Dark, depraved, deceptive, degenerate, dismal, despicable, deplorable. He alliterated.

All these words describe the Dark Brotherhood. It's not so much that they openly accept all of societies outcasts, but that they indoctrinate them into becoming these words as well.

He lit a Hackle-Lo as he wandered around outside, and let the anger subside. He'd lost much to this ancient foe. He didn't want to feel hate for anything in life. It consumed you and killed you from the inside out, making you into a mockery of the very things you once stood for. Yet, he could not keep himself from hating this enemy.

He studied them, hunted them, killed them. He knew more about them than he did the Morag Tong. It many ways they maintained an admirable level of secrecy within their organization. In others their 'religion' was dedicated to nothing but cruelty and the worst that mortals had to offer.

Even then, my feelings serve as entertainment for Mephala. He knew and cursed her twisted ways at times.

At others he could see how she 'threaded the needle with the hairs of wives.' Found solutions to an impasse through deceit and trickery. His very perspective on deception being neutral, it merely depended upon the way it was used stemmed largely from that. He couldn't necessarily fault her. She was the very aspect itself. Blameless as Nocturnal was for being the darkness.

He centered himself and let the calm return, he was no good to anyone going off half-cocked and was more a danger to himself.

He re-entered the Inn and walked slowly back to the room.

Nordic style? I thought I might try an instrument made in Hammerfell, and you've given me incentive to find one.” He re-entered into.

He stared at the tusk in her hand and looked at Abiene, then back at it. She became flushed with red.

"Instrument? There's no ho---oooooohhhhhh." He said, his eyes becoming wider with his sound of realization. Didn't Serene have one those as well?

Eyja had on the bawdiest grin he'd seen her make, and Abiene seemed to blush even more.

"Perhaps, I should leave and come again?" He asked with a straight face to Abiene.

This post has been edited by Black Hand: Aug 11 2013, 11:07 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja caught the look Seth gave Abiene and elbowed her. "If you get a better offer and default on your deal with me, you'll have to compensate me for the time I spent thinking about it. And don't think I'll give you privacy free either."

She grinned at Seth. "And now I know Dunmer can blush."

Eyja held up the coffee pot to tempt Seth into staying, then set it on the fire to warm.

She nodded her head to Abiene. "Just be glad you didn't try to explain to Maxical what it is really for, we'd be here the next month and she'd still have no clue."

She held the pot up to Abiene and filled a cup for her at her nod, then poured a cup for Seth and herself and sat down at the table.

"We need to firm up our plan of action."




*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 13 2013, 04:18 PM

Seth’s eyes widened as he identified Abiene’s treasure. “Perhaps, I should leave and come again?” he asked with a straight face to Abiene.

Abiene thought her cheeks might actually catch fire. “Oh, there’s no need for all of that in and out,” she replied, failing to match his composure. Do NOT suggest using the back door. She couldn’t help but laugh at the situation.

Eyja offered some coffee and a bawdy remark.

Abiene returned her grin, still blushing. She reached up and stashed the cracked tusk in a lectern high on the shelves. “I’d consider getting it repaired, but I don’t want to explain how I broke it.”

“We need to firm up our plan of action,” Eyja declared.

Abiene retrieved writing supplies and sat down at the table.

*

Eyja:

"Abiene; the first thing you need to do is get those letters written, let's get them out as quickly as possible and so the trap is baited. Another thing I need to know is if you pick up your potions on your own or ask the Proprietor to get them for you. Either way I'll need you to write a note for the Proprietor saying you have commissioned me to access them in your stead temporarily. I don't intend to be caught taking it, but like to have my butt covered just in case. If Seth finds poison in the sample I bring, you'll need to make him a list of who knows about that stash of potions."


*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 12 2013, 02:30 AM

Abiene got busy with ink and quill. “I get the potions myself,” she said. “They’re in the back room on the ground floor. I just walk in and call up to Seed-Neeus that it’s me, her shop is on the second floor. Here’s a note explaining that you’re acting on my behalf.” She pushed the parchment across the table. “I don’t have a key, but she’s always there.

“I’m writing to the shopkeepers I frequent as well as the tavern owners so they might pass the word along to anyone who might be looking for me. Also Athragar at the Mages Guild, Orag at the chapel, Captain Bittneld, and Nermus the Mooch. He actually gets his mail.”

She put down her quill and blew across the page. “Before you ask, if we find that the potions are contaminated, the person who made them is not to blame. Remember that name you said to gain my attention?” She gave Eyja raised eyebrows. “That’s who made those potions. He might poison me with his cooking, but never on purpose.”

*

Eyja:

Eyja nodded at Abiene's words. "As I said before, it was very unlikely to be the person making the potions, and your saying that confirms it for me. But think of who else knows anything about these potions just in case they are tainted."

She turned to Seth. "If you will be here to protect Abiene, I'll go fetch that sample now. Let me have the messages for the Mages Guild and Chapel too. As long as I'm going that way I can deliver them faster than the inn would, and be much more visable and vocal when I do."

