Despite being from Lildereth’s perspective, it is Darnand that really shines early in this episode. His magic map, riding while reading, taking affront at a Legion soldier daring to mark the mage’s map with a fat dirty thumb! And the story supporting how absent-minded he can be.

It was fun to meet Rose as well-
‘Lildereth decided to stay mounted for the moment to take advantage of the view.’
When one is as short as our elves, this is a given!

Valley of Hopes, the village and its people were a treat to read about. Between a hot meal and wandering magical maidens, the chill in the air was well warded. But alas, no one eats for free and it looks like our elven tracker will have to earn her keep in the morning. No doubt, Darnand’s morning will be spent studying up on terramancy while Jerric and Ulfe eat breakfast. Hopefully Lildereth will at least get a wonderful and warm cup of the local brew before she sets out. An intriguing mystery.

‘Then our terramancer wandered off somewhere.’
I cheered when I read this! What a magnificent and ever so logical term! Bravo!

I agree with Acadian that this one really brings out Darnand.

Igren’s pride was obvious. “There’s different ways. Trade secrets. I’ll tell you ours, though, because what’s the harm? We use a spell. Ha!”

Darnand came to attention at Lildereth’s left. ...

This just fits him so perfectly.

I think you missed an opportunity for more of Ulfe in this. Each of the travellers (and their horse) get the full treatment in the opening paragraphs, but I didn't even know Ulfe was there until half-way through.

First off, I loved how your opening chapter not only introduced each character we will be seeing this episode, but also described them so subtly via how each knew their bearings in their own special way.

Interesting name for their new horse. Not a Doctor Who fan are you by chance?

A Legion rider had marked Darnand’s map for them, a crime that the Breton was unlikely to forgive.


A nice description of the coffee kahve settlement. The villager's use of magic to help them farm was a lovely touch, as was the girl's casting resist frost spells about the place to keep out the cold.

“Forgive me magister, but will you hear our plight?”
Uh oh, why do I get the feeling that our trio is about to be dragged into some damn fool crusade?

Yep. I love how in spite of her initial reluctance (to put it mildly) Lil was the first one to declare that they would track down the missing folk!

*

First off, I am so sorry it took so long to get here and read this! I have been sick as a dog this week, haven't felt well enough to read/write/sit up for long. I am so sorry, because you know if you are updating I will be here asap.

Loved Lildereth's musings on Rose, and got a huge kick out of Darnand and his map!

What a fascinating introspective Lildereth did on Darnand! This line especially:


Darnand's depth has been creeping into the story slowly, but is gaining momentum through Lildereth's keen eyes and insights. I absolutely LOVE her POV chapters!

I loved this (below) line, Lildereth is like a balm that senses the pain of those she is close to and is drawn to ease it:

Followed by this:

SPEW! ROFL!

Whew, what a line! Loved that!

What a mystery you've left us with! If this is a game quest, I don't recognize it yet. Wonderful chapter and update, and again I am so sorry I was late getting here for it!


*

What a great chapter!

I love the idea of the enchanted map... makes a lot of sense

I love Lildereth's opinions on Rose (love the name, btw!). Such a wonderful description of something so simple

Loved the different ways the crew kept their sense of direction. Jerric just seems to be one of those people that through either stubbornness or just dumb luck doesn’t have problems with some things. Darnand of course has his magic. Lildereth has what she does through practice and experience.

Like everyone else, I loved the offense committed by the legion rider. Darnand is hilarious in his oblivious focus. Does that even make sense?

The Nord wore his guard expression, distant and calm.
Nice little reminder of the family business and Jerric’s life before the Gate. Lil doesn’t seem to want to be bound to anyone or group.

The village description was nice. I thought it was interesting that they eat as a community rather than as individual families. The Breton’s magical influence is on show.

Lil was very reluctant, and then suddenly was enthusiastic. What got her attention with these disappearances?

That was brilliant!...

Loved it...

The whole welcoming vibe was brilliant, as was the ride to and into the valley...Brilliant stuff...

I'm with Acadian, the terramancer was an excellent idea... ...

Always a joy to read, looking forward to much more...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Previously: Jerric, Lildereth, Darnand, Ulfe, and the horses reached the settlement of Hope Valley. They learned that some of the locals had gone missing. Jerric volunteered to look for them. Lildereth and Darnand agreed.



Elisabeth Hollow: Hmm, this may not be the mission you’re remembering. Hope Valley, Igren’s settlers, and kahve bogs are not in the game. But they will eventually find an enemy that is familiar. Thanks Elisabeth!

Acadian: Thank you, Acadian! This did turn out to be a very Darnand episode, didn’t it? I tried to make the dinner a little more nourishing to the imagination, but Lildereth does not share Jerric’s devotion to food! I thought fondly of Buffy and Superian when Lil was enjoying that lofty view.

ghastley: You’re so right, I added a line to indicate that Ulfe is also along on this trip. It was fun to give Darnand that moment at the dinner table. Thank you for pointing it out!

SubRosa: The whole community became quite magical in the writing. It just suddenly made sense that Bretons would have more casual magic than say Imperials. I’m glad you mentioned that it was Lildereth who spoke up. The fellows definitely respond to her leadership. Thank you, SubRosa!

mALX: I’m glad you’re feeling better, mALX! Mysteries will soon be resolved. Thank you for your kind words about Darnand and Lildereth! The next three updates are from Lildereth’s POV. This quest is new, but there will be something that is familiar!

Eva: Welcome to the story! I’m glad you’re reading. Darnand’s map reminds me of people driving while looking at their GPS instead of the road. Thank you, Eva!

King Coin: I know just what you mean about Darnand’s oblivious focus. You’re right, Lil is reluctant to be bound to anyone. She wants to be but is very torn. We will soon hear more on that subject. The guys have heard Lil asking around about people disappearing just like has happened in this village, but they don’t know what she’s up to either. Soon! Thank you, KC!

McBadgere: Thank you, McB! Those Bretons were a jolly bunch of folks on the Black Road. I’ve been waiting for a long time to get them back in the story.



Next: Lildereth, Darnand, and Jerric look for clues.

Chapter 16: Valley of Hopes, Part Two

After dinner they decided to trust the village watch and get as much sleep as possible. The night passed without incident. Lildereth curled at the back of the tent just out of kicking range. Jerric slept between Darnand and Ulfe. The Nord got the most rest with a limb flung over something that was breathing. All of them slept better when he was peaceful.

At first light Lildereth began to search the settlement’s perimeter. The loss of the young couple had occurred at night. It made her suspect that something had been stalking the village awaiting its opportunity. The rain would have obscured any tracks from a pacing animal, but there could be signs if something had lain in ambush.

She found the hiding spot behind one of the low outcrops on the mountain side of the valley. Dead grass had been pressed deeply into the soil over a time when the ground had been soft with moisture. The temperature had dropped below freezing overnight. Now frost glittered under a clear mountain sunrise. But not in the hollow behind these boulders.

Lildereth could see footprints and a faint trail through the frosty grass. She followed it with her eyes up to a fold in the terrain. There something could move in either direction along the valley without being seen. Her heart fell. Their quarry walked on two booted feet, and she was looking for magical creatures. Jerric and Darnand had made their preparations and were now waiting down out of her way in the village. She signaled for them to join her.

Jerric wore his steel cuirass and leather trousers. Her pack dangled from one hand and the other held a steaming pitcher. His shield was slung across his back. There were more blades strapped to his person than anyone should require. She glanced away from him before he could start another argument about his greaves. The enchantment on his cuirass would do nothing to muffle the noise he made with the plates over his legs.

Darnand strode up behind Jerric looking like a hedge wizard from a picture book. His cloak billowed and his robe swept open as he walked. Lildereth noted that he had worn his thickest leggings and tallest boots as she suggested. The Breton preferred to completely secure his robes in the formal manner, but today there would be rocks and brambles to trip over. His hood slipped down over his forehead, causing the back to rise up like a pointy hat. He nearly bashed himself with the lich’s staff that he carried as he tried to adjust it.

Jerric passed her the pitcher of hot kahve. Black, the way he liked it. She took a sip anyway.

“Someone comes down at night and lies here to watch the village,” she said, pointing. “They went in that direction some time after the sky cleared last night. See that path where the grass bends? I can guess where we’ll find tracks heading up into those rocky hills. I know there are caves up there. That might even be what happened to the terramancer. Went exploring and saw something that he shouldn’t have. Anyway, that’s where we’ll search first.”

The men exchanged a look. Lildereth realized that the obvious trail was not visible to them.

“Someone, huh? So it’s not a creature that we’re after,” said Jerric. “That means they’ll likely have a weapon. Since you already know where to start, then you could wait while I—”

“No,” said Lildereth. “I’m not waiting while you go get the rest of your armor. You’ll have to do without it. Besides, your atronachs could slaughter a whole village, and it’s likely just some withered up old hermit. Nothing in those caves should even touch you.” Disappointment made her peevish, but she wasn’t sure how to get over it.

Darnand cleared his throat.

“Breton...” warned Jerric.

“He is carrying it in his pack,” Darnand confessed.

“Traitor.”

Lildereth stared at Jerric. “All of it?”

“His greaves and gauntlets. His boot plates are in my pack,” said Darnand. He shifted his feet, peering owlishly out from under his hood.

She took her pack from Jerric and shrugged into it without comment. With the Nord’s potions and Darnand’s spells they could carry half of an armory between them, so it shouldn’t bother her. And they probably would just to prove the point.

“Where’s the tent?” she finally asked. Her own pack felt as if it had not been tampered with.

“Ulfe needs it at the settlement,” Darnand declared. His face was as bland as butter.

