Blood on the Moon, A Journey of Discovery Options

[SubRosa]

“You are brave or foolish to enter this place, Imperial soldier.”
I hope both is not out of the question!

There is no fire on all of the Mundus that can take the chill from my bones.
This was an excellent line!

Aeslip is an intriguing character. Necromancer, Lich, Draugr, or just plain icky. Yet he certainly presents quite an interesting tale. I wonder if the deadra he speaks of overrunning the island are somehow related to what is causing the werewolves? Or if they are completely separate? Of course this also begs the question, if Aeslip did not create the pillar of fire, who did? The daedra perhaps, in order to melt the ice?

[Destri Melarg]

There is one good thing about having to catch up on this story, I get to take it all in during a single (or in this case double) sitting.

Starting way back in Raven Rock. Athlain continues to affirm his standing in Falco’s eyes. From his choice of men to guard the colony, to his leadership of those men when (as hautee put it) the cacat hits the ceiling oscillator, every decision he makes has been spot on. We as readers can see his growth right before our eyes. As testament to this I can honestly say that I had forgotten that Athlain was the son of Trey and not the Nerevarine himself.

The death of Garnas affected me more than I can adequately say with words. Reading it lit a fire under me to stop mucking about with Chirasch’s death in my own story. For that I can’t thank you enough. I’ve said it before but the thing that I like most about your writing is your amazing ability to evoke reader empathy with the minimum number of well-crafted words.

Yay, Athynae is back!!! In this story I mean. I notice that the real Athynae is alive, well, and posting. Forgive my inexcusable manners in not welcoming you to the forums properly, Athynae. Since you don’t have a thread of your own yet (hint hint), I guess I should tender my official welcome here (and thanks for motivating trey to get back to the keyboard). I really have no defense for my actions, and I hope you won’t see fit to burden me with worries of the spell you are concocting. Speaking of which, the next time I find myself wrestling with a bout of ‘I just can’t write-itis’ I hope that you don’t mind if I look to you for inspiration, seeing the good that it has done trey (Just FYI I am a man who long ago took to shaving his head, so for me the balding spell would be a blessing ).

Er . . . back to the story. I always wondered who Carnius reported to (let’s face it the man was not an alpha dog). Is it fair to say that Apronia was the puppeteer pulling his strings all along? If that is the case, then who pulled hers?

You really have to hand it to Athlain. When he sets his mind to get himself killed he does so in style! Marching into the Grand Council Chamber in Ebonheart and challenging Duke Dren to a duel in front of his bodyguard takes the kind of guts that one would expect from the son of Trey.

I can honestly say that I feel genuine pity for Athlain. Just think of all the pain he is going to have to endure through the efforts of the five women in his life ‘looking out for him.’

In any event, the Duke’s reaction to Athlain’s challenge and his handling of the whole affair was fantastic. I could just see Athlain’s realization that his mother had petitioned to marry him off to the woman he loves. I also thought it symbolic of their relationship that Athlain leaves the Council Chamber lamenting Athynae’s reaction to his efforts, without stopping to realize that those efforts were prompted by information received from Athynae! By the Nine (or the Three, Azura, or whoever Redoran looks upon as high muckety-muck these days), don’t look a gift horse in the mouth you two! Who cares who made the petition? The decision was made the moment Athynae decided to brave the wilds of Solstheim in order to help Athlain.

Ah, kids these days.

I agree with Brynjolfr’s assessment, Athlain is not as addled as we are led to believe. There is a certain madness to his method, if you know what I mean. It was great to see the old smith again. Then it’s back to the Skaal to endure the brooding condescension of their chief. I have never played the game so I am on pins and needles wondering what awaits Athlain at Lake Fjalding.

The attack on Thirsk is something I dreaded the minute Athlain spoke of how different his life may have been had he stayed. Duty dictates that he embark on the Test of Strength for the Skaal. But, knowing Athlain, he will probably seek out the Udyrfrykte to avenge those who showed him kindness and to bring a small measure of relief to Svenja. Hopefully he can kill the thing before Athynae shows up, just to reassure her that he is capable of holding his own without her.

Oh who am I kidding? Hurry Athynae!!

I just loved Athynae’s contribution to the story! She seems to instinctively adhere to the ‘better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission’ school of thinking when she ‘borrows’ Sethyas’ memoir (that reminds me that I really need to go back and finish all, what? TWELVE VOLUMES of Black Hand’s opus).

I could decide what to do to him then, after I knew he was safe from the monsters of Solstheim.

And

It was one of the innumerable reasons I loved him so, but I would hurt him for ignoring me.

