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

[ghastley]

I didn't catch what Jerric and Bumph's activities looked like before the adjustment, but I am left wondering if she took her shirt off, too.

I'm glad you've added more people to the FG; that place was always a bit empty. Except that it had beds for four, if I'm remembering right, and now you've got twice that many! Even if the porter never sleeps...

Nits: "Asgerd will check the roles rolls when she gets back." When there are homophones, it seems like you always want the other one. Except when it's bare/bear riders, when they both work.

I was about to point out that Jerric's left his sword for repair, and then gone off to Right-Wind for training, but of course he'd never be caught with only one blade, and he wouldn't spar with his main one.

[Acadian]

I really liked this but for the opposite reason of the previous episode. Your description of the MG was like donning a favorite pair of cozy slippers, but the FG is all new territory to Buffy and I. So. . . your descriptions of the members were either lost in ancient Acadian history or completely new to me. I shall definitely ask Buffy to take us there and perhaps ask that nice porter to give her a tour – well, after they stop laughing of course.

“Is there another place I can go in Bruma?”
Jaan pointed his hammer at the door. “Sure. Go hump yourself.” - - Oh this got a treydogian gigglesnort!

‘Jerric snorted. “Bugshat? Are you jesting?” - - As did this!

You really gave me a fright for a moment regarding dear Ulfe!

Gosh, I must say that Jerric seems to fit right in with that FG bunch. Perhaps a bit more than with his soft bellied mages in the other guild. Of course, none of those other steel-suiters can summon a Frost Astronaut like Jerric can!

Wow, that FG branch commander seems to quite have her stuff together. Can’t wait to see what she’s got in mind for Jerric’s contract and how it ties to Jauffre.

[King Coin]

17-3

Ah, it took me a moment to remember who the Alter in this was supposed to be. Is there a missing Khajiit?

The poor scamp has probably been pulled back and forth between Oblivion and Tamriel for hours!

If this guild hall specialized in necromancy at one time, those other facilities might be of interest to Darnand. Is ‘cold storage’ simply a locked box outside? I am interested in what kind of quarters the Fighter’s Guild is going to offer. I expect plenty of Nords.

“Please ignore him. He has received many blows to the head.”

Lil to the rescue.

Inventory eh? Sounds like a way to resupply.

“We may not wear your fancy rings, but make no mistake. Honmund is my man.”

[haute ecole rider]

Now I regret not catching the first go around of this most recent installment! I always thought Bumph was a toughie when it comes to everything, including sex. She certainly is someone who's got my (and Julian's) respect! I always smile at her name. I'm sure she gives her foes (and lovers!) quite the bumps!

So Jerric finally realized what Alga was talking about? That part made me laugh, especially when he realized what Lil was doing! That little Bosmer must be pretty proud of herself right about now!

[Darkness Eternal]

If you lied to me, I’ll eat your heart with a side of balls.”

My, how graphic. A true a vulgarian!

Fun chapter. I thought for a moment Ulfe was chow. So, Jerric was indirectly sword-blocked by the brothel-hating Lildereth and he has to deal with Jaan, who by the way is just a bright ray of sunshine . . .

I liked the exchange between Bugshat(lol) and Jerric, and the good old humor of Orsimer cooks and their fellow co-workers. Certainly rings a bell.

[King Coin]

17-4

Lol, what a lovely place the Fighters’ guild is. Though the Mages’ guild doesn’t sound any more pleasant!

I somehow think Lil’s got their best interests in mind when she prevented Jerric from having any fun here. Jerric seems to be waaay too chatty.

Jaan of the basement! I thought Jerric would be at home in this dump, but slow smith and now he has to worry about Orcs eating Ulfe!

[Colonel Mustard]

The fighter's guild is very Brumese, isn't it?

I absolutely loved this part, and I got a lot of belly laughs from Jaan of the Basement and the kitchen scene (Bugshat! ). Asgerd looks like an interesting character as well, and the coded conversation was an interesting read, even if was simply because Jerric was being put through his mental paces a great deal there.

Loved this chapter, and looking forward to the next part

[Grits]

Previously: Jerric introduced himself at the Bruma Fighters Guild. He learned that the chapter head Asgerd was in contact with the Blades, and she had a job for him. But first he should spar with Right-Wind. He has also been assigned the task of making J’skar reappear at the Mages Guild.


Elisabeth Hollow: Lol, the image of Jerric and Bumph spilling fluids on the practice mats has now been seared into my brain. Sorry about that! Yeah, the Bruma FG kitchen is not going to pass any kind of inspection.

