Blood on the Moon, A Journey of Discovery Options

[McBadgere]

Oh-hooo...YES!!...

BRILLIANT!!...Both of you...

Loved the Athynae monologue...Methinks they'll be away off to Kiw de Daedra!! soon enough... ...

Laughed at Athlain by the door all blushing and whatnot... ...Brilliantly done...

And then the brilliant descriptive fight against the werewolf...Wolves...Loved that it was all internalised and yet so vivid!!...Nicely done there... ...

Another brilliant episode...

Nice one!!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[Darkness Eternal]

The monster fell in the weltered snow and it was only then that I remembered Athynae. Oh, by the Nine! How could I have forgotten? I turned as a wet, slithering sound came to my ears and I saw her withdraw her blade from another werewolf’s abdomen. He was clutching himself, wearing a puzzled expression that remained on his features when her two-handed swing removed the head from his shoulders. Before the headless corpse had fallen, Athynae stepped past me and decapitated my opponent as well.

I wept. Poor headless werewolf.

There might come a time for such a future, but it was not yet. Athynae’s hand reached up to caress the hilt of her sword where it rose over her shoulder and I mirrored her gesture, feeling the comforting weight of the Gift at my hip. Though he did not yet know it, the Hunter had become the hunted

Nice. A good bit of foreshadowing there too. Who knows what will happen before the speculated marriage with Athyne? Hmm.

[Olen]

A getting to really know each other part I think. To start with we have Athlain too awkward to be in a room with Athynae wearing less than the usual quota of clothes, but not naked. After what they've been through it's very him that he didn't just shrug and ignore it.

Then we have the night fight, neither is used to fighting with the other but there was tenderness almost afterward. A certain togetherness they haven't been forced close enough to develop. I'm sure there will be sparks too as it does though.

It's interesting that Athynae chose to hack off Athlain's dead, or at least mortally wounded, opponent. Some degree of insecurity over whatever she is feeling about having killed her first person (even if they were in werewolf form) perhaps, making her want more of the darkness which accompanies that. Whatever the reason she may have rather more on her mind for the remainder of the night. I suspect it might continue to gnaw until Athlain enquires, which may not be his best move.

[Black Hand]

A darkness as Olen put it accompanies this particular update; yet there is indeed a humanity within it.

S:"Keep in control. Only the necessary action for the desired effect. That's all any of it is, cause and effect. You are the cause, their last breath is the effect."

"Look down boy; you havent earned that sight. Even then; I still won't like it."

[minque]

Ohhhh.....Liked this one! Thyna and Athlain really have a way of talking to each other...med me smile actually.

“Thyna, I…” I stood and turned as the wood in Athlain’s arms hit the floor. His mouth fell open and his face- his face could not have been any redder if I had painted it with some of his mother’s paint. Then I realized the problem; I was wearing nothing except undergarments covered by a thin, cut off chemise. And he was absolutely frozen in place.

“Close the door please, you are letting all the warm air out.” And I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Yes, well, um, well, yes, yes, that’s what I’ll dooooo, I will just close the door, you just let me know, yea just um…”

“CLOSE THE DOOR!” and it slammed shut- with Athlain still on the outside.

SS: "Thyna! You make him embarrassed! What are you thinking of, girl!"
Loved that part!

Athlain's fight..ooooohooo, could have been...ehhh awkward, right. These werewolves makes me scared, lycanthropy is gross.....brrrrr

SS:" Seth! Talk to me! What are you up to really? What do want with my daughter? I'm confused!"

[mALX]

I was intrigued by Athynae's inner ramblings - does her family all know something she doesn't? URK! Somehow I get the feeling it all has to do with Athlain.

like she was trying to weigh something but the scale wasn’t made for it.

Fantastic line !!

she generally let me know of her displeasure in vivid detail.

BWAAAHAAA !!!!


This chapter was a great one for the two to work together (finally, instead of Athynae showing up to scold when the fight was done, ROFL !!!) But more than that it was great for teasing us with a bit of foreshadowing and mystery - Loved it !!! Awesome Writes !!!

