" Another day, another defilement. "

Leo, age 20. Main blog is @orca-water-ghoul. PFP is my own and my art can be found on my main.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

" Another day, another defilement. "

Leocadia Blackmouth was raised fond of the Ashlander way of life. Keepers of the old ways, warding the House of Troubles, all that rot.

However, at around 200 years of age, she finds herself wandering Skyrim and the island of Solstheim, intent on finding her own purpose.

While on Solstheim, Glover Mallory caught her trying to pick the lock on his home. But instead of turning her in to the Redoran Guard, he recognized her as someone who was struggling to pull her own weight to survive. He pointed her in the direction of the Thieves' Guild in Riften, where she played a hand in getting them back on their feet.

This is why she is typically seen in her hard-earned Guild Master armor. And though she wears it proudly, she has denied the offered guild master role-- saying it would have her tethered to one place-- but occasionally goes back and forth to take on jobs when she needs the coin.

As for the rest of her garb, she wears a red scarf over her lower face, obscuring everything from the bridge of her nose and cheekbones down. The reason for this is only clear for those who hear her story.

Miscellaneous facts:

Not only does she hold the three "Good" Daedra in high regard, but she has a certain respect for Clavicus Vile. She admires how he keeps mortals' greed in check by taking advantage of unspoken limitations.

She has a serpent tattooed on her. It starts on one side of her collarbone and trails down her back, then up to the other side.

She finds Netches and Nix-Hounds to be quite cute, in their own way.

Leo had a situationship with Slitter, but it had to be cut short. One reason is because Mogrul had to be in the room for... everything. It was extremely awkward.

She both prefers an androgynous appearance and finds long hair to be a nuisance, so she occasionally cuts it short with an Elven dagger.

Speaking of weaponry, she dual wields ebony swords.

Leocadia Blackmouth is the name she gave herself-- her surname is completely original and her first name is a variation of the one she was given at birth.

[OOC:

My main blog is @orca-water-ghoul, where you can find more of my art (like the work of Leo above).

I reserve the right to ignore any requests that make me horrifically uncomfortable. Show some amount of respect.]

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[casimar-andrethi]

The first man was dead the moment he took a step forward.

Cas darted between opponents with inhuman speed, tearing them to pieces, snapping necks, crushing skulls, cracking spines. They were little more than target practice for him.

When the last one who dared to follow Nia's orders was dead, he didn't stop there.

Instead, he turned on the even weaker ones, ending them just as brutally as he had Nia's soldiers. When they were finished, he turned his sights onto Nia and her guards, soaked in the blood of her tribe, walking steadily towards her as if he wasn't the slightest bit exerted from massacring an entire camp.

"Last chance."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia, basking in the horrors before her, finally relented. She waved at one of her guards— the one who'd kicked Leo earlier— who tossed Casimar the key to unlocking their captive's chains.

"Enough," Nia shook her head. "... just take her. Take her and go.”

Three guards and the leader, and they were all completely stricken with terror. They knew Cas could kill them just as easily.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas stepped forward and picked up the key, turning it over in his bloodstained fingers.

"Good. None of you are necessary any longer."

He flicked his wrist and Nia would feel her connection to her own body sever. A burst of violet magic accompanied with a crackle like lightning, and her soul would siphon into an empty Black soul gem in the pouch on his hip.

Just like that, dead. He didn't even bother properly killing her.

He picked up his daggers from the ground where he'd dropped them, and then easily dealt with her remaining guards. They probably knew they wouldn't be able to run.

With that, he turned and headed for Leo, unlocking her chains and catching her when she'd fall. He winced at the thought of soaking her with the same blood that he was covered in, but he didn't have many options here.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo, delirious and not completely unconscious, covered her head with wildly trembling hands. Blood, probably her own, was dried beneath her nails and bruises adorned her wrists from where she’d been held down… probably days prior. Those barbarians had committed atrocities upon her broken body.

Her breathing was picking up in pace, ragged and uncontrolled. She likely didn’t realize who she was being held by. The thick sheen of sweat on her skin from whatever the drug was doing was a tell just how badly she was affected. But more than that, the aches and pains in her body spurred on the broken cries that left her throat.

Her nails dug into her scalp as she clutched at her hair, trying desperately to ground herself. She’d been awake that whole time, maybe not seeing, but hearing everything.

[casimar-andrethi]

"I'm here, Leo. It's me. I'm here. We're going to let you recover. I'm going to wash this paint off of you and find you some proper clothes. Okay? When you're in a better state, we're getting out of here. They'll never hurt you again."

He held her close as he spoke, as if trying to shield her from what had already happened even though he knew it would be impossible.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

His voice seemed to bring her back down a bit, because her breathing became manageable. And when it did, her cries were brought, not wrenched, from steadying lungs. Her eyes were beginning to focus, and when they did, she caught a glimpse of the carnage.

Leo’s face went ice-cold as the blood drained from the flesh. To look upon the bodies stilled her breath at last, and put her in a sort of soundless trance. The noise around her was shut out, and none of her senses existed except to see what lay on the ash.

And yet, she didn’t push Cas away. She wasn’t afraid of him, and she definitely didn’t fault him for what he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wordlessly lifted her into his arms, carrying her away into a decently sized tent, stepping away briefly to find a barrel tub to fill with water and wash her off with. When he returned, he dealt quickly with the sacrificial paint, holding a set of fresh clothes with him to help her change into afterward along with a towel.

His touch was gentle, for a Mer that had just murdered an entire Ashlander tribe.

He used a dampened washcloth to deal with the blood on his hands and face as well, wrinkling his nose at the stickiness of it. Blood dried fast.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

It was like she was operating mindlessly, staring off while she was cleaned, blacking out every time she was touched.

As soon as she was dressed, though, Leo stood up. Her legs trembled and she nearly fell back from the pain, but she was kept upright by nothing but luck.

Leo strode mechanically out of the tent, then toward the bodies. She had no purpose in mind— nothing on her mind at all, really. Someone could scream her name into her ear and she couldn’t pay it mind if she tried.

Her glassy blood-red eyes drifted over the bodies of her tribesmen as she walked among them, stepping between limbs and scraps of flesh, clothes and weaponry. Hell, she could name half of them. She could talk about their mannerisms, what they liked and hated, how they came to be.

