Old Habits Die Hard Part Six, some old habits never die Options

[Athynae]

I am on the edge of my seat and since I am at a loss having never played Oblivion then I am in even more suspense as to what comes next.

I am always captivated by Julian's descriptions and the vision of the stones created by your words is quite artistic.

I just love Sai, he has such personality and is quite the perceptive pooch.

Look forward to more, always

[McBadgere]

D'you know...I always find Martin slightly creepy in the game...Still creepy here too... ..

Brilliant, as ever...

Nice one... ...

[Destri Melarg]

Given what I remember of your posting schedule you can imagine my surprise to discover that I'm not ten-fifteen pages behind! Real life and the holidays notwithstanding, I am slowly but surely catching up.

[King Coin]

I’ve only read this most recent chapter, but I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read so far. I’ll have to go back a little and read about this most recent adventure. Looks like I arrived just in time though for the most tense quest (for me) in Oblivion!

###########

For a moment I saw a grinning skull in place of Martin’s familiar features, and tried to blink it away.
Wow, you brought Martin’s hinted dark past forward with your story.

It’s been so long since I’ve played the main quest in Oblivion that I totally forgot what the last part of the plan involves. SubRosa’s comment reminded me though. She’s going to love this.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Dec 12 2011, 06:12 AM

[Captain Hammer]

Knowing where we are, and knowing how much I've missed, I'm kicking myself for not having been as caught up as I would have liked.

But hey, I am caught up now, and wow, talk about some powerful stuff.

First, there's the new dog. Next, can Julian acquire, say, an eagle to ride on her gauntlet? I'm loving Sai, being a huge dog person myself (and highly allergic to cats, but that's not the cats' fault) and I hope to see him continue on the path to this.

But now we're back at Cloud Ruler Temple. And after that brief detour in Bruma (seriously, Cordelia, seriously?) it looks like she could use the break. However brief it will be.

[haute ecole rider]

I know it's been a while since I last posted. *Hangs head.* I haven't been keeping up with the writing as much as I would have liked. But now I'm back at it, and just finished this chapter today. I have the next one in the works, and am plotting out the following events.

I hope everyone will still enjoy Julian's narrative.

The story so far: Julian has just returned to Cloud Ruler Temple with the Great Welkynd Stone in hand and a charming Skyrim Husky in tow. She is anxious to learn what the fourth element to the ritual Martin is researching will be. But Jauffre seems reluctant to let her find out so soon on her return. First, food.

******************************
Chapter 29.8 Sai’s New Bone

“Welcome home!” Jena greeted me as she laid out the meal on the sideboard. “Caroline told me about Sai, so I’ve put something aside for him.”

“It’s gotten colder,” I remarked as she ladled thick beef stew into a sturdy clay bowl. Her smile flashed as she handed it to Martin first. “But that just makes the company warmer!” I finished as Jauffre took his turn at the pot.

Beside me, Sai whined as his nose twitched above the bone. Hesitant at first to follow me into what he must perceive to be a den of enemies, he now shouldered his way between the others’ legs to sit before the stew pot. His bone, still in his jaws, slowly began to gleam with dripping saliva.

Captain Steffan stepped past him to take his own generous serving from Jena. He plucked a chunk of tender, gravy-coated meat from his plate and tossed it casually to Sai. Surprised, Sai managed to catch it in mid-air, his bone thunking forgotten to the floor. As Steffan moved to take his seat next to Grandmaster Jauffre, Sai bounced to his feet and followed after the tall Imperial. Begging whines trailed after him as Jena laughed at his antics.

“Kick his bone under the buffet,” she said as she served up another generous helping, this time for me. “He can find it later, if he remembers it. Otherwise,” she reached behind her and pulled out a napkin-covered plate. “Give him this instead, or he’ll give the Captain no peace!” She leaned forward as I took the second dish. “And he won’t say no to that dog!”

I glanced at Jena. Behind me Belisarius guffawed. “Aye, that’s true!” He elbowed me. “Captain Steffan has a soft spot for dogs, just as he does for architecture. His Pa trained ‘em, you know.”

“No, I didn’t,” I shook my head in surprise. “But thanks for the plate,” I said to Jena, “and the information,” I muttered over my shoulder to Belisarius. His chuckles followed me to the tables.

Martin waved me to sit beside him. “Come, Julian, we all want to know about Sai.”

“Let the woman eat first, Sire!” Jauffre muttered around a mouthful of the savory stuff. Before Martin could respond, I took a mouthful of it.

Gods, this is as good as it smells! My hands stopped their unwrapping motions on the plate as the full richness of the stew’s gravies made itself apparent on my tongue. The mutton Sai and I had shared with the Kvatch contingent faded into distant memory as I savored the flavors.

A furtive movement from Steffan, seated opposite me, brought my attention back to the present as Sai noisily gulped down another morsel of the captain’s stew. I glared briefly at the tall Imperial, then leaned back slightly on the bench.

