheogorath
A band of minstrels began singing the old Cyrodilic ballad "The Cunning of the Gray Fox" for the assembled. It was the sort of nonsense that had a pleasant rhythm, which one could pay attention to and laugh, or one could talk through and not disturb anyone.
Barenziah took the opportunity to ask Loranna: "Have you heard from Dres Minsero lately?"
Sheogorath
Thianas's apprentices were quick to bring more plates to people who demanded more cake, which was the large majority of those assembled. Particularly those who began their first forkful with the words, "Well, just a bite ..."
Sheogorath
"I visited him just before I came here, and convinced him to stand down his army. I thought he might have mentioned that in the letter. I think it's perfectly reasonable to have a local guard for defense like you have, my lady. But having each member of each house having an army capable of invasion ... it's Dunmer culture, but it's what keeps us divided. I managed to get Minsero to see that, but it took some effort."
Sheogorath
"It did. He is, as you say, a good Dunmer, and wants the best for his people. So do I, but I also want what's best for his neighbors, and his enemies. Statecraft more often than not is about two good people fighting," Barenziah took a thoughtful bite of her cake. "I never wanted to rule. Did you?"
Sheogorath
"I wouldn't deny the trappings of royalty are very pleasant. I would not have palaces, fine clothes, and a meal such as I had here tonight if I were still Berry the Dunmer thief," Barenziah smiled. "And the responsibilities can be so tedious. It took me some time to find my vision and my methods. I think you are closer than I was, so early in your reign. I know you have had some experiences with my son Helseth and my step-daughter Elysana. They're both effective rulers in their own ways. And their ways are very different, though perhaps it takes a mother's eyes to discern it."
Sheogorath
"Hard to summarize," Barenziah took the last bite of her cake. "They respond very differently to threats imagined and real. They are different kinds of diplomats. In truth, it may not be that they are so very different as their kingdoms are so very different. Elysana's is smaller but more stable, so her goal has been to expand it. Helseth's is large but conflicted, and his goal has been to unite it under himself. While he is ill, I have taken his goal and made it my own."
Sheogorath
"Some success, but balancing power requires total success," Barenziah nodded. "I thank you for a lovely evening, my lady. I'm afraid I must retire for the night. It's been a long journey."
Sheogorath
Barenziah stood up, and her guards stood up with her.
"Thank you very much for an extremely entertaining evening," the Queen Mother said. "I have not had such company in a very long time. I look forward to seeing each of you tomorrow."
With that, Barenziah and most of her guard departed. A few stayed around for thirds of cake.
Sheogorath
A red-armored royal guard touched Tris on the shoulder. "Pardon me, sir. Her Royal Highness would like a moment of your time in her room."
Sheogorath
The guard knocked on Barenziah's door, and when she said, "Come in," he escorted Tris inside, and closed the door behind him.
"Pardon me for taking you away from the others, but you must be related to Sternhart," said the Queen Mother. "Unless I'm much mistaken."
Sheogorath
"Oh, by Kynareth, lad," Barenziah laughed very hard, and took a moment to compose herself. "Forgive me. You may not know this, but your father helped finance my daughter's dowry to the King of Firsthold. And when I saw you, just for a moment, I thought, oh damn, now he's going to want that gold back."
"Of course, I realized my mistake at once," Barenziah continued, wiping a tear from her eye. "You're known as Mirror now, or you used to be?"
Sheogorath
"That's where I heard about you most recently," Barenziah said. "Elysana's spymaster before the current one was a double agent for us, and told us she was looking for you. I don't feel bad about defaulting on your father's loan, I confess. He made off well-enough when Helseth and Elysana were both vying for the throne, like you said, playing one side against another. Kynareth, but you're a handsome lad."
Sheogorath
Barenziah smiles, and touches Tris's cheek: "Has it really? What a darling thing to say, my boy. And what a pretty blush. A very pretty blush. No, I can see now, the resemblance to your father was merely superficial. If he tried to seduce me, it would have been purely a business transaction, and there would have been no blush. What are your aims, Tris?"
Sheogorath
Barenziah's face was close. "You speak pretty words to an old woman, and you do not plan past that? There was a time, not too long again, when I had a hunger for poetry and power and the young men who create them both. I don't think I see your father in your eyes at all. I only see my own reflection."
Sheogorath
Barenziah began to respond, and then pushed back. "No, lad. I was wrong to let you do that. It isn't wise. My hunger is out of habit ... I tasted the Breton wine tonight, and you ... should go now."
Sheogorath
"That's something we have in common," Barenziah smiled, and kissed Tris on the forehead. She walked over to her trunks, and took out a ruby pendant in the shape of a rose. "I don't know if I'll ever return to Wayrest. You should have this."
Sheogorath
"Oh, yes, I know about him too," Barenziah winked. "Well, the only answer is to make yourself more useful to her alive than dead, and make her realize that. Take your father's fortune, give her use of it, knowing that if you die, it will pass to his heirs less generously disposed ... I am sure that there are dozens of other possibilities ... I will give them some thought tonight."
She gave him another kiss on the forehead. "And, again, thank you for the very pretty words, my Tris."
S'reddit
The hidden passage in her room was just where she remembered it. Barenziah slipped in, through a series of twisting cobweb-cloaked corridors, and was in Loranna's room in a few minutes.
Loranna was tending to a sleeping Khajiit. Must be Slyvos, the Queen Mother reasoned.
She cleared her throat as she emerged from behind the tapestry. "Sorry to disturb you, Lady. I thought we should meet in private."
S'reddit
"I know you quite well, Loranna," said Barenziah. "If I had any questions about you, my spies have long ago given me their unbiased report. I thought you might have questions for me, which you might've guessed I would have been less candid about answering in a room full of strangers."
Sheogorath
"Well asked, Lady," Barenziah smiled, impressed. "To the point. I wish for Ald Raathim to be loyal to the throne of Morrowind, above your Empire, House, and Temple. That is not to say you wouldn't or shouldn't have alliances and understandings with them and others, but if I could have a wish from Ald Raathim, it would be that we could count on you to support us."
Sheogorath
"You asked me my wish," the Queen Mother smiled. "Who among us has modest wishes? Let me be clear. I am not planning a war against the Empire, or the Houses, or the Temple, nor is my son." She spoke of Helseth always in the present tense, as if he were capable of planning anything now.
Sheogorath
"My dear, do you need some water?" Barenziah went to get a pitcher, and passed the sleeping Slyvos. "So, this is the one I've heard about. He is very pretty. Hard to say which is the prettier -- him or Tris."
Sheogorath
"It is grave," Barenziah said simply, looking down on Slyvos. "They have all said he is going to die. But he won't."
The Queen Mother's eyes were confident, as if, though not being a healer, she had information that they didn't.
Sheogorath
Barenziah laughed, and then covered her mouth to avoid disturbing Slyvos. "I like to think that there is never an inappropriate time for gifts. In truth, I have an item or two I'd like to give you, but I was waiting until ... Yes, please, I would love to see your silly gift."
Sheogorath
Barenziah looks shocked and then amused. She puts on the bracelet, admiring it against the light, before looking at Loranna curiously. "This is from you, yes? You haven't been speaking to a certain Breton they call Mirror this evening, have you?"
Sheogorath
"Yes, of course, I'm sorry, of course it is," Barenziah kisses Loranna's cheek. "It's beautiful and personal and very thoughtful. I thought for a moment I was being made sport of, as I was earlier this evening. Forgive me for being suspicious. I look forward to a morning swim."
Sheogorath
"That depends on you," Barenziah smiled. "I do have places to go, but I'm slightly ahead of schedule. So I can stay until you've considered my offer of an alliance, and either rejected it, or have a suggestion on what you would expect in return."
Sheogorath
"If you answered straightaway I would be surprised and disappointed," Barenziah nodded. "I should go and get some sleep myself. It has been quite an evening, and I want to get some swimming in tomorrow ... Good night."
Barenziah went back to the tapestry to take the secret passage back to her room.
Sheogorath
Early the next morning, Barenziah and most of her guard were gone from the castle. Visitors to the beach below the castle would be greeted by a row of red-armored royal guardsman standing with their backs to the water, while the Queen Mother enjoyed her first swim in the waters of Ald Raathim in two hundred years.
After an hour, one of the knights turned around with a sigh and, casting a spell, walked across the water's surface to where Barenziah was swimming.
"Do you think you'll be much longer?" he said, taking off his helmet. He was a handsome young Dunmer with red-gold hair. "Some of us haven't had breakfast yet."
"Such insolence," the Queen Mother chuckled. "You should get up earlier and complain less. It seems we will be here for another day or two."
"I see."
"Have you made up your mind, Goran?"
"Oh, yes," the young knight smiled. "Yes."
Barenziah swam back to the beach, got dressed, and returned to the castle for breakfast.
Sheogorath
"Good morning, Isidor," said the Queen Mother as she and her men took their seats and were waited on by the fast-on-their-feet servants. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Sheogorath
"I am sorry to hear that," Barenziah frowned. "Nothing too serious I hope."
Sheogorath
One of the red-armored royal guards, a young Dunmer lad, probably a teenager, with handsome features and red-blond hair walked over to Loranna and the rest of the company and said, "I should have introduced myself earlier, my Lady Dres Loranna Pyrel. My name is --"
He paused a moment, swallowing, as if trying to remember his name. Barenziah burst out laughing.
"Goranthir," the young knight said, trying not to pay attention to the Queen Mother, who was trying to cover up her giggles with a napkin.
Sheogorath
"Oh dear, that's terrible," Barenziah, putting down her napkin, ceasing her giggles. She looked at him curiously. "Are you a prophet?"
Sheogorath
"Thank you, milady," he said. His accent was unusual. Though he was clearly a Dunmer, he was obviously not from anyplace in Morrowind Loranna had been.
Goranthir's eyes narrowed slightly as they darted to the conversation Barenziah was having with Isidor.
Sheogorath
"I cannot allay your gut feelings," Barenziah shook her head.
"Barenziah has done more to protect this land over the last five hundred years than anyone," Goranthir growled. "You say you mean no offense, but you are being offensive, sir. Did you know that she is a Raathim? This land is named for her family!"
Sheogorath
Barenziah touched the young man's hand, and he sat down. His eyes were angry but his mouth was shut.
Sheogorath
"I am taking a tour over the entire kingdom," replied Barenziah. "I think attention will be equally split throughout. And I shant' be here for very much long. Another day or two at most."
Sheogorath
"Is that his way of saying he was wrong without an apology?" Garanthir whispered. Barenziah touched his hand, and shook her head.
Sheogorath
"I apologize if I insulted your guest," Garanthir said to Loranna, his head bowed. "I too am perhaps too forthright."
Sheogorath
"No, that sounds delightful," said Barenziah. "And I'd also like to see the parrapton pen. Maybe take a ride for old times' sake."
Sheogorath
Barenziah laughs. "I didn't get this old without knowing when it was time to have some fun."
Sheogorath
"Once again, your guests insult me by being wittier than myself," Barenziah laughed, looking at Loranna. Back to Arynel, she said. "Besides, it's strategic. I can't stay in here all day when people need to talk about me behind my back."
Now it was Goranthir's turn to laugh into his napkin.
Sheogorath
Goranthir bowed to Anya. "Goranthir of the Royal Guard at your service, milady. I am sorry you're feeling poorly."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiles back, and then looked away. It wouldn't do to be too flirtatious, not here and now, he told himself.
Sheogorath
Update:
The Void Vampire Bosriel and the black orc Void Ranger assassin Leseth are en route to Morrowind to spy on Loranna and Helseth (after a brief trip to the Wrothgarian Mountains to check on the preparations for setting Bosriel free from the Void).
The Queen of Wayrest Elysana is in Cyrodiil, about to continue her voyage to Morrowind with her fleet.
Her spymaster Ryvad Castellian is in Wayrest, finding all sorts of spies and double agents and reporting their activities to his liege. He has just found one very high up in court named Tirin.
Sheogorath is watching all, after unsuccessfully trying to tempt the crippled Tris with a new foot (disappointing since the replacement would have had very handsome toes).
Sheogorath
The Void
The structures in the Wrothgarian Mountains had been an impressive sight indeed. It was obvious that the Queen of Wayrest was keeping her promise to Bosriel, the Void Vampire. Soon they would be completed. Soon she would be free. If Elysana didn't learn the truth about Ciel and Tris, and the mercy that had been shown them.
Now Leseth and Bosriel were in the east.
Sheogorath
The Void
Bosriel was always hungry. She had fed just a few hours before on the blood of a child in Skyrim she had lured from his bed by telekinetically sliding his favorite toy into the corner of his room where she could reach him. But still she wrinkled her nose as she smelled the scene she was witnessing.
'There is some blood here I would not drink,' she said to Leseth.
Sheogorath
Though one of the Ordinators seemed to be curiously bloodless, like a hollow husk.
Sheogorath
'The innocence of the children,' smiled Bosriel, her lips red with the blood of the Ordinator. She turned to Leseth, 'We are only to watch, yes?'
Sheogorath
The Void
Bosriel giggled and shook her head.
She floated around and below the crowds, to look into the faces and forms of those assembled. They were warriors all, many encased in armor, but still there was exposed flesh, fair and dark, young and old, male and female, man and mer. Most were well-muscled, and the blood pumped strongly through the veins as they fought or prepared to fight.
The little girl, the Void Vampire, was sated, but she was floating in a sea of the senses, and it was all she could do to watch, and be good.
When the children appeared, she tore them to pieces.
Sheogorath
The Void
The little Void Vampire floated in darkness, her dress dripping with the blood of the children. Her face was red as well for she had feasted with passion.
With a thought, she sent the blood flying off into the Void in millions of particles, so she looked like a red sun bursting. Her simple white dress and her face were clean again.
'When the King hears about this, won't he be mad?' she asked Leseth.
Sheogorath
The Void
Bosriel nodded. She was looking into the face of Liris.
'We can wait 'til this one's alone too,' she said, and then followed Leseth through the Void towards Helseth's palace in Mournhold.
Sheogorath
Western Mountains, Morrowind
The small fleet of the Queen of Wayrest, Elysana, slipped through the narrow mountain channels in a slow, careful approach. Though she had been assured by her spymaster that this part of her stepbrother's kingdom was underpopulated and unguarded, she took the precaution of lowering the standard of the red rose. No reason to announce her presence until she was ready.
Sheogorath
Barenziah, Queen Mother of Morrowind, is in the herb garden at the castle, having received a very generous diplomatic offer from Tris, is kissing him.
Goranthir, her grandson, son of Queen Morgiah and King Reman of Firsthold, a 16-year-old natural animal speaker and wannabe adventurer, is on the beach.
Her captain of the guards is at an archery competition with Anya.
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"We should always have unanswered questions between us," Barenziah smiled.
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"Balryn, my lady," the captain smiled, bowing low. "Always at your service."
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"And I won't tell you all my five hundred years of secrets, because I don't know if I remember them all," Barenziah smiled, opening her eyes after Tris had finished kissing her eyelids. "I did think of something I can do for you, regarding my stepdaughter and her designs against you and your Ciel."
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"Perhaps over drinks at the tavern?" Balryn said, holding out his arm.
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"Elysana simply does not believe in forgiveness," Barenziah nodded. "That is a closed avenue to her. But in her own way, she is a simple creature. Let me do some investigating of my own, and I will tell you what I intend to do before I do it. That I promise."
Sheogorath
The tavern was quite busy with Reichi, Arynel, and Ahjaar, as well as several of the locals. The royal guard did not frequent the tavern, though some were assigned positions along the docks.
Balryn drew up seats for them, and ordered himself a flin, "And whatever the lady's having."
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"I don't know if I can do that," Barenziah said, raising her hand, and then laughed. "Though I do like it when you blush. I'm afraid as generous as you've been, I have one more favor to ask of you, but hopefully it will benefit both of us. It's about my grandson Goranthir. Goran."
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Balryn returned Anya's playful smile with a flirtatious grin of his own. He certainly wasn't pretty, like Goranthir and Tris. His nose was slightly bent from being broken. There was a scar across his forehead. It gave him a rough kind of charm.
"I think I was good at what I do," he laughed. "And so I became the captain of the guard. How long have you been practicing archery?"
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"He wishes to be an adventurer," Barenziah said. "His mother and father are, of course, quite against it. I was as well. But the truth is that he may never assume a throne. Reman has a younger brother who is next in succession in Firsthold, and Helseth may yet have children. So, he should do what he can to be happy and learn how to earn a living for himself. If he does inherit one of the kingdoms, it will still be invaluable experience -- more valuable I think that the arts of statecraft I taught Helseth and Morgiah -- to know what life is truly like outside the palaces.
"I think he can be a useful ally to you, once he has more experience. Would you consider bringing him with you, and helping him become the kind of man he wants to be?"
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"Helseth hasn't married," Barenziah smiled. "Because it does not suit him to. If he marries the daughter of one of the Houses, it will alienate the other Houses. If he marries an outlander, he will be perceived as even more of an outlander than ever. There is no good strategic reason for him having a wife now, at least until there is an intelligent alliance to be had ..."
She paused for a moment, considering Tris's second statement, and the smile left her face.
"Discussing the possible death of any member of my family, even hypothetically, is not very pleasant," Barenziah said, looking Tris in the eyes. "Life in the palace, however, is not as safe as it may seem on the outside. We could hide him away behind thick walls, and he would still be the target for an assassin. Away from Firsthold, however, he is completely unknown. I would not burden you with him if I thought it would be too great to bear. On his own, though, at fifteen, after a completely spoiled life in Reman's court, he ran away, and travelled penniless across the continent. I think he has more survival instinct in him that it would seem."
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"He wouldn't want to be called Prince or treated as one," Barenziah smiled. "I told you, he only wants to be an adventurer. The only enemies he has are all in Firsthold. And there, yes, there are plenty, and he would be easily recognized."
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"Three weeks," the captain groaned. "I need another drink."
After he had drained that, he sighed. "Well, I fought in the Blue Dawn, that was pretty exciting ..."
He goes on to tell tales of great heroism, but in a modest fashion suggesting they are more or less true.
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"Oh, I misunderstood what you feared," Barenziah laughed. "Morgiah and Reman have trusted Goranthir's life and education to me. I will simply tell them that I found a responsible, cautious, and wise old tutor to guide him gently into the ways of adventuring. If ..." Barenziah's smile melted away again. "If something happens to him, you and your company will have nothing to fear. But I would destroy whoever harms him before my daughter and son-in-law even have a chance."
Sheogorath
Barenziah took his arm and then stopped. "Perhaps it would be better if you talked to your compatriots without me being there. I trust you to be honest with me about your concerns ... but if there was any objection to him joining, I'd rather have that settled before telling him. I'd hate to break his heart ..."
S'reddit
Goranthir was in the center of a group of two dozen farmers, armed with swords they had left over from the Blue Dawn, who in turn were surrounding six alit. The beasts were staring dumbly at the peasants, their mouths opening and closing as if tasting the air.
"They're been preying on our guar," one of the peasants snarled.
"I told them they mustn't do that," Goranthir said calmly. "They don't like the flavor. They'd rather be in the woods, eating scribs, but they've been chased out by all the Nords who are settling that area."
"Blaming the Nords, are you?"
"No, no, not at all, there's room for all," Goranthir shook his head. "Here's what I suggest --"
"Here's what I suggest -- !" cried the peasant, lunging at the nearest Alit with his sword.
Goranthir began the long walk back up the castle, spattered in blood. The Alit had not even fought back. They had trusted him.
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Goranthir decided he couldn't very well go into the castle in his current blood-soaked state, so he snuck down to the water's edge to rinse himself off. There was the girl he saw earlier ...
He made a run past her and jumped into the bay, hoping she wouldn't see all the blood.
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Goranthir looked up from the water, and saw that she wasn't paying any attention. That was good.
He took off his tunic and scrubbed at in the water. The blood bloomed up in the water like a flower. When he was satisfied that it was white again, he trudged back up to the beach and laid it out on a rock to dry.
Barechested, he stood on the beach, waiting, and finally deciding it was ridiculous to pretend there was no one else there, he approached Ahjaar.
'Hello again,' he said. 'What do you have there?'
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'It's pretty,' Goranthir nodded. 'It looks like it might be magic. Did you just find it? You could take it to the Mages Guild in Ald Raathim to see what it does.'
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"You should be careful," said Goranthir, adopting the tone of a seasoned adventurer, which he clearly was not. "It could be cursed ... Do you know how to detect enchantment in things like this?"
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Goranthir was impressed.
"Do you think the spells are dispelled? Or absorbed into the wearer?"
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'Shall we go?' Goranthir held out his arm for her.
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'Unofficially,' said Goranthir. 'I'm actually her grandson. She lets me wear the uniform, and, of course, I would protect her with my life ... but that's not really my job. How long have you been an adventurer?'
He spoke the last word with reverence.
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Goranthir laughed, 'No, don't be sorry. I've been treated like a prince my whole life. If I wanted that, I'd still be at home.'
He looked at the amulet carefully. 'I don't know, but you're right, it is old. There are Chimeri markings on it. So it dates back to the First Era, at least.'
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'We're with the Queen Mother,' said Goranthir. 'She needs to have this amulet examined with all haste.'
He winked at Ahjaar. As the woman hurried off, he whispered to her, 'I have to run off, but tell her to bill Barenziah for the examination. And let me know what they find.'
The young Dunmer, his wet red-gold hair beginning to dry, left the Mages Guild to return to the beach and his dry tunic.
S'reddit
Goranthir stepped into the back of the room, out of breath. His tunic was untied and still spattered with blood. Embarrassed, he tried to tie it up and hold his arms in front of the stains while he listened.
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Goranthir smiled when he saw Tris, and still holding his arms crossed over his chest to block the blood stains, asked, "How many slavers are there, do we know?"
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"You know them?" Goranthir asked. "What are their capabilities? Are they warriors all, or mages as well? Any other allies we should know about?"
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"And at least one powerful sorceror, apparently," Goranthir added.
S'reddit
Goranthir blushed. "I -- don't know if I will -- " He cleared his throat, "I have some business I need to finish. Tell me when the ship is leaving and I'll be on it."
Sheogorath
Summary
Barenziah, the Queen Mother and current Regent ruler of Morrowind, is in Ald Raathim, with a proposal of an alliance with the kingdom. Her son, Helseth, lies dying back in Mournhold.
Goranthir, one of her guards and (unbeknownst to most) her grandson, is a handsome 16-year-old natural ranger, able to speak with all manners of animals. He is currently in Loranna's room, trying to keep the blood stains on his shirt from being seen.
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Goranthir looked from Tris to Loranna, and licked his lips like he was going to give a long plea, but all that came out was: "Please?"
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"I wasn't thinking ... that ... um ..." Goranthir stammered.
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Before Loranna had finished, Goranthir dropped on on knee to kiss her hand.
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Goranthir looked down, and his eyes turned sad though the smile remained on his face. "You were having a problem with alit eating your ranchers' guar, and I tried to take care of it. I was just trying to get them together so there could be some kind of a compromise ... but the ranchers weren't really interested in that. They killed the alit. So ... I guess that's good for the guar ..."
He tried to laugh, but it wasn't authentic.
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"I did, it's a good thing I didn't have a sword on me," Goranthir grimaced, and pulled open the tunic to show the sword gash across his chest. "It's not all alit blood. I don't think they were trying to hurt me -- I just kept on getting in the way. At least, until there was nothing left to try to protect."
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"But they just barely scratched me," Goranthir said, tracing the red line across his dark chest. "Don't tell Barenziah. She'll think I'm a fool for interfering."
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"Thank you, and I won't do it anymore," Goranthir grinned, getting back to his feet. "It's sort of how we do everything in Firsthold. I'll bring you something back from Dagon Fel!"
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Goranthir hurried his way down to the ship. Full ebony mail, daedric dai-katana. His grandmother had dressed him for his first day adventuring.
"This is really embarrassing," he thought to himself.
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Barenziah found Tris in the corridor while he was leaving to catch the ship.
"Goranthir told me what you did for him," the Queen Mother smiled. "He worships you now, I hope you know. I just wanted to say thank you again, and to tell you while you're watching out for him, remember to watch out for yourself."
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"I may not be here when you return," Barenziah smiled. "But I guarantee you that I will see you again, and again."
Her guards in attendance looked the other way as she kissed him.
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Goranthir looked around, his eyes wide with wonder. "It's so ... horrible ..."
Dagon Fel had not felt the full brunt of the Azurite attacks or the explosion of Dagoth Ur, but it was not the prettiest of towns.
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"I've been to Vivec," said Goranthir as they began the walk. "Almost a year ago, before all the ... troubles. It wasn't the friendliest town to the Queen's retinue, but I liked the canals ..."
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Ald Raathim
A servant entered. "The Queen Mother of Morrowind wishes the pleasure of your company."
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The Queen was standing on the cliffs overlooking the bay. At Loranna's approach, she laughed, "I would have come to you, my dear. But it is a lovely day. So much nicer to discuss things with a view over the land we hope to protect."
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"My grandson Goranthir is much taken with you, and your battles," Barenziah smiled, the wind from the sea stroking her silver hair. "If I ever wished to make you an enemy, I would be making an enemy of him. It appears I've lost the ability to negotiate terms of an alliance altogether."
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"It is good you are so cautious," Barenziah nodded. "Simply let me know when you are ready to say for certain. I am happy to stay here. Do you know I accepted Symmachus's marriage proposal right on this cliff? Both Plitinius Mero and Stern Gamboge got that wrong in their biographies of me. I always thought that funny, but I never thought to correct them ..."
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"The objections I've faced so far in my discussions with others probably don't apply to you," Barenziah said. "Morrowind is an ancient land with ancient grudges, and I cannot ease them all with a few sweet words. But my aim is to make a single, strong, central authority in Morrowind, to end the small civil wars that have been plaguing and impoverishing the land for millenia. Each subject realm should be powerful enough to protect itself, but no more. The ability of the larger realms to bully and suborn their neighbors will cease."
Barenziah took a seat on a bare rock. "The larger powers-that-be do not like this, of course. But they were not friends to begin with. Some of them have already set down their arms, and others will likely fight to preserve their old priveleges. It may be that there will be a war. And if there is, it may come to Ald Raathim."
