(OOC: I suspose a cure common/blight disease could be used on some water, but Fenris didn't plan for that. )

"You people are bloody riduclous," Fenris said, drinking his Greef. "You just got to use the stuff with some moderation and nothing bad happens. Yeeesh. Y'all act like it was poison." He shrugged. "Its better for you than water. Doesn't get infected with diseases and crud, tastes better too."

Shadow exited the hut unsatisfied. Huleen had had no really useful information on Arcyakt. He seemed to be grown out of nowhere - no record in the Mages Guild, no known past or connecting events to other mages. Complete isolation from the world, Shadow thought. This could get depressing enough to make the best of us really wicked.
He thought of Huleen's words as he walked towards the Silt Strider port. The only clue he had was the fact that the name "Arcyakt" pointed towards the Ashlands. How did it do that was beyond comprehension to Shadow, but he trusted Huleen's judgement.
As he sat in the Silt Strider and watched the barren wastes go by, he calculated his chances and possible plans of action. I only have a name and the fact that it may be connected to Ashlands, wich means going through almost half of Morrowind wich has extremely bad weather conditions so I might not notice anything even if I really explored all the terrain. Wich would naturally take weeks if not months. And even then, Huleen could be wrong and Arcyakt might have nothing to do with Ashlands. By the blade, this will be a hard hunt.
He exited the Silt Strider at Ald'Ruhn and went to the Rat in the Pot. He needed supplies for a trip into the wastes.

Anthanes drank from a bottle of flin, looking a bit more at ease than some of his fellows.

"You'll get used to this climate if you stay here for a year or seven!" , he said cheerfully.

[quote=Dantrag]OOC: might as well make it so Sel can talk again...[/quote]

OOC: "Death" is unaffected by the silence-spell, it´s "Sel" that can´t talk , thus can´t reveal his memories and his past! That is the meaning of Serene´s "locking in his past"So it fits wonderfully that "Death" is talking!

IC:

Serene was quite exhausted from the remote hypnosis of Sel but after an hours sleep she was Ok again. She hadn´t paid much attention of her whereabouts lately because of the ordeal with sel and Azura, but now she was curious about it. Apparently she was in an Ashlander Yurt, at the moment nobody was present although she could hear Jonacin talking to someone outside. Also the smell of grilled meat reached her nostrils, which made her very hungry. She went outside in the blazing sun and saw some people attending the cooking-fire just a few yards away.

She went over there and greeted the people very courteous as she knew the Ashlander tribes were very particular about courtesy. Apparently Jonacin was well known in this camp, and of course they were his friends, he had told her that before.

Now she had one urgent wish.....to find some place to wash herself, as far as she knew she hadn´t had a bath since before she was captured by the evil mage....

So she approached the group of people standing by the cooking-fire, one of them was a woman with a certain proud aura around her, that must be the Wise Woman she thought.....

Nibani Maesa, The Wise Woman greeted her friendly, "Ah so you are awake now Serene?" she said, "I imagine you would like to wash yourself a bit by now, so if you go just behind the ashkan´s yurt you will find a suiteble place"

Serene was not surprised, a Wise Woman was naturally to know about such things, as being a woman she would know about female needs...

Arco sat a little back into the cave, not to far away from Anthanes. He took a look on the wound he got when he died. It was almost gone now, but it was one large one. He took his cloak around him before leaning in against the cave wall closing his eyes, just thinking not going to sleep...

Shadow sat on a low hilltop, keeping his head down and staying very still, so he remained almost unseen in the sand storm, looking like a strangely carved stone statue. Before him lay the camp of the Urshilakku.
While his body didn't move, his mind went through a series of thoughts. He had travelled here on foot from Ald'Ruhn, so he needed rest, but he couldn't stay totally idle. I could enter the camp and see what has become of the others. But they might not be there, and I could get into trouble because of this silly guar affair... The Wise Woman surely remembers me. Their kind have good memory and they are not likely to forget...
After about half an hour, he stood up. His wish to prove himself by finding out about the mage was stronger than his cautious nature.
He entered the camp and went to the Wise Woman's yurt. He stopped for a minute - he thought it polite to knock, but that was made difficult by the fact that the yurt had a cloth door. He took a deep breath, and entered the yurt.
He noticed at once that luck was not on his side. The Wise Woman was the only person in the tent. Shadow knew that keeping a calm look on his face was the best way to gain respect among the Ashlanders, so they would at least hear what you had to say, so he remained peaceful and bowed lightly.
"I was looking for some aquintances of mine," he said as politely as he could. "One of them is called Jonacin, I believe. Do you know of their whereabouts by any chance?"

