Tirdas, 25th of Morning Star

The raids were going well. No one has any idea that the steward and I are behind them.He says the jarl is planning an ambush on the bandits raiding the towns.The group we hired likes to scalp the villagers and the Jarl can't ignore that kind of violence. The next raid is set for a few days from now. We will flee and take what we have, the other's will be none the wiser.

Loredas, 29th of Morning Star

We fled this morning without warning the others. We'll be making our way through Cyrodill. I hope they don't suspect us of setting them up...They will all be dead by nightfall anyways, the Jarl never leaves criminals alive.

Loredas, 12th of Sun's Dawn

We've been running for two weeks now, this is the 2nd time we've moved. We're staying on the outskirts of small villages off the main path. When I went into town, people were talking about raids in villages about 200 miles north. We'll be moving again today just to be safe.

Fredas, 18th of Sun's Dawn

We've moved 4 times since fleeing Skyrim. I heard more rumors in town of raids nearby. Now they are just 50 miles away. I know I'm being paranoid, but their was talk of people being scalped.

Morndas, 21st of Sun's Dawn

We're settling down for our dinner now. I heard another rumor of raids nearby. There's no way it could be the same group of raiders. We're leaving tomorrow morning to keep heading south, no matter who is behind the attacks.

The smell of cheese fills the summer air as the two Altmer men ride down a rough dirt road. The older Altmer with silvery long hair called to the younger, blonde haired, Elf. “Falcar, Keep up! There are many miles of dangerous terrain before we make it to the hunting camp.” Falcar nodded, giving moonsugar a slight kick, and then the horse was off to a trot. As Falcar caught up, Hindril asked him “Do you ever think I’ll complete my collection?” Falcar looked at the old man reluctant to answer. “No.” Falcar said “Every time you find a new book there’s another that you must have.” He said amusingly “You won’t stop till you have the Oghma Infinium.” Both elves belt out a roar of laughter. Hindril looking back gave a slight smile and said “I won’t be able to do this forever. Though our adventures have been exciting, I fear I am growing too old. I almost had us killed in black marsh and for what a damn Argonian healing tome.” Hindril shouted angrily “No book is worth your life, no matter how rare it is. Promise me Falcar you won’t travel alone once I grow to weary. The lands are fierce and the bandits who live in the hills are worse.” Falcar nodded in agreement though his plans were to do exactly that. Falcar loved books as much as Hindril did. He wasn't about to give up his life of adventure to rot away in some damp library.
It was nearly dark before they found the small camp. The elves climbed off their horses and began unloading their provisions onto the wooden table and throwing their bag by a barrel and crate. With a slice of cheese in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other Hindril bellowed “Let the feast begin!” As the two High Elves devoured slice after slice of the pungent cheese Falcar exclaimed “Remember the look on those Nord’s faces when we tricked them into giving us their Road to Sovngarde book.” Falcar carefully placed the Nordic afterlife book on top of the other three books they acquired in their journey. “I’d give away all this cheese if I could see their faces again.” Hindril said in a droll tone. Glancing over his shoulder Falcar noticed shadows moving through the flames of their camp fire. He said to Hindril “Hurry up and eat that cheese. I can see skeevers moving in.” Before He could reply a cloud of arrows enveloped the area where Hindril’s chair sat. One of the arrows pierced the side of his skull and he was dead before Falcar knew what was happening. He lunged back in his chair as more arrows came buzzing his way. Falcar lies flat on the ground, cheese in hand, when he hears a voice grunt “Milk drinkers.” It was the Nords and there was nothing Falcar could do but watch as the arrows plummeted towards him.

A tale told by many Khajiit on Knenarthi's Roost, a tale about two very unfortunate men.

