Some commotion caught Aravi’s attention. A Nord leapt from the roof of the stable. Aravi’s stomach lurched, expecting a cry of pain, or worse nothing from the man at all.

A cheer went up from the crowd around him. He must be fine.

As suddenly as she left, Kayla was back. She’s looking better, Aravi was happy to see. Kayla explained it was something with the beer. Aravi looked at hers and took an experimental sip.

“So. That guy jumped into the gray vat. GRAPE VAT!” Kayla said.

“Let’s go see who it is?” Aravi looked at the two other women with her. She was curious.

Thals looked around.

Allergic Altmers. Wine vat jumping. Incredibly potent painting techniques. Healers that apparently ate charcoal?

"What in Sotha Sil's Secret Sanitarium did they put in this stuff?" Thals looked down into his flagon. "I've got to get the recipe!"

__________________________________________________________________

Sethyas looked into his. "Ever had a drink so bad, you wanted to kick yourself in the rump?" He raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, he had a premonition.

His left ring finger itched.

"Uh oh." He rasped.

Serene, arriving to the Wobbly Goblet Inn

After three days in the saddle, just made a few stops for Shadowstep's sake Serene finally spotted the walls of Chorrol. This made her smile, Chorrol was her favorite town in Cyrodiil, despite being brought up in The Imperial City she had always cherished Chorrol. She knew she had relatives there but something told her she wouldn't have time to pay a visit just now.

She had had this premonition for the last 24 hours. She knew he was not so far away, she could just feel it, the tickeling sensation down her spine was a sign...

She spotted the new Inn from far down the road, it looked nice and she felt that she needed to rest and get some fortification, besides the feeling she had became stronger.

The stables looked very nice and she left Shadowstep in the custody of young Lowren and headed for the entrance.

It was the Harvest End festival and of course there were a free Beer Stand

She saw him standing there idling with another Dunmer she didn't recognize. Her amethyst eyes met with crimson.

"Where else would I find you, but drinking?"

Her voice was weak, the passion raged in her body..

Sethyas turned around and looked at her, amethyst eyes met red....

He turned his head slowly. His expression didn't change. It didn't need too. She knew what he was thinking whether he wanted her to or not.

They stared at each other for a moment, neither making any motion.

Thals began too fidget nervously. "You,...uh...two know each other?" he asked.

Sethyas did not answer, but rather kept his gaze locked into hers.

"It's free." he shrugged. "What did you expect during Harvest's End?"

The smile rose slowly as she came closer, and they embraced following with a passionate kiss.

Thals started coughing, and commented that apparently they did know one another.

"I would hope so. Or I'm kissing someone else's husband." Serene jested.

"That can be arranged." Sethyas retorted, earning an elbow in the gut.

"I told you I wished to do this alone..." He started. "...but that isn't why you're here, is it?" He said, seeing a different kind of concern behind her eyes.

"I know, dearest, and i would never interfere with your business, that you know!" Serene touched his shoulder ever so lightly

"No I came here because I need your help, or advice on this matter" She handed him the letter from the University.

"Rianne would never just leave without saying, I have a very bad feeling about this"

Serene sat down and asked for a beer. She was tired and thirsty, but above all she was worried, even if it felt better now when Sethyas was present.


ohhh I want you Seth, I want you more than you can imagine

Sethyas grabbed the parchment and his brows furrowed.

...and we are sorry to inform you that she has not been seen since.

Yours faithfully,

Galnius Prego, Secretary of Admissions
Arcane University

What in the Twelve Moonshadows of Oblivion is that Child thinking?! He nearly crumpled the paper.

Breathe. He commanded himself.

"I'll hold that man over the highest damn ledge if he's let anything happen to her." He whispered harshly. "And if she's gotten into any trouble, I'll hold her over that same damn ledge!"

Her hand on his shoulder sent the unspoken signal he knew meant two things. The first was to calm down.

The other....

"Well, look at that. I've spilled beer on myself." He said putting his half-full flagon down.

"I'm in need of a bath. Do be so good as to give me hand, would you, dear?" He said grabbing her wrist and making an assassin-level speedy entrance to the Inn.

“Gray vat!” Abiene laughed from her belly. She linked her arms with Kayla’s and Aravi’s. “I could stand to meet whatever fool did that.”

“I’ll catch up with you when you’ve had a chance to settle,” she said to Thals.

She gave a discolored smile to Sethyas. Dibella knows I’ve looked worse. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your morning,” she said.

It wasn’t hard to find the jumper. The Nord stood barefoot in a puddle wearing only a pair of soaking drawers. Grape skins clung to his skin. He was passing a double handful of coins to a lavender-clad Imperial. That’s the artist they were talking about, Abiene realized. She hiccupped.

The Nord spied the three of them and threw his arms out to the sides, grinning. “Abiene! Aravi! KAYLA! IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY!” he roared.

Kayla's jaw dropped and she grinned widely. She threw her arms up excitedly.

"JERRIC! What are you doing here?!" She jogged to him and punched him on the arm. "You're covered in grape juice! No one's gonna buy that wine now!" She laughed.

"Where's-eek!" She let out a squeak as the drunken Nord pulled her into a bear hug.

"Spine! Cracking! SPINE!"

Meanwhile, in the Man-Cave.....

________________________________________________________________

She was tired, and had been riding for three days straight. Her concern for their daughter had been the driving force to it. But beneath that, like a guilty pleasure; or a dark desire one did not acknowledge for fear of it making them a 'bad person', her passion for her husband.

He left on these mysterious missions, brooding all the while. Refusing to share with her the pain that he carried across centuries now. It seemed there was no end to his internal capacity. Ever watching over her, out for her. She was strong, and he knew it. Her hands were that of a healer, and they did not tremble either.

"I'm tired." She said, as he held her at the door, and unlocked the door and kissed at her neck.

"That's what the bed is for." He said, pulling her in.

"I'm sweaty." She said, as he shut the door and locked it.

"That's what the bath is for." He said, as he pulled her travelling cloak off.

"My muscles ache, and look like a mess." She said, as he slowly stripped the two of them down.

"That's what my hands are for, and don't you dare tell me that." He whispered in his Dunmer rasp, and pulled them into the bath.

Their hands did not tremble in either of their professions, except when they held each other. As they did across centuries now.

Khan stepped away from the notice, walking towards the fairgrounds. "Be prepared. We leave at high noon, oh, and Hkalbir, your composite bow's in the chest. Yew, if I recall correctly." Khan walked over to where an Imperial was putting the finishing touches in what looked like a painting of a man jumping off the inn roof. He wondered for a moment if the man was an assassin or some like, then walked over the the artist. "You do portraits, right? Good. I want one for the house, me in my battle dress. Oh, damn I didn't bring...hold on...." Khan dashed inside the inn and ran back out to the stable, with a woman in Imperial armor in tow. He recalled her name being Nora or something. Didn't matter. They could socialize later, he needed this portrait. They stepped behind the stable, where a heated debate could be heard:

"Are you serious?"
"Quite, now,off with it, I'll give you my coat."
"But what if-"
"That's an order, Auxilary!"
At this point a few grumbles, along with the clanking of armor and swooshing of long garments, were heard. Khan ran back to the painter, wearing a woman's set of Imperial Cavalry plate. The artist, though a bit shocked, began painting, as Khan struck a dramatic pose on top of a stool. "Feel free to take some...artistic liberty on the breastplate, especially the er...breast."

Behind the stable, the reddened face of the armor's owner could be seen, looking like she wanted to be anywhere on Mundus but here.

Warm water....all around her..as were the hands of her beloved. Her body was relaxed her mind drifted away for a second. She wished this moment would last forever..The passion..the love..the feeling of being safe, all that made her feel better than she felt for a long time.

She caressed his face with her lips...ever so gently..

Seth, you dont'n need to tell me anything, I already know...

She just hoped he hadn't noticed how gently she had read his mind. He used to hate it when she did that, but during the years she had developed a method that was very secret and did not affect the mind to be read

Hjalbir was in agreement to what Lycus said. Beneath the Imperial's mass of rippling muscle, there lies a hardened mind that possesses keen knowledge of the world. In this kind of lifestyle, illusions of self were the greatest amongst enemies. The world is a cruel, cruel place, filled with cruel people, and one should be made aware of the fact early on. Steel on the outside, iron on the inside. As his father always used to tell.

