21st of Rain's Hand
"You are back to your old self." Serana said. "Did you wait a sufficient amount of time beforehand?"
"Such a lascivious smile should not be worn by someone who made quite as much noise last night as you did." I said, matching her smile with my own.
"She drank the potion, and I cast the spell just before we put out the candle and went to sleep." Aric said. "Prior to that, no activity we might have engaged in, except possibly for fashioning an entire set of plate armor, would have been noticeable to either of you."
"I did not set the sleeping arrangements, Patron." Jenassa said as she smiled at Aric and Serana in turn.
"No, but neither did you object, unless your repeated invoking the names of the Gods last night were requests for succor." Aric replied.
"In that event" Serana said, "we were both of us crying for rescue, since some of those cries were surely mine."
"If my face is not bright red from such talk it is because my heart has stopped from shock." I said.
"I seem to recall a cry or two emanating from your side of the house, sister." Serana said. "I thought at first you were praying, though I could not recall ever hearing a Priestess of any order pray to any God quite so loudly."
"I like this company more and more I find." Jenassa said.
It was no leisurely ride from our hidden lair in the hills of Haafingar to the plains of Whiterun.
"We have the furthest distance to travel, and barely enough time to travel it." Aric said. "We must acquire a horse for Serana in Dragon's Bridge. Until then, our speed will be limited. We can make up some of that time afterwards, but all of us, the two footed and the four, must arrive still fit for battle."
"Do you still possess the enchanted grain that virtually give horses wings?" I asked
He smiled. "You have a talent for a beautiful turn of phrase." He said. "The answer to your question is yes. But like any potion, the price to be paid comes at the end, and I would not have our horses fail us in the middle of battle."
Every other group of participants had at least a day's head start over us. If Lucia and her party were not careful, they would meet Rikke and her Imperial soldiers on the road, and questions might be raised.
"Ulfric and his men had struck out in darkness from the embassy to the Haafingar Stormcloak camp a short time after his meeting at the embassy." Aric said. "He will almost certainly arrive first."
"What will Rikke and Ulfric do when they meet?" I asked. "Will we have one battle to fight, or two? And which side would we take in the event it is the latter?"
"They will have a shared enemy to their front." Aric said. "That will take priority. In any event, neither will have a full army at hand. Were they to fight, it would be a skirmish at best, and not worth the risk to either that a lucky arrow might robe their side of its leader. The armistice meeting in High Hrothgar that was necessary to gain the Greybeards assistance in the fight against Alduin is evidence that Skyrim's leaders can come together when it is necessary."
"Can it be true that this ordeal will be over in two days' time?" I asked.
"Let us say that Skyrim's ordeal will have two fewer participants." Aric said.
The road back to the cave entrance was free of the items we had dropped earlier. Our pace increased after Dragon's Bridge, and the number of legs in our party had increased by four.
The rain had stopped overnight and though the land was still waterlogged the roads had begun to dry. It was a few hours after midday when we crossed the bridge where the Thalmor had been observed by Idgrod's spies.
"Unless you wish to witness another dragon battle, we will not follow the direct route that the Thalmor chose." Aric said.
"I am in complete agreement, sir." I said. My desire to avoid any future similar battles cannot be overstated."
"In that case, we will continue along the road, and then take the well-worn path south just after Labyrinthian." Aric said.
It was after dark when we finally made the turn south and Aric stopped. There was still no sign of Lucia's small group.
"She knows the land as well as anyone." Aric said. "And Jordis would not miss this battle for all the gold in the world."
"I cannot be quite so cavalier, I find, when thinking upon tomorrow." I said.
"Do you chose to sleep under canvas, madam, or might I interest you in the comfort of an ancient ruin?" he asked me.
"Are you serious, sir?" I asked.
"It will be warmer and drier." He answered. "It has long since been cleared of any long-term residents, though it may already be temporary home to travelers like us."
"With you indulgence, sir, I will chose the variety of camp that we have shared on our previous travels." I said. "I know your preference for a simple camp, since it is also my preference."
"Then I know an excellent spot a short distance south." He said. "At the very least it will be far less muddy."
"You have an overabundance of weapons, madam." Aric said to me as we arranged our belongings in our small tent. "Surely five weapons for any being with only two hands is excessive."
