The bull netch floated on an ash dune when the Skaal hunters cautiously approached it. Who knew if the godless savage would attack them? But, it was near afternoon and maybe the savage would stay away. They drew their bows and swords before they would begin their mighty fight against the netch, all in glory to their All-Maker.
Behind a tree, the young mer had been watching the Skaal hunters surrounding the netch that now nervously shifted on the ash dune. The chitin bow ready in his hand, Ciel’nn took an arrow from his quiver. With a brooding gaze he aimed the arrow on the netch. He’d release it when the hunters would begin. They would not score the docile animal. No. A smirk crept on the corner of his mouth. The bull netch would be his. He had picked this spot for shooting, because he didn’t want to hit the hunters, not even by accident.
A moment went by, that seemed to last forever. It was as if time stood still.
At the same time as the Skaal hunters began their attack on the netch, Ciel’nn’s chitin arrow arched through the air and stuck in the netch. It made the hunters puzzled, but they had to fight the netch now as they were close to it. The Bull netch unleashed its fury on them. Those who were close to it got an electric zap from its tentacles. Lucky if they didn’t die where they stood.
Ciel’nn shot a second arrow and another one, making sure he had the last hit on the netch while the hunters struggled against its fury. It’s my bull netch, not yours, Skaal. He grinned as one of them screamed and collapsed on the ash.
It took a long moment before the bull netch gave its last whimpering cry. Ciel’nn had been ready for the last moment, and he shot the last arrow that ended the animal’s misery. The mighty netch fell on the ash. The young mer nodded to himself and left his hiding spot. He walked straight toward the group of hunters.
“Don’t touch it!” He barked as he tucked his bow on his back. “I had the last strike. The bull netch is mine.” He eyed the hunters before walking to the netch. His partner made himself visible by walking out in the open, behind a rock formation.
“Your kill?” Questioned one of the hunters. “We didn’t see you around.” The other hunters gathered around the one who spoke, wary of the mer.
“I have better aim from a distance.” Ciel’nn smirked. “I hunt the netch for their jelly, and yes, it was my arrow that killed it.” He pointed at the chitin arrow that was stuck in the netch’s side. “Just admit your defeat and find another.” He’d need to collect the jelly before it went bad.
“He’s right. His arrow killed the netch. I witnessed it.” Teldryn spoke as he approached them. He kept an eye on the bigger Skaal hunter, who had been quiet so far. It had been amusing to watch them struggle against the animal. He counted two dead hunters. Eh, could be worse for them. He had seen how fast his partner drew the arrows and released them. Lethal with blades and bows. Now that’s something.
The Skaal hunters shook their heads, muttering about the dark elves. They gathered their dead before leaving. The journey to the village was rough, but they’d gotten used to it. The big hunter kept his eyes on the young mer, who was collecting the jelly into a pouch. He narrowed his eyes briefly when the older mer moved closer to the young mer, and looked to him. “There have been sights of reavers near our village. I suggest to keep your eyes open for them.” The big hunter grunted before joining his fellow hunters.
Closing the pouch of netch jelly, Ciel’nn stood and put it into his backpack. He had heard what the hunter had said and the young mer felt anxiety creeping through his spine. He looked to his partner, pulling the backpack on his back. “If they’re really on the move, it must be Sildras’ doing.” Ciel’nn wished he knew how the reaver’s mind worked. With a scowl he thought, On the other hand, I don’t want to know the specifics. A shudder went through his body.
“I wonder what are they thinking, now that the hogger is out of the scene.” Teldryn frowned. “If they have began to raid the Skaal… It’s only matter of time if, and, when they come down to Raven Rock.” His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. Things would get messy real fast, then. Like Mogrul wasn’t enough.
Neither of them said anything for a while.
“We need to look at the map of the camps and find out which ones are active.” Ciel’nn shifted in his place, eager to continue on their way to Tel Mithryn. He had been aware of the possibility that Sildras wouldn’t stay neutral for long as he was a reaver after all. “The only thing out there is what are we going to do about it? Do we let it slide?” He asked as he began to lead the way to Tel Mithryn.
“We won’t let it slide. I can’t let it slide, damn it!” Teldryn snapped, following his partner close by. “His men started it by beating you to death. And, I know it’s my fault, but what do you say if we take some of them out when there’s a chance?” He paused for a moment, and observed his partner. “We don’t rush into their hideouts - that’s suicide.”
The young mer didn’t want to go straight for the hideouts, either. The older mer’s suggestion sounded reasonable to Ciel’nn. Teldryn hated the reavers, he knew. “Alright, I wasn’t about to run into their hideout. Not yet.” He glanced at his partner with a smile. “Sildras told me he’s an ex-Dres.”
“No shit.” Teldryn growled. “That means he’s a tough nut to crack.” He’d had his share of Dres dealings in the past. They weren’t exactly gentle mers since they dealt with the slavery before the Argonian invasion. It means he had to be tougher, for Ciel’nn’s sake.
It was more a deadly game when there were Dunmer on both sides. It could become nasty and a game of wits and blades.
“Even the toughest nut will crack.” Ciel’nn said in a neutral tone, and added in a darker tone, “Eventually.” He’d just have to find the reaver’s soft spot. A slight smirk slid on his lips.
