the-feline-curator:
In the throes of another sleep-scream beside the cavern’s spring, the twisting and turning Khajiit was oblivious to the sound of soft snorting and breathing echoing through the entrance of their home. Eli, however, was vigilant as always. A quiet rumble left his chest as he rose to his feet from the spot beside his companion.
The main section of the cavern welcomed J’hasi with a surprising warmth and slight humidity; the sight of lush greenery a stark contrast to the bitter cold outside. Crudely-crafted bookcases and displays housed objects of varying worth, from rows of books to sets of gems – and a strange Dwemer contraption surrounded by stones on a stump – all gave off the clear message that somebody lived here, and was a huge hoarder.
Smokey-black fur and yellow eyes hid amongst the shadows cast by overhangs and trees, watching the black, robed feline as he entered. Eli’s hackles rose somewhat at the scent that invaded his nose, but he watched and waited for the intruder’s next move.
J’hasi pulled down his scarf, awestruck by the sight of the cavern.
Massive pines stretched from the ground up to the rocky ceiling, reaching up for more of the sunlight streaming through the holes in the mountainside. Snowflakes and water vapor misted about the openings, softening the light coming in and dancing about with the bits and eddies of wind that managed to slip inside. The rush of water as it poured from an underground stream into the cave, crashing down into the small pond peacefully rippling away nearly drowned out the calls of birds and wildlife that called the place home. The massive scarp of rock in the center covered in mosses and vines, the scents of pine and plant, fresh water and cold…
…and then confusion replaced wonder when he looked down and found bookshelves filled with all manner of items, from what looked like junk, to valuable gems, tomes, artifacts of varying quality and worth, some clearly Dwemeri… The Khajiit frowned, tail tip ticking back and forth for a moment before cautiously approaching.
Maybe the tome was in this collection of…junk? How Urag knew about it, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. At the very least, he could pick through some of this stuff and see if it was worth the weight of carrying back to town. J’hasi slipped a book off its shelf and scanned the title before cracking it open, ears pricking as he flicked through the first few pages.
vvardenfellcat 