Welcome Guest
[Log In]
[Register]
R.I.P. neildarkstar. Haven will miss you dearly.
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| Denira Alf'agar: Deni's Way | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Sep 24 2016, 07:57 PM (168 Views) | |
| Serethil | Sep 24 2016, 07:57 PM Post #1 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
[Last post regarding Deni, for reference]: Anki and Deni stabled the mare at Whiterun. The stableman looked her over, looked them over, and said, “Ye must be related to that Siara, ain’t? Least th’ horse be similar. She let me put her stud to mares, n’ I’m real pleased with the get. They be strong, but more graceful, an’ I hope that be continuin’ as they grow.” Anki smiled. “Aye. Siara is my sister in law, and this one’s mother by adoption. Come Deni. We need to get settled in the inn.” They nodded at the stable master, and went up into the city. Anki was flummoxed. Now THIS was a city! So beautiful - even more so than Bruma, and warmer though farther north; she wondered how that worked. Deni just watched everything and everyone. Deni stopped by the guard inside the big gate. “Sir, where be an inn?” He smiled behind his helm. “Straight up this street little miss - through the market past the well.” She curtsied prettily. “Thank you!” And they passed on into the city proper, eventually finding the well, and then the inn. Anki paid for a room for two days - if they couldn’t find what they needed by then, it likely couldn’t be found at all. They ate well - and put up with the bard’s caterwauling. They were ready for bed not long after full dark - it was a fair ride after all from the Ridge. There was the one bed, no door, and just a jug of cold water to wash with. Anki sighed. Deni giggled. “Eh, we’re spoiled, we are. This is more like how things were before I got to be an Alf’agar, after all!” “I know.... but - yes. I’m spoiled. And having no doors....” But they were tired enough that neither noticed anything amiss without the door.... Morning was as gorgeous as the evening before. Deni made friends with a girl who seemed to have no family at all, and Anki left them playing tag and running through the streets. |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 24 2016, 07:57 PM Post #2 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Denira 1: I had felt myself hard used by the things that had happened to me. I had a mother - but she wasn’t.... interested in me. In fact, she was.... dissociated in the extreme - from me, from Skyrim, from Bruma where we had lived for some while. Her entire being was bound up with something called the Dark Brotherhood - a Skyrim guild of assassins. That knowing caused me shudders - that her whole attention was on killing to order - for gold. HOW could she pretend that this was a life? Well, she never talked to me, so I don’t know.... In fact.... I spent those years of my life as a silent ghost - I lived, I cooked, I cleaned.... and she never - saw me. Siara had taken me out of that, she and the Alf’agar clan. I began to - unfold, to blossom. And then - on a trip to Falkreath.... Siara had to defend us against an assassin - who died on her blades. Who was my mother. The upshot there was that Siara adopted me so now I had what I considered a REAL mother - a person who cared about me (and me about her), who made sure I had food, clothing, a home, a bed - and schooling.... *sigh* And a family - the whole Alf’agar clan were now my family. I - could have flown in joy, had I wings. Of course, nothing so good is without the opposite. I am a mage - as my body wakens to womanhood, my craft burgeons as well - and the family is unsure what to do with me. Still, the older mages we brought out of Bruma with us - they are my teachers, and I think, the family is - learning that all mage-craft is not ill. Now in Whiterun - where Anki has to deal with the Companions to rid herself of the were-curse - we have found Lucia. Whose life is far worse than mine ever was.... and I’m ashamed to have thought myself hard-used. So. I have another sister. I wonder what Siara and Andur will think when they come home? |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 24 2016, 07:58 PM Post #3 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Denira 2: It occurred to me eventually that Anki must have used magic to cover up what she did to that Jarl and his toadies. So before she left the Ridge again, I asked her about it. “Aye. While most Redguards are