Theodyn sits in the chair in front of the table as the others fall in. Yesterday...yesterday was terror and shock. He's still trying to process that the way he thought his sister died, was not the truth. Seriana died because of Viperish Night, but it had not been his fault. Theodyn thinks of his mentor, Rodyn. Even though the wise mage thought the path of the mage might not be for Theodyn, he still did his best to teach him and give him time to figure out what he wanted out of life. Viperish Night's mentor... what kind of damage would that do to a person to have a mentor that thought murdering innocent people was acceptable? What else had he done to Viperish Night? Theodyn softly sighs as he remembers looking into the necromancer's eyes and seeing the smallest trace of something other than darkness and hate. It did not make Viperish Night any less of a monster but it made Theodyn believe he had not always been thus. It was unsettling that someone could be like...Theodyn glances up at his new friends. Like any of them one day and then a monster the next. What could cause that? The depths of pain needed to turn essential self into something far darker. And Theodyn did believe now Viperish Night had been like them once, for his sister would not have tried to help them had she not seen the good in him.
Rufico leans against the wall and glances over at Theodyn slowly frowning. He hopes Theodyn is not seeing anything over then evil within Viperish Night. The necromancer might have been someone else once, but he was what he was now. To see anything else...no one must look away from the truth, must not excuse the evil that people are capable of. Rufico sighs and runs his hand through his hair as his thoughts turn to the mad Altmer Zirasha. Hatred never did anyone any good, but he could not help what he felt. Even as a kid, to see his kinsmen ally with evil instead of doing the right thing made him sick. But hatred did not give anyone the right to kill. Rufico swallows and sighs.
Razum-dar stands before the table arms crossed. He stares at the papers. Too many pieces and far too few leads. And to make matters worse Theodyn and Rufico almost met their end, not once but twice. By all rights, the Brotherhood should have killed them for eavesdropping, and considering Viperish Night had no trouble dropping bodies, he should have killed them both without hesitating. The fact that the two were still alive was nothing short of miraculous. Razum-dar knows he cannot always be there, but he promised to look after Theodyn, and he promised himself to look after the others. He was not a cub-sitter! But...though they were young, they would become heroes in this. Razum-dar had seen it before. Untested people rose up to become heroes and triumph even over the most impossible tasks. Jeziasi had been young too when fate called her to fight against the Plainmeld and Molag Bal. Razum-dar glances at the group. It would not be without a heavy cost. He saw what the wars did to Jeziasi. In the end, she had left the Dominion and all she knew and he only saw her again in Summerset, and then she had changed so much. Enough that he had been forced to look into some things regarding her. What he found troubled him. But she was still a hero, still willing to fight against Nocturnal. Who she had been during the wars was still within her. He hoped it still was there. After Summerset... Razum-dar sighs and rubs a paw over his eyes before refocusing on what is right in front of them. He had at last gotten word back on Rufico and Softly-Speckled-Crab, though it had been more difficult since he had no eyes in Vvardenfell and Cyrodiil. He would have to change that, but for now, the two checked out. Razum-dar's eyes move to Rufico. Would Rufico want to know the fate of his parents? Razum-dar had overheard what Rufico had told Theodyn of his past. He would not ask, however. If Rufico wished to know, Razum-dar was confident he would ask him.
Iveryni pages through a book, trying not to look at the papers on the table. Nothing new. She almost wishes to sweep them off the table. Viperish Night had been here. If Rufico and Theodyn had come back for them, maybe this could all be over! Iveryni takes a deep breath, placing the book back in the bookcase. It was not that simple. She knew this. If it was going to be that easy to stop him, someone would have done it by now. Iveryni glances at Rufico and then at Theodyn. They had nearly lost two of their own already. It was sheer stupidity for them to do what they did. Theodyn...he had to have been taking the attack on his guild and the loss of his friends harder than they knew. His fear and sadness were turning to anger. He had to get a reign on it. Anger was good, but not if it leads to fatal mistakes. "Theodyn, you almost got yourself and Rufico killed yesterday. You understand this?" she says in a frosty voice.
Theodyn looks up at her and then back down. "I know that, Iveryni. I'm sorry. I just started thinking about Brei and Sabri and how he just murdered them. I just wanted to stop him before he killed anyone else." he says softly.
