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R.I.P. neildarkstar. Haven will miss you dearly.
| Man and Dragon, Dragon and Man; ....with a side-excursion into vampires and so on | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 15 2017, 08:41 PM (1,206 Views) | |
| Serethil | Jul 21 2017, 08:50 PM Post #241 |
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Et'Ada
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Twenty-nine: I’m - not sure - I can even take this in.... After eating, and some further discussion on - oh, everything from the twins and the fact that they didn’t seem to consider marrying to wondering if we’d ever see Serana again to hoping we’d NEVER see her mother - we settled to loving and then sleep. Something woke me - just me, not Var who seemed sunk in dream and oblivious - about middle night. There was.... an unearthly glow around the shrine - so bright I couldn’t see the wall or the statues. I found myself on my bare feet - in my not-quite-threadbare-yet sleeping shift, heading through the snowdrift to the shrine. When I reached it, I had to cover my eyes against the light, which was making them tear it was so bright! As I wiped at my eyes, the light began to dim enough that I could see, beginning to make out the statues and the wall. Finally I could open my eyes fully and see.... No statues - but the realities. Before me in flesh (I suppose - I’m not truly sure....) stood Talos Stormcrown; and behind him on the wall, wings spread, was Akatosh Himself. I sat down hard, and covered my mouth and eyes with my hands. “Daughter. Are you afraid?” I nodded, entirely unable to speak. “There is nothing to fear from either of us.” “I.... but.... I’m sorry!” Well, incoherence usually wasn’t an issue for me, but it’s not every mid-night that you meet not only your longfather, millennia dead, but the chief Divine! A deep thrumming voice echoed through my mind. “That you are sorry is the only recompense necessary, Tiercel High-Queen. You had a thought which you discovered was not a good thing after all. You did not act on it. How then should I punish you, when you have punished yourself so thoroughly already?” I was shaking so hard I almost couldn’t breathe. Finally, giving myself a good internal talking-to, I asked “Why didn’t Var wake?” “We wished to talk to you alone, to begin with. Your husband - is a bit impatient - with your current circumstances. You would do well to take some time to discuss this with him, lest it come between the love you bear each other.” I nodded. I had wondered - when he was so odd about Serana. Talos smiled then. “As for Durnehviir - well, Akatosh is his father as well. All-father to the dragons, Akatosh will - discuss the situation - with those who hold one of his children prisoner. I will call you to me when we know what will happen next.” “Longfather - am I not to tell Var of this?” “You will find that he will know you have something strange to tell. So certainly, you will tell him - since he will as certainly believe you. Now, return to your bed, child.” And somehow I was in that bedroll without walking myself back. Which was probably the scariest part of the entire thing! The shrine was still and dim in the early-morning light, no evidence of Talos - or Akatosh. Var was looking at me with a bemused smile on his face. “What?” “Well, whatever got you up in the night, it’s made you so lovely that I believe we’ll have to test if it extends to - other things....” And so we did. |
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| Areial | Jul 21 2017, 09:03 PM Post #242 |
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Et'Ada
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<snicker> sound's like Divine "glow" is better than "baby" glow!! One can only hope that certain being's will be... umm reasonable with the Father of Time. |
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| Serethil | Jul 21 2017, 09:34 PM Post #243 |
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Et'Ada
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*giggling* Let's hope so! The LAST thing Tier needs is a change-baby! |
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| neildarkstar | Jul 21 2017, 11:42 PM Post #244 |
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Overlord
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:thumb: |
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Jul 22 2017, 08:17 AM Post #245 |
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Jarl
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The midnight 'visit' may have scared the snot out of Tier, but Var reaps the benefits, LOL. I loved that I could feel an almost...snide anticipation?...from Akatosh, that he's looking forward to dealing with those holding Durny. hehe Great read Sis! |
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| Serethil | Jul 22 2017, 09:23 AM Post #246 |
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Et'Ada
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Thank you neil and Sis! I have a feeling that Idgrod's watching all this and grinning.... |
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| Serethil | Jul 23 2017, 08:22 PM Post #247 |
