Tavern Tales: Come on in and Have a Drink! Part IV

[WillieSea]

Arwin and Red were quickly on the trail of the fanatics. Arwin had tied up the lone survivor loosely so he would be able to free himself after a couple of hours. It would give them several hours lead time to find and rescue Echo.

The footprints in the snow soon turned into horse tracks. It looked like the fanatics had come across their trail and followed it to their camp in the cover of night. Red also told about their tactics in leading her away before the ambush. Arwin grunted, as far as he was concerned the whole tribe of them could die for their evil deeds. How many other innocent travelers had been put to death in their vain attempt to contact their �god�?

What really irked Arwin was the fact that they had tried to kill him. It was not a sin he would easily forgive except under extenuating circumstances. The �controlled� werewolves in the village of Udolf were different. Once their curse was lifted, they would become normal again. The witch and her subject werewolves would all die and he would not stop until they were all dead. Any creature that preyed on the innocent would be met with Arwin�s wrath as long as he breathed.

They rode quickly through the dawn and into the early afternoon. It would be a long ride to the city of Sotha Sil from their campsite. By late evening they caught sight of the retreating fanatic�s horses just before they reached their village on the outskirts of Sotha Sil�s clockwork city. The village was surrounded by a palisade of tall sharpened logs forming a crude circle around them. There were archer watchers on the walls and several groups of armed guards patrolling the grounds.

Arwin and Red left their horses behind in the trees and stealthily moved towards the village. It would be difficult to enter with stealth during the daylight. The trees and brush had been cleared from the walls out a hundred yards all around it. And then they would have to scale the wooden walls that were over twenty feet high. All this while the diligent archers on the walls watched the guard patrols go by below. If the captured fanatic had told the truth, Echo would not be sacrificed until midnight at an altar next to the gates to Sotha Sil�s keep.

As much as Red and Arwin hated to do it, they would have to wait until dusk when their chances of gaining entrance to the city would increase. They went back to their horses and ate a filling meal. They would need all their strength and energy to get Echo out of that city in one piece. Arwin had laughed; they would need it to get in!

After their meal, they scouted the perimeter of the village looking for any weak spots in the fortifications. There was only a sewage ditch running out of the village from one side and a small creek entering the other. The ground was flat and burnt away leaving the bare blackened dirt. Red remarked that these were certainly the most paranoid people she had ever seen! They both laughed quietly, not so much from the mirth but from the stress of Echo�s capture.

Finally as the sun set over the forested horizon, Red and Arwin had decided to enter the village near the front corner. It was the least watched and protected. The front gates and back wall against Sotha Sil�s city walls were well patrolled and watched. The front corner held several blind spots that the stealthy Red and Arwin should be able to easily breach in the dark. Red�s master stealth skill and Arwin�s chameleon spell in conjunction with his own mastery of the stealthy arts would make the trek doable.

They soon stood at the base of the wooden wall. Arwin smiled at Red and quickly started climbing the wall like it was a tree. Red grinned and jumped to the wall and climbed after Arwin. She soon overtook him as she quickly scrambled over the wall onto the raised walk that went around the entire top of the wall. Arwin quickly jumped in behind her and gave her a swat to the rear and chuckled lightly. Red quickly took in a breath from the surprise greeting and grinned back at Arwin. She was too well trained in the Brotherhood to have made a noise in surprise.

The two quickly clambered down the inside of the wall, not wishing to make contact with any of the citizens of the village unless absolutely necessary, their death would come later if they tried to stop them. They did not want Echo to come to harm if possible. Once he was free they could harass the fanatics as much as they wanted. They made their way through the dark alleys and side streets always aiming for the great walls of the Clockwork City in the distance. There was no hurry as it would be several hours before midnight.

As they traveled, Arwin saw a closed shop and motioned to Red, it was a magic shop. On the sign out front a potion bottle was painted prominently. Red shook her head, it was too dangerous. The mages always left magical traps or wards. Arwin smiled and jumped onto a rain barrel and shimmied up a gutter to the second floor window.

Red watched as a flash of light sprang from Arwin�s hand and a blue glow surrounded the window. A yellow flash then dissipated the blue glow and Arwin vanished from sight as he crawled in the now open window. Red let out a frustrated sigh and was quickly surprised by the back door opening.

Arwin curtseyed in the doorway and whispered, �Shall we replenish our stock?� Red rolled her eyes as she entered the shop, quickly finding potions of strong healing and packed them away. Arwin searched the small boxes behind the counter and found more useful potions and herbs, each quickly finding a place in his pack. They then silently left the shop, locking it behind them.

They followed the crowds of people that were now heading in the same direction, towards the back walls. They were most likely heading to the planned spectacle and celebration they would see this night. The two smiled from the shadows, the crowd would be in for more than they bargained for this night.

[WhoGuru]

Now that they were in the lowlands once more, the stifling rainforest heat had returned. �Even this close to midnight it remained. �Red basked in it, enjoying the close warmth while Arwin was covered in a sheen of sweat. �She grinned at his discomfort, considering it fitting punishment for the swat to her backside. �They crept forward through the village unnoticed. �All attention was for the impending sacrifice to a god who would never return, if the stories were to be believed, and Red did. �She had heard the tale the Nerevarine had brought to King Helseth of Almalexia killing Sotha Sil in her madness and of how the Nerevarine had then been forced to slay her. �Few gave credence to the tale but those who had spent time in Mournhold, seen hints of the goddess' ever growing madness, believed.

Red held Arwin back with an arm across his chest, pushing him back into the shadows of a corner and squeezed in beside him. �Several villagers rounded a corner behind them and passed by unaware. �

Arwin breathed into Red's ear. �"I heard them." �

She craned her head back at him, seeing the slightly insulted look on his high brow and smirked. �"But you didn't move fast enough." �She stepped back out, smiling and gestured towards the back wall of the village, now very close. �He shook his head, laughing silently and stepped ahead of her. �

The buildings thinned out as they neared their goal, and so did their cover. �Soon, they would have little choice but to pass in the open. �There was a wide area before the wall, cleared and leading to a massive gate. �Above the wall's rim, they could see Sotha Sil standing silent just beyond. �In front of the gate, a cart was drawn. �Four white horses stood ready to draw it. �On the bed of the cart, wrapped in irons, lay Echo. �People had gathered round it, prepared to follow it outside and perform their ritual murder. �Red fumed, furious with the villagers for taking her friend and furious with herself for allowing it to happen. �If Echo died here, she would never forgive herself the lapse in judgment. �Arwin laid a hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes and shook his head. �He was worried her magic would escape before they had need of it.

Here was another worry for Red. �She hoped they would not have need of it. �It would take a great use of her magic to escape so many if they were not careful enough. �She wasn't sure she would be able to gain control once more if she put it to that much use. �Doubts assailed her as she looked out at Echo but she kept it all from her face, not wanting to worry Arwin. �He seemed satisfied and went back to surveying the gate. �As they watched, a small door opened in the bottom and the crowd began filing outside. �He inwardly cheered their good luck. �It looked as though the spectators would gather before their victim was brought out. �It would be their best chance. �Red tapped him on the shoulder, leaning in to whisper.

"We need to get to that wagon once the crowd is outside."

He nodded. �"I can reach it unseen. �Can you?" �His chameleon spell would see him safely across the open area. �In answer to his question, Red grinned, waved a hand and then vanished before his eyes. �He heard a whisper of a laugh draw away from him and he snorted in surprise. �Shaking his head in good humor, he cast his spell and snorted a laugh when he felt a sharp slap on his backside. �Rubbing his now stinging pride, he went quickly into the open square and to the wagon. �He weaved through the thinning crowd, careful not to touch anyone lest he be discovered. �Finally, he reached it and peered over the side at Echo. �The boy had been beaten it seemed, bruises colored the side of his face and he looked miserable bound on the cart's bed. �He wished he could give him some comfort that help was here but dared not risk it. �Some sort of chieftain stood at the front of the wagon, reigns in hand, waiting for his entrance. �He was clothed in an odd assortment of clothing and bits and pieces of Dwemer materials draped about his person. �

He recognized some of the pieces of his 'crown' as coming from a spider centurion and his staff was topped with a Dwemer cog. �They truly worshiped Sotha Sil. �Arwin was disgusted with them. �The old god would never have approved of this. �He surely would have put a stop to it. �The crowd had thinned to only a dozen or so now and he wondered if Red had arrived yet or not. �He started when he felt a hand on his ankle. �Looking down, he saw a hand reaching from under the cart and grasping where his ankle would be. �He bent, half crawling beneath the cart and found Red. �She was hanging off the bottom, so as not to be seen. �He leaned in to her head, gently touching so she would know he was there. �He heard the barest breath of her voice.

"Took me five minutes to find your foot." �He saw the comic look on her face and the marks in the dirt where she had been feeling about, trying to find him. �

"Not long now." �He whispered back and stood once more. �The last of the crowd was leaving the gate and the small door was closed behind them. �They were left alone with the Echo and the cart, the Chieftain and an honor guard of four. �They were not what worried him. �The archers arrayed on the wall above them concerned him the most. �He would have to make his arrows count and drew his bow, knocking the first arrow as he felt Red's hand on his leg once again. �The words 'now or never' drifted up to him and he loosed the first arrow up at the wall, trusting Red to handle the guards.

[WillieSea]

Arwin quickly pulled arrows one after another and released them quickly into the archers on the walls above them. Several of the archers died instantly as the deadly missiles found their mark. The archers wore no helm and were easily picked off before they knew they were under attack.

Red had slid out from under the cart and crawled between the horses and standing behind the rear guard stood up and slit his throat carrying the carcass to the ground to minimize the noise. She then ducked under the horses and did the same to the next guard in line on the other side. Soon, the four guards lay dead in puddles of their own blood.

The few archers on the opposite wall that Arwin had started with finally realized what was happening and sounded the alarm before themselves falling to Arwin�s arrows. The Chieftain quickly turned around and watched the last of his guards fall to the ground, a dark being with red hair stood over him. She looked up into the eyes of chieftain and he saw fire in her eyes!

The Chieftain yelped and jumped back from the apparent demon that had just killed his guards. He then saw that his archer guards were all slumped against the walls above with arrows through their heads. Red growled, �Sotha Sil does NOT appreciate sacrifices of living creatures. Your next offense to the almighty Sotha Sil will be your LAST!� Red then weaved her dagger in the face of the Chieftain to emphasize the point. She then pricked his nose with her dagger where he stumbled backwards away from the demon again.

The Chief then watched as the prisoner seemed to float out of the wagon and fly through the air to the nearest alley. The Demon then went the same direction and seemed to vanish as it went. The Chief looked down at the puddle that had formed at his feet.

Arwin dropped Echo from his shoulders in a darkened alcove a short way from the courtyard where Echo had been shackled in the wagon. Red quickly came up to him and picked the locks on the shackles. They quickly moved back towards the corner where they had entered the village. Alarms were starting to be sounded throughout the village and many armed men and women moved towards the courtyard. With less guards at the front walls, they should all be able to escape without much problem.

[grond]

So it was that, after the companions found that those gathered about Wilson were no danger to them - quite the opposite, in truth - they easily chose to travel with the nomads, when the offer was made. The Hunters led them to what they called their kojo - their latest home. The nomads followed the seasonal movements of the great worms, and they hunted them, for their meat fed them, and the skin shaded them from the sun, and other parts of the worm they traded at Bergama, a city in the northern part of the Desert. After butchering the sandworm and packing its meat and skin onto their guars, the Hunters encircled Wilson and Tajo with great joy, and they shared their water with Grond and the rest, and the companions rode for the day toward the kojo, northeast into the Alik'r Desert, in the midst of the tall Yo-Tunde hunters. For the word they had chanted - Yo-Tunde - was that which they called both their tribe, and their god.

The day passed without incident as they rode. Now, as the western sky gleamed a deep violet, and as Red entered the Winged Guar, Grond and the others feasted within the kojo of the Yo-Tunde.

There was a rough-hewn rock statue of a man who indeed looked much like Wilson the Clannfear, which the nomads brought with them as they moved from place to place. The statue of the man stood upright, and had a long tail, and what appeared to be a long and wide reptilian snout, and great fangs, and a crest of flesh or bone which fanned out around the carving's head. The rock of the statue was bright orange, taken, the nomads had said, from a strange place, far into the eastern part of the Desert, where rocks grew like tall trees. They said the statue, nearly tall as Grond, was made before the eldest living in the tribe were born, and it represented their god, Yo-Tunde, which meant fire mane.

That night the people of the Yo-Tunde wore robes made with rich bright orange sunbursts dyed into them. They only wore these robes on special days, they said, and this night was the most special any of them had ever seen. For to them, their god was now among them. Grond and his companions were honored guests, and the tribe gathered round Wilson, and the brave ones touched his rough orange skin. They were grave when they addressed Tajo, for they saw that she was close to Wilson, and beast and Mer seemed close as friends, and that indeed filled them with awe.

Men and women took up flutes and drums and the feast began. They ate of the worm Wilson had killed, and they felt it was hallowed meat, for their god had killed the beast for them. Afterward, their young sons and daughters gathered round Lily, and she delighted Grond with her carefree giggles as the children played in the bright light of a great bonfire. Failan stood some distance away, and spoke with several of the tribeswomen, while she watched Lily play. Tajo sat beside Wilson in a place of honor separate from the main banquet, and had eaten from woven platters held by priests. Now Tajo's face seemed stricken with embarrassment as she answered questions asked from priests, who asked them with bowed heads.

Grond sat with the chief, a man named Nikuru, and they spoke together of the Wolf's Tongue as they ate. Nikuru was too old to join in the hunt, but as a younger man he had seen a sight which he then related to Grond.

"North and west of this kojo," said Nikuru, "there is a Dwemer ruin. I do not know its name. But once, long ago, I went there, during one of our hunts. I crept inside, but soon I discovered that the ruin was empty. So I explored it for a time, and I saw, in one of the metal rooms, a great carven figure - but it was unfinished. It appeared as a winged creature, a dog maybe, but with a man's chest and arms, and the creature looked to be half emerging from a block of stone, unfinished as it was. The statue's features were carved to appear to be contorted with a mad laughter, or a crazed barking, I thought. Its eyes were mere holes, as if waiting to be filled with jewels, but in its mouth was a long tongue, and you've described how I remember the tongue did appear.

"And I found something at the statue's feet which I've kept all these years. Come!"

Nikuru lead Grond to his tent. As they walked, Grond's mind raced. A second statue? A winged wolf? Once within, the chieftain took from a small chest a long dagger, set with deep violet amethysts in its hilts and upon the gleaming blade were carved runes in a strange tongue. He handed the dagger to Grond. "I give this blade to you, friend Grond. I believe you will need it more than I. I favor a spear, you see."

Though he could see the enchantments which lay on the ornate blade, Grond at first resisted the generous gift. Nikuru clapped the Nord's wide shoulder and sternly said, "No, you mustn't refuse me! Take this as a gift! Let me find the scabbard..."

Find it he did, and after Grond had thanked the Chieftain, and strapped the blade to his thigh, they clasped arms in friendship.

Suddenly they heard cries from outside. Together they left the tent, and what they saw caused Grond to draw his new blade, and Nikuru dove back into his tent for a weapon. For what Nikuru had described had now come to life.

They saw that many winged beasts were attacking the tribe, howling as they flew. The feasting people scattered. Mothers shielded their children from the claws of the flying beasts as others grappled with them, and Grond knew their shapes, and his anger rose. They were indeed werewolves. Winged werewolves.

He looked wildly around for Lily, as Nikuru raced past him, a long spear in his hand. Tajo and Wilson sprang throughout, and they felled each winged wolf as they came to it. Not far from Grond, a wolf had taken a child's mother away, and Grond sped to it as it stretched its leathery wings to fly off. As the ghastly werewolf rose Grond leaped and sank the dagger into its side. The wolf howled in pain, and as it fell back to the sand, Grond felt his energy wildly rise.

The blade, he thought.

Then he had the sudden certain knowledge that the creature he had killed now was imprisoned in the enchanted blade. He felt the werewolf's energy flow into him, like a rush of cold water. Feeling unconquerable, the Nord made great leaps from one winged wolf to the next, and he fought with such tremendous power that those who saw him, friend and foe alike, paused in their battles to watch. And then those monsters who saw the Nord forgot those they grappled with, and they flew after Grond instead.

But there were those who did not see the Nord, and many of them flew toward the place where Failan now stood, before Lily. Failan had drawn her Katana, and Lily's familiar, the great troll, faced the wolves that flew at the pair from behind. But such was the number of the beasts who attacked her that soon Failan was overcome. She sank beneath the weight of them, flailing wildly in her own defense.

With a mighty war cry Grond came to her, and he took them each, and, one by one, the Nord hurled the werewolves from Failan. One of them had its hands upon her, and the Nord plunged the dagger into the base of the monster's furry skull, sending gouts of dark blood into the air, and another wave of immense energy flooded into him as he pulled the enchanted blade away. He threw the dead thing from Failan, and helped her to her feet. They smiled grimly at each other. Suddenly Grond pushed her away as, from behind, a werewolf had come past the Troll and Lily, and made for Failan's unprotected rear.

Grond leaped at the wolf and as he did, the beast knocked the dagger out of the Nord's grip, and it grasped Grond and flew high into the air. As it flew, the werewolf struggled to bring its fangs to the Nord's neck, to bite him, but Grond managed to keep the wolf at bay, and its hold on the heavy Nord slipped, until the beast merely grasped at Grond's desert robe. With much wriggling, the Nord slipped away, and he fell back down to the sand, where he landed on his feet. He ran to where the dagger had fallen. Retrieving it, the Nord, naked again, ushered Lily and Failan toward the fire, and there they stood.

 

"Protect Lily!" shouted Grond, and he sped off, and his loud laughter echoed in the desert night.

Sometime later the battle was done, and the Nord stood amid a great pile of the dead beasts, their long wings standing out at odd angles. Naked, covered in black gore, and still overwhelmed by the incredible forces he had stolen from each monster he slew, the Nord raised his arms and filled the night airs with a shout louder than any there had before heard, except for Lily and Failan, who had witnessed the release of the Thu'um. All present there stood silent and gazed at the Nord, and he grinned at them in return, the whites of his teeth and eyes bright against his blood-soaked face and body.

 

After a moment, the Yo-Tunde echoed his shout of victory.

Grond then leapt from the dead pile, and strode to Failan. Standing before her, blackened by blood, he gazed at her for several moments, his breath hard from the battle. Failan met the Nord's triumphant gaze with defiance.

 

Finally Grond said, "Forgive me?"

Unconcerned by the gore, Failan leapt and caught Grond around his wide neck. They kissed long, then as Grond held her, Failan sighed, "What's with you? What's this need to be unclothed?" They laughed then and Grond spun round, holding his Failan tight again in his arms. Lily came near to them.

"You need a bath!" she shouted.

