Nice touch of realism with the extra things being toxic to cats. Made me think - if Argonians are so immune to poison there must be an even wider range of treatments which apply to them. Makes healing all the more complex.

Your view of Frasoric is rather different from mine. Having her as air-headed but happy in the wrong profession is rather more charitable.

The flashback was an excellent way of setting that up, it all felt very natural and was very short for the effect it achieved. Another view into Julian's past too, perhaps the furthest back yet?

I'm not sure about serving tea in a beaker though, though I suppose potions get drank too.

I like Cirroc...Ever since my first char. went to Bruma...Top bloke...

Excellent writing there...Very sad story with the cat...Well done...

Nice one... ...

@Grits: I'm glad you enjoyed seeing Frasoric again. That woman totally owns my keyboard whenever she has a scene. Actors, never take a job with animals, children or Jeanne Frasoric! And I thought a beaker was totally appropriate for Orania's choice of mugware. And this is the career opportunity for Julian in LBMQ - though she has a ton of studying to get there! (and I speak from experience here!)

@SubRosa: I was really focused on making Frasoric obsessed with mastering her conjuration ability, and it just seemed logical that with her mindset (assuming she does have a mind to begin with) she would acknowledge Sai as another conjuring. Teresa could teach Julian a thing or two about animal healing! If she had been around for Cai, would Julian have gone into the Legion? Hmmm . . .

@Acadian: First, Happy Birthday! May the day be full of gladness and fun! Okay, I'm glad that you enjoyed seeing Frasoric again, like so many others. She is one of those people that is so irritating in real life, but you can't help but laugh (or at least chuckle) as you read her because we all know someone like that . . . And I really wanted a chance to show why Julian has a habit of rescuing stray cats, and this discussion about healing animals was a perfect opportunity to showcase that. And Cirroc is one of my favorite healers (along with Marz in Bravil and Oleta in Kvatch), so it was perfect that Julian would seek him out to answer one of her burning questions.

@Athynae: So good that there are so many people still rescuing cats and dogs (and who aren't hoarders) in this economy. It's tough to see the little critters suffer because of some stupid human (mer?). I'm glad to see this side of Julian's nature resonates with so many people.

@Olen: IRL, many, many things are highly toxic to cats. Tylenol will kill a cat if said cat so much as looks at it - and it does so within hours. It's dreadful to see. Cats are far more sensitive than dogs to the toxic effects of coffee and chocolate, antifreeze, and certain flea products (which is why it's IMPERATIVE for owners to double check the labels of their flea products to make sure they're safe for cats BEFORE putting them on the cats!), and so on. I'm not sure if this is the earliest of Julian's flashbacks, but it certainly goes quite a way back. I think of all of them, the one about how she feels about her name is the first one (when she and Martin are in the Chapel of Julianos on their way to Weynon Priory).

@McB: Looks like you and I share the same sentiments about Cirroc. Good man there.

Julian is on her way back to Cloud Ruler Temple with the Great Welkynd stone, and has stopped in Bruma to check up on how things are going. She learned that the Leyawiin contingent are not fitting in well, and that healing of animals is not banned or frowned upon by the Mages Guild or the Chapel healers.

********************
Chapter 29.3 Old Friends in New Places

The smoke of burning braziers and campfires hung heavy across the terrace fronting the castle walls as I stepped onto the cobblestoned surface. Sai paced so close to my side as to nearly trip me. The yellow surcoats of the Bruma guard stood scattered along the face of the high walls, looking out over the town below. Interspersed among them, I saw the livery of other counties standing watch.

Cheydinhal. Bravil. Anvil. Skingrad. Chorrol. Kvatch. But no Leyawiin. Why not? Soren’s barely suppressed anger returned in my memory. So that’s what Bor and Soren meant when they said Leyawiin’s not fitting in well. I could feel my jaw tighten. If they’re slacking off, I’d best send them packing back to their hometown. I’d better look up this Cordelius. I got them here, it’s my responsibility to see they do the job or go home.

“Hail, Hero of Kvatch!” A familiar voice rang out from the line. I turned to see Ilend Vonius waving his free hand at me, a big grin splitting his wind-chapped face. “I’m on duty,” he continued as I stepped toward him, Sai hanging back. “But our encampment’s over yonder,” he waved to the far end of the terrace. “Stop a moment by our fire and say hello!”

The guard next to him, a Bravilian by his surcoat, muttered something to Vonius. He took a breath in mock indignation. “She’s our Hero!” he countered. I had the sudden feeling this was an old argument between the pair already. “Saved my life in that Oblivion Gate, and fought alongside us to clear the city. We were the first ones!”

“She’s the Hero of Bravil, too!” I heard the Bravilian shoot back out the side of his mouth as I stepped up behind him. “Did what that no-good Count wouldn’t let us do, and got rid of that damned money-grubbing fetcher to boot!”

I shot Vonius a warning glare and clapped a hand on the Bravilian’s shoulder. The man stiffened beneath my palm. “I’m not anyone’s Hero,” I growled. “The real heroes of Kvatch are those folks in the camp below the city, and those of Bravil are the ones who do the right things every day, no matter what.” I cast my gaze up and down the line, and found myself the focus of every sentry, though they kept their faces forward. “Remember this, when this is all over, every one of you will go home heroes.”

“It will be over, won’t it?” the Bravilian asked, his back still to me.

“Yes it will,” I put the firmness I didn’t feel into my tone. “And we will beat the daedra of Oblivion.”

“How?” The Bravilian turned to look at me over his shoulder as my hand dropped away. I stepped forward, between him and Vonius.

“What is your name, guardsman?”

“Gladus Metternach,” he answered. I now recognized him as one of Frederick’s watch partners. He shook his head, and I could now see the familiar haunted look in his eyes, the same look that Vonius, Bor and Soren valiantly hid. Do I have that same look in my own eyes? “They just keep opening those Gates, ma’am, faster and faster. How can we keep up?”

I leaned forward to bring my face closer to his ear. “Do you know why they’re opening more frequently?” He shook his head. “That’s because we’re getting close to defeating them for once and for all. There are smart men,” I tapped his shoulder for emphasis, “smarter than you and I and the rest of us dumb soldiers,” I waved my other arm to encompass the line, “who are working to close those Gates forever and send Dagon back into the Void where he belongs.”

“So we’re just arrow fodder?” Metternach’s tone held a hint of despair.

“No,” I let the pilus surface in my tone. “You’re important too, because you’re holding the line and giving those guys the one thing they need the most - time.”

“See?” Vonius added. “I told you we were doing something important here! Otherwise Julian of Anvil wouldn’t be asking for us!”

My face didn’t flinch at the tone in Vonius’s voice. “I don’t doubt that you have courage,” I said to Metternach. “And I will tell you to keep the faith. That’s the one thing those daedra do not have. Faith in yourself, in your comrades to the left and the right of you, and in your commanding officers. And I assure you, Viera Lerus is one of the best out there, and she’s yours.”

Metternach straightened even further as if suddenly reminded of something forgotten. “That’s right, ma’am!” His tone no longer held doubt, only strong confidence. I smiled and clapped his shoulder again before glancing back at Vonius.

“I’ll go find that fire like you said, Vonius. Thanks for the invitation, and stay warm!” I shuddered to give effect to my words and stepped away, Vonius’s chuckles trailing after me.

Sai paced alongside me, glancing about us nervously. As I passed the first encampment, I recognized the sigil of Chorrol above its central tent. A lean form stepped out of its shelter and stretched his arms wide. As his yawning mouth closed, I recognized Ashcroft’s salt-and-cayenne pepper hair and waved. He blinked at me, then grinned in recognition.

“Hail!” He waved me toward the fire. I shook my head.

“I have another invitation first,” I remarked. “Kvatch.”

“Down at the end,” Ashcroft pointed. He stepped down. “I’ll walk with you, then, if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” I shook my head and started walking again. “How are your guards holding up here?”

“Good, good,” Ashcroft responded. “The folks here treat us well enough. The stories down at Tap ’n Tack are entertaining, and the ale hearty!” He grinned sidelong at me. “More than makes up for standing out in this infernal cold!” His gaze grew somber. “But not for those Oblivion Gates. Nothing could, except closing ‘em forever.”

“And there are folks working on that,” I assured Ashcroft, thinking of Martin and that Great Welkynd stone waiting under Blanco’s watchful eye.

“Well, that’s good to know,” Ashcroft’s voice brought me back to the present. He nodded at Sai, still shadowing me closely. “I see you’ve got a dog now.”

“That’s what you get for feeding every stray you see,” I remarked dryly. Ashcroft laughed at the reminder of the camp dog who had adopted him when he was a homesick recruit in my cohort. “Hopefully Sai will be more Lucky than Trouble was.”

“I remember you warned me to never name a dog Trouble, for trouble would find him.” Ashcroft shook his head at the sad memory. “I hope that Sai remains Lucky then.” His gaze flashed at me. “Though if he stays with you, ma’am, he’ll keep his luck.”

“I don’t know about that,” I shook my own head, thinking of the close calls with the goblins and the undead of Miscarcand. “He has a habit of finding trouble.”

“Admit it,” Ashcroft nudged me with his elbow. “You’re alive because of him.”