At Seth's nod she took the notes from Abiene and cast chameleon, then hurried out the back door.



*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 12 2013, 08:17 PM

*

Maxical:

Maxical's attempts to walk with more sophistication than her usual mannish stomping worked well on the stairs where she had the rail to hold; but when she reached the bottom of the stairs there was a lage gap to walk even to reach the bar where she had nothing to hold onto.

She paused there trying to assume a regal stance as she surveyed the room, but the truth was that she was waiting for the dizziness to clear before stepping over to the bar where she would have a handhold.

When the timing seemed right she stepped across toward the bar, but hadn't gotten two steps when a man pushed by her and then stopped in her way. Maxical lurched to a stop and wavered, falling against him. He grabbed her arms to steady her.

"Had a little too much to drink there, Miss?"

"Mitts off, you lecherous filth! Unhand me!" Maxical pulled herself free and staggered to the bar, almost falling onto a stool.

"Looks like you've had enough, Miss. Can't serve you any more. Why don't you get a room and sleep it off."

"I'm not drunk! I don't even drink alcohol! That man slung me around trying to grab me. He's the one you need to stop serving..." She ground to a halt at his expression.

"If you don't drink, then what are you doing bellied up to the bar?"

"I wanted to hear the bard, he is very good."

"If you sit here, you have to order something."

"But you just said you wouldn't serve me!"

The man behind the bar aimed his thumb at the door and hiked it once.

"Geez, make up your mind. I thought bartenders were supposed to be friendly. Er...can I run a tab? I don't have my funds with me, they are in my room."

"Talk to Riad about that, he's the one that approves running on tic."

"Fetch him then. I can't get up, my ankle twisted when that lech accosted me. Tell him it is the girl that rented the suite."

The bartender returned quickly with a different attitude. "What would you like to drink, it's on the house."

"That's more like it. Do you have any fruit juice? I'd ask for milk, but it gives me gas."

Maxical turned on the stool and began eyeing the other patrons. A tall Nord danced his way over to her stool and tried to take her hand to pull her up and dance with him.

"I'm Silus the Brawler. Come on, let's dance!"

"I'm Maxical the Castrator. Keep your hands to yourself or you'll learn how I got the name."



*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 12 2013, 05:55 AM

Seth sat in the silence to which he was accustomed. In his mental picturing of the situation Eyja would handle the messaging, and as Maxical rested upstairs he could keep watch over the two of them. He silently was grateful for it. Having lost too many women in his own experience, he'd become particularly protective of the female portion of the population. He didn't know if it qualified as a 'complex' as Serene and her cursed head healing called it, or if it was just normal.

Weren't men supposed to protect women anyways? He figured. He was just a little more adamant about it than most were admittedly. Just because he'd killed and beaten a few men to death that abused or threatened the fairer sex didn't mean he had a problem.

Well. There was the incident when one of his writs brought him alongside a Hlaalu councillor and Athynae had just so happened to have been brought there. Normally he would have questioned the mark, as it was part of the instructions, but the fact that he had put her in danger...it ended up with him hanging from the wall behind him with a dagger through his throat and his toes just a hair or two off the floor.

He absentmindedly took out his reserve weapon; a silver dagger by sight, it was actually an ancestral family dagger of the Othril Dunmer Clan that he'd acquired in Mournhold. Despite it's ceremonial purpose and look, it was actually superior in craftsmanship to it's more generic counterpart. He grabbed a whetstone and began to sharpen it.

The hissing seemed to unnerve Abiene whom he'd inadvertently been ignoring. He paused suddenly, and realized she had been involuntarily flinching with each stroke.

"Oh...apologies. Just a habit." He said, picking up the dagger, inadvertently pointing it at her causing another flinch.

"Gods. How about I just put it away?" He chuckled returning it to it's sheathe.


"That spell you did to restore your magicka during Maxical's procedure...was that what I thought it was?" He continued. "I've heard of it, though never seen it. Replacing ones mana with ones vital essence..." He paused for a sip of coffee.

"...impressive, but very foolish." His eyes displayed no hostility, though he seemed concerned. "Kind of the opposite of what we're trying to do here...you have the perfect personal qualities for your profession. But, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing."

He paused as he considered his words.

"I'm sorry. I'm patronizing you. I'm just...concerned." He shook his head.

"I've no idea what you think of me, nor do I particularly care; in the least negative way." He said gesturing with an open palm. "But, you've seen what I can do. I've done it too much, and it is far easier for me to do it than I care to admit."

"But, sometimes...it is the only way. It is easy to label things: 'good' 'bad' 'neutral'. I think of it as the spells one casts. A flame spell may save a life in the barren cold, it may burn a virtuous person to death. It depends on the heart of the one who holds that power at the moment."

He paused and looked at her with a serious expression.

"Back there, when Eyja had Earana dead to rights...I told her I was at her service. I extend that courtesy to you as well. Now that I have my faculties back from my...reaction...I can say it with a clear mind and conscience."

