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

[Grits]

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Chapter 16: Valley of Hopes, Part Six

Jerric stood at the pool’s edge, knee-deep in soft ferns. The water was just warm enough to bring early spring to this sheltered grotto. Cold air flowed down from the mountain, sending mist off the surface in slow tendrils. Frogs trilled in the reeds. The stars bathed him in cool light.

“I wish I had a tail,” said Jerric.

Darnand snorted. “If you had a sixth appendage we would never get anything done. You took so long in the bushes I thought you had fallen into some crevasse.”

“It was that Hope Valley sheep’s cheese,” Jerric laughed. “It made me costive.”

“It was a Khajiit and a Bosmer vying for your imagination.” Darnand knelt in the pool’s shadowed end, but Jerric could guess his expression.

“It’s a shame but that’s all I have to work with,” Jerric replied, bouncing on his toes. “All that sweet tail back at the campsite, and you’ve had your hands on both of them.” He leaped up onto a boulder and back down, trying to land silently. “That reminds me of a joke.”

“No tail jokes tonight, if you please,” said Darnand. “It might be racially uncomfortable. And for the love of Stendarr put on some trousers if you must prance about. Some of us can see in the dark.”

“Are you still shaving? What happened, can’t find your other chin whisker?” Jerric hopped back up on the rock. “Anyway Lildereth has pointy ears and you’re slim as a maiden but we don’t avoid the subject. I guess it’s the same with a tail.” A breeze whispered through the tall firs and curled around him like Kyne’s softest kiss. “Gods, it’s good to be alive tonight!”

Darnand splashed out of the pool, shivering. He lunged for his pack. “Wh-when were you in danger?” He quickly dried himself with the cleaner side of his mages robe. Towels had been among the casualties when they re-packed Jerric’s armor.

“Well the vampires went down pretty quick, but then some Breton tried to burn my face off. Again.”

“Apologies. We should add to my practice drills. Casting under duress.” Darnand’s head disappeared as he scrubbed his hair with the robe.

Jerric considered giving him some immediate duress. One leap would carry him halfway across the pool, but he would have to flounder the rest of the way to the Breton. Darnand would have too much time to react.

“Speaking of which, how is your..?” Darnand made a vague gesture, head still under the robe.

“My what? Face? Don’t worry, the spiders took the worst of it. Besides I can grow another beard, and what’s the real point of eyebrows?” He scratched across his belly, still sparsely furred thanks to Darnand’s fire scroll two weeks ago. “You know if I had absorbed your spell, I would also have protected the spiders.”

“I know, though at the time it did not occur to me. My knowledge is largely academic. It is imperative that we expand its practical applications.”

Jerric pondered that statement while Darnand combed his hair. “Yeah,” he finally said.

Darnand tugged his robes into order, then hefted the pack onto one shoulder. “May I guess as to the nature of your first conversational offering at dinner? You are going to ask if I enjoyed my piece of tail.”

“Uh,” said Jerric.

“I fear that Aravi will misinterpret your jest as an inappropriate advance.”

“Ha! I never make unwelcome advances.” Unless they might annoy you, he thought with a grin.

“If she slaps you it will hurt more than usual,” Darnand warned.

Jerric jumped down into the ferns. “How’s your head? Any claw marks?”

Darnand gave him a look. “I shall see you back at the campsite.”

It didn’t take the breeze long to dry him. Jerric pulled on his clean tunic and leggings.

The frogs fell silent as a night heron landed at the edge of the reeds. It squawked at him irritably.

“All right, don’t get your feathers in a bunch,” he told it. “You sound like a Breton. I can’t find my damnable camp shoes.”

Jerric made his way through the fir trees to their campsite tucked between a ledge and a steep rockfall. They had a view over the valley, but the valley also had a view of them. Thus the need for a night watch.

The smell of stew cooking made his stomach gurgle. He heard Aravi’s and Lildereth’s voices alternating in conversation. Jerric tossed his soiled clothes at his pack and joined them beside the fire. Darnand passed him a cup of cold water. His face told Jerric to sit down and keep quiet.