"Built by killers for other killers, indeed."

Khan had finished hammering the notice on then door, and people were beginning to pay attention. It would take time for a bunch of volunteers to come out, what with the festivities going on, but Hjalbir guessed it wouldn't be THAT long.

The Khajiit then got himself drawn by an artist. While the feline was getting himself drawn, Hjalbir went over to the chest and picked up his composite bow. It wasn't anything fancy, but it was of good materials, and that suited him just fine.

Hjalbir went back on the sides, looking around for able-bodied entities that would probably join them, but mostly just to observe the chaos all around him. There was that Altmer with the Nordic accent, joined by her female companions, and they were joined by a swaggering Nord.

He looked to Lycus.

"And now we wait."

Abiene

“I’ll have something for you later,” Jerric said to Kayla, still grinning.

Abiene’s giggle turned into a snort. She realized she had quite abandoned decorum.

Jerric’s greeting to Aravi was gentler but just as sticky. “It’s good to see you, Aravi.” He bent at the knees and picked her up a little. The slim Khajiit nearly disappeared into his hug. “Warm sands travel with you, my friend.”

“Abiene!” Jerric leaned in for a kiss, then jerked his head back looking shocked. “What the hells happened to your mouth? You look like you’ve been su— er, kissing a dremora’s… Uh—”

Abiene put her hand up to hide her teeth again. “I thought perhaps ectoplasm…”

“Wrestling,” Jerric interrupted, pointing at the mud pit. “There’s still time to place your wagers. Hold these.” He handed Abiene his jewelry. “Doesn’t mean we’re engaged or anything.” A quick squeeze of her right hand told her he had noticed the new ring. His expression promised a discussion later.

Then he kissed her on the mouth and took a backwards step toward the mud pit.

“…might remove the stains?” Abiene finished, her eyebrows climbing. As much as she wanted Jerric’s company, she was not inclined to go watch him wrestle in the mud.

Kayla giggled. Though she wasn't drunk, Jerric's excitement was contagious. She wondered what he had for her later as he handed Abiene his jewelry and gave her a quick kiss.

Ooooooooooh! I saw that!

She decided to ask Abiene about it later, but for now, she'd enjoy teasing Jerric about the mud wrestling competition. She leaned back and pointed at him, laughing.

"You're gonna lose, Jerric! I bet I could beat you!"

Thals stared around a bit wide-eyed. It would seem the festivities were quite vivacious this year, and without further ado he finished his beer and stretched out a bit to get the last bit of weariness from his journey out of his muscles.

"Time to sell!" He grinned and whispered to himself.

He headed back out to the stables and started to unload his goods. He hired Lleris; who claimed to be a fellow Hlaalu, as a temporary porter and started to lug the goods back and forth between his beloved guar.

Once he brought her over to the stall directly, which turned out to be a mistake. Nally maintained her calm, but the people who'd never seen one before started swarming them and a panic ensued, which very nearly led to her being put down by some Imperial guardsmen and his arrest. It took an hour of explanation and documents that Nally wasn't some 'blasted Daedra' nor were he some 'criminal scum'.

He was told not to take it personally as the guardsmen apparently called anyone with so much as a single septim bounty on their head that.

Still...

With the goods finally in place, he tipped the boy a few septims and started to set up. Alchemical goods, 'exotic' armor and weapons, Ashlander woven blankets and capotes, jewelries of a multitude of designs and minor enchantments, Dunmeri liquors and potions; notably Telvanni bug musk, a perfume of sorts that was derived from the scent glands of the grazeland beetles, the giant shalk. As well as dozens of others odds and ends that one might find within a trader's inventory.

He set aside the darkened Chitin Armor for the birthday girl, and immediately wrote out a bill that Sethyas had agreed to pay for, perhaps with a little extra as the fellow Dunmer didn't seem to care as to the amount. Honor was for those Redoran types, profit was for Hlaalu's. Besides, it was to be expected, convenience fees, taxes so forth and so on. He was one of the few Hlaalu that didn't try to get around the Emperor's Tax. The Imperials were far more concerned with their own profit than the Hlaalu were, and that was saying something indeed.

He finished setting up and gave a small nod to his handiwork. Years in the Vivec Market Landing Square had given him the skills and speed to set up quickly and neatly, using the brightest and shiniest goods at the forefront to capture peoples attention, even angling them just so, so as to capture the glint of the sun.

"Damn, where'd that boy Lleris go...I could use another beer." He muttered.

Aravi recognized the voice of the Nord when they approached. She couldn’t help but smile.

When it was her turn for a hug, she couldn’t help but take a tiny step back before Jerric grabbed her. Her feet left the ground and for a moment all she could see was his broad chest. He smelled of grape juice.

His voice rumbled in her ear. “It’s good to see you, Aravi. Warm sands travel with you, my friend.”

“It’s good to see you too”, Aravi replied. She hugged him back. Her fingers could meet, but only just.

Jerric left to a mud wrestling pit, with challenges from Kayla following him.

Another familiar face approached.

“Hello, Darnand. You just missed Jerric.” She resisted the impulse to give him a hug, now that her clothes were sticky and stained from the grapes.

“Hardly. Jerric makes such a scene that one would have to be blind and deaf to miss him.”

“It’s good to see you Darnand.”

“It’s good to see you too.” He offered the hug that Aravi didn’t.

“I’m a mess thanks to Jerric,” Aravi warned. He didn’t mind.

You better be staying out of my damn head, Serene. He thought.

He *always* thought that, this woman had to have been partly the reason he was still so paranoid. Yet, it kept him on his toes. Always cautious, always keen to the subtlest of signals and clues, and the woman spoke in those like an Aldmeris Language Professor.

Sometimes, some things were lost in translation. But through the years, he'd picked up on them. When he was first still new to the whole concept, she blew his mind when he respected her yelling: "Don't ever talk to me again!" and she got upset again when he didn't. "Yes! I *said* it! It didn't mean I *meant* it!"

If anyone needed to ever get the drop on him, that would have been the moment in time to strike. He almost couldn't move he was so confused. He understood better now. This person communicated in terms of emotions and pure ideas, separated from the words that tried to express them, and in the process limited them.

He brought life back into her tired limbs, feeling the knots and tension melt away from her as he performed his opposite-oriented work. Hands that held others in final moments, brought light back into hers.

She struggled between concern and desire, and wanted to be made to feel that it was okay. There was no judgement here.

Only them.

When she was revitalized, he just simply picked her up and moved them into the bed. Letting her speak to him with her movements and sighs, and he listened as he always did. Always watching, always listening.

Some time later, they lay next to one another breathing in unison, and she rested her head on his chest. She traced the multiple scars that were there. By now, she knew the story of each one. The one three hairs next to his heart being the most prominent, from a move that calculated his death from a Swordsman he could not master.

Until his blade was caught in him, and there was no counter to Sethyas' return blow with the Black Hands Dagger that ripped life from it's victim and restored it into the weilder.

That was the one she hated most of all. Not even the hand that had brought it to him, but for the fool Dunmer who dared risk his life in such a fashion.

"I already know." She whispered. "About the poisoning..." She murmured. "And your Sister..."

His chest fell as he sighed, there was a pause as though he were to say something but chose on silence instead.

"I'm sorry. I'm just...you know I still worry." She said looking up, across the large swath of her brown hair that fanned across his chest and his pupils stayed fixed upon some point, refusing to move.

"Rianne is missing, and you know she would never do anything like this.."

"Anyone is capable of anything." He replied. "Especially with our mixed blood."

"Especially your side...damn stubborn Cyrod..." He smiled slowly. "We should return to the festival...there's nothing that can be done right this moment. But there is ample food, drink and supplies we'll need to make this next venture..." He thought out loud, already forming plans and strategies.

Abiene

“He’s certainly exuberant. Where have you two been?” Abiene asked Darnand. She lifted her cheek for a kiss.

“We have recently returned,” Darnand said. He gently squeezed her shoulders before his hands dropped away.

Abiene knew better than to ask from where.

Darnand extended his hand to Kayla rather than folding them in the elven manner. “Kayla, it is a pleasure to see you again. It has—”

“I’ll take that wager, goldenrod!” Jerric shouted back over the heads of the crowd, still walking.

