Late afternoon at Nightgate Inn...

Mai: "At last, I've made it to the inn. Feels so good to get out of the cold."

Mai: "Okay, time for some warm food and maybe a little wine - I think I deserve it after that long trek."

Mai: "I wonder if Hadring remembers me? It's been quite a while since I've been up this way on a Companion contract. Oh well...let's see!"

Man: "Well, well, well. What do we have here?"

Man: "Whoever she is, she's certainly well armed. But where in Oblivion is her armor?!"

Mai: "Hiya Hadring! It's so good to see you again! How are you these days?"

Hadring: "Well if it isn't my very favourite customer! Long time no see, Mai! How am I? I'm great now that you're here. I can't quite put my finger on why, but you always put me in such a good mood!"

Mai: "Awww - that's so sweet of you! I'm glad you're keeping well. As for me, I'm just on my way back to Whiterun - so I thought I'd stop by for maybe something tasty to eat followed by a quick nap!"

Hadring: "Don't tell me those idiots in the Companions are still sending you all the way out here after Sabre Cats?! Surely there are more interesting things they could have you doing?"

Mai: "Well....eh....it was actually a bear this time! But a highly trained warrior like me had no problem dealing with it. And hey, I guess someone has to save all those farmers from the wild animals that somehow keep finding their way into people's bedrooms!"

Man: "Hmmm, did she just say "highly trained warrior"?! We'll see about that!"

Man: HEY! YOU WITH NO CLOTHES ON! I THINK THERE'S SOME THINGS YOU AND I NEED TO DISCUSS....."

To be continued....

Mai: "Oh...um....are you talking to me?!"

Man: "Do you see anybody else standing around completely naked?! Of course I'm talking to you!"

Man: "Just who in Oblivion do you think you are - strutting in here with your entire body on display, and then having the cheek to call yourself a highly trained warrior?!"

Man: "I've known quite a few fearsome warriors in my time, and do you know what they all had in common? I'll tell you..."

Man: "....None of them looked like a skinny, frightened, sixteen year old girl! And why exactly ARE you naked, anyway? Shouldn't a warrior be wearing armor fit for a grand battle? And I'll tell you another th----"

Mai: "Stop right there, mister! First of all, I don't recall inviting you over here. It's only thanks to my kind nature that I haven't put an arrow into that loud mouth of yours!"

Mai: "And secondly, maybe I don't need to wear armor because my enemies never get close enough to so much as lay a finger on my body - I'm THAT good!"

Man: "Heh. So the kitten has claws! Could it be that I've mis-judged you? Maybe we should start again. My name is Dagnur. I'm looking for a skilled fighter to accompany me on a dangerous mission. If you truly are a highly trained warrior, what do you say?"

Mai: "Um.....a dangerous mission? Well.....sure......I guess. What kind of mission are we talking about, exactly? Not that I'm scared or anything. Just curious..........-ahem-"

Dagnur: "Some hunters recently went missing while trailing wolves on a nearby peak. A group of experienced trackers then went to look for them, and now they too have failed to return. Something bad is happening up on that mountain, and if we don't find out what it is....well.....more people might be in danger."

Hadring: "Be careful, Mai! I don't like the sound of all this. Maybe you should sit this one out..."

Hadring: "I've also heard about the missing hunters. These were experienced men. Whatever happened to them up there, it's serious. Definitely no place for a little girl to go wand---"

Mai: "Did you just call me a 'little girl'?! I thought you were supposed to be on my side?! So now you are doubting my abilities too?!"

Hadring: "Oh.....well.......I didn't mean it like that.....I was just....."

Mai: "Whatever, Hadring. I don't wanna hear it! It's decided Dagnur, I'll go with you."

Mai: "I'm not afraid. I've fought bandits and vampires - whatever is up there on that peak, we'll sort it out!"

Dagnur: "Excellent. Now come - we've no time to waste. We need to act immediately before anymore innocent people wander up there. Follow me..."

To be continued...

Somewhere high in the mountains....

Dagnur: "...and like I said, after the first hunters failed to return a group of more experienced men were sent up here to find out what happened...."

Dagnur: "....and they, too, have failed to come home. I knew some of those men - they aren't the type to get jumped by wildlife or even bandits. They're professionals. They're also my friends."

Mai: "I'm sorry to hear that. Whatever happened, we'll get to the bottom of it. Hopefully they are still alive."

Dagnur: "You mentioned that you're part of the Companions, right? You must have investigated many cases like this one..."

Mai: "Well.....yeah.....I mean.......they usually send me out after bears and sabre cats......."

Mai: "....but don't worry about me. I'm more than ready for a challenge! I'm getting kinda sick of being called a little girl - I can hold my own with the menfolk!"

Dagnur: "I'm glad to hear that. Because something tells me we're not dealing with bears or sabre cats this time. Be on your guard, woman."