OOC: This one has a timely distance from my last post, but since I post so rarely I will have huge heaps of time between my posts. So just imagine that my previous post took place while Sel was tortured by Arcyakt.

OOC: Then we assume Nibani Maesa went back to her yurt after she talked with Serene!

Serene went behind the ashkans yurt..just as she went round the corner she noticed someone entering The Wise Womans yurt, asnd it was some thing faintly familiar with that person....

She didn´t bother about ist as she just spotted a low bench with 2 buckets filled with sun-warm water and a piece of sload-soap beside them

She spent almost half an hour with the washing-procedure and after that she felt all refreshed and fit again..but even more hungry so she headed towards the cooking-fire..

Death now wishied that he had some food - these people would never sleep. He heard something about drinking, so maybe the ones awake would be drunk....

He climbed the rockface so that he sat just above the door. Anyone coming out would find that death came swiftly from above. He covered his eyes from the sand and waited.

Celia narrowed her eyes at the Nord's words. "That sounds like what my uncle would say... 'Don't worry, little Celia. I promise I will drink moderately, etc, etc.' And what does do? He gets drunk anyway, and hits me!" She rolled her eyes. "And you wonder why I hate that stuff!"

She heard the sandstorm still blowing, glanced towards the door, and asked curiously, "Is that storm ever going to slow down?"

Death was tired of waiting. Those bastards inside wouldn't shut up - unless he killed them.

Soon, he heard his master in his head.

I spoke too rashly - do not kill them. His master spoke to him. I don't care what you do beyond that. You may maim them, torture them, mutilate them, I don not care. Just bring them to me - alive. Also, there is a nordic tongue inside. But do not worry - you will be immune to his voice.

Death was a bit skeptical. Killing five people was one thing, taking five people prisoner and holding them was quite another. but it didn't matter what he thought. It mattered what the Master thought.

He hopped down from the ledge, and opened the door slowly. He stood in the entrance, shaking the sand from his clothes.

"Probably not for a little while yet, it sounds strong still," Niran said to Celia then he froze,

What was that noise?

It's nothing, at least you can think rationally because you're not drunk.

Niran walked to the short tunnel that led from the door to where they were resting, and he stood on the side, leaning against the wall. If there really was an intruder, it would have to pass him.

His thoughts eventually drifted . . . and he watched the group. Strange people they were, but wasn't he strange then for following them?

[quote=MerGirl]Celia narrowed her eyes at the Nord's words. "That sounds like what my uncle would say... 'Don't worry, little Celia. I promise I will drink moderately, etc, etc.' And what does do? He gets drunk anyway, and hits me!" She rolled her eyes. "And you wonder why I hate that stuff!"

She heard the sandstorm still blowing, glanced towards the door, and asked curiously, "Is that storm ever going to slow down?"[/quote]

"Then your uncle needs to be taught a lesson," Fenris replied. He heard the door creak, "Damn guar sounds like he's messing with the door," he muttered. The Guar Fenris had used to haul the cart was still near the door. Seeing Death, the Guar prodded him with it's big nose.

Death promptly put his sword straight down, and through the guar's skull. He didn't like to be fooled around with.

He continued down the corridor.

Celia's head lifted up. She became nervous as her long ears picked up soft, muffled noises. "I think I'm hearing something coming down..." She said, her voice wavering. She took her hammer and tightened it, awaiting the worse.

[quote=Dantrag]Death promptly put his sword straight down, and through the guar's skull. He didn't like to be fooled around with.

He continued down the corridor.[/quote] The Guar let out a small moan before slumping to the floor, dead. Alarmed by the sound, Fenris got up and began to head for the cave entrance, hand on the pommel of his sword. Stupid Guar probablly just ran into a wall or something.

