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

[SubRosa]

It took me a while to find this buried in the subforum! But it is nice to have all of the OHDH topics together.

Emperor Elect Martin shows his chops with his very accurate assessment of the situation. The Temple of the One is indeed the key to everything, as he is himself. Without putting the two together, all is lost. Time for the Army of Light to throw down one last time...

Martin Septim’s frost magic held its own potency, turning armor brittle and less resilient to other magical attacks.
This was a clever thought. Frost is really the red-haired stepchild of the three destruction elements in Oblivion. In Skyrim they changed it to add a slow effect as well, which really helps make it more useful.

And quite a frantic throwdown it is! It looked like in spite of all the opposition, the heroes were going to grind their way to the temple. Until Dagon himself turned up.

[haute ecole rider]

Ahh, summer. I've noticed it's been relatively quiet here the past week.

@Acadian: Of all the Counts and Countesses (and Matius doesn't - umm - 'count' since he isn't a Count ), I can see only Skingrad taking action. And it's because of a comment he makes to the PC when asked to send aid to Bruma - he says something about Dagon likes his "kind" even less than mortals. They make poor slaves. I figure it's this spirit of independence and a strong sense of obligation that drives Hassildor out there. After all, he can't be Count for as long as he apparently has without raising a few eyebrows at the Council. We know that Traven and the Council of Mages know the truth about Hassildor's longevity; and I'm sure Ocato has suspected something too.

@ghastley: You're right, Baurus's failure in keeping the old Emperor alive informs every action, every decision, every fork in the decision tree he makes regarding the new Emperor's safety. And he is well aware of Julian's tendency to rescue cats, which threatened the main mission of the Dragonguard. I'm glad both you and Acadian picked up on that little interaction.

@Grits: I wanted to remind everyone that Julian's combat style has changed from the group melee style of the Legion to the more self-sufficient style of the adventurer, including the increased use of her magicka. And like training muscles in melee, archery and CQ combat, I figure the more she uses her magicka, the more she comes to depend on it. Thank you for calling out that little tidbit.

@Sage Rose: Actually OHDH just got moved to its own subforum. My thanks to Rane for accepting my request and my thanks to Acadian for helping make it happen. I thought it would be a good idea to get all the threads together in one place, as you pointed out. I have another story half-written (it is the one I did for NaNoWriMo two years ago), and a third taking shape in my head. So I wanted to keep all of Julian's stuff in one place. And thank you for pointing out Martin Septim's command of the situation. All that time "hiding" in Cloud Ruler Temple has not been for naught! And as someone who spent five winters in Minnesota during the '90's, I know all too well what cold weather does to stuff! It's only logical that frost magic would have the same effect as cold snaps (i.e. Alberta Clippers) do IRL.

The story so far: Mehrunes Dagon has just entered the realm of Tamriel to claim what he regards as his right. This is the penultimate post; the end of the Main Quest approaches. As the story began with Julian's encounter with Emperor Uriel Septim in the Imperial Prison, now it ends with her witness of Emperor Martin Septim's transformation.

***************************************
Chapter 34.3 - Closing Shut the Jaws of Oblivion

I almost fell back on my rump as I backpedaled from the apparition. I recognized the ugly lavasucker from his statue in the Mythic Dawn shrine. Mehrunes Dagon! I can’t let him see Martin Septim! I turned and backtracked, my eyes scanning the chaotic carnage for the purple robes of my Emperor.

I found him standing against the Temple wall, his gaze directed up at the demonic colossus behind me. His wide hazel eyes held growing despair as he realized that the Daedric Prince blocked the only way to the Dragonfires. The Amulet of Kings glittered with its own fire on his breast as he lowered his gaze to me.

“Sire!” I caught his left arm. “Don’t go any further!”

“It’s too late!” he shouted to be heard above the infernal noise. “Dagon himself is here! The barriers between Mundus and Oblivion have been torn! Lighting the Dragonfires now will be of no use!”

