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Posted by: Grits Jul 17 2013, 02:21 PM

(Continued from approximately http://chorrol.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5320&st=280.)



Abiene in Chorrol

Eyja explained what would be needed for a complete recovery. “For the amount of metal you've been exposed to, you may need to keep taking it several times daily for at least a week, and do a restorative healing on yourself several times per day as well. The raw ingredients work better and quicker if you can stand the bitter taste. The potions are flavored, but are much weaker.”

Abiene started to reply. “I can stand the taste, but I’m sure an alchemist will be better able to…” Several times per day? She pressed her fingers against her face again, fighting down that frantic feeling. “I have patients to tend! I won’t be able to— I’m already taking far too many magicka potions just to keep up my workload. There’s nothing for it, I’ll have to ask for a leave of absence from the chapel.” She clenched her fists on her knees, anger creeping up through her fear. “Darn whoever did this!”

Eyja handed Abiene a list of ingredients. “Expect to be near an urn for a while,” she told Abiene. Then Eyja tucked her materials away.

Great, thought Abiene. I’m not going to go through a week of purging on the pot in my chapel quarters. She put that concern away for now and looked at the list.

Garlic
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Flax seed oil
Corkbulb root
Netch Leather
Scrib Jelly
Scamp skin
Kwama cuttle
Ash yam
The juice of a lemon
Dried seaweed
Charcoal

“Abiene, I need you to remember exactly how long you were at the inn, who you saw there, who brought you that tea, and if it was the same person you ordered it from,” said Eyja.

Abiene tried to clear her thoughts. “I reached the inn after dark and spent the night. There was a commotion when Irvana arrived with talk of vampires, and I ended up healing her in her chamber. I had a glass of Tamika’s last night with the stuffed mushrooms, plus a cheese plate with strawberries. This morning I ate a sweet roll and drank some kahve at the bar. A Dunmer woman was there, I didn’t catch her name. She was another guest. Lycus was sitting there, too. Yetta the cook and Lleris the hallboy were serving, but I got my breakfast from what was already set out on the bar. Bograk and Aravi were there, too. Oh, and I believe Kayla headed upstairs around the time I came down with Aravi. Honestly Eyja, I’m probably forgetting someone. I’ve been told to improve my situational awareness, but I’m not really sure what that even means.”

She hoped Eyja wasn’t too disgusted with her lack of information. She had not been paying attention at the inn because she had not been up to anything she felt she needed to hide. And Aravi’s troubles had been foremost in her mind.

“Then I got some tea from Yetta and went outside. I spoke with Dar’muktah and watched Lowren and the Argonian man cleaning up after the storm. Then I met Maxical. We sat on the bench chatting for a while. We have some mutual friends.” What happened next? “I must have been in a fog, because I can’t say how long we sat there or even what we talked about. I don’t really remember getting my things from the inn, but I must have.”

Abiene looked at the list again. “I can pick up a few of these things today at the chapel. Master Selvilo might have some of them, he’s a Dunmer. I can’t imagine why he would have netch leather, though. I’ll need to pick up my crystal ball so I can try to reach Darnand. He’ll know where Jerric is. That’s the alchemist.” She shook her head. “I hate to involve them in this.”

Abiene’s mouth went dry and her heart began to race. Perhaps that’s still the poison, she thought, gripping the bench’s edge.

Posted by: mALX Jul 17 2013, 09:26 PM

*

Eyja watched the stubborn look flickering across Abiene's face and recognized it. She'd given Foxy that same look when he first gave her these instructions for her own poisoning.

"Abiene, you can continue your daily rounds if you feel safe doing so. Just don't get too far from an urn. These ingredients will purge you in more ways than one. Three times a day do your healing and then eat the ingredients. You stop for meals, don't you? That is the best time; but better to do it before you eat. These ingredients on a full stomach would not sit well, and they'll do you no good vomited out."

Eyja knew what Abiene's friends meant by needing to improve her situational awareness. By Abiene's stressed reaction she was probably so focused on her work that she saw little beyond it. The drive to heal in her must be stronger than her need for a life...love.

Eyja remembered Abiene's reactions when she'd teased her earlier that day about Jerric, and wondered if Abiene's intense focus on healing cost her a relationship or if she was burying herself in it now to escape the pain of losing a relationship. There was an underlying sadness about the girl, and her near swoon after mentioning Jerric didn't go unnoticed.

"Abiene, your reaction to needing some time to heal yourself was stress. Taking too many potions to keep up your workload means you have taken on too heavy a workload. No one person can do it all, you need an assistant that can give you some time that is your own; time to relax and have some fun while you are still young and pretty enough to enjoy it."

Eyja leaned forward and took Abiene's hand, speaking gently to take the sting from her words.

"You are young, and very beautiful now, but stress and overwork will erode both youth and beauty quickly. When it is gone you will find your life has slipped by and you are alone with naught but those patients that need you. Life, love; these things you have to reach out and grab or they'll pass you by." Eyja raised her hand to indicate her own life.

"My bed is filled every night; strangers whose dreams are their fantasies. When it is over I have their gold, but not their heart. A few years ago I met a man that was different. He knew what I did, knew everything about me and loved me despite it. By the time I was ready to love him back he was dead. You have to grab onto what you want in life and not let go until it is yours."

Eyja heard herself hailed and looked up. "Honditar! Just the person I need to talk to." Eyja didn't have to wave him over, he was headed toward them.

"Why is he walking so slowly?" Eyja let go Abiene's hand as Honditar drew near. His face was pasty white, and sweat wasn't just beaded on his brow it was running in rivulets down his face and dripping onto his shirt despite the day wasn't that hot. His eyes looked feverish.

Eyja turned uneasily toward Abiene. "Was that illness you cured on yourself contagious? Find out if he has the same thing. If he does, Maxical will be very ill and can't heal herself, would you go to Casta Scribonia's house when you finish with Honditar and check on her while I get that charcoal for you?"

Eyja stepped back from Honditar, relieved her search for Maxical had kept her from Honditar's bed as yet.

"Don't come near me till Abiene has cured you, I don't want to catch what you have."


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 18 2013, 02:24 PM

Abiene

Eyja’s words cut straight through Abiene. She took Abiene’s hand, letting her feel the sincerity under the sting of unpleasant truths. Eyja spoke of her life’s love who slipped through her fingers. Abiene’s heart went out to her at the same time she felt that panic as her own pain was exposed.

She squeezed Eyja’s hand, steadying herself and hoping to express a wordless kinship. This woman saw through her so easily. Abiene had no defense against such an honest connection. She had to simply trust.

Honditar approached. His face was soaked in an unhealthy sweat.

“Was that illness you cured on yourself contagious?” Eyja asked. “Find out if he has the same thing. If he does, Maxical will be very ill and can't heal herself, would you go to Casta Scribonia's house when you finish with Honditar and check on her while I get that charcoal for you?”

Abiene reached for Honditar as he sagged to the bench. “May I?” she asked, already casting. His body smelled sour now. “Eyja, he carries the same contagion. I don’t have a name for it, but it is as recognizable as a signature even if one cannot read it.”

Eyja stepped away. “Don't come near me till Abiene has cured you, I don't want to catch what you have.”

“You must remember those with whom you have had close contact since you helped me, Honditar. Send them for healing immediately if they cannot cure themselves.”

Honditar’s eyes gleamed with fever, but he nodded comprehension. “There has been no one else.”

“Oh, that’s good news.” Abiene looked up at Eyja. “I’ll go to Casta’s next, but I should check in at the Guild hall first. I was alone with Athragar for some time. He was practicing spells on me while I was unconscious. He may be infected.” Serves him right, Abiene thought along with a pang of guilt, contrition right on the heels of her pettiness. “Maxical is surely ill by now, she must have near carried me most of the way here. Poor Maxical! So far I’ve rewarded her friendship by ignoring her and giving her a disease. Hopefully Casta will have the sense to keep her still. The mages will be able to handle their own infections, but it will help to know if and how it is spreading.”

She thought for a moment, her hands still on Honditar.

“I wonder if I got sick at the Goblet or before,” Abiene said. “I wonder if I infected anyone there. Kayla shared my meal last night and I spent some time with Aravi, but they’ve surely dosed themselves against infection by the vampires they’re hunting.” And Aravi is not at risk regardless. “Irvana had not appeared by the time I left. I hope she is not helpless in her bed, wracked with fever.”

Honditar’s eyes were back on Eyja. The Nord woman was a vision of inviting curves and crevices even as she warned him to keep his distance. Abiene couldn’t blame him for his wandering attention.

She gave his arm a little pat and pulled away. “I see you’re feeling better.” She smiled at the Altmer and then at Eyja, her confidence restored along with his health.

Posted by: mALX Jul 18 2013, 07:44 PM

*

Eyja shook her head emphatically. "We don't know if Casta Scribonia has any supply of cures or healing, or if she can perform any healing on another. Those at the Mages Guild have both."

While Eyja talked she'd begun digging in a pocket of her pack. She pulled out a mandrake root and pointed it at Honditar before holding it up like a carrot and taking a bite. She talked between chews.

"He was in close contact with you this morning, that was eight to ten hours ago at the most; so you probably caught it last night..."

Eyja paused, with the mandrake root suspended in front of her mouth. Her brows drew down into a frown.

"Wait, if you were doing quick healings on yourself between patients then your own exposure could have been delayed taking hold. You could have caught it even before you went to the inn. Hannibal said..."

Eyja broke off with a flush and coughed to cover her gaff.

"I've heard that those quick healings aren't enough to kill some diseases, only enough to keep the healer from spreading it to the next patient; and that some strains can actually grow stronger when exposed to low doses of healing, they build up some kind of immunity to it."

She pointed the remaining stub of mandrake root at Honditar again. "And he is much more ill than you were." She took another bite of the mandrake, then used it to point Honditar away. "Can you give me just a second alone with Abiene? I need to tell her something about Maxical that is privileged information."

She continued to point her mandrake root stub till Honditar was all the way to the opposite sidewalk before turning back to Abiene.

"What I'm going to tell you must be kept strictly confidential, if this gets out Maxical's enemies would have an advantage on her that she could not defend. I'll need your vow that this information goes no further before I speak."


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 18 2013, 08:42 PM

Abiene nodded and sat back down on the bench. Eyja was considerably taller, and this way they would be able to put their heads together and speak as if they were simply sharing a friendly chat rather than discussing matters of life and death.

Eyja’s blunder stayed in Abiene’s mind. Hannibal? Abiene did not know anyone who thought of Arch-Mage Traven by his given name, much less called him by it.

But there were more pressing matters at hand. “I will not use anything you tell me against Maxical,” said Abiene. “Nor will I share the knowledge. I swear it.”

Abiene was uncertain what ritual Eyja might require. Her own word had always sufficed. Spitting in her hand to seal the vow seemed ill-advised, considering her recent infection. She simply watched to see what Eyja would do next.

Posted by: mALX Jul 19 2013, 04:47 AM

*



Eyja pounded her chest and waited till Abiene had done the same before dropping onto the bench beside her and speaking very close to her ear and in barely a whisper.

"There is something important you need to know about Maxical. When I said Maxical can't heal, I meant it literally. She can't heal at all, not even basic healing on herself. It is some kind of magic conduction disorder that gives her complete weakness to magicka, poisons, and diseases; she has no natural defenses. It is imperative no one learn of this, she has many enemies in unknown places that would use that knowledge to take her down."

Inside Eyja was struggling to suffocate the fear that had been building in her since learning Honditar‘s illness came from Abiene. A man as strong and healthy as Honditar becoming that ill so quickly; what would it do to someone with no defenses?

She fought to keep the panic from her voice as she continued, indicating Honditar with a jerk of her head.

"He is strong and healthy, and you saw how ill this made him. Maxical will be doubly ill; worse than he was, and unable to cure it without help. She could be in grave danger from the disease if Casta Scribonia can't heal or has no potions in stock, she could..."

Eyja broke off as the impact of the words she was about to say suddenly struck beyond the logic and calm she’d always shielded herself with and left her feeling raw and afraid, and vulnerable in a way she hadn’t known in decades. It would be like losing her sister all over again. Eyja strangled that thought with an effort, trying to control her voice as she continued.

"Without her knowledge, she is my responsibility. I have been tasked with keeping her alive for two years, she has been appointed...she is in the service of Cyrodiil. I'm a bodyguard that she can’t know is commissioned to protect her. To her knowledge I am just a close friend who travels with her. I’ve already failed the one that commissioned me in the biggest way possible, he is dead. If anything happened to her, it would be like letting him down...all over again.”

Eyja choked on a ragged breath at the last words, feeling control breaking loose inside her in an overwhelming rush of emotion. With her hands balled into fists so tight the knuckles showed hard and white through the thick pink of her skin she fought against the tears that threatened. In a raw voice the next words tumbled out in a rush Eyja couldn‘t stem.

"The truth is it goes beyond the task. I care deeply for her. I never meant to become attached to her, but have. She is so much like my own sister who died when she was about the same age Maxical is now...too much like her. That squabbling play between us that you saw this morning, sometimes it feels like I could close my eyes and it would be my sister there. I can't let anything happen to her, but even greater than that I couldn't stand it if something did."

Eyja stood up briskly, embarrassed by the emotions she’d never meant to express; but the worry still lingered in her eyes and mind.

“I need to get you that charcoal, and I'll see if I can get my hands on some of these other ingredients while there. If that Argonian at the Guild can be persuaded to allow Maxical inside, please bring her there. She will be well protected there, both from this disease and the assassin if he is still about."

Eyja hurried toward the gate without waiting for a reply, smacking away a tear that escaped with a curse.



*

Posted by: Grits Jul 19 2013, 05:32 PM

Abiene

Abiene launched herself from the bench and made her way to Casta Scribonia’s house. Eyja’s near panic had provoked a healer’s response in Abiene, and now her mind was clear despite the danger. She cast another restorative spell on herself and popped a few fennel seeds into her mouth as she walked. Master Selvilo had warned against abusing stimulants, but this was no time to start listening to him.

Casta had soon slammed her door in Abiene’s face. Maxical had not come to visit.

Abiene drifted out into the street, her own worry rising to meet the memory of Eyja’s fear. Where did Maxical go? She would need healing. I’ll start with the chapel.

Orag greeted her as she headed through to the healing hall. “Blessings, Abiene! Have you returned to—Stendarr’s mercy! You look horrible. You should make your devotions at once!” She moved as if to yank Abiene up toward the altar.

“Blessings, Orag,” Abiene called back as she dodged the orc. “Soon, I promise. But for now I need to…” She didn’t bother to finish as she trotted down the steps. Abiene believed in honoring the Divines through her actions, and for now she had plenty to do.

No one in the healing hall had seen Maxical either. Abiene made her way to Gureryne Selvilo’s office.

“Greetings of the day, Master—” she began.

The Dunmer interrupted by shoving her into a chair and sticking his thumb in her eye, peeling up the lid. He peered down at her, frowning. “Your eyes are not supposed to be blue, young woman.”

Abiene fumbled the list out of her pocket, struggling against the urge to kick the hells out of her healing master.

The list was snatched away by golden hands. “Ah,” purred an unknown voice. “Metal poisoning.”

Superior tone, snotty accent, thought Abiene. Altmer. Gureryne let go and stepped back, arms across his chest. He took the list and glanced down at it.

Abiene spent a moment swiping tears from her cheeks and glaring at the newcomer. The high elf wore healer’s robes that must have been specially tailored to skim over her long figure. The chapel’s colors were worked along the cuff and sleeves in a subtle pattern. Abiene became conscious of her dried sweat and yesterday’s travel clothes. Money and the good taste to go with it. I think I hate her.

“That’s right,” said Abiene. “I’ll need to take potions for a week while I recover. I’ll need to cut back a little on my—”

Gureryne cut her off with a quick motion of his hand. “You will absent yourself from the healing hall during your recovery. This treatment will have you spewing from both ends. Though you do not present a danger to our patients, your presence would cause rumor and distress. You may spend the week in your quarters in study and prayer.”

Abiene gritted her teeth over a sharp retort. “There are some exotic ingredients on that list. I wondered if you—”

“Because I am Dunmer I must horde ash yams and scrib jelly?” Gureryne’s brows shot toward his hairline. “I am a Colovian Highlander, child. Have you ever seen me crunching up an ash hopper leg?”

I’ve seen you use hackle-lo in every way possible. Abiene opened her mouth to protest.

“You may take what supplies you need from our stores,” he continued. “You could use the practice mixing your own potions. Do not ignore your symptoms, Abiene. It is a foolish healer who allows herself to fall ill.”

Abiene found herself escorted toward the door. “But wait, my patients,” she objected.

“As it happens I have a candidate in mind who will be pleased to fill in for you.”

The Altmer’s smug grimace confirmed Abiene’s guess.

“So I have your leave then?” Abiene asked over her shoulder as the door closed on her rear. I’ll take that as a yes.

Abiene gathered supplies before anyone could catch up and ask questions. A sniff under her arm made her wish for the time to soak in a tub. It will get worse before it gets better, she reminded herself. The thought of Maxical lying sick and helpless put speed to her work.

She took the time in the workroom to quill letters to Aravi and Bograk.

A novice approached as she blew on the ink to dry it. “Your mail, Abiene.”

“Thanks, Elena.” Urgency fought with concern. Her affection for Elena won. “How is your elbow? Has the pain returned?”

Abiene sorted her mail as they talked. One envelope caught her attention. This can’t wait. Elena got the hint as Abiene ripped it open.

Abiene, grace and light,

I hope this finds you well. I will get straight to the point, as you know something must have occurred if I have put quill to parchment.

There has been an outbreak of fever at the Wayshrine. We are cured, but you must look to yourself if you have not already.

It seems likely that we picked it up from Yoshiko. Do not concern yourself, we are fine. However I am instructed to ask if you celebrated with any of the pilgrims? We know that is not your habit, but I must ask you just the same.

May our Lady’s blessing be always upon you,

Seruya

Abiene quilled a quick reply.

My dear Seruya,

You have confirmed my fears and quieted them all at once.

As you surmised I did not join the ceremonies in the lower circle. I have infected some folk here in Chorrol (through close but casual contact), but I expect the outbreak to be quickly contained. Forgive me for the brevity of this reply. I am presently engaged in that effort.

I hope to see you again before the snows set in, my friend. Please have care for your safety in the meantime. Fewer scars to repair would leave us more time for rejoicing.

May your strength and beauty bring inspiration in the name of our Lady,

Abiene

Searching for Maxical and completing her tasks took the rest of the day. It was well after dark by the time Abiene left the Mages Guild. Her energy was spent, but hope for Maxical brimmed in her heart.

Honditar approached her under the Great Oak, but this time he kept his distance. His face asked the question.

“I didn’t find her anywhere,” Abiene told him. “Casta hadn’t seen her. But several people said they heard a white Khajiit was seen walking out the main gate. I think she must have returned to the Wobbly Goblet. It’s likely that Eyja already found her there.”

“Who said that?” Honditar asked.

Abiene told him. “Do you want some more mandrake root?” she finished. “I’ve been handing it out all day just in case.”

Honditar’s expression was unreadable in the dark, but his voice sounded tense. “Can you get where you’re going all right?” He seemed eager to leave.

Abiene stepped closer so she wouldn’t have to shout. The knowledge that her weakened state was the result of an attempted murder had slipped to the back of her mind, but now she recalled she had reason for caution. “I’m going to the Grey Mare,” she murmured. “I’ll walk under invisibility to stay safe. I can get that far tonight on my own.” Even if I have to crawl some of the way. “Please tell Eyja where I am if you see her before I do. She’s been helping me. I… I really need her help.”

Honditar stalked off into the night.

Abiene waited until she stood alone in the shadow of the great Oak. Then she cast her spells and headed toward the Grey Mare.

Posted by: mALX Jul 19 2013, 07:40 PM

*

Honditar's mouth set in a grim line after talking to Abiene. His gut instinct was gnawing at him, and he rarely ignored it.

Earana's expression when she learned the Khajiit would be under his protection hadn't been one of surrender. But he'd seen Earana in the circle by the Great Oak all day and evening, she couldn't very well be experimenting on Maxical and in the street at the same time.

Despite having seen Earana with his own eyes out and about well after Maxical would have gone missing, the feeling of disquiet continued.

Honditar knew little about Earana's experiments with the beast races. Until recently he'd believed her claims of paying them well for their services. That was before Malintus Ancrus let a few things slip one evening while he was well gone in his cups.

There was something shady about it, but exactly what Honditar didn't know. That her Orc "friend" Gaturn gro-Gonk was involved Honditar was sure of. Maybe it was time for Honditar to do a little investigating on his own.


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 21 2013, 01:56 PM

At The Grey Mare

Abiene knelt over the slop bucket, retching again. The potion she had attempted to make was too much for her healer’s stomach, already aggravated by chronic over-use of magicka potions. She had time between heaves for regrets. Shouldn’t have neglected Alchemy for so long, she chided herself. Her course of study at the Arcane University had demanded basic competence in the skill, but Abiene had fulfilled only the minimum requirements. She had no aptitude for the subject and a Restoration mage’s pride in her spells. That she guzzled restorative potions to maintain her schedule was a fact she conveniently ignored. There was always someone willing to brew them in exchange for a treatment, training, or just the ease of a healer’s touch.

Her stomach muscles relaxed, and she slumped back against the wall. The shakes set in. She wrapped her arms around herself until her body would cooperate. Too bad my Weatherward ring doesn’t help against this kind of chill. The ring felt loose on her finger. Remembering that day would bring want, not comfort. She turned her thoughts in a different direction.

Darnand. I should try again.

Abiene took a moment to run a wet cloth over her face and neck. At least the water is clean. Her chamber at the Grey Mare was windowless and bare, containing only a low chest and bedroll on the floor. A single candle barely lit the space. Abiene felt grateful for the gloom as she checked her eyes in a hand mirror. Fatigue and broken blood vessels made dark circles around them, but the whites were only bloodshot from vomiting, not blued from the poison. I look like a rabid raccoon, thought Abiene. It’s not worth healing now, and I need to conserve my magicka. Someone else might have fallen ill. She put the mirror away and reached for her crystal ball.

The effort to activate it was minimal as she would only cause the other ball to show a glimmer of light at its center. If Darnand saw he would cast the spell to open the connection between them.

Be there, she silently willed him. See me.

After a time she placed it back on the chest. Tears burned her eyes, and this time she lacked the resolve to deny them.

Posted by: mALX Jul 22 2013, 08:59 AM

*

Honditar's questions to the Gate Guard elicited the white Khajiit’s entry into Chorrol, but neither of them had seen her exit. Abiene’s sources had been mistaken.

The guards were about to change shifts when he arrived, and Honditar’s ears perked up when he heard the suggestive banter between them. There was no doubt they were talking about Eyja, and it didn’t sit well with Honditar that one of the guards seemed to think he had a date to spend the night with her that night. He forced himself to ignore it for the moment, but couldn't say it left his mind.

His instincts were strong, and as more time passed he was sure that Earana had done something with the Khajiit. His best course of action would be to confront Earana with some of the leverage he had on her, the things Malintus Ancrus had revealed about her and Gaturn's activities. She may trade the Khajiit for his silence.

Earana was a creature of habit, Honditar always joked that he needed no sundial since she’d moved to Chorrol. She was always in her room at the Gray Mare by this time of night, usually with her Orc paramour if he wasn‘t on a “job.” Gaturn gro-Gonk’s job was robbing people.

Honditar was on his way to the Gray Mare when he caught sight of Sabine Laul and hailed her. She hadn’t seen the white Khajiit, but when he mentioned Earana she had an odd look cross her face.

“Funny you should mention her. I saw the oddest thing earlier this evening. Earana was leaned against the boarded door of that old cave along the city wall; just leaned there wiggling as if it were a lamppost and she was working the street. Her back was to me. Well, as I came nearer I realized she was actually leaning on it for support. She was vomiting like someone had poisoned her! All the wiggling I saw her doing was her heaving, I guess. What on Nirn would she be doing at that old cave?”

Honditar thanked Sabine with a quick hug. “You’re a treasure, me darlin’.”

“You haven’t been the same since that pirate came through here, I swear!” Sabine smacked his shoulder. “Go on, Rasheda will wonder what’s keeping me.”





***



The last thing Honditar wanted to do was listen at Earana and Gaturn's door and overhear them in what Emfrid had already described in too much detail to him as their private moments; but it was a good bet if they had done something to the white Khajiit they would be discussing it in there. He signaled Emfrid not to get up and steeled himself to creep up the stairs and listen.

Emfrid sat up anyway, her brows raised. “You and Abiene? I’d have never thought it!” She gave a wicked grin. “Hubba hubba Abiene! But you won’t get far tonight, I’ve been kept awake by her wretched retching all night.” She grinned again, and pulled back her blanket suggestively.

Honditar hurried over and kissed her cheek, whispering. “As if you would, I know where your heart lays. Keep your voice down, I am here to eavesdrop on Earana and Gaturn. I think they have done something to a Khajiit that was in town earlier, one that is supposed to be a guest at my home.”

“You and a Khajiit? I’d have never suspected...”

“Shh. She is Eyja’s friend.”

Emfrid pouted prettily. “Oh. Eyja‘s back, huh? And no need being quiet...”

She broke off and held up one finger pointed toward the ceiling.

“Do you hear that? You thought I was exaggerating, didn’t you? That is Abiene, she’s been doing that since she got here! I couldn’t serve a late supper with that going on, people began returning their plates thinking my food was bad, and two vomited just in case! Not even the regulars ran up a decent tab tonight; Valus Odiil even left, and he has no where to go! Stop laughing, I am serious. Honditar, Reynald Jemane went home early. Reynald! He said he’s quitting drinking!”

“He thought Abiene was vomiting from your drinks?”

“No, he thought HE was vomiting, but there was nothing on the floor! He thought he was delirious.”

“Aw, me poor darlin’” Honditar drawled, teasing to make her laugh.

“Are you still doing that darned pirate imitation? If he hadn’t spent so much at my bar I’d honestly wish he’d never came to town. You sound ridiculous, Honditar.“

“Look at me earings, Lass; not bad for a buccaneer.”

“Stop it, or I’m going back to bed.”




***


Honditar got serious quickly when she did.

“Listen Emfrid, I’m sure they’ve done something with the girl. I may just have to break in on them and demand answers. Don’t call the guards unless Gaturn is getting the best of me.”

“They’re gone, Honditar. Abiene is in their room now.”

“Gone! What do you mean?”

Emfrid got up quickly. “It’s truth. Earana gave up her room here this morning, Gaturn packed up all their belongings while Earana paid her shot. They hurried out of here like they had somewhere important to go. They came back just a little while ago looking for Abiene, both looking green around the gills like they were really sick. They were dressed to travel overland, Gaturn had a bedroll and winter gear tied to his pack.”

“They must be heading north. I need to find Eyja right away...maybe I’d better talk to Abiene first, see if they mentioned to her where they were going.”

“It’s not like you have to wake her.” Emfrid pointed to the ceiling as the sound of retching started again.

“Shiver me timbers, the Lass is ailin’!”

“Honditar, you’ve had your last free ale from me if you don’t stop that stupid pirate talk.”

Honditar grinned and kissed her cheek, then mussed her hair. “Night, me darlin’.”

He took his time going up the steps, only knocking after the retching stopped. Nearly as soon as he knocked he heard the inn door open and Emfrid’s response.

“Oh, it’s you.”

Honditar turned in relief, knowing there was only one person Emfrid would greet that way; and if she was here, then she wasn’t spending the night with that Gate Guard. He hurried back down the steps.

“Eyja, me darlin’!”

“Oh Honditar, you remembered how much I love that pirate imitation!”

Emfrid didn’t hide rolling her eyes.

Honditar squeezed Eyja’s hand. “News isn’t good on your Khajiit friend.” He went on to tell her everything he’d learned.

Eyja paled, and was nearly hyperventilating. Honditar gripped her shoulder tightly.

“You’d best talk to Abiene quickly, find out what she knows right away. If we’re to catch them we need to leave now.”

Eyja barely nodded, stumbling up the stairs to Abiene’s room.


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 22 2013, 02:18 PM

Abiene

Abiene leaned back and tossed a cloth over the bucket. Eating that scamp skin had been a mistake. It had tasted even worse on the way back out, and it seemed to have stayed down only long enough to damage her magicka. Now she was reluctant to spend any on a spell to soothe her own stomach. There was no telling what else the night would bring.

A knock sounded at her door. Abiene lurched to her feet, drawing the Absorb Health spell into her hand with a dreadful shudder. Can I do this? She hadn’t used it since she stood for her final Restoration exam at the University, and even then she’d failed to finish off her test subject. The memory made her falter.


Abiene looked down at the goblin through a red haze. Its life energy rushed in through her outstretched hand. Hot joy churned in her chest, mixed with a gibbering horror. Her victim’s last groan sounded along with a thin shriek of despair. Abiene realized the cry had come from her throat.

She broke the spell. The goblin turned its face toward her, lids blinking over empty eyes. It arms still strained against the bindings. Abiene knelt and reached for the pitiful creature, her hands filled with healing light.

A bolt of lightning sent its body spinning into the wall. Abiene wheeled around to face her examiners, fury boiling to the top of her emotions.

The representative from the University’s Destruction school spoke, sounding bored. “She fails.” Shock energy still danced across her palms.

Abiene’s advisor slowly shook his head. Disappointment clouded his face. He would not speak up for her. This had been her chance to prove herself.

Raminus Polus made a small sound, drawing everyone’s attention. He finished his notations with a flourish, then pushed the parchment aside. “She passes,” he announced. “Cyrodiil needs more Healers.”


Footsteps retreated from her door and down to the tavern level. Abiene sighed in relief.

Silly woman. Assassins don’t knock on the door. That may have been someone else who needs help.

She glanced down at herself while she attempted to fix her hair. Her linen shift fit like a potato sack, and it covered from collarbone to elbow to knee. Hardly presentable but not indecent. The sweat stains were regrettable, but the smell from the bucket should distract any visitors.

Footsteps approached her room. Abiene stepped into her quilted slippers. She did not anticipate running away, but shoes would likely be appropriate whatever the upcoming situation.

Her heart gave a nervous skip. I’m not waiting like some cornered rabbit. Abiene opened the door.

“Eyja!” The woman looked pale and distressed. Abiene strained to see around her, but there was no sign of Maxical.

She stepped back so Eyja could enter if she wished. Where is Maxical?

Posted by: mALX Jul 22 2013, 03:23 PM

*


Eyja:

One look at Abiene, and even in the state she herself was in Eyja realized that nothing she said would connect. She needed Abiene to remember what Earana had said, and it wasn't going to happen with her in this state.

Eyja called Honditar while she dug in her pack. She pulled out several potions designed to ease her stomach, but only handed her one to drink.

When Honditar hovered outside the door, Eyja pointed to the slop bucket. "Get that out of here, or I'll be joining her. "

Eyja gave Abiene another potion for her stomach, then went out and picked the lock of the room next to the one Abiene was in. There was a clean single bed and a small tub in the corner, almost like one of the barrel troughs she'd seen at some stables. Eyja heated the water with a fire spell and dug out a bar of her own soap. There was no cloth to wash with, so Eyja pulled her dagger out and cut a square of the sheet from the bed. She went back to Abiene's room and all but carried her into the other guest room.

Eyja stripped Abiene's clothing off and helped her into the tub, then soaped up the sheet square and scrubbed her briskly with it. She lathered the soap in her hands and gently bathed the sweat and vomit from Abiene's hair with it, then heated the ewer water and poured it over her.

Eyja glanced around and cursed. No towels. She glanced through the dresser and found a cotton robe that she patted Abiene down with; then yanked back the sheets and helped Abiene into the bed and gave her another potion for her stomach, a very strong healing potion and one to restore her magicka.

"Abiene, Maxical has been kidnapped by Earana. Honditar says you healed Earana tonight, I need you to feel better so you can tell me everything. Honditar thinks they are in some cave, and may be bringing her somewhere in the North, I need to hear everything they said to you. Please get better quickly, every minute is one they are getting further away with Maxical. "


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 22 2013, 05:08 PM

Abiene

Eyja took one look and sprang into action. Abiene found herself medicated, washed, dressed, and tucked into bed by brisk but gentle hands. She cooperated like an unusually obedient child. Honditar’s occasional presence no doubt had more to do with Eyja’s overflowing top and abbreviated skirt than Abiene’s intermittently bare state.

Then Eyja spoke. “Abiene, Maxical has been kidnapped by Earana. Honditar says you healed Earana tonight, I need you to feel better so you can tell me everything.”

The news brought Abiene upright in the bed. She started to organize the day’s events in her mind, then she realized that she should just start with Earana and let Eyja decide what was next.

“Earana and Mister gro-Gonk came to me for healing tonight. They had the same infection that I had. I’ve learned that I was the one who carried it to Chorrol from the Wayshrine. Athragar and some of the mages got it from me, but they didn’t spread it beyond the Guild hall. Thankfully it strikes so quickly and with such powerful symptoms that the afflicted don’t have much chance to infect others. Anyway I cured the two of them and they left. I asked Earana if she wanted to take some mandrake to eat in case she met anyone else who was ill. I swiped a good supply from the chapel and handed most of it out at the beggars’ camp earlier. I doubt that mandrake alone is enough to cure someone, but it should prevent a healthy person from becoming infected. Anyway she took a few pieces and asked me to sell her my cheapest Cure Disease potion. They were both chewing mandrake and giving me looks when they left. I guess it was obvious I wasn’t well.”

Abiene twisted her fingers together, pushing her worry down so she could continue.

“All day folk were telling me they heard a white Khajiit left through the main gate. They said they heard it from an orc. Eyja, I should have suspected something was amiss! I just thought Maxical had bought a potion so she’d feel better and was going back to the Goblet to look for you!”

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 23 2013, 12:53 AM

His eyes fluttered open some hours later. It was morning. He liked mornings strangely enough. The beginning of the day after a decent rest was disconnected enough from the day before, and the promise of the new day was set before him.

Sethyas got off of the mattress, that was now bare of beddings because of a particular disposal run the night prior. Also the reason he was willing to trust and help Eyja. As much as two scorpions trusted one another, but perhaps they were the type of Predator that could hunt in packs.

She had actually stopped by to ask him for some of the more exotic ingredients from her needed list, when she intercepted a Dark Brother intent on ruining his meal and his night. As it turned out the man was here for him solely, and didn't know anything about the prior poisoning. The poisoned healer.

That meant a professional and a master alchemist were behind it. They could be one in the same, they could be two different people. Among the concerns raised by her, was that if they went to a master Alchemist it could be the one that made it to begin with and might finish the job.

Sethyas revealed that he just so happened to be considered one. At least by the Mages Guild. Their assessment of his skill ranked him at 96. That was fifty years prior. He'd been around quite a bit in those years since, seeking adventure and knowledge in the surrounding provinces with projects to keep him busy. He had taken Divayth Fyr's advice in that regard.

If you live for four-thousand years, you need a project; a hobby to keep you interested. Mine just so happens to be corpus disease.

He reminisced that that same 'disease' of which Fyr simply removed the 'negative' effects from, gave him complete immunity to both disease and age. He was biologically immortal. A steep fall, a lucky shot, a poisoned meal, and he would die. But in these last two hundred years almost, it hadn't gotten him yet.

He started taking out various wares and foodstuffs and grabbed a few things from his alchemy satchel, pondering when Eyja most likely would stop by with the ingredients for the potion.

He considered putting on a shirt, but it would be warm with the burner going.

*OOC: Just for you mALX **

Posted by: mALX Jul 23 2013, 03:34 AM

*

Eyja glanced at Honditar lingering in the doorway when Abiene said that Earana and Gaturn had the same disease she had. His eye caught hers with confirmation he had come to the same conclusion from it.

When Abiene mentioned Earana and Gaturn buying that cheap Cure Disease potion, Eyja gave an involuntary moan and turned to Honditar; once again his eyes showed his thoughts concurred with hers. That was purchased to give to Maxical, meaning Maxical must be too ill to help them in whatever experiment Earana had planned for her.

Eyja felt like a taut rubber strap about to snap. If Maxical was well she could handle most dangers and there would be little need for worry. Maxical's penchant for getting into trouble usually arose from gullibility and trusting people before finding out if they deserved that trust. Where she was normally capable, in illness she was the exact opposite. Helpless to the extreme.

"As far as I'm concerned, that's all the proof I need that at least one or maybe both of them has been in close contact with Maxical; and that she is ill. Maybe Maxical got weak, and they had to help her walk like she did with Abiene?"

Honditar hesitated, then shook his head no. "Before a few days ago I might have believed that. Now I'm more inclined to think they forced her bodily to accompany them. They may have used a ruse to get her out of the guard's view, then forced her down into the sewer system."

"The sewers!" Eyja clutched the lip of the bath tub barrel, wishing there was someone she could release the rage building in her on.

"Earana was outside a cave known to be loaded with traps and bandits; but what few know is that it accesses the sewers below Chorrol. They can get in and out of the city without being seen by the guard that way."

Honditar gave a slight shrug of one shoulder. "Nermus the Mooch said there's people living down there in the sewers, if you can believe a beggar."

Eyja stopped him. "Always believe the beggars. They are everywhere in a city and no one notices them, they see things most don't. People assume their ramblings are madness, but they rarely lie except to get your gold. Give a beggar twenty Septims and you have bought yourself the best spy one could have, and cheap at the price."

Eyja's voice was rising as something struck her that Honditar had said earlier and she'd let pass without questioning it in the shock of learning Maxical had been kidnapped.

"What kind of experiments is she doing on Khajiit?" It almost came out as a scream. Eyja sucked in her breath with force before continuing.

"The beggars have to know something. Find out what Earana is doing in these experiments, where she is keeping these Khajiit, where she is going with Maxical. Give them the twenty gold first and don't ask any questions till they've offered you a blessing for it. Wait till it is in their pocket, then ask. Check every beggar in the city, some may know something another doesn't. Do you need funds?"

Honditar was already gone before she offered the funds, Eyja heard the main door bang shut before she could turn back to Abiene.

"I'm sorry, just tense over Maxical. Honditar knows me well and will understand. Abiene, can you think of anything, even something you might think insignificant that they may have mentioned? Honditar said she is using Khajiit as test subjects in her experiments, but he has never learned what she does with them."


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 23 2013, 04:07 AM

Abiene

Eyja and Honditar discussed the new information. Abiene listened with growing horror as they determined that Maxical had been kidnapped.

Honditar left in a rush, and Eyja turned to Abiene. “Can you think of anything, even something you might think insignificant that they may have mentioned? Honditar said she is using Khajiit as test subjects in her experiments, but he has never learned what she does with them.”

Test subjects? Abiene took a deep breath, pushing back her exhaustion to focus on the question.

“Earana asked for a potion to protect against shock burns. I didn’t have one, but I did have a suggestion. I remembered Darnand and Jerric fooling with some old Dwemer thing they brought back from Skyrim. Jerric was working on it while Darnand made notes or something. I wasn’t really paying attention. But Jerric kept getting shocked and only absorbed it about half of the time. He got mad and gave the thing a smack. Then Darnand got annoyed and told him to sit on a Welkynd stone. I thought they were just being rude to one another, but Lildereth went and got him one. He didn’t actually sit on it, of course. He tucked it under his arm. Well anyway the point is I told Earana perhaps it would help prevent a shock burn if she held on to a Welkynd stone.”

Abiene chewed the corner of her lip. “If I wanted to get my hands on a Welkynd stone, I’d go to the Mages Guild. But there may be a collector somewhere in town. I wouldn’t know about that, but I could ask around. Whatever you need, Eyja.” Bold words for a woman who is lying limp in a bed. “Maxical is in terrible danger. My ingredients can wait. I’ll just keep healing myself until she’s back with you, and safe.”

Posted by: mALX Jul 23 2013, 05:23 AM

*

Eyja thought her head would explode when she heard what Earana had been asking about.

"Maxical has complete weakness to magic! She wears rings, an amulet...her greaves; they all absorb or reflect spells, but if they've stolen them from her..."

Eyja drummed her fingers restlessly on the bureau top, staring hard at Abiene but not really seeing her. Somewhere in the back of her mind was a feeling she'd heard something about this before, but what?

"Abiene, think hard; anything having to do with shock spells you've learned in the Mages Guild; places that had some weird phenomenon. Wasn’t there some secret Ayleid dungeon they found below a cave a few years back? I thought the Black Horse Courier article about it said something about the Mages Guild losing a member because of shock traps set up. Maybe she is trying to access an ancient treasure and using Khajiit to test the trap...”

Eyja felt sick at the thought. “Ask at the guild if she purchased a Welkynd Stone, if she has to find one first that could buy us some time. I think they come from dungeons...”

Abiene’s last words reminded Eyja about the ingredients.

“Oh. I have found a Master Alchemist that has agreed to make your potions. He is at the Wobbly Goblet Inn, and can be trusted; whereas any local Alchemist must be suspect. He had all the rarest ingredients except the Scrib Jelly. While Honditar questions the beggars I’ll run the ingredients you’ve gathered to him. The potions are much milder on your system, you won’t be ill like this with them.”

Eyja took the sack of ingredients from Abiene. “Tell Honditar where I’ve gone, and any information you come across or remember. Oh, and speaking of the Wobbly Goblet, I overheard that two people have disappeared; someone named Stefania, and a little boy called Lleris. The Orc that runs the place was bawling over him. She is worried he may be ill with this contagious disease. I thought of Earana, but Honditar is sure she only uses beast races in her...experiments.”

Eyja cast chameleon and left quickly, without giving Abiene a chance to respond.





***



Eyja was surprised to see the early sun rising when she left the Gray Mare. Time was passing too quickly, it felt like trying to run in quicksand; but in the longrun it would help to have an idea where they were going other than “North.” If Emfrid was right that they were going cross country, there would be no way to find them without an idea of where they were headed. She hoped having to find a Welkynd Stone would slow them down.

Without thinking, Eyja gave the coded knock on Seth’s door that she’d always used with Foxy, he knew her knock from any other. Seth gapped the door the same way Foxy always did, just enough to say “enter” without opening it enough to say “welcome.”


"I can't stay long, I..." Eyja broke off and glanced around startled. The inn room looked like a full alchemy lab with bubbling liquids and fires under glass vented bottles held up by temporary brackets.

“Are you making the potion already? I have all the ingredients here!” She held out the sack from Abiene and the one of items he had given her last night.

His eyes flickered with wry humor at her words.

"What is it then?"



*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 23 2013, 10:33 AM

"This isn't for a potion." Sethyas said, putting a handful of beans into a pot.

"This is my breakfast. You really think I'm going to trust anyone else with my food after last night?" He explained, cracking a couple of eggs over a tin plate modified to serve as a pan, it stood on top of some wire legs with a burner just below it.

"Those are the rest of the items, then." he said with a nod to her items, stirring the yolk and whites together with a fork, and tossing a handful of some dried herb to the mix.

He went to another setup, and smelled the progress it was making.

"So we just need some scrib jelly to finish it up, if memory serves." He stated, and wafted some steam towards his face with a gentle wave of his hand.

"I'll see what I can't do to try and get some. It's rare out here, but not uncommon. Especially as it's one of the few imports that the Imperials actually like from Morrowind. As well as saltrice...." he said, suddenly snapping his fingers.

"That's perfect!" He exclaimed. "Saltrice is the perfect substitute!"

Eyja seemed to be be confused, and scared to ask if he meant for the potion or his food.

He grabbed a handful of it from his foodstuffs, in a neat bunch with a strip of paper holding it together.

"Saltrice is Morrowind's version of wheat, used in making their baked goods. The largest commodity out there." He started to explain.

"But--it's also one of the best ingredients for restoratives! You can make a double effect potion of Health and Fatigue with it...and as a nice bonus it will actually fortify magicka." He explained. "There's a nasty side effect where it will actually drain strength if not prepared correctly, but I know how to prepare it correctly."

He nodded his head to a table, as his uncharacteristic enthusiasm with his hobby and trade seemed to put a gleam in his eyes. "Go ahead and leave them there."

"I can have this potion ready in about an hour." He explained.

He stopped suddenly when something in his mind clicked. He didn't quite put the two together until just now.

"Did you mention that your contract involved a white Khajiit?" He asked.

Posted by: mALX Jul 24 2013, 02:05 AM

*

Eyja:

The aroma of food and cooking began to fill the air, reminding Eyja she hadn't eaten anything but a mandrake root since before yesterday morning. Nords weren't made for fasting, and smelling the food was making her stomach ache and groan.

There wasn't anytime to think about eating now, and as Seth said; she wouldn't trust the food here. She'd have to grab raw ingredients off the trail as they searched for Maxical. It wouldn't be the first time, probably not the last either that she'd have to survive that way.


Being well rested suited Seth, he was talkative and energetic, even humorous. His eyes gleamed with enjoyment in what he was doing, Eyja wasn't sure if it was the cooking he was so enthusiastic about or the alchemy of it.

Either way, he was a god in his own domain with all his alchemical equipment boiling and brewing; and doing it bare-chested enhanced the image. Any other time she would have lingered and enjoyed watching him doing something he obviously loved.

There was some intangible quality about Seth, a charisma that drew one into him. She had trusted him instantly on meeting, and knew beyond doubt he would never betray that trust. There were only two others she'd ever felt that kind of chemistry with; one was the purest relationship of her lifetime; Foxy, her boss and mentor. The other was the only love of her life, who lay in an unmarked grave now. She knew where it was, but wouldn't go. She'd seen him dead, that was enough to torment her the rest of her life.

Eyja pulled herself from her reverie with a start. Seth was eyeing her quizzically.

"I...did you say...yes, she is a white Khajiit. Seth, she has been kidnapped. The woman who took her has been using Khajiit for some experiments involving shock spells. I think she is trying to bypass a trap on an Ayleid treasure of some sort and kidnaps beast races to use as test subjects and absorb the shock in her stead."

Eyja fidgeted before going on, taking a pace around the room.

"She's taken her somewhere North, but we have no idea of her destination, there are literally dozens of Ayleid sites North of here. I wouldn't tell this next but for the danger she is already in. It can go no further if she survives this, she has too many enemies that would use it to their advantage. Maxical has some disorder, she has complete vulnerability to magic, poisons, disease. A shock spell could kill her, and she was very ill before they took her. She caught that contagious disease going around the inn, the healer she helped was carrying it."

Eyja strangled her emotions back on a choke before continuing.

"I may have to leave before the hour, if so I'll insist the healer stay and wait for the potion. Right now my friend Honditar is bribing the beggars for any information he may learn of their destination. The healer Abiene is at the Mages Guild trying to learn which Ayleid sites may have shock traps. They are coming here to fetch me and we leave immediately to hunt for them. They have hours of advance on us already."

Eyja balled her hands into fists so tight that her nails dug into the skin of her palms to keep the weakness she was feeling from showing in front of Seth; but he knew. She saw the realization reflected in his eyes.

She turned away, averting her face so he wouldn't see the anguish in her eyes; giving up the pretense with a slight shrug of one shoulder. In a hoarse whisper she admitted what he had already seen.

"Our lives call for detachment, but in truth I have become attached to her. She is the same age my sister was when she died, and I see too much of my sister in her; and in too many ways. I couldn't stand it if she was lost. It is beyond the task."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 24 2013, 10:38 AM

Sethyas did what he did best. Observed and listened, drawing an assessment as objectively as he could. She may have been getting paid, or some other form of barter to protect the Khajiit's life, but she clearly would do it gladly for free now.

He also found it difficult not to personalize things along the way at times. Only the best individuals could bring out this type of reaction from him. He expected more from himself, and as such expected more from others. When the rare and exceptional individual met those expectations, he did much for them. Eyja so far had met those expectations.

"Then I may or may not have some information in that regard. I saw two individuals headed northwest. One was tall and lithe, likely Altmer as I only saw the hands...her stride suggested female; the other's stride suggested Khajiit. As well as the white tail and hands that were visibly exposed. Both were dressed in dark robes and hoods." he recounted.

He looked over the ingredients, then Eyja's pained expression.

Damn. I'm the only one that can do this for an absolute certainty right this moment.

"If you go after them..." He started, shaking his head. Something about Eyja, and her speaking of her sister. He understood all too well.

He grabbed one of the eight http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Ancient_Silver_Dagger he had picked up from Hanin's tomb in Morrowind nearly two hundred years ago. The daggers were older than that, by a millenia or two. Whomever had enchanted them was a master. They never tarnished or rusted, and the potent poison they had was somehow part of the overall make-up.

He handed it to her. "Take this, you may need it. If anything goes wrong...use the amulet I gave you. I'll...try to catch up if I can."

He'd accepted the task of aiding her out of a sense of honor, as she had saved his life. He was just tired enough, he may have eaten the meal. Mithridatism had given him a high tolerance to poison with all the samples he'd tried with wortcraft, but he was hardly immune.

Now he was starting to identify with her adversities. Being back in Cyrodiil, his original homeland wasn't doing much to help stop that either.

