WhoGuru

Thanks! You know, my team and I are auditioning Builders at the moment. We need to add another to our team for the sequel to our mod, Lost Sword of the Ayleids. We have 5 new dungeons to build as well as needing someone to do meshes for armor. Mage, our builder, admits to being weak in that area. Stop by the Relz thread for Lost Sword and see if you'd be interested in being in on the sequel.

Greetings Happy! Love the looks of the mod your currently working on! Very nice dungeon. Welcome to the Alliance!

Good night guys! Rider's working on the battle now! So I suppose we'll amuse ourselves with getting your poor lamented remains to the shrine! heh heh heh Promise not to drop you too many times.

I did notice the windows! They kind of stand out and are amazing!

Wow. Kev was just looking over my shoulder and wants to know when he can install this.

Quote Egg? The avatar? Funny thing about that, heh heh heh...I hope Rider sees my playbook above about the fight... He saw, I linked it to him cause he wanted to know what the Azura star was for again! LOL

Quote Yeah, I have lots to do in the void. More soul searching.If you make it there too quick, I wont have much to write about, and the climax to the story would be sortof And we certainly do not want that after all this fantastic writing!

Sounds good so far! Rider is writing his addition as we speak! ...*points finger at V* Yeah! No magically being transported and it's all over ya little stinker!

Quote I am too old to know what the 'current' 13+ age group can see.I see almost nude people on prime time TV anymore. This mod certainly does not have that much, it leaves more to the imagination. The actors are actually clothed. (mostly)Whats your call on this? Can you take a screenie or two for the good commander's benefit and show him how skimpy were talking? lol

This looks very cool! Nicely done! If you need a little dialogue written and I'm not buried under RST, let me know. LOL

Quote dude I'm so new here I dunno what to say... I come from mainly other graphic backgrounds... plus my temper...Mum ROFL Take it to PM's bro! I know your temper too! Can't wait for the house of Earthly pleasures Wil! My hubby is looking forward to it! LMAO

I saw that thread yesterday. I understand the frustration and at the same time, can't help thinking maybe they're taking it a bit too seriously. I mean, we're doing this for pleasure, ours and others. I was very upset when I found a guy had swiped my Daedra Guide for his mod and not only not credited me but taken it for himself. I'm not going to pull my guides down on account of it though. In a way it's flattering that someone considers my work good enough to 'borrow' and pass off as his own. LOL and anyone who knows me knows who it really belongs to. I wish Shezrie luck with whatever they go on to do! Perhaps they'll wander back eventually.

Red watched William and Rider conferring somberly and then noticed others were staring at her. Looking down, she realized the front of her clothes was a mass of her own blood. She stared hypnotized at it for a moment. There was so much and yet here she stood, alive and her past, she hoped, finally in the past. Pulling her eyes away she looked up to find William watching her. His eyes were full of compassion and oddly, understanding. He gave her a sad smile and turned his face back to the Rider. Vereta was at her elbow then, eying the blood and then taking hold of the front of her shirt where the hole was. "Are you alright?" He asked, concerned. Lifting the shirt he found newly healed pink skin where the wound used to be. Red took her shirt back and smiled vaguely at Vereta. "I'm fine. I'm okay." She couldn't help returning to that clearing in her mind. Dropping her hand, she touched the hilt of the Dread blade and silently thanked no one in particular for sending William to her. "I have to go clean up." She said softly and made her way outside in a daze. In the stables, she found Savior, happily munching away at a bale of hay. Going to him, she leaned heavily against his side and simply listened to him breathe. She had thought her life was done in that clearing, was not even terribly upset at the thought. Only at the thought of dying alone. Waking to find William holding her and her wounds healed...had been a shock. One she was still trying to deal with. Where William sought penance and a return to grace, she had never entertained that luxury. There was too much blood on her hands, blood once joyfully spilled in Sithis' name. It was all she had known, though that was a poor excuse for the evils she had committed. She stood back from Savior and choked on a sob. Her hands were indeed covered in blood and had left red prints on Saviors' flank. She went to the water barrel in the corner and roughly began scrubbing the stuff from her skin. In her mind, the stains remained. She cried as she washed. Savior kept nudging his head into her back and finally she took a rag from the wall, soaked it in the now pink water and set to scrubbing her blood from his hair. The tears would not stop. Shed for parents she had never known, assassins both and dead soon after her birth though none would say how, for those who had sold her to the Brotherhood and Sithis' service as an infant, for all the lives she had once taken. She'd spent the intervening years after being released living as a thief. They had a code of honor she could live by and her tainted soul did not bother them. She left cruelty behind and tried to live with honor, never killing but to save her own life. But in that clearing, all her hard won promises had fled her. The old ways had returned and she had assassinated Asteus in cold blood. There'd been no fair fight. She wondered if she would ever truly be free of it and cried for that fear as well. "Red." The Rider's voice startled her. She dropped the rag and hastily turned her face away. "Everything ready?" She asked quietly, trying to mask the sound of tears in her voice. She heard him come closer and prayed he would leave before seeing her so weak. He did not. In truth, Rider felt a kinship for the thief, almost for that of a sibling. He looked on her as a sister and, seeing her face when she'd left the Tavern, knew something was wrong beyond the incredible stains of blood. William had taken hold of his arm as he rose and spoke softly. Red was once an assassin, like him, he'd said. Though he did not know exactly what happened in that clearing, he knew it had been bad and had nearly taken her life. Rider was not surprised. So many things about her and her style of fighting did not say thief. They spoke of darker things. William only confirmed what he already knew. So he went to her, this adoptive sister and found her crying though she tried to hide it. "You should be with William." She said hoarsely. She picked the rag back up and went after the stains again, smearing rather than cleaning. Savior was beginning to not enjoy her ministrations and huffed at her. "Red." Rider put a hand on her shoulder. She stiffened beneath it and was fairly shaking with emotion. "I do not know what happened to you in that clearing, nor does William, but know this. You are not alone. I know you were an assassin." He said suddenly. She stiffened, as if waiting for a blow. "I do not care, nor does any who knows you. You are not that person anymore." Red stared at the stains she was uselessly smearing across Saviors' coat. Never in her life had she turned to another living being for comfort. Had never wanted to and had all but attacked those who would have given it to her. Perhaps that was where she failed. Holding herself so much apart she could never truly escape what she had been. She decided to change. There, in the stall, with a friends' hand on her shoulder, she took the first step and turned to Rider. He gathered her in without a word and simply held her. It took minutes for her to relax in his arms, so alien was the concept. Finally, by inches, she let herself be held and cried once more. Now not for that which was lost but for what she had found. Friends and a new family to help her learn how to be a good person.