Until they lost their minds and became… well, whatever madness led them to this.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas looked up when he heard her moving about, standing for himself to silently follow along. His ear twitched with a mix of concern and curiosity, lingering near the edges of her space just to ensure she was safe without intruding on whatever she was doing.

Part of him wondered what he would have done if he'd had this kind of chance, to have a moment of silence just to absorb everything and... heal.

She probably wouldn't be alright for a long time, but he could at least ensure that it would be far easier for her than it was for him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo stepped between bodies, kicking up ash as she stumbled, looking without seeing at the eyes of her former friends. Her allies.

Her head was rushing to keep up with the events of the past days. Cas hadn’t seen the worst of it— hell, not even close. All he witnessed was the aftermath. And thank the gods, too, that he didn’t have to see what she went through.

With all the memories— the killings, the torment, the cruelty, to herself and all those this tribe deemed less than them— mixing with the poison’s lingering effects in her system, Leo collapsed into the ash on her knees and clutched a fistful of it as she started to retch. Her own body was rejecting everything that happened.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas moved forward in an instant, his hand finding the space between her shoulder blades and rubbing gently to help with the tension there. Canis root tea would help with nausea, but he had none.

"I'm so sorry," he murmured, and he meant it.

He wasn't sorry for killing the tribe, but he was sorry for not finding her sooner. He was sorry for not being there to stop them from taking her in the first place. For her having to lose her former family and community gods know how long ago, only for them to drag her back and try to destroy her.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The effects of the drugs leaving her body kicked her ass. Leo was lightheaded and between heaves, she was choking out cries. It was a horrid, shameful sight.

Her back arched out as she struggled to get a breath in. She was throwing up her body’s fluids— since she hadn’t been fed since she got there.

And when she was done, she managed to get a few ragged, raw words out.

“I want to go home.”

Back to Windhelm, to his home. Where she knew she’d be safe.

[casimar-andrethi]

"... I know. I know you do. Give me until tomorrow." By tomorrow he could find all of the materials he needed to make a portal back to Windhelm. He was good at magic, but not adept in those kinds of magic like Neloth was.

His hand came up, knuckles ghosting over her cheeks and forehead to check her temperature.

"It'll give your body enough time to purge whatever they drugged you with, too. Alright?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo flinched at first, then let herself lean into his touch.

“… you haven’t done anything wrong.”

She was burning up and still sweating from whatever was in her. And on top of it all, she was delirious from it all. Leo clung to him then, and murmured into his skin, words that sounded like I thought I was going to die,then I should’ve been more careful; and among those was I love you.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[casimar-andrethi]

The first man was dead the moment he took a step forward.

Cas darted between opponents with inhuman speed, tearing them to pieces, snapping necks, crushing skulls, cracking spines. They were little more than target practice for him.

When the last one who dared to follow Nia's orders was dead, he didn't stop there.

Instead, he turned on the even weaker ones, ending them just as brutally as he had Nia's soldiers. When they were finished, he turned his sights onto Nia and her guards, soaked in the blood of her tribe, walking steadily towards her as if he wasn't the slightest bit exerted from massacring an entire camp.

"Last chance."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia, basking in the horrors before her, finally relented. She waved at one of her guards— the one who'd kicked Leo earlier— who tossed Casimar the key to unlocking their captive's chains.

"Enough," Nia shook her head. "... just take her. Take her and go.”

Three guards and the leader, and they were all completely stricken with terror. They knew Cas could kill them just as easily.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas stepped forward and picked up the key, turning it over in his bloodstained fingers.

"Good. None of you are necessary any longer."

He flicked his wrist and Nia would feel her connection to her own body sever. A burst of violet magic accompanied with a crackle like lightning, and her soul would siphon into an empty Black soul gem in the pouch on his hip.

Just like that, dead. He didn't even bother properly killing her.

He picked up his daggers from the ground where he'd dropped them, and then easily dealt with her remaining guards. They probably knew they wouldn't be able to run.

With that, he turned and headed for Leo, unlocking her chains and catching her when she'd fall. He winced at the thought of soaking her with the same blood that he was covered in, but he didn't have many options here.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo, delirious and not completely unconscious, covered her head with wildly trembling hands. Blood, probably her own, was dried beneath her nails and bruises adorned her wrists from where she’d been held down… probably days prior. Those barbarians had committed atrocities upon her broken body.

Her breathing was picking up in pace, ragged and uncontrolled. She likely didn’t realize who she was being held by. The thick sheen of sweat on her skin from whatever the drug was doing was a tell just how badly she was affected. But more than that, the aches and pains in her body spurred on the broken cries that left her throat.

Her nails dug into her scalp as she clutched at her hair, trying desperately to ground herself. She’d been awake that whole time, maybe not seeing, but hearing everything.

[casimar-andrethi]

"I'm here, Leo. It's me. I'm here. We're going to let you recover. I'm going to wash this paint off of you and find you some proper clothes. Okay? When you're in a better state, we're getting out of here. They'll never hurt you again."

He held her close as he spoke, as if trying to shield her from what had already happened even though he knew it would be impossible.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

His voice seemed to bring her back down a bit, because her breathing became manageable. And when it did, her cries were brought, not wrenched, from steadying lungs. Her eyes were beginning to focus, and when they did, she caught a glimpse of the carnage.

Leo’s face went ice-cold as the blood drained from the flesh. To look upon the bodies stilled her breath at last, and put her in a sort of soundless trance. The noise around her was shut out, and none of her senses existed except to see what lay on the ash.

And yet, she didn’t push Cas away. She wasn’t afraid of him, and she definitely didn’t fault him for what he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wordlessly lifted her into his arms, carrying her away into a decently sized tent, stepping away briefly to find a barrel tub to fill with water and wash her off with. When he returned, he dealt quickly with the sacrificial paint, holding a set of fresh clothes with him to help her change into afterward along with a towel.

His touch was gentle, for a Mer that had just murdered an entire Ashlander tribe.

He used a dampened washcloth to deal with the blood on his hands and face as well, wrinkling his nose at the stickiness of it. Blood dried fast.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

It was like she was operating mindlessly, staring off while she was cleaned, blacking out every time she was touched.

As soon as she was dressed, though, Leo stood up. Her legs trembled and she nearly fell back from the pain, but she was kept upright by nothing but luck.

Leo strode mechanically out of the tent, then toward the bodies. She had no purpose in mind— nothing on her mind at all, really. Someone could scream her name into her ear and she couldn’t pay it mind if she tried.