Posted by: mALX Jul 24 2013, 01:27 PM

*

Eyja:


"The Khajiit was walking?" Eyja felt the relief of that. They'd only bought her a very low dose of the Cure Disease, maybe just enough to make Maxical mobile to get her where they were going.

As her hand folded over the dagger's hilt the merest sliver of a silvery vaporous mist moved down Seth's arm and up her own, nearly causing her to drop the blade. She steeled herself and clutched it tightly.

"You've tamed an ancestral ghost for this; it lives within the blade, I saw it! I've heard of these, but never seen one till now."

Eyja cast a light travel armor on herself before tucking the dagger into the waistband. "What stories you must have of your travels, I would love to hear them all. You should publish your memoirs one day. Thank you, Seth."

She touched the amulet on her neck. "I'll only use this if the need is overwhelming to do so. It may be. The Altmer is a powerful Battlemage. I've never taken on one of her skill level in face-to-face in combat out in the open before, only from the shadows. And that Orc, they are not an easy kill even using stealth."

Eyja caught Seth's questioning glance and explained. "Though he may not have been with them at the time you saw them, she is traveling in company with an overly large Orc man of the worst reputation. He was carrying bedrolls and winter gear tied to his pack, so I'm sure he'll be one of the party."

She tied her travel pack tightly shut and hefted it, watching Seth already beginning to prepare the ingredients for the potion. "Was it still dark when you saw them?"

Eyja's shoulders slumped at Seth's nod and answer. It was under two hours from when they had left the healers. She had hoped they would try to obtain a Welkynd Stone before going. Maybe that's why the Orc wasn't traveling with them, he may have been waiting for the Mages Guild to open and then catch up with them. Or robbing one of the collectors in town.

"Then they still have a major advance on us. We'll need horses if we're to catch them, I'm going to talk to the proprietor here and see if she has any to rent." She thanked Seth again and hurried out, automatically turning the latch on the door before pulling it shut behind her.



OOC:

Eyja's armor can be seen in this screen:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/A%20New%20Sun%20Rises/Eyja/ScreenShot1051.jpg


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 24 2013, 08:55 PM

Abiene

Abiene stepped out of the Mages Guild and walked into Great Oak Place. Earana was nowhere in sight, and neither was Honditar.

Alberic Litte strolled into the circle and made his way around toward the Mages Guild. He raised a hand in greeting when he spotted Abiene.

She returned the wave and moved out under the tree. She had the information they needed, and now she felt as if a target was painted across her back.

A Chorrol guardsman strode through, making his rounds. “Good day, citizen.” He gave her a wink as he passed.

Abiene smiled back when she recognized him. “Good day, Constable Meglio.” This was not the time to enquire about his carbuncle. Besides, his jaunty gait was enough to tell her it had not recurred.

Best to wait for Eyja or Honditar, she decided. Time is short, and we might miss one another if we are all running about searching. They will find me easily here.

She sat down to wait.



http://imgur.com/y3dPpab

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 25 2013, 02:20 AM

Focus. The mental command came.

Causality. You know this.

These reported events,...are like an arrow shot at my heart...that lands at my feet. I choose not to pick it up and stab myself with it.

He read, and re-read the list for the potion, and examined all of the ingredients twice over. He felt the textures between his thumb and forefinger. He felt the weight with well-trained hands, becoming a far more accurate scale than most 'honest' merchants. He smelled the ingredients with slow inhales, comparing the scents to his knowledge, especially as scent was the sense most closely tied to memory. He compared notes, and thought through the process.

Technically, three different potions. Three different batches. Two will mix together...the third would make it toxic. He shook his head over the puzzle. This was the true challenge of Alchemy. Potion and Poison were so close in words, but also in effect. Too much and a life-saving elixir would take life just as swiftly. A little salt to change the alkaline level and a toxic chemical could be as harmless as water.

Well...water can be toxic if used incorrectly.He corrected himself, realizing he had drowned Men and Mer before. Never in rage,...just a powerful sedative and they never felt a thing, and no one questioned it.

Could the third batch be separated as well? He thought, and started to dip his pen and write down the equation, trying to balance it out the pen scratching slowly over the parchment.

Twenty minutes later, he finally got it and smiled slowly.

As ever, the simplest solution is usually the correct one. He said grabbing the sack and carefully placing the ingredients next to his workstation.

Abelle Chriditte was the Master Alchemist in the book: "The Cake and the Diamond", once I thought was a work of fiction, described an aged crone who fooled some thieves out of their diamond. Her blend of Alchemy was something out of a work of fiction to begin with.

'Field Alchemy' she called it. The surprising discovery of a young-ish, vivacious apothecary living in the propylon chamber of Valenvaryon, no less. The ancient, and mostly abandoned Dunmer Stronghold on the northernmost coast of Vvardenfell proper.

The denizens were Malacath worshippers. Orcs. A few challenged his right to pass through unharmed. It was an argument they lost. Then to come across her after he had acquired the index from Nibani Maesa at nearby Urshilaku Camp, where he learned of his destiny, seemed to be that same destiny unfolding before him.

"The Orcs here are not evil. I didn't approach them like they were. That's why I can live and barter here unharmed." Abelle Chriditte had told him.

"Teach me." he asked.

"Oh, my skills are for hire." she said with a greedy smile.

Many weeks passed and his skill grew. Until she said she could teach no more.

"Than..I am a master alchemist now?" He asked.

"No." She shook her head. "But, neither am I."

He thought she had swindled him. Until she explained.

"Firstly, the Mages Guild does not know everything. They try to standardize it, but the world is a wide, open place. If I learn every flora, every fauna in Morrowind...what good does that do me in Cyrodiil?" She asked, as he nodded, finally understanding.

"I move from province to province, I learn everything that I can. I may be considered a master here, but when I go to Hammerfell, my 'score' may as well be five." She explained.

"I learned how to break a diamond down at it's weakest parts using my wit and minimal resources. I bet those hedge wizards in Skyrim and Cyrodiil don't even know that you can use one in alchemical processes!" She laughed, not knowing how right she would become.

In these latter days of his life, it seemed he held onto a lost art. Rubies, emeralds, diamonds. They all held alchemical qualities that their value had made the world forget over time. But, he was older than this current world was, and some things should never be forgotten. No matter how small.

He added the final, secret ingredient to the potion. The one unifying aspect, the keystone that held it all together in perfect balance. Rarely did he laud himself, this once he would allow it.

Even enough left over for a backup. He thought, hiding it in the upper rafters, carefully wrapped so the vial would not break, should it fall.

One can never be too careful.

Posted by: mALX Jul 25 2013, 07:23 AM

*

Honditar:


Honditar spotted Abiene sitting at the circle and hurried up to her, his expression grim. "What I've learned is not good. Whatever Earana is doing with these experiments, none of the subjects have survived them. She seems to think she can harness the power of lightning into some spell is all they could tell me."

He sat down beside Abiene to catch his breath.

"There is an Ayleid site somewhere to the North she brings them, but they could give me no further description than that. Maxical and the rest were kept in a dungeon below the city itself, in the sewer system. It is no rumor, I found their lair. There is access at the lowest chamber of the Crumbling Mine. Maxical has been there, I found this pack and recognized it as the one she carried."

He held up the pack. "I brought it with me. The shirt and greaves she was wearing earlier were beside the bed, I put them in the pack as well."

Honditar nodded his head toward Nermus the Mooch, who responded by folding his hands together and bowing his head as if conferring a blessing on Honditar.

"If their blessings are carried to the gods, I should have good luck the rest of my days."

He turned back to Abiene.

"They have a wolf guard the Khajiit, you can imagine how frightening that must be for them. There is a full laboratory there of alchemical mixtures to make the subject obedient to Earana's command and dependent on her..."

Honditar broke off and gave Abiene a direct look.

"Skooma. Beside the bed was a bowl of thick cream that had been laced with Skooma. They drug the cream, she becomes addicted and will do anything for more. Those other potions will make a thrall of her, we may be fighting all three of them until the spells and potions have worn off. I hope she is not adept in combat."

Honditar bumped his knee gently against Abiene's. "I took a bottle of the cream and mixed some dispel potion in it. Where is Eyja? We'll need to leave quickly if we're to catch them, they know where they are going and we don't; unless you've learned something I haven't."


Maxical in the black robe:



http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2306-08-53-00_zps7ac823f7.png




The lab in the sewer system below Chorrol:



http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-45-09-67_zps6a2a14f3.png




The lair in the sewers where Maxical was held:



http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-42-56-85_zpsc6fd6104.png




The access through Crumbling Mine:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-33-26-31_zps66627d48.png



*

Posted by: mALX Jul 25 2013, 11:20 AM

*

Eyja:

Between the lack of sleep, her empty stomach that had been groaning since smelling Seth's meal cooking, and the tension of Maxical's situation; Eyja was in no state to remember she had learned of Lleris's disappearance while sneaking in chameleon in an area of the Inn off limits to guests.

She approached the proprietor Bograk with a sympathy for one who cared about a missing child, feeling she was in the same situation and wished she could have broken down as the Orc had done.

"Has your lad Lleris been found? I hope all is well with him, I know you were greatly concerned."

Bograk's eyes widened and one brow lifted as she turned to face Eyja. Her hard look softened at the obvious concern and sympathy in Eyja's eyes and expression.

"I sent for the healer, but she couldn't be found. He's not well, not well at all. Some disease the healer herself brought, and now can't be found to cure. Inform her if someone falls ill, she said; then up and disappears like a fart in a windstorm." Bograk snorted her frustration.

Seth had given her three Cure Disease potions the night before. Eyja had thought to save them all for Maxical, but the worry in the Orc's eyes was more than she could bear. She opened her pack and dug around till her fingers touched one of the odd-shaped vials Seth had given her. As an afterthought, she pulled a Mandrake root out as well.

"Here, I was given three of these last night. My sister...my close friend has caught the same disease; a very close friend. This root is for you to eat, it will keep you from getting ill while taking care of him."

Eyja waved off Bograk's offer of Septims.

"No, no. If he is well and your worry ended, that will be my payment. My worry won't end till I'm able to reach my friend, it is the white Khajiit that was in here this morning. She doesn't fight off illness as well as others. She has been kidnapped, and the ruffians that have her were seen heading North. I'll need horses to catch them, and two go with me to help find her and take her back from them. I hoped I might rent them from you rather than the stables at Chorrol."

Bograk shook her head. "The horses belong to the guests, all but one; my mare. Tell Lowren I said to saddle up Sapphire for you. I'll loan her to you, no rent needed." She held up the Cure Disease potion, indicating that was her payment.

"I turned down an offer to rent her not hours ago. Necromancers in their black robes." She snorted.

Eyja gave a start. "Black robes? The ones that kidnapped my friend were seen wearing black robes! I hope the Chorrol stables didn't rent them horses, we'll never catch them!"

"Uuuoh, she won't fair well with that type. They come in with those black robes marked with evil, I won't even rent them a room." Bograk shook her huge head vigorously and glanced around as if looking for a spittoon.

"Bongond would sell to Dagon if he was in the market for a horse; but that's all he'll do, sell them; and for twice what they're worth."

Bograk clamped her massive hands on Eyja's shoulders and turned her by them, pointing to two armored men breakfasting at a small table.

"Those two are regulars and have a fair sized tab with us. Tell them I've asked for the use of their horses in exchange for it. It'll be up to them if they accept. We'll work out a fair settlement when you return."

She brushed past Eyja barely nodding at her thanks, then nearly thundered up the steps with the potion.

Eyja's stomach rumbled loudly as she approached the table. The smell and sight of the food was wreaking havoc with her inside; but thinking of the poisoning Abiene took, she turned down the offer to join the men in their breakfast; and was very glad she'd changed into armor from the short skirt and low cut top by the way they were ogling her.

By the time Eyja finished talking with Baurus the Kind and Silas the Brawler, she had three horses being put to in the stables. They were more than happy to accommodate when they learned their tabs would be zeroed out, and quickly ordered some ale with their breakfast.


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 25 2013, 12:30 PM

Abiene

Honditar bumped his knee gently against Abiene's. “Where is Eyja? We'll need to leave quickly if we're to catch them, they know where they are going and we don't; unless you've learned something I haven't.”

“I think I know where they’re going,” said Abiene. “I went into the Mages Guild to see if anyone had purchased a Welkynd stone, and Teekeeus was in the middle of a hissing fit. Gaturn had been there already this morning. Teekeeus must know of his association with Earana, because he was ranting about her and Fingers of the Mountain. I’ll spare you the rest. Suffice it to say it has been a sore topic with Teekeeus for some time. Anyway I remember a friend’s involvement with the Guild once took him to Cloud Top on some errand for Teekeeus related to that spell. Something made Teekeeus connect the Welkynd stone with that Ayleid magic he’s been trying to restrict. Anyway I thought that was a good enough clue to stop enquiring about the stone and try to catch them on the way up! You know how to get to Cloud Top, don’t you? I’ve been trying to ask Darnand, but I can’t reach him.” Abiene patted the crystal ball inside her satchel to explain.

Honditar took the news with a grim kind of calm. Abiene felt the same way. “Where is Eyja?” he repeated.

“The Wobbly Goblet. She may be on her way back by now, that’s why I’m sitting out here. I didn’t want her to waste time looking.” Abiene lifted a bundle from the bench. “I bought some provisions from the street vendors. Eyja said the poison I drank was very rare, so I doubt whoever used it has enough to dose the whole city. They may even be out trying to find the ingredients to make some more.” Put that matter aside for now. “Honditar, I know plenty of folk who owe me favors. Given time I could surely convince a few to accompany us to Cloud Top. But I’m afraid we’re running out of time. I have a mount, and I am not always as helpless as I have been lately. Oh, and my Papa is a scroll maker.” She indicated her satchel again. “I have some scrolls. At the least I’d like to be there to help when you find Maxical. We know she will need healing.”

Posted by: mALX Jul 25 2013, 06:07 PM

*

Honditar:

Honditar shook his head. "Never heard of Cloud Top. I've got some maps at my house, possible it could be marked on one of them; give us an idea where they're headed."

Honditar nodded when Abiene offered to come along. "I'd sure like it if you did. I saw the worry in Eyja, something I've never seen before in her; and I've known her decades. She'd want you there, but not put the burdon on you by asking. As far as I know, she's not slept or eaten either." He stood up.

"If you have a horse, get it saddled up. Wait at the stables for me and keep watch for Eyja. Emfrid said they were packed for overland, they probably won't be taking the roads; but just in case, you ask every Black Horse Courier that rides up if they've seen that Orc with an Altmer and one more."

As an afterthought he added, "If you've got room for some extra food in your saddlebags, I'll go by my house and get some stores for the trip; load my pack for travel. Won't take long, and Eyja will have to pass the stable if she is seeking us. If she hasn't come by then, we'll meet her at the Wobbly."

Honditar set out for his house; his mouth in a grim line, but a determined gleam in his eye. This was to be a hunt, just a different kind of hunt than he was used to. Still, he was a hunter; a good one. He could track deer, and an Orc walking in the soft ground of this area would leave a good foot trail to follow.

Honditar emptied his hunting pack and loaded it with all of the dried deer meat and dried fruits he had, and the last two loaves of tough thick bread he'd made the day before. The women wouldn't like it, but it was good for long treks to keep the belly full. Next he added two small sacks of roasted nuts.

He shoved his maps into a pocket of the pack without looking at them, and lastly tied his bedroll onto the pack. He tested his bow, then tied a second bow to his pack along with another quiver; and loaded both quivers well. After a glance around he added some fresh fruit to the pack and hurried down to the stable.


*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 25 2013, 06:46 PM

Sethyas strode out from his temporary lair. Refitted with his gear, he thought he may have a chance to catch Eyja before the hour closed, and to deliver the potion. He strode past underwear casually placed on a doorknob, the universal sign of 'No Room Service'.

Kids these days...and in my days...and in the days before my days. He thought wryly. His marital arrangement was an interesting one regardless. Normally folks get married to grow old together. Neither he nor his spouse did that, so it allowed for long periods of time between their actually being together.

Much as it was in the old days between them. The Archmistress of the House Redoran and the Grandmaster of the Morag Tong having an affair for years, until...

That's that the past. He thought.

In the aftermath, they eventually settled down together. The irony of it all, was that the thing they wanted most, just to be with each other was far more peaceful, and much less passionate than the yearning for it. They fought as all couples did, and made up in similar fashions. But when the years passed by and they did so quickly, his wanderlust grew and her contentment in their arrangement waned they finally agreed that missing the other was as important as being with them.

He was allowed more or less free reign. He could come and go as he pleased, other women would be 'forgiven', though he never once strayed; nor believed her. Adventures and exploration was his first love though, so perhaps in these excursions of his, he was in a sense visiting a mistress, and the leave she gave him was her permission, and his return to her accepting arms her forgiveness.

Though, she also had the same leave on his part. She never once strayed either, and though he didn't relish the thought of her in another man's arms he could not deny her the freedom and equality she granted. If nothing else, the core of their relation had always been respect.

He exited the Inn into the stables and saw an Altmer man dressed in the skins of a hunter and a focused look on his visage. He then saw Eyja in some travel armor, and smiled slightly at the good timing.

"Hail!" he cried approaching cautiously.

Posted by: mALX Jul 25 2013, 10:50 PM

*

Eyja:


Eyja turned in surprised relief when she heard Seth's voice. He wouldn't have left his room unless the potion were finished; she hadn't known him long, but sensed that about him. Sometimes you just know things instinctively about people.

There was some inner aura in Seth that came across as tangibly as a sight or sound. When he was near she felt safe, that she could rely on him; an odd feeling for someone who only rarely felt fear and had taken care of herself since before she'd even reached her teens.

Eyja caught the wariness when Seth approached, and understood him not wanting to talk openly before a stranger. Honditar himself had bristled slightly at his approach, not knowing in what capacity the stranger was hailing her. Eyja poked him in the side.

"It's not what you think, Honditar."

She greeted Seth and introduced him to Honditar by his full name, then gave him a quick briefing of what Honditar had learned about the drugs they were using on Maxical.

"The healer is on her way right now, she was delayed by Bongond demanding payment before she could take her own horse out of the stables. Thanks to the proprietor here we now have four horses to follow them on. I don't know whether to leave the extra horse here or bring it for Maxical to ride home on."

Honditar pounded his chest in respectful greeting to Seth, his hackles smoothed by the lack of flirtation in Seth's eyes when he glanced at Eyja.

"Well met, Sethyas." He pulled the maps from his travel pack. "Abiene thinks they are going to an Ayleid site called 'Cloud Top'. It is not a place I have heard of before. Eyja said they were spotted heading Northwest?"

He spread the map out on top of the apple barrel and drew a line with his finger in a Northwest direction, scanning the nearby markings as he went. Honditar kept shaking his head, then finally rolled up the map.

"Nothing on this one." He grabbed another of the maps and rolled it out on the barrel. Eyja grabbed another of his maps and did the same, rolling hers out on the ground.

"Cloud Top, I've got it!" She rubbed her finger across her lips and made a smudge on the map with the dab of lipstick that stuck to her finger.

"Look, it is almost North Northwest; but Seth saw them walking cross country in a Northwest direction. Maybe they do need to get that Welkynd Stone first, or are trying to throw you off track." She pointed at Honditar, then glanced at Seth.

"They didn't have the Orc with them, they must be circling around and meeting him North of Chorrol. The Proprietor here at the Inn said they came earlier trying to rent horses, but she refused them."

She showed a winding valley leading almost directly to the mark. "You know this area here, Honditar, is it as low as it looks on the map?"

Honditar shook his head. "No, whoever made the map exaggerated the depth of the valley and minimized the height of the hills. Look, this is in the midst of the Jeralls, it has to be mountains; but do you see any drawn there?"

"You are right. I wish we could get an idea of the terrain."

At the sound of hoof clops she glanced up quickly and called out a "Hail!" Eyja turned to Seth.

"This is Abiene, the healer whose stomach your potion will save."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 26 2013, 12:30 AM

Seth's eyes flickered between the two. He inwardly smiled. He could tell that there had been a glint of admiration in her eyes when he had been bare-chested. Nor could he deny that her clothing, indeed her body was enticing.

But that was the extent of it. No doubt if any had seen her comings and goings from his room, the sight of a well-known 'lady of the night' exiting the room of a weary traveller would make a simple assumption. That served both their purposes quite well.

It's also why their trades made them assume nothing. She knew her strengths and she used them like razor-sharp weapons. That was where his true admiration came in. Not her body, but the way she used it to immediately control the perceptions of others.

As Master Andarys had taught him centuries ago, self-control granted one control over others. By predicting and controlling their perceptions, they moved in concert with your manipulations, thinking it was their idea the whole time. He didn't know if Honditar was within her webs, or not.

Either way, he would not say anything.

He replied to Honditar's greeting with an amiable nod, and slight smile.

He followed both their descriptions of the situation and the map of the terrain. He did repress a chuckle when she marked the location of Cloud Top with her lipstick. At once, logical yet uniquely her. He still didn't understand why people used daggers to stab a perfectly good map; and it wasn't like any of them had some charcoal immediately at hand.

He nodded at Eyja after she hailed the sound of approaching hooves. Turning his head to his left, so his face was hidden from Honditar he started to reach for the his pack and the potion. His eyes met hers, and they quickly flitted to his room window then back to hers, with an almost imperceptible nod. He hoped she was reading his signals correctly, and she seemed to.

He was paranoid to a fault, and wanted someone else to know there was another potion should anything happen to him. Regardless of how unlikely the situation. He'd survived plenty 'unlikely' scenarios by planning for them.

He unslung his pack, and turned around to greet Abiene.

"So, you're the one who's got everyone concerned. You have very loyal friends. That speaks well of your own character."

Posted by: mALX Jul 26 2013, 02:25 AM

*

Eyja:

The idea struck Eyja to mark the location of Cloud Top on Honditar's other maps so they could each carry a map with them in case they became separated. When she unrolled the other maps she was surprised to find Cloud Top marked in different spots on each map.

The one Honitar had originally looked at showed Cloud Top due North of Chorrol. Hers showed it North Northwest. The last map she unrolled had it West Northwest.

While Seth was greeting Abiene and talking to her about the potions, Eyja waved Honditar over and showed him the discrepancy in the maps. Honditar's brow furrowed over the maps, then cleared suddenly. He pointed to the map that showed it West Northwest.

"I've seen an Ayleid structure here, but it is in ruins and almost fully below the surface of a small pond." He shook his head. "In my memory and experience I'd have said it was one of their wayshrines or fountains of magicka. The area is good for deer and I've had a few wolf pelts down there at this time of year."

Eyja clouted him on the shoulder. "Don't regale me with hunting stories now, is it the right place or not? Maybe the water enhances the shock to the person."

"Or maybe it's not the right place. See this map here? If this one is right, North Northwest; this is unscalable mountains. To reach the ridge you have to travel south at least two miles from that underwater site to the foothills and start climbing there."

He pulled out the original map he had looked at when he hadn't found Cloud Top.

Eyja pointed to her lipstick mark. "It's due North of Chorrol. What is this snake like thing? Is that a road?"

"It can't be, it isn't marked." Honditar leaned over the map. "Hold up; it is an old mountain trail, a foot path! It must be little used if it isn't marked." He ran his finger from Chorrol following the trail and stopped suddenly.

"Look here, Eyja. There is an Ayleid ruin marked on the path due North of Chorrol, Hrotanda Vale. If she is needing Welkynd Stones, here is where she would go. That footpath will take her directly to the ridge by the quickest route; once on the ridge she can walk it to any one of these markings from there."

"But she was seen heading Northwest, surely we should go where we saw her heading. Maybe we'd better ask Seth what he thinks."

Honditar's eyes flickered a quickly doused flame of anger. "You want me to track them, it takes time when it is two light women. The Orc could be tracked as fast as he walks, but these two will barely leave a trail. We need to catch them, but sometimes heading them off if you know where they are headed is the better move."

"But we don't know where they are headed, two of these maps are wrong! And truthfully, we don't really know for a fact she is going to Cloud Top, that is conjecture. What if we are wrong, should we not follow them to be sure?"

The worry and exhaustion in Eyja's eyes softened Honditar's anger. He cupped her chin in his hand. "Aye, me darlin'. We'll do whatever it takes to get your friend back. Don't you panic, we'll get her."

Eyja nodded, and brushed his hand from her chin; but did take the bar of chocolate he offered readily. "I need this, I've not eaten."

Honditar sought Seth himself, and lowered his voice when he spoke; but Eyja heard him.

"Maybe you and I had better plan this out." He hitched his thumb in Eyja's direction. "Women don't plan as well when their emotions are stirred up."

"I heard that, Honditar."

Eyja rolled up the maps and jammed them into his pack. She was too emotional to think right now. Too hungry, too exhausted, too panicked. Maybe it would be best to stay out of the planning, but what if Honditar was wrong?

The worst part of it was, Honditar did know this stuff; he was a Master hunter. Seth could have said the same thing, and she would have trusted his judgment immediately. Why had she given Honditar a hard time? He'd even done his pirate imitation to ease her tension, and she'd all but slapped his hand from her face.

Eyja signaled Abiene to her while the men talked. "Abiene, do you have any potions for bitchiness? Not to give it to me, I already have it. I think my nerves are shot. I haven't eaten or slept in too long. I don't know if you know about Nords, but if we don't eat our personalities take a nosedive."


Lowren interrupted, signaling that he had all three horses saddled and the bedrolls tied behind the saddles. He pointed to the saddle bags.

"Miss Bograk packed you some special food for your trip, said her thoughts will be with you'ns till yer return."

Eyja's eyes caught Seth's, remembering their earlier conversation about not trusting the food here. Now it was being thrust on them. He seemed to get the same joke, his eyes gleamed with momentary amusement.

Lowren moved close to Eyja and cupped his hand under her knee to lift her into the saddle. He winked at Eyja and whispered quietly, "My thoughts will be with you too, remember we've a date; you and I."

Honditar's head had raised momentarily in the Bosmer's direction. Bosmer loved to flirt, but in this instance it was Eyja's fault; yesterday morning leaving the Inn she had flirted with him; promised a date with him when her weekend with Honditar ended.

That was before all this happened with Maxical, flirting with him now was the last thing on her mind. She shook her head no at him and eased the horse toward the gate, waiting for him to open it for her.




*

Posted by: Grits Jul 26 2013, 05:36 AM

Abiene at North Country Stables

Abiene lowered the stirrup and checked the girth again. She felt like a child beside Jerric’s big gelding, but she knew Kip was gentle and easy to handle. The problem was not the horse. It was her leather trousers.

Bongond stood staring at Abiene’s back, finally silent. Irritation plucked at her nerves. His hectoring tone and demands had been enough to make her almost forget her fears and worries. Can I make it? Or rather, will the stitching hold?

Abiene had spent a few moments in town gathering riding gear and adding a warm cloak to her pack. Then at the stable she raided the belongings that Jerric had left in storage there. A spare ground cloth and blankets along with a few other camping supplies went into Kip’s saddlebags. Jerric’s horse could carry a Nord in steel armor and armed to the teeth. He might hardly notice a skinny Breton on his back no matter how many sweetrolls she had on her person.

“Leg up, miss?” asked Bongond.

Kip stood like a statue. Abiene sprang up and swung her leg over his back, settling gently into the saddle. She adjusted the stirrup, then lifted up to check the seat of her pants. “No thanks,” she said to Bongond. Then she leaned forward and ran a hand under Kip’s mane. “Ready, fellow? Let’s go.”

The Black Road had little traffic. Kip carried her to the Wobbly Goblet at an easy canter. Eyja and Honditar were visible by the stable, standing with a dark-haired Dunmer man. “Hail!” Eyja called out.

Abiene dismounted near them, trying not to stagger as her feet hit the ground. Haven’t used those muscles lately, she thought. Later there will just be a little bit more to heal. Kip stood quietly as she walked over.

Eyja looked stressed. Honditar’s posture suggested appeasement. But the Dunmer quickly claimed all of Abiene’s attention. His face bore a large, black tattoo depicting an open hand.

“So, you're the one who's got everyone concerned,” he said. “You have very loyal friends. That speaks well of your own character.”

Abiene discarded her conventional greeting with an inward sigh of relief. This must be the Alchemist. Eyja’s trust in him relieved her of the burden of judgment. Abiene had been floundering over her head since yesterday. Now she felt a sense of hope.

“I’m fortunate in those who have favored me with their friendship,” Abiene replied. “They are more precious to me than any treasure.” Eyja and Honditar began to bicker. “I owe Eyja my life,” Abiene continued. “And unless I’m mistaken, I owe you for my health. Your presence here has been a boon to me in a desperate hour. I hope that you are ever met with such good fortune.” She gave a wry smile. “And I suppose I’ll be content to wonder about the digestibility and flavor of netch leather.”

Lowren brought over three horses as they spoke. Abiene wondered if they had a plan. Her untrained instincts cried out to head for Cloud Top. Tracking the kidnappers might bring them to Maxical too late to help, and searching for where they might find a Welkynd stone seemed a silly gamble.

Speak up, she scolded herself. To the Void with decorum. “Eyja, may I fortify you for the journey? I might ease your fatigue with my spells. And I know I wasn’t asked, but I think perhaps we should ride for Cloud Top. We will make better time on the road and possibly have a chance to lay an ambush. I’m no fighter, but I’ve heard lots of talk. I wish to prevent a fair fight, and certainly avoid one on open ground.”



**

Screenshot: http://imgur.com/hl52f5K.

Posted by: Grits Jul 26 2013, 01:20 PM

A bit more that I forgot to include, sorry

Abiene rummaged in Kip’s saddlebag. She offered a parcel to Eyja. “Here, I bought this from the street vendors between Chapel Street and Fountain Gate. I doubt that our poisoner could have predicted that. And I might not even be the target.” Cold fear crept through her again. She reached up and brushed away the tickle on the back of her neck, wondering if she would soon feel a bolt or blade. Pull yourself together. The quick glance over her shoulder was pointless, but it helped.

“There’s ham and cheese on a buttered roll in there,” she continued, “plus an apple and sweetcakes. You should take a moment to refresh yourself, my friend. Even the most dedicated woodcutter must pause to sharpen his axe.” Abiene glanced at Honditar to see if he wanted a snack.

“Also I’m going to run into the inn for a moment before I go. I can catch up if you don’t want to wait. Someone inside might know where Cloud Top is, and I’d like to try to reach Darnand again. I’m certain that he knows.” She tucked the crystal ball in its velvet wrapper into the crook of her arm. “I’m a poor summoner, and I’m sure my recent state hasn’t helped. Maybe I’ll get through this time.” If he even has his with him.

Sethyas stood quietly watchful. Abiene was skilled at reading even the subtlest facial cues, but his tattoo rendered his expression unfathomable. Rather than impulsively reaching out to him Abiene clasped her hands together. She spoke in a soft tone. “As a healer it’s my hope that you will never need my services, and lately I seem to be making promises I can’t be sure I’ll keep. But if there’s ever a way I might help you, I hope you’ll let me try.” She felt like a fawn offering aid to a mountain lion. Hopefully her gratitude didn’t sound like arrogance. She managed a little smile. “Even if it’s just getting you a table at the Oak and Crosier at eight bells on a Loredas night.”

Posted by: mALX Jul 26 2013, 05:36 PM

*

Eyja:


Eyja grabbed the vial Abiene offered and downed it before she'd finished speaking. "Thank you..." She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth and handed her the empty vial back.

She was already mounted when Abiene offered the sandwich, but reached down to snatch it quickly. "Thank you!"

She surprised herself by managing to pause before downing the sandwich. "If you can catch up, will you check on Lleris really quickly while in there? Bograk is very attached to the boy. Once you've seen an Orc cry you don't want to see it again."

Eyja waited till Abiene was well up to the Inn before turning back to the men. She'd meant to catch Seth's eye to see which way he would advise her go; but his back remained to her, talking to Honditar as he was tying his bedroll and Maxical's and his packs on one of the black horses.

Honditar had pulled a bottle of cream from his pack and showed it to Seth, but their heads were together and Eyja couldn't hear their words.

"You're drinking milk now?" She fidgeted nervously, and Sapphire sidled with a snort as if her own tension was communicating to the mare. It probably was. She patted the mare absently and continued to watch the men, willing Honditar to move faster.

Seth's hand reached out almost in exaggerated slow motion, as Eyja watched he took the rein of the other black horse. It could have been just to tie it to Honditar's horse, but it struck Eyja with such a strong relief that she had spoken before she could stifle that feeling of relief from her voice.

"Seth, do you come too?"



*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 27 2013, 01:23 AM

“I’m fortunate in those who have favored me with their friendship,” Abiene replied. “They are more precious to me than any treasure.”

Eyja and Honditar began to bicker. “I owe Eyja my life,” Abiene continued. “And unless I’m mistaken, I owe you for my health. Your presence here has been a boon to me in a desperate hour. I hope that you are ever met with such good fortune.” She gave a wry smile. “And I suppose I'll be content to wonder about the digestibility and flavor of netch leather.”


“As a healer it’s my hope that you will never need my services, and lately I seem to be making promises I can’t be sure I’ll keep. But if there’s ever a way I might help you, I hope you’ll let me try.” . She managed a little smile. “Even if it’s just getting you a table at the Oak and Crosier at eight bells on a Loredas night.”

Sethyas was merely listening. Holding back was his way. He never struck until he was certain the blow was necessary and true. Rarely spoke if it weren't for a reason. Of course, he could have uncharacteristic moments as anyone could.

"Then your priorities are straight, Madame Healer. The Ashlanders of Morrowind have a parable: 'More stout than any stone wall are two true friends'." He agreed.

"There is no debt to be paid on your part, I am here to repay my debt to Eyja, as I also owe her mine." He said producing the potion.

"The netch leather is not technically digestible: remnant nematocysts survive long after death and treating for armor and the like, but as you know sometimes you need poison to cure poison." He considered the potion, and then handed it off to her, saving the rest of the lecture as a Healer hardly needed it.

The 'cure paralyzation' effect was most powerful in netch hide, and would do the lion's share of the work in healing any nerve damage.

"As far as cures go, you'll find me a poor customer. As far as pleasant company for a meal to share appreciation, I'd be happy to accept." he nodded.

He then considered Honditar, who was politely not interrupting but staring holes in them all the same.

"This is a bit of the cream that we suspect was used on Maxical to make her a Thrall to Earana's bidding. I've replaced it with a concoction of dispel, so we can free her from the skooma." he explained. Seth accepted it with a nod, and considered his non-lethal poisons.

Paralyze, Drain Fatigue, Slow, Fear, and Frenzy. He went over his mental inventory. Doubtful that Eyja, or anyone else for that matter would find the approach acceptable.

"Seth, do you come too?" Eyja called from horseback.

"As I said, my skills and blades are at your service." He called back, jumping onto the steed.

Posted by: mALX Jul 27 2013, 02:54 AM

*


Eyja:


Seth and Honditar must have come to some agreement on whether they were going to follow where Seth saw the women walking or circle around to the footpath on the North side of Chorrol.

Eyja knew her decisions were based in panic; knew it would be best to let the calmer minds of the two men rule in how they should handle the search. Still, it was a relief to be on the move finally.

She shifted her weight to the right and lay the reins gently on the left side of Sapphire's neck. The mare was as anxious to move as she was, and turned to the right; reaching the gate just as Seth's horse was filing out.

Eyja fell in line behind him. As Honditar rode out of the paddock area she gave him a slight grimace and reached for his hand. She squeezed it briefly and let her eyes give the apology for her nerves earlier.

"It's all right, me darlin'. You're worried, I know it."

Eyja gave a brief smile at the pirate imitation. When she dropped his hand, she gave a slight sqeeze of her legs and moved the mare up between Seth's and Honditar's.

"Which way do we go then? I'll go wherever you two have decided is best." Eyja determined to keep her eyes peeled to the Northwest no matter which way the horses rode, though it had been so many hours now that they would surely be out of eyesight anyway.




***


Honditar:


Honditar signaled Seth with a "Hoowa" sound.

"I'll catch up, best not leave the healer without escort; she can't fight even in defense." Honditar reined his horse back and waited by the Wobbly's stone sidewalk; watching the Inn door for Abiene to come out.


*

Posted by: Grits Jul 27 2013, 05:34 AM

Abiene

Curing Lleris lifted Abiene’s heart with simple joy. Color returned to his lips, and his ruby eyes opened free of pain and fever. Abiene smoothed the hair back from his forehead. Lleris blinked once and then smiled.

“I had the strangest dream,” he said.

“You were ill, but not anymore,” Abiene told him.

“Do I have to stay in bed?”

Abiene glanced at the innkeeper looming over the other side of the bed. “That’s not for me to say.”

Lleris started to speak. Bograk looked torn between relief and scolding. Abiene slipped away before the Orsimer could decide where to start.

Abiene moved quickly back through the inn and out the door. It was a relief to have honored her commitments. She hadn’t felt that weight on top of all the others until it had lifted. Now her mind was focused on the next undertaking rather than caught between worries.

She found Honditar just outside. Eyja must have left with the other horse. I wonder if Sethyas went with her.

“I’m glad you waited,” she said, checking her gear. “I still couldn’t reach Darnand, and no one had new information.” Abiene turned Kip to use the hillside to her advantage. Mounting was much easier this time.

Honditar looked tense and displeased. Abiene guessed that he was anxious to rejoin Eyja.

“Don’t hold back on my account,” she told him, nudging Kip into motion. “There’s a lot that I can’t do, but I can ride.”

Posted by: mALX Jul 27 2013, 05:49 AM

Honditar:


Honditar nodded at Abiene's disclaimer and moved his horse alongside hers, urging his own into a brisk trot.

"I hope the laddie was doing better. Eyja said the Orc's tears and worry near broke her heart, it matched her own for the Khajiit. She gave the Orc a bottle of Cure Disease for the lad; the woman gave her these horses for her thinking of the boy."

Honditar turned his face to Abiene. "Don't judge her temper, Abiene. I've known her decades, never seen her like this. She's worried over Maxical, that's all. That and lack of sleep and food. Nords aren't known for doing well hungry."

He turned his head back to the front, scanning the road ahead for Eyja and Seth.


*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 27 2013, 08:44 PM

Sethyas lit one of his rolled hackle-los, and scanned the map with a careful eye. Based on what was being said, they most likely would need welkynd stones. There were two Ayleid ruins in the vicinity of the assumed location of Cloud Top.

Hrotanda Vale was more north of Chorrol, and he'd seen the two traveling distinctly northwest. There was also Lipsand Tarn. It was much more remote than Hrotanda Vale, but the distance between the the two in relation to Cloud Top was almost identical. Plus the side trail led directly too Lipsand Tarn.

Unless they were making a beeline for Cloud Top, and would worry about the acquisition of the stones afterwards, where keeping unseen was less of a concern and they could access either with relative ease. So if Earana was the careful sort though, she would have tried to cover their tracks by misleading the direction they were heading.

The possibilities were wide open. But there was still a strategy involved, the highest form of warfare was attacking your enemies plans.

"All right, I've thought it out. We head to Hrotanda Vale. If they aren't there but we see signs of recent disturbance, we can eliminate that area and try to track them."

"If they are there, that means they haven't gotten what they needed yet, and we can end this before it begins."

"If they aren't there, and their is no signs of recent disturbance...it definitely means they've headed to Cloud Top, or Lipsand Tarn. Either way, eliminating the possibility of Hrotanda Vale makes our path all the more clear."

Posted by: Grits Jul 28 2013, 01:42 AM

Abiene

“Don’t judge her temper, Abiene,” said Honditar. “I've known her decades, never seen her like this. She’s worried over Maxical, that’s all. That and lack of sleep and food. Nords aren’t known for doing well hungry.”

“Thank you for the reassurance,” Abiene replied. “I won’t take offense. Folk aren’t themselves when someone they love is endangered. I see it in my work every day. Fear sets in and they want something to fight, only you can’t beat an injury or illness with angry words or fists. I suppose it’s a bit like that right now for Eyja. The uncertainty makes it harder. What if we’re heading in the wrong direction? What is dear Maxical suffering right at this moment? It preys on the mind. As much as we can we have to set that aside.”

Honditar looked like his mind was also troubled.

Abiene kept talking in a low pitch, hoping the chat would ease him. “I know what you mean about a Nord’s kind of hunger. I know a Nord who’ll pull a roll out of his pocket to eat while his meal’s being set on the table. He once crunched up a raw carrot right in the middle of chapel service, though it’s likely he did that to keep me from dragging him along again. I can get by for days on fennel seeds and potions. If you see me slipping my food onto Eyja’s plate, don’t think I’m up to something evil. I’m just looking out for all of us.” She glanced over to see if Honditar could tell she was speaking lightly.

They passed an ox cart and a group of pedestrians, then the road opened up empty before them. Honditar quickened their pace.

Posted by: mALX Jul 29 2013, 07:13 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja nodded mutely at Seth's plan. It did make sense to check the closest Ayleid site first.

Seth swung his horse to the northeast, climbing the hill on a diagonal to meet the road heading north.

Eyja strained her eyes staring to the northwest, but other than a few deer crossing the high fields in graceful bounding leaps there was no signs of movement as far as she could see.

She didn't have to signal Sapphire to turn, the mare automatically followed the large black stud Seth was mounted on, scrambling up the hill with a faster gait to meet his horse's long strides.

Seth spotted the white Ayleid arches through the trees and pointed them out to Eyja while he scanned the structure for a path up to it. The only path going up was slick looking slabs of a marble-like rock gleaming so brightly in the sunlight that it was almost blinding to look at them. Eyja shaded her eyes and let Sapphire have her head to follow Seth’s horse through the thick brush to the lower set of arches.

It was easier to see the structure now, just an entry into an underground cavern in the facing of the mountain. Had it not been for the reflection off the slabs and arches it would have been impossible to see it through the woods.

Seth dismounted and began preparing his weapons for quick and easy access, which took nothing at all; he merely touched each as if checking off a list of preparations in his mind.

Eyja dismounted and did the same, making sure she knew the position of every weapon and shield, potions and spell before setting out behind him.

Seth put his arm out to stop Eyja walking, pointing at an enormous footprint in the dirt, then another in a measured distance from the first. They were going in the direction of the Ayleid ruin. She didn’t need to hear Seth’s whisper of “The Orc” to realize who had made them.

As if on signal both Seth and Eyja reached for their poisons and began tainting several weapons in readiness, both moved to opposite sides of the slick marble and began closing in on the entry with weapons drawn and squatted low to the ground to make smaller targets if someone did exit while they were approaching.




***


Seth signaled Eyja to stay hidden beside the entry while he circled the structure to ensure no guards were hidden on the hill above it.

When he returned he faced the entry itself, scanning every discrepancy in the pattern carefully. He indicated the slightest darkening of the marble in one section and whispered so quietly that Eyja wasn‘t sure she‘d even heard it.

“See that discoloration? That’s from the oils in men’s hands.” He began feeling around that section of the entry; barely making a sound when he found what he was looking for.

“Found it, a hidden spring.”

There was only a quiet ’click’ sound; the stone slab’s spring gave quickly at Seth’s touch, as if it had been kept well oiled and in good working condition. Whether the Orc was still there or not, this ruin was not going to be empty inside.

The slab itself made a tremendously loud grating racket on sliding open, whoever was inside had to hear it. Still, it slid easily, as if the track had been kept well soaped. The slab must weigh enormously by the sound of it in movement.

Eyja had a minute fear of being sealed inside a tomb as the door grated closed automatically behind them.

“Maybe we should find the spring to open it from this side now, before we need it in a hurry to leave here.” Eyja whispered, trying ot see any pattern or design on the inside of the door in the darkness.

Her voice echoed eerily off the curved marble of the walls, carrying well down the corridor before them. Sound carried too well in this place, they would be lucky if the whole population inside wasn’t charging up the corridor in seconds of her speaking. Then again, they’d hear enemies coming too.

Mold covered the walls, the door; everything. There was no way to see discolorations from sweaty hands; especially in the darkness of the place.

Eyja forced herself not to cast a spell for night vision, though as pitch dark as it was she wanted to. It wasn’t just not wanting to make another sound and draw attention to their presence; she didn’t want to use up her magicka in case the enemies in this place outnumbered them and charged.

As if reading her mind, Seth pulled a small vial from a belt covered in tiny pockets; each just large enough to hold one vial of potion. He took a sip and passed it to Eyja without a word. She breathed in relief, it was night vision. He found the spring quickly and then began creeping down the long corridor.





***


Eyja followed Seth, as soundless as he was moving down numerous flights of slippery moldy steps before a central corridor led them to a huge greatroom.

Seth blocked Eyja from sliding into the room, then carefully moved to one side and pointed; first at the floor, then at the ceiling.

“Traps.” His whisper didn’t echo; Eyja didn‘t know if that was due to the larger room that absorbed the sound or if he was more adept at whispering than she was.

He took another sip from the vial and handed it to her again. Eyja took a swig from the vial and handed it back while Seth glanced over the room quickly from his squatted position beside the corridor.

Seth tapped Eyja's shoulder and pointed, sighting down his arm, then moved his head slightly as if signaling Eyja to sight down his arm. She leaned in closely and followed where his finger pointed.

“Fresh blood, recent.” He whispered; then pointed to a small cubicle on the left where a pillar was topped by a set of empty prongs. He moved his arm over and pointed to the opposite cubicle, set up exactly the same; but that pillar held a Welkynd Stone in the prongs.

“They’ve got the stone. The Orc’s footsteps were the only one’s outside; they must be meeting him wherever they are going.”

Eyja nodded, whispering back. “He can’t be that far ahead of us if the blood wasn’t dried.” Her whisper echoed eerily in the huge chamber.

“If the blood was his.” Seth‘s whisper didn‘t disturb the silence of the place, how did he do that?




***



“So we only need to track the Orc to find them, right?“ Her whisper echoed across the room like the hissing of a snake, she heard it reverberating down the row of cubicles and nearly jumped out of her skin when a loud voice responded.

“By Ysmir's beard, we've got ourselves a live one!”

Eyja’s head spun from Seth’s face to the end of the huge greatroom where a muscularly built Redguard woman was reaching onto her back. Eyja hoped it wasn’t going to come back with a bow in it.

Seth was on his feet with his bow out before the woman had finished speaking. The Redguard woman’s arm swung back over her head with a wicked looking throwing hatchet in her hands; the bronze color making it recognizable as Dwarven.

She couldn’t possibly have the strength to throw it this far, so Seth’s weapon was the only valid one in the fight. Seth was backing away, moving toward the corridor and signaling Eyja with a jerk of his head to get into the corridor first so he could cover her escape.

Eyja stood up to obey him, backing to the corridor as well with a poisoned throwing dagger ready in her hand.

As she moved into the corridor Eyja shot the woman a universal signal for what she could do with her threat, then kissed her hand and rubbed it on her rump. She blew her hand toward the woman, enraging her.

"If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you'll get!" She swung her arm back, moving forward and keeping her eyes on Seth.

Eyja turned and moved quickly down the corridor while Seth stayed in position, his bow nocked with an arrow and holding a dead aim at the woman’s chest. The woman could obviously see them clearly by her following of their movements, she must be using night vision as well.

Eyja stuck out her tongue and made another motion with her hand, even ruder than the last one.

"I'll send your bloody soul straight to Sovngarde! Uraaagh!" She was already in motion toward them.

Seth made a low grunt Eyja correctly interpreted to mean "get moving." Eyja obeyed him quickly, hurrying down the corridor and up the flight of stairs they had just descended.

As Seth barreled down the corridor toward her, an arrow still nocked and his bowstring still taut they heard it; the sound of a huge slab moving at tremendous speed and slamming against the ceiling.

The whole building shook with the force of it. They heard the Redguard woman’s scream break off into a gurgle.

Seth passed Eyja at the door, automatically reaching for the spring that set the stone slab sliding open. He pushed Eyja through first, then stepped out behind her into the blinding sunshine just before the slab grated shut.


*


OOC: I think I had too much coffee in my system, what the hell did I do? I blame Folgers for fueling me up too much. Blackie said it was okay, so go ahead and post if you are ready, Grits - sorry about this.



*

Posted by: Grits Jul 29 2013, 02:20 PM

Abiene

Honditar led the way up the road at a pace that earned them warning looks from the Legion patrols. He must have taken her at her word that she could keep up. Abiene did not enjoy her home county’s traditional troll hunts, but social custom dictated that she participate. Though she could claim no kills of her own, her pride insisted that she excel in the chase.

They reined up at a crossroad. Honditar dismounted. Abiene did the same.

“Hold the horses and watch the road,” Honditar told her. He headed into the bushes.

“Which way do you suppose they went?” she asked before thinking. If he knew they would still be riding. Perhaps he needed a comfort break. Abiene decided that she didn’t need to go. In fact she was probably dehydrated.

Honditar’s reply was an irritated growl.

“I have a Scroll of Clairvoyance,” Abiene suggested.

