Portia:  Well, If that wasn’t a meeting for the history books, I don’t know what is...

 

 

Portia:  I feel dirtier just sitting at the table with that Elder Sage and Ergon’s stench wasn’t helping matters in the slightest.  I definitely just need to wash myself after, that...

 

 

Portia: Not taking any chances on the water...It MUST be hot.

 

 

Portia: AHHhhhh…Heated water... energy + water...why can’t all things be as simple as you?

 

 

Portia:  Not like this war at all.  We’ve got Jarls killing Kings, Thalmor abducting citizens, and even rieklings taking forts.  It’s madness.  I can’t really fathom what it was like for Ergon to be tortured by those elves.  To hear him talk about it, that drowning spell must have been really brutal…...and just what was the “sage” waiting for?  He was there to just pick up Ergon and take him to the meeting after an Imperial “ally” just so happened to come along and break Ergon out of prison?  Aren’t the Imperials and the Thalmor on the same side in this war?  Something doesn’t add up.

 

 

Portia:  There’s probably more to that redhead’s story too...what did Ergon call her again? Andy? Andi? I’ll have to remember to ask her about it later.  She went through hell to get that sword back for her hold.  What is this country coming too where Thanes are used as common thieves?  In Winterhold, we have the good sense to hire people for that sort of thing.  Her reaction was quite furious when she heard the man was taken prisoner around here.  Stranger still, that Galmar had to leave so suddenly… something must have happened.  

 

 

Sounds of furious metal clanking and under breath comments alerted Portia that she is not alone in the shared living area of Warmstone…

 

Portia: Oh shit, I forgot I left my clothes out there...Looks like I’m stuck in here until their gone…

 

 

Andaria: Critical Military intelligence? UGH!!

 

 

Andaria’s axe dug deep into the Training Dummy’s midsection.  It was all a bit too much for her to deal with at this moment.  Her attacker being mere feet away from her and still Andaria could not bring him to justice.  Andaria didn’t just want revenge, she needed it.  Sadly, this dummy would have to do.  

 

 

Ergon:  A fine thrust! Didn’t expect to see you back from the market so soon, Andi.  After you stormed out of the meeting, The Sage and I didn’t expect you to come back at all.  I’m glad you’re still as fiery as ever.  

 

 

Andaria walked over to the bed

 

Andaria:  Ugh, what do you want Ergon? I came down here to get away from everyone else.  Not to make small talk.  

 

 

Ergon:  I know, I came down here just in case you needed to see a friendly face.  I know Riften can’t be the same for you after…

 

Andaria couldn’t handle it any more.  She stood up and walked towards the steps.

 

Andaria:  DON’T pity me, Ergon.  I’m not one of your “broken” things like that imperial “ally” in Falkreath.  

 

Ergon:  I don’t think you’re broken, Andi. But, I think you need some perspectiv….

 

Andaria cut him off...

 

Andaria:  Perspective?!  Here’s some perspective for you, “Ergon the Just”.  In the years since you’ve seen me, I’ve grown up.  I don’t need you to sort through my problems…

 

Andaria turns to leave

 

Ergon:...Andi...

 

Andaria:  Don’t fucking, Andi, me...It’s Andaria.  

 

She slams the axe down on the ground, stomps up the stairs, and slams the door behind her.

 

 

Ergon was beside himself.  He wanted to be there for his friend but he just couldn't find the words.  

 

“Go After Her”

 

 

A Thane of Winterhold strode out from the bathing room.  Ergon blinked in amazement.  

 

Ergon:  Excuse me?  

 

 

Portia:  I said….GO...AFTER...HER… You’ve got some apologizing to do Mr. Just.  

 

Ergon:  I was just trying to make her feel better.  We’re friends from childhood, we should be able to talk like this…

 

 

Using her magic, Portia levitated Ergon onto his feet and towards the stairwell.  

 

Portia:  Great, I’m glad you’re friends.  Now let me tell you where you messed up.  1. You assumed to understand her feelings, 2. You belittled those same feelings, 3. You assumed you could solve everyone of her problems by just “talking” them out.  Life’s not something you can solve by just talking Ergon.  You have to take action.  

 

 

Ergon:  But I trying to take the right action.  

 

Portia:  I understand that, and I give you points for trying...but given that it was Literally the stupidest thing you could have done for her in that situation, they don’t count for much.  If you were one of my students, I would have made you take the test over again.  Sadly, real relationships are trickier than classes.

