Chapter 10: A friend's help

The large metal doors creaked open with an unceremonious squawk causing the man behind the bar to look up with a start. He could already hear his wife yelling at him about how they needed to be oiled. He sighed as his mind drifted back seventeen years ago to a crossbow wedding and a pregnant fiancé.

He sighed again and shook his head. With a smile he looked at the woman who walked through the door and opened his arms. "Welcome to the Silver-Blood Inn my lady. Could I possibly interest you in some Ale or Spiced Wine?"

A warm chuckle reached his ears. "Oh Klepper, my feelings are hurt… you forgot your favorite costumer."

Blinking a few times Klepper rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and smiled. "Lady Hethia! I do apologize about my poor manners. I must confess I haven't gotten much sleep lately."

Thal-ti Hethia smiled and gently closed the door behind her. She barely had any adornments to speak of except for a diamond shaped charm hanging from a single gold chain around her neck. The light cream colored summer dress she was wearing was trimmed in gold and silver threads, which caused every step she took to accentuate her chocolate colored skin and even darker shoulder length hair. Her sandaled feet barely made a sound as she glided over and sat down at the front counter.

Her voice bubbled as she grinned at the Inn Keeper. "Oh? Has your wife been keeping you up at night?"

Klepper coughed lightly, a smirk on his lips.

Thal-ti laughed. "A monster both in and out of the bedroom I see…"

Klepper's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as he began to scrub the cup in his hands with renewed vigor. "So My Lady… What can I get you?"

Thal-ti smiled her eyes watching him with a sort of cold penetrating gaze. "I would love your finest mead."

Klepper nodded and yelled for his son to grab her drink while he reached under the counter and pulled out a letter. "I think a student from the college wants to speak with you."

She raised an eyebrow and grabbed the letter. "Bards?"

He grumbled as he placed a bottle of mead down on the counter. "No, Winterhold. Damn specter scared off my customers."

Thal-ti raised an eyebrow. Unlike Klepper she knew the college uses couriers like everyone else. She flipped the letter over to see a dark purple wax seal with an imprint of what appeared to be random scratch marks. Thal-ti smiled, those were no random scratch marks and it was indeed not a mage from the college who sent this letter.

Looking up at Klepper she grinned. "Thank you Klepper. I would like to rent a room and have my meal there please."

Klepper smiled and accepted the small bag of gold Lady Hethia handed him. "Of course My Lady, I will have a meal prepared for you right away."

-xox-

Thal-ti sighed as she settled in front of the fireplace in her room. The stone chair forced her butt to meld into the seat's shape, which in turn made her squirm slightly. This was the only down side to renting a room at the Silver-Blood Inn: they bought everything cheap and choose to go for the less expensive stone furnishings rather than the more comfortable wooden ones. She took a bite of her venison stew and smiled warmly. They got a new cook and he (or she) knew what they were doing.

Pushing back her food Thal-ti picked up the letter. Her fingers trembled slightly at the notion of what her sister wanted. She felt a slight tingle of excitement as she broke the seal:

Dear Oath-Sister,

This letter to inform you that I have had a breakthrough with the puzzle you gave me. I wish to speak with you regarding the discovery and I also wish to speak to our friend regarding it as well. He may have answers to my own personal puzzle (though I am skeptical).

I will also require any information regarding a spirit plane known as the "Fade".

On a sweeter note I shall be visiting our mother for the next week, I hope you can make time to visit. I also hope you remembered our oath which is left unspoken.

May your path be dry and you days bright.

H. D.

P.S.

Along with this letter is a list of a few items I need to acquire. If it pleases you, I would like you to contact some of your suppliers so I can acquire these items.

Thal-ti smiled and a soft laugh bubbled up her throat. Same old Diyari, always mysterious. She sighed and reached into her pack to pull out her ink well, pen, and a few other writing materials.

Dear Sister,

I do indeed remember our oath and I shall follow it unless forced otherwise. I am overjoyed you have found the puzzle I gave you a pleasurable experience. It also warms my heart that you have finally solved that which I could not solve. Our friend will be ecstatic as well and will happily discuss his little game with us.

I shall talk with a few other friends to see if they have the information you require and I shall bring it with me when I come to visit our mother later this week.

I will also speak with my suppliers and see if any of them have the items you require.

Good health to you and yours.

