One thing I like about Skyrim is that winter produce is actually a thing. Like the snowberries. I can easily imagine that they have a strain of wheat that likewise grows in frozen ground, and absorbs water from the snow.
I keep expecting that they will roll up on Oengul and hear him saying: "Hammers don't have legs!"
"But no one wants to go to Cronvangr Cave and recover it from its resting place"
No one wants to be eaten by giant spiders! Even January agrees with that!
Ahh, I think I see how the fix is in here. Sten will give the blacksmith his current armor, then they will come back in a few days and Oengul will give him the new armor in its place.
I am sure the meat stall is a wooden stall that sells meat. But part of me likes to imagine that it is a stall that is literally made out of meat. That is what I get for watching the Owl House. It sounds like something you would see in the Boiling Isles.
We have a lot of Nords like Sten here in Michigan, who walk around in winter wearing shorts. That 50% frost resistance is a nice thing in northerly climates.
I see Nurelion is as grouchy as ever. Yet another quest just waiting to be completed.
Your post from August 8th got screwed up. It's a text encoding issue we have seen here in the past. I tried fixing it with a workaround, where an admin can open it in the QuickEdit mode, do nothing, then save. That usually fixes those weird symbols popping up all over the place. But it did not fix it this time. You might need to re-post the story text. Hmm, looking back, July 25th's post looks the same.
A Nit?
He’s only got that woolen shirt, and those leather trous.
Did you perhaps means trousers?
Full Version: A Wood Elf in Windhelm
Legendary item quests on the horizon!
"No one wants to go to Cronvangr Cave; it's too crowded." (Or perhaps for other, less... ahem... "alive" reasons).
And I'm sure (like Hermir) that Lili's noticing of Sten's wool shirt and trews was COMPLETELY because she is wondering how he stands the cold.
Adventurous times ahead for our duo- and excellent story-telling for your fortunate readers.
"No one wants to go to Cronvangr Cave; it's too crowded." (Or perhaps for other, less... ahem... "alive" reasons).
And I'm sure (like Hermir) that Lili's noticing of Sten's wool shirt and trews was COMPLETELY because she is wondering how he stands the cold.
Adventurous times ahead for our duo- and excellent story-telling for your fortunate readers.
@Acadian: Thank you for affirming my "evocative descriptions!" Both you and trey continue to encourage me to seek different ways to describe the same old experiences. Doing this from the viewpoint of one who has never before seen snow is so much fun. And yes, dance card's getting full! Just how Lili likes it!
@Grits: We'll see the day after next why no one wants to go to Cronvangr Cave!
Fun times! But I promise Forsaken Cave will be just as fun in its own way . . . And I'm glad Star continues to entertain! He is the comic relief of this story, though he does have his more serious moments, as we will see.
@SubRosa:I had to pause and laugh a few times over your comments on this segment. Michigan guys are just like MN guys, barbecuing in February with the snow piled four feet deep and temps in the teens. "But it's balmy!"
@treydog: Thank you! After seeing (and responding to) Sage Rose's post about "trous", I see you have provided me with the exact word I was trying to remember! TREWS!! So from this point forward Sten will be wearing leather TREWS! For the same reason mentioned in my response to Sage Rose, I won't go back and "fix" his bottom wear in the previous post. I'm sure Sten is fine either way. And yes, Hermir is not the only one who notices Sten's wool shirt and TREWS . . .
********************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - Tour of Windhelm
Oengul called Sten and Lilisfina over when they left The White Phial. He held up the zwei-hander and shook his head. “Stenvar, your blade has been damaged and repaired so often, I’m starting to see signs of failure. Next fight you get into, it might shatter on you.”
Not my da’s blade! It’s not that old. “How do you know?” Sten frowned at the iron sword. In response, Oengul tapped the blade lightly on the anvil, causing it to ring. Sten heard Lilisfina gasp and saw her cover her ears. Star whined and lowered his own pointed ears.
“See, even she hears it,” Oengul nodded at the Wood Elf. “It doesn’t make a clear ring anymore.”
Hear what? I didn’t hear anything unusual. Sten glanced at Lilisfina, who nodded confirmation. “It’s still subtle,” she said, “but I have very good hearing. And I suspect Oengul’s trained to listen for it.”
“Aye, the lass is right,” Oengul drew Sten’s attention back to himself. He nodded at Hermir, who headed within the blacksmith quarters. She returned a few moments later with a sheathed weapon in her hands. “I do have a decent replacement all ready to go, if you’re interested.” Hermir extended the long hilt of the zwei-hander to Sten.
A new blade? And me with a full purse! I was hoping to save up for a new set of armor! After a moment’s hesitation, Sten accepted the offered hilt and drew the blade from the sheath. Steel. Polished, keen edge. Good weight and balance. He stepped back from the others to give himself room for a few test swings. Recovery’s easy with this - better than with Da’s old blade. “It’s a very good blade,” he admitted. “Did you forge this, Oengul?”
“Hermir did,” the older smith nodded at his apprentice, who lifted her chin and squared her muscular shoulders proudly.
“You have done your master proud, Hermir,” Sten approved, returning the blade to its sheath in Hermir’s hands. “You learned well.”
The apprentice’s brows shot up in surprise, then she took a quick breath. “Th- thank you, sir,” she stammered. “I still have much more to learn.”
Sten took the sheathed blade from Hermir and studied the finely worked wood scabbard, its steel fittings gleaming in the overcast light. “How much?” He caught the glance she slid to Oengul, who nodded.
“One hundred drakes,” her voice held none of the uncertainty he had noticed in her glance. That much? She must be good for the old man to approve such a high price.
“Stennvar,” Lilisfina’s quiet voice broke into his thoughts. “What are your thoughts about this blade? Is it good, or perhaps better than your iron zwei-hander?”
“Very much so,” Sten admitted. “Steel is much more durable, and keeps its edge better than iron.”
“Then I’ll pay for it, if you like it that much.” She smiled at his startled glance. “I consider it a wise investment into your well-being.” She turned to Oengul. “And what of the armor? Do you know when it will be ready?”
“We’re starting on it right now,” Oengul responded. He met Sten’s wary gaze. “Might be a day or two, I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”
“Very well,” Lilisfina reached into her coin bag and counted out the drakes. “How much of this one hundred is actually going to Hermir for the work she’s done?”
“Seventy five,” Oengul responded. Sten shot him a glance. Seventy five! Typically it’s more like fifty fifty! “I keep twenty five for teaching her,” Oengul continued, his gaze turning proud as he watched his apprentice hand over the baldric that would allow Sten to wear the zwei-hander at his back when sheathed. “If I had forged this blade myself, it would have been closer to one fifty.” He shrugged. “Though I doubt it would be much better than her work. She’s good with the steel - it’s the other metals she still has to master.”
“You’re generous with your apprentice,” Lilisfina remarked as Hermir moved to the forge to work the bellows.
“The girl works hard, and learns fast,” Oengul snorted. “Soon I won’t be taking commission on her steel work - they’ll be paying her smith prices soon. It’s only fair.”
“And the sooner she masters her trade,” Sten remarked, “the sooner Hermir moves on, yes?”
“Actually, I’m thinking of retiring when she gets to that point,” Oengul grinned at Hermir, “and turning this forge over to her.” He laughed at her startled glance. “What’re you looking at, girl? You’re always talking about making weapons and armor for the Stormcloaks, and right here is the place for that!” He shook his finger at her. “But you still got lots to learn, so better get back to work!”
Sten chuckled as he led Lilisfina north to the graveyard outside the Halls of the Dead. Lilisfina paused beside one of the gravestones, her gaze on the carving. “Do you think Helgird has the reavers in her care now?”
“I imagine so,” Sten responded. “What’s on your mind?”
“What will she do with their gear?”
“She’ll set it aside for us to claim, by right of combat,” he answered. “Then you can sell them to Oengul for scrap.”
“Do we need to discuss that with her?” Lilisfina glanced up at the grey sky. Star wandered among the stones, his nose moving along the ground on his own canine quest.
“Let’s stop by this afternoon, after the noon meal,” Sten suggested. “She should have the bodies ready for the fire by then.”
“Fire?” Lilisfina repeated. “Not burial?”
Sten shook his head. “Criminals don’t get buried -“ he gestured around the graveyard for emphasis. “Sacred ground is too limited. Unless they have family to pay for burial, they’re cremated and their ashes fed to the fishes.”
“Is that just Windhelm, or true of all of Skyrim?”
“Other towns and cities may do things differently,” Sten tapped the gravestone beside him, “but that’s the way it’s done in Windhelm.”
“I see, thank you,” Lilisfina’s gaze turned thoughtful, then curious. “Where to next?”
Where to, indeed? Sten spotted the archway leading north from the western end of the graveyard. “Would you like to see where the rich folks live?” He led Lilisfina to the northwestern quadrant of the walled city, tucked beneath towering mountain cliffs. “This is the Stone Quarter,” he indicated the manor homes built from hewn stone, embellished with carvings over doors and windows. He caught her shiver, and a slight frown crossed her face as she lifted her eyes to the houses ahead of them. She looked from left to right.
Sten indicated the modest manor on their right. “That’s Viola Giordano’s house.” He regarded the stone facade a moment. “She’s lived here so long, folks have forgotten where she came from, or how she comes by her income.”
“Giordano?” Lilisfina repeated. “Sounds more Nibenean than Nord.”
“You’re right,” Sten nodded agreement. “She is Imperial, but much more than that we really don’t know much beyond rumors.” Except for one thing. “We do know that she has her sights set on Captain Lonely Gale.”
“Yes, Susanna did mention that the first night I was here,” Sten caught the amusement in her tone. “Something about how her relentless pursuit is not exactly welcomed.”
Sten laughed. “That about sizes it up.” He indicted the larger manor opposite Giordano’s home. “That one belongs to Clan Shatter-Shield,” he continued. “Torbjorn runs the trade office in the port.”
“Does he?” Lilisfina mused. “He’s the one that pays those Argonians in the port?”
“To load and unload his ships, yes.” Sten recalled the angry comments and Lilisfina’s interest in them. “I wouldn’t think it wise to bring up the question of their pay with him right now.”
Lilisfina turned to face him. He could still see the slight discomfort in her expression as she regarded him. It’s almost as if something smells bad around here. “Come with me,” he led her to the far end of the street and stopped in front of the smallest manor house.
“Something’s not right about that house, Stennvar,” Lilisfina murmured. Now he could see the revulsion clear on her face. Star whined from his place next to her side.
“That’s Friga and Nilsine Shatter-Shield’s home,” he explained. Just how much to tell her? “A few months ago, Friga was found brutally murdered in that house. Nilsine was so upset she moved back in with her parents in the Clan house, and this manor has been abandoned ever since.”
Lilisfina took a deep breath and let it out fiercely. “Is her body still in there?”
What? What is she talking about? “Her body was so badly mutilated, they never found all the pieces. They buried what they could find.”
Lilisfina swallowed in visible horror. “That’s dreadful. Poor Nilsine,” her voice was as soft as the misting breath from her lips. “Was she home when it happened?”
“No, she was visiting a friend in Kynesgrove,” Sten led her back south. “She was the one who found her sister’s body. They were twins, so it’s been especially difficult for her.”
Lilisfina paused and regarded Sten. “You’ll point the family out to me, won’t you?” she asked. “I’d like to know so I don’t mistakenly disrespect them.”
That’s considerate of you. “Of course,” Sten responded. He stopped by a narrow street that ran east from the Stone Quarter. “Let’s go this way.”
The path cut through the older inner city walls. Sten pointed out the huge slabs of stone that contrasted with the more modern blocks that made up the outer walls. “It is said these walls were erected by Ysgramor in the Merethic Era,” he told Lilisfina. “The outer walls were built in the First Era, and rebuilt after the Akaviri invasion in the Second.”
They came out onto the Palace Plaza, marked by three huge braziers marching down its center from the Palace to the north to the archway in the inner wall to the south. “This is the Jarl’s Palace,” Sten indicated the huge stone structure that towered at the far end. “Not sure if you want to go in there, considering the Jarl’s supposedly not fond of Elves.”
“Hmm,” Lilisfina nodded her agreement and pointed at the southern archway with a question in her eyes.
“Below the Palace Quarter you’ll return to the center of the city.” Sten led her past the guards and through the archway. He pointed out the stone structure to the right. “There’s the Temple of Talos - currently the only one in all of Skyrim.”
“And that’s Candlehearth Hall, right?” Lilisfina indicated the stone and wood hulk in front of them, rising from the lower ground. “The back side of it, anyway.” She glanced at Sten. “Where do you live, by the way?”
“I rent bedroll and storage space there,” Sten nodded at the inn. “It’s where I keep my trunk and personal belongings when I’m on a job.”
“Good,” Lilisfina nodded emphatically. She looked up at the sky. Sten followed her gaze to see the obscured glow of the sun almost directly overhead. “Time for the noon meal, yes?”
“Yes,” Sten’s stomach grumbled. “We can explore more of the city after lunch.”
@Grits: We'll see the day after next why no one wants to go to Cronvangr Cave!
Fun times! But I promise Forsaken Cave will be just as fun in its own way . . . And I'm glad Star continues to entertain! He is the comic relief of this story, though he does have his more serious moments, as we will see.@SubRosa:I had to pause and laugh a few times over your comments on this segment. Michigan guys are just like MN guys, barbecuing in February with the snow piled four feet deep and temps in the teens. "But it's balmy!"
QUOTE
"But no one wants to go to Cronvangr Cave and recover it from its resting place"
No one wants to be eaten by giant spiders! Even January agrees with that!
I wrote the Cronvangr Cave section a few months ago, but just read your section with the giant Abyssal Spider only last week. I had to chuckle at our similar approaches to gigantic spiders . . . I hope you will enjoy my take coming up in more than a few weeks from now. I did mean trousers, but shortened to trous because, sorry, "trousers" just makes me think of Mad Men, and I wanted to convey an image of something more like the worn, casually cut leather pants worn by our medieval heroes. So I deliberately went with trous (never liked "pants", either, come to think of it, and "breeches" just makes me think of powdered wigs, brocaded coats and buckled shoes, soooo). As for the posts from earlier, when I made edits, every quotation mark got replaced with those odd symbols. So weird. I could go back and fix them. As Sten says, Later.No one wants to be eaten by giant spiders! Even January agrees with that!
@treydog: Thank you! After seeing (and responding to) Sage Rose's post about "trous", I see you have provided me with the exact word I was trying to remember! TREWS!! So from this point forward Sten will be wearing leather TREWS! For the same reason mentioned in my response to Sage Rose, I won't go back and "fix" his bottom wear in the previous post. I'm sure Sten is fine either way. And yes, Hermir is not the only one who notices Sten's wool shirt and TREWS . . .
********************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - Tour of Windhelm
Ma,
Started a new letter now that I’ve sent off some coin and my last letter to you. Had to get more parchment - I have quite a bit to write about.
I now have a job that will last at least a month, and I got paid in advance too! I’m also promised half of any profits above my pay as well - it sounds almost like a partnership, except I’m not being asked to put up a stake. Still, it sounds good - The boss likes to keep busy.
My armor and blade are getting repaired now, and Lilisfina has picked up a couple more jobs for us to do once I get my gear back. Both are caves, though who knows what we’ll find in there! Wild animals, like bear and cats, most likely.
I’ll add more later, when I have more to tell.
Oengul called Sten and Lilisfina over when they left The White Phial. He held up the zwei-hander and shook his head. “Stenvar, your blade has been damaged and repaired so often, I’m starting to see signs of failure. Next fight you get into, it might shatter on you.”
Not my da’s blade! It’s not that old. “How do you know?” Sten frowned at the iron sword. In response, Oengul tapped the blade lightly on the anvil, causing it to ring. Sten heard Lilisfina gasp and saw her cover her ears. Star whined and lowered his own pointed ears.
“See, even she hears it,” Oengul nodded at the Wood Elf. “It doesn’t make a clear ring anymore.”
Hear what? I didn’t hear anything unusual. Sten glanced at Lilisfina, who nodded confirmation. “It’s still subtle,” she said, “but I have very good hearing. And I suspect Oengul’s trained to listen for it.”
“Aye, the lass is right,” Oengul drew Sten’s attention back to himself. He nodded at Hermir, who headed within the blacksmith quarters. She returned a few moments later with a sheathed weapon in her hands. “I do have a decent replacement all ready to go, if you’re interested.” Hermir extended the long hilt of the zwei-hander to Sten.
A new blade? And me with a full purse! I was hoping to save up for a new set of armor! After a moment’s hesitation, Sten accepted the offered hilt and drew the blade from the sheath. Steel. Polished, keen edge. Good weight and balance. He stepped back from the others to give himself room for a few test swings. Recovery’s easy with this - better than with Da’s old blade. “It’s a very good blade,” he admitted. “Did you forge this, Oengul?”
“Hermir did,” the older smith nodded at his apprentice, who lifted her chin and squared her muscular shoulders proudly.
“You have done your master proud, Hermir,” Sten approved, returning the blade to its sheath in Hermir’s hands. “You learned well.”
The apprentice’s brows shot up in surprise, then she took a quick breath. “Th- thank you, sir,” she stammered. “I still have much more to learn.”
Sten took the sheathed blade from Hermir and studied the finely worked wood scabbard, its steel fittings gleaming in the overcast light. “How much?” He caught the glance she slid to Oengul, who nodded.
“One hundred drakes,” her voice held none of the uncertainty he had noticed in her glance. That much? She must be good for the old man to approve such a high price.
“Stennvar,” Lilisfina’s quiet voice broke into his thoughts. “What are your thoughts about this blade? Is it good, or perhaps better than your iron zwei-hander?”
“Very much so,” Sten admitted. “Steel is much more durable, and keeps its edge better than iron.”
“Then I’ll pay for it, if you like it that much.” She smiled at his startled glance. “I consider it a wise investment into your well-being.” She turned to Oengul. “And what of the armor? Do you know when it will be ready?”
“We’re starting on it right now,” Oengul responded. He met Sten’s wary gaze. “Might be a day or two, I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”
“Very well,” Lilisfina reached into her coin bag and counted out the drakes. “How much of this one hundred is actually going to Hermir for the work she’s done?”
“Seventy five,” Oengul responded. Sten shot him a glance. Seventy five! Typically it’s more like fifty fifty! “I keep twenty five for teaching her,” Oengul continued, his gaze turning proud as he watched his apprentice hand over the baldric that would allow Sten to wear the zwei-hander at his back when sheathed. “If I had forged this blade myself, it would have been closer to one fifty.” He shrugged. “Though I doubt it would be much better than her work. She’s good with the steel - it’s the other metals she still has to master.”
“You’re generous with your apprentice,” Lilisfina remarked as Hermir moved to the forge to work the bellows.
“The girl works hard, and learns fast,” Oengul snorted. “Soon I won’t be taking commission on her steel work - they’ll be paying her smith prices soon. It’s only fair.”
“And the sooner she masters her trade,” Sten remarked, “the sooner Hermir moves on, yes?”
“Actually, I’m thinking of retiring when she gets to that point,” Oengul grinned at Hermir, “and turning this forge over to her.” He laughed at her startled glance. “What’re you looking at, girl? You’re always talking about making weapons and armor for the Stormcloaks, and right here is the place for that!” He shook his finger at her. “But you still got lots to learn, so better get back to work!”
Sten chuckled as he led Lilisfina north to the graveyard outside the Halls of the Dead. Lilisfina paused beside one of the gravestones, her gaze on the carving. “Do you think Helgird has the reavers in her care now?”
“I imagine so,” Sten responded. “What’s on your mind?”
“What will she do with their gear?”
“She’ll set it aside for us to claim, by right of combat,” he answered. “Then you can sell them to Oengul for scrap.”
“Do we need to discuss that with her?” Lilisfina glanced up at the grey sky. Star wandered among the stones, his nose moving along the ground on his own canine quest.
“Let’s stop by this afternoon, after the noon meal,” Sten suggested. “She should have the bodies ready for the fire by then.”
“Fire?” Lilisfina repeated. “Not burial?”
Sten shook his head. “Criminals don’t get buried -“ he gestured around the graveyard for emphasis. “Sacred ground is too limited. Unless they have family to pay for burial, they’re cremated and their ashes fed to the fishes.”
“Is that just Windhelm, or true of all of Skyrim?”
“Other towns and cities may do things differently,” Sten tapped the gravestone beside him, “but that’s the way it’s done in Windhelm.”
“I see, thank you,” Lilisfina’s gaze turned thoughtful, then curious. “Where to next?”
Where to, indeed? Sten spotted the archway leading north from the western end of the graveyard. “Would you like to see where the rich folks live?” He led Lilisfina to the northwestern quadrant of the walled city, tucked beneath towering mountain cliffs. “This is the Stone Quarter,” he indicated the manor homes built from hewn stone, embellished with carvings over doors and windows. He caught her shiver, and a slight frown crossed her face as she lifted her eyes to the houses ahead of them. She looked from left to right.
Sten indicated the modest manor on their right. “That’s Viola Giordano’s house.” He regarded the stone facade a moment. “She’s lived here so long, folks have forgotten where she came from, or how she comes by her income.”
“Giordano?” Lilisfina repeated. “Sounds more Nibenean than Nord.”
“You’re right,” Sten nodded agreement. “She is Imperial, but much more than that we really don’t know much beyond rumors.” Except for one thing. “We do know that she has her sights set on Captain Lonely Gale.”
“Yes, Susanna did mention that the first night I was here,” Sten caught the amusement in her tone. “Something about how her relentless pursuit is not exactly welcomed.”
Sten laughed. “That about sizes it up.” He indicted the larger manor opposite Giordano’s home. “That one belongs to Clan Shatter-Shield,” he continued. “Torbjorn runs the trade office in the port.”
“Does he?” Lilisfina mused. “He’s the one that pays those Argonians in the port?”
“To load and unload his ships, yes.” Sten recalled the angry comments and Lilisfina’s interest in them. “I wouldn’t think it wise to bring up the question of their pay with him right now.”
Lilisfina turned to face him. He could still see the slight discomfort in her expression as she regarded him. It’s almost as if something smells bad around here. “Come with me,” he led her to the far end of the street and stopped in front of the smallest manor house.
“Something’s not right about that house, Stennvar,” Lilisfina murmured. Now he could see the revulsion clear on her face. Star whined from his place next to her side.
“That’s Friga and Nilsine Shatter-Shield’s home,” he explained. Just how much to tell her? “A few months ago, Friga was found brutally murdered in that house. Nilsine was so upset she moved back in with her parents in the Clan house, and this manor has been abandoned ever since.”
Lilisfina took a deep breath and let it out fiercely. “Is her body still in there?”
What? What is she talking about? “Her body was so badly mutilated, they never found all the pieces. They buried what they could find.”
Lilisfina swallowed in visible horror. “That’s dreadful. Poor Nilsine,” her voice was as soft as the misting breath from her lips. “Was she home when it happened?”
“No, she was visiting a friend in Kynesgrove,” Sten led her back south. “She was the one who found her sister’s body. They were twins, so it’s been especially difficult for her.”
Lilisfina paused and regarded Sten. “You’ll point the family out to me, won’t you?” she asked. “I’d like to know so I don’t mistakenly disrespect them.”
That’s considerate of you. “Of course,” Sten responded. He stopped by a narrow street that ran east from the Stone Quarter. “Let’s go this way.”
The path cut through the older inner city walls. Sten pointed out the huge slabs of stone that contrasted with the more modern blocks that made up the outer walls. “It is said these walls were erected by Ysgramor in the Merethic Era,” he told Lilisfina. “The outer walls were built in the First Era, and rebuilt after the Akaviri invasion in the Second.”
They came out onto the Palace Plaza, marked by three huge braziers marching down its center from the Palace to the north to the archway in the inner wall to the south. “This is the Jarl’s Palace,” Sten indicated the huge stone structure that towered at the far end. “Not sure if you want to go in there, considering the Jarl’s supposedly not fond of Elves.”
“Hmm,” Lilisfina nodded her agreement and pointed at the southern archway with a question in her eyes.
“Below the Palace Quarter you’ll return to the center of the city.” Sten led her past the guards and through the archway. He pointed out the stone structure to the right. “There’s the Temple of Talos - currently the only one in all of Skyrim.”
“And that’s Candlehearth Hall, right?” Lilisfina indicated the stone and wood hulk in front of them, rising from the lower ground. “The back side of it, anyway.” She glanced at Sten. “Where do you live, by the way?”
“I rent bedroll and storage space there,” Sten nodded at the inn. “It’s where I keep my trunk and personal belongings when I’m on a job.”
“Good,” Lilisfina nodded emphatically. She looked up at the sky. Sten followed her gaze to see the obscured glow of the sun almost directly overhead. “Time for the noon meal, yes?”
“Yes,” Sten’s stomach grumbled. “We can explore more of the city after lunch.”
I smiled at Lili’s keen hearing. Like Star's, those big pointed ears are good for something.
It seems Oengul is wise to invest time and coin into Hermir. I should think that retiring and turning his business over to a worthy apprentice trained by him would be a fine reward for a lifetime of smithing.
Generous of Lili to spring for Stenvar’s new blade, though she is right about it being a good investment toward her own success.
An interesting tour of Windhelm. Nice job highlighting how old the city is.
Uh-oh, a sad tale of murder. . . .
Yeah, wise to bypass Ufric ‘Skyrim is for the Nords!’ Stormcloak’s place.
It seems Oengul is wise to invest time and coin into Hermir. I should think that retiring and turning his business over to a worthy apprentice trained by him would be a fine reward for a lifetime of smithing.
Generous of Lili to spring for Stenvar’s new blade, though she is right about it being a good investment toward her own success.
An interesting tour of Windhelm. Nice job highlighting how old the city is.
Uh-oh, a sad tale of murder. . . .
Yeah, wise to bypass Ufric ‘Skyrim is for the Nords!’ Stormcloak’s place.
An interesting tour of the city, especially in the way that Lili (and Star) react to certain locations. We get several master-class moments of "show - don't tell" to illustrate her senses and sensitivities. Shout out to Star for wanting to cover his ears at the dissonant "cracked" sound of Sten's iron blade. And the scene of a brutal murder, the echoes of which are still strong enough to jangle our Wood-elf's "spider-sense." Note to Sten- Whether he knows it or not, he IS in a "partnership."
That was an interesting morning in Windhelm, especially the unpleasant sound and smell that Lilisfina noticed. Cold skies and warm company. 
Bears and cats in caves? Or maybe a bearcat?
Time for a new blade it seems, in addition to the new armor that Sten does not yet know he is going to receive. Lil is making a big investment in him, literally as well as figuratively. Thankfully he seems to be both loyal and reliable, and so worth every drake.
I imagine that burials might be difficult in Skyrim's northerly climates due to the frozen ground. IRL, back in the old days bodies in places like that were sometimes stacked up over the winters, and only buried after the spring thaw. Having a destruction mage on the payroll to fry the remains would seem a good solution, as it would save on wood (that would likewise probably be precious in an ice-bound land).
Sounds to me like the Argonians need to form a trade union and start collective bargaining with Torbjorn. Of course then he would just fire them all. Then they could picket the docks, maybe start throwing magnus cocktails. Torbjorn could hire mercenaries to randomly shoot at them and and anyone else who happened to be nearby. In no time at all it could be Skyrim's version of the Battle of Blair Mountain.
I don't have to ask which house that is that gives Lil the willies. I suspect that she and Sten will end up investigating it further soon enough.
Well that is a trip around half the city, and the fancy side at that - the trade district, the rich folks homes, and the big kahuna's digs.
Time for a new blade it seems, in addition to the new armor that Sten does not yet know he is going to receive. Lil is making a big investment in him, literally as well as figuratively. Thankfully he seems to be both loyal and reliable, and so worth every drake.
I imagine that burials might be difficult in Skyrim's northerly climates due to the frozen ground. IRL, back in the old days bodies in places like that were sometimes stacked up over the winters, and only buried after the spring thaw. Having a destruction mage on the payroll to fry the remains would seem a good solution, as it would save on wood (that would likewise probably be precious in an ice-bound land).
Sounds to me like the Argonians need to form a trade union and start collective bargaining with Torbjorn. Of course then he would just fire them all. Then they could picket the docks, maybe start throwing magnus cocktails. Torbjorn could hire mercenaries to randomly shoot at them and and anyone else who happened to be nearby. In no time at all it could be Skyrim's version of the Battle of Blair Mountain.
I don't have to ask which house that is that gives Lil the willies. I suspect that she and Sten will end up investigating it further soon enough.
Well that is a trip around half the city, and the fancy side at that - the trade district, the rich folks homes, and the big kahuna's digs.
@Acadian: I really enjoyed writing this little episode - I always felt that Hermir deserved more credit - she seems a smart lass that works hard and is anxious to learn everything her master knows, but has just enough sass to hold her own when he goes cranky on her. I also enjoyed indulging in my love of architecture and how it reflects the history of a place, so I'm happy you picked up on that.
@treydog: I figured with her more sensitive hearing both Lili and Star would cringe at the sour note at the heart of the ringing blade. I'm glad you enjoyed the way I used her senses to explore Windhelm. And yes, Lili now regards Sten as partner.
@Grits: Cold skies and warm company indeed!
@SubRosa: I had similar thoughts as you regarding burial customs in Windhelm - I figured those who died in winter would be interred in the crypts until the ground thawed in the spring; however over time that burial ground has become so full that funeral real estate now costs a pretty penny (drake? septim?); so an alternative would be to burn those who can't afford burial or permanent interment within the old crypts beneath Windhelm. Perhaps the oldest remains that have decayed enough have their bones (all that would be left) interred in those big urns you see in the Nord Crypts. And yes, Sten will turn out to be worth every drake Lili is dropping on him!
Sten gave Lili a tour of the western half of Windhelm. Now for the noon meal, and one more spot of sight-seeing!
************************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - House of Curiosities
The common room was nearly empty when Lili and Stenvar returned to their table for the noon meal. Star flopped down beside Lili and whined. He’s looking for his bone. “Shush, Star, you’ll get fed soon enough.”
Susanna brought a pitcher of ale for Stenvar and a pewter mug of mead for Lili. “New blade, Stenvar?”
“Yes,” Stenvar placed the sheathed blade on the table with an air of pride. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Is it?” Lili asked. “I haven’t really looked that closely at it.”
“Are you that way with all your purchases, Lilisfina?” Susanna’s tone turned teasing.
