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R.I.P. neildarkstar. Haven will miss you dearly.
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The Call of the Wind
Topic Started: Mar 5 2018, 12:43 PM (584 Views)
Kane
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"I am sworn to carry your burdens."
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Kane
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A Brush in the Nettle

Two days later, Kirin sat at a table in the Vilemyr Inn contemplating over his mug of Black-Briar. Lydia was at the bar nearby, ordering a hot meal for the two of them. It had been a long trek back down the mountain, and they were both ready for a night of sleep in a warm bed. She soon returned with a platter of food to split between them, but didn’t yet address Kirin.

He’d been quiet and distant since they left High Hrothgar, bound for Ustengrav. Lydia suspected that Kirin wasn’t ready for a return to Morthal just yet, even though it would be unavoidable…but it seemed deeper than that.

After a few minutes, he broke the silence.

“I know you want to help, Lydia – but there is nothing to be done about it. It’s just something I’ll have to work through on my own.”

“That’s understandable. Sometimes just talking about it can help immensely, though. My prior charge used to bounce thoughts off of me all the time.”

Kirin said nothing, as he swirled the last few drops of mead around the bottom of his mug. For the last ten years, his life had been a solitary one. Moving on from town to town and from one job to the next left little time for friendships, and all of his contacts were little more than acquaintances. And yet, here he was, sitting with his housecarl – someone he considered a friend…unable to open up.

Lydia remained silent, but he could tell that she wished for more from him. Her plate of food sat untouched, even though she tried to give off an air of inattention.

With a sigh, Kirin spoke once again.

“So far, being a Dragonborn isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Lydia looked sharply at him, listening raptly.

“The Greybeards may say otherwise, but all they do is sit up there on the mountain and meditate on the Thu’um. Everything they learn is self-taught with endless practice and pragmatism, and they have no idea what it feels like to absorb the life force of another being.”

He paused to finish off the last of his mead.

“It’s not just knowledge and power I gain – far from it. The memories and emotions of that dragon are also a part of me and it is overwhelming when they flow in. I know its sorrow and its joy. Its confidence and its doubt. Its love and its hate. No amount of meditating will assuage that experience, whatever Arngeir might say on the matter. I have to find a way to live with that, every time I take a dragon’s life – and so far… I’m struggling with just the one.”

A long silence lingered between the two of them when he finished speaking. Kirin sat wishing he had another bottle of mead to down, and was rising up to get another one, when Lydia grabbed his hand.

“Sit back down, my Thane.” She looked up at him sternly. “Drowning yourself in mead will not do anything but dull the pain.”

Kirin glared at her for a moment before lowering himself back into his seat with a laugh.

“How is it that we’ve only been together for a short time, yet you know to push all my buttons, housecarl.”

Lydia grinned, “It goes with the job. Now…off to bed with you! We’ve got another long journey ahead of us, and we’ll have plenty of time to talk more then.”

------------------------------------

The walk through the western edge of The Rift was pleasant as the sun shone down through the gold-red leaves of the endless birch trees that filled the forests of the peaceful hold. For Kirin and Lydia, the walk was too short, as they soon found themselves climbing up through the snow once more, as they wrapped around the mountain towards Falkreath Hold and Orphan Rock. The Hagravens and Nettlebane awaited them there, and Divines know what else they’d encounter. Just dealing with the hags would be taxing enough.

Soon that question was answered, as bolts of lightning streaked through the trees around them, and witches appeared on two fronts. Splitting up, Kirin and Lydia each took one of the witches before circling back around towards the tall rock, and fallen timber that led to the sacrificial altar where the Hagraven awaited them. Charging across with shields raised, they hoped to catch it off balance. But she was ready for them, until Kirin Shouted his two words of Unrelenting Force at her. The hag staggered backwards, buying time for the two warriors to rush in and subdue her quickly.

Kirin pulled Nettlebane from its deadly claws, before kicking the lifeless body over the rock ledge.

