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

[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

[haute ecole rider]

So the banter between the three remains light-hearted and fun, in spite of all the heavy memories that have been previously shared.

it's a nice way to slide back into the story. I especially liked your reference to the five months since Jerric last passed this way with Brother Lord Martina and Grandmaster Jauffre. It gives us a clear idea of the time line, especially given how long the telling of this story has stretched over the past couple of years!

I respect Jerric's insistence on keeping the -sson with his father's name. It reveals how much his relationship with his father and the man's death still affects our Nord stink-bug.

Beans! Love eatin' 'em, hate the side effects! Oh, and I don't doubt it's more than the beans keeping Jerric warm.

Good to see an update here again!

[SubRosa]

So its been five months since Kvatch and Martin. It seems like longer, but that is just because of all the adventures/quests/missions/things that Jerric and crew have gotten themselves into since then.

As the others said, this episode gives us a lot of fun banter between the trio (fouro counting Ulfe). Just as looking back at how long it has been since Kvatch, the depth of their current relationship is an example of how much time has passed since they first teamed up back in Anvil.

[mALX]

Petr and the wolf, BWAAHAA! I remember watching the Disney version with my children, ROFL !!! If we'd only known it was Jerric's story, ROFL!

Loved the Nord name world-building there, but after all this time I've forgotten some things - wondering why they have to sneak into Bruma and be careful of names there.

How nice it was to see a Jerric chapter on the boards! Awesome write, but too short !!!!!

[McBadgere]

....

*Sighs contentedly*...I do loves me Jerric... ...

Proper brilliant!!...

Subtle stuff abounding!!...

Subtle reminder of the MQ stuff, Jerric's loss at Kvatch, where he's from originally, the unspoken "Stuff" between Jerric and Lildreth...And I don't mean...Um... ... ...Nevermind...

So yeah, excellently brilliant stuff hidden in such a simple section...*Applauds*...

Dear Santa...For Christmas I would like to be able to write as good as Grits...I promise to be good!...Yes, yes I do!!... ...

...Oh dang... ...

Oh, the "Colder than..." debate made me laugh loudly...Which at 3.30am is possible not the best...I shall be told off!!... ...But still...So funny...*Smiles broadly again*...

...And I hope there won’t be any more long delays. (But you know how it is. )

Yeah, yeah I do...*Looks at own pile 'o' not finished*...The main thing is that we don't give up, eh?... ...

Aaaamywho...

Absolute brilliance...

Love it!!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

[Acadian]

“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.” - - Even completely out of context at any time or place, this could only be Jerric speaking!

What a delightful evening as the big Nord draws elves and dogs to him in search of warmth. I see Lildereth has done her ‘gotta get warm’ vs ‘crushed by giant Nords and dogs’ calculations. It seems she underestimated the odor factor though.

Beans. Why did this episode conjure eye-stinging images from Blazing Saddles?

Bruma, eh? I guess Jerric is not taking them ‘someplace warm’, as Kharjo would say.

[Darkness Eternal]

Hmm. Peaceful and lovely scenery, even despite the bloody memories. A relief from the darkness of the caves and the creepy subterranean levels of the many forts, I say.

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.

At least it wasn’t cave beef or mountain oysters, or gods forbid, sewer rat meat all mixed in together. I like Ulfe!

This post has been edited by Darkness Eternal: Sep 13 2013, 07:39 PM

[King Coin]

Glad you still are writing for these guys! Though I’m not doing much better… shutting up!

I barely remember Jerric’s run with Martin to Cloud Ruler Temple. That was a long time ago. I like the constant reminders of Kvatch. With someone like Jerric, it’s all too easy to forget that he lost everything when Kvatch burned. I love the light hearted teasing between the three.

So, Jerric is a gas fueled stove.

[Colonel Mustard]

An update! Well finally!

It's good to see the gang back in action again, and I'm loving the banter that's flying back and forth between them all; I'd quote my favourite lines, but seeing as that would be most of the chapter I'll spare you that.