“Oh my. He reserves his rudest names for friends,” Abiene said to Kayla. “He must really like you!”

“Be advised he has no coin,” Darnand warned her. He glanced around at the group. “Have you committed yourselves to the beer table, or is anyone ready for wine? I have not counted the priory bells, but on a festival day we may do as we like. Have you dined?” He addressed Abiene. “I need to procure soul gems. Perhaps I should search among the vendors.” Then he included them all in his rueful smile. “I do not wish to intrude upon your company.”

.....staying out of my damned head

She smiled, kissed him gently on his cheek and then enjoyed to full extent what his hands were doing with her, his strong warm gentle hands were all over her, releasing the tensions in her back and limbs

"So wonderful, don't you dare stop this"

She had always loved his hands, which annoyed him a bit, he kept on telling her that those hands she loved so much had killed and killed a lot. She never took notice of that, she just continued holding his hands close to her...

Later, in bed, she was resting her head on his chest telling him she knew about his encounters here, about Setsuna, knowing that had hurt him very much. She remembered the first time he told her about Setsuna, the gruesome story he shared with her one night in the kitchen of Sarethi Manor. She also remembered what had happened right after...

She expressed her worry about Rianne and what could have happened to her.

" I will deal with it, Renie, you are not alone in this you know"

Eventually they decided to return to the festival

"Food and drinks are available, we will need that" he smiled at her

Serene got up and searched though her backpack for some decent clothes, she found a clean shirt and a pair of trousers, nothing fancy..just clothes!

The festival area was rather crowded as Serene and Sethyas arrived, the nice smell of grilled guar meat reached her nostrils and she really felt how hungry she was.

"Seth, let's find something to eat..NOW"

Kayla's hand flew to her mouth at the insult before taking Darnand's hand, squeezing it a bit more than he squeezed hers.

"I've got a few names I could call him, but I'm not sure I'd be welcome back here." She laughed and looked him up and down.

"You look a bit...different than when I saw you at Buffy's party." The man has a slightly more worn look than he had the last time she had seen him. But, then again, that was in Anvil, a considerable amount of time ago. She gave him a big grin. "You're still handsome, though!" She laughed and gently pushed him.

You're so very awkward, Kayla.

Aravi glanced at her beer. It was already getting warm in the hot sun.

"I wouldn't mind joining you for some wine..." She glanced at Kayla. She probably preferred the beer.

Did he mention soul gems?

"Abiene, do you need soul gems too?" Maybe I should go with.

Irvana gazed all about her as the festivity went on. Countless people from every culture and every known race crowded Wobbly Goblet from within and outside. Her head spun with all of the different smells, from familiar foods, drinks and perfumes to exotic ones.

With her robe back in her private suite, Irvana took to wearing her own black corset that encased her lithe form, joined by a crimson-red blouse. A ruby amulet, hanging from an expensive pendant, hung over the smooth slopes of her ivory bosom. A belt, bearing intricate designs and letters, wrapped around her narrow waist. Black boots covered her feet.

"Lady Irvana," a fresh-faced woman with brown hair said to her. "I'll admit I am quite tempted with this offer of yours."

Irvana flicked aside a portion of her black hair, flashing a great smile to the young traveler and her two other younger siblings, an adolescent but shy boy who knew how to beat the drums and an overly optimistic dark-haired woman who's flute seemed to be alive. The three had been planning to make Cyrodiil their new home after the death of their single parent a few years ago in High Rock in a horse-riding accident.

Though they were impressive with their musical talents and confident enough to see that they can make coin out of traveling as bards, she gave them an offer they couldn't refuse. A safe haven to stay until they get their lives together. They could cook, clean and work as well as become more intimately close.

Irvana touched the woman gently on the shoulder, and softly clasped her hand around it. "Cyrodiil is such a beautiful place. Truly, it is. The people here are wonderful. But when I heard of your lovely voice and the way you played the lute I was captivated. I confess that I lost faith in our local performers. I would love to have you three perform one night at my home."

"And just how big is your castle?" the boy decided to ask, uncrossing his arms.

"Large enough to accomodate three families," Irvana confessed. "If you're not careful, you will get lost."

She didn't say this to brag, not at all. Her home was overwhelmingly massive, with great halls, armories and a library, not to mention the dining hall and other areas.

"And no one else lives with you?"

Irvana sighed. "Regretfully, no."

The younger sister jabbed her brother with her elbow. "Didn't you listen to her? She just said her parents and her brother are dead. She lives alone."

An awkward silence filled the air, but Irvana quickly put life into the situation by clasping her hands together. "I am more than willing to help you. Find me after the festival. I'll be staying here for a short time."

"It was a pleasure meeting you."

Irvana embraced them all, and replied with a friendly smile. "Likewise. Be safe! Enjoy the festival!"

Other bards began to play and Irvana visited each and every one of them, perhaps being the most sober and enthusiastic woman among the audience. She cheered, laughed and smiled at the jokes, songs and even the acrobatic khajiit who went as far as to kiss her hand and give her a flower said to have been from the deserts of Elsweyr.

After the people around her began to be a tad bit touchy, she took the liberty to explore the different merchant tents that displayed a wide array of goods and trinkets from weapons and armor, to the tinest of jewerly. She walked until she came upon a certain merchant who seemed to be selling items from Morrowind.

"Damn, where'd that boy Lleris go...I could use another beer." He muttered.

Irvana looked at him for a quick second, and then down to the bottle of Telvanni bug musk, a perfume said to make old hags appear as princesses. She picked up the bottle, and sniffed the edge. "Hmm. I haven't seen one of these in a long time", she said. "How much are you willing to sell this for?"

Abiene

Darnand blushed at Kayla’s teasing. He smiled back at her.

“Darnand has agreed to fill soul gems for our project,” Abiene told Aravi. “My research has much to do with his area of interest. We finally spoke through the crystal ball.”

“It is no coincidence that brought us to the Goblet,” said Darnand. “It is fortunate that I found you before the Nord’s inevitable arrest.”

“Are you staying at the inn?” Abiene asked. She hoped her tone sounded casual.

Darnand nodded past the stable. “We intend to camp at the edge of the forest. Most of our belongings remain at the Guild Hall in Chorrol. Athragar said that we would find you here.” He looked between Kayla and Aravi. “It is an unexpected pleasure to find you in the company of friends.”

“Well, I have a room,” Abiene announced. “It’s not large but there’s a bed and a bath. You’re welcome to share it.”

Darnand turned red to the roots of his hair. “I shall… extend your most generous offer.”

Abiene turned her attention to Aravi and Kayla. “Let’s find that wine, but first I’d like to visit an alchemy tent. And I need to speak to Thals before he sells out of his ingredients.”

Darnand cleared his throat. “I shall acquire some gems and Tamika’s white, or whatever refreshments you would prefer. Shall we meet again shortly?” He gestured to some tables set up in the shade.

“That sounds lovely. What do you think, Kayla? Aravi?”

Kayla tried her best to hold back a cringe. Soul gems? She found them creepy. She was no purist, and she wasn't stupid. No magickal item could be enchanted without some sort of essence, and it just happened to be souls. There was, of course, the debate on whether lesser beings actually had souls, and the gems weren't just stripping them of the energy it took to keep their bodies going.

It didn't matter to her. She wasn't an enchanter, and though she never had to keep Dawnbreaker fueled (Ma'Dat speculated that it fed on the souls of the undead) she often took soul gems from the lairs of necromancers, crushing the black ones and pocketing the smaller ones for selling.

"If you need help getting some," she offered, "I could help too. I'll just have to pick up some more armor."

Godsdamned Hackdirt.

"Oh! And wine sounds great."

A tap on her shoulder made her turn around, and there stood Laegon with a sly smile on his face.

"I heard today was your birthday," He purred, tucking a strand on hair behind her ear.

"Ah, uh buhh-"

He cut her off with a quick, but sensual kiss, lightly nibbling her bottom lip before pulling away. "I live nearby. Maybe you should visit my place this time?"

Kayla blushed a deep red and covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes shining with embarrassment.

"Mmmhmm." She squeaked behind closed lips. He grinned wider. "Come see me when you're ready. I'll be nearby." His hand lingered on her arm for a second longer than necessary before he walked through the crowd, out of sight. Kayla's hands stayed over her mouth as she stared after him, wide-eyed.