No one had been killed or taken away by the flying abominations, though several had been injured in the battle. These the rest tended to, and others took the carcasses - mostly slain by Grond in his battle-frenzy - and they piled the dead foes onto the fire.

And Grond and Failan were granted water, enough for a private bath.

****************************

The Yo-Tunde, led by Nikuru, agreed to lead the friends to the Dwemer Ruin. Along the route there, they would continue hunting the sandworms. Though Tajo had told the tribe that Wilson was not a god, the Yo-Tunde still treated them all with great respect, for they were warriors without rival, and had shown both their mettle in battle and their allegiance to the tribe in its defense. So it was that they said their goodbyes to the people of the kojo the next day, as Red and her party, far away, came to the Daedric Ruin.

They rode with the hunters, and they wore the orange ribbons in their hair, and were lent spears, and Wilson, Tajo and Nikuru led them all, for Wilson's senses were acute. Grond rode close behind, with Failan and Lily. The young girl had tied may orange ribbons into her black hair, and said she would wear them forever. Grond was clothed again, to his ( and Failan's ) mild disappointment, and as he rode, he wondered at the power of the new blade given him by Nikuru. For the great energy he'd gained from the slain beasts had yet to dissipate. And he continued to sense their presence within the enchanted dagger. The Nord greatly desired to talk with Red about the blade, and he missed her suddenly, and terribly. But as he turned and looked at Failan, her wide grin eased that feeling somewhat, and he grinned in return.

Several days passed as they rode, and they came upon and slew three of the sandworms. Once, during that time, Grond felt a sudden weight upon him, and he stopped his Guar. Failan came to him and Lily, sitting before her, saw that the Nord's face was drawn with fear. "What is it?" Failan and Lily said as one. The others drew near as well.

Grond struggled to breathe as a panic gripped him. He raised his hand to them. "It's Red," the Nord gasped. "She's dying, and--" his voice rose to a shout --"and I ride on the other side of Tamriel and cannot aid her!"

For, at that moment far away, Red stood in the grip of her Listener, Atelli Magia, and her magic was soon to burst forth.

After a few moments Grond gained control over the helplessness and he pushed away the panic, and they continued toward the Dwemer Ruin. In the afternoon of their fourth day, the company stopped atop a high dune, and looked down. "There," said Nikuru, "toward those bluffs is where the Ruin lay. See?"

A few miles distant the lands became rocky and broken. They saw the remains of a riverbed which wound toward them but vanished before it came to the dune upon which their Guars stood. And they saw the strange pipes and columns of Dwemer creation, jutting from a bluff which rose near the dry riverbed. Its entrance was hidden from their view.

But Nikuru could go no further. "We have been away from the kojo for too long," he said.

They parted then, and they wished the travelers well, and hoped they would meet again. "For you and your friends are welcome always!" shouted Nikuru, and the Yo-Tunde, wishing them good fortune, rode away.

******************************

Looking out Tajo saw to the west of the Ruin a green haze. Grond nodded. "That be a wood," said the Nord. "Let's go there and have a rest and then we'll move on to the Ruin." They agreed and within the hour they had entered the grove. There amid the palms was a lagoon, and near it stood a small lodge. As Red lay under the cart upon which Echo sat in chains, the companions made their way to the lodge.

Before they entered it, however, there exited from it a tall woman, dressed in silks so light they seemed to be gossamer, and did little to cover her robust figure. "Hail!" she called to them, beckoning them to her. Then the scantily-clad woman returned inside the lodge, leaving the wooden door open for them.

Tajo moaned, "That was a witch, or I'm an Imperial."

"She needs to put something on!" cried Lily.

 

But Grond dismounted and led his Guar to the lagoon to drink, saying, "Your eyes' a keen pair, friend Tajo, but let's go inside anyway. Mayhap they've got ale within!"

Failan disagreed. "You go on in, you dumb Nord. I'll stay out here, with Lily. Call when you need me!" They dismounted and Lily went with Failan to the edge of the lagoon, and began skipping rocks off the water. Tajo and Grond entered the lodge. Tajo drew a sword, and Grond, his new dagger.

There were five of them, lounging within the wide single room of the lower floor. They rested there, upon soft cushions on expensive rugs, or upon brightly colored sofas, and when the pair entered, they rose to greet them. All women, they were dressed as was the first, in fabric nearly transparent that was lightly draped around their fine bodies. Grond thought that, with their long flowing hair, full lips and bright eyes, they were more beautiful than any harem he had ever seen. One stepped to Grond and in a purring voice said, "Do you seek refreshment, giant one?"

Smiling Grond replied, "That's the second thing I seek. The first be a rich rolling metal tongue. Have ye seen it?"

The woman gazed at her companions, some surprise in her beautiful features. "Do you seek that?" She laughs like a musicbox, thought Grond, and her friends did as well.

"Yer witches," Grond muttered, "Ain't ye."

The woman near him drew closer. "O come, giant one. We know where it is, this relic you seek. But before we will tell you, you and your friends must agree to do a thing for us." The witch looked up at Grond and lay her soft hands upon his arms. Grond smiled in return.

Pushing the Nord to the side, Tajo interrupted them. "What is it? What? Tell me, witch, and I'll decide for us." Tajo crossed her arms.

"Very well. There is a woman near, one who is not of our coven. She is very powerful, and hates us. Kill this witch, and bring us her heart, and we will lead you to the Tongue."

Grond had gone to the counter, tested a tap there, and found it to be a rich ale. He drew himself a tall pint and drank long, despite a shocked look of warning from Tajo. "What do ye know of this enemy witch of yers?" the Nord said, wiping his mouth with the back of the hand which held the dagger.

"Only that she's quite evil," replied another of the beautiful witches, "and she is near, performing strange experiments. We know her name, as well."

"Oh?" said Tajo. "And what then is her name?

The witch looked at Grond when she answered. "Her name is Adrasta."

[WhoGuru]

Red, Arwin and Echo slipped from the village the way they had left with relative ease. �The ignorant villagers were still searching within the walls and they ran quickly into the treeline. �Red took Echo's hand as they headed for their horses. �He grinned and then felt her magic wash through him, taking away the aches and bruises the villagers had given him.

They mounted quickly, taking off at a gallop into the forests heading west toward Lake Canulus and Cyrodiil. �Twice as they rode, they heard the sounds of pursuit behind them. �They rode on, hoping the villagers were searching the forests vainly as they couldn't have known what direction they left. �The following day, after riding through the night, they found the shores of Lake Canulus and stopped. �Three grateful horses abandoned their riders for a cool drink at it's edge.

"I think we stop here for a while." �Arwin said on a sigh as he sat in the heavy grass. �"The horses need a rest."

Red chuckled, rubbing her numbed backside from near a day in the saddle. �"They're not the only ones." �She said ruefully. �Echo had related what had happened to him as they rode; �Being taken, bound, the many kicks he had received as they entered the city and being told he was to be sacrificed. �He'd thought he was dead. �The villagers had told him his friends were slain as they slept. �He'd nearly escaped then, rage at the loss driving him to attack his captors before they subdued him once more. �When he'd felt himself lifted out of the wagon to Arwin's soft voice, he'd nearly cried.

Red watched him now, rubbing down the horses at the waters' edge and staring across the lake. �Enjoying his freedom, she thought, recognizing the same look she'd had on her face more than once. �Arwin rose once more, going to help him with a laugh as Savior seemed more interested in snorting water at the boy. �Red chuckled, letting her horse blow off some steam rather than stopping him. �She went back up the rise by the lake, peering back the way they'd come for sign of the villagers. �They had crossed into Cyrodiil hours back, she couldn't imagine them chasing them this far. �She turned back to join her friends at the lake and heard a twig snap in the woods. �She turned back, squinting through the early dawn glare into the trees. �"Arwin!" �She called, unsure and not willing to take the chance. �She turned back to find him and toppled forward as several darts thwacked into her neck and back. �She felt her legs and arms lose feeling and rolled down the gentle hill, coming to rest at the bottom. �She barely managed to turn her head, seeing Arwin and Echo sprinting to her before blackness took her.

Arwin whipped his head up at Red's voice, the warning tone and used his augmented sight. �Immediately, he saw some dozen beings in the treeline. �He opened his mouth to warn her when she fell suddenly, rolling boneless to the bottom of the hill and the villagers burst from the trees with a battle cry. �Echo was beside him instantly, sword drawn and ran to Red, standing over her. �Arwin drew his bow quickly, accounting for six of them before he was forced to draw his short blade and meet them. �He and Echo dispatched them quickly, the boy's furious sword strokes driving one villager to his knees before being run through. �Arwin finished off the rest and took the last, as he tried to flee, in the back with a perfectly thrown dagger.

While Echo fell to Red, Arwin checked the bodies of the dead. �"She's alive!" �Echo called to him. �Arwin found several long tubes on the bodies and on one, a collection of small darts, their points dipped in something dark. �He went to Red then, and pulled another of the darts from her neck. �He took one of the unused darts and touched it to his tongue. �He felt the skin numb and then a brief feeling of exhaustion wash over him before passing.

"It's a sleeping poison of some kind." �He drew Red up and found several more of the things in her back. �Echo pulled them free, flinging them away angrily.

"But she'll be alright?" �He asked, worried.

"Yes. �She should be." �Arwin looked at the dead villagers and at the darts and shook his head. �"They wanted her out of the fight. �They were afraid of her." �He said ruefully. �"That bloody chieftain must have planned this. �They thought we wouldn't be a threat without her."

"They're mistake." �Echo growled. �He took Red in his lap while Arwin went to get water and a dispel potion he had taken in the village's shop. �Echo helped him get the potion into Red, holding her head gently and they waited. �Arwin stood now, scanning the trees above them, wary of another attack. �"She's coming around." �Echo said in relief. �

Satisfied there were no more, he bent to her once more and slapped her cheeks lightly twice to bring her out of it. �"Red." �He said loudly. �"Open your eyes." �She groaned, shaking her head and finally cracked one eye up at him.

"You slap me?" �She asked in a slightly slurred voice. �Arwin chuckled and then helped to her sit when she lurched from Echo's lap. �"The villagers!"

"Already taken care of." �He said lightly. �"Seems they were too cowardly to risk facing you in combat." �He held one of the darts up to her. �She took it, looking at the pile of bodies they had left near her and shook her head.

"It's not often someone actually sees me as a threat." �She rose to her feet on shaky legs with their help. �"I think I prefer being underestimated." �She laughed, as did Arwin and Echo. �They took to the saddle once more, wanting to be much further from the insane villagers.

"The road should be just north of us from here."

"Sounds good to me." �Red was rubbing her legs in the saddle, the feeling still not completely returned. �"Time to go get that heart I think. �We can't afford to wait for Grond's party. �If we meet them on the way, good. �But I think we should go after it now."

Echo nodded. �"If they're journey has been half as interesting as ours, they may not even reach Elsweyr before we do." �He kicked his horse into motion, the others followed and they set out North for the road and back on their way once more.

[WillieSea]

The three rode once again cross country on exhausted horses looking for the road that would lead them to the imperial bridge across the Upper Niben River. The roads would be better patrolled by Imperial guards and would prove safer travel.

Arwin doubted that the villagers would have a second group come after them but it was better to be safe than sorry. They quickly found the road and headed west towards Elsweyr.

A few more hours of uneventful traveling brought them to an inn where they quickly stabled the horses and rented rooms. After a warm meal they retired to their rooms for a long rest.

It was evening before they woke up from their slumber. They quickly finished another meal and rode off into the coming dusk. They made quick time to Pell�s Gate where they stopped for the night before heading South to Riverhold to find clues about the heart.

By early morning the trio once again headed out, riding south on the road to Riverhold. Arwin enjoyed the thick trees they rode through and knew they would soon be in the deserts of Elsweyr. He hated deserts for their heat and harsh conditions. He hoped it would be a quick trip but somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that was probably just wishful thinking. He wondered if the gods were laughing at him, he had never been in so much danger since the day he showed up at the Tavern. A deep sigh escaped his lips.

Red looked back at Arwin and saw the look of despair on his face as he gazed at the trees they rode through. She was personally looking forward to the heat of the desert but knew Arwin would have a difficult time there. She almost smiled at the though of Arwin sweating in the heat, trying to stay cool.

While Tajo hunted a witch in Hammerfel, Arwin and his group suddenly heard the growls and cries of Goblin�s on either side of the road they rode along. There were a great number of them howling in the trees, the three friends had their weapons in hand when Goblin�s erupted from both sides of the forested road and crashed into each other.

Rusted axes and clubs clashed against the blades of the friends as the Goblin�s attacked them from both sides since they were in the way of their battle. Arwin, Red and Echo quickly dismounted from their horses to better deal with the Goblin invasion. Their blades quickly spun through the Goblin�s piling their bodies before them.

A sudden burst of Goblin�s from an unprotected quarter caught Arwin from behind where he was attacked from behind with a spear. Red watched as the spear erupted from Arwin�s chest, a look of surprise and pain on his face as he fell forward.

The flames suddenly burst around Red burning so fierce that Echo backed away from her. Goblin�s burst into flames all around Red as she lashed out at the Goblin�s in all directions, her red eyes blazed fiercely. Soon, the remaining Goblin�s retreated back into the forest as flames licked at their backsides. The road was soon vacant of creatures and only the cries of retreating Goblin�s could be heard in the forest.

Red looked around and saw the still form of Arwin laying face down in the dirt of the road, a spear standing straight up from his back. Echo had backed down the road as well, calling to Red, pleading for her return. Red did not hear him, she could only see through red eyes, could only see a creature that was still alive, a creature that must die!

She started throwing fireballs after the quickly retreating Echo as he rode away into the distance and over a rise in the road. Red looked around and could find nothing to kill, nothing to burn the life out of. A small voice demanded to be heard above the roar of the fires, a voice that repeated a mantra over and over again, �I have faced my fears and I can conquer them.�

Red repeated the words William had told her only a few days ago and the flames started to burn less fiercely. Tree�s burned as Red sent flames into them, turning them to ash in consuming fires in minutes. The flames slowly cooled and then suddenly went out as Red regained her control. She fell to her knees from exhaustion.

Red then slowly regained her feet and stumbled over to where Arwin lay in the dirt unmoving. There was not as much blood as she had expected to see. The spear had been pushed mostly back through his body when he fell forward. Red pulled the spear the rest of the way from his back and threw it into the still smoldering woods where it sank deeply into a charred tree.

There was clearly a hole through Arwin�s backpack. Then she remembered what she had heard when she pulled the spear away, it had sounded like broken glass tinkling against each other. She quickly opened the pack and saw where a potion bottle had been broken from the impact and the contents had drained into the wound. Red still weary from combating the flames had a sudden start, not understanding immediately what she saw. She then grabbed Arwin and sent the healing flames into his body where they found Arwin alive but still seriously hurt. The potion must have been an extra strength healing draught where the majority of it had poured into the wound almost immediately, saving his life from the killing blow. It had been fortunate that the spear had been pushed almost all the way back through his chest. Red�s powers sought the damage and quickly healed it eliciting a groan from the still unconscious Arwin.

[WhoGuru]

Red removed Arwin's pack, laying him carefully to the road and looked around at the devastation she had caused. �She had a fleeting memory of Echo running from her and jerked her head up, searching the road. �She did not find him nor his horse. �Indeed, both Savior and Arwin's mount had run as well. �Tears tracked down her face as she staggered to her feet. �She needed to find Echo, if he still lived. �She managed only a few steps before the exhaustion of the power she had spent dragged her back to her knees. �She looked back at Arwin, still unconscious and helpless. �She could still hear the Goblins, further away but still a danger. �She couldn't leave him to search for Echo...or his remains.

She knelt in the middle of the road, too tired to move and waited. �If the goblins returned, she would use her magic again though it frightened her. �She had little choice. �She heard the sound of hooves behind her and turned to find Savior leading Aarow. �He came fearlessly to her, seeming to know she was no longer a danger. �With a gasp of relief, she pulled herself up with his reigns and then let out a sob. �The back of her saddle was singed and a burned streak danced down his rump. �She stumbled away, not wanting to touch him. �He followed her as she backed away and she stumbled, her legs too weak to hold her. �She fell to the ground and Savior came to stand over her.

"What's happened?" �Arwin said weakly. �Red whipped her head to him and saw him pushing himself up. �She turned her head away quickly but heard his soft gasp as he surveyed the damage around them. �She had created a smoking hollow where trees and Goblins once stood. �"Where's Echo?" �He asked, walking stiffly to where she sat in the road.

She shook her head. �Once more seeing his terrified face as he ran from her. �She had a vague memory of throwing fire at him and nothing more. �Arwin dropped to his knees beside her, having to push Savior's head aside to do it. �"Red, where is he?"

"I can't remember." �She breathed, staring into Arwin's eyes and said what she feared the most. �"All I can see is him running. �From me. �He was running." �The tears, fear and guilt choked in her throat.

"You wouldn't have hurt him." �Arwin said, placing a careful hand on her shoulder and feeling her jerk.

"I hurt Savior." �She whispered. �Arwin stood quickly, seeing the wound on the horses back and knowing it could only have come from Red's magic. �He cursed softly. �She had saved his life, but at what cost? �

"You need to get up, Red." �He said firmly then. �She was in shock, coddling would not help her. �"You need to get up and on your horse and we need to find Echo. �Now." �He took hold of her arm, though it strained his heart. �She came weakly from the ground, her legs barely supporting her. �He studied her face and saw exhaustion. �It was not merely the fear of what she had done that had put her on the ground. �He looked once more at the devastation. �She had used a great deal of energy driving off the Goblins. �He picked her up, worry driving deeper into him when she didn't argue, and placed her up in the saddle.

Without thinking, as her hands touched Savior's neck, she healed him. �Arwin watched the burn fade and vanish. �Only the char on her saddle remained. �"Which way was he running? �Can you remember?" �He asked gently. �Red looked wearily up, trying to put the image in her head once more and pointed down the road.

"That way I think." �She took a shuddering breath and kneed Savior into motion, leaving Arwin to catch up. �If it were Echo's burned remains that waited over the rise, she would rather get to it. �Arwin was soon beside her, his ruined pack draped over his pommel. �They rode quickly and crested the rise to find Echo's horse standing idly on the road. �Echo was nowhere in sight. �Red slid from her saddle, crumpling to the ground on weak legs before struggling to her feet once more and going to the horse. �"Echo!" �She cried, waiting for an answer. �When none came, she yelled again. �"Echo! �Please!"

"Echo! �It's Arwin! �It's alright!" �He too yelled loudly, hoping the boy was hiding to avoid a magic mad Red. �Moments later, Echo's head appeared around a near tree.

"Red?" �He said softly, watching her closely. �She stared at him, then turned her head into Echo's horses mane and cried tears of relief. �Echo stepped out from the tree as Arwin went to her.

"He's alright, Red." �He said softly, taking her shaking shoulders. �"You see? �You didn't hurt him."