"If it does, as your ally, we will protect you, and ask that you help us secure your borders and support our soldiers. If you side with them, well, you would be our enemy ... "
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"I certainly am," Barenziah smiled sadly. "I suspect though that the trouble will come in the south and in Vvardenfell, not near here, but one never knows."
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"We have to start somewhere," Barenziah smiled.
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Goranthir had been talking to a squib about hidden entrances, but the creature did not seem particularly talkative about any subject except his interest in finding something to eat.
The young ranger, when he saw the entrance open, ran to join the group, sword drawn, ready for action.
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Barenziah stood up and took Loranna's hand in hers, and then embraced her. "Well said."
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Goranthir gave a cry, "Free the slaves or suffer death!"
It was slightly less impressive because immediately after, he dove to the ground to avoid the darts.
But belying the heaviness of the ebony armor, he was quickly charging forward, daedric dai-katana in the ready position. Obviously, he had been trained, and trained well.
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"Let us have the wine," Barenziah smiled. "I have a present for you too I had been holding back."
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Goranthir parried a blow from Blade, and with a surprising move, disarmed him.
"Surrender!" he cried, with the dai-katana to his neck. Blade laughed.
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"What a handy gown," Barenziah laughs, taking a glass. "Torelyr!"
One of her guards came quickly.
"Bring Lady Loranna's present," the Queen Mother said. "And have someone help you. It's heavy, and I don't want it broken."
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Goranthir didn't have a moment for a witty comeback. He rolled between Blade's legs, and slashed at her from behind.
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Goranthir held up his arm to deflect some of the powder, but he still backed up, sneezing. Damn it, he thought to himself, I'm doing this all wrong!
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The guards carried in a large mirror. Immediately Loranna could see it had a magickal glow about it.
Barenziah, glass in hand, stood up, and put her hand to the mirror.
"Call to me," the Queen Mother said, leaving the room.
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A near-invisible blast of energy, like a ripple of water, balloons forth from Goranthir's dai-kattan. It knocks both Blade and Goranthir back, head over heels.
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A ghostly image of Barenziah's face appeared in the mirror. "Hello, Loranna, what may I do for you?"
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Barenziah's face answered, as the Queen Mother herself returned, so their voices merged, "Anyone who places their naked hand on the mirror can be called. They have to be conscious and willing to respond. They can also call you through it. I heard that you might have use for such an item to speak with your allies in distance lands."
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Goranthir was on his feet before Blade was, but on Hankarlic's orders, had dropped his sword.
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Goranthir kicks at his dai-katana, catching it in his hand. He eyes Blade through narrowed eyes.
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"My pleasure," Barenziah smiled. "Yes, communication and information are the most valuable commodities in statecraft. I'm glad you like it."
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3.1416etc.
Goranthir continues to glare at Blade, waiting to see her next move.
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He makes, rather ridiculously, a squeaking nose.
A cloud of bats roars into the room, swirling around Blade and Hankarlic.
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Goranthir charged for Blade the moment she and Hankarlic were attacked, hoping Ahjaar would take care of herself now that Hankarlic was distracted.
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"Oh, something pleasant like love," Barenziah smiled, and began quizzing Loranna about the various men in her life. Not an interrogation, just an older woman hearing about a younger woman's love life. And she took the opportunity to ask Loranna about Tris too ...
Sheogorath
The cloud of bats around Blade dissipated as Goranthir reached her. They were not moving out of his way -- they were merely bored. Bats were like that. Quick to move in, quick to move out.
With the cloak in the way, Goranthir didn't know where he was striking, but he threw his very best slash against Blade.
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The bats left Hankarlic as well, fluttering back into the recesses of the cave from whence they came. After all, there is only so long one can be distracted from important duties, like sleep.
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"We're looking for a khajiit child," said Goranthir, his dai-katana to Blade's throat. "I'm not going to ask you twice. Where is she?"
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"You can stay right here," said Goranthir. "Tell us where it is."
He hadn't sweated at all during the right, but now he felt warm. He had never interrogated anyone before. Clearly this was a bad person, but he didn't like threatening a helpless adversary like this.
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"But she knows the cave and we don't, Isidor," Goranthir replied. "She could lead us into a trap or to an escape route, couldn't you, darling?"
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"Someone open it," Goranthir said, his eyes not leaving Blade's. "If there's a trap, your head and your body are going to have very little in common."
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Goranthir blushes furiously. "Yes."
She needed to be thoroughly searched. She was dangerous. But she was also a beautiful woman, and he was sixteen.
"Um ..."
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Goranthir relinquished the position, walking over to Tris. He was smiling, but it was a quiet smile.
"Well," he said to his friend, and fell still.
He was finally an adventurer, and it was better than he dreamed it would be ... and worse ...
S'reddit
Summary
Barenziah, legendary Queen Mother and current Regent of Mournhold, while her son King Helseth lies dying in Mournhold, is in Ald Raathim, having secured an alliance with Loranna. She is relaxing now, but must shortly leave from Necrom.
Goranthir, a handsome, 16-year-old natural ranger who can speak with animals – and who is, semi-secretly, Barenziah's grandson – is with the group on the way to Sadrith Mora, having had his first taste of the adventurer's life he has craved.
Ooc -- He's going to be quiet for a while, since I'm going to be off-line, but he's there.
S'reddit
Goranthir regaled his grandmother Barenziah with tales of adventure, describing the fight with Blade with great enthusiasm, before admitting that he did not like the end, the interrogation. She was weak then, helpless.
"Fighting a worthy adversary and besting her is satisfying," the Queen Mother agreed. "But it is not a game, Goran. Sometimes we cannot fight against an equal, but someone weaker, and sometimes considerably stronger. Is this the path that you truly want to take?"
"Aye, grandmother," Goranthir said with confidence. "It is."
"Then you have my blessings," Barenziah smiled. "I must leave today for Necrom, and then I will be going to Vvardenfell. I will look into the new prisoners at Sadrith Mora with pride in my grandson ... Would you tell Lady Loranna that I would like to say goodbye?"
Goranthir kissed his grandmother's cheek, and went to find Loranna. Barenziah waited in the herb garden while her men began the process of loading up her barge.
Sheogorath
Goranthir started to bow as he entered the study, and then remembered that Loranna didn't want him to do that anymore, and he made an awkward recovery.
"You must have heard all about our adventures in Vvardenfell," the handsome young ranger smiled broadly. "My grandmother wants to see you to say goodbye."
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Goranthir blushed at the compliment, "If I could be half as brave as Tris ..."
Before they reached the herb garden, he asked, "What does Nalion have planned for us next? Do you know?"
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"I'm sorry to hear that," Goranthir frowned. "I was hoping it was a beginning, not an end."
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Goranthir looked at Loranna carefully, trying to understand, a frown growing on his face: "And ... I'm not ready yet? I want to be considered trustworthy, but I know that takes time ..."
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Goranthir's face brightened. "Oh. Well, I want a big mission."
To Nalion, he bowed. "Good luck with your endeavors."
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"The Queen Mother has asked to say goodbye to Loranna," Goranthir said. "But I have already said my goodbyes."
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"I should go practice some more then," Goranthir smiled. "Even if I can't do much about luck, at least to make sure my footing is sure and blade still sharp. By your leave."
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The young ranger laughed. "I suppose I can practice after."
He smiled to Loranna and instinctively gave a short bow before leaving.
Barenziah, the Queen Mother, was in the garden, tracing outlines in the dirt path with a stick. She looked up at Loranna's approach, "Hello, Lady Loranna."
Sheogorath
"I have many more miles to travel," the Queen smiled. "And I heartily doubt that all my meetings will be as pleasant as this one has been."
"I was thinking about Ald Raathim's defenses," she said, turning to the markings in the dirt, which Loranna could see was an outline of Ald Raathim. "It seems to me that with all the new trade coming in to your port, you will need warehouses and a stockade here –" she motioned with the stick. "At your port."
"Your tower provides a great view of the bay, but as it is used for your study, it is likely no one will around to see any trouble. I think it would be wise to add another tower at the port with a warning bell, and then perhaps one on the western border. The highest point in the foothills of the Velothi Mountains, if you had a fifty foot tower with barracks for guards ... You should have your guards put their hands on the mirror, so they can quickly let whoever's at the castle know if they see anything amiss ..."
The Queen looked up and laughed, "I'm sorry. Planning for the worst is a natural instinct to me. I don't mean to imply you don't have plans of your own to shore up your domain's defenses. I just thought I could help out with plans and finances."
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"It is much different," Goranthir nodded, drinking some wine. "Much less formal, much less organized ... All good things. You are from High Rock?"
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My men are loading up my barge now, but they're also removing some dead weight. Gold is so heavy, but I think your treasury can support it. If you already have more than enough to put up defenses, use it for decoration," Barenziah idly touched the area of the map where the port was indicated. "Merchants always appreciate little signs of opulence. Maybe a couple statues welcoming them into the port ..."
Barenziah laughed at herself. "As you see fit, my dear."
She embraced Loranna. "Thank you, my dear, for me, for my kingdom, and for taking in my grandson. We spoke, and he understands that though you and your friends have given him this opportunity, the rest is up to him to prove."
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"I have never been to High Rock," Goranthir said. "My mother left there long before I was born. She does not remember it so fondly, but I think that was more about the court of Wayrest ... She does say it was beautiful."
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Loranna notices during the embrace that Barenziah carried a rose in her hand. One that clearly did not come from the garden at Daruhn.
"Your Majesty," said the captain of the royal guards. "Sorry to intrude, but your barge is ready to sail."
Barenziah kissed Loranna's cheek, and followed her captain to the port.
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"Yes, we met at breakfast a couple days ago at the castle," Goranthir smiled, and then was distracted by Nalion's conversation with the stranger. His fingers touched the handle of his dai-katana. Was this trouble?
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Goranthir looked at Nalion and nodded. He turned his attention back to Anya, but still his fingers were near the grip of his sword, and he watched the situation through the corners of his eyes.
"I'm not so shy really," he smiled. "Would you care for some wine?"
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Goranthir raised an eyebrow, and looked to Nalion at Diamond's suggestion that they meet outside.
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"I'm also moving onward to a new life," Goranthir smiled, pouring glasses of wine all around. "Or maybe starting a life is the right word. Of course, I grew up in a royal court, and though I would never compare it to slavery, it wasn't very free either. I look forward to the open road and adventure."
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"Of course, please, have some wine," Goranthir said. "We're hearing a story that is ... very strange, at least to my ears."
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Goranthir stared at Diamond and Nalion. "Maybe no more wine for me ... How do you mantle a ... God?"
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Goranthir turned to Shaka and winked. "Thank you. I also clean windows."
He turned back to hear from Nalion and Diamond.
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On Diamonds departure, Goranthil also rose. "It was good sharing wine with you, my new friends, but I should go and practice."
With a smile, the young Dunmer ranger left the tavern.
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There was sound of several loud footsteps behind him. Goranthir, followed by three large guar.
"Sorry to disturb you, Isidor," said Goranthir. "I was going to spar a bit with these guys. Friendly thing, of course ... Want me to find somewhere else to go?"
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Seeing Reichi was there too, Goranthir gave a laugh, "I can take a hint. See you later."
The Dunmer ranger and the guar wandered off to lesser busy areas to play fight.
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Earlier that morning:
"I believe she's at her leisure, Serjo Gaerington," said the guard. "Let me check."
He returned a moment later: "Yes, she would like to see you."
Barenziah smiled when she saw Tris. "I looked for you before. I was afraid that I wouldn't see you before I had to leave. Goran's on his way here to say goodbye to me."
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"I recognize this," Barenziah smiled, and smelled it, her eyes closed in remembrance. "Yes, I know where this is from."
She looked Tris with surprise, but smiling. "How could you have gotten it from Wayrest to here so fresh? There is still dew on the leaves."
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"I am not omniscient, though please don't tell any that," Barenziah laughed. "It is a very dear gift, Tris, thank you."
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"If you are so fine a runner that you can travel from Wayrest to Ald Raathim, and carry back a rose that has not lost a single breadth of its scent, then I doubt any distance between us has meaning," Barenziah said, touching Tris's cheek.
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Barenziah responded, dropping the rose, her dark slim hands in his hair, and then there was a footstep and the voice of one of the Queen Mother's guards discreetly clearing his throat.
"Your Majesty," he said. "Your grandson is here."
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If Goranthir thought he was intruding on a romantic interlude, he did not show it. He ran into the garden with the enthusiasm of an overgrown puppy, embracing Tris, and then giving his grandmother a kiss on the cheek.
"Tris saved my life, did he tell you?" Goranthir said, and observing the expression on her face, could tell he hadn't. "Of course not. But he did. This assassin woman, Blade, had some kind of throwing knives, and Tris deflected one of them heading right for me. I could've been dead before I even saw my first enemy on my first adventure if not for him."
"That is very comforting," Barenziah frowned. "What if he is not there to protect you the next time?"
"He will be," Goranthir grinned.
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"I'm very proud of you, Goran," Barenziah smiled. "Now, kiss me goodbye, for I'm leaving for Necrom very shortly. And would you be a dear and get Lady Loranna so I can say goodbye to her too?"
"Of course," Goranthir kissed his grandmother's cheek, and said. "Thank you for this opportunity. I'll keep making you proud."
"Loranna, Tris, and the others here have given you this opportunity, not I," the Queen Mother said. "It is up to you now to prove that they were wise."
Goranthir bowed before his grandmother, winked at Tris, and then ran off to fetch Loranna.
Barenziah turned to Tris: "I would say that he spoiled the moment, my dear, darling, beautiful boy, but the truth is, he didn't. Nothing could."
Sheogorath
"Young people get bruised in life," Barenziah said with a small smile. "You have been bruised and healed. He must learn to catch himself."
Sheogorath
"Of course," Barenziah laughed. "If I could, I would fill the world with feathers, so nothing would ever hurt someone I love. I just don't want you to think that I'm asking you to be his bodyguard, only his friend. And you are to send him back to me the moment he is too much of burden."
Cradling Tris's face in her hands, the Queen Mother raised him to her lips, kissed him tenderly, and whispered, "You should go. I have suggestions for the defense of Ald Raathim I want to present to Loranna, and I'm having trouble concentrating right now, looking at you."
Sheogorath
Barenziah watched him go, smiling sadly. Despite her assurances to him, it would doubtless be some time before she was able to see the handsome young Breton again. It was a big kingdom, and there were many more places to visit before she could rest and indulge herself.
She picked up the rose from where it fell. Already the smell was slightly different. A little older. It was dying.
Barenziah picked up a stick and began drawing out a map of Ald Raathim in the dirt ...
OOC: Thus ends the flashback.
Sheogorath
Goranthir guided the guar back to their farms. They weren't smart enough to find their way on their own. That was the thing about communicating with animals -- just because you could speak to them didn't make them any smarter.
The young ranger was covered from head to toe with mud and dust, and was limping slightly from a bruise to the leg when he didn't duck one of the guar's charges fast enough. He began the long walk to the castle.
Sheogorath
"I don't know what you're talking about," said Goranthir, in clean clothes, freshly washed, but still limping. "But you mentioned healing?"
Sheogorath
"They told me at the castle that you were here," Goranthir said, and took a seat with a slight wince at he bent his knee.
Sheogorath
"Yes?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir answered her with a wide, excited grin. He would have extrapolated on the subject of how eager he was, but for Diamond's sudden reappearance. This time he did not go for his sword.
Sheogorath
"Kissed by Sheogorath," Goranthir whispered.
Sheogorath
The last sentence caused Goranthir to spit up the wine he was sipping.
He giggled, holding his hand over his mouth.
Sheogorath
"There does seem to be a flaw in this diamond," Goranthir smiled, taking another sip of wine.
Sheogorath
"Just a joke, I'm sorry," Goranthir frowned, contrite. "If she's been kissed by Sheogorath, it's unkind of me to jest."
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded at Anya. "Makes sense."
Sheogorath
"No offense, but you're not all right," Goranthir said, no longer smiling. "When someone who seems to be possessed, or a compulsive liar, asks me to touch a jewel so that everything will become clear ... it's just not very convincing."
Sheogorath
"It's amazing, but it does seem to fit the facts," Goranthir nodded. "Though after five or six lies in a row, it's hard to accept anything as the truth. Are you trying to free yourself of these two, Diamond?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir pours Diamond a glass of wine, and gives her a warm smile. "No hard feelings. I didn't know."
Sheogorath
Goranthir raises his glass: "To heroes!"
Sheogorath
"What you were saying about people practicing fighting together," Goranthir said, holding back while Tris was whispering to Loranna. "I have a suggestion on that, if you'd like to hear it."
Sheogorath
Summary
Barenziah, Queen Mother of Morrowind; Elysana, Queen of Wayrest; Bosriel, spooky vampire child ... All will return one day ... but today belongs to:
Garonthil. Handsome teenage ranger, able to communicate with all manners of animals, and well trained and equipped for battle. He does not advertise it, but many also know that he is the nephew of King Helseth of Morrowind, son of King Reman and Queen Morgiah of Firsthold, and grandson of the legendary Queen Mother and Regent of Morrowind, Barenziah.
Sheogorath
"We could build an arena," Goranthil continued. "Hold a Tournament Of Champions. We keep pairing up different groups, so at the end we have the eight who work best with one another."
Sheogorath
"Yeah, I wouldn't them to be hurt. When I fight with them, I don't use a sword, I use a stick, so --"
Sheogorath
Goranthir relaxes, and smiles again. "We could begin by fighting guar, or cliffracers, or kagouti, here. There'd be an understanding if any of the animals were hurt, the offender would automatically be rejected from the tournament and possibly punished beyond that, depending on whether it was accidental or not. It'd be a way for people to hone their skills in a pretty safe environment ..."
Goranthil thought a moment: "The tricky part is to figure out how to select the right combination of champions. You can't just say that the strongest fighter, or most powerful spellcaster is automatically in. It's about teamwork, and the right chemistry ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthil nodded. "I don't know him, but I do know that the most important member of any team is the leader. There must be someone leading the group who they all respect. You need someone who knows the dynamics well enough that he can improvise new strategies if someone gets injured, and can coordinate all the movements ..."
He laughed out loud: "I am not applying for that position!"
Sheogorath
Goranthil grinned, and shook his head. "I think anyone who would follow a 16-year-old who has never had a practical battle experience, except one, to his name would be insane. But thank you. I hope someday I'll be as good as you think I am."
Sheogorath
"Don't get me wrong," Goranthil took a sip of wine. He was feeling a little lightheaded, and told himself no more, don't make a fool of yourself this early on. "I want to be that leader someday. But I know I have to feel confident to do it, and I don't feel that yet ... Maybe after my second adventure ..."
Sheogorath
"You misunderstand, Shaka," said Goranthir. "It would not be an arena battle against one another. We would fight animals, and maybe conjured creatures ... We wouldn't fight one another. We don't want bruised and beaten champions at the end."
Sheogorath
Goranthir grinned ear to ear that his idea was finding favor.
Sheogorath
"You'd be surprised how tricky it is outmaneuvering three playful guar," Goranthir smiled, and rubbed his leg. "Particularly if you're trying not to hurt them. It really helps your reflexes."
Sheogorath
"I think those are good suggestions," Goranthir chimed in enthusiastically. "And if we want a real challenge against something that's tougher, can cast spells, and really wants to kill us, I'm sure there's someone in our group -- or at least at the Mages Guild -- who can conjure up some bonewalkers or daedroths ... Temporarily, of course ..."
Sheogorath
"I say we find our eight champions who fight best together, and then we devise a strategy based on that," said Goranthir. "If we discover our best troop is composed of mages, we'll structure our offensive around that. If they're stealthy types, we'll come up with something different. I think we shouldn't come up with a plan until we know what our resources are."
Sheogorath
The villagers had been gathering to watch the construction of the arena, as primitive at it was, with excitement. Many had come from far from Ald Raathim, refugees of the Blue Dawn, and they told their neighbors about the great arena fights they had seen in Vivec, Mournhold, and Necrom. One of the peasants had even been to the Imperial City and told tales of the epic fights he had seen there.
The talk was suspended at the sound of a thunder of footsteps, like an army approaching. When ten Alit came through the trees into the cleared out arena, a woman screamed, and a man shouted, "Call the guards!"
"Yes," Goranthir called back. "Call them, and tell them to bring their wives and children too! I like an audience!"
The battle began. One young man in ebony armor, armed with a large stick, against ten Alit.
The Alit were hammy actors. Whenever hit with the stick, they rolled in the dust, in dramatic death throes. They were less talented with their attacks. Though fearsome rushing at the young Dunmer with mouth agape, it was obvious they were holding back, trying not to hurt him.
An hour later, the audience was applauding, and Goranthir bowed, smiling, wiping the sweat and dirt from his face.
Sheogorath
"Didn't I tell you?" Goranthir grinned, still breathing hard. "I guess I don't advertise it much. I can't say it's tremendously useful most of the time. People say they'd like to know what animals are thinking, but to tell you the truth, most of it is pretty filthy and naughty, or just dull ..."
He made a light clicking sound at Lotus and laughed, "Present company excluded, of course."
A little boy reached through the fence to touch one of the Alit, which reared back, alarmed at his approach.
"No, no, they're dangerous, you shouldn't touch," Goranthir said quickly. Turning back to Anya, he added. "I wanted the peasants to accept the Alit, but ... I was thinking about asking Loranna to make the eastern foothills a sanctuary for them, and other wild animals."
Sheogorath
"They have feelings, but that doesn't necessarily make them good, any more than all feeling people are good. And many of them eat meat as well," Goranthir laughed. "At least that's my own justification for eating whatever I like: I know the animals do too."
Goranthir gave a few growls to the Alit, and they growled back, and slumped off into the woods.
Sheogorath
"A pre-opening bout," Goranthir laughs. As the crowd begins to dissipate, he shouts to them, "You haven't seen anything yet!"
He looked back to Loranna: "When you have a moment, I wanted to ask you what you thought about making a section of the eastern foothills into a sanctuary for the Alit and other wild creatures ..."
Sheogorath
"Want me to call them back? Or a couple of them?" Goranthir asked, and then looked at Loranna's weaponry. "That won't hurt them, will it?"
Sheogorath
"How many Alit do you need?" Goranthil asked. He let out a series of alarming barks, loud enough to make Loranna jump. He laughed shyly. "Sorry."
As the thunder of footsteps through the trees grew louder, he said, "I was fighting ten of them, but that was just for exercise. In reality, they would have torn me to shreds. But it's good to always have a target ..."
Sheogorath
With growls and barks, which the handsome young ranger issued forth, fully realizing how absurd it made him look, Goranthir "spoke" to the Alit.
They moved into a circle, beady eyes narrowed, oversized mouths hanging open. Though they were but acting, it was a chilling sight.
Sheogorath
Goranthir grinned and moved into a position in front of Loranna. "They're not really pack creatures, you're right. But they like the game too."
Seeming as one, even before everyone had gotten into position, the Alit charged, quickly closing the distance in the arena.
"Whoa!" Goranthir shouted. "Do you want me to tell them to stop?! Everyone ready?!"
Sheogorath
Goranthir met the first alit to get close to him, Reichi, and Loranna with a swing of the axe handle. It grabbed it in its mouth, and flipped Goranthir up and over its back.
Its eyes looked to Loranna as the young ranger landed heavily on his head.
Sheogorath
Goranthir staggered to his feet, blood streaming into his eyes, which widened at the approach of an alit charging him. He rolled under it, and ran towards Loranna to protect her.
Sheogorath
"Aim for their legs!" Goranthir cried, using his ax handle to knock one on its back.
Sheogorath
Goranthir ran up the back of the fallen alit and leapt onto the back of the alit that had knocked Anya down. Using his ax handle as a bridle, he pulled it back, as it tried to throw him off.
"You okay?" he cried to Anya. There was still blood on his face and in his eyes, but thanks to Loranna's spell, no wound anymore.
Sheogorath
"I didn't know you were my leader! You should have told me before!" Goranthir called as he charged the alit he was riding into another one, knocking them both out. He ran over to join the group of fighters.
Sheogorath
Goranthir made his usual duck and roll move to get under a charging alit and join the line of fighters, but the alit abruptly dropped on him, knocking him out.
For a moment, the alit paused, sniffing at Goranthir, making sure he wasn't dead. Satisfied its friend was fine, no worse off than the alits who had already been knocked out as part of the game, it charged toward Loranna.
Sheogorath
Goranthir limped as he walked. Evidently, his leg was still bothering him from the day before. He washed his face with a rag from the bar.
"I can't explain it," the young ranger frowned, clearly annoyed. "I fought ten of them for an hour, and then, when the game was joined, I just fell apart. I'm so sorry."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled, but from the look in his eyes, it was evidently a compliment he felt unworthy of. "Thank you, Shaka."
Sheogorath
Goranthir's face brightened as he saw Tris, and he nodded. "Next time, though ..."
Sheogorath
"Yes," Goranthir nodded. "That's a fair summary. Individually, each of us took out several of the alit, but we didn't work together. It was a lot like the ebony mine at Dagon Fel."
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded. "We should try summoning something we don't mind hurting next time. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't know how much to hold back when I'm trying not to hurt the alit. And I'd like to use a weapon that I might really use in combat -- like my dai-katana."
Sheogorath
Goranthir got up and got some parchment and a quill from the tavernkeep, and put it on the table.
"You'd never be able to read my handwriting."
S'reddit
One of Queen Barenziah's spies in Loranna's household visited Goranthir that night in his bedroom at Castle Daruhn.
"My prince," said he or she. "There will be a great war coming soon."
"Yes, very likely, and my place with be with my new friends," Goranthir replied quickly, knowing what she/he was saying.
"What if your friends side against your grandmother?" the spy asked. "What side will you choose?"
"My own," said Goranthir, dismissing the spy. The next day he began the search for a new place to live.
A boat.
Sheogorath
Goranthir limped as he walked. Evidently, his leg was still bothering him from the day before. He washed his face with a rag from the bar.
"I can't explain it," the young ranger frowned, clearly annoyed. "I fought ten of them for an hour, and then, when the game was joined, I just fell apart. I'm so sorry."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled, but from the look in his eyes, it was evidently a compliment he felt unworthy of. "Thank you, Shaka."
Sheogorath
Goranthir's face brightened as he saw Tris, and he nodded. "Next time, though ..."
Sheogorath
"Yes," Goranthir nodded. "That's a fair summary. Individually, each of us took out several of the alit, but we didn't work together. It was a lot like the ebony mine at Dagon Fel."
