Chapter 15- Slayer Scrolls
Chapter 12- Chrissy/Borazon and Samuel
Day 13 Morning – Trouble in a Big Way!
Falls Creek
It was just shortly after Borazon had left when a guard came running into the jarls lodge frantically looking for the steward and when he didn't see her, he turned to go and look for her somewhere else when the Jarl saw him.
"What is it?" The Jarl demands.
"Chancellor Bogroll of Jup-itt-er has arrived at the gate." The guard tells him.
"Boggie is here?! Bring him and his people here now." The Jarl commands as he looks down at his plain practice clothes and decides it's best to change into something more befitting.
"It is just him sir."
"What? Oh well, bring him here now. And if that goat is here it needs to be dead or gone." The young Jarl says as he is about to turn back to his room to change.
"The boy's goat is back in the stable and why are you yelling?" Nenya inquires.
"Chancellor Bogroll has arrived at the gate." The guard tells her.
"Are you happy your big brother is here." The jarl remarks not noticing Nenya's sour face at hearing of her brother's arrival.
"I will make sure there is a feast for him and his people." Nenya's says as she turns and starts to head to the kitchen area.
"It's just him." The guard informs her as he leaves to escort the high elf in from the outer gates.
"That is odd." Nenya remarks as she leaves to get the feast ready.
In the kitchen area Nenya approaches the cook and informs her of who was there and what best to prepare. Then she orders another servant to tidy up the best guest room. Once that was done, she heads out the back door to the lodge.
"Good morning." Nenya says to empty air and stops turns and looks at an empty spot where a little girl had been for the last year and half but now would forever remain empty once again like the spot in her heart.
Hall of the Dead Falls Creek
A few minutes later Nenya found herself hiding in the hall of the dead discreetly observing Runil assistant Hillmear doing the preparation rights of what was left of little Lavinia remains. She noted that even former warrior who had always been stone face had tears falling from his eyes. He took gentle care to wash the blood away from each part of her and lovingly place them up on a stone table doing his best to put in to order the child's body. Nenya noted the tiredness of the old warrior and she presume he had stayed up all night to finish this task of love.
Candlelight bathed the remains and Nenya could still hear the screams she had wanted to investigate but was stopped by her Jarl who was going to go out there to do the same. He was too important to keep the peace she could not allow it. So, when he turned, she had knocked him out and hid him behind the throne to keep him safe.
Her own eyes were fill with tears as she recalls the times the child would follower her around and say she wanted to be just like her. It used to annoy her but at that moment she would give almost anything to have the child back.
"She worshiped you." Runil quietly said to Nenya as he came up behind her startling her a little.
"What?" Nenya recalls with a fond smile that was rare to her face.
"You gave her a purpose."
"I don't know what you are talking about. I am a High elf and she was just a human child there is nothing she would worship about me."
"I too am a high elf but she would call me grandpa as she didn't have one. The child didn't see our difference she saw us."
"I hated it at first when she would be waiting for me outside the lodge when I would go for my morning inspection. No matter the weather she would always be there and say good morning to me and for the longest time I wouldn't even acknowledge she was there. This was the first time in a year I didn't hear that bright beautiful child say good morning to me." Nenya sadly tells him as they kept a distance to not disturb the mourning mother who had fallen asleep on the floor not far from her daughter.
"She told me she thought you hated her and was about to give up, until you finally said good morning to her. Maybe our new Jarl should have been just as persistent in." Runil started to say but Nenya stops him.
"Don't. We all know that a marriage between a High elf and a Nord even a jarl would cause a problem." Nenya says while still watching Hillmear tending to the little girls remains.
"You and I both know that is not the reason. Your brother had you put in a position as a form of punishment. You have a position of power and you can spy on the man you love or he reveals it to the empire and you, the jarl, and the people of Falls Creek are punished."
"Don't."
"You have given up more than any will know to keep the people of Falls Creek safe."
"I failed her."
"No child you didn't but I am sure that you will do what needs to be done to keep them safe from those things. I heard you have sent word to the Dust Riders and yours is the largest order of wolfvane. Plus, Hillmear told me you want to put him and that old drunk Volkana to work planting it outside the city gates. I know you well enough that you will offer them money for tending regularly.
