Liriel had heard the shouts and screams, heard the magic. Heard the savage yowls that had haunted every Dwemer ruin she'd ever been in. She'd got free of her bonds by then and was desperately trying to pick her way out of the chest, but so far the lock held good, and it really wasn't meant to be picked from this side.
When she felt the chest tilt and fall, she knew things were bad. When they picked it up and carried it away, she knew she was in real trouble. Did they know she was in here? Had they taken this one because they knew it held easy meat (hah, she'd show them)? Then she heard her sister screaming and fear turned to panic.
“Cali,” Liriel whispered as she wrestled with the lock, cursing as yet another pick broke. “Cali, hold on, I'm coming.” Frantic signalling to Madanach too. No one else would be able to track her, no one else would be able to find them.
Madanach, if you ever loved me, help me! Please...
Answering call and the answer to that first part was clearly yes, hang in there, I'm coming. It was the sole bright point, her husband still loved her, and she could feel him getting closer now, moving faster – was he on horseback? Not alone then, Madanach could barely ride to save his life or anyone else's.
But he was coming and her sister was howling, sobbing helplessly and crying out for her parents, for her mother to help and for Daddy, Daddy, you hurt my Daddy and Liriel felt her own tears come. Maybe the last few days hadn't been easy but he was still her father and Liriel still loved him.
She persevered but the bloody picks kept breaking and she was down to her last one. Ancalime's voice had changed somehow, echoing, and Liriel guessed this was the hive. Certainly smelt like it. She had to get out of here, she had to, her sister was terrified, her father was hurt, what about her mother (although Liriel somehow felt her mother would survive). She was the Dragonborn, dammit, her family needed her!
Last pick. One more try. Calm, Liriel, calm and maybe she should have joined the Nightingales after all. Luck clearly wasn't with her tonight.
The pick broke and Liriel lost it. Screaming, shrieking, she began hammering on the chest, promising vengeance, promising fire, promising death if they dared hurt her sister, and then sit occurred to her that her Voice could do more than just scream.
“FUS RO DAH!”
In confined quarters, the effect was immediate. The lid of the chest exploded outwards and the Falmer carrying her shrieked, dropping the chest and fleeing the rain of splinters. Liriel crashed to the floor, winded but OK and casting her armour. One Atronach later and fireballs were flying in all directions as Liriel dealt with her captors the best way she knew how.
Even not fully equipped, the Archmage of Winterhold was no base prey, and she had her best robes on. Falmer went flying as Destruction magic sliced through the air. Finally all three were dead and Liriel was sprinting after Ancalime.
“Hold on, nethig, I'm coming!” Liriel shouted as she rounded the corner into the main chamber. There were more of them waiting for her, three of them standing over Ancalime, who was crouched on the ground, unhurt but tears rolling down her face. She looked up, hope and adoration in her eyes as her sister emerged with a Flame Atronach at her back and a Flame Cloak going.
“Liriel!” Ancalime sobbed. “Liriel, help!”
“Cali. As soon as they're distracted, run!” Liriel cried, summoning a bound bow and opening fire – fireballs were no good with Ancalime in range, but summoned arrows worked just fine. The Falmer as one left Ancalime be, turning on her.
Liriel fought hard, Liriel fought well. Ancalime wasted no time diving into the shadows and getting out of the way while Liriel rained fire and lightning on them. But Liriel's powers had limits and she was heavily outnumbered.
Madanach help me, Madanach please...
Answering response of carefully controlled terror and a promise he'd come, and he was nearby now, not far at all. He was here, he was here, her ahmul was here.
Re: Thicker Than Blood 10.5
When she felt the chest tilt and fall, she knew things were bad. When they picked it up and carried it away, she knew she was in real trouble. Did they know she was in here? Had they taken this one because they knew it held easy meat (hah, she'd show them)? Then she heard her sister screaming and fear turned to panic.
“Cali,” Liriel whispered as she wrestled with the lock, cursing as yet another pick broke. “Cali, hold on, I'm coming.” Frantic signalling to Madanach too. No one else would be able to track her, no one else would be able to find them.
Madanach, if you ever loved me, help me! Please...
Answering call and the answer to that first part was clearly yes, hang in there, I'm coming. It was the sole bright point, her husband still loved her, and she could feel him getting closer now, moving faster – was he on horseback? Not alone then, Madanach could barely ride to save his life or anyone else's.
But he was coming and her sister was howling, sobbing helplessly and crying out for her parents, for her mother to help and for Daddy, Daddy, you hurt my Daddy and Liriel felt her own tears come. Maybe the last few days hadn't been easy but he was still her father and Liriel still loved him.
She persevered but the bloody picks kept breaking and she was down to her last one. Ancalime's voice had changed somehow, echoing, and Liriel guessed this was the hive. Certainly smelt like it. She had to get out of here, she had to, her sister was terrified, her father was hurt, what about her mother (although Liriel somehow felt her mother would survive). She was the Dragonborn, dammit, her family needed her!
Last pick. One more try. Calm, Liriel, calm and maybe she should have joined the Nightingales after all. Luck clearly wasn't with her tonight.
The pick broke and Liriel lost it. Screaming, shrieking, she began hammering on the chest, promising vengeance, promising fire, promising death if they dared hurt her sister, and then sit occurred to her that her Voice could do more than just scream.
“FUS RO DAH!”
In confined quarters, the effect was immediate. The lid of the chest exploded outwards and the Falmer carrying her shrieked, dropping the chest and fleeing the rain of splinters. Liriel crashed to the floor, winded but OK and casting her armour. One Atronach later and fireballs were flying in all directions as Liriel dealt with her captors the best way she knew how.
Even not fully equipped, the Archmage of Winterhold was no base prey, and she had her best robes on. Falmer went flying as Destruction magic sliced through the air. Finally all three were dead and Liriel was sprinting after Ancalime.
“Hold on, nethig, I'm coming!” Liriel shouted as she rounded the corner into the main chamber. There were more of them waiting for her, three of them standing over Ancalime, who was crouched on the ground, unhurt but tears rolling down her face. She looked up, hope and adoration in her eyes as her sister emerged with a Flame Atronach at her back and a Flame Cloak going.
“Liriel!” Ancalime sobbed. “Liriel, help!”
“Cali. As soon as they're distracted, run!” Liriel cried, summoning a bound bow and opening fire – fireballs were no good with Ancalime in range, but summoned arrows worked just fine. The Falmer as one left Ancalime be, turning on her.
Liriel fought hard, Liriel fought well. Ancalime wasted no time diving into the shadows and getting out of the way while Liriel rained fire and lightning on them. But Liriel's powers had limits and she was heavily outnumbered.
Madanach help me, Madanach please...
Answering response of carefully controlled terror and a promise he'd come, and he was nearby now, not far at all. He was here, he was here, her ahmul was here.