Two traveling miners that would go from cave to cave just to get ore as needed to supply for their families, had stopped at a moon-sugar farm on Knenarthi's Roost to resupply on food, water, and some good rest before heading to a mine they have never reached before. The mine was mentioned to them by an old friend. The farm they had stopped at was owned by a friend of theirs they have known for ages, Mahd-Kla. While they visited with Mahd-Kla for hours before heading to the beds he had lent them, they noticed Mahd-Kla had seem troubled. They figured they would have to return back this way after thier current job, and would discuss Mahd-Kla's problems with him and do what they could to help.

After parting with Mahd-Kla, leaving his plantation with full bags of moon-sugar glazed cheese cuts, they headed straight for the cave. After 2 days of peaceful travel they reached the cave, set up camp on the inside and began to mine. Long hours pasted and much ore had been gathered, they decided to sit down for some tasty cheese cuts. Right after receiving a mouthful of cheese a warning arrow had pierced the end of their table. Four men in half-faced masks ran up to them. While pulling back arrows with their bows and screaming at the miners, the masked men asked them where the skooma was. The miners had no idea what the men were talking about. Not long after denying everything the miners had been shot point blank several times by the masked men.

The masked men went through the miners bags and had found the skooma they were looking for. The masked men had done this many times in many different locations. They had picked off travelers who had come from Mahd-Kla's plantation from Knenarthi's Roost. Seems stange and seems to have no reason behind it, but Mahd-Kla was a great skooma smuggler, who knew how to get his product out to a drop point undetected.

Moral of the story kids, TRUST NO ONE.
You maybe Mahd-Kla's next victim.

The Hist Sap Journal

I’ll admit that it wasn’t the lifeless corpses or dilapidated furnishings slowly decaying in relentless exposure to the elements that drew me to the scene. This was all too common to desensitized adventures such as myself who found themselves caught in the midst of three factions fighting for control over Tamriel. It was the rather emphatic lack of “muchness” that captivated me … that stirred long forgotten feelings of empathy for the couple. In hindsight, I might have called it “intrigue” more than anything.

For a moment, I allowed myself to take it all in … the hardened food, the abandoned campfire, the busted crates no doubt prey to looters. I even took time to count all 18 arrows, as if each one begged the same question, “Why so many arrows? What threat could these two possibly impose that would require such a maniacal frenzy?” My breathing slowed and I could feel my heartbeat reverberate in my eardrums. It was then I noticed for the first time that the candles were lit. Someone had recently been here.

For a moment, I damned myself for foolishly walking into a trap as if the whole scene was nothing more than a façade, fabricated for my demise. My muscles went rigid, locked in fear and I waited. One minute became 5 … then 10 … then an hour. Nothing happened.

As I ramped down from the state of hyper-awareness, my eyes picked up the corner of a book hidden in the cleft of the rock face. The mages guild is always looking for new journals … my curiosity peaked. I gingerly pulled it out, so as to not scratch the cover, and brought it over to the table. It was written by the *** who killed them.

Pages alternated between meaningless chicken scratch and ongoing lamentations, pleading for forgiveness. The author’s tears stained most of the pages, while a sticky brown substance stained the edges and left contour of their hand outlined the back cover. It was this particular entry that left me feeling sorry for calling him a ***:

Honestly, it was the Hist Sap that brought about such brutality. I felt such freedom, strength, and rage like I could take on a horde of goblins. Much to my surprise, that’s exactly what I did. As if they heard my inner dialogue and sought to challenge me, they appeared around every corner, down every alley, all the way up to the edge of the village. Remembering you were headed here, I ran as fast as I could, begging them to tell me where you were and when they lied, I filled them arrow after arrow.

And when the hallucination subsided, I realized much too late there were no goblins. I’m sorry.

I wiped the tear from my cheek, closed the book, and silently thanked the author for restoring a modicum of humanity within me. I put the journal back and continued on my journey.

A young Argonian peasant named Stinky-Cheese was quietly walking besides his guar carrying bags of cheese. All his life, he wanted to be like the Jorunn the Skald-King, the fearless hero and the king of Ebonheart Pact, but due to his small stature and poor parents who were cheese makers, he couldn't even dare to sign up for training as a guard.