"This Hand..." He showed her the black netch leather that covered it, and was a symbol of his profession. "..is Black: It means hidden in shadow. Dirt from shame. Dried blood. Innocence lost. It bears the burdens others cannot, and does what is necessary, regardless of personal cost." He explained the philosophy.

"This Hand is Black,....and it is yours. An extension of your will, a tool to be used."

"And don't refuse the offer because of some personal virtue that blinds you to the realities of the world, anymore than you should make use out of it from anger. When it is clear to both your mind and your heart that this thing need be done....then it is proper." He finished.

*

Maxical:


Silus drew his hand back quickly, but proceeded to pound her on the back with it. "From the Arena, right? You're that white Khajiit with the tail! I've seen you fight! Never looked at a dagger the same since you made that goring your signature, and almost tossed my lunch when you beheaded that guy."

"Me too." Maxical grimaced.

Silus pounded his chest and dropped onto the stool beside her.

"Fighters Guild. You should join! They have plenty of work here in Chorrol, Vilena Donton runs it and won't let her sons that joined pick their nose without sending one of us in first to see it's safe for them. She's always on the lookout for another real fighter to do the work so her boys can take all the credit."

"Well you've made it sound so tempting, how can I resist?"

"It's not that bad. Well truthfully, yes it is; but the work isn't bad if you've got the stones for it. You do. Talk to Modryn Oreyn if you go, let him smooth your way in with Vilena. She's not big on pretty women fighters, afraid her boy's heads will be turned around in a dangerous cave or something. She needs to look closer at them if she's worried, neither one is in the petticoat line if you know what I mean."

Maxical nodded. "I've heard of Modryn before...seen him once, but I can't remember where."

"You gave him a ring. I got one from you too." He pulled a chain from under his cuirass and showed it to Maxical.

"I remember now, he had the..." Maxical swiped her hand over her head from front to back.

"Mohawk. That's him. He's seen you fight too, even said he'd like to have you...er, better not repeat that, he may not have meant in his Guild, haha."

Maxical laughed. "He invited me to come see his artwork sometime."

Silus grinned. "Then forget I said it."

Maxical turned toward Silas. "Fighters Guild jobs ever take you into the sewers below the city? There's a lot of dirty doings going on down there. Between the Chorrol guard and your Guild, why hasn't it been cleaned up?"

Silus shook his head and shrugged. "We go where we're paid to go. No one's hired us to clear the sewers."

"It's your city, you live there. You want that kind of thing going on under your nose? Doesn't look good for your Guild that you'd walk by necromancers because you weren't paid to kill them."






***


A small Dunmer boy interrupted her before Silus could answer. "Excuse me, Miss? Someone gave me this bottle of wine, said it's a gift for the healer for curing them."

Maxical took the wine and thanked him. "Wait, let me find some Septims to tip you with...did you get the name of who sent it?" She pulled her pack off and started digging.

"No Miss. They didn't give a name."

Maxical paused in her digging. "What did they look like?" She started digging again.

"Couldn't tell, Miss. Their hood was pulled down over their face."

"Were they in robes?"

The boy nodded. "Black robe or a greatcloak, couldn't tell which in the dark." He rubbed his fingers together and Maxical understood he was indicating expensive cloth.

"Man or woman?"

He shrugged. "Their voice was low."

"Low like a man's, or low quiet?"

"Both."

Maxical wedged a box containing the board game "Capture the Ogre" out of her pack and lay it on the bar, then dug beneath it.

"Hear you go, dear." She lay five Septims in his hand. His eyes popped, but he stuck them in his pocket quickly. He stared interestedly at the game.

"You know how to play this? I'll play a game with you."

He nodded. "I'd like that."

"My name is Maxical, what is yours?"

"Lleris."

"Well come play with me then, Lleris. We'll sit at a table."

Maxical elbowed Silus. "I can't walk well, help me get to that table." She pointed.

Silus waved a friend of his over. "Let's play teams, you and Lleris against me and my friend."






***


He and his friend helped Maxical to the table. Maxical sat beside Lleris giving him tips. People began to crowd around the table calling out for whichever team they were rooting for, betting and loud laughter breaking out with each new deck dealt.

Lleris was in a high gig playing, his eyes lit up with excitement. The Proprietor Bograk stopped by several times to watch his excitement, beaming as if she'd squeezed him from her loins herself.

Maxical scanned the crowds around the table for anyone in a dark robe or greatcloak the whole time. There were several in each, but only two were hooded. Neither joined the group around the board game.

Moans and cheers went up when Lleris drew the card that would capture the Ogre. He moved his peg down the last row of holes into the home base and jumped up with his hands raised in victory and shouted; "We captured the Ogre!"

Maxical pounded her chest at Lleris in salute. "Good game, partner!"

When the cheering and booing died down and gold stopped being exchanged for the bets; Maxical tied up the deck of cards and gathered up the pegs.

"We'd better stop now, but I'll play with you again before we leave here. You are great at this game, Lleris."

He hurried off to find Bograk. Maxical reached behind her and grabbed her pack, then noticed the tie-down over the top was loosened. She looked inside. The bottle of wine Lleris had delivered had been on top. It was gone now.