SubRosa: You’re right, Jerric’s kept it in his pants since he came back to Abiene, except for the incident at the Sanguine shrine that he’s not disclosing. It’s been an unprecedented stretch of near-monogamy! He’s been away from Abiene for about a week and a half now. With all of the strange for hire at the brothel next door he’s definitely feeling tempted. Not to mention the corn-fed Nord that just caught his eye. I would expect him to hump first and think about it later. Not this time, though. Cranium Excrement, lol. The dog meat is just one piece of cultural awkwardness that must pop up all of the time in Tamriel. I think the races sometimes seem very alien to each other. Thank you, SubRosa!

ghastley: Thanks for catching that nit, I even looked it up first and still got it wrong. You’re right, not only does Jerric carry an arsenal, but he’d also spar with the guild’s blunted practice blades. He wishes he got one of those beds from the game. In the story I only gave him a bare cot! Thank you, ghastley!

Acadian: The game only gives us Bumph and Right-Wind (plus a generic porter), so Jerric’s version of the Bruma FG is quite a bit more lively. I liked leaving the Mages Guild mostly empty, though, to reflect recent events in the guild as well as Jeanne’s questionable leadership. I’m glad Asgerd came across as pulled-together. The guild hall is kind of a mess, but she’s not a slouch. Thank you, Acadian!

King Coin: Lol, resupply. That is a very Darnand idea! I can see him paralyzed with indecision if he found a black soul gem. I’m sure Jerric will be throwing bottles on the floor at the Fighters Guild before long right with the rest of them. And scraping the mold off of some leftover rat meat. You called it on his chattiness, it was all he could do not to play “wanna see my sword” with Kjestrid. And we know he’d make an ass of himself trying to lie about where he got his katana! Thanks, KC!

haute ecole rider: Indeed, Jerric would have come out of the tussle with some marks on him no matter which way he bumped with Bumph! I have a lot of affection for the orcs of Oblivion, so it’s fun to write them. You’re right, Lil has a lot to be smug about. The presence of so many Nordic bosoms has not quickened Jerric’s wits. Too bad she couldn’t be there when he figured it out! Thank you, haute!

Darkness Eternal: Thank you, DE! I worked as a prep cook in a typically verbally abusive restaurant kitchen, but at the end of every night we all hung out at the bar together until they closed. I’m glad some of that odd camaraderie came across.

Colonel Mustard: When I first saw the Bruma Fighters Guild with the blood stains and bottles on the floor, I knew it would have to be a dump. I’m glad you’re enjoying the characters. There was a lot going on around Jerric, so Jaan only had a brief window to make an impression. Thanks, Mustard!


Next: Bruma. This update ran a little long since I didn’t want to split up the scene. It will be more than a week before I post again, though. I have to untangle the mess I made during NaNoWriMo!

[Grits]

.

Chapter 17: Bruma, Part Five

Jerric found Right-Wind sparring with an Imperial woman on the training floor. It looked like a lesson. Rather than interrupt he whistled for Ulfe and ducked next door to the Mages Guild.

Jeanne greeted him before the door closed. “Hel-looo, Associate!” Her fretful scamp popped in and then out in a blink. Its cackle sounded like a strangled imitation of Jeanne’s piercing warble. Jerric turned his laugh into a snort.

Ulfe trotted over to the supply room door and stood with her tail waving. Jerric guessed Darnand was in there busy counting quills. He walked over to the alchemy shop to question Selena.

The alchemist perched on the edge of her chair fiddling with vials. She had that hyper-vigilant look that made Jerric cringe. No doubt she would decant his potions just to count the lumps.

“Good afternoon,” Jerric said to her.

Selena’s expression was less than welcoming. “Do you seek a trade, Associate?”

“Uh, no thank you. Not right now. I was wondering if you know anything about J’skar. Where he might have gone, or something.”

“I haven’t seen him in days. Volanaro said something about a spell backfiring, making him permanently invisible. Maybe you should go see him about it.”

“Permanently invisible? Does he know a mage named Ancotar?”

Selena gave him a look.

“Yeah, I was just checking. Listen, I didn’t mean what I said before to be about you, specifically. The bag of bones thing. I hope you’re not offended. You have just the right amount of meat on you. I mean, a lot of older women…”

Selena’s brows drew together.

“All right, see you later,” Jerric said, making a hasty retreat. He loped down the stairs toward the living quarters.

A hiss sounded behind him. “Go away! You’ll ruin everything!”

Jerric turned to see Ulfe on the landing, rooting vigorously in the air with her nose.

Permanently invisible. He stuck a hand into his pocket and slipped on the life detection ring. A pink glow blossomed into view. It performed a wild dance fending off Ulfe’s advances.

“J’skar?”

“Hssst!” said the glow. It darted up the stairs and away.

Jerric followed more slowly, pondering his options. Jeanne had requested that he make J’skar reappear, not that he simply locate the missing mage. It occurred to him that the chapter head may know more about the situation than she had let on. Locating the prankster would not solve her whole problem. He put the ring back in his pocket.