 

Ergon:  So what should I do?  

 

Portia:  Start by changing out of those ridiculous clothes and go apologize.  

 

 

Ergon:  I don’t have anything else to wear.

 

A spell shimmered to life in Portia’s hand.  

 

Portia:  If you don’t get out of my sight right now, I’ll turn you into dense piece of rock you are.  And I’d really hate to do that, since I thought you were a really nice guy.

 

Ergon climbed the stairs determined to find something to apologize to Andaria in.

 

Portia breathed a sigh of relief.  

 

Portia: I suppose that’s one way to get some privacy...now what to wear…

 

Palace of the Kings

 

The smell of death lay heavy in Ulfric’s Hall.  Ergon had received word that the Imperial Informant, Marius, had escaped from imprisonment in the Palace of the Kings and had gone on a murderous tear through the Barracks.  It was also noted that the Hold’s thane, Sable was among those missing in action.  Andaria had eagerly volunteered to track down the prisoner.  When Ergon arrived at the Palace, Galmar directed him to the top most chamber where Andaria had hit a dead end in her investigation.  

 

 

Ergon: Andaria?...Galmar told me what happened.  He sent me to help.

 

 

Andaria was sobbing gently on the floor.  

 

Andaria:  Oh, great, just what I needed right now...some “perspective”...

 

 

Ergon:  No, I came to apologize...Tried my best to comfort a hurting friend, but I just ended up hurting her again.  I’m sorry.  

 

 

Teary eyed, Andaria blinked at Ergon.  

 

Andaria:  I lost him...Again.  The man who should have been rotting in a Riften prison cell now, is free and to celebrate went on a murder spree in Windhelm.  All because I was too stupid and trusted a pirate.  And now, I can’t even figure out how he left a room with one entrance in or out.  

 

 

Ergon:  You are not to blame for this Andi...ahem...Andaria.  This was his doing and the best chance we have to catch him is in this room right now.  As Thane of Riften, you’ve had to deal with more crime than any other Thane could imagine.  Easily, you’re the best of us at this sort of thing.  So take a moment...think...you’ve got this.

 

 

Determination rose through Andaria’s tear filled gaze.  She dried her face and repeated.

 

Andaria:  I’ve got this…

 

And began to examine the room

 

 

Andaria:  I was able to track the blood trail to this room, but then the trail vanishes at the door frame.  That means, either Marius took his shoes off or jumped to somewhere…

 

Andaria rested her hand on the bed

 

Andaria: Still warm...Gross! and Wet.  Like someone was… Ergon, Sheets here are changed everyday right?  

 

Ergon:  To the best of my knowledge, I can ask a passing guard if it will help.

 

Andaria:  It won’t be needed.  I think I’ve established that someone was on this bed and had a relatively good time.  But the guard said no one came in or out of this room during the time of the attack.  

 

 

Andaria went to inspect another corner of the room.  

 

Andaria:  Hmm, no way this closet can lead to an exit.  What else do we know about this room?

 

Ergon:  It’s Sable’s Room.  Guards would often say she held interrogations in here for hours on end with Prisoners.  In fact, they say she was interrogating Marius in here during the time of his “break out”.  But that doesn’t make sense…

 

Andaria:  You’re right, how can you be massacring soldiers and being interrogated in 2 different areas at the same time.  It explains the weird footprints leading away from the scene.  

 

 

Andaria stode over to another corner of the room.  

 

Andaria:  I’ve been over this room twice and I still haven’t been able to find any exits or trace of blood from the attacker...wait...there’s a drop of blood in this corner.  How did I miss that?  

 

 

Andaria turned around and looked at the chest

 

Andaria:  I can’t believe I missed the bloodlets on the this chest too.  

 

 

Andaria:  Ergon, put that hammer of yours to good use an smash this chest.  I think we found our secret Exit.  

 

Ergon Shrugged

 

Ergon:  Yes..Ma’am…

 

 

 

 

Undisclosed Location

 

 

Marius:  This has got to be the stupidest escape plan I have ever been a part of.  There I was having the best sex of my life and then your pale ass flies in trying to decapitate her.  Then you shove me down a chest into a hidden tunnel that leads to who knows where.  Now, we’re just sitting here waiting for my sweet Riekling Princess to let us know when the coast is clear.  

