Welcome Guest
[Log In]
[Register]
R.I.P. neildarkstar. Haven will miss you dearly.
| Tiercel's Peregrinations | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Jan 10 2017, 09:00 PM (4,148 Views) | |
| Serethil | Apr 30 2017, 07:06 PM Post #761 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
95 - Softly softly catchee mousie... I hoped that we would be able to at least deal with Movarth first, before having to handle his “court”. To that end, I’d taken the most powerful bow out of the armory - the one no one else wanted to pull... It was tough - but the power was far beyond the norm. No - not enchanted, just so well-crafted an enchantment would have been superfluous. As we crept into the first tunnels, I motioned everyone back behind me a bit, holding up the bow and silver arrows. Nods all around. If I could take out Movarth, the rest - might - be easier to handle. Of course that was leaving Bal out of the equation.... which no one could afford to do.... I still felt it picking around my mental walls. I ignored it. Interestingly, that made it far angrier than it had been. Hmmm. Might be something there.... But first - deal with Movarth. I slithered into the tunnel that wound a bit then debouched into the “court” area. Suddenly I realized there was a ramp just ahead, that led to a platform above the tunnel. Ah! I pulled the group around me close, motioned to the ramp and platform, indicated by hand-signs that they should stay here behind the corner until I signaled, then headed up the ramp. I was in full sneak mode. That thief turned miner had taught me a lot. I used every bit of it now. Topping the ramp incline, I stayed right on the outer edge of the platform - there was a torch on the wall to the left, but the outside was fairly dim - not dark by any means, but dim enough. I moved eyelash by eyelash - slowly enough that no one could hear me.... I hoped. I got to the next turn back to the left. And there was the vampire himself, lounging at his ease in a throne-like seat at the head of his gruesome table. I rather wished I had one of those famous (but now unobtainable) crossbows formerly used by those long-gone Dawnguard.... But this bow and the silver arrows should suffice. I kept to the dark - this corner of the platform was farther from the wall and torches. There was something.... niggling.... in my mind - Bal. I tightened my walls even further, adding more “bricks”, as I thought of it. I even took time to build a “roof”. And then I nocked a silver arrow, with another in my teeth and a third over my ear. Pulling that bow was hard. She was likely far beyond my real weight to use - but somehow I knew she was mine to hand for this time and what needed doing. The niggling turned into thrusting. I didn’t want to think about that image, for obvious reasons. So I set it away, outside of myself, and loosed the first arrow, then the second and the third. Bal. He’d probably screamed something in Movarth’s mind. The first arrow hit but not a death wound. The other two missed. The fourth I grabbed and launched in haste grazed his cheek - which caused him to shriek and turn toward me at last. And the fifth arrow took him in the heart. He screamed - it was awful - high pitched, ending on a sound no one human could ever have made. The Companions waded into the court before the attendant vampires and thralls could recover their wits at having Movarth die in front of them, and I was peppering those vampires with silver arrows. Naluna’s blessings were helping - a lot. Those arrows didn’t just draw blood, they drew screams and shrieks of agony. I noticed that there were Companions down. A couple of them were crawling toward Naluna’s hide, but I thought the others likely dead. I couldn’t see family at all - gods I hoped they weren’t down in that mess on the floor! Feeling rather than hearing someone behind me, I whirled, made sure it was enemy, and fired. She went down, a silver arrow in her throat. The shriek she released went on and on - forever it seemed. And then there was silence. Complete silence. Turning back, I tried to see what had happened. Uh. How odd. Everyone was standing totally still - like statues. Nothing moved. Then Naluna walked into the court, holding the shrines of Meridia and Azura, one in each arm, with the Talos shrine cradled against her. She looked.... fey. Both present and not. Otherworldly.... The princes’ voices joined with a male voice I didn’t recognize, but knew must be Talos Stormcrown’s. “Those who are dead, be dead in truth. Sovngarde awaits, and you shall have all honor there. Those who are not-dead, vampires - die in flames, and take what comes to you in the hells. “Molag Bal - you have much to answer for. We will await you - in Oblivion. Do not be long, or we will have to - enforce - your appearance. “This place shall be cleansed. Naluna will see to it. The rest of you shall return to the lands of the living. Be comforted. All has happened today as it should have.” I sat stunned as the mass of bodies - went away. ‘Tiercel - while we would like to put everything back as it was.... well, we don’t have those powers. So, some of the Companions are dead and already either in Sovngarde or with Hircine. And.... your uncle, and one of his sons.... We are sorry.’ I felt a sort of benediction, and then all three otherwhere voices were gone. So Uncle Hed.... and which cousin? Well, I’d find out eventually - tears ran down my cheeks as I realized.... Now though - I had to finish the dead vampires - for good. |
![]() |
|
| Andra Hawksdaughter | Apr 30 2017, 08:22 PM Post #762 |