Jerric laughed. “You have your bedroll, elf. It’s not going to rain. We’re camping Bosmer style on this outing.”

They walked along the valley as the sun climbed up behind the Jeralls. Migrating snow geese sent their ghostly calls drifting down as they flew north and east in formation. The light caught their wings, marking them as points of white against the sky. The meadows offered little cover for wildlife, but the kahve ponds teemed with water birds. As soon as one flock took off another coasted down to take its place. Their overlapping wings cast great shadows as they passed overhead.

The frost melted as the sun broke over the mountains. Lildereth’s annoyance faded with it. As they walked she watched for bent grass and faint scuffs in the dirt. To her surprise the trail cut left toward some low hills rather than straight up into the rocks.

“That way,” Lildereth said. The three stood for a moment while she watched for distant motion. Whoever had spied upon the village all night was likely now sleeping, but she was not going to blunder up to it like some… Nord.

Jerric offered her his waterskin and a roll stuffed with cheese. He must have finished the kahve. Lildereth marveled at his internal capacity. She took a sip of water.

“There is a marking on my map,” Darnand announced. “Unlabeled, but the symbol is for a fort.”

“Up here?” said Jerric. “It’ll be ancient and abandoned.”

Darnand pointed. “Do you see the shadows on that hilltop? I expect we will find that is our destination.”

“Well it seems as if someone still lives there,” said Lildereth, thinking out loud. “We’re too far east for the Colovian warlords. Besides, that place is a ruin. I wonder…” The men gave her another look. “Those communities still exist, you know. Never mind what you read in the Black Horse Courier.”

“Right,” said Jerric. “The great twig and pebble barons of old Colovia. And I’m the Grey Fox.”

Lildereth ignored him. “Things that dwell in ruined forts often keep dangerous company. It could be necromancers. You were right to drag along all of that metal, Jerric.” She pointed to a patch of high brush somewhat sheltered by a rocky outcrop a short walk from the distant hill. “We’ll go over there. You two can wait while I look around. Try not to make too much fuss getting the Nord into his party clothes. When I come back we’ll make the plan.”

Lildereth found the ruins where Darnand had predicted. The fort appeared to be uninhabited above ground. Shattered and tumbled walls left the structure open to the sky. Lildereth followed what had now become a path beaten into the dirt around to a short flight of stairs set into the ground. An entrance opened darkly at its base, its door long ago rotted away.

A suspicion had grown in her mind as she canvassed the ruin. Now she acted on it.

She soon found a second entrance mostly hidden by vines and tumbled stone. A sip of Jerric’s Juice ensured a steady flow of magicka. She cast her spells of nighteye and life detection, then slipped silently underground.

One set of fresh footprints in the dust led into the ruin. No life glows were visible. Lildereth crouched down to examine the signs and listen.

The tracks had been made by small feet, bare-heeled and clawed. Brush marks between the footprints told of a furred tail. A Khajiit, she realized. The old anger welled inside her. Lildereth pushed it down and sharpened her focus. This Khajiit was moving cautiously. Stalking the ruin.

Lildereth made herself invisible and moved further in. She did not wish to harm a fellow intruder, but abandoning the hunt was not an option. The villagers deserved answers. Jerric was determined to provide them.

The passageway was narrow with solid-looking stone block walls and ceiling. Soft dirt was all that remained of any debris that had drifted in over the years. Her feet made no sound. Soon she saw the glow of a living creature through untold walls ahead.

Lildereth crept forward until she could see the Khajiit. It took several turns of the passageway to reach her. The tiniest noise would give her away, and she knew that the Khajiit’s natural vision was superior to her spell in the dark. Lildereth crouched down and watched.

The Khajiit moved slowly down the passageway, intent on what was before her. She wore fine armor of Elven make. Lildereth recognized the feather patterns over the back and pauldrons, and the small noises were characteristic of the golden metal now washed blue like everything else by Lildereth’s spell. The Khajiit wore a sword on each hip. Her unusual footwraps left toes and heels bare, Lildereth guessed for traction. The Khajiit paused at a turn and tilted her head, listening. Her helm was made in a bird design with metal feathers curving down to protect her cheeks and neck while leaving her ears free. They pricked forward now. Lildereth took note of the quiver across her back and the short recurve bow in her hand.

The Khajiit did not have an arrow nocked, but she might still get a shot off before Lildereth could turn and run. She called a calming spell into one hand and invisibility into the other in case she needed to recast it and retreat.

Lildereth whispered in Ta’agra, soft as a breath. “Da’aqin, shanjiri.” Her voice broke the spell, making her visible.

The Khajiit’s head snapped around. In a fluid instant she was facing Lildereth, one hand on the hilt of a sword.

“Peace, friend,” Lildereth whispered again. This time she spoke in Cyrodilic.

The Khajiit did not relax. “You play a dangerous game, Bosmer.”

“Perhaps we hunt the same quarry.” Lildereth began to move backward toward the exit. “Will you come outside and speak with me? My friends are waiting nearby. A mage and a warrior. I’m just in here scouting.”

The Khajiit took a few steps forward. “Then you have had a near miss. Vampires can sense your heat and smell your blood. It’s only a scouting trip until the first one discovers you.”

Lildereth cursed silently. She cared even less for vampires. “I’m told they also have sharp hearing. Let’s go out where we can talk.”

She turned and walked to the exit, the skin on the back of her neck crawling with unease. Showing trust might help her gain trust, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that it could be the end of her.

Outside Lildereth dispelled her detection magicks. She and the Khajiit looked each other over.

The cat-woman had pale fur with auburn hair and dark leopard spots. An old scar marked the right side of her face. Her armor was golden metal as Lildereth had suspected, beautifully designed and crafted. It bore the marks of many, many repairs. Leather wrapped her feet and forearms. She wore gold rings in her ears and one on her finger. Her eyes were a clear, lovely green. The same as mine, Lildereth realized. And she’s not much taller than me. Short for a Suthay-raht, and slim. They headed toward the brush thicket.

“You’re a vampire hunter?” asked the Khajiit. Her voice was soft but still tense.

“No, we’re just looking for some folk who were lost from a nearby village. Hope Valley, do you know it?” Lildereth nodded in that direction.

“I saw their smoke from my camp.” The Khajiit moved with easy grace, but her ears and tail were far from relaxed. “Let’s go to your friends.”

Lildereth called to Jerric and Darnand while they were still a distance away from the thicket. She did not want the Khajiit to think she was being led to an ambush. “Come on out, fetchers! I may have found a partner.”

Jerric looked gigantic in his armor, Darnand slight as a lad beside him. The four stood and exchanged looks for a moment.

The Nord spoke first. “I’m Jerric.” He extended his arm.

The Khajiit stepped forward and gripped it in a warrior’s clasp. “My name is Aravi.”

“Pleased to meet you. This is Darnand Penoit of Chorrol. You’ve met Lildereth.”

Aravi exchanged nods with Darnand. Lildereth managed a nervous smile. She hoped this Aravi would join them. Anyone who entered a vampire lair alone and on purpose must be formidable.

“You are with the Mages Guild?” Aravi asked Darnand.

“Yes. All of us are members.”

Aravi looked Jerric over again, reassessing.

The Nord grinned. “Now, what’s the situation?”

“Vampires,” said Lildereth.

“Oh fetch it,” said Jerric.

“Indeed,” said Darnand. “This will complicate your information gathering, Lildereth.”

“I know.” Lildereth tried not to sound as worried as she felt. “I found two exits, but I didn’t get any kind of look inside. I’m not sure how we’re going to make a plan.”

Aravi’s lips curved up at the corners, and her ears swiveled forward. She reached into a pouch. “I brought a map.”




***
Of Special Note: Many heartfelt thanks to King Coin for lending his wonderful character Aravi to Jerric’s Story! She will also appear in the next four updates. We started planning this over a year ago! It has been tremendous fun to collaborate with you, KC. And thank you very much for the screen shots of Aravi! (Yes folks, there will be more!! )

Aravi’s Oblivion story can be found in the thread King Coin's videos, and her ongoing adventures are in the thread Aravi in Skyrim, her video story.

*

At first I thought the "something familiar' was only going to be Jerric's appetite, but the second you said "barefoot Khajiit with footwraps" I yelped "IT'S ARAVI !!!!! WOOOOOT !!!!"

Awesome surprise!



I know that is right, his kicking and nightmares. Lildereth is so unobtrusive herself (the opposite of Jerric in that sense) - but there is nothing she doesn't see/notice about people/places.

The beginning of this chapter was awesome for showing Lildereth's scouting ability - Loved that Jerric and Darnand would look at the same spot she did and not see the footprints she was seeing!

Well, the skulkers wore boots, that eliminates Aravi as being suspect (since they just met her and don't know anything about her other than she was where they were looking for missing people).

I was confused by this:


?

Other than Aravi's entrance, what I loved best about this chapter was seeing Lildereth in her element, doing what she does (and doing it extraordinarily well!) - she has so many facets, she is fascinating! Awesome character you've made with her!

LOVED seeing you post in 4 days again !!!!!! WOO HOO !!!!!! Awesome Write !!!!

AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHHH! Aravi!!!!!

I totally thought this was the Will 'o the Wisp mission.

Over a year Grits and I’ve been eagerly awaiting this moment the whole time! Thank you very much Grits!

***

For Darnand’s comfort, I hope Jerric’s limb was on Ulfe.

Darnand strode up behind Jerric looking like a hedge wizard from a picture book…
Love the description of Darnand in his robes. Seems oddly appropriate for him to possess the lich’s staff. On a lighter note, he knows who’s really in charge! (referring to his confession about Jerric’s armor)

Lildereth’s tracking skills are invaluable here. Neither the Nord nor the Breton have anything like it.

