Elven swords at his waist, bandolier of potions around his chest, hefty bag filled to the brim, and a newly bought steel shield attached to it.

Athias adjusted the straps of his bag until he got comfortable. He sincerely hoped that there was some kind of spell that offered a magical storage space or an enchantment that could increase the internal space of an object. The weight wasn’t a problem; his books, camping equipment, and alchemy kit just took up far too much space. He had considered selling his old steel sword but decided to downsize how much food he carried. Bread and water would be good enough for a few nights if they couldn’t hunt.

He looked around the room that’d been his base of operations for their stay in Markarth. He wouldn’t be missing the stone bed.

Athias left the room and entered the main hall, returning his room key to the owner. Ordering a light breakfast, he joined Auri at their usual corner table. No surprise she was the first ready to go; she traveled the lightest, hardly anymore than the bare necessities on her person. That, and he could tell she was looking forward to being back in the wilds.

“Slept well I hope.” Auri said as he took his seat. He hummed. No status effects plagued him and his anticipation was at its height. Their reasons might differ but he was looking forward to getting out there just as much as her.

Remiel joined them soon after with her own plate of food, backpack bulging. If one paid close attention to it they might take notice of infrequent rustles and near silent whirls.

Would Scrap continue to function once they left Markarth far behind? They’d have their answer soon.

Once he and Remiel finished up their breakfast, the group emerged from the Silver-Blood Inn, descending stone steps that led into the city’s main market.

“The bloodiest beef in all the Reach!” Among the stall owners advertising their product, one in particular always stood out to Athias whenever he passed through here.

[Name: Hogni Red-Arm]

[Race: Nord]

[Level: 15]

Hogni: a balding nord that sold meat. A cannibal. Disturbing as that was, Athias gave the man and his product a wide berth for a very different reason. The man was -or at least he had been in the game- a worshipper of Namira.

He doubted the man was stupid enough to sell any questionable meat to the ignorant masses and suffer exposure for nothing in return, but Athias still wouldn’t risk any association with the man. Namira was the Daedric Prince often called The Lady of Decay, one of the deities that the outcasts of society tended to flock to. The outcasts that were shunned by everyone for their dark desires. Cannibalism was just one of the many things condoned under her sphere. Naturally, her followers typically ended up being those of malicious intent.

Maybe someone out there could make a case for worshiping Namira. Athias wasn’t that someone.

“Oi, younglings!” Among the usual stands was a new one still being set up, a familiar redguard and his carriage behind it.

“Morning Freme.” Auri said as they approached his stand.

“Frem, never Freme.” The man corrected as he placed a pair of steel plated gauntlets down.

[Name: Swordsman’s Fury]

[Description: A powerful enchantment lends power to these gauntlets. Only a swordsman beneath death’s looming shadow can bring out their full potential.]

[Effects: When dual wielding swords the wearer swings their blades 10% faster. For every 20% of health the user is missing another 10% is added to the speed boost.]

Su.

It was sudden and disorientating. The word crashed into Athias’s thoughts and blew them away, the air around him almost vibrating with an unseen energy.

He should know the word’s meaning. No, that wasn’t right. He did know the word’s meaning. There was something missing, something stopping him from bridging the two together.

A need.

“I see the rumors that reached my ears are true.” Frem said. The world around Athias came back into focus, no one aware of the abrupt realization he underwent. “I’m glad you found a reliable sort to travel with, noble girl.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“I’m not a noble, old man.” Remiel bit back.

“As you say.” Frem tipped his head to her then focused on Athias and Auri. “Try not to let her reckless passion lead you to an early grave.”

Auri laughed and Athias rolled his eyes. He knew exactly where this was going. “We’ll do that if he doesn’t get us killed first.”

“Oh? Was it youthful brashness that brought you all together?” Frem guessed. “Let us pray that Y’ffre extends her protection to your companions.”

“Hopefully.” Auri did a good job of maintaining her smile, but Athias noticed a downward twitch. A bit odd but he wasn’t aware of everything there was to know about her religion. Maybe it was blasphemous to request something from her deity; there were religions that condemned such an act, dubbing it the height of selfishness and arrogance.

Brushing it off, he looked between the other things Frem had on display. Most of them were weapons and armor though there was some jewelry, all holding combat oriented enchantments. Getting all of this must have cost a fortune; the few enchanted things Calcelmo sold went for well over one thousand gold.

“How’d you get your hands on so much enchanted gear?” Athias asked.

