Monywyr took a moment to examine the Redguard's corpse, being careful to avoid touching or disturbing the black soul gem. 

 

"You know," Rosa said, "I've seen the Thalmor do a lot of bad things, but somehow I'd never thing they'd stoop to soul stealing."

 

"Believe it," Rigmor answered. "Whatever you've seen here in Skyrim is just scratching the surface of what they're capable of. Look there, do you see those tools," she pointed to a long iron implement, something like an oversized corkscrew.

 

Monywyr nodded solemnly. "They made him die in agony, to capture his soul." she explained.

 

He considered leaving it at that, but at length pointed to the soul gem with an inquisitive crook of his eyebrows. 

 

"Better to leave it be," Rosa said, "who knows what kind of problems it'll bring if you touch it."

 

Frustrated at his inability to explain in words, Monywyr pointed back the way they'd come, then pantomimed hurling something to the floor.

 

"Hmm," Rosa said, "you want to destroy it? Can we even do that? I don't think we have any sort of tools for the job. Not even a heavy hammer or something."

 

"Maybe the Priest of Arkay can help," Rigmor volunteered. "Arkay has a temple in Falkreath, not far from Angi's camp."

 

Nodding in assent, Monywyr started pulling off the fallen Alik'r's gauntlets. Using one like an oven mitt, he lifted the black soul gem from its sconce and dropped it into the other gauntlet, before wrapping it up in cloth. Even with the insulation, he felt a chill as he handled the dark artifact, but once it was bundled away in his pack, the sensation faded.

 

"Now let's hope that's the worst thing we'll find down here." Rosa commented.

 

Of course, it was a futile hope. Not much further into the dungeon, and the opposition started. They cut down a leather clad man they stumbled across in something of an office, but not before he could cry out and raise an alarm. Soon, Thalmor soldiers were swarming up from deeper in the dungeon, and the trio met them blade for blade. 

 

 

They pressed forward, driving their enemies back down a descending staircase and then into a musty hall full of prison cells. With a cry, Rosa beheaded the last Thalmor soldier, and the companions paused to take in their surroundings. The cell was quiet, and also seemed like it might be a dead end. 

 

 

"I really hope we didn't just run out of room," Rosa said, surveying the hall for some sign of an escape route. Then Rigmor let out a snort of half suppressed laughter.

 

"What?"

 

"Ah, Rosa, I think you lost something."

 

Rosa looked around once, then glanced down and cursed. "That last sword stroke must have been a neared thing than I thought. Sliced right through my belt!" She kicked the fallen enemy out of the way before finding and retrieving what remained of her armor. 

 

"Looks like I need to get this mended. Another reason to visit Falkreath - their blacksmith's not half bad."

 

While the two women bantered, Monywyr further inspected his surroundings. In one of the larger prison cells, he discovered an enchanter's table, piled high with swords and amulets - and a note. He took a moment to peruse the contents before beckoning Rigmor and showing her.

 

 

She barely had time to glance at the note - the head torturer's logs - before she gasped.

 

"Dragonborn! My sword! I never thought I'd see it again!"

 

She took up the bastard sword and gave it a few experimental swings. "Thankfully I don't think they've damaged it. It was the only one of its kind ever made."

 

Monywyr nodded, smiling, though he doubted she could see his expression behind the leather faceplate of the gag. 

 

"Why don't you take the other one," she asked. "It's obviously the copy this note was speaking of, but it's finely made. No reason to leave it with the enemy. And your sword is starting to look a little worn down."

 

Monywyr couldn't disagree with that - literally, thanks to his stuffed mouth - and took the remaining artifacts. The sword did indeed feel well balanced, and he suspected it had a keener blade than what he was using at the moment. Adjusting its scabbard to fit, he was about to take a closer look at the amulet before a shout from Rigmor captured his attention.

 

"By the Gods! There's a little girl in there!"

 

 

Indeed, as he approached the final cell, Monywyr too could see a small form huddled in the shadows. Retrieving the key he had taken off the Thalmor leader, Monywyr opened the cell - and action that roused the girl.

 

Pathetically, she begged, "Please, have mercy!"

 

 

"Don't be afraid," Rigmor said, "we're not going to hurt you. What's your name, little girl?"

 

"My name is Sorella," she explained. "Have you seen my parents? The bad guys brought us here."