“When you first spoke to me, that was Ta’agra?” Aravi asked Lildereth. She drew her claws through the end of her tail like a comb, picking off burrs.

“Yes.” Lildereth looked into her cup.

Jerric stilled himself.

Aravi’s voice sounded mildly curious. “How is it that you speak the Khajiit language?”

Lildereth’s brows came together. “How is it that you do not?” she snapped.

“I am not from Elsweyr.” Aravi gave Lildereth a level look.

“I’m sorry.” Lildereth spoke in a rush. “I’m being rude, and there’s no call for it.” She bit the corner of her lip. Her eyes found Jerric’s. “Is the stew ready?” she asked a little wildly.

“Not yet. We have some time.”

The fire crackled. Crickets chirped in the ferns. An owl called from the firs overhead and was answered by another down in the valley.

Then Lildereth spoke. “I’m from Valenwood. My village was on the banks of the Xylo River, at the border with Elsweyr. We lived in the trees right over the water. It never grew cold there. Fruit and fish practically fell onto our plates. Athay wasn’t far, and we could get there without ever touching the ground. They had a harbor.”

She took a trembling breath and continued. “You’ve heard of the border wars between the Khajiit and my people.”

Darnand nodded. “The Five Year War.”

“That’s what some call it. I don’t suppose any of you were born yet.”

Jerric searched his memory. His childhood stories had largely featured questing knights and wicked sorcerers, and he had parted ways with formal education before the history lessons left the First Era.

Aravi looked puzzled.

“Assume I didn’t get far in school,” Jerric told Lildereth.

“It was right before the turn of the century,” Lildereth said. “For a time the war didn’t touch us. We heard of battles and a truce, but day to day our lives were the same. Of course there was some tension when we saw our Khajiiti neighbors, but we had always lived so close together. It seemed that the war was for outsiders and we river folk would weather it as we had every other storm.” She looked over at Aravi. “So you see, I’ve always spoken Ta’agra. For a time I heard it every day.”

Darnand spoke. His tone was more gentle than Jerric could have imagined was possible. “What happened during the war?”

“They sacked Athay,” said Lildereth. Her eyes grew wide and blank.

Jerric felt as if a fist had closed over his chest. She lost everyone, he remembered.

“It was our Khajiiti friends,” she continued. “I don’t know what they thought we had done. They came at the front of their army like a great wind through the trees. I had just been found worthy of a gin-jiru bow. My first kill was an Ohmes-raht. I knew her. Her name was Nahdari.”

Jerric glanced at Aravi. The Khajiit sat perfectly still, arms wrapped around her raised knees.

“We fled while the forest burned. I couldn’t think because the trees were screaming, and all I could see was the hate in Nahdari’s eyes. Later folk said the Khajiit had dagi with them. Spell casters. I didn’t know about any of that. I wasn’t yet considered an adult, and I still lived with my parents. I was thirty, the age of… well it translates to ‘the age of stupid decisions,’ so I’m not surprised that Cyrodilic doesn’t have a word for it. My life had been one long summer.”

Lildereth took a sip from her cup.

“Go on,” Darnand murmured.

“We ran to Vindisi, a little town sheltered down in a valley. Khajiiti followed us the whole way like furibari in the trees. Like bad spirits. It was dark, and we could see the smoke in the sky lit up red and orange from the fires below. Our tribe only had three children, and none of them made it that far.”

Lildereth put down her cup. “My people have a way of living, nunkadai. It means ‘I am because we are.’ A person is only as separate from others as a branch is from the tree’s trunk. There is no self without the whole. I cannot speak about what happened next. All I can say is that when the ritual began, I fled. I ran away from my people, my responsibility, every purpose there could have been for my being.”

Jerric looked over at Darnand.

