Into Skyrim, Elder Scrolls 8 Nirn's Beta Chapter 71: Greater Wills

Both Canary and Viree were knocked out. Canary didn't seem to have any problems, it made wonder what was Sanguine's specific goal with making an addition bet against her. Was he testing my loyalties? Perhaps testing the choices I'm willing to make? I sighed the unexpected gains just make worried.

I tapped my foot on the glassy floor of the dreamscape. I paused however as the stars shifted, the astral sky of the dreamscape seed to grow darker. I wasn't surprised in fact I suspected this. Sanguine said Vaermina wanted to et . I wondered how she would, and I figured it would be through the dreamscape.

Now i just waited for her arrival, it wasn't long until I heard distinct footsteps. "My, Oh my! Waiting for soone? You are by far one of the most lucid dreams I have ever t."

I looked toward the voice and found a womanly armored figure. I hadn't expected her to be so well equipped. I thought she was depicted in robes? Around her neck however sat a snake with a head on each end.

Vaermina studied as I studied her. With her helt, uh, face? It looked similar to a dragon, but I realized it was closer to a salamander. The problem was it prevent from at least trying to discern her expressions. She spoke again, "Enough playing around. I can understand your curiosity, I have much of my own. However staring at each other won't achieve anything little one. So let's get down to business."

She looked around the dreamscape, "You seem to be blessed by the fate weaver... Few have the ability to augnt their abilities like this."

I blinked, "Wh-What?" Augnt? She could see the skill trees? What was this about the Fate Weaver. I've heard that na before, but for once my mory failed . The lore, the gas, my long ti obsession drew a blank.

The snake's eyes seed to widen and she spoke, "You know the fate weaver, but can't recognize where from. That's interesting."

I paused, silencing my thoughts I stared at Vaermina. "Oh? Quick to the catch aren't you. Yes, I can read your mind while you are dreaming. Rather interesting though telling how lucid a drear you are. Your thoughts are more transparent thanks to it."

Well that sucked, and was not helpful to at all. Vaermina nodded, "Of course it isn't fair, I'm a god. You simply harbor the idea of becoming a god. I find that rather cute, I believe ridia does so too. She almost never makes deal with mortals, and none have ever succeeded like you have."

So Sable Wave did count as winning the bet, that was good. "Why are you here though?"

She gave a human shrug, however I could tell she was playing with . "I am one of the few princes that cannot be spied on. My domain is entirely filled with secrets that not even phala can intrude on. By the way she is absolutely livid at your actions."

I figured as much, "So you?"

Vaermina tilted her head, "Am being nice because your actions are aligned with my domain. Myself, ridia, and Dagon have the most interest in you. I have a feeling Sheogorath does to, but it is hard to tell with that one."

I raised an eyebrow, "I thought Hiricine would have a positive disposition toward too."

She nodded, "He does, but you do not align with his ideals. Hiricine values sportsmanship and fairness. You do not value those despite using them. So yes he views you positively, but you do not align with him."

She put a finger to her helt thing, she was playing with . My thoughts about being unable to read her body language made her purposely move in a teasing manner. Vaermina was often associated with torture. Vaermina laughed, "Yes, however I do not torture my followers, instead I give them sweet dreams."

I frowned, I didn't like my thoughts being read. She nodded, "Most don't, you aren't special in that regard."

This was going in circles, but she was enjoying that. I sighed, "So why do you, ridia and Dagon align with ?"

She threw her hands up in an exaggerated shrug, "To put it simply I like your corrupt nature. I am the lady of corruption and decay. However most don't truly understand what that ans."

I sighed, "And I do. So you taken a likening to ."

The snake around her shoulders cackled. Vaermina nodded, "Yes, the corruption of the soul, the decay of the will. The drive to commit outrageous actions in the pursuit of power. hrunes Dagon is similar to in this regard. He is one of those most powerful due to his conquering of other daedric realms. However at his core he loves change and ambition. I am sure you can understand why he would like you."

Change though, why did she pick that one and not destruction. She tilted her head and I could almost hear what sounded like a smile. "Because you do not like destruction. You have changed the fate of three daedric artifacts."

Ah, "and ridia?"

Vaermina laughed, "In that regard... I truly do not know why she likes so you dearly. She deems you impure so I can't understand her choice. I believe her to be a self-righteous bitch." Anger began to twist into her words and I backed up as she spoke. "ridia's domain is light and life. So I can only imagine she wishes to sink her grubby hands on such a pri disciple due to sothing specific. Perhaps just like your understanding of my domain she thinks your interpretation on her domain is sothing to invest in?"

I couldn't answer the rhetorical question, however Vaermina backed off with an apology. "Every daedra has their alliances however ridia has no such allies. The only ally she ever had was Jyggalag. Though you understand what happened to him. So her arrogance tends to get on the nerves of others. Speaking a word of warning, your connection to Sheogorath and ridia may lead Jyggalag to seek you out as well. Though you seem to be making it a habit to involve yourself with daedric affairs."