*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 13 2013, 12:18 AM

Abiene sat with Seth in comfortable silence. Though his eyes seemed to view some internal landscape she had no concern that his attention might wander. A dangerous life such as his was not forgiving of daydreamers.

Her own thoughts turned away from the letters she had written and toward the ones she had not.

Her Papa would want to whisk her away from this threat and back home to her family’s stifling embrace. Perhaps abandoning her work and absenting herself from Chorrol might end her enemy’s hateful campaign. Or they might simply follow her to Leyawiin. Either way the life she had chosen would be over at someone’s unknown whim. That was unacceptable.

Darnand’s help would be invaluable if she could reach him, but the way was not through Imperial mail. He had not responded to the crystal ball. There was no telling where he was or what he was doing. She would keep trying but not count on help from that quarter.

Lildereth. Abiene reluctantly sorted through her conflicting emotions. The elf was most likely acquainted with this type of poison though she delivered hers on the points of arrows. Abiene loved her friend as she did her own sister. Her heart knew that Lildereth felt the same. Yet such closeness bred envy along with affection. Abiene searched for doubt and found none, but she was still troubled by a pragmatic whisper. If I died he would turn to you.

Finally she faced the mess of love, regrets, and hurt that occupied the center of her heart. Somehow she got through most days managing to ignore it. Those cutting words came back, as crushing now as the moment they were spoken. ‘You weaken me, Abiene. I can’t have that.’

Forgiveness did not mean forgetting. Would some spiteful urge keep her from reaching out, risking herself and those who were protecting her just to return some past injury? She wasn’t sure she could sink to such pettiness. Just thinking it was possible was frightening enough. But it didn’t matter now. The only way to contact him was through Darnand.

Seth’s blade hissing on a whetstone sliced through her scattered calm. As he put the dagger away he chuckled, not so much at her flinching as at his own actions. She smiled back, grateful for the moment of warmth between them.

“That spell you did to restore your magicka during Maxical's procedure...was that what I thought it was?” Seth asked. He continued to speak, demonstrating that he did know what she had done as well as what it could cost her.

Abiene replied when he paused, responding to his concern with simple honesty.

“The mage who taught me that spell regretted it immediately. He tried to secure my promise that I would never use it, only giving me peace when I demanded the same of him. Of course he also refused. Now we hold each other silently accountable, knowing that if one of us goes too far the other will carry the burden of guilt for not somehow preventing it. You know the power of holding a life in your hands, and how quickly that can lead to arrogance. What I begin out of the quality that drives me to heal could be my end if I let pride take control.”

She considered her words carefully. “I don’t presume to know you, and I hope my words don’t cause offense. While you may stand in shadow, to me you are a light. A hope that I might survive what alone I could not. And though I may appear to be all virtue, there’s a self-serving darkness in me that for once I don’t want to hide. You who are risking all should see it.”

Abiene reached out and lightly touched Seth’s glove.

“Killing leaves its mark just as surely as loving and being loved. You offer me your Hand and take on this burden. Know that I accept with gratitude and weigh the cost in my heart. It’s true that I’ve long had the luxury of hiding my eyes while others shield me. Now my eyes are open. It is my hope that we might resolve this threat in a way that allows redemption. But you’ve prepared me to face what must be done with courage, if it comes to that.”

She gave a rueful smile. “At least that’s what I’ll keep telling myself. By all the gods I hope it turns out to be true.”

Abiene wondered if she reminded him of someone. She couldn’t imagine that she had earned such support on her own. Perhaps someone now grown, or once loved but lost. Seth had mentioned his orphanage, and there was a hint of Colovian in his voice to those familiar enough with the Dunmer rasp to hear beyond it. Even if he was from Chorrol she doubted he knew of her work at the orphanage there.

She gave her head a little shake at her own foolishness. You’re an open book, remember? Besides, it’s not for you to ask why.

Abiene picked up her coffee, refocusing her attention.

“Speaking of the cost, it’s occurred to me that we might all end up in the same pile of bones. Or worse, all raised to some foul purpose. My friend Darnand has some connection to the efforts against necromancy here in Cyrodiil. He is somewhat torn between Meridia and Arkay, but he works for the Mages Guild. Do you suppose the necromancer and Dark Brotherhood evidence in Maxical’s kidnapping is in any way connected to the attack on me? My natural end would be a source of great sorrow to him but raised from death I would become bait that he couldn’t ignore. I just bring this up as another possibility. I haven’t given up the notion that someone could simply want to kill me.”

*

Maxical:

Maxical leaned her back against the wall and scanned the crowd for anyone carrying a bottle. There were too many to count. Those in the black robes and greatcloaks could have one hidden in the folds of cloth.

She tried to remember anyone that had been near enough her to get into her pack, but the crowd around them had been so close they had jostled each other. All focus had been on the game for most. Hers had been on the aloof figures in black robes or greatcloaks plus the game. It could have been anyone. Maybe the poisoner chickened out and took it back.

Her gaze had rested too long on one man, he made his way over to her with a sloppy grin and weaving as he walked.