Lady H

With a quick kiss to the edge of the page she left a faint lipstick mark on the paper. She smirked and folded the letter allowing the dark wax she had been warming to fall onto the seam. Letting the wax cool for a moment she then placed her charm over the wax to her form her crest, a diamond with a circle in the center.

-xox-

The sun was beginning to set behind the treetops as the sound of horses cantering on the soft earth echoed through the forest. It had been about a day and a-half's worth of traveling through marsh for the small group. During that time the spring weather started to show. Small blooms began to open and new growth could be seen on every tree and shrub. The intoxicating scent of apple blossoms and wild mountain flowers was almost overwhelming to the newcomers.

However, even with its purifying effects, spring also brought bandits with it. During this time Hira stood on watch. Her behavior was close to that of a vulture or wolf looking for possible prey. Out of the entire group she got the least amount of sleep and even when she did she had to drink a strange brew which she concocted.

"Ahh! Feel that sun!" Hawke stretched her arms towards the sky. "You weren't kidding when you said the weather would warm up."

Sebastian smiled. "Always the cat Aine."

"Mhmm, I have to agree with Hawke on this one it is nice to be out of that dismal village and in the warm sun." Isabela leaned forward allowing her chest to press up against Fenris.

Hira laughed lightly and stretched as well. "My only hope is for our trip from here on out to be easier... as well as free of bandits."

Valgus nodded his brows furrowed and his lips drawn tight. "I agree. I can only heal so many wounds before I run out of magic."

Varric laughed he brought his horse close to Valgus's and slapped him on the back. "You underestimate your own skill Pages."

Valgus smiled at that comment. "Perhaps, but a little bit of caution never hurt anyone."

Hira nodded and her eyes roamed the dirt path they were traveling on. "Indeed…"

They continued their journey down the well-traveled path until they reached a small shack. The roof was falling in and the group could see that the walls were covered in moss and climbing ivy. As they passed they could not smell any rot or decay coming from the wood, showing how old the shack truly was. A strong wind kicked up and several of the group members pulled their cloaks tighter to their body to stave off the sudden rush of cold. Further down from where the shack sat there was a cobble stone road. It appeared barely maintained with rocks missing and large patches of dirt covered in moss and weeds filling in the large gaps.

Valgus pointed down the stone path. "If we follow this road we should make it to Dragon Bridge by nightfall."

Varric tilted his head. "Why is it called 'Dragon Bridge'?"

Valgus smiled. "You will find out soon…"

As they continued down the path Hira snapped to attention, her eyes focused on the forest depths. Then the group heard it, a bear roar, along with deep grunting. Hawke looked around expecting to find two bears and was only greeted by a large creature.

To call this thing a creature was an understatement. This being was a beast, as tall as the horses the group was riding on with dark brown fur covering its arms, legs and back. It swiveled its head towards the group and Hawke let out an involuntary squeak as she stared into three large black eyes. It grunted again and swung its trunk arms around like a kid throwing a temper tantrum.

"Off your horses now!" Hira leapt off her horse and pulled out a glowing sword from her waist, robes whipping around precariously from the wind.

Taking their cue from her the group got off their horses and pulled out their various weaponry. The beast roared again and began to lumber towards them with great speed. Hira cast a fireball towards the beast setting it on fire. The creature squealed and ran towards Hira in a blind rage.

Valgus grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of the reach of the burning creature. Looking back he pointed to the two mages. "Anders, Merrill! Get the horses out of the way!"

The mages nodded and grabbed the rains of the panicked animals while the rest of the group tried to weave around the beast's warhammer-like swings.

Hawke ducked away from a right hook and struck its side leaving a long cut along its ribs. To her surprise the cut began to heal and the beast cried out, reaching down it grabbed her arm and swung her around like a ragdoll.

Hawke growled and sunk her blade deep into the creature's wrist. As the blade bit into the creatures skin the beast only grunted and held on tighter.

She gritted her teeth and tried to pry her arm free. "Let Go!"

Her eyes widened as the vice like grip the creature had suddenly released at her command. She jumped back, pulling her knife with her. The beast blinked and swung its healing arm towards Hawke trying to hit her head.

Sebastian grabbed her collar and yanked Hawke back as Fenris charged forward and landed a blow on the creatures shoulder, slicing the arm from its socket. The creature cried out and swung its arm wildly trying to clip Fenris's side. With a final grunt the creature fell on its hand and knees. With a bestial cry of his own Fenris raised his great sword and let the creatures head roll on the stone path.

Isabella sheathed her weapons, walked over to the fallen beast and gave it a tap with her boot. "What in world is this thing?"