“The last Wild Hunt,” Darnand said. “It is said that every monster in the world is a remnant of a Wild Hunt. But the account I read claimed that they… that your folk… were all destroyed.”

Lildereth shook her head. “Many escaped the valley. I saw from where I hid up high in the rocks. The army was upon them when the horde burst free of the temple. The things that my tribe had become devoured the Khajiit and then turned on each other. It’s said that they were trapped by an avalanche, but that’s not true. I saw the shapes in the moonlight, moving away through the trees. I heard the cries. And I remember.”

For a time nothing spoke but the crackling fire.

“Mara’s moon blood,” said Jerric. He let out an explosive breath.

Lildereth gave a shaky laugh. “Aravi, I promise I will not become a wild beast tonight. I’m sure that’s more than you ever wanted to know about wood elves.”

Aravi sat in wide-eyed silence. Jerric wondered if she might simply stand up and walk away after Lildereth’s revelations.

“That is whom you are hunting,” Darnand said to Lildereth.

Lildereth picked up her drink. “Yes.”

“Where did you go when you ran?” asked Jerric. “You were still a kid by your reckoning, right? Who were the Imperial couple you told us about in Arenthia?”

Lildereth stood up. “The stew is ready.”

Jerric took the hint and climbed to his feet. “Breton, will you scoop it out for us? I’ll get the wine.” He walked a short distance with his back to the fire. After a moment his eyes adjusted, and the hilltops took shape dropping away in the distance. No other campfires were visible. And no angry orange glow from a Gate.

Lildereth appeared beside him.

“I guess that puts me at the age of stupid decisions,” he told her.

“A Nord’s thirty is a Bosmeri sixty,” she said. Jerric could hear the smile in her voice. “You can’t blame your age any more.”

“Today, in the ruin. When I saw you standing there with your little arrow and Darnand on the ground.”

Lildereth found his hand. “I’ll let you have that arrow and you can see just how little it is. Where would you like me to put it?”

“I’m not a vampire. You know what I mean.” A small squeeze told him that she did. “Anyway, you didn’t run.”

When Lildereth spoke she sounded somehow defeated. “I was going to use you.”

She wasn’t talking about the vampires any more.

“Now I know why you need us,” said Jerric. “I wondered. We both wondered.” He pushed down all the promises he couldn’t keep. “I hope you’ll stay with us. I’m running out of time, but I hope I get a chance to be what you want.”

Lildereth turned her face up toward him, pale in the starlight.

“You trusted us with this,” Jerric told her. “I can’t think of a greater honor.”

She slowly shook her head. “I would have let you—”

“But you didn’t. You told us. That’s more than I’ve been able to do. I guess you have an idea my sword is spoken for.”

“The Blades.”

“I can’t tell you more.”

Darnand’s voice carried to them from the campfire, but Jerric couldn’t make out the words. He wondered if Aravi’s quiet presence had triggered Lildereth’s confession. No doubt it had been building for some time. Perhaps the Breton could find the words to thank Aravi.

Lildereth hugged his arm. “I miss them so much,” she whispered, wiping her nose on his sleeve.

“Yeah,” he muttered. “I wish we could go home.”

Back at the campfire they admitted that they hadn’t brought any wine. Jerric sat cross-legged and tucked into his stew.

“These clouded funnel caps make the meal,” he said to Lildereth. “Thanks for murdering them for us.”

The Bosmer rolled her eyes at him.

“You might have chopped them a little finer,” Darnand told him.

“Teeth are for chewing,” said Jerric. He watched Aravi blow on a spoonful before she ate it.

“I did not notice cattle in Hope Valley,” Darnand mused. “Where do you suppose they got this beef?”

“It’s probably cave beef,” said Jerric. “It sure isn’t mutton.”

Aravi paused, spoon raised.

“Cave beef?” asked Darnand.

“Yeah, same as sand beef. Rat. Not corpse-fed tomb rat, just good old cave-dwelling, cairn bolete stuffed— Are you all right?”