“Is there any way we can cast him back?” I stepped toe to toe with him to be heard. “Close that portal?”

“Mortal weapons won’t destroy him -” Martin’s gaze grew thoughtful. “Not as long as he is here in the mortal plane.”

Again the glow of the Amulet of Kings caught my eye. I carried it for a short while. Sick as I was, I could feel something in that thing. Some kind of immense power - “What about the Amulet of Kings, Sire?” I jerked my chin toward the jewel on Martin’s chest. “It holds the power of a Divine, doesn’t it?”

His eyes flew wide in sudden realization. “Yes! It holds Akatosh’s power . . . but how to use it? It’s not a weapon -” he began to shake his head, then something implacable moved through his gaze. He met my eyes with a grim resolve. “I have an idea. Can you get me past him into the Temple?”

“I - “ I glanced over my shoulder at the Daedric Prince behind me. “I think so, Sire. What do you plan?”

Sadness darkened his eyes as he shook his head. “You’ll have to trust me, Julian. I need your help now more than ever. Get me inside, to the Dragonfires. I’ll do the rest.”

“Sire!” My mind swiftly passed through my options. I’ll have to trust in Akatosh, in my shock spells and Touch. I can’t kill that demon, but I can chase him away from the temple. Fear rose in a burning wave up my gullet, but the coiling in my belly chased it with a cooling wave. Something of Martin’s resoluteness passed to me, and I nodded crisply.

I ran back to where Dagon stepped ponderously on the attacking legionaries. They scattered beneath his brute attack, many of them coming to a fatal stillness. Somehow I managed to slip beneath that sweeping black axe of his and stabbed at his right ankle with Touch. Without pause, I followed it with a shock bolt from my left hand - the most powerful one I could call up.

As I had hoped, he twitched and stepped back, away from the Temple. As he bent over to glare at me, I darted to his left leg and repeated my assault there. Again he stepped back, toward the outer wall of the District. Shouting from behind me warned me of those deadly spikes sweeping toward me, and I scrambled between Dagon’s immense feet. As he fought to recover his balance, I spun in time to see Martin, his greatsword now sheathed, slip inside the Temple. Again Dagon stepped back, this time to swing at me with his axe. Akatosh’s medallion burned on my right breast as I ran forward to the Temple stairs, lending Divine speed to my feet.

I tossed a glance over my shoulder as I slammed through the doors. Ocato and several battlemages appeared, taking my cue and slamming as much shock into the Prince as they could, keeping Dagon away from the Temple. The colossus locked fierce gazes with me, and roared in anger and frustration.

My ears ringing with Dagon’s rage, I couldn’t hear the doors slam behind me. I peered into the gloom of the darkened Temple, lit only by wan magelight flickering in a bronze cage high above the Temple floor.

Something seized my sword arm and drew me between two of the pilasters on the west side of the chamber. Before I could react with a shock spell, Martin’s voice sounded in my ear. “No matter what happens, I must do this.” His hazel eyes gleamed in the dimness as his breath brushed my cheek. “I cannot stay to rebuild Tamriel. That task falls to others.”

“Sire?” My chaotic mind refused to make sense of his words. “You’ll finish Dagon! You’ll rebuild Tamriel! You have to!”

“I’ll finish Dagon,” the grim resolution in his tone stabbed like a dagger through my heart. “But he will also finish me. Afterwards - “ He took a deep breath, his eyes on mine.

“Don’t talk like that, Sire!” I gasped. “You’re the last of the Septims! You have to live -”

Martin’s free hand cupped the back of my head, and he stopped my mouth with a fierce kiss. I felt my eyes widen at the passion in his lips, at the response in my body to his actions. My knees turned to liquid, and again the snake coiled in my belly. When he drew back, we both struggled for our breaths.

“Julian, my friend, my Companion,” his rough whisper tore at my heart. “I have to leave you now. Don’t live your life full of regrets, as I have. Follow your heart, as I have failed to do so. Above all, don’t forget to listen to that Dragon I know lives in you.”