And five months! Wow, time has flown! I can't help but find it a surprisingly leisurely pace to take when the end of the world via Daedric Cult is looming, but maybe there's a reason why they're getting away with it. Either that, or we're going to have a surprise ending of "Jerric, Darnand and Lildereth were too slow and Mehrunes Dagon appeared in the Imperial City with nothing that could stop him. The world was destroyed and everyone died. The end." Would certainly be a curveball to throw at us.

mALX: I'm going to take a guess that Jerric's taking a false name in order to disguise his presence in case of any more assassination attempts by the Mythic Dawn. Seems a pretty sensible precaution to take at this stage.

[Grits]

Previously: Jerric, Darnand, and Lildereth camped on the Silver Road. It was cold.


Elisabeth Hollow: Warm and cuddly, but there’s a price!

ghastley: Yep, Jerric is responsible for the meal and the results. The other two could manage it but they prefer Jerric’s cooking. Also that gives them something to complain about. Lildereth has not admitted how many Welkynd stones she has already turned in or still needs (or where she got them). She can’t help playing it close to the vest. The last four she got were from Hrotanda Vale, about two story weeks ago (posted last October).

haute ecole rider: Banter is how Jerric and Lildereth hide their hearts, so I’d bet on it continuing. I’m glad you pointed out Jerric’s thoughts of his father. That guilt is not going away soon either.

SubRosa: I suspect it seems like longer because the ride to CRT was posted in March… 2011. And when they teamed up in Anvil one of the first things Lil said was that she wouldn’t climb into the furs with him!

mALX: Thanks for asking about the secrecy. I added a “Story So Far” post after this one. The short version: Brother Venco sent his ‘real’ Blades agents out as bait to snare some Mythic Dawn agents for questioning. He doesn’t want Jerric getting assassinated in the meantime so he made the plan for him to travel as Darnand’s hired guard named Kjellingsson, hoping that’s a balance of truth and confusion that Jerric would not manage to screw up. He mentioned that if the MD still managed to find and assassinate Jerric that would also provide some valuable information. Venco is not a fan of the late Lord Uriel’s you’re-the-one-from-my-dreams recruitment process.

McBadgere: *blush* Thank you, McB! Some of the stuff they say makes me laugh, too. And never when I’m actually trying to write it.

Acadian: Between the beans and the dog, Lildereth got more than she bargained for.

Darkness Eternal: It was fun to get Ulfe back into a scene. I’m glad you liked her.

King Coin: Yeah, he keeps his mind off it but his losses are always right below the surface. Just about everything reminds him that he can’t go home.

Colonel Mustard: Lol, that would be a surprise ending! I should mention that in this story time the way our mortals view it moves about three times faster in Tamriel than in Dagon’s realm. So it’s barely begun from the daedric side of the portals. You’re right on Jerric’s false name.


Next: Not an update, but a refresher on the story so far.

[Grits]

.

The Story So Far


Jerric the Nord battlemage lives happily with his large extended family in Kvatch. He works as a guard for his family’s caravan business.

After a drunken brawl on the waterfront Jerric spends his first night in the Imperial City locked up. This is not surprising. However rather than releasing him from the drunk tank along with the others, the guards put Jerric down in the prison. Jerric suspects that his brother had something to do with it.

The real surprise comes in the form of Uriel Septim and the remnants of his Dragonguard. They charge through Jerric’s cell uttering threats on the way to a secret escape route. Someone has murdered all of the Septims, and the Emperor is next. BUT WAIT! You are the one from my dreams…

After witnessing Uriel’s murder Jerric finds himself taking the Amulet of Kings to the Grandmaster of the Blades, Brother Jauffre. The highly trained last remaining personal bodyguard of the Emperor (Baurus) has a target on his back and doesn’t know who else to trust.

Jerric gets into some scrapes and makes some friends on the way. (Weye, Aleswell, the Odiils.) He hands over the Amulet and agrees to go warn the last remaining Septim (Brother Martin) as long as it doesn’t make him late for his Ma’s birthday party. The Grandmaster is in a bind since anyone except for Baurus and Jerric (and Martin who doesn’t know he’s a Septim) could be part of the assassination plan. No one would believe that this Nord would be dispatched along with a paint pack horse (Flash) to save the world. And Jauffre himself has taken on the huge responsibility of guarding the Amulet.