Dagnur: "Okay, we're almost there. See the Nordic ruin up on that ridge? That's our destination."

Mai: "Wow.....that was quite a climb! Okay, so how are we gonna do this? What's the plan?"

Dagnur: "The plan? Hmmmm, well I was thinking we just rush up there and surprise whatever we find - get the first strike! What do you think, Companion?"

Mai: "What do I think? Well......."

Mai: ".....I think that's probably the same plan the last rescue team used. But it's cold up here and I'm naked - so sure, lets go with that!"

Dagnur: "Ha! Looks like I'm about to witness the 'highly trained warrior' in action! Let's go!"

To be continued.....

Dagnur: "GO - GO - GO! Don't give them time to react!"

Mai: "I've got you covered!"

Mai: "No movement so far..."

Mai: "Are you sure we're at the right place? This ruin looks completely deserted!"

Dagnur: "We're definitely at the right spot. This is where the hunters travelled to..."

Dagnur: "....but I agree. It looks empty. And no sound either, save for the mountain wind."

Dagnur: "Let's spread out - look for traces of what happened here. We might get lucky and find a clue of some type."

Mai: "Watch yourself. I don't like it up here - this place gives me the creeps!"

Dagnur: "Hmmmm....there's some kind of object over near the ruin. I'm gonna check it out. Let me know if you find anything on your side."

Mai: "Okay, be careful. Hmmm, there must be some trace of what happened here. This fresh snowfall is going to make finding tracks difficult..."

Mai: "....and it looks like there's not much else to go on. Just old bones and ruins."

Mai: "It looks like whatever happened up here, we missed it. I hope Dagnur is having better luck..."

Dagnur: "That shape....it looks like....a pile of rags perhaps?"

Dagnur: "No. Too bulky to be rags. It almost looks like......oh no......"

Dagnur: "NO! The hunters! They're dead! Divines help us...."

Dagnur: "MAI ! OVER HERE, COME QUICKLY! I'VE FOUND THE HUNTERS!!!"

Dagnur: "What unspeakable evil could do such a thing?! Rest easy, my brethren, I won't stop until I find the man responsible for this!"

Hissing Voice: "You won't have to look very far. And I am no man....."

To be continued.....

Dagnur: "Wait a second...what is that sound? An assailant - creeping up behind me....!"

Dagnur: "Ah-ha! Thought you could catch me off guard eh, you filthy bandi.........WHAT IN THE NAME OF TALOS?!"

Mai: "Huh? Shouting? On no....Dagnur!"

Dagnur: "By the nine! Don't come any closer! Just what in Oblivion ARE you?!"

Ghastly Figure: "What am I? I am just what I appear to be. I am the stuff of your darkest nightmares. I am your violent, bloody destiny!"

Dagnur: "No...wait....please! Let's just talk about this - there's no need for anyone to get hurt..."

Ghastly Figure: "Ha! No need for anyone to get hurt?! How bitterly ironic. Did you not come here for blood? Are you not here to slay me? And now, when faced with your own demise you show your true colours - COWARD!"

Mai: "STOP! Don't you dare hurt him, creature!"

Mai: "I don't know what you are, and it's likely that arrows won't even hurt you - but on the off-chance that they do, you should know that I will not miss from this range..."

Ghastly Figure: "A woman? You dragged a woman onto this mountain with you?!"

Mai: "You can address me directly, beast. And I wasn't dragged anywhere, I go where I please."

Ghastly Figure: "No....this is not right. A woman?! No! You shouldn't have come here....this is not a safe place for you..."

Mai: "Well I AM here, so get used to it. I came to see why innocent people are dying on this mountain - and now we find you here, threatening us with death. Care to explain what's going on?"

Dagnur: "Um...Mai...Maybe pissing it off is not the best idea...?"

Ghastly Figure: "You are indeed brave, little one. And you may leave now if you please. I will not harm you if you go now. But that man - he must stay here. He must die. There are NO innocent men here."

Dagnur: "So you are only killing men?! How is that fair?!"

Mai: "There's more to this, isn't there?"

Ghastly Figure: "You want to know the truth? You want to know why the menfolk must die? Very well. But know that it may cost you your life, little girl..."

Ghastly Figure: "I suppose simply telling you will not be enough. No...this calls for something a little more direct."

Ghastly Figure: "I will show you what I truly am. I will show you everything, and then you will understand. Allow me to revert to my past form..."

Dagnur: "What the....?!"

Mai: "Oh no....."

To be continued...

Ghastly Figure: "...and now you see me. Or at least...what remains of me."

Ghastly Figure: "I should probably introduce myself: my name is Moira. I live...well.....LIVED...on a farm just below the mountains.I was alone there, my husband having died a few months back while fighting in the war."

Mai: "Of course. You're a ghost!"

