Rastislav

Arc 6 Chapter XLIV: Movarth

As I ascend the stairs and exit the now ownerless house I come face to face with a small crowd of Nords, the same crowd that was pestering the Steward when I arrived in fact, and with the same nobleman from earlier standing in front of them and already getting his poor ass swiftly wrapped around Mephys' finger.

It doesn't take him long to notice my silent hovering "You, what are you doing in there?" He points at me and asks suspiciously.

"You don't look like a guard." I point out ...

Arc 6 Chapter XLIII: Laid To Rest

(Mephala's POV)

My eyes roam the bustling tavern, the best one in the city supposedly, most of the mortals appearing utterly uninteresting and bland as my gaze passed them over.

'Well then' The girl approaching me catches my attention 'This one might prove interesting'

"Tough day, sweetie?" I smile pleasantly as the young tavern wench brings me my drink.

She blinks, briefly startled by my melodious voice, and looks me over, a slight blush covering her cheeks as her eye...

Arc 6 Chapter XLII: Morthal

It took my people only a couple of days to find a bunch of rumors about the Moth Priest moving about, a bit slower than I would have liked but I was running them ragged across the whole province already, and finding him wasn't an absolute priority even if Isran would probably attempt to glare me to death again if he learned that little tidbit.

From what we learned, the old priest going by the name of Dexion intended to visit the college but as he passed by Whiterun he caught wind of a r...

Arc 6 Chapter XLI: Stirring The Dawnguard

(General POV)

"Davos, was it?" His lord's guest asks, her voice carrying a hint of dangerous intrigue.

'Really should have asked Boss just who in oblivion this is exactly.' Davos grumbles internally before offering the woman a disinterested shrug "That's the name."

"Oh, I've heard so much about you!" Mephys squeals just loudly enough to catch a couple of passing glances from the guards but not enough to draw actual attention "A mer born in the lowest dregs of Windhelm's elf ...

Arc 6 Chapter XL: Mephala's Reward

The large trade ship slowly nestled its way into Winterhold's still sleepy docks, the familiar morning fog bringing an involuntary smile to my face as I beheld the massive college which only I could see the true beauty of.

My enraptured gazing was brought to a swift end, however, when the jolly fat captain whom I hired for this voyage made his way toward me, his legs surprisingly steady for his... immense girth.

"It never fails to bring a sense of wonder to one's heart, no?" The I...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXIX: Leaving Markarth And A Princely Meeting

(Reyvin's POV)

I make a show of dusting my hands as the limp dead body of Madanach falls head first onto the pavement "Well, that is that dealt with."

"To think this man was once King of this city..." Alor mutters, his tone contemplative "And then just like that" He snaps his fingers "Gone... poof."

Davos chuckles at the confused Falmer and claps him on the back lightly "You will get used to it, kid."

"Crown or no crown, it is just another dead fool." Nightshade stares...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXVIII: Of Friendship And Intrigue

Serana remains quiet as I lead us out of the palace compound and up one of the walkways leading into the wealthy upper parts of the city carved into the side of the mountain. Only after a good five minutes, at which point we had already reached a stone balcony overlooking the city walls, did she finally appear ready to talk.

"Feeling alright?" I ask patiently, my eyes planted firmly onto the vista of Markarth's hold.

"I..." She struggles with her answer "I do not know."

"Tak...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXVII: Rest And Rambling

Still palming my pace I let out a long exhale before sitting up properly and forcing myself to appear lordly "No matter. Even with your... blunder" Nightshade twitches slightly "You did still complete your mission." My soldiers visibly relax at my words "Did you manage to get the priest as well?" I add, almost forgetting the Arkayan due to the day's excitement.

"We did." Davos nods immediately, all too happy for the change of topic "He was a little banged up but since it was nothing lif...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXVI: Fleshcrafter's Demise

(General POV)

"Where to even begin?" Reyvin's right hand man runs his hand through his hair tiredly.

"How about at the beginning?" Reyvin snarks immediately.

Completely unsurprised by the response Davos deadpans "Right." And begins his story "So there we were having a relaxed game of chess when just a bit after you left with Serana one of the agents informed me that the cultists were leaving the city."

"All at once or...?" Reyvin interjects.

"All at once." Davos ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXV: Thrice Denied

(Serana's POV, a bit earlier)

'How reckless can you possibly be?!' I shout internally as I see Reyvin charge through the ranks of lesser vampires followed by the silent warrior priest.

I had observed him go toe to toe against Gregorius, a vampire elder well into his second millennium, but simply charging in like this was completely foolish even then. Or was he not kidding when he quoted his 'Seer bullshit' when he first found me?