I paused and glanced down at Sai, ruffling the scruff of his neck fondly. “I won’t deny it, Ashcroft. I just can’t help comparing him to the dogs in Legio Ten.”

“Train him, then,” Ashcroft smiled down at Sai. I felt the dog’s tail wave slowly behind us as Sai returned the man’s glance. “I recall you spent quite a bit of time over in the Legio Ten learning how to command their dogs.”

“I know how to signal them,” I started walking again. “But I don’t know how to teach them to know those signals.” Again I glanced down at Sai. “I think someone started teaching him, because he does know a few, but he was alone when I found him.”

“And now he’s not,” Ashcroft remarked, lengthening his stride slightly to match mine. “I’m not surprised that he’s following you, though it’s obvious to me that he’s pretty wary of so many soldiers around.”

“I found him in a bandit camp,” I answered. “Shortly after a Legion rider cleared it of bandits.”

“Makes sense,” Ashcroft nodded.

The second encampment on the terrace sported the moon-and-star of Skingrad. The soldiers outside it waved at me in friendly greeting. Not recognizing anyone I knew, I waved back. They returned to their gear, hammering out dents in shields already scarred by clannfear claws, and running whetstones along steel blades.

“They’ve been good men to have at your shoulder,” Ashcroft remarked as we passed them. “Honest and hardworking. Their decanus, Andor Hallstein, has been rock-solid against the daedra.”

“That’s good to know,” I agreed, nodding once more at the Skingrad guardsmen. “They held the line for two weeks at their own Gate, so they’ve plenty of experience there.”

We walked on in silence, each of us thinking of the cost of defending the cities against the Oblivion Gates. Silently I thanked Akatosh that no additional Great Gates had opened to cause the same devastation that Kvatch had experienced.

Berich Inian straightened up from the flames, mug in hand, as we approached the Kvatch campfire. Like the others, the tiny encampment was neat and tidy, its off-duty guards tending to their gear in the manner of professional soldiers everywhere.

For some reason Sai did not tense as we approached the three men gathered around the hearth. Inian’s weary gaze brightened as he recognized me, but grew somber when he spotted Sai. He didn’t say anything, but waved us to join him beside the warm flames. Silently he handed me the mug he had just filled, and turned back to the fire and the klah pot.

“We’re just about to eat lunch,” one of the other guardsmen greeted us. “Care to join us?”

At that moment my stomach reminded me that Sai and I hadn’t eaten since we left the warm inn at Aleswell. “Certainly, if you’ve got the food to spare,” I recalled well the polenta Sigrid had fed me the first night I spent at Kvatch.

It wasn’t polenta that weighed down the platter the guardsman handed me. It was a chunk of mutton with roasted potato. Sai seated himself beside me and eyed my plate, his tongue flickering between his lips.

“Hey boy, catch,” with a whistle Inian turned from the fire and tossed Sai a smaller chunk of meat. The dog caught it deftly in midair and waved his tail in appreciation as he lay down to eat it.

“You know him?” I asked as Inian handed a second mug to Ashcroft and took a seat opposite us.

He nodded grimly. “The fact that he’s with you tells me that Cimber’s dead.”

“Cimber?” I recalled what Baro had told me. “You knew Sai’s owner?”

“Sai?” Inian’s gaze shifted from me to the dog. “Cimber called him Lucky. Sai’s close enough, I suppose.”

“Tell me something,” I asked Inian. “Was Cimber in the Legion?”

“Aye, he was,” Inian answered. “But he fell on hard times, and lost his way.” He shook his head sadly. “I tried to get him to come back to civilian life, but he had already burned his bridges. Why do you ask?”

“Sai seems to understand some Legion signs,” I answered. I shrugged. “Not all of the ones the war dogs know, but some.”

“Cimber served in Legio Ten,” Inian drank deeply of the klah in his hand. “Loved dogs, that man did. Found this one beside his dead mother, only one left alive of that litter.”

Like me, only I was older. I looked down at Sai, who was still working on the meat. Taking a bite of my own mutton, I glanced up at Inian. “How are you all doing here?”

“It’s cold!” The guardsman who had provided Ashcroft and I with lunch exclaimed around a mouthful of potato. “But Kvatch’s windier!” He shrugged under Inian’s swift glance. “Can’t tell you which is better.”

“We’re doing as well as can be expected,” Inian responded. “At least we’re doing some good here.”

I considered his words for a few moments. Is he one of those still depressed over the loss of Kvatch? “I hope you’ll do as much good here as you did in Kvatch,” my quiet tone brooked no argument. “If it wasn’t for the steadfast courage of all of you, there would have been no Kvatch for me to find.” I cast my gaze around the gathered guardsmen, and caught Ashcroft’s nod at my shoulder.

Inian drew a deep breath. “We didn’t know what else to do but keep fighting.”

“You could have given up,” I countered firmly. “But you didn’t. Fight here the way you did at Kvatch, and you’ll save not only Kvatch, but all of Cyrodiil.” I glanced down at my empty plate. The guardsman at my right rose to take it from me. I shook my head at his unspoken offer of seconds. “I have confidence in all of you.” I sought the words to boost their morale. “You took a beating there outside the walls of Kvatch, but you held the line. You lost family, friends, and more besides in there, but you held the line. Of every soldier standing watch here at Bruma, of every man and woman bearing arms against these infernal daedra, you deserve to be called heroes, all of you. I am jealous of Savlian Matius, for he is the only one who gets to call you his.”

Poor Sai. All those surcoats probably made him feel like a cat in a room full of rockers. No wonder he was glued to Julian's side the entire time.

Ilend Vonius? But he was just in Kvatch talking to Buffy the other day. How did he get to Bruma so quickly? It was good to see him though. Coming right on the heels of Julian's indignation over the Leyawiin contingent not pulling its weight, he is a good example of someone also there because of Julian, doing everything right. I loved that he and the Bravil Guard (Gaius Prentus perhaps?) were arguing over who got dibs on Julian being their hero!

And of course Julian is the last to admit that she is a hero. Along with healing animals, there is another thing she has in common with a certain stringy Bosmer.

So Sai's former owner was a deserter? Or simply discharged? Now that ties a very neat bow around the mystery of where Julian's lucky dog came from. Even Sai being an orphan makes him fit so perfectly with our favorite white-haired Redguard.

Finally, a tasty mutton dinner with all the heroes of Kvatch. It is good to see Julian catching up with them at last. I wonder if when the Battle of Bruma does take place, the warcry will be "Kvatch! Kvatch! Kvatch!"?

“Hail, Hero of Kvatch!” A familiar voice rang out from the line.

Uh oh. I loved that Julian responded with an inspirational talk instead of a lecture. Only she could have connected with the guardsmen and answered their concerns in the way she did.

The multiple invitations to share campfires also speak highly of Julian. It was great to get some meat and potatoes and answers at the Kvatch encampment. Sai had an owner who loved and trained him, then Sai fell on hard times just like Cimber. Now with Julian, he’s Lucky again.

“It’s cold!” The guardsman who had provided Ashcroft and I with lunch exclaimed around a mouthful of potato. “But Kvatch’s windier!” He shrugged under Inian’s swift glance. “Can’t tell you which is better.”

This was a neat interaction. I enjoyed the rich exchanges throughout this episode. It makes me tense for each one of the future heroes, and wonder who will walk home and who will ride in a box.

This was a fabulous walk down soldier alley! And I agree with SubRosa that it was so nice to put a bow on Sai’s history.

“She’s the Hero of Bravil, too!”
And every other city in Cyrodiil!

“I don’t doubt that you have courage,” I said to Metternach. “And I will tell you to keep the faith. That’s the one thing those daedra do not have. Faith in yourself, in your comrades to the left and the right of you,’
Superbly put, Julian!

And thanks for the warm meal on such a cold day in Bruma.

“I have confidence in all of you.” I sought the words to boost their morale. “You took a beating there outside the walls of Kvatch, but you held the line. You lost family, friends, and more besides in there, but you held the line. Of every soldier standing watch here at Bruma, of every man and woman bearing arms against these infernal daedra, you deserve to be called heroes, all of you. I am jealous of Savlian Matius, for he is the only one who gets to call you his.”
My heart swells with pride here. Pride in the soldiers of Kvatch, pride in Savlian Matius, pride in Julian and pride in you for bringing forth the right words. Such a beautifully powerful end to this wonderful episode.

Had to laugh at Frasoric's immediate assumption about- and response to- Sai's presence.

Then Julian's thoughts about WHY the other mage cannot manage a conjuration because of her poor practice habits... As ever, you bring a practical eye to the workings of magic.

The memory of poor Cao was simply heart-breaking.



Like maybe THIS one?

Rather than double-post, will just add to this one.

Speaking of post- the entire scene of Julian "walking the guard posts" is simply brilliant. It shows WHY she was such a good pilus. And why she is still the leader to whom the guards look for assurance. The fact that she tends to "lead from the front" does not hurt, either.

Sai's history is also a welcome addition.

A good overview of the other encampments. Having her wlak past them worked to review some older characters without grinding to a halt. I suspect the Kvatch contingent will be the best, both from experience and determination as well as the simpler fact that those who weren't so trained probably didn't make it. I also suspect we might be seeing the very best as a contrast to the Leyawin guard.