“Sai, come here.” The dog gave Steffan a final longing glance before trotting beneath the table to squeeze himself between Martin’s knees and mine. I looked at the plate Jena had provided me. Cuts of fresh beef, lightly cooked but still dripping with bloody juices, mingled with small pieces of cooked carrots and a sprinkling of cooked peas. Stew without the gravy. Even the dogs eat well here! A fresh bone, marrow still scarlet with blood, rested on the edge of the dish.

I slid the plate beneath the bench, out of the way of the other Blades still finding their way to their seats. I noticed that Martin didn’t sit so much apart from the Blades, though only Grandmaster Jauffre, Captain Steffan, and Baurus sat near him. After a few seconds, I felt Sai’s body flop against the backs of my calves as he began working on his plate.

Between bites of the savory stew, I told Martin and the others how I had encountered Sai. Jauffre nodded to himself as if confirming a private suspicion when I described healing Sai’s broken leg. Steffan’s gaze gleamed in approval when I mentioned sending Sai back to the camp before entering Miscarcand, but his chewing stopped and his eyes narrowed when I related his last-minute entry just as the door slab closed.

I tried to avoid describing too much of the horrors we found within Miscarcand, but Martin and Steffan gently pressed me to describe Sai’s behavior within the ruin. When I reached the point in the story where we had reached the Great Welkynd stone, I realized that they had avoided dwelling on my fear and terror, and focused instead on the Skyrim Husky mix now licking his chops contentedly beneath the bench. They’re debriefing me! And being so unobtrusive about it, too.

“And how does he get along with Blanco?” Martin asked. I shrugged.

“They seem to like each other well enough,” I answered. “They’ll even play together for a few moments here and there.” I smiled at the memory of Blanco’s head-tossing at Sai’s antics. “Though I suspect Blanco thinks Sai’s an air-headed idiot.”

Steffan spluttered into the back of his hand, his face turning congested. Jauffre slapped his back, mild concern in his face. Martin smiled when Sai crawled out from beneath the bench to sit next to Steffan, his eyes on the captain’s face.

Finally Steffan waved Jauffre’s solicitousness off and cleared his throat. “I’m sure Blanco has the right of it,” he whispered hoarsely. “But you have to admit the dog was useful in that ruin.”

“Yes, when he wasn’t getting in my way or that of the others!” I smiled to take the sting out of my words. “And I certainly got some restoration practice in!”

“And on the way home?” Martin asked. “Was he useful then as well?”

“As a companion, yes, Sire,” I admitted. “As a fighting dog, not so much. We met a couple of bandits outside of Skingrad . . .” my voice trailed off as I thought of Enar Baro and Dalia.

“And was Sai helpful then?” Steffan polished the last of the gravy off his plate with a chunk of bread. I shook my head and shrugged.

“As a fighting companion? No, sir. Blanco actually did more in that sense. But Sai was the reason they didn’t press their attack,” I saw the puzzlement in my friends’ gazes. “They knew his former master, and recognized him. If not for that, I’m certain I would have had to kill them to save myself.”

Jauffre’s face grew somber. “They were that desperate?”

“They had been fighting Daedra from a Gate that opened near their camp, sir,” I recalled Enar’s despair. “Those two were the last ones surviving of that band, and they had nothing left.”

“What happened then?” Martin’s gaze was lowered to his wine goblet.

“I offered them a reference for work at Kvatch, Sire,” I glanced in surprise at my empty plate. After a sip of the steaming klah, I continued, “It would be a chance at a new life for them, a chance to start over.”

“Wouldn’t they just continue their bandit ways?” Jauffre’s skeptical tone stirred doubt in my heart.

“I just couldn’t think of them as bloodthirsty criminals, sir,” I said finally. “They felt more like folks who had lost everything and turned to banditry just to survive.”

“Talos knows there’s been plenty of that for some time,” Jauffre commented as he pushed his plate away. He nodded apologetically to Martin. “Not to criticize your father, he did his best, but . . .”

“As long as certain members of the Elder Council keep placing their cronies in county seats with the intent of growing rich off of poor people’s hard work,” Martin shrugged, “how could my father stop that?” He shook his head. “The Emperor cannot arbitrarily remove members from the Council.”

I thought of Count Terentius of Bravil. “It seems to me that the Legion recognizes the -“ I paused to consider my next words, “- questionable activities of one or a few Counts and are wrestling with their options, if they have any.”

Jauffre’s brows rose toward his nonexistent hairline. “Really?” He shot a glance at Martin, who avoided his gaze. “That’s news to me.”

I could not resist. “Ah, you have agents in every town but not in the Legion, sir?” Martin chuckled at the Grandmaster’s chagrin and met my eyes.

“I see you have found our Grandmaster’s sole weakness,” he remarked with a wry smile. “But it would be good to have a liaison between the Blades and the Legion.”

“If there are good men in the Legion,” Jauffre grumbled into his cup of klah.

“I don’t know for certain, sir,” I spoke slowly, “but it seemed to me that Phillida is one such man. I am certain that Inspector General Camillus is so.”

“I shall trust your judgment then, Julian,” Martin’s tone took on a decided air. “And that’s that, Grandmaster.”

