Jerric's Story, A Nord's Adventures in Cyrodiil Options

[mALX]

*

“You take away their judgment.” He caught her arm so she would look at him. “You take away who they are.”

Lildereth stopped. She didn’t object to the handling. “I make sure there’s not a fight. If there’s a fight, then we have to take their lives.”

They stood under the trees for a long moment, miles apart.

“All right then,” said Jerric.

Powerful disagreement in outlooks ending in an agreement that doesn't change either - what a nice balance of personalities you reached here!

The Ring of Khajiiti she wore showed her as a wisp of fog, then as a handful of wind-blown leaves.

LOVED your version of how the ring works! So much closer to the word chameleon than simple invisbility would be! Love how your mind works!

Unarmed, unless you count her stick.”

Jerric gave Lildereth a startled look. Then he realized she meant an actual piece of wood.

SPEW !!! Jerric's mind runs continuously on two things (food and sex), it always takes him a second to get past these before his thought process kicks in and starts working, ROFL !!!

Oh, I don't like the sound of this place at all! URK! AWESOME WRITE !!!!!!!!! I feel like I'm hanging on a cliff till they get out of there safely!

*

[SubRosa]

You started us with a wonderful description of the mountain forest in early spring. Followed by a fascinating bit of Bosmer culture.

Rudy the Squint? Sounds like exactly the kind of person Jerric would roll with. It makes me think of Sid the Squid, from the old animated Batman series.

“I make sure there’s not a fight. If there’s a fight, then we have to take their lives.”
This was exactly the right argument to make in response to Jerric's quite correct observation about Charming people.

Hmm, now what might the Mystery of Hrotunda Vale be? It looks like someone, or something, new decided to move in? Or did that teenage Nord accidentally kill everyone after being bitten by a magical <insert creature name here> and losing control of her new superpowers?

[Acadian]

From the opening magic of your description of the forest with Jerric and the silent elf who traveled with him at sunrise, to the hints of Bosmeri culture and Lildereth’s background, this episode was pure delight.

I loved the ‘charming’ discussion they had. It so perfectly serves to highlight the differences between these two. Jerric, with his ample muscle and steel, views illusion as unethical; Lildereth, with her frail physique and diminutive stature, sees it as necessary for her own survival. I imagine the mountain of a man and tiny mystic archer could have a similar debate regarding the merits of standing to boldly declare yourself to a likely foe versus preemptively striking from the shadows while hoping you are making the right choice.

So much goodness in this episode!

[ghastley]

If I recall correctly, Jerric's view of Illusion spells is colored by his being on the receiving end of one, so I'm not surprised he doesn't like it.

I think Sugar would offer her opponent the Illusion spell or the Axe to be hit with, and let them decide.

mALX already caught the best part, with the description of how chameleon looks when Lil does it.

[King Coin]

I love this opening. The mountains around Chorrol were always my favorite.

Jerric had the same thought I did last chapter! What kind of gems did Darnand give you?

So much for getting Lildereth to spill much, he’s doing the spilling. Give a little, take a little maybe? Yes, that worked a little.

The ones who don’t already have plans aren’t the sort you’d take a long walk with.
I really like that line.

Jerric’s issues with illusion magic are fascinating. Especially after the incident at the Gold Coast. That was amazing!

Yikes, sounds like an adventuring party gone wrong in there. Jerric waiting for Lildereth, observing the trees and plants, and thinking of other places was nicely done.

[hazmick]

What a lovely chapter, the part about Jerric trying to see through the Ring of Khajhiiti's enchantment was really well done, and you've made me love Lildereth more than ever can't wait for the next part!

[McBadgere]

YAY!!!... ...

*Strokes comp screen*...Oh how I have missed thee... ...

...What?...

Aaamywho...

Absolutely loved the trip through the woods...Beautiful stuff...Both the description and the dialogue...Amazing stuff...

Lildereth took only seconds adjusting her gear. She gave him a wink before setting off down the hill. Jerric tried to track her movements, but she was soon lost even among the widely-spaced trees. The Ring of Khajiiti she wore showed her as a wisp of fog, then as a handful of wind-blown leaves.

