And the journey of vengeance begins!

I like the tie-back to the flashback and how you decided to move ahead a few days and essentially start in media res. (Or whatever the term is)

And Kayla telling Lydia she's going to kill her sister. (It's okay, technically she's an adult) had me laughing.

Wait, was that Babette at the start, there? I liked Babette...

And Onmund is gone forever! Christ!

I like the idea of Meridia's servants not being 'allowed' family while they serve her; it's a neat idea, and fits very will with Meridia's character, seeing as she isn't really the compromising type. That said, I'd be surprised that, in light of this revelation, Kayla might hold Meridia responsible for Onmund's death and blame her for taking Onmund away from her; considering that she's got some pretty advanced grief problems and possible PTSD, I can see her getting the idea that Meridia actually sent/directed Asta to Onmund in order to enforce her doctrine of 'You hold fealty to Meridia and to Meridia only'.

Babette? Nope, that was not Babette, lol. Think teenaged young girl. My bad.

The time comes for Kayla to get revenge

Ah, right; I saw a young (well, 'young') vampire and she mentioned the Dark Brotherhood so I assumed that that was the case.

Oh, nope. Sorry. XD I liked Babette too.

You painted Kayla�s emotions well during the Nordic funeral. It was good that she had Lydia holding on to her.

I�m glad the old cat and Kayla count each other as friends.

Meridia has some tough requirements, it seems. It would have been helpful if she had clarified those before recruiting her champion.

"Gods, no! That's not what I-!" I turned crimson, and swatted at Ma'Dat. "You mangy old cat! I'm going to go get a room at the inn."

The vampire bit at the beginning gave me much joy... ...

The funeral was beautiful...Loved it...



I had to chuckle at that... ...

Me likes Ma'Dat...He seems cool...

Looking forward to more...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...


Teeny nit...

Maybe I want it like that.

Maybe I'm trying to make up a new word.

Ever think of THAT? XD

No, you're right, absolutely...I'm down with that...

Though frommy does tend to make one think of a type of coffee...And while "spilling frommy head" does sound like a thing you wind up doing in a dingy cafe somewhere, I'm not sure that's the angle you're going for here...

...

Baha!

I'm in a bad mood. I'll calm down eventually :]

I also changed it, so thanks for the head's up :]

So Onmund is really dead then, poor Kayla! Really gross fight with the vampire in the beginning of this chapter, urk. There goes my breakfast! Oh, I didn't eat yet, I meant there goes my ability to eat my breakfast!

I picture Lydia disappearing after that warning Kayla gave her, lol. Urk. You can't sneak up on vampires with Lydia, she is pathologically incapable of sneaking soundlessly, and that is even if she is able to keep her mouth shut.

Awesome Write !!!!

No probs...

Um, I thought you were joking?... ...

I read yer thingy on the Coffee Shop, bad mood is totally understandable...Bad mood being the lowest setting in the rage-ometer... ...

Oh! I WAS joking! I just didn't want you to think I WASN'T joking..

Gehhh...

What? ...

Aaargh!!...

*Despairs some more again!!*...

...

Whew, I'm caught back up. The vampire children were horrifying! What an awesome idea, and the way Kayla told the story was just chilling.

I was completely shocked by Onmund's death. Completely! I thought the way you presented his funeral was very well done.

And I'm still giggling over Erik's green sword.

Oh wow, I didn't know you were reading, Grits! Thank you!!

I had to throw the "green sword" joke in there. I just HAD to. XD

Our dear Kayla has a fanfic? I MUST read it!

Must catch up right away!

-rasies eyebrows-

Now I'm getting a bit scared XD

How so?

Remember when I randomly asked you about vampire clans and such? It was for this fanfic. I took some liberties and switched things a bit, so don't get too mad if it doesn't fit with the lore that you sent me.

Don't mind me. I'm nuts.

*prepares crossbow*

Oh shutup XD

Don't worry my dear, I'll protect you...My wings are like a shield of steel!!... ...

And don't worry about the lore...Different Universe...Different lores...

Okay, my lovelies, I've resigned myself to a SET schedule. It has been pointed out to me, by several people, that sometimes I post too often. And I do. I get excited and post 1 or 2 days after the last post, and I know that's a big no-no. So! Tuesdays and Saturdays, since I can't stand only updating once a week XD

I want to thank everyone who has stayed with me while I found Kayla's "voice." Luckily she doesn't have a high-pitched, shrill voice, or otherwise I'd quit talking to her XD

@Darkness Eternal, if you DO decide to read, thank you! I'm reading your Lycanthrope Chronicles story right now :]

What went on in the last chapters: Asta the vampire child returned to Kayla and killed her husband. Kayla buried her husband, sold her house, and is now searching for Asta with the help of Lydia, and another worshiper of Meridia, Ma'Dat.

=-=-=


Lydia was, thankfully, talking with Erik and fully clothed. Erik's eyes lit up as he rose from the table. Lydia took a sip of whatever she had in her tankard, a cool expression on her face.

"Kayla!" Erik embraced me. I patted his back and broke the hug, a smile on my face.

"How are you, Erik? You've muscled up! Have you been on any adventures lately?"

He patted his gut. "Not lately. I've been keeping watch over the townsfolk for now. It seems Lemkil can't keep his temper in check, so I'm keeping him in check." Erik leaned in and whispered in my ear. "I've missed you."