Her glassy blood-red eyes drifted over the bodies of her tribesmen as she walked among them, stepping between limbs and scraps of flesh, clothes and weaponry. Hell, she could name half of them. She could talk about their mannerisms, what they liked and hated, how they came to be.

Until they lost their minds and became… well, whatever madness led them to this.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas looked up when he heard her moving about, standing for himself to silently follow along. His ear twitched with a mix of concern and curiosity, lingering near the edges of her space just to ensure she was safe without intruding on whatever she was doing.

Part of him wondered what he would have done if he'd had this kind of chance, to have a moment of silence just to absorb everything and... heal.

She probably wouldn't be alright for a long time, but he could at least ensure that it would be far easier for her than it was for him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo stepped between bodies, kicking up ash as she stumbled, looking without seeing at the eyes of her former friends. Her allies.

Her head was rushing to keep up with the events of the past days. Cas hadn’t seen the worst of it— hell, not even close. All he witnessed was the aftermath. And thank the gods, too, that he didn’t have to see what she went through.

With all the memories— the killings, the torment, the cruelty, to herself and all those this tribe deemed less than them— mixing with the poison’s lingering effects in her system, Leo collapsed into the ash on her knees and clutched a fistful of it as she started to retch. Her own body was rejecting everything that happened.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas moved forward in an instant, his hand finding the space between her shoulder blades and rubbing gently to help with the tension there. Canis root tea would help with nausea, but he had none.

"I'm so sorry," he murmured, and he meant it.

He wasn't sorry for killing the tribe, but he was sorry for not finding her sooner. He was sorry for not being there to stop them from taking her in the first place. For her having to lose her former family and community gods know how long ago, only for them to drag her back and try to destroy her.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The effects of the drugs leaving her body kicked her ass. Leo was lightheaded and between heaves, she was choking out cries. It was a horrid, shameful sight.

Her back arched out as she struggled to get a breath in. She was throwing up her body’s fluids— since she hadn’t been fed since she got there.

And when she was done, she managed to get a few ragged, raw words out.

“I want to go home.”

Back to Windhelm, to his home. Where she knew she’d be safe.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[casimar-andrethi]

The first man was dead the moment he took a step forward.

Cas darted between opponents with inhuman speed, tearing them to pieces, snapping necks, crushing skulls, cracking spines. They were little more than target practice for him.

When the last one who dared to follow Nia's orders was dead, he didn't stop there.

Instead, he turned on the even weaker ones, ending them just as brutally as he had Nia's soldiers. When they were finished, he turned his sights onto Nia and her guards, soaked in the blood of her tribe, walking steadily towards her as if he wasn't the slightest bit exerted from massacring an entire camp.

"Last chance."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia, basking in the horrors before her, finally relented. She waved at one of her guards— the one who'd kicked Leo earlier— who tossed Casimar the key to unlocking their captive's chains.

"Enough," Nia shook her head. "... just take her. Take her and go.”

Three guards and the leader, and they were all completely stricken with terror. They knew Cas could kill them just as easily.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas stepped forward and picked up the key, turning it over in his bloodstained fingers.

"Good. None of you are necessary any longer."

He flicked his wrist and Nia would feel her connection to her own body sever. A burst of violet magic accompanied with a crackle like lightning, and her soul would siphon into an empty Black soul gem in the pouch on his hip.

Just like that, dead. He didn't even bother properly killing her.

He picked up his daggers from the ground where he'd dropped them, and then easily dealt with her remaining guards. They probably knew they wouldn't be able to run.

With that, he turned and headed for Leo, unlocking her chains and catching her when she'd fall. He winced at the thought of soaking her with the same blood that he was covered in, but he didn't have many options here.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo, delirious and not completely unconscious, covered her head with wildly trembling hands. Blood, probably her own, was dried beneath her nails and bruises adorned her wrists from where she’d been held down… probably days prior. Those barbarians had committed atrocities upon her broken body.

Her breathing was picking up in pace, ragged and uncontrolled. She likely didn’t realize who she was being held by. The thick sheen of sweat on her skin from whatever the drug was doing was a tell just how badly she was affected. But more than that, the aches and pains in her body spurred on the broken cries that left her throat.

Her nails dug into her scalp as she clutched at her hair, trying desperately to ground herself. She’d been awake that whole time, maybe not seeing, but hearing everything.

[casimar-andrethi]

"I'm here, Leo. It's me. I'm here. We're going to let you recover. I'm going to wash this paint off of you and find you some proper clothes. Okay? When you're in a better state, we're getting out of here. They'll never hurt you again."

He held her close as he spoke, as if trying to shield her from what had already happened even though he knew it would be impossible.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

His voice seemed to bring her back down a bit, because her breathing became manageable. And when it did, her cries were brought, not wrenched, from steadying lungs. Her eyes were beginning to focus, and when they did, she caught a glimpse of the carnage.

Leo’s face went ice-cold as the blood drained from the flesh. To look upon the bodies stilled her breath at last, and put her in a sort of soundless trance. The noise around her was shut out, and none of her senses existed except to see what lay on the ash.

And yet, she didn’t push Cas away. She wasn’t afraid of him, and she definitely didn’t fault him for what he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wordlessly lifted her into his arms, carrying her away into a decently sized tent, stepping away briefly to find a barrel tub to fill with water and wash her off with. When he returned, he dealt quickly with the sacrificial paint, holding a set of fresh clothes with him to help her change into afterward along with a towel.

His touch was gentle, for a Mer that had just murdered an entire Ashlander tribe.

He used a dampened washcloth to deal with the blood on his hands and face as well, wrinkling his nose at the stickiness of it. Blood dried fast.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

It was like she was operating mindlessly, staring off while she was cleaned, blacking out every time she was touched.

As soon as she was dressed, though, Leo stood up. Her legs trembled and she nearly fell back from the pain, but she was kept upright by nothing but luck.

Leo strode mechanically out of the tent, then toward the bodies. She had no purpose in mind— nothing on her mind at all, really. Someone could scream her name into her ear and she couldn’t pay it mind if she tried.

Her glassy blood-red eyes drifted over the bodies of her tribesmen as she walked among them, stepping between limbs and scraps of flesh, clothes and weaponry. Hell, she could name half of them. She could talk about their mannerisms, what they liked and hated, how they came to be.