That got the Altmer’s attention. “Why didn’t you use it to find Maxical?” His voice wasn’t quite a shout.

“I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way.” Abiene tried not to snap back at him. “Maxical is too far away. There are surely creeks and impassable gullies between us. The scroll would show the most direct path, but it could easily send us off in the wrong direction to get us around an obstacle that we can’t yet see.”

“Then it’s useless.”

“We’re on the road. That’s a direct path.”

Honditar made a gesture. “Use it, then.”

Abiene bit the corner of her lip. “Well, it only works for something or someone with whom the user is very familiar. I could use it to find my house keys, for example, but you couldn’t use it to find my house keys. It’s left over from one of my papa’s experiments. It turns out there isn’t much of a market for them.”

“Get to the point.”

“Well, an old friend or a lover should be familiar. I think the scroll will work.”

A series of expressions crossed Honditar’s face. “But you just met— Oh, you don’t mean... You and Eyja?”

Abiene strained not to roll her eyes. “You and Eyja. Didn’t you tell me you’ve known her for decades? I thought you could use it to find her.” She turned to reach into a saddlebag for the scroll.

Two Imperials and a Nord walked out of the bushes. Now Abiene saw the faint trail they had been using. Not even a footpath.

“Look here,” said one of the Imperials. “I sure wish we had some horses.”

Honditar moved forward. “Get behind me,” he hissed at Abiene.

Too late for that, thought Abiene. The men seemed to move more slowly as she glanced over them. She didn’t need to know much about weapons to recognize clubs, and the Nord had an axe on his hip.

“Good day,” she said. Her tone said Move along with all of the authority she could muster. She sent a Fear spell at the Nord to shake his confidence, hoping that he would be the most susceptible. Intelligence was more a factor than bravery. Her spell glittered slightly in the bright sunshine.

The other Imperial spoke up. “Yeah, I’m tired of walking.”

“Forget about it, Aldo,” said the Nord. He sounded nervous. “Not worth it.”

Abiene considered drawing fire into her hand as a threat, but it might upset the horses. Also it might escalate the situation beyond her ability to control it. Her aim was poor with elemental spells.

“Aldo,” said Honditar. “That’s funny, we just passed a Legion rider named Aldo. Do you know him?” He jerked his head over his shoulder, indicating the way he and Abiene had come. “Should be here any minute.”

Abiene pretended exasperation. “No, his name was Ronaldo,” she told Honditar. “All of those Enemies Explode spells have damaged your hearing. You shouldn’t be so quick to cast them.”

The Nord headed up the road without another word. The two Imperials exchanged a glance. Then they broke into a trot to catch up with him.

Honditar turned to Abiene. “You were supposed to be watching.”

Abiene raised her eyebrows at him. “Do you want the scroll?”

“No.” Honditar took the reins. “I found Eyja’s sign. They went this way.”

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 30 2013, 01:52 AM

"Sometimes I wonder why the Ayleids made their own dwellings so dangerous." Seth said, reslinging his bow.

He took out another small potion. This one was a Dispel potion to readjust his eyes to the daylight, and handed it off to Eyja as he squeezed his eyes shut with a pained expression only to open them again, blinking rapidly.

"Then I remember many of them had their slave pens. Mannish 'creatures' were treated in such a cruel and degrading manner by the tell of the old stories, even the Dunmer with their barbaric practices would be aghast." he recounted, remembering the Cyrod's tales of the older days, which lead to the Slave Queen Alessia's rebellion.

Slaves were not permitted to speak, and had to communicate with signs and gestures; which was why modern Cyrodiilic was based on Aldmeris, the Men had no language of their own. They were pitted into terrible gladiatorial fights that made the Arena seem like a marionette show in comparison, and slave owners traded butchered slaves organs like currency.

Traps like these were for the cruel amusement of the Ayleid Masters. The promise of freedom so close...and now these ancient machines claimed at least one more life. He was prepared to use the arrow at any moment, but saw how quickly the Redguard woman's temper overcame her reason.

No doubt she knew the lair's layout, and still let herself become her own worst enemy.

Mephala would be pleased. He thought wryly.

However duplicitous and 'evil' she may be, he was in her sphere. Her webs to be more accurate.

As Eyja's got used too the new lighting, he started looking around for the Orcs tracks.

"All right, we've eliminated this possibility. We know they have what they came for. Now we can look for them. How much longer do you suppose Abiene and Honditar are behind us?" He asked.

"Shouldn't be long now." Eyja replied. "I left markers for Honditar to follow."

Posted by: mALX Jul 30 2013, 02:35 AM

Eyja:


Eyja leaned against the gleaming marble and took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air; trying to cleanse the stench of mold from her nostrils. She gratefully took Seth's offer of the vial, taking a deep swig of the chalky potion and blinking back the stinging tears the sunlight on the night vision had caused.

Seth was saying something about the traps, Eyja could barely hear him over the pounding of the blood in her veins. That massive slab of rock pounding the ceiling; the whole ancient structure of this place shaking the way it had...until Seth pushed her through that door she had been almost frozen by the very real fear of being entombed in that place.

She who feared nothing, had crept into garrisons full of men to kill one and sneak out. She had been terrified. For all the times she had taunted and laughed at Maxical for calling it dangerous to crawl through these Ayleid dungeons, for the first time she understood.

The Ayleids were evil geniuses of torture devices. For all the murders she had committed and heard the final cries of death, that Redguard woman's final gurgle would never leave her mind and ride above all the rest in its depths of horror.

She glanced up at Seth's words, something about a Slave Queen. It wasn't registering with her. She held her hands up, one over the other and smacked them together.

"Squeeeeish. That was horrible. I was afraid the place would collapse around us." She looked over at Seth, he was as lost in thought as she had been when he'd been talking to her.

For a moment they both stilled their tongues, letting the silence and the breeze through the trees purge that place from their thoughts.

Seth was the first to pull himself back to the business at hand, checking the surrounding area for the Orc's prints leading away from the dungeon. He found them, his voice as quiet as the breeze itself called to Eyja to come look.

Eyja pushed herself back from the marble and stood, shaking and brushing the dinginess of mold that clung to her armor.

Seth had no sooner asked about Honditar and Abiene; and Eyja barely answered him when Sapphire's whinny caught both their attention. Sapphire's raised head and perked ears let them know it was a horse, but whose? They both found trees to duck behind while the sound of clopping neared and they watched in the direction of them till they saw two horses emerge.

"Honditar!" Eyja blew out her breath in a gust and hurried in a stumbling gait down the steep hill toward Honditar, her body feeling heavy and clumsy from lack of sleep.



*

Posted by: mALX Jul 30 2013, 05:04 PM

Honditar:


Honditar nodded his head to Seth, calling to him. "There's a good heavy trail of footprints, the Orc came up through the woods the same way I did. He's been here."

Eyja's armor was filthy, Honditar was sure they'd already checked the dungeon. "I take it he wasn't inside, do you know if he got the Welkynd Stone?"

Eyja nodded, then mounted up; reaching for the dangling rein on Seth's horse to bring it up the hill to him.

Posted by: Grits Jul 30 2013, 06:38 PM

Abiene

One look at Eyja answered Abiene’s most pressing questions. She and Sethyas were both uninjured, and they had not found Maxical. Exhaustion was evident in the Nord woman’s stumbling gait.

Honditar spoke as Eyja mounted up. Their quarry had the Welkynd stone. Eventually their tracking could become a chase.

Abiene kept her tone even and reasonable. She was in no position to start ordering people around, but she needed to be heard.

“Eyja, I know we don’t have time to rest. Will you allow me to help you with my spells? I can ease your fatigue, make you feel as if you’ve slept if only for a little while. Will you take a moment to drink some water and eat? Our pursuit will likely end in violence. Please, Eyja. Maxical will need you strong and clear-headed when we find her.”

She glanced at Honditar, hoping he would step in if Eyja resisted her advice.

Posted by: mALX Jul 30 2013, 08:08 PM

*


Eyja:

Eyja nodded. "Just the spells, there is no time to delay. The Orc's blood was fresh in there, we aren't that far behind him. Seth thinks the Orc is meeting them at wherever Earana is doing the experiment. It might be Cloud Top, but three maps showed Cloud Top in three different places."

She handed Seth his horse's reins before continuing.

"The Orc knows where he is going, we'd be better off catching him before he gets there; fight one at a time. When we confront Earana we can offer the Orc's Welkynd Stone in exchange for Maxical, try to end this without killing her since Maxical may be under spell to fight on Earana's side."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 31 2013, 07:41 PM

Sethyas considered the plan. It seemed like it was a good one, and made sense. Earana seemed to be the type to send underlings out with the 'minor tasks'. Whether underling or mercenary, the Orc was definitely single-minded if his behavior's indications were accurate. Setting about finishing his task rather then tending to his wounds. But what most might consider a serious wound, Orcs would laugh at. You had to be tough to be an Orc.

He relented to Honditar's superior tracking skills, and knowledge of the area.

Unslinging his bow in anticipation, the chaotic nature of his plan was simply to have no plan.

If you wish to hear the Nine laugh, nine times: Then tell them your plans. One of the Monks was fond of saying, in the orphanage in which he grew up. It seemed to serve the situation well.

In that, until they knew the situation for a certainty they could merely act upon what little information they were able to glean. Until then, he would attack his enemies plans.

"Let's get to this Orc than. If we can take him out before he reaches Earana, she will be stuck in place." he agreed.

He only than started to notice Eyja's state. At first he assumed it was worry for her friend, and then possibly the hunger. He realized then the possibility that she still felt something at the end of a kill.

A trait that speaks well of your humanity, and poorly of your profession. You know the lines, but you can't hear the music, and I pray that you never do. He thought to himself.

He knew that whatever it was that gave him this...talent; as Master Andarys called it, was not 'normal'. He hated the thought that he could and would be equated with a heartless killer. If he examined his actions from an objective account, he was.

But, he still couldn't stand the sight of pain. He was telling the truth when he told the nameless assassin that the torture was not something he wanted to do. He still felt the familiar self-loathing over the act.

He shook his head once to clear his mind and followed Honditar on horseback, nocking an arrow as he prepared for combat, extending his senses as he had grown adept in over the years.

Their high vantage point gave them a wide view of the area, and he scanned for anything that might be amiss. An Orc trampling through the woods would certainly fit that description, and he had the increased confidence of their now-doubled party. Two Assassins, a Hunter and a Healer.

Honditar began to follow the tracks going North-Northwest. Quite fresh from their appearance, and the fact they were on horseback provided them with an advantage in terms of speed.

But not in Stealth.He thought, as a bolt buzzed past them landing two feet from his head in a tree trunk.

He glanced at it, Orc-make. he realized, as he jumped off the horse, smacking it in the hindquarters and yelling 'Hee-yeah!' to get it to trample blindly towards the general direction of the projectile's path.

He quickly took a covered position behind a tree, and drew an armor-piercing arrow.

His quick reaction took perhaps five seconds and he started to bark out instructions.

"Get behind the trees! He's got a crossbow, so that means our armor won't count for much against it."

He than began to scan for the bolt's source, tracing it's trajectory mentally.

He than saw him: Laying behind a log, using the position to effectively snipe at them. The terrain was still in their advantage however, as they were in the higher ground and had several stone pillars around them.

The Orc was preparing his next shot, and Seth then took aim. It was a difficult shot, the downhill trajectory actually working to the Orc's defensive advantage, alongside the range. Crossbows didn't have the versatility and speed of bows, but they didn't have the Archer induced errors either. Not too mention the pure power behind their punch.

He took a deep breath, and released his arrow at his exhale.

Posted by: Grits Jul 31 2013, 10:00 PM

Abiene

“Just the spells, there is no time to delay,” Eyja told her.

Abiene reached out and caught Eyja’s arm. The spells to restore and temporarily increase her stamina passed between them as softly as a caress. Abiene followed them with the spell she used on the family members of critical patients. Calm and Rally combined with a charm to fortify their nerve. Folk in a crisis often had hard choices to face. She hoped Eyja wouldn’t mind.

They mounted and headed uphill. Abiene kept Kip at the rear of their group, out of the way.

Stay alert and do as you’re told, she reminded herself. Rather than look for the orc herself, she kept her eyes on Eyja and Sethyas.

It happened almost between blinks. A shout and Seth’s horse lunged ahead, riderless.

“Get behind the trees!” Seth called out.

Abiene jumped to the ground, spell in one hand and reins in the other. Kip’s bulk loomed over her. She cast a Shield spell on him as she ducked down. Her Illusion spells weren’t strong enough to turn him invisible, but she hoped the orc wouldn’t bother attacking a horse.

Hide. Save your magicka. It seemed to take an age to reach cover. Abiene drew a fireball into her hands and peeked out from behind the tree. She probably couldn’t hit anything, but most mortals flinched when they saw fire in the air. If the need arose she might be able to buy them a moment of distraction.

Posted by: mALX Jul 31 2013, 10:21 PM

Honditar:

The Orc's trail was easily followed by the drying drops of blood clinging to leaves and grass in the brush alongside the pathway. Honditar was used to following bloodtrails; his mind was on the hunt rather than the prey being something other than what he was used to. Had he thought he might have realized it was too easily followed and smelled the trap they rode into.

As the horses had been climbing the hill he'd scanned for wildlife by habit; and noticed the deer were too scarce for this time of year. Honditar assumed they'd been scattered by the Orc just passing through, meaning they must be close on his trail.

The Orc being uphill of them, they'd be easily spotted if not for the cover of the trees as they rode. Honditar glanced up, and was satisfied they'd be hard to see from the criss-crossing foot trail on the mountain above them.

While debating whether the lack of deer would be worth mentioning, Honditar heard a click to his right, and immediately the bolt flew towards them; his first indication the Orc had laid in wait for them. Sethyas's quick reflexes saved him.

Honditar and Eyja both slid off their horses as the bolt lodged deeply into the tree near Seth's head with the sound of a loud 'THWACK." He thought he saw Seth nod his head to the west and agreed silently. Wolf packs take down large prey by surrounding them. With one motion he signaled Eyja to stay low and get further up the hill. She would be safer fighting from above the Orc.

Honditar dipped his arrow in poison before he nocked it, knowing even with the poison they'd be lucky to take an Orc down. They were like massive tree trunks, he'd seen one looking like a pin cushion and still walking through the gate at Chorrol.

He began darting from tree to tree to get west of the Orc, sighting the direction the bolt had come from as he went until he sighted the Orc's movement on the hill above him. A huge fallen log blocked his shot until the Orc leaned up over the log to shoot another bolt at Seth. Honditar leaned against the tree he was using for cover and let his first arrow fly; immediately dipping another arrow in the poison and readying it.



Eyja:

Eyja ducked low and cast chameleon while Seth's horse thundered past, covering the sight or sound of any magicka in the air. She moved north up the hill along the ditch to the far side of where the steel rod had come from.

Seth and Honditar were keeping the Orc's attention down on them, Seth to the southeast of him and Honditar to the southwest. She moved out on the footpath where she would make less noise and could move faster, climbing the hill till looking down she could see where the Orc was fighting the two men.

The path veered west northwest, criss-crossing the mountain's side for ease of climbing the steep grade. Eyja followed it across, stepping carefully so no stick would crack or pepple roll down and alert the Orc she was above him. When he was almost directly below her she crept to the edge, looking down the steep grade to see if she could or should get closer. Any move down to his level would expose and trap her. He couldn't move uphill easily either without heading to the road first.

The Orc wore plain hunting pants of leather, and no shirt under a fur hunting vest. Other than his crossbow and a quiver full of bolts, she saw no other weapons but assumed he had at least one dagger. What she didn't see struck her immediately. There was no Welkynd Stone, no glow from one anywhere. And he had no travel pack. The Orc raised up and fired toward Honditar, taking an arrow from Seth as he did.

She'd never seen a crossbow in action this close before. It had deadly speed and power, those bolts would easily go right through someone. She shivered, wishing there was a way to alert Seth and Honditar how many bolts he had.

Any Destruction spell from here may roll down past the Orc and strike Honditar. The only way to fight him would be to remove his weapon. Eyja dug through her spells, finally deciding on a Telekinesis spell. The crossbow may be too big to lift, but the bolts weren't.

Eyja cast, pointing the spell at the top of the quiver and lifting a bolt out. She considered holding them in case Seth took the crossbow from him, but then discarded the idea in case the Orc got the bolts from her instead. She flung the bolt with force as far to the west as she could.

The sound of the bolt cracking a tree top below him caused the Orc to jerk around and spend a bolt in the direction the sound came from. Eyja congratulated herself. Not only had she got rid of two of his bolts, but now he thought a third man was fighting him from the far west.

While he scanned hard to the west a movement caught Eyja's eye, Seth was changing positions while the Orc was distracted. She waited till the Orc was concentrated back on Seth's orginal position before taking another bolt and tossing it to the far west, this time aiming to hit the rock facing there. The Orc's head jerked around again, and once more he shot a bolt toward the sound.

Seth was in motion again, closing in on him.



*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 31 2013, 10:51 PM

Eyja expertly distracted the Orc as Sethyas ate the distance as quickly as he could with his stride.

She's no Assassin. She's a Nightblade! He thought in admiration. Mage-Thieves that mastered in forms of trickery, cleverness and using spell and shadow to benefit their circumstances; and just as deadly.

After the second bolt snapped against the rock and the Orc turned and fired, he closed the remaining distance sprinting. As the world blurred around him and the green-hued sniper became a center of focus, he saw the Orc's look of surprise.

He would not have enough time to reload for a shot. Seth jumped over the log, landing square on the Orc with an audible thud.

His gauntleted fists met with his tusked jaw blow after blow, as the Orc struggled underneath him. The Orc's superior strength catapulted Seth off, but not without the Dunmer grabbing his crossbow from him. Landing on his back, he agilely returned to his feet and threw the weapon off into the clearing.

The Orc pulled out a wicked looking dagger. Twisted and a dark-hue of greenish metal, it was undoubtedly Orc-make as well. The opponent was apparently unfazed with the assault, simply licking the blood from his lips, and giving a tusked grin that said: Come on!

Seth pulled out his own ebony shortsword; Shimsil and stared the Orc down, and began to speak aloud rustling the leaves with his boots.

"Where is Earana?" He said aloud. "Where is the White Khajiit?" he continued, careful to not move his glance to the stealthy Eyja.

Posted by: mALX Jul 31 2013, 11:39 PM

Eyja:


Honditar could be heard plunging up the road sounding more like a Nord than the hunter he was. Eyja pulled the dagger Seth had given her and kissed the blade, hoping that would make the ancestor ghost within more inclined to aid in the fight. She poised in position to throw the blade into the Orc's massive neck, but Seth's question stopped her.

The Orc didn't have the Welkynd Stone on him, they had to find out...

With a sudden clarity Eyja realized the Orc had already delivered the Welkynd Stone to Earana. Earana was conniving and intelligent; the Orc wasn't smart enough to set up this trap and lay in wait for them. Earana had sent him back to buy her time.

Still in chameleon, Eyja dropped off the path's edge and onto the hillside below, skidding down the incline to the ledge where Seth was pounding the Orc. She breathed in relief that Seth had already gotten rid of the crossbow.

Though he couldn't see her, there was a mockery about the Orc, like he knew she was there and her mission was fruitless. There was no doubt in Eyja's mind now that Earana had the Welkynd Stone in her possession.

Eyja put the full force of her arm into one swing with the blade trying to sever the tendon on the back of the Orc's foot and barely nicked the tough hide, but she saw the mist move from the blade to the Orc's wound. The inherent poison in the blade had begun working. She gripped the blade with every bit of strength she had and stabbed into the tendon and barely made a deeper wound than the first, but the slight give of that leg let her know the thick tendon was injured.

"Damn his hide!" She cursed over and over again while Seth grappled with him, and kept stabbing that tendon over and over again, but never felt the blade sink into the thick sinew.

She remembered Maxical's trick with killing Orc, stabbing the only place their skin wasn't tough. She tried it, plunging the dagger into his crotch and twisting the blade. It cut readily through the leather pants and seemed to pass through soft tissue, then almost bounced back out against her hand when she tried to twist the blade.

"Damn him!" Eyja forgot she was in chameleon and shook her head at Seth, feeling stupid immediately when she realized he couldn't see her.

As soon as she had a clear shot at the Orc without catching Seth in her swing accidently; she plunged the dagger with full force into the Orc's eye, squirting the slimy liquid onto her hand and down his face.

The roar from the Orc sent shivers down her spine and she backed away feeling the panic of an enemy she couldn't cut to kill.

"Tell us where she is or I'll take the other one out!" She almost growled it, but even Eyja could hear the fear in her own voice negating the threat.

"I'm not strong enough, Seth. I can't get the blade in him anywhere unless you want me to get his other eye. Earana's already got the Welkynd Stone, could be killing Maxical while we're busy with him. She planned it that way to keep us from stopping her, I'd bet on it."



*

Posted by: Black Hand Jul 31 2013, 11:59 PM

Sethyas heard her words, and the truth in them.

He brought Shimsil's point down hard into the Beast's throat. Severing windpipe, artery, and finally spinal cord. It was his favored strike point, quickly incapacitating opponents with a minimum of effort, while also incapacitating their ability to move or feel as well as make any sounds.

The Orc's hide was indeed tough, as tough as armor. But Ebony had been called 'crystallized blood of the gods' for a reason. It was one of the toughest known substances known to man and mer, and cut through with a bit more ease than the silver-steel alloy of Eyja's dagger.

She was far more astute to the situation than he, being up close and personal. Given his minimal dress and the trap that had been set...she was right.

The Orc was here for speed and ambush.

He pulled out his blade with a bit of effort.

"Than let's not waste any more time." he nodded, rising back to his feet.

"Uhhh. Hmmm. I'll need to ride with one of you until we can track down my horse." he said, wiping the Orc's blood off his blade, and resheathing it.

Posted by: Grits Aug 1 2013, 12:21 AM

Abiene

Seth closed with the orc. Abiene could hear Eyja with him, though she couldn’t see any trace of the Nord. Their words chilled her to the bone.

The orc knows where we should go. And they are going to kill him.

She broke from the trees at a run, pulling a Charm spell to her mind even as she braced herself for the healing trance that would join her with the orc, giving her influence over him beyond her skill in trickery.

Too late. Abiene stumbled to a halt as Sethyas yanked his blade out of the orc.

“I'll need to ride with one of you until we can track down my horse,” he said.

Abiene kept her eyes on the ground. Her stomach churned with anger and disappointment.

She took a deep breath to steady her voice. “Kip can carry us. If you like, you can ride with me.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 1 2013, 12:36 AM

Eyja:

Eyja dispelled her chameleon and nodded. "Take my horse, I can ride behind you or Honditar."

Honditar and Abiene arrived the same way Seth had, coming from the east; probably because the climb was too steep to the west. Honditar held the crossbow and horse's reins in one hand and was pointing up above them on the hillside with the other.

Eyja noted the crossbow in his hands and yanked the quiver full of bolts off the dead Orc, handing it to Seth just as Abiene ran up, winded from the climb. She looked upset, angry for some reason. Was it over what Honditar was trying to signal them?

"What is he saying?"

She had asked Abiene, but before either Abiene or Seth could answer there was a loud CRACK and lightning zig-zagged across the sky, touching down and locking on a high ledge above and to the northwest of them that was surrounded by stone pillars. For just a second Eyja was sure she saw something black fly backwards.

The scream that formed in her throat was suffocated by lack of air in her lungs as she ran blindly towards Honditar.


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 1 2013, 03:08 AM

The suddenness of the situation didn't faze Seth. Not from some fictional claim to machoness out of a Casta Scribonia novel, rather from decades of exposure to them.

It was with that he realized: That is Cloud Top. The Orc was guarding the site.

He shook his head and unslug his bow. He whistled too Honditar and slung the bolt quiver towards him, he didn't know if he was as familiar with the device as he was, but the principles were similar enough.

http://pnmedia.gamespy.com/planetelderscrolls.gamespy.com/fms/images/mods/8688/1335125787_fullres.jpg was a bit more handy. The Bow of Shadows was suspected to be a Daedric Artifact. A Longbow crafted by Nocturnal herself, the legends said. If the enchantment were used, it would make the user invisible and fleet of foot. Given the limited charges and slow; or expensive, regeneration of the inherent enchantment, he saved it for the most dire of occasions.

Every instinct was telling him this situation had become just that.

He glanced at the figure that had been blown back by the lightning. The mass of black cloth hid the figure leaning over onto their side, its back to them. The white tail that lay limply gave a clue as to their identity.

Maxical. He thought. Damn. We may be too late. He pondered the scenario with lightning speed.

Maxical needs a healer, and our healer will need protection. Honditar can cover our approach. Eyja and I can take her out with...

His thought process taking less than the blink of an eye was cut out by another black-robed figure slowly approaching and gauging the scene with golden eyes.

Earana. He thought.

Eyja had warned him: That she was a Battlemage of no small measure.

Battlemages.

Kynareth curse it all!

I HATE Battlemages!

Posted by: Grits Aug 1 2013, 07:22 AM

Abiene

Abiene had turned to whistle for Kip when a massive bolt of lightning cracked across the sky. She found herself cringing on her knees, arms raised instinctively to protect her head.

She looked up to find Sethyas with bow in hand and Eyja running toward Honditar. Above a small figure was visible on its side, white tail vivid against its black clothing. Maxical.

Abiene gathered herself for the sprint, spells running through her mind. First fortify your own magicka and skills. Then the healing.

A tall woman in black robes came into view, claiming her attention. Mother Mara, could she have cast that lightning? Abiene’s breath stopped, and her muscles froze. She crouched in the grass like a rabbit startled at night by a light spell.

Posted by: mALX Aug 1 2013, 08:10 AM

*

Eyja:

The offer of her horse to Seth was forgotten in her fear. Eyja grabbed a lock of Sapphire’s mane and swung herself into the saddle, barely waiting while Honditar lifted the reins back over the horses head before digging her heels into the mare’s side in a headlong gallop up the hill.

She was forced to slow down as it wound to the west along the narrow ridge of the mountain’s peak. She saw the stone pillars well before reaching them, knew Earana had to hear her and know someone other than the Orc was nearing. Eyja didn’t know if Earana would come out fighting or wait till the fight came to her; but knew she’d better dismount before reaching the pillars just in case.

Following Seth’s lead earlier, she cast chameleon and slid off Sapphire, smacking her rump so the horse would distract Earana at least till she could find Maxical...or cover.

Sapphire followed the trail around a bend and up toward the pillars, Eyja shot to the opposite side and entered the pillars from behind Earana.

Maxical could only be the crumpled heap of black cloth on the ground outside the farthest pillar. Her tail lay limp and still. Eyja choked back the scream that rose in her throat and tried to sneak silently around to where Maxical lay.

Earana turned from the rider-less horse to looking directly at Eyja. “You're a bold little thing, aren't you?”

She should have known better than trying to sneak past a Battlemage. Earana must use some form of Detect Life enchantment.

“I don’t want trouble, Earana. I’m not here to fight, just here for my friend. She is like a sister to me, I’m only here to see she is all right. Please, can I check her? She looks so...still.” Eyja moved closer to Maxical as she spoke. “I’ve brought a healer with me, will you allow her to heal Maxical?”

Earana stepped between her and Maxical. “You can do what you please with her once she has returned my belongings.”

“Are you talking about that robe?”

“The robe, but more importantly she has borrowed a book and a spell of mine. Once they are in my possession I will leave and you may take her to any healer you wish.”




***



Earana had plenty of time to get those things from Maxical and be gone before Eyja arrived, why hadn’t she just taken them?

Earana stepped to the side and Eyja hurried forward. She could see a charred and smoking book clutched in Maxical’s hands, but as she neared Maxical she heard a loud humming sound. Eyja kneeled down beside Maxical and reached one hand out for the book.

When her fingers neared Maxical something crackled in the air between them. Eyja drew her hand back quickly.

“Where is the Welkynd Stone?”

Earana‘s voice sounded surprised. “You know about the Welkynd?“ She hesitated. “It’s gone. You’ll need to get another stone to touch her.”

That explained why Earana hadn’t gotten her spell and book and run. She couldn’t get them from Maxical. Would the healer be able to heal her like this?

Eyja cast dispel over Maxical, but the spell hovered in a circle feet away from her body.

“Don’t you think I would have tried that?” Earana's voice dripped sarcasm.

Eyja dug through her spells till she found a scroll to protect against shock and cast it on herself, then reached out to grab the book. A force more powerful than she’d ever felt knocked her in a backward arc and left her laying stunned at Earana’s feet.

Out of her peripheral vision she saw Seth entering the pillars and Earana stepping toward him. She tried to call Seth and warn him not to fight, but had no wind in her lungs to make a sound.

And then, with a huge feeling of relief she saw Maxical’s tail move. She was alive, that’s all that mattered now. Eyja’s head sank back onto the dirt as she fought to breath, to keep from blacking out.


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 1 2013, 07:36 PM

Honditar:

Honditar shouldered the crossbow and waited to mount, unsure if Abiene would let Seth ride with her on her horse. After seeing how quickly Seth was able to dispose of the Orc he wasn't taking any chances on the man being left behind, they would need him going up against Earana if it came to that.

Seth was as smooth as Eyja leaping up behind Abiene, before Honditar could urge his horse forward they were already in a full gallop passed him and blocking the way on the narrow trail. Instead of following them his horse took exception to being passed up, balking suddenly and bucking Honditar off.

Honditar caught the rein quickly before the horse bolted, not bothering to dust his britches off before trying to mount the sidling beast again. Then suddenly he saw what was giving his horse a fright and felt the chill of it go through his own bones. The dead Orc was glowing with purple light.

As Honditar watched the massive Orc began rising up, the huge gash in his neck still dripping rivulets of blood. His eyes had an eerie glassiness that nearly gelled Honditars blood in his own veins. He was dead, Honditar was sure of that...now he was walking. Walking dead.

Honditar couldn't get the frantic horse to stand still long enough to mount him, the horse was dragging him in circles by the rein Honditar still held; and every time Honditar tried to leap up the horse had circled him again, snorting and neighing its terror.

The Orc was walking toward him, getting closer. Honditar didn't know whether to run or keep trying to mount the horse, and stood still staring at the Orc in his indecision.

"Well, ain't you the high-tom-titty? You want something, I guess, or you wouldn't be messing up my air." An odd gurgling seemed to be echoing out of the huge gash in in the Orc's neck when he spoke, and the glassy eyes honed in on Honditar.

"Nothing, just...have a nice day..." With as powerful a leap as his shaking limbs could muster, Honditar made a grab at the horse's mane and heaved, holding on for dear might as the horse took off up the mountain.

Honditar never made the saddle, was sprawled across the horse's back at an angle and still clinging to the clump of mane. The heavy crossbow kept slapping down on the horse's flank, driving him faster up the hill.

Where the trail deadended in the pillared enclosure the horse ground to a halt and Honditar was jerked loose, tumbling over the horse's head and landing on the ground between Seth and Earana.

"She's raised the Orc from the dead, he's coming..." He warned Seth, then pulled himself up and tossed him the crossbow and quiver full of bolts. "You better take this, don't know how it's loaded."

He saw Eyja stretched out and turned back to Earana. "What have you done to Eyja?"


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 1 2013, 09:07 PM

Abiene

Kip charged up the hill like he was going to war. Abiene shortened the reins and lifted her weight, trusting that Sethyas would still be on the horse at the top of the mountain. She sank back into the saddle to slow him as they reached the pillars. Kip responded like a dream. Abiene turned him to give Seth a quick view of the mountaintop from Kip’s height, hoping they wouldn’t get shot or scorched while they were moving. She breathed thanks to Jerric for leaving Kip behind, wherever he had gone this time. For steady nerves it was hard to beat a battlemage’s horse.

She slid to the ground with Kip’s bulk between them and Earana. Eyja lay at the Altmer’s feet. Abiene smacked Kip’s rump to move him out of the way. Then she slipped behind Sethyas and to the side, uncertain.

Abiene’s fingers barley flicked as she cast the spells she used before a long healing session. Her internal magicka well swelled and her body began refilling it at an increased rate. She drew a resist shock spell into both hands, one for herself and one to cast upon another. Her Breton blood gave her a native resistance to all cast magicks including shock spells, but her Nord, Dunmer, and Altmer companions did not have that advantage.

She glanced at Maxical’s still form, scanning the ground for obstacles should she need to bolt in that direction.

Her tail twitched. She lives.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 1 2013, 10:13 PM

Sethyas held onto the back of Honditar's horse, and imbibed one of his custom potions. An elixir of such potency that only a Master Alchemist could make.

He disembarked at the top of the trail, and took in the conflict.


She's down. He thought, glancing over Eyja. Her eyes were pleading something, as though she were scared for her life.

No. For Maxical's...or mine. He knew the difference between the look self-preservation and compassion. He'd stared into dying eyes until the light faded away more times than he cared to count.

He took the crossbow from Honditar, and had it cocked, locked and loaded in three moves. Adding the Walking Dead Orc to his equation of the battlefield.

He glanced over at Earana, who took in the scene with the arrogant eyes that only a Battlemage would have.

"I've been around a long time, Earana. A *lot* longer than you. So I know how this goes, you will fail here. Save the derisive laughs for after. I'll make a magnanimous offer this once. Return Maxical as she was before you abducted her, and you walk away with your life, same as you are now." He grated out in a low tone.

"Now; the next step is you reject that offer completely assured in your power. A trait common to mages. We tussle, you fail, and I take my time with your demise. After I ensure Maxical is okay; of course." he continued circling around her, as she smiled more and more to his dialogue.

"You've heard it said: 'I've killed far worse than you'. Now meet the one who has. Many times."

"You look me in my eyes, and you tell me if I'm lying." Something about his tone was beyond a threat and more powerful than a simple command. Earana looked up, and her golden eyes peeked behind the black hood and met his crimson ones.

In them, she saw Death.

Eyes that didn't blink in the face of a hundred murders, that didn't waiver in the face of a thousand demises, that never shed a single tear for any of them.

"Well, as you say. You know how this goes." She sneered, and cast a lightning bolt upon the decaying pillars of Cloud Top.

The magical site claimed the energy, and sent it soaring into the heavens. The magicka raced across the skies in less than the blink of an eye, returning too the pillars with the electricity of the gods. It rained down upon the pillars with a terrible flash.

Sethyas had stepped into the middle of it, quite intentionally, guessing it's purpose with the limited interaction, and with Earana's rising sadistic smile.

The lighting writhed around him, passing through him in jagged white-hot arms to the white marble. He merely stood there, unfazed.

"What?! Impossible!" Earana shrieked.

"First mistake." he said, firing the heavy artillery of the crossbow to the Orc just now coming up the path. The bolt landing in chest, knocking him down to the ground.

The potion was in fact a 'resist shock' effect elixir. It provided near-immunity very temporarily, even Sethyas' show was largely self-control as he felt the energy buzzing through every facet of his being. His bones, his hair, everything was alive and crackling with the sensation of pure power and pain.

Just enough to distract Earana for the next step.

Posted by: mALX Aug 1 2013, 10:34 PM

Earana:


The powerful Dunmer was more than a surprise; he was a danger. Who was he? Where did he come from? Earana changed her tactics immediately to trying to negotiate. The numbers were against her till the Orc got here. She wasn't going to battle her way out against all these except by last resort. If she could live to tell about it then. She eyed the Dunmer with the strange tattoo again. Who was he?

"I brought no harm to this Nord, or the Khajiit either. She was caught in a bolt of lightning; they both were."

Maxical stirred and moaned. "Earana...Earana help...stomach hurts."

"There, you see? Would she call me to help her if I'd brought harm to her?" Earana took a step back from the Dunmer with the odd tattoo, glancing in Maxical's direction.

"Come along, dearest child. Tell your friends here what good care Earana has given you."

Maxical's body made a few jerky motions, but she never raised up.

"Come, Maxical. Your friends want to see you are well, they think I've harmed you." The words were belied by the commanding note in her voice.

"Can't move...stomach hurts...need more cream. Please, Earana; I need the cream."

Earana turned to the two men facing her. "There, you see? Cream! A rare treat, and I have freely given it at her demands. I have some in my pack there, give her a bowl of it and you will see. I have spoiled the child if anything."

Honditar reeled on her. "Drugged cream, you've given her; I found your lab in the sewers below Chorrol. You've made a thrall of her with your potions."

Earana bent down quickly and snatched the book from Eyja; raising up with it held in front of her like a talisman.

"Get back! You have no idea the power you are facing or what it will do to you if I unleash it. Look at your friends on the ground, both warriors reduced to limp rags by its mighty charge. I'm not fighting all of you, just let me get my spell and robe and you can take your friend home."

She looked from the Dunmer to Honditar as if throwing down a challenge rather than trying to bargain with them.

Behind her she heard Eyja stirring and stepped to the side in time to see Eyja's head shake no at the Dunmer with the tattoo.

Eyja's voice echoed off the pillars around them in a rasping choke. "She's bluffing. The book holds no power without the spell, Maxical still has it." Eyja was trying to roll over and rise.

Maxical was struggling to move too, too much movement to keep an eye on everyone. Earana took a step back and tried to raise her hand to cast Maxical to stillness when a strong hand gripped her wrist like a vice, squeezing the magicka back down her arm it was so tight.

"Oh no you don't." Eyja breathed into her ear.

"Unhand me, I was just going to help the dear child!"

Maxical was calling to her again, trying to crawl toward her. "I need the cream, Earana. Give me the cream, please!"

Earana's glance around froze and riveted on the tattooed Dunmer's eyes; there was a coldness in them that saw death and didn't care. As if he spoke the words she knew he could and would snap her in two without a second thought.

Behind the Dunmer a movement caught her eye, and relief washed over her as her late boyfriend finally made it to the edge of the stone pillars. Earana took advantage of Eyja's shock and jerked her wrist from Eyja's grasp.

"Now, if it's a fight you want; it's a fight you'll get."

She leaped easily to the low stone wall and conjured a Daedra into the midst of them. With her other hand she cast toward Eyja with a command spell but it blew past her. She aimed the next at Maxical and it struck cleanly in her midsection.

Maxical tried to move but couldn't. "Hey, hey! What are you doing to Earana? Leave her alone!"


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 1 2013, 10:59 PM

Honditar:

Honditar glanced at Sethyas and jerked his head toward Maxical when she called for the cream. When Sethyas nodded, Honditar ducked behind him and slid the bottle of cream from Sethyas's pack. He was about to give it to Maxical when he saw the command spell hit and Maxical beginning to defend Earana. Perfect timing.

He yanked the cork from the bottle of cream and teased a bit of it on Maxical's lips before laying one of his own bowls down and pouring a small portion into the bowl.

That would dispell the command Earana had on her; and the addiction to Skooma would be more powerful a draw than protecting Earana. It would keep Maxical out of the fight, at least till she realized there was no Skooma in the cream.

Honditar felt an inner groan at the sight of the dead Orc nearing the pillared structure. How much harder would it be to kill an Orc that was already dead?


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 1 2013, 11:46 PM

"Lies." he laughed, reloading the crossbow.

"The last refuge of the weak and surrounded." he fired with an expert eye to the Orc's knee. The powerful punch of the bolt piercing the tough Orc hide, shattering the patella behind it.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Corpse_Preparation

"As you know, Orc corpses are among the most sought after for the durability of their skin and the strength of their bones." The macabre line from 'Corpse Preparation' flashed through his mind. She was not the first Necromancy practitioner, nor was this the first walking corpse he'd dealt with.

"You could have walked away and lived. Upon my honor and upon the graveyards and urns I've made with these black hands, you would not have joined them, Earana." He said reloading once more, the effect of the lightning blast now starting to catch up to him.

He saw the 'ghost snakes' of the blood rushing through the retinas, and it became painful to move. The Orc got up, and started to limp on one leg, soon joined by Earana's summoning.

The Dremora looked over the spectacle with hate-filled red and yellow eyes, and black skin with reddish tones.

His expression was one of malevolent ecstasy. The War Spirit summoned could enact his daedric purpose.

Suddenly his eyes fell on the Dunmer, and they opened wide in recognition. His black lips spread open in a yelled curse, spitting saliva as his voice reverberated like a rusty saw through their very souls.

"YOU!!" it accused Sethyas.

Sethyas actually blinked, and replied: "Have we met?"

"Shara! Morrowind! You stole my Kataaannnaaa!!" He raged. "It was presented as an honor gift by my Valkynaz! Since it's loss I've served as a lowly Caitiff! You. Will. DIE!" the Dremora swore as he pulled out a Daedric Battle-Axe, twisted and darker than the void, like a soul in pain was desperate to crawl out from it's unholy substance.

Shara? Morrowind? Wait,...the Necromancer's Abode,...the Morag Tong Writ...THIS is the same Dremora? I took the Daedric Katana from his banished corpse...oh, Gods. Sethyas thought.

Posted by: Grits Aug 1 2013, 11:58 PM

Abiene

Honditar crouched over Maxical, tending her in some way Abiene couldn’t fathom. Surely he knew Maxical was under Command by Earana. He hadn’t called for her help. Abiene had to trust that it wasn’t needed.

A shuddering groan yanked Abiene’s attention back to the orc. Earana must have raised him from death.

The air inside the circle ripped open with the sound of a Daedric summoning. Earana stood triumphant on the low wall.

Icy fear clenched her belly and prickled the palms of her hands. Death was her enemy, and she faced it down daily across the broken and ailing bodies of tailed folk, mer, and men. Now it howled around her on all sides. Her own end must be near.

She snapped her fists closed in defiance.

Her stars had given her the Blessed Word at her birth, a power she hadn’t used since she cheated on her Intro to Conjuration final. Now she called it forth in a blaze of righteous light and pushed it out toward the undead orc.

It didn’t Turn him, but he paused.

Abiene moved toward him, brushing the moisture out of her eyes. Her Breton’s Dragonskin settled over her without her conscious attention, providing the protection of metal plate armor.

Restoration gave her the keys to a body’s energies, for good or ill. Now Abiene drew her darkest knowledge to the front of her mind, this time unflinching.

Sethyas shot the orc, and it staggered to the side. An unholy voice split the air, shrieking through Abiene's very bones. The Dremora. Sethyas spoke to it.

Abiene approached the orc, completely misjudging his reach. He backhanded her across the side of the head. “Weak and worthless!” he growled.

She hit the ground and rolled back toward him. One hand brushed his leg. She grabbed and clawed upward while he kicked, drawing out his energy as she rode him to the ground.

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 12:04 AM

Eyja:


"Oh crap!" Eyja heard the Dremora's gravely words with a sinking feeling. All they needed now was a summon with a grudge. She caught Earana's smug smile and wondered if she'd known before summoning it. Had she? What did it matter now, the Dremora had Seth's attention and the Orc as advancing at a limp.

Eyja flipped out her dagger, still sticky from the Orc's eyeball goo. She slunk in a circle around the focused Dremora as if going after the Orc, but at the last moment grabbed Earana's casting arm in a viselike grip and slung her around till Earana's back was pressed against Eyja's stomach; her arms bound tightly to her side in the steel grip of Eyja's arms.

"Call off the Orc, or I'll use you as a shield. You know how dumb he is, he'll kill you trying to get to me, now CALL HIM OFF!"

Maxical yowled from the edge of grass surrounding the pillars. "STOP! LEAVE EARANA ALONE!"


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 2 2013, 12:28 AM

The Dremora covered the ground between them, his massive weapon cleaving the air, which Sethyas' bobbed and weaved around. Slowly directing his direction and arcs.

"Two hundred and fifty years, and you still can't hit spit. Pathetic, no wonder I banished you so easily." He mocked, and the red eyes saw only red.

Careful to mind Abiene's position, and placing himself between the Orc and the Dremora, he gave him a mocking look.

"I'll give you one for free." He smirked, as the embodiment of red rage brought the axe up high over his head for a downward swing.

"NOW ABIENE! MOVE!" He yelled as the swing came down.

The full ferocity of daedric axe and dremoran strength came raging down on the Orc. Cleanly cleaving in two from crown to just above the mid-section.

The head's two sections folded back from the neck wound priorly placed there by the Ash-born Assassin. The internal organs displayed in a grotesque cross-section. The flat of the Axe was caught in the ribcage and spinal cords. Despite the sheer power of the swing the Dremora couldn't release the axe and gave an unearthly howl as he placed his right foot onto the Orc's midsection, and comically tried to release the weapon.

The sound of a liquid hitting a surface and the clicking of a weapon was secondary to the Dremora's focus. Until he felt the pressure against his temple. His eyes looked over to his left, and his focus shifted to the Dunmer holding the crossbow to his head. He guessed easily enough that the splash he heard was poison, as the acrid smell hurt even his nostrils that were used too the winds of The Deadlands.

The last thing that went through his mind; besides the poisoned bolt, was that he would return someday for revenge.

Sethyas reloaded the crossbow after the Dremora was banished, and assessed the impressive damage it had done to the Orc. As far as he could determine, even if it still had undeath, it couldn't do much in that state.

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 01:29 AM

Eyja:


Eyja saw she couldn't use the Orc as a threat anymore and charged a silence spell down her fingertips into Earana before releasing her with one hand and giving a strong jerk with the other. Earana was forced to spin around and face her just long enough to receive the full contact of Eyja's fist in an uppercut whose speed was enhanced by magic.

"Maxical taught me that move." She said, showing the bleary eyed Earana that her knuckles were covered in a fitting made of brass slid over her fingers.

Her silence spell was not as powerful as Earana's, or Earana had some form of shield protecting her from it. The next thing Eyja knew Earana had blasted her with a powerful jolt of burning liquid that left her fingers in a hot ball of fire.

Eyja staggered away, healing herself as she ran to get near Maxical; knowing Earana wouldn't risk Maxical being killed till she had that spell.

Eyja drew her dagger out and dipped it in poison, only to hear Maxical scream beside her.

"STOP IT! Don't make me have to hurt you, Eyja! Leave Earana alone!"

Earana grinned and stepped forward. "Yes, Eyja. Maxical is my friend now, she wouldn't want to have to kill you; but we both know she will if you push her to."

Eyja lunged toward Earana. Maxical dove forward and grabbed Eyja's leg, tripping her. Eyja tumbled forward with force, the poison dagger piercing Earana's left shoulder deeply as she fell on top of Earana. Eyja held her down with the weight of her body on top of her; still pushing with force against the dagger in her shoulder while she whispered in her ear.

"Oh, she will help you in every way, Earana. What you don't know is that all Maxical's strength in battle is one on one. In melee her clumsiness is always her allies' downfall. Every destruction spell she casts will strike you and yours, and her destruction capability is much higher than yours. We are safe as long as she is against us."

Earana writhed in pain, moaning. Eyja stradled her to get better control and bore down heavy with the blade, twisting it. Earana arched beneath her with little mewling sounds.

"Hey! Is she hurting you, Earana?" Maxical called. Eyja heard her struggling across the dirt, moving toward them.

"STAY WHERE YOU ARE, MAXICAL! WE'RE MATING!" Eyja called. She twisted the blade and whispered into Earana's ear. "Say it, or the knife goes in your throat."

Earana moaned, but no words accompanied it.

"EW!" Maxical didn't come any closer.

Eyja didn't hear her move away either. Drat what was taking so long for Earana's drugs to wear off? She leaned down again to Earana's ear and whispered,

"See, I know her and you don't. I can use her weaknesses to my benefit, and to your detriment. You only have a blade in your shoulder so far. Let's see what else she can do to you." Eyja pulled out the blade and leaped up fast, moving back close to Maxical again.

Earana began casting healing, good; Eyja thought. Wearing her magicka out on healing herself, she might not have what she needed for her high powered destructions spells, or commanding Maxical either.

She tried to reach Maxical through the mind control, giving every expression Maxical may connect with in her memories. Maxical's only response was staring at her with a wary expression.


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 2 2013, 01:54 AM

Abiene

Abiene crab-crawled backward out from under the orc. His stolen energy sang through her body, chasing out the ringing in her ears and bringing her vision back into focus. She stared up at Sethyas in shock through the empty air once occupied by the raging Dremora. The Dunmer reloaded his crossbow while he regarded the orc wreckage with almost clinical interest. No wonder I rarely heal injuries from crossbow bolts.

Shouting came from the women struggling on the ground and Maxical beyond them. Abiene stayed low and started toward Maxical, but Eyja leaped up and away from Earana, hissing threats. Abiene couldn’t begin to guess her intentions.

Why is Maxical still under Command?

Abiene couldn’t risk getting in the way of Seth’s shot, and she would likely miss Earana with her own feeble Destruction spells. But even from a distance she could try to help Maxical.

No doubt Earana’s power was far greater than her own. Abiene’s Command spell might only further weaken Earnana’s, but that support combined with Maxical’s own will could be enough to break the spell. Besides, Honditar must have done something in their favor. Abiene reached out her hand, sending all of her love and belief in Maxical toward the Khajiit in a green swirl of magicka. Illusion spells were rooted in lies, but this one held only truth. Maxical, fight!