"But I might have." �She said, eyes squeezed closed. �"I tried to. �What if he hadn't been fast enough?" �

Echo came to her too, placing his arm around her shoulders. �"But you didn't and I'm fine. �I move fast when I have to." �Red shook her head. �She knew she was being silly, that this wasn't like her and yet she couldn't stop the tears and the fear from choking her. �Her legs gave then, only Echo and Arwin stopped her from falling. �"This isn't right?" �Echo whispered to him over Red's head. �Arwin shook his head, picking her up once more and finding her unconscious.

"No, it isn't. �This isn't like her." �He went to Aarow, propping her in the saddle as he climbed up behind her. �Echo mounted as well. �"Did your friend Will have problems like this with his magic?" �He asked, adjusting Red so he could hold her safely as they rode.

Echo shook his head. �"No. �I don't think so. �But he didn't get his powers the same way." �They rode on, still hearing the screams of Goblins in the distance. �

Perhaps it was simply the exhaustion of expending so much so quickly, but he did not like seeing her so...broken. �He held her as they rode as he would a child. �For from the moment he had woken in the road, that is what he had seen, a scared child. �She'd have hurt him for such a thought and he smiled, hoping she would indeed feel up to hurting him once more when she woke. �

The day stretched on and they were within only miles of Riverhold when Red woke. �She jerked from sleep in Arwin's arms. gasping the word 'rider' of all things.

"Red?" �He asked in her ear. �"You're safe. �How are you feeling?" �She looked muzzily around for a moment, as if confused as to where she was. �Then she saw Echo riding ahead of them. �With something that sounded like a sob, she jumped from Aarow's back and Arwin's grasp, running to Echo. �The thief stopped when he heard her and Red all but pulled him from the saddle, wrapping him in a bear hug. �

"Echo, you're okay." �She breathed, smiling into his shoulder as she squeezed him.

"Yeah." �He replied, a little lost. �"I'm fine. �Are you?" �She stepped back to look at him and grinned.

"I'm sorry I scared you." �She was serious now. �"I don't remember what happened on that road, only you running from me." �She hugged him once more fiercely. �"I'm glad you're so fast." �Echo patted her awkwardly on the shoulder yet pleased.

"Can we go to Riverhold now? �I want cheese and a bed tonight." �He asked with an impish grin and Red laughed, feeling the guilt of earlier slide away from her. �She nodded, turning to find her own horse. �Savior had near been walking on Aarow's heels and was now behind her, waiting for his mistress. �She hugged him as well, swinging up into the saddle and stopping in mid stride as she saw the burn marks. �She frowned, settling into the saddle with the reigns and could not remember how that had happened. �She shook her head, confused.

"Red?" �Arwin asked, seeing the strange look on her face.

"It's nothing." �She smiled up at him, pushing the worry away. �"Echo's right. �I want a bed tonight." �She kneed Savior into a fast gait and he happily took the lead. �Echo and Arwin exchanged concerned looks as she sped ahead of them then followed. �There was little they could do on the road. �Perhaps they would find some answer in Riverhold.

[WhoGuru]

They stayed the night in Riverhold, sleeping well in a lush room as Echo demanded a down bed. �Red had laughed and obliged, happily pulling the coins from her purse to pay. �The innkeeper had only the one room though he pulled two more cots in for them. �Riverhold was over run for some sort of festival and Khajiit from all over Cyrodiil had converged on the city. �

Late in the night, Red woke to the sound of Arwin whimpering in his sleep. �She went to him quickly, shaking him out of whatever dream had him and he bolted upright in the bed with a gasp, hand held against his chest and the faint scar from the spear the previous day.

"It's alright, Arwin." �Red said softly, patting his sweat damp shoulder. �"Just a dream."

He nodded, wide eyed and still feeling the spear pushing through his flesh. �The vivid memory of seeing the point jutting from his own chest was not soon to leave him. �He lay back with a shaky breath and smiled at her. �"Thank you." �She patted his shoulder once more, returning to her own cot with a snort for echo, sprawled across the large down bed and snoring softly in contentment.

They slept peacefully the rest of the night and in the morning, left Riverhold early, wanting to reach Orcrest by nightfall. �That would be their last stop for supplies before heading into the desert. �They rode hard south. �The dense forests began to thin, the trees becoming less lush and green, browning and thinning as they went, giving way to scrubland and as they came in sight of the small town of King's Walk, they saw the desert itself layed out before them. �Vast, rolling dunes of gold and brown stretched into the horizon. �The very air shimmered in the bright sunlight, heat flowing in waves from the ground. �Brown, hunched and drought brittle scrubs and brush dotted the forbidding landscape.

King's Walk sat at the very edge of the desert and they rode into the town and too the large well that centered the settlement. �They would need to refresh their water supply before leaving. �An aging Khajiit sat comfortably on the side of the well and eyed the trio as they dismounted before him.

"May we water our mounts, Sir?" �Arwin asked pleasantly. �"We mean to be in Orcrest by nightfall."

"You may, the water is free to all." �He growled and smiled a toothy grin to them. �"Help yourselves." �He wandered away from the well then, hissing a laugh and to a large group of festively dressed Khajiit by a tavern of some kind.

"Well, that was odd." �Echo commented. �"And I know odd." �He went to the well and began drawing up a pail of water as Arwin laughed. �Red remained silent, watching the Khajiit. �She'd not liked something in his voice. �She knew their festival, whatever it was, was still going on all over the province and had seen some strange things in Riverhold before they'd left. �There had even been what looked like mock hunts going on all through the city.

She shook her head, seeing shadows where there were none. �They were simply visitors in a land not always welcoming to those from outside, and for good reason as she recalled their history with Cyrodiil. �Tiber Septim himself had annexed a portion of their land and turned it into a glowing, uninhabitable wasteland for generations with his building of Numidium. �That she was an Imperial would earn them no points here.

There horses watered and canteens filled, they set out once more into the deserts of Elsweyr. �The heat grew as they traveled. �Arwin and Echo had both stripped down, riding bare chested. �Arwin in particular looked miserable while Red rode, enjoying the heat, soaking it in as if an Argonian herself. �She grinned each time she looked back at them, doing her best to hide her amusement. �

They were several hours outside of King's Walk when their horses began to slow. �Even Savior's pace began to falter. �She called a halt, sliding from his back and going to his head. �"Something's wrong!" �She called back, worry for her trusted friend coloring her voice. �She looked around and saw both Arwin and Echo slide ungracefully from their saddles, as if exhausted. �Thinking it the heat, she took Savior's head in her hands and felt her magic wake. �Looking at him, she saw a faint aura surrounding him. �She closed her eyes, opening them again and still it was there. �She looked back to the others and now saw the same aura surrounding them and their horses.

Confused, she sent her magic into Savior and saw the aura burn quickly away. �Before her eyes, he perked up once more, neighing happily and nudging her as if in thanks. �Arwin and Echo had slid to the ground now, even their horses were laying down beside them. �"Some kind of poison." �She muttered and stepped away to go to them. �Suddenly, she felt the same lassitude spreading throughout her body and stumbled as she walked, ending on her knees. �She looked down at herself and saw the same aura of sickness.

"Arwin." �She called weakly, but he was beyond her hearing, having slipped back to the ground. �She crawled to him, fighting the sleep that sucked at her. �She reached him, placing a hand on his leg and forced her magic into him, clearing the poison from his system. �Not waiting for him to wake, she crawled the last few feet to Echo and just grasped his hand as he fell sideways, thrusting the magic once more into him as well, feeling him strengthen. �She touched his horse with her other hand, doing the same. �She looked back to Arwin once more, seeing the poisoned aura had faded from him as it had from the others. �Only Aarow remained. �She hung her head, now fighting a losing battle. �The few feet to the sleeping horse seemed to take ages but finally she got close enough to lay a hand upon his flank. �Her last thought as she was sucked under was that there had to have been something in the well water in King's Walk and the Khajiit had known.

----------------------------------

Arwin struggled back to consciousness, knowing something was terribly wrong. �He heard the sounds of hissing laughter and soon felt hands taking his arms. �He lashed out, still only half conscious and heard cursing as he rolled to his knees. �He saw a dozen Khajiit. �With a start, he recognized the old man from the well. �They had Echo held between several of them as the boy kicked and spit. �Three more were vainly trying to control Savior who reared and pawed at them, ruining their attempts to lasso him. �Arwin drew his short sword and advanced on the cats holding Echo.

"Let him go or die." �He said in a low, dangerous voice. �Seeing the look in the High Elf's eyes, they quickly let him go, backing away. �Echo caught one with a well placed kick, crumpling him to the ground and retrieving his sword from the Khajiit.

"What in the Nine is going on?" �Echo asked, stepping to Arwin. �"Why were we asleep?"

Arwin shook his head then growled low in his throat. �One of the Khajiit had Red, bound and tossed over his shoulder. �She was obviously asleep as they had been. �"You'll want to put her down." �He warned, blade swinging menacingly. �"Now."

"We meant no harm." �The elder Khajiit from the well said, hands raised. �"It is our festival. �We would have hunted you, captured you and you would have been released. �Unharmed." �He added, hissing at the one holding Red. �With a shrug, he tipped her off his shoulder to the ground with a thump.

Echo stalked to the idiot and delivered a short, hard punch to his feline face, sending him backwards. �"Not smart." �He said, holding his sword to his throat.

"At least leave us the Imperial." � The elder cat pleaded. �"She would make for fitting sport." �He smiled his toothy grin once more. �"Though you all should have been asleep. �I do not understand."

Arwin had studied the ground around them, seen the marks where someone had crawled between him and Echo and understood perfectly. �Red had managed to clear the sleeping drought from them before falling herself. �"You'll want to leave." �Arwin stepped to the old cat, holding his sword to his throat. �"Lest we decide the world is better without you."

The old man hissed once more and the group of Khajiit quickly backed clear, heading for King's Walk once more. �"Good luck on your travels." �The old cat hissed at them and followed his townsfolk. �Arwin went to Red, Echo was already freeing her feet. �Arwin unbound her hands and pulled her up. �He could not wake her. �Looking over his shoulder, his own horse was still asleep as well. �"Check Red's saddlebags." �He told Echo. �"See if she has any cure poison potions in there." �His own had been crushed with the spear.

It took Echo several minutes to calm the frenzied horse and finally, with a last scream at the retreating Khajiit, he stood still for him. �Echo pulled out and set back several bottles, finally finding the one he wanted and coming back. �"Here, I think this is it."

Arwin took it, removing the cap and with a sniff, recognizing the odor of Redwort. �"It is indeed." �He poured the elixir into Red's mouth, helping her to swallow and waited. �Echo had taken to watching the Khajiit as long as he could see them, unwilling to trust them. �Red stirred in Arwin's lap, eyes opening quickly and she jerked upright.

"What happened?" �She asked, confused. �"We were poisoned." �She said then, remembering and held her aching head.

"The Khajiit from King's Walk wanted to hunt us." �He replied and laughed at the look of dismay on her face. �"We persuaded them otherwise."

Red pulled herself to her feet, rubbing her shoulder and grimaced. �"Why does my arm hurt?" �Echo came back, clapping her good shoulder.

"Because they're stupid." �He said simply and went to his horse, remounting and once more, turning his eyes back to the retreating cats.

"Red, could you...?" �Arwin gestured to his own horse, where Aarow still lay sleeping on the ground. �Red shook her head.

"I thought I got to him." �She laughed. �"Though the last few minutes are a bit of a blur." �She knelt by Aarow, laying her hands on his side and sent her magic into him. �She watched that odd aura burn away once more and felt the horse begin to wake as her magic pulsed through him. �She rose with a smile. �"That should do it."

"Thank you." �Arwin went to his mount, giving him a shove from the back to help him stand. �"Good thing you were paying attention."

Red smiled, stumbling when Savior butted her in the back and laughed. �"Good thing he knew something was wrong with him and stopped." �She said, slapping the dappled stallion on the neck before swinging up into the saddle. �"We've still half a day's ride to Orcrest and no water to drink until we get there." �

Arwin groaned. �She was right. �All the water they now carried with them would be tainted. �"I wish I had hurt at least one of the now." �He growled and mounted. �"Let's be on our way then. �This heat is already melting me." �The sun was high in the sky, beating heat down upon them and they started once more for Orcrest, hoping they would reach it before thirst became a true problem.

[WhoGuru]

They reached Orcrest as the sun was dipping below the horizon and all but crawled into town, thirst weighing on them heavily. �To their relief, there were two Legion rangers to greet them as they entered the city.

"You three look as though you could use a drink!" �One of them greeted with a chuckle for their dusty appearance.

"Only if the water's clean." �Red smiled and spoke around her dry throat.

The Rangers' heads whipped to her, serious. �"Were you drugged? �We've had reports of some travelers going missing in the area. �We've found a couple wandering the desert, mumbling about being hunted."

To this Arwin pulled forward. �"You'll want to check out the village of King's Walk then." �He said fiercely. �"They nearly had the better of us." �

The soldiers talked quickly to each other before saluting the three of them. �"Thank you for the information. �We'll gather the rest of our unit and pay King's Walk a little visit I think. �You'll be fine here in Orcrest."

"Bring your own water." �Red warned as they walked quickly into the city. �"Let's find an Inn with a big trough so I can climb in." �She said and earned a rusty laugh from the men. �They found a large Inn as the last light faded from the sky and had their horses stabled and watered before going inside to see to themselves. �They'd brought all their canteens with them, having emptied and cleaned them in the stables. �They were too paranoid to leave them unwatched. �The Khajiit Innkeeper took one look at them, shook his feline head and motioned them to a table where he quickly had jugs of water set out for them.

"You have had hard travels, yes?" �He asked, taking in their ragged, dusty appearance. �"I am S'Rahka." �He watched the three of them sniff the water before drinking and hissed. �"My waters are clean. �You have been hunted yes? �Such a silly old festival. �We do not honor it much here." �He hissed a laugh. �"Too hot to go hunting you thin skins in the desert." �

"We're grateful for that." �Red said ruefully, taking a long pull at her cup and sighing in relief.

"Where are you headed?" �S'Rahka asked.

"West, into the desert." �Echo said and grinned as the Khajiit's mouth dropped open.

"You are unwise I think." �He ordered food for them from another Khajiit. �"Out there are strange happenings. �Even Khajiiti do not return sometimes. �They're food arrived, he left them to ponder his cryptic warning.

"More wolves?" �Red asked, concerned.

"Unlikely in this climate, but I'm sure the heart will have guardian's of some kind." �Arwin said ruefully. �"Little on this quest has been simple. �The ruby is unlikely to be as simple as taking it."

Red nodded, thinking of the last time she had gone after a massive ruby and wondered if she would be able to take this one. �Echo nudged her with his elbow, smiling and she knew he was aware of what she was thinking. �"It's just a gemstone." �He said kindly. �"That's all." �Red nodded and smiled for him. �Arwin watched the two, unsure of what they were discussing.

"I feel as though I'm missing something." �He said on a half laugh. �As they ate, Echo and Red told Arwin the tale of how she had acquired her strange magic, which led to explaining William's death and resurrection after many questions. �In the end, he was left shaking his head. �"It's a wonder any of you are alive after all that." �They talked then of their trip into the desert and in the end, Red suggested they wait until the following day and leave at nightfall to avoid the worst of the day's heat. �Arwin agreed heartily with this and they settled in. �

The next day they spent replenishing their water supplies, adding more canteens to their horses packs and various potions Echo turned up with, swearing he had actually paid for them while Red looked disbelieving at him. �Arwin spent the worst of the day's heat in the Inn's taproom, fanning himself and wishing for the avalanche. �Finally, as dusk began to fall, they set out from Orcrest West into the desert. �The heat was still oppressive but they could feel it lessening as the sun set ahead of them.

They road steadily into the night, aiming vaguely westward as the map had not been clear. �With the sun gone, the heat dissipated, leaving a chill in the air behind it. �With a growled oath, Red pulled her furred coat from behind her saddle, throwing it over her shoulders while Echo and Arwin snickered behind her. �They stopped often to water the horses and themselves and soon were far out into the desert.

Arwin drew them to a halt, raising his arm and pointing ahead of them. �Red squinted through the dim moonlight and could just see the top of some sort of ruin above the horizon line.

"There's life there, whatever it is." �Arwin said softly to them. �"I can see it prowling around. �I can't tell what it is from here."

"We go in quietly then." �Red grinned, kneeing Savior into a walk. �"We need to find somewhere to hide the horses where they'll be safe if we're in there when the sun comes back up."

[WhoGuru]

They went in stealthily, having left their horses behind the ridge overlooking the ruin. �The ruin itself consisted of a single massive statue which Red had seen peeking above the horizon and a small building with an ancient door of some kind. �Around this curious structure patrolled some eight or nine Skeletons. �Their bones rattled with each step, the brittle sound carrying into the silent, desert night. �In unison, Arwin and Red drew their bows. �With matching grins, they chose their targets and loosed their first volley. �They made short work of the sentries, though the last few rushed their position, they were quickly thrown back by the lethal aim of the two archers. �Echo cheered them as the last fell.

With smiling faces, they stepped down into the hollow. �While Arwin and Echo looted the skeletons for what baubles they may carry, Red went to the door. �She studied the ancient and worn portal for any sign of traps and found none. �"Looks safe enough." �She smiled at them as they came to her. �She reached to the door and gently gave it a push. �When it didn't budge, she put her shoulder against the door and gave a shove, grunting with effort. �"Little help here boys." �She said with a chuckle. �It took the three of them to force the door inward. �It's ancient hinges groaned beneath the movement.

"So much for a quiet entrance." �Echo muttered. �He stepped into the darkened entry with Red and Arwin. �"Anyone have a torch?" �He asked and gasped when a light sprung up beside him. �Red held her fist ahead of her, staring fixedly at the gentle flames that danced around her hand.

"Saw Will do this once." �She said softly and smiled at them. �"Seemed a good time to give it a try."

Arwin chuckled. �"Just be sure you don't set one of us on fire by accident."

"Best stay behind me then." �She led the way inward to a narrow corridor that dropped steeply on small stairs into blackness. �"I already don't like the look of this place." �She said softly. �"Anything alive down there?" �She asked, looking at Arwin.

He used his other sight to look down and saw nothing. �He shook his head. �"There's nothing within range of my sight, no. �You're right. �I don't like this place either."

"Are we sure the Heart is here?" �Echo asked, tension in his voice.

"Where else could it be?" �Red said with a shrug and stepped into the corridor onto the stairs. �"Only one way to go. �Let's do it." �She led them down and down, her flames the only light and they the only life Arwin could see. �The stairs narrowed even further, forcing them to walk single file. �They seemed never ending, carrying them deeper and deeper below the desert floor with every step.

Red stopped suddenly ahead of them. �"Did you hear that?" �She asked. �A slight scraping sound had come to her. �She looked back, seeing Arwin and Echo shaking their heads. �The sound came again and they're eyes widened.