![]()
Jarl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
'By the gods' is putting it mildly!! Wonderful, superb...I was holding my breath while reading and didn't even realize it, lol. But oh lordie, what now??? Sis, I loved it! |
![]() |
|
| neildarkstar | Apr 30 2017, 08:23 PM Post #763 |
|
Overlord
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
GREAT! :clap: |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | Apr 30 2017, 08:26 PM Post #764 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks guys! Well, me of course, I was in tears when I got to the end.... There's still "cleanup" to handle.... and after that.... well, we'll see! Every tale reaches its destined end.... |
![]() |
|
| Areial | May 1 2017, 12:10 AM Post #765 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
<sniffle> really awesome read!!! |
![]() |
|
| neildarkstar | May 1 2017, 12:17 AM Post #766 |
|
Overlord
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
True that, sad though it may be. Of course there is always a possibility of a prequel or sequel, or even a brand new character's story waiting just behind that door. You know what they say - "One door closes, another door gets slammed on your foot..." Eh, they DO say that, don't they? I get so confused... :shrug: |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 1 2017, 09:03 AM Post #767 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks sis! Um. Neil, I kinda don't think that's the right one.... but I could be confuzzled myself.... of course. |
![]() |
|
| Kane | May 1 2017, 01:47 PM Post #768 |
|
Overlord
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Sounds like Bal is going to get an earful! I love the presence of Talos, too. Nice touch and a wonderful read! |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 1 2017, 03:05 PM Post #769 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thank you Kane! I think I'm feeling that Bal is going to get that earful because ONLY Vintan accepted his "bargain" - everyone else who's been harmed were hardly likely to deal with Bal at any point, and in fact did so only because Bal forced itself on them.... |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 1 2017, 07:54 PM Post #770 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
96 - The amount of relief I have, not feeling Bal picking at me.... Well, it’s considerable. After - putting stakes through vampire hearts, cutting heads from shoulders, salting all of them, then piling them up like cordwood outside and setting the pile to burn (with, I think, a little help from “my” princes - since the flames were SO enthusiastic we didn’t even smell rotting flesh going up) - I headed for Morthal to report. I stank though - so I stopped by a favorite little pool, stripped, and cleaned up. I’d still need a real bath, but at least I wouldn’t offend g’ma’s nose! Walking into the Hall, I was immediately mobbed. G’ma and ma both grabbed me, one on each side, and da touched my back gently. “Hed, and Medlan.” He was starting to read my mind now? G’da had tears running down his cheeks. “I’m - sorry. I wish I could have saved them....” We all held each other while we cried, and eventually Edilla called us all to eat. So we wiped tears away, and blew noses, and toasted our dead - and those of the Companions. They’d not waited, heading home to Jorrvaskr immediately with their own dead. I couldn’t remember what we’d promised as recompense - oh, Baldorn had said wait until done. Well, I’d have to head for Whiterun and work out what they were owed. And then I told the tale in full. The glaze of shock on faces seemed frozen there - I finally stood and raised my goblet of wine again. “Let this day be known in Hjaalmarch as Movarth’s End. We shall march to the burning-ground each year, light a bonfire, and drink to that end. And let no vampire wander into Hjaalmarch in future. We will make it known that their ilk are not welcome, and will die in a horrible way.” We all drank to that too. And then, mundanely.... “I need a bath. G’ma....” She grinned, and waved me toward the bathing room. The next day I rode for Whiterun. I spent one night on the way, enjoying the crisp air, the fae lights, and the quiet in my mind. Mid-day the next day I walked into Jorrvaskr, where I got hauled off my feet by Baldorn, who lifted me almost to the ceiling! “Oh, put me down, man! I’ve come to discuss your payment, and I can’t do it from the rafters!” He just laughed. “Lady, we’d have done it for free - but, well, five dead.... and their families will need some coin.” “Aye. I know it. A mug of ale on it?” So we settled to the huge table, poured ale, and talked it over. I think he thought he was asking for more than we could afford. I paid him weregild for the five dead three times what he asked, and told him to send to me if any of the families, or those who’d been injured, had other needs. He looked at me soberly. “I.... will be pleased to call you liege. I’m - by way of thinking the Companions are not my life - but moving to Morthal would suit me. If you have - place - for me?” I grasped his arm as we stood by the door. “We have. And will most welcome you. I myself will not be home as much in future - so having such a warrior to assist my family and townsfolk - it will be a good thing.” “Oh, aye! You’re for marrying the High King I hear.” I went red. “How do people hear this stuff?” I was genuinely perplexed. He shrugged and laughed. “Well, you know.... rumors!” So I returned to Morthal, and consulted with the family. “I’d like to let him have the Manor. There’s no ghosts there for him - and I.... well, I can’t live there again.” G’ma nodded soberly. “No more can any of us. So yes, it’s a good thought. We’ll ‘thane’ him, and suggest he gather some retainers....” A light went off in my head. “Ah. How about if we talk Baldorn into dealing with Torvik? We can’t leave him in gaol in Solitude forever.... And the mine - I wonder if Baldorn has any managerial leanings? I’ll leave you to discover that - I MUST go deal with my promises to Meridia and Azura.” Da looked at me and winked. “Aye. And you might just think about Talos Stormcrown as well....” |
