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Ankeddi Alf'agar: Anki's Search
Topic Started: Sep 24 2016, 07:41 PM (648 Views)
Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Ankeddi 17:

The travel to Driftshade Refuge was easy enough. Vilkas, never talkative (at least with me) was even quieter for the most part. Though he did finally say “So you’ve the blood outside of our pact. What happened?”

And when I’d done with the detail, he sent me an odd glance. “Your da? HE did this? It’s good you killed him then.” I wasn’t sure I agreed, but I wasn’t about to start an argument.

“The thing is, Vilkas - I want shut of it. It was done TO me. I had no choice. I’ve thought about actually doing the thing right, so that I can control the change. But - no. I need to be clean - and to return to Hammerfell with my family. They know of this, and they understand. But the onus is on me to fix the problem. That’s why I’m here, with the Companions.”

He nodded. That might mean he understood, or that he just didn’t want to talk about it any more.

We reached the Silver Hand’s headquarters finally. The two at watch outside were easy enough to kill, but I didn’t believe the rest would be that simple.

The killing, healing up, and killing seemed to take forever. But finally we reached an area where there were three more Silver Hand, spread out seemingly waiting for us. Vilkas changed, but of course I couldn’t, so I stood back and sent poisoned arrows at the Hands while Vilkas used the fury of the wolf to rend and shred. Eventually it was done. He changed back, put his armor back on, and gestured to me to pick up the fragments of Wuuthrad.

“I’ll meet you back at Jorrvaskr, Vilkas. I need - a bath. Among other things.”

He nodded once more, and we exited this charnal house. I remembered a stream nearby, and while Vilkas set off alone, I stripped and bathed as well as I could, frigid water notwithstanding - I couldn’t stand the blood and stink any longer. After that, I set up a camp under a rockfall, and rolled into my bedding, and then I broke down and sobbed.
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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good read... sometimes even the right thing is hard to to.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Jarl
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Good read Sere, though I felt so sorry for Anki! Vilkas may just understand more than she thinks. :)
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Anki keeps surprising me. She started out as a "throwaway" person in Siara's tale.... and all of a sudden she was pushing at me....

I think she's probably a keeper - more than Deni is.... (and that's Deni's own fault - she insisted on being a mage, and I just don't DO mages in this world....)
Edited by Serethil, Oct 29 2016, 07:20 PM.
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Serethil
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Ankeddi 18:

I reached Jorrvaskr at sundown. Vilkas seemed to be waiting for me on the steps. “We did well Shield-Sister. The others have prepared Kodlak’s funeral. Come up to the Skyforge; we pay our respects to him.”

So I followed him up to Eorlund’s great Forge. Everyone was there, making a semi-circle around the pyre built over the Forge itself. Between the Companions and the forge were Balgruuf, Avenicci, and the Priestess from Kyne’s Temple.

I saw little of the ceremony, being in tears again. I hated that I’d been away when Kodlak needed my help - even though it was he who’d sent me to retrieve the Glenmoril heads. I did manage to see as Aela lit the pyre to send Kodlak on.... but of course, he was not bound yet for Sovngarde. I whispered a sad goodbye in my heart. I would have given my own life to save his.... Somehow he had come to mean as much to me as my brothers did.

Everyone dispersed as the flames took Kodlak’s body. I stood silent, unable to move. Eventually a voice intruded into my gloom. It was Eorlund Gray-Mane.

“The others have gone to the Underforge. Before you join them, I need you to give me the fragments of Wuuthrad. And there’s a last one - in Kodlak’s chambers. Get that one too. Hurry now.”

I gave him the pieces Vilkas and I had taken from Driftshade, and then went off to Kodlak’s chambers. I - was uneasy rooting around in his things.... the fragment was on an end table, on top of the Harbinger’s Journal. Something nudged me to take the Journal, to read it later.

I handed the last fragment to Eorlund. “Good. Lass, you need to join the others in the Underforge now, for mourning.”

I nodded bleakly and headed down there. Vilkas, Farkas, and Aela were there, in discussion.

"The old man had one wish before he died. And he didn't get it. It's as simple as that." Vilkas stated.

Aela snorted, "Being moon-born is not so much of a curse as you might think, Vilkas."

"That's fine for you. But he wanted to be clean. He wanted to meet Ysgramor and know the glories of Sovngarde. But all that was taken from him."

"And you avenged him."

Farkas growled, "Kodlak did not care for vengeance."

"No, Farkas, he didn't. And that's not what this is about. We should be honoring Kodlak, no matter our own thoughts on the blood." Vilkas replied.

For perhaps the first time, I saw tears in Aela’s eyes. "You're right. It's what he wanted, and he deserved to have it."

"Kodlak used to speak of a way to cleanse his soul, even in death. You know the legends of the Tomb of Ysgramor." Vilkas said firmly.

"There the souls of the Harbingers will heed the call of northern steel. We can't even enter the tomb without Wuuthrad, and it's in pieces, like it has been for a thousand years." Aela shook her head.

