@SubRosa- Athlain is discovering that he is more like his father than he used to believe. But their attitude toward the gods has always been one point of complete agreement.

I think our cats think THEY should be worshiped--- and we appear to be reinforcing that view......

Yep- Hircine is the "master" of this game, so he gets to define the rules as he chooses- which is still "cheating" as far as I am concerned. And there was a lot of pent-up tension when she FINALLY (believed) she saw the being that has been invading her head and causing her great torment for the last several months....

@Renee- As to why Hircine has made Athynae the object of his... machinations? My take on it, based only loosely on The Lore, is that the Great Hunt is designed to bring together a number of "players," who must battle one another for the "honor" of at last facing Hircine himself. And those players are chosen due to their own prowess in battle. More about who Hircine was seeking will be revealed--- but not yet.

@Everyone- so, finally, a time change day post. I probably missed a bet by not also posting on Leap Day, seeing as how infrequent my updates tend to be. Maybe I can post another on on Pi Day- which is not so far off... For now, let the Hunt proceed.....

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“Open the damned door!” My voice was deep and my hands were relaxed as they grasped the hilt of Dreamer, my beloved katana, but only by way of extensive training. The rest of my body was as tight as the string on my bow. Before Athlain could throw the latch I spoke again.

“Lainie, this is it. If we go forward, there is no turning back.” I knew he understood that; the words were more for myself. My heart was racing and, for the first time, I felt doubt. I doubted my abilities; I doubted Athlain’s abilities; I doubted whether we should do this, face a Daedric prince, on his terms, on his ground. I took a deep breath to push the doubts away. Athlain waited quietly as I composed myself. I don't think I had ever appreciated his ability to be silent as much as I did at that moment. I squared my shoulders and spoke more firmly, “We have to do this; my heart tells me we have no choice. He has caused too much pain and suffering. It is up to us to do whatever it takes to stop him and send him back to where he came from. The only way we can do it is together.”

I took my right hand from Dreamer’s hilt and placed it over his heart. “You have become a great warrior, Athlain. And I am proud to call you my friend.” I smiled as tears pooled but didn’t spill.

I started to pull my hand back and he reached and entwined his fingers with mine. “You are and have always been my best friend. You have been my mentor, my instructor and my greatest adversary, mainly because you refused to give up on me even when I wanted to give up on myself. I want one more promise from you.” He paused and looked into my eyes, his gaze direct and determined. “You must fight to live.”

My breath caught as his words mirrored my thoughts about him. “Then we share that promise, you who would make the sacrifice for me just as I would make it for you; we both fight to live.” I slid Dreamer into her scabbard as Athlain dropped the Gift into its loop and we grasped forearms in a warrior’s oath- and perhaps a pledge of something more, something I did not want to think about just then. Together we said, “On my honor, I fight to live.”

“I love you, 'Thyna.” He smiled, and behind the face of the warrior, I saw again the person I had always known, the Athlain who was mine and no one else's. And just that once, I did not push the feelings aside, but embraced them. But only for a moment; we had a Daedra who needed a lesson about what happened when he invaded our world.

“I love you, Lainie,” I responded. “Now open the damned door!” Once again, I took Dreamer firmly in both hands, my stance relaxed but ready, preparing for Athlain to lift the handle and throw the door wide.

The portal swung open into a cavern of ice, not overly large but with great stalagmites and stalactites of ice obstructing the view in all directions. Athlain looked at me and we both stepped in the same direction. I don’t know why he moved as he did, but I felt drawn, like I was being pulled by an invisible thread. A scent hit my nose, not a lycanthrope, purely human, and I held up my fist for Athlain to stop. I pointed him to the right and gestured that I’d go left, pointing to my nose as I shook my head, trying to indicate silently that it wasn’t a beast, that it didn’t smell beastly. He nodded and moved without a sound. I still didn’t know how he could move that quietly in his giant tin cup, but I was very thankful that he could.

I came around the left perimeter of the cavern and although I could detect Athlain by his scent, I couldn’t see him. I worked my way toward the other smell as quickly and as quietly as I could. Athlain and I both stepped into a small open area simultaneously. A man in a tattered Legion uniform stood close to what was obviously a magical fire, as there was no wood anywhere to be found, but the magic appeared to be dwindling.

“Captain Carius?” Athlain’s voice was deep and carried to the man, who looked up in surprise.

“Agent Treyson; sure is nice to see a familiar face.” I had to admire his calm; I knew he had been missing from Fort Frostmoth for some time. He added, “I was beginning to wonder if this ice cave was going to be my tomb.”

“Not if we can help it, sera. This is Athynae Sarethi,” and he waved toward me. “ 'Thyna, this is the commander I’ve been searching for- Captain Carius.”

My eyes didn’t stop roaming even though I didn’t sense anything else. “Imagine that; Hircine stirring the pot. If he couldn’t lure us one way, he would’ve tried another, the giant, antler-headed pile of racer dung.” I stepped forward, closer to the captain, finally making an effort to recall my manners. “Nice to meet you, Captain. What can you tell us about these caves?” There was no time for small talk; we needed to get on with this.

“Not much, I’m afraid. When I was brought here I was told to stay in this area unless I wanted to die, and considering the beasts that brought me here, I decided I’d wait it out. They gave me enough provisions to get by and there is a trickle of water. Ice doesn't make the best bunk though, and the nightmares …. “ He trailed off before concluding, “One of the beasts told me if I’d just be patient, I would eventually be given a chance at freedom.”

“I don’t know whether Hircine the hound's hind end will free you or not, but you are welcome to join us.” He started to speak and I cut him off. “This is not the Legion and Athlain and I have seen our share of were beasts. We’ve also been informed by the Skaal shaman that what exists here is much worse than what we’ve encountered thus far, so sera, if you aren’t willing to take orders and do what we tell you while we attempt to get you out of here, then I suggest you wait here to see if Hircine will honor his promise.” My tone left no doubt whether this was debatable; my voice was hard and my expression firm. So much for manners.

Captain Carius looked back and forth between the two of us for a moment and like a puzzle piece falling into place he said, “You’re the Arch Mistress' daughter; I've heard of you.”

“Don’t believe everything you hear.” I was imagining all sorts of stories he could have heard.

“You’re the one that took care of that underhanded Hlaalu representative, Ules, several years back. But if that was you…” his words dropped off as he looked at me, calculating my age with his eyes.

Athlain spoke up “Yes Captain, that was her. She was fourteen at the time.”

It was actually Uncle Seth’s blade that ended the deceitful, cheating, corrupt son of a dead scrib, but only a select few knew the truth. And yes, Athlain knew the reality. But I was finding that sometimes, a reputation could be useful. And none of that mattered anyway.

“We need to get moving; I don’t like just standing here.”

As the words left my mouth the stink of were wafted up my nose. “Never mind, we’ve got incoming.” I faced the direction from which the scent was coming in a defensive position.

“Can you tell how many, 'Thyna?” Athlain hissed as he reached to push the captain behind him. The move was so natural, I don't think he even realized what he was doing- protecting someone else.

“Only one, I’m pretty sure. You go low and I’ll go high.”

He nodded.

“Three, two, ...” I let the whisper die as the beast rounded a giant icicle. Athlain took two running steps then went to his knees and slid on the icy floor with the Gift aimed at the beast's kneecap.

With Dreamer in a two-handed grip, I took the same two steps, then waited until Athlain connected. The monster's head came down as its leg collapsed and a diagonal swing of my blade severed its foul head. Once the threat was gone and we rounded the ice that was between us and where the feisty fiend had come from, the passage in front of us seemed to call ‘enter here’. I thought about all I had read in Sosine’s account as well as what Korst had told us.

“Captain Carius, dealing with Hircine’s lapdogs is going to take more than enchanted silver weapons. We need you for backup. If you can use these scrolls it would be a big help.” And I reached into my pack and pulled out several of the paralyze scrolls I had brought. “If all the information we’ve gathered is correct, we will need these. I have a feeling they aren't all going to line up one by one for our convenience.”

Captain Carius stared at me, looking unsure. I could feel my patience slipping. “You are a soldier and you must be a good one because they made you the commander of a fort. This is a different kind of fight, so I need, we all need you to do this, to use these scrolls to slow the beasts down.”

The Captain took the scrolls from me. “Miss Sarethi, I don’t have a problem following orders in a situation I am uncomfortable or unfamiliar with; it’s just been a while since I’ve used any scrolls. I don’t want to put us in more danger.”

I could feel the fingers of my right hand wanting to reach over and tap on the bracer on my left arm, but I couldn't take the chance of releasing my sword. “Just read the scroll as it is written, nothing special. Those scrolls were created by my mother and brother, and they are as close to perfection as could be. These are your weapons, Captain, and we are all three counting on you to keep some of them off of us until it’s their turn to die.” My words were clipped and I was fighting the urge to clench my jaw. I looked toward Athlain, trying to calm myself. This man was acting like Athlain did when he was ten and Mother showed him his first moves with a staff, uncertain, with the possibility of scared. We did not have time for scared. As the thought took shape, I heard the voice that had grown from that uncertain boy, the voice of a warrior,

“Sir- and I say this with all due respect- you are an officer of the Legion. That means you can read. It should also mean you can maintain discipline under pressure.” He was standing at attention as he addressed the captain, his eyes boring into him as if willing him to not only hear his words but to feel them. “Sir, we need you to do this so we can do what we have to do.” His body lost some of its rigidity and his tone changed slightly, “We are placing our faith in you- you need to have faith in us.” He bowed his head, “Respectfully.”

The captain squared his shoulders and returned the small head tilt. “I will not fail you Agent Treyson, Miss Sarethi. You wield the weapons and I’ll handle the magic.” Athlain’s words must have hit the mark, as the captain's expression changed and I finally saw the man who had been entrusted with a frontier fort.

“The two of you have obviously trained together,” he remarked as he stored all but one of the scrolls. That one he held he unrolled and looked over while Athlain replied.

“Yes sir, every day since I started walking, I think,” he held a momentary pause and then added, “except when I was injured, which happened with some frequency.” He gave a short laugh.

“Seems to have taught you how not to be injured, Agent.” Carius’ voice was light in response to Athlain's wry humor.

“Mostly,” I threw in, “except riekling blades.” And I shot Athlain a pointed look. He had the good grace to blush as he lowered his head.

“Captain, for now I think you need to be between us just in case there are attackers to the rear. These caves seem quite narrow.” I started into the passage and they followed.

We proceeded forward as I focused all of my new senses of smell and hearing. We turned a corner and the passageway opened up slightly. Once again the obnoxious smell of were hit me. I held up my fist to indicate “stop,” then backed the captain into a small alcove cut in the ice wall that hopefully Athlain and I could better protect. Even more, I hoped that the captain would be as good as his word with the scrolls. I kept my voice low, not sure how sound might travel in this maze. “We have at least three, maybe four coming. Captain, have a care where you direct those scrolls. If you hit either one of us, you’ll be dinner.”

Athlain checked the straps on his shield and muttered in the same low tone, “I’ll go right and you go left; that will leave the middle open for Captain Carius to cast.” He stood with his shield braced and his mace slightly raised. I looked at the shield again as the beasts entered the more open area in front of us.

I whistled to draw one to me and proceeded to show him my skill with blades. Fighting a beast two feet taller with claws on his hands and feet as well as a mouth full of sharp teeth was never easy, but I showed Hircine’s personal pestiferous misbegotten mutt that three feet of enchanted ebony and almost twenty years of training, were better. I was not looking forward to facing more of them, but knew that would be necessary before we faced the top dog. Because I knew there were several, I had to fight more defensively, waiting for an opening to present itself, one of Sosine's precepts reminding me,

A warrior who wishes to prevail does not attempt the most dramatic blow. Economy in a fight means saving your strength and your life. Allow your opponent to make the grand gesture, the mistake that will end the battle.

Even so, I was breathing hard when he took a swing at my head with his colossal metacarpus. That was what I needed, and I caught his arm just below the elbow with my katana, and while he gaped at his missing extremity, I divested him of his head.

I glance toward Athlain who was just ending his duel with a swing of the Gift to the chest of the offensive varmint. His face was void of expression, other than a determination to see this through, and the obvious strength he put into the blow was incredible, beautiful and brutal as well. I winced at the sight and then movement drew my attention to the third behemoth, who was beginning to recover from the paralyze scroll that the captain had used. Athlain’s shield flashed a reflection from the torches and the thought that had eluded me earlier became fully formed.

“Athlain! Brace your shield!” He never hesitated, just dropped to one knee and set his shield at an angle. I took a running leap and hit the shield with both feet and flipped over the last beast’s head. As I dropped and spun behind him, I severed him from to nape to waist.

As he fell away from my blade, I took a deep breath and detected nothing close. Only then did I release my hold on Dreamer with my right hand so I could brace myself on my knees, taking in great gasps of air trying to refill my depleted lungs of the oxygen they had lost during the fight. Then it registered, a cool feeling of air on the back of my arm and right thigh, along with an even less welcome liquid warmth. That piece of dirty, rotten racer dung had clawed me, and not only that; he’d pierced my armor. The back of my arm was just a covering of leather, but how had the reinforced piece on my thigh been breached? Now, as I thought back to my acrobatic maneuver, I remembered a clawed arm reaching upward. He had used my own momentum against me.

“So, how do you like my platter now, Miss I-Don't-Need-a-Shield?” His teasing voice drew my attention, but I didn’t rise from my stooped position.

“Athlain, that son of a b... beast scratched my leathers.” Meanwhile, I was trying to discern the severity of my wounds. I definitely wasn’t going to pull an Athlain. We couldn’t afford for me to be weakened by an injury, and based on what I could feel, my flesh had taken more than a scratch.

“ 'Thyna?’ I could hear the concern in his voice; I guessed I’d been bent over too long.

Finally! I was wondering what would happen next between these two. Athlain and Thyna. It's been awhile so I'm going to need to refresh. But I do remember they were involved in a quest which got them caught up with Hircine, somehow.

I have a feeling. They'll be fine. In fact, I'm going to make a guess right now, but I won't say it because .. Well because.



Aw, that's touching.

Hmm, who is this captain? I know Daedra can fake their appearances....



Tension builds. Yeah, this captain is clearly uncomfortable with magic. Now why is this? Is it because he's simply uncomfortable, or is it because he is not who he appears to be? He seems petrified. More than he should be. Why is he even in this cave?



I just learned a new word. Pestiferous.

They battle. Thyna is injured. What happened to the captain? Uh oh.

Dreamer is a great name for a weapon. Though I would think of using it for a sap, or other blunt weapon that knocks people unconscious. Of course, Dreamer is also a superhero on the Supergirl tv show (now my favorite).

“I love you, Lainie,” I responded. “Now open the damned door!”
Awesome! Cue the heroic music

I really liked 'Thyna's awareness of the world now being so heavily tied to her sense of smell. It is a subtle cue to her wolfy nature rising.

Captain Carius finally turned up! Cool to finally meet him after all these trials and tribulations.

She was fourteen at the time.
That really drives the point home, all puns intended.

Some nice use of tactics, and morale boosting, by our intrepid trio.

That was a beautiful - indeed superheroic - grand gesture of Athynae's to kill the last beastie. Also exactly what Sosine had warned her not to try, and now she is paying the price for it.

@Renee- Apologies for my long hiatus. Usual mumbled excuses about work and etc. But happy you are still reading. Many thanks.

Captain Carius is one of the... people... who got disappeared from Solstheim in the days prior to the culmination of the Wild Hunt. He is the commander of Fort Frostmoth, and Athlain's mission to the Skaal was originally intended to discover whether they were the ones behind the attack on the fort.

Oh yes, we have fun with obscure or infrequently used words. I think one of my favorites ever was "tatterdemalion," which I lifted from an old DC comic, "The Scarecrow."

@SubRosa- and yes, it would definitely be a good name for a cosh or (I had to see what was meant by this usage the first time I encountered it in Sherlock Holmes) a "life preserver."

Music- this definitely needs a soundtrack.... maybe performed by the Looney Toons Orchestra...?

And the acrobatic maneuver is just an "Athynae" sort of thing... she will explain her reasons, as she sees them soon.

@Everyone- but now, as advertised, a Pi Day post! Athlain finds himself on the other side of the surgeon's tools for once....

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Finding Captain Carius gave me a brief sense of satisfaction. Perhaps success in that task was an omen of success in others. It did not take long for my happiness to change to an Athynae-shaped headache, although I had to agree with her remarks. And she could not help being who she was, nor could she help the strain she was under and how it affected her. Serene's best efforts notwithstanding, 'Thyna would never be a “diplomat,” unless the goal of diplomacy was to cause endless squabbles with whomever she negotiated. Of course, she also did not have a Legion career to consider as I did. And as she “explained” the World According to Athynae to my commander, I saw my career collapsing in flames. Assuming we were not eaten or dismembered or turned into monsters, I imagined a court-martial in my future. I would be charged with insubordination, mutiny, insolence, and mopery and dopery. (I had no idea what that last was, it was a legal term my father used. Apparently, it was akin to “lurking with the intent to loiter” or something.)

On the other hand, if we did survive the test that was immediately in front of us, I might welcome a nice, quiet Legion investigation. The cell would probably be more comfortable than an ice cave, and I would be fed on a regular basis. Better still, even if the Legion did decide to execute me, they wouldn't eat me. Because that would just be wrong.