“Where’s the tent?”
“Ulfe needs it at the settlement,”
Sure she does.

I liked seeing Lil’s scouting technique, and of course finding my Aravi! Lil took a big risk revealing herself, I know she’s more the type to just turn around and disappear. She made sure she was prepared though!

Loved your description of Aravi, I didn’t realize Lil had green eyes until I read this.

Thank you for pointing this out! I wanted to go ahead and answer now rather than waiting for the next update.

Lildereth has been asking people if they’ve heard rumors of any strange beasts or magical creatures, and the news of villagers disappearing made her think that she might find what she’s looking for here stalking Hope Valley. That’s why she suddenly got behind Jerric’s idea that they help find the missing people, she wants to see what got them. The boot prints told her that the village was being watched by something in boots, not a monster like she was hunting. So she was very disappointed and snapped at the first person she saw, Jerric with his earlier (implied) argument about his noisy armor. She knew she was being a bitch, but wasn’t sure how to reel herself back in without making it worse. (For example saying she’s sorry and then bursting into tears, causing the guys to be mortified first thing in the morning, lol.)

Does that make some sense? We'll get some more about this in a few more updates, so I want to make sure it's not still confusing. Thanks for mentioning this, mALX!

What an image of Lildereth sleeping as a little elf ball pressed into the corner, with the others a mass of sprawled limbs inside the tent.

The elf’s woodscraft really shines as she discovers the signs of her quarry.

‘They walked along the valley as the sun climbed up behind the Jeralls. Migrating snow geese sent their ghostly calls drifting down as they flew north and east in formation. The light caught their wings, marking them as points of white against the sky. The meadows offered little cover for wildlife, but the kahve ponds teemed with water birds. As soon as one flock took off another coasted down to take its place. Their overlapping wings cast great shadows as they passed overhead. ’
Another magnificent example of how beautifully you can paint with words! Passages like this make me sigh with admiration at how you can bring us right into the magical world you create for us.

What a treat to see Aravi! It was wonderfully clever of Lildereth to coax the formidable small cat out of the dark vampire lair into the bright of day. You know. . . just to make sure.

With a map of the dungeon’s layout, Aravi’s already proving invaluable. I’m sure Lil will use it to make a plan, while Jerric could care less about a map and Darnand will likely ask to inspect it for smudges.

So. . . it seems perhaps there’s a clan of vampires with a taste for the blood of coffeebean-fed Bretons.

All of them slept better when he was peaceful.
I'll bet they do!

Very clever thinking on your part about not only the depression made in the grass from someone sitting in place for a long time, but also the lack of frost on said spot.

A Khajiit, she realized. The old anger welled inside her.
I am guessing Lildreth was a veteran of the border war between Valenwood and Elsewyr. Or perhaps her parents were.

Like everyone else, Yay for Aravi! And over a year wait! That reminds me of how long Acadian and I had to wait for the Torment Tournament of Archers. To finally see posting. Congrats on finally being able to see your collaboration bear fruit. And plenty more episodes of Aravi and the Terrible Trio together. Woot!

Gives 'em energy! XD

Now I'm expecting commercials for "5 Hour Energy drink - Pomegranate, Orange, or new Breton-blood flavor with extra caffeine"

At first I thought that was what it was, but the end of that ("she wasn’t sure how to get over it") - made me think I must be wrong - like the disappointment seemed much greater than the trigger for it - then (like an idiot connected it with what you had said in your Comment Thanks and wondered if there was a bigger underlying disappointment that was the real catalyst behind her peevishness). Sorry about that Grits, that was me reading too much into that moment. Urk.




Vampire: "You seem cranky and slow this morning, have a Breton. That should perk you up some..."


*

HAAAAAA.

Previously: Jerric, Lildereth, and Darnand agreed to look for the missing villagers of Hope Valley. Lildereth tracked footprints to a ruined fort. Inside she met a barefoot Khajiit who was also stalking the ruin. Aravi!! She told Lildereth that the fort was occupied by vampires. They went outside to meet the guys. Lildereth hopes that Aravi will join them in their investigation of the ruin. Aravi brought a map.

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome for Aravi! Thank you KC for your teamwork and awesome screen shots!


mALX: Yay, I knew those footwraps would give her away! Thank you so much for your kind words about Lildereth. Her emotions often look like something they’re not to other people, so in these parts from her POV it’s a relief to be able to give the whole picture. Thank you, mALX!

Elisabeth Hollow: The Azura one? Well, this one also has vampires!

King Coin: Thank you, KC! I have had the best time writing these sections with you. I’m glad you picked out Darnand’s lines. He is definitely unwilling to cross Lildereth, but he still wanted to defend Jerric! That little elf makes their heads spin, lol.

Acadian: Lildereth and Jerric are such outdoor creatures that a sunny day is always a pleasure to write with them. A trip along the Orange Road would be wasted with the Breton. “Darnand read Ayleid Inscriptions volumes one through fourteen while the others exclaimed over the scenery.” I am still chuckling over coffee-flavored Bretons. Thank you, Acadian!

SubRosa: I learned a little about frost point in that episode. Your guess is correct about the source of Lildereth’s anger. The rest of that story is coming soon. Thank you, SubRosa!

ghastley: Caffeinated Bretons, not just for breakfast!


Next: Lildereth, Darnand, Jerric, and Aravi make the plan. This is part two of five featuring King Coin’s Aravi.

Chapter 16 Valley of Hopes, Part Three

Darnand seemed to leap forward within his own skin. “You have a map? When was it made? What is your source?”

“Easy there,” laughed Jerric. “Let her tell it.”

Aravi held the parchment in her hands. “The order I work with has contacts at the Arcane University. This ruin is a known vampire lair, but it’s been decades since the last raid. Whether someone has been holed up here for years or newly arrived is not known. Vampires can go underground for long periods, feeding on mortal cattle, animals, or even starving themselves into madness. It’s likely that the new activity at Hope Valley caught its attention, and it saw someone it wanted. When I looked in the main entrance I was able to confirm that we are dealing with a vampire here. Maybe several.” She glanced around at them. “What do you know about vampires?”

“Not much,” said Lildereth. She preferred to learn what Aravi knew first.

Darnand crossed his arms over his chest, probably to keep himself from grabbing at Aravi’s map. “My reading on the subject has been inconclusive.”

Aravi gave him a nod to go ahead.

“I understand that they are vulnerable to fire, enchanted weapons, and mundane weapons made with silver.”

“Yes,” said Aravi. “Frost attacks and poisons will do little damage. Many vampires are masters of illusion, so mind control spells often fail.”

Jerric patted his blades. “Enchanted, and I have a mace made of Nordic silver.” He gave Aravi an enquiring look.

She touched her own weapons. “This sword bears a fire enchantment, and this one is made of silvered steel.” Now it was Jerric who looked like he might pounce on her for a closer look at the blades.

Lildereth cleared her throat. “Is it true that wooden stakes will kill them?”

Aravi tipped her head back, indicating her quiver. “If they’re attached to silver arrowheads. A bow that enchants arrows is also effective.”

Lildereth hooked a thumb at her own back. “Silver tipped. I’m covered.”

Jerric shuffled his feet in the grass. It sounded like a stampede. “I’ve heard you can get infected from just the smallest cut. If their blood gets in.”

“This is true,” said Aravi. “Vampires carry Porphyric Hemophilia, and an untreated infection will lead to vampirism. Close combat is to be avoided if possible, and you must all take a curative potion once we leave this place. Just to be certain. Do not take one until it’s over, as you may be reinfected.” She paused. “And repeat infections are not so easy to cure.”

Jerric looked at Darnand. “If that happens to me, you have to kill me. Promise.”

Darnand snorted. “With my spell and your potions it would seem that your murder need not be a part of our advance plan. Besides, we would have days to cure you.”

“No, I mean the repeated thing. I don’t want to be a vampire.”

The three of them stared at Jerric.

“I’m serious, Breton. Don’t let me turn into one. Give me your word.”

Lildereth realized that he really was that worried.

Darnand sounded impatient. “I shall kill you one hundred times to death, are you satisfied? After an appropriate period of study, of course.”

Jerric still looked troubled. “You’re jesting, right?”

“You are indulging in theatrics. We shall revisit this discussion if you sprout fangs. Agreed?”

Jerric tugged on a fistful of his hair. “Agreed.”

Aravi gave Jerric another calculating look.

“He’s steady in a fight,” Lildereth offered.

Darnand spoke up. “I have read one treatise that suggests vampires may move freely in sunlight, but their skin will sparkle, betraying their condition.”

“Sparkle?” Jerric sounded as dubious as Lildereth felt.

Lildereth laughed. “Breton, what have you been reading?”

Now Darnand sounded defensive. “That is a recent theory. I cannot account for its popularity.”

“They don’t sparkle,” said Aravi, “and they can’t last long in direct sunlight. I advise that we attack in daylight. They’re less likely to attempt escape into the outdoors, and we want to kill them all.”

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “About that. We’re searching for some villagers who may have been taken. Well I guess that’s likely what happened to them. Anyway there were no bodies, so do you think they could still be alive? We need to be careful and watch out for them.”

Aravi’s soft tone made her words all the more chilling. “If they still live they will have been enthralled, made into cattle, or turned. Thralls will regain their conscious will once their master has been killed. However their purpose is to protect the master with their lives, so I doubt it will be possible to spare them. I don’t think entranced cattle can ever be awakened. Fledglings are vampires. I don’t know a cure.”

They stood in silence for a moment.

Jerric spoke. “I got you two into this. I’m going to see it through, but—”

“That’s a hell of a thing to say to us,” snapped Lildereth.

“We are with you,” said Darnand.