“He looked at it!” Lili pointed her thumb at Stenvar, who chuckled.
“Go ahead and take a look,” he invited with a wave toward the long hilt.
Lili laid one hand on the hilt, noting how her small hand seemed dwarfed by its length. This is why it’s called a zwei-hander - the hilt’s long enough for both of Stennvar’s hands. And those hands aren’t as small as mine! She grasped the scabbard with her other hand and pulled on the blade. It slid out with an ease that caught her off guard.
“Scabbard’s been oiled to make it easier to pull that blade,” Stenvar remarked. “Lined with a very fine horker skin.”
“Why horker skin in particular?” Lili wondered aloud.
“They hold the oil better and longer,” Stenvar responded. “But the exterior part’s made of hickory, that’s strong and durable.” He tapped the wood with a knuckle. “Won’t warp or crack with hard use, either.”
“You have hickory trees here?” Lili glanced up startled. “All I’ve seen are pines.”
“In the south, yes,” Stenvar said. “Along with oak, aspen and birch trees.”
Cautiously Lili pulled on the hilt, keeping one hand on the scabbard. At full stretch of her arms, the blade still hadn’t cleared the sheath, and she could feel the weight of it in her right shoulder. Stenvar gripped the scabbard and nodded for her to take the hilt in both hands. She did so, and the tip nearly hit the floor as she pulled it the rest of the way out. “Oh,” she exclaimed softly.
“Tiny blades don’t hurt enough,” Stenvar remarked with a grin. “A sword needs weight!”
Lili closed her eyes against the sudden thought that surfaced in her mind. Are we speaking of swords literally, or metaphorically? She fought down the grin and met his gaze. “There is such a thing as too much weight, Stennvar,” she kept her tone level. He laughed as she cupped the blade with her left hand and lifted the tip from the floor. Susanna put her platter down and took the hilt in both hands, steadying the zwei-hander enough for Lili to tuck it back into its scabbard. It slid in as easily as it had come out. “It helps that this is so well oiled,” Lili added, lifting her right brow at him. His grin widened, and Stenvar’s eyes flashed. Did he get the innuendo? If he did, he wasn’t offended!
Susanna stood between them, hands on hips as her gaze traveled from one to the other. “Is there something going on here I don’t know about?” she demanded softly.
Lili only laughed and took her seat next to Star. “Do you have anything Star can eat? Doesn’t need to be much, just enough to tide him over until dinner.”
“Of course!” Susanna tucked her platter beneath one arm and leaned down to Lili’s ear. “And if you choose to walk that path with Stenvar, you won’t regret it!”
Lili spluttered her mead and looked down, hoping the inevitable flush didn’t show too much. “Stennvar, tell me more about Skyrim, please.”
The sellsword looked up from settling in his seat at her right with raised brows. “What would you like to know?”
“Everything,” Lili said. “Where to begin? Windhelm is the capital of the Stormcloaks, correct?”
“Not exactly,” Stenvar responded. “It’s the capital of Eastmarch Hold.” He reached into a parchment pack on his belt and drew out the new map he had just purchased earlier. “Are you able to read a map, ma’am?”
“Yes, once I get myself oriented,” Lili said. She noted that Stenvar had spread it out so that north was at her top. He watched while she studied it. “This is Windhelm,” she indicated the city, “and here, I think, is where we found The Winter War and that fishing camp of Einar’s.” She traced her finger down the coastline. “And about here is Yngold’s Tomb, where you stopped to pay honor.”
“You are correct,” Lili could hear new respect in Stenvar’s voice. “And this area,” he indicated an expanse south of Windhelm which extended to a mountain range in the south, “is Eastmarch Hold. All of this belongs to Jarl Stormcloak.”
“So the Stormcloaks don’t have a capital city?”
“Not as such, no,” Stenvar shook his head. “Though you can consider Windhelm the heart of the Stormcloak rebellion, since it is Jarl Stormcloak’s seat.”
“So if he isn’t the Jarl of Windhelm, the Stormcloaks would just be a group of rebels?” Lili cast her gaze around the map. Eastmarch is a small part of the whole of Skyrim! “Not as legitimate?”
“You could say that,” Stenvar agreed. He indicated a few more cities on the map, “Riften, Winterhold, Dawnstar are all allied with Jarl Stormcloak. Morthal, Falkreath and Markarth are all sworn to Solitude, which in turn has sided with the Imperials.”
“And the Thalmor as well?” Lilisfina asked.
Stenvar nodded. “And Balgruuf in Whiterun has remained neutral so far.”
“And what is the climate like in these - Holds?”
“Winterhold, Dawnstar and the northern part of Eastmarch are snow covered year round. Southern Eastmarch Hold and the other provinces have snow only in winter.” He grinned at her. “You might find these more to your liking.”
“I might!” Lili exclaimed. “If I ever have a reason to visit them I would.” She leaned back as Susanna returned with steaming bowls of soup and fresh baked bread. “Hmm, smells great, Susanna,” she smiled as the server slipped a fresh bone into Star’s waiting jaws.
“Smoked boar and leek soup,” she said proudly. “One of Nils’s own recipes!”
Lili slid a spoonful of the soup into her mouth. “Oh,” she exclaimed softly. “So good - my compliments to Nils!”
“There’s a place in town I’ve been wanting to visit,” Stenvar said after a few gulps of the soup. “Calixto’s House of Curiosities,”
“House of Curiosities?” Lili repeated. “What is that?”
“I’ve been told it’s a place where you can go and look at things,” Stenvar said. “Oddities and such.” He shrugged. “The owner, Calixto Corrium, has collected things from his adventures around Tamriel and he likes to give tours.”
“Hmm, it would be interesting to see what another adventurer has collected.” Lili regarded Stenvar. “It’s something to do while we wait for your armor.”
The sun stood halfway to the top of the western city walls when Stenvar led Lili and Star to a shabby stone building tucked into a corner above the Grey Quarter. “The House of Curiosities,” Stenvar said with a flourish. “After you, my lady,” he held the door for her. Lili stifled a chuckle and stepped inside.
The first thing she noticed was multiple layers of odor - mustiness, dust, and age. And beneath it all, death, the kind she had scented before in old crypts in Elsweyr and Morrowind. This is not good. The hairs on the back of her neck and down her arms prickled like so many fine thorns. At her left side Star whined anxiously.
An older Imperial man rose from his seat by the fire. “Welcome to the House of Curiosities!” He spread his arms wide to encompass the entire ground floor of the building. “I am Calixto Corrium, at your service.” His brown eyes studied them cannily. “I offer a brief tour of my treasures for a few coins, or you can simply browse at your leisure.”
We can browse on our own? Some treasure, if he trusts strangers among them. Lili regarded him a few moments, fighting the nausea and dread that the close air of the house triggered. She sensed Stenvar move to stand behind her right shoulder.
“What are your curiosities?” His voice calmed her. “How did you come by them?”
“Oh,” Corrium waved his hands vaguely, “my sister and I inherited a modest sum of money. We decided to travel and seek out whatever adventures we could find.” His gaze wandered around the cluttered interior. “As we did so, we encountered many tales of exotic and wondrous artifacts, and collected as many of these as we could.” His pallid face fell. “Alas, my beloved sister passed away a few years ago. I decided to settle here and open the House of Curiosities. I like to think my sister would be happy to see so many folk enjoy our collection!”
“How much for the tour?” Lili asked.
“Only three drakes each,” Corrium’s eyes flickered to Star. “The dog’s not welcome, though.”
Lili turned and gestured Star to wait beside the door. “Stay.” The Husky licked his lips and wrinkled his brows at her in a worried expression, but obeyed anyway.
“Let me,” Stenvar had already moved past Lili and dropped silver into Calixto’s eager palm.
“Splendid!” Corrium bounced to Lili’s left and directed their attention to a rack of shelving cluttered with various items. “Here are tools that were found in a crypt outside Windhelm. They belonged to the ancient Nords from before the First Empire.” He regarded them with a possessive air. “Most scholars believe they were used to prepare their dead for burial.” He glanced at them with a conniving expression. “What macabre mysteries these tools could reveal if they had the power of speech?”
The same sort of mysteries Helgird engages in daily with her own tools, Lili exchanged glances with Stenvar. She kept silent and followed Corrium to another set of shelves, this one full of books and scrolls. On a central shelf rested a large volume by itself.
“This is the Book of Fate,” Corrium announced in a mysterious tone. “It was discovered in a secret room in the Arcane University. The text describes the fate of the reader, and the words change from one person to the next.” He placed a finger on his lips. “Some have reported only blank pages, and no one knows why. Perhaps it means one has no destiny, or it signifies imminent death.” He sent an arch glance toward Lili and Stenvar, then led them to a collection of eating utensils arranged on a nearby table.
“And this is Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon!”
Stenvar leaned forward and peered at the indicated utensil. “But it’s a fork!” he protested. “No one can eat soup with a fork!”
“My friend,” Calixto countered, almost mischievously, “you did not know Ysgramor!” Lili stifled a snicker behind her hand and caught Stenvar’s grin. The aged Imperial moved them to a cluster of musical instruments. “And this is the Dancer’s Pipe,” he held up a bone flute, yellowed with age and use. “Legend has it this instrument has won wars, toppled empires, and changed the very course of history.” His gnarled fingers stroked the bone almost lovingly. “Its origins are lost to history, but stories tell of men who are compelled to dance uncontrollably upon hearing it, no matter the peril they are in.” He studied the carved holes. “To activate this strange power, one must only speak the magic words, which are — oh!” He stopped and covered his mouth with one hand. “I very nearly got us into a nasty predicament, didn’t I?” He gently placed the flute back in its resting place. “And with that, the tour is over! I thank you for your patronage, and I hope to see you again soon!” His assessing glance roved over Lili, and she sensed Stenvar tense behind her.
She swallowed against the odors roiling her nose and made herself smile at the Imperial. “Thank you very much for such a fascinating tour, sir.” She managed to walk, not bolt, out of the museum after Star once the door was opened.
Out in the cold afternoon, Lili took a deep breath and forcefully soughed the last of the disturbing atmosphere out of her nostrils. Stenvar regarded her in puzzlement. “Something wrong, ma’am?”
“It smells awful in there,” Lili whispered. “So much death.”
“Smell?” Stenvar paused and considered her words. “Sure, it’s poorly ventilated, and full of dust and must and other things, but death?”
“I have a very sensitive nose,” Lili reached down to touch Star’s ears. “Almost as sensitive as his,” she indicated the dog.
“I see,” Stenvar grunted. “What did you think of the tour, other than the smell?”
Lili chuckled in spite of herself. “Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon!”
Stenvar laughed heartily. “And the Dancer’s Pipe - good story there!”
@treydog: I figured with her more sensitive hearing both Lili and Star would cringe at the sour note at the heart of the ringing blade. I'm glad you enjoyed the way I used her senses to explore Windhelm. And yes, Lili now regards Sten as partner.
@Grits: Cold skies and warm company indeed!
@SubRosa: I had similar thoughts as you regarding burial customs in Windhelm - I figured those who died in winter would be interred in the crypts until the ground thawed in the spring; however over time that burial ground has become so full that funeral real estate now costs a pretty penny (drake? septim?); so an alternative would be to burn those who can't afford burial or permanent interment within the old crypts beneath Windhelm. Perhaps the oldest remains that have decayed enough have their bones (all that would be left) interred in those big urns you see in the Nord Crypts. And yes, Sten will turn out to be worth every drake Lili is dropping on him!
Sten gave Lili a tour of the western half of Windhelm. Now for the noon meal, and one more spot of sight-seeing!
************************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - House of Curiosities
The common room was nearly empty when Lili and Stenvar returned to their table for the noon meal. Star flopped down beside Lili and whined. He’s looking for his bone. “Shush, Star, you’ll get fed soon enough.”
Susanna brought a pitcher of ale for Stenvar and a pewter mug of mead for Lili. “New blade, Stenvar?”
“Yes,” Stenvar placed the sheathed blade on the table with an air of pride. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Is it?” Lili asked. “I haven’t really looked that closely at it.”
“Are you that way with all your purchases, Lilisfina?” Susanna’s tone turned teasing.
“He looked at it!” Lili pointed her thumb at Stenvar, who chuckled.
“Go ahead and take a look,” he invited with a wave toward the long hilt.
Lili laid one hand on the hilt, noting how her small hand seemed dwarfed by its length. This is why it’s called a zwei-hander - the hilt’s long enough for both of Stennvar’s hands. And those hands aren’t as small as mine! She grasped the scabbard with her other hand and pulled on the blade. It slid out with an ease that caught her off guard.
“Scabbard’s been oiled to make it easier to pull that blade,” Stenvar remarked. “Lined with a very fine horker skin.”
“Why horker skin in particular?” Lili wondered aloud.
“They hold the oil better and longer,” Stenvar responded. “But the exterior part’s made of hickory, that’s strong and durable.” He tapped the wood with a knuckle. “Won’t warp or crack with hard use, either.”
“You have hickory trees here?” Lili glanced up startled. “All I’ve seen are pines.”
“In the south, yes,” Stenvar said. “Along with oak, aspen and birch trees.”
Cautiously Lili pulled on the hilt, keeping one hand on the scabbard. At full stretch of her arms, the blade still hadn’t cleared the sheath, and she could feel the weight of it in her right shoulder. Stenvar gripped the scabbard and nodded for her to take the hilt in both hands. She did so, and the tip nearly hit the floor as she pulled it the rest of the way out. “Oh,” she exclaimed softly.
“Tiny blades don’t hurt enough,” Stenvar remarked with a grin. “A sword needs weight!”
Lili closed her eyes against the sudden thought that surfaced in her mind. Are we speaking of swords literally, or metaphorically? She fought down the grin and met his gaze. “There is such a thing as too much weight, Stennvar,” she kept her tone level. He laughed as she cupped the blade with her left hand and lifted the tip from the floor. Susanna put her platter down and took the hilt in both hands, steadying the zwei-hander enough for Lili to tuck it back into its scabbard. It slid in as easily as it had come out. “It helps that this is so well oiled,” Lili added, lifting her right brow at him. His grin widened, and Stenvar’s eyes flashed. Did he get the innuendo? If he did, he wasn’t offended!
Susanna stood between them, hands on hips as her gaze traveled from one to the other. “Is there something going on here I don’t know about?” she demanded softly.
Lili only laughed and took her seat next to Star. “Do you have anything Star can eat? Doesn’t need to be much, just enough to tide him over until dinner.”
“Of course!” Susanna tucked her platter beneath one arm and leaned down to Lili’s ear. “And if you choose to walk that path with Stenvar, you won’t regret it!”
Lili spluttered her mead and looked down, hoping the inevitable flush didn’t show too much. “Stennvar, tell me more about Skyrim, please.”
The sellsword looked up from settling in his seat at her right with raised brows. “What would you like to know?”
“Everything,” Lili said. “Where to begin? Windhelm is the capital of the Stormcloaks, correct?”
“Not exactly,” Stenvar responded. “It’s the capital of Eastmarch Hold.” He reached into a parchment pack on his belt and drew out the new map he had just purchased earlier. “Are you able to read a map, ma’am?”
“Yes, once I get myself oriented,” Lili said. She noted that Stenvar had spread it out so that north was at her top. He watched while she studied it. “This is Windhelm,” she indicated the city, “and here, I think, is where we found The Winter War and that fishing camp of Einar’s.” She traced her finger down the coastline. “And about here is Yngold’s Tomb, where you stopped to pay honor.”
“You are correct,” Lili could hear new respect in Stenvar’s voice. “And this area,” he indicated an expanse south of Windhelm which extended to a mountain range in the south, “is Eastmarch Hold. All of this belongs to Jarl Stormcloak.”
“So the Stormcloaks don’t have a capital city?”
“Not as such, no,” Stenvar shook his head. “Though you can consider Windhelm the heart of the Stormcloak rebellion, since it is Jarl Stormcloak’s seat.”
“So if he isn’t the Jarl of Windhelm, the Stormcloaks would just be a group of rebels?” Lili cast her gaze around the map. Eastmarch is a small part of the whole of Skyrim! “Not as legitimate?”
“You could say that,” Stenvar agreed. He indicated a few more cities on the map, “Riften, Winterhold, Dawnstar are all allied with Jarl Stormcloak. Morthal, Falkreath and Markarth are all sworn to Solitude, which in turn has sided with the Imperials.”
“And the Thalmor as well?” Lilisfina asked.
Stenvar nodded. “And Balgruuf in Whiterun has remained neutral so far.”
“And what is the climate like in these - Holds?”
“Winterhold, Dawnstar and the northern part of Eastmarch are snow covered year round. Southern Eastmarch Hold and the other provinces have snow only in winter.” He grinned at her. “You might find these more to your liking.”
“I might!” Lili exclaimed. “If I ever have a reason to visit them I would.” She leaned back as Susanna returned with steaming bowls of soup and fresh baked bread. “Hmm, smells great, Susanna,” she smiled as the server slipped a fresh bone into Star’s waiting jaws.
“Smoked boar and leek soup,” she said proudly. “One of Nils’s own recipes!”
Lili slid a spoonful of the soup into her mouth. “Oh,” she exclaimed softly. “So good - my compliments to Nils!”
“There’s a place in town I’ve been wanting to visit,” Stenvar said after a few gulps of the soup. “Calixto’s House of Curiosities,”
“House of Curiosities?” Lili repeated. “What is that?”
“I’ve been told it’s a place where you can go and look at things,” Stenvar said. “Oddities and such.” He shrugged. “The owner, Calixto Corrium, has collected things from his adventures around Tamriel and he likes to give tours.”
“Hmm, it would be interesting to see what another adventurer has collected.” Lili regarded Stenvar. “It’s something to do while we wait for your armor.”
The sun stood halfway to the top of the western city walls when Stenvar led Lili and Star to a shabby stone building tucked into a corner above the Grey Quarter. “The House of Curiosities,” Stenvar said with a flourish. “After you, my lady,” he held the door for her. Lili stifled a chuckle and stepped inside.
The first thing she noticed was multiple layers of odor - mustiness, dust, and age. And beneath it all, death, the kind she had scented before in old crypts in Elsweyr and Morrowind. This is not good. The hairs on the back of her neck and down her arms prickled like so many fine thorns. At her left side Star whined anxiously.
An older Imperial man rose from his seat by the fire. “Welcome to the House of Curiosities!” He spread his arms wide to encompass the entire ground floor of the building. “I am Calixto Corrium, at your service.” His brown eyes studied them cannily. “I offer a brief tour of my treasures for a few coins, or you can simply browse at your leisure.”
We can browse on our own? Some treasure, if he trusts strangers among them. Lili regarded him a few moments, fighting the nausea and dread that the close air of the house triggered. She sensed Stenvar move to stand behind her right shoulder.
“What are your curiosities?” His voice calmed her. “How did you come by them?”
“Oh,” Corrium waved his hands vaguely, “my sister and I inherited a modest sum of money. We decided to travel and seek out whatever adventures we could find.” His gaze wandered around the cluttered interior. “As we did so, we encountered many tales of exotic and wondrous artifacts, and collected as many of these as we could.” His pallid face fell. “Alas, my beloved sister passed away a few years ago. I decided to settle here and open the House of Curiosities. I like to think my sister would be happy to see so many folk enjoy our collection!”
“How much for the tour?” Lili asked.
“Only three drakes each,” Corrium’s eyes flickered to Star. “The dog’s not welcome, though.”
Lili turned and gestured Star to wait beside the door. “Stay.” The Husky licked his lips and wrinkled his brows at her in a worried expression, but obeyed anyway.
“Let me,” Stenvar had already moved past Lili and dropped silver into Calixto’s eager palm.
“Splendid!” Corrium bounced to Lili’s left and directed their attention to a rack of shelving cluttered with various items. “Here are tools that were found in a crypt outside Windhelm. They belonged to the ancient Nords from before the First Empire.” He regarded them with a possessive air. “Most scholars believe they were used to prepare their dead for burial.” He glanced at them with a conniving expression. “What macabre mysteries these tools could reveal if they had the power of speech?”
The same sort of mysteries Helgird engages in daily with her own tools, Lili exchanged glances with Stenvar. She kept silent and followed Corrium to another set of shelves, this one full of books and scrolls. On a central shelf rested a large volume by itself.
“This is the Book of Fate,” Corrium announced in a mysterious tone. “It was discovered in a secret room in the Arcane University. The text describes the fate of the reader, and the words change from one person to the next.” He placed a finger on his lips. “Some have reported only blank pages, and no one knows why. Perhaps it means one has no destiny, or it signifies imminent death.” He sent an arch glance toward Lili and Stenvar, then led them to a collection of eating utensils arranged on a nearby table.
“And this is Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon!”
Stenvar leaned forward and peered at the indicated utensil. “But it’s a fork!” he protested. “No one can eat soup with a fork!”
“My friend,” Calixto countered, almost mischievously, “you did not know Ysgramor!” Lili stifled a snicker behind her hand and caught Stenvar’s grin. The aged Imperial moved them to a cluster of musical instruments. “And this is the Dancer’s Pipe,” he held up a bone flute, yellowed with age and use. “Legend has it this instrument has won wars, toppled empires, and changed the very course of history.” His gnarled fingers stroked the bone almost lovingly. “Its origins are lost to history, but stories tell of men who are compelled to dance uncontrollably upon hearing it, no matter the peril they are in.” He studied the carved holes. “To activate this strange power, one must only speak the magic words, which are — oh!” He stopped and covered his mouth with one hand. “I very nearly got us into a nasty predicament, didn’t I?” He gently placed the flute back in its resting place. “And with that, the tour is over! I thank you for your patronage, and I hope to see you again soon!” His assessing glance roved over Lili, and she sensed Stenvar tense behind her.
She swallowed against the odors roiling her nose and made herself smile at the Imperial. “Thank you very much for such a fascinating tour, sir.” She managed to walk, not bolt, out of the museum after Star once the door was opened.
Out in the cold afternoon, Lili took a deep breath and forcefully soughed the last of the disturbing atmosphere out of her nostrils. Stenvar regarded her in puzzlement. “Something wrong, ma’am?”
“It smells awful in there,” Lili whispered. “So much death.”
“Smell?” Stenvar paused and considered her words. “Sure, it’s poorly ventilated, and full of dust and must and other things, but death?”
“I have a very sensitive nose,” Lili reached down to touch Star’s ears. “Almost as sensitive as his,” she indicated the dog.
“I see,” Stenvar grunted. “What did you think of the tour, other than the smell?”
Lili chuckled in spite of herself. “Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon!”
Stenvar laughed heartily. “And the Dancer’s Pipe - good story there!”
Thanks for the hearty lunch!
I laughed at Lili’s innuendo-laced flirting with Sten. Not so subtle, apparently, that Susanna couldn’t pick up on it. Probably wise of the blushing Lili to engineer a change of subject.
More nice review of Skyrim’s clime, geography and politics.
I confess, when I first read ‘House of Curiosities’, my mind traveled to the Shivering Isles.
I laughed at Lili’s innuendo-laced flirting with Sten. Not so subtle, apparently, that Susanna couldn’t pick up on it. Probably wise of the blushing Lili to engineer a change of subject.
More nice review of Skyrim’s clime, geography and politics.
I confess, when I first read ‘House of Curiosities’, my mind traveled to the Shivering Isles.
So it seems that Lili is taken by Stenvar's new blade, weighty and stiff as it is...
What better way to kill time than go visit a museum! After all, they cannot Netflix and chill, or listen to the radio, or watch videos on YouTube. Things were a lot simpler back in the old days, even in just the 1800s.
I suspect that Lili's instincts about Calixto and his house are just as spot on as her feelings about that other house in the rich neighborhood last week.
Well the Book of Fate certainly sounds interesting. Also like a grift. But at least an interesting scam.
I laughed at Ysgarmor eating soup with a fork, because he was just that cool.
The Dancer's Pipe makes me think of the Dancing Plagues that used to happen in Europe, probably due to ergot poisoning.
What better way to kill time than go visit a museum! After all, they cannot Netflix and chill, or listen to the radio, or watch videos on YouTube. Things were a lot simpler back in the old days, even in just the 1800s.
I suspect that Lili's instincts about Calixto and his house are just as spot on as her feelings about that other house in the rich neighborhood last week.
Well the Book of Fate certainly sounds interesting. Also like a grift. But at least an interesting scam.
I laughed at Ysgarmor eating soup with a fork, because he was just that cool.
The Dancer's Pipe makes me think of the Dancing Plagues that used to happen in Europe, probably due to ergot poisoning.
I got a good chuckle out of the double entendres around Stenvar’s big heavy blade. Susanna is a delight!
“So if he isn’t the Jarl of Windhelm, the Stormcloaks would just be a group of rebels?”
Nice assessment of the situation from an outsider.
Leek soup! Yum!! It’s always soup season in snowy Windhelm.
“I’ve been told it’s a place where you can go and look at things,” Stenvar said.
I nearly spit out my tea. I am an insatiable museum-goer, and Stenvar’s words will be with me the next time I’m in awe over some artifact. I did indeed go here to look at a thing.
Lili and Star’s reaction to the House of Creepiness fell right in line with their previous neighborhood tour. Politics aren’t the only stink in Windhelm it seems. Well, apart from the docks.
Stenvar had to move fast to get to pay for something, but he got it done! Nice to see the pair sharing a laugh over Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon!
“So if he isn’t the Jarl of Windhelm, the Stormcloaks would just be a group of rebels?”
Nice assessment of the situation from an outsider.
Leek soup! Yum!! It’s always soup season in snowy Windhelm.
“I’ve been told it’s a place where you can go and look at things,” Stenvar said.
I nearly spit out my tea. I am an insatiable museum-goer, and Stenvar’s words will be with me the next time I’m in awe over some artifact. I did indeed go here to look at a thing.
Lili and Star’s reaction to the House of Creepiness fell right in line with their previous neighborhood tour. Politics aren’t the only stink in Windhelm it seems. Well, apart from the docks.
Stenvar had to move fast to get to pay for something, but he got it done!
Nice to see the pair sharing a laugh over Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon!
Kynesgrove is one of those quests none of mine ever got around to in Skyrim, even after all these years, although my traveling elf (Celest Eaal) just picked that quest up. I'm also wondering if Lili will get involved with the Windhelm murders but shhh.... don't want to influence the story with rambling speculations!
Indeed, The Rift has lots of deciduous trees, not so many conifers. 🌲
Stenvar seems pleased Lili is dedicated to learning local terrain & locations & government structure.
Is Stenvar getting his armor repaired and times goes by? If so, I do this. Use the Wait button, that is. Repairing stuff takes time. You're probably roleplaying that though; vanilla Skyrim doesn't include degradation.
I want the Dancer's Pipe! I could see that being useful in our modern world. Not to win wars but to calm down fighting kids on the playground.
Why did Lili (seem to) force herself to walk, not bolt, out of the museum? Oh, cause of "odors".
Indeed, The Rift has lots of deciduous trees, not so many conifers. 🌲
Stenvar seems pleased Lili is dedicated to learning local terrain & locations & government structure.
Is Stenvar getting his armor repaired and times goes by? If so, I do this. Use the Wait button, that is.
Repairing stuff takes time. You're probably roleplaying that though; vanilla Skyrim doesn't include degradation. I want the Dancer's Pipe! I could see that being useful in our modern world. Not to win wars but to calm down fighting kids on the playground.
Why did Lili (seem to) force herself to walk, not bolt, out of the museum? Oh, cause of "odors".
@Acadian: You're welcome! Lili isn't as food obsessed as our former Legion pilus but she certainly knows how to appreciate good cooking! Lili had fun rolling with Sten on the flirting, until Susanna questioned their relationship. That reminded her that she's the boss - officially. Heh. And House of Curiosities might as well be a trip to the Shivering Isles!
@Sage Rose: Writing that bit between Lili and Sten was fun, and yes, Lili is quite taken by her investment.
And yes, Calixto's house did cause the spidey sense to tingle while she was in there. I always enjoy the tour in the museum, it never fails to make me chuckle.
@Grits: I'm glad you enjoy the doublespeak and Susanna's perception here. She is an absolute delight to write. Like you and me and every Skyrim character I ever rolled, museum going is a thrill. I love going to those historical places and seeing how people lived in the olden days. It really brings your senses back to the past in unforeseen ways.
@Renee: This fiction, like my others, is inspired by my game play through, but does not follow the play through exactly. So Sten's armor being repaired is writer's license, not strict gameplay. Yes, I know there are mods that make time pass for everything you do, but I prefer to just use my imagination for things like these.
*****************************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - Mourning
Lilisfina turned as Sten approached with the shield and war axe. She met his gaze briefly. “Is that everything?”
“Yes, Leifgard didn’t leave much behind. I’ve already sent the contents of his chest to his family in Morthal.”
“I’m glad you did that,” Lilisfina nodded. “Shall we go?”
“Yes, let’s get this over with.” Sten opened the door and let Lilisfina and Star through into the snowy afternoon. “I’d like to stop by the smithy afterwards to check on the progress of my armor,” he added.
“Bit impatient, are we?” Lilisfina chided him. “Oengul did say a day or two.”
Sten huffed visible breath between the snowflakes. “That’s too long,” he commented. “Not used to waiting.”
“I thought you did a lot of waiting in that inn,” Lilisfina remarked with a smile. “Seemed like you and Susanna know each other quite well.”
Sten felt his cheeks warm at certain memories. “I’ve been staying at the inn long enough,” he said. “And while I’m used to waiting for jobs, I’m not used to waiting for armor while I have jobs to do.”
“Understandable,” the Wood Elf remarked. “I apologize for lining up work so quickly for us, but I’d prefer to delay those until I know for certain we’ll both come back whole and healthy.” She paused to face him, hands on hips. “And the best way to ensure that is to make certain your armor is up to the task!”
“Not going to argue with that,” Sten responded as they wove their way between the gravestones toward the Hall of the Dead. This time Lilisfina reached the door first and held it open for the other two.
Sten stomped the snow from his boots and brushed it off his woolen shirt. Star shook the snowflakes from his black and white coat. Lilisfina lowered her fur cowl and shook out the cloak he had cut down for her. She is definitely getting a lot more use out of that fur than I ever did! He appreciated how she seemed to pull it closer around her when they were out in the cold air. But here she removed it and threw it over one arm.
Helgird greeted them at the entrance to her preparation area. She led them deeper into the crypt, past carved slots in the walls which held wrapped bodies in various states of decay. Wonder how this smells compared to Corrium’s museum? The idle thought passed through Sten’s head, and he regarded the Wood Elf’s expression. He did not see the distinct discomfort she had earlier. Have to ask. Later.
