Rashelle At Lokken, WWOLM fanfic Options

[blockhead]

6. Wulfren

I put on a Chameleon effect ring. It was not a huge enchantment but combined with careful sneaking it would make me effectively invisible. It was time to scout the castle. Whatever happened in the next few days, I would benefit by having a mental map of the castle. Dark against the snow, yet unobserved, I crept around the castle, up the stairs, and in through the front door.

I had trained my ability sneak over the years, both in the Thieves Guild and in the School Of Hard Knocks. It may seem a contradiction to some that I was a member of both the Thieves Guild and of House Redoran. I can only shrug and say that I had been in the Guild some time before joining my House. They had been there for me when no one else was. The Guild taught me many vitals skills that I find forever useful and without which my lifespan would have been much shortened.

Like a shadow, a wraith, I traversed the castle. Seen by no one, I picked locks and re-locked them behind me. I memorized rooms, corridors, locations.

I found the Shaman's room but the spells on the lock, the door, the hinges, the doorjamb itself ... were not something I wanted to deal with yet.

The door to the South East tower I could not get a good look at as a guard stood right next to the door. I detected no magic from it though. This was the tower that Laurenna had previously directed my attention to, the one where her mother was imprisoned.

There was a room labeled as a "Trophy Room" but the room was almost devoid of trophies. Odd, that. A woman was sleeping in a chair. I slipped quietly back out.

A door labeled "Berserkers" had a lock of such complexity that I could not get though it. Perhaps it was just as well, as I thought I heard movement inside.

The locks for the room labeled "Master Bedroom" I could not pick or spell open either.

In a stretch of corridor with no one around, I removed the chameleon ring. I had done all the sneaking I could do, so now I would try speechcraft and talk to as many people as I could.

The prison area had no prisoners and only one guard. His name was Von Schlep and he was rather a personable and talkative person. I would not have expected to like a prison guard, but I did. We chatted for some time. While he would not come out and say it, I could tell that he did not like Ragnar and that he secretly wished Wulfren was around.

I talked to other people but didn't learn anything that Von Schlep had not already told me.

It was still night when I entered Laurenna's cottage, using the key she had give me before. I now had a good mental map of the castle, which I knew I would need in the future. I settled onto my sleeping fur and was fast asleep.

Laurenna was up as early as yesterday.

"Rashelle! What news?"

"I found the wolf. He is with Snorri. He had been hit by Ragnar's men and was poisoned. Granny Torunn made him a potion. Now we wait and see."

"Oh Rashelle, that is good news. Thank you."

She didn't look very happy. Something must have happened yesterday while I was away.

"What happened?"

"Last night mother sent me the 'danger' signal through her window in the tower. Something is wrong. Can you go in the castle and talk to Kielreen and find out what is going on?"

I nodded, and was off.

In the castle, no one remarked upon my helm: good. Ragnar and his shaman were already up and were in the throne room. Did they sleep there? They ignored me which was just as well by me. Kielreen didn't have any information about Sigrid, but she promised that she would investigate, and asked me to come back later.

This worried me.

It started to snow as I returned to Laurenna, who was again at her "post".

"Kielreen has heard nothing."

"I'm worried, Rashelle."

"So am I."

"Well, at least I can still see her in the tower. Oh I wish we had taken the time to work out a better set of signals."

"One doesn't plan to be imprisoned in a tower or thrown out of a castle."

Silence.

"I'm sorry," I said.

"It's OK."

"I think now I need to go check on Snorri and his patient."

"Be careful in these woods, Rashelle."

I grinned and then a thought occurred to me.

"Laurenna, does your brother have white hair like you and your father?"

"Yes, of course".

"And are his eyes blue?"

"Yes."

The pieces were perhaps beginning to come together in my mind. Since I did not want to give Laurenna a false hope, I left without saying anything more.

It was in an absentminded and unfocused way that I dispatched two frost boar and a riekling that attacked me as I walked to Snorri's hideout. Despite the urge to hurry, I did not take a direct route. I did this because a second thought had occurred to me: what if Ragnar was having me followed? I thought about levitating so as not to leave tracks but the snow was falling thickly enough that my tracks were being covered anyway, at least until I reached the eastern green part of Lokken.

Focus, Rashelle; be wary but not paranoid.

As before, I made a careful and noisy entrance to Snorri's place. Snorri was standing on the wooden platform as he had last night. He looked tired but happy: he must have stayed up all night watching over the wolf.

"Rashelle, the potion has worked. The wolf is doing much better now."

"Excellent."

"He wants to talk to you".

I raised an eyebrow. My suspicious as to the wolf were becoming certainties.

"Might be better if you just went back there to see him and let him explain."

I ascended the steps the the wooden platform, then followed the cave as it continued on back. It turned to the left and there was a chamber with a large mat of straw. A lantern on a crate provided light.

For the first time I saw the big white wolf. He was resting on the straw.

His eyes were indeed blue. Human eyes. How could anyone mistake them for wolf eyes?

"Wulfren The White, son of Wulfgar The White, so nice to finally meet you," I said.

Nothing happened. I had hoped that Naming him would restore him to his human form but the spell upon him was not one of those spells.

The wolf laughed. I sat down on the stone floor.

"How did you guess, lass?" spoke the wolf.

"It took me a while to figure it out. I eventually recalled some of my old Transfiguration studies. Aside from lycanthropy and related diseases, to transform an unwilling person permanently into an animal is rather a difficult spell to do ... but it is possible. Not everything transforms, however. Things like eyes tend to remain unchanged. That was my clue."

The wolf nodded. If he raised an eyebrow I was going to be hysterical.

"I presume Ragnar's shaman did this to you?"

"Aye."

"Laurenna never mentioned that you spoke. She certainly does not realize you are her brother. Were you able to speak before today?"

"No. Snorri was able to restore that much of my humanity to me."

I nodded.

"By the way, who are you?"

I laughed, took off my helm and then said "I'm sorry. I did not mean to be rude. I am Rashelle, spellsword, at your service."

He raised an eyebrow.

He waited the minute or two it took me to stop laughing. I wiped tears from my eyes, gasping for breath.

"I-I-I'm sorry" I sniffled, "It's just that I've never s-seen a wolf do that."

"You were saying," he prompted.

So I related to him what had occurred since I had arrived at Lokken.

I concluded with; "I cut off my hair and swore a vow to restore you as the rightful chieftain, as Laurenna has done."

"I appreciate what you have done for me, Rashelle, but why are you doing this?"

"I could not live with myself if I left the Lokken people in this situation."

I continued; "Also, in this very short time Laurenna has become a very good friend. I do this for her. I'm in this all the way and will see it to the end."

He nodded. Then he spoke.

"As I hope you understand, the rumor of me slaying my father is completely false. Instead, I happened to witness when his step-brother Ragnar thrust his sword into his heart. His evil shaman Kreikan, who was also there, cast a spell and transformed me into a wolf. Since then, I have been wandering in the forests, trying to keep an eye on the village and on my sister Laurenna."

I nodded.

"I'm so worried about my mother and my sister. My mother is held prisoner, and I fear that Ragnar might abduct Laurenna, as well. For a year, he has tried to force my mother into a marriage, as that is his prime chance to become the rightful chieftain. But she stubbornly refuses. Now, he has got a second chance: as I am no longer human, the only remaining blood-relative of my father is Laurenna. If Ragnar cannot marry my mother, he might instead force Laurenna into a marriage."

If I hadn't already been sitting I probably would have sat down hard. I hadn't thought of that. It was perfectly logical and obvious, if evil. I had a momentary thought of going and fetching Laurenna here. I actually began to stand up. But that would then result Sigrid giving in and marrying Ragnar. I swore and sat back down.

"Wulfren; how can I protect Laurenna?"

"I need to be restored to my human form. I need to avenge my fathers murder and take my rightful place as the Chieftain of Lokken. Only then will my mother and sister be safe"

I nodded.

"I fear time is running out. Something must be done soon, but I am still weak from the poison. On top of that, there is not much I can do as a wolf. The spell Kreikan cast on me is very strong. As long as he is alive, I will remain like this. Only if he dies will I regain human shape."

I nodded. Wulfren's idea for breaking the spell agreed with what lore I could remember on the subject of unwilling transformation.

"Enough. I will kill Kreikan now," I said as I stood up again.

"No!" barked Wulfren.

I stopped.

"I would surely like to see Kreikan dead," he continued, "but it would be a really dangerous mission. And I fear that even if you succeeded, the result would me more blood and violence. Ragnar Fire Hair would surely want his revenge. If I showed up in my human shape, he would probably kill both me, my sister and my mother."

I sat down again. "No, not Laurenna."

"He is incredibly strong. Even though I'm a skilled warrior, I don't think I have the skills to outmaneuver him. Now, if I only had ... "

"The warhammer of Thorjan Bjorg," I interrupted, "and the gauntlets of Thorjan."

