You feel it, don't you?
Those words wake Viperish Night, although the word is misleading. He is not awake but in a dreaming state. The biting cold, the ever-present gloom. His Egg-Father has brought him to Coldharbour, or a dream version of it, again. And...it does reflect his current state more than he could like to admit. "Why does using that affect me so," Viperish Night whispers, closing his eyes not only to this dream but to truth he does not want to face.
His Egg-Father's claws on the rocks, coming closer to him. "Because it is Daedric because it is strength. It seeks to purge your weakness. You could...just let it." Swims-in-Silence hisses.
Viperish Night is silent for a long moment. It is true he feels less agony this way, the voices that scream and claw at him are more distant. But... it does not feel like the peace he seeks. Rather just darkness and ice. But is that not enough? Viperish Night's thoughts turn to his Egg-mother, to the fact he hardly cared that she was hurt. Feeling that way was not the peace and silence he craved. "No." Viperish Night whispers and with a surge of power the dream shatters. His Egg-Father cannot keep him trapped in dreams any longer. He can no longer torture him this way.

Jeziasi wakes and nearly startles. She fell asleep so faster, faster than she would have thought. The night's events had drained her, as well as being so very injured. Last time she was this badly hurt it had been with her fight with Viperish Night, the very first time they met. That took days to heal. Jeziasi sits up slowly, surprised to find all that remains of her injures is a faint shadow of pain. Was this the power of being Hircine's champion? Jeziasi knows Rufico's blade nicked her heart. Knew that Theodyn's shockwave had all but shattered ribs. But now? Just the faintest shadow of pain remains. Jeziasi glances to the side to find Zirasha still asleep. She remembers Zirasha's fangs on her neck, the sharp sting of pain. Her eyes were so heavy after, but she saw Zirasha transform. And unlike her son, it did not seem to change her so drastically after. Jeziasi's head hangs down and her thoughts turn toward her son. How cold he had been. He hardly spared her a glance, despite how badly she had been injured. And what he did to Wyress Asteria... Jeziasi softly shakes. She knew eventually those she knew before would die, perhaps even by her hands. She had met Wyress Asteria so briefly, but still. To know how horribly she had died and that her son was responsible. Jeziasi rises and gives Zirasha one more glance. She has to see her son. To see if the ice is the only thing reflected in those eyes.

As Jeziasi slowly walks to the throne room Mannimarco appears in her path and she startles out of her thoughts and growls softly. "What do you want Mannimarco?" she asks.
"Always so angry," Mannimarco says. "Something I found out. Something you may want to know." At Jeziasi's angry stare he continues. "The band cannot be removed from Viperish Night, not even by him. It bonds with its wielder, becomes one with them."
Jeziasi stills. "Even if I could, I would never take it from him. I would never betray him, and that would be betrayal. Even if it saved him, even if it saved Nirn." Jeziasi snarls softly and walks past Mannimarco.
"Jeziasi!" Mannimarco snaps and Jeziasi pauses. "It can be destroyed."
Jeziasi frowns softly. "Just what game are you playing, Mannimarco? Trying to see if I'd betray my son? I never will, and I know what the book said."
"Viperish Night could destroy it if he wanted to," Mannimarco says. "But it would utterly destroy him to do so."
Jeziasi is so very still for long moments. "Why tell me this? To cause more pain? You failed. I know the ways this will end." Jeziasi says, a hint of despair in her voice. "I will never tell him to destroy it. I will not see him destroyed. I will die before he ever does."
"You truly cannot bear to lose him," Mannimarco says.
"I do not expect you to understand." Jeziasi snarls. "Your not capable of caring for anyone save yourself or loving another so much your willing to do anything for them. I do not regret being here. I never will." Jeziasi snarls once more before stalking off. Mannimarco stares after her before vanishing.
From the shadows, Viperish Night tilts his head. Neither had noticed him, and his claws move to the band, thinking of what Mannimarco had said. No one can take it from him. No one. Viperish Night laughs softly and then pauses. Again, his Egg-mother was true to him. Despite it all. Some of the ice that holds him relinquishes its grip and Viperish Night heads toward the throne room.