Red and Savior rode deep into the night. Finally, when she'd put more than a mile between her and the Tavern, she dismounted. Quickly, she pulled her Cloak from his saddle and rubbed his head. "Time for you to go home friend." She spoke softly to him. He nickered, butting her shoulder as if in argument. "You go back. I'd rather not have them grab you and me at the same time." She gave him a last rub and then a light slap on the rump to send him on his way. He left, returning through the trees, but stopped often to glance back at her before finally moving out of sight. Red sighed, his company would have been nice, but the ones hunting her were not above killing her horse to make a point. She set off deeper into the trees, alert for anything that might give away if she was being followed. For a long time, she heard nothing but the nights sounds of the forest. A chill rode the air and she threw on her cloak. As the weight of the fabric settled, she heard something out of place. Nothing. There was suddenly no sound at all in the forest. The night bugs were silent and only the gentle breeze continued to move. She couldn't help wishing William and the Rider were with her. They'd have made short of work of this mess but then, she'd have had to explain and she wasn't sure she could do that. Ever. William might understand, she thought. She shook her head. She was distracting herself at a dangerous time. She focused once again on the lack of sound and knew she had been found. She silently stepped to a tree, flattening herself against it's trunk and, her eyes adjusted to the darkness, waited and watched. For a time, nothing happened and she thought perhaps it wasn't her assassins at all that had silenced the forest. Then, far ahead through the trees, she saw a form slipping between the trunks. With a dangerous smile, she moved again, following the figure. She wished she could be sure if he had seen her or not. The figure led her through the forest, never in a straight line, sometimes doubling back on itself. She finally decided that he must be looking for her. Whoever it was, knew she was in the forest, but had yet to find her. Good thing she'd sent Savior back. She decided to gain some ground and get a look at her prey and just like that, the trap was sprung. Red felt the prick of something sharp in her neck, swinging her hand up, she came away with a small dart. "Stupid." She said to herself and began to weave where she stood. The figure had been leading her, drawing her out and she'd fallen for it. Her vision doubled, then blurred and at last she fell to the forest floor and lay staring up at the stars as consciousness left her. Red came too in a haze. A sharp slap on her cheek brought her fully awake. She was tied to a tree, her manacled wrists suspended above her head and the angry face of an Imperial stared back at her. He slapped her again. "With us again, are you?" He said and turned away. She'd been searching for him and he had found her. AL. The letters on her death warrant, Asteus Leonde, Dark brotherhood assassin and once friend. The sole survivor, save herself, of their sanctuary. "It's been a long time, Red." He spat her name and turned to her again. The dancing flames of the fire he'd built up showed madness in his eyes. "Not long enough." She replied and smiled at him. She'd wanted to find a way to end the hunt. If she survived, she'd consider coming with serious back-up next time, answers be damned. "The Brotherhood misses you, Sister." He said in a low voice. "I've come to send you to our dread Father as should have been done long ago." "I am not your sister." She said softly. "I am not one of you anymore. The Night Mother released me from my contract." "Lies!" He yelled and, stepping to her, slapped her again hard enough to rock her head. "Why would she do such a thing?" "You know why!" Red yelled back, a tear tracked down her face and she quickly squashed the emotion. It would serve her no purpose now. Asteus slapped her again and stalked away. Red stole a glance up at the manacles binding her and smiled. At least escaping those would be easy. "I don't believe you. Such a thing would never happen. Once the choice is made..." "I never chose!" She yelled it at him, all the old anger rising up in her once more. "It was never my choice!" She kicked out at him in a fit of temper and quickly controlled herself again. Asteus laughed at her. "Little Red. Such lethal potential in such a small package." He pulled her blade from his belt and turned it in the light of the fire. "Tell me, where did you acquire this? Hmm?" He glanced up at her and laughed again. "You will tell me before we're done and you'll teach it to accept me." Red's eyes widened. "Oh yes, I hear it. The voice. So soft, as if so far away." He held the blade close to his ear as if listening. "It doesn't want me. It will." He turned the knife and held it at her belly, the point digging into her shirt. "You will tell me a great many things this night, little Red." "I wouldn't do that if I were you."She warned Asteus, staring into his eyes. He simply smiled and drove the dagger home. Red screamed even as she knew it wasn't a killing blow. He didn't want her dead yet, but in pain. She gasped, panting for air past the pain and smiled sadly at him. "I warned you." She gasped and choked out a short scream when he yanked the blade out. Her blood covered the enchanted silver to the hilt and dripped down his hand. She fought for air and warned him. "The Night Mother forbade...a contract on my life. You knew." Asteus laughed and peered closely into her eyes. "She will never know. The assassins that hunt you at my request are Morag Tong. Hired thugs but talented all the same." He showed her the blade. "They'll be more of your blood here before I'm done." "No." She said, so softly he had to lean in to hear her. "There wont." Asteus looked confused, not understanding how she could think she had any hope. "You're friends are all off on their own little quest I believe." He laughed at her again. "You are all alone, little Red. No one to come to your rescue." "You're wrong." She said, and now did cry. "You called her. My blood...on the blade." She shifted her eyes to look over his shoulder. In nearly slow motion, Asteus turned and in shock, stepped back into Red's body. She cried out when his elbow rammed the open wound in her belly. Beyond them, just outside the firelight, stood the vision of the Night Mother. Asteus all but fell to his knees before her. The dagger forgotten in his hand, he stared in horror. "With true daughters' blood on the Night Mother's blade have you called me." Her voice was ethereal and terrible. Even the fire hadn't the will to crackle in her presence. "Asteus Leonde." and her horrible countenance focused on his face. "You have broken my law. No hand of our family was ever to be raised against this one. So I decreed. Yet, here you are, her blood on your hands and now I must mete out the punishment to you you would have sought for her." "Night Mother no! She betrayed us!" Asteus begged, pleading for understanding. The apparition shook her head sadly. "No. Asteus. You betrayed us. It was you who led the hunters to the Sanctuary. You whose skills were less than required." She looked sadly down at him. "A blade once damaged may be stronger when re-forged and so our Dread Father and I hoped it would be with you. Alas, it is not so and you shall be with our Dread Father soon." Asteus gasped in shock when the dagger was stripped from his hand and again when Red, now freed from her shackles, sank the blade deeply into him. No weak blow this but one for death. "I've learned many things in my time away as a thief. No manacles can hold me for long. One mistake among so many." She whispered in his ear. He fell forward, dead, into the leaf mold, the Night Mother's name on his lips. "Child of Sithis." The Night Mother spoke to Red. "My vow to you is kept.Our debt repaid. The blade forged for your blood is yours, so long as you live. I will not come again." She began to fade away and Red felt drained as the spirit vanished completely. She fell to her knees beside Asteus' body. She'd tried for so long to escape her past and here it was, at her feet. Her wound bled fiercely and she hadn't the energy to begin healing it. She sat there, kneeling in the grass with the dread blade in her hand and wished now for one of the friends she'd left behind. She knew she was soon to sleep, whether she wanted or not, as she knew there was still one more assassin in the woods somewhere and yet, she could not force herself to stir. She chuckled softly to herself as her vision grayed. Here it ends, she thought. Alone, as I've always been. She took comfort knowing Williams' resurrection would not now be risked by her past interfering and wished for her seat by the fire and a good mug of meade. She was weak with blood loss, drained from the effort of reviving old wounds and truths and the Night Mothers' presence and never felt the shadow at her back.