Magicka swirled from his right hand down my spine. His hands lowered me gently to the floor as the paralysis kicked in. Unable to stop him, unable to speak, I could only roll my head to follow him with my eyes as he ran to the center to stand beneath that magelight.

That flimsy glow shattered as the domed roof above it disintegrated with a mighty crack! Stone flew around Martin’s crouched form and struck the walls. A half-broken block landed across my hips, and I screamed silently as it crushed my bones. Somehow the other pieces missed me, and I still drew breath.

Above the ruined roof, Dagon towered over Martin. Grinning in triumph, he lifted first one massive leg, then the other, over the battered walls and slammed his feet down on the Temple floor. Cracks widened and spread across the marble and into the altar.

Martin straightened up and faced the Daedric Prince, defiance and Imperial arrogance in every line of his frame. His right hand came up to his breast, and a crystalline crackle momentarily drowned out the chaos of Oblivion. Shafts of white light shot out from between bloodied fingers and stabbed wildly around the darkened Temple.

Dagon paused in befuddlement as Martin’s body rose from the floor, as if drawn up on puppet’s strings. The Emperor’s head fell back, and his face turned slack as his hand fell away. The Amulet of Kings - gone! Only an empty gold chain dangled around his neck.

Those white rays widened and merged to obscure Martin’s body. That brilliant light, bright enough to burn my eyes, grew until it burst the colonnade surrounding the altar. Then it lifted off the ground, turning golden and spreading wide wings like the sun. I looked back to the floor, desperately seeking Martin’s figure and failing to see him.

That golden form soared high, then swept back down toward Dagon. The Dragon, for dragon-shaped it now was, shot a great gout of yellow-white flame toward the Daedric Prince before circling to land on the altar.

Dagon’s growl shook the fallen stones and brought more pain to my body. Additional debris tumbled down from the broken walls. Something hard struck me in my right temple, momentarily shattering my vision. My eyes cleared in time to see Dagon slash his adversary in the breast with those wicked spikes, then sink the black axe into the base of the Dragon’s neck. Gouts of golden blood splashed across the red-skinned demon, but somehow the Dragon shook off those mortal attacks and covered the Prince in brilliant fire. As Dagon flung all of his hands before his face and staggered back, the Dragon lunged for his throat.

As swiftly as it had started, it was over. The Dragon tore Dagon’s throat away, and followed it with a tremendous blast of white energy. The Daedric Prince shrank beneath the divine assault, then dissolved into nothingness.

Panting hard, yellow fluid trickling from its breast, the Dragon struggled to keep upright. For a second I thought it would collapse and bring down more of the Temple with it. But it lowered its head slightly and looked at me. I recognized something in that gaze, then the Dragon flung its head back, spread its wings, and shouted at the turbulent sky above. That challenge broke the chaos and silenced the screaming of the tortured souls of Oblivion. As golden fire turned to white stone, the red-black clouds above dissolved into a clear night sky, lit by Aetherius, Masser and Secunda.

Then the paralysis wore off, and I screamed in pain, shock and loss. My hands pushed vainly at the crushing stone over my legs, until agony blacked my vision and took my breath away again.

As I whirled into limbo, Martin’s voice sounded softly in my head.

Julian, my Companion, be at peace. The Amulet is shattered. Dagon is defeated. The blood of the Dragon, the blood of Alessia and all the Dragonborn has come together to close shut the jaws of Oblivion - forever. The Septims are no more. I go gladly, for my sacrifice is not in vain. I now take my place with my father and my forebears. The Third Age created by Tiber Septim is over. A new Age must dawn. You, my beloved, shall write the next Elder Scroll. The shape of the future and the fate of the Empire now belong to you and to all who live from now on.

[Captain Hammer]

Rider,

Sorry I didn't comment on the last post, but with these two, all I can say is "Wow."

You've got a sense of Julian's determination, her battlefield assessments and reactions, and then the heart-sinking shock that comes when you see a Daedric Prince walking the plane of Mundus.