"We cannot stop him," Softly-Speckled-Crab says, looking up from the floor which she has chosen to lie on as she reads a book and munches on bread. "Not yet. It's not time yet. We are not ready, and we do not have what we need."
Everyone turns to look at her and Iveryni gives her a puzzled look. "Softly-Speckled-Crab, what makes you say that?"
Softly-Speckled-Crab blinks. "Dreams," she says in between bites. "A lovely lady comes to speak to me there."
No one seems to know what to say to that, so Rufico changes the subject. "Zirasha, the Altmer that was with Viperish Night. She's the one who attacked me in Sentinel," he says, touching the scar across his neck. "Guess I know how I fit in with you now," he adds.
"We are all connected," Softly-Speckled-Crab says.
"So to reiterate," Iveryni says. "Viperish Night is no longer working alone, now he has a murderous thief tagging along with him. We also now know that the mysterious Argonian from the memory shard is a former Brotherhood member, Stalks-In-Darkness. Also that Viperish Night had a mentor, who might still be in play and who is almost certainly a necromancer as well." she states.
"Viperish Night hates him" Theodyn chimes in. "I could see it in his eyes when he brought his former mentor up.
"This one thinks it's good to know all this, but it does not help us right now," Razum-dar says. "We are back to waiting."
"Here Kitty Kitty." Softly-Speckled-Crab suddenly says, her claws reaching toward the door, where a grey tabby with black stripes has sauntered" in, a mouse in his jaws. Softly-Speckled-Crab scratches the cat's head but shakes her head when the cat tries to gift her the dead mouse. "Thank you, but I prefer bread, kitty," she says.
The tabby moves on, swirling around Razum-dar's legs and looking up at him hopefully. "Razum-dar can catch his own mice," Razum-dar tells the cat. "Not that this one eats mice, of course!"
"I hate this waiting," Theodyn says. "More people will die." The tabby leaps up onto the table and tries to present Theodyn with the mouse. "Um... no thanks," Theodyn says. "I don't like dead things."
"I have tried everything I can think of to locate Viperish Night, the Vestige," Iveryni says frustrated. "Nothing I do works." The tabby leaps off the table and marches up to her with the mouse. He looks up at her, the dead mouse dangling and hers if she wants it. Iveryni just sighs and ignores the tabby.
"Theodyn has a point," Rufico says. "We can't just w..." Rufico suddenly screams as the tabby comes over and tries to gift him the mouse. "I HATE RATS AND MICE." he yells. The tabby meows forlornly and slinks out of the room with its unwanted gift. Rufico looks up at the others, who are just staring at him. "Try living in sewers for a while, they will scare you too!"
"Sewers?" Softly-Speckled-Crab asks.
The tabby reenters the room, his mouth full still. The tabby's eyes dart back and forth between Theodyn and Rufico before settling on Theodyn. The tabby marches up to the table and leaps upon it again and drops his mouthful in front of Theodyn. "Not the dead mouse again," Theodyn says as he gingerly looks down at the tabby's gift. Theodyn's brow wrinkled in confusion as he touches what the tabby dropped in front of him. "...Why did this cat bring me cheese?" he says in confusion.
Everyone falls silent and looks at the cheese and the tabby. The tabby puffs up his fur and opens his mouth to meow. "Because you refused a perfectly good mouse!" The tabby announces. "Now I prefer CHEESE, but I don't like to share! But you had TO REFUSE A PERFECTLY GOOD MOUSE! ...though I think it had fleas."
Theodyn bolts right out of his chair, Softly-Speckled-Crab rises, a curious expression on her face. Iveryni reaches for her staff and Razum-dar growls at the tabby. Rufico moves in a little closer. "How can cats talk?"
Razum-dar gives Rufico a look. "Razum-dar is also a cat," he says before turning his eyes back on the tabby who hisses at him.
"You're also BORING!" the tabby spits at Razum-dar. "Boring, boring, boring!" I don't want to talk to you!" he turns back to Theodyn. "I presented this mortal with the CHEESE. He is the one I will talk to."
Razum-dar growls softly. "Mortal...Razum-dar does not like where this is going."
