The Companionable Adventure of Sir J'Zirlo of New Kvatch Options

[McBadgere]

Oh look, Robert is posting something...Well, it's been at least some hours since I did that... ...

Thank you all so very much...I'm really enjoying doing this...And it's massively encouraging...Always...

Oh, and Mein Colonel, after you said that, I kinda slapped my expansive slap and realised I had actually known that fact...Just kinda slipped the old Noggin(thenog ...OOoh!!! Kinda appropriate joke there...Inadvertant funny alert!!! )...

Cheers all...You rock!!... ... ...



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As we left the warmth of the mead hall, it seemed that Vilkas and I had become infinitely more interesting than the repeated punching of Olfsson. Everyone filed out of Jorrvaskr after us, to watch Vilkas’ testings. A sentence I hope to never have to read again.

Urgh.

Anyways.

I sighed. This was not going to go well for the man.

We walked down a few steps to the training yard, with all the things one needed to train with weapons – Archery targets and the like. Well, all except anything moving at least.

We reached the place where friend Vilkas decided we were to do our sporting.

“Prepare to defend yourself.” The Nord said, and levelled the Greatsword he had collected on the way out through the door.

“You remember that J’Zirlo is ex-Legion, no?” I said to Vilkas.

“I care not, my little Khajiit.” He said quietly so that only we two could hear him. “It is best that you do not stay, I’m sorry.”

Little? I bowed my head to the Nord, and turned it slightly to see Olfsson standing at the top of the stone steps, watching. The Dunmer that he’d been fighting stood with him, saying something. Olfsson saw me looking and nodded, just a small amount.

“Then Khajiit too is sorry for what is about to happen, my friend.”

Friend Vilkas snarled and swung the Steel Greatsword. I turned it away with the flat of my sword. Again and again, every attack was parried.

“Fight back, damn you!” Vilkas said.

A few more combinations of attacks turned without any trouble and Vilkas held a hand up to ask leave to pause for breath.

I shrugged. I looked up at the crowd, who were all talking amongst themselves. I saw the Dunmer say something to Kodlak Whitemane with a shake of his head. The Kodlak frowned and stepped forward.

“Master J’Zirlo,” he started, “It would seem that you’re holding back; my friend here assures me that you must have some skill. Please show it.”

Oh dear.

I bowed to Whitemane and apologised. Then I apologised to Vilkas and shrugged again; And launched an attack of my own. I believe he was unprepared to defend himself. So, when presently he was on his behind on the dressed stone of the yard, his Greatsword some way over towards the walls that surrounded the compound, I raised my eyebrow at him. Then put my arm out to help him stand. Vilkas snarled and pushed himself up, then he retrieved his Greatsword and we tried again. When this time, we were left with me holding his Greatsword in one hand, the tip at his throat, Whitemane laughed, clapped and declared that it was now Olfsson’s turn. I tossed the Greatsword up and caught the other end with one hand and passed it back to Vilkas. He seemed disturbed by this.

I looked up to Olfsson and lip read as he said, “Thing is, I’m better than him.”

Khajiit will allow this to be true. There are few that are better than Olfsson. Fortunately all that are, are on our side.

Anyways, Whitemane and the Dunmer looked shocked. Olfsson then said something Khajiit could not work out. The Kodlak nodded and the Dunmer disappeared, only to return with Olfsson’s sword from in the mead hall. Olfsson nodded his thanks and drew his blade. The brother to the one I carried.

The Dark Elf’s eyes widened and begged leave to examine said sword, which Olfsson allowed. Whitemane frowned, shook his head and then looked left, up a hill that ran from the courtyard to something I could not see properly from where we stood. A giant wall of un-worked rock, taller than a Whiterun house, stood between me and whatever the pathway that curved around the side and up the hill, led to.

Presently, Olfsson walked down the steps and grinned at me; I grinned back and hefted my sword, bouncing its weight as I waited with a degree of excitement. We knew each other’s moves, and I could tell Olfsson was in a mischievous mood.

“Vilkas! Come!” Whitemane smiled and gestured.

The Nord looked confused.

“Vilkas,” the Kodlak sighed, “they are beyond you.”