Hira sighed as she straitened her robes. "That was a troll. From what I can tell it is a male we cannot let out guard down. The fe…."

Another inhuman roar rose over the trees mixed with Merrill's panicked screams. A larger troll had grabbed her by the leg and held her high above its head with Anders only a few feet away unconscious against a tree. The horses were screaming and had bolted away from the troll's wrath.

Hira's eyes widened and she began to run towards the great beast. "Hold on Merrill!" Her eyes glowing with magic and with an outstretched hand Hira's voice shook the group to the bone as she casted her spell. "Macsh! I need you!"

An orb of dark purple mist formed behind the beast as a silver blade stuck out of its chest. It released Merrill and looked down towards the blade, with a small grunt it fell backwards while the blade continued its path up the creature's body like a hot knife through butter.

Everyone except for Hira and Valgus froze at the sight of the warrior wielding the silver sword. He stood about five foot ten with a lean body and corded muscle. His strange armor appeared to be liquid metal with silver spikes twisting around his body like bent thorns. His helmet also had a thorn look to it with a sun crest forming around the base of the helmet. When he turned his head the group could see that his helmet had only one eye socket and the eye that looked out at them was a dark brown mixed with metal blue and violet. He stood like a statue his single eye scanned the lands around them trying to find potential danger.

Valgus was at Merrill's side in an instant, his healing magic fixing any damage caused to her from the trolls strong grasp. Hira moved toward Anders, who had just regained consciousness. Pressing a small white bottle to his lips she forced him to drink the contents.

Coughing he looked up his eyes widening at the sight of the strange warrior. "Who is that?"

The rest of the group was at their side and Hawke eyed the man while he gave the same scrutiny towards her. "I was wondering the same."

Isabell grasped onto Aveline's shoulder and gapped at him. "Makers Balls!" She cursed under her breath. "He just appeared out of nowhere!"

"Like a demon…" Aveline growled, her posture was ridged and her hand was carelessly placed upon the hilt of her sword.

The man stared at the warrior woman for a moment before turning his gaze towards Hira. His eye glowed slightly before he nodded and looked back at the group. "My Lady says that you are her friends. Know that I shall not harm you, unless provoked."

Sebastian looked between Hira and the man. "'Your Lady'?"

The man nodded. "Yes Lady Hira is My Lady, and I will protect her against any harm befallen unto her."

Hira frowned and she stared at the man before turning away. "I thought that you would stop calling me that Macsh…"

The group heard a light chuckle from the man. "I apologize Hira. Some habits are hard to break. I have been a part of your family for so long I no longer use those words as a title but as sign of endearment."

"I know… It is just strange hearing you say it." She looked at the two mages who were now healed and standing, Merrill had joined the others to gape at her rescuer, while Anders frowned slightly his arms crossed over his chest. "I think," Hira began, "we should continue on our journey. I will make proper introductions further down the road."

-xox-

The group spent several hours after that riding in silence while their new companion walked next to Hira and Valgus's horse. Hawke shifted nervously as she stared at the one eyed man's back. Her thoughts traveling back to the time Hira had summoned him. She shivered, his energy when he arrived felt almost holy, like the times she spent in deep prayer with Sebastian. She shook her head. He was no angel, no saint to be worshiped, so why was it she got this feeling that his energy felt so familiar? She started when he looked back at her, his eye narrowed to a thin slit. He then turned his head and said something to Hira. She smiled then nodded.

"I think we have been walking long enough. I say we stop and take a break."

There was a collective sigh and nodding of heads as the group pulled off to the side of the road. Feet landed onto the ground then came the food packs. Once everyone was settled the group began to launch multiple questions towards both Hira and the strange man.

Who was he?

Is he safe? (Of course he isn't. Retorted Fenris).

Where did he come from?

How was he summoned?

Did Hira create a contract with it?

Is it actually male or is it just appealing to Hira's sexual preference?

The questions continued for several more minutes as Hira and the man sat there in stunned silence. The only one who appeared to not be asking questions was Hawke. She sat there looking at the man for a few moments then stared back down at the ground, trying her very best to avoid eye contact.

Macsh looked at Hira, his thoughts brushed hers. Her aura is quite strange Hira…

Hira stared at Hawke then looked back at Macsh. Truly? You felt it as well?

I think she was touched by the heavens while in a land of poison.

'Land of poison'?

