Chapter revised 31/12/2017; please see chapter 11.
/
Howdy, folks, how's it going?
No, you are not seeing things.
I am back with a new chapter of Beneath a Broken Moon.
To those who haven't read the latest update of An End to Corrosion, I apologize for the very long wait. Life can be a bitch sometimes.
But you guys aren't here to hear me ramble about that.
So before we start with the much anticipated (I hope) chapter, the obligatory answers to some reviews.
Jex-The Insane One: That was exactly what I was going for m8. Seems like I was successful.
King Edgar: There will be, yes, you might be seeing the very first baby steps of it in this chapter.
Akujiki: Thank you for the compliment m8, but reading back, I've already found a lot more mistakes than that. Gotta keep practicing I suppose.
The Phoenix Wraith: Gurahyol is not quite as dangerous as the chapter may have portrayed it to be. It only drains aura when not fully charged, and it needs to be in close proximity to drain at dangerous rates.
Xbox432: Think of it this way, m8. Tristard's the Dragonborn. The soul of a dragon in the body of a mortal. Now to that dragon soul, add the dozens of others he absorved in his travels. Now to that add the soul of the very first Dragonborn, plus the countless others this one had absorved, and little wonder that his aura levels are through the freaking roof. The guy's soul is literally a legion of monsters.
Also Ozpin's reaction turned out that way entirely because of your review, I thought it was a good idea :).
Guest 1: Tristard doesn't currently have an Elder Scroll in his possession, but who knows, those things are unpredictable...
Guest 2: Tristard will eventually draw people's attention, yes, and not all of it good.
Hunter81095: I'm flattered you have such a high opinion of my writing, m8. Hopefully this chapter lives up to your expectations :).
Kidkaboom1: The Unseen One recognizes your words, Jo'ava Fleet-claw, and is most pleased with them.
You needn't fear, Arvak will be introduced to the girls in time, and he will have a few choice neighs for the vehicle known as Bumblebee.
Ok, without further ado, enjoy.
/
"Nen avok..." Tristard muttered in wonder.
It was the weekend, and the girls of team RWBYS (Tristard had said that there was no need to change the name on his account, but Ruby had been adamant that as part of the team, his name should also be reflected in the team's name. It had been a massive pain in the ass to find a way to fit the "T" in though, so in the end they just gave up and took the easy route) had decided to head down to Vale to buy some stuff and unwind a bit. The Dragonborn decided to take a break from his reading sessions in the Library in order to accompany them.
Now, in Nirn, Tristard was a rather well-travelled man, having been to literally everywhere in Skyrim, and even some places beyond.
He had explored the ruined Dwemer halls beneath Markarth.
He had travelled through the alleys and tunnels of watery Riften.
He had walked through the lively markets of Whiterun.
He had even witnessed the damaged majesty of the White-Gold Tower in the Imperial city, Seat of the Empire's power.
But none of these could have prepared him for the narrow streets of downtown Vale, with its large, grey buildings that dwarfed most others he had seen back home, horseless vehicles which he now knew were cars, and multitudes of people, to the Breton a literal rainbow of colors and styles (he had given up trying to make sense of it after he'd glimpsed bright neon purple streaked with dark blue somewhere in the crowd), walking around, going about their daily lives without a care.
And so Tristard observed everything around him, his surprised face and his own choice of attire earning him more than a few curious looks in return.
"Seems like you're enjoying the sights, Storm Caller." Yang stated with an amused smile. She knew the big guy was from some out of the way place, but she hadn't taken Tristard to be a country bumpkin.
The Dragonborn turned to stare at her in surprise so fast it was a wonder how his neck didn't snap.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Storm Caller. It's what people back in the academy have taken to calling you after witnessing your initiation." She explained, eyebrow raised at his reaction. "I like it, actually. Fits you well."
Ah, it was a mere coincidence. Shouldn't really be all that surprising he'd get that particular title here as well.
"Ah, I see... Well, to answer your previous statement, they're unlike anything I've ever seen, I'll give you that." Was his reply, eyes still darting from one new sight to another.
"I can understand it might be different from what you're used to." Weiss stated. "But can you please tone it down a bit? People are staring."
The mage, finally noticing that indeed, people were staring, chuckled in embarrassment.
"Eh, my bad."
"Alright then, gang." Ruby called the group's attention. "We've got a lot of stuff to get taken cared of today. So for our first order of business..."
The young girl lifted her arm to the sky, keeping the dramatic pose for a few moments before pointing at Tristard.
