We had made camp on the road half way back to Riften. I kept watch for the night as Viree slept. Getting a full night's sleep was harder with only two people. Not like it mattered too much though, we only really needed a short rest.
I poked at the campfire while I listened to the wilderness. My attention snapped toward the darkness. I laughed, "I suggest you two come out. I knew you were coming."
The two hunters from the Eldergleam Sanctuary stepped into the fire light. Sond and Asta had their weapons drawn. Asta with an arrow pointed at me spoke, "We just want the Sapling!"
Sond gave a demand as well, "Just hand it over! With the Blessing of nature we can cure ourselves and be freed from this curse!"
I gave a grim laugh, "You have no clue do you? Number one the sapling is the blessing. It isn't a physical item that can be handed over. Second the Sapling is going to Whiterun to replaced the Gildergreen tree. Third you have to be down right fucking stupid to make demands of me."
Asta tilted her head toward Viree, "Your friend is a pretty heavy sleeper, before you draw your sword I'll have an arrow in your head. She will find your corpse in the morning and we will be nowhere near here. Just hand over the sapling and we will leave quietly."
I laughed again, "I was the one that put and is keeping her asleep. I can wake her in an instant, but I put her asleep so she wouldn't have to see this mess."
Sond raised his sword a little higher, "Wh-What do you mean?"
Asta looked at her partner like he was crazy. A smile grew on my face, "She is a werewolf too, if the blessing of nature could be used to cure someone..."
They both sniffed at the air, "Asta, he's right the girl is a werewolf."
Asta looked a little more unsure, so I pushed further. "I'll be nice and tell you an actual cure. The head of a Glenmoril witch thrown into a spiritual pyre."
For once the speechcraft failed and Asta shouted, "We don't care we will try our luck with Blessing of nature! Now hand over the Sapling or else!"
I silently put the staff of paralysis into the belts equipment. Utilizing my third spell slot I fired a bolt of paralysis at Asta. She reacted pretty quick and fired the arrow toward me. However my helmet appeared on my head the moment I equipped it making the arrow bounce of my face plate.
Asta fell to the ground paralyzed and Sond jumped in shock. "Asta!" He turned toward me and charged forward and swung his sword for my neck. I ducked the silver great sword though and drew Sable Wave with a fluid motion. I sliced through his leg and he fell backwards.
He screamed in shock, "W-Wait! Please, I just want to be cured."
I sighed, "I told you a cure, but I suppose you can't persuade the dead."
I flinched as I heard the sound of bones cracking. My attention turned toward Asta and my eyes went wide. She let out a deafen roar and jumped toward me. I tried to duck, but she grabbed me by my shoulders and went to slam her claws into my face.
I rapidly casted all my defense spells barely caught her arms. She lunged at my throat and I kicked away barely. She bit into my torso, my eyes shook with pain. I summoned a bound dagger and stabbed it into her ear.
She yelped in pain and I saw Viree stir. The pain had made me lose control over the mana I used to put Viree asleep. I shouted the recast "Dream's gate!"
An arrow stabbed into my shoulder and I stumbled, my eyes locked on Sond who had picked up Asta's bow. I pulled the arrow out and a yellow light surrounded me. The blood from my torso dried and the wounds closed.
I dove toward Sable Wave just as Asta lunged at me. This time though I swung Sable Wave, her fur burned from the magic and her kept the momentum of her lunge. It crashed to the ground behind me as I turned to Sond. "Should have just listened to me."
Sond had tears in his eyes as he lifted Asta's bow. I pointed a hand toward Sond and fired a bolt of paralysis and his body went stiff. His eyes begged to be spared, but I drove Sable Wave into his chest.
I breathed out a sigh, I knew this would happen. I looked over at Viree, luckily she was sound asleep. It was dangerous to keep the cure from her and even if she didn't want it now. I didn't want her to seek it out later or have some false hope on a fake cure. I had already said to much in my opinion when we were in the sanctuary.
I grabbed Sond's corpse and began dragging it away. I sniffed the air, the smell of burned fur was rather prominent. I suppose I should make some breakfast to cover up the smell.