They camped by the beach for two days, lazing under the sun, chasing the cub all over the sands, and catching so many mudcrabs to eat that Vareysa claimed she could make chitin armour from the empty shells. Mostly though, Aneril spent her time catching intermittent naps under the shade of a tree, while Vareysa sprang about with the cub, collecting fruit and climbing up trees and the nearby cliff – sending Aneril into near-panic once, when she leapt off the cliff's edge…into the waters below.
Minor alarms aside, the short holiday did much to relieve the pressure laden onto Aneril over the past weeks. And though she felt lighter while they packed up for the hike back to Elden Root, she was a little apprehensive of what new tasks awaited her. No doubt they involved more rushing about, and fighting foes that Aneril would've wisely disengaged from, if she'd been back in the Guild. Nevertheless, she squared her shoulders in resolution, and they set off towards the capital city together.
There, Razum-dar gave her an unexpectedly easy task – to travel ahead to the city of Marbruk in Greenshade, which is the Queen's next stop in Valenwood. He shrugged when she asked for an expected date, and said the royal entourage would only set off from Elden Root in a week, after the Prince's funerary rites were complete. That gave them a window of just under two weeks – more than enough time for travel, and to handle personal matters. But Aneril's relief was quickly cut short when a runner found them, bearing a note from Abnur Tharn that he was traveling to their designated meeting place…four days ago.
So they hurried to Elden Root's gates, where they stopped a merchant's supply cart heading for the Falinesti Winter Site, and caught a ride for a handful of gold. They reached the Falinesti site in half the time, then set on a hike through a denser part of the forest, heading west where Tharn had marked the Wormroot Depths on their map months ago. It didn't take long to find the familiar stone arches that marked the entrance to an Ayleid ruin, but what perplexed them was the absence of Tharn or even signs of his passing. And the cub had just caught their attention by staring at a patch of empty ground by the stone path, growling cautiously, when Tharn's voice floated out of nowhere.
"Took you long enough," he bit, letting down his cloaking spell to reveal a small campsite by the ruin. Tharn strode closer and passed a critical eye over them. "Not going to get much protection from that, are you?"
Though he'd glanced at Vareysa's scuffed and cut-up leathers, his eyes remained mostly on Aneril, whose armour bore deep gouges in steel, and was missing one gauntlet and both pauldrons – the latter of which was covered up with a rugged brown cloak.
"We rushed here the moment we got your message," Aneril replied as she pulled the cloak closer about her, a little irked and self-conscious under Tharn's scrutiny.
"Are you sure you 'rushed'? I've been camped out here for nearly a week," Tharn continued, obviously having bottled up his sarcasm for too long.
"We were busy, you cranky old coot," Vareysa said before Aneril could speak. "And, by the way, there's a town just north of here. Not our fault you wanted to make your life harder."
"I am keeping a low profile, you thick-headed–"
"Alright, we're here now. Let's just get this over with." Aneril hooked a finger into the back of Vareysa's collar and tugged lightly – a silent cue for her to back down, as Tharn turned around to gather his equipment. She sighed visibly when Vareysa shot her a glare, sharing in their moment of irritation before Tharn returned fully-prepared.
They left the cub in Tharn's tent with an explicit instruction to 'stay', and it sat on the ground obediently, gazing back at them as Tharn cast a cloaking and protection spell around the site again. Then they entered the ruin with weapons at ready – for this was Mannimarco's secret lair, and though Tharn had confirmed the King of Worms wasn't present, they were wary of security measures placed within. And there were, in the form of dremora patrolling the dimly-lit halls.
"Can't believe I'm saying this," Vareysa muttered, twirling her daggers as they readied to pounce on a patrol group. "But I'm sick of seeing dremora everywhere."
Aneril snorted and, with a slight smile, charged forward to start their attack. Her two companions took out the rest while she engaged two dremora warriors, which were then downed by a swift combination of spell and blade. The rest of their expedition was just as easy, and they were able to avoid taking any damage while they searched for hints to the location of their missing companion – Sai Sahan.