Red sat with Vereta, sipping meade and knew they had arrived far too early to be of any use yet. They had the star, Vereta had it safely nestled in his pack. The assassins hunting her weighed heavily on her mind. She worried what would happen if they appeared at just the wrong moment. What if they were to ruin their attempt to save William? She could not allow even the slightest risk to that plan. Making up her mind, she rose from the table and tossed some coins down. "I'm leaving for a bit, V." She said. He was shocked and stared at her. "Leaving? But...William..." He stammered. "I'll be back for that, I hope." She smiled to remove some of the weight of her words. "If I'm not, you have the star. Save William. Whatever else happens, don't let him die like this." Vereta ran several arguments over in his head and, seeing the set look on her face, could find none that would work. "Alright." He nodded. "Good luck, whatever it is you're doing." Red smiled again, clasping his arm in farewell and strode from the tavern. Outside, she went quickly to Savior. He'd had but a few hours rest and for him, it was enough. He danced beside her as she led him from the paddock. Adventure always made him happy. Before mounting, she fished a sugar cube from her pocket and passed it to him. While he munched happily, she swung up into the saddle and set off into the forest. If there were still assassins about in search of her, riding out alone would bring them. She needed just one. The one who had signed her death warrant. She had a feeling she may find him nearby, if she but gave him the opening he needed. Loosening her dagger in its' scabbard, she and Savior rode into the woods and into darkness as bait. The hunt would end, she promised herself and those she called friends. She would not be the means of William's death, however inadvertently.