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded. "We should try summoning something we don't mind hurting next time. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't know how much to hold back when I'm trying not to hurt the alit. And I'd like to use a weapon that I might really use in combat -- like my dai-katana."
Sheogorath
Goranthir got up and got some parchment and a quill from the tavernkeep, and put it on the table.
"You'd never be able to read my handwriting."
S'reddit
One of Queen Barenziah's spies in Loranna's household visited Goranthir that night in his bedroom at Castle Daruhn.
"My prince," said he or she. "There will be a great war coming soon."
"Yes, very likely, and my place with be with my new friends," Goranthir replied quickly, knowing what she/he was saying.
"What if your friends side against your grandmother?" the spy asked. "What side will you choose?"
"My own," said Goranthir, dismissing the spy. The next day he began the search for a new place to live.
A boat.
Sheogorath
"If you want a ship built," said the Nord. "You go to a Nord."
Goranthir had already surveyed the boats in the bay, and he couldn't find any that would work for a place to live. There was one solution left, to talk to the shipbuilders. Generally, they repaired fishing skiffs and other small craft, but they were eager to try something bigger.
It would be two hundred and fifty feet long with a displacement of three thousand tons. The forecastle would be fifty feet high, well suited for archers and battlemages. Two captains' rooms in the quarter deck, and room for seventy-five crew members below. Three masts would be the main means of propulsion, but the walls of the storage area could open up and be used to oar on windless days.
Goranthir whistled as he made his way to the Arena. The ship would be ready in a couple weeks.
Sheogorath
Goranthir took a seat on the fence to watch the fight.
Sheogorath
"What do you think?" Goranthil asked. "Any predictions?"
Sheogorath
"And who do you think they are?" Goranthil asked. "Falco and Shaka?"
Sheogorath
"I missed the beginning," Goranthir said. "What is the objective? Not simply to beat up one another?"
Sheogorath
"I knew that," replied Goranthir, his eyes also not leaving the fight. "I meant what is the goal of this specific battle. Last team standing wins?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir cheered. "I know that guy!" he laughed.
Sheogorath
"I don't think I can do it," Goranthil whispered. "I don't think I can hurt my friends like that, even temporarily."
Sheogorath
Goranthir covers his eyes.
Sheogorath
"I'll learn any other way but that," said Goranthir, jumping down from the fence and walking away.
Sheogorath
Goranthir went to the archery range, daedric dai-katana in hand. He aimed it carefully at the target, and released the spell.
The blast of force knocked the young ranger back ten feet and caused the target to wobble. A little.
Goranthir got back to his feet and tried again.
Sheogorath
Goranthir was unaware he was being watched as over and over again, he tried to fire a blast of force from his sword to the target, and time and again, he was knocked off his feet.
He was too bruised to be able to do it much longer, but he tried one last time. The target and the rock it was on burst into mere particles.
"Now," he said out loud. "That's better. How did I do that?"
He saw Tris out of the corner of his eye, and turned around. He smiles but he didn't look happy. "Hi, Tris."
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked at Tris carefully, trying to see what he was thinking. Then he took his hand.
Sheogorath
"To be better?" Goranthir looked at Tris, trying to figure out what he was really being asked. "To master the tools I was lucky enough to be given?"
Sheogorath
"I understand that, really," Goranthir replied, looking down. "I just don't know how to start. I couldn't even watch when Isidor looked like it was going to cut right through you with his axe. We couldn't summon daedra or undead creatures to fight instead of each other?"
Sheogorath
"I see," Goranthir said, looking up again. "Then this is the only way. I'll try to watch through the next duel all the way, and maybe I'll be ready for the one after that. If I can stand the sight of one of my friends being hurt, then maybe I can learn to stand the idea of me being the one doing the hurting ... But I may not be one of the Eight. Maybe it's just not in me yet."
Sheogorath
"Okay, I'll do it," Goranthir smiled, and Tris could see it in his eyes as well. It was almost too clear that this was the first time in Goranthir's life that anyone had ever said he was needed.
Sheogorath
"Yes, even if I couldn't watch, I should at least learn the lessons," Goranthir smiled, and as they started to make their way to the castle, he added. "Oh, and I bought a boat. A ship, actually."
Sheogorath
"It's to live on," Goranthir shook his head. "Though it'd be good to provide transport for the group ... I'm even outfitting it to be a war galleon, just in case. I need a name for it still, but it'll be a couple weeks 'til it's ready."
Sheogorath
"I like boats," Goranthir shrugged, wondering about the strain in Tris's voice, but attributing it to the fighting he had just endured. "I like that it's a home, but its transportation too. I like --" He paused. They had reached the castle, and he seemed to stumble over the next words. "I like that it's private. I won't be spied on there, not easily anyhow ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir is with Tris, who has brought him around to understanding the need to fight one another as a form of training. He has just told Tris that he has bought a warship to live on, where he can be free from "spying."
Sheogorath
"Hasn't she?" Goranthir looked amazed. "In my family, every household considers spies as vital a servant to employ as cooks. Probably more so. How else does she assume my grandmother knows so much about her?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed loud and long as they entered into the castle, and Loranna's study.
Sheogorath
Goranthir's face was bruised, but he answered with a big smile, "Doing well, thanks. Sorry to interrupt."
Sheogorath
Goranthir shook his head. "Nothing you said. It was just watching friends get hurt by other friends that got to me. Tris made me see that there's no other way ... So, I'm going to try."
He looked at Isidor's list: "Who's Raithen?"
Sheogorath
"Goranthir," said the young Dunmer, shaking his hand. "A young ranger, and maybe your partner if we go with Isidor's line-up."
Sheogorath
"You think we should go to three on three, or even four on four?" Goranthir asked.
He smiled and closed his eyes while Loranna's healing hands fixed his wounds. She found that they were all over his body, not just his face.
Sheogorath
Goranthir wrote on his paper:
Long Blade Athletics Dodging
And then added:
Summoning / Communicating With Animals
"For all the good that would do me in another plane of existance," he thought to himself.
Sheogorath
"No, I did that to myself," Goranthir grinned bashfully, pulling out his daedric dai-katana. "I was trying to master the spell in this. I got it wrong thirty times, and right on the thirty-first. Its very painful when I get it wrong. I probably should learn some healing spell, at least for myself."
Sheogorath
"I wonder," Goranthir asked. "If you can conjure up other planar creatures in Mundus, if you could conjure up Mundane creatures in the plane where we'll be fighting ... which I can control ... It would certainly surprise our opponents if you could ..."
Sheogorath
"The Psijics would probably say it's all related, and it's as related to rain and thunder," Goranthir smiled. "They're insane."
Sheogorath
"Conjuration can also bring us bound weapons and armor," Goranthir said. "Very useful."
Sheogorath
"Or you and Raithen are our primary healers," said Goranthir. "And Loranna is all about the draining our opponents' energy."
Sheogorath
"I don't doubt it, and I meant no offense," said Goranthir quickly. "I only meant that as our group has need of healers, that could be one of your roles ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir, whose face had taken a serious aspect as he considered the idea of fighting his friends, laughed, regardless.
Sheogorath
"I don't know how you'd feel about it," Goranthir said carefully. "But obviously I could get someone from the Royal Army of Morrowind to help ..."
Sheogorath
"Okay," Goranthir nodded quickly. He smiled as if to acknowledge that there could be complications in using Barenziah's army. "So, we'll do a battle with someone other than you as the primary healer? In twos again, or threes?"
Sheogorath
"Well, we have three possible healers -- you, Raithen and Shaka," Goranthir said, looking at the sheets of paper. "One mage in Raithan. Four fighters -- me, Falco, Shaka again, Reichi ..." he paused for a moment and looked at Reichi when he came across the word "werewolf." "Um, one archer only in Anya ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir stared back, and then looked away when he realized he was being rude.
Sheogorath
"I'm sorry," said Goranthir with a concilatory if slightly nervous smile. "I'm afraid I don't have much experience with lycanthropy ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiles as well. "I don't doubt it, and I hope you didn't take offense, Reichi. I was just surprised."
Sheogorath
"I was going to tell you that I bought a ship," Goranthir grinned. "But that does not seem like such a big piece of news now."
Sheogorath
"That's what I thought, but Tris thought it was odd," Goranthir frowned, evidently taking too much stock of Tris's opinion. He went on to describe it in detail, its size, fighting and speed capabilities. "I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I anchored it off the bay."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed. "I was hoping you wouldn't say no! Well, I've got a couple weeks 'til it's done to figure out alternate docks ... But I thought it'd be a useful tool for you, as well as a place for me to live."
Sheogorath
"Thank you, Loranna," Goranthir smiled, delighted. "I should get some sleep now if we fight tomorrow ..."
With a bow and a grin, the young ranger left for his room.
Sheogorath
Necrom
The Telvanni towers against the eastern coastline of Morrowind, even with the morning sun shining through, looked like the desiccated tusks of some ancient beast. Barenziah was within. Kena Telvanni Gilroam, the most powerful sorceror in the House, and sovereign of the land for the past three thousand years, had not permitted her to spend the night in his home. It was not surprising. She had anticipated hostility. The best she would hope to get in negotiations with Gilroam would be a promise of neutrality, and even that was suspect.
As Barenziah and her retinue made their way through the dark, twisted hallways of the palace, she thought on the meeting the previous day. It had been Gilroam's four thousand and five hundredth birthday, and she had unpleasantly surprised him. It had been the worst surprise he had in a hundred years, since Killedael, his former apprentice had turned on him, forcing him to banish Killedael to a remote island in the Sea of Ghosts forever.
Barenziah waited outside the audience chamber while the servant went to fetch the Master of the Manor. There were still smoking signs of battle everywhere.
"Kena Killedael will see you now," the servant said.
"Poor Gilroam," Barenziah said as she walked into the audience chamber. "He was not to live to four thousand, five hundred and one."
Sheogorath
Ald Raathim
Passing by the bay, Goranthir, armored and armed, passed Ahjaar and Luxi.
"Good morning," he smiled. "Are you going to the exercises at the Arena today?"
Sheogorath
"I'm on my way," he turned to Luxi with a grin. "You going to keep swimming or you want to watch your mom fight?"
Sheogorath
"We're supposed to be training team versus team," the young ranger said. "I don't want to spar, really, but I need to get over that."
Sheogorath
Goranthir walked with them, thinking to himself that it was absurd that he didn't want to fight his friends, when here was a mother who was willing to fight her own daughter to make her strong.
Of course, knowing something was absurd didn't fix it.
"Where are you going?" Goranthir asked as they walked.
Sheogorath
"I fought some alit," Goranthir frowned. "I just ..."
No need to go into it. She is clearly someone who does not abide weakness.
"I'll be fighting today," he said, looking away.
Sheogorath
Necrom
The servant returned a few minutes later. "Her Royal Majesty will see you now."
Barenziah was alone in the dark audience chamber. It was Telvanni comfortable: filled with hanging fabrics and strange numbing censors which lit it with a warm orange light.
"Your timing is excellent," the Queen Mother said, smiling.
Sheogorath
"That would be awfully nice," Goranthir laughed. "Loranna offered to teach me a healing spell, because I keep beating myself up during practice. But anything simple and useful would be good to know ..."
Sheogorath
Necrom
Barenziah lifted Tris up, looking in the eyes. "You came here last night? Oh, Tris ... You probably saw more than you ought to have. It was, well, a different situation than in Ald Raathim. And not at all nice to witness, I'm sure."
Sheogorath
nose itches a little ... maybe that's a pimple coming in ... damn, i hope not ... what?
Sheogorath
WOW!
That was too loud.
wo
Sheogorath
"I don't expect ever to shock you, darling boy," Barenziah said, touching his cheek. "But when one pays a friendly, unexpected call, and finds a palace soaked in blood ... Anyhow, your timing now was excellent. I needed a good excuse to dismiss the new Lord of Necrom. He's an excellent ally, but his breath is ghastly."
Sheogorath
"Hail, Isidor!"
Sheogorath
Barenziah closed her eyes and pulled Tris close. "As sweet as the rose you gave me."
Sheogorath
In his mind now, Goranthir was fighting Onialle. They had done that too, in play. He imagined it more serious. It was a false memory, but someone how that blotted it out, and she faded away behind the walls of his mind.
"Maybe a short warm up?" Goranthir suggested.
Sheogorath
"I'm not sure ..." Goranthir replied, but it wasn't weapons he was unsure about, it was whether he could spar at all ...
Sheogorath
"Your choice of weaponry," Goranthir replied. "I'm best with a sword, but I've had some training in most weapon types."
Sheogorath
Necrom, Later ...
The lovers stretched across the soft satin pillows of the Telvanni audience chamber. Lazy smoke drifted up from the censors as Barenziah ran her fingers over Tris's bare chest. It was a well-practiced touch, and she knew it would be pleasant, but every man had a slightly different reaction.
"You truly are beautiful," she smiled through half-closed eyes. "At some point, though, Kena Killedael will want his audience chamber back ..."
Sheogorath
"Are the rules the same as yesterday?" Goranthir asked, clearly nervous. "The last team with a member standing?"
Sheogorath
"Shaka and Raithen, do you want to fight as well?"
Sheogorath
A crowd of villagers began to gather to watch.
Sheogorath
"Wait! Wait!" Goranthir said. "Let's try to learn something here, and actually strategize! Just one minute!"
Goranthir, still looking unsure about the whole thing, and Isidor walked to their end of the arena, near a cluster of huge boulders, to talk.
Sheogorath
(Pie)
They discussed a quick, dirty plan.
"Watch out for arrows."
Sheogorath
"Oh so did I," Barenziah smiled, her chin resting on Tris's flat stomach. "I need my moments of vulnerability. Being a woman, not just a Queen. We have as much time as we want ... Killedael is happy to wait indefinitely, but I shouldn't be too rude of a guest ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir followed, holding his sword limply, as if the energy was just draining out of him. He gave his teammate a half of a bold smile.
Sheogorath
"It's all right," Goranthir nodded. "Let me try."
He shouted to Shaka boldly. "Let's go!"
Sheogorath
"Who am I to say what is perverse?" Barenziah smiled. "I remember you as a golden-haired tot in my court ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir dodged the arrows easily, moving in his ebony armor as if it were lighter than air, which it was. He looked in Anya's direction, and turned to Isidor, with desperate eyes, "I'm sorry."
He turned around and ran quickly back towards the rocks.
Sheogorath
"Oh, you were a bold, beautiful child who grew into a bold, beautful young man," Barenziah smiled. "I wouldn't be at all surprised that you were always in trouble. So was I. It is strange to think back on Wayrest. It wasn't that long ago, for me, but it seems like a short, strange dream ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir disappeared into the rocks on the other side of the arena.
Sheogorath
"Well, in a real fight, they would have followed us, and not been concerned with it being fair or not," Goranthir said, stepping out from behind the rocks.
The grass there shook and quivered. It was alive with snakes he had summoned. A trap unsprung because of his opponents' desire for a fair fight.
Sheogorath
Barenziah stared a moment as if horrified, and then broke down laughing. "You are amazing. That's what you wondered? No, he trimmed his left ear so it would match the right one, which was bitten --" Her laugh increased. "By his stepsister!"
Sheogorath
"They're both distance fighters be careful!" Goranthir cried. He held his daedric dai-katana up and letting loose a wave of powerful, concusive force at Anya, Falco, and (as he was with them) Raithen.
Sheogorath
The arrows had not been aimed very carefully, and Goranthir found it easy to dodge one, and the other glanced off the ebony armor. He charged toward Anya, not quite as quickly as he could, prepared to dodge anymore arrows.
Sheogorath
Barenziah nodded. She had been laughing along with Tris, but grew quiet at the end when Goranthir was mentioned.
"When I was a little girl, I lived in Skyrim," she said. "I know how that is, but the Altmer are much crueler than the Nords. I think he was very lonely. Probably he still is, though he certainly enjoys your company, and that of your friends."
Sheogorath
Goranthir fired another concussive blast at the last location where Anya had been standing. It had a much wider effect than a blind sword swing.
Sheogorath
Goranthir could hear her circling, but he couldn't pinpoint her location.
He made a strange noise, deep in the back of his throat, a clicking.
For an instant, he saw her as she fired the arrow, and he swiveled, and the arrow stuck in his arm, causing him to drop his sword.
An inhuman scream burst forth behind Anya.
Sheogorath
"Funny," Barenziah said, but her expression showed that it was not. "Watching someone he cared about die had the exact opposite effect on Goranthir. He was much bolder before, even though he was a bit of an outcast at court. My daughter tells me he was with a cousin of his when she fell to her death from the castle roof. It was an accident, but I think it made him realize that elves, even in his family, are not immortal ..."
Sheogorath
There was nothing behind her, but a row of Alit, howling and watching from the woods.
Goranthir took the momentary distraction to dive forward at the same time Anya was leaping at him. With luck, he would throw her off balance. At the very least, Lotus's fireball would roast both of them together.
Sheogorath
"If Goranthir needed discipline, we could have sent him to an army from one coast of Tamriel to the other," Barenziah shook her head, smiling. "No. I know who you are. And I know you're what my grandson needs in a friend."
She stretched, her long slim body looking darker than ever against the pale pillows, in the low orange light, and said, "Yes, I know who you are."
Sheogorath
The ebony armor resisted fire well, but it was smoldering. He grabbed up his sword while Anya was getting into position.
He started to have a smart comment to her, but he found he could not speak because of Falco's spell.
Sheogorath
Goranthir was evidently hurting, for he didn't dodge. He fell backwards and rolled, trying to wrestle his way on top of Anya.
Sheogorath
Goranthir felt the dagger as it began to sink into his chest, and he bashed his head forward onto Anya's.
Sheogorath
With a silent voiceless groan, Goranthir passed out, blood pouring from the weak point in his armor.
Sheogorath
Goranthir came to at the healing. He threw up blood, and then smiled. "I think I'll just lie here for a little while."
Sheogorath
"Why couldn't you have just been a good girl and fallen into my trap in the beginning, and saved us both a lot of trouble?" Goranthir grinned, slowly, painfully getting to his feet.
Sheogorath
Goranthir follows as well, in considerable pain still, but smiling. He actually fought ... even if he lost ...
Sheogorath
Goranthir chuckled, and groaned, "Yeah, it couldn't be that you felt sorry for me and wanted it to be a fair fight, like you said, was it? I still think it might've worked ..."
He pauses. "But do you know what? You guys not falling into that trap actually helped me. I can't explain it, but when I saw that you were waiting for a fair fight, I thought I better give you one ... I am sorry about the head butt though. That was some dirty fighting at the end."
Sheogorath
"It did, a lot," Goranthir narrowed his eyes, but it was a mockery of anger he didn't feel.
Sheogorath
"I wasn't pretending when I said I didn't want to fight," Goranthir replied. "But I was acting when I ran. It was the only plan we could come up with in five seconds ..."
Sheogorath
"Maybe our technique was shoddy," Goranthir admits. "But I don't think the strategy is a bad one. Think about it: we'll be facing eight great warriors from Tamriel's past. What is their likely weakness? Overconfidence. If we run, and lure them into traps, that might be the best way to defeat them, by surprise."
Sheogorath
"Like I said, we didn't have much time to set up a strategy, and the snakes were the closest things I could summon," Goranthir smiled. "They aren't poisonous anyhow. Ideally, they would have distracted you while we ambushed you ... Not a perfect plan, but we might not have time for perfect plans in the field anyhow."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled. He remembered how Raithen had seemed so disappointed when he had pretended to run away during the fight. It was nice to be complimented afterwards.
"I'll tell you what I'd like to learn after that," the young ranger said. "How to turn invisible, and how to see things that are invisible. When Anya disappeared, I really panicked."
Sheogorath
"I don't expect to become a great illusionist, but I saw today how vital that is, and how disorienting," Goranthir nodded. "I would be grateful."
He looked at Kratos's mace, impressed.
Sheogorath
"I know how tenderized meat feels now," Goranthir grinned. "I'm sorry you missed it."
Sheogorath
"How about after this meeting?" Goranthir suggested.
Sheogorath
"Don't be too impressed," Goranthir laughed. "The game ended with me as the only loser. But I think it might've worked under different circumstances. Basically, I pretended I had lost my nerve and I ran away to a spot where Isidor and I could ambush them. But they felt so sorry for me, they didn't come after us. I rather suspect real enemies wouldn't feel the same pity ..."
Sheogorath
"You mean stab you in the back?" Goranthir winked.
Sheogorath
"Just a reference to today's bout," Goranthir shook his head, surpressing a laugh. "A lot of dirty fighting on all sides."
"Good to hear that Cyndarius is coming," he added.
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed. He understood what was being said.
Sheogorath
"I'm in," said Goranthir quickly, surprising himself. By Mara, he told himself What's gotten into you?.
Sheogorath
"I'm willing to hear you out," said Goranthir. "Tell me what you think would be a good strategy for taking on Dram's men?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir bowed to the group. "I'll pick up what I can, and see if I don't have a few surprises for Dram's men tomorrow ..."
S'reddit
Goranthir was practicing his nascent skills at Illusion. Raithen had been a patient tutor: he reminded Goran of the teachers he had back in Firsthold, all first-rate, with the patience of saints, whose wills he had systematically broken by being irredeemably impatient with his own progress. The Psijic tutors especially had been concerned with form and method, when all he wanted was results. He wanted to learn to turn invisible and to see what can't be seen immediately.
After hours, he could cast Chameleon. A rather sad Chameleon, made sadder because, he remembered, he had been taught it before. Still, in shadow, he couldn't be seen, and he was trying to spy on the household staff of Loranna's castle.
A pity more of them weren't engaged in backroom shenanigans. Well, except for Razbiah and the pastry chef, and that was disgusting to look at.
S'reddit
Goranthir shrieked. The scullery maid he had been watching shrieked also and fled, dropping the newly polished silver she had been carrying, causing a tremendous clatter. The heavy footsteps of Dram's guards echoed down the hall, coming closer.
Goran had his elbow to Tris's throat before he realized who it was. It would have been normal to pass through anger on the road from shock to delight at seeing his friend, but the young ranger turned spy took the short-cut.
"Tris!" he laughed. "Where have you been?"
S'reddit
"Clearly, she's overworked, poor thing," Goranthir laughed softly. "You saw my grandmother? Why?"
Something, a bit of joy, died in Goranthir's eyes. Tris could recognize it. It was suspicion. "Tell me why?"
S'reddit
Goranthir pulled away from the kiss, angry, but when he looked into Tris's eyes for just a moment, he was instantly happy again. He grabbed Tris in a crushing hug.
"You're her lover!" he laughed. "Thank Stendarr, I thought you were her spy!"
S'reddit
"I -- " Goranthir began, thinking he would say I Love You, but it didn't sound right, here and now. Maybe it was true, but he was sixteen, and what did it mean? Should he say You're My Hero or I Want To Be You, Both sounded equally sappy. Instead, he amended it quickly, " – Gotta meet Allerleirauh. I'll be loaded down with presents for disobedience."
S'reddit
"I had a little tactic I tried to use in the fight today," Goranthir frowned. "But it didn't work out so well. I thought I could lure Radont and Anya into a trap by pretending to run away, but they just felt sorry for me and held off the match until we fought normally. I didn't stay for all the discussions of tactics, but that ordinator Kratos had some ideas, and so did Isidor ... Maybe if Loranna's still awake, we could ask her what they said?"
S'reddit
"Yes, we have some insider information for you," Goranthir smiled, winking at Tris. "Dram is 'breaking out the belt and rings,' whatever that means."
S'reddit
Goranthir touched his side where the dagger had dug in so deeply, and grimaced. "Oh, yes, the infamous doomed head butt. Thanks, Tris, for reminding me ..."
S'reddit
"I'd fill the place with angry Alit," Goranthir said. "But I wouldn't trust the guards not to kill them. I don't know if our healing spells would work on them ... that's why I didn't use them to fight Anya ..."
S'reddit
"Is there any way to recognize what spell is cast?" Goranthir asks, after a pause. "Maybe my mind is too much on trickery, but if a sleep spell were negated, but they thought some of us had fallen asleep, and then we could catch them when they thought we were down ..."
S'reddit
Goranthir nodded. Tris was right, as always. He was glad he was on his side.
"You say that Dram has been helping out at the arena lately," Goranthir said thoughtfully. "Could he have set any traps? If I had more time to plan the last bout, I would have brought something better than a couple of distracting sand snakes out ..."
He yawned, "I should get some sleep."
Sheogorath
"Good day to die," said Goranthir, materializing from the shadows. "It was nice of you to pretend you couldn't see me, Raithen."
Sheogorath
"You know, Raithen," Goranthir frowned. "I'm not sure about the daedra, but if we do want to use them, maybe it'd be best to summon them in the middle of the fight, to give us the element of surprise?"
Sheogorath
"I'm fine with using summoned creatures against the guards," said Goranthir. "I just want them to be surprised when we do. Anyhow, I'm all about following orders in today's match. No more grand tactics for me after last time..."
He pauses. "So, um, who has the plans?"
Sheogorath
"Just so I'm told what to do," smiled Goranthir. "Preferably by one person at a time ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughs. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. But like I was saying, I'm not ready yet."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled and waved Loranna over. "Um, my lady, did you and Tris come up with a good plan last night?"
Sheogorath
"I think Shaka just volunteered, whether he meant to or not," Goranthir laughed.
Sheogorath
"Maybe I should stay with Loranna," Goranthir said, holding up his daedric dai-katana. "Since I do have a long range weapon, which is pretty tough to avoid since it is all but invisible ..."
Sheogorath
"Works for me," replied Goranthir.
Sheogorath
Goranthir is acting as defensive guard for Loranna and Shaka.
Sheogorath
"What?" Goranthir asked. "If you have a suggestion, Arynel, we need to hear it now."
Sheogorath
"One last word of advice to those of you on the front line," Goranthir said quickly. "Dram will likely be wearing a belt that will enhance his strength greatly. Don't get too close."
Sheogorath
"One last thing," Goranthir whispers to the group. "So you know -- I have some cliff racers waiting in the woods to call out if I need a distraction. If you hear them, don't turn around. It's just a noise ... We should get in position."
Sheogorath
Goranthir was startled for a moment, "Wasn't he our healer?"