Aravi unrolled the map. “Let’s plan our attack.”

The ground was damp with melting frost, so they remained standing. Darnand took two corners of the map, and Lildereth held the third. Jerric turned his body to shade them from the sun’s glare.

The map depicted the fort in its current state. By the notations it seemed that it had been drawn on site rather than copied from an architectural plan.

“Here is the entrance they’ve been using,” Aravi said, pointing with a claw. “The corridor leads to a balcony around this large chamber. There are no functional stairs, and it’s a twelve foot drop. That’s where I saw the humans.”

“How many?” asked Jerric. “Were they Bretons? Thralls or were they vampires? Armed? What were they doing?”

Aravi blinked at him.

“Let her tell it,” Darnand reminded Jerric, mimicking the Nord’s earlier tone. Lildereth bit the corner of her lip. This was no time for the two of them to start bickering.

Aravi looked down at the map for a moment. “I’m not used to working with a team. Why don’t I tell you what I planned to do on my own? Then you can ask your questions. I don’t know if I’ll have the answers. I have little to go on other than my experience and what you already know.”

“Right,” said Jerric. “Uh, yeah. Sorry.”

Aravi tapped the map with her claw again. “Healthy vampires would have no problem getting in and out this way, but enthralled or imprisoned mortals would be contained. I think the vampires dwell back here.” She indicated a cluster of chambers. “This unused entrance where we met, Lildereth, is closer. An approach through the front door would alert the vampires that they were under attack. I can sneak up and shoot them one by one, but I can’t sneak past them. So I planned to use these corridors to find and fight the vampires singly without having to kill all of their thralls first. If they have any. It always comes to blades with the patriarchs, and this way I might save my strength.”

Aravi’s plan sounded like a suicide attempt to Lildereth. “What about here and here?” She pointed at the map. “You can’t be sure you cleared an area before you move to the next, and any number of foes could get behind you. What will they do when they learn they’re under attack? Use invisibility and search the corridors for you?” Lildereth broke into a sweat despite the chill. She fought the urge to shrink against Jerric. Even the sky seemed hostile.

“No, I can’t be sure,” Aravi replied. Her voice was quiet and even. “I can only do the best that I can manage.”

Lildereth composed her thoughts. They should watch the entrance for a few nights at the minimum, but she doubted anyone would agree to that.

Darnand spoke to Aravi before Lildereth could organize her questions. “May I ask if you plan to use magic?”

“I know a healing spell, and I cast a shield when I have the chance.”

Jerric cleared his throat. “I’ve been on some raids. Not many, but they were memorable. I think I have an idea.”

Lildereth kept the surprise off her face, which was more than Darnand could manage.

Aravi gave Jerric a small nod.

“This big chamber here. It would make a good kill box. Lildereth, you and Aravi go up on the balcony with your bows. Aravi can sort out the thralls from the vampires and call targets. Lildereth can use life detection magic to warn you when something is coming down either of these corridors. The vampires cast invisibility, right? So you’ll need that to see them. And Lildereth, once they know we’re here you can try your mind tricks on the thralls. Get them to run away or something if you can. Anything to keep them out of the fight until we kill their master.”

He paused, but no one else spoke.

“I’ll go in through here with Darnand and our summonings,” he continued. “We’ll all four split up and work through these areas at the same time. I don’t trust your fire wench, Breton, but that dremora you summon just wants to kill. If you send him in here and he comes out here we’ll know there’s nothing alive behind him. I’ll send Ishckrihk this way. You and I will both be casting fire, so it’s best that he stay far away from it. I don’t know if he gets nervous, and today is a bad time to find out.”

Aravi pointed at the map. “If you do not time your advance correctly, this chamber could become a trap. We don’t know how many vampires we’ll find. Your atronachs will prevent any kind of stealth, and the vampires will have time to react.”

“Yeah.” Jerric grinned at Darnand. The Breton gave him a smug twist of lip in return. “We can talk in each other’s thoughts,” Jerric told Aravi. His thick finger made a noise tapping against his temple.

The Khajiit seemed to believe him. At least she didn’t roll up her map and stalk away.

“I’ll wear my life detection ring,” Jerric continued. “Darnand, you wear the Ring of… Not Being Seen Very Easily.”

Lildereth stifled a laugh. She was glad he was prudent enough not to name the daedric artifact in their possession, but his dissembling could use a lot of work.

The tip of Aravi’s tail twitched as she thought. “Your fire may drive the more powerful vampires to us.” She touched the large chamber that Jerric had described as a kill zone.

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “I’m not so good with plans. You two can escape out the front door if that happens.”

Aravi gave him a small smile. “When that happens, we will kill them.”

I lost it at the Twilight reference XD

Add to the caffeinated Bretons a glass of sparkling Vampire! Not!! “That is a recent theory. I cannot account for its popularity.” I like you way you phrased that.

Jerric's reaction to the thought of becoming a vampire is interesting. Looks like a bit of background will be expanded soon.

And I love a good plan! They're so much fun when they fall apart on facing reality. Even more so, if someone can patch it back together.

Settle down there Breton, this map isn’t as cool as yours is!

“And repeat infections are not so easy to cure.”
You included some of Aravi’s hard won wisdom.

Jerric’s panic attack along with Darnand’s reply was immensely entertaining. I don’t think Darnand’s joking though. Aravi’s reaction was perfect!

Sparkly vampires!

Those missing villagers sound like they have very bleak chances.

“Let her tell it,” Darnand reminded Jerric…


Jerric comes through with a good plan. He’s smarter than he looks!

At least she didn’t roll up her map and stalk away.


Jerric’s mention of the Ring of Khajiiti was funny, considering their company.

Aravi has no intention of running.

What fun it is to normally hear the terrific trio do their ‘planning’ sessions. To introduce a feline fourth into the mix was a riot, even before adding atronachs of fire and ice! I’ll bet Aravi’s scratching her head and wondering what she’s gotten into.

I’m sure the plan will proceed with perfect smoothness.

...Another update?!!?!!?!!!????!...

*Cough*getittogetherMcB....

Um...

Yes, sorry...

Loved the tracking sesh...Lildreth is really really cool...

I loved the way that Darnand said that the fort was on the map but not labled...Pretty much as the compass does... ...

I laughed at Jerric's hiding of his armour in the packs... ...

Then Aravi!!...She's pretty epic isn't she?... ...

The planning in the next bit was excellent...I could just imagine Aravi's "What the?..." at the way the three of them work...

Atronach fight!!...Oh yeah!!...Hopefully we'll finally get to see Ishcky in a fight... ...

Will have to keep my eyes peeled much more in future... ...

Not a great shocker my saying I loved both sections, eh?... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds most heartily*...

You must really be loving The Valley of Horses Hopes, from the way you are cranking out the updates!

It seems like this Aravi person knows a thing or two about vampires, and is part of an organization that hunts them. The Order of Virtuous Blood I presume.

“If they’re attached to silver arrowheads.
I loved Aravi's way of answering the age old stake question.

Sparkly vampires! Is that the Twilight reference that Elisabeth mentioned? I never read the books or saw the movies. Ok, I googled it. Oi! Someone actually wrote vampires that sparkle in the sunlight? I did not think my contempt for that series could grow any more, but it has!

Fledglings are vampires
Nice use of the Skyrim term here. Likewise with the different types of mortal servants we see in Sky as well. One of the things that game did (besides making wolves silent), was put more meat on vampire's bones.

Aravi's plan shows that she definitely has the stones for this kind of work, or for the Fighters Guild for that matter...

but that dremora you summon just wants to kill. If you send him in here and he comes out here we’ll know there’s nothing alive behind him.
I am reminded of the mohawk boss from The Road Warrior: "We go in, we kill, We Kill, WE KILL!!!"

“When that happens, we will kill them.”
Now that is the Aravi we know!

Sparkly vampires!? No!! Aravi, help Jerric out, would ya? Enjoying the crossover here.


QTF!

I loved this chapter. I see you incorportated SKyrim lore into this. Awesome! I'm a sucker for lore, and I love the fact that you stayed true to it. Makes the story trully compelling!

*

Holy Cow, Aravi is talking!

Jerric is Lildereth's rock, that is for sure. I so love hearing her point of view, because these are feelings that never show outwardly on her in Jerric's POV chapters.

ROFL! Jerric's names for enchantments is hilarious! (I take it by Lildereth's thought this was the "Ring of Khajiit" and he was either not wanting to offend a Khajiit or not wanting to admit he had dabbled with Daedric Lords to a stranger, lol.

Awesome Write, as ever!


*

Previously: Aravi, Lildereth, Jerric, and Darnand made the plan to enter a ruined fort looking for vampires and villagers. The group will spilt up. Jerric and Darnand along with their summonings will go into the back entrance. Aravi and Lildereth will guard the chamber inside the front door, killing anything that tries to get away.

King Coin’s character Aravi and her screenshots are brought to you with the cooperation and generosity of King Coin himself. Thank you so much, KC!!


Elisabeth Hollow: He was reading it for Research!

ghastley: Jerric’s panic over becoming a vampire wasn’t from a past trauma, it’s just the ongoing concern that his skills and natural tendencies would wreak major havoc turned in the wrong direction. Like when he was hit by the Command spell in Fort Strand and nearly killed Darnand. That incident was the worry that being a good killer makes him a threat brought to life. He imagines that his healthy appetites would make him an overachieving vampire. Thanks, ghastley!

King Coin: It was fun to push Darnand’s map button. No wonder Jerric finds him irresistible to tease. Aravi was so composed with the surprise adventurers, even when the big one started acting a little shaky. It’s a good thing Jerric’s plan sounded good! Thank you so much, KC!