There was a murmur from the watchers as they looked at each other. One, a short, square-ish man with little hair, but many scars, stared at me. Khajiit will admit, we were made uncomfortable by this...There was a desire to...Flee. It was only later that I understood why, but for now, we just looked away and I shook my head to clear it.

I looked at Olfsson and smiled; he looked back, and grinned.

Swords were levelled. Arms were lifted for balance.

We moved.

[Acadian]

This was most enjoyable to read. Some nice insight into J’Lo that was quite naturally presented. He is a very likeable combination of humility and awesomeness – just a wonderful character!

[Athynae]

I second Acadian's comment absolutely.

He is a very likeable combination of humility and awesomeness – just a wonderful character!

These posts weren't overly long and there is much to see in the little stuff. I liked the back drop of the brawl, reminds me of some of the 'duck in/ waddle out' places back in the day, .

I as enjoying this one for what it is, a lovely story to follow. I am enjoying every word of it.

[McBadgere]

Thankee both so much...There's usually so much in the KOTN ones that this genuinely is fun for me... ...


Newness!!....



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We started with the obvious – Khajiit drives Olfsson backward for a brief while, Nord counters Khajiit for a time; Getting ever and ever faster.

That was the point when we both called upon our speed fortify.

To each other, our spells cancelling the other’s out, there was no change to our sparring. Our swords to the watchers seemed blurred, the noise of their clashing almost painful, it appeared. Several of the Companions put their hands to their ears. The eyes of our audience widened and there were several “Ooohs” as we came very close to the point of showing off.

Then like a tap on my shoulder, a feeling came to me. I twirled around, intending to carry on into an ever more elaborate sequence to our dance, only to catch - as I spun – sight of the Kodlak, his eyes shining with magicks.

What on Nirn?!

Oh Mother. We were about to give the game away. Caerellin would be...Disappointed.

Olfsson had obviously not been keeping up and he tried to counter the move he thought we were making. Sadly, Khajiit had changed his mind moments earlier, and the exhibition stopped with my sword under Olfsson’s chin. Olfsson frowned, with a look that asked a very good question, however if voiced it would probably have been accompanied by several curses, loudly.

I winked at him and narrowed my eyebrows in what we hoped was a “Trust me.” way.

The crowd erupted into applause; all except for Vilkas - who stormed back into Jorrvaskr - and the one who had given me pause earlier. He stood, stared at us both and slowly walked around the side of the building towards Whiterun.

Had we done too much? Was our game given away already? Should we call the whole thing off now?

Any decision we could make would have to wait. Suddenly we found ourselves surrounded by the other Companions, asking questions, shaking hands, giving names.

Rather predictably, Olfsson managed to turn all the attention on himself, and over the top of his band of admirers, he winked and walked his way towards the Companions’ longhouse.

I was left alone in the courtyard with Whitemane, friend Farkas and a young Imperial woman, who was sat on a chair, leaning forward with her elbows on her knees and holding one hand in the other. We noticed she was staring emptily at the floor.

I asked Farkas as to her name, “She’s called Ria,” he answered, “she’s a good girl. Works hard.” He frowned and shook his head. “Aw heck...That’s all I know about her really.” He actually looked slightly ashamed. “I’ll go talk to her, she looks sad.”

“Don’t worry about Ria, Farkas. I will attend to her. Master J’Zirlo, it would be safe to say we can take both you and your friend Wolfshead. So long as you see to all duties required of you, during your tenure here, there may be the help I suspect you are seeking.”

Farkas frowned in confusion.

I frowned at the foolishness that I had goaded Olfsson into as the fight went on.

The Kodlak knew.

“Anyway, your first duty for me is to acquaint yourself with our blacksmith, Eorlund Grey-Mane. He is up at the end of that path yonder.”

“I’ll take him if you like?” said Farkas.

Whitemane nodded. “Very well. Fear not young Khajiit.” The Kodlak winked and walked off. I watched as he crouched down, took hold of this Ria’s hands and led her back up to the longhouse.

“What the hells was that all about? What help do you need?”

We sighed. “Only training in my deficiencies my friend! Come, let us find this ‘smith and see what we can teach him.” I smiled outwardly, my insides squirming.

“Uh-huh. Suuure.” Said an unconvinced Farkas. “Come on then, it’s this way.”