Stinky-Cheese : Dad! someday, I wanna become a guard and defend the city and to serve the Skald-King!

Dad : That's great, but who's going to take over our cheese business if you become a guard? You know, the guards looks fancy with their weapons and armors, but you know who's also important? us! the cheese makers! without us, the guards won't have any good stuff to eat, so you could say without us, there won't be any strong guards to defend the citizens.

Stinky-Cheese : But daaaaaad...

Dad : Alright Stinky, do you see that huge ax stuck to a tree? People say that's been left by the Skald-King himself, when you are strong enough to pull it out of the tree, then I'll let you sign up for the guard training class, I promise.

Stinky-Cheese tried everyday for over 10 years, and yet he never succeeded to do so, and eventually he gave up.

It's been couple days since Stinky-Cheese was on his way to Windhelm from Mournhold to deliver cheese. On his way to Windhelm, he saw many great adventurers fighting evil and even saved by couple of them as well, and he thought to himself "Only if I had the strength..."

He was almost near Windhelm, but he was getting tired and he could even see guard were walking slow, so he decided to look for a spot to camp out and give food and water to guars and let them rest as well. He was looking for a safe spot from monsters, then he saw some light near by and heard loud laughter. Stinky-Cheese commanded the guard to stay, and he approached where the laughter was coming from. Then he saw two nord guards drinking meads and talking amongst themselves. He tried to be quiet but he tripped and fell, and the nords noticed Stinky-Cheese.

Nord Guard 1 : Who goes there? show yourself!

Stinky-Cheese : I'm just Argonian passing by with cheese, please don't kill me!

Nord Guard 1 : Cheese you say? well then, how about share some of your cheese and join us for bit of mead drinking?

Stinky-Cheese : Well sir, I'm delivering these to Windhelm...

Nord Guard 2 : How about if we pay for some of those wonderful smelling cheese? We got plenty of gold! but we will gladly share mead with you.

Stinky-Cheese : In that case, I guess I could take out some.

Nord Guard 2 : As you can see I'm blind, my vision might be gone, but my sense of smell has been heightened, so I can tell if the food is good or not just by smelling'em.

Stinky-Cheese took some cheese out and gave them to the guards, and the guards poured some mead for him.

Stinky-Cheese : So how long have you guys been guards?

Nord Guard 2 : Hmmm... It's been so long I can't remember, do you?

Nord Guard 1 : Heck if I know, I'm just guarding this spot with this blind ***, who I don't even see any use for since him being blind and all, and drinking mead at night as our well earned reward. Although I guess I should ease up on drinking, I think i'm getting permanent hangover, this headache won't go away, BUT... I could fight it by drinking even more!

Nord Guard 2 : Headache? I've got sore crotch for last co....

Nord Guard 1 : For the last time! I do NOT wanna hear your complaining about your sore crotch!

*awkward silence*

Stinky-Cheese : So... you guys seen many action while guarding here?

Nord Guard 2 : I'm blind, I haven't "seen" anything in a while, har har!

Nord Guard 1 : Shut your trap. Here, stuff your mouth with more cheese. Anyways, many years ago, we were ambushed by Aldmeri Dominion scums. Those crafty wood elves and their arrows. We fought and chased them away, and it's been quiet ever since.

Nord Guard 2 : That's the night I lost my sight and my crot...

Nord Guard 1 : Again with the crotch!

Stinky-Cheese : Boy, I wish I could be like you guys, Ebonheart Pact's hero.

Nord Guard 2 : Well, what's stopping you?

Stinky-Cheese : As you can see, I'm very tiny... even my parents thought I'd fit as a cheese maker than a guard.

Stinky-Cheese told the guards about his childhood story.