“I despise these creatures with all that I am. I do not know what God or gods they claim to serve, but sacrificing a living being should never be acceptable. Especially one that is under the protection of Kyne.”

He strapped the intricate dagger to his belt, and together they turned back towards the road. Whiterun was a long ways off yet, and the sun was already beginning to set.

------------------------------------

After walking for a few hours more, they stopped to make camp somewhere between Helgen and Riverwood. Once the fire was roaring away, Kirin set about skewing some of the salted meat from his pack, and mixing a pot of stewed vegetables. Lydia had wandered off to check out the surroundings, but soon retuned satisfied and with a faggot of wood.

“Doesn’t seem to be any bandits holed up nearby, so we should be safe to sleep without a watch. The fire will keep the critters away.”

Kirin nodded, “Works for me. I could use a few solid hours of sleep. I think we will stop into Whiterun tomorrow. Ustengrav isn’t going anywhere and we’ll need to stock up on supplies.”

“And give that dagger to Danica, I presume?”

“Of course – there is no need for us to carry it around forever. The last thing we needs is for it to get lost somewhere out on the tundra.”

“Whiterun it is then,” said Lydia. “Maybe Adrienne will have some new stock to check out. My sword is nicked up and on its last leg I’m afraid.”
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Areial
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That is one of the reason's I like some of the "uniquely" voiced followers... not the "vanilla' voices transferred, but ones that are voiced from outside the game...

Take Farys... he doesn't talk much at all, unless you talk to him first. Except in some specific places.. Like if you take him up to H.H. the 1st time he has some dialogue, but he doesn't repeat it, the next time you go up there. Nice stat's.. not a chatter box.

Bishop from Skyrim Romance... he can be chatty and very annoying with some of his dialogue unless you are used to that "alpha male" thing.. and it doesn't bother you... but his pathing is good, his abilities are... weird.. and he call's you Dragonborn... no matter if you are or not.

Ingio... awesomely funny.. but also pretty chatty.

No followers aren't for everyone.. so I am very happy they didn't do like Dragon Age and make them almost mandatory.. to not die every two seconds!
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Serethil
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Nicely done! Very much enjoying the read.

Has anyone ever tried luring the witches over to the Stormcloak Camp? I don't think I ever tried that....
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Kane
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Thanks!

No, I've not thought about trying that. It could definitely work, though, since the captains are immortal.
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Kane
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Under an Ancient Sun

By the time Kirin and Lydia left Whitreun City, the sun had fully risen over the vast plains. The warmth from its rays beamed down over them giving a false sense of comfort from the chill air of the northern province. It also meant that any idea of hunting was out of the question, since any prey would sense them a long ways off on this clear summer day.

They made good time, though, since most of the tundra predators were also bedded down for the day. So far, only a hulking tundra spider had given them any trouble, but that trouble was well worth it – their venom was rare and made an excellent poison when applied to a weapon. Mid-afternoon approached, as Kirin guided them past the ruins of Silent Moon and continued westward.

This intrigued Lydia, since conventional wisdom was to take the northern path through Labyrinthian towards Hjaalmarch.

“Where in the name of Talos are you taking us, Kirin? The pass through Labyrinthian is back that way.”

“And it’s also filled with Frost Trolls. Trust me – as someone who grew up in Morthal, I know the best ways in and out. The route we are taking may be a bit longer, but it is substantially safer.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Lydia.

----------------------------

Kirin barely heard Lydia shouting at him over the roar of the dragon and the fire it cascaded down upon them.

“What was that about a safer route!”

Even in the midst of battle, Kirin couldn’t help but laugh. At least she was livening up from the always serious demeanor she carried out of Dragonsreach.

“You’ll note that I said ‘substantially’ – not completely!”

“I’ll remember that the next time we take a detour!”