Acadian: Indeed, it’s a good thing Jerric didn’t suggest that Aravi follow two strange men into the depths of a vampire lair while their lady friend guarded the door. That might have produced a much shorter planning session! Thank you, Acadian!

McBadgere: Thank you, McB! You will see Ishcky in a real fight very soon, I promise. Aravi is pretty epic! Love her.

SubRosa: I’ve really enjoyed how Skyrim provides more meat for Cyrodiil’s bones. So far with Morrowind I’ve been too preoccupied with getting the game to work and then staying alive for two minutes, but I have high hopes that the northeastern province will do the same. I’m glad you highlighted Aravi’s last line. It’s my favorite Aravi moment in the update. Thank you SubRosa!

Darkness Eternal: This is the part I was asking my vampire questions about. Thank you so much for your help! Thankfully Aravi could set them straight on the sparkly question, lol.

mALX: You’re right on both counts as to why Jerric made up an awkward name for the Ring of Khajiit. He can think on his feet, just with mixed results! Thank you for your kind words about Lildereth. Her hidden inner life is exactly why I’m showing these parts from her POV. Thank you, mALX!


Next: Let’s go inside the ruin! This is part three of five featuring King Coin’s Aravi.

Chapter 16 Valley of Hopes, Part Four

Lildereth followed Aravi down into the ruin’s main entrance. The passageway was wide and clear of debris, lit from behind by daylight through the open doorway. When they reached a turn Lildereth saw dim white light ahead. Perhaps for thralls, she thought with an empty kind of hope. As far as she knew vampires could see in the dark. Her life detection spell showed that the chamber ahead was occupied, but it did not differentiate between a living being or something else still animated by soul energy. Lildereth made the gestures she and Aravi had agreed upon. Two figures, prone, in the lower left part of the room. Aravi nodded her understanding.

The corridor led to a large, open, rectangular chamber with a barrel-vaulted ceiling. A terraced ledge ran around two connecting sides, ten feet deep along the chamber’s length but wider along the short ends. Lildereth suspected that the stairs and railings had fallen so long ago that no trace remained. White stones glowed in shallow metal bowls on the ground level. Aravi crouched down to avoid notice. Lildereth followed suit.

A whiff of rot was in the air, noticeable but not overpowering. Lildereth wondered at the source. Had new vampires accidentally killed their cattle in a frenzy? Were living thralls given corpses to feed upon? She had seen all types of horrors in these remote lairs, but she hadn’t managed to make sense of most of them.

Aravi moved around to the right at an angle to Lildereth. The chamber had no support posts, but there were two doorways that provided access to the rest of the ruin. One of them lay beneath Aravi’s position, the other directly across from Lildereth. It was Lildereth’s job to warn Aravi of approaching life signs.

Lildereth crept forward at Aravi’s signal until she could see down into the rest of the room. Bones had been kicked into a pile against the wall. Several looked newly stripped of flesh. Swords hung on a weapons rack, and a hide spread out on the floor held the implements of their care. The room formed a pit trap. As Aravi had told them a vampire’s preternatural strength and agility would carry them easily from the floor to the balcony, but an injured or weakened mortal would be confined.

The life signs belonged to two unarmored humans lying on pallets against the left wall. Perhaps they were Bretons from the village. Lildereth looked to Aravi.

The Khajiit made a signal indicating that she thought they might be thralls. Lildereth would attempt to frighten them away with a spell as soon as they awoke. She felt a trickle of worry. They were nearly within reach of these folk but still might not be able to help them.

Lildereth laid out her arrows and readied her bow. No life signs approached. She called Fear to her hand, strengthening the spell with additional magicka in case these were villagers who possessed natural resistance. Her spell would fail if they had been turned to undead vampires. If only she had received her master level training she might be certain of breaking a thrall spell. Damn Martina and her damnable Welkynd stones!

A distant explosion sent dust sifting down from the ceiling. The two humans lurched upright. There would not be time to cast a series of spells. Lildereth sent her Fear out in a swirling fog, hoping to catch them both.

The woman retrieved a sword and moved toward the exit under Aravi’s position. The man hesitated, head cocked as if listening. The spells hadn’t worked.

“No good!” Lildereth called, earning their attention with Aravi’s. These two could not be allowed to join the fight deeper in the ruin, whether they might have been saved or not. Aravi's shot took the woman in the shoulder as Lildereth’s pierced her throat. Blood jetted out, black from disease or maybe just blackened by the low light. The woman fell tugging on Lildereth’s arrow. She did not try to heal herself. Either way the woman was finished.

No regrets, Lildereth told herself. Cold flashed over her skin. Part of her stepped away inside until it could be over.

The man took two steps toward the weapons rack, reaching for a blade. Someone deeper in the fort started shouting.

Lildereth shot the man under his outstretched arm, sending him against the wall with a grunt. Aravi’s arrow clattered against stone. The wound should have killed a mortal, but the man pushed himself up. Aravi’s bow sang out again, putting an arrow into his abdomen and then another over his shoulder. Lildereth waited as he thrashed back upright. Then her arrow pierced his neck.

Lildereth glanced over at her partner. Aravi leaned forward with her hand on a sword hilt, watching as the two bled out on the floor. If they were vampires their flesh would rapidly decompose once the energy that had animated them faded. Old vampires would fall into dust, but fledglings would only wither. Lildereth looked away, watching for life signs deeper in the ruin. She could not allow distraction to creep in. And whether or not these humans had been infected no longer mattered.

A handful of robust pink glows appeared through the walls in the distance, leaping toward them in a distinctive fashion. Rats. Lildereth signaled for Aravi to save her arrows. With the magicka from Jerric’s Juice still rising within her Lildereth didn’t need to conserve her spells. As each rat entered the chamber she turned it against its mates. She didn’t want to leave any of the vampires’ pets alive as potential allies.

Four rats soon lay dead on the floor. The survivor began to drag itself toward the door under Aravi’s position. The Khajiit’s arrow stopped it before Lildereth could raise her bow.

She had no chance to offer congratulations. One life sign was approaching toward the doorway under Aravi’s position. Another farther away but blazing with strength moved toward the entrance across from Lildereth. Her hand signal died half-expressed. The bright sign moved with shocking speed, making turns without slowing. Lildereth’s breath seized in her throat. This must be a vampire of terrible power.

She signaled its approach to Aravi. The Khajiit turned away for an instant, laying down her bow. The other approaching being was sprinting down the straight section of corridor that ran beneath Aravi. Lildereth watched for the signal that would tell if it was friend or foe. Panic iced her skin. Her gut told her that this was Darnand. But he didn’t make the signal.

The brilliant glow surged into the chamber below, its author invisible. “There!” Lildereth cried out, pointing. The figure burst into sight as it cast a shock spell at her. Lildereth flattened herself to the floor on the balcony’s edge. Lightning struck the wall behind her. She saw Aravi poised to leap. Darnand appeared in the doorway below the Khajiit, his hands filled with fire.

“Darnand, no!” Lildereth shrieked. Aravi landed in a crouch on the lower floor, directly in front of him. The vampire spun to face Aravi, hands drawing back to cast.

Darnand’s fire blossomed into life around him, but he managed to contain it. He fell with a cry at the center of the blaze. Lildereth could only watch, horrified.

Aravi dove under the vampire’s shock spell, rolling to her feet as the lightning passed over her. She had a sword in each hand before Lildereth could blink. The vampire drew its blade, faltering slightly as Aravi’s swords found their marks. Then Aravi whirled out of reach.

The vampire closed with the Khajiit. Even Lildereth’s elven eyes couldn’t follow their movements. Every instinct screamed that she should flee.

Instead she ran along the balcony until she could drop down near Darnand. She had no way to heal him and little defense to offer. The Breton was on his knees in the corridor, arms tucked in and body curled over. Lildereth placed herself in the doorway, watching the fight over a nocked arrow. There was no need to ready another. If Aravi fell, Lildereth wouldn’t get a second shot.

Two more life signs approached rapidly along the path that the vampire had taken. The smaller one signaled. Jerric.

Aravi danced over the slippery floor, blades flashing in the pale light. Her enemy towered over her. He was an Altmer, garbed in some dark material. Possibly leather. His head was bare. The Khajiit’s strikes caused bursts of flame to race over the tall elf, and the blows she parried sent her staggering. The Altmer’s long blade was Aravi’s advantage. She was able to spin inside his guard to slash with her enchanted sword in the instant before he could recover his balance.

Jerric burst howling into the room, frost atronach at his back. The vampire’s head snapped around toward him. Aravi slipped behind the vampire, a slash to the backs of his knees bringing him down to her height. Her crossed blades neatly swept the head from his shoulders.

Lildereth turned to Darnand as the vampire fell into dust. A pale glow of healing surrounded the Breton, but he kept his hands tight against his chest. Jerric thundered up behind them. She felt herself lifted and placed to the side.

The Nord’s bulk filled her vision. “Everything’s dead,” he told her. Ishckrihk’s hard blue glitter caught in his eyes.

Lildereth backed into the chamber, keeping her distance from Jerric’s ice man. Darnand’s shoulders heaved as he vomited. Then all she could see was Jerric’s bent back and the shimmer of healing light.

“Be careful with that spell,” Lildereth warned him, sick with worry. “Don’t give him duck feet for hands.” She turned back toward the chamber and Aravi.

The Khajiit stood eyeing Jerric’s atronach, blades still in her hands. Her breath came in labored gasps. The vampire must have been incredibly strong, Lildereth realized.

Ishckrihk tilted his great crystalline head toward the ceiling. His arms swept out in an oddly fluid gesture, ice cracking and hissing as he moved. Blood streaked his jagged hands. The atronach’s inner light contracted, and then it exploded in a shower of shards as the Void called him home. The flying ice vanished into mist while she and Aravi flinched.