Volanaro had moved to a different book case.

Jerric approached him. “You sell spells, right? I’d like to buy a spell of Dispelling. On another person. Can you teach me?”

“Certainly. Are you an accomplished mystic?”

“Uh, no.”

“Then I must inform you that you will certainly fail to learn.”

Jerric scratched his head for a moment. “Do you sell scrolls?”

Volanaro got a crafty look on his face. “Yes, but… I’m afraid I’ve sold out of all my, ah… Scrolls of Dispelling.”

Dammit. Jerric considered using his Arcane Well blessing to outsmart the Altmer. Then he had a thought.

“Elf!” he called, jogging back down to the living quarters. He flailed his arms as he went in case he got lucky. He would like to knock J’skar out of his invisible shoes.

Lildereth was not in the living quarters. Jerric eyed her pack. It was likely she still had the scrolls left over from their trip through Hrotanda Vale. It was also likely that she’d skin him alive if he ransacked her belongings.

Jerric ran back up the stairs and into the supply room. He closed the door behind him.

“Darnand.”

The Breton backed out of a storage crate on his hands and knees. Jerric hauled him to his feet before Ulfe could pounce on him.

He leaned against a barrel while Darnand brushed off his robes. “How’s your day going?”

“Splendidly. I could never have imagined a more engaging pursuit.”

“Have you figured out what’s going on around here?” Jerric grabbed a bottle of brandy off a shelf and opened it for Darnand.

“While we were on the road Arch Mage Traven outlawed the summoning of undead within Guild property.” Darnand took a pull from the bottle. “Jeanne is practicing her new spell.”

“Well, she sucks at it.”

“So one might think.” Darnand passed the brandy. “She has crafted a spell to maximize the benefit per cost in magicka for practice. A longer duration spell requires more magicka and could not be cast as often.”

“Oh,” said Jerric. “So, what’s the situation?”

“I confess I am largely uninformed as to guild politics, but I have learned that the previous chapter head was expelled quite recently under the charge of practicing necromancy. A number of her associates departed with her. Jeanne was appointed to her position before any of the others could make a case for themselves, though they would have been fools to do so. Camilla Lollia is a powerful wizard. She made specific threats against this chapter. I wonder that anyone stayed.”

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “That’s real interesting. But what’s going on with J’skar? Ulfe found him, but he’s invisible. That yellow elf is acting shifty and won’t sell me a dispelling scroll. Do you know if Lildereth has one left from the wards we broke?”

Darnand took the bottle back. “I shall cast a spell for you. But first, please describe exactly what happened when you discovered J’skar’s position.”

As Jerric told the tale Darnand’s face took on his rabid scholar look.

“It sounds as if he is under a chameleon effect!” the Breton exclaimed. “His invisibility should have been broken when he spoke. I might not be strong enough to dispel it. By the Nine, he must be a powerful illusionist! Unusual for a Khajiit. Or perhaps…”

“The goldenrod did it,” Jerric agreed. “I’ll go break his arm. He’ll still have the other one to dispel it with.”

“Wait! Please reconsider. I should like very much to learn that spell.”

Jerric stopped with his hand on the door handle. “All right, I’ll leave Volanaro alone for now. Let me see if I can get my hands on that cat while you talk to the elf. He’s likely bored enough to come snooping.”

“Do not wear your life detection ring until necessary. It is possible that Volanaro could perceive its use.”

They found the high elf in his chamber. If he was contributing in some way to the advancement of magickal knowledge, Jerric couldn’t see how. He kept his eyes on Ulfe while Darnand began to chat with Volanaro. Though the Breton had no fondness for social niceties, he knew how to use them.

With little encouragement the Altmer unburdened himself. “All due respect to our wonderful leader... She couldn’t cast her way out of a paper sack. It’s insulting that we’re here working for her when she knows nothing. She’s managed to butter up the right people just enough to keep her position, and there’s little we can do about it. But we have our ways of coping with the situation.”

Darnand struck an agreeable tone. “Guild leadership is by nature a contradiction. We elevate administrators to our highest ranks while those most worthy of the titles wish most of all to be left alone to their work.”

Ulfe pricked up her ears, Jerric’s cue to use life detection. A slight figure stood at the door, visible only as a mystical glow. Jerric suspected that the hound’s presence kept J’skar from entering the chamber.

“It’s a shame that Selena doesn’t join in our fun,” Volanaro said. “She takes her role as Alchemist very seriously. If…”

Jerric lunged for the glow and got a handful of fabric. In an instant he had his arm across a furry throat and a tail clamped in his fist. “Now!” he called to Darnand.

His friend cast a series of spells in rapid succession, fortifying himself to wage war on the Altmer’s spell. Jerric lost track of the Breton when he felt the sharp prick of claws in a tender place. “Not the lads,” he choked, letting go of the now visible Khajiit.

