Old Habits Die Hard Part Three, The old dog practices new habits Options

[haute ecole rider]

@trey: I see you thought the relationship between husband and wife felt real. I’m glad.

@Acadian: I knew you were due for a meal! Julian never leaves Paint in Snak’s den - why when Merowald is so cheerful and happy to see her and Paint? Yes, you are right - Julian’s time in Bravil is coming to an end. But like MacArthur, she shall return (only without the ego).

@Foxy: there are days when I feel like half of what I’m doing is collecting money! Please, no thanks!

@hazmick: Thanks for the thumbs up. That’s a piece where we see the old drill sergeant in action. I love bringing that part of her past up.

@SubRosa: It’s just a matter of knowing when the other guy is ticked off at you - better be ready than dead.

@Olen: TBH, I laughed at the Sage’s comment because that Charm spell was only going to keep Julian from attacking Soris, which she wasn’t going to do anyway. As for your question about how to spend an afternoon/evening . . .

@mALX: Isn’t that what all good sergeants do - be good mothers (while the officers are fathers)? I’m not sure if that’s really a workable solution, but sergeants do need to know when their grunts are squirming on the inside!

Julian is sidetracked yet again by her growing fame as Hero of Kvatch (and Bravil).

*****************
Chapter 14.6 Order of the Virtuous Blood

As I entered the Temple District on my way to my home, a Dunmer woman shyly accosted me.

“Pardon me, I’m sorry to trouble you,” she spoke timidly. “But I was sent to ask for your help.”

“I’m sorry, and you are?” I responded.

“Oh, where are my manners,” she exclaimed softly. “I’m Ralsa Norvalo. My husband, Gilen, has requested that I find you and ask if you’d assist him.”

“Assist him how?” I asked.

“Normally I wouldn’t approach a total stranger like this, but Gilen seems so insistent,” Ralsa hesitated. “Please, forgive my audacity . . .” Her voice trailed off.

“It’s all right,” I assured her. “Go on, please.”

“Thank you. Gilen always tends to exaggerate, but in this case he sounded earnest, which worries me a bit . . .” She glanced around. “He said that the matter he needs help with is of the utmost importance to the citizens of the Imperial City. Please meet him at Seridur’s house, which is located here in the Temple District, just southeast of the Temple. He said all will be explained when you get there.” She looked at me uncertainly. “That’s all he told me to say.”

“All right, Ralsa,” I stifled a sigh. “I’ll be there.”

A Watchman directed me to Seridur’s house, east of the tunnel entrance. A large stone building, it faced the outer wall, fronting a narrow street that ran along the fortification. I knocked on the door. A voice called from inside for me to enter.

As I paused just inside the door, closing it behind me, I found myself in a fusty atmosphere, lit by torches, dark after the bright day outside. Heavy tapestries hung on the walls, covering the few windows at the front and rear of the building. Waiting to let my eyes adjust from the bright sunlight outside, I heard footsteps approaching me. A tall Altmer in gold-trimmed blue velvet greeted me, his eyes shadowed beneath tilted brows.

“It’s an honor to finally meet you. When I heard you were in town, I just had to send for your help. Your reputation precedes you.”

I stared at him. Reputation? “I’m not sure what you’ve heard about me -” my voice trailed away.

“You’re Julian, the Hero of Kvatch, aren’t you?” he asked. I inhaled slowly, and nodded. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Seridur,” he continued, pressing a long-fingered hand over his flat chest.

“Pleased to meet you, Seridur,” I returned politely.

“Likewise,” he bowed slightly to me. “Sorry to send Gilen’s wife to get you in that manner, but it seemed safer if we weren’t seen on the streets right now. Now, if you’ll come with me, please.”

“Lead the way,” I said.

“Splendid!” Seridur exclaimed. “Watch your step.” He turned away and walked towards the rear of the house, past the stairs rising to the second floor. At the back of the room, a Dunmer in steel plate looked up from his cold lunch. We passed him, and Seridur led me to a door beneath the stairs.

He opened it, and started down another flight of stairs that led into his cellar. I found the steps well-lit by torches, and followed him down. If anything, the air in the cellar was even more suffocating, aggravated by the smoke wafting from the open brands.