I suspect Julian's pilus voice will be needed in full. The dialogue should be as much of a treat as this piece was.

Hi all. Since so many forumers are lost in a certain Northern province, I'm going to decrease my posting frequency to once a week. I doubt that people are going to miss that second-day-of-the-week post.

@SubRosa: Ilend Vonius is a master of the teleport spell - you know, the kind that enables him to transport from one location in one story to a totally different location in another story - miles away! As for Cimber, he was discharged but couldn't find constructive work. Like most bandits in the OHDH world, he was trying to survive. Inian knew Sai the Lucky was the one bright spot in Cimber's life If I were to write a 'dog' story, that's the one I'd be writing. And yes, "For Kvatch!" will definitely be one of the rallying cries at the big fight. I teared up when I heard it used in the game at Bruma, and decided then and there that it was going to make it into this story!

@Grits: I think that inspirational chat with the guards on the line was a little glimpse in the way Julian used to boost the morale of her rookies up back when she was the boss of the Ninth Cohort. You'll get to see her "other side" today. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. And those little interactions between soldiers when they are standing watch or taking their ease are my favorite parts of any war movie. "Saving Private Ryan" was full of those moments, and it really helped me to see each man as an individual person instead of a cardboard cutout. So when Sergeant Mike died in the climatic battle on the bridge, I bawled my eyes out. The Captain's death just put me over the edge!

@Acadian: I am delighted that you so enjoyed the walk down Soldiers' Alley. What a great name for that terrace fronting the castle in the vanilla version! I will always think of that name every time I walk along that stretch of cobblestones. I knew you would enjoy the meal at the Kvatch encampment. There will be another hot one waiting for her at Cloud Ruler Temple when she (finally) gets there. And I figured you would get the meaning of her words to the Kvatch guards - envious of Matius for the caliber of his men? Any good NCO would be!

@treydog: I'm glad you're finally caught up. It seems so logical for Julian to compare magicka training to what she knows about weapons/combat training. And if you ask me, she's not that far off the mark there. And I knew I was going to see a picture of Rico when I clicked on your linky. And of course that "walking the posts" is one old habit that will die very hard. I think it's a great reflection on Julian's sense of responsibility for these guys being so far from home in such a cold and unforgiving climate. (Though Orania's potions are most welcome, I'm sure.)

@Olen: Yes, I thought it was a great way to reintroduce everyone to some of the guards she had met during her travels. I hope you enjoy the upcoming dialogue as much as I enjoyed writing it. Julian in full blast as the pilus was such a - well - blast to write. I'm not so sure about the dialogue, but her body language is definitely that of a crusty old sergeant with little patience. You'll have to let me know what you think.

On her return to Bruma, Julian gets to meet the guards who have arrived at Bruma to reinforce the locals against the escalating Crisis. The title of this next post should say it all.

********************
Chapter 29.4: The Return of the Pilus

Sai trotted at my side, much happier with the mutton bone in his mouth, courtesy of Inian. More confident now that he had recognized a few old friends among the Kvatch contingent, he held his head high, balancing the thick limb easily. He no longer sought reassurance through contact, content to remain within arm’s reach of my left knee. If any soldier passed too close, he would growl softly around that bone. Most of them grinned and gave way, familiar with the ways of dogs and their treasures.

As I entered the castle courtyard, I scanned the remaining encampments within. Bruma yellow mingled with the colors of Bravil, Cheydinhal and Anvil. Still no sign of Leyawiin. I frowned. I hadn’t seen the White Stallion sigil on the watch line along the terrace, either. Seems Bor and Soren weren’t exaggerating when they described the Leyawiin contingent as slackers.

“Hail, Julian!” Varus’s voice drew my attention to the Anvil encampment just within the castle gates. Like the others on the terrace, the tents, marked by Anvil’s rust-brown livery, stood in a neat arrangement. A small fire crackled beneath a rough lean-to, the familiar ringing of steel on steel alerting me to the presence of a blacksmith. I wasn’t surprised to see Enilroth’s soot-covered face smiling at me as he returned the damaged blade to the forge.

“Hail, Varus,” I returned the greeting. “Hail Enilroth. I’m not surprised to see you here.”

“Ach, how could I let these brave men and women face the daedra with damaged gear?” Enilroth shouted back. “Even this cold won’t keep me away!”

I shook my head and turned to Varus as he paused beside me. “He’s been repairing not just our own gear, but those of Kvatch, Skingrad and Chorrol, too,” he added, echoing my own head shake. “It’s a calling for him, it seems.”

“And under these circumstances, a worthy one too,” I added. “Though Fjotreid here in Bruma’s a fine smith too.”

“I don’t doubt that at all,” Varus agreed. “But his forge’s been full with the others’. He’s grateful for Enilroth taking some of the load off of him.” He glanced up at the sky. “The way these Gates have been opening so quickly lately, both of them are busy day and night.”

“Listen,” I clapped Varus’s shoulder. “I never said thanks for your help with the situation at my mother’s farm.”

“Tis the least I can do for our own hometown Hero,” Varus grinned back. “And d’you remember Gogan and Maelona?”

“You had mentioned them, yes,” I agreed.

“They were right, one of the sailors were recruiting boys for the fight club on the docks. Cleared that situation up in a hurry. They’re minding the fort back home while I’m up here.”

“I imagine you’re glad Anvil’s in such good hands.” I smiled at the humorous tone in Varus’s voice. I knew of Captain Langley’s laziness - the man seldom appeared outside his chambers in the northwest guard tower. Again I wondered how Countess Umbranox tolerated his behavior.

“Aye, I managed to convince the Cap to put them two in my place when he assigned me the decanus position for this place.” Varus’s nod was as emphatic as his tone. Now he glanced at me, a canny assessment in his dark eyes. “Can I help you find something, Julian?"

“I’m just walking through, making certain everyone’s situated fine,” I responded. “I feel responsible for all of you being here.”

“Of course you would, if Ashcroft’s stories about you are to be believed,” Varus assured me. “But somehow I doubt he’s exaggerating anything.”

“Oh, Ashcroft does exaggerate,” I warned him. I looked down at Sai, who had flopped down with his bone. “I’m glad to see your guards seem to be getting on well enough.”

Varus sighed. “Most of us are,” he cast his eyes toward the tall peaks visible beyond the northern walls. “You know, I’ve always wanted to see the High Jeralls. Beautiful, aren’t they?” He dropped his gaze to me. “Almost makes you forget why you’re here.”

I frowned at him. “What are you telling me, Varus?”

“You’ve had a chance to see the watch line on the terrace outside?” Varus looked away. I could sense his uneasiness. What is that? Reluctance to criticize another officer?

“Yes, and I’ve noticed that Leyawiin seems to be missing, even though there are supposed to be five contubernii here.” I made my voice hard.

“Their camp’s just a little bit that way,” Varus pointed out the path past the Anvil encampment and the next one. Bravil.

“Thanks, Varus,” I said. “Let’s go, Sai.” As the dog leaped to his feet, Varus slammed fist to chest in the Legion salute before spinning on his heel to return to his men.

The Bravil camp lay quiet, its fire tidily banked down beneath a covering of ash. Either they’re out on the line, or they’re resting, or they’re down at Tap ’n Tack. Their tents stood smartly in an organized cluster around the fire, shields gleaming softly in the cold afternoon light. Beyond, I could see the sigil of the White Stallion hanging askew on its pole.

As I drew near the Leyawiin encampment, a sense of dismay crept into my throat. Trash cluttered the spaces between crooked tents, of which a few appeared ready to collapse. Dull, damaged gear lay tumbled about the sloppy hearth. One lone soldier ran a whetstone on his sword, hunched beneath a green cloak. As I passed the first of the tents, a strong, foul odor emanated out of its open flap. I glanced inside to catch a glimpse of sprawled forms, and my ears detected rattling snores from inside.

The soldier looked up as Sai and I approached the fire. I recognized the young man who had witnessed the confrontation between Caelia Draconis and me in the Five Claws Lodge, who had presented Mazoga and me with our White Stallion shields.

Apparently he recognized me, too, for he lowered his sword to the stool next to him and sprang to his feet, giving me that same smart salute I remembered.

“What is your name, sir?” I kept the ice out of my tone. Could there be at least one good man here? Out of all the gear, I had noticed that his was in good repair.

“Metellus Apsice,” he replied. I stumbled over the unfamiliar pronunciation. “I’m from Daggerfall.”

“Served in the Legion?” I asked, pleased by the steady way he met my gaze.

“Two years, ma’am,” he answered. Now I saw a flicker of chagrin. “Discharged when my rookie tour was up.”

Didn’t make the cut. Shame. “I thought so, by the way you were tending your gear,” I nodded at his sword, its edge gleaming softly in the firelight. My words brought his shoulders higher with pride. “But are you the only one in this contingent who understands that for your gear to take care of you, you must first take care of it?”

Apsice’s broad shoulders slumped. Sai sat down beside me, his attention on the guardsman before us. He whimpered in apparent empathy at Apsice’s dejection.

“In Leyawiin, servants take care of the gear,” Apsice murmured so softly I had to lean forward to hear him. “They would make fun of me for doing it myself.”