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 02:10 AM

Honditar:

Maxical had dumped the bowl of cream he had poured her, seeking the Skooma it didn't contain. Honditar was afraid that would happen. While Eyja had Earana distracted he tried again, pouring another bowl of the cream halved with dispel potion. This time he slipped a vial of Skooma he'd taken from Earana's lab, dribbling the tiniest bit into the cream in the bowl. It was the only way to get the potion into her.

"Earana said to give you her cream since you didn't like mine." He whispered low, luring Maxical out of the war zone inside the pillared area.

Maxical followed, her eyes glassy at the thought of Earana's cream. She didn't throw the bowl over this time, but showed obvious signs of being frustrated by the small amount of Skooma in it as she lapped it up. Earana must have had her on a high dose to get her this badly addicted so quickly.

He waved at Abiene, trying to get her attention to the Khajiit; but turned back around when Eyja got off Earana. He readied himself to fight again, hoping the Khajiit would not defend Earama this time.



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 2 2013, 03:41 AM

Sethyas pulled out a thin, long needle and walked close to Honditar. He pressed the flat of it into his palm behind the Altmer's back, obscured from Maxical's vision.

He whispered very softly. "This is a paralysis poison. Nothing else. No negative effects. I am not saying you should use it, but I'd rather you would have it and not need it, than otherwise. I leave it to you and Abiene. Eyja needs me." He finished.

He walked briskly as Earana writhed in the pain that Eyja expertly put her in.

"Thing with Command spells. They end when the caster dies. I know the College of Illusion quite well, Earana." Seth said while approaching them.

He put the crossbow two inches from Earana's forehead.

"What happens next, I leave to you Eyja. I said my skills and my blades are at your service. I am your Black Hand."

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 05:30 AM

*



Eyja:


Eyja had never been so impressed as she was by Seth's words. Any other time, other situation she would have given her nod to him. But Maxical was still under Earana's control, and the last thing she wanted to do was make Seth an enemy of Maxical's.

She lay her hand gently on Seth's taut arm holding the crossbow and shook her head, but held the hand there as a signal not to raise the crossbow; so to Maxical it would look like he was continuing to threaten Earana; whispering to him to follow her lead.

"Let Maxical do it, or she'll hold you as an enemy beyond the wearing off of Earana's control. Once she fires a spell, get as close to her back as possible. It is the safest place to be, she never gets hit with her own spells."




Maxical:


The pleasure she sought from the thick cream burned too small a trail down her throat. The familiar explosion of euphoria never came, instead she was left shaking in the need for more and the edge was barely taken off the pain radiating in her stomach.

Through the fog of desperation came Earana's voice, commanding her to help; begging her to save her in a scream that temporarily shattered through the need for that cream.

Maxical looked up and saw a Dunmer man, so much like Gils...no, his face was covered by an odd tattoo that frightened her. What was he doing to Earana? She needs me. Earana needs me to stop him.

Maxical cast at the Dunmer automatically, not checking to see which spell was loaded. Earana's robe disappeared, and in the fog in her mind it suddenly struck her the Dunmer man was trying to rape Earana.

"Hey, that's Eyja's girlfriend! Leave her alone!"

She checked her spells again and loaded a shock spell she hadn't seen before. "What's this?"

Eyja grabbed the Dunmer man's arm and whispered something; pulling him close to Maxical. She signaled the man Honditar and Abiene; and suddenly everyone converged close to where Maxical lay on the ground.

Her wavering vision saw the Dunmer's face coming near her and she cast at him. The bolt zigzagged by his head with a hissing sound and slammed into a pillar before ricocheting off and striking a tree well outside the pillared site of Cloud Top.

The tree made a loud crack and toppled. Eyja was grabbing people and pushing them; the Dunmer and the others were suddenly gathering so close behind her that she could feel them touching her butt.

"Hey! Get your hands off my tail! Who touched my butt?"

Earana was rising in the middle of the pillared area when the lightning bolt ricocheted off two more trees on opposite sides and well outside of the Ayleid site. The others were tugging Maxical's struggling body out of the pillared area and onto the ground outside it when the lightning arced back around and shot in a straight line directly into the main pillar; exploding in a firworks of several sizzling bolts.

Earana was caught by several of the bolts, and hung suspended as if on a string in the air; making jerky convulsive movements with a shocked look on her face...literally.

"Earana, NOOOOO!" Maxical cried when Earana's body was released and tossed in an arc to the ground. She jerked free of the hands holding her and crawled over to the woman, cradling her head with her arms.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry Earana. What have I done?" She looked around at the others, barely recognizing faces until her eyes caught onto Eyja and that healer Abiene from that inn she had stopped at.

"Help her! You've got to help her, please? She is my friend..."

Inside her something felt like it released. She looked back at Earana's limp head laying at an awkward angle in her arms.

"It was an accident, I didn't mean to kill her. She was my friend...wasn't she? I think she was my friend...I can't remember."

Eyja came forward and lifted Maxical away from Earana, taking her into her arms. "Come on, Maxical. I know you didn't mean to hurt your friend. She would have wanted to go by that spell if she could have chosen it."

Eyja indicated the others, who seemed to be moving about with strange wariness. "Maxical, you need healing now; these people have come to help you."

Maxical's eyes landed on that Altmer man Honditar, the one who had given her the cream. "I need more cream. Please, my stomach is hurting for more."



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 06:19 AM

Eyja:

Eyja watched Maxical follow Honditar and get on her hands and knees to lap from the bowl. Maxical would never knowingly drink that way, the woman must have made her do it after she was strongly addicted, some humiliation to the Khajiit she detested.

While Maxical's attention was diverted Eyja scooped up the book Earana had dropped, sliding it into her own pack.

She turned to Seth with a feeling of helplessness. "She is badly addicted to that Skooma, is there a potion you can make to cure that?


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 06:31 AM

Honditar:


Honditar dribbled a small amount of the Skooma into the cream again, not sure if he was helping the situation or hurting it. He hated feeding the girl's addiction, but wasn't able to withstand the pain she was enduring by not having it either. Matters like these were best left with those who knew, maybe getting her to Chorrol before tackling her addiction problem would be wisest. At least he could sop the guilt he was feeling with that excuse.

When he heard Eyja's question to Sethyas he decided it may be best to come clean with what he had done. He left the Khajiit lapping the cream and approached Sethyas with the vial of Skooma and the rest of the cream mixed with Dispel.

"Eyja, will you see to the girl? She is insisting Earana get a decent burial up here, said this place meant a lot to Earana."

When Eyja walked over to where Maxical was, he handed the vial and cream to Sethyas. "I hate to admit it, but I've put a few drops in the last two bowls of cream she's had. She was hurting, and tossed the first bowl with none of the Skooma in it. It was the only way to get the Dispel into her. Don't want to keep doing it though; unless you think we should; just to be able to bring her quietly back to Chorrol."


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 2 2013, 08:59 AM

Abiene

Abiene scrambled to keep up. Finally the lightning stopped. Earana was dead, and they had survived. She turned to look for Maxical.

Her eyes passed over the Altmer’s body, the bare limbs in an awkward tangle. Abiene remembered the woman’s haughty tone as she spoke to the guards in Great Oak Place, her proud bearing, and the care she always took with her silk and velvet clothing. Abiene’s heightened energy left all at once. She lunged for the nearest pillar, stomach heaving.

When she straightened, Eyja had returned to Maxical.

Abiene’s own words to Honditar returned to her mind. At the least I’d like to be there to help when you find Maxical. We know she will need healing.

Skooma addiction could be complicated by Maxical’s magical disorder, and any condition would be compounded by shock burns and illness. Her spells could ease the suffering in Maxical’s body, but a Master Alchemist’s potion would be the best way to cleanse the poison from her blood. Perhaps a potion like the one she carried tucked into her blouse.

Abiene stood with her hands full of light, reluctant to reach out and upset Maxical further.

Honditar spoke to Sethyas. Abiene looked to Eyja for direction.

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 09:24 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja waved Abiene over to Maxical. "She's sleeping now, but keeps tossing and crying as if she's in pain. She said her stomach hurts, but I think that is the need for Skooma...it could be from that electric shock though. Her forehead feels like she is burning up with fever; but that could be from the shock too."

Eyja turned to face Abiene, showing her own hand and arm that had been burned. "I got this just touching Maxical when I first got up here, that's why Earana couldn't get that book from her. Spells hovered over her like the electricity formed a shield or something. When I touched Maxical all that electricity went into me, and it was well after Maxical had been hit. I had cast a strong shock shield on myself, and it was still the most powerful shock I've ever felt; blew me about eight feet back."

Eyja pulled the front of the black robe open to show Abiene the burns on Maxical's stomach where the electrical jolt had hit her. "Look at this, she was hit full force." She lowered her voice then. "With her complete weakness to magic, no telling what internal damage she has from that. Do you think you can you help her?"



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 2 2013, 08:55 PM

Sethyas lowered his head in a slow, single nod. He understood her instructions, and followed her lead. He almost chuckled at Maxical's reaction to Eyja's 'girlfriend' being threatened by him. Eyja set her stage for Earana's demise, and they closed in on the Khajiit Caster. She really could not aim in this state, he thought as Eyja used his frightening countenance to continue her plan.

"Hey! Who touched my butt?!" Maxical cried, disoriented. From where I am standing that would be physically impossible. He thought wryly.

Finally, Eyja's sense for a poetic death was granted to Earana. The spell she had worked so hard to grasp and master was now her downfall. Too often he had seen the struggle for this illusory, temporary sense of control ruin so many individuals. She was worse than Maxical in her addiction to skooma; regardless of how it was brought about, Earana had given herself over completely to her lust for power. Then, to use and manipulate others into becoming her stepping stones, that was tying her own noose. So long as there was loyalty in the world, between friends such as they the machinations of those such as Earana would face this opposition. Gods be praised if they succeeded.

And with that, just as he had said, when the caster dies so too did their spell. Maxical slowly started to come around, regaining whatever sense of self she had prior. The aftermath still had her addicition left over, and the wounds that enacted the price of learning the power of the new spell.

Abiene left her last meal behind her. One could say it was her poisoning. Yet, somehow he knew that all this death was too much for her. Events such as these were more commonplace to he and Eyja. Even Honditar seemed a little off-put. Abiene and he were opposites. Two sides of the same coin. Whereas death was her foe, it was his profession. Yet, they both worked around the same foundations. Anatomy, chemistry, intimate knowledge of herbs and their effects, and how to deal with people in a certain way. What sprang forth from these identical qualities, was worlds apart. Yet, he'd met Healers that were the epitome of heartless, and knew Assassins that were the very definition of compassion. It was whether you let your profession define you, not that you needed a particular disposition to excel in either.


Honditar's inquiry for a potion that could cure skooma addiciton almost brought a smile to his face. He evidently had never heard of the writings "Confessions of a Dunmer Skooma Eater." There was no 'cure' as in magic. Rather it was a long hard road out of hell. A choice the individual must make to leave it behind, or not

. He once delivered this book to an ex-lover of his guildmate Ahnassi, in the Theives Guild. His inquiries with Jo'Basha; the book dealer and abolitionist in Vivec had him commenting that everyone knew there was no cure, and Khajiit especially would know this. Then, he handed him the book and said that, perhaps Khajitt know some things that aren't true after all.

"I can make a potion that can separate the drug from her system, definitiely." Seth started and was starting to complement his statement, but held his tongue. It would be best if she beleived that the potion would cure her. The mind, after all was a powerful thing.

Posted by: mALX Aug 2 2013, 11:13 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja watched Abiene’s expert hands working on Maxical. She seemed to really know what she was doing when it came to healing; and thought outside the box so to speak.

She turned around and glanced back at Honditar talking with Seth. He’d had a guilty look on his face when he sent Eyja to help Maxical. She saw the jug of cream in his hand and the smaller than average vial. It didn’t take much to put the two together.

Eyja’s initial anger at Honditar for it was overridden by putting herself in his boots. She may have done the same, till she could get help for Maxical. Honditar’s heart was always a soft one, he did what he felt best. And he confessed to the right person if he was bringing his guilt before Seth as she assumed he was doing. Seth would know the right path to take, she was sure of that.

She was also sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that Maxical’s secrets were safe with Seth. She had felt he needed an explanation for why she‘d pulled him in to have a destruction spell of that magnitude cast nearly into his face. It wasn’t mere chance the spell didn’t hit him, nor the Skooma fog that would not have been predictable.

What she’d told him in the quietest whisper, she was sure he’d understand. More importantly, she was sure the secret was safe with him.

“I didn’t have time to explain before, but I‘m sure you saw the odd trajectory in the path of Maxical‘s destruction magic. I’ve watched her in combat enough to know you would be safe from being hit. The safest place to stand when she casts is nearest her back, that's why I pulled you in that way. She has a magic conduction disorder, a condition that has her magic flipped somehow. Her healing power is non-existent, and her destruction always targets her allies rather than her enemies. I knew you’d be safe, or wouldn’t have pulled you in that way...knew Earana would end up the target no matter how many ricochets the spell took.”

She paused and gave her boyish grin. “As you also saw, she is as dumb as an Orc on Fredas when it comes to sex. It doesn’t matter what you are doing, tell her you are engaged and she’ll leave embarrassed. It overrides everything, even the powerful command spell Earana had on her. When you know an ally’s weaknesses, you can use them to your advantage in combat in the same way you would your enemy‘s weaknesses. I’ve learned Maxical’s well. You see what she is capable of, and now you also see her limitations. I hope you will protect them as I have, she has many enemies that would use them against her if they knew.”



Eyja’s eyes lingered on Seth for another minute before she turned back to watch Abiene working on Maxical. He did inspire confidence in one. She had felt safe and protected with him here, something she’d never known before. Maxical was small and delicate, she looked as vulnerable as she was.

Eyja glanced down at her sturdy Nord frame in comparison. She didn’t look vulnerable, had never felt that she could or would be. But Seth had acted as if she was, stepping up that way. She had no doubt he saved all their lives from that Orc twice today. He was a powerful force in battle, dynamic.

Eyja brushed the hair gently from Maxical’s forehead and was shocked to see the vein in the center raised high against the skin.

“Abiene, what is causing this? Is her blood pressure too high?”


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 3 2013, 01:01 AM

Sethyas brow furled at her descriptions. It was something out of a tale a demented squirrel would perhaps tell, perhaps Sheogorath's pet bent on world domination through creating a cult or somesuch. But, he held no ill will for her pressing concern.

He shook his head gently. "Fear not. Many secrets do I know, and none have I told. This shall be another. Plus...frankly...I don't think anyone would believe me. I see now that she needs you, and...you need her." he chuckled slightly.

His eyes returned her look.

Setsuna... He realized. That is who you remind me of. These last two days have been such a whirlwind of intrigue and conflict...yet even in the direst storm, you hold onto that innocence. Blood stains your hands. Not your soul.

With that, a twinge right behind his sternum opened up a floodgate of emotion. He'd ignored it and built walls between it and himself. Something in that made him remember.

When he'd taken the life of the adventurer, he'd done so to protect not only himself, but Setsuna. He cared more for her safety than his own. That moment he discovered the trait, it wasn't something that was there all along, nor was it a scar from years of abuse and hate.

It was his creation.

He'd hardened his heart so she would not have too. We bear the burden, that others may not. This trait in himself that he reviled so much, was in fact an act of love, he realized.

But years of separation from his head and his heart made it register as the faintest of squinting.

Suddenly she noticed the throbbing vein in Maxical's forehead.

Hypertension. Shock Damage.

Posted by: Grits Aug 3 2013, 01:12 AM

Abiene knelt at Maxical’s side, recovering. Curing the disease had proven complicated, as it had taken hold throughout Maxical’s body. Skooma damage and shock burns brought several organs close to failure. Throughout the process Maxical’s emotional distress had battered the barriers she set up between them.

In the end she had given in. Opened herself to Maxical’s need and grief and offered in return the comfort of her own defenses.

Now Maxical slept peacefully, her mind quiet and the worst of the damage repaired. Abiene drew back until she gently broke the contact between them. As always after a difficult healing she felt terribly alone. Bereft.

This will pass.

Abiene tipped her head back to feel the sun, eyes still closed. She held on to Maxical’s hand.

Seth’s words drifted in her empty mind.

“What happens next, I leave to you Eyja... I am your Black Hand.”

To offer death on another’s judgment… a childish part of her suggested that she should feel afraid. But lives had been restored by the same hands acting on Eyja’s behalf. Hers and now Maxical’s. “Two hundred and fifty years…” Long enough to fill an ocean with pain. She touched the shape of the potion vial inside her shirt and looked over at him.

As before his face looked distant yet connected. Composed behind his tattoo’s black mask. And in his eyes, recognition.

Then Abiene had another thought. We’ll need to find the horses.

Eyja spoke. Her voice held an edge of panic. “Abiene, what is causing this? Is her blood pressure too high?”

Abiene saw the source of her concern. “It looks that way. Eyja, my magicka is spent. I had to take some of Maxical’s to finish the healing. I thought it would be a bad idea to restore it with her mental state and wild casting. She’s in so much pain, and I don’t mean physical. It could be the addiction or something else entirely, you would know much better than me.” She gave herself a shake to stop her babbling. “Her organs are damaged. Beyond healing. She needs a restoration.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 3 2013, 02:19 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja gripped Abiene's arm more tightly than she meant to; leaning close so her words wouldn't be overheard by Honditar.

"I don't know how it works; is the magicka stored in one big pot inside us, or...like in separate wells for each discipline? Because I know she has no magicka for healing in reserve, but her destruction is off the charts; you saw that spell she was able to cast! Can you imagine the magicka usage it must have cost? Have you tapped into it as well? Can it be converted to use for healing...or have you already used it all?"

Eyja felt stupid, out of her element when it came to these matters. She felt helpless in the face of what was happening with Maxical, and that feeling was as foreign and alien to her as...as how Seth made her feel protected and vulnerable. Seth.

"Seth may know some alchemical way beyond the average knowledge, something to help her. Will you ask him? I want to sit with Maxical."

Eyja released her arm, embarrassed; brushing it off. "Sorry, my nerves are stretched to their limits."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 3 2013, 02:44 AM

Sethyas overheard the emotional outpouring. He shook his head as he focused on his mental alchemist formulary.

"Technically, we don't 'have' magicka. We tap into the inherent magicka from Aetherius." Seth muttered going through his pack.

"Magicka is Creatia. Energy. All things in the Aurbis, Aetherius, and Oblivion are inherently the same thing." he said pulling out a few herbs and his mortar and pestle, adding them together into the ebon bowl, and crushing them together with the smooth handle, pausing to add some liquor.

He put the cork back on, only to look back at it and then pop it back off and took a deep swig and handed it off to Honditar. The Altmer followed suit.

Seth lit a hackle-lo, exhaling a thick plume of smoke and threw his lit twig into the pestle. It created a flash which produced a small cloud of pleasant smelling odor.

"All things are a compound, that can be broken down and combined into new forms. Much as the Aedra crafted this world, we lesser et'Ada can do the same." he said mixing the final batch, and passing the hackle-lo to Honditar. The golden-hued hunter also took a large toke.

"Okay, this concoction won't 'restore' her, but it should stabilize her long enough to either get her out of here and get to more proper surroundings for adequate care." Sethyas explained.

"Honditar, you're the expert for these surroundings and the forest. Please track down the horses if you can. Abiene, please assist me in administering this too Maxical. Your hands are far gentler than mine. Eyja, please hold this liquor and hackle-lo." Sethyas instructed gently.

"And as long as your holding them, perhaps you should finish them, the rest of us will be busy with other things and they'll spoil otherwise." He said softly, if soft were possible for a Dunmer's rasp.

Posted by: Grits Aug 3 2013, 03:06 AM

Abiene watched and listened, all the while stroking Maxical’s hand. She was tempted to smack Eyja, risking a beating to spark the woman’s anger and clear her head. Seth provided a wiser solution when he handed off the liquor and hackle-lo.

“Whistle for Kip,” Abiene called to Honditar. “I doubt he’ll be far.” Jerric’s horse was strong and steady, but he tended toward indolence. Even the mountain exploding wouldn’t get him to run for long.

Seth’s quiet command calmed all of them and pulled them together as a unit. Abiene found her confidence returning along with a trickle of magicka. Her hands knew her work. She lifted Maxical’s head into her lap, gently positioning her so she wouldn’t choke on the potion.

Don’t forget your own treatment, she reminded herself. You’ve been poisoned and someone still wants you dead. Maybe. Returning to Chorrol meant descending into danger. Then Abiene remembered the two bodies nearby and almost laughed. I suppose events have changed my perspective.

Posted by: mALX Aug 3 2013, 08:51 AM

*


Cloud Top:


http://up1.joystick.ru/i/0/5e7bbc2.jpg



Eyja:

Eyja downed a good-sized gulp of the liquor, glad for the strength it gave her. She held the hackle-lo awkwardly, not sure how to use it. The smoking end wafted a scent that reminded her of Seth. She tentatively put it in her mouth, then took it back out. Was he sucking on it? She tried again, this time sucking on the end in her mouth.

“HUACK! HUACK! KA KA KA!” Eyja doubled over, pointing at her back. Someone whacked it hard for her, but through her tearing bleary eyes she didn’t see who had done it.

She stubbed out the hackle-lo and took another gulp of the liquor, letting the warm liquid trickle down and sooth her throat after the hackle-lo.

Eyja pulled off her dirty cuirass and tossed it against the nearest pillar, tugging the undershirt below it loose from her skin. She lay down beside Maxical, gently petting the hair back from her face.

It had been a long time since Maxical had been this ill, years. Everything with her seemed to come around full circle, this was one she’d hoped never to see again.






*





Maxical:


The large soft mound cushioning her head felt like it moved. Maxical’s eyes opened to a distorted blur of pink.

“Am I in the dreamsleeve?” She reached up and touched the pink mounds. “No…just Eyja’s breasts.” She pushed feebly against them. “Get them out of my face, they’re taking all my air.”

“I smell Gils...I think I saw him, but...” She turned her head and saw it again, the blurred vision of gleaming black hair, so near it felt like she could touch it. But the face wasn’t Gils, unless...was that a tattoo one got after dying?

Maxical tried to sit up, but her stomach felt torn in two. The Dunmer helped someone lay her gently down. While he was leaned over her something about the tattoo struck a chord of memory. She gently traced the outline of the tattoo with one finger and it came back to her, the poem of Mephala from the Blasphemes. She whispered it aloud, looking into the Dunmer’s eyes.

“Mephala the Webspinner thrives; on murder, sex, and lies. Threading needles with the hair of wives; weaving plots from the Aedra with mortals' lives. You‘re Black Hand...for me?”

Her hand dropped down and caught his wrist. “Please, sit by me first with your brandy and hackle-lo. I just want to smell it one more time. My husband smelled the same.”

The condition she was in, if he was here to take her out she couldn’t fight it; just hoped he’d grant her that last wish; to smell the brandy and smoke filling her nostrils...so familiar. So long since she’d smelled the two together.

She closed her eyes, but clung to that wrist with what strength she could muster, breathing as deeply as her lungs would take in the aroma of brandy on his breath; of the faint aroma of hackle-lo that clung to the cloth in his armor.

Before the weakness took her over she pulled his hand to her, rubbing the back of his hand against her cheek to feel the tears there.

“Thank you.” She let go of his hand, unable to find the strength to hold it anymore.

Inside her stomach burned like an inferno raged, and worse than that was the incessant throbbing need for that cream, her whole body ached in need of it. Where was that man that had given it to her...



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 3 2013, 01:13 PM

Sethyas could almost laugh at Eyja's reaction to the hackle-lo. It reminded him of his first attempt to try it in the cornerclub. The harshness of the smoke didn't compare to the Cyrod's tobacco, but it definitely had an edge that could catch the unwary off guard. The effects it used in alchemy, such as a restorative and even water-breathing weren't so strong as to make one a champion swimmer when used in that manner. However the 'paralysis' effect did join the restorative effect in a slight adjoiner. It seemed to 'force' the body and mind to slow down, ever so slightly, being one of the reasons he enjoyed it's use, other than the fact he could swear the plant was good luck. It helped to restore the equanimity of mind he needed to move through these phases of life.

He worked with Abiene whose concentration seemed to return, as she deftly attended to her patient. Maxical's pain must have been nigh unbearable, which was part of the concoction he'd made. Her lapsing in and out of consciousness came with odd perspective and half-remembrances even as Eyja joined her down by her side.

The root of the word 'compassion' was literally 'to suffer with'.

Maxical recited a line from the Acceptable Blasphemies, in tracing his tattoo. Rather astute considering her state. Then something about his particular scent when she clamped down on his wrist with her hand. Her husband smelled the same she said. Odd combination for anyone outside of Morrowind.

Had she been married to a Dunmer?

His black hand met her tears.

He glanced over at Eyja. Her face was something beyond simple concern. Perhaps this was why healers were expected to recuse themselves from patients they knew too well.

Maxical seemed to find the pain a bit more bearable. The excitement of the battle always seemed to make the world afterwards more colorful and vibrant. Each sensation weaving the fabric of experience.

Now was time for recovery; and while Maxical was certainly in a bad state, he had not forgotten that there were two victims here as he glanced up at Abiene. Though Maxical was certainly the worse for wear between the two of them.

So much intrigue and cruelty in one spot. He thought dolefully.

Honditar returned with the sounds of clopping hooves. He'd managed to find the horses, and now they'd need to get Maxical into a healer's abode or somesuch.

"Abiene, you're a healer of no small skill. What amenities do you have in this regard? A guild, a shop?" He inquired.

Posted by: Grits Aug 3 2013, 02:12 PM

Abiene

Eyja cradled Maxical against her as Maxical returned to consciousness. Maxical whispered to Sethyas about her husband. Abiene looked away, Eyja’s heartache as hard to witness as Maxical’s pain.

If addiction could simply be cured there would be no remorseful addicts. A person’s mind could be their own enemy. Folk felt pain from phantom limbs though their sleeves had long been empty. Such conditions were out of Abiene’s reach, locked away behind the will of the afflicted. Maxical’s suffering felt like Abiene’s failure. There is so much to learn.

A black shape on the ground caught Abiene’s eye. Earana’s robe? How or why the Altmer managed to remove it was a mystery Abiene was willing to leave unsolved. She could wrap the body in the robe and drag it to the orc even without a strengthening spell. The high elf had towered over Abiene, but there hadn’t been much meat on her.

Not like the orc. She hoped he lay on ground suitable for burial. It would be a huge effort to move him. His name was Gaturn gro-Gonk, she remembered. Just last night she had cured him of fever.

It took a priest to fully invoke Arkay’s Blessing over the bodies, but as a layman Abiene knew some of the rituals that would protect them under Arkay’s Law. Enough so the bodies couldn’t be raised again, at least by a simple spell.

Before she could begin Honditar returned with the horses. Abiene breathed out that worry, grateful for the smallest relief.

“Abiene, you're a healer of no small skill,” said Sethyas. “What amenities do you have in this regard? A guild, a shop?”

Abiene felt her cheeks flush. She could fit her belongings in a small trunk, and her allies counted mostly among the poor and disaffected. The wealthy and powerful didn’t get that way by offering help to Khajiit addicts. Abiene’s influence only extended as far as favors for herself. She lacked the clout that would bring others to the aid of her friends.

“I’m afraid I have only a small sleeping cell at the Chapel of Stendarr. I’m a student at the healing hall there, in shaky standing it seems. I’m a member of the Mages Guild, but the Chorrol chapter head won’t allow non-members into the private chambers. I’d attempt a lie to get Maxical in but there was an incident yesterday. She’s known to them.”

Abiene glanced at Honditar. His house lay outside the city walls, but it was not hers to offer.

“I’ve rented a guest cottage in the park from Seed-Neeus. It’s more of a...” Lovers’ getaway “…one-room apartment than a cottage, but there’s a big bed and bath. Other than that there are the inns. I’m welcome at the beggars’ camp, but that’s no place to recover from addiction.” Too easy to get more skooma.

“I have an account with Seed-Neeus, and if the cottage is in use I have no problem encouraging the occupants to check out early. Peacefully, of course. And I’ll gladly swipe every ingredient we’d need from the guild and chapel shelves.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 3 2013, 03:38 PM

*

Maxical:

It felt odd, waking up; wasn't she supposed to be dead? Instead she felt soft arms around her and something even softer...

"For the gods sake, Eyja! Get your breasts off me, do you want me to suffocate? Dear gods, are you crying?"

Eyja sat up quickly, brushing her cheeks off before taking Maxical's hand. "I'm not crying, just...got choked trying to smoke hackle-lo."

"Hackle-lo! No, it wasn't you..." Her eyes fell on the Dunmer. He hadn't killed her. She turned back to Eyja and tried to whisper.

"I think I wet my pants, Eyja."

Maxical tried to sit up and couldn't. Something about a Welkynd Stone exploding at her stomach when lightning hit it. Lightning. Earana.

"I want Earana buried proper, and a prayer said. I think she was my friend...can't remember. She was going to bring me to meet Casta..." She broke off, feeling the soft arm touching her again; but with some kind of healing.

"Is that Abiene? Abiene, are you here? My stomach hurts real bad...real bad."



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 3 2013, 03:50 PM

*

Honditar:

Honditar stepped over to the group around Maxical. "My cabin is available for use. It's only one room, but I've extra bedrolls. If you think an inn would be better, I'll stand the cost to put her and Eyja up in a decent room; not the Gray Mare."




*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 3 2013, 08:07 PM

Sethyas was merely considering his options. Abiene was selfless to a fault, of that he was certain. She was also resourceless to a fault as well, unfortunately. He needed to keep the two of them within his care and protection until the matter was resolved.

He sorted through his pack and pulled out three different potions, handing them off to Honditar.

"We'll put them up in the Wobbly Goblet. These potions are rare and expensive,...but otherwise useless. See if you can pawn them off with the Mages Guild, or any apothecary would likely shell out high coin for them." He instructed.

They were just things he had made while playing around with new ingredients and the like. They were mostly 'fortify fatigue' effects, but had a variety of other non complementing effects. Apparently the Mages Guild and alchemists liked to use the highly refined potions for a base in their own studies and potions. He'd actually shown surprise when one alchemist had appraised one for well over two hundred drakes. She'd explained it too him when he was speechless, even one with a 'weakness to common disease' effect was still valuable in a mix that used a restorative with a quality that worked in the same way as a disease that a normal immune system greatly weakened the effects of. Usually used for autoimmune disorders, potions of that quality were evidently in great demand.

Maxical woke up again, becoming comically cranky. Then she held his countenance in her surprised gaze.

"I think I wet my pants, Eyja." She whispered burying herself into her friends bosom that had previously been a source of ire.

Eyja gave Sethyas a bemused look as he raised an eyebrow.

"It's all right. I'm used to it. I wasn't given this visage to inspire happy thoughts in others." he slightly joked. His muscles began to feel like they contracting on their own accord. The massive lightning attack, and the subsiding adrenaline were beginning to take their toll on him.

"Let's load up and get our charges to a safer location." He said aloud.

"I'll stay behind and take care of the bodies." He said, pulling out an Amulet of Arkay. "Don't worry Abiene, I'll not make a hypocrite of Earana." He could pass on a simple blessing, though he was no priest.

In his more macabre view, he saw that the death he granted was eternal rest. Best to see to it staying as such.

Posted by: mALX Aug 3 2013, 09:33 PM

*

Maxical:

Maxical tried to catch the eye of the Dunmer. "Will your prayer keep her body from being...raised up? I...there are a lot of necromancers in this area, I don't want her used that way."

Another thought struck her. He'd said something about getting a room at an inn. Her eyes fell on the Altmer he was talking to, and she felt a terrible hungering inside for that cream. He had given her the cream, the kind Earana gave her. She waved her hand at the Altmer man, trying to get him to come closer.

"Oh, er...Honditar is it? If the cost is the same for a room with two beds, can you bespeak it? When I'm ill Eyja hugs all over me like she squeezed me out her loins herself while I'm trying to sleep."

She tried to catch his hand and pull him closer, but he hung back with an odd look as if he knew what was coming. Maxical felt frustrated, knowing if she whispered her voice would carry. Khajiit notoriously can't whisper quietly. She didn't even know why she didn't want the others to hear, but for some reason she didn't.

"Er...I'm thirsty, do you have anymore of that cream? I..." She broke off, the Altmer was already shaking his head. He pointed at the Dunmer.

"I gave it into his care."

Her eyes slid over to the tattooed Dunmer that smelled so much like Gils. By the look in his eyes, she was pretty sure he'd overheard.

There was a decisive strength in the denial in his eyes. Why? Did he not know Khajiit liked cream? She'd said nothing, but one eyebrow raised as if he'd heard her ask from the desperation inside her. It remained arced, as if prompting her to answer her own question. He knew. But was withholding this cream. Why?

For the first time it struck her, she'd never felt this way over cream before. She wanted it whenever she could get it, but this terrible need for it; this was...dear gods, had Earana put drugs in it? The Dunmer still held her eye, waiting for her to answer a question she'd never asked.

"My parents only gave cream as a rare treat. I always desired it, but there's something different now; isn't there? A desperate aching need for it inside me. Did Earana put drugs in the cream?"

His head gave a barely discernable nod.

"What drug? What would cause this terrible aching need?"

She had a sickening feeling she knew the answer. She had spent enough time at Castle Bravil, seen Gellius Terentius in the throws of desperation. Skooma. Earana had been dousing her cream with Skooma, but why? Why would she do that? She was her friend, wasn't she? Was she?

Maxical lay back against Abiene, tugging her arm. "Is it Skooma? You have to take this from me. Please? And keep me rallied so I have the will to fight it."



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 3 2013, 10:43 PM

Sethyas considered her state. He didn't want too say anything one way or the other. Eyja knew her much better than he, and wanted to defer to her judgment. He also wanted to use her Willpower to her advantage. If he told her that there was no cure, she might believe that and follow through with it to the bitter end. If he told her that the potion that would remove it from her system would also cure her, she might believe that too and follow through in a similar fashion.

He didn't know how much Abiene or Eyja knew, but wanted to keep them in the dark for much the same reason. Lies of Omission, or even just lies, were okay by him if they served some higher purpose. Eyja might agree, but might find withholding it too painful. Abiene slept in the Stendarr Chapel, he assumed lying would be crossed out in her book.

But, a little pain, a little suffering would be necessary to trick the mind as well. Give it something to compare the simple monotony of simply not being addicted, too. He didn't relish the thought of pain or suffering, but even he knew there were varying levels of it. Compared to a shorter lifetime with rotting teeth falling out and patches of fur falling prey to a Khajiit form of mange...this was no more than a stubbed toe.

Then J'Dhannar curses you, and J'Dhannar curses this faithless mate. Ahnassi calls ME a coward and a fool... There IS no cure for the skooma addict! All the world knows this! No one knows J'Dhannar's shame better than J'Dhannar!...What can J'Dhannar do? Nothing. But beg and starve and cry and die....

The image of a might-as-well-be-dead J'Dhannar and his hopeless, slitted eyes and all those symptoms he thought of still haunted him to this day, nearly two centuries later. The change he made in a fortnight of study with the book and the choice to walk away from it all always reminded him of the potent; nearly divine power of choice.

J'Dhannar is sorry for what he says. You... return to Ahnassi and tell her, J'Dhannar is sorry, and J'Dhannar forgives her, and J'Dhannar will always have Ahnassi in his heart, but our bond is broken now, for better or worse, and we must each find our own way from this cold time and hard place....

"I can treat this. Be assured. It will take some time however. Leave with her now, and I will tend to the bodies. No necromancer will ever use these bodies for their dark art." Sethyas spoke, and turned to tend to the tasks.

Posted by: Grits Aug 3 2013, 11:10 PM

Abiene

Maxical lay back against Abiene, tugging her arm. “Is it Skooma? You have to take this from me. Please? And keep me rallied so I have the will to fight it.”

Abiene started to answer but then stilled her tongue. She feared doing the wrong thing while trying to help would only substitute one dependence for another. Her eyes went to Sethyas for guidance.

The Dunmer stood in thought for a moment. His face betrayed nothing.

Then he spoke. “I can treat this. Be assured. It will take some time however. Leave with her now, and I will tend to the bodies. No necromancer will ever use these bodies for their dark art.”

Abiene curled over to kiss Maxical on the forehead. Then she carefully stood. “I’ll get Earnana’s things,” she said, putting her words to action. “There may be something we can use.” She slung the packs to the ground beside Eyja and then went to Kip. A rummage through the saddlebags produced an old half-empty waterskin. Oh please, let it be magicka potion. She raised it to her mouth and took a quick swallow, wincing in anticipation.

Magicka surged through her in a warm rush while she gagged on the rancid mushroom bits. Jerric’s potions were simple but potent, if you could get them down. Abiene coughed again and spit out some flax seed hulls.

She spoke under Kip’s neck as she moved over him, checking for injury. “Eyja, may I heal your burns? What about you, Honditar? Are you injured?” She knew Seth must have suffered some damage in the fight, but he was surely supplied with potions. Besides, her earlier offer still stood. She doubted he was one to forget, nor to hold back if the situation required it.

Back to the Wobbly Goblet, she thought. I may never drink their tea again, but Dibella knows I could use a bath.

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 12:39 AM

*

Honditar:

Honditar felt the relief of being able to pass that burden of denial onto Sethyas. He knew the desperate appeal in those eyes would be too much to bear; he'd end giving the girl the drugs and be no better than Earana.

He turned to Sethyas with the gratitude in his eyes.

"The girls can't travel these woods unescorted. I can help with the burial now; return straightaway, or send someone from the inn to help. It'll take more than one to get that Orc covered up.”

He glanced over the three horses he'd been able to re-catch. Abiene's big calm horse, the skittish stud and mare from the Wobbly.

“We’re short one horse. I'd say that one you were riding headed back to the stable, his trail led in that direction. Take that black stud I rode, he’s good to go. The girl there will need to be carried; she'll not be able to sit up for the ride down with that wound on her stomach. I can get mounted, if you’ll bring her to me and hand her up.”

He turned back to Abiene and Eyja.

“I'll need your horse, if you'll permit it, Abiene. You’re not strong enough to carry the girl, and he’s the only one of the three calm enough to ride her down. That mare might buck at a leaf blowing across the road. You two will have to ride together on the mare, leave the stud here for Sethyas.”

He paused, realizing he hadn’t made a good recommendation of riding the mare if Abiene wasn’t much of a horsewoman.

“Eyja can handle her, if you’re worried. You'll need to stay close, heal Maxical on the way down as needed."


*


Maxical:

Maxical patted Abiene’s arm when she kissed her, then suddenly was struck by a thought.

“Hey, wait a minute. Did you say the Wobbly Inn? Some sleazy man there tried to have his way with Abiene by drugging her morning tea! We’ll have to keep our eyes out for her, in case he is still there...er...lusting for her.”


*


Eyja:

Eyja caught Seth's eye with a twinkle of amusement in her own. If he hadn't believed her on the naivety of Maxical when it came to these things, he'd realize soon that she'd not exaggerated.

"Casta Scribonia romance novels." She whispered quietly with a grin at Seth.

"I heard that!" Maxical called. "Hey, I don't want to wear this black robe in a public inn, and I've wet it. Eyja, will you change my clothes before we go?"





*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 4 2013, 01:16 AM

Sethyas nodded. He didn't wish to leave any unattended, but as he'd mentioned to Eyja in their first meeting disposing of the deceased was something he'd done all the way from Morrowind to here. To lift the Orc, all he really needed was some of the Sujamma he'd brought. Made you as strong as it made you dumb, and he needed a stiff drink right about now.

"I said I could handle these arrangements, Honditar. I wouldn't offer if it were out my league. However, I thank you all the same." He said with cordiality but with a subtext that screamed I need to be alone for now! at the same time.

"Take anything you need from my pack. I have potions, weapons, scrolls. They should be marked clearly enough: I use Aldmeris, not Dunmeris." He offered as he grabbed a hatchet-like tool and another bottle of liquor, pausing as he considered and took out a restorative as well. His head was starting to pound from that lightning.

He imbibed the restorative and let the effects subside the others. His eyes didn't hurt as much now and the pounding was finally gone.

He drank the Sujamma, letting the slow burn give a different kind of pain, and set about to his task, grabbing the Orc first and dragging him by his legs up behind the pillars, and then Earana.

He grasped the Amulet of Arkay, and went about muttering the incantations he'd known since a child.

When he was finished, he took to the ground with his modified axe, and quickly as he could started to dig two graves.

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 01:52 AM

*

Eyja:


"Hush, Maxical. You're giving Seth the headache."

Eyja bent over Maxical, carefully untying the robe so not to cause any pain to the horrible burned wound on her stomach. It looked like an explosion had taken place there.

She left the robe under Maxical, taking her own water cask and cleansing her carefully off. Eyja glanced up at Abliene.

"She'll need something loose to wear back, I don't thing anything should rub that wound. Do you have anything? If not, will you see if Honditar does?"



*


Honditar:

Honditar recognized the signs of a man needing time to himself, he became the same bearish way when he'd had enough. He took the cue from Seth's mood to get the girls moving faster and quieter.

At Eyja's question he was already pulling one of his longish nightshirts from his pack. The girl would swim in it, as tiny a thing as she was; but it wouldn't harasss that wound.



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 4 2013, 02:38 AM

Drugging me to get under my skirt? Abiene smiled at Maxical’s notion. It was good to hear her voice again.

Seth got to work. Abiene held the horses while Eyja prepared Maxical. Honditar and Maxical got situated on Kip. The big gelding stood unperturbed. Abiene breathed a prayer for their safety, not the least of which for the horse.

Abiene glanced at Eyja’s prodigious bosom and then straight down past her own to her feet. “I’m not worried about staying on this mare, but maybe I should ride behind you just the same.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 03:29 AM

*

Maxical:


Maxical tugged uncomfortably against the heavy thickness of Honditar's shirt. Her legs felt bare without greaves or covering of some sort.

When Honditar was mounted, the Dunmer man...Seth, Eyja had called him; stopped his attacks on the ground with that hatchet and walked slowly over.

He'd never cursed while he dug, but Maxical had felt them emanating from him. Eyja said she'd given him the headache, but Maxical sensed it went beyond her mouth running to something much deeper.

Seth's mood was a Dunmer trait. They kept everything inside, and through the years the pain and death they lived through showed through the surface in these bearish moments. He needed time to face this alone, like Gils used to when something really harsh overwhelmed him.

When Seth carried her over to Abiene's horse to lift her up to Honditar she buried her nose in the cloth drape of his armor and breathed in deeply, once again savoring the combination of ingrained smoke and his breath; the brandy so heavily laced now that she could almost close her eyes and believe Gils was there filling her nostrils with those scents that brought him back to life for her in a way nothing else could. Dear gods she missed him.

It wasn't fair that a stranger could smell so much like him to evoke his memory so strongly. It taunted her with weakness, something she couldn't afford to feel; but didn't have the strength to stop breathing it in. Gils.

It was a relief when he handed her off to Honditar, whose manly sweat, dirt and leather scents brought no painful memories to dwell on.

Honditar moved Abiene's horse with slow care down the slope, keeping an occasional eye on the mare behind him to ensure they didn't get too far back. More than that he kept his eyes on the road ahead and to the sides of the path for enemies. Maxical watched his eyes, his focus and attention. He really would be good for Eyja if she would ever settle down.

At several points Honditar stopped the horse to let Abiene heal her, and it was a relief each time. The pain in her stomach was radiating through her with each step the big horse took.



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 4 2013, 11:48 AM

Abiene

The priory bells rang out as Honditar and Eyja guided the horses into the yard at the Wobbly Goblet. Abiene stayed behind to groom Kip and settle matters with Lowren while the others whisked Maxical into the inn.

Before she followed, Abiene stood for a moment looking up at the darkening sky. Exhaustion made her want to sink down into the primroses and sleep until the snows fell.

Hethilion was waiting for her inside the tavern. He led her up to the second floor and into a small guest room. To her surprise he opened another door within it. “Through here, miss.”

Abiene followed him into a well-appointed two-level apartment. There’s even a kitchen, she thought, amazed. Who would have known all this was behind one of those doors?

Hethilion spoke in a murmur. “Will you have a meal?”

The others must be asleep upstairs, Abiene realized. “No thank you, but I would like a bath in the lower chamber. I’ll sleep there tonight. I don’t want to disturb my friends.”

Hethilion nodded on his way back out.

Abiene found a windowed sleeping alcove and a larger bed chamber on the upper level. Maxical lay on the big bed cradled in Eyja’s arms. They both were asleep.

Years of sneaking out to meet inappropriate boyfriends had given Abiene the silent feet of a night thief. She drifted to Maxical’s side of the bed. A touch confirmed her fears.

Why does that wound keep opening? She cast the healing spell with the care she used at the bedsides of critical patients. No sound or light disturbed the chamber’s peace, but the skin knit together again across Maxical’s belly.

Abiene remembered the Welkynd stone explosion. Perhaps shards had been driven into Maxical’s flesh and been made undetectable by either Maxical’s magical disorder or the nature of the Welkynd stone itself. She would look again in the morning. For now they all needed sleep.

On the way back down to her room she realized that Honditar wasn’t there anymore. Perhaps he went out this back door. She tried the knob to make sure it was locked.

Back in the small chamber Abiene stripped out of her filthy clothes, stuffed them into the inn’s laundry bag, and hung it out on the door knob. The inn’s staff would know what to do. She retrieved the necessities from her pack and slipped into the steaming water.

Bathe first, then relax. She had dry blood in her ears from gro-Gonk’s punch, but most of the day’s filth had landed on her clothing. Abiene scrubbed away the sweat, rinsed her hair, and lay back against the tub’s high edge. Don’t fall asleep.

She woke some time later in the cold tub. Her hair was still damp but no longer dripping.

Jerric’s Weatherward ring kept her from shivering, but she hurried just the same. Wet towels onto the rack, nightie over her head, feet under the bedcovers. She was asleep again before her cheek hit the pillow.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 4 2013, 02:43 PM

Earth met hatchet and was thrown out to the pile alongside the graves. The sujamma and remnant energies were being redirected into this task. Ninety percent of Master Goren Andarys defensive philosophy was about redirection.

The heart beats. It knows no direction. It merely goes on, in unending rhythm. The veins and arteries guide and redirect this force, bringing life to every extremity. This is the essence of Redirection. It takes more effort and power to meet a force head on, why do this? I carry no shield that can be seen, my knowledge; my mind is my shield. I let my opponent move as they wish. Then I move them as I wish.

He grabbed the greatly damaged body of the Orc, and carefully laid it out into the grave. To him, he returned his weapon, gave some coins and alcohol, and repeated Arkay's Blessing once more.

He took Earana's corpse and laid her out carefully. To her he gave a potion of magicka, some coin and alcohol, and repeated Arkay's Blessing once more.

Go now. If you return as vengeful spirits, your unsavory actions brought this upon you. See the truth in this, and seek redemption. Not the unending cycle of vengeance. He thought prayed over them.

He filled and covered them as best he could, trying to make them look part of the natural surroundings rather than freshly dug graves.

I am finished. Now, can I take a damn bath, Mephala? Or is there more intrigue you have set aside for me? He thought crossly, yet in jest.

He returned to the Wobbly Goblet in shorter time than one would expect for a mer on foot. But he'd walked all the way from Morrowind here, and to most places in his years. He was more than just a little used too it.

The evening had come, and the drinking revelers brought their end of the day relief with them, in spite of the bustling crowd he still managed to get a bath brought into his room. While he waited he silently checked in on his new companions, preferring to observe than to engage at that moment in time.

Besides, he was sweaty and smelly from his laborious efforts, even he was offending himself with his scent.

Finally, he checked and rechecked everything in his room. The hairs he'd placed on the windows with a bit of saliva were still there, the thin layer of saltrice flour, which was more grey than white and nearly invisible on these hardwood floors showed no signs of disturbance or tracks other than his.

He took off the armor piece by piece, laying it neatly next to the dresser and laid out his weapons in similar fashion, keeping his silver dagger with him as he did at all times. He let himself surrender to the warmth of the bath, which he'd added some salts and herbs too, and let it go to work on his strained muscles.

He extended his senses listening to anything and everything in the Inn. Sipping slowly on a flask of flin, even in rest he continued his vigil.

Finally clean and relaxed, he dressed for bed but went to his alchemy station and prepared a concoction for Maxical's skooma addiction. He re-read his own notes on the subject as well as some studies he'd acquired over the years from mages and healers who 'lowered' themselves to working with the afflicted.

He'd tried moon sugar himself, but not in the conventional sense. It had it's use in alchemical preparations such as 'fortify speed' and 'dispel'. It was also quite illegal, especially in Morrowind. Out here, the Cyrod's seemed to be a bit more lax on it, if a little more open to alternate forms of trade. He believed the Dunmer simply refused it on the basis that it was a 'Khajiit' drug and were notoriously racist. That didn't mean Morrowind didn't have it's fair share of addicts as well. They were known as having a 'sweet tooth'.

