Chapter 14- Slayer Scrolls
Chapter 11- Borazon and Samuel
Day 12 evening -Silver lining
Falls Creek Dead man's Drink
Graffnar takes Borazon to the Inn orders some food and asks Valga to keep an eye on Borazon while he goes and locks up his stable. Once she agrees Graffnar with mace in hands runs to his stable and checks on the animals. All the while he is locking up, he keeps looking around for trouble. What he sees is that all the guards were out in force, checking the gates, lighting all of the night beacons for extra sight. He also saw they were helping many of the residents lock up their shops or homes. Some were even escorting those that didn't feel safe to the Inn or where they felt safer. When he returns to the Inn, he sees that Borazon hadn't moved from the seat he had placed him in.
"Anything?" Graffnar asks.
"Nothing. Here take this and try and convince him to eat." Valga tells him as she hands him some bowls of stew. "I'll be over later with some warm drinks."
"Okay. Looks like your place is going to be busy tonight."
"Yes. Many who lived alone have already asked if they can stay here."
"You'll make a good profit from it."
"No, I am not charging tonight." Valga flatly tells him that she was offended by what he said.
"You have a good heart." Graffnar remarks as he takes the food pushes through the group and making his way over to Borazon.
"Here Borazon, eat." Graffnar told him as he places a large bowl of rabbit stew in front of him.
Borazon didn't respond as he just kept staring at Samuel's knife.
"Come on and eat. You must eat and take care of yourself. If not for you for your grandson." Graffnar told him as he shows him his own bowl.
The solemn man gave no response.
"Borazon I picked up your goat's cart and put all the stuff that spilled back." Zira tells him as she sits next to him.
At first there was no response, but a flicker of light came to Borazon and he holey asks, "Is it going to be cold tonight?"
"A little." Zira answers just before taking a drink of some hot cider.
"Need to bring the starts in Samuel wants to keep them warm." Borazon says as he stares blankly.
"I'll take them to my shop. But I found this." Zira said as she hands Borazon an empty knife sheath.
"The ones in Nelly's stall should be okay the boy covered them with hay. Graffnar injects as he takes a drink of his cider. "That can't be Samuel's it's too small for his glass knife." Graffnar remarks as he looked at the sheath.
"It's for his silver knife." Borazon replies looking at it after he took it from her.
"That explains why he caused that thing so much pain." Zira remarks as she looks thoughtfully at the sheath than glances worriedly at Borazon.
"How?" Graffnar asks.
"Silver is one of the few metals that really hurt Werewolves but look at this sheath its craftsmanship is beautiful and very old. The knife might have a spell on it. Where did you get the knife?" Zira asks as she points out the detailed craft work on it.
"Samuel found it in one of the piles of the vampire dust." Borazon hollowly remarks as he stares blankly at the sheath.
"Oh my, that definitely explains a lot." Zira's says as her eyes open wide in realization than goes deep in thought.
"Well spill it woman what does it explain?" Graffnar inquires as he sees that Borazon is listening and Zira hadn't said a word.
"Vampires and Werewolves have been enemies since well anyone can remember. In the old legends it is said that Necktara the Infernal of Blood and Darkness and mother to the Vampire believes that her children are the best hunters. To show up Necktara, Baalnar the God of the Hunt was said to have created the Werewolf as his most perfect hunter. The knife might even be spelled against werewolves if it was owned by an old vampire. You must realize that this is just speculation and until I see the knife it's self I don't know if it is spelled or not."
"I want to know how that thing was even here? I thought that Werewolves only come out at night when the moon is high and full not just as the sun is setting?" Graffnar asks.
"I am not sure it might be the god of the Hunt messing with someone who pissed him off. He's said to do things like that." Zira answers as she takes a drink.
"I wonder if that thing was what was attacking those people." Graffnar says as he takes a bite of his rabbit stew hoping that Borazon would copy him.
"What gets me is how could you put up such a fight against it?" Zira asks as she looks at Borazon.
Borazon shows her his axe.
"That is not just plain ebony. It has a spell on it. I can't make it out." Zira remarks as she looks at the handle of it, but the spell was cover by Borazon's hand.
"It uses the strength of whom ever it is used against." Borazon's tells her.
"So that Werewolf broke his own jaw when he bit it." Graffnar snorts out his drink with a laugh almost nailing Zira with the drink and Borazon gives a slight quick smile.
"Did you find his knife?"
"From what I saw it was still in the beast." Zira answers.
"Good. Serves it right for touching my grandson." Borazon hissed.
"When Samuel is feeling better, I have a large order of Wolfvane I need." Zira tells Borazon. "It seems every guard, and everyone in Falls Creek has heard how that you and yours were wearing it when you went up against that thing."
