EliteCommander

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Ssarak Dyreackthanose

---

Ssarak did not need to hear Meirin say a word to know her reaction. Even for Esyire, seeing the tops of the clouds for the first time was an unquestionably memorable moment. He remembered his own first time in the clouds, so he knew that, for the moment, it would be best to simply allow her the chance to take in the experience herself. He remained silent, smiling as he watched Meirin’s reactions.

The pair flew around above the clouds for a few more minutes, but Ssarak was wary of flying any higher. Not only was he worried about Meirin being able to breathe properly, but he was having to strain his wings more to get higher. Alone, he could continue to climb, but Meirin was a lot of weight to carry. Of course, he doubted it would matter if he managed to climb any higher or not, since the view would not be appreciably different.
“I believe it is time for us to descend. I am beginning to feel the fatigue in my wings, and there is one more thing I would like for you to experience. At this height, it takes quite a bit of time to fall, and at full speed, that fall can be rather thrilling. Really, there is no other sensation that is similar. It is as if your body is without weight, like you are floating with the wind rushing at you from beneath. I would like to show you what it is like to dive. Do not worry, I will slow us long before we are close to the ground. Are you ready?” Ssarak asked. He allowed her a few moments to ready herself, then pulled back his wings and angled them downwards to dive straight back into the cloud.

Even though Ssarak had experienced it many times before, freefall still had a trilling element to it. The rush of the wind across his scales and the feeling of weightlessness were truly unique, but he had another reason for his heart to be racing. He had been thinking ahead to this moment for a while, or at least moments like it. Between the beautiful sight of the clouds surrounding them, the sensation of freefall, and his love for Meirin, he felt an intense passion in the moment. He simply hoped Meirin was feeling the same way. He wanted to show her how he felt, and with them being thousands of feet above the ground in a freefall through the clouds, he could not think of a better time.

Ssarak pulled Meirin so her head was closer to his, then gave her a kiss. It was their first one, and with the situation they were in, it was certainly memorable.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"Well, you could...eh, no, you'd need to be an alchemist to do that right." Marcaille answered, briefly shaking her head as she turned back to her ingredients. "I'll tell you if I think of anything. Maybe just think of me if you happen across any rare ingredients?"

Ahnasha nodded. "I think we can do that. Thank you, and have a good evening."

Ahnasha and Fendros took their leave and started to head back towards their quarters. This meeting had been more productive than Ahnasha had expected, but she was also fully expecting that she would be having a conversation with Fendros very soon. Even without seeing any reactions from him, she knew him well enough to know that he would want to talk about it. Whether he would be accepting of her plans, or have some objections, however, she could not say for sure.

---

La'khay did not have much more to say, other than to thank Sabine and Pieter for being supportive. She walked over and sat down on her bed, alongide La'tahne, and while she did not say anything to Sabine or Peiter indicating that she wanted them to leave, she did not seem like she was much for conversation at the moment.

Peiter, too, was just as silent as he had been since they stepped into the room. They, and the rest of the warriors, had a chance to mourn during the journey, but La'khay had learned of Do'ajee's death mere hours ago. Seeing her in this state brought back memories of Irenya, in addition to his arm. Altogether, he was on the verge of tears himself.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Without the tattoos, Kaleeth doesn't really look exceptional from any other Argonian. There's no way I'll be able to find anything close to it, unfortunately. I was going to screenshot the werecroc form, but skyrim crashed. I'll do that later.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha was genuinely surprised with the revelation that Marcaille would be joining them, though she supposed it did make sense. Meesei has spoke of her plan to gather more experts, and they were certainly going to need alchemists. She simply did not expect to be able to receive lessons in person from someone with the knowledge she needed.

"I would be grateful, thank you. I have already...well I guess I really don't know how to describe how far along I am already. I can just show you when we start practicing. Now, if you are busy, I suppose we should not take up any more of your time." Ahnasha answered.

Marcaille shrugged her shoulders. "Just sorting and packing my ingredients. But, that is something I need to get done, I guess. As long as you can get me bodies and souls, I can give you lessons."

---

La'khay sniffed, then wiped away a few of the tears from her eyes. "Just after Ra'kalesh gathered us all together. He said what happened to Do'ajee, to Ra'jorr, and some of the others we knew. A memorial isn't enough to honor them; this one wishes we could do more. She was not even able to face her killer. They all deserved better. Why can't Vile just leave us all in peace?"

La'tahne had one hand on La'khay's knee, and another rubbing her back. Leaning in, she kissed her cheek. "It will be alright, dear. Her spirit lives on, and you'll get to see her again someday."

Peiter, meanwhile, had no helpful words to give to La'khay, as he was barely in any better of a mood himself. He was silent, and for a brief moment while he was standing idle, his reaction was to try and clasp his hands together behind his back. This, of course, only caused him to clench his hand into a fist in frustration.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Yeah. Needed a mod for the fins, eyes, tattoos, werecrocodile. The fins were easy, but I can't seem to get any eye mods to give an option for blue to argonians. I can get tattoos. Not the right tattoos, but she does have some. As for the werecrocodile, there is a mod with dozens of options for werewolf replacers. I use one that is based on a dragon for the werecroc. There is actually an option for a werecrocodile, but the posture is odd and just looks wrong, so it's not the best option.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I have learned that it takes quite a lot of modding to get Kaleeth into Skyrim. Still can't get a mod to work to give Argonians blue eyes.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha nodded. "Right." She commented, taking in a deep breath to try and get over her reluctance to speak. "Basically, I want to extend my life as you have. As Fendros said, I have already been learning about what I will need to do, but I know I am not yet skilled enough to do it. I just need something to help me along that path."