Once I had gotten the captain settled down, no doubt earning another charge of disrespectful dearth of due deference, I rather hoped we might encounter another of Hircine's “Hounds”. The one we had already met was larger and stronger than the previous beasts, but he had not been any smarter. So another scuffle might redirect Athynae's anger into a more useful channel- and prevent the need for me to intervene between her and my commander again. As it happened, the next fight started well, with the captain proving that he could read, and quite fluently. The narrow confines of the maze also gave us an advantage; so long as we held our ground, no more than two of the over-sized mongrels could come to grips with us. Which was just as well, because three came around the next bend in the ice wall.

One had to hang back, where it became a target for the disabling magic of Captain Carius' scroll. The one that approached me was wiser than his now headless and unlamented brother from the first battle. Rather than charging straight at me, he held back, trying to goad me into stepping forward, a move that would have left Athynae unprotected on that side. I refused the bait, holding my shield high, and drawing the Gift back slightly. As clearly as if I had spoken the words, my stance indicated, “Here I am. Come and get me- if you dare.” The sound of a blade cleaving flesh, followed by a howl of pain and rage told me that Dreamer had done her work, but I resisted the impulse to look. My opponent was unable to do the same, and I took full advantage of his momentary distraction. A sidearm blow of my mace caught him full in the center of his chest. Monster or not, just like a man, many of his important bits were in that vicinity, and the silvered spikes, driven by the weight of the Gift's ebony head, scrambled enough of them to send him to whatever fate awaited such creatures.

I glanced over to see Athynae moving back from yet another headless lycanthrope, somehow avoiding the spray of blood from his neck. That left one, which was now shaking off the paralysis. I held a quelling hand up to Captain Carius; we could not be profligate with the scrolls. And so far, 'Thyna and I had proved more than a match for any single werebeast. The corpses of his comrades created an obstacle for us as well as him, and I was willing to wait. Athynae, however, had an idea to overcome the problem more quickly. “Brace your shield,” she shouted, pointing at the floor. Whatever my thoughts might have been, the time to discuss tactics was not in the middle of a fight for our lives. So I dropped to one knee and angled my shield so that she could launch off of it. As soon as her booted feet hit the shield boss, I pushed up and away, adding momentum to her leap, watching her soar over the head of the befuddled beast. As she did so, she turned a flip in midair and came down with Dreamer in a diagonal slash that sliced the monster nearly in half.

She landed on one knee and put her right hand out to steady herself, much like an acrobat taking a bow following an impressive feat. I could not help but tease her a bit, asking, “So, how do you like my platter now, Miss I-Don't-Need-a-Shield?” She took just a moment too long to answer, and I knew something was wrong. 'Thyna never failed to respond to a quip, even if her response was simply a snort or a punch.

When she finally spoke, her voice was ragged, and not just with annoyance. “Athlain, that son of a b... beast scratched my leathers.” By the time her words registered, so had the sight of the red drops splashing on the icy ground beneath her.

I don't know how I had the presence of mind to ask a question instead of rushing to her side, but somehow, I did. “Are there any more?”

She looked up, her lips white with the effort to hold in the pain. But her nostrils flared and she gave a negative head shake . “None close by. It's safe- for now.”

A part of me knew she would have warned of any immediate danger without being asked. But I also knew she would have berated me if I hadn't. And speaking of berating... “What in the name of Azura was the idea with the flipping, flying tree elf move? He would have been just as dead if you had waited.”

She scowled, but wouldn't meet my eyes. “Not the time, Lainie. Just tell me how bad it is.” And she turned her chin to indicate her right arm and leg.

Ah. So, the truth of the matter was, I did not have a problem with my own blood. The gods knew I had seen enough of it over the years. Injuries to others, though, especially Athynae.... But at least they weren't abdominal wounds, probably just some unfortunate scratches to the muscles, and I could just slap a bandage on them and... I finally quit dithering and looked. And then, what I really wanted was to be somewhere else, to have someone besides me dealing with this. But then I took a deep breath as I remembered all the times the person bleeding in front of me, counting on me to fix it- how often she had patched me back together. Granted, she had usually added a great deal of acerbic commentary to the process, but she never shrank from the task. There was more to healing than mixing potions.

And speaking of potions, I pulled her case to me and ran a quick hand over the vials before selecting two. I gave them to her and said, “Drink those. Healing and cure disease. The second is just in case....” I did not need to say in case of what. She complied after only a brief look at the potions to ensure that I hadn't made a mistake- or tried to dose her with something other than what I had said. After she downed them and handed the empty vials back, she reminded me, “You still haven't answered my question. How bad is it? The longer you stall, the worse I'm going to think it is.”

“Um... your arm is just a bit scratched up. Nasty, but some ointment and a bandage will take care of that. Which is good, since you need both arms to wave that giant skewer around.” It was a sign of my own level of stress that I took the chance of making any remark about Dreamer that might be considered “disparaging.” But doing so bought me a little more time to steel myself to really look at her leg- and the wound that marred its wonderful muscles. And it was then that, in a way, I got part of my earlier wish- the part about being somewhere else- or possibly someone else.

As my eyes took in the damage, it felt as though I had moved to stand just behind and to the left of the confident person who examined the leg wound dispassionately. That fellow did not feel anything much for the person the leg belonged to; he wasn't uncaring, simply detached and professional. His dry, matter-of-fact voice spoke inside my head:

“Three parallel scratches; the fourth claw was stopped by the armor plate inside the leather. Ah! The force of the were creature's swipe, combined with the patient's leap, tore the pocket containing the plates and made a gap. Of the three incised wounds, only the center one is serious. It goes deeper into the muscle as it runs from the back of the knee to just below the buttock. Sutures will be necessary. The unknown person spoke from somewhere inside me, 'You will need to remove your leg armor. Can you manage on your own, or do you need help?' ”

“I can do it for myself. I want to see how that ba... beast managed to penetrate Bryn's plates anyway.”

While she removed the damaged armor, the stranger's hands sorted through the surgical kit with the assurance of long practice, emerging with a needle and thread. Those same hands were steady as they joined the two and then set about the task of cleaning the wound, while warning in a voice that sounded like my father's- “This will probably sting a bit.”

As I watched this... other's hands clean the scratches and apply healing mixtures, I was aware of a constant murmur, a voice rising and falling, but the words were as distant as the stars. The needle dipped and lifted, making fine stitches, the thread drawing the torn flesh back together. Next came bandages, a covering, but not too tight. “This sort of wound needs to breathe,” commented the detached voice. And as the last bit of bandage was tucked and secured, the hands doing the work became my own again. And they began to shake. I bolted up from my knees and felt my stomach do a slow, ominous roll. Athynae's voice broke through my queasiness, “If you are quite done using my leg for a pin-cushion, I would like to get up now. And I could use some help with my armor. It's not like I carry around a spare set, you know. Are you listening to me?”

My response was faint as I slumped against the wall and allowed myself to slide down to the floor. “Can I just rest a moment?” Without a word, Captain Carius passed me a damp cloth to clean the blood from my hands and then reached down to pat my shoulder before turning to resume his post, looking deeper into the maze. Moving as if I was a thousand years old, I gathered all the bloody remnants from the work someone had done using my hands and burned them. No one, not god or man or creature from Oblivion, would be able to use Athynae's own vital fluid against her.

Good job, Lainie!

I get that whole surgeon as other person because that's how I've had to deal with some nasty stuff in veterinary practice, including injuries to humans as well as puppies and kitties. Well done on the procedure!

I did have to chuckle at the clash between the good captain and Thyna. Julian just told me she is volunteering to "investigate" Lainie once again if necessary.

Athynae does not need a shield because Athlain has one for her to use!

Way to go for Athlain overcoming his squeamishness in tending wounds and just getting the job done. Knife wounds can be really unsettling.

This is the first time I've noticed your alternation of viewpoints actually going back over an incident. The timeline before had always seemed progressive, with one character or the other clearly reviewing what just happened. It only confused me briefly, so no problem.

Why does “This will probably sting a bit.” always mean "Prepare for blinding pain!"?

@haute- One would think Athlain would be more... sanguine... about surgery, considering how much he has endured. Still he does manage to find the place in his mind where he can do the work- and where he can simply see it as such, rather than losing it completely. And I think the Julian investigation is just what he has in mind as an alternative to the Wild Hunt....

@SubRosa - And yes... he still does not completely grasp that he IS her "shield"- literally as well as metaphorically. And he just does what instinct and training... and other, more scary, feelings tell him to do.

@ghastley- I can't remember what the process was for deciding to have more... overlap... in this chapter. Or if there even was a decision... But- if so, it was probably because, as we come nearer to the end of things, we wanted to show events from both perspectives as a way to highlight the young warriors' differences- and also their growing understanding of how to work and survive together.

For today, because I hope people have more time for reading (stay SAFE everyone!), and to move things along, I will be posting a double- first from Athynae's perspective and then Athlain's. Goggles on, folks, things are going to be icy.

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Of course, before he could look at my wounds, Athlain had to give me a hard time about the maneuver that had ended the fight. The pain was setting in though, so I did not have the time or energy to argue with him. What he- what we both- needed to focus on was getting me fixed up and back into the fight. Energy. That had been the reason I had taken the chance I did; because we had faced so many of the heavy hounds in such rapid succession. Athlain seemed like a machine, as if he could go on forever, lugging that platter and his steel wood stove without pause. But the tension and the fights, one after another, had sapped my strength.

At least he finally stopped critiquing my style long enough to give me some potions, even though he still seemed to be reluctant to tell me how bad my injuries were. The healing potion brought a blessed wave of relief through me and I took a suspicious glance at the stopper to make sure he hadn't given me something “extra”. And the cure disease mixture was also welcome, even though I thought it might not be needed. After the healing in the cave, an incident that seemed so long ago, something in me had... changed. If, no, when we got back home, I would have to consult with Rah, and possibly even Mother. But that was all in the future. If we were going to have a future, Athlain was going to have to just deal with his problem with other people's blood.

So, of course, he looked at my arm first- exactly backwards from the medical principles we had both learned. The most serious injury first. Stabilize, sterilize, staunch. He seemed to be having trouble with what he claimed was a “scratch,” but he got it cleaned and wrapped. And then, when he got to the leg, there was a long pause, and when he finally spoke, his voice and even his touch was... different. There was no more hesitation, just confidence as he told me to remove my leg armor so he could get to work. Since I couldn't very well sew up the back of my own leg, I did as he asked. Besides, I wanted to see how that monster had managed to breach Bryn's enhancements.

With the armor gone, I rolled a little more to give Athlain the access he needed to stitch up the cut down the back of my thigh. Let’s just say lying on ice in thin breeches that I now only had one full leg of, with the other cut open and also cut away at the hip area, although left under the leg, made me think about how cold my right leg was going to be after I put my armor back on. Which I was going to do as soon as I repaired it. I pulled my tool kit from my pouch and began, best I could from my awkward position, to inspect and repair my beautiful leather armor that Bryn had so diligently and lovingly helped me to reinforce after the first few encounters with werewolves, werewolves that I now knew were just run of the mill over-sized albeit diseased dogs compared to what we had seen in these caves. Hircine’s hounds were huge, strong, and smelled even worse than the ones we had met previously.

“This will probably sting a bit.” I felt his fingers pinching the two sides of the wound together at the top of my thigh. I felt the first jolt of needle piercing flesh and winced. I wished I had brought some of Rahvin’s pain killer ointment, but that would have been a misuse of space in the small medicinal pouches Athlain and I carried. “Do you have to hit every nerve? Could you please try to just hit every other one?” Actually I wasn’t sure what hurt more, his fingers pinching the gap together or the needle piercing and the string pulling through.

‘Focus on the armor, distract yourself.’ The thought was a good one and so I proceeded to inspect closely. “Athlain?”

“Hmm.”

“I think the plates are too small for the pockets inside the leather.” I waited but he didn’t respond. I looked around at his face to an expression I had never seen before. He looked more like his father than himself, complete concentration, eyebrows drawn, eyes squinted as he drew the thread through again. “Where his claw caught there was just enough gap to tear the leather and then it was my momentum against his razor.” I kept chattering as I pulled my stitching awl and strips of leather from my kit. I positioned the plate and started punching to sew up the tear.

“I’ll show this to Bryn when we get out of here so we can rethink the design. It’s good, but either the plates need to be larger or the pockets need to be smaller so the plates fit tighter and won’t move even if the muscle is relaxed, like when I was hurtling over that stinking malignancy’s head.” I got nothing from the man whose fingers were doing a fine job of simultaneously fixing my mistake and torturing me, though I did hear a slight snort from the corner where Captain Carius had stationed himself. I glanced in his direction and I had to applaud his attentiveness to anything but what Athlain was doing. He watched both entrances to our cavern and he held a scroll unrolled and another still rolled but already untied.

“Thank you Captain.”

“Hm? Oh yes, certainly Miss Sarethi. Agent Treyson will have you right as rain in no time, I’m sure.”

He never even glanced in my direction; I don’t know if he was attempting to honor my modesty or if he felt the same way about blood as Athlain. Yes, I was aware of his skittishness about anyone’s blood but his own. He was doing an admirable job of rising above it.

I felt the strips of cloth as he wrapped the injury while I put the last stitches in my armor. I pulled my leg toward me and then straightened it to test the range of movement- and to gauge whether I would be able to stand the pain. It moved easily, too much so, in my opinion. “Why didn’t you wrap this tighter? I mean I know it needs to breathe, but not right now. Not until this is over. Right now it needs to be almost tight enough to stop circulation to support your lovely seam work.”

He still wasn’t with me. He did appear less strained, but was not on the planet with us; he was totally focused on finishing his work. I smiled inside at the look on his face, determined not to be affected by the sight of blood, my blood, until he was quite done with the process. He finished and used water to wash the blood off of his hands. He then wrapped everything that was bloody in a piece of oiled cloth and struck the flint to burn it. I watched as he slowly returned to himself.

And I could not help but respond to the more familiar Athlain in my usual way. “If you are quite done using my leg for a pin-cushion, I would like to get up now. And I could use some help with my armor. It's not like I carry around a spare set, you know. Are you listening to me? Did you hear anything I said?” I asked with one eyebrow quirked.

“Pardon? Um, you said something?” He walked slowly to the wall, turned, leaned against it and slid to the floor. “If you could just give me a moment to rest, I find that working as a healer is rather tiring.”

“Rather tiring?” Words that I would never have imagined coming out of his mouth. No one we knew talked like that. Now I was beginning to be concerned about him. “Lainie, are you okay? What’s wrong?”

“Oh nothing, nothing at all, just enough of your blood to supply a whole new body, a slice down your leg from your….” he let his words trail off as he closed his eyes and leaned his head back, taking deep slow breaths. “ 'Thyna, I have only seen you injured a few times and most of those were bruises, maybe a couple of broken bones, but never could I have even imagined an injury like that to you. You promised we fight to live; do you remember that? It wasn’t that long ago.”

“Of course I remember that and that’s what I was doing! I was getting tired and I certainly didn’t have it in me to go another full round with one of those abominable animal anomalies. I saw what I thought was a way to end the fight quickly and I took it, avoiding the wall of death between me and him. Fortunately the fortifications in my armor saved me from death, but unfortunately, they weren’t quite as breach proof as I thought. Now we know.”

Athlain’s eyes were closed as he continued to breathe deep and slow. “Yes Athynae, now we know.” He lowered his head and finally looked at me, fear, anger, frustration, love- it was all there as if the words were written in the air between us. “Please refrain from anymore acrobatic air assaults on the rabid hounds. I don’t think I could do what I just did again.”

I was caught between being angry at him for being upset with me and sympathizing with him for all the times I had sewn him up. “I will not do that again, but more because I would end up ripping out the stitches you just put in than anything else. The next time I pull a move like that it will be more successful.”

“Of course it will.”



The problem was, we could only rest for a short time- certainly not long enough for a serious wound to heal. But we all agreed it was better to take the fight to the Hounds than to let them swarm us under. Athynae's enhanced senses- which we depended on, even as we avoided talking about them- told us that many more of the creatures still roamed the maze. I could only hope that Hircine's miscalculation in giving her those abilities was a sign of fallibility and perhaps even vulnerability. In battle, winning often comes down to who makes the fewest mistakes. But that doesn't mean you can just stand still; failure to act decisively is the worst mistake of all.

We had already committed our own error, and it was only good fortune or divine providence that the Hound's razor claw had missed the artery in 'Thyna's leg. Even so, her movement was restricted, especially after she forced me to wrap the bandages tighter. “I need the support more than the air,” she said. “And besides, the ointment and cure disease potion should fight any chance of infection, at least for a while.” She seemed to turn her gaze inward, as if she could discern how her body was handling the injury, before adding, “And I think... infection may not be a problem anyway. Now let's get on with this.” She did that rapid, reflexive check of her weapons, a ritual that was as natural to her as breathing. Then, limping only a bit, she stepped into the unexplored passage, Dreamer leading the way, the blade's dark surface seeming to drink the light from the torches. Captain Carius looked from Athynae to me and shook his head with a slight smile, then checked the scrolls he carried and fell in behind her, leaving me as the rear guard.

Uncounted twists and turns, and some twenty lycanthropes later, the maze opened out into a central chamber, in which there was a large granite block, a closed gate... and three more Hounds barring our way. They were looking outward and maintaining their spacing, so a paralyze scroll would only catch one at best. That might be enough, if we could get the others to come to us. At least the breeze was blowing out from the gate, meaning they hadn't sensed us... yet. But we were all feeling the effects of the long series of fights and exhaustion was not far away for any of us. We could not afford a drawn out fight with fresh enemies- if they worked in concert, they would wear us down and disable or kill us one by one.

