[edit: 11/25/2023. Typos and paragraph issues.]
It was raining today. Solas was unable to enjoy the courtyard outside, instead confined to his quarters due to the heavy storm that had been conjured out of thin air. It was truly astonishing how fast such a large and heavy storm could appear out of nowhere. It was almost as if it were magic. He had no window to stare out of but could hear the rain smack against the stone walls from the outside. It sounded like hail striking the wooden walls of a home, violent and threatening to break them down.
To put it bluntly, he was bored. There was only so much joy and entertainment to be gathered from books, and as the outside world was unwelcoming at the moment, there was only one option left for him to indulge in. His heart tightened at the thought.
Even though he feared it, he closed his eyes and began to dream. With little else to do, dreaming was the best option. To see the history of such an old place to be re-enacted by spirits would truly be astounding. These walls had so much history to them.
For once he prayed. He prayed to the other Evanuris and even the Maker that he wouldn't be sent to that nightmare again. To think that outer gods could so easily violate the barriers between worlds frightened him.
Slowly he began to drift, his vision becoming black for minutes until he awoke in the courtyard. He saw the vague forms of humans and other creatures wandering around the place, obviously mimicked by the spirits. There were even spirits here who didn't even mimic the forms or actions of students, but who sat and stood around the area.
Eventually, they all cleared out, and an assembly of five gathered around. The forms of robes in white and green energy formed and the depiction of feet was beneath them. They convened, holding their hands out, each of the spirits looking at each other's hands.
Then they began to leave, the one leading the group holding what looked to be a lantern. They ventured over to the corner of the college where a trap door was and climbed down into the basement. The last scanned behind them suspiciously, before climbing into the basement as well and shutting the trap door behind them.
If Solas heard correctly, the basement was called the midden. He was told to never go down there, as it was described as dangerous and dark. He was told of how only the Archmage, Master Wizard, Teachers, and Neloth were allowed down there. It made him wonder why those spirits who were likely mimicking students went down there, or rather why these past students did.
No good could come from a place that even the senior staff spoke of with fear and hesitation. In his few months of staying here not once has he seen the staff go down there.
He was almost tempted to go down but was woken by one of the residents. His eyes shot open and saw a young boy shaking him open.
"Master Solas, there's something in the courtyard!" he shouted. "I was told to grab you! I don't know why, but Master Phinis said you might know what to do!"
Master... it was a title he never expected to receive. It was enough to shock him fully awake. "What is wrong?" he asked, sitting up in his bed.
"I-I don't know. I was just told to grab and that... I dunno- he said something about-" The boy was cut off by a loud noise.
Lightning struck and the whole building shook. Both the student and Solas rushed outside in the storm. Wind began to blow harder and rain beat down more heavily. The grass waved in the wind, ready to be torn from the dirt.
In the middle of the courtyard, his robes blowing wildly with the wind, they saw a Dark Elven mage in strange robes fighting creatures that were being summoned around him. In the middle of the courtyard just above the statue of their founder was a large fade tear bigger than the others he's seen.
"Get back you vile creatures!" he shouted.
Another voice shouted from behind one of the pillars. He recognized it despite the loud rain and thunder silencing her and was able to identify it as Brelyna's. "Uncle, please be careful! A lot of the structure has just been repaired!"
"I am a master wizard of our house, how reckless do you think I am, Brelyna?" she shouted back at her, his words filled with arrogance.
As he spoke he summoned a massive bolt of blue lightning in his hands and threw it like a spear. Just as the spear looked like it was about to miss it turned into the dodge and struck the Terror in the chest, chaining off of it and striking multiple more twisted spirits next to it, disintegrating them instantly. The sound of impact against the Terror created a loud boom, shaking the ground and making Solas's ears ring.
Just as he could hear again, he turned towards the student. "Who is that man?" he yelled so the student could hear.
"I've seen him around but I'm unsure who he is outside of Brelyna's relative!" he shouted back so Solas could also hear.
Solas then stepped out from under the structure and rushed out to help the fellow mage. Even though he seemed fine on his own, Solas doubted he knew what to do about the fade rift. To be fair, not even Solas knew what to do about the fade rifts without Evelyn present. He may be able to stop them from spewing any more spirits, but he was unable to close them.