Seridur stopped in the center of a room at the end of a short passageway. I looked around as I followed him, seeing the bookcases along the walls, benches and chairs, a patterned rug on the floor, and more tapestries on the walls. Two men, an Argonian and a Dunmer, rose from their seats as Seridur faced me.

“Welcome,” he said to me. “You’re now in the sanctuary of the Order of the Virtuous Blood. Few outside our circle have ever set foot in our hallowed hall.” Hallowed hall? I thought to myself, but kept my mouth shut. “We are, for lack of a better word,” Seridur paused briefly, “defenders. We guard this city from an infestation that plagues it. We are vampire hunters.” He turned and took a couple of steps away from me, then spun on his heel and looked back at me. “I’m sure you are familiar with these despicable beings, feeding on the innocent as if they were cattle. Well, this group was formed to combat them.”

He waited as I looked around at the other two men. The Argonian’s posture revealed the age that did not show in his face, and the Dunmer had more creases, and deeper ones, in his than I did in mine, though his close-cropped hair was much, much blacker than mine. As for Seridur, he had the typical ageless look common to the Altmer. He must have read my mind, for he continued, “Alas, we are but three old men, not able to match the fighting prowess of the vampire. We lack the strength to defeat them in battle.”

“What do you hope to accomplish, then?” I asked Seridur.

“Our goal is to root out the vampires that live in our fair city,” Seridur responded. “So far, we’ve been unsuccessful at finding one, until now.” Now his shadowed eyes gleamed in the flickering light from the torches. “It’s come to the Order’s attention that Temple District resident Roland Jenseric is a vampire, and has already claimed one victim.” He scowled at me. “That’s where you come in. We want you to find this vampire and cleanse the city of his filth before he can feed or kill again.”

I regarded Seridur thoughtfully. “What makes you sure this Jenseric is a vampire?” I asked finally.

“A few nights ago, I was roaming the city as I often do, looking for any signs of a vampire. As I headed past Roland’s house I heard a cry,” Seridur’s voice took on the rhythm of a recitation. “I rushed into the back garden to find Roland struggling with a woman he’d been courting. I tried to intervene, but he was too strong. He threw his lover to the ground and turned his attention on me.” His brows rose, but his eyes remained shadowed. “Luckily, I managed to run back into the street and escape his grasp. I hid for a while, then returned to the garden. Roland was gone and the woman was dead.” He paused, his eyes steady on mine. “She had two puncture wounds on the nape of her neck. That’s when I realized he was a vampire.” Now he scowled. “The Order needs you to track him down and destroy him.”

Something about Seridur, and his story, bothered me. His monotone delivery was not what I expected, but that was not all. Still, I couldn’t pin it down, so I decided to play along, for now. “Where do I find this Roland Jenseric?” I asked.

“I would start by searching his home,” Seridur answered, his expression brightening. “He hasn’t been there for days, so it should be safe. Return to us here if you have questions. We meet at night.”

“And where is his house?” I held Seridur’s gaze, unable to see his eyes in the flickering shadows cast by the torches.

“His home is located in the Temple District. Right across the garden from my home in fact,” Seridur’s lips curved in a sardonic smile. “Ironic, isn’t it?”

“Yes, ironic,” I answered. “Anything I should know about vampire hunting?”

Now Seridur’s slanted brows lowered over his shadowed eye sockets. “Vampires are nasty creatures,” his tone turned cold, “drinking the blood of others to conceal their true natures. Such trickery makes them difficult to find.” He smiled. “You should ask Gilen Norvalo,” he indicated the dark-haired Dunmer, “or Deep-Throat,” the Argonian, “about these creatures as well. They’ve learned much.”

I looked at Norvalo, his Dunmer-red eyes returning my gaze as steadily as a fellow soldier. “My knowledge is at your disposal, Julian,” he said, his voice velvet-smooth and as dark as his skin.

“What do you know of Jenseric?” I asked him. His face darkened even further.

“Roland was always a quiet man,” his tone held compressed anger. “It was only recently he’d met that young lady. Poor girl. We must avenge her death.”

“Aye, we should,” I agreed. Norvalo seems honest enough, I thought to myself. “Any vampire-hunting advice for me, ser?”

