And did Jerric leave his Snakebite Potion back in that cupboard in Bruma too?

What else IS in that cupboard, by the way?

This is making me shiver, and yet anticipate what comes next!

PS Yes, my Figment was a lot cuddlier than these!

Previously: Moonshadow. Jerric, Kjestrid, and Shamir-do found Dozara and the figment nest. Jerric picked a fight with the Figment Queen.

Renee: The Arcane Well you found on the UESP is from the Champion Point system in ESO. In his story Jerric is using the Oblivion Atronach Stone’s Arcane Well greater power that he got by activating a Doomstone. This Arcane Well grants Spell Absorption 30 pts and Fortify Intelligence 10 pts for 120 seconds game time, which is an hour in real/story time. Combined with his Atronach birthsign and his enchanted ring Hump You Fetching Mages it lets him absorb most spells. Also it temporarily increases his max magicka through the Intelligence bump. I miss Attributes in the more recent games! Bat-snakes are a good way to imagine figments. Just the thing you want to crawl over you in a dark tunnel. Thank you, Renee!

Acadian: This crew has been through enough together that their dialog has become fun to write. Cool, I hoped that the Figment Queen’s entrance would make an impact. She sure creeped me out! Thank you, Acadian!

SubRosa: Yes! I was thinking of Indy and of Gollum’s “Wraiths on wings!” when I wrote that. Jerric wishes that his flamethrower named Darnand was with him. Thank you, Rosa!

Rider: Jerric left most of his things in the cupboard thinking that he was just taking a walk up the hill to Cloud Ruler temple. But right now there’s nothing in the cupboard, since Darnand and Lildereth moved his gear with his horses (and “his” dog) to Cloud Ruler Temple after their Dagon Shrine adventure. Thank you, Rider!

Chapter 19: Moonshadow, Part Eight

"Wait!" said Kjestrid. "He's not—"

The Figment Queen made a high-pitched warble. Magicka surged into Jerric while Kjestrid and Shamir-do cowered.

That's a Fear spell. Jerric ducked down, pretending to be affected.

The Queen pushed off with her legs and tail, swooping across the chasm at Jerric. At the last second he rolled aside, letting out a squawk that he hoped sounded frightened. As the Figment Queen angled for the turn, Jerric readied a ball of fire.

"On your belly!" howled the Figment Queen, diving at him again. His flare missed, sailing past her to the wall. She reached out with her clawed feet, catching Jerric's shield. He spun and lifted off the ground, wrenched by the shoulder. His wild swing with Blade of the Medic met air, and he hit the floor.

The Figment Queen let out a hideous cackle. Chaos had erupted on the wall at his flare's impact site. A glance showed Shamir-do and Kjestrid still on the ground. He summoned Precious and directed him toward them, hoping the scamp's fire attacks would create enough havoc to keep the figments from biting his friends while they were down.

Jerric turned back toward the Figment Queen. "Is that all you got?" He banged his sword hilt against Tower of the Nine. "You can barely fly, you big slug!"

She scrabbled up the far wall, dislodging the rest of the winged snakes that still hung there. More pink light filtered in through cracks. This time Jerric side-stepped the attack, dragging Medic down her side. After an initial jolt, his sword passed through with no resistance.

Hump a troll, she's some kind of shadow creature. Turning solid as she attacks.

Jerric tried again on the next pass, getting a cut in on her leg as she knocked him over. He felt the moment she became insubstantial through the blade. Scrambling up, he threw a ball of fire when she turned. This time it hit. So fire still works, like a ghost, but not an enchanted weapon.

Kjestrid was on her hands and knees. Shamir-do was still down. Precious danced in a circle throwing flares, figments attached to every surface of his body.

The Figment Queen landed on top of Precious, dangerously close to the mortals. As Precious let out his death gargle, the Queen's underside lit up with fire.

"You smell like a singed chicken!" Jerric yelled. "You overgrown—"

The Figment Queen coiled her tail and launched herself. Her wings providing extra lift, she bounded toward him.

Jerric dropped his shield to gain mobility. He could only hope to land a blow while she attacked. More thoughts than he was used to having flashed through his mind. "Why haven't you asked me to train you?" Abiene in Anvil, before the holidays. The spells she had taught him seemed impractical, and he hadn't been using them. How foolish he had been.

He cast the spell that improved his skill in Restoration as the Figment Queen leaped. Before he could bring the next spell to bear, she knocked him onto his back, claws hooked around him.

A frightful roar came from across the cavern. Shamir-do. More light entered the cave as the lesser figments scattered in terror.