![]() |
|
| Areial | May 1 2017, 08:19 PM Post #771 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
:clap: very good... *giggle* rumors... |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 1 2017, 08:21 PM Post #772 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks! Yeah.... like the old kids' game Telephone.... |
![]() |
|
| Andra Hawksdaughter | May 1 2017, 08:42 PM Post #773 |
![]()
Jarl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Woot!! Sis, that was fantastic! And the addition of Baldorn, what a surprise prize! :D |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 1 2017, 08:44 PM Post #774 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Yep, he sorta crept up on me.... I think.... he's going to find Naluna's all but irresistible.... Thanks Sis! |
![]() |
|
| neildarkstar | May 1 2017, 09:41 PM Post #775 |
|
Overlord
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Good reading! :thumb: |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 1 2017, 09:54 PM Post #776 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks neil! |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 2 2017, 07:45 PM Post #777 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
97 - Back to Solstheim ....and I was so happy I didn’t need to read the rest of those DAMNED books! I was also happy to have Var along - oddly enough, even ma was happy this time. So probably some of her unhappiness previously was attributable to Bal.... Before setting out for Frykte Peak, we hunted up Crescius. After all.... he owed us.... I wanted him to go with us, take a look at what I needed done, and advise who’d be best to hire to accomplish a path up a sheer cliff-face.... He seemed a bit doubtful about going so far afield with us. And even more doubtful about making shrines for daedric princes. Since he was an Imperial, I didn’t even mention Talos.... His wife eventually said she’d borrow the carriage from the Morvayns - I suppose that as the rulers of this island, they had the need for a carriage.. I did explain about not having a road all the way.... but she just shrugged and went off to talk to them. I made a sketch map for them, and told Crescius we’d hope to meet them in a couple of days. I wondered if they’d make it by then. After that, Var and I headed north. We’d not brought the horses this time, as we’d be on foot to mess about with the shrine area anyway. After we ate in camp that evening, I brought Var up to date on all that had happened after he’d gone back to Solitude - he’d got my letter by courier that things were safe, but I’d said I’d tell the tale later. I kept having to swallow hard against tears. And when it came to Uncle Hed’s and Medlan’s pyres - well, I was just a watering-pot and there was no help for it. Var just held my while I sobbed. Eventually it was all told, even to Baldorn moving into the Manor. He looked at me soberly, but then grinned, looking like a little boy all of a sudden. “So. We can get married? Are you sure? I don’t want to get started and have you back out....” “You want my fist again?” His brows climbed in alarm. “No no. I won’t do it again. I promise. Well, unless you really deserve it! Yes, I’m sure. I still have to find a dress of course. I don’t care for the “Nord” variety - I wonder if the shop in Raven Rock has something I’d like?” “You could just appear sky-clad....” “Uh. No. Can you imagine the fit ma would pitch? And the fuss everyone else would go into? I’d rather not start our married life on such a note, thank you!” “I’d.... rather not have to go through the whole thing at all. Couldn’t we just talk to the priest at the temple here?” I rolled my eyes at him. “I guess that’s a no....” He grumbled something under his breath. “Would you like to say that so I can hear it?” He flushed. “No. Men aren’t - very good - about things like weddings....” “Oh, I know it. Not to worry - I’ll keep it as much under control as I can. Ma won’t front g’ma and g’ma will listen to me.” We went to bed in complete charity. And without Bal sniffing around, we enjoyed each other fully again. |
![]() |
|
| Andra Hawksdaughter | May 2 2017, 08:44 PM Post #778 |
![]()
Jarl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
:clap: :bravo: Ah, SO good to see things finally going her way!! (including Var, LOL) |
![]() |
|
| Serethil | May 2 2017, 08:46 PM Post #779 |
|
Et'Ada
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Well.... I hope this isn't the calm before the storm. Now, you might think I'd know.... But I don't. |
![]() |
|
| Andra Hawksdaughter | May 2 2017, 08:51 PM Post #780 |
![]()
Jarl
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Don't burst my bubble yet, LOL. |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Single Volume Epics · Next Topic » |
| Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
4:45 AM Jul 11
|
Theme created by Sjaelen Auren from Zathyus Networks Resources






4:45 AM Jul 11