happy enough just wielding weapons, some of us are - more diverse - in that we have mage-talent. Our culture does allow for that. I was already feeling mage-gift when I met the werewolf. I’d found a teacher.... but he was very old, and died about the time - I think - that your mother's clan was drowned by Dagon. So, I made peace with the rest of our family about the magic, doing research and reading on my own until I could find another teacher. “Of course, we came here before I was able to do that. And now, all know about the wereblood. Still, I had enough magery to clear up the - leavings. I still need a teacher though.” “Anki.... once you’re clear of the wereblood, you could go to the College... It’s in Winterhold, there’s mages of all kinds there. They could teach you.” She looked down at me, her eyes unfocused. “Ah. I had no idea. Thank you, little sister! That’s - a very good idea.” “Are you leaving again soon?” “Ayah. In the morning. I need to get back and deal with the Companions until I can find out how to end this curse in my blood and body.” I nodded. They would be the only way to purify Anki - I knew it from tales.... and from the magic that sang in my own body and blood. “Be.... safe.... Anki.” I threw my arms around her, and we shed a few tears together. I went back to the house - to find Lucia ready for the bath experience. I hadn’t ever been as wild a child as she was - not her fault of course! - but I was looking forward to showing her that even a clan of refugee Redguards could be clean, groomed, dressed well, and with much laughter.... In my own life, this short time with the Alf’agars had given me more than my blood-kin ever had.... After the bathing (for both of us), we dressed, and I showed her how to pull the tangles out of her hair with a wide-toothed wooden comb. I cleaned the area, so she would know the next time. And then it was nearly dinner time - so we went to Paranna who was cooking this day. “What can we do to help, Paranna?” She looked us over, seeing us clean; laughing (laughter came readily to her) she said, “Well, if you will put out the table cover, and the plates and goblets and forks and knives, that will give me time to see what else I might have that you can do. Does that suit?” “Ayah, it does. Here, Lucia,” I showed her where the bits and pieces of the table laying were stored, and laid all out so that she could see where things went. “This.... it’s.... we never had so much. When Ma was alive even.... well, we just had a plate, a tankard and a fork each. And not much food ever....” I put an arm around her shoulders. “Things are different now. NOW you are an Alf’agar. And WE have standards to uphold!” |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 24 2016, 07:59 PM Post #4 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Denira 3: With the two of us raising hell in the Ridge, the elders seemed to feel that life was - finally - normal again. Selalla took me aside though, to remind me that raising hell was expected - but so was an equal amount of reparations.... So Lucia and I went out into the environs to see what we could find - mine, kill, gather.... And when we returned we had packs full to bursting with the bounty of this land. I was - honestly - awed. There was so much.... We hadn’t killed more than a few rabbits and an occasional wolf - but the rest.... We put it out on the big table in the main space. The adults looked at what we’d brought in, and then at us, and then amongst themselves. Selalla smiled. “Well then! It’s a wonder you two are - look here, since Siara’s gone, most of us haven’t thought to see what’s outside our stockade. Obviously a mistake. If there’s this much where these two have been just today... then tomorrow, ALL will be about gleaning!” And so it was. I missed Anki, but I had Lucia - the sister I’d always wanted, as Siara was the mother I’d needed - and finally found. And of course, I missed her too.... But we began to systematically reave the land of its bounty. And by doing so we initiated the wealth that would cause us issues.... though that was not yet apparent. I continued with my lessons. And Lucia began to understand that reading could give her - many many things she’d never thought to have. So we were in charity as well. On a time, Selalla asked me to drive a wagon to Falkreath; she wanted some glass from the store there, for what she didn’t say. I hitched Candulla to the small cart, helped the matriarch into it, and waited while