Corpus Tamrielicum - The Imperial Library

124 2. THE ELDER SCROLLS CHAPTER 2: DAGGERFALL
Edward of snakeskin, soft and pliable and a buckle with the black rose of Morrowind on it,
just like Moraelyn's. "It's from the Companions." He knelt to fit the belt and dagger and the
sash over it properly, and Edward threw his arms about his neck. "It's wonderful. I do thank
thee and them, too! And oh, I've missed all of thee so much."
"We missed you, too, son. Let's go or we'll miss our tide."
"I wouldn't want to worry mother," he said, trying to sound casual about having a mother that
would worry about him.
"No fear; I told her not to look for us until tomorrow night....just in case. But we'll surprise
her."
"Good thinking."
They made good speed and reached the inlet before the tide was full.
"Shall I show you how to use Tooth, or would you rather rest?"
"Tooth! I can rest in the boat while you work."
Moraelyn shielded himself and Edward too, saying that Tooth's bite was no joke. "I could
have shielded myself," Edward said proudly. "I'm good at that. But my Heals go all wrong."
"It'll come. Give it time."
Evidently Tooth wanted time too. Try as he might, he couldn't get near the elf with the blade,
even though Moraelyn kept his feet planted and simply swerved his body, ducking and
weaving...and laughing. Frustrated, Edward sheathed Tooth and picked up the staff and
whacked at him, swinging it with both hands. It wasn't doing any harm, but it made satisfying
sounds as it thwacked against the spell shield. Moraelyn let him hit, but stopped the staff
easily when the spell had been used up. Edward threw it on the ground and turned away; the
elf reached for him in consolation. Edward snatched Tooth from the sheath and thrust it
straight at the elf's heart. The blade was knocked spinning from his hand. Edward had braced
to stop the thrust and hold it and he felt the shock even through his shield. Then Moraelyn
was kneeling before him, nursing his left hand across his right knee, his face grey with shock
and disbelief. Blood was gushing from his wrist like a fountain. "Give me thy sash!"
"I...I didn't..." Edward's teeth were rattling in his head. He felt sick and dizzy. Bile washed up
in his mouth. "D-d-didn't--m-m-mean." So much blood.
"Boy, don't faint now. I need thy aid. The sash. Now, Edward! Pack it into the wound. Gods,
what a mess!" The hand was half severed at the wrist. Edward sat down abruptly, shaking all
over, but his hands packed the sash into the open wound, then he wrapped the rest round the
hand and wrist.
"Take my sash and make a sling." Moraelyn eased the injured limb into the sling and then
released his other hand. He took the water bottle from his belt and drank it down. "I need
more water. Where's thy staff? There's a well two miles back. Where's Tooth? Go find it and
don't cut yourself on it."