When Alanya got up the next day, she did not feel up to going out and looking for tombs; her sleep had been fretful, punctuated by dreams of her ordeal in Hassour and her fight with Dagoth Fovon. When she finally did wake up, she heard herself moaning "Gally ..." and instincitvely reaching to her side for someone to hold her close ...
... but she was in her own cave, not back in Balmora, and as wakefulness fully overtook Alanya, she slumped, disappointed.
" ... Hang it; today I'm taking for myself," Alanya decided as she broke her fast. "I'll go to the Mage Guild and talk Galbedir into taking off with me for the day - a picnic lunch someplace nice, with a beach ..." Despite her intentions though, she packed the ash statues and amulet she had recovered the previous day to take with her; the Guild might be able to tell her more about the latent magic she could almost feel in the statues and the strange, seemingly self-destructive powers of the amulet. Caius would want to know that sort of thing, she was sure - and more to the point, she wanted to know it too.
Her things ready, Alanya concentrated, casting the Intervention spell after a few tries; Have to practice that spell more later, she thought to herself once the tinging sensation of teleportation wore off. Briskly, she set off, walking towards the Mage Guild; it was still early in the morning and the streets were mostly empty, which suited Alanya just fine; she wasn't in the mood for company other than Galbedir right now anyway.
So intent was she on getting to Galbedir, in fact, that it didn't occur to Alanya until the moment she stood at the door to the top floor of the Mage Guild that she had teleported right in front of a Dunmer Temple - a group who probably had a fair knowledge of the Sixth House, what with Dagoth Ur being their devil and all. Blushing at her absent-mindedness, Alanya said " ... Oh well; I'm here now ..." and opened the door, expecting to see Galbedir fussing with her trinkets ...
"MY REPORTS! MY REPORTS!!!" meowed the hysterical Ajira, nearly colliding with Alanya as the poor Breton came through the door. "What have you done with Ajira's reports you lousy Bosmer!?!?"
"Mer?" Alanya eeped, stumbling backward as she tried to avoid being overrun by a flying streak of fur. "Wha?"
"Serves you right for using the new guy to sabotage my experiment!" Galbedir laughed from downstairs, grinning broadly. "Speaking of whom ... Mister Decius, you'll understand when I say that the amulet of Divine Intervention you just requisitioned will take a couple of weeks and ten thousand drakes more than I initially thought, hmm?"
"Leave him alone; he needs to find Ajira's reports!" the Khaijiit wailed. "Ajira never become Journeyman without them!"
"Um, excuse me ..." Alanya said, trying to get in a word edgewise.
"Ladies, ladies, please - such strife ill suits either of you," came a smooth, calm voice from downstairs. "I'm sure we can work out an arrangement to everyone's mutual satisfaction ..."
"Would you all keep it down!" Sharn yelled from the basement, "Some of us are trying to work here!"
"Oh stow it Grumpytusks," Galbedir chuckled. "Go back to playing with bones and skulls."
"For the last time, I AM NOT A NECROMANCER!!!!!" swore the Orc woman, her voice fairly shaking the rafters.
"Hello!" Alanya yelled, stamping her foot. "Would someone please stop yelling and screaming and tell me what the hell's going on!?"
Dead silence fell over the Guild as everyone nearby looked at Alanya ...
------
"A pleasure to meet you; I am Decius Pracius, Apprentice of the Fighter's and Mage's Guild and Spearman of the Imperial Legion," said the smooth-talking, brown-haired Battle Mage Alanya had only heard earlier. "So, you're the Alanya that people are talking about - the one who took out the Camonna Tong down at the Council Club? Dreadful business, that; I'm pleased to see you got through it safely ..."
"Ahh; thanks," Alanya replied, trying not to be impolite, as she, Galbedir, Ajira, and Decius all headed downstairs to discuss the news Alanya hinted at upstairs. "Guess people are still talking about that, huh ..."
"Told you they would," Galbedir smirked, squeezing Alanya's hand playfully and adding "Even Ajira could have told you that."
Ajira hissed; Galbedir stuck out her tongue.