The dragon continued its assault on the grassy slope, flying to and fro and all the while spitting its powerful Thu’um at the two Nords below it. Arrows whistled through the air, some hitting their mark and others sailing off through the trees. For over an hour this went on, until the dragon finally landed with an earth-shaking thud as the Kirin and Lydia rushed in from two sides to hack away at its scaly hide.

Roaring its head back in pain, it eventually let out a final shudder before collapsing to the ground and engulfing in flames. Kirin got down on one knee in preparation for the onslaught of life force that issued forth from ancient beast, flooding his body and soul. The world began to go dark, before he felt the sturdy grip of Lydia’s hand on his shoulder, bringing Nirn back into focus.
Getting shakily to his feet, sheathed his blade and moved to sit down on the nearest stump.

“You sure weren’t kidding around when you said the Greybeards have no idea what you go through is like. Even I could feel the power radiating of its dissipating body – and you looked to be
about a thousand miles away while it hit you.”

Kirin nodded. “I don’t think it is something I’ll ever get used to either.”

“I would be more concerned if you did get used to it,” said Lydia. “Kyne chose you for a reason, and your empathy towards the dragons may be exactly why.”

“I suppose that’s possible. But don’t forget…Akatosh also has a hand in this matter.”

----------------------------

The journey after that event was significantly less intense. After scaling Eldersblood Peak and making sure the dragon’s roost was empty, they began their descent down the other side of the mountain, towards Morthal. Along the way, Kirin reflected on the Word of Power they found on the half-moon wall at the mountaintop. It called to him just the way the wall in Bleak Falls Barrow had, and left only a partial understanding of its meaning imprinted in his mind.

Following the Way of the Voice would be somewhat necessary, it seemed. He’d have to learn to understand these partial words by mediating, or searching the memories of slain dragons. Neither idea appealed to him, so for now he put it from his mind and turned to the task at hand.

“I don’t want to linger in Morthal. I have no doubt that Igrod will recognize me, and that will only cause trouble.”

Lydia nodded in agreement, “Isn’t she some kind of mystic, though? Even down in Whiterun we heard rumors of her…eccentricities.”

“She is a gifted Seer, yes. All the more reason to move through quickly and before she picks up on me.”

Luckily, time was on their side, and it was well after dark when they approached the upper gate of Morthal. The moons were directly overhead as they approached their midnight zenith in the night sky, and all was quiet in the town, save for the patrolling guards. They heeded the travelers not, as Kirin and Lydia moved quickly though the small village and across the old stone bridge, an up passed the mill.

Once they were certain the made it through without attracting attention, they made camp on a stretch of marsh-land. This time however, they took turns on watch throughout the night.
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Kane
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A Call to Arms

Frustration couldn’t even begin to describe the sure of emotion that was coursing through Kirin’s body when he plucked the note off of Jugen Windcaller’s ancient tomb. It took every ounce of restraint he had to not toss the note in the air and hack it to pieces with his longsword. Even Lydia, who was standing a few feet off to the side of the tomb could sense the anger pulsing out of her charge.

The slow crawl through the barrow had not been exceedingly difficult, but it had been long. Ustengrav stretched out for what seemed like miles underground, eventually culminating into a huge underground cavern with another word wall at its base. Draugr and skeletons patrolled the expanse in large numbers, never giving Kirin and Lydia a chance to rest.
And all that…only to find that someone else had come first and taken the Horn as bait to meet them.

“By the Nine, I will strangle whoever is playing this game with us,” said Kirin. “Now we have to walk all the way back to Riverwood.”

“Not necessarily,” replied Lydia. “Come on, there looks to be another way out down that tunnel. We’ll head back to Morthal and take the carriage to Riverwood. It will save us time, and give you a chance to cool down.”

“Tell me – why exactly should I cool down? We just risked life and limb for nothing. NOTHING!”

“I know, I know. But whoever did this is obviously skilled, and may have something important to tell us. Now hand me that note, before you rip it to pieces.”