As it happens Jerric already knows Brother Martin. He taught Jerric his first healing spell at the Chapel of Akatosh in Kvatch.

Jerric arrives at Kvatch and finds it under siege by daedra. There’s a Gate to Oblivion keeping his family trapped inside the burning city. Savlian Matius has taken charge, being the highest ranking anyone left alive. He explains the issue. Jerric jumps through the Gate in an attempt to find a way to close it. Eventually he does.

Then he helps the Kvatch Guard take back the ruined city, earning various names in the process. Lionheart seems to stick. In the chapel Jerric has a quiet word with Akatosh. For once the Dragon God of Time seems to listen.

Martin survives. He knows Jerric as a hardworking citizen, a brawler, a womanizer, and a bit of an idiot, but not a liar. He becomes convinced that he is the cause of the sack of Kvatch. The Emperor’s words to Jerric echo his own thoughts when he first met Jerric as a lad. Martin follows Jerric (and Flash) to Weynon Priory. Jerric begins having dreams of fire and a great claw splitting him open. He believes he is seeing the moment of his death.

They arrive to find the Priory under attack. Their enemy has discovered the location of the Amulet of Kings and taken it while Jauffre was busy slaying the zealots. Once again everyone is a suspect, especially those who live(d) at the Priory. Jerric agrees to help Jauffre escort Martin to the Blades’ secret stronghold of Cloud Ruler Temple.

At Cloud Ruler Temple Jerric is inducted into the Blades as a Knight Brother. Jauffre bends the rules for him, since the dead Emperor’s dragon blood showed him Jerric standing at Martin’s side. (Or so they figure. The Emperor could have been a little more specific about exactly what he saw in those dreams.) Jerric will act as an agent directed by Jauffre or Baurus according to a code they arrange. A simple code, because… well, Nord. Jerric heads back to Anvil, realizing that the people who could help him beef up his magic skills are in the area. Plus he should probably tell them he’s alive.

On the way he sees a Gate to Oblivion. He enters and closes it. Then he spends the next two months wandering the wilds closing Gates when he finds them. His thirtieth birthday passes while he is in Dagon’s realm.

When he finally gets almost to Anvil he saves Darnand’s butt from a rogue mage. Darnand immediately returns the favor when a pair of Battlemages sees Jerric as a threat. Darnand eases Jerric’s transition back to civilization. The two had begun a friendship the summer before, and their bond strengthens in the course of a few adventures (Siren’s Deception, Lildereth’s zombie run, assault on Fort Strand). Darnand is a bit of a difficult person who has come to appreciate the effort Jerric made in befriending him. Lildereth is a newcomer having just returned to Cyrodiil from Valenwood. Jerric is Jerric. You know what he’s like.

Jerric and Darnand decide to go on a road trip to get their Mages Guild recommendations. Mostly Jerric needs to learn some new spells from Vigge, who has moved to Kvatch. Lildereth decides to come with them. She is not forthcoming about her reasons.

Also now they have a dog (Ulfe).

In the Imperial City Jerric checks in with Baurus. The two discover evidence that confirms the Mythic Dawn cult as the culprit in the assassinations. Baurus directs Jerric to keep searching for Books 3 and 4 of the Mythic Dawn Commentaries, or Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes if you are a rare book dealer with a stick up your behind (Phintias.) Baurus will stay in the IC following up on leads.

In Weynon Priory Jerric learns that Brother Piner has been tortured to death by the Mythic Dawn. Minutes later he meets with the new Blades contact at the Priory, Brother Venco. He also sees that Darnand has been taken into the secret (but known by the Mythic Dawn, hmm) room for questioning. Jerric is not happy about getting Darnand involved. Venco does not care about Jerric’s “feelings” on the matter. Darnand is an asset. Venco is kind of a scary badass.

Also Venco tells them that he suspects Lildereth of being a Mythic Dawn agent who hopes that Jerric will lead her to Martin. He doesn’t have proof, he’s just a suspicious person. That’s what happens when you hang around with spies.