The Khajiit met her eyes in shared astonishment.

Jerric’s voice was a soothing rumble behind her, Darnand’s shaky in reply.

“What a mess,” Jerric said. “Are you poisoned? You spewed before I could catch you. You need someone to hold your hair back like a woman.”

Darnand words were unintelligible.

“Yeah. You need more protection against magicka. You should have worn my helm like I told you. Then that fire would have— wait, how did you get burned? It’s a bold vampire that attacks with fire.”

“It was his own spell,” Lildereth said.

Aravi spoke quietly at Lildereth’s side. Her ears were lowered. “I think it was my fault. I must have jumped down in front of him when he was preparing his spell. I’m sorry; I’m not used to working with others.”

Jerric hauled Darnand to his feet. The Breton’s hands were blackened but healed. His robe was a disaster.

“No,” Darnand said. “I knew you were in here, and I did not wait for your signal. I put you at risk. It is I who owes an apology.”

“Also you didn’t signal on your approach,” Lildereth told him. Sometimes a verbal slap cleared the air better than expressed regrets.

“You called your fire back to you?” Jerric sounded awed. “Damn, Breton.”

“Take a look at Aravi’s handiwork,” Lildereth suggested, nodded toward the pile of vampire clothing.

They spent a time settling their nerves and retelling events. Aravi had little to say other than confirming that the dead Bretons had indeed recently been turned. The Khajiit looked down at their shriveled corpses for a long moment, slowly shaking her head.

“We should lay them to rest,” Jerric finally said.

Aravi spoke up. “There may be danger in their blood even now,” she warned.

“I shall say the words over them, though I do not know if it will aid their passing,” said Darnand. “We must also check the work of our summonings and make a record of all who died here. The villagers may want to see what remains of their folk, but we might spare them that if we provide enough information.”

“Vampires often keep trophies,” Aravi said. “Valuables stolen from victims and from their thralls, even mementoes of their own mortals lives. Trinkets that the villagers could use to identify loved ones. We might find such things hoarded in the patriarch’s quarters.”

Jerric gave her a nod. “We’ll check on the way out, same way we got in. I’ll go with you.”

Lildereth looked up toward the galleries. She had no interest in picking her way through a vampire lair when only a short ascent lay between her and daylight. The only race that could match Bosmeri climbing was the Khajiit. She caught Aravi’s eye. “Shall we take the shortcut?”

Aravi made a regretful sigh. “I’ll help search the living spaces. It’s best if I look for myself before I make my report, and I can open any locked containers. Vampires aren’t known for trusting even each other.” She walked over and picked up the patriarch’s sword. Jerric and Darnand moved about their work with the dead.

Questions suddenly crowded Lildereth’s mind. Should they return to the village or make camp while they still had daylight? Would Aravi join them and rest for the night or take her leave? How many potions would Jerric gulp down before his mind found ease? He disliked these underground places. If she was anxious to leave then he must be burning to get outside. She must remember to fill her pockets with those glowing stones.

Soon the three headed into the corridor, leaving Lildereth in the dimly lit chamber. Jerric turned and looked back at her over Darnand’s and Aravi’s heads. “Say elf, you want a boost up that wall?” He gave her half of a grin. “All right, then. See you out under the sky.”

*

EDIT: Forgot to add this:



I loved this line - very much understand that!

Lildereth used to scout ahead of Jerric and Darnand in these dungeons - all this time I thought she was really brave - it was revealing and comforting to know how scared she gets (but still acts outwardly), how much she hates every minute of it (but still does what is needed to get the job done).

This POV explains why she was always so snappy and irritable with Jerric right after a dungeon crawl, and why (since she couldn't exactly snap at Darnand in the same way, she mated with him instead).

Really tough dungeon, but with all those helping it went much more quickly than I am used to seeing in Jerric's world, lol.

Awesome Write!


*

Darnand... Really?? You pick NOW to try out that spell?!

Another exciting episode from Lildereth’s perspective. She lives between lethality and terror – her blond sister of the bow understands that fully.

‘No regrets, Lildereth told herself. Cold flashed over her skin. Part of her stepped away inside until it could be over.’
I second mLAX mALX. This is beautifully put and clear as a crystal.

‘Lildereth signaled for Aravi to save her arrows. With the magicka from Jerric’s Juice still rising within her Lildereth didn’t need to conserve her spells. As each rat entered the chamber she turned it against its mates.’
A mystic archer at work! Not touching the Jerric Juice line though.

‘Aravi slipped behind the vampire, a slash to the backs of his knees bringing him down to her height. Her crossed blades neatly swept the head from his shoulders.’
The beauty, power and grace that is Aravi.

‘Jerric thundered up behind them. She felt herself lifted and placed to the side.’
What a wonderful contrast!

‘“Be careful with that spell,” Lildereth warned him, sick with worry. “Don’t give him duck feet for hands.”’
Or turn him into a chicken!


Edited to appease the redhead below. *tickles mALX under chin to make her stop pouting*

"Hey, that sounds too close to XLax, does this mean I give people gas? Diarhea?"

*mALX folds arms across chest and pouts*

Lilldreth has seen all kinds of horrors in these remote lairs? Could this be a hint about the mysterious wood elf's background? Could she be a member of the Dawnguard perhaps?

Damn Martina and her damnable Welkynd stones!
A nice reference to the master level illusion trainer.

Aravi's Shot was a perfectly placed picture!

That second one who Lil shot makes it clear these are not enslaved mortals. As she mused, no one survives an arrow in the armpit. That is a relief, as it means they were not forced to kill people who could not help what they were doing.

Well things finally went pear-shaped when the vampire and Darnand came running in, and Aravi got in the way of his fireball. Or what would have been his fireball. Hopefully his Bretonic magic resistance took the edge off of it. OTOH, now Aravi has her swords out. She is the best there is at what she does. And what she does isn't very nice.

Ishycrick's disappearance was certainly dramatic!

So sorry it has taken me this long to properly visit this update, especially with Aravi in it! This week has been horrible!

Finally time to enact the plan! Having Aravi working with Lil is a treat.

They were nearly within reach of these folk but still might not be able to help them.
That would be horribly frustrating. A feeling I’m sure Aravi knows as well. Her frustration with the illusion trainer is well shown. She might have saved these people if she only knew how. It is neat how Lil swirls with emotion and thoughts until the fight starts, then as you said, that part of her steps away.

Oh my gosh, the description of Aravi’s fight with the ancient was amazing! And Darnand! Lil was pretty brave to stand in front of Darnand like that. She wouldn’t have presented much of an obstacle to the vamp, should he have survived Aravi’s onslaught.

Aravi reaction to Jerric’s iceman was perfect. I know I said that before, but I must reiterate!

“Shall we take the shortcut?”
Aravi made a regretful sigh.
She would have loved to! Ha! I’m sure Jerric would have loved boosting both of them up the wall!

My eyes misted over at that...So beautiful an image...*Sighs*...

Aaamywho...I absolutely loved this...

Darnand pulling the spell back into himself was stunning...I'm not sure he fully understood what would happen, but that he did it rather than harm Aravi (who's massively badass ) was excellent!...

Actually, I've loved Aravi in this...She's an excellent character *Applauds King Coin*...

I'm also loving the fact that this is still from Lildreth's point of view...And that even though the story is titled Jerric's Story, this is also about the three of them...It's good to have Jerric there, but seperate sometimes...You know what I mean?...

Aaamywho...

Loved the whole thing...Awesome writing...

I shall then be awed by it... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Previously: Jerric, Darnand, Lildereth, and Aravi assaulted a vampire’s lair. Aravi and her screenshots appear with the cooperation and generosity of her creator King Coin. Thank you so much, KC!!


mALX: You got Lildereth completely, and that’s exactly why she acts the way she does (and once rode Darnand like a racehorse). Your comments really made me grin. Thank you so much, mALX!

Elisabeth Hollow: And that’s how Darnand accidentally invented the Flame Cloak! Thanks, Elisabeth!

Acadian: Thank you so much for your kind words about Lildereth. That understanding is what I was really hoping to get across with these episodes from her POV, since the Nord doesn’t completely get it. I’m so pleased that you quoted Aravi’s killing stroke. I’ve been waiting so long to write it! Beauty, power, and grace is exactly how I think of Aravi. Thank you, Acadian!

SubRosa: Darnand wishes his Breton resistance was more of a help. Thanks to his Apprentice birthsign he is as weak to fire spells as is a starved vampire. Ishckrihk wanted to staaay! The Void is boring compared to running around with Jerric. Thank you, SubRosa!

King Coin: Indeed, a Bosmer in one hand and a Khajiit in the other would have finished the adventure nicely for Jerric. I’m glad you mentioned that moment with Lil defending Darnand. Times like that are why she thinks about leaving them. She’s not built for heroics. And I’m so glad you liked Aravi’s moment with the ice man! It was so fun to picture that part from her perspective. Thank you so much, KC!

McBadgere: I’m glad you’re enjoying Lil’s POV. I fretted over switching from Jerric for this long, so it’s great to hear that it might have been worth it. (We’ll hear from Darnand next, then it’s back to the Nord.) You’re right that Darnand’s pulling the spell back was a gut reaction to the danger to Aravi, and he didn’t really know if he could do it. I’m sure Jerric is going to add some more drills to his list to get him better prepared for surprises. So glad you’re enjoying Ishckrihk. He would just be a plain old lump of ice if not for inspiration from you. Thank you, McB!


Next: Let’s go camping! This is part four of five featuring King Coin’s Aravi. A warning if you’re short on time: this one is a touch longer than usual. I’ll wait an extra day or so before posting the next update.