Aravi put down her stew, coughing. She took a gulp from her cup.

“He is jesting,” Darnand said, wrinkling his brows. His spoon became a delicate probe as he investigated his bowl.

“Is that like mountain oysters?” laughed Lildereth.

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “Only the opposite.”

Aravi pressed white knuckles against her mouth. Her shoulders heaved.

“Gods,” said Jerric. “I was only jesting! It’s beef from the valley, I swear it. They buy calves every spring and graze them in the meadows, but they don’t overwinter like the sheep. Igren told me all about it. They dry the meat to preserve it, that’s why the stew took so long to cook. Aravi, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make you sick.”

Darnand spooned another bite into his mouth. “You are a brave man if you sleep tonight, Nord.”

“Anyway rat meat is more stringy,” Lildereth said to Aravi. She raised her eyebrows in an encouraging manner.

Aravi just stared at Jerric, shaking her head.

Jerric waited as long as he could. Lady Luck favors the bold, he decided.

“Uh, Aravi, if you’ve really lost your appetite…” He nodded at her abandoned bowl. “That is to say, are you going to finish that?”

.

This post has been edited by Grits: Apr 8 2013, 04:48 PM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

That was some intense stuff from Lildreth's past. But she told them! That's a step in the right direction!

[mALX]

Anyway rat meat is more stringy,” Lildereth said to Aravi. She raised her eyebrows in an encouraging manner.

Very visual line - and funny picturing it! Absolutely LOVED this chapter! Some one on one time between Jerric and Darnand was so missed! Lildereth’s finally confessing her secrets, how Jerric must feel the similarity of what they’ve been through and where they are headed - except the enemies aren‘t the same ones, and Jerric‘s sword is spoken for. (hopefully he meant only the sword that hangs at his side). I knew the second Aravi abandoned her bowl Jerric would pounce on it like a hungry leopard, ROFL! Spectacular chapter, and Awesome Write!

[Acadian]

A wonderful two part episode.

First, we have the boyz and their bath. Here, you so totally capture both of them with their own words:
“I know, though at the time it did not occur to me. My knowledge is largely academic. It is imperative that we expand its practical applications.”
Jerric pondered that statement while Darnand combed his hair. “Yeah,” he finally said.’

Don’t feel bad, Jerric. Buffy wishes she had a tail too sometimes. Something about always wishing for what you don’t have.

*

Ah, then back to camp for part deux -

‘The fire crackled. Crickets chirped in the ferns. An owl called from the firs overhead and was answered by another down in the valley.’
Another magnificent bit of Grits painting the scene – only this time with sound. Oh, and a beautiful screenshot, thanks to KC!

Very cool to hear Lildereth open up about her past. Loved hearing about her Valenwood. Aravi’s having a good influence on her.

Poor kitty’s patiently endured having her tail pulled, spiders dropped on her and now rat / not rat stew.

[SubRosa]

A breeze whispered through the tall firs and curled around him like Kyne’s softest kiss.
This was a particularly wonderful metaphor.

what’s the real point of eyebrows?
To keep sweat from dripping down into your eyes? This reminds me of an interview I once saw with Peter MacNicol, who starred in Dragonslayer. His face was singed in one scene, and his eyebrows completely burned off. He mentioned the part about the sweat falling into his eyes after that. You learn the strangest things from movies...

“Ha! I never make unwelcome advances.”
Now that is spoken like a true male!

Another wonderful Aravi picture for the campsite.

I loved your description of Lil's old home on the banks of the Xylo, especially the part about being able to walk to the city without stepping on the ground. It is hard to imagine it now, but the entire eastern U.S. seaboard was like that at one time.

“Assume I didn’t get far in school,” Jerric told Lildereth.
This reminds me of The Chronicles of Riddick. "Pretend you're talking to someone educated in the Penal System. In fact, don't pretend."