Lucia scrambled into the back. It was a couple of hours to Falkreath, with a two-horse hitch, so half again that with only one and the smaller wagon. Arriving in the rain (a thing that Selalla found almost unbelievable, being from Hammerfell), we decided to eat first, and entered the inn. The bard was singing the same song she’d sung the last time I’d been here. I tried not to hear her. Lucia whispered “She’s.... not.... keeping on pitch. That’s.... horrible!” Hmmm.... Eventually, we finished the meal, bought Selalla’s glass, and headed for home. Our matriarch fell into sleep before we were halfway there. Lucia wasn’t far behind. I was - antsy - being the only one aware.... And that awareness saved us - because bandits came upon us suddenly and I was able - barely - to hold them off while the others woke and got themselves settled into battle-mode. Selalla pulled a small, oddly-shaped crossbow from under the seat, placed a bolt into it, wound it tight and sent the bolt into a raider’s throat - she might not be young, but NOTHING had caused her to lose that edge. Lucia dove for the ground under the cart, grabbed a shortbow from the box of weapons always there, and started peppering the other three while as protected as possible. She might not be accurate - but they had to worry anyway. I slipped out of the seat, pulled invisibility around me, and slithered around behind them. They began to die to my tantos.... and didn’t know what was toward. It wasn’t long before there was no one alive but the three of us and Candulla. “Ah. Good then, we have killed scum, and we are alive. Deni, Lucia.... the next time we need to go to Falkreath, we will have an escort of the men. We cannot be trying to keep ourselves alive against cuzi like this - just because we need supplies....” I nodded, and Lucia gulped. Probably this was the first time she’d ever fought to save her own life.... When we entered the gates, Arnem ran out. “Mother! What has happened!” Hmmm. How did he know....? “Take the mare, and when she is put up properly we will have a meeting. There is much to discuss.” |
![]() |
|
| Andra Hawksdaughter | Sep 24 2016, 08:14 PM Post #5 |
![]()
Jarl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Oh lordie, I was afraid of that when they went alone!! Thank goodness they were a big surprise to those bandits, or like as not it would have been very bad! Good thing Lucia has been learning from Deni! :clap: |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 24 2016, 08:17 PM Post #6 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Selalla would have thought ahead if she was still in Hammerfell. But - she's out of her element.... and this was the result. Deni was the fulcrum. Without her weapons - and her mage abilities - they WOULD have been dead. |
![]() |
|
| Areial | Sep 24 2016, 08:56 PM Post #7 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Very nice...and Deni is very quick on her feet! |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 25 2016, 08:47 PM Post #8 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Denira 4: We ate well, and then Selalla called us all together to explain. It turned out that Elgial had felt our plight on the road (he being apt to disturbances of that sort), and had alerted everyone in case we needed help. We hadn’t - but it was a good thing, then, wasn’t it - that he had knowing of that sort. “So, see you - Denira saved us using both magic and weapons.” Eh. Now that just wouldn’t do. “Ah. But granddam - you killed one yourself with the small crossbow - and without Lucia sending all those arrows from under the wagon, I wouldn’t have been able to kill the rest. So - see YOU - we all saved ourselves.” Lucia, sitting next to me, poked me in the ribs, and then said “I was so afraid we would die....” Selalla smiled her earth-mother smile. “We all fear in the press of that sort of situation. And admitting fear means it cannot take hold of you. “Now. Lucia needs training in bow. She did VERY well - you’d never used a bow before?” Lucia shook her head. “I’d watched the guards - so I knew what to do - but I wasn’t any good at it!” “You were good. Because those cuzi had to worry about the arrows since they didn’t really know where they were coming from. So. Someone needs to give Lucia some training - because she did VERY well, with no knowledge or training at all.” She looked over at Arnem. “And, she needs to learn to ride, and deal with the horses.” He nodded. Paranna said “I’m