"Allow me to be of assistance!" Solas exclaimed loudly, freezing a nearby shade and shattering it with a strike from his staff. He hated to do such a thing, but it was necessary. He was partially, if not fully, to blame for this entire situation.
"Unless you can close that oblivion tear then I can handle it myself!" exclaimed the elven mage. "One such as I does not need help with something even a child can handle."
Solas was taken aback by the claim but decided to assist him anyway. It was more than what the wizard deserved after insulting him, but the rest of the college did not need to suffer because one arrogant mage died trying to prevent disaster alone.
"Do well to not get in the way," said the mage, casting fire upon the spirits hot enough to burn in the rain. "If you die I will take no responsibility."
"I assure you, that will not happen," Solas said, casting a barrier over both of them.
"I have no need for protection," responded the wizard. "These things will not get the chance to become within twenty paces of me!"
Solas responded by eliminating a sloth demon attacking the other from the back. He was quite close to him as well. "Twenty paces?" Solas asked, mockingly.
"Obvious exaggeration!" Shouted the other, arrogantly. A terror stepped close to him, planting its foot on a greyish-brown circle, triggering the spell and becoming encased in a shell of ash. "As I implied. They will not touch me!"
The fade rift fluctuated and pulsed. It was like listening to a beating heart, hearing it thump at regular intervals. Green streams of energy burst out from the rift, burying themselves into the ground to create fade crystals. The crystals began to grow in size, larger than Solas had ever seen before.
Smaller openings appeared above the crystals, leaking out Fade energy into the college grounds. The wizard beside him responded by sending out purple orbs flying toward the smaller openings, closing them all. Yet for one he was too late, as demons fell from the holes and landed on the ground.
Solas had never seen anything like that before. Only Evelyn was supposed to be able to close the rifts as a result of the Anchor. He didn't need these otherworldly beings. If he could learn how to do what that elf just did he could close the rift on his own.
"It's the damned larger one that refuses to close," shouted the wizard. "No matter how strong I try to make the banishment it stays open."
The demons charged them, but were frozen over as the dark elf mage froze over the rain covering the bodies of the demons'. They were stagnant and unmoving, completely frozen through. An advantage quite apparent, the other wizard opened the ground beneath them, revealing the lower depth of the college, and closing the earth in on them, crushing the spirits and shattering their bodies.
The wizard then turned towards the statue and outstretched his hand toward the Fade rift. A bright glow shot towards the rift, striking the portal and encasing it in a clear shell. More tendrils appeared from the rift and began to punch through the barrier. Solas reacted and cast a spell on the ward, creating glyphs that orbited around it forcing the tendrils to be sucked back in.
"I never thought anyone else would be able to do something about these rifts. Commendable, but fruitless, as it is not closed," said the ashen-skinned mage.
"I was doing my best to assist," Solas replied, irritated.
The other turned towards the fade rift, staring at it vexingly. His face contorted into frustration as he continued to stare. "That accursed Oblivion tear refuses to close," said the wizard. The rain continued to pour down on them, striking both their bald heads and irritating the darker-toned mage. "One moment," asked the wizard.
The other stuck his hand out with his palm facing the air. A crystal of ice began to form, then was shot up into the sky. It exploded and splintered out, making contact with each drop of rain and expanding ever outward and down, until it formed a glassy, frozen dome over the courtyard. Rain smacked against the dome, each drop forming a spike of ice on the cover.
"Master Wizard Neloth of House Telvani," said the wizard, refusing a curtsy bow or a handshake. He locked his hands behind his back and raised his chin to Solas so he could properly look down at him. "Who are you?"
The trip was at least four days long. The Hinterlands were not too far from Haven, but it was far enough to be a rough trip. It was short, however, as Evelyn had been before.
The party waltzed up to the front gate of Redcliffe where they met one of their scouts coming out of the castle. He looked concerned and confused as he approached.
"Lady Herald, the mages say they were not expecting us," said the young boy.
"Impossible!" Evelyn exclaimed in confusion. "Their leader approached me in person!"
"She says she has no recollection of that, your grace." Duneyrr snickered at the title, catching a confused glare from the scout and an unimpressed one from Evelyn.
"Perhaps she didn't tell the others," Duneyrr offered.
"That would be irresponsible," Evelyn countered.
"Most leaders are irresponsible," Duneyrr returned with a counter of his own.