The dark-garbed woman approached and seemed to find a liking to the Telvanni bug musk. Thinking of himself as a shrewd trader, this woman met all of his clues he looked to for wealth. The ruby necklace, the corset and the tailoring of her boots.

"Hmm. I haven't seen one of these in a long time" She said. "How much are you willing to sell this for?"

"Well now. An attractive woman like you hardly has any need of it." He grinned. "But, once upon a time these perfumes commanded high prices due to their rarity. As high as a hundred septims, my Nans' told me. Nowadays they go for closer to twenty, which is still rather high; I know."

"Given that I know the seller directly, my overhead will be a bit lower than most 'exotic goods' merchants. Hmmm, I could be convinced to let it go for fifteen septims." He said, bringing a hand to his chin.

Darnand

A dark-haired Altmer drew all of their attention when he strode up and began kissing Kayla. Darnand took the opportunity to more closely examine Abiene.

She looked thin and pale as usual, but the shadows under her eyes were the kind that follow more than one restless night. Her dress and sandals were unremarkable, made of good material in the simple style that she favored. Her wild curls had begun to escape their neat braids, again what he would expect by this time of day.

Something had put an edge in her laugh, and she was closer to drunk than he had ever seen her. Darnand disliked the silence in his head after too much strong drink. It felt like a loss of self. He supposed that was what drove Jerric to indulge past the point of revelry. The thought that Abiene might be so troubled by something made him want to search out and murder it.

Abiene covered her mouth in sympathy over Kayla’s embarrassment, sharing an amused glance with Aravi. A multi-colored ring glittered on her right hand.

That’s new. I wonder…

The Altmer was drawing away from Kayla. “Come see me when you’re ready,” he purred. “I’ll be nearby.”

Kayla’s eyes were bright with self-consciousness over her flaming cheeks.

“I’ll go fix my teeth,” Abiene said, quickly filling the silence. She gripped Darnand’s arm and bounced up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “See you at the tables.”

Darnand looked up at Kayla as Abiene disappeared into the crowd. He imagined his own face was as red as the high elf’s, though his invitation to share Abiene’s chamber was a far cry from the proposition Kayla had just received. He gave her a wry smile.

Aravi’s delicate features were composed in a relaxed expression, but alertness sang through her posture. Darnand supposed that with drunken Nords and towering elves wandering about on a kissing spree, a small Khajiit might have reason for caution.

“Shall we adjourn to the market tents?” he suggested. “May I take these for you?” He collected their tankards and placed them on the washing table as they passed. A glance at the perfunctory cleaning process made him glad to be an alchemist. Perhaps they should all chew a bit of mandrake root just as a precaution.

Darnand looked over the tents until he found a vendor displaying a guild banner. He resisted paying a fair price for soul gems or anything else. However this project required precision. Rather than a back-woods general merchant with ‘a box of those somewhere,’ he wanted the security that came with regulated goods.

Kayla led the way through the crowd. Darnand lightly touched her back between the shoulder blades to indicate he wished to stop. A glance behind him confirmed that Aravi had made it through the press of folk.

The Imperial under the banner wore a plain robe. He had the deceptive smile and flinty eyes of a veteran trader.

Darnand checked with Aravi and Kayla. Then he approached and began the dance.

Irvana inspected the small bottle in her hand after the Dunmer merchant gave her his price.

"It isn't for me," Irvana said. "It is for a relative of mine."

She raised her eyes to the merchant, and nodded. "I do remember these were prized here in Cyrodiil. I was but a girl when word of the Telvanni bug musk reached the ears of commoners. Her eyes when the man revealed to her the price of the bug musk. She reached into the pocket at her side and searched, only to release a frustrated sigh. There were very few coin pieces with her.

"I am terribly sorry! I am short on coin," she said with a hint of dissapointment. "Would you be considering to sell it for seven gold pieces?"

Her childish expression took over her more serious one, and she even held her hands behind her back.

"Seven?!" Thals sputtered in disbelief. "My Lady, it costs me ten septims just to acquire one!"

Well, maybe eight. He thought.

"Even if you were wearing the perfume, I dont think I could be convinced to sell it at a loss!" he shook his head in good humor.

"Fifteen is already an entire quarter of it's normal value knocked down.." he explained.

"However, I may be willing to reach a compromise." he thought aloud.

"I understand it is for someone else, but if you don't mind me saying so..you are an attractive lady...don't misinterpret me; I simply mean that people will take notice of you, and when they do, they may remark what perfume it is your wearing and will ask where you acquired it..." he trailed off into his meaning.

"...and when you tell them." He raised his brow and motioned over his supply.

"I drum up some extra business...and for your work...and all you would need do is enjoy yourself at the festival as you normally would, two bottles free; with two references of course, one for you, one for your relative. Sound good?"

Aravi looked back and saw Kayla with the bard, blushing deeply. Then she looked over at Darnand, also red in the face.

There will be no early start tomorrow. I wish Kharjo was here, she thought with a twitch of her tail.

They moved on, looking at stalls. Aravi was careful to follow close behind them, in the wake that the two larger individuals made in the crowd.

Darnand eventually found a trader and stepped up to negotiate.

While he haggled, Aravi spoke to Kayla. “Shall we look at Thals’ Chitin armor now, or should we wait for Darnand?”

Kayla shook her head. "This could take awhile. Let's go ahead and go look."

She edged her way with Aravi to the stand after tapping Darnand on the shoulder and whispering that they'd be a few stalls down. Once there, she saw Thals speaking with Irvana. Kayla smiled at the young Imperial girl and gave her shoulder a gentle and friendly squeeze before asking about the armor.

He pulled the dark armor out and Kayla nearly lost her breath. She tapped on it with her finger, making a soft clicking noise and began inspecting the lacing, her brows scrunching and unscrunching.

"It looks...good. Really good. And it's hard. That's extra protection, but it's also dark colored, unlike steel. I think this is what I need."

Thals began to pull out a helmet, but she shook her head.

"No helmet. How much?"

"Ah, it's been paid for."

Kayla blinked. "It...what? It's been bought? Why'd you show it to me then?"

"No, paid for, as in, happy birthday. The Dunmer I was speaking to paid for it."

"What Dunmer?!"

"Sethyas."

Kayla blinked and looked around, but saw no sign of said Dunmer.

"I...oh wow. I'll have to thank him later. Thank you for being honest and not making me pay for it as well." She grinned at him.

They saw Irvana at the stall, Aravi greeted her. “Hello, Irvana. Enjoying the festival?” I’m surprised she’s here still as well. Perhaps she was anticipating the festival.

Aravi examined the armor next to Kayla. Wow. I’d love to try it sometime! Her ears perked when she heard it was Kayla’s.

“What a wonderful gift!” Aravi exclaimed. “When you try it on, I would like to see it.”

Irvana bit her lip.

Two references . . .

She considered it. She wouldn't have to pay, and the man would receive proper reward. He would receive more money, perhaps, if he decides to sell the rest of his stock for a more expensive price.

She could only imagine the effects the bug musk would have on those around her if she decided to sample a few on the sides of her neck.

"I'll see what I can do."

The moment she spoke the words, she felt a touch on her shoulders. She didn't need to look back to know who it belonged to.

Kayla received a new set of armor from the same merchant, and as he began to retrieve the helmet, Kayla shook her head. With shock, she discovered it was paid for.

Irvana's expression took on the same as hers. Birthday . . .

She looked over at Aravi smiled faintly. "Aravi! You've returned! I was beginning to think you didn't like our company." She looked around and nodded with what seemed to be enthusiasm. "Of course! This is such a wonderful festival!"

All these new, exotic people . . .

She turned to Kayla. "Birthday. You never told me this. I find myself with loss of words now. If I'd new . . . I would have bought you something. The least I can do is play you a song."

She looked embarrased, and her face nearly and just almost . . . flushed red.

Her lips sunk behind her mouth and her eyes darted the Dunmer, and then to Kayla and Aravi.

Buisness must be concluded.

"Kayla and Aravi. How would you two love to purchase a bottle of Telvanni Bug Musk?" Irvana asked. "The men you admire would return the affection. If he already holds feelings for you, expect it to be thrice fold."

