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R.I.P. neildarkstar. Haven will miss you dearly.
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Siara N'Gola: Siara's Song
Topic Started: Jun 27 2016, 09:43 PM (4,189 Views)
monkeyemoness
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So I haven't quite caught up yet, but before I forget about it and become too shy to point it out later when I remember, I have to say I really liked the scene in Cracked Tusk Keep and the sequence in which the pair took out each Orc. Pretty smart thinking.
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Serethil
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Et'Ada
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neildarkstar
Sep 17 2016, 07:21 PM
Another good read, with an interesting development! It's funny, in fantasy I rarely think of pregnancy (wanted or otherwise) yet in RL nobody knows better than me how such an event can change plans and lives...


Oh, me too! Hell, I was pregnant by the time I'd been out of high school a few months. Predictably my mid-vic sort of mother never explained ANYTHING to me.... And thanks for the compliment!

monkeyemoness
Sep 17 2016, 07:26 PM
So I haven't quite caught up yet, but before I forget about it and become too shy to point it out later when I remember, I have to say I really liked the scene in Cracked Tusk Keep and the sequence in which the pair took out each Orc. Pretty smart thinking.


Thank you! Actually, that's pretty much how my girls always approached it - I just haven't done it in quite a while now. But I do remember things that worked!

No story tonight - I had company all afternoon, starving to death now, cooking dinner, and then I think I'll just sort of veg....
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monkeyemoness
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monkeyemoness
Sep 17 2016, 07:26 PM
So I haven't quite caught up yet, but before I forget about it and become too shy to point it out later when I remember, I have to say I really liked the scene in Cracked Tusk Keep and the sequence in which the pair took out each Orc. Pretty smart thinking.
I have now caught up. :Y

Deni's fears have been put to rest, Siara's family's growing and Anki's well on her way to cure herself. Wonder where things will head once all of the shards are put together.
Also a small Lucia cameo, yes.
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Serethil
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Well.... it's still a long road to fix a certain daedric prince. I have some ideas about that.... some of which may become evident before much longer.
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Serethil
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Siara Part Two; 9:

And walked right into a brawl. A woman and man were squared off against each other, throwing punches - and mostly missing. The rest of the people in the place - quite a few, actually - began running to gather around, yelling advice and catcalling. After watching a bit, Ankeddi shook her head, and then headed around the mess to the only person in the place NOT watching the fuss.

She was old, wizened, and pale. And pushing a broom over the floor as if her life depended on it.

“Can you tell me who to talk to about - things - with the Companions?”

She nodded. And said nothing.

“Well... who then? And where to find him - or her?”

“Kodlak. Downstairs. Right, then straight back.”

Shaking her head again, Anki descended the stairs, opened a door, turned right, and moved quietly down a lengthy corridor. As she neared a room at the end of the hall, she heard voices and stopped to see if she would be interrupting something.

It seemed so - the younger male voice stated, “But I still hear the call of the blood.”

“We all do. It is our burden to bear. But we can overcome.”

“You have my brother and me, obviously. But I don’t know if the rest will go along quite so easily.”

“Leave that to me.”

And then.... “Who is out there - do you come seeking Kodlak?”

Stepping into the room, Anki saw a youngish man, and a much older one. “Aye. I do. I’ve been told the Companions are a good alternative in Skyrim to the Fighter’s Guild in Cyrodiil. I’d like to join you. I am Ankeddi Alf’agar, lately of Hammerfell.”

“Would you now? Here, let me have a look at you. Hm. Yes, perhaps. A certain strength of spirit.”

"Master, you're not truly considering accepting her?" asked the younger man.

"I am nobody's master, Vilkas. And last I checked, we had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire burning in their hearts."

"Apologies. But perhaps this isn't the time. I've never even heard of this outsider."

"Sometimes the famous come to us. Sometimes men and women come to us to seek their fame. It makes no difference. What matters is their heart.”

Vilkas replied, "And their arm."

"Of course. How are you in battle, girl?"

Choosing the way of least antagonism, Anki said “I have much to learn. I’m young yet, and having recently come to Skyrim, I’ve no mind to mess about with this war....”

The older man smiled. “That’s the spirit! Vilkas here will get started on that. Vilkas, take her out to the yard and she what she can do.”