I blinked. What just happened? Have they been having a dispute? So whom did I help?

“Aye,” Jauffre showed no resentment. “That’s that. But it’s for the future. Right now we have to finish this Crisis.” His gaze sharpened on me when I drew breath to ask. “But first, you need to sleep! You look as if you’ve been on forced march for two weeks!”

“I feel like it, too, sir.” My eyelids suddenly felt heavy as the events of the past few days finally caught up to me. “If it’s acceptable to you, Sire,” I turned my gaze to Martin, “I’ll check up on Blanco, then turn in for the night.”

[Grits]

Hooray, Julian returns!! Haute, you have been missed. I’m so glad that you’re writing this story again!

Steffan and Sai’s antics were a delight. Sai didn’t need to find an easy mark at the table, Steffan stepped up and identified himself!

Martin and Steffan’s gentle debriefing was worthy of Julian herself, no wonder she saw through their methods.

“Aye,” Jauffre showed no resentment. “That’s that. But it’s for the future. Right now we have to finish this Crisis.” His gaze sharpened on me when I drew breath to ask. “But first, you need to sleep! You look as if you’ve been on forced march for two weeks!”

And Jauffre dodges the question. What a warm and wonderful return to CRT. It made me want to turn the air conditioning down to “Bruma” and cook some stew.

[Olen]

Welcome back Haute! Good to see this continued

Your animals continue to have as much character as the humans with Sai being delightful in this part. And a good meal, for everyone. Stew sounds rather appealing right now.

A gentle debreif, food and rest - sounds like Julian has exactly what she needs before the next phase of the crisis.

[ghastley]

That's what was missing around here - food and animal companionship. And we get both in the same installment.

A minor style criticism: “Captain Steffan has a soft spot for dogs, just as he does for architecture. His Pa trained ‘em, you know.” leaves me thinking his Pa trained architecture.

[SubRosa]

Yay! Julian is back! and she's hanging out with the other Blades at good old Cathode Ray Tube again.

Captain Steffan has a soft spot for dogs
Does he like them barbecued? Flambe? In a cream sauce?

I'll have some of that juicy beef stew as well. Everyone eats well in your stories h.e.r.!

Such a brilliant way that Jauffre and Martin debriefed Julian as well. I think I would prefer it that way to sitting in a dingy room with an intelligence officer who wrote down everything you could remember happening.

As long as certain members of the Elder Council keep placing their cronies in county seats with the intent of growing rich off of poor people’s hard work,
Ah ha! Methinks Martin has put his finger upon one of the evils that has beset Cyrodiil for some time now.

“But it would be good to have a liaison between the Blades and the Legion.”
I cannot think of anyone who would be suited to that role...

[McBadgere]

YAY!!... ...

Food, The Blades and cute puppy dogs...What more could a chap want?... ...Awwww, is so cuuute!!... ...

Loved the whole thing...

The dining ambiance was brilliantly done...The discussion over eating was brilliant...And all the time, the dog...The wonderful dog...Awwww, *tickles behind the ears*...Oh...Sorry...

Aaaamywho...

Brilliant return...Well done...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Acadian]

Welcome back! I’m so pleased to see you continuing Julian’s adventure. No doubt you knew I would be starving by now, and the beef stew with bread was divine!

I see Captain Steffan has won Sai’s heart. Perhaps if he similarly offered a few savory morsels of stew to Julian. . . well, who knows? Seriously though, Steffan’s obvious affection for dogs speaks highly of him.

A good review of recent events, including the bandit run in and Sai’s background. Even a nice mention of the White Witch Horse.

Like SubRosa, I enjoyed the observation that Julian would indeed make a fine liaison between Legion and Blades! And as Grits said, what a warm and wonderful return to CRT.

[Athynae]

Haute is BACK!!! YAY!!! I missed Julian...sniff.

I really liked her return to CRT, it was as wonderful as opening the forum and seeing that H.E.R. had returned to Chorrol

This was a wonderful write, I liked the way Sai was treated by Steffan, makes me like him more too. This was a nice way to return for her, even the debrief wasn't bad for her. I am really looking forward to seeing where she goes from here and what happens with Martin and the gang.

Welcome back Haute, you were missed very much.

[haute ecole rider]

@Grits: Thanks for the warm welcome back for both me and Julian! We appreciate it! I've always felt that dogs make better judges of human character, and have always relied on dogs (and cats) when it comes to assessing a stranger. I wouldn't date a man my cat didn't like! As my current cat is so darned picky, I'm good! Julian suggests that I send you my recipe for my beef stew (the best darned one evah!).

@Olen: Thanks for your ongoing endorsement of my use of the animals as characters. After years of working as a veterinarian, I have seen way too many different personalities in animals! I don't even bother keeping them out of my stories. It's true what they say - never act with children and animals - they steal all the limelight!

@ghastley: I'll try to keep up the food and animal companionship factor around here! As for your criticism, I considered editing it, but decided to leave it as is since it is dialogue, not narrative.

@SubRosa: I had to laugh at your sly reference to Julian's former debriefing style! As for the liaison, I can't think of anyone that would fill that role either!