These quotes just scream Athynae to me! I think Athlain may look upon another Udyrfrykte and all the draugr and bone wolves of Solstheim as preferable to facing the wrath of his betrothed!

Athynae’s journey to the cabin was a harrowing experience. Given that every previous reference to her came from Athlain or her legion (no pun intended) of admirers, it is hard to imagine the shadows that could give her pause. Hearing the story from her POV is a welcome reminder that this goddess that we have all come to revere is painfully aware of her own mortality.

Aeslip’s revelations are so surprising that it has forced me back into the lore. In the book Thirsk, a History Bereditte Jastal lists all of the chieftains of Thirsk from Hrothmund the Red. One of those leaders was an Imperial named Caccino Aurelia. He led for the space of three weeks before being slain one Eldjar Bear-Skinner (I just LOVE that name) who presented Aurelia’s tongue as a battle trophy. Aurelia is remembered as a fraud in Thirsk. Could it be that Aurelia was not slain as Jastal suggests and that instead he went into exile?

Food for thought.

[treydog]

Well, as we close in on 100 forum pages of this (gulp!), it is appropriate that Athynae takes the stage once more. Burning questions will be posed- Will they find each other? Will she keep him? Will HE keep his hair? Will I ever shut up and get on with it? Athynae has graciously added her responses- they are first- followed by mine (in italics).

@Haute- Thank you so much for your comments, the respect is mutual. Thyna could learn much from Julian as her courage and foresight are second to none.

As far as I know, who or what caused the fire is never specifically revealed. I based my dialogue on Korst’s doubts and on what Aesliip tells the player character.

Athlain suffers from “target-lock” sometimes; a trait he shares with his creator. I can remember more than once, chasing after an intermediate step in a complex math problem, coming up with a number and saying- “OK- so the answer to that part is 5. Why did I care?” There is another, more directly applicable story- but
I will save that for another time.

@Capt Hammer- There are many things that could be said but on behalf of Thyna I will simply allow her thoughts:

“Well I never! Cling factor....personal space....privacy? He has been gone without word of any sort for weeks and you think I am being “clingy”? His mother is worried to death, his sisters are ready to murder him and you think I need to let him have his “personal space”?”

Thank you for reading, and for your comments, although I guess you can see ‘Thyna wasn't very happy with your observations. I am very glad that you are reading and hope you are enjoying it as much as I am enjoying writing.

First- welcome back! (And- thank you, Destri!) Captain, you correctly spot my dual purpose in having Aesliip “see” Athynae at Athlain’s side- it shows that he is a powerful wizard- and it discomfits our young soldier, which is usually a good thing.

And you also are correct that the “Journey of Discovery” is at least as much internal as external.

Confession time on “tatterdemalion.” I wanted aTES-friendly equivalent to “scarecrow,” but there are no birds on Vvardenfell. And a similar effigy not only would NOT scare away cliff-racers, but would probably ATTRACT the bloody things! So, I reached back to my comic-book collecting days, to a DC anti-hero by the name of “Raggedman.”

As to all the things you did not do, in regards to Athlain’s failure to visit…. Since you did not do them, I do not have to respond, thus avoiding the wrath of both Athynaes (Athynai?) --fictional and factual.

The comma and break before the dialogue was actually a mistake. It is a throwback to when I wrote “in-line” quotes. To make the text more “forum-friendly,” I have tried to instead use a “colon and line space” method instead. But sometimes I forget or still mix the two.

@Olen- You'll just have to wait and see......

Your encouragement is always most welcome- you continue to be one of my most perceptive readers. And I find this particular undead quite interesting, as well. The ambiguity of his choices forces Athlain to think about his own assumptions.

As to the fire, as I mentioned to haute, it appears that it was not Aesliip’s doing, although the explicit denial was my own addition.

Athlain appreciates your understanding of his need to complete the mission…. And he wonders if you would mind standing—right about THERE, so he can avoid an expertly-wielded staff to the head.

@Minque-Glad to see you are home Mother, so sorry I missed you. I am up to my eyeballs with this one….I have complete faith in your teachings as a healer and Uncle Seth’s sporadic tutoring of fighting skill. I have a feeling I will need it all in the coming days. See you when I return home, if I do…..

Glad we gave you something to enjoy on your return. And that you have given us a continuation, as well. As to Athynae’s memories- well, stay tuned.

@mALX- She's just good like that.....

Unfortunately for Athlain, he is going to have to come home to 3 of them- plus the one who will likely tie him up and drag him there.

