Kvaasik - Liar's Return

1 - The Rise of Thras
2 - The Cold Front
3 - Change in Wardrobe
4 - The Unsinkable City
5 - An Unlikely Patron
6 - The Purring Liar
7 - The Dismantling Dilemma
8 - The Shade in Sunlight
9 - Varen's Folly
10 - The Soul Siphon
11 - The Astral Escapade
12 - His Master's Student
13 - The Graveyard in the Closet
14 - The Blue Ambush
15 - The Red Redemption
16 - The Liar's End

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17 - The Field Work
18 - The Trouble With Taproot
19 - Lessons from Coldharbour
20 - Tower of the Black Worm
21 - A Wolf Among Sheep
22 - The Revelation
23 - The Turning Tide
24 - A Tale of Two Choices

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25 - Count the Stars
26 - Liar's Return
27 - The Forbidden Cave

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Rajhin almost looked surprised, reminding me of the night I trapped him in the Star. He quickly recovered his demeanor when he saw me. “Ah, Kvaasik. Borrowing another appearance, no? Wait…there is something different about this disguise.”

“Yes, there is. But more to the point. We need help.” When I said the word ‘we’, I knew I had made a mistake. Rajhin purred quietly to himself in thought. “You have gotten yourself into quite a predicament, this one sees. I can separate you two, but it will cost—“

“No, Rajhin. That is not what we need help with.” I was beginning to become annoyed with Rajhin’s ignorance and false gusto.

He gave an exasperated sigh. “Fine. What do you need from Rajhin, Sload?”

“A way into Coldharbour.”

Rajhin chuckled. “The only way into Coldharbour is death, but surely you know that. This one, however, could be persuaded to assist you in whatever quest you have.”

I did not like where this was going. The last time I made a deal with Rajhin, it ended in betrayal and the loss of a corporeal form. It took a bloodmoon to defeat Rajhin last time, but I do not think I would be so lucky this time were Rajhin to betray me. “We have no other option, Kvaasik.” Calixto told me again, and he was entirely correct. The Purring Liar was our only lead.

“What will it cost?”

“How smart of you to ask.” Rajhin’s pride was unbearable. “You have evidently discovered how to merge two souls and two bodies. This one expects it would not be as difficult to merge one soul and one body, no?”

I grumbled, “No, it would not be. But we do not know you would fulfill your end of the bargain.”

“Hmph. This one will give you half of the information, then you will get the rest after Rajhin gets a body.” Rajhin was impatient to become corporeal again. Perfect; that means he will do anything to regain a body, even make a deal lopsided in his nemesis’s favor.
“Very well.”
“Winterhold. It has something to do with the College. That is all you get, however. Until you get me a body.”
Not having any arguments, I set to work reassembling the planemeld apparatus. In the small shade we found, there were few interruptions, though the air began to become colder and colder. I was shivering, though Calixto encouraged me onwards. As the last screws came into place and I set the Staff of Worms between the pylons, a spark signaled that the machine was operational.

Now, all there was to do was to find a suitable body. Luckily, some bandits had camped nearby, and it took no trouble to kill them and drag one of their corpses to the apparatus. A Khajiit, by coincidence.

The Purring Liar beckoned from the Star, “Splendid. Such a fine creature—Rajhin will have fun with him. Now, hurry.” I placed both the Black Star and the Khajiit corpse between the pylons, and a beam of energy jolted from either rod to the corpse and to the Star. In a flash of light, the Khajiit was upright and the Star no longer hummed with energy.

“Yes. This body will do nicely—“ Rajhin jumped at his own voice, which now sounded deep from the Khajiit he was merged with. With a sigh, he turned to me. “This one made a deal with you, and Rajhin always honors his deals, no?” I had to resist the urge to groan. I asked, “Where is the portal to Coldharbour?”

Rajhin chuckled. “It is not a portal, but a pirate!” I stared blankly, and he continued. “Velekh Sain, legendary dremora pirate captain, happens to be in a bit of a predicament in the Midden of Winterhold. If you find him, he may be able to assist you in whatever malicious quest you find yourself in.”

Winterhold. That was the place Calixto learned his trade, but something about his memories leaves my stomach churning. I shrugged it off, then nodded. “Now, I suggest we stay out of each other’s way from now on.”

Again, Rajhin laughed. I preferred when he was back inside of the Star. “This one cannot make that promise! Your life is just too interesting! Until we see each other again, old friend.” Before I object, the Khajiit was swallowed by his shadow, and he was nowhere to be seen.