“They did, huh?” I failed to keep the ice out of my voice this time. “So you stopped tending your own gear until you came here, is that it?”

His gaze shot up at my tone. “I never stopped!” He caught himself and shifted his eyes away. “Ma’am!”

Why isn’t he the decanus? Would he have made the others tend their own gear like proper soldiers? Suddenly it was clear to me what I needed to do. Burd would never assume command of guardsmen from another contingent, nor would the others. Especially one so slack as this. But we can’t afford to have them weighing the others down. Suddenly I wished for that oaken cane that signified my old position as pilus prior.

“Where is your decanus?” I used the informal title that designated the temporary commander of a field detachment. “Valeria Cordelia?”

“In the Jerall View Inn,” Apsice shuffled his feet and met my gaze again.

“How many are here with you?” I gestured toward the tents.

“Maybe twenty, maybe a little less?” Apsice answered hesitantly.

“And where would the rest be?” I continued. Again Apsice wavered uneasily. I felt my brows rise in disbelief. “At the Jerall View?” His unhappy gaze told me the answer.

I unhooked Touch from my belt. Sai sprang to his feet as I stalked to the nearest floppy structure. A quick twist of the sheathed katana through one of the tent ropes dislodged the loose stake from the frozen ground. The brisk afternoon breeze rattled the tent sides as I continued pulling stakes until the tent collapsed.

Loud shouts and groans sounded from beneath the heavy fabric as I moved to the next tent. I ignored the cursing and brought the second tent down.

By the time all six tents lay limply on the ground, most of the guards had staggered out in various stages of undress, more than a few trailing disheveled tavern tramps. The air turned as blue from their language as their exposed skin did from the Bruma breeze. Apsice stared at me as I returned to the hearth, Sai trotting after me with low growls. Two of the men, their hair spiky from sleep and goosebumps rising on their bare chests, rounded on me.

“What in ‘Blivion!” one of them shouted, his fists rising before him. I slapped them aside with the sheathed Touch and stepped forward until we were toe to toe. When his enraged gaze met mine, I let the old pilus loose.

“Do you call yourselves soldiers?” I snapped, my voice crackling through the shouting. “Fighting men? Sworn to service? Service of what? Your puny shortswords?” I flashed my glare at the wenches, who began gathering their belongings.

“Who th’ hell are you to go around like this, s’wit?” the burly guardsman shouted back, his fists coming up again. “You got no right -“

Thwack! Touch’s wooden scabbard stopped his tirade cold, sending him reeling back with blood spraying from his nose. “Do you hate being here, at the backside of Cyrodiil with Skyrim farting in your face?” My gaze encompassed all of the guards now gathered around the fire. “I’m the one that got you here, and by Akatosh, I’ll be the one to take you out!” Sai growled beside me, bone resting on the ground between his front feet.

Either the sight of the dog’s bared teeth or the look in my eyes kept the guards back. Their cursing died down as I faced the burly one again. “I ask you, do you belong here? Are you good enough to take your place between the guards of Cheydinhal and Bravil?” Now I raked my gaze scornfully up and down the man’s half-clothed frame.

He wiped the blood away from his mouth and glared back at me, rising to his full height. Still he had to look up a little to meet my gaze. His jaw worked beneath the scruffy beard.

“Are you?” I challenged him.

“Yes!” he shouted back. “Better than anyone else here!”

“Then prove it!” I stabbed the katana at the collapsed tents. “Straighten up this place! Clean up this trash! And stow and shine your gear!”

“H- how?” One of the other guards chattered, wrapping his arms around himself. I stepped before him, waiting until he met my gaze unhappily.

“Look to your left,” I waved the katana toward Bravil’s encampment, “and to your right,” at Cheydinhal’s tidy cluster of eleven tents. “These are real soldiers. No need to look further than these two.” I moved to a discarded shield, its battered surface still bearing bloodstains. Hefting it before me, I slapped it with Touch, making the guards around me jump from the loud clatter. “As for your gear, look no further than -“ I tossed the shield at a nearby guard and returned to Apsice’s side. I clasped his shoulder firmly. “Look no further than this man.”

“Wh- what about the o- others?” The shivering man would not stop.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find them, and send them back to you when I get through with them.” I stalked through the group toward the castle gates. Sai seized up his bone and trotted after me with a final growl at the men between us. I stopped and turned back. “When I come back with your decanus, I want these tents straightened up, not a speck of trash left on the ground, and I want to see every last bit of your gear stowed and shined.” Now I let them see my battle smile. “Or I’ll have Burd put you up front at the next Oblivion Gate. By yourselves.”

“Hail, Julian!” Varus’s voice
Varus? Has he given the Emperor his legions back yet? I loved how he pointed out the slackness of the Leyawiin contingent, without actually saying so.

Poor Enilroth, he had to tear himself from the arms of Heinrich Oaken-Hull's wife! (if you did not know, they are having an affair in the game).

It was good seeing the Leyawiin soldier who presented Julian with her knight's shield. It was even better how she uprooted all their tent stakes! Vols would have been proud of how she whipped those babies into shape. I especially liked her final line. If that does not motivate them, nothing will!

Two words, baby.

HELL YEAH!

Julian let them off lightly.

If it had been me there'd be a few teeth being swallowed.

I think the once a week schedule will work fine. I see you are already providing a welcome ‘in our last episode’ warm up to snap readers right back in where you want us.

More Soldier Alley! You continue to capture the martial feel and icy cold of the place. Well, except for the sad sacks of Leyawiin.

I chuckled all the way through Julian’s well-deserved and well-delivered tirade. You did a great job of capturing the effect you were going for. She was just sooo JackWebbTheDI here!

I also enjoyed the full and continuous presence of Sai here as Julian’s partner and assistant drill instructor.

Julian is the perfect combination of heart and HEAT!!! ("Touch" this!)

Julian is the kind of leader every soldier should wish for, she doesn't give them the option of weakness and she sets the prime example first. She has compassion that shows only when it NEEDS to be seen and as Trey said, she leads from the front. I can't imagine a better leader to follow.

Her handling of the Leyawiin contingent was all I expected, including the humor. I found it highly amusing that she dropped their pitiful tents on their more pitiful heads, just deserts I'd say. And then the dressing down was classic, I loved it.

I look forward to how she handles the remainder when she locates them. I imagine they'll get even more of a wake up than their cohorts at the camp. I might feel sorry for them if they didn't deserve it. Pull that hitch out of their giddy-up Julian!!!

I wasn’t surprised to see Enilroth’s soot-covered face smiling at me as he returned the damaged blade to the forge.

Yay, Enilroth! Banging away, no doubt. I love how you portray him. I can imagine him cheerfully repairing half of Cyrodiil’s equipment.


“They were right, one of the sailors were recruiting boys for the fight club on the docks. Cleared that situation up in a hurry. They’re minding the fort back home while I’m up here.”

What?! Now they’re going to have to go back to fighting in the tavern! How welcome to get some news from sunny Anvil.


Wow, Julian in full Pilus mode is something to behold! She sure ended the Leyawiin boys’ vacation. When she collapsed the tents, I was rolling! I enjoyed her rant from start to finish.

Now I let them see my battle smile.

And that was more than a little scary!

And caught up finally. Two stories down, 400 to go. Fun to touch base with familiar faces amung the guards, and to do a bit more then touch to Layawiin's. I'm getting a feeling that the Tap is going to have a new story to tell soon. Julian and the Wastes of Space!

Good luck with your NNWM project.

I echo the Oh Hell-Yeah...

For both parts...

Most excellent...

Wow...

Nice one... ...

(Former) dog person that I am, I simply adored the description of Sai with his prize.

Varus' discretion as he walks that line between criticizing his "equal" (in rank, though definitely NOT in quality) and knowing one bad unit can ruin the entire force- perfectly handled.



And there is how to SHOW rather than TELL.

And Julian's restraint in dealing with the sorry sods was quite impressive. They are lucky the TENTS were the only thing she dropped on their heads.



They can prove that they are soldiers- one way or another....

Loved to hear the crackle in Julian's voice, to see how far she has come since waking in that cell in the Imperial Prison.

@SubRosa: I'm glad Julian's reaction to the Leyawiin's slackabouts earned Vols's approval. As pilus, Julian gets to do what I've always wanted to do to the slackers I've always been stuck with. Yes, I knew Enilroth was having an affair back in Anvil. I suspect Morvayn knew, too, and that could be why he sent the young kid off to Bruma to cool his globes.

@D. Foxy: I'll see if this next post meets the same approval. I think one or two teeth got swallowed here.

@Acadian: If you liked Sai as the second DI here, I think you'll thoroughly enjoy his presence in this post. I liked that you compared Julian's pilus act to Jack Webb's. It means I'm doing something right.

@Athynae: I think you'll enjoy the upcoming scene.

@Grits: I'm glad you enjoyed Julian's rant at these slackabouts. She is awesome when she is in full pilus mode!

@liliandra: Welcome! That is becoming quite a chore, catching up on the entire story. I just peeked at the word count in Scrivener. Yikes! 350K!! I hope to finish this before it hits 400K!

@McB: Why, thank you very much!