There’s no wind, Jerric told himself, and the fog burned off an hour ago. He focused his attention, blindly fighting the enchantment. Lildereth’s hooded form appeared crossing the stone frame above the entrance. Jerric’s stomach churned, and a sharp ache began between his eyes. He blinked until she disappeared again.

That was just amazing, the idea that it simply confuses the mind (I'm worried already ) and that concentrating in order to throw the spell off just throws the inner ear and all that...Brilliant stuff...

Much looking forward to seeing what is going on with the girl...Either she's Miss Thor (Thorina? ), or she's blind...Or not...We shall see... ...

Loving it all...Brilliantness...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[TheBrume]

I like how you've shown the Ring of Khajiiti's powers. Now I'm eager to know who this kid is and what happened to those people.

[Grits]

Where we were: Jerric and Lildereth are looking for Welkynd stones and souls to capture. They have reached Hrotanda Vale, where Lildereth found nine fairly fresh bodies inside. They are going to question the girl by the door.

mALX: I wanted to show how Chameleon works in degrees compared to how Invisibility is limited but absolute while it’s working. You’re so right that Lil and J have not reached an agreement on her magical manipulations, they’re just coming to terms with what will continue to be their differences. Your comment about balance made me smile, as that was just what I was aiming for. Thank you, mALX!

SubRosa: Oh, now I want to make that girl be a She-Spider-Nord-Hulk-Girl! You’re right, Lildereth knew just what to say to Jerric, and I’m sure she’ll have to remind him again. I’m glad you liked Rudy the Squint. Jerric’s hometown buddies were quite the crew. Thank you, SubRosa!

Acadian: You’re so right, the differences between these two inform much of what they do. Jerric is free to follow his gut and deal with the consequences, while Lildereth anticipates the consequence and acts to turn events to her favor. Also while Jerric breaks a cold sweat remembering how he attacked Darnand under a Command spell, I’m sure Lildereth’s nightmares include a mountain of metal resisting her spells. I remember early on when I was reading Buffy’s adventures thinking how she and my Nord were opposites in so many ways (though the bond of blondness runs deep ). Much of Lildereth’s thinking I owe to The Bowgirl's School of Mystic Archery. Thank you so much, Acadian!

ghastley: Exactly, Lildereth’s tactics in hostile hands have taken him down spectacularly in the past. That incident in Anvil was just what I was hoping folks would remember, and I'm delighted that you mentioned it. He also harbors a resentment of poisoned arrows from the dark. Sugar is wise in many ways! Thank you, ghastley!

King Coin: I remember you were suspicious about those gems. That really made me smile, knowing what was also on Jerric’s mind. Yep, he couldn’t manipulate Lil into spilling her guts, but his own trust in her (reacting to the environment he hoped would get her to spill it!) did the trick. Thank you, KC!

hazmick: Thank you, hazmick! We’ll have Lildereth around for a while, so I’m glad you’re enjoying her.

McBadgere: Not quite such a long wait this time. I’m glad you liked Jerric’s fight against the enchantment. Lildereth walks around under a little Chameleon effect out of habit, which combined with her light feet is how she pops up out of nowhere. Jerric sees something, but trickery tells him it’s not an elf. Now he’s going to be giving himself migraines glaring at leaves. Thank you, McB!

TheBrume: Finding out about the kid is happening next. Thank you, Brume!




Chapter 15: Chorrol, Part Sixteen


Lildereth walked up the hill with Jerric at her side. They had circled around to approach Hrotanda Vale along its cart track from the road so as not to surprise the girl. Lildereth had her Charm and Calm spells at the ready in case she tried to run at the sight of them, or rather at the sight of Jerric. It was likely that a young Nord alone at a known smugglers’ den was accustomed to hard-looking men, but the circumstances here were strange and they were strangers. Best to be prepared.

Jerric’s stride lengthened again. She doubted that he intended it. Between his small pack, leather armor, enchanted boots, and reduced arsenal, the lightly burdened Nord fairly flew up the trail. Lildereth cast the spell to fortify her speed and ease her fatigue as soon as she dropped behind. If he noticed, he chose not to tease her.