“Interesting, you’ve got quite the eye. Most can not appreciate the value of my goods with only a look.” Frem said, one arm held behind his back and the other stroking his beard. “All you see was enchanted by my hand. With white soul gems of course; I don’t dabble in the sacrifice of souls.”

Athias hadn’t exactly hit the bridge yet but it was good to know if he bought anything from Frem he wouldn’t have to worry too much about the method of creation. The man must have been a skilled enchanter to produce such things.

“You wouldn’t happen to sell any books on enchantment would you?”

Frem smiled. It was that opportunistic one he had when he first hired Athias and Auri. “And undermine my business? I’m afraid my inner merchant wouldn’t be happy offering such a thing. I would not be opposed to an apprentice that doubled as a bodyguard if you were so inclined to learn the art.”

“I’ll pass on that.” He denied the offer with a chuckle. At least the man was honest, if a bit shrewd.

If he couldn’t get ahold of the book he needed to formulate an answer, he could always ask a professional.

Athias dropped his voice as he leaned forward, subtly placing a certain ring on the stand. “What can you tell me about this?” Frem raised a brow but went along with it, picking up the ring. He frowned on contact.

“It is not particularly powerful but its holds the taint of a Deadric Prince.” Frem said lowly, as he rotated it about in his fingers. Auri and Remiel leaned forward to get a look at it.

“Taint?” Athias asked.

“I’m sure you’re aware of the danger those beings present to us mortals. We are not but grains of sand in the deserts they cross to see their will done. And yet, despite all their attempts, this world is dominated and shaped by us.”

“They are powerful but far from omnipotent. Their influence in this realm is restricted to their followers and places of power, such as temples and the like. Of course, there are exceptions.” Frem placed the ring back on the stall. “One could sacrifice souls in a daedra’s name while enchanting something. Should the sacrifice be accepted, the object will be granted more power than it ordinarily would’ve, but that is a shortcut for fools who lack the finesse and dedication to master the art.”

“So this ring was granted power by a daedra?”

“A miniscule amount. I assume the enchanter lacked much in the way of skill and or preparation.”

“Is it dangerous to wear?” Athias asked.

“As long as your careful? Not at all, but as I’ve said, there are exceptions to be aware of when dealing with daedra. Might I ask where you got this from?”

“A dead Meridia worshipper.” Remiel answered immediately, just as invested in Frem’s words as Athias.

“I see. I’m certain you can make use of this ring without consequence; based off the little power within it, it’s doubtful Meridia cared much about this follower of hers.” Frem explained. He leaned towards them, eyes narrowed and a slight frown in place. “If you were to say, slay a coven of vampires and proclaim to have done it in her name while wearing it? There’s a very real chance you may draw Meridia’s gaze.”

“Meaning what exactly?” Athias asked.

“That depends on the daedra. Words hold power and by claiming to have done something in the name of a prince, you’re giving them power over you.” Frem raised a hand to his chest, tapping it. “You haven’t necessarily given up your soul by that point but you’re walking a dangerous line. The result could be a simple communion where the prince in question acknowledges your act.”

“If they are especially pleased you could be granted a boon and named their agent; of course, blindly accepting that will undoubtedly end with your soul bound to them. In the event that they’re displeased with your offering and you have no precautions in place to protect yourself…let’s just say death would be the best outcome.”

Athias picked the ring back up, seeing it in a new light. This little thing had the potential to be as dangerous as he expected. At the same time, he could get away within wearing it so long as he didn’t run around committing acts in Meridia’s name. Not a problem for him.

“Thank you.” Athias said with a nod, slipping the ring back in his pouch. He still had no intention of using it but any plans to sell it just went out the window.

He'd be keeping this thing under lock and key.

“Are the three of you leaving the city?” Frem asked. Athias nodded. “Ah. It’s a shame we never got to share those drinks. Hopefully our paths cross again.”

“Hopefully.” Athias agreed as they left the left, waving to Frem.

“So, are we summoning a daedra?” Remiel asked far too loudly, other shoppers looking their way with a mix of suspicion and disgust. “While I’m too busy with my research to volunteer to be the summoner, I would like to be nearby when it happens. I’ll be sure to-“

“Remiel?” Athias said.

“Yes?”

“Shut up.”

Auri giggled at her expense while Remiel huffed. “Rude.”

Their little detour to Frem out of the way, they reached the city’s tall gates quickly. Unlike their arrival, the guards asked no questions, opening the metal doors for them without hassle.

A slight grin broke out across Athias’s face as he laid eyes on the far reaching mountains, accented by flowing rivers. A fog shrouded much of what was hidden atop their peaks.

He was looking forward to getting back out in the world, Forsworn or no.