XVII - The Blade of Nerevar

I sincerely apologise for the lack of an update last week. Real life got in the way again. We should be back to normal from here up until the end of Tribunal. Enjoy!

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Silence pressed against Fen’s ears as she climbed the stairs to Almalexia’s platform. The goddess watched her serenely, a faint, knowing smile on her face, her hands held out with her palms pointed skyward. “It is time we talked of greater things,” she said when Fen had told her of Valor’s death. Without even a thought for him, Fen thought angrily. Almalexia went on, “I have watched you since your arrival in Vvardenfell, dear Fen, and you have been a strong and faithful servant to me. None but the Nerevarine could have succeeded as you have.” Her eyes fluttered open and Fen gazed steadily back at her. “How long I have waited for this!” she cried suddenly, a gentle smile breaking across her face. “My Nerevar, returned to me at last! I have watched from my Temple as others have made the claim, and I have seen them fall. I believe now that you are the one who was prophesied!”

XVI - A Missing Hand

“I am well-pleased, good and faithful servant,” Almalexia said, lightly pressing the flats of her hands together and smiling serenely at Fen from beneath her long, dark lashes. “My people look upon the elements, and see there written a divine testament to my lordship. Did ever any other god display such dominion over the earth and sky? But now...with a heavy heart, I must lay a sad burden upon you. I bid you bring the peace of understanding to my Missing Hand.

XV - The Weather Witch

Almalexia was nothing short of livid when Fen relayed Romari’s explanation to her. The goddess’s brow furrowed and her muscles tensed, and the moment Fen had finished Almalexia closed her long-lashed eyes as if she were about to scream.

XIV - The End of Times

“You will let me fight this one alone, won’t you?” Fen said to Julan early the next morning as they departed the Winged Guar. “It’s just like the duel with Venim, they won’t take me seriously if you help.”

“How hard is this Karrod going to be for you to fight?”

XIII - The Plot

Fen did not look down, but neither did she look directly at her father. She had seen enough petition days to know that no average citizen of Mournhold was brave enough to stare the king straight on, regardless of how faithful they were to Almalexia. Instead, she kept her eyes carefully trained at the hem of his robe, her breath warm inside the scarf.

XII - The Day of Lights

She emerged out of the Temple into dazzling afternoon sun, and for a moment Fen had to stand and admire the sheer beauty of the city. Trees covered with pink flowers lined the courtyard, and the sweeping green marble walls shone with resplendent light as the sun struck them. The air was sweet and pleasantly cool, gently rustling the flowers in the trees and making the banners that hung around the Temple’s doorway flutter halfheartedly. Fen slowly descended the sweeping marble stairs to where Julan waited.

XI - Almalexia

The sun had just risen when Fen and Julan set off into the sewers for what she hoped was the last time. Hler had told them that the Mazed Band could be found in a passage underneath the Temple that had just been cleared, so they traversed through the familiar dark tunnels until they found the passage he had indicated. They met little in the way of opposition – two or three liches and several oversized rats, but nothing overly threatening.