Skooma was the more powerful narcotic, still derived from moon sugar and it was powerfully intoxicating. Divayth Fyr; the ancient Telvanni wizard was also a casual user. It was in fact he who had taught him how to create the separator philter. Apparently derived from his work with attempting to cure corpus disease, he tested it extensively on addicts who were desperate for the 'cure'. Initially the brew was a little too powerful, resulting in the addicts actually dying from the stress of extreme withdrawal.

He'd cut it back quite a few notches, and started to see some progress. When that progress halted, he'd lost interest and moved onto another avenue of treatment, abandoning the libation altogether. Not without using it on himself after the occasional skooma use however, which helped to prevent a physical addiction in the first place.

Since then, Sethyas had made a few of his own adjustments to the remedy. Notably adding simple tannins from trama root tea that reduced the stress hormones in the bloodstream helping to induce a sense of general wellbeing in to the imbiber. He in fact instructed that it was best taken with dark teas over a short period of time.

Maxical was doubtless suffering, and he finished the potion with a sense of relief himself. He scribed it's direction for use on a loose parchment, and folded it neatly, wrapping it together with the vial that housed the 'cure', and left his room to deliver it too Eyja.

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 05:42 PM

*

Eyja slipped out of bed so not to disturb Maxical, and tiptoed down the steps when she saw Abiene sleeping in the bedroom at the far end of the suite. She rifled through the kitchen and had eaten more than she'd intended to when she heard the knock on the connecting door to the room. She hurried to answer, glad to see Seth had made it back.

"We left a horse for you, but while we were unsaddling it showed up riderless." She stepped back and invited him in, leading the way to the suite. "Are you hungry? There is a full kitchen in this suite."

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 4 2013, 05:56 PM

"I guess it got bored waiting for me..." He shrugged. He was used to walking, even preferred it. He didn't need all sorts of foods,gear, and skills to maintain his legs.

The offer for food sounded better than he'd expected. He hadn't eaten since this morning when she thought he was making a potion, only realizing it at the suggestion.

"That does sound good...after we check it thoroughly of course. I needed to instruct you on the potion for Maxical anyways. I wrote down it's instructions but you may still have questions." He nodded accepting her offer.

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 06:36 PM

*

The Wobbly Inn Suite Kitchen area:


http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/images/43625-5-1375191456.jpg


http://oblivion.nexusmods.com/mods/images/43625-1-1375191455.jpg



Eyja:

"To be honest, I was so hungry this morning that I ate without checking for poisons." Eyja spread her arm out, inviting him to take whatever he wanted from the stores there.

"As you see it is fully stocked; there is plenty here, and the fireplace is set up for cooking. I've seen how cooking relaxes you, so I'll sit and let you take over. Use whatever you would like; just make sure you leave a couple sweetrolls and some strawberries for Maxical. That's all she ever eats unless they have S'Jirra's Potato bread."

Eyja sat in one of the chairs at the table, dusting off the crumbs from her meal and tossing them into the fire.

"You are right though, now that we are back here there is always the question of who the intended target of that first assassination attempt was. I haven't had time to even dwell on it since this happened with Maxical."

She watched him expertly checking over several items for tampering. "Unless they were targeting the inn itself, I would have to think they were targeting someone local, maybe someone on the staff. One of the guests may have been followed here, but then why not take them out on the road?"


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 4 2013, 07:05 PM

"To be honest, I was so hungry this morning that I ate without checking for poisons." Eyja said inviting him to the larder.

"Really? Well. I suppose you would have smelled something or we'd have noticed any ill effects by now." He remarked looking over the foodstuffs. He did his usual ritual and soon determined the food was safe.

"As you see it is fully stocked; there is plenty here, and the fireplace is set up for cooking. I've seen how cooking relaxes you, so I'll sit and let you take over. Use whatever you would like; just make sure you leave a couple sweetrolls and some strawberries for Maxical. That's all she ever eats unless they have S'Jirra's Potato bread." She commented.

"That can't be healthy." Sethyas shook his head, laughing. But, who was he too judge.

"I wish you'd said something this morning though. I'm always willing to break bread with people." he said nonchalantly.

He grabbed a few miscellaneous items, and set them up for later use.

He then set up a teapot alongside the fire.

Immediately going to work on the vegetables, cutting carrots, celery, potatoes and some leeks into small chunks. He grabbed a small pot, and put them in with some butter to start simmering. Than he grabbed a paper-wrapped ground meat. Smelling it seemed to indicate it was fresh and probably boar meat. He dumped this in the simmering pot as well.

He than went to work on some flour, kneading it into a thick dough, and lining the bottom of a pan with one section. When the smell of the simmering meat and vegetables rose to nearly being complete, he dumped these into the pan, and grabbed the white, salty goat's cheese and layered it evenly on top. For the completion he put the second section of dough on top of that, pinching the lattice shut. He put the lid on, and put it over the fire to bake.

About twenty minutes, and some Shepherd's Pie. He thought, clapping the remaining flour from his hands, and than washing them in the basin.

"You are right though, now that we are back here there is always the question of who the intended target of that first assassination attempt was. I haven't had time to even dwell on it since this happened with Maxical." Eyja said, as he prepared some Trama Root Tea, pouring cups for the two of them.

"Unless they were targeting the inn itself, I would have to think they were targeting someone local, maybe someone on the staff. One of the guests may have been followed here, but then why not take them out on the road?"


"Speaking of which..." Sethyas pondered. "Maxical mentioned she saw a man drug Abiene's tea? I don't know what state she was in...or does that have nothing to do with this?" He said, blowing on his cup.

"But otherwise, yes...who was being targeted if at all? But, the quality of the poison doesn't suggest an amateur at all, I'm going with the idea that Abiene was being targeted, and by someone with either the skills, or the resources to hire someone of that skill. This suggests someone wealthy with a large enough secret to hide, or someone who is very skilled that made a involuntary slip that could lead to their downfall."

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 08:32 PM

*

Eyja gave a half laugh, half choke. "I will ask, but I think Maxical realized Abiene had been poisoned, and just jumped to the conclusion it was done by some man wanting to have his way with Abiene. Abiene is a beautiful woman, and Maxical is...naive. She has no real experience; went almost straight from being a pampered teen to this service for Akatosh."

Eyja hesitated, unsure if he'd been made to feel awkward by Maxical equating his smell with that of her husband.

"The man you smell so much like was her husband, a Dunmer named Gils. Their marriage was brief, he was killed before it was even consumated. Since then she has been hunting the necromancer that killed him and took his soul. I don't know how much you know about female Khajiit, but they are loyal to their spouses beyond the grave. You need have no worries; you may smell like him, but you are not him. She'll have no thought of anything but the memories and the loss."

Eyja flushed with embarrassment when she recognized immediately that he was making Shepherd's Pie. Her past coming back to haunt her. She caught the quizzical expression in his eyes and flushed deeper.

"I...Shepherd's Pie was the package of delivery when I poisoned marks. I make a delicious one, and never had to worry they wouldn't receive the full dose."

She tapped her finger on the table, meditating on his words about Abiene being the target. "Abiene did tell me a list of secrets she held; clients she had treated."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 4 2013, 09:30 PM

Sethyas chuckled. "Have no fear. Believe it or not, I'm a married mer. Plus, casual dalliances are...quite some time behind me." He said, gazing into the reflection of the tea as though it showed distant memories. Though he'd had one or two flings in his distant past, they were more 'passion of the moment' rather than something in his nature.

His brow did furrow at the revelation of her husband dying before it all truly began. Too much like Ilmeni. "I...I-I am sorry for that..truly." What is it with you two and sharing my pain? He thought sardonically.

Her recognition of his dish came somewhat as a surprise. So the coincidences continue. Mephala may be behind this yet.

"Do you? Well, I'll have to get the recipe from you...both aspects of it." he jested darkly.

When she spoke of the clients list he nodded appreciatively.

"We'll need that, as well as follow the tea. Who made it? Who brought it to her? If she made it herself, who was in the tavern at that moment? Any of these things can be the detail we need to find our assassin." he sorted out in his mind.

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 10:43 PM

*

Eyja:


"I asked her if the one she ordered the tea from was the same who brought it to her, but it was all a fog to her still at the time; the effect of the poisoning itself and probably shock and fear learning about it. She was pretty far along with it, the whites of her eyes were showing blue. The only reason she lived is that Maxical dragged her to the Guild and insisted a mage there heal her steadily. It kept her organs going even as the poison was trying to destroy them. She'd have died in her sleep otherwise."

Eyja tapped her finger quietly on the table again, a nervous habit when she was thinking.

"She may yet remember. I know she ate at the buffet; I saw her take a large breakfast from it and attack it with gusto. Since no one else was poisoned, it must have been in the drink. The Proprietor has a list of guests, but the one who did this wouldn't have signed a register."

Eyja turned around in her seat to face him.

"There was a huge crowd for breakfast here all morning, only a couple of them guests of the inn. Abiene took her tea outside to drink, probably to escape the noise. Maxical did the same, she hates crowds. Maxical liked that bench because you can hear the Priory bells sitting there. She sat beside Abiene and struck up a conversation with her. I stopped by the bench to get Maxical not thirty minutes later. Abiene was...scattered, unable to focus on the conversation. Neither Maxical or I knew her, so could think nothing unusual about it. But when I came inside to talk to you, she must have worsened. Honditar said Maxical had to all but carry her through the gate, he was moved to help her by the sight."

Eyja held up one finger. "One hour. It had to be liquid to act that quickly. She told us she was to be at work at eight, that is her scheduled hour. Schedules make easy targets."

She took a forkfull of his Shepherd's Pie without asking, then pointed her fork at him with a grin. "Mine's better. I'll give you the recipe."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 4 2013, 11:22 PM

Seth took it all in, building a picture in his mind. It did add up as she said. They knew her schedule, when and where to best strike, and left it all within a huge cloak of faces. Perhaps the best form of stealth. A noise in the dark focused the mind. A miasma of faces confused it. No doubt the rest of the crowd would yield a similar story.

The list of patients then, and there was but one rule that he carried from his time in the Guild.

Follow the money.

An assassination attempt of this calibre and sophistication...he would've hired the perpetrator in a heartbeat. Despite the fact that this person was now; whether they knew it or not, his target, he couldn't help but admire the level of skill.

That also made him think: It was a woman's touch.

He blinked as he thought it that same instant she stole some of his food. Was he just being sexist? True he could be just as subtle, and had in fact been in the past...

It was just a hunch, something about the way she said that her's was better. Men were aggressive, women were subtle. It wasn't a matter of superiority, it was just playing to strengths. Women didn't need to be stronger than men physically, they could just pout, show a bit of skin and the hard work was done for them.

Men on the other hand preferred to be hands-on watch and admire their work. They could be but a shadow in the dark with a hidden blade, but a woman would be far more likelier to poison and watch from a distance.

Just like Mephala's Duality. No wonder He/She is represented in Hermaphroditic Relief.

He took a sip of the tea before he shared his thought.

"Just a hunch...does this strike you as something a woman would do?" he shared.

Posted by: mALX Aug 4 2013, 11:40 PM

Eyja:

Eyja shrugged, laying her fork down to let him know she was done swiping his food.

"It had to be a pro, and they can come across as either male or female at will when their work is analyzed. I usually leave markings of a male behind for the investigators if a body is left to be found."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 4 2013, 11:56 PM

True. He thought.

"Just a hunch as I said. It is getting late, and my mind is working more slowly than it should." He said, getting up from the table, leaving the potion for Maxical.

"As I said, you might have questions concerning it, but I believe that the note should be sufficient." his eyes motioned to it.

"I can't quite finish my meal, and I feel the effects of a heavy meal and a long day. I'll meet up with you all in the morning, rest easy for now if you can. I am glad she is safe. If you need me for anything, you know where I am." He said amiably, the rims of his eyes becoming as red as the rest of them.

"We'll go over the list, and try to eliminate as many possibilities as we can." He said rubbing his eyes, and taking the tea with him.

"Oh, sorry. You were courteous enough to offer me your kitchen, shall I clean this up?" He offered.

Posted by: mALX Aug 5 2013, 12:02 AM

*

Eyja:

She waved him away from cleaning up with a laugh. "No no. Cleaning up a mess is something I am very good at, I think you have seen my skills at it once already."

Eyja walked him to the door, but stopped him before he opened it.

"Seth...thank you. Thank you for everything."



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 5 2013, 12:08 AM

He just smiled at her, a rare expression to say the least.

"I am alive to do these things you thank me for, because of you."

He gave her a very serious look.

"I am...." he paused for a moment, shadow falling over his face.

"...very tired, so we can finish this in the morrow." He said breaking into a yawn.

Posted by: mALX Aug 5 2013, 12:35 AM

*

Eyja tilted her head to one side, wondering what he'd started to say. "We are even then, or I am in your debt. You saved us all from that Orc twice."

She waited till she heard his room door close and latch before closing her own and latching it. Eyja brought the medicine he'd left behind up to Maxical's room and checked on her, then slumped down into the overstuffed chair by the bed to read the instructions.



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 5 2013, 05:39 AM

Abiene, morning

Abiene woke disoriented. It took a moment to remember where she was and determine that she was not late for work. We’re at the inn. You’ve been dismissed for the week. And Maxical is safe.

The violence from the day before had not returned to haunt her dreams. She had feared waking in the night unguarded and shaking with old grief brought close again. It hadn’t happened.

The seed of an idea from the night before had blossomed in her mind. Abiene was anxious to try it, with permission of course. But first things first.

Abiene went through an abbreviated version of her morning exercise then splashed her face with cold water from the basin. She took a sip of her potion as she had been directed and tucked it away again carefully wrapped in a shirt. Hunger gnawed at her. That was a good sign.

An enticing aroma made her mouth water. Was that coffee? She glanced down at her modest nightgown. Not suitable for the tavern but between the girls it would do. She opened the door to the suite and padded barefoot to the kitchen area.

Posted by: mALX Aug 5 2013, 07:14 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja heard Abiene waking up and coming down the stairs just as she was finishing up the cleaning of the kitchen. She had pulled every dish, glass, and utensil and washed it; not willing to trust an inn's staff to have done a thorough job.

By the time Abiene reached the kitchen Eyja had laid out a bowl of fresh fruit in the center of the table, a hunk of cheese on a plate, and the loaf of bread Seth had made on a clean cutting board with a slab of butter on a plate beside it.

"Seth stopped by a few hours ago, and made us a Shepherd's Pie if you are hungry. It is delicious, but I didn't tell him that; I told him mine was better. He left this potion for Maxical, and these instructions."

She set the potion and instructions down on the table and ladled out some of the pie and the bread Seth had made onto a metal griddle, balancing it over the fire in the fireplace while she talked.

"Abiene; Seth and I checked all the food in this kitchen for signs of tampering. You will be safe as long as you only eat or drink in here; but we have to keep the doors sealed from staff or others entering to keep it that way. I used a spell to magically seal the doors to this suite, and after you returned last night I sealed the room door as well so the staff can't enter again. The spell is tamper-proof, only Seth can enter. Seth's room is next to ours; if someone knocks on our room door, don't open it till you hear his coded knock."

She rapped it out on the table for Abiene, then pulled a scroll from her pocket and set it on the table.

"Here is a copy of the spell so you can come and go at will, but ensure you seal the door behind you each time so none can enter while you are out."

She wrapped a towel around her hand and flipped the bread.

"Seth thinks for the time being it would be best to assume you were the target and isolate your means of food supply to something we can control. That will force the assassin to find another means if you are the target. He will have to come out of the shadows and reveal himsef, and Seth and I will be watching for him."

She put a towel over her hands and pulled the griddle out; laying it on the hearth while she pulled a clean plate out.

"It would be best if you could stay close to the inn, it is always best to force enemies to come to where you are prepared for them. That is here, where Seth or I will be protecting you. Whoever did this is a pro, someone has hired them. A pro wouldn't lose control of the packa...poison until it was in the mark's hands. That means it is very possible you were the target."

She set the warmed pie and bread onto the plate, then dropped a dollop of butter on the bread, setting it before Abiene along with some clean utensils.

"Seth made the homemade bread too. Here, let me pour you some hot coffee." She continued talking while she poured.

"The cost in gold for a pro like this one was...the one who hired them would be very rich, and probably with high or dark connections. Think of these clients whose secrets you hold, which of them meet that criteria."

Eyja pushed a bowl of sugar and a small pitcher of heavy cream in front of Abiene before plunking down in the seat across from her.

"I know this is hard to hear before breakfast, but they will strike again; and if we don't face this proactively they may succeed next time. They will have to get you out from the safety of this suite, and everyone knows you are the healer. They could pretend an illness and the staff would immediately send you into their hands. You must be wary of every call that takes you from this suite."

Eyja leaned back, cutting a piece of Seth's bread and buttering it. She took a large bite, chewing it ruminatively; then washed it down with coffee from her own cup.

"Try the coffee, you'll not taste another as good. It is Maxical's, she has it imported from another province. Fathis got her spoiled on it from childhood, and it is one luxury she will not do without."

She took another bite of the buttered bread. "Maxical's fever broke finally, and the vein is back to normal on her forehead; but that wound on her stomach is still terrible. I don't have any but basic spells; but kept healing her every time I woke. I think we all needed the rest."



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 5 2013, 03:24 PM

Abiene

Eyja had already laid out an inviting breakfast, and the smells of fresh bread and savory meat pie made Abiene’s stomach gurgle.

“Good morning,” said Abiene. “At least that’s my best guess. I have no idea how long I slept, but it was well worth it.”

Eyja gestured at the fireplace. “Seth stopped by a few hours ago, and made us a Shepherd's Pie if you are hungry. It is delicious, but I didn't tell him that; I told him mine was better. He left this potion for Maxical, and these instructions.”

Abiene sat down at the table and looked at Seth’s instructions. Eyja would be the best one to keep track of Maxical’s medication, but Abiene was eager to learn anything she could about overcoming addiction. The Mages Guild tended to ignore unprofitable ventures, and the chapels of the Nine focused on faith as a cure. The knowledge she needed most was held by those who were too busy practicing to teach. Abiene often found herself struggling to re-discover that which was already known but out of her reach.

Eyja spoke about codes, magical seals, a spell scroll, and tampering. Abiene blinked up at her then reached for the coffee.

By Dibella, this is magnificent! She closed her eyes and breathed in the aroma. A slight smokiness told her the beans had been expertly roasted. Earthy and cereal notes hinted at a complexity that she would not want to sully with sugar or cream. The coffee felt velvety in her mouth, the taste a rich balance of flavors across her tongue.

Eyja served up the hot food, talking of intrigue and assassins. Abiene felt completely out of her depth again. She simply listened.

Until the shepherd’s pie hit the table. Abiene scooped a healthy portion onto her plate. Take it easy, she warned herself. This morning she had a longshoreman’s appetite, but her stomach still remembered scamp skin and electrocuted Altmers.

Eyja spoke between bites of her own breakfast. “Maxical's fever broke finally, and the vein is back to normal on her forehead; but that wound on her stomach is still terrible. I don't have any but basic spells; but kept healing her every time I woke. I think we all needed the rest.”

Abiene nodded. “We did need the rest. You did well getting Maxical through the night, I’m sure it was your constant care that she needed most.” She kept her voice neutral. Eyja had tried to conceal the depth of her devotion once Maxical had awakened, and Abiene did not want to make a reference to Eyja’s strong emotions. For all Abiene knew Eyja might consider her admission to be a sign of weakness.

“This morning I feel ready to take on the next challenge,” Abiene continued. She raised her cup. “Maxical must import this coffee straight from Aetherius, and Seth’s shepherd’s pie is so good I’d wager it has healing properties. Someday I’d love to taste yours so we can compare. Thank you for this.” She smiled at Eyja, her heart lightening in her company. “You’re right, rest and nourishment were what we needed.” Though I would dearly love to feel the weight of a man.

“Eyja, I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve forgotten that code already. Would you show me again?” Abiene repeated the simple rhythm, a blush heating her cheeks.

“I thought some more about the poisoning as we rode back here, but first I’d like to focus on Maxical. Remember how you asked about magicka yesterday? Let’s use your analogy of a well. Each person is a well, and magicka flows or seeps in like water. Spells draw magicka like buckets from the well. Different schools of magic draw from the same well, but you might say they require different buckets. My bucket for Restoration would be very small, since my experience makes those spells cost me very little magicka. In healing I can draw many times from my magical well. My Destruction bucket would be large, as I am unskilled and the smallest spell requires more of me. With only a few spells my well would empty. ”

Abiene paused to allow Eyja to stop her or ask a question.

“I bring this up because you asked about Maxical’s inability to heal herself. I don’t understand her condition, but in our terms I would say that her Restoration bucket has no rope, so she cannot access her magicka at all with those spells. I’m afraid I can’t explain her Destruction anomaly. But the point I’m getting to is this.”

She took a deep breath to settle her nerves. What she was about to propose was akin to Necromancy and not approved by guild or chapel. She hoped Eyja would not judge her harshly. “After we resolve Maxical’s abdominal wound she will benefit from a restoration of the organs damaged by the shock spell. I’m talking about more than just healing. For example if her arm was severed I might heal the stump, but it would take true restoration to re-grow the limb. They don’t teach that at the Arcane University, at least not any more. There are of course powers in this realm and outside it that can accomplish such things, but they are unavailable to me. If you have access to them you should use them. Otherwise I’ll do my best, but I’ll need more than my own magicka well to do it. I can draw from Maxical’s magicka and yours if you will allow it, as I did yesterday. The effect is not painful but it can be disconcerting.

“But first we must address the stomach wound. If I’m right we’ll find shards of Welkynd stone in the flesh over Maxical’s abdomen. I’ll need to examine her again, but I hope I’ll be able to remove them with my debride spell. They’re probably in deep or I would have noticed them before. The spell dissolves anything that is not living tissue and converts it harmlessly to air. It’s not strong for safety reasons, so it will take some effort. Also it’s not safe to allow air bubbles to form in Maxical’s abdomen. If the shards are deep I’ll use my blade to open the flesh so they can escape. In surgery at the healing hall I use another practitioner to safely immobilize and anesthetize the patient. I know the spells but I’ll need all of my magicka in case something unexpected occurs. I would suggest a potion that will put her to sleep and paralyze her nerves if possible. It would only need a short duration. I make my preparations slowly, but I work quickly with the knife.”

Abiene’s watched for Eyja’s reaction. This was not the time to mention that the spell would also dissolve the fur on Maxical’s stomach leaving a significant bald patch. Hopefully I’ll have enough magicka to regrow it before anyone notices.

Posted by: mALX Aug 5 2013, 06:43 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja showed Abiene the coded knock again. “The code will change daily, you understand. A safety precaution in case someone is keeping surveillance in chameleon outside the door.”

Eyja’s frustration was growing as she talked by Abiene’s blank expression and automatic nodding. Abiene wasn’t listening. She was her own worst enemy, She and Seth couldn’t keep her alive if she didn’t take this seriously. She needed to reach her, wake her up. Eyja had learned one weakness Abiene had that first day in the road.

Eyja looked Abiene directly in the eye and spoke loudly. “JERRIC!”

She watched a myriad of emotions flicker over Abiene’s face before speaking again.

“Now, do I have your attention? Good. Seth and I are trying to keep you alive, Abiene. We need your help to do it. You have to come out of that fog of denial and realize it is very likely someone you know wants you dead and has hired a pro to do it. Pro‘s don‘t fail, they keep coming back till the job is done. Seth and I can kill one, and another will be sent by the organization. You have to take this seriously.”

Guilt washed over her at Abiene’s obvious shock, but she didn‘t soften her voice. Abiene needed to be proactive if there was even a possibility this assassin was targeting her.

“I’m sorry, Abiene; but we are doing all we can to keep you alive, and you are not helping us. In the end it is you who will lose your life if you cannot listen when help is offered.”

Eyja reached in her pocket and pulled out a silver ring with a sapphire stone.

“Here, you’ll need to wear one of these. It detects life forms whether the person is invisible or not. If you see a pink form and no one is there, run. Get behind a door and magically seal it or run to me or Seth with all speed. Throw stuff behind you as you go to trip them up; bottles or vials, books, anything you can get your hands on. Don’t hesitate or feel foolish, any hesitation could cost your life.“

Eyja took Abiene’s empty plate and utensils and began washing them as she talked.

“Restoring her organs...how much successful experience have you had doing this? And if there are air bubbles in her stomach, won’t she just fart them out?”

Abiene mentioned cutting into Maxical’s already wounded stomach, and Eyja spun around with the dripping dish in her hand.

“Cut her with a blade? NO! Er...will it help her?“

She turned one way and then the other, dripping the soapy water from the plate into an arc on the floor.

“I want to see the blade you will use first, and personally sterilize it before it touches her. I don’t know where it has been last, and don’t trust anyone’s version of clean but my own when it comes to her. Hanni...Arch Mage Traven taught me his own method for sterilization of instruments.”


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 5 2013, 11:08 PM

Maxical:

Several times in the night she woke, unable to tell if she was still dreaming or really was awake. Seth standing over her and Eyja's sleeping forms like a dark guardian. Was he really there? He was like a shadow that lived, moving more silently than even Eyja as he slipped back down the stairs.

Maybe it had been part of a dream, a vision. The soft red of his eyes in the dark, the faint scent of his body. Sweat, dirt, the brandy and smoke. Everything about him a paradox, just like Gils. There was no doubt he was someone's assassin, but she knew he wasn't here for her. Eyja trusted him, and she didn't make mistakes.

It wasn't his red eyes that haunted her dreams, but those that glowed on the wolf Earana had guard her bed in that sanctuary below the city. That wolf and the terrible aching need for that cream.

It didn't take much to figure out why Earana drugged her. She wanted someone to take that jolt for her, and no one in their right mind would have stood willingly to be electrocuted by the gathered forces of nature.

Maxical drew on every resource she had within herself not to cry out for that cream. She had to fight this, would not become like Gellius, who would sell his soul for a vial of Skooma. The worst part was, expending all her willpower on fighting this would leave her weak in other ways.

She didn't dare confront Malan without every resource available to fight him. He would smell her weakness like it was an odor in the air, and end the victor over her just like he did over Gils and Fathis. She needed to cure this completely and heal this wound before he smelled her frail state and hunted her down.

Some time through the night she'd heard Eyja and the Dunmer Seth discussing an assassination attempt. Maybe Malan had already found her. If that sweet Abiene had taken the hit for her, she would have never forgiven herself; even though it wouldn't have been at her hand or will.

Maxical fretted and tossed with the pain and worry, several times waking Eyja up. She'd never seen Eyja so exhausted, but even in her sleep she'd continued casting healing on her stomach to ease the pain.

It was the only way the night was bearable, kept her from crying out with the pain of that stomach, the ache for the cream. For once Maxical didn't gripe about Eyja's hugging, but nestled in and took comfort from it.


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 5 2013, 11:58 PM

Abiene

The code will change daily? It was all Abiene could do to keep from burying her face in her palm. She took the silver Detect Life ring, but there were no pockets in her nightie so it stayed on the table.

Eyja was right. Abiene did need to focus on her own situation now that Maxical was out of immediate danger. Eyja and Sethyas stood between her and a professional killer by their own choice. Abiene had to do as she was told or risk losing their protection.

She had always preferred to make mistakes rather than surrendering her judgment, but now the stakes were too high. Abiene brought her knees up and tucked her gown around them to keep from fidgeting. Then she stood to help with the breakfast dishes. Eyja was washing so she picked up a dish towel to dry them.

Eyja had some questions. “Restoring her organs...how much successful experience have you had doing this? And if there are air bubbles in her stomach, won’t she just fart them out?”

Abiene bit her lip. “I’m afraid that the air bubbles might not be in her actual stomach, but possibly throughout her tissue. There would be no way to pass them and at the worst she might experience arterial…” Abiene decided to cut the lecture and get to the point. “She could die.” She put one plate away and picked up another. “I have minimal experience restoring organs. One of my patients is recovering kidney function through regular treatments, and I have improved liver function in two others. I believe that Maxical will be able to live a normal life if she chooses not to undergo such a treatment, but she will need regular healing to keep herself going. To… manage the processes that her body should be doing on its own. Many folk live in such a condition. This type of restoration is not widely practiced.” Possibly to keep healers in business.

Eyja sprayed a great deal of soapy water as she contemplated Maxical’s surgery. Abiene dropped the dish towel and swiped it around with her foot to dry the floor. She had her own concerns about Eyja’s method of sterilization, but it was not Abiene’s way to confront and argue unless sorely pressed. Instead she stayed silent, listening to Eyja’s concerns. They could discuss the specifics after she agreed. Eyja’s reaction was not unexpected. Most people including many health practitioners shared it. It made no sense to cut into flesh for the purpose of healing unless one could see the source of the problem festering underneath.

Abiene spoke when Eyja seemed finished, or at least too upset to continue. “Maxical may be better off seeking the Arch-Mage’s help in the long term, but I am confident that I can close her belly wound. I’m happy to show you my scalpels, and there’s something else I have with me that might ease your mind.” Or possibly make you vomit. “Master Selvilo is the finest surgeon in Cyrodiil, and I am his only student. I waited two years for the position to open so that I could come to Chorrol and study under him.” Abiene softened her tone so that her pride wouldn’t sound like arrogance. “It’s true that I’m unskilled in combat and ignorant of my own safety. To you and Sethyas I must seem like a bumbling child. But I am among the best in what I can do. If you will not allow me to treat Maxical’s wound I must urge you to take her to the Arcane University immediately. You trust the Arch-Mage, and you will follow his advice. Whatever you decide please let me examine Maxical again when she wakes. She has a hard fight against addiction. Constant pain is not helping.”

Abiene picked up the dish towel. “Shall I go get my things to show you?”

Posted by: mALX Aug 6 2013, 01:17 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja watched Abiene fiddle with the life detect ring and then set it on the table. Did she think she could put it on only when she wanted to check for an assassin’s presence? She was as stubborn as a child, protecting her would not be an easy task.

When she finished with the last dish she took the dishtowel Abiene had used on the floor to the utility area by the suite door and added it into a pile of used rags she had scrubbed the floor with earlier.

When she came back she scrubbed the table with a fresh towel and then washed her hands thoroughly. As she was drying them, she looked pointedly at the ring on the table, then held her hand up to Abiene to show her a matching ring on her own finger.

“It has to be worn to work. Your finger or toe doesn’t matter. I did not mention Arch Mage Traven’s training to belittle yours, Abiene. He trained me in every way to protect Maxical with her disorder. I have to be careful for her sake. Let us have a truce between us of our stubborn wills, it will make protecting you easier, and my Nord ways more tolerable and palatable for you. Did you not learn Nords are stubborn from your Jerric?”

She followed Abiene to her room to view her surgical equipment, grabbing her own pack on the way.

“This surgeon you are in training with, will he attend?”



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 6 2013, 01:48 AM

Thank You, Seth.

The words actually could cause him pain.

He wasn't worthy of them, nor would he ever be. To end a life, ended all of the possibilities that life held. For good or bad. Future acquaintances, future families...everything.

Was it so strange that the early Morag Tong wanted to 'murder the world'? True enough that they were Sithis-worshippers. Nothing like the asylum-escapees of the Dark Brotherhood who actually thought that Sithis was conscious, or even was made more powerful by their 'ritual'. Sithis was just emptiness, an infinite expanse of nothingness that swallowed the multitude whole.

Anu was infinity, and Sithis was negation; subtraction. The interplay of these primordial forces made Oblivion, Aetherius and the Aurbis. Their world was the eddy in the stream that entered the mouth of Sithis' cave.

Within that eddy, there was Causality.

Within that causality, he had learned it wasn't so much that it was random, so much as patterns associating themselves with other patterns of similar nature. Treachery followed treachery. Vengeance followed vengeance.

Kindness, Love, Compassion, followed themselves. But they alone could overcome these other patterns. The Mortals of this world, were the harbingers of these patterns. When he could forgive himself, then perhaps, these ideal patterns would not hurt him.

Sleep, or you're no good to anyone. He commanded himself.

His consciousness slipped into the void of dreams. A place that Vaermina only ever came by once in a great while. No, this place belonged too Sheogorath mainly. A place where he dreamed he was alive, and normal.

Red eyes opened to the dawn.

Coffee? Haven't smelled that in years. Much less that good.

He heard the pitter-patter of feet on the tavern floor, feminine. Certainly not used to sneaking.

The voices of Abiene and Eyja talking confirmed his suspicions. He donned his armor and weapons scanning the entirety of the quarters for any clues of tampering. Nothing struck a chord.

Best to let the girls have their time together. They've earned it. He thought making his tea, and opening the windows and the door just a crack, to signal he was awake and available.

Inhaling his hackle-lo, he heard Eyja beginning to scold Abiene speaking aloud a name unfamiliar to him.

Jerric?

*Seth and I are trying to keep you alive!* The muted voice carried.

*Pro‘s don‘t fail, they keep coming back till the job is done. Seth and I can kill one, and another will be sent by the organization.*

That they did.

I'll kill every last one. Then the one who hired them. Seth thought violently.

It sickens me when people prey on the the truly good and charitable like Abiene. Her type was the only reason Setsuna and I didn't starve. The rest turned us away as penniless 'demons'. It's about damn time people like me repaid our debts for people like her. His eyes reduced to narrow slits.

Posted by: mALX Aug 6 2013, 02:34 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja gapped Maxical's window to give her fresh air as she was getting her travel pack and the smell of hackle-lo wafted in. No wonder Maxical liked it so well. She leaned out the window and waved her arm in a "Come on over" gesture. The doors were magically sealed, but Seth had already shown he could get around them.

"Seth's on his way, Maxical. Tell him I'll be just a minute, Abiene and I have something to look at."

"Geez, you think I couldn't hear you two down there? You two were like cats yowling on a fence at night. Will you stop bossing her? She is my friend, and you do have a tendency to give orders Eyja."

Maxical waved her hand to stop Eyja from leaving. "Wait just a second. Get your notepad and quill out, I need you to send a message for me."

She waited while Eyja retrieved the pad from her bra. Eyja grabbed a quill off the table by the bed and dipped it in the inkwell there. "Go ahead."

"There is an Alchemist named Ancotar that was working on a cure for Skooma addiction with S'drassa at the Leyawiin Mages Guild; Fathis was funding their research. Send a message to Ancotar at Fort Caractacus, he is the smarter of the two."

Eyja nodded, scribbling it down. "Seth is a master Alchemist, and he is here already."

"Seth the Dunmer that smells so good?"

"Do you know another?"

"Did you really smoke his hackle-lo? Why did you choke, was it rolled wrong or something?"

"Not hardly, he wasn't choking."

"What did you do?"

"Nothing! I put it in my mouth and just kind of...sucked on it."

Maxical rolled her eyes at Eyja. "Geez, Eyja. You're not polishing a sword, you know. I'll teach you how, Gils showed me."

"Don't you dare repeat that when Seth gets here." Eyja scolded her, but was glad to see the grin on her face. She must be feeling better, last night had been a hard one for her.



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 6 2013, 03:09 AM

Abiene

“Let us have a truce between us of our stubborn wills, it will make protecting you easier, and my Nord ways more tolerable and palatable for you. Did you not learn Nords are stubborn from your Jerric?”

Abiene closed her mouth over what she had been about to say, her words lost in a flood of emotion. That’s the second time she’s invoked his name. Eyja knew where Abiene was weak, and she would exploit it. It’s for my own good, Abiene thought. Rather than snap back she simply looked Eyja in the eyes, letting her see just how deeply she had cut.

“Let there be peace between us,” Abiene agreed. She picked up the ring and slipped it onto her finger.

“This surgeon you are in training with, will he attend?” asked Eyja. They moved to Maxical’s room.

Abiene gave a tiny shake of her head in reply. She didn’t want Maxical to hear too much and become alarmed, and she had no doubt that if Eyja didn’t understand she would bring it up again later.

Maxical had Abiene laughing within moments of her waking up. Sethyas was awake and possibly on his way to join them. Abiene decided that he could probably stand the sight of a Breton in a nightgown if he arrived before she got dressed, but she made an attempt to smooth her unruly curls. There were some sights that no one should have to suffer. She wanted to show Eyja her things before Maxical woke up enough to get curious.

Abiene retrieved her satchel and headed into the kitchen area.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 6 2013, 03:28 AM

He saw the wave from Eyja, and she signalled it was okay to enter. Growing up with a sister, he knew she'd valued her privacy, so he associated it with women in general.

Probably preening themselves over that coffee. He thought wryly.

He entered the suite after offering the coded knock.

"Good Morning." he greeted them.

"You seem to be doing much better." He commented, looking to Abiene.

"How is the progress coming along?"

He listened to her, while helping himself to a cup.

Posted by: Grits Aug 6 2013, 04:52 AM

Abiene

“Good morning,” Abiene replied with a smile. “I’m doing much better, thank you. I ate enough of your Shepherd’s Pie for breakfast to choke a goblin.” She shot a teasing glance at Eyja. “I wonder if I’ll ever taste its like.”

“How is the progress coming along?” he asked.

Abiene took the opportunity to fill him in on her plans for Maxical’s treatment. Eyja seemed to value Seth’s opinion, and she could use another impartial advocate for Maxical. And for my ideas, she admitted to herself. Seth seemed like a mer who was accustomed to unusual situations.

“So you see, we’re looking at two procedures,” Abiene finished. “The surgery and the restoration. Here are my blades, Eyja.” She unrolled the small packet of instruments she carried with her for emergencies. “Examine them if you like.” She stopped herself before warning that they were sharp.

“The other thing concerns restoring Maxical’s damaged organs. Eyja, you are right to question whether I can manage it. I hope this will help you decide.”

Abiene glanced around the kitchen area before she opened the other parcel. Eyja’s cleaning bordered on the compulsive and Abiene didn’t want to sicken her. She picked a book off of a nearby shelf and placed it on the table.

Then she opened the small bag and removed a withered finger. She laid the bag on top of the book and the finger atop the flattened bag.

Abiene placed her hands palms-down on the table. Narrow and long-fingered as an elf’s with nails kept trimmed and impeccably clean. Strong enough to reset a bone and gentle enough to lift a newborn to his mother’s breast. The hands of a healer.

“That’s my finger,” she said, nodding at the severed digit. “See if you can tell which one it was.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 6 2013, 04:52 AM

*

Eyja:


Eyja heard Seth's voice below and hurried down to greet him. "Are you hungry yet?"

She waved Seth to help himself and then went over to inspect Abiene's equipment. She was very impressed by what Abiene showed her on the restoration of tissue.

In the middle of examining Abiene's fingers Maxical called from upstairs. "EYJA! I need help..."

"I'll be right back, I know what she needs." Eyja hurried up the steps and removed the bedpan she'd found in the utility room, cleaned and sterilized for Maxical to use.

"You must have really had to go! Seth is here now, maybe he'll stop up and say hello in a bit. He's talking to Abiene right now."

She glanced around for an urn, then thought it best if Seth was coming up not to have fresh pee scent in the room. She set it down on the ledge in front of the gapped window and leaned forward to make sure no one was walking through the alleyway behind the inn.

There was, a tall figure in a dark robe of fairly decent material. As Eyja glanced out the head turned up, scanning the windows of the upper floor of the suite.

Eyja cast chameleon quickly and watched as the hooded figure honed in on the gapped window she was looking out. They moved closer, staring hard at the open window. The cowled hood covered too much of their face, she couldn't even tell if it was man or woman.

Without taking time to think it through, Eyja dumped the bedpan full of hot cat pee. Assassin or not, they couldn't be up to any good eyeing upper story windows. They were obviously not here to rent a room, prowling around back.

If it was the assassin, they would find out quickly that the scent of cat pee does not wash off easily. Eyja listened closely to the cursing below. The voice was deep, but could have been either male or female. She remembered Earana's voice, if one closed their eyes they'd have thought a man was speaking.

The figure fled toward Chorrol. Eyja bolted the window and checked all the others to make sure they were latched as well, then went back through magically sealing each window. She hurried downstairs still carrying the bedpan, and checked the bolt and magic seal on the access door at the bottom of the stairs.

She ran past Seth and Abiene to the connecting door into the room below; checking the window and door there as well and sealing them. then did the same with the door into the suite.

When she returned she stopped a ways back from Seth and Abiene and held out the bedpan. "Do you both smell that scent? Remember it. It doesn't wash off easily, and I think I've just covered our assassin in it."

She went back to the utility room to clean the bedpan, calling out to them what had happened as she worked on it. When she was done she scrubbed her hands and arms, and stepped back out into the kitchen area.

"Well, we now know they are back, and they know Abiene is in this suite. The staff here must have told them."



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 6 2013, 07:13 AM

*

Maxical:


It was lonely in the suite bedroom. People breakfasted downstairs and chatted, she was stuck in this bed alone. Eyja brought her food and medicine, healed her; but only stayed in the room when she was ready to sleep.

Maxical had thought of several excuses to get Eyja to her room to talk, but Eyja was suddenly all business. It was easy to recognize the signs that Eyja was on a case, she was tense and taking command. She was used to having command of a full squad of highly trained assassins, and sometimes forgot she was dealing with regular people when she was trying to protect them. But who was she protecting? Abiene?

It had to be. Eyja never brought her casework around Maxical before; so the fact that she was now meant it was someone in the house. It had to be Abiene. What was going on?

It didn't feel good being out of the loop. Eyja always kept her business secret, but Maxical was adept at eavesdropping and finding out what she was up to. Stuck here in this bed she only managed to overhear snatches of conversations.

Seth's voice was a low rumble that refused to carry distinguishable words. Whatever was going on, he knew the full of it, she was sure of that. More than that, he was in on it.


"It's lonely up here alone, Eyja. Why don't you all talk up here, I can hear everything you say down there anyway..."

Maxical gaped when she realized Eyja intended to throw her pee out the window. "Ew!"

"Hush" Eyja's voice got very quiet, Maxical saw her stiffen. Something was up.

In the blink of an eye Eyja had disappeared. The hurried sealing of the windows and doors she recognized immediately. The fish was landed. Eyja had reeled her mark in, or the mark found its prey.

It was excruciating to be tied to the bed when something was going down, she needed to be mobile with all this happening around her.

"ABIENE! ABIENE! HURRY!"



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 6 2013, 06:05 PM

Abiene

Maxical’s cry made Abiene jump. “ABIENE! ABIENE! HURRY!”

Abiene shot a glance at Eyja while she gathered up her instruments. Anyone who could yell that loudly had at least a few more breaths left in them, and Abiene would prefer to act with Eyja as her ally.

She scooped up a clean dish towel and moved toward the stairs.

Posted by: Darkness Eternal Aug 6 2013, 07:10 PM

The lithe black-robed hooded figure rushed from the alley into the wilderness and to Chorrol. The black robe was drenched in what felt and smelled like urine and not just any urine. Cat urine.

The smell was too much and it was overwhelming. The figure gagged as she made a few steps toward Chorrol's front gates, screaming. "Guards! Guards!" she called out.

Three guards were at their post and rushed over to the woman in distress. Two of them were overfed men that must have sat the entire year rather than so much as run after a crook while the other was a woman who could have been born a man judging my the hair growing on her upper lip and the meeting of her heavy accentuated brows.

All three of them ran to her aid and asked: "What is it citizen?"

The black-robed individual motioned to herself and her robe. That symbolic robe that meant so much to her and her people that was now tarnished with animal urine. "I was attacked."

"By who?" one said.

"I see no wounds," the woman added. "Are you hurt?"

The hooded figure pulled back her black hood and felt her hair wet with the yellow hot liquid that was thrown on her. As a victim of a cruel sick joke, she appeared as if she was nearly going to cry.

"Someone had the audacity to pour urine all over me."

"Yeah, she's hurt alright," the woman said. "Her dignity was wounded."

All three of them laughed. The robed woman was the only one that did not share in the light humor. She wasn't feeling humorous, in fact, she almost never did. Especially in this case.

"This isn't a laughing matter. I was assaulted."

They continued to laugh. One decided to ask, "Who are you, citizen?"

"My name is Irvana," she said, and then added her last name.

The mockery slowly died and when it happened it was because they realized who she was. "My lady, I apologize. Where did this happen?"

"I was star-gazing," she said without any open anger toward them. "It happened from behind me. Whether I was attacked or simply a victim of the humor of others, it is still a crime, no?"

It was. According to the law, even pranks such as casting a spell where everyone's modesty is exposed can be a crime. Throwing urine upon an individual is the same.

"Yes, my lady. Where did it happen?"

Irvana pointed in the direction and explained. The smell would not wash off easily and these were the only robes she had with her. If only she was able to get her hands on those who did it, though she knew she wouldn't do anything dangerous. She let her frustration contained and closed her eyes.

"I need a bath. Now."

Posted by: mALX Aug 7 2013, 12:45 AM

*

Eyja:


The loud banging combined with shouting and cursing coming from the room adjoining the suite let Eyja know the staff had discovered they could no longer access the room or suite.

She exchanged glances with Abiene. “Will you go see what Maxical wants? I’ll handle this.”

The raised voice was decidedly male. Eyja moved swiftly and mechanically, reaching into her travel pack and pulling out a large odd-shaped towel.

She turned away from Seth to change. With a twist of a hand over her head her clothes disappeared, and she wrapped the towel around herself, tucking one corner into itself. Once on, she twisted the towel at the waist so it fit to her form; accentuating her curves and leaving as revealing a view of her breasts and legs as her low cut top and short skirt would have.

She grabbed a clean dish towel and hurried to the ewer, sticking her hand down in it and heating the water in seconds with a fire spell. Several times she dipped the towel in the ewer and slapped it on her arms and legs, then her neck, face, and hair.

The hot water misted a vapory halo of steam around her face, pinking her cheeks with the heat. Lastly she squeezed it over her breasts so rivulets ran across them with a touch of vapor rising from them as well.

As she hurried toward the door into the room she was twisting her hair into a knot on top of her head, tucking it into itself as she had done the towel.

She glanced at Seth dolefully, hoping he wouldn’t follow and see what she was about to do. She closed and sealed the suite door behind her; then immediately unsealed the outer room door without moving toward it. It crashed open with her still at the suite door, and a huge black Khajiit barreled through it.

Eyja shrieked “Guards! Help! Assault! RAAAAAPE! HELP!”

A Redguard she’d seen around the Inn before was standing in the corridor looking enraged, but at that he rushed in.

“No one is assaulting you! We couldn’t get in your door, and I want to know why!”

“Why are you two men trying to force your way into the room of three defenseless woman who are paying guests? I insist on speaking to Bograk immediately, and if you two men don’t get out of my room this instant I will not just call the guards, but lodge a complaint against this Inn with the Countess Arriana, who has been a champion in the protection of women living alone since her widowhood.”





***





Eyja folded her arms under her chest, accentuating the bulging of them above the towel and stared directly into the Redguard’s eyes; her lids half drooped to look angry and sultry at the same time. His eyes flickered to her breasts and back up to her eyes.

“Get Bograk.” He motioned the Khajiit, then turned back to Eyja. “You won’t be a paying guest once she sets eyes on you, we don’t rent to...your type.”

“What type is that, the type that bathes?” Eyja’s lip curled at him as she continued.

“I know you barged in here last night and dragged Abiene out of this room bodily, and now you wonder why I have locked the door? You’ll not force your way in here again, nor drag any more women from this room or suite, or you will end in jail for rape. I will tear this towel and scream so loud for the guards they will come from Skingrad to see what the commotion is. That is a promise. And by the time they arrive I will be bruised and your face will be scratched. Do we understand each other?“

“There was a sick guest, the healer was brought to him...”

“A man trespassing in a paying guest’s room in the middle of the night and dragging her from her bed...to heal another guest? If anyone believed that, they would wonder why you didn’t knock; and when she answered, then request her assistance. You will not bully Abiene again. She is my guest, staying here in my suite to treat my charge. If she chooses to and is not busy, she is free to treat others as well; but it is her choice. You won’t force your way in here again, or drag her out to treat your guests again. I suggest Bograk or her boy be the only ones we deal with till our stay here ends, do we understand each other?”

Bograk’s thudding steps could be heard ascending the stairs. The Redguard glanced smugly toward the atrium, his look as much as saying Bograk would be throwing Eyja out.

Eyja quickly untwisted the waist of the towel so now it hung loosely like a bulky sack around her. She yanked it over her breasts and re-crossed her arms, but higher up so they now covered her breasts almost completely. When the Redguard turned back his eyes started in surprise. Eyja had tears streaming down her face, her expression frightened; and her stance modest and protective of her virtue.




***





Bograk took one look at her and turned to the Redguard. “What is going on here?”

“She had her door locked, I couldn’t get in. Look at the way she’s dressed! I saw her breasts, she can’t deny it!”