-----------------------------

A day later, the carriage they rode stopped just outside of Riverwood and dropped off Lydia and a much calmer Kirin. The Sleeping Giant Inn was right near the village battlement, and so they went straight to it without stopping anywhere else. Kirin went to see Orgnar about a drink, while Lydia asked about renting the attic room. They hoped a little deception would give them an edge with whoever they were dealing with, so they decided Lydia would take the lead on the matter.

Kirin sat at the bar with a mug of Honningbrew while he listened to the innkeeper, Delphine, respond to Lydia’s inquiry.

“Attic room, eh? Well, we don’t have an attic room. But you can have the one on the left.”

Lydia thanked her, and headed for the specified room. Shortly after, Delphine followed her in and shut the door. Kirin heard muffled voices, but couldn’t make out what they were saying. A few moments later, Delphine and Lydia both came out of the room, and headed across the inn to the largest room at the back. Lydia glanced at Kirin and winked, letting him know to follow.

Delphine seemed to have taken the bait, but now Kirin had a new challenge. How to follow them through what was obviously the innkeeper’s bedroom without attracting Orgnar’s attention. He reckoned that he would handle the burly barkeep in a fight, but he rather liked the man and didn’t want to hurt him.

Thinking quickly, made a move to grab his coin-purse and knocked over his mead bottle in the process, spilling out its honey-colored contents all over the bar and down behind it. He apologized to Orgnar with a slight, faked slur and when the he bent down to wipe up the mess, Kirin darted into the bedroom. He’d heard the wardrobe open and shut, so he knew where to look. Sliding back the false panel in it, Kirin slowly crept down the stairs to find Delphine waiting with an amused look on her face.

“Finished playing around up there? Maybe now we can get down to business.”

Lydia sat on a chair nearby with a bored look on her face.

“So, I guess you didn’t buy her as the Dragonborn?” said Kirin.

Delphine chuckled, “Not quite. I knew who I was looking for when I took the Horn from Ustengrav. Lydia has it, by the way. I gave it to her to show that I just wanted to talk.”

“Well, you have me here, now. What is so important that you felt the need to waste our time?”

-----------------------------

Kirin wasn’t any happier than he was when they found the note deep inside Ustengrav. He had his own things to deal with before going off on some wild goose chase with Delphine to prove to her something that he already knew. And that was why he decide to make her wait for him at Kynesgrove, while he and Lydia returned to High Hrothgar.

The climb wasn’t any easier than last time, but the animals they encountered last time hadn’t been replenished by nature yet, so the climb was less dangerous. Once at the summit, the Greybeards allowed him to learn the final word of Unrelenting Force, and gifted their knowledge of the word to him. Now all that remained was to formally recognize him as Dragonborn.

Kirin stood at the center of the main chamber, bracing himself while Lydia stood in the back near the shadows and watched. All four Greybeards then began their incantation.

“Lingrah krosis saraan Strundu'ul, voth nid balaan klov praan nau. Naal Thu'umu, mu ofan nii nu, Dovahkiin, naal suleyk do Kaan, naal suleyk do Shor, ahrk naal suleyk do Atmorasewuth. Meyz nu Ysmir, Dovahsebrom. Dahmaan daar rok.”

Once they ground beneath their feet quit shaking, the other three Voices filtered off, leaving Arngeir to talk to Kirin. In her corner respite, Lydia sat with her head in her hands, waiting for the ringing of her ears to subside. Kirin excused himself from the Master, and tended to his companion.
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Kane
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In The Arms of the Elder’s Gleam

Kirin and Lydia stayed in High Hrothgar for several days to rest up. Lydia’s hearing recovered slowly, while her charge learned more about the Way of the Voice, and conversed with Arngeir on a great many subjects. He was thirsty for knowledge and always seeking their advice on what to do about the dragon souls he absorbed. It wasn’t long before his meditation reflected in on what he sought – the knowledge and understanding of the words Kirin had learned from the walls at Eldersblood Peak and Ustengrav.

