No Elves in Sovngarde Book Two, NEIS continued Options

[Elisabeth Hollow]

No Elves in Sovngarde Book One is here, and is currently being spiced and touched up, bit by bit.

For those who don't want to read the first book, or need a refresher on what has previously happened, I have included a brief summary of the first book, which will be written later, when I'm not freaking out about how to write a summary.

I really am terrible with summaries. To prove my point, here's my summary of Toy Story:

"After sitting here with my fingers frozen above the keyboard, all I can say about Toy Story is that it made me terrified of having toys as a kid, and gave me nightmares. The only thing I took away from that movie is that you shouldn't judge others by appearance. Except the bad kids. They wear skulls so you can identify them easily."

-shakes head in shame-

Anyways, I've got a prologue written up. The summary should be up, hopefully, within the next few days or so. Or when my computer's plate isn't so full, lol.

Enjoy!

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Sorry for the late update, y'all...it's been a very hectic week. Weeks. Thank you for the comments!!!!




--------------------





Night fell. Erik sat by the banks of a small pond near the inn. It was uncharacterisitcally warm for this time of the year. A wolf howled in the distance, but not near enough to give Erik pause. Lightening bugs and Lunar moths danced just above the glimmer of the pond's reflection, teasing the fish below.

A rustle caused Erik to turn. It was only her dress, that sheer white fabric she always wore. It billowed gently in the warm breeze as the moons' reflection on the pond illuminated her smile. Her hair was longer, almost to her waist. That's how Erik knew this was a dream. Her hair had never been past her shoulders, except on the night he killed her.

He picked up an auburn tress and felt it between his fingers when she sat next to him. She gave him a gentle smile. She tilted her head in such a way that the moonlight illuminated half of her face, shadowing the other in an almost sinister fashion. Erik tilted her face towards him with his fingertips.

"We don't have much time," she said. Erik leaned in and gave her a kiss. She pulled back with a smile.

"I don't need a lot of time." He said. She gave him one of her trademark half-grins.

"I wouldn't boast that."

"Even in my dreams, you can't help but to be snarky."

She smiled, her brown eyes searching his face. Her expression fell. "It's almost time," she said. A long lock of aubrun hair slid over her shoulder as she leaned over and pushed him to the ground gently. The sound of night bugs chirping their song grew louder. The moths danced an intricate and rehearsed dance with the lightening bugs over the water.

He began to panic. "No, listen to me! This doesn't have to happen every night!" He gripped her arms and tried to get up. She was like stone, keeping him pinned down.

"Remember when you were training me, and-" the whir of the mothwings and cry of the night bugs drowned him out. The howl of the wolf in the distance was painful as it pierced his skull. Kayla leaned in, her lips slightly parted. Her fangs peeked from behind full lips. HIs breathing quickened until he was gasping for air.

"No! No!"

She stopped next to his ear, and all at once, the sounds stopped. Except for one.

"I'm...still...alive..." she whispered.

Erik screamed as she tore into him, his blood splashing onto her white dress.

-------------

When Erik's eyes flew open, Uthgerd had her axe in her hands, ready to jump up, while Mjoll was reaching towards him, a worried look on her face.

"You're getting more violent," She said. Erik sighed.

"I'm fine, it's just the same dream as always."

"The one with the vampire wench you slayed?" Uthgerd asked. Both Erik and Mjoll shot her a sharp look.

"What? You DID kill her."

"Tact, Uthgerd. You lack it." Mjoll shot.

"At least I can sleep at night without waking up and simpering like a milk maid." Uthgerd shot back.

"He does NOT simper!"

"You're right, he bawls like an infant."

"UTHGERD!" Erik bellowed. The name schoed in the cave loudly. "Mjoll, stay down." Mjoll stayed kneeling, her hand leaving the hilt of her blade.

"We'll be going to Whiterun to check in with the jarl in the morning. As for whether you want to stay with us, that's your choice." He gave her a level look. "Wouldn't want to force you to stay in the company of a simpering, bawling infant."

------------


Uthgerd went straight to her house as soon as they got inside the gates with barely a word to Mjoll or Erik. She clanked her way down the street and the sound of her slamming her door could be heard from the lowest district. Straight ahead from the gate they entered, down the cobbled road, was The Bannered Mare, where Ma'Dat had hired Uthgerd. Though the old cat was not here with them, Erik had received directions from him.

To his immediate right was one of the blacksmiths, Adrienne. She ran a shop with a family friend. Next to her house was Kayla's old house. To his left, The Drunken Huntsmen and a guard post. The sun was beginning to set, and Erik motioned Mjoll forward. She followed him through the districts, up to the high staircases over flowing water to Dragonsreach.