Thals raised an eyebrow, and smiled at her quick thinking.

"Surely you've heard of Telvanni bug musk?" he asked. "As I was telling her just a moment ago, when it was first introduced to this province,..." Thals suddenly realized how long ago that would have been and remembered her comment about her being just a child.

"...it easily went for a hundred drakes. Both due to it's rarity and effectiveness. Now it sells for closer to twenty now that supply has caught up with demand."

He gave a friendly, but wary glance at Irvana. "And since your friends of hers...I can sell it for the same price of fifteen septims."

Kayla's face twisted into a look of uncertainty.

"Bug...musk?"

She gingerly took the silver vial and unscrewed it. At the end of a thin brush, no thicker or wider then her thumb nail, was a thin, reddish paste. She set the vial down and held the applicator chest-high and wafted the scent upwards. She swallowed.

"Its not...unpleasant. But it's not really the scent I prefer. I like warmer scents, like vanilla." She waved the scent towards Aravi's nose. "What do you think?"

Aravi smiled at Irvana’s enthusiasm for the festival. I’d like it more if there weren’t so many people, or I was as tall as Kayla!

“Not at all, I enjoy talking with everyone. I had a… personal matter that couldn’t wait. I did not mean to leave so abruptly.”

Irvana recommended some Telvanni bug musk to them, and Kayla held it to Aravi.

Aravi took a sniff, just to be polite, but she already knew what the stuff smelled like. When she was a slave, she had worn it a few times at the orders of her master. The scent did not conjure pleasant memories.

“It’s very good quality, but I must decline,” Aravi said. “I wouldn’t have much occasion to wear it anyways, I’m almost constantly traveling.”

Irvana stood by with her eyes set on Kayla. "It is compatible with other scents," she said. "I can promise you the results are positively overwhelming. You can trust me."

There is no reason not to.

Aravi, on a different note, declined the offer, as Irvana expected she would. For some reason she didn't want to purchase it for such a price.

Irvana felt the need to perhaps sway the merchant into giving her the bottle for free. Her relative didn't need it that much. Her, with her naturally good looks, perceived bubbly personality and of course the illusion spells hidden beneath her sleeve, wouldn't need scented oils or liquids to make others desire her. Still . . . this festival only came once and she had the opportunity to do what she does best.

Too many people. Drunk, senses dulled.

The bug musk would no doubt work well. She looked at the merchant, offered a sheepish smile, and said: "Perhaps I can keep just one . . . if Kayla decided to purchase it."

Khan rode out onto the lawn, in a coat of plate, steel boots, chain gauntlets, and a steel nasal helm. The surcoat of linen over his plate bore his standard, a white leopard's head on a blue field. His horse wore chain armor as well, and bore the same standard. Bran wore his usual blue quilted leather. As for his weapons, he carried a lance in his hand and a greatsword on his back. Khan took a horn from the side of the saddle, and blew it, the primal sound echoing throughout the grounds of the inn. At this sound, most of the fairegoers looked in Khan's direction. Once satisfied he had the attention of all, he spoke to the masses. "All those who wish to join the Great Hunt, line up in front of me!" As a large number of the men and women present looked away, a few stepped into line. There were a trio of Bosmer archers, four Redguard brothers who were trained in spears, an Orc warrior, who specialized in the hammer, a Dunmer priest of Kynareth who would serve as healer to any wounded men, five Nord adventurers with swords, axes, maces and shields, a pair of Imperial mages from the Arcane University, and around ten farmhands, stableboys, and other assorted proletariat laborers with swords, spears and bows, sometimes a bit of light armor, but mostly in working clothes. Most of them seemed to be sober, but the mages and the nords looked in particularly bad shape. Khan surveyed them all approvingly. "Well then, before we get on the road, any questions?" One of the mages spoke. "I cast Magic Missile!" Both of the wizards then fell into uncontrollable giggles. Khan sighed, then looked around the lawn. "Hjalbir, Lycus! Come with me, we need to discuss our quarry."

Lycus Desselius scoffed through his nostils. The khajiit strode out in armor that covered him from his head to his toe. Even his horse was armored for what seemed to be a large battle. Lycus went as far as to wonder if this man truly expected to face Stormcloak soldiers in the hunting trip? He'd sooner scare off the game with such heavy gear.

True, Lycus was not armored as he was and he had less protection, but that was part about combat. He would sacrifice personal protection in favor of mobility and strength. The very thought about his own simple clothes conjured memories of the long, grueling days spent trapped in oblivion all those years ago. It was frightening.

Being hunted by Nordic lycanthropes who rode bears twice their size, and to be constantly a target in a realm where the majority of its inhabitants wanted to make a meal out of your flesh and marrow. He couldn't even begin to recount his encounter with his Lord, Hircine.

He'd survived with nothing but his bare hands, the stones of the land and a few natural weapons made from the bones of the men that hunted him down.

Where was the sport dressing as a soldier in a hunting trip? Perhaps, because Khan was of the Legion, he did not see any other style of hunting.

The hunting horn blew, and Lycus' eyes went wide, unintentionally. He'd heard the sounds of horns all too often when in the Hunting Grounds, for they marked the announcement prior to The Drag. Both a hunter and honored prey, Lycus couldn't shake off the natural urge ingrained in his altered mind.

He moved, but a firm hand touched his arm. He turned to see Vera standing behind him, a fat piece of ash hopper meat on her hands, coated with ash hopper jelly. Lycus cracked a smile upon seeing the juicy food on her hands.

During his slave years in Morrowind his diet consisted nothing more than hound meat, scrib jelly, kwama eggs, beetle meat. Ash hopper meat was one of the great delicacies that happened to crawl out of the ground beneath his cell. A joyful snack in the days when the Dunmer overseers weren't feeling the need to feed the slaves.

Lycus Desselius received the offered piece of insect flesh, and took a great chunk of it. "You read my mind."

She ran her fingers through the thick mane of black hair. "I know what goes inside that head of yours."

The Imperial woman turned to the assembly forming of eager hunters. "Are you going hunting or to war?"

"Hjalbir, Lycus! Come with me, we need to discuss our quarry."

Vera raised an eyebrow to the commandeering khajiit, and then back to Lycus with a sarcastic smile threatening to grow on her face. "Friend of yours?"

"A fellow hunter."

"Looks like a soldier who fancies himself a hunter."

Lycus looked down on the woman, and chuckled. "I have faith that he may step up to the plate. You'd like to come along to see for yourself, woundn't you? I'd wager on that."

"Don't make bets you're sure to loose," she said with a grin, taking a sip of the Cyrodiilic brandy bottle in her hand. "I'd love to go. But I'd rather stay."

Lycus let his mouth drop and one of his brows raise. "Vera Desselius refusing to hunt. The world is coming to an end."

She looked around to see the large group of would-be hunters, along with the mage who claimed he could cast magic missiles and overly armored Nords who seemed to be preparing for a final reckoning in Sovngarde. "Yeah, seems to be that way."

"I'd given up on hunting with others," Vera said before poking an accusing finger against Lycus. "You set me up with those two women to go into that cave. Should've seen the look on their faces when I lured all of the vampires into a single chamber. They hated me for that. I think one of them had a stick so far up her ass that-"

"It's a wonder her feet touched the ground." Lycus finished.

Vera smiled. "Tell me all about it later."

"Where will you go?"

Vera didn't answer him, instead she walked away like the solitary huntress she always was. Lycus looked down on his meat, took another gush-filled bite, and followed Khan to discuss the quarry.

Khan removed his helmet, walked over to a table he had borrowed from one of the merchants, and put it down on the table. He pointed to a map of County Chorrol he had acquired from a surveyor who was attending the fair. Khan specifically pointed to the area outside the city of Chorrol, roughly at the beginning of the Great Forest.

"We'll start the hunt here. The deer like to hang around here and steal from the farms in the lowlands. That means there are also substantial numbers of wolves and bears in this area. Hjalbir, I want you and I to take the levies, the Orc and the Redguards through the woods here. That way they'll get their game, and there'll be no complaining. Lycus, you'll be responsible for taking the rest, including the archers, the priest, and mages, here." He pointed to a meadow with a stream running through it, a bit farther from the city. "This is the spot for quail and Slaughterfish, which is what the archer's and mage's talents will be best suited to. Set the Nords to flushing the long grass in the banks, and then get the rest ready to fire. Tell the mages to use shock magic. Don't want any of the meat ruined."