"That I heard." �Echo said, placing his hands on the walls. �"Are they vibrating?" �

Red put her other hand out to the wall as well and did feel a slight tremor from the stone. �"What's happening?" �She asked and then screeched as the floor gave way below her. �She saw Arwin and Echo drop as well before falling out of sight. �She was sliding down a narrow passage, barely room for her body but was going to fast to stop herself. �The chute began to level out and she hit the side, sliding in a blur deeper and deeper. �She heard the faint yells of Echo and Arwin and then even that was gone. �After several minutes, it leveled even more and she was suddenly spit out into a small room to roll across the floor and tumbled to a stop against the opposite wall. �She lay stunned for a moment, then called her light to her once more. �

The chamber was small. �Looking up she saw tall walls, much higher than she could leap and far, far above, the great dome of a cave. �There was a single opening to her right. �She pulled herself up against the wall and stepped to the door. �Looking out, she saw a path leading away in either direction. �She had a nasty feeling and went out, following the left hand path. �Soon she reached a fork, seeing it split twice more and further down one side, it split again.

"It's a maze." �She breathed and groaned. �There was no telling where Echo and Arwin had come out. �"Echo! �Arwin!" �She yelled loudly. �She heard a faint answer and cursed. �The cavern turned the reply into an endless echo and she couldn't tell from which direction it had come. �She hit the wall beside her and stilled. �A soft shuffling sound came from very close down the near tunnel. �She drew her bow, hearing the sound coming closer and waited. �A moment later, a dark skinned zombie skeleton of some sort rounded the corner. �It's skin was nearly black, it's eyes an evil glowing red and she sucked in a breath. �It saw her and she loosed an arrow at it, spinning it back into the wall. �It quickly righted itself, snapping the arrow out with a clawed hand and came for her in a frightening burst of speed. �She barely had time to drop the bow and draw her blade before it was on her.

She felt it's claws dig into her shoulder and brought her dagger up, slicing the thing's neck. �It screamed eerily, falling back and she lunged after it, spitting it's heart while it reeled. �It sank to the ground, dead and she heaved a breath. �The speed of the thing had been unnerving. �She had never seen a zombie quite like that. �She retrieved her bow, holding the wound in her shoulder gingerly. �She stood still then, listening. �She heard faint calls once more, Arwin and Echo no doubt, the confusing sound of a fight happening somewhere else and the sound of more ominous shuffling coming from somewhere closer.

She re sheathed her blade, knocking an arrow in her bow and set out to find her friends somewhere in the massive maze, hoping they were faring better than she.

<img src='http://www.uesp.net/w/images/BM-Creature-LordAesliip.jpg' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

[grond]

The companions had taken rest near the lagoon and had ventured toward the Ruin after night had fallen. They now faced south, and they crouched behind boulders, and looked beyond the ridge they had come to, down upon the ancient Dwemer stronghold. There were giant cylinders which sprouted from the desert bluffs, the tops of which were wide heads of dusty violet. Like giant mushrooms they were, and spires pointed to the skies from them, and they were adorned with graceful metal rings of great width and unknown purpose, as they were fashioned by hands which had vanished long ago.

The companions watched the door of the Ruin, dull bronze in the light of a single torch. It was within where, the beautiful witches had told, the old witch from Udolf, Adrasta, now lurked. "The hag must have some secret way to this place," muttered Tajo.

"Aye," replied Failan, "Adrasta has terrible powers. She can change her shape to whatever she wishes, I think, so we do not know her true form. And I've heard she can fly. Some have said they've seen her floating through the air. She carries no weapon that I know of but her hands are lethal enough that she needs none. I suspect that she might know the secret of teleportation."

Tajo nodded. "I suspect, too, that these other witches know much more than they've told us."

At that Grond smiled and said, "Of course they do. Don't they all?" Then the Nord's smile faded. "But I wonder why these new beasties attacked you, Failan. I wonder why they couldn't smell yer secret."

"Or," added Tajo, "why didn't the winged monsters ignore us? I have the hearts with me still..." Her voice trailed off in confusion.

Failan shook her head. She said nothing, but Lily spoke. "Maybe they're not werewolves."

The others looked at her with sudden smiles. "My dear," said Grond, "I think ye be right!"

They sat for a few moments silently. Then, with sorrow upon her face as she watched Grond, Failan declared, "I will find out."

She stepped back from them and they saw that she began to change. Before their eyes, and before Grond could attempt to stop her, Failan's body ripped out of the desert clothes and transformed quickly into a hulking wolf, taller than Grond, with fur white as snow. Grond drew Lily to him and, though horrified, a part of him was drawn to the thing which now was his Failan. Her secret life now stood panting at them; its eyes, Failan's still, caramel brown, looked to each of their faces.

 

Grond stopped himself from leaping to join her, and instead remained with an arm round Lily, as the white werewolf sprang away from them and nimbly jumped down the bluff's steep decline toward the door of the Ruin. The Nord watched the beast and felt drawn to it, and he wondered at the feeling. Then he and Tajo made a quick plan, as Failan's howl echoed mournfully in the desert night airs, a call which nearly brought the tall Nord to tears.

As Red and her companions dispatched skeletons with precise bow shots, Lily stood and watched Tajo and Grond follow the white werewolf that was Failan toward the entrance to the Dwemer Ruin. She saw that the three of them entered without incident. The Nord girl kicked at the rocky sand and then turned to Wilson, who had been ordered by Tajo to remain and guard her. She shook her head, and absently turned the ring - given to her by William - round her finger. Whether its pale violet stone caught the light of the moons, or was lit from within, Lily did not wonder, for she saw it not.

[WillieSea]

Arwin suddenly fell straight down when the floor gave way beneath him. He heard Red screech and Echo�s cry fade into the distance as he quickly fell down the chute. He frantically clawed at the walls with his two daggers trying to slow his descent knowing full well that if he did not, the ground would slow him much faster than he could survive.

His daggers dug into the stone walls of the thin chute sending sparks flying upward. He splayed his feet and dug into the smooth walls, slowing his descent slowly. Suddenly the chute opened into a chamber and Arwin fell the last 12 feet to the bone covered floor below. Arwin rolled into the fall and escaped serious injury as he transferred the vertical motion into horizontal motion. Luckily, the pile of bones at the base had accumulated into a large pile which also helped slow his fall.

He came to a stop at the base of some large fan like stalagmite. He laid there while his aches and pains from the fall throbbed throughout his body. A moan escaped his lips as he tried to sit up. The world spun lazily around him and he lay back down until the room stopped spinning. Suddenly, he heard a scream that sounded like Red echo about the chamber, seeming to come from very far away.

He sat up slowly and looked around the room he was in. There was a lightly glowing lichen of some kind growing on the walls throughout the room, brightly illuminating the room with his enhanced vision. The cavern was of moderate size and there appeared to be several tunnels leading off in different directions.

Arwin randomly choose a tunnel where he thought the voices of Red and Echo were the strongest. He was soon limping slowly down the passage in search of his friends. He hoped they were alright as he would often hear the sounds of fighting. Judging by the dust on the floor, no one had ever survived the fall he had taken to escape the chamber. He slowly straightened up as his aches became dulled with time and healing. He had been casting several healing spells on himself and was just thankful to be alive.

He soon came to a door that blocked his progress. The door was of a bluish material and was slightly transparent. Peering through the door, a wall of fog seemed to billow down towards the floor from the center of the room. At the center of the room was a dais with a pedestal centered on it. Atop the pedestal was a large red cushion with gold tassels. Resting on the cushion was a brightly glowing dagger. What was really unusual was that a person in a dark green robe seemed to be frozen in the fog as it reached for the weapon on the cushion.

Arwin tried the door and found it to be locked. He cursed his bad luck and wished that Red was here to open the door, he had never been all that great at opening locks. That inability had gotten him kicked out of the thieves guild rather quickly. He pulled out his lockpicks and carefully started working on the lock. Soon, several broken lockpicks lay at his feet. He was about to give up and try another passage out of the cavern he had falling into when he suddenly heard a click as the door unlocked. He quickly pulled the door open and propped it open using the many pieces of thin metal now laying on the floor.

He cautiously entered the room and circled the strange sight at the room�s center. The fog that billowed down came from a tube in the ceiling. The person stood paralyzed in the fog. He finally came around to the front and found that the person was a female. The robes had dark blue stars embroidered into them, a dagger the only weapon in sight.

Arwin suddenly stood frozen in place as he gazed upon the woman. Beneath the hood of the robe, he could see light brown curling long hair, dark brown eyes and a face that called out to him and struck his heart. He had never seen a woman that had struck a chord in his heart; he wondered who she was and how long she had been there.

But how would he free her from the effects of the fog? Apparently the fog had not been there when she had reached for the dagger on the pedestal, which would point to a magical trap of some kind. Who ever had set up the trap would need a way to reset the trap after they had taken care of the person in the field.

A door at the opposite side of the room rattled as a key was inserted into it and unlocked. Arwin quickly moved behind some furniture in a dark corner of the room. The door opened and in stalked a dead looking thing, almost a zombie except for the fact that it moved so quickly. In its hand was a spear that had old blood coating its tip. It moved quickly towards the woman with the spear pointing straight for her heart.

Arwin quickly stood up and sent an arrow into the vile beast. The creature turned quickly towards Arwin and its Red eyes glowed brightly as it quickly twisted its body towards him. Another arrow quickly found its mark in the creature�s head, snapping it backward but doing little to slow its quick movement across the floor, its spear raised to impale Arwin.

Arwin dropped his bow and rolled to the left with his shorts word drawn. The momentum of the creature sent it into the wooden furniture where it crashed to the floor. Arwin scrambled to his feet, about to rush the creature for a killing blow when the creature seemed to jump to its feet from the floor, spear once again in hand and swiveling towards Arwin. He twisted under the spear and came forward shoving his blade deep into the heart of the creature but not before a thick boney hand crashed down on his head causing blackness to take him.

Arwin came to with a start, he wondered how long he had been unconscious? He looked around and saw the creature dead under him, his sword still buried in its chest, little bolts of lightning playing across its body. His head hurt mightily from the blow and only added to the throbbing pain he still felt from the fall down the chute. He pulled the key from the creatures pouch and also found a number of gold coins and rubies.

[WillieSea]

Looking back at the trapped woman, Arwin�s heart skipped a beat once more. He had to free her from the trap, but how? He was finally able to take his eyes off the beauty before him and look closely at the trap. The back of the pedestal had a small hole in it, like a door would have a key hole. He moved slowly and cautiously towards the lock and inserted the key he had taken from the creature. It turned with a click and the fog suddenly stopped falling from the tube above. The woman let out a groan and started to fall to the floor.

Arwin was there instantly, catching her in his arms. The hood of the robe fell away from her head and her light brown hair flowed around Arwin�s still bare chest as she fell forward into him. Arwin thought the room had been warm before but now he felt he was burning up. He then picked her up in both arms and carried her to the furniture where a long bench stood with a long pillow covering the top of it.

The woman�s hair was as soft as silk as it flowed around Arwin�s chest as he carried her to the bench. He laid her carefully on the cushioned bench and checked to make sure she was not injured. She was a Breton and by the looks of it a mage as well. He caressed her face, noticing the smooth youthful skin. He guessed that she was probably as old as he was.

Arwin being the rogue that he is bent down to give her a kiss on the lips when her eyes suddenly opened. Arwin then found himself flying across the room as he wind milled his arms and legs in the air before landing in a roll on the floor at the other side of the room. He came to his feet and saw the woman standing near the bench looking angrily at him.

Arwin called out, �I am a friend, I don�t wish to fight you!�

The woman then looked around the room and saw the dead creature in a pile of broken furniture near her which startled her slightly. �Ew, those things creep me out!� the woman said to no one in particular. She then saw the dagger on the pedestal and nodded towards Arwin. �So be it man. Did you free me from the trap?�

Arwin stood up straight and replied, �Yes, but not before killing yonder beast.� He then puffed up his chest and started to saunter over to the Breton.

�You can cut the rooster strut! You look like you might be useful in a fight.� she said as she once again looked at the dead Draugr. You might as well come along with me and we will see if you�re of any use.� She then turned her back on Arwin and walked over to the exit door. She then looked over her shoulder at the dumbfounded Arwin and called to him, �You coming or not?� She then went through the doorway.

Arwin did not know what to say. The woman was not acting the way he had expected her to, in fact it was the total opposite. As she left the room, he closed his gaping mouth and hurried to follow her. Protect him, indeed, Arwin thought to himself, females always seemed to be more trouble than they were worth at times. He sighed and quickly caught up with her.

The mage smiled as she heard the High Elf run to catch up with her. He was rather cute if not oddly dressed for an Altmer. This one seemed to be uncomfortable in the sweltering heat of the ruins. He also did not have �airs� like the other Altmer she had come in contact with. Perhaps she would find a use for him later if they made it out of the ruins alive. A sly smile quickly raced across her face as she though about the muscled bare chested man behind her.

�My name is Arwin, what�s yours?� Arwin asked of the Breton.

She turned to face Arwin and smiled, �You can call me Jean.� She then quickly turned again and continued down the passage.

It was not long before an arrow quickly zipped past Jean�s head as she pondered her current fate. She heard Arwin issue a warning, three Draugrs were ahead in the passage. Try as she might, she could see nothing ahead in the darkness, her night eye spell did not extend her vision very far. Regardless, she sent a bolt of crackling blue lightning down the tunnel where it quickly illuminated one after another Draugr as the bolt passed between the three.

Arwin rubbed his ears; the thunder from the lightning bolt still rang in his ears. The three Draugr lay in an ashen heap at the end of the tunnel. Arwin advanced on the remains, �I guess I won�t be getting that arrow back.� Arwin said mostly to himself.

Jean then slapped Arwin on the rump as he passed, causing Arwin to jump forward a bit. He looked back to see Jean appraising him with the sly smile returning to her lips. �Scrumptious!� she said as she then passed Arwin's surprised look and continued through the room and down the next passage.

[WhoGuru]

Echo tumbled from the tube into a pool of water. �It cushioned his fall, saving him from injury, but he swallowed several mouthfuls before finding the surface. �He coughed and wheezed as he paddled to the near shore. �He could see he was in a massive cavern and across from him, as he crawled from the water, was an arched door in the wall that extended all around the small lake. �He shook the water from himself and rose, still coughing up water and went to the archway. �A maze greeted him and with a grunt, he set out to track down his friends.

Perhaps he had simply come out at the best possible point, or perhaps it was because his own mind was a maze, but Echo had no problem navigating the twisting paths, heading ever closer to the center of the maze. �He could sense it almost, which direction to take at each turn. �On one such turn, he found three Draugrs waiting for him. �He drew his sword with a dangerous grin and an eye for the baubles dangling from one of their necks and attacked them. �The ferocity of his attack stunned the creatures, so used to their prey running. �He had two decapitated before the third had time to react. �It swiped out at him with razor claws and Echo ducked beneath the swing, taking one of it's arms as he danced back and away, laughing. �He'd avoided it's neck, not wanting to damage the pretties he saw waiting there. �

It rushed him then, it's unusual speed startling Echo. �He reared back, swinging his sword up with an expert twist and took the creatures other arm. �He aimed for it's heart then and stepped into the thrust, skewering the Draugr and driving it to the floor. �He left it pinned there, twitching and took his time removing the jewels from the necklace before pulling his sword out with a sickly sucking sound.

Echo gave the beast a good tempered kick on his way past and headed once more for the center, tucking the small jewels into his pouch as he went and humming a happy tune.

-------------------------------------------

Red had dealt with two more of the Draugrs, taking their eyes with well placed arrows, giving her time to slay them quickly. �She was showing signs of wear. �The claw marks in her shoulder ached each time she drew her bow and she'd added a score of bruises to her list of woes. �She was no closer to finding Echo and Arwin and was well lost amid all the turns. �She looked up to the high walls once more, wishing she could get up there for a look around. �She put her bow over her shoulder once more and decided to give it a try. �What was one more bruise if she fell? �She reasoned. �She chose a point in the maze where the walls were closer together and, taking a running start, leaped at one wall using it to bounce herself higher at the other.

It was an old acrobats trick she had learned very young and was very good at it. �She caught hold of the edge of the wall, curling her fingers over and planting her feet against it, using the pressure to push herself up. �The effort strained her mauled shoulder. �She gritted her teeth, refusing to let go and finally managed to get her belly onto the wall. �She rested there for a moment, looking out and whistled softly. �The maze, as she could see it, was enormous, filling the whole of the cavern. �She tried to make sense of the twisting, turning passages she could see and shook her head. �There was no way to tell which path would lead her true.

A sudden hissing noise below her made her turn and she saw several of the Draugrs coming down the passage she was above from both directions. �They had heard her and were coming for her. �She looked over the other side of the wall and saw some sort of swampy fen. �It was large and she could just see another arch leading out of it on the other side. �She chose quickly, knowing there were too many of the things for her and leaned forward, flipping her legs over the wall to drop into the next chamber. �She heard the Draugrs growling as their prey escaped and landed with her back to the wall.

She jerked away, hearing their sharp claws scrabbling on the wall and took a closer look at the large room she was in. �It really did resemble a swamp, as though scooped up and dropped within the cavern. �The ground was spongy beneath her feet and if there was safe and dry path to the door, she could not see it. �Small trees even filled the space, their roots curling up from the water into straggly boles that bent and twisted toward the cavern roof far overhead. �A faint mist rose from the waters, giving a haze to the air and the scent of things rotting below the surface. �She suddenly wondered if facing the Draugrs might have been the better choice. �Resigned, she started across the chamber, feet sinking into the surface and eyes alert for even the faintest movement. �

Nothing moved around her save the gently swirling mist. �She was mid way to the other side when her foot slipped off the small rock she had found and she tipped into the bog. �She sucked in a breath as she fell and sank below the surface. �Staying calm, she righted herself, pushing for the surface. �A chance look down made her scream some of her air out below the surface. �The bottom of the swamp held the reason for the rotten stench. �There were bodies, dozens, hundreds, laying along the floor of the swamp, lifeless eyes staring up at her.

She fought for the surface and reached it with a gasp. �Red quickly swam toward the arch, finding more solid ground as she neared. �She crawled from the water, using one of the gnarled trees to pull herself out and screamed as something grabbed her ankles, trying to pull her back. �Thinking it was the bodies of the dead come for her, she whipped her head back. �There were no cold, white hands grasping her legs but brown and slick roots, curling up her calves and pulling her back to the water. �She had a brief flash of the dead on the bottom once more and realized they had been wedged among the roots of the trees. �She wrapped her arms around the tree she'd taken hold of, grunting with the effort of not being pulled back.

She couldn't go for her dagger without losing her grip and there was no one to help her. �She closed her eyes then and did the one thing she feared most, she called her magic. �It rose up through her as if alive and she screamed once more with the sensation. �She burst into flames and they flowed out to the tree she held and the roots that pulled at her, setting them alight. �The magical fire ran even beneath the surface of the water, turning the rancid lagoon into a glowing lake as everything beneath it's surface burned. �Her legs free, she lay panting on the bank as everything in the large chamber now ran with flames.