Jeziasi walks past the throne room and finds herself outside, her breath white in the early night air. She's alone for a few moments before Zirasha walks out and stands by her side. The two glance at each other and the question hangs in the air unasked. How can she be alright? Somehow she must try. Jeziasi sheds her mer form to become the wolf and drops on all fours the night suddenly warmer with the wolf's thick fur covering her. Zirasha kneels and gently places the ragged collar around her neck. "Easier to look at him like this for now," Zirasha says softly. "I..." Zirasha trails off and rises. "Well, let us go. We have to prepare for Summerset, though I doubt we'll go for a few days or so."

Jeziasi slinks into the throne room with Zirasha and moves to Viperish Night, lying down by his feet. A few moments pass before Viperish Night stands and moves to crouch in front of Jeziasi. His claws gently grace her face, sinking into the fur around her neck. "Egg-mother," Viperish Night says softly. "It is so very hard to keep from the furthest depths after. I should want to be there, stay there but..." Jeziasi raises her head to look into his eyes and it's still there, still floating in the icy dark waters. Jeziasi leans into his hand with relief. "Help me keep it, Egg-mother," Viperish Night whispers. "Please. It may ease the pain, quiet the screams in my head to drown it, but I find I cannot bear to do so. I cannot bear to hurt you if I did. It is not peace to lose it, but surrender and submission." Jeziasi stares into those tormented eyes of his and nods and he buries his head into her fur shaking slightly. Jeziasi closes her eyes, a little more at peace. She will always be by his side, always swimming toward that faint glow she can see, feel. No matter what he does, no matter how this ends, she will stay with her son.
Tyranius walks in and leans against the wall. "Hey pup, wolfy. Mannimarco's here." Tyranius says. Viperish Night rises and turns to him and Tyranius shrugs. "Like you better this way. It's less like him."
Viperish Night just nods and sits on the throne. Less like his Egg-father. Familiar hate courses through his veins. His eyes fall on Mannimarco as he walks in. Mannimarco and his Egg-mother seem to have no idea that he had overheard them today. "You have been gone a long time," Viperish Night hisses.
"Researching various things," Mannimarco says as he moves to the corner and picks up the abandoned collar, studying it before placing it on a small alcove. "Really?" Mannimarco sneers at it.
"He is just making me want to kill him more." Viperish Night hisses angrily.
"As an immortal Prince time is meaningless," Mannimarco says. "As a mortal, however...he may be impatient. His intentions may be to try and hurt both of you for your continued refusal of submission." Viperish Night hisses and Jeziasi growls. Mannimarco sighs as he moves closer to them. "Can you transform back?" Mannimarco asks Jeziasi. "I found something out and I rather not have to listen to your beastal noises and howls if it sets you off."
Jeziasi rises and towers over Mannimarco, her golden eyes promising that she and Viperish Night will hunt them someday. Threat delivered, she drops to all fours again and Viperish Night reaches and takes the collar off.
"Someday," Viperish Night says, fangs exposed as he looks at Mannimarco as Jeziasi shifts back.
"So very many threats from both of you," Mannimarco says and before he can be hissed and growled at again he crosses his arms and says one name. "Clavicus Vile." Jeziasi freezes as he continues. "Molag Bal gave him something so he would send you to Oblivion for the favor you owed the Prince of Bargains."
Jeziasi closes her eyes. The day she woke up in Shadowfen to find Swims-In-Silence gone and the confusion he left in his wake. Returning to her home only to find Clavicus Vile waiting for her, demanding she honor the bargain she made with him in Summerset. And what he wanted puzzled her. He wanted her to come to his realm to visit, and to explore other realms should she wish it. "I thought it a coincidence back then, but the thought has crossed my mind since I learned the truth, that perhaps it had not been a coincidence. I never was sure, though." Jeziasi says.
"Why?" Viperish Night asks.
Jeziasi lowers her head and answers before Mannimarco can. "In time I would have questioned Swims-In-Silence, and what happened in Shadowfen. Why he had come to me, his eyes. So very many things. I would of remembering bonding with him sooner. How strange and unnatural it all was. I would have searched for him and perhaps even found you before..." Jeziasi trails off, unable to continue.
Viperish Night blinks. If his Egg-mother had found him, would things of been different, or would his Egg-Father and Mannimarco found a way around that too? Viperish Night rests his hand on Jeziasi's shoulder. "It's not your fault. It is still, and always will be, theirs."
Jeziasi nods slowly as she looks back at him. She knows that. But in her heart... a mother should be there when her young are born or hatched. Raise them, love them, protect them. So very many things she was utterly denied. "In Oblivion... it is not a place for mortal minds. Survival is a razor's edge so much of the time. I did not have time to think, to wonder. Just fight and survive. And I did not return...even when I could. I think I knew I made a grievous mistake and could not bear to face it so I ran." Jeziasi admits, falling into thought. Her eyes snap up at Mannimarco. "Swims-In-Silence and you wanted me out of the way. But not dead. There was more than one time I thought my end had come, that I would fall for the final time. Impossible things happened to save me." Jeziasi stares at Mannimarco.
"Yes, Jeziasi. Swims-In-Silence had me interfere in those cases. Risking discovery, risking angering other Princes, so you would not die. So you could bear witness at what you had done, and so he could have you." Mannimarco says. "It would have been easier to let you die. Easier to keep Viperish Night's egg in this time, instead of the past. And yet..." Mannimarco stares at both of them. "Now do you understand how mad Swims-In-Silence truly is?"
Viperish Night laughs softly. "We can fool him. We can make him think we are his, eventually, and he will believe it. And then our jaws will snap on his neck."
"Yes," Mannimarco says. "You can do what I failed to do and trick the Prince of Schemes, for he has been foolish enough to do this to himself. Just try not to lose yourself in the meantime." Mannimarco turns and vanishes.

