Vivienne Onis stood before me, her refined features framed by the soft light filtering through the window. She was the embodiment of elegance, her every movement measured and deliberate, as if each gesture was crafted to maintain an air of untouchable beauty. But beneath that veneer, I could sense the self-assured arrogance that seemed to radiate from her. A woman like Vivienne, so entangled with the Thalmor, could never be trusted fully. Yet here I was, forced to rely on her, with Belrand's life hanging in the balance.
"The ingredients I'll be needing for the cure poison potion will be Mudcrab Chitin and Charred Skeever Hide," she said, her voice smooth as silk. Then, with a slight hesitation, she added, "I have a personal favor to ask though."
I stiffened, wary of what might come next. "Yes, anything, shoot right away," I responded, keeping my tone brisk. I didn't have time for pleasantries.
"Please fetch me some Blue Mountain Flowers and Hawk Feathers," she requested, her eyes meeting mine with a look that suggested she expected no refusal. She quickly explained where these ingredients could be found, her words as carefully chosen as her attire.
Blue Mountain Flowers and Hawk Feathers. Ingredients for something more than just curing poison. I have no time to ask what it is for.
I couldn't help but think of her connections to the Thalmor. It disgusted me to work with anyone linked to them. But as much as I loathed it, I had no choice. If I didn't cooperate, Belrand might die. And I wasn't about to let that happen. Not on my watch. I was their leader, and it was my duty to protect them.
"Okay everyone, listen up," I called to my party, turning my back on Vivienne. I couldn't stand to look at her any longer. "I am going to stay with Belrand and continuously cast Paralysis spells on him. This might slow the effect of the poison in his body." I began channeling my magic, feeling the familiar surge of power as I directed it toward Belrand. He lay still, his breath shallow, but his life force still clung to him. For now.
I glanced up at the rest of my party, their faces tense with concern. "I'm entrusting you guys," I said, locking eyes with each of them in turn. "To collect what Ms. Vivienne just requested, you heard her right? No splitting up. Aldis, you'll be the vanguard. Titus, you'll act as the spellsword for now—make sure to use the spells Belrand taught us. And Jordis…" I hesitated, seeing the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. I knew she wanted more, to prove herself in a different role, but now wasn't the time. "Jordis, stick to being an archer."
She nodded, though I could see the frustration behind her compliance. She was the best with a bow, and right now, we needed everyone at their best.
After giving them my instructions, I watched as they hurried out to fetch the ingredients Vivienne had requested. Leaving me and Vivienne with Belrand with his shallow breaths.
Vivienne's presence is a reminder of the uneasy alliance we'd been forced into. I cast another glance at her, my eyes narrowing. She was beautiful, yes, but beauty was fleeting. It could be taken away in an instant, like the life of a friend. And in a world like this, power and trust meant more than any potion she could brew.
But for now, I needed her, and that was a bitter pill to swallow.
The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on us as we left the camp, the chill of the Skyrim air biting at our faces. Thane Jayson had given us a crucial task—fetching ingredients for a potion that might save Belrand's life. His words still echoed in my mind, and though I longed to step up and prove my worth in another role, I knew my skill with a bow was needed now more than ever.
Aldis led the way, his steps confident as he moved with purpose. "I used to work for Vivienne Onis' aunt," he explained over his shoulder, "so I know where to find these ingredients."
First on our list was the Mudcrab Chitin. Aldis guided us to a stream that wound its way through the rocky landscape, the water glistening under the moonlight. "Mudcrabs are usually found scuttling along the riverbanks," he said, scanning the shoreline.
We didn't have to search long. A large mudcrab emerged from the muck, its pincers snapping menacingly. I nocked an arrow and drew back my bow, but Aldis held up a hand. "Wait. I'll handle this one."
With a quick and precise strike, Aldis dispatched the creature, and I helped him collect the chitin. The small, shiny pieces of shell were a grim reminder of the task at hand. I could almost hear Belrand's labored breathing, the urgency with my Thane's voice still fresh in my mind.
Next, we needed a Charred Skeever Hide. We made our way to a nearby cave rumored to house skeevers. The entrance was dark and foreboding, but Aldis pressed on. "Be ready," he warned as we entered, the dim light casting eerie shadows on the walls.
Inside, the stench of decay was overpowering. We crept through the cavern, eyes and ears alert for any signs of movement. A sudden rustling caught our attention. A skeever leaped from the shadows, its eyes gleaming with malevolent intelligence. I drew my bow and let loose an arrow, but the skeever was quick. It dodged, and Titus, stepping up as our makeshift spellsword, unleashed a volley of spells. The creature fell, and we quickly gathered the hide, its charred remains a testament to our efforts.
With the most challenging ingredients secured, we turned our attention to the Blue Mountain Flowers and Hawk Feathers. Aldis led us through a lush meadow where the delicate blue flowers swayed gently in the breeze. "These should be plentiful here," he said, picking them with practiced ease.