This final sequence is always one that is emotional for me. Not only because it seems that Martin has to go the way of Boromir and Eddard Stark, but because of how it all comes to a dramatic end that finishes with the player helpless while Dagon is cast out by the Last Septim. It seems fitting that you would post this in time for Father's Day, as Martin goes to join his father and forefathers with the Shattering of the Amulet.

Can't wait to see what comes next for Julian. I hope we don't see the last of her and her die-hard old habits.

[Kazaera]

*sniffs*

It's a testament to your writing skill that even though I knew it was going to end like this I still read the last few updates in an ever-increasing state of tension and couldn't suppress the desperate hope that somehow, this time Martin would make it to the Dragonfires in time-

Except of course, he didn't.

It's an amazing sequence - you can really feel Julian's sheer desperation and Martin's resolve. And it's such an amazing conclusion to their relationship, their friendship and *cough* perhaps a little more on Martin's side. That kiss - and him paralysing her to keep her from interfering-

*SNIFFS*

I'm sorry, I was going to say more but I think I need to get rid of this dust that has somehow found its way into my eye.

[ghastley]

It's hard to add to that final scene, but you did.

But it lowered its head slightly and looked at me. I recognized something in that gaze,

You added a personal connection to the dragon. There, and in a number of more subtle places.

Now get that stone block off of Julian, heal her, and get happy again!

[Acadian]

Wow.

True to the game, but better – much better. Powerful, bittersweet and captivatingly conveyed.

Paralyzing Julian was a nice touch. Martin knew it was about the only way to keep her out of a fight she could not win.

And so begins a brave new era. Julian’s long journey is over – for the moment. In the meantime, do I hear the soft call of a farm in Anvil and golden sunsets?

[SubRosa]

Away From The Sun by 3 Doors Down is playing as I read this. Talk about irony.

the ugly lavasucker
Now that is one I have to remember...

I get the feeling that Julian is going to regret her suggestion to Martin that he use the Amulet of Kings against Dagon. Though of course she could have no idea what he would do with it, or what it would cost him.

You did a good job of showing Julian's quite natural mortal fear, tempered by her years of experience in the legion, and of course by the dragon within her. I especially liked Martin's acknowledgement of the latter.

Even though I have seen it many times, I was cheering when Akatosh put the holy smack down upon Dagon!

How appropriate for the Dragon to catch Julian's gaze at the end, and for the two of them to share that brief moment of recognition. Though I have a feeling that moment will be playing itself over and over again in her nightmares for some time.

Now our poor Hero of Kvatch is left to pick up the pieces. Of the Empire. Of her life. I do not envy her.

[Grits]

Wow indeed. As others have said, it’s the final scene only better.

I love that Martin used a paralysis spell. Martin’s last-minute declaration certainly adds to Julian’s pain, but hopefully she will heed his last words to her the way she did his father’s.

Julian is crushed again emotionally and physically, but this time there’s a Dragon in her belly and not just on her arm. I look forward to finding out what comes next.

[haute ecole rider]

@BamBam: Thanks for your affirmation of the final scene of the Main Quest. It never gets old, and I always notice something new each time I play through it.

@Kazaera: Thanks for your comments! Yes, that little scene between Martin and Julian was inspired by a comment Sage Rose made a long, long long time ago. It was kind of wistful on her part, but it set off those infamous wheels in my head. That and the fact that I was watching a lot of K drama at the time, and they are always characterized by love triangles (or even quadrangles). So I thought why not? The fact that you commented on it validates my decision to run with Sage Rose's inspiration.

@ghastley: That glance from the Dragon always hits me hard every time. It sacrificed its blood into the Amulet of Kings to create the Dragonfires, then came again when Martin sacrificed his blood and faced the Prince of Destruction head-on. I always read that glance as Martin looking back before he completes the transformation. And you're right, the Dragon and Julian are connected in many, many ways.