He smiled and thought: They think me a soldier, a man who knows not of what he speaks. But with this many men, and monsters to boot...this is the only way to plan it safely.

He then pointed to an area in between the other two, in the center of the Chorrol portion of the forest. "I went into the city this morning, and I received a tip that there are some ogres camping here. We'll meet up here roundabouts two bells after noon. We'll charge in and try to break any traps or fortifications that the Ogres have set up. I'll send the Nords, Redguards and Orc in first, they'll do fine. The Bosmer and mages next, and then the levies. The priest will hang back and take care of any casualties. Then we'll move on to Lake Rumare via the road, and the same plan applies for the Minotaurs, just exercise far greater caution. IN case of a Troll attack, form a protective circle, support in the center. Any questions?"

Ah, she’s trying to get some for herself. Perhaps I’ll help, Aravi thought.

“I suppose 15 Septims is very reasonable for it however.” She wondered how true that was as she said it. “I’ll buy a vial.”

Kayla took another tentative sniff at the vial. She frowned.

"Can I try some on and see how it smells on me?"

Thals opened his mouth, perhaps to protest, but Kayla was already dabbing a small bit onto her wrists. She made a face, then dabbed some on her neck. "How do I sm-"

"Hey, beautiful."

Kayla jumped and squeaked in surprise when she received a randy pinch on the rear. She turned around to tell the man off, but noticed he was nearly completely sober. He grinned at her.

"Ah, uh...maybe I put too much?" She turned her signature shade of bright red and tried wiping the perfume off on her clothes, not realizing it wouldn't do much good. She shrugged.

"I'm not sure I really want that type of attention..."

Liar.

"I'll buy a vial, too." She handed Thals her septims, a sheepish grin on her face.

Thals eyes opened wide and his teeth were bared in surprise.

"I see you two really aren't familiar with it!" He nearly cried. "Please understand, it's not the scent it's the pheromones!" he explained.

"Whatever twist of nature made the Shalk beetles of the Grazelands of Vvardenfell produce such a powerful attractant has somehow made it so that nearly all beings are...affected...by it.." He said with his eyes struggling not to look further down Kayla's chest.

He turned around and started staring at his stands awning.

"So...umm..yes...even when the person is aware of what is happening to him...it is very difficult to not find the other party...ravishingly tall...and eyes like the reflections of twin sunsets bading one into a golden waterfall of cascading hair...oh dear.." He said smacking himself.

Twice.

"But, um...yes...I think the damage is done here...I'll only charge you what I paid for them: Eight septims. Ten! I mean ten! Oh B'vek!"

Kayla covered her mouth in embarrassment. She set the septims on the counter and pocketed the vial

"Sorry! I'm so sorry! I'll go change clothes! And bathe! I didn't know it was so potent! I thought you were trying to scam us!"

She hurried off, using her sheer height and muscle to, again, push her way through the crowd. A few who turned to look at her angrily had sudden changes in expression as they looked after her. She covered her face and bolted up the steps as soon as she hit the stairs inside. Once inside her room, she quickly shed her clothes after locking the door. She quickly realized that she didn't know how to heat the water once the tub was filled.

That's fine, cold water works just as well.

She jumped as someone knocked on her door abruptly.

"What?! I mean, who is it?"

"It's me."

She furrowed her brow. She somewhat recognized the voice. "Me, who?"

"Laegon."

"I'm not dressed."

There was a slight pause. "Good. Clothes get in the way."

This beetle butt juice is potent...

She opened the door a crack, seeing Laegon's golden-brown eyes peeking back at her. "Can I come in?"

"Uhhh..." She pulled a sheet off her bed and covered herself before letting him in. He wasted no time, locking his lips with hers before slamming the door.

"Mmph, Laegon, you-" He cut her off with a kiss. "I've got- wait- you're not-"

She was thrown onto the bed and he kissed her neck in a way that made her knees weak.

"Oh. Ohh. Okay. Okay..."

---

"Wow. That was-wait, again?!"

Laegon chuckled softly as Kayla's dark brows raised in surprise by his advances.

"Can you even..I mean, we just..." She turned red, a color that seemed to be staining her cheeks more often than usual.

"Well, no." he replied, an impish look on is face. "But..."

When he was finished, his scalp was sore and hair mussed from her gripping it so tightly as she voice her pleasure. Her arms laid lazily over her face, her breathing still heavy.

"Oh gods...I love this stuff."

"I've never received any complaints."

"Oh no, it's uh...Telvanni...bug musk." She looked embarrassed as she sat up, and felt it as well. "I'm so sorry."

"I was going to do this tonight anyways. Or did you forget?"

"I did, actually. I figured you were too drunk to remember."

"I'm not drunk, dear."

"Oh." She didn't know what to say. She ran her tongue over her upper teeth and looked at the bathroom.

"The water's probably freezing by now." She sighed.

"Were you about to bathe?"

She nodded. He gave her a grin.

"Mind if I join?"

She blushed again, forgetting he had just seen parts of her no one else had. "I'd really rather..."

"Say no more. I'll be out here."

She patted his cheek and slowly made her way to the bathroom.

Aravi received her vial and paid what the merchant asked. Might as well use a little. Kayla next to her was dabbing some on as well.

The effect on Kayla was immediate Aravi noticed. Both the merchant and a passerby immediately took note of her… assets. What have I gotten myself into? Aravi thought, eyes wide.

Her gaze was drawn toward Kayla. She is quite… Aravi’s face heated up when she realized where her eyes were settling. I need to get out of here. She bade a hasty goodbye to everyone, though she was sure they didn’t even notice, and left quickly. I’m not even into women, she told herself firmly.

She wormed her way through the crowd, now that she didn’t have anyone to make a path for her. She noticed she was getting more looks from people than she normally did. Their gazes even lingered. She felt a hand brush her rear.

“I beg your pardon…” the man stopped midsentence, the corners of his mouth turning up in a smile. “Hello…”

She did not remain to listen. She spotted Darnand at a table, a bottle of wine and several goblets. She altered her course and made her way over to him, thankful for a familiar face.

She greeted him and sat next to him at the table. Her senses were on high alert still, her ears flicking this way and that, trying to determine if any trouble followed her.

Irvana clasped her hands together, and giggled. "Excellent!"

Aravi was going to purchase it, and Kayla already has. The effects were already showing and Irvana thought that perhaps she should've warned the two hunters about the amount applied on the skin.

The raven-haired Imperial woman snatched two bottles of Telvanni bug musk and smiled at the merchant, who was no doubt under the effects of it already. "I believe these two belong to me."

She set one under the arm, and dabbed a few drops on her fingers and spread them on her neck and on her wrist and some slightly above her bosom.

Considering that Kayla had just ran out from sight from the effects of the bug musk, Aravi was the only who stayed behind, though she was smart enough not to try it. Perhaps she was already commited to someone?

It didn't matter. Though she had more than enough gold in her pockets to purchase the same amount of vials she received, she preferred to acquire what she desired for free. With success, she pocketed the two vials and placed her hand over Aravi's thin arms.

"I will love if we both caught up. We had plenty of things we never discussed," she said before leaning in forward to whisper. "Enjoy the festival."

I know I will . . .

Irvana cast a friendly smile, thanked the merchant and excused herself from sight. She couldn't help but feel a certain joy brewing in her heart. A glee that came with the knowledge of the irony of the bug musk and the two women.

Outside was uncomfortable. She already had come across more than a few men who seemed to be affected not only by the bug musk, but her physical appearance as well. None of them we remotely desirable to her own exotic tastes in men.

She decided that entering the tavern might yield something different.

Irvana retreated from the loud music, the smell of food and the chit-chatter of the patrons and walked briskly into the inn. Here, people sat in corners and tables rather than shoulder each other with faint or no apologies outside. It was much less crowded, but full of people nonetheless. The atmosphere here was a bit darker, and the music a bit more soothing compared to the loud ruckus by the merchant tents.

Though the smell of sweat, beverages, food, body odor and even the heat was present there was something else in the air that she recognized, but couldn't quite locate the source . . .

Curious.

