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Siara N'Gola: Siara's Song
Topic Started: Jun 27 2016, 09:43 PM (4,204 Views)
Grits
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Thane
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Oh, Denira really shines here! What a wonderful job she does with all of the secrets she must be keeping. Yay Denira!
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Thanks y'all! I'm finding it interesting writing a child - and one who's "older" in herself than in her years. Her life hasn't been a bed of roses....

But as always - I'm winging it (writing by the seat of the pants) while the characters seem to be managing quite well thank you....
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Rick
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Jarl
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Poor old Ontotgin....spending his twilight years in hiding. Those hateful Thalmor.....there may yet be living real people who remember having to hide exactly like that seventy years back. The Thalmor are doubtless modelled closely upon those very oppressors. This is the seldom spoken about horror of war...the intimidation and fear of discovery. Makes me shudder.....

On a lighter note...its good to see Siara making progress. Who will the other Daedra be we wonder.....and how will a mortal fight monsters of divine power. Adella has me.....but who will champion Siara? Be careful hon, not to paint yourself into a corner. If Siara ends up facing the princes in person....in the realm of Nirn.....she might need weapons of divine power.....better start learning the fortify resto loop :teehee:
Edited by Rick, Jul 29 2016, 09:52 AM.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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*snerk* I already know it, I just never bother with it since I play god-mode all the time - but unless things change in a major way (and of course.... they could....) she'll be handling things in the mortal plane. That's the lovely thing about blending RP with gameplay....
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Kane
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Hard to imagine Dagon working with another Daedra. It will certainly be interesting to find out which it will be.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Interlude [33]:

The echoing voice had a metallic flavor - and somehow, left a taste of viciousness in the consciousness of the listener.... though of course that listener didn’t find it particularly unsavory.

“What do you mean, you want more? We had an agreement, did we not?”

“That was then, this is now. It’s never the same - time moves and things change.” This voice was also metallic in tone, but of a more female persuasion.

“What has changed? Other than that you’ve gotten greedier over time.”

“You know what has happened. You KNOW that this isn’t as easy as you said it would be. I know you know it. You wouldn’t have called this meeting if I hadn’t just showed up here.”

A rumbling grumbling sound announced a probable act of fury. It was stopped cold.

“No. You are not stronger than I am. And.... I have assistance....”

The rumble grumble ceased. “You.... didn’t.”

“Of course I did. What do you take me for, I’m not stupid after all.”

Burgeoning incineration.... which hit a wall of dark and was swallowed. “Care to try something else?”

Simmering hatred. “This was my play. You’ve ruined it!”

“Oh, no, not so much. In fact.... if you stop being a child - and at your age too, tsk tsk - you will see how much better this will work for.... all of us....”

‘S/he’s too confident. Our brother is making her arrogant. I will wait a bit.... something will happen....’

“Well, then. What is it you propose to do?”

‘He thinks I’m as stupid as he is. Hah. Not in any kalpa....’
Edited by Serethil, Jul 29 2016, 08:19 PM.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Jarl
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Oooh!! Trouble between conspirators? I absolutely love it!! :thumb:
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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ooooo... a mystery... "who is it", instead of "who dunn it?"...loving it!
Edited by Areial, Jul 29 2016, 09:04 PM.
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Grits
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Ooo, a mystery to ponder. Very engaging, I love it!
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Serethil
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Siara's Tale 34:

The trip to talk to the mages was.... long. Boring. Full of killing skeever - because the underways were basically a huge warren for them. It seemed the path we took looped back and forth over the whole of the area of the town above. I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that it went even below the old palace, though I didn’t ask Denira. We were as quiet as possible - considering that I had to slaughter what seemed to be hundreds of the nasty beasts down here.

Hours later, covered in blood and other less-savory things, we climbed a rickety wooden ladder and pushed up a heavy round trap door. Denira went first - logically to prevent the mages in hiding from roasting me.

I heard her talking, and then poked my head through the opening, ready to dodge and drop if anyone so much as moved in my direction. I hate magic.... I may have mentioned that before....

There were three people in the room besides the child: a woman even more ancient than Ontorgin the priest, a very young man (older than Denira but not by much), and a woman of middle years - she was bent and twisted by some disease or deformity, but her eyes were full of intelligence and humor; whatever her tale of misfortune, she had not allowed it to deform her spirit, and I admired her without knowing anything other than that regardless that she was a mage.

Denira motioned me into the room, and once I had closed the trap door and pulled the obvious rug back over it, she introduced us.