Chapter 16: Valley of Hopes, Part Five

Darnand followed Jerric into the corridor, Aravi walking silently behind them. He slowly flexed his fingers. The new skin felt tight. Thanks to Abiene’s instruction he understood how to repair burns with minimal scarring, but hands were always difficult to heal. Especially when they were one’s own.

His mistakes this day had been unacceptable. At first he had blazed through his surprised foes in a glorious storm of fire, Jerric’s solid presence in his mind balancing his dremora’s wrathful influence. But then Jerric had broken away for the last push, and Darnand raced on alone.

To the last chamber where he had nearly burned Aravi. His stomach heaved again remembering.

“We should split up here,” Jerric said. They had reached a junction. “You go see what your dremora was up to, and I’ll find out how Ishckrihk got blood on him. Do you remember where you dropped your staff?”

Damn it, thought Darnand. And I lost my lich’s staff.

Jerric walked away, and Darnand hesitated. To his relief Aravi slipped into the lead. He had to admit he felt better with an armored back of any size in front of him.

They reached a long chamber, dark like all of the others in this part of the fort. Darnand’s nighteye spell painted everything blue, but a light spell would interfere with Aravi’s natural night vision. Besides, he was not sure he wanted to view this carnage in truer colors.

“Their cattle,” Aravi said softly.

Naked figures lay on raised benches along one wall. Some had fallen to the floor in bloody tangles.

“My dremora did this,” said Darnand. “He slaughtered them while they slept.” He produced his charcoal and notebook. “I shall record any information that may be used to identify these unfortunates. Then I shall invoke Arkay’s Law over the bodies.”

Aravi gave him a look that he couldn’t interpret. “Are you a priest?” she asked.

“No. I just… do not want to allow further harm.”

Aravi moved to the nearest corpse. “I’ll help.”

Darnand recorded their findings and then Jerric’s when they met in the patriarch’s living quarters. Aravi easily opened the vampire’s locks. They filled a satchel with small personal items to pass on to the Hope Valley villagers. Darnand found his staff in the coffin room. He must have dropped it in his eagerness to incinerate the awakening vampires.

“I’m heading out unless you need me,” Jerric said. “I think you wrote down all my kills. I can’t see in the dark like you two, and I hate to waste another Prowler’s Potion.”

“I should like to collect some more vampire dust,” Darnand said. “Lildereth could use it to make a poison that curses the target’s magicka.”

Jerric snorted. “She can have it. The last thing I want is to stop a mage from casting.”

“Born under the Atronach,” Darnand told Aravi. Some of Jerric’s declarations sounded absurd without their proper context. He rummaged through his shoulder bag. “I wish I had brought more collection pouches.”

Aravi picked up a sheet of parchment and deftly folded it into an envelope. “This will hold dust,” she told him. “Take it, and I’ll make a few more.”

Darnand felt as much relief as gratitude. He had behaved recklessly, but it seemed that Aravi was not holding a grudge.

Jerric left, and they began scraping up the grainy dust. “I expect that midday has passed,” Darnand said. “I do not often presume to speak for my companions, but in this I know we are of the same mind. Will you camp with us tonight? The Nord’s cooking is far better than one would imagine, and between the four of us we might comfortably share the watch.”

Aravi nodded. “I found a place in the hills near warm springs. It’s only a little out of your way if you plan to return to Hope Valley. I wouldn’t camp there alone, but together we should be safe.”

They found Lildereth and Jerric waiting outside, the elf perched on a rock while the Nord savaged the air with shield and blade.

“Aravi knows a place to camp,” Darnand told them.

“Great!” said Jerric. “Let’s go.”

“Which way are we headed?” Lildereth asked Aravi. “I might take a different route and meet you. I’d like to pick some mushrooms for Jerric’s stew, and I might get lucky and find some wild mandrake.”

“Yeah,” said Jerric. “You two don’t forget to take your potions.”

Aravi stood next to Lildereth, murmuring and pointing into the distance. The elf nodded as if she knew what the Khajiit was talking about. Darnand considered drawing forth his map but decided he could do without Jerric’s inevitable jesting. He would mark the camp when they reached it.

They gathered hidden belongings and set out. Lildereth disappeared. Aravi walked in front of Darnand, shoulder to elbow with Jerric.

The Nord struck up a conversation in his usual direct manner. “Where did you get that armor?” he asked Aravi.

Darnand considered a Charm spell. Jerric possessed no guile, and folk were often put off by his blunt way of speaking.

But the Khajiit’s ears remained forward, and her tail stayed low keeping graceful time with her steps. “I got it from a vampire,” Aravi said. “She didn’t need it anymore.”

Darnand kept listening in the back of his mind while he unrolled the enchanted map. It was most gratifying to watch their progress past the noted landmarks, slow as it may be. And he could not feel safer than in the company of these two warriors.

In time they reached a thickly forested hollow between two bald ridges. Darnand stopped between Jerric and Aravi, one step before he would have tripped down into the hollow.

Aravi pointed at the foothills on the other side. The snowy Jeralls stood behind them in the distance. Darnand realized that the sun had dropped below the Colovian Highlands at their backs.

“It’s there,” Aravi said. “We can go around or down through the trees and back up.”

“Lildereth went down there I’d wager,” Jerric said. His ring would not illuminate life signs that far away, if he was even wearing it.

Darnand ached from his toes to the roots of his hair. He renewed the spell against fatigue and tucked his map away discretely. “Through the trees is the shorter path.”

Aravi glanced up at Jerric, and the Nord must have read assent in her expression. They moved down the slope. Darnand used his lich’s staff to help him balance, noting Aravi’s nimble progress with envy.

The level ground at the floor of the hollow stood in shadow, shaded by a dense thicket of tall trees. None showed the green of new leaves yet. No underbrush grew here. Darnand could hear trickling water, and the air was rich with wood rot and mushrooms.

They had not gone ten paces before blue light flashed ahead. The sound of a shock spell split the air. A thin shriek followed.

Jerric’s shield was on his arm before his pack even hit the ground. He sprinted away toward the sound, Aravi quickly outpacing him. They disappeared among the trees.

“Arkay’s balls!” cursed Darnand. He dropped the staff and wrestled his own pack to the ground. Then he kicked open his robe and ran after them.

Jerric yelled. Darnand heard more lightning and the boom of frost magic.

He found them in a small clearing. The Nord stood shield up with his sword hand full of frost. Aravi hopped from foot to foot at the near edge of the clearing, arrow at the nock. Something skittered between the trees ahead. Something big.

Jerric flung his frost with a wrathful howl. It impacted against a tree trunk. “Come out you fetcher! Fight!”

Darnand drew fire into his hand and readied the spell that would summon his flame atronach. What are we fighting?

“Daedra!” Lildereth cried out from somewhere to the rear and above. Up a tree, Darnand guessed. Jerric dropped his chin to his chest and stood utterly still, feet braced apart. He is summoning, Darnand realized.

Blue light flared in the trees, and a bolt of shock energy arced into Jerric’s chest. His body swayed as he absorbed it.

Darnand spotted their enemy. Her white face and bosom gleamed in the dusk, easily a dozen feet off the ground. Her torso melded into an arachnoid cephalothorax supported by hideous jointed legs. A spider’s abdomen bulged out behind her. Spider daedra. She raised pale hands.

The air ripped open, and Ishckrihk stepped into the clearing with the roar of an avalanche. Then there was the sound of a hundred rats stampeding over leaves.

Not rats. Spiders. A swarm of them broke free of the tree line. They swept forward in a thigh-high blanket of eyes and legs.

Darnand heard Aravi’s breath leave in a horrified hiss. He cast a hand forward, summoning his flame atronach in a swirl of fire. An arrow thunked into the middle of her back. She whirled around and whipped a flare past Darnand before he could react. At Aravi, Darnand realized. I summoned in her line of fire.

With the cracking groan of a glacier Ishckrihk twisted at the waist and flung his arm away in a volley of ice spikes. They crashed amongst the trees. A new appendage immediately sprouted from his shoulder. Then Darnand saw a surprising occurrence.

Jerric turned and ran back toward Darnand. “Fire!” he shouted, waving his free arm.

The spiders were coming. Darnand sent a jet of flame from left to right across the clearing, separating them from the spider swarm. The dead grass might catch but would not burn for long. He ran toward Aravi, half staggering with the effort of controlling his flame atronach.

The daedra’s mind was an ocean of rage. Fire snapped in a whirlwind around her as she fought his will.

Darnand heard Jerric shout a warning before he felt himself roughly shoved out of the path of a lightning bolt. He reached out blindly as he fell.

One hand scraped against an armored hip, the other closed around something warm and furred. With horror, he realized he had fallen into Aravi and was pulling her tail.

Aravi’s yowl sounded over his own surprised squawk. As her tail slipped through his frantic grip he felt an impact on the back of his head. Stars exploded in his vision. Was that her bow? he wondered, dazed. Did she punch me? It took far too long to reach the cold, hard ground.

“I don’t have a shot!” Lildereth shrieked from above.

Jerric yelled out something unintelligible. He staggered in a circle, covered in spiderlings. The grass had failed to ignite.

The Nord toppled over. He is paralyzed, Darnand realized.

A cry came from the seething pile of spiders.

“Burn them?” Darnand called back. He scrambled to his feet. “Did you say ‘burn them’?”

“Hrrrghaaah!” said Jerric from somewhere at the bottom.

Darnand’s mind raced. Jerric was wearing his Helm of the Nord, enchanted with a fire shield. And his ring of Hump You Fetching Mages. With a surge of hot joy Darnand shot his fire. The heaving mass disappeared in a ball of flame.