"The burden falls predominantly upon me sir." I said as we crawled into our not-yet-warm nest. "When the battle commences, I must raise my voice to all combatants and say: "A moment, brave warriors, I cannot decide which of these excellent weapons serves best for the violence to come."
"It were best, then, that you do not wait until then to make your choice." Aric said as he lay down next to me and covered us both with fur.
"Is there any hope of averting a battle tomorrow?" I asked.
"Corelan has few choices, and all of them are bad." Aric said. "I cannot see a way forward that does not involve bloodshed."
"If Fasion Adus' messages reach their destinations and are acted upon, this battle will mark the end of Corelan's fanatical adventure." I said. "We will be owed a portion of peaceful existence before the next calamity, surely." I said. "The Divines love balance, do they not?"
"Some Divines." Aric said. "Some do not."
"Then we must pray to those Divines who share our hopes and desires." I said.
"A dry branch and an empty flour sack will be a poor flag of parlay." Aric said. "I pray that the Divines do not laugh at it. There will certainly be enough laughter from the mounts of men tomorrow when it is displayed."
"Your flag will compete with my robe sir." I said. "I resemble a sausage when I wear it over my armor."
"It is not as bad as all that." Aric said. "It clings to your form, which is plain for all to see even when you are armored, and you have an excellent form."
"You approve of my form, sir?" I asked as my foot began a slow massaging of his leg, and my lips stopped an inch from his. "even though I no longer resemble the Lady of the Air?"
"The Lady of the Air is all well and good." Aric said, as he decreased the distance between our lips. "But it is the lady in my arms that I most prefer."
"Jarl Ulfric, do I recognize the face of your aide-de-camp?" Aric asked
"You have a keen eye, Thane" Ulfric replied. "It has been some time since you have seen him."
"He is certainly taller," Aric said, "and broader. But there is no mistaking that he is your son Uthred."
If we had traveled only a short distance farther the night before we would have landed in the camp of Ulfric and his Stormcloak soldiers, that numbered at least twenty-five. They were in the process of breaking camp when they came into view.
"We are not as late as I had feared." Aric said.
"Or we are all late." Serana said.
"Honor to you Thane." The younger version of the Jarl said, before quickly scanning the few faces in our party. "Would your daughters Sophie and Collette, perchance, make up a part of your company?"
"Sadly no." Aric said, as Ulfric rolled his eyes at the question. "We four are the entirety of our force."
"I see one in your party who I recognize from your adventure outside the embassy." Ulfric said. "And one who is an occasional visitor to Windhelm. But this lady is a stranger to me."
"Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, may I introduce Reverend Mother Noxaura Jarnesus, High Priestess of the Maetreum of Cybele."
"Divines protect you, and your company, Jarl." I said.
"Reverend Mother." Ulfric said. "You honor us with your presence. This is a rare treat. We do not have a temple of Cybele in Skyrim."
"I mean to rectify that oversight, Jarl." I said. "Once this unpleasantness is ended and a small portion of peace is restored A temple of Cybele will be erected a short distance from where you stand."
"Her Grace's plans are quite grand, and will eventually include an orphanage and school, as well as a temple where many faiths will be welcomed, studied, and taught." Aric said.
"That is grand." Ulfric said. "Will Talos be welcomed your Grace?"
"He will sir, if for no other reason that my adopted sisters are likely to marry two brothers who are themselves devout worshipers of Talos." I said. "It is on my very long list of tasks to employ clerics devoted to those Divines that are not in opposition to my own faith. You would honor me with your recommendation to fill that role for Talos when the time comes."
"I would be honored, your Grace." Ulfric said. "Assuming that this camp is ever disassembled to the point that we can get under way."
We joined the main road, retracing the route that Railius and I followed to Whiterun, emerging eventually onto the flat, though muddy, plains when we encountered another group of soldiers, and two faces that proved familiar to more than one of us, camped near an ancient cairn.
"Gods," I whispered to Aric, "do you think she will recognize me?"
"Your robe covers your armor for the most part." He said, "You wear your own cloak, and your appearance is much changed since she saw you last."
"Who is the Altmer with her?" I asked
"Elenwen." Aric answered.
"The ambassador." I said.
"Yes." Aric replied. "You will forgive me, now, if I repeat myself."
"General, do I recognize the face of your aide-de-camp?" Aric asked Rikke.
"Gods, I should have known." Rikke said as she and Aric looked at each other.