-Elden Root-
Theodyn lies in a bed in the infirmary, golden light surrounding him. Darien leans against the wall arms crossed. "Wonder if this knocked any sense into you," Darien muses. That vampire had done a number on him. Dropped him from a bone-breaking height. If Theodyn had been a normal mortal he'd be dead. But instead, Meridia's golden light surrounds him, healing him. "Jeziasi's new friend hits hard," Darien says as he moves from the wall and waves his hand in the light. "Meridia, you could be nicer to this guy, you know that right?" Darien scowls as there is no answer as he leans against the wall. "Either she can't hear me, or she just does not care at all about me," Darien says with a shrug. Not once had Darien sensed that Meridia was even aware he was still here. Still hanging on. He had not known why he did not just let go...until Theodyn had come, and he learned just what kind of a mess his friend Jeziasi had gotten herself into. Darien's head moves to the door and he returns to the wall and leans against it, becoming even more transparent. He's not sure anyone else can see him, but he thinks it best to stay known only to Theodyn for the moment.
Rufico enters the infirmary and looks around. Almost as if he can sense that something is in here. After a few moments, he determines there is no threat and moves to Theodyn, though keeping a distance from the golden light. Rufico stares intently at Theodyn for nearly ten minutes, before turning and walking out. Darien watches him go and shivers. "Those Dark Brotherhood types always send a chill down my spine. I accidentally slept with one once, Theodyn. She wanted a little downtime. Though she tired me out enough I would not wake when she got up and put on her gear. I can still feel her knife at my throat if I ever told anyone about it." Darien pauses. "I just told someone. Well, already dead so it is not like that's a problem." Darien closes his eyes. "Well, nap time. How can a spirit be tired? All this hanging around. I got to talk to my friend one last time. And knock sense in your head. Not much rest even for the dead." Darien's form shimmers and he returns to rest in Dawnbreaker.

Rufico silently walks down the halls to the meeting room where he enters and leans against the wall and watches Iveryni. She's already healed, much faster than Theodyn, though Theodyn was much more badly injured. Rufico frowns slightly as he tries to figure it out. Iveryni suddenly stops and turns to him. "Where is Softly-Speckled-Crab? She should be here!" Iveryni snaps.
Rufico stares at her for a moment before answering. "Iveryni...she's with what remains of the Wyrd," Rufico says quietly. Many of the Wyrd had followed Wyress Asteria into battle, though some stayed behind to carry on the Wyrd traditions in the event they failed.
Iveryni falls silent. "...Oh," she softly says, it at last dawns on her that the Wyrd Sisters had paid the highest price in the battle. How could she have ever forgotten that? Iveryni moves and sits down.
"And I thought I would be the one to come back ice cold," Rufico muses. A hint of something crosses his face before he hides it.
"...Oh," Iveryni says again. "You are the one that needed us most." Her eyes move to his. She had dived into her training, into the notion that anything that was not strength was weakness, and she had to be as strong as she could to become this. To withstand the flames, and emerge a warrior that could end Viperish Night before he created a dawn no one would ever want. Perhaps...she had lost something in the flames. Perhaps she did not know how to be kind, how to understand others' pain anymore. She had always been aloof, showing emotions was always risky amidst the Telvanni, they used anything against each other. But she did care...at least before the flames.
Rufico shrugs. "In the past, yes. I was alone from such a young age. I forgot what it felt like to have a family." Rufico turns and starts to walk out. He turns his head back to Iveryni. "Not that we were a family. Just misfits thrown together by forces greater than us." Rufico adds. A hint of sorrow crosses his eyes.
Iveryni tries to read in those dark eyes of his. "Have you found your family then, in the Brotherhood?" she quietly asks.
"...Yes," Rufico says softly. Though one thing was missing. Rufico walks out, away from Iveryni's intense gaze. He starts to head toward his room, but turns and heads back to the infirmary. He knows it's far too soon for Theodyn to wake, but he wants to keep a watch on him, nevertheless. There was something...in his room. It meant no harm, but Theodyn was not alone.