Anyway Brother Venco confiscates Jerric’s Kvatch and Blades gear, telling him that he will henceforth travel under the name Kjellingsson as Darnand’s hired guard to avoid being grabbed up by the MD. He supplies armor suitable for a mercenary and an Akaviri-style shield (Tower of the Nine, awesome) to help with the deception. Venco has Blades agents out posing as Jerric to confuse the enemy. Also as bait to hopefully catch one for questioning. So far they have all killed themselves before the torture “questioning” could get serious.

Lildereth checks back in with the boys, delivering an expletive-laced diatribe against Martina Floria of the Arcane University. It seems Martina wants Welkynd stones in exchange for Master Illusion training. Lil decides to stay with the guys.

While in Chorrol Jerric sends Lildereth on an errand to Weynon Priory to steal his Blades helm back from Venco’s secret room. It’s his vote of confidence in Lil, plus he gets his enchanted helm back and lets her in on what’s going on without breaking his vow and telling her. In return he helps her assault Hrotanda Vale in search of Welkynd stones. They also find the teenaged survivor of a recent battle at the ruin (Valdi). She eats Jerric’s sandwich, steals the backpack he leaves out for her, and then disappears.

A word about Abiene. Abiene has moved to Chorrol to pursue her studies in surgery. She and Jerric had enjoyed a lusty summer in Anvil then said goodbye. When he returned to Anvil having survived Kvatch, Abiene convinced him to pick back up with her. (Pretty much by climbing into his lap. It was not a hard sell.) Then they said goodbye again, hoping they would reunite soon in Chorrol. In Chorrol Jerric told her they had to end it for her safety, even though there was really no “it” at least publically.

At first they had kept it secret in Anvil to hide Abiene’s complete lack of professionalism in using her student as a slam piece. After Kvatch but still in Anvil Abiene admitted she didn’t want the added heartbreak of being known as his ex after he had left her to probably go off and die. Also her family would not consider him to be boyfriend material, and she did not want to put on her big girl panties and deal with them. Of course they didn’t fool everyone while they were going at it like bunnies. Thaurron and Carahil certainly noticed. Darnand did not.

So in Chorrol Jerric tells her he really means it this time (while in bed right after nailing her, nice timing Nord). Abiene had just told him she wanted their relationship to be out in the open, so she is not happy.

Meanwhile the Mythic Dawn has been opening Gates to the Deadlands. Sometimes they’re next to a community and there are massive casualties. Sometimes they’re in the middle of nowhere for no apparent reason. Jerric’s theory is that they use Gates in Tamriel to take shortcuts through the Deadlands, since he has seen multiple Gates open within sight of each other there but only one is visible on the Tamriel side. For example traveling from Anvil to Blacklight with a quick stroll through Oblivion. Also it’s known that the sigil stones are made with mortal souls, and Jerric (and others) keep taking the sigil stones to shut the Gates. He thinks Dagon needs more souls.

Regarding Kvatch. Jerric has been calling Savlian Matius the Hero of Kvatch when he tells the story. He’s been recruiting the capable but disaffected people he encounters as potential new citizens wherever he goes. Savlian asked Jerric to stand with Rilian as Rilian delivered Count Kvatch’s signet ring and made his case to the Elder Council. The Elder Council gave the ring back to Rilian to give to Savlian as the new Acting Steward to hold for whoever the new count will be. Noble families from all over have been sending representatives to “help” since the Goldwine sons had recently been assassinated and there’s no heir. Savlian has a curfew in effect among other stringent measures to keep order on the plateau. Ghosts are a big problem. Thanks to the Kvatch City Guard, County Kvatch Militia, and the Imperial Legion, crime is not. After they got hammered in the Imperial City post-council meeting, Rilian asked Jerric if he could come along instead of going home to their burned-out city. Then he passed out. Jerric rather unusually wrote him a letter saying no and telling him what to do with his life. Get married, plant the new generation of Kvatchians in some nice girl with sturdy hips, rebuild the city. It’s what Jerric would do himself if he was free. Well, he’s not particular about the hips.

There’s a lot I skipped. A LOT. Like all of the Mages Guild Recommendation quests so far including Earana’s notes that Darnand stole and is still carrying, and the recent chapter in which they meet and work with King Coin’s wonderful Khajiit Aravi. Let me know if you have a question, and I’ll fill in some blanks.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is reading this story. It’s taken nearly three years to get this far, and there’s quite a ways to go. I hope very much that you’ll enjoy the rest of the journey.