"Well when Volkana returns it will allow him to pay his debt and even get a bath." Nenja coldly replies as she tries to slip back into her uncaring role.
"You are aware of the trouble that is coming. Shall we talk about how you have been stock piling weapons, food and medicine for the towns people all while pretending to be cold and uncaring."
"How do you know about?"
"She was smarter than you think." Runil tells Nenya as he points at the little girl's body. "She figured it out by watching you. I only know because she didn't like to keep secrets and the only ones, she felt she could trust was the Divines. So, she would come every night and tell them especially to Lady Mara. I just happened to overhear. You should know she also was stock piling food. She would tell Lady Mara about how she would only eat half of her dinner while she would hide the rest in her apron and put it with the food you were stock piling for the town's folk."
"Well that explains.." Nenya says with soft smile as she realizes why the hidden amount was always more the following day. She turns back to the priest and notices an old thick black book he was carrying. "I thought you gave that up."
"I had….But with creatures like vampires and werewolves around I thought I would brush up better so my aim and power doesn't hurt anyone else. I almost fried Borazon and his goat last night." Runil tells her as he tries to hide the black book.
"What's in that book is not simple cast spells." Nenya worriedly states as she knew the book was one that belonged to one of the most feared of High elves in all the Elven cities.
"I will not have what happened to that poor child happened to another one of my parishioners." Runil passionately but quietly states. "You are not the only one who feels like they have failed that child."
"The spells in there require a price. Aren't you afraid of returning to your old ways."
"That elf is dead. I am willing to pay with my life to protect them. What are you willing?"
"It seems I may."
"What do you mean?"
"My brother is here. He has become a Chancellor."
"That's not good."
"This is true for he hates Talos and all those that worship him." Nenya worriedly says.
"Then those that worship him must be warned."
"I cannot tell any of this but.." Nenya says as she looks directly at him.
"I have this sudden need to go and visit many of my parishioners. Why don't I escort you back." Runil says as he leads her out of the hall of the dead and back to the Lodge.
Runil escorts Nenya back to the jarl's lodge but he doesn't go in and quickly heads for the general store to get the word out of about the trouble that was there. While back in the jarl's lodge Nenya walks into her jarl and brother laughing about an old hunting trip.
"Ahh. Here she is." Jarl Sidgeer says as Nenya enters.
"Steward Nenya is good you have finally graced us with your presence." Bogroll sneers without even looking at her by keeping his back to her. Neither brother nor sister noticed how Siddgeir hand tighten in anger at how the hotty elf treated her.
"Boggy, she has been quite busy with the problems we have had as of late." Sidgeer says as he knows the nickname annoys the man.
"Oh, really anything of interest? Bogroll asks as he takes a sip of water.
"It seems that you and your men were not the only ones attacked by a werewolf. A werewolf has taken the life of one of the youngest of our citizens. Right here in the city." Siddgeir tells him.
"You were attacked by a Werewolf?" Nenya asks as she steps up to his side and sees what his hood robe had been hiding.
"Yes, we were, and it killed almost everyone in my camp. It did some damage to me but one of my guards was able to chase it away before he died." Bogroll says as he indicates the side of his face that was covered.
Nenya's eyes went wide at the scrap of cloth covering the left side of her brother's face. "Are you alright?" She finally manages to ask as she recognizes where the wound was as her minds screams. "That is the same side of the face that Borazon had sliced on the werewolf but it can't be him or can it. I must find out. This could mean big trouble if he is. For the High counsel won't care that he is a werewolf as long as he is killing Nords. But he did say that werewolf killed his men. Could there be two…I have to get to the bottom of it while protecting everyone here."
"I would like for your healer to tend to my wounds if it is not a problem."
"I have already sent for him." Jarl Sidgeer tells them.
"Werewolves are old legends why suddenly has it appeared. Could it be someone new here." Bogrolls asks as he tries to place blame elsewhere.