The noblewoman strode inside, searching for people whom she can converse with and see the dramatic or perhaps not so dramatic, changes in their mood with the presence of the mood-altering bug musk. She bought herself some wine, conspicously searched the room and found two younger men sitting in the corner, leering at other women who passed by.

Ah, she thought. Young love. Though lust was more of an appropiate term here.

She moved a foot to introduce herself when she collided against someone. She nearly, just almost, muttered a forced apology that was customary to her personality when she saw the face of the individual. Of the man.

He was a tall Imperial with black hair that matched her own, with eyes that mimicked hers and a face that was slightly different in color. His attire was much more extravagant and sort of out of place in a low-class festival such as this. His eyes stared into hers for what felt like an eternity and a smile slithered upon his face.

"Well, well," he said to her. "What is a lovely woman such as you doing in a . . . place like this?"

Irvana composed herself. He must have heard of the festival, too. Or perhaps under other circumstances he finds himself here.

"The same could be said of you. What in this world would lure Draken Decumus Vladmirius to this festival? I'm afraid those who hold lands here might be dull-minded from too much drink, no?"

Draken took a sip of the wine in his cup. "The more easier to negotiate when the mind of others are malleable. More profitable, that way."

Irvana watched him over the rim of the wineglass. “Indeed."

"Our coffers stay stuffed," he said.

"By social graces robust," Irvana replied, raising her glass in a toast.

Both drank.

Draken then leaned in toward her, reaching for the black hair that swayed by her neck to gently move it aside. His nose nearly touched her neck, and he breathed in the air and pulled back. "Telvanni bug musk," he muttered. "Dearest, you'll have these men's favorite bits raised for weeks on end if they so much cast eyes on you."

Irvana tilted her head aside, casting away her hair and flashing her eyes. A gently hand touched over her chest. "The fault lies not with me, but in the man controlled by desire."

Draken raised a brow, and with a finger raised her chin. "The fault lies with the woman for sparking the fires of lust. You are the instigator here, dearest."

She shrugged, averting the subject. "As you say."

She looked at him for a deep moment, and then touched his cold and pale face. She gasped and pulled back. "Are you alright? You look a bit . . . ill. Your skin's as pale as snow. Are you afraid of sunlight or something?"

Draken let out a laugh and shook his head slightly. He let his gaze linger on her for a moment until she began to laugh as well. "I have been sick," he confessed. "Things in Hackdirt went foul and . . . by the gods, it is a long story. I'd burden you of its details another time."

She glanced around. "My womanly intuition tells me you're searching for something else, here, too."

"A young girl," he said. "A beautiful woman."

"Plenty of them here," she said with a brow raised. "I'll introduce you to some." She paused, and added. "Say, what of that young blond woman with the blue eyes from Leyawiin? What's become of her?"

"She ran off on me."

"Pity. So you'll be needing a new young girl."

His grin widened. "I'll have that to look forward to."

She gently touched him on the shoulder. "As I've said, I'll aid you in your search for love."

"Hmm, my desires are a bit different," he glanced at her from her to toe, his cold hand touching the necklace sitting above her breasts. "Entertain me with the details of your personal life. Perhaps in my quarters away from this ruckus."

"No."

"No?"

"No." Irvana said. "I'm afraid I'm inclined to decline that offer."

With a sarcastic face of false surprise, Draken asked. "May I inquire as to why."

Irvana looked around, seeing the many different people walking around, conversing with each other. She could meet so much more people than to focus on one man whom she knew. "You might."

She turned to him, patted him gently on the cold cheek and smirked that deep smirk. "I am glad to see you. Its been months. My room is upstairs to the left, the last one. Now, go get that sickness taken care of. I don't want to catch whatever you've got."

"The gods to know I need something to eat."

Irvana gave him a suspicious look, before he turned to leave. He stopped and over his shoulder he said, "Ah, dearest, you wouldn't happen to have any of the Telvanni bug musk lingering somewhere in those clothes of yours?"

She bit her lip, and exhaled through her nostrils. She pulled the vial from her pockets and handed it to him. "This was for a relative of mine. But since I owe you, you can hold onto it. I do not recommend excessive use."

He opened the cover and sniffed it. "Lust and affections confined in a single bottle. Gratitude."

With that, he left. Irvana smiled. What a charming man . . .

Serene and Sethyas made their way to the grilled meats stand and purchased ample platefuls. They sat down in the nearby outside tables as she attempted to look classy while nearly inhaling the food.

"You didn't eat the whole way here, did you?" Sethyas asked and took a swig of some lager he hadn't tried yet. "You're far too skinny, Serene. Especially in periods where you worry and won't eat until you faint and wake up in bed."

She gave him a look somewhere between 'I know' and 'Shut up and let me eat'.

Seth smirked and looked across the crowd when he heard a woman's cry to an unexpected hand. He saw Kayla's rump being manhandled by someone passing by and Thals and Aravi looking around with an air of surprise and concern. The Imperial woman standing with them he didn't know, but she looked like the woman that Imperial 'writer' had been speaking too when he first arrived.

Given the way the men in the crowd were now looking at them and how Thals appeared to be struggling too not look at them the same way, instead turning his back to them he guessed quickly that it had to be the bug musk.

He chuckled at the scene and told Serene his suspicions.

She got a guilty look on her face, as red began to tint her face. "What's Telvanni Bug Musk?" She asked unassumingly.

His brows furled and he squinted bringing his face close into hers.

You may be able to read my mind, but you are a terrible liar. He thought-spoke to her.

"You know damn well what Telvanni bug musk is...unless I was under a different Archmistress in House Redoran all those years ago. What is it you aren't telling me?" He whispered to her.

"N-nothing." She said looking away from him.

"Oh gods! You used some on me didn't you!" He said surprised.

"Not just now...that was all your doing." She snapped back.

"Then when?" he asked.

"It was years...and I do mean years ago." She stammered.

"When?" He asked with a commanding tone.

"It..it was after you told me we were overwith. When I was still married to Athyn." She blushed.

"You mean after I threw the brandy at you...in our fight in my apartment?" He said.

"Yes. I was hurt, and you ripped yourself from me. I found some solace in drink and a friend thought it was marital problems, and she suggested...bug musk." She shrugged. "So when I saw you next...I had some and..." She ended with deeper blushing.

"Oh gods...I remember that. Wasn't that after the council meeting?...B'vek...we defiled that meeting table." He said raising his eyebrows. "And I was still in a months-long drinking binge...I was probably drunk at that meeting." He reminisced.

"You were drunk at a lot of meetings." She raised her eyebrow.

"Don't turn this around on me! You manipulated me when I was at my weakest!" He said playfully.

She opened her eyes and mouth wide in a shock. "I did no such thing!" She said throwing a greasy towel at him.

"Me drunk and having battle-fatigue, not thinking straight and you manipulating that poor wreck I was with bug-musk." He said shaking his head. "Sounds like manipulation to me." He said wryly.

She looked up to the side mirroring his mocking. "I guess you're right. Whatever will you do with me?" She said giving him a smile.

"Divorce you." He said matter-of-factly taking a swig of his drink and she smacked his hand in mock-shock again.

"Not legal under County Chorrol laws! You have to have 'ample and clear reasoning' to get any magistrate to even hear the case!" She retorted.

"Hey." He said extending his hands and shrugging. "Your Grace, she told me that she used bug-musk to get me back into the sack. I am a victim of a cruel and premeditated act of fraud and manipulation." He said with an expression that offered a challenge.

She raised her eyebrow again. "Your Grace, I said no such thing. The man is a liar. He'd piss on your head and tell you it was raining."

"Your Grace, she's also abusive." Sethyas said, looking at her. "She's been known to splash water on not just me but on several undefended men while they did naught but sleep off drink in an orderly fashion."

"Guilty, Your Grace." She said taking his hand in hers. "Those men had it coming...and probably one more time before this night is through."

"I rest my case." He smiled, returning her light squeeze in the hand.

"We should get some later." She said looking over at Thals who apparently was splashing water on himself at this point in time.

"I was thinking the exact same thing." Seth replied quickly and seriously. "That particular meeting was fantastic! I knew there had to be a reason I remembered it..."