.

This post has been edited by Grits: Sep 25 2013, 09:00 PM

[mALX]

Thank you so much for the catch up on Jerric! When there is long periods between postings, sometimes we forget some of the details of the plots, it really helps!

[ghastley]

While the "already done" part is useful, I could do with the equivalent of the game's own "quests pending" page, to remind me: how many recommendations they still need; how many volumes of Mysterium Xarxes they haven't found; how close Lildereth is to her ten Welkynds; etc. And a reminder of their overall plan, and what depends on what else. E.g. needing to complete the recommendation quests in order to ..., or Lil getting her Mastery in Illusion so she can ... (I think you explained that once, but I've forgotten).

But don't let it hold up the next episode!

[SubRosa]

The "Our Story So Far" is a good idea for a story that has been going on this long. A while ago I did something similar on the first post of the TF, to help people either get caught up or to act as a refresher.

[Acadian]

What a delightfully fun walk down Jerric Lane, complete with some tongue in cheek parenthetical comments that only the clever wit of Grits could provide.

It is wonderful to see this summary. It'll be handy for linking to new readers who may want to catch up and quickly jump aboard Jerric's story.

It has been pure joy to follow the adventures of our lovable Nord and his pals. Gosh, has it really been three and a half years already? May he have many more ahead to enthrall us with. When you say there is quite a ways to go, that’s beautiful music to the big ears of a little blond elf who, if you can keep a secret, is a bit smitten by the big fella who gifted her with an enchanted butterfly toe ring. (Don’t worry though, she’s not about to risk the ire of dear Abiene, Lildereth - or half the other women of Cyrodiil).

[haute ecole rider]

Thank you so much for the update/story so far - it really helps refresh my memory of the sequence of events.

Certain things stand out, others I've forgotten (like Jesan and Jerric heading off to the Elder Council for help).

As always, your asides and comments (Jerric is Jerric, after all, thanks for keeping that forefront for all of us) are enjoyable and delightful.

[Darkness Eternal]

A great summary and detailed work on Jerric's story. I can't thank you enough for posting this. A new reader like me might have felt lost a bit.

I can see that the rest of the story will be equally as good as the previous chapters themselves. Can't wait to read more and I truly mean it!

[King Coin]

Thanks for the summary. There was a lot I forgot about, and it was fun remembering them.

[Grits]

Previously: We had an update on the story so far. Before that the crew camped along the Silver Road headed to Bruma. It was cold.


Everyone: Thanks, folks! I think a game-style Quest Log would be a great addition to the Darnandex. I’ll link to the completed quests where they happened in the story. At the least it will help me do less searching when I want to check something I wrote years ago. That’s a project for December.


Next: Bruma. Jerric and Darnand are seeking their Mages Guild recommendations while searching for Books 3 and 4 of the Mythic Dawn Commentaries. Lildereth still needs some Welkynd Stones to trade for Master Illusion training, maybe. The group includes three horses and a dog.

.

Chapter 17: Bruma, Part Two

Mid-day sun glared off the snow as they made the turn toward Bruma. Jerric yanked his hood down to shade his eyes. Then he pushed it back so he could see the mountains again.

“A lot of Nords in Bruma,” said Lildereth.

Jerric glanced over to where she rode beside him. Her eyes glinted back from the shadows between her cloak and hood.

“Won’t see many wood elves, I’d wager,” he said. “Maybe in the brothels. Might be one or two there.”

Lildereth didn’t reply.

“So that folk can have a choice,” Jerric explained. Lildereth had been silent since they started the final climb to the fields surrounding Bruma. He knew he had a better chance of carrying a snowball through the Deadlands than figuring out what was on her mind. Provoking her sometimes solved that problem.

Ulfe romped past, snorting snow. She earned little more than an ear flick from the horses, but her two-legged companions laughed.

“I wonder if she’s been here before,” said Jerric. He glanced back at the elf, wondering much the same thing. Lildereth didn’t offer any information.