Dawn came on the morning of their departure, as Arngeir gave Kirin one last parting word.

“Breath and focus.”
And so hey set back out to scale down the mountain once more. Having made the trip a number of times now, they were much more adept at the climb, and soon descended down into Ivarstead, across the bridge and east out of town.

Eldergleam Sanctuary was their destination, followed by Kynesgrove. Retrieving the tree sap for Danica was more important to Kirin than rendezvousing with Delphine for her dragon witch-hunt. The Greybeards had provided them with a new map they drew up from their lofty perch on the mountain, and it was much more detailed than the one Kirin had from his youth. It depicted a nice path down from The Rift, into the lowland hot springs of Eastmarch, where the sanctuary lie.
“Have you ever been to Eldergleam, Kirin?” asked Lydia.

“No, I wasn’t even aware of it. I knew of the Gildergreen in Whiterun, but when I left ten years ago, it was still living. I had no idea it was cutting from a much older tree. What about you?”

“I visited many years ago, with Jornir.”

“Oh? You haven’t mentioned him before – was he a friend?”

“Yes and no,” she replied, solemnly. “Jornir was my previous charge, and the last Thane of Whiterun. He was a brave warrior and an excellent mentor. But he passed away a few years ago.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” said Kirin. He placed his hand on her shoulder. “If he was as honorable as you say, then he surely drinks in Sovngarde with Shor.”

“I’d like to think so, because he did not die an honorable death. Instead he got piss-drunk and fell off of the Jarl’s balcony in Dragonsreach. So you’ll forgive me if I frown at the sight of you draining tankards of mead.”

Lydia didn’t say anything after that and neither did Kirin. An understanding had passed between them, and they both had plenty to think about while they trekked across the hot springs.

---------------------

Several hours later, they sat resting outside the entrance to Eldergleam Sanctuary. Passing a quick meal between themselves, they chatted aimlessly about the past and what lie ahead. Being so close to Kynesgrove, Kirin thought it necessary to head there next, to meet Delphine. Windhelm wasn’t much further, and such a large city no doubt had a carriage service in case they needed to hightail it somewhere else. Once they finished eating, they set about repacking everything before heading into the cave mouth.

“Any idea what we’ll find in here, Lydia?”

“Only a large tree and some worshipers of Kyne. This is a peaceful place of nature – nothing more, and nothing less.”

“Good. I could use a break from all the excitement we seem to find.”

“Truer words have never been spoken.” She motioned to the cave with her hand, “After you, my Thane.”

---------------------

Lydia was absolutely correct when she told Kirin that it was a peaceful place of worship. The sanctuary was idyllic and serene like nothing he’d ever seen before, and Kyne’s radiance flowed through every corner of the immense open-air cavern. A winding path lead up to the interior summit where the massively ancient Eldergleam tree grew from the bones of the earth. The sacred tree dwarfed any other that Kirin had ever laid eyes on, including the old trees of the southern Blackwood.

They began the short climb up to it, stopping talk to the pilgrims that lay among the grassy slopes and babbling streams of pure, clear water. All were giddy and eager to bless the fine day and the beautiful sanctuary they found themselves in. Towards the top of the winding path, though, they encountered their first obstruction.

Huge roots from the Eldergleam had worked their way out of the earthen soil, stretching their way across the only pathway up to the tree’s base. Unsure of what to do, Kirin reluctantly unsheathed Nettlenbane from his belt, and raised it for a strike.

“Are you sure about that?” said Lydia. “Attacking the tree of your matron doesn’t seem like a smart move.”

“Aye. But what else can we do?”

He hesitated before lowering the blade on the root, but a gentle breeze blew past that ruffled his hair and gave him all the encouragement he needed. Slashing downwards gently, Kirin nicked the root as slightly as he could, and to his and Lydia’s utter surprise, it shook loose and withdrew from the path. Continuing up, he repeated the action twice more, until they were at the summit, face to trunk with the oldest living tree on Nirn.