"Aye, lass, you are well informed indeed! My Father used to tell me about the Warhammer of Thorjan Bjorg - an incredibly powerful weapon. It could kill the strongest opponent with a single blow. With such a weapon in my hand, I would have a fair chance to fight Ragnar. Alas, I have no idea where this mighty weapon is hidden. I think my father knew, but he took the secret with him to his grave."

"Then I will find it and bring it to you."

"Rashelle, just note that the warhammer is incredibly heavy. It is useless without Thorjan's gauntlets. You need to be wearing those in order to lift it and wield it.

I nodded. I would look for the gauntlets first.

"I guess the first step is to simply ask around in the village. Someone really ought to know. Maybe Laurenna could give you a hint: she has many friends in the village."

I nodded and stood up.

"Thank you Rashelle."

I bid Wulfren good day, spoke briefly to Snorri and walked towards the entrance of the cave. Once out of Snorri's view, I Recalled back to my spot by the cottage.

This post has been edited by blockhead: Apr 3 2007, 01:26 PM

[The Metal Mallet]

Hehehehe, my speculations about the wolf were basically right, well, close enough that I'm satisfied with my brilliance

Anyways, this update was quite strong accept for one part that kinda bugged me. Here it is:

A shadow, a wraith, traversed the castle, memorizing rooms, corridors, locations. picking locks and re-locking them behind her, being seen by no one. I found the Shaman's room but the spells on the lock, the door, the hinges, the doorjamb itself ... were not something I wanted to deal with yet.

Now I know that I mentioned the change of tenses earlier, but this paragraph is a worse case than the last one (which I've accepted more since then). If I could make a suggestion, I would make sure to make each tense a separate paragraph because reading two tenses in the same paragraph does not flow well. I'm pretty sure when I have used that effect, this is the method I use.

Hope that helps, continue with the story, bud!

[blockhead]

Hehehehe, my speculations about the wolf were basically right, well, close enough that I'm satisfied with my brilliance

Anyways, this update was quite strong accept for one part that kinda bugged me. Here it is:

A shadow, a wraith, traversed the castle, memorizing rooms, corridors, locations. picking locks and re-locking them behind her, being seen by no one. I found the Shaman's room but the spells on the lock, the door, the hinges, the doorjamb itself ... were not something I wanted to deal with yet.

Now I know that I mentioned the change of tenses earlier, but this paragraph is a worse case than the last one (which I've accepted more since then). If I could make a suggestion, I would make sure to make each tense a separate paragraph because reading two tenses in the same paragraph does not flow well. I'm pretty sure when I have used that effect, this is the method I use.

Hope that helps, continue with the story, bud!

Wow. You know how many times I've read through that part and never noticed that it was not first person? I'm off to bed now but I will fix that tomorrow. What a blockhead I am. Thanks.

edit: I changed it. It should be better now.


This post has been edited by blockhead: Apr 3 2007, 01:28 PM

[blockhead]

Up until now there have been two errors with point of view. Specifically, two sentences in two chapters were written in third person. The first one was done deliberately but since then I realized that it was lame so that has been changed to match the rest of the story. The second one was done completely by accident: I had no idea. That has been fixed as well.

Remember when I said that there was one more deliberate third-person sentence coming up? This is the chapter it's in. I hope it works.



--
7. Loss

"Laurenna. I have very good news, but brace yourself for a shock anyway".

"OK."

"The White Wolf is your brother. I spoke to him. He is recovering nicely."

"So that is why you asked me what color his eyes were before."

"Yes. I had a suspicion this morning but did not want to say anything to you until I was certain."

"I understand."

"Wulfren confirms that Ragnar killed your father. He was there when it happened and that is why the shaman transformed him into a wolf."

"Oh Rashelle, I just knew that Wulfren didn't kill our father. I knew that Wulfren was alive."

She paused. It continued to snow.

She then spoke again: "Oh my gods ... what if those poisoned arrows had killed him! Rashelle, You have saved my brothers life... I... I... oh words are not enough to tell you how grateful I am."

I waited. What could I say?

"I believe I have heard some rumors about those gauntlets in the village. You should ask around and someone may be able to give you a clue"

I nodded.

"Ages ago I think I've heard Lisendra mention Thorjans's gauntlets. She is a ... hrm ... witty girl who usually spends her time drinking mead or hunting boyfriends, I mean hunting with her boyfriends. She's usually in the main hall. It's the one who is laughing constantly"

I smiled at her use of "it's". Laurenna definitely did not approve of Lisendra any more than Lisendra did of her.

I was tempted to shed Lisendra in a better light by relating what had occurred the last time I saw her, but that would wait for a better time.

Laurenna continued: "Just take care of yourself, will you? And if you go off to find those gauntlets, please look after yourself! Please don't let anything happen to you!"

I flashed a smile and left.

Surprisingly, Lisendra was not in the main hall. I chatted briefly with the guys, obliquely inquiring about the warhammer and the gauntlets. No one had heard anything concrete about their whereabouts.

I was concerned over Lisendra's absence, especially in view of the state she had been in when I last left her. I left the main hall and walked in the falling snow to Lisendra's house.

I knocked on the door.

"Lisendra. It's Rashelle. Are you alive?"

She opened the door, "Hello there."

She waved me in and pointed to a chair. She sat on her bed.

"Thanks for taking care of me before. I'm sorry to put you through that. I didn't even know your name until you said it just now."

"It's OK. I was concerned when I didn't see you in the main hall just now. How are you feeling?"

"I'm much better now, Rashelle. I've sworn off the mead, and the hanging out at the main hall, at least for a few days. I need to collect my thoughts."

Good.

I very much wanted to ease her suffering by telling her the good news about Wulfren, but I didn't trust her to not accidently spill the beans to the wrong person. For Laurenna's sake, it would be best that no one in the town knew that Wulfren had been "found".

"Lisendra, I've heard rumors around town about a legendary set of gauntlets, called Thorjan's gauntlets. Do you know anything about them?"

"I'll tell you what I know, but it isn't much."

I nodded.

"There is a warhammer that is supposed to be very powerful, allowing a man to fight things he might not otherwise be able to fight. The drawback to this weapon is that it is exceptionally heavy. To work around this, the gauntlets of Thorjan were made. One must be wearing the gauntlets to use the warhammer. They have an enchantment that enables one to use the warhammer with ease."

I nodded. This is good. I had not spoken of the warhammer to Lisendra so her mention of it further verified what Wulfgar had told me.

"Have you ever met the hunters Gartheim and Ingemar? They are usually hunting in the area around Granny Torunn's cottage."

"No."

She described them.

Then she said; "Those two I have heard talking about the gauntlets, and also about a warhammer. You should talk to them."

"I will. Thank you Lisendra."

She nodded.

It took an hour to find them. Well, I actually only found one of them: Gartheim. I asked him about Thorjan's gauntlets.

"Ingemar I think would know about that", said Gartheim. "He rambles on about them all the time when we hunt. They are supposed to be in a secret cave, filled with evil creatures. He has often talked about how to overcome the creatures and get those gauntlets of incredible strength but I'm not sure he has the skills to do so himself."

I nodded.

"Alas, Ingemar isn't around. He went to explore a snow bear cave up near the northern coastline two days ago. I have not seen him since. I'm concerned about him. I suspect something has happened to him."

I looked questioningly at him.

"Well, you see, lass, those snow bears are nothing to mess with, especially one in its lair. We've hunted them but only outdoors and even then it is dangerous. Better to stick to smaller game. It would be very dangerous going in that cave. I warned him not to go."

"You know," I said, "I could go there and take a look for you."

"Would you? Great! I must admit that I'm really afraid to go to that cave. I believe that is the hideout for a female snow bear with cubs and such 'ladies' are extremely dangerous. Now, the cave is located at the north cape of Lokken island. The entrance is close to the mountain side. Good luck."

"North coast. Snow bear cave. I'm on it."

Through the swirling snowfall, I traveled. It was beautiful.

I found a cave in the approximate area. The odds were that it was the correct cave. Sword ready, moving silently, I entered.

Immediately the snow bear came at me. I darted to one side, slashing. Wicked claws smashed against my cuirass, doing no damage but knocking me to one side.

With a speed surprising for a creature its size, the bear came at me again. I rolled out of the way, stabbing. I darted away and the bear roared and turned to attack me again. This time I was ready and with a powerful thrust I finished the beast.

Why do these stupid animals always attack? I find no sport or thrill in hunting for its own sake but when attacked I defend myself. I would have been happy to nip into the cave, find Ingemar, and nip out again, leaving the snow bear alone.

I wiped Chrysamere clean and walked past the snow bear. I carefully continued to walk deeper into the cave. The cave went on for only a short while and ended.

I froze.

Here were two creatures that were not attacking me; two small snow bear cubs. Gartheim had mentioned cubs but that fact hadn't really registered with me until now. They looked up at me with such cute little innocent eyes.

And I had just killed their mother.