The ruin’s single arch gleamed white in a wide swath of brown grass. Trees and brush had been cleared away from the trail and entry. Lildereth could see metal braziers on either side of the doorway and the can where they dropped their torches. The Nord girl scrambled to her feet as they stepped into the sunlight.

“Hail the camp,” Jerric called, holding his right hand open and out to the side. The girl shifted her feet but didn’t run.

They halted ten elf-paces away. Now Lildereth could see that the girl was taller than she had thought, as tall as a grown woman. She wore soft camp boots and knit leggings under an oversized tunic. Leaves were caught in her greasy red hair. She clutched a tree branch in her hands like a club.

“If you’re here for the bounty, you’re too late.” She spoke in Cyrodilic, but her accent was pure Skyrim.

Jerric’s voice was a calm rumble. “We’re not here for a bounty. Nor for trade.”

They stood and looked at each other for a moment. Lildereth and Jerric had agreed to let Jerric do the talking, a concession that Lildereth already regretted.

The girl abruptly sat down on an angled block. Her branch hit the stone with a wet crack.

“You alone?” asked Jerric.

The girl wrapped both arms around her raised knees. She rubbed her nose along one sleeve. “No,” she lied.

“Hungry?” Jerric took two steps toward her, slow and light on his feet. He put a hand into his shoulder bag.

“What do you want?” asked the girl, mistrust in her voice under the weariness. She shifted her weight forward, ready to rabbit. “Stay away from me, mister!”

Lildereth walked briskly up to her, dipping a hand into Jerric’s bag as she passed. “He’s not the one you should fear,” she said, filling her tone with crisp authority. “Can you run faster than an arrow? Then don’t worry about trying. Relax. We mean you no harm.” She tossed Jerric’s snack at her feet. “What’s your name, girl?”

“Valdi.” Her eyes flicked from the napkin-wrapped sandwich over to Jerric, then back to Lildereth. Blackheads and pimples warred with freckles across her nose, and red lids made the circles under her eyes even darker. She’s been sleeping rough, Lildereth decided. Afraid to go back inside and face what she’s lost.

Lildereth softened her tone. “What happened here, Valdi?”

Her eyes began leaking tears, but she didn’t seem to notice. “They came in the night. Agda had the first watch. Ma said run, so I did.” She glanced over at the door. “I don’t know who else got away. I’m just waiting to see…” Valdi lifted her chin and looked Lildereth straight in the eye from her seated position. “Someone will come back for me.”

Jerric had moved up to the side. “How many live here? There’s you, and..?”

“My Ma and her man Hegen. My little brother Fylkr. Gerd the…” Valdi’s face crumpled. She fought the sobs that shook her. “Ten,” she managed. “Ten of us.”

Jerric shot Lildereth a look. She gave her head a small tilt to the side, telling him no. They would break the news after they finished working the ruin.

“Do you know what’s behind the wards?” she asked Valdi.

The Nord girl shook her head. Hiccups kept her from speech.

“We’re going inside,” Jerric told Valdi. “What do you want us to look for?”

Valdi tucked her sleeves over both hands and scrubbed her face with them. When she looked back at up Jerric, her glare called him an idiot in every way her broken voice could not.

Lildereth walked to the door, slipping Jerric’s life detection ring onto her thumb. He lit a torch as the doors snicked shut behind them.

“Fetch it,” he said.

“I know. It’s ugly, Jerric.”

His eyes caught the torchlight just like in the songs. “Ready.”

They walked through the narrow passage to a three-way junction. “One of the sealed doors is there,” she said pointing straight ahead. “That’s the gate I told you about. Let’s go below first. Mind the traps.”

She led him through arched corridors, down stairs, and out through a vast, high-ceilinged chamber. Luminescent mold grew in patches where the white veneer had fallen away, and glowstones still shed their blue light from ancient Ayleid fixtures. Boards and scaffolding surrounded two spiked pit traps, evidence of the most recent occupants’ efforts to use the space. Lildereth leaped across the corners to avoid the triggers. Jerric followed suit. They worked their way around the room.

“I guess these traps must still be good for defense,” he ventured. “Or at least they keep the rats down.”