'Overthinking it is useless' I shake my head ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXIV: Molag Gets Flipped (off)

(General POV)

The sound of harsh chanting penetrates the thick walls of the haunted house, creating a deep resonating echo throughout the old building so ominous it would scare even the most hardened of adventurers.

An old man, though his glowing amber eyes would swiftly inform anyone that he was anything but, sat atop an ornate chair and stared at the doorway in front of him. An orichalcum blade sat at the table in front of him and a crossbow of the same metal rested within his h...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXIII: Molag Flips the Table

(General POV)

A trio of guards armored in Markarth steel and wearing the city's livery huddled near each other as they grit their teeth at the chill of the autumn night, the metal they wore did not help with the hold and what little mead they were allowed to imbibe was not enough to stave off the onslaught of uncomfortable shivers.

"Three stinkin' days and still nothin'!" One of them grumbles while nursing a bottle of diluted mead. "What are we even doin' here?" He asks his frowni...

Arc 6 Chapter XXII: Warped Morality

"And so in the name of the Divines, I proclaim you guilty of being heathen witches, unable to live in peace with your fellow man, and thus sentence you to death!" Reynauld grandly sentences the duo of literal children to death by fire.

All the while Serana looks just about ready to rip him a new one if her twitching right hand with slowly elongating claws is anything to go by.

The squires quickly get to work tying the two up but before they can even light a torch I finally decide ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXXI: Boethiah

(General POV)

The ensuing staredown between god and mortal lasted for but a short moment but in truth felt far longer, both weighing the other in their own ways. The bored amusement of a near eternal Daedra facing the short lived but immense irritation with the divine that the mortal was saddled with ever since he stepped foot into Skyrim.

She-Who-Erases was the first to speak, for allowing the wily defier standing before her to tempt her into giving him something for nothing, muc...

Arc 6 Chapter XXX: Not Your Typical Knights

"What a glorious day for an expedition against the heathen dogs!" Knight Commander Reynauld boasts loudly, praising the clear and warm autumn day as the nine of his comrades rode in perfect formation behind him, followed by their squires who easily marched forth in full combat armor.

The old mage and mentor, whose name I learned was Alfred sighs in exasperation "Young lord, we are already deep in Forsworn territory, I do not think it is all too bright to be advertising our position so l...

Arc 6 Chapter XXIX: Meaty Treats and Haunted Homes

Hours pass as we keep observing the so-called beef merchant, many of his customers just as eager to get a specific order as the duo we observed earlier. That and Nightshade's sense of smell pretty much confirmed that the man was a member of the local Namiran cult we were sent to hunt down.

Because of course Boss suddenly wanted to multi-task hunting down Daedric cults and sent our stupid asses after the cannibals. 'Focus Davos, no point in lamenting what you can't change' I give myself ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXVIII: Understone Keep

(Within Understone Keep, the ancient palace of Markarth)

"I dearly hope that the accommodations provided were to your liking." Igmund, the Jarl of Markarth raises his expensive glass cup conversationally while offering me a polite if somewhat strained smile.

I was summoned to his keep the first thing in the morning and the Jarl insisted I join him for an early meal, the man was still very happy for my deeds against the Reachmen and wasted no effort in showing this appreciation by ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXVII: Knights of Evermor

I slowly blink at the sudden challenge, more from sheer incredulity than any kind of surprise, and soon offer a swift deadpan "No."

The powerfully built Breton immediately deflates and pouts, outright pouts! "But why?"

I swear if the whiny voice didn't come from a very well built man I'd have thought I was talking to a literal child.

The old man, a mage of some skill as I learned earlier, lets out a deep, tired sigh "Please excuse his atrocious manners Court Ma...

Arc 6 Chapter XXVI: Destination Markarth

The winding hills and rivers of Skyrim's southwestern hold were a pleasure to observe as the autumn had already set in and painted the scene with a mix of brown and light gold, the light creaking of wood as we traveled when combined with the sound of undisturbed nature created an atmosphere of peace and tranquility all around us, something which pleased my nature-blessed side immensely.

I took a calming breath and began sketching the whole thing, failing repeatedly and beginning anew ov...

Arc 6 Chapter XXV: Paranoia

A couple of silent moments pass as Serana finally notices that we were not in fact alone and that she had just barged into a room filled with some of the most personally powerful people currently alive.

All of them currently staring right at her.

"I..." She begins, her mildly panicked state battling with the need for secrecy "We need to talk." She finally settles on, her expression reverting to one of her more usual coldness.