That wasn't really in my control specially since Vaermina was the one who entered my dreamscape to et . I paused as a stray thought entered my head. Vaermina was kind of enough to dispel it. "No, you are not in a coma, though you will likely be asleep for a little longer than you would like. I'd say 12ish hours, can't say for certain."

That was good I suppose. I tried to curb my thoughts to prevent the mind reading, but Vaermina cut off. "That about wraps up our conversation on the princes that are willing to help you with no strings attached. All the other princes will want sothing in return if you ask for help or try to obtain an artifact from them. Well, except maybe Malacath, he's usually fair, but I don't talk to him often."

She petted her two-headed snake and smiled, "However I am not quite done with you yet. We still need to talk about the Skull of Corruption, as well as what I want you to do for ."

Of course, "I thought you said no strings attached."

She smiled, "Well, I have to be fair. Let's start with the Skull of Corruption. The mont you wake up it will be replaced. However I've noticed you stored it within another magical artifact. I'll teach you the basic spells that correspond to the staff. This is to replace the spells you receive by storing the Skull of Corruption within that Belt."

That was fair, I couldn't really use those spells anyway. Having the basic versions might be more applicable. "What are you replacing the Skull of Corruption with? That's like the only artifact I know about relating to you."

Vaermina laughed, "Your knowledge has strange gaps within it. I can't fault you that though, I'm going to give you..."

The snake around her shoulder twisted, lunged forward, and stiffened. It turned into a staff, it reminded of The Caduceus. Vaermina was in front of in a flash and she was bending over and was twice the size. "What an interesting thought you have. I would love to see what is inside your head."

She stepped back and returned to her more human size. She pointed the staff toward , "This is the staff of panoply. Before you ask, yes I know what Panoply ans, I didn't decide on the title."

I nodded, "Right, the Weaver of Panoply."

She blinked and tilted her head, "The more you speak the more you make want to dig deeper into your mind. Normally Panoply ans an impressive collection of things." I couldn't tell if she was smiling, however she leaned on the staff with a playful sway. "What do you think this staff does? Why am I called the Weaver of Panoply."

I thought for a mont and nodded, "mories? Most dreams and nightmares are based on mories. A collection of events you either wish to experience again or avoid at all costs."

Vaermina laughed, "I like you even more! Brilliant! You didn't hit the mark exactly, however you hardly need accuracy when carving out a heart. The staff of Panoply changes greatly between hands. However in your hands, I believe it should be downright deadly."

She tossed the staff into my hands and I caught it. I shivered when I realized what the staff did. It could cast any spell from mory at no cost. I looked up at Vaermina and she held herself in satisfaction with my realization at what the staff did.

Vaermina bent forward again and held up a finger. "Now for the last thing, you wish to build a... information guild?"

She held the sentence long. I gave a small nod and Vaermina laughed. "So you already know where this is going! Yes! You are my favorite mortal for a reason! Many of your mortal guilds have secret connections to Daedric influences. Those Companions that hide away in this city you currently sleep within are related to Hircine. That old grimy Thieves Guild is connected to Nocturnal. Now, answer for . I want to hear the words from your sweet silver tongue."

I sighed, "You want to set up a secret sect within my guild plans."

She laughed, "YES! YES! HAHAHA! Do you know why my sweet pet?"

I thought for a mont, and I ca up blank. I could see the benefits on my side, but not on hers.

Her voice grew sickly sweet with the hint of a dangerous madness. "You reforged phala's prized Ebony blade into an artifact under the Banner of ridia. Your choice is... realm changing. Yes, Realm Changing. You very ideals and views, they have power. To put it in simple terms, an alliance has ford to tear phala to pieces. Her domain is expansive and overlaps with several other Daedric Princes. Murder, Deception, Sex, and Secrets, these are the core of her domain."

My eyes went wide, "You plan on conquering her realm! Wait! How did reforging the Ebony Blade cause that?"

Vaermina laughed, "I can't say, it would break a pact I've made. Just know that, you are my favorite mortal. When the ti cos if you fail to ascend past your mortal limits. I shall embrace you, more than just a normal mortal soul. I shall embrace you as one of my closest confidants."

She appeared behind and wrapped her arms around my waist. I felt a shiver run through and this ti she didn't laugh. She just giggled at my reaction. "Many Daedric gods will have their hands away from mortal minds. Take this chance and grow well." She caressed my cheek and whispered, "Dream sweet Dreams, my little lucid drear."

She vanished instantly and the dreamscape seed changed. I felt sweat on my back and I could only wonder how i was sweating so much in a dream? My knees gave out and I collapsed to the glassy floor. I breathed out a long sigh, "What the fuck did I actually do? If I help cause the downfall of a daedric prince that explained Sanguine's benevolence. Would I receive more attention? Fuck!"

I put my head in my hands and collected my nerves. I was still in the dreamscape and I could still create so new spells. Yes, I should create so new spells. Once I have feeling in my legs again. "Ah, fuck ."