“You’re no fun at all!” J’skar growled. “It was just a harmless little prank, that’s all. Why did you have to go and ruin it?”

Jerric replied with a manly whimper.

J’skar released his grip. “Fine, go tell Jeanne you found me. I was getting tired of being invisible all the time, anyway.”

Jerric checked himself for damage while Volanaro rubbed his palms together. The elf sounded more excited than upset. “Well, I guess we’ll go back to the drawing board,” he declared.

“If you please,” said Darnand. “I should like to know about the spell you used for this… creative and amusing prank. It is a chameleon effect, is it not? Will you teach it to me?”

The Altmer’s eyes squinted with his sly grin. “I can teach you, but you have to agree to do something for me first. And whatever you do, you can’t tell Jeanne about it. All right?”

Darnand gave Volanaro a go-ahead gesture.

“Heh. Really, you’re going to love this. What you need to do is get into Jeanne’s desk and bring me her Manual of Spellcraft, all right? Her room is upstairs, it should be easy to find. It’s the only one up there that has a door. Just one more privilege she doesn’t deserve. Make sure no one sees you. You do that for me, and I’ll teach you the spell.”

“Are you jesting?” Jerric interrupted. “You’re terrible at this!” He stuck his hand out at J’skar. “You had him invisible for days, and he has cat feet! You could have gotten it your damned selves! What’s wrong with you two?”

Volanaro looked aghast. “We could be suspended for stealing!”

“Kittens.” Jerric got an idea. “Never mind, I’ll do it. Has anyone seen the Bosmer? Otherwise I’ll have to break Jeanne’s desk. I’m guessing she keeps it locked with all of the mysteries at this guild hall.”

“That’s the spirit!” Volanaro cried. “I’ll teach you a spell to unlock things. Just go and unlock Jeanne’s desk, find her manual, and bring it to me.”

Jerric learned the Latch Crack spell before he had a chance to sweat about it. Volanaro was an idler, but he was an outstanding instructor.

“Now turn me invisible,” Jerric said to Volanaro. “Unless you want me to get caught.”

The Altmer appeared to be considering. “Nooo,” he drawled, “getting you caught would be… No.” He frowned at Jerric. “You are asking a lot. I can only cast the chameleon spell once a day or so, and I’m useless afterward. It puts a great strain on me.”

Jerric decided not to address the useless remark. “Do we have a deal, or not?” He hoped that Darnand would pay close attention when the Altmer cast.

Volanaro had not been exaggerating. It took a potion and several preparatory spells before he could cast the chameleon spell at Jerric.

Magicka surged into Jerric in that familiar warm rush. Volanaro got a stunned look on his face. Darnand pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Uh,” said Jerric, looking down at his boots. “I, uh, absorbed it.” He scratched a hand over his head. “It’s not a problem. I have another idea.”

The group moved up to the main level. J’skar stayed behind loitering in the opposite stairwell. He would distract Jeanne with his reappearance if the situation became dire. As little regard as Jerric had for his criminal record, it would not suit the greater purpose to get kicked out of the guild for theft.

Darnand drew Jeanne into the storage room with a question. Jerric walked up the stairs to Jeanne’s chamber, minding his boot heels. It was a moment’s work to retrieve her manual. He drew on Jone’s Shadow as he slipped back down the stairs. His footsteps softened to silence, and his body shimmered away to invisibility.

Volanaro stood in the middle of the empty main hall, leaning forward on his toes in eagerness.

No wonder these jesters are alone with their pranks. Jerric walked up behind Volanaro. When the moment was right he yanked up the high elf’s velvet tunic and stuffed Jeanne’s manual down the front of his leggings. Jerric’s invisibility was ruined, but the blessing’s other attributes got him across the chamber quicker than a wink.

Jeanne strode out of the supply room to find Volanaro gyrating with both hands down his pants. Jerric shared a disgusted look with her at the display.

“J’skar,” Jerric said, indicating the giggling Khajiit out on the landing. Volanaro fled.

Jeanne took J’skar’s reappearance in stride. “You’ve fulfilled your end of the bargain, so now I’ll fulfill mine,” she informed Jerric. “Raminus will have my recommendation. Let’s just keep this incident between us, all right? It might make... a bad impression. And don’t you forget about me once you’ve finished your training! I’m sure we can help each other out!”

Jerric trotted back down the steps to make peace with Volanaro, preparing his speech. He found that Altmeri responded best when he used words he couldn’t spell.

Volanaro was pacing his chamber, chortling over the book. “She won’t figure this out for weeks!” he crowed to Jerric. “Ah, times like this make life worth living. It was a good idea, wasn’t it? I wonder how long she’ll spend trying to figure out where she put it down.”