@Grits- Hehe, we had great fun doing the interview as well, so glad you liked it. Thank you for your observations.

I have been paying attention to the “atmospherics” of certain writers- like you- and haute- and SubRosa- and… well, you get the idea.

And this particular draugr-lich-wizard is one of the most fascinating characters in the vanilla game- he admits to dabbling in “bad things,” but he then used that knowledge to do a terrible thing to himself so he could protect the people who had cast him out.

‘Thyna SAYS that the reason he should have stopped by is because his mother and sisters CAN’T “ride his shoulder.” (The real reason is that a good clout in the weesand [sp?] is more satisfying than a phantom flick on the ear.)

@SubRosa- Thanks for reading and commenting. Yes it was lucky it was only clothing she skewered, lol. That vision is just as creepy when seeing it in your mind's eye while writing about it.

Oh, I think “both” is definitely the correct answer. “Why, yes, as a matter of fact I WOULD rather face an ancient undead wizard in a cave under a frozen lake, rather than the woman I love.”

As to the fire quote, I wanted to try my hand at the atmosphere you and others describe so well…

The cause of the fire is never really answered in-game- something I intend to remedy- but not yet.

@Destri- Thank you for the welcome, though delayed it was obviously heart felt. I only turn to threats as a last resort, just so you know, but should the need arise I am certain I could concoct a potion or create a spell that would serve to cure “can’t write-it is”.

I am not only angry with him for ignoring her, I keep getting this horrible vision so I am also scared half to death for his safety.

It was very disconcerting, that feeling I had on the way to the cabin. Though not added to the journal pages it occurred to me that I have trained with weapons since I was old enough to hold them and I attended tournaments with great success. The one thing I had never done to this point was fight for my life.

First of all- WELCOME BACK! Regarding Athlain’s growth- it was always my plan to take him from being a somewhat spoiled, sheltered youth and turn him into a good man. That the process has gone on far longer than I intended is a result of the kind indulgence of my readers.

Garnas was one of those characters who simply insisted on his moment upon the stage- and that he be given a fitting exit. It was hard to write- but to have done less would have been to dishonor him.
Apronia is one of those mysterious characters in the game, and one whose presence is never explained. So-I decided to give her a far more interesting role- AND to allow her, in the fashion of super-villains everywhere, to escape into the darkness. Yes, Carnius was her cat’s-paw.

I must agree that the “I know- I will challenge the Duke of Dread- IN FRONT OF EVERYONE” moment was one that rather summarizes Athlain’s character- brave to a fault- but not always very smart about it. The Duke’s reaction was quite fun to write- Athlain also seemed to rather forget that his parents (and Athynae’s) have kind of MET the Duke- more than a few times. His tunnel-vision about Athynae is based on my own real-life experiences- but that is a story for another time.

It has been my great joy to have Athynae here to speak for herself. And it has benefited the story immeasurably.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You were so close, why didn’t you come to the Manor? Why didn’t you come to see your family --AND ME?

And in my mind I heard his voice, as clear as if he were standing there watching me mix the potions that I was preparing for him.

“’Thyna, I had to return as quickly as possible; there is work yet to be done.”

“You are telling me you would go challenge the Duke to a duel to win my hand but you wouldn’t take fifteen extra steps to say ‘Hi, I’m fine, gotta go, thanks for the tea?’ ”

I felt that same feeling again of him being almost close enough to touch.

“Well, I was THINKING of you.” His voice sounded right; I KNEW it was his voice, especially that slight “lift” on the last word when he felt he had been caught out.

“ ‘THINKING OF ME’, oh, thank you so much, and what do you think I was doing? Planting a rose garden?”

I had an ethereal feeling, like I was there but not. But I also felt my anger rising at his neglect and my need to know why he would do such a thing.

“I thought you were staying safe; that’s why I sent you to Indarys.” The tension in his voice was growing as well.

“What was I staying safe from? I already knew the marriage contract was a ruse at that point. If you had stopped by for tea, I would have told you.” SO there! Unspoken, but clearly understood was- If you had stopped I could have saved us both from the embarrassment of your little escapade.

“You knew? And you didn’t try to tell me?” Even though he wasn’t standing there I could still see his face turning that deep shade of red.

“And how was I supposed to do that?”

“A letter maybe; there are only two places on Solstheim, Fort Frostmouth and Raven Rock. It would have found me.”

Right, like someone was going to chase him all over that forsaken island to deliver a letter.