 

 

Felicia:  Right now, this ass is the only thing between you and a prison cell.  I don’t know what thoughts that “princess” filled your head with, but you seemed to forget that you were a prisoner in the most heavily fortified base in Stormcloak territory.  

 

 

Marius:  The most heavily fortified base in the heart of Stormcloak territory that you decided to go on a killing spree in! If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be accomplishing my mission for Rarisa by acting as a smokescreen for her movements AND having Amazing sex.  

 

Felicia stood up and walked over to where Marius was crouched and quickly thrust her sword towards his crotch.  Marius jumped up to avoid the danger to his manhood.

 

 

 

Felicia:  There is more to this world than the pinnacle of averageness that is your penis.  I’m out here risking MY life to SAVE YOU from the Stormcloak savages that would love to wear your head as a helmet.  

 

Felicia twists her blade and drives is closer towards Marius

 

Felicia:  And now, thanks to your “actions” mid coitus, we now have a loose end.  A loose end that could very easily be running back to her Stormcloak friends and telling them where we are and how to find us.  

 

Marius:  Ok, Felicia...I get it. You’re not happy with the situation either.  

 

 

Felicia puts her blade away and Marius sinks to the floor.  

 

Marius:  You have a hard time trusting people.  I understand, but she did give me this great new Axe and promised she’d return after she’d gather some supplies.  I think she’s an ally to us in all of this.  

 

 

Felicia:  You’re too trusting Marius, It’s going to get you killed someday.

 

Suddenly there’s rustling in the cabinet acting as the doorway to the hidden passage.  Felicia tenses up as Marius smiles.

 

Marius: See? I told you she’d come back.

 

Felicia backs away slowly from view of the door.  

 

 

But rather than Sable emerging from the doorway, a furious red headed woman and a fully armored man came out of the doorway with weapons drawn.  

 

 

Andaria: Marius Drusius, We’ve come to return you to your cell.  

 

Marius drew his axe and assumed a low position.  

 

Marius:  If it isn’t that little red firecracker from Riften!  Miss me so much you just had to find me yourself?  I know I can be a hard man to get over, but I have a new lover now.  

 

 

Ergon:  Careful, Andi.  Remember it’s unlikely that he’s alone.  

 

Andaria:  Here’s how this is going to go Marius.  You give up your accomplis and I make this hurt a little, you don’t give up your accomplis and my friend here makes it hurt a lot.  And then you still give up your little friend.  Now… Where is he?   

 

 

The air stood still as Felicia sprang into action behind the two.  She silently jumped and had lined up a swing to perfectly decapitate Marius’s two would be attackers.  Shock rose on Marius’s face and seemingly supernaturally Ergon was already in motion to defend against the blow.

 

 

Forcefully, he threw Andaria out of the way of Felicia’s slash and drew his hammer to face the attacker.  Felicia’s slash did make contact with Ergon’s helmet. Popping it off his head but leaving him unharmed.  

 

 

Felicia:  Ergon the Just, Now there’s a name I hoped never to say again after I left Markarth.  Looks like going native has agreed with you.  

 

Dazed, Andaria watched as Ergon faced the would be assassin.  As she rose to her feet she, Andaria noticed Marius running towards another room.  

 

 

Diverting her path, Andaria ran after Marius.  

 

 

Andaria:  Not today, you bastard.  Not after what you did!

 

 

Ergon:  I know that crest, you’re that Dibellian acolyte that fled after her final ritual, Felicia.  

 

Felicia:  I’m so pleased that the wise, Ergon remembers me.  I have a new title now though, It’s Thane of Morthal.  

 

 

Ergon:  Listen Felicia, I don’t know what darkness hounds you, but you no longer have to bear it.  Sigrun can help you just come back to Markarth, let the teachings of Dibella heal you.  

 

 

Felicia:  The teachings of Dibella are useless.  As are Nocturnal and any other deity.  I have a new master now and they aren’t concerned with Daedra or Aedra.  I’m going to kill you and everything you hold dear Ergon, just because you’re in my way.  

 

 

Ergon lowers to hammer and darkens his gaze.  

 

Ergon:  It’s always a shame when I can’t save one as lost as you.  Let’s just hope the Divines make this quick for you.  