Jerric had no sympathy for Jeanne. He believed that respect needed to be earned, and the state of the guild hall was a reflection of its leadership. However there was a matter he felt the need to address with his guildmate.

“Volanaro,” Jerric said, “pranks are for your friends. Like insults. Otherwise they’re just bullying or asking for a fight. For example, if Darnand was to suggest that my mother was morally relaxed in her conduct with men, I might simply reply that his mother was of such size that she could employ a sheep as a sanitary aid. If you should venture such an opinion, you would find yourself choking on your nuts while I picked your teeth out of my elbow.”

Volanaro seemed to accept the advice. He folded his hands. “It was an honor to receive your prank, Kjellingsson. It is my hope to someday cast aspersions upon the honor of your mother, and receive disparagements in kind.”

Jerric returned the gesture while he unraveled the Altmer’s meaning. He filed ‘cast aspersions’ in his mind next to ‘impugn.’ “I look forward to that day and leave you with the promise that I shall take the earliest opportunity to denigrate yours.” He grinned. “You yellow fetcher.”

He decided to go back to the Fighters Guild before all this talk gave him a more of headache.

[Elisabeth Hollow]

Oh my god! that was hilarious!!!!

I really like how you explained away the empty Guildhall. I had forgotten about that in your last update.

[haute ecole rider]

Hehe hehe

Loved how Ulfe found J'skar! I can just see her sticking her nose in the cat's -- well, privates! Not really pleasant for J'skar!

And what Jerric did with the book is just priceless! Especially the timing of it!

Good to see Jerric back in full form here.

[ghastley]

It didn't happen that way when I last went there! Maybe I should have taken a dog with me; Ulfe does seems to have made all the difference.

Of course Jerric would absorb the spell, but one hopes Darnard learned from the demonstration.

Darnand struck an agreeable tone. “Guild leadership is by nature a contradiction. We elevate administrators to our highest ranks while those most worthy of the titles wish most of all to be left alone to their work.”

- exactly my take, too. I liked Darnand's point that she'd crafted her spell to get the most practice benefit from the magicka use - it's always fun when the game mechanics get into the story line.

[SubRosa]

No doubt she would decant his potions just to count the lumps.
Ewww, he has lumps in his potions? Are they raisins? You like raisins...

I loved the mention of Ancotar. I never thought to make that leap of association before!

I mean, a lot of older women…
This is just what a lot of older women love to hear...

And Ulfe sniffed out J'skar's invisible crotch! Now that is a good pooch.

Oh, I love the backstory on necromancy in the MG chapter, and the news that Jeanne is the replacement for the previous corpseophile chapter head. The threats made by said corpseophile play nicely into later events in the MG questline.

“I’ll go break his arm. He’ll still have the other one to dispel it with.”
And today the part of Jerric will be played by Tony Soprano.

“Not the lads,”
Not Zeus and Apollo! Oh, too much Magnum P.I...

All in all, a hilarious romp through the disaster that is the Bruma Mages Guild hall.

[Acadian]

Yes, a delightful romp through the Bruma MG recommendation quest. Great fun!

‘Jeanne greeted him before the door closed. “Hel-looo, Associate!”
- - Your spelling captured Jeanne’s in-game greeting to perfection!

“Yeah, I was just checking. Listen, I didn’t mean what I said before to be about you, specifically. The bag of bones thing. I hope you’re not offended. You have just the right amount of meat on you. I mean, a lot of older women…”
Selena’s brows drew together.’
- - Eeep! Jerric! Put down the shovel and stop digging your hole deeper!

"Camilla Lollia is a powerful wizard. She made specific threats against this chapter."
Uh oh. I know what happens to the happily dysfunctional family of the Bruma guild hall and hope Camilla’s threats do not play out as they do in game.

“Volanaro,” Jerric said, “pranks are for your friends. Like insults. Otherwise they’re just bullying or asking for a fight. For example, if Darnand was to suggest that my mother was morally relaxed in her conduct with men, I might simply reply that his mother was of such size that she could employ a sheep as a sanitary aid. If you should venture such an opinion, you would find yourself choking on your nuts while I picked your teeth out of my elbow.”
- - This was both clever and spectacularly well-written. I can just imagine how much fun you must have had crafting this passage. Not only is it great advice, but it simply reeks ‘Jerric’ and shows that the Nord really has been paying attention to the fancy words used by Darnand.

[Colonel Mustard]

That was another good chapter, and its resolution was very nicely handled indeed; as Acadian said, Jerric's little passage was very well written. I got a lot of laughs throughout that, and there were some awesome lines in there; "Jerric replied with a manly whimper." had me rolling!

I really liked the hints towards the latter parts of the Mage's Guild quest when the necromancers become a problem, what with Camilla Lollia storming off in a huff, and I'd be very unsurprised if that came up again.