“We’ll see plenty of rats, but right now I expect they won’t bother with the living.” A dry scuttling noise punctuated her remark. Lildereth nodded into the dark where several glows crept along the ceiling. “Drum-belly spiders. Ambush predators, that’s why you don’t see webs. They eat the rats. You’re a little much for them to handle.” Lildereth readied a spell and suppressed a shiver. Spiders were unpredictable, and she was a manageable size.

“The shade was over there,” Lildereth continued, pointing. “There’s a body in that small chamber. One of the nine. It’s a storage and office area.” She searched the shadows, but no ghostly figure presented itself.

Jerric marked the location in his mind, thoughts written across his face like headlines on The Black Horse Courier. Lildereth sighed. He was going to lay them all to rest. “Later,” she said, and he nodded.

Ornate metalwork and soaring arches announced their entry into a new section of the ruin. Here brackets stood atop stone pillars, marching in double rows down the long space. Their magical stones were missing. Smoke hung along the ceiling, but the air still smelled of mold.

Handcarts, broken crates, and litter cluttered the corners. Shelving units held packing materials and long tables stood empty. “Looks like a staging area,” said Jerric. Lildereth hid her surprise. He worked for a transport company, she reminded herself.

“I think they were smuggling Winterhold Whiskey,” she said, indicating some broken glass.

“Akkvit,” Jerric breathed. “Did you find any?”

Lildereth snorted. “I’ll tell you later.”

A few more minutes of walking brought them to the smugglers’ living quarters. The stench greeted them in the passageway. So did the noise of quarreling rats. Lildereth scattered them with a spell, then she waited while Jerric took in the scene. The story was written for her in twisted bodies and smeared blood, but the Nord might need some explanations.

“They’re all here,” he finally said. “None of these were raiders.” Lildereth moved to his side. Stating the obvious was just his way of saying what couldn’t be said.

“Most of them died near their beds,” Lildereth told him. “The rats have dragged them around a bit.” They walked down to the far alcove. Here a headless woman lay in a sticky pool, the body of a young boy at her side.

“I guess that’s the Ma,” Jerric said after a moment.

“They must have taken her head for the bounty. Unless Valdi’s little brother is over six feet tall, this boy is Fylkr.” Lildereth nodded toward the other remains. “Someone put a blade through his belly back there. He dragged himself all this way to his dead mother. See the blood? Poor kid. No telling how long it took him to die.”

Lildereth watched her partner carefully. Reckless fury would not help this situation. What she saw was a hard, helpless anger that matched her own.

“I wonder how Valdi got away.”

Lildereth shrugged. “Maybe born under the Shadow.”

“She doesn’t need to know this part,” said Jerric. “I’ll gather up some gear for her on the way out. After. We’ll see if they left any weapons.”

Lildereth gave him a nod, waiting.

When he looked back at her, she saw that some door had closed behind his eyes. “Let’s go bust open some wards,” he said.




.

This post has been edited by Grits: Oct 5 2012, 11:17 PM

[haute ecole rider]

The mystery of the girl is now clear, and it's just as I had feared.

For all the pretty that we see of life in Cyrodiil, there's a darker side just crying to be plumbed. I think you did a great job hinting at that dark undercurrent that we see so little of in the game (the vanilla version anyway).

Hrotanda Vale is a good choice for exploring this aspect of life - it's remote, but close enough to Chorrol to make a good bandit hideaway, or even an outstanding smuggler's station. Well off the beaten path and easily defended (sort of).

I look forward to seeing how Jerric and Lildereth bust those wards, then later break the news to young Valdi.

[SubRosa]

They halted ten elf-paces away
This was a thoughtful observation, along with Lil's earlier difficulties keeping up with the longer-striding Nord.

Spiders, eww. That's one thing I do not miss about vanilla Oblivion.

“I think they were smuggling Winterhold Whiskey,”
W00T! Nordic Whiskey. Save some for Pappy!

I see the mystery of the Vale is not quite as prosaic as I had speculated. You gave us a sad and ugly scene of the aftermath of the smuggler's den. Plus a very interesting look into the makeup of a smuggler band. Not just a bunch of ruthless killers, but entire families living together. I am only wondering if it was the law or bounty hunters that did them in, or other outlaws?