Hmm. Fine. So she followed the man out the door into the training yard. “You don’t have any magic smell about you; that’s good.”

She laughed. “I’m Redguard. Of COURSE I don’t have magic on me.’

“Hmph. Well, let’s see what you have. Just take some swings at me, you won’t hurt me.”

Oh, really? Well.... she’d just see about that.... Unsheathing her sword and main-gauche, she had at him. Running him around the yard a bit - he was using heavy armor and a huge two-hander: made him slow - and after a bit, Anki pulled one of Andur’s patented sword-dance sequences. That had him attempting to block and backing away.

Eventually she disarmed him, using one of Siara’s tumbling rolls. ‘I could have taken his head’ - and he knew it.

There were comments from the others around. Most of them were that she’d cheated somehow - the ranks closing against the newcomer. But to his credit, Vilkas just looked the others over, and said “Nah. She’s damn good.” Then he turned to Anki. “So, you’re good. Redguards generally are. You’ll fill a spot in our roster - after you do a few errands for us. First one: take my sword up to Eorlund for sharpening.” He handed it off, and Anki grinned internally - put the bitch where she belongs....

*****
The trip to Markarth was long, even though we rode just to Whiterun and then took the carriage, with the horses tied to the backboard. While the Reach was attractive enough, I felt.... uneasy.... the whole time - as if some inimical folk were targeting us with intent to do the most harm in the least amount of time. The carriage-driver’s tales were not - the sort that made for easy sleep, as well.

We didn’t go into the city. It had a disfavorsome look - looming over the stable area like some restless giant. Oddly enough however, the stables were cheerful, and populated by not only a fair sufficiency of people all at their workings, but by many dogs and horses. I looked about after tacking our boys to find Andur on his knees wrestling with a very large dog.

I walked over, leading the horses. “What’s this then, Andur?”

He looked up a bit sheepishly. “Eh, I was missing my dog - he died a long time ago, when I was very young. And this boy reminded me of him.”

Ah. “Is he for sale?”

“I.... didn’t ask? I - though with a baby coming, you’d....”

“Nah then. A dog’s a good thing. Perhaps especially now - sensitive noses and ears....” So he paid over the gold, and we headed out the road with a new friend.

“What will you call him?”

“Bandaganvar - to remember my old friend. Think you the babe will like a dog?”

Poor man. Surely there had been children in their clan all along - but he, being an unattached (and likely at the time, uninterested) male, had paid very little attention. It was ever the way. “Oh, of a surety! If the parents are happy with sharing life alongside horses, dogs, and cats - why, so will be the children.”

“Cats?...” Andur looked askance at his wife.

“Ayah. Once things are settled and done, I will go home long enough to find some of the small desert cats, and bring them back. There’s nothing better than a cat purring you to sleep....”

Wisely, the man chose to say nothing more. And then they ran into trouble.... There were suddenly several of the wild Forsworn running toward them, bent on mayhem.
Edited by Serethil, Sep 19 2016, 06:51 PM.
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Areial
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Et'Ada
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LoL...love Anki running Viklas around and Andur getting a dog...
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Rick
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Hope Anki is upto the ebullient rumbustious life of mug clashing shield bashing warrior types....its all gung ho and 'gladly into the frey' for them.
Still..we know she's not joined for the life style eh!

Siara's side....well...gonna be lots of tough savages from now on....In my book, Forsworn come only slightly better than Falmer in the hate listings.
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Grits
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I think the pregnancy is an outstanding development, especially as it comes at a realistically inconvenient time. I love the new dance between Siara and Andur as they adjust to being a quickly growing family.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Ah, I love it Sere! Anki's perfect for the Companions, in that she may shake them up some! LOL Or quite a bit!

Hehe, love how Siara worked kitties in there. Andur should get used to that, she's a strong woman!

Perfect! :D
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Serethil
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Thanks sis! Hey, I cannot be without kitties, you know!

Siara Part Two; 10:

We bailed off the horses, and found Ban already taking out one of them - he’d sliced a hamstring, and Andur took off the woman’s head, using one of his vicious double-sword moves. We got back-to-back, and kept Ban close as he had nothing in the way of armor (a dog in armor - what an odd thought....) As the next leaped toward us, Ban took a hunk out of his thigh, and I disemboweled him; and then another woman grabbed me around the throat as she thrust with a sword as if it was a dagger. Good thing Ban distracted her long enough for Andur to turn me away from her and then kill her - messily....