good with the bow. I’ll show her. But....” she looked Lucia over appraisingly... “I think she might do better with a crossbow like yours Selalla. At least until she’s grown.” Selalla nodded. “Good. See to it. Denira....” She contemplated her son’s mate’s adopted child. “You are so facile with those weapons already, I’ve nothing to say further there. And of course you’re lessoning in the magics. But.... I think....” She went away somewhere behind her eyes for a bit, while I wondered.... “I think you should wear the clothing of a boy. You’re slim, and while already womaning, you are....” I blushed and waved her words away. I was flat. Thankfully. “You will be less obvious if this world thinks you are male.” It was a not-uncommon dodge. I’d known a girl in Bruma who’d done the same. I was embarrassed to admit I’d not thought of it myself! I just nodded and didn’t reply. “So then. While things are fine in Falkreath no matter what’s happened in the recent past, we need to have two of the men at least when we must go into the city for supplies. Our trip today - could have been very.... unfortunate.” Nods and murmurs all around. We all finished what drink we had - coffee for Lucia and me; ale or wine for the rest except the babes - and went about the usual business. I asked Velima what we could do to help, it being her turn to manage the next day’s meals, but she just shooed us away. “You’ve both had a busy day. Bathe, get to bed, and tomorrow will be soon enough for other chores.” We were both glad. It wasn’t long after that we were clean and almost asleep, though it really was still early. Selalla came in, and sat between us. “Anki has gone back to Whiterun, to become a Companion. We will see her when we do, and not before. Now. I want to say to both of you that I was glad you were with me today. Without both of you.... well things would have gone hard with me. Thank you both for your bravery and willingness to put yourselves in danger. And I am VERY glad none of us were hurt!” “So are we, granddam. It was scary - but - well.... we do what we must.” |
![]() |
|
| Areial | Sep 25 2016, 08:55 PM Post #9 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Very nice.. Learning to protect one's self is never a bad thing.. young or old. Planing can go a long way also. |
![]() |
|
| Andra Hawksdaughter | Sep 25 2016, 09:29 PM Post #10 |
![]()
Jarl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Deni is wise beyond her years, it can be both good and bad. Well done! I like how you're growing Selalla's personality! |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 25 2016, 09:34 PM Post #11 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
It's funny - Deni got that way all by herself. I finally figured out that - she had no choice.... because her mother didn't.... mother her.... And Selalla - well, THAT lady is a revelation. She turned into someone special all on her own. Edited by Serethil, Sep 25 2016, 09:35 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 26 2016, 08:43 PM Post #12 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Denira 5: There was a commotion at the gate. It was Andur and Siara! I ran and grabbed her, almost knocking her off her feet.... and then I realized that she was - with child! I would have a sib! Oh. Lucia. So I started to explain, and the dumbfounded look on her face caused me to stop. But then, she said “Let’s go inside. I need to talk to you obviously, and to Selalla. So, who is this girl you brought home?” “She.... her name’s Lucia. Her mother died, her aunt threw her out when she inherited the house, and she’s been” my eyes filled with tears “sleeping behind the inn in Whiterun.... not in a bed, Mama - just on the ground!” She shook her head and touched my cheek. “Well, it’s no shame, having a kind and loving heart, my girl. And - well, we’ve love enough to go around I think.” A while later, after everyone caught up, Andur looked at me and Siara, and grinned. “Maybe you should have waited to have one of your own, wife!” “Hmph. Had I known - but you do realize that babes come when the gods will it, do you not?” “Oh aye. I was but joking....” “I know it. But this business of bandits jumping a woman and two girls on the road - that’s not a fine thing at all....” So the talk went. And I could see that Lucia was worried. So I slid over next to her, and whispered “Oh, you don’t need to worry. You’re one of us now. It’s a promise....” Edited by Serethil, Sep 26 2016, 08:45 PM.