Suddenly, Eorlund was there, carrying the legendary Wuuthrad - whole and pristine! My jaw dropped.

"And dragons were just stories. And the elves once ruled Skyrim. Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be. The axe is a weapon. A tool. Tools are meant to be broken. And repaired." Eorlund saluted the four of us with the axe.

"Is that...? Did you repair it? HOW?"

"Aye, I did. This is the first time I've had all the pieces, thanks to your Shield-Sister here. The flames of a hero can reforge the shattered. The flames of Kodlak have fueled the rebirth of Wuuthrad. And now it will take you to meet him once more.

“The rest of you, prepare to journey to the Tomb of Ysgramor. For Kodlak. As the one who bore the fragments, I think you should be the one to carry Wuuthrad into battle." Eorlund turned to me, and thrust the artifact at me, all but forcing me to accept it.

“I....” tears ran down my cheeks again. “I will carry it to his honor. Thank you Eorlund Gray-Mane.”

The others murmured thanks as well. Vilkas turned to me. “We meet at Ysgramor’s Tomb.”

I thrust the map at him. “I’m not from hereabouts, remember. Mark it so I can find it. I have to send word home that I’m well, and not to worry - before I can leave.” He gave me a short nod, looked over the map with the others, and finally made a rune-mark I didn’t recognize but didn’t need translated - I would just go there after sending messages in the morning.

I slung Wuuthrad over my back, shook my head, wiped away tears, and took my leave. Rather than going to the Mare, I went out to the stables, and paid Skulvar a bit of gold to let me have a stall and straw. He gave me an odd look, but I just gave over the septims and ignored all else.

Tomorrow was another day - and this night bid fair to wring me dry. Because - since there was a lantern in the stall, I opened Kodlak's Journal, and began to read....
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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That had me near tears too Sere! This will be a hard journey I think, and even harder task when she arrives at her destination. Poor Anki!
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Serethil
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Yeah.... this is why I don't do this quest line much. But of course, without it, Anki would always be a were. She'd suicide before that I think....
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Rick
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Hmmm, yes very emotive in more than a couple of places.....not far to go now. Good read!
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Serethil
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Thank you Kind Sir Rick! Well, longer than she wants to deal with.... but yes. It's not long now for "finishing"....
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Areial
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<sniffle>.... very good read!!
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Serethil
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Thanks Areial! Um. LOVE your new sig pic! Actually, I'd love it more if the sign said "Eat moar beef"!
Edited by Serethil, Nov 1 2016, 09:11 AM.
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Areial
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LoL... didn't see that one... I'll look for one...
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Serethil
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Ankeddi 19:

It was a long, rough trip - even with Benica, good mare that she is. Thinking about where the Tomb lay, I decided to leave her in Winterhold. No stable, but at least she wouldn’t be out on the ice alone....

The worst part of the journey - aside from all the wolves I had to kill - was that heading north this time of year meant facing into brutal weather. I didn’t make many miles a day, and the miles I did cover left me dead tired as well as near-frozen - which was anything but a good idea for anyone, and especially bad for a Redguard. I wanted home. But I couldn’t go home until I’d got rid of the wereblood.

I actually didn’t know how the witch heads were supposed to effect the cure - and the other three might not know, or might not be willing to say. Well, I’d have to see what happened.... I entered Winterhold after a fortnight of travel, and asked at the inn if there was somewhere to leave my horse while I took care of some things.

Dagur, the innkeeper, got a thoughtful look on his face. “Well. I could put her up out back - there’s a tumbledown house that’s big enough, and still has a bit of a roof. What does she eat?”

Hmm. “Uh. Hay for preference, but if there’s still grass about under the snow, that would do. I shouldn’t be longer than a day....” He forbore to ask me what I was about, thankfully.

“Don’t think we’ve got hay, but yah, there’s still some grass out there.”

So I handed him ten septims for a room for the night, and another twenty for stabling Benica even if it wasn’t ideal. He led me around behind the inn, showed me the house, and then I went back for the mare. It was at least reasonably out of the wind, and actually that wind had scoured the snow cover down to the grass. There was more of it than I’d thought there would be - for which I was thankful. I untacked her, rubbed her down, and threw the almost-never-used blanket over her, grateful I’d stuffed it into my bags. She whickered and rubbed her head against me. I grained her, and decided I’d make a hot mash for her in the morning before I left. She’d stay where she was left, going out only to graze, and I hoped I’d be back by evening.

I went back into the inn, ordered a meal which I took to my room. My stomach was jumpy. And then I realized this hadn’t better take much time.... because day after tomorrow - I would change. I ground my palms into my eyes, and then grabbed my hair as if I could keep the ears from forming. I HATED THIS. I had hated every minute since it happened the first time.... If I couldn’t break free.... I didn’t know what I would do.
Edited by Serethil, Nov 6 2016, 08:21 PM.
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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Good read! Oh boy... turning would not be fun so close to a cure!
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Ooh, I'm on edge for her, to be SO close! Great update Sis!
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Thanks guys!