Their first find was a speaking stone which Mannimarco had used to record his thoughts and memories, and this particular stone cast a projection that showed Sai's torment during his interrogation. The Redguard's determination held fast even in his agony, refusing to reveal where he'd hidden the Amulet of Kings. When the projection ended, they delved deeper into the lair to find more speaking stones that might've been left behind – and the Worm didn't disappoint. The next stone betrayed Mannimarco's musings on the Amulet being a powerful tool that can repair the veil between Nirn and Oblivion, and his need to recover the artifact before it could be used to such an end.
They found the third speaking stone in the deepest chamber – Mannimarco's personal quarters – but it was guarded by a particularly angry dremora, bent on punishing them for the intrusion. Aneril's magical shield nearly gave way under the ferocious blows of the dremora's twin blades, but her companions immobilised it before the swords bit into Aneril's arm, then finished it off with a spell blast and dagger to the chest.
Tharn activated the speaking stone while Vareysa plucked her dagger from the body, and they listened to Mannimarco express his frustration over Sai's iron will, unwittingly revealing the location of Sai's new prison – the Halls of Torment.
"Not a very creative name, is it?" Vareysa quipped, getting a shrug from Aneril.
"Uncreative, but it's the name of Coldharbour's most nefarious prison," Tharn explained. "The Daedra in the Halls of Torment reach deep into the dark places of a prisoner's mind, and torture them with apparitions of things they most dread."
"Sounds a lot like what happened to Lyris," Aneril said.
"It's an effective tactic. The Daedra mock our emotional attachments and the memories that form our sense of self – something their immortal selves have no use for." Tharn tapped at his chin in thought. "Wonder what would Sai…"
"We need to rescue him as quickly as possible, then," Aneril said. "Can you get us there?"
"Of course I can," Tharn scoffed, nearly insulted. "I am Abnur Tharn! But first, I have more research to do. To infiltrate the Halls without attracting the attention of Molag Bal or Mannimarco is a delicate task. Ah, yes – I nearly forgot. We should tell Varen what we've found."
With a few sweeping gestures, the proficient mage established a projection to Varen, who seemed surprised by the sudden contact, but was glad to learn their labour had borne fruit. He promised to work with Tharn so they could mount a rescue soon, and bid Aneril stay safe on her travels until he contacted her again.
With that, they made their way out of the ruin, and was greeted by the cub upon their safe return. Tharn packed up his camp immediately, eager to make his way back to Elden Root by portal, and they said a brief farewell before Tharn vanished through a swirl of light.
Vareysa blew a raspberry the instant he disappeared. "He's pricklier than I remember. Even pricklier than that cactus I accidentally landed on once."
Aneril did a double-take. "What?"
"In Alik'r." Vareysa waved a hand nonchalantly, then looked themselves over. "But he has a point – we look like we scrounged our armour from a trash dump."
"I know," Aneril grumbled, touching the deep gash on her breastplate absentmindedly. "We'll get some new ones in Redfur."
As they'd met Tharn in the later part of the day, the sun was already setting when they emerged from the ruin, and they traveled only a short distance before making camp near the cobbled path. When they woke the next morning, they were still unhurried due to the abundance of time on their hands, and indulged in a slow breakfast before resuming their hike up to the Redfur Trading Post.
It was a Khajiiti town that saw much traffic from merchants and wanderers alike, who were traveling between Greenshade and Grahtwood. Aneril admired the pavilions built by the river that formed the town's border, as they wandered about to take in the view while searching for suitable lodgings. They found the inn with directions from the locals, and were discussing the room's rent when the nervous Bosmer innkeeper suddenly derailed from the subject at hand.
"You–, you're adventurers? The fighting kind, right?" Nellor said, eyeing the weapons on their belts.
"Yes?" Aneril said slowly.
"You have to help me, please." He'd lowered his voice into a whisper. "My daughter, Larasel – bandits have taken her for ransom, but I don't have the gold to pay them. I think–, I believe their camp's just south of here. Please, will you help bring my daughter back safely?"
"What about the guards?" Aneril asked.