"Uhhh." I cleared my throat. "Anyways." I smiled warmly at him. "I see you've met Lydia! Could you give us a moment, Erik?"

Erik nodded and went to talk to his father. Mralki waved at me, and I waved back. I slid in the seat next to Lydia.

"You never told me about the handsome men you meet in your travels! Too bad he's hung up on you." Lydia huffed.

"I never mentioned them because I'm married and the men don't matter to me. Look, as soon as we can, we need to get going. We can stay here for a few days and restock our supplies, but as soon as we do, we need to head towards Solitude."

Lydia blinked at me. "Already? We just got here!"

"That's the life, I'm afraid. Get some sleep. I'll get us rooms."

I headed over to Mralki and got Lydia and I two separate rooms. She would enoy the privacy, and I needed to think. I left Lydia and Erik to talk while I went to my room. I paid Mralki for a plate of seared horker meat in a sweet sauce, a green apple and a slice of bread. I headed to the table in my room, got my ink and parchment ready and jotted down notes between bites.

"Twenty two years ago, a group of 15 men and women went to a vampire lair. The vampires were nearby my town, feeding off the residents and turned the children. I was 11. Only 5 of the group survived. In that lair, there were 30 vampires. 20 children, ten adults of various ages. My sisters, Asta and Eeva, were among those children. Some children were from the town, but not all.

From my guess, they are either missing children or orphans, since no more towns with vampire children have sprung up. My theory is that Movarth used my town as a test-run for his plan. Nedene always said in his mortal life, he was in search of ways to kill every type of vampire in Tamriel. Maybe in his immortal life he was searching for ways to make the perfect vampire?"

I rubbed my eyes. No, that can't be right.

"Or maybe he has some sick fetish that involves children."

I underlined that last sentence. I left the paper on the table as I stripped off my armor and into my travel-bedclothes. I had just pulled back the covers when I heard a knock on my door. I sighed.

"Come in."

Erik's red mane peeked through the door. I ushered him further in, and he closed the door behind him. His face wore an expression of sympathy.

"Lydia told me what happened." His blue eyes crinkled the appropriate amount for one expressing concern. He didn't mention that he hadn't known I was married.

"Did she, now?"

"Yes. And I want to help in any way I can."

I gave him a sharp look. "I don't need help, but thank you. The only way you could help me is by keeping those girls safe. Don't let Lemkil hurt them, and don't hesitate to put down anyone, ANYONE, who would hurt them." I shifted my weight onto one leg, crossing my arms. "I suppose she also told you how he died."

Erik nodded. He crossed the distance between us and tried to put his arms around me, but I caught his arms by the wrists and put them back at his side.

"No. I can't afford pity, or sympathy, or friendship anymore."

"Have you mourned?"

The question startled me. "I've cried all I needed to."

"That's not what I asked, Kayla. If you don't mourn, you will get ill."

"I'll be fine." I let go of his wrists. I hadn't realized I had been gripping them hard until he began to rub them. "I need to get to sleep." I opened the door for him.

"Lydia thinks your handsome. She's a good woman, and a decent fighter. Be gentle with her." I shut the door before he could say anything else. The next few days were going to be dedicated to getting supplies and mapping our way to Meridia's shrine.

I snuffed out the candle on the table and crawled under the covers. I did not sleep one bit.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=




Right before dawn, I decided I'd had enough sleeplessness and put on a set of warm clothes. Even though I was only walking about the small town, I strapped Dawnbreaker to my hip anyways. I was tired of being caught without a weapon, and every time I didn't have one, someone got hurt.

I didn't see Erik nor Lydia, but heard Mralki snoring on his cot behind the counter. I smiled touched my lips as I realized exactly what he sacrificed to keep his inn going. Privacy, probably good meals, and his time, most of all. I set a few septims in a dirty tankard behind the counter where he'd most certainly see them.

Once outside, I breathed in the chill, clean air. It was still too early for the sun to come up. It was still pitch dark. Dawnbreaker's glow was dim, and the notion of a voice quiet. I heard a footstep beside me and yanked Dawnbreaker from its sheath and jumped into a defensive stance towards the noise. An excited glow emanated from Dawnbreaker. I heard a throaty chuckle.

"Nisse cannot sleep either?"

I put Dawnbreaker back in its sheath. "You scared me, Ma'Dat." I rubbed the back of my neck as he came into view. His warm feline eyes bore into my own brown ones.

"Is Nisse scared?"

"Terrified," I admitted. "Remember when you carried me out of that cellar? Do you remember what you said to me?"

"'When we get back to city, you wash.'" Ma'Dat laughed. "There was a certain odor that filled Ma'Dat's nose. It was not pleasant."

"I feel a little like that now." The sky began to grow lighter. "Except this time, you can't carry me out of the cellar. I have to climb out and fight the monsters myself."

Ma'Dat's tail flicked, and he embraced me. I dug my nose into the comfort of his furred shoulder and inhaled. His fur smelled clean, and I suspected he had washed especially for my return. We let go and looked at the sky.

We stood in silence, my arm slung over his shoulder while his rested on the small of my waist, watching the sunrise. The stars faded as the dawn pushed the night away and announced itself with a chorus of various bird tweets. Livestock shuffled in their pens and let out their respective sounds. Several guards sighed in releif as their replacements came, and they shuffled off to bed.

Once he sun peeked over the horizon, Ma'Dat yawned and turned to me. "This one is ready for bed." He patted my shoulder and left me standing there. It would be a bit before anyone was awake, so I'd have a few moments alone.