"Anything urgent that needs dealing with?" I ask ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXIV: Dragonskin

Two weeks had passed since Serana's departure and the sudden ascension of my establishment from a mere inn to a gathering place for Daedric drunkards.

I exaggerate of course, Sanguine had only visited once more and was to my great surprise rather reserved with his powers and influence and contented himself with chatting up Savos, whom I learned was a very old... drinking buddy of his.

I want to judge him, I really do but I have no ground to stand on there.

Reports about the ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXIII: The Eternal Grind Continues

The surprise party at the Respite ended without anyone getting hurt, mortal or otherwise. The locals had some fun and everyone went on their merry way once the party died out and whoever caused the atmosphere finally left, which one was first no one will ever know.

Though Reyvin had a sinking feeling that this was not the last time this kind of thing would happen.

'Eh, a good old party never killed no one' He put it out of his mind and focused on what is truly important: The ever ...

Arc 6 Chapter XXII: A 'Spontaneous' Party

(Reyvin's POV)

I tug at the fishing line patiently, the tiniest of vibrations passing all the way to the bait and causing a chain reaction resulting in a rather massive trout landing into the half-filled basked floating next to me.

"That is 23 for me." I say smugly.

"It isn't a competition." Savos attempts to hide his childish pout with a disappointed sigh, failing utterly.

A loud crunching sound draws my attention to my right just in time to see Shalazar simply grab a...

Arc 6 Chapter XXI: Home Sweet Home

"You are certain you are ready?" I ask Serana who was now equipped with more modern clothing as to better fit in with the crowd while her... ethnic dress she kept in her oblivion storage space.

The vampire nods, though with a bit of hesitation. She had grown fond of staying with us over the course of the last week or so and the fact that she had access to the Arcaneum as a college associate (And wasn't having that conversation with Savos fun) didn't help her motivation to get m...

Arc 6 Chapter XX: Fall of Falkreath (Part 2)

Alternate title: Theatrics two electric bugaloo.

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(Reyvin's POV)

I was practically in a trance as I danced through the ranks of the increasingly panicking rebels, dozens of them falling to my blades every minute as I stepped forward at a pace that could almost be described as leisurely, only ever getting slowed down when I came face to face with one of the Stormcloaks' more elite warriors but even they did not manage to slow ...

Arc 6 Chapter XIX: Fall of Falkreath (Part 1)

"... In essence, the only reason that the absorb life spell even works for vampires at all is the malleability of our own lifeforce considering we use it more as fuel than it being what keeps us alive in the first place." Serana patiently answers my idle question as we sit in one of the larger tents near the General's own.

She considers for a moment and continues "In truth vampires are not truly immortal in the first place as we do need to steal the lifeforce of others to fuel our own e...

Arc 6 Chapter XVIII: Tullius

"You blew up the entire assault force... With a single spell." General Tullius deadpans at me when I finish explaining the battle at the pass, the veteran commander so often portrayed as unflappable and serious was seemingly having trouble holding back his sheer incredulity.

"Indeed I did." I nod proudly, completely ignoring the fact I ended hundreds of lives in a short moment "I also found out that a sufficiently potent fire spell turns the ground to glass upon detonation!" I explain e...

Arc 6 Chapter XVII: Tiberius

(General POV)

"Second squad head off the western assault!" An imposingly tall Imperial wearing an opulent red and gold combination of a mage's robe and a legionary officer's uniform orders a unit of equally imposing heavy legionaries, all of them larger than the average orc.

The soldiers, or at least what the rebel rangers believe them to be, immediately follow the Imperial's orders and smash into the group of Stormcloaks trying to set fire to the valuable supply train their enemy...

Arc 6 Chapter XVI: Trust

(Reyvin's POV)

My internal celebration ends as swiftly as it began as I feel a sudden lack of power, whatever Magicka high induced bender I was about to indulge in was ruined utterly by the sudden feeling of being metaphorically splashed by a barrel of freezing water.

Feeling one's veins bursting with power only for them to suddenly feel completely empty was not a sensation I would ever enjoy but the massive power spike made it all worth it so it was just another thing I would add...

Arc 6 Chapter XV: Battling The Shatter-shield

A devastating mix of crimson lightning and golden fire clashes with salvos of unnaturally cold ice magic, the very air turning dangerous for those without adequate protection as the rebel mage attempts to gauge my defenses, and I attempt to refine my combat spell casting by stealing from the man's experience.

Was it arrogant to use this battle as a training exercise? Yes.

Did I care? Not at all.

I have to admit that I expected the famous Grimnir Shatter-shield to be just ano...