Desperate times..., I thought to myself before pointing to Carius and then to the beast at the far left. The captain nodded his understanding and I held up a hand to indicate he was to wait. Next, I tapped 'Thyna lightly on the arm and pointed to the remaining two, adding a throwing motion and then closing and opening my fist rapidly several times. In the signal system we had developed, that meant “throw everything.” She frowned at me and I could read her thoughts- “Who put you in charge?” Followed by, “And what are you up to, anyway?” I gave the only answer I could to her unspoken questions, touching my heart and then hers. She would either accept it and trust me, or not. I awaited her decision, knowing that more than the outcome of this fight depended on the answer.

Her expression cleared and she covered my hand with her own before nodding once. I nodded back and she released my hand, reaching both of hers to palm stars and darts. I looked from from her to Captain Carius and raised my hand for just a second before dropping it to the Gift in a chopping motion. The spell flew true, finding its mark, as did Athynae's missiles. The leftmost beast froze in mid step, before toppling to the ground. The others, punctured and pummeled by numerous projectiles, whirled and snapped, no doubt feeling as if the very air was attacking them. By themselves, the thrown weapons would not kill the Hounds, but the silver and the various poisons would burn and distract and slow them.

Before the barrage was even over, I stepped fully into the room and spoke, something I never did in combat. But I wanted to enrage them even more, to keep them from thinking or from recognizing our weakness. “You are all that is left of your pitiful pack. The others have gone howling and sniveling to their deaths. I will take your ears as trophies, just as I did the teeth of your brothers.” I rattled my half of the Totem of Claw and Fang; they could not tell at that distance just what sort of teeth I was shaking at them. Athynae stepped up on my right and added, “The smoke from your burning corpses will be a beacon for all of Tamriel, a sign that your master has failed.” They charged.

I had gotten what I wanted; I only hoped we could survive it. With the prospect of imminent howling fanged death rapidly approaching, my fatigue fell away. I knew that was only temporary, so I matched my advance to that of the one on the left, closing the distance. 'Thyna circled wider to the right, moving well on her injured leg. The Hounds were still having problems with their many small cuts and punctures, despite their unnatural resistances. The silver stars were especially painful to them, continuing to burn their way into their hides. And the Hounds could not pull them out, as they lacked thumbs in their were form.

I added to my attacker's misery by bashing him hard in the face with my shield, causing his over-sized teeth to clack together. I hoped he had bitten his tongue, and wondered if he did, whether that appendage would grow fur when the moon was full. I followed my whimsical thought with a swing of the Gift that ruined his left... elbow and caved in some ribs. Then I swung the edge of my shield up into his already abused muzzle and pounded a second blow into his left side. Without his now useless arm to deflect the impact, it was fatal. Still, I made sure by crashing one more strike onto his head as he fell.

A glance to my left showed Captain Carius rising from beside the paralyzed lycanthrope, his silver dagger dripping blood. That left 'Thyna. I turned my attention to her part of the fight and my heart stopped. She was down on her left knee, letting it support most of her weight. But then I saw that her position was by design, rather than another injury. By making herself smaller, she protected her wounded leg and also negated the Hound's height advantage, forcing him to bend in order to reach her. And that made his forelimbs vulnerable to Dreamer's razor edge. In fact, when I looked to him, his right arm was already severed at the elbow and a flick of the katana removed his left paw, as well. When he made to retreat, Athynae swung a hard horizontal blow from left to right and chopped both his legs out from under him. As he dropped, she stood gracefully and delivered the death blow, removing his head cleanly, saying, “A foretaste of what your master can expect.”

She wiped her blade on his fur and then went about the task of retrieving her projectiles. I turned to my former opponent and engaged in the same gruesome task. The thought passed through my mind that it had been a lot cleaner when we just pulled them out of targets, or on one memorable occasion, the walls of a conference chamber Under Skar. After making certain that the beasts would stay dead, we looked around uncertainly. I idly tested the gate, but it was locked. I asked Athynae, “You didn't come across a key, did you? I mean, I know they don't exactly have pockets, but...”

My bewilderment was interrupted by Captain Carius, who cleared his throat and pulled a glowing key from inside his breastplate. “I was told- if you got this far- that I was to give you this, and my part would be done. I am also to tell you that you may turn back at this time, and not participate further. It has been an honor and a privilege- I hope to see you both at Fort Frostmoth.” And with that, he handed me the key, turned and seemed to step through a rent in the air.

I blinked a couple of times and then asked Athynae, “Are there any more... beasts?”

She paused to test the air and then said, “None. We are safe for the moment.”

“That's good; it means I can take a look at that leg.”

“What leg?”

“Your leg! The one with the great bloody gash down the back? 'What leg?' Really?”

She folded her arms and protested, “You just want to get my armor off.” When she realized what she had said, her face darkened and she choked, “That didn't come out like I meant it to.” Then she returned to form, saying, “And anyway, my leg is fine and....” She stopped and her face got a peculiar look, then she flexed the wounded leg tentatively, followed by a more vigorous movement. “That's strange. It actually does feel fine; a little stiff, but no more than after a long sparring session.”

I nodded, even though I did not actually understand, and said, “So... you see to your wounds... and I will... ah, prepare our bedding and some food while you do that.” Her remark about me just “wanting to get her out of her armor” was causing me some difficulties and I could feel my ears burning.

I would want to get her armor off too...

Picking up the pieces and then pushing on to what will hopefully be the final showdown. I certainly hope someone gets laid once it is done... Yes, I am looking at you 'Thyna and 'Lain...

you are so good at subtle humor, dog. I find myself laughing quite a lot at these tales.



Ah jeez! You could probably do standup comedy if you haven't got stage fright!

Good lord, she just did a flip in mid-air. You've got a Xena clone in your story. Well it's good he was able to detach himself and let that other bystander sew his partner up.



Ha ha!

That's weird. The Captain just disappears after delivering that key. I love all the awkwardness between Thyna and Athlain.

@SubRosa- Yeah, Athynae's sexuality is another one of those aspects of herself she does not understand. Perhaps, although we never intended such consciously, she is somewhere on the spectrum.... And too, we have kind of maintained an unspoken concept of the long-lived (elves) that, because of their increased life-span, they can be extremely nonchalant about reproduction- as in, "there will be time for that later."

@Renee- The humor is important to us- I need it in my life, as well as my writing, especially to relieve fraught situations. And I am pleased that the humor has the desired effect- making people laugh is a goal I try to achieve, preferably in a surprising way. Athynae's acrobatic move made perfect sense to her in the moment, as she tried to explain. I have a feeling it will be one of the unresolved arguments between the duo as to whether it was really a good idea. Captain Carius is given a choice (and also gives the player character a choice) to escape the maze (and the Bloodmoon main quest). We modified it just slightly to give him more of a role in providing the literal key to the next stage.

And now for a moment of calm- at least in the physical realm- before we meet someone else caught up in these events.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

I repeated the words in my head to analyze what I’d meant instead of what had escaped from my undisciplined mouth. ‘You just want to get my armor off’ . My brain repeated it again and I felt my face heat... again. That sort of mental loop was a habit I had tried for years to break. Words, once spoken, were like an arrow released from the string; they flew to their mark and you could not draw them back. Of course, my arrows always hit as I intended, but my words.... I shook my head, not unlike Mother when one of us did something wrong and yet still amusing.

I dislodged the introspection and removed my leg armor to check the wound, as best I could, which mostly meant by touch. My fingers probed and encountered... stitches. But where was the “great bloody gash” Athlain had just mentioned? It was all but gone.

“Athlain, I think I need you to remove these stitches before they become permanent.”

“Don’t be ridiculous; it’s only been a few hours.” He continued to prepare our bedrolls close together. Unfortunately it was necessary to share body heat in the ice caves. Not that he wasn't pleasantly warm, but.... just never mind!

“No, seriously; if I could do it myself, I would.” And I put my hands on my hips. I’m sure I made quite the picture standing there in an ice cave with one leg fully covered and the other bare to the top of my thigh.

Athlain looked up, turned twenty-seven different shades of red and dropped his head. “Come over here and lie down on the pallet.” He cleared his throat twice, then squeaked, “It won’t be quite as uncomfortable as the ice floor.”

I followed his directions and laid down on the fur and blanket pallet he’d made. I felt his fingers as they checked the injury that didn't seem to be there anymore. “ 'Thyna, it almost looks like the stitches are there for no reason.” The awe in his voice mirrored my own feelings.

“I don’t have any answers to why, but I would appreciate you removing them before they set up residence and plant a garden.” I knew I sounded defensive, but try lying in that position with someone's hands running up and down your leg and see how composed you can be.

He snickered as he pulled a small, razor sharp knife and tweezers out of the medical supply pouch. I was prepared for stinging as he cut and pulled the thread, but it wasn’t anything more than a slight pull as the stitching slid free. Once he was done, I practically leapt to my leathers, my objective two fold, warmth and modesty.

“ 'Thyna, how is that possible?” He sounded like he still didn’t believe what he’d seen.

“I looked at the vials of potions you gave me; they both held my mark, so it wasn’t the potions. If it had been one of Mother’s or Rahvin’s I could easily attribute it to that and wouldn’t even be shocked. But after that beast rent my armor and gashed my leg, besides the pain of the injury, I felt nothing. Before- in the cave, after that misbegotten mongrel attacked me, I could feel the disease. So I should have felt the same, because this wound was a lot worse.”

“Maybe the cure I gave you made you immune.” I could see a hopefulness in his eyes, a wish that something had gone right since I’d been rendered night blind because one of the witches or one of the Daedric delinquents had altered the spell to create the potion that cured my lycanthropy. That wasn’t his fault, though he felt it was. He had practically moved a mountain to save an innocent girl, even while he was trying to save me.

“Probably, along with Azura’s…,” I paused and thought and said, “Azura’s intervention.” I smiled. “That’s it Lainie; she’s doing what she can to help us.”

He nodded, though the expression on his face held doubt. “If you say so. I mean, obviously someone did something for a gash that ran from your, ah, your,” his face was distorted and red again. He pointed to the lower part of his backside, “Here to the back of your knee and a finger joint deep or more to heal you in a few hours.”

“Azura is the only one who could or would do that. My healing potions are pretty good, but they aren’t that good. I know Rah hasn’t discovered anything that would make a healing potion that much better. Not from lack of trying, mind you.”

“That’s as good an answer as any, I suppose. Warm jerky broth?” He’d heated the water with a spell and softened the jerky in a cup of water with extra seasoning. It would stem the hunger, though the taste was tolerable at best. The nice part was that the heated cup warmed my hands through my gloves.

“Thank you.” I tried to encompass every thank you I might have missed over the past, I wished I could say few hours, but in truth I was trying to cover an entire lifetime.

“You’re welcome.” The slight hitch in his voice meant he’d heard the depth of my appreciation even if he couldn’t fathom how much it was for.

We ate and drank our dinner and were happy to have something to at least mitigate our hunger. Athlain had tucked out pallets under an overhang that gave an unimpeded view of both the entrance to the cavern as well as the barred gate to the next maze of magical biting beasts. The layer of fur under the pallets blocked some of the cold and we positioned ourselves close together, but still allowing each of us a good line of sight. When Captain Carius had told us that we could go with him, quit this insane game, a part of me had been tempted to tell Athlain to flee, to go with his commander; finish his Legion career and live a full life. But I hadn't, because I finally understood something.

For him to be the person, the warrior we had both wished for him to be, I had to believe. Because if I believed, so would he. At last, I saw where so much of my own strength and certainty had originated, not from my belief in myself, but from Athlain's unswerving trust and confidence in me.

So when it came time to sleep and he said, “You first,” using his Legion Officer voice, rather than argue, I just nodded and closed my eyes. I was asleep I think before my eyes were fully shut; I was beyond exhausted.

I woke with a thumping in my ear and opened my eyes only to realize I’d rolled over and my head was on Athlain’s chest. I slowly raised my head and looked at his face. The strained smile and slightly raised eyebrows, along with the taut muscles in his neck, gave me a reason to extricate myself and mumble a quiet, “I’m sorry,” as I re-positioned myself to take watch so he could sleep.

“It’s okay, 'Thyna. Your sleep was peaceful and I was warm, so nothing to be sorry for.” His voice wasn’t as strained as his expression had been only a moment before.

‘Well, it certainly wasn’t intentional.” I hadn’t meant to sound so harsh. “Get some rest. We need to get on with this.” Softer at least, but still needed work. “Sleep Lainie; it’s my turn to guard you.” That was as good as it was going to get.

“Thanks,” he murmured as he slid down under the blanket. I eased myself up to lean against the wall with Athlain’s back against my legs. I pulled out the darts and stars that I had used and started cleaning and sharpening them. The darts I tipped with poison before tucking them safely back into their tiny sheaths. The sheaths I could wear in my belt, tuck in a pocket or hide in my hair. A flick of the thumb that had become second nature freed them from the hardened leather sleeves. Done with that, I cleaned and checked Dreamer for nicks. Of course, there were none; there never were, but it was a habit I didn’t want to break.

Soft snores were the music of my solitude, and I caught myself absently playing with Athlain’s hair. It was longer than I had ever seen it and hung in loose curls down to his shoulders. I watched as the waves floated against my hands, light brown, darker brown and golden threads of silky softness passing through my fingers like water. I inhaled a deep breath of essence of Athlain, steel, leather, lavender and sweat. It was a comfort, sitting in an ice cave not knowing what was next, what we would encounter once we opened the gate that seemed to glare at me from across the grotto. Right now, though- this minute- I was encased in a moment of peace and calm. I needed the waking calm as much or more than the regeneration sleep had offered.

A thought slammed home as I replayed the battles Athlain and I had fought since I came to this ghastly island. Athlain, with all of his childhood struggles to learn how to fight with weapons or without, had surpassed me as a warrior. I had been the one practically born with bow and sword in my hands and yet here we were. He had overcome physical challenges, parental challenges, his own inner demons, risen above them all, to use the strength of his body in concert with his steel trap of a mind.

“What’s wrong?” Athlain jumped up, startling me. “ 'Thyna?”

“What?” I was confused by his words. Maybe he’d been dreaming.

“Why are you crying? What is it?”

I laughed. I hadn’t realized I was crying, but I reached and touched my face and it was almost as wet as if I’d splashed it with water. “It’s nothing. I’m sorry if I woke you. You were sleeping so tranquilly.”

“You didn’t wake me; it was time to get up. I’ve slept enough,” he assured me and then, stern as Uncle Trey, asked again, “Why are you crying?” And there was fear in his eyes.

“Honestly?”

“Yes!” he insisted.

“I was thinking about you, about how proud I am of you and even more proud that I can call you friend. A boy who couldn’t wield a sword, who fought everything and everyone, including his parents, his fear of disappointment in himself or of disappointing anyone else for that matter. A boy who grew into a man, an officer of the Legion, and has become the greatest warrior of our time.”

I rose and started rolling up the bedding and tying it as he moved to do the same with his pallet. I glanced at his face while he worked; the expression was one I’d not seen before, so it was hard to decide exactly what he was thinking. I took a sip of water from my flask and let him finish tying everything. “Are you okay?” I smiled at him and poked his shoulder.

“Stunned I guess is the word,” was all he said for long moments as we gathered and donned our gear. “I think you’re wrong, but thank you for the compliment.” His face was serious. “If you’d faced all that I have in the months that I’ve been here,” his voice dropped for a moment. “No, not even that. I believe as I have always believed, that the honor is yours.”

I chose to allow the conversation to end. As long as he felt I was best and I felt he was best, it meant together we were a force beyond compare. Whether that had been the true objective from the beginning, and if so who was behind it, could be pondered later; right now we had a Daedric prince to hunt down and stop. This madness had gone on quite long enough.

“Forward then?” I asked with a smile.

“Forward,” and he slid the key into the gate that led to the next maze of magical monsters.

We peered into the frigorific cavern. I was sensing something beastly, but it wasn’t quite the same pungent odor as the were beasts we had faced in the ice caves, so I said nothing, choosing to see exactly what waited in the frozen darkness. Athlain stepped through first, and I balked, but then shook my head at myself. My realization meant that I had to concede leadership and accept this as the partnership it was and in reality had always been. Athlain was in warrior mode, so I stepped in just behind and to the left of him.

We both saw someone ahead with his back to us, apparently studying the choice of tunnels. The man, obviously Skaal, turned and as he did, the odd sort of were scent wafted across my senses again and Athlain, who had been warrior tense, eased his stance somewhat. I remained alert, the scent making me wary but curious. I watched as Athlain stepped forward and spoke.

“Tharsten Heartfang, I greet you.” He gave a slight dip of his head. So this was the Skaal Chieftain that had disappeared. I also came to the conclusion that he, Tharsten, was one of the other contenders that Hircine had referenced when he introduced himself to us and explained the rules of the game. I wasn’t quite ready to evaluate precisely what that meant for Athlain and me.

The Skaal Chieftain glared at Athlain and growled. “You? What are you doing here, Legion pup?” I gripped Dreamer’s hilt a little tighter and shuffled a small step only to watch as his eyes seemed to lose focus or perhaps see beyond, then widen a fraction. “You...carry the Totem? How is that possible? You are not Skaal.” Then he turned those wild eyes toward me and I had to suppress a shiver. “And you are marked by the Spirit Bear.” He dropped to one knee, even though it was clear the gesture warred with his pride. “Though neither of you are Skaal, you carry the future of my people in your hands and in your hearts. If you will allow it, I will fight by your side.” He touched his fist to his chest and offered his forearm to Athlain for a warrior’s clasp. Athlain grasped the offered forearm and helped the shaggy Skaal to his feet, not stepping back, though the chieftain towered over him.