Leifgard and his cousin Einar had been interred side by side. A worn fishing rod and tattered hand net rested beside the aged fisherman’s body. Helgird stopped before Leifgard and gestured Sten to place his comrade’s gear within.
Sten took time to set the war axe at the body’s right side, ready to hand if needed, and placed the shield gently over the torso. He stepped back to pray.
The Wood Elf surprised both Sten and Helgird when she stepped forward and placed two bundles of snowberries beside each. Does she know snowberries are considered protective against evil spirits? Another thing to ask. Later.
“That is not part of Arkay’s rituals,” Helgird remarked softly. Lilisfina turned and glanced at her. “The use of snowberry is older than Ysgramor.”
“It’s not part of Y’ffre’s rituals, either,” Lilisfina said after a moment. “But we have a similar tradition in Valenwood to place holly vines with our dead to ward off predatory spirits.” She cast her gaze around the stone crypts. “We bury our dead at the base of graht-oaks, and cover their graves with the vines.” Now she met Sten’s gaze. “And I noticed Yngol’s tomb had snowberries on the altar. I’m thinking it has similar meaning here.” Now she turned back to Helgird. “My intention is the same here, so unless Arkay objects?”
“He has nothing to say on that subject,” Helgird responded with a smile. “And I’m certain our dead here appreciate your kindness.”
Star, Lilisfina and Sten stood quietly as Helgird spoke the final interment prayers over the two corpses. Once she completed the ritual, Helgird turned to Lilisfina, all business again. “Those reavers you brought back,” she said softly, “have been committed to the fire. When I stripped them I sent their gear up to Oengul - I had heard that’s what you intended to do with them. He is holding that for you, so you should visit him before the supper hour.”
Sten watched surprise pass over Lilisfina’s sharp features. Something’s off with her face - left side doesn’t move with the right side. Wonder what happened? Something else to ask about. Later. Maybe. If the right time comes up.
“Thank you very much, Helgird,” the Wood Elf murmured. Her head turned toward a corridor that branched off the main hallway and ran deeper into the structure. “We’re not alone here?”
Helgird tipped her head at Lilisfina’s question. “Nilsine Shatter-Shield is here with her sister,” she said finally.
Star startled them by dashing down the corridor, his white tipped tail flashing in the gloom. Lilisfina exclaimed softly and started after him, Sten on her heels. Uh oh.
It wasn’t long before Sten heard sobbing. He reached for Lilisfina’s shoulder. “Maybe we should . . . “
“Shh,” she lifted her fingers to her lips. Lilisfina moved around the corner silently, and paused. When Sten joined her, he spotted the tall Nord woman, her shoulders slumped and trembling, standing before a niche filled with candles, silks and silver jewelry.
Star reached the woman’s side and nudged her hand gently with his nose. As she turned to look at him, the Husky sat down before her and whined softly. He nudged her hand again, then licked her fingers. Star, you silly dog.
With a sob the woman knelt down and wrapped her arms around Star, hugging him tightly. Sten watched with his heart in his mouth as the dog, who just the day before had so fiercely attacked brutal reavers, leaned into the woman and licked her face.
“Please forgive Star,” Lilisfina stepped forward. “We did not mean to disturb you . . .”
Nilsine half sobbed, half laughed and lifted her face from the Husky’s fur. She wiped the tears away and rubbed the Husky’s ears fondly. “Oh no, he was just what I needed, at just the right time.”
“Nilsine Shatter-Shield,” Sten said gently, “my condolences.”
“Thank you, Stenvar,” Nilsine released Star and rose to her feet. She almost matched his height. Her light blue eyes, red-trimmed with tears, moved from his to the Wood Elf. “You’re new here, yes?”
“I’m Lilisfina,” the smaller woman nodded. “I just arrived in Windhelm a couple of days ago.”
Nilsine sniffled back tears. “Please forgive me, it’s been difficult for me lately. Have you ever lost anyone close to you?”
“I have,” Lilisfina’s voice roughened. “I heard about your twin sister. I’m so sorry you lost her. How are you and your parents doing?”
“Not good,” Nilsine shook her head sadly. “Da’s been spending more time in the inn, drinking and drinking. And Ma’s been spending all her time in the Temple of Talos with Jora.” She shrugged, but Sten could still see the pain in her expression. “Neither will speak with me, so I’m pretty much on my own these days.”
“It’s hard for all of you,” Lilisfina assured the Nord. “And each of us have our own ways of dealing with our grief.” She was silent a moment longer. Wonder what memories are coming up for her? “What helped me was putting one foot in front of the other,” she offered softly.
Nilsine regarded her for a few moments. “Literally?”
A soft chuckle. “Both literally and spiritually. I still find it hard some days, and some nights too.”
“Thank you,” Nilsine said finally. “I appreciate your kindness.” She met Sten’s gaze. “And yours, as well, Sten.” She gave a final pat to Star and moved past them toward the main corridor. Lilisfina and Sten watched her go, grief still stooping the taller woman’s shoulders. After a few moments Lilisfina sighed.
“Too many memories of your own, ma’am?” Sten asked her softly. She nodded. “Well, what would you like to do next?”
“Let’s visit the marketplace and see what Oengul has to say about the reavers’ gear.” The Wood Elf’s tone turned brisk.
@Sage Rose: Writing that bit between Lili and Sten was fun, and yes, Lili is quite taken by her investment.
And yes, Calixto's house did cause the spidey sense to tingle while she was in there. I always enjoy the tour in the museum, it never fails to make me chuckle.@Grits: I'm glad you enjoy the doublespeak and Susanna's perception here. She is an absolute delight to write. Like you and me and every Skyrim character I ever rolled, museum going is a thrill. I love going to those historical places and seeing how people lived in the olden days. It really brings your senses back to the past in unforeseen ways.
@Renee: This fiction, like my others, is inspired by my game play through, but does not follow the play through exactly. So Sten's armor being repaired is writer's license, not strict gameplay. Yes, I know there are mods that make time pass for everything you do, but I prefer to just use my imagination for things like these.
*****************************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - Mourning
Da’s blade is wearing out! I’m told it is showing signs of failure, though I can’t quite hear the change in tone. But it looks like Boss and Star can. In any case, I retired it and put it away in the chest with my winter clothing that you sent me over the summer. I now have a new steel zwei-hander. Boss paid for it, so I can still save up for that steel armor. It’s a beaut, Ma. Good size and weight, and well-balanced too. I’m looking forward to breaking it in on our next outing.
We took some time to visit a place called Calixto’s House of Curiosities. It’s supposed to be a collection of rare artifacts, but I doubt that’s really the case. We both found it funny and had a good laugh afterwards. Now we are going to Leifgard’s final interment. I’ve stopped by the inn and picked up his gear so we can bury it with him. Looking forward to getting my armor back so I can start earning my pay. I will write more when I have more to tell. Give my love to Halla and Old Fang.
Sten
Lilisfina turned as Sten approached with the shield and war axe. She met his gaze briefly. “Is that everything?”
“Yes, Leifgard didn’t leave much behind. I’ve already sent the contents of his chest to his family in Morthal.”
“I’m glad you did that,” Lilisfina nodded. “Shall we go?”
“Yes, let’s get this over with.” Sten opened the door and let Lilisfina and Star through into the snowy afternoon. “I’d like to stop by the smithy afterwards to check on the progress of my armor,” he added.
“Bit impatient, are we?” Lilisfina chided him. “Oengul did say a day or two.”
Sten huffed visible breath between the snowflakes. “That’s too long,” he commented. “Not used to waiting.”
“I thought you did a lot of waiting in that inn,” Lilisfina remarked with a smile. “Seemed like you and Susanna know each other quite well.”
Sten felt his cheeks warm at certain memories. “I’ve been staying at the inn long enough,” he said. “And while I’m used to waiting for jobs, I’m not used to waiting for armor while I have jobs to do.”
“Understandable,” the Wood Elf remarked. “I apologize for lining up work so quickly for us, but I’d prefer to delay those until I know for certain we’ll both come back whole and healthy.” She paused to face him, hands on hips. “And the best way to ensure that is to make certain your armor is up to the task!”
“Not going to argue with that,” Sten responded as they wove their way between the gravestones toward the Hall of the Dead. This time Lilisfina reached the door first and held it open for the other two.
Sten stomped the snow from his boots and brushed it off his woolen shirt. Star shook the snowflakes from his black and white coat. Lilisfina lowered her fur cowl and shook out the cloak he had cut down for her. She is definitely getting a lot more use out of that fur than I ever did! He appreciated how she seemed to pull it closer around her when they were out in the cold air. But here she removed it and threw it over one arm.
Helgird greeted them at the entrance to her preparation area. She led them deeper into the crypt, past carved slots in the walls which held wrapped bodies in various states of decay. Wonder how this smells compared to Corrium’s museum? The idle thought passed through Sten’s head, and he regarded the Wood Elf’s expression. He did not see the distinct discomfort she had earlier. Have to ask. Later.
Leifgard and his cousin Einar had been interred side by side. A worn fishing rod and tattered hand net rested beside the aged fisherman’s body. Helgird stopped before Leifgard and gestured Sten to place his comrade’s gear within.
Sten took time to set the war axe at the body’s right side, ready to hand if needed, and placed the shield gently over the torso. He stepped back to pray.
The Wood Elf surprised both Sten and Helgird when she stepped forward and placed two bundles of snowberries beside each. Does she know snowberries are considered protective against evil spirits? Another thing to ask. Later.
“That is not part of Arkay’s rituals,” Helgird remarked softly. Lilisfina turned and glanced at her. “The use of snowberry is older than Ysgramor.”
“It’s not part of Y’ffre’s rituals, either,” Lilisfina said after a moment. “But we have a similar tradition in Valenwood to place holly vines with our dead to ward off predatory spirits.” She cast her gaze around the stone crypts. “We bury our dead at the base of graht-oaks, and cover their graves with the vines.” Now she met Sten’s gaze. “And I noticed Yngol’s tomb had snowberries on the altar. I’m thinking it has similar meaning here.” Now she turned back to Helgird. “My intention is the same here, so unless Arkay objects?”
“He has nothing to say on that subject,” Helgird responded with a smile. “And I’m certain our dead here appreciate your kindness.”
Star, Lilisfina and Sten stood quietly as Helgird spoke the final interment prayers over the two corpses. Once she completed the ritual, Helgird turned to Lilisfina, all business again. “Those reavers you brought back,” she said softly, “have been committed to the fire. When I stripped them I sent their gear up to Oengul - I had heard that’s what you intended to do with them. He is holding that for you, so you should visit him before the supper hour.”
Sten watched surprise pass over Lilisfina’s sharp features. Something’s off with her face - left side doesn’t move with the right side. Wonder what happened? Something else to ask about. Later. Maybe. If the right time comes up.
“Thank you very much, Helgird,” the Wood Elf murmured. Her head turned toward a corridor that branched off the main hallway and ran deeper into the structure. “We’re not alone here?”
Helgird tipped her head at Lilisfina’s question. “Nilsine Shatter-Shield is here with her sister,” she said finally.
Star startled them by dashing down the corridor, his white tipped tail flashing in the gloom. Lilisfina exclaimed softly and started after him, Sten on her heels. Uh oh.
It wasn’t long before Sten heard sobbing. He reached for Lilisfina’s shoulder. “Maybe we should . . . “
“Shh,” she lifted her fingers to her lips. Lilisfina moved around the corner silently, and paused. When Sten joined her, he spotted the tall Nord woman, her shoulders slumped and trembling, standing before a niche filled with candles, silks and silver jewelry.
Star reached the woman’s side and nudged her hand gently with his nose. As she turned to look at him, the Husky sat down before her and whined softly. He nudged her hand again, then licked her fingers. Star, you silly dog.
With a sob the woman knelt down and wrapped her arms around Star, hugging him tightly. Sten watched with his heart in his mouth as the dog, who just the day before had so fiercely attacked brutal reavers, leaned into the woman and licked her face.
“Please forgive Star,” Lilisfina stepped forward. “We did not mean to disturb you . . .”
Nilsine half sobbed, half laughed and lifted her face from the Husky’s fur. She wiped the tears away and rubbed the Husky’s ears fondly. “Oh no, he was just what I needed, at just the right time.”
“Nilsine Shatter-Shield,” Sten said gently, “my condolences.”
“Thank you, Stenvar,” Nilsine released Star and rose to her feet. She almost matched his height. Her light blue eyes, red-trimmed with tears, moved from his to the Wood Elf. “You’re new here, yes?”
“I’m Lilisfina,” the smaller woman nodded. “I just arrived in Windhelm a couple of days ago.”
Nilsine sniffled back tears. “Please forgive me, it’s been difficult for me lately. Have you ever lost anyone close to you?”
“I have,” Lilisfina’s voice roughened. “I heard about your twin sister. I’m so sorry you lost her. How are you and your parents doing?”
“Not good,” Nilsine shook her head sadly. “Da’s been spending more time in the inn, drinking and drinking. And Ma’s been spending all her time in the Temple of Talos with Jora.” She shrugged, but Sten could still see the pain in her expression. “Neither will speak with me, so I’m pretty much on my own these days.”
“It’s hard for all of you,” Lilisfina assured the Nord. “And each of us have our own ways of dealing with our grief.” She was silent a moment longer. Wonder what memories are coming up for her? “What helped me was putting one foot in front of the other,” she offered softly.
Nilsine regarded her for a few moments. “Literally?”
A soft chuckle. “Both literally and spiritually. I still find it hard some days, and some nights too.”
“Thank you,” Nilsine said finally. “I appreciate your kindness.” She met Sten’s gaze. “And yours, as well, Sten.” She gave a final pat to Star and moved past them toward the main corridor. Lilisfina and Sten watched her go, grief still stooping the taller woman’s shoulders. After a few moments Lilisfina sighed.
“Too many memories of your own, ma’am?” Sten asked her softly. She nodded. “Well, what would you like to do next?”
“Let’s visit the marketplace and see what Oengul has to say about the reavers’ gear.” The Wood Elf’s tone turned brisk.
I laughed that Sten, in his letter home, refers to Lili as ‘Boss’. I see the flirting is not over as Lili tweaks Sten a bit about Susanna.
Touching last rites for Sten’s friend, Leifgard. Perhaps his heirs will invent a home system to prevent leaves from fouling gutters and name it after him.
Nice info on the Nord customs and I welcomed hearing Lili sharing a touch of how things are done in Valenwood.
Who knew that Star was such a consoler as he steals the first part of the scene with Nilsine?
Lili reveals she is not a stranger to grief. I wonder if we’ll learn more about that.
Touching last rites for Sten’s friend, Leifgard. Perhaps his heirs will invent a home system to prevent leaves from fouling gutters and name it after him.
Nice info on the Nord customs and I welcomed hearing Lili sharing a touch of how things are done in Valenwood.
Who knew that Star was such a consoler as he steals the first part of the scene with Nilsine?
Lili reveals she is not a stranger to grief. I wonder if we’ll learn more about that.
I too find myself wondering if the Halls of the Dead smell much different from Calixto's house to Lil's elf nose?
The snowberries and the dead are once more a nice world-building touch, sort of like lilies and funerals IRL.
And we run into Nilsine. I liked that you juxtaposed meeting with her at the end, with the reference to Calixto's house earlier in the episode.
The snowberries and the dead are once more a nice world-building touch, sort of like lilies and funerals IRL.
And we run into Nilsine. I liked that you juxtaposed meeting with her at the end, with the reference to Calixto's house earlier in the episode.
That was a nice touch with the snowberries. I like Lili’s confidence in adding it to their ritual. She is after all a part of things now even as an outsider.
When Star ran off I hoped he wouldn’t come back with a bone. But he made a friend!
Like Sten I am even more curious about Lili. Now off to the smithy, one foot in front of the other.
When Star ran off I hoped he wouldn’t come back with a bone. But he made a friend!
Like Sten I am even more curious about Lili. Now off to the smithy, one foot in front of the other.
@Acadian: Thank you, dear paladin, for continuing to read this. I had a good chuckle over the future patent/invention of Leifgard's descendants! Perhaps we will see the beginnings of such a system in the next book or two! Star is a pretty cool character to write. And yes, we will continue to learn more about Lili's past as we progress through this book.
@SubRosa: Hmmm, that's a perceptive question you ask, Sage Rose! We will find out if Lili can differentiate between the various odors of dead and undead soon! Like the next day in this book! Bookending this episode like this with Calixto's house and Nilsine's mourning as you pointed out was a happy accident, the best kind!
@Grits: I'm glad both you and Sage Rose hit upon the use of snowberries. Lili has become adept at observing and respecting the local customs in her own way, and the snowberries is just the latest touch. And your comments brought back joyful memories of Sai in Miscarcand! And yes, writing this story progresses, one foot in front of the other.
Previously Sten and Lili paid their final respects to Leifgard and Einar, and Lili shared a bit of Valenwood funereal customs. They also met Nilsine Shatter-Shield, and Lili was able to begin to form a relationship with the bereaved family.
***************************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - New Armor
Star chased the snowflakes on their way to the marketplace. His joy in the falling snow was so contagious Stenvar gathered up a few balls and tossed them to the Skyrim Husky. He’s bonding with Star. Is that going to be a good thing? Lili wondered if Star would choose to stay with Stenvar when they parted ways. Don’t know when, but chances are we won’t be together long. She shook her head, recalling the sellswords she had hired in the past. There was Za’taba in Anequina, we traveled together for twenty eight years before he retired. Then Tamira Saren from Morrowind, she was with me for sixteen years. They were good companions, and I learned much from them. She drew the bearskin cloak closer around her shoulders. This was a good gift from him. It’s come in handy already.
They reached the smithy in time to see a well dressed Nord in deep conversation with Oengul, who nodded curtly at intervals. Hermir looked up from the forge and caught Lili’s gaze and grinned. She waved them over to her with a finger on her lips.
“Best to let them have it out,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the growling forge. “That Torbjorn pays well, but he always tries Oengul’s patience.”
Lili heard Stenvar’s chuckle and turned to watch the two men, the smith hunched over the tempering table and the pudgy noble nattering on. “Likes the sound of his own voice, does he?”
“Oh, by Talos he does!” Hermir exclaimed softly. “I’m glad Oengul’s the master, not me!” Her gaze shifted from the two men to Stenvar. “And we’ve got some thoughts for you, Stenvar,” she stepped back from the forge and waved the two inside the smithy. “I know it’s warm near the forge, but we need to talk quietly, and inside’s warmer!” She nodded at Lili with a smile.
“Oh, thank you very much for your consideration,” Lili remarked. Where is Hermir going with this? “What can Stennvar do for you?” She ignored Stenvar’s quick glance at her.
“Well, put on your armor, and let me check the fit,” Hermir held out the breastplate. It looked only slightly less battered than before, and Lili frowned at it. “We are trying it with new lining, but there’s a few things we’ve noticed.”
Stenvar buckled the breastplate over his woolen shirt and shrugged his shoulders to settle the armor. “What of it?”
“Hmmm,” Hermir walked around him, her eyes roving over him and her hands tugging here and there. Is she ogling him right now? “These straps are worn in a couple of places - looks like you used to buckle up more than you do now, right?” Her tone remained businesslike.
“Yes, I was just eighteen when I left home and started selling my sword arm,” Stenvar responded. He tugged at the straps as if he could make them longer. “I’ve replaced them once, about eight years ago. Do they need replacing again?”
“Actually, no, that won’t work anymore,” Hermir responded. “You’ve outgrown this armor - the plate is too small for you now.” She tilted her head to one side. “Haven’t you noticed how it’s fraying your shirt over the shoulders, and along the ribs?” She ran one finger beneath the edge of the plate down his side. Stenvar flinched. Oh ho, he’s ticklish! Hermir looked over at Lili. “Do you see what I’m talking about?”
Lili shook her head. “I’m no expert when it comes to armor. I rather trust my sellswords’ judgment since they’re the ones wearing it!”
“And mine?” Hermir tipped her head at Lili, who responded with a grin. I think I see where she is going with this now. The apprentice gestured for Stenvar to remove his breastplate.
“But this is Da’s armor!” Stenvar protested while obeying Hermir’s unspoken instructions. “It can’t be too small for me!”
“I don’t know how big your Da was,” Hermir countered, “but I doubt he was as big as you are now from all your fighting.” She set the iron breastplate down and picked up another piece of armor. “Now this one I think is more your size. Try it on, let’s see how it fits.” Her briskness overcame Stenvar’s reluctance and soon the buckles were fastened, and once again Hermir walked around the sellsword, assessing the fit of the new plate.
“Wait,” Stenvar looked down at the carved steel, “Isn’t this Black Cleitus’s armor?”
Hermir stepped back and crossed her arms with a glance at Lili. “Move around in it, pretend you’re swinging that shiny new zwei-hander of yours. Let’s see how it feels.”
Still Stenvar hesitated, glancing at Lili. “Do you have an issue with wearing a dead man’s armor, Stennvar?” she asked him.
“No, that’s not it,” Stenvar shook his head, his gaze returning to the scuffed iron plate resting on the table. “I still have to save up the coin for something like this . . . “
“Don’t worry about it, it’s yours by right of combat,” Lili assured him. “What matters is does it fit you? How does it feel?”
“Heavier,” Stenvar admitted. “But not by much.”
“Now that I see you in both,” Lili remarked, “Hermir’s comments do make sense. This looks better on you, Stenvar. And I’m not talking about beauty, either.”
Stenvar snorted. “Call me what you like, just don’t call me a pretty boy.”
Lili laughed. “I save that for the Mer, actually. All you Nords are just . . . big.”
Hermir scoffed. “That’s relative, lass,” She cast a speculating eye at Stenvar. “Very well, that armor just needs a bit more work and it’ll be ready. Just a new lining of leather. I do recommend you get a padded tunic to wear beneath that armor, though. It will minimize the chafing better, and you won’t run through so many wool shirts.” Now she slid a sly glance at Lili. “And it’ll keep you warmer, too, without the need for a cloak.”
In spite of herself, Lili shivered. “I love this cloak, thank you very much,” she responded. “Stenvar gave it to me, and cut it down to fit.”
Hermir grinned. “And that’s something else I want to talk about,” she added. “You can’t go adventuring in a dress, not in Skyrim.”
“What’s wrong with this dress?” Lili looked down at the blue-green wool.
“Oh, it’s fine for around town,” Hermir took the steel breastplate back from Stenvar and set it aside. “But when you’re spelunking through caves and exploring ruined crypts, which I hear you’ll be doing soon, it will just tangle around your legs and slow you down. A short robe and trousers will work just as well.”
“I don’t want to wear armor,” Lili protested. This time it was Stenvar’s turn to smile at her discomfort.
“I’m not talking about armor at all,” Hermir responded. “I know mages don’t wear armor. I also know mages in Skyrim don’t wear dresses, either. Not in this cold.” She shook her finger at Lili. “But I think I might have something that would fit.” She turned to Stenvar. “Now shoo. Shatter-Shield should be done, and if he’s not, Oengul will be happy if you interrupted. Smith needs to know we’re to finish up this steel armor by tomorrow.”
Stenvar caught Lili’s gaze. “Are you certain, ma’am? I’d be happy to pay you back.”
“As long as you keep me alive that’s worth the value,” Lili assured him. “Like your zwei-hander, it’s an investment in you.”
Stenvar regarded her silently for a few breaths, then murmured thanks to Hermir and left the smithy. As the door closed behind him, Hermir turned to a chest near the hearth. “My ma made this for me when I turned twelve,” she opened the lid and pulled out a bundle wrapped in faded brown linen. “It was before I apprenticed to Oengul and started bulking up. It wasn’t long before I outgrew it, but I’ve hung onto it.” She unwrapped the bundle to reveal forest green and white leather, fur trimmings and simple metal buckles. “Try this on, let’s see how it fits.”
Lili didn’t breathe as Hermir shook out the robe and held it against her shoulders. Her hands came up to touch the soft leather as Hermir cast her eye up and down Lili’s figure. “It should work for you. Here, let’s put this on first - take your dress off first.” She held out a dark brown under-tunic made of thick wool, incredibly soft against her arms and body. It fell from a round neckline to knees, sleeves reaching halfway down her forearms.
Hermir checked the fit, and muttered to herself. “Take in a little bit here at the waist, take up the sleeves two fingers, and it will fit you just fine,” she declared confidently. “Now the robe.”
The tabard itself, a soft pine green, had contrasting gold trim at the collar, the short sleeves, and along the the bias cut hem and up the sides to the waistline. Again, Hermir decided it needed to be taken in at the waist, but the length suited the Bosmer just fine. “And one more piece - the bodice.” She took the wide leather, the same deep brown as the under-tunic, and held it against Lili’s torso. It extended from just below her small breasts down to the top of her hip bones. “You’re shorter in the torso, Lili. Not a problem, just a couple of fingers off the bottom of this and it’s ready to go.”
She nodded to herself with satisfaction. “Yes, that will do. And it’s not armor, Lili. It’s just more resilient, practical and warmer for adventuring than that dress you’ve got!”
“I can’t - I can’t take this,” Lili stammered. “Your mother made it for you . . . “
“And I grew up too fast to get full wear out of it!” Hermir exclaimed. “No, you take it, you wear it, and that will best honor my Ma.”
“How much do you want for it?” Lili looked down at herself again. “And how soon can you make the modifications?”
“Oengul can work on Stenvar’s new armor, and I’ll work on this outfit for you,” Hermir put her hands on her hips. “We’ll have both ready for you tomorrow after breakfast!” She held up her hand. “And this is no charge. Mind you, if you were to wear it out, come back to me and I’ll make up a new set for you, and that’ll cost you fair!”
@SubRosa: Hmmm, that's a perceptive question you ask, Sage Rose! We will find out if Lili can differentiate between the various odors of dead and undead soon! Like the next day in this book! Bookending this episode like this with Calixto's house and Nilsine's mourning as you pointed out was a happy accident, the best kind!
@Grits: I'm glad both you and Sage Rose hit upon the use of snowberries. Lili has become adept at observing and respecting the local customs in her own way, and the snowberries is just the latest touch. And your comments brought back joyful memories of Sai in Miscarcand! And yes, writing this story progresses, one foot in front of the other.
Previously Sten and Lili paid their final respects to Leifgard and Einar, and Lili shared a bit of Valenwood funereal customs. They also met Nilsine Shatter-Shield, and Lili was able to begin to form a relationship with the bereaved family.
***************************
Tirdas 19 Last Seed - New Armor
Star chased the snowflakes on their way to the marketplace. His joy in the falling snow was so contagious Stenvar gathered up a few balls and tossed them to the Skyrim Husky. He’s bonding with Star. Is that going to be a good thing? Lili wondered if Star would choose to stay with Stenvar when they parted ways. Don’t know when, but chances are we won’t be together long. She shook her head, recalling the sellswords she had hired in the past. There was Za’taba in Anequina, we traveled together for twenty eight years before he retired. Then Tamira Saren from Morrowind, she was with me for sixteen years. They were good companions, and I learned much from them. She drew the bearskin cloak closer around her shoulders. This was a good gift from him. It’s come in handy already.
They reached the smithy in time to see a well dressed Nord in deep conversation with Oengul, who nodded curtly at intervals. Hermir looked up from the forge and caught Lili’s gaze and grinned. She waved them over to her with a finger on her lips.
“Best to let them have it out,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the growling forge. “That Torbjorn pays well, but he always tries Oengul’s patience.”
Lili heard Stenvar’s chuckle and turned to watch the two men, the smith hunched over the tempering table and the pudgy noble nattering on. “Likes the sound of his own voice, does he?”
“Oh, by Talos he does!” Hermir exclaimed softly. “I’m glad Oengul’s the master, not me!” Her gaze shifted from the two men to Stenvar. “And we’ve got some thoughts for you, Stenvar,” she stepped back from the forge and waved the two inside the smithy. “I know it’s warm near the forge, but we need to talk quietly, and inside’s warmer!” She nodded at Lili with a smile.
“Oh, thank you very much for your consideration,” Lili remarked. Where is Hermir going with this? “What can Stennvar do for you?” She ignored Stenvar’s quick glance at her.
“Well, put on your armor, and let me check the fit,” Hermir held out the breastplate. It looked only slightly less battered than before, and Lili frowned at it. “We are trying it with new lining, but there’s a few things we’ve noticed.”
Stenvar buckled the breastplate over his woolen shirt and shrugged his shoulders to settle the armor. “What of it?”
“Hmmm,” Hermir walked around him, her eyes roving over him and her hands tugging here and there. Is she ogling him right now? “These straps are worn in a couple of places - looks like you used to buckle up more than you do now, right?” Her tone remained businesslike.
“Yes, I was just eighteen when I left home and started selling my sword arm,” Stenvar responded. He tugged at the straps as if he could make them longer. “I’ve replaced them once, about eight years ago. Do they need replacing again?”
“Actually, no, that won’t work anymore,” Hermir responded. “You’ve outgrown this armor - the plate is too small for you now.” She tilted her head to one side. “Haven’t you noticed how it’s fraying your shirt over the shoulders, and along the ribs?” She ran one finger beneath the edge of the plate down his side. Stenvar flinched. Oh ho, he’s ticklish! Hermir looked over at Lili. “Do you see what I’m talking about?”
Lili shook her head. “I’m no expert when it comes to armor. I rather trust my sellswords’ judgment since they’re the ones wearing it!”
“And mine?” Hermir tipped her head at Lili, who responded with a grin. I think I see where she is going with this now. The apprentice gestured for Stenvar to remove his breastplate.
“But this is Da’s armor!” Stenvar protested while obeying Hermir’s unspoken instructions. “It can’t be too small for me!”
“I don’t know how big your Da was,” Hermir countered, “but I doubt he was as big as you are now from all your fighting.” She set the iron breastplate down and picked up another piece of armor. “Now this one I think is more your size. Try it on, let’s see how it fits.” Her briskness overcame Stenvar’s reluctance and soon the buckles were fastened, and once again Hermir walked around the sellsword, assessing the fit of the new plate.
“Wait,” Stenvar looked down at the carved steel, “Isn’t this Black Cleitus’s armor?”
Hermir stepped back and crossed her arms with a glance at Lili. “Move around in it, pretend you’re swinging that shiny new zwei-hander of yours. Let’s see how it feels.”