“After you got back, maybe. But I hadn’t known long enough for a letter to reach you. And how dare you talk to me about letters. How many have you written me? HHMM let’s see…there was the one where you WISHED ME ALL HEALTH…what a treasure THAT was! And then there was, let’s see um, oh wait, THERE WAS JUST THE ONE!”

“I was still thinking of you and wishing you well.”

I barely heard this comment; good, he knew I was right so he was backing off. But- that was also the time for me to press the attack. An argument was just like a sword-fight; the time to strike was when your opponent was off-balance.

“And I was supposed to know that? How?” Rage isn’t the right word; fear maybe, or perhaps jealousy…

“I was BUSY!”

“No you were hiding.”

“Hiding? Did you say ‘hiding’?”

“For all I knew, you were dead.”

“What do you mean hiding?”

“For all I knew, you were seeing some blue-eyed Nordic girl.”

“Thyna…”

“WHAT?”

“ Thyna, I wouldn’t even think about dying without asking your permission first.” His voice had a tone of trying to placate me.

“HAHA, aren’t you the funny one.”

“And as far as the blue-eyed Nordic girl….she wasn’t you.”

“YOU MEAN THERE WAS ONE? I WILL KILL YOU, ATHLAIN TREYSON!” It was probably a good thing that he wasn’t there at that moment; I think the potion I was preparing started bubbling faster just from the heat of my hand.

“She wasn’t you!”

“How does that make it better?”

“Every time I see a woman, you are my first thought.”

“As in ‘I think ‘Thyna had better not find out?’ “

“NO! As in ‘I wish she was you.’ So I could reach out and grab you and never let go.”

“I wish you would do less ‘thinking’. “

“Did you miss the ’NEVER LET GO’ part?”

“And more holding.”

“NO ONE ELSE IS YOU!”

“And don’t you DARE take that tone with me! I AM trying to work here.”

“So, do you have any healing potions?”

“I’m working on them, and you are going to need several when I find you.”

“Please stop yelling. It seems I can hear you even when you don’t open your mouth.”

“I AM NOT YELLING; I AM JUST TRYING TO GET THROUGH THAT THICK HEAD OF YOURS! And what do you mean you can hear me even when I don’t open my mouth?

“‘IF you get killed I will bring you back to life so I can kill you myself.’ I think those were the words you used; do they sound at all familiar?”

“How did you know that?”

“I ….can…hear ….you; even when you don’t open your mouth. And I can go further than that even. Did you ‘flick’ my ear?”

“What? Oh that, um, well… maybe. But if I did it was because you were being foolish.”

“Foolish? Did you know I was standing at the entrance to a cave? And had anything exited that cave while you were distracting me…”

“No, you were standing there feeling sorry for yourself, so you were already distracted.”

“I could have been killed while I was looking to see who flicked my ear.”

“Did you get attacked?”

“Not then…”

“But it got your focus back to where you were and what you needed to be doing. And exactly what does ‘not then’ mean?”

“’Thyna, this whole talking to each other mentally is a little disconcerting. Could we please have this conversation when we are actually together? I don’t want to argue with you, especially when I can’t see your face, hold your hand…”

“I still don’t know what this is or how it happens. And, yes- it is a bit unbalancing to say the least. But just hearing your voice means I am getting closer to you. I don’t know how I know that, but I do. Please, whatever you are doing, be careful. I know you will not wait for me to get there, but will you please keep yourself alive?”

“What, so you can kill me when you find me?”

“Well, yes, and then revive you so I can hold you and try that kiss again.”

“The next time you try that kiss you won’t escape so quickly.”

“I hope not. Athlain, I do love you so very much. And I will do whatever is necessary to see this through with you.”

“I know, ‘Thyna. I love you too; never forget that, no matter what happens. Now get back to your work; I have a task ahead that I need to give my full attention. I have no intention of letting anything happen to me before I have a chance to kiss you again.”

“YOU DIDN’T KISS ME LAST TIME! I kissed you.”

I found the floor as it rushed up to catch me. What in the world was that? It must be the cabin; it was suffused with Sheogorath’s taint. I was losing my mind; that was it. I needed to be done with my alchemy so I could get out of there.

I rose from the floor and saw the vials on the table, each labeled and sealed with wax and stamped with my insignia. Everything was finished except for the cleaning up.

Thank you, Mother.



I proceeded to clean the equipment and return it to the shelves, hoping I never needed those particular items again. Afterwards, I stoked the fire and prepared myself something to eat, reflecting on my ‘conversation’ with Athlain. I shook my head with a smile. I really shouldn’t be so hard on him. I wouldn’t have him any other way than as he is- strong, honorable, trustworthy, kind to a fault, and loyal like no one else I know. Azura, please keep him safe.