“We would be honored to have you fight with us.” The many sides of Athlain came to the fore again. He had always possessed an ability to match his demeanor to whatever group or individual he encountered. I’d seen my share of his ‘Legion persona’, but only a small hint of the Skaal version until now. He wore the tribal mantle as well as he wore his Legion uniform or the steel plated armor beneath it.

I was still battling the beast part of the scent that was cascading off of Tharsten but decided, for now anyway, I would allow the honesty in his eyes to hold sway. I would not let my guard down, but we would proceed and I hoped that he would be true to his word and not turn on us.

“There are three tunnels; the one to the far right is a dead end. The other two I haven’t searched yet.” Tharsten gestured to the tunnels as he spoke.

I stepped forward to each opening. “The left tunnel is our path; the scent is undeniable.” And I shot a pointed look at Tharsten. The message registered in his eyes and he gave me an almost indiscernible nod. Athlain appeared unaware of the communication between us as he stepped forward.

“Shall we?” And he waved toward the frigid opening.

“Tharsten Heartfang.” They both looked at me as I put command into the voice. “Please lead the way.”

Athlain sent me a questioning look before Tharsten replied. “Aye, Keeper of the Spirit Bear, t’would be an honor to guide your way.” And he stepped into the icy tunnel.

I stepped to Athlain’s side and whispered. “Do not let your guard down.” And I followed the Chieftain onto the icy path as Athlain took the rear guard position. The twists and turns were narrow at points, some places so tight it was difficult for the Skaal Chieftain and Athlain to squeeze through. As we scuttled and shuffled through, a thought stood out starkly against the rest. How could a man dressed in animal skins and furs make so much noise when another dressed in metal plating from head to toe made little to none? And then the time for idle thoughts was gone, for the overwhelming scent, parfum d’were, was suddenly as thick as smoke.

“Chieftain!” I hissed

He turned, touched his own nose and nodded, “Aye Keeper, I smell ‘em” His voice carried pride. That was when I knew he would fight with and and for us. I wasn't sure how I knew, but I was as certain of that as I was of Athlain. The beasts were ahead of us and stood, ranged in a semi-circle, facing our direction. There were at least half a dozen and I feared that this was the end. With Captain Carius' help and Athlain's considerable skill- along with my own- we had barely survived three of the monsters. With twice that many confronting us, we would be harried and hemmed and at last brought down like prey. No. Not without a fight. We might die here, but we would die on our feet. I tightened my grip on Dreamer and made ready to send a thought to Athlain, when Tharsten spoke from his place at the fore, “Tell our people I fought for them and for you, Keeper of the Spirit Bear and Legion Friend of the Skaal.” And with that, he threw himself into their midst as he transformed into the largest, most fearsome werewolf I had ever seen or could have imagined.

Athlain and I engaged in the battle from the periphery, as well as we could. It was a roiling, snarling tangle of teeth and claws, and I shot silver tipped arrows and hurled stars and darts as fast as I could palm them, knowing getting into the middle of that fray would be a death sentence. Athlain ranged the perimeter, watchful for other enemies, and also landing blows of the Gift where he could. But the Chieftain, larger than the attacking pack, threw the beasts down like toys until only two stood to face him while another lay writhing on the floor with an arrow protruding from one shoulder and Athlain’s black dagger buried to the hilt in his back. Tharsten, bleeding from more wounds than I could count, went to his knees and I dropped my bow, pulled Dreamer free and dove in, taking the head of the one on the floor as it tried to grab my ankle. Athlain slugged one of the standing beasts in the side of the head and I flashed to Rahvin telling the story of a tomb and a skeleton and Athlain using his staff to send the skull across the dungeon. Tharsten, rose with a roar, ripped an arm from the last and then collapsed just as Athlain smashed it in the snout with his dinner plate before serving the head a taste of silver and ebony tenderizer.

Tharsten's form returned, his body mutilated from the beasts he’d destroyed. How he could still live with those horrible injuries I could not fathom, but he did. He locked eyes with me as he gasped, “I took his ring, thinking it would give me an advantage, a way to keep my people safe. A choice I now regret. I believe you understand, Keeper.” I nodded. I did understand, but I didn’t know how he knew.

“I hope that your stories will say I fought with honor for my people.” His voice was growing weak and raspy. “The two of you are the Chosen; only you can send him back. Defeat the beast, for the survival of the Skaal depends on it, as does yours. Blessings, Legion Friend and Keeper. I go to Sovngarde,” he whispered and he was gone.

I reached to close his eyes with the hand marked by the Spirit Bear and as I touched his face, a small glowing orb floated from it, first to my face then to Athlain’s, before it shimmered into the ice above our heads.

Wow. So Tharsten has transformed? Boy, am I glad he’s on our side!

To back up a little bit, an adorable interlude between Thyna and Lainie. That little bit of “You’re the best - No you’re the best” reminded me of the Kdrama trope “I love you more - no I love you more - no, I love you most!”

And we continue forward,

It looks like Athynae inherited some regeneration for her troubles, along with that heightened sense of smell. I guess that might be a fair trade off for losing her night vision.

Athynae's musings about Athlain really catch us up with who he was when all this started, and who he is now. I think they call that character development, or something like that...

I admit that I had to look up what frigorific means.

That was touch and go with Tharsten for a few moments there. He certainly proved himself at the end. As Haute noted, good thing he is on their side!




nits:
‘You just want to get my armor off’ .
You have a space there between 'Thynas off' and Laine's period.

“ 'Thyna, how is that possible?”
Same here

@haute- In the game world (and here also, though it is not revealed), Tharsten is the keeper of Hircine's Ring. I included what I decided might be his justification for doing so, along with reminding myself that not everyone feels the same way about lycanthropy as the A and A team. And yes, they can't help being sweetly funny- even if they would both reject the notion....

@SubRosa- As will be seen eventually, there are other forces at play beyond Hircine and Beothiah and whoever else has decided to take an interest. That's the trouble with the gods- when they get bored, the result tends to be cataclysmic for the mortals... And the biggest thing I wanted from the beginning of this long journey was for Athlain to... grow. And yes- my co-author contributed "frigorific"- I had to look it up, as well. Tharsten- like all the other "non-player characters," I wanted to give him more dimension. In the actual game, the player has to fight him- either at the first encounter, or when he "betrays" their alliance a little later. I decided to give him a better death, as well as better reasons for his existence than just being "mini-boss number 58." Punctuation repuncted.

@Everyone- A somewhat longer post this time, but one I hope you will like. Athlain philosophizes, Athynae cooks, and somehow, they both survive.

-------------------------------------------------------

Tharsten's death forced me to think about courage in a way I never had before. It was something I had given a great deal of thought as I strove to become a warrior- a quality I admired and hoped that I possessed. The truth was, I had not much liked the Skaal chieftain. He had distrusted me, forced me to take responsibility for judgment and death over a man I did not know, tested and insulted me- and then, he had sacrificed himself to save us and his people. There could be no doubting his courage, even if he was anything but a “nice man.” His choices were not the ones I would have made, but I was not the leader of a tribe of hunters who lived with the very real chance of death every single day. And Korst had told us that the Skaal had a different view of Hircine than we did. Despite the notions of “knightly virtues” I had still held onto after all my time on this ice-bound island, I was finding reality much more complicated.

A person did not have to be “kind” or “courteous” to be brave. In fact, they did not even have to be “good.” Evil men could be just as brave as anyone else, because morality had little to do with strength of will or the ability to stand fast in the face of danger. And I remembered some of the less “romantic” stories of heroes, including the fact that a number of them had unsavory habits and could be downright rude and abrasive. Of course, if I chose to model my social behavior after them, my mother would clout me across the side of the head, even if she had to stand on a chair to do it.

We could not give Tharsten the sort of funeral he had earned, but we still made a pyre for him, with the heads of his defeated enemies stacked below his feet. As we prepared his corpse, making sure to place his sword in his hands, we found the key to the next gate hung on a strip of leather around his neck. And then we doused all the bodies with oil and lit the fire. We moved away from the awful smoke and did not speak as the flames did their work. When the pyre had burned down, we scattered the charred bones of the lycanthropes, but there was nothing of Tharsten to be found, not even the sword. I could only conclude that his dying words were true- he had gone to Sovngarde.

So now we had the key to the final gate. I had a feeling that more had passed from Tharsten to Athynae than his acknowledgment of her connection to the Spirit Bear, but if so, she was not ready to talk about it. There was no point asking; she would work out her feelings and thoughts and tell me when she had done so. Therefore, I did some thinking of my own, only out loud.

“Based on what we have seen, and what we know from Sosine, Captain Carius, and Korst- these have been the “preliminary matches,” designed to choose a champion.” I put up a hand to mark off on my fingers, “We also know that the Hounds took us, Captain Carius, and Tharsten. I was in the Skaal village for that last, but did not realize what had happened. And remember, Dulk- or else his evil brother- said that 'wolf mens' came for Karstaag, too.”

Athynae nodded her agreement and followed my reasoning, “So you think the giant is on the other side of this next gate.” She ran her hands over her weapons, a subconscious aid to the thought process. “And if he is, he is the last one left before the horrible horned horror himself.”

“I think so, yes.”

“And if that's so, he is probably going to be the hardest opponent we will face- unless you think we can form an alliance with him?” Her tone held more wishful thinking than belief. The constant fighting, the struggle to keep both of us alive and relatively uninjured, the unexpected failure of her tactics and her armor enhancements- all of it had made her weary. She had always wanted to be a warrior, but I think her vision of what that meant had been like mine- unrealistic. We had competed in tournaments, with rules and time limits, and most of all, with everyone able to go home at the end of the day.

But this- this unrelenting, grinding, life or death at every turn- bloodbath.... I think both of us had somehow thought that the “Hunter's Game” would be like a version of those far-off tournaments. We (or one of us) would face and defeat Hircine, and then we would go home and the world would be as it had been. And then I looked at the... woman, which I was rather startled to realize Athynae had become while I wasn't paying attention.... I looked at her and understood that some aspects of our lives would never be as they were before. Solstheim and all that it represented had become an impassable mountain range between our childhood and whatever would come after. I decided not to go too far down that path right then. It confused me and we needed to survive this next encounter and the one after it. Letting myself get tangled up in thoughts of some distant, hazy future might well jeopardize my having any future at all.

Meanwhile, 'Thyna had asked a question, and had waited with uncharacteristic patience while my mind decided to go on a side excursion. “Um. Karstaag. Alliance. Yes, right. Probably not. I wish I had asked Korst more about him, but when he wasn't in the castle, I forgot.”

She raised an eyebrow and tipped her head to look at me a bit sideways with a small smile as she corrected, “When you tried to choke Korst, you mean.” She shook her head. “Lainie, I know you believe you have to think of everything, plan for every possibility- but it doesn't work like that.” She held up her hands to indicate the ice maze in which we stood. “The best you can do is rely on your training, your instincts, your skill, and-,” she put her hand on my heart, a gesture that gave me more comfort than I think she knew, “on your best friend. And that being so, I like our chances against this Karstaag, whatever he is. Probably just an extra large, extra grouchy grahl. And we handled a whole herd, or huddle, or muddle- of those in the Feast Hall. If we don't know what he is, he doesn't know anything about us, either.”

“So,” she raised her hand to pat my cheek, “you will make sure our enchantments are at full charge, while I put the potions we might need within easy reach. And we will both check our weapons and armor, then eat something, and get some rest.” She gave a last whimsical smile. “Who knows? Maybe Karstaag will get bored and wander off.”

I wasn't quite sure what to do with this new version of Athynae. Ever since her tearful, joyful statement that she believed I was the better warrior, she had seemed... lighter somehow. She was no less deadly or effective, as our most recent encounter with the Hounds had shown, but now there was a calm that tempered her usual certainty. The truth struck me like a thunderbolt- her demeanor resembled that of Seth. Perfectly centered, perfectly calm, with unfathomable violence lurking beneath the placid surface. For the moment, I kept that thought to myself.

Meanwhile, we did as she had suggested, completing all the preparations we could. The familiar routine of armor maintenance and setting up a camp, even the less-than-appetizing broth, was reassuring. I looked at my bowl somewhat cross-eyed and mused, “You know, I wish your brother had made some of his 'guar cubes' for people before he moved on to something else.”

Athynae raised her eyebrow, the left one, a sign that I would continue at my peril.

Oblivious, I added, “Not that this,” I swirled the spoon doubtfully, “is not fine... um... soup, gruel, reconstituted brown water?” I set it aside with a theatrical shudder.

'Thyna made as if to dump her bowl over my head, and I quickly grabbed back my own and noted, “But, at least it's warm.”

“Yes. And since you saw fit to insult my cooking, I see no reason to share dessert with you.”

That was a magic word, and it got my attention, but I had to be careful. 'Thyna, for all her many talents, was a truly atrocious cook. She seemed to think recipes were “suggestions,” and her usual impatience caused her to think hotter is better, because it cooks things faster. There had been a number of small fires, general billows of smoke, and finally, the famous (or infamous) “Cookie Incident”- which had caused her to be banned from touching the oven. She was almost more dangerous in the kitchen than on the battlefield, and her well-known “morning attitude” was only one of the reasons her tea was delivered to her door. While I had been reminiscing, she had been delving into her pack, at last emerging with a small, circular tin.

“I've been saving these,” she announced, flourishing the container, but carefully keeping it out of my reach. Then she brought it protectively to her chest and gave me a superior smile. “But clearly, some of us,” she paused to work the wax seal around the lid with a small knife, “are not interested.”

She removed the lid to reveal a perfectly-formed bit of Aetherius in the shape of a pastry. It was a sweet roll, the ones whose creation was a closely-held secret of the Sarethi's cook. Wealthy merchants from the mainland had offered vast sums for the recipe, and had been rebuffed. It looked as if it had just come from the oven. Athynae lifted it out as carefully as a mother picking up a new-born and inhaled its wonderful essence. I could see that its twin still rested in the tin.

“As I was saying, since you aren't interested,” she set the first roll behind her and set about closing the lid on the remaining wonderful goodness within, “that just means more for me. It's true that Rahbrat never did invent any travel rations for people. But,” she gestured with the tin, “he did invent a way to store food indefinitely without it losing its flavor or nutritional value.” With that, she picked up her treat and bit into it, a beatific smile lighting her face.

“Ah. Well. You see... That is...” My eyes were fixed on the tin and I was having trouble forming a coherent thought, let alone a sentence. I could practically taste the cinnamon and the berries and.... It had been months since I had enjoyed that ambrosial sweetness. Athynae paused her chewing, watching to see what I would do. Her expression reminded me of her brother studying a chemical reaction. A direct assault would fail, and the thought of it made me distinctly uncomfortable for some reason. Pretending indifference would not work either- she knew exactly how I felt about the treat that was right there in that box. And besides, she would call my bluff if I tried to say I did not care. Perhaps I could play on her sense of obligation?

“So, you know, I did sew up your leg not too long ago.”

She shook her head. “Nice try, but... no. Because I had to sew up your back first, which you did not tell me about. Point to me.” She took another bite and chewed slowly, watching me carefully once more.

Groveling. She would enjoy watching, but- she did not respect weakness. Logic. It was my last hope. “Do you have any more of Rah's wax to reseal the tin?” I asked innocently.

Her chewing slowed and she eyed me suspiciously. “No. Why?”

I leaned around her and placed a hand on top of the container. “Because, without it, this last lonely sweet roll, sitting here all alone, will go stale. And that would just be wrong.”

She nodded and placed her hand over mine. “True. But... I could solve that problem by just keeping it for myself.”

“Well, yes, you could. But would you?”

She lifted her hand and placed it against my cheek and whispered, “No.”

And, although I know that I ate the sweet roll, that delicious morsel that spoke of home, happiness, and safety; I do not remember what it tasted like.

We set watches again, as much from habit as anything, but neither of us slept. We could feel that the end to all of this was close at hand. Karstaag. And after him, Hircine. I found my thoughts drawn again to Tharsten and his sacrifice. It was courageous, and it had worked, but... might there have been a different way? If he had been willing to work with us, rather than insisting on going it alone, what might have happened?

After our less than restful rest period- we could not really tell day from night inside this ice prison- I took my turn at preparing our meal, such as it was. The main thing was getting 'Thyna's tea brewed. I briefly considered withholding it, with the vague idea that Athynae without her requisite beverage could probably take on any number of giants, and possibly several Daedric princes, all by herself. But I repented of the thought when I realized that the first person to face her blind rage would be me. I set the tea within her reach and continued the rest of the preparations with the feeling of a man who had narrowly avoided stepping off a precipice in the darkness.

With more resignation than satisfaction over our meal, we checked our gear once more and approached the gate. Although it was somewhat of a risk, I felt compelled to remind Athynae, “Remember- no rushing ahead on your own. If our reasoning was correct, this 'giant' is probably going to be really tough.” She just looked at me, not offering any indication of her thoughts. Rather than pressing my argument, I amended it slightly. “Whatever he is; if he is big, he might also be slow. So, if you see a chance to strike a decisive blow at the start, do it.” Then I reached up and grasped her shoulder, giving her a slight shake, “And then- get away from him.”

She reached up to take my hand and changed my hold into a warrior's clasp. “Athlain. We fight together. We win together. We fight to live. Now, again,” and she smiled at me, “open the damned gate!”