"This must surely be your daughter Rilia, General." Ulfric said.
"This must surely be your son Uthred, Jarl." Rikke said in return.
"This must surely be the oddest alliance in Tamriel." Elenwen said as all the mounted members of our joint party dismounted.
"It is good to see you again." Elenwen said to Aric, winning a glance between Serana and Jenassa, and a modest eye role.
She had brought no soldiers except for what appeared to be her personal guard. Four elves of the larger variety, each encased in glass armor. Two were armed with glass great swords, the other two with glass battle axes.
"It is good to see you as well," Aric said as he smiled, at which point I felt it necessary to turn away and view the Thalmor amassed to the east. "Though I am surprised to see you here. We had agreed, I thought, that you would remain in the safety of the embassy until this remnant was dealt with."
"If I had spent less time within the embassy compound this situation might have been identified earlier." Elenwen said.
"Or you would not be alive to stand here now." Ulfric said.
"I may not be alive much longer if I continue to stand here." Elenwen said. "I sink further into the mud each passing second."
"It could be worse." Aric said as he began to remove his flag of parlay from behind his saddle.
"How so?" Elenwen asked
"It could be raining." Aric replied.
"What in the Gods names are you unfurling, sir?" Rikke asked Aric. "Do you advertise the opening of a bakery?"
Aric's prediction proved accurate, as the laughter spread.
"The Reverend Mother's conscious cannot sit easy unless we request parlay and offer Corelan the opportunity to leave Skyrim alive, never to return." Aric said after the laughter had begun to die down.
His statement ended any remaining laughter quickly.
"Never to return is an accurate description." Elenwen said. "You know his fate if he returns to the Dominion as well as he does."
"He will never agree to this." Rikke said. "The time for priests robes and priests' solutions is past. It is the time of warriors and steel now. I am surprised that you would bring her at all."
"We will meet him at a safe distance." Aric said. "The Reverend Mother and I will fly our flag"
"If that is what you chose to call it" Rikke's daughter interjected.
"The Reverend Mother and I will fly our flag and walk out two hundred paces." Aric said. "Those leaders who wish to join the parlay or hear what is said may accompany us."
"What if he does not come out to meet you?" Ulfric asked. "What if his men simply charge?"
I turned finally and faced the group of leaders. "Well then" I said with a smile, "I, for one, am faster than I may appear, and I will race the Thane back to the safety of our line."
The lines of battle were formed when we walked our two-hundred paces forward, out flour sack flapping at the end of our dry branch.
"It will look much better from a distance." Aric said.
"It could certainly not look worse." Ulfric said.
"I like the look of their soldiers better from a distance as well." I said.
"You may go back to the line, your Grace, and we will follow you and end this fool's mission." Rikke said.
"As I am the only Priestess here, and may soon be committing your soul to Sovngarde, General, a more civil tone may be what is called for now." I answered her.
"A more civil tone can, at least, not hurt, Rikke." Elenwen said. "We all walk towards the same enemy. Do you bear some enmity towards her Grace?"
"She only delays the inevitable." Rikke said. "It is that to which I object."
"You have a loved one in the ranks behind us, as does the Jarl." I said. "I would have thought any delay in placing their lives in danger would be welcome."
"We are soldiers, your Grace, and our children as well." Ulfric said. "It is the vocation we have chosen, and the danger you refer to is a part of that."
"But you do not spill blood needlessly nor gratuitously." I said. "If this battle cannot be avoided then it will be fought, and I will fight it with you. But I will do my duty to the Divines first and seek a path that does not rob so many mothers of their children, whatever their race."
"We said, your Grace." Elenwen said.
It was clear as we drew closer to the opposing line that it was not only Thalmor opposing us.
"Those men wear your colors, General." Elenwen said to Rikke.
"Gods." Rikke said, "I had hoped the reports were wrong."
"There numbers are small." Aric said. "There cannot be more than twenty. I am surprised they did not pack up and return to Cyrodiil after such attrition."
"I have not yet asked you what part you play in this Thane." Rikke said.
"Aric uncovered a plot to assassinate and replace me." Elenwen. "He was kind enough to warn me and deliver three assassins that were lurking outside my embassy."
"You did not explain as you traveled here together?" I asked.
"Strangely enough, the topic never came up." Elenwen replied
"And which of you convinced the Jarl of Windhelm to show an interest in this affair?" Rikke asked.