I got my gear together so I could depart at first light and prepared for bed. Placing a couple of logs on the fire, I picked up the bucket I had been using to gather snow for water and walked out onto the porch. The dual moons shone bright in the night sky and off in the distance I heard what sounded like someone crying…..

This post has been edited by treydog: Aug 13 2011, 01:42 AM

[Black Hand]

Dear Gods, she takes waaay too much after her mother....

[haute ecole rider]

'Tis a very, very good thing I finished all of my liquids before reading this post! The exchange between Athlain and 'Thyna was excellent - loved the bickering. Those kinds of repartees are actually my favorite dialogue - more so than the purely romantic stuff or the melodrama. Guess that's why I prefer When Harry Met Sally to Gone With the Wind. Or what about Bringing Up Baby? Katharine Hepburn was awesome keeping Cary Grant flummoxed! Of course that big cat didn't hurt.

'Thyna is very good at keeping Athlain flummoxed, even though she didn't use the 'F' word here. When will Athlain ever learn that the woman (womer?) is always right? I'm sure he'll never learn not to keep making the mistakes, but I do hope that he learns that it's better to agree with a lady like 'Thyna than it is to defend himself.

[D.Foxy]

Trey -

While I may not have been visible, I have been on the forums regularly, and let me say that I have been

entertained
entranced
enraptured
encouraged
enraged (when you didn't post fast enough)
en-rolling-on-the-floor-and-dirt-and-grass(don't ask)
en-smirked-and-snorted-and-guffawed-and-gigglesneezecoughchoked (definitely don't ask)

by your writing...

this last post of yours is SOOOO good I suspect any warm-blooded man will want to reach out and kiss his significant other. I hope you did, after finishing typing.

And, fair warning. If you do an Athlain and don't post fast enough, I will do something worse than snatch you bare headed. I know ways of making people fart uncontrollably AND LOUDLY IN PUBLIC....especially at formal parties, weddings, faculty meetings...

*I stole the spell from MaLX*

[mALX]

The internal communication between Athynae and Athlain is awesome! (... and hilarious!!!) GAAAAAH! A cliffhanger! Great Write!! And Athynae - you just lucked out by showing up on here, I was about to PM you and berate you for being gone so much!! ROFL !!! I couldn't do it though, I was gone a bunch too, lol. Awesome job, glad to see you were doing something constructive with your absense, wish I could say the same !!! Lol.

[minque]

Dear Gods, she takes waaay too much after her mother....

Why of COURSE! It's hilarious, great, awesome! I JUST LOVE IT! Trey and Athynae, your writing is dynamite, I'm stunned!

I love the conversaions between those two especially "in their minds"

[Athynae]

Blackie I do believe that is the greatest compliment I could have possibly received!!!!!! Thank you so much!!!

And MINQUE this is for you as well!!! You said it...in response to BH's comment about my taking waaay too much after you

"Why of course! It's hilarious, great, awesome! I JUST LOVE IT!" Finally you see that you are an awesome writer. I do not believe that I have acquired the level of skill that you have but at least, according to BH I "take way too much after you" I hope that means as much about the writing as it does about the personality. Thyna very much wants to be the strong, self sufficient, admirable "womer" her Mother is....

[Olen]

Great part. We got to see a bit more of Athynae than before too. I suspect their eventual meeting will be quite spectacular, maybe visible from Vvardenfel

The bickering was spot on, I enjoyed it very much.

And now a cliffhangar, I wonder what it is and how much it will slow'Thyna down?

[SubRosa]

Well that was a both confusing and delightful telepathic argument! I imagine it would be like that if Professor X and Emma Frost hooked up! Poor Athlain. Most husbands can at least escape their nagging wives for little while. But she can yell at him from hundreds of miles away!

Let's hope that crying is not something like this

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Aug 15 2011, 12:08 AM

[Destri Melarg]

Guess that's why I prefer When Harry Met Sally to Gone With the Wind. Or what about Bringing Up Baby? Katharine Hepburn was awesome keeping Cary Grant flummoxed! Of course that big cat didn't hurt.

Great! Now I won’t be able to see the two A's without thinking of Grant and Hepburn, walking through the woods at night.

I can’t give you anything but love,
BABY!

That was a fantastic discussion (in my experience, things only degenerate to ‘argument’ when the woman is losing ). I’m glad that Athlain showed the good sense to be sure that peace was restored before he ‘hung up’. Now I’m left to wonder what this crying is all about. . .