Darnand called a halt from his position at the rear. He dismounted and walked over to face an impressive snowbank.

Jerric slid to the ground and unbuckled as he followed, observing the customary distance.

“We got snow in Kvatch, but never like this,” said Jerric. “I’m going to write my name.”

“Boys and their toys,” said Lildereth.

Jerric called back over his shoulder. “Come here and I’ll let you write yours. I can manage the first part at least.”

“Check your spelling,” said Darnand. He had accepted the unspoken challenge.

Jerric checked. “I’m not finished.” He managed the correction.

“His is longer,” Lildereth said to Jerric. He wondered if the elf had already accomplished her own comfort break. What mysteries she hid in the forest, the snow would tell.

“His name is longer,” Jerric said. Darnand finished his work with a flourish. “And look, he didn’t dot his ‘I’.”

“There is no ‘I,’” said Darnand. “I have rendered my name phonetically in Dwemeris.”

Jerric stared at him. “Are you jesting?”

The Breton did not look up from his robe-arranging. The three of them stood back to view the snow bank.

“It’s a good thing we’re not trying to maintain a low profile,” Lildereth said.

Jerric and Darnand exchanged a look. Their boots made quick work of obscuring the names.

“Anything else while we’ve stopped?” she asked. “Carve your initials in a tree? Or perhaps ‘draw’ a map?”

Jerric took the opportunity to attend to some itches. “Anyone else ready for lunch?”

That got Darnand and Lildereth back on their horses. Ulfe stayed behind, giving him a mournful look.

“Sorry, girl. That was a mean trick. Wasn’t meant for you.” Jerric packed a snowball for her to catch before he mounted up.

Lildereth took the lead on her mare Rose. Jerric nudged Kip up beside Darnand on Banner.

“I’ve never been inside the walls,” Jerric said.

Darnand’s breath steamed out of his hood when he spoke. “I am unknown in Bruma, as I have not returned since a single visit as a lad. Lildereth may be acquainted with some at the Mages Guild hall, we will know when we arrive. You need only remember your own name: Kjellingsson of Anvil.”

“Yeah, I know that. I remember.” Jerric’s shoulders eased at the reassurance. He searched the peaks for Cloud Ruler Temple, though he knew he wouldn’t see it. He imagined invisible eyes watching, not all of them friendly.

Wildeye Stables stood in the shelter of Bruma’s eastern wall, a cluster of low timber buildings arranged around a yard. A double row of fir trees protected the pasture from mountain winds. Two Skyrim huskies patrolled the fence line. Jerric glanced around to check on Ulfe. She did not seem interested in the other dogs. He dismounted and joined the business of settling the horses.

As usual Darnand conducted the transaction while Jerric and Lildereth shifted their gear. Jerric was the last to leave the barn. He found Darnand and Lildereth speaking with a yellow-haired Nord woman outside the stable house. She stood with her shoulders back and chest out, apparently unaffected by the wind.

Darnand stepped away as Jerric approached. “My packs,” Darnand said, nodding to where they sat on the ground.

Jerric blinked at him. “Uh…”

“Pick up his packs,” Lildereth hissed.

Darnand shot Jerric an irritated look.

“I’m Jerric,” Jerric said to the blonde woman.

“Petrine.” She crossed her arms under her bosom. Her eyes crinkled up when she smiled.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“You are to bring my packs, Kjellingsson,” Darnand said. He raised his brows in a way that must signify something.

Jerric got the message. Dammit! “Uh, as you say, your high… my lord… sir.”

Petrine looked back and forth between the two of them. Darnand appeared to be at an utter loss.

“They’re lovers,” Lildereth confided to the ostler. “Sometimes they forget how to act when we return to a city.”

Petrine and Lildereth shared a knowing glance.

“I shall go ahead,” Darnand snapped. “You accompany him, elf. Bring my belongings to the guild hall.”

“Uh,” Jerric said to Darnand’s back. “As you—”

Lildereth tugged on Jerric’s arm to get him moving.

“Subtle,” she remarked as soon as they reached the road.

“You lie as easily as breathing. It’s not like that for all of us.” Jerric paused to shift his burdens. “I guess I should have just kept my mouth shut. This close to Skyrim I’m just another Nord.”