Eyja spoke up tearfully. “It was horrible! I was bathing, and he broke in with his Khajiit friend; just like last night! I didn’t have time to do anything but grab a towel for cover, they burst through the door by force. Last night after midnight he...”

She pointed at the Redguard, then quickly wrapped her arms back around herself modestly, though the now-raised towel showed no cleavage at all.

“He crept in here and dragged Abiene forcibly from her bed, he says to treat another guest at the Inn. She was well bruised on the arm when she returned. Abiene is a paying guest by my proxy; staying in my suite to treat my friend; is under my protection. We are three women, alone and defenseless. Of course I sealed the door against another such attack.”

Eyja lay her hand on Bograk’s arm in appeal. “You saw how critically ill my friend was. Abiene is performing surgery on her. We must limit germs, and she must have complete quiet. Abiene may be willing to help another guest while my friend is in recuperation if requested by you or little Lleris; but I won’t have men coming in our bedchambers at will while we sleep, nor dragging any of us out when he chooses.”

Bograk patted her hand, glaring at the Redguard.

“It won’t happen again; will it, Riad? I offer apologies on his behalf, Miss. You can seal your door, and just let us know if you need anything. It’ll be just myself or Lleris you’ll see from here out, and we‘ll knock and wait an answer. I‘ll take another ten percent from your bill for this disturbance.”

“Thank you, Bograk. I hope my friend does as well as your Lleris has, he looked so well when we returned.”

Eyja stood in the door and watched as Bograk all but shoved the Redguard down the hall and up the stairs to the attic.

As she started to turn back to the room she saw that overstuffed gate guard with the onion breath heaving himself up the stairs; the one she had stood up for a date when Abiene first became ill. He saw her and pointed.

“Stop right there, criminal scum!”

What in hell was this all about? Eyja twisted the towel at the waist quickly and yanked the towel low so her breasts bulged out the top of the towel and it form-fitted her shape again. She had her eyelids dropped halfway down in a sultry look before he labored up to her, pulling a set of shackles from his belt.

Eyja looked up through her lashes at him, her eyes roving hungrily over his overfed body as if looking at a juicy steak.

“Ooh, what strong arms you have; I’ll bet you could just toss me right up in the air with no problems! And here I am in just a towel. Maybe we should slip into my bedroom here...I mean so you can tell me what I’ve done to get on my beau’s bad side. We had a date, remember? You stood me up, I’ve waited here all this time for you.”



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 7 2013, 01:20 AM

Abiene

A commotion sounded from the room adjacent to the hall. Abiene resolved to sleep in the extra bed upstairs hereafter. A third disturbance from that quarter would be too much.

“Will you go see what Maxical wants?” asked Eyja. “I’ll handle this.” The Nord woman turned away, raised an arm, and was suddenly altogether naked.

Abiene wasted no time checking for Seth’s reaction, though she imagined that Eyja’s display might put an expression on his face. She darted up the stairs to Maxical, sliding her instruments behind a chest as she passed. Showing a collection of blades to a patient was not a good way to put them at ease.

“I’m here, Maxical,” she called. A moment later she was seated on the bed with Maxical’s hand in hers, gently feeling her forehead.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 7 2013, 01:26 AM

With Abiene
________________________________________

Sethyas looked stunned.

"I can't." replying as he admired the skill.

"If she needs the procedure, she need the procedure." he shrugged. "Especially if the injuries will make it a slow, painful death, better to get it over with. Apologies if that sounded insensitive, but that is how I see it."

"She may have some of her own words to share before it, however. If she is in full faculties, and refuses it I would respect that choice. Whatever her reason." He shrugged.

Suddenly, Eyja came barging down and told them too recognize the scent of the bedpan she was holding. He doubted he'd ever be able to forget it. J'Dhannar had smelled much the same.

"ABIENE! ABIENE! HURRY!” Maxical cried.

He blinked, uncertain as to where he was needed or what he should do.

It's too early for this. I'm finishing this coffee before any more misadventures, damn it. If I'm going to die for these people, it's going to be wide awake with one less regret of missing this wonderful concoction. He thought crankily.


Suddenly Eyja began giving him a look in response to the banging on the door.

We *just* sat down to breakfast five minutes ago! What is it *with* this Inn?!

Still, he let her handle it her way, as he sat down and listened in.

Sethyas did everything in his power to not guffaw out loud.

Alone and defenseless?! By all the gods, I should be asking that Redguard for protection from you!

She finally negotiated the situation to her liking, with a nice ten percent discount too boot.

Not bad. Not bad at all. He thought, finally reaching the last sip.

Now too check on Maxical and Abiene. He thought.

“Stop right there, criminal scum!” a stalwart cry came from down the hall.

Sethyas stopped right before the stairs, and pinched the bridge of his nose.

I will murder you and then pay the fine. He thought darkly.

I will walk too my room, count out one thousand drakes, stab you from stem to sternum, carry your body to the local magistrate, dump it and my fine in front of him and say: "Sorry!".

He changed direction to help Eyja if needed, but staying at an angle in the room where only she could see him.

Posted by: mALX Aug 7 2013, 02:01 AM

*

Maxical:


Maxical wanted to sit up so she would look more effective for what she was about to say, but each attempt brought excruciating pain in her stomach. Abiene's face showed concern when she saw Maxical's stressed state.

"Abiene, I am your patient, and Eyja is not my mother. By law I am fully nineteen years old, but my age was guessed at wrongly for my documentation. I am actually fully twenty-two. The decision for medical treatment does not lie with Eyja, but with me."

She looked Abiene in the eye steadily as she talked.

"I want you to fix my stomach, and whatever that finger thing you were talking about doing was...will you do it? I want to be whole again. But before you do, there is something even Eyja doesn't know about my health. A necromancer took me at age five and put a soul inside me, one he treasured. Eyja knows about that, but what she doesn't know is that he stuffed me with thousands of fragments of souls to protect that one soul, to disguise its presence. Each of those fragments contains its own magicka, that is why my level of magicka is so outrageously high."

Maxical paused. "I will tell you how it was told me by another necromancer who befriended me. The soul fragments bond together inside me and create something called Chaos Bane. It is a form of shadow damage that can destroy anything within 20 yards. It is why I can't heal; why I can only conjure hostile Daedra no matter what I cast; and why my destruction magic is volatile and unstable. It's also the reason I can't aim; everything is geared toward an area. No matter if the spell is from the Arcane Arts, it becomes converted; or maybe the correct word is perverted. It becomes destruction magic that comes from the Dark Arts, not the Arcane. You saw it in action when that bolt hit Earana."

She took Abiene's hand. "Arch Mage Traven has been my physician since I was a child. When I learned what was wrong with me from the necromancer who did this, I never told Hannibal. You yourself know why, his stand against necromancy. He would insist it be removed or I'd lose his friendship."

She pulled Abiene's hand to her cheek and looked into her eyes so she'd see the pain it had caused her as she continued.

"I lost my parents, all my memories of them and my life when they put that soul in me. That one soul became a part of me, and when I was twenty the necromancer she was hidden from removed her. I lost both my husbands to him. These fragments...necromancy or not, they belong to me now; they are all I have that is familiar in my life. I don't want to lose another thing. I want them left there, even if you find you can take them. Will you...will your beliefs allow you to do that for me?"



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 7 2013, 03:31 AM

Abiene

Maxical’s words tore at Abiene’s heart. Abiene had always known the comfort of home, that she was and always had been loved. No matter how much tension there was between herself and her mother, how far her sister would go to tease and compete, they were there for her if she needed them. Abiene took pride in building her own life, but she knew that she started on solid rock while others struggled in shifting sand.

And to lose two husbands… Abiene knew how it felt to have her heart divided, but not to lose all hope. She could remember the scent of his hair, the heat of his skin, and she ached to hold him again. The thought of never again hearing that voice or seeing the light in those eyes was too much to bear. And every day Maxical bore it.

“I’ll heal you, Maxical, and I’ll restore your body to health. Don’t worry about me disturbing your souls. However they got there, they’re with you now. I might have drawn from your magicka in healing you, but now I won’t take the risk. You have my word, and you have my discretion.” She leaned forward and hugged Maxical gently against her chest, confident that unlike Eyja she would not cut off Maxical’s air supply with her bosom. Then she laid her back down on the bed.

“Let’s arrange the sheet like this, so I can lift your shirt up without leaving you overly exposed. Lie still for just another moment, and soon you won’t feel any pain. After I examine you I’m going to go get Sethyas to help with a potion. I want to be sure I have enough magicka to free you from this pain.”

First Abiene cast her spells of preparation, fortifying her magicka pool and regeneration as well as the one that temporarily lowered the drain of her Restoration spells. Then she placed her palms on Maxical’s belly wound.

Now that she knew what she was looking for, the Welkynd stone shards were not difficult to find. They appeared as empty spots in Maxical’s flesh rather than as the solid objects that they were. Small bits were festering just under the skin, but two larger fragments had been driven deeper. Abiene decided to use her debride spell on the surface grit after she resolved the deeper wounds. Then she could close and sterilize at the same time.

The organ damage would be impossible to completely assess until she had entered the healing trance. She knew she would need more magicka than her body held. The restoration would come last. Abiene stopped herself from thinking about what would come after.

Abiene scuffed her bare heels on the floor as she came up behind Seth. She was fairly certain he had heard her on the stairs, but Eyja and the inn’s staff were creating quite a racket and Sethyas was not a man one wanted to surprise.

They had talked about the potions she might need over coffee. Paralysis to hold Maxical still and one to put her to sleep, then something to dispel the effects in case Abiene was no longer able. She was sure Seth knew a dozen ways to accomplish those feats, so surely a few would be non-lethal.

Sethyas was standing in a way that suggested subterfuge. He turned his head and looked at her. Rather than speaking Abiene raised her eyebrows and glanced back and up indicating the suite’s upper level, then made a drinking motion. At least that’s how she hoped it appeared.

There was no point trying to talk behind Maxical’s back, the Khajiit could hear a mouse belch in windstorm. Besides, it would be disrespectful. Maxical was only three years younger than Abiene. She walked back through the kitchen and back up to Maxical.

Posted by: mALX Aug 7 2013, 03:54 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja pushed the door shut and latched it, squeezing her eyes tightly to fight off the nausea for what she was about to do. She swallowed it down hard, then forced a teasing smile on her face as she turned back to the gate guard.

He had seated himself on the bed, beads of sweat already appearing on his upper lip. Eyja felt the gag in her throat and swallowed hard again.

She leaned over so her breasts bulged before his face, reaching out with one hand and tickling his ear; then nearly vomiting when she felt crusts of waxiness.

"Now, what could your little Eyja have done, is it a crime to bathe at this inn? Because since I woke, that is all I've done."

He tried to paw at her and she stepped back. "First things first. What have I been accused of?"

His irritation at the interruption didn't reach his sweat glands, they continued oozing droplets.

"A noble woman claims someone threw stinking cat piss on her head while she walked behind the inn in the night. The manager here said you had a Khajiit in your room, the only one at the inn."

"The manager, is he a Redguard man named Riad? Because he just broke in my room with a huge black male Khajiit, you can ask the Proprietor. He must be protecting his friend. I do have a female Khajiit here, who is bedridden and having surgery performed on her; but I'm sure I don't have to tell someone as intelligent as you that female cat pee smells no different than any human's. It is the male Khajiit that have that strong odor in their pee, everyone knows that. If you'd like, you can inspect the urn in her room, you will find everything she has done and no odor stronger than even I would leave behind."

"No need for that, not part of my job description to go inspecting urns. Arresting is what I do."

She ran her fingers through his hair and encountered more sweat and a filmy feeling of grease. "How exciting it would be for me to be watching out the window and see you performing your official duties...arresting someone. You can't imagine how much. I'd think about it every minute till I saw you next."

Sweat was pouring down his neck in rivulets, the hot stench of his armpits reaching her nostrils. His breath was blowing out in heated gusts of onion, and his eyes kept darting down toward the head of the bed.

"My friend the healer is performing a surgery on the other side of that door, or we could...right now. I sure hope I get to see it when you catch the person who did that to that poor woman. I wonder why she was walking behind the inn at night? I'd be terrified, escpecially with that old ruin back there. I always picture some wild beast will charge out of it and bite me."

She tugged him up by the hand and deftly avoided the arms he tried to wrap around her.

"It sure makes me feel safe to know you are protecting us helpless women here at this inn. When my friend is out of the woods after this surgery, maybe I can show my gratitude a little better. I'd better go check on her."

Eyja nearly pushed him out the door as he fought for a kiss, shutting it almost on his arm and sealing it. She turned, leaning her back against the door and shaking uncontrollably; her breath coming in ragged gasps.

She swiped at the tears burning her eyes with the back of her hand, but her hands reeked of the guard. Her skin felt like it crawled with his grease, his odor. A bath. She needed a bath.

Eyja pushed herself off the outer door and ran toward the suite access, for the first time noticing it gapped. Just the barest crack, but beyond it the shadow of an outline. Seth. How much had he seen? The shame and revulsion...or all of it.

Eyja pushed by him without a word and ran to the tub, yanking off the towel and not even heating the water before she dropped into it and started scrubbing her hands and arms, her breasts, her face and neck; scrubbing till the skin became red and raw from it.



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 7 2013, 06:21 PM

"Eyja." Sethyas spoke in low tone in the distance between them.

"Just listen, I'll say what I have to say, then I'll leave you alone." he sat down, resting his back to the wall. His eyes traced patterns in the stained wood of the rafters.

"I have to tell you: You remind me so much of my own sister. Plus that wound we share with them being gone; it never gets easier. Each day with it, is just another day we won't have to spend with them."

"Things are pretty bad right now, anyone can see that. Maxical's hurt, Abiene's poisoned, and your making yourself into something you don't want to be to protect them. I know how that feels. I never wanted to do what I do, but I chose it all the same."

"Because the hardest thing to do sometimes, is too move forward. You take the best of your available choices and you keep moving forward. We did this not just because we were willing to take on this burden, but because we couldn't stand the sight of those we love suffer."

"I'm not going to tell you how you should feel right now. Gods know I've done things I'll never be proud of, and I will carry that shame with me to the grave. Yet, at the same time I know I'll do them again, and again because the people that need us, need to move forward. And at the end of all this, we'll come out on top. We will win, because the person next to us picked them up and moved them forward."

"What you did; what you've done. It doesn't taste right, and you know the price you have to pay. But you knew you were the only one that could do it. To get to the end of this, we need to take our steps. We'll take those steps wherever we can find our footing. If we have to step over the bodies, fool the guards, find the malefactors,...we're going to take that next step and we're going to help the person next to us take it. We refuse to die, we will fight through this and we will win."

He stopped and took a deep breath.

"That's all I wanted to say. You do what you need to do, and when you need me; when you need my help to take that next step, I am here."

He stood up, and looked over at Abiene.

"Let's take a look at Maxical, shall we?" He said grabbing his alchemy satchel, and walked up the stairs.

Posted by: mALX Aug 7 2013, 09:09 PM

*

Seth words soothed, a balm to that recognition between them.

Some...probably most assassins have long since killed that side of them that cringes in shame and cries at what they've done or wanting to scrub the necessity of it from their souls. Many become as cold and hard as the graves they send their marks to.

Eyja had sought that coldness within herself and never been able to find it. She would have bedded that man if she had to, and done it as many times as needed; had bedded a lot worse when the job called for it.

Very few would have known she would keep doing that as many times as needed, and worse if the job called for it; nor understood what it cost her each time.

Seth called it moving forward...it was. Moving forward with whatever it took, and no matter the cost. Love for Cytherea drove her into this life, survival kept her in it.

"Do what is needed to get the job done." She whispered.

Like Seth said, the love didn't ease in time. Her sister was as much a part of her now as she'd been in life. That love was a barrier against the cold hardness of her job taking her over as it had so many.

She didn't want to reach a place where what she did didn't eat away at her. It was the only way she knew Cytherea still existed somewhere, on some plane. It was the only way she knew Eyja still existed somewhere on this one.



Eyja dried off with a clean towel, kicking her form fitting towel to the wall as she stepped out of the tub. She'd wash it later, right now she couldn't stand to look at it.

After she'd brushed her teeth Eyja pulled out the pair of Arena scrubs Maxical had given her last Saturalia; light cotton pajamas for lounging that were the antithesis of sexy. The vee of the loose top barely showed her neck, and the bottoms were just as baggy, tied at the waist with a thick string.

Somehow Maxical had understood that after jobs like this she wanted to get as far away from what she had to do as possible. She couldn't have given a better gift.

Eyja buttered the last crust of Seth's homemade bread and cut herself a wedge of the cheese, then washed it down with another cup of Maxical's coffee before heading up the stairs to join the others. She had no doubt she had guessed accurately why Maxical called Abiene instead of herself.

Abiene's expression was of one hoping there wouldn't be a scene, Maxical's was a stormy look that said there'd better not be one. Seth's was one of kind understanding. Maxical had his hand tucked in hers, she trusted him as much as Eyja did.

Eyja surrendered her protective qualms. Maxical was of legal age now, it was just hard to remember that when she'd just seen her nearly dead.

"Where do you want me, and what can I do to help?"




*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 7 2013, 10:18 PM

Maxical was alert, and her eyes took in the sight of the strange Dunmer that had entered into their lives like a shadow. There was nothing that appeared kind about him. His eyes were red like all Dunmer, more accentuated than most, with his dark tattoo that marked him so clearly as Mephala's.

His expression was one that was eternally taciturn. It held all he saw, knew and thought in an unshakeable confidence. Once smelling of the brandy, he now smelled like her favored morning drink of coffee, and the unmistakable scent of hackle-lo. Very much like sage, it grew abundantly in the Bitter Coast and the Grazelands of Morrowind.

The herb was pleasant and vivacious, yet relaxing in it's overall makeup. She inhaled it deeply, letting it carry her to memories of better days. She felt a strong hand take hers, and the low rasp of a Dunmer began to talk.

"Hello, Maxical. Abiene's asked for my assistance in her procedure. Admittedly, this falls outside my normal job description: I am an antithesis to Abiene's profession. However, that also affords me knowledge comparable to hers. She's going to need some time to prepare, and once she begins, I'm going to need to paralyze you." he spoke slowly and enunciated slightly, just to make sure she was properly informed.

"I have various elixirs that can do this, with no permanent or ill effects. You will be returned to your normal state, and it can be done quickly. I also have various pain-killers that I can use, if Abiene approves. I don't know which would be appropriate for this procedure, so I can't promise anything."

"Are you okay with this?" he asked as she opened her eyes and looked at the sound of Eyja walking back upstairs.

Maxical knew her better than he, and Abiene seemed to be concerned for a scene. Maxical looked like she wasn't going to let her.

Her skin was rubbed raw and red around the unusually sparse amount of skin showing, her face without makeup was certainly different. Yet, it contained a beauty in and of itself, like a portrait that had been sketched awaiting the hues of the painter to be applied.

Seth saw she had put the mask back on.

It took a great deal of inner strength to wear it. More than most possessed.

She was okay. For now.

"Where do you want me, and what can I do to help?" she asked like a soldier approaching a general.

Seth looked to Abiene. This was her show.

Posted by: mALX Aug 7 2013, 10:46 PM

*

Maxical:


She had just finished shaking her head no at the pain killers when Eyja came in, and paused to make sure Eyja was not there to cluck like a mother hen. Eyja's words seemed to satisfy her. She turned back to Seth.

"Something to calm would help, but I don't want any medication for pain. It might weaken me, or dull my wits; and I have few enough as it is. My Arena training should hold me in good stead through the pain."

Maxical's look was directed at Abiene, but she squeezed Seth's hand to include him in what she was about to say.

"If I can be awake I'd prefer it, I've watched enough stab wounds repaired on myself that it doesn't make me ill; and I know to be still throughout. Sometimes our weakness broadcasts in the void, and enemies sense it and come in for the kill. I have some that watch for those moments, and materialize like ghosts at them. Seth is here to protect me, but some of those enemies are ones he can't live through the fight with. Eyja knows who I speak of. My order is this, if one comes; do not engage. The battle is mine to fight, I'll not lose a friend over it."

She tugged Seth's hand. "That includes you. The reason I want to be awake is, I can think inane thoughts to keep them at bay; and they not realize my weak state."

She nodded at Abiene. "That is for my protection, but you tell me what and I'll do it. I'm ready when you are."



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 8 2013, 12:45 AM

Abiene

Abiene cut up a towel to improvise surgical garb. One piece tied around her head kept the curls out of her face. She flattened the loose gown against the front of her body and folded the extra behind her back, secured with another strip of towel. Two basins sat ready on the chest of drawers beside the bed, one filled with water and one empty to receive soiled articles. Extra towels neatly folded went within her easy reach. She lined up her magicka potions, always one more than the rules allowed. Sethyas spoke to Maxical while she worked.

Then Maxical spoke up against the pain medication. Abiene kept her eyes on Maxical though she wanted to confer with Seth. As Maxical said, this was her fight.

“I’ll need you to be still for the first procedure,” she told Maxical. “It will hurt for perhaps a minute and then I’ll stop before the next part. The restoration will be considerably more painful, and I can’t predict how long it will last. However if you move a little there should be no trouble.”

“Where do you want me, and what can I do to help?” Eyja asked. She seemed to have suffered an ordeal and passed through it.

Abiene spoke in her bedside tone, calm and confident. “Eyja this is the instrument I will use, if you would like to sterilize it. I don’t expect much bleeding but if you stand here with a towel we’ll be sure none gets on the bed. Seth, right where you are is good. I’d ask that you please monitor Maxical’s condition. Should she become too distressed during the restoration, make me stop. Punch me if you need to, I might not hear your voice.” She flashed a quick smile. “Don’t worry, I can heal it.

“I’ll have a beam of light under this palm,” she continued. “Please be certain that nothing gets under it. My tools are enchanted against the spell, but anything else that is not living tissue will be dissolved. Including fingernails. Certainly not dangerous, but it can be troublesome.”

She smiled down at Maxical, then looked up between Seth and Eyja. “When I’m finished with the surgery I’ll rinse my hands, take those potions, and begin the restoration. If you would like to help I could use your magicka. When mine runs out I’ll put out my hand, like this. Just take my hand. Let go when you’re empty. I’ll do the rest. Oh, it’s the spell Absorb Magicka, so it does no permanent damage. It can be upsetting though, so... Well, I was going to say don’t feel pressured to do it, but of course that’s how you must feel. Anyway, that’s the plan.”

Abiene closed her eyes for a moment. Only if it’s necessary, she told herself.

“Hmm, and I’ll be skating close to the line of overdose on my potions, so if something should occur don’t give me another one. Ready? Here we go.”

It had taken far longer to discuss than to execute the procedure. Abiene flattened her palm and passed the blade under it, bathing it in blue light. The fur and dried blood on Maxical’s belly misted away. Abiene’s awareness slipped inside Maxical’s body as she brought her hand down onto Maxical’s skin. The pain began to seep in. Blood vessels and muscle fibers loomed around her, and the deep stone fragments made great empty caverns. The knife, the Welkynd shards, and Maxical’s flesh all seemed to be parts of Abiene.

She moved with the swift confidence of simply knowing. Unexpectedly the stones dissolved into pure magicka instead of air. Abiene withdrew the blade, chasing it with her spell. Maxical’s wounds closed under Abiene’s light.

Abiene blinked until her eyes saw the room again. “That was part one. How are we doing?” she said.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 8 2013, 01:07 AM

Seth prepared a small tea-smelling concoction to help her stay calm. It wasn't much more than some plants and herbs that possessed qualities similar to the 'Calm' spell of illusion, but affected the user much more subtly than it, and with much less of a sudden 'drop' after the spell ended. Even he used it from time to time. It especially helped when those situations arose that he couldn't keep his hand from shaking. As rare as they were.

Sethyas watched with a clinical fascination and admired the skill. Abiene was quite confident in her realm. He also noticed how she had no tremor to her hands, and the way viscera did nothing to visibly shake her.

Another similarity we opposites possess. He thought wryly.

He knew a couple of very basic spells, such as 'Flame' or 'Heal' which any child of eight from primary school could do and usually were taught, and he'd once explored the College of Illusion, many decades ago. But his skill had withered to nearly naught over the years in favor of Alchemy.

She was more than welcome to any magicka he possessed.

He held her hand, and kept his other hand on Maxical's wrist to monitor her pulse, and kept an eye on her facial expressions to try to determine how resolute she really was. It was one thing to say that one could stomach being stabbed, and it was entirely another to have it done.

Regardless, despite the elevated vital signs, she kept her face and eyes forward into a sort of perfect calm. A Battle Trance almost.

You are one tough kitty. He thought in admiration. How you remind me of Ahnassi.

The Welkynd stone fragments dissolved into flitting light of pure magicka. His brows raised in a pleasant surprise. Even two centuries into life, and he could still see new things.

“That was part one. How are we doing?” Abiene inquired after seeming like she were a thousand leagues off.

"I'm good." He reported.

Posted by: mALX Aug 8 2013, 02:04 AM

*

Eyja:

How badly she wanted to question Abiene about the patient she’d treated in the night; and whether she’d done a thorough healing since. She sealed her lips, realizing Maxical was in charge now. She just hoped whatever they had it couldn’t be spread to Maxical like that last disease had done.

Eyja was determined not to speak, but when Abiene indicated the scalpel for sterilization she jumped on it; moving quickly and silently to her pack.

She pulled an odd looking pot of a strange alloyed metal out, unhooking the latches on the lid of the pot and removing several towels.

“These towels are sterile, and overly absorbent. These are only to absorb in the wound itself.” She stretched one out and lay the others folded on it; then drew a flask of the same alloy out of the pot. She emptied the flask into the pot.

“Pure sterile water, the minerals removed.” She called over her shoulder.

She carefully positioned the scalpel on a wire mesh tray in the pot without touching any but the end of the hilt, then locked the lid back down and dropped a heavy metal cup of the same alloy over the high-pegged vent in the top of the pan lid.

Eyja squatted down and cast a fire spell under the pot. “The fireplace is only 375 degrees, this spell is almost 900.”

Within seconds the heavy metal cup on the top of the pot began dancing and hissing violently.

“This won’t take long.”

Eyja counted aloud quietly, then wrapped a regular dishtowel on her hand and lifted the pot off the hook over the fire and set it on the hearth. She lifted the heavy cup off and waited till the steam stopped hissing before unlatching the lid.

She counted down the seconds and then cast a frost spell on the scalpel. Lastly, she grabbed one of her sterile towels and lifted the scalpel out by the hilt with it, laying it on the stretched out sterile towel.

“It will feel both cold and hot for a full minute, if you can wait to use it. But there isn’t a germ alive that could live through that.”


She stood near the sterile towels as Abiene had instructed, trying to keep her face and voice from showing her nervousness as glanced over at Abiene.

“If you need me to do anything...just give me orders. I don’t say that often, so take advantage if you have any need.”




*

Posted by: mALX Aug 8 2013, 02:17 AM

*

Maxical:

Maxical gripped the cloth of Seth’s shirt, and was glad she hadn’t clutched his hand when she felt the material tearing under her claws that had unsheathed instinctively with the pain.

She tried to think inane thoughts in case Malan had sensed her weakness of the last few days and was already seeking her out; whispering them quietly to herself.

Dear gods Eyja’s breasts are huge. I wonder if that comes from all the mating? Mine are flat as a man's, so it’s probably why.

Geez, Hal-Liurz must mate every hour for hers to be so big.

Maybe they grow bigger if you mate a big man, or don’t grow as much if the man is short.

I wonder how big Dwemer breasts were? Where did they really go?

Do minotaurs come from mixing Orc with cows? Ew, that’s disgusting!

If a cow ate a wolf and then mated, would he have puppies?

I wonder how many times Divayth Fyr has mated in his lifetime?

If a horse mating only produces one baby horse, what if they poured Skooma on his oats? Would he give birth to a litter?

Do mud crabs mate? Would they do it by climbing on from behind or facing each other? Wouldn't their claws get in the way?

I wonder how slaughterfish do it?

Chickens can’t mate, or I‘d have seen it...



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 8 2013, 03:44 AM

Abiene

Abiene spent a moment washing her hands and loosening her gown again. She downed her potions, the magicka flowing through her in a welcome rush. Then she knelt on the floor beside the bed. It was easy to lose one’s balance when the body forgot which way was up.

“You’re doing great,” she said, picking up Maxical’s hand and brushing it against her lips. “Let’s finish this.”

She closed her eyes so they wouldn’t get too dry. Then she began.

This time she did not feel any pain. Her spell didn’t work with Maxical so much as on her. Abiene’s mind moved through Maxical’s body, directing the parts to reconstruct themselves. Maxical could have been some dead thing under Abiene’s hands, growing as she was meant to be but driven by Abiene’s will. The sense of control slowly gave way to a thrill of power.

And there was such power. Maxical’s soul fragments were a blinding sun inside her. Abiene felt drawn toward it. To make it hers.

Maxical’s liver became plump and whole.

You could make some small improvements.

Shriveled vessels throughout her kidneys inflated as they began to function again.

Guided by your will her body would be stronger for her fight. Try it. Just a little.

Her ruined lung regrew in a way that could never have been healed.

What are you afraid of? With this much power you could give her wings!

Abiene’s free hand snapped closed and then opened again. There was no more magicka for her to absorb from the others. And she refused to touch those souls. For Maxical’s sake, and for her own.

For a long moment her mind was still.

You know the other way.

A spell once taught at the Arcane University but long ago banned in Cyrodiil. Healer’s Bane, they called it. The end of so many young mages. In Skyrim it was known as Equilibrium.

Abiene drew the spell into her hand. She knew a ball of red light would flicker around her fingers as she continuously cast. She had seen it when Darnand demonstrated, just back from the north and full of ambition. Then once after, trembling with wonder and revulsion as she explored her limits.

Abiene’s magicka filled as her life’s energy drained, converted by the Equilibrium spell. Maxical’s body bloomed under Abiene’s command, her internal workings as healthy as a child’s.

Not too far...

Abiene’s heartbeats came slow and heavy, strong enough to shake her bones. Or was her body just that frail? She couldn’t tell, and it didn’t matter. She let go of the Equilibrium spell and poured the last of her magicka into Maxical. Relief mixed with triumph and a curious sorrow.

She slumped against the side of the bed, forehead resting on her outstretched arm. What was this sense of failure? Maxical was restored and she had resisted temptation, those battles she had won. Yet a part of her wished that she had given in to the lure of that power. She had failed to take the opportunity.

Abiene felt sick, shaken by the turn of her thoughts.

“It’s done,” she said.

Posted by: mALX Aug 8 2013, 05:07 AM

*

Maxical:

Pain intensified Maxical's mind, honing it through Abiene's healing till she felt a oneness with her. Maybe that is the way it is supposed to work, but she'd never felt that before in a healing.

Abiene had been exhilarated, wavering on the same borders Maxical had faced a year ago. Power is a lure that draws even the quietest souls into its grasp and shows what they could have; if only.

As terrible a necromancer as everyone thought Mannimarco, it was he that talked her out of crossing that border.

Maxical wasn't hungry, and didn't know if she even could eat yet; but she wanted a moment alone with Abiene.

"Eyja, fix me something to eat, I'm hungry. Is there any more of that bread Seth made?"

"No, I ate the last bit. I'll make you a plate of your favorites." She hurried out. Maxical didn't remember seeing Seth leave, but her wrist had been dropped. She no longer clutched his shirt, but couldn't remember releasing it.

She took hold of Abiene's hand and rubbed it on her cheek. Instead of her own words, she quoted Mannimarco's to her that day.

“It falls hard on one’s heart to relinquish power, once one tastes it. Do you not find it so, my dear friend?"

She kissed Abiene's hand and continued.

"Those aren't my words. They were spoken to me by the most reviled necromancer of the last four Eras. Mannimarco said them to me. A year ago I had to make the same choice you just did. That power makes you feel more alive than any sensation that ever came before; and just for a second in your mind it is easier to grasp than it is to turn away. But crossing that border links you with that other realm."

She shifted closer to Abiene and lowered her voice.

"I had no choice for what was done to me as a child, that power you found in me. It was forced on me, and now I don't want to lose the last remnants of what has been there all my life. But a year ago I had an opportunity that would have opened up to me unbelievable power, enough to make this a mere pittance in comparison. For a second I tasted the dream of holding that power in my hands, as you just did. I had to make that same choice. You have to be willing to bury the part of you that cringes in horror. For me, I couldn't bury it deep enough. There are some of us that just aren't meant to cross those lines."

Maxical rolled over and hugged Abiene. "Thank you, Abiene. Thank you."

As she pulled back she saw a large area of pink flesh on her stomach that should have been covered in white fur.

"GAAAAH! Where's my fur?"



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 8 2013, 06:50 PM

The Shadow returned to the kitchen, sensing his minimal role in this procedure was over. These three knew each other, he barely did. Best to let them have their post-session catharses and discussions.

He started looking over the larder and grabbed various ingredients. He started to mix various things into a pot adding water. Vegetable stew was easy enough.


"Eyja, fix me something to eat, I'm hungry. Is there any more of that bread Seth made?" He overheard.

It suddenly occurred to him he hadn't made Serene's masterpiece after her culinary expedition to Wayrest a couple of decades ago. Strawberry shortcake. He went to work on some of the flour.

If this is all she eats, perhaps she'd appreciate it in a different form. He thought whipping the cream with a certain zest.

In a corner of his mind, his wife stood at the doorway looking at him performing such a uncharacteristic task in a distant memory. The first time she'd stopped by Ilmeni and his house, he'd been sprucing the place up with a broom, and she couldn't but help to be shocked for a good half an hour afterwards.

I'm old. Older than most. Even most Dunmer don't live as long as I have, much less look this good for 230. It's really not so strange that I'd pick up hobbies here and there, would it?

He went over the strange events in his mind. An assassin. Another assassin protecting this assassin from that assassin. Assassinating that assassin. Needing a cure for a poisoned healer. Finding a missing charge kidnapped by a battlemage. Killing an Orc, twice. Killing the battlemage. Recovering Khajiits. Performing an esoteric form of healing and medical procedure on recovering Khajiits. Providing potions for skooma addiction.

Am I missing anything? He wondered. Probably.

He put the shortcake mix into the pan and let it bake as he stirred the stew, adding a pinch more of salt.

Now we can probably focus on Abiene's troubles more. That woman is selfless to a fault. That admirable trait will get you killed someday. He thought wryly.

Posted by: Grits Aug 8 2013, 08:16 PM

http://imgur.com/dUN9czT

Maxical snapped Abiene out of her spiraling thoughts. Her voice sounded strong with a wheedling edge. “Eyja, fix me something to eat, I'm hungry. Is there any more of that bread Seth made?”

Eyja bustled out. Sethyas seemed to have simply evaporated.

Abiene crawled up onto the bed with Maxical. It was a relief to turn her attention fully outward again.

Maxical spoke of her own trials, limitless power, and an ancient necromancer. “You have to be willing to bury the part of you that cringes in horror,” she said. “For me, I couldn't bury it deep enough. There are some of us that just aren't meant to cross those lines.”

It’s that horrified part that keeps me from crossing, thought Abiene. I don’t want to put a name to the rest of it. Still, Maxical’s words brought a world of comfort. She felt a bond of understanding grow between them.

Abiene’s stomach rumbled as they embraced. It was not a growl of hunger.

Uh oh.

“GAAAAH!” shrieked Maxical. “Where's my fur?”

A large pink patch of skin showed in the white fur over her abdomen.

“Oops!” cried Abiene. “I forgot to— Oh, my stomach!” She clutched at the cramp in her middle, a loud sound announcing the source of her distress.

Mother Mara, I ate all of that Shepherd’s Pie!

“Maxical, please forgive me… ugh, I need the urn!”

Abiene hiked up her skirt and ran, taking position in the nick of time. Her lower digestive system had emptied before she could push the door shut.

“By the Nine,” she moaned, bracing an arm against the wall. Sweat broke out on her face. “Did Eyja seal this window?” The spell scroll was still on the table downstairs. Gods, thought Abiene. No wonder Master Selvilo didn’t want me at the chapel.

“There is no cause for alarm!” she called out in case anyone was fool enough to crack the door open. “At least we know Seth’s potion is working!”

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 8 2013, 08:42 PM

Sethyas' shoulders shook as he laughed as quietly as he could.

She's doing just fine. He thought. And perhaps I was a little thick on the goat cheese.

He took the pan off the fireplace, and let the shortcake start cooling.

Vegetable stew indeed. He glanced at the pot and gave it another swirl, and tasting it.

As Eyja entered, he smiled at her disgusted expression.

"I don't suppose you'd be willing to deliver good Abiene one more potion, would you? I have a remedy for her...condition. I should have warned her to take it easy on eating while the body purged itself." He said pulling out a small vial that was a bright pink.

He lit one more Hackle-Lo. "And give her this as well. It's more for our benefit than hers, but she doesn't need to know that. The smoke will eliminate any other...vapors in the air."

OOC: Mopey Abiene indeed! ROFL!

Posted by: mALX Aug 8 2013, 09:01 PM

*

Maxical:

The fear of feeling pain when she moved kept her still for the first few mintues after Abiene left, but the lingering afterscent of her obvious digestive distress was too much to bear. The thought of Seth coming back upstairs and thinking she had done it was the deciding factor in her attempting to get out of bed.

She rolled to her side carefully, gripping the bed's edge. No pain. She pushed her legs over the edge and let them dangle. No pain. How did Abiene do it? Even after Hannibal's treatments or surgeries she'd felt pain.

Lastly, she pushed herself up into a sitting position. No pain. Maxical tested her legs, her hand out to grab the nightstand if they didn't hold. They held, though standing made her head feel a little woozy.

Abiene had fully healed her, as if the wound had never existed...and Malan hadn't come. She was safe for now. Oddly, the hungering for the cream was gone too. Had Seth's potion worked that well, or had Abiene's healing cured the addiction too?

The lightheadedness was probably from laying around for so many days, she wasn't used to being idle. Maxical moved carefully, holding onto the bed and then the dresser, then the wall and banister railing; afraid the dizziness would have her tumbling down the steps and she'd be sent back to bed.

She worked her way quietly to the kitchen where all the noise was coming from, holding on to solid surfaces as she went; and was shocked to see Eyja sitting in a chair watching while Seth bustled around cooking.

Instead of disrupting them, she slid silently into the overstuffed bench chair by the door inside the kitchen and did exactly what Eyja was doing, watched Seth cook.

There was a rapport between them, as if they'd known each other longer than they legitimately had. Seth lit a hackle-lo and gave it to Eyja with a grin. When she heard it was to clear the air for Abiene, Maxical nodded, and broke her silence just before Eyja turned to leave with the hackle-lo in her hand.

"Yes Eyja, please."

"What are you doing down here? You get back to bed this instant!"

"I can't, I was forced from my room by Abiene."

"She told you to come down here?"

"In a manner of speaking. What has she been eating? Whatever it is, it has made her teeth and lips black."

"She's been eating charcoal, and don't you dare mention the black teeth to her, Maxical. She doesn't know, and I'd like to keep it that way."

Eyja left the kitchen, holding the hackle-lo awkwardly and waving it in front of her.

"What are you making, Seth?"





*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 8 2013, 09:29 PM

Seth looked up with a bemused glance at Maxical.

"Eyja told me that all you eat is strawberries and sweetbread. Then you spoke of having cream as a treat as a child. It reminded me of this recipe I learned from my spouse a while ago. It's from High Rock, Wayrest specifically. Strawberries and shortcake, with whipped cream. Quite delectable in it's own right, haven't made it in some time. That and some vegetable stew, both are rather simple and quick." he replied.

He went back to his work, but continued speaking.

"You've been through quite a bit over these last couple of days. I wonder: How are you doing?" He asked, his voice clearly implying the skooma, but also her general state.

He nodded as he heard her report.

"You're quite fortunate to have a friend in Eyja as well. She is...very skilled." He smiled.

Posted by: mALX Aug 8 2013, 10:57 PM

*

Maxical:


She hadn’t really been hungry, just trying to get Eyja away so she could talk to Abiene for a second. But sweetcake and strawberries mixed? It sounded delicious.

The idea of cream after what she had just been through with the addiction was a little iffy, but when he whipped it up it rose into stiff white peaks that looked intriguing.

“Not exactly all I eat. I love grilled crab, but can’t eat it anymore. Khajiit can’t eat meat if they aren’t...breeding; it creates a hunger in us to mate. I actually like any fruit, strawberries is just my favorite. And I love anything sweet. Kind of odd diet for a trained athlete, but it works for me.”

She pulled herself up and moved carefully to the table, sitting in the chair Eyja had been in.

“Is there any coffee left? I‘m afraid I can‘t pour it myself yet, look...” She held up her hand and showed him the tremor.

She pointed to the cream and sugar after he lay a steaming mug in front of her, then started ladling spoon after spoonful of sugar into the coffee.

“Eyja is more than skilled, she is genius. Some time you should get her to tell you about the way she tricked her way into doing a purge on the Dark Brotherhood.”

She paused, looking up at him curiously.

“She is like a chameleon when she needs to be, but sometimes it upsets her when she has to. When I see her in those pajamas she’s wearing now, I know it was one of those times. What happened? I tried to eavesdrop, but couldn’t hear anything but muffled shouting from my bedroom.”


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 8 2013, 11:17 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja interrupted before Seth could answer.

"Has she tricked you into waiting on her with that fake shaking hand gimmick? She pulled it on me too, till her physician told me there was nothing making her hand tremor except wanting to see how long she could get away with me waiting on her. She had me making her bed too!"

Maxical grinned with pure mischief and held her hand up perfectly steadily. "Geez, Eyja. Tell-tale!"



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 8 2013, 11:27 PM

No wonder you eat all that sugar and don't have the least bit of fat on you. He thought in internal laughter.

“Eyja is more than skilled, she is genius. Some time you should get her to tell you about the way she tricked her way into doing a purge on the Dark Brotherhood.”

He blinked. That was exactly what he did to the Mournhold Chapter of the Dark Brotherhood nearly two hundred years ago.

He tried to open his mouth to talk then Ejya entered again interrupting him. He quickly finished her dessert from across the border and set in in front of her, with that little dollop of cream he could never get quite right.

"And...food's ready!" He offered.

He glanced at Eyja bemusedly. "I think what happened would be poorly described by me, as I hardly saw too much of what happened. Must have been funny though, she ran to the bath right after."

"I don't mind pouring a cup of coffee. I just don't make my bed. Never have." He said. It wasn't laziness, it was a way of telling if any one had been in his room while he was gone. You could replicate a made bed. You couldn't replicate an unmade one, and he took a mental picture of it before he left.

"It seems we have a bit more in common than I previously thought..." He chuckled.

Posted by: mALX Aug 9 2013, 12:26 AM

*

Maxical:

Maxical didn’t know what Seth thought was funny, but Eyja running to the bath...she did know what that meant. She’d seen it happen after some of her jobs before. She shot Eyja a look of understanding, then changed the subject so Eyja wouldn’t have to be reminded of it.

“I tore your nice shirt, Seth. I’d replace it, but you’ll not find one like it in these parts.”

She turned the bowl in all directions, looking at the sweet concoction Seth had made for her.

“Can I eat yet? Will someone ask Abiene if I’m able to eat this soon?”


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 9 2013, 12:45 AM

Seth realized he may have come across the wrong way. He was chuckling about the Dark Brotherhood Purification trickery, but knew that the bath thing was quite serious. He'd said his peace in that regard. he just wanted to protect Eyja's confidence, should there have been any in that regard.

"Don't worry about the cloth...it was old anyways. More like I reused the remaining amount that was left for more sentimental purposes." He said, motioning for her to eat.

"Since you seem to know a bit about the culture of Morrowind, perhaps you'd seen their like before. They are remnants of a robe made specifically for members of the Morag Tong. Usually the more magical-inclined. They are a mixture of decor with function. The red jewelry and the leather pouches for instance. The society was highly ritualized, and highly effective in their duties. I wore it for many years before it started to tatter even just a little." He spoke his story.

"Then eventually it started to become far too worn to wear. It stayed in a closet for many more years. Even after the Red Year. Then one day, I saw it, and thought I could bring some life back to it's remaining time. I mostly wear it as a reminder these days. For things that should never be forgotten."

Posted by: mALX Aug 9 2013, 03:39 AM

*

Maxical:


“Mmmm, this is really good!" She swallowed before continuing.

"I spent a month in Tel Fyr a year ago, but didn't see much of Vvardenfell while I was there. That is the only time I’ve ever been outside of Cyrodiil that I remember. I was actually born on the Septim’s Gate Pass. My parents were both from Hlomaren on the Bitter Coast of Vvardenfell. They were traveling to Cyrodiil when I was born.”

She took another bite of the strawberry shortcake. “Mmmmm, this is so good!" She waited till she'd swallowed to talk again.

"When I was in Tel Fyr, I was only allowed out one time, to go shopping with my host’s daughter.”

She wrinkled her nose.

“I found out quite quickly that I was safest and better off staying in his tower the remainder of my visit. Khajiit females seem to be easy targets to kidnap for slaves there, and it was made clear to me that his daughter Beyte was embarrassed by being seen with a Khajiit. She walked in front of me and pretended she didn‘t know me when Master Aryon showed up.”

She reached down the top of her nightshirt and pulled out an antique looking gold necklace with a thick pendent of gold and small onyx stones inlaid marking the emblem of the 6th House.

“The man I was worried about showing while I was weak...” Maxical indicated upstairs by pointing.

“His name is Dagoth-Malan. This pendent is my protection from him. No one from House Dagoth can strike against me while I wear this pendent. I've enchanted it so it can never be removed, or Earana would have taken it from me when she put me in that robe.”

She toyed with the whipped cream for a second before finishing.

“For what he did to Gils and Fathis, I vowed that I would hound him through eternity; mark his name on my soul so when I died my soul would continue after him and he‘d never have another day‘s peace. I’ve been hunting him this past year, making his life a living hell. But when I am weak he knows it and hunts me.”

She stirred her spoon into the strawberry juices to mix them with the whipped cream.

“Khajiit are the most loyal people you will find, but also the kind of enemy you don’t want to make. We never give up. An eye for an eye, a spouse for a spouse. For what he did to Gils and Fathis, I vowed I’d bury his wife in so many pieces he’d never be able to find them all. She was a century dead, and the only thing he treasured. When I vow something, I keep my word.”

Seth’s brows raised slightly. She gathered he was either asking or doubting.

“I hid fragments of her all over Cyrodiil; kind of like a treasure hunt. But I hid each with an enemy of his, or an enemy of the empire. He has inadvertently cleared full armies of enemies to the throne that I was tasked in my service for Cyrodiil to destroy; and dissipated his own army by more than half searching for her this year alone.”

She paused to stir her strawberry juices again.

“He had three vials of her blood in a shrine, taken from her before they wed when she was still virginal. The wife's virgin blood is considered sacred to vampires. I duplicated them and distributed her virgin blood to every vampire clan in Cyrodiil under the condition they toast his wife’s name as they drank it. In his rage that they had tasted his wife's virgin blood, he cleared a major chunk out of the vampire problem Cyrodiil has...also something I was tasked to do in my service to Cyrodiil. He wants me dead so badly he tastes it.”




*

Posted by: Grits Aug 9 2013, 04:33 AM

Abiene walked slowly through the bedchamber trailing a fragrant cloud. The pink potion had worked its wonder and so had the bath. Now she was enjoying the last of the hackle-lo. She hadn’t meant to smoke the whole thing. She’d even put it out to save for later after the worst of her odor was resolved. But these things happen.

I haven’t smoked in years, she thought. And never alone. Nor fully clothed. The last made her chuckle. Scent was a powerful trigger for memories both pleasant and otherwise. She chose the good ones to keep her company until she was ready to rejoin the group.

The tone was serious when Abiene entered the kitchen. She placed Seth’s cleaned vial on a side table, mouthing a fervent thank you so as not to interrupt Maxical. She sat down to listen as Maxical finished her tale. House Dagoth… Abiene began to think that she was the least likely target for assassination in the room.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 10 2013, 01:16 AM

Are you certain Mephala hasn't tasked you?

"Interesting. I know of House Dagoth. Quite well. You may say I've met the former Lord High Councilor; Voryn Dagoth. In a certain form." Sethyas stirred the stew.

I also slayed him in God-Form...but good luck in telling anyone of that.

"Do not worry. House Dagoth is...was my enemy. The Sixth House fell in its most recent incarnation over two hundred years ago. That does not mean that practitioners didn't exist between those times. Indeed, they've been recorded of coming back in many different forms over the last four millenia." He narrated.

"Perhaps you have read, 'A Poison Song'?" He continued. "Fiction, to be certain. But...it was based upon real events. Dagoth Ur as well had the power to enter into the dreams of mortals and slowly drive them mad, eventually swaying them under his power." His eyes looked into space, as though reliving some horror.