I was suddenly aware of the chill in the air. Ma'Dat had kept me warm, but now I felt the cold. I turned around, and suddenly Erik was there, in front of the inn door with it wide open, almost directly in my face. I screeched and punched him straight in the jaw before I could stop myself. He flew back into the inn, and Lydia laughed hysterically while sitting at the bar while Erik laid motionless on the floor. Mralki sighed and walked over to his son.

"You want to be an adventurer, but you can't even take a punch," he scolded his son as he sat him up. Lydia was still doubled-over in laughter, holding herself up by using the bar. Erik sat up and rubbed his jaw as I ran to him, closing the door against the chill.

"I'm so, SO sorry!" I rushed over to Erik and kneeled next to him. Lydia was still howling with laughter.

Erik waved me away. "I'm fine," he said through clenched teeth. His jaw was already swelling, and when he spoke, I saw the blood on his teeth.

"Erik! Let me get you something to heal that." I ran to my pack and dug in my alchemy ingredients.

"Mralki, do you have any juniper berries?" I called over my shoulder. I kept looking, and pulled out a clove of garlic. I heard Mralki's heavy, thudding footsteps behind me. When I turned around and gave him a questioning look, he grinned and said, "Didn't want to get knocked out too."

He handed me the berries, and I crushed the garlic cloves with the flat of my knife and dropped them in the tankerd of water that i kept on my nightstand. I crushed the juniper berries with my mortar and pestle, and dropped them in the water as well. I brought the mixture to Erik.

"Gods, no," he shook his head "The last time I drank one of those-"

"You got better. And you don't drink it, you swish it around in your mouth." Lydia was nearly blue from losing her breath from laughing. Erik choked on the quick potion, but swished it around for a good bit before spitting it out.

"Was I supposed to chew?" he joked, his face a little green. I helped him up.

"Don't ever scare me like that again!" I scolded. Erik frowned.

"I didn't mean to!" Erik flinched when I touched the bruise. Lydia was now letting out squeaks of laughter. When we all looked at her, she stopped for a moment, and mimed Erik getting punched, complete with an exaggerated look of horror on her face, then resumed laughing.

"Go to bed, Lydia." I I rolled my eyes. She held her stomach and loped off to her room. I looked at Mralki. "Get a patch of snow and put it on his jaw. It will help with the swelling. I need to go restock on some supplies before we leave."

"You're leaving?" Erik asked. I nodded.

"I have things to do. You know what."

I left Lydia's howling behind, mentally ticking off the things I would need. The sun shone clear through the sky, marking a beautiful, yet uneventful, rest of the day.

[i]"Or maybe he has some sick fetish that involves children."[/i]



Movarth seems like the type if fellow who would be like that



I almost died of laughter when Erik got punched in the mouth

And he said he'd make a great adventurer....

Well, I'd rather go with the child-army theory myself.

And Erik's misfortune really shows how much on edge Kayla is. (I'm not gonna call her Nisse. That feels odd to me and the Kayla now is definitely a much different kind of person.) I wonder how long she can keep going before she simply crashes from lack of sleep.

Don't worry, jack. Only two people call her Nisse, and that's Ma'Dat and Asta.

*Applauds*... ...

Loved that...Brilliant stuff...

I've hardly ever been to Rorikstead in my playing...I do remember it being verrah verrah prriiittie...




That made me laugh more than the punch did... ...Typical dad... ...I could just hear that "Nord voice" man saying that as well...Which makes it funnier... ...

I love Ma-Dat, he's absolutely my fave character so far...Sorry Kayla... ...But yeah, Ma-Dat rocks!!...Which probably puts a ticking clock on him instantly... ...

Aaaamywhoooo...

Fantastic chapter...Amazing stuff...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

I have to agree with Jack here, between not allowing herself to grieve and lack of sleep, Kayla is on edge - and headed for disaster if she tries to handle this alone. Awesome Write!

This was a fun, enjoyable episode! Some of the highlights for me �

- Kayla recording her thoughts about the mystery of the children.

- Watching a beautiful sunrise while cuddled with a caring Khajiit.

- A punch in the mouth!

- A reminder of little bug eater�s natural skill with alchemy.

- Thinking that laughing Lydia needs to go onto Kayla's 'punch list'.

- Kayla�s obsessive focus on her quest to hunt down her sister

What a lovely morning in Rorikstead. I love the description of Dawnbreaker as eager for a fight. And a mouth-punching! I especially enjoyed the alchemy part. I�m really enjoying your characters.

@jack: SHHHH, you're not supposed to say anything! XD

@ McBadgere: I love him too! Then again I loved writing Asta... XD

@ mALX: Yeah, but this is KAYLA we're talking about, lmfao

@ Acadian: Glad you liked it :]

@ Grits: I'm glad you're still with us! I enjoy your characters as well... especially Darnand. Hubba-hubba! XD Alchemy is something I'm really interested in. The whole "herbs to cure all ails" is fun for me.


Previous chapter: Kayla has been sent to Meridia's shrine by Ma'Dat, the old Khajiit who helped raise her after rescuing her from her ghost town full of vampire children 22 years ago.



=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-



The breath left my lungs in a WHOOSH, and I gripped the front of my shirt, willing myself to breath. I glanced up to see an ice spike heading straight for my chest, and rolled right before it impaled itself in my heart. It shattered against the cave wall, and the vampire Mist-walker howled with rage.