"You ... hic ... looking for shome fun?"

Maxical glared at him. "If I was, you're blocking my view of it."

He leaned across the table and breathed his words into her face with a wheedling tone. "Don't be ... hic ... like that. I can show you a good ... hic ... time."

"I can show you the worst time you've ever had if you don't leave me alone. The gods gave you a hand, and it can't smell your breath. Go use it before I get you out of my face the hard way."

"Aw come on. Jusht dansh wi me, pretty kitty..." He reached a wavering hand out toward her.

Maxical caught Silus's eye across the room and saw him starting to make his way over to her table. In one smooth gesture she flipped her hand, unsheathing and extending the claw on her middle finger. She held it up to him.

"This is the Khajiit Castrator. Dare touch me, and there will be nothing left for your hand to find; you'll be peeing through a tube in your stomach."

Silus's hand dropped hard on the man's shoulder and spun him around. "You need to find someone else to bother." His massive Nord fist crashed into the man's jaw, sending him stumbling back.

Maxical nodded her thanks to Silus and went back to scanning the crowds.


*




This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 13 2013, 09:56 PM

"...though I may appear to be all virtue, there’s a self-serving darkness in me that for once I don’t want to hide. You who are risking all should see it.”

"That's just called the will to live. It is in all things." Seth said quietly.

"I risk everything, everyday. I could die by some twist of fate Sheogorath dreamt up. Though...I had someone once say to me, that evil triumphed when people did nothing. I spoke those words to her before she passed." His eyes trailed to where her urn would be in his room.

"She said: 'You're right.'" He ended, perhaps some heaviness entered into his voice.

"It is my hope that we might resolve this threat in a way that allows redemption."

As do I. I can't live in a world where I thought it impossible.

“Speaking of the cost, it’s occurred to me that we might all end up in the same pile of bones. Or worse, all raised to some foul purpose. My friend Darnand has some connection to the efforts against necromancy here in Cyrodiil. He is somewhat torn between Meridia and Arkay, but he works for the Mages Guild. Do you suppose the necromancer and Dark Brotherhood evidence in Maxical’s kidnapping is in any way connected to the attack on me? My natural end would be a source of great sorrow to him but raised from death I would become bait that he couldn’t ignore. I just bring this up as another possibility. I haven’t given up the notion that someone could simply want to kill me.”

"It does not seem to be simply coincidence to me, no. The Dark Brotherhood has always been a refuge for the outcasts of all circles. dark mages, ruthless murderers, necromancers, vampires..." He recounted from his mental encyclopedia.

"I've studied them for decades. I know how they operate and this is a classic method. What the goal is, remains out of my grasp. Though I don't doubt it will become clearer sooner or later...and I don't doubt it will be disturbing."

"But, it will be simpler than what we presume, most likely."

"That, and these...Altmer of indeterminate gender popping up at least twice." Sethyas stroked his chin in thought.

"Perhaps I should check on Maxical, see how she is recuperating."

*

Eyja:

Eyja dispelled her chameleon and donned her low cut top and short skirt after getting well away from the south gate. She delivered the other messages first, going straight to the Mages Guild and giving a very disgruntled Teekeeus the hurried note from Abiene.

His eyebrows plastered down in a frown. "You! You are not a member of the Mages Guild, what business have you walking in this door?" He blocked her from going any further.

"Your healer Abiene has sent this note to explain. My ward is ill, and she stays with me to heal her."

Only one of his eyebrows shot up, then when it lowered the other one raised. "What does this mean, she is caring for only one patient when we have a city to cure?"

Eyja paused. She had just been through town and heard nothing about illness. "Is there an epidemic?"

He looked away. "Not to speak of, but people are ill; require her services."

Eyja was sure he was lying. "Who? List their names and I will bring it to her."

Teekeeus tried to intimidate her by shouting. "List their names! This is Mages Guild business, you don't even belong in here! I will list their names to Abiene, when she decides to come back to work."

Eyja shook her head at him. "In other words, no one has required her services. Well, I was going to help you out with something I thought you could use, but since you have treated me so ill maybe it is best I give it to Earana. She was always interested in power."

"Earana! That lying witch, you can't believe anything she says! She's trouble! Eh, what power?"

"Ayleid power, the forces of nature. Kiss me, and I'll tell you."

"Eh, how do I know you have anything? This could be some farce perpetrated by that traitor Earana."

"Earana wants this as badly as you will, maybe more. I'd say she'd be willing to kill or die to have it. It is a book called 'Fingers of the Mountain.'"

"What? It exists? Does she know you have it? This is unacceptable! That book needs to be in the safe-keeping of the Guild! I trust that you would do the right thing."

"You have to do the right thing first."

"For the sake of the Guild, I ... "

"Not there." Eyja pushed him away from her face and lifted her skirt. "Here! Kiss my ass, BWAAHAA!"

She hurried out, leaving him fuming.


*




This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 14 2013, 06:42 PM

*

Maxical:

Silus leaned over the table, lowering his voice; which wasn't saying much. Nords tend to be loud even when they try to be quiet; like Khajiit trying to whisper.