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This post has been edited by McBadgere: Apr 18 2012, 05:02 PM

[Grits]

Everyone filed out of Jorrvaskr after us, to watch Vilkas’ testings. A sentence I hope to never have to read again.

Perhaps just once more.

Such fun, I love it!!

[Acadian]

A fortify speed spell, the blurred clatter of katanas and now J’Lo and Olfie are Companions! Nicely written and great fun to read. Whitemane and now Gray-Mane. Must mean they are getting closer to Graybeards? I’m imagining that we haven’t seen the last of Ria?

[Athynae]

Oopsie...fun has a way sometimes of catching us, especially if we aren't playing fair...

I did like this one, J'Z and Olfsson are quite the complement to each other, good stuff.

More still...

[Darkness Eternal]

I had some catching up to do. I'll admit, I just had to come here and read it. Anything revolving around the Companions, or more specifically, The Circle, deserves my personal attention! ALthough I am confident your anti-Lycanthropy and pro-human, but to the story, shall we?

First Chapter:

"Khajiit are not ones for journal writing. We find it tiresome. Actions speak louder than words and assorted cliches. And I know of at least one officious clerk that will attest to the pen absolutely failing to be mightier than the sword."

I can picture the Khajiit accent in my head as I read this. They have a memorable accent! Haha. Although I did imagine that Nords were not ones for writing much, since "actions speak louder than words". But I guess the talking felines fit the bill too!

"Several people were fighting - with less than brilliant success - a Giant. Lest we tip our hand, we both slowed to normal speed and ran towards the battle."

As soon as I read "Giant", I already knew whom you were talking about. The first meeting with these several people! Brings back memories of being level 1 in Skyrim. Overall, good chapter and very good intro, with likeable characters!

Second Chapter: Short update, but still, better than nothing. I loved the whole "Oh, this is not a khajiit, he's just a victim of some arcane magic gone wrong" scenario. Very funny, haha. Farengar is a smart-boat jerk though, I hate that guy -_-

Third Chapter:

"Legion. Not so much a Legionnaire as a Leggies-out as they say in the Imperial Legion. I mean really, you escape to Skyrim, the coldest country in Tamriel and you design a uniform that is essentially, a dress? What damned fool thought that was a good idea? One decently placed frost trap and...Well...Snow balls anyone? Oh, I know, I’ll go running uphill and down dale in my dress, oh damn, my legs have snapped from the cold.

Idiot. At least the old Imperial Legion uniform had fur lining. And the proper number of pieces to it. Bare legs. Idiocy."

Hey, hey, hey! Be nice! At least their name isn't "The Stormcloaks". Sounds like name from a group of baddies from the Fridas morning cartoon.

“What is...Snoop?”
A dog?

Fifth Chapter:Enter Danica, one of the nicest ladies in Whiterun. And did I catch a little semi-flirt between Farkas and Danica? Nice chapter. I laughed at a user's comment about a leg being lifted up, haha. Good progress so far.

And Cr@p is censored? What the H3LL?

The fight between Vilkas and J'Zirlo was great! I love the effort you put into it. But you are missing something in this story! Aela the Huntress and Skjor! Best Companions out there! Get to it, dude! Get to it!

[King Coin]

Ah, poor Vilkas. He’s not going to like the little khajiit very from here on out. Maybe a few mugs of ale will smooth things over, if little khajiit decides he cares.

[McBadgere]

Thankee all... ...

Acadian...Indeed, Ria will turn up again...

DE...Cheers for all that...Much appreciated...Yes, of course Skjor and Aela will turn up...But they have more to do with the off-screen Olfsson than J'Zirlo...Except for the major sections of course...

Everyone else...

Many many cheerses!!...Or cheeses...Nah, cheerses!!... ...



NOTE!!...Due to a problem with the idea of an older dude working up on a completely exposed plateau whilst wearing not much, the top of the hill where the Skyforge is will now have some supply store/break huts...And the forge itself will be more covered...

Oh, and I changed the Gray-Mane to Grey...Only a small thing, but we tend to spell it Grey here and that's how this boy rolls...You dig?... ...Yes, Gray is his name...But I'm Multiversing...So...Y'know?... ...