"His goat is wearing it around her neck while the horse has it on her halter." Graffnar grumbles. "Boy, do I feel dumb for teasing Samuel about putting them on the animals. Hey Zira, I'll take some for me and my animals."
"We actually just put them on because of the vampires that were killed not too far from where we were camped. Samuel even wants to plant some around our camps."
"Add some starts to plant around my place too." Graggnar inputs through a mouth full of food.
"I don't have any starts. But I will make sure that it will be on the list for Samuel when he feels better."
"Does anyone know where I can get some silver?" Borazon asks as he looks at Samuel's sheath.
"Lotz might have some." Graffnar says then calls out to the blacksmith. "Hey Lotz!"
"What?" Lotz asks as he walks over to them.
"You got any silver?" Graffnar asks through his bite of food.
"Yeah some." The big man replies then takes a drink.
"I'll buy it." Borazon sparks up.
"How much do you want?"
"As much as I can get."
"What are you going to do with it?"
"Right now, that depends on how much silver I can get." Borazon hollowly states.
"I don't have enough to make a sword, but I think I can add a spike tip on both ends of that fancy axe you got there." Lotz says as he looks at the axe. "I'll need your axe for a few days to do it."
"Do you think it will affect the spell?"
"I don't deal in magic." Lotz answers.
"That will depend on how you add it." Zira answers. "I know a spell that will bind and blend it to the metal you add. And I can do it through the different steps as you forge it. It will take some time and the right ingredients. But thanks to Samuel I am well stocked on them."
"I hope you are not planning on hunting that thing?" Graffnar remarks.
"Not yet. But if Samuel dies there will be no werewolf safe from me." Borazon seethes.
"I can add a spell to the sword and the axe that will add more damage to non-natural creatures for you. I also have some silver that you may have so that you can kill that creature." The priest says as he approaches them.
"I can pay for your silver."
"That won't be necessary my son I loved little Lavinia like a granddaughter. And if giving you silver protects someone's grandchild than it will honor her especially if it's Samuel." The priest says as he sits next to Borazon.
"When can you put the spell on these weapons?" Borazon asks as he points at each weapon including Samuel's glass knife.
"Bring one weapon by in the morning and I'll take it then." The priest tells him. "I can only spell one weapon at a time, and it will take a few days for each weapon I spell and then I will need a few days to gather my strength before I can do another."
"Can we have ours done too?" Nenya favorite guard asks.
"Yes, my son but it will take time. I will have my assistant Hillmear start a list and you may sign up for a day in fact I might be able to start teaching this spell so we can do more. While I am doing it for him for free it will cost you."
"You know we aren't paid much." The guard says.
"Just your time. Come to at least one of my services a week and we will be good." The Priest tells him with a gentle smile.
"Okay." The guard says as he leaves to let the other guards know.
"Here I thought that seeing the Dragonborn killing a dragon was incredible now I saw you and your goat go at the werewolf. I should write a book about all of this." A stranger says as he stands next to the priest.
"I am sorry this is my friend Sheldon. He likes to tinker in dwarven machinery and dabbles in writing." The priest tells everyone.
"Never did catch your name priest." Borazon says as he finally eats some of his stew.
"Runil."
"You saw the dragonborn?" Borazon asks the lanky man.
"Yeah. She is this young blonde girl. I saw her take the head of a dragon off with a shield."
"Did you by chance hear her name?"
"Yeah, it was."
"Chrissy?" Borazon interjects.
"How did you know?"
"She saved me and my grandson from Vampires."
"So, she just doesn't kill Dragons?"
"No, she also kills bandits and wolves. In fact, she used a shield to kill a wolf." Borazon tells them with a smile at the memory and how much she cares for Samuel.
"Did she take its head off with it?"
"No, she tossed the shield so hard it snapped the wolves' neck."
"How is a little slip of a girl so strong?" Zira asks but she doesn't get an answer.
Borazon avoids answering by shoving food in his mouth.
"Where did she come from?" Sheldon asks.
"Not sure. She just showed up when a vampire was about to snack on me. She did use a sword to behead it though. It's nice to know she is okay."
"Actually, she was injured."
"How bad?" Borazon worriedly asks as he starts to stand.
"She lost a finger from what I understand."
"How?" Everyone asks at the same time.
"The White Run guards figured that she must have lost her grip on that black shield of hers and it sliced it off."
"Black shield, strange she had a plane iron band shield last I saw her."
"Black as night like your axe. And she was wearing a helm that was the same. She had shoved glass swords into that things tail." Sheldon says as points first at Borazon's axe than at Samuel's knife.
