Those seeking counsel should consider the school of thought
of the priest they go to
Priests of Stendarr will say to live justly and compassionately
Those of Julianos will tell you to live wisely
And those of Mara will proclaim that you must show love
Followers of Sheogorath will just spout nonsense at you
But that's not what you should worry about
Be worried if what they said made sense
Delamar the Thalmor commander and representative of the Aldmeri Dominion to the city of Wayrest readied himself in the morning and gazed out his window. Winter was fast approaching the northern provinces. He wondered if the same thing could be said of the empires of man.
He was not mistaken. Anyone with two eyes and half a functional mind could see that the Cyrodilic empire was in trouble. The Aldmeri had wrest control of Valenwood and Elsweyr away from them and Hammerfell had broken off from the empire in disgust of the White-Gold Concordate. As long as the weights held this way, it was not a matter of if the Aldmeri could bring the rest of the empire to its knees. It was a matter of when.
Delamar was not very much of a senior member within the Thalmor ranks and was not privy to all the details in the machinations of the Aldmeri regime. Yet, even he knew that the Thalmor were highly complex and thorough in their subterfuge and espionage. Utilizing the right combination of magic, superstition, political intrigue, bribery and assassinations and enough havoc could be caused to bring a province to its knees and further cripple the empire.
He had been sent to pave the way for such things here in Wayrest.
Delamar heard footsteps approaching his office and he tore his gaze away from the window. Someone knocked on his door and he gave them permission to enter. His eyes fell on one of the many messengers here at the Thalmor headquarters and for all intents and purposes he looked like just another Thalmor soldier.
"Message arrived for you sir. It was carried on a pigeon from Northpoint." the messenger announced.
"Ah, good. You are dismissed." Delamar replied as he took the message.
The door had scarcely closed when he opened the scroll to read it. He was rather annoyed at first. Alaviera had explained that the team leader Claudia had taken a grievous wound and was the cause of delay for her return. Delamar quietly thought of ordering her back immediately but then decided against it.
Still, he was pleased to hear that the Khajiit was dead.
They were at a standstill. Snow would gently dust down throughout the day and had done so for every day the past week. Claudia still was not getting better. She wasn't getting worse but Sibylla wondered if that had more to do with the fact that she had three healers plus Bann-Je constantly watching her. And still she had not found what to do with herself. Originally it had been Claudia who had suggested she take on the advisor role at the Cathedral to the Eight back in Wayrest. The Temple in Northpoint was already well staffed and not looking for an intimidating battle mistress to scare off their visitors.
So, Sibylla decided to take a stroll around town. It was not as if she had anything better to do and it was better than sitting around worrying about Claudia. There was only so much worrying she could do before she went mad. She just had to find something to do, something to keep her mind off of things.
Sibylla doned her heavy gray woolen cloak. It was not made to fight in but it would certainly keep the cold out. She thought briefly about visiting the tavern but then decided it was too early in the day to order some mead.
In some ways, Northpoint reminded her of her home province of Skyrim, especially now that it was winter. You could see the Nordic influences on the buildings with their stone foundations and the way the wooden walls were laid out. The people were not much different either. As she walked along she spotted an older man struggling in the cold air. He was trying to split wood, most likely to keep his house and family warm for the evening.
"Do you need help, old man?" Sibylla asked, walking up to him.
"Hm?" the elder grunted, looking up from his work.
"I know how to work an ax and I have some spare time." Sibylla continued.
"Uh, well, I don't wish to trouble you, lady." the old man sputtered.
"Nonsense. Do not worry about paying me." Sibylla insisted, practically grabbing the old ax from the man's hands. She found it rather too light and small for her tastes but if was a task and it was something to keep her preoccupied for awhile.
She splitted the first log with such force both halves flew in several feet the opposite directions of each other.
Bann-Je left the temple carrying two wooden buckets. Truth be told, he was exhausted and that seemed to be his normal state of reality these past few days. He was not even sure how long it had been. It could have been several weeks for all he knew. This was the first time he had been out since the mission and the light gleaming off the snow was hurting his tired eyes.