[Grits]

I thought that Athynae’s musings about her family’s distress were very well put. Her parents seem as if they’ve had a loss, or are expecting one. I guess I’ll have to wait and see.

Athlain having to take a walk before returning to the cabin made me smile. Despite their bond, in some ways there is still a vast distance between them. Theirs is a delightfully complex relationship!

The aftermath of the fight reminded me that Athynae is also on a journey, and probably will be even more so once her family decides that she can be entrusted with their secrets. The need to connect but still maintain autonomy within families can be a difficult balance even without mind readers about. This update seemed to wrap more layers around Athynae as they hiked from A almost to B through the wilderness. Tremendous!!

[treydog]

@McBadgere- Thank you- again. Athynae is definitely preparing herself for a confrontation with Hircine- and looking forward to it, as well. And poor Athlain- I have done the “take a bath in a stream that just melted off a glacier thing”- though for different reasons. He should be grateful that he really does have “Skyrim blood.” The fight scene- I always have trouble writing those… so decided to do it a little differently.

@Darkness Eternal- Yes- actually the werewolves are victims, too- compelled to act as “hounds” for the Hunter. I do not think ‘Thyna will ever quite see it that way, though. Marriage- hmmm, yes well- about that…. As she is HAPPY to point out- Athynae has yet to be ASKED. And… let’s just say there is the possibility of ANOTHER Daedra causing disruption to their plans. (Assuming I ever finish this story, that is).

@Olen- Yes- Athlain is still quite an “innocent” in many ways, regardless of the words of the false Glenmoril sister. The best way to describe his feelings about Athynae is to say they are… complicated. Passion is there, without question- but he feels constrained by more than simply his sense of honor. In his own words-“there might come a time for such a future.” And you again show your prescience as to one consequence of them fighting “together,” even though they need to develop better teamwork. And you are also quite astute about Athynae’s “overkill.” I think- and hope Athlain will be wise enough to NOT ask- that she is, for now, avoiding the fact that the werewolves are men as well as “beasts.”

@Black Hand- More humanity- and more darkness- coming up.

AS- But Uncle Seth, I am dealing with something I have never felt before- and YOU were so close!

AT- Yessir! I mean, no sir! I mean… but I didn’t SEE anything! I think I need to take another dip in the river.

@minque- Thank you so much. I think finally writing the two of them together is going to be great fun. Throughout, they have been seeking one another “geographically,” so to speak. Now comes the harder part- finding each other emotionally and spiritually.

@mALX- Yes, we find that Athynae is ALSO on a “journey of discovery,” in this case having to leave home in order to discover something about her family. We will get to see the fight scene from her point of view in this post- as well as more of her thoughts. Thank you so much!

@Grits- Being “uncertain” is uncharted territory for Athynae- meaning it is wonderful ground for her writer. And poor Athlain- she does to him what women have done to men from time immemorial- confuses the heck out of him. And yes- close as they are, there is so much that has never been spoken. We do hope that new posts will reveal more of the depth and complexity of Athynae, even as she tries to maintain the attitude that SHE is simple- it is just LIFE that has gotten complicated.

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The place we stopped to camp was not as guarded as I would have liked. There was something wrong with my vision that I had only started noticing when the sun had passed below the horizon. It wasn’t dark yet but the light was fading.

Athlain got a small fire burning as I pulled rations from my pack. I had no plans to draw anything to the smell of roasting meat. We would supplement the dried food with potions if need be, but there would be real food once we reached Bryn and Svenja at the mead hall.

I wrapped the bear pelt around my shoulders as I looked past the small fire to scan the forest beyond. All I could see was the orange red glow of the flames with a backdrop of black velvet. I’m just tired, I’m still healing. I consoled myself.

I could feel Athlain glancing at me, and knew he was worried. I was glad he didn’t ask any questions; I didn’t want to think about any of it just yet, not Hircine or lycanthropy, Uncle Seth, Mother or… suddenly my senses were on alert. It took less than a full breath to know what it was and the rest of the breath told me there were two coming from opposite directions. Damn. Here we go again. But this time it would be different.