Vereta froze as the tower trembled, fingers going nerveless and the pendant dropped from them to land on his chest. "I don't think you should have taken that." Red said warily. The rumbling continued and now a fine mist of silt was falling from the stone ceiling high above them. "We need to go. Now." Red took hold of Vereta's cloak and began pulling him along behind her. Together they fled up the staircase. It shook beneath them and as they reached the top, great chunks of stone and mortar fell from above, denting the ancient stone floor. "Run!" Red shouted at him and with a push, shoved him ahead of her to the door. Savior had more sense than the average horse and as Red and Vereta reached the giant entry hall, they found Savior nipping the flanks of Vereta's horse to get him out the door. Red barked a laugh and dodged a mammoth square of stone. She slapped into the rear of Vereta's mount and gave it a mighty whack. With a cry, it burst through the doors and they were able to escape the crumbling ruin. Red led them down the stairs and onto the mountainside. They watched the magnificent structure collapse in upon itself and Red sighed sadly. "What a waste." She draped an arm over Vereta's shoulder. "At least we got what we came for." Vereta felt a bit guilty at causing the collapse of the structure. It had been truly unique. He hoped to learn more about it from the book he had taken. Perhaps, he thought, I shall rebuild it someday. "We need to get back to the Tavern now." Red smiled at him. "We've made good time and should be back no later than tomorrow night." "Another hard ride?" Vereta asked with a pained smile. He was not used to such long hours in the saddle. Parts of him were complaining loudly. Red laughed and sympathized. "Afraid so. I don't want to miss all the fun." She clapped him on the shoulder and turned to call Savior. She found herself face down in the snow, a hard push in the back had sent her. She heard a gasp above her and rolled over to watch Vereta topple to the ground with a throwing star embedded in his shoulder. "Vereta!" She cried and searched the snow around them. While she could see no one, she found tracks magically appearing in the snow some yards away. A single set. Vereta had seen them first and pushed her out of the way. Now she was angered. Red rose into a half crouch, keeping her eyes locked onto the footprints which had stopped moving. She felt at Vereta's neck and nearly sobbed when she found a pulse. He was alive. She determined to keep him that way. She wondered that the Assassins had tracked them this far into the mountains and she had felt nothing. She moved so Vereta's body was protected by her own and drew her blade. The footprints remained where they were and Red laughed. "It's no good. I can see your feet. You will not catch me unawares again, filthy assassin." As she finished, the prints shifted and she ducked. A trio of stars flew just above her head. She had made him mad. Good. She laughed at him, provoking him. While her anger fueled her fighting skills, in lesser men it was a distraction and one easily played upon. Sure enough, seconds later, the assassin dropped the spell hiding himself and glared at her from above a mask. All she could see were maddened eyes staring death at her. She grinned into that face and leapt. The assassin was unprepared for a direct attack. Red sailed into him, catching a blow on his shoulder before being tossed into the snow. She rolled to her feet and this time waited for the attack. He was staggered, bleeding and now truly enraged. "Betrayer." He hissed at her. That froze her and for the first time in days, she was suddenly sure why assassins were hunting her. She had been found. "Come meet your fate, assassin." She growled at him. "You are not good enough to best me. Leave now, and you may live." She watched him weigh her words against his vow and in the end, he attacked. A vicious flurry of blows with a blade dulled sickly green by a poison. She dodged and weaved, avoiding each attack by only a breath and knew she was his better. In a fair fight, he had no chance. He surprised her with a kick that took herin the abdomen, knocking the wind from her and she sagged, as if weakened, inviting him to close with her. He did, and met his end with the keen of her blade thrust deep in his heart. Surprise showed in the eyes she watched go blank from inches away and she let him fall. When she was sure he was dead, she returned to Vereta. He was alive, and by luck, the stars had not poisoned. She tsked the assassin for such and oversight and deftly pulled the weapon from Vereta's shoulder. He was still out and using the time, she went back to the assassin, rifling his clothes. She found nothing within but a scrap of parchment with her name, the contract for her life and, seeing the initials at the bottom, swallowed the urge to scream in frustration. "Red?" Vereta's voice called her back. She swallowed the heat of her rage and fear at finally being discovered and went to him, smiling again. "It's alright, V." She soothed and helped him to sit. "It's safe now." She placed her hands on his shoulder and carefully called forth the small healing magick she was blessed with. It sank into his wound, closing the worst of it and she could feel him strengthen. "You'll be weak yet from blood loss I expect." "Who was it?" Vereta rose shakily to his feet and studied the body now being covered by new fallen snow. "An assassin." Red said simply and refused to elaborate. With a whistle, Savior came trotting up the mountain path, the leads for Vereta's mount in his mouth. Red helped V onto his horse and in silence, they set off to return to the tavern and the next leg of their journey.