But he had wanted to leave the Temple. Much like Sibylla, as much as he cared for Claudia, he just had to get away from the situation, even if it was only for a moment. One of the temple sisters said they were going to need more water soon and Bann-Je immediately volunteered. Claudia had clung to life somehow all this time, she could survive just a short time in Bann-Je's absence.
The Argonian did not like where the nearest well to the temple sat. It was in a blind courtyard with only one entrance. His compulsiveness did not like it and not just because it forced him to step in and out of the entryway three times before entering. There was something about it that made it shady.
Or, as in the case this morning, a great spot for a person to be robbed.
Bann-Je had the misfortune to walk in at the moment three cut purses were holding a woman and her son at knifepoint. No doubt the colder weather was driving some of the more desperate people to extreme measures. The cut purses were all in rags and wore large hoods to conceal their identity. Their knives were scarcely better than letter openers but were dangerous all the same. The mother and son had probably come to draw some water but had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. She had dark, curly hair that fell from her hood while her son was bundle of woolen clothes. Both were gaping in shock while the mother shielded him away from the thieves.
Bann-Je had just been rude enough to intrude on the holdup. For a moment, no one said anything.
"Just stay where you are, priest. This does not concern you." one of the thieves barked, turning his attention on the lizard.
The other two criminals continued to hold their original captives at knife point and proceeded to press them for coin. They were more desperate now that they had been intruded upon by someone else.
"How about you just turn around and come back in a few more minutes, lizard." the cut purse growled at Bann-Je.
Bann-Je just stood there statute still. He blinked only once.
The cut purse could have sworn he saw the Argonian's yellow eyes change from a round pupil to a black slit.
Pails make terrible weapons but they are a great deal better than little pricks barely larger than your palm. The first cut purse found his knife knocked out of his hand with one pail while the other caught him upside his chin. The other two thieves did not have time to respond. Bann-Je flew at them and caught both with a single arc of his pails. The heavy blow sent both of them to the ground and, at least for a moment, had them dazed. The rough lesson was more than enough for the thieves and all of them scrambled to leave as soon as they got to their feet.
Breathless, the mother and son could not move, remaining still as they did not know what would come next. Bann-Je stared at them for a moment and then blinked again. If his eyes had been slit like when he attacked, they once again returned to being circular pupils. Mother and son were still there after Bann-Je had drawn the water he wanted. They watched as he walked past them once more, stepped in and out of the entranceway three times, and then left.
Her vision swam, the world was disorienting and unnerving. Sounds, all of it was unclear and it made her head throb. She was able to make out a cieling but she was more numb than anything else. Whether of her own accord or simply because gravity dictated it, Claudia felt her head roll to the side and she found herself gazing up at an older man with a wrinkled face and a long white beard.
"You're awake, Claudia. How are you feeling?" the old man asked.
Claudia groaned, struggling to make sense of...everything.
"Stay calm, stay calm, don't strain yourself. You took a nasty wound and you've been gone to the world the past week or so now. My name is Purin. Your friends will be notified shortly. Can you speak, Claudia?" Purin asked gently.
"Y...yes..." Claudia croaked. She did not think her voice was raw, just corroded with lack of use.
"Do you feel well?" Purin pressed.
"I'm...sore...hurt..." Claudia groaned, trying to push herself up but was gently eased back to the mattress by Purin.
"Rest. Take your time. We don't want that stomach wound of yours to re-open. Just try to get better. We'll find you some watered down wine if you feel faint."
Claudia was still dazed and it took awhile for her to realize that she had survived. It was a strange feeling. She had never been out this long, not even for an illness. Her senses were only just coming back to her. How had she gotten here? What happened? She remembered a mission, danger, sword fighting...what happened? And why was her head throbbing?
Wait, there was a dream. Or was it a dream? She was talking to someone...important. It was all fading. It was important but there was other things...