"At the Center of Red Mountain, once laid the Heart of Lorkhan; Lorkhaj to the Khajiiti, Shor to the Nords, the Missing God to all. From this powerful artifact, did Dagoth Ur draw his terrible power. Later, after his defeat it was revealed that this source was the same for the now-defunct Tribunal."

"The Dunmer have always been a suspicious and duplicitous society. This is why the Morag Tong existed: to maintain some semblance of a balance of power. But, the former House; The Sixth House, was exterminated by all Houses for their particular brand of treachery, and ascent for Supreme Power....no matter the cost."

"If a Dagoth still lives, it is no friend of mine either." He finished stirring.

"Stew's done!"

Posted by: mALX Aug 10 2013, 02:54 AM

*


Maxical:


“Dagoth-Ur you mean? This pendent I wear was plundered from the 6th house in the raid where Ur was slain about five or six years ago. The man that actually killed Ur gave his take from the raid to some poor villagers. One sold this to pay his food and shelter. It was the luck of the gods that I found it in that shop in Tel Fyr, it has saved my life.”

Maxical took the last bite of the strawberry shortcake before continuing.

“Ur’s immortal blood was created by the great power of the Heart of Lorkhan. The foundation for Dagoth-Malan’s immortal army was a few vials of blood stolen from Ur while he slept; and during a time when the power of that heart was strong in it. Malan had full reliance in that blood to bring his wife back to life eternally, raising her soul in a living body he had injected with that blood.”

She broke off to hand her bowl to Eyja, thanking Seth. “That was delicious, thank you Seth.” Maxical took a sip of coffee before continuing.

“Originally he planned to use me for that, but I threatened to do so many vile things to his wife’s soul while it was inside me that he removed her in fear for her safety. I told him I would bring her to the King of Worms, to Clavicus Vile, to enemy vampire clans...anything I could think of.”

She pointed to herself.

“When you are tiny, people tend to discount you as an enemy. I knew his only weakness was that wife of his, so the threats bore fruit. I was safe as long as she was inside me, had all the control. He couldn’t kill me without killing her again.”

Seth mentioned “The Poison Song,” one of her favorite stories.

“I have read it, I even did a book report on it at the Arcane. It is one of my favorite stories.”

She wrinkled her nose and waved the stew away. “No thanks. I don’t eat stuff like that.”

She turned to Abiene.

“Are you feeling okay dearest Abiene? I hope you are not ill. I want to know who is trying to kill you, they have made an enemy in me for it.”


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 10 2013, 04:16 AM

Abiene gave Maxical a reassuring smile. “I’m perfectly fine and feeling stronger by the moment, thank you for asking. This is a lot for me to take in. History and story books come to life.”

She put her hands in her lap, fingers twisting together. Maxical’s declaration of loyalty warmed her heart, but it brought a host of worries. It sounded as if she had more than enough enemies of her own. Helping her might expose Maxical. Abiene glanced uneasily at Eyja. Surely Maxical’s guardian wouldn’t let that happen.

“I’ve put some thought to who might want me dead. I confess I’m having a hard time seeing it. I’m a good healer but that’s all that I do. I’m not some heiress to title or fortune, and those who would want to threaten a friend through me wouldn’t have used that poison. I can’t even guess why they attacked here at the Goblet. I wasn’t supposed to be here that morning, I should have been back in Chorrol. I only stopped here overnight because of the storm.”

Abiene took a breath and stilled her fidgeting. What she had seen at the mountaintop made her feel safe here with these three, but no one would protect her forever.

“How do you suppose it works when one hires an assassin? What I mean is does the contract become invalid if the killer is caught? How long…” She looked down at her hands, struggling for composure. “I’m afraid I sound like a silly child, but it’s hard to imagine that I have such an enemy.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 10 2013, 04:30 AM

*

Eyja:

"If it was a pro, it depends on the organization the assassin works with. Some organizations fulfill the contract even after the person who took it out has died. If there are any alchemists capable of making this level of poison nearby, they must be suspect as being involved with the attempt, or involved with an organization that is in the business of assassins for hire."


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 10 2013, 04:38 PM

“I know a few alchemists, but I couldn’t guess if any of them could be involved,” said Abiene. “That’s not something that would have been shared with me. It was Sethyas who brewed the cure, I would have been at a loss if you did not know him. Even Master Selvilo didn’t offer to help, though both he and that Altmer discerned the nature of my trouble.

“I expect anyone who brewed such subtle poisons would keep that aspect of their skill a secret to avoid attracting suspicion in these circumstances,” Abiene continued. It helped to think of the situation as a puzzle somehow apart from herself. “Anyway, would the poison have to have been made recently or even nearby? I’ve used potions that were concocted in other provinces and shipped to Chorrol. Lifting curses is tricky business, and the experts are rarely inclined to travel for the sake of some faceless patient.”

Abiene tried to ignore her grumbling stomach. Seth’s vegetable stew smelled divine, unlike the institutional meals served at the chapel. Yet she was not inclined to invite another rush to the urn.

Some organizations fulfill the contract even after the person who took it out has died, Eyja had said. A hopeless dread crept through her. And rising up underneath it was a new kind of anger. The best she could hope for was a chance to fight. Abiene blinked until her eyes stopped burning. She found her fingernails had marked crescents in her palms.

“It seems that confronting the poisoner would be most helpful. They might provide some clue as to the organization they work for, or they might admit to working alone. Assuming I’m actually the target, is there a way we might draw them out? Hiding here for safety isn’t providing any new information. Perhaps there’s another way we might guess that a murderer would use to make a death look accidental. A fall, or choking on something, or even a fire.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 10 2013, 05:05 PM

*

Eyja:


"Confronting the assassin is exactly why we have isolated you. They will have to show themselves to make another attempt, and get through the three of us to reach you. The poison itself takes time to make, it is usually made up days in advance. Most pros carry a supply of it around, which is why we think a pro is involved. A good Alchemist can make it, but why would they? There is no other purpose for this type poison than to make someone's death appear to be natural causes to cover up a murder. It is quick acting but nearly symptom free, the person usually dies in their sleep and no one is the wiser."

Eyja glanced at Seth as a thought struck her. "Tell me, Abiene. How have you felt in the weeks leading up to this? You said you have been taking potions to keep up with all your workload; was it that great or were you tired doing the same tasks you had previously done without feeling the effects of it?"



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 10 2013, 05:53 PM

Abiene gave her head a little shake. “I keep careful track of my potion use to avoid toxicity. It’s been the same. It’s not my regular workload but the healing I do outside the chapel that puts a strain on me. When I’m excused from the healing hall to rest and allow my magicka to refill I tend to visit the beggars’ camp and some others who aren’t on good terms with the Nine. That’s why I take so many potions. And honestly, when given a choice between watery soup and a Restore Fatigue potion, who would eat the soup?

“And come to think of it, I wasn’t even taking potions for the few days prior to the poisoning. I was at the wayshrine. I used up all of my magicka on healing and other activities, but I wanted to give my body a break and just refill naturally. Of course that’s where I picked up the infection that I passed to Maxical. I didn’t worship with any of the pilgrims, so I didn’t even think to check myself for disease.”

She glanced between the three of them, wary of judgment. “I don’t hide my Dibellan connections, but I’m not very open about them. Folk tend to get a wrong idea. If someone knew where I was or with whom I would spend time, then they know a great deal about me.”

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 10 2013, 06:51 PM

Seth grabbed a bowlful of stew, and wolfed down a spoonful.

"Knowing much about someone may not take a long time either. Any professional could figure you out nearly on sight. Determining a schedule takes only a few hours to a couple of days. Some of the better ones might even just strike when they sense the opportunity, sort of a way to keep being undetected in a social sense" He said, kind of explaining his own methods. "

Especially if this one made use of invisibility or chameleon. Simply pouring a vial of poison into a cup of tea would not disperse that field either."

His mouth contorted as he stretched and puckered it in thought.

"I wonder if the Guild out here would know anything. They often have access to this type of information." He thought aloud. "As I recall the Beggar's out here tend to have a sort of unseen eye on everything, and you spend much time in their company...perhaps they saw something as well."

"And...as far as this 'contract' goes. I intend to make it so that you are safe. In every sense of the word." He said, as he took another spoonful of stew.

"Any good Healer knows it better to treat the cause, and alleviate symptoms. I will eliminate both." He assured her.

Or die trying, I'm not that good.He thought wryly.

Posted by: mALX Aug 10 2013, 08:14 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja moved over and ladled out a bowl of the stew automatically, setting it down in front of Abiene.

"Sorry, habit." She said, then yanked a hair out by the roots of Abiene's hair.

"Oops! Look, my button caught on your hair, I am so sorry! But while I have it, no sense in it going to waste."

She went to her bag and pulled out a small sized laboratory style magnifier and stretched the hair out beneath it, slowly pulling the hair through under the lenses while her eye looked impaled on a raised lens.

"Seth, you want to examine this?"

Maxical glared at her. "Eyja! What button? You yanked that hair, I saw you!"

"We need to know if she's been poisoned before this incident. That would tell us if it was someone she knows rather than a pro."

Maxical rolled her eyes. "Geez, you ever hear of asking?"

Eyja stepped aside from the magnifier for Seth to look. "It hurts less if you don't know it is coming."

Maxical raised up her shirt to show her bald stomach. "It was YOU? YOU did this to me?"



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 10 2013, 08:54 PM

Abiene wondered what Guild Sethyas was referring to. She doubted he meant the Mages Guild.

He was right about how transparent she must be to a professional. She was good at fooling those who wanted to believe her. None of her little deceptions would stand up to close scrutiny. Much as she wanted to resist, she needed to quit trying to solve this and just answer the questions. Here was a case where she just didn’t know enough to rely on her own judgment.

Sethyas spoke between bites of stew. “And...as far as this ‘contract’ goes. I intend to make it so that you are safe. In every sense of the word,” he said. “Any good Healer knows it better to treat the cause, and alleviate symptoms. I will eliminate both.”

Abiene let his meaning sink in without shrinking from it. They were planning the death of at least one person, probably two. Perhaps even more. She had lived this long insulated inside walls protected by others. When it was time to deal out death and judgment she had the luxury of turning away. Grow up, Abiene. Open your eyes.

The corner of Seth’s lip twitched, perhaps in amusement at some wry thought. Abiene slowly nodded her understanding.

“Sorry, habit,” Eyja said, placing a bowl of stew in front of Abiene.

“Oh, this looks-- Ow!” Abiene picked up her spoon while she rubbed her scalp. Did she just yank out my hair?

Maxical jerked her shirt up over her pink belly. “It was YOU? YOU did this to me?” she demanded of Eyja.

Abiene tucked into the stew, chewing carefully in case it came back up. She widened her eyes in mock surprise at Eyja, smiling around the spoon.

Posted by: mALX Aug 10 2013, 09:45 PM

*

Eyja:


Eyja waved Maxical to sit down. "Hush." She turned to Abiene.

"Abiene, come look at this hair. Put your eye on the top like I did. See the change in color and texture of that hair just before that blackened part nearest the root? That blackened part is this last poisoning. Someone was poisoning you before this incident, but in smaller doeses. See how the color gets darker as it gets closer to the root? They were increasing the doses each time. That means we are absolutely looking at someone you know. A pro doesn't follow you around giving small doeses, this is an individual poisoning. You have an enemy close enough to taint your food more than once."



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 10 2013, 10:45 PM

He held back his amusement at the exchange between the girls. Eyja used the old distraction method to get her hair sample.

Sethyas raised his brow in surprise.

"An image magnifier? I haven't seen one of those outside a Dwemer Study Academy." he said in admiration.

"So I'm assuming we're not looking for split ends. Hmmm. Yes. I see." He dragged the hair up and down the magnifier and let Abiene look next as Eyja explained the significance of the markings.

"I'm afraid Dunmer hair grows at a different rate than Cyrod's and Nords, how long ago would you say these poisonings started Eyja?" he asked.

"We can use that time frame to help determine the motive...alongside your usual eating place...you said you usually eat here didn't you?"

"And coupled with the knowledge that the poisoner seems to possess, we can further eliminate our suspects to a handful...the poisoner may well be in the tavern as we speak." His gauntlets creaked as he gripped his blade's hilt.

Posted by: mALX Aug 11 2013, 12:05 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja showed Seth the intricate and unusual pattern on the bottom of the piece.

"It is Dwemer. When Maxical stayed with Divayth Fyr he offered her a choice of one Dwemer artifact from his collection at the end of the visit. She chose this and gave it to me."

She showed Seth how the lenses swiveled into place.

"On the timeline, the speed which her hair grows is the prime factor. We know how many days ago the black ridge occurred, it is already visible just above the root. Her hair growth is probably accelerated from all the healing she does and potion intake. Use that width as a measurement of days to where the poisonings first began."

She set the magnifier back up and swiveled to a stronger lens; making a rough guess by the length of damage near the root.

"I'm guessing three weeks at most, no less than two." She turned to Seth. "Look how they increased the amount almost daily. They couldn't know the dose needed to do that. This isn't a qualified Alchemist if they don't know the dosage. But they were able to make the poison, so they either aren't that inept or possibly bought it on the black market. Maybe they just stumbled across a recipe for it."

She stepped back so Seth could look. "It was just a rough guess on the timeline, what do you think?"

While he looked, she turned to Abiene.

"You'll need to think of someone whose secret you've learned or possibly who you angered within a month; and narrow it down by any who have access to things you eat. Seth feels it could be a woman, and he could be right about that. Also, Seth mentioned they most likely would have been in chameleon, so you wouldn't necessarily have seen them when your foods or drinks were tainted. That is why I gave you that ring that detects life. Make sure you wear it at all times, period. Even in your bath."

Eyja shot Seth a look of undisguised admiration when he grabbed his sword hilt, and caught Maxical eyeing him with the same admiring look. He did make one feel protected.


*


Maxical:


Maxical elbowed Abiene and spoke quietly into her ear. "That's a Dunmer challenge. If his hand stays on the hilt like that it means he won't stop till they are dead. At least you know now there is only one enemy, not an organization."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 11 2013, 02:09 AM

He loosened his grip from the hilt, having absentmindedly placed it there in the first place.

He returned to the kitchen and cleaned his finished bowl, and started on some tea.

This also spoke of clear intent. Hate. Cold, guided, and focused.

An overwhelming desire to see another mortal dead, but with enough of a sense self-preservation to do it discreetly as was possible. His instincts had just simply told him it was more the subtle trait of a woman.

Part of him wished it were not. Too many of them have died because of me and my choice. he self-ruminated.

He grabbed some parchment and ink from his pack, and prepared his tea.

Posted by: Grits Aug 11 2013, 02:10 AM

“Split ends?” laughed Abiene. “I should think not.” She gave her hair an exaggerated pat, grateful for the jest.

She took her turn looking through the Dwemer viewing apparatus. There was no way to describe her hair’s growth rate. The curls just kept curling up as they grew until the hair’s weight pulled them suddenly long. Before she could try to explain, Eyja came up with the answer.

Eyja and Sethyas worked rapidly through the information.

“The poisoner may well be in the tavern as we speak,” said Seth. His hand went to his blade’s hilt.

Abiene felt her stomach flutter in almost hopeful anticipation. I would like this to be over.

She stayed in her seat and began answering the questions. “If someone has been poisoning my food over time… They would have to have constant access to the chapel’s living quarters. I dine there mornings and evenings, and the food is served from communal bowls and platters. They must have poisoned most of the chapel staff along with me. Mid-day I usually take a potion instead of lunch. All of my potions at the chapel come from the compounding room. I only make a few of my own, honestly I have no talent for alchemy and there’s always someone who’s willing to trade. Folk get starved for a gentle touch, even a shoulder rub or a hand massage.” Abiene flushed, realizing that might not have sounded right.

She decided to just move on. “Sometimes I get a snack or tea from a food cart out in Fountain Gate, but someone would have to be pretty quick to… No, like you said, I’m sure I’m far more predictable than I imagine myself to be. Anyway, I—”

Abiene froze in mid thought. She brought her hand to her mouth in horror. “My extra potions, the ones I take beyond what chapel guidelines allow. A friend makes them for me. I keep my supply in the back of Northern Goods and Trade. Seed-Neeus lets me keep some things there. They’re just sitting in a box on a shelf, organized of course. It’s pretty obvious which one I’ll take next. I am not a neat freak, but there’s a correct way to do some things, and that’s how I do them.”

Imagining that someone had followed her around for a month watching for her to sicken and die made Abiene’s jaw ache. She deliberately unclenched her teeth.

“As for secrets I’ve learned, they will have to stay secrets.” She looked first at Maxical and then at Eyja. “My word is not conditional. Anyone who has my promise should trust that it will be kept. Anyone.”

Abiene’s eyes went reluctantly to Sethyas. He was the one with his palm on a blade hilt. She realized that she was not being easy in this matter, but he had her quiet trust in the same way that she had Maxical’s and Eyja’s. And if there was going to be a scene, so be it.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 11 2013, 02:33 AM

“My extra potions, the ones I take beyond what chapel guidelines allow. A friend makes them for me. I keep my supply in the back of Northern Goods and Trade. Seed-Neeus lets me keep some things there. They're just sitting in a box on a shelf, organized of course. It’s pretty obvious which one I’ll take next. I am not a neat freak, but there’s a correct way to do some things, and that’s how I do them.”

Sethyas brow furled.

Acquire potion sample. Add Seed-Neus to suspects. He jotted down.

But probably not her, though she is a woman. His instincts spoke.

“As for secrets I’ve learned, they will have to stay secrets.” She looked first at Maxical and then at Eyja. “My word is not conditional. Anyone who has my promise should trust that it will be kept. Anyone.”

Sethyas nodded in appreciation. "As it is for me as well." He said, noting yet another similarity in their opposing trades. "That does not mean you cannot let your knowledge guide you. You don't have to be the self-poisoning priest." He advised.

He took it from their vacant stares they didn't know the parable.

"In my orphanage, we were told the story of the Priest who heard it confessed to he that one of the faithful had poisoned the wine used during the sermon. Being sworn to absolute secrecy, the priest took the only recourse he had and drank the wine before any others could, and fell dead." He recounted quickly.

"As I said, you're not in that situation. If something occurs to you as a possible motive, you need not reveal the circumstances, you may honor your pledge to the Nine. That does not mean you need not tell us who the person might be, or even a preceding event that may lead us down that thread to it."

"I don't mean to encourage you to be duplicitous, but understand what the spirit of Sacred Secrecy is: Protection. The protection of person and property. I think both those tenets have been violated here, and you are the victim."

He stopped for a moment.

"When...when we are absolutely certain to who the offender is, and if there is no other recourse, I will take the burden on for myself." He said more looking at Eyja then Abiene.

"If we can see to it that the person can be sent to the dungeons to rot; which is the crueler fate I think, and it fits with your idea of justice, Abiene. It will be done."

Posted by: mALX Aug 11 2013, 04:05 AM

Maxical:


"Folk get starved for a gentle touch, even a shoulder rub or a hand massage.” Abiene flushed



Eyja gave her a saucy look and arched one eyebrow at her twice.

Maxical caught the look and blushed. "Oh, a...er...hand massage, huh? Wait a minute, you mean..." She flushed deeper.

She was grateful Seth broke in with the story about the Priest to wipe the visual images from her mind as she tried to imagine what Abiene was talking about; but the end of Seth's story stunned her.

"Huh? Man he was dumber than me! Why didn't he just uncork the wine and drain it onto the ground so no one died?"

Maxical turned to Eyja in all seriousness though. "Eyja, break into that store and steal the next vial of that potion. Maybe Seth can examine it for poison."

Eyja nodded. "I already planned to, and you are right that it should be the next one she would be taking. They wouldn't have tainted any more than needed, her hair proves that."

Eyja turned to Abiene. "I doubt it will be the one making the potions for you; they could be too easily pinpointed as the suspect if others knew they did this for you; and whoever did this has proven they don't want to be connected with the crime. But a busy store, anyone could come in chameleon and taint one at a time."

Maxical turned to Seth. "I am highly visible and easily described..." She pointed to her white skin and red hair, then continued.

"I could make a public display of going to the store and saying I'm picking up Abiene's potions for her so it will get out she is still alive and accessing those potions; then hide in chameleon and watch to see if anyone sneaks in to taint another bottle. Reel him in like a fish."

Eyja nodded agreement.

"I agree with Maxical in one thing, let the assassin know she lives and is here. Abiene could send messages to the places she frequents most; tell them she is busy here at the Wobbly Inn on a medical procedure and will be unavailable for healing anyone else temporarily. The only one seeking her here then would be the assassin, and we can be set up watching for them. The windows of this suite give quite a view to everything but the stables side of the Inn, and she can alert us if she sees someone suspect. That will narrow it down considerably and bring them into our hands."

Maxical slapped her hand on the table. "I can set traps on the windows and doors here." She turned to Eyja with a sudden thought.

"Who was that person you said paid you a Septim to embarrass Abiene in the road? They were there at the time the poison was passed to her, and must have had a reason to single Abiene out."

Eyja's brows drew down into a frown.

"Why didn't I think of them before? They may have been trying to delay Abiene reaching that doctor she works for; who would have seen immediately she'd been poisoned." Eyja turned to Seth.

"A tall man in expensive robes gave me a Septim if I could make Abiene blush. When I returned for the Septim he was gone. His voice..." She broke off with a frown, then looked back at Seth.

"His voice sounded like Earana's, that deep...remember hers? It was like a man's. That day, that person could have been a woman, I couldn't see for their hood covering their face."



"When...when we are absolutely certain to who the offender is, and if there is no other recourse, I will take the burden on for myself." Seth said more looking at Eyja then Abiene.


Eyja nodded at Seth with gratitude in her eyes. She mouthed, "Thank you, Seth." silently to him.


Maxical caught the exchange and smiled her approval at Seth. Eyja would kill in defense of herself or a friend in a heartbeat with no qualms, but the end killing in cases like this usually bothered her the same way she was bothered when she returned from that shouting match last night. She was grateful Seth was there and willing to relieve Eyja of this one.




*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 11 2013, 05:53 AM

It actually hit Sethyas like a smack in the face. The most obvious solution. It seemed to fit, Earana was a woman and was quite adept in poisons. At the very least drugging Maxical. Her interest in using her for her Cloud Top experiments would seem to interrelate with Abiene in some fashion.

"If..this is the case, have we already eliminated the threat?" Sethyas pondered aloud.

"Or are there other cohorts we've yet to come across?" he shook his head.

"I could make a public display of going to the store and saying I'm picking up Abiene's potions for her so it will get out she is still alive and accessing those potions; then hide in chameleon and watch to see if anyone sneaks in to taint another bottle. Reel him in like a fish."

"Very well, Maxical. If you feel up to the task, but Ejya or I should accompany you. I don't discount you or devalue your capabilities, merely wish to lessen any risks that we face." He said. He'd been around this long because he'd prepared for 'probably won't happen'.

"Either of us can be stealthy as well." He reasoned. "And if Earana's machinations were larger than what we've come across, you may be still targeted as well."

"And either of us can protect Abiene in this suite with the seal spell, alongside your traps. Hmmm." He stroked his chin.

"And I do happen to still have a last minute escape plan as well. Abiene, are you familiar with the spell: Divine Intervention?" he asked.

"It's rarely seen out here these days, I realize. But, I do have it in scroll form here." he went to his pack.

"Once read, the enchantment will immediately translocate you to the closest Imperial Cult Temple....I suppose they would be called Nine Divine Chapels in Cyrodiil Proper. Should your protector fail, and there is no recourse...simply read." he instructed as he handed her the scroll.

Posted by: mALX Aug 11 2013, 07:12 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja flushed, remembering the woman outside Maxical's window she had dumped Maxical's pee on. That woman had the same deeper voice as Earana too. She shook her head at Seth.

"I've heard other Altmer women with those deep voices. Some of them are hard to distinguish from males in the dark with those loose robes and cowls that cover their forms and faces."

Maxical poked Eyja in the side. "What about Earana's laboratory in the sewers though. It could easily have been made in there. I was ill and slept a lot; and now I know drugged as well...but I did hear other voices in there. Maybe she sold the poison to the one who wants Abiene dead. Or maybe it is this other person's lab and they allowed Earana use of it."

Eyja was struck by that. "Honditar said Earana lived at the Gray Mare, and only gave up her room that day. Someone else probably does own that laboratory."

Maxical hesitated as if searching her memory.

"There was an odd shrine in there, like nothing I've ever seen before; strange symbols over the doors and wall hangings that were macabre; like skeletons with crossed hands under the skull, and one near the bed I was kept in had a black hand symbol..."

She broke off and held her hand open so the fingers and thumb were spread apart. "It was different from yours, Seth. I think this was Dark Brotherhood maybe."

She glanced up at Eyja.

"Right across from this suite along the City wall is a huge rock. It hides an entry into a cave system, and at the bottom is the access to the lair in the sewers. The cave is trapped worse than I would have done it. I nearly killed the Orc inadvertently setting them off when we were leaving for Cloud Top. Armed and armored mercenary bandits guard the entrance to the sewers lair; and a wolf guards the people she brings inside the lair. It follows every move so closely you can feel its breath through your clothing. Being a cat, I was terrified, but truthfully he never bit me. I think he is just trained to do that."

Eyja watched Seth's eyes to see what he was doing with this information. "These types usually work alone so there are no witnesses; but I've seen them form temporary pacts of silence when they need a service the other has; then silence the final witness at the end. If Abiene's killer formed a pact with Earana, we have saved him from having to kill her and the Orc later."

Maxical eased to a stand using the table as leverage. "Excuse me, please." She worked her way along the wall holding onto it and headed upstairs.

Eyja glanced at Abiene. "Why is she hanging on to the walls that way?"







Strange shrine on right:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-44-58-22_zpse36f1333.png



Skeleton wall hanging over shrine and strange symbol over door:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-35-27-27_zps4b3cd42a.png



Alchemy Lab:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-35-36-64_zps6bb6e643.png


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-45-07-11_zps24820bec.png



Black Hand symbol on wall hanging:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-42-13-12_zps1036626c.png





Wolf guard:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-07-2305-42-38-16_zps3397df8e.png







*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 11 2013, 07:41 AM

"There was an odd shrine in there, like nothing I've ever seen before; strange symbols over the doors and wall hangings that were macabre; like skeletons with crossed hands under the skull..." Maxical recounted.

Necromancers. The books I read in their regard in Morrowind almost prophesied their unusual level of organization here in Cyrodiil. He thought.

"...and one near the bed I was kept in had a black hand symbol..."

She broke off and held her hand open so the fingers and thumb were spread apart. "It was different from yours, Seth. I think this was Dark Brotherhood maybe."

He paused visibly.

It is.

The sight of a Khajiit climbing across the walls would normally have drawn his attention. He hadn't moved.

His gauntlets creaked once more. Both this time.

"Dearest Abiene. I am sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to keep my word on this one. Whomever is involved that would dare adorn that symbol upon their abode is already dead." He said with clenched teeth.

"Excuse me. I need some air." he said, and abruptly left dispelling the seal with frustrated gesturing.

Posted by: mALX Aug 11 2013, 08:07 AM

*

Maxical worked her way upstairs to her room to pee. She had been using the bedpan since they arrived, so till now hadn't noticed how extremely high the urn was. Dear gods, was it made only for Nord or Orc? Maxical never sat on public urns, but carefully balanced herself over them in a hovering stand. There was no way to do that with his urn.

She pulled a chair over and wedged it beside the urn, then pulled the chair closest to the bed over to the urn. Someone's pack was on it, not hers or Eyja's. Was it Abiene's or Seth's? Seth would probably have a Morrowind travel pack like her own, which had been her mother's. It must be Abiene's.

She lowered the pack to the floor and stood on the chairs, one hand on each of the corner walls to balance herself. Her head still felt a little too woozy to be balancing on chairs.

Getting back down was even harder. She'd have to let go with one hand, but wasn't sure which was giving her the most stability. She chose the wrong hand to release, and tumbled off the chair, landing on the pack. There was a loud crack and then a crunch as she landed.

What broke was some kind of hollowed-out animal tusk. It had to be some kind of musical instrument like a flute or horn, Maxical guessed.

She rolled off the pack and pulled herself up, washing her hands at the ewer quickly before grabbing the instrument to show Abiene she had broken something that belonged to her.

Maxical worked her way into the kitchen with one hand on the wall and the other waving the broken tusk.

"Abiene, I fell and landed on your pack. I'm afraid I broke your flute."

She heard Eyja's braying laugh and saw Abiene's face purpling with embarrassment.

"Huh?" She looked from one face to the other.



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 11 2013, 04:46 PM

A plan came together to secure a sample of her potions and possibly lure the murderer to the Goblet. The target, she amended to herself. They haven’t murdered me yet. Abiene built a list in her mind of the folk to whom she would send her notes.

Seth’s words eased her conscience and set her thinking forward again. Maxical’s traps and Eyja’s seals would keep her secure in their absence, and Seth’s scroll of Divine Intervention was her safety net. She wondered what his escape plan might be if she had his emergency scroll. That’s not for you to ask, she told herself.

Eyja spoke. “I've heard other Altmer women with those deep voices,” she said. “Some of them are hard to distinguish from males in the dark with those loose robes and cowls that cover their forms and faces.”

Abiene remembered the Altmer in Selvilo’s office. Her voice had the low pitch common to many high elves, but her tailored robe had flaunted her femininity. That wench is probably treating my patients. Abiene found her teeth grinding together again.

Maxical excused herself and groped her way up the stairs, clinging to the walls all the way.

Eyja glanced at Abiene. “Why is she hanging on to the walls that way?”

Abiene’s eyebrows went up. “I have no idea. Her body should be fully recovered, but there are many ailments of the mind that can manifest in physical symptoms. Stress over reliving her ordeal may have caused a drop in blood pressure, and that would make her feel light-headed. Is she prone to fainting spells? Oh, and…”

She didn’t want to mention Maxical’s skooma issue in any way that the Khajiit might overhear, so she mimed tipping skooma into a dish and then lapping from it. Then she realized that her motions might easily be misinterpreted, especially after the hand massage misunderstanding.

Sethyas’ words drove other thoughts from her head. “Dearest Abiene. I am sorry, but I don't think I'll be able to keep my word on this one. Whomever is involved that would dare adorn that symbol upon their abode is already dead.” His formal tone and clenched teeth spoke of rigid control, perhaps barely maintained. Abiene found that more chilling than open rage. “Excuse me. I need some air.” And he was gone.

Eyja met her eyes. Abiene didn’t know if it was the necromancer symbol or the Dark Brotherhood hand that was to blame, but somehow this enemy was personal to Sethyas beyond his connection to Eyja and what had been done to Maxical. It seemed that Eyja knew. The Nord woman’s face was a mask slipping down over boiling emotion.

Maxical limped into the room holding the wall with one hand. In the other she brandished a broken horker tusk. “Abiene, I fell and landed on your pack. I'm afraid I broke your flute.”

Abiene’s face heated as Eyja brayed out a laugh.

“Oh my,” said Abiene. She struggled to stand, shaking with suppressed laughter. “Dear Maxical, you should hand me that right away. Goodness…”

She didn’t dare look at Eyja or they both might choke to death.

“Yes, my… flute. I was going to play myself a little tune this afternoon while all of you were busy. Music does clear the mind, it’s so relaxing. Don’t worry about breaking it, Maxical. I’ll think of another way to occupy my time. And anyway, see how this one is made in the,” she coughed to cover her laugh, “Nordic style? I thought I might try an instrument made in Hammerfell, and you’ve given me incentive to find one.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 11 2013, 06:06 PM

*

Eyja:


"Oh, and…”


Abiene had paused for an extended time. Eyja turned around to prompt her and saw her miming...

She raised her eyebrows at Abiene. There was no doubt what she was acting out.

Eyja shrugged. "Well okay, but it will cost you. My services don't come free you know."

Maxical's interruption and what she was carrying in her hand startled her into braying out a laugh, but as she passed Abiene she lowered her voice and leaned into her ear.

"And I charge extra for kinky stuff, you know." She raised one eyebrow twice at Abiene and brayed out another laugh.




*

Posted by: mALX Aug 11 2013, 08:52 PM

*

Maxical:

Maxical flushed a deep purple. "Geez Eyja, first Earana and now Abiene! If you decide to turn to cats next, don't come looking for me!" She stomped back up the stairs clinging to the railing and slammed her bedroom door shut behind her.


The truth was, having Seth around smelling of Gils had reminded her how lonely her life was without Gils, or even Fathis in it. She could never dispense herself freely like Eyja did, but the ache was there to kiss a man and feel him respond to her touch again. If there was a way to bring Gils back from the dead, she would become a necromancer in a heartbeat and do it.

Eyja was overly loud in her passions, and it was the last thing Maxical wanted to hear right now, feeling this way. Eyja was here to protect Abiene, and Seth was out actively seeking the killer; most likely clearing that cave and destroying that laboratory and everyone in it. And Seth had made it clear he didn't consider Maxical capable of even staking out a shop by herself.

Maybe it was that catalyst that made her decide to stake out the Inn's tavern. The decision to do it was no sooner made than she found herself pulling on a clean dress of Eyja's from the schrank. Eyja's dresses gave her shapes she didn't have, and may draw the killer right to her.

Eyja and Abiene were still in the kitchen giggling when Maxical's invisible form slid out the back door. She resealed the door behind her, and wondered if Seth had done the same when he left. It wouldn't hurt to go check.

Maxical scurried along the back wall of the Wobbly holding onto it; then clung tightly to the bushes as she moved closely along them on the side so if Eyja or Abiene looked out they wouldn't see her invisible pink form moving stealthily past with their Life Detect rings. She eased into the front door of the inn and glanced around. There was a fairly good sized crowd in there, and as she suspected Seth was not among them.

Before doing anything else, Maxical moved up the stairs to their room door and sealed it locked, then dispelled her chameleon and walked down normally; as if she was just a guest leaving her room and visiting the tavern; who just happened to be holding the railing as she went down.


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 11 2013, 09:12 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 12 2013, 12:08 AM

*

Eyja:

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

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

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

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

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

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




*

Posted by: Grits Aug 12 2013, 02:08 AM

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

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

Eyja offered some coffee and a bawdy remark.

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

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

Abiene retrieved writing supplies and sat down at the table.

Posted by: mALX Aug 12 2013, 02:28 AM

*

Eyja:

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


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 12 2013, 03:43 AM

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

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

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 12 2013, 03:59 AM

*

Eyja:

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

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

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



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 12 2013, 05:32 AM

*

Maxical:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 12 2013, 11:44 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

He paused as he considered his words.

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

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

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

He paused and looked at her with a serious expression.

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

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

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

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 12 2013, 11:55 PM

*

Maxical:


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

"Me too." Maxical grimaced.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silus grinned. "Then forget I said it."

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

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

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






***


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

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

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

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

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

"Were they in robes?"

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

"Man or woman?"

He shrugged. "Their voice was low."

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

"Both."

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

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

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

He nodded. "I'd like that."

"My name is Maxical, what is yours?"

"Lleris."

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

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

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






***


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 13 2013, 04:40 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Abiene reached out and lightly touched Seth’s glove.

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

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

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

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

Abiene picked up her coffee, refocusing her attention.

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 13 2013, 06:13 PM

*

Maxical:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 14 2013, 01:34 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 14 2013, 03:11 AM

*

Eyja:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You have to do the right thing first."

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

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

She hurried out, leaving him fuming.


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 14 2013, 09:24 AM

*

Maxical:

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

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

"Something I didn't find."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Oh, that's not good."

"What?"

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

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

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

"Only if you tease him with it."

"I plan to."

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






***


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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






***


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"HEY! Who shtole my clothsh?"

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

"That haircut looks good on you."

"Thanks."

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

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

"You wanna do something about it?"

"Damn right I will!" POW! BAM!






***


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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





*

Posted by: Grits Aug 14 2013, 02:10 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 14 2013, 06:00 PM

*

Maxical:

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

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

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

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


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 14 2013, 06:51 PM

*

Eyja:

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

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


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 14 2013, 10:59 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The urn.

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

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

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

"Seth?" Maxical asked.

"Yeeesss..." The low tone replied.

"Are you mad at us?" Abiene squeaked.

"Naaaawwww...." he replied.

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

"You look mad." Maxical said weakly.

"Oh, do I?" he said lowly.

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

"Get off me!" he exclaimed.

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 14 2013, 11:14 PM

*

Maxical:

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

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

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



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 14 2013, 11:25 PM

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

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

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

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

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

Posted by: mALX Aug 14 2013, 11:36 PM

*

Maxical:

She smiled in relief. The last thing she'd want to do was make Seth angry. Not just because he smelled like Gils, but for himself. He was nice beneath the distance he had to enforce for his profession.

Khajiit read people through their eyes, and his showed a tender side that was proven when he spoke about his sister.

"The man that peed on me may still be back there with his companion, unless the screaming scared them away. I was hiding in the bushes from them and it landed on me."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 15 2013, 12:18 AM

Sethyas did a quick wash-up in his quarters and strolled silently through the crowds taking in everything. He was in hunt mode, and sought his quarry with a renewed focus. He didn't see anything matching her description, or even an Altmer, but he would check more thouroughly returning.

For now he made his way outside, and scanned two bodies that were breathing normally on top of one another. He raised an eyebrow as he checked their pulses.

Multiple strike trauma to the face and torso on either,and both have bruised knuckles. Did these men knock each other out? He thought.

"I'm glad I didn't tick her off in hindsight." Seth muttered.

He made his way to the body, that just looked like a drunk was sleeping it off slumped up against the wall. He examined the surrounding and satisfied that no one was around, started to examine the body.

Cyanosis; blue tinting of the skin. Cause of death: hypoxia. Dead in five minutes after drinking the wine. Smells like almonds. It would come across as the onset of extreme alcohol poisoning at first, vomiting, comatose, then finally death. The almond scent would dissipate after four hours leaving any examiner to conclude he died of asphyxiation by the vomiting, rather than the poison. This is our professional.

Which means that they are aware that Abiene lives, as well as that she has protection possibly if Maxical was intended to be the messenger.

Posted by: mALX Aug 15 2013, 12:59 AM

*

Maxical:

Maxical scrubbed herself with her scented soap and washed her hair thoroughly, carefully going over the cut on the side of her forehead that Abiene had dealt her with that book.

When she was cleaned she donned a tee shirt and her greaves and sword to protect Abiene in case Seth didn't return; then padded down to the kitchen to heat the coffee in case he did come back.


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 15 2013, 04:28 AM

Abiene stood holding on to furniture as Sethyas stalked away down the stairs. She pressed her nose into her elbow against the smell while she gasped to catch her breath. Fighting two assassins in as many minutes took a toll, even when they both turned out to be friends.

He had loomed up like some wrathful figure out of a nightmare. I didn’t think a body could live through such a fright, thought Abiene.

Her eyes went to the source of the odor. Oh gods, I tried to brain him with the camber pot!

Maxical had hurried after Seth to apologize. Abiene started to follow, but their words stopped her feet.

“He lays dead outside the back door to this suite.”

“…I'll examine the body right now…”

Abiene’s knees buckled. She sat on the floor next to the tipped-over urn while Maxical went about her bath.

I wonder if he had a family, she thought. Stealing wine shouldn’t be a death sentence. That man would be alive if not for me.

Eventually the stink got her moving. Abiene cleaned up the substantial mess she had made and joined Maxical in the kitchen.

She pressed her hands together, not sure what to apologize for first.

“My dear Maxical,” she began. “I am so sorry for hitting you with books and a cushion and that metal plate and a tankard and dried flowers and an hourglass and also almost my shoe. And please forgive me for thinking you might be drunk. I was not myself at that moment.”

She took a deep breath.

“Also I believe I may have shoved you at Seth when I thought he was an assassin. Well, you know what I mean. That was unforgivable and I’m really sorry. I’m afraid I quite lost my head. I would have given my own mother a push at that moment, I was so scared.”

Abiene noticed that Maxical was wearing greaves and a sword. She hoped she wasn’t too mad.

“Maxical, will you allow me to heal that wound on your head? And I can wash and mend Eyja’s dress while she’s gone if you like. It won’t be perfect, but I can make a very fine stitch. And the dress won’t wiggle as much as a patient.”

Posted by: Grits Aug 15 2013, 05:13 AM

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/File:OB-npc-Gureryne_Selvilo.jpg, Chapel of Stendarr

Gureryne Selvilo stood behind the Healing Hall enjoying his pipe and solitude. The gardens were generally empty this time of day. For twenty minutes he could clear his mind and imagine himself in another kind of life.

“Master Selvilo. Master Selvilo. Master Selvilo!”

He turned slowly to face the back door and, he hazarded a guess, Neen-Samna his assistant.

The Argonian woman stood wringing her hands with a beautiful Nord at her side. An exceptionally healthy-looking Nord woman, with quite a lot of rosy flesh showing above her neckline and below her skirt.

“Yeeees?” said Gureryne.

“Message from Abiene,” said Neen-Samna. She pointed at the Nord.

Gureryne stuck the pipe in his mouth and folded his hands in greeting. “Gureryne Selvilo, Chapel Healer and servant of the Nine,” he said around the stem. And then, “Ah, she wrote a note.”

He motioned for Neen-Samna to stay as he read it. “Our Abiene’s health is improving, but she is unable to predict when she will return to us. She informs us that she is unable to perform healing services at this time.”

Neen-Samna’s jaw dropped open as Gureryne’s brows went up. He refolded the note.

“Take this in a letter,” he said to Neen-Samna, “and you may pass along the message, if you please,” he said to the Nord.

Neen-Samna began frantically patting herself down as if writing implements might pop out of her cloaca.

“When you get back to my office,” he explained to the Argonian.

“You may tell Abiene that we await further report at the end of this week, which was her allotted time for recovery. If she remains indisposed she must accept the risk that her temporary replacement will become permanent. The woman has proven capable and experienced, thank Stendarr for her timely arrival. Abiene need not concern herself for her patients in her absence.”

Gureryne lifted his eyebrows to ask, Is there anything more?

Posted by: mALX Aug 15 2013, 05:32 AM

*

Eyja:


Eyja spoke loudly so everyone gathered at the various altars could hear. "I need to speak with Gureryne Selvilo, I have a message for him from Abiene, the healer."

Everyone turned and stared at her, more for the low cut top and short skirt than for her loud question.

A tall Altmer woman in richly ornate and fitted robes stepped forward. "I'll take the message to the Master."

Eyja tucked it in between her breasts and shook her head no. "My instructions were to give it only to Gureryne Selvilo. She leaned forward and put her hand to the side of her mouth as if about to share a confidence, but whispered so loudly that people several rows up in the pews turned to gape.

"I need to see him personally anyway, I need a few potions to clear up some...side effects of a night spent with the wrong man, if you get my drift."

"I'd be the one handling that, I am the healer now that Abiene is gone."

Eyja gave a leering grin and scratched her crotch. "Go to it then, should I lift my skirt? I've got no panties on, you can just get plucking away at the little buggers if that's how you do it. Oh, and I'll need some Stallion potion if you know how to make it. My...er, partner is on in years, if you get my drift. But you know the saying, the more they're gray the more they'll pay. BWAAHAA! BWAAHAA! BWAAHAAHAA!"

Eyja continued to bray out the loud laugh till everyone in the chapel had stopped activating altars and was turned staring.


"Keep your voice down, this is a house of worship! Perhaps it would be best if you stepped downstairs. Follow me."

Eyja scooted up closely and almost leaned on the woman.

"Keep your distance!"

"Mighty hoity toidy for a healer, dontcha think? Us common folk need healing too, you know. Abiene was willing to treat me last time I..."

The Altmer woman turned around with such a look of cold hatred it caused the hairs on the back of Eyja's neck and arms to raise like hackles. After a visible struggle within herself the woman seemed to catch control of herself again.

The woman took Eyja directly to Gureryne Selvilo's office, but the physician was not there. Eyja saw an older Dunmer puffing on a pipe in the gardens outside the office. She pointed.

"Is that him?"

The Altmer woman looked hesitant, but just then a young Argonian woman hurried into the office and passed them, going straight to the garden door. She tugged Eyja by the wrist, pulling her out into the garden with her.

Eyja turned back to glance at the Altmer woman and caught a disgruntled look on her face. She either didn't like the Argonian girl, or felt her authority had been usurped. Or maybe assumed authority.

At Gureryne Selvilo's words about replacing Abiene a smug look of victory flickered over the Altmer's face. Eyja's brows puckered down into a frown.

Victory? Abiene's position? Yes! Hadn't Abiene said this position was a highly sought after one? An Altmer in expensive robes, the deep voice...

Eyja took a deep breath. She would stake her life on it that this woman was the assassin.

"Excuse me, Master Gureryne Selvilo? May I have a word with you in private please?"

She squeezed the Argonian woman's arm as she passed back into the building. "Thank you."








*


Maxical:

Maxical smiled and hugged Abiene tightly. "Dearest Abiene. This is all a lot for you all at once, isn't it. You feel like you've been dropped out in the middle of an ocean and don't know how to swim or which direction land is?"

She worked her way to the table holding onto walls and sat down, indicating the seat next to her and pouring a cup of coffee.

"There's brandy there if you want some in your coffee." She pointed to a cupboard.

"Abiene, I was a dumb spoiled child just barely out of school when Akatosh called me into his service. I had no choice in it, the same as you have no choice now. Every enemy I faced was straight out of the history books, and I had no clue what I was doing or if I'd live through it. I almost didn't a few times, but here I am. We don't choose for these situations, but for you and me they came regardless. We can't wake up and they go away, we have to endure through them the best we can."

She gripped Abiene's shoulder firmly in a bracing way; the same way Uriel had with her when she'd felt overwhelmed.

"You have been thrust into a situation that is way over your head and experience. You can't run from this, it will find you. But you have the best of the best around you in Eyja and Seth. If they are protecting you, nothing will take you. You can be assured of that. What you don't know, they do. What you can't do or can't handle, they can."

She let go of Abiene's shoulder and took a sip of her coffee.

"I don't want you to apologize for what you did to me and Seth just now. Tonight you finally fought for yourself. I don't know how Seth feels about having turds and pee dumped on him, but...I'm proud of you. You stood up to what could have been two assassins. I'll take the beating to see you finally not laying down and letting the enemy take you without a fight."

She pointed to the side of her forehead where the book Abiene threw had cut her.

"This needs healing, but something else does too. When you did the surgery on me, you left some connection to yourself in me. It has me feeling off balance, like I'm walking on floating tires. Can you fix that first? I can't walk or fight like this, and I'll need to. You have one assassin after you, I have many. I'll not live if I can't fight them."




*

Posted by: Grits Aug 15 2013, 04:31 PM

Gureryne Selvilo, at the Chapel of Stendarr

“Excuse me, Master Gureryne Selvilo? May I have a word with you in private please?”

Gureryne suppressed a sigh as he extinguished his pipe. It would be worth the expense in magicka to gain a few moments of Gureryne time. Henceforth he would enjoy his pipe under a shroud of invisibility.

They’ll probably just follow the smoke, he thought.

He held the door open for the Nord woman, then preceded her to his office. He sat behind his desk, gesturing for her to take a seat in one of the chairs opposite.

“Here we are,” he said, his tone professionally neutral. “Now, how may this Disciple of the Nine assist you?”

Posted by: mALX Aug 15 2013, 05:39 PM

*

Eyja:

"Here we are, but I asked for a moment of privacy with you alone."

She cast dispel into the corner of the office, where the pink outline of life detect clearly showed a tall figure skulking in the corner. As Eyja suspected, it was the Altmer woman.

"And don't linger outside the doors or walls to eavesdrop, this ring detects for 250 feet." Eyja gave the Altmer woman a good imitation of the Altmer woman's own smug look of victory.

She closed the door behind her and watched till the pink outline was well distant before turning back to Gureryne Selvilo. Eyja raised one hand and cast her Dragon Armor on, then withdrew a folded parchment with Uriel Septim's royal seal on it and handed it to the Dunmer man.

"As you see, these orders are of the highest echelon of security, and do not expire for another year despite the death of the Emperor. Abiene has been commissioned by the Empire. You must know anyone called into government service cannot be relieved of the post they vacate for their service to the Empire, but must be assured of its availability on their return. Abiene has been commissioned by me to treat the Champion of Akatosh during our visit to Chorrol. The medical care of my ward was forced on Abiene by these orders, she did not choose this. If Abiene finds herself permanently replaced on her return, I will bring the full might of the Elder Council against this chapel and and against you personally, Master Gureryne Selvilo. I suggest you tear up that note and write one more appropriate, so I have no evidence in my hand to bring them."



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 15 2013, 06:14 PM

Gureryne Selvilo

Gureryne examined the scroll and returned it to the Nord. He kept his tone reasonable. A thug in service to the Empire was still a thug, and he had little taste for dealing with them.

“You are Eyja, I presume? There is no need for threats, agent Eyja. I have no interest in engaging in a… what’s the expression? Pissing contest with you. You will find that the Elder Council is even less interested in the affairs of my surgical students, nor in any way inclined to exert its might against a chapel of the Nine. I will let Neen-Samna write the letter as I instructed her.”