With a lurch Jerric lifted off the ground, dragged into the air by the laboring Figment Queen. They enjoy our fear. She will stay solid until she gets high enough. Then I will fall whether I am holding on or not. He gripped her scaled leg-shank and cast the second spell, absorbing her life-force into his. Red light clouded his vision. The Figment Queen's shriek sounded over his exhilarated howl. When she faltered, Jerric pulled himself up the leg and plunged Blade of the Medic into the blistered underside of her snake-body. As he twisted the blade, they fell.

Jerric hit the chasm's edge and tumbled in flailing. Something caught him hard across the back. Kjestrid's battle cry rang out over the sound of his wheezing. When his vision cleared he saw black feathers floating down through beams of rose-colored light. Somehow he had become wedged in a crack.

"Nord?" Shamir-do's furry face poked over the chasm's edge.

"Still living," said Jerric. "What about the other Nord?"

Kjestrid appeared next to Shamir-do, eyes wide. "Fikken kak!"

Jerric made a cautious wiggle. "Feels like I'm jammed in here pretty good."

"This one will climb down."

"Get the rope," said Kjestrid. "Good job, you held on to your sword this time."

"Yeah," said Jerric. "Have you seen my shield?"

By the time Jerric heaved himself onto the cavern floor, Kjestrid had Dozara on her feet. She had many wounds leaking that dark ichor.

Kjestrid held a up potion bottle, looking at Jerric.

"Don't need one," Jerric said. "Give it to Dozara." The shoulder strain was already healed. He made a mental note to spend extra time stretching it. Between his spells and Blade of the Medic's enchantment, his only injuries were from the final drop. After careful assessment, he eased the pain away with a spell.

"You didn't crack your head in that fall?" Kjestrid asked. "You've taken a hell of a chance coming all this way without a helmet."

"Must have tucked my chin. I get a lot of practice hitting the ground. Besides, I have a helm waiting for me..." He grinned.

"Back in Bruma," Kjestrid finished. "I swear by the gods I'm going to burn that cupboard."

"This one will gather the tinder," said Shamir-do.

Dozara moved gingerly to the wall, testing her wings. "There is a wide enough space for us to pass through to the outside."

"You could have saved us a lot of trouble if you brought us in that way," said Kjestrid.

Dozara turned. "If we knew this cavern was here, two of my sisters would still be with us. Instead they swim the waters of Oblivion."

"I'm sorry for your loss," said Jerric. "I guess your scamp scouting party swims there, too."

"I do not see their remains," said Dozara. "When they did not return…" She bowed her head. "In time we will see them again."

Here was information Darnand would appreciate, if Jerric could remember it. "Do you work together? I mean, you have the same scamp, uh, helpers? Over a long period of time?"

"Yes," said Dozara. "They are small and not terribly clever, and of course wingless. But they are useful and loyal companions. I will miss my little Tuul."

Jerric found his shield near the crevasse. As he checked it for damage, Kjestrid threw up.

"Ugh," she said, coughing. "The bigger ones did manage to bite me."

"This one does not feel well either," said Shamir-do.

"It's their venom," said Jerric. "Dammit! I can't cure poison."

Dozara stretched her wings. "I am well enough to fly, but I cannot carry you. Come here to the edge and watch. I will send someone to fly you out. One of us once served in your realm and thus knows how to heal your kind. I will convince her to help you purge the venom." She bowed her head slightly, wings out. "I am in your debt, mortals."

The winged twilight was true to her word. Within the hour they had joined Nereli and the guars at a camp near the river. Rosilla and Murrai brought a pile of branches for their fire, a freshly killed antelope, and enough star dew to probably kill them.

As the reunited group toasted their survival with star dew, a dark purple winged twilight coasted down and landed.

"I am Drazilda," she said, bobbing her head twice. "With your permission, I will cleanse the venom from your mortal bodies and heal the damage that it caused."

"You have our permission," said Kjestrid.

Drazilda jumped into the air and hovered, her wings pushing their campfire's smoke away from them. "Approach me in pairs."

Kjestrid and Shamir-do went first. Drazilda's spell pulsed in halos of lavender light around her body and those of her two mortal patients. After a dozen healing bursts, she dropped lightly to the ground.

"Next," she said.

"I don't need healing," said Nereli.

"My friend," said Shamir-do, "you will want to experience this."

Jerric gave Nereli's shoulder a reassuring squeeze. As matching globes of Drazilda's light pulsed from them, he had only one thought. Shamir-do was right.