Claudia felt a sense that she should be frustrated and in some ways she was. She knew something important had happened, followed by something bad and now she could not pull herself together. The healers around her were telling her to relax, stay calm and not do anything but by the Divines she needed to make sense of the massive memory hole leading up to how she got here.
How did she get here?
Claudia's field of view swam back towards the ceiling. If the healers were talking to her again, she did not have the strength to talk back. A part of her was angry about that, like she knew that she should have been on top of the situation but nothing was working at the moment. She was suddenly very tired again. She felt something being pressed to her lips and the familiar taste of watery wine passing over her tongue. It was satisfactory and before she knew it, she had fallen asleep again.
Bann-Je found himself at the counter of the Northpoint tavern. He felt like he had gotten there too fast and realized that Sibylla had practically dragged him in there. He missed his "enter three times" at the doorway ritual. He could not argue with the brandy in front of him but still, he felt a little rushed.
Earlier, Purin had found both him and Sibylla at the temple and informed them that Claudia had woken up. There was no disputing that that was good news. Not only was it a positive sign, it was a major leap forward considering how everything had been going prior to today. Bann-Je was happy, cautiously so, but nonetheless happy about the news.
Sibylla had gone overboard and decided to celebrate.
"You know, you could at least try to smile a bit more, especially since we're suppose to be drinking for Claudia's health." Sibylla chided with a smile, looking over at Bann-Je as she sipped from her tankard of mead.
"Don't get me wrong, this was a good sign but-"
"No 'buts!' This is a good thing and Claudia is going to get better. This is one of the few times that I'm buying, lizard so you better enjoy it." Sibylla teased.
"I can't dispute that." Bann-Je smiled before taking another sip of his brandy.
They both looked over when someone else sat down next to them. Immediately they recognized the person to be Alaviera. They had not seen her all this time but assumed that she had been at the local lodge.
"I heard the news, one of the healers came and found me. I'm glad she made it." Alaviera nodded to them.
"Aw, you know what, I'm in a good mood and you're okay for a Thalmor. Bartender! A glass of wine for my High Elf friend here!" Sibylla ordered, sliding the appropriate amount of gold in payment.
"Having a change of heart or is that the amber stuff talking?" Alaviera jibbed with a raised eyebrow.
"Maybe a little of both. Probably the mead mostly. Enjoy it while you can, elf." Sibylla retorted.
Alaviera had to admit, this group of Vigilants weren't too bad when they were relaxing. They sat around for a few minutes in silence. Sibylla was clearly enjoying it the most but Alaviera did not see Bann-Je completely losing control. The Argonian was such a bolted case of eccentricity it would probably be bad if he did let himself go.
"Pity Do'Ravier could not be here." Bann-Je murmured suddenly, frowning.
"Yeah..." Sibylla agreed quietly.
Alaviera frowned and looked away. She had only done what she was ordered so what did that suddenly make her feel bad.
"Well, here's to that confounded furball named Do'Ravier. May he have plenty of potions to blow up and all the Dwemer spiders to tinker with in Khajiiti Sovengarde or wherever they go to." Sibylla declared, raising her tankard.
"I can drink to that." Bann-Je added.
Claudia was making a rapid recovery. By the next day she was more lucid and was not drifting off as often. She even insisted on sitting up in bed unaided by the cushions despite the cautions and misgivings of Purin and the other healers. She had talked with Bann-Je and Sibylla shortly after the first time she sat up in bed. That was how she received the news of how she ended up in the state she was. Like everyone else, she was devastated when she heard the news of Do'Ravier. Everyone else had had time to come to terms with it and go through the stages of mourning. Claudia had just woken up and all of the news, practically a week and a half of her life, had been lost and she was just trying to catch up.
Claudia fell into a stupor of silence. She spoke when necessary but Ban-Je and Sibylla immediately noticed that she was brooding, something they had never quite seen her do before. Bann-Je would probably help her hobble over to the kitchens when she wished. The healers wanted her to minimize her movements but Claudia was insistent and she was becoming tired of staring at the same four walls. For now, the short trips to the dining room was all she would risk and even then it did not do her much good. She couldn't eat any of the solid food yet for fear of re-opening her stomach wound. She had to make due with light soup. The constant hunger did not help her either.