@Acadian: You're absolutely right. That Paralyze spell is the only way Martin is going to keep Julian out of this one! As far as I'm concerned, it shows just how wise the man is. As for what you hear, read on, my friend, read on.

@Sage Rose: Thanks for your insightful comments and remarks throughout this story. You never fail to pick up on nuances I tried to convey, and call my attention to others I wasn't even aware of (but decided to play on)! Yes, that moment of recognition between the Dragon and Julian is one of the most significant instances in Julian's life. And yes, I think you're right, it will replay again and again in her nightmares, just as that encounter with the Goblin Shaman in Skyrim has been a constant thread throughout this story.

@Grits: Just as the story starts with Uriel's "Close shut the Jaws of Oblivion," so it ends with his son Martin's "No regrets." Be sure that just as Julian heeded Uriel's final command, so she will Martin's.

As for what comes next. that is for another time and a new thread. Instead, let me offer you a sort of epilogue.

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Epilogue

It is now nearly four bells. The sun is slanting through the western windows and calling to me. I put my quill down and rub my right thumb along the tendons in my left palm. Writing has not become easier, and I notice the cold of winter more, even here on the Gold Coast.

I lift the warm brown cloak from its peg beside the door and open it. Outside my gaze wanders to the nearby stable. For a moment, I see a white stallion pop his head up from the yellow grass of the paddock and prick his ears at me, then there is nothing but shadows beneath the thatched roof. Yet I still feel Blanco’s spirit, as warm and vital as when I first met him at Clesa’s stable.

The garden is brown and grey with winter, only the yews and holly still shining green. I turn and walk through the flowerbeds, covered against the cold wind, to the western fence. My mother’s bracelet is warm on my left wrist as I lean my elbows on the top rail. I gaze toward the harbor below as the Chapel bells strike four times.

Yet again I hear the faint strains of an elegy. Yet again I strain my ears to hear the half-familiar music, yet again I fail to make out the words. However this time something feels different. I look again at the sea beyond Anvil harbor, where the sun is lowering toward the western edge. The water is still blue, the sun’s path on the waves still whitish golden. And yet - and yet there is a another light beneath, this one silvery. As the soft breeze caresses my face, I hear the gulls call. Their white wings flash and soar in the double light.

A grey shape crosses the path of light from the south, almost a phantom itself. Its sails glow softly as the ship curves east, floating down the sun’s road toward Anvil. My heart skips a beat as I watch it glide smoothly around the headland and approach the lighthouse.

A new sound becomes apparent to my ears. There is warmth on my neck, the warmth of fire. The sound? It is a raspy breathing behind me. Then I feel a clawed hand on my shoulder. I turn my head, but see nothing but the golden grass and the sleeping garden. Nothing behind me but my mother’s house, mine for the past forty-odd years. I turn back to the harbor to look again at that grey ship.

But now everything below is turning to silver glass, a silver light gleaming through the world. The Castle, Anvil, the harbor all turn transparent, as if fading away. Only the grey ship and the white gulls still remain solid.

Once again I hear that raspy sigh, feel that fire on the nape of my neck. I shiver and turn my back on the harbor, a familiar coiling in my gut. A sensation that I had not felt since Saint Martin turned into the Avatar of Akatosh. What is my choice? I wonder. What must I choose?

In the garden I see two figures. One a slight Redguard woman, her thick black hair pulled back into a heavy knot tied with a turquoise ribbon. The other a young, handsome Redguard lad, beginning to fill out with his apprenticeship at Morvayn’s smithy. They smile at me, and beckon me to approach. I am aware of the Dragon’s presence, though I cannot see him. But now I know what my choices are. Sail west on that grey ship, or come home at last.

This time the Dragon does not hold me back as I walk toward my mother and brother. They lead the way back to the door of the cottage and enter its shadows. This time nothing stops me from following them within . . .

Home.

*************************************
And with this post Old Habits Die Hard comes to an end. After three and a half years, Julian and I have finally completed her story. We both feel a sense of relief, but also a sense of sadness. Thanks to all who have read this tale and provided us with the encouragement we needed to keep going.