"Enough, you two," Ranis Athrys grumbled, following close behind. "It was bad enough having Flame Atronachs running through the halls; either cool things down between you or I'll kick you both out of the Guild ..."
"I'm certain we needn't resort to such drastic measures, m'llady," Decius said soothingly. "Just let me talk to the two of them ..."
"What is all this?" Sharn grumbled as everyone came into the basement. "Miss Alanya, hello; have you completed my errand yet ..."
"Not yet, I'm afraid," Alanya said quickly, tossing warning glances at anyone about to comment on Sharn's liking of old skulls. "I got a little sidetracked ..."
"Harumph; what could sidetrack you on such a short trip?" Sharn demanded, getting slightly huffy. "It's not like I asked you to go find the tombs near Tel Branora, after all ..."
"Hey, give her a break," Galbedir retorted. "Alanya's good people ..."
"She's good to you at least," Sharn shot back. "I'm still waiting for her to make good on my needs ..."
"Like she'd go for an Orc ..." Galbedir shot back.
Sharn growled. "I don't see what she sees in you ..."
"ENOUGH!" Alanya yelled, her head pounding. "Please! I just nearly got killed and am not in the mood for all this!"
That, at least, got everyone's attention for a moment ...
" ... I came by today because I came across a Sixth House base yesterday," Alanya explained wearily, "and found some strange magical artifacts inside; I thought maybe the Guild could make heads or tails of them; I'm not an expert in these sorts of things."
" ... Did you say the Sixth House?" Ranis asked quietly.
Alanya nodded, pulling out the ash statues and the amulet. "Yes; the base is defunct now but there's probably others ..."
"Wait," Sharn said, interrupting Alanya. "What do you mean, defunct? Are you saying ..."
"Yes," Alanya answered quietly. .
Ranis blinked and said " ... Alone? You took out a Sixth House base ... alone?"
Alanya nodded again, looking as weary as she felt. "Like I said, I almost died ..."
In an instant, the squabbling members of the Mage Guild moved as one to take the artifacts Alanya recovered, Ranis deftly ordering that the statues be divied up and sent to the other branch Guilds in Morrowind, assigning Decius the Apprentice the task of taking the amulet straight to the Archmage himself. Ranis then demanded - in a more kindly tone - that Alanya recount every detail of her experiences, telling everyone else present to write down Alanya's report, each copy to be sent with the ash statues.
Alanya obliged Ranis, telling of her discovery of the cave of Hassour between Balmora and Pelagiad, her confrontations with the Ash Slaves and the Dreamers, the conversation she and Dagoth Fovon had ... even the creepy people who had accosted her earlier, before she had left to start Sharn's quest.
"Someone must find those people and check on them immediately," Ranis ordered. "The Temple must be made aware of this too; they're better equipped to help the victims recover from their trauma."
"I say, you're quite the hero Miss Alanya," Decius said with admiration mixed with a hint of envy. "I see I have quite the competiton for making a name for myself here in VVardenfell."
Gelbedir simply hugged Alanya, whispering to her "Thank the gods you came back to us ..."
Sharn looked embarrassed - well, she looked angry, which for an Orc was much the same look. " ... Please accept my apologies for my earlier outburst, friend Alanya. You have done a great thing, one none of us could have asked for ..."
Alanya nodded to Sharn, saying "It's all right; I promise you I'll get your skull soon. I just ... need a day to get over yesterday ..."
Sharn smiled. "I have every confidence in you," she said, her smile's warmth showing past the tusks.
Alanya smiled back; the general elation in the room was beginning to affect her too. "Thanks. Though ..." she added, turning to Ranis, "I was wondering ... could I borrow Galbedir for today, please?"
Ranis frowned, but relented after a moment. "We can cover for Galbedir for today; I don't have a problem with that ..."
"Thank you," Alanya said gratefully, feeling very much relieved.