It was one of those times Claudia was brooding at the table, slowly sorting through the pile of inquisition paperwork that already found her, that a revelation started to occur to her. It started simple enough. She could not believe that Do'Ravier was gone. Sibylla had been effectively blunt in explaining the situation. Do'Ravier had fallen off the castle balcony and plunged down the cliff into the swollen river below. No trace of him had been found and the guards had finally given up. They had lost more than just their battlemage, all of them were mourning a friend and Claudia realized that their group researcher would no longer be providing a quick source of random information.
Information she badly needed.
The problem was that she started to noticing something. The throbbing in her head when she first woke up was not in fact going away. It subsided, no longer becoming painful but now lingered as a small beat, as if a soft voice was quietly vocalizing a beat in her head. Sometimes it grew, sometimes it faded. As the days passed she could occasionally ignore and sometimes go hours without thinking of it.
But it was always there, beating away whenever she thought of it or paid attention to it. Sometimes it even multiplied. What was also maddening was that she felt like she should have recognized the beat, as if it were a familiar rhythm or symphony but she just could not put her finger on it.
This maddening hunger didn't help either. The watery soup or weakened wine helped a little but there was still that biting, unsatisfied craving deep in her stomach. Part of her told her that her first meal of actual solid food would make it go away. Unfortunately, a quieter, more sinister voice told her she was a fool to think that. She did not know why.
It did not hit her until Sibylla came by and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. The Nord was never good with words, no matter how long she spent as a counselor at the cathedral back in Wayrest. There was no getting around that and Claudia appreciated the gesture as she squeezed Sibylla's hand with her own. Claudia smiled, as if trying to reassure Sibylla that she would be better in time.
As Sibylla walked away, Claudia realized why she knew that beat. She could hear, feel, Sibylla's heartbeat. When she focused on others she could feel theirs. She could ignore them of course, but it did not change the fact that she could practically guess where a person was just by listening for a heartbeat.
That would also explain the hunger. She wanted blood.
None of it made sense though. Bann-Je had assured her that they had hit her with all intensity of disease curing spells while she was gone, even slipping in a few potions while she was recuperating for good measure. Claudia also had to admit that she could not feel any fangs growing in her mouth, for that she was grateful. The thought of actually consuming blood repulsed her but that did not mean she did not have that hunger either.
Divines have mercy, was she becoming something of a hybrid creature?
And the one person who probably had the answer had fallen off a cliff.
Claudia groaned and rubbed her brows. This was far more than she wanted to deal with. She couldn't tell anyone either. Just when she thought it was awkward enough, a Vigilant of Stendarr hearing the voice of the Daedra Lord Azura, now she had to become part vampire. How would have have sounded? How would that have gone down? No, she just couldn't tell anyone about this.
Claudia did not know where the next few days went. She spoke when spoken to, tried to keep Bann-Je and Sibylla in line again as they were growing restless with nothing to do. She even had to reassure Alaviera who had apologized profusely for Do'Ravier's death. Even Claudia knew that no one could be faulted for the Khajiit's death. That included herself but that did not change the fact that she still felt bad about it. She wrote to the Archon, informing him what had transpired, of when they planned to return and about Do'Ravier's demise.
There was to be a memorial at Wayrest the day after they returned.
Even then Claudia just kind of drifted through those days. She should have been more grateful. By all accounts she should have been dead. She practically had two puncture wounds in her stomach which had finally healed though sometimes it still hurt to eat. Everything had been mechanical and Bann-Je noticed that her head seemed to hang in either perpetual shame or sadness. He and Sibylla were planning on talking to Claudia sometime after the memorial.
Claudia was just glad she didn't burst into flame when she stepped out of the temple to take the horse drawn coach that Bann-Je had arranged. So far, her theory that she only had some vampiric tendencies was holding. She could hear heartbeats when she chose to and she still felt that easily ignored craving. At least it was not getting worse.