"You need not thank me," said Drazilda. "It is Dozara who is in my debt."

"Say, Drazilda," said Jerric, "I hear you served a mortal once. Have you considered—"

"Absolutely not," said Drazilda. She took a few running steps and winged away.

"This one feels entirely better," said Shamir-do.

"Better enough to help me with this deer?" said Jerric.

"I'll butcher it," said Kjestrid. "You get ready to cook."

"This one will help you," Shamir-do said to Kjestrid.

"I know what to do," said Nereli. She began arranging their camp supplies.

"It's a shame we can't use most of this," Kjestrid said as they dragged the carcass toward the river.

"This one wants the backstraps and tenderloins," said Shamir-do. "Their scamps can have the rest."

"I hope we still have some salt."

Dinner was venison steaks with venison kebabs and a side of thinly shaved venison. They had cleaned up and made it halfway through the star dew when Murrai landed. She placed a filled sack on the ground.

"We will watch over you as you rest," she said. "When we see that you have awakened, Dozara will join you. She will guide you to Valparai."

"I've heard that before," said Jerric. He opened the sack. "Pears!"

"Murrai," said Shamir-do, "We have finished with the antelope. Thank you."

Murrai made the slight bow with outstretched wings that had become familiar. "I will have it removed. You have our gratitude for resolving the figment infestation."

Jerric spoke up. "Your Matriarch called them interlopers. Where are they from?"

"The cursed shadow pit you mortals call Evergloam. Is there anything else that you require?"

Kjestrid looked around at them before answering. "No."

"You sure?" Jerric asked her. "This could be our last chance. They have some very nice potted plants up in the aerie."

It wasn't dark or cold, but they kept the fire going anyway. As Shamir-do and Nereli settled in their bedrolls, Kjestrid beckoned to Jerric.

"I'm glad you didn't use your Woad today. If you can stay awake a while longer I'd like to get started on your tattoo."

"Uh, all right. What do I need to do?"

"Take your clothes off and lie down."

"I thought you'd never ask," Jerric said, grinning.

"Ha! On your stomach."

Jerric did as directed. Kjestrid rummaged in the packs, assembling her materials. Insects sang in the silver grass as they had all the hours of their journey. Twinkling pink and purple torchbugs echoed the colors of the twilight sky. Of all the wondrous sights in Moonshadow, none could compare to the warm light of their own campfire.

"Kjestrid," said Jerric.

"Yeah?"

"You said there is no such thing as lucky in a daedric realm."

"Yeah."

"You're right. I think we're being tested."

"Nereli and Shamir-do are being tested." Kjestrid lit a packet of herbs, then blew on it to make it smolder. "Unless you've made a deal that I don't know about."

"No," said Jerric. "Is that the stuff we smoked in Droathra?"

"Yep. Call forth your Woad and we'll get started."

Jerric is doing his Eveready battery imitation as he soaks up the power from that Fear spell. That Figment Queen is going to be really surprised where this goes!

"On your belly!"
I see she takes her speech lessons from Dremora. Emily Post might serve her better...

So the Figments are partly ghostly, even to the point of being immune to magical weapons when insubstantial. They are well named.

But mighty thews and mightier magic prevails, and the Figments are banished to status of mere figments.

"Take your clothes off and lie down."
We are all waiting for a woman to say these simple words...

Jerric turned back toward the Figment Queen. "Is that all you got?" He banged his sword hilt against Tower of the Nine. "You can barely fly, you big slug!"
- - I can’t imagine a grander taunt to a Twilight than criticizing her aeronautical prowess – well done, Jerric!

The Figment Queen was a worthy opponent for sure. Happily, Jerric was immune to her fear spell. . . but still the battle got off to a rough start for our Nord. Having to learn the nature of a foe under fire is tough but Jerric eventually figured out that fire worked and his blade – if her could get his strike in while she was in solid form to attack. Whew, eventually Queen Figgy falls and Jerric doesn’t even check out the bottom of that ravine.

"You didn't crack your head in that fall?" Kjestrid asked. "You've taken a hell of a chance coming all this way without a helmet."
- - Little does she know that Jerric’s head is hard enough to put a helmet to shame!

Woot! Can’t wait to learn what tattoo Kjestrid will choose for Jerric – and where she’ll put it. With all his clothes off, he's a big blank canvas!

That fear spell being absorbed sure was fortunate! The battle would have gone a lot differently if it hadn't!