He too launched his distance attacks at the mage, a wide concussive force. It was overkill, perhaps with Raithen's spell, but it was unlikely that two blasts would be dodged.
Then he fell back to protect Loranna, Raithen, and Falco.
Sheogorath
Raithen and Loranna are close enough that Goranthir can deal with both of the arrows, his armor letting him move faster than he could without it on. He deflects the one aimed at Loranna with his sword, and takes the brunt of the arrow delivered at Raithen, letting his armor absorb its force.
Sheogorath
"Next time I say we should check the field for traps," Goranthir said, smiling, but looking at the battle not her. "I'm going to remember to do that."
Sheogorath
Goranthir doesn't know where Raithen is, now that he's invisible, so he gets between Loranna and the fireballs, bellowing in pain as they roar over his armored form.
When the smoke clears, he is standing, but shaky. Shaka's shield spell couldn't have come a second sooner.
"Another hit like that, and I'm down," he mutters to himself. "Shield spells, that's what I need to learn. Not Chameleon."
Sheogorath
Goranthir sighs as he feels himself being healed. "You're welcome!"
Sheogorath
"We move forward, Loranna?" Goranthir asked. "Or are they still in range?"
Sheogorath
He had no spell of demoralization, but he could distract them.
Goranthir called to the cliff racers in the woods behind the guards to give out their haunting call.
Sheogorath
Dram came out of nowhere. Goranthir wasn't even looking at Loranna, until he saw the suddenly flash of movement, the bellow, and heard Loranna cry out.
He whirls around but an instant after the attack.
It was an excellent surprise attack, but Dram's feet are not yet firmly planted after such a jump.
He sweeps his armored feet at Dram's legs, while planting his sword into the captain, so that Dram's own weight will drive the blade deeper into him while he stays off balance.
Sheogorath
Goranthir gets in the way of the arrows, deflecting one and, lurching to deflect the other, takes it in the exact same spot where Anya's dagger had sunk in. He groans in pain, and falls back.
Sheogorath
"Thank y--" Goranthir begins, looking around when Arynel vanishes. He takes position next to Loranna: "I'll take out our own people if I use the Kynarine," he smiles. "Better to make sure no strange men drop out of the sky again."
Sheogorath
Goranthir points his daedric dai-katana at Milelie and then Dilave. He could knock out either, but there was a risk of hitting his team-mates he was not willing to take ... Still, if there was any opening, he was taking it.
... Dilave ... An opening ..?
Sheogorath
"Okay?" Goranthir looked at Loranna hopefully. "At least better, right?"
Sheogorath
"Best one I've had," Goranthir agreed. "Even if I did mostly stand here like a human shield."
Sheogorath
The young ranger soaked up Loranna's compliment with a shy grin.
"I'll be with you after I change," Goranthir said. "I have to get out of this armor."
Sheogorath
A robed figure came into the tavern and took a seat at the table with the others.
After looking around, Goranthir pulled back the hood of his robe.
"The Harvest Princess is after me," he whispered to Loranna.
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled, and listened.
Sheogorath
Early the next morning as the sun was just rising, the Harvest Princess made the Walk Of Shame from the castle to her house in the village.
She was angry. That handsome young Dunmer who had come with the Queen Mother's retinue and stayed on had flirted with her. That in itself was not surprising. Men and boys flirted with her all the time, even before she was crowned Harvest Princess. But then, when she had shown interest back, he had ignored her, deciding instead to spend all his days training and fighting in the Arena.
It was insufferable, and knowing that she had been rejected caused her to lose interest in her five other lovers.
Last night, she had one of them let her into the castle, into Goranthir's room. She had waited in the bed for hours to surprise him, and gradually drifted off to sleep. When she woke up in the morning, she found that he had never come in.
The Harvest Princess tromped back to her house on her pretty feet and plotted her revenge.
Sheogorath
Goranthir walked in for breakfast the next morning, wearing the hood and robe he had worn the other night, but he seemed in a good mood.
Razbiah was pleased to see him eat so much of her food.
"Growing boy," she smiled. "Good to see an appetite around here."
Sheogorath
"Good morning," Goranthir bowed.
Razbiah, Loranna noted, also had a glow about her. "I hope you're hungry, my lady."
Sheogorath
"Oh, nothing special I'm afraid," Razbiah smiled.
It was Razbiah's usual breakfast, hearty and nutritious as always, but it was a little different. There was a hint of spice, or actual flavor. Not at a lot. Just enough of a touch, a tentative experiment.
Sheogorath
Razbiah acknowledged Loranna's compliment with a grin.
"I'm fine," Goranthir smiled back.
"I would say so, I saw the young lady leaving this morning," Razbiah blushed a bit, and returned to the kitchen.
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked at Tris and Loranna, and back at his food. "The Harvest Princess. She was in my bed last night. I spent the night with the parraptons."
Sheogorath
"Maybe her own bed isn't so comfortable," Goranthir laughed nervously, and promptly changed the subject. "Anyhow ... I'm having my armor repaired, so if we're doing any exercises today, I may not be best on defense ..."
Sheogorath
"The stables are actually very comfortable, better than a lot of places I've been in last year," Goranthir shrugged. "I heard that she's ... well ... she isn't shy."
Sheogorath
Goranthir seems grateful to have the change in conversation. "I don't know what the limits are on the Kynarine effect, but I've been practicing. I haven't used it to its widest extent yet ... I don't know how useful it would be."
"The armor's already enhanced. I move faster in it than out of it. But I definitely need some more defenses. Just standing in front of arrows and fireballs seems like a clumsy strategy."
Sheogorath
"I saw you last night," Goranthir said, holding out his hand. "But I don't think we were properly introduced. I'm Goranthir."
Sheogorath
Razbiah hurried in with food. "I'm making it as fast as I can, b'Vek!"
It was her custom to leave the breakfast out for people to help themselves in the morning, and she hadn't realized how quickly it had been consumed.
"Begging your pardon."
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked at him, and said under his breath. "And Walter would be rudely demanding ..."
Sheogorath
Razbiah blushed. "I don't believe I did anything different, sir, but thank you."
She hurried back to the kitchen. These people were hungry this morning. She should have known, after yesterday's fight, that they would be.
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed. "It's not that bad. I like the idea of an amulet or something I can use when it's needed. If it's constant effect, then I won't be able to be healed, but if I can choose when to activate, that'd be best..."
Sheogorath
"Thanks, and I probably should carry some potions with me, like you said, but I don't know where they're kept," Goranthir smiled. "Now, what was your question about my sword?"
Sheogorath
"Let me practice!" Goranthir excitedly got up from the table. "I'll let you know!"
Sheogorath
"I'll let you know how it goes," Goranthir smiled, bowed to the company, and left to practice.
S'reddit
Goranthir joined the group for dinner. The handsome young ranger had changed after practice into a simple black cloak, red tunic and breeches which was the non-armored house uniform of the Royal Guard of Morrowind. He hadn't brought enough clothes with him when he left Mournhold, and had ordered some more from the village tailor but they would not be ready for another two days.
He introduced himself with a bow to those he had not met: Cyndarius, Gruznob, Merey, Spooky, Tsei with a simple "Goranthir, at your service."
As he took his seat, he whispered to Loranna: "Thirty yard maximum target area, my lady."
Sheogorath
"The thing is," Goranthir said. "It's frightfully difficult to aim it since the effect is all but invisible. I wouldn't want to use it if there was any one of our side in its path."
Sheogorath
Goranthir turned to Cyndarius. "I've heard much about you, sir. How are things in Freetown?"
Sheogorath
"I didn't mean it as a secret," Goranthir replied, feeling a bit reprimanded. "I just didn't want to interrupt the greetings with my little news."
Sheogorath
"No recent conflicts or battles to speak of?" Goranthir asked, eager for tales of adventure.
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed, "I'll do that, though you look difficult to corner, sir."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled at Loranna with a wink. "And the Queen Mother's visit, surely that counts as an unquiet event?"
Sheogorath
"You're a bit --" Goranthir began, and tried to find the word. "You're a legend, my lord. And it's a bit intimidating to chat with a legend ... particularly when you know he's here to find your faults."
Sheogorath
"I don't think they are," Goranthir said, taking a sip of wine and warming to his subject. "At least not like ourselves. They becomes what we aspire to, our inspirations, but scarcely something approachable. I know the Queen Mother feels that about herself oftimes that she, though alive, is now a symbol. Not always a good one, but still not considered like ourselves ... Something far better, and in some cases, far worse ..."
Sheogorath
"So," Goranthir said, noticing the pause, hoping he wasn't the cause, and turning to Cyndarius. "I was not here when you arrived, my lord, but what are your thoughts about preparing us to face the eight champions?"
He looked quickly to Tris. Were they allowed to speak about that openly? he wondered after the words were already out.
Sheogorath
"You've never heard of him?" Goranthir was astounded, and launched into a long, gushing description of the Battle of Freetown, which was scarcely exaggerated and minutely detailed, about Cyndarius and his men's various victories over overwhelming forces. "That's why he's here."
Sheogorath
"Shall we give him something to observe tomorrow?" Goranthir looked to Loranna.
Sheogorath
"Four on four sounds good," Goranthir grinned, bursting with enthusiasm. "Who will be the teams?"
Sheogorath
"Kratos would agree with you," Goranthir grinned.
Sheogorath
"Kratos would agree with you," Goranthir, who was at the dinner table with the others, grinned.
Sheogorath
"My point is that you have a colossally high opinion of yourself," Goranthir smiled. "I certainly did not mean to imply that it is unwarranted."
Sheogorath
That shut up Goranthir, who was standing next to Tris, in the middle of doing his impression of an Alit's victory howl ... "Sorry, my lady."
He turned towards Slyvos as well. "My lord."
Sheogorath
Razbiah promptly brought in more food, and left with a un-Jazbiah-like giggle.
Sheogorath
Goranthir returned the smile, and took his seat again. "Greetings, Lord Slyvos, your reputation preceeds you."
And then he looked at Kratos, and bit his tongue for a rather obvious remark for a 16-year-old.
Sheogorath
Goranthir stood up with Tris, a little ashamed that he bit his tongue earlier.
He let out a series of squeaks, greeting the mice in their own language.
Sheogorath
"Bluster and bloviation, ignorance and arrogance," Goranthir narrowed his eyes. "I have known many Ordinators, and their memory is not well served by your constant bragging and thin-skinned threats --"
He looked like he was going to continue, but stopped at Cyndarius's words.
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked shaken for a moment, bowed to the company, and followed.
Sheogorath
In the hall outside of the room, Goranthir caught up to Tris. He was angry, but he was also ashamed.
"I'm sorry, I was the start of that," the young ranger said. "I shouldn't have mocked him."
Sheogorath
"I would have followed you out anyhow," Goranthir said earnestly.
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded. "I should not have mocked you openly at the dinner table. Your confidence is a good thing, my lord. I only wish it was less often at the expense of your companions."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed. "Yes, of course, but only a few, or I start saying things I regret later ..." And after hearing Tris, he added. "After we look at the figurines, of course."
Sheogorath
Goranthir stepped in, an apology on his lips to Lady Loranna and Lord Slyvos, but he stopped in wonderment at the figurines.
Sheogorath
Goranthir touched his little figurine, and it began to dance.
He laughed, "I don't know if this has any practical use, but I love it."
Sheogorath
"The mice could represent the guards?" Goranthir said. "I bet I could get that one to be Dram and jump across the field."
Sheogorath
A young Dunmer woman, slim and beautiful, with eyes like rubies and hair like black silk, stepped up to them.
"Oh pardon me," she said. "I did not meant to disturb you. I didn't think anyone came out here at this hour but myself."
Sheogorath
"Merely not to disturb two great warriors of the arena," she smiled demurely. "But it seems I have. My name is Zalliah."
Sheogorath
"Your modesty does you credit," Zalliah said. "But I saw you, when you appeared, healing the others. They would not have won without you."
Sheogorath
"Isidor," Zalliah smiled. "They should announce your names at the beginnings of the fights. I remember you too. But I should leave you two to talk. You must be bothered by admirers too often as it is."
Sheogorath
"It isn't flattery," Zalliah looked down, and backed away. "Good night, gentlemen. Good luck on your next fight."
She disappared into the night.
Sheogorath
Something sparkled on the ground where Zalliah had stood. A silver bracelet that had been on her wrist.
Sheogorath
"Ouch," said Goranthir, watching his figure being pummeled by arrows and fireballs. "Somehow it's worse from this perspective."
Sheogorath
OOC: To all who are looking at the bracelet. If you have magical detection capabilities, you will notice there is no enchantment. It is simply a beautiful and expensive bauble.
Sheogorath
Goranthir left the game, and spoke to the wolf, greeting it and asking it what was wrong.
Sheogorath
Goranthir and Loki talked animatedly in woofs, barks, howls, and growls.
They seemed like they had a lot to talk about.
Sheogorath
"Oh, they're not simple," Goranthir shook his head. "This one particularly. He's got a real personality."
Sheogorath
"That's true of most animals," Goranthir laughed. "Including us."
Sheogorath
"I think our versatility is a strength," Goranthir said. "We can step in in multiple roles. If we found ourselves fighting in a place where an archer wasn't as useful, say, a dense forest, we may want to alter our plans. We should have multiple formations for different situations, not just one that suits the arena."
Sheogorath
"Possibly, but it's certainly a different kind of fighting than if you had all your targets in a wide open area, my lord," said Goranthir with a slight deferential bow.
Sheogorath
"I'm not saying archers are useless in a forest, but there's a strategic differences between open fighting and fight among many obstacles."
Goranthir thought about the duel idea. "Might be fun. Purely for entertainment."
Sheogorath
"Then we best get used to fighting in fire, dust, and ice, right?" Goranthir smiled.
Sheogorath
Wayrest
Kethiah took the back entrance into the palace, through a secret passage in an alley behind the main square the Queen had told her to use.
She had heard that Elysana was ill, mentally and physically, but the women who greeted her in the audience chamber was the portrait of health, and her eyes were quick and clever.
"I have your payment," said Elysana.
"I will need to stay here for a little while, a year possibly more," said Kethiah, taking the gold.
"I will protect you," the Queen replied. "In fact, I have another job for you. I need you to find someone who has gone missing."
"Tris Gaerington, I assume," Kethiah replied. "Shouldn't I be discussing this with your Spymaster?"
"No," said the Queen. "That is who I want you to find. His name is Herwyn Brand."
Sheogorath
Goranthir arrived at the Arena, sword in hand.
"My armor's still in the shop," he said. "Tris, are you all right?"
Sheogorath
"If you need my help finding him or her," Goranthir said quickly. "You only have to say the word."
Sheogorath
"I know," Goranthir agreed. "When I was punished for something I didn't do, at least I could feel righteous indignant ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir took a seat in the stands. "Good to be a spectator at one of these for once."
S'reddit
Crowds had begun to gather, villagers waiting for a fight. Goranthir looked at them, and looked at Tris.
"Poor people," he said. "They're used to a brawl by now. I guess we should announce that it's postponed."
S'reddit
"I was thinking the same thing," Goranthir said, with pity in his eyes. "My father's general in Firsthold was full of bluster as well, but people obeyed him because they had to. Take away that obligation, and what do you have?"
S'reddit
"On the bright side," Goranthir smiled. "He says he's going to clear out some Daedric shrines, so the countryside should be a little safer thanks to our internal squabbles."
S'reddit
"First round's on me," Goranthir said, as they stepped into the tavern. "Ask me why."
S'reddit
"The framework for my ship is done, that's why. Ahead of schedule," Goranthir signaled to the tavernkeeper.
S'reddit
"I'm going to live on it," Goranthir grinned, passing out the drinks. "But it's versatile. Space for archers up on the forecastle, fifty feet up, perfect for sieges. Maybe the first craft in the Ald Raathim navy. A couple weeks from completion, but still, it's a good start ..."
S'reddit
"I know, and she's very generous for letting me use it," Goranthir smiled, nodding at Loranna, eyes sparkling. "But I've always thought that the very notion of being an adventurer was the moveable home. Not being tied down in one place, as wonderful and charming as Ald Raathim is. I travelled through Tamriel coast to coast last year, and it left me just wanting to see more. Anyhow, just having a ship doesn't mean you're raising anchor. It just means, you might."
S'reddit
"That's too bad, Tris, every teenager should have a ship," Goranthir grinned. "You can use mine anytime you like. I might build more than one ... If Loranna thinks there's room in the Daruhn harbor ..."
S'reddit
"Protecting Ald Raathim isn't a plan?" Goranthir laughed, and then stopped. "I'm sorry, but are you serious? Even the most peaceful harbor in Summerset has warships to defend it."
S'reddit
Goranthir was concerned. He had never known Tris to be cross with him before.
"Have a drink," the young ranger said, and added with a wink. "If that doesn't work, maybe there are some Daedric shrines that Kratos hasn't cleared out yet."
S'reddit
Goranthir smiled. It was okay. Tris had said before he was tired, and still he felt he had to argue with him about the boats. Stupid.
"I used to talk to animals, just to get a perspective," he said. "And then, I ran. Not fast like you, but far, all the way across Tamriel. I don't what I'll do next. Lately I've been so happy, I haven't thought about it."
S'reddit
'It's about being free,' said Goranthir. 'Maybe someday that won't be enough, but for now, it's ...'
He couldn't find the words, and he wiped his eyes quickly, and looked away. Not very heroic, getting tearful over happiness.
S'reddit
"If I die tomorrow, it's better than living six thousand years in the court of any of the Holds, First or Mourn," Goranthir smiled, his voice still a little shaky, as he took a long drink of wine. "I don't have any common sense. Anyone in my family, even my grandmother who actually respects my decision, will tell you that. But as someone said, probably Arynel, we just walk the road that's before us, and pretend we know where we're going."
Sheogorath
Last Night
Understanding the wolf, Goranthir brought blankets and some food and water for the exhausted new mother out with them.
"You should be proud, Loki," the young ranger said the wolf in his own language. "You have a very fine family."
Sheogorath
Goranthir greeted her as well. "They are magnificent. Let me buy you a drink ..."
Then his attention was drawn to Falco and Kratos's argument, and his eyes narrowed. This had to end.
Sheogorath
"Loranna should know he's attacking her guards in the streets now," said Goranthir quietly. "He has gone from being a minor nuisance to a criminal."
Sheogorath
Goranthir went as well, and on the way, talked to Dram at Loranna's castle.
Sheogorath
Dram's men arrived, and took their positions around the arena.
Sheogorath
The guards' hands began to glow as sleep spells were launched into the arena at Kratos.
"Kratos," Dram said sternly. "You are under arrest."
Sheogorath
Dram's guards entered the arena to cart the unconscious Ordinator into their most secure cell.
"Sorry to have spoiled the match," Dram smiled grimly at Falco. "But justice must be served."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed. "Of course, Kratos assaulting one of Dram's men probably was as much a crime. But no one can doubt your bravery, friend. It was good you lured him to place where the least number of people would be in danger. Only you."
Sheogorath
"Could I commission you to create a lifesized figurehead for my ship?" Goranthir asked eagerly. "I don't know what of ... Maybe Kynareth to ensure strong winds?"
Sheogorath
"The boat won't be ready for a few weeks," Goranthir said. "And, of course, I'll pay you whatever you need for the time and work. I just want my first boat to be special, the Nords who are working on it are great, but they're craftsmen not artists."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed. "I know. It's a different kind of art, creating an object of beauty, though ... They're very happy doing shipbuilding which is more than repairing old fishing skiffs."
Sheogorath
"I think he's been kissed by Sheogorath," said Goranthir. "You know, we really do need to give the crowd a show at the arena. We cancelled the first, stopped the duel ... The last time two arena fights were cancelled in a row in Firsthold, there was a riot."
Sheogorath
"I'm your friend, I hope," Goranthir grinned. "But I'm also your rich friend, so there's no need to forgo payment. If it was a small project, I'd take it as a gift, but a lady's got to earn a living, doesn't she?"
Sheogorath
"Falco did ensure that when Dram's men came to arrest him, there was no one close by since it was just the two of them in a wide-open arena. If they had fought in the streets, there might have been innocents hurt," Goranthir said in Falco's defense. "I didn't hear what he said in the arena, but he sounded like a madman."
Sheogorath
As did Goranthir.
Sheogorath
"He beat up one of their own," Goranthir said quietly. "I can't say I blame them."
Sheogorath
"Could it be the tiny voice in his head telling him not be a [censored]?" Goranthir asked softly. "He should listen to it."
Sheogorath
"He's just a madman," Goranthir frowned, his eyes also filled with pity. "It's a shame ..."
The young ranger stepped out into the sunlight, where it was warm.
Sheogorath
Goranthir walked down the main street of the village of Ald Raathim, until he came to the Mages Guild. He stepped inside and went directly to the enchanter.
"I just finished," he said, proudly holding up the work. "Who was the tailor? Uenas Ayrrhe?"
Goranthir nodded. "Ald Raathim is fortunate in having at least one truly excellent tailor, and one excellent enchanter."
The enchanter smiled. "But what happened at the arena today? We were anticipating –"
"Some technical malfunctions," Goranthir shrugged. "Wait 'til you see the next one. All the gratuitious violence you can take."
"I can take a lot," laughed the enchanter.
Goranthir left, carrying the parcels containing his new enchanted wardrobe
Sheogorath
Goranthir punched Tris lightly in the shoulder, smiling. "No, you didn't drink to it, grumpy old man. Pity it has no floor or walls, just a skeleton, or I'd foist the main sail."
He held up the packages. "This is my new wardrobe. Ebony mail ... that was my grandmother's gift, but it's not for a ranger, no matter how light it's enchanted to be."
Sheogorath
Goranthir blushed. "Actually, I was just thinking how spoiled I am. Everything I ever owned was hand-tailored for me with an original pattern, so I don't like how I look when I wear simple clothes off the shelf, so I was forced to go find the best tailor in Ald Raathim."
He opened up the packages. They looked simple, but the craftsmanship was unmistakable. A simple gray cloak. Two pairs of trousers. Three shirts. A belt. Two pairs of boots.
"Wait 'til you see them in action," Goranthir smiled. "They're a lot more useful than the armor was any day. And they should be particularly helpful against dust, fire, and ice."
Sheogorath
"Uenas Ayrrhe is his name," Goranthir said, touching the fabric. At his touch, the cloth seemed to bristle, as if it were alive, rich fur swelling up. Passing his hand over it again, it became a lighter, dove gray. "I don't know about the color, but the weave is very suitable."
He smiled at Diamond. "For the trials to come."
Sheogorath
"True," Goranthir smiled. "If we end up there naked, I definitely overpaid my tailor."
Sheogorath
Goranthir strode into the field, his gray cloak flowing about his shoulders, the drape and cut of his simple new ranger's uniform dashing.
"I sincerely hope not."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled. "Then my armor wouldn't have come through anyhow. That was a gift, but not something that was truly me, as much as my new clothes are ... And that's dashed good news about animals being present there."
Sheogorath
Goranthir bowed to Illingworth. "Well met, sir. Goranthir."
Sheogorath
Goranthir blushed at the compliment. "I think I just take more pleasure from it than most who have the gift, so I use it more. But thank you."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughs and pulls the sword out from his cloak. "I hope so too. I'm fond of it as well. The Psijics of Artaeum gave it to me, and said it would suit me well when I learned how to use it ... If that doesn't count as my own equipment, I think we're all going forth into battle quite nude."
Sheogorath
"You'll find out when it happens," Goranthir says. "It sounds like it will be very ... educational about who each of us truly is."
Sheogorath
"Possibly not," Goranthir said, and then added with a gentle smile. "Or we might get three for the price of one, which would help the odds a lot ..."
Sheogorath
"Oh," Goranthir grimaced. "That was her name?"
Sheogorath
"Just be careful," Goranthir says quietly. "She's difficult to get rid of."
S'reddit
Wayrest
Kethiah had searched all the Spymaster Herwyn Brand's usual haunts, asking questions, following more leads, but she was stymied. And Elysana wanted daily progress. It was astonishing that a woman whose empire spanned half of High Rock would have time for such meetings, but Kethiah supposed that a Spymaster was an important minister for such as her.
The idea that some other power might have him, and be torturing him for information alarmed Elysana ... though curiously enough, the Queen was not worried that Herwyn would divulge anything. 'He has stood up to torture before,' the Queen had said, with something like fondness in her eyes.
Kethiah began a search of Herwyn's archives, the personal projects he was working on. Orsinium figured highly. That would have to be thoroughly scoured. And there was the matter of Tris Gaerington, a search that Herwyn had never trusted any of his subordinates to do.
For most of her career, Kethiah has searched out people about whom there was little information, to try to find a tenuous trail to them. Here was a man with multiple well-worn, well-documented trails. And she would have to search it all.
S'reddit
He could not practice running through flames or ash or ice in Ald Raathim, but Goranthir could see if his belt would let him breathe underwater at least. He only meant to walk along the bottom of the bay for a few minutes, but it turned into a few hours.
There was so much to see. Wrecked craft that were undoubtedly left by the Azurites in the Blue Dawn, much older shipwrecks from the Nords that had been there ... and there was something else. A ship of a design he had never seen. He couldn't see much of it, buried in the silt, but ...
He didn't want to hope. It was too romantic to imagine it was an Akaviri craft, but it did appear to be so ...
As he surveyed it, he saw some rhythms in the water around him. He spoke to the fish, who were stupid as usual, but told him that there was someone else on the surface. Another swimmer.
Goranthir swam up, and first saw the legs, and then, realizing that the swimmer was naked, could tell it was a man.
When he broke through the surface, he saw who it was.
Tris.
'Hello,' he called.
S'reddit
"Are you okay?" Goranthir said, swimming closer. His sodden clothes were heavy, but his shirt was enchanted and gave him extra strength so it scarcely mattered. "Do you need help? I didn't mean to surprise you."
S'reddit
"I'm glad I'm not the only one," laughed Goranthir, grabbing Tris under his arms and pulling him towards shore. "It was bad at first, and then I just relaxed. I was testing out the new enchantments in my belt, which should help me breath in fire, ash, and underwater ... But I can hold my breath for a long time on my own. It's like sailing, one of the things that those of us on the Island are just expected to do."
S'reddit
Goranthir was silent, thinking, and picked Tris up to carry him on to the beach, before putting him down with a laugh "I'm sorry, you have it from here." He took off his cloak, which was suddenly, at a touch, dry, and handed it to him.