I took in a lungful of the putrid, stifling air of the cave, and propelled myself upwards onto my feet. I gripped Dawnbreaker in my right hand, loading fire into the other. Dawnbreaker hummed with ecstatic anticipation, the glow white-hot. I felt its need to separate the vampire's head from its body. I would gladly participate.

The vampire flung another ice spike at me, but I easily dodged it and hurled my own firebolt, running towards the vampire. The vampire sidestepped it and before it could load another attack, I rammed my shoulder into it, knocking it down. It let out a snarl as it thumped to the floor, dazed. I put my foot on its chest, but instead of surrendering, it raked it claws alongside my unprotected calf, shredding the skin.

I screamed in pain, and it used the distraction to pull my leg out from under me, causing me to lose my balance and fall. It rolled on top of me, jaws snapping and saliva dripping. I gagged at the smell of death on the vampire's breath, struggling to keep its teeth connecting with my flesh. It laughed, and I realized that even up against my face, I couldn't tell what gender the vampire was, or even the race. The face was gaunt and bloodless, the cartilage in the nose seemingly nonexistent, giving the face an eerie fleshy reflection of a bare skull.

"Tell me what you know about a child vampire!" I demanded. The vampire stopped snapping at me and a confused expression replaced the enraged one.

"You can't make demands! I've got you on the ground!"

"Oh yes I can! TELL ME!"

The vampire looked bewildered. I used this opportunity to bring my knee up and hit the vampire in the groin. Male or female, the vampire looked like it saw stars as it clutched itself and rolled off of me. I rolled over on top of it, pinning its chest to the ground with my knee. My blood seeped into its robe, and I grunted in pain. I set the point of Dawnbreaker in the ground next to the vampire's eyes, and it stopped struggling.

"The last vampire who didn't cooperate with me had her skull melted from the inside out. Now," I pressed all of my weight into the vampire's spine, causing it to screech in pain. "Tell me about the vampire child. What is she doing? Where is she?" I felt a few pops under my knee.

"I don't know! No one knows!" Spittle flew from the vampire's mouth onto the cave floor. "She never stays with any nests! Some say she was Movarth's favorite, naturally gifted to stalk in silence. The body of a child meant no one would ever suspect she was more than she was!" The vampire panted. "I've told you everything! Let me go!"

I said nothing, but pushed Dawnbreaker into the vampire's heart through its back. Dawnbreaker glowed emphatically while the vampire stiffened, a pained, choking sound escaping from it, then sighed in satisfaction when I pulled it out of the walking corpse's corpse. I sat down on the cave floor and brought a cloth out from my pack. I cleaned Dawnbreaker of the blood before setting it aside to inspect my wound.

The muscles were barely touched, but it was still enough to cause a great deal of pain. Alongside my right calf, too. I pulled a cure disease potion out of my pack, along with a stamina potion and health potion. I drank the cure disease potion in one gulp, but mixed the stamina potion with my water. I poured the healing potion onto my calf and hissed as the healing properties took effect. I'd have a new scar, but that was alright. No one was going to be seeing my body.

I drank the stamina potion while I leaned against the cave wall. Closer to Meridia's shrine meant it was time to bring an offering, and the head of a vampire Mist-walker would do. Only sleeping a few hours each day for the past few weeks was exhausting, but what was more exhausting was finding no one who knew where Asta was.

I leaned my head back for a moment, resting my eyes. When I opened them, I was stiff, like I had been sitting there for a while. My rear-end was numb, and my neck hurt. I cursed and jumped up, my legs wobbly from falling asleep. I sheathed Dawnbreaker, gathered up the supplies, leaving the bloodied rags on the cave floor.

The healing potion healed most of the damage, but left the muscle and skin a bit tender. Once I climbed out of the cave, a dark sky dotted with stars greeted me. I cursed. I would have to rest in the cave for the night, and continue in the morning when my strength was up.

I slid down the cave entrance, sulking. I shouldn't have left Lydia in Solitude. I thought she would slow me down, but had she been with me, I might not have gotten hurt so badly. Then again, she looked pretty cozy next to Sorex Vinius. The handsome Imperial man took a liking to Lydia almost as soon as she did to him. That made it easy to slip out undetected.

One of the vampires already had a fire going, so I cleared out a small area for me to rest and eat in. I looked around the cave, and was surprised at the contrast. Amongst the bones of their victims, pools of dried and congealed blood, and the stench of death, were wardrobes of rich fabric, books, and silver dishes.

I shook my head. Out of curiosity, I wandered over to the bookshelves to see what vampires read. Immortal Blood. Of course. I sighed and read the titles on the spines of the rest of the books.

Lusty Argonian Maid, The Real Berenziah, Darkest Darkness, A Tragedy in Black... I was beginning to see a pattern. Under one of the beds I spotted what looks like to be a journal. I reached under and picked up the journal. Streaks of brown smeared the cover, and brown fingerprints dotted the first few pages. The spine creaked when I opened the journal, and a few pages hung loose, almost to falling out. I read the first page.

"I'm sick of having no one to talk to, so I got this journal. Ma says the nightmares will go away as soon as my body stops changing, and that almost everyone goes through it, but I'm not sure..."

I skipped a few pages.

"I dreamt about it again. Swirling crimson orbs of pain in my head, followed by a relief and a warm feeling. I keep getting sicker and sicker, and the alchemist keeps giving me treatments, asks if I've been bitten by any animals, but I haven't. I haven't so much as stubbed my toe in the past few months. What could be wrong?"