"Damn. Sounds like she took on more bandits."
"More bandits?"
"A day after she saved me and my grandson, on the road to White Run we came by them. Without her we would be dead for sure."
"What happened?" Sheldon demands as he sat down to hear the tale.
"She said to let her go first cause she had a wood shield at the time. She took on a female bandit."
"How did she kill that bandit?" Sheldon asks.
"Hush let him tell the story." Someone hushes him as many starts to sit closer to hear an adventure about the dragon born.
"I watched her back while she went blow for blow with the bandit. Chrissy I could tell was holding back as she later told me she doesn't like to kill living beings. She killed her by bashing her in the face with her shield than stabbing her in the throat with her sword. Chrissy hit the bandit so hard she broke her wood shield. Chrissy used her broken shield to drag the woman's body back to us.
"Why didn't she just take the shield?" Sheldon inquires. "I mean it would have been smarter just to take the shield.
"Sheldon, you don't like it when people interrupt you when you tell your tale about the Dragon born so let him tell the story." Runil explains.
"She took the woman's bow and arrows and had me toss them to Samuel. He was just supposed to provide cover fire but no that boy went and took one out right away." Borazon says with a fond smile."
"What happen next?"
"Some bandit came out of the first tower and Chrissy slams the door so hard back into their face he flew backwards into the wall taking out another that had just come down the stairs. She killed both of them while I took out another just started coming down the stairs. We had to use the next bandit as a human shield to get up to the next level of the tower. Up there Chrissy took another one out by throwing her knife into him. We had a huge problem when we got up there."
"What?" Someone asks and is Shhs by everyone who was listening.
"Getting across the bridge without getting shot." Borazon says than takes a moment to drink some of hot cider that was placed next him by Valga.
"Well don't leave us hanging how did you get across?" Someone calls out.
"Chrissy gathered me a new bow and some arrows." Borazon says as he shows them the bow he had been using for hunting. "From the bandit she had killed with her knife. Samuel and I gave her cover fire as she ran at a speed, I didn't know was possible for human. She hit some bandits in the middle of the bridge so hard and fast she sent them flying back across the bridge into the other tower. She had almost fallen off at that moment but managed to grab on before she completely fell off."
"She killed the two that she knocked back into the tower when she got back on the bridge after she ran into them again. Samuel and I took out an archer for her. But she was attack by an orc."
"What did she do to him?" Runil asks and Sheldon gives him a dirty look for interrupting the story. To which Runil just shrugs.
"Nothing." Borazon answers with a secret smile.
Sheldon stands up demandingly asking "What? Why?" Runil pulls his friend to sit down, and he does.
"She stood back while him and I went at it."
"Why?" Graffnar asks.
"We had been old friends, but he is the one who burned my boy." Borazon spits with such venom that a few of those gathered round him took a step back.
"Why would he do that?"
"He admitted that he hated humans and found it was best to have us kill each other so he would gain our trust then spread lies about humans he wanted dead and we would fall for it." Borazon answers.
"So, what happened."
"I took his legs off to let him die a slow unhonorable death. Samuel came running past me and kicked him so hard the bastard fell off the edge of the cliff the tower was on. After dealing with the corpses, we spent the night there."
"You must have gotten a good haul from that." One of the guards who had been listening remarks.
"I am saving it for buying a place to raise horses and a place for my grandson to call his own."
"Did you collect the bounty on them?" The same guard asks.
"I turned in the heads at River Run but I am not sure this jarl will pay it."
"As it is so far away, I don't think he will. You might have to go to White Run." Graffnar snidely remarks.
"Should have given the paperwork to Chrissy so she could have turned it in."
"Is she coming here?"
"She is supposed to meet us here or in River Run. But I don't know now."
"To have the DragonBorn here would be a great honor if she is anything like you say." Valga remarks in awe.
"She is something." Borazon laughs.
"I am surprised you didn't stay with your grandson and let the Dragonborn kill them all." Someone snidely remarks.
"I didn't know she was the Dragonborn at the time. Like I said earlier Nelly has always been protective of him. She made sure he wasn't hurt. She killed a bandit trying to sneak up on Samuel. Samuel said she is a war goat.
"War Goat that is for sure. I still can't believe she attacked a Werewolf. Most goats run in fear." Lotz tells them.
"Nelly has always been protective of Samuel." Borazon says with a smile. "She had been beaten by her previous owner and Samuel didn't like that, so he took a blow for her, and she has been protective of him ever since."
"What happen to the owner?" Lotz asks.
"She attacked him, and my son bought her."