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We had been here just over an hour and already, not only had we given the game away, but we had – seemingly – accomplished our mission.

In a sense.

Due to repeated mistakes by myself, Kodlak Whitemane had seen us for what we were, Knights of The Nine. And although he had given a veiled yes to an unasked-in-any-way question, which was, by no means, an easy thing to do, it would seem that the help would come at the price of Olfsson and I working for the Companions for a while.

No matter, we had been committed to being here for however long it was to have taken to get said already-almost-said yes, that it had already come was simply a confusing wrinkle to the plan.

Perhaps we could get to know the help a little better.

I realised that friend Farkas had been talking as we walked the slowly climbing and turning path.

“...Don’t mind Skjor,” Oh yes, the man we had seen leaving, a few minutes before, “he’s just a bit intense, y’know? Him and the Kodlak go way back. He’s older than he looks.”

“By the twin moons! Is that possible?” I asked.

Farkas laughed, “Hah! Yeah, good one!...He’s a proper Companion hero though, a true Nord...Was never cruel to Vilkas and me when we were growing up here. So don’t mind the gruff hardman bit of him, Skjor only wants things done right.”

We reached a set of stone steps and that was the point when I looked up. Beyond the top of the stairs, on the left, atop the plateau behind Jorrvaskr, a giant stone eagle had been carved out of the rock. It appeared to be about to take flight; its wings as if unfurling, it’s body leaning forwards, like in those first moments before the mighty wings then beat to ascend. It was lit from below by the glow of the mighty forge beneath, any smoke that was caught under the eaves of the roof that covered the eagle and forge, simply wafted out through the open sides.

I couldn’t take my eyes of the statue as I walked up the steps to the plateau.

For a short while, we had heard the banging of the ‘smith’s hammer, and it was now, at the top of the stairs that I got my first look at the arm behind the swing. It was muscular. Very muscular. Said arm was attached to a man possessed of a mass of hair that was as suited to his name as Whitemane’s.

Eorlund Grey-Mane was a man headed towards old age, but it was obvious he was not going without a fight. His massive barrel chest and well muscled shoulders told of a man with a lifetime’s worth of blacksmithing under his belt. Well, between his belt and rock-hard abdomen at any rate! His stout legs, a testament to the miles spent walking back and to, either between his ‘smithing stations, or from forge to supply sheds and back with all manner of components, metals and what have you; from Leather, Iron and Steel to Glass and Ebony.

Currently, he appeared to be finishing off a steel shield.

As we walked forward from the top step, his head turned quickly to watch us, the hammer paused atop the shield.

I could see his appraising me, my armour and scabbard with the sword hilt atop it.

“Gods be praised! A Khajiit in the city!” he shook his head, seemingly in wonderment. Loosing the hammer, Grey-Mane walked towards me with hand outstretched. “I declared the Idiot’s Empire to have all the idiocies in the universe, the day they banned Khajiit from the cities. Their own Legion were bigger thieves than I’ve ever seen a Khajiit to be!” he said with a grin.

“I thank you!” I said with genuine surprise and warmth, bowing my head in gratitude.

“No need to thank me, lad, it’s the truth!”

I had great affection for this man from that moment on.

“Farkas, my lad!” Grey-Mane said with a smile and patted the other Nord on his steel armoured shoulder. There was the slightest tightening around the eyes, as if friend Farkas was hiding how much the pat had actually hurt.

“Your lad?” I asked.

Farkas shook his head.

“Hah! No-no,” Grey-Mane began, still smiling, “I cannot claim praise for such a good lad, no. Mine are...Well, one of mine is...” the smile faltered, “Ach, it’s complicated. Anyway,” the smile returned, although not around the eyes, “you wouldn’t be here with Farkas if Whitemane hadn’t sent you. I take it you’re one of them now then?”

“One of them?” I asked. “Are you not a Companion too?”

The ‘smith shook his head, “No lad, I’m Master of the Skyforge here, not a true Companion. I don’t go in for all that tales-of-daring-do stuff. Besides not being one proper suits me,” a mischievous look came to his eyes, “Whitemane has to ask for stuff instead of ordering.” He winked. “Besides, as the finding of the Skyforge here was the reason the Companions chose to stay right there,” he pointed over the edge of the plateau, “It stands to reason that the one in charge here, should actually be above and beyond them, no?” Grey-Mane smiled, and I sensed an age old half-joke being played out here.