@McBadgere: Both Presley (the real life dog next door) and Sai have a knack for bringing a smile to my face whenever I see (or write) about them. I'm glad to see they have the same effect on you!

@Acadian: Indeed, I wonder if Steffan had shared his beef stew with Julian? I imagine he figured a better way to her heart is through her animal companions such as Sai and Blanco. This chapter has served to refresh my own memory as much as it has to re-introduce Julian to the forum. I'm so sorry to leave you starving in the cold for so long :-(

@Athynae: I'm still kicking Julian for not paying attention to how much Sai cottoned onto Steffan already! But she'll notice - eventually - and accept the inevitable - even more eventually! Thanks very much for the welcome back.

There are a few more stories on this forum that I want to catch up on, so my posting frequency may be erratic at best. I am still enrolled in the MBA course and working part-time at the Apple Store (and having tooooooo much fun)! Hopefully I'll get my new MacBook Pro soon so I can start writing more once again. But I continue to plug on.

The story so far: Julian has come home and filled her (and Sai's) belly with the excellent CRT fare. She is anxious to learn what is next in store for her, but Martin and Jauffre insist she eat and rest first.

*************************
Chapter 29.9 The Fourth Element

As I finished the Way of the Crane beneath a grey overcast, Captain Steffan stepped out onto the portico. A dark blue wool cap covered his close-cropped hair, and his helm gleamed from beneath his left arm as he surveyed the courtyard below. Sai bounded to his feet where he had been reclining out of my way and waved his tail gaily as he trotted up to the tall officer. The Captain’s blue eyes flashed in my direction, and he nodded a greeting at me before he bent down to ruffle Sai’s ears with his free hand. His breath misted in the cold air as he murmured something to the dog.

Something twinged uncomfortably beneath my breastbone when Steffan chuckled at Sai’s rambunctious reception of his greeting. What is that? I’m jealous of a dog? I shook my head. Never mind, Julian, I reminded myself. He’s just my commanding officer, nothing more. He certainly doesn’t have Sai under his command! Of course he can be informal with the dog!

Captain Steffan slid his helm on over his wool cap and buckled it beneath his chin before striding along the portico to where I stood next to the roaring brazier. “Good morning, Julian,” he greeted me, his teeth gleaming within the shadows of the enameled metal. “Are you caught up on your sleep yet?”

“Yes, sir, thank you.” I nodded. “It was good to sleep among comrades again!”

The Captain’s brows disappeared beneath the visor. “And the mages at the Skingrad chapter house don’t count as comrades?”

I drew an indignant breath before I caught the humorous sparkle in those impossibly azure eyes. A chuckle escaped my lips as I shook my head. “Skingrad? That place is full of dilettantes!” I reached down for Sai’s ears, for he had returned to my side now that I was done with my morning exercises. “But the mages of Bravil, or Anvil, I do consider to be my friends, perhaps even my comrades.”

“They’re a bit more like the Legion?” Steffan asked as I reached for my brown cloak hanging near the brazier. I wrapped it around my body before I met the Captain’s gaze.

“A bit,” I shrugged. “I’m still comparing civilians to the Legion, I suppose.”

“You’ve spent half your life among soldiers,” Steffan reminded me. “It’s difficult not to compare others to those you’ve lived with, fought with, and lost in combat. That’s probably why you fit in so well among us Blades.” His eyes grew dark. “We’re glad to have you among us in these dark days. May we all live to see the Dragonfires lit again.”

Stunned by the sudden turn in the conversation, I could think of nothing to say. Steffan turned back to the courtyard with a deep breath. “You’d better speak to the Emperor after you’ve had breakfast.” He slid a sidelong glance at me. “Wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.” Before I could respond, he stepped down to the courtyard to begin his rounds.

************************
As the Captain had indicated, Martin was waiting for me when I entered the Hall of Blades, my belly full with yet another of Cloud Ruler’s memorable meals. Sai paced alongside me as I approached the study table. With a smile and a wave, Martin indicated the bench opposite him, setting a pile of books aside so we could see each other.

“Are you ready for the next stage, Julian?” he asked when I had settled on the hard seat, his hazel eyes somber. I took a deep breath and nodded. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. “I’ve had time to consider what I’ve asked of you so far,” he said quietly, his gaze on the pages of the open book between us. “Find the Amulet of Kings. Locate a Daedric artifact. Fetch Tiber Septim’s armor and put his Blades to eternal rest. Face your terrors in the depths of Miscarcand.” His hazel eyes locked with mine. “Did you imagine I wouldn’t suspect your fear of goblins?”

I swallowed some spit back into my mouth. “I never told anyone, Sire —“

“No, you didn’t,” he shook his head. “But I know of your experience with goblin hunting in the Legion, and I know of your last combat assignment. I suspect you joined the Legion so you could hunt down the goblins that killed your family.” He held up a hand to stop my response. “Don’t say a word, Julian. Your motives were understandable.”