S'reddit
Goranthir looked away. The Altmer he had grown up with were not very modest. Not like the Dunmer, and evidently, judgin by Tris, not like the Bretons. But he could respect that. It was interesting to look at bodies without their clothes, with all the artifices taken away. You could see how strong someone was. Whether they ate well. If they had been injured. Tris had, Goranthir could see, before he turned.
"What if I am not chosen for the Eight?" he said, suddenly, looking towards the moons. He hadn't expected to say it, and when he did, he turned to Tris, not caring if he didn't want him to look.
S'reddit
"Kratos didn't choose me for the arena match," said Goranthir, turning away, realizing he was being rude, or prurient. "I know it shouldn't matter. He's mean, or insane, or possessed, but I had to wonder ... Would someone else have picked me, or was it just because he didn't like me for making fun of him?"
S'reddit
"You've been to see my grandmother again, haven't you?" Goranthir grinned, turning back to Tris, and taking a corner of the cape to wipe the water off his face. "I can tell. You're in a better mood, like you were when you surprised me in the castle."
He stopped his smile briefly when he saw the deep scar on Tris's chest. "How did you get that?"
S'reddit
"I know about that," Goranthir said, nodding his head. Somehow it was more real touching the sign of the wound. What was amazing about it was its warmth. Tris's blood still beat through it. It was a sign of survival. The adventurer's life that he craved. "I was working for my uncle. I was actually in Black Marsh behind you, trying to get to the Flamekiss first ... but I failed. I do have a scar to prove it."
He pulled up his tunic. A gash, expertly sewed, went from his belly down below his waist at the thigh. A claw mark of one of the bestial Argonian races, the Naga.
S'reddit
"I was wounded, but I wouldn't say I was a seasoned fighter," Goranthir laughed at Tris's expression. He pulled off his shirt, and raised his arm to show him the scar that went dangerously close to his heart, that Anya had delivered in the last Arena bout. "I've gotten many more since then, and I hope to have many more before I die."
S'reddit
It was strange, a kiss on a scar, but somehow, it was right.
Tris's words, on the other hand, caused Goranthir to step back, and feel a shiver that he hadn't felt in the night air.
"No, I didn't know," he said. "My grandmother and uncle didn't tell me ... well, no one told me anything. Oh, Tris, I'm so sorry ... I meant, that I wanted scars, proof of doing something, like you have. Not that I wanted to die. I don't. I've never felt less like dying."
S'reddit
Goranthir stepped back, and savagely yanked his robe from Tris's hands.
"I'm glad your friend isn't dead anymore," he said, his red Dunmer eyes burning. "Mine is."
He picked up his shirt.
S'reddit
Goranthir was beginning the walk up to the castle when Tris spoke. He turned and listened to him. Before, Tris's body had made him think of strength, of adventure, the scars were emblems of a life filled with action.
Now, in the moonlight, the Breton's naked pale skin looked even paler. The scars looked fresh.
Goranthir carried down the robe, and wrapped it around his friend. "I would have done the same, if I had the power to," he said quietly. "You must ... Do you think it was worth it, bringing your loved one back to life, despite all the pain it has caused you and others?"
S'reddit
"No, there is no other way," Goranthir said, grabbing Tris and holding him. "If love and friendship mean anything, there isn't."
S'reddit
"You don't need luck," Goranthir grinned, rubbing Tris's back and then releasing him. "You need some dry clothes and a fire. Let's go inside."
And they did.
Sheogorath
A beautiful young Dunmer woman, wrapped in a simple dress that showed her willowy curves to best advantage, watched the archers, applauding their best shots.
Sheogorath
"Don't let me disturb you, milady," the young woman said. "I know how important your practice is to you."
Sheogorath
Zalliah noticed Isidor too, and smiled shyly. When he pulled out the necklace, she rushed to him, and threw her arms around him.
"You found it! You found it!" she cried. "I've been looking for it everywhere!"
There were tears in her eyes as she withdrew from Isidor. "My grandmother gave it to me before she died. How can I thank you?"
Sheogorath
"I wouldn't insult you by asking if you wanted a reward, Isidor," she said, slipping the bracelet back on her wrist, and looking at him with perfect adoration. "You are clearly a true gentleman."
Sheogorath
She took his arm. "Yes, I was right, you are a gentleman. Others might have suggested somewhere less public."
"From where do you hail?"
Sheogorath
"I've always thought that Dawnstar was a beautiful name," Zalliah smiled. "Though I have never been away from Ald Raathim. Very dull, mm?"
Sheogorath
"Horrid, more like," Zalliah shuddered. "I like my excitement and adventure to be without bloodshed. And yet, I love watching you fight ... I guess because I know no one is going to get seriously hurt."
Sheogorath
"You asked about me?" Zalliah said, returning his blush. "Well, I still am the Harvest Princess, and will be until next year when another girl will be crowned. It's silly, but we're supposed to bless this year's crops ... as if that's something I have the power to do ... Just another excuse for a party, I guess." She giggled, and pulled on his arm, bringing him closer.
Sheogorath
"I'll say I was lucky," Zalliah said as they stepped into the tavern. All eyes turned to them, and Isidor could see the look of envy in most of the regulars' eyes.
"I hardly ever go in here," she smiled, apparently unmindful of the leers. She put her hand on the small of his back, in a subtle gesture that immediately sent a tiny shiver of pleasure up his spine.
Sheogorath
"It's very sweet, but all sorts of people come here, and it can get pretty rowdy for a girl on her own."
Sheogorath
"You should eat, you need your energy, but I'm on a diet," she said, touching her slim, flat belly. "But maybe a glass of wine?"
Sheogorath
She steered him towards a table in the back of the room, away from everyone's eyes. "Thank you. Would it be too presumptuous of me to ask, do you have a lady?"
Sheogorath
"But you have many friends," Zalliah said, tracing his bicep with her fingertips. "That's good. You are so far away from Skyrim, and it is sad to be lonely. Even for great champions like yourself."
Sheogorath
Zalliah kissed Isidor lightly, and sighed. "You are so much different from the others in your group. So gentle. I hope they don't take advantage of you."
Sheogorath
Zalliah shook her head. "Trust me, I've lived here all my life. Everyone here is not nice. They've spread rumors about me, completely out of jealousy. I was too trusting ... I see that amount of trust in you. That Kratos man did not turn out to be a trustworthy teammate, did he?"
Sheogorath
"Oh, that's good," Zalliah smiled, relief on her face. "I heard about the guard he assaulted, and the other fights. I'm glad he's better. Yes, jealousy can be treacherous. It can destroy many a good man or woman. I hope you won't let it into your heart."
Sheogorath
"Oh, I didn't meant to lecture a man such as yourself," Zalliah giggled. "I wasn't even thinking of you. I was thinking of another, who has that problem of jealousy ..."
Sheogorath
"A boy," she said, taking a thoughtful sip of her wine. "If you must know, the ranger Goranthir. He's fearfully jealous of you, and your strength and experience. I don't want to worry you, but I would be careful around him. He means you no good."
Sheogorath
Zalliah grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry, but it is true, you don't know what he's said! I think he's insane!"
Sheogorath
Zalliah, left alone in the tavern, went quite mad.
She began by throwing her wine glass at the door when Isidor walked through it. That raised some eyebrows, but it did not satisfy her.
The guards were called as ran behind the bar, and began throwing all the glassware at all the patrons.
One of the guards held her, perhaps a little too lightly, mistaking her slim form as weak. She bit a chunk of out his hand, and escaped, running into the wilderness.
Witnesses could only say that she said as she left: "Nobody [censored] with the Harvest Princess!"
Sheogorath
Goranthir, his gray cloak flying out like wings of a great bird, leapt high over the fence of the arena, and joined the others.
"Sorry I'm late," he smiled.
Sheogorath
Before the breakdown
"I told you," Zalliah smiled sweetly. "Pure jealousy. People think it's easy to be pretty, but it's hard."
Sheogorath
Before the breakdown
"Been? With that boy?" Zalliah laughed. "No, no, I only spoke with him. He flirted with me, but I much prefer men ... like you ..."
Sheogorath
Before the breakdown
"What woman wouldn't?" Zalliah smiled, her eyes half-closed as she leaned in for a kiss. "Let me make you an offer you'd be a fool to refuse ..."
Sheogorath
Before the breakdown
Goranthir had never met this man before, but he had the trust of Loranna and Tris, and that was good enough.
He touched the page.
Sheogorath
Before the breakdown
And then ... the breakdown ...
End o' flashback.
Sheogorath
Goranthir's parents, King Reman and Queen Morgiah, beautiful and cold.
Loneliness in the palace, and in the streets beneath the gleaming spires of Firsthold.
Running away. Starving, assaulted in the slums of Elsweyr. Desparately sick in Black Marsh.
Helseth looking at him as if he were a new chess piece.
Goranthir pulled his hand away, shocked, embarrassed of his own story, horrified by the tragedies in his friends' lives. He stared at Nalion as if he had been invited into a trap.
Sheogorath
If there was anything in Goranthir's mind that said it was unseemly, unheroic, to hold Tris's hand during this, he was not aware of it. He was grateful for the warmth.
He couldn't help but look at each of the people who had touched the book in a different way. He thought he knew all their stories. He was wrong.
Not everything was bad, of course. Some tales were funny. Some were exciting, or erotic, or just peculiar. His head still buzzed with the images as he desperately tried to sort through them. It was like reading the contents of a library at one sitting.
"Now?" Goranthir asked. His voice was shaky.
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked at Isidor, knowing the conversation now that he had had with Zalliah, knowing how he had laughed at her when she tried to turn Isidor against him ...
Sheogorath
Summary
Goranthir is with the group in Loranna's study, still reeling from the effects of Nalion's book.
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked at Nalion: "Are the stones still recording our lives now? Or, when this is all over, will we return to this point, forgetting everything that transpires between now and then?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir walked into the arena, and then turned back to Tris.
"Why didn't you touch the book?" he whispered.
Sheogorath
"Okay," said Goranthir to his team. "Let us strategize ..."
He seemed more confident than before.
Sheogorath
Goranthir grinned. "Glad you're in, Reichi. You too, Loranna."
His eyes said he knew her now. She was no longer the Lady of Daruhn to him, and she noticed that he no longer bowed.
Sheogorath
"Illusionist, eh?" Goranthir said. "How are you with heal spells? Arynel was pretty effective running around invisibly, healing us when we needed it."
Sheogorath
"I know, I saw," said Goranthir, knowing that Isidor must have seen him too, flirting with her, and then fleeing like a coward when she was too aggressive. Too embarrassing. He put the thought out of his mind. "Front line fighting today, you think? You probably want to bash a few heads."
Sheogorath
"Raithen!" Goranthir called out. "Are you fighting?!"
Sheogorath
"Let's focus on the fight first, gentlemen," Goranthir smiled. "I'll buy the first drink for your reunion afterwards."
Sheogorath
"What would you know about washing?!" Goranthir called back, as he got into position next to Loranna and Raithen.
Sheogorath
Goranthir pointed his sword at the opposition and launched the Kynarine blast, a clear, nearly invisible force that blew over the battlefield like a shimmering wave. In practice, he had managed to get it to cover an area of thirty yards.
Now, it was forty yards across at the cone's widest.
Wow, he thought to himself.
Sheogorath
Goranthir was blind, however, from the reflection of Fernando's spell, and he felt panic welling up in him.
This is the darkness, where the creature Leseth lives, and the pale girl, who are coming ...
"No!" he cried, and used his belt to dispel the effects. It would only work on himself, he realized, as light and reason returned. He looked to the others to see if they were similarly effected. He might have to protect them all.
Sheogorath
With his strength and reflexes already enhanced by the enchantments on his clothing, and the new enchantments on him, Goranthir trembled, ready to fight. But he held back. He was defense again.
He watched the advancing group.
"How do we split them apart?" he whispered to Loranna.
Sheogorath
Goranthir began making an almost silent chirping noise in the back of his throat.
Something in the woods behind the advancing soldiers answered. The sound of buzzing and the beat of tiny wings.
If the soldiers turned around, they would see they were sparrows. Simple, every day little birds.
But there were a hundred of them, heading for the rear of the squad.
S'reddit
Goranthir takes Loranna's other hand for a moment.
'Sorry I didn't get in the way of that arrow,' he said, a little stiffly. 'First time, and last I hope.'
S'reddit
"I am just glad I looked at that book," Goranthir replied, unsmiling. "World-shaking crises are nothing new to you, but they are to me. I'm glad I'm with the company I'm in, or I would feel completely helpless."
S'reddit
Goranthir nodded, and smiled, but there was serious doubt in his eyes.
S'reddit
"I'll go to the wedding with you, Tris," Goranthir said, still not smiling. "I've never been to High Rock, though ... Is Daggerfall near Wayrest?"
S'reddit
Goranthir looked at Tris. 'That's good. I'd like to pay a call on my dear Aunt while we're in the neighborhood, and see what she has to say for herself.'
S'reddit
Goranthir finally smiled. It was his mother's smile, his grandmother's smile, his uncle's smile, and curiously enough, they had no blood in common, his aunt Elysana's smile. "I can guess. And I know what she did to you ... I should go get changed."
Goranthir left quickly, but Tris could see the determination in his eyes.
Sheogorath
Summary
Goranthir, very shaken like the rest of the group by the book of Nalion and the ending of the last arena battle, is in his room, composing a letter to his grandmother. Though he has tried not to tell too many people, any who placed their hands on Nalion's book know that he is the grandson of Queen Barenziah through her daughter Morgiah, Queen of Firsthold.
His last talk concerned his Aunt, Elysana, Queen of Wayrest, and his interest in "paying her a visit" while they're in High Rock.
Sheogorath
Razbiah brought out more food. It was good, simple, hearty food as usual, with just a hint more flavor that usual.
"This storm is something, ain't it?" she said as she cleared up the dishes. "Like something the Dam Dog brews up ..."
Sheogorath
The fishermen had pulled their boats in during the storm, dragging them up on land. Anyone who had their ship still in the tossing, churning waves would have to be suicidal, or desperate.
Llevian Rythos was decidedly not the former. He was being paid well, but he wondered how well his gold would be spent if he drowned. As he finally brought his skiff into the harbor, he turned to his passenger, who stood wrapped up in a dark cloak that whipped around her body in the cold storm.
"You owe me more for that," he said.
"If the day had turned out sunny and delightful, would I owe you less?" the Dunmer woman replied, ignoring his open hand, and stepping out of the boat onto the dock.
Sheogorath
"I remember you, I think," said the woman, coming closer. He had judged her by the shape of her figure, which was trim, and the silhouette of her face which was attractive if angular. On closer inspection, "pretty" was not how you'd describe her. There was no softness to her which "pretty" girls have. She was beautiful and fearsome, and soaking from the storm.
"Your name is ... Isidor, right?" asked the assassin Kethiah.
Sheogorath
"A very fine dry place, Dagon Fel," Kethiah nodded. "I'm on my way to the tavern before I drown."
Sheogorath
"You don't have to ask!" Kethiah said, sprinting ahead, a lithe figure cutting through the rain.
No one was in the tavern. The locals were all at home with their families, waiting out the storm. Even the tavernkeeper was downstairs with a bucket, as the wine cellar had begun flooding.
"It seems we have the place to ourselves," Kethiah said. "Tell me, is Tris Gaerington staying here, or at the castle?"
Sheogorath
Kethiah had not been smiling, mostly concerned with drying herself off with the tavernkeeper's towel, but the last remark brought out a rare smile. "You are a honest sort, aren't you? Tavernkeeper won't even know what we've had ... Brandy please. I need something to warm up."
Sheogorath
"Yes, always at work," Kethiah nodded. "I think he has information I could use for a job, but don't tell him that," She shivered as she took a sip of the brandy, and then winked. "I like to surprise 'em."
Sheogorath
"No, he's not the mark," Kethiah shivered again. "I've told Loranna before I wouldn't accept any assignment against one of her people."
She stood up. "I need to get out of these wet clothes."
The expression on her face was unreadable.
Sheogorath
Kethiah shook her head. "I'd prefer to stay here, a little more out of the way. I have dry clothes on me."
She opened up her wet robe to show it doubled as a carrying bag, with pockets lining it throughout.
"You're pretty soaked too," she said, heading for the stairs. "I think I have a big long tunic that should fit you. I know Nords don't get cold like we Dunmer do, but it can't be very nice sitting around in wet, clammy clothes."
Sheogorath
Kethiah looked at Isidor curiously, a long smile widening. She shook his hand. "It was a pleasure, Isidor."
And she meant it.
Sheogorath
Goranthir knocks on the doorframe and steps into the room. "Tell me what to do, Loranna."
Sheogorath
"I think that we could keep practicing and practicing and getting better and better, but we don't have time for that," Goranthir said, very seriously. "I think the time has come for us to ask Cyndarius for a couple basic strategies for working together, because when we're fighting -- and it's real -- our opponents aren't going to give us time to come up with a strategy and get into position. If each of us knows what our job is, very specifically, and we're told to do it, we will, and we will do it well. But trying to come up with a plan on the fly which will fit any situation is folly."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled widely at Tris. "I was just saying to the group that this method of making every mistake in the book, and then trying to do better next time, is too time consuming of a technique. We need three or four really solid battle plans, where each of us knows exactly what to do at the beginning, middle, and end of the fight. We can't improvise and guess anymore."
Sheogorath
Goranthir stopped, stared at Isidor, and then at Tris. He knew who Kethiah was from the book.
She was a killer.
Sheogorath
"Where is she now?"
Sheogorath
"If he's going, I am too," Goranthir said quickly. "Though I don't even know why he should go."
Sheogorath
Goranthir shook his head. Tris's smile made him feel better, and in truth, he knew from Nalion's book enough about Kethiah. If she wanted Tris dead, there would be no warning.
Goranthir followed his friend to the tavern.
Sheogorath
The storm still swept through the empty country road and streets of the village of Ald Raathim.
"Are you going to look for her in the Void?" Goranthir asked. He knew about it now, but he didn't understand it.
Sheogorath
Goranthir stared, surprised, and then said. "I've probably been acting differently, I know. It was just the shock of seeing ... so much ... The Void, your foot, the General, Ciel ... everything ..."
Goranthir shook the images out of his head. "I'm more than okay with you, Tris. You're still my hero. More than ever, because now I know how human you really are," he laughed. "And that's a compliment, by the way."
Sheogorath
"You're not broken," Goranthir said, a little sternly, wiping the wet hair from Tris's face to look him in the eyes. Tris looked very young suddenly to Goranthir. He was still four years older, but he didn't look it, not really, when his scars weren't visible. "And I'm glad you told me everything you did before, on the beach ..."
Then he grinned and blushed. "As for being too human around me ... Well, we can talk about that too ... It's nice, it's very nice to know, but ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed too, also blushing.
"I saw a lot, and a lot of it I don't understand, but I think you need to know that there's a difference between seeing what you've seen, and feeling the same about it. You're just going to have to trust me that nothing I've seen would make me hate you," He took a deep breath. "And I don't think you needed to read Nalion's book to know how I feel about you. Everything's changed, but nothing has either. I understand you better, and myself ..." He laughs. "About the same."
Sheogorath
"I won't tell anyone," Goranthir said simply. "I don't think I have the vocabulary to explain it, even if I wanted to. And I'll never be king. My father has children from his first wife, and they look Altmer ... The people will accept them. If I were crowned, there'd be a revolution."
They had reached the empty tavern. The tavernkeep was yet to finishing bailing out the cellar, and the interior was dark and still.
Sheogorath
She was easy to spot. A lone Dunmer woman, wrapped in furs, standing in front of the fire in her room.
Sheogorath
"Come in, Tris," Kethiah said, not smiling. "Do you need to dry off?"
She looked at Goranthir. "Or you?"
Goranthir looked to Tris, not sure. But his hand was on his sword.
Sheogorath
Kethiah held the fur around her, as she looked Goranthir and then Tris in the eyes.
"Where is Herwyn Brand?"
Sheogorath
Kethiah looked at Tris for a moment more, something that was not quite a stare, but was searching, analyzing.
"Well," she said casually. "I had to ask. Do you have a glass for me, or do I have to swig the brandy from the bottle?"
S'reddit
Summary
Goranthir, the young Dunmer/Altmer ranger, has returned from the tavern with Tris, and is now at the castle.
Kethiah, the Dunmer assassin, is back at the tavern.
Sheogorath
"Is it something we can volunteer for, or do we have to be selected?" Goranthir asked. "I want to be part of it, of course."
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled back. "Thank you. I hope they agree. Will you be going?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir frowns a little at Kratos's name, but keeps his thoughts on that to himself. Too much argument over the Ordinator had happened already.
"Loranna, Shaka, Raithen, Anya, Reichi, Ahjaar, Falco, Isidor ... Well, that'd be eight there. And a formidable eight without me."
Sheogorath
Kethiah stood on the stairwell, holding a candle, which gave her and her fur blanket a warm glow. "You must really like the rain."
Sheogorath
"I hope we'll find out a little bit before then, so we can solidify our plans," Goranthir grinned. "On a more pleasant subject, I heard you began work on Kynareth for me."
Sheogorath
"It has, and I'll be moving on when the storm clears," Kethiah said, stepping into the tavern, and pouring him a glass of mead. "You know, I should be a little cross with you, Isidor. I told you I wanted to surprise Tris, and an hour later, he's knocking on my bedroom door saying he heard I wanted to see him."
The Dunmer woman hands Isidor the mead with a smile.
Sheogorath
"He was helpful, he gave me a direction to go in my inquiries," Kethiah replied, taking a sip of her brandy. She touched Isidor's arm. "You are soaking wet."
Sheogorath
Kethiah smiled and left.
A moment later, she returned with a soft, dry fur blanket, such as the one she was wearing. She handed it to Isidor.
"I know Loranna through her late lover Jazbet," Kethiah's voice was quiet now. "He was a very good man, one of the best. Maybe too good for this world. And you? How do you know her? And how well?"
Sheogorath
"Here we are," Kethiah agreed. Her blanket slipped a moment, but she quickly recovered. There was just enough time to tell she wasn't wearing anything under it. "I'm sorry, Isidor, I didn't mean to shock you."
Sheogorath
"What do you think is the magic formula?" Goranthir asked. "Four melee fighters, two mages, two archers?"
Sheogorath
"I'm glad," she smiled, and reached into the folds of his fur blanket, touching his chest. "You're still soaking wet."
Sheogorath
She held back a moment, and then responded with surprising softness and gentleness for a woman whose job it was to kill people.
"You'll want to get those off and dry them out," she said, kissing his neck. "There's a fireplace in my room ..."
Sheogorath
"Well, you fight with the army you've got," Goranthir agreed. "Luckily, most of are pretty versatile."
Sheogorath
Kethiah looked at Isidor, and then to the window. The rain pattered against the glass.
She looked strangely vulnerable. He had thought her pretty at the docks before he had a closer look at her, but now Kethiah did look pretty.
"I'll be leaving soon too," she said. "I'll be in Wayrest. If you want to find me."
Sheogorath
"Forging is the right word," Goranthir replied. "We want plans that are simple but flexible, where each of us knows what we're supposed to do to support one another ... But right now, we're just trying to figure out what the perfect mix is. Tris thinks three mages, three warriors, and two archers."
Sheogorath
"Are you all right, Isidor?" Goranthir asked, concerned.
Sheogorath
"Can I help you, sera?" asked the guard, looking at the stranger, trying to categorize him. There were enough odd looking characters who turned out to be friend of the Lady, it was usually smart to be polite.
Sheogorath
"Thank you, Shaka, but I wouldn't want to go for that reason," Goranthir replied. He didn't say it, but he thought I'm their replacement? Were the Eight already drawn, and I missed it while we were at the tavern?.
Sheogorath
The guard reacted with nonchalance to the chase. He was used to Cyndarius's men, and much more.
Sheogorath
For an moment, almost subconsciously, Loranna smelled something familiar. A scent was in the air, something she knew well. Though her mind was otherwise occupied, part of her tried to identify it, as if guessing what flower was in bloom in the herb garden below, or what Razbiah might be cooking for dinner.
It was slightly musky, though, not a spice. Very pleasant, even sensual. A human smell, a chemical formula that triggers somewhere in between our senses. It was Jazbet.
The moment she identified the smell, it had dissipated.
Sheogorath
Goranthir grinned at Tris's words. That was what he believed too, with all his heart.
He looked at Loranna, wondering at her expression.
Sheogorath
Goranthir was staring into the mirror that hung across the dining room. He blinked once, the image was still there, twice, it disappeared.
Then he turned to Tris: "Oh, no."
Sheogorath
"Eyes," Goranthir said, swallowing hard. "Blue eyes, staring at me."
Sheogorath
"I don't know," Goranthir shook his head, and put his hand to his sword. "Nothing good."
Sheogorath
I know everything Cyndarius has planned before he does a familiar voice but with an unfamiliar tone echoed in her head. The advantages of knowing the future. He doesn't have a prayer.
Sheogorath
"Tris!" Goranthir pulled out his sword, and stared angrily at the wall. Then he turned his attention to the rest of the group.
Sheogorath
He passed a mirror and saw himself. Nothing unusual. Except he was a little thinner. A little more muscular, as if he had been exercising that body regularly. Well, that's good, Slyvos was looking better than he thought ...
It wasn't until he passed it that he realized that the figure in the mirror had no eyes.
Sheogorath
Razbiah, much thinner, much grayer, stepped in, with a platter in hand. She stared at the group, and then screamed, dropping the silver.
"Guards!"
Sheogorath
The cry of Winged Twilights filled the corridors.
Sheogorath
"I would say so," said Jazbet, coming down the stairs with a host of Azurites. "I would say so."
Sheogorath
Jazbet got an inkling of the future.
That book was very important.
The young Breton was going to try to escape out the kitchen entrance.
"Block the kitchen entrance!" he shouted to this guards.
Eventually the boy would tire.
He looked back down the group. "Oh, and kill all of them."
Sheogorath
People who knew Jazbet when he was alive knew he had a knack for prophesy. He had reassured Loranna that she wouldn't die, as she believed, on the birth of Sen-Yedda.
It was a trick of his that grew more important after he became an Azurite, and torn out his own eyes in despair at being tricked by Azura.