This post has been edited by Destri Melarg: Aug 14 2011, 10:58 PM

[Grits]

Well, this started off with an “uh-oh,” but happily Athlain got red in the face quickly. After all, it takes two to argue have a discussion. Priceless! I loved it. Especially the part at the end.


Now, crying..?

[treydog]

@Black Hand- Yes, she does. Athlain might have done well to flee to Akavir when he had the chance…. Except- he never really did- have a chance, that is.

@haute- They do excel at that sort of exchange, and I am pleased that you enjoyed it. Let’s hope Athynae does not get the idea to bring a pet leopard into the mix… Yes- even Trey, stubborn as he is, learned it is best to apologize quickly, ESPECIALLY if he happened to be right.

@D.Foxy- Hail your return, Reynard! And here- to prevent baldness, flatulence, flat feet, painful corns, and the heartbreak of psoriasis- is more of this story.

@mALX- That conversation was one of the most enjoyable episodes we have written, it just kind of grew. And yes- I am anxiously awaiting more Maxical, as I am beginning to catch up….

@minque- As you said- “of course she takes after her mother.” What better role model than Serene? And thank you so much for all of your assistance and encouragement over the years. Most of all- THANK YOU for writing again!

@Olen- Thank you so much. And the part following this will tell us more about ‘Thyna- and what happens next. And yes- I imagine that meeting might cause some to fear that Red Mountain has exploded…

@SubRosa- “Most husbands can at least escape their nagging wives for little while. But she can yell at him from hundreds of miles away!” Oh dear!

As for the crying- nope- not exactly like that- and what it is will be revealed- next time.

@Destri- Not sure Athynae will accept the idea about a “peaceful resolution” to their “talk.” She tends to be more a believer in the “here, let me shut your mouth with my fist” method of concluding discussions.

@Grits- If we can even come close to your wonderful way with Jerric and all of his--- encounters--- we will be quite pleased. I have a feeling Athynae has an entire color chart of Athlain’s skin tones, such that she can gauge to a fine certainty just how angry, embarrassed, frustrated, etc. he is.

@All- And now back to Athlain and the conclusion of his time with Aesliip. Fear not, the lovely Athynae will be back next time.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The question had seemed so real, as had the “argument” that followed it. I could see Athynae’s eyes flashing brighter than the stars as she questioned me about Kolfinna. And then, as quickly as it had begun, it was over. I found myself tilting toward the floor and put out my hands to stop my fall. I also thought: Just like her- get the last word and then storm off. Well- FINE!

Apparently, I spoke that last aloud, for the ancient undead looked at me with an odd expression on his ravaged face. Was he… grinning at me? And how could I tell anyway?

“Trouble with your beloved, young Imperial? She is well, I trust?”

The words she had “spoken” were burned into my memory, but I tried to wave it away.

“It was nothing- a fancy- a daydream brought on by weariness and bad air.”

He tilted his grisly head and looked at me quizzically. “Are you certain?”

“I am certain she is safe with my family.”

The draugr’s gaze shifted, looking to the south, as if seeking something beyond the walls of his cave.

“And your family is on Vvardenfell, yes?”

I looked at him suspiciously before answering. “Yes. But I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”

He straightened and turned away from me, replying, “Nothing. Except that I can tell you this- she is not on Vvardenfell. She is much closer than that. Her essence would not be so strong, were she across the water from here.”

His words pitted my skepticism against a feeling that he was telling the truth- what reason would he have to lie about this? But- if he was right- where was she? And why?

In the end, my stubbornness won out and all I said was, “I do not believe in all that mystical nonsense. I am here to complete a task.”

Aesliip shrugged elaborately and responded, “Just as you say. And- if you would stop interrupting me, I could complete my preparations so you can be about it.”

Suddenly I understood why it infuriated Athynae when I spoke similar words to her. In that moment, I very much wanted to hit the draugr, right in his blackened teeth. But- with the unsatisfactory argument I had just imagined having with Athynae fresh on my mind, I decided to engage in a verbal battle instead.

“Fine then! But there is no need to be rude.”

He turned back to me, his eyes widening. If he had possessed eyebrows, they would have risen as he said:

“Rude? I was not being rude- simply making an observation. The faster I am ready, the sooner you can leave- and find your errant betrothed. And besides- YOU were the one who carried on a conversation that did not include me. Now THAT was rude!”

I threw my hands up in frustration. I could not even get the final word with a creature that had not had human contact in over 400 years! At last, he seemed to take pity on me, saying, as kindly as he could:

“Sleep, adventurer. You will need it.”

And the strange thing was- I did sleep.