I couldn’t help but hang my head. “It was more than just that, Sire,” I whispered, smarting again at the thought of Jared’s betrayal. “But yes, I took advantage of every opportunity to hunt goblins because of my family.” Seated on the floor beside me, Sai looked up into my face and pawed my thigh anxiously. I smiled at him and ruffled his ears reassuringly.

Martin waited as I lifted my gaze back to him. “Remember when we spoke of the elements you needed for the ritual, Sire?” His brows lifted slightly at my question.

“Yes, I do, Julian,” he answered slowly.

“So far we have three,” I nodded at the arcane circle beyond Martin. “The Blood of a Daedra, the Blood of a Divine, and the Great Welkynd Stone. What is the fourth one, Sire?”

Martin’s eyes grew somber and he leaned back slightly. “Rituals such as these rely on balance,” his voice took on a quiet tone of a lecture. “In order to alter the fabric of Mundus, as this ritual is meant to do, a balance between the forces of the Aedra and the forces of the Daedra is required. Mundus is the result of this equilibrium, and to create a new world in its place requires maintaining that balance.”

He paused, his hazel gaze steady on mine. My mind considered his words. “The blood of a Daedra is balanced by the blood of a Divine. But what is the counterpart to the Great Welkynd Stone?” It suddenly became clear to me when Martin lowered his eyes to the open volume in front of him. No. No more Gates. I’m through with them. Again Sai, as attuned to my emotions as ever, pawed my leg gently with a soft whine.

I rose to my feet and moved to the chalk outline on the floor before the great hearth. I recognized a symbol of a staff, and a pictograph of the emblem inlaid into Tiber Septim’s armor drawn into the design opposite each other. The Great Welkynd Stone’s place was marked by one of the smaller Welkynd stones halfway between the other two. The artifacts themselves must be held someplace safe for the time being.

Martin didn’t speak as he watched me trace the design with my strides. But if I don’t do it, who will? Who knows the Deadlands as well as I do? “I take it it’s not just any sigil stone you seek, Sire,” I said finally, turning to face him. I noticed that Sai had followed me only as far as the outer edge of the arcane circle. My gaze moved from his blue eyes to Martin’s hazel ones.

“No, Julian, it’s not just any stone,” he shook his head sadly. “Else I would have asked you to provide one of the several you’ve recovered over the past several months.”

My thoughts returned to Kvatch, to the immense Gate I had confronted there, and the aliveness of the stone I had recovered. “You seek the sigil stone from a Great Gate,” I said finally.

“And the Mythic Dawn continues seeking to open one such Gate before Bruma,” Martin added. With a sigh, he pushed himself away from the table and moved to stand beside me. Together we faced the empty gap in the edge of the circle, the gap that awaited the Great Sigil Stone.

That now-familiar coiling in my belly gave me the courage to say the words. “And we let them open that Great Gate?” Silently Martin nodded.

Again only the fire spoke into the quiet Hall of Blades. I lifted my gaze from the chalked lines to the rows of ancient katanas shimmering among the rafters above us. Captain Renault. Glenroy. They gave their lives willingly for Emperor Uriel. Beside their blades hung three more, two of them gleaming with their own enchantments. Rielus. Casnar. Alain. I touched the weapon hanging at my left hip. Valdemar. They never hesitated when they were sent to Sancre Tor. I can’t let them down. I can’t let Martin down. I can’t let his father down.

Martin turned to face me. “I can’t ask you to go into one more Gate, Julian,” he said. “Let alone a Great Gate. Time will be short once it opens - we can not let that siege engine through.” He took a deep breath. “But I can’t think of who is better suited . . .”

“I’ll do it.” The words stepped decisively out of my mouth, much as similar ones had on the mesa before Kvatch. Unlike Matius’s skepticism which reflected mine before my first Oblivion Gate, this declaration met only relief from Martin. I shook off the memory and focused on my Emperor. “Not because I want to, not because I’m some Hero, but because it has to be done, Sire.”

Martin nodded. “And it has to succeed. I hate to say it, Julian, but you’re our best chance of that success.”

[SubRosa]

I see that Sai has definitely warmed up to Cap Steffan. It seems that a hearty dinner went a long way to making him feel comfortable around all the soldiers. I really loved Julian's little twinge of jealousy over the way Sai got more up close and personal attention than she does from the Captain. Very real, and a wonderful little way to remind us readers who has caught Julian's heart.

“And the mages at the Skingrad chapter house don’t count as comrades?”
Only if you are a Swinger!

“Not because I want to, not because I’m some Hero,
Hey, that's Teresa who is not a hero!

And now we come down to it. I love how you gradually led up to the revelation of what the fourth item Martin needed was, walking us up to it as Julian put the pieces together for herself. I also thought her rumination over the deaths of Renault, Glenroy, and of course the Fab Four from Sancre Tor was well done. It crystallizes Julian's motivations so clearly.

So now it is time to roll the hard six. I always loved this part of the main quest, for the very idea. Encourage your enemy to deploy its greatest weapon, so that you can use it against them.

[Acadian]

‘What is that? I’m jealous of a dog?’
‘…before I caught the humorous sparkle in those impossibly azure eyes.’
Nope. Julian’s not smitten. Nosiree. Not one bit.