Still Stenvar hesitated, glancing at Lili. “Do you have an issue with wearing a dead man’s armor, Stennvar?” she asked him.
“No, that’s not it,” Stenvar shook his head, his gaze returning to the scuffed iron plate resting on the table. “I still have to save up the coin for something like this . . . “
“Don’t worry about it, it’s yours by right of combat,” Lili assured him. “What matters is does it fit you? How does it feel?”
“Heavier,” Stenvar admitted. “But not by much.”
“Now that I see you in both,” Lili remarked, “Hermir’s comments do make sense. This looks better on you, Stenvar. And I’m not talking about beauty, either.”
Stenvar snorted. “Call me what you like, just don’t call me a pretty boy.”
Lili laughed. “I save that for the Mer, actually. All you Nords are just . . . big.”
Hermir scoffed. “That’s relative, lass,” She cast a speculating eye at Stenvar. “Very well, that armor just needs a bit more work and it’ll be ready. Just a new lining of leather. I do recommend you get a padded tunic to wear beneath that armor, though. It will minimize the chafing better, and you won’t run through so many wool shirts.” Now she slid a sly glance at Lili. “And it’ll keep you warmer, too, without the need for a cloak.”
In spite of herself, Lili shivered. “I love this cloak, thank you very much,” she responded. “Stenvar gave it to me, and cut it down to fit.”
Hermir grinned. “And that’s something else I want to talk about,” she added. “You can’t go adventuring in a dress, not in Skyrim.”
“What’s wrong with this dress?” Lili looked down at the blue-green wool.
“Oh, it’s fine for around town,” Hermir took the steel breastplate back from Stenvar and set it aside. “But when you’re spelunking through caves and exploring ruined crypts, which I hear you’ll be doing soon, it will just tangle around your legs and slow you down. A short robe and trousers will work just as well.”
“I don’t want to wear armor,” Lili protested. This time it was Stenvar’s turn to smile at her discomfort.
“I’m not talking about armor at all,” Hermir responded. “I know mages don’t wear armor. I also know mages in Skyrim don’t wear dresses, either. Not in this cold.” She shook her finger at Lili. “But I think I might have something that would fit.” She turned to Stenvar. “Now shoo. Shatter-Shield should be done, and if he’s not, Oengul will be happy if you interrupted. Smith needs to know we’re to finish up this steel armor by tomorrow.”
Stenvar caught Lili’s gaze. “Are you certain, ma’am? I’d be happy to pay you back.”
“As long as you keep me alive that’s worth the value,” Lili assured him. “Like your zwei-hander, it’s an investment in you.”
Stenvar regarded her silently for a few breaths, then murmured thanks to Hermir and left the smithy. As the door closed behind him, Hermir turned to a chest near the hearth. “My ma made this for me when I turned twelve,” she opened the lid and pulled out a bundle wrapped in faded brown linen. “It was before I apprenticed to Oengul and started bulking up. It wasn’t long before I outgrew it, but I’ve hung onto it.” She unwrapped the bundle to reveal forest green and white leather, fur trimmings and simple metal buckles. “Try this on, let’s see how it fits.”
Lili didn’t breathe as Hermir shook out the robe and held it against her shoulders. Her hands came up to touch the soft leather as Hermir cast her eye up and down Lili’s figure. “It should work for you. Here, let’s put this on first - take your dress off first.” She held out a dark brown under-tunic made of thick wool, incredibly soft against her arms and body. It fell from a round neckline to knees, sleeves reaching halfway down her forearms.
Hermir checked the fit, and muttered to herself. “Take in a little bit here at the waist, take up the sleeves two fingers, and it will fit you just fine,” she declared confidently. “Now the robe.”
The tabard itself, a soft pine green, had contrasting gold trim at the collar, the short sleeves, and along the the bias cut hem and up the sides to the waistline. Again, Hermir decided it needed to be taken in at the waist, but the length suited the Bosmer just fine. “And one more piece - the bodice.” She took the wide leather, the same deep brown as the under-tunic, and held it against Lili’s torso. It extended from just below her small breasts down to the top of her hip bones. “You’re shorter in the torso, Lili. Not a problem, just a couple of fingers off the bottom of this and it’s ready to go.”
She nodded to herself with satisfaction. “Yes, that will do. And it’s not armor, Lili. It’s just more resilient, practical and warmer for adventuring than that dress you’ve got!”
“I can’t - I can’t take this,” Lili stammered. “Your mother made it for you . . . “
“And I grew up too fast to get full wear out of it!” Hermir exclaimed. “No, you take it, you wear it, and that will best honor my Ma.”
“How much do you want for it?” Lili looked down at herself again. “And how soon can you make the modifications?”
“Oengul can work on Stenvar’s new armor, and I’ll work on this outfit for you,” Hermir put her hands on her hips. “We’ll have both ready for you tomorrow after breakfast!” She held up her hand. “And this is no charge. Mind you, if you were to wear it out, come back to me and I’ll make up a new set for you, and that’ll cost you fair!”
As Lili contemplated her previous sell-swords, it really highlighted the vastly differing lifespans of elves versus the other races. Let’s hope she can get at least similar mileage out of Stenvar, for methinks he’s a keeper.
She is indeed investing quite a bit of coin into him, but quality weaponry and armor are essential. Hermir even gets Lili into something more practical for adventuring – and that looks pretty stylish as well. After all, what fun is adventuring if you can’t look good while doing it?
She is indeed investing quite a bit of coin into him, but quality weaponry and armor are essential. Hermir even gets Lili into something more practical for adventuring – and that looks pretty stylish as well. After all, what fun is adventuring if you can’t look good while doing it?
A tabard... a bias cut hem... how delicious! I've not touched my sewing since Covid. I might just do it now... time to get that cat hair out of the machines!
Lil's perception of a short while really glares here, 28 years, 16 years, hardly any time at all. For an elf...
Ah, so the fix is in. Sten's gotten too big for hisbritches armor. Looks like he is going to need to upgrade to Black Cleitus' rig. What a coincidence that they still happen to have it laying around... 
It sounds like Lil is about to get herself a Jedi Robe. Close, a 12 year old Nord's outfit! Once again, you really bring home the differences between an elf and a Nord here.
Ah, so the fix is in. Sten's gotten too big for his
It sounds like Lil is about to get herself a Jedi Robe. Close, a 12 year old Nord's outfit! Once again, you really bring home the differences between an elf and a Nord here.
Ah, now Lili’s investment in Stenvar makes even more sense. She’s not thinking they’ll work together for six months or so, but rather that Stenvar could possibly retire in her employ.
I enjoyed the banter as much as I enjoyed the process of getting Stenvar through the decision to take the steel armor.
Hermir’s tunic and robe sound lovely. Lili will certainly get a lot more use out of it than twelve-year-old Hermir did. And hats off to the young smith! She got Lili out of her dress as fast as she got Stenvar swapping breastplates!
I enjoyed the banter as much as I enjoyed the process of getting Stenvar through the decision to take the steel armor.
Hermir’s tunic and robe sound lovely. Lili will certainly get a lot more use out of it than twelve-year-old Hermir did. And hats off to the young smith! She got Lili out of her dress as fast as she got Stenvar swapping breastplates!
Seems they do know snowberries act as wards.
I like the gentle jabbing between Sten the Nord and Lili.
Can't go adventuring in a dress!!
Yeah, makes sense. Hermir definitely has a point.
I like the gentle jabbing between Sten the Nord and Lili.
Can't go adventuring in a dress!!
Yeah, makes sense. Hermir definitely has a point.
I'm hoping that your "finger" measurement is the transverse one used by bartenders, not the longitudinal one used in other contexts (like cloth-measuring). Reducing a 12 year old's garment by nine inches / 23cm is a bit drastic.
Not sure what to make of the pondering of longevity of sellswords; you're telling us Lili keeps them, at the same time as she's suggesting this could be a shorter term. That could mean she's expecting to move on soon, and doesn't expect Stenvar to be much of a wanderer, and stay in Skyrim. Or a lot of other things. I'll just have to wait.
Not sure what to make of the pondering of longevity of sellswords; you're telling us Lili keeps them, at the same time as she's suggesting this could be a shorter term. That could mean she's expecting to move on soon, and doesn't expect Stenvar to be much of a wanderer, and stay in Skyrim. Or a lot of other things. I'll just have to wait.
@Acadian: I agree, Stenvar is a keeper. And yes, Lili is the sort of person to form lasting relationships with her hirelings - if she's going to trust them with her life, it makes sense to her that they be friends (at least). The two particular hirelings that stand out in her memory (Za'taba the Khajiit and Tamira Saren the Dunmer) became very close with Lili over the years. Her prior experience with other sellswords including those two is deep enough that she feels Stenvar has potential to become her next long term relationship.
@Lena: Nord Tribal Armor (Clothing) is the inspiration for Lili's new outfit from Hermir. Thought you might like to see it for yourself!
@SubRosa: I was delighted to have the opportunity to contrast both the perception of time and of physical norms between Bosmer and Nords. It was a fun episode to write!
@Grits: Lili has always taken the view that if you take care of your hirelings, they will take care of you. It's a view that has been proven in the past, as we have seen with Za'taba and Tamira Saren. On a deeper note, it helps her to deal with the void left behind by the loss she experienced so many years ago (as we will eventually learn more about).
@Renee: I think Lili was just observant - she noticed snowberries being left at tombs (remember Yngol's Tomb) and in crypts, so she felt it was appropriate in lieu of flowers. And keep reading, the "gentle jabbing" will progress into something more! Eventually.
@ghastley: My finger measurement is that used by horsemen - four fingers equals a hand, which is the unit of measurement of a horse's height. So yes, it's transverse, aka two fingers of Scotch, not longitudinal. As for short term vs long term, Stenvar's term of employment is currently for a month, and she'll reassess at the end of that month whether or not she wants to keep him on, and also it's long enough for him to decide if he wants to continue working for her. The idea that she's already considering keeping him on for years rather than a month does suggest that she likes his style, personality and intelligence.
And having gotten Sten into newbritches armor and Lili into a more practical cave-delving outfit, it's time to venture out on their first real quest together! Which shall it be - Forsaken Cave for the White Phial, or Cronvangr Cave for Queen Freydis's sword? Let's find out!
*********************
Middas 20 Last Seed - A Cold Walk
“Oh, Lili, you look fabulous!” Susanna’s voice reached Sten from the common hall upstairs. “Where did you get these clothes?”
Sten barely heard Lili’s response. She must still be in her room. “Hermir gave it to me - it hasn’t fit her since she was twelve.”
“Hermir? I can’t recall that she was ever as small as you,” Susanna mused. “But then, she’s lived in Windhelm all her life, I must have arrived right after she apprenticed to Oengul. She was a tall one, even at fourteen!”
“She did have to take this in a little bit to make it fit,” Lilisfina’s voice became clearer as she apparently stepped out into the hallway. Sten shrugged the new armor over his shoulders to settle the plate, then turned for the stairs that led up from the cellar.
Sten reached the top of the stairs in time to see Lilisfina secure the white cowl around her shoulders. The soft green tabard beneath fell to her knees, and dark brown boots trimmed in white fur reached up to the slanted hemline. Her face had that lop sided smile as Susanna fingered the leather and exclaimed over the details. She does look good in that outfit.
Sten paused as Star pranced down the hall to nudge his hand. Lilisfina’s green gaze slid to his and lit up. “Looks like you’ll be considerably warmer in that outfit than when we went to The Winter War,” he said gruffly. “Good call by Hermir, it’s a lot more practical for delving in caves and crypts and what else you may get into here.”
Susanna turned around and gasped as she took in Sten’s appearance. “You too, Stenvar?” she exclaimed as she walked up to him, her eyes roving over his form with a look he remembered rather well. “You look so good in this plate,” she continued, her hands coming up to check the fit of his armor. “And you’ve got the padded tunic, too. Smart!”
“Might be too warm,” Sten mock grumbled. “But Hermir’s insistent I wear it beneath the armor.” He reached up and caught her hands before they became too familiar. No. Those days are past now. He smiled at her fondly. “So you think it looks good on me?”
“More like you look good in it,” Susanna exclaimed, turning to glance at Lilisfina over her shoulder. “Would you agree, Lili?” She stepped aside to give Lilisfina full view.
Sten caught the mischievous glint in her eyes as she motioned for him to spin in place. As he obediently turned around, flexing his biceps, he heard her chuckle. “I would agree, Susanna,” she said wryly. “Are we ready, then?”
“Got your backpacks? Susanna asked. Lili picked up her own backpack in response.
“I’ve got everything we need in this,” she said. “Stennvar needs freedom of movement.”
“I can fight with a backpack on,” Sten protested. “I’ve done it before.”
“And it’s like the cloak, more of a hindrance than an asset,” Lilisfina shook her head. “Besides, I’ve got the feather spell, I can use it on myself if needed.”
“I’m still taking mine,” Sten held up his own battered pack. “I’ll just drop it at the entrance when we go in.”
Lilisfina considered him a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough.”
“Did Nils give you your rations?” Susanna asked the two of them. They nodded, and Lilisfina smiled down at Star. “And a bone for the dog, too?”
“Of course,” Lilisfina responded. “In my pack along with our food and drink!”
“Best pack that fur cloak, too,” Sten remarked. “Looks like we’ll have a snowstorm soon.”
“Ugh,” Lilisfina made a face, but disappeared into her room. A moment later she was back, fur cloak rolled up on top of her backpack. “Better safe than sorry, yes?”
“Indeed,” Sten walked up to her, Star dancing back and forth between them. “Ready to go, ma’am?”
In short order they turned west on the road outside the city gates. While it ran down the hill to follow the White River, Sten glanced up at the sky ahead as they trudged over the snow-covered stones. Does look like stormy weather later - those clouds aren’t yet dark enough but it sure feels like snow. Here where the path was relatively clear, Lilisfina walked at his left side, Star between them. Snow everywhere gleamed in the subdued sunlight. She had her hood up, so he couldn’t see her face.
A sudden remembrance slid into Sten’s thoughts. “Mind if I ask you a question, boss?” Boss? Not so formal as ma’am. Got to be careful.
“Boss?” Lilisfina countered. “Hmm, I do like the sound of that. What’s your question?”
“Would you prefer I address you as ma’am?” Sten asked. “And my question has to do with something you said yesterday.”
“Just Lili is fine, actually.” Lilisfina turned her face to peer at him around the edge of her hood. “And what did I say yesterday?”
“You said there was so much death in Corrium’s house,” Sten cast his glance at the sky, trying to recall her words. “But when we were in the crypts, you didn’t seem so uncomfortable.”
“Hmm, you’d think I’d be more uncomfortable in the crypts because there are actual dead there?” Lilisfina turned her face forward. “Death comes in different forms, right?” she said after a few steps. “Old age, disease, war, murder, and so on.”
“Right,” Sten matched his strides to hers. “But it all comes to the same place, no?”
“No, not really,” Lilisfina responded. “The crypt and graveyard in Windhelm, the dead are quiet there. Peaceful. The smell is merely that of decomposing flesh and bone.”
Sten considered her words. “And in Corrium’s house?”
“It reminds me of zombies and other necromantic entities,” Lilisfina’s voice grew soft, as if to speak of such things aloud would summon them. “Undead, rotting but not really decaying into dust. Held together by evil magic.”
“Are you saying Corrium is a necromancer?”
“Not sure,” Lilisfina shook her head. “It could be the house itself, it could be a necromancer once lived and practiced there, and the scent is soaked into the fabric of the house itself.”
“And you’ve encountered such beings before?” Sten asked as they approached the junction with the River Yorgrim.
“Yes, I have,” Lilisfina responded. Sten waited to see if she would say more, but the Wood Elf remained silent. They crossed the bridge over the White River where it ran north before turning east to flow past Windhelm. The River Yorgrim spilled from the western hills and ran into the White. The road continued past the two rivers and followed the River Yorgrim toward the waterfalls.
Another road, this following the White River where it flowed down from the southern mountains, joined the east-west road. A tall narrow bluff towered over the intersection. Sten glanced up at the statue at the top of the bluff.
“Who’s that?” Lilisfina’s voice reached him.
“That’s Talos,” Sten responded. “Those statues mark his shrines all over Skyrim.”
“Hmm,” Lilisfina’s tone turned musing. “What are you, Stormcloak or Imperial? No offense intended, just curious.”
“Nord, Empire, Talos,” Sten dropped his gaze from the stern statue above. “Who cares?” He shook his head. “Such a silly reason for a civil war.”
“You think?” Lilisfina paused beside a snowberry bush and swiftly stripped it of its red berries. “Some folk might argue with you about that. Banning Talos worship is like waving a red flag at a Minotaur.”
“What do you mean, waving a red flag?” Sten asked.
“If you’re stupid enough to wave a red flag at a Minotaur, those things will charge you and kill you. And they’re intelligent, so you have to watch out for the shamans - the magic users.”
“I’m not stupid, so it doesn’t sound like something I’d do.” Sten shrugged. “And of course, I don’t belittle Talos worship, especially in a place like Windhelm.”
“No, I don’t think you’re stupid,” Lilisfina strode down the road toward the bridge that crossed the River Yorgrim. “But we’ve all done stupid things when we were young.”
Sten opened his mouth to protest, but laughter came out instead. “And what was the stupidest thing you did as a young child?” He walked a few steps before he realized Lilisfina was no longer at his side. He turned to see the Wood Elf standing, hands on hips, her green gaze piercing his. Uh oh, have I overstepped my bounds?
@Lena: Nord Tribal Armor (Clothing) is the inspiration for Lili's new outfit from Hermir. Thought you might like to see it for yourself!
@SubRosa: I was delighted to have the opportunity to contrast both the perception of time and of physical norms between Bosmer and Nords. It was a fun episode to write!
@Grits: Lili has always taken the view that if you take care of your hirelings, they will take care of you. It's a view that has been proven in the past, as we have seen with Za'taba and Tamira Saren. On a deeper note, it helps her to deal with the void left behind by the loss she experienced so many years ago (as we will eventually learn more about).
@Renee: I think Lili was just observant - she noticed snowberries being left at tombs (remember Yngol's Tomb) and in crypts, so she felt it was appropriate in lieu of flowers. And keep reading, the "gentle jabbing" will progress into something more! Eventually.
@ghastley: My finger measurement is that used by horsemen - four fingers equals a hand, which is the unit of measurement of a horse's height. So yes, it's transverse, aka two fingers of Scotch, not longitudinal. As for short term vs long term, Stenvar's term of employment is currently for a month, and she'll reassess at the end of that month whether or not she wants to keep him on, and also it's long enough for him to decide if he wants to continue working for her. The idea that she's already considering keeping him on for years rather than a month does suggest that she likes his style, personality and intelligence.
And having gotten Sten into new
*********************
Middas 20 Last Seed - A Cold Walk
Ma,
I’ve got new armor to go with my new blade now! The smith sent it over before breakfast this morning. I still can’t believe it. The smith’s apprentice told me I’ve outgrown Da’s plate. I still don’t understand it, but she says it’s because I’ve been a fighter for more years than Da has been.
We are off to a cave today to look for a magical vial. Apparently the old alchemist in town, Nurelion, has traveled all over looking for it, and now that he knows where it is, he’s too ill to go find it himself. So Boss said we would go and look for it.
It’s a good opportunity to break in this new armor. I’ll let you know how it goes.
“Oh, Lili, you look fabulous!” Susanna’s voice reached Sten from the common hall upstairs. “Where did you get these clothes?”
Sten barely heard Lili’s response. She must still be in her room. “Hermir gave it to me - it hasn’t fit her since she was twelve.”
“Hermir? I can’t recall that she was ever as small as you,” Susanna mused. “But then, she’s lived in Windhelm all her life, I must have arrived right after she apprenticed to Oengul. She was a tall one, even at fourteen!”
“She did have to take this in a little bit to make it fit,” Lilisfina’s voice became clearer as she apparently stepped out into the hallway. Sten shrugged the new armor over his shoulders to settle the plate, then turned for the stairs that led up from the cellar.
Sten reached the top of the stairs in time to see Lilisfina secure the white cowl around her shoulders. The soft green tabard beneath fell to her knees, and dark brown boots trimmed in white fur reached up to the slanted hemline. Her face had that lop sided smile as Susanna fingered the leather and exclaimed over the details. She does look good in that outfit.
Sten paused as Star pranced down the hall to nudge his hand. Lilisfina’s green gaze slid to his and lit up. “Looks like you’ll be considerably warmer in that outfit than when we went to The Winter War,” he said gruffly. “Good call by Hermir, it’s a lot more practical for delving in caves and crypts and what else you may get into here.”
Susanna turned around and gasped as she took in Sten’s appearance. “You too, Stenvar?” she exclaimed as she walked up to him, her eyes roving over his form with a look he remembered rather well. “You look so good in this plate,” she continued, her hands coming up to check the fit of his armor. “And you’ve got the padded tunic, too. Smart!”
“Might be too warm,” Sten mock grumbled. “But Hermir’s insistent I wear it beneath the armor.” He reached up and caught her hands before they became too familiar. No. Those days are past now. He smiled at her fondly. “So you think it looks good on me?”
“More like you look good in it,” Susanna exclaimed, turning to glance at Lilisfina over her shoulder. “Would you agree, Lili?” She stepped aside to give Lilisfina full view.
Sten caught the mischievous glint in her eyes as she motioned for him to spin in place. As he obediently turned around, flexing his biceps, he heard her chuckle. “I would agree, Susanna,” she said wryly. “Are we ready, then?”
“Got your backpacks? Susanna asked. Lili picked up her own backpack in response.
“I’ve got everything we need in this,” she said. “Stennvar needs freedom of movement.”
“I can fight with a backpack on,” Sten protested. “I’ve done it before.”
“And it’s like the cloak, more of a hindrance than an asset,” Lilisfina shook her head. “Besides, I’ve got the feather spell, I can use it on myself if needed.”
“I’m still taking mine,” Sten held up his own battered pack. “I’ll just drop it at the entrance when we go in.”
Lilisfina considered him a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough.”
“Did Nils give you your rations?” Susanna asked the two of them. They nodded, and Lilisfina smiled down at Star. “And a bone for the dog, too?”
“Of course,” Lilisfina responded. “In my pack along with our food and drink!”
“Best pack that fur cloak, too,” Sten remarked. “Looks like we’ll have a snowstorm soon.”
“Ugh,” Lilisfina made a face, but disappeared into her room. A moment later she was back, fur cloak rolled up on top of her backpack. “Better safe than sorry, yes?”
“Indeed,” Sten walked up to her, Star dancing back and forth between them. “Ready to go, ma’am?”
In short order they turned west on the road outside the city gates. While it ran down the hill to follow the White River, Sten glanced up at the sky ahead as they trudged over the snow-covered stones. Does look like stormy weather later - those clouds aren’t yet dark enough but it sure feels like snow. Here where the path was relatively clear, Lilisfina walked at his left side, Star between them. Snow everywhere gleamed in the subdued sunlight. She had her hood up, so he couldn’t see her face.
A sudden remembrance slid into Sten’s thoughts. “Mind if I ask you a question, boss?” Boss? Not so formal as ma’am. Got to be careful.
“Boss?” Lilisfina countered. “Hmm, I do like the sound of that. What’s your question?”
“Would you prefer I address you as ma’am?” Sten asked. “And my question has to do with something you said yesterday.”
“Just Lili is fine, actually.” Lilisfina turned her face to peer at him around the edge of her hood. “And what did I say yesterday?”
“You said there was so much death in Corrium’s house,” Sten cast his glance at the sky, trying to recall her words. “But when we were in the crypts, you didn’t seem so uncomfortable.”
“Hmm, you’d think I’d be more uncomfortable in the crypts because there are actual dead there?” Lilisfina turned her face forward. “Death comes in different forms, right?” she said after a few steps. “Old age, disease, war, murder, and so on.”
“Right,” Sten matched his strides to hers. “But it all comes to the same place, no?”
“No, not really,” Lilisfina responded. “The crypt and graveyard in Windhelm, the dead are quiet there. Peaceful. The smell is merely that of decomposing flesh and bone.”
Sten considered her words. “And in Corrium’s house?”
“It reminds me of zombies and other necromantic entities,” Lilisfina’s voice grew soft, as if to speak of such things aloud would summon them. “Undead, rotting but not really decaying into dust. Held together by evil magic.”
“Are you saying Corrium is a necromancer?”
“Not sure,” Lilisfina shook her head. “It could be the house itself, it could be a necromancer once lived and practiced there, and the scent is soaked into the fabric of the house itself.”
“And you’ve encountered such beings before?” Sten asked as they approached the junction with the River Yorgrim.
“Yes, I have,” Lilisfina responded. Sten waited to see if she would say more, but the Wood Elf remained silent. They crossed the bridge over the White River where it ran north before turning east to flow past Windhelm. The River Yorgrim spilled from the western hills and ran into the White. The road continued past the two rivers and followed the River Yorgrim toward the waterfalls.
Another road, this following the White River where it flowed down from the southern mountains, joined the east-west road. A tall narrow bluff towered over the intersection. Sten glanced up at the statue at the top of the bluff.
“Who’s that?” Lilisfina’s voice reached him.
“That’s Talos,” Sten responded. “Those statues mark his shrines all over Skyrim.”
“Hmm,” Lilisfina’s tone turned musing. “What are you, Stormcloak or Imperial? No offense intended, just curious.”
“Nord, Empire, Talos,” Sten dropped his gaze from the stern statue above. “Who cares?” He shook his head. “Such a silly reason for a civil war.”
“You think?” Lilisfina paused beside a snowberry bush and swiftly stripped it of its red berries. “Some folk might argue with you about that. Banning Talos worship is like waving a red flag at a Minotaur.”
“What do you mean, waving a red flag?” Sten asked.
“If you’re stupid enough to wave a red flag at a Minotaur, those things will charge you and kill you. And they’re intelligent, so you have to watch out for the shamans - the magic users.”
“I’m not stupid, so it doesn’t sound like something I’d do.” Sten shrugged. “And of course, I don’t belittle Talos worship, especially in a place like Windhelm.”
“No, I don’t think you’re stupid,” Lilisfina strode down the road toward the bridge that crossed the River Yorgrim. “But we’ve all done stupid things when we were young.”
Sten opened his mouth to protest, but laughter came out instead. “And what was the stupidest thing you did as a young child?” He walked a few steps before he realized Lilisfina was no longer at his side. He turned to see the Wood Elf standing, hands on hips, her green gaze piercing his. Uh oh, have I overstepped my bounds?
Plenty of goodness packed into this episode from Stenvar’s perspective as Boss and Sell-sword continue to learn more of each other. Susanna’s nice – and perceptive. It’s clear she’s still a bit hot for Stenvar and says much about him that he’s decided to discourage her.
Sten is right that it is not Stormcloak, Empire or Talos that is the problem to be concerned about. Depending on one’s perspective, I’d offer that the real mammoth in the hall is either Thalmor, dragons or both.
Wonderful banter between the two well-dressed adventurers. Skyrim did a nice job with making mage robes practical instead of the drag the ground robes used in the other games. We’ve found the Falkreath Thane costume in ESO does a reasonable job of impersonating that Skyrim robe look of a knee length robe over pants and boots.
So. . . is Lili going to shut down her mercenary or spill some of her elven guts to him?
Sten is right that it is not Stormcloak, Empire or Talos that is the problem to be concerned about. Depending on one’s perspective, I’d offer that the real mammoth in the hall is either Thalmor, dragons or both.
Wonderful banter between the two well-dressed adventurers. Skyrim did a nice job with making mage robes practical instead of the drag the ground robes used in the other games. We’ve found the Falkreath Thane costume in ESO does a reasonable job of impersonating that Skyrim robe look of a knee length robe over pants and boots.
So. . . is Lili going to shut down her mercenary or spill some of her elven guts to him?
It is not a criticism, but Sten's name being shortened to Sten out of practicality does make me think of the Sten submachine gun. That simple, effective, yet sometimes temperamental tool for anti-fascism. Thankfully our Sten does not jam, or go off on full auto when we don't want him to.
Lil and Sten are both dripped out with their new fits. Time to go smite evil, and look good while doing so!
Packs, rations, bones, looks like a bag of holding would be a handy thing for these quests.
It seems Lil's intuition concerning Calixto is pretty good. But she is evidently old and wise enough to refrain from accusing strangers of being necrodudes without having real, concrete proof either.
What is the dumbest thing you have ever done? Now that is a question!
Lil and Sten are both dripped out with their new fits. Time to go smite evil, and look good while doing so!
Packs, rations, bones, looks like a bag of holding would be a handy thing for these quests.
It seems Lil's intuition concerning Calixto is pretty good. But she is evidently old and wise enough to refrain from accusing strangers of being necrodudes without having real, concrete proof either.
What is the dumbest thing you have ever done? Now that is a question!
QUOTE
@Lena: Nord Tribal Armor (Clothing) is the inspiration for Lili's new outfit from Hermir. Thought you might like to see it for yourself!
Yes, this is how I pictured it! (Without seeing that mod.) Based on mages' clothes.
Susanna is a delight once again! Lili and Sten seem to be settling in with each other nicely. I like how Sten holds the boundaries with Susanna as gently as he tests where he stands with Lili. I loved their conversation as they strolled through the snow.
@Acadian: Hmmm, as I see it, Sten and Susanna became lovers when he first arrived at Windhelm a few years ago, then their relationship naturally evolved into one of close friendship. Susanna is physically affectionate (and as we will see, so is Lili), and Sten is still a lusty man. And yes, Sten is correct in his assessment of Talos, Stormcloak and Imperial don't matter.
@SubRosa: I did think of the submachine gun as well. And yes, I agree Sten doesn't jam, or go off half-cocked! As for the stink of necromancy, Lili is experienced enough to not jump to conclusions. You are absolutely correct that she will wait until she has evidence one way or another. I like to show Lili as assuming the best of folks until proven otherwise, but she is also wary of certain personality types.
@Lena: I agree with both you and Acadian that the mages "robes" in Skyrim are darn attractive and practical. I remember back in the day when tunics and tabards were the rage, especially when paired with jeans. Too bad they went out of style so quickly - I loved wearing them myself.
@Grits: Susanna is one of those characters who just take over the keyboard whenever I bring her into the scene. Like dogs and children, she steals the show! And yes, Sten is very careful about determining where he stands with Lili, as she does likewise.