His brows lifted, and Norvalo’s eyes gleamed like rubies in the flickering torchlight. “It’s said that the bite of a vampire has the chance of infecting the victim. If this occurs, they’ll become a vampire in a few days. Be cautious.”

“Thanks, I will be careful,” I responded. Deep-Throat, the Argonian, greeted me. I turned to face him.

“How can I be of sservisse?” Deep-Throat’s voice was not as velvety smooth as Norvalo’s, or as melodious as Jeelius’s, but his tone was welcoming enough.

“Did you know Roland Jenseric?” I asked him.

“He wass very much the loner,” Deep-Throat responded. “He never married, and wass rarely sseen outsside hiss housse. I’m ssurprissed hiss ssecret wassn’t disscovered ssooner.”

“Have you ever hunted vampires before, sir?” I was beginning to get the same feel from this Argonian that I had from Norvalo - just as honest and earnest.

“The vampire cannot exisst in the daylight for long,” Deep-Throat responded. “As the ssun’ss rayss sstrike hiss flessh, it will burn as if on fire.”

“So daylight would be my best friend,” I mused aloud, “if I can get one of these creatures outside.”

“Aye, if you can,” Deep-Throat responded. “Be ever vigilant,” he warned me. “Vampiress are creaturess of deceit.” He turned and walked towards the stairs leading upwards. I looked around again, reflecting on the conversation. Something about Seridur still bothered me.

We meet at night. His words echoed in my memory. It was now after noon, but they were still here. I looked up to see Norvalo and Seridur follow Deep-Throat to the stairs. I fell into step behind them, curious to see what they would do.

Upstairs, they passed the Dunmer guard with murmured greetings, and while Seridur headed upstairs to the second floor - where his private quarters are, I presumed - Norvalo and Deep-Throat headed out the front door. After a moment, I assumed that I had been dismissed, and headed out myself.

[mALX]

Woo Hoo !!!!! Deep Throat, huh? That will draw Foxy's comments !!! I can't wait to see Julian do this quest !!!! Her brain is already working things out, noticing things I never did when playing - AWESOME !!!!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 28 2010, 10:21 PM

[hazmick]

I was just playing through this mission this morning, good work!

Good ole' Julian, she knows somethings up. hopefully she will kill the right guy.

[treydog]

Little to add to what has already been noted. Just that your conversations- and Julian's observations- are as good as ever. There is an appropriately creepy feel to this part. I will be interested to watch Julian's investigation proceed.

[Olen]

I like this quest, and I suspect Julian will too, she's certainly an observant one. I failed to notice the drapes, though his wierd manner was enough to make me suspect. I think I can see why you put this quest here too, after the clear relationship between the Arenims and then Jenseric and his lady... well I think it might get her thinking.

One question: you seem to have the dialogue almost word for word. How? (I know you can use the cs but I thought you played it on a console).

[SubRosa]

As Julian admitted herself, she just cannot say no to anyone.

I liked your description of the interior of Seridur's house. Stuffy air from all the windows being closed up, dark from tapestries hanging over them. The only light from guttering torches. One might say it is laden with clues about the nature of the owner...

Deep-Throat? Why the change from Grey-Throat? Is he a porn star? Or did he work on Nixon's Ocato's re-election?

[haute ecole rider]

Now there's a tempting thought!

No, honest mistake on my part - Deep Throat was a spy in Tom Clancy's novels (as well as a popular porn star from the '70's known for her ability to - ahem, never mind). I've gone back and fixed it so the Argonian is Grey Throat, as in the game. Thanks!

[mALX]

Now there's a tempting thought!

No, honest mistake on my part - Deep Throat was a spy in Tom Clancy's novels (as well as a popular porn star from the '70's known for her ability to - ahem, never mind). I've gone back and fixed it so the Argonian is Grey Throat, as in the game. Thanks!

Actually...not correct. It was the name of the movie. The porn star's name was Linda Lovelace - it wasn't so much her skill, but an anomaly (per the movie script) of something that starts with a 'C' in her throat instead of its usual place...Just saving Foxy the trouble of correcting you with #7 fonts, lol.