Iveryni's eyes are locked onto the tabby and as Softly-Speckled-Crab moves to touch the tabby, Iveryni stops her. "Crab, stop. I believe we are speaking to a Daedric Prince. It would be unwise to poke him."
Softly-Speckled-Crab stops, her eyes wide. The tabby turns his eyes onto Iveryni. "You're not stupid at least," he says. "But you are boring too!" he hisses at Iveryni.
Iveryni frowns. "Am I correct in assuming you are Sheogorath of the house of troubles?" she says."
The tabby puffs up again. "Your right, but still BORING!" he yowls.
"Another one." Razum-dar sighs. "This is making Razum-dar's head hurt. What do you want?" he asks.
Sheogorath hisses at Razum-dar again. "Shut up or I'll pluck out your eyes and feed them to the fleas!" As Razum-dar growls again, Sheogorath spits. "Let me be CLEAR since your brain is the size of a hairball. I will ONLY speak to the one who was beholden the CHEESE. And if your asking with your tiny brain, why him? It was between him and the shaggy one over there. That one has seen MADNESS! I like him! But this one?" he turns back to Theodyn. "He's trying to be two things at once! And one of those things because of a dead sister! You can't be her, ITS MADNESS! I LOVE IT!" Sheogorath chases his tail for a few moments before continuing. "You have to pick one! Or...Or you could come live in my realm and be both!"
Theodyn opens his mouth and then closes it, unable to dispute what Sheogorath had said about him. He had been trying to be a mage like his sister, to honor her memory but... something else called to him. He sits back down. "What do you want?" Theodyn softly says.
"What do I want? CHEESE!" Sheogorath meows. "Also I want mortals. You are all delightfully mad! I LOVE MORTALS. Except when I hate them! Sheogorath gives his shoulder a few quick licks. "It's like this, I'm leaving a book to stir up madness and what do my POOR ears hear? Some high and mighty necromancer says he wants TO END the madness of the living! HOW IS THAT ACCEPTABLE? I TELL YOU IT'S NOT! Ol Sheogorath will not have it!" he hisses angrily.
"Viperish Night" Theodyn breaths.
"I was afraid he truly hated the living," Iveryni says grimly, remembering all too well the horror of Oblivion's Isle. "But even with the power of necromancy, he cannot destroy every living person. It's impossible."
Sheogorath glares at Iveryni who quickly falls silent again. "It's Impossible, is it? Just as a Planemeld is impossible? Just as rewriting all of existence is impossible? Cheese that talks is impossible?" Sheogorath falls silent thinking. "That last one is. FOR NOW." he turns back to Theodyn. "I can not, will not get involved directly! But your friend Sheogorath will tell you something about someone you're looking for. But I want something in return!"
The room stills and Theodyn pales. Making any kind of deal with a Daedric Prince is in itself, utter madness. "It's NOT LIKE THAT!" Sheogorath spits. "All I want is for you to tell a certain Bosmer something for me!"
Theodyn looks at Razum-dar, who slowly nods. "Agreed," Theodyn says.
"GOOD, that was not so hard was it?" Sheogorath says and then continues. "When you find Jeziasi, tell her SHE'S OFF MY FAVORITE MORTAL LIST!" Sheogorath says, lashing his tail back and forth. "We had fun during that whole book thing with Shalidor. But now? NOW!? She comes into MY realm and does she come to see ol Sheogorath? Have some tea and mice brains on crackers? NO! she slides into another realm without so much as a hello! MORTALS SHOULD NOT know how to find the weak spots between Oblivion realms, WHO TAUGHT HER THAT? She has no manners! OFF THE FAVORITE LIST FOREVER!"
Razum-dar's mouth falls open. "Jeziasi is in Oblivion!?" he says.
Sheogorath ignores Razum-dar instead focusing intently on Theodyn who finally figures out he wants an answer. "Yes, that does sound rude," Theodyn says. "I'll tell her when we find her."
"GOOD!" Sheogorath says. "Then here is what you get in return! Jeziasi slipped into is the colored rooms! Meridia's realm. I would NEVER GO THERE. It's so boring! No madness, no fun!"
"How long ago?" Theodyn asks.