Lil's description of the sack of her home was a sobering examples of the horrors of war. Not just any war, but a civil war, where the people killing and being killed are friends. I loved the fact that you included so many Bosmer words in your description. It makes their culture come alive as being real and distinct. Especially small touches like "the age of stupid decisions" - sounds like 15 -20 for a human.

The Wild Hunt! Eeeps. I do not blame Lil for fleeing rather than take part in that. It may have been a betrayal of her people, but the Hunt itself is a betrayal of their own elfmanity as well. Now we finally see what is driving at Lil. It does a lot to explain her nature. Still, as dark a horror as it is to hunt down the monsters that your kin have become, at least she is not a Mythic Dawn agent!

“It’s probably cave beef,”
Oh noes! I know what that is!

[Elisabeth Hollow]

What's cave beef? I know what mountain oysters are... But...lol

[mALX]

What's cave beef? I know what mountain oysters are... But...lol

Cave beef is when Jerric is inside the cave, lol.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

What's cave beef? I know what mountain oysters are... But...lol

Cave beef is when Jerric is inside the cave, lol.

I don't get iiiiiiiit XD

[ghastley]

“That is whom you are hunting,” Darnand said to Lildereth.

The correctness of this sentence is just so Darnand.

And I note he's baiting Aravi as much as Jerric does. He needs to be careful, he might just get paid back in Skyrim.

[McBadgere]

I think that this was my fave Jerric episode ever... ...

On pretty much every level it was perfect...

Lildreth's story was hauntingly sad, yet the imagery beautifully rendered; the Jerric/Darnarnd banter at the start was funny as hell; the Jerric/Lildreth moment was just amazing, neither actually spelling it out loud...But still made me grin hugely in delight...

And then the joking at the end about the stew... ...

Your writing is just...*Sigh*... ...

So much I could quote, but this...

“Many escaped the valley. I saw from where I hid up high in the rocks. The army was upon them when the horde burst free of the temple. The things that my tribe had become devoured the Khajiit and then turned on each other. It’s said that they were trapped by an avalanche, but that’s not true. I saw the shapes in the moonlight, moving away through the trees. I heard the cries. And I remember.”

Just shiver inducing... ...

Let's hope there's some more very soon... ...

Pretty much perfect I say!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[Darkness Eternal]

No problem Grits, happy to help. I like that they have different types, too!

Yes Jerric, I wish I had a tail too!

The witty banther between Jerric and Darnard had me laughing. "How is what? My face?"



Lildereth's history was pretty cool to read. I echo the others. Xylo river, eh? A pretty exotic place. Then again, Valenwood is everything exotic compared to Cyrodiil and Skyrim or even High Rock. I enjoyed reading about her story about the Five Year War between the Bosmer and the Khajiit, and of course the Wild Hunt! One of the two Wild Hunt's in the ES.

I have to say what you're good at is writing dialogue. You have great skill in the pacing and the words that I sometimes struggle with! Good job on that

[haute ecole rider]

A little late to the updates, but I have finally caught up on your story.

It is as wonderful and immersive as always. Maybe better because of my prolonged absence.

Lildereth is just growing on me. She is turning into the star of this story for me, even though I still love Jerric and Darnand (and their interactions).

I really have enjoyed meeting Aravi. Especially enjoyed her arachnophobia. Though my own cats just watch the creepy-crawlies with bored fascination and little else of use.

[King Coin]

So sorry it’s taken me this long to comment, though you know I’ve read it long before now.

The imagery in the beginning is so beautiful. Cool air, a misty bath, shining stars, and frogs trilling.

Ah, all the reminders of Darnand’s troubles with fire. Their scrapping is so funny. Those two are so different.

Glad Aravi is spider-gunk free now. I’m sure she was the first to bathe.

Not yet. We have some time.
AKA “Keep talking!” Surprised that worked with Lil.

Now we finally learn what Lildereth is about. That was intense, and I see why she was nervous about trusting Aravi. And we see what she’s been looking for now.

Lildereth stood up. “The stew is ready.”
Aaand that’s it! No more from Lil now.