Rufico enters the infirmary to find a familiar tabby on a table by Theodyn. "Sheogorath," Rufico says, a hand drifting to a dagger.
Sheogorath raises his head. "The other crazy one! You know I might have talked to you! It was a hard choice! The Imperial kid that played with Molag Bal's horrors or the Breton who wanted to be his sister! HOW TO CHOSE? It's like choosing between swiss and cheddar."
"Played?" Rufico says as he leans against a wall and takes out his knife, cutting his nails with it. "More like ran screaming though the Imperial sewers searching for a way out."
"Mixing Nirn with Oblivion!" Sheogorath says. "Madness! You saw into the heart of it! And yet still, I decided on Theodyn." Sheogorath turns his head toward Theodyn and spits at him. "He's boring now! How could he be THIS boring?" Sheogorath's tail swishes.
"Meridia," Rufico says. "She changed him more than I would have thought."
Sheogorath once more hisses. "I hate her now! Boring! I wish she had tried to punch Hircine, so he would have punched her with werewolves! Lots and lots of werewolves!" he spits. Sheogorath stands and arches his back then turns back to Rufico. "I LOVE mortals. All of you changed more than most. Being touched all over by Daedric and stranger forces! It is a melody of madness! Except when it is not!" At Rufico's silence, Sheogorath adds, "You seem saner than I would have expected. I would have said it's boring but! BUT!" Sheogorath stares intently at Rufico. "You live in the darkness now! What's in your darkness? What kind of crazy is going to come out when you're pushed in a corner! I WANT TO KNOW."
"Of course you do..." Rufico says. "Why don't you bother Iveryni. She should be in the meeting room still."
"Not going to say? Of course! Silence! THE VOID DREAD FATHER AND ALL THAT CRAZY STUFF!" Sheogorath stretches. "I would rather NOT visit the Dunmer. I like not exploding! Except when I do! Wait, I prefer to DO the exploding." Sheogorath leaps on the ground and winds toward the door. "She's going to erupt someday soon, mark my word! Like that Red Mountain. I tried to make that go boom! Damn Dunmer!" Sheogorath hisses and starts to stalk out the door. He stops and turns back to Rufico. "Your thoughts on Theodyn are madness!" Sheogorath laughs. "I know one thing you hide in the dark! He prances out.
Rufico grips the knife, tempted to throw it at him. Though he's not that foolish. "Damn Daedric Princes," Rufico says softly as his gaze turns to Theodyn. When Rufico had been thrown with the group, he thought to keep his distance. Play the useless ruffian, until he felt the need to go. Theodyn... Theodyn was the reason he stayed, and it was not until he saw Theodyn nearly dead at Craglorn that he had understood the depths of what he felt for him. Leaving him in Elden Root to go with the Brotherhood was one of the hardest things Rufico had done. He had known Theodyn had been infected, should he have stayed with him? The truth of it is Rufico had no idea what Theodyn's path would be, what would happen. He did not want to see Theodyn put down like a dog, and so he ran and embraced his path as fast as he could. The fact that Meridia had chosen him, purified the infection... but changed him so very much in the process. "Yep," Rufico quietly says. "Damn Prince is right, Theodyn. Madness. It is always madness what I feel. I'll need to put that back in the dark. It will only get in the way."