"WHAT kind of question is that?" Sheogorath yowls. "Half-past CHEESE! The year of the goat! I DO NOT KEEP TRACK OF YOUR BORING MORTAL TIME." Sheogorath huffs. "There. I'm done. I'll be taking the cheese back now." Sheogorath grabs the cheese and talks around it. "Get bored of being sane, come see your uncle Sheogorath!" he says to Theodyn. "You could become my favorite! YOU'D LOVE THAT." and with that Sheogorath leaps from the table and stalks out the door.
The room is quiet before Razum-dar finally speaks. "Jeziasi... what have you gotten yourself into?" he says.
"We need to find a way to speak with Meridia," Iveryni says.
"...I stole from one of her cultists once in Auridon," Rufico says sheepishly. "She caught me of course. Being a gentleman, I gave it back and she slapped me. And then we got to talking and after that, we were on the carpet for a while."
"Carpets are nice," Softly-Speckled-Crab says.
"Razum-dar thinks you could have left out the carpet part," Razum-dar says. "But to the matter at hand, Meridia helped during the war against Molag Bal in Coldharbour, and her champion helped in Summerset. Jeziasi could still be in her realm. Meridia should be amiable to help us." Razum-dar thinks for a few moments. "Tomorrow this one, Rufico and Iveryni will journey to Auridon. Theodyn, you, and Softly-Speckled-Crab will stay here. This one thinks it is a bad idea to have all our eggs in one basket. And more news may come in."

-Auridon - Vulkhel Guard -
"Just a tiny favor, Caseyln," Rufico asks a slight Bosmer with long bronze hair.
Caseyln has her arms crossed around her chest and a sour expression across her face. "You left." she accuses. "Just up and left without even a goodbye. You, Rufico, are nothing but a scoundrel."
Rufico looks sheepish. "At least I did not steal any more of your jewelry," he says.
"Only because you are a horrible thief and I already caught you once," Caseyln responds.
"Twice," Rufico says with a grin.
"I should slap you, Rufico," Caseyln says.
Razum-dar coughs into his paw. "Why this is utterly fascinating, we should wrap this up. Though this one knows the temptation of being with pretty ladies all day."
"Let us get to the point," Iveryni says. "This is not a social call."
Rufico runs his hand through his hair. "The favor is...we need to speak with your Prince, Caseyln."
Caseyln falls silent. "I wondered if you recognized what you tried to steal for what it was," she says and glances nervously at Razum-dar. "I recognize you. Your the Queen's eye."
Razum-dar puts up his hands. "This one is not here to get you in any kind of trouble. Razum-dar can look the other way when the need arises."
"Why do you need to speak to Lady Meridia?" Caseyln asks.
"We need to find the Vestige," Iveryni says. "We were contacted by someone that indicated she was and may yet be in Meridia's realm. It's crucial we find the Vestige." When Caseyln looks unconvinced Iveryni adds. "We require her to help deal with a very dangerous necromancer."
Caselyn's expression turns grim. "My lady would wish to assist with this then if it concerns that foul magic and the undead. Follow me and I will take you to one of her shrines. I am trusting you to keep it a secret. We mean no harm."
Caseyln leads them into the wilderness and an hour later they stand before an unassuming door built into a rock face. Caseyln holds up her necklace and it glows softly and the door slides open. She leads the group down a small staircase, magical torches glowing with a soft warm glow. The staircase ends in an open room. A shrine stands at the base of a statue of Meridia. Caseyln walks to the shrine and kneels lighting candles at its base. "My Lady Meridia, Prince of life, these mortals wish to speak to you on a matter involving necromancy," she says softly.
Meridia's statue starts to glow with a golden aura. "Speak what you will." An ethereal voice containing untold power echos in the room.
Razum-dar steps forth. "Lady Meridia, we have been told we need the Vestige. Recently we learned she has been in your realm. Is she still there? We need to find Jeziasi."
The statue glows brighter and Meridia's voice thunders. "Do not speak her name in my presence!" Meridia says angrily. "She has fallen from my light and when she dared enter MY sanctum, I cast her to the fires." The glow intensifies and slams into the group, sending them crashing toward the entrance.
Caseyln turns to them, having been unaffected by her Prince's anger. "Leave the shrine, now!" she snaps. "My Lady has spoken.." Razum-dar, Rufico, and Iveryni quickly race up the stairs. The door opens and they leave the shrine.