Everything was gray and empty. Words of welcome, consolation and sympathy just went in one ear and out of the other. She saw that even Bann-Je and Sibylla were still saddened by the fact that they had lost one of their teammates. It was a fact that every Vigilant bore and carried with them as they went out to a mission. Still, it did not prepare them for when it actually happened.
She found herself simply listening through the Archon's message the next day when it was time for Do'Ravier's memorial. Even Alaviera had come to pay her respects. It was mostly the Cathedral staff who were in attendance. They had nothing to remember the Khajiit by, the battlemage had taken his full armor and even his spear with him when he disappeared. Instead, all they had was just a simple, roughly carved bust that someone had commissioned a stonecutter to do. It was rough, that figure could have been any other Khajiit. Claudia hated it.
When the service was over, Sibylla followed the others leaving to get some fresh air outside of the Cathedral. While the snow had come to Northpoint it still had not traveled as far south as Wayrest. The air was still cold of course but at least they could tolerate being out for a short time. The Archon had finished speaking with Claudia as well as a long line of people giving them their condolences. Well, most of them were talking to Claudia and then Bann-Je. Sibylla did her best to project that she did not want to be spoken to.
Her eyes flared when she saw Delamar. It was one thing for Alaviera to be there at the service but she felt that Delamar was another matter. It wasn't rational of course but something about that Thalmor commander made her want to throw him out. Something told her that he had no business being there. Still, he was there and now he was talking to Claudia in that pretentious tone of his.
"I am sorry for the loss of your team member, Miss Vivinici. I know what it is like to lose soldiers under me." Delamar said with a bow.
"Thank you." Claudia murmured, not even looking at him but staring at the ground.
Sibylla was about to find a way to herd him off when she felt someone tapping her shoulder from behind. The Nord woman turned around to find herself staring into a familiar face. A glance at his beautifully polished steel reminded her who he was. It was Sir Gervald from Northpoint.
"Knight, what are you doing here?" Sibylla demanded.
"Ahem, excuse me, Lady Sibylla. I do not wish to bother you, but I escorted someone to see you. You should probably see for yourself." Gervald explained, almost apologetically.
Sibylla looked over to see the horse drawn cart he motioned to, having recently arrived into the city. She saw a figure step out and pad over to them. Golden amber armor plates shone from his feet and hands, hidden under a dark robe as he limped over to them with the help of a spear.
Everyone was staring at him in silence.
The stranger padded right over to Claudia and handed her two large bags that bulged with the shape of many coins. He kept a similar bag to himself and placed it on the ground before pulling back the dark hood that hid his face. If anyone had any doubts before, they didn't have them anymore.
"Do'Ravier!" Sibylla shouted, partially in shock, anger and, very well hidden, a bit of gladness.
"In the fur." Do'Ravier replied with a weak smile.
Frankly, the Khajiit looked like he had gotten dragged through every plane of Oblivion and then went around for another tour. It was clear that he had lost a lot of weight, his face was gaunt under his fur and while one ear stood upright on his head, the other stayed at a lopsided, half raised position. They found out later that that particular ear had become permanently paralyzed, Do'Ravier only commanding limited motion to it. It was also clear that he was leaning more on his spear for support rather than actually holding it.
"But you..."
"You're supposed to be dead." Delamar said, mouth wide, interrupting Claudia.
Behind everyone else, Alaviera had gone pale.
"Quite right, I should in fact be dead. It was quite a tale, really." Do'Ravier giggled, steadying himself with his spear again.
"It's rude to keep us hanging, especially you had us convinced you had died." Bann-Je scolded, despite a smile on his face.