"My interested is born out of my desire for a land that the Nords can claim as their own, without interference from any outside force." Ulfric said. "I discovered this affair myself, as you would have if you had inquired at all."
"The General and I have both been remiss in that regard." Elenwen said. "We could both, perhaps, have spent our time better by inquiring into the affairs of the land that has been placed in our trust."
"It is fortunate then that the Divines blessed us with this Jarl and this Thane that assumed the responsibility and acted in your stead." I said.
Our conversation had taken up a good portion of our walk. Two Thalmor figures and one figure wearing Imperial armor continued to walk towards us. The distance was becoming close enough that talking was no longer advisable. Except:
"I request the honor of being the first to speak with my countryman." Elenwen said.
Rikke and Ulfric looked at each other but said nothing.
"No voices being raised in opposition; the resolution is adopted." Aric said.
"Forgive my tardiness," the tall Thalmor in the center said. "From a distance you appeared to be simply a common soldier drying his tunic in the morning breeze."
"A sense of humor is a gift from the Divines, sir." I said amidst the laughs of my comrades. "You lift my hopes that we can avoid bloodshed and all live to see another sunrise."
"If you wish to avoid bloodshed" the second Thalmor said, "turn around, take your men and depart the field. You are outnumbered."
"Who is this, Corelan?" Elenwen asked of the tall elf. "And where did he receive instruction in manners? He should ask that his tuition be refunded."
"I am Actar Hirgus." Answered the impolite elf. "Your name I know well. That you are yet living will shortly be corrected."
"That your brother is no longer living is a fact also known" Elenwen said to Corelan, "and permanent. I offer you my sympathies, Corelan. He conspired against me, and I do not mourn his death, but I know you do."
"We come under flag of truce to avoid any more deaths, sir." I said to Corelan. "You father has lost one son already. Must he lose you as well?"
"What do you know of this?" The Imperial wearing Penitus Oculatus armor asked.
"It is a serious crime to impersonate an officer of the personal bodyguard of the Emperor." Rikke said to the imperial soldier. "and punishable by death."
"I am no counterfeit." The man said. "I hold a commission from the Emperor."
"The Emperor you would replace, even to the point of assassination?" Rikke asked "Decide which side of your mouth you speak from, sir."
It was while Rikke was speaking to the Imperial soldier that I noticed it. Flashes of sunlight off polished metal from the northern hills overlooking our potential battleground. A quick look at Aric convinced me that he had seen it as well.
There was a force of men in the hills to the north, observing us. Were they friends or foes?
"An Emperor that is weak is unfit to lead." The man said. "How much land must the Empire cede before Imperials rise up and demand an Emperor that can make the Empire strong again?"
"If you wish to march upon the palace and kill the Emperor, I will gladly help you." Ulfric said to the Imperial. "But if your aim is to make the Empire strong by crushing me and my forces, and turning Skyrim into a mere vassal state, look to your life sir."
"We travel in circles gentlemen." Aric said to the three faces standing in front of us. "You have each lost the bulk of your forces. Your clandestine efforts are exposed and have come to nothing. The Reverend Mother askes you now to think of your men.
Those of you who plotted and lead this ill-conceived adventure almost certainly face death upon your return home. Those common soldiers who followed out of a sense of duty to their commanders may yet be spared. Do not force us take their lives. The Divines will not look kindly upon any of you when they pass judgement."
"I do not fear death." The Imperial said. "Sovngarde awaits me. My ancestors are smiling at me."
Aric and Ulfric looked at each other as Ulfric rolled his eyes.
"This is your force, Corelan." Elenwen said, "It is for you to choose."
"I will save him the choice." Said Actar Hirgus as he drew a dagger and lunged for Elenwen.
He was mere feet from her but was still too slow for Aric, who drew his sword and removed Actar Hirgus' head with a clean stroke.
It was then that the Imperial drew his sword and attacked the person standing nearest him: me.
I had my armor but was not wearing my helm. I was wearing my cloak over my restrictive robes, which would not accommodate any weapons, and would allow none to be drawn in any case. I had kept my hood up, which was fortunate, because his attack took me by surprise and all I had time to do was turn my back before his sword struck my cloak, shattered, and sent metal shards into the air. The imperial was barely a sword length away as I spun back and impaled him with an ice spike that entered his chest before exiting his back and continuing on its path.