 

 

Andaria was able to chase down Marius into a corner.  It seems the man was already worn out.  She held her blade out in a threatening fashion and said.

 

Andaria: Just give me a reason…You’ve killed a lot of men today and I am on a short fuse.  

 

 

Marius:  Wait you think I killed those guards?  With what? This axe and my bare hands?  Get real, it was Felicia who killed those guards.  I’m innocent.  

 

 

Andaria:  Bullshit. It doesn’t matter if you didn’t do the crime here.  Those men are dead because of you and we both know, I don’t really need a reason to kill you.  Especially after Riften.  

 

 

Marius:  Well you’re right about that, I did steal the pride and joy of your worthless hold.  And then I got a free ride from their worthless thane.  What did you want to go another round?  You’d be number 2 today, but I think I can RISE to the occasion.

 

 

That was all Andaria needed to hear.  This man was beyond redemption and she had every right to end him.  She darted at him to finally set the record straight.  

 

 

Ergon stood over Felicia.  Somehow the heavily armored man was able to keep up with her movements.  

 

Ergon:  Yield.  I don’t have to kill you.  

 

 

Felicia smiled and quickly kicked Ergon in his face landing her first solid hit of the match.  

 

Felicia:  But it’s SO much more fun when the stakes are this high.  

 

 

Annoyed, Ergon lifted his hammer and swang so quickly Felicia barely had anytime to react.   

 

 

She slammed hard against a post and found herself trapped between it and Ergon.  

 

Felicia:  You really know how to back a girl into a corner huh?

 

 

Ergon lunged causing Felicia to fall to the ground.

 

Ergon:  Do you have any last words?  

 

 

Felicia:  I bet you feel like a BIG MAN, beating up on a small helpless woman like myself.  Saying things like “any last words” probably gets you hard huh?

 

Ergon:  I’ll take that as a no.

 

 

Ergon charged forward to land the final blow.  

 

 

Suddenly a shield lept out of the passage and slammed Ergon in the face.  Sable had returned.  The force of her blow knocked Ergon to the floor.  

 

 

Felicia rose to her feet.  

 

Felicia:  You certainly took your sweet time getting back to us.  I wasn’t sure how much longer I could make this big guy believe I was a helpless damsel.  Make sure he stays out.  

 

 

Sable slipped an offensive gesture.  

 

Sable:  Kawafoo

 

And got to work binding Ergon.  

 

 

Marius swung as Andaria charged.  Certain he’d hit his mark, he said

 

Marius:  That’s all?  Just one swing and your down already?  

 

 

Sliding in under his axe, Andaria smiled that her gambit paid off.  

 

Andaria: Right where I want you.  

 

 

Andaria stabbed the dagger into Marius’s foot.  

 

 

The man pitched forward and fell onto his knees as Andaria rolled away.  There were a mixture of sobs and groans of pain as he said.

 

Marius: You BITCH! I’ll KILL YOU!

 

 

Andaria retrieved the axe as Marius pulled the dagger from his foot.  He leaned back as he freed himself from the ground.  Andaria was upon him.  

 

 

Andaria:  Marius of Morthal, for the crimes against Riften and Windhelm, I sentence you to death.

 

 

Rather than the axe hitting flesh, Andaria hit metal the Assassin entered the fray.  

 

 

Felicia:  If you weren’t so high up on your justice thing, you might have actually killed this scumbag.  Shame for you, I need him alive.  

 

 

Andaria:  Don’t get in my way.  

 

 

 

 

Andaria and Felicia stared each other down.  Both women unyielding in their intent.  

 

 

Marius backed away as best he could trying to avoid the conflict.  

 

Felicia:  Listen Honey, I’ve killed so many people since I was a small girl.  You’ll just be another notch in my sword.  

 

 

Andaria:  I said...DON’T get in my way.  I’m going to kill this man.  

 

 

Felicia:  ...and I said I need him alive.  Geesh, it’s like all redheads are dense, deja vu right now.

 

Andaria:  If you’re in my way, I’ll just have to make you get out of it.  

 

 

Felicia: Let me tell you one thing Sweetie, you’re not going to move me.  Marius and I are going to leave you in a puddle of your own blood and that’s that.

 

 

Andaria: I warned you.

 

Andaria charged towards Felicia and swung the axe.  But the axe was too clumsy in Andaria’s hand and hit her target a half a second after it was supposed too.  