I skipped a few more pages. I stopped when I came to a page with more brown smears than the rest.

"I fed for the first time tonight. Asta taught me how to dig my fangs into the neck to get at the vein that carries more blood. The sweetness of the neighbor boy's blood filled my mouth..."

Horrified, I went a few pages back and read.

"A child with raven curls and crimson eyes spoke to me today... promised me a life of understanding... She even knew my name was Akrya."

I slammed the journal shut. Then it dawned on me. The brown stains were not dirt, but old blood. I dropped the book onto the bed and searched for more journals. No other papers mentioned Asta, and no other journals were found. I sighed and reached for the bloodied journal again. I looked at the last entry.

"Asta is moving. She cannot stay in one place too long, for her sister hunts her. She continues to collect her army, and promises that Tamriel will be ours. While the empire fight with Ulfric and the Thalmor, a silent and unexpected enemy shall rise from the shadows and tear the throats of the unsuspecting.."

I dropped the journal. She was going to do it. She was going to keep Movarth's plan going. My hands shook as they picked up the journal again. No mention of her whereabouts, no mention of anything, except that Akrya was to go to Asta and meet her. She had been targeting small villages and settlements across Skyrim, and was moving to Cyrodiil, Hammerfell, and High Rock.

She was expanding. How long before her plans took her to Elswyr? The Summerset Isles? Black Marsh? Valenwood? What about beyond? How great were her numbers? What were her next moves? Akrya's journal mentioned the orphanage in Riften. I could send word to Mjoll the Lioness and see if she could help. A lone adventurer had gotten Grimsever back for her, and Aerin had written me back about it.

I snapped the journal shut with such force that the cave echoed with the sound. How was I supposed to do this alone? I resigned myself to making plans mentally until sleep crept up on me, forcing my planning to become nightmares of gnashing children's mouths and orbs of swirling crimson pain.

Kayla is still unsuccessful in hunting down Asta? At least that journal provided a good clue


Excellent chapter

OOooh, I'm starting to get a Magnificent Seven vibe going on in the back of my mind reading this...Not sure if it's something in yer story or it's just me...Nah, probably me...Sorry...

Aaaamywho...

Loved this chapter...Very cool how she can dispatch the vampires easily...I'm afraid Dawnbreaker was hung on a weapon rack when J'zirlo got it...His ebony one was, sadly, a bit more killy-stab-stab than the shiny-one was...But, I do love that glowing thing in the guard...That's cool that is...

Um...Oh yeah, that was definately a cool and ace chapter...Going through the vampire's stuff and seeing their reading material was cool...

And then the journal...That's just scary that is...Kids scare me... ...Vampire kids...*Scared*...

Really looking forward to what follows with great looking-forward-to-ness... ...

Asta's continuing Morvarth's plan and raising her own undead kiddy army? Egad!

Loved the fight scene at the opening of this; gritty, realistic and an engaging struggle for Kayla, and the signs of exhaustion and wear at this are beginning to show nicely. Kayla had better be careful or else she's not going to be in a good state to face Asta if she ever finds her.

Opening in the middle of a dire fight! Whew, Kayla survived that one. I can see again how important her whizbang sword and natural skill with potions are to the vampire huntress.

Very well done with the journal! Both its content and how Kayla bounced around among its bloody pages to learn some terrifying new info on Asta. But still no location on Morvath�s miniature monster (for she is Kayla�s sister no longer) as our tired elf tumbles into a restless sleep.

And this is why you never gloat about your plans, or write them down for that matter.

At least we know two things. One, Asta has been northways in the past few weeks. (Cause little vampy mentioned the hunting sister and I doubt kayla was much of a priority before Onmund and Movarth.) Two, she's still recruiting.

And a potential third. While I need more specimen to proof my theory, Asta could have a preference for little girls. You know, because they've got that extra bit of innocence little boys lack. Edit, make that a very potential third. The gender is never mentioned, but Akrya sounds like a girl's name to me.


I also like how Dawnbreaker keeps humming with excitement when it gets to kill the undead and pouts like a spoiled kid when it doesn't. It very much feels like a part of Meridia that way.


Oh, and is Lydia going to get a guy in every town? She's getting more conquests than the Whiterun bard at this rate.

*



WOO HOO! Great line! The description of the vampire was chilling! That part with the journal - Holy Cow, this chapter was awesome! HUGE Write !!!!!


*

@ KOB: So far, nothing really solid has come up. Kayla is still on her path for vengeance

@McBadgere: I had to look that movie up, and now I want to watch it. I love westerns!!!! And kid ANYTHING terrifies me. Vampires, zombies, werewolves, kids with magickal powers... they're so naive and unpredictable. And prone to tantrums.


@ His Royal Mustardness: Yep. She sho' is.


@Acadian: Kayla relies heavily on Dawnbreaker, now more than ever. Now that her thirst for undead blood has become greater, Dawnbeaker is beginning to become more "vocal," though only Kayla can hear it in her head.


@ jack cloudy: I will explain why in a later chapter, but Asta has left Kayla alone for the most part. Once she killed Movarth, well, that made Asta angry. And very astute on the little detail about her preferring girls!

Like I told Acadian, Dawnbreaker is like an arm to Kayla now. She clings to it like a kid would a security blanket. She reminds me of a cousin I have in law enforcement. She keeps her gun on her at all times and is antsy when she doesn't have it RIGHT THERE. Even at my bridal shower, where she was completely safe, she clung to her purse and kept it under her arm.