I took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the flowers, their vibrant hue a stark contrast to the dire situation. The serenity of the meadow was deceptive, but it offered a brief respite from the tension that had gripped us all.
"Hawk Feathers next," Aldis instructed, and we moved to a nearby cliff. Hawks often nested here, their cries echoing through the crisp air. We scanned the rocky ledges, and soon spotted a nest high up on a jutting outcrop.
"Careful," Aldis said, eyeing the cliff with a mix of determination and caution. We made our way up, the climb treacherous and demanding. With each step, I could feel the weight of responsibility bearing down on me, but I pushed through, determined to do my part.
At the top, we found the nest. The hawks were gone, but the feathers remained, soft and golden, glinting in the moonlight. I carefully collected them, our task nearly complete.
With our collection of ingredients in hand, we made our way back to the camp, the weight of the items in our packs a physical reminder of the urgency of our mission.
As the paralysis spell dissipated from Belrand's still form, I caught the familiar voices approaching. "My Thane," they greeted, but I shot them a stern look. "J-Jayson!" they corrected, a bit flustered. I gave a curt nod and managed a faint smile.
"Have you collected what Vivienne asked?" I inquired, turning to Aldis, who carried an improvised basket strapped with a makeshift handle.
Aldis nodded, his face set with determination, and handed the basket over to me. I opened it carefully, peering inside to see the ingredients we needed: Mudcrab Chitin, Skeever Hide which will be charred later, Blue Mountain Flowers, and Hawk Feathers. A sense of relief washed over me; we had what we needed.
I quickly moved to Vivienne, who was already preparing her workspace with a few alchemical tools she had brought. I handed her the basket. "Please get on with it," I urged, trying to mask my impatience. "I'll attempt to brew it with the resources we have here in the camp."
Vivienne's gaze flickered briefly over the ingredients, but she set to work with a calm efficiency. Even without a proper alchemy table, she managed to brew two potions. She handed one to me with a practiced hand, keeping the other for herself. I couldn't help but wonder about the second potion.
I took the potion and administered it to Belrand. The liquid glimmered with a faint, reassuring glow. "Just let him rest for two days, and you all will be good to go for your adventure," Vivienne said, her voice gentle but laced with an edge of authority.
I nodded my thanks and watched as she packed away her things. Curiosity got the better of me, and I couldn't resist asking. "What's the other potion for?"
Vivienne's eyes sparkled with a hint of pride. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a potion I drink daily."
"You drink a potion daily?" I pressed, intrigued. "What for? And what's in it?"
"It makes me look younger and prettier," she said, her tone almost reverent. "The Thalmor library has an extensive collection of alchemy books. I've learned various brews that can enhance appearance and longevity."
A sharp pang of realization struck me. The effort we had put in—searching for ingredients, dealing with the inconveniences—had been for a potion she used daily to enhance her own vanity. It was infuriating to think that Belrand's healing had been delayed for something as self-indulgent as her beauty regimen.
I shook my head slightly, a mixture of frustration and resignation clouding my thoughts. Who would have guessed that someone with such a talent for alchemy would use it primarily to maintain their youthful appearance? In a world where survival often took precedence over personal vanity, her actions seemed almost trivial. Yet, she did manage to fulfill my request, and Belrand's recovery was the priority. Maybe I was being too harsh.
I approached Jordis, who stood nearby, her gaze fixed on Belrand with a mix of concern and relief. "Jordis, since Belrand needs to rest and Vivienne has been of some help, I'm entrusting you with a task."
She turned to me, her expression one of quiet determination. "What is it, my Thane… er I mean, J-Jayson?"
"I need you to escort Vivienne back to Solitude," I said, my voice firm. "And while you're there, report to Castle Dour about the Dark Brotherhood's assassination attempt on our party. We need to make sure they're aware of the threat and the steps we've taken."
Jordis nodded, her stance solid and resolute. "Understood, Jayson. I'll make sure it's done."
Vivienne, now with her alchemical work finished, cast a curious glance in our direction. I could see her apprehension about the journey ahead. She fidgeted with the edge of her cloak, clearly concerned about the impact on her routine.
"Make sure you're prepared for a bit of rough travel," I added, trying to reassure her. "We'll do our best to accommodate your needs, but it won't be comfortable."
Vivienne's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded in acknowledgment. "I appreciate that, Jayson. I'll do my best to manage."
As Jordis and Vivienne prepared to leave, I turned my attention back to Belrand. He lay peacefully, the potion starting to work its magic. The weight of our recent challenges hung heavy, but I knew we had done what we could. We would face the dangers ahead, and hope that the actions we had taken would prove sufficient.
Jordis and Vivienne disappeared into the distance, and I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the next steps in our journey.
"Please, Erica. Keep safe!" I said in my head after realizing the hardships and dangers we have just faced.