Dagnur: "Eh....does that mean we should be less or MORE afraid?!"

Mai: "It means we should listen to what she has to say. If the children's stories are true, ghosts exist in our reality when something prevents them from moving on to the next world."

Moira: "You are wise beyond your years, girl. My story is a sad one: I came to this mountain top in search of the rare berries that grow in these areas. However, I found that I was not alone."

Moira: "A small group of male bandits had made their camp here, and they were only too happy to see a lone woman approach. They tried to.....have their way with me. But I fought back. I managed to stab the leader in the thigh with a small blade - but this only angered them. They murdered me...leaving me alone on this cold mountain top for all eternity."

Mai: "That is heartbreaking. I am SO sorry. But...is that why you are killing the men who come here? Is this your revenge?!"

Moira: "Yes. I cannot reach the ones who took my life. They are too far from me now. But you have listened to my tale thus far...maybe you can help. If you go from here...find those who murdered me...and slay them - the curse will be lifted. Your lives, and the lives of any man who comes to this mountain, will be spared. What say you?"

Dagnur: "You got it, lady! Those guys are filth anyway. They deserve to die for what they did to you."

Dagnur: "We'll leave this instant, we'll find them, and we'll-----

Mai: "SHUT UP , DAGNUR!!!"

Mai: "I'm sorry, what my idiot friend here MEANT to say was: we appreciate the offer, but we can't murder those men for you..."

Moira: "You have proven yourself intelligent up to now, girl. Why do you feel the need to decline your one chance at survival?"

Dagnur: "Eh, yeah Mai? Please explain!"

Mai: "Murder is what got us all into this mess in the first place, Moira. Those men took your life. We can't let the cycle continue. We'll find those men - but we'll see justice served. They'll face trial and be jailed for their crimes."

Moira: "NO! THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! THOSE MEN MUST DIE! IF YOU WON'T DO IT FOR ME, THEN YOU'VE SIGNED THE DEATH WARRANT OF COUNTLESS OTHERS - INCLUDING YOURSELVES!!!"

Moira: "NOW FEEL MY WRATH!"

Mai: "Prepare yourself, Dagnur - here she comes!!!"

To be continued....

Meanwhile...far from the mountain top....

Skeever Brother Left-Hand-Man: "Damn, how long we gotta wait till that food of yours is ready to eat? Can't you speed it up a little?"

Skeever Brother Right-Hand-Man: "Shut your mouth, fool. When it comes to cooking, I'm an artist. And sometimes art takes time."

Skeever Brother Right-Hand-Man: "Besides, there's plenty of filthy mud crabs down by the river if you don't feel like waiting for civilised food."

Skeever Brother LHM: "Whatever you say, asshole. But this shit better be worth it. Haven't eaten a proper meal in too long."

Skeever Brother RHM: "Ha! You've got a habit of whining like a little bitch, you know that?! Reminds me of that woman up on the mountain!"

Skeever Brother RHM: "Whattaya think boss? Do you see the resemblance? You remember that bitch, right? The one who stuck that blade up your ass!"

Skeever Brother Boss: "Yeah I remember her. How could I forget?! Never heard a woman scream so much in all my life. Ha - she got hers in the end though."

Skeever Brother Boss: "Though I'll tell you something - I'd kill for a woman right about now. My cock is gonna revolt if it doesn't find itself penetrating a sweet young thing soon...."

Skeever Brother LHM: "Eh...you ain't gonna believe this, boss. But it might just be your lucky night!"

Skeever Brother LHM: "Check this shit out! I mean, is this perfect or what?!"

Skeever Brother RHM: "ALL RIGHT! She looks smokin' hot too. I hope she's got enough in the tank to take all three of us!"

Skeever Brother Boss: "Not my problem - I'm fucking her first. You two can fight over her once i'm done. Now please, someone grab her!"

Skeever Brother RHM: "With pleasure, boss. Watch me seduce her, Skeever Brothers style!"

Skeever Brother RHM: "Hey there, girly. Where you headed to, all alone on this fine evening? Don't you know it's dangerous on the road at this time?"

Nara: "Ugh....this is the last thing I need right now. And I had almost made it to Whiterun, too..."

Nara: "Pfft - and people say I go out LOOKING for trouble. I swear I must be the only girl in the whole of Skyrim who has to deal with this crap..."

To be continued...

Skeever Brother Right-Hand-Man: "Don't be afraid, darlin'. We'll be more than happy to look after you. And all we ask in return is that you try your best not to pass out as we take turns fucking you!"

Nara: "I'll do my best, mister. But please be gentle...I'm such a frail girl."

Nara: "Although I have been told that I'm absolutely ELECTRIC in bed..."

Skeever Brother RHM: "Hang on...your hands....is that what I think it is?!"

Nara: "Well, I guess that depends...."