Red fought to quench the flames, crawling for the door, seeing her own hands wreathed in fires that smoked where she touched the ground. �She felt that other mind seeking release as before. �She fought against it, refusing to let it surface and the flames diminished. �She reached the door and used it to raise herself up. �She stumbled into the hall, finding three Draugrs waiting for her. �Her screams had no doubt brought them. �She threw her hands out to them, sending a wall of flame into the creatures and they burned where they stood, crumpling in smoking heaps to the ground.

She struggled for control and heard Rider's voice in her mind then, remembering what he had said, that she could control her powers, use them for good purpose and Will telling her not to fear them. �It helped anchor her and with a great effort, she swallowed the power back into herself. �She dropped to her knees, exhausted. �Knowing she was still in danger, she forced herself to stand, wincing at the bruises she felt on her legs where the roots had held her tight. �

She limped off into the maze once more and soon found herself trying to stifle a laugh. �Red knew she was on the verge of collapse, she had used so much energy escaping the swamp, yet she couldn't seem to stop the laugh from bubbling up as she walked. �She somehow managed to find herself alone always at the worst moments and where once that had not bothered her, now she wished for her friends. �She chuckled at that as well, the former assassin relying on others, and shook her head as she made her unsteady way deeper into the maze. �She was coherent enough to appreciate not running afoul of more Draugrs and to wonder at their absence. �She turned a corner and found herself in another large chamber. �

This one was massive, a great open circle with many arches leading into it and at it's center stood a pedestal. �On the pedestal was a giant ruby, the heart. �It floated just above the pedestal in a field of magic she could just see wavering about it. �Red took a step closer and stopped. �The exhaustion was sucking at her now and looking at the ruby floating there, she found she could not make herself go and take it. �She gave a disgusted snort and moved back to lean against the wall with a thump. �It jarred her wounded shoulder and she stifled a cry as it began to burn. �She slid down the wall until she was sitting on the ground, back supported and stretched her aching legs out before her.

"I'm not doing it." �She said softly and laughed. �"Nope. �Not putting my hands on another floating gemstone in another underground cave." �The irony made her laugh again, even as tired tears tracked down her dirty face. �"Can't make me." �She dropped her head back to the wall and decided to wait for Echo and Arwin. �Sooner or later they would be along, she knew. �She'd just keep her distance and make sure no one else beat them to it. �She took her bow, grimacing at her shoulder as she moved it, and set it in her lap, ready to surprise anything that wandered into her view and waited, fighting to stay awake against the pain and fatigue.

[WillieSea]

Arwin stood still, surprised at Jean�s forward behavior. He then sighed, he had rather liked it! And he liked the way she walked ahead of him, it was mesmerizing.

�Come on Lover Boy!� Jean called from down the tunnel with a chuckle. Arwin shook his head to clear his thoughts and quickly caught up to her. As they walked, he told her about the gem they searched for and the werewolves he would be killing when they found all the statue�s gems. He told her of the Tavern he had found and the friends he had made there and how he enjoyed the place not only for the friendship, but for the never-ending adventure it brought.

Jean told Arwin about how all of her friends had been killed in this place and that only she survived now. She had become concerned about being alone and was glad for Arwin�s company. To emphasize this fact, she turned around and planted a passionate kiss on Arwin�s lips, and then suddenly pulled away. Noises were coming from the passage ahead, there were several more Draugr ahead of them. Jean put one finger vertical over Arwin�s lips and whispered, �Can you move stealthily?�

To this, Arwin cast his chameleon spell and without a sound, moved past Jean and whispered in her other ear, �Can you?� He then grabbed Jean�s rear end eliciting a yelp from her. She then cast chameleon on herself and whispered after Arwin, �You naughty boy! When we get out of here I am going to have to punish you!� She then growled lightly, �Rowr!�

Arwin and Jean came to another chamber that was filled with about a dozen of the Draugr, milling around a room full of bloodied altars and dead bodies of previous adventurers. The two watched as four of the creatures pulled one of the desiccated bodies off the floor and placed it roughly on the altar. They then poured liquids on it and chanted over the body. The other Draugr in the room came over to the altar and took up the whispering chant as well. A red glow surrounded the body on the altar and the image of a giant red ruby appeared over it. The body below seemed to cook and shrivel until it looked like the other Draugr in the room, and then the red glow coalesced at the eyes where the red eyes of the creature opened and sat up on the altar.

Arwin whispered to Jean, �I will cast lighting bolts into that group, can you send fireballs into them?�

Jean whispered back, �Fire it is, on the count of three,�

The doorway to the room suddenly erupted in fire and lightning as a barrage of magical energy blasted into the tight group of Draugr as they helped their newest member rise from the altar. The lightning crackled from one creature to another as it arced around the group. They were then thrown into the air from the blast of a giant fireball exploding in their midst. Both flames and electric sparks covered the bodies of the Draugr as they flew through the air to crash into the walls of the chamber, sliding down the walls into crumpled heaps at their base.

Arwin and Jean then moved into the room and searched it. Arwin quickly found a secret door on once side when he saw the old life force trail one of the Draugr had left when it entered the room. Jean lead the way down the tunnel as Arwin closed the door behind them.

Jean whistled lightly as she entered a large chamber at the tunnels base. It was a large circular room with many archways leading from it, just like the one they were using. In the center of the room was a pedestal with a giant ruby floating in a magical field above it. Arwin quickly ran down the passage and caught up with Jean when he saw a life force in the room ahead, and it appeared to have a bow pointed in their direction. Arwin tackled Jean as an arrow whizzed overhead and shattered into the stone arch behind them.

Arwin quickly grabbed Jean and rolled with her to put the pedestal between them and the archer on the other side of the room. A voice then called out, �Arwin? Is that you?�

Arwin had stopped rolling and lay atop Jean, holding her down, and upon hearing his name, called out �Red?�

Jean looked up into Arwin�s eyes and asked, �Somebody you know?�

Red then called out, �Oh thank goodness you�re here, now we just have to wait for Echo.�

Arwin looked down into Jean�s eyes and then kissed her back. They then started rolling on the floor for a different reason.

Red got up off the floor and walked over to Arwin and noticed he seemed to have found a �friend� where she said, �You sure work fast Arwin, now how about we get back to business here, what say you?�

Arwin disentangled himself from Jean and the two of them rose to their feet gasping for breath. With a wide grin on his face, Arwin introduced Jean to Red and quickly told her to story of how they had met. Jean had to interject her own comments into the story when they veered into the male daydream sequence, much to the humor of Red who chuckled at the story.

What really disturbed Red was the way the Draugr were using the heart stone to create more of themselves. The stones were certainly evil and would need to be destroyed once they were returned to the statue, along with the witch and werewolves.

Arwin pulled out a large black sack he had been carrying and moved towards the pedestal and the floating gemstone. Arwin explained the magic of the sack would contain the evil magics of the stones, like the two eyes stones he carried in another black sack.

Jean held Arwin�s arm and motioned towards the magical field. �Does that fog look familiar to you?� she asked.

Arwin�s eyes widened in surprise, the paralyzing fog, of course! The two of them then searched the base of the pedestal from a distance looking for a keyhole or other mechanism.

Jean soon pointed to a small arcane symbol, one of many that surrounded the pedestal. She motioned Arwin back and then concentrated, pointed her finger at the symbol and cast a dispel magic spell at the symbol. All of the arcane symbol�s suddenly turned red and the magical field vanished. The large ruby heart then fell to the pillow where Arwin quickly placed it in the black sack, taking care not to touch the stone himself. He then tied the magical cords of the sack and placed it in his pack with a smile on his face. Red then clapped her hands at the two, thankful she did not go after the gem herself for more than one reason now.

Just then, Echo sauntered into the chamber from one of the archways, humming a tune and eating a wedge of cheese he had found. �Hey! What�s up you guys?� he asked as he saw Red and Arwin.

[WhoGuru]

Red laughed, going to Echo and draping an arm round his shoulders. �"Trust you to find something to eat." �She looked around the chamber then. �"There really must be a way out of here." �Squinting her eyes at the pedestal, she left Echo to limp lightly to it.

"Are you injured, Red?" �Arwin asked, noting the limp. �She shook her head, preoccupied.

"Bruises, that's all."

"That's not a bruise." �Echo said softly, pointing to the shredded shoulder of her leather armor.

"It's fine." �She said and took the few steps up to the pedestal. �The cushion the ruby had floated above was wide and heavy and she thought she'd seen something flicker beneath it. �She gave the cushion a shove, sliding it off to the floor and revealed a glowing seal of some kind. �"Now this is interesting." �She muttered. �Ancient runes covered the stone and a soft glow emanated from it. �She grunted at Echo as he tried to get a look at her shoulder. �"Ouch. �Leave it. �I've seen runes like this before, in the Arcane University." �She said, looking at Arwin and Jean. �She stepped up beside Red and nodded with a wide smile.

"Yes, it looks like a teleportation stone. �But to where?" �Jean bent over the stone, careful not to touch it and studied the runes. �"These should tell us where it goes, I'll need a minute." �She looked under her hair at Arwin and winked, nodding at Red. �Arwin smiled, swallowing a chuckle and went to the red haired woman.

"Red, come down here and let us look at you." �He said. �When she ignored him, he snorted and picked her up off the dais around the waist as she sputtered.

"We don't have time for this!" �She growled.

"We seem to have a few moments at least while Jean determines where that thing would send us, now." �He set her down and saw her wince as her sore legs hit the floor. �"Let us have a look at you." �She subsided unhappily, allowing them to check her shoulder. �The furrows from the Draugr claws were shallow and long. �Arwin hissed between his teeth. �"No wonder you missed us." �He teased, for her arrow had gone wide of the mark. �"It's a wonder you could even pull the bowstring like this." �Echo handed him a small vial.

"Took it off a former treasure hunter on my way here." �He smiled. �Arwin uncorked the potion and poured a generous amount on her shoulder. �She sighed as the pain lessened. �"Better?" �He asked and she nodded. �Echo had dropped to the floor and rolled one leg of her leather pants up, revealing vivid bruises.

"What did that?" �He asked.

"Tree roots." �She said shortly, unwilling to discuss how she'd gotten away. �Echo rolled the leather back down and stood, staring at her. �

"I passed a room on my way here, it was still burning." �He said. �Arwin likewise studied her face and saw fatigue there. �She shrugged, then cocked her head to the side and turned to peer behind them.

"You hear that?" �She asked softly. �They listened as well and now heard shuffling and growling sounds from all across the maze. �"We need to go." �She said and limped up to Jean. �"Where does it lead because they're coming."

"They must have realized they can't make anymore of themselves." �Arwin stated grimly. �"They're coming to see why."

"All of them?" �Echo asked, eyes wide and drew his sword. �"We should leave."

"It goes back to the surface, I think." �Jean waved a hand over it. �"The one word I can't decipher is, I think, the name for this place. �Should go right to the surface."

"And if it doesn't?" �Echo asked.

Jean grinned. �"Then we get a surprise." �She winked again at Arwin and before he could say anything, placed her hand upon the stone and vanished in a swirl of light.

"Why that little..." �He grumbled and went to the stone as Red chuckled.

"Good luck with that one." �She said impudently and placed her own hand on the stone, vanishing as well to Arwin's growl. �She felt a sudden disorienting, spinning motion through utter blackness and then reappeared outside the ruins' entrance beside Jean. �She stumbled, sore legs giving out and thanked Jean as she caught her arm.

"Bit dizzying those things." �Jean said with a smile, righting the woman with an appraising look. �"You and Arwin ever..." �She left the sentence hanging suggestively and Red turned several shades of her namesake before finally laughing loudly.

"Oh gods no." �She gasped, stepping aside as Echo appeared. �"You've nothing to fear from me. �My interest lies elsewhere." �She assured Jean. �Arwin appeared, stumbling lightly and then scowled. �The women had been laughing, stopped for a moment at his arrival then, with amused looks at each other, began laughing once more.

"I don't want to know." �He said with a scowl for them. �He gave a repressive glare at Red and went to Jean, taking her elbow in a very gentlemanly fashion. �"Our horses are this way." �He said and led her off as she still laughed softly. �Red shook her head and looked back at the door they had originally entered through. �She then dropped stiffly to her knees and began pushing the sand away. �She quickly revealed a matching stone to the one below in the maze.

"Uh oh." �She said softly. �"They could come after us." �She looked up to Echo. �"Back up, I'm going to try and destroy this." �He nodded, backing away as her hands became wreathed in flames. �Red lay them on the stone, pouring her magic into it and doing her best to melt it. �It resisted her at first, the magic that made it function pushing back at her. �The she felt it give and where her hands touched, it began to glow and give. �The stone became red hot and just as the runes began to fade, a Draugr appeared atop it, then another, and another and then it was done.

Red held her concentration, even seeing the feet of the creatures appear before her. �She needed to stop it before it loosed an army into the desert. �It melted beneath their feet, sinking into the sand and Red fell back with a cry as the nearest swung at her. �Flames erupted up into its face and it fell atop her, clawing at itself and then at her in its death throws.

Echo had swung into the things as they appeared, his sword still out and taken the head of one quickly. �As he turned to the next, an arrow embedded itself in it's head, throwing it backwards and Echo followed, digging for it's heart. �Arwin sprinted to them, Jean close behind and she loosed a bolt of lightning at the creature atop Red, sending it tumbling away from her. �Arwin loosed three more arrows into the burning creature and finally, they lay dead.

Red struggled up from the sand, on hands and knees panting for breath. �When Jean would have gone to her, Arwin and Echo both took her arms.

"What are you doing? �She's hurt!" �Jean said exasperated. �"Will you not help?"

"Wait." �Arwin ordered, holding her with an iron grip. �"Red?" �He called softly to her. �She looked up slowly to him, and heard Jean gasp. �The familiar moss green of her eyes ringed a core of blood red. �As they watched, the red faded away, leaving the green behind. �Red nodded then, looking away and Arwin released Jean. �"Now it's safe." �He said on a sigh. �Echo reached her first, helping her to her feet.

"You okay?" �He asked, looking over her closely. �A few more claw marks decorated her leathers and she nodded. �The fatigue she had managed to fight off below returned to her. �Using the magic again, so close on the heels of the last sapped at her. �She felt stretched and weak as new bruises added to the old ones and she leaned heavily on Echo.

"Can we go home now?" �She asked in a tired voice with a wry smile. �He nodded and headed up the rise with her.

"What just happened?" �Jean asked, confused. �"What was that?" �

"It's a bit of a long story." �He replied and impulsively hugged her to him. �"I'll explain as we go." �He grinned at her and raised his high brows when she planted a kiss on his nose.

"You'd better. �Let's go. �I think he needs help with her." �She stepped away from Arwin with a laugh. �Echo was indeed struggling under Red's weight, trying to get her up the dune to the horses. �He chuckled softly and went to help, wondering what kind of relationship he and this new, exciting woman would have with each other.

[WillieSea]

The four finally reached the outcropping of rock where they had left their horses. Echo helped Red mount her horse as Jean joined Arwin on his horse, sitting just in front of him. She wiggled just enough to make sure Arwin was glad she was there before she kicked Aarow into a gallop towards the city of Dune to the northwest. The road from there would bring them to Skingrad and then cross country to the Tavern in the Colovian highlands.

Red and Echo quickly caught up to the double riders and they returned to a normal pace. The sun had just gone down and the cold night would soon be upon them. Red pulled out her thick furred coat as Arwin put his black silken shirt back on along with his leather cuirass.

They made excellent time thanks to Jean�s familiarity of the desert and the towns that surrounded it. A little after midnight, they rode into Dune and found a place to stay for the remainder of the night. A few of the gold coins they had liberated from the ruins paid for a room for each of them and a grand meal.

Jean watched Arwin as they ate their meal and discussed the day�s events. There was something about the Altmer that fascinated the Breton. Since her friends were now dead in the ruin, she decided that she would tag along with Arwin where-ever he went for now. She was not sure if it was because he had saved her life or something else about the man, but she rather liked him. She liked the way he talked and acted, and she really liked teasing him where she could. He even seemed to like that! She could also tell that he was equally smitten by her, just from the way he looked at her and enjoyed being with her. They did make an excellent team with their abilities. She thought back on the room full of Draugr that they had wiped out almost instantly. And he seemed to have a danger sense about him that would really help in their adventures. They soon retired to their rooms, expecting to be on their way by noon tomorrow.

Red woke from her slumber several times during the night having nightmares about the fire taking control of her and she would burn her friends to ashes at her feet. Each time, she would wake with sweat plastering her clothing to her body. Finally by around 9am, she got up and headed for the great room below for breakfast and a drink. As she passed Jean�s room, she saw the door open and the room empty. Arwin�s door was still closed and she was sure she heard a woman�s voice as she passed it. Red smiled to herself and thought about Garulf. They would be traveling through the West Weald on their way back to the Tavern, perhaps they would hear of Rider or Garulf.

Soon, Arwin and Jean came into the great room with big smiles on their faces and quickly found Red. They ordered their own meals and waited for Echo to join them. After a while, Red excused herself and went to wake up Echo. They needed to be gone by noon if they were going to make Skingrad by evening. The boy was probably sleeping in as so many of the youth did these days.

A few minutes later Echo was being pushed down the stairs by an irate Red. The boy rubbed his eyes as he stumbled forwards, his hair a mess from his sleep. With Red�s prodding, they were finally back on their horses and heading up the road to Arenthia and then Skingrad.

As much as Arwin liked Jean riding in front of him, he called out to Red as they passed a horse dealer. Red sighed as Arwin and Jean entered the stables and bartered for a horse for Jean. They were soon on their way with a new black horse for Jean. Red snickered out loud as the two rode close by each other. She wondered how they would act when they got to know each other better.

They rode the well traveled road towards Arenthia quickly and where soon in that city by mid evening. After stopping for a quick lunch they continued on to Skingrad. As they were nearing the Strid River head waters, they started to hear the howls of the werewolves. Red looked over to Arwin and they exchanged worried looks. The werewolves had finally found them once again. Arwin quickly informed Jean as to what they faced. To Jean�s benefit, she smiled back at Arwin and chuckled, �Those werewolves won�t know what hit them when we are done with them!� The four rode a ways further hoping to make Skingrad before it became too dark.

Arwin yelled out �Ambush!� as he saw the life signs of several of the werewolves in the trees just ahead of them. The group dismounted and prepared for attack just as twelve of the werewolves burst from the trees and in long strides ran towards the group. Arwin and Red sent volleys of arrows into the quickly advancing creatures dropping four of them before dropping their bows and pulling out their hand to hand weapons. In the meantime, Jean had sent several fireballs into their path blasting three of them to ashes and burning several more while also slowing their advancement.