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Et'Ada
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Thirty: Var’s as flummoxed as I am which does tend to make me feel better about being a coward before both of those Elders, one a Divine and the other our longfather. Hmm. So, I wonder - does that mean every Nord alive today is my relative? I suppose so, though not close. Hopefully, not close enough that there’s a problem with having wedded Var! By the time we got home, court was overflowing with Jarls and their retainers. Var rolled his eyes, and growled, “I’ll see you in the morning. Since we didn’t see Skyrim burning, flooding, or being invaded on our way home, I’m quite sure you can possess your souls in patience until then.” As we went to our bed after a quick meal, I watched my love quizzically. And then I asked “Are you - wanting to give over being High King, love?” He sighed, and ran a hand through his hair, causing it to stand up all over. “I - don’t know, Tier. In the years since the moot chose me, it seems that all of these jarls have become far less competent, and depend on me to decide what they should do FOR them. That’s not what I should be doing, and in fact it’s what I said I wouldn’t do. Which was why the moot elected me - because I stated I’d be staying out of Hold business, unless there was an emergency.” He brooded, and I left him to it. I was pretty sure he’d figure things out.... And overnight, he did so. We dressed in High Court garb in the morning, and he escorted me to my seat on his left, while g’ma as previous Jarl of Hjaalmarch sat to his right - since I was here today being High Queen, I chose to abdicate for that time the office to the former Jarl. “So. I see that all of you are back here with more of the same - problems you feel need my input, my orders, to settle.” He sent a dark glance around the room, lighting on each face, and spent more time gazing at the Jarls and their family members. “I am going to remind you that twenty-some years gone, the moot elected me as High King because I stated I would not meddle in Hold business. And yet, in the last decade, for some reason each Jarl among you has come to the conclusion that if I don’t make a pronouncement, then he or she cannot act. “This stops now. Henceforth, while I will welcome you to court to visit, to chat to other Jarls, to arrange marriages for your children” he rose and stood on the dais, above the entire mass of people in the room “I am NOT FIXING YOUR HOLD ISSUES. Period. If Skyrim is invaded by whatever or whomever, I will be happy to decide what to do. Otherwise - you are going to have to deal with your own problems. That’s final. I suggest you all return home and think about this. “NOW.” The room emptied so fast it seemed the floor must be on fire. G’ma broke into delighted laughter, and Var just glared at the door then flopped onto the first step. “They’ll be back before they ever get home probably.” “I don’t think so, love. And if they are - well, set guards at the gates and tell them they aren’t approved for admittance.” “Good idea Tier! Yes, Var, I’m in agreement. They’ve taken far too much advantage of your good nature - and they’ve all forgotten how to govern. It’s time they figure that out - before it bites them in the hind end!” G’ma rose from the seat and bent to kiss Var’s head before she left the room. I sat quiet while he brooded a bit longer, then said “Enough gnawing on it now. Let’s - go talk about - anything but court!” He finally grinned, stood, and held out his hand to pull me out of the chair. Then he swooped me up into his arms - and we didn’t talk a lot at all once we reached our bed. |
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| Areial | Jul 23 2017, 11:04 PM Post #248 |
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Et'Ada
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Awesome! sooo glad that he told them to go do their own job's.. themselves! and :hubba: |
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| Serethil | Jul 23 2017, 11:06 PM Post #249 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks sis! Yep, think Var has a belly full of wimp Jarls.... |
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| Andra Hawksdaughter | Jul 24 2017, 12:05 PM Post #250 |
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Jarl
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Good for Var!! The damn Jarls need to learn, or re-learn, how to govern! And if they can't, and new Jarl needs to be put in place somehow. Wonderful!! |
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| Lapuaboy | Jul 24 2017, 04:19 PM Post #251 |
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Thane
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Just caught up and damn... Sere, you know I about tear up with Talos, and here is Akatosh too. Powerful stuff. :clap: |
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| Serethil | Jul 24 2017, 04:21 PM Post #252 |
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Et'Ada
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Thanks Sis! Var is a reasonably even-tempered man. Until he's not. Thank you Lappy! Heh. Join me on that one - and I'm the one writing it! Edited by Serethil, Jul 24 2017, 04:21 PM.