“This is Siara, from Hammerfell. She’s talked to Ontorgin already and she still needs more information about what happened in her home.” She nodded to me, and the three mages sent interested looks in my direction.

So once again, I explained all I knew - and everything I didn’t know, or thought I might have an inkling about. And that what I really wanted to learn was who might be working with Mehrunes Dagon to ruin one small swamp town in Hammerfell - and why.

The ancient woman nodded, and introduced herself and the others. “I’m Bettala Mendian, this is Nokkara Bearstooth, and the young one is Elgial Olfarno. If you have one daedra, and you know him or her, we can probably intuit the other or others. So - you and Ontorgin believe it’s Dagon?”

“Aye. I thought it was, just from what little I knew myself. Ontorgin confirmed that belief. But it seems too much for one Prince to accomplish, and so Ontorgin thought as well. I - think perhaps there might be a second and third. A triumvirate would make sense in something so - inimical.”

Nokkara nodded decisively. “Betta - remember the scrying I did last quarter?”

“OH! Aye.... and I remember you were shaking with fear and chill after. And what you said....”

“Eyah. It was - awful. See you,” she turned to me, “I scry once each quarter, when both moons are full. I have done ever since this happened to me, to try to find the why of it, and how to return myself to myself, if you understand.” I nodded.

“Last quarter, my scrying bowl sent me somewhere there was a huge flood, in a place where little water could be found ordinarily. And then the water-mirror showed me three huge ugly things striding across almost a sea where land had been I knew. When I woke from the spell, I was very frighted - shaking with otherworld cold, and nearly not breathing.

“Betta helped me return to normal, and I told her what I’d seen. But I didn’t know it was a real thing.... I thought it a metaphor for my body’s ills. Shame to me, to think only of self!”

“No. There’s no shame for that. Anyone with a body which fails for whatever reason must wish to return to full health. But that you scryed it.... and saw three.... So that tells me what I felt was likely truth. But who would be the others? Princes don’t normally align even to accomplish some great devastation.”

Elgial spoke up, his voice breaking on certain words. Well, that would fix itself in another year at most....

“I’ve read much of the Princes and their allies. And enemies. And if Dagon is the main perpetrator, then his two allies can only be Vaermina and Sanguine. All the rest are too wary of him, and too jealous of their own powers, to consort with Dagon.

“The odd thing is that Sanguine is not usually involved in anything too inimical to people - oh, perhaps one at a time, but nothing on this scale - an entire town of a province obliterated. And well, perhaps even more gone now?”

“I don’t know. I wanted to wish the prince in Taneth a flood as well, but I couldn’t in all conscience even though she was uncaring and forced me from her court. Denira’s guardian, Arnem, is expecting members of the family to arrive before too long, out of Hammerfell - then we might know more of what goes on in that province.”

Bettala nodded in agreement. “Yes - once you know a bit more from them, please return so we can consult further.” Her eyes looked inward for a bit. “If three Princes are involved, it means no good for all of us.”

Oh, more than true, that. I thanked them, though being in the company of mages was making my skin crawl. I would be very glad to be back outside the city. A simple house by the stables seemed like a haven to me, and I was champing at the bit to get back there.
Edited by Serethil, Jul 30 2016, 08:29 PM.
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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Oh very nice... Sanguine seem's an odd one to be involved in death...but I can almost see it.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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It's.... a balancing act.... I think. It's not come clear yet. This is one of those things where I'll find out along with everyone else....
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Mysteries leading to more mysteries, I love it! But I agree, Sanguine with them is odd, but not impossible, so one of the lesser mysteries is why? Ready for more whenever you learn and write it!
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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Siara's Song 35:

The stable-yard was bedlam. It appeared that Andur’s and Arnem’s family had arrived while Denira and I talked to the mages. We stood back out of the way as the women wailed and the men growled. There were - I thought - half a dozen of each, and some children. One much older woman must be the matriarch of the clan - at least I hoped so for Andur’s sake.

From the commotion, it seemed they must have just arrived. Someone needed to see to food, and to sorting out where everyone would sleep. They had horses laden with goods, but no wagons - I vaguely remembered some sort of caravan that had beds inside - was that something the Khajiit used? I couldn’t track the thoughts down.... well, these folk didn’t have them, though they would have been very handy.

Denira was very quiet, standing as much behind me as she could, her eyes as big as moons. I pulled her forward and put an arm around her. She was shivering. Obviously, this was very strange to her.... Poor girl. I said softly, “It will be fine. It’s just how families react when they’ve not seen each other for a long time, and things haven’t gone well.”