‘my belly full with yet another of Cloud Ruler’s memorable meals.’
You always provide the best chow!

“Find the Amulet of Kings. Locate a Daedric artifact. Fetch Tiber Septim’s armor and put his Blades to eternal rest. Face your terrors in the depths of Miscarcand.” His hazel eyes locked with mine. “Did you imagine I wouldn’t suspect your fear of goblins?”
“So far we have three,” I nodded at the arcane circle beyond Martin. “The Blood of a Daedra, the Blood of a Divine, and the Great Welkynd Stone. What is the fourth one, Sire?”
These two quotes above, along with reference to the Hall of Blades, serve as a wonderfully natural continuation of your review to remind us of where Julian has been and why.

I love the way you used Martin’s words of balance to let Julian work her way to the horrifying discovery of what fourth element is required. I could feel her emotion and weariness as she thought: No. No more gates. Then she reaches a powerful decision – the only one our Julian could make: “I’ll do it.”

I’m fired up. Ready to howl at the moons and kick some Daedra butt!

[ghastley]

I'm still trying to work out whether No more Gates is a complaint or a hope. Or just the slogan for the anti-Dawn movement.

Everybody chant now!

No more Gates! No more Gates! ...

We need to get everyone on board, so it's easier to collect Allies.

[McBadgere]

Absolutely amazing stuff...Loving the way you bring Cloud Ruler to life...

I just wish that Bethesda had made the place seem more of a Bastion than the tiny place it is in game...

Aaamywho...Brilliantly done, brilliant writing...

This bit...

Again only the fire spoke into the quiet Hall of Blades. I lifted my gaze from the chalked lines to the rows of ancient katanas shimmering among the rafters above us. Captain Renault. Glenroy. They gave their lives willingly for Emperor Uriel. Beside their blades hung three more, two of them gleaming with their own enchantments. Rielus. Casnar. Alain. I touched the weapon hanging at my left hip. Valdemar. They never hesitated when they were sent to Sancre Tor. I can’t let them down. I can’t let Martin down. I can’t let his father down.

Was shiver-inducingly brilliant...So well done that...Loved it...

More please...Whenever you can... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Grits]

Beef stew recipe, oh yes, please! Julian has the best ideas.

The Captain’s brows disappeared beneath the visor. “And the mages at the Skingrad chapter house don’t count as comrades?”

Nice to see Captain Steffan’s sense of humor!

Steffan turned back to the courtyard with a deep breath. “You’d better speak to the Emperor after you’ve had breakfast.” He slid a sidelong glance at me. “Wouldn’t want to keep him waiting.” Before I could respond, he stepped down to the courtyard to begin his rounds.

Ha! If Julian is jealous of her dog, I hope she knows that Steffan is jealous of the Emperor!

I love that Julian was a partner in the Great Gate discussion, rather than just being told what to do.

I lifted my gaze from the chalked lines to the rows of ancient katanas shimmering among the rafters above us. Captain Renault. Glenroy. They gave their lives willingly for Emperor Uriel. Beside their blades hung three more, two of them gleaming with their own enchantments. Rielus. Casnar. Alain. I touched the weapon hanging at my left hip. Valdemar. They never hesitated when they were sent to Sancre Tor. I can’t let them down. I can’t let Martin down. I can’t let his father down.

As McB said, this part made me shiver. Possibly my favorite moment in the story so far. After the discussion of the Legion, comrades, and mages, Julian counts herself among the Blades.

[haute ecole rider]

@SubRosa: I too thought it was funny that Julian felt a twinge of jealousy over the dog! Of course, she didn't! I always felt this part of the game fell short of my expectations, considering the buildup to it. I thought long and hard about how I am going to write this part of the MQ - nearly five months! I'm glad that you are liking this segue into the Bruma Defense quest.

@Acadian: Thanks for your endorsement of how Julian figures out the fourth element. I always felt the way the quest was written is fine for some knuckleheaded berserker but not for the sharp mind that is our white-haired primus pilus.

@ghastley: Your idea of a rallying cry brought a big grin to this Mac-lover's face. It brought me back to the days when Microsoft was the Great Evil Empire and the few and the proud Mac users were the last of the Jedi. Umm, no, wrong story. Forget it.

@McB: That passage you quoted is actually one of my favorites, since it is part of an ongoing homage to one of my favorite fan fics out there. I hope you're reading this Destri! I thought it particularly fitting that she is carrying Valdemar's katana, though we now know it as her enchanted Akatosh's Touch. And I wanted to point out that now we have come full circle from Emperor Uriel to Emperor Martin, though he is not yet confirmed. But in the minds and hearts of Julian and the Blades, there is no other Emperor.

@Grits: I'm delighted that you picked up on that little undercurrent in Steffan's comment of the Emperor. We'll see just how right you are - eventually! Oh, and I will PM you that recipe! Enjoy!


The story so far: Julian has just learned to her dismay that the fourth element needed for the ritual to recover the Amulet of Kings is a Great Sigil Stone - the counterpart to the Great Welkynd Stone. Why couldn't it all be as easy as getting the Wabbajack?