As our intrepid trio Lili, Sten and Star trek toward a forsaken spot in the frozen mountains of the Pale, Lili is asked what is the stupidest thing she's ever done.
**************************
Middas 20 Last Seed - Stupid Actions
Lili caught the flicker of self-doubt in Stenvar’s gaze when he turned to look back at her. She tossed her head back and laughed. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” she teased. Star yipped at the tone in her voice and bounced between the two of them, his tail waving above his back.
Relief passed over his face, then he joined in her laughter. “Fair enough,” he nodded. She resumed walking toward the stone bridge. “Well?” he asked when she reached his side.
“Let me think,” Lili responded, the roar of the falls nearly drowning out her voice. “So many to choose from.”
He chuckled as they crossed the River Yorgrim and followed the road as it turned back west. “By the way, we’re in the Pale now. This area is part of Dawnstar’s Hold. Up ahead is Anga’s Mill, that’s the first place we come to that’s part of the Pale.”
“Thank you, that’s really helpful,” Lili responded. She recalled something Stenvar had mentioned the other day. “Dawnstar - that’s sworn to Jarl Stormcloak, correct?”
“Correct,” Stenvar nodded. “So we’re still in Stormcloak territory, if you’re curious.” He shot her a blue glance as they strode up the slope toward the upper reaches of the River Yorgrim, Star quartering the road ahead of them. “So, what was the most stupid thing you ever did as a kid?”
“Well, I’m sure I’ve done more stupid things than that, but what comes to mind is the day I tried to pull a sleeping senche’s tail.”
“Senche?” Stenvar repeated. “What’s that?”
“Big cat, one of the top predators in Valenwood,” Lili responded.
“Oh, do tell me more,” Stenvar’s tone turned amused.
“There was this senche that lived outside our village, and had multiple overlooks it liked to relax on between hunts. Our clan always left him alone, and he never entered our graht-oak compound. All the children were warned to stay away from him, and to never disturb him.” Lili inhaled slowly against long forgotten memories. “But my cousins dared me to go and pull that senche’s tail while he was sleeping.”
“How old were you?”
“Maybe ten, twelve years old?” Lili mused. “Remember, mer mature slower than humans. I was just out of the toddler stage at that time.”
“Hmm, so like our five year olds?” Stenvar waved at Anga as they passed her lumber mill. Star scattered the chickens before Lili called him back to her side. They moved past the workers’ house and continued up the hill.
“Something like that, yes,” Lili agreed. “So we went out and found the senche napping on his favorite rock, and I crept up, as sneaky as you like, to pull that tail. But when I was just about to touch it, he woke up.”
Stenvar inhaled sharply. “Yikes! What happened next?”
“Well, my cousins had the foresight to tie a vine rope around my waist, and they were at the other end of it. When he woke up and came at me tooth and claw, they yanked hard on the rope. I went flying across the forest floor . . .” Lili swept her hand quickly from left to right, “right into my cousins. We all got up on our feet and ran for our lives back to the graht-oak. We didn’t stop until we were high up in its branches. Our elders scolded us for bothering the senche.”
“Did the senche come into the compound?” Stenvar asked. Lili shook her head.
“But our elders came after us and punished us for it! They made us give our next kills to him as an apology.” She laughed. “All I could do was snare squirrels, fortunately he quite liked them.”
Stenvar laughed as well. I do like his laugh. It makes me smile. “Did you ever pull a senche’s tail again?”
“Nope!” Lili shook her head. She turned her gaze up at him. “Your turn!”
“Well, let’s see now . . . “ Stenvar made a show of stroking his close cropped beard and mumbling to himself. “I could tell you about the time I went into a hibernating bear’s den, but that’s not what I did, that’s my Da’s story.”
“I don’t want your Da’s story,” Lili found it difficult to keep the amusement out of her voice. “I want your story. What did you do as a child that gave your Ma gray hair?”
“Ma doesn’t have . . .” Stenvar paused and shot her a glance. He chuckled again. “Well, I did try to ride her favorite cow into battle. Five years old, and I wanted to be just like my Da. I found a stick that I pretended was a blade, and tried to get up on Thistle’s back. She didn’t budge, just kept grazing. I got the milking stool, that got me up on her back. Then she kicked it away, and there I was, stuck on Thistle’s back. Da was away at market with my sisters, and Ma was in the garden on the other side of the house.” Stenvar’s gaze grew distant. “I had the brilliant idea to ride her over by the fence, I could use that to get down. So I hit her with the stick . . . “
“Poor Thistle!” Lili exclaimed. “You were a cruel boy!”
“Thistle, like all good Nord cows, had a thick coat - she didn’t feel a thing,” Stenvar countered self defensively. “She just kept grazing. So I called Fenrik over - that was our herding dog. He barked at me as if to scold me for being on top of Thistle. I told him to get her over by the fence. Thistle wasn’t having any of it, kept shaking her horns at Fenrik. Finally Ma came over to see what all the commotion was about - boy did I get it!” Again that hearty laugh. “She made me milk Thistle for the next sevenday! Twice a day!”
Lili considered his words. “Just how hard is it to milk a cow?” she wondered out loud.
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Stenvar responded, still chuckling. “If we come across a farmer with a milk cow we can ask if you can learn.”
Finally they reached the top of the long slope. Lili paused to catch her breath and take in her surroundings. I don’t feel that cold. These clothes Hermir gave me are really effective at keeping me warm. Behind them the sun, hidden by a thin overcast, hung halfway up the eastern sky. She gasped at the view laid out below. Windhelm was a dark smear on the northern bank of the White River, and both watercourses glimmered in the weak sunlight. Tall mountains towered north of them, marching from the city westward into a snowy pine forest. The road, barely visible in the snowdrifts, wound through the pines along the range.
“We should reach Forsaken Cave around noon,” Stenvar commented. “We’ve made good time this morning. No wolves either, which is good, too. There’s a pack that usually hangs along this road attacking travelers.”
“No sign of them?” Lili cast her glance around, and inhaled deeply. All she could smell was snow and ice - lots of both.
“No, not even a howl.” Stenvar shook his head. “Could mean a bad storm is coming up.”
“We may have to camp inside the cave if that happens,” Lili remarked.
“Or take shelter at the inn in Heljarchen. That’s just a couple hours’ walk up the road past the cave.” Stenvar cast another glance at the western sky. “Depends on the weather, though. It can change very quickly.”
“We should be ready for whatever comes,” Lili thought of the rations in her backpack. Stenvar met her gaze.
“I’ve got the bedrolls in my backpack, and of course a wood axe for firewood.” He hitched the straps over his shoulders. “Between the two of us, we should be able to camp in the cave if it comes to that.” He grinned. “But I’d prefer to sleep in an inn after a bellyful of ale to warm my bones!”
Lili chuckled. “I’m not one to deny myself any creature comforts I can get!” She looked ahead at the road. “What should I look for?”
“If I remember correctly,” Stenvar mused, blue eyes already scanning the roadside, “there’s a clearing with small menhirs in a row leading to the cave entrance. That’ll be the first thing you’ll see on the north side of the road.”
The clouds grew thicker as they walked on, and now Lili could feel the wind blowing out of the mountains, pushing against her right side. It’s getting colder, should I pull out the fur cloak? The cowl is keeping the cold off my head and shoulders, but my legs and feet are starting to feel it.
“Here we are,” Stenvar’s voice broke through the wind. Lili looked up from her footing to see a cluster of snowberry bushes surrounding a row of small standing stones - menhirs, Stennvar called them - that ran back from the road into the mountainside.
“Good, let’s get inside out of this wind,” Lili paused to scan the surrounding forest. At her side Star stood ready, his ears tipped forward, his stance relaxed. “Seems Star is telling us there is nothing to concern us between us and that cave.”
“Let’s go, then,” Stenvar led the way past the menhirs toward the dark crevice in the mountainside.
And yes, Sten is correct in his assessment of Talos, Stormcloak and Imperial don't matter.@SubRosa: I did think of the submachine gun as well. And yes, I agree Sten doesn't jam, or go off half-cocked! As for the stink of necromancy, Lili is experienced enough to not jump to conclusions. You are absolutely correct that she will wait until she has evidence one way or another. I like to show Lili as assuming the best of folks until proven otherwise, but she is also wary of certain personality types.
@Lena: I agree with both you and Acadian that the mages "robes" in Skyrim are darn attractive and practical. I remember back in the day when tunics and tabards were the rage, especially when paired with jeans. Too bad they went out of style so quickly - I loved wearing them myself.
@Grits: Susanna is one of those characters who just take over the keyboard whenever I bring her into the scene. Like dogs and children, she steals the show! And yes, Sten is very careful about determining where he stands with Lili, as she does likewise.
As our intrepid trio Lili, Sten and Star trek toward a forsaken spot in the frozen mountains of the Pale, Lili is asked what is the stupidest thing she's ever done.
**************************
Middas 20 Last Seed - Stupid Actions
Lili caught the flicker of self-doubt in Stenvar’s gaze when he turned to look back at her. She tossed her head back and laughed. “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” she teased. Star yipped at the tone in her voice and bounced between the two of them, his tail waving above his back.
Relief passed over his face, then he joined in her laughter. “Fair enough,” he nodded. She resumed walking toward the stone bridge. “Well?” he asked when she reached his side.
“Let me think,” Lili responded, the roar of the falls nearly drowning out her voice. “So many to choose from.”
He chuckled as they crossed the River Yorgrim and followed the road as it turned back west. “By the way, we’re in the Pale now. This area is part of Dawnstar’s Hold. Up ahead is Anga’s Mill, that’s the first place we come to that’s part of the Pale.”
“Thank you, that’s really helpful,” Lili responded. She recalled something Stenvar had mentioned the other day. “Dawnstar - that’s sworn to Jarl Stormcloak, correct?”
“Correct,” Stenvar nodded. “So we’re still in Stormcloak territory, if you’re curious.” He shot her a blue glance as they strode up the slope toward the upper reaches of the River Yorgrim, Star quartering the road ahead of them. “So, what was the most stupid thing you ever did as a kid?”
“Well, I’m sure I’ve done more stupid things than that, but what comes to mind is the day I tried to pull a sleeping senche’s tail.”
“Senche?” Stenvar repeated. “What’s that?”
“Big cat, one of the top predators in Valenwood,” Lili responded.
“Oh, do tell me more,” Stenvar’s tone turned amused.
“There was this senche that lived outside our village, and had multiple overlooks it liked to relax on between hunts. Our clan always left him alone, and he never entered our graht-oak compound. All the children were warned to stay away from him, and to never disturb him.” Lili inhaled slowly against long forgotten memories. “But my cousins dared me to go and pull that senche’s tail while he was sleeping.”
“How old were you?”
“Maybe ten, twelve years old?” Lili mused. “Remember, mer mature slower than humans. I was just out of the toddler stage at that time.”
“Hmm, so like our five year olds?” Stenvar waved at Anga as they passed her lumber mill. Star scattered the chickens before Lili called him back to her side. They moved past the workers’ house and continued up the hill.
“Something like that, yes,” Lili agreed. “So we went out and found the senche napping on his favorite rock, and I crept up, as sneaky as you like, to pull that tail. But when I was just about to touch it, he woke up.”
Stenvar inhaled sharply. “Yikes! What happened next?”
“Well, my cousins had the foresight to tie a vine rope around my waist, and they were at the other end of it. When he woke up and came at me tooth and claw, they yanked hard on the rope. I went flying across the forest floor . . .” Lili swept her hand quickly from left to right, “right into my cousins. We all got up on our feet and ran for our lives back to the graht-oak. We didn’t stop until we were high up in its branches. Our elders scolded us for bothering the senche.”
“Did the senche come into the compound?” Stenvar asked. Lili shook her head.
“But our elders came after us and punished us for it! They made us give our next kills to him as an apology.” She laughed. “All I could do was snare squirrels, fortunately he quite liked them.”
Stenvar laughed as well. I do like his laugh. It makes me smile. “Did you ever pull a senche’s tail again?”
“Nope!” Lili shook her head. She turned her gaze up at him. “Your turn!”
“Well, let’s see now . . . “ Stenvar made a show of stroking his close cropped beard and mumbling to himself. “I could tell you about the time I went into a hibernating bear’s den, but that’s not what I did, that’s my Da’s story.”
“I don’t want your Da’s story,” Lili found it difficult to keep the amusement out of her voice. “I want your story. What did you do as a child that gave your Ma gray hair?”
“Ma doesn’t have . . .” Stenvar paused and shot her a glance. He chuckled again. “Well, I did try to ride her favorite cow into battle. Five years old, and I wanted to be just like my Da. I found a stick that I pretended was a blade, and tried to get up on Thistle’s back. She didn’t budge, just kept grazing. I got the milking stool, that got me up on her back. Then she kicked it away, and there I was, stuck on Thistle’s back. Da was away at market with my sisters, and Ma was in the garden on the other side of the house.” Stenvar’s gaze grew distant. “I had the brilliant idea to ride her over by the fence, I could use that to get down. So I hit her with the stick . . . “
“Poor Thistle!” Lili exclaimed. “You were a cruel boy!”
“Thistle, like all good Nord cows, had a thick coat - she didn’t feel a thing,” Stenvar countered self defensively. “She just kept grazing. So I called Fenrik over - that was our herding dog. He barked at me as if to scold me for being on top of Thistle. I told him to get her over by the fence. Thistle wasn’t having any of it, kept shaking her horns at Fenrik. Finally Ma came over to see what all the commotion was about - boy did I get it!” Again that hearty laugh. “She made me milk Thistle for the next sevenday! Twice a day!”
Lili considered his words. “Just how hard is it to milk a cow?” she wondered out loud.
“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Stenvar responded, still chuckling. “If we come across a farmer with a milk cow we can ask if you can learn.”
Finally they reached the top of the long slope. Lili paused to catch her breath and take in her surroundings. I don’t feel that cold. These clothes Hermir gave me are really effective at keeping me warm. Behind them the sun, hidden by a thin overcast, hung halfway up the eastern sky. She gasped at the view laid out below. Windhelm was a dark smear on the northern bank of the White River, and both watercourses glimmered in the weak sunlight. Tall mountains towered north of them, marching from the city westward into a snowy pine forest. The road, barely visible in the snowdrifts, wound through the pines along the range.
“We should reach Forsaken Cave around noon,” Stenvar commented. “We’ve made good time this morning. No wolves either, which is good, too. There’s a pack that usually hangs along this road attacking travelers.”
“No sign of them?” Lili cast her glance around, and inhaled deeply. All she could smell was snow and ice - lots of both.
“No, not even a howl.” Stenvar shook his head. “Could mean a bad storm is coming up.”
“We may have to camp inside the cave if that happens,” Lili remarked.
“Or take shelter at the inn in Heljarchen. That’s just a couple hours’ walk up the road past the cave.” Stenvar cast another glance at the western sky. “Depends on the weather, though. It can change very quickly.”
“We should be ready for whatever comes,” Lili thought of the rations in her backpack. Stenvar met her gaze.
“I’ve got the bedrolls in my backpack, and of course a wood axe for firewood.” He hitched the straps over his shoulders. “Between the two of us, we should be able to camp in the cave if it comes to that.” He grinned. “But I’d prefer to sleep in an inn after a bellyful of ale to warm my bones!”
Lili chuckled. “I’m not one to deny myself any creature comforts I can get!” She looked ahead at the road. “What should I look for?”
“If I remember correctly,” Stenvar mused, blue eyes already scanning the roadside, “there’s a clearing with small menhirs in a row leading to the cave entrance. That’ll be the first thing you’ll see on the north side of the road.”
The clouds grew thicker as they walked on, and now Lili could feel the wind blowing out of the mountains, pushing against her right side. It’s getting colder, should I pull out the fur cloak? The cowl is keeping the cold off my head and shoulders, but my legs and feet are starting to feel it.
“Here we are,” Stenvar’s voice broke through the wind. Lili looked up from her footing to see a cluster of snowberry bushes surrounding a row of small standing stones - menhirs, Stennvar called them - that ran back from the road into the mountainside.
“Good, let’s get inside out of this wind,” Lili paused to scan the surrounding forest. At her side Star stood ready, his ears tipped forward, his stance relaxed. “Seems Star is telling us there is nothing to concern us between us and that cave.”
“Let’s go, then,” Stenvar led the way past the menhirs toward the dark crevice in the mountainside.
Some delightful character building at the two travelers engage in ‘You tell my yours and I’ll tell you mine.’ Given how well they are getting on and that Lili shares with us how much she likes Sten’s laugh, I wonder if the delicate dance between them will lead to ‘You show me yours and I’ll show you mine.’
Interesting take on Bosmer coming to maturity so slowly. In Buffy fiction, that difference is very small – no more than a year or two slower than humans for their first fifteen years or so. Do you go into how it is that, given their long lifespans, elves don’t outpopulate humans? In Buffy fiction, elves only come into heat twice a year, conception is much less certain and even delivery is more fraught with challenges. All that helps compensate for several centuries of fertility. Sorry kind of off topic, just curious about your take on the challenge.
Wonderful how Hermir’s outgrown outfit is keeping Lili warm so effectively. I hope their cave camping is safe. With Star to alert of danger, a fire to keep warm and that fur cloak, they should be fine.
Interesting take on Bosmer coming to maturity so slowly. In Buffy fiction, that difference is very small – no more than a year or two slower than humans for their first fifteen years or so. Do you go into how it is that, given their long lifespans, elves don’t outpopulate humans? In Buffy fiction, elves only come into heat twice a year, conception is much less certain and even delivery is more fraught with challenges. All that helps compensate for several centuries of fertility. Sorry kind of off topic, just curious about your take on the challenge.
Wonderful how Hermir’s outgrown outfit is keeping Lili warm so effectively. I hope their cave camping is safe. With Star to alert of danger, a fire to keep warm and that fur cloak, they should be fine.
Ah, back to stupid things that children do. Uh oh, it was a dare! Well, she had to go and pull that big cat's tail now, didn't she?
She never got to even pull the cat's tail. Doh! At least she survived, and apparently learned to not do something like that again.
Sten has a much more amusing - if less life-threatening - story to tell!
Some nice bonding as the pair travels Skyrim's snowy wilds.
She never got to even pull the cat's tail. Doh! At least she survived, and apparently learned to not do something like that again.
Sten has a much more amusing - if less life-threatening - story to tell!
Some nice bonding as the pair travels Skyrim's snowy wilds.
I was interested to learn about Bosmer maturation in Lili’s world. The thought of so many toddler years gives me a shudder. I imagine that the whole community would have an eye out keeping their children safe. I loved Lili and Sten swapping stories as they walked.
It sounds like they are well prepared to ride out the storm whenever and wherever it hits. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s inside this cave!
It sounds like they are well prepared to ride out the storm whenever and wherever it hits. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s inside this cave!
I see what you're saying, how you picture each chapter as a series of scenes. Like in the first sentences, Sten can hear Susanna clearly but not Lili so much. Wow, look at that armor set.
Lili has a feather spell! The Nord is right, pack that fur cloak, this is Skyrim.
It reminds me of zombies and other necromantic entities,” Lilisfina’s voice grew soft, as if to speak of such things aloud would summon them. ---- Agreed. In a world where kitty-cat people walk around and it's possible to call beings from other planes to perform your bidding, certainly it could be possible to speak words which could cause the deceased to rise.
You never know.
Conversation about Talos had me smiling. The way it's a touchy subject.
They're getting to know each other on their journey to Forsaken Cave. The Medieval version of us in our modern world, taking a train perhaps, sitting next to someone we don't know (or don't know so well, maybe a co-worker) and filling time with conversation.
... Sten tried to ride a cow at 5 years of age!
Gasp at the view, heck yes.
It’s getting colder, should I pull out the fur cloak? --- Yes.
Lili has a feather spell!
The Nord is right, pack that fur cloak, this is Skyrim. It reminds me of zombies and other necromantic entities,” Lilisfina’s voice grew soft, as if to speak of such things aloud would summon them. ---- Agreed. In a world where kitty-cat people walk around and it's possible to call beings from other planes to perform your bidding, certainly it could be possible to speak words which could cause the deceased to rise.
You never know. Conversation about Talos had me smiling.
The way it's a touchy subject. They're getting to know each other on their journey to Forsaken Cave. The Medieval version of us in our modern world, taking a train perhaps, sitting next to someone we don't know (or don't know so well, maybe a co-worker) and filling time with conversation.
... Sten tried to ride a cow at 5 years of age!
Gasp at the view, heck yes.
It’s getting colder, should I pull out the fur cloak? --- Yes.
@Acadian: Yes, Lili and Sten will eventually progress to "I'll show you mine if you show me yours!" I remember your dissertation of Bosmer fertility and reproduction in previous Buffy books. However, I found in the Lore that Bosmer are the most prolific of the Elven races when it comes to offspring - it is not uncommon to have as many as 12 - 15 children! As I see it, life in the forest is hard, and the survival rate is relatively low, so few children actually survive to reproductive age. Between the senche, the carnivorous plants, and the (occasional) Wild Hunts, I suspect Valenwood can support only so many at a time. And yes, the trio is prepared for camping should they be caught out! Though actual camping won't happen for a while.
@SageRose: I spent a bit of time thinking how they would bond, and realized swapping childhood stories would be a good start for the two. It's a way to highlight how different their early experiences were, yet how similar. More bonding of a different nature coming up! Though not quite what you may think . . .
@Grits: It's interesting that you would point out that the toddler stage is prolonged in the Bosmer world, and that it would take more than just two 'rents to keep an eye on them. I've always pictured those smaller settlements we come across in ESO Valenwood as "family" units - they're all related to each other in one way or another, and all take part in child rearing duties. After all, it takes avillage graht-oak . . .
@Renee: Yes, Lili has a feather spell! That, along with her little flame spell and healing touch, are part of her mage's repertoire. As she grows her skills, we'll see that spell list expand over time. As we've come to see, Lili hardly goes anywhere without that fur cloak . . .
And now we enter a cave - or is it a cave?
***********************************
Middas 20 Last Seed - Into the Forsaken
Wolf howls and barks greeted them as soon as they entered the cave proper. The ice passage twisted to the right out of sight. So that’s where that wolf pack went. Sten shrugged his backpack to the ground beside the entrance and silently drew his zwei-hander. Lilisfina slid ahead of him toward the crook in the corridor, where a ramshackle cart rested. She knelt beside the cart and turned her face deeper into the cavern. Star stood stiffly at her side, silently bristling. Sten eased up to the corner, his eyes on the Wood Elf. She had that distant gaze he had noticed before on the reavers’ wreck. Her hands came up to lower her hood to her shoulders, and he caught the flash of fire in her left palm.
Those brilliant green eyes flickered up at him. She held up four fingers and pointed down the passageway. Four wolves. Sounds about right. He started to move around the corner, but Lilisfina flung her right hand out at him. Sten regarded her curiously, and she held up two fingers, then indicated a small size. Young. They have young. She motioned for him to wait with Star, and moved down the passageway out of his sight.
After a moment the barking and yipping stopped, and Star stepped forward warily. Sten peered around the corner to see her waving him up. Her left hand, empty of fire, motioned silence. Sten moved to join her, and peered into the cave.
Off to the right, gathered around a pile of fresh bones, two wolves, black against the ice, stood tensely watching the Wood Elf. Behind them two smaller forms - cubs, really - hunched against the far wall. Lilisfina waved Stenvar and Star to move behind her deeper into the cave at the left. The hairs on Sten’s nape rose when he realized Lilisfina had used the same calm spell on them as she had on the horkers. She won’t kill animals? Got to ask her about that - the Green Pact is all about eating meat! Later.
He moved westward through the cave, and spotted two immense carved stone columns familiar to him from Yngol’s Tomb. This is more than just a cave. Did she know that? As if his thoughts summoned her, she materialized at his side, already looking further into the depths of the cave. As they moved between the stone columns, Star nosed the large burial urns stacked around the chamber ahead.
They came to an iron door, cast in the ancient Nord style similar to those of the Halls of the Dead. Lilisfina paused before the door, her gaze traveling over the half hidden Nordic facade before them. Sten saw that look of discomfort on her features.
“Looks like a crypt,” he spoke softly. “It’s very old. They say ruins like these are filled with treasure. Of course, they’re filled with traps, too.”
That lopsided smile flickered across her face as she nodded silently. Sten watched a swallow move down her throat and her lips thin. She looked at him.
“Stennvar, let me go first, look for traps. If I find any enemies in there, I’ll let you know. You can fight them all, but
you must let me lead the way.”
“Like we did on The Winter War?” Sten asked. She nodded. “Duck behind me if you see anything.”
“Of course,” Lilisfina reached for the door and eased it open. Loud creaks and groans echoed around the cavern, and they heard yipping behind them, but the wolf family did not follow. Sten pushed the iron panel far enough to admit his bulk, and they slipped into the darkness.
After a moment’s pause, Lilisfina cast a ball of green light ahead of them. It floated a short way ahead, pushing the ancient darkness back. A few steps into the corridor brought them to a rickety wooden spiral stair that ran downwards. Lilisfina peered past the planks, then followed the mage light to the bottom of the stairs. She waited while Sten cautiously tested each creaky step behind her. When he reached her side, they glanced back up to see Star tentatively work his way down to join them. Just then, the mage light vanished. Sten bit down on a gasp and Star whined shortly, but Lilisfina refreshed it easily and sent it down the corridor that stretched away from the stairs. They followed the mage light through the twisting corridor. Lilisfina indicated a floor tile that was slightly more ornate than the rest. Trigger plate. Sten looked past her to see a carved statue at the end of the corridor, small holes barely visible in the crevices. Likely a dart trap. Poison, too. Might still be active after all these years. Even Star avoided it as they worked their way along the wall toward the bend in the hallway.
Lilisfina paused before they reached the bend. Again, Sten saw that distant look on her face, then she gagged and turned away. He watched in alarm as she retched into the nook between two carved stone wall ribs. “Are you all right?” he whispered, touching her shoulder briefly.
She fumbled out a small vial from her belt purse and gulped the contents down. After a moment, she took a deep breath and straightened up to face Sten. Her face didn’t look so discomfited. “There’s undead just up there,” she murmured softly. “Not moving, but I can still smell them, feel them.”
“Show me,” Sten moved back to the bend in the corridor. Lilisfina held up one finger, then pointed to the right. Then she gestured a greater distance away, and pointed to the left.
“I’m going to sneak as close as I can get,” Lilisfina whispered into Sten’s ear as he crouched down. “Let me hit them with my flare first, that will weaken them for you.”
At his nod she refreshed the mage light and sent it around the corner. She slid after it, still moving silently. After a few steps, they heard the sound of a stone slab clattering to the floor, then steps approaching them. Lilisfina slid to the wall opposite Sten and Star as the skeletal form of a draugr appeared beneath the green glow of the mage light. She was nearly within touching distance when she sent a flash of fire into the shambling undead.
Before it could turn toward her, she had skipped back behind Sten, who was already rising to strike an overhead blow with his zwei-hander. As his blade sank into the draugr’s left shoulder, Star dashed forward and seized the undead’s right leg in his jaws. His forward momentum spun the draugr off balance, and Sten made quick work of the burning corpse. Star returned to Lilisfina as the flames flickered out, leaving a charred form on the floor. Sten nudged it with his foot, his blade ready for any last movement. That worked well. Setting it on fire makes it easier for me to see it in the dark. But both Star and I have to be careful not to catch fire ourselves!
Off in the distance they heard another stone slab crash into the floor, followed a few breaths later by more footsteps. The mage light moved forward as Lilisfina passed him into a large open space. Its dim green light showed signs of collapsed stone berths and cracked sarcophagi around the area before it went out again. Sten froze in the darkness, listening as the steps drew closer. He held his breath, and heard nothing from his companions.
Again fire outlined the shape of another draugr, and again he was able to use its light to attack and destroy the undead being before it could find something to hit. Again, Star leaped in and assisted in his own unique way.
As the flames died down, Lilisfina sent up another mage light, and turned toward Sten and Star. “Are you all right?” she whispered, touching Star’s ears as he sat beside her.
“Yes, I’m good,” Sten responded. “You?”
“I’m as well as can be expected,” Lilisfina’s voice caught briefly. “I just hope this potion holds up long enough - my gut and experience is telling me this is only going to get worse the further we go.”
“Hmm, you’re probably right,” Sten responded. “This place hasn’t seen any activity in years, if not centuries.”
“Nurelion did say this Curalmil is a crafty one, even in death,” Lilisfina responded. “That makes me think we’ll need to get past him to find the White Phial.”
“And he won’t be alone, either,” Sten could hear the grimness in his voice. “Well, taken alone, these draugr aren’t so fearsome. They are far more dangerous in numbers.”
“Then we’ll have to try and take them on separately,” Lilisfina declared softly.
I remember your dissertation of Bosmer fertility and reproduction in previous Buffy books. However, I found in the Lore that Bosmer are the most prolific of the Elven races when it comes to offspring - it is not uncommon to have as many as 12 - 15 children! As I see it, life in the forest is hard, and the survival rate is relatively low, so few children actually survive to reproductive age. Between the senche, the carnivorous plants, and the (occasional) Wild Hunts, I suspect Valenwood can support only so many at a time. And yes, the trio is prepared for camping should they be caught out! Though actual camping won't happen for a while.@SageRose: I spent a bit of time thinking how they would bond, and realized swapping childhood stories would be a good start for the two. It's a way to highlight how different their early experiences were, yet how similar. More bonding of a different nature coming up! Though not quite what you may think . . .
@Grits: It's interesting that you would point out that the toddler stage is prolonged in the Bosmer world, and that it would take more than just two 'rents to keep an eye on them. I've always pictured those smaller settlements we come across in ESO Valenwood as "family" units - they're all related to each other in one way or another, and all take part in child rearing duties. After all, it takes a
@Renee: Yes, Lili has a feather spell! That, along with her little flame spell and healing touch, are part of her mage's repertoire. As she grows her skills, we'll see that spell list expand over time. As we've come to see, Lili hardly goes anywhere without that fur cloak . . .
And now we enter a cave - or is it a cave?
***********************************
Middas 20 Last Seed - Into the Forsaken
It was an interesting walk from Windhelm up to Forsaken Cave. Boss told a funny tale about pulling a big cat’s tail when she was a kid, and I told her about trying to ride Thistle. Lots of laughter - she has a sense of humor unlike most mages I’ve met. Almost like the Khajiit. We got to the cave without any problems, and even though the weather was threatening to storm, we had good luck with it and got inside before snow started flying.