BOOOOOOOOMMMM!

Skeever Brother RHM: "AAAAIEEEEEEEE---"

Nara: "If you thought it was your instant death - then yes. That's exactly what it is!"

Skeever Brother Boss: "FUCK! What in Oblivion just happened?!"

Nara: "Ooops! I guess I was just too much for him. I hate it when the guy 'finishes' before me..."

Skeever Brother Boss: "She's a damn mage! Draw your weapons - this must be some kind of trap!"

Nara: "I'm so sorry, guys - I didn't mean to startle you! It's just all this talk of sex...well....I guess it kinda turned me on!"

Nara: "Now....which one of you fine upstanding gentlemen would like to try and fuck me next? I promise it'll blow your mind!"

Skeever Brother Left-Hand-Man: "I got a clear shot on her, boss. I'm taking it..."

Nara: "I guess that means YOU!"

KA--THOOOOOOOOM!

Skeever Brother LHM: "HUUURKKKK---------------"

Skeever Brother Boss: "Screw this! She's much more powerful than I'd feared. I've only got a small window before she can charge her next shot..."

Skeever Brother Boss: "Think you're hot shit, eh girl? Let's see how smart you are when I'm strangling you with your own entrails!"

Nara: "Not used to the girls fighting back, eh scumbag? Well I'm right here - come and give me your best shot, big guy!"

Skeever Brother Boss: "I eat mages like you for breakfast. I hope you've got a spell that takes away pain - because this is going to hurt like you won't believe...."

Skeever Brother Boss: "TIME TO DIE, BITCH! AAARRGHHHH!!!"

To be continued...

At that moment, back on the mountain top...

Dagnur: "I'm sorry for taking you up here, Mai. I never wanted anyone to get hurt."

Mai: "We're not dead yet! Keep focused and get ready to fight!"

Moira: "WAIT! Something is.......different......"

Dagnur: "Different? What is she talking about?"

Mai: "Be careful. This might be some sort of trick.."

Moira: "No, this is no trick. Something has changed. The men who took my life....I can't feel their presence any longer. They're dead. And it was YOU, girl. YOU KILLED THEM!"

Dagnur: "Um.....what?!"

Mai: "I'm not sure what she means. This doesn't make any sense."

Mai: "You're mistaken. I've been here this whole time - about to be attacked be you, Moira! How could I have killed them?

Moira: "If not you, then someone who shares your blood. But I am not mistaken. They are dead!"

Dagnur: "Someone of your blood? Any idea who that might be, Mai?"

Mai: "It's a long story...but I may have a long lost sister. It must have been her. Maybe she's a city guard...or a soldier....or something! It's the only explanation."

Dagnur: "So now what? The bandits are dead. You got what you wanted."

Moira: "Indeed I did. My need for vengence has at last been fulfilled. I will leave this place, and none shall be harmed by my hand from this day forth."

Dagnur: "And what about us?"

Moira: "You are free to go. Free to do as you please. If you meet your sister, Mai, please give her my thanks. She has set me free."

Moira: "Now I leave this plane of existence. Tell the people of the mountain whatever you feel you must. I would prefer you tell them the truth. If they still think ill of me after that - then so be it."

Moira: "Farewell, mortals.........................."

Mai: "Wow.....what an utterly bizarre evening...."

Dagnur: "All in a day's work for a Companion though, eh Mai?!"

To be concluded...

Dagnur: "Hmmm, I'm not really sure how to feel about all this."

Mai: "You don't need to feel anything. Ten minutes ago she was trying to kill us. At least it's all over now."

Dagnur: "I suppose you are right. But hey - look at us, solving mysteries and fighting angry spirits! We did pretty good, I reckon!"

Mai: "You're right! I guess we make a good team. So what are you gonna do now?"

Dagnur: "Well....first of all I'm gonna make sure that the hunters who died up here are properly laid to rest. These were good people. After that......"

Dagnur: "....I was thinking maybe I'd follow you for a while. Perhaps help you track down that long lost sister you mentioned? Provided you'll put up with me, of course!"

Mai: "Oh you wanna come with me now? The impression you gave me back at the inn was that my nudity offended you? Is that not still the case?"

Dagnur: "Maybe I was little too hasty in my assumptions. And hey, I can think of much worse ways of spending my time than staring at your bare tits all day!"

Mai: "Oh so you've been staring at my 'bare tits', have you? Well then...there's a couple of things you should know...."

Mai: "First of all, these 'bare tits' can totally kick your ass at a moments notice..."

Mai: "...and secondly, men who mess with me have a habit of...well....how can I put this...."

Mai: "....losing their manhood, if you know what I'm trying to say!"

Mai: "So the lesson is: feel free to look, but don't you dare touch! Got it, hunny?"

Dagnur: "Wow!"

The End!