Leola sat once again around the table with her friends and father. In a few days, they would have to depart for the Orc stronghold near Riften, and she was feeling uneasy. It wasn't so much about the Orcs themselves, as her visit to the stronghold near Windhelm had shown her that they weren't the vicious beasts Aventus had made them out to be. It was moreso about communing with Malacath. With each encounter, she became more and more apprehensive about the Daedric princes. Only Sanguine had made her comfortable, and she wasn't sure how long that would last.
Early that afternoon, Sond and Bottar had returned from Whiterun with exciting news. They had visited the Companions, and from them, they had received information about where Leola may be able to communicate with Hircine. It was now marked on the map, and the group was back to discussing.
"Peryite. Namira. Clavicus Vile. And Mephala." Erith said the names slowly, gazing down at the map. "That's all we need now. Once we find ways to communicate with these four, we can get to work."
"Aren't we technically getting to work already?" Sond asked. "I mean, we're going to Riften in a couple days."
"That is true," Erith said with a nod. "Which brings me to our second topic: Who will be accompanying Leola to Riften? We can't all go, because some of us will need to keep searching for the Daedric shrines. We can't send her on her own, though."
Ulfric had a smile on his lips, and Leola was sure that he admired her lover's leadership skills. She had certainly taken control of their group, organizing their efforts and keeping track of what was left to do.
"I'll go," Aventus said. "I remember Nazir mentioning a contract in Riften when I was in Dawnstar. If no one else has been there yet, I may be able to get it done."
"I'm not sure I can allow you to go given the information I just heard," Ulfric said with a frown, and Leola giggled.
"It's okay," she said. "He said it was only if no one got there first. Either way whoever it is will die, it just may or may not be by Aventus."
"I'm sure the person would rather it be by my hand than anyone else's," said Aventus with a grin.
"We'll go," said Bottar, raising his hand lightly.
Erith nodded slightly. She paused, looking at Leola. "I'm going to stay," she said softly. "I trust these three to keep you safe, and I might have a lead on one of the Princes."
"What is it?" Leola asked, perking up slightly, but Erith shook her head.
"I can't tell you," she said softly. "I just need you to trust me on this one."
Leola gave a nod, reaching up to gently squeeze Erith's hand. "Of course I trust you," she said softly.
"We probably should start talking now about what our plan is for when we have all the locations mapped out. I'd rather be ready to go once we get the last one than have to sit and discuss it," said Ulfric, and Erith nodded.
"I agree," she said softly.
"We're first going to travel to Dawnstar," said Aventus. "We'll visit Azura here and Vaermina here, and any others between here and there if we find them. Then we'll come back here, visit Boethiah, and sail to Solstheim."
Leola looked at him, slightly surprised. It seemed he had already put a great deal of thought into their plans. He saw her expression and gave a grin.
"I happen to agree with Erith and your father," he said. "But I've already been thinking about it."
"Then what?" Erith asked eagerly.
"We return from Solstheim and begin South. We visit any shrines in Eastmarch and the Rift, and then in Falkreath Hold. We head into Whiterun Hold, we visit any shrines in the Reach, and then we head into Haafingar Hold so we can end with Meridia there. We should have all the pieces by then, and she'll reforge the soul gem so we can take it to Sovngarde." Aventus was grinning as he finished, clearly proud of himself for organizing their journey.
"I like that plan," Leola said softly.
"So the group will consist of all of us and a couple soldiers or guards for added protection?" Sond asked, and Erith gave a nod.
"Yes," she replied, frowning slightly as Ulfric gave her a hesitant look.
"I'm not sure I should come along," he said softly. "I was injured in Falkreath and I am an old man. I need time to recover, and I'm certain that I'll just slow you down."
"Nonsense," said Leola. "I want you to come. My mother would want you to come."
"We need you to call the dragon," Aventus said plainly, and Ulfric frowned.
"That is true," he said softly. "I trust you'll all be patient enough to accommodate my old age on our journey?"
"Of course we will," said Erith. "There's no worrying about that."
Ulfric gave a nod. "Good," he said. "Then that's what will happen."
"While we're in Riften, I'm going to pay a visit to the Guild and see what they can tell us about Samuel," said Aventus in a low voice, changing the subject again.
"Speaking of Samuel," said Leola suddenly, "what if one of the Princes wants us to do something for them that takes us off-course?"
"Then we do it," said Aventus. "Why did mentioning Samuel make you ask that?"
"Just a feeling," Leola said softly, frowning.
"You think Molag Bal is going to ask you to kill Samuel," said Erith, and everybody else looked at Leola in surprise.
"Yes," said the blonde softly, hanging her head.
"Then I try to find him and kill him before you go to Markarth again," said Aventus. "He'll have to find something else for you to do."
Leola nodded slightly. "Okay," she said softly. "It will probably still involve killing someone."
"That's true," Aventus said with a nod. "You'll be okay, Leola. We'll figure this all out as we go."
Leola let out a light, nervous sigh and then nodded. "Alright," she said softly.
"Did you hear anything from Sanguine about Sheogorath's piece?" asked Erith, but Leola shook her head.
"Not yet," she replied. "But he said I would know when I did…so we just need to wait." She gave a light shrug of her shoulders, smiling nervously.
"Sanguine sounds like an interesting fellow," said Sond thoughtfully, running a hand through his short blond hair. "I'd love to sit down and have a drink with him."
"I'll invite him here next time I see him," Leola replied sarcastically, and the whole group laughed.
"I'm sure he'd accept, too," said Erith with a grin. "He sounds the type."
Leola smiled, but then suddenly turned away and sneezed. She squeaked slightly, not accustomed to sneezing with such force, blushing as she turned back to the group.
"Divines bless you," Aventus said gently, and she smiled up at him.
"Thank you," Leola replied softly, smiling. Despite the general uneasiness that surrounded her mind regarding the task to come, she had a good feeling about it when she sat here with her family and friends.