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JASH
The thick smells of venison infused every part of Bloodchill Manor's kitchen. I would be traveling far beyond Aetherius and wanted familiar memories for the journey. Serena looked at me and took a brief moment to check on the potato bread. I smiled at my egg-sister and she responded in kind.
"Do you know how long you'll be gone, Jash?" Serena asked.
From the vast amount of studying we had done, neither Serena or myself was sure how long time would work on either end. It could be that my soul would experience vast eons while my body felt only a few minutes pass. Even the way to travel across realities wasn't something I knew for certain. It could be that there were various ways to go on such a journey.
Or there could be only one.
"I don't know how long it will feel like once I have returned, Serena." I answered. "You might see me closing my eyes one moment and opening them the next."
"If it is more than a moment, I'll have to take care of your body." Serena said. "It could feel like an eternity for me and I would still wait."
Maybe it would take an eternity or two to finally heal from all the abuse. Maybe after an eternity or two she would finally allow someone into her bed.
"I've prepared enough rations here for at least a decade." I said. "Bandits and hunters come by often enough that you won't have to go far for blood."
"You could survive off blood if you wanted to." Serena pointed out.
"If the rations run out and you're able to manipulate my body, then I'll be sustained off of blood. Though it's a dangerous affair as I might drain much more than the mortal's blood."
I put the cooked venison on a large plate. Then I started to chop up a few potatoes and leeks to place around the main course.
"What happens if the Thalmor start their second war while you're away?" Serena asked. "I can't make a miracle happen and the other Daedric Princes might seek to end a threat. The Thalmor are a threat I can deal with but...the power from Oblivion is something I have no hope of tackling alone."
"I have egg-siblings in all the cracks and crevices of Skyrim." I pointed out as I looked at Hircine’s Ring. "It need not be yours to protect my body alone. Not if you desire differently."
"I promise to not let your body die."
"If it is mine to die, then that will be my fate. You know I have made preparations if I am to fail in my journey."
I had made sure that the Circle, the highest ranking members of the Companions, all knew who I had chosen for the next Harbinger. They all knew that I favored Looks-For-Trouble, a fellow Saxhleel, for the next Harbinger. While his name didn't inspire confidence, I had found that his name came from wanting to protect others. To be a good protector you did have to seek out trouble.
Looks also had a cautious nature so that he never rushed into trouble, he always had a plan. He also was able to balance a need for violence with a caring nature. I had let him into the Circle before the harvest festival and he had refused Hircine's gift. Which meant he would turn the Companions back into what they were before and not have it remain a Daedra worshiping cult.
"At least the Night Mother will choose the next Listener." Serena said as she put the potato bread on the table.
"You don't think I could?" I teased.
"You're too kind."
I put a hand over my heart and let out a false cry complete with non-verbal cues that my egg-sister wouldn't understand.
"I'm the Listener." I said and put the plate on the table.
"Who is able to lead the Companions." Serena said with a smirk.
It had not been hard to figure out my successor for Guild Master of the Thieves Guild. What had been hard was convincing the dryskin to accept the position if I passed. Karliah had been the only reason the Guild still existed. It was her that had kept up the fight against Mercer Frey and even saved my life at one point. Although I had been poisoned in the attempt to save my life.
Karliah had seen reason and accepted my trust in her. There had also been the reassurance that I would survive and her possible ascension was merely a precaution. So if I were to survive, I would have to consider other candidates.
"Do you really think J'Zargo would be a good Arch-Mage?" Serena asked.
"I understand he does joke more than most." I said. "I also understand he is...extremely sure of himself. But he is also powerful, experienced, and has had my back numerous times. There is no one at the College of Winterhold I trust more."
"He also complains about you being Arch-Mage."
I laughed. My egg-brother did joke about that every chance he got. But whenever he could easily do nothing and be blameless for my death, he always risked his life for mine. The least I could do was give him his heart's desire if I were to pass.
"You shouldn't go." Serena said as I put the plate of venison on the table.
"Why not, egg-sister?" I asked in Jel and then switched to the Common Tongue. "I know that the journey is dang-"
"You've been on this same journey countless times before and failed."
"And you think that means seeking out Alex is a useless venture? That I'm fated to never meet him in the flesh?"
Serena nodded curtly as we sat at the table and poured wine into our chalices. I was annoyed at her pessimism but she had a point. Was it really worth the risk when I had failed so much?
"This is also the last time you'll be able to make the journey, Jash." Serena added.
"According to the tome that Urag gave me." I agreed. "So I will have to succeed where I failed before. I will return with Alex. And if I can't return with him, I will return to Skyrim alone."
I didn't want to return without my love but...he had a choice in the matter. If he didn't want to live in a foreign land, in a foreign reality, it was not ours to make him. It would tear my soul in two but I sought his happiness over my own.
"You know this is too dangerous." Serena begged. "You'll leave too many hearts broken if you die again."
"Serena, I don't have a choice in the matter anymore." I answered with a pained smile. "Nine years ago a line was crossed and now I can't go back. Even if I didn't care about Alex and just wanted to live my life here, I would still seek him out. Our souls are entwined and nothing can break that knot."
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