Realm of Games #1: Skyrim

Chapter 24

The next morning, we emerged from our bed chambers, refreshed and hungry. Ventus, Tsapi, and Ri'nara were already chowing down with Brok.

The plan for the day was to collect at least two of the Black Books. One of the books resided with the old wizard at Tel Mithrin. As for the other five, well, Nordic and Dwemer ruins awaited us.

"What's the plan for today?" Ventus asked around a mouthful of venison. I looked at him disapprovingly. He quickly swallowed and grinned at me, sticking his tongue out.

"The plan," I said, ignoring his cheeky smirk, "is to get two of the Black Books in our possession. One is with the old weirdo up in the mushroom tower. The other five are scattered around Solstheim in Nordic Ruins and Dwemer ruins, although I think one is in the ruined mine in Raven Rock." Taking out a map, I pointed out the locations of the books.

"This time, we're going after these two. Bloodskal Barrow and Kolbjorn Barrow. Celesty, Ventus, the kits and I will take Bloodskal. Brok, you, Arina, and Rosla will take Kolbjorn. Oh, and you'll need this." I put three sacks of gold on the table with a heavy thunk. "I'd take Kolbjorn myself, but I don't have any patience for the guy doing the excavation." I smiled my best vampire smile at them. They groaned.

"So we get an annoying chit while you get the fun dead people. So not fair," Arina said. I shook my head. Ventus started laughing and the kits looked confused.

"There will plenty of dead people for you too, that's why he needs you. The gold is just incentive for the people he needs to hire to excavate the ruin," I explained. Arina looked relieved that they wouldn't just be sitting around.

While we were getting ready back in our rooms, Celesty and I helped Ri'nara and Tsapi into their armor and sent them into the front hall to wait for us.

"Why didn't you split up the kits? I'm just curious," she asked. I stopped what I was doing for a moment and looked out the window, then spoke quietly.

"Because I don't trust Brok. Yes, he may have saved us, yes he gave us a base of operations. But the fact is, he betrayed us. And his eyes were...hungry. Arina and Rosla can take care of themselves, can push him off a cliff if need be. But Ri'nara and Tsapi can't."

"So that's why you waited for the others to leave first before sending them to the great hall. I thought it was because Kolbjorn is farther away than Bloodskal Barrow."

I put on my boots and stood to get my helmet. "In part, yes, that's why I waited. Bloodskal is closer, but not by much. We'll still be gone for at least 4 days." Long enough for Arina to do what I asked. I thought.

We left our room and met up with the others in the hall.

"You guys ready? Let's go."