On their way to Tel Mithryn, and passing some ash dunes, they hadn’t seen a glimpse of the reavers, but Ciel’nn’s eyes caught some questionable tracks in the ash. The twigs of the nearby were bent down, Ciel’nn observed as the tracks seemed to lead toward the north. It could be done by some animal, or a humanoid, or something else. Whatever it had been, they had no time to follow the tracks.
Muttering to himself, Drovas was sitting on the stairs of the Steward’s house. “If only I could get it right. Just once!” He sighed as he saw the two mer walking toward Tel Mithryn. Drovas shot up and walked toward them.
“You looked miserable, Drovas.” Ciel’nn noted, taking his usual pose, and tilted his head. “How is the Steward’s job faring out?”
“It’s hopeless! I think I can never can master brewing Master Neloth’s canis root tea.” The Steward sighed. “And, he’s a real taskmaster, but otherwise it’s going well.” The mer frowned. “I think.”
Teldryn grinned. ”You think?”
“Have you searched Varona’s table for the tea recipe? She must have a notebook somewhere.” Ciel’nn pondered if he should help the poor mer with the tea. Perhaps it’s better that he’d learn it by himself. “In any case, good luck. We’re going see Talvas now.”
The mer nodded and hurried to the Steward’s house. Ciel’nn and Teldryn climbed the stairs to Neloth’s tower.
The apprentice found himself focused on his book so much that he didn’t notice the two mer hopping down from the levitation lift. Master Neloth was also busy with his scroll he was studying. He paid no attention to the visitors.
How strange. I wonder if he sensed us coming at all, Ciel’nn wondered as his gaze panned around the tower. “Looks like they’re busy.” His partner said next to him, not trying to hide his voice. Ciel’nn thought a moment when he got an idea. He stepped forward. “Does the name Ildari ring a bell here?” He asked in a rather louder voice.
The wizard turned around, annoyed and stared at the young mer. “How do you know that name? She was my former apprentice, before Talvas.” Of course, he had sensed the two mer coming, he just didn’t bother to give a welcoming gesture.
Talvas looked up from his book, curious. Master Neloth had told him only a little about Ildari. Now he had a chance to know more. He stood up and walked closer to the Wizard.
Was? Ciel’nn frowned. He could only guess some experiment had gone wrong.
“We found her journal page at Fort Frostmoth.” Teldryn replied, crossing his arms.
“Seems she made some experiments with heart stones and the Imperial Commander, who’s dead.” Ciel’nn glanced at Talvas, who frowned. Then his eyes shifted back to Neloth. Something went down here for sure.
“So my former apprentice lives.” Neloth murmured, his brow furrowing. “Give me the page.” He waited for the young mer to dig the journal from his backpack, obviously taking his sweet time with it.
“So, what happened with her?” Teldryn thought to keep the conversation going, even if he wasn’t that interested in the whole Ildari case. But, he had a hunch that Neloth might command them to find Ildari. He glanced at the apprentice. Talvas was listening to them. I take it he doesn’t know the details.
The Wizard crossed his arms. “An experiment with a heartstone failed. Ildari died in the process, but it seems she still might be around.” He looked to Ciel’nn, “Hurry with that journal!”
Ciel’nn stood up and handed the journal to Neloth, who grabbed it from him. He glanced at Teldryn, who shrugged.
They waited for Neloth to finish reading the piece of journal with an ever furrowing brow until he looked like an ancient. Talvas bit his lower lip as he followed his master’s expression. He swallowed as the Wizard kept reading and let out a grunt.
“She lives.” Neloth murmured after a long pause. He turned slowly toward the closest table and put the journal down. “She’s experimenting with the heartstones…” He leaned against the table with one hand and pondered about the discovery. Time crawled in the tower as Neloth gazed into the vast space and time in his mind as everyone waited for him to say something.
The levitation lift hissed softly as Drovas hopped down from it. “Excuse my boldness, but we’re having a crisis!” He looked to Talvas for help as The Wizard seemed to be occupied with something else. “There’s ash spawns in the yard! Five of them!”
The concerned apprentice looked to the two mer. “Ciel’nn, can you provide some help? We need to deal with the ash spawn.” He walked toward the lift.
Ciel’nn sighed. “I suppose so. You better have a plan.” He decided to leave his backpack in the tower for the time being, and he looked to his partner. “Always something happens here, huh?”
“Always the fucking ash spawn!” The older mer groaned. “Let’s get on with it. Lead the way, Talvas.” He followed the apprentice, but grabbed Ciel’nn by his arm when he was going before him. “After me, Ciel’nn.” He whispered roughly.
The young mer tilted his head with a smirk. “Alright, then. My rough bodyguard.” He could see the older mer’s mouth twitch, but said nothing. He nodded to Teldryn to move on, and they joined with Talvas, hoping the apprentice did a have plan against the ash spawn.
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Comments
And Ildari. Yeah, always liked this part of the Tel Mithryn story. Curious to see what you do with her.
And Ildari. Yeah, always liked this part of the Tel Mithryn story. Curious to see what you do with her.
I was thinking go with Harry Potter style about Ildari..... I'm kidding! I'm still planning how it all goes down. xD
I'm so sorry I just can't seem to stop x.x