"... Getting Tristard some new clothes!"
The Dragonborn blinked, looking down at his attire, then looking at the girl in confusion.
"Is there something wrong with my robes?" He inquired. 'Other than the fact they're an artefact of eldritch power gifted to me by the Daedric Prince of Knowledge and Fate' was wisely left unsaid.
"Nothing wrong with using them in a fight, if they're what you're comfortable wearing." Yang replied. "But robes aren't really a very common choice of clothing around here, one of the reasons you're getting stared at. It wouldn't hurt to blend with the crowd a little."
"Besides." Weiss replied, eyeing the robes with distaste. "You've been wearing that since we've met. It could probably use some cleaning."
The Archmage thought it over, and couldn't really find any faults in that logic, so he nodded. Might as well make some use of the money Ozpin had provided him.
"Very well then."
The sisters grinned.
"Well, that means... Shopping Time!"
Tristard blinked. Jaune and Ren had warned him about this "shopping", while giving him looks usually reserved for comrades in arms who were separated in the battlefield and knew they'd never see each other again. Should he be worried?
/
Turns out, he shouldn't.
Granted, they'd only spent about one hour getting his clothes, and then Yang spent the rest of the morning dragging them from shop to shop, but the Dragonborn actually welcomed the dull, mundane activity.
He also quickly understood why the boys of Team JNPR had showed such fear. Most men would find the pile of bags that he was now carrying daunting to say the least.
But then again, most men weren't masters of Alteration magic, capable of using telekinesis spells for hours before there was any noticeable dent in their magicka reserves.
It was good to be the Archmage.
The gleam on the eyes of the heiress and brawler had been unnerving, though.
And so the Team sat at a cafe for lunch, Tristard now wearing a dark grey high-collared jacket over a black shirt, and light brown cargo pants (He thanked the Nine that neither the girls nor the clerk had noticed him swatting a tentacle back into his robes).
"Hhhm, this "hamburger"... It's the stuff of the Gods." He stated as he ate with gusto, much to the girl's amusement, and in one case curiosity.
"Tristard." Blake called, earning his attention. "If you don't mind me asking, who are these Gods you keep referring to?"
The rest of the team joined the black-haired girl in staring curiously at him, it seemed like a good opportunity to learn a bit more about their teammate.
The Archmage considered how best to answer. From what Ozpin had told him, the people of Remnant didn't put much stock in Religion, preferring instead to rely on their own skills and power rather than faith. Millennia of unanswered prayers while creatures of darkness kept encroaching on them would be a blow to anyone's beliefs, he supposed. He decided to talk about the most widely recognized pantheon.
"Well, I don't consider myself a particularly religious man." He started. "But where I'm from, most people are at least aware of the Aedra, also known as the Divines."
"How many are there?" Asked Ruby, her full attention on the Dragonborn.
"Generally, nine are recognized. They are Zenithar, Divine of Commerce and Wealth; Stendarr, Divine of Mercy and Justice; Kynareth, Divine of Nature and the Sky; Julianos, Divine of Logic and Wisdom; Dibella, Divine of Beauty; Arkay, Divine of Birth and Death; Mara, Divine of Love; Talos, Divine of War and Governance... And Akatosh, the chief deity, Divine of Time and the Father of Dragons."
"Dragons?" Ruby asked excitedly, like a child being told a story.
"Aye, back home they are part of our folklore, the immortal spawn of Akatosh, but they are... little more than myths."
The Dragonborn really hoped he was hiding his sardonic smile better than he felt he was.
"It certainly seems like a diverse Pantheon." Blake stated.
"Indeed." Weiss agreed, before she asked a question of her own. "If you don't mind me asking, Tristard, how come we've never heard of these Gods before?"
"The village I come from doesn't really make much contact with the outside world, I'm afraid. I'm probably the first person to leave in generations."
"What's it like out there?" Yang inquired with interest. "How are you people able to survive the Grimm outside the safety of the Kingdoms?"
Oh, boy... He was entering dangerous waters... Half-truths might not do the job alone here.
"...Winterhold, that's the name of my home, it's located in an isolated valley in the mountains between Vale and Vacuo. The natural walls of the mountain make it difficult for the average Grimm to get in, and impossible for the larger ones, save the occasional flyer, but we've developed many countermeasures for those. Snow covers the upper reaches of the valley, but closer to the bottom, there's a large forest and flood plains. Game is plentiful, and the soil is fertile. The village itself is nothing fancy, mind you, but it is heavily fortified and for the most part secure. The people... well, Grimm are drawn to negativity, so we've developed a rather positive outlook in life. Everyone's friendly, and everyone helps each other."