When I next woke, Aesliip was standing before his firepit, mumbling phrases and tossing various powders into the flames. They flared through all the colors of the spectrum- and a few that I thought might be impossible. At last he straightened and waved to me, then pointed to indicate a passage at the rear of the cavern. Even as I watched, the misty barrier across the opening flickered and fell away. The draugr pierced me with his burning gaze and said:

“It is done. Now let us end threat this for all time. The creatures we face are beings of frost- they revel in the cold. Therefore, if you possess magic to resist the cold or to create fire, get ready.”

I carried out his advice as best I could, putting the Resist Frost potions I carried near to hand. As for combat, I would trust to my mace and shield. I knew spell-casters could be formidable in combat, but they were not trying to juggles shields and weapons and armor along with their spells. More important- most Legion battlemages had foot soldiers to protect them while they threw magic around. All I had was myself, along with an undead wizard so insubstantial he looked as though a slight breeze might cause him to crumble into nothingness. Nevertheless, you go into battle with what you have, not what you wish you had. It would have to be enough.

From what Aesliip had said, it sounded as though these creatures were akin to the daedric summonings that the Mages Guild occasionally lost control of. However, it would be unwise to make assumptions in advance of the facts, so I kept my mind ready and my senses receptive as we passed down the icy tunnel. I peered around the next bend and saw a figure moving in the dim light. Unfortunately, it saw or sensed me at the same moment.

It seemed spring from the very ice of the walls, a giant with blue-white skin from which vapor rose into the chill air. With a roar like an avalanche, the great creature brought its hands together and sent a bolt of pure ice hurtling towards us. I sidestepped and interposed my shield, feeling the chill as the missile flew past to shatter against the wall. Aesliip responded with magicka of his own. Although I would rather have been anywhere than in a crossfire of arcane energies, I gritted my teeth and charged the daedra.

If they are big, try to get in close and use their size against them.

Good advice; the giant did seem somewhat slow. Unfortunately, he had more than frost and fists at his disposal. After throwing one more ice bolt at the ancient wizard, the creature raised its right hand and I watched as a sword seemed to grow from the substance of its arm and the vapor it exuded. It was like watching an icicle form- except at an accelerated speed. I had planned to use my shield anyway; I only hoped the bitter cold would not cause the wood and metal to shatter. At first, I stayed on the defensive, turning so the giant had to follow me, thus giving Aesliip an unobstructed target for his spells.

With that accomplished, it was like any other fight- with simple rules: Don’t get hit. Do hit your opponent. I dodged or deflected the clumsy swings of the sword, using Athynae’s Gift to punish the daedra every time he gave me an opening. Because of the draugr’s magical attacks, those chances came more often than they otherwise might have. At last, a fire spell brought the creature to his knees and I shattered his massive head with a sidearm swing of my mace.

We plunged ever deeper into the passageways, encountering several more of the daedra, singly or in pairs. After every encounter, I gulped restoratives and cast healing magicka at Aesliip. He never said anything, but I could see him growing more ragged with every battle. His limping progress also slowed, but he waved me irritably ahead whenever I suggested that we pause for a rest.

“I have not rested or slept in 400 years, you young fool! I will see this finished, or give up my unnatural existence in the attempt.”

Even though the draugr’s impatience was palpable, I paced myself, refusing to be goaded into a headlong rush. At last, I reached a tentative hand out to gently grip his bony shoulder and responded quietly:

“Yes- and they have been here for those hundreds of years, as well. A few more minutes will make little difference to them. I, on the other hand, would prefer not to spend my eternity in these caves.”

Aesliip glowered at me wordlessly, but he also stopped treading on my heels.
It was well that we had that conversation, for we next came upon a cross-corridor where four tunnels came together. I hated such terrain- enemies could come at us from three sides at least. The trick was to draw them, preferably one at a time, into a single passage that we could defend. And because I was the one who bore armor and a shield, I was given the “honor” of serving as bait.

For some minutes, spells crackled, punctuating my own gasping breaths and the draugr’s muttered incantations. And then, as the last of the daedra shattered into bits of ice and a pile of frost salts, silence fell once more. I turned to see Aesliip, whose eyes bore a look of… relief. He was trembling and working at something on his left hand. At last, he leaned tiredly against the wall of the passage, the first time I had seen him stand still. He spoke hoarsely:

“It is done. My time is over. You have performed a great service here, for me- and for the people of this island. Now I may rest. Before I go, hoping to find the Halls of Sovngarde, take this ring.”

With that he stretched out his hand and dropped the heavy circlet into my own, before continuing.