"Why don't you tell me what you are really doing here? You're not drinking, don't want to dance or be romanced. You've been watching the crowd all night. What are you looking for?"

"Something I didn't find."

"What were you doing, checking to see if your beau was cheating on you?"

"Bwaahaa! No. Looking to see who stole that wine bottle Lleris gave me for my friend. Someone took it while we were playing 'Capture the Ogre'. You didn't happen to see who was around me, did you? Like someone in a dark robe or greatcloak?"

Silus shook his head. "There were lots around you, don't recall any greatcloaks or mages."

"When we got done playing, my pack was open and the bottle gone. I hope that is all they took. I think I'd better go back to my room and empty it out, check what is there to be sure."

"Well at least let me walk you to your room." Silus's big Nord voice boomed out.

As much as Maxical wouldn't have minded the protection of Silus walking her to the back of the inn, his loud voice would draw Eyja to the window and she'd ring a peal over her as soon as she got her inside. Best go alone.

"Well thank you, but I'll be all right. And thank you for helping me out tonight, I had a good time."

Silus helped her up and gave her his arm as far as the bottom of the stairs. "Sure you'll be able to walk?"

"I'll be fine. Thanks again, Silus." Maxical nodded, and tugged him down to kiss his cheek.

"Oh, that's not good."

"What?"

"Kiss on the cheek. Friends only, huh?"

"Look at the size of you compared to the size of me. What do you think?"

"Friends. Okay, I can handle that. Modryn won't be happy he missed seeing you though."

"Only if you tease him with it."

"I plan to."

Maxical laughed and waved him off. As soon as he turned his back she cast chameleon and eased her way along the wall to the outer door, holding on to anything she could grasp the whole way. When she got outside she gripped the bushes, pulling herself along them.






***


At the corner of the building the bushes stopped. Maxical raised up to grip the building and froze in her tracks. A man was slumped against the back wall. She couldn't move away from the wall, needed to hold onto it to walk. Climbing over him would put her in grabbing range, invisible or not.

If she got him moving, he may come her way. Then again, going into the suite through the kitchen where everyone sat, she'd most definitely be seen by Eyja or Seth if he'd returned. It was a risk she had to take.

Maxical picked up a small stone and winged it at the man. It hit him, she heard it. He didn't budge. She tried again, this time aiming for his head. It bounced off him with an odd noise. He didn't even flinch.

Maxical yanked a branch off the bush nearest her and began creeping along the wall toward him when suddenly her foot rolled out from underneath her and she fell with a loud thud and yelp before she could stifle it.

It was an empty bottle of wine. No wonder the man was sleeping it off. She leaned forward and tickled his face with the flowering end of the bush branch. Nothing. Again, and still nothing.

Water. She pulled her flask out of her pack and sprayed it at the man. He didn't budge. Maxical gripped the wall and kicked the man hard. He slid down the wall in the same position he'd been sitting up in.

"Dear gods." Maxical cast night vision. Once glance at the glassy fixed eyes was all she needed. He was dead.

"Oh dear gods! Oh dear gods! Oh gods." Maxical tried to pull herself quickly along the wall back to the front and skidded on the wine bottle again. She picked it up by the bottom and looked at it this time. It was the same kind Lleris had brought for Abiene, but ... might not be the same one. This place was filled with people carrying around wine bottles. Still...best to bring it to Seth.






***


She heard the Inn door slam, and the sound of drunken voices and stumbling footsteps coming toward the back of the inn. Maxical ducked into the first bush along the side wall, pushing herself in tightly in case they took the corner short.

They did, and turned to face her. The man right in front of her stared right into her face as if he could see her there! Had her chameleon wore off? She couldn't move fast enough to escape them...dear gods, he was removing his manhood! He was going to rape her?

The feeling of hot liquid on her leg and the sound of splashing. He was peeing on her!

"Oh HELL no!" She cut her leg behind his and shoved as hard as she could. He wavered and swayed. She did it again and he tumbled over backwards.

"Hey, whash going on here?" His companion started looking around. He reached out his hand toward her and she whacked it with the bottle, then tried to move toward the Inn main door between the bushes and the wall.

His cursing got louder as he tried to follow the moving bushes. Maxical got on her hands and knees and found herself wedged, she couldn't budge an inch. The other man had rolled over and was trying to scramble up.

Her claws unsheathed from fear, but if she used them on the men it would leave evidence a Khajiit had done it. Spells, she needed a spell that would...frenzy? If they couldn't see her, they'd fight each other, right? She couldn't see her spells in the dark to select the right one, so just cast.

"HEY! Who shtole my clothsh?"

Crap! Maxical tried again, the spell for frenzy should be near the one to undress. She cast, nothing happened. The man was still searching for her and now his companion was joining.

"That haircut looks good on you."

"Thanks."

Damn it! Must have been a charm spell. She tried again, the next spell nearest the charm.

"Hey! I don't like the way you're looking at me!"

"You wanna do something about it?"