I actually met her in person at the racetrack in Miami, FL - she had 'B' stuck up her 'A' - probably why the 'C' moved to her throat.

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 29 2010, 12:11 AM

[Acadian]

Julian has really good spider senses and and powers of observation. I noticed that the Dunmer and Argonian popped outdoors into the afternoon with apparently no ill effects. Seems Julian noticed too.

Nice descriptions and atmosphere building throughout.

Julian - vampire hunter. This should be great fun!

[D.Foxy]

Deep throat...

I wonder what that is???

I am SOOOO innocent....and stooopid....could someone give an explanation, preferably with pictures???

And I still dont understand how someone could have their CALF stuck up their throat.

Is that an extreme case of foot-in-mouth disease???

[mALX]

Deep throat...

I wonder what that is???

I am SOOOO innocent....and stooopid....could someone give an explanation, preferably with pictures???

And I still dont understand how someone could have their CALF stuck up their throat.

Is that an extreme case of foot-in-mouth disease???

* Lightning struck Foxy after typing this message *

[haute ecole rider]

@mALX: There were things I didn’t notice when I played this quest through the first time. There’s no question that Julian is sharper than I am! Your comments about Deep Throat, LL, etc cracked me up! It's obvious you've watched more porn than I have!

@hazmick: We’ll see if she believes the right guy . . .

@trey: I think Seridur is as creepy as Umbacano, and just as arrogant.

@Olen: The drapery are not present in the ‘nilla Oblivion, but I added that in to start Julian’s danger sense tingling. As for getting the dialogue word for word, well - let’s just say that I’m a professional student and a pro at taking notes! I know, that was a redundant statement.

@SubRosa: Well, there has to come a time when Julian says no! I just haven’t figured out when just yet. We’ll see!

@Acadian: Julian doesn’t quite see herself as a vampire hunter. She’ll meet Count Skingrad at some point in the future, notice certain things about him, and shrug her shoulders. But she seems unable to let people who maliciously harm innocent folks get off without handing them some kind of serious hurt. We saw that with gro-Dragol, and we will see it with others as well.

@D.Foxy: Thou dost protest too much!

Julian fights the temptation to get sidetracked again, but is unable to resist investigating the latest plea for help.

****************
Chapter 14.7 Investigating Roland Jenseric

I headed behind Seridur’s house to look at the garden he spoke of. Tall walls of several houses backed onto it, making it more of an overgrown alley than a real garden. I couldn’t see any sign of a murder. Limping through the riot of vegetation, I encountered one of the Watchmen making his rounds.

“Excuse me, sir,” I spoke when he met my gaze in passing. He paused and looked at me up and down.

“What can I do for you, Hero of Kvatch?” he responded, his grey eyes glinting in the bright sunlight. I shook my head at his greeting.

“Please, call me Julian, sir,” I said, putting a slight pleading note in my voice. I was getting pretty tired of this hero stuff. “I’m no hero, just an old, broken-down soldier looking for a new reason to live.”

Beneath his steel helm, the Watchman’s teeth gleamed in a grin. “I hear you, Julian,” he answered, his voice warming. “Please, how may I help you?”

“Do you know anything about a young woman murdered here,” I waved behind me, “in this garden?”

He frowned. “Aye, happened last week,” he said. His eyes flickered. “An Altmer named Seridur claimed he saw a fellow resident - ah - Roland Jenseric, attack the young lady. Killed her.”

“Any wounds on her body?” I asked.

His lips tightened. “I’m not at liberty to say,” he said grimly. That’s answer enough for me. I nodded in understanding.

“Have you seen this Jenseric since then?”

The Watchman shook his head. “No, no one’s seen him. The Watch Captain wants him for questioning.”

“It’s terrible, isn’t it?” I asked him. “Crime seems to be everywhere, in spite of our best efforts to contain it. And I just bought a house myself.”

“Really?” the Watchman asked. “Where?”

“Down in the Waterfront,” I answered. “I didn’t know there was a pirate ship, and pickpockets living there, but it was cheap!”

He smiled crookedly at me. “That’s why it’s cheap,” he answered. “Here in the Temple District you can find some of the more expensive houses.” His eyes roamed over the surrounding buildings before coming back to rest on mine. “Of course, the ones in Talos Plaza are even more so.”