Our flag of truce lay on the ground with the bodies of Corelan's two comrades.
"You have violated the flag of truce." Elenwen said to Corelan. "You attacked us during parlay."
"I did nothing." Corelan said. "It was they that acted."
"It no longer matters." Ulfric said. "It appears this parlay has come to an end."
He was correct. The Thalmor force had witnessed the deaths of two of its commanders and had chosen for themselves.
"We are in a less than ideal position." Ulfric said as Corelan turned and ran back to his advancing forces. "I suggest an orderly advance to the rear, and the safety of our own line."
"Your tactical prowess is on full display, old friend." Rikke said.
"I believe haste is called for." Elenwen said as we all began to retreat quickly to our advancing line, the mud pulling at our feet every step..
"I hate being right constantly." Rikke said.
Stop running. I voice said to me.
"What?" I asked.
"I said I hate being right constantly." Rikke said. "I knew this was a fool's errand."
"Calvary!" Ulfric yelled.
Stop running. A Queen should never run. A voice said again.
It was the same voice.
I stopped where I was.
Better. The voice said
"Who is speaking to me?"
"Noxaura!" Aric yelled.
"What is she doing?" Ulfric asked him
They will be upon you in a moment. Your friends will die unless you act. The voice warned me.
I could identify its source now. I had felt it awaken in Serana's castle on the island when I had drawn upon the power of the Earthbones. It was awake again. Much more awake.
You are finally awake as well. And you are finally strong enough. Strong enough to defeat these fools. You will never be a victim again. The voice said to me.
"NOXAURA!" Aric yelled.
"What is wrong with her, Aric?" Rikke asked. "Does she forget which direction to run?"
"They are upon is!" Ulfric said as he stopped to draw his sword and face the approaching attack.
Ten Thalmor on horses were approaching rapidly.
I knew what I must do. It took very little effort, and even less thought.
Breath out, breath in.
The power began to flood my very being.
Breath out, breath in.
My bound swords blazed to life as my body began to burn like the sun, and the whirlwind of energy expanded outward.
I began to run towards the horsemen who had stopped at the sight that they beheld. My bound swords stretched out like glowing wings.
Like a giant bird of prey or the wings of a dragon I thought. As an image formed in my mind. A giant image with glowing wings. It was the size of a dragon, but it had the aspect of a bird.
Show them. The voice in me said.
Breath out, breath in.
The word formed in my mind, and became a spell, an enchantment, a summoning.
" Banahrafn"
The power was massive. The swirling energy and pearls of light flying from my bound swords began to merge and combine as the image in my mind took form.
Horses and men began to scream in alarm as a giant glowing bird of prey the size of a dragon took form and flew high into the air before diving in attack.
These are the worms that would hurt you and your friends. The voice said to me as the horsemen attempted to retreat to their line, and as the glowing bird of prey began rending them into pieces.
Will you stand idle and allow that? The voice asked. Or will you be a Queen? A Queen would destroy her enemies.
Who are you? I asked the voice
Child, you know already. The voice replied.
"Noxaura!" Aric yelled from the edge of the whirlwind, as I stood motionless while our forces passed the two of us to take up the battle.
"What ails her?!" Serana asked Aric as she joined him, having to shout just to be heard.
"I do not know." Aric responded in the same volume. "She was not this affected in the castle."
"Her giant bird of prey helps even the odds, but there is still enough work here for all." Jenassa said as she resumed her run to the main battle. "If you delay you will be left out."
"There is a voice speaking to me." I said to him. "It is not you, not like in the castle."
You are the true Queen the voice said. His shell was a last resort. He is powerful, but not as powerful as you.
"Gods." I said.
You finally see. said the voice of Potema in my mind. You are finally ready. Feed my seed. You have the power. Feed the seed I planted within you and put out the pretender. Become the Wolf Queen as you were always meant to be. Kill that superfluous shell and take your throne.
Kill the superfluous shell. Aric. She asks me to kill the man I love.
Queens are not loved, they are feared. Potema said.
Send this one on her way, lass. Another voice said in my mind. She's a bad 'un. We want no part of her.
"Father?" I asked
The battle in the physical world was raging while I was fighting the battle in my mind. The force from the hills to the north had descended to reveal Lucia, Runa Vilkas, Farkas and a pair of twins that lowered their lances as each picked their targets. There was no longer any discernible battle line. It was now a collection of individual struggles for survival.