[mALX]

I was excited to get a "Lildereth" insight in this chapter. After reading I know why it was done that way. How this scene is affecting Jerric and striking afresh his own painful memories of Kvatch is clearly seen through Lildereth's eyes and thoughts. She knows exactly what Jerric is going through without a word from him.

Knowing Jerric, Valdi won't be left behind when they leave this dungeon.

This episode hit powerfully on the undercurrent of every player's emotions from beginning to end. The scene with Valdi could be so easily visualized that it felt like being there and seeing it play out. Absolutely totally AWESOME Write !!!!! Huge Write!!!!

[Acadian]

I simply love how naturally you remind us of Lildereth’s small size throughout this episode and how it affects so much of what she does:
’Lildereth cast the spell to fortify her speed and ease her fatigue as soon as she dropped behind. If he noticed, he chose not to tease her.’
‘They halted ten elf-paces away.’
’Lildereth walked to the door, slipping Jerric’s life detection ring onto her thumb.’
‘Lildereth readied a spell and suppressed a shiver. Spiders were unpredictable, and she was a manageable size.’

Great depiction of Valdi. In fact, as SubRosa said, nice to see this little band of smugglers depicted as a family that, no doubt, loved their own. Poignant touch at the end to show that Valdi losing family struck close to Jerric’s heart as his mind doubtless traveled to Kvatch.

[King Coin]

What a treat, seeing things from a slightly smaller perspective.

Lildereth cast the spell to fortify her speed and ease her fatigue as soon as she dropped behind. If he noticed, he chose not to tease her.
Knowing Jerric, his mind is elsewhere. If he did notice however, I don’t think even he would feel this is the right time for a joke. It was very thoughtful of them to circle around to approach from the road. I like Lildereth’s caution and having spells ready.

I always thought of Jerric as the ‘people person’ of the group, though Lildereth’s better in situations like this.

Spiders were unpredictable, and she was a manageable size.
Whoa. I hate spiders. And these are big enough to take an elf? Aravi isn’t much bigger than a Bosmer either.

Grim. I thought the girl’s comment about a bounty meant that the little band that she traveled with was going in after one. Now we learn that they were the residents and her mother had a bounty. The girl knows what happened to her family. She can't accept it and doesn't know what to do.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Sep 27 2012, 04:40 AM

[ghastley]

I'm glad you actually have spiders in your version of the world. It's always struck me as silly that the ruins and dungeons and basements are full of cobwebs, but there aren't any spiders to make them.

The "did they come in and leave again, or are they still here?" question remains. Wards on the main doors means little in an Ayleid ruin with secret doors and sliding walls hidden all around.

I'm assuming Valdi ran out of there when it all happened, and returned to find no-one alive, but I'm unclear if she went in to check or doesn't want to know the worst, and is waiting hopefully outside. Or if I should read anything into her feeling safer out there.

[hazmick]

Great chapter, showing the less glamorous side of adventuring really brings your characters to life. Lildereth's ability to seemingly read people like books is a great way to tell the story! Keep up the good work

[Grits]

Last part: Hrotanda Vale. Jerric and Lildereth met Valdi, the young survivor of a raid on her family’s smuggling operation. They found only bodies in the lived-in sections of the ruin. Now they are ready to open one of the warded doors.

haute ecole rider: You’re right, the only thing Hrotanda Vale lacks is a back door. The game makes it easy to tell good guys from bad guys, because the bad guys attack you. It was satisfying to show that it’s more complicated than that. Thank you, haute!

SubRosa: I love that you mentioned it could have been the law, other outlaws, or someone in between who did the killing. That was just the ambiguity I was going for. Being a criminal doesn’t keep a person from loving their kids, and the killer who put a blade through Fylkr’s belly could be getting a big smile from Countess Valga or Captain Bittneld right now. Thank you, SubRosa!

mALX: You nailed exactly why Lildereth got to be the voice in that section. I didn’t want to drag everyone through Jerric’s emotions again, and she knows what’s on his mind just by looking at him. You’re so right, Jerric has a habit of collecting strays and I’m sure Valdi will not be an exception. Thank you, mALX!

Acadian: It’s funny when I write Lildereth sections (I think this is the first one to make it all the way to posting ) because her size is such a part of her awareness while Jerric’s is rarely a part of his. I'm glad you enjoyed that. “Seeing” the Nord from her POV is always a shock at first! Thank you for mentioning his moment of coping at the end. That is exactly where his mind went.