 

 

This was all the time Felicia needed to dodge and take advantage of the overreaching Andaria.

 

Felicia:  You’re too easy to read.  I’m going to end this quickly.

 

 

Before Felicia could strike, Andaria sprang into a front handstand kicking Felicia to the ground.  

 

 

Andaria:  Easy to read, huh?  Get up.  Let’s see how quickly you can end this.  

 

 

Felicia:  Alright Bitch.  That does it, Now you die.  

 

 

 

Black Smoke filled the room as Andaria strode towards her opponent.

 

 

Blindly fast, Felicia slide under the smoke and kick Andaria in the back pitching her forward.  

 

 

Andaria thanked the Divines as she turned around in time to deflect Felicia’s slash with her broad axe head.  

 

 

Unfortunately, Andaria didn’t have a chance to mount a counter attack as Felicia had already followed up with another kick.  This one knocked Andaria to the floor.  

 

 

Not breaking her stride, Felicia moved to deliver the death blow.  But, Felicia could feel her movements slowing...

 

 

Felicia’s movements stopped and the smoked cleared.  In the doorway, Portia stood channeling a spell.  

 

 

Portia:  You know, I can’t let you kill her right?  

 

Portia shot off her spell, pitching Felicia into a wall.  

 

 

Felicia stared at Portia

 

Felicia:  The failed headmistress of Winterhold.  Quite the title.  You’re not the first mage I’ve killed.  

 

 

Marius crawled away from Felicia as Portia changed her stance.  

 

Portia:  You’re right, I am the former headmistress of the Winterhold college.  Yet knowing that, you still taunt me?  

 

 

Portia:  You cannot even fathom the power I hold.  

 

 

A lighting rune appeared under Andaria.  Sealing her off from any dangers outside of it.  

 

 

A lightning storm erupted in the room with Portia at its’ center.  Both Andaria and Felicia just started in awe of the display.  

 

 

The storm intensified as Portia began to chant.  Lightning cracked wood, flung tables, and etched stone as her chants intensified.  

 

 

Marius:  Felicia, we have to leave NOW!

 

Out of her gauntlet, Felicia produced a soul gem.  

 

 

She dropped it as Marius was pulling her up off the floor.  

 

 

Purple smoke erupted from the ground where the gem hit.  Covering the room in a thick purple haze.  Andaria took one last look back towards Marius and Felicia, before erupting into a coughing fit that rendered her unconscious.  

 

Warmstone

 

 

Portia:  Aether Vitriol

 

 

Andaria sprung over her legs forward to cough.  Her lungs expelling the foreign substance from them.   

 

 

Portia:  I’m so glad the cleansing spell worked on you.  So, few people can handle lungs full of poison gas.  Fewer still can stand it coming back out.  

 

Andaria:  What happened?

 

 

Ergon:  We were betrayed.  The Thane in charge of interrogation ended up falling in love with her captive.  She betrayed her hold and is now on the run.  

 

 

Andaria:  Okay, but what about Marius and the Assassin?  

 

Portia:  Those two dropped the gas and found a way out amidst the confusion.  I used my magics to channel the gas away from them, but not before you breathed it in.  What I just did now was transmute the last traces of toxin in your lungs to its’ basic elements.  You’re lucky to be alive.  

 

 

Andaria:  I don’t feel lucky.  I feel like I just failed, again.  

 

Ergon sits on the bed next to Andaria

 

 

Ergon:  Andi...sorry, Andaria, Something bigger is in play here.  The Thanes of Morthal don’t openly attack holds period.  Something or Someone is directing their actions.  And it’s directly targeted towards us and our holds.  They want us scared and looking inwards.  When you’re ready, Jarl Ulfric wants a word with us.  

 

 

Andaria:  I suppose it wouldn’t be polite to keep the Jarl waiting.  But Ergon?...Just keep it as “Andi” for now.  I’m sorry I snapped at you.  

 

Ergon:  Nothing to forgive.  

 

 

 

Nightcaller Inn

 

 

Sable:  So my Love, what do you think of your new armor?  

 

 

Marius:  It’s quite nice, just trying to get used to the breast plate.  But I can’t wait to get it fitted in Solitude.  

 

Sable:  So we’re headed to Solitude?

 

 

Felicia:  Yes, we’re going to meet our queen.  She’ll know what to do next.