|
![]() |
|
| Areial | Sep 27 2016, 12:03 AM Post #13 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Lucia is still not convinced she has a home... poor thing! They will work on it! |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 27 2016, 12:09 AM Post #14 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Well.... how could she be? I honestly don't - like - what beth did with the orphans. Homeless children (well, adults too - but the kids are what REALLY gets me) are a REAL LIFE issue.... making this sort of thing a throwaway part of a game.... They trivialized a serious issue in the world. I suppose that they (the devs) just thought to grab people by emotions. But.... it's not really a - nice - thing.... |
![]() |
|
| Areial | Sep 27 2016, 12:20 AM Post #15 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Not my favorite part, but only cause without mod's you can only adopt 2... Ever see the Christmas Gif-video that I did... Kaylea adopted every kid in the game...plus some mod Mer children... Built Blackthorn... talk about an FPS drop if everyone came to the door when she got home, yelling "mamma"!! ( errr plus 6 dog's and what ever the kid's brought home.) Was funny in some ways, but adorable in others. Edit: Kid's are a soft spot with me...though I can't tolerate them for long... I still have seeing them not cared for properly. Edited by Areial, Sep 27 2016, 12:21 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 27 2016, 12:22 AM Post #16 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I did watch the video. Very cool - but wow - even trying to see it on my setup caused issues (eh, satband.... *sigh*). And man, on the machine I had at the time.... I'd never have been able to go there in game at all. [Eh, I'm not into kids IRl. But the problems kids can have to deal with IRL - yeah, it's not good. I think that's why I just can't go there in game....] Edited by Serethil, Sep 27 2016, 12:24 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| Areial | Sep 27 2016, 12:30 AM Post #17 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I think I'd have to cut back on my graphic mod's to actually do a "real" video...then wait til the end of the month to see if I have enough data left to download it...IF it would download... Moot point cause I don't know how to record game play... though I am sure their is a u-tube video explaining it all. and yeah,... kid's choke me up, I haven't the patience, but... the years I was a paramedic... <shudder> |
![]() |
|
| neildarkstar | Sep 27 2016, 03:20 AM Post #18 |
|
Overlord
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I'm a softie where kids are concerned, and my problem with Skyrim orphans is that I can't do ANYTHING more for them than to give them a coin or buy their flowers unless I adopt them... and if I have no house I can't adopt them. I mean, why can I not pay Hulda to provide Lucia with a warm place to sleep, or a hot meal every day? Why can't I give a kid a toy or a candy treat? |
![]() |
|
| Andra Hawksdaughter | Sep 27 2016, 06:29 PM Post #19 |
![]()
Jarl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Darn it Sere, you made me cry. That was very good. :hugs: |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Sep 29 2016, 06:54 PM Post #20 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Denira 6: I gathered up Luce the next morning and we washed up, then found Velima who would have day-meal in charge. She set us to washing potatoes (for baking in the embers), then peeling carrots. I wasn’t sure what she was going to do with them. And then I showed Luce how to cut mammoth steaks of an even thickness so they’d all be done at the same time. “That’s a very good job girls. Now, take some time to play, and then wash up well and put out the table settings.” So we ran around like wild things for a bit, then collapsed in the shade laughing. And that’s where Paranna and Termoru found us. They settled down beside us, and Termoru held Paranna’s hand. She smiled at him, and then turned to Lucia. “We would like to talk to you about something - something important to all of us.” She waited until Luce nodded. “We would like you to be our daughter, Termoru’s and mine. I - can’t have children you see.... and we’ve wanted forever to be parents, to have a child to teach, and to pass on to the knowledge we hold. “We will love you. And we hope you can come to love us. Will you think it over?” Luce’s eyes were huge. She looked at me, and I grinned at her. And then her eyes overflowed as she turned back to Paranna and Termoru. “You.... you - really - WANT me?” It was Paranna’s turn to cry. “Oh, yes! So much - we.... need you, and we will love you!” As I started back to the Ridge, the three of them were laughing and crying together, holding each other. My grin was about as big as my mouth could stretch, and I shed a few tears of my own. I knew just exactly how full a heart could be when someone said they wanted you and would love you.... |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Single Volume Epics · Next Topic » |
- Pages:
- 1
- 2
| Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
4:46 AM Jul 11
|
Theme created by Sjaelen Auren from Zathyus Networks Resources






4:46 AM Jul 11