Red finally stirred from her reverie, a plan formed and ready, to find Vereta had dozed off. She smiled. The combination of a long, hard ride, Meade, warm fire and fear of what was too come had sent him off while still in the midst of reading. She gave his shoulder a fond shake and watched him snap awake. "I was reading." He grumbled and sat up straighter. Red laughed. "Aye, reading through closed lids. There's a trick I could stand to learn." She moved her chair closer to Vereta's and spoke softly to him, lest another patron overhear. "I have a plan and you're right. We just can't wait for the wee hours to get the ring." Vereta was instantly alert. "The plan hinges on you, V." She said and studied his face, finding courage there, she went on. "We need to get Volanaro out of the Guild hall. I need you to go in and lure him out for me." Vereta's face darkened slightly. "What are you planning to do?" Red was a thief now to be sure, but he felt there were darker things in her past. Her skills in combat were certainly beyond the average thief, she was lethal. He would refuse to harm this Mage should she request it and would in fact seek to stop her. To his relief, Red laughed. "No worries, V. I mean him no permanent harm." She patted his shoulder. "He may end a bit embarrassed, but alive and well I swear it." She laughed again and a brief sadness crossed her face. "The look on your face just then. What must you think me capable of?" She fairly breathed the last and when Vereta would have said something, she shook her head. "It's alright. We need to get started." She outlined her plan and Vereta's role. He could not fault her logic. In truth, he was the best choice. He would not stand out entering a guild hall and would likely have no trouble convincing this Volanaro to accompany him into the city. When he had his part of the plan down, they left the Tap and Tack together and headed up into the city. At the first rise, Red split off from Vereta with a wave and headed toward the castle. Vereta strode along the rampway, past the FIghter's Guild and to the wide, double doors of the Mages Guild. He stood for a moment, hands on the doors and readied himself. Finally, he pushed them inward and found himself in a large, warm and inviting entry hall. He had a fleeting feeling of home, as he'd once felt at the Arcane University, before things had gone so horribly wrong. The feeling passed and he went to the woman at the front desk. She was training her conjuration skill, summoning Scamp after Scamp to skulk across the floor before vanishing. "Excuse me." Vereta interrupted and she tsked at him. "Something you need? Are you a guild member? I'm Jeanne." She greeted, having seemed to decide that Vereta looked like someone of consequence. He smiled and pushed his dark thoughts away. "I'm looking for Volanaro. He's needed up at the castle." Vereta recalled what Red had told him and said little about what he was actually needed for. Jeanne though, had no problem and was far more interested in continuing her training. "Oh he's downstairs, if you really want him." She frowned. "He really is the worst of pranksters. Watch yourself if you must speak with him." She waved to the stairs and went back to her conjuring. Vereta headed for the stairs, wondering why someone who was nominally in charge of a guild hall was still practicing a basic spell like that. He shook his head. Guild standards had obviously fallen since he'd left. Downstairs, he entered the living quarters and searched for Volanaro. He found him in a dining room off the main hall just as he cast an Invisibility spell on a Khajiit next to him. The big cat vanished and the two of them broke into fits of giggles. Seconds later, the spell wore off and the Khajiit was visible again. "Not long enough!" He hissed. "You must make it stronger!" Vereta stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Excuse me, I've been sent to find Volanaro?" The taller of the two turned. He was very well dressed for a Mage and had an air of superiority that immediately threw up Vereta's back. "Find me you have, young man. What do you want? Can't you see were busy!" Vereta resisted the urge to show him a spell or two of his own, sticking to the plan instead. As the older man glared down at him, he thought perhaps he wouldn't mind if Red were to manhandle him just a bit. "There's been a problem at the castle, a summon gone wrong. The Count sent me to ask for your aid dealing with the problem." Vereta gave a curt bow. "He said only you would do, Sir." Volanaro fairly preened and turned to the Khajiit with a laugh. "Really? Oh and wont Jeanne just hate that when she hears of it." The Khajiit hissed in laughter and slapped Volanaro on the back. "I'll return soon, J'Skarr and we'll get that spell just right. Come, lead the way." He ordered of Vereta and actually waited for him to go first and open the door. Vereta did so with a disgusted look and led the pompous fool from the guild hall. Jeanne was no longer at her counter as they left and Vereta was thankful there would be no witness to thier leaving together for a time. Outside, V led Volanaro around the Hall and towards the stairs behind a nearby shop that would lead to the castle. The area behind the buildings was dark as even the moons had yet to rise. As they reached the stairs, Vereta heard a grunt from behind him and turning, saw Volanaro crumple forward unconscious. Red stood behind him, a satisfied look on her face. Vereta barely contained a laugh and settled for shaking with mirth. Together, they dragged Volanaro's unwieldy body between the buildings where it would not be easily seen. Red checked his hands and, sure enough, found the ring she was seeking on his left. His fingers were a bit on the pudgy side and she had to work the ring free. Finally, as Vereta related his tale of convincing Volanaro to accompany him, she had it in her hand. It felt a bit warm...and perhaps a little alive. She tucked into her jerkin and looked down at the hapless man. "That much trouble eh?" She asked of V. "I don't think I like that he was rude to my friend." With a somewhat evil grin, she bent to the man and looked up at Vereta. "Care to help me?" With that, and a chuckle, she began removing his so carefully primped clothes. Vereta smothered a laugh and bent to help her. In short order, he was down to his underwear. Red quickly trussed him and, poking her head out the front of the gap between buildings, began pulling him out to the sidewalk. Vereta took his legs and in short order had him propped against the wall of what turned out to be the Novaroma shop. "Come, Vereta. I think our time here is done and we've a Wizard's Tower to find." With a last glance at Volanaro, Vereta followed Red and they quickly made their way to the gates. As they were leaving, they heard a sudden outburst of laughter from behind them followed by the indignant cursing of Volanaro's voice. Vereta set off with Red in a much lighter mood than before.