Before he died, his visions had become clearer. He could see the distant future, but he could also see the immediate future. He could dodge a blow before it was thrown at him ... sometimes.
Now, Jazbet was in full mastery of his powers. He knew what the adventurers were going to do as they did so, and guided his guards and Winged Twilights appropriately.
He easily avoided Cyndarius and Gruznob's charge, and sent his guards to attack them to their best advantage.
Sheogorath
"I'm going with you after Tris!" yelled Goranthir.
"Darling!" Jazbet called up the stairs. "We have visitors, and I think I have the right boy for you."
Kethiah appeared at the top of the stairs, in a suit of black armor. Her hair was long and lustrous, befitting the Lady of the Castle. In her hands were twin knives.
Jazbet pointed to Isidor. "I've seen his blood on your hands. Make it come true."
Kethiah rushed down the bannister with perfect balance and speed, her knives flashing.
Sheogorath
Kethiah leapt over the axe swing.
He didn't exactly feel the knives go into his back. They were too fine, but he felt numb, and he knew that he had been stabbed.
Sheogorath
Goranthir saw it and screamed as he ran at them. He couldn't use the Kynarine blast, but he could distract it.
Rats streamed up from the cellar. Some of them had blood on them already, for it was a dungeon again.
Sheogorath
Kethiah jumped again, and kicked Isidor in the face.
"You can't win, son," Jazbet chuckled. "But you should certainly try."
Sheogorath
The Winged Twilight tried to finish Tris, but the rats were too much of a nuisance. It finally turned on them, and Goranthir beheaded it.
"Tris," he called, running to his friend. "Are you all right?"
Sheogorath
There were more explosions in the distance.
Jazbet smiled. His battlemages and nightblades had reached the captain's warships. Now the army would be trapped between the castle and the sea.
Sheogorath
Kethiah dodged the spell gracefully.
"Don't hurt my wife," growled Jazbet, and signalled to his guards to begin firing arrows down the staircase at the group.
Sheogorath
"Shouldn't get the hell out of the --" Goranthir began, and then began sword fighting with the Azurite guards who streamed into the kitchen, so it took him a second to add "--Castle?"
Sheogorath
The Azurite archers focused their fire on Reichi.
Jazbet easily dodged the furniture, but seemed annoyed. "I really liked that chair!"
Sheogorath
The spell reflection should not have been much of a surprise.
Jazbet had anticipated this attack. As he had all the others.
"Don't I know you?" he asked Loranna, calmly.
Sheogorath
Jazbet chuckled. "I don't want to spoil the surprise, good captain."
He went back up the stairs.
S'reddit
Summary
Goranthir is with the group, wide-eyed, more amazed than afraid.
He didn't turn around to face Tris, but it was good to feel him closeby.
'If we succeed,' he said with confidence, mostly to himself. 'This will all go back to how it's supposed to be.'
S'reddit
Goranthir had slept, dreamless, and quietly woke up. At a touch, his clothing repaired and cleaned itself. He took a glass of water, and sipped it, thoughtfully.
"The strangest thoughts keep going in my head," Goranthir said out loud. "Tris and Loranna's group wasn't the only one to go to the Vaults of Gemin. I guess my group failed as well in this reality. I wonder if Helseth was killed. And Barenziah."
He didn't speak with any particular emotion, except wonderment. None of this was real, on any level.
S'reddit
A remarkable little girl, Goranthir thought.
"Yes." he nodded. "Let's ask the men who are doing the fighting what the situation is. For all we know, this is the safest place in Morrowind right now."
S'reddit
"If they're on their own, then, they're in trouble," Goranthir said, for the first time worry coming to his voice. "They may be the only ones near them who aren't Azurites ... Surely, if Azura won, she would have gone after Mournhold first ... And Helseth is already dying."
S'reddit
"We need information," Goranthir says quickly. "Do you still have your mirror? Is it back at the castle?"
S'reddit
'Well,' said Goranthir. 'This is the easier way ...'
He went over to Cyndarius's men, the ones who had been leading the siege and presumably knew what the situation was here and elsewhere. 'Corporal Durstan, what is happening in Mournhold and Firewatch, do you know? Have they been taken?'
S'reddit
Goranthir straightened his shoulders, and wiped the look of his face. Whatever it had been, he knew, it wasn't heroic.
Barenziah was in a worse situation than this. And she was alive, he knew that. She was tougher and more resourceful than the whole party put together, but ... she was likely alone ...
He had to go to her.
S'reddit
"I'm going," Goranthir said quietly. "I must go."
S'reddit
Goranthir stared at the wall for a moment.
Then he ran outside.
S'reddit
Buffeting by the rain, Goranthir called one of the parraptons. He didn't wait for it to land before jumping on its back. They flew eastward, fast.
Sheogorath
Some hours later, Karden and Menvris returned with Vn'keri'th. He had taken a turn in the bay, and had begun the flight back on his own.
He was riderless.
"The thief must have fallen off somewhere in the Inner Sea," Karden shrugged. "Drowned, I'd wager."
Sheogorath
Bosriel, the pale dark-haired little girl, the Void Vampire, was annoyed that Leseth had deprived her of the handsome young Breton.
Now she stalked a young child, a little girl, pulling gently on her doll through the Void with her telekinetic touch, so it fell on the stairs. She could reach her prey there ...
As she floated closer, she sensed other movement in the darkness.
Sheogorath
Firewatch was a beautiful city at peace. The Azurites got along very well with the other citizens, who were all also Azurites, and slaves of the Azurites.
The harbor was, of course, well-guarded, and nothing of the slightest suspicious nature was there.
The great palace was abuzz with the news that there had been several bodies of guards discovered hidden away in a closet.
The only other news of interest was that the Silt Strider that usually provided regular transport had gone missing.
Sheogorath
"What an absurd escape this is," Barenziah couldn't help but laugh at herself. It would have better to flee Firewatch by boat, but that was an impossibility.
None of this made the least bit of sense. She had no choice but to react, and then sort the pieces out later.
"Keep away from the cities, or you're dead," she told the pilot, tapping her dagger against his neck.
He nodded, and steered the silt strider between the arid plateaus of the north-eastern mainland.
Sheogorath
Barenziah's smile left her, as she embraced Tris.
"I don't even know where to begin asking questions," she shook her head. "I've pretty much resigned myself to the knowledge that, at long last, after all these years, I am in the arms of Sheogorath."
Sheogorath
Barenziah barely batted an eye. "I suspected something similar. Not the specifics of course, but it reminded of something that happened when I was Queen of Wayrest ... You were undoubtedly too young to remember, but there was a similar Warp. Except, in that case, we were the victors ..."
She took a deep breath. "Thank you for the news about Helseth and Goranthir. Now, what are we to do? The pilot tells me that the closest settlement which is not under Azurite influence is Tel Aedrin. Apparently, the Telvanni sorceror there has managed to hold his own, and I was going to appeal to him, but if you have another way ..."
Sheogorath
It was impossible to avoid people altogether between Firewatch and Tel Aedrin. The Silt Strider, though seemingly awkward and inelegant, covered the terrain very efficiently, passing by Azurite ranches and peasants, who stared in wonderment at it.
As night began to fall, they saw lights on the horizon.
"The army's got Tel Aedrin surrounded on all sides," the pilot said with a small brave smile for his boys. "Of course."
"Of course," agreed Barenziah, and cut the pilot's throat. She pulled up her hood, low so it covered her eyes. "Well, I walked through the streets of Firewatch without being noticed ..."
Sheogorath
Firewatch
Goranthir came up from the water, carefully, avoiding the fires, which was difficult as well-lit as the harbor was.
The Dreugh had help carry him until he hitched a ride under an Azurite warship heading eastward. It had travelled fast, but he could see all the shipwrecks at the bottom of the Inner Sea, and all the ships passing overhead, casting huge wakes. The Azurites had the nautical advantage, that much was clear.
At a touch, his cloak became dry. He was exhausted, but he began his walk through the city, towards the palace, keeping his hood down among the blue-eyed enemies, here, in the heart of their capitol.
Sheogorath
Barenziah gave Tris a long, lingering kiss before sliding off the back of the Silt Strider with a grace that belied her years.
She made her way through the camp, hiding in shadows, remembering all her old skills as a thief, long, long ago. Two guards could not be avoided, and had to be dispatched silently and efficiently. She did so without hesitation, hiding their bodies so they would not be found until hours later. Just as she had done when she suddenly found herself in a palace filled with Azurites.
It took the better part of three hours to make her way to Tel Aedrin, but when she arrived, she was let in without question.
She had slept with that old Telvanni once three hundred and nine years ago. He looked like he had put on weight since then, poor thing.
S'reddit
The Wrothgarian Mountains, High Rock
Elysana, Queen of Wayrest, was in her hidden castle, the one she had last occupied while her old palace in the city was being torn down and the Dome was being constructed. It was no great pleasure to flee her city, but it was a hopeless situation, and she understood necessity. Retreat was a tactic, same as any other. So was the forging of new alliances, even with old enemies.
The Queen of Wayrest and her council produced their maps, and began their discussion with King of Orsinium, Gortwog gro-Nagorm.
Firewatch, Morrowind
The situation was growing more dangerous. The Azurites, concerned about the murders in the palace and the Silt Strider that had evidently been hijacked, were searching the citizens, interrogating them for information. They did not suspect any outsiders or an act of espionage by Tel Aedrin to the south – it simply seemed like the acts of a madman.
Still, Goranthir was kept busy, avoiding the guards, trying to glean any information about Barenziah and Tris – who must surely arrived in Firewatch a day ago – and their wherebouts and well-being. So far, his search had not turned up anything, which, though frustrating, was a good sign. Surely if the Queen Mother had been captured or killed, there would have been word of it in the streets.
Still, he kept searching, exhausted, for they might need help ...
Sheogorath
Outside Firewatch
A herde of wild guar made their way through the high steppes of north-eastern mainland Morrowind, following the tracks of the hijacked Silt Strider, as they had been told to. They did not move very fast, but they moved with resolution and purpose, as they had been told to.
Across the back of the largest guar, an enormous brute twice the size of his cousins and the terror of many a villager, the young Dunmer ranger slept. He did not know if this path would take him to Barenziah or Tris, but he knew it was the only clue he had to their wherebouts.
Sheogorath
Goranthir had been dreaming of the world that never was. His grandmother clashing and forming alliances. Loranna as the Lady of Daruhn. The sky was clear of cloud and Twilight.
He was jostled awake by the sudden charge of the guar.
Still lying on his back, he was aware that a figure hung in the stormswept sky. Surely, he thought, the dream is continuing.
"Tris?" he said, sleepily, and then spoke to the guar, telling them to stop. This was a friend. "Have you found her?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled widely at the news, and then looked at Tris, trying to read his tone, as he slid off the back of the giant guar.
"You said to follow you if I could," Goranthir replied. "And I could, so I did. I didn't know what I'd find. I'm glad you two didn't need help, but you might've."
Sheogorath
"If my grandmother's safe, I'm ready to go," said Goranthir. "I got lucky on the way here ... It will take at least a day for me to get back to Ald Raathim, assuming I don't get caught ... Go on ahead: I'll be there as soon as I possibly can."
Sheogorath
Goranthir's tears felt like ice on his face as he ran westward. The guar were too slow. There was nothing here that would move faster than he could on his feet, at least nothing that answered his summons.
"It's happening now, and I'm not going to be there," he hissed angrily to himself. What made him angrier still: the knowledge that if he had to do it again, he would still leave to make sure that Tris and Barenziah were all right. The good of the few over the good of the many. Real smart, kid.
S'reddit
The Inner Sea, Morrowind
Goranthir, the young Dunmer/Altmer ranger, was traveling across the snow-swept sea on a Silt Strider. Ordinarily, of course, Silt Striders do not cross waterways, but Goran had a knack for speaking with animals, and, it seemed that the Inner Sea had many ridges that were not so deep. It could walk along these, and never be submerged. Encased in its carapace, the Stider did not even notice the cold, while the ranger was grateful his cloak could become warm fur at a touch,
It was still a roundabout path through the Sea, and Goranthir, alone, had no one to talk to but the Silt Strider.
It took some time to explain to the Silt Strider why the Azurites were bad. To the Strider, they were as annoying as any pilot it had had. More problematic was explaining to the creature, whose brain was quite large but whose sensibilities were not, why it was necessary for the Eight to succeed, and for Goranthir to be one of the Eight.
Sheogorath
Ald Raathim
The village belonged to the Azurites once again. Jazbet addressed them from the town square, congratulating them on holding out until the siege was lifted, as he had seen it would be. They huddled together, their breath coming out in mist, as they praised Azura to the highest.
Goranthir listened to the speech, his hood down. He knew his cloak was keeping his body warm, but there was a chill in his bones. Where had Cyndarius's men gone? Had the Eight been chosen? Where were all of his friends? Tris had promised to come back to him, but what if he could not?
There were too many questions, and Goranthir was grateful to be distracted by turmoil in the tavern. He followed the sound of the noise, and found Jazbet's guards looking over a bizarre symbol floating in the air in the main room. Eight swords, pointing at angles to one another ...
"What is it?" one of the Azurites was asking, touching it gingerly.
Goranthir had his suspicions.
Sheogorath
The Tavern, Ald Raathim
"Who's there?" the Azurite guard snarled, looking towards the stairs.
"I don't see nothing," his companion shrugged.
"I did."
The guard went to the stairs, and looked up into the shadows where Goranthir stood. The Chameleon spell was useful after all, the young ranger thought.
"What do you see?"
"Ah, it's nothing," the guard said. A couple mice, rummaging through the junk left behind by Cyndarius's men. "Let's go tell the master about the swords."
The guards left, and Goranthir was free to look at the strange gate up close.
Sheogorath
After recovering from the shock, Goranthir grabbed her, putting his hand gently on her mouth, glancing nervously at the door. "Shh. We are completely surrounded by Azurites ... What happened?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir shuddered at Diamond's howl. "Didn't you hear me? The Azurites have this place surrounded, you have to be qui --"
Sheogorath
"The Azurites were saying Cyndarius's army were heading west through the pass toward Cyrodiil," Goranthir whispered, his eyes on the door. "How is your stealth?"
Sheogorath
"You'll be all right," Goranthir smiled. "As long as you don't go looking for trouble and keep your head down so they can't see your eyes. The most dangerous places are on the edges of their territory ..."
He looked towards the Gate. What was he supposed to do? It looked like it'd cut him up ... Surely that's not part of the plan ...
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded quickly and stepped towards the gate. "You said there are only seven now. They need an Eighth."
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked wide-eyed. "I don't know what that means, splitting in Kynareth and entering Dibella ... I just know that the Gate only opened when you came out. Maybe only eight can enter ..."
He gave a nervous laugh. "I guess there's only one way to be sure. Follow me!"
The young ranger ran at the Gate, and with a shriek of sudden pain, was cut into pieces.
"What was that?" came a voice on the other side of the tavern door. "Somebody in there?"
Sheogorath
Pain, pain, pain, pain ...
"And I'm standing on a sword," Goranthir said. "Ow."
And then he saw the dragons.
"Ow."
Sheogorath
Actually it didn't hurt through his boots if he kept his balance ... which was a little tricky to do when your attention is not on the ground but on the dragons swooping through the sky.
ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow!
"Nice dragon."
Goranthir had never spoken to a dragon before. He didn't know if he could. He decided now would be a bad time to play around with it.
Anyhow, they didn't seem to notice him.
There was a gate ahead of him. More swords.
Oh give me a break, I get diced eight times?
Sheogorath
Akatosh
"Now," the dark-robed figure said, turning its hooded head towards Goranthir on the slender bridge. "You stand on the path; you have come a long way. Will you turn back, or will you make the payment that is required to pass the gate?"
Goranthir's eyes narrowed. "I'll make the payment. How much?"
"One eighth of your substance, ranger," the dark-robed figure said, inclining its hooded head towards Goranthir. "What the spheres gave to you as your spirit traveled inwards from the Outer Realms and took flesh, now you must give back, if you intend to leave the spheres of the divines."
Goranthir's eyes narrowed even more. "Okay."
"Then make your payment, and pass through the gate," the figure said, and bowed.
Goranthir leapt into the gate with another shriek, and gave up his Willpower. He wasn't using it anyhow.
Sheogorath
"Pardon me," Goranthir said, though it sounded all the world like ehehehehhhh. "I'm looking my companions who passed by here - whoa!"
He righted himself before falling. The wind was picking up.
Sheogorath
Goats who lost the battle and became goats who want to be eaten.
Goranthir's head swam. And then another blast of wind nearly took him over the edge. He grabbed Geiri's horns for support.
"Sorry," neighed Goranthir. "It's a bit windy here. I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to be doing other than catching up with my companions ... But why do you want to be eaten? How did you become goats?"
Sheogorath
"Very vexing," Goranthir bleated sympathetically. "Things are amiss all over. My home is also not following the rules. That's what my companions and I are trying to fix. I don't know how they passed through here with this wind, though ..."
He tried crawling on all fours. It was slow, but he felt fairly stable.
Sheogorath
"Would it?" the ranger smiled. "I don't see how that would help my problem at all ... You're pretty sure-footed. Maybe you could help guide me to the Gate?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir got shakily back up to his feet and took out his daikatana. It was no great pleasure to kill a creature out of mercy, but he had done it before. Tamriel is full of walking, wounded animals, begging to end the pain if you can hear them.
"If this is really what you want," Goranthir said with a sober errerrehhehhhheh. "Line up. I'm not going to go charging at you in this wind, on this narrow bridge ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laugh delightedly with the rough-housing, even if it was on a razor-sharp sword bridge, and thanked the shaman kindly for the gift of the ring.
"My second gift of Kynareth," Goranthir smiled, showing them his sword and the Kynarine blast.
"I should get to my companions though," he said, starting off toward the gate.
Sheogorath
Goranthir ran over the chasm, the wind roaring around him, twisting his cloak like a pair of wings. He saw the giant.
ow
And kept running past the mess of chairs, the crack in reality, and through the Gate.
"THIS STILL [CENSORED] HURTS!"
He gave up his Intelligence. That always tripped him up anyhow.
Sheogorath
Paradise
After he got over the agony, Goranthir smiled. Now this was nice.
He purred hello to the cats, and cawed to the birds as he ran forward.
And then it occured to him, quite suddenly, how hungry he was. It had been a long time since he had eaten. A day in fact. The fruit looked delicious.
Sheogorath
Goranthir fell on his butt. "Hello. So, the fruit's no good. You need an Eighth?"
Sheogorath
"Hello," Goranthir said as he came to the Gate. "I heard you needed an Eighth?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir just smiled. "Those gates are really, really painful."
Sheogorath
Update
Goranthir, the handsome young Altmer/Dunmer ranger is with the Eight about to leave the sphere of Dibella.
Sheogorath
Goranthir gritted his teeth this time, trying not to scream in front of his companions, but he still did as the sword ripped through him.
His personality, that which set him apart from the other Princes of Firsthold slipped from him into nothingness.
Sheogorath
Goranthir pushes the snakes aside to find the path. "Let's go."
S'reddit
"I think we would be best off," Goranthir said, hissing his apologies to the snakes he was pushing aside. "Doing our job quickly, and let them do theirs. We would only get in their way. And they are a little ... cranky."
S'reddit
Now Goranthir shuddered. "And the spirits, Deothur?" he whispered, moving forward against the nerves in his body that told him to turn back. "They are not evil?"
S'reddit
Goranthir nodded. He didn't like the way they stared -- mostly, it seemed, at him ... with those dead eyes ... but he stayed on the path.
S'reddit
Goranthir was glad Herwyn spoke. He was afraid his own voice might shake, but he stood with his companion.
S'reddit
Goranthir stared and then when he understood, he laughed uncomfortably. 'I am sorry, sir, but you are confused. I am not dead.'
S'reddit
"You'll be grateful you can only die twice," replied Gorathir with a confidence he did not feel, bringing his daikatana into position.
S'reddit
"No, rope's too dear for the likes of you," Goranthir's ebony daikatana slashed forth in a wave of blackness at the bandit ghost's midsection.
S'reddit
Goranthir was angry, and he didn't know why. All he knew was that he was no longer scared, and this was much better. It was enormously satisfying to watch his assailants melt before his blade, and see them then devoured by snakes. His armor enchantments on his cloak were soaking most of the damage he was dealt for now.
S'reddit
Goranthir's fun was over. He felt raw panic again. If he were not wearing the ring that kept him anchored he would have fallen already. "We asked them not to block our path three times, milord," he gasped, trying to get the ghost out of his mouth.
S'reddit
Goranthir was shaking. His dark flesh appeared gray, ashen, even as he watched the ghosts who were assaulting him slip away.
'We are trying,' he said hoarsely as he realized who it was, from Tris's stories in the book. 'To fix all this.'
S'reddit
Goranthir looked at the ghost: "I am glad to know someone who can save my life in his dreams. You are right, we should go. I look forward to meeting you ... in the flesh. "
S'reddit
Goranthir bowed to Ciel, and with a signal to the others, followed Herwyn.
S'reddit
Goranthir looked back at Tris and Ciel, and then went through. With a scream, he relinquished his Stamina ...
Sheogorath
Goranthir followed quickly behind. "Reminds me of Altmer architecture," he said, not meaning it to be a compliment. "Loranna, I'm sorry about what happened back there. I didn't know any other way to get that ghost to back off."
Sheogorath
"Well, I'll try not to make anyone else angry," Goranthir grinned, his voice turning to a whisper as they got closer to the orator.
Sheogorath
Goranthir was grateful for the lecture on heroism. He still desperately wanted to be one, but anticipated many, many more missteps.'
"The question is," Goranthir whispered. "How to get it in a polite way."
Sheogorath
"Teacher," said Goranthir, speaking in a low voice to the woman in the High Elven tongue and in Cyrodilic. "We need your help."
Sheogorath
"Perhaps she heard me," Goranthir said, looking towards her, hoping.
Sheogorath
"What kind of a teacher refuses to share with students who come begging for insight?" Goranthir said under his breath, and then he thought of his tutors on Summerset. I was the exact kind of pig-headed person this woman tried to help.
Sheogorath
"I'm feeling decidedly less pig-headed than her," Goranthir replied. "Imagine resolving never to move again as a testament to your ability to reach others. That's like eating the contents of a bakery to reward yourself for losing weight."
He followed Anya, preparing to pull her back if there was trouble.
Sheogorath
Goranthir helped pull Anya back onto the sword. "I surrendered my intelligence already too ... That may be what Julianos requires."
He looks to the group. "Has anyone still got their Intelligence?"
What an odd thing to ask he thought.
Sheogorath
"Try it," Goranthir suggested, squeezing Anya's hand.
Sheogorath
"Tell us what you did," Goranthir said, watching Herwyn plod forward.
Sheogorath
With his all his physical attributes except his stamina still intact, Goranthir knew that he wouldn't last any longer than Anya on the ground.
"Probably just as well," he muttered. "I was never very good with tutors. Ask Raithen."
Sheogorath
"Yeah," whispered Goranthir, with a wink. "That's what I would have said."
Sheogorath
Goranthir pretended to lose his balance, but as long as he had his ring on, he wouldn't.
Sheogorath
"Loranna," Goranthir whispered. "Heal his feet so he can return here quickly. I don't want this to turn into a mob like in Arkay ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir bowed to the orator and the crowd. Words wouldn't persuade them, but he should show them their due honor.
He waited for Herwyn before moving towards the next gate.
Sheogorath
Goranthir realized that he still hadn't eaten, and he could really go for some pie.
Sheogorath
OOC -- Rhedd did it first! And he's in punching distance!
Goranthir slipped into the gate ahead of the mob, feeling himself being shredded, and the speed -- good enough to get him from one end of Tamriel to the other in a year, good enough to get him from one end of Morrowind to the other in day -- slipped away from him.
Sheogorath
Summary
Goranthir, one of the Eight, is the son of King Reman and Queen Morgiah of Firsthold, nephew of King Helseth of Morrowind, and grandson of the legendary Queen Mother Barenziah. He is with the others, having left the sphere of Julianos. His worst experience so far has been in the sphere of Arkay, where the ghosts, for some reason, really took an active dislike for him.
S'reddit
Goranthir found that using the Kynarine blast from his sword in this atmosphere was particularly helpful at keeping the dreugh at bay. He swam after Doethur quickly, only pausing from time to time to level another blast.
S'reddit
Goran kissed Luxi on the forehead. He had eyes like a human now.
S'reddit
'Ald Raithim is in the hands of the Azurites,' Goranthir cried after them. 'You cannot face an army alone, tough as you are. You should go where your mother is.'
S'reddit
Goranthir instinctively fired his Kynarine blast at it, but it didn't slow down. He was after Deothur, as fast as he could swim.
S'reddit
The crushing pressure was so great that the blades slicing through him felt like an implosion, greater agony than ever. Goranthir screamed in pain as he felt his strength leave his body.
S'reddit
Goranthir, emerging from the Gate, still had his finely-wrought gray cloak, which he touched to give it a quick cleaning, but he did not look like himself one bit.
He looked like Tris.
'Let's go,' he said in Tris's voice.
S'reddit
'Is that who I look like?' Goranthir laughed, again with Tris's laugh. 'I thought I felt a little ... Breton.'
S'reddit
'Shouldn't you be looking more like Elysana?' Goranthir wondered aloud.
S'reddit
Goranthir lay on the path and laughed. 'That goddam hurt.'
He got up with a wink, 'Sorry. She's my aunt. Thought you could tak a joke, from all I've heard. I tell you what, I'll buy you something in the bazaar.'
S'reddit
'I tried to be nice, I even apologized,' Goranthir growled, a flicker of a golden sheen in his eyes, or Tris's eyes. 'I even tried to bribe you. Do not address me further in that tone, you have not earned the right.'
S'reddit
Goranthir turned to Deothur, and said, "Thank you," and smiled with Tris's smile at Herwyn.
"You a grumpy one. Good thing I didn't mention Doll. Shall we move on?"
He began down the path towards the carnaval. "I'll buy you a rose," he laughed.
S'reddit
'Come on, yell at me here if you must, but let's keep moving,' cried Goranthir from further down the road. He looked at the gold of the city with wonderment.
S'reddit
A fool is apparently anyone who doesn't consider a career with the despot of the west, murmured Goranthir under his breath, as he continued down the path. And anyhow, how dare he yell at me, miserable peasant.