@treydog: You will totally love Sai in this one! I loved hearing that crackle in Julian's voice, too.

Julian returned to Bruma to find the Leyawiin contingent woefully unprepared for the escalating crisis. She let her pilus out in full steam on these hapless idiots. Now she is off to find their so-called leader, Valeria Cordelia.

********************

Chapter 29.5: A Lesson in Leadership

The careworn Nord behind the high counter met my gaze as Sai and I entered the Jerall View. His gaze flickered over my companion.

“We don’t serve dogs in here,” he shouted over the din, a note of ragged grouchiness in his voice.

“That’s all right, sir,” I answered, casting my gaze around the room. The White Stallion was scattered in clumps around the room, most of the men already deep in their cups, and the few women apparently not far behind them. “I’m only looking for a Valeria Cordelia?”

He only shook his head at me with a scowl. Another Nord, younger and with thick black brows, stepped next to me.

“Looking for that Leyawiin tramp?” His tone matched the innkeeper’s expression. “She’s over there,” he pointed out a slim Imperial seated with three other men, all of them knocking back shot glasses of golden liquid.

“Thanks,” I said, turning to approach the table. The Nord’s big hand clamped on my shoulder.

“They’ve drunk enough to start a brawl with anyone,” he warned me. “And I don’t want to get in the middle of ‘em all, if you follow my meaning?"

“Are you the bouncer?” I met his scowl.

“Logvaar’s the name,” he answered. “I get paid to deal with the mean drunks, but it don’t mean I like it when they all start brawlin’ at the same time.”

“I’ll get them out before I start brawling with them, sir,” I shook him off. “Trust me, I’ve done this before.”

“Yes, ma’am, I don’t doubt it.” Logvaar stepped back and clasped his hands behind his back.

When I unclipped the wooden sheath of my katana from my belt a second time that afternoon, Sai dropped his bone to the floor. The heavy limb made a thunk that brought a sudden silence as everyone turned to look at the source of the sound.

Valeria Cordelia met my gaze across the room. Her own dark eyes widened as she recognized me. Then her small chin thrust forward in a pout and she turned her eyes from me. She poured herself another shot from an amber bottle that I recognized as Nordic Whiskey from one of the Skyrim villages.

In two steps I was beside her. The hilt of my katana dropped onto her wrist, knocking the glass away from her face and spilling the alcohol across the table. “Valeria Cordelia?” Once again I let the old pilus prior out and slammed the sheathed tip onto the table in front of her, making everyone jump. “Do you call yourself a decanus? How dare you!”

“Dare I?” Cordelia’s eyes flashed through her drunken fog. She slammed her hands onto the table and pushed herself upright. Her chair flew backwards before it tipped over with a loud clatter. “How dare you!” She pointed a finger into my face. “How dare you come in here and tell me what to do!” She reached for the bottle of Nordic whiskey. My scabbarded blade struck her hand away and sent the bottle flying to shatter against the nearby wall. Two of the men at the table leaped up, reaching for me.

Swiftly I jammed the sheathed tip into the belly of one and swung the hilt against the chin of the other, sending both of them reeling back into their chairs. I turned back to Cordelia, rapping her right shoulder hard with the katana. Behind me, Sai growled loudly at the shuffling feet from another table.

The Imperial woman glared up at me, her right arm numbed by my strike. “I have no wish to brawl in here,” I warned her. “You have two choices. You can do what I tell you to do, or you can do this the hard way.”

Behind me one of her companions staggered back up threateningly, his wheezing breath warning me of his approach. Once more I sent the tip of my scabbard backwards into his abdomen. With a groan he collapsed onto the chair. I clamped my left hand on Cordelia’s bruised shoulder, forcing her back against the wall behind her. As she groaned and writhed from the pain my grip triggered, I turned back to the room at large.

“If you consider yourself soldiers and fighting men and women,” I filled my tone with as much contempt as I felt for this slovenly troop, “leave this inn right now. Go back to your encampment, straighten up your tents and see to your gear. Now!”

About half of the gathered guards staggered to their feet and stumbled out into the darkening afternoon. Cordelia’s three companions and a few of the others lingered, their eyes on her.

Again I slammed my weapon against the table. One of the remaining shot glasses tipped onto its side and rolled over the edge of the oaken surface. The guards shifted startled gazes to me. “Well?” I growled at them. “Do you have trouble understanding your orders?”

“We only take orders from Valeria!” One of the others, the one whose chin I had already rapped, grunted back. Blood from his bitten tongue stained his lips. I narrowed my eyes at his familiar use of her name.

“What kind of orders are those?” I snapped. “The kind that belong in the bedroom?” I shook my head furiously at him. “Let me warn you, I’m a Knight of Leyawiin, and that means I outrank your lovely Valeria. If you want to keep your globes, get your lazy butts out of here now!”

Finally the men did move, though with much drunken grumbling. They gave the snarling Sai a wide berth and staggered out the double doors. Logvaar closed the panels after them and turned back toward me, a question in his dark eyes.

I pulled Cordelia off the wall and looked around the main room again. Still quite a few people here. I dragged her after me to the bar and laid my katana down on its smooth surface before the innkeeper. “Do you have a room where we can speak privately, sir?”

“Yes,” he grunted, new respect in his eyes. He hesitated, and I anticipated his thoughts.

“How much?” I reached into my belt purse for my drakes.

“I normally charge twenty-five a night,” he mumbled uncertainly. I tossed a handful of the coins onto the surface. My fingers counted out twenty-five drakes, and gathered up the rest.

He handed me a key. “Downstairs, first door on the right,” he added.

Cordelia protested and struggled as I hauled her down the wide stairs. Sai, who had recovered his bone, bounded down the steps after us.

The door to the assigned room was unlatched, and I booted it open. Cordelia staggered against the writing desk within when I flung her through the doorway. I turned to Sai, dropping my hand to his head. “Stay here, Sai,” I ordered. He stopped just outside the door and whined softly as I closed the door on his blue eyes.

“What do you think you are doing, fetcher!” Cordelia screamed at me as I faced her again. I stepped past the smaller woman and pulled the chair away from the desk.

“Sit down,” I said quietly, the pilus still very prominent in my icy tone. “Believe me, you don’t want to do this the hard way.”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Cordelia spun unsteadily toward me, her right fist floating toward my face. I blocked it easily with my blade, the impact making a cracking sound that echoed around the small chamber. As she staggered back, I caught her right shoulder again and shoved her into the chair.

“I do dare,” I leaned down to her with a growl. “I’ve led men and women for years. I know what it takes to be combat-ready. I know what needs to be done to get the soldiers to that point and to keep them there. And so far, I haven’t seen any of that from you!”

“It’s not your business!” She knocked my hand from her shoulder.

“Oh, yes it is!” I snapped back. “It’s my business since I am the one that convinced Count Caro he needed to send a fighting force here to assist Bruma. But what does he send? A fighting force? Are you fetching kidding me?” I straightened up, my gaze still locked with hers. She returned my glare hotly, her chest heaving with angry breaths. I took a deep breath. “Have you any Legion experience?”

She blinked at my question, then shook her head fiercely. “What difference does it make?”

Why in 'Blivion did they make her decanus, instead of Metellus Apsice? “Who in your command has Legion experience?” Her blank stare told me what I needed to know about the quality of her leadership. “Do you mean to tell me you don’t even know the combat experience of your own command?”

“Why should I?” Cordelia shot back. “I never even wanted to come! Let alone be decanus!”

I leaned down to her so that we could feel each other’s breaths on our cheeks. “You never wanted command? That’s too bad. You were given it, you’re stuck with it.”

“What gives you the right!” Cordelia shot out of her chair and stumbled over the bed. She staggered to her feet and turned to face me. “You’re not part of the Guard!”

“No, I’m not,” I kept my voice even. “Believe me, if I were part of this Guard, it would be a far different group than the pathetic excuse of reinforcements you’re commanding right now. But,” I stepped closer to her, “I am a Knight of Leyawiin, and that stands for something, even if my Legion experience doesn’t. And shall I remind you who closed not one, but two Gates outside your beloved city walls?” I took another deep breath to calm my resurgent temper. “Now ask me again what gives me the right.”

Cordelia suddenly deflated as the whiskey-induced rage disappeared. She turned her face from me and stared at the floor. “I don’t know how to lead,” she whispered. “Captain Draconis put me in charge of this contingent. I don’t know why - I know nothing about this command you speak of. All I’ve ever done was try to fit in.”

I stepped back, no longer sensing any hostility from her. “Fit in?” I repeated softly. “Are you in a relationship with one of the men?” The flush that spread over her cheeks told me the truth. More than one? Those three sitting with her? I inhaled slowly. “And no one called you on it?”

“Captain Draconis knew what was going on,” Cordelia murmured. “She even has a few herself on the side.” Her gaze wavered at the flicker I felt passing through my face. “Was that wrong?” She shook her head. “I have no idea how other city Guards behave.”

“All those kinds of relationships do is damage the chain of command,” I said quietly. “In times of peace, it’s not noticeable, but when there’s a crisis -“ I let my voice trail away. I’m going to have a few words with Inspector General Camillus about this Draconis. She knows better! “Relationships outside the Guard, or your combat unit, are fine, but not with another within your own squad.”