-Skyrim Tomb-
-A few days later-
Jeziasi's eyes open to the Hunting Grounds. The grass under her, the trees that tower over her. The cries of the familiar and unfamiliar of the creatures that dwelt deeper in. And something else. Jeziasi leaps up and spins, her eyes widen softly as she finds herself surrounded by the Wyrd. Wyress Asteria steps toward Jeziasi. "We mean no harm, Champion of Hircine." Wyress Asteria says. The world spins for a moment before Jeziasi remembers to breathe. She glances around and then back to Wyress Asteria. Words should come, but they seem insufficient. Wyress Asteria smiles a sad smile. "I did not think I would leave you speechless. It has been many moons since we spoke in Elden Root."
"How?" Jeziasi says softly. She remembers all too well her son's words. The deadly promise to send her to Coldharbers icy chill.
"Lord Hiricine has granted us this," Wyress Asteria says. "The Wyrd worship him, and he has granted us this boon, even if our hunt did fail. We made promise to aid you, Champion of Hircine, if you have need us. Though against Molag Bal, that is yours and Viperish Night's hunt alone."
Jeziasi is silent for a moment, before slowly lowering herself to the ground, sitting surrounded by the Wyrd, the ones her pack had ended. "Why?" she whispers.
The Wyrd sits around her and Wyress Asteria sits in front of her. "Jeziasi, you will not turn on your son. We understand. Even if the woods come first for us, even if the hunt comes first for Lord Hircine, it is understood. Nature is who we are, who Lord Hircine is. A mother protects her own, above all else in nature. You are running the same path. You had a choice, and you decided on the harder path, the one with the most pain."
"He's my son..." Jeziasi whispers. "I never thought I wanted children, but when he came into my life...it was as if something I was missing was suddenly there right in front of me. I ran alone for so long, and then...just like that." Jeziasi pauses. It is so hard to explain, but somehow Wyress Asteria seems to understand. "I know it cannot end well, but...I find I cannot walk another path. I find I cannot abandon him. Even when he..." Jeziasi trails off. Again she sees the fury in Wyress Asteria's eyes, but also peace with what has happened.
"We understand. Viperish Night is corrupted by the Daedric essence within him." Wyress Asteria says. "We never saw this, it was hidden very well... if he had been made of only life and death magic, it would be on him at least in part if he chose death over life. But he never had a chance at all, for how he was created. It has driven him to madness."
Jeziasi lowers her head. "The Daedric part of him...could it be purged? Is there any way? I know it is too late, I know...but..." she trails off.
"Perhaps once," Wyress Asteria says. "Viperish Night would have to want it. Want to let go of the power it gives him."
"He would not, not now," Jeziasi says. She closes her eyes. Perhaps once. "The Band of T'zlich," Jeziasi whispers. "Once he put it on, it was too late, was it not?"
"You know that now," Wyress Asteria says. "Yes, Jeziasi. It is too late now for anything else."
"And yet, your willing to help me." Jeziasi's eyes open. "Why?"
"Lord Hircine wishes it of us," Wyress Asteria says. "And I and my sisters do not wish to dwell in hatred and rage." Wyress Asteria rises, as does her other sisters. "We will return to Coldharbour for now." At Jeziasi's startled look Wyress Asteria looks down at her. "We will aid those who your son has sent to his Egg-Father as best we can. When we are done, we have a place with our Prince. But it is best Molag Bal thinks all of us are bound to him, for now. We understand your hunt, Jeziasi." Wyress Asteria fades, as does the rest of her sisters, leaving Jeziasi alone.

That night passed as most nights had since Reaper's March, raising the dead in forgotten and far off places. Viperish Night and his pack raise the dead in distant parts of Wrothgar on this night. A small scouting party of Orc's was run into and quickly killed and the night was peaceful once more. After the dead were raised and hidden Jeziasi shifts back and pauses, for Viperish Night has walked away from the others to watch a pack of wolves. Jeziasi quietly moves to his side. "Once, in Rivenspire, I ran into wolves. I was...upset and did not wish to kill them so I just laid down among them." Viperish Night says and tilts his head slightly. "It was very strange, Egg-mother. They did not attack and eat me, nor did they run."
Jeziasi places a hand on Viperish Night's arm. It was strange to think of her son amongst wolves, at peace with being among them, being one with nature. It was also sad...that he had been driven so far from the life magic that called wolves to him, once.
Viperish Night glances at Jeziasi. At times his Egg-mother made the past memories he had tried too hard to drown surface. Some...most of the memories pained him so. But some... Viperish Night swallows slightly as Jeziasi looks at him, and he reads the hint of sadness in those eyes of hers.
His eyes as he gazes at her, this is what most failed to see. Viperish Night had never wanted this to be his river. Once, he wanted something far different. But the monsters in the dark hunted him, hounded him, granted him no peace, no choice. "Too many of our choices have been taken from us," Jeziasi says softly. "It leaves us so very few options."
Viperish Night dips his head slightly at her words. "We will end the monsters," Viperish Night says. "But it will not change much, will it?" A dark look crosses his eyes.
"No," Jeziasi whispers. "But at least we can make them suffer for doing this to us."
"And then..." Viperish Night trails off, but Jeziasi knows his thoughts.
Knows Nirn is what he also thinks deserves to suffer for its part in his pain and despair. "If that is what you must do, then that is what we will do," Jeziasi says. He must know as well as she how this will end. At least...he also knows she will be at his side until the end, all of their pack will. And at least, he will be loved.