“Oh, I doubt I’d ever live there,” I commented. “Thank you for your help, sir, if I may have your name?”

“Claudio Forenze,” the grey eyes crinkled at me. “And you’re welcome, Julian.” He nodded at me before walking away, continuing his rounds. I walked up to the main avenue running through the District, and turned back to follow along the fronts of the houses there. A Khajiit stepped out of one of the houses as I drew near, and turned to greet me.

“Hello, Julian,” he purred. “I’m J’mhad. I’ve hearrd so much about you frrom Jeelius.”

“Ah,” I responded. “You are a friend of his, then?”

He nodded humbly. “Jeelius is a kind soul,” his voice rumbled softly. “We werre so afrraid for him when he disappearred. How grreat was ourr rrejoicing when he rreturrned!”

I smiled. “I’m glad to have him return safely to you.” I looked up and down the avenue. “I’m looking for Roland Jenseric’s house, do you know where it is?”

“Ah, rright next doorr to mine!” J’mhad indicated the house next door, nearest the Temple. He went to the door and knocked on it before I could stop him. “But he’s not home, it seems,” he said sadly.

“How well do you know him?” I asked J’mhad.

“Not well,” he answered. “J’mhad sees him seldom. He’s a quiet one, Jenserric, but polite enough the few times J’mhad has met him.”

“Caused you no trouble?” I reached to stop J’mhad from trying the door handle. To my relief, it turned out to be locked. I wasn’t sure I was ready to venture into that house just yet.

“Nay, not at all,” J’mhad answered. “J’mhad is sorrry he is not home forr yourr sake,” he turned to me. “J’mhad will watch forr him, tell him you’rre looking forr him, no?”

“No, no,” I hastily spoke, shaking my head. “No, if you see him, I’d rather you told me.”

“Ah, yes,” J’mhad nodded furiously. “J’mhad will do so!”

“Thanks, J’mhad,” I stifled a sigh of relief. “Now I must go home. I’ll see you around, J’mhad.”

“Good day, Julian!” J’mhad waved at me and strode off for the Temple. I limped behind him, more slowly, my thoughts running one over the other.

**********************
Several hours later, I returned to the Temple District. I had spent the afternoon in my humble house studying the alchemy tomes I had collected. Now, in the dark hour between sunset and moonrise, I found myself standing across the street from Roland Jenseric’s home again, studying the building thoughtfully. Though I had put the meeting with Seridur out of my mind earlier, the sense that something was wrong still bothered me.

The sun had set while I was in the Waterfront, and the glow of the rising double moons brightened the eastern sky. Studying the dark windows of Jenseric’s house, I realized they were uncovered. A memory of tapestried embrasures in a soot-filled house surfaced in my mind as I regarded the east facade.

Booted footsteps drew my attention from the house across the avenue. “Good evening, ma’am,” a familiar voice greeted me. I looked down to see the Legion Watchman standing a meter or so away.

“Forenze?” I dug up his name from memory, matched it to his grey eyes. He smiled, apparently pleased that I had remembered him.

“Aye,” he admitted, turning his helmed head to look at the houses across the way. “Still interested in that murder, ma’am?”

“Hmm,” I responded noncommittally. “I’ve been asked to look for this Roland Jenseric. Has anyone seen any sign of him yet?”

“Nay,” Forenze shook his head. “He’s not been back since then.” He turned and looked at me, his eyes turning silver in the moonlight now peeking over the rooftops behind me. “Who asked you to look for him?”

“The Altmer named Seridur,” I answered. “He tells me he saw Jenseric kill the lady.” I caught the thinning of Forenze’s lips beneath his steel helm. “Problem is,” I continued, “Seridur doesn’t sit right with me. I wish I could put my finger on it -”

“Anything to do with him being a snooty Altmer?” Forenze asked neutrally. It was my turn to shake my head.

“I’ve met plenty of Altmer that I wouldn’t call snooty,” I answered. “Proud, maybe, but not necessarily snooty. No, that’s not it.” I shrugged. “It’s more an individual thing, not a racial thing.” I looked up at Jenseric’s house again. “I find it hard to accept Seridur’s claim that Jenseric is a vampire.”