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| Serethil | Jul 25 2017, 08:12 PM Post #253 |
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Et'Ada
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Thirty-one: Some weeks later.... The jarls had crept back to court over time, but were at this point very careful to not bring Hold business with them. I thought it was odd that it took only one scolding to change things so materially, but Var was certainly in a better mood over it. I discussed it with g’ma. She was, like me, a bit skeptical that it was a real change for the better, but we agreed that it did make things calmer for the time being. And that was all to the good - because the very next day, Valerica landed on the doorstep. Fortunately the jarls, their families and retainers hadn’t shown up yet - so I hustled Valerica through into the family part of the building. “Now - are you here as a subject, and needing to see the High King? Or as a private individual?” She looked down her nose at me - a pretty good trick since she was shorter than I by a full head.... “I am here to collect my daughter.” “Valerica” g’ma said from behind her, “Serana’s not here. Hasn’t been for a couple of months. She said she’d written you....” G’ma moved to my left side - probably in case I thought I needed to draw a weapon! “I got a letter. Supposedly from my daughter - talking about going into Cyrodiil of all gods-lost places! For all I know you forced her to write it, and she’s imprisoned here.” I sighed. G’ma held her tongue - so it was on me to handle this. “Valerica. How do you think we would have restrained an angry Daughter of Coldharbour? None of us is immune to what you two can bring to bear you know. “Serana left here on her own, with a horse I gave her after teaching her to ride and to care for the animal. She intended, she said, to go first to Bruma while trying to discern where she could find information about how to rid herself of the vampirism. She also thought to perhaps eventually go to the remains of Yokuda - why, she did not tell us.” Valerica’s face tightened as she heard me out. She lifted furious eyes to mine then, and snarled “And you had nothing to do with turning my daughter from me, or so you would say! Are you not the one who brought her here from the Castle, as well as the Greybeard?” “I invited both the Greybeard and Serana to stay with us for a while. They both chose to accept the invitation. And Arngeir is still here. Serana then opted to go elsewhere, looking for a cure, or the way to a cure. I did my best to assure her comfort, by giving her the horse and food, clothing....” Valerica glared right through me. “I should - infect you!” At that point, Var entered the room. I thought he’d likely been listening to the contretemps. “No, Valerica - you shouldn’t. Because if you do - well, we all know how to kill permanently even a Daughter of Coldharbour. And calling on your ‘master’ won’t help you - he’s already had his fill of our family.” I wasn’t sure that was really true, but I hoped it would be a good enough bluff for now. Apparently Valerica didn’t actually stop to consider that it might be a bluff, for she - deflated. “So, having torn my daughter from me, you now refuse me any surcease from sorrow.” I smiled gently. “Valerica, you have just discovered - five thousand years down the road - what every parent throughout time has learned: children grow up, and they go out on their own to discover who they are and what they are made of. If we as parents have done our jobs, they return to us as adults we love, and are happy to own as our children.” If vampires could cry (can they? I really don’t know) I think she would have. But after swallowing hard and taking a few moments to think things over, she finally looked at the three of us and said “So, you suggest I possess my soul in patience in case Serana chooses to return to me.” “Well, aside from that option, the only other thing you can do is follow her into Cyrodiil, try to catch her up - unmounted - and convince her to return to a life she found.... stultifying.” “But - it’s not safe for us outside the Castle!” “True in main - but not in fine. Serana plans to keep to the night until - if - she can find a cure. If she - or you - are careful, no one will know where or what you are.” “Oh. So you wouldn’t turn me over to the Vigilants?” I shook my head. “No Valerica. I would not. By Serana’s statements, neither of you use human cattle any more - you, being a millennia-old vampire and alchemist, have managed to synthesize blood that works as well as draining one of the cattle. So, if you choose - you can leave that horrible place you call a home, and find a place that’s - less.... blood-soaked.” I found I was actually very sorry for Valerica. She might be five thousand years old, but she had lost so much of humanity she actually knew less than a first-time mother. Still, she could be dangerous of course. I waited. So did Var. G’ma finally huffed a breath and snapped, “Valerica. Surely you don’t expect us to feel sorry for you!” The ancient vampire turned dull eyes on us. “I.... don’t know what I expect. I gave myself to Bal, willingly - so that I could have some protection of my own from Harkon.... and for Serana. Then - he forced Serana into Bal’s grasp, and I couldn’t stop it. Now.... well.... I suppose I must consider you three my only - allies. I can’t say friends....” Var smiled. It was a bit edged - I almost expected to see fangs.... “Valerica, truthfully? I would have preferred you’d never arrived here. However, now you’ve done so, and have - expressed your background ambivalences, from the very beginnings of Harkon’s grab for power.... well, I’m minded to admit that we’re your allies. No, not friends - though we are friends to Serana. So it’s perhaps not without the realm of the ‘possible’ I suppose. So, we need to talk about what you need and want - besides Serana returned to the Castle instantly.” She shook her head, and I realized that her fingers were trembling. She was so far out of her element.... “High King - that you had neither of us killed immediately speaks much of your forbearance. For myself, well, I will consider - but I think for this time I will return to the Castle. Perhaps - it is time for.... a thorough cleaning. And for Serana.... well, I thank you all. And I seldom have said those words in millennia.... If Serana does not return, however - well, you will feel my wrath.” G’ma snorted. “Valerica. Threaten not where you will be unable to perform. We have - powerful protectors.... Azura, Meridia, Talos Stormcrown, and Akatosh All-father of Dragons. So, you want to think really carefully before you start something you won’t be able to finish.” Valerica sent g’ma a startled glance, then bowed briefly, and left. We didn’t follow to see where she went - it didn’t really matter. |