"Why do I think there is more to the story that you are not telling." Lotz remarks.
"Because you are right." Borazon says with evil smile that says, "You won't find out from me, but my son and I put a beating on the owner."
"I heard the guards are afraid of her." Zira laughs
"I could use a creature as loyal as her. But I would prefer a hound." Lotz off handily remarks as he strokes his chin.
Everyone stops as there is a knock at the door to the Inn and the guard at the door listens for a moment. The guard then unbars the door and everyone return back to what they were doing except for a few that watch to see who comes in.
"That can't be good." Graffnar says as he nods to the door as Nenya walks in with the healer in tow.
"My grandson?" Borazon quickly asks.
"He is sleeping and doing well. I recommend rest for the next couple of days." The healer says.
"Thank you. Can I see him?"
"As long as you let him sleep." The healer answers and Borazon is up on his feet heading out the door.
"Graffnar go with him and only let him stay a little while. He needs his own rest." Nenya tells him.
"I am not one of the guards that you can order around. But I will go just because he needs rest and not cuz you said so." Graffnar grumbles as he follows Borazon out the door.
"You know he likes you." The healer tells Nenya causing the high elf to give him a nasty look.
"So, what is the jarl going to do about the werewolf?" Lotz asks.
"He is adding more guards. And he has issued a high bounty for the werewolf."
"That is all he is doing for my child?!" A man calls out.
"It's all he can do until the hunters return and he will have them hunt it down."
"What about the Dust Riders?" Lotz asks.
"I have never heard of them. Why don't you tell me about them, and I will see if the jarl will call upon them." Nenya says as she follows him to the bar.
Jarl's Lodge Falls Creek
Graffnar and Borazon make their way to the jarl's log with weapons in hand. Once there they knock at the door.
"Who is there?" The voice of a guard inquires.
"Graffnar and Borazon to see young Samuel." Graffnar answers.
The guard unbars the door and allows them to enter. Once they had entered the guard quickly bars the door again. Borazon quietly entered the main lodge and headed up to see his grandson, that was until a voice stopped him.
"You should take that creature with you when you leave or else it may be my next rug." The young jarl snidely remarks.
"Touch that goat at your own peril." Borazon warns in a deep growling voice as he grips his axe.
"Are you threatening me?" The jarl asks in disbelief.
"No, my jarl he is not that War Goat took on a Werewolf is all and pissing it off while it's protecting the kid may not be a good idea." Graffnar answers for Borazon as he pushes the man up the stairs and quietly added. "While others hid."
The jarl scoffs in anger. He was debating which sword or axe to use on the goat when his steward came back.
"My Jarl?"
"Which do you think would be best to kill that goat?"
"None."
"What they are not sharp enough?"
"No sir I am saying as that you just became jarl it would not be wise to anger your people."
"Killing a goat would anger them?"
"Sir many of your supporters are wanting to buy that goat from him just because of its bravery. If you were to try and kill it, you would lose their support."
"I don't want that stinky beast in here."
"Just for a night or two that is when the healer said the boy could leave. It will look good if you do." Nenya reasons.
"Fine just make sure that thing doesn't come down here."
"I will either do it myself or have a guard standing by." Nenya dutifully answers.
"Good I am going to bed." The young jarl snaps as he heads to bed.
"Guard."
"Yes, ma'am." A guard response crisply.
"I want you to make sure NO ONE, but the boy's grandson and healer gets past you to..." She says to the guard as she glances over to the back of the retreating jarl. "Disturbs that boy and his GOAT!"
"Ma'am?" The guard inquirers silently saying. "Would you please clarify."
"That means even the jarl." Nenya answers in a low voice.
"And if he?" The guard asks in the same lowered voice as the Steward while he nods to the jarl's room.
"Think of something or direct him to me."
"Yes ma'am." The guard response as he takes a post in front of the stairs just as Borazon and Graffnar come down.
"Now that your own eyes have seen he is sleeping I think it's time you head back to the Inn."
"I was hoping to stay here I don't like leaving him."
"The jarl has had a guard posted so that you may get some rest this evening. I believe that Zira wishes to speak with you." Nenya tells him.
"Thank you." Both men say as they leave knowing full well what had happened as they had heard everything.
Once the men had left Nenya main guard approaches her.
"You have information."
"Yes. The priest and Zira are going to bless his weapons. He is buying silver and Lotz is going to add on silver spikes to each end of his axe. The axe is already spelled but I couldn't read what it says. He also knows the DragonBorn."
"What? How?"
"She saved his life from some vampires on the road to White Run. They travel together and killed other bandits."
"So, I was right he did kill those bandits down the road."