The girls were silent for a while, digesting the information.
"Sounds like a wonderful place." The blonde said with a smile.
Tristard thought of Winterhold, the real Winterhold, the place he called home, and of the friends that he had made there. He smiled as well.
"It is."
"...Why did you leave?" Asked Blake, immediately regretting it when his smile fell.
"Let's just say that I didn't have a say in the matter." was his reply. And it was true. Whatever higher power had seen fit to send him here had done so without warning nor care.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the group.
"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have... I'm sorry if I brought up unpleasant memories." Blake said with somewhat awkwardly, she wasn't used to having conversations like this, much less apologizing.
Oh, it seems the shift in his mood was misunderstood, he'd go with it for now.
"No need for apologies, Blake, it's all in the past. I'm certain I will return some day."
"That's the spirit!" Ruby said, grabbing on to the chance to brighten the mood. "And maybe you can take us with you when it happens. I'd love to see the place!"
The rest of the team voiced their agreement, and the Dragonborn couldn't help but smile.
"It's a deal."
And so they ended their meal and left the cafe, heading towards the Bullhead drop point, to place their recently bought stuff on safes, placed on the terminal for just that purpose.
"So" Yang began. "Rubes and I need to go get some ammo for our weapons. What about you guys?"
"I received a message saying Father wished to speak to me, so I'll be heading to the CCT." the heiress replied.
"I'm going to drop by a bookstore, there's a book I've been hoping to find."
That immediately peaked Tristard's interest.
"Mind if I join you, Blake? I'm also looking for some books."
The black-haired girl looked at him with an eyebrow raised, but nodded nonetheless.
"Sure."
"Ok, then. Let's all meet back here in a couple of hours." Ruby said, to which everyone else agreed, and then split up, heading in different directions.
Tristard and Blake walked most of the way to the bookstore in silence, the girl not being much of a talker (and inwardly still feeling a bit awkward due to the earlier conversation), and Tristard respecting her apparent wish for quiet, but eventually the Dragonborn's curiosity won over.
"You seem quite familiar with where we're heading, Blake. I take it you visit the place often?"
"Yes, actually." Was her reply. "The owner's an old friend, so I make sure to drop by every once in a while."
The archmage noticed how her eyes seemed to stare into the distance in remembrance, and decided not to press any further.
Soon they reached the store, the sign above the door catching Tristard's attention.
"Tukson's Book Trade, eh...?" He muttered as he followed his teammate inside.
After a quick look around, Tristard couldn't help but admire how neatly organized everything was. The owner certainly knew what he was doing.
Hearing their entrance, said owner entered from the backroom, revealing himself to be a burly man with dark-brown hair and hazel eyes.
"Welcome to Tukson's Book Trade, home to every... Oh, Blake." He stated in surprise as he recognized her. "It's been a while since you've visited. How's life treating you?"
"Fairly well, I suppose. It's good to see you, Tukson." The girl replied with a small, but honest smile.
The man smiled in return, then looked over at Tristard.
"So, who's your friend?"
"Tristard Soverick, at your service, sir." The Dragonborn introduced himself, hand stretched for a firm handshake. "I am Blake's teammate in Beacon Academy."
Tukson looked back at Blake, eyebrow raised.
"Beacon, eh? So you actually did it... Congratulations."
"Thanks."
"Right, then." The man stated, while clapping his hands together. "What can I help you with, then?"
"Has it been released yet?" The girl asked expectantly, drawing a chuckle from the man.
"I shoulda known... Yes, I've got it. It's in the back aisles."
Blake nodded her thanks and headed where she was told, leaving the two men at the entrance.
"What about you?"
"Well, Mr. Tukson, what do you have about the origins of Remnant? Theories, myths and the like."
"Hhhmm, that's pretty generic yet awfully specific..." The man said, rubbing his neck as he considered. "Unfortunately, most knowledge about that topic has been lost, to both the Grimm and time. It's hard to gather information when entire civilizations can disappear so quickly. I think I might have a couple of books about it in the back, but they're little more than fairy tales."
"It'll do. You have my thanks." The younger man replied with a nod as he began heading to the back of the store.
"Wait."
Tristard turned his head, growing a bit confused as he saw Tukson's pensive expression.