Once outside Iveryni turns to Razum-dar. "What did Jeziasi do?" Iveryni says.
Razum-dar throws his hands up. "This one has no idea!" he says.
"You must have some idea," Iveryni asks again.
Razum-dar thinks for a moment. "Perhaps she disapproved of Jeziasi making a deal with Clavicus Vile during the Summerset incident. Or she could have done something in Oblivion that angered Meridia." Razum-dar says with a huff.
Rufico looks back at the shrine. Caseyln...yeah he was going to stay away from her in the future. He turns to look at Razum-dar. "Just who is this Vestige?" he says. "She seems good at pissing off Daedric Princes."
Razum-dar shakes his head. "Jeziasi is complicated," he says. "Yes, this one knows he keeps saying that. But how to explain all Jeziasi is? This one would not even attempt that!" he looks at Rufico and Iveryni. "She is Razum-dar's old, dear friend. No matter how much she changes or who she angers, this one hopes that never changes."
"Still, we are now back to square one," Rufico says running his hand through his hair.
"No, we are not," Iveryni says. As the others turn to stare at her she raises an eyebrow as if to say, you have not figured this out yet? "Meridia hates the undead, there is no way she would just yell and toss us out with nothing. She must know Jeziasi is needed, despite her anger." Iveryni pauses to make sure she has their attention. "I cast her into the fires," she repeats what Meridia had told them. "This must be a clue to what Oblivion realm Meridia cast her into."
Razum-dar's expression turns grim. "This one does not like where this is going. There is only one Oblivion plane that would fit that clue."
"Mehrunes Dagon's realm, the Deadlands." Iveryni finishes grimly.
"Please tell me we are not going to go visit Mehrunes Dagon's shrine next," Rufico says.
"Most defiantly NOT," Razum-dar says. "Meridia is one thing, but Mehrunes Dagon is another! During the war, the Veiled Heritance called on his help to try and overthrow Queen Ayrenn. The Dominion will not tolerate worshipers or shrines to Dagon."
"I have been working on a tracing spell," Iveryni says. "The whole of Oblivion would have been impossible for such a thing, but a single plane? Perhaps it will work. If I can avoid detection, at least. It will take a bit of time but I'm confident I can do it."
Razum-dar turns toward Vulkhel Guard. "We should hurry back to the mage guild to return to Elden Root, then," Razum-dar says.
"I have a very stupid question," Rufico says. "Iveryni, you don't know how to open portals? I mean, of course, you don't, but I thought you would."
"...I have yet to master it," Iveryni says. "It should be easy for me, but for reasons I cannot explain, I have not been able to. I will continue to work on it." she turns and follows Razum-dar back to town with Rufico on her heels.

-Evermore-
Theodyn's heart is in his throat. All he can do is stare at the devastation all around him. Bodies lie where they have fallen on blood-soaked ground. Stab and slash wounds, bites, and more. And somehow almost worse, the ones that still live. Huddled in balls, leaning against doorways with shocked looks in their eyes, on the ground fighting for life. He is utterly useless right now. All he can do is take in the devastation and horror. Softly-Speckled-Crab is more useful than him at this moment. She's helping to treat the wounded, and offering those who are too far gone to save a hand to hold as they pass from this world.
Theodyn and Softly-Speckled-Crab had been in Elden Root's mage guild, waiting on the others to get back when the mages had gotten word that Evermore had been attacked by a wave of Ra-netu that earlier, had been members of their guard until they tried to stop Viperish Night, and that they were requesting aid from any mage guild to assist with the injured. Theodyn watched the mages stream through the portals, and then Softly-Speckled-Crab had gotten up and raced through as well, and Theodyn could not let her go alone, so he had followed.
An unholy moan and a Ra-Netu charges at the wounded. Theodyn spins around and suddenly instead of thinking of the horror all around him, all he can think about is protecting those who cannot protect themselves. His sword is suddenly drawn and the training he had been sneaking in after his mage studies flows like instinct and his sword cuts through the Ra-Netu's neck, sending both crashing to the grown. Theodyn breaths hard and stares at it for a second before wildly looking around for more, only when he is sure there are none does he relax slightly.