I did as she asked, turning the key and then stopping to take the Gift in hand as I pushed the barrier with my shield. Athynae paced me on the left, and we found ourselves in a small vestibule, which opened into the largest chamber we had seen so far. Large rock formations spanned the roof of the space, looking like the beams in a great hall. But what caught and held our attention was the massive figure that prowled the center of the cavern. He had apparently not taken note of our presence, and I was glad of it. Keeping my voice low, I remarked, “Um... 'Thyna? That's not a grahl. And also, he is really big.” I paused and added with a smile, “So... would you think less of me if I tried to run screaming back through the gate?”

She furrowed her brow as if she was giving it serious thought and then shrugged, “Why no. In fact, there's no way I could possibly think less of you.”

“That's good to know, because I think I might have just widdled in my armor.”

Maintaining her mock-frown, she shook her head and sighed, “Honestly, I just can't take you anywhere.”

We used humor when there was nothing else. Rousing speeches about bravery and honor and sacrifice were the stuff of books or dramas that would have had us rolling our eyes. The reality of those concepts was so ingrained that we didn't have any need to talk about them. Besides all that, laughter was the best way we knew to hold back the darkness. And anyway, we had a giant to battle. I turned my attention to him, looking for anything that might give us an advantage, since running away screaming was not an option.

Karstaag stood over 20 feet tall, and had disproportionately large hands and feet, all four of which were tipped with massive black claws. His entire body was covered in thick fur the color of glacier ice, and he wore a bear pelt draped from his waist. From his belt hung two skulls, one of which appeared to be human and the other from a troll. I looked at his massive, domed head, which sported a pair of curved horns. And then I looked again, trying to credit what I thought I had observed. Sure enough, he had five eyes, with a row of three smaller ones set directly above the normal two.

The good news, in fact, the only good thing I had so far noticed was that, despite his ocular enhancement, he had not noticed us. Maybe we were too small. But, whatever the reason, it gave us a chance to observe his lumbering progress as he paced the chamber. He seemed to be waiting for something, and if his frequent wall-shaking bellows and bashing of the ice columns in the chamber were any indication, he wasn't happy about it. Wonderful. Not just a huge, five-eyed, ebony-clawed, horn-headed giant, but an enraged one.

But there was never going to be a good time for us to confront him, and my muscles were starting to stiffen up, either from trying to remain still- or from terror- probably both. I looked at Athynae and saw my thoughts reflected in her expression- except for the “terror” part- she just looked thoughtful. With a shrug that might have concealed a shiver, I told her, “I can't believe I am about to say this, but... I think our best option is to charge right in.”

She looked at me with a peculiar smile. “You think so, do you? Interesting.”

I ignored the jibe and said, “Yes. Wait until he turns his back again and try to take out his left knee- go for the ligaments. I will do the same on the right. He's big,” she rolled her eyes at my understatement, which I also ignored, “but he's slow. If we can hurt him badly right at the beginning....”

She nodded her agreement and wiped her hands before taking a fresh grip on Dreamer's hilt. My anxiety made me overly talkative and I went on, “One quick strike, then whatever happens, get out of his way. I will do the same.”

“Athlain. I have done this before,” she said dryly. Her eyes went back to the giant, and she amended, “Well, not this exactly, but I understand the concept. After all, I am not the one who gets dressed up in a tin suit and carries a dinner tray because I plan on getting hit.” She did a quick shuffle of her feet and bobbed her head, saying, “Quick and quiet. In and out, never a doubt.” Then her expression grew serious, “And you take your own advice! Do not try to go toe-to-toe with him.” Then the whimsical smile returned, “His toes are bigger than you are, anyway.”

“Oh just shut up and run!”

I enjoyed Athlain's musings about the complexity of Tharsten's character, and of the land in which he now walked. As Greg Boyington once said: "show me a hero, and I'll prove to you that he's a bum."

Nice send off of Tharsten to Sovngarde. He went out like a Jedi, turning into a force ghost and leaving nothing behind.

I also liked how Athain is realizing that he is not the same person he was at the beginning of this, nor Athynae. He was forever changed by time and fate.

It would not be the Elder Scrolls without a sweet roll!

Karstag + A&A = Fight! The giant sounds like quite the ominous threat, and certainly not someone in the mood to be bargained with. Hopefully A & A will be able to take out his wheels before the race starts. Otherwise this is going to be trouble.

OOohhh, this Karstaag sounds like BIG TROUBLE! And they’re not even in Little China!

I have to admit this simple little line shone and sang very brightly to me:

Ah, I see Lainie and Thyna are going to try Julian’s patented Blade In The Knee maneuver! I look forward to seeing how this turns out for them!

As Minsc said: "The squeaky wheel gets the kick!"

Oh. Sorry for this noob observation, but now I get it. Blood on the Moon. So you are doing the Bloodmoon expansion? That is what's being told in this story? I have never done Bloodmoon, so if you are, sorry, because I only started playing the Morrowind base game in 2018.

Assuming all of that is true, that you are doing this expansion (DLC, whatever), are you doing it blindly? Or do you already know what happens? Curious.

They place all those deceased enemies at their fallen friend's feet, then burn them. Wow. That's hardcore.



"Guar cubes" as well. Yuck.



Oh my gosh.

Yeh, I agree with him. He did just sew her leg up. This meal scene is hilarious though.



That's awesome. Yeah, his mind is somewhere else.

Whoa no. This boss-before-the-boss is huge. Uh oh.

@SubRosa- I was put in mind of Thurber's story, "The Greatest Man in the World." He does something that the media HAS to cover, but he is so bereft of anything "heroic" that they would really have preferred if he just crashed into the sea (along with his 6 pounds of salami and jug of bootleg gin). In the game version, Tharsten will agree to an alliance, but will betray the player character. (He is the owner of Hircine's Ring, and thus can turn wolf when he chooses to.) And that forced Athlain to confront his own choices and changes.

Had to include a sweet roll scene- because... like you say, it wouldn't be an Elder Scrolls story without one!

One Karstaag, coming up. And Minsc- probably my favorite BG character, ever! Along with Boo the Space Hamster. "Go for the eyes, Boo! Go for the eyes!"

@haute- Athynae is used to being as tall as most of her opponents (elf genetics), so the idea of a giant is... annoying. I think she hopes if she can make him "shorter", she can maybe hit him in the head... And since the idea is actually Athlain's, perhaps Julian gave him some pointers the efficacy of a mace to the knee while she was investigating him....

@Renee- no worries- the basis for the story might have been more apparent if it hadn't taken us so long to finish it. Anyway, yes. The original Trey story is the Morrowind main quest (and is a fairly close following of the actual game- dialogue included). Then the Tribunal add-on takes place rather "in the middle" of the original tale. (Trey: The Missing Months). That one is also a fairly close telling of the game plot. And finally, we have this one- "Trey: The Next Generation". I played all the way through the Bloodmoon expansion once, back when it first came out. Then, in order to refresh my memory of some of the NPCs and quest stages, I dove back into it. But, between my own desire to do more with the characters and the addition of a co-author (thanks Athynae), this story has far more creativity. But yes- other than some replaying (and use of the Wiki)- most of the writing is done from memory of the game events- or springs from our imaginations.

Athlain has become more "Nord" than even he realizes- giving Tharsten the best approximation of a Viking funeral as is possible (the making sure he had a sword in his hand, I cribbed from "The Last Kingdom"). And they have gotten in the habit of decapitating AND burning the werewolves, because they REALLY don't want to have to deal with any of them more than once.... Rahvin's guar cubes- basically a concentrated feed pellet- which probably tastes about as good to humans as one would suspect. I enjoy the "down-time" scenes even more than the action- the two of them are so much fun when they aren't fighting for their lives...

And now- Karstaag.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Of all the changes this stupid island had wrought, Ser Cautious advising that we just “charge right in” was the most unexpected. I almost felt like asking, who are you, and what have you done with Athlain? But I knew that this was Athlain, as he was always meant to be, with all of his potential finally being realized. And the fact that he was able to look at Karstaag and make jokes was even more reassuring. If he had truly been scared, he wouldn't have said anything. Of course, while confidence was a good thing, we still had to fight the giant and win.

After a bit more excessive Athlain explaining, something that had not changed, plus some teasing from me to steady his nerves- which was also normal- we were ready. As Karstaag turned away from us, we launched ourselves out of the entry, eyes focused on a pair of legs that looked like huge, blue-white tree trunks. “Should have brought an axe,” I thought, “or maybe a cross-cut saw would be better, since we were emphasizing teamwork.” I also had time to hope that there weren't any Hounds lurking in the shadows, because... that would be bad.

One thing at a time, Princess. It is well to prepare for all possibilities, but keep your eyes and your mind on the main purpose. Winning, Uncle Seth? Winning is good, but the main purpose is to stay alive.

And then we were right behind the giant, and he looked even larger than before. As much as I wanted to jump upward and try for his hamstring, I resisted the impulse. I knew I needed the strength of my legs, set firmly on the ground, to propel Dreamer's edge. My aim was true and I could see it was a good slash, right across the ligaments at the back of his knee, as strong a blow as I had ever landed. And it was a bit like hitting a stone column. I felt it all the way from my palms, through my wrists and elbows and into my shoulders, a vibration that made my teeth ache. But at least the giant felt it too; I saw that I had hurt him as I rolled clear and watched his leg buckle. I also heard a distinct “crack” and knew that Athlain had made his attack.

I hoped his blow had been effective, but I did not take the time to look. The point of the exercise was to strike and get clear, which was reinforced by the great, clawed hand that tore into the floor behind me as I regained my feet. A glance over my shoulder showed the giant down on his knees, arms flailing about, trying to catch and crush his tormentors. We had not planned what to do following the initial attack, something I would be sure to take up with “Commander Lainie” when I saw him again, but for the moment, I decided the entry was the safest place for me.

Once I reached the alcove, I was happy to see Athlain had come to the same conclusion. Actually, I was just happy to see Athlain, but he didn't need to know that. For his part, the first thing he said was, “I guess we should have talked about what to do after we hit him, but I was....” His words trailed off and he looked everywhere but at me. Even so, I could see the tops of his ears were red, so I counted it as a point to me.

“Anyway,” he rallied, “we hurt him, I think. Now we just... oh, guar dung.”

I looked where he was looking, toward the kneeling giant. Karstaag now had both hands flat on the floor as well as his knees, and I thought at first it was to support his massive weight. But then I looked more closely and realized that the ice around his shovel-like hands was disappearing. Or rather, it was being absorbed, flowing up his arms and down into his damaged legs.

“I guess he is like a grahl then,” Athlain noted.

I nodded gloomily and asked, “So what now? We need to keep at him, so he doesn't have time to heal, but how?”

Athlain's distant gaze told me his mind was running over our options at lightning speed. After a bit, he turned his eyes to me, determination etched in every line of his face. “Fire.” He pointed toward Karstaag, who was now lurching to his feet and peering around, trying to find us. “If ice heals him, fire should hurt him.”

The failure- or partial success- of our first attempt made my tone sharp. “So what? Are you going to build a bonfire, with all this wood,” I waved a hand to indicate the barren ice and stone of the cavern, “and invite him to warm up?”

He was back to staring at the giant, tightening the straps on his shield. When he answered my sarcasm, his voice was clipped. “No. You are going to shoot as many fire arrows at him as you can.”

I could tell there was more to this plan, and I could also tell that I wasn't going to like it. “And while I am doing that, you...?”

“Will be distracting him, so make your shots count.”

“Lainie, I don't like this plan. And I can hit him without your help.”

“Do you have a better plan? And can you be sure to get him to turn his face toward you so you can aim for his eyes?”

I muttered, “No. But...,” and I grabbed his chin and forced his head around so he was looking at me. “You keep away from him, you hear me? I will shoot him as much as I can, but you will only distract him, right?” And I moved his head up and down as if he was nodding. “Good. Now give me a minute to string my bow and prepare some arrows. And also, if this plan doesn't work any better than the first one, we will go with my plan.” Which I will think up before you get back, I added to myself. As I wrapped cloth around the arrow tips and dipped them in flammable oil, a litany of voices that sounded like an Imperial chorus ran through my head. Go to Solstheim. Save your friend. Prove yourself as a warrior. It brought a whole new meaning to the term “thrown to the wolves.” Maybe Mother was right and I should have been a diplomat.

I looked at Athlain, standing there calmly, waiting, trusting me to keep him safe- like always. Why did he have to insist on putting himself in danger? And why, in the name of Azura, did he have to be right? Once I had everything arranged to my satisfaction, I told Athlain, “I will try for head shots, especially for his eyes. I don't know if he has a brain, but melting it will probably be a good thing.” He nodded his understanding and then sprinted out of the vestibule, straight into danger as if he was just going for a run in his mother's garden. The giant turned clumsily to track the sudden movement, and I could see that the healing of his legs was incomplete. Maybe that information would be useful, and maybe Lainie would see the same thing. But for the moment, I needed to concentrate on my archery. Hitting a target the size of Karstaag's head wasn't difficult, but if I wanted it to count, his eyes were the best place. They were small in proportion to the rest of him, but I still thought that a blind, enraged giant was better than an enraged giant who could see.

Athlain was as good as his word, choosing his path so that the giant's head was turned to face me. I ignited the first arrow and sent it on its way, followed by another. Speed was almost more important than accuracy, at least for those first two. If fire really was going to work, we needed to know. And if my arrows found their mark, Athlain's chances of coming back to me were greatly improved. The first shot was all I could have hoped, striking the middle eye in the upper row. The impact caused Karstaag to throw his head back, so my second missile went into one of his broad nostrils. Regardless, both were effective- he raised his hands and began swatting at his own face, attempting to smother the fire. The problem was, with his hands in the way, I couldn't get a decent shot at his head. With a shrug, I sent arrows toward each of his already weakened legs. I just had a feeling if we could get him on the ground, defeating him would be easier.

Meanwhile, Athlain had been moving in a random pattern, following my advice about staying away. It was so gratifying when he actually did what I asked. The giant was in a berserk fury by this time, the bite of the flames all over his body showing that fire was an effective weapon against him. He decided that hitting himself in the head was not working and bent down to scoop up great piles of ice. I thought he was going to slap it on the burns, and I was half-right. He used the left hand to douse the fire on his face. However, he had a different plan for the other one. Since he could not see from whence the arrows that stung him originated, he turned his rage on the target he could see. A mass of snow and ice and rock the size of a small hut flew unerringly toward Athlain, who disappeared in a cloud of white pellets, the center of the artificial avalanche.

“Athlain!” I screamed, as I sent my last two fire arrows streaking toward the giant's blackened visage. Then I dropped my bow, something I would never normally do, and swept Dreamer from her sheath with my right hand. I had no clear idea of what I was going to do; I kept seeing that explosion of white with Athlain disappearing in the midst of it. And then all I saw was red, a red film seeming to cloud my vision. For half a breath I wavered- rescue... or revenge? I loved my bow; I loved being able to put arrows precisely into tiny targets at long range. But there was nothing as satisfying as the feel of my blade parting flesh and bone. Competition had not prepared me for how it would feel to take on opponents who would happily rend my flesh if given the chance. And in the case of the Hounds and probably this stinking, steaming giant, they would have eaten me as well. Oh and I was also going to have words with a certain Legion officer, best friend, and weapon enchanter about his failure to add a fire enchantment to Dreamer when he stole her. I mean, why not?

But all that was for later. For now, I faced the choice- go to find Athlain, or start chopping Karstaag into tiny bits? For once, hesitation was a good thing, because the giant was in trouble. The arrows to the face had not done him much good, but the two I sent into his knees, almost as an afterthought- those were far worse. The flames had reached the greasy bear pelt he wore and it was now fully engaged. Much as I wanted to hasten his demise, I realized that his frantic attempts to put out or avoid the flames made it just as likely that I would be stepped on or kicked across the cavern. So instead, I sprinted to the new snow drift rising from one side of the chamber. When I got near, I had no idea where or how to start searching. Desperation does strange things, and I suppose I fell back on old habits- such as yelling at Athlain when I was upset.

“Athlain Treyson, you had better come out of there this minute!” Gods, I sounded like my mother.

A section of the mound shifted and Athlain's shield appeared, followed by his arm and then the rest of him. “I can never get a moment's peace in this place,” he complained, shaking the rest of the ice off of himself. His eyes went to the capering, burning giant flailing wildly about the cavern and he attempted to give me the raised eyebrow look that Mother did so well. On him, it looked like he was trying to decide whether to sneeze or not. “Ah. Shouldn't we do something about that?”

If he could pretend that being buried by a ton of snow was nothing to worry about, so could I. Matching his dry tone, I replied, “Probably. But we go with my plan this time.”

His face got that stubborn look I knew so well. “Now hold on. That was only if my plan didn't work.” He pointed the Gift at Karstaag's plight and said, “I would call that a success.”

I folded my arms and started tapping my fingers on my bracer. “Oh? So... getting swept away by an avalanche was part of your plan, was it? You expect me to believe that? And if you knew his... apparel would catch fire, why didn't you suggest I shoot my arrows there instead of at his eyes? Which, I might add, would have meant both of us could have remained under cover.”

He was just opening his mouth to continue the debate when there was a final awful roar from the other side of the cavern and then a crash that knocked us both off our feet. Karstaag had succumbed to his injuries and fallen. We rose from the icy ground and could tell as the flames finally flickered out that he was not going to get up again. And as we watched, it was as if the very ice of the floor... reclaimed him. What had been his body flowed away, leaving nothing but a massive, horned skull.

I felt odd at his passing. It was true that he would have killed us if he could, but only because Lord Hairball had dragged him out of his castle and into this prison. He had been put in the same situation as us- fight or die. I had only ever heard about giants in myths and stories; until we had seen Karstaag, I was not sure that they actually existed. And now he was gone, and I could not but feel that the Mundus was a poorer place for his passing. Athlain seemed to feel the same way, he bowed his head and touched his lips to the Gift and raised in a silent salute. The quiet continued for a long moment and then we both shook off the feeling of melancholy and looked around. No gate or doorway appeared, and I asked Athlain, “So, what now?”