Evelyn sighed and continued to move forward. The scout returned to camp and all three went on. Past the gate, they entered a ravine and came across a preacher giving a speech to mages gathered below the incline he stood. The further they went in the closer they came to the light, until they were finally met with a small town.
Around the streets were normal civilians, but they were outnumbered by the mages present. Robed individuals stood about conversing, listening to each other and the priestesses on the road. Off in the distance, they saw a larger structure on an island, or a peninsula attached to the other side of the river. It was hard to tell from where they stood.
"I think this is more than the seventy to one hundred mages you said your scouts saw," Duneyrr commented.
"Don't blame me," Evelyn replied. "I only told you what I was told."
From what they could all see there were several dozen mages in the roads alone. They didn't even wish to wonder how many were inside buildings.
"Why not find an inn," Iron Bull suggested. "They usually have good information. A lot of people tend to pass through after all."
"True," Duneyrr agreed. "They also have alcohol, which I will need to cope with the influx of new wizards and witches you are forcing me to house."
"You agreed-"
"Let me complain," Duneyrr interrupted.
He held out the palm of his hand and focused on a sky-blue orb that formed in his hand. Iron Bull and Evelyn watched his eyes follow the orb as it turned into a line that snaked through the roads, leaving many mages confused at the sight themselves. Duneyrr then began to follow the path highlighted by the spell, shrinking it as he went.
"What is that?" Asked the Qunari, eyeing the man curiously.
"The path to what we're looking for. Are you coming or do you plan on standing around with your weapons up your asses?"
...
They followed the Archmage, although begrudgingly after the insult. Somehow both surprised and unsurprised, the spell he cast led them right to an inn. They couldn't complain either, as they were immediately greeted by a kindly man named Gereon Alexius in his early senior years and a boy who had a striking resemblance to him.
Despite how kind the man looked, both Duneyrr and Iron Bull had an odd feeling in their chests. They hoped Evelyn felt it too, but they realized it was more likely that someone so new to this kind of world wouldn't pick up on it. The way he stared at her, the uncanny glint in his eye, the anxious shuffling in his seat as he spoke. The man was up to something, but they were unsure of what it was.
Even after all that, Duneyrr felt something off. It was something hard to describe, but it was something deeper than instinct. His very own soul told him that even greater arcane forces than even the most experienced mages are familiar with were at play. Something mystical... tonal, even.
"it is as you see, Herald of Andraste," continued Alexius. "The mages here are safe. Not only are they safe, but they are also promised citizenship to Tevinter after they finish their servitude."
"The most I hear of Tevinter is ill-spoken," said Duneyrr. "I know little of your country, yet people tell me it is full of snakes and despots. How have you been able to prove to these mages that you will keep your word?"
"They know because I have done no wrong to them," he said, smiling through the accusation. "I understand your skepticism but believe I have the best intentions here. The mages are safe."
"So it appears," Duneyrr agreed. "If possible, I would like to extend an invitation to you. As Archmage of the College of Winterhold, I extend to you an offer to my school. Not as a student, but as a guest. You and all mages here are welcome at any time to visit should you please. If you follow along the coastline between the Storm Coast and Jader you will find our building. While I may not be there, show the bridge guard this necklace they will know it is a gift." Duneyrr waved his hand over the table and an amulet appeared. It was the shape of an eye surrounded by an upside-down star with five points. It was dark grey and navy blue, except for the sclera of the eye which was an opal white color.
Evelyn stared on in confusion as Iron Bull stared on curiously. "I am grateful for the invitation," said the man in front of them all. "I might stop by if I ever have the chance." He stood up from his chair and turned to the young man next to him. "Felix, would you please show them all to their rooms."
"Of course, father," said Felix
"There is no need-" Evelyn began before being cut off.
"Please," said Alexius. "I would be a horrible host for having you sleep outside in the dirt. Allow me to give you a roof over your heads for as long as you stay here. Now, Felix, if you would."
Felix began to walk towards them with an unsteady stride. Not too long after he began coughing hysterically before falling into Duneyrr's chest, forcing the mage to catch him.
"Are you alright, boy?" he asked, feeling Felix's hands hold onto his. Something graced his palm, but he was unsure what it was. As his hand collapsed it grabbed onto the thing, letting him know it was a piece of torn parchment.
Alexius rushed over to his son and helped him stand steady. "I apologize," he said. "He has not been doing well. We're doing our best to find a way to cure his sickness, but have been making poor progress."