"Yes?"
The older man hesitated slightly, as if he wasn't sure how to approach the topic, then he stated:
"Look, you seem like a decent guy, and Blake... Well, she never had many friends, but it's something she definitely needs. Please, be there to watch her back, alright?"
Tristard stared at him briefly, wondering about the pasts of both this man and his teammate, then deciding it was not his place to ask.
"You needn't worry. I'll be there to help Blake, and all of my teammates, to the best of my abilities."
That brought a genuine smile to Tukson's face.
"Good. If ya need anything, kid, let me know."
Tristard began moving again, a bemused smile on his face. He may be young by the standards of Remnant, but it had been a long time since anyone addressed him as such.
He quickly reached the back of the store, to find Blake there, so absorbed in reading the book in her hands she hadn't even heard Tukson's words to him. The mage took a look at the title.
Ninjas of Love: Chain Chronicles? What in Oblivion was a ninja?
"Good stuff?"
"eep!"
The black-haired girl jumped in fright, accidentally throwing the book in the air due to her surprise. The Dragonborn caught the object, a perplexed expression on his face as he handed it back to her and began looking for his own books.
"Sorry if I scared you Blake, it wasn't my intention." He said as he found what he was looking for, mumbling to himself: "ah, here we go."
"No... It's... It's alright..." The girl replied, a light blush blooming on her face. Desperate to divert his attention, she took a glance at the well-worn tome with a brown leather cover on the Archmage's hands, growing curious as she read the title.
"Myths and Legends of Remnant: Volume 1?"
"Indeed, and only 5 pages on the creation of the world. I suppose I'll have to make do."
"Why take the book then? They're just stories."
"Ah, but even the most outlandish of tales can hold a grain of truth, Blake, and I've learned from experience to never discredit the stories of old."
Blake looked at the Dragonborn with an eyebrow raised, not quite sure what to make of that. Tristard the glanced again to the book in her hands curiously.
"Still, you were really engrossed in that book, must be an interesting read. May I take a look?"
"NO!" Blake shouted, then seemingly realized she had just done so. "No... uh, I mean... it's not really anything special... You wouldn't be interested... Imgoingtogopayforitnow."
The black-haired girl ran off, her face redder than Ruby's cloak, leaving behind a bewildered Tristard.
...
...She'd been so focused on not letting him read the book in her hands she apparently forgot there was a row of copies on the shelf, one of which the Dragonborn picked up.
"Alright, let's see what all the fuss is..."
...
...
Without another word, Tristard put the book back, picked up the ones he was looking for, and headed towards the cash register.
Who would've thought that this world had a more graphic and descriptive version of the Lusty Argonian Maid?
...He only read that damn thing because J'zargo wouldn't stop pestering him about it...
/
Days later, Teams RWBYS and JNPR found themselves at the academy's cafeteria, being regaled with the tales on Nora's recurring dream (with many, many corrections from Ren). The Dragonborn decided there and then that, for the greater good of both worlds, the girl and Sheogorath must never, EVER, be made aware of each other's existence.
However, there was a certain gloom in the atmosphere, as Pyrrha and Ruby looked at Jaune with undisguised concern.
From what Tristard had seen, the guy was apparently having issues fitting in school, caused in no small part by the harassment of another student. However, the young man was now hastily denying the girls' statements of that fact.
"He's a bully, Jaune." Ruby stated bluntly.
"What? No. He just likes to mess around. All in good fun."
The Dragonborn deadpanned.
"He shoved you into one of the lockers, then launched you at random coordinates. More than once. One of those times you landed in the Emerald Forest. I had to fight off two Ursai and a Boarbatusk herd to get you back, and we both ended up getting scolded by Professor Goodwitch."
The rest of the group stared at Jaune in alarm, having been unaware of that particular piece of information, the blond giving Tristard a look equal parts frustrated and betrayed for ratting him out. The mage for his part just sighed.
"Look, Jaune, I know his type. They believe they hold power over you, and will not stop until you give them reason to believe otherwise."
'And sometimes not even then.' He thought as he remembered the dozens of bandits that had tried to threaten, extort or rob him in his travels.
Seriously, you'd think they'd learn not to pick fights with a well-equipped battlemage. The fact that some of them actually knew who he was even as they tried had only perplexed him further.
"He's right, Jaune. And you know you just need to ask our help if you're in trouble." The champion continued, a little pleading in her tone.
"Oh, oh, I know!" Nora said cheerfully. "We'll break his legs!"