“Are you going to send me home?” Cordelia’s voice turned wispy life a five-year-old child with her hand in the pastry jar. I felt my jaw tighten as she lifted her left hand to wipe at her cheeks.

“Do you want me to?” I made my voice more gentle than censuring.

“I’d rather not be here,” Cordelia lifted her chin and met my gaze. “But I’d prefer to be in Leyawiin even less. Not like this.” She took a deep and shaky breath. “I’ll stay, as long as someone else commands.”

“You were given the command,” I answered. “If you choose to stay here in Bruma, you should carry out your obligations to your men.”

“But I don’t know how!” Cordelia wailed. I cut her off with a chopping motion of my katana.

“There is someone in your troop with Legion experience. I assume you don’t have that kind of relationship with him?”

“Who?” Somehow Cordelia’s question suggested that she had been “through” many, if not all, of the men in the Leyawiin Guard.

Akatosh no, not Apsice! “Metellus Apsice has that experience. He can advise you.”

“Metellus?” Cordelia repeated, her eyes unfocusing a little. She shook her head, and I stifled my relieved sigh. “No, he’s not my type,” she muttered to herself. “Didn’t he wash out?”

“He completed his rookie tour,” I pointed out. “That makes him a veteran. And he alone of all of your command seems to know how to shine and stow his gear and how officers should be. Shall I have a word with him on your behalf?”

“Would he help me?” Cordelia asked. “I mean, he’s never been interested in me.”

Now I stared at her. “Why wouldn’t he help you?” I shook my head. “I’ve never slept with any of my tironii, nor have I slept with my commanding officers. Go talk to Ashcroft, with Chorrol. He served his rookie tour in my cohort, he’ll tell you that I don’t have that kind of relationship with my people.”

“Then how can you lead -?” Cordelia shook her head. This time I blinked in consternation.

“Leading by sex is best left to tavern tramps and camp whores,” my blunt words made her wince. “Soldiers, regardless of gender, lead by respect. And respect is not given, it is earned.”

Cordelia slumped down onto the edge of the bed, her eyes gazing blankly into the distance. “I - I never knew -“ She blinked and focused on me. “Will you show me?”

“I am already bespoken elsewhere,” I shook my head, thinking of Martin. “But I’ll ask Apsice to lend you his support and experience. If you want an example of how a woman should command her men, look no further than Viera Lerus.”

Holy ships....the rot is far WORSE than I thought...

In fiction this unit will be able to be reformed. IRL, however, a unit that has fallen than low can be reformed in only one of two ways: in peacetime, total unit disbandment and starting from scratch: in wartime, the firing squad.

Hautee, this is just a RL observation. In your fictional world you are mistress supreme - it's your story! (And a Bloody Good One, may I add!)

So the mystery of the useless contingent is solved. Leyawin seems to have been getting rid of their less useful guards and then made a mess of choosing the leader (I wonder how she got that position...). However it seems Julian has it sorted (or at least is fortunate enough to have poeple who will sort it now she's started the process.

That should let her get back to CRT and Martin. I can't wait for her reaction when she hears the final ingrediant...

Wow, no wonder things were so bad. I had expected, at best (worst?) a beligerant/resentful commander, not... that. Cordelia has a long way to go to get any respect from either her 'fellow' commanders or her troops. Still, Viera is an excellent model to try for.

*wonders which person in the JF is doing the DB line, roots for them, at least up to a point*

Poor Sai, still lugging around that bone!

“Who in your command has Legion experience?” Her blank stare told me what I needed to know about the quality of her leadership.’
This is effectively phrased. Nice.

Leading by sex. I was beginning to wonder when Julian dragged Cordelia upstairs after paying 25 drakes for her. Then when she made Sai wait outside, I started to get worried. Whew. Just some girl talk.

What a gigantic mess. This group needs a complete do-over. I wouldn’t know where to start. Julian does, though! Wow.

Through all of it, I had to smile when Sai remembered to pick up his bone.

So is Valeria Cordelia's last name inspired by a character from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

“We don’t serve dogs in here,”
You don't serve droids? Erm, oh, dogs...

Well, so much for taking them outside before brawling!

And respect is not given, it is earned.
Indeed.

Another great episode of Julian showing off her legion chops. Not only knowing when to crack down hard, but also when to let up and listen, and then do something to create a positive change.

My favourite line by a country mile... ...

Loved it...Absolutely...Well loving this story...

Brilliance...

Nice one... ...

Excellent as ever. And yes- the IG definitely needs to be informed of what goes on with Draconis. The choice of decanus leads to the question- malicious or stupid?

There is plenty of rot within the city guard, and in this case the fish appears to be rotting from the head....

@All: Well, I got so caught up in the whole Apple training thing that I missed my posting day yesterday. My apologies!

@D.Foxy: This entire thing with the Leyawiin guard just blew up in my face. I was thinking mere slackers, but nooo. The more I wrote, the worse it got. I'm surprised Julian didn't just chase them all away. But I guess she has other things in mind for them. I quite agree that this unit IRL would require very, very drastic tactics to deal with them.

@Olen: I'm not sure the guard is going to be sorted out except in the harshest way. But Julian has done what she can. Let's just hope these folks pay attention to what she has said, and to what Metellus will be telling them. As for getting back to Martin and CRT, that is the one thing keeping Julian from taking them in hand!

@Lil: Yes, Cordelia has a long way to go before she can get real respect. She has a lot to learn. Thing is, will she learn 'em in time? There will be no DB in OHDH - Julian's not that type of person. And she's too recognizable for the undercover thing.

@Acadian: He he he - so we kept you guessing for a bit there, huh? Not to worry - Julian has a place for sex, and that ain't a 25-drake-a-night bed at the Jerall View!

@Grits: Naturally Sai continues to make his presence known. He won't be leaving these pages for a while. He and Blanco make too good a team!

@SubRosa: Never watched Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but I have watched Star Wars a bazillion times! And yes, she did get them outside before she started brawling with them! What happened in there (putting her katana to effective use) didn't qualify as a brawl by a country mile. If she had brawled with them, especially in her present condition, they wouldn't be able to walk back to their camp!

@McB: Thanks!

@Bowwow: Yes, the Inspector General will be getting an earful from his former pilus about the situation at Leyawiin. As far as Julian's concerned, that's far worse than Count Terentius and his skooma sucking son in Bravil. I suspect Draconis was getting rid of competition by sending Cordelia, who is so obviously unsuited for a leadership position, on a suicide mission.

The story thus far: Julian has discovered that the Leyawiin contingent leaves much to be desired both in leadership and in training. She does what she can to get them straightened out before they get themselves (or worse, the other guard contingents) decimated by the daedra.

***********************
Chapter 29.6: A Warm Welcome Home

"Hail, Julian!" Achille's greeting from the watchtowers above the gates warmed my heart after the long ride up in the late afternoon gloom. I waved back, then dismounted just as the gates before us opened. As before, Roliand and Caroline stepped through to welcome us home.

"Every time you return, you bring a new companion!" Caroline exclaimed as she gestured toward Sai. I glanced back to see him standing beside Blanco's hindquarters, his gaze wary on the two Blades.

"Careful," I stopped Caroline from approaching him. "He's still suspicious of any armored soldier we meet. Let him warm up to you first."

"But I don't want his bone!" Caroline exclaimed, but Roliand nodded.

"Aye, I understand," he clapped a restraining hand on Caroline's shoulder. "Skyrim Huskies are slow to accept strangers, and do so only on their own terms."

"There's that," I admitted. "But also, his last master was killed by a Legion rider, so any person in heavy armor is suspicious to him."

"Ah, I understand," Caroline fell back slightly. She removed her helmet and smiled at Sai. "What's the best way to get him to accept us?"

"Share your dinner with him." Irony tinged my answer as I thought back to how I had won his trust and how he had accepted Berennus beside the campfire, He had even settled down at the Kvatch encampment after Inian had given him a morsel of mutton. "Especially meat."

"Well, then, you're just in time," Caroline nodded emphatically. "Let's get Blanco settled in, and we'll go in to eat!" She patted the white stallion affectionately and took his rein from me. "Does the dog have a name?"

"I named him Sai the Lucky," I answered, as the Husky mix fell in between me and Blanco, the bone clenched firmly between his teeth. "He's no fighting dog, but he has proven to be quite the partner."

"He went into Miscarcand with you?" Roliand asked. "That's surprising, considering that these dogs typically don't have the fearlessness of the Legio war dogs."

"He wasn't fearless," I admitted, thinking back over our time together. "But he looked out for me, and I for him." I sighed. "I doubt I would have made it through that place without him at my side." I dropped my right hand to his ears. "He hates goblins."

Roliand held the torch higher so he could see my face. "How was Miscarcand?"

"Scary," I looked away from the firelight. Sai whined softly around his bone.

Caroline glanced at me over Blanco's withers. "That bad? Then it's a good thing Sai went in there with you!"

"Yes, it was," I agreed. I was relieved when neither of them pressed the subject further.

"Did you stop in Bruma?" Caroline's voice reached me at the same time as we stepped onto the plaza.

"Yes, I did," I answered. "And for the most part I'm glad to see so much support from the other counties."

