> "By all the gods of Tamriel," the mercenary mage rasped, "when I find the one
> responsible for all this, he or she or it will *beg* for death before I am
> finished."  The rune-carved staff slung across his back whined and tittered in
> bloodthirsty anticipation.

     To'Khar K'than stood by in the darkness, going over the old ballad. He 
tried to match up the warmage with the figure in the second half of that 
song. Internally, he was all chaos. On one hand, Balefire could be the 
one. However, if he wasn't, then he had waited perhaps too long to try to 
dispatch this dark elf. He knew at least two of the remaining three Werre 
under his command wanted to fight, but their honour would hold them in 
check. A Werre without honour forfeits life. Only Talnan, possibly the 
wisest among them, was he sure of, and K'tarin, for he vouched for these 
intruders. Loriella was too flippant to care. He didn't know how wrong he 
was.
     His heart grew heavy at the thought of her coming into this danger. 
They were all now under the eaves of a pit of hell. The Guardian Citadel 
had been empty for generations, and now himself, Cromm K'than, had led a 
band of Werre into its bowels. Upon reflection, he should have left the 
boy on the ridge to report his decision to change their status from 
Watchers to Hunters. At least then, a sizable arm of Werre would be 
coming. Such is not the case.
     He turned his attention back to the two elves hauling at the rock. 
His neck felt hot, and he turned to see that not all the women were on 
the other side. Loriella was there, burning holes in his neck with her 
eyes. He came to himself.
     With a single sweeping glance, he saw only three Werre: K'tarin, 
Talnan, and the boy. Holm'ka was either with the women or...
     Cromm pushed forward and joined the warmage and humble tavern owner 
in their rock-raking. The other Werre, eager for something to do, stepped 
forward as well, but there was room only for one other. The boy and the 
eldest stood by, waiting for someone to tire.
     Loriella watched, mumbling: "There's no danger out there. These men 
just want to feel useful."
     She chuckled at the glares she got from the nearest dark men. 
Suddenly, K'tarin's hand touch a warm, dusy hand. It gripped him like a vice.
     "Holm'ka!"

++++++++++++++++++
Alduin dor Lammoth