Until they lost their minds and became… well, whatever madness led them to this.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas looked up when he heard her moving about, standing for himself to silently follow along. His ear twitched with a mix of concern and curiosity, lingering near the edges of her space just to ensure she was safe without intruding on whatever she was doing.

Part of him wondered what he would have done if he'd had this kind of chance, to have a moment of silence just to absorb everything and... heal.

She probably wouldn't be alright for a long time, but he could at least ensure that it would be far easier for her than it was for him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo stepped between bodies, kicking up ash as she stumbled, looking without seeing at the eyes of her former friends. Her allies.

Her head was rushing to keep up with the events of the past days. Cas hadn’t seen the worst of it— hell, not even close. All he witnessed was the aftermath. And thank the gods, too, that he didn’t have to see what she went through.

With all the memories— the killings, the torment, the cruelty, to herself and all those this tribe deemed less than them— mixing with the poison’s lingering effects in her system, Leo collapsed into the ash on her knees and clutched a fistful of it as she started to retch. Her own body was rejecting everything that happened.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[casimar-andrethi]

The first man was dead the moment he took a step forward.

Cas darted between opponents with inhuman speed, tearing them to pieces, snapping necks, crushing skulls, cracking spines. They were little more than target practice for him.

When the last one who dared to follow Nia's orders was dead, he didn't stop there.

Instead, he turned on the even weaker ones, ending them just as brutally as he had Nia's soldiers. When they were finished, he turned his sights onto Nia and her guards, soaked in the blood of her tribe, walking steadily towards her as if he wasn't the slightest bit exerted from massacring an entire camp.

"Last chance."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia, basking in the horrors before her, finally relented. She waved at one of her guards— the one who'd kicked Leo earlier— who tossed Casimar the key to unlocking their captive's chains.

"Enough," Nia shook her head. "... just take her. Take her and go.”

Three guards and the leader, and they were all completely stricken with terror. They knew Cas could kill them just as easily.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas stepped forward and picked up the key, turning it over in his bloodstained fingers.

"Good. None of you are necessary any longer."

He flicked his wrist and Nia would feel her connection to her own body sever. A burst of violet magic accompanied with a crackle like lightning, and her soul would siphon into an empty Black soul gem in the pouch on his hip.

Just like that, dead. He didn't even bother properly killing her.

He picked up his daggers from the ground where he'd dropped them, and then easily dealt with her remaining guards. They probably knew they wouldn't be able to run.

With that, he turned and headed for Leo, unlocking her chains and catching her when she'd fall. He winced at the thought of soaking her with the same blood that he was covered in, but he didn't have many options here.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo, delirious and not completely unconscious, covered her head with wildly trembling hands. Blood, probably her own, was dried beneath her nails and bruises adorned her wrists from where she’d been held down… probably days prior. Those barbarians had committed atrocities upon her broken body.

Her breathing was picking up in pace, ragged and uncontrolled. She likely didn’t realize who she was being held by. The thick sheen of sweat on her skin from whatever the drug was doing was a tell just how badly she was affected. But more than that, the aches and pains in her body spurred on the broken cries that left her throat.

Her nails dug into her scalp as she clutched at her hair, trying desperately to ground herself. She’d been awake that whole time, maybe not seeing, but hearing everything.

[casimar-andrethi]

"I'm here, Leo. It's me. I'm here. We're going to let you recover. I'm going to wash this paint off of you and find you some proper clothes. Okay? When you're in a better state, we're getting out of here. They'll never hurt you again."

He held her close as he spoke, as if trying to shield her from what had already happened even though he knew it would be impossible.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

His voice seemed to bring her back down a bit, because her breathing became manageable. And when it did, her cries were brought, not wrenched, from steadying lungs. Her eyes were beginning to focus, and when they did, she caught a glimpse of the carnage.

Leo’s face went ice-cold as the blood drained from the flesh. To look upon the bodies stilled her breath at last, and put her in a sort of soundless trance. The noise around her was shut out, and none of her senses existed except to see what lay on the ash.

And yet, she didn’t push Cas away. She wasn’t afraid of him, and she definitely didn’t fault him for what he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wordlessly lifted her into his arms, carrying her away into a decently sized tent, stepping away briefly to find a barrel tub to fill with water and wash her off with. When he returned, he dealt quickly with the sacrificial paint, holding a set of fresh clothes with him to help her change into afterward along with a towel.

His touch was gentle, for a Mer that had just murdered an entire Ashlander tribe.

He used a dampened washcloth to deal with the blood on his hands and face as well, wrinkling his nose at the stickiness of it. Blood dried fast.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

It was like she was operating mindlessly, staring off while she was cleaned, blacking out every time she was touched.

As soon as she was dressed, though, Leo stood up. Her legs trembled and she nearly fell back from the pain, but she was kept upright by nothing but luck.

Leo strode mechanically out of the tent, then toward the bodies. She had no purpose in mind— nothing on her mind at all, really. Someone could scream her name into her ear and she couldn’t pay it mind if she tried.

Her glassy blood-red eyes drifted over the bodies of her tribesmen as she walked among them, stepping between limbs and scraps of flesh, clothes and weaponry. Hell, she could name half of them. She could talk about their mannerisms, what they liked and hated, how they came to be.

Until they lost their minds and became… well, whatever madness led them to this.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[casimar-andrethi]

The first man was dead the moment he took a step forward.

Cas darted between opponents with inhuman speed, tearing them to pieces, snapping necks, crushing skulls, cracking spines. They were little more than target practice for him.

When the last one who dared to follow Nia's orders was dead, he didn't stop there.

Instead, he turned on the even weaker ones, ending them just as brutally as he had Nia's soldiers. When they were finished, he turned his sights onto Nia and her guards, soaked in the blood of her tribe, walking steadily towards her as if he wasn't the slightest bit exerted from massacring an entire camp.

"Last chance."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia, basking in the horrors before her, finally relented. She waved at one of her guards— the one who'd kicked Leo earlier— who tossed Casimar the key to unlocking their captive's chains.

"Enough," Nia shook her head. "... just take her. Take her and go.”

Three guards and the leader, and they were all completely stricken with terror. They knew Cas could kill them just as easily.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas stepped forward and picked up the key, turning it over in his bloodstained fingers.

"Good. None of you are necessary any longer."

He flicked his wrist and Nia would feel her connection to her own body sever. A burst of violet magic accompanied with a crackle like lightning, and her soul would siphon into an empty Black soul gem in the pouch on his hip.

