Trannigan had just barely fallen asleep when an odd presense rushed in and kicked the fire out. He did not move as the rest of his group tried to figure out what had happened before the being showed itself. He listened with his back to the group as a new voice berated them for having a fire going, pointing out that it is going to alert any undead nearby. The new voice, who by his gruff tone sounded like a Dunmer, using a very condescending tone to a few of the people in the group, while managing to be at least civil to a few others. He definitely has the Arrogance of most of the Dunmer I have met. Thank the gods we have some level headed people among our numbers.

He slowly reached for one of his daggers that he always kept at his side when he slept and gripped it tightly. The way things were already going things might escalate into violence. Even though at the moment things were going somewhat friendly, he was ready to attack the new Dunmer if need be. He did not seem to take notice of the 'sleeping' Imperial, and if he did notice he didn't seem to take him as any threat. Even though from the sounds he heard a little bit before the fire got put out gave a hint he was some kind of magic user Trannigan would still try to cast a destruction spell at the new Dunmer or try to plunge the dagger into him.

When he heard the Dunmer order Aenar to go keep watch outside he decided to drop his sleeping act and head out with the man, it would be wiser to travel in pairs anyways. He sat up slowly and gave a yawn then picked up his sword. As he walked out of the cave he eyed the new Dunmer down hard and gave an unimpressed grunt. He then called out to Aenar, telling him he would help keep watch.

Vannas Andrethi

When it seemed like everything had somewhat calmed down, he took the moment to look at the group and noticed they were all very different types of person and so he figured they never actually met before. This still didn’t mean he could trust them not to trust each other. So he had to remain focused.

Both the Nord, who hadn’t introduced himself yet, and Daedalus asked him how he kept warm in the cold nights. Before he could respond however he saw Daedalus from the corner of his eye as he tapped the hilt of his dagger twice while looking at Varth. So they still don’t trust me enough to say what they want to say out loud. He shrugged.

“I svck it up if I’m too tired or if the temperature doesn’t go life threatening low. If not I use magic to make myself comfortably warm,” he responded to the Nord’s and Daedalus’ question, “And I have a few fur blankets.”

He saw one of the men standing up when the Nord walked outside. The Imperial eyed Vannas down hard and gave an unimpressed grunt. He then called out to Aenar, telling him he would help keep watch. Vannas had to laugh at the Imperial’s reaction.

He turned his attention back to Daedalus and Varth, “ I take it you came from Bruma with plans to find a safe haven in the Imperial City?” He asked. “Don’t bother continuing South. The White Tower fell, just like Leyawinn and Bravill and I’m sure the same has happened to Anvil, Kvatch and Skingrad. He informed them. “Chorrol and Cheydinhall are definitely next.”

He turned his back to them and walked a bit deeper into the cave to retrieve his belongings which he stuffed away when he had heard them coming. He took the furs out of his backpack.

“I’m afraid there aren’t enough for everyone but if you share them you can all keep each other somewhat warm.” He offered. “If anyone knows how to make a fire without it smoking too much you can always built a new one deeper in the cave. Just don’t do it out there in the open again?” He asked them.

He used a small amount of his magicka reserves and used it to alter his clothes to keep him warm. He then sat himself down against a wall before looking up at the two men that had already introduced themselves.

“What’s the situation in Bruma?” He asked.

Tensions began to dissolve before my eyes. Daeldus caught my eye and tapped the hit of his dagger twice. I wasn’t too sure what that was supposed to mean, but I simply assumed that it meant to be wary. Vannas caught the motion, and looked just a bit insulted. Then a civilized discussion concerning what was left of Tamriel sprung up. Some thought that Cheydinhal, Chorrol, and Bruma still stood, but I was skeptical.

“Truly, if the disease acts as I think it does, then many far away cities could already have fallen” I said. “Think about it- a few infected people board a ship, ignorant of the illness that plagues their bodies, and sail to a faraway city, hoping the distance makes them safe. By the time they land in said faraway city, they have died, or are on the verge of doing such. And you know what happens next…” I trailed off before adding grimly “Skyrim may have already fallen, for all we know.”

Varth voiced his skepticism about Cheydinhall, Chorrol and Bruma still standing. Vannas had to agree with the Dunmer although he hoped it wasn’t the case yet. If there were no more cities to hide in than it meaned they were doomed whatever they tried.

“Like I said, I don’t know about these cities although I’m sure Bruma still stands. I hope so.” He responded. “It lays high in the Jerall mountains, somewhat secluded and for a sick or dying person difficult to reach.”

He took some dried straps of meat from his pack and started chewing on them. “I don’t know where you guys are going but my destination is North. I’ve seen the dissease in the south and it is not infected by the warmth, so my next guess it going North hoping it can’t survive in the cold.”

“Where are you all headed for? As I said the Imperial city has fallen so there’s no need to run and seek for refuge there.” He asked them.