[King Coin]

Nice try Jerric, but I think you made it worse with the alchemist.

J’skar, foiled by a dog!

I like Darnand’s sarcasm. It’s fitting for him. He seems to have managed to dig up quite a bit of info. Threats on this hall?

All that effort and Jerric absorbed the spell! I would expect Volanaro to ring his neck!

Oh my gosh, that was the perfect way to pass off the manual!

[Darkness Eternal]

This was another fun and humorous chapter. Hilarious. When will cats realize they can't hide from dogs for too long? Ulfe must have smelled something weird. Maybe khajiit cooking down low? This one shudders at the thought.

Darnand is a smart cookie, and the necrodancers are a possible threat to the guildhall. Jerric's racism still amuses me. His comment about the nuts in the mouth had me laughing my rear off. Haha. Great chapter, Grits.

[Callidus Thorn]

AAHHHH!!!!



That's all there is? I could've sworn I had another page or two to go.

Bloody good stuff! There's too much awesomeness for me to cite specifics, so I'll just have to settle for repeating myself:

Bloody good stuff!

*Joins others waiting for more*

[McBadgere]

OOoh, I have missed me Jerric!... ...

Sorry it took so long to get here...The eyes aren't back to full strength yet... ...

Anyways...

Firstly...

“Not the lads,”
Not Zeus and Apollo! Oh, too much Magnum P.I...

...At least it wasn't just me... ...

Secondly...

My God I love this story...

I absolutely love the way you bring all of the game's details in and then twist it all into some massive pile of awesome hilarity and mega-story-awesomeness...

Yes, I'm addicted to the word awesome...I blame Supernatural, but then that's just me...

But yeah, all the characters and their scripts turned on their heads for the sake of expanding the story...

I love the details about the Necromancy in the guild...Still creeps me out that it's in there at all, but they didn't make it for me, did they?... ...Loved the quest to find the Khajiit in the game...Always fun...

Loved the Fighters Guild stuff too...The smith made me laugh..."Loredas..."... ...

As did this bit (amongst other...Um...Bits...)...

"Please make yourself comfortable on this side of the room. Selena will be your only roommate unless more traveling guild members arrive.”

“Are you expecting more visitors?”

Jeanne puffed out a breath. “No.”

...

Amazing writing...Glad to be back...*Smiles warmly*...

A long overdue Nice One!!!™...

and a huge and hearty round of Hearty Applauding™...

[Grits]

Previously: Jerric and Darnand are in Bruma seeking Mages Guild recommendations while searching for the Mythic Dawn Commentaries. Lildereth is with them pursuing her own concerns. Jerric earned his recommendation by making J’skar reappear (with some help from Ulfe). Darnand is earning his by doing inventory.


Elisabeth Hollow: Thanks! I’m sorry about the extra-slow pace. I keep forgetting things between updates, too!

haute ecole rider: Thank you, haute! It was fun to let Jerric do some pranking. A reminder of happier times.

ghastley: Thanks, ghastley! Jeanne was fun to figure out. She had to have some reasons behind her situation and behavior.

SubRosa: Thank you, SubRosa! The Bruma recommendation was fun to write for Jerric. A quest with no killing!

Acadian: Thank you, Acadian! Jerric’s speech to Volanaro was one of the first things I wrote for him years ago. It was like meeting an old friend to find that passage in my notes. To hear that it rang true to the Jerric you have come to know means so much. I love the smiley depiction of our friends at the Bruma Guild!

Colonel Mustard: Originally I had planned to have the Fighters Guild and the Mages Guild questlines play out during this story. Lol. I’ve learned some things since then! Thanks, Mustard!

King Coin: I think it’s safe to say that Selena will never be in Jerric’s fan club. Ulfe should get the recommendation! Thanks, KC!

Darkness Eternal: Thanks, DE! Good thing Ulfe is friendly and didn’t give J’skar a little nip down low.

Callidus Thorn: Thank you, Callidus! Sorry about the delay. It’s great to have you reading!

McBadgere: Thank you so much, McB! This was a fun one to write. So many ways for Jerric to screw it up, lol. And after another long delay… more parts!


Next: Jerric is due at the Fighters Guild for an evaluation with Right-Wind, the guild’s Blade trainer. The Bruma FG chapter head Asgerd is aware of Jerric’s status as agent of the Blades. She has promised him a contract and informed him that Jauffre expects a visit before he leaves the area.

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Chapter 17: Bruma, Part Six

Outside the Mages Guild Ulfe trotted away without a backward glance. Jerric wondered if she was on the scent of a Bosmer. The hound shared Lildereth’s habit of disappearing and then reappearing without explanation.