The last one was a coward - he saw the mayhem, and ran. Ban got him down before he could find reinforcements, and he died quite nicely on our swords. Breathing hard, we slumped to the ground. I finally dragged myself to the horses for the waterskins. After a bit longer, Andur said “We’d best move. I doubt these four were out here alone.”

“Yes. We should get as much distance as we can. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“A small slice or two. And Ban has about the same. You?”

“Nothing. Thanks to you two!” So I washed out their wounds with wine, and then we headed away from the field of battle. We rode steadily but at a gentle trot - for one thing we wanted to appear as harmless as possible - and riding hell for leather wouldn’t accomplish that; and for another, if we found a good safe place to camp, we’d stop even if it was early.

“How many of these attack groups do you think we’ll have to face?” I asked eventually.

“Too many I think. If I recall, this Reach is a hotbed of these Forsworn. They look to kill any but other Forsworn, and even sometimes fight amongst themselves. And.... thank you for Ban - without him....”

“Aye. Dogs are good in fights - except they’re sometimes too brave....”

Not long past mid- afternoon, we found a nice hide: a small but fairly deep delve into a hill, overhung with brush and moss for a screen - and with enough room inside for the horses and Ban. We didn’t bother looking further. In this part of the world, you go to ground as soon as you find a place....

*****
So Anki took the sword up to the Skyforge. She handed it to the old man blowing up the forge’s heat.

“So you’re going to try your luck with the Companions.” At her nod, he smiled grimly. “Well, don’t just always do what you’re told. Nobody rules anyone in the Companions.”

“But.... someone must need to be in charge....”

“Eh, I don’t know how they manage it - but they have.” He started beating on the steel. Then he turned back to Anki. “I have a favor to ask. I’ve been working on a shield for Aela. I have family things I need to do - a mourning situation. If you could take the shield to Aela for me?”

She cocked an eyebrow at that, but nodded, and took the shield. Eorlund nodded shortly in return. Running down the steps with the shield, she entered the back doors of Jorrvaskr, and seeing the old woman still sweeping, asked “Where can I find Aela? I have her shield, from Eorlund Gray-Mane.”

She sent me back downstairs, and to the left before reaching Kodlak’s chambers. Anki tapped on the door, and then entered. A woman - Aela she supposed - stood in chat with an older man, nearly bald and blind in one eye.

She waited until they turned toward her. “Eorlund sent me with your shield.”

“My thanks. Are you new here?”

The man said “I told you, this is the whelp that Vilkas mentioned.”

“Ah! Yes, I heard you gave him quite a thrashing!”

The man muttered “Don’t let Vilkas catch you saying that....”

Ankeddi replied with a small feral grin “Well, I suppose he hasn’t seen many Redguards?”

Aela laughed. The man just looked sour.
Edited by Serethil, Sep 19 2016, 08:49 PM.
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Andra Hawksdaughter
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Great fight Sere, and good for Ban!
Anki is quite sassy, I love her confidence here!
Fun read for sure!! :D
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Serethil
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I'm.... almost thinking I need three story topics now. Siara/Andur, Deni, and Anki. It's getting more complex than I like to handle, writing them all in one thread.
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Areial
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Very nicely done! I love the description of the fight!

Write each story separately and then put them together in the thread or separate them completely in different threads...
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Serethil
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Thanks Areial!

Yeah.... I'm thinking about what to do..... Each woman is - a completely different individual. And each has very unusual things to deal with.

Writing them all in one thread is - getting to be not only horribly complex.... it's just not optimal.
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Kane
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Thread away!
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Serethil
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Yep. I think that's what's going to happen. I didn't.... really.... expect this story to - get - so.... complex. But it has, and some folks may want to follow one, but not the others. So....

I'll set up links tomorrow from Siara's Tale.
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Serethil
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[Okay, I just put the other links in my sig area - easier than having to look for them....]