Previously: Moonshadow. Jerric, Kjestrid, and Shamir-do cleared out the figment nest by killing their queen. The three plus Nereli and the guars Freckles and Neelo camped by the river. Kjestrid started her Woad-singing project with Jerric.

SubRosa: I was giggling when Kjestrid said that line. So was Kjestrid! Thank you, SubRosa!

Acadian: With Jerric’s few moments of tanking before he had to ditch the shield, he had to get a few Mirri-like verbal taunts in! Jerric will have to wait a while before he learns what the tattoo is, but he already figured out he didn’t need to take all of his clothes off. Thank you, Acadian!

Kane: Yeah they would have ended up under a pile of bitey snake bats just like Dozara. In Jerric’s game he quickly got to 100% Spell Absorption. I had to tone down his enchantment because it was just ridiculous.

Chapter 19: Moonshadow, Part Nine

"That's all of it," Nereli said, stepping back.

Neelo's gaze shifted from the Dunmer to Jerric. Three flowers flopped up and down in the corner of her mouth as she chewed.

"Aren't you going to check?" asked Nereli.

"No," said Jerric. "You did it right. I watched you." He gave Neelo a firm pat on the shoulder, then slid his hand down for a stealthy tug on her harness.

"I saw that!" Nereli pointed. "You checked!"

Jerric tousled her hair, laughing. "Nereli Llandam of the Fighters Guild, late of House Redoran, you are a certified guar packer now. I declare it!"

Nereli made a courtly bow, first to Jerric and then to Neelo.

Kjestrid walked over, bouncing her pack into place. "If you two are done fooling around, we can go." She tilted her head back at their campsite, looking at Jerric. "After you help Shamir-do drown the coals."

Dozara stood a short distance away. She spoke when they reached her. "If the mortals are ready, I will lead you to Valparai. You will decide if we stop to rest or wait until we reach the city." She bowed her head to Kjestrid.

"I'm the one who fought the Figment Queen," Jerric reminded her.

"Every leader has her champion," said Dozara. "It is good to know one's place."

"Kjestrid finished her," Nereli put in.

"You weren't even there," said Jerric.

"All right," said Kjestrid. "Lead on."

Dozara remained within Shamir-do's sight when she took to the air. They walked out of the Smoketree Desert under pink skies threaded with lavender clouds. Masser loomed large at the horizon, while Secunda showed only a sliver. Their path met the road in an area of grassy hills broken by outcrops of white stone.

Dozara glided in for a landing. "We will soon reach clean water. This road will take us to Valparai." She indicated the direction.

"Seen any cloudskimmers?" Jerric asked her.

"You jest, but I do not anticipate further trouble on your journey."

The clean water was a broad stream lined with sweet-smelling shrubbery. A half-circle bridge spanned it. On the far side was a free-standing colonnade made of the same white stone. Benches were placed at inviting angles, and wide steps led down to the water.

"This one sees berry bushes," said Shamir-do.

"They are mulberries," said Dozara. "Please take as many as you wish."

Jerric addressed Freckles and Neelo. "We're going to relax a bit and get you some water. I don't care if an avatar of Peryite flies down from the sky. Don't even think about running."

His stomach was still gurgling from an excess of mulberries when they first saw the city. Silver towers rose from a pink haze. The road passed through fields of grain and orchards so fragrant the breeze smelled like perfume. Well kept farm houses lined both sides, most set back from the road. The country lanes were marked by stacked stones in shades from pink to purple. Occasionally they saw ruins on the hilltops, surrounded by cultivated fields.

It was difficult to say when they reached the city proper, as no walls protected it. The buildings just got taller and closer together until they were walking on streets with town houses and decorative gardens instead cottages and crops. The cluster of silver towers was always visible above the buildings and flowering treetops.

"What's up there?" Jerric asked, lifting his chin at the towers.

"That is our Prince Azura's Silver Palace."

"Is she there?"

"I do not know. Our Lady has a castle in each of her cities, and dwellings in other places that please her. None can know when she will grace us with her presence."

"Where are we headed now?" asked Jerric.

"I am taking you to Evenfall Priory, home of the Order of the Evening Sun. There Sister Ma'sani awaits you."

"What happened to Renlys?"

Dozara shrugged her wings. "Presumably Renlys still serves her."

Evenfall Priory was a group of buildings made from blocks of almost translucent pink stone. They entered through an arched doorway into a courtyard filled with potted trees and singing fountains. Little bugs glittered in the hanging gardens, and again they heard that sound of tiny bells ringing.

"Jerric!" The mundane shout came from a grinning Renlys. He approached at an indecorous run, bright blue robe flapping around his knees.