"So is Countess Carvain," Caroline nodded as Roliand took the rein from her. She caught my startled look. "I accompanied Grandmaster Jauffre to the County Hall to see if she and Captain Burd needed any help from the Blades." Her gaze darkened slightly at a memory. "Leyawiin -" her voice trailed off, then she shook herself.

"I don't think Leyawiin will be such a problem anymore." I could still hear the frustration in my tone.

Cordelia trailed dismally after Sai and me as we approached her command. Most of the tents had been re-erected, straighter and neater this time. At the rear of the encampment, a bonfire blazed vigorously, fed by the trash still being added to it by three of the guardsmen. I ran a quick head count. Of the forty or so guardsmen, most sat bent over their gear. The tapping of repair hammers and the hissing of whetstones brought back memories of my old cohort.

I searched the gathered men and women for a familiar face, and found Apsice demonstrating the proper way to hold a sharpening stone to a small-framed woman. He nodded encouragingly at her attempts as we approached.

"Apsice," I caught his attention. When his gaze fell on Cordelia behind me, he straightened with a salute. "I need you for a moment," I continued, stepping away toward the command tent in the center.

"Keep it up, Petelius," Apsice nodded at the woman still bent over her sword. "It will get easier with practice. I'll check back with you later." He fell in behind Cordelia as we entered the tent.

The gloom was cold and empty. Apsice moved past me to light the lamp on the camp table. I found the surface bare of the usual scrolls that came with command. That's going to have to change, I mused to myself silently.

Sai sat down beside me as I turned to face Cordelia and Apsice. They avoided each other's gazes. He kept his eyes on me, she turned hers to the rough dirt beneath our feet.

"Apsice, Cordelia is the commander here," I caught the faint hope fade from his eyes. To his credit, he showed no other sign of disappointment. "But she can not command alone. She needs someone with Legion experience to back her up." His brows rose ever so slightly as I paused. "Will you do so?"

"Yes, ma'am!" The lean Breton did not hesitate. His gaze became thoughtful.

"I'm going to trust you," I continued, "do perform your duties in a properly respectful manner. I will trust you not to do or say anything to diminish Cordelia's standing in the sight of her command."

"Understood!" His nod was more emphatic than the look in his eyes. Yes, her standing needs bolstering more than anything else. You have your work cut out for you.

Now it was Cordelia's turn. "I strongly suggest you listen carefully to Apsice's advice." I gestured her toward the table. "And the first duties of a commander is making sure she knows her men and women, and that they have everything they need to form an effective combat unit. That means drilling with the other units, recording their names, families, experience and behavior while here. It also means being aware of what they need. And no, it's not unlimited alcohol and sex." I ignored her flush and tapped the table to bring her gaze up to mine. "If you have questions, do not hesitate to ask Apsice or one of the other commanders here."

Doubt flickered across her face. "I'll figure it out," her tone held a faint hint of defiance.

"Given time, I’m sure you could," I hardened my tone. "But time is the one thing you don't have. How many of your command will die before you figure it out on your own? How much blood will be on your head before you realize the true meaning of command?" I shook my head. "No, best to listen to those who have been there before you, and learn fast. Preferably before the next Gate opens."

Apsice stepped forward. "Don't worry, ma'am," he spoke firmly. "We'll do it - together. All of us."

"Good." I nodded my appreciation at him before turning back to Cordelia. "The first thing you must do is make Apsice your second-in-command. That will give him the authority to act on your behalf, and make him the butt of any disgruntlement your comrades may feel. Second, forget all about trying to fit in. For the duration of your stay here," I leaned my hands on the table and held her gaze steady with mine, "you need to be the officer, not a fellow guard. That means distancing yourself from the others. Don't call anyone by their first name, and don't let them call you anything other than 'ma'am' or 'Cordelia.' Understood?"

Her eyes widened. "What difference does it make if they call me 'Valeria' or by my family name?"

"Apsice can explain that to you," I straightened up. "Now I need to be elsewhere, but I'll check back in with you. And I'll speak to Captain Lerus on my way out, so she knows you'll be coming to her for advice."

"Good," Caroline's heartfelt comment brought me back to the present. She nodded as she stepped away. "I'll go in and make sure they save a fresh bone for Sai." She smiled crookedly at me and walked away.

"And I'll put up Blanco for the night," Roliand waved me after Caroline's departing form. "You've come a long way, and it's become colder here since you left!"

"I know!" I drew the thick woolen cloak around me for emphasis. "But I'd best take those saddlebags with me. Blanco won't let you near them."

"That stone?" Roliand's brows rose beneath his helm. "He wouldn't think we'd steal it?"

"Apparently he knows it's important," I answered. "He wouldn't let anyone but me handle those bags. Nearly took Tilmo's head off with a capriole before I realized it." I shook my head at the memory. "Caught both of us off guard - he's normally so cooperative with the stable crew."

"Something to do with him having been bred by the Witchmen, I'm sure," Roliand muttered. "Well, let's get those bags off of him so both of you can get inside." He nodded humorously at Sai. "I doubt the dog minds the cold so much."

I laughed. "I doubt it, too!" As a matter of fact, Sai had gamboled through the snow as Blanco and I plodded up the mountainside. He had repeatedly dropped his bone into the drifts, then sent snow flying as he dug for his treasure. Blanco had shook his head at the dog’s antics several times when snow hit his head and neck.

Blanco turned his head and looked at me as I pulled the saddlebags from his back. I patted his rump fondly. “Behave for Roliand, now,” I admonished him. “I’ve got the stone now. Thanks.” I directed that last to both Blanco and Roliand. His grin flashed in the dimness as the tall Nord led the white stallion away.

What a nice homecoming at Cloud Ruler Temple after Julian’s extended time on the road! Good that you spent some time acquainting and reacquainting the Blades with the animals. And good reminders of Miscarcand via the memories of Julian and Sai.

Down in Bruma, I expect Countess Carvain must be feeling a little better having a fair amount of support from sister cities on hand.

The title really says it, what a wonderful, quiet return to Cloud Ruler Temple. I love the image of Sai playing in the snow all the way up the mountain.

Poor Tilmo, I bet he got a surprise! Don’t mess with the Witchhorse!

I imagine that while Julian is frosty and wind-burned from her travel, Martin is bent over and squinty from his work. I look forward to their meeting.

So which Blade gets to tell Julian that the Captain's been worried about her? At least Sai will be warm, though the sight of so many folks in heavy armor will not make him comfortable.

Yes I suspect the Captain will try to have a quiet word. It's not quite the same as the situation with Cordelia given that she answers to Martin and Jauffre and it's (probably) more monogamous. Still an interesting parallel, as I'm sure is intended, for when the crisis is over and that comes to a head.

It's nice to see CRT again, you've really brought the place to life and given character to the inhabitants. I look forward to her meeting Martin.

Caught up again, my youngest and I got a dose of changing seasons accompanied by a touch of pneumonia and bronchitis but are on the mend now.

YES I liked how she handled Cordelia and her ....contingent? Now they will be anyway...thanks to the guiding katana, I mean voice, of The Pilus that lives inside our Julian. I get the feeling that Cordelia now feels like she will be letting Julian down if she does anything less than LEARN TO COMMAND, that's always a good thing.

The return to CRT was special. I could easily see Sai playing with his bone in the snow, it made me giggle at the picture it conjured. And her friends welcoming her back did not disappoint. What a wonderful group of personalities you have surrounded Julian with.

I so look forward to the next installment and her meeting with Martin and Jauffre and of course the Captain.

So we are back to the old Cathode Ray Tube, erm, Cloud Ruler Temple, at last.

That will give him the authority to act on your behalf, and make him the butt of any disgruntlement your comrades may feel.
Yep, the XO always get to be the bad guy, so the captain can look good. It looks like Julian is sorting things out with the Leyawiin crew. Now we will see what Martin has come up with next.

Nice one... ...

Always had a soft spot for Caroline...Ever since the time my first character went to sleep in CRT and when he woke up Caroline was in that bed... ...They're married in my story... ...

Most excellent again...

Loving it...

Nice one... ...

I'm doing this early since I will be quite busy tomorrow.

Oh, an update on Nanowrimo - I completed the month with over 53K written. The story is not yet finished, however, so I have continued working on it alongside this one. There may be a lull in the posting schedule, as the next episode of OHDH is not yet completed, and I really want to finish the Nanowrimo story as well. Plus I have a big project due this week and finals next week. I hope to resume the posting pace after that.

@Acadian: I'm not sure Countess Carvain is feeling better with that bunch of slackers on her doorstep, but at least she should find some comfort in the fact that Julian has tried to fix that situation.

@Grits: Bent over and squinty-eyed? Hmm, maybe only at 2 am! Julian won't stay frosty and wind-bitten for long if she can help it!

@Lil: I'm not sure the Blades even know how the Captain feels about Julian. I'm not sure he knows it himself! Though I suspect Jauffre knows more than he lets on . . .

@Olen: Julian is too much the professional soldier to let a - ummm, crazy little thing like love interfere with her ability to carry out her duties. I rather think the Captain is the same way. Yes, it will be interesting to see how it all shakes out eventually.