The Nerevarine, hero of Vvardenfell, Bloodskaal, Clan Friend of the Ashlanders, Chieftain Of Thirsk, Hortator of three Great Houses, a House Father of House Redoran and veteran of countless battles, collapsed to the floor and wept uncontrollably.

[Zelda_Zealot]

Not the end of a chapter I was hoping for...

[blockhead]

8. Hammer

I don't know how long I stayed there, aghast at what I had done, before I was interrupted.

"Lass, are you OK? What's going on?", called out a Nord male voice.

I started. I had completely forgotten that I had come in here to rescue someone. Focus Rashelle; get a grip.

"I-I-Ingemar, is that you?", I called as I pulled myself to my feet.

"Yes, I'm up here".

I picked up my sword from where it fallen and sheathed it. I walked back towards the entrance, wiping my eyes.

Unnoticed before, I saw a thin fissure or channel in the rock that led up to a second smaller chamber, high enough that a bear could not reach it. Ingemar was there. The fissure could be used by a man or mer as a climbing aid but not by a bear.

"Ingemar, I was sent to rescue you by Gartheim. Nothing here will attack you now."

He descended and I then asked him about Thorjan's gauntlets.

"Oh yes, I know where to find them! I was actually planning to go there, myself, but the place is supposed to be filled with evil creatures, and after facing this snow bear beauty, I've had enough of creatures for quite a while. It's a pity, because the gloves are supposed to give their owner incredible strength."

He explained that they were in the Grundalund cavern. The entrance was halfway up the mountainside on the north-west side of the island. I would most likely need a levitation potion to get up there. The entrance should be facing the water.

He looked towards the back of the cave and saw the two cubs.

"If you leave those snow bear babies, they will starve to death. They are too young to fend for themselves".

"I know," I said quietly.

I went back to the snow bear cubs. I stroked their fur and they bumped against me like cats sometimes do.

"Come on little ones," I said in a small voice, "I'm going to take you with me. I-I'll find you a new home even if I have to take care of you myself."

The cubs followed me.

Ingemar was gone. I guess he had departed to rejoin his friend.

The cubs and I left the cave. It had stopped snowing and the sunshine was bright. From the position of the sun it was now mid to late afternoon.

I decided that either Fjorngrin or the Snorri would know what to do with the bears and I concluded that Fjorngrin was closer so I'd go there now. The bears were slow but they followed me faithfully.

Something interesting happened on the way. We were attacked by a frost boar and the cubs defended me by hurling frost bolts at it! I had not realized that snow bears had that ability so young.

We arrived at Fjorngrin's house without further incident.

"Fjorngrin, it's Rashelle. Please come out."

The door swung open and his eyes widened when he saw me crouched outside his house, one arm protectively over each snow bear cub

"Fjorngrin, Don't kill them. They are with me."

"What happened?"

"Their mother attacked me. I had to defend myself. I didn't know she had cubs. I couldn't leave them. I have to find them a new home."

"I can raise them," he said, "it's no trouble."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, they'll be good company."

"You won't kill them?"

"Lass, have no fear. At this young age they can be made accustomed to people ... well, to their owners anyway. If you introduce them to me now and I raise them, they'll be tame around us. I wouldn't take them into the village though."

I nodded. I understood.

I know bears can't understand human speech but it helped me to speak to them anyway. "This is Fjorngrin. He's a friend. He's going to take care of you. You'll be living with him now. This is your new home."

With surprising tenderness, Fjorngrin petted the bears. They bumped up against him just as they had for me.

I stood up.

"thank you Fjorngrin. I know it's a lot to ask but I know I could not raise them."

"Lass, I'm a man of nature more than of the village. The bears and I will enjoy each others company immensely. Have no worries: I raised a snow bear once before, back when I was a lad."

I had never seen him smile a smile that big before: I had made the right decision.

Feeling much better than I had in the past hour, I forced myself to return to business: time to find the gauntlets and then the warhammer.

I had spent enough time in Lokken to get a sense of what was where. The mountain behind Laurenna's house was actually the center of the island. I Recalled to Laurenna's house to give myself a shorter trip.

"Laurenna. I received some information and I'm off to fetch the gauntlets. Not sure when I'll be back so don't wait up."

"Be careful, Rashelle."

I walked down the trail. When I reached the castle I turned right. This lead downhill and away from the castle and into the forest. Once safely out of sight of the castle I cast levitation and turned to the right, and up.

Snow covered landscape is beautiful from the air as well. I floated North. The mountain was on my right.

I floated along a little longer and I spotted something on the North West face of the mountain: a little black box.

I descended. As I got closer it grew and I could see that it was actually a Nord barrow. I was looking for a cave, not a tomb, but the location was about right.

I landed at the foot of the door and canceled the levitation. Slowly I spelled out the Nordic runes on the door. G-r-u- ... yes it was the Grundalund cavern.

I looked through my potions, placing the healing ones where I could grab them easily. Really I would have to make more soon.

Sword out and ready, I entered. It looked like a Nord tomb inside as well.

A skeleton berserker rushed towards me. I met it with Chrysamere, shattering it into bones with two strokes.

I moved forward. The corridor turned to the right. I crept stealthily, slipping on my chameleon ring. The corridor turned left into a branching of the ways. As I stepped into this branching, two skeleton berserkers attacked from my left and a draugr from my right.

The combat was fast and furious and generated a lot of noise: so much for the stealthy approach. I parried the Nordic silver longsword swung by one of the skeletons, then swung Chrysamere around to the right to chop the draugr.

Dropping and rolling to my right, I managed to put the draugr between me and the skeletons. Undead are generally not that sharp and this was demonstrated again as both skeletons swung their swords and killed the draugr for me.

This was all fine but a skeleton champion and a bonewolf appeared from behind a corner and were also attacking me.

Nothing but to take it, and dispatch them one or two at a time. I shuddered as each sword or fang was stopped by my armor. The bonewolf was doing the least damage but was easiest to swing at so I killed it first (if one can speak of "killing" something already dead, that is).

I ducked another sword-slash and smashed one of the skeletons. Two down, three to go.

An elbow to the skull got one skeleton champion away from me for a few precious seconds, leaving me able to focus my attention on the other skeleton.

A swing left and the skeleton was shattered. A swing right and my sword bit into the skeleton champion. Another swing and it was over.

The passage in front of me simply looped around to return as the passage to the right. I turned left and pressed on.

The corridor almost immediately turned to the right, then to the left. This led out into a cavern. Four skeletons came at me.

I swung and shattered the closest one. I parried three swords, shoved them all to the side, and got a slash in.

Two left.

Another slash. One left.

A sword bounced off my cuirass. I chopped. None left.

There was nasty gash on my arm I hadn't noticed before: quaffing a potion handled that.

I moved forward into the cave. There was a pit to my left. Skeletons in it ran in frenzied circles. They couldn't get up here and none had bows so I ignored them and moved on, passing from the cave chamber into a sort of natural corridor.

Five skeletons, two of them the berserker variety, ran towards me as I entered the next chamber. By dodging side to side, while either kicking or using my sword I fought and destroyed them.

This chamber was larger. Like the previous one it had a pit, but this was a larger pit and it had a ramp formed from a large stone. Up this swarmed more skeletons.

Parrying and swinging, I fought through the mass of skeletons and descended the ramp.

Splish splash: I hadn't seen it from above but this lower chamber had a foot or so of rather cold water. At least it was shallow.

Up ahead of me the floor rose up from the water. Relieved, since I don't like water, I followed. This led into another passage. There was only one skeleton in it: that was a nice change. Two swings: that was easy.

I only had a few minor wounds so I paused to use a simple healing spell instead of wasting a potion.

A hail of arrows met me as I entered the next chamber. I ran back the way I came, sucking a health potion since one arrow had gone into my arm.

Only one skeleton followed me, and it had a sword, not a bow. That was easy.

I waited. The archers were not following me. Odd.

I ran into the chamber again, this time casting a large fireball. Now I could see by the light of the flames why the skeleton archers had not followed me: they were on the opposite side of a larger deep pit. They had no way to get across.

A second, larger, fireball finished them.

Now I was alone and had time to look around a bit. I cast a light spell. In front of me was the pit. I could not see how far down it went, although I thought I could hear water. To my left was a stone door. Across the pit, in the opposite wall of the cave, was a sort of natural platform of stone. That was where the skeleton archers had been. There appeared to be a box or something over there. Just then my light spell expired.

I cast levitate and floated over.

As I set down on the platform I could see that the box was a chest. A moment to pick the lock (I could have spelled it but I like to practice my non-magical skills) and I had the chest open.

Inside the chest were two gauntlets. A prickling sensation of enchantment ran through me when I touched them. The enchantment on one was a powerful Feather spell, allowing large burdens to seem lighter. The other had a powerful fortify strength spell, allowing one to lift still more and to also have much more force in any blow dealt with a weapon.

Both enchantments were continuous: constant effect.