She nodded briefly, never taking her eyes off the scene. Eventually, Andur and Arnem lead the older woman toward us. Andur bowed formally before speaking.

“This is Selalla Gansharin Alf’agar - our mother. Mother, this is Siara N’Gola from Fenbaggan - the village was washed away in a flood, and I will tell the rest of the story later. This child is Arnem’s ward, Denira.”

I bowed in turn, and gave the woman the honor salute, fist to heart then to head then lips. “I am happy to see you arrive in safety. My duty to you; if I may help in any way, do not hesitate to say.”

She nodded, and a tear tracked down her cheek. “I am worn. I need rest.” Andur led her away to the house.

“Arnem, where are we going to put everyone to sleep?”

“We men will put bedrolls out here. You women, and Denira, will have the house. It’s a small enough house, but it will have to do for now....” He seemed a bit worried, as if what he’d heard from his family was distressing. “We will have to see about food, and then we will have to talk. Things.... are not good.”

Well, I the same as knew that, without being told. So. “Come, Deni - let’s see what we can find to feed everyone. Oh - first you might run to the Gateside, and see if he has bread to sell, and perhaps some stew. With that, we should be able to manage.” I handed her several septims, and she sped away.

Arnem muttered “You shouldn’t be using your money, Lady.”

“Nah then. We’re all in the same case here - from Hammerfell, and can’t go home for whatever’s the reason. I have coin - and some information too. Don’t fret. We’ll all be without coin soon enough probably!

“See if you can get your family to settle; I’ll wait for Denira.” He nodded, and walked to where Andur had gathered the men, including a couple of boy-children, a bit older than Denira probably. Shortly they started sorting out beds for everyone, talking in quiet undertones as they did so.

Denira wasn’t gone long, and came back with a large basket. Inside were a number of loaves of bread, a pot of stew to heat, another of soup, and some baked potatoes. She gave me back two of the coins. “He had so much to sell?”

“Aye. He said custom was short for some reason this night; he was glad enough to sell it me!”

I smiled at her, and nodded. “Remind me to let you do the bargaining, girl!” She giggled a bit. “Come along then, let’s tell the men to give us time to heat the food and then we’ll bring it out to them - there’s not enough room inside for everyone.”

She skipped ahead of me to open the door as I carried the basket, and then ran to tell Arnem and the men. Soon she was back beside me, and quickly scrubbed out Arnem’s pots. “I told Gunnaj I’d bring his pots right back....”

“Oh, certainly. He can’t cook for tomorrow else, eh?” She grinned and nodded. I changed the stew and soup into the pots she’d cleaned, and then she cleaned Gunnaj’s and ran out to get them back to him before full dark. At least, I hoped she’d be back before full dark....

I set the breads to warm beside the fire, and pulled out the thin wine and ale that was all besides coffee or water to drink. Then I bowed to the matriarch, and said “It won’t take long to heat; we can eat in here, or go out with the family, as suits you.”

She waved a hand - I wasn’t sure what that meant. I gathered up some vegetables and sliced them into sticks, then pulled a crock of kej from the hole in the corner that acted as cool storage. By the time Denira ran in, dinner was ready. “Lady? What suits for the meal? Here, or with the men?”

She glanced around at the other women and girls. “It - would be better with everyone together I think. Not as comfortable, sitting and eating - but we all have tales to tell and it will be best not telling more than once." I agreed, but really it should be her choice, as the matriarch.

Denira and I gathered up the food and stepped outside. Andur and Arnem took the baskets and bowls from us. We went back for the drinks, and some utensils for dipping into the eating bowls which each person had. Then I helped the women bring out the benches and chairs - Andur’s mother was not going to be able to sit on the ground, and one of the other women I now realized was pregnant. Things must have been bad in Hammerfell....

As we ate, I began to have a feeling of disaster waiting to happen. I almost would rather have had the tales before the food. I shuddered. I could have waited the rest of my life to talk about this....
Edited by Serethil, Jul 31 2016, 08:26 PM.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Jarl
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Siara took things well in hand, I hope when they can breath again, that Andur's family appreciates it! But you have me feeling the dread, and goosebumps again! VERY good!
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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Sounds like the calm before a storm... even if large families are chaotic...
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Rick
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The Daedra thing has me enthralled. Esp. Why Sanguine....prince of hedonistic delights and rampant debauchery.....? Most odd...we will have to see.
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Serethil
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Actually.... I'm not flying totally blind on this one. There's a reason. It's to do with the congruences among the daedric Princes (and I am using some older "esoteric" information on this). In fact, this is one of the few times I've done some "pre-emergent" thinking....
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Kane
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Sanguine, eh? Interesting. I look forward to how this plays out!
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Serethil
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Siara N'Gola 36:

I really could have waited forever to hear this. Floods had continued across Hammerfell ever since I left. Fenbaggan was the only town totally gone - because it was low lying and wet, near the sea anyway - but many lives had been lost, many houses and businesses washed away. The rulers - the princes, whichever gender - were at a loss, and their vaunted house mages could do nothing but blather and dissemble.