"They've been short-handed recently, what with the heavier traffic from the Queen's visit to Grahtwood…"
His expression grew despondent, and Aneril glanced at Vareysa – who gave a half-hearted smile and tilted her head, knowing full well what her companion would do.
"Very well. We'll look into it," Aneril said, though she noted the hesitance in the innkeeper's face, even when he turned to joy.
Leaving their packs and the cub behind with the innkeeper, they strode out of the inn; then Vareysa clutched at Aneril's elbow, tugging her close as they walked southward.
"I got a weird vibe off that man," Vareysa said quietly. "He's…twitchy. Don't think he told us everything."
"I know. But if his daughter's in danger…"
Vareysa gave her an unenthusiastic look and sighed, "You're so predictable, oh hero of mine." A smile broke over her face when Aneril gave her a light shove.
Their trek to the bandits' location was short, and they found a woman tied up outside a tent in an empty campsite. Vareysa touched Aneril's arm again, but didn't vocalise her own thoughts as the Altmer bent down to untie the woman's bonds. Freed, the woman uttered her thanks profusely as she stood, then plucked a dagger from under her shirt and lunged for Vareysa – whom Aneril grabbed and yanked out of harm's way.
Aneril conjured her shield and knocked the dagger from the woman's hand, as three bandits sprang from the brush around them. Vareysa flung her dagger into a bandit's chest, while Aneril plunged her sword into the 'captive' woman's gut. Then she turned and rushed at another bandit focused on Vareysa, knocking him flat on the ground. His panicked eyes turned blank when Aneril's blade bit through his chest. Ambush defeated, Aneril looked to Vareysa – who was wiping her bloodied daggers on a bandit's clothes.
"Told you it's fishy," Vareysa said.
"You said he was 'weird'," Aneril growled, cracking her knuckles. "But he's going to be in pain if he doesn't have the right answers."
The innkeeper tried to keep his shock hidden when they returned to the inn, and stuttered, "What are you still doing here? Why aren't you saving my daughter–?" Nellor squeaked when Aneril grabbed him by the collar, a hush falling over the patrons behind them.
"You set us up to be robbed," Aneril hissed.
"Wait! You don't understand. They made me do it. I mean, yes, they gave me a cut of their takings–" He whimpered when Aneril slammed him against the wall. "I had no choice! They threatened to rob me of everything I own!"
"Then you should've let them rob you." Aneril yanked him forward. "I'm taking you to the guards."
"A–anything you say! Wait–, no, wait! I never spent a single coin the bandits gave me. I couldn't stand to. I'd happily give it all to you, if you'd let this go. Please?"
"No–," Aneril started to say, when Vareysa grabbed onto her shoulder and pulled her down, so she was bent awkwardly to the side.
"I say take his gold," Vareysa whispered into her ear.
"What?" Aneril said incredulously, mimicking her hushed tone. "No! He's practically a bandit himself–"
"We need the gold. You know, for…" Vareysa patted at Aneril's armour, where the deep gouge and scratches were.
"No. He probably sent many others to their deaths, Vareysa."
Vareysa opened her mouth to speak, but all that came out was a sigh. She leaned back and threw up her hands in surrender, then followed Aneril as she dragged Nellor to the guards standing outside the inn. Their assistance was reported to the leader of Jode's Chariot – the Khajiit guards of Redfur – and in thanks, they were given a free inn room for the rest of their stay.
"See?" Aneril said as they brought their packs and the cub to their room. "We still win."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Vareysa pouted. "Still not gold."
They spent the early afternoon sitting in a pavilion by the river, enjoying a meal of Khajiiti fare, with special Elsweyr corn fritters and banana bread. When they were done, and the tiger was pawing sadly at the empty banana leaf plates he'd been stealing from, they decided to explore the town in full, before searching for the person who'd help the cub learn to be its own tiger.
They wandered the market first, and spent much time at the smithy, where Aneril had to be convinced to try new armours due to the lack of Altmer designs. She was unsure when putting on a Bosmer scalemail – made of actual, hardened scales attached to a thick leather backing – but found it to be very sturdy. A fact that Vareysa needlessly proved by aiming a hard punch at Aneril's stomach, only to wind up hissing in pain while shaking her aching hand.