"Boggy old boy the only new person we had have here is this guy who took it on right after it killed the child." Jarl Sidgeer tells him as he ate some of the fresh meat before them.
"Really one man did what your guards could not." Bogroll sneers as he takes a small bite of the meat and chews it strangely as though he had a hurt jaw which slightly surprised Nenya as she knew he didn't like care for meat prepared by Nords.
"Not just him the guards and many of our towns' people worked together to fight it." Nenya answers keeping to the truth while being as vague as possible.
"Really. And what did they do?"
"Several attacked with arrows while others threw magic ice spells at it."
"And those sent it running?"
"No one of our towns people threw a very strong spell at it after it was attacked by a very pissed off goat!" Sidgeer laughs
"A goat attacked it?"
"Yes. Young Samuel the goat's owner had managed to stab it in the backside with a silver knife and when he did the Werewolf hit the boy. The boys grandfather stepped up and attacked the werewolf and was doing quite well but he slipped in the blood of the child it had killed. It was about to kill the Grandfather when that goat came in and rammed it." Nenya truthfully answers but made sure not to use Borazon's name.
"And where is this brave warrior?"
"He is escorting our Herbalist in gathering Wolfvane." Nenya says.
"Why would you gather that stink herb?" Bogroll says as wrinkles his nose
"It seems that Werewolves can't smell people or animals who are wearing it."
"Interesting."
"Where were you attacked, and I can send some of the guards and the priest to attend to your men's remains." Nenya asks as she was trying to figure out if he was the werewolf that killed his men or if there was another.
"No need I have already seen them off." Bogroll coldly tells her which surprises her even more as all elves believed that it was best to have a priest pray over them to keep the bodies from being used my necromancers.
"You summoned me my jarl?" The healer says as he enters.
"Yes, boggy here needs your healing hands. It seems as if the Werewolf attacked his group, and he is the only survivor." The Jarl says.
"When he is ready, I can tend to him."
"I am ready." Bogroll says as he gets up and walks with slight limp up to the healer.
"The best guest room is ready for you." Nenya tells him as she directs them towards the room.
"I wish for a minute of my stewards time I have something to discuss with her about the upcoming events."
"That will be fine." Bogrolls says as he follows the Healer to the room.
"The parents are not to be charged for the funeral and make sure that they are not charge on taxes either for the next year." He tells her loudly while secretly handing her something.
"Yes, my jarl." She answers while she glances down at the object, he had given her then looks up at him in surprise as it was a silver knife that she knew had been in the vault for she had been tempted to take it.
His eyes told her "Keep it with you always." As his hands slowly left hers.
To which she just nods her head and longs for his touch but knew it could never be as she was a high elf and her brother would never agree as he hated the Nords. Her eyes ask. "What about you?" To which he just tapped the top of a silver sword she had seen in the vault but was now on his hip.
"The boy needs to be moved." He quietly tells her to which she nods and heads off in that direction as a guard follows her at his jarl's silent command. The young jarl just stood in the middle of lodge as he gives the door Bogroll had entered a curious eye then glances up to the shadows of the roof. Not seeing anything but he smiles to himself when he hears.
"You think he is a werewolf?" a soft voice from the shadow remarks.
"Yes. You still can do the job?"
"Of course." The shadow figure almost inaudibly answers.
"It would be best if you do it when he is in werewolf form and not near the town."
The shadow figure just nods his head.
While Bogroll is being tended to by the healer Nenya and the guard move the sleeping Samuel not to the Inn but down to the hut of the Priest. Once the boy is comfortably in the bed in the hut Nenya orders. "I want you personally to tell Borazon where his grandson is and for him and the child to remain here. Make sure you bring their things from the Inn here too."
"What of the goat?" The guard asks.
"I don't know."
"Hide the goat in the hall of the dead." Runil says as he enters behind them.
"Are you sure?"
"I take it you fear what the Chancellor might do?"
"He came in injured in the same way as…" Nenya goes to say.
"I saw. What excuse is he using?"
"That he and his people were attacked by a Werewolf."
"Try and convince him he needs to be in jail."
"He will never go."
"You will have to find some way to put him there while I have some studying to do. Have Borazon come here directly."