Lildereth cast a spell and picked up some of the packs. “Until you start dancing with atronachs and throwing frost around.”

“These Mages Guild assignments haven’t called for much magic.”

Darnand waited near the gate with a storm in his face. “Perhaps we should review our strategy for maintaining an inconspicuous presence.”

Lildereth nodded at Jerric. “This one always causes talk. Now they already have a piece of gossip to chew on, so you can relax. Get over it, Breton. You’re not the first stuck-up semi-noble to get caught balling the help.”

Darnand’s reply emerged as an incoherent splutter.

“Balling?” Jerric laughed at Lildereth.

“You should lead, your high lordness,” Lildereth said to Darnand. Humor still danced in her eyes. “Try to look chastened,” she told Jerric.

Darnand’s glare passed from Lildereth to Jerric. “Please attempt to appear as my escort. Keep the pace a few steps behind me.”

The two complied, falling in behind the sweep of Darnand’s cloak. Ulfe trotted up and took a position behind the Breton. Jerric silently begged her to goose him with her nose, but she maintained her regal bearing.

“He seems out of sorts,” said Lildereth, lifting her chin at Darnand’s back. “I guess he won’t be getting laid in Bruma.”

Jerric gave her a puzzled glance. Getting his stick wet was not on Darnand’s list of priorities, as far as he knew. The elf’s behavior was making less sense than usual.

“You called him a stuck-up semi-noble,” Jerric said. “That’d be hard to hear. Especially from you.”

Lildereth looked contrite. Jerric reminded himself of her skill in illusion magic.

“That’s not how I see him at all,” she said. “It’s just that haughty tone and arrogant expression. A lot of people take him the wrong way.”

“With your tactful ways, I guess you know about that.”

Lildereth’s glance covered his entire person. “So do you.”

Jerric prepared his introduction speech as they approached the gates, but the guards waved them through. Darnand led them up a main thoroughfare past the towering chapel without hesitating. The city climbed in long terraces up to the castle. Cinders and finely crushed stone allowed easy footing on the packed snow. The broad sets of stairs between levels had been cleared down to the stone.

While the road outside had been nearly empty, Bruma’s city streets bustled with activity. Citizens gathered around braziers in the open area between the gate and the chapel. Jerric heard snippets of the Nordic tongue amongst the babble of Cyrodilic. Most folk wore at least a cape of some kind, but many were bare-headed. Darnand cast a spell as he walked. Jerric glanced over at Lildereth and grinned. Her expression was unreadable, masked behind her furs and woolen wraps.

They passed through neighborhoods and shopping districts along the way to the guild halls in the city’s center level. The buildings stood in rows all facing out over the city. Jerric guessed that the fronts were mostly business establishments with private life conducted to the rear. Jerric’s heart lifted at the view over walls to the snowy Jeralls beyond.

Music drifted out the open door of one establishment. The women lounging along the wide porch possessed the inviting smiles and predatory eyes of working girls. Jerric didn’t need to look for the sign. Brothel. We must be near the Fighters Guild.

He turned to Lildereth to make a comment, but she kept her face forward. Banners on the buildings ahead announced that they had reached the guild halls.

Darnand lifted the latch at the Mages Guild Hall and stepped aside for Jerric to shoulder the door open. Jerric did not miss the smug twist of lip. He mentally cracked his knuckles. The Breton was enjoying his role a little too much. Payback would be sweet.

The guild’s entry hall made Jerric feel instantly at home. Timber, stucco, and stone combined made the space both spacious and welcoming. Shelves lined the walls to the left and right around a facing pair of high, arched doorways. Landings with stairs leading up and down were visible through them. No one sat at the entry’s small receiving tables, but a richly dressed Altmer stood browsing through the bookshelves. A redheaded Breton woman was barely visible behind the far counter. Smaller doors stood open behind her, revealing the work spaces beyond.

“Ugh,” said Darnand. “It smells like a scamp in here.”

The Altmer arched an elegant brow in Jerric’s direction. His perfect nose twitched. “I should think that would be an improvement,” the mer declared.

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This post has been edited by Grits: Nov 2 2013, 04:15 PM