S'reddit
'Yes, if you were my barmaid, I'd demand faster service,' Goranthir laughed Trisily.
S'reddit
'Can we keep anything we buy?' asked Goranthir, reaching into his purse.
S'reddit
'Pity,' said Goranthir, putting his hands in his pockets like the rest, and looking at Herwyn. 'I was going to buy you something to take back to Wayrest. I will have to come and visit instead.' He looked to Loranna and the old woman, 'We should keep moving.'
S'reddit
'Nothing here travels well, Deothur says,' Goranthir said quickly. 'I hate to agree with the Humorless One, but buyer beware.'
S'reddit
'She's a noble,' Goranthir said. 'Worst work there is. Come on, let's go.'
S'reddit
'Like working for a despot,' Goranthir agreed with a Trisian wink. 'Figuratively speaking, of course, my friend.'
S'reddit
Update
Goranthir, a Prince of Firsthold, is one of the Eight, seemingly reluctant to show his True Self, he is appearing now as his hero, Tris.
S'reddit
"What do you want for that?" Goranthir asked the flower seller, pointing to the most miserable, rotten rose.
S'reddit
"I like it," Goranthir smiled, knowing that the face of Tris would warm any heart. "If you value it so low, perhaps I could have it for free?"
S'reddit
Goranthir gave her all the gold he had on him, a thousand pieces. 'Is that enough?'
S'reddit
Goranthir leaned in, keeping his feet on the road, and kissed the girl. He turned to Herwyn, and handed it to him, 'I told you I'd find something for you.'
S'reddit
Goranthir shrugged, 'A gift is still a gift even if not accepted,' he said, quoting his grandmother on his father's side, of whom he hadn't thought in years. He continued down the road, rose in his pocket.
Sheogorath
"Where is that scrap heap you were talking of, Deothur?" Goranthir asked. "You said the people here throw away many valuable things?"
He smiled at Anya, clearly unaware that he was angering her.
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiles, and returned to the stalls. There was something he needed to have.
Sheogorath
"Not great," Goranthir whispered, not wanting to be heard by the group. "Have you ever met an [censored] who kept nagging you, and then you realized that he was right?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir sighed, "It's not important. I know what I have to do ..."
He began browsing through the wares. He knew they had to sell it somewhere, he just didn't know where.
Sheogorath
Goranthir had disappeared around the corner into the stands.
Sheogorath
Goranthir came back around from the stalls, looking frustrated (and, of course, looking exactly like Tris). He grinned when he saw Shaka. "Our new Eighth has arrived! Hail Shaka!"
Sheogorath
"The one thing I wanted they didn't have," Goranthir nodded. "Let's go."
He began the walk along the sword walk, hands in his pockets, still frustrated.
Sheogorath
Goranthir blushed and whispered in Deothur's ear what he was looking for.
"One man laughed at me," he said. "He said they didn't have it, because no one would buy it."
Sheogorath
"Thank you," Goranthir said, unwrapping the rags. It was a dessicated piece of roast meat of some kind, old and leathery, like military tack. Goranthir nibbled a bit of it. "How do I know if I'm using it incorrectly?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed, looking at Deothur and the rest of the companions.
"Goranthir," said a voice from down the path. Five gray-cloaked figures made their way towards the group. Psijics.
Sheogorath
"We are not native to anywhere," said the lead Psijic under a hood. The voice was neither male nor female.
Goranthir took another hard bite of the dried meat, and looked at the Psijics. He handed them his ebony daikatana.
"You gave me this, and said that someday I would be worthy of it," Goranthir said.
The lead Psijic spoke again. "And are you?"
Goranthir went to one knee, and the Psijic held the sword aloft.
Sheogorath
The Psijics together chanted a holy benediction, ancient when beast folk alone inhabited the mainland of Tamriel. It was beautiful and sad.
"You accept these responsibilities, and will heed our council?" the lead Psijic asked.
"I will, I swear," Goranthir said.
The Psijic placed the sword on Goranthir's head, and a crown appeared. As Goranthir rose, he didn't look like Tris anymore, but himself, only older. His hair was long. His face handsome, but marked by lines of worry. The Psijic gave Goranthir back his daikatana, and the five of them bowed to him.
"Your Majesty, King Goranthir," they said as one and vanished.
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded to all, a smile on his face which was warm but a little melancholy. He was taller now, and more muscular. His simple cloak and clothes were ornamented with the ancient symbols of the Altmer.
"Thank you for your patience," he said, in a voice that was his own, only deeper, in timber and wisdom. "We should continue on."
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded, and looked to the group. "I relinquished my speed. Only my agility and luck remain."
Sheogorath
Goranthir leapt into the blades, and felt the age of his new body. His new, older body heavier, more stiff, more awkward, as his agility slips away, all his much trained fighting skills forgotten.
Only his luck remained.
Sheogorath
There was but a twinkle in Goranthir's eyes. Yes, he was now a king. But he was also a 16-year-old boy, and this was a lot of naked flesh. But it was only a twinkle, not a blush, which would have been his normal reaction.
Then he turned to look at the sphere, to see how to progress through it the most stealthily.
Sheogorath
As they moved quickly, quietly forward, Goranthir whispered to Deothur, "Do all the creatures here answer to Stendarr? I could provide a distraction perhaps, but it would have the precise opposite effect if I merely drew their attention to us ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded, and invisibly began to call to the birds, seeking their friendship and their assistance, when the time was right. It was the same with all animals. He could not simply order them to do something they didn't want to do. But he had learned how to speak sweetly, and appeal to them.
Sheogorath
With his last breath, he called upon the birds he had befriended to try to distract the winged lions ... then his face went gray and slack ...
Sheogorath
Goranthir chuckled. He was thinking of his luck, the last ineffable quality of his that he had held onto until the very last gate. His luck, which was all it was that got him killed first, almost instantly in the park of Stendarr. It was good to let it go.
He looked over his companions with humor, noting their disparate forms.
As for his own appearance, he was still a king, as he had been ever since the coronation in Zenithar, complete with crown and ornate Altmeri symbols on his simple clothes. And he was still recognizably Goranthir, though his hair was long and drawn back in a thick braid. His skin was the golden color of his father's people, and his eyes the flashing red of his mother's.
"Ah, shopping," he said, looking to the smiths. "Well, let's discuss what we truly need. We don't have all the time in the world to decide," he said. "Shaka, Isidor, Reichi, Herwyn, Goranthir, Anya, Loranna, Slyvos ... Five warriors, an archer, a healer, a mage ... It seems to me we're well-suited on close-range combat, but might need some additional long distance capabilities and support."
Sheogorath
"If we had rings or other means to take care of our own basic defenses, shielding, reflecting, and dispelling magic for example, we would have a primary means to keep ourselves alive, while Loranna focuses on bolstering us, and taking the energy out of our foes."
Careful, old man, you're pontificating he said to himself. Though that's what kings do ...
Sheogorath
"Exactly, and while we fight together, we are not, despite all of our practices in the arena, a cohesive fighting unit, capable of shouting out new plans across the battlefield," Goranthir replies. "We should know that each of us is self-reliant, at least for a little while. Also, what I like about having each of having the means to reflect and dispel magic is that we can choose when to activate it, and get the benefit of your healing while stopping the enemy's attacks."
Sheogorath
"Or perhaps a little woad?" Goranthir laughed. "Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if some our enemies from the mythic past were completely starkers."
Sheogorath
"I'm sorry, Herwyn, of course. I've seen your magicka in action, I should've known," the King nodded, and smiled. "Four warriors, an archer, a healer, and two mages is a much better strategic combination, for certes."
Sheogorath
"You could have recognized me three sphere ago too well," the King chuckled deeply, embracing Tris. "How are you?"
Though his skin was golden and lined by age, he was Goranthir.
Sheogorath
"Like I said, you should've seen me three spheres ago," Goranthir laughed. It was not his normal boisterous laugh, of a carefree 16-year-old. It was the deep, warm chuckle of the seasoned veteran, the warrior at his peak, with many battles before him, and many more ahead. Tinged with sadness without despair. "Much to tell you, but what were you saying about the General?"
Sheogorath
"I was you," Goranthir ceased laughing, but still smiled sadly. "I don't know why. It was an image of a hero I suppose I had in my mind, which was an ideal, but not really me at my heart. I had to work a little harder than most to accept what my inner self was, since I've always been told that it would not be my fate. I needed to get something in Zenithar, which Deothur was sweet enough to find for me because no one there would sell it. Trust."
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed heartily, almost crying, and then he slapped Herwyn on his back. "And you were an amorphous curmudgeon, my friend, but we rise."
Sheogorath
Goranthir chuckled. "I'm glad you weren't there too, if that would be your reaction to a confused boy trying to find his way," He spoke of himself almost as if it were years ago, with affection and deep regret. "What am I now? I am a potential. The heir to two kingdoms."
Sheogorath
Goranthir's eyes looked at Tris, fine lines of worry and happiness creasing around their edges, and unspoken, he said "I know" to Tris's comment.
"Let us find someone with the freshest wounds then," the King said. "Someone who knows immediately what is chic amongst the warriors."
He turned from Tris, scanning the crowd.
Sheogorath
While they looked through the crowd, Goranthir also looked for a jeweler who could create some specific spellbound items he had in mind.
Sheogorath
"What makes their tactics particularly effective?" Goranthir asks.
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked to Sylvos. "Good thing you're here, friend."
Sheogorath
"Very nice," Goranthir laughed. "And very you. You should work on your battle cry, and complete the package."
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded. His brow wrinkled in worry, but his eyes remained calm. "They are confident."
He turned to the group. "I toyed around with a strategy before where I pretended to lose my heart and run. In the arena, of course, my opponents were my friends, and they didn't pursue me to try to finish me off. But the Warband anticipates our fear, our hopelessness, and we can use that."
Sheogorath
"In Alinor, in the time of my great grandfather, there was a siege on an impenetrable fortress, fueled by a similar powerful force deep within," Goranthir said dreamily, the sigils on his robe slightly glowing. "He sent in a scout with twenty rings of mark and recall. The scout was excellent, and managed to sneak into the heart of the castle where he set twenty marks. Then he returned to my grandfather, and my grandfather gave the twenty rings to his twenty greatest fighters. They recalled into the castle, took out the source of the power, and were victorious."
Sheogorath
While the group silently heard Goranthir's story, he snapped out of his reverie and said: "Besides the source of their power, the Warband is clearly composed of tactical geniuses, while we are only, alas, tactically very, very bright," he smiled. "Loranna, how are your Absorb Intelligence spells? It's a bit of dirty trick, but if we can get them to forget all the hundreds of battles they've won and the tricks they've mastered, that'd be awfully nice."
Sheogorath
"That's true," the King nodded his head. "And another thing that I thought of in the area of hexes and bolstering. You can bolster our strength, agility, speed, endurance, and exhaust yourself, but you could bolster something that I've learned recently is very important, perhaps the most important thing in a battle like this ... Luck."
Sheogorath
"Agreed," Goranthir said. "My point was that Luck affects everything, while Enhanced Speed or Enhanced Strength is localized. I think we should invest in that for one and all, for everyone to use just as trouble comes."
Sheogorath
"If we're fighting through a fortress," the King said. "It might be wise to have two Mark and Recall items each. That way, we can 'leap frog,' and always have an alternate escape route. Say, we're moving from point A to point D. We cast a Mark on A when we've secured it, and then move forward to B. Once B is secure, we cast a Mark there. Then we move to C, and remove our Mark from A. Now, if we get in trouble at D, we can retreat to C, and if we get in trouble there, we still have one more means of escape. And we don't have to retreat to the very start when we just need to get out of a sticky situation ... That makes sense to me ..."
He followed Anya to the jewelry shop. "How many Mark and Recall items do you have available? We would like the lot."
Sheogorath
"That would be perfect," Goranthir grinned. "Don't forget to find something for your flying friend. And make sure he remembers that if I'm fighting close to someone, he can breath fire on us both without fear of hurting me. My cloak takes care of that."
Sheogorath
Goranthir chuckled. "The only person who appreciated the scale was Isidor, and you told him not to be so pessimistic."
Sheogorath
"I should have thought of that," said Goranthir, annoyed with himself, a trace of the 16-year-old coming through.
So much for the wisdom of the Kings of Summerset ... But it is a good plan ...
Sheogorath
"I was thinking the same thing," Goranthir nods, turning back to the jeweler to check on the enchanted rings and amulets he had ordered.
Sheogorath
"The great trick, of course, is to make sure that your enemies can't see you, but your friends can. If Slyvos were to cast an area effect spell, and not realize that you were in the vicinity ..." Goranthir frowned. "Though I have certainly found invisibility to be a dangerous thing to deal with myself. Worth considering."
Sheogorath
"All warbands have saints?" Goranthir asked. "Including the Source?"
Sheogorath
"How long have they been victorious?" Goranthir asked, turning to the assembled ghosts. "We know about their necromancer, but not their other warriors, and their saint ..."
Sheogorath
"A saint of himself," Goranthir chuckled, looking at his hands, which like the rest of his body had the golden High Elf hue which was half of his birthright. "Yes, I know something of the Altmer pride ..."
The King thought for a moment on that.
"Do any animals live on the plain?"
Sheogorath
"And then there is the question of the flower," Goranthir nodded. "Is it for us to see the truth, or them?"
Sheogorath
"What else can you tell us about this saint?" Goranthir addressed the ghosts, looking particularly at the Redguard woman. "Does he participate in the fighting?"
Sheogorath
The Void
The smell of blood was in the air, and Bosriel, the pale little girl with the long dark hair, the red eyes and redder lips, the Void Vampire, supped where she could on the wounded, Azurite or Legionnaire. They were mortal enemies, but their blood tasted the same.
Sheogorath
Goranthir smiled. "How long is this list of yours?"
Sheogorath
"I think I'll see you again," said Goranthir seriously, his eyes showing the new trust he had, and with it the unspoken but clear message But I may not. He embraced Tris and left quickly to pick up the necessary items.
The King went around the group, passing each of them two rings and an amulet. "The first ring casts Mark and Recall, and heal at the same time. We will pick a spot to retreat to if need be. The second ring casts dispel, cure disease, and cure poison. The amulet casts a powerful shield spell. These should be your first line of defense. Even if you can cast some of these spells already, use these items first, and conserve your magicka for when it matters."
Sheogorath
"I'm sorry," Goranthir laughed loudly. "Shall we commit deicide now?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir took a deep breath. He didn't know if he was ready or not. But it was time.
The only other item he had bought for himself allowed him to summon forth bound weapons, in case he lost the ebony daikatana. But he was not going to do that.
"Yes," he said.
Sheogorath
Summary
Goranthir is one of the eight, once again a 16-year-old boy in enchanted ranger's clothing, holding his ebony daikatana.
He made a call of greeting to the beast.
Sheogorath
"Let's set our initial Marks here," said Goranthir. "So we can Recall far away if we're overwhelmed ... We'll reset the Marks when we get closer."
He continued to call to the beast in friendly tones.
Sheogorath
"No, no, friend, back to your meal, don't draw attention to us," Goranthir huffed back. "Please, or we'll be in danger."
His heart ached at the beast's expression. Some animals naturally looked mean, or scary, or sad, or funny, without being any of those things. This animal was what it looked like, that he knew.
Sheogorath
We are here to free them and all others who are trapped by the Necromancer in the castle Goranthir huffed back, translating for the others.
Sheogorath
Goranthir looks over briefly and rolls his eyes. "Sorry about that. I was obnoxious" before returning to talking to the Welwa, and translating its words to the others.
Sheogorath
The Void
In the dark places, where crumbled wall met crumbled floor, where stairwells had collapsed, trapping men alive, Bosriel, the Void Vampire, supped, bringing eternal rest to the wounded. She had not had such a good meal in months. Her hunger was growing, though, she was far from sated.
Sheogorath
At Sorrow
Goranthir shuddered, but they had been warned that the Source used the souls of the defeated to create their fortress. His imagination had conjured up something horrible, and it was, but in a strange way, it was almost a relief to see it. His Psijic tutors had often told him, "The mind is crueler than the eye."
Sheogorath
"There is more than one psychopath on the team," Goranthir said. "The Saint did not create this horror alone."
Sheogorath
Some arrows that might not have otherwise found their mark veered slightly, as if touched by an invisible hand, to strike the throat or chest of their targets.
The Azurites who fell, some of them still alive, spasmed and screamed, and died, pale and bloodless. Even for people enjoying the combat, it was a gruesome sight to see.
In the Void, blood fell like rain.
Sheogorath
Goranthir asks the Welwa with great sympathy how her warband was beaten. Did the Source come out of their castle for them?
Sheogorath
Goranthir translates this for the others. Bloody cowards he thought, angrily.
Sheogorath
"Of course, if we wanted to send them a message, Lotus could fly over the sphere and drop it down onto the fortress from a safe height," Goranthir said. "Gravity does seem to be similar here as on Nirn."
Sheogorath
Goranthir calmed the beast, telling her that Isidor didn't mean it.
Sheogorath
"We don't want them to come to their front door step, we want them to come here," Goranthir said, sounding somewhere between the enthusiasm of youth and the wisdom of the King. "Their bound souls act as a battery, drawing a bit off of all of them to power the field, but not enough from any one that they get used up. We plant the Trueflower, and then next to it this ring. They both grow into the field, both constantly casting their spells, trying to cancel out the other one. When they run out of charges, they start drawing from the bound souls ..."
"This won't bring the castle down in a minute, but it will start to weaken, and they will know that it is. Particularly when we send a few mocking messages through Lotus, telling them that their days are numbered, that we're bringing the whole fortress down around their ears. They have no choice but to come out and face us, because they will no longer be safe ..."
Sheogorath
"This plateau we're on will be good for the mages and the archers," Goranthir said, looking around. "Probably good to reset our Marks here, so we can retreat to higher ground if need be ..."
Goranthir makes huffing noises to the Welwa, asking about the rest of land surrounding the castle.
"There's a high rise on the other side," he said, interpreting.
Sheogorath
"Let's send our notes of mockery," Goranthir smiled, as Anya sent Lotus to fly over the fortress with several notes, telling the Source that their time on the Plains was coming to an end, to rain them down.
Sheogorath
"Good idea," said Goranthir, hacking off limbs of the Resist Tree with his ebony dai-katana, being careful to avoid the energy blasts, and tossing them to the ground.
Sheogorath
"Let's move around towards the higher ground," Goranthir said. "I don't like having this ebony wall behind us."
Sheogorath
"Anya," Goranthir said. "Ready your bow. Loranna, she's going to need some boosts to her marksmanship. We're not going to get more than one shot ..."
Sheogorath
"And let's move away from this wall towards the higher ground," Goranthir added. "There's an expression about 'having your back to the wall' which is very seldom a positive thing."
Sheogorath
"Remember," Goranthir said, as they moved to the higher ground. "One target is essential, and for him you will need one particular arrow ..."
Sheogorath
"There he is," Goranthir whispered to Anya, pulling out his sword to unleash the Kynarine blast. "When he's within range, you know what to do. Slyvos, are you ready?"
Sheogorath
"She's their hexer and buffer then?" Goranthir said, touching his Trueflower. "Aye, I see her. Well, let's make her an early target to make her team-mates easier."
Sheogorath
Goranthir fired the Kynarine effect after the arrow shot. He aimed low, to kick up a cloud of dirt into their faces, and to knock them off their feet.
Sheogorath
"Get behind the shields, Shaka!" Goranthir cried, doing that himself. "You're wasting your spells, and they might be reflected back!"
Sheogorath
Goranthir, his cloak resistant to fire, got between the fireballs and Deothur and Herwyn.
Sheogorath
"Someone give him your ring that cures poison!" Goranthir shouted, his cloak up, engulfed in flames. "Rings don't have any problem with concentration under fire!"
Sheogorath
"And then dispel and blindness before the arrow shot, we don't want them shielded," Goranthir added quickly, over the roar of the flames. "Who is this Mabrigash? Clearly they don't need a hexer and buffer ..."
Sheogorath
"He's okay now," Goranthir said, getting back behind the shields. "'Elammu Vando you said his name was, Slyvos?"
Sheogorath
"Nice fortress you have there!" Goranthir called back at them. "Pity its eating itself! A few more trees from us, and no more souls to patch it up, and you'll be without Sorrow!"
Sheogorath
"A fine woodsman!" Goranthir laughed back. "How many more seeds do you think we have after you're finished with that?!"
Sheogorath
Goranthir roared something over the shields, in the Senche-Raht's native tongue. He hoped he got the expression right. He heard it in Elsweyr, but he didn't know if it was true that the giant tigers regularly mated with their mothers. It was funny though.
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed and responded, asking them how many holes there were in their conjugal pen at the fortress.
"Leave them alone!" Goranthir yelled at his allies, with a wink. "Let them go back into their holey fortress, and then we can start bringing it down again!"
Sheogorath
Goranthir is a 16-year-old ranger again, though he has held something of his Kingly persona he picked up in the Spheres. He is taunting the Source of All Sorrow, telling them to go back in their castle so he and his friends can start pulling it down again.
Sheogorath
"Hey Slyvos," Goranthir whispered, chuckling a little despite himself. "See if you can make him mad to draw him towards us. We have to get him out in the open away from the sphere."
Sheogorath
"We don't chose any ground!" Goranthir called back. "Go back inside! We promise not to plant anymore trees and drain all your fortress away! Really! We're sorry! Your ability to defeat inanimate objects is without question!"
He laughed long and loud.
Sheogorath
"Wait until they go back inside before planting anymore!" Goranthir said to Herwyn loudly. "They are mighty against ... trees!"
Sheogorath
"I'm going to take a quick nap!" Goranthir laughed. "Tell me when they go back inside, and we'll continue our little seed sowing!"
Sheogorath
Goranthir fired his Kynarine effect at the fat Breton, and hissed to the others: "Dispel, blind, and then arrow!"
Sheogorath
"Stay behind the shields and be prepared for anything," Goranthir replied quickly.
Sheogorath
"Anya!" Goranthir yelled, his ring curing him of the poison, as he stumbled out of the way of the crashing Senche-Raht. "Now!"
Sheogorath
"Bravo, Anya!" Goranthir cried, leaping to knock the ohmes-raht from the battlecat. "Slyvos, talk to him --!"
Then he was struck with the Altmer's spell, and without his ring to dispel it, he just grinned at her. "Sorry about the crack about your son. Clearly, the two of you are close, but I think it's a beautiful thing, and it's silly of me to attribute anything salacious to the relationship. I say, this place is jolly pretty, if you look at it the right ways. The wailing souls are kind of ... restive ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir's rings helped him heal and resist the poison of the dagger, but still he reeled, happy to cured of the euphoria.
The only thing he had time to do was throw one of the Trueflower blooms to the Monk.
"You have doubts," Goranthir shouted. "And you know what this flower shows. Why not see your saint for who he truly is?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir was about to help the Velothi see the error his ways through his most regal wisdom, but -- perhaps a lingering effect of the Altmer's calming spell -- all he could think of was What good is it to be the God of a realm without pie?
Since this was a silly thought, and he was busy doing other stuff, he did not vocalize it.
Sheogorath
Goranthir tosses him another flower. "You already know what you'll see, don't you?"
Sheogorath
The Mabrigash had her back turned to them, casting the dispel at the fleeing saint. Maybe it was dirty fighting to attack her now, but Goranthir didn't care much.
He slashed at her with his ebony daikatana.
Sheogorath
All that were left were the Ohmes-Raht and the Bosmer archer. Both seemed to be well-taken care of ...
Goranthir turned to the Welwa pursuing the saint. The field was still up, though the castle was crumbling. Was she all right?
He howled after her.
Sheogorath
In the Void, a little girl with pale skin and dark hair, her face and gown spattered with blood, drank of the fountain that dripped from the palace into nothingness.
This man was beautiful, she thought, watching him.
Sheogorath
Goranthir wiped his eyes, and smiled. He had understood the Welwa's baying, and the triumph behind it, the long desired revenge, a victory that she had longed for ...
He too embraced Deothur, feeling every bit a child, and not at all a king.
Sheogorath
"Come on," said Goranthir. "We should hurry. We don't know what's happening in Tamriel right now. A hero may die before we reach Solunastra."
Sheogorath
Goranthir, almost to the gate, turned to Deothur. "I didn't think to ask for whom the Welwa was a saint. Do you know?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir laughed, and held her, saying to her, "I will speak to you too, and I hope you will be able to hear me."
"Thank you, saints," he said with a sigh, leaping into the gate.
Sheogorath
Goranthir did not say a word, but merely bowed. The place was overwhelming in its beauty.
Sheogorath
Ald Raathim
Jazbet looked into the future as he surveyed his domain. His empty eyes sought all possibilities, and he gasped.
A part of him that had not died rejoiced.
Sheogorath
"One part of all this ending is sad," said Goranthir sincerely. "In the new world, we will likely no longer be companions."
Sheogorath
I have heard so much about you sounded trite.
Wow, you're beautiful sounded idiotic.
Instead, the former king and ranger once again bowed and said, "Goranthir of Firsthold, at your service, my lady."
Sheogorath
Goranthir blushed deeply. Where is that kingliness I possessed before? he asked himself. I could really use it now.
Hearing Tris's name, he smiled. He had honestly been afraid that he would never see his friend again.
Sheogorath
After the experience of seeing his companions True Selves, often so different from what he or they expected them to be, Solin's casual appearance did not fool Goranthir.
"Goranthir of Firsthold at your service, sir," he said, bowing.
Sheogorath
The Void
She had been very unhappy when the heroes who were to activate the Eidolon and set her free had all died. But she had not dwelt on the tragedy, for as much as she desired freedom, her surface needs, her requirements for blood, kept it away.
For the first time in her thousands of years of unlife, Bosriel, the Void Vampire, was sated. She had drank deeply of the wounded in the battles throughout Tamriel. Yes, there had been many wars before, and during the conquests of Tiber Septim, she had come close, but somehow, finally, she had found peace from her endless hunger.
The Void was no longer a trap she could not escape. It was home.
Sheogorath
"Actually," Goranthir said. "I was thinking of my aunt. Herwyn's employer." The image of Tris being attacked in the Void by Leseth and Bosriel, ordered by Elysana, flashed in his mind. "Elysana has not been a friend of yours, and that is not likely to change soon, is it?"