There was talk of seeing two daedric Princes striding across the waters. Two. Not three. They were reported to be Dagon and Vaermina, by those who would know - the family didn’t know them by sight.... as who of us would? Shudders rolled remorselessly across my skin and eventually even inside - my stomach was a mass of knots and quivers. I finally realized that Deni was gripping my hand so hard it hurt. I flung an arm around her shoulders and tried to calm myself.

At length, the voices stopped. Andur looked at me and stood. “I have pledged to Siara N’Gola as her liege-man. If anyone can solve this - I think she can. She knew before going to Skyrim, before coming here to Bruma, that there were daedric Princes in this, causing this. Lady.... what have you learned from the priest here, the mages?”

So. It was up to me. I had known it but not wanted to think on it. Well. I had no choice now. And in truth, I wanted to do what I could to help my land, my home.... though I wasn’t positive it would be my home henceforth - and I wasn’t sure why that thought popped into my mind.

“It is Dagon, and Vaermina. And oddly enough, a third Prince - Sanguine” I held up a hand at the burst of talk. “Yes. It is strange. But the priest was sure of Dagon. And the mages positive that Vaermina was the second - and that Sanguine was involved as the third. Now, I do recall something from early studies with my grandam - that each ‘family’ of the Princes had a balancing Prince who was usually the opposite of the major members as to inclination or feeling.

“For now, I’m willing to work with that. If it turns out not to be germane, we won’t be out anything - I will have to have the time invested in finding out how to counter Dagon and Vaermina anyway.”

“Lady,” Andur’s mother broke in, “what will you do, how will you begin?”

I paused, thinking I didn’t know. And then suddenly I did. “I will.... front these Princes at their shrines in Skyrim. They are - obvious - their presences are open in Skyrim. And perhaps.... that’s why I chose that province when I left Hammerfell. I will do what I can there at first, and then see how things may progress at home.

“And.... I will seek out Sanguine. I wonder if there is more to his inclusion in this triumvirate than any know - even himself. It’s such an unlikely conjoining....”

There was low talk as I sat and retrieved my mug of coffee. Suddenly Selalla stood, helped to her feet by the woman next to her. She stared at me, a gaze so full of otherworld that I know I went pale because I was so cold.

“Our House pledges fealty to Siara N’Gola as our Lady. If there is no going home to Hammerfell, we will live with her in Skyrim, or wheresoever she chooses to house. Stand all ye of our family, and give homage to our Lady.”

I almost fell down in shock. I couldn’t even think. This was, as far as I knew, unprecedented. No one gave over their own family ties and connections to pledge fealty to someone outside their own gens. And yet, every member of Andur’s family was standing and making the liege-ward.

I was shivering with cold, fear, and - something I couldn’t yet grasp, and might never fully understand. It was a sort of.... responsibility. I think. This would require much of me - the whole of the remainder of my life. Among other things....

I grabbed for what little composure I could hang onto. Stepping forward, I bowed to the others. “You do me too much honor. I will do the best I can to right the wrongs done to all. Tomorrow - we will need to plan for returning to Skyrim. Let each of you think on our land and the causes of its disasters tonight, and on the morrow, we will consult and see what seems best to start.” I bent to Deni and sent her to my saddle bags. She returned quickly with the bottle of fine Amarol brandy.

“Now - to seal this pact: a sip each of the brandy of Amarol. Let none fail of the sip - even the children should wet lips. The gods take notice: we are kin, and we WILL prevail!” It was done, even the little ones having a tiny sip. Deni made a face, and then laughed a bit wildly. I’d have to talk to her later - I didn’t want her to think I would ignore her situation, or what I’d promised her earlier.

As we all went to our beds, I wondered about how this had turned out. And I wondered even more if I could manage to do what seemed needing to be done, without losing myself.... I was afraid, in truth.
Edited by Serethil, Aug 1 2016, 08:25 PM.
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