Hey guys, I haven't forgotten about anything, so don't worry. I'm back. Happy Thanksgiving!

-JazzyKat

He heard Quintus shout from the shop moments later and then saw the Priestess hurrying toward The White Phial and feigned innocence. "Wonder what the problem is? The old one, Nurelion, was sick, yes?"

Oengul snorted and spat on the stones, "Yeah, right nasty bastard he was. Never was good for business in Windhelm, but he kept us mostly in potions despite being a sourpuss. I always liked his assistant Quintus, though. The boy's got a good head on his shoulder and is a damn lot better to deal with when you need potion. Hopefully the old man croaked out on us and Quintus can take over the business."

Ter'im blinked and barked out a laugh, stopping and watching the Priestess carry Nurelion's body out in the street. Ter'im bought a bunch of wild flowers and laid them across Nurelion snorting to himself at the irony, ignoring the quiet rasping laugh that echoed in his ears, pleased.

Later that evening, Ter'im stood at the corner nearest the grey quarter, sipping on a mug of brandy one of the elves had plopped in his hands and watched the elves parade through the streets as a part of one of their religious festivals. Ter'im was so caught up in the colorful swirls of flags and the cadence of voices chanting that he didn't notice Vilkas step up behind him until he rested his head on Ter'im's shoulder and wrapped him up in strong arms. The two lovers stood in silence watching the celebration around them, shivering in the cold breeze. Ter'im caught the faint hint of Ulfric's scent on the wind and a glance at Vilkas showed he smelled it as well.

Ter'im turned in Vilkas's arms and Vilkas nosed at Ter'im's sensitive ear, "You seem awful quiet love. Surely the old man's death didn't bother you that much."

Ter'im shook his head and twitched his whiskers before looking up into Vilkas's glowing eyes. "That is not what I worry about. Farkas thinks Kodlak found a way to cure the beast blood in us before he died. I'm going to read over some of his diaries and see what I can find. If I find a cure, I'm going through with it. Do you want to give up the blood with me?"

Vilkas smiled and kissed Ter'im. "Of course I will. Farkas wishes to be cured as well?" Ter'im nodded and lifted the mug of brandy to Vilkas's lips. Vilkas took a long draw from the mug and they both watched the party continue on in the streets. Vilkas twitched toward Ulfric's position, but gave no inclination that he knew the Stormcloak was lurking behind them in the streets, instead nosing deeper into Ter'im's fur.

A mere moment later, the peace of the night was broken by a shrill scream from the stone quarter. Ter'im started toward the noise before his mind caught up with his body, his hands tingling from the residual magic of conjuring a bow. He saw a shadowed figure fleeing and shot wildly at it, baring his teeth in a triumphant snarl when he heard a muffled curse that told him he'd hit his target. The figure ducked through the streets and Ter'im shook his head at Vilkas who looked ready to pursue.

Together they turned to the grisly scene and Ter'im nearly gagged at the scent of blood on the wind. A young maiden had been violated and rather violently disemboweled. Several of her bones had been cut out and her skin had been peeled back to reveal glistening muscles. With a lurch, Ter'im noticed darkened teeth marks in the thigh muscles. He flared his nose and caught a faint scent of nightshade and dust. He frowned, the scent tickling his memory for a few moments, but turned to the frantic guards. Dirk skidded to a stop, panting. "Sir, there's a blood trail leading out of the city. I've sent a party out after the criminal."

Ter'im nodded his thanks at Dirk, and beside him Vilkas turned away from the scene and covered his mouth and nose with his hand to keep from gagging. Ulfric materialized out of the shadows with some guards and the Priestess, calling order to the chaos. He stopped by Ter'im and laid a heavy, warm hand against his neck. His eyes were sad as they swept over the girl's body and he motioned for the guards to wrap the body up and carry it to the Hall of the Dead. Ulfric's thumb rubbed against one of Ter'im's knobby vertebrae, turning Ter'im towards him.

Ulfric pushed a knuckle under Ter'im's chin and tilted his face up, "I'm sorry Dragon born. I allowed my fears to turn to anger and hurt you."

Ter'im shivered at the deep timber of Ulfric's voice and fought the urge to curl under Ulfric's chin, cursing internally when his eyes fluttered shut.

Ter'im took a deep breath and managed to center himself, speaking calmly and quietly. "I do not appreciate anger. Were my life so, I'd curl up between your furs with my Vilkas and spend the rest of my days forgetting what the world looked like outside Windhelm. Until the day comes that I will be able to do that, I need you to be patient and support me."

Ter'im opened his eyes and licked at Ulfric's thumb that had come up to run along his mouth with a rasping tongue. He teased them but for a moment, then turned from the heat he saw mirrored in Ulfric and Vilkas's eyes and focused again on the crime scene.

He saw no signs of a scuffle, but he could smell something sickly sweet over the smell of blood and followed the trail over behind one of the headstones. He found an empty bottle of wine lying off behind one of the headstones, and a quick lick proved it to be drugged. He stumbled on his feet actually from the power of the brew, Ulfric moved behind him quickly to keep him from falling down.

"What is it?" Ulfric inquired as he propped Ter'im against Vilkas's side.

"Drugged wine, and strongly so. If the girl drank this, yes, she wouldn't have known where she was or who she was with. Powerful brew, but homemade, so I don't think Quintus would be of much help to us. I do not recognize the label on the bottle either. Do you?"

Ter'im handed the bottle over to Ulfric carefully, leaning on Vilkas while the dizziness drained out of his head. Ulfric turned the bottle over in his hands before shaking his head disappointedly.

"No, I don't recognize it either. Perhaps Calixto Corrium, the curiosity collector will know. Take this to him in the morning and see what he reports. In the meantime, please take all of the guards and use whatever resources that we have available. I'd help you, but there's been wind of Imperials storming our camps and I need to cut off that threat." Ulfric said quietly, drawing a finger down Ter'im's face. He clapped Vilkas on the shoulder and then turned back toward the palace.

Ter'im nodded and motioned for three of the guard to accompany him. He turned to Vilkas who grinned wolfishly and clasped at Ter'im's hand. Ter'im grinned, but then turned serious as he looked over the crime scene a second time, picking up on some of the hidden details. Ter'im noticed a blood trail that lead up to the residential areas of the city. Curious, Ter'im started off, pulling Vilkas along, and though the blood was thin in some patches, the pungent smell allowed them both to track it to one of the houses.

One of the guards with them gasped and muttered a quick prayer to the Divines. "That's Hjerim, Friga Shatter -Shield's house. She was found dead in much the same manner as the girl tonight. Her mother, Tova Shatter-Shield may have the keys to the home still."

Ter'im raised an eyebrow and turned to the door, a lockpick in hand. By the time the guard had to sputter out in disagreement, the door was swinging inward silently. The smell of blood got stronger, this time mixed with human decay and Ter'im cautiously sparked a mage light spell in his hands before he stepped inside.