“May you have the strength to continue you own journey, child of the Empire… and of Skyrim.”

The light in his eyes began to dim, but then they flared fiercely once more as his voice regained some of it former power.

“Seek your beloved. Cherish her. If I had loved another as well as I loved the quest for knowledge…. But, no matter. I did what I must. I am content.”

He spoke no more, but raised his eyes to the roof of the cavern, as if he could see through it to the sun and the sky above. The red light faded and he simply- ceased. His body crumbled and swirled away on a sudden wind and was no more. Even his ragged clothing withered to dust and less than dust.

As for me, I wearily retraced my steps through the empty, echoing tunnels, my breath a cloud that formed and disappeared, over and over again. With one last potion to resist the chill and my own spell to breathe underwater, I swam up from the bottom of the lake, breaking the surface to the ending of the day. The molten light of the sun was rivaled by the fire that still burned fiercely upon the water.

Korst Wind-Eye waited where I had left him, and he hailed me with a look of concern.

“The fire has not gone out. Were you unable to defeat Aesliip?”

I told the shaman all that had transpired, all that the ancient draugr had said. Korst’s frown grew deeper, although his words were friendly enough:

“And so- his unnatural span has come to an end, thanks to your efforts. And yet, there was more to him than any of us knew. You have done well, and I will be pleased to call you ‘Skaal’ from this day forward.”

He looked again at the column of fire and doubt crept back into his face, as he concluded:

“Give me a few days to consider what this omen may mean, and to consult the auguries. Return to the village after that time, and we will speak again.”

[D.Foxy]

Good tactics are now beginning to complement your already good writing, Trey! Keep it up

(the writing I meant. As for the other, I'm sure Mrs. Trey will do the necessary).

[Black Hand]

Did I detect a hint of Donald Rumsfeld in there? Regardless, you interwove a realistic human-feeling perception in with the fell chill of the battle with the Ice Atronachs. Well done, and please weave your tales once more, O Bard.

[haute ecole rider]

I really, truly enjoyed the effect the - erm - "discussion" (as my father was fond of calling such conversations) had on Athlain. Then he tries to take out his frustrations on a 400 year old draugr? I was chuckling through the entire thing, until I reached this:

I threw my hands up in frustration. I could not even get the final word with a creature that had not had human contact in over 400 years!

'Twas a good thing I had just emptied my mouth of tea, because that made me laugh for a good minute or so. I think the cats are avoiding me now.

So even draugrs get tired? It's impressive that he managed to hold himself together until the end, and be an invaluable ally for Athlain.

But that mysterious fire still isn't out? Darn! What is causing that thing? I wait with bated breath . . .

Do not allow me to suffocate from waiting too long, now.

[mALX]

Aesliip's comments on Athlain's "dialogue" with Athynae was hilarious! And I like that he called Athlain "of Skyrim" - confirming what I felt all along, that Athlain and the Skaal are more deeply connected than the coincidence of his helping them - glad to see he is now considered one of them, that is a day I have waited for!! Awesome Write !!

[Grits]

I found myself viewing part of this scene from Aesliip’s perspective. Alone for four hundred years after sacrificing himself for the safety of people who loathe him, he is joined at the end of his existence in this realm by… Athlain and the presence of Athynae! It could have been some grim, dour fellow. No wonder he enjoyed getting a few verbal digs in on Athlain. How lucky for him that his last human interaction was so, well, human!

In the end, my stubbornness won out and all I said was, “I do not believe in all that mystical nonsense. I am here to complete a task.”

Ha! It’s too bad that not believing in it won’t make it go away.

It seemed spring from the very ice of the walls, a giant with blue-white skin from which vapor rose into the chill air. With a roar like an avalanche, the great creature brought its hands together and sent a bolt of pure ice hurtling towards us.

I love this description the most. The whole fight was very exciting, and great fun to read.

Although I would rather have been anywhere than in a crossfire of arcane energies, I gritted my teeth and charged the daedra.

Wow, no wonder Aesliip called him a child of Skyrim.

He spoke no more, but raised his eyes to the roof of the cavern, as if he could see through it to the sun and the sky above. The red light faded and he simply- ceased. His body crumbled and swirled away on a sudden wind and was no more. Even his ragged clothing withered to dust and less than dust.

Can the death of a grisly, undead creature be beautiful? Apparently, yes!

[Destri Melarg]

Everyone else commented on the things that struck me in this chapter. Left with nothing to say, I will result to adorable puppy-dog eyes while holding up my empty bowl.

“May I have some more, sir?”