Gureryne raised a hand to forestall objections while he continued.

“I do not wish to arouse suspicion by deviating from what would be a normal response. It would seem that our Abiene is not the only one who has endured physical harm if your Champion of Akatosh requires her attention. You may ease Abiene’s concerns about her return to service at the Healing Hall, verbally of course. And do be careful with her. Akatosh has gathered many champions under his wings in these troubled times, but healers of Abiene’s potential are not born under every sign. I would hope that my time spent with her would not be wasted.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 15 2013, 06:58 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja nodded briefly.

"I agree, or she would not have been entrusted for this commission. Her care is assured during her time with me; she is under my protection. The Elder Council may not be interested in your students, but they take great interest in murderers. I believe you know Abiene was given a lethal dose of a rare poison not days ago. We suspect the person who poisoned her to be connected with the one who attacked my ward."

She paused while she folded her orders and restored them to the inner pocket of her Dragon cuirass.

"Someone with access to that type poison is not new to killing. It would have to be someone close enough to her routine to have access to her food and drink. Why Abiene was targeted is unknown; but ambition is a prime motivator. If you would take my advice I think it would be wise for you to take the same precautions in your own food and drink which we are taking with Abiene's. Frustrated by the inability to access one target, they may seek another; and from what Abiene has said you are extremely gifted in the field of medicine."

She raised her hand and dismissed her Dragon armor, once again wearing the short skirt and low cut blouse.

"I thank you for your time, Master Gureryne Selvilo." She pounded her fist to her chest in salute and turned to leave.


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 15 2013, 08:06 PM

Abiene

Maxical’s warm hug did as much to reassure Abiene as did her comforting words.

“This needs healing, but something else does too,” Maxical told her. “When you did the surgery on me, you left some connection to yourself in me. It has me feeling off balance, like I'm walking on floating tires. Can you fix that first? I can't walk or fight like this, and I'll need to. You have one assassin after you, I have many. I'll not live if I can't fight them.”

Floating tires… Does she know Levitation? Abiene shook off her distraction and focused on the issue.

“I hope I can fix it, Maxical. I did use an energy conversion spell when I healed you , though it shouldn’t have affected you. But there’s no telling how your…” Abiene leaned in and whispered “…condition might change things. I’m not much of a mystic. The best I can do is take a look and see.”

Abiene sat down and put her hands out on the table for Maxical to take when she was ready. “I should warn you that I’m always struggling to maintain boundaries between myself and my patient. You’ve experienced that, and it goes both ways. While I’m searching for the answer in you, you might feel uncomfortably close to me. Not so much inside my thoughts as inside my emotions. I can’t read minds no matter what Jerric says, so don’t worry about me finding out secrets. I might feel a deep well of sadness but no amount of prying would show me the cause.”

She twisted her fingers together for a moment before she noticed and stilled them. “Of course I can’t be certain what you’re capable of seeing in my mind. Hopefully nothing that will… Anyway, I hope you’d ask before… I hope you won’t judge me too harshly.”

Posted by: mALX Aug 15 2013, 09:18 PM

*

Eyja:

As soon as she had closed Master Selvilo's office door behind her Eyja cast chameleon and began a full surveilance of the tall pink outline of the Altmer woman. She began silently compiling a dossier on her routine, her activities and which room she slept in. When the Altmer sat down to her dinner with the others, Eyja searched her room thoroughly.

Behind a large dresser she found two brownish vials hidden. She slipped them into her pocket and left two matching vials of her own in their place, hers containing a mild cure for constipation.

Her search turned up no documentation or even a letter from home that would give her identity. Abiene may know her name, but may not disclose it. Eyja needed that name to compile a full profile and pry into the Altmer woman's past history.

She took the risk, slipping silently up behind the Altmer woman as she ate. The attempt to pickpocket the woman's documents failed, there were none on her to be taken. Eyja backed silently away, frustrated.

The temptation was too great to turn tables on the poisoner. Eyja slipped a strong version of the anti-constipation potion out of her pack and uncorked it. As she crept past the counter she palmed a fork. Just before reaching the table she tossed it to her left, aiming it to land at the feet of the young Argonian girl who had helped her earlier.

The loud clatter caught everyone's attention, and the nervous Argonian dropped her own fork at the sound. It hit her plate and splashed red sauce on her. The laughter of the others at her predicament was diversion enough, Eyja tipped the strong potion into the Altmer's wine.

Eyja eased back out, leaving the chapel. Next she went to the laboratory in the sewers beneath Chorrol. She gathered up the wall hangings Maxical had described, several black soul gems, some bottles of Skooma, and a few books; texts on necromancy and two on the tenets of the Dark Brotherhood.

Still in chameleon, she re-entered the living area of the chapel and crept back to the Altmer woman's room and began planting the items. Eyja placed the books around in a natural manner, mixing them in to the texts and tomes that were already laying on tabletops.

The set of wallhangings Eyja hung on the wall over the bed so they could be easily seen by anyone standing in the corridor if the door was opened. She lay one black soul gem on the center of the coffee table mixed into the bowl of fruit there, then hid the rest of them about the room in various drawers, under dressers and behind the drapes. Places that would easily be found in a search.

Eyja also hid the Skooma in such a way that it could be readily found by anyone searching. She gapped the door wide so anyone passing would see the wallhangings and be drawn into the room to find the rest.

As Eyja crept out they were rising from the dining table. She darted into the nearest door to avoid having someone trip over her invisible form. It turned out to be the kitchen. They would be in here any second to clean their plates. Drat!

Eyja moved along the wall and into the pantry in the back to hide; and was startled by the number of mice in there. On the spur of the moment she grabbed up as many as she could catch, tucking them into a nearby sack almost empty of grain.

While she was crouched there waiting for the kitchen to clear out, a horrible smell wafted under her nose. She tracked the rank odor down to what looked to be some sheep organs decaying under a low shelf.

Eyja grabbed them with a towel and tossed them into the sack with the mice, giving the sack a tight twist to keep the odor or mice from escaping. She slid out of the pantry and along the wall quickly, for all the noise of their voices in washing dishes covered any sound she could have made.

She returned to the Altmer woman's room and pulled the sheets back, dumping the sack of mice into them and quickly tucking the sheet back over them. The sheep organs she cast a spell on to make them completely invisible regardless of touch. Those she hid well, so they would not be found readily if found at all.

The smaller invisible entrails she mixed among the Altmer woman's clothing in the drawers, a sachet of a different kind. It would be impossible to completely remove that stench from the cloth of her robes, panties, and socks. Eyja and Seth would be able to smell her coming, at least till she realized she was wafting announcement of her arrival.

The reek was already permeating the corridor outside the room by the time she left it. She left the door open wide again, the smell would draw people in to see the wallhangings.

Eyja slid silently out of the chapel and hurried back to the Wobbly Inn. Best warn Seth to be on his guard from here out, she had just declared war on the assassin.


*

Posted by: mALX Aug 15 2013, 10:24 PM

*

Maxical:

Maxical looked down in embarrassment. "Who am I to judge anyone? I have had the same longings. Khajiit love their mates beyond the grave, but the desire to feel a man responding in your arms doesn't go away. It haunts your dreams and your waking moments when one is near that reminds." She jerked her head in the direction of the back door, knowing Abiene would understand who she meant.

"Others are easy to dismiss. But there are some that I just have to be stronger for the battle against the temptation to dishonor Gils' memory with. I have the five to comfort me in my weakest moments."

Abiene looked confused. "Five? ..."

Maxical held up her hand and smiled. For the first time since Maxical met her, Abiene laughed spontaneously in genuine amusement; freely.

Abiene looked stunning in that moment, the worry and care lifted from her; no illness or fear to hinder the joy that lit her eyes. Jerric must have seen her like that, so completely happy. How he must love her...she needed to do that more often, so he'd be reminded of that side of her.

Maxical leaned over and squeezed Abiene's hand. "I'm glad we met, Abiene. I've heard of you for so long, come to know you through the eyes of those who love you. Now I am beginning to see for myself."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 16 2013, 12:55 AM

Brows furrowed in concentration.

This act...it is deadly and decisive. But it is also rash. Desperate. To make oneself seen too witnesses, with a trail to follow. What is it that Abiene possesses that another would benefit from her death?

He put his mindset back into his younger days, where he acquired his skills in acquisition. In the Guild. The Thieves' Guild to those outside their thin, yet secure veil of secrecy. He merely polished and sharpened other talents within the Morag Tong.

Follow the Gold. He reminded himself.

Abiene said that she had acquired a seat with a rare College within Restoration for a Surgeon.

Once, they would have been the local blacksmith sawing off a limb as the victim bit down on a blade. More recent advancements had made it possible to flay a patient open and remove the offending cause of an internal injury that the more simple remedies of potions and restoratives simply didn't address.

Indeed, Abiene had showed him a talent in not just restoration, but regeneration. The ability to restore lost tissues en masse, such as an entire digit and it's corresponding attributes; such as muscles, bones, tendons, blood vessels, et cetera. As such it was much more than just forcing the tissues to replicate faster, in essence merely copying and speeding up the natural healing process it was a generation ahead and above the current arts and sciences.

Whomever would wield that type of skill....would be just as in demand as an elite Assassin... He thought.

And if that person had some sort of connection to Necromancers and the Brotherhood. There's no telling how much this College would benefit Necromancers. His mind clicked the pieces slowly into place.

With that, he heard a slight rustling in the grass. He made no motion, save for imbibing a 'Detect Life' potion.

He unsheathed Shimsil, and turned. The only life sign he could detect was at least five hundred paces off, and it was a quadruped. Most likely a skeever...or cave rat. Whatever the kids called it these days.

He relaxed a bit, until he heard the rustling again.

This time he imbibed a 'Detect Dead' potion.

His heart skipped a beat as he saw a red mist ambling through the field towards him. Coming from the direction of...Cloud Top.

He walked towards the figure just as casually as it walked to him. Knowing who it was, even before he could finally see the rotting face.

"Missed me?" The one-sided smiling face spoke out in a guttural voice that showed his internal muscles working and struggling to voice it. The stitching was sloppy and haphazard and clearly showed where the wound of a massive Daedric Battle-Axe had hewn him in two.

"How many times do I have to kill you?" Sethyas whispered at the Orc.

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 16 2013, 01:35 AM

The grass rustled once more.

This time it was the light steps of a running Dunmer, one who was not at all pleased too see this raised dead once again. His blade swept imperceptibly against a night sky the ebony making contact with the Orc's remaining head. In reaction, the zombie swung out. But it's moves were too slow and erratic.

I put Arkay's Blessing on you. I buried you. This has to be the work of a Master Necromancer. He thought, knowing that the more skilled ones had ways to work around his very simple layman's version.

In almost a rage, Sethyas swung out again and again at the unholy revenant. The sickening crack of bone and the squishy resistance of flesh. He was literally hacking it apart, limb by limb, piece by piece. Fighting through the stench and the natural mortal terror of the unnatural.

Finally, the Orc lay in more pieces than Seth cared to count. He fell to his knees trying to catch his breath after the exertion, a motion from his peripherals forced his view to the pile. A hand still wriggled trying to complete it's apparent task of attacking him.

Screaming in frustration, he acquired a large tarp from the stables not too far and with a strength earned over two centuries of sweat and effort piled the wriggling body into the bag and took it to the ruins where he'd disposed of the Dark Brother.

He went to the pig troughs and grabbed two heavy pails of their excrement, and a few bottles of the incredibly potent sujamma. He covered the pile of body parts in both, and lit it. The fire rose slowly at first, mostly the nearly invisible blue flame of the Sujamma burning, then finally the pig waste caught aflame and began to rage into an inferno, making even the bones of the Orc turn black and brittle.

Rise up from that! He thought in a sort of vengeful pride as the flames reflected off his crimson eyes.

"This is actually another clue. And it means our target is running scared..." He thought aloud. "But, how do I explain it? Perhaps Abiene can clue me in, this has to be Regeneration."

He returned to the suite as quickly and stealthily as he could. From here he could smell the pot of coffee. A very welcoming scent after all that.

Posted by: mALX Aug 16 2013, 02:05 AM

Maxical heard the sounds of combat outside the suite and pulled herself to the window by holding onto the table and then the counter. She peeked out, thinking maybe the two drunks had made the mistake of waking up and attacking Seth. What she saw...

"HOLY [CENSORED] mother of [censored] [CENSORED]! Abiene, GET IN YOUR ROOM NOW AND BOLT YOUR DOOR!"

Maxical couldn't help Seth if she couldn't stand. Not just that, she couldn't leave Abiene. She was the only one here left to protect her. She cast to seal all windows and doors as she pulled herself to the stairs and climbed them behind Abiene.

When she heard the bolt slide on Abiene's bedroom door she cast to seal it, then wedged her back against it and drew her sword. In her left hand instead of her shield she loaded that shock spell Earana had inadvertently bestowed on her. She'd go down fighting if the Orc came, but knew she had no way to kill an undead one that powerful.



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 16 2013, 03:53 AM

Abiene stood with her palm against the sealed door, heart pounding in her throat.

Eyja’s words returned to her mind. “Without her knowledge, she is my responsibility. I have been tasked with keeping her alive for two years, she has been appointed...she is in the service of Cyrodiil. I'm a bodyguard that she can’t know is commissioned to protect her.”

“…she can’t know…”

Abiene knew that she was not the only one under protection, but she was sworn to keep the secret even from Maxical. With Sethyas and Eyja out there somewhere she held onto hope that whatever threat Maxical had seen wouldn’t make it this far. But if it did, Maxical would not stand alone. For now Abiene stayed behind the door, rigid with tension.

“Maxical, what’s happening? Maxical!” she hissed.

She ran to the window to look out again, but nothing seemed amiss. Abiene returned to the door and pressed her ear against it.

If there’s a fight I’ll open the door and immediately cast Invisibility. Then I’ll use an Absorb spell on whatever I can touch.

Abiene’s knees shook and her stomach threatened to empty.

Also stay out of the way of Maxical’s blade, she warned herself. And gods help me if she casts that weather magic spell.

Posted by: mALX Aug 16 2013, 03:59 AM

*

Maxical:

Maxical whispered against the door. "Shhh! Don't make a sound, you'll draw it to us! Don't look out the windows no matter what, Abiene! Get under the bed and hide, you don't want to see this thing."

Maxical hated giving orders to someone as sweet and gentle as Abiene, but if that thing knew they were up here it would come.

She fought to keep from peeing her pants when she heard the door opening below. Her eyes were wide, but steady and focused on those stairs. Maxical raised her blade into position and readied it, then stretched her left arm wide to blast that lightning spell...and waited.



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 16 2013, 05:49 AM

Something was amiss.

The seal spells were recast, and the two were nowhere to be seen. He looked around the kitchen area and found the coffeepot, still warm.

They couldn't have gone too far. Plus there is no signs of a struggle. Perhaps they decided to go downstairs, have a drink?...which would be very foolish. And Maxical can barely walk.

He helped himself to a cup of the coffee, and looked around and started heading up the stairs looking around.

"Abiene? Maxical? Are you two still here?" He called out to the thin air.

"There's been a development, I need to talk to you guys right away." He continued.

Unless they went fraidy cat on me again. He thought reaching the top of the stairs, finding a very relieved seated Maxical, who just started to lower her casting hand.

"Thank the [censored] Nine divines." she said with a gasp and her shoulders slumped down. "The Orc, Seth! I saw the [censored] Orc! He's back and [censored] me if he wasn't sewn back up with half his [censored] face missing!!"

Sethyas took a sip of coffee calmly.

"Yes, I know. That's the development I needed to talk to you about. I found him, hacked him up, and burnt the remains. He's not coming back as anything but undead chimney soot."

Maxical seemed stunned.

"Really?"

"Really. I burned him with pig waste and sujamma. Sounds about right for him anyways."

"How,...how..did he?" She managed to ask.

"Not sure, that's what I needed to ask Abiene about." He replied.

"Man, this really is a crappy evening." Maxical shook her head.

"Abiene, it's okay. It's just Seth, he took care of the problem apparently." He knocked lightly on the door.

Posted by: mALX Aug 16 2013, 06:25 AM

*

Maxical:

At the sound of Seth's voice Maxical lowered her sword in relief.


Thank the gods it's him.


She slid down against Abiene's door to a sit in relief. It was over, Seth had killed it...again.

"That was the most horrifying thing I've ever seen, Seth. It was the Orc, wasn't it? I've never been so terrified, that thing was horrible! I'm so glad you were here...that it was you that came back..."

Her voice and legs were shaking. Maxical fought back the fear. It was over, and Seth was here to protect them. She pulled herself up to a stand so Seth wouldn't think her weak. The thought suddenly struck her that Earana could be raised up too.

"Er...did you seal the door behind you when you came in? Earana could come back too. She might be vengeful or something."

Maxical dispelled the seal on Abiene's bedroom door and unlocked it, then held on the wall to hurry in and hug Abiene.

"We're safe, dearest Abiene. Seth killed it. It's gone, Abiene; we're safe now."

She held Abiene tightly, trembling as badly as Abiene was. She was finally able to give way to her fear now that the danger was passed.

"I've never been so terrified." She brushed the hair back from Abiene's eyes to make sure she hadn't gone into shock.

"Come on, maybe we all need some coffee with brandy in it." Maxical wrapped her arms around Abiene to help guide her downstairs.



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 16 2013, 06:53 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja cut over the hill to the suite's back door and was confronted by the body laying stiffly against the wall. The last thing they needed after the cat pee incident was a body being found back here. She cast feather on it and hauled it up to the ruin, surprised to find a fire burning there.

Eyja dragged the body into the pyre and hurried back down the hill to the suite door, casting the seal off and then resealing it after she darted in.

"Seth? Abiene? I've got some news! I've found the assassin."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 16 2013, 04:06 PM

"That's even better news!" Seth said in a pleasant tone, clearly pleased by the turn of events.

"I'm also prety sure the assassin is a Necromancer. Orc-boy came back and stitched up somehow. I took care of him but the normal method of inflicting enough damage didn't stop him. He was still wriggling long after I'd trimmed him down. Never seen anything like it. It might have been something akin to Abiene's studies." he conferred.

"What's your findings?"

Posted by: Grits Aug 16 2013, 04:22 PM

The door lock clicked opened, and then Abiene’s arms were full of a trembling Maxical. “We're safe, dearest Abiene,” Maxical told her. “Seth killed it. It's gone, Abiene; we're safe now.”

The two clung to each other for a long moment in shared relief as well as for support. Abiene felt as unsteady as Maxical, yet the Khajiit had stood guard alone outside the door. Abiene felt awe at her courage.

Her eyes went over Maxical’s shoulder to Seth. If that was the orc raised a second time, then we’re not safe. Far from it. Mister gro-Gonk did not reanimate himself. But the Dunmer’s face did not reflect her worries.

He’s right, Abiene thought. We’ll face each terror as it comes and use the time between to prepare. No use in shivering over what might happen.

Eyja returned through the side door. The group convened in the kitchen area. Abiene would have loved to dive into the brandy, but she would need a clear head to follow Eyja’s and Sethyas’ rapid reasoning. She cast a quick spell to sharpen her thinking instead.

Abiene glanced at Maxical. Her friend still clung to walls and furniture for balance. Stendarr’s mercy, what have I done to you?

Posted by: mALX Aug 16 2013, 09:45 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja checked the seals on all the windows and doors rapidly but systematically while the others gathered at the table. She came down last and scrubbed her hands thoroughly before pouring herself a coffee and tipping a few drops of brandy into it.

She put the pot of Seth's stew over the fire again before making her way to the table; plopping down a bowl of fruit and some cheese and bread before taking a seat.

"We've got to keep our strength up, don't neglect your stomachs." She turned to Abiene first.

"What can you tell me about the Altmer woman that works at the chapel? I need to know her name, any history of the woman such as where she came from; what schools she attended. She had taken over your duties temporarily when I first arrived, and from everything I saw was in hopes that would become permanent. She wants your position with the Master Gureryne Selvilo, and may be using charm spells or some other spells on him to get it."

Eyja watched Abiene carefully for her reaction while she slathered a hunk of bread with butter and cut herself a wedge of cheese. She nodded her head in satisfaction at the rage she read in Abiene's eyes.

"Don't worry, she won't be such a prime candidate after tonight. It may be discovered that she is connected to necromancy and the Dark Brotherhood. I planted many items from that laboratory in the sewers around her room to be discovered, and a sure way to bring people in to search her room. In case she finds the planted items before anyone else does, I left a few things she won't be able to find that will override any charm spells she could use."

Eyja turned to Seth. "She is the assassin, and I have just let her know that I know it; and that we know of her connection to that laboratory in the sewers. The games will begin in earnest now, with two targets in one spot."

"Maybe three." Maxical raised her hand. "She somehow knows of my connection to Abiene, too. She had a bottle of poisoned wine delivered to me to give to Abiene. If she is connected to Earana's laboratory below the sewers, she would know I was being held there; there is only one white Khajiit in Cyrodiil, I'm easy to spot."

"Then let us prepare." Eyja lifted her skirt, then her shirt and began removing weapons from various places on her body and laying them on the table; the last daggers from her fancily tooled feminine boots.

Maxical unsheathed her sword and dagger from her waist and lay them in front of her on the table. She pulled two more daggers from her boots; then emptied a pouch at her waist with various odd shaped spikes and hooks. She pulled a whetstone from her pack and began sharpening each blade.

Eyja pulled a whetstone out from somewhere on her person and began doing the same.

Maxical glanced over at Eyja. "You've got less to sharpen than I do, make up some sacks for Abiene and me to use, I'll teach her how." She pointed to a solid and heavy hand iron on the hearth, the kind used to press clothing.

"Make sure to get that in one."

Maxical turned to Abiene next. "I'm going to need that healing to fight." She sheathed her sword and dagger and began honing the hooks and spikes with the whetstone.



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 16 2013, 10:31 PM

*

Maxical:

Maxical honed the last hook on an odd bar of metal with raised metal hooks and barbs sticking out of it, then began honing the spikes and filling them from a bottle of poison.

When she was done she loaded them back in the pouch on at her waist and pulled herself up. She worked her way over to Abiene holding onto the table, and shifted through her spells till she found the one she wanted.

"I'm going to share this spell with you Abiene. It gives the lightest hit so much velocity that it is like being hit by a minotaur. You can take down a Daedra with it in one hit with one of these sacks in your hand or a good pair of steel knuckles. Let me show you how it works."

Maxical paused. Abiene looked like she was going to explode with rage, but was struggling to hold it in.

"Are you okay Abiene? Have I done something to make you mad? What is it, dearest Abiene? You look like you may blow up on someone!"



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 16 2013, 11:10 PM

Abiene opened her fists and forced her hands to relax.

“It’s not you, Maxical. I’ll heal you as soon as I’m calm, right now I could chew metal and spit nails.” She looked over at Eyja. “I know who you mean, but I don’t know her name. She was in Master Selvilo’s office when I went to ask for a leave of absence. She knew what the poison was just by glancing at the list of ingredients for the cure that I showed to Gureryne. And of course she did, the poison was hers!”

She paced across the room and then quickly back.

“Anyone at the chapel could tell you her name if she’s replaced me, or I could march right down there and ask her myself! It’s my position with Gureryne that someone would want enough to kill for, not my secrets. I can’t believe I was so blind! I looked right at that woman, and she looked right at me.”

Abiene passed a hand over her eyes, completely failing to settle down.

“The thought of that wench treating my patients… Let’s go, can we confront her now? Maxical, let me heal you. Stendarr on a pogo stick, I’ll kill her myself!”

She stopped at the table, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

“Please excuse my language. Maxical..?” Abiene sat down and stretched out her hands.

Posted by: mALX Aug 17 2013, 12:12 AM

*

Eyja:

Eyja shook her head. "Don't bring this to the chapel or play it out in front of Master Gureryne Selvilo. You will be endangering everyone there. Let her come to us; and she will, have no doubt on that. I have declared war with her in a way she will understand. One prime factor in winning fights is going into them in control. Here in this suite we have that control. In the chapel an innocent bystander could get caught in the middle of the conflict."

Maxical nodded, and gave Abiene a hug.

"Geez, for gods sake don't leave the suite; remember how mad Seth got when I did? But she's right about that, Abiene. This fight should be kept away from the chapel at all costs. Here we have the advantage of being prepared for anything she brings. We can lay traps for her, and lure her to them. We have to go into this with clear heads, this woman has shown intelligence and cunning. Those are strengths we need to limit her ability to use. There she can have traps set for us, but here she is out of her element and doesn't know what will happen next. We have the advantage if we force her to come to us."

Eyja gave Maxical a surprised glare. "You left the suite?" She caught herself. "Never mind, we'll talk about it later." She turned and patted Abiene's shoulder consolingly.

"Hone that rage for the battle ahead, don't let it overtake your senses and go stomping over there half-cocked. Spend your time preparing every asset you can bring. Illusion, conjuration, potions, anything. I'll need magicka restoral potions if you can make them. Maxical is a powerful asset in battle, and we'll need her if you can get her healed from this dizziness."

"And healing potions for me." Maxical called out.

Eyja nodded.

"Maxical can't heal herself. She'll need strong healing potions in combat, or you'll have to stay right with her and keep her healed. She'll keep you protected if you'll listen to her; and can teach you some filthy dirty self-defense tricks even a child could use."

She pulled out her notepad, and signaled Abiene. "As you think of any asset you can bring to the fight, just call it out and I'll log it for our planning."

She turned to Maxical next. "You'll handle security. Once Abiene gets you healed I want traps set. Doors, windows, and the room connected to the suite. Make sure you use something that leaves an odor, the Altmer uses chameleon."

Eyja and sat down across from Seth with the quill poised over the parchment.

"Okay, now for the planning. We know she is a necromancer, an alchemist, and possibly Dark Brotherhood. She has strong illusion magic, but that is all I could learn. I can guess some of what she'll bring to the fight, but you know better than I do. I'll take my orders from you."



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 17 2013, 01:38 AM

Sethyas kept himself centered amongst Abiene's Catharsis. She'd earned it. When she brought that urn down upon him, she'd shown him her own will to survive.

His eyes squinted at Eyja's assessments, nodding impressed at her quick and military way of bringing everything together so quickly for the response. She'd not only found the Assassin out, she'd declared silent, invisible war on her. The same war he'd fought against the Brotherhood whether he'd wanted too or not for two centuries.

Naturally, his own blades were always sharpened. With the exception of Shimsil; the enchanted ebony shortsword. But, one did not sharpen ebony with a whetstone.

"A Dark Sister...she'll doubtless have contacts. Sleepers. Agents. They don't kill, nor do they necessarily have the skill to. The Organization employs a large number of support agents. Couriers, herbalists, real estate, you name it. Most don't even know who they work for, which further protects the inner circles."

"Regardless, she'll be unable to reveal her true identity or purpose to any of them. Silence would be her primary tenet. If she's indeed after Abiene's position to gain knowledge of this new College in restoration, my suspicion is that she used it upon the Orc, and sicced him on us in an attempt to unnerve us." He recited.

"However, the sewing work was quick and haphazard. The Orc was so slow and sluggish, the drunkards downstairs could have easily dodged him. No, it was the work of someone in a rush, someone desperate to scare us. Even the poisoned wine attempt is a sign of this: Too Blunt. Virtually no subtlety, such as with the metal poisoning, but employing equal skill in preparing a scene that would point to other causes of death."

He nodded to Eyja, with a slight smile. "Your fantastic work gives me hope that we will rattle her cage even more. Regardless, we must assume that she has recentered herself, and that she will use any and every advantage that she can muster."

"There is no honor in the mind of a ruthless killer. There is black and white. Dead and alive. That is all. People are merely means to their ends. Perhaps we were even her unwitting pawns in the demises at Cloud Top."

"But, she will stick to her strengths: Trickery, illusion, subterfuge. I don't know what level of skill she's acquired..." He sighed. "But so far as I can tell, dismemberment seems to be the only completely effective method of at least disabling raised regenerated dead, if she is able to apply it to herself...it may get messy. I can handle that..." He said.

He finally sat down and went deep into thought, playing out several scenarios in his head. Each more distasteful then the last.

"There may be one final mission I'll need to run: but I have a very strong feeling what her next move will be." He said.

"But...in order to do it effectively I'll need to be able to scout Cloud Top without being detected, while I can stick to the shadows well enough, I still suspect that she'll somehow figure out that I figured her out." He clasped his fingers together.

"If the Orc was raised...doubtless she did the same to Earana. Who is also an Altmer female. It is my belief that she will use her body as a decoy." He finished grimly.

Posted by: mALX Aug 17 2013, 01:52 AM

*

Maxical:

Maxical nodded toward Seth as she put her hands into Abiene's for the healing.

"That's what I thought too. Earana was a strong battlemage, she'll send in her troops of undead first to wear us down or hopefully do her job for her so she can stay in the shadows. If she wants Abiene's position it will be imperative she not be found out; being as the Master is connected with the chapel."



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 17 2013, 02:12 AM

*

Eyja:

Seth's words reminded Eyja of the two brown vials she had taken from the Altmer's room.

"Speaking of which, these were hidden behind a heavy dresser in the Altmer's room. Can you determine what they are capable of? If they are deadly enough, we can use them against her." She handed them over to Seth.

Maxical grinned. "Nice touch, Eyja. She'll recognize her own poisons and know we have taken them without her knowledge. Psychological warfare. What will she be hitting us with if she tries to poison us?"

Eyja grinned back. "A mild anti-constipation potion. I put a strong one in her wine at dinner, she will not be able to stay far from an urn for a while. She may also be itching, I used your trick of sticking the kitchen mice in her bed to fill it with fleas aside from the scaring it would give her."

Maxical laughed. "You remembered that? Hey Eyja, it might not be a bad idea to go back into that laboratory and switch out a few more ingredients if that is where she is making the poisons. Find ingredients with similar consistancy. I used to do that to Arch Mage Traven with his salt and sugar, you should have seen the face he'd make when he tasted his tea."

Eyja nodded. "I'm one step ahead of you. I dumped anything I knew made poisons and filled the vials with harmless ingredients or healing potions. She'll know the difference if she is a good alchemist, but if she is in a hurry or upset it may get by her. Either way she'll have to get more ingredients or fight closer and in person."



*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 17 2013, 02:40 AM

"Hmmm. Then I probably don't need to head out." He said getting up and exiting for a moment.

"I'll be right back." He called.

He returned with a large chest, and dumped it on the floor.

"It really is a shame you Mages don't learn translocation spells and the like out here: The fear of re-opening the portals to Oblivion is nearly laughable." He shook his head. "Plus it lets you keep the 'just-in-case-case' handy from a fixed location."

He opened the chest, revealing a Dwemer-make crossbow in the lid and scores of other weapons. Swords, short swords, and daggers in nearly every high-quality material and variation criss-crossed neatly within it's space.

He grabbed the Dwemer Crossbow, which seemed to have twice the usual amount of strings and shaft. He grabbed the forward guard which pulled back into a cocking lever making the priming both easy and rapid.

"Get me and this crossbow up to and including one league of this Necromancer with a clear line of sight....battle's over." Sethyas said loading a bolt with a sort of power-mad grin.

"They just don't make them like the used too. This here beauty was the original armor-piercing device. Nothing in Tamrielic history has ever surpassed it." He said looking down the sight, and aiming it at a wrought-iron decoration on a side table..

He released the bolt, it and the decoration went flying across the room, landing into the wall, with the bolt penetrating through nearly a half-inch of iron almost to the tail end.

"Ever."

He kicked the chest towards the trio.

"What's mine is yours." He said, and accepted the poisons from Eyja, slinging the crossbow across his back and getting to work on analyzing them.

Posted by: mALX Aug 17 2013, 03:13 AM

*

Maxical:


Maxical was anxious to dig through the interesting chest, but held off. A weapon wouldn't do her much good if she couldn't get healed of this dizziness.

"You know what I like if you see it in there, Eyja. Dirty hand weapons." She called, then turned back to Abiene and gave her full focus to her.


*

Posted by: Grits Aug 17 2013, 04:57 AM

Abiene held Maxical’s hands while the other three spoke. She kept her mind calm, waiting to begin her spells. She needed all of her concentration to find where she went wrong.

She cast her spells of preparation without the customary posturing. The gestures were mostly to reassure patients and focus the caster, neither of which was necessary in these circumstances. She didn’t want to let go of Maxical until they were finished.

Maxical turned her attention to Abiene.

“Let’s begin,” said Abiene.

A careful study of Maxical’s body showed that she was in radiant health. Abiene focused on her inner ears, sinuses, and brain for a second examination, looking for anything that might cause dizziness.

Nothing.

She drew back into herself for a moment, frustrated.

Perhaps she needed to look with different eyes. She began the spell that she had used to draw magicka from Sethyas and Eyja into one hand while also bringing her healing spell to mind.

There was that power inside Maxical, blinding as a sun. Abiene pushed down her fear and looked closer.

Still nothing.

She pulled her awareness away again, blinking moisture back into her burning eyes. “I’ll solve this,” she whispered to Maxical. She gripped her friend’s hand for courage.

Tendrils of red mist began to swirl around Abiene’s fingers as she started the Equilibrium spell. Maxical’s body twitched in response. The connection that would allow her to regenerate Maxical’s tissue hummed between them, but Abiene held the spell back.

She focused on their energy now, her own life’s force as well as Maxical’s.

There. A slender thread stretched between them, red in Abiene’s mystic vision and gently pulsing with power. Her energy, pulled out in a strand like spider silk and drawn into Maxical.

Abiene broke the connection more abruptly than she planned.

“I’m sorry,” she said to Maxical. “I meant to be more gentle.” She took a shaky breath. “I don’t know how it happened, but there’s a kind of a… soul siphon between us. I don’t think I could build it again if I tried, perhaps it has something to do with your… special condition. Regardless, you’re drawing from my life’s energy, for lack of a better description. No wonder you feel light-headed. So much vitality must be intoxicating.

“Breaking the spell didn’t change anything. Now that I know it’s there I can feel it, can you? I’m going to cast Dispel on both of us. Treating it as a kind of cast curse. But first I’ll do some work fortifying my skill and such. Just letting you know why I’m waving my hands around.”

This time Abiene did use the gestures to reassure herself, increasing the effectiveness of her spells as she decreased the cost in magicka. Then she weakened them both to the effect of the Dispel. Her skill in mysticism came nowhere near her restorative abilities, and she hoped she hadn’t inadvertently cast a curse that she didn’t have the skill to lift. Maxical is already weak to magic, she remembered. She’s the source of the siphon. This should work.

Abiene gave Maxical a nervous smile. “Here we go.” She cast Dispel.

When the mist faded she gave Maxical a hopeful look. “How do you feel? Can you stand? Did it work?”

Posted by: mALX Aug 17 2013, 07:04 AM

*

Maxical:

Maxical got tentatively to her feet, but was nervous about letting go of the table.

"Before I let go, think about something interesting. Like mating. Think about it like you were earlier...you know, like..."

Maxical wasn't sure if Abiene's face was red from her thoughts or...had she just embarrassed her in front of Seth?

"Are you thinking about mating yet? I'm not getting anything..." Maxical let go of the table.

"It's gone, the dizziness is gone!" She hugged Abiene, then took a few steps around the room. "I can walk without holding on..."

She drew her sword out. "Eyja, spar with me for a minute, let me run through my moves and make sure I can do everything I should be able to."

Maxical started off slow, with just stiff parries; but soon warmed up to the point she was springing from the balls of her feet and testing Eyja's mettle with master level moves and full on swordplay.

She breathed a sigh and sheathed her sword; then hugged Abiene again, squeezing her tightly. "Thank you, dearest Abiene. You are an amazing healer!"

She turned back to Eyja. "I'll get right on those traps."




*


Maxical dug in Eyja's schrank till she found what she was looking for, a little maid's outfit. She donned it and tied her tail down to her leg; pulling a pair of Eyja's white stocking hose over her leg and tail. Next she tucked her hair up under the little mob cap and pinned it onto her head; then went to the next wing, knocking on doors and calling in,

"Here to empty the urns."

"At this time of night?"

In unoccupied rooms she let herself in by picking the locks, then grabbed the urns. In each room she lifted the clothing irons off the hearths; each time carrying them to the room their suite was connected to.

When she had what she needed, she began setting traps; first in that room and then casting chameleon and setting them outside the back door to the suite and all the ground floor windows. Next she opened the balcony window and climbed out, tying herself off from the nearest chimney for each set of windows with a long length of rope.

When she was done the second floor window traps were set to blow an explosion of fire, the lower windows and doors would give damaging blows with the heavy irons blown at high speed toward whoever would be standing there; and the intruder would be covered with the contents of the urns; which were now invisible to the eye.

She climbed back in the balcony window and set several of the fiery explosions on it. Now to warn everyone.

She hurried down to the kitchen, hopefully to catch them before anyone tried a window or door.

Eyja gave a little shriek. "Is that my maid outfit? You've ruined it! Look at it, it's filthy and torn!"

"Oh. Yes, well I needed it to uh...well, anyway, the traps are set. I guess I should have changed before climbing out on the roof." She weathered Eyja's glare to show how the traps worked.

"If you need to open a door or window from the inside of the house, this is how you dismantle the trap from this side." She showed them how to feel for the invisible length of line.

"Pull down on the line as far as it will go, then tie it off on the doorknob. That lifts the trap off the trigger. To reset it from the inside, loosen the line slowly till you hear the sound of metal clinking on metal. It won't be loud, you'll have to listen closely."

Eyja nodded. "What about coming in from the outside?"

"Your best bet is to trigger the trap from a distance, shoot it with an arrow or something. The target is invisible, you'll just have to guess till you hit it. You won't want to retrieve the arrows, so use something you don't care to lose on it."

Maxical grabbed some bread, cheese, and several strawberries and plunked down with a sigh. "It feels good to be active again."

She covered Abiene's hand with hers and squeezed it. "Thank you so much, dearest Abiene. I was afraid I'd never be myself again."



*


Maxical in Eyja's maid outfit:


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-08-1703-44-40-76_zps1c70b99a.png


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-08-1703-48-40-60_zps05ae08d0.png


http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq67/Maxical1/Oblivion2013-08-1703-47-47-24_zpse35f2438.png



*

Posted by: Grits Aug 17 2013, 03:48 PM

Abiene glanced at Sethyas as Maxical tried out her feet. The Dunmer’s crossbow remained on his back, and his near fiendish grin had faded into concentration. There didn’t seem to be any more metal objects pinned to the wall.

She smiled to herself, buoyed by his enthusiasm for the contraption. Also relieved that such power would be directed away from her and toward their enemy.

Maxical dazzled with a display of swordsmanship. Abiene’s concerns about her lifted. She must finally be fully healed.

When Eyja finished her swordplay Abiene addressed her earlier question.

“I’ll run through the schools of magic and tell you what I can do,” she said. “I can’t guess what might be useful to you in a fight or in preparation so I’ll just go through them all.

“I’m the least skilled in Conjuration and Mysticism. I can summon a daedric spirit bound into the form of boots, but I only learned that to fulfill my requirement at school. I suppose I could leave strange tracks or distract someone who has a boot fetish…” Abiene gave Eyja a quick grin. “You’ve seen me use Dispel, and I can also detect life at a fair distance. My spell just shows the energy, though, it doesn’t distinguish between living, daedric, or undead. I can move small objects through Telekinesis, but nothing heavy or precise.

“I can cast any effect from the school of Illusion, but it seems as if this woman is more skilled than I am. That means I won’t be able to take control of creatures or people who are under her command, but I’ll at least be more resistant to becoming her unwilling minion. She would probably resist my curse of Silence. Of course I can turn myself invisible, see in the dark, and cast light. I’m not very good at Chameleon, though. It takes too much magicka to be useful for my purposes, so I didn’t keep working past that slight blurring effect. Oh, and I used to think I was sneaky until I heard you and Sethyas moving, or rather didn’t hear you. If this woman is a trained assassin I won’t get too close to her unless there’s a distraction.

“Moving on, if there’s water nearby I can breathe it or walk on it. I can cast both of those on another as well. My shield spells and elemental shields would need to be cast before the fight, but they’re strong. Another option is a curse of Burden. I can cast that at a good distance with pretty good accuracy.

“My Destruction spells are the ones that are closely connected to Restoration. I do little with elemental magic. So think of any skill or attribute a mortal possesses as well as their magicka, bodily stamina, and life’s energy. Against our foe I can cast a curse of weakness or a drain at a distance, or I can absorb into myself on touch. For example I might cast a curse of weakness to poison before a fight with poisoned blades, or weakness to magicka if you are using enchantments. I can cast a spell that makes a person slow, weak, soft-skinned and more susceptible to physical blows, mentally distracted, clumsy, you get the idea. The catch is that these are complicated spells. I’m not sure how effective I’ll be if someone’s hitting or shooting at me.

“Now, anything that I can curse, absorb, or drain I can also restore and fortify. In addition I can cast charms of elemental resistance, poison resistance, blade-turning, resistance to paralysis and magicka, even a charm to help us fight off diseases. Once again I imagine these will only be useful before a fight.”

Abiene took a sip of someone’s coffee to moisten her throat.

“Also I’m a Journeyman alchemist. My potions won’t be nearly as strong as Seth’s, but taken together they can keep a steady stream of healing or magicka flowing into the body in a time when you’ll be too busy to stop and take another one.”

She glanced up at Eyja. “Is there anything you can think of that I might have forgotten? They still taught Necromancy when I first started at the Arcane University, but certainly not to beginning students. Not many of the post-graduates could even qualify. The amount of power needed was immense. That’s why necromancers are known for killing folk and stealing souls. They need more body parts, but they mostly need the power.” Abiene gave herself a little shake. “Anyway, can you think what I might have forgotten?”

Posted by: mALX Aug 17 2013, 07:24 PM

*

Eyja:

Eyja pointed to the ring she'd given Abiene when she mentioned using spells to detect life.

"The ring covers 250 feet and through walls. Don't waste magicka on anything you don't have to, you will need all you have if we are fighting a mage."

"Since you are the prime target and not trained for combat, I'd prefer you stayed in chameleon. We can't afford your magicka being spent on that either, especially not if you'll still be visible."

Eyja indicated her pack. "That inner pocket contains robes, rings, amulets, and slippers that also muffle sound. You won't be able to see them, just feel in there and grab out what you need to give you full chameleon. You can't wear anything under that robe, not even panties. It feels strange at first, but you'll get used to it. Just don't forget and remove the robe in the wrong place."

Eyja nodded her head at the list of skills Abiene did have that would be useful.

"These are all good if your aim is accurate under pressure. I'd like you to stay nearest Maxical because she'll need you keeping her healed. You know that is where I should and would normally be. It is a trust I'm placing on you. Maxical will protect you with her life, she'll never back down if you are in danger. You will be safe with her at your side. Just stay close behind her back to stay clear of her blade or spells and keep her healed from wounds, paralysis, and poison. You'll need to be fast and agile..."

Eyja broke off what she was saying as a sudden thought hit her. "Can you siphon magicka off Maxical in combat like you did from us for the healing? If so, you will have nearly an unlimited supply. Part of that disorder is an exceptionally high magicka, and she rarely uses it."




***


Eyja dug in her pack for a minute, producing several strange odd shaped jars and a looking glass; then a wig. She held the wig up against Abiene's hair and shook her head, digging in her pack till she pulled out another that was a closer match to the color of Abiene's.

She tucked her hair into a stretchy looking stocking and pulled the wig on over that.

"Abiene, I need you to arrange this hair exactly as you wear yours, and I'll need to look over your wardrobe, see if I have anything similar. If not I'll need to borrow something of yours. I am going to bait the trap."

Eyja opened the largest of the jars and began smearing a thick past over her skin in places, rounding her face out to match the contour of Abiene's face. She cupped Abiene's face for a second to perfect the shape on her own face and gauge the skin tone, then began applying makeup over the paste.

"This won't be exact, and of course my eyes aren't brown; but from a distance I should make a good enough decoy to fool the assassin."

She grinned at Seth and pointed to her pack. "Who needs Oblivion realms when they have the 'Bag of Holding'?"

When Abiene finished her hair and Eyja was finished with the makeup, other than Eyja's greater height and the color of their eyes, they looked eerily similar, especially when Eyja found a dress in her pack that matched the one Abiene was wearing.

She began tying off leather straps on her leg and loading each with a dagger, then changed boots to a pair more suited for combat and ran a couple daggers inside each boot.



*

Posted by: mALX Aug 17 2013, 08:12 PM

*

Maxical:


Maxical glanced up from digging in Seth's chest and caught Abiene's stunned face at the transformation Eyja was making on herself.

"You should see her as an Orc, you can't tell the difference from a real one."

She pulled a few wicked looking short gauntlets with thick spikes of alloyed metal on the backs from Seth's chest.

"Are these Dwemer? Can I borrow these?" She slid one on and adjusted it, testing her arm action with it on.

"They look heavy, but they're not."

At Seth's wave of his hand she clipped them on the belt of her greaves. When Abiene was finished with Eyja's hair Maxical brought her the sack containing the heavy hand iron for pressing clothes.

"Okay, now load that spell I gave you and practice using it to speed your arm movement. You grab the sack overhand like this..." She demonstrated.

"So it becomes a part of you, like an extension of your fist. I can wear the guantlets, but they will affect your magic if you do. Something about armor deadens magic. But you can hold one of these sacks without losing any power. Now watch how fast that spell makes my arm punch. Stand well back behind me, because all my conjures spawn as hostile Daedra no matter what I cast."

Maxical grabbed the sack and moved into the hallway from the kitchen so she blocked it. With her left hand she conjured a Deadra. As it charged her, her right arm with the sack moved like lightning, shooting in a clean uppercut. The sound of the impact with the Daedra's jaw was a loud crack as the massive bone shattered and the Daedra fell back into a crumpled heap on the floor. It's moaning stopped before it shimmered from view.

Maxical turned back to Abiene. "A child could take out a Daedra with that spell and one of these sacks. Practice the arm movement so you can do a good uppercut. You always need to use an uppercut to be effective." She demonstrated, moving her arm slowly several times so Abiene could see the movement.

"That shatters the jaw so mages can't do incantations. Aim to hit closer to the throat and you crush the windpipe and main arteries with the same hit, they die quickly. If you aim for the nose you will drive these bones..." She pointed to the bones behind her upper nose.

"Up into their brain. Just remember to always use an uppercut."

She watched Abiene practicing for a second and then stopped her. "Use that spell at the same time you are raising your arm. Feel it charging down your arm and driving your fist up. Keep practicing till your uppercut shoots up faster than your eye can see. You'll know you have it right when you feel it. Eyja can conjure a skeleton for your to practice on if you'd like."


*

Posted by: Black Hand Aug 17 2013, 09:57 PM

Sethyas set the poisons down, and dipped a couple of drops onto a neutral metal plate, taking a few strips of what looked like paper from his belt-bag.

Maxical practiced with some very impressive moves with Eyja, and he held his admiration in silent watching. He was equally curious at to the vials' contents.

During his analyzing, Eyja showed her additional talents, and didn't just cast a spell of Chameleon, she embodied the talents of an actual one.

"Who needs Oblivion Realms when you have a 'Bag of Holding'?" the now near-twin of Abiene, Eyja grinned.

He shot her a bemused glance. "I guess we can all learn new tricks I suppose." He said dipping the strips into the liquid drops.

"Are these Dwemer? Can I borrow these?" Maxical said, seeming to have a childlike curiosity going through the chest. Seth raised hand in a gesture of acquiescement. The strips started to turn a bright blue, almost white.

"What's mine is yours, as I said." He replied, clearly more concentrated on the strips then Maxical.

"Just make sure you can use what you take, it's mostly loot from random encounters. Ruins, bandits, malefactors. You learn to not just pawn everything you come across off..." He said trailing off.

"Oh my...." Seth said seeing the final test.

"Eyja...this acidity...I think you know what it means...this Assassin is sadistic on top of it all." He said showing her the litmus test strips.

"A paralyzation toxin alongside pain augmenters. This poison isn't designed to kill. It's designed to make the victim wish they were dead. Much like spider venom keeps the victim alive while it eats it, aware of every agonizing moment....I would never have designed; much less used, something like this. It's sick and twisted, and that's *me* saying this..." He shook his head in disgust.

"I'll gladly give her a taste of her own medicine." He sneered, carefully applying it to an odd looking dagger.

The blade was shorter than most knives, certainly not long enough to reach any vital organ. Upon closer examination, it had a series of tiny pin-prick holes along it's flat side near the center downslope. The handle; after he carefully unwrapped its black leather grip, had a compartment door that slid upwards, and he poured the liquid inside. The compartment held the poison. The blade; after being inserted into the victim, delivered it's payload directly to the bloodstream.

It was also balanced and designed in such a way that it could be thrown as well as handled. Despite it's clear usefulness to the profession of the one who handled it, it did not appear to be well used.