These had to be Thorjan's gauntlets. Nice.

I almost Recalled back to Laurenna's there and then. I would then ask around the town to find the warhammer. However, a thought occurred to me: I had not explored the entire cavern system. What if the warhammer was also here? From what I had been told it would be useless without the gauntlets. Logically, one would expect the gauntlets to not be far from the warhammer.

I levitated back over the pit. The levitation spell cut out and I opened the door. It was a large block of stone and it swung ponderously aside.

Stepping forward, I found myself in a large chamber, taller than it was wide. Scattered around were skeletons ... but the dead non-moving sort. That was a change.

Various weapons and pieces of armor were also scattered about.

There were some Nordic tomb lights, the sort that look like truncated stone pillars with flames on them.

On the far side of the chamber, past two thick stone pillars. stood a man in odd-looking armor. The armor was a cross between Nordic mail and some sort of custom armor. A skull motif featured in it. The helm had a huge set of horns on it, looking both ridiculous and oddly sinister at the same time. It was an open helm in that it revealed a chin with a white beard, but it covered the rest of the face, with only eye-slits like a closed helm. I dubbed him "Bull man" because of the horns. Presumably he had something to do with the skeletons on the floor. Later on when I related the tale to Laurenna, she explained that he was probably the legendary berserker known as "The Mad Bull".

Behind him were two torches and two more stone pillars. Between the pillars was a door.

Bull Man zapped me with a frost spell. I guess we were not going to talk. My magicka level rose as the spell was diffused and its energy absorbed. He tried it again. This time the powers of my birth-sign did not absorb the spell, but I've always had this strange affinity to cold, like a Nord. The coolness felt refreshing. I laughed.

Bull Man made a sound somewhere between a scream and grunt and then rushed towards me.

I stood and held my sword ready, intending to meet his charge.

He approached at an alarming rate. He was big: even bigger than Ragnar Fire Hair. Oh oh: change of plans.

I dropped, rolled, swung. Chrysamere connected but didn't do much damage. The roll and the swing gave me momentum to dodge his charge and his axe-swing.

Like a bull, he didn't turn until after he had run a few yards past me. He made a sound like a grunt of rage.

I hit him with a fireball and then cast a levitation spell on myself. The melee combat thing was not going to work here.

I cast a spell to reduce his resistance to fire-based spells before casting another fireball.

I suppose this would have been a good time to take a bow out and pepper him with arrows, from safely up in the air. The thing is, I never could get the hang of the whole archery thing.

I hit him with a simple but powerful health damage spell. It should have killed him.

It didn't. Bellowing for all the world exactly like a maddened and injured bull, Bull Man ran around in circles.

I flew away from him and swooped down to fetch an axe from the floor. I rose again, hefting the axe to get a feel for the weight and the balance. It was a nice large double-edged battle axe.

Come on Bull Man, stay still for a second!

He didn't stand still but at a time when he was running in a straight line I threw the axe. It spun towards him. I throw better than I shoot. The edge of the blade chopped him right in the face. It should have killed him.

My thrown axe fell and clattered to the floor.

With a gurgling sort of bellowing, he shook a fist upwards at me and took another swing in the air with his axe.

I rose higher, positioned myself, stopped the levitation, and fell like a stone. I smashed down on his back with my feet. He was down, still struggling, when I swung Chrysamere.

Finally he was dead.

I searched the body and took some coins and a key.

I walked to the back of the cave, between the two torches, to the door. The door was locked but Bull Man's key unlocked it.

Readying my sword, I opened the door and walked though.

I walked along a passage that opened up into another chamber. It was a pleasant surprise to enter a chamber devoid of hostiles.

I sheathed my sword.

There was a pile of gem-stones and gold coins. I took the emeralds, as they are useful for making health restoration potions, and left the rest.

Behind this was a stalhrim coffin with a skeleton in it. The rubies in the eye sockets were a creepy touch. Presumably this was the tomb of Thorjan, whose warhammer I was questing for.

Behind that, on a high stone pillar was a warhammer. I levitated up to it and tried to lift it. I could not. Good: it was the right one.

Mission doubly accomplished: not only did I have the gauntlets but I now also had the warhammer of Thorjan. I slipped the gauntlets on and then lifted the weapon.

I floated down, canceled the levitation and took a few test swings with the warhammer. Oh yes, very nice! Man, I could do some damage with this thing.

The warhammer was most likely too heavy for my pack to hold without breaking so I simply carried it.

It was sunset when I exited the caverns. From this height it was quite a sight. I sat down to watch it. I munched some food from my pack and ate some snow. It was dark when I was finished.

Rather than risk drawing attention to the area around Laurenna's house, I levitated North and then East around the mountain. Once I saw the ground turn from white to dark (which would be green had it been daylight) I flew lower, below treetop level. The levitation spell wore off and I fell to the ground. My acrobatics are decent so I landed without breaking anything. Two frost boar objected to my landing spot but that was a trivial matter. I sent one flying in the air with the warhammer.

[The Metal Mallet]

That was a very efficient process of dealing with that barrow, and it's also nice to see those bear cubs find a home. I also have to add that the Bull Man seemed to be quite the dangerous opponent, I was shocked at how much damage the Nerevarine of all people had to deal to take down that sucker. But at least Rashelle has the gauntlets and the warhammer. Looks like she is near to completing her goal, I look forward to seeing how that goes.

[jack cloudy]

The pace you're setting is amazing. I can't keep up!

I felt sad about the cubs though it looks like some sort of a happy end has been achieved. And that barrow sounds like one tough tomb. Ok, Skeletons aren't that hard but with the numbers you used, it's a different story. Not that it could change the outcome in the end. If Chrysamere is involved, you know that the good guys will be victorious.

So please, don't slow down.

[blockhead]

9. Preparing, Waiting

Once again making much noise and announcing myself, I entered Snorri's hideout.

"Evening Snorri," I said as I approached the wooden platform. "Is Wulfren decent?"

He chuckled and waved a hand back towards the wolf.

I saw a healthier looking wolf. More rested perhaps. Since I was wearing the gauntlets and holding the warhammer in my hand, Wulfren did not need to ask me how things had gone.

"Rashelle," he exclaimed immediately, "You have them. That is amazing!"

With a heavy dull thunk I placed the warhammer on the floor by the wolf. I removed the gauntlets and placed them on the warhammer.

"Wulfren: when I pledge my sword and spells, I don't kid around."

He nodded.

I pointed to the warhammer and continued: "The stories are true: that thing is heavy. You can't even lift it without putting on the gauntlets first."

I flexed a bicep and said, " ... and I'm not exactly a slouch in the muscle department, either."

"Now let us talk strategy" said Wulfren.

I nodded and then sat down on the floor; easier to see eye-to-eye with Wulfren that way.

"First, let me say how sorry I am that I have made you take such risks. If it hadn't been for the sake of my sister and mother, I would never have asked you. Rashelle, you are beyond doubt the bravest fighter I have ever met. If the circumstances were different, I would have tried to get that warhammer myself. But I am only a poor creature, unable to defend and protect anyone. As I said before, only the death of Kreikan will remove the spell and make me a man again."

"Then I will kill him."

"Rashelle, I couldn't possibly ask you to take such a risk. It's a dangerous task and I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."

"I'm volunteering. He's powerful but I know I can take him."

"Yes, I understand that you are a skilled fighter, but nonetheless, I'm not used to letting others fight for me."

"Wulfren, I am going to kill him. End of story. Please do go on."

"Very well, then. There is a secret passage in the castle between the master bedroom and the throne room. If you use that you might be able to sneak up behind Kreikan and catch him by surprise. This should give you a better chance of killing him."

I nodded. Sneaking is good, regardless of what my fellow Redoran compatriots would say. Less hurt for me: more for my enemies. It's a win-win situation.

"Both the exterior rooftop door and the interior door to the master bedroom are locked."

I nodded. I remembered trying and failing to pick those locks.

"I'm sure one of the maids has the key. Laurenna knows the maids so she will be able to work that out. I have heard that the secret passage should lead to other places as well but I don't know for sure."

"Maybe there is even a bolt hole or escape passage, " I commented, "It seems every castle has one of those."

Wulfren then continued, "Ragnar is extremely strong and so are his guards. Even you can not kill Kreikan when they are around. Sometimes Ragnar goes hunting. He usually brings some of his men with him. When that happens you should have a better chance to kill Kreikan. Be sure that you have both a good weapon and all kinds of potions with you - he is an infamous spell-caster and he can both paralyze and poison you."

I grinned and made sparks fly from my fingers.

"Rashelle! Promise me you won't take an unnecessary risks! Aaargh, I really truly hate being a wolf! I would have wanted to face the danger, myself, instead of sending you straight into it. Be careful, please!"

"I will."

"And after you have killed Kreikan, don't leave Laurenna alone! As soon as Ragnar finds out what has happened, he will get furious. I have no idea what he will do. Please stay with Laurenna in her cottage until I show up! As soon as the curse is broken I will hurry and meet you there."