We were interrupted by the arrival of Olfsson. Grey-Mane frowned and I quickly introduced my friend. The ‘smith replied with an “Uhh”, a nod and a shake of hand.

“The Kodlak wants you.” Olfsson said to friend Farkas.

Farkas looked to the old Nord with a question, and the ‘smith replied with a frowning nod and a waving away gesture.

“Well, see you later then.” Farkas said to both Olfsson and I.

“Indeed you will my friend. Thank you Farkas.” I bowed my head.

He shook hands with Olfsson, nodded to Grey-Mane and myself, and then walked quickly down the steps back to Jorrvaskr.



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This post has been edited by McBadgere: Apr 21 2012, 09:31 PM

[Acadian]

This was delightful, from the eagle ready to take flight to the kitty-loving giant smith! What a wonderful picture you painted of him for us. I like the Gray-Mane already and can see why J’Lo does as well. I’ll bet friends Aravi, Kharjo and Maxical like him too! Clever logic on his part for not joining the Companions.

[King Coin]

Heh, I was a little worried about how a storm cloak sympathizer would accept a Khajiit in the city.

[Grits]

“By the twin moons! Is that possible?” I asked.

Love J’Zirlo!!

And I’m delighted by your Eorlund Grey-Mane. Lots to enjoy in the interactions between him and Farkas. And the Skyforge has to be one of the best spots on Nirn. Yay!

[McBadgere]

Acadian, KC and Grits...So many thanks...Muchly appreciated...*Bows*... ...

To continue...



The air on the top of the plateau had suddenly become decidedly cold. I feared that this had nothing to do with the cloud that had at that moment, decided to cover the sun, and more to do with what I had done to make Grey-Mane’s jaw hang down, and Olfsson to be running a hand down his face saying “Oh brother.”

I blinked twice.

“What, by Ysmir’s great balls, was that?” the ‘smith asked.

I may have answered with an “Um.” and a pleading look at Olfsson, who – most helpfully I thought...Not – shrugged exaggeratedly.

In a burst of the most eloquent show of defensive arguments, I answered forth – “Um.” once more.

After blinking again, I decided to look at my hands. They held a repair hammer in one, and the steel shield that Eorlund had been working on when we’d arrived earlier, in the other.

“Oh.” I said helpfully. Followed quickly by what was rapidly becoming my most used word – “Um.”

Eorlund Grey-Mane walked quickly towards me and grabbed the hammer from my hand; the shield he took by the edge and threw it backhand at Olfsson, who caught it easily with one hand.

“Uh.” said Grey-Mane, with a nod.

“You,” he said to Olfsson, with an added pointing motion, “Make yourself useful and take that to Aela, I’m sure you’ve noticed her by now. The red-head?”

Olfsson simply stood there with his head turned slightly, a question directed at Grey-Mane in his expression.

“Oh, don’t worry, what am I going to do?”

Olfsson looked to me.

I sighed, nodded and looked into the forge’s fire.

I had done it again it seemed. I was absolutely useless.

I heard Olfsson leave and my shoulders slumped. I sighed, as now I was alone and faced the worst challenge so far.

Eorlund Grey-Mane was turning his repair hammer around, inspecting it.

“This is brand new.” He said, “It shouldn’t be, it was headed towards the end of its usefulness. Perhaps like I may be, if you’re going to be staying around. But now, it’s all shiny and new. How?”

I sighed again, and looked about. I willed the life-detect magicks alive, in case we were being listened upon. Sensing nothing, I turned to Grey-Mane and told him everything.



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Ah! But perhaps I should now tell the journal what had happened to bring us to this point? Perhaps this is a good idea, no?

Well...We were all talking pleasantly about blacksmithing, the effects of weather on this plateau, where “Wolfshead” and I were from originally.

Simple conversation.

Well, the two Nords got talking about something amongst themselves, something about Grey-Mane’s supply runs to Bruma when he was a lad, and, having only spent a brief time there, I wasn’t really able to offer much. So I started to look about the place more.

