Count Only The Happy Hours

Part 1: VI

"You think he's still there?"
"I'd be much more surprised if he isn't."

Neht nodded slowly, gaze distant. "Go get him. We're going to be leaving shortly."

Vivec looked over him curiously, about to ask if they were changing the plan. Instead, he simply nodded. "Of course, Nerevar."

There wasn't very much distance between the washroom and the library, so not terribly much time to muse over what the future might hold. But that didn't stop Vivec from starting to think on it. What sort of terrible things? They'd killed before, quite often. Blood on their hands wasn't unusual. Perhaps they'd start conscripting people; but then, how many Chimer would actually be opposed if it meant they'd be free? He supposed–

His thoughts were interrupted as he opened the door, replaced with a stream of curses that escaped his mouth as something cold and hard jumped straight at his face.

He automatically swung at it, but it was already skittering away. As Vivec reined in his surprise, he looked up to see the thing going straight to Sil. He started to lunge for it, but stopped as he saw the wide grin splitting Sil's thin, serious face.

"I said I could make it better, and I was right ," he said, looking over the rebuilt spider as it twitched in his hand. "And it has less materials than the original design–I could probably make a whole new spider with how much was left over. Its core needs fixing, but I think, if I could find a soul gem, it could power it for so much longer than the current model does." He looked up to Vivec, pale eyes bright. "We can use these, Vehk. They'll be quick a-and less dangerous–for us, anyway–and..." He paused. "Do you think Nerevar will like it?"

This, possibly, was the most Sil had ever spoken all at once, and it took a moment for Vivec to catch up from the shock of it. Finally, he nodded, returning the smile. "Yes, I...I think he'll be very, very impressed."

That seemed to please the boy very much, and a smile–though smaller than the one Vehk had been greeted with–stayed put on Seht's face as he set the spider back onto the desk. "Of course, this is a prototype, just like how it was for the centurion spiders. But when we go back to the Dwemer, perhaps we can get more materials."

"Well, that may be happening sooner rather than later." Vivec started to gather his things. "There's been a change of plans, and we're heading back out soon. Probably this evening at the latest."

Sil's excitement dimmed. "Because of us?"

"No, no. Just...a new plan. I don't know the specifics, but things are probably going to be taking a very different route than the one we've been following." Vivec pauses. "It's a little exciting, actually. I love a good twist in the plot." Ah, no, remember: more warrior, less poet. At least for now.

He could still take notes, though. For later, once they'd reached heaven–violently or otherwise.

They left the city the same way they'd entered, staggered in groups. First Sul, to set up the camp; then Vivec and Sil, in the midst of the bustling midday to stay unseen, and by evening, Voryn and Nerevar joined them. They'd had enough time to send word to those who had gathered in town to join their cause of where to go, warning them to come over the next several nights under the cover of darkness. Nerevar, by virtue of his devotion to Azura, had a natural distrust of Nocturnal, but Vivec swore he heard a whispered plea for her darkness to cover their allies in the coming days.

Correspondence went out to Dumac and his own forces; it was too soon in the alliance talks for them to offer any more than mercenaries in terms of soldiers, but–bolstered by Sil's demonstration of his modified spider–Nerevar gladly welcomed any mechanical things they could spare. There was an air of unease of letting a boy manage something so alien in such a delicate situation. But Sil didn't have the same vocal need to prove himself that Vivec had–still had, admittedly, even after his years of service. He simply worked , his previous focus of his studies now turned to the spiders and spheres delivered from underground, with the hesitant aid of a few mercenaries' basic knowledge. Vehk kept an eye on him when he had the chance, looking for any signs of Seht being overwhelmed; if he was, he hid it well beneath bright eyes and mechanical chatter that no one but a Dwemer could make heads or tails of.