-Elden Root-
Razum-dar stands before his queen. Queen Ayrenn looks at him with grave eyes. "You are certain, Razum-dar?" she asks softly.
"Razum-dar is," Razum-dar says. "This one's eyes have seen the Malmer preparing in secret. Summerset is Viperish Night's next target, perhaps the last one before his army marches.
"Than this is the last chance to stop him before the unthinkable occurs," Queen Ayrenn says. "For if we fail to stop him in Summerset, all of Tamriel will be at war with his army of the undead." Her eyes darken. "We will speak to the allegiances, and form a massive defense in response. Viperish Night must be stopped on Summerset's shores."
"This one will speak to the heroes and come up with a plan," Razum-dar responds and he turns to leave but Queen Ayrenn's next words halt him.
"Raz," she says and Razum-dar turns to her.
"This one begs of his Queen, do not ask Razum-dar what you are about to ask," Razum-dar says, shoulders tense.
"Very well, my friend." Queen Ayrenn says and Razum-dar walks out of the throne room. Her eyes follow him, troubled. The news he had given her when the four heroes had returned...that Molag Bal once more was involved in Nirn and the way he went about it this time...

Razum-dar leans against the wall listening to the heroes as they sit around the table planning for Summerset. Theodyn suddenly slams his fist on the table. "Jeziasi is MINE," Theodyn snaps.
"Will you stop being so idiotic?" Iveryni snaps back. "You have Dawnbreaker, you should be after Viperish Night, not focused on Jeziasi. None of us can go after the same ones we did last time, they will be expecting that. We failed in that plan." Iveryni's eyes seem to glow like molten lava as she snaps, "Abject failure. Abject! This is not tolerable."
"My Prince demands Jeziasi pay!" Theodyn says with a growl.
Rufico sits back in his chair, arms crossed. "All of them will die, Theodyn," Rufico says. "They all will pay. Why does it matter who kills who? You seemed to have no issues with me putting a blade to the Vestige."
Theodyn's hands curl into fists. "That is because you lied to me, Rufico. You told me you would incapacitate her for me, not go in for the kill." Theodyn snarls.
"I'm an assassin, in case you have forgotten," Rufico says. "We play for keeps. If I see an opportunity on any of them, I will send their souls to the Void."
Softly-Speckled-Crab watches her friends and her head lowers slightly. All they do is argue. And all they do is disregard feelings. Softly-Speckled-Crab's eyes move to Razum-dar, who seems unaffected as he watches the group, but the hurt exists deep in his eyes. He strives to hide it. Softly-Speckled-Crab starts to hiss, and her hiss grows in volume until the arguing stops and everyone's eyes turn to hers. "We must save Nirn," Softly-Speckled-Crab says. "But how can we, when most of you have forgotten how to feel? How to care? How to be anything but this?" Softly-Speckled-Crab's claws scratch the table. "I understand, I will put away my kindness when I face Viperish Night and his army. I will kill when I need to, for it is a mercy to end this. But I have not forgotten my kindness! I have not forgotten who I am, and am not just who I have to be!"
"Who we were does not matter!" Theodyn snaps. "Who we were FAILED. Who we were got massacred at Craglorn. I am who my Prince wants me to be. That should be good enough."
Rufico glances at Theodyn. "I liked who you were," Rufico says softly, almost too softly to see.
Theodyn's eyes snap to his in confusion. "How could you? I was weak and stupid. Just like you." Theodyn says.
A glimmer of hurt crosses Rufico's eyes before they become cold. "I have not forgotten my failures. How useless I was," Rufico says softly, dangerously. "But you used to think before you spoke, Theodyn. You would not have said things that feel like daggers in the night."
"Nothing I am saying hurts anyone!" Theodyn snarls.
Softly-Speckled-Crab hisses again and her eyes move to Razum-dar and Theodyn follows her gaze. "You hurt him. You hurt your friends," Softly-Speckled-Crab says.
Before Theodyn can snap a response, Iveryni places a hand on the table. "Enough, Softly-Speckled-Crab is right," Iveryni says. "On some things, at least. We must not fight. They will divide us, kill us if we fight amongst ourselves."
As Iveryni and Softly-Speckled-Crab's words sink in, the group slowly calms and starts to plan. "This one thought it would be months before you started to work together," Razum-dar says.