Just like that, dead. He didn't even bother properly killing her.

He picked up his daggers from the ground where he'd dropped them, and then easily dealt with her remaining guards. They probably knew they wouldn't be able to run.

With that, he turned and headed for Leo, unlocking her chains and catching her when she'd fall. He winced at the thought of soaking her with the same blood that he was covered in, but he didn't have many options here.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo, delirious and not completely unconscious, covered her head with wildly trembling hands. Blood, probably her own, was dried beneath her nails and bruises adorned her wrists from where she’d been held down… probably days prior. Those barbarians had committed atrocities upon her broken body.

Her breathing was picking up in pace, ragged and uncontrolled. She likely didn’t realize who she was being held by. The thick sheen of sweat on her skin from whatever the drug was doing was a tell just how badly she was affected. But more than that, the aches and pains in her body spurred on the broken cries that left her throat.

Her nails dug into her scalp as she clutched at her hair, trying desperately to ground herself. She’d been awake that whole time, maybe not seeing, but hearing everything.

[casimar-andrethi]

"I'm here, Leo. It's me. I'm here. We're going to let you recover. I'm going to wash this paint off of you and find you some proper clothes. Okay? When you're in a better state, we're getting out of here. They'll never hurt you again."

He held her close as he spoke, as if trying to shield her from what had already happened even though he knew it would be impossible.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

His voice seemed to bring her back down a bit, because her breathing became manageable. And when it did, her cries were brought, not wrenched, from steadying lungs. Her eyes were beginning to focus, and when they did, she caught a glimpse of the carnage.

Leo’s face went ice-cold as the blood drained from the flesh. To look upon the bodies stilled her breath at last, and put her in a sort of soundless trance. The noise around her was shut out, and none of her senses existed except to see what lay on the ash.

And yet, she didn’t push Cas away. She wasn’t afraid of him, and she definitely didn’t fault him for what he did.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[casimar-andrethi]

The first man was dead the moment he took a step forward.

Cas darted between opponents with inhuman speed, tearing them to pieces, snapping necks, crushing skulls, cracking spines. They were little more than target practice for him.

When the last one who dared to follow Nia's orders was dead, he didn't stop there.

Instead, he turned on the even weaker ones, ending them just as brutally as he had Nia's soldiers. When they were finished, he turned his sights onto Nia and her guards, soaked in the blood of her tribe, walking steadily towards her as if he wasn't the slightest bit exerted from massacring an entire camp.

"Last chance."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia, basking in the horrors before her, finally relented. She waved at one of her guards— the one who'd kicked Leo earlier— who tossed Casimar the key to unlocking their captive's chains.

"Enough," Nia shook her head. "... just take her. Take her and go.”

Three guards and the leader, and they were all completely stricken with terror. They knew Cas could kill them just as easily.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas stepped forward and picked up the key, turning it over in his bloodstained fingers.

"Good. None of you are necessary any longer."

He flicked his wrist and Nia would feel her connection to her own body sever. A burst of violet magic accompanied with a crackle like lightning, and her soul would siphon into an empty Black soul gem in the pouch on his hip.

Just like that, dead. He didn't even bother properly killing her.

He picked up his daggers from the ground where he'd dropped them, and then easily dealt with her remaining guards. They probably knew they wouldn't be able to run.

With that, he turned and headed for Leo, unlocking her chains and catching her when she'd fall. He winced at the thought of soaking her with the same blood that he was covered in, but he didn't have many options here.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo, delirious and not completely unconscious, covered her head with wildly trembling hands. Blood, probably her own, was dried beneath her nails and bruises adorned her wrists from where she’d been held down… probably days prior. Those barbarians had committed atrocities upon her broken body.

Her breathing was picking up in pace, ragged and uncontrolled. She likely didn’t realize who she was being held by. The thick sheen of sweat on her skin from whatever the drug was doing was a tell just how badly she was affected. But more than that, the aches and pains in her body spurred on the broken cries that left her throat.

Her nails dug into her scalp as she clutched at her hair, trying desperately to ground herself. She’d been awake that whole time, maybe not seeing, but hearing everything.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[casimar-andrethi]

The first man was dead the moment he took a step forward.

Cas darted between opponents with inhuman speed, tearing them to pieces, snapping necks, crushing skulls, cracking spines. They were little more than target practice for him.

When the last one who dared to follow Nia's orders was dead, he didn't stop there.

Instead, he turned on the even weaker ones, ending them just as brutally as he had Nia's soldiers. When they were finished, he turned his sights onto Nia and her guards, soaked in the blood of her tribe, walking steadily towards her as if he wasn't the slightest bit exerted from massacring an entire camp.

"Last chance."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia, basking in the horrors before her, finally relented. She waved at one of her guards— the one who'd kicked Leo earlier— who tossed Casimar the key to unlocking their captive's chains.

"Enough," Nia shook her head. "... just take her. Take her and go.”

Three guards and the leader, and they were all completely stricken with terror. They knew Cas could kill them just as easily.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar laughed. "I don't think it matters what I am. I'm sure Molag Bal will tell you all about me when I send you to his collection in Coldharbour, through. Maybe you should ask him when you get there."

He cracked his knuckles, then picked up the warhammer for himself and approached Marasi. Despite seeming to have wielded dual blades before, he held the new weapon with a confidence that was hard to deny. He kicked Marasi to the ground once more, toppling the other mer onto his back, and pressed his foot down on Marasi's chest to pin him in place.

"I'll enjoy watching your soul shrivel and break in my master's claws."

With that, he brought up the warhammer and dropped it down in an arc—and Marasi's head was splattered across the ground before he could even try to plead for his life. Blood had splashed onto Cas as well, and covered in the remains of their champion, he turned back to Nia.

"Our deal."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Clearly, Nia hadn’t expected this. Her strongest man, leveled in an instant. She stared in horror at the ruin that was Marasi’s body, trembling with rage.

She screamed not at Cas, but at the rest of the tribe.

“KILL HIM! FUCKING KILL HIM!”

For a minute, nobody moved. No one wanted to face Casimar after that. Besides, after such a raw deal had been shattered in an instant, their faith in her was as good as lost.

Then came the first man, brandishing his blade with absolutely nothing to lose, just like the soldiers around him.