Lucia and her group had formed a wedge as they rode into battle, cleaving the Thalmor group in two as they passed through, leaving dead in their wake before they split into two groups as well, half wheeling left, the other half wheel right before passing back again through the Thalmor force. They were now separated from each other, each one now involved in individual battles of life and death.
Sophie and Collette had left their lances where they had last planted them: each in the torso of a Thalmor soldier. They now wielded log cavalry swords, their horses trodding on any bodies under their hooves.
Farkas had leapt from his horse and stood as solid as an ancient Oak, feet planted into the muddy field, sweeping his sword left and right.
Vilkas had likewise left his saddle but was conducting a running offensive, churning mud and blood with each step he took.
Runa kept a ward up with her left hand while the glass sword in her right hand kept up a constant hammering of Thalmor opponents.
Lucia had cast a spell that had hurled aside anyone nearby, creating a space around her as she began to engage those Mages that were still alive, using spell and staff and, without doubt, Aric's potion to protect from paralyzing spells.
Everywhere the ground turned to mud, and blood. The glowing bird of prey had showed a preference for horsemen at first. The carcasses of horses, whole or in pieces, were scattered where they had fallen after being picked up and torn by huge glowing talons, to fall back to earth, their riders suffering a similar fate. It now began to focus on individual Thalmor soldiers.
Our force had been outnumbered three to one, but the glowing bird of prey continued to diminish the ratio as Aric's daughters and the twin Companions took their toll and added it to the number our forces had struck down.
But I could see through the swirl of energy that surrounded me that the Thalmor were taking a toll as well.
Runa and her horse went down, lost from my view in the mass of Thalmor that enveloped her.
"RUNAAAAAAAAAA!" was Farkas' response to seeing the woman he loved fall, his battle cry rising even above the dim of the battle, as he uprooted his feet and ran towards her, cleaving anything in his path that impeded him.
"Noxaura!" Aric shouted again from as close as he dared approach, "Who speaks to you?"
"She speaks to me." I said to Aric. "Potema is alive in my mind."
"It cannot be." Aric said. "She is banished."
"We ended her rebirth." Serana said. "How can this be."
"The marks." Aric said. "The marks of Potema that Noxaura and I both have."
"Her seed within me came alive in Serana's castle." I said, "I felt it then, but did not know what it was."
I could see the seed within me in my mind. A small thing, with a strong desire. A desire for life. A desire for power.
"What can we do?" Serana asked.
"Nothing." Aric said. "It is for her to do now."
You owe him nothing Potema said. He is defenseless. Kill him now, and all will worship you.
I do not want all to worship me. I replied.
What do you desire most? Potema asked me. Become the Wolf Queen and then you must only think it and it will be yours.
I could not help where my thoughts flew.
I want my father back.
The image formed in my mind as if summoned. Railius as he was the day we met. His arms still strong, his hair still dark, the lines on his face smoothed.
Father, I asked him, what should I do.
But he did not answer. He did not move. He simply stood and smiled.
Father, what is wrong? I asked.
That's not me, lass. Railius' voice said. That's her. She's a liar. Don't believe aught she shows you. You have to let me go.
I can't I said.
You must, lass. Railius answered. I'm gone already. That man next to you, he's your life now. You have a choice to make, choose her, or choose him.
"Beloved!" Aric said, barely discernible over the roaring noise of the whirlwind of energy. "Remember! There can be only one master!"
I am master here, fool. Potema said
"No." I said with words in the world of the living, the world where the man I loved resided. "I am master here."
You? You are nothing. Potema said as she formed an image of a glowing wolf the size of a mammoth in my mind. Do you truly believe you can defeat the Wolf Queen?
I felt the smile form on my face as I answered her in my mind, my own glowing image forming; an image much larger than hers, the Earthbones feeding me whatever energy I required.
The Wolf should never threaten the Dragon, poor diminished Queen. I said as my glowing dragon rent her wolf to pieces.
It was a simple matter then of reaching out, the seed within Aric as plain in my mind's eye as my own.
"DO NOT!..." The voice of Potema cried out and faded into nothing, as the two seeds flared brightly before burning out of existence.
"There can be only one master." I said.
"Beloved!" Aric said. "You must regain control!"