I nodded.

"At that point we'll plan our next steps. For now, you should go to Laurenna, plan out details as to obtaining the secret passage key, and then wait for Ragnar to go hunting."

I stood up.

"By your your leave, I will teleport out".

He nodded. I Recalled to to my spot by Laurenna's house. It was snowing again. Laurenna was there with her lantern.

I approached Laurenna.

"Rashelle, please tell me! Have you talked to my brother yet? Have you news on Sigrid?"

"No news on her. I've asked Kielreen at the castle to look into the matter. Wulfren has the gauntlets and hammer now. When next Ragnar goes hunting, I'm going to kill Kreikan. That will release the spell on your brother so that he then revert to human form and meet us here at the cottage. Wulfren said we can get a key to the secret passage from one of the maids and use that to sneak up on Kreikan."

She looked at me with ... disapproval? ... sadness?

"Rashelle, I really don't know what to say about that."

I waited.

"Oh yes, I do want Kreikan dead. He is evil and that is the only way for my brother to regain his human shape."

I remained silent.

"Rashelle, I'm afraid that something will happen to you. I ... really don't think I can bear that. You've been a good friend to me and that is a rare thing."

I smiled.

"This time. I'm not going to let you leave me behind. I will follow you to the castle and help you to kill Kreikan ... "

I shook my head but before I could object further she hissed: "Listen to me! You really need my help now!"

I waited.

"Wulfren mentioned that one of the maids might have a key to the master bedroom. This is true. The girl who has the key is Agnete. She is a friend of mine - we have been friends ever since my mother taught us how to read and write. You could never pursued her to give you the key, but I can. Therefore I must come with you."

I nodded. I was not happy but it was necessary.

"But it is not time to do anything yet. Just as Wulfren said, we will definitely have to wait until Ragnar goes on his next hunt. Here, I'm done for tonight, let us go inside."

We did.

Inside, Laurenna continued: "Let me write you a note to take to Kielreen. In the note I'll ask her to send a message to her aunt Gwenn when Ragnar leaves. That way, we can check with Gwenn to make sure the coast is clear before we go to the castle. I hope it is soon: I'm worried about my mother".

I sat while she wrote.

After a short time she said "There!"

I stood up and she handed me the note.

"She'll know it is me by the handwriting. I explained to her what I want her to do. I also wrote that she should probably find a reason to not be in the throne room once Ragnar leaves: I don't want her getting involved or hurt in the fight. Now in the meantime I'll have to practice my chameleon spell before it is time to go to the castle."

I nodded, carefully rolled the note up and placed it in my pack and departed out into the evening snow.

I didn't want to enter the castle so I procrastinated by dropping in to see Gwenn at the brewery. She and Borka were eating but she said she was glad to see me anyway. She told me that Granny Torunn wanted to see me.

Apologizing for interrupting their meal and thanking her for the message I walked to the castle.

I entered the throne room. Ragnar again ignored me. It was just as well. I bought a mug of Sujamma from Kielreen and slipped her Laurenna's note. She palmed it like she was in the Guild. We chatted briefly about carefully innocuous topics and then I left.

I thought about going back to Laurenna's and sleeping, but instead I set off East into the forest, to see Granny Torunn.

I reached her house and knocked on the door, announcing myself. She opened the door. Good; she had not yet gone to sleep.

"Gwenn said you wanted to see me."

"Yes, Rashelle. Do come in."

She gestured to a chair and asked if I wanted some mead. I accepted the former and declined the latter.

"Just before Wulfgar The White was killed," said Granny Torunn, "Sigrid asked me to prepare two amulets each for Laurenna and Wulfren - one for levitating and one for chameleon. I had them ready just the day before the murder, and then, because of all that happened, I forgot all about them. Earlier today, I was cleaning out some drawers, and then I found them. Please take them and give them to Laurenna."

I nodded and she handed them to me.

I could feel the enchantments on them; constant effect, all. Granny Torunn knew her stuff!

"Thank you ... and Laurenna thanks you."

"You're welcome."

I left. Outside her house I cast Recall.

I entered the cottage. Laurenna was in her bed but still awake.

"Rashelle, what news?"

"I gave the note to Kielreen."

Then I explained about Granny Torunn. I gave the two chameleon amulets and the two levitation amulets to Laurenna.

"Oh Rashelle, that's wonderful!"

She put one of them on and disappeared. Yes granny Torunn knew her stuff indeed. I went to my sleeping fur.

The next few days were both restful and tense. There was nothing left to do but wait. While Laurenna was at her "post", I would clean around the house. I would obtain food and supplies, both by hunting and and by buying things in the village. I cooked meals. As a cook I'm a great spellsword but Laurenna appreciated it anyway: she hadn't had time to do all of this.

When not doing the above I stayed outside with Laurenna, far enough away to be out of sight of the castle, just being there for her.

I checked with Gwenn two or three times a day. I avoided the castle. I tried not to fidget.

[The Metal Mallet]

Events are set in motion, the plan is drawn up. I can't wait to see how this all pans out. That chameleon amulet is definitely going to be beneficial as well. Good work.

[Zelda_Zealot]

Good read, sorry for the lack of any constructive critisism, but I have to go soon and my day has not been that great so far. Just keep up your writing and hopefully I will play this mod soon and will know more about what is going on.

[blockhead]

10. Action

One sunny morning I stopped at the Brewery and this time Gwenn had news for me.

"Rashelle! I have got a message from Kielreen. She says that Ragnar Fire Hair and some of his men have just left the castle."

This was excellent news. I thanked Gwenn and left.

I headed west, out of the village and in the direction of the west coast. As soon as I saw that I was out of sight of anyone in the village, I Recalled to the cottage.

I approached Laurenna at her "post" and said "Show time!"

She nodded, slipped on an amulet and disappeared.

"Rashelle, if I walk behind you I will leave extra footprints and will make the sound of extra footsteps, so I will float behind you with the levitation amulet. Agnete will most likely be in the trophy room. I think I can persuade her to give us the key to the master bedroom."

"Good idea. Ready?"

"Rashelle, you do realize that in an hour or less we may both be dead."

"Not if I can help it."

"Even so ... If something should happen to me ... promise that you will stay here for a while and help Wulfren. He has gone through many hard experiences, and I think he needs your support. When he was younger, he fell in love with Lisendra. They were steady for two years, but then she just walked out on him. She has always been a flirt, and I don't think she ever really cared for him. Now, she spends most of her time hunting with the boys - and hunting boys. He hasn't cared for a woman since then."

"I promise."

"Then let's go. Head on!"

Through the falling snow I walked down the path and to the castle. I ascended the stairs, nodded to the guard as if I owned the place, opened the door, and entered the castle. I held the door for an extra breath after I entered so Laurenna could quickly slip through.

I remembered the location of the trophy room from my previous explorations and walked unerringly there. We entered. I closed the door and saw that there was only one person in the room, a woman. She was the one I had seen sleeping in a chair the last time I was here. hopefully she was Laurenna's friend, Agnete.

She turned to me; "yes?"

"Agnete, it's me," I heard Laurenna's voice from my left, "I'm invisible."

"L-Laurenna?"

"Yes, it's me. We need your key to the master bedroom."

I admired Laurenna's subtle approach, so much like my own.

Agnete didn't look too happy.

Silence.

"Agnete. Please, it is important", said Laurenna's voice.

She signed and then produced the key. She held it out and it disappeared. Agnete gave a small yelp of surprise.

"Steady on: I'm invisible, remember?"

"Yes, I'm sorry," Agnete said.

Then Agnete continued; "You're taking the secret passage from the bedroom, aren't you?"

How many people knew about this supposedly secret passage?

Agnete continued, "You're going to use it to sneak into the throne room. No, don't tell me. But you should know this. I remember hearing once that it goes to other places as well, including the South East tower and possibly a bolt-hole out of the castle."

Innnnnnnteresting.

"Thank you, Agnete. I wouldn't have bothered you but this is the only way," said Laurenna's voice.

"One more thing, there may be undead somewhere in there. Be careful."

"Good to know. Thanks again. Rashelle: lead on."

I felt a key pressed into my hand. I took the key. We left.

A few moments walking through the myriad corridors of the castle had us at the interior door to the master bedroom.

I let us in. Once I was sure Laurenna was also inside (she poked me), I closed and locked the door.

We were in a wood-paneled hallway. Stairs led up. After I drew my sword we went up. This turned and led us into the actual master bedroom itself. Fortunately it was unoccupied. Oddly enough, there was an air of disuse: Ragnar was apparently not sleeping here.

"Laurenna?"

"Right here".

"Do you know where the door to the passage is?"

"No."

OK, time to use my thief skills. I carefully and quietly tapped along the wall for hollow sounds, also nudging candles and each of the many weapons hanging on the walls looking for triggers/switches.

Laurenna found the door: it was next to what looked like an altar. We entered.