"No ma'am he made it clear it was different bandits."
"Anything else?"
"Yes, he is expecting to meet up with the Dragon Born here."
"Interesting…Would the priest be willing to spell other weapons?"
"Actually, he has already agreed to do that for anyone's weapon, but it will cost a time."
"Huh?"
"The old man want's more people to attend his sermons."
"After what happened today, I am sure there will be a lot more there."
Falls Creek Dead man's Drink
"Borazon good you are back. How is Samuel?" Zira asks as she waves them over to sit next her.
"Sleeping like the healer said."
"Good. Listen I was wondering tomorrow if you wouldn't mind being my bodyguard while I go out and collect the Wolfvane. I can pay you." Zira asks as she takes a drink.
"I don't know."
"She is right Samuel needs to rest and what are you going to do all day while he sleeps. Plus didn't you promise Valga and me an elk a week." Graffnar says as he waves over the barmaid then orders a drink.
"I'll see how Samuel is in the morning first before I decide."
"That's fine. In fact, leaving in mid-morning would be best as that will give you a chance to have the priest spell your sword."
"Do you know of any old silver mines around here." Borazon asks.
"There is rumor of one, but no one has found it."
"Nice moves with that axe of yours I haven't seen those since I was a stormcloak." Solaf the owner of Gray Pine Goods remarks as he comes over to them.
"I was one, but I haven't been for a little while now." Borazon remarks.
"Yeah, war does that."
"My son and daughter-in-law were murdered is what did it. I was told that Ulfark accused my boy of siding with the Empire because he wouldn't join the Storm Cloaks. I was told that Ulfark ordered his men to burn my son's farm with him, his wife and unborn child in it." Borazon answers.
"He would never!"Solaf angerly retorts as he stands up as if to fight Borazon for saying such a thing.
"I think he had been lied to by an orc I once believed was a friend. That orc was one of the bandit's killed on the way here. He admitted to burning my boy. And Samuel finally told me about that day. That orc had been lying to everyone to get humans to fight and kill each other. Samuel remembers Ulfark being there, but he left before my boy and his family was murdered. Samuel didn't hear what was said but he saw everything. So, I don't know." Borazon answers in his own defense.
"You think that orc killed them and made everyone think it was Ulfark?" Zira asks as she tries to calm Solaf with reason.
"It would seem that way." Borazon answers but not sure if he actually feels that way.
"I am sorry about your loss." Solaf quietly says as he offers Borazon his hand as an apology.
"Thank you." Borazon replies as he takes the man's hand and shake it as if to say, "we are good."
"I heard you are looking for some silver." Solaf remarks as he takes a seat next to Borazon who just nods his head.
"I don't have much in the store just a few simple necklaces but if you buy them, I am sure Lotz can melt them down."
"I'll take them."
"You know a lot of others are trying to buy them from me now. But I figure you deserve a first shot at it. Especially with the way you wielded that axe. I am betting you were part of Texusas group, were you?"
Borazon just nods his head.
"What's so special about the Texusas group?" Lotz asks as he stands up and stretches.
"They are the elite of all the StormCloaks. It is said that one of them could take down an entire troop of legionnaires." Solaf explains. "After seeing you and that goat face off with the werewolf I can see why."
"Nobody is going to get much sleep tonight." Lotz says as he points to the sleeping Graffnar and others around the room who had fallen asleep. "At least not in their own beds?"
"I don't think it will come back." Solaf remarks as he slaps Borazon on the back as if to indicate that it was afraid of him.
"I don't think so either." Borazon remarks as he finishes off the last of his food.
"Good that means you will go and get some rest." Valga orders as she clears the table.
"Not tired." Borazon lies through his teeth as he yawns.
"Move your ass to your room or you'll have to face something far worse than a werewolf." Lotz warns as he sees the look on Valga's face.
"You may have an axe, but I have a broom now move!" Valga's says as she pokes him in the side with the broom handle until he is in his room and in his bed.
Most of the citizens stayed at the Inn that night and Valga didn't charge them as there was still quite a bit of unspoken fear of the creature returning that night.
Elsewhere not far from Falls Creek the Werewolf howls and seethes in pain at the silver blade embedded in its low back at the edge of the pelvis. When the bandit's heard those echoes of those unearthly howls, they lock themselves into their cave and didn't dare to come out until morning. The Werewolf tries to pull the silver knife out but every time he grabs it the hilt burns so much; he is unable to touch it. The Werewolf tries to rub it off on anything it can from the ground, to trees, and finally a large boulder that looks like a snail where most of the knife breaks off only leaving the tip deep inside of its burning backside.