Nord Guard 2 : Well lad, strength isn't the only factor to become a guard or a hero, one needs to be also agile and intelligent. Thorvald over there and I are all about strength, so we can swing an ax or a sword, but we lack agility and stealth. Your small stature may help you become a great nightblade.

Stinky-Cheese : A nightblade?

Nord Guard 2: Yes, a nightblade. an assassin or the unseen enemy if you will. Here, here's a pair of daggers you can have which belonged to my older brother, may he rest in peace.

Stinky-Cheese : How did he die? in a battlefield?

Nord Guard 2 : Liver failure, too much mead and wine.

Stinky-Cheese : Oh...

Nord Guard 2 : If you get to Windhelm, look for Jesper the leather worker. He used to be an adventurer, but he took an arrow to the knee and had to quit. He can craft you decent gears and even teach you all about becoming a nightblade. Tell him Rasmus sent you,he owes me couple favors.

Stinky-Cheese : Thank you so very much, here's more cheese as thanks, no gold needed, these are all free!

Nord Guard 1 : More cheese? you know what that means! more mead!

All 3 drank and enjoyed the cheese, but Stinky Cheese being a lightweight drinker, he passed out before the guards. Next morning he woke up because he accidentally poked himself with a dagger, then he saw a horrifying sight. The place where the nord guards were sitting, there were only skeletons.

So who was he talking to last night? and who really gave him the daggers?

*cue the dramatic music*




**i meant to type a very short story, end up being a novel. Insomnia is a ***! anyways, if you stuck with reading the story, sorry for horrible grammar!

Too late he had understood why that to hunt out in the near wilds and to return required two men. Too late he had realised why desire was the most destructive force on all the planes of Tamriel.
Jälda was beautiful, with auburn hair, golden-hued eyes and cheekbones which suggested more than just Nord in her ancestry. She stepped lightly, she sang with silvered words, and she was going to marry Hall.
Hall was a good man, granted. He could wield an axe in peace or war, but he had dark eyes and held the axe in his left hand: either was bad enough, but both together, well. So Thorolf had made his plans.
The seasons were turning towards winter. It was the time for some last hunting, before the winds swept down from the Ghost Sea and screamed their way past Windhelm.
Thorolf had gone to his friend Hall, and talked about the village’s supplies of salt meat. There was not enough, he had said, for a long winter. So he suggested a last hunt. They could make the high cave bothy in one day, hunt down some elk, then drag them home behind the pony. It would give them standing in the village and Jälda would be even more impressed.
Hall had laughed and said that he did not need to impress Jälda, that she would have taken him barefoot. Thorolf had shrugged, keeping his bittered silence.
They had made good time, reaching the bothy well before nightfall, discussing who would take first watch, but had come across a bear foraging around the place. Hall always kept his bow well-strung, and had loosed an arrow that took it down and near killed it. Another rammed through its eye socket ended its life.
They lit a fire, ate and celebrated with mead, and as Hall sat outside the bothy, watching the stars grow hazy in his sight, Thorolf crept behind him, took one of his arrows and drove it into Hall’s temple. He gave one terrible sigh and died, still sat in the chair.
‘Tomorrow will be a hard day for us, Hall. We’ll fight that bear. Some way north from here. And I’ll be bad hurt by its claws, but you’ll die protecting me. I’ll even drag you home. So you’ll be the hero, but I’ll get Jälda for myself.’
Too late. The bandits came at night, with Hall cold and dead in the chair and Thorolf, over warm with mead, and no lookout. Arrow volleys hammered into the dead man, concealing the murder weapon. Volleys hammered into Thorolf, knocking him on to the ground and he died, agonised, as the bandits robbed him of almost everything he had. The snow came the next morning.
The winter was fast hard, but the village survived. In the Spring a traveller found the remains, still as they had died, one sprawled in agony, the other sitting. He took the news with him and Jälda mourned her love.