@Athynae: I'm glad you and others enjoyed Sai's antics on the way up the mountain! As I've said before, he is inspired by the dog next door, and that is exactly how Presley loves to play in the winter snow!

@SubRosa: I sure hope Julian has sorted things out with the Leyawiin crew! But only trial by fire will tell if that's the case.

McBadgere: Thanks!

The story so far: On her return to Cloud Ruler Temple, Julian is welcomed home by her fellow Blades. Now she introduces Sai to the rest of them.

*********************
Chapter 29.7: Julian’s Stones

Saddlebags over my left shoulder and Sai at my heels, I entered the Hall of Blades. Within, Belisarius greeted us heartily and waved toward the door to the dining hall. "Dinner is ready," he remarked. "And Caroline went ahead to save a beef bone for your new companion," he tipped his head toward Sai. "Dogs are always welcome here, though they don't always stay around!"

Ahead, I could see several figures clustered around Martin's study table. I recognized Captain Steffan and Grandmaster Jauffre standing shoulder to shoulder, facing Martin with Baurus just behind him. I frowned at the tableau. What's going on there? Are they having a confrontation? Unease caused my stomach to quiver as I approached them.

"I don't like it," I caught Jauffre's gruff frustration. "It's dangerous, is what it is."

"I know," the weariness in Martin's tone made me acutely aware of my own. "But unless you can come up with a better plan, it's our only chance to end this crisis."

End this crisis? My breath caught in my throat. What is so terrible about ending this crisis? My step faltered, and I halted a few steps away. Sai sat down at my left side and dropped his bone.

Again the sound of the bone hitting the wide timbers drew attention to us. Captain Steffan and Jauffre turned to face us, and Baurus gave me a grinning nod.

"Welcome back, Julian," Martin's weary visage relaxed into a genuine smile. "It's always good to see you safe."

"Of course," Jauffre said gruffly, stepping to my right side and clapping me on the shoulder. Beyond his shoulder, Steffan's lazy grin shone white in his wind-burned face. I looked quickly away from his blue eyes, so like Sai's.

I wondered if the tension I had felt just a breath or two ago was merely my tired imagination. But no, there it was still present as a vague shadow in Martin's hazel gaze. His eyes dropped from my face to the brown form at my side.

"I had heard you found a new companion," he smiled at the Husky mix. "At this rate you'll need to open a menagerie to support them all!"

"I didn't pick him," I half-protested. "Or Blanco, either!" I swung the saddlebags from my shoulder and set them onto the table. Sai growled softly as he picked his bone up and followed between the soldiers. "Shush, Sai," I turned and dropped my hand to his head briefly. He slipped beneath the table and laid down with his bone. The sounds of teeth scraping on bone drifted up along with the typical Skyrim Husky mutterings. I caught a humorous flicker in Martin’s eyes.

“I found three different kinds of stones in Miscarcand,” I flung the flaps back. “I doubt this one is the Great stone you wanted, sire,” I drew out the smaller blue stone. Martin smiled and took it from my hand. Cyan flickered around the Hall, competing against the warm amber glow from the fire and the candles.

“You’re right, this isn’t the Great one,” Martin nodded. “It’s a common Welkynd stone.”

“If it’s common, how come they’re so -“ I paused, searching for the right word. I settled for “- uncommon?”

Martin chuckled. “That’s because in the thousands of years since the fall of the Ayleids, mages and witches have gathered as many of these stones as they could. They are common only within Ayleid ruins, but not in the light of Magnus.”

“They were common enough within Miscarcand, that’s certain,” I answered. “I thought they couldn’t be the stone you need, but I took one anyway.” I caught the curious glances from the Blades but kept my gaze on Martin, who continued studying the blue-green stone. “Are they useful for much more than light sources?”

“They can be used for light,” Martin nodded. “But mages and witches find them more valuable as sources of magicka. When you are depleted from casting too many spells, using one of these stones can recharge your energy. Battlemages valued them, until potions to recharge magicka were developed.”

“Potions are smaller and easier to carry than these,” I felt chagrined at a sudden remembrance. When I was so run down in Miscarcand, after fighting that Lich, I could have used that stone! Sai and I would have gotten out of there sooner!

Martin nodded. “That’s likely why there are still so many of these left in certain Ayleid ruins.” He set the stone carefully down on top of a stack of books. “You said you found three different kinds of stones?”

Now I drew out the smaller of the two unique stones, the white one with the brilliant argent glow. Baurus was the only one who didn’t step back from its light, but he turned his face away.

“A Varla stone!” Martin breathed, his hands cupping it from mine. “I have never seen one of these, but I have heard of them. They are rare, indeed, both within the ruins and without!” The stone’s light cast a bone-chilling effect on his face as he smiled at me. For a moment I saw a grinning skull in place of Martin’s familiar features, and tried to blink it away.

Martin set the stone on the table and picked up a nearby volume. He opened the book and turned it face-down over the stone, effectively cutting off its glare. That skull disappeared, along with the sense of foreboding it had triggered.

“Varla stones are much more valuable,” Martin continued. “They can be used to recharge enchanted items.”

Again I experienced chagrin. Could have saved myself that expensive soul gem! I suppressed the sigh of frustration I could feel in my throat and instead dived into the second saddlebag, the one holding the prize. “I believe this is the stone you need, sire.”

Gasps and sharp inhalations rippled around the Hall as I revealed the long, narrow crystal that had been so difficult to obtain. The grinding of teeth on bone stopped, and I glanced down to see a pair of intense blue eyes peering at me from beneath the table. Almost reverentially, Martin held his hands out for the stone. Carefully I set it into his palms.

“This is more beautiful than I even suspected!” he whispered breathlessly. He met my gaze steadily, his expression turning somber. “I had no doubt you would succeed where so many others have failed, but I can see that it has cost you dearly.”

A sudden sense of dread moved through me as Jauffre shuffled his feet beside me. Martin said there were four elements needed. So what is the fourth one? And is that why Jauffre is so uneasy?

“There is one more item you need for the ritual, right?” Somehow I steadied my voice. “What is it?” Martin’s eyes wavered slightly as he drew breath to answer.

Jauffre clamped his hand on my shoulder. “Time for that later,” he said gruffly. “You’ve traveled far, you must be weary. Come! Let’s go eat something hot!”

My stomach grumbled softly. Quiet. You just ate. I know it’s the altitude but show some manners at least! Still I kept my gaze on Martin. Relief had shimmered through his expression, betraying the tension I had seen earlier. “Sire?”

“Grandmaster Jauffre’s right,” Martin smiled wearily at me. “It’s time to eat, and to rest. We will discuss the next task tomorrow.” With a reluctant glance at the Great Welkynd stone, he stepped away from the table and turned for the dining hall. Baurus nodded at me before he fell in behind Martin.

“Let’s go, Julian,” Jauffre encouraged me. “Both Captain Steffan and I are dying to hear how you obtained a dog ever since we heard about him!”

I glanced sharply at him. “Agents in every city?” Jauffre’s light blue eyes only sparkled in amusement.

What is so terrible about ending this crisis?
You have not heard his plan yet Julian!

I looked quickly away from his blue eyes, so like Sai's
Methinks slightly different in some ways however...

They are common only within Ayleid ruins, but not in the light of Magnus.
This was nicely put.

The varla stone and its skull-like impression on Martin's face was nicely done. You leave us wondering if that was just a trick of the magical light, or if perhaps it was prophetic.

Don't feel bad Julian, Myrin didn't know about the uses for either stone for dozens of ruins. She just kept them 'cause they looked pretty decorating her home(s).



Your intentions are quite irrelevant in the matter. Don't you know that by now?

Enough hints and portants getting dropped for even the most oblivious Redguard to get a bad feeling about the last part of the plan, and Julian's not that Redguard.

Julian’s Stones -- *giggles*

I liked the tension surrounding the discussion table, I can't imagine many people liking Martin's idea, even if it is the only option. I will be interested to hear Julian's take on it. Martin's explaination of the stones, as well as their descriptions was most enjoyable and reintroduced him well.

I see there's more tension with Steffan too. It's very Julian to look away and ignore it.

Agents in every city? - A good reminder, and a fun throw away line.

Nit:Jauffre's gruff frustration. <snip> Jauffre said gruffly, - I found 'gruff' used to describe Jaffre's tone twice in such close sucession a bit jarring.

And the reunion with her fellow Blades continues. I see that Sai fits right in at the Cloud Ruler Temple - or at least under the table. Wonderful to see Martin again.

“If it’s common, how come they’re so -“ I paused, searching for the right word. I settled for “- uncommon?”

’For a moment I saw a grinning skull in place of Martin’s familiar features, and tried to blink it away.’
A very ominously effective image.

Jauffre certainly has his mysterious sources, but what I really like is his idea for what to do next: “Let’s eat!”

Love the title.

For a moment I saw a grinning skull in place of Martin’s familiar features, and tried to blink it away.
Yikes.

“Let’s go, Julian,” Jauffre encouraged me. “Both Captain Steffan and I are dying to hear how you obtained a dog ever since we heard about him!”
I guess it’s going to be pretty hard for Julian to surprise them.

It's great to be back with the Blades, even with the tension. So… dinner?

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

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

Brilliant, as ever...

Nice one... ...

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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...