I reached to pull my blade from behind my back. The sound, that ‘whess’, as I pulled it from the sheath always changed something inside, like I was taking off one “me” and putting on the other. Athlain was gaining his feet even as I stood and pulling his beautifully crafted, enchanted giant tenderizer from its loop. We turned, back to back, as he kicked dirt and doused the majority of the flames and I saw-nothing.

I blinked and shook my head to get my eyes to adjust-nothing. One beast was close enough that I could hear him breathing. I reached into my pouch drawing out a potion of Nighteye that I had made for Athlain. I downed it-nothing. I looked up wanting to see, needing to see, even just the twinkling stars in a night sky I knew was clear-nothing. Why did I leave home again? This just keeps on going, what is next? And I thanked Uncle Seth again for insisting that I spend some time training with a blindfold.

“You just never know what might happen- something thrown in your face, a spell. You need to have an idea of what it is like to fight blind.”

And the beast was there. I felt his body heat and the slight shift in the air to my left. I ducked and pulled my dagger as I avoided a strike. I stuck my dagger in his foot all the way through to soil and twisted as I pulled it free. I felt it as he leaned his head back to yowl. I punched hard to his mid section with my dagger hand and drew it across, even as I raised my katana and slid back. That should bring his head forward. And- whoosh- followed by the wet thud of his head striking the ground and his body crumpling just after.

I had not had time to make a full turn toward the sound of Athlain’s encounter when I felt the vibration under my feet as the other beast fell. I stepped forward; my foot touched it, and I swung, then nodded to myself as I heard its head rolling down the hill.

I just stood there, the nothingness in my vision emulated by my heart, I felt-nothing.

I flicked my blade and I could feel tears in my eyes, tears of anger and hatred and vengeance and No! Stop this! If you allow yourself to go down this path too far you will not be able to turn back. It is what it is. There are things that must be done, not for hatred or vengeance but for the safety of others and most of all for justice.

“Sorry ‘Thyna” his voice punctuated my return to reality. “I …have become so used to fighting alone that I did not think. I will do better next time.”

I looked toward his voice but could not see his face and I scanned the ground capturing the few glowing embers of the fire. I sheathed my blade trying to think of a way to respond to what he had said.

“This is all new to me, to us. We have much to learn about fighting together, especially at night.” And in the same tone with little emotion I added, “You need to make sure you stay far enough away that I don’t accidentally hit you since I can’t see you, I’m night blind.”

“You’re what?” I could feel him close behind me.

“I do not wish to talk about this just now, it is news to me too. And before you ask I do not know what happened or why. I need to think so if you would be so kind as to rebuild the fire so I have just a bit of light I would be tremendously grateful.” I really tried to keep the argumentative tone out of my voice but I wasn’t sure that I had succeeded.

“But Thyna…I don’t know…how did you?” His verbal attempt to put a question to words sounded much like my mind trying to wrap itself around this new challenge.

“I noticed a change in my vision when the sun dipped below the horizon just before we made camp. When you built the fire I tried to see beyond it and saw nothing. I smelled the vile beasts, a scent I will never forget. And when you kicked dirt over the flames the lantern went out before my eyes. I tried a Nighteye potion to no avail, so this is magic. Now, that is all I know to tell you at this time. Could you please let it rest for now?”

“No, not yet. I just need to know one more thing. I understand because of some of the situations I have found myself in how you managed to fight and kill your opponent, but how did you know? How did you decapitate the one I felled?” It really was just a curiosity question, so I tried to answer.

“When I turned toward the sound I heard him fall. I stepped toward you and my foot touched his; it was just a matter at that point of simple mathematics. The size of his foot should closely determine his height, but by the way the strike felt I believe I was a bit off. I think I left his lower jaw attached. I’ll do better next time.”