From the “Grave” of Roronikis Willimond

As you can see, my life has been taken, and not by choice. In fact, I thought my life was just beginning. The bones you see here are of my beautiful Ame, and of my own. We never thought we were to be hunted down and killed on what was to be our wedding night.

I was passing through Sentinel when the undead started attacking the docks, and I decided to help defend the city. After the problem was resolved, I was taken to be honored by King Fahara’jad. It was then that I saw the most beautiful Redguard woman. It was love at first sight for this Orc, but she was betrothed to another man. That did not matter to me. I had to know the love of this woman. It didn’t take much to win the heart of Ame Waters, for she was bound for a loveless marriage. We dreamed for a life together, and Ame and I planned to run away.

I found a secluded spot in Bangkorai, I was sure her betrothed could not find. An old table and chairs had washed up by a past flood. I used it to set up a nice campsite for my bride. On my way to get Ame, I ran into a mad man by the river. He called himself a doctor. The man asked why I had such a happy smile on my face. I said “This is the day I fetch my bride”. The man asked what our plans were for our wedding night. I told him we had no money for plans, but finally being together would be enough. The man laughed and said, “What kind of doctor would I be, if I didn’t help a happy soul as yourself?” He handed me a strange tool, and said it was worth a lot of money in trade. I took this tool, and went to town and traded it for the best fruits, cheeses, and wine a man could buy. I wondered what kind of tool that was, to be worth so much. I packed the food in my bags, and went on to meet Ame.

I met Ame by the wayshrine in Sentinel, and we traveled on to camp. She was so surprised by the feast I had packed. She kissed me, and then we sat down to our meal. I looked at my beautiful Ame smiling back at me. I was so happy. The next thing I knew, I had an arrow in my head and I was dead. Ame’s betrothed had found us. That wasn’t the worst of it. In a jealous rage, he started yelling and shooting his bow at her, the last arrow striking my love in the head. My soul watched as she died because of our love. The man spat in my lifeless face and left a note to shame my corpse.

So here we are now, Ame and Roronikis, together forever in death.

Morndas, 28th of Rain’s Hand
I saw two strangers outside my cave this morning. I wonder who they are. They seem unaware of the dangers around here.


Fredas, 2nd of Second Seed
The strangers are back. And they brought supplies. It seems they are interested in my cave. But they haven’t dared to enter it quite yet. My growls and scuffing keeps them away for now. I heard them speak about the treasure. But they are oblivious of the danger they’re in. They can’t be from around here.


Loredag, 3rd of Second Seed
They have set up camp! How dare they?! Look at them! Stuffing themselves with cheese and fruits and niceties I no longer can taste… I heard them speak of entering my cave this evening. They must be stopped. But how?


Morndas, 5th of Second Seed
They are still keeping their distance. My growls are still frightening enough. But I can’t keep this up. If they just hear sounds and see nothing they will find the confidence one day…


Middas, 7th of Second Seed
One of them entered! He said to the other one that he wasn’t afraid of some sounds. I have to act before my nature overwhelms me. They cannot find the treasure. How can they not know about the curse? Didn’t they speak with any locals? Haven’t they heard my story? I want to kill them! I want to make them suffer!!
NO!!! I have to tell them! By the gods I have to tell them… But how?


Turdas, 8th of Second Seed
I put out their fire with an arrow soaked in a frost-potion. I broke their equipment. I put some arrows in their food. I scattered some arrows around their camp so they know they're not safe.

Turdas, 8th of Second Seed - evening
They didn’t run away. They was just angry, blaming it on some bandits. But I am no bandit. I just want them to be safe! They have to go. I can’t let them find the treasure! WHAT?! They are carrying it outside! NOOOOOO, not again! STO


Fredas, 9th of Second Seed
*hulk* I am forever cursed… When I woke I had put an arrow in the head of one of them. The other one I shot twice. The treasure is back where it has to be. And I am again stuck here. Alone…

Why did I try to find this treasure so many years ago? And why can’t the curse just let my mind slip and let me be a mindless guardian? Why do I have to endure the suffering of killing again and again? I once used to feed birds from my crops. They were so beautiful when they swirled around me in anticipation. Why did I have to leave everything to find this treasure. I was happy! I still feed birds, but the food and the birds have changed… My only relief is that their newly plucked corpses and oddly fresh fruit might keep others away.