Secret passages? What can one say about them? They are usually dark, claustrophobic, sometimes they have rats in them. Sometimes they have worse.

I have a fairly good sense of direction and I had my mental map of the castle so we reached the throne room in a very short time. We encountered nothing on the way.

This trap door had a peephole. Looking through the peephole I could see in the room. It was the throne room. I saw two guards in the center of the room and Kreikan two yards in front of me. The throne was to my left.

This was it. Deep breath. Focus.

I opened the door and darted out fast as I could.

The guards had just spotted me.

I ran, raising my sword. Kreikan turned and looked. I swung, hoping to chop his head off. Of course it didn't work that way.

He ducked my swing and hit me with some spells. There was fire involved and something that felt a little like a paralyze but I absorbed the spells, feeling my magicka level increase.

I swung again but this time he had an axe out and parried. Damn.

He hit me with another spell: fire bloomed around me. I ignored the pain and my sword chopped into him.

He hit me with another spell. I kicked him but not where I wanted to because he dodged. Something clanged off my armor: one of the guards was attacking on my right.

Kreikan cast another fireball, which took care of the guard for me but had no effect on me this time, mercifully.

This time I stabbed instead of slashed and my sword found his foul heart.

This would have been a perfect opportunity for the second guard to attack me. Fortunately he didn't. I pulled out my sword from the body and then saw that Laurenna had already killed the second guard. Considering that he was in full Nordic mail I was impressed.

I quickly dug out a healing potion and held it out to the air.

"Laurenna, healing potion?"

"I'm good," said Laurenna's voice.

Three dead. Laurenna and I still alive. Good.

I quaffed the potion. The pain of my burns immediately stopped.

"Rashelle, I've never seen you fight before. That was impressive."

"Ha! Practice makes perfect. You're no slouch yourself," I said as I pointed to the second guard.

I quickly searched through Kreikan's body. I took the keys and the gold.

"Rashelle, if the passage branches like Agnete said, we could maybe reach my mother and rescue her right now."

"OK. Let's do it."

No deep analysis and deliberation here. We re-entered the passage.

Again I trusted my sense of direction plus the mental map I had built up to reach the South East Tower. How many branches did this passage have?

I looked through the peephole. I saw a winding stairwell and a lit sconce in the wall and a tapestry.

"Laurenna," I whispered, "look in the peephole: can you tell if is this the right place?"

I moved to the side and waited.

"yes," Laurenna's voice whispered.

"Good. Expect at least one Ragnar guard. Let's go."

I opened the door and crept out.

The trap door appeared to close itself: Laurenna was out also.

I ascended the spiraling stairs.

There was a guard at the top of the spiral. I cast a paralyze spell before he could say anything. Something pushed past me and blood gushed from the guard's chest. It is possible to pierce mail but it is difficult: the angle of the thrust must be just right. Laurenna had managed it. He collapsed to his knees, made a choking sound, and died.

"Nice, Laurenna".

I moved forward to search the body but bumped into Laurenna.

"Oops"

"Sorry Rashelle ... OK, I've got his key."

Laurenna appeared.

"I can see you."

"I took the amulet off: mother needs to know that it is me."

I nodded.

She turned and unlocked the door. She opened it. She went in. I followed.

"Laurenna!"

"Mother!"

Laurenna sheathed her sword and ran to her mother, who hugged her. So this was Sigrid. I saw she had the family hair.

I coughed.

"This is my friend Rashelle."

"Yes, I saw her standing with you the other night," said Sigrid

"It's a pleasure to meet you but we really need to go right now," I said.

"yes of course."

I led them down the stairs.

"You know, if we had taken the other chameleon amulet with us we could have given it to Sigrid and left through the front door."

"I didn't think of that"

"Neither did I."

"Let's chance the undead and try the secret passage."

"OK."

"I think I'll keep the amulet off for now" said Laurenna, "so we don't bump into each other"

"OK."

We spiraled down and entered the secret passage without incident.

When it felt right, according to my mental map, I took one of the branches. Hewn rock alternated with stone-work as we progressed. Some sort of fungus hung in sheets from the ceiling, obscuring anything more than a few paces away. I led the way, using a Light spell for Laurenna's and Sigrid's sake.

"Steps down, be careful." I warned then as we descended deeper.

I heard them before I saw them: two skeletons. I hacked one in half. Laurenna darted past me and got the second one.

We continued.

An ancestor ghost. No problem.

We continued.

Two draugr. Laurenna dealt with one and I slew the other.

We reached water.

"Feh."

"What's wrong, Rashelle?"

"I hate water."

"Can you swim?"

"Yes, I eventually learned, but I hate it. Well, let's go. Going to get wet now."

I walked down the stone slope into the water, Laurenna and Sigrid behind me. It was only waist deep and seemed clean but it was very cold. I like cold but even I have my limits. I walked though a waterfall and then the rock floor sloped up. That took us out of the water.

We walked little bit longer. There seemed to be no more undead.

We reached a door.

"This must be the bolt hole outdoors. Laurenna?"

Laurenna disappeared.

I opened the door.

We emerged from a snow covered door behind the castle. I had walked a mere few yards away from this spot many times in the past few days without ever having noticed it: nice design. The path up to the cottage was to my right. I walked up it, an invisible Laurenna and a visible Sigrid behind me.

It was a happy three who entered the cottage.

With the luxury of time and location it was possible to make proper introductions. Laurenna asked Sigrid about the "danger" signal.

"That day, Ragnar told me that the white wolf was really my son. I agreed to marry him and in exchange he would have Wulfren restored to his human form."

"You know he would not have kept his end of the bargain. Wulfren alive and in human form would then still be the rightful chieftain."

"I-I know this now, but, Laurenna, it has been a long year and nothing was happening. I saw no way out."

"I understand. We got you out. It's going to be OK." I said.

"OK Rashelle," said Laurenna. "Now my brother will be in human form and will be on his way here. Now we wait."

"How did he get in human form?" asked Sigrid.

"We killed the shaman just before we rescued you."

"That's excellent news!" exclaimed Sigrid. "Oh thank you both!"

"It's not over yet, but for now, we wait."

"Rashelle," said Laurenna, "there is nothing to do while we wait for my brother to arrive. Why don't you take a nap and get some rest? You look tired. I'm too excited right now to sleep: why don't you use my bed?"

I did feel tired even though it was only the late morning: and she was correct in that there was nothing to be done for now.

I took off my helm and got into her bed.

"Sleep, Rashelle. I'll be watching over you".

I smiled up at her. Musing that I could not recall if anyone had ever said that to me, and that I liked hearing it, I fell rapidly into slumber. Potions are all good but nothing beats a good sleep.

I wish I had stayed awake.

This post has been edited by blockhead: Apr 7 2007, 02:47 PM

[jack cloudy]

Aye, cliffhanger!

I wished I had an invisible companion in Morrowind. Those are sure a heck of a lot more helpful than 'Pilgrim X' who just gets in the way of my swordswinging and then takes it personal. I hate having to rush in like a fricking berserker just to save them all the time.

Nice work, though Wulfren had better get down there quick.

[The Metal Mallet]

Oh boy, oh boy! What's going to happen next? It doesn't look like it'll be a good thing. I can't wait to see what'll be though.

[minque]

This is what you get from being absent a day or two! Several great updates....hmm now that isn´t bad right? On the contrary it´s good..it´s good to get some nice reading, and this certainly is. I find Rashelle a sweetie and I really wait for the continuation, to read about what will happen to her. It´s nice to get to know more about the Lokken-thingy, I am particularly interested in sceneries that obviously are inspired by the country I am from! Hmm it must be knowing about the creator of this mod....Emma!

So blockie my dear, continue this one, please!

[blockhead]

11. Reaction, Justice

I snapped awake. Sigrid was calling my name and walking towards the bed. I didn't see Laurenna. I knew something was wrong.

"Where's Laurenna?" I asked as I got out of bed.

"I don't know. She went outside: she had to 'go'. but that was awhile ago, she hasn't ... "

I was outside. It was snowing now and I could see no tracks. Laurenna was nowhere in sight. Where was Wulfren for that matter? He must have had enough time to get back here by now.

I cast a spell used to detect enchantments. Laurenna had one levitation and one chameleon amulet with her so my spell should have located her. I detected nothing aside from the amulets in the cottage. She was either far away ... or inside the castle: the thick stone walls would block my spell. I knew then that they had come and kidnapped her when she was outside by herself.

Wulfren had warned me to stay with her. Now she was gone.

"If they harm so much as one hair on her head, they will die!"

I rushed back into the cottage.

"Sigrid. They have her. Somehow Ragnar knew and came back early from his hunting trip. I can't wait for Wulfren."

I gave her my one backup almsivi intervention scroll.

"If I'm not back in an hour then all is lost. Use this to escape to Gnisis."

I left.

I cast Jump and I shot towards the castle. I cast Slow Fall just as I was about to hit. I landed next to the exterior door to the master bedroom.