I felt his hand touch my elbow and I jerked my arm away before I thought. Do not over react- this is not the time. He is simply trying to do what he can because he doesn’t know what else to do. I forced myself to allow his intrusion into my space; he had no idea how hard that was.

“I will rebuild the fire before I do something with the trash.” He was trying to be humorous because he was scared now, I was too, and the one thing we both did when we were unsure of something was try to make it funny.

“Yes please. If you don’t it will stink up the living area soon.” But to me that was long past. The truth was right there for me, lessons from Mother about how man and mer adapt to challenges using the senses. If a person is deaf, their sight is enhanced as well as their sense of smell and touch. If a person is blind, well, now I knew…. Just practicing blindfolded was a great idea but it was not in truth comparable to this. I knew with the blindfold that I could take it off, but now in the dark of night I had no idea if the blindness was going to carry past sunrise or if what I had said was true and it was just night blindness.

What I had always considered fear before I got here I now knew was just apprehension, nervousness. Fear was so much more and I just kept getting dose after dose after dose and I wondered what in the name of the Nine had kept Athlain going through this day after day, night after night, if this was what he had felt. For the next first, and what a long list that was becoming since my arrival on this plane of Oblivion, I wondered if I had what it was going to take to do what must be done.

I sensed Athlain’s return from the disposal of the bodies. He said nothing and I realized I had my eyes closed. I didn’t want to open them because I wasn’t sure I was going to see the flame that was warming my face. He sat next to me, close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body, but not touching me. He was letting me know the only way he could at that moment that he was honoring my request but also that he was there, that I was not alone in this.

I loved my family so very much, but there was a part of me that I had always kept somewhere apart, maybe for myself, took a bit of pride that I could, even should, fight my battles on my own. In that moment a circle completed itself as I permitted myself the luxury of the comfort of his presence. All the times he had pulled me close to him, all the times he had held me because he wanted to help, comfort, console were important but taken for granted. I expected that from him, but I shouldn’t. He had depended on me many times, leaned on me because he could and I wanted him to. He needed to know I was there because I cared. But I had never, that I could recall, truly leaned on him, depended on him, allowed myself to be vulnerable. I don’t know why that was; it was just the way I was made I suppose.

I had some warped belief that I had been at some level of ‘grown-up’ since I was four, since Mother had allowed me to have the bow the Ahemussa had given her when I was born to be my first. But truth told I had done more ‘growing up’ in the past months since Athlain had left home than I had done in the 17 and ½ years previous by a long measure. And since I had left home the first time to come and find him, the ‘growing up’ had been given a strong potion of ‘fortify speed’.

How do you tell someone that you have spent your entire life with and treated the way that I had treated Athlain that you were not trying to be mean, that you would change it if you could? But then I thought if I changed, would we be where we were? Would he be the man he had come to be? And would I love him as much as I did if he were less than what he was? It was far too much to consider, but I felt changes inside myself that I could not explain. I saw changes in Athlain that I was proud of, and some that I didn’t like as much, but all were things I was willing to deal with because the man that sat by my side, in this nightmare of darkness, I had a whole new respect for. He had stepped out from under the great shadow cast by his father, had fought the battle and become his own man.

I knew that our personalities would clash as they always had; it was what kept us close, as ludicrous as that sounded. But I would never take his presence for granted again; I would never assume that it was what he was “supposed” to do. I leaned my head over onto his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around me. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

[McBadgere]

That's just beautiful that is... ...

Brilliant...

Love the mostly internal monologues...So intense...*Applauds*...

Looking forward to finding all of where this is all going...Should be much fun!!... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*... ...

[minque]

I knew that our personalities would clash as they always had; it was what kept us close, as ludicrous as that sounded. But I would never take his presence for granted again; I would never assume that it was what he was “supposed” to do. I leaned my head over onto his shoulder and he wrapped his arm around me. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

Loved it! They are really developing their affection for each other! Oh I love that! But one question arises WHY is Thyna night blind?