Jarl Balgruuf dismissed his children when Erik and Mjoll approached the throne. His face had the look of a man with worries well beyond what normal men had to deal with. Erik didn't doubt that the man would have been as carefree as any young Nord had he not bee shackled with the responsibilities that come with power. A balding Imperial man dressed in the finery of the Skyrim noble court stood next to the throne. A dunmer woman with red hair in heavy steel-plated armor had her hand placed on the arm of the throne, her head lowered to the jarl's sitting height, as if she had been speaking to the jarl in a quiet voice.

"Jarl Balgruuf," Erik said, bowing his head. The Dunmer woman in heavy armor eyed Erik and Mjoll.

"Halt," she said in a deep, authoratative voice. The two stopped before they hit the steps to the throne. "What business do you have in Whiterun?"

"We are the vampire hunters, Mjoll the Lioness and Erik the Slayer, coming to offer our services and take care of any unwanted vampiric activity." Erik said in his most respectful voice.

The jarl regarded him for a moment, his brow furrowed. He waved the dunmer women aside. "Stand down, Irileth."

She nodded and kept her narrowed red eyes on them as she backed up the steps. Mjoll wondered how long it had taken her to learn to not trip over them.

The Imperial beside the throne, who had been silent, spoke up. "Vampire hunters? Surely you jest. There are no vampires in Whiterun."

"Not in Whiterun," Erik said. "As far as we know. Have there been any murders?"

A shadow darkened the jarl's face. "Every city, even mine, has their unfortunate accidents."

"Were they children? Young girls, around ten?"

All three court members cut their eyes at Erik. "And what would you know of this?" Irileth demanded, her crimson eyes shining with the anticipation of a fight. The jarl put a hand on her arm.

"Stand down." He turned his attention to the Imperial man at his right. "Proventus, tell them of the murders."

Proventus cleared his throat, and relayed the tale.

-------

Mjoll was still shaking as they exited Dragonsreach.

"Gods," she gasped, tears in her eyes. "Gods! They just...ate...their parents?"

Erik nodded, his eyes trained on the white bricks of the palace walkway. "That's why the jarl seems to keep his daughter under lock and key. Did you see how he sent both of his children away?"

They walked down the steps, where they saw Uthgerd clank her way to The Bannered Mare in a clean set of armor. She didn't even spare them a sideways glance before heading into the tavern.

"It's following the pattern that Ma'Dat had been talking about. Female children, age ten, suddenly falling ill and then their parents being torn apart a few days later. Then the girls go missing."

Mjoll was too busy staring at the house by the inn to hear Erik's words.

"Did you see that?" She asked.

"Hmm? See what?" Erik asked. He followed her gaze. "I don't see anything."

"No, at the house, right down there, near the blacksmith."

Erik shook his head. "Mjoll, there's nothing there. Let's go get a room at The Bannered Mare."

Mjoll followed him uncertainly to the inn. The inn was noisy, crowded, and smelled better than the one in Riften, but still had the faint smell of vomit, overcooked food and the faint trickle of urine. Uthgerd sat in the corner, ignoring their entrance.

"I'll get us some food," Erik said over his shoulder. "Go sit."

Mjoll nodded and sat at an empty table next to a dark-haired Nord woman and what looked to be her husband. The two sat close to each other, speaking in low voices and exchanging a kiss every now and then. Mjoll shot Erik's back a longing look.

She averted her gaze when he turned around, clearing her throat. Erik sat down across from her, his eyes twinkling.

"What?" she asked, suspicious.

He grinned and leaned forward. "Since we've been working so hard, I got us a little something special."

"You mean something besides your terrible cooking?" She teased.

Erik frowned and sat back. "I cook just fine! None of the travelers ever complained!"

"Well, no, but did they ever return?" She covered her mouth to stifle the laughter. Erik grinned good-naturedly.

"Believe it or not, my father is a worse cook than I am. He thinks salt if the only ingredient you'll ever need!" He broke out into laughter. Mjoll laughed along with him. Their food arrived. Mjoll's eyes widened at the sight.

"You..." Her eyes widened in delight as the blonde Nordic innkeeper set her plate down. "You got me grilled slaughterfish?"

Erik smiled and began cutting up his ham. "Just wait for dessert."

Mjoll swallowed the saucy remarks to that statement as she cut up her fish. Erik's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he tasted the ham. Mjoll's armor began to feel uncomfortably hot when he made a small moaning noise.

"This ham is delicious!" He said. He took a swig of beer. "How's your fish?"

Mjoll watched him wipe the droplets of beer from his mouth. She bit her lower lip.

"It is delicious," she said. "Thank you for ordering it for me." She took another bite, rolling the fish around in her mouth before swallowing. She took a long gulp of her own mead before taking another bite. A plate appeared at her elbow.

"A sweetroll?" Mjoll smiled. "The last time I had a sweetroll was back in Riften!"

Erik nodded, smiling. "I know."

Mjoll smiled to herself. Before she could thank him, the dark-haired Nord woman spoke up.

"Erik?"

Erik's head swiveled around, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Lydia?!"

This post has been edited by Elisabeth Hollow: Apr 17 2013, 05:48 PM