They stared up at it for a few moments, entranced with its great beauty, before the screeching call of a hawk rang throughout the caverns. Right before their eyes, the same great brown hawk that Kirin met in The Great Forest of Cyrodiil alighted down from the upper branches of Eldergleam and landed on the ground before them.
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neildarkstar
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Great read...

I've done that quest to the tree exactly once (on my very first playthrough) and it did not end well. I've never had the heart to try it again.
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Serethil
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Great stuff Kane! Love the perspective.

Get Arthmoor's Gildergreen Regrown mod. It gives you a much kinder way to handle it. And yes, it's available for SSE but I don't have the link. You can probably find it using search, if search works for you (it doesn't very often for me on the "new crappy nexus" unfortunately....)

[For info: the entire thing with Maurice plays out the same way. Once you talk Danica into taking the sapling instead of the sap, then over the next few months game time, the sapling grows up to be a new Gildergreen.]
Edited by Serethil, Mar 14 2018, 06:18 PM.
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Kane
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I think I did look at that mod recently, but decided against for reasons unknown. I just disabled all of the Spriggans before they could hurt anyone.
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Areial
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I use it.. love it.. but have never had the tree "fully regrown".. that I will have to do!
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Serethil
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Arth did a good job. I sometimes forget that I should go back at intervals to take a look, and then one day I'm just there - for whatever reason - and it's quite a revelation.
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Areial
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I like to do that quest as early as I think my character will survive.. but it's always with a follower.. mostly cause I have fought that blasted Hargraven to a standstill.. and boom a wolf or bear comes out of nowhere and.. dead...
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Serethil
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Yeah. That's why I wondered about getting the four witches over to the 'cloak camp - 'cause if you don't have to mess with them much maybe the Hag (and any "incidental" mobs) wouldn't be so bad....

Hmm. Does she summon an add? As in, with the extras (mod wise) you use, is that why you wind up with a wolf or a bear you have to deal with.
Edited by Serethil, Mar 14 2018, 11:51 PM.
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Areial
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I'll have to look into her summoning, but I don't think so. I think SkyTest or Immersive Creatures just add's them in different places.

I never had problems with the witches, they are very... mushy! Those Fireballs that she throw's and Fire Storm at higher level's are killer!
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Kane
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Yeah, that's all she threw at me. No summons, just fire.
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Kane
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Kyne’s Truth

Kirin immediately knelt down, and Lydia followed suit. They both kept their eyes locked to grass, as Kirin address the Lady Kyne.

“You honor us with your presence, my Lady. Had I known you would be here yourself, I would have come much sooner.”

A gleaming flash of the whitest light filled the air around them, bursting through every branch of the old tree, and every nook and cranny of the sanctuary cavern. Kirin and Lydia closed their eyes against its intensity, waiting for the staggering brightness to fade.

Within a few moments, the light subsided and Kirin opened his eyes when he heard gentle footsteps moving towards him in the grass. A warm hand then rested atop his head with a soft touch, and the voice of an ancient, powerful being issued forth from the mysterious figure, asking Kirin to stand.

“Rise, my child.”

The stout Nord stood up from his kneeling position and looked upon the Goddess Kyne, in her pure form. Light seemed to radiate from every fiber of her being, and a gentle wind constantly rustled her long dark hair. She was clothed in robes of a deep sky blue, but the fabric seemed alive all on its own, shimmering and changing like the living sky above them. Songbirds flew gently around here, landing here and there sing their chorus of joy and basking in the warmth that radiated from the Divinity that loved them and all manner of nature’s life.

“You need not bow before me when I visit, Kirin. You have proven your faith to me already, and your companion has proven her loyalty, to you.”

Kyne the turned towards Lydia, “You may rise, too, child. Fear not my presence, but embrace it as you would embrace the presence of your own patron, Talos.”

