WG - Black Rock Caverns, Options

[King Coin]

It was just after midday when the vampire’s lair came into view. Aravi stopped walking and slowly crouched in case they had someone watching the entrance for intruders. The long grass came up to her breast. Her helm was stowed in her pack still; she will put it on before entering the ruin. She waved at Vera and Kayla, letting them know she could see their destination.

The vampires could have chosen a worse spot to hide. A beautiful waterfall splashed over the mouth of their cave, partially concealing it from view. A small, but deep pool of water formed in front of it. I would be tempted to swim if I didn’t think there were vampires just inside.

The vampires could have also chosen a better place to hide. They were too close to the city of Chorrol, and it wouldn’t take long for their activity to be noticed. Then the countess would dispatch mercenaries or professional hunters and this place would be one of the first to be checked.

Aravi flicked her ears in an effort to clear the bugs buzzing around her head. She was hot in her armor, her fur was sticky. There were many things she missed about Cyrodiil while she lived in Skyrim, but right now she longed for the cool mountain air. The bugs weren’t nearly as thick either. She flicked her ears again and tried to listen for anything while her companions approached.

[Darkness Eternal]

Vera stood idly as Kayla and Aravi went out together as the thrall was distracted, occupied with throwing stones in the pond out of boredom. Vera saw Kayla cast some sort of spell, and given the noise reduction Vera suspected it was meant to somehow quiet her movements. Aravi moved in first, and gave Kayla room to attack. The Altmer went in behind him, lowered her arm below and around his neck and turned him so that Aravi could apply the poison.

The huntress watched as Aravi rushed in, pulled up his sleeve and gave the man a dose of the paralysis with her deadly claws. Within moments Vera saw the familiar effects of her poison take place. The man went white, and his limbs went limp and he slumped in Kayla's arms. It was done.

Vera allowed herself a slight smile. That went better than I expected . . .

She threw the crossbow over her shoulder and went forth to meet with Kayla and Aravi. As she passed along the edge of the pond, she heard Kayla say something as she looked down upon the thrall.

"I never kill thralls. It's not their fault." Kayla said.

Vera gave the thrall a sharp look, paused, and then bent over and grabbed him by the collar with a single hand and dragged him over the edge, and into the water. There was no splashing, no resistance. The only sound was the waterfall and the slight bubbles rising to the surface until it was no more.

The Imperial stood over the edge, and spoke to Kayla though her back was still to her. "You'll kill them if they'd tried to drive a blade in your belly. They won't have a second's hesitation. Either you deliver the blow first, or you just might find yourself heading to Auriel's feet."

Their fault or no, they would still try to kill their enemies and Vera was a firm believer in self-defense no matter what. In this life, it is either them or me.

She turned around and headed toward the wooden entrance to the cavern. And so we begin.

She opened the door slightly, and went inside.