Wolf howls and barks greeted them as soon as they entered the cave proper. The ice passage twisted to the right out of sight. So that’s where that wolf pack went. Sten shrugged his backpack to the ground beside the entrance and silently drew his zwei-hander. Lilisfina slid ahead of him toward the crook in the corridor, where a ramshackle cart rested. She knelt beside the cart and turned her face deeper into the cavern. Star stood stiffly at her side, silently bristling. Sten eased up to the corner, his eyes on the Wood Elf. She had that distant gaze he had noticed before on the reavers’ wreck. Her hands came up to lower her hood to her shoulders, and he caught the flash of fire in her left palm.
Those brilliant green eyes flickered up at him. She held up four fingers and pointed down the passageway. Four wolves. Sounds about right. He started to move around the corner, but Lilisfina flung her right hand out at him. Sten regarded her curiously, and she held up two fingers, then indicated a small size. Young. They have young. She motioned for him to wait with Star, and moved down the passageway out of his sight.
After a moment the barking and yipping stopped, and Star stepped forward warily. Sten peered around the corner to see her waving him up. Her left hand, empty of fire, motioned silence. Sten moved to join her, and peered into the cave.
Off to the right, gathered around a pile of fresh bones, two wolves, black against the ice, stood tensely watching the Wood Elf. Behind them two smaller forms - cubs, really - hunched against the far wall. Lilisfina waved Stenvar and Star to move behind her deeper into the cave at the left. The hairs on Sten’s nape rose when he realized Lilisfina had used the same calm spell on them as she had on the horkers. She won’t kill animals? Got to ask her about that - the Green Pact is all about eating meat! Later.
He moved westward through the cave, and spotted two immense carved stone columns familiar to him from Yngol’s Tomb. This is more than just a cave. Did she know that? As if his thoughts summoned her, she materialized at his side, already looking further into the depths of the cave. As they moved between the stone columns, Star nosed the large burial urns stacked around the chamber ahead.
They came to an iron door, cast in the ancient Nord style similar to those of the Halls of the Dead. Lilisfina paused before the door, her gaze traveling over the half hidden Nordic facade before them. Sten saw that look of discomfort on her features.
“Looks like a crypt,” he spoke softly. “It’s very old. They say ruins like these are filled with treasure. Of course, they’re filled with traps, too.”
That lopsided smile flickered across her face as she nodded silently. Sten watched a swallow move down her throat and her lips thin. She looked at him.
“Stennvar, let me go first, look for traps. If I find any enemies in there, I’ll let you know. You can fight them all, but
you must let me lead the way.”
“Like we did on The Winter War?” Sten asked. She nodded. “Duck behind me if you see anything.”
“Of course,” Lilisfina reached for the door and eased it open. Loud creaks and groans echoed around the cavern, and they heard yipping behind them, but the wolf family did not follow. Sten pushed the iron panel far enough to admit his bulk, and they slipped into the darkness.
After a moment’s pause, Lilisfina cast a ball of green light ahead of them. It floated a short way ahead, pushing the ancient darkness back. A few steps into the corridor brought them to a rickety wooden spiral stair that ran downwards. Lilisfina peered past the planks, then followed the mage light to the bottom of the stairs. She waited while Sten cautiously tested each creaky step behind her. When he reached her side, they glanced back up to see Star tentatively work his way down to join them. Just then, the mage light vanished. Sten bit down on a gasp and Star whined shortly, but Lilisfina refreshed it easily and sent it down the corridor that stretched away from the stairs. They followed the mage light through the twisting corridor. Lilisfina indicated a floor tile that was slightly more ornate than the rest. Trigger plate. Sten looked past her to see a carved statue at the end of the corridor, small holes barely visible in the crevices. Likely a dart trap. Poison, too. Might still be active after all these years. Even Star avoided it as they worked their way along the wall toward the bend in the hallway.
Lilisfina paused before they reached the bend. Again, Sten saw that distant look on her face, then she gagged and turned away. He watched in alarm as she retched into the nook between two carved stone wall ribs. “Are you all right?” he whispered, touching her shoulder briefly.
She fumbled out a small vial from her belt purse and gulped the contents down. After a moment, she took a deep breath and straightened up to face Sten. Her face didn’t look so discomfited. “There’s undead just up there,” she murmured softly. “Not moving, but I can still smell them, feel them.”
“Show me,” Sten moved back to the bend in the corridor. Lilisfina held up one finger, then pointed to the right. Then she gestured a greater distance away, and pointed to the left.
“I’m going to sneak as close as I can get,” Lilisfina whispered into Sten’s ear as he crouched down. “Let me hit them with my flare first, that will weaken them for you.”
At his nod she refreshed the mage light and sent it around the corner. She slid after it, still moving silently. After a few steps, they heard the sound of a stone slab clattering to the floor, then steps approaching them. Lilisfina slid to the wall opposite Sten and Star as the skeletal form of a draugr appeared beneath the green glow of the mage light. She was nearly within touching distance when she sent a flash of fire into the shambling undead.
Before it could turn toward her, she had skipped back behind Sten, who was already rising to strike an overhead blow with his zwei-hander. As his blade sank into the draugr’s left shoulder, Star dashed forward and seized the undead’s right leg in his jaws. His forward momentum spun the draugr off balance, and Sten made quick work of the burning corpse. Star returned to Lilisfina as the flames flickered out, leaving a charred form on the floor. Sten nudged it with his foot, his blade ready for any last movement. That worked well. Setting it on fire makes it easier for me to see it in the dark. But both Star and I have to be careful not to catch fire ourselves!
Off in the distance they heard another stone slab crash into the floor, followed a few breaths later by more footsteps. The mage light moved forward as Lilisfina passed him into a large open space. Its dim green light showed signs of collapsed stone berths and cracked sarcophagi around the area before it went out again. Sten froze in the darkness, listening as the steps drew closer. He held his breath, and heard nothing from his companions.
Again fire outlined the shape of another draugr, and again he was able to use its light to attack and destroy the undead being before it could find something to hit. Again, Star leaped in and assisted in his own unique way.
As the flames died down, Lilisfina sent up another mage light, and turned toward Sten and Star. “Are you all right?” she whispered, touching Star’s ears as he sat beside her.
“Yes, I’m good,” Sten responded. “You?”
“I’m as well as can be expected,” Lilisfina’s voice caught briefly. “I just hope this potion holds up long enough - my gut and experience is telling me this is only going to get worse the further we go.”
“Hmm, you’re probably right,” Sten responded. “This place hasn’t seen any activity in years, if not centuries.”
“Nurelion did say this Curalmil is a crafty one, even in death,” Lilisfina responded. “That makes me think we’ll need to get past him to find the White Phial.”
“And he won’t be alone, either,” Sten could hear the grimness in his voice. “Well, taken alone, these draugr aren’t so fearsome. They are far more dangerous in numbers.”
“Then we’ll have to try and take them on separately,” Lilisfina declared softly.
Great thoughts you have on Bosmer longevity. I love that we can take differing approaches and still effectively keep those pesky elves from overtaking the humans.
*
Very clever to open this episode with an ‘In our previous episode. . . ‘ review via a letter from Sten.
Nice touch to bypass the wolves. They were there first and simply being wolves.
Love Lili’s mage light.
Setting a target on fire to make it easier to see in the dark – brilliant!
These two – er, make that three – are working together wonderfully. Sten is protective but realizes Lili is better equipped to lead the way. And Lili is wise enough to hop behind her armored companion once the fighting starts. Even Star is waiting until the fight starts instead of charging in ahead as dogs are sometimes wont to do.
Methinks Lili’s going to need a fair number of those antinausea potions while dungeoneering in Skyrim.
*
Very clever to open this episode with an ‘In our previous episode. . . ‘ review via a letter from Sten.
Nice touch to bypass the wolves. They were there first and simply being wolves.
Love Lili’s mage light.
Setting a target on fire to make it easier to see in the dark – brilliant!
These two – er, make that three – are working together wonderfully. Sten is protective but realizes Lili is better equipped to lead the way. And Lili is wise enough to hop behind her armored companion once the fighting starts. Even Star is waiting until the fight starts instead of charging in ahead as dogs are sometimes wont to do.
Methinks Lili’s going to need a fair number of those antinausea potions while dungeoneering in Skyrim.
Uh oh, it looks like the cave already has occupants of the four legged variety. Let's see if Lil has some sort of Wood Elf magic that might obviate the need for hacking the wolves to pieces.
There it is, the same spell she had used on the horkers. It has been so long since that episode that I had forgotten about that.
So the cave is more than meets the eye. Tombs, treasure, traps, and of course the undead. I could not think of a word that starts with the letter "T" for the last.
Lil has an incredibly uncomfortable undead detector, even worse than Buffy's vampire cramps.
I am hoping that Star rips off the draugr's leg and then runs off with it and uses it as a chew toy...
Lil and Sten once more make for an dynamic dungeon delving duo. Vomit aside. It looks like Lil might want to look into acquiring a magical form of Pepto to settle her stomach if she is going to continue with fighting undead. Puking in every tomb is pretty awful way of making a living.
There it is, the same spell she had used on the horkers. It has been so long since that episode that I had forgotten about that.
So the cave is more than meets the eye. Tombs, treasure, traps, and of course the undead. I could not think of a word that starts with the letter "T" for the last.
Lil has an incredibly uncomfortable undead detector, even worse than Buffy's vampire cramps.
I am hoping that Star rips off the draugr's leg and then runs off with it and uses it as a chew toy...
Lil and Sten once more make for an dynamic dungeon delving duo. Vomit aside. It looks like Lil might want to look into acquiring a magical form of Pepto to settle her stomach if she is going to continue with fighting undead. Puking in every tomb is pretty awful way of making a living.
They're sneaking by the den of wolves, very nice. NICE, that's awesome she uses Calm. Several of mine do the same, or try to. As the proud (owner?) of Star, she's going to consider the lives of canines, I'd imagine. Especially those with cubs. 🐺
That's also a definite strategy, telling followers to stay behind while "I traipse forward". Not just in Skyrim but earlier games as well. Because if our person gets in trouble, he/she merely needs to return to where the follower is, who is going to still have his/her full health.
There's the trap. This is creepy, the fights with ancient draugr!!!
That's also a definite strategy, telling followers to stay behind while "I traipse forward". Not just in Skyrim but earlier games as well. Because if our person gets in trouble, he/she merely needs to return to where the follower is, who is going to still have his/her full health.
There's the trap. This is creepy, the fights with ancient draugr!!!
@Acadian: Those written snippets from Sten's missives home serve two main purposes: one is, as you say, to catch the reader up on the story periodically; secondly, it's to help the reader see the POV switch between Sten and Lili. It definitely seems it is serving at least one of those purposes! Speaking of light in the midst of darkness, it has regularly occurred to me that if these ruins have truly been abandoned and forgotten for generations, why are there torches still burning? One may say magic! And we will see such torches as we progress through this story. But for this particular location, and for another one coming up, it makes little sense to have torches. Hence Lili's mage light, and draugr torches. And I suspect Lili will reconsider her long reliable recipe for her anti nausea potions soon.
@SubRosa: Finally a good use for that Calm spell - I've never used it in game but in Lili's story it fits with her Green Pact philosophy - no unnecessary killing. Uncomfortable undead detector, indeed! I'm sure by the end of this adventure Lili is happy to be out of that place! And I laughed at your reference to Sai's practical approach to undead skeletons in Miscarcand! I thought of him when I wrote Star's take, but draugr tendons are a lot tougher.
@Renee: Lili is friend to more than just canines and horkers - as we will see as the story winds on. And no, she doesn't consider herself to be Star's owner, as will be clarified later in the story. Considering that most of my pre-ESO characters are bow users, I've always been irritated by followers' tendency to run ahead and spoil the shot. That was the one good thing about Killer Jack, the killer bunny that would bring down dragons one angry nibble at a time. He was too small to spoil my shots! So in my stories I give these "followers" more sense.
Now wepuke progress further into Forsaken Crypt in search of the big bad.
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Middas 20 Last Seed - Curalmil
Lili peered through the doorway into the large hall. Parts of its walls had disappeared behind rockfalls, and a dim light shone down from cracks in the high arched ceiling. She could see tiny white flakes drifting in and out of the light beams. Ahead the damaged floor rose a few steps to a large stone structure. Her instincts indicated four more of the undead beings in upright sarcophagi around the walls, and one more within that stone bier ahead of them. This one was larger, and she had a sense of greater rage and lethality from that being.
Stenvar crouched beside her, his zwei-hander upright before him, and scanned the hall with his vision. “What do you see, boss?” he whispered.
“Four of those - draugr, you called them?” Lili pointed them out to Stenvar. “And one more in that stone thing up ahead - bigger and more lethal than the others.”
“That’s a Dragon Priest sarcophagus,” his tone turned grim. “All the draugr serve a Dragon Priest somewhere, and these are very tough baddies.”
“Curalmil was a Dragon Priest?” Lili turned in time to see him shrug.
“If the age of this place is right, of course.” He answered. Lili shuddered.
“How’s your stomach?” Stenvar asked softly. “Do you need another potion?”
“I’m out,” Lili responded. “I’m going to have to make stronger potions. These draugr are worse than any undead I’ve encountered before.”
“Can you get through this?” Lili could see the concern in Stenvar’s gaze. “It’s not going to be easy.”
“I’ll have to,” Lili replied. She fished out a silken square from her belt pack. She shook it into a folded triangle and tied it around her lower face, making a rough mask. “Ready?”
“Will that work?” Stenvar gestured dubiously at the green fabric.
“I’m hoping it takes the edge off that stench,” Lili responded. “Maybe next time I’ll chew some mint so I’m smelling that instead of these,” she jerked her head toward the large sarcophagus. “Let’s do this.”
“I’ll focus on the big bad guy,” Stenvar pointed at the stone bier. “You hit as many of these draugr as you can to keep them off my back.” He looked down at the dog. “And maybe Star will make himself useful where his teeth would be most needed.”
“I trust him to do so,” Lili gritted her teeth in a grin beneath her makeshift mask and moved out into the half-ruined chamber. She slid right along the perimeter and headed for the nearest alcove. Within she recognized the dormant form of a draugr bearing a sword. She hit him with her strongest fire spell and moved on to the next one.
Stenvar moved out into the room as the fiery undead staggered out of its slumber. He moved barely five paces toward the center before the great slab of the sarcophagus flew up with a boom. Lili turned her back on the center and glanced back to see her first draugr stumble forward a few steps before it collapsed. Already the other three were moving out of their alcoves, heading toward the center.
Lili lit up the second draugr then retraced her steps back toward the entrance. She heard Stenvar’s grunt as he attacked the huge being that towered above him. The creature carried a sword almost as massive as Stenvar’s zwei-hander, and thin, curved horns rose above its helm, adding to its height.
Two other draugr approached Stenvar from the opposite side, their eyes glowing blue in the dimness. Behind her Lili heard Star growl briefly, then the second draugr clattered to the broken floor with a sense of finality. He dashed past her toward the other two, but she caught his attention and pointed him to Stenvar and the large being - Curalmil, has to be - indicating he should support the big Nord.
As Star changed direction and beelined toward Curalmil, Lili dashed across the chamber to circle around behind the two draugr. She hit first one, then the other, from behind with her flame spell. As they staggered in confusion, she skipped back out of their range and turned her attention back to Stenvar.
The two combatants were fairly matched, with Curalmil’s greater size and reach offset by Stenvar’s quickness and agility. In spite of his muscular appearance, Stenvar proved able to dodge the blows from Curalmil’s ancient blade. But his own zwei-hander was slower in recovery, and Curalmil was easily able to parry Stenvar’s strikes.
Star dashed into the fight, ducking the flying blades and zeroing on Curalmil’s right calf. He seized the big draugr’s leg in his jaws and whipped around, feet braced. He tugged fiercely on the undead’s limb, shaking it as he would shake a rat.
This threw Curalmil off balance just enough for Stenvar to close in and slam the pommel of his zwei-hander hard into the other’s jaw beneath the helm. Curalmil staggered back, but managed to stay upright. He raised his sword high and brought its hilt down hard on Stenvar’s back. As the big Nord groaned and fought to keep his feet, Lili leaped forward and threw all of her magicka into a fireball. It sailed the short distance and engulfed Curalmil’s right side in flame. The blue eyes flared toward her as Star gave a final tug before releasing his grip. A spine tingling screech rang around the chamber as Curalmil turned for Lili and that sword went up again.
She skipped back, desperately trying not to trip on the broken floor and still fighting the overpowering nausea. Just as she expected that sword to fall, the flames reached Curalmil’s right hand and the sword spun out of his grip and fell to the floor in a great clatter. Stenvar took advantage of the ancient undead’s distraction to take a huge swing with his zwei-hander into Curalmil’s left side. He disengaged the blade with some difficulty as Curalmil dropped to his knees, then forward onto his face. The blue glow of his eyes faded as flames consumed the rest of his form.
Lili met Stenvar’s gaze over the smoking ruins of the one once called Curalmil. Both crouched breathlessly on the broken ground, and Lili could see Stenvar shaking from the fight. Then the nausea won, and she managed to pull her mask away before retching again. She closed her eyes and waited for her stomach to settle uneasily.
“Here,” a touch on her shoulder drew her head up. Stenvar held out his water flask. “Rinse your mouth with this, get rid of the taste. That’ll help your stomach some.” He rose to his feet when she took the canteen, and turned to look around the hall. As she spat the bilious taste out, he stretched his spine until he winced, then shrugged his armor to sit more comfortably. Lili rose to her feet and returned the water flask to Stenvar, then touched him lightly. She could sense the massive bruise in his back, the strained muscles, the cracked ribs. She reached into her magicka again, and sent a wave of healing from her fingertips into his body.
“What? Hey,” he shrugged again, more easily this time, “that feels great. Thanks, boss.” He took the canteen back from her and took a gulp from it. Star yipped once from his seated position near the ashes of Curalmil. Lili stepped up to him and ruffled his ears in gratitude. He leaped to his feet and started quartering the chamber.
Lili moved to the sarcophagus, and examined its interior. Empty. She glanced back at the remains of the ancient alchemist. Hmm where should I use that potion Nurelion showed me? She looked around the chamber, and peered into the shadows at the rear.
“There’s stairs leading down,” Stenvar joined her and pointed them out. “Hard to make it out, but there it is.”
Lili could only make out a faint grey glow, like mist, in that direction. As she stepped past the sarcophagus, she became aware of a faint, rhythmic sound. She paused warily. “Do you hear that, Stennvar?”
“Hear what?” Stenvar stepped past her toward the stairs. He looked up and around, then glanced back at her with a question in his blue eyes.
“Like a chanting, but it’s barely audible . . .” Lili followed Stenvar. As she did so, the sound grew stronger. “It’s coming from up there,” she pointed to the right. A refreshed mage light showed another flight of stairs, this time heading up past the ones leading down. Another upward flight barely showed off to the left. With a flick of her fingers Lili sent the mage light floating slowly up the steps on the right. She followed slowly, warily. Her instincts showed nothing up there, but that chanting . . . It’s old, whatever it is. And apparently neither Stennvar nor Star can hear it. That’s powerful magic, I wonder what it is.
The mage light reached the top of the stairs to show a wall that curved around the space above the mist filled chamber to the opposite stairs. Lili could see carving on it, carving in a lettering she did not recognize. Above this wall towered an immense relief depicting a frontal view of a dragon’s head. She recognized the shape from her time in Elsweyr.
“That’s - that’s - wow,” Stenvar’s awed voice reached her from below. He followed her up the steps as she drew nearer the wall, her eyes on the carved lettering. At a spot on the right side, a couple of the carved figures began to glow at her approach, and the chanting grew louder. She felt a presence flow into her as the lettering burned into her vision, then her eyes blacked out.
The chanting stopped suddenly and she could hear Stenvar’s voice again. Her sight cleared to show the carved lettering again, now inert beneath her hand. “You didn’t hear anything?” She turned to meet Stenvar’s concerned gaze.
“No, but I saw something -” he muttered. “Looked like some of those letters were glowing, and a faint stream of white from them into your eyes.” He drew back warily. “I’m not sure what happened there.”
“Neither am I,” Lili shook her head, surveying the wall again. “But I know that’s a dragon head up there,” she indicated the carving.
“Shor’s bones!” Stenvar exclaimed. “I’ve heard of these, but never saw one. I think this is a word wall.” He traced his fingers over the carving. “These are written in the Dragon language. I can’t read them.” He looked at Lili. “You mentioned chanting?”
“I couldn’t make out the words, but one stuck in my head. Krii? I’m not sure what it means.”
“Hmm, me neither,” Stenvar shook his head. “Maybe those mages up at the College may know something about this.”
Lili scoffed. “Yet another reason to head up there, where it’s even colder than here!”
“You got that right,” Stenvar chuckled. “You feel all right?”
“Yes, I do,” Lili shook herself. “Let’s head down and see what’s in that mist below.”
@SubRosa: Finally a good use for that Calm spell - I've never used it in game but in Lili's story it fits with her Green Pact philosophy - no unnecessary killing. Uncomfortable undead detector, indeed! I'm sure by the end of this adventure Lili is happy to be out of that place! And I laughed at your reference to Sai's practical approach to undead skeletons in Miscarcand! I thought of him when I wrote Star's take, but draugr tendons are a lot tougher.
@Renee: Lili is friend to more than just canines and horkers - as we will see as the story winds on. And no, she doesn't consider herself to be Star's owner, as will be clarified later in the story. Considering that most of my pre-ESO characters are bow users, I've always been irritated by followers' tendency to run ahead and spoil the shot. That was the one good thing about Killer Jack, the killer bunny that would bring down dragons one angry nibble at a time. He was too small to spoil my shots! So in my stories I give these "followers" more sense.
Now we
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Middas 20 Last Seed - Curalmil
Lili peered through the doorway into the large hall. Parts of its walls had disappeared behind rockfalls, and a dim light shone down from cracks in the high arched ceiling. She could see tiny white flakes drifting in and out of the light beams. Ahead the damaged floor rose a few steps to a large stone structure. Her instincts indicated four more of the undead beings in upright sarcophagi around the walls, and one more within that stone bier ahead of them. This one was larger, and she had a sense of greater rage and lethality from that being.
Stenvar crouched beside her, his zwei-hander upright before him, and scanned the hall with his vision. “What do you see, boss?” he whispered.
“Four of those - draugr, you called them?” Lili pointed them out to Stenvar. “And one more in that stone thing up ahead - bigger and more lethal than the others.”
“That’s a Dragon Priest sarcophagus,” his tone turned grim. “All the draugr serve a Dragon Priest somewhere, and these are very tough baddies.”
“Curalmil was a Dragon Priest?” Lili turned in time to see him shrug.
“If the age of this place is right, of course.” He answered. Lili shuddered.
“How’s your stomach?” Stenvar asked softly. “Do you need another potion?”
“I’m out,” Lili responded. “I’m going to have to make stronger potions. These draugr are worse than any undead I’ve encountered before.”
“Can you get through this?” Lili could see the concern in Stenvar’s gaze. “It’s not going to be easy.”
“I’ll have to,” Lili replied. She fished out a silken square from her belt pack. She shook it into a folded triangle and tied it around her lower face, making a rough mask. “Ready?”
“Will that work?” Stenvar gestured dubiously at the green fabric.
“I’m hoping it takes the edge off that stench,” Lili responded. “Maybe next time I’ll chew some mint so I’m smelling that instead of these,” she jerked her head toward the large sarcophagus. “Let’s do this.”
“I’ll focus on the big bad guy,” Stenvar pointed at the stone bier. “You hit as many of these draugr as you can to keep them off my back.” He looked down at the dog. “And maybe Star will make himself useful where his teeth would be most needed.”
“I trust him to do so,” Lili gritted her teeth in a grin beneath her makeshift mask and moved out into the half-ruined chamber. She slid right along the perimeter and headed for the nearest alcove. Within she recognized the dormant form of a draugr bearing a sword. She hit him with her strongest fire spell and moved on to the next one.
Stenvar moved out into the room as the fiery undead staggered out of its slumber. He moved barely five paces toward the center before the great slab of the sarcophagus flew up with a boom. Lili turned her back on the center and glanced back to see her first draugr stumble forward a few steps before it collapsed. Already the other three were moving out of their alcoves, heading toward the center.
Lili lit up the second draugr then retraced her steps back toward the entrance. She heard Stenvar’s grunt as he attacked the huge being that towered above him. The creature carried a sword almost as massive as Stenvar’s zwei-hander, and thin, curved horns rose above its helm, adding to its height.
Two other draugr approached Stenvar from the opposite side, their eyes glowing blue in the dimness. Behind her Lili heard Star growl briefly, then the second draugr clattered to the broken floor with a sense of finality. He dashed past her toward the other two, but she caught his attention and pointed him to Stenvar and the large being - Curalmil, has to be - indicating he should support the big Nord.
As Star changed direction and beelined toward Curalmil, Lili dashed across the chamber to circle around behind the two draugr. She hit first one, then the other, from behind with her flame spell. As they staggered in confusion, she skipped back out of their range and turned her attention back to Stenvar.
The two combatants were fairly matched, with Curalmil’s greater size and reach offset by Stenvar’s quickness and agility. In spite of his muscular appearance, Stenvar proved able to dodge the blows from Curalmil’s ancient blade. But his own zwei-hander was slower in recovery, and Curalmil was easily able to parry Stenvar’s strikes.
Star dashed into the fight, ducking the flying blades and zeroing on Curalmil’s right calf. He seized the big draugr’s leg in his jaws and whipped around, feet braced. He tugged fiercely on the undead’s limb, shaking it as he would shake a rat.
This threw Curalmil off balance just enough for Stenvar to close in and slam the pommel of his zwei-hander hard into the other’s jaw beneath the helm. Curalmil staggered back, but managed to stay upright. He raised his sword high and brought its hilt down hard on Stenvar’s back. As the big Nord groaned and fought to keep his feet, Lili leaped forward and threw all of her magicka into a fireball. It sailed the short distance and engulfed Curalmil’s right side in flame. The blue eyes flared toward her as Star gave a final tug before releasing his grip. A spine tingling screech rang around the chamber as Curalmil turned for Lili and that sword went up again.
She skipped back, desperately trying not to trip on the broken floor and still fighting the overpowering nausea. Just as she expected that sword to fall, the flames reached Curalmil’s right hand and the sword spun out of his grip and fell to the floor in a great clatter. Stenvar took advantage of the ancient undead’s distraction to take a huge swing with his zwei-hander into Curalmil’s left side. He disengaged the blade with some difficulty as Curalmil dropped to his knees, then forward onto his face. The blue glow of his eyes faded as flames consumed the rest of his form.
Lili met Stenvar’s gaze over the smoking ruins of the one once called Curalmil. Both crouched breathlessly on the broken ground, and Lili could see Stenvar shaking from the fight. Then the nausea won, and she managed to pull her mask away before retching again. She closed her eyes and waited for her stomach to settle uneasily.
“Here,” a touch on her shoulder drew her head up. Stenvar held out his water flask. “Rinse your mouth with this, get rid of the taste. That’ll help your stomach some.” He rose to his feet when she took the canteen, and turned to look around the hall. As she spat the bilious taste out, he stretched his spine until he winced, then shrugged his armor to sit more comfortably. Lili rose to her feet and returned the water flask to Stenvar, then touched him lightly. She could sense the massive bruise in his back, the strained muscles, the cracked ribs. She reached into her magicka again, and sent a wave of healing from her fingertips into his body.
“What? Hey,” he shrugged again, more easily this time, “that feels great. Thanks, boss.” He took the canteen back from her and took a gulp from it. Star yipped once from his seated position near the ashes of Curalmil. Lili stepped up to him and ruffled his ears in gratitude. He leaped to his feet and started quartering the chamber.
Lili moved to the sarcophagus, and examined its interior. Empty. She glanced back at the remains of the ancient alchemist. Hmm where should I use that potion Nurelion showed me? She looked around the chamber, and peered into the shadows at the rear.
“There’s stairs leading down,” Stenvar joined her and pointed them out. “Hard to make it out, but there it is.”
Lili could only make out a faint grey glow, like mist, in that direction. As she stepped past the sarcophagus, she became aware of a faint, rhythmic sound. She paused warily. “Do you hear that, Stennvar?”
“Hear what?” Stenvar stepped past her toward the stairs. He looked up and around, then glanced back at her with a question in his blue eyes.
“Like a chanting, but it’s barely audible . . .” Lili followed Stenvar. As she did so, the sound grew stronger. “It’s coming from up there,” she pointed to the right. A refreshed mage light showed another flight of stairs, this time heading up past the ones leading down. Another upward flight barely showed off to the left. With a flick of her fingers Lili sent the mage light floating slowly up the steps on the right. She followed slowly, warily. Her instincts showed nothing up there, but that chanting . . . It’s old, whatever it is. And apparently neither Stennvar nor Star can hear it. That’s powerful magic, I wonder what it is.
The mage light reached the top of the stairs to show a wall that curved around the space above the mist filled chamber to the opposite stairs. Lili could see carving on it, carving in a lettering she did not recognize. Above this wall towered an immense relief depicting a frontal view of a dragon’s head. She recognized the shape from her time in Elsweyr.
“That’s - that’s - wow,” Stenvar’s awed voice reached her from below. He followed her up the steps as she drew nearer the wall, her eyes on the carved lettering. At a spot on the right side, a couple of the carved figures began to glow at her approach, and the chanting grew louder. She felt a presence flow into her as the lettering burned into her vision, then her eyes blacked out.
The chanting stopped suddenly and she could hear Stenvar’s voice again. Her sight cleared to show the carved lettering again, now inert beneath her hand. “You didn’t hear anything?” She turned to meet Stenvar’s concerned gaze.
“No, but I saw something -” he muttered. “Looked like some of those letters were glowing, and a faint stream of white from them into your eyes.” He drew back warily. “I’m not sure what happened there.”
“Neither am I,” Lili shook her head, surveying the wall again. “But I know that’s a dragon head up there,” she indicated the carving.
“Shor’s bones!” Stenvar exclaimed. “I’ve heard of these, but never saw one. I think this is a word wall.” He traced his fingers over the carving. “These are written in the Dragon language. I can’t read them.” He looked at Lili. “You mentioned chanting?”
“I couldn’t make out the words, but one stuck in my head. Krii? I’m not sure what it means.”