HJalbir kept himself apart from the main group when Khan began the procedures of the planning, opting instead to sit on a borrowed stool and fletching all of his arrows. He checked them for any impurities and sighted them down for any misalligned wood, but keeping his ears wide for the plan. He didn't really know what to make of the ragtag bunch of misfits the Tribune acquired. For one thing, they still seemed to high on the spirits of festivities and Hjalbir knew from experience that any drunk man was quite a useless man in certain situations. Those mages, inebriated from the local poison, quite worried Hjalbir. With alcohol running through their veins, who knows what kind of disaster they would wrought?

And the numbers. They were too many. It was a wise choice for them to split up, but Hjalbir could tell that Lycus would rather prefer hunting the deers, wolves and bears rather than overseeing mages and archers killing fish and birds. But they would still hunt the ogres and the minotaurs after they'd regroup, so maybe that was a small consolation. The gigantic Nord stood up, gathered up all of his arrows, and walked over to the planning table. As usual, he was the one who towered over everyone. Even the Orc appraised his size with admiration.

"I will not lie," Hjalbir said to Khan. "Most of us seem well-suited for war rather than hunting prey."

He gestured towards the Khajiit's armor and horse.

"I am not an expert in the subtleties of hunting, but it seems to me that your heavy armor will make a lot of noise and maybe even slow you down, and thus jeopardize some of our stealthy approach. I suggest that you change into a more compact armor so we wouldn't scare the prey away. And those who are drunk."

He gave the mages and the Nord a long look.

"Either the mages cast a spell that would allevate them of their drunkenness or we lose them. I understand that today is indeed a merry day, and I do not wish to shatter the spirit of festivities, but I must speak bluntly. Either those mages cast a spell or drink a potion that would allevate them of their drunkenness or we lose them. You are Tribune of the First Legion, are you not, Master Khan? Then perhaps you would know that trusting your safety and plans in the hands of men with addled senses is a very foolish decision."

His eyes took the hard glint of a realist that held no illusions about chance.

"Anything can happen anytime, after all."

Abiene

A horn announced the gathering of the Great Hunt as Abiene made her way through the merchants’ stands. A large group of high-spirited folk surrounded an armored Khajiit on horseback. She briefly wondered what they intended to hunt. Something that bites back, she imagined. Hopefully they are as well-fortified with potions as they are with free beer.

Thals’ stand hosted a lively crowd. Abiene searched until she found a different vendor whose flag depicted alchemy apparatus. The Breton behind the table seemed to be finishing with her sole customer as Abiene approached.

Abiene stood at a polite distance, using the time to take in the merchant’s appearance. The Breton’s flawless skin and impeccable hair were testimonies to the quality of her goods. That particular shade of flaming red was likely born in a bottle, but it suited her natural coloring perfectly. Those crystal-blue eyes could only be a gift from Dibella. Her gown managed to show off her figure without displaying much skin. Abiene admired the way the bell-shaped sleeves drew attention to the woman’s graceful hands. The rich fabric and simple style gave her an elegant look that suggested high standards, but she still possessed the approachability that her profession required.

“Be sure to come back and visit my shop in the village when it opens,” she told the man. “It’s called ‘The Guarded Retort.’ I’ll be offering…”

She spoke with a Breton’s lilting cadence, but her accent was identifiably eastern. The woman’s voice trailed off as her customer walked away.

Her eyes met Abiene’s. A slight squint and twist of lip dismissed the man’s discourtesy while her smile invited Abiene to approach.

First things first. “I’m Abiene Metonne,” she said, shaking hands with the woman in the Cyrodiil manner. “I live in Chorrol. Have you traveled here for the festival?”

“Martine Thierry. In a way yes, but also no. I’ve just rented a property in the village, so I plan to stay. The festival is a welcome chance for me to get my business off the ground. How may I help you?”

“Well, I need a few things,” said Abiene. “I hope you have them.”

“I hope I do, too.” Martine gestured to her goods. “These items are ready to use, but I also have some supplies in storage. Since you live nearby it will be easy to arrange delivery.”

Abiene glanced over the display. Soaps, jars of creams and lotions, bottles of perfumes and oils, and various household supplies lay in an attractive arrangement. A row of discretely labeled potion bottles stood along the table’s rear edge.

“I’m afraid I’ve over-indulged at the beer counter,” Abiene confessed.

Martine handed her a vial. “This is my own recipe. Ginseng and redwort flower. It’s not very strong, but for five Septims it will sober you up.”

Abiene traded her coin for the vial and downed the contents. Her head cleared immediately. “Thank you. Now I have a little problem…” She leaned forward and showed her teeth. “I thought maybe if I rubbed them with ectoplasm?”

Martine didn’t flinch at the sight. Her voice was pitched just loud enough to reach her customer but not further. “That would brighten them for a time, but the stains would remain. Plus you’d receive a nasty shock.” She picked up a tiny jar. “May I suggest my tooth whitening agent? It’s made from strawberries, lemon juice, and some proprietary ingredients. This jar contains a single use. Very popular with kahve-drinkers, smokers, and careless mages.”

They made the trade. Abiene rubbed the cream on her teeth, hoping it wouldn’t make her gag in front of all these people.

“It doesn’t taste too bad,” she marveled.

Martine gave her a proud smile. “I stand by all of my products. You’ll find a wide range suited to personal care.” Her eyes flicked to Abiene’s unruly hair.

“I forgot my smoothing cream,” Abiene admitted. Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. Martine’s hair looked as if it could be made of silk.

She opened another jar and offered it to Abiene. “This will help keep your curls defined and prevent frizziness in all but the most humid weather. Try the fragrance. I have the same cream in different scents to complement what you already wear.”

By the time Martine finished with her, Abiene had her bag halfway filled with small jars and bottles.

They parted with a friendly hand clasp.

“Be sure to come back and visit my shop in the village when it opens,” said Martine. “It’s called ‘The Guarded Retort.’”

“I will,” Abiene assured her. “I’m a healer at the chapel in Chorrol, but I also have my own informal practice. There are some things I’d like to discuss with you in a more private setting. Ways in which an apothecary might help me serve the women of our county.”

Martine’s nod indicated she knew exactly what Abiene meant. “I look forward to it.”

The crowd had thinned at Thals’ booth. Abiene made her way toward it.

[Massive Edit]

Khan stepped up to Hjalbir, standing nose to shoulder with the man. "Do you not trust my judgement," he spoke with great contempt, "sellsword?" "If you wish I can fight you right now, you uncultured rebel scum."

Darnand

There were too many choices at the food stand and his hands were already filled with goblets and wine, so Darnand found an empty table and sat. He unfolded his pocket corkscrew and began opening one of the bottles.

Aravi appeared and sat abruptly on the seat next to him. Her eyes were wide, and her ears flicked with agitation.

What has occurred? he wondered. Darnand glanced over at her. At those clear, green eyes, more precious than any jewel… He found himself lost for a moment. Then he shook himself and popped the cork.

“Does Tamika’s white suit you?” he asked, beginning to pour. The sun glittered in the pale wine, but it positively glowed on Aravi’s slender hands where they clasped together nervously on the table. Her arms are so toned, thought Darnand as his eyes travelled upward. She is a woman of such grace and strength, surely the gods must be jealous of their own creation. His thoughts had no words as he viewed the way her leather top both caressed and gently lifted her bosom. Darnand shifted uncomfortably on the bench.

A small cry from Aravi brought his attention forward again. The wine cascaded cheerfully over the brim of the goblet, widening in a pool on the table.

“Apologies!” Darnand yelped, sloshing some onto his sleeve as he over-corrected. Aravi made another small noise when he splashed her as well.

He turned to blot the liquid from her arms and chest with his dry sleeve, tipping the goblet over into her lap.

“Stones of Julianos!” he swore, fumbling further with his hands. What in sixteen hells has gotten into me? Aravi squirmed in her seat, letting out a gentle gasp of objection as he groped.

Darnand’s elbow met the open bottle of wine. Fifteen Septims’ worth of Tamika’s quality work flooded out in a wave.

He found himself on his feet, flapping his robe in an attempt to conceal the growing situation beneath it. “Heh,” he said, teeth bared in a grimace as he tried to smile. “Just trying to get myself dry.” What. The. F–

Abiene slipped through the crowd. She raised her hand and waved when she saw them.

“Oh gods,” said Darnand.