But there was the problem really, I was enjoying myself. It was such a nice thing, the company was excellent, we were relaxed – Olfsson and I – for the first time, really, since we had arrived in Skyrim. I felt it. It was obvious that Olfsson was enjoying the talk. The forge’s coals smelled wonderful, like no other forge I’d ever been in. I’d walked towards it, simply to stare in and take some breaths.

A strange feeling I should have recognised took hold of me.

I looked over at the workbench that Eorlund had been working at earlier and the world shifted. Everything I looked at, I could see the flaws in their build; the weaknesses; the defects. I knew instantly what was needed to improve them.

The shield sat on top was almost perfect, except for one flaw in it. A flaw that would otherwise have been unseeable. I walked over to the shield and picked it up, turning it over and over in my hands, peering closer at the flaw.

Thoughts in my brain raced. I saw the red-headed Nord from earlier, in battle, raising her shield to ward off a blow from an axe wielding bandit. I could see the shield shattering when the bandit struck at the weakness. I could see what happened when the next blow came.

From what Olfsson later told me, it would have been at that point I was asked what I was doing by Grey-Mane. I had turned my head to them with eyes brightly ablaze with magic; then I had simply turned my attention back to the shield.

I looked at the flaw, lines spreading out from it, like cracks in ice. I looked at the old and worn repair hammer and picked it up. Instantly it became a thick shafted lump-hammer, the head of which was covered with ornate scroll-work around the edges – The Hammer of Zenithar. I put the head to the flaw and willed it correct.

Olfsson said it looked – and sounded – to be a hammer strike in reverse. One second the hammer was on the shield, then the air seemed to vibrate and hiss, there was the sound of a hammer strike and then the hammer jumped up into the air.

I had nodded to myself, as satisfied that I could be that I had done as much as even Zenithar could have.

And then the world returned.

And Ysmir’s balls were invoked.

As they do.



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“’Tis a brave thing you’re attempting, lad” said Eorlund after I had given him my life – and those of my friends – into his hands. “There’s going to be a price to my silence though. I’m not above blackmail my young Khajiit.” He smiled with genuine amusement. “But don’t worry, when the time is right, I shall ask you and Olfsson to tea. And you will come. And I’m damned sure you’ll enjoy it too.”

He continued to turn the hammer over and over.

“That’s a neat trick you’ve got there for sure. Something like that would have saved me a fortune in hammers!

“Can you do that with anything? Or is it just hammers?” Grey-Mane asked.

“A dagger...A stick...Anything short.” I answered.

“Bet that makes going to the toilet a journey into the unknown then?!” He laughed once, then turned around and leaned his behind on the workbench. He smiled briefly in reflection, then said, “A great many years ago, when I was an apprenticed lad here, you know that Bosmer Fletcher on the main street, you seen him?..No?..Oh, well, you’ll want to. Anyways, I was sent out to the Knights’ fort down the valley,” he waved westwards, “Greymoor. I was sent to see their blacksmith, and I hitched a ride there with that Fletcher...Elrindir his name is, I think...Anyways, we got chatting about the problem with hammers breaking, and he told me a story of a Bosmer he’d once met, a Mage-knight or Mystic-Archer or something, really right up his street, you know what I mean? Anyways, apparently they could conjure a repair hammer! Imagine that! I just assumed he was pulling my leg.”

I laughed and nodded. Caerellin, J’Drell and General Oreyn could conjure as easily as breathing. However, as part of basic Knight training, we are all taught how to conjure a sword or hand axe, in case we are ever disarmed. I could do it, barely. And a sword is easy. It is relatively easy to make a destruct wave the length of a sword or axe-head.

To focus magicks into something as fine as the face of a repair hammer? and control the mass of the head behind it? They must have been incredibly powerful indeed. Especially if, as Grey-Mane then added, “Apparently, they could share it out for a short time too!”

I whistled and shook my head.

“I know, right?” Grey-Mane answered.

Searching for the right words to end the conversation with, I ran through every possible entry into my speech only for my mouth to utter – “Um...”