"I never lost it." I said calmly, as I closed my eyes.
It was as if I was seeing the world through the eyes of my bird of prey. It was as if I was its mind, as I chose my next targets. It was through those eyes that I saw the young elven soldiers, and the fear on their faces. And it was in that moment I knew what must be done.
"Do not fret, beloved." I said to him. "It is the Healer Priestess who is the master now."
My bird of prey began to lose its form as I drew the power back to me, and sent it back into the earth, as I slowly walked towards the remaining battle.
The whirlwind was still quite large as I walked into the center of the fighting. All soldiers, man and elf, were forced to scatter to avoid being consumed. Fighting ceased as the combatants were forced apart.
I stood in the middle of those who still lived. My whirlwind cloak of energy had swept the ground clean as I approached, clearing a path in which nothing that was not earth and rock remained. I turned to observe all the remaining faces, those that were familiar and those that were not.
My energy cloak dissipated, my bound swords only requiring a second longer to follow it.
Fear. Shock. Expressions I could not identify.
"This battle is ended." I said simply. "Collect any wounded, regardless of allegiance, and arrange them around me. Quickly. This is the wish of the Reverend Mother."
It took a few minutes to identify the wounded and place them in a circle around me. One in particular garnered special attention. One in very bloody glass armor, carried in the arms of an equally bloodied, wounded, weeping Companion.
"Help her, sister." Farkas said to me. "In the name of Talos or any God you choose, help her."
Runa had lost all color. There was a great deal of blood. She had many wounds. She barely breathed. Lucia and Jordis ran up to the now kneeling Farkas, Runa wrapped in his arms, her body draped across his legs.
Aric knelt by his dying daughter.
"Gods." Lucia said, her breaths coming in rapid gasps, as she viewed her sister bleeding her life's blood out onto the man who held her, the man she loved in return.
"Are there others?" I asked.
"No." Vilkas said as he stood next to his brother.
"All of you here standing also. Come forward. Gather close." I said.
It required only one cycle of breath.
Breath out, breath in.
The energy flooded into me, but I controlled the stream; taking only what I thought would be required, as I close my eyes and cast my healing spell.
It was a different sort of whirlwind that formed and expanded around me, encompassing everyone, the two legged and the four, the prone and the standing, the barely wounded and those near death. It was the Power of the Earthbones, used as it has been for hundreds of years, to heal rather than harm.
It was more than enough energy. Enough that it was not just newly acquired wounds that were cured. Other maladies, some quite old, were also healed, as I recalled the false image of Railius in my mind. My father, younger, stronger. I could not predict how my healing would manifest.
It was only a moment once the spell had ended before those who had been seriously wounded began to stir, and rise, and look at themselves and inspect limbs or other parts that had just moments ago been maimed. They stood together in groups, Elf, Stormcloak, Imperial, talking and marveling at their sudden return to health.
"What will you all do now?" I asked "Now that the Divines have given you a second life? Will you turn upon each other once again, to damage that which has just been healed? And do so again when the Divines again give you life? How often must you experience death, or near to it, before you tire of it?"
All eyes were on me. There was no sound except for my voice. I could still see fear on some faces, Rikke's being one. Her daughter had been one of the those seriously wounded, now returned to health. Ulfric's son, and Ulfric himself, had received less seriously wounds, also now healed. The man and the woman before me, still covered in her blood. Runa's color had returned. She seemed as if she were simply waking from a light sleep as Farkas, his wounds also healed, began weeping in earnest, as he kissed the bloody face of the woman he had almost lost.
But closest, and most importantly, the eyes of the man I loved, more than I loved my own life. The man who had stay at my side while my internal war with Potema raged. The man who now looked at me as if nothing had changed between us.
There was no portion of my vision that I could spare for anything else. My gaze never wavered from him.
"You could heal my knee, if you find a moment of free time in your busy schedule." Railius' voice said in my mind.
"Hush, Father." I replied in my mind as well. "You detract from the moment."
"Well, we can't have that, can we." He answered, as my vision began to blur, and my legs falter.
"I have you." Aric's voice said to me as I felt myself being lifted and carried. "I will never let you go."
For a moment I could not remember where I was.
"Husband, what has happened?" I asked, my vision as blank as my memory.
"Well, for a start, you have torn your robe." He answered.
I could hear his smile, even though I could not see it. But I could certainly feel my own.