Marcaille's eyes scanned over Ahnasha, while her overall demeanor was skeptical. She gave a small huff and crossed her arms. "Hmm, I've been asked that question many times before, but people usually don't like my answer. Life extension is not some simple trick, no matter how you do it. Extending one's life is fundamentally tied to the concept of death. To extend your life, you will have to become a necromancer, and a strong one."

"Well...I am actually already a necromancer. As I said, I have already been studying this, and by that I mean I have actually been practicing the relevant skills, not just researching what I will need to do. I received a tome a few years ago that has helped me get this far, but it was not complete. If you have any notes you could part with or copy, I would be grateful." Ahnasha explained.

Marcaille gave her shoulders a quick shrug. "Oh, well that's the hard part out of the way, then. Necromancy always leaves a bad taste in people's mouths. I'm hardly going to deny a request like this from one of the Champion's pack. But, I'm not just going to give you a book and let you figure it out on your own. No, I think I'd rather give you some lessons myself."

While certainly not disappointed, Ahnasha could not help but to be confused by Marcaille's offer. "I...thank you, of course, but...we will be leaving in a few days. I know these things take quite a long time to learn, so I don't think there will be time."

Marcaille began to chuckle. "I know, but that's not going to be a problem since I'm coming with you to Bruma. The Champion already approached me earlier. Apparently, my alchemical knowledge impressed her, and she wants me working on finding an antidote for that gas. It's going to be a big change leaving here, but after hearing what that gas does, I'm not about to sit around and do nothing about it. I suppose, when there's time, I can give you some lessons as well."

---

La'khay closed her eyes and started shaking her head. "This was all just one big mistake, wasn't it? So much death and loss; it's horrible. Come here." She said, looking directly at Peiter. With the attention drawn to his arm, Peiter was once again visibly uncomfortable, but not so much so that he would completely ignore La'khay. He reluctantly stepped forward, only to be nearly taken off of his feet when La'khay stood up and hugged him.

"La'khay wishes you could have just stayed here with us. People your age shouldn't be heading into battle. You still have your whole lives ahead of you; we shouldn't let them be ruined by some...faceless soldier's sword. La'khay would rather just leave this war altogether." She said, almost angrily.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"What? No, I'm very busy. I have a lot of-" Marcaille began, but she stopped herself as soon as she actually turned her head to look at her visitors. "Oh, I thought you were some of the apprentices. So bothersome, that lot. Ahnasha and...Fendas, right? From the Champion's pack?"

Ahnasha answered with a bit of uncertainty, as Marcaille's response had not inspired her with confidence that questioning her now was a good idea. "Yes, though his name is Fendros, actually. Anyway, um, are you sure this is a good time to talk? We can come back tomorrow."

Marcaille waved her hand dismissively. "No, no, don't worry about that. Those apprentices just like to bother me with all sorts of trivial nonsense. I doubt you two would be here if it wasn't about something at least marginally important."

"Of course, thank you. What I wanted to ask you about was...well, your age, actually. There is something very important to me that I think you might be able to help me with." Ahnasha explained, though she could not help herself from describing her desire in such vague terms, despite the fact that Marcaille was the one person she needed to speak to in detail.

Marcaille nodded. "Okay, what would that be?"

---

With some hesitation, Peiter knocked on La'khay's door once they reached her room. Standing outside the door, he could hear some muffled noises from within, but it was difficult to make out exactly what they were. A few seconds later, La'khay's weakened, somewhat strained voice sounded out from within. "Come in." She said simply.

Even more hesitantly, Peiter slowly opened the door. With La'khay's reputation, he was worried on what they might accidentally be walking in on, but in several ways, the reality was worse than that fear. At least it would have been easy to respond to walking in on something private. La'tahne was sitting in a chair directly in front of La'khay, leaned forward with her hands clasped around La'khay's. Both of them had a sullen expression, with the fur underneath La'khay's eyes darkened by her tears. "Oh, Sabine, Peiter. It is so good to see you two safe, but...Peiter, what happened to you?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha could not help but to feel nervous as she and Fendros went in search for Marcaille. She had taken the time to speak to the Breton on a few occasions during the journey, but she had never hinted at what she wanted from her. Marcaille herself seemed to be a perfectly kind person, but the subject of necromancy was not something Ahnasha liked to discuss with anyone, and with good reason. There were few in the world who did not look down upon necromancers, so admitting that she practiced such magic could easily cause trouble for her.

Regardless of Ahnasha's worries, she shook her head when Fendros suggested that he leave. "No, I know you already don't like what I do. I know you have a hard time trusting me with this magic, so I want you to see that I have nothing to hide from you. You can listen yourself to her talk about everything I'll have to do."

The pair stepped into the laboratory, which seemed to be a personal laboratory for Marcaille, instead of the alchemists in general. The Breton was on the other side of the room at a table, and appeared to be cataloging ingredients. Ahnasha paused, looked at Fendros, and took in a deep breath as she went over in her mind how exactly she intended to ask her question of Marcaille.

---

Peiter's head perked up when Sabine broke the silence between them, though he appeared to be confused at first. "La'khay? What do you want to visit her for?" He asked, but thinking back to their time before the march answered his own question for him. "Oh, right. The painting. I guess we can go see her. Do you remember the way to her room?"

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Alright, goodnight.

I think we can skip to later that night for the conversation with Marcaille. Ahnasha and Fendros would probably want to spend time with Rhazi before that. After that, we can move to their departure, and the end of the arc.

I guess the timeskip will be a sort of arc in itself, since we'll have quite a few things to do. I'm guessing one of the things you have in mind involves Fendros and Ahnasha. Newt will have his naming day, and some other things I don't want to reveal quite yet. The first thing I have in mind would come pretty soon after the skip, and I don't think there would be time for anything before it, as it is rather important. Vile's forces know of the Bruma clan's location, so that has to be dealt with.