[indigo-nightingale]

You're a 10/10

“Yes, Gallus has told me so quite a few times. Shall I relay this message?”

[leocadia-blackmouth]

“Yes, girl! Get his ass!”

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[casimar-andrethi]

Instead of stepping back, Cas darted into Marasi's range, his arm coming up and—much to the horror of any normal person—blocking the warhammer's swing with his bare limb. His forearm collided with the metal shaft of the weapon, causing a reverberation to hum throughout the hammer, as if it had come into direct contact with an ebony shield instead of flesh and bone.

In any startled stillness that might follow, Cas grabbed the warhammer and yanked it from Marasi's grip, then grabbed the other Mer by his throat. His grin widened as he lifted Marasi off his feet with ease like he was a child instead of a grown Dunmer in full Chitin.

Leaving Marasi to sit and choke from his own weight for a couple of moments, Cas then pivoted and threw the Dunmer onto the ground, sending him flying across the dirt.

"Come on," he drawled, kicking aside the warhammer. He hadn't even needed a spell to guard against the hit. His arm throbbed a bit from the impact, but he'd spent hundreds of years learning to weather attacks like that. "You call this a challenge? Get back up, Champion. You have a fight to lose."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Now Marasi was damn terrified. This was a fight to the death, and his most practiced and promising strike just bounced right off him like he’d struck ebony instead of flesh and bone.

“What are you!?” The warrior growled, debating on how he could grab his weapon from here. He was entirely at a disadvantage, but he stood up anyway. Likely to avoid feeling as small as he did.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas easily sidestepped the swing. In response to it, he darted forward, slamming his elbow into the center of Marasi's spine, and then kicking in the back of Marasi's knee to topple him.

He jumped back after his strikes, bouncing a bit on the balls of his feet. He was surprisingly agile considering how much broad muscle was on his bones.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen watched, intrigued, as Cas was able to put him on his knees in a second flat. Some even appeared thrilled.

Nia took a moment to realize she might’ve made a mistake.

This only enraged the insecure hammer-wielding Ashlander all over again. A few more of these and he would be swinging without thought.

As soon as he could stand again, he slammed the warhammer down just in front of him, then tried another side swing when he could pick it up again.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[casimar-andrethi]

"What's the matter, Marasi? Are you scared? Cute hammer. Maybe I'll use it to repair a gap in the roof of my house when I'm done here."

Cas walked forward, closer to the tribe's champion. In a show of honor for the challenge, he held out a hand for Marasi to shake. However, were Marasi to accept the gesture, his grip would tighten painfully and he'd yank Marasi closer to mutter in his ear:

"Tell you what. I'll go easy on you. Wouldn't want you to lose the rest of your nose. Not that it's doing you any favors."

He then released the other Mer and stepped back, still grinning. The look in his eyes was unsettling, like a cliff racer zeroing in on its prey.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Yeah, this guy was about to rage himself into a stupor.

And as soon as he was released, Marasi scoffed. He thought it was all tough talk. Poor stupid bastard.

The moment it was quiet, Nia knocked her sword against the support post Leo was tied to— the signal to begin, and a reminder of the risk.

Marasi took the first swing of his hammer, straight for Cas’ midsection. Cas had, however, pissed him off so bad that he put too much angry power into the swing and it took him by surprise.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas's lips tilted into a cocky grin.

He drew his daggers from their sheathes on his hips, then tossed them both aside. He then unbuckled the outer layers of his armor, shedding the heavy furs and the plated leathers with ease, leaving himself in his leather trousers and exposing his heavily tattooed torso to the Vvardenfell sunlight.

Anyone who might know their history could recognize the markings of the Ebonheart Pact, intricate dragon-esque tattoos that were only awarded to the Pact's finest soldiers. But surely that was impossible. The Pact only existed hundreds of years ago, no?

He glanced over towards Leo, noticing her silence. Though he felt rage broil in his veins at how helpless they were making her with the drugs, a selfish part of him was glad that she wouldn't be fully coherent when he snapped.

"I'm ready for your challenge," he remarked airily. "I needn't any weapons nor armor. I'm eager to see what kind of champion earned a title based on his weapon of choice. No victories to choose from for his name, hmm?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo’s eyes went glassy and her muscles, slack. She was bound to the support post of a hut with a single puny guard to watch over her. And ogling watching her, he was.

Some of the more knowledgeable residents frowned at the sight of his tattoos. That was impossible, right?

They would soon find out. Though a few backed away and made for their huts to gather their belongings and prepare to flee.

Through the packs of them strode a chitin-armored, glass warhammer-wielding Dunmer with weathered pale skin and enough muscle to use it, but not quickly. A chunk of his nose had been taken off in a battle long before this one, and he looked taken aback at not only fighting this large fucking Mer, but watching him disarm.

“… I was told I’d be fighting a girl.” His voice was like a rusty fork on coarse stone. Of course, compared to the rest of them, Marasi was giant and terrifying. But compared to Cas? Gods knew he didn’t stand a chance.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas' gaze sharpened at the sight of the kick, but he didn't speak, not yet. He watched her be dragged off and hoped that the silent promise in his eyes was enough.

"Very well then," he replied, tearing his gaze away from the empty space where she'd been to look back at Nia. "Show me your best. I've been waiting for a proper challenge."

Not a single elf in this encampment could properly take him in a fight.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Nia walked past him and headed out of the hut, nodding to another soldier to go and fetch someone— they both seemed to know who.

Residents of the camp were staring as Leo was taken to confinement, then they all focused on Nia when she exited with her guards.

“My friends,” she announced to those around— some of them raised an eyebrow or exchanged glances; clearly this was a façade of dignity— “we have a change of plan going forward.”

Mixed reactions ensued as she continued.

“Our own Kedaea Sehabani offered up a challenge to save her own life. But in seeing her… dismal physical condition, one of our kinsmen has stepped up in her place. “Chayansh of the Ahemmusa Tribe against our own Marasi The Hammer.”

And judging by the name, he used a heavy two-handed weapon. This opened up a world of possibilities, especially since he would likely be too slow to fight someone of Cas’ speed effectively.

Leo’s general direction had gone silent.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas huffed in amusement. "You'd send her to fight for her life? You truly are a coward, if so. Is that really the example you want to set? That your champions will only fight drugged, half-naked women? Pitiful."