Necromancer Journal

Alstelor:
I played with those bodies for an hour already. Animating dead makes so much fun.
I even set up a scene so they have a short lunch like we did together Alyssa.
Illusionary food, some furniture that I found near my camp in ancient race ruins. I think they were named Nai-mar.
Wait, something is wrong...
Someone is coming this way I need to hide.

Traveler Journal

Gvern:
Hey Craig ! Look!
Bloody dead corpses are having a feast, it's a cursed place!
Lets hide in here and shoot them, I don't want to risk that this dead man will attack us later.
Craig:
Now ! Shoot, as fast as you can!
Gvern:
Look we missed one, he's getting up, shoot more arrows !
....

Necromancer Journal cont'd

Alstelor:
I knew that it will happen from the moment the strangers came this way.
So much work, energy potions lost and now everything is destroyed.
I will deal with them ... Still I know some of the Sun magic.

Necromancer shouted from his shelter and draw sun fire rune lines in the air.
Rune lines stayed in the air and blazed with light in front of him.
His body stretched enormously like he didn't have bones, lifted in the air by unseen force.
You could only sense electrified air stunned for a moment like in a seconds before big explosion
and suddenly the magic wave of sun rays spread from him like a storm drying out the dead man corpses and hitting hidden travellers with incredible force.
So powerful and yet so delicate as it just lighted the candles on the table.
That moment he thought:
That's what I forget about! Lighting the candles....

Забытая дорога
Человек, идущий по забытой богами дороги Тамриэля и видимо уже не один день, подумал о том, что неплохо бы устроить ночлег в ближайшее время: надвигалась непогода, которая гарантировала промокнуть насквозь. Путник увидел тропинку, убегающую от основной дороги в расщелину между скал. Неплохо -, подумал он и отправился по извилистой тропинке. Протиснувшись в узкий проём, увидел поляну, наполненную деревьями и прочей растительностью. Справа над поляной свисала скала, словно крыша, а под ней лежал здоровенный камень. Здесь и устрою свой ночлег -, подумал путник и когда зашёл за камень, то увидел двух бедолаг, которых убили очень давно, но он не смутился, потому что многое повидал будучи во служении у короля Сиродиила, что и послужило отречением от службы и скитанием по миру. Под звуки дождя и треск дров в костре быстро уснул, но сон приснился непростой6 сидит за столом в этом самом убежище, а другой человек, рядом стоящий рассказывает ему что-то про деньги, кражу и что они в опасности и тут нашему путнику прилетает стрела в висок и остальное уже наблюдает со стороны. Его собеседника схватили и казнили, выстрелив в глаза и в область паха, при этом говоря – поделом вам разбойники! Утром путник похоронил их, что бы успокоить души умерших и ушёл прочь.

Morndas, 7th of Evening Star

After countless retched courtings with the so called woman, she has finally agreed to meet me in seclusion. What a farce! That I could love that creature of assassination and beguile.

Morndas, 14th of Evening Star

She is so cunning, so wily; my crew of arrow snipers wait ready. In the event she is less than cordial, they shall fire upon her. After all, it is my job to bring her to ruin, not to have that daedra loving creature bring it on to me!

Marauder’s Journal Entry #1
This one thinks he is being punished… the captain has always had it in for J’zhar. This one has been tasked with guarding the entrance to the new hideout while the others dance and cheer. A lot of treasure was taken from the last job but J’zhar almost lost an eye while trying to board that ship! At least this one has a friend with him although J’zhar does not understand this game of cards.