Anki in game (and I'm still tweaking - not too happy with her nose):

Posted Image
Edited by Serethil, Nov 3 2016, 06:46 PM.
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Rick
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She looks lovely Sere. She might have to hide herself away...can't stay at an inn in wolf form! Go clear our hobbs fall cave maybe......
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Serethil
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Heh. Thanks! I don't do those particular dungeons unless I'm messing with the bard's college quest line (which I practically never do any more). Kind of like with Meridia's Beacon, I have to think before grabbing....
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Serethil
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Ankeddi 20:

I managed to find the Tomb the next morning at a reasonable hour. Aela, Vilkas and Farkas were standing before the door, waiting for me. I entered, and they followed.

Vilkas seemed uneasy. Finally he said “This is the resting place of Ysgramor. And his most trusted generals. You should be cautious.”

“I should? What of you others?”

“It’s that they’re the original Companions. Their finest warriors rest with Ysgramor. You’ll have to prove yourselves to them. It's not that you're intruding. I'd wager they've actually expected us. They just want to be sure that you're worthy. Be ready for an honorable battle."

Hmm. “Are you not.... coming along with us then?”

"Kodlak was right. I let vengeance rule my heart. I regret nothing of what we did at Driftshade. But I can't go any further with my mind fogged or my heart grieved."

My eyebrows climbed my forehead, but I said nothing more. I looked at the statue of Ysgramor we were facing, and decided that the key to open the door was on my back. Placing Wuuthrad in Ysgramor’s hands, I heard the further wall drop open. I took the axe back - I was like to need it, and was thankful the door remained open....

The three of us, with me in the lead, moved into the Tomb. It was still, but I could hear the rustles in the corners - considering the webs everywhere, it was a good bet we’d have to deal with spiders as well as ghostly Companions of times long past.

We had to deal with several of the ancient Companions, of course you can’t really kill a ghost, but defeating them soundly seemed to work. It was possible that having to face down someone carrying a restored Wuuthrad was more than they wanted to deal with.

The next room inward was even more clogged with webs. There was a small pool of water in its center - and here Farkas, pale as death, insisted he couldn’t deal with spiders after Dustman’s Cairn. He retreated, and Aela and I went forward together. I swung Wuuthrad through the webs, revealing a nest of the damned ugly spiders with their spitting poison and clacking pincers. She stood back firing her bow as quickly as she could, and I waded in with the axe. Being Redguard, their poison didn’t have much effect on me, which was a very good thing.

Eventually they were all dead - hacked and spitted with arrows. We got our breath back, and then looked over the gate. It was sealed - but there was a chain. Shrugging, I pulled it. There were stairs down beyond it.

And there were more ghosts to defeat. I was getting fair tired of this.... But once they were defeated, we opened the next door - and it seemed to be a burial chamber. Ysgramor’s most likely. Beside a brazier flaming with blue fires stood another ghost - Kodlak. We approached him, and I spoke to him, questioning the flames and his action.

“Of course. My fellow Harbingers and I have been warming ourselves here. Trying to evade Hircine.”

“But.... I see only you....”

“You see only me because your heart knows only me as the Companions' leader. I'd wager old Vignar could see half a dozen of my predecessors. And I see them all. The ones in Sovngarde. The ones trapped with me in Hircine's realm. And they all see you. You've brought honor to the name of the Companions. We won't soon forget it."

I went red, and then pale. And then I said, “Vilkas told me you could still be cured of the wereblood. That’s why we’re here.”

"Did he now? I can only hope. You still have the witches' heads? Excellent. Throw one of them into the fire. It will release their magic, for me at least."

So I did - and found myself facing.... a spirit wolf, huge and menacing, and so fast. I don’t know if Aela was able to hit it, but I did manage to do some damage with Wuuthrad - and though I thought its fangs might be poison - from the way they glistened and dripped - again, I’m Redguard, and thankful for it.

Finally I hewed the ghostly head from its neck. And it dissipated into smoke. I turned to Kodlak’s ghost, to see him deliver a benediction, and whisper, “Farewell. Sovngarde awaits. I thank you for this gift, but the others remain trapped by Hircine. Perhaps from Sovngarde, the heroes of old can join me in their rescue. The Harrowing of the Hunting Grounds. It would be a battle of such triumph. And perhaps some day, you'll join us in that battle. But for today, return to Jorrvaskr. Triumph in your victory. And lead the Companions to further glory."

What? “No, I....” But he was gone. Aela looked at me and shook her head. “So, he’s made you Harbinger. I suppose that’s a fair reward.”

I shook my head in return. “Aela. I can’t be Harbinger. I have to go home with my family, to Hammerfell. But first....”

I stepped to the brazier, and threw another head on the flames.
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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Awesome that she got her own cure... but will she feel the responsibility to stay and guide the Companions... waiting her next chapter..
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