Quote Sure! I hope the beer selection is pleasant! Rider and Grond have stocked the bar. We should be even to keep your jaded malt beverage tastes happy! LOL

WOOT! It's my Shadow! I was wondering where it went! Nice to have you here bro! Gonna come join us in the Tavern?

Vereta went quickly and quietly about packing their gear. Red had finally managed to come out of the fog that had engulfed her mind after taking the jewel. She doused their fire and, making sure Vereta wasn't watching, plucked one of the coals from the dying embers and clasped it in her fist. She could feel the heat but there was no pain. She opened her hand, letting the coal tumble back into the ashes and stared fascinated at her palm. It was pink and slightly warm but that was all. She had a sudden, irrational urge to run back into the cave and hop into the lava, just to test the limits. With a laugh she rose and finished stowing their gear on their horse. "Ready, V?" She asked, climbing atop her mount. Savior was a sturdy horse who feared little and had a knack for picking the best spots to camp. Vereta rode up beside her and, though he seemed distracted, he smiled. "Ready. We're not actually that far from Bruma here, are we?" He looked off toward the mountains where Bruma would wait. "Half a days ride." Red said. "If we ride hard, and I think we must." With that, she gave Savior a good kick and leaped away. Vereta followed, lost in his own thoughts and memories. Red too was using the ride to contemplate the sheer enormity of what they were trying to accomplish. The miles passed quickly and the day began to fade into evening. The first stars twinkled into being and soon they found themselves on the road outside Bruma. The city looked calm and inviting after long hours in the saddle. The journey had passed with little conversation and only a brief stop to rest their mounts. Leading the way to the city's stables, Red dismounted, Vereta behind her, and bartered with the stable hand for the care of their steeds. "Come, Vereta. I've not been to Bruma often but I do know a little place just inside the city gates that's good for a pint." Red led the way to the gates, opened by a set of bored guards and into the city proper. The last time she'd been here, it had been to relieve the Castle of some of the jewels gathering dust in its' vaults. She smiled at the memory and looked to Vereta. He was not smiling. His gaze was drawn to one of the upper tiers of the city and the building draped in the Guild Banners of Wizards. He looked positively grim. She knew something in Vereta's past troubled him often now. She hoped someday he would feel comfortable enough to tell her. Until then, all she could was try to distract him. Reaching her goal, she pushed open the door of a large building and led him inside. "Olav!" She cried to the owner, standing amidst his patrons and exchanging the town gossip. "Two pints of your best and a seat by the fire." Olav saw her and grinned broadly. "Red! I didn't think to see you here so soon." He stepped over and clasped her arm in greeting, lowering his head to her and spoke softly. "Nor so brazenly without a disguise." Red laughed. "Don't worry. I was never seen. I'll not bring the guards down on you." She pulled Vereta forward and introduced him. "My friend, Vereta. We sorely need a drink and Ongar if he's here." Olav's eyes rolled and he nodded towards the corner where a scruffy looking individual was eying the purse of the wealthy man next to him. "Of course he's here. It's after dark aint it?" He steered them to a fireside table and left to fetch them mead and Ongar. "Friends of yours?" Vereta asked, staring at the aforementioned Ongar in suspicion. "Of a sort." Red said with a grin. "The only kind thieves like me usually have." She took the Meade when it came and drank deeply. Vereta was fairly twitching in his seat. "Problem?" She asked him. "Why are we sitting here having a drink? We need to get that ring and get on." He glowered at the table top. His mood was definitely not improving. "What we need, V, is intelligence. One does not simply walk into a Mage's Guild and start searching the place." She tipped her mug to his and drank again. "We need to know the best time to go in and, if possible, where the ring is." Vereta looked about to say something but stopped when Ongar appeared at their table. He sat quickly, his eyes always scanning the room. "Red." He nodded and began nibbling on the bread loaf in the center of the table. "You've not been around much for ...business lately." He eyed Vereta and then turned back to her. "What is it you need?" Red quickly told him what they were here for and asked if Ongar had any knowledge of it at all. "As it happens, I have seen that ring. Dragon you say?" He emptied his tankard and raised a brow at Red. With a laugh she signaled to Olav and it was quickly filled again. "Well then, there's a bit of a ponce in the Mage's Guild here, chap by the name of Volanaro, who wears that ring. I've noticed you see on account of it's fine craftsmanship." He winked at Vereta and carried on. "It's on his pretty little finger every day so you're best hope at...acquiring the ring is while he's asleep. The Guild hall pretty well shuts down for the day after 10 and most of 'em are asleep by midnight." With that, he nodded, raised the tankard to Red in thanks for the refill and wandered back to the other patrons who would no doubt find themselves short of coin come the morrow. "Alright V." Red said, leaning back and stretching her legs out to the fire. "We have a couple hours to kill before we can hunt up this Volanaro and get the ring." "I'm sorry." Vereta stared into his mug. "I'm just worried." "I know, V. So am I. If we could do this faster I would. As it is we'll be cutting it close." Red stared into the fire, lost in thought and did not see when Vereta looked up at her and startled. In here eyes, deep in the depths, he could see flames. They were no reflections from the fire light but something else altogether. Suddenly Vereta was reminded of what Rider had said before he left. To watch her. He decided to pass the time searching his texts for any mention of what had happened down in that cave. Like Rider, he too was now worried about more than Willie Sea.