Aneril opted for a full replacement of her armour – so did Vareysa, who chose a leather garb reinforced with bone – and they continued through the market, refilling their depleted supplies. Then they broke away from the market crowds and set on a quieter path, following it through the serene forest until it looped back to the town's northern entrance, leading towards the uphill slope to the temple.
As they re-entered town, they passed by a guard arguing with a Khajiit and his senche-tiger companion – or they would've passed by, if not for the Khajiit stopping them out of the blue.
"Ah, thank the moons! As I was just explaining, the thief nearly ran us over. You chased after him," the Khajiit explained hurriedly – but about what, Aneril had no idea. "Please, tell this fine keeper of peace what you saw. I'm still sore from the last night I spent in the stocks!"
"I–, um. What?"
"This honourable and – if I may say so – very sleek guard has mistaken me for a common sugar-thief!" He widened his eyes innocently and nodded at the guard scowling at him, while his tiger companion gave a few growls and chuffs. "Hush, Gobani," he said to his friend. "If you don't have anything constructive to say, don't say anything."
The guard turned to Aneril, obviously impatient with him. "Tell me he's lying."
"I…" Aneril started slowly, glancing at the alleged thief. "Didn't see anything?"
"Of course not," the guard huffed. "Thank you for your honesty."
But she couldn't arrest the Khajiit on Aneril's statement alone, as the stolen moon sugar was nowhere to be found on the Khajiit. So she was forced to desist, though she did part with one last warning to the suspect, who seemed immensely relieved.
"Well, that was surprising. At least she's gone now – right, Gobani? That was a clever approach, telling the truth! She wasn't expecting that, was she?"
"Did you really steal the moon sugar?" Aneril asked.
"Steal? I guess that's one way of looking at it." The Khajiit waved a hand casually. "Let's say I circumvented the market – I found the merchant's price unacceptable, so I set my own. Not like he has anything to complain about – his belly is always full, from the looks of it." Then he sighed. "Were it not for the Hollow Moon, the unscrupulous merchants would've eaten me whole when I arrived in Redfur."
"The Hollow Moon?"
"Some call them thieves, but it's such an impolite term. The Hollow Moon's work is charitable by nature. They procure things for people who can't afford them, yes?" He looked at Aneril and Vareysa thoughtfully, then reached into his pocket for a simple bronze ring. "Since I seem to have overstayed my welcome in Redfur – here. Take this token to the ruined temple, and see for yourself."
"Um, I don't think–"
"We'll take a look, thanks," Vareysa cut in, taking the ring when Aneril didn't move. She smiled back at Aneril's pointed stare when the Khajiit bade farewell.
"You're not going to–?"
"Why not?"
"Really?" Aneril leaned in, lowering her voice. "We just turned someone over to the guards this morning, and now we are going to break the law ourselves?" When Vareysa appeared unswayed, she continued, "Give me one reason I shouldn't turn you in right now."
"Because you said 'we' are going to break the law, my lovely little accomplice," Vareysa crooned, tweaking her nose quickly before Aneril could slap her hand away. Then she grabbed Aneril's wrist and pulled her towards the temple. "Now let's go and check it out!"
"What! No–, Vareysa. Vareysa." Aneril slapped at her companion all over, but it did little to deter Vareysa, and soon they were standing before the steps to the ruined temple.
There, they were subjected to the scrutiny of a Redguard when Vareysa produced the token. They appeared to be doing well, the woman observed, and the token was usually given only to the infirm who needed help. Nonetheless, she figured they were given the token for a reason, and directed them into the temple to search for one 'Valirr'.
Said Khajiit of umber fur looked them over with interest, wondering aloud at their arrival.
"I've heard you help the less fortunate," Vareysa said – giving Aneril a mild surprise, and earning a nod from Valirr.