Day 13-
Falls Creek
Finally, when the rays of morning light did some of the fear seem to lessen for the citizens of Falls Creek. Borazon was up with that light to check on Samuel. Borazon crept up to Samuel's room and smiled when he hears.
"Morning grandpa."
"Morning son. How are you feeling today?" Borazon asked him as he sat down in the chair next to the bed.
"I have a slight headache. This isn't the Inn is it?"
"No."
"Than that thing really did kill Lavinia?"
"Yeah."
"I am bad luck."
"No, you are not."
"Dad, Mom, and now Lavinia are all dead."
"I am not. In fact, if I didn't have you, I would be in a very bad place right now."
"But."
"You are not responsible for what others do. You didn't murder your parents. You aren't a blood thirsty Werewolf. So, it is not your fault."
"But..."
"No buts you are not bad luck. Except to Werewolves. You stabbed that thing in the back with your silver knife. I am a little upset that you didn't listen to me when I told you to stay but I am prouder at how you stood up against it. I froze when I saw it. You even got to it before me. Now no more arguments."
"Okay."
"Now what can I get you for your headache?"
"Well, here is some food along with a hot camella tea." Zira says as she opens the door holding a tray.
"That is perfect. Except it will make me sleepy."
"With your head the way it is, you need the rest. In fact, when I spoke to the healer last night, he said bed rest for at least 2 days." Borazon tells in as he helps him sit up to eat.
"What about Nelly?" Samuel asks as he pets his goat.
"How about I take her to her stall and feed her while you eat?" Borazon says as he takes Nelly's lead.
At first the goat didn't want to move until Samuel said. "I am okay. You go ahead." Nelly licked Samuel's face and followed Borazon out.
"I'll be right back." Borazon tells him as he takes Nelly to the barn.
"I'll take care of him until then. We have quite a lot to talk about." Zira says as she places the tray down in front of Samuel who gives her a strange look as if to ask "What?"
Zira just motions him to eat, and he does. "Well, you and yours are the talk of the town. You attack a werewolf with a silver knife. Your grandfather beats it up pretty well and to make things really interesting your goat attacks the werewolf too." Zira tells him causing Samuel to look at her like she is crazy.
"Nelly attacked the werewolf?" Samuel asks as he gulps down his food.
"Right in the jaw. Your grandfather fell and the werewolf was on top of him. It tried to bite your grandfather, but it ended up biting that handle of your grandfather's axe breaking its own jaw."
Samuel smiles huge at the thought.
"Just as it broke its jaw Nelly nailed it in the jaw forcing it back off your grandpa. And she was ready and willing to go at him again except the priest threw one of is lightning bolts spells and that thing ran off."
"Then it could come back."
"I don't think it will your silver knife was stuck in its backside and a broken jaw." Zira laughs.
"Do we know who it is?"
"I their rumors but no one knows for sure and don't you even think about going after it. Your grandfather will not survive if you do." Zira tells him.
"But."
"Like your grandfather no buts.
"What is being done?"
"I am glad you ask the whole town has ordered Wolfvane from my shop and silver from Lotz. The priest has a long list of people wanting him to spell their weapons. Your grandfather is first on the list than all the guards. I am trying to convince your grandfather to go out with me so I can pick some, but he won't leave your side if we leave it up to him."
"He needs to go with you."
"Then we are in agreement."
"Yes."
"So do they want just wolfvane to wear or do they want starts too?" Samuel asks.
"Both."
"There are some good spots back buy the bandit camp that we took over. But that is a little far to travel on foot and I don't know if Ember can carry both of you."
"I have a good horse that can carry your grandfather and if Ember can make it that far." Zira tells him.
"You might want to go all the way to River Run and worn them."
"Chrissy was in White Run." Borazon tells them.
"So, it was her she is the DragonBorn?!" Samuel excitedly says.
"From what I understand. It was Chrissy that took the head off of a dragon. But as for the rest who knows and lets us not jump to any conclusion until we talk to her."
"How did you get back so fast?" Zira asks.
"Seems Nelly's and Embers stall was taken care of already." Borazon tells them with a smile. "I got back in time to hear you two scheming."
"But Genny and the others need to be warned."
"They are being." Nenya tells as she comes up behind Borazon.
"How?"
"Because of all the excitement of the return of the Dragonborne, Couriers are running across all of the Keeps. We have added to that what has happened here." Zira tells them.
"Grandpa you are going to be famous."
"All three of you are."
"I am no hero."
"Yes, you three are. Things could have been far worse if you hadn't did what you did."