Siara Part Two; 11:

Loving, sleeping, waking to love again - the night passed both quickly and slowly. I was finding that my body was reveling in the physical, fully enjoying the pleasure Andur brought to me. And he seemed pleased as well.... if I was any judge! Finally we slid into sleep deep enough to last the rest of the night.

Morning brought strange voices on the winds. I looked at Andur, and he shook his head. He whispered, “I don’t know enough about this land. I don’t know what that could be!” He seemed - sounded - frustrated. I considered the whispering was more of caution when facing the unknown - those voices and cries - and this area of Skyrim, so strange that none knew it fully I thought. Other than the Forsworn.... And they were menace and challenge enough....

We ate a bit, but built no fire. Smoke either seen or smelled was a danger. Then we saddled the boys but once out of the hide, we didn’t mount. It seemed safer to walk, leading the horses. We stood a while trying to suss out where the voices were calling from. Eventually, we chose what we hoped was a route between the different set of cries. We moved slowly, stopping often to listen. It was an uncomfortable trek this day.... and we were very happy to find a cave early afternoon.

I held the horses, and Andur took Ban and checked the cave. He came back quickly. “It’s clean. There’s been Forsworn in it - but they’re skeletons, so not recently.”

“Good. I’m tired.”

“Are you all right?” His forehead was furrowed.

“Aye. I just tire easily. Selalla says it’s normal. And instead of riding, we walked today....”

Andur seemed to want to say something. But he didn’t. I thought I knew - he wanted to say we’d leave this for “later”. No.... we wouldn’t - it had to be done now. There was something of.... destiny in this....
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Areial
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I remember those day's of tiring easy... and hated it!
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Serethil
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Eh, what woman doesn't? Yeah - WAY long time back for me.... (uh.... 50 years....) but oh how I remember.
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Serethil
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Siara Part Two; 12:

Sometimes, a horse shits on your boots and you roll your eyes, growl, and go clean them. Other times.... well, the luck-goddess points the shit off to one side - so you can see something you wouldn’t otherwise have noticed.

So it worked out. We finally wended our way to the place we should find Drascua. Andur grimaced. “Look - that huge ruin, it’s going to be full of Forsworn. It could take us a week just to find and kill them all!”

At that point in his quiet tirade, I realized I was standing at the juncture of a path off to my left - not a major roadway, but a well-worn trail. With a fresh pile not far down it, where Bat was standing.

“Andur. Let’s go this way - see where it goes.”

He glared at me a moment, then seeing what I was pointing at, he seemed calmer. “Let’s take the horses down toward the river then, and hope we’re back before they need feed.” So we did.

We waited a bit to see if the Forsworn had any idea we were there. No screaming hordes - that was good. So we started down the trail, following the tracks of many soft-booted feet. This was likely a “backway” - one the Forsworn used themselves with frequency, so we went as stealthily as possible. We climbed rapidly once the trail turned back to the right, having to kill a couple of Reachmen as we went. We were lucky - we got them before they could make any noise....

Luck. It’s actually a good thing to have it - better than being good at killing. This backtrail brought us to a door into the ruins. Once inside, we killed two more Forsworn, then climbed a level and found a Briarheart. Since we were being very careful, we got him with arrows first - he was nearly dead, so we sent him to his gods. We took a breather - I still tired quickly, and Andur was worrying.

After a bit, we headed up another set of stairs, which debouched into a very dark circular room. We heard mutterings to the right, so we bracketed a door opening into a room on that side. I slithered in first, bow drawn. Andur followed, watching the Forsworn, her back to us, as I drew down on her.

Lucky shot. She gurgled around the arrow in her throat and died. So we lit some torches, and took a look at which way to go next. Hmm. A door and a gate.... the door led outside into the upper levels of the ruins. The gate - was going to have to be opened from somewhere else it seemed.

“Ah. Siara - here’s the control.” I found where Andur was waiting. And there was a trap of some sort, I could sense it.

“The floor. There’s a trigger there. Let me....” I slid around the pressure plate, pushed the lever, and slid back around and out the door. The gate was now open, and we ascended stairs, ever climbing. How high did this keep go?

Finally, I pushed open a door - and moonlight flooded the open area ahead. I could hear people moving around above....
Edited by Serethil, Sep 21 2016, 08:12 PM.
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