The guards looked at me but they seemed unsure as to what to do. I quickly let myself in with the key and had the door re-locked behind me before they could come to a decision.

Quick as a flash I was across the room and entering the secret passage.

I cast a Light spell and ran along the passage.

Ragnar's men were waiting for me.

I should have expected this but did not. It was entirely logical: the attack on his shaman had bypassed the guard in the anteroom and the ones outside. Therefore the secret passage had been used. In retrospect, it was logical and obvious to now patrol the passage.

I was caught unawares. I expected undead, not a cross-bow.

A bolt pierced my cuirass: from the pain I knew it hit something vital. That should have been impossible, bolts can't pierce ebony armor ... unless they were using daedric bolts. Another bolt hit me in the leg. I was down. Through a fog of pain I cast a large fireball down the passage. I cast another one. I followed it with a nasty toxic cloud spell.

Silence: maybe I had gotten them all.

I was going to faint. If I fainted now I would die. I took a potion, then another. The healing action of the potions pushed both bolts out. It hurt. I took a third potion.

Finally I was able to rise. That was a close one. Stupid, Rashelle: Always expect the unexpected.

I canceled the Light spell and moved at a slower, more cautious, pace.

My feet bumped a body. By the scorched smell I knew it was dead: a char-broiled mass of meat for the rats.

There was another body in the same condition. So there had been two stationed here. Casting a Night Eye spell to see in the darkness, I searched the bodies. I took a cross-bow and some bolts. I'm not good with bows but maybe I would get lucky. I moved forward again.

There was torch light at a branching: another of Ragnar's guards. I hit him with a fireball. Stupid, if anyone had a Reflect spell ... but they didn't.

As I approached the throne room, I could hear the clash of metal on metal: fighting.

I reached the door, looked though the peephole.

A Nord in Nordic mail armor was there, and he was fighting Ragnar. He was wielding the warhammer of Thorjan Bjorg. The warhammer identified him as Wulfren. I had only ever seen him in wolf-form: I did not know what he looked like as a man, aside from having white hair and blue eyes. That idiot must have decided to go directly to kill Ragnar by himself, leaving Laurenna and I entirely out of it. A noble and protective move, but stupid: Ragnar was winning. Ragnar was playing with him, as a cat does a mouse. Wulfren was favoring his side and was bleeding. He looked like he was going to drop the warhammer any second.

Then Wulfren was down. Ragnar kicked him once. Again. I winced as I heard ribs break. Turning from the peephole, I sheathed my sword. I then loaded and cocked the cross-bow.

"Ha! Crawl like a kwama. You'll beg for death, before I kill you." said Ragnar, "Then I'll rape your sister while your mother watches!"

I took another look. I could see only one guard and he was dead. Wulfren must have managed to kill him while also fighting Ragnar. Wulfren and Ragnar were alone in the throne room.

I would only get one chance to do this and marksman was not my strong suit. Focus Rashelle. Aim.

I opened the the trap door, aimed as quickly as I dared, and fired.

I was aiming for Ragnar's head but I hit him in the side. It may have been a fatal wound or it may not have been. If it were, it would take too long to kill him.

Dropping the cross-bow, I sprung out of the passage. Ragnar had turned and was now looking at me in astonishment.

I hit him with a targeted paralyze spell and ran towards him.

I reached him. He was motionless: the spell worked.

Looking the him straight in the eye I hissed, "Burn, fetcher."

With a hate as pure as sunshine, I put a hand on his chest and began to pour a fire spell into him.

I could tell when the paralyze cut out because he fell to his knees and began to scream. My hand stayed in contact and the fire got hotter. The scream was quickly silenced by white-hot flame.

He was dead but I wanted to continue burning him. I wanted to burn him until there was nothing left but ashes. It would have been very satisfying. I did not, because I was in a hurry: I needed to save Laurenna.

"Rashelle," said Wulfren weakly.

I turned to him, crouched down, and handed him a potion. "Drink this."

He drank it.

"Rashelle, I ... "

"Not now. Drink this."

I gave him another potion. There were cracking sounds as the potion set and healed broken ribs.

"I'm sorry I ... "

"Later. Focus, Wulfren. We need to save Laurenna. Are you healed now?"

"Yes. Let us go. Lead on."

I extended my hand. He grasped it and pulled himself up until he was standing.

"Wulfren," I said, "is there anyone left in the castle who will try to kill us?"

"No. The regular guards were loyal to my father. They followed Ragnar because he was the chieftain, not because of any great loyalty. They won't give us any trouble now."

"Good," I said. "Now Laurenna."

I ran towards the prison area, Wulfren at my heels. Where else would they take her? No one tried to stop us.

I entered the prison area and faced Von Schlepp.

"Von Schlepp. Ragnar and his men are all dead. Wulfren rules now. Where is Laurenna?"

"Oh thank goodness you are here Rashelle. You've got to help her. Ragnar's guards dragged that poor girl down here and threw her in that cell beneath the trap door. They took my key. They must have beaten her up severely, because she was in terrible shape. And all the time she was calling for you, Rashelle, begging for her to rescue you."

Enough. I darted past Von Schlepp to the trap door and I was down in Laurenna's cell.

She was a mess, Ragnar's goons had worked her over. She was bleeding. It tore me apart to see her like this. I'll kill them. No wait, I'd already done that. Focus, Rashelle.

"Rashelle, I knew you would come." she croaked in a small voice.

Searching my pack I discovered that I had used up all of my healing potions. I quaffed a restore magicka potion instead.

I laid my hands on her and poured healing magic into her. A blue glow suffused her.

I cradled her head and healed her bruised bleeding face.

I concentrated, focused, healed.

When I was done I said; "Ragnar and his henchmen are all dead. Wulfren is the chieftain now. You are safe now. It's over. We've won."

"Thank you, Rashelle. Thank you so much for everything."

"Is she all right?" Von Schlepp called down.

"Yes, thankfully," I called up to him.

"I don't think I've ever seen anyone smash a trap door from its hinges with one kick before," he said.

I turned back to Laurenna and asked her, "Can you stand up?"

"Y-yes. Thank you Rashelle".

I helped her stand up. She still was shaky and seemed weak but otherwise restored to health.

I brought out a potion.

"Drink this," I hissed, "it will taste very bad you must drink it".

She did.

"Rashelle," Wulfren called down, "You should take Laurenna back to the cottage to rest. I've got matters in hand here."

"OK Wulfren, but I have a question for you."

"Yes?"

"How did you know Ragnar was back early?"

"I suddenly was human again. I departed from the hideout. I was in the forest, about halfway to the cottage, when I spotted Ragnar and his men, heading for the castle in a hurry. I carefully followed them. I stopped before I got too close to the castle and I waited. I watched them enter the castle. I swear I could hear his bellow of rage even from outside where I was standing. I waited a bit longer. Then I decided to just go in and kill him then without involving you two."

That explained a lot. It didn't explain why Ragnar knew to come back early. My only guess would be that there had been some sort of magical tie between Ragnar and his shaman, so that Ragnar knew of his death instantly.

To Laurenna I said, "Put your arms around me, I'm going to teleport you home."

She did and I did. Recall only works on one person but if in close enough contact a second person can be carried along. It was awkward because she was taller than I am, but I wanted her out of there and in her cottage as quickly as possible.

We went into the cottage and I put her in her bed.

"Sleep now. You are safe now."

I then turned to Sigrid.

"Ragnar and all of his cronies are all dead. Only the regular guards remain and they were always loyal to Wulfren. It's over. Wulfren rules now. He is in the castle now. You are free."

Sigrid said; "Oh Rashelle, thank you for everything," and gave me a hug.

[The Metal Mallet]

Wow, so that's basically it eh? Looks like Ragnar got his comeupings and a bit more. Good work. I wonder what you'll write about next. Though I might be jumping to conclusions here, it seems like this story deserves at least one more update to sums things up.

[blockhead]

12. Conclusion

The next day we were all in the throne room when Wulfren brought up a concern: "I still have to clear my name in regard to my father's murder."

"Look Wulfren. Who made this claim that you murdered him?"

"Ragnar."

"Anyone else?"

"Errr, no."

"And what does Ragnar say now?"

"Nothing."

"Did anyone see your father's murder actually occur besides you, Ragnar and Kreikan?"

"No."

"Laurenna, do you believe Wulfren killed your father?"

"Certainly not."

"Sigrid, did Wulfren kill your husband?"

"No!"

"Wulfren. Did you kill your father?"

"Certainly not, lass! I saw Ragnar kill him!"

"Wulfren. As Chieftain, who do you answer to?"

"No one."

"Wrong. We'll settle this matter right now. Come with me. You also," I said indicating Laurenna and Sigrid.

I lead them through the anteroom. The guard there saluted Wulfren.

I led them outside and down the steps.

"Speak nothing of 'clearing your name' for now" I whispered to Wulfren.

We reached the village.