Later after the group breaks after coming up with their plan, Theodyn walks into his room and Darien appears and walks around. "You're an idiot, you know that right?" Darien says.
Theodyn stares at him. "You too?"
Darien leans against the wall and laughs. "Damn, you are young. You don't see it do you?" At Theodyn's confused angry look Darien laughs and fades away.

Softly-Speckled-Crab walks through the tree and at last finds Iveryni just outside it, staring up at the night sky. Softly-Speckled-Crab moves to her and hands her a sweet roll, before crouching on the ground to munch on hers. "The marsh is full," Softly-Speckled-Crab said. "Words fail me. But they do not have bread."
Iveryni glances at her, then at the sweet roll before returning it to Softly-Speckled-Crab. "Somethings never change," Iveryni says. "But so many things do. You cannot expect us to be what we were, Softly-Speckled-Crab."
Softly-Speckled-Crab looks up at her. "Something is wrong," Softly-Speckled-Crab softly says.
Iveryni glances at her. "Everything is wrong. Everything will be wrong until Viperish Night is stopped." Iveryni's eyes move back to the sky before she turns and walks into the tree, heading toward bed.
"That is not what I meant..." Softly-Speckled-Crab says as she stares after Iveryni. She had not seen her eat a single bite since she came back. Softly-Speckled-Crab's eyes glimmer as she turns to look out into the night before rising and heading deeper into the night gloom to seek out a cat.

Softly-Speckled-Crab finds Razum-dar near the water, as he has been many a night when his duties are done. She moves to him and sits by the side, her clawed feet dangle into the water. Razum-dar's eyes look down at her. "This one would prefer if you not ask," Razum-dar growls softly. "This one's duty has always been clear. This changes nothing."
"That may be so," Softly-Speckled-Crab agrees, "But it changes the heart. It changes us." Her eyes move to the water and she traces it with a claw. "I understand rivers more now. Argonian's go with the river. But if we get caught in another, we can get lost. Keerasi-Zish is lost, for others decided his river. Jeziasi is lost, for she dove in after him to try and save him."
Razum-dar growls again. "She cannot save him. This has gone too far. This one knows this. All of them must face justice. They...are far too dangerous to be allowed to live." Razum-dar's eyes close.
Softly-Speckled-Crab's hand dips into the water. "Mercy, Razum-dar. Mercy in death, if nothing else." Softly-Speckled-Crab quiets for long moments before speaking. "Love can save us. Love can also destroy us. It is too late to save him, and so she swims with him into the end." Softly-Speckled-Crab rises. "What it was she that needs saving, Razum-dar? Not for us to save, not for you to save, but Keerasi-Zish? Jeziasi is willing to give up everything for her son, willing to do anything for him, so what would Keerashi-Zish give up to save his Egg-Mother?" Softly-Speckled-Crab starts to walk away and then looks back. "He loves her, Razum-dar. I could see it in his eyes. Despite the monster he is, he loves her. His madness and pain will not allow him to swim another river for her, but he does love her. You may say that changes nothing, and it may not. We do not know the final course of the river that drowns them, and that now drowns Nirn." With those final words, Softly-Speckled-Crab walks away.
Razum-dar opens his eyes to gaze into the water, the ripples from Softly-Speckled-Crab's claws spreading out across the water. "Jeziasi..." Razum-dar softly says. "Why did this happen? Why are you forcing this one to fight you?" Nothing said this night will change what he must do, what he will do. But Softly-Speckled-Crab is right. He will never be as he once was it is done. Razum-dar closes his eyes again, trying to will away the pain, trying not to think what the future will hold for just a moment.