Welp, that wasn't quite the battle I thought it would be, but goes to show how well things turn out when you actually take the time to figure out your opponent. Fortunately the A&A team lucked out - things could have gone worse for them had their first strike not been so effective - I mean, what to do next??

Once more there is something that sang to me: As someone who can do that raised eyebrow look so easily (but only with my right eyebrow, not my left), I ROFL'd at Thyna's description of Lainie's look.

I just love this vision I have in my head of A & A wielding one of those big, two-person saws they show woodcuts of from the 1800s.

Looks like the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Uh oh, he's not just a giant, he's an ice-giant. Time to thaw him out.

Go to Solstheim. Save your friend. Prove yourself as a warrior.
Come out to the coast, we'll get together, we'll have a few laughs

At least with so many eyes, Karstagg presents a target-rich environment.

Up his nose with a rubber hose!

The size of a small hut, or the size of a small Hutt? I guess they are both the same...

I wonder how much of that snow and ice went down the back of Athlain's shirt!

So what now?

Thanks for answering my noob questions. Can you link me to the original story? I won't have time to read the entire thing but it'd be fun to see where it all started, especially since Morrowind is still relatively new to me.

Goodness, she's actually lighting those arrows, dipping them in oil. Guess she hasn't got any magical-fire arrows.

Meanwhile, Athlain had been moving in a random pattern, following my advice about staying away. It was so gratifying when he actually did what I asked.



Yeah, what now? Hmm? Hmmm???

@haute- Truth to tell, I was not sure how they were going to beat Karstaag, either. Since white phosphorous grenades are in short supply on Solstheim, they used what they had. And the “raised eyebrow” is one of my favorite expressions in the story, because non-verbal communication can be so eloquent. Of course, if Athynae did not have her hands free, she would lose half her vocabulary....

@SubRosa- That was exactly the picture in my head also- the guys felling a redwood.... And it was fun to give Athynae the whimsical fantasy for a change. I would have to look at the Wiki to remember what is actually the best way to defeat Karstaag in the game- I do think that fire magic or weapons are effective. And yes- I imagine Athlain got more than just an ice cube down his spine from that avalanche.

@Renee- no worries on questions. When I first played Morrowind, I treated it like a standard, linear RPG, where you HAD to do the quests you were given in order to level up or advance. It took a LONG time for me to realize that it was really up to me if I did the main quest or not- and that I could play and enjoy the game even if I did not try to “do everything.”

Fire arrows- several things at work there. First- we did not think of magical arrows, although I know they exist as part of a DLC. (I forgot). Too, it seemed... more dramatic (and dangerous) for Athynae to have to handle flammable objects while also worrying about Athlain AND hitting her mark....

The original story- including some revision to the early chapters (which had somehow gotten “disappeared”) is here

Well- the first 5 and last 4 chapters, anyway. Chapters 6-9... um, those I will need to repost. Also be aware that the... “mid-quel”... Trey in Mournhold, is kinda scattered around in there too....

And now--- The Main Event! (Some of it, anyway).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

“So, what now?” Athynae asked, her words an echo of my own thoughts.

The question had barely died on her lips when a now-familiar shimmering disturbed the air in front of us and Hircine appeared once more, in his guise as the Hunter. We both reached for our weapons, thinking he might attack without warning, but it seemed he wanted to talk, at least for the moment.

“So- you are the ones. You have escaped my Hounds and beaten back the other challengers. I had rather expected the giant to prevail, but I see that the two of you have triumphed. And somehow, you managed to persuade the other two contestants to aid you. The soldier's choice did not surprise me, but Tharsten.... He took my gift many years ago, seeking immortality. Yet, in the end, he also joined your cause. There is something here that I do not understand. Regardless, you have proven yourselves worthy hunters and have earned the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon a mortal. You are to be my Prey.” He stopped and peered at us, seeming to gauge our silence. “In the past, the contest has been between myself and one other. And yet, there are two of you.”

Athynae had finally had enough. “Congratulations. You can count. So what?”

“So,” he spoke softly, as if weighing a choice, “it would be more in keeping with the rules of the Game if you... proved your worthiness by a contest of arms between the two of you, leaving only one standing. I should enjoy seeing that. A battle to the death between the Shadow's Shadow and the son of the Demon-Slayer. What say you?”

I struggled to understand what I thought the immortal idiot had just suggested- that he expected us to fight each other for an “honor” that neither wanted. As I tried to put my disbelief into words, 'Thyna was again ahead of me.

“How about you chase your tail? Or,” and she tightened her grip on Dreamer's hilt, “we can finish this now.”

The Daedra lord shook his head. “Is there something about the soil of the island from which you come that makes all of its people stubborn? First, his sire,” and he tilted his great spear to indicate me, “and now you.” I must have betrayed my surprise at his mention of my father, for the Hunter chuckled and nodded. “Oh yes. It was my hope to lure the one who slew poor, mad Dagoth Ur and freed an entire island. Such a one would have been a most worthy opponent. But he proved even more recalcitrant than Azura herself reported. No matter. My net has snared his son and my sister's own champion.”

He paused, resting the spear butt on the ground and wrapping his hands around the shaft, as if contemplating an interesting problem. “But now, what shall I do with two of you? I cannot choose one or the other- for if I did, how could I be certain I had weathered the storm? How if I face only the thunder but not the lightning? And, since you will not take this decision from me...” he paused as if awaiting an answer, and I held my breath.

Athynae might even now try to shield me from this fight, if she thought that doing so was in line with her vow to “keep me safe.” But instead, she placed her hand on my shoulder and said, “We fight together. Both, or neither, mongrel prince.”

Hircine nodded his head once, as if he had expected the answer. “It shall be as you wish.” He then raised his spear and made a complex series of passes in the air between us. I felt something... shift and found myself facing the Daedra alone. Athynae had disappeared.

“So now, I ask you though; what is it that makes a hunter great? Is it his strength? The speed with which he strikes? Or is it his guile, the ability to outwit his prey? Answer carefully mortal, for your reply will determine the aspect you face. To face me in all my glory would be less than sporting, so you shall face but one of my aspects, the one you choose. We have little time, for the Blood Moon sinks low in the sky. Prepare yourself, mortal, for you are now the Hunted.”

My mind flew to the deadliest opponent I had ever faced, the person who had just vanished from my side. And while she was strong and clever, her greatest asset was her speed. And more than that, I knew better than to try to match my strength against that of an immortal. As for guile, that was more an aspect of a thief, and my father had made his feelings about that quite clear. So. “Speed,” I told Hircine, still wondering where Athynae had gone and if I would ever see her again.

“The choice is made. Before we begin, you may request a boon of me. If it is reasonable, and within my power to grant, I will honor it.”

I had no desire to drag this ordeal out any further, so I said, “The only 'boon' I ask of you is that you die quickly and trouble us no more.”

“That I cannot promise. However, I will put your mind at ease on one account. Your companion awaits her own contest with one of my aspects. Or perhaps that battle is already concluded- time is such a slippery concept in this mortal realm. But you wish a rapid conclusion to our game, so let the contest begin!”

The over-sized humanoid shape wavered and changed, becoming a giant wolf, still sporting antlers on its head. The image should have been ridiculous, but the points on those horns could rend my flesh as surely as the fangs in the … creature's mouth. Hircine's aspect immediately began circling to my left, just like the animal he was representing, seeking to strike from my flank or rear, crippling me. In response, I feinted with my shield, driving him back. I could tell he did not care for the silver that outlined the boss and studded the rim. To survive, I needed to do whatever I could to negate his quickness. Ideally, I would accomplish that by injuring one or more of his legs. But attempting that so early in the fight would mean opening myself to his counter. However, if I could get the contest onto ground of my choosing, I would cut into his advantage. I needed to make the field smaller, and since I could not be sure of driving him into a corner, I needed to place myself in a defensible spot. Keeping my shield between us, I shuffled back a few steps, seeking a sheltered place along the wall. Seeing my intent, Hircine sprinted hard to my left and then dodged in, snapping at the elbow on my shield arm.

My mind was moving with unprecedented speed, weighing and discarding ideas. For an instant, I considered letting the bite get through, thinking that I could perhaps slam the Gift into his ribs. But this was a magical creature, not even from the mortal plane. Who could say what those fangs might do to my armor- or even my flesh? And this was the Hunter's aspect of Speed, as well. There was no guarantee my riposte would even succeed. So I drew my arm in close to my body, interposing my shield and watched as the parody of a wolf's teeth closed on empty air. As they did so, I felt a thrum within my breastplate, as if someone had flicked my chest to remind me of... my half of the Totem of Claw and Fang.

When he had given the parts to us, Korst had explained that we could use them to call “spirit animals” to aid us. In my case, it would be spectral wolves. Because I associated those creatures with the judgment and execution of Rikolfr, I had never tried to summon them. But now, with everything in the balance, I would use any weapon that might keep me alive. “Mac tíre biotáille," I shouted as I concentrated on the feel of the ivory fangs where they rested against my skin. Two shadowy forms appeared behind the Hunter's Aspect, splitting to either side of him. The blue glow of their eyes was somehow comforting, despite its eeriness in the dim cavern. They made no sound, but the threat was clear in the way they moved, bellies low to the ground and muzzles thrust forward with their teeth bared.

Now Hircine's avatar was the one seeking a place from which he could watch all of the threats at once, desperately turning as he tried to see all his opponents. I almost never spoke during combat, preferring to save my breath for more important things, like staying alive, but now I made an exception.

“You sought to put on the form of a wolf, but your understanding of those creatures is as corrupted as the monstrosities you create. True wolves form a pack and live and fight together, for the good of all. You fight alone and only in the service of your deranged 'Game.' You are a lone wolf. And do you know what happens to lone wolves? They are culled!”

At my last word, I jumped forward, swinging my mace at the Aspect's head. He ducked away, but could not avoid the spirit wolves who closed from behind, snapping at the rear legs of this mockery of themselves. Hircine whirled, trying to bite or impale his tormentors, but they dodged back out of reach. I took the opportunity to bring the Gift down on the monster's back. It was a solid blow, but still I felt it rebound from magically-enhanced muscle and bone. Still, the silver spikes threw sparks where they struck and the Aspect howled in pain. He also spun in place, a tip of one antler scoring along my vambrace and finding the joint between it and my gauntlet. My flesh tore and I snatched my arm away. I could feel blood running into the gauntlet and knew I needed to finish this fight quickly, before the wound drained my strength. As it was, I had trouble maintaining my grip on the Gift, and was grateful for the wrist loop Bryn had added to the haft.

The spirit wolves also sensed my plight, and redoubled their attacks, driving in with no concern for their own safety. Hircine had no choice but to concentrate on them once more, and he spitted the first with an antler. That spectral wolf dissipated into the Aether, but its companion lunged in and clamped onto the Aspect's throat. It then set its feet, as if it were holding a tethered guar in place. My right hand was too weak for an effective blow, but my shield could be used for offense as well as defense. I raised it high and brought the edge down like a cleaver. I heard a distinct “crack” as I broke the back of the Aspect and held firm as it sprawled to the ground.

A scream of protest shook the walls of the cavern. “No! This is not possible! How can a mortal defeat me?”

A sphere of light appeared near the ceiling, its color the blue of the early morning sky, and a voice that was deep, yet undeniably feminine, replied,

“Not all mortals are the same, brother As you have learned to your sorrow. And if you insist on playing with fire, you will get burned.”

I raised the Gift in triumph and in honor of the one whose voice I knew that to be, and the sphere descended until it surrounded me. And before I could say a word or even think, time stopped.

Finally Mr. "H" shows himself.

My what an honor he thinks it is to be his prey.

Hopefully Athlain will get his boon after all.

Athlain's observation about Hircine is right on the head. He is not a wolf, or a hunter, but a grotesque parody of one.

By Azura, by Azura, by Azura!

I really loved how Athlain teaches Hircine the true aspect of wolves - that they are social animals that rely on teamwork to thrive. This is the part that jumps out at me.

For all that lone wolves are glorified in fiction, in reality theirs is a grim life and a short one.

Beautiful, thanks for that link. I'll take a gander at some early treydog material, after reading this latest chapter, The Stormcrow, and finally Buffy Book III.

Athynae and Treyson were once opponents? How'd they manage to become partners? ... Unless you mean they were merely opponents while sparring.

I like how Hircine cannot deal with our concept of time all that well. That's supposed to be how it really is, comparing 3 dimensions to other possible realities.

He summons wolves, which might be a bad thing? Maybe Hircine will be able to control these since the animal kingdom is what he's so associated with? Okay good. Apparently HIrcine can't influence these specters.



That's so epic!

Uh oh, what's happened with Athynae?

@Renee: Hircine separated them so he could fight each of them one on one. This is manifested at the end of the previous installment, when they were asked to choose which one would face Hircine alone, and neither would make that choice, instead vowing to fight him together.

@SubRosa- We really wanted to emphasize Hircine's grandiosity, as well as his inability to grasp that most of the world would be happier if he (and his kin) just left them alone. And tied into that is his... fractured vision of the natural world. And yes, finally time for an overt Deus ex Azura.

She has been... around... a few times already, but she tries to be more circumspect in her “meddling” than other Daedric princes. And Athlain's (former) agnosticism might have something to do with that, too.

@haute- There was a great deal of symbolism with Athlain being given the wolf fangs of the Totem and Athynae the bear claws. And like most symbolism, it was not intentional, but revealed itself after the fact.

@Renee- The original Trey is still fun, mostly due to his personality. And then there are the familiar characters that we enjoy seeing once more. As haute said, Hircine was trying to convince them that it would be more in keeping with the spirit of his “Game” if they battled to the death, so that he only had to face the “True Champion”. Never mind that they did not ask to be part of the game, or that he seems to make the rules up as he goes along, or that- excepting Karstaag, they were able to forge alliances with all the other contenders. And actually, you have illustrated an important point of the story- that the kids FINALLY realize they are “better together” instead of each trying to be independent.

And now for the next part of the "Showdown on Solstheim" or the "Fracas in the Glacier" the... okay, I'll stop now.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
“We fight together. Both or neither, mongrel prince.”

“It shall be as you wish.” He swirled his spear in an intricate design and I winced as the sensation of travel by spell or amulet passed through me and then I found myself alone, no Athlain and no Hircine anywhere in the chamber where I stood.

“That egotistical, vainglorious piece of Daedric shite!” I screamed into the icy caverns that surrounded me. Then, when I had just enough time for a deep breath, the ripple of colors in the air indicated Hircine’s arrival.

“You over-sized, pest-ridden, self-important piece of Daedric waste! Where is Athlain?”

“I will fight you both, but I’m not unintelligent, Daughter of the Dawn.” He shook his great antlered head. “I will fight each of you in single combat. I am facing you as I am also facing him. You are quite fond of name calling, but referring to me as 'self-important,' isn’t that like the kagouti calling the alit a beast?”

What he said registered on a level I’d never imagined, but this island and the trials we had faced had changed me in ways seen and unseen. I may have once been as he said, self-important, but that was before, before I’d met myself on this frozen wasteland, before I had faced beasts that only lived in books and nightmares. I had seen the difference in who I had once thought I wanted to be and who I truly could be.

“Maybe that was true at one time, but your little game has changed much for me, has changed much in me, and unfortunately for you; your game has made me into a much more worthy opponent.”

“Shadow’s Shadow you are.” And he chuckled.

“I am many things. I have been called by many names, none of which will mean as much as Champion when I defeat you.” Even as I stood face to face with the eight foot monster, I felt myself sliding into oneness with the warrior that resided very close to the surface.

“You have done well, daughter of Redoran.”

“Ah, yet another name. Are you just trying to show me you’ve done your research on me? I assure you whatever you think you know is less than the reality.”

“Very well, Miss Sssaaarrreeetthhi,” he stretched the name like it was a jest. “I am feeling magnanimous. You and your...,” he paused in thought, “Student? Friend? Betrothed? No matter what he is to you, the two of you have impressed me and therefore I wish to offer you a boon. Anything you desire that is in my power to give.”

I looked at him suspiciously. “Why?”

He released his staff with his left hand and waved it, “As I said, you have impressed me. I merely wish to offer you a reward for making it this far, a gift before you die.”

“Ah. So, just a question- did you offer Sosine a boon before he sent you back to your realm of Oblivion, or after he created armor from your hide?” I smiled at him as if to say ‘gotcha’.

His face darkened for a moment then cleared. “You are impertinent, little elf.” I raised Dreamer menacingly and he actually flinched a bit. “That was another Game and has naught to do with this one.”

I smiled knowingly, “Just curious.” I’d hit a nerve, and my satisfaction at that small bloodless strike bolstered me a tad more than it should have. “I’ll take my boon then, beast.”

“Speak, Azura’s champion.”

“I wish to see my parents.”

“Your wish is granted.” And he swirled his spear, slicing a spell into the air like a master carver works wood.

I had a brief glimpse of Mama and Papa and Uncle Seth all gathered around a crib, staring wide-eyed into the face of a babe, a newborn who had lavender eyes. Then the vision changed, as Uncle Seth held me on his lap, with Mother kissing me goodnight. Uncle Seth stared at me as if he were truly right in front of me, mouthing words that echoed into my brain, “You are the best of all of us.” And as I looked from his face to the infant's face, my face, I saw what I had missed for 20 years- the indisputable resemblance in our features.