Something to keep in his back pocket for the time. "It is fine. Watching your child become prey to sickness must be difficult."
"If you ever have children you will know," Alexius said.
Duneyrr may not know the feeling, but he hoped he would never have to. It made him wonder how she was doing, and whether or not it was a boy or girl. That would have been perhaps two months ago. Maybe a few more?
His face sank as he looked at Felix. No parent should outlive their child. His heart went out Gereon, but he knew that he shouldn't sympathize with him too much. The man was pressing these mages into the servitude of a foreign empire and treating them like indentured servants.
"Thank you for your hospitality," Duneyrr said in a formal tone so unfamiliar that Evelyn looked surprised. "Do not worry about having your son guide us. Simply tell us where our rooms are and we will find them."
"If you are sure," said Alexius, helping his son stand. "Go to the top floor. It should be the very first room to your left."
"Thank you, magister," said Evelyn, leading everyone to their room.
The moment they became out of earshot of the magister they began to convene as they located their room. Still, they kept quiet in case someone should be listening.
"So what did you do to the necklace?" Iron Bull asked.
"It's a surprise," answered Duneyrr, a malicious smile across his face.
"Regardless of that, why did you invite him to your college? That's quite uncharacteristic of you," Evelyn pointed out.
"It's called lying," said the Archmage. "I don't expect him to get out of this place alive. And if he does it will be in chains."
"And if he shows up to your college with the necklace on?" Evelyn pressed.
"First off, the necklace is mine. If he shows up to the bridge wearing that then he will be killed immediately. Second, I enchanted the necklace with something special."
"Will the pendant stab him in the chest at your command?" Iron Bull asked excitedly.
"No," answered the wizard.
"Will it explode if he leaves Redcliffe?"
"Again, no."
"Will the pendant levitate and have the string tighten so it becomes a noose?"
"I wish I thought of that, but no."
Iron Bull, seemingly out of grotesque and horrifying ideas, gave up then. Still, he pestered the wizard hoping to get an answer.
Eventually reaching their room, Evelyn locked the door. Duneyrr took his turn and cast a spell on the door which sent a pulse across the room, leaving a clockwise triskele on the door. Iron Bull and Evelyn looked on curiously at the spell.
"No one can hear us now," Duneyrr answered. "So long as they aren't in the same room at least." Duneyrr then unfolded his hand, revealing the crumpled-up piece of parchment in his hand. He placed it on a nightstand where everyone could see it.
"Do not trust Alexius. Go to the Chantry," Evelyn read aloud.
"No shit," Duneyrr cursed. "The man looks shifty."
"We could at least go to the Chantry and take a look," Evelyn said. "And who gave this to you, Duneyrr?"
"The man's son," he replied. "I already know something strange is going on, but if it's turning son against father then it must be worse than I thought."
"How strange?" Iron Bull asked.
"It is... difficult to explain," he answered. "But in short, I can feel time stirring here."
"Time?" Iron Bull asked. "Is Time Magic a thing?"
Duneyrr waved his hand horizontally, unsure of how to answer. "Again, difficult to explain. But... yes and no."
"Then don't explain it," Evelyn advised. "We should investigate the Chantry. As you said, if Alexius's own son is helping us fight against him then this must be bad. Let's not waste any more time."
From the trees below he saw a war band marching to a fortress. The armor they wore was incredibly familiar, bearing the symbol of an eye in the middle of a sun, being pieced by a sword from above. Their green-colored cloth beneath their plates and leather, as well as the same insignia on the shield, brought back a memory.
That scout said he was with the Inquisition. The ensigns match what his memory held. He watched them march on to their goal, banners held high and their commander leading the parade.
However, there were not as many of them as he expected to be. Only one hundred soldiers strong, they were in no position to take a fort. No matter who ran the fort, bandits, national military, or this faction called the Templars, a force that small would be routed easily, even if they outnumbered them. The fortress was so easily defendable.
Unless assault was not their goal. He continued watching as on gilded saddles were men and women in fancy gowns and decorated masks. They looked rich. Richer than he was, at least.
His lust for coin and sin of greed had been unleashed. So many nobles in one place, their pockets potentially bulging with coin. He was almost salivating like a dog. It would be difficult to blend in naturally, especially so when his streetwear was back at his camp. Even without his clothes, a job in stealth was of no issue for one who slinks in shadows.