**********************
Chapter 30.1 The Countess of Bruma

“Thank you, Julian, for coming with me,” Grandmaster Jauffre turned to me when we paused outside the entrance to the County Hall. “You now have more experience speaking to Counts and Countesses than I have.” The twinkle in his blue gaze contrasted with the grim set of his weathered features.

“I doubt that, sir,” I answered out of the side of my mouth as the doors opened before us. “You have - ahem - years on me, Grandmaster.”

Jauffre chuckled silently as we entered the sooty interior. “Yet you’ve managed to accomplish more in the past few months than I have in my entire career.”

Beside me Sai paced alertly along the worn carpet. I lowered my hands to his ears in a gesture of reassurance, but he didn’t seem to pay mind. “I hope the Countess doesn’t mind a dog coming to this audience,” I remarked, thinking of the woman seated on the county throne at Leyawiin. Now that one would be offended!

“You’ll find Narina Carvain to be sensible, practical, and very, very tough,” Jauffre shot a glance past me at my companion. “She has more important things on her mind.”

“Like how to feed all these reinforcements?” I suggested. Jauffre’s response was a noncommittal grunt.

A Nord man, oozing dignity from every pore, approached us. “Good morning, Grandmaster Jauffre.” His calm gaze flickered over me and my companion. “Welcome, Julian of Anvil,” he greeted me. “Countess Carvain will be happy to finally meet you.”

“The Countess may not be so happy after she hears what we have to say, Tolgan,” Jauffre responded. “This may best be done in private.”

“Very well,” the steward bowed to us. “Wait here, then.” He turned and faded into the shadows lining the audience chamber. Jauffre turned to me, his face even more aged than ever.

“It will be difficult to convince the Countess of the Emperor’s plan, Julian,” he said quietly.

“It was difficult to convince you, Grandmaster,” I reminded him. “What made you see the necessity of Bruma’s risk?”

“The fact that I could see no other way,” Jauffre growled. “But that doesn’t mean the Countess won’t try to think of an alternative.”

“You understand that we don’t have much time,” I turned my gaze down to Sai. He watched the movements in the shadows alertly, without alarm. “That’s what we need to make the Countess understand. Bruma, and the Empire, can’t hold on forever.”

Jauffre considered me silently for several moments. “I have a bad feeling about you, Julian,” he said finally.

Alarmed, I met his gaze. “What?”

“The Blades are going to lose you,” his tone turned quiet. “You’re so much more than any of us could ever be.”

Relieved, I shook my head. “I have no intention of leaving the Blades under my own volition.” I smiled in a weak attempt to lighten the grim mood. “After all, it’s like being home again.”

“When you think of the Legion as home,” Jauffre countered. “But that’s the easy way out. And that is not your style. Yes, you’ve been invaluable to us. But I think our new Emperor will soon ask more of you than a Blade - even an agent - can provide.” He turned his face away from me. “You can not stay in the Blades forever. You must not.”

I struggled to keep my feet against the sudden wave of dread that swept through me. “Are you going to kick me out of the Blades, Grandmaster?” I whispered.

“The way the Legion kicked you out when you lost your leg?” Jauffre’s scoffing response did little to ease my tension. “No, we’ll not discard you like that,” he shook his head firmly. “The decision to leave the Blades will not lie with me, or with Captain Steffan or Dragonguard Baurus. No, that decision will be entirely yours, Julian.”

“Then you’re stuck with me until I die,” my tone remained shaken. “I’m making no such decision.”

The smile didn’t quite reach Jauffre’s gaze. “There will come a time when you will agree, Julian,” his tone held a soft implacability. “At that time, Talos willing I’m still alive to see it, I will tell you ‘I told you so.’”

“As much as I admire and respect you, Grandmaster,” I shook my head. “But I have to assure you that you’ll never get such a chance.”

Again Jauffre’s smile flickered over his worn features. “We’ll see,” he murmured.

Tolgan reappeared from the shadows and paused a respectful distance away. “The Countess will see you now, sir, ma’am.” He bowed to us. “If you will follow me.”

He led us, not to the high dais at the head of the audience chamber where the throne rested, but to the southern side of the room. We passed into a small room lit by braziers. The air was not as stuffy as would be expected, and I glanced up to see the smoke disappearing through a round hole in the peak of the vaulted ceiling. Ventilation system. Not adequate enough for the County Hall, but perfectly suitable for smaller rooms.

Tolgan led us to a pair of chairs seated side by side before the small hearth. Another, slightly more ornate chair occupied the spot directly opposite the round yellow rug emblazoned with the brown Jerall falcon. “Would you like refreshments? Klah? Wine?”

I followed Jauffre’s lead and refused the offer. Before I sat down, I directed Sai to lie down beside the chairs. At the stay signal, he dropped his head to his paws. Captain Steffan is right - he is quick to learn. Maybe there is hope yet for this one!

Just as we had settled our katanas and our behinds in the two chairs, a woman entered the room. Clad in a shimmering waterfall of blue silks highlighted by sunlit gold trim, her bearing left no doubt in my mind that this was the Countess Bruma.