The remaining five werewolves jumped at the party with gnashing teeth into the flashing blades as the battle raged on. Red ducked under the jumping attack of the beast and thrust her dread dagger deep into its chest causing it to yelp loudly and fall to the ground.

Arwin stood in front of Jean as two of the creatures jumped at him. Not wanting them to read Jean, Arwin jumped forward at the lead beast and took a vicious bite to the arm as he drove his sword into its chest sending bolts of lightning tracing around its body, singing its hair. He through the carcass of the dead werewolf into the path of the second one causing it to fall to the ground where he thrust his blade into its backbone.

Jean sent a lighting bolt over the two werewolves who attacked Arwin and sent the bolt down the werewolves open mouth as it jumped towards Jean. The blast from the magical energy blew the werewolf apart from inside sending bits of cooked werewolf through the air splattering herself and Arwin. As Arwin took the second creature down, she then cast a healing spell on Arwin as she looked at the torn flesh of his arm. She followed that with a cure disease spell.

Echo had his own worries as one of the beasts jumped at him. It did not jump high enough to duck under so he rolled to the side and avoided a nasty mauling to his side as the werewolf bit at empty air and growled loudly. They both then circled each other before they dove into each other. Echo drove his arm and dagger deep into the mouth and down the throat of the creature as it chewed on his arm. Echo twisted his blade and cut through the throat of the beast from the inside. He then drove his other dagger into the neck of the beast before it stopped chewing on his arm.

With the werewolves dead on the road, the party took stock of their situation while Jean and Red healed the wounds of Arwin and Echo. Arwin and Red discussed the renewed attacks by the werewolves. Perhaps there was no saving the village of Udolf. Perhaps they had been werewolves for too long.

Arwin only knew one thing; any who would not leave the werewolves curse behind would die. He would hunt them to the ends of Tamriel and kill all of them he found. He would stay near the Tavern for a while and kill any returning wolves to the shrine as well.

The four of them left the bodies in the road as a warning to the others; this is what the werewolves could expect when they came after them. They would have to prepare themselves, the group of twelve had been a lot and would have overrun them if Arwin had not detected their presence early. The next conflict would be much more difficult with several dozen of the creatures attacking at once. They needed to get back to the Tavern and find Grond and his party. They would stand a better chance if they were all together. The trip through the wilderness to the Tavern would probably be the most difficult and best place for the werewolves to amass for an attack.

[WhoGuru]

Late in the afternoon, coming on to evening, they found the headwaters of the Strid River. �Going around would add days to their journey but a shallow crossing could be made if you knew just where. �Jean, it seemed, had been that way many times and led them unerringly to the crossing. �They eyed the expanse warily. �Rain must have been falling steadily in the West Weald for days and the river was swollen, rising up it's banks.

"Not such a shallow crossing, I think." �Red muttered and kneed Savior into the water ahead of where Jean pointed. �He grunted as his legs sank into the cold water and started across. �The water swirled up to his chest, covering Red's legs in the chill run off. �She shook with the sudden cold shock and tried to pull her legs from the water.

"Stay a straight course!" �Jean yelled out to her. �"There's a drop off to either side!" �Red waved back to signal she'd heard and continued out.

"Seems safe enough." �Arwin commented and led Aarow into the water, Jean following close behind. �He gasped when the frigid water curled up his legs. �Jean likewise cursed colorfully behind him.

"Wasn't this cold when I came down!" �She yelled with a laugh. �Arwin peered ahead to where Red and Savior still waded, now in the center of the river.

"Red!" �He yelled. �He had a sudden nightmare image of her toppling from Savior's back into the icy waters and vanishing. �The cold would kill her, he thought. �"Red!" �When she didn't answer, he kicked Aarow into a faster gait. �He was all but swimming now. �Ahead, he could see that Savior was, the waters lapping at Red in the saddle.

"Go slowly!" �Jean called from behind him but Arwin shook his head. �He heard Echo and his mount splash into the river behind him. �He begged Aarow to go faster, eyes riveted to Red's back. �He startled when Echo and his horse drew alongside him and passed them.

"I'll get to her!" �He called and urged his horse on to greater speed. �Arwin watched tensely until he saw Savior struggling out of the river on the other side. �Echo was several yards ahead of him and he saw Red slide unsteadily from Savior's back, dropping to her knees on the ground. �He ground his teeth at the time it was taking them to reach her.

"What's wrong with her? �Is it the cold, like you said?" �Jean asked, for she and her black horse had come close behind. �He nodded.

"Yes!" �He had explained as they rode what little he knew about Red's powers...and problems. �Aarow was struggling through the waters, swimming freely now as the riverbed had fallen away beneath his hooves. �On the other bank, he saw Red's head jerk up, saw her draw the Dread Blade and stumble to her feet, her hand on Savior's neck all that kept her steady. �He drew on his vision once more and saw three signs of life in the trees just beyond her. �"Echo! �WOLVES!" �He screamed to the lad so far ahead of him.

He knew Echo had heard when he kicked his horse into even greater speed through the water and drew his sword, ready the moment they found the bank. �Arwin drew his bow, lining up his sights on one of the Wolves as it broke the treeline and came at Red. �His arrow took it high in the chest and he cursed. �Accuracy on the back of a swimming horse was not an easy thing. �He launched another arrow, this time hitting his mark, pinning the creature in the eye as another burst from cover and flew at Red. �He saw flames dance out along the dread blade as she swung and the Wolf reeled from her screaming as it's fur caught fire. �

He scoured the treeline once more and now saw even more life weaving through the thick cover, heading for the river bank. �Echo reached the shore, flying from the back of his horse and to Red's side. �He met the next assault ahead of her, his sword swinging in clean arcs and felling two of the beasts near instantly in a dazzling display of swordsmanship. �Arwin watched awed as the young man created a barrier of death around Red as she faltered, dropping to her knees once more. �Echo's blade wove in and out of the wolves as they rushed from the trees, making them pause and giving Arwin time to land more arrows as he and Jean neared the shore finally.

Without warning, Red threw her arms out at a cluster of the Werewolves and flames erupted into them, throwing them back into the trees amidst screams from their fellows. �Echo jerked in surprise but kept his place beside her, despite the worry she would turn on him. �"Red?" �He asked softly as the Wolves regrouped around them.

"I'm here, Echo." �She ground out in a deep voice, allaying some of his worry. �He turned his attention back to the creatures as several dodged in at him, testing his guard. �One left a hand shorter as he curved his sword up at it. �More fireballs flew from Red's outstretched hands as a volley of arrows dropped from above and pinned several to the ground. �A bolt of lighting flew past Echo's left, scorching one Werewolf and it toppled to the ground dead where it stood. �Arwin and Jean appeared beside him then, swords out and ready.

"Well done, Echo." �Arwin said, clapping him on the shoulder. �Echo grinned, eager for the next attack now his blood was up. �Arwin stepped to Red, making sure not to touch her, he glanced down to check on her. �She was pale, her skin almost blue from the icy cold of the water. �She was breathing heavily and looked near passing out but kept her knees, hands outstretched and ready for the wolves.

"I'm here, Arwin." �She said wearily and looked up at him with bi colored eyes. �That he could still see a ring of green let him know she was still in control, though for how much longer she could remain so worried him. �He stepped back to Jean. �"We need to end this soon." �He whispered and she nodded. �The Werewolves seemed to understand and attacked. �Of the twenty or so who had attacked initially, only nine remained. �They flew at the group as one, trying to overwhelm their line with numbers. �Magic and swords flew into the beasts, throwing some back, maddening others and Arwin had only a moment to realize they were trying to reach Red. �They had obviously decided she posed the greatest threat and we're drawing Arwin, Jean and Echo away from her with their attacks. �He turned to look and saw two of the creatures trying to sneak up behind her, using their horses as cover.

"Red!" �He yelled, pointing towards the things and was forced to look back to protect himself as he was tackled to the ground. �He brought his sword up reflexively and spitted the wolf as it rode him down. �Claws ripped through his leg and he ignored it, rolling the beast over and finding his footing once more. �He spared another glance for Red and saw she'd gained her feet and thrown flames into the wolves behind them. �Echo flew past him and Arwin saw him behead the wolf that had nearly taken him from behind. �He gasped a hasty thank you to Echo and helped dispatch the last of their attackers.

The four of them stood on the bank of the river, breathing heavily as Arwin searched the forest. �"Looks clear." �He said finally. �"That's all of them." �He sheathed his blade and limped quickly to Red. �She had dropped to the ground once more and he quickly took her shoulders, finding her shaking. �Her eyes were her own once more as he steadied her. �The cold from the river was still eating at her in her wet armor and her lips were near blue with it. �"We need to get her warm." �He said urgently.

"We need to heal your leg." �Jean said, coming to him and stopped as his eyes widened.

"No need." �He gasped, feeling a great warmth flow through him. �He looked down to see the jagged gashes in his leg closing before his eyes as Red crumpled in his hands, unconscious. �"Thank you." �He said to her, though she couldn't hear.

"Well that's certainly handy." �Jean said with a smile. �She settled next to them and took Red into her arms, using her body to help warm her. �"You boys go find some kindling and we'll get her warm in no time." �Arwin smiled at her and rose with a nod.

"Come on, Echo. �Let's go find something to burn."

Echo agreed, sparing a last look for Red in their new companion's arms and shook his head at himself. �Jean had more than proved herself already and they would not go far.

"It certainly is interesting traveling with you lot." �Jean murmured to the sleeping Red and held her closer as she felt her shaking even in sleep. �She jumped when Savior's head dropped over her shoulder to nudge the woman in her arms and she laughed. �"Definitely interesting." �She said to the horse and chuckled as she waited for the men to return.

[WillieSea]

Arwin and Echo quickly picked up sticks and larger tree limbs and carried them back to their makeshift camp at the edge of the river. They saw that Jean was standing over Red who lay on the ground. Jean pointed a hand towards Red and sent a stream of flame bursting over Red. Echo screamed and ran towards Jean brandishing his sword with Arwin close behind him, a bewildered look on his face.

As Echo approached Red and Jean in a dead run, Red suddenly sat up and smiled at Echo and Arwin while she crossed her arms in front of her and rubbed her upper arms as if trying to stay warm. The blueness of Red�s face was gone as was the paleness of her skin, which now glowed a rosy red color.

Echo lowered his sword and came to a stop several yards from the two women as they chatted about things. Red would then ask for another one where Jean would send another flare of fire at Red who would luxuriate in its warmth.

Echo was unable to speak, so Arwin asked, �So, what�s going on here?�

The two women turned and looked at the men and Jean replied, �I figured if she was immune to fire that a bit of flame might warm her right up. Really, I am surprised you two did not think of it earlier.� Jean then continued talking with Red as they prepared to ride out again. Arwin and Echo just shook their heads and climbed upon their own horses.

They were soon riding the road into Skingrad. They stabled their horses outside the gates and quickly found rooms in the more expensive West Weald Inn. The proprietor Erina Jeranus quickly showed them their rooms and had a meal ready for them when they returned to the great room.

By morning, Red passed Arwin�s room once again to hear noises coming from within. She recognized one of them as Jean and she sighed heavily as she walked by, the two of them were incorrigible.

She ordered food for all of them and when it arrived the three others finally came down from their rooms and sat down to breakfast with Red.

As they were leaving the inn to reclaim their horses, Red gave Jean the eye. Jean smiled at Red and simply said, �It�s the most fun I have had in a long time.� Jean then quickly caught up to Arwin and grabbed his hand. The two of them walked that way to their horses and Red noted the smile on both their faces.

They were soon on their way through the wilds of Colovia on their way to the Tavern. They rode hard and would make the Tavern by evening if they could avoid too many stops.

Soon after leaving the area around Skingrad, howls from the werewolves started to echo around them. The four friends moved quickly hoping to get in front of the beasts. Instead, they soon found themselves surrounded by the creatures. Several dozen of the beasts stood in front of their advancement and several more were closing in from the sides. The howls of the ones behind them soon became louder as they also closed in.

Unfortunately the Tavern was another hour�s ride. The four friends dismounted from their horses and prepared to face the multitude of creatures. The werewolves had learned from their previous encounters the hard way to wait for the whole pack before attacking the small group.

Arwin, Red, Jean and Echo exchanged glances. Their odds did not look very good for escaping this fight, at least not alive. Even with Red�s fire ability, the many fangs and claws would make short work of them and her before she could kill very many of them with her fire.

Arwin and Red started harassing the beasts with arrows, killing a few that strayed too close. Jean even managed to burn a few of them with fireballs. The howls were very close to their rear, signaling that they were now surrounded. There was a short pause of silence before, with an earth trembling roar, every werewolf howled at once as they stormed the friend�s position.

Red and Arwin sent arrows flying into the beasts on their flanks while Jean sent volleys of fireballs into the beasts to the front. Echo waited for the rear wolves to gain their position before his whirling blades cut and lashed into the creatures.

Many of the werewolves were killed but there were several to replace each one dropped. They soon overtook the friend�s position and the bows were traded for swords and daggers as they lashed at the teeth and claws of the vicious creatures.

Red was suddenly thankful for Jean being there, the shield spell she had cast on each of them helped deflect much of the damage they would have normally taken. They fought as a team, staying close to each others backs. They would heal themselves as they could but were about to be overrun by the many werewolves who clambered over each other to get to their targets. The four of them were taking damage from the many clawed hands that swiped at them and the teeth that bit deeply into their exposed flesh. There were just too many to defend against.

Red�s fire burned several of the beasts but she was badly wounded from the many attacks on her. She looked around and saw her friends fall, one by one; it was only a matter of time before she fell with them and the werewolves would have won the cursed stones from them.

As she fought on, new howls could be heard closing in on them. The werewolves that surrounded Red suddenly thinned as they left, heading towards the new howls to the north. The flame in Red�s eyes burned brightly, but upon seeing her friends bleeding on the ground and the retreating wolves heading suddenly north, a greenness welled in her eyes and she extended her magic to try and heal the three valiant warriors at her feet. She could feel their wounds were grievous but not beyond her power to heal. Slowly the damage healed over and the three of them opened their eyes just as Red�s flames faded and she fell to the ground, bleeding from the several bites and claw marks covering her own body.

Jean was there instantly and sent her own healing magic into Red, closing the wounds and stopping the bleeding. Red quickly opened her eyes, weary from her use of magical energies. Jean pulled two vials from her pack and drank one herself while offering the other to Red. She drank its entire contents and suddenly felt revived! Jean casually remarked, �To restore your magical energies.� Red was thankful for a wizard as a friend. Red thought that perhaps she could learn something about her powers from Jean.

Meanwhile, Arwin and Echo watched as what looked like flying werewolves attacked the werewolves on the ground. The evil intent of the two groups of werewolves was obvious as when a winged one would break through the line, it would head straight for the friends below with howls and sharpened claws ready to rend. None made it very far as Arwin would shoot them down with his quickly diminishing stock of arrows. Echo would race to the horses and bring any arrows he could find in the packs to keep Arwin supplied. Jean would send lighting bolts at those who did manage to come to close, frying them and send them smoking to crash into the ground.

The two groups of werewolves decimated each other in their fight to claim the cursed gems. Arwin jumped on his horse along with Red, Jean and Echo. They rode into the midst of the fighting beasts and finished them off with arrows, spells and swords. The four were breathing heavily by the time the last werewolf hit the dirt dead.

Arwin surveyed the dead carcasses strewn across several acres of grassland. Then he heard the far away howl of more werewolves. The four quickly rode northwest towards the Tavern. They rode as straight a path as they could and saw several more groups of werewolves running across the grasslands in the distance towards them. They also saw several groups of flying werewolves coming from the north, apparently searching for them as well.

The few small groups of beasts they did encounter on their mad dash for the Tavern were quickly destroyed by the band of friends. Soon the doors of the Tavern came into sight. The doors were barricaded and several werewolves fought their flying cousins in the Tavern yard. They were quickly burned to a crisp by a well placed immolating blast from Jean. The Tavern defenders cheered the group as they rode into the yard. It looked like the werewolves were attacking different places in their search for the gems that Arwin carried, hidden away in the magical sacks.

[WhoGuru]

Arlow and Wilson, the two barkeeps ran to greet their party as they dismounted with cheers. �"You're timing is impeccable!" �Arlow grinned at them, eying Jean with an appraising eye. �"I need to make up another room, eh?" �He asked with a smile.

Red laughed and clasped arms with him, surveying the many werewolf bodies strewn about the yard. �"For a while at least I think. �Are there injured?" �She asked, suddenly serious. �He nodded.

"Aye, inside. �We've done what we can for them. �Group of Gypsies arrived in the yard as the beasts struck." �He shook his head. �"Lost a few before they made it to safety." �He gestured to where some of the staff we're tossing blankets over colorfully garbed bodies.

"Take me to them." �Red said. �Arlow led her inside quickly.

"Has Grond and his party not returned?" �He asked Wilson. �The man shook his head.

"No, haven't seen them since you all left for Udolf that night. �Been a might quiet around here until a few days ago." �He gestured for a couple stable hands to take their horses. �"We've men in the stables as well, keeping the foul beasts from eating the horses if you're worried." �He smiled grimly. �A sudden flurry of distant howls broke the air. �"Time to batten down the hatches again I think." �Wilson saluted them and ran for the Tavern doors, calling for more men and weapons. �

"We can't leave the Tavern like this." �Echo said vehemently. �"I know we need to get to Udolf, but I'm not leaving this place to be overrun."

"Never fear, lad." �Arwin clapped him on the shoulder. �"We wont." �They followed Wilson into the Tavern and found a makeshift hospital inside. �Red was moving between the two dozen or so people laid out on the floor, touching each gently as she passed. �As she moved on to the next, the last would stir, rising with a befuddled look at being so quickly healed. �Arwin could tell some of the wounds had been grievous indeed from the amount of blood pooled beside some of the wounded. �Jean went to assist as well and between them, each person was standing or sitting in short order, happy to be healed and whole once again.

"Red." �Arwin went to her and caught her arm as she stumbled. �Fatigue showed on her face once more and she smiled wanly. �"The wolves are coming once more." �She closed her eyes and sighed, nodding.

"Then we need to lock this place down and go out to meet them." �She forced herself straight then looked up the tavern stairs suddenly. �"They fly." �She said softly and bolted for the stairs with energy he hadn't thought left her. �He followed the thought and panic gripped him. �"Echo! �Jean! �Defend those down here. �They may have gotten in upstairs!" �He ran, not hearing the questions shouted at him and followed Red.

At the top of the stairs, he didn't see her. �He looked down the long hall, wondering which of it's many branches she had taken. �The Tavern second floor was quite large, and boasted a great many rooms. �"Red!" �He called and in reply, heard a crashing from further back and bolted towards the sound, blade drawn. �He rounded the last corner, looking down the next hall and saw Red backed into a corner by three of the winged Werewolves. �One of the room doors had been ripped from the hinges and lay on the floor. �Red was holding her left arm oddly as she held the Dread blade out before her. �Flames danced along it and these wolves, unaware of what was coming, rushed her.