…
...Better add Mehrunes Dagon to that list, and the other corners of the House of Troubles for good measure...
"Guys, it's fine, seriously! Besides, it's not like he's only a jerk to me. He's a jerk to everyone!"
As if to confirm that statement, a pained yelp was heard, causing the two teams to turn and witness the object of their discussion and his team harassing a brown-haired female student.
"Despicable..." Pyrrha muttered.
The entire group was frowning at the scene, but Tristard was particularly surprised by Blake's glare, which had enough venom to make a Deathstalker feel inadequate.
He could understand it though. What self-respecting man would willingly hurt an innocent girl, pulling on her ears like that?
...
"Wait... are those...rabbit ears?"
The whole group turned to stare at him in bewilderment.
"Huh, yeah. That girl's a Faunus." Yang helpfully supplied, looking at said girl sadly. "Unfortunately, is rather common for them to be picked on like this. Must be hard being a faunus."
"This isn't even the worst of it..." Blake muttered bitterly.
Ah, yes, the Faunus, Remnant's other sentient race, although the archmage had serious doubts they should be addressed as such, discriminated against simple because of their animal traits. Personally, he had no problems with them. After all, one of his best friends was a literal catman, and from a certain perspective he was not human himself, so who was he to judge?
Without another word, Tristard rose from his seat.
"Tristard?" Ruby asked. "Where're you going?"
"To give them a reason."
/
Velvet whimpered in pain, dearly hoping that the harassment would end. Her ears were very sensitive, and the bully was being too rough.
"Please stop..."
"See, I told you guys they were real."
"What a freak."
Inwardly, the miserable Faunus girl sighed. Just another day in Beacon...
"Excuse me, gentlemen."
Team CRDL, Velvet and pretty much the whole cafeteria turned to look at the new arrival. It was that first-year latecomer, standing there with his arms crossed and a pleasant expression on his face.
"Is it really necessary to be harassing our fellow students like that?"
Velvet's eyes widened in shock. The guy was... defending her?
Cardin rose from his seat and approached him, trying to look imposing and menacing.
"And what's it to you? Just mind your own business."
"Ah, I see, you are a nikriin, then." He stated while nodding in realization. "Makes sense, you do look the type. All four of you do."
Cardin and his crew blinked in confusion.
"What did you say?"
"Oh, you know, just that you are a coward."
The cafeteria broke into muted chatter.
Cardin glared at Tristard. The mage, for his part, was thoroughly unimpressed.
"What was that?"
" Are you hinzaal... dumb, as well as cowardly? I said you are a coward. Cowards, all of you. Cowards, who surround themselves with more cowards because your mothers aren't around to hold your hands."
Loosing what little temper he had, the bully threw a punch at the Dragonborn's face.
He just smirked.
First step of Tristard Soverick's method of dealing with this type of people:
Always make sure they threw the first punch.
The second step:
Never give them the chance to throw another.
A bright green flash forced the spectators to shield their eyes or look away. When Velvet finally managed to look again, she gasped as she found Cardin frozen in a rigid punching motion, his eyes wide and his fist inches from the Dragonborn's face.
Pyrrha shuddered as she recognized what was happening. The guy may have had it coming, but it wasn't pleasant being a prisoner in one's own body.
"...And just like a coward, you lash out when intimidation fails." Tristard stated, the smirk never leaving his face, then threw a glance at the guy's victim, who fidgeted under his attention. "But my second accusation seems to hold merit, after all you can't even pick your targets properly."
Even if he was paralyzed, Cardin's eyes showed what he was thinking very well.
'What the hell are you talking about?' They seemed to ask.
"If you had bothered to check the insignia on our colleague's uniform, you'd have noticed that Lady...?" He turned to the girl questioningly.
"V-Velvet." She stuttered, fidgeting nervously as everyone's attention seemed to fall on her. "Velvet S-Scarlatina..."
His smirk turned into a friendly smile.
"...That Lady Scarlatina here is a second-year, meaning she could probably kick your arse up and down the Academy. I'm guessing the only reason she hasn't done so already is that she's too kind-hearted."
The girl lowered her head in order to hide the massive blush on her face.
Suddenly, Tristard made a turning motion and Cardin found himself violently flipped upside down, his eyes level with the mage's own.
"Now listen here, banaak." He growled, with all traces of mirth gone from his face and a voice that seemed to become steel, a presence that could not, would not, be ignored.