Marauder’s Journal Entry #2
J’zhar finds it relaxing here under the shade of the mountain, the sound of the sea as it comes to shore. After being on the sea for so long, this one is starting to miss his home in Elsweyr. Hopefully J’zhar’s family understands why he had to leave. One must leave home, even into danger, to further his understanding of the world. One day this one’s family will see things as J’zhar does. For now, there is much travel ahead. J’zhar has many new skills since being with the Half Moon Marauders, skills that this one could use elsewhere. J’zhar hears of a guild in Riften, but that is a long travel from this one’s current location.

I wonder when this one will receive his share of the treasure…

Marauder’s Journal Entry #3
J’zhar has noticed the Captain leaving the hideout late at night. J’zhar wonders where he goes so late at night… No one else has noticed but this one notices everything. J’zhar is sure he is up to no good. He still hasn’t paid this one from the plunder he did, perhaps J’zhar should speak with him…

J’zhar is sick of losing this game! This one thinks his friend cheats… J’zhar would much prefer some moon sugar amongst his kin.

Marauder’s Journal Last Entry
This one followed the Captain last night. J’zhar saw him carrying large sacks away from the hideout. J’zhar saw the Captain take the sacks to a secret place in another cave north-east of here. J’zhar thinks the Captain is moving the treasure we collected from the last plunder. Why is the Captain doing this? This one took note as to the location of the secret place, one must walk north to the rock’s finger then east through the woodland opening. J’zhar will wait a while longer before going to where the Captain put the treasure. Hopefully the Captain will take more treasure to the secret place then there will be more treasure for J’zhar to take. This one was clever as to not let the Captain see him. J’zhar’s skill in stealth is far better that he thought.

This one heard rumour of imperials patrolling close to the area. J’zhar hopes they do not come too close and spoil this one’s plans.

There are no more entries.

"Probably going to receive a lot of criticism regarding the khajiit's style of 1st/3rd person. Haters gonna hate..." - LowLifer

”So, what happens when a Bosmer, Orc and Breton go into the woods?”, Nanwen giggled. Shel snatched the pipe from her hands and growled: ”The Orc and Breton slaughter the Woof Elf who keeps all the skooma for herself.”
”Hmph”, Nanwen muttered. ”You ruined the whole joke.”
Vincent was already dozing off, humming to himself.
Without a further word, they watched the clouds in silent euphoria.

Nanwen took a glimpse at the fire, and saw it was going out. They might need it yet.
”I'll go look for some wood”, she murmured in her thoughts and started towards the forest. The forest was full of trees, but there seemed to be no dead branches on the ground. She walked deeper.
”Branches!”, she called out, in hopes some would answer. ”Branches?”
She sighed. ”Damned branches.”
Suddenly, she saw a grey-haired man standing some feet away from her, with a basket in his hands.
”Hello?”, she yelled and tried to focus her gaze. The man waved at her cheerfully, like an old friend.
”Hey there!”, he called, and approached in agile, jumping steps. ”I brought you the snacks!”
”What?”, Nanwen asked, frowning. ”Who in Oblivion are you?”
The man shook his head with disappointed expression. ”What are you blabbering about, darling? Don't you recognise your favourite uncle? Come give us a big hug!”
She took a long look.
Well, of course! That made perfect sense. She ran to hug her dear uncle, and invited him to join their little get-together.
When they made it back to camp, Vincent was almost unconscious but Shel was suspicious.
”What's the old man doing here?”
Nanwen announced him with glee: ”Well, this in my favourite Uncle, silly! Say hello to my uncle, comrades.”
”Hello, uncle”, mumbled Vincent with his eyes closed, nearly asleep. They all settled around the fire, and the Uncle started telling glorious tales that lifted even Shel's mood.