~/~That morning when Theodyn had awoken, the words of Sheogorath come back to him. And so Theodyn took his mage staff and his sword and set them upon the bed and studied them for long moments. Finally, he lies his hand on the staff. "Seriana... I will always miss you. I will always try to save people in your memory, but I am not you. I need to stop trying to be." he says softly as a tear rolls down his cheek. He dresses, not in mage robes but in light armor he had found packed with his sword. It fit him perfectly. How did Rodyn know he would choose this? He will have to tell his mentor how grateful he is to him when he next sees him. Theodyn picks up the sword and straps it on, then pauses as a golden glow fills the room. Theodyn turns, but it's gone if it had been there at all. ~/~
After everyone that could be saved had been treated and the dead properly concentrated Theodyn and Softly-Speckled-Crab sit at a table in the nearby inn. It is a dismal scene, Evermore had been shocked to its core. Not only did Viperish Night slaughter the guard sent to apprehend him, but he also had the audacity to send them back as undead Ra-netu to savage the city. "We have to stop him," Theodyn says softly. He knows what he saw in Viperish Night's eyes, but he also knows that he has gone too far.
Softly-Speckled-Crab places her clawed hand on his. "We will. Not yet, but we will." she looks deep into his eyes. "You have decided to fight death, though you cannot stand death. You are brave and closer to being who you need to be to stand against this foe."
Theodyn swallows. "I hope so. It's always called to me. I just ignored it to try and follow in my sister's footsteps. I was a little crazy. I just missed her so much. I felt closer to her when I followed her path. I know I have to make my own now, though."
Softly-Speckled-Crab offers him a piece of bread and Theodyn takes it, slowly eating. "We will all become what we need to. The lovely lady has said thus." Softly-Speckled-Crab says.
Theodyn finishes his bread and stands. "We should get back. The others should be back by now, and Razum-dar may have our heads for leaving."
"It was the right thing to do," Softly-Speckled-Crab says as she rises. "Our kitty will understand."
"Our...kitty," Theodyn says with a small smile. "Let's never tell Razum-dar he's our kitty. Or maybe we should. The expression on his face would be priceless."
"Before he killed us," Softly-Speckled-Crab says as they walk to the door.
As they exit the Inn they are greeted by a guard who hands over a bag. "We found this while investigating out of the city." the guard says. "We think it belongs to Viperish Night."
Theodyn takes the bag and the guard speeds away. He glances at Softly-Speckled-Crab. "Let's get back now," he says.

-Elden Root-
Iveryni is at the table, a multitude of books spread out before her as she perfects the locator spell she's been working on. Rufico is napping in the corner and Razum-dar is reading a book. He looks up as Softly-Speckled-Crab and Theodyn walk in. Razum-dar puts the book down and walks to the two, looking them over. Seeing them uninjured he puts a paw on Theodyn's shoulder. "You have decided on this then," he says. "Also this one was informed of where you two had gotten off to." As Theodyn opens his mouth to apologize Razum-dar stops him. "No need. You two did the right thing." Razum-dar says.
"A choice not made out of anger," Theodyn says quietly. "I am angry, Razum-dar. But I can see what anger and hatred have done to Viperish Night. I do not want it to control me." he looks over at Iveryni. "Did you find the Vestige?" he asks
Softly-Speckled-Crab moves to Rufico and lies next to him. "So many were hurt today. I could not save them all," she says sadly. "I am going to sleep now. Rufico is so warm." she closes her eyes.
"That is one strange Argonian." Razum-dar remarks before turning back to Theodyn. "Meridia is angry at Jeziasi, we are not sure why. But she gave us a clue and we think Jeziasi is in the Deadlands. Iveryni is figuring out how to locate her without Mehrunes Dagon being aware of us. Razum-dar just hopes he is not aware of Jeziasi." Razum-dar sighs worriedly and moves to sit in a chair. "You should rest why you can, Theodyn."
Theodyn places the bag on the table for after they rest and moves to a spot on the carpet and lies down. "If everyone is here, I want to be here too," he says. "Razum-dar? You are close to Jeziasi, aren't you?"
Razum-dar blinks. "This one was, once. She is a force, that one." he leans back and closes his eyes. "Rest, Theodyn."
Theodyn closes his eyes. The horrors of the day wore him down, but he was more at peace than he had been in a long time. And sleeping here with his friends near was soothing and so he quickly falls asleep.