[Athynae]

They don't know yet...but you can bet Thyna will find out...just so you all know though, it isn't Athlain's fault....

[minque]

They don't know yet...but you can bet Thyna will find out...just so you all know though, it isn't Athlain's fault....

That sounds reassuring!

SS: Thyna, do you need my help in any way?

[Olen]

Very intense. Athynae seems to be having a bit of a revelation after having her mask of security shaken a bit.

there was a part of me that I had always kept somewhere apart, maybe for myself, took a bit of pride that I could, even should, fight my battles on my own. In that moment a circle completed itself as I permitted myself the luxury of the comfort of his presence

This introduced what came next brilliantly, a real insight into her. Indeed it seems to have taken the recent stresses for her internal monologue to accept that she has weaknesses. I look forward to seeing this develop.

[mALX]

*

Athynae did better than me, I may have choked Athlain for kicking out the fire. Humans can't see in the dark, so why blind yourself right before a fight with creatures that can see in the dark? Not to mention shutting off the ability of drawing them into the flames for some extra damage, lol.

The whole ending paragraphs starting with the one that begins "I loved my family so very much" are as awesome as it gets, some real depth to Athynae ... and especially finally giving Athlain that moment of thanks, the head on his shoulder and the "I'm sorry."

That last section feels like a beginning, a closing of childhood and the beginning of their lives as the adults they have become. Totally Awesome Write !!!

*

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 5 2012, 02:33 PM

[Grits]

The last four paragraphs were my favorite of Athynae’s thoughts so far. Just beautiful. Her new found humility and respect for Athlain give me hope for a relationship that can really develop, beyond their childhood ties and their current attraction. She was certainly very spirited and talented before, but now there is a depth to her character that I find very appealing. Wonderful!!

[treydog]

@McB- Thanks for the compliments, I am so glad you are here and enjoying this. And I really hope you enjoy the trip from here.

@mALX- Well, yea, kicking out the fire probably wasn’t the best thing but instinct often leads us to do things that aren’t necessarily the right thing to do, with anything or anyone else it would have evened the odds.
The growing up part is a definite yes but we will see her take three steps forward and two steps back for a while, she is making progress but sudden epiphanies don’t change a lifetime of learned behavior all at once.
Thank you for the compliments, the part that you pointed out, the last paragraphs of reflection into who she sees herself as was hard to write not because it’s a story but because for her it was true and painful to realize the truth of it.

@Grits- Thank you so much, as I told mALX, the part you pointed out was hard stuff. But yes, they are both maturing but Athlain has a slight advantage here. He’s done the ‘growing up’ that survival required and now is maturing in other ways…Thyna is doing all of that maturing at once so it’s a bit overwhelming just now….
I am so happy you are reading.

@Olen- Your comments are always an incredible experience, your perspective and insight is something I wait for.

I think for each of us at some point or another have to face a weakness that we would prefer we didn’t have. In Thyna’s case she never wanted ANY and did her best to keep everyone from seeing any piece of that. The realization that showing it isn’t a bad thing was like a dash of ice water in the face.

THANK YOU OLEN, so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, it is so appreciated.

OH, and you can cast a wake up spell if you like but although I haven’t commented on the thread yet I just finished reading what you have so far in Shades of an Ending, that’s some great writing…I guess since I’ve threatened treydog and the badger with the balding spell I could threaten you too if you don’t get us some more to read.

@minque- Seems that part was the favored of the post and I am glad it was as it shows where she is headed, however long it may take. I do love that you are here, so so much.

AS: Mother without you, your support and teaching, your love and guidance I would not have the tools I have to work with. Rest assured I will let you know if I need ANYTHING. Just now time is short and I have something I have to take care of first. Then, we will figure all of this out. I’m ok Mother, really, it’s just kind of frustrating.

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Though we walked together the last miles to Thirsk, Athynae and I were separate, wrapped in our own thoughts. Hers were no longer a presence in my mind; they had disappeared with the healing of her lycanthropy. But I knew from her expression and her silence, whatever her thoughts, they were not pleasant. For myself, the healing was most prominent in my own consideration. Somehow, I had erred, muddled the mixture, allowed myself to be distracted when Azura’s power flowed through me.