"Wulfren, By the gods it's good you are back!"

"It's Wulfren! It's the chieftain."

He was greeted in a similar manner by more villagers as we continued along. I led them to the main hall. We entered.

"Wulfren! It's Wulfren!"

"He's back! Laurenna was right!"

We walked towards the center of the room. I could hear more villagers entering the Main Hall behind us.

"Our chieftain is here"

"Mead for the chieftain!"

I looked at Wulfren. "Do you understand now?"

"Aye lass, the people have spoken. I am the rightful chieftain."

Someone passed him a mug of mead. Was that a tear in his eye?

"Laurenna and Sigrid are safe and I am now rightful chieftain of Lokken. Oh what a happy day this is!" said Wulfren.

Wulfren then announced; "Mead is no longer restricted!"

That got a loud cheer.

Someone had handed me a mug of mead. I'd have to drink it just to be polite.

Taking a cue from my experiences at at Thirsk I raised my mug and shouted; "All hail Wulfren The White, Chieftain of Lokken!"

The response was deafening.

After a moment Wulfren faced me and said; "There is one more thing I must talk about with you now."

"No reward is necessary ... "

"Oh bother on that, take what you want from the castle, but that's not what I want to talk about."

"Oh."

"Rashelle, over the past few days I have developed some feelings for you. You have saved our family. I have seen you fight like a berserker, an avenging Valkyrie".

Valkyrie. Righhhht. I knew where this was heading.

"Rashelle, would you marry me?"

I really wished he had not asked that with Laurenna and Sigrid and half the village standing right there. Sigrid was giving me a "say 'yes'" look.

"Wulfren, we have shared some adventures and I am fond of you but I do not love you. There is no attraction of that sort."

His eyes were downcast like a sad little puppy. It made me feel like a heel.

"You are more like a brother to me, the brother I never had. The brother I would have liked to have known while growing up."

That went over well, both with him and (more importantly) with the potential mob surrounding us.

"You are chieftain now," I continued, "You have a job to do. There will be another woman, better for you. Don't pine over a silly Breton girl."

He nodded, and gave a little smile. Good: he'd buck up.

Sigrid gave me a little smile. Good: she didn't hate me either. I had managed it so that Wulfren could save face. Best use of speech craft I'd ever done, and just when I most needed it.

Then I remembered something.

"Wulfren. Please hold that thought. I'll be right back. Really. You'll like this."

I darted outside, turned left, and ran to Lisendra's house.

I knocked on the door. "Lisendra! Open up! I have good news!"

She opened the door and looked at me.

"What's all the yelling about? What's going on?"

I grinned and said, "Come with me."

She did.

We entered the main hall. I stepped to one side and gestured to Wulfren.

There was immediate silence in the hall. To silence a roomful of Nords who haven't had mead in a while is quite an accomplishment.

She gaped; she gasped.

"WULFREN!!!!"

She rushed towards him and threw her arms around him.

"Wulfren I'm sorry I'm sorry. I was stupid. I love you. I didn't realize this until you were gone. Oh I begged the gods to tell you one more time that I loved you, and now I can."

Then the party began in earnest. Nords sure know how to party.

I stayed for a few days, helping them clean up and also getting myself some well-deserved rest. Snorri and I had a particularly distasteful time cleaning up the shaman's room, removing his Wards and disposing of the things he had in there. I ended up having to use fire to cleanse that room.

I also cleared up a little problem that the castle berserkers were having, with the help of Granny Torunn. I consider myself a master of alchemy but that woman could teach me more than a thing or two!

Finally the day came when I knew it was time to go. After a quick meal alone in the castle kitchen I packed my things and walked into the throne room to say goodbye.

"Wulfren, it is good to see you on the throne. Sigrid, it is good to see you not in the tower."

"Thank you again Rashelle".

"I have enjoyed your company and your hospitality but now it is time for me to be leaving."

"Won't you stay in Lokken?" asked Wulfren.

"I have to go. I will miss you all."

I turned to Laurenna.

"I will miss you most of all, Laurenna my good friend. I will come back and visit".

Laurenna and I clasped hands. I said to her, "I know your vow is over but you should keep the short hair, it looks cute."

"I might. It looks good on you also."

"Well, that's that I guess."

"Won't you stay in Lokken?" said Laurenna.

"No, I have set things to rights here and now must move on."

"Rashelle, please stay."

"I have obligations to my House."

"Rashelle. Please stay. Stay here ... with me."

Focus, Rashelle; the important things. What is really important: a faction or a ... friendship?

I stayed.

Wulfren is to marry Lisendra. It looks now that she is more mature she will be able to make the relationship work this time. Laurenna is sceptical but willing to wait and see.

Fjorngrin continues to raise the snow bears. Sometimes Laurenna and I go and play with them. They took to her right away, as I somehow knew they would. I think the companionship of the snow bears is good for Fjorngrin as he drinks much less these days and keeps his house cleaner.

Sigrid has gone back to teaching the children how to read.

Laurenna and I made some trips to Vvardenfell and Mournhold and have had some fun adventures there but we both agree that Lokken is much nicer. This is my home now. I am freed of any obligations to the affairs of gods and emperors. I am surrounded by friends. And I do so love the snow.


--
Afterward

I've never written anything before. No, that is not true. I've never finished an entire story before, nor posted it. I chose to write a Lokken fanfic because it would be a short story and not a novel. Also I chose Lokken because it's my favorite quest plugin.

I've not followed the Lokken story-line exactly. Some changes were necessary as part of the translation from the nonlinear media of a Morrowind plugin to the linear medium of text: suddenly I had to keep track of time: I couldn't have Rashelle stop in the middle of one important time-dependent task to go do a second task.

Some changes were necessary because of my limited writing skills: I dropped an entire sub-thread of the Lokken "main" quest in order that I could keep track of everything. I hope Emma doesn't mind.

Some changes were caused by the characters. I've heard "real" writers talking about how sometimes their characters "take over" the story. I've never had that happen ... until this story. In chapter four Rashelle wanted to beat that Imperial. The Imperial didn't want to shut up. Then Fjorngrin was not content to be a mere 2-dimensional "quest giver" NPC, no ... he had to assume three dimensions and step out of the page and write the chapter.

Rashelle is based on my Morrowind character of the same name. Writing this story actually forced me to think through some sort of back-story for her. That was interesting.

Thanks to the following authors of Morrowind fanfic for their inspiration:

Treydog ("The Story of Tray")

OverrideB1 ("The Tale of Sudhendra Vahl")

Minque ("Serene of Cyrodiil")

Their stories showed me that Morrowind Fanfic could not only be done, but done well, with quality writing, realistic personalities and plausible motivation.

I especially like Minque's work because she is taking greater liberties with the main quest, yet making it all consistent, original and intense. I (and most likely everyone else on these forums) eagerly await each installment.

Thanks to Bethesda softworks for creating this great game and for including a construction set ... and for creating an entire world with a rich heritage and culture.

Thanks to Emma and her team for creating the wonderful White Wolf of Lokken Mountain plugin and giving it such compelling three-dimensional characters: I actually said "If they harm one hair on her head they will die" out loud when Ragnar's men kidnapped Laurenna. No other plugin has "touched" me like Lokken has. When it was over I was happy that my character had saved the day but sad that it was over. I felt that I had had adventures with them and gotten to know them in their wonderful snow-covered land.

Thanks for all the comments/critiques here. This story has had many improvements & corrections since its original posting because of them.

As for what is next ... perhaps another Rashelle adventure.

This post has been edited by blockhead: Apr 8 2007, 10:51 PM

[The Metal Mallet]

Wow, your conclusion wraps everything up very nicely. I was actually very impressed that Rashelle decided to stay in Lokken with everyone. Being the Nerevarine and having to experience all that she had to, you'd think that Rashelle would want to continue the adventuring. Yet, staying in Lokken just seems to fit so well.

I do you decide to write another story for us here. I'd love to see what new techniques or advances in your story writing you would utilise. When reading material from other writers I've been able to see such advances (specifically with the writer jack cloudy, each of his stories have been getting better and better). It would be great to see what you could do.

Congratulations on actually finishing a story (something I have yet to do excluding short stories that I had to write for school).

[jack cloudy]

Ah, Mallet. You're making me blush.
Ahem, I do admit that my writing has improved by quite a bit. Practice makes perfect after all. So by all means, feel free to share whatever story you might feel like writing.

On the whole, your story was a good one and the ending was really nice. At first it seemed like Rashelle wanted to pull the Western end. The lone hero riding off towards the sunset. (Only without a horse this time.)
But when she stayed, it felt right. I mean, she's basically left Redoran already just by coming to Lokken. So why not make it official and stay in a nice place?

And as an added bonus, I hunted down the mod and downloaded it, without the patch I won't need. Because I will get Bloodmoon someday, even if I have to take over the world first! *scrambles off to the designtable with the 'big lasergun of blackmailing doom project' on it.*