The stew jokes lightened it up nicely after Lil’s heavy revelations. Wonderful chapter and I very much enjoyed our collaboration together.

[McBadgere]

Damn...I wondered for a minute if a new part had been presented... ...

*Looks over glasses*... ...

...

[ThatSkyrimGuy]

Started reading this one and enjoying it. It'll take quite some time to catch up, so I will post in the "Commentasaurus" thread untill I do. Great stuff!

[Kazaera]

OMG I caught up I caught up I caught up!

And I am now going to quote something relatively minor from *ages* ago:

“I have worked out the spell already,” Darnand scowled, rubbing his forehead. “It is the same enchantment that I will use for Abiene’s rain bracelet. The spell that allows one to walk upon water, weakened and spread over one’s person instead of only the body’s plantar surfaces. It should shed water in that application, or contain it when applied to a vessel’s interior. Nord, must you fling projectiles at me?”

because, well - Adryn's world has an umbrella spell too, and I decided it was a very weak Shield effect - and then I read this and went "agh! water-walking spell around the whole body! Why didn't I think of that that's perfect!" and have been simultaneously kicking myself and in awe of your brilliance ever since.

In general, I really, really like the way you delve into magic and how it *works*. Even though that delving simultaneously leaves me terrified for Darnand. Nooooo Darnand please don't become a necromancer! Just say no to zombie-raising! But he's just *curious*, and that's a motive I can understand very well... but I'm so worried where it'll lead him.

As always, your writing is an absolute delight and leaves me in awe. There are perfect moments everywhere, and your characters are so well-drawn. I appreciate seeing terrifyingly efficient super-competent Blades! (Especially because my main exposure to them has been via Morrowind and, well.) My heart bleeds for everyone involved in the Darnand+Jerric+Abiene triangle, and oh, Jerric's explanation for why they couldn't be together... *sniffs*. I love Jerric's deceptive depths. Lildereth's backstory was definitely, definitely worth the wait - it was amazing, and heartwrenching, and explains so very much about her. And it's good to know she's not a Mythic Dawn sleeper agent!

(Probably.)

In short: this story is amazing and I await further updates with bated breath.

[Grits]

Previously: Jerric, Darnand, Lildereth, and Aravi camped by warm springs overlooking Hope Valley. Lildereth told the story of her tribe becoming the Wild Hunt during the Five Year War with the Khajiit. She admitted that the monsters she is hunting are the remnants of her tribe. Aravi and her screenshots appeared with the generosity and cooperation of her creator King Coin. Thank you so much, KC!!

A reminder: As Brother Venco instructed Jerric is traveling incognito while Blades with actual training try to flush out Mythic Dawn agents for questioning. That scene can be found here. Venco took Jerric’s Blades helm and Kvatch gear and said he should ditch Lil. Jerric had Lil steal the helm back instead. He couldn’t tell her what was going on so he put her where she could figure it out.



Elisabeth Hollow: Yep, it's definitely a load off Lildereth's mind. Lol on the cave beef.

mALX: You're so right, now Jerric understands what Lildereth already knew about what draws them together, and now they've both recognized it's also what pulls them apart. Thank you, mALX!

Acadian: I'm delighted that you drew attention to those two lines between the boyz. That moment represents so many others that don't get written. Aravi was indeed the catalyst for Lildereth's unburdening. The crew is lucky she stayed through all of their teasing! Thank you, Acadian!

SubRosa: That line was definitely a Riddick tribute, and I was grinning when you mentioned it. I’m glad you enjoyed Lil’s telling of her past. I considered several ways of presenting that scene including flashbacks, but in the end I thought her own words would serve best. Thank you, SubRosa!

ghastley: I’m glad you picked out Darnand’s line. He is at his most formal when he gets emotional, and that’s hard for me to convey. Lol, Darnand should step carefully around Aravi in Skyrim. Thank you, ghastley!