"Damn right I will!" POW! BAM!






***


While they fought each other, Maxical lay on her belly and pulled herself along the ground to the front of the inn, still clutching the wine bottle. She squiggled out from under the last bush at the front door, then pulled herself up and darted in. She moved along the wall and straight up the stairs to their room door, casting the seal off and resealing it behind her.

When she got to the suite door she paused to compose herself. They may all be in the kitchen talking, there would be no way to slip by them if they were.

She unsealed the suite door and barely cracked it. No voices. WHEW! Maxical crept in and silently pushed the door to and sealed it behind her. She moved stealthily through the kitchen to the stairs, and began creeping up them.

A shriek so loud it was bone chilling made her scream in response, then yelp when a book clipped her forehead. Another book flew at her with deadly aim followed by more shrieks and a glass of something liquidy.

Maxical stood up and dispelled her chameleon. "GAAAAAH! ABIENE! Abiene, it's me, Maxical!"

Maxical clung to the stair railing with one hand, the wine bottle with the other, swaying in place and bleeding from the first book to the head. Eyja's dress was covered in dirt, and leaves from the bushes were dropping from her hair; which was all askew now. The dress had a wet stain in the front of it that had mingled with dirt to a muddish darkness and reeked of ale and urine. Bush twigs were sticking out of tears in the cloth of the dress.

Abiene was staring at her in incomprehension, wild-eyed like she was seeing a ghost.

"It's just me, Maxical. I...I need a bath."





*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 14 2013, 10:17 AM

Dark mages, ruthless murderers, necromancers, vampires... Abiene’s earlier hope for a quick resolution faded. There would be no reasoning with a hired assassin.

“Perhaps I should check on Maxical, see how she is recuperating,” said Sethyas.

Abiene gave him a little smile as he stood to go. Her nature urged her to reach out in gratitude and comfort, for his earlier words had answered her unspoken why. But this was a time for fortifying barriers, not removing them.

I’d best sleep upstairs for the rest of this adventure, she thought. Abiene took the opportunity to collect the rest of her things from the lower chamber and move them up to the sleeping alcove. She doubted there would be a repeat of the flute incident as she had only packed emergency supplies for this trip, but she would feel better once she made sure Maxical wouldn’t stroll into a crowded room wearing her ‘necklace’ or ‘bracelets.’

Also you should wear this blasted ring. Eyja had been adamant about keeping Life Detection active at all times, even in the bath. Abiene slipped it on her finger, blinking away her own pink glow as she rolled her eyes at Eyja’s excessive caution. No doubt the Nord woman was often troubled with unwelcome company while bathing. Her figure could make Dibella blush. Abiene chuckled at that little piece of blasphemy. She turned to join Seth and Maxical.

A crouching figure crept up the stairs, invisible but for the tell-tale life sign. For an instant Abiene froze in surprise.

Then an ear-splitting shriek shattered the suite’s silence. Abiene flung a book at the assassin, then shrieked again. She reached for anything her hands could find, pelting the killer with projectiles and terrified battle cries.

The murderer stood up and blinked into sight. “GAAAAAH! ABIENE! Abiene, it's me, Maxical!”

Abiene stared at Maxical in wide-eyed shock. She realized that she had a shoe in her hand, about to fling it. I was supposed to run away. Oops. Her heart pounded so loudly in her ears she almost couldn’t hear her friend’s words.

“It's just me, Maxical. I...I need a bath.”

Maxical staggered against the stairwell, disheveled and muddy. A fresh wound on her head was beginning to bleed. Abiene put her shoe back on and jumped down to catch her.

“It’s Maxical,” she called to Seth, though she couldn’t be sure he was even in the suite. His soundless movements made him seem to appear and disappear out of thin air. Still, if he was in County Chorrol he probably heard the racket.

Maxical reeked of urine and ale and she held a wine bottle in her hand.

“Oh my dear, are you drunk?” Mara, no, not after a skooma addiction. “Let’s get you upstairs and I’ll take a look at that head wound. A bath will soothe you, and the whole suite will smell better once we throw this dress on the fire.” Abiene slipped her arm around Maxical’s waist and drew the Khajiit’s arm over her own shoulder to support her up the stairs.

*

Maxical:

Maxical pointed at the bathing tub. "Bath first. I won't even lay on top of my bed dirty. Can you heal me in the tub? I'm not drunk, just been feeling really dizzy since the healing. I don't drink alcohol."

She realized how inconsistant that sounded by her disheveled appearance and carrying an empty wine bottle.

"This bottle is for Seth to test for poison if he can." She decided to leave the rest of what she was going to say for Seth's ears, and his discretion if he thought Abiene should know about it.





She looked sadly up into Abiene's face. "Eyja's going to kill me. This was her new dress, she hasn't even worn it yet."


*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 14 2013, 06:39 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja cut behind the Arborwatch mansion and over to the chapel next, still avoiding the south gate and that guard. Once inside she stood at center of the entry and stairwell and spoke loudly so everyone gathered at the various altars could hear.

"I need to speak with Gureryne Selvilo, I have a message for him from Abiene, the healer."