He explained the Hollow Moon's dedication to helping the weak and infirm, and ensuring the market stays balanced and fair – through thievery. At Vareysa's promise to help, he spoke of how Shan-ra, the leader of Redfur's merchants, had threatened to invite the Thalmor to deal with the Hollow Moon. The Thalmor, unlike the guards of Jode's Chariot, wouldn't recognise the Hollow Moon's valuable service, and thus they needed to change Shan-ra's mind. To do so, Valirr tasked them with a mission to retrieve riches from the ancient tomb which Redfur was built upon, so they could use the wealth to persuade Shan-ra.
He sent them to Jode's Hall, where the tomb's entrance was guarded by Valirr's contact. The guard kept the coast clear, slipping them a key to unlock a hatch in the floor, and they descended into the tomb. Then they were given pause as they faced the first corridor before them, which had traps installed into the floors and walls, spewing fire at regular intervals.
"Why am I even here," Aneril grumbled, relieved she wasn't wearing a heavier metal armour. "Should've stayed back at the temple with cubby…"
"Because you like doing good," Vareysa claimed, and with such conviction that Aneril squinted at her – for speaking aloud that little nugget of truth.
"And? What are you doing here, then?" Aneril asked as Vareysa stepped closer to the traps, examining them. "Are you trying to do good as well?"
"Well, yeah. I guess. And…" Vareysa turned around, shooting her a bright smile and gesturing at the traps – which spouted flaming gouts of fire. "This is fun!"
Aneril stared at her, then let out a heavy sigh. "You are insane."
"I know!" Vareysa cackled with her arms spread wide, looking slightly maniacal when the flames burst to life behind her again. Then she grasped Aneril by the elbow and pulled her over, so they stood just before the corridor. "Here, cast your barrier spell. Then we'll sprint across."
"Ugh." She cast the spell, felt Vareysa's grip on her arm tighten, then sprinted across the corridor during a lull in the fire. Flames licked at the back of her barrier as they crossed the last stretch, clearing their first obstacle–no.
Aneril's eyes flew wide at the spike traps covering the floor of the next chamber, and she panicked when Vareysa didn't slow down. "Vareys–, Varey–, Rey!"
She might've let out a short scream when Vareysa yanked her across in a dive, and she landed face-flat on the dusty floor as spikes sliced up from the metal grates behind them. Aneril grunted in annoyance as she pushed herself up, limbs shaking faintly from adrenaline, and she stood scowling at her partner.
"See, easy!" Vareya raised a hand and kept bouncing on her feet insistently, until Aneril relented with an eye roll, raising her own hand to let Vareysa slap at it. "Let's go!"
Aneril's scowl fell away in the face of Vareysa's excitement, and she huffed quietly when her partner grabbed her hand, tugging her farther into the tomb.
They crossed yet another chamber filled with flame traps, then fought through a spacious hall inhabited by aggressive senche-tigers, which had entered through a broken wall connected to a natural tunnel. The animals were dispatched easily, and to Vareysa's delight, they found an important-looking door bearing a Khajiit figure embossed in gold.
They pushed it open together, and found a puzzle in the next chamber, made of four-by-four floor tiles and three statues standing atop one tile each. Vareysa read aloud the words carved into a short stone pillar, telling a tale of the thief named Anahbi, who tried and failed to steal the light of the moons, Jone and Jode.
"So that must be Anahbi." Vareysa pointed out the feminine Khajiit's statue, then to the two warriors stationed on either corners. "And those are Jone and Jode. Then I should probably…get her across without getting caught? So she can steal the moonlight?"
Aneril shrugged, but Vareysa giggled despite her lack of answers.
"This is just like in the tales! Treasure hunters beating traps and solving puzzles to reach the prize at the end." Vareysa moved to the statue of Anahbi, pushing against it experimentally. "You know, I can't believe I've never explored a tomb like this even once, in all my 90 years of living."
"Wait, you're 90?"
"Yeah, 92. Why, how old are you?"
"86."