As Narina Carvain approached the third chair, she shook her head at our efforts to rise. “No, please remain at ease, Grandmaster,” she seated herself gracefully. Her gaze flickered over the prone form of Sai at my side. While she settled into the high back of her chair, the Countess glanced at me. “As always, I am grateful for your advice and help, Grandmaster. And now you bring me someone I’ve always wanted to meet.”

Jauffre glanced tacit permission at me to speak first. I inclined my head and shoulders in the Countess’s direction. “I am honored to meet you, Countess Carvain,” I murmured. “I do wish we could meet under happier circumstances.”

“As do I,” Countess Carvain’s voice maintained its cool friendliness. “These are difficult times, indeed. However I greatly appreciate the efforts you have undertaken to bring so many reinforcements to Bruma.”

“You have very capable guardsmen, madame,” I matched her tone. “Yet there are only so many of them.”

“And I understand the reinforcements are only to buy time,” Carvain inclined her head in graceful agreement. She turned to Jauffre. “So, Grandmaster, what news do you bring me from Cloud Ruler Temple?”

“A son of Emperor Uriel yet lives, madame,” Jauffre spoke directly. “And he is at Cloud Ruler Temple, under the protection of the Blades.”

“A son?” Carvain’s elegantly arched brows rose above wide brown eyes. “But all three -” Her voice trailed off as her thoughts caught up to her mouth. “Ah, this one is not one of Empress Varian’s get?” She took our silence as an affirmative and nodded to herself. “Yes,” she whispered softly, “he would seek solace elsewhere, being married to that harridan!” I glanced at Jauffre, who kept his face impassive.

Carvain returned to the present with her cool briskness. “That is good news, then,” she met Jauffre’s gaze. “Then he will be able to relight the Dragonfires and end this nightmare for all of Cyrodiil?”

“There is one thing he must do before then, madame,” Jauffre answered. He gestured toward me. “In addition to gathering reinforcements for you, Julian of Anvil has also been assisting Emperor Uriel’s son in his studies concerning the origins of this crisis. There is one more thing she must obtain for him.” He stopped, his jaw clenching.

Carvain regarded him for a moment, then turned her calm gaze to me. “And what is it, may I ask?”

I took a deep breath. “A Great Sigil Stone, madame,” I answered. “It holds open a Great Oblivion Gate.”

Silence, broken only by the fire in the hearth and braziers, flowed downward against the updrafted smoke. The Countess turned her gaze to the fireplace. For several breaths we waited as she considered the implications of my statement. Finally she drew a slightly shaky breath and turned back to me.

“Am I correct in thinking that this Great Oblivion Gate you speak of is the same as the one that destroyed the city of Kvatch?”

I swallowed first. “That is correct, madame.”

Another shaky breath was the only betrayal of the dismay the Countess must be feeling at this moment. “And we must allow such a Gate to open before Bruma?”

“Madame,” Jauffre’s quiet tone held a crispness that eased the tension only a bit. “Three lesser Gates must be open to allow a Great Gate to appear.”

“My men and Julian’s reinforcements have been closing those Gates as quickly as they appear,” Carvain nodded. Her face paled. “We must allow three of them to open simultaneously?”

“Yes, madame,” Jauffre answered. “Once the Great Gate is open, those three will close. That is what happened at Kvatch.”

“Total destruction is what happened at Kvatch!” Carvain protested. “Are you seeking such a fate for Bruma?”

“No, we seek salvation for Bruma, and for all of Nirn, madame,” I spoke into the silence that followed. “The irony of this is that such salvation comes at a very high price. It is a risky venture indeed.”

“And who shall go into this - this Great Gate and fetch this Great Sigil Stone?” Carvain’s gaze moved from Jauffre to me.

“This may well be the Gate that kills me,” my voice somehow remained steady. “I am the one who will go in there and recover it. I am sworn to do it.”

Carvain rose and moved to the hearth, lifting her hands to the mantel. Her knuckles whitened as she studied the flames at her feet. “Is there no other way?”

“We can continue as we are, madame,” Jauffre’s tone held conviction. “But frankly, this is a war of attrition. The victor will be the side with the greater resources. We all know that Mehrunes Dagon will win any such war, for his resources far exceed ours.” He paused as Carvain lowered her right hand and looked at us over her shoulder. “We have to change the course of the war - we need to go on the offensive.”

“Madame,” I added when she did not respond, “the man I’m sworn to, Martin Septim, is knowledgable about Daedric magic. I’m just a fighting soldier. If he tells me there is no other way, I have no doubt that he is right.”

“But to risk Bruma like this -” her voice trailed off.

“If the risk pays off, madame,” I answered, “we will be on the road to victory.”

Carvain turned back to the fire. After a moment, her spine straightened. “Very well,” her tone held a sense of finality. “I will place my men under your command, Grandmaster Jauffre.” She turned back to us. “And may Talos go with you, Julian of Anvil. What you seek to do will not be easy.”

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: May 12 2012, 09:35 PM