------
Alanya sighed happily, basking in the warm afternoon sun; Lake Amaya was a perfect spot to relax after a hard day's adventuring and, with the help of a skilled enchantress's little toys, barely an hour outside of Balmora as the Cliff Racer flies. The weather was perfect, the water was invigorating, the wildlife was receptive to a Bosmer asking them to 'give us some privacy' - and best of all, there was no one else around on the spot Galbedir had chosen for their little getaway.
Alanya sighed again, feeling a slight breeze tickle her glistening skin; her armor and clothes had been set aside to avoid getting wet while the couple went swimming. Alanya would have pointed out that chitin armor was actually fairly waterproof, but Galbedir would simply have pointed out that her own robes weren't and that the armor was just dead weight anyway for a fun swim.
Besides, Galbedir had smiled naughtily, who was going to complain? No one else was around ...
Turning on her side, Alanya looked over at Galbedir, lying next to her in a similar state of dress. "Gally dear, this is the best day I've had in Morrowind yet," she purred, running her hands through Galbedir's hair.
"I feel much the same," Galbeidr purred back, mirroring Alanya's gesture. "Hmm, have I told you yet how lovely you look when you let your hair down?"
"About three times so far," Alanya chuckled. "Almost as many times as I've said the same to you."
"Heh; maybe I should wear it down while working," Galbedir smiled. "I caught that new kid tossing looks my way when he thought no one was looking; he'd like me with my hair down, I bet."
"Hmph; he can't have you," Alanya vowed, hugging Galbedir close. "I need you too much to let him take you away from me."
"What if we shared him?" Galbedir suggested, snuggling closer.
Alanya was silent for several moments, mulling the idea over. " ... Let me get back to you on that," she said at last. "Not that the idea itself is bad, just ..."
"Want to get to know him better?" Galbedir guessed. "Reasonable ..."
Alanya shook her head. "Not even that, really ..." she said, frowning slightly. "... You know, you were the first thing I thought about when I woke up this morning?"
"Really?" Galbedir asked, raising her eyebrows.
"Yes," Alanya answered. "I had been dreaming of my fight with Fovon, and I litterally cried out for you ..." Feelng Galbedir stiffen slightly, Alanya looked at her worriedly. " ... What?"
" ... No, no, it's all right," Galbedir said, smiling faintly. "Just ... well, you don't usually expect someone to fall that completely for you so quickly, you know? And you're Breton - not as long-lived as we Mer but long-lived enough that it usually takes a little longer ..."
Alanya looked at Galbeidr, confusion on her face. " ... I thought we already loved each other ..." she said, almost reproachfully.
"We do," Galbedir said softly, squeezing Alanya's hand. "But there's seasons to love, just like in life. There's spring, when everything's sunny and happy and love is all wonderful things and nothing bad. Then there's summer, when spring's promises bloom fully, but you also have the other parts of love bloom too - the parts silly people think aren't so great, cause they haven't been in summer yet .."
"... What about autumn and winter?" Alanya asked quietly.
"Those are when you're falling out of love; hopefully autumn never comes," Galbedir answered. "But see? I thought we were in spring, and you ... you're sounding like you're already moving into summer."
" ... Is that bad?" Alanya asked.
"No," Galbedir said, putting her hands over Alanya's heart. "It's wonderful - but it's not spring anymore. Are you sure you're ready for summer?"
Alanya asked herself that question, and very long moments went by with no answer ...
Galbedir finally nodded, as though Alanya's silence was itself an answer. "We'll try to keep ourselves in spring a little longer then," she said. "But you're already starting to bloom into summer; don't be afraid of it, but don't rush it either."
Alanya felt her eyes water. " ... I love you," she said, hugging Galbedir fiercely. "Thank you ..."
"Thank you," Galbeidr said fondly. " ... I love you too, my fellow spring bud ..."
Alanya let go of Galbedir and took her face in her hands, regarding her for a moment; Galbedir smiled as Alanya's hands framed her cheeks, and raised his lips for a kiss. Alanya granted Galbedir's request, and the two lost track of time from that point on, until the coming of dusk finally reminded them that the day had ended ...
The Main Story resumes in the Chapter Trail to a Tomb - Eventually.
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