And who knows? Maybe Lydia has finally found the one conquest she would like to stick around for

@mALX: Thaaaaaaank yooooouuuuuu :]



==========---------------------------==================




"You look terrible."

Erik's face was lined with concern. I snorted.

"You're not too tan yourself there, stud."

I let out a hollow cough as I fell into a seat at the Frostfruit Inn back in Rorikstead. Erik's blue eyes studied my nearly gaunt face, once tan with sun, now almost pallid white and drawn with exhaustion.

"You need to slow down. Rest."

"I need to kill Asta. And stop her army."

"Army? Have you talked with General Tullius? Ulfric? Anyone?"

"No one believes the raving Altmer who seeks out vampire lairs on purpose." I leaned back in the chair. "Where's Ma'Dat?"

"On his way."

As if summoned, the wind blew the door open with Ma'Dat striding through the doorway. He closed it and glanced at me. His eyes narrowed, and his ears flattened.

"And how is Nisse feeling?"

I blinked at his strange behaviour. "Uhm, fine. A little tired and weak, but that could be from not eating and sleeping much during the trip."

"And where is Lydia?"

"Why, Ma'Dat?"

"Is just a question."

"I don't like this."

Suddenly, Ma'Dat's behaviour changed. His ears twitched back to normal, and he grinned like only Khajiit can.

"Ma'Dat was only curious. Come, let us discuss what you've found. I'll order us some drinks."

While Ma'Dat got the drinks, Erik and I sat down. He watched me warily.

"Kayla, I don't mean to pry, but you have never looked so..."

"So...?"

"Awful."

I rolled my eyes. "You sure do know how to make a girl feel special, Erik."

Ma'Dat came up with our drinks. Mead for him and Erik, and wine for me.

"I've tracked Asta's movements using journals I've found. One of her minions, Akrya, is very careless when it comes to what she leaves behind. I found the first journal in Pinemoon cave, then another closer to Meridia's shrine-"

"And what did our ladyship say?"

I swirled the wine around in my glass. "I didn't go."

Ma'Dat's ears flattened for a moment, then eased up. "No matter."

I took a big gulp of my wine. Erik raised his eyebrows but said nothing, and Ma'Dat looked at me expectantly.

"What?"

Then it hit me. There was something under the bite of the alcohol in the wine. I stumbled out of my chair, knocking it back. Erik's panicked face looked at Ma'Dat before jumping up to catch me.

"Kayla!!" I stopped moving, My body was stiff, but my eyes rolled in my head to see what was going on around me. I heard Erik's panicked voice next to me.

"She's been poisoned!"

"This one put a paralyze potion in her drink."

"What?! Why?"

I could taste the rage at Ma'dat on my tongue. Ma'Dat instructed Erik to put me on my bed. While Erik picked me up and Ma'Dat explained what was going on, I seethed.

"Has Nisse been acting weird?" Ma'Dat asked.

"Well, beside her being hellbent on killing her sister to avenge her husband, not sleeping for days, barely eating, hardly ever bathing, abandoning Lydia in Solitude, and just looking awful, nope. She's normal."

I heard Ma'Dat snort while he poured a liquid. "Check her neck, her arms, everywhere you can. Look for bite marks."

"What's going on?" Erik asked. He obediently checked my neck, lifted my arms, and lifted up a pants leg. I watched his face the whole time. He was expressionless, only his brows knitting and unknitting when he examined and found no bite marks.

"She has a new scar on her leg. Looks like claw marks. A wolf?"

"Move." Ma'Dat quickly shuffled into my view while Erik moved out of it. Ma'Dat lifted the leg Erik had been looking at. My finger twitched. Ma'Dat examined the old wound carefully.

"Could be wolf. Could be sabrecat claws. Could also be vampire claws. Could be any number of things." He set my leg down, turned back around, and Erik stared at my face.

"Can she hear us?" He asked. I blinked furiously at him.

"Yes," Ma'Dat asnwered. He came around Erik with a vial in his hands. At Erik's questioning look, Ma'Dat simply said, "To cure her."

"Of what?!"

"She is infected with the vampire disease."

Erik's face blanched. He looked like he wanted to run away, but a look of resolve washed over his face. "And that stuff in the vial will cure her?"

"Yes." Ma'Dat pried my mouth open. My finger twitched again, and I let out an angry sound that was garbled. My muscles weren't completely under my control anymore, though the movement in my fingers were beginning to obey me. I made a fist and willed my arm to connect with Ma'Dat's head, but it wouldn't move.

Useless!!

"The potion is wearing off. Quickly, pour the liquid in her mouth before it wears off completely."

I coughed and gasped as the sour liquid snaked its way down my throat. I tried to bite down on Ma'Dat's fingers, but he kept my mouth pried open. When the last of the horrendous liquid was gone, Erik straightened up and looked at me. I couldn't read his expression, and didn't care to.

"How long before the cure sets in?"

"Once her body starts digesting it, we can consider her cured. About an hour. We need to keep an eye on her, keep her from vomiting it up."

"Why would she do that?"

"It is not Nisse's doing, it is the disease. Once a victim becomes infected, the disease fights to stay in the body. It will make its host attack anyone until the victim is completely turned."

"And then what?"

Ma'Dat picked up another vial and swished it around. He uncorked it and brought it to my lips. He spoke as he poured it down my throat. Defeated, I drank it without a fuss.