“Hmm, me neither,” Stenvar shook his head. “Maybe those mages up at the College may know something about this.”
Lili scoffed. “Yet another reason to head up there, where it’s even colder than here!”
“You got that right,” Stenvar chuckled. “You feel all right?”
“Yes, I do,” Lili shook herself. “Let’s head down and see what’s in that mist below.”
Years back I took the Voice of the Sky effect and turned it into a spell, which I called Kyne's Peace. I made it a simple Illusion spell with a large area effect, that makes wildlife friendly. I also applied it to the amulets of Kynareth, so that their wearers were always safe from animals.
I had a heck of a time working with through the various faction dispositions for it. For example, my first pass made wolves friendly, which also made vampires friendly to the player, since wolves are friendly to the vampire faction. I had to do a lot of tinkering to keep the wolves friendly, but the vampire still hostile, without making the vampires hostile to all wolves.
A Dragon Priest? Whoa, they are stepping up in the threat chain to one of the big bosses of the game. Cural does not disappoint. It took all three of them to bring him down in a knock down, dragon out brawl. Sten does his job as the party tank, tying down the enemy, while Lil is crowd control with her spells, and Star the team rogue sneaking in for a backstab (or in this case, bite).
Lil can hear the dragon wall chanting? Shor's Bones, we all know what that means!
I had a heck of a time working with through the various faction dispositions for it. For example, my first pass made wolves friendly, which also made vampires friendly to the player, since wolves are friendly to the vampire faction. I had to do a lot of tinkering to keep the wolves friendly, but the vampire still hostile, without making the vampires hostile to all wolves.
A Dragon Priest? Whoa, they are stepping up in the threat chain to one of the big bosses of the game. Cural does not disappoint. It took all three of them to bring him down in a knock down, dragon out brawl. Sten does his job as the party tank, tying down the enemy, while Lil is crowd control with her spells, and Star the team rogue sneaking in for a backstab (or in this case, bite).
Lil can hear the dragon wall chanting? Shor's Bones, we all know what that means!
I continue to really enjoy how Lili’s mage light works and how helpful it is.
Sometimes it seems like there’s more dead foes to fight in Skyrim than live ones. . . so Lili is definitely going to have work on something for that undead-induced nausea. Well, Sten didn’t hold back Lili’s hair while she threw up, but at least he offered her his canteen.
Subrosa is right. That was a big, tough fight and the trio did a great job of working together to lethal effect.
When we heard the chanting, I was thinking to myself, oh no, sounds like a whole choir of more draugr to deal with! A surprise indeed that the word wall chose to share its insight with Liii!
Sometimes it seems like there’s more dead foes to fight in Skyrim than live ones. . . so Lili is definitely going to have work on something for that undead-induced nausea. Well, Sten didn’t hold back Lili’s hair while she threw up, but at least he offered her his canteen.
Subrosa is right. That was a big, tough fight and the trio did a great job of working together to lethal effect.
When we heard the chanting, I was thinking to myself, oh no, sounds like a whole choir of more draugr to deal with! A surprise indeed that the word wall chose to share its insight with Liii!
She paused warily. “Do you hear that, Stennvar?”
Uh oh, a word wall. Good to have Stenvar on her team to help her with what’s coming.
What a great dungeon crawl and fight with Curalmil. I could hear Stenvar’s voice in my head when he said some of my favorite lines. Lili’s magic, Stenvar’s might, and Star’s excellent leverage were fun to see in action. Not so fun for Lili with her nausea issue. I hope she can resolve it before Stenvar gives her a Nord-style nickname, like Iron-Gut or Wise-Nose.
I am enjoying Lili’s story so much!
Uh oh, a word wall. Good to have Stenvar on her team to help her with what’s coming.
What a great dungeon crawl and fight with Curalmil. I could hear Stenvar’s voice in my head when he said some of my favorite lines. Lili’s magic, Stenvar’s might, and Star’s excellent leverage were fun to see in action. Not so fun for Lili with her nausea issue. I hope she can resolve it before Stenvar gives her a Nord-style nickname, like Iron-Gut or Wise-Nose.
I am enjoying Lili’s story so much!
@SubRosa: I remember reading about how difficult it was managing all those factions, not just how they interacted with the player but also with each other. So complicated, like endocrinology! As for a Dragon Priest, I felt Curalmil deserved the highest rank of boss you could get in those dungeons, though I always played that at lower levels and got a lesser draugr. So we're playing pretty fast and loose with the game's leveling system.
@Acadian: Lili agrees that her usually effective anti-nausea potions are not working against the draugr, and is already thinking of ways to improve on her recipe. As this story goes on, you'll get to see the different ways she tests out a stronger, more effective version of her potions. As for the chanting, yes, Lili thought there were MOAH DRAUGR COMING!! Then she discovered the word wall, though it took Sten's local knowledge to identify what it is. See, he's not "just the muscle", he's also the "local flavor"! Hee!
@Grits: I've been thinking about how Lili would fight dragons - in game I've always gone to ranged tactics and let Sten/Argis/Housecarl of the Month get into melee as soon as I ground them. But Lili's aim, as we all know, sucks. I'm so happy you could hear Sten's voice in my writing - he speaks very clearly when I write him, especially his sections. I knew you would recognize his lines from the game!
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Middas 20 Last Seed - A Crack in the Phial
Sten gave the word wall one last look as they descended the side stairs back to the chamber floor. Lilisfina moved slowly, as if blind, and he regarded her with concern. “Are you really all right, boss?”
She glanced back at him, her face pale beneath that light tan. “Just tired,” she responded. “Too much magicka, not enough rest.”
“I should have done more,” Sten moved to the central stairs leading further downward below the word wall.
Lilisfina touched his arm lightly. “You did just enough, Stennvar,” she murmured. “It’s just that I did not expect the undead here to be so . . . “
“Potent?” Stenvar supplied. She nodded, smiling slightly. “You have encountered undead before, yes?”
“Oh, yes, I have,” Lilisfina nodded. “Ghosts, wraiths, zombies, bog blights, shambles, and the odd lich here and there. But nothing like these . . . “ She cast her gaze around the chamber one last time before heading down. “Draugr. I wonder why they’re so different from the usual necromantic undead.”
“Another thing to ask the mages at that College, I suppose?” Sten suggested. Lili chuckled and led him into a small circular chamber filled with a pale grey mist. For some reason the mist itself provided a dim light and drew their attention to a stone bowl carved into a plinth. He moved around the small chamber, tapping on the stone walls in search of a hidden door. “Dead end?”
“Hmm,” Lilisfina gazed at the bowl. At her side Star raised himself up on his hind limbs enough to sniff at it. He whined and sat back down, his expectant gaze on the Wood Elf. She ruffled his ears with a soft smile and continued to study the bowl. “Nurelion did give me a potion - said it was key to gaining access to the White Phial. I wonder . . . “
Sten returned to the central plinth. “It’s a bowl. You have a potion. Curalmil - if that was Curalmil - is dead. Really dead, right?”
Lilisfina cast her unfocused gaze up the stairs toward the chamber. “Yes, really dead.” She fumbled through her belt pack and drew out Nurelion’s small vial. “So the logical next step is to pour this potion into this bowl.” She met Sten’s gaze. “I hope this is what it was intended for.”
Sten shrugged. I understand why she’s hesitating. If we’re wrong, we’ve wasted a rare and valuable potion, and our client won’t be happy.
Lilisfina took a deep breath and removed the stopper from the vial. “Here we go,” she poured the scant liquid into the stone bowl. It shimmered briefly in the bottom of the vessel, then drained away into invisibility. Rumbling shook the room, and dust drifted down as the wall opposite the stairs split crookedly down its center. Sten moved to stand between the plinth and the new door, pulling his zwei-hander into ready position.
After a long breath, the two sides of the wall gaped open wide enough to admit them. Beyond Sten saw a room with a central dais, but no sign of enemies. He glanced back at Lilisfina to see if she could sense anything ahead. Her gaze focused on him, and she shook her head.
“No one in there,” she said softly. “Unless there’s traps, it’s safe to enter.”
Sten scanned the floor in front of him for any distinctive tiles or plates, then stepped forward cautiously. He paused just within the room and scanned the walls. Light glowed from arcane crystals scattered around the room, as well as a few bioluminescent alchemical stuffs resting on various shelves and tables. He could see no dart traps, or crevices that could conceal swinging blades. He returned his zwei-hander to his back sheath and moved aside to let Lilisfina and Star enter.
Sten turned toward the central dais. Toward the rear of the room, he could see a small white vial on a stone plinth, similar to the one which supported the offering bowl in the previous chamber. He drew closer to it, continuing to search for hidden traps. Behind him, he heard Lilisfina exclaim and looked up to see her pick up one of the crystals and hold it over the shelving. She began sorting through the alchemical ingredients excitedly.
“Is that your treasure, boss?” he asked, amused. “Alchemical ingredients?”
“For being locked away in a damp crypt for so many centuries,” Lilisfina flashed a delighted gaze at him, “these are in incredible condition. And some are quite rare.” As her eyes returned to the alchemical treasure, she exclaimed again. “Oh, an alchemical table!” She moved toward it and brought out the three vials she had emptied. “Hmm, I wonder if I can make a stronger potion against these draugr?”
“Right now?” Sten turned to see her crouched over an alchemy table, already starting the retort bubbling. She assembled a few ingredients and drew out a mortar and pestle from the same pouch as her potion bottles. Wait, that pouch is too small! How? Later.
“Of course, before we run into any more draugr,” Lilisfina retorted. “Vomiting every time we run into one isn’t fun. My stomach is still aching.”
“I bet,” Sten moved to stand before the plinth again. He leaned forward to peer at the vial. Is it the White Phial? The white glass gleamed softly, except where a large crack ran down the side of it. Uh oh. “Say, did Nurelion say anything about getting this Phial intact?”
“Not exactly, but . . .” the sounds of the mortar stopped as Lilisfina looked around at him. “What is it?”
“Well, it looks like this Phial is cracked.” Sten answered. “Badly.”
“No!” Lilisfina left the table and darted to his side. Like him, she leaned forward to visually examine the relic. “Oh dear, that’s not good, not good at all.” She sighed. “And all that work just to get here . . .”
“All that barfing,” Sten agreed. Lilisfina whacked his biceps, then stepped around the plinth. “Should we bring it back to Nurelion?”
“Of course,” Lilisfina responded firmly. “The issue is how to get it back without further damage to the Phial.” Sounds of boiling reached them and distracted her. “Oh, my retort!” She dashed back to the alchemy table and adjusted the heat on the retort, then returned with the mortar in her hands. She continued grinding while her eyes evaluated the artifact.
“If we can wrap it up in something soft before we take it off the plinth,” Sten suggested, “that might keep it from falling apart on us.”
“Good point,” Lilisfina nodded. She pointed at her backpack on the floor near the entrance. “I think there’s more of that silken fabric in there, take a look.” She turned back to the alchemical table. “I’ve got to finish this potion so we can leave without any more barfing.”
“Right, let me see what I can do,” Sten rummaged in her pack, surprised at what she had managed to collect on their trip through the crypt. Gravedust and gravetar? Gems? Where did she find those? And is that amber? And I remember her harvesting these snowberries on the way out. He shook his head. “So much stuff in here, boss - I doubt your pack was this full when we left Windhelm.”
Her laughter made Star bark and dance in place, his white tipped tail wagging furiously. “How do you think I paid my way around Tamriel? And of course, you get half of what we sell!”
“Oh, no complaints there,” Sten found a few scraps of the green silk and pulled them out. “I was just wondering how you found the time to collect so much loot.”
“Well, I just focused on the small, expensive items. Gravedust and gravetar have high value to alchemists, now I know why. They’re damned hard to get!” Again she laughed. “When I was in Elsweyr and in Black Marsh, I learned how to pilfer on the move. You don’t waste time with the heavy weapons and armor, unless they have real value. Jewelry, gems, alchemical ingredients bring a lot of value for their weight.”
“Umm, there’s a few books in here that smell quite old, too,” Sten closed up the pack and moved back to the plinth with the silken scraps.
“There, that’s done,” Lilisfina declared in satisfaction. “I’ll set this aside to cool a bit.” She moved back to rejoin Sten at the plinth. “Let’s figure this out together. Do you have any spare laces for your armor?”
“Yes,” Sten dug them out of his belt pouch. “I was thinking about using them to tie the pieces of the Phial together before we take it off the stand.”
“Great minds really do think alike,” Lilisfina approved. Sten offered her the laces. “I’ll use one of them to just secure the pieces, then we’ll wrap as much of it as we can before taking it off.” She met his gaze. “How does that sound, Stennvar?”
“Like a plan,” Sten responded. “I’ll have the fabric ready for you.”
“You don’t want to do it?” Lilisfina smiled again at him, mischief sparking in her green eyes.
“I’ll likely knock it over trying to save it.” Sten grinned back. He watched as Lilisfina grew somber and turned back to the Phial. She evaluated the crack again, then created a loop with the lace around the globular base of the Phial. A neat slipknot pulled the pieces together, then she took the long end and created a second loop around the slender neck. This she tied off snugly, then reached for one of the fabric squares in Sten’s hands. He handed it to her, and spread the other scrap flat on the surface of the plinth beside the artifact.
Gently Lilisfina wrapped the silk around the vial, completely enclosing the gleaming glass. She left enough of the fabric to slip beneath it as she lifted it up. Sten found himself cradling it in his large palm as she began wrapping the second scrap over the first, then tied the entire bundle off with another of his laces. “There, that should do it,” she said finally. “Let’s tuck this into my belt pouch so it doesn’t get bumped around too much.”
Sten realized he had been holding his breath when he exhaled slowly for several beats. He watched as Lilisfina suited actions to her words, carefully slipping it into her belt pouch among several of the botanical samples she had already collected from around the room. “All right, let’s clear the rest of this stuff to bring back for Nurelion. We should at least bring him something.”
“Agreed,” Sten said as he stepped past Star to start the suggested task.
“Just a moment,” once again Lilisfina moved back to the table and carefully decanted her cooled potion into her three bottles. After nestling them next to the White Phial, she joined Sten in clearing the rest of the alchemical ingredients. They found a book titled A Game at Dinner, which made Lilisfina very excited with the discovery. She tucked that into her backpack as well.
Sten cast a final glance around the room. “Should we collect those crystals too?” Are they even worth anything?
“They do have some value, but not as much as these ingredients,” Lilisfina replied. “Only enchanters seem to like them, and do you know of any outside of the College?”
“Nope,” Sten shook his head. “What makes you think I would know of any enchanters?”
Lilisfina arched her right brow at him. “Why wouldn’t I think that?” She poked his biceps in that teasing manner he’d come to know well. “You’re smarter than you look, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Sten found himself laughing at her backhanded compliment as they stepped out of the room back toward the large chamber. He glanced up to see Lilisfina pause at the top of the stairs. “Are they still dead?”
“Still dead, and smelling better already,” Lilisfina responded.
“Good. I’d rather fight bandits than draugr. At least bandits know when to stay dead.”
@Acadian: Lili agrees that her usually effective anti-nausea potions are not working against the draugr, and is already thinking of ways to improve on her recipe. As this story goes on, you'll get to see the different ways she tests out a stronger, more effective version of her potions. As for the chanting, yes, Lili thought there were MOAH DRAUGR COMING!! Then she discovered the word wall, though it took Sten's local knowledge to identify what it is. See, he's not "just the muscle", he's also the "local flavor"! Hee!
@Grits: I've been thinking about how Lili would fight dragons - in game I've always gone to ranged tactics and let Sten/Argis/Housecarl of the Month get into melee as soon as I ground them. But Lili's aim, as we all know, sucks. I'm so happy you could hear Sten's voice in my writing - he speaks very clearly when I write him, especially his sections. I knew you would recognize his lines from the game!
*********************
Middas 20 Last Seed - A Crack in the Phial
Ma, it wasn’t just a cave - there was an old Nord crypt buried deep in there. Full of draugr too. Boss has a weak stomach around them - apparently they have a stench that makes her sick. Gotta hand it to her though - took a couple of potions and kept going. Both she and the dog were really useful in a couple of bad fights, and she healed me afterward. I guess what I mean is I don’t mind working for this particular mage.
Give my love to Halla and Old Fang. I’ll write more tomorrow.
Sten
Sten gave the word wall one last look as they descended the side stairs back to the chamber floor. Lilisfina moved slowly, as if blind, and he regarded her with concern. “Are you really all right, boss?”
She glanced back at him, her face pale beneath that light tan. “Just tired,” she responded. “Too much magicka, not enough rest.”
“I should have done more,” Sten moved to the central stairs leading further downward below the word wall.
Lilisfina touched his arm lightly. “You did just enough, Stennvar,” she murmured. “It’s just that I did not expect the undead here to be so . . . “
“Potent?” Stenvar supplied. She nodded, smiling slightly. “You have encountered undead before, yes?”
“Oh, yes, I have,” Lilisfina nodded. “Ghosts, wraiths, zombies, bog blights, shambles, and the odd lich here and there. But nothing like these . . . “ She cast her gaze around the chamber one last time before heading down. “Draugr. I wonder why they’re so different from the usual necromantic undead.”
“Another thing to ask the mages at that College, I suppose?” Sten suggested. Lili chuckled and led him into a small circular chamber filled with a pale grey mist. For some reason the mist itself provided a dim light and drew their attention to a stone bowl carved into a plinth. He moved around the small chamber, tapping on the stone walls in search of a hidden door. “Dead end?”
“Hmm,” Lilisfina gazed at the bowl. At her side Star raised himself up on his hind limbs enough to sniff at it. He whined and sat back down, his expectant gaze on the Wood Elf. She ruffled his ears with a soft smile and continued to study the bowl. “Nurelion did give me a potion - said it was key to gaining access to the White Phial. I wonder . . . “
Sten returned to the central plinth. “It’s a bowl. You have a potion. Curalmil - if that was Curalmil - is dead. Really dead, right?”
Lilisfina cast her unfocused gaze up the stairs toward the chamber. “Yes, really dead.” She fumbled through her belt pack and drew out Nurelion’s small vial. “So the logical next step is to pour this potion into this bowl.” She met Sten’s gaze. “I hope this is what it was intended for.”
Sten shrugged. I understand why she’s hesitating. If we’re wrong, we’ve wasted a rare and valuable potion, and our client won’t be happy.
Lilisfina took a deep breath and removed the stopper from the vial. “Here we go,” she poured the scant liquid into the stone bowl. It shimmered briefly in the bottom of the vessel, then drained away into invisibility. Rumbling shook the room, and dust drifted down as the wall opposite the stairs split crookedly down its center. Sten moved to stand between the plinth and the new door, pulling his zwei-hander into ready position.
After a long breath, the two sides of the wall gaped open wide enough to admit them. Beyond Sten saw a room with a central dais, but no sign of enemies. He glanced back at Lilisfina to see if she could sense anything ahead. Her gaze focused on him, and she shook her head.
“No one in there,” she said softly. “Unless there’s traps, it’s safe to enter.”
Sten scanned the floor in front of him for any distinctive tiles or plates, then stepped forward cautiously. He paused just within the room and scanned the walls. Light glowed from arcane crystals scattered around the room, as well as a few bioluminescent alchemical stuffs resting on various shelves and tables. He could see no dart traps, or crevices that could conceal swinging blades. He returned his zwei-hander to his back sheath and moved aside to let Lilisfina and Star enter.
Sten turned toward the central dais. Toward the rear of the room, he could see a small white vial on a stone plinth, similar to the one which supported the offering bowl in the previous chamber. He drew closer to it, continuing to search for hidden traps. Behind him, he heard Lilisfina exclaim and looked up to see her pick up one of the crystals and hold it over the shelving. She began sorting through the alchemical ingredients excitedly.
“Is that your treasure, boss?” he asked, amused. “Alchemical ingredients?”
“For being locked away in a damp crypt for so many centuries,” Lilisfina flashed a delighted gaze at him, “these are in incredible condition. And some are quite rare.” As her eyes returned to the alchemical treasure, she exclaimed again. “Oh, an alchemical table!” She moved toward it and brought out the three vials she had emptied. “Hmm, I wonder if I can make a stronger potion against these draugr?”
“Right now?” Sten turned to see her crouched over an alchemy table, already starting the retort bubbling. She assembled a few ingredients and drew out a mortar and pestle from the same pouch as her potion bottles. Wait, that pouch is too small! How? Later.
“Of course, before we run into any more draugr,” Lilisfina retorted. “Vomiting every time we run into one isn’t fun. My stomach is still aching.”
“I bet,” Sten moved to stand before the plinth again. He leaned forward to peer at the vial. Is it the White Phial? The white glass gleamed softly, except where a large crack ran down the side of it. Uh oh. “Say, did Nurelion say anything about getting this Phial intact?”
“Not exactly, but . . .” the sounds of the mortar stopped as Lilisfina looked around at him. “What is it?”
“Well, it looks like this Phial is cracked.” Sten answered. “Badly.”
“No!” Lilisfina left the table and darted to his side. Like him, she leaned forward to visually examine the relic. “Oh dear, that’s not good, not good at all.” She sighed. “And all that work just to get here . . .”
“All that barfing,” Sten agreed. Lilisfina whacked his biceps, then stepped around the plinth. “Should we bring it back to Nurelion?”
“Of course,” Lilisfina responded firmly. “The issue is how to get it back without further damage to the Phial.” Sounds of boiling reached them and distracted her. “Oh, my retort!” She dashed back to the alchemy table and adjusted the heat on the retort, then returned with the mortar in her hands. She continued grinding while her eyes evaluated the artifact.
“If we can wrap it up in something soft before we take it off the plinth,” Sten suggested, “that might keep it from falling apart on us.”
“Good point,” Lilisfina nodded. She pointed at her backpack on the floor near the entrance. “I think there’s more of that silken fabric in there, take a look.” She turned back to the alchemical table. “I’ve got to finish this potion so we can leave without any more barfing.”
“Right, let me see what I can do,” Sten rummaged in her pack, surprised at what she had managed to collect on their trip through the crypt. Gravedust and gravetar? Gems? Where did she find those? And is that amber? And I remember her harvesting these snowberries on the way out. He shook his head. “So much stuff in here, boss - I doubt your pack was this full when we left Windhelm.”
Her laughter made Star bark and dance in place, his white tipped tail wagging furiously. “How do you think I paid my way around Tamriel? And of course, you get half of what we sell!”
“Oh, no complaints there,” Sten found a few scraps of the green silk and pulled them out. “I was just wondering how you found the time to collect so much loot.”
“Well, I just focused on the small, expensive items. Gravedust and gravetar have high value to alchemists, now I know why. They’re damned hard to get!” Again she laughed. “When I was in Elsweyr and in Black Marsh, I learned how to pilfer on the move. You don’t waste time with the heavy weapons and armor, unless they have real value. Jewelry, gems, alchemical ingredients bring a lot of value for their weight.”
“Umm, there’s a few books in here that smell quite old, too,” Sten closed up the pack and moved back to the plinth with the silken scraps.
“There, that’s done,” Lilisfina declared in satisfaction. “I’ll set this aside to cool a bit.” She moved back to rejoin Sten at the plinth. “Let’s figure this out together. Do you have any spare laces for your armor?”
“Yes,” Sten dug them out of his belt pouch. “I was thinking about using them to tie the pieces of the Phial together before we take it off the stand.”
“Great minds really do think alike,” Lilisfina approved. Sten offered her the laces. “I’ll use one of them to just secure the pieces, then we’ll wrap as much of it as we can before taking it off.” She met his gaze. “How does that sound, Stennvar?”
“Like a plan,” Sten responded. “I’ll have the fabric ready for you.”
“You don’t want to do it?” Lilisfina smiled again at him, mischief sparking in her green eyes.
“I’ll likely knock it over trying to save it.” Sten grinned back. He watched as Lilisfina grew somber and turned back to the Phial. She evaluated the crack again, then created a loop with the lace around the globular base of the Phial. A neat slipknot pulled the pieces together, then she took the long end and created a second loop around the slender neck. This she tied off snugly, then reached for one of the fabric squares in Sten’s hands. He handed it to her, and spread the other scrap flat on the surface of the plinth beside the artifact.
Gently Lilisfina wrapped the silk around the vial, completely enclosing the gleaming glass. She left enough of the fabric to slip beneath it as she lifted it up. Sten found himself cradling it in his large palm as she began wrapping the second scrap over the first, then tied the entire bundle off with another of his laces. “There, that should do it,” she said finally. “Let’s tuck this into my belt pouch so it doesn’t get bumped around too much.”
Sten realized he had been holding his breath when he exhaled slowly for several beats. He watched as Lilisfina suited actions to her words, carefully slipping it into her belt pouch among several of the botanical samples she had already collected from around the room. “All right, let’s clear the rest of this stuff to bring back for Nurelion. We should at least bring him something.”
“Agreed,” Sten said as he stepped past Star to start the suggested task.
“Just a moment,” once again Lilisfina moved back to the table and carefully decanted her cooled potion into her three bottles. After nestling them next to the White Phial, she joined Sten in clearing the rest of the alchemical ingredients. They found a book titled A Game at Dinner, which made Lilisfina very excited with the discovery. She tucked that into her backpack as well.
Sten cast a final glance around the room. “Should we collect those crystals too?” Are they even worth anything?
“They do have some value, but not as much as these ingredients,” Lilisfina replied. “Only enchanters seem to like them, and do you know of any outside of the College?”
“Nope,” Sten shook his head. “What makes you think I would know of any enchanters?”
Lilisfina arched her right brow at him. “Why wouldn’t I think that?” She poked his biceps in that teasing manner he’d come to know well. “You’re smarter than you look, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Sten found himself laughing at her backhanded compliment as they stepped out of the room back toward the large chamber. He glanced up to see Lilisfina pause at the top of the stairs. “Are they still dead?”
“Still dead, and smelling better already,” Lilisfina responded.
“Good. I’d rather fight bandits than draugr. At least bandits know when to stay dead.”
Whew, the undead are still dead. Some good detective work gets that last chamber open and voila – the White Phial! Ah, but cracked. Damn. Nice care in packaging it up. Not sure if it will be of any value now but I guess we’ll find out.
So we learn that Lili is an alchemist of some skill, as she excitedly brews up some hopefully more potent antinausea potions.
’She assembled a few ingredients and drew out a mortar and pestle from the same pouch as her potion bottles. Wait, that pouch is too small! How? Later.’
Woot! Lili has a Bag of Holding! Every mage surely needs one of those. Every thief too I’m led to believe.
More nice give and take exchanges in the gentle dance between Stenvaar and his boss.
So we learn that Lili is an alchemist of some skill, as she excitedly brews up some hopefully more potent antinausea potions.
’She assembled a few ingredients and drew out a mortar and pestle from the same pouch as her potion bottles. Wait, that pouch is too small! How? Later.’
Woot! Lili has a Bag of Holding! Every mage surely needs one of those. Every thief too I’m led to believe.
More nice give and take exchanges in the gentle dance between Stenvaar and his boss.
Neat, like Kaelin, Lil has an alchemical bag of holding! I love the idea of these specialized containers that are specifically geared for people to use within their chosen disciplines.
I suppose that Lil will always stay skinny so long as she continues to fight undead... Hopefully she can get an advanced form of that potion brewed to keep her insides from spewing outside.
Ah yes, the old weight vs. value calculation in looting. As a skinny wood elf, carrying the lightest and most valuable valuables is more important than ever for Lil.
Good thing neither of them is a Khajiit. They would have pushed the phial off the edge of whatever it sat upon, and shattered it on the floor!
There is some subtle cues here that Lil and Sten are becoming more and more comfortable and familiar with one another here, such as brushes against arms, and the like.
And bandits do know when to stay dead. That is one good thing about them.
I suppose that Lil will always stay skinny so long as she continues to fight undead... Hopefully she can get an advanced form of that potion brewed to keep her insides from spewing outside.
Ah yes, the old weight vs. value calculation in looting. As a skinny wood elf, carrying the lightest and most valuable valuables is more important than ever for Lil.
Good thing neither of them is a Khajiit. They would have pushed the phial off the edge of whatever it sat upon, and shattered it on the floor!
There is some subtle cues here that Lil and Sten are becoming more and more comfortable and familiar with one another here, such as brushes against arms, and the like.
And bandits do know when to stay dead. That is one good thing about them.
She began sorting through the alchemical ingredients excitedly.
I love how Lili went right to work with her new ingredients. And she has a magical alchemy pouch!
Now that the danger is over it’s fun to see Sten and Lili being playful. And having Sten rummage through herpurse pack is a real act of trust from both of them!
Nice handling of the cracked phial. I recall at least one Nord of mine tossing into their pack with the skill book and a fresh Daedra heart, not to think of it again until the civil war had ended.
Love Sten’s line about the bandits! Hmm, I believe that when they entered the cave, a storm was brewing. Looking forward to the next installment!
I love how Lili went right to work with her new ingredients. And she has a magical alchemy pouch!
Now that the danger is over it’s fun to see Sten and Lili being playful. And having Sten rummage through her
Nice handling of the cracked phial. I recall at least one Nord of mine tossing into their pack with the skill book and a fresh Daedra heart, not to think of it again until the civil war had ended.
Love Sten’s line about the bandits! Hmm, I believe that when they entered the cave, a storm was brewing. Looking forward to the next installment!
Stenvar appreciates Lili's sense of humor. I love the hand-gestures they use. Communication at all times.
I approve! I dislike that part of lore, especially the cannibalism. If ES6 drops the Green Pact lore, I won't mind at all.
Good idea, to forge ahead, looking for traps, but then to let Sten lead the way if combat occurs. This scene is creepy, by the way. The feel of danger as imminent.
Urrgh, the Candlelight spell goes out! That's always a scary moment, especially since enemies can hear, when the spell needs to be recast. Good job, found a trap.
Yeesh, draugr!! 🧟♀️ (Yikes, I already commented on the initial delve into Forsaken Cave! It's okay, a second read is good sometimes.)
-------------------------------------
Eesh, dragon priests. Hate the things. Lili can't stand the smell of all these corpses! Sten and the dog aren't bothered.
Ooh boy, here it comes. Yikes, Curalmil's got some moves.... Lili assists with her flame spell. Even Star gets involved. Good boy! Teamwork makes the dream work.