 

Rosa whispered, "they must have been in that cell back there. What now?"

 

"Well we can't just leave her here," Rigmor shot back. Let's take her with us, back to Angi's. She'll know what to do."

 

Monywyr and Rosa nodded their assent, then Rosa crouched down next to Sorella.

 

"Hey there, Sorella," she said gently. "I'm sorry, but your parents are gone. Can you be brave and come with us?"

 

"Ok," she said, tentatively.

 

"Don't worry, we're going to take you to our friend Angi. She's one of the good guys."

 

Sorella brightened slightly at the mention of Angi. "I know Angi's camp. That's where the crazy lady lives."

 

Rigmor laughed at that. "Don't worry," she said, "she'll take good care of you." 

 

"OK," she said again. "Here, I saw the tunnel the bad guys use. We can use it to get out." 

 

Pointing the way, Sorella revealed a false wall that led into a narrow passage. Following the girl's lead, they soon found their way on a rocky slope. A glance upwards confirmed they were near the foot of the hill that Fort Black perched atop. Monywyr wasted no time leading the group away from the fort - while they might have escaped for the moment, it was only a matter of time before the Thalmor dispatched patrols in search of them. But as they cleared a ridge, Monywyr stopped abruptly, holding up his hand in a warning to the others.

 

"Damn," Rosa said, "and right in our way, too."

 

 

The clearing below was home to a small fort; armed men paced back and forth, tending a fire and checking their arms and armor.

 

"It's too steep on either side to go around," Rosa observed. We have to go through.

 

"Fine," Rigmor said. "Maybe they'll be willing to talk. If not, be ready for a fight."

 

Almost immediately, hopes for a diplomatic solution vanished - the soldiers drew their swords and charged almost as soon as they caught sight of the party. Rigmor and Rosa met them immediately in a clash of steel while Monywyr drew in a deep breath and spoke through the suddenly-intangible gag.

 

"LUV YU"

 

The melee halted, both sides looking around in momentary confusion before approaching, slower now and with less tension and impulse to action. In a daze, the mercenaries approached Rosa and Rigmor, reaching out towards them with caressing hands. 

 

And then, the spell was broken as Nocturnal thrust her dagger into their leader's chest. Steel flashed and the cries of the dying enemies filled Monywyr's ears. Perhaps his Thu'um had not yet returned to it's previous strength - he did not know. Evidently though, he had more to learn. 

 

Soon the reaction of the soldiers became more clear. Not mercenaries, but bounty hunters - and their leader had a copy of Rigmor's wanted poster in the pocked of his trousers.

 

"Damn," Rigmor said, "they aren't going to make this easy, are they?"

 

Monywyr shook his head, then gestured over to the bounty hunters' fire. They congregated there for a time, warming up. Just before Monywyr roused himself to leave, Rigmor called to him.

 

"Hey, Dragonborn, come here!"

 

When he joined her, Rigmor waggled a tiny key in front of Monywyr. "Is it just me, or does this look just the right size for the lock on your... head thing?"

 

Monywyr squinted at it and realized that, in fact, it did. He reached for it but Monywyr pulled it back. Then she laughed and handed it to him. "Just kidding. Come on, try it out."

 

The key was a perfect fit, and Monywyr retched as he was finally able to pull the intruding piston out of his throat. Rigmor giggled, but did not add any further commentary.

 

"Finally," he muttered, "I thought I was never going to get out of that thing."

 

"Trust me, I'm just as happy as you. I couldn't understand a thing you were trying to say with that sign language you were doing."

 

They managed the descent down the mountain in high spirits, each step seemingly bringing them ever so slightly warm air and blessed distance from the Thalmor and their fort. Before they knew it, they were staggering into Angi's camp. Rigmor took Sorella in hand to Angi's cabin, but Monywyr was exhausted, and he collapsed right into his tent. A moment later, he was fast asleep.

 

 

 

 

Test Notes

Still having issues with LUV YU working as intended. The event appeared to fire this time, actors aligned and Sexlab reported an animation was starting. However, almost immediately the animation ended. Review of the console (screenshot below) output shows the animation end event. Similar results on a second attempt. To confirm it wasn't a generalized Sexlab failure, I initiated a scene via SLEN -- it worked normally without any unexpected behavior.