"And then they are vampire."

Erik looked confused. "Is vampirism a parasite?"

"It can be described as such. But the reality is more complicated." Ma'Dat's ears twitched. "Many friends of Ma'Dat's have been infected. I have seen them tear at their own skin in order to feed, only to become more enraged. The effects of different strains of the diseases vary, and of course, most vampires will say they are not parasitic hosts."

"How many different types of vampirism are there?"

"Many. Each province has a different type with different abilities. But we are in Skyrim, and we worry about Skyrim vampires right now."

My eyelids started to droop. Ma'Dat gave me a mournful look. "Nisse will sleep through the cure. It is better this way. But we will be nearby, watching you."

I fell asleep.


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=


Erik watched as Ma'Dat rifled through Kayla's papers. The old Khajiit wasted no time in opening every scrap of parchment and reading it several times over. Kayla's breathing was even and slow as the sleeping potion did its work.

Ma'Dat made little noises of disgust and delight as he read. Erik picked up a worn, dirt-smeared journal and began to read. His eyes widened in horror and he snapped the defiled book shut.

"I think I know what happened to Kayla. Why she got infected."

Ma'dat looked at Erik sharply. "And what did Erik find?" He set down the papers he was holding and grabbed the book from Erik's outstretched hands.

"Here, this page." Erik opened the book for Ma'Dat and let him read. "This child Akrya was infected over a period of time, not all at once. Maybe Asta is doing that to Kayla?"

"It would explain why Nisse cannot find her. Perhaps she is closer than we think." Ma'dat tapped the book with a furred finger. "We need to study this journal. Find out everything we can about Asta." He looked at Kayla's sleeping form. "This one finds himself in doubt, though. Why would a vampire leave their journal in an easy spot where Nisse could find it?"

Erik furrowed his brow. "I don't know. A trap?" He massaged his temples. "Let's get to reading. I'll sit by her and keep an eye on her."

Ma'Dat shot Erik a knowing look before sitting down on the bench, gathering up a stack of papers to read. Erik busied himself with the journal, casting sideways glances at Kayla once in a while.

Kayla has been infected?

So, that journal was left there for a reason? Hmmm...Ma'Dat could be right about it being a trap, but for all we know Asta could just be trying to tick Kayla off by leaving clues without enough evidence!




For some reason I really enjoyed the way you described this! It was simply epic to imagine!



I enjoyed reading this chapter a lot, excellent job

Right, well I've read this through in one sitting, which is always a sign that a story has managed to hook me.

Consider me hooked.

You certainly have a talent for creating interesting characters - sympathetic characters one minute, whilst making me want to slap some sense into them the next. Especially Onmund, well perhaps more accurately the relationship that you evoked between Nisse/ Kayla and Onmund. Funny one minute, destructive the next (the scene where Onmund comes in drunk, and his explanation after was superb. I really hated him one moment, and really felt I understood him the next), and unbearably sad.

Perhaps that's what struck me the most. Humour and adventure, pathos and sadness, and a sense of emotional truth. There were scenes (the above mentioned and the flashback of Nisse in the cellar spring to mind), where I truly and completely was in the moment, disturbed by the emotions you were bringing up in me.

Like I said, consider me hooked.

Story. Good. More! - please

Wow, just...WOW. that really caught me off guard, Burnt Sierra. Thank you for your compliments. I kind of needed them, lol

I'm caught up again! Onmund's death was a shock. Holy crap I don't think anyone saw that coming. Ma'Dat is such a cool character that you introduced in her memories as a child and then brought back when she sets out on her mission of vengeance. You better not kill him by the way. I like your version of Lydia too. Much more of a sense of humor than most portrayals.

*Applauds massively*...

Dear Gods, I thought this story was good before...

This has really hit some sort of different gear!!...*Unsure of what smiley will suffice here*...



It's going to be sooo long before anyone finds out why I grinned like a loon when I read that...But still...*Applauds while grinning*...

The whole thing was amazing...

Ooooh shiver inducing moment btw...



Loved that!!...

An amazing chapter...Truly amazing stuff...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Let's see if anyone else gets it XD

I....I think I get it.

�I made a fist and willed my arm to connect with Ma'Dat's head, but it wouldn't move.�
How frustrating! The mouth puncher laid low by paralysis.

A roller coaster here. Has the old Khajiit gone over to the dark side? Maybe not. Okay � no, for sure. In fact, he may be Kayla�s savior. You did a nice job with Ma'Dat here.

The hints regarding possible size and scope of Asta�s web are terrifying. She may appear a child, but she's had nearly two decades to hone her skills.

*

First off, I am so sorry it took so long to get here and read - very hectic week.





These were wonderfully written and immersive - very natural feel here! Wonder what is up with Ma'Dat? Holy Crap! From the point where Ma'Dat paralyzes Kayla to the end - I'd have to quote the whole section!

I thought it was funny that Erik immediately trusted/believed Ma'Dat (who just poisoned his good friend, was acting unlike himself, and rifled through her things without her permission) - Kayla is surrounded by people who will turn on her at the drop of a hat! First Onmund, now Ma'Dat and Erik - No wonder Kayla feels safest when she is a loner!

Riveting storyline, I am loving it! Awesome and very immersive Write !!!