King Coin: You’re right, Jerric relates more easily to people, but he tends to forget his appearance. For all of his good intentions, to Valdi he looks like some big scary guy who might grab her. You got Valdi’s situation completely. Thank you, KC!

ghastley: Ah, I see what I missed. I meant to show that Valdi was reluctant to go back in because she didn’t want to see her family dead and lose the hope that someone was going to rescue her. Not a rational plan, but a piece of cold, hungry, shocked, and grieving kid thinking. I went back and added a phrase to read, “Afraid to go back inside and face what she’s lost.” The ward explanation comes in this section. They’re another Grits embellishment, like the ones in Kvatch to keep ghosts from wandering into houses. Sorry about the confusion, and thank you very much for bringing that up!

hazmick: Thank you, hazmick! Lildereth seems like she has superpowers to Jerric, so it was fun to show the little things she does that give her an edge.

Regarding this part: A note about differences from the game: Some of Lildereth’s mind control type Illusion spells do not work on daedra or some undead. Invisibility works by interfering with their perception, or so Darnand has speculated. Detect Life can see into other cells, since there are no cells in the story. I think the characters will cover the rest, but if I overlooked something please let me know!! Also this part got long, so I split it into smaller parts. There will be a fight soon, I promise!




Chapter 15: Chorrol, Part Seventeen


Jerric followed Lildereth down the short, narrow corridor, stepping over piles of the smugglers’ refuse. The door at the end glowed with light: blue from the magical stones set into in the surface, and white from the ward laid over it. The Ayleid design depicted a tree. The ward’s characters and symbols were unfamiliar to Jerric.

“It’s a tight space here if something explodes,” Lildereth observed. “Can you read it? Wait! Don’t touch.”

“Well, I can’t read anything from just looking at it. I mean I can’t read the enchantment.”

“It could be trapped. You know, warded against something physical and not just undead or some other kind of energy.”

“The wards in Kvatch aren’t trapped,” Jerric said. “People go through those doors all day. And what’s to keep ghosts from passing through the walls anyway?”

“For some of them, nothing. Only habit. You remember, you told me that many of your Kvatch folk didn’t even know that they were dead. Why would they try to walk through a wall? Anyway, we don’t have to worry about the ones who are that ethereal. Nor shades, if we see any. They can’t hurt you. Any ghost that has manifested enough to grab you with its cold hand is solid enough to need a door, and those that are bound to this plane are confined by the binding.”

That made some sense to Jerric. He had seen ghosts reach for a handle, then fail to notice that their hand went right through it. “Then why won’t regular weapons harm them?” he asked.

Lildereth blinked. “That’s a good question.”

Jerric jumped on the opportunity. “You brought silver-tipped arrows. Isn’t your bow enchanted?”

“Yes.”

Jerric waited as long as he could stand it. “Come on, sprig. Out with it.”

“Have you ever heard me shoot?”

He thought for a moment. “No.”

“Now you know why. But the enchantment does not put a charm on my arrows.” Lildereth’s eyebrows approached their dangerous angle.

Jerric decided to get back to the matter at hand. “So it will be bound spirits or bone constructs on the other side. Zombies and the like.”

“I should think skeletons after all of this time,” said Lildereth. “Darnand says that zombies require maintenance.” She gave him a look. “And we might possibly find wraiths or a lich. They can throw a curse on you from a fair distance. Some of them are solid enough to swing a weapon, and who knows what magicks those old sorcerers can still use.”

Jerric grinned at her. “Better stay behind me, then.”

Lildereth looked up at him, the edge of her lip caught between her teeth.

“What?”

“I’d like to scout first,” she said. “I want to use the gems on the strongest thing we find back there, and I won’t know which ones were the best until it’s over. I mean, what if we soul trap a clannfear and then come across a daedroth? We can’t afford to waste a gem.”

Jerric got that uneasy feeling. “Daedroth?”