Perhaps some of my former agnosticism had lingered even at that critical moment and hindered the ceremony. Perhaps ‘Thyna’s night blindness was a form of “justice”- insofar as I myself had been blind to Azura’s presence. But that made no sense- the goddess had told me that Athynae was her “vessel;” any punishment would have been visited upon me. Other than Serene, I did not know anyone with such dedication to the Goddess of Dusk and Dawn. The enormity of my guilt was only made worse by the fact that ‘Thyna had not questioned me- not berated me. In fact, as we sat by that tiny fire in the looming darkness, she had apologized to me. Though I had known her all my life, this girl- no- this woman was still a mystery to me.

The column of fire that still rose from Lake Fjalding was another mystery, one that put me in mind of the destruction that had befallen the mead hall. I had tried to tell Athynae about it, but, like me, she was largely a stranger to loss. Seeing so many empty places on the benches would be a hard blow, another in what seemed an endless series of waves that battered us. But that pain would keep for a time. At the moment, the smoke rising from the chimney of Thirsk was a sign of warmth and welcome. Brynjolfr’s hammer rang in the chill air, the echoes responding from across the lake.

Svenja must have been keeping watch, for she stepped out of the newly repaired doors to the hall before I could reach the latch. Her eyes lit with pleasure and with pride as she looked at Athynae and me. She inclined her head and spoke formally:

“I greet you, Chieftain of Thirsk. And your… companion, also.”

Athynae raised an eyebrow at that salutation, but her skepticism dissolved into a shout of delight as the smith rumbled from behind her:

“Aye lass. ‘Tis grand ta see ye once more. And to see ye hae been feedin’ himself better, as well.”

The last words came out in a wheeze as Athynae threw herself against him and hugged him tight.

At last, Brynjolfr placed gentle hands on her shoulders and moved her back just a little.

“Naow lass. That be enow. Have a care lest himself feels the need ta call me ta duel.” He grinned at me over her head and added, “Oh, aye. He be known fer his bluidy-handed jealousy- challengin’ e’en the Duke o’er ye.”

I felt myself flushing at the teasing, but his friendship also warmed me- and gave me a couple of ideas. The first would only be difficult- the second, nigh unto impossible. But I must try all the same.

Svenja cleared her throat and said firmly, “This is a mead hall, meaning we have walls and a roof to shelter us from the cold. Not everyone is so furry or,” and here she cast a sidelong glance at the smith, “so fat, that the chill does not bother them.”

I had spent enough time with my mother, an artist with paint and with plants, to recognize the motive behind Svenja’s prompting. Rebuilding Thirsk had been dear to her heart, and she wanted us to see what she had accomplished. Upon entering the mead hall, I saw that she had every reason to be proud. The formerly smoky interior still displayed the intricate “rope” carvings of Nordic architecture and the traditional central fire pit. But thoughtfully placed lanterns and windows just under the eaves gave it a feeling of open space. The support columns had been worked so that they looked like the trees from which they were made. The overall effect was of entering a sunlit clearing in a forest, complete with tables and benches. Better still, a number of Skaal were making use of the hall. Svenja indicated them with a gesture that reflected the pleasure glowing in her eyes.

“Already, hunters from Solstheim and even from Skyrim come to visit. Soon the rafters will shake with voices lifted in song and the walls will bear new trophies. And now, Athlain, Chieftain of Thirsk, take your place and drink from the cup of returning.”

She started to lead me toward the head of the hall, but Athynae placed a hand on my arm.

“I can see you have things to discuss, but I am still a bit tired. I think I will go to my room now.”

She turned toward the steps and then added, almost as an afterthought, “Could I borrow the Glenmoril scroll from you? I would like to study it.”