Jerric slowed his steps as he passed the brothel. The afternoon sun had already dropped behind the mountains, leaving the street in shade. The building’s ground floor lacked windows on the front, as did most of the others on this level of the city. Only one discreet sign and a number of guild banners served to advertise the business. He supposed that the wind must be enough to drive the indecisive indoors in the absence of shop-front temptations.

Inside the Fighters Guild Right-Wind stood on the training floor dressed in leather armor. “Get your shield,” he said to Jerric, tossing him a blunted practice sword. “And put on your plate, if you value your soft skin. Khah-khah-khah.”

Bumph came forward with some leather pads for him to wear over his torso and thighs. Jerric watched Right-Wind warm up while he put on the safety gear. The blade Right-Wind had chosen was close to Redeemer in length and balance. Jerric resolved to get a few more noises out of the lizard.

Right-Wind pushed Jerric hard from the start. Sweat soaked through his tunic within minutes. They had drawn a crowd by the time Jerric finally bashed Right-Wind into a stupor with his shield. He scanned the scarred mats while Kjestrid patted the lizard awake.

“I don’t think you lost any teeth,” Jerric said to him. It was all he could manage while catching his breath.

Right-Wind’s answer did not sound like words. When his eyes cleared, he continued in Cyrodilic. “We do not have anything more to teach them,” Right-Wind said. “Have they trained with Rhano? We have not sparred with them.”

Jerric’s own head felt fuzzy trying to sort through the dazed Argonian’s pronouns. He decided that the truth would serve best. “I trained under Master Daron in Kvatch,” he said. “Rhano trained with him, too, when he was a lad. You have a good eye.”

Right-Wind accepted Jerric’s arm up and kept the grip for a moment once on his feet. His eyes squinted and his mouth wrinkled up at the corners. “You could be faster.”

Bumph spoke up. “He moves well enough.” She shot a glance over Jerric’s shoulder where Asgerd leaned against the wall.

Jerric didn’t see the reply, but Bumph must have gotten her message across. Asgerd came forward and clapped Jerric on the shoulder. “You’d like a meal, I’d wager. Won’t be long now. Clean up this gear. Bumph will show you where to stow it.”

Jerric saw a number of his guild mates surrendering coins to the Khajiit as he followed Bumph to the basement. He guessed that only the cat had been willing to bet against Right-Wind. Jerric’s thigh began to complain as they went down the steps. By the time he reached his work station a number of pains had made themselves known.

“He’s fast,” Jerric said to Bumph. “I had to take more hits than I’d have liked.” The orc was a trainer in the use of heavy armor. There was no harm in fishing for some free advice.

“You’re a counter-striker,” Bumph said. “Even with your shield you’re going to take some punishment when you spar in practice gear.”

“And I usually soften them up on the way in with a little frost.”

Bumph snorted.

Jerric had to agree. The stars made him a mage, but his Nord blood wasn’t always in agreement. “When’s dinner?”

They found the tables loaded with food when they returned to the main level. Jerric took a seat at Kjestrid’s table between the Khajiit who had bet on him and a red-headed Nord woman.

“Kjellingsson,” he said to the group.

“Yeah, we figured that out,” said the redhead.

“That one is Rhea,” the Khajiit told Jerric, indicating the woman. “This one is Shamir-Do.”

Jerric glanced around as the others introduced themselves.

“Perius,” said a sandy-haired Imperial seated next to Kjestrid. He elbowed the man to his left. “This lump is Torellius. And here’s Gjaever.”

A red-faced Nord sat down with a crash, grunting in recognition of Jerric’s greeting. He began filling mugs from a gloriously large earthenware pitcher.

“Pleased to meet you,” Jerric said. He traded an empty tankard for a full one.

Rather than passing the serving dishes in the Gold Coast manner, the Bruma guild members reached into the center of the table and helped themselves from the enormous bowls of food. Jerric filled his plate with roasted potatoes and carrots, boiled cabbage and sausage, and a pile of mutton slices. He eyed the roasted dog, deciding he would henceforth pass on that kind of meat.

The local brew was a rich, foamy porter. Jerric drank deeply and let out an appreciative belch.

“Black as a Suthay’s birth night,” said Shamir-Do, lifting his tankard. The Khajiit seemed to have a Nord’s appreciation for the bitter beer.

From Shamir-Do’s impressive stature Jerric guessed he was a Cathay, but he didn’t know how to ask. The Khajiit wore a sleeveless vest over a short-sleeved tunic, and the fur on his thick arms showed sable rosettes against a tan base color. He wore his dark hair tied up in braids and beads. They call Cathy-raht ‘jaguar-men,’ Jerric thought. He wondered if that was because of their elaborate spots.

Shamir-Do’s fangs showed in a grin when he caught Jerric looking.

Or it could be the teeth. “Why’d you bet on me?” Jerric asked him. Right-Wind sat at the other table, so Jerric thought the Khajiit might speak freely.