Red watched as Rider and William stepped away from the group. She was feeling a bit ethereal at the moment and had trouble focusing on events around her. To be sure, she felt good but her mind refused to focus. Shamus settled by her feet to check the burns, not knowing they were gone. He carefully unwrapped William's bandages and gasped when he saw the healthy, pink flesh instead. "What magic is this?" He stared up at Red, awe on his face. He touched the newly formed skin and her foot twitched. Vereta stepped over, a vial in his hand and looked as well. "I thought you said she'd been burned?" He looked at Shamus who was left shaking his head in disbelief. Beyond them, Red saw William vanish in a puff of purple smoke. She knew she should be amazed at least, and worried as well, but couldn't bring herself to snap out of the magic induced euphoria. She saw Rider return, heard Vereta and Shamus exclaiming over her healed feet as from a distance. Her mind began to wander again, she was so tired and sleep seemed just the thing. She gasped when Rider's face appeared in front of her eyes, his hand holding her chin firmly. "Red." Rider said her name sternly. Her eyes were a bit disturbing, unfocused and he could swear he'd seen the briefest swirl of fire in their depths. She focused on his eyes finally and looked confused. With effort, she managed to speak. "What's wrong with me?" She closed her eyes then and Rider gave her head a firm shake. She snapped them open again. Vereta was now near her, the concern on his face mirrored on the Riders. "She's been magicked." Vereta said, nodding. "Must have been very powerful. I've read about it before, being touched by one of the Aedra, Daedra that sort of thing. It can make one feel disconnected for a while." "Is she safe?" Rider stared into her eyes and this time did see the flames glow briefly at him. "Shamus, Grond and I must be on our way but I'll not leave her like this." He tilted her head up to see better. "Are you in there, Red? She smiled finally. "Aye, Rider." With great effort she forced herself to sit up and truly focus on him. The more she tried, the further away the euphoria seemed to slip. "I'm alright. Really. The flames, they healed my feet and...more." She giggled then. "Go on, you and Shamus and the big one. I'll be fine." "Define more?" Rider would not let it go and Red, slowly at first, described what had happened when she'd taken the crystal. "Marvelous!" Grond exclaimed, slapping a giant hand on his thigh. 'Truly a wonderful gift." Rider did not seem so sure. He was wary of gifts in any form, especially those which conferred power without a seeming cost. Vereta tugged his sleeve and pulled him away while Red shakily reached down to explore her new feet, "William's gone hasn't he?" Vereta was troubled by the whole thing in some way Rider didn't understand. "I should have gone with him." "No, lad." Rider was firm on this. "William needs to set things in order himself. We'll be there to help him back when the time comes." A cloud crossed V's face and as quickly cleared. He seemed to force himself to find some hope. "We will save him. You, Grond and Shamus need to go." Rider looked back at Red, still worried and not convinced they'd had the last of her new 'gift'. "She'll be fine." Vereta promised. "The euphoria will pass and I'll stay with her. I'll help her retrieve the Azura's Star we need." He clasped Rider's hand when it was offered. "Watch her closely." He warned. "I don't like this." Vereta nodded and followed Rider back to the fire. "Red." He knelt again to be at eye level. "We need to be off, as do you." She nodded, much more aware now and some of the tension in him eased. "Go. Vereta and I will get the star and meet you at the Shrine. We'll stop at the Tavern after we have it to learn where." She smiled and he searched her eyes for the flames again, finding only the smallet vestige of them as they quickly vanished. "Very well. Be careful." He rose and, motioning to Shamus and Grond, they quickly packed what they'd need and set off into the forest, back to the Tavern. "So, Vereta, Ever been to the Wizards Guild Hall in Bruma?" She grinned and flexed her now healed feet. She did not see the shadow pass over Vereta's face. He would go with her, and help her accomplish this task but a part of him was loathe to set foot within the halls of a Mage's Guild ever again.

Welcome! Nice to have ya! As Wil said, we're having a bit of a tale in the tavern, you're welcome to join in anytime!