Forenze’s sudden stillness drew my attention back to him. He faced me now, his posture tense, his face unreadable in the shadows of his helmet. The steel breastplate lifted slowly as he inhaled deeply. “I never saw you lingering outside Jenseric’s house,” he said cryptically. “Ma’am.” He turned and walked away, down the street, without another word.

Huh? Does Forenze not believe Jenseric is a vampire? I watched Forenze’s departing back dwindle down the curving avenue, and realized that he was the only Watchman patrolling this part of the District. Ah, time to pick the lock. He’s not going to report me, because he wants me to find the truth as badly as I do.

After I checked for people on the empty avenue in both directions, I moved across the pavement to the door. With a final glance around, I drew out a couple of lockpicks and tickled the lock into submission. Entering the house, I closed the door softly behind me before assessing my surroundings. The ground floor was empty of life. Moonlight, by now peeking over the high city walls, cascaded in through the uncovered windows at the front of the open main floor, casting enough light for my night vision to see by.

I moved to the stairs and ascended them softly, placing each foot carefully on the next stone step before putting my weight down. Upstairs, the bedroom was as well lit by moonlight as the main floor. The house was cool, quiet. The bed had not been slept in, I noticed. I also saw the open drawers tucked between the tall windows. A quick search revealed no clues, only that clothes had been removed.

He left in a hurry. Why? Back on the main floor, I found a book on the table. A folded parchment fluttered to the floor when I picked up the book. After I replaced the volume back on the table, I plucked the parchment off the floor and moved to one of the windows, where the moonlight was strongest. I puzzled out the feminine handwriting:

My dearest Roland,

I cannot wait for you to return from Bravil. My heart swells with joy as I know we will once again soon be together. I yearn for you every night that I look beside me in my bed, and you are not there. How I wish I could have taken the journey with you, but I understand that these are dangerous times, and I would only slow you down. When you return, perhaps we should get away from the chaos of the Imperial City. Let's go back to that cabin in the woods. The one where you said we would always be safe from the world. The one where you took me in your arms and sang songs of moonlight and happiness. The one where you said "I love you."

Hurry, my love,

Relfina

Thoughtfully I returned the parchment to its resting place on top of the book. He’s at his cabin, I bet. Where is it?

A more thorough search of the home, including the basement, revealed little further information. However, in a desk on the main floor, I found a deed to property described as being three kilometers north of the Blue Road, in the forest that blanketed the foothills of the Jeralls.

That overgrown gate on the north side of the road, I mused to myself, dredging up the memory of my ride to Cheydinhal, back when I was on the trail of the Mythic Dawn. I wonder if that leads to Jenseric’s cabin? Making my decision, I put everything back the way I had found it, then headed to the door. I would check that path, once I delivered Sheogorath’s Staff to Martin.

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Sep 1 2010, 02:16 PM

[mALX]

Oooh, you have really made this quest personalized!!! I love what you are doing with it! This is one quest I always do (to build up my cash, lol.) - I just found out the oddest thing about it on the WIKI - if you do this quest as a vampire NO ONE REALIZES IT !!!! Not Seridur, nor the other vampire hunters, lol. I thought that was hilarious!


PS: I categorically deny ever watching porn! Er...can you define...er...never mind. Lol, truthfully, I met her because she was "dating" my married boss and would come see him at the office. His wife found out and all H broke out. They got divorced, my boss became some kind of cult hero to the guys at work though.

This post has been edited by mALX: Aug 30 2010, 04:59 PM

[treydog]

You capture the oppressive atmosphere of Seridur’s “garden” quite effectively in just a few words. The conversation with Claudio really “sang” to me- I got the sense he was testing Julian just a bit with the “Hero of Kvatch” title. When she responded in her typical, level-headed way- he decided she was a “member of the club.” Old soldiers who have “seen the elephant” tend to know how to recognize one another- and how to spot fakers, too.

And the meeting with J’mhad is well-done, too- showing that choices have consequences. In this case, a good result because Julian fought so hard to keep Jeelius alive. Again, this has the ring of authenticity- the underclass (Khajiit and Argonians in this case) have a superb communication network because they have to. Imagine how easy it would be for someone to start a rumor that the “beast-folk” were behind Uriel’s death- and imagine what would happen if that rumor took root.

