Author's note: So sorry for the delay in updates! I've been very sick recently, and haven't found the energy to write. But don't worry, there will still be an update on Monday. Probably a shorter one, since I haven't even started writing it yet, but an update nonetheless.
Thank you once more, Burnt Sierra for reviewing! I realize that I probably need to clear up some things about the last chapter, so I guess I should do that now. It's amazing to hear back from someone, and you've helped me recognise a few mistakes that I made last chapter.
This is actually only my second time writing in this style, and I was trying to shift the focus from action to a more ambiguous style. My previous writing bit was a horror story in journal form. That was... interesting 0_o
But thank you so much for reviewing!
So last chapter. I realize that it was fairly confusing. I probably should've added a couple details to make it clearer.
The final note is from Káno, writing in Khilheru's notebook. Sort of as a tribute to his friend, since he'll never see him again.
It's implied that the village burns to the ground, and that the people are killed. Buuut you can interpret it however you want, since it's not explicitly stated.
The fireproofing bit wasn't clear either, my apologies. That wasn't a neccessary detail, and made it more confusing. I'll be updating and replacing the chapter with the end bit fixed, so that it's easier to understand. I'll probably add an explanation there, so I'll let you guys know when I have all that fixed.
Anyway. My apologies for the long note, please go ahead and read the story. I know that's what you're all here for anyway.
Reviews are always appreciated! Love to anyone who has reviewed so far. You are all amazing!
Disclaimer: Not mine, I'M NOT A GAMING STUDIO UNFORTUNATELY
-Quicksilver
-Steel
-Bone powder
-Troll fat
-3 Ebony ingots
-1 flawless sapphire (Check tombs?)
-Bear pelts- need 10 for Tenga, buy at least 3
-Nirnroot (Should be in ingredients chest in Honeyside. If not, check Breezehome, chest on left in entrance)
-Do we need any healing supplies? Buy as many as necessary/can afford
-As many health potions as possible, I'm almost out
-Quick heal spellbook (Farengar should have one, if not then don't bother, I'll get it myself)
Marcurio sighs, and stares at the list. "Aranel, what is this?" She grins, and pulls out her ingredients pouch. He notices that it's almost empty, and she emphasizes the point by sweeping her arm around it. "This, my friend, is why we need to go shopping."
He swipes a hand over his face. "I understand that. But why are you making me get this for you?"
"Because. I am a known thief, and nobody trusts me, while you are a nice person who storekeepers trust not to steal their stuff."
She pushes him out of the house, and walks out as well, shutting the door behind her.
"Aaaand, it gives me time to go steal stuff and murder people without you harping on me about your moral code."
A small wolf charges up to them as she starts locking up, and without looking behind her, she pulls out a small dagger and stabs it, turning and stowing the key as she does so. Marcurio ignores the wolf, having not even registered that it was there.
"Murder people. That has nothing to do with a moral code, Aranel! That's just common… knowledge! Yes, knowledge. You don't go around killing people and say that it's okay!"
"I do."
He turns on his heel and heads towards the wagon. She might be kidding, and she might not be. He can never tell with her. Then he realizes something.
"Wait. Where am I going to get half of these?!"
"At the store."
Aranel flashes him another smile, walking over to her herb garden as she does so.
"I'm sure you'll be able to figure something out. Most of those are sold at the alchemists place, and the few that aren't might be in one of my stashes. Uh, but you might need some money… These things don't come cheap."
She flips him a medium sized coin pouch. Peering inside, he finds several gold pieces, and tries to total the worth in his head. He gives up after a few tries, and merely stows it in his armour. There's no point in arguing, as she'll likely just shoot him down for it. He looks up at the manor, taking in the turrets, the stable, and everything else that they've added to the house.
Lakeview Manor is an interesting place. Aranel is clearly in love, though he's not so sure about it himself. The place is incredibly dangerous, and altogether too expensive for any sane human being to afford. Not that he particularly disagrees with either notion. But he'd rather they not be in debt, or worse, dead. Aranel, on the other hand, doesn't seem to care. She's been spending the past week sinking more and more time into the house, as well as about half of er gold. It's kind of worrying, but he prefers not to think about it. And it's not like she's using it for anything practical, either. They just built a greenhouse addition on the side, which is interesting, but serves no real purpose. In fact, the only practical thing addition they have is the enchanter's tower. She built a library on the other side. The library is fairly congruent with her personality, though. Aranel has a bit of a book problem.
The place is constantly attacked by bandits, which is a pain, but the giant attacks, and the dragon attacks are far worse. Aranel can usually exterminate the threat in a few minutes, but sometimes it takes longer. There's been an increase in Elder dragons recently, and sometimes the fights can last up to thirty minutes long. Those instances usually culminate in Aranel losing it, and shouting at the dragon as often as possible, and chugging health potions. Marcurio usually tries to help, but since the one fight a few weeks ago, she hasn't let him near a dragon. It technically wasn't his fault. After all, she's the only one who can stand up to dragon fire and escape unscathed. Recently she's been more than a little paranoid, though, so he hasn't disagreed with her "stay out of the way during dragon fights" policy. She is his employer, and he doesn't want to disagree. While the killing (sometimes innocent) things bit isn't exactly his cup of tea, this lifestyle has turned out to be something that he enjoys above all else. And it's not like his oddly charismatic employer is someone he would have met otherwise. So he's thankful for the position he's in right now, even if the job comes with a few minor hiccups.
Recently, they've gotten animals at the manor. First a few chickens, then a cow. A horse was, of course, to follow, and although he doesn't know if bees count, bees. And a bard, though the poor man doesn't count as an animal. Marcurio forgets his name. And then, of course, they have the person who takes care of the house. She's the housecarl from Falkreath, he thinks. Her name is Rayya, or something. He's always nervous around the housecarls. They all give him disapproving looks, and then continue about their work while glaring daggers at him out of the corner of their eye. Aranel already owns around five properties, which is a lot, so she has as many housecarls, and he gets as many stares. He also notices that Aranel has slowly been arming all of them. Right now, he can't think of a single housecarl who doesn't have some form of powerful weapons and armour.
The bard, unfortunately, isn't armed. In fact, he's fairly useless, and only eats up their food and makes music. But, once again, Aranel insists on keeping him. So the bard stays.
Beyond the attacks, life on the lake is idyllic. Sometimes there's snow, occasionally rain, and typically bright sun. The one thing that has (so far) shattered the peace, was when a giant killed one of the chickens.
Right after an attack, they had gone to check on the animals. Instead of the three live chickens (who had some obnoxiously long names that Marcurio didn't want to remember), there were only two. The other was completely flattened, like the chicken version of hammered metal. Aranel had sworn vengeance, and had quite literally gone on a giant killing spree. They had buried the chicken in the garden (as fertilizer, she cited) and had gone on with their lives. Marcurio, however, had not expected Aranel to start using the chicken as an excuse not to work. Which she is still continuing to do. If he asks her to help him with something, her excuse is "mourning the chicken." If he gives her a gentle reminder about saving the world, her excuse is "mourning the chicken." Thankfully, she hasn't escalated it any further than that, but he's still worried.
He's waiting for his chance, however, to pull the phrase on her...