Phew, the boss has been defeated! I love the way the aftermath is written. That's my fave part of adventure in these games (in a way) the afterglow of adrenaline dying off. Stenvar's shivering, his heart's BPMs soaring, most likely. For just a moment, it seems Lili's nausea went away, as combat comes to an end. Yeah, she really needs some spearmint! 🌿
Nice, this is what some Males often say, word for word, as they get healed!
A Word Wall, cool. They are so epic, right? Especially the chant, which is moves along in 6/8 timing (I think). Sounds like Lili's first experience with one of these. Her "eyes blacked out!" Love that. Even for my characters who aren't canon-Dragonborn, I can't help but relish the moment as wall's magic gets absorbed.
I'm behind a chapter! It's okay. I'll catch up eventually.
I love the hand-gestures they use. Communication at all times. QUOTE
She won’t kill animals? Got to ask her about that - the Green Pact is all about eating meat!
I approve! I dislike that part of lore, especially the cannibalism. If ES6 drops the Green Pact lore, I won't mind at all.
Good idea, to forge ahead, looking for traps, but then to let Sten lead the way if combat occurs. This scene is creepy, by the way. The feel of danger as imminent.
Urrgh, the Candlelight spell goes out! That's always a scary moment, especially since enemies can hear, when the spell needs to be recast. Good job, found a trap.
Yeesh, draugr!! 🧟♀️ (Yikes, I already commented on the initial delve into Forsaken Cave! It's okay, a second read is good sometimes.)
-------------------------------------
Eesh, dragon priests. Hate the things. Lili can't stand the smell of all these corpses! Sten and the dog aren't bothered.
Ooh boy, here it comes. Yikes, Curalmil's got some moves.... Lili assists with her flame spell. Even Star gets involved. Good boy! Teamwork makes the dream work.
Phew, the boss has been defeated! I love the way the aftermath is written. That's my fave part of adventure in these games (in a way) the afterglow of adrenaline dying off. Stenvar's shivering, his heart's BPMs soaring, most likely. For just a moment, it seems Lili's nausea went away, as combat comes to an end. Yeah, she really needs some spearmint! 🌿
QUOTE
What? Hey,” he shrugged again, more easily this time, “that feels great.
Nice, this is what some Males often say, word for word, as they get healed!
A Word Wall, cool. They are so epic, right? Especially the chant, which is moves along in 6/8 timing (I think). Sounds like Lili's first experience with one of these. Her "eyes blacked out!"
Love that. Even for my characters who aren't canon-Dragonborn, I can't help but relish the moment as wall's magic gets absorbed. I'm behind a chapter! It's okay. I'll catch up eventually.
QUOTE(haute ecole rider @ Oct 17 2024, 12:37 PM) 
“Good. I’d rather fight bandits than draugr. At least bandits know when to stay dead.”
Aha! Generalissimo Franco was a bandit!
@Acadian: Considering how many ingredients mages, alchemists and healers go through, a Pouch of Holding, while discreet, is a required essential! I'm glad you are enjoying the growing relationship between Sten and his "boss" - it's gentle, fun and easy. No drama! Plenty of that elsewhere, as we know!
@SubRosa: )
@Grits: Yup, a winter storm was blowing up when they ducked into the cave; however I tried to show that the weather had cleared in a later installment when they entered Curalmil's chamber. Maybe that needs to be rewritten to more clearly show that the weather had - ummm - cleared. That line of Sten's about the dead reminds me of Julian's thoughts about what to call the undead once they are dead - umm - really dead. Be sure that our Bosmer will not forget about the White Phial in her Pouch of Holding!
@Renee: Thanks for the reminder about Sten's thoughts around Lili's apparent reluctance to kill animals and how that fits with the Green Pact. Sometimes a second read pays off. The dog is bothered by the smell, but unlike Lili, he doesn't throw up. Instead, he just doesn't roll in them. I agree, the chanting one hears at those Word Walls is pretty incredible. One of my favorite things about them, though I don't like losing my vision, even if it's only temporary. Comes from being deaf, I suppose, and being so reliant on my own vision since my hearing isn't so great.
@ghastley:
After fighting (and barfing) our way through Forsaken Cave, we discover that the White Phial, or what seems to be such, is badly cracked. Unsure of Nurelion's reaction but certain of his disappointment, they collect the high value alchemical ingredients and carefully pack up the Phial for transport back to Windhelm.
**************************
Middas 20 Last Seed - Nurelion
The lanterns at Candlehearth cast a welcoming glow through the falling snow as Lili and Stenvar entered the city, Star following in their footsteps. The Skyrim Husky reflected their mood, his head down and tail quiet with exhaustion. Gusts of freezing wind swirled around them, tugging on Lili’s fur cloak and hood. Just beat that snowstorm back to Windhelm. The snow, which had started when they first entered Forsaken Cave, had paused briefly to show them a peek of western sun beneath lowering clouds upon their exit. They had decided to take advantage of the calm and head home, rather than up the road to Heljarchen. A second snowstorm had blown up and chased them from Anga’s Mill all the way home.
Stenvar reached the door to Candlehearth first, and swung it open for Lili. He waved her and Star inside, before entering the warmth of the inn. “Warm up and eat first, then we’ll go to Nurelion’s shop,” he suggested softly. “Are you able to partake of food yet, ma’am?”
“What happened to ‘boss’?” Lili whispered back.
“Oh, that’s just between the two of us,” he responded, still keeping his tone soft as they moved toward Elda. “Around everyone else, it’s back to ‘ma’am’. Wouldn’t want folks to think we’re getting too familiar.”
“That doesn’t bother me Stennvar, just so you know,” Lili smiled at his startled expression. She turned toward the innkeeper. “Another two nights in your fine lodgings, please?”
The older Nord snorted. “Of course! How was your adventure?”
“Sickening,” Lili responded as she slid the drakes across the counter. “I’d like soup tonight, and maybe some of that healing tea instead of mead.”
Elda frowned at her. “Are you feeling all right, lass?”
“Getting better,” Lili returned with a smile for the other woman’s concern. “And hot baths for both of us -” she slid a glance at Stenvar. “Y’ffre knows we need it!”
“Which would you like first?” Elda glanced from Lili to Stenvar and back again.
“Bath for me,” Lili responded. “I’d like to give my stomach more time to settle. Big guy here, though, might want to eat first.”
“And the dog?” Elda leaned over the counter to regard the Skyrim Husky, who returned her gaze with a tired wag of his tail.
“Bone, of course! Then sleep, I’m sure,” Lili ruffled his ears fondly. Star licked her hand in return.
“I’ll eat first,” Stenvar remarked gruffly. “I’ll get Star his bone, too. Then he can sleep while you eat.”
“I’ll meet you upstairs in half a bell, then,” Lili responded, and headed for the rented room. Stenvar turned for the stairs to the common hall, Star trailing after him.
Nils appeared within a few moments with the copper tub on rollers. He parked it in the center of her rented room. “I’ll be back with the hot water,” he exclaimed. “You look about all tuckered out, lassie!”
The hot bath was just what Lili needed for her aching muscles. After a quarter of a bell, she reluctantly changed back into her woolen dress and headed upstairs.
Stenvar looked up from the remains of roast mutton and potatoes as Lili sat down at the table. Susanna appeared within a few breaths with a ceramic mug of hot lavender tea and set it down before Lili. “Sten tells me you’ve had a rough time in that crypt,” she said gently. “Drink this up, and I’ll bring up some apple cabbage soup in a moment!”
“Sounds wonderful,” Lili reached for the tea and inhaled the aroma. “Wait, is there a touch of imp stool in this?”
“Yes! Adds just a bit of oomph to the healing effects of the tea!” Susanna winked at her. “I’ll be back soon!”
Lili sampled the tea. It was just hot enough to warm her stomach, but not so hot to burn her tongue. “This is perfect,” she sighed. “Hits the spot."
Stenvar gulped his ale, then belched. “This hits my spot,” he remarked. Lili chuckled and drank more of the tea, savoring its rich flavor.
“I’m not looking forward to seeing Nurelion,” she rested her elbow on the table and her jaw in her palm. “I hate to disappoint him with a cracked Phial.”
“Assuming that’s the Phial,” Stenvar pushed his plate away. “Are you going to sell him all those alchemical ingredients we collected from that room?”
“If he’s interested, yes,” Lili responded. “And that gravedust and tar. Those are difficult to obtain, obviously, so he might want to purchase them.”
Before long Lili felt much better with a belly full of apple cabbage soup. Her stomach no longer felt queasy, and she felt warm again. “Well, better get this over with,” she sighed as she stood up and shrugged into her fur cloak. “I’m sure Nurelion is still open.”
“He should be,” Susanna said as she cleared the table away. “It’s still early enough. Though I hear he’s taken to bed, he’s become so ill.” She looked from Lili to Stenvar. “But his apprentice Quintus is competent enough, he should be able to help you.”
“Thank you,” Lili responded. Stenvar rose as well.
“Do you want me to come with you, ma’am?” he asked.
“I don’t think you need to,” Lili said and stepped toward the side door. She paused and turned back. “But I wouldn’t mind the company. It’s a horribly cold night out there.”
Star rose slowly to his feet and followed after Stenvar. Lili could almost hear him groan. “Star, we’re nearly done for today. Just a short walk to the market. You can stay in my room if you want to sleep.”
Star looked up at her, then stepped forward to her side and licked her fingers. Stenvar held the door open for the two of them, and they stepped out into the blowing snow.
“Y’ffre blast this snow!” Lili exclaimed as her feet slipped on the icy stones. “Why does it have to snow so much?”
Stenvar laughed. “Snow means it’s warm!” He dropped a blue glance at her. “Come winter, there won’t be much snow - it’ll be too cold!”
“I better be settled at the College by then,” Lili retorted. “I can spend all my days indoors then - studying restoration and alchemy in a warm lecture hall sounds appealing.”
“Hmm, not sure about that,” Stenvar remarked. “I’ve heard rumors that mages have been snooping around Saarthal. Mages in a burial crypt? No good can come of that . . .” He grinned when Lili groaned expressively.
“I suppose I’d better figure out how to make my potions more potent then,” she said finally. After much slipping and cursing, mostly on Lili’s part, they reached the door to The White Phial. Lili drew a deep breath. “Here we go . . .”
Inside, Quintus Navale greeted them wearily. Lili peered closer at his face. “You look like I feel, Quintus,” she exclaimed softly. “How is Nurelion? I heard he was quite ill.”
“He’s upstairs,” Navale replied. “He’s not doing well at all. Coughing so much he can’t keep much food down.”
“That’s terrible,” Lili commiserated. “What have you been giving him to help?”
“A Cure Disease potion, but I’ve run out of ingredients for it, specifically vampire dust and charred skeever hide.” Quintus shook his head, then met Lili’s gaze. Hope flickered across his face. “Did you find . . .”
“I’m not sure,” Lili responded softly. “I’ll have to show it to Nurelion.”
“By all means, go upstairs!” Quintus exclaimed. “He’s sitting by the fire.”
“I’ll show Quintus the ingredients we brought back, if you’ll let me have your pack, ma’am,” Stenvar volunteered. Lili handed him the backpack and headed upstairs. Behind her she heard Star sneeze as Stenvar removed the ingredients from Forsaken Cave and set them on the counter.
The aged alchemist slumped in the chair before the fire, which provided the only light in the room. Y’ffre! He looks a hundred years older than when I last spoke to him just yesterday! Lili noted the blood stained cloth clenched in one hand. “Nurelion, sir?” she stepped forward. “I’ve returned from Forsaken Cave.”
His head came up and Nurelion turned his face to peer at her. “Did you find it?” His hands reached out to her. “Do you have the Phial?”
Lili reached into her belt purse and drew out the green wrapped relic. She placed it carefully into his cupped palms. Laboriously he untied the laces and folded back the fabric. He gasped when he saw the cracked vial. “This . . . it matches every description of the Phial that I’ve found in lore. But if it can’t hold liquid, there’s no way of knowing. How did you manage to damage it then?”
Lili knelt beside the chair so she could see his expression. “I’m very sorry, Nurelion. It was already cracked like this when we found it. Is there any way it can be repaired?”
Nurelion shook his head. “Figures . . . I . . . I doubt you have sufficient knowledge to harm it if you wanted to. Either way, this is the end of it . . .” He coughed violently, and Lili caught the Phial as it slipped from his shaking hands. She set it on the small table beside the chair and cupped his hands in hers. There’s something dark in him - in his chest - something that’s been growing there a long time. He is dying - slowly. Nurelion freed one hand to fumble in his coin purse. He placed a few silver coins in Lili’s hand and managed to push her away firmly. “This is for your trouble. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m not quite in the mood to entertain guests. I trust you can show yourself out.” He turned his face away from Lili.
She rose to her feet and returned to Quintus and Stenvar, their heads together over the pile of ingredients. Quintus slid several silver coins to Stenvar, who closed up the backpack and left the botanicals on the counter. Together they turned to face Lili.
“Nurelion is not happy - he can’t be sure that’s really the Phial since it’s too cracked to hold liquid.” Lili looked down at the silver coins. Five drakes. I really don’t have the heart to argue with him about the value of our efforts in obtaining a cracked relic. “How do you like the ingredients we found?”
“Some of these are quite rare, so I’ve paid accordingly,” Quintus responded. “Stenvar should be holding a hundred twenty five drakes for these.” He moved to stand in front of Lili. “He also told me how difficult it was for you in that crypt.” His gaze fell to the coins in her palm, and he frowned. “I know my master can be short at times, but you’d think he’d show more appreciation for your efforts.” He moved back to the counter and opened the merchant’s drawer. He counted out more drakes, and handed them to Lili. “This should cover the work the both of you put in to obtain the Phial for my master.” He pulled down a few sprigs of greenery. “And also, add lady’s mantle and peppermint to your potions for upset stomach. Use our table to make fresh potions, and I’d recommend distilling them down to increase the potency.”
Lili slipped the coins into her belt purse, and the ingredients into her backpack. “Thank you very much, sir,” she responded. “I’ll return in a day or two to borrow your table, that’s much appreciated.” She looked at Stenvar, then back at Quintus. “Your master is dying, and it’s no disease that can be cured,” she added. “All you can do is keep him as comfortable as you can for the rest of his days.”
Quintus flinched at her words, and his brown eyes glimmered in the candlelight. “I was afraid of such,” he said finally. “Are you a healer, then?”
“I have some skill there, yes,” Lili admitted. “Enough to know your master is mortally ill, indeed. If it had been identified earlier, there might be a chance to slow things down. Perhaps he already knew and was self treating for that purpose.”
The apprentice alchemist lowered his gaze to the floor for a moment. “I suspect you may be right,” he said finally. “Nurelion’s been pushing me hard for the past year or two, harder than he’s ever done. His personality changed too - more impatient, more demanding, more exacting.”
“Sounds to me as if he wants to make sure you’re ready to take over after him,” Lili touched Quintus’s shoulder lightly. “You’ll be all right - just keep him as comfortable as you can for his final days.”
Quintus met her gaze bleakly. “Any suggestions? I hardly know where to start.”
“Something to ease his breathing, and to stop the bleeding in his lungs,” Lili paused to consider him. “And pain. Pain control is going to be essential to ease his suffering.” She cast her glance around the shop. “May I?” At his nod she began browsing through the shelves. “Mistletoe will help with the bleeding, cornflower, ginger and if you have it primrose seeds for congestion, poppy and vervain for pain.” She turned back to Quintus. “You may have to make more than one potion to get the maximum effects from these.”
“Thank you,” Quintus pressed both hands, one over the other, against his chest in gratitude. Star sneezed again as they left the shop.
@SubRosa:
QUOTE
Good thing neither of them is a Khajiit. They would have pushed the phial off the edge of whatever it sat upon, and shattered it on the floor!
Yup! Or that Lili doesn't have a cat following her! (As she will in a couple of days . . . )@Grits: Yup, a winter storm was blowing up when they ducked into the cave; however I tried to show that the weather had cleared in a later installment when they entered Curalmil's chamber. Maybe that needs to be rewritten to more clearly show that the weather had - ummm - cleared. That line of Sten's about the dead reminds me of Julian's thoughts about what to call the undead once they are dead - umm - really dead. Be sure that our Bosmer will not forget about the White Phial in her Pouch of Holding!
@Renee: Thanks for the reminder about Sten's thoughts around Lili's apparent reluctance to kill animals and how that fits with the Green Pact. Sometimes a second read pays off. The dog is bothered by the smell, but unlike Lili, he doesn't throw up. Instead, he just doesn't roll in them. I agree, the chanting one hears at those Word Walls is pretty incredible. One of my favorite things about them, though I don't like losing my vision, even if it's only temporary. Comes from being deaf, I suppose, and being so reliant on my own vision since my hearing isn't so great.
@ghastley:
After fighting (and barfing) our way through Forsaken Cave, we discover that the White Phial, or what seems to be such, is badly cracked. Unsure of Nurelion's reaction but certain of his disappointment, they collect the high value alchemical ingredients and carefully pack up the Phial for transport back to Windhelm.
**************************
Middas 20 Last Seed - Nurelion
The lanterns at Candlehearth cast a welcoming glow through the falling snow as Lili and Stenvar entered the city, Star following in their footsteps. The Skyrim Husky reflected their mood, his head down and tail quiet with exhaustion. Gusts of freezing wind swirled around them, tugging on Lili’s fur cloak and hood. Just beat that snowstorm back to Windhelm. The snow, which had started when they first entered Forsaken Cave, had paused briefly to show them a peek of western sun beneath lowering clouds upon their exit. They had decided to take advantage of the calm and head home, rather than up the road to Heljarchen. A second snowstorm had blown up and chased them from Anga’s Mill all the way home.
Stenvar reached the door to Candlehearth first, and swung it open for Lili. He waved her and Star inside, before entering the warmth of the inn. “Warm up and eat first, then we’ll go to Nurelion’s shop,” he suggested softly. “Are you able to partake of food yet, ma’am?”
“What happened to ‘boss’?” Lili whispered back.
“Oh, that’s just between the two of us,” he responded, still keeping his tone soft as they moved toward Elda. “Around everyone else, it’s back to ‘ma’am’. Wouldn’t want folks to think we’re getting too familiar.”
“That doesn’t bother me Stennvar, just so you know,” Lili smiled at his startled expression. She turned toward the innkeeper. “Another two nights in your fine lodgings, please?”
The older Nord snorted. “Of course! How was your adventure?”
“Sickening,” Lili responded as she slid the drakes across the counter. “I’d like soup tonight, and maybe some of that healing tea instead of mead.”
Elda frowned at her. “Are you feeling all right, lass?”
“Getting better,” Lili returned with a smile for the other woman’s concern. “And hot baths for both of us -” she slid a glance at Stenvar. “Y’ffre knows we need it!”
“Which would you like first?” Elda glanced from Lili to Stenvar and back again.
“Bath for me,” Lili responded. “I’d like to give my stomach more time to settle. Big guy here, though, might want to eat first.”
“And the dog?” Elda leaned over the counter to regard the Skyrim Husky, who returned her gaze with a tired wag of his tail.
“Bone, of course! Then sleep, I’m sure,” Lili ruffled his ears fondly. Star licked her hand in return.
“I’ll eat first,” Stenvar remarked gruffly. “I’ll get Star his bone, too. Then he can sleep while you eat.”
“I’ll meet you upstairs in half a bell, then,” Lili responded, and headed for the rented room. Stenvar turned for the stairs to the common hall, Star trailing after him.
Nils appeared within a few moments with the copper tub on rollers. He parked it in the center of her rented room. “I’ll be back with the hot water,” he exclaimed. “You look about all tuckered out, lassie!”
The hot bath was just what Lili needed for her aching muscles. After a quarter of a bell, she reluctantly changed back into her woolen dress and headed upstairs.
Stenvar looked up from the remains of roast mutton and potatoes as Lili sat down at the table. Susanna appeared within a few breaths with a ceramic mug of hot lavender tea and set it down before Lili. “Sten tells me you’ve had a rough time in that crypt,” she said gently. “Drink this up, and I’ll bring up some apple cabbage soup in a moment!”
“Sounds wonderful,” Lili reached for the tea and inhaled the aroma. “Wait, is there a touch of imp stool in this?”
“Yes! Adds just a bit of oomph to the healing effects of the tea!” Susanna winked at her. “I’ll be back soon!”
Lili sampled the tea. It was just hot enough to warm her stomach, but not so hot to burn her tongue. “This is perfect,” she sighed. “Hits the spot."
Stenvar gulped his ale, then belched. “This hits my spot,” he remarked. Lili chuckled and drank more of the tea, savoring its rich flavor.
“I’m not looking forward to seeing Nurelion,” she rested her elbow on the table and her jaw in her palm. “I hate to disappoint him with a cracked Phial.”
“Assuming that’s the Phial,” Stenvar pushed his plate away. “Are you going to sell him all those alchemical ingredients we collected from that room?”
“If he’s interested, yes,” Lili responded. “And that gravedust and tar. Those are difficult to obtain, obviously, so he might want to purchase them.”
Before long Lili felt much better with a belly full of apple cabbage soup. Her stomach no longer felt queasy, and she felt warm again. “Well, better get this over with,” she sighed as she stood up and shrugged into her fur cloak. “I’m sure Nurelion is still open.”
“He should be,” Susanna said as she cleared the table away. “It’s still early enough. Though I hear he’s taken to bed, he’s become so ill.” She looked from Lili to Stenvar. “But his apprentice Quintus is competent enough, he should be able to help you.”
“Thank you,” Lili responded. Stenvar rose as well.
“Do you want me to come with you, ma’am?” he asked.
“I don’t think you need to,” Lili said and stepped toward the side door. She paused and turned back. “But I wouldn’t mind the company. It’s a horribly cold night out there.”
Star rose slowly to his feet and followed after Stenvar. Lili could almost hear him groan. “Star, we’re nearly done for today. Just a short walk to the market. You can stay in my room if you want to sleep.”
Star looked up at her, then stepped forward to her side and licked her fingers. Stenvar held the door open for the two of them, and they stepped out into the blowing snow.
“Y’ffre blast this snow!” Lili exclaimed as her feet slipped on the icy stones. “Why does it have to snow so much?”
Stenvar laughed. “Snow means it’s warm!” He dropped a blue glance at her. “Come winter, there won’t be much snow - it’ll be too cold!”
“I better be settled at the College by then,” Lili retorted. “I can spend all my days indoors then - studying restoration and alchemy in a warm lecture hall sounds appealing.”
“Hmm, not sure about that,” Stenvar remarked. “I’ve heard rumors that mages have been snooping around Saarthal. Mages in a burial crypt? No good can come of that . . .” He grinned when Lili groaned expressively.
“I suppose I’d better figure out how to make my potions more potent then,” she said finally. After much slipping and cursing, mostly on Lili’s part, they reached the door to The White Phial. Lili drew a deep breath. “Here we go . . .”
Inside, Quintus Navale greeted them wearily. Lili peered closer at his face. “You look like I feel, Quintus,” she exclaimed softly. “How is Nurelion? I heard he was quite ill.”
“He’s upstairs,” Navale replied. “He’s not doing well at all. Coughing so much he can’t keep much food down.”
“That’s terrible,” Lili commiserated. “What have you been giving him to help?”
“A Cure Disease potion, but I’ve run out of ingredients for it, specifically vampire dust and charred skeever hide.” Quintus shook his head, then met Lili’s gaze. Hope flickered across his face. “Did you find . . .”
“I’m not sure,” Lili responded softly. “I’ll have to show it to Nurelion.”
“By all means, go upstairs!” Quintus exclaimed. “He’s sitting by the fire.”
“I’ll show Quintus the ingredients we brought back, if you’ll let me have your pack, ma’am,” Stenvar volunteered. Lili handed him the backpack and headed upstairs. Behind her she heard Star sneeze as Stenvar removed the ingredients from Forsaken Cave and set them on the counter.
The aged alchemist slumped in the chair before the fire, which provided the only light in the room. Y’ffre! He looks a hundred years older than when I last spoke to him just yesterday! Lili noted the blood stained cloth clenched in one hand. “Nurelion, sir?” she stepped forward. “I’ve returned from Forsaken Cave.”
His head came up and Nurelion turned his face to peer at her. “Did you find it?” His hands reached out to her. “Do you have the Phial?”
Lili reached into her belt purse and drew out the green wrapped relic. She placed it carefully into his cupped palms. Laboriously he untied the laces and folded back the fabric. He gasped when he saw the cracked vial. “This . . . it matches every description of the Phial that I’ve found in lore. But if it can’t hold liquid, there’s no way of knowing. How did you manage to damage it then?”
Lili knelt beside the chair so she could see his expression. “I’m very sorry, Nurelion. It was already cracked like this when we found it. Is there any way it can be repaired?”
Nurelion shook his head. “Figures . . . I . . . I doubt you have sufficient knowledge to harm it if you wanted to. Either way, this is the end of it . . .” He coughed violently, and Lili caught the Phial as it slipped from his shaking hands. She set it on the small table beside the chair and cupped his hands in hers. There’s something dark in him - in his chest - something that’s been growing there a long time. He is dying - slowly. Nurelion freed one hand to fumble in his coin purse. He placed a few silver coins in Lili’s hand and managed to push her away firmly. “This is for your trouble. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m not quite in the mood to entertain guests. I trust you can show yourself out.” He turned his face away from Lili.
She rose to her feet and returned to Quintus and Stenvar, their heads together over the pile of ingredients. Quintus slid several silver coins to Stenvar, who closed up the backpack and left the botanicals on the counter. Together they turned to face Lili.
“Nurelion is not happy - he can’t be sure that’s really the Phial since it’s too cracked to hold liquid.” Lili looked down at the silver coins. Five drakes. I really don’t have the heart to argue with him about the value of our efforts in obtaining a cracked relic. “How do you like the ingredients we found?”
“Some of these are quite rare, so I’ve paid accordingly,” Quintus responded. “Stenvar should be holding a hundred twenty five drakes for these.” He moved to stand in front of Lili. “He also told me how difficult it was for you in that crypt.” His gaze fell to the coins in her palm, and he frowned. “I know my master can be short at times, but you’d think he’d show more appreciation for your efforts.” He moved back to the counter and opened the merchant’s drawer. He counted out more drakes, and handed them to Lili. “This should cover the work the both of you put in to obtain the Phial for my master.” He pulled down a few sprigs of greenery. “And also, add lady’s mantle and peppermint to your potions for upset stomach. Use our table to make fresh potions, and I’d recommend distilling them down to increase the potency.”
Lili slipped the coins into her belt purse, and the ingredients into her backpack. “Thank you very much, sir,” she responded. “I’ll return in a day or two to borrow your table, that’s much appreciated.” She looked at Stenvar, then back at Quintus. “Your master is dying, and it’s no disease that can be cured,” she added. “All you can do is keep him as comfortable as you can for the rest of his days.”
Quintus flinched at her words, and his brown eyes glimmered in the candlelight. “I was afraid of such,” he said finally. “Are you a healer, then?”
“I have some skill there, yes,” Lili admitted. “Enough to know your master is mortally ill, indeed. If it had been identified earlier, there might be a chance to slow things down. Perhaps he already knew and was self treating for that purpose.”
The apprentice alchemist lowered his gaze to the floor for a moment. “I suspect you may be right,” he said finally. “Nurelion’s been pushing me hard for the past year or two, harder than he’s ever done. His personality changed too - more impatient, more demanding, more exacting.”
“Sounds to me as if he wants to make sure you’re ready to take over after him,” Lili touched Quintus’s shoulder lightly. “You’ll be all right - just keep him as comfortable as you can for his final days.”
Quintus met her gaze bleakly. “Any suggestions? I hardly know where to start.”
“Something to ease his breathing, and to stop the bleeding in his lungs,” Lili paused to consider him. “And pain. Pain control is going to be essential to ease his suffering.” She cast her glance around the shop. “May I?” At his nod she began browsing through the shelves. “Mistletoe will help with the bleeding, cornflower, ginger and if you have it primrose seeds for congestion, poppy and vervain for pain.” She turned back to Quintus. “You may have to make more than one potion to get the maximum effects from these.”
“Thank you,” Quintus pressed both hands, one over the other, against his chest in gratitude. Star sneezed again as they left the shop.
So Boss and Ma'am are back to civilization, and hot baths and warm soup. It sounds cozy. Hopefully no one will be murdered (she says after watching all the recent Poirot movies in a row).
Sten makes a cute, topical joke about mages in burial crypts. Not only is it an example of the common gossip that is going around Skyrim, but it is also a nice nod at their own recent activities...
And the expectedly awkward meeting with Nurelion to report failure. For even though it was not their fault the phial was broken, it was still a failure. Lil handles it with grace. Honestly Nurelion does too, a lot of people would have simply blown up at her and blamed her for everything. He is dying after all, that's more than enough to make people act badly.
And finally Lil shows some of her alchemical chops, which apparently exceed Quintus'. Well, she has been doing this longer than he has been alive.
Sten makes a cute, topical joke about mages in burial crypts. Not only is it an example of the common gossip that is going around Skyrim, but it is also a nice nod at their own recent activities...
And the expectedly awkward meeting with Nurelion to report failure. For even though it was not their fault the phial was broken, it was still a failure. Lil handles it with grace. Honestly Nurelion does too, a lot of people would have simply blown up at her and blamed her for everything. He is dying after all, that's more than enough to make people act badly.
And finally Lil shows some of her alchemical chops, which apparently exceed Quintus'. Well, she has been doing this longer than he has been alive.
I love the mobile elf detailing shop copper tub on rollers. What a clever and perfectly logical arrangement! And I confess, one I have not really thought of. Buffy tends to encounter more fixed, communal bath facilities in her travels.
To analyze what ingredients are in a tea mixture from tasting it quietly proclaims great skill/experience with herbs – I’m sure that was your intent and you nailed it.
No surprise that Nurelion is irrevocably in his last days. The earlier imp stool remark from Lili did indeed foreshadow the alchemical skill she obviously has.
A sad tale but at least, mission complete.
You paint the weather throughout as the everpresent, powerful and unpredictable threat that it can be. I’m ready to reach for my furs and some hot tea.
To analyze what ingredients are in a tea mixture from tasting it quietly proclaims great skill/experience with herbs – I’m sure that was your intent and you nailed it.
No surprise that Nurelion is irrevocably in his last days. The earlier imp stool remark from Lili did indeed foreshadow the alchemical skill she obviously has.
A sad tale but at least, mission complete.
You paint the weather throughout as the everpresent, powerful and unpredictable threat that it can be. I’m ready to reach for my furs and some hot tea.
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