Arwin came from behind, spitting one of the wolves easily as Red set another ablaze. �Fire crawled up it's fur and it screamed as it ran into one of the rooms, leaping out of the window and flying away before plummeting to the ground, dead. �The last wolf found itself pinned between the two. �As it turned it's great, shaggy head to look at Arwin, Red sprang to it's back, between the wings, and thrust her dagger into the base of its skull. �It fell immediately, dead before it hit the floor. �She climbed off ungracefully, careful to use only her right arm.

"Are you alright?" �Arwin asked. �She nodded, tight lipped.

"Threw the bloody door at me." �She said and then chuckled. �"Saved me actually. �They had to pull it off me to get to me." �She winced, cradling the arm. �"We need to search the rest of the floor."

"No." �Arwin shook his head. �"We can't afford to let them pass us and get downstairs. �We'll station someone at the top of the stairs. �If they see the things coming, then we stop them."

Red nodded, seeing the logic. �They both cocked their heads when the sound of howling and fighting from downstairs floated up to them. �"We need to hurry." �Red said and took off at a jog for the Tavern room. �

"You're arm!" �He said, catching her up.

"No time!" �She outdistanced him, taking the stairs at a run. �Below, they found Echo, Jean and several others at the windows loosing arrows and magic into the tavern yard. �"We go out to meet them I think." �Red said with a feral grin. �"Give them something to focus on other than using the upper halls to get in."

"Sounds good." �Arwin grinned as well. �He gestured to Jean who quickly left her post at the window. �"We need some covering fire." �He asked, giving her arm a quick squeeze.

"No problem." �She gave him an impulsive kiss and returned to the window, waiting. �Echo joined Red at the doors with the barkeeps.

"I'm coming." �He said with a nod, sword out and ready.

"Let's go then." �Red said and quickly slipped out the door Wilson cracked open for them. �Echo and Arwin were right behind her. �They had a moment to see the many creatures dodging around the yard as arrows and spells scattered them. �Then Red raised her hands, gathering a glowing light in her palms and sent it into their midst. �The result was a small explosion, sending well over half of them sailing through the air. �At the same time, a volley of massive lightning bolts erupted from the Tavern and into another group of the creatures, scorching and scattering them.

With a war cry, Echo leaped into action, finding the nearest wolf and cleaving it's head from its shoulders in a mighty swipe. �The remaining wolves regrouped and converged on the three. �Echo and Arwin's swords wove in a brilliant display through the wolves, dropping many and wounding more while Red's flaming dagger sent two more of the beasts screaming into the forest, their coats burning. �Some of the earlier injured wolves returned then, bursting from the side of the Tavern and charging at them. �Without warning, a volley of arrows descended around them, pelting the wolves and Arwin heard Red and Echo both scream. �They had been caught in the friendly fire. �Echo sported an arrow piercing his shoulder while Red had been taken to her knees as one drove into her thigh.

Despite the pain, she forced herself to her feet, hobbling quickly to Echo. �She snapped the haft of the arrow off and pulled it from his shoulder with a quick jerk. �He paled but her hands were on him once more, healing him and he rallied, stepping in front of her to take the next assault. �Arwin could hear Jean inside the Tavern yelling loudly at whatever errant archers had caused the near disaster and he grinned as he imagined them cowering in fear. �

There were only seven of the wolves left now, several hovered above them, swooping low into their midst and met the Dread Blade as they came. �Red managed a fantastic leap, despite the arrow and injured arm, pulling one from the air and planting her blade in it's back. �Smoke began to issue from it's mouth and nose as it burned from the inside out. �She fell to the ground on a muffled cry and was reduced to hurling balls of fire at the remaining wolves, distracting them while Arwin and Echo made quick work of them.

All the wolves lay dead once more and no more howls split the now evening air as the sun began to set. �Red lay slumped against the flying wolf she had killed, grimacing in pain as she tried to get her legs under her. �Arwin went to her quickly. �"Hold on, Red." �He said and knelt at her side. �He glanced up at Echo who nodded. �He came and wrapped an arm around Red's shoulders as Arwin took hold of the arrow. �With a strong jerk, he pulled it from her leg in one clean movement. �She gasped, head dropping back onto Echo's arm in a feint. �"I think she's done enough for today, don't you?" �Arwin asked Echo with a laugh. �He smiled and helped Arwin lift her, following close as he carried her inside.

They entered the Tavern to another rousing chorus of cheers. �Red was quickly taken from Arwin's arms by the Gypsies she had healed. �He smothered a laugh at the sudden proprietary attitude they showed toward the Imperial. �He went to Jean then, taking her in a hug. �"Thank you." �She glared over his shoulder and he looked to find three young men all quickly staring at the floor, faces scarlet with shame and laughed. �She had well cowed them for their foolishness. �Jean gave him a squeeze and went to Red. �She had to all but push several of the gypsies from her side, assuring them she could heal her with the little magicka left her. �They moved finally and Jean lay gentle hands on Red's bleeding leg. �The wound healed over quickly and she moved to her arm, then shook her head.

"Arwin." �She called him over. �"It's broken." �He grimaced, grateful Red was unconscious and hoping she stayed that way.

"We'll have to set it first." �He said and knelt by her. �"Those damned wolves threw a door at her upstairs." �He growled. �He took her arm gently in his hands, feeling the wrong movement as the bones shifted. �"It's a wonder she could fight like this. �Ready?" �He asked Jean. �She had swallowed another of her potions and lay her hands on Red again, giving him a nod. �Arwin jerked the arm, feeling the grind of bone on bone as they shifted back into place. �Red's eyes flew open on a half scream. �The gypsies were there to hold her down as Arwin finished his work, sweat beading on his brow as it did on hers. �"Sorry, Red." �He whispered but she had blissfully feinted once more. �Jean sent her magic into her again and then sat back, weary. �

"That's all I have left for now. �The worst of it's healed." �She said, smoothing Red's hair from her sweat streaked face.

"It'll do." �He stood, surveying the Tavern, the people there and shook his head. �"I don't think we'll be making Udolf tonight."

"No." �Echo stepped up beside him, passing the Elf a flagon of meade. �Arlow and Wilson were similarly employed, handing flagons to all those who had survived. �"We need to be rested and whole for that. �I'm going to bed." �He drained the mug he carried, passed that to Arwin too and found a cozy corner and a blanket to roll into. �Confused, Arwin looked to the stairs and found they had been barricaded at the top. �Wilson caught him looking and came over with a smile.

"Don't want to risk anyone up there til this business is over. �Plenty of room down here." �He grinned, handing a blanket to the gypsies still tending Red.

"Indeed." �Arwin nodded and looked to Jean to see the disappointment on her face. �He gave a very masculine chuckle, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

"Plenty of time for that later." �He said softly, leading her to another quiet corner and a pile of blankets there. �"We need sleep anyway." �He said and she punched him lightly in the arm as they lay down, finding comfortable positions together. �The rest of the Tavern soon quieted around them. �Arwin was pleased to see the idiot archers given the first watch. �They were unlikely to make such mistakes again. �He closed his eyes on a sigh and fell into a deep sleep.

-----------------------------------------

In the morning, Arwin woke to find Red standing over him, mugs in hand. �She passed two to him as Jean mumbled her way out of sleep and smiled. �"Good morning." �She said cheerfully.

"I see you're feeling better." �Arwin grinned. �Red swung her arm a couple times and nodded. �"I found a couple potions Grond left behind down in his room. �Didn't think he'd mind. �Breakfasts up. �Eat fast, we need to get to Udolf." �She looked suddenly serious for a moment. �"I have a feeling Grond needs us to be there today." �With that cryptic statement, she left, slipping outside and presumably to check on their mounts.

"She get those feelings often?" �Jean asked, blinking sleep from bleary eyes and accepted the mug of cider with a grateful moan.

"On occasion. �She's usually right." �He replied and stood as well. �He gave her a hand up and found Echo seated at the bar, making great inroads on a cheese platter.

"Morning." �He said round a mouthful of said cheese and, tucking a few more pieces into his bag, headed quickly outside after Red.

"Eat and run then." �Arwin chuckled. �They were obviously anxious to get on their way. �With that in mind, he and Jean tucked quickly into the food laid out and shortly left, heading for the stables and their mounts. �Udolf, the Werewolves and that blasted witch would be waiting for them.

[grond]

Grond and Tajo walked behind the white werewolf, along the metal hall. The Nord's leather sandals clapped dully, Tajo's hunter moccasins padded softly, and Failan's clawed wolfen paws clicked sharply. The place was empty and unguarded, and silent, but for the sounding of rushing water.

There were strange pipes which ran along the hall, where wall met ceiling. These pipes seemed to be made of some transparent material, and were filled with a fluid which gave off a soft violet glow. Grond studied the strange pipes as they walked. The fluid flowed and pulsed along with the trio down the hall, and its violet color blended with the brown metal walls, so that a sickly greenish glow lit the trio's way. There were no torches there. Grond fingered the amethysts set into his new dagger. Nikuru had found the long magickal knife in this place, and the Nord saw that the gems on the hilt seemed to pulse as if filled with the strange fluid, or they caught its light and reflected it.

And there began within Grond, somewhere in the back of his mind, or in a secret vault within his heart, a kind of call, or urge. Perhaps it was a pull towards something. Perhaps it was the magicka of the knife, here, in the place where it had been found, which drew the Nord toward its home. Whatever the feeling was, it was very faint now, but Grond could feel it grow with each step he took. He wondered if perhaps the feeling came from those souls the dagger had wrested from their owners as Grond slew them, but the Nord stopped his reverie just then, for the trio had come to the end of the hall.

The hall ended at an outcropping of stone, and they stood and looked beyond a rail. What they saw took their breath away.

Stairs ran down to their left and right, behind them, but before them, they looked out upon a massive cavern, and they stood at its top. Several yards away was a great carven image of a winged monstrosity. It stood some distance away from them, and it faced their right, so that they saw it in profile, but they could easily tell that it resembled those beasts which they had slain at Nikuru's kojo. Indeed, thought Grond, this was likely the very carving which Nikuru had seen long ago, but it had since been completed. The carving knelt within a narrow churning waterfall, and its upturned face met the flow of water as it came down, to the left of the astounded trio. Its face had been crafted so that the waterfall ran into the opened mouth, and the stream ran through the statue, where there was a great violet light, "the source," muttered Grond. For in the statue's great torso they saw there that the violet light shone brightest, and some power had preserved the statue from the force of the water, for its features were sharp and vicious, not dulled by water's wear.

The statue knelt atop a Machine, and the stream ran within it, and it seemed indeed to be the fuel which powered it. The one-time Dwemer creation had been altered - by Adrasta, they guessed - into a malevolent combination of flesh and metal. Like a vast mechanical web, the machine looked to have trapped living beings within its rusty parts. Among the cogs and wheels, the rods and pistons, there could be seen arms and legs, hands and feet. Parts of bodies, they were pale or dark-hued or covered with the fur or scales of beasts, and these blended at their sockets into the parts of the machine, and they moved as they had in life, to aid in driving the machine to its purpose, twisted to evil by Adrasta. Through the hag's vile arts she melded flesh with metal, and from the massive horror sickly sounds came, and within it pulsed a violet light, for the stream ran through it, and whatever magic within the statue gave it the violet sheen. Through the veins of the limbs, like blood, the violet liquid passed. And it was pumped through clear hoses to pistons or gears.

The structure beneath the kneeling statue stood within a square depression set into the metal floor of the chamber, and that was filled with the bright violet fluid as it ran out of pipes thrust out and angled from the sides of the machine. But a platform ran directly below the machine, so one might walk beneath it. Other pipes too ran from its sides, but these bent and ran upwards to the high ceiling of the cavern, and out of it, through holes like that in which the trio stood, throughout the cavern. These pipes were clear and filled with the liquid; the same pipes which had lit the trio's way. Above, at the machine's upper sides, and at the knees of the statue, came still other pipes which returned the liquid, so that it circulated throughout the Ruin. Then, passing through the vile machine, the stream ran along the floor and flowed out of the cavern, turning in color as it did so, back to its regular dark appearance.

The trio looked on as one hapless creature walked beneath the machine. Immediately a number of ghastly pale arms dropped to it, but where hands should have been there now were great metal clamps which grasped the figure tightly. The violet liquid grew brighter, and amid the muffled cries of the trapped figure came other vile sounds, of rending flesh. The trio heard only the terrible cries of pain, and the sounds of tearing flesh. They could not see that the clamps held the figure for another moment as the light dimmed again, and then the arms retracted. They could see that soon, there walked away from the machine one of the beasts, and it stretched its new wings - recently delivered, as it was, from the monstrous womb.

Then another figure was led to the machine, and the changeling came out of its other side, and it followed the one before it to a raised pad, where it vanished as had the one before it. The line behind continued, as one by one, figures were led into the machine to be changed, then sent away.

Suddenly, without a signal or warning, Failan climbed the rail and leaped to the statue in the falls, and the werewolf climbed down the kneeling carving, to the top of the machine. Tajo turned and raced down the stair behind them, toward the terror below.

But Grond stood still, as if he were another carving, for the call within him had risen to a great irresistible need.

Suddenly he understood what it desired.

[WillieSea]

After yesterdays combat, Arwin was glad of the rest they took at the inn as it really rejuvenated his body and spirits. Red and Echo were already heading up the road to Udolf when Arwin and Jean came out of the Tavern. The two hurried to their horses and quickly caught up.

Arwin wondered at seeing Grond, Falien and Tajo�s horses in the stables along with a new horse. There was no note or tack on them when they had arrived. Arwin hoped that Grond�s group had not fallen afoul of the werewolves. Only time would tell for sure.

The ride to the town of Udolf would take the whole morning depending on how many bands of werewolves, whether land bound or flying that they ran into. They slowly headed into the hills north of the Tavern and would soon be in the snow line where Udolf sat.

Red grimaced at the thought of trying to fight in the snow. The daylight would help to keep her mostly warm along with the gift of the bag of warmth from Arwin. She chuckled at the thought of Arwin and the way Jean was tying him around her finger. Men were so clueless sometimes! But the, Arwin was intelligent, not your normal Altmer. Perhaps he was playing Jean as much as she was playing him. She then laughed out loud to the questioning looks from her three friends that rode with her.

They came over a hill and saw the town of Udolf a few miles ahead. They also spotted several bands of wandering werewolves trying to sneak around the village. It was apparent that they were waiting for them to return since their raiding parties were unsuccessful in returning the gems.

The horses were left behind in a thicket of trees with a small pond and rich grasses to eat. Savior had once again found a wonderful spot to wait for their return. The four then continued on foot towards the village and the wandering bands of werewolves.

As the four were moving through a cluster of trees, Red called a sudden halt. They all crouched as they looked around and Red pointed towards the left. Arwin searched the area with his extra sensory vision and saw nothing. Red whispered, �Something is not right here.�

Arwin advanced slowly in the direction Red pointed and soon felt something was odd as well. His hunter�s sense suddenly screamed at him that something was wrong as he advanced. He searched the area cautiously and finally found some very well concealed traps, actually snares that would catch their feet and pull them into the trees on thin ropes. Now that he had spotted the trap he noticed the bend down trees that were part of the trap.

Red and the others then came up behind him and Arwin showed them the traps. Jean then came up with a plan, why not set up a trap for the werewolves that had set these traps? The other three smiled and started to discuss what they would do. They soon had a plan hashed out and went to implement it.

All but four of the snares were relocated to different places. Then, each of them stuffed an extra set of clothing with grasses and when done, set off a snare each, catching the dummy in the trap. The four then waited in ambush for the quickly approaching pack of werewolves when they heard the traps go off.

As about a dozen werewolves entered the trap zone several were caught in their own traps. The others looked around quickly at seeing their pack mates fly into the air to hang upside-down from the snare. Several arrows from Arwin and Red flew into those that remained on the ground as well as bolts of lighting. Echo severed the head from several that had tried to escape back to the village. The captured werewolves were also quickly silenced so the alarm could not be raised.

The group they had killed left a gap in the wall of guardians of the village. If they could take out another group silently they would have a clear path into the village.

[WhoGuru]

They headed once more for the village and quickly crossed into snow covered forests. �Arwin had spotted another group of werewolves between them and the village. �They would need to be dealt with quickly and quietly lest their cries bring the rest of the pack down on them. �The trees were thickest here, keeping the snowfall on the ground to a thin covering which helped muffle their steps. �As Red passed across a small clearing, Echo tackled her from behind, hand over her mouth to muffle the surprised sound as they sprawled into the snow. �He turned her head painfully to the side and she could then see a shadow passing across the small patch of sky above them. �One of the winged wolves, no doubt scouting the forests for their presence. �She heaved a sigh into his hand and he smiled. �They waited for the beast to pass and Echo helped her stiffly to her feet. �

The snow had melted into her leathers and she shivered with the cold. �Arwin and Jean were quickly there and she did her best to hide it. �It wasn't safe enough to be casting fire spells at her just to warm her, not with so many of the wolf creatures close by. �She swallowed the shakes and smiled at them. �"Close call." � She said softly and received a chuckle from Jean. �Arwin nodded.

"The next group is very near here." �He whispered, wondering how sensitive the were hearing was. �He pointed towards the village. �"I can see seven of them." �He drew his bow as Red did hers and set off towards the soon to be unfortunate beasts. �They found them milling about the carcass of a freshly killed dear. �Arwin and Red split wide around the group, moving silently to get behind them as Echo and Jean readied to kill the stragglers their arrows missed. �Arwin smiled, amused that the werewolves were making it easy for them, bunched so close together. �He looked across, saw Red give a nod and loosed his first bolt.

Red watched Arwin's first arrow go clean through the head of one wolf and bury itself in the head of the second. �She resisted the urge to whistle in appreciation and let fly her own, taking the nearest in the eye. �As she fired arrow after arrow, defending the charge of Echo and Jean, she fought to keep her arms from shaking. �The cold now eating through her threatened to ruin her aim with every shot. �With Arwin directly across from her, she couldn't afford a wild shot. �The risk of hitting him was too great. �In minutes, the wolves, all seven, were soon dead. �They had had almost no time to react to the attack and none had managed to raise an alarm. �Arwin signaled her from his position, motioning her forward. �She waved a shaking hand, hoping he wouldn't see it and headed towards the village.