"North. To Skyrim." Daedalus responded.

"I think it would be best to stay away from cities and other crowded locations. Are best bet would be to find a fortified position and wait it out."

Daedalus paused for a second to gather his thoughts and then said," Or stay on the move."

The Breton unrolled his map of Tamriel and stuck it onto the floor of the cave with his dagger.

"We should map are next move," He turned his gaze towards Vannas. "That is, if you want to come with us."

Aenar watched Trannigan walk outside then stepped outside with him. "I don't trust that elf." He said to the imperial once they were out of earshot. "Why is he holed up in some cave if he's so powerful?" He glanced over his shoulder at the rest of their survival party. He wanted to venture out on his own to find shelter. Aenar knew he could survive out in the cold. He had lived in skyrim for a good amount of his life. He could hunt and fight off the bonewalkers. But he might need help.

"Because like most people with great power, he lets his arrogance get him into trouble. I don't trust him either but as long as he doesn't start acting too suspicious I will leave him be." He was facing the same direction as Aenar but staring out into the darkness, looking for any movements. He then looked over at the Nord and continued quietly. "Never know, he could end up a valuable ally. He could also end up as convenient bait if the rest of us need an escape and he keeps shooting that ego off." He gave a little nod and looked at Aenar with a face that showed indifference. Though it would please Trannigan more if they could all cooperate and thrive, he wasn't to getting his hands a little dirty if it meant the survival of himself and those he cared anything about.

Gearalt had walked further into the cave as the others were preparing the camp fire and were suddenly ambushed. Far into the cave was he that the voices from the brow lost their echo. Deep in this subterranean landscape lied a beautiful stalagmite piercing the darkness with a vibrant azure. The source of it's cool blue hue came from a hole in the cave ceiling above the impressive rock formation, illuminating it.

Gearalt: "By Kyne, such beauty."

The Nord surveyed his surroundings. Confirming the coast was clear, he pulled out a quill, a piece of parchment and an ink well. He began to sketch the stalagmite with extreme focus. This is how he kept busy when he wasn't sent off on Fighters Guild missions before the outbreak.

Gearalt: "I wonder what the others are doing?"

He wondered to himself. He pulled out a loaf of bread and a bottle of mead from the large sack slung over his body and began to eat. He was still bitter after the others chose to reside in the cave rather than continue on. Which is the reason why he went further in the first place.

Aenar nodded to Trannigan his thought far away from where they were. He was thinking about his homeland. Skyrim. The beautiful snowy land that he grew up in. He was happy to be heading north where he would be comfortable. He scanned the snowy landscape around them searching for any threat to him and his group.

The Imperial went back into the cave for a moment to retrieve his fur off of the cave floor and as he did so he gave a nod to the others. He walked back out without saying a word and wrapped the fur around himself and leaned back against the enterance saying to Aenar. "I'll take first watch if you want to get some rest. That is up to you my friend."

Aenar nodded to Trannigan and leaned up against the mouth of the cave. He looked out past the trees. "I'm on edge. I probably couldn't sleep if I tried."

The daylight outside had gone away, leaving the large cavern colorless and pitch black. Gearalt flashed a healing spell to find his things and pack them up. Finding his way back to the group still near the mouth of the cave, Gearalt paused for a moment.

Gearalt: 1,2,...5...wait...somethings not right.

The new guests did not escape his quick eyes. Gearalt advanced his position towards the new Dunmer with curious intent.

Gearalt: "And who by Ysgrmor's beard are you?"

Gearalt interrupted.

Trannigan chuckled. "I'm just the opposite. Exhausted and my arm is killing me. I think I gave myself third degree burns trying to get that tentacle off my arm, and unfortunately for me I am no good at the restorative arts. Although..." He looked back into the cave where the others were. "I hope one of them are. I'll be back in a few moments!"

With that he walked over near the middle of the cave and asked "Would anyone happen to know any healing spells for my burns? I burned it pretty badly earlier today."

Aenar nodded and scanned the treelike hoping to find something to bring some excitement. He drew his sword and wave it in a sideways 8 shape. He wasn't sure what to do now that everything was quiet and peaceful. He had nothing to contribute. Nothing to do that could help.

Vannas Andrethi

“If you’ll have me than I’ll join you. We are going in the same direction anyway.” He responded to Daedalus’ question of joining them. “Besides, it is best in times like this to travel in groups.” He then bended over the map Daedalus had lay on the ground.

“I still believe it would be best to atleast pay Bruma a visit. It might still be a safe haven and it would give us the opportunity to stock up on provisions, warm clothes, potions and equipment.” He voiced his own opinion. “If the city is still inhabited we pay for it. If Bruma’s abandoned and destroyed we can take whatever we need.”