The source of the sounds seems to be coming closer and closer towards them. Her curiousity and fear nagging at her, Celia decided to run and face whatever it is head-on. Best to get the fright over with!

Celia's feet started dashing before she had time to think. She ran towards the source, and then, stopped a few feet away. She tried squinting in the lack of light. "Who are you?" she asked. In the partial darkness, she tried to squint and get a better look at the figure. But it was still too dark to see clearly. "Step into the light and show yourself!" she ordered.

"Fine." Death replied with an eerie smile, stepping out into the dim light, his red-glowing sword in his hand.

OOC: everything about him physically (looks, sound of his voice, fighting style) is the same as Sel's. His mind is the only diffference.

Osano came out of the shadows behind the mage wearing his robe he had purchased in Mournhold some time ago. "I'm back," he said solemnly, "did I miss anything...interesting?" he asked Arcyakt.

OOC: forgot avatars name, he's that evil dude in cowboy bebop with the crow on his shoulder, also not sure whats going on exactly, I'll edit if needed

OOC: arcyakt is in a dwemer ruin, at the very northern tip of Vvardenfell.

(just south of the sheogorad region)

are you sure that's who it is? I'm going to go find a pic of alucard like that and show you real quick..

Celia's face lit up. "Oh, Sel! It's you!" She scolded, a stern look on her face, "And where have you been, you silly Dunmer? And why are you being so mysterious?"

She glanced at the glowing sword in his hand. "Oh, you got a new sword? Why is it glowing like that?"

"What the hell is going on Sel?" Niran asked moving from his position on the side to standing in front of him "One minute you just dissapear, then you appear right here?" Niran unsheathed his sword "Why is your sword unsheathed?" he asked Sel.

Death was confused.

"I have no idea who this 'Sel' is you speak of."

He put his sword up. "But you will meet my master all the same."

Niran raised his sword in defense, waiting for Sel's blow

"I knew it, you traitor, and everyone wondered why I hated you."

Celia placed a hand onto Niran's shoulder. "Calm down, Niran. I'm Sel is just not feeling like himself right now."

She smiled at the Dunmer as if amused. "You're Sel, silly! And what is this 'master' you speak of?"

Niran shook Celia's hand off, but he lowered his sword.

"Put your sword down Sel, or I'll cut off the arm that holds it."

OOC: edit oops nevermind...

Osano continued to speak to Arcyakt, "anyway, I grow bored. Perhaps you have a task for me? An assignment?"

As Serene entered the area by the cooking-fire, she was warmly welcomed as the Jonacin´s Woman. These Ashlanders were his friends and naturally the woman he brought with him also was treated like a honoured guest.

She was offered to share their meal and did not hesitate to taste the nice-smelling stew-like content of the big iron-pot hanging over the fire.

After tasting the food she decided to introduce herself to the tribe but found that Jonacin already had told them about her, except for her magical and healing-skills, so that was a surprise to them.

Serene knew Jonacin didn´t want her to practise those skills too often, since they affected her greatly and he did care for her.

Nibani Maesa sat quiet by the fire, listening to Serene´s tale of herself.....but it was obvious that she had got a lot on her mind at the moment.

Niran waited for Sel's next action, it had better be the sheathing of his sword.

"Celia, since when did Sel not remember his name? What's your name, if it isn't Sel?" He asked Death.

Anthanes, still lucid, jumped up, unsheathing his swords. He moved over to Niran. "His mind is being controlled" ; the Half-dunmer whispered.

"Stay back." , Anthanes spoke to Celia.

"How the hell would you know that, you're drunk aren't you?" Niran asked getting skeptical "Have all of you gone insane and gained special powers, and am I the only normal one here. It's obvious he's not acting normal, but how would you tell that he's being controlled??"

"Because. A, he doesn't remember who he is. B, he seems rather hostile. And C, he seems to have new items. All this hints at him being used as a tool by someone who doesn't mean us well. Logic, it's called. And I am -not- drunk."

"Well then this will solve it," Niran said swiftly coming behind Sel and putting his arm around his neck, he would strangle him without hesitation.

"Who the hell are you?!"