"Been practicing your bird-killer spell?" said Jerric. He clapped the lad on the shoulder.

"Sister Ma'sani told everyone about that," said Renlys. He leaned in. "I wasn't supposed to fight, but she was proud of me."

"As am I," said Jerric. "You showed real bravery."

Renlys stood up straight. "I'm to take the guar and show you to your rooms."

"Then let's get to it."

The Priory's visitor quarters were on the second floor overlooking the stable. Jerric breathed in the homey scents of sweetgrass and manure.

"We can still smell the flowers from the atrium," said Kjestrid. She set her packs on one of the beds.

Shamir-do appeared in their doorway. "This one's room has a view of the Silver Palace."

"I'd like to get a view of dinner," said Jerric.

Renlys poked his head around Shamir-do. "When you're ready I'll take you to Sister Ma'sani."

Kjestrid hooked a thumb at Jerric. "Is this a formal occasion?" she asked Renlys.

"No. Sister Ma'sani has a table prepared for you in the garden. Then I will show you where you can wash before you rest."

Nereli peered around the big Khajiit's other side. "Should we rest here or when we get to the shrine in County Cheydinhal?"

Jerric said, "As I understand it, the shrine is up a ways in the Jeralls. This early in spring there'll be snow on the ground."

"Rest here," Shamir-do and Nereli chorused.

"And tomorrow I want to visit an alchemist," said Jerric. "We're not going in nearly empty-handed like we did with the figments."

"Shamir would like friend Kjestrid to help mend his gear."

"And we have some more work to do," Kjestrid said to Jerric. "Tonight, before we rest."

Ma'sani's table was covered in orange silk and laid with amethyst plates and golden cutlery. She poured their star dew into silver goblets from a crystal decanter. Jerric put the napkin on his lap as he had been taught and waited for the blessing, counting backward from ten to avoid diving into the gravy bowl.

After they had emptied their first plates, Jerric spoke up. "Sister Ma'sani, what do we need to know about Gutted Mine?" He put a small mountain of mashed pink tubers on his plate, then turned it into a volcano with the gravy.

"Five of our Afflicted Brethren dwell there, sealed within by our Lady's hand. She will open the way for you. This one advises you to take these Cure Disease potions and keep them safe until after your battle, as whoever survives will surely be infected. Our Rose Mother does not wish to trade one set of vampires for another."

"If they're vampires, how will they not end up enslaved by whatever Prince made the disease that infected them?" Jerric sliced another portion from the roast antelope haunch.

"You just free them from the unlife that they suffer. Our Twilight Queen will bring them home." Ma'sani passed the rolls before he had to ask.

Jerric woke to an itchy back and an empty room. He dressed and went looking for a familiar face, trying not to scratch at the new part of his tattoo.

Dozara found him making his second sandwich at Ma'sani's table, now laid with fresh food and drink.

"You're just who I hoped to see," Jerric told her. "I need your help finding an alchemist."

She regarded him for a long moment, her red-violet eyes unreadable. "There are several here who could assist with this task," she finally said.

"I need you to pay for whatever I take from their stock for my potions."

Dozara gave a slow nod. "I will do this."

"Also I want to know some things. Are those the real moons, or are they Moonshadow moons? What about the stars? They don't look like the stars where I come from. And who are those fox people?" Jerric wrapped the sandwich and tucked it into his pocket. He brought the mug of cloudy drink with him. "I'm ready to go. What would happen if we took Freckles and Neelo back to Tamriel? Could they live there?"

"You are a curious mortal," said Dozara. They walked out through the gardens and under the archway into the street.

"Well there's a lot to wonder about. Even your folk. Some look like I'm used to seeing, but Moonshadow has a lot of funny-looking people."

"Valparai has hosted a portal site for eras by your counting, so there have always been newcomers among us. However most have lived many lives in Moonshadow, and taken forms that suit their will." She head-bobbed to another winged twilight as they passed. "Some of your 'funny-looking people' may have been Chimer or even Dwemer in their mortal lives."

"Dwemer?" Jerric stopped to look around. "Tell me if we see one. I know a mage who would give his left nut to meet a Dwemer!"

"Why the left?" Dozara stopped, too. Her gaze drifted downward.

"It's an expression."

"Are they not symmetrical?"

"If you ask nicely…" Jerric wiggled his brows.

Dozara made a musical snort. "Let us continue to the alchemist."