He leaned against the wall and looked outside to see the day had again died at the hands of the night. He saw no one had made any moves to take one of his furs so he picked them up again and wrapped them around himself. Fine, if none of you need anything to keep you warm through the cold nights of the Jerall mountains. He thought as he decided to spare his magicka and use the furs to keep himself warm. When I tell you to built the fire deeper in the cave you do nothing and I trust half of you have no idea how to use magicka to keep you warm. I..

He was pulled out of his thoughts when a man spoke, “And who by Ysgrmor's beard are you?"

The man in question was a large, very large Nord with long blond hair. If there would be one person Vannas would not want to get in a fight with it would be this Nord. He looked like he could snap Vannas in two with one hand.

Vannas looked up to the hulking Nord above him. “Vannas Andrethi. I’ll be joining you in our journey to the North. To Skyrim, your homeland. We were discussing the way we should take.”

When he wanted to ask for the Nord’s name he was cut short by the imperial that had left with the Nord. “You haven’t run into trouble haven’t you?” he wanted to ask but instead the Imperial asked if anyone knew how to heal his burns.

Vannas nodded. “I only know some basic restorative magic, but nothing for these burns. And I doubt you’d trust me enough to let me heal them.”

He turned back to Varth and Daedalus to continue the discussion of what they’d do. “By the way, I might know a way into Bruma without us being noticed.”

The small cave began to fill with the warmth of teamwork and brotherhood, the need for physical needs almost disappearing. Watches were quickly established amongst ourselves (I was particularly glad that I did not have to participate in such a dreadful task, for a I barely had enough stamina to keep myself standing), and meet and greet for our new, and seemingly insane, party member.

It wasn’t until Vannas mentioned Bruma that I truly began to pay attention once more. “By the way, I might know a way into Bruma without us being noticed”.

“Noticed?” I asked. “By who? The horde of rotting flesh chasing us north, or the other horde that has probably taken Bruma?” I didn’t say it harshly; in fact, my voice was rather stoic, but the words themselves seemed harsh. “If Bruma still stands, its inhabitants probably won’t be very trusting of us, if they have any wits left about them. But I guess it’s our only option, so we might as well take it” I added quickly.

When only Vannas answered Trannigan, he sighed and uttered out a "Thanks anyways..." Before he turned to walk out though the conversation of Bruma's downfall caught his ear.

"Bah... I suppose that shouldn't be a suprise huh?" He asked the others. He heard Varth talk about possibly being able to sneak into the city and nodded his head a bit, then he spoke up. "I'm gonna head back outside, tell Aenar the possible plan." With that he walked outside and got within earshot of the Nord to inform him of what the group was planning on doing.

Vannas Andrethi

He watched as the imperial walked back into the cold before turning back to Daedalus and Varth. “Noticed?” Varth asked. “By who? The horde of rotting flesh chasing us north, or the other horde that has probably taken Bruma? If Bruma still stands, its inhabitants probably won’t be very trusting of us, if they have any wits left about them. But I guess it’s our only option, so we might as well take it” He added quickly.

Vannas shrugged. “Horde of rotting flesh chasing us north, the horde that perhaps has taken over Bruma, Bandits, marauders, All of them at the same time.” Vannas explained. “As long as the house isn’t inhabited by too many people I can get us in and out of the city fast and unnoticed if the situation calls for it.”

He hoped the city would be free of any dangers, but the more he thought about it, the more he knew it was a long shot. The most probable scenario would be that the place was already overrun by bonewalkers or bandits.

“I know it’s a long shot, but if we want to survive the journey through the Jerall mountains we have to stock up on provisions and warmer clothes.” Vannas said with a stern but tired voice. He really needed to get a few hours of sleep.

“These mountains aren’t forgiving to the unprepared traveler.”

Nevermind lol accident.

Gearalt gave Vannas a piercing glance sizing him up as the Dunmer spoke to others. He looked like a capable mer who could handle his own in a fight. But what Gearalt wanted for the group was unity. And if others were already conversing with the new guy, then he must have been alright. After Vannas finished his sentence, Gearalt with his large stony hands patted Vannas on the back.

Gearalt: "I like the cut of your jib. You think things through. We need more people like you."

Part of Gearalt's enthusiasm for Vannas was that he too wished to stop by the cold Nordic city of Bruma.

Finally the sun rose and gave the land much needed warmth. Trannigan stirred from his fur bed and and stretched his body before collecting the fur from the ground and trying to stuff it into his pack with his good arm. The others were already awake and appeared to be ready to leave. The Imperial yawned loudly and dug into his pack for some meat and fruit to eat, then once he finished his small breakfast he moved over to the others.

"So, what's the plan for today?" He asked to anyone who would answer.

Gearalt: "Staying alive another day"

Gearalt had been awake for a few hours, packing up his gear and taking watch at the mouth of the cave.

Gearalt: "We're so close now aren't we? Can you taste the mead already?"

The Nord looked over at Trannigan, waiting for an answer.