Good observation by Julian that Roland (the supposed vampire) has uncurtained, east-facing windows. Now she just has to put it together.

This installment has a wonderful sense of slowly-building tension, as Julian’s spider-sense keeps telling her things are not as they appear. And she is wise enough to listen, though she does not yet know what is wrong with this picture.

“Have anyone seen any sign of him yet?”

“Has anyone…” I believe.

Making my decision, I put everything back the way I had found them, then headed to the door.

A preference, perhaps, but I see “everything” as singular, versus “things” being plural. “I put everything back the way I had found it…”

[SubRosa]

Poor Julian, found out as the Hero of Kvatch once more. Julian's first conversation with Claudio went a long way to setting up her second encounter with him at night. His reaction felt very natural. I can easily see why he would be happy for someone he could trust (like someone with a reputation of heroism in Colovia) to dig up more, even if it was technically illegal.

Likewise, using J’mhad as a friend of Jeelius was an excellent bit of plotting. Once more we see how Julian's past actions have given her friends she never knew she had, smoothing her way in the present.

Finally we see Julian's memory of the path off the Blue Road jogged. I noted that when it appeared the first time, and have been wondering if you were going to do anything with it or not. Nice advance set up for this chapter.

[mALX]

the underclass (Khajiit and Argonians in this case) have a superb communication network because they have to. Imagine how easy it would be for someone to start a rumor that the “beast-folk” were behind Uriel’s death- and imagine what would happen if that rumor took root.

BOLD: - ARGH !!!!!

[treydog]

the underclass (Khajiit and Argonians in this case) have a superb communication network because they have to. Imagine how easy it would be for someone to start a rumor that the “beast-folk” were behind Uriel’s death- and imagine what would happen if that rumor took root.

BOLD: - ARGH !!!!!

Should specify- not my opinion, but more an amalgam of SubRosa's TF world and playing so much Morrowind lately. (Slavery, anyone?) I do not know if the class-system is quite as stark in haute's fictional Tamriel.

[hazmick]

good chapter, once again. It's good to see Julian piecing everything together, it's CSI:Tamriel.

[Acadian]

I'm getting quite swept up in this! It's delightful! I love the methodical manner in which Julian is investigating. Ah, the old soldier professionally conducting her JAG investigation. Lots to love.

“Please, call me Julian, sir,” I said, putting a slight pleading note in my voice. I was getting pretty tired of this hero stuff. “I’m no hero, just an old, broken-down soldier looking for a new reason to live.”

Beneath his steel helm, the Watchman’s teeth gleamed in a grin. “I hear you, Julian,” he answered, his voice warming. “Please, how may I help you?”

Beautifully done, with the ring of truth. I loved that you gave the watchman a name. And I was gratified to see the small investment in a relationship pay off for Julian as the guard walked away so Julian could do her business.

He smiled crookedly at me. “That’s why it’s cheap,”

I see the rules of real estate pertain, even in Cyrodiil - location, loction, location.

Studying the dark windows of Jenseric’s house, I realized they were uncovered.

Julian! You go, girl!

I drew out a couple of lockpicks and tickled the lock into submission.

This wonderful passge quite tickled my fancy.

A folded parchment fluttered to the floor when I picked up the book.

Just a gem of a great description - fluttered to the floor.

[Olen]

I think I've said it before but I'll say it again anyway - the way you work previous events into the story is brilliant and gives it a sense of continuity as well as cause and effect. It's good to see rescueing Jeelius again helped Julian and again made itself known.

Claudio was a good character too, after just one section what we know of him is rounded and suggests there's a lot more unrevealed (quite a feat, especially if the rest of him is an illusion). I suspect we may see him again after this quest. Certainly using his first conversation to build a trust between them made his decision to look the other way very natural.

All this question about drapes (and cleverly done there) has me thinking - would sunlight burn a vampire through a window, certainly it's impossible to get sunburnt though one (unless it's made of fused silica which seems rather unlikely in TES). Still I'm sure 'it's magic' more than suffices here.