The spider daedra was still at the edge of the woods, pursued by Jerric’s frost atronach. She folded and unfolded her legs in an unholy dance around the trees, but the atronach moved like water. Rather than dodge an obstacle he simply flowed around it. They were making rapid progress around to the mortals’ side of the clearing.

Jerric thrashed to his feet. The fire was out, and there was no trace of the spiderlings.

The flame atronach whirled in place, throwing fireballs at Aravi and Lildereth while the archers pelted her with their crossfire. Darnand had lost that battle. He dispelled the magical ties that bound her to their realm. He would kick himself later. For now he would spend the rest of his magicka in fire.

Ice crashed under Lildereth’s position. The spider daedra skittered out into the clearing, waving her arms as if plagued by bees. Jerric’s battle cry sounded, sending a jolt through Darnand.

“For Kvatch!” Jerric cried. Aravi let out a high-pitched keening, trapped between Ishckrihk’s flying ice, towering spider, fire mage, and charging Nord.

Darnand shot a short burst of flame up the spider daedra’s near side. He flattened himself to the ground as she dropped her jaw to spew out a torrent of lightning. Aravi screamed and drew her blades. Then Jerric was there, splintering the daedra’s spider legs with sword and shield. As she fell he slashed open her abdomen, sending a gout of ichor out in a wave. Darnand stayed down. He heard Ishckrihk explode back to the Void. When he saw Lildereth running across the ground, he knew it was over.

The spider daedra lay dismembered mostly around Jerric’s feet.

“That was a bold plan, Nord!” gasped Darnand. Somehow he was standing.

Jerric glared, the fight still in his eyes. “What the fetch! Madman! You set me on fire!”

Darnand took a step back. “But you knew you would absorb my spell. And your helm bears a fire shield. You told me to do it! I heard you shout, ‘Burn them’!”

“‘Big one’!” Jerric gestured wildly. “That swarm was summoned. I said kill the big one!”

Lildereth clapped a hand over her mouth. Darnand recalled that she was prone to erratic behavior once a fight was over.

“Apologies,” said Darnand. He took another step back, pointing a finger. “You were mostly paralyzed, though, so you can understand why it sounded…”

Jerric and Lildereth were no longer listening. They both stared openmouthed at Aravi.

The Khajiit stood in the scattered spider parts, a sword clenched in each quivering hand. Black ichor dripped down her face and chest. Her eyes were wild, ears flattened back, tail rigid and bushed out.

“Spiders!” she hissed. “Nords! Bretons!”

“First undead and now daedra!” Lildereth declared. “I’ve been as useful as a Nord’s dictionary. Gods help any mortal creature that disturbs my watch tonight. They’ll need it!”

Darnand picked Aravi’s bow out of the sticky wreckage. This might not be the time to ask for help harvesting spider silk and daedra venin. “Aravi, I apologize for seizing your, uh… that is to say, the base of your tail.”

Jerric’s laugh had a wild edge. “Did you grab her ass, Breton?”

Aravi stared first at Darnand and then at Jerric, death in her eyes. Her claws were fully extended.

Darnand edged away from her, face hot with embarrassment. “Are you injured?” he managed.

Aravi spit out some spider glop, somewhat delicately. “No, I’m all right. But I’m really ready for a bath.”

Lildereth stepped forward with a cloth in her hand. She offered it to Aravi.

“I could use a bath, too,” said Jerric.

Aravi’s look should have flayed him where he stood, but the Nord seemed untroubled. He gave her a reckless grin.

“Gods,” Darnand breathed, half in relief that Jerric’s grief had not taken him, and half in worry that Aravi might slay them both.

“You’ll have to find your own pool or wait, Nord,” said Lildereth. “This is not the time to share your wooly mammoth impression. Aravi, I hope you’ll still camp with us. We’ll need to take extra care if there are daedra about.” She shot a worried look at Jerric.

He may want to look for a Gate, Darnand realized.

“You don’t need to work your wiles on me, elf,” Jerric said. “We’ll stick to the plan. If there’s a Gate open nearby we’ll see the light after nightfall. I spent some time in the hills west of here, after… Well, before I came back to Anvil. One daedra doesn’t mean an open Gate. Just means there was one.” He stared down at his feet for a long moment. Then he looked at Darnand. “You lost your staff again, Breton.” His slow smile told Darnand that he had pulled himself together.

“It is not lost. I know precisely where I dropped it.” Lildereth is untouched as usual, Darnand noticed. And Aravi is mopping her face with my handkerchief. He frowned at the Bosmer.

Lildereth’s return look carried all of her emotions.

She was right. There would be time for recriminations and apologies on the long road to Bruma. Tonight let the sun set on a company of friends.

He glanced again at Aravi. At least her teeth were no longer showing. “Let us go make our camp.”

That was intense!!!!

‘ He had to admit he felt better with an armored back of any size in front of him.’
The prudent mage, ever.

‘ Jerric snorted. “She can have it. The last thing I want is to stop a mage from casting.”
“Born under the Atronach,” Darnand told Aravi. Some of Jerric’s declarations sounded absurd without their proper context.’
A wonderful reminder of Jerric’s birthsign.

‘ They gathered hidden belongings and set out. Lildereth disappeared. Aravi walked in front of Darnand, shoulder to elbow with Jerric.’
This is another magical Grits passage. In two short sentences, you tell us so much about all four of these characters.

A spider wench! What a fight – somewhere between the Keystone Cops and sheer terror! Aravi’s fear of spiders, Frostie bursting onto the scene, Darnand’s Flame Mistress turning on the good guys over a ‘friendly fire’ boo boo, hacking off some of those spider daedra legs to topple her. . . .

‘ And his ring of Hump You Fetching Mages.’
That’s our Jerric!

Buffy sympathizes with Lil. Too fast, too many friendlies mixed in with targets, too close - not a recipe for successful mystic archery.

Whew, and after all that, Aravi chose to stay with this crew. They will certainly need a good night’s rest now!

Aravi and Darnand certainly have misfortune working against them. First she jumps into his line of fire, and then he summons in hers. I presume that he doesn't have much control over where his atronach appears, it's just "nearby" as usual.

And do I detect a particular dislike of spiders? And does Jerric have any hair?

I'm only on page 4 of Jerric's story so I have a lot to catch on. I won't comment on old stuff because it might ruin the flow of the present stories but I just wanted to let you know that your stuff is great and I have a constant need to return and read.

I love this line! Aravi hates spiders, lol.

Acadian already quoted another three lines I would have.



SPEW !!!!! ROFL !!!!



Holy Cow! This was Awesome!



ROFL! So Maxical is not the only one who conjures hostile Daedra, ROFL!



SPEW !!! ROFL !!! Your fights are NEVER boring!

Awesome fight and write!

He had to admit he felt better with an armored back of any size in front of him.
Darnand sounds like pretty much every mage or archer here. Its always comforting to have a tank around like Jerric, Mazoga, or Tadrose whom you can hide behind!

The mention of Arkay's Law was a good lore friendly touch on your part. As was Darnand's concern for the people his summoning had slaughtered.

But the Khajiit’s ears remained forward, and her tail stayed low keeping graceful time with her steps.
A wonderful description of a calm kitty.

Something skittered between the trees ahead. Something big.
Uh oh, I don't like things that skitter. Or throw lightning. A Spider Daedra?

Sometimes I hate being right. Oh my, this is even worse. A horde of spiders? Ewwwww! Call Orkin! Or call Orcs in.

A nice description of Darnand's fight to retain control of his back-shot Fire Daedra. Plus I love the way you worked the Frost Astronaut's abilities. From flinging arms as missile weapons, to flowing around trees like water.

“That swarm was summoned. I said kill the big one!”
This had me laughing!

He may want to look for a Gate, Darnand realized.
I was thinking that too. That Daedra had to come from somewhere.

All in all, that episode was a fun romp. It was well worth the extra word-length. Once it got going, I did not really notice.

Aaaaahahahahahaha!

I'm all caught up! I'm all caught up!

And god DAMN is this good! I mean, seriously, you have an incredible talent for character-driven writing; Jerric, Darnand, Lildereth and Abiene are all excellently written, well rounded, complex characters, and the way they interact with each other and the world is an absolute joy to read. Your world-building is excellent and well thought-out, your action scenes are exciting, fast-paced and realistic, the consistent thread of humour throughout is great and your everything is just so...everything! I'm even sure what that means!

Also, the Aravi cameo for the last couple of chapters has been great. Love that kitty!

The detail on Darnand’s hands at the beginning was fun. I like the idea that healing magic is much more complex than it is represented in the game.

Yikes, Darnand really got the lust for battle with the vampires. His actions with the care of the bodies would definitely help Aravi trust him. Genius with the envelopes!

But the Khajiit’s ears remained forward, and her tail stayed low keeping graceful time with her steps.


And then the fight! Oh this was so much fun to plan out with you! Pulling her tail was absolutely brilliant! I still laugh about it! And then the spiders just for Aravi! We are cruel.

“What the fetch! Madman! You set me on fire!”
Not what Darnand was expecting!

...And then Aravi! Covered in spider innards. She probably wants to scream right now. Her reaction to Darnand and Jerric was perfect!

Great chapter Grits.

So much to love!!...

A truly incredible chapter...

Ishckrihk!!!!!...*Sighs*... ...Finally... ...I absolutely loved that whole thing with him shooting his arm off, and the flowing around the trees in order to cut the distance...

Oh, I also thought that it was cool that it seemed to be entirely from Danand's POV this time...*Applauds*...

Laughy bits ahoy!!...







...Oh my, they were too funny...

I hope there's not going to be another gap after this flurry of excellence... ...

Looking forward to much more...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...