"Eh, practically minutes apart. Hm." Vareysa stopped pushing at the statue when it refused to budge, and instead went to touch the tile in front of Anahbi – causing the statue to come alive with a blue glow, and walk forward onto the tile. They were taken by surprise when the other two statues moved on their own as well, one tile closer to Anahbi. Aneril waited as Vareysa stared at the tiles, planning her moves.
Vareysa guided the statue across the grid and solved the puzzle in her first attempt, getting Anahbi to the end and causing the statues of Jone and Jode crumble into rubble.
"Smart," Aneril quipped.
"That I am. Thank you." Vareysa bowed with a flourish. They approached the dais at the back of the chamber, where a chest shone with golden light, a sigil of the two moons floating above it. Vareysa opened the chest and retrieved a pendant, which emitted a faint glow from its pale gem. Aneril nodded with a smile when Vareysa looked to her in triumph, and they made their way out of the ruins – this time unhindered by the traps that had been guarding the treasure.
When they found Valirr back on the surface, he was already petitioning Shan-ra, but paused to let Vareysa present the pendant – the gem in which Shan-ra identified as the fabled Jode's Tear. The leader gave a hearty laugh, congratulating their success, and offered a reward for such a valuable gift. Vareysa glanced at Valirr, and requested what the Hollow Moon wished – for the Thalmor to remain uninvolved, while the Hollow Moon were allowed to continue operating in Redfur.
Shan-ra agreed, and Valirr offered his thanks – along with a coin pouch of respectable weight.
"See?" Vareysa tossed the coin pouch to the air and caught it with ease. "Now we get gold."
"Congratulations, thief."
"Thank you very much, knight."
The next day, they sought out the Khajiit recommended for the cub's tutoring. Za'kir was glad to offer his help, along with his senche-tiger companion, who'd been a guard for Redfur before its retirement. It took a little coaxing before the cub agreed to follow his new companions, glancing back at his caretakers as he trotted away from town.
When the cub was out of sight, Aneril took her leave of Vareysa, with mutters about wanting to wander by herself. So Vareysa left her alone…or rather, followed her from a distance. Purely out of concern, of course – though she did let Aneril stroll out of town by herself, and took note of the direction the Altmer had gone.
Alone in town, Vareysa found herself mingling more with the locals – watching a small troupe practice their dance routine, playing a few rounds of dice at the gambling corner, and flirting with the Khajiit who sat with her during lunch. That one had the silkiest fur she'd ever touched, but then they heard an exclamation of a theft outside the inn, and her Khajiit companion winked before slipping out the inn's window.
At least steal something of mine first, Vareysa chuckled, then left the inn after polishing off her own plate.
Already bored with the town she'd explored in full, Vareysa ventured into the forest with a small packet of snacks, tracing the same path that Aneril had taken to the southwest. She strolled along, casting her eyes around until she spotted a familiar head of blonde hair – which made her hesitate at first. The hair was loose about the elf's shoulders, and shorter than Aneril's, but that dark brown jerkin was identical to her companion's.
She approached the elf sitting against a thick fallen log, right beside the larger river connected to Redfur's waters. "Aneril?"
Sure enough, Aneril's face turned to greet her in surprise, and Vareysa was caught off-guard. Her shorter tresses betrayed the gentle waves in her hair, which framed the noble features of her face to complete the picture of…a lady. One who wouldn't look out of place in a rich parlour, sipping tea with a fan in her hand.
Gods, she looks so…soft.
But not for long – Aneril's brows drew together in a frown, though it only made her look more adorable after Vareysa's…sudden revelation.
"Mind if I join you?" Vareysa asked, even as she took her place beside Aneril, who snorted.
"You've never bothered to ask before." Aneril turned her gaze back to the river, then frowned again when she realised her partner was still staring. "What?"
"You–, uh–" Vareysa panicked at her own loss for words. "You cut your hair."
"Yeah." Aneril shrugged. "It was getting a little long, so…"
"Aw, I liked your longer hair. But you do look cute with this." Vareysa dared to run her fingers through the bottom half of Aneril's hair, and was surprised when she met with no resistance. "I love the way your ears peek out like this."