Thanks, mALX for giving me the encouragement I needed to begin posting this story on the Unnamed Forum. Thanks to Acadian and Subrosa for their eagle eye for my missed edits, and their insightful comments. Thanks to treydoggie and minque for the warm welcome to this forum. Olen, Fiach, Winter Wolf, your support from the beginning here at Chorrol is greatly appreciated. You are all missed. Dee Foxy and Destri, without you I could not write two of the most difficult chapters in the entire series. Destri, thanks very much for letting me borrow the Fab Four from Sancre Tor and for the little dream Julian had after her adventure there. Foxy, your military knowledge and expertise really helped me make the Battle of Bruma come alive.

Thanks to those who have come late to the story - Grits, McB, ghastley, et al. Your interest and comments have been wonderful to read, and have done much to keep up our passion for telling this story.

Cora is nudging me. Time to end this Academy Awards Thank You roll call.

Watch haute ecole rider's subforum for more tales of Julian and her world in the Fourth Era. Here you can also see the entire story together. Many thanks to Acadian and Rane for making this happen.

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Jun 25 2013, 08:01 PM

[Cardboard Box]

Thank you.

That's all I can say.

[Captain Hammer]

Rider,

I only regret that I cam late to the telling of this tale and that my responses were less than frequent. I have enjoyed every word, savored every scene, and am saddened to know that this is the end.

I can only look forward to whatever additions you provide in the subforum, which I will now be checking regularly.

Farewell Julian, and we thank you.

[SubRosa]

Into the West. How perfect.

A beautiful epilogue of Julian going gently into that good night. The homage to LOTR was appreciated. So too was the presence of the dragon, ready to carry Julian away. Still I am glad that she chose otherwise this time. I think her spirit will rest easier with those of her family.

And congratulations on a tale well told! I am looking forward to seeing Julian's new adventures in the Fourth Age. Or anything else you cook up for us.

[Acadian]

What a beautiful wrap up and farewell to OHDH! Your choice of music was hauntingly perfect – playing it while reading was quite magical. Farewell, for now, dear Julian. In the magically charged land of Tamriel, I hope to see you again.

Congratulations, Rider, and thank you for such a beautiful rich tale.

[haute ecole rider]

@Boxee: No, no, thank you!. I appreciate you reading this story through and letting me know how much you enjoyed it. I know I broke the cardinal rule of fan fiction writing - never write the Main Quest. But as Gibbs says, rules are meant to be broken.

@BamBam: Thanks for letting me know how much you enjoyed OHDH. Yes, it's a little sad to finish this story, but you and I both know all good things come to an end. There will be more! I am going to take some time and review the story and find all the loose ends and work on tying them up. They will be in the subforum, so keep an eye on that!

@SubRosa: When I first heard that song (and read the words), I cried. Then I realized how appropriate it was for Julian - being of Redguard descent and considering that the Yokudan homeland once stood west of Anvil. It just fit her in so many ways. I have been waiting for the perfect moment to put it into her story. Thanks for your validation of my choice to end the story this way. I wanted everyone to see how the Dragon had released Julian from his service and gave her her reward - a reunion with those she loved the most in her life. Not just her mother and brother, but Blanco, Sai, and of course, Steffan are all buried there. Thank you for your insightful comments and support throughout this marathon. I just sent treydog the Word document, and it said the total word count was over 408K! It is officially the longest story I have ever written!

@Acadian: Thank you, Acadian, from both Julian and I, for your support and insight throughout the telling of this story. Julian is honored to have a fellow old soldier consider her tale "beautiful" and "rich." Your comments throughout, especially on military matters, have been most appreciated by both of us.

[McBadgere]

My biggest regret with this forum is that I find myself with too little time to truly appreciate the work that has gone into all of these epic stories...

I've loved all of them from when I joined...

Each of them just soo brilliant...*Sighs*...

I apologise for losing my way towards the end of the tale, I shall absolutely catch up in the soon-ness of soons...