”I have a wonderful idea!” the Uncle announced suddenly. ”Dear Nanwen here is a great archer. Let's put stuff on your heads!”
”What a great idea!” Nanwen cheered. She was immediately getting her bow out. ”Shel, you'll go first!”
Shel rolled her eyes and accepted an apple from Uncle's basket. She put it on her head, and Nanwen readied a position.
”I bet you can shoot the head without even touching the apple!” the Uncle announced.
Shel reflected for a second. Even under the skooma, something seeemed wrong here.
”Wait... what!?”, she managed to scream, but Nanwen's arrow was already flying.

It was too late.

”I did it, uncle!”, she cried out with childlike joy. ”Now Vincent!”
She put a wedge of cheese on dozing Vincent's head, and performed for her dear Uncle again. He clapped his hands and came to put his hand on Nanwen's shoulder.
”I'm so proud of you, dear girl. Let me take you home and we'll have a proper feast!”
”A feast!”, Nanwen rejoiced. ”What's on the menu?”
”Cheese”, the Uncle answered and patted her head. ”Cheese for everyone!”

The men cheered with joy after their successful raid, spoiling themselves with cheese and wine. With dawn approaching, and one bottle of poison left between these 18 raiders, they bickered whom shall recieve it. One lad sat as the others fought and yelled, stood up and announced,"I know who will get the last bottle." He handed eighteen bows and eighteen arrows to each man. "Stand firm, last man to move gets the bottle", He exclaimed. Pulling the arrow back and aiming straight up, he looked at the men. Each followed and aim up, looking at each other with doubt and courage alike. "Loose!" The lad yelled, letting the arrow fly. As each man let loose their arrows, some dispersed and some stood still. Eventually just the lad, the groups leader, and another soul stood firm. The lad picked up some cheese, looked at the leader sitting in his chair, and in a piercing tongue yelled out,"Boethiah claims you!" Just as the arrows rain back down, the lad vanishes like dust.

In other news, Cram got us into another great mess of sorts. Well, an opportunistic mess you might say, I doubt the guards would care so much for what we found! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, I know already! You're asking, oh Brynyolf, what could you have possibly found? Is it true love? An ancient sword? A mound of gold? Rubbish. A piece of garbage honestly, and I can't see why they would want such a piece of a guar's droppings if they could even smell it! Whoosh! Like Breton cheese!

But you shouldn't listen to what I think it is, not when those crazed psychopaths want it so badly, it's obviously worth something! They were even scared of me! Hah! Imagine that? A bunch of old robed men scared of a numbskull and a wanderer! Though now that I think of it, perhaps I should return it to them. After all, I don't want some magic ball blowing up in my knapsack now do I? Besides, I've been seeing lights in the woods of late, and muffled voices near our camp. It's probably just the weather, it always is. Cram even thought he saw a tiger! Nearly scared my beard off! Stupid kid! I just about had it with him, always trying to frighten me, then playing dumb like he never meant it! Oh, why did I ever pick him up from Tear? I shouldn't have taken pity on him! Damn it! Emotions! Emotions! Emotions! Did I tell you the time I almost got killed by his stupidity! Here we are outside of a giant's camp, and I tell him to find a space where we can gather our old hunting traps and sneak by. And so he goes up to the giant and asks him if he can be sent up to space to go hunting! Dumb kid! I still have bruises from that day!

I give up! Soon as we get to Wayrest I'll dump him right where I found him, the back of an inn telling old wives tales. Good riddance!

Now that I think of it, where is that kid? He should've been back an hour ago. Well there you have it! Always getting lost and needing my help! Shows you how dependable he is to gather dry sticks on the ground! Great, now the fires burning low and I'll have to eat my meal cold. Bah! Curse the divines! I bet those crazy old men got hold of him. Good riddance!

Wait a minute, where's the orb? I knew I left it on me! STUPID KID! I bet he went to play with it in the forest! Look, muddy tracks from my sack to the wood! He even took our weapons! How many times have I told him he's not a hunter! He thinks he can just go and –

Wait a minute. He's right here. Then where did …