The Redcliffe Chantry was a mess. Benches strewn about as a fade rift formed in the building, a single mage fighting terrors, sloth demons, and wraiths, and a confused inquisition party arriving on the scene. It didn't take long for the three to join in on the fighting, sending fire flying, and swords and axes swinging.
One by one, demons fell to the four until only the rift remained. As soon as the last fade spirit was sent back to where it came from, Evelyn approached the fade rift and began to close it. A large tendril formed between her hand and the rift. One sudden explosion occurred from the rift, and it was gone from the air.
"Thank you for the assistance," greeted the tanned mage. "Before I forget, my name is Dorian Pavus. Mage of the Tevinter Imperium." Dorian looked up at the group, seeing the sole Qunari eye him carefully. The wizard began to stutter as Iron Bull crossed his arms, stepping to the front of the group to act as its sole protector. "Allow me to reiterate. I am here to help you. I assume you received my message?"
"What did it say?" asked Iron Bull, planting his feet further into the ground.
"Don't trust Alexius. Go to the Chantry," he recited for the Qunari. "I wrote the damn thing. I know what it says."
"Well... if we can trust you then... how do we-"
"What do you need us for? And what is so dire that even a sickly son is willing to fight his father?" asked the mage, cutting Iron Bull off.
"That is for Felix to explain," he said. "However, allow me to ask you this. What did you notice about the fade rift? Anything different from the others?"
"No. Why do you ask?" asked Evelyn.
"You speak of the temporal effects, no?" Duneyrr intruded. "As if chronomancy is at play?"
"You have noticed?" Dorian commented. "Yet you do not possess the mark on your hand."
"My blood are good at noticing when time is being messed with," answered Duneyrr.
"A family of powerful mages then?" Dorian queried.
"No," Duneyrr answered. "My father was a merchant and my mother was a mercenary."
"So just weird then?" Duneyrr grunted in annoyance and let the Tevinter refocus on Evelyn. "Anyway, while it may seem you are not expected here, Alexius does have a plan for you."
"Allow me to take it from here, Dorian," said a voice from the shadows. All heads turned to see Felix emerge from the side, a worried expression fixed on his face. "My father intends to give you a summons tomorrow to talk about some sort of alliance, but it is a ruse. I do not know what he plans, but be prepared."
"I'm always prepared when it comes to Tevinters," said Iron Bull, crossing his arms with a cocksure smile.
"So what now?" asked Evelyn, looking at everyone around her.
"We should rest," suggested the Archmage. "We have a place to stay, thanks to Alexius, but be alert. He may try and end us as we sleep instead of waiting for tomorrow."
"Good thinking," agreed the Qunari, nodding his head. "Are there any more protection spells you can cast on our room?"
Dorian huffed in response at the idea. "If he wants to kill you as you sleep it won't matter what you put on your door. He is a magister. There is no protection spell you can use that he cannot dismantle or find a way around."
"Not even this?" Duneyrr asked, waving his hand in the air.
A purple tear formed in the air, swirling as if it were a fade rift. It expanded and stretched, becoming nearly the size of Iron Bull as a massive chunk of sentient ice stepped out from the portal. The creature turned to all of them, looking at them as if it had a face to use.
It then turned to the Archmage, staring at him. If it could speak, they imagined it would be asking what the wizard wants of it.
"Karl will protect us," Duneyrr stated, knocking on the golem's chest with the back of his hand.
"Its name is Karl?" Dorian asked, staring up at the thing confused.
"I don't know," the summoner stated bluntly, shrugging his shoulders in response. "Doesn't have a face, which means no mouth. Don't know his name so I call him Karl. I think it's a he."
"The golems are gendered?" asked Iron Bull.
"Atronachs," Duneyrr corrected. "And... sort of. The topic of sex in terms of Atronachs is a bit strange."
"They can have-" Iron Bull was cut off by Duneyrr slamming his staff into the floor.
"We should rest for tomorrow," Duneyrr suggested, then looked at Iron Bull with a glare that showed either disgust or irritation. "And please drop the topic. Karl, you are dismissed."
The crowd watched the atronach take its bladed arm and slice open the air to the full height of its body as purple energy trailed it. It expanded wide enough for the creature to step in before closing automatically behind it.