Sheogorath
"He is a good man," Goranthir said very seriously, looking to Herwyn. "But good men can still be at odds. I hope and pray that if we are no longer companions, at least we won't be enemies. Barenziah is very persuasive and very cunning, but remember, in their power struggle years ago, when she was still very young, Elysana with no strong allies bested Barenziah, Helseth, and my mother. She is an ebony rock of determination."
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded. "Can you tell me, do you know what has happened since we've been gone? I know it shouldn't matter because we're going to change it all back, but when we left, they had just abandoned Ald Raathim, and there was trouble in Cyrodiil ... Well, I know that if some people die, even now, they will remain dead ... I guess I want to know, if you know if the others are still alive? Cyndarius? The others of Loranna's circle? My family? ... The Emperor?"
Sheogorath
Goranthir felt tears of gratitude well up, and he let them come. He trusted Allerleirauh would not see that as unbecoming of a hero. "Thank Nirni," he said low, and was surprised that such words had come to him. Somehow he had become devout, all of the sudden.
Sheogorath
Goranthir also burst into laughter, touching his face, which was barely dry from the Welwa's tongue. He told Allerleirauh of their adventures in the spheres, including the Welwa saint in the Battle of Sorrow. Somehow that creature had given him a faith that he had never felt from all his spiritual instructions in Summerset.
Sheogorath
"I believe what I can touch," said Goranthir simply. "When Deothur said you could speak to him, I suddenly desperately wanted to be able to talk to the Welwa again, after we were gone. She was kind and fierce in equal measures, all the aspects I love in humans and animals too ... An epiphany, I guess. My mother always said that spirtuality was for simpletons, and I guess that lesson I learned even if the other ones I resisted."
Sheogorath
Goranthir drank it, and then felt faint. "I don't know when I ate last," he said, stumbling a bit. Hunger and exhaustion had fallen on him in quick order. When had he eaten last? It was in Firewatch, he knew, but when was that? A day ago? A week? A year?
Sheogorath
Goranthir devoured the sweet flesh of the pear with gratitude, and took a seat in the soft grass. Almost in slow motion, he drifted back, his eyes growing heavy. "Wake me if ..."
The exact situation for which he would need to be roused was never expressed. He slept soundly, a handsome young man asleep in paradise.
Sheogorath
In Solunastra, if you looked under a shaded tree, you would find Goranthir asleep, dreamless on the soft grass.
Sheogorath
Goranthir had woken up a couple times, and then turned back over and gone back to sleep. It was sheer bliss that there was no one who needed him now.
Then he looked to the brook, and realized that as long as it had been since he slept, or ate, it was really long since he had a bath. Particularly if you didn't count being dragged behind an Azurite warship through the Inner Sea ...
He slipped into the waters, just a few degrees cooler than the air, enough to be truly refreshing without the slightest chill. The Prince floated on his back and listened to Slyvos's music.
Sheogorath
A howl of some great polar beast echoed over the snowy plain.
A sudden wind swept over them all, bringing with it a wave of snow.
Sheogorath
"Does he?" Goranthir cried, throwing his ebony daikatana, where the Kynarine wind blast originated, aside. He had dried himself off mostly with his cloak, but crystals had already formed in his hair from the left-over moisture.
He began belting Slyvos with snowballs, laughing, and roaring like beast.
Sheogorath
Goranthir tried to dodge, but slipped in the snow, landing on his owl.
Sheogorath
Goranthir tried to get up, failed, and fell down again. He was laughing too hard.
"So this is snow," he chuckled. "It's slippery stuff."
Sheogorath
The ball smacks Goranthir right in the head. He looks at her with snow melting down his face. "If I could stand up," he laughed. "You'd be in big trouble."
Sheogorath
Goranthir still couldn't stand up, but he could throw. He lobbed two snowballs at Anya's back.
"I'd certainly try!"
Sheogorath
Goranthir is one of the Eight, a 16-year-old Dunmer again, having a snowball fight in True Solunastra.
Sheogorath
Goranthir chirped to Lotus, and said, "No, he just decided that after weeks of being your target practice, turnabout was fair play."
Sheogorath
"There was a fireplace somewhere," Goranthir laughed, crawling on his belly towards the bridge. "I know I saw it ..."
Sheogorath
Goranthir was already at the bridge. He started to laugh at the explosion, but it seemed inappropriate ... They were about to reset the world. Hardly a laughing matter.
Sheogorath
"What's happened?" Goranthir asked quickly.
Sheogorath
Goranthir nodded. There was nothing more to say. He found himself praying to a goddess he had never heard of before yesterday.
Sheogorath
Ald Raathim
Jazbet's blind eyes saw him clearly, and he smiled. "The Dour Bard."
Kethiah, his wife, turned to him, narrowing her eyes. "What did you say? Did you see something?"
"Only victory," Jazbet smiled sadly, and turned back to his generals.
Sheogorath
The Void
Bosriel, the pale little dark-haired girl, the Void Vampire, had no more hunger. She had no more hope with the quest for the Eidolon abandoned.
There was nothing. And nothingness turns as it always does, to rage.
She was floating between the nothingness of the Imperial Palace, looking at the Azurites and the Imperials, battling it out, and she felt nothing but contempt for all. Hatred boiled over in her.
Her telekinetic touch reached out to hurt them. They would never know why they were being ripped apart, and she did not want their blood. She only wanted their death.
Sheogorath
The Wrothgarian Mountains, High Rock
The Azurites in High Rock had largely belonged to witches' covens, worshippers of the Daedra, but a surprising number had answered Azura's call. Gortwog had been alarmed to find many in Orsinium had. There was something in it that called out to the angry, the dispossessed, and there were plenty of those in his camp, he rationalized.
When they swept over his troops in a valley ambush, he knew he was in trouble. The Orc King was too much of a warrior born and bred to be paralyzed by fear: he embraced it, used its energy. But it was a doomed campaign, unless ...
The clarion call of Wayrest sounded forth and Queen Elysana's troops entered the battle. Gortwog could not help but laugh: That she-wolf has actually made good on her alliance, he thought, abandoning his plans for a strategic retreat.
Sheogorath
Tel Aedrin, Morrowind
It was, of course, only a matter of time before the Azurites' siege was successful. The Telvanni sorceror whose castle it was summoned many creatures to defend them, and had more spells defensive and offensive than any other wizard Barenziah had known. But defeat was inevitable.
She took a sword from the mantle, as she heard the echo of the gate giving way below.
The Queen Mother of Morrowind would not go without a final fight, she told herself.
Sheogorath
Goranthir looked at the faces of his companions, and wondered that they could be so calm. So many mistakes had been made by them during their trials through the Spheres. Was it inconceivable that Solin and Arynel had also made errors in this? Was that just too horrible to contemplate?
Trust he reminded himself, from the sphere of Zenithar. Trust
The young prince took a deep breath.
Sheogorath
Ald Raathim
"Tinel," Razbiah called to the footman. "Go and see how many are having breakfast this morning."
She returned to her cooking, adding just the faint kiss of spice into her bread, pudding, and roast.
"No one," Tinel said, returning.
"No one?" Razbiah started.
"Well, Kallen and the servants, but the mistress and the others guests are gone."
"No one tells me anything as usual," the cook shrugged, halving the recipe.
Sheogorath
Goranthir couldn't help it. Everyone got a hug and a kiss. Even Arynel, who didn't look like he went for that.
Sheogorath
Tel Aedrin
Kena Virmasir had told Barenziah's ambassador a week ago that he wouldn't have time to see her. When she appeared in his study quite suddenly, a day early, with a sword in her hand, he decided to rethink his schedule.
Sheogorath
"It would be great if everyone who knows what we did got together to celebrate," Goranthir said, and then laughed. "We can call it a wedding."
S'reddit
Goranthir grinned, 'Yes, let's stretch this out a little longer --' and then turned to the reunion on the shore. She was beautiful ...
S'reddit
Goranthir knew. He remembered that from the book of Nalion, that Doll had two suitors. He had even begun to tease Herwyn about it in Zenithar about it, after Herwyn had punched him. Now, he felt ashamed, and turned away, so not to look on them.
He was grateful Tris had distracted him, 'Yes, of course,' he turned to him.
S'reddit
'Tris,' Goranthir touched his friend's cheek. He seemed calmer now, more confident as if some of the King had remained. 'I was sincerely afraid I would never see you again.'
S'reddit
Goranthir watched Tris go, a slightly sad smile on his face, as if he needed to say more, but couldn't. This was not the right place, paradise.
'See you soon,' he shouted to the group, 'First drink's on me!'
And he vanished into the gate.
S'reddit
'How can I help you, my Lady?' Kallen asked, professional as always. 'I was misinformed that you were not in residence...'
S'reddit
Kallen breezes over an exhaustive list of minutiae, nothing terribly pressing, nothing he can't handle on his own, but a fair reminder that running a county is just as much work as saving the universe. He is most desirous to know whether Loranna intends to spend some of the gold she received from Barenziah on frontier forts as the Queen suggested.
S'reddit
Tel Aedrin
Barenziah started. She had sent for her Royal Guards, who were bewildered in Firewatch, to escort her, but they would not arrive 'til morning. On hearing her name, Barenziah had pulled out her dagger, and she did not lower it entirely when she replied, 'Indeed? Who are you?'
S'reddit
Kallen had several figures based on several scenarios, from little shack outposts which would hardly cost a thing, to massive, stone fortifications which would stand up to a siege. It was evident he was inclined towards erring on the side of security if there was the possibility of war. 'Of course, you could ask House Dres for additional funds for security,' he added, while showing the astronomical sum which would nearly deplete the surplus.
S'reddit
Barenziah put the knife down, and smiled warmly, 'I know, I felt it. Thank you. I am most proud of my grandson. And Tris Gaerington, is he safe too?'
S'reddit
Barenziah winced at the mention of Helseth, but then chuckled on Elysana's nam, 'They say a snake bit her once and died. Thank you, Mirea of Solunastra. Tris has a way of finding me, but to save him time, you might mention to him I'm going to Mournhold next.'
Sheogorath
Goranthir greeted all his friends warmly, but a group of Nordic shipwrights who had been alerted by the clarion call of the Imperials called him over.
"It's basically finished," said Jolman, the leader. "The earings is tight, but if you ease away and freshen the nip, she'll be a likely lass. I know yer in the middle a party, but when you have a moment --"
The boy couldn't wait. He yelled to the others: "I'll be right back!"
Goranthir and most of the shipwrights went down to the port to look at the ship, while Jolman stayed behind, catching Kallen.
They talked for a while diplomatically about issues related to the harbor, and the future of shipbuilding in Ald Raathim.
Sheogorath
Isidor saw a familiar figure in a dark cloak paying her bill with the tavernkeeper.
"Fine day," the tavernkeeper was saying.
"First day without rain," the woman replied. "Time to go."
Sheogorath
Kethiah turned and smiled. "Isidor. I thought you were leaving on some kind of a quest?"
With her head mostly under the cloak, he could imagine her as she had been as Lady of Ald Raathim with long hair and black armor.
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Kethiah sighed. "Come and walk with me to the harbor. I need to catch a ship."
She took his arm.
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It was a gorgeous sunny day, and the villagers were gathering about as usual, selling their wares.
"How well do you think you know me?" Kethiah asked.
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"I am fond of you, for what I know of you, but I don't love you," Kethiah said gently. "You can't love me without knowing me. You're being dishonest with me, whether you mean to be or not, and with yourself."
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"I would too, and I'm sorry I hurt you," Kethiah said, looking into his eyes. "There's one thing you should know about me, in getting to know me, I am very blunt. Unfortunately, now is not the good time to get to know one another. I still need to find that fellow I was asking Tris about, Herwyn Brand."
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Kethiah pulled back, staring at him, and then took his head in her hands and kissed him most decidedly not on the cheek.
The nearby Nordic shipwrights gave a few hoots as the kiss passed the one minute mark.
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"No," she said with a sly smile. "I have to talk to my employer. Where will you be in a week's time? Here?"
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"I like that you don't pout," she purred, kissing him again, but quicker this time. "No, I really can't stay. Tell Herwyn that I'll give him some time to have his celebration, but he should be back home in a week. And I'll see you in a week in Daggerfall, when you least expect it ..."
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Kallen was pulled into the preparations, though he did take a moment to tell Loranna that he had spoken to the Nordic shipwrights and the native fishermen, and she would be well served to include them in her plans for a new harbor and trade center. Both agree that there's room for both shipbuilding and fishing, but at the moment, things were too crowded, and both industries were being hurt.
Then he returned to helping arrange the festivities with his usual air of grace and efficiency.
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Razbiah stumbled around the group, glaring at them. They were certainly obstacles to getting this last minute feast done. Thianas was smiling though, creating a bewildering array of sweets for dessert.
Goranthir stepped into the kitchen, waving hello to one and all. The smile on his face was not as broad as it had been when he went down to see his ship, but it was still warm and genuine.
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"I'd love to show it to you," he smiled. "Just one part missing. Diamond's figurehead."
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ooc -- Absolutely, a blast. A bit hairy schedule-wise, like Allie said, but well worth it. I'm logging off now for the night (brother's birthday), but I had to post one little thing for Goranthir. You can assume he's with the group, drinking and slapping backs.
Goranthir stepped into the tavern. "Well, I went to Diamond's shop to see the figurehead. I guess you could call it breaking and entering," he smiled a little. "It's unfinished, but something about that is beautiful ... Anyhow, I'm going to put it on my ship, and when's she's better, she can take it back and finish it."
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OOC -- The Drunken Guar
Goranthir had participated in the dance, grabbing one of the barmaids into a fling that his Bosmer nursemaid had taught him. He had definitely had a few drinks and was unused to more wine than a glass with dinner.
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Goranthir looked drunker than he was, sweating from the dance. The little tavern could get pretty hot with too many people in it. He started for the door to get some air, and saw Tris.
"Did you see my boat on the docks?" he asked, grinning.
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"I was just going to look at her one more time to see if I could come up with a good name for her," Goranthir said. "Want to come and help?"
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They walked through the twilight town towards the docks, and Goranthir took a deep breath. The wine told him now was the time to talk.
"Tris," Goranthir said, smiling. "I wanted to get you alone to thank you for everything, and to talk. I know you touched Nalion's book, so if there's any doubt, you know that I love you. Hell, I practically worship you ... And I touched the book as well, so I know ..."
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Goranthir squeezed Tris's hand. They were now under the shadow of the enormous warship in the Ald Raathim harbor, the ship without a name.
"I want to be honest with you, and one of the gifts that I got in the spheres which hasn't gone away, is trust. Deothur found it in the garbage heaps of Zenithar, apparently no one there had much use for it," the prince smiled, and stopped walking. "I am glad I know what I do from the book, because I didn't even suspect before ... Tris, I would do anything for you, but I can't ..."
He took another deep breath: "I don't love you the same way. I just don't. There are girls I've seen I don't love, I don't even like, who I want to be with like that, but not you, whom I love more than anyone."
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Goranthir grabbed Tris into a hug. "No, I'm sorry, I don't want to make you sad," he said, tears running down his face. "I couldn't tell you before, because things were too horrible, and I didn't want to tell you now, because everything's so great. I just didn't want the world to start again without you knowing how I feel."
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Goranthir sniffed and pulled himself together. "I probably shouldn't have had so much to drink with something on my mind like that," he said with a smile that didn't touch his eyes.
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I would kiss you, but that wouldn't be enough. And I'd sooner kiss you, than knock your teeth in ... Goranthir didn't want to say anymore, even though the wine was telling him to keep the conversation going. Being only half-drunk, he knew better. He had said what he had to -- to belabor it would be stupid.
"The place for doing stupid things tonight seems to be the tavern," he said instead. "Do you want to go back?"
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Goranthir smiled. He didn't really want another drink right yet anyhow.
"I didn't know that when I commissioned it," Goranthir said, lowering the plank and stepping on board. "I didn't know anything about the Void then."
It was a work of art, the boat, even if not created by artists. The Nords had poured a lot of their ambition into it. It was more than something created for a wealthy client -- it was something for them to show others and themselves what they could do, besides patch up fishing skiffs.
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Goranthir chuckled, and this time the laughter did reach his eyes. "I will try to make sure that the last words I ever hear are you saying ' No, Goran, those tactics are completely wrong.' But I hope that won't be for a while."
"What do you think Herwyn will do now?" he added. "When I first met him, I assumed only a monster would work for Elysana, knowing what she is. But he isn't one at all."
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Goranthir saw that he was wrong to be flippant about his own death, not only from Tris's eyes when he said it, but also from his own heart when Tris, in turn was joking about his own death at the hands of Helwyn. It caused him to shiver.
"I also saw in the book that my grandmother was going to try to help the situation with Elysana," he said. "I don't know how, but I hope she does. It's terrible to think of one of the Eight becoming an enemy."
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Goranthir nodded, and touched the side of the boat. "I was thinking of calling her Akarvina. It's the reverse of Karvinasim, land creatures becoming creatures of the sea ..."
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Goranthir roared with laughter, and punched Tris lightly. "I'm sure there will some sea sickness, but 'Meff' is a terrible name for a ship."
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Goranthir grinned, and followed his friend back.
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Goranthir sits at a table with Tris and watches the drinking competition. He took another sip of his wine, one of the ones Tris brought from High Rock, savoring it. Redolent of violets and lavender. Of course, the other drinks were best drunk quickly and in abundance, but the educated palate ...
He fell asleep drunkenly at the table.
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Goranthir had gotten up early, feeling no pain as he had not had too much to drink the night before ... though he had passed out ... Apparently drinking copious amounts was something he had to work on to truly be a hero.
The figurehead of Kynareth was taken from Diamond's shop to be placed on the bowsprit of his ship, the Akarvina. It was fitting somehow. The beautiful artistry of the top of it, the Goddess's sleek, wind-buffeted hair and fierce expression, one hand pointed out ahead, and the other clutching at her robes, to the unfinished base, as if she were emerging from the wood.
Then the young princeling ranger wandered up to the castle to see who was awake for the christening.
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"The thing about Razbiah's cooking," Goranthir said, taking one for himself, and making sure the cook wasn't around to hear. "They don't taste fantastic, even now, but you feel great afterwards. It's not a showy culinary magic she possesses, but it's magic nevertheless. You know that she's having a romance with the pastry chef, don't you?"
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"I think that was a woman in love," Goranthir laughed. "I have it on good authority they are shortly to ask Loranna for permission to wed."
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Goranthir blushed. "Um, not really. I mean, there are many beautiful women around, but ... I don't know ... Obviously, there were more important matters to deal with before ..."
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"Maybe," Goranthir smiled, turning back to his food. Love was not something he knew much about.
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"Thanks, Isidor," Goranthir said. "I mean it. The thing is that -- it's not all up to me who I choose. There is a possibility, however slim, that I may become a king someday. And if it comes down to it, I may have to marry to seal an alliance for the good of all, not for my own personal preferences ..."
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"I ran off too," Goranthir laughed. "By the way, thanks for taking care of me last night, you two. I dimly remember being carried out of the bar after my third glass of wine."
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Goranthir grinned. "Yes! I even hired an Altmer from the Mages Guild to give it a blessing."
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"Yes," said Goranthir seriously. "It needs to be blessed, and I have to take it on a short trip to introduce it to the spirits of the sea."
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"The fortifications would protect the money, though, wouldn't they?" said Goranthir.
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Goranthir sighed. "This is not how I wanted the morning of my ship's christening to be. But maybe it is best to clear old grievances."
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"That doesn't matter," Goranthir said cooly. "A murderer should be punished, despite noble aspects of other parts of his life. So, for that matter, should a thief, particularly one who has been forgiven multiple times, despite being correct in an argument or two. I could see Loranna forgiving Falco because of his sacrifices during the recent battles, but forgiveness cannot last indefinitely."
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"I agree," Goranthir said. "But it is up to the authority of the Lady of Ald Raathim. Some kings I know prefer duels to lengthy trials."
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"An insult to Isidor's pride is still an insult whether there was alcohol or truth involved," Goranthir said. "He has the right, if the Lady of Ald Raathim permits it, to duel over that. The criminal matter of Falco's thievery is a separate matter. There is no allowance for burglary with a grounds in drunkeness as far as I know."
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"The Nords would disagree, and so would some of the Altmer," Goranthir said, smiling a little despite himself. "The Gods would not permit the wronged party to win the duel. If Isidor's cause is just, he will win; if Falco's insult has more truth to it, he will ... I do not subscribe to this belief, but it exists ..."
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"Loranna," said Goranthir. "Shall I call Dram?"
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"What is Isidor's crime?" Goranthir wondered. "I'm sorry, Loranna, I don't mean to question you, but he was insulted, and maybe he shouldn't have been, but that does not seem like it should be a crime."
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Magister Ryllil from the Mages Guild had in fact been standing there, quietly, waiting.
Goranthir stood up on seeing him and bowed. "Kena Ryllil, sorry to keep you."
The old Altmer tut-tutted. "Not at all, young sir. Had nothing better to do anyhow. Quiet day at the Guild. Where is this blessed ship of yours, anyhow?"
"In the harbor."
"Well, that's a good place for it," Ryllil smiled. "Shall we get the ceremony started?"
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"A fine vessel," Ryllil said on seeing Goranthir's ship at the docks. "What is her name?"
"The Akarvina."
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"No," Goranthir whispered, pointing it out on the bowsprit. "I like it unfinished. She can finish it when she comes back."
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A good sized crowd had gathered at the dock. Fishermen going about their work, but curious at the sight. Villagers with no other entertainment. A large crew of Nords that Goranthir had hired. A beautiful day of blue skies and white clouds.
Ryllil closed his eyes and raised his hands. The seabirds took to flight as they sensed the surge of energy falling on the harbor before it was visually apparently. A golden light rose between the old Altmer, Goranthir, and the ship, which then passed through each person in the crowd. It was a gentle touch, like a kiss.
He began to chant in Aldmeris, and Goranthir began singing along as well. He knew these christening ceremonies well, though this was his first boat.
"To what ancestral spirit do you dedicate this craft?" Ryllil asked in song.
"Onialle," Goranthir sang back.
Witnesses would swear that they saw, for a brief moment, the shining golden image of a young girl, Goranthir's cousin, appear on the deck of the ship. It was just an instant, a blink of the eye, and she was gone.
"Introduce Akarvina to the spirits of the water so they will know and welcome her," said Ryllil, climbing on board. Goranthir followed, together with the crew. He called back to the crowd. "Friends, all aboard if you wish. We'll just be gone for an hour or two."
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"Not lucky, rich," Goranthir laughed. "You are welcome to sail with me anytime, Isidor. You know your way around a ship?"
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"To Gnisis and back?" Goranthir grinned. "What do you think?"
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"It does have wings, actually," Goranthir laughed, pointing down the side of the ship. Many of the Nords had gone below deck, and now oars had appeared along the sides. "Even with Kynareth's blessing, it should go twice the speed of a comparable ship of its size."
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"Well, perhaps we should limit our trip to a cruise along the coast," Goranthir smiled. "No use alarming people we don't know with the sudden appearance of a strange warship. Speaking of which --"
He called to the crew: "Unfurl the flags!"
Three flags: House Dres, the Royal Flag of Morrowind, and the Royal Flag of Firsthold were unfurled, each on equal standing.
The ship went fast, very fast. It was like riding a giant. The forecastle was tall, sixty feet above the water.
Sprayed by wind, sun, and water, the group spent an hour and a half flying through the sea, while Ryllil chanted to the sea spirits, and then they returned home.
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Another ship appeared on the horizon as they moved back towards the port. It was a smaller ship, marked with the flag of House Dres and Bodrom Mora.
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Dres Vendama, wrapped in a cloak to fend off the chill of the wind, waved to those aboard the Akarvina, but her voice couldn't be heard.
Goranthir's boat sailed into harbor through the passage in the mangroves just north of the town, and Vendama's boat followed it in a few minutes later.
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Goranthir's face was flushed from excitement. "Thank you! You have to come along for the next trip out to sea."
Vendama disembarked a few minutes later with a small retinue of servants. "Beastly manners, not telling anyone I was coming, but it couldn't be helped," she smiled. Her hair was swept by the wind, and she did nothing to correct it.
She took it upon herself to meet those she had not met before, and to embrace those she had.
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"It's been too long," said Vendama, kissing him on the cheek. "I thought you were going to come visit me in Bodrom Mora sometime."
She greeted Isidor and Anya warmly.
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"Lady Loranna always finds the handsomest men to occupy her castle, I don't know how she does it," Vendama smiled, and then turned to give Loranna a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
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"I'm passing through on the way to Mournhold," she said. "I was in Blacklight when I heard the news, so I didn't have time to send word. I hope there's some place in the tavern or the castle for me to spend the night."
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"Oh, I thought you knew, Loranna, darling, you must get better spies in court at least," Vendama laughed. "Helseth is recovered. He's not well yet, but he's awake and alert."
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"The healers didn't even expect him to live," Vendama said. "They were all telling Barenziah to prepare his funeral arrangements, but she would have none of it as if she knew despite all their wisdom that he would recover. It's most peculiar, but --"
She stopped when she saw Goranthir. "Oh, hello, Prince Goranthir, I didn't know you were here."
Goranthir bowed.
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"Yes, long live the King," said Vendama without conviction.
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Vendama was impressed. "Next time I'm going to give you even less notice," she laughed. "Maybe I'll just sneak in through a window."
She bows to the company and retires to her room with her servants.
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Uenas Ayrrhe's Shop, Ald Raathim
Tucked away down an alley off the main street of the village was a little shop with no sign, with a door that was perpetually locked. Knocking on the door brings forth a servant boy to deal with the riff raff. If you are known, you're brought in to Uenas Ayrrhe, one of the finest tailors in western Morrowind.
He had the rest of Goranthir's wardrobe ready to go.
The ranger looked over the formal clothes -- the plum-colored surcoat, the matching short cape which was the fashion in High Rock at the moment particularly.
"You're going to an event?" asked the tailor, always interested in gossip.
"A wedding," said Goranthir.
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Vendama's own gown was red, bright red as her eyes, designed with filigrees of silver to catch the candlelight and lend it a glow. The neckline was deep, and the waist was clinched to show off her figure to an advantage, but it was an elegant gown and she wore it well.
"So which of the men are available, and which are taken?" she smiles, narrowing her eyes.
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