“This one likes a longshot.”

Rhea turned and looked straight at Jerric. “Is that a wedding ring?” She nodded at his shield hand.

Habit made Jerric touch the gold band with his thumb. “No, it was a gift from my sister. Her idea of a jest.” His mind filled with the things he wasn’t supposed to say. Not telling her tale felt like a betrayal. His throat began to tighten. Dammit. Not now.

Rhea’s eyebrows went up. “So are you single?”

“Uh.” Jerric picked up his tankard then put it back down. Here the ground was even less certain. He felt his face flush. “It’s complicated.”

Gjaever reached across with the pitcher and filled Jerric’s cup without a word while Perius muttered to Rhea. Shamir-Do and Torellius leaned back for the show.

“Oh,” she exclaimed. “Oh. Then you’re the battlemage. Why aren’t you staying with—” Kjestrid’s elbow in her ribs shut Rhea up. Jerric feared the condition was temporary.

“Never mind, Rhea,” said Kjestrid. She turned a kind smile toward Jerric. “It’s been a long winter with few new folk in town. Enough to turn fighters into fishwives.”

“But,” said Rhea, then she yelped. Jerric hoped that someone had kicked her. He put his face into his tankard.

Chairs scraped the floor as Asgerd and Bumph stood up from a far table. Jerric’s dinner companions turned to listen to their chapter head.

“Good work out there today. Job done and no one died. Still, Jaan tells me some of you will be doing extra sprints. And one of you proved the strength of his metal.”

As Kjestrid flushed bright pink, Perius reached out and tousled her hair. Jerric recalled the dented helm. He guessed that surviving such a blow earned a fighter more practice drills than praise in this guild hall. He had to admit that ducking was usually better.

“Congratulations go to Torellius, our guild’s newest Swordsman.” Asgerd tossed the rank medal across to the grinning Imperial. He dropped the thong over his head and kissed the emblem before tucking it into his tunic.

“I have your assignments,” Asgerd continued. “Rhea and Perius, you’ll take the Applewatch run. Torellius, see me later. I have an offer for you, but it’s your call if you take it. They asked for you specifically. Kjestrid, Gjaever, Shamir-Do, and Kjellingsson, see me tonight in my office. Contracts will be posted as usual.” Jerric guessed that the last had been said for his benefit.

Talk resumed with the expected rude speculation over the special request for Torellius, but no grumbling. Jerric noted that not everyone had been assigned work. He guessed that Asgerd must have a fair system in place, or else folk aired their grievances in private. Either way was encouraging.

By the time Vito and Tonio hustled out to clear the tables most of the non-resident fighters had left. Kjestrid remained in her seat. Jerric leaned back and scratched his belly.

“Are you staying for a sweat?” Rhea asked Kjestrid. “I want to get in and out before the troops get here.”

“Not tonight. I’m going out with Skjorta.”

That got an eyeroll from Rhea, a snort from Shamir-Do, and Gjaever’s beard might have twitched.

Jerric gave Shamir-Do a questioning look.

The cat-man shook his beads. “Khajiit has not the words.”

“It’s an old Nord tradition,” Kjestrid told Jerric. Her tone was serious, but her laughing eyes made Jerric suspicious. “You really must try it. Go into the sweat lodge with a pitcher of ale. Then when you come back out, just do what comes naturally.”

Jerric imagined that she was not talking about a long piss against the side of a building, but he couldn’t come up with another idea. He decided to wait and see. “What troops?” he asked Rhea.

“Militia, reserve, and irregulars. They come here on rotation to train with the Bruma Guard. The castle makes their soup and the chapel helps with the healing. Asgerd knows who will be here when, if you care that much. They come in after dark, sleep on the floor, and leave before first light. So if you’re looking for someone you’ll have to be quick about it.”

“No,” said Jerric. “Just curious.” Overuse explained the guild’s state of grime. Asgerd hadn’t seemed like one who would run a shabby hall. The spacious and empty Mages Guild seemed pristine by comparison. “How many?”

“Up to a hundred fifty, give or take.” The flirty smile was gone from Rhea’s face, replaced with cold resolve. “Companies come from all over. Farmers mostly. Cattlemen, woodcutters, hunters…” Her eyes snapped to Jerric’s. “Do you serve in County Anvil?”

“Uh.” Jerric scratched a hand over his head, stalling. His mind was an empty roll of parchment.

Kjestrid spoke. “I heard you and your mage friend fought daedra with the Legion along the Gold Road.” While Jerric stared she cut her eyes at Rhea. “A lot of folk lost their lives around there. So I guess we should shut the fetch up about it.”

Gjaever broke the silence by rising majestically to his feet.

Kjestrid glanced up at him. “Yeah,” she said as if he had spoken out loud. “Let’s go talk to Asgerd.”