"You don't think he'll."
"We will do our best to keep them away from each other until we can find out for sure."
"Go now guard."
"What of his horse?
"Take it directly to the stables and warn the stable master."
"Yes ma'am."
Just outside the Gates of Falls Creek
Day 13 Just before dark –
A guard saw the group coming and ran up to them. Seeing the guard running at them Borazon feared the worse as he tightened his grip on the horse's reigns.
"Hail Borazon." The guard said as he approaches.
"Hail Guard men. Is my grandson alright?"
"Yes, he is fine in fact I have been sent to tell you that he has been moved."
"Why so soon?" Zira inquires.
"They moved him to the Inn already." Borazon questions not liking how quickly he was moved.
"No sir they moved him to the Priest's hut."
"Why?"
"Chancellor Bogroll of Jup-itt-er has arrived." The guard answered as though it had explained everything.
"That shitter is a Chancellor now." Volkana spits.
"Damn I was hoping he would never return and now he is a Chancellor." Zira remarks with such venom that Borazon looked at her strangely.
"I don't know of him." Borazon tells them.
"He is a high elf who hates anyone who isn't a high elf. He takes great pleasure in killing anyone who worships Talos." Zira angerly spits.
"He is also that cold bitch Nenya's brother." Volkana retorts.
"Watch what you say about the steward." The guard warns.
"I don't see why all you guard likes her. Or do you just like them cold." Volkana suggestively retorts.
"I am warning you old man. If you don't watch what you say you can sleep out here with the werewolf." The guard threatens.
"Fine." Volkana snaps as he turns his head.
"What of my goat? My grandson will be heartbroken if anything happens to her."
"She is being hidden in the hall of the dead."
"Why should they hide? He hasn't done anything wrong has he?" Volkana asks.
"Bogroll will try and target them because they are new." The guard tries to explain.
"So?" Volkana says.
"He will believe we don't have support in the town, and it will be easy to use us to make you do as he says." Borazon explains.
"He will also likely use you because you stood up to a werewolf." Zira inputs.
To which the guard just nods his head.
"Where is he?" Borazon asks as he wants to avoid the elf.
"He has not left the Jarl's lodge, yet."
"I will hide in the hut with my grandson."
"Why hide?" Volkana asks.
"I don't want to cause a problem. You people don't need it after what happened." Borazon tells them. "What of my horse?"
"I have already warned the stable master and he will claim the horse is his."
"I don't want him lying for me."
"He said to tell you he views all the animals in his stables as his until the owner comes for them." The guard tells him.
"Zira do you mind taking Ember?"
"I'll make sure she gets there without a problem."
"What of my gear in the Inn?"
"It was moved when we moved the goat." The guard answers without telling them how they had look through his things and reported everything they had found back to the steward.
"Lead the way guard." Borazon says as he hands Embers lead to Zira and slips down off of the horse. "Becareful." Borazon tells her.
"You too."
"What about me?" Volkana demands with a whine.
"Keep them safe and I'll buy you a round." Borazon tells him as he follows the guard into the shadows.
"If he keeps his word, I just might like him."
Borazon and the guard kept to the shadows as they enter through the gate. Once through the gate they head south towards the large graveyard. When they were about half past the jarl's lodge Borazon stops and looks intently at an area while his hand itches for some unknow reason.
"What is it?" The guard quietly asks.
"Not sure but I feel like we are being watched." Borazon tells him in an undertone.
"It's not a full moon." The guard says as he looks at the raising wanning moon.
"Remember that thing killed just before now. I was also attacked by vampires in the early morning." Borazon remarks.
"Crap and I don't have anything to fight against that thing with."
"Are you wearing some wolfvane?"
"Yeah, but that's all."
"Let's just keep moving." Borazon says as he changes the position of his axe for a better grip and the guard tightens his grip on his sword while heading for the hut.
The shadowy figure smiles under its mask while it thinks. "It's a shame that you are not my target for you seem to be a more worthy challenge. But payment for the other has already been made." Then continues to observe the Jarl's lodge and the elf who was just leaving heading for the Inn.