I handed it to her without a word and allowed Svenja to lead me to what I still considered Skjoldr’s throne at the far end of the firepit. I would have balked at taking the seat, but her eyes pleaded with me. Stifling a sigh of resignation, I placed myself on the ornate chair as Svenja passed me a tankard of mead. I took a small sip and nodded, even as the liquid burned my throat. Then I stood once more.

“May all here be welcome to the hospitality of Thirsk. Drink, eat, raise your voices in story and song.”

I turned to the woman who had brought Thirsk back from tragedy and destruction and raised my cup in salute.

“Now, drink to the health and courage of Svenja Snow-Song, hunter of the Skaal.”

A cheer went up from the assembled hunters, and it was the first time I had ever seen that cool, composed woman without a ready response. Her cheeks flamed and a suspicious gleam of moisture filled her eyes. I took another careful sip from the tankard and set it down, my gaze falling upon one of the pedestals that flanked the throne. There lay the grisly evidence of my right to be chieftain, the heart of the Udyrfrykte.

I reached inside my tunic and brought out the pouch containing the tokens from the slain. Holding it high for all to see, I told of the fight with the beast and then said:

“I prevailed only because I carried the strength and courage of the Skaal, of your brothers and sisters, with me into that dark place.”

I placed the pouch reverently on the other pedestal, concluding, “Let this rest here always, as a reminder to me and to all who come after, that a chieftain’s greatest trophy is the character of those he leads.”

Once the festivities were well under way, I excused myself and climbed the steps to Athynae’s room. Recalling my error at the cabin, I knocked and waited for her reply before entering. She was seated at the small desk beneath the window, the Glenmoril scroll unrolled in front of her, the corners weighted with odds and ends. Guilt over her blindness burned in me once more, but I tried to keep my tone neutral as I asked:

“Have you found anything interesting?”

She glanced at me briefly and then turned back to her study, moving a candle closer.

“Not yet. The script is clearly a Breton form of Aldmeris.” she paused and then added, “I need to concentrate on this, so if you could give me some time?”

Her distraction actually suited my purpose, so I casually replied, “Of course. I was just going to have Brynjolfr look over my gear. I could take yours as well?”

She nodded absently and waved a hand at the bed, where she had dropped her armor and katana. The dagger, I knew, would remain in her boot. And I also knew it did not need the attention of the smith. Nor was the dagger my objective. Without another word, I gathered everything else and left, closing the door quietly behind me.

[McBadgere]

YAY!!...That was brilliant!!...

And again, am trying to slot reading a story from the start into my seemingly ever shrinking alotment of time... ...Just so great!!...

Loved the whole description of coming back to the village...And it seems to be populated by some very cool people!!...

An excellent episode...Looking forward to more, as ever... ...

Nice one!!..

*Applauds heartily*...

[Olen]

Good stuuf, as ever.

Interesting way you played with the mood of this part. We start with a mixture of concern for Athynae and guilt over his percived failings. It doesn't occur to him that she doesn't blame him for fouling the cure, indeed she's not even sure what the problem is but there is a tension between themin part becuase of it and in part because they have gotten closer than before and are both balking slightyl as they realise that they don't actually know each other that well (or at least as well as they thought).

Moving this into the loss and renewal of Thrisk was an interesting touch. They're both welcomed but that tension seems to stay. She doesn't stay to congratulate him, or at least join the festivities. Then they don't talk. Makes me wonder if there's a bit of a storm brewing there.

Nor was the dagger my objective.

I wonder what alterior motive he has.

I guess since I’ve threatened treydog and the badger with the balding spell I could threaten you too if you don’t get us some more to read.

It might work in a while, for now I can offer a 10,000 word epic on a potential phase change in high pressure methane hydrate whic has been my labour of hate for the last week and a half... No takers? Really?

[mALX]

I'm coming back to read this - just ran out of free time for a while, lol.

[mALX]

Though I had known her all my life, this woman was still a mystery to me.

Welcome to the Men's Club, lol.

Loved Athlain's speech...but I can't help but wonder what he was up to by the end of the chapter !!! Awesome Write !!!