*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 14 2013, 06:52 PM

In the instant following Abiene's shriek well-tuned instincts and reactions came into play. He crouched into a stealthier position, and became one with the shadows from Mephala's Skill. His night-eye enchanted hood was quickly donned and made his way around the debacle that a frightened Abiene was pelting any available object towards.

He could make out only the slightest of distortions; mostly relying on Abiene's aim and 'detect life' to guide him.

The dagger came out, and his other hand began to reach out.

We'll just see how well I can copy Eyja's trick, shall we? Another interrogation it would seem.

“GAAAAAH! ABIENE! Abiene, it's me, Maxical!” the distortion cried coming into full view.

Abiene sighed in relief and began assisting her in this woozy state.

You left?! Sethyas reacted angrily, fuming that he wasn't in a position to protect her.

"This bottle is for Seth to test for poison if he can." Maxical stated, and then looked down to her clothing.

"Eyja's going to kill me. This was her new dress, she hasn't even worn it yet." she lamented.

Sethyas stood up, quite peeved and still adorned in his hood hiding his visage.

"Don't worry about Eyja! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" He yelled.

Both girls began screaming in unified sheer terror, overlapping Seth's admonishing.

Abiene seemed to push Maxical forward, and fell to her seat backing up into the wall. Maxical's claws came into play and she leaped onto the hooded figure, stradding his waist as though he were carrying her reverse piggy-back. The wine bottle fell to the floor and she began clawing and striking him in terrified fight-or-flight response.

"Ow! What are you doing?" Seth yelled between claw strikes, thankfully the helm's chitin covering taking the brunt of the blows. Being caught off-guard he fell onto the floor on his back, and she kept screaming as Abiene found her courage and grabbed the closest thing to her.

The urn.

She ran towards the struggling pair, her face contorted into a fearful anger and she let loose a mighty battle cry; teeth flaring and saliva trailing behind her. She brought the bottom of it down onto Seth's still hidden face.

"Ow! You better have emptied that thing!" He cursed, pointing a finger at the urn accusingly.

"ABIENE! MAXICAL!" He yelled, the two finally stopped, realizing what had just happened.

"Seth?" Maxical asked.

"Yeeesss..." The low tone replied.

"Are you mad at us?" Abiene squeaked.

"Naaaawwww...." he replied.

Maxical reached down and slowly lifted the hood revealing his furrowed brow and bared, clenched teeth.

"You look mad." Maxical said weakly.

"Oh, do I?" he said lowly.

"Well, you came outta nowhere and saidyouweregonnakillusandohgodspleasedon'tkillus!"

"Get off me!" he exclaimed.

"Okay!" Maxical agreed quickly,and moved the quickest Seth had ever seen a Khajiit move.

Getting up, he examined his hood. Besides the claw marks and the...brown sludge, it was none the worse for wear.

"I'm taking a bath in my room, don't leave here. Any disagreements?" He asked, to which they shook their heads.

He left the two muttering something under his breath, and started to climb down the steps, stopping when Maxical squeaked about the wine bottle. He walked back and picked it up, sniffing it once and jerking his head back in reaction.

"Smells of almonds. Nightshade extract, maybe some local additive.... Quick and effective. Maybe the same culprit, maybe not. Whoever put it in there wanted someone dead and in a hurry. There was probably enough to kill all four of us. Don't take anything from strangers...here's why." He said tossing the wine bottle over his shoulder walking away. Maxical caught it agilely and stared with an 'Oh, Gods' expression at it.

This post has been edited by Black Hand: Aug 16 2013, 02:12 AM

*

Maxical:

She hurried after him, gripping the wall. "Seth, wait; please? Someone in rich dark robes and cowl with a deep voice sent that for Abiene. I put it in my pack to bring to you for testing, and a man stole it from my pack. He lays dead outside the back door to this suite." She pointed to the door not feet from him.

"I'm sorry I made you mad, Seth. Please forgive me." She let her eyes speak how contrite she was, hoping he'd see it and realize she never meant to make him mad.

"A man peed on me." She pointed to the bottom of Eyja's dress. "We've both had a crappy night."



*





This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 14 2013, 11:26 PM

He stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed exasperatedly.

"You didn't make me mad...well...sort of...gah! Look...I have this thing about women, okay? Not like that...I just feel overly protective and it comes out bad sometimes. Especially when we're in this type of situation, I...had a sister growing up and she was under my care, and I failed her." His face grew contorted with a pain he refused to share.

"When I heard that you left...it exacerbated that old wound. I should be more careful in the way it comes out." He said looking down at his soiled hood.

"Especially when I'm wearing this thing and we're all on edge, eh?" He grinned. "This was my fault...*I* am sorry. Forgive me."

"But,...I'll examine the body right now, and keep an eye out for this dark robed person. Clean up...and uh..." He sort of sniffed the air. "This....*never* happened." He said with a slight embarrassment to his tone, chuckling at her 'crappy' night remark.

This post has been edited by Black Hand: Aug 14 2013, 11:26 PM