William, Red and Shamus surveyed the force field, searching for a way past it. Shamus snapped his fingers and grinned. "Of course!" He gestured to the crystal, where it revolved slowly in its nest of flames. "The light, you see it? The crystal is refracting it about the chamber. That must be what is creating the field." He peered more closely at the pedestal and pointed to its' base. "There looks to be a slot of some type in the base. About the right size for a blade I should think." "So," William worked it out in his head. "We use some kind of blade to refract the light and someone slips through and drops the field." "Exactly." Shamus smiled. "Anyone just happen to have an enchanted blade on them? Something powerful enough to bend the light." Red smiled now and drew her dagger. "As a matter of fact..." She too studied the light as it bent around the gem. She stepped forward gently on her increasingly tender feet and angled her blade in front of her. It took several tries, and she was pushed back more than once, then finally she found just the right spot and felt a change in the air pressure around her. She pushed forward into the field. It was cold still, but no longer trying to force her out. She reached the gem with her own breath puffing out before her, fingers numb, and dropped to her knees to reach the slot for her blade. Her fingers fumbled turning the hilt to slide it into the waiting slot. Finally, with a grumble of frustration, she coaxed it in and the air began to warm again. She could feel the field weakening. She straightened to tell the others and her eyes caught movement beyond the pedestal. In shock, she gasped. The Rider was mirroring her on the other side. She could see him sliding the blade of his katana into a slot on the opposite side. "Oh no." She breathed and began shaking her head. "Rider..." She said his name softly and, hearing Wil's words in her mind, saw his death before her. Rider's face was serious and grim. He stared fixedly at Red and then beyond her, to William. Red spared a glance back and found Shamus and Wil watching her, oblivious to what was about to happen. The air became super heated once again, with an almost audible pop, the field dropped. She heard William and Shamus congratulating her and saw Rider rise to his feet, blade still drawn and could almost feel the punch of shock from Wil at her back. She couldn't let them do this. The thought spiraled through her mind. There had to be another way and no matter Wil had asked her to stand aside, she simply couldn't. With a cry, she rose and leaped at Rider, knocking his blade aside. "Rider don't!" She tackled him into the wall, coming to tears when her burned feet scraped the floor. "There has to be another way!" Rider stared down at her, then his eyes widened. Hands grabbed Red from behind, pulling her clear of him and holding her inches off the floor. Shamus had taken her at Wil's urging. William placed a gentle hand on her face. "This isn't for you, Red." He said softly and smiled. "But I thank you for showing such loyalty to an old assassin." With that, he turned to face the Rider, blade in hand. Red struggled against Shamus but the much larger man held her firm, forcing her to watch as two friends sought to slay each other.

I'm guessing it's Ah-new-twill Accent on the first syllable Since the Ayleid names you hear spoken in game tend to use all the letters, rather like Polynesian, that's the pronunciation I'd go with.

William too grinned, wondering how they would settle this. He wanted to reach it first, as much as he was sure she did. Then, Red barked out a laugh and slapped him on the shoulder. "You go first, Wil." She gestured at the lava. "It's only fair. I got to take the Sigil Stone." Will stared at her for a moment, stunned. It must have taken herculean control on her part to not dash out ahead and be there first, her hands around whatever was waiting. He was touched that she'd allow him first go at it. He nodded, smiling. "I appreciate that." With a grin for Shamus, he stepped out onto the first block. As Red had said, it was much hotter out here. He could feel the warmth through his boots. The next stone dutifully rose from the lava and Will quickly hopped onto it. A second later, the next, somewhat farther out appeared and so it went. Back on the shore, they watched anxiously as Wil made his way further out. He'd begun a curious step dance, from foot to foot as he waited for each block to appear. Shamus could swear he was leaving footprints on the last couple blocks, though it was difficult to see clearly through the haze. "My turn." Red said with a laugh. The first block had reappeared and she gamely stepped toward it. Shamus took her arm to hold her back. "What if it doesn't work the same while someone else is out there?" He asked, concerned. "Only one way to find out." She shrugged and stepped onto the first block. Shamus sighed in relief as the next quickly rose. Red hopped across and waved back at Shamus. "Good luck to you! See you on the other side!" With that, she followed in Wil's footsteps, across the lava field. ---------- On the other side, hidden and waiting as adrenaline soared through his system, the Rider marveled at his friends' courage. It took great measures of it to willingly step out into a field of lava with only precarious stone between yourself and death. He truly hoped he and William would be able to reach an agreement that would let them remain the good friends they had quickly become. ---------- Wil stepped finally off the last rock and onto solid ground again. He looked behind him and found Red not far off.Her face radiated pain and as he looked, she left an imprint of her boots behind her. He sympathized. His own feet felt well cooked within their souls, but his boots were made of sterner stuff than hers. Beyond her, Shamus could be seen making good time. Shortly, she reached the shore, hopped off the last rock and stumbled to the ground with a cry, William dropped down and examined her feet. The soles of her thin leather boots had gone. Barely a scrap remained and the bottoms of her feet were blistered and obviously painful. "Didn't think that out real well." Red hissed between her teeth. "Should have had one of you carry me!" and she laughed even as she cringed while Wil carefully tried to remove what was left of her footwear. Shamus arrived as well, doing the dancing step of singed feet. With a quick glance at Red's blistered soles, he withdrew a small vile of salve from his belt pouch and handed it to William. "Here, try this. It should dull the pain for a while." William spread the salve liberally on Red's feet and grinned when she sighed in relief and flopped back on the stone. He pulled a cloth from his shirt and, tearing it into strips, used it to wrap round Red's feet and cushion the healing burns. "Oh thank the Nine." She breathed. "And thank you, Shamus!" She held a hand out and allowed him to help her to her feet. She tottered for a moment, but after a few test steps, found she could walk well enough, the pain dulled by the salve. Turning, she surveyed the room beyond them. On a pedestal, she could see a gem of incredible size floating just off it's surface. It gleamed and glowed and fairly called to her. William stepped forward to reach for it and instead was blown backward to Shamus and Red by a powerful force field. It was cold and shocked him amidst all the heat. He gasped and then laughed. "Its just never as easy as it looks, is it?"