"I forgot they can do that," stated Duneyrr, looking on in surprise.
"Just remember to be prepared for tomorrow," Felix told them all. "Even you Dorian. Be safe."
There was a look they shared that the group noticed. A look that reminded Duneyrr of a relationship that was more than siblings, but less than lovers. One that reminded Iron Bull of a bond unbreakable. One that made Evelyn think of wishing for something more. They cared for each other, that much was obvious, but how far that feeling between them ran was unknown. One-sided perhaps, or maybe mutual but neither wishing to say.
With only a few parting words between the two parties, they separated and turned in for the night. When the Herald and her guard returned to their room, Duneyrr cast several protection runes and wards, even placing a purple summoning circle at the door which she assumed would call upon Karl. Iron Bull took the chair closest to the door, his axe resting beside him as he slept lightly, ready for any action to come.
It would be peaceful from there, as chaos waited for them the next day.
Despite how obvious he stood out, Brynjolf was easily able to blend into the crowd of noblemen and women. By rendering one unconscious and stealing his garb, he wore his clothes, as well as a mask that covered his beard perfectly. He knew his voice would give him away, so he stood either in the back or middle where he could not be seen.
So many coin purses in one place. So many rich bastards naively standing around waiting for whatever is going on inside that castle. He just hoped he wasn't playing with fire.
Snagging one more coin purse from the side of a nobleman, he paused as he felt a dagger to his lower back. A voice came from behind him, feminine and gentle, yet dripping with venom. "You aren't Orlesian," she whispered into his ear. "You did well to hide your beard, but your build is too stocky."
"Good eye lass," he whispered back to drag little attention to them, freezing in place and making no sudden movements. "Though how do you plan on apprehending me without making a scene? Your people dragged these rich assholes out here for a purpose, and revealing a sneak thief in the middle of it all, who, mind you, has stolen almost all of their gold, might make you look bad."
"Then I will detain you here until our purpose is done," she whispered back.
Soon the gates lifted open and a gaggle of Templars ran through the portcullis. They were shouting and raving like madmen, claiming that their fellows had gone mad.
"Are you sure about that?" he retorted, a cheeky smile appearing from behind his mask.
"Damnit!" she cursed beneath her breath.
The woman ran forth through the crowd, her hood falling loose revealing short, red-colored hair reaching just below her neck. Brynjolf instead fled back through the crowd as they all too began to flee.
Before they could all escape through the gate, Brynjolf slipped out of the crowd and into a shed where the unconscious man was stored. From there he began to slip his nightingale uniform back on, grabbing his long sword, bow, and large sack which he began to dump his spoils into.
However, even that much was in vain. From behind him, he heard a ghastly wail. He turned around to see some red, crystalline creature charging toward him as crimson lightning crackled around its body. Brynjolf rolled out of the way, allowing the creature to slice open his sack and spill all of his gold onto the floor.
"Piece of shit!" he cursed at the monster, charging at it from the side and plunging his sword into its head. "Now I need a new sack. Or maybe a box."
The sounds of fighting were heard outside the shack. He peaked out seeing more red-crystal monsters fighting the Inquisition soldiers, and green tears open up in the sky above them. What was worse was how Brynjolf was stuck in the middle of it all.
The gates closed them in, forcing them all into a melee. In all his hopes of gaining gold and jewels, he found himself a bystander in an ambush. He was sure Duneyrr told of a similar story.
From where he stood now, he was forced to fight only to survive. He was sure he would die here... until he heard a distinct roar in the distance. If these men weren't being pressed into a corner they would look up to the skies.
Brynjolf stepped out of the shadows, an arrow knocked and ready to fire. He began to think of an old song his father would sing to him as a child. An old folktale spoke in verse with a tune, which told the tale of an ancient hero to save the whole of Tamriel, not just Skyrim. Anyone who is blooded to a Nord, no matter where they were born, will know of this song. From mothers to fathers, aunts to uncles, and even older cousins, even those who care little for folklore know of this song, if only by the tune being drummed into their heads since childhood.
"Our hero, our hero claims a warrior's heart..."
Hello! First, I really do appreciate the kind words I see about the fic. It really does make me happy. Second, I wanted to wait to release the chapter so I could get a few more chapters for other fics released and get them up to date, but quickly realized that if I did I would forget I have this chapter finished.
Thank you for stopping by. It does mean a lot to me.