Instead, he stepped forward, his lips shifting into a grin. "Why don't you send me in as a proxy? If your chosen wins, you get two sacrifices." Nia didn't need to know that he was incapable of dying, and especially not without incurring the direct wrath of Molag Bal. "If you win, I take Leo and return home, leaving you all to live in peace."

That wasn't an option either. But she also didn't need to know that.

"If birthright to involve myself in such a challenge concerns you, I'm a child of an Ashlander tribe myself." He placed a hand over his heart and echoed the name that his mother gave him, alternative from his House-appropriate name. "Chayansh, of the Ahemmusa Tribe. At your disposal. I claim Kadaea's place in the challenge." Using her old name made his mouth taste of ash, but he didn't want them to deny based on some foolish technicality.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo gaped at him like he’d achieved godhood standing in front of her.

Nia, meanwhile, smiled at him. It was more cocky than genuine, of course. And given that this was her first impression of him, she didn’t know about the physical power he really had.

“Well, Chayansh,” she echoed, looking him up and down. “It is settled. You will fight in her place, and if you win, you may take her and leave us.” Oh, she really had no idea. “Kedaea, release my guard; Nakanabi, take her to holding.”

Leo’s limbs were locked up in fear of what they would do immediately when that guard wasn’t leverage anymore. But in the end, since she couldn’t prolong the inevitable, she slowly let the chain around the Mer’s neck go slack and he scrambled away, gasping for breath. Though immediately when he stood, he gave her a swift kick in the ribs with a curse… for nearly killing him, of course. This earned a whimper from Leo as she curled into herself, then another as she felt herself being hoisted up and dragged out. They couldn’t be more cruel or careless if they tried.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund had expected a small, mostly inactive port on the northeastern shore of Vvardenfell. Traffic was dismal and income likely wasn’t that great for these parts, but nothing could’ve prepared him for this sight.

As the Northern Maiden drew closer to the dock, the destruction was all the more evident in collapsed huts and charred corpses, curled into themselves and half-buried in dust and ash.

The fires had long grown cold, and the vermin had already picked what they could off the bodies… so this could’ve happened weeks ago now.

In the distance, wisps of black smoke curled into the air, and the ship’s crew had to cover their faces for respite from the undeniable smell of burning bodies.

“By Ysmir…” Gjalund breathed out as his men directed the vessel to its dock— the one remaining pier that hadn’t been destroyed. The body on the planks before them was half-burned, and a corroding Elven arrow protruded from its throat.

This had to be where those Ashlanders departed from. But this brutality was hitherto unseen by tribes who revered their values, and allowed their own power to be checked.

The captain scanned the place for any signs of life, and though he saw no movement, his hand still white-knuckled the dagger at his belt.

“… are you sure this is where you want to go?” Gjalund questioned Casimar, glancing at him warily. What madness could bring him to a place like this?

( @casimar-andrethi )

[casimar-andrethi]

Barbarians.

Casimar rarely ever used that term. It was mostly used anymore by people who disliked the more rustic culture of the Nords, and also against him by proxy as over the years he'd become more Nord than Dunmer in his ways. But this? It was one of those few times he'd seen the word deserve to be used.

His ear twitched at Gjalund's question. It was exactly where he needed to be. There was no way that all of this wasn't connected to the bastards who had taken Leo.

"Yes," he replied smoothly, rolling his shoulders back. He tossed another full coin purse at Gjalund, unprompted. Another 750 gold, judging by the weight. "Get back to Skyrim. I'll find my own way back. Safe travels, captain."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Gjalund tooo a moment to process the insane words coming out of his mouth, then nodded sagely.

“You too, now. Wherever it is you’re going.”

He was thankful for the coin, but this was madness. It wasn’t, however, any of his business. Especially concerning affairs like whatever these murderous bastards had going on.

“… be careful. I’ve never seen something like this before.”

His brow creased and he had to tear his gaze away from a painfully youthful corpse on the walkway.

They really spared no one.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas was far more used to such atrocity. Unfortunately, he wouldn't have the time to give these people a proper funeral of any sort. He'd send word to the nearest city that such a thing had occurred and let them sort out the cremations and appropriate tombs.

He stepped off of Gjalund's boat and walked through the decimated port city, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head. His presence rippled and vanished, matching the flickering smoke around him. Most of his trip would be spent in invisibility to avoid any potential scouts seeing him.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The bodies were everywhere. A guard, felled by a blade across his throat, a scrap of red cloth clutched in his hand from the assailant.

A mother holding her child close, now petrified in charred flesh and bone together.

And as Cas passed the edge of the port city, he would see how even those who were trying to escape were chased down and slaughtered.

Confirmation of the murderers’ identities was a single Ashlander body with angry violet tattoos on his face. They didn’t even carry their own back for burial.

A single incriminating fire burned in the distance, and on approach, the smell of burning bodies grew all the more pungent.

There, freshly burned corpses of beast-folk— countless Argonians and Khajiit— were in a careless, charred heap. They appeared to be travelers and caravaners… not soldiers. This had to be close to their camp.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas wrinkled his nose at the stench of burning flesh. It was a smell one wouldn't easily forget, and it reminded him keenly of Coldharbour—some of the more difficult soul shriven required much more thorough physical torture, after all. Himself included.

His decision was firmly made, now. Whether or not it was smart, not a single member of that tribe would live until tomorrow. Once he knew Leo was safe, they would die, and their souls would be divvied up between Sithis' Void and Molag Bal's Coldharbour.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Sitting lazily among the land about a mile from the port city was a party of four armored Dunmer. Their bodies looked thin, they were probably malnourished; and they talked amongst themselves instead of properly guarding the area.

“Two defectors down, one to go.” One murmured. “Can’t believe we’ve got to miss this.”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m hungry.” Snapped another— clearly at his wits’ end from near starvation. “… maybe one of those lizards will give us some eggs soon. I claim the next ones.”

“Pfft. I think that last round of them was the last they’ll ever have. And if they’re not good for work or young, that’s that.”

“Then we’ve got nothing to eat,” this one sounded quite young. “We’ve been living off those animals and whatever ash produce we can scrounge up.”

“… that’s what the rituals are for, s’wit.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Casimar walked up with ease to the pitiful excuses for "guards." He moved to stand behind them, and then dropped his invisibility so it would be like he'd simply appeared there.

"Personally, I'm a fan of farming. Much easier. Meat's often cleaner, as well."