"If we are heroes than all of the citizens and guards of Falls Creek that stepped up are too." Borazon says as he looks directly at Zira as he remember how several of her Ice spike spells kept the Werewolf off of him.
"I understand that Zira wishes for you to be her bodyguard when she goes out for Wolfvane."
"I don't want to leave Samuel."
"You have to grandpa I don't want anything to happen to Zira." Samuel says as he gives his best sad face.
While Borazon was thinking "I am not looking. I am not looking. Shit, I looked." Then says. "I can't leave you without.."
"I give you my word that your grandson and goat will be fine." Nenya tells him.
"I have to take my sword to the priest." Borazon says as if to make an excuse not to go.
"I can take care of it." Nenya says as she does a give me motion for his sword.
"We both can't ride Ember."
"Zira has a horse you both can ride, and Ember can haul Nelly's cart." Samuel tells Borazon with a big smile on his face.
"But I still have to get a pack saddle for Ember to haul."
"You can use one of the Jarl's old ones." Nenya informs him.
"I won't be in debt to him." Borazon barks back.
"I can trade or sell it to you." Nenya answers.
"How much?"
"100 gold sound fair."
"I have to see it first or let me guess it was the one already sitting on Ember I saw when I went to the stalls." Borazon says as he crosses his arms and gives the shorter woman a glare.
"100 than." Nenya says as she just glares back at him than smiles.
"Schemers..hmmm." Borazon grumbles under his breath as he pulls out a bag of gold followed by his sword and hands them to her. Samuel gives off a slight giggle while Zira has a huge grin on her face. "We don't leave until he has eaten every.."Borazon starts to say but Samuel just shows that his plate was clean. "He has to dri…" Samuel downs the tea. "Let me guess you are ready." Borazon says as he looks at Zira who just smiles. "Fine meet me at the horses. But we are jest going to the camp get the Wolfvane I am not hunting."
"See you when you get back grandpa."
"You get some rest. And I won't be long." Borazon says as he quickly hugs his grandson and tucks him back in.
"I'll make sure he eats and gets a bath later." Nenya tells him.
"Thank you."
Nenya just smiles and nods her head when she watches them exit the lodge.
"Guard."
"Yes."
"You heard?"
"Yes."
"Where is the Jarl."
"Out in the archery range practicing to kill the Werewolf."
"That man. Have someone assigned to the jarl to make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. I will have one of the servants tend to the boy."
"Yes ma'am."
Borazon only raised an eyebrow to see well taken care of bay mare was saddled and ready outside of the stable. He gave off a loud snort when he saw a very tired sore Graffnar walking Ember out with not just her new pack on but a bigger cart than Nelly's. Borazon give Zira a questioning look as if to ask. "Where did that come from?"
"Mine." Zira answers his unspoken question as to where it came from.
The trip didn't take as long as it had in the past, but they still had to take their time as Borazon won't push Ember because he felt she wasn't ready and knew that if she got hurt Samuel would blame himself.
"Stay with the horses and watch my back." Borazon softly tells her as he got off the mare.
"What is it?" Zira asks while she readied herself to cast a spell.
"There is someone or something in the bedroll." Borazon quietly answers as he pulls his Axe from his back.
As Borazon crept forward, he could clearly hear unearthly sounds coming from the bedroll in the tent. The leather of the Axe's handle cracks as Borazon tightens and loosen then tightens his grip several times on the axe. Inching closer an all too familiar stench drifts up from the bedroll lump. While Borazon was making his way towards the tents Zira slid down off her horse as she places the reins into her right hand held the ice spike spell so that she could throw it. Borazon jabs the lump in the bedroll.
"Are you nuts?" Zira asks as she comes closer.
Borazon just smiles as if to say "YES!" as he pokes the bedroll again causing it to grumble and moan. Zira just looks at the bedroll and can't believe what she hears and gives him a quizzically look as if to say, "No way it can't". Borazon just smacks the being in the bed with the flat of his axe.
"Son of B!" A half drunken voice spits out as the lump in the bed roll tries to get out.
"Don't kill him! He is just a local drunk." Zira tells Borazon.
"I am not going to if he doesn't have a silver knife in his ass."
"What? Are you two babbling about? Why can't you go bug someone else." The voice demands.
"Oh, get your lazy drunk ass out of that bedroll Volkana." Zira orders. "Or are you a werewolf?"
"Werewolves are you nuts there is no such thing." An old shaggy haired old man snaps.
"I wish that was true, but one just killed Lavinia yesterday." Zira tells him.
"WHAT?!" Volkana demands as he flops the bedroll off of his head. "You are lying that child never would hurt a fly."
"I am not." Zira sadly tells him with a look that spoke volumes of the death.