Confusion and clarity warred inside my head. For long moments my lungs felt like they’d been emptied of oxygen and my heart stuttered. “You will forever be Her Highness Princess of Trouble. You are my princess.”

And the confusion dissolved. The pain, for several breaths, was the worst I’d experienced in my entire life. It was a testament to my determination not to show weakness that kept me on my feet. I willed the moisture that was gathering in my eyes to dissipate and raised my head to stare into the eyes of the beast that had done everything possible to cause me pain, both physical and mental, since I had arrived here to help Athlain. And I smiled at him, my expression more savage than that of his Hounds.

“First you tried to win me to your side by attempting to infiltrate and poison my mind with your taunts and cajoling. Then you erased the last lines of the potion Athlain moved mountains to obtain so he could cure me, leaving me night blind but with an uncanny sense of smell and hearing. And all the other attacks of stupidity that did not work to defeat us. So now you show me a secret that has been held in confidence by my parents, all three of them! A secret they kept for reasons neither you nor I know. And you hope this knowledge will weaken me? That you will improve your chances of defeating me by showing me the truth? Do I frighten the Lord of the Hunt that much?”

“I simply granted your wish.” By the gods, he looked so smug.

“Then let’s see how well your ploy has worked,” I paused for effect, “demon.”

The words slid out of my mouth, lubricated with hatred for this abomination before me and I was utterly still. I was going to remove this plague of the Mundus just as the Blight had been ended on Vvardenfell. My nerves were not twitching in fear anymore; they were blazing with fury for the coming fight.

“This is still my game, little elf,” he sneered at me. “So now you must choose the aspect you face.” He tilted his head to the side. “You may select whichever you think will give you advantage over me. Strength, speed or guile. And the aspect you choose is the one you will face.”

I had no intention of playing yet another game of tricks with him. He had been moving all the pieces on the board since Athlain had been lured here. And since I’d followed him, true to my vow to keep him safe, it had only gotten worse. I had faced a number of the Daedra prince's tricks and did not wish to do so again. Therefore, guile was out of the question. Speed or strength then. Although I knew my own speed was acceptable, could it match his? And besides, I was not running a foot race. A warrior, a true warrior, relied on their strength. Not just the strength of their body, but the strength of their mind, their ability to plan, focus, and adapt, mid-battle. The choice I made would take nothing from me; it would only determine how Hircine presented himself. My abilities would remain as they were, whether speed, strength or cunning, I refused to think of it as guile; to me there was a difference. Mother and Seth had been teaching me all of my life how to use my mind and my body until I could move almost involuntarily- everything working in concert, without slowing down to think. Now came the test of a lifetime.

“I choose Strength.”

“Are you sure, little elf?”

“Call me 'little elf' again and I’ll be wearing your jewels around my neck when this is over.”

“Very well, Daughter of the Shadow.”

“If you think anything you say or do will affect my ability. you are more stupid than you look with that dog's face and antlered head.”

He made no answer, but waved his spear again. And where the giant figure of a man had stood, now a bear appeared. But it wasn’t just a bear like the ones I had encountered in the wilds; this one was gargantuan, and again had those ridiculous antlers on its head. Its mouth opened and Hircine's voice emerged, “Prepare to die. Child of the Dawn. I’ll make sure and give my sister your regrets.” And he lunged.

I jumped to the side, but one of his massive paws knocked me off balance. I rolled across the icy floor and then bounced to my feet. “It won’t be necessary.” In the back of my mind I was replaying the fight in the cave when I was suffering from lycanthropy, when I had faced a great bear. In the main, I was seeking a defensible position that wouldn’t limit my movement with Dreamer. My best option was just trying to place myself with the wall to my back close enough that he couldn’t get behind me. And despite his initial attack, I could tell he was slow. On the other hand, I could not afford to let him hit me squarely.

He looked toward me and roared, his jowls flaring as the air rushed out. “What? You think roaring is going to scare me to death? Come taste the edge of my blade, you big ball of Daedric fuzz.” As he ran toward me I leapt, somersaulting over his head as he ducked down to bite at my body. It was the same move I had attempted against the Hound, the one that had caused that deep wound to my leg. But this time, because Hircine was in bear form, it worked. He could not reach a front paw up like the Hound. As I passed, I dragged Dreamer down his back and he bellowed in pain. I only regretted that the wound was not deeper as I landed, rolled and regained my feet before he could turn to face me again.

“Call to me, Daughter of the Dawn.”

The voice was a whisper that I recognized immediately. It was the Spirit Bear who had passed her beating heart to me at the end of the Ristaag. I placed my hand over my heart and the totem that hung there and spoke the words that would call her. With a blaze of light, she danced into existence beside me. She faced the misshapen bear that was Hircine and roared as he had. I smiled once more,“Your move, dung face.” The snow white bear at my side snorted. It was obvious the Daedra was trying to decide which of us to attack as he stood there growling and shaking his head, protesting the arrival of my companion.

“You brought friends to play?”

“Your game, remember? I only did what I was instructed to do. I guess loyalty begets loyalty.”

He charged at me and the great white bear smacked him, sending him sliding. Unfortunately, as he rolled, he reached out a massive paw and batted me aside. I hit the wall with a crack, sending ice shards flying and then slid to the floor, the air knocked from my lungs.

Had it not been for the white bear I would have been done then, but she and Hircine were on their hind legs, biting and clawing, blood flying from both of them. I regained my feet and my breath and started swinging at his back legs. The blows that should have gone all the way to the bone barely made a mark, just enough to cause blood to trickle. I had to find a more vulnerable spot, so I rolled around and braced myself against the Spirit Bear’s flank, then set Dreamer and yelled, “Move now!” As she jumped to the side, I drove my sword up. It was a good stab, just not where it needed to be; I’d missed the heart, but I’d left a much better mark than the attempts at his legs. Dreamer had gone in almost to her guard and I twisted and yanked down as I pulled her free.

Hircine retreated and I looked to my companion who had sustained multiple deep gashes all over her upper body. “No worries for me, little one; I’m already gone. Finish this.”

I turned to find Hircine close enough to count hairs as he swung a massive paw at my head. I didn’t have time to think how I should move, I simply jumped as his claws raked across my abdomen, scoring my leathers and my flesh as well. But in return, he got a shard of Nordic silver for his trouble. The edge of a reinforcing armor plate had cut deep into his paw. Though I stumbled when I landed, I kept my feet under me. His reaction to that shard of silver had me reaching for a couple of stars. I knew they wouldn’t kill him, but they would help to slow him down. The first sank deep in the meat of his neck and as he grabbed at it with his undamaged paw and turned, I sent the other into the back of his knee. The smell of silver burning were meat was disgusting, but his roars of pain made for a hopeful tune.

I knew letting him rest was not a good idea, so I charged in again and stabbed just behind his front leg and did the same as I had before while extracting my blade. I was getting weaker from the blood loss and knew I had to end this now. The Spirit Bear was still beside me. She didn’t look any better than I did, but she spoke again.

“You must get onto his back and drive your blade between his shoulders. I will raise you up.”

She knelt and I climbed on. The silver was doing its work, for Hircine was still trying to dislodge the stars as I leapt to his back and drove Dreamer down between his shoulders as hard as I could, and twisted, sawing the ebony blade back and forth. Then I pulled her out and plunged her in again, holding on with my legs as tight as I could.

Hircine went to the floor with me still on his back and I looked to the Spirit Bear, who seemed to smile just before she winked out of existence. I rolled away from the dying monster, sliding to the floor and reaching for a potion. It was all I could do to stay on my feet as the Aspect of Strength winked out of existence and a shimmering apparition of Hircine stood before me, screaming his disbelief.

“How? How could some little elf girl and some unknown boy who can’t even wield a sword defeat me? How?” He was glaring at me and I just looked up and smiled, relief flooding me with the knowledge that Athlain had defeated him as well, and that Athlain still lived.

“You made a serious miscalculation. Don’t you know what a Lilliputian elf is?” I’d have laughed harder if it didn’t hurt so much, but the potion had slowed the bleeding somewhat.

“What a what?” Having the apparition goggle at me in confusion was almost as great a victory as sending him away.

“Never mind. Inside joke, I suppose. I am the daughter of Serene and Athyn Sarethi and of Sethyas Velas; I am the Daughter of the Dawn, your sister’s own champion; I am a daughter of Redoran and now, you overblown wind bag, I am the Champion of the Hunt. My father, Sethyas, always told me to never start a fight, but once the first punch was thrown, to finish it. And Athlain, well, he learned the same lesson and, as the son of Trey, he carries greatness just as I do.” I was rasping toward the end, but my words were strong enough. “You went after Trey, a man I admire and respect and love. His son and I answered the call for him.”

“Aaaaahhh!” He had his fists in the air, bellowing like a petulant child who’d been punished.

“Being a bully is never a good plan and you are a bully. I hate bullies. Now go back to wherever it is you came from and leave this island alone. When you see your sister, tell her I said thank you for everything.”

He shimmered out of existence, an amulet falling at my feet out of thin air. And then the cave started to rumble and shake. I didn’t have the strength to run, so I went to one knee and shielded my head with my hands and prayed to Azura for aid once again.

I don’t know if I passed out or fell asleep or was just delirious from fatigue and blood loss and hunger. But the picture in my mind was the small cabin where I’d cured Athlain, the place where I think I first realized that my love for him was more than friendship. It had been so peaceful as I brought him back from the brink. My consciousness left me with that picture etched like one of Aunt Baria’s paintings on the backs of my eyelids.

I became aware, slightly, of sounds- breathing, shuffling across a floor. I didn’t want to open my eyes. I just wanted to absorb the comfort of the cot I was lying on and appreciate the silence a little longer. I had defeated Hircine and I knew from what he’d said before he disappeared that Athlain had as well. We had won. We had won. I tried to take a deep breath in and realized the pain in my torso had decreased and there was something constricting my ability to breathe deep.

“Princess? Are you awake?”

“Uncle Seth?” I muttered without opening my eyes and then I remembered. He wasn’t Uncle Seth; he was my father. I felt warmth sliding down from the corners of my eyes into my hair.

“Open your eyes Princess, for me? Please?” Seth put his hand to my cheek and wiped the tears with his thumb.

“Tea.” I said, without opening them. He chuckled and then I smelled the glorious brew. I tried to sit up and he put his hand behind my back and adjusted the pillow behind me and then put the cup into my hands. I held it to my nose and breathed in that most wonderful aroma. I took a sip and then opened one eye and looked at him. “How bad?’ The sitting up had sent pain radiating through me all the way to my toes.

“You aren’t dead,” he said in a monotone.

“Well that’s good to know.” And I opened the other eye and looked at his face to see concern but not excessive worry.

“Three broken ribs, too many stitches to count across your abdomen, a nice cut on the back of your head and you have a beautiful blue color mixed with purple and black across your left cheek.”

“Is it in the shape of a black hand?” I didn’t smile as my eyes bored into his.

“Nay Princess, it is only a bruise.” He rose from his kneeling position and stood over me. “You need to eat before we talk.” And he walked to the fireplace and I watched as he filled a bowl and carried it back to me. Real food. My belly rumbled, loud. “Eat,” he said and handed me a spoon.

I downed a stew that was delicious, and wondered how he could cook so well and I could barely boil water. I could mix some of the best potions, but for some reason any attempts at cooking failed miserably. I couldn’t even brew a palatable cup of tea. I handed him the empty bowl and adjusted my body, trying to ease the pain from the broken ribs while he carried the bowl back to the hearth.

“Why?” I asked while his back was to me.

He didn’t turn, just put both hands against the mantle and sighed. “It was never our intention to hurt you.”

“I know that, but why? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“We tried. That’s why Serene gave you her journals before you left.”

“I still don’t understand. Why have I not known this all my life? And how did it happen? Why let another man raise your child?”

“Another man is raising all three of my children.” Then he turned to look at me, a mix of guilt and pride warring on his face.

My guts twisted then, and it took several moments to process what he’d said. I started to tremble, and I didn’t know what to say, or what to ask. I just stared at him, trying to find enough space in my lungs to suck in precious air.

“May I start at the beginning?” And he reached for the stool and carried it to the side of the bed.

I just nodded; I didn’t trust my voice.

“Serene and I have known each other for a very long time.” I listened as he recounted succinctly his and Mother’s relationship before and after she met Papa. “It may not be what anyone would call normal or conventional, Princess, but we all three care deeply for one another. At first Serene and I were unaware that Athyn knew anything about us, and we tried to end it for the sake of everyone. Neither of us wanted to hurt Athyn. Then, when Serene became pregnant with you, she was beyond overjoyed. She believed it was Athyn’s child, as did I. And he was as happy or happier than she was. When she was past the morning sickness and fatigue that comes in the first stages of pregnancy, Athyn asked us to join him in his study. He had something important to share with us. He told us he knew, had known since the beginning, about our relationship. He wasn’t angry- just sad that we hadn’t told him, but not angry. Your Mother and I were stunned, but that wasn’t all he had to share. He told us that, due to the sickness during the Blight, he was no longer able to produce children, and that the child Serene carried could not be his biological child. Serene almost collapsed out of her chair. I can’t explain how I felt in that moment. He begged us to allow him to go on and so we did. We didn’t have a choice really; I don’t think either of us could have said anything anyway.

“I am elated at the prospect of a child. I thought I would never again know the joy of hearing a child’s laughter in my home, our home.” He looked lovingly at Serene, “I want this child as much as you do, my love. But I did not want this blessing to be an untruth, and I could not take the joy away from you either, Sethyas. This is your child as well. I have never judged negatively the love the two of you share because I know it has not lessened Serene’s love for me. I also know that we both, Sethyas, love her and each of us provides something that she needs, not only to live, but to thrive happily. It may not be easy to do, but I have thought on this since I found out about the pregnancy. It is my heart’s desire that we raise this child together.’ And we decided that Athyn would be your recognized parent; the position your Mother held made that the only real choice. We didn’t intend for it to be a secret forever. but finding the right time to tell you once our positions in your life were established…” his words trailed off.

I reached and put my hand on his knee; he had his head down, resting his forehead on his palms. “I avoided Mother’s journals. I just felt there was something there that I didn’t want to know. I think that’s why I took your journals from Uncle Trey, because I knew something was wrong. Is this why Papa was so distracted before I left? Mother too?”

“Athyn fears you will hate him for lying to you and Serene feels the same.” He looked up at me with a sad smile.

“And you?” I could feel the tears tracking down my face and I didn’t care.

“I have always feared that one day you would hate me, whether for this or something else in my past.”

“Hircine used this secret to try to weaken me when nothing else he had used worked. I don’t know how he knew, but since he’s a Daedric prince I suppose he can know anything he wishes to know. And it did hurt; I won’t lie, but not for long because I realized something very quickly. I am one of the blessed. I have not just two parents that love me, I have three. And had it not been for the love and support, the training and guidance that the three of you provided, together, I would not be here right now. Without all of you, I would not have been able to defeat Hircine.”

“You have matured into the most amazing person I believe I have ever known, Athynae Sarethi.” He clasped my hand as it laid on his knee.

“Athynae Sarethi-Velas?” I smiled with tears flowing.

“Only in the dark corners of our minds, Princess. We cannot allow this secret to be common knowledge. It would ruin your mother.”

“Do Rahvin and Breana know?”

“They do. When we knew you were facing Hircine we felt obligated to tell them.”

I'm finally back up-to-date! I've been putting off on catching up because it had been such a long time since I'd read the story from the start that I would have liked to do that again in order to really understand what was happening with Athynae and Athlain. Alas, I never could find the time, so I decided to give up on it for now and just start reading again from where I thought I'd left off. And I'm glad I did - true, details like Tharsten's relationship with Athlain and where the spirit wolves/spirit bear came from were lost on me, but I could absolutely still appreciate the climax, and how Athynae and Athlain have changed since starting their journey.

Athynae and Athlain

Although the sniping back and forth with zero understanding of why was hilarious, at some point character development does have to kick in, and here it did it so very beautifully. I loved their conversation about what they were to each other and fighting to live. It wasn't explicitly romantic, which struck me as very much *right*, because trying to untangle that mess would have been a distraction from the situation they were in and at the core of it that aspect wasn't really important - what was important was that before they went into the fight, they cleared the air on how important they were to each other, how they did respect each other and how they were a team. (Also, Adryn was bouncing up and down in the back of my head at the "fight to live" part - she has a fairly different take on honour than these two, but she can absolutely get behind the "no pointless suicidal gestures" thing. Adryn says wouldn't it be great if we ALL came home from this!! This is Redoraning she can support!)

The climax

Had me on the edge of my seat! I love the level of strategy that went into the fight with Karstaag (and intermittent lack of strategy, I laughed at loud when Athynae went "OK, so the plan went great, but Athlain seems to have neglected the next step!") Their whole approach really brought home that this was a GIANT and they could not fight him toe-to-toe. I also really appreciated Athynae's brief moment of loss after his death, and recognition that he wouldn't have even been in this situation if not for Hircine - I'm not sure if she'd have had that level of introspection at the start of all this.

I admit that after that, I wasn't sure how the fight with Hircine could possibly top it, BUT you pulled it off! I loved that Hircine insisted on separating them, and his brief suggestions of a fight to the death between them where they both went "hell no". The way each fight went differently against different aspects yet was in spirit the same, and the spirit animals playing the crucial role. And the way they effectively rejected his boon, too. Hircine is, of course, a scumbag who went for the psychological warfare approach, and it's amazing to see Athynae smack that down.

And, of course, the closure on Athynae's parentage at long, long last. ...ahem I think there's something in my eye.