He stared down at the Ashlanders, a low growl rumbling from his throat. It wouldn't be hard to intimidate them. He was already tall for a Dunmer, and when paired with being three times their size...

"I'm looking for Leo. One of your "defectors". Care to show the way, or do I have to drag your mangled bodies into that camp to get the attention I want from your filthy tribe?"

[leocadia-blackmouth]

The scouts looked about to piss themselves, and they were about to cough up an answer, but the name made one of them frown.

“Uh… you’re looking for who?”

She must’ve gone by a different name in the past.

“Doesn’t matter! Kill him!” The younger of them demanded, standing back to draw an arrow into his bow.

Clearly, this one wasn’t thinking. He was acting on terrified instinct.

And to match, the others followed suit, clearly too terrified to put up a proper fight. What a waste.

They already knew what was coming. They were too starved and weak to put up a proper fight… especially against someone of his size.

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas merely sighed. This wasn't going to take long.

The Vestige kept true to his earlier threat. He walked into the camp without a care in the world, dragging along the remains of the "guards" with ease. His armor and weapons were soaked red, and he looked every inch the violent murderer that Molag Bal had sculpted him into.

He tossed the bloody corpses without care into the dirt and crossed his arms, waiting for the next idiots to either fight him or give him what he wanted. Or, even better, for some sort of leader among these excuses of life to greet him directly.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Some of the tribesmen scurried into the shadows like rats. Others yet started forward, brandishing blades and spitting threats. But every one of them kept their distance— he’d had no problem killing them so easily.

“You filthy bastard!” One hissed. Ironic for a man who had used Argonian horns to embellish his armor.

Yeah, they had very limited real power. They could attack a small port city with only a handful of guards, no problem. Burn the women and children, et cetera. But when a real threat presented itself? They were no good, starved as they were.

“What say you, outlander?” Another demanded. “You charge into our home with our brothers’ bodies, all for what?”

Brothers. Yeah. Like they gave a damn. That was a piss-poor attempt at a noble statement.

[casimar-andrethi]

"Outlander? I was born and raised in Vvardenfell. My mother was of the Ahemmusa Tribe. I'm older than everyone in this camp, and far more powerful than any of your warriors could hope to be. Lower your tone when you speak to me, worm."

He stepped closer to the one who had called him "bastard", his gaze glinting dangerously. "I'm looking for a "defector" of yours that you recently took from Windhelm. Bring me to her. Or we could do this the fun way, where I tear my way through your pitiful camp until I find her myself."

[leocadia-blackmouth]

That one finally took the liberty of pointing to a hut toward the other end of the camp— then immediately ducking away.

These underfed fetchers were hopeless.

Others of them stood off to the side, out of his way. These ones appeared to be something resembling able-bodied. A few could be picked out as the ones who kidnapped her, as seen in the spectral projection.

“… Kadaea is with Nia,” one of the stronger ones spoke up. Nia must’ve been their leader. They likely disposed of any wise women in the past when they did away with tradition.

As if on cue, a loud crash followed by an audible struggle and frantic shouting reached their ears. Undeniably Leo’s voice.

[casimar-andrethi]

Kadaea? Probably Leo's name before leaving the Ashlanders, but he didn't have the chance to ask before he heard her.

He bolted past the warriors in a blur of motion, surprisingly fast for someone so large. Within the second he'd burst into the hut, looking around wildly to try and catch sight of Leo.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

And there on the ground, surrounded by her blade-wielding kin, she was. Around her waist was a generous length of red cloth, but that was all she wore. Her entire upper body was bare. This paired with the scarlet paint striped along her flesh in ritualistic patterns was an interesting sight. On her abdomen, a moon and star was painted, a lanky spider on her forearm, and a serpent around one thigh. A smattering of bruises littered her hips and throat, with various others scattered around her ashen skin.

Each wrist was bound in chains, but at the moment, she used that to her advantage. Leo had it coiled around a soldier’s neck, pulling tight to cut off his airway while her legs held him in place at the torso, and he scrabbled at the chain around his neck uselessly.

“Release him!” One of the other soldiers demanded, ready to run her through with his sword.

Leo, however, was practically deafened by adrenaline and desperation to make sense of what they said— or even notice that Cas was there. She was really out of it.

“I’ll break his neck!” Leo growled back. Her voice seemed hoarse (from crying, maybe?)

“Calm down, Kedaea,” the woman at the head of it all hummed, “you know you can’t outlast—“

“A challenge.” Leo interrupted, scarlet eyes burning in her defiance.

“… what?”

“A challenge,” she repeated herself. “A proper one. Give me my armor and blade, and grant me the chance to earn my freedom. That is, if I haven’t come from a long line of cowards.”

Nia turned her gaze toward Cas, amusement playing across her features. She, along with her bodyguards, appeared significantly healthier than the others outside.

“It looks like we have ourselves a visitor.”

[casimar-andrethi]

Cas tore his gaze from Leo, focusing every inch of his fury onto the tribe's equivalent of "leader". His gaze seemed to glow with its intensity.

"Nia, I assume?" He spoke, his voice cold enough to the point that it made the air itself seem a bit chillier. "Give me one good reason not to tear you to pieces and feed you to your own guards."

If he looked at Leo again, he'd lose his mind. And he needed to have some modicum of control to ensure that she made it out of here safely.

[leocadia-blackmouth]

Leo thought she was either dead or dreaming when she heard Cas’ voice, and she held her breath while turning her head. Gods, she could have cried with relief. But the guard in her arms thrashed again, and she centered every scrap of her focus on holding him in place.

Nia was tall for a Dunmer, but aside from that, there was nothing that could put her aside from the other tribesmen she led. Nothing significant, as one would expect from an illegitimate leader of rogues and savages.

“I assume you’re here for one of our own?” The woman questioned as she gestured down at Leo, who flinched back harshly at the motion with a sharp breath in. “Unfortunately, we need this one. Although—“

“Answer my request, you fucking coward,” Leo bit out, driving her point home with that word once again. Her voice was a strained growl. Right now, she was a fox in a trap, gnawing off its paw to get out. Every one of her senses and instincts was animal in nature; she was so terrified that she could hardly see straight.

“Shut up.” Nia snapped back, after which she immediately turned her attention back to Cas. “… although, I suppose a negotiation can be made.”

Yes, she was considering the proposal of a challenge— a fight to the death. Her men could use a morale boost— and besides, no way this weak girl could actually win against her chosen soldier.