"Oh, Niran! Give him a chance to respond first, before you strange him!" She glanced at Niran sternly.

Then, she turned her head towards Sel, her eyebrows raised. "Now, Sel, be the good-peaceful Dunmer you usually are, and put the weapon down now. We don't want anyone getting hurt, m'kay?"

Give him a chance to attack, give him the first strike . . .

Give him a chance to hurt you, of course not.

"No, Celia." He said ignoring the stern glance, she could hate him all she wanted for this, but he wouldn't let Sel/Death hurt her "Now hurry and tell us your name whoever you are, or you'll be dead in a few seconds!"

Anthanes rubbed his hands together. " Trust me, death shall be the LEAST of your worries. Now...Do what the Imperial says, eh?"

Jonacin wandered back to the cookfire, to find Serene regaling Nibani with her life story. "What have i missed" he asked her with a grin, sitting himself down beside her

[quote=LoneWolf]Jonacin wandered back to the cookfire, to find Serene regaling Nibani with her life story. "What have i missed" he asked her with a grin, sitting himself down beside her[/quote]

"Aww Darling" , Serene smiled and gave Jonacin a kiss," you just missed me washing myself, had to wash off the ordeal in locking poor Sel´s mind from himself, hope that doesn´t mean anything bad, i do have this uneasy feeling in my stomach"

"Hopefully when the time comes, you can bring him back. But right now, it's time to eat" he said, as the Ashlander who was cooking passed him a couple of plates full of food

"ah yes, let´s eat" Serene continued her eating, complimenting the cook for his excellent work

"So i guess we should try and find the others soon. They'll probably be worried about us by now" he said between mouthfuls of food

"I have the strongest feeling they have other things on their minds right now" Serene stopped eating, "I have a feeling they are in danger and Sel´s involved somehow, but then again it´s not Sel, I still control his mind but there is an intruder!"

"I think we better go if they're in danger"

"oh yes but didn´t you want to spend some time with your friends here? and besides..i do like it at the camp"

"well.............. i suppose they've lasted this long without us, a few more days wont hurt" he said with a grin, putting his arm around Serene's shoulders

"Nibani told me ther´s gonna be a celebration here tonight, they want to celebrate that you have come to visit, besides the moons are in certain quarters tonight and that means something to these people"

" oh Jonacin, i so do want to dance with you, to hold you tight, ..to....ahhhh, Jonacin...[i][b]I love you........

"I love you too Serene. Would you care to dance?" he asked, as a few Ashlanders started playing a merry tune on various instruments. As he stood, he concentrated, and a shimmering appeared around the stump of his arm. There was a bright flash, and when it subsided, his arm was whole, the missing part replaced by a glowing forearm and hand not unlike the Shehai. "I've been practicing this for a while. I can only hold it for a short while though"

"Ahhhh, " if Serene hadn´t already been sitting on the floor she´d have anyway fallen but now she looked at him with sheer astonishment..

"What...IS...that?" she asked, "what is it made of?" oh it´s wonderful Jonacin, i ´m so happy for you..

She rose and put her arms around his neck....and kissed him


"You lovely wonderful man" she whispered in his ear....
and took his invitation to dance..

"yes Jonacin I´d love to dance with yoy"

Niran tightened his grip on Death's neck

"Come on now, answer me Sel. I don't want to kill you." Niran said.

Because Celia would hate me even more for it, and damnit, I don't think I could take that

Death smiled. He tore Niran's arms from his neck and flung him off of him.

"My name, Sir, is Death." he looked at Niran. "I will forgive you that, but if you touch me again, you may find yourself without a few limbs. So all of you come with me, before I have to resort to maiming." he said, stroking the edge of his razor sharp blade.

Niran picked himself off of the ground

"honoured user, you'll never hurt Celia" Niran said angrily "You see Celia, your Sel has gone insane. Calling himself death. Give him a chance" Niran said angrily looking at her "Now he's had his chance, threatening me wasn't a good thing to do."

Niran then stared straight at Death.

"So, Death, why do you come here. If you're not Sel, then you have no business here. In fact why don't you leave now" Niran held his sword in front of him "Or I may just consider that threat a challenge, and we can find out which is the better swordsman."