McBadgere: It’s funny how the biggest moments can be the pause where the thing is not said. Thank you so much, McB! And I hope there won’t be any more long delays. (But you know how it is. )

Darkness Eternal: Thanks, DE! I love the more exotic locations in Tamriel. I can’t wait for an excuse to write about Elsweyr and Black Marsh. About dialog, I always cut a lot since the characters keep running their mouths whether it’s relevant to the story or not, lol. It can be nerve-wracking to try to get it all down. Thanks, DE!

haute ecole rider: Thank you, haute! It’s taken a long time to show why Lil can be difficult. I’m glad she’s finally coming into her own in the story. It was a delight to have Aravi’s company for a while. I’m glad you enjoyed her!

King Coin: It was a pure joy to collaborate with you on these sections. I’m sure Aravi needed to get away from the maniacs as much as she wanted that bath! I love that you pointed out the way the friends handled each other at the campfire. Thank you so much, KC!

ThatSkyrimGuy: SkyGuy, welcome! I’ll see you in the Commentasaurus. I’m delighted that you’re reading.

Kazaera: I love your Shield spell umbrella! It makes me think of the visual effect of Skyrim’s Ward spells projected over the head and following along for the duration. Sleeper in the Cave is always inspiring, particularly in the way you present magic. Your concerns for Darnand are so appreciated. They demonstrate your real understanding of his character. Thank you, Kaz!



Next: Jerric and Darnand are pursuing their Mages Guild recommendations while they search for Books 3 and 4 of the Mythic Dawn Commentaries. Lildereth is collecting Welkynd stones to trade for Master Illusion training while she searches for clues that might lead her to her lost tribe mates (so she can kill them). Onward to Bruma!

.

This post has been edited by Grits: Sep 13 2013, 12:55 AM

[Grits]

.

Chapter 17: Bruma, Part One

Jerric lay with his head sticking out of the tent, looking up at the stars. Four days’ travel on dry roads had brought them nearly to Bruma. Darnand and Lildereth were easy company. The elf had stayed with them rather than disappearing into the woods as was often her habit. Jerric suspected that the steep terrain had much to do with her decision.

Clear skies had given them magnificent views across the Heartlands to the Imperial City. It wasn’t until they turned up the Silver Road that Jerric felt the mountains closing in.

Five months ago he had followed this path with Martin and Brother Jauffre as they made for the safety of Cloud Ruler Temple. Lord Martin and Grandmaster Jauffre, he reminded himself. Prior Maborel’s blood had been wet on the ground and Kvatch had still burned behind Jerric’s and Martin’s eyes. Now in early spring there was more snow on the ground. The cold was just as piercing.

Jerric could hear Darnand outside the tent rummaging in his pack, trading books for his journal and a charcoal pencil for his quills and ink. Tonight around the campfire Jerric had shared the tale of his older brother Petr and the wolf while Darnand recorded his memories. Jerric hadn’t yet been born when the events had occurred, so he had simply repeated the story as it had been told to him and as he in turn had passed it on to younger family members. As he spoke he had almost heard the echo of his Pa’s and Petr’s voices. Now his throat ached at their silence.

Lildereth’s shadow fell over him as she passed the low fire, finishing her pre-sleep rituals.

“We’ll be there by mid-day,” she said. “The weather is going to hold.”

Jerric smiled to himself. Lildereth did not bother with unnecessary remarks. This chatter was for his benefit.

“Remember you are to use your surname only,” Darnand said from beyond Jerric’s view.

“Kjellingsson. Right,” said Jerric. “Bruma must be used to Nord ways. No one will expect me to use two names.”

The urge to tease about Imperial and Breton ancestral vanity faded as quickly as it came. Folk said the dead could hear when their names were spoken. Jerric felt a vague unease. He had no regard for his own reputation, but his Pa had passed beyond offering forgiveness. He guessed he might learn how it felt to hold on to shame.

“I propose that you call yourself Kjelling,” said Darnand. “You will provoke fewer questions if you use a simple name.”