They were so very near now, Red could see the top of the Meade Hall roof peeking through the trees. �She caught glimpses of the others as they passed through the trees with her. �Arwin would stop sometimes, gesturing one way or the other to move them out of a patrols' way. �His augmented sight was certainly coming in handy. �She saw his gesture once again, pointing at her and she understood. �She was very near one of the wolves. �Red shifted to move away and heard a rustling in the brush near her. �She stopped, sliding behind a tree and waited. �Seconds later, a winged werewolf stepped into sight, it's wings curled close along it's back as it walked unsteadily through the trees. �She drew her Dread Blade and was forced to grab the tree to support herself as a violent cold tremor rocketed through her. �The wolf heard the slight sound, it's muzzle rising into the wintry air to sniff, shaggy head turning this way and that in search. �

Red did her best to quell the shudders and waited for the misshapen head to turn away, just for a second. �When it did, she sprang, kicking off the tree and slammed into the beasts great chest, knocking it to the ground as her blade sliced into it's neck and up into the skull. �The only sound it made was the dull thump of it's body hitting the ground beneath her. �She crawled from it, using a tree to pull herself up and listened to be sure nothing else was coming. �The shaking was becoming a problem now and she cursed silently as she staggered back to where Arwin could see her.

She saw his worried face clear as soon as she came into sight and smiled at him. �He waved and she only nodded, not sure she could hide the shaking of her hands. �He pointed forward and once more they made their stealthy way toward the village. �They had cleared a path in the patrols to the village and reached it unseen. �As before, they went silently between the houses until they reached the clearing across from the Meade Hall. �Arwin came to Red then, intending to have her enter the hall with her considerable stealth skills. �Taking her arm, he felt the tremors shuddering through her. �He had a sudden image of her and Echo, face down in the snow. �He placed a hand on the stomach of her leathers and felt crusted ice from the moisture that had frozen there.

He looked up to find her darkened eyes staring back, a small smile on her face. �She shook her head at him, as if to say she knew there was nothing they could do about it now. �Nodding, he went instead to Echo, whispering in his ear. �With a quick, concerned look at Red, he took off back among the houses, vanishing from sight. �Red watched carefully, knowing he was heading for the side of the hall, where the houses and trees offered more cover. �It's what she would have done. �A moment later, she saw his shadow slip from tree to tree, only because she was expecting him and watched as he nimbly scaled the side of the building toward the roof.

Jean came to Red then, pulling her back into the cover of the house and pulled Red's furred coat tight around her, shaking her head. �She could see the woman shivering and wished she dared called a fire to warm her. �She had suggested it to Arwin and he'd quickly negated the idea, saying the wolves were too close and too many. �As she did her best to keep Red warm, Echo reappeared around the side of the house and waved Arwin over to the women so he could tell them all.

"No one at home in the Meade Hall but a couple corpses of those winged wolves." �He said softly. �"No sign of Grond, Tajo, Failan or Lily." �He scowled deeply as he said her name. �He worried for her, having not seen her in so long. �Red gave his arm a squeeze, understanding the look on his face.

"Then we need to get to that cave." �Red said softly. �"Find our friends." �Echo nodded and then hugged her impulsively. �When he didn't let go, she realized he was trying to warm her and laughed softly. �"I'm not that far gone yet, Echo." �She whispered, even as the trembling betrayed her. �"We need to go." �She said, looking at Arwin as she pulled free of Echo.

"Yes." �He agreed. �Time had to be short. �They had recovered two of the needed artifacts. �Surely by now, Grond and the others had found the tongue and even now be returning. �"Let's go then." �Red led the way, Echo close at her side as if ready to catch her should she fall. �Arwin smiled, feeling the same and took Jean's arm as she passed, turning a warm smile to her, one she quickly returned. �They set off once again into the wolf infested woods for Adrasta's cave and the statue.

[grond]

Lily pressed herself into the boulders behind which she crouched. Grond had begged her to remain outside, as they entered the Dwemer ruin, and she had agreed, because the Nord had not given her an order. He had begged her, and so she had agreed. The Nord girl wondered how Grond and the others fared within. Her desert garb blended well with the hues of her stony hiding place, so that any winged hunter passing saw nothing but Wilson, who crouched in the dust some distance from her, and ate a desert rat which he had snared.

But with nothing to do but wait, Lily soon became impatient, and irritated. As night fell, the breeze became quite cold, and she shivered, which contributed to her irritation. The nearby scuttling sounds of tiny night creatures as they began their hunts pushed the girl away from the rocks, and she stood defiant and looked down at the ruin, with her hands on her slender hips. She thought for another moment, then decided. Raising her hands, about to clap and summon her troll, Lily paused, and held her hands before her.

The ring on her finger glowed bright violet. She marveled at the pretty color, and she felt there was a power within the ring that now awoke, but she knew of no way to summon it. So after another moment, Lily clapped her hands, and behind her the troll appeared. Wilson dropped the meal he had nearly finished and leaped towards it, but Lily managed to stop the Clannfear before he attacked. "No, Wilson!" she hissed. "He's a friend!" The Clannfear stopped then, his short arms dangling before him, his claws dripping with rat's blood.

Smiling at the Clannfear's intelligence, Lily then turned to her troll and said, "We will help them." She beckoned the giant monster to her, and the troll, reading Lily's thought, lifted the girl to its shoulder, where Lily sat. Then, instead of a downhill run to the door of the ruin, the pair turned away from the ruin, and the Troll, with long lumbering strides, loped off into the westward desert, with Lily clinging to the mottled flesh of its great neck.

Wilson looked to them, then back down to the door through which Tajo had gone. The Clannfear cocked his flared head, as if embroiled in some inner debate. Finally he made a huffing sound - a sigh, perhaps - and turned to follow Lily.

*******************

Inside the ruin, Tajomaki came down the stair, and slid unseen into the shadows which flickered along the wall of the cavern. She darted from one shadow to the next, using the shadows expertly. Part rock, part Dwemer metal, the cavern's irregular surface hid her well, and soon she came within a few meters of the machine. The line of victims crossed her path, and they trudged from right to left. They were Redguards, taken from the Alik'r Desert, as they had tried to take Nikuru and his people.

 

And they were guarded by three of the winged beasts. One stood at the machine, another stood across the cavern from Tajo, near the teleport pad, and the third stood quite near, its back to Tajo as it watched the line of captives, and its folded wings occasionally opened and flexed as it urged the fearful captives forward. Tajo raised her hand and began to summon the lightning.

As she did so, she saw Failan clambering down the statue towards them. The three guards did also see the white werewolf drawing near. The beast near Tajo made to move toward Failan, but then it stopped, doubly startled as, from above, white hot light flashed, and with a sharp crash of thunder, the long bright whip drew itself out of the light, and into Tajo's outstretched hand. She flicked her hand then, and the whip flew outward, and it curled round the torso of the guard. Tajo then pulled the whip, hard. As the guard burst into fire it spun as the whip came away. Bright sparks flew in all directions. Then the guard collapsed and continued to burn.

Failan crouched atop the machine as the other two guards first sped toward her, but upon seeing their comrade slain by Tajo they paused. There was a moment of uncertain silence as the guards looked from Failan to Tajo.

But suddenly the silence was broken by Grond. All there heard his voice as he shouted the name of the witch, and his voice drew the name out long, and before he had finished shouting: "Adrasta!" Then his cry changed into a long angry howl, one which ended with a vicious snapping snarl. His changed voice reflected what was happening to him, high above them.

For at the outcrop upon which he stood, Grond realized that the call he had felt had been a longing, sent not by the dagger, nor by the violet heart of the statue, nor by the victims captured by the dagger. The call was his own; it had come from within. Watching his Failan change into a wolf had awakened a thing within him, a thing which had been given to him by Failan, during their times together.

So it was that soon those below saw a giant grey werewolf leap from the outcrop to the statue, howling as it came, and it soon joined the white werewolf, and together the two beasts rent the air within the cavern with their mighty howl, one throaty and deep, the other of a higher pitch yet mighty.

 

Left behind, on the metal floor of the outcrop, lay Grond's amethyst encrusted dagger.

The captives cowered. The guards remained still a moment longer, but Tajo reacted with a sudden burst of speed. She raced forward several meters and swung the whip as she came, and it flung out and caught the further guard in the chest. Lines of white electric fire raced over the beast, and then it burst apart.

The guard at the machine was overcome as the two werewolves came down from above it, and they tore their claws into it, and as the beast fell in gory pieces, the grey wolf, Grond, pulled a frightened Redguard from beneath the machine, just in time to prevent the wretched arms from taking their next victim. Failan went to the arms, now dangling empty, searching for something to grasp. With two vast swipes of her claws, she severed the arms above their horrible metal hands, and the clamps fell to the platform below, and the violet blood sprayed against Failan's snowy white fur.

As Tajo directed the captives to the stair and the exit, the grey werewolf and the white climbed back upon the statue, and, both standing upon one side of it, they pushed together. Nothing at first happened. They pushed again, and their combined strength lifted the end of the giant statue. After more attempts Grond and Failan managed to rock the winged statue, and soon the momentum created sent the stone horror off its foundations, and it fell to the metal floor. And there came from the heart of it a strange violet light, which fell as liquid to the floor, and spread like a pool of shining blood outward a small distance, so that the statue indeed appeared as a slain thing of great size, there on the metal floor.

The machine upon which they stood began to vibrate as it continued to work without the fluid, which now sprayed and mingled with the clean water of the falls, now freed. The two werewolves leapt from it, and as they landed, safely near the teleporting pad, they heard a voice far above them. There came a long wailing shriek, which ended abruptly. Grond and Failan looked towards it, and soon Tajo joined the two werewolves, and together they saw Adrasta, high above, on a metal balcony.

 

"No!" came her voice down to them, and then she transformed herself into a winged beast, but she was all black, and her size was thrice that of the fallen statue. The balcony groaned beneath her weight, and soon it collapsed. The trio watching backpedalled as the wide metal balcony fell, tumbling and bouncing against the cavern wall. As it fell it collided with another outcropping, and that sent the massive metal balcony outward, so that it landed with a mighty crash upon the machine, and there came a sudden explosion of violet and golden fire, which threw the trio back and off their feet, and into the stream near the wall of the cavern.

Adrasta howled then, and, stretching her enormous wings, she came to them like an arrow, and she fell atop Grond, and grasped him round his wide torso. Failan leaped from behind the hag, and dug her claws across her massive back, now hairless and black. Tajo snapped the sparkling whip, and it wrapped itself round the legs of the great beast. The white fire died as it met with the witch's obvious magic. Then Adrasta took to the air, while Failan clung to her back, and the whip, held by Tajo, still tied itself to her legs, and she wrestled with Grond before her. The black werewolf rose into the air, and Tajo dangled from the end of the whip, but the three attacks - Failan behind, Grond at her front, and Tajo's electric whip - prevented her from rising too high. And then with all of his strength, the grey werewolf sank his teeth into the shoulder of the witch, and she howled in pain, and their foe came crashing down, bringing them down with her as she fell. They sprawled and rolled away from her.

They came to their feet as one, and the werewolves, Grond and Failan, dwarfed as they were by Adrasta's new form, leapt upon her again, while Tajo, seeing other beasts winging towards their mistress, cracked her whip, and the light of it ran along the arm which wielded it, and coursed through her small form, so that, as the beasts came to aid their mistress, Tajo, with one hand, dealt each a crackling death with the whip, while, with the other hand, she flung glittering white balls of electric death towards them. Tajo's form glittered a fierce white, and she held other latecomers at bay, and slew several of them with accurate throws of the brilliant white orbs, which, as they hit, sent lines of charged light through them, and they exploded in bright fire and fell.

Meanwhile, Grond and Failan circled Adrasta, and they looked up at her snarling snout, and they dodged her gripping claws as she swept at them in a crazed fury, for they had destroyed her machine, and she would take them, and torture them for eternity. Her tremendous form lunged at either Failan or Grond, and they lightly leapt away, and once, the fury of her missed attack sent Adrasta onto her belly, and as she fell, the cavern shook. Together, Grond and Failan leapt upon the witch's back, and they tore the wings from the hag, and they flung them away. Adrasta screamed then, in agony, and bright red blood - human blood - spouted from the stumps on her back. But as they flung the wings away, the witch quickly turned, and Grond and Failan were flung from her great back.

Adrasta rose then. Grond and Failan came quickly to their feet, near to the stair, down which Tajo had come. They watched as new wings sprouted from where they had torn the old ones. They heard the familiar cackling laughter as it came from the wide snout of the wolfen horror. Tajo, having finished off the last of the winged guards, snapped her whip again, and threw glowing orbs at Adrasta's back. But the witch merely shrugged and her new wings stretched out, and with a flick of her taloned paw, she cut the whip from where it had again wrapped around her furry black legs.

Grond and Failan came at Adrasta together. Cackling, the black beast swept them from their feet, but as she turned away from them to face Tajo, she did not see Lily come down the stair. In her hand she held Grond's dagger, left above, and her hand glowed with a bright violet fire. Behind her came Wilson, and the Clannfear launched himself to the exposed back of the witch, defending Tajo. As Wilson cut at Adrasta with his great talons, Lily raced towards the fallen statue, for the time unnoticed by Adrasta.

The girl stood, with arms raised, in the midst of the violet pool. The violet liquid light of the pool slid up the young girl's legs, and as it did, the light from her hand slid down her arm, and the lights met each other, until after a moment Lily stood engulfed in violet light. And then, as Failan and Grond came to their senses, they stood astounded.

For the winged statue began to move. It turned as if coming to life, amid the bright violet light cast by Lily, but as it rose to its stone knees, that which it was made of began to soften and melt, until seemed to friend and foe alike that the stone became light as a fog. It swirled and moved into Lily. And the girl grew in height, and she took on the form of the statue, dark and winged and made of stone. And the dagger grew in size, until it became a great claymore, taller than a man.

Adrasta came to Lily and they faced each other, the dark witch and the girl, now a winged stone golem, standing tall as Adrasta. The hag attacked with both clawed hands, but the talons merely grated against the stone of Lily's new form.

And then the girl swung the claymore, and the blade sliced Adrasta in two. As her cloven body fell, it turned again to that of the hag Grond had first seen in Udolf. The witch cried in a ghastly gurgling death shriek.

And after Adrasta's cry of agony was finally silenced, those within the cavern returned as one to their true forms, and they all gathered round the witch, who now was dead. And they watched the dead body wither and shrink, until nothing remained of it but a pile of dark ash, and a strangely glowing heart.

And throughout the Alik'r desert, from the outskirts of Sentinel to the eastern cliffs, and far south near Hegethe, people saw flaming things fall from the sky, leaving long trails of black smoke as they fell, dead, to the ground. Others there were who shrieked as the monsters gripping them suddenly burst into flames, though the flames did not burn the captives.

And in Udolf far away, those who watched saw that their winged foes also burst into flames and raced in bright agony through the forests, or fell like vile meteors to the earth. And everywhere they were, the winged horrors died, as did their mistress.

Failan came to Grond then, and they embraced tightly, and over Failan's shoulder Grond exclaimed, "That's some ring of yers! Now we just need to find the tongue!"

Lily smiled, pointing to the stair. For there, at the foot of the stair, stood one of the witches from the desert oasis, and she held the tongue in her soft hands.

Leaving the heart of Adrasta to the beautiful witch, they took the Tongue, and went one by one through the teleport pad, and then they gathered together in the Ayleid Hall at Udolf.

 

Grond held the Tongue of the Wolf in both hands, as if it were a sword. They set off then, to seek the Black Wolf, and an end to Udolf's curse.

[WhoGuru]

Arwin, Red, Jean and Echo headed quickly for the Ayleid cave where the statue waited and, they hoped, their friends. �As they passed through the trees, they heard a sudden howling. �Looking up, they stared on shock as the flying werewolves began to burn and fall from the sky. �Several plummeted near them and Red took off like a shot towards the nearest.

"Red!" �Arwin hissed and ran after her with the others. �They found her rising from where she'd knelt by the smoldering creature with a rueful smile on her face.

"Fire that doesn't burn." �She said softly. �"What are the odds?" �She shook violently, staggering as Echo took her arm to steady her.

"It will be warmer in the cave." �He said, trying to console her. �"You just have to get there." �She nodded, gesturing to Arwin.

"Lead on." �She smiled, but it was weak and Red was forced to lean on Echo as they went. �Arwin halted them suddenly, motioning them back. �Echo guided Red to a tree and went forward to see with the others. �Arwin had spotted near a dozen wolves very close ahead of them, guarding the entrance of the Ayleid cave. �Red heard his whispers and tried to focus on them as her shaking became worse. �She began to slide down the tree, unable to stay standing any longer. �She was so weak, so cold and tired. �As she came to rest at the base of the tree, the others' voices whispering behind her, she saw a shape rise up from the brush in front of her. �A Werewolf had somehow gotten behind them, stalking them as they crept through the forest.

It's eyes rested briefly on her then, dismissing her as helpless, focused on Arwin, Jean and Echo. �It gathered itself, preparing to leap and then gave the briefest sound as Red's Dread Blade embedded itself in it's throat. �She threw herself forward with the effort of throwing the dagger, falling to the ground. �She barely heard the gasps from behind her, nor felt Arwin raise her from the snow and hold her close, trying to ease the quaking of her body.

Echo went to the wolf, pulling Red's dagger from it's throat. �He cleaned it on his own cloak and came back to her. �"Red, here." �He placed it back in the sheathe on her thigh with a pat. �"Thanks." �He said and smiled. �She managed a faint smile in return with blue lips.

"We need to go." �Arwin said softly and rose with Red in his arms.

"What do we do about the wolves?" �Jean asked, worried.

"We kill them." �Red said from Arwin's arms, startling him. �He'd thought her unconscious.

"Red?" �He asked.

"Just point me in the right direction and stand back." �She said with a shadow of her usual grin. �"I have that much left in me." �Arwin chuckled softly and led the way, now sure the werewolves would be regretting they'd ever invaded this little corner of Cyrodiil. �They made swift time, Arwin now watching behind as well as in front of them and soon found themselves mere yards from the cave's entrance and the pack of werewolves guarding it. �

Arwin stood Red up against a tree, watching her lock her knees to stay upright. �She waved him off weakly and he stepped back with the others as she raised shaking arms. �Flames grew around her hands, gathering into an ever growing ball and finally, she threw it out at the wolves as her body ran with the magic. �It flew into their midst, taking them completely by surprise and swept them up in an inferno, swallowing even their howls as they were charred into ash.

Arwin, Echo and Jean stood in awe at the power she had loosed. �She had somehow managed to slay the creatures, all of them, making barely a sound. �Red had preserved their chance at entering the cave in secret by incinerating the wolves en mass. �She toppled to the ground now, boneless, as the power left her. �Echo reached her first, turning her over in his arms and stared up at Arwin. �"She like ice." �He whispered. �"We have to get inside."

Arwin nodded, taking Red up once more and they headed into the cave, hearing the faint sounds of fighting coming from inside. �

"What's that?" �Jean asked, stopping him at the entrance with a hand on his arm.

"I don't know." �He nodded at Echo to open the door. �"Perhaps it's Grond beat us here? �We can't afford to wait." �He looked down at Red and found he couldn't tell if she was even breathing now, she was so cold and still. �"There's no time." �He followed Echo inside, Jean close behind and they prepared to face the Witch and her wolves one last time.