Between Jerric's alchemy and Kjestrid's mending, another Moonshadow awake period passed. After a second dinner at Ma'sani's table in the garden, the group made their way to the sleeping chambers.

Jerric lit the lamp in his and Kjestrid's room. With shutters blocking out the endless rose-colored twilight, he could finally see clearly. The furniture's mother-of-pearl inlays reminded him of the handle on his Ma's belt knife. A memory came of his small hand in hers as she taught him how to cut his meat. He tossed his clothes onto the shell-shaped chair.

Kjestrid came in and shut the door. "I'm ready."

"You sure you're not tired of this? You're not getting much rest." He flopped onto his bed.

Kjestrid laid out her materials. "I want to finish before we fight the vampires. We should do a fourth session if we can manage it." She lit the herb bundle and whispered the flame out before setting it on a plate to smolder. "Call forth your Woad."

Jerric did. As the shield magic settled over him like a second skin, Kjestrid began a tuneless hum. The bed dipped when she settled beside him. He felt the cool swipe of the cloth, her warm hand stretching his skin, and then the prick of the thorn.

After breakfast Freckles and Neelo carried their gear one last time. Valparai's Gate to Mundus stood in an oval field surrounded by flowering trees. A frame of silver and pearl held the swirling plane of pink and purple mist. As with the portal in Morrowind, gold energy sparkles flitted from the Gate and glittered away.

Jerric stood between the two guar, rubbing their giant foreheads. "Ladies, it has been a pleasure to travel with you. I wish you peaceful days of fresh grass, and may every work period end with a good wallow."

Neelo leaned her head into him, knocking him back two steps. Freckles sneezed something green onto his leg.

Since Moonshadow's newest guar packer Nereli was instructing Renlys in the unloading, Jerric walked over to Dozara. "You look like you're about to leave us."

"Indeed," she said, giving him a head-bob. "I will await Sister Ma'sani's return in Valparai."

"Have you considered a visit to County Cheydinhal? I've heard there's an old mine that needs clearing."

"A tempting offer, mortal, but I must remain in your debt."

"It was Kjestrid who killed the Figment Queen, like Nereli said. I was just jesting the other day."

"I know. Though I was incapacitated, I saw what you did. I have thanked the others for their efforts on my Matriarch's behalf, but thanks are inadequate in our case."

"I don't know about inadequate. I ran up a pretty big bill at the alchemist."

Dozara gave him a smile that reached her strange eyes. "Know that you have a friend in Moonshadow, Jerric of Kvatch." She bowed with one foot forward, wings slightly outstretched.

Shamir-do walked past, buckling a chest strap. "Khajiit will secure our place in line."

Jerric didn't know how to grip a forearm that was attached to a wing, and it would be foolish to imitate Dozara's graceful gesture. He simply nodded with a hand on his heart and jogged over to pick up his gear.

The setting of Moonshadow makes me think that the Hermetic Order of the Silver Twilight of Call of Cthulhu fame would fit right in. Well, their name would. Not their ultimate goals of summoning the Outer Gods to destroy the world.

"I'd like to get a view of dinner," said Jerric.
Spoken like a True Nord. He reminds me of Kat from All Quiet on the Western Front.

I was wondering about the moons too. Are they the same Masser and Secunda that people see from Mundus?

Well, it looks like we are about wrapped up in the Moonshadow jaunt, and about to finally get back to Mundus. Then we can get down to some vampire hunting. With Jerric's new thaumaturgical tattoos.

"After you help Shamir-do drown the coals."
- - I chuckled, envisioning Shamir-do and Jerric peeing on the fire.

Jerric asked good questions of Dozara about Moonshadow. Too bad he ran the answers off track by dragging the Twilight into a discussion of testicles.

Ahah, I didn’t realize Jerric’s new tat would be a multi-session process.

As SubRosa said, looks about time to return to Nirniland. A touching goodbye with Dozara.

Like Acadian, I chuckled too at the mental image of the two boys drowning the fire. Better than tossing valuable water on the flames!

At first I wondered about Masser and Secunda too (Or Jone and Jode, as I now prefer to think of them). How wonderful that a few paragraphs later Jerric asked the same question dogging my mind! Too bad he didn't get a straight answer out of Drozara.

Goodbye to two of the most charming guars I've ever met! Well, short of the ones I've had to hunt down in Second Era Tamriel . . . Still, it was hard to think about leaving them behind.

The bit with Jerric's expression had me giggling. Dozara plays the straight man twilight perfectly! Hopefully with a return to Nirin, we get to catch up with Darnand and Lil. I've missed those rogues!