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| Areial | Jul 25 2017, 08:27 PM Post #254 |
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Et'Ada
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Ouch.... one could feel sorry for her.. almost, but she went into it with eye's wide open, with no thought of another, perhaps better way to deal with Harkon. |
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| Serethil | Jul 25 2017, 08:39 PM Post #255 |
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Et'Ada
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Yeah. She did what she did - eyes fully open - because she wanted power equal to her husband's. But (and this isn't anywhere CLOSE to canon) in my tale, she was trying to protect Serana. So.... she gets a pass. For now. Thanks sis - but I'm not sure I can even conceive of a "better way" to deal with Harkon at his full power.... I tend to think - that if there is no possible way other than the wrong one.... Well, you take the wrong way - because the only other way is death and that's an abdication of MAJOR proportions. Edited by Serethil, Jul 25 2017, 08:41 PM.
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| Areial | Jul 25 2017, 08:47 PM Post #256 |
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Et'Ada
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True that.. |
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| neildarkstar | Jul 27 2017, 07:41 AM Post #257 |
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Overlord
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Dang, I was DAYS behind, and no clue how it happened! It was great getting caught up though... As to VAlerica, well... I had a wife like that once, who had a mother like that as well. I think sometimes that it's genetic. Iamgine though, if you will, a woman who loves power, who marries a biker who happens to be a President of an outlaw club... who literally holds the power of life and death over pretty much everybody involved... but he won't share the power with her because. Heh, because the power to share the power is not in his power. I don't know what situations you may have found yourself in during the course of your life, but you have the nature of the Valerica type very much in hand. Nicely done. |
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| Serethil | Jul 27 2017, 09:23 AM Post #258 |
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Et'Ada
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Thank you neil! As to life situations - my mother was like Valerica (without the vampirism - the blood sort anyway....) so I'm pretty much just transferring my mother's ick onto my version of Valerica. |
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| Serethil | Jul 27 2017, 08:13 PM Post #259 |
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Et'Ada
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Interlude: Serana I’m - not sure about trying to do this on my own. Tiercel did her best - and thankfully was willing to gift me BannDar. And “normal” clothing instead of the silly stuff Valerica insisted was “appropriate”. As a vampire, one would think, anything at all would be appropriate - or perhaps even nothing. Of course, I’ve nearly always been completely alone - Harkon and Valerica seemed not to know what to do with a child, other than donate her to Molag Bal when she became a woman. There is so much of life I know I missed because my parents were fixated on power - Harkon the power to live without fear of the Sun, Valerica the power to.... hmmm. What? I.... don’t know. Why did she give herself to Bal? I don’t even know why they gave me to that bastard prince. Once I knew what was going to happen, I retreated into my mind as far as I could go and did my best to remain whole somehow during that rapine. I managed. Barely. And before I could somehow regain my sense of myself as a person, Valerica stuffed me away in a tomb - where I stayed in a sort of spell-stasis for, oh, about five thousand years. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not out for revenge against my parents - well, Harkon thanks to Tiercel’s grandmother is already dead - but I would like to.... understand. Sealing me away for so long, there had to have been some imperative that Valerica thought my absence would obviate. I know what she knew about that damned “prophecy” - but I tend to think that there was more, much more, to the whole thing. Especially since the “prophecy” was made up of moondreams and whole cloth by a Snow Elf paladin, fallen to vampirism.... There is much for me to discover in this world, so like - and yet so unlike - the world I knew at fourteen. But first, I must find a way to remove this taint from my body. If doing so causes my instantaneous death, well, so be it. |
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| Areial | Jul 28 2017, 12:24 AM Post #260 |
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Et'Ada
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Good girl.. thinking and acting, not everyone can manage those.. self aware, that really helps. |
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