Yes, that is the… best description I can give. Their magical auras feel almost like poison I dare not touch it. Hira saw him shiver. What I should see is something akin to tight silver-blue chains coiled around their bodies. However their auras are like a poisonous cloud around their bodies. All except the short man, I see a strong shield around him, I cannot get past it to sense if he can cast anything.

That could only happen if he knew what you could do…

I doubt he knows, I think it was built naturally. There were several races of deadra that have natural barriers against magic that only strengthen over time. Even Bretons have a similar natural immunity to being sensed with magic.

I see… What did you mean when you said that Hawke must have been touched by the heavens before coming here?

So that is her name… Through the poison I can see two sets of chains around her body. One weaker, more natural, I suspect it is her own natural raw skill with Atherius magic. The other is strange, it looks almost attached, like someone grafted their magic onto her.

So she was in contact with another who taught her Atherius magic. That would explain the weaker chain. But you are right the second chain is truly strange.

The group stopped asking questions at the realization that Masch and Hira were not answering any of them.

Varric leaned in and waved a hand in front of Hira's face. When he received no reaction he panicked slightly. He looked towards Valgus who had his nose buried in a book. "Hey Pages is she alright?"

Valgus looked up and turned towards Hira. He smirked and nodded. "She is just talking with the spirits. Give her a few moments she will return to us." He then frowned. "However," he looked at Varric, "how long has she been like this?"

"Only a minute."

Valgus nodded and turned back to his book concern still in his eyes. "If she had been there longer than an hour I would start to worry."

Varric frowned but didn't argue with his companion. If he said it was normal then he wouldn't question it, much.

Hawke looked at the strange man and reached out and touched his arm. "Excuse me."

The man snapped to attention and turned his gaze towards Hawke. At the same time Hira blinked, looked over at Hawke and smiled. Her spiritual conversation over.

"Yes" The man's voice echoed through Hawke's body like an earthquake.

She blinked a few times then mustered up a smile. "What would you like us to call you?"

If the Macsh's helmet was off Hawke would have seen his eyebrow shoot up. "Not many mortals care to learn our names. Granted many of us have no name, just titles." He then turned his gaze towards Hira for a few moments. Then the next few words came out like warm honey and there was a slight tug on them from his hidden smile. "But I am not one of those. You can call me Macsh. I also go by the name Willowthorn. You can call me whichever you feel more comfortable with."

Anders looked at Macsh with a look of curiosity and disgust. "So the demon has a name…"

A deep growl came from Macsh's throat. "I. Am. No. Demon." He turned his head so his eye rested on Anders. "I know what you mortals mean when you call something a demon. A vicious monster with no remorse or care for its fellow beings. Though I do practice the art of sword play I would never ply it towards a mortal that means me no harm."

Anders eyebrows shot up and he leaned back on his hands. "That's not what I meant. You must have a name that represents your emotional connection to this world. Like Desire, a demon that fills a victims mind with illusion of what they want. Or Envy, a demon that is able to possess the minds of a person to learn about them, then use that knowledge to change into that person."

Macsh sighed, lifting his helmet he placed it on his lap. His face was that of what the group came to realize as 'Bosmer'. He had skin the color of wet sand with half his head shaved clean and the other half combed neatly in a light brown arch. On his face there was an eyepatch over the area where his right eye and eyebrow would normally be. He looked at the group allowing them to soak in his appearance. "The closest I am to one of your demons is this Envy you just mentioned… Though I could become someone else why would I. I cannot change my voice and this eye," he motioned towards his covered eye. "Would also never change. I like being me, being what I want and not who I want."

"How can we believe that?" Demanded Sebastian his arm crossed and his body slightly turned towards the road.

Masch chuckled. "You will just have to trust me."

"Forgive me but I am not willing to trust that which I have taught is evil by nature."

Masch frowned slightly. "Then trust My Lady."

Merrill perked up and leaned forward. "Why do you call Hira 'My Lady'? Are you bound to her? Like a slave?"

His eye widened and he straightened slightly. "Hira would never bind me! She would never wish that kind of pain upon any of her companions from the heavens." He then shifted nervously, casting Hira a look before looking back at Merrill. "My reasons for calling her that is a long story…"

Varric smiled. "But I am willing to bet it is an interesting tale."

Masch smirked and leaned forward. "Indeed it is…" He then began to tell the tale of how he was created by the Dwemer. His encounter with a khajiit merchant named Dro'bar. And how a High Elf named Hira gave him a name and saved him from a life of servitude.