Suffice to say, the brief epilogue I just read was nothing short of beautiful...Brilliant and sweet ending...

So, an epilogue stylee Nice one!!...

And an absolutely wholehearted applause...

[treydog]

I have more to read and will then have more to say. But I do not want to rush through the story- it is like a fine vintage that must be savored and sipped...

The Battle of Bruma was told with immediacy and an eye for the details that matter most- at least to us… “Who survived? Who did not? How many?”

I looked back toward that mist. It’s not coming from Blanco. That mist, something familiar about the way it’s moving. A certain sparkle, and the mist clarified into four figures. Armed, ghostly figures. One towered over the others and wielded a mace. My fingers clenched on Touch.

Yes. Of course they are exactly where they need to be- because Julian freed them so that they could.

And how fitting that the Kvatch Guard escort Julian to the Great Gate.

All thoughts of the Great Gate and the Sigil Stone fled my mind as I reached for Steffan with my left hand. He turned back to me, his blue eyes full of agony. My fingertips brushed his shoulder, and tremendous pain caused me to stagger and blink. Then his left hand shoved me away while the right arm jabbed the air in the direction of the Great Gate, hot blood splashing my cheek.

One day, when I have learned this craft that I continue to practice, I will write a scene like that. The cinematic quality of this entire chapter is equaled only by the way you keep us in touch with the human side of things. It was this that made Band of Brothers work, and that puts this story on that level. Right here is why I so much prefer first person. We do not have to guess what Julian is feeling at that moment.

Unfortunately, a kynreeve charged me, mace raised high. I ducked beneath his strike and rammed my shoulder into his armored abdomen. He staggered back toward the rim of the glass floor where it overlooked a very long, long way down. I kept pushing until he fell over the edge.

One of the great joys of the Deadlands (okay- one of the ONLY joys) was knocking those bloody Daedra off the ramps and walkways.

Stubbornly I refused to let myself think of Steffan, of his lost hand. Instead I replaced his tortured visage with the ghostly grin of Valdemar, the white glow of Blanco, the gleam in the grizzly’s eye.

Yes.

And despite doubt, despite fear- Julian keeps her head and understands she could perhaps win every fight in the Deadlands, only to lose the war. Dispelling Daedra is secondary- the sigil stone is the prize that wins all.

As Ferrum and I approached, I counted only three standing. My heart sank. Who have we lost now?

But always, there is a cost.

Will have much more to say later. haute... thank you so much for this amazing story.

[Kazaera]

I've been staring at this for the last few days, trying to think of what I could possibly say. This story has been amazing, and I wish I'd been able to comment more. Following Julian through her highs and lows, her struggle with her injuries, her confronting her past, learning new things and slowly developing from a broken old addict into what she is now... I'm in awe. I'm incredibly sad to see it's over, finally, but at the same time I see that the story was complete - and that epilogue is just utterly perfect. Julian, going home to her family at last.

Really, I don't know what to say other than: this story sings, and it's been a joy to be an audience to it. Thank you so much for giving it to us.

[Callidus Thorn]

Just finished reading, and I have to say:

HO-

-LY

[censored]!!!

That was amazing!!!

Fantastic stuff, on every level. I'd say more, but I think once I start I'm just gonna ramble on and on.

[labtechtim]

I have been reading OHDH from start to almost finish and it seems the end is inaccessible. I would love to read the end, but fear that this post will go unnoticed. Please help.

[Acadian]

Labtechtim, welcome to the forum!

Your post here will certainly get noticed, and I'm sure the author will be along shortly to try and help you finish reading this wonderful story. It would assist both she and I if you could give us some more detail. From where I sit, the final chapter and epilogue to OHDH are only a few posts above this one within this very thread. Are you saying you cannot see the posts above this one? What is the last chapter you were able to read? Any more info you can shed on the nature of the problem will certainly help. The only problem I note is that the link within the epilogue to the music piece 'elegy' no longer works (the selection seems to have been removed from You Tube).