*

I wanted to thank everyone for their comments. I appreciate them! :]


=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=



I awoke groggy and stiff. Ma'Dat was lighting another lantern to light the dark room up when I opened my eyes. I groaned. A thump turned my head to my left, and Erik jumped at the sound of the book in his hands hitting the floor. He blinked a few times and turned my way.

"Kayla!" He kneeled next to the bed as I sat up. "How are you feeling?"

"Bucket."

"What?"

"BUCKET!"

Ma'Dat had a bucket ready when I leaned over and vomited. Erik gagged and stood up.

"Is that normal?!" He exclaimed, holding his nose and coughing.

"Yes," Ma'Dat said as I threw up again. He shot Erik a sly look. "You want to be an adventurer, but you can't even stand vomit." His tail flicked mischievously.

Erik scowled, but didn't reply. I spat and wiped my mouth, shuddering. I crossed my arms, gasping.

"Nisse needs to breathe slow," Ma'Dat said calmly, "Otherwise more vomiting will happen." I took in a slow, deep breath through my nose. A stray bit of vomit got caught in my throat and I leaned over, vomiting again. Erik left the room.

"How long was I out?" I wiped my mouth with the cloth Ma'Dat handed me. He returned to the papers on the desk.

"6 hours," He shuffled some papers and straightened them out. "Erik and Ma'Dat have learned what you have. We have suspicions about Asta." He narrowed his eyes at me. "We think she is following you. Infecting you. That is why you came back infected." Ma'Dat rubbed his temples with one hand. "Nisse, tell Ma'Dat the truth. Where is Lydia? Did Nisse harm her?"

"No! I would never-" I gulped. "I left her in Solitude. Just walked out at night. And then..."

Ma'Dat's ears flattened. "And then what?"

"I...don't know. I kept walking. Until I got to Pinemoon cave, where I found the journal. I killed anything I came across and interrogated who I could. What are you looking at me like that for?"

Ma'Dat's face was drawn back in a snarl. His ears were flattened completely and his tail was swishing dangerously.

"Asta's influence goes back farther than Ma'Dat thought," He hissed. "Ma'Dat thinks Asta has been near Nisse this whole time. Ever since Asta killed Nisse's mate."

"Wha..." My mouth wouldn't work. It hung open, and I took in a deep breath. "How did you figure this out?"

"Erik did." Ma'Dat snorted. "Ma'Dat has been hunting vampires for thirty years, and a whelp of a boy who can't even swing his sword correctly caught it."

"Don't even start that again." I rolled my eyes. Ma'Dat chuckled. He slid from the bench to the bed and sat down next to me. I put my arms around him in a hug and sighed. He grasped me back, and gave me a gentle squeeze.

"Nisse needs to stop getting herself into trouble. It worries Ma'Dat. This old cat is not a cub anymore."

I smiled and pulled back. "Remember when you, Nedene, and Jon brought me back to the city?"

Ma'Dat grinned. "You held onto my tail for dear life." His tailed swished beside him. "I never understood why you clung to me, but never to the Mer woman or the Nord man. Surely they were less frightening to a sheltered child than a Cat-Man?"

"Out of the three of you, you were the only one to rush towards me and pick me up when I fell. You didn't care that I stunk, nor did you make fun of me for stinking. You let me cling to you. You were gentle, and that was exactly what I needed at the time." I leaned my head on his shoulder. Ma'Dat patted my arm lovingly.

"This one is sorry for the deception. But those infected with the disease-"

"Don't want it to be cured. I know. You act like I am new to this."

Ma'Dat smiled. "And yet Nisse keeps getting infected like she is." The tip of his tail flicked. He was nervous. "Ma'Dat has a contact in Riften. A Bosmer in the Thieves Guild."

"The Thieves Guild?" I wrinkled my nose in disgust. "Why would you send me there?"

"Do not judge, Nisse, for Ma'Dat was a thief before he pledge himself to Meridia."

"Oh." Open mouth, insert boot.

"Do not worry. Ma'Dat made a terrible thief. A conscience makes for a terrible ally when thieving." The whiskers on his face twitched, and his eyes slid to the door half a moment before Erik opened it. He looked green.

"Gods, it smells like vomit in here!"

My mouth twitched in a smile, and Ma'Dat's whiskers twitched in a similar fashion. Ma'Dat handed Erik the bucket with my vomit in it, and Erik gagged, running from the room. The old cat wheezed a laugh and I snorted.

"You're terrible to him! The poor man!" I laughed. Ma'Dat set the bucket by the doorway and sat back down next to me.

"The contact in Riften. We must get back to that. Niruin knows the underground workings like only a thief can. If anyone has an idea of where Asta is, it would be him." Ma'Dat suddenly grabbed one of my shoulders with his hand and looked me straight in the eye. There was a wild look about his face, and suddenly I was very frightened.

"Nisse needs to remember what Ma'Dat is about to say. And do not forget it. The world of thievery is perilous. Sometimes those who pretend to be Nisse's friend are the worst villains of all."

As suddenly as it appeared, the wild look vanished, and Ma'Dat was again, composed. His lips pulled back in that almost-curled smile that Khajiit have as he continued like he had never temporarily gone mad.

"Ma'Dat has already sent a courier to Niruin. He will be expecting you. Rest up. It is still night, but Erik and Ma'Dat will keep looking through your findings."

I nodded and laid back down. Ma'Dat grabbed the bucket full of my vomit, and, with a mischievous wink, closed the door behind him. I heard Erik wail in disgust. I laughed, harder than I had in a while.