She flicked at the half of Aneril's ear that was poking out through her hair, and kept flicking until Aneril couldn't ignore her any longer. Vareysa cackled impishly when Aneril slapped at her hand, but she kept reaching for the ear, and the two slapped away at each other until their little game was ended, when Aneril grabbed at Vareysa's ear.
"That won't work, trust me," Vareysa said when Aneril tried twisting her ear. "That's an immune zone for me."
Aneril squinted. "I don't believe you," she said, twisting and pulling Vareysa's ear this way and that.
"For all you know, I have an ear kink," Vareysa drawled, after Aneril had tugged on her ear a few times. "And I just said that so you'd pull on my ear more."
"Ugh!" Aneril shoved her back without force, and Vareysa burst out laughing. "Horrible."
"Only for you, Aneril dear," Vareysa crooned, her smile growing wider when Aneril rolled her eyes, and settled into a scowl. "Aw, come on. Don't be angry. Here." She opened the packet of snacks in her hand, and offered a powdered rice cake to Aneril. "Try this."
Still sulking, Aneril took the round ball and tossed it into her mouth. Then her frown turned curious. "It's sweet. Interestingly…sweet. Did you buy it from Redfur?"
"Yeah. It's moon sugar rice cake–"
Aneril coughed loudly then, pointing a finger at her mouth as she talked through the snack she'd stopped chewing. "This–, moon sugar is illegal in the Dominion–!"
"Ey, ey." Vareysa placed a hand under Aneril's chin and pushed it up, so she couldn't spit the snack out. "Too late. It's already in your mouth, so you're complicit no matter what. Might as well eat it." Then she held onto Aneril's jaw and moved it manually to make the Altmer chew, until she was doing it on her own accord. "There, see? Wasn't so hard."
Aneril grumbled through the snack, and Vareysa laughed under her breath. "Come now, don't be so grumpy all the time." She looked at Aneril's stubborn scowl, and paused. "Or…do you want to be alone? I can go if you want."
Aneril chewed on the rice cake slowly, gaze fixed on the river. "…Whatever," she mumbled, so quietly it was near-inaudible.
Vareysa bit down a smile, but gave Aneril a concession by staying silent as they ate the snacks she'd brought. When the package in Vareysa's hand was empty, she crumpled it up – and glanced into the distance to find that familiar white figure running over.
They watched the cub approach them with a dead hare in his mouth, which he deposited on the ground between the two.
"He wants to give you a gift," Za'kir said, following behind the cub with the senche-tiger.
"Really? You're such a good boy!" Vareysa cooed, giving a scratch behind the cub's ears that made him growl in approval.
"How was the lesson?" Aneril asked, stroking down the ruffled fur on its back.
"It was good! Your little one is a natural-born hunter! We just need a few more days to teach him all we know, then he'll be ready for your travels. Isn't that right?" Za'kir said to the grown senche, who chuffed agreeably. "Say, come to think of it, we still don't know his name. In fact, he might not know either."
"Well…we haven't really named him yet," Vareysa said when Za'kir eyed them expectantly.
"Actually," Aneril spoke up. "I think I have one for him – Shur'azan."
"Ah – 'brave one', yes? A good name, something to aspire to." Za'kir nodded, as the senche beside him snorted and chuffed at the cub – who turned to Aneril, and hopped up to rest its front paws on her knees, ears pricked. "The little one would like to hear the name again," Za'kir explained.
"Shur'azan," Aneril repeated slowly, each syllable practiced and accurate. "Shur'azan. That's your name, cubby. Shur'azan. Do you like it?"
The cub chuffed and bumped his head into Aneril's nose, then gave her a lick on the face. Aneril scratched at his scruff, her gaze soft as she looked to Vareysa. "What do you think?"
"It sounds good," Vareysa replied. And she watched, entranced, as Aneril smiled and bent down to kiss the cub's head.
Soft. So soft.
A/N: tbh I'm adding Vareysa portions earlier than planned, cos I remembered Aneril is an Altmer and therefore emotionally-stunted and will only realise there's mutual attraction when it whamabams right into her face. God what a useless lesbian