“No way,” said Jerric. “There was only one Kjelling, and it’s not me.”

“Kjellingsson of Anvil,” Lildereth suggested. “With that West Weald accent and a Gold Coast drawl it’s no secret you’re not from around here.” She glanced down at him as she walked past. “And you won’t have to keep track of a lie.”

“Yeah. The less I talk the fewer times I’ll screw it up. I give myself ten minutes. Less if there’s an attractive woman at the gate. You two should take wagers.”

“I claim the livery,” said Darnand. “Though I hope you make it as far as the gate. Lildereth?”

The elf didn’t reply as she slipped into the tent. Jerric turned his head to watch her drop her cloak before burrowing into the bedroll. To his surprise she spread her furs over him instead.

“Don’t get ideas,” she muttered. “It’s fetching cold.”

“Colder than a minotaur with brass balls,” Jerric agreed. He lifted his arm so she could crawl under.

“Colder than a horker’s twat,” Lildereth said, a smile in her voice. Jerric’s brow went up as she wrapped around him like a sea star. Her chilled nose made him twitch.

Jerric tucked the furs then worked his arm back under. “I guess your elf magic isn’t much use on the ice.”

Lildereth’s reply was muffled but her tone was unmistakable.

“Is any part of you still touching the ground?” Jerric asked. “You know, it’s warmest down the front of my drawers.”

“Guess that’s why your hands are never cold. Sweet Mother Mara, you stink! I thought I was used to it.”

Jerric laughed, his breath puffing out in a cloud. “That’s the beans. You can’t complain about the stink while you’re enjoying the warmth.” He clenched his belly to see if he could squeak out another one.

Lildereth made the expected sound of dismay.

Darnand spoke from the darkness. “I shall awaken you for your watch whether or not you have slept.”

“Come on over,” Jerric suggested. “We can make an elf sandwich. For heat.”

Lildereth started to laugh.

“Did you think I said ‘meat’?” Jerric teased. “You know, you’d be warmer bare. And if you might give in to any urges I could stay awake for it. Whoa! That’s not a good place for your knee.”

Lildereth wiggled around some more.

Ulfe emerged from the trees and ambled over. She planted her great, snowy paws on Jerric’s chest and leaned down, huffing her breath in his face.

“Argh, Ulfe! Have you been eating mort flesh?” He couldn’t get an arm free to shove the dog. “Breton, get over here! She’s got me pinned! You’re supposed to be protecting the camp!”

“The dog is friendly,” Darnand said in an absent tone. “And if you refer to the elf, then count yourself lucky.”

Jerric heard a page turn over the sound of Ulfe’s panting. The hound let out a whimpering groan as she flopped down on top of them. Lildereth made a frantic yelp under the furs.

“Don’t blame me, it’s the dog.” Jerric heaved her off with a grunt, still grinning over Darnand’s jest. “Here, girl.” He patted the ground cloth.

Ulfe got the hint and stretched out with her back against him. Lildereth finished squirming and lay curled into his other side. Jerric closed his eyes.

After a moment he opened them again.

“Breton.”

“…Yes?”

“Uh, never mind.”

A soft snort came from Darnand’s direction. He might as well have spoken the words, ‘You are welcome.’

.

This post has been edited by Grits: Sep 12 2013, 01:08 PM

[Elisabeth Hollow]

I feel your pain, Lildreth. My husband can stink up under the covers, too XD
And he's sooooooooo warm!

[ghastley]

Whoa! That’s not a good place for your knee.

And Lil should not forget that it's those chemical reactions that are fueling the warmth. But she can blame Jerric for cooking beans, assuming he's still the camp cook.

Nice cameo from Ulfe. I suspect she'll be getting into more situations once they get to town.

P.s. remind us how many Welkynds Lildereth has found when you get the chance. It seems like forever since she last got one.

This post has been edited by ghastley: Sep 12 2013, 04:51 PM