“Don’t worry yourself lad. It was a sad day when the Thalmor helped finally finish the Knights of The Nine off in Skyrim. Now all we’ve got to keep them occupied is that damnable Dinai and his idiot Stormcloaks one side and on the other, that bloody Madanach and his Forsworn thugs. So you lot coming back, finally...” he shrugged, “Brings joy. As it will to Whitemane. You should go see him now. I mean, right now.”

“Eorlund, my friend...Um...If you would allow J’Zirlo?” I added hopefully.

He smiled and nodded.

“My friend,” I bowed my head, “Khajiit is in your debt. Always.”

“Nah, not always,” his smile became wider, “just until you’ve done my favour. Get settled in first, then we’ll...Invite you and Olfsson over.”

I nodded, shook his hand, and headed back to the other person who could ruin me.



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[Athynae]

Ok smack me, yes I missed one...and a good one too!! Dangumit! But I am all caught up now...It's the boys fault I swear, and the girls, yes, her too...and the wiener mutt...You know what? Excuses are silly, how about I just say "I'm sorry" and let it go???

These were both wonderful pieces. The description of the eagle statue was quite a picture, I do love birds of prey!! I must have been a falconer in a previous life.

The forge and the Mane, I mean man, and the interaction between the Knights and him was nicely done, I like them all very much. I am anxious to see how all of this plays out...

Good stuff as ever!!! I do love it.

[Colonel Mustard]

Hooray, update!

I liked the look at the magic you had in this with the hammers and bound weapons, and the gift of Julianos was nicely done.

And then the world returned.

And Ysmir’s balls were invoked.

As they do.

But not quite as nicely as those lines were...

[Grits]

Oh the magic here is so fun to read and imagine! And Grey-Mane made me laugh. I’m pretty sure that Eorlund can keep a secret. Love this adventure!

[Acadian]

’Ah! But perhaps I should now tell the journal what had happened to bring us to this point? Perhaps this is a good idea, no?’
Truer words were never spoken! Actually, starting this episode 'media res' allowed you to capture the imagination as I worked to sort out what was happening. Then you resolved it all for me in the second portion. I like it!

The description of the hammer and its use was magnificent. I loved how J’Lo could sense not only the fault in that shield but the fate of its user if the fault remained unrepaired. Wow!

Aww. . . I know exactly who that Bosmeri Mystic Archer was who could both summon and share a repair hammer!

[Darkness Eternal]

Damn it, let me catch up.

By Shor's great balls, I love this line. I might use it one time. I've seen it twice in these forums now! Haha. The Elder Scrolls slang never stops amazing me. Well done.

Ah, enter Kodlak Whitemane! The Harbinger and Elder of the Circle and the Companions! I like Grey-Mane in this story, just how he truly is. You stayed true to his character! Always telling the new guy or gal to fetch something here and there. I know, I know, Sjor and Aela aren't the true stars of this tale, the honor goes to J'Zirlo and friends! . But it's cool to see them around.

I saw the red-headed Nord from earlier, in battle, raising her shield to ward off a blow from an axe wielding bandit. I could see the shield shattering when the bandit struck at the weakness. I could see what happened when the next blow came.

Nice scene here! Red-heads are tough, but bandits can be tougher too!

[mALX]

LOVED this intro into Jorrvaskr, this had me rolling !!!

Next chapter - This whole section had me in hysterics, especially this:

“Prepare to defend yourself.” The Nord said, and levelled the Greatsword he had collected on the way out through the door.

“You remember that J’Zirlo is ex-Legion, no?” I said to Vilkas.

“I care not, my little Khajiit.” He said quietly so that only we two could hear him. “It is best that you do not stay, I’m sorry.”

Little? I bowed my head to the Nord, and turned it slightly to see Olfsson standing at the top of the stone steps, watching. The Dunmer that he’d been fighting stood with him, saying something. Olfsson saw me looking and nodded, just a small amount.

“Then Khajiit too is sorry for what is about to happen, my friend.”

Friend Vilkas snarled and swung the Steel Greatsword. I turned it away with the flat of my sword. Again and again, every attack was parried.

“Fight back, damn you!” Vilkas said.

Next chapter - What you have done to Vilkas in these chapters has had me rolling laughing! I love this!

Next two chapters: I've done these mini-quests, so knew what was coming, but you threw in a few surprises - as always !!!

You really do a great Khajiit write with J'Zirlo !!