"Right, right. Well, long story made short, I fell off the cliff and hit the river. I hit it so hard in fact, I had compound fractures in my legs and ribs. You do not want to know the feeling of bone punctured out of your skin and rubbing against the inside of your armor. Anyway, I must've gotten flushed up into this underwater cave of sorts. See, it was hidden under the bank by a great rock, but there was a sinkhole above me so I could still breathe. I had to lie around in fever and great pain for about a day before I could summon a healing spell of such magnitude that I was able to stitch back all my bones and at least get me on my feet. The cold didn't help my fever but that went away shortly thereafter. It was then that I found out that I was in fact lying on a vein of ebony. I took a few samples, found an excavator in Northpoint and he paid me handsomely for the find. Hence the gold you have there, Claudia." Do'Ravier explained proudly.
Gold indeed, Claudia's eyes went wide as her face practically glowed from the reflection of the coins when she opened the bag.
"One bag for for the Cathedral to do with with they wish, another bag to compensate for all my absent time. I'm keeping this third one for myself." Do'Ravier admitted.
"Wait, wait, you said that all took a few days. It's been over two weeks. What have you been doing all this time?" Sibylla demanded after thinking a bit.
Do'Ravier twiddled his thumbs and giggled sheepishly.
"Do'Ravier...might have gotten a bit lost...for a long time, trying to find the city again."
Sibylla was torn between giving him a hug and whacking him on the head, so she did both.
"I spotted him at Northpoint and I remembered seeing you all come into town together. He was asking for you all so I explained to him that you had returned here to Wayrest. I insisted on joining him on the way back to see him safely here." Sir Gervald explained with a bow.
"Well, it's good to be back, and I must tell you news of what I found in Northpoint while you had left. But, I'd like something to eat first. Also, was there a wedding or something? Everyone is leaving the Cathedral and looking at me funny." Do'Ravier observed.
"Do'Ravier...that was your memorial. We thought you had died." Bann-Je explained blankly.
Do'Ravier's expression momentarily matched the bewildered horror that was still planted on Delamar and Alaviera.
"You didn't sell all my stuff yet, did you?" Do'Ravier inquired desperately.
"Yes...yes, everything was sold off except your bed and room. The books were donated to the library and what little robes you left were donated to the needy." Claudia apologized with a sad smile.
Do'Ravier snatched one of the two bags he had given Claudia back.
"I'll need these two to get new stuff then. Anyone want to meet by the tavern later? We can celebrate the passing of one of my nine lives." Do'Ravier grumbled.
It was mildly awkward explaining to the Archon that Do'Ravier was not in fact dead.
Later on, after Do'Ravier had bought a new set of clothes and robes, the books would have to wait, he, Sibylla, Bann-Je and Claudia found a table at the tavern. It was the usual for everyone; brandy for Bann-Je, wine for Claudia, Mead for Sibylla and the biggest mug of Elsweyr Cactus tea for Do'Ravier.
"You told me you heard of some sort of news while you were at Northpoint." Claudia reminded the Khajiit.
"That I did. While you were gone, and I was bumbling around looking for a road or some sort of landmark, I was able to bump into some Vigilants heading down from Skyrim. Remember that Dark Elf you mentioned earlier, what was his name, Furaldur?" Do'Ravier asked.
"Yes, his name was Furaldur. He might have been involved with the vampires and their sickness." Claudia replied.
"I second that theory." Bann-Je nodded in agreement.
"Don't you all ever stop working?" Sibylla grumbled.
"Anyway, the Vigilants said that they received word from the inquisition. Someone matching Furaldur's description was spotted north in Skyrim." Do'Ravier informed with a smile.
They all shared a glance for a moment before Sibylla spoke up.
"Well, you were doing such a good job taking your own initiative, why didn't you go up there and investigate it yourself?" Sibylla chided.
"Do'Ravier would, but he'd probably make it to the border before those stormcloak fellows or whatever they called might have caught him and then Do'Ravier would probably be in danger of losing his head. Plus, there are stories of dragons. It would be too dangerous for a lone Khajiit to go by himself." Do'Ravier snickered before sipping his tea.
"Your imagination is about as grandiose as Bann-Je's insanity." Sibylla shook her head with a roll of her eyes.