Lydia bowed her head, and thanked the Goddess for kindness and acceptance.

“Of course, my dear. Now – Kirin…I sense you have much to ask me?”

“I do indeed, Lady Kyne. But I feel that only one of my questions is truly important… How is this possible? You first appeared before us as the very hawk I met all those months ago, and yet now, you stand before us in your pure being. I mistook you for an avatar when you spoke to me as your ancient symbol – speaking through a bird as one would expect the Divines to do.”

The Goddess did not answer right away, but instead turned and began to walk slowly the summit and her tree at the middle. She did not seem angry, as she did so with a faint smile on her face. And then suddenly, she began to sing as the birds do. A beautiful chorus of song that filled Kirin and Lydia with wonder at the most serene music they had ever heard and will ever hear. The birds that flitted about the cavern joined in, and soon the very walls echoed with the joy of Kyne’s Song.

And then she stopped. The many birds fluttering around Eldergleam all nestled into its branches, as the Lady Kyne approached Kirin and Lydia once more.

“Forgive me for delaying you an answer, but first I had to – encourage – the other denizens of my Sanctuary to leave. They are devout followers of my way, few are ready for the truth of my being here.”

She waved her hand, and around table laden with food suddenly appeared in the beneath the boughs of the ancient tree. Three chairs surrounded the homely white table, and The Goddess motioned for them to sit down with her.

“Please, enjoy yourselves. I know that you hunger for food and thirst for water. Do not let my presence stop you from satiating yourselves.”

Kirin and Lydia bowed their heads in respect, before digging into the delicious food spread out before them. Kyne watched with an amused look across her pleasant features as the two friends went at their meal with a zest. They ate and drank their way across the table for near one half of an hour before they were full and satisfied from the delicious meal that Kyne had conjured up for them.

Certain they were finished, her smile widened and she turned her attention back to Kirin’s lone question.

“Now child, as for your question about my presence here on Nirn, or – and perhaps more specifically – here beneath the Eldergleam with you.”
Kirin nodded, with a look of boundless curiosity on his face.

“The truth of the matter is simple… I never left. Scholars, historians, and zealots have preached for thousands of years that we Divines fled to Aetherius in our entirety, once we learned of our sacrifice to Nirn’s existence. But after what they did to my husband Shor, I could never leave this place. I aided him fully in his endeavor and Nirn is as much a part of me as it was a part of him.”

A moment of silence followed her words, as Kirin and Lydia dwelled on their newfound knowledge. They were stunned to think that Divines could still be among them, their very existence a secret. Surprisingly, it was Lydia who broke that silence.

“Forgive me Goddess, but I’m curious – are there other Divines that remain here on Nirn?”

Kyne smiled gently. “There are, but that is a matter for another time. At this moment, you need only concern yourself with me, for I will be guiding Kirin and yourself down the winding road that lies before you.”

She then turned her attention back to Kirin, “and that road continues in Kynesgrove.”

At that statement from his Lady Kirin groaned, causing Kyne to softly laugh.

“Now, now, Kirin. I know you are not happy with how she has used you thus far, but she walks the correct path towards understanding – even if it is for the wrong reasons. I ask that you meet her in Kynesgrove, so that you too may begin to unravel the mystery of the dragons.”

“I will of course do as you ask, Lady Kyne,” bowed Kirin. “Forgive me, as it was not my place to doubt you.”

“Nonsense, child. I told you when I appeared before you that you need not bow. You also need not worship me as you do. I have chosen you to be my champion, and also my son. All I ask is that you love me so.”

And with that, the Goddess arose from her seat at the table, giving them one last smile before she vanished in a flash of light. Kirin and Lydia both stood and watched, as the large brown hawk flew up and out of the break in the cave ceiling.

“As you wish…Mother.”
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Wow! Hooo BOY! That's a corker for sure.... EXCELLENT, Kane!
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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Excellent read Kane!!
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