"I need a drink." Volkana says as he looks for a bottle of mead.
"I think you have had enough." Borazon says as he waves the stench of stale mead coming off the guy away from his nose.
"Agreed." Zira says as she steps back from the foul odor.
"I want to know if you have a silver knife in your ass." Borazon demands as he raises his axe.
"Why the hell do you want to see my ass. You play that way? Well, I don't!" Volkana spits.
"Borazon's grandson managed to stab the Werewolf in the ass with his silver knife and if you are injured there, he is going to cut your head off if not we have no problem." Zira says as she raises her fire spell as if to show she is very serious.
Volkana just about puts an half empty bottle of mead to his lips when he sees Zira actions makes him freeze. "Fine you want to see my ass." Volkana snaps as he gets up turns and yanks down his pants revealing a pale white hairy unmarred butt. And just so that they both saw that and more he shakes it. "Happy?" Volkana demands as he tries to pull up his pants but falls and they get the view of a full frontal to boot.
"I did not need to see that." Zira says as she turns away after he fell and she drops her spell.
"That makes two of us." Borazon remarks as he too turns but stops and demands. "Where did you find this!" As he picks up the broken hilt of a silver knife that he knew was Samuel's.
"I don't know… I think out there.." Volkana tells them as he finally manages to pull up his pants. "It's mine now."
"No, it's not it is my grandson's. He put it into that damn werewolf. Now show me exactly where you found it. Zira go collect wolfvane while he shows me but don't leave my eyesight." Borazon says as he grabs the shorter man by the back of his shirt and hauls him up.
"Now you just…" Volkana starts to say but Borazon just raises the blade of the axe to the man's beard as if to say, "You want a really close shave?" "Fine it was out this way." Volkana says as he points to the road by the horses.
Zira starts to collect some of the wolfvane that was growing up some trees as she smiles as how Borazon was helping the half-drunk man out to the road. It was just a few minutes later when both men return.
"Care to tell me why you are out this far in my camp?" Borazon asks the stinky older man.
"This isn't your camp it belongs to some bandits." Volkana rebuffs.
"Not anymore as they were some vampires last dinner." Borazon counters.
"Come on there is no such thing as.." Volkana starts to say but is interrupted by Zira says "I bought the vampire dust and I heard Borazon brought in what was left of the heads of the bandits for law of Bounty."
"Damn well I am glad I was in River Run. Crap and I thought hearing about a Dragon attacking Helena was bad." Volkana remarks as he scratches his unshaven face and his ass at the same time.
"What? When did that happen?" Borazon demands.
"About 4 or 5 or was it 6 days ago. Any ways some small blond chick brought in Hadvin to Lucus. I heard Lucus the next day telling that same girl that he had arranged for some men to come by later and they would go up and deal with the bodies that the dragon left. He asked her to go to White Run and have the Jarl send aid." Volkana answers as he picks a flea from his beard and tosses it on the ground.
"Damn that girl is always getting into trouble." Borazon remarks with a laugh.
"What is he talking about?" Volkana asks.
"I take it that you think that girl was Chrissy the Dragon born. The young woman you and Samuel have been waiting for?"
"Yeah. She was supposed to take a few things to Helena and meet up with us in Falls Creek."
"Wait what Dragon born? Volkana bocks.
"Yeah, it is said that that girl took the head of a Dragon off in White Run a few days back." Zira answers him.
"So why are you in my camp?" Borazon asks while using his height to intimate the smaller man.
"I was coming back from River Run and got tired so when I didn't see the bandits I slept here."
"So how long did it take you to get kicked out this time?" Zira asks him as she picks some more Wolfvane.
Volkana mutters something neither Borazon nor Zira could make out.
"Come again?"
"3 days."
"That's a record."
"Huh?"
"Volkana here has a tenancy of getting kicked out of the Inn when he gets too drunk that's why he went to River Run and now is coming back to Falls Creek." Zira explains.
"What are you doing out here anyways?"
"Collecting Wolfvane."
"Why?"
"Because Borazon and Samuel were wearing it when they took on the Werewolf and now everyone in town wants some."
"You pay in gold and a lift back into town and I'll help." Volkana says as he picks up some of the plant and starts rubbing it on himself.
"15 gold and you ride in the cart." Zira tells him.
"What about him?"
"He is the bodyguard just in case."
For the next few hours Zira and Volkana collect Wolfvane vines and man of its starts while Borazon keeps an eye out for trouble. A little after 3 they were finished and headed back. Thankfully nothing happened on the trip back. They arrived just as the gate was about to close.
Little did they know that while they were out trouble in a whole new form came strolling into town.