Now she was chewing the other side of her lip. “I’m just guessing that these wards are meant to contain undead. There could be bound daedra guarding something instead. I can’t be sure what we’ll find, Jerric. I don’t know much about warding, and most of my illusion spells won’t work on undead or daedra. This is just the kind of situation I avoid. If I could use my spells, then I wouldn’t need Master training. Damn Martina and her damned Welkynd stones!”

“All right then,” said Jerric. He decided not to mention that this was exactly the kind of situation that called for a damned sandwich, and Valdi was probably still eating his. “Anyway I know how to keep using a gem until it’s filled. But you should scout ahead just the same. Take your time. I mean it, elf. Wake me up when you’re ready for me to kill something.” He gave her a smile to show that he was teasing. “Do you want me to use the scroll of dispelling, or you?”

“I’ll do it.” Lildereth dug in her pack. “You might absorb it, and then I’d have to…” She stood with a scroll in her hand looking uncertain. “One of these isn’t as strong as the others. Darnand ran out of time. I don’t want to waste any. If I start with the weaker one…”

Jerric spoke up before her lip started to bleed. “Use a strong one first. That way if it works you’ll have one left over, and if it doesn’t you know the weaker one wouldn’t have worked anyway.”

“What if none of them works?”

“Then I’ll just,” he made a gesture, “break the door down. I know, traps. I’ll cover my eyes or something. Look, we’ll handle whatever you find, or we’ll leave if you’d rather.” Jerric took her shoulder in his hand and squeezed it gently. “If you think something’s detected you, run like an Argonian crossing the beach at midday. I’ll be right here, or wherever you put me.”

Lildereth gave him a crooked smile. “I don’t see anything moving on the other side, but you should be ready just in case.”

Jerric felt the shield magic settle over his exposed skin as he buckled on the Blades helm. The enchantment made his leather stronger than steel, and he could call on his Woad for even more protection. Fire and fangs danced across his mind, and a great claw slashed down to split him open like a sack of grain.

He shook himself. That was not going to happen today.

Lildereth unfurled the scroll and held it out where he could see it. The runes and inscriptions glowed faintly. Darnand’s meticulous attention was there in every brush and quill stroke. Scrolls could be used by anyone, and there were different ways to activate them. He was curious how Lildereth would do it.

She breathed a word, and the scroll shimmered away into a ball of pinkish light as it became the spell. Lildereth held it between her palms for a moment. Then she cast it gently at the door.

The spell broke against the surface like water on a rock. The ward’s runes melted, white mingling with pink as their light trickled down and misted away.

Lildereth turned to him with a wink. Then the door opened, and she was gone.

[King Coin]

Lol, I liked that Lildereth had to yell at Jerric to not touch. Look but no touch. Seems to be her rule most of the time anyways. Her bow sounds awesome! Muffled.

I was surprised to learn in Oblivion that illusion spells actually worked on the undead. I figured a mind was required for them to take hold. Your modifications for the story make perfect sense.

Jerric’s teasing to ease the tension. Lildereth seems much more skittish than the controlled confidence she had when they first met her. I can’t tell if this is new or if this is just the way she is inside of dungeons.

[Acadian]

Between your descriptions and those provided by Jerric and Lildereth, I was right there with you on how magic works in his world. Some very nice touches like how Jerric could keep stuffing soul juice into a gem till it’s full and how differing people might use scrolls differently.

“If you think something’s detected you, run like an Argonian crossing the beach at midday. I’ll be right here, or wherever you put me.”
That got a smile from Lildereth I see. Me too.

Loved your rich description of how that scroll dispelled the warding at the end.

[mALX]

The discussion on ghosts floored me - not knowing they were dead, reaching for handles and not realizing their hands went through the door - AWESOME !!!! This was spectacular !!!!

Jerric's flashback to the Oblivion realm was chilling, but he caught himself well and didn't let it take him over.

I was shocked Jerric only thought of food once this whole chapter, but Lildereth does seem to bring out the rock in Jerric a lot more than anyone else does. He kind of lets himself be babied by most women, but with Lildereth he is completely different - really love seeing the two of them without any other personality influences around - and listening in on their conversations!

I loved the description of how the scroll dissipated the seal on the door! I could visualize it happening! Also love your world building throughout your story - this chapter is a great example.

Awesome Write !!! Loved this chapter !!!