Thanks so much for sticking with this! It's fantastic, and one day I really will have to open page 1 and start this all over again to really have the story unfold in the way it was meant.

What Kazaera said - every single word.

I can't think of anything else to add . . .

SGM please? Just a teeny bit more? Like what happens to them now?

I was almost expecting Athynae to call Hircine a scruffy nerf-herder! Nice jab of hers about Sosine and Savior's Hide. I also appreciated the Kagouti calling the Alit black remark. It fits right in with "Reman for your thoughts" or "I'll put Septims to Sausages".

Her Highness Princess of Trouble is definitely a name Athynae has lived up to!

That was a wonderful reveal of who Athynae's biological father is. Yet at the same time her own words reveal that she understands the value of the father she found - or who found her.

Now we see Athynae's superhero move pay off, when used against the right opponent. I was wondering if she would be calling on spiritual assistance as well, and that pays off too. I like this, because it shows that A & A were not just grinding up levels to get here. They have been making alliances by simply being true to their natures. Now those allies are here to stand for them in turn.

And a nice coda as she meets Sethyas, and finally learns the full story. Such a 'sticky' situation usually involves a lot of murdering. How the three handled it shows a lot of character in them all. Athynae is lucky to have three parents like that.

I liked the "fighting fire with fire" aspect of each battle, especially as it showed that Hircine didn't understand the nature of the creatures as well as they did. Perhaps it's because he's never been on their side?

You gave Athynae the amulet reward, but I didn't notice anything for Athlain, but maybe that's just because he didn't notice, either.

And of course I'm disappointed that you didn't manage to cover the third option, somehow.

@Kazaera- It is a pleasure to have you reading once again. I admit I find myself rather going pale at the thought of looking over all of the story from the start. (Although that is happening, slowly).

These wonderful warriors cannot help themselves- they are constantly in competition, even when they think they aren't. But... they have finally learned to work together, too. And yes- we really enjoyed making the romantic aspect something other than the usual “will they- won't they?” and “what impact will it have on the story?” Having them be willfully blind to what anyone who watches them together for 5 seconds can see has been great fun... An Adryn-approved strategy is a fine thing... Perhaps we are seeing a slow, painful, and slow (again) evolution of Redoran thought processes? Maybe Adryn had more influence than she realizes?

Karstaag- it was important that he be impressive and that a “just go in and start hitting” plan was a non-starter. And I agree that Athynae's introspection about the loss of someone unique- even an enemy- is a product of experience and personal growth. And then- it is gratifying beyond words that you feel we got the battle with Hircine right. Fight scenes are hard- I want them to be “fantasy, swords-n-sorcery” realistic- meaning physics still rules and it is a cheat to just say- “My lead character was better, because I am the writer and I say so.” A win needs to be a WIN- and even the supernatural help has to be EARNED, and not extremely unbalancing.

And yes- the fact that “Uncle Seth” is actually “Papa Seth” has been around forever- we just wanted to hold the reveal until almost the end. Thank you so much for reading and also for your writing.

@haute- Thank you and bless you. You have contributed much to this story- directly as well as indirectly. And your wish- at least SOME of it, is granted. A little closure coming right up.

@SubRosa- Athynae's epithets for Hircine have been great fun to write- including telling him to “go chase his tail.” And we decided to give Sosine the honor of having been the “Unnamed Hero” who first defeated Hircine as a nice little “things go in cycles” nod.

Seth as Athynae's biological father was an agreement amongst Athynae (the writer), minque (creator of Serene), Black Hand (creator of Sethyas Velas), and me. We knew from the other stories that Serene and Seth had been involved, and wove that together with the Morrowind concept of “The Curse of Seed” to make it impossible for Athyn to have fathered any more children. That was the “easy” part. The way Athynae's reaction ultimately played out was written and rewritten- numerous times. And the version here was the first one that showed her acceptance- as opposed to the predictable reaction she would have had if she had not gone through so much. And also- as you note- the key to it all is the way the three parents feel about one another.

@ghastley- The identification of each of the kids with a totem animal started to appear rather by accident. So- we just went with it. (When your characters give you a gift, best to say “thank you” and go on.) Athlain's reward was less tangible, but meant as much to him. He will forever be known as one of the “Champions of the Hunt.” Sharing the title with Athynae is no hardship.

The way A & A saw it, the third aspect- Guile... that was something Hircine used throughout the ordeal, including during the one-on-one fights.

@Everyone- so now, here we are- the last story post. I will have more to say later- but for now, this story has gone (and taken me) places I never expected. In original concept, it was going to be a fairly quick, straight telling of the Bloodmoon DLC. The only “twists” I conceived at the beginning were Athlain's skooma addiction and that it would turn the “shining knight rescues fair maiden” cliché on its head. That is- Athynae was going to have to come and save Athlain. Oh- and the ending that you are about to see. That I pretty much wrote on the same page as I wrote the beginning. I hope that ending is pleasing to you all.

-----------------------------------------------------

The stasis left me, and I was standing once more over the remains of Hircine's Aspect of Speed. In that moment I knew that all of the frustrations, all of the training, all of the doubts had brought me to this moment. And I knew something else, something even more important. My voice was thick with emotion as I shouted into the echoing darkness, “Hircine! Do you not know who I am? I am Trey's son! Trey's son!”

And an answer came from the shadows, a quiet voice, a beloved voice. “Yes you are. And I have always been proud of you.”

And then the speaker stepped into the dim light and I ran to embrace him, even as I stared in disbelief. “Dad? But... how?”

I could hear the smile in his voice as he clasped me to him. "Well- I am rather good at getting into places. I used to be a thief, you know. Plus, I had some help." And he indicated the Moon and Star ring which was now on his hand instead of on its usual chain around his neck I would have asked more questions, but just then there came a loud bellow of outrage and the ice of the glacier began to rumble and crack all around us.

My father said, "I think that's our cue to leave."

Some of my old stubbornness made an appearance as I folded my arms and asked, “But what about Athynae?"

"That roar means she has won."

“But-- where is she?”

He placed a hand on my shoulder and took out a Recall amulet with the other. “She is safe. She will find you- she always could. But now- there is a different red-haired woman who asked me to bring you home. And I am far more afraid of her than Athynae.” He spoke the words to activate the amulet and I felt the familiar wrenching in my middle as we left that place forever and went home.

We did not stay there for long; a message had arrived directing me to report back to Fort Frostmoth “forthwith.” I was a bit mystified as to why my parents insisted on going with me, a mystery that was resolved when I received my knighthood from Captain Carius. I was pleased to receive the honor, as it was a dream I had held onto since I could remember. However, I was a bit ambivalent about the wound on my wrist where Hircine's antler had scored me, or rather the scar that had formed in its place. The scar was in the shape of a crescent moon, and I wondered about the implications of that mark.

True to my father's prediction, Athynae was safe and she did find me, after only a few days that felt like years as I fretted over her absence. The 'Thyna that returned was much like the one who I had last seen in the glacier- except that she seemed quieter and more thoughtful. We recounted our individual duels with the Hunter's aspects, but took no real joy in our triumphs, only a quiet satisfaction that we shared the title of “Champion”. And somehow, our sojourn on Solstheim seemed to be fading into the past, more like a dream than a memory. But we understood that our reality had also shifted, that something fundamental had changed, in each of us, and between us. I was not sure what those changes would mean; I only knew that with Athynae, everything was an adventure and all I could do was hold on.






From the records of the Imperial Legion, Fort Frostmoth, Solstheim:

By order of Falx Carius, Commander. Created Knight Protector of the Legion, Athlain ap Baria Treyson.

At his own request, resigned commission as Knight Protector, Athlain ap Baria Treyson.


An announcement posted throughout the Vvardenfell District and greater Morrowind:





We will stock the most exotic ingredients and most efficacious potions available anywhere in Morrowind. Our agents travel all of Tamriel to find quality products and transport them magically to you to ensure freshness.



A conversation at Indarys Manor, Vvardenfell ( a portion):

“The Legion has not accepted your resignation yet? You still have your uniform?”

“Yes, Mother- but why?”

“Because you will have need of it. Thank the Nine for bureaucracy!”

An announcement from Sarethi Manor, Ald’ruhn, Vvardenfell (a portion):

Serene and Athyn Sarethi are pleased to announce the upcoming….

A letter from the Imperial City to Indarys Manor, Vvardenfell District, Morrowind (a portion):

Misses Maesa and Caia:

The Imperial Players appreciate your generous offer of patronage. In fact, for such a munificent sum as you have tendered, we are more than happy to accept your request that we perform the play you submitted, and to hold the premiere at the Ald Skar Inn in Ald’ruhn.

Although we normally stage only classical material, we believe your treatment of Athlain the Brave will do quite well in the provinces. If you do not mind my asking, is it true that the script is based on a Nord drinking song? That would certainly explain the- spirited nature of the play, with the exchanges of "Fine!” and the slamming of doors.

As to the schedule…

And a nice cameo by Trey, here at the end of Athlain's story of finding himself. It brings things back around, but now we finally see Athlain not only standing out from his father's shadow as his own man, but also still retaining that connection to his father. Not an easy trick.

And a cheerful ending, in which everything turns out Fine.

Bravo on finally finishing the beast! I bet at times it felt like wrestling with a dragon.

Whew! What a ride it has been! I hear you about your initial vision of it being a quick in-and-out of the BotM storyline and being sucked into the maw of a ravenous, hungry, insatiable beast. I can't begin to tell you how many times THAT has happened to ME! (and to other writers on this forum, I am quite certain . . .)

I chuckled at Falx Carius's report, guffawed at the conversation around the Legion uniform (you can take them out of the Legion, but you can't take the Legion out of them . . . I'm sure Acadian will recognize this mangled maxim), and laughed out loud over the negotiations over the debut of what is to be sure the most popular play to ever take the stage anywhere!

And yes, I am quite satisfied with the ending of this "little" tale. Though maybe I am overthinking now, but do I sense a whiff of new adventures in the future?

Agreeing with haute ecole rider - what a ride it's been, and thank you so much for sticking with it and letting us see this conclusion to Athlain and Athynae's tale! It is so very fitting for it to come full circle and end where it began with Trey and his son... now featuring a much healthier relationship. It's great to see Athlain realise his dreams at the Legion... but then resign, because he no longer needs them, and turn to a quieter life as an apothecary. (Adryn gives her seal of approval here as well.)

I, for one, am very glad that you decided against a completely straightforward retelling of the Bloodmoon plot! I love the additional depth you've given it. I'll honestly admit that Solstheim has always been my least favourite part of Morrowind, but this story really brought it to life and made me think twice on that.

And how else could we possibly close this tale but on...

Fine!

Thanks.



Nice comeback. She's a smart one. I like how she sort of prolongs the start of Hircine's fight with her, drawing his ire, and even seems to embarrass him.

Aw, Uncle Seth's words to the baby are so touching. What is Seth's significance in Athlain's life?

Lol: big, Daedric ball of fuzz!

That's nice. So she knows Athlain was also successful as he defeated Hircine in his own existence.

Ah, she's hallucinating at the end. That ain't her father. It's her partner. Or wait. I am confused.

Cool, they get back together at the end. And he opens a shop. What an ending.

Hello everyone. My apologies for being an invisible presence for so long but the final post is such an accomplishment that I wanted to say a few words.

First and foremost THANK YOU!!!! To all who have continued to read through all of the ups and downs Treydog and I have experienced bringing this story to you. We absolutely appreciate your dedication to our endeavor.

I came to the story as a contributor after it had officially begun but it didn’t take me long to fall in love with the story and the characters. Both in the story and real life I created a special bond with Minque and Blackhand as they allowed us to borrow their characters and me to subsequently write the part of Athynae, Serene’s daughter. Their generosity and advice was an incredible gift that I will treasure every time I look at this story or the other one, Her Highness Princess of Trouble.

Haute for your input and use of Julian, we enjoyed and appreciated every word as well as your support of the story from the beginning. And who knows, maybe there will come a time when we will request Julian’s help again, hmmm, who knows. Thank you so much Haute!

SubRosa Yes!! At times it did feel like wrestling a dragon as Treydog and I both faced the realities of ‘real life’ and the obstructions of writers' blocks, barricades, chasms and dams. Thank you for reading to the end.

Kazeara thank you for being here, for reading and commenting and spending time with us as we muddled through the rough patches. I truly appreciate all you have said in the comments. I am glad as well that Treydog didn’t decide to make it just a straightforward retelling, had he done so I wouldn’t have had the joy of writing Athynae’s part and that has been a gift beyond measure.

Renee I know you haven’t been here for the entirety of the story but your presence is appreciated especially for that. Your comments and questions have given us the opportunity to revisit the past as well. Yes, Athynae is a smart one as well as a smarta**, pardon my language. Seth is a close friend of Athlain’s parents and also being as close as he was to Athynae, Athlain also upon occasion received instruction from him. At the end she isn’t hallucinating and no, Seth is not her partner, Seth is her biological father, something she did not know until the ‘boon’ Hircine gave her. We believe Hircine did it to throw her off her game, fortunately it didn’t work because she truly is the warrior she set out to become.

I do hope you have enjoyed reading the story at least half as much as we have enjoyed writing it. Learning that just because you, as the writer want something to be a certain way doesn’t mean the character will allow that to happen, they take over and believe me Athynae and Athlain both took over from us on more than one occasion. The characters in this story are our family when we are writing, they live in our hearts and minds as we draw their lives onto the page. These two have become almost as real to me as my children, even my children think of them as their siblings, that’s not a joke.

Once again, to all, THANK YOU! Thank you for sharing our story with us. There is no greater gift than the time you gave to read our words.

Wow wait. It's over??? I am glad I caught the tail-end of it, then. Take care.

And now the time has come to do the best part of writing this story (besides finishing it, of course).

First- final comment responses:

@SubRosa- and that appearance by Trey was the “ending” that I wrote at the same time as the “beginning” all those years ago. And the red-headed sister's contribution to the performing arts was a later addition, but one I also came up with quite some time back. One would like to be in the audience when Athynae and Athlain are dragged to the premiere- probably without being told anything about the subject matter.... And it was most definitely a wrestling match- I was inevitably reminded of Spalding Gray's “Monster in a Box.” Thank you so much for sticking with this particular monster and for many helpful and insightful comments over the years.

@haute- I will say more in a bit- but, yes--- it was a thrilling ride and I so appreciate your being along for all of it! And Baria and the uniform... the mothers of the adventuresome pair have “plans” for their offspring- not sure how well those will work out.... As to new adventures, there are definitely... “hooks” from which to hang more stories. There are some notes toward an Oblivion story somewhere- although I think we will probably go in a different direction...

@Kazaera- At its heart, for me anyway, this was always a story about family- and about needing to step away from home before you can realize how much it means to you. The only pesky issue with that “quiet life” is contained in the notice of the opening--- “Our agents travel all of Tamriel...” Surely, nothing bad could come of that? Right? And I am with you on Solstheim as presented- overpowered enemies because players did the “too easy” complaint and werewolves... because... they are a staple of fantasy games and books? This was the first time I really stretched my creativity and (in my mind) it is therefore the best of my stories). And I hope my example (not the taking 13 years part- but the getting to the end) will provide you with the encouragement to keep going with the most wonderful Sleeper in the Cave.

@Renee- Athynae's insults and needling were so much fun for us to write. And again, the Seth is actually Athynae's biological parent was a long time in the making- it was a collaboration amongst 4 of us- including minque and Black Hand. For Athlain, Seth has always rather frightened him- although that is mostly not intentional. However, Seth is a close friend of Trey and Baria and also served as a mentor to Athlain. In fact, he gave him a dagger on one memorable occasion, along with guidance on when to use it. And yes, that is the end of the fan-fic. Many thanks for your reading and your kind words and questions- the questions often reminded us of things we needed to show in the story.

Now- for the other part:

Thanks are in order to a WHOLE bunch of people. First, to Stargelman and Alexander, for creating and maintaining this home for our characters and our conversations. You guys rock!

To Mrs. Treydog, my most excellent “first reader,” who has put up with my obsession for all these years.

An especial thanks to minque and Black Hand for allowing us to co-opt their characters and their characters' stories and for contributing several scenes.

Deepest thanks to haute for participating with Julian- that part of the story remains one of my personal favorites. It means more than I can say that you trusted me with your iconic character. Working with you on those scenes was a tremendous pleasure and I hope that time and inspiration might allow us to write together again some day.

To Athynae, my co-author. You came to the process at the perfect time- when I was getting ready to just... “get it finished as quick as possible.” The life you breathed into your namesake character inspired me to do the same for Athlain. Writing this story with you has been a truly life-changing experience.

To everyone who has read, everyone who has commented, everyone who has been inspired to tell their own stories... YOU are the reason this story exists. I am humbled and animated by your support.

Oh, my. To see it finished, and on such a happy note too! I must admit, my throat had a bit of a lump in it there at the epilogue, and I couldn't have dreamt of a more appropriate ending. Quite a journey, both for the characters and the readers. 13 years of pleasure.

So, Trey's story down.
Athlain's story down.

Wonder if Athynae and Athlain have children? I sense fate would have a few tricks in store for them (if fate hasn't learned its lesson not to irritate Athynae of course).

So happy I finally got the chance to catch up and see you bring this to its conclusion.

*Much applause*

@ Burnt Sierra- Thank you so much for sticking with this from the beginning my friend. Your support was essential in my determination to finish. All I will say at present is that the kids (Athynae and Athlain) DO have a future. What precise shape that future will take is still being mapped out. My most heartfelt gratitude to you for all the years of internet friendship.