This wasn't Tristard, traveller and newest student of Beacon, this was Tristard Soverick, the Dovahkiin, Hero of Skyrim and Archmage of Winterhold.
"This world is under constant threat from the Darkness. Even now, the Grimm sit on our borders, waiting for any openings. You chose to stand against this tide, and yet you would harass an innocent just because she's different from you?"
For a split second, the now terrified Cardin could have sworn that behind the guy, he saw a large, reptilian beast snarling down at him.
"You are training to become a guardian of humanity. Either act like it, or stop wasting everyone's time and leave!"
A deathly silence followed the outburst, as the Dragonborn calmed down.
"I will let you off with a warning this time. But if I ever hear about you harassing other students again, I will do something more unpleasant than mere paralysis. Do I make myself clear?"
The bully was not able to nod frantically, but the look on his face showed that was what he'd be doing if he could.
"Good." The archmage stated as the smirk returned. Then, with a rising motion, Cardin found himself lifted to the cafeteria's ceiling, and left hanging from one of its arches.
"Now stay there for a while, thinking about what you've done." Tristard said in a mock-fatherly tone, before turning to the remaining members of Team CRDL.
"Anything to say?"
Their response was to scramble away in a panic, to look for ways to get their leader down.
"Yeah, that's what I thought." He muttered before turning his attention to Velvet, finding her staring at the scene in shock.
"Is everything alright, Lady Scarlatina?"
That seemed to snap the girl out of it, as she stared at him nervously.
"Hhhm... Yeah..." She winced as her ears twitched then drooped in pain, trying her best not to whimper.
Seemingly noticing this, Tristard approached her with his arm raised, causing the girl to flinch and close her eyes, but instead of whatever she was expecting, she felt... relief. The pain was fading.
Opening her eyes, she found herself surrounded by a bright glow, that was emanating from the guy's hand.
"There, that should take care of any injuries those hefhah caused." He stated as the glow faded. "Should they try to bother you again, please, don't hesitate to tell me."
With a respectful nod, the Dragonborn began walking away from the dumbstruck girl.
"W-wait."
He stopped, turning his head to see her, once again, fidgeting nervously.
"Thank you..."
"No thanks are necessary, Lady Scarlatina." He replied with a smile. "Someone needs to be there to put people like that in their place."
With that he resumed his walk back, the rabbit girl's gaze never leaving him.
/
"That was... Awsome!" Ruby cheered as Tristard once again took his seat amongst the group.
"Totally!" Nora joined in. "Could have used a little more leg breaking, but your way worked nicely!"
"That was nice of you, Storm Caller, helping the girl like that." Yang piped in with a smile. "Nice, and totally badass."
"I wonder if he learned the lesson." wondered Pyrrha, trying not to giggle as she looked at where the bully was dangling from, and his teammates frantic attempts to get him down.
"Time will tell, Pyrrha, time will tell." Was the Dragonborn's reply.
Feeling someone's gaze on him, Tristard looked around, finding that it was Blake's. Inwardly the mage raised an eyebrow. That stare, so outwardly passive, reflected myriad emotions. Surprise. Gratefulness. Hope. Confusion.
"...Why did you do that?" She asked quietly.
"Because I meant every word I said, Blake. That, and judging people for things beyond their control doesn't sit well with me."
The girl's eyes widened slightly at that response. Then she smiled, not one of her usual half-hearted smirks, a genuine smile, and quite beautiful in the Dragonborn's opinion.
"You're a good man, Tristard."
As he was thinking how to reply, something caught Tristard's attention. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but he could still see it.
Her bow had twitched slightly.
...
Oh.
Ooooohh...
Well, that certainly explained a lot.
But why was Blake hiding what she was?
In the end, Tristard decided it was best not to pry. The girl would reveal it when she was ready to.
"If you say so, Blake."
And so, lunch resumed, with a certain blond knight wishing he could have shown courage like that...
/
And done.
A little less action in this chapter, but I hope that you guys enjoyed the visit to Vale.
The explanation about the Nine may be a bit on the short side, but the nuances of Nirn's religions are a can of worms Tristard wouldn't touch with a telekinesis spell.
Speaking of which, that particular spell is going to be a bit more versatile in this fic, as Cardin found out the hard way.
I seriously hope I'm doing a good job with the character's personalities. What do you guys think?
The next chapter shouldn't take nearly half as long to come out, but first, I'll be updating Of Red Petals and Black Feathers.
Cya guys then