I can see Aravi’s point of view very well. I can’t imagine J’Shanji taking a side in the war. He appreciated Hadvar’s dismay over his imminent unjust beheading, but not enough to join the Legion over it.

Ralof’s character develops a little, but I’m leaving all of that out of Jensa’s musings along with any place or character name details. But her updates are definitely driven by specific game events, even when they're out of sequence to avoid spoilers.

I lived through a battle. That’s all I can say about it. I know we fight for our people, but that day we left a lot of their blood on the ground. Hells, half of our side is ex-Legion. We all sent brothers and sisters to Sovngarde, and I know that each one of them fell believing their cause is just. I can’t hate someone who shows valor but just happens to be on the wrong side.

I found an old friend in the smoke and fought beside him for most of the battle. Afterward he said he thought I killed more than him, and he was counting. I remember that night after we escaped, how we lay in the dark and he shook just like I did. I wonder if he’s really turned that hard inside. I wonder if it will happen to me.

The old bear finally figured out how to use my skills. I’m a scout now, liberating one of the Holds. Of course I’m good at it. The only problem is this damned uniform. I need to get a spell so that the mail won’t jingle. And I can’t hear as well with the helmet on. Still, it keeps a Stormcloak axe from accidentally finding my skull. It can get confusing with blood in your eyes and all of the yelling.

I was hunkered down last night waiting for full dark to make my move, and a bunch of soldiers passed me by. They were griping about how they’re tired, cold, and sick of eating rabbits. I had to stick my head up a little to see whose side they were on. Stormcloak or Imperial, we have the same complaints. We bleed the same, too. For that matter, so do the elves.

It’s been a while since I’ve written about Fire Walker so here’s what he’s been doing.

WARNING: minor spoilers about the Forsworn Conspiracy quest

~~~

I’m a fugitive now. I’m taking a short rest at a shrine to Dibella, and then it’s a long walk out of this hold. I better stay off the roads. This week had started out so promising too.

I’d made a name for myself in Whiterun, people respected me if you can imagine that. When I got there, I barely got in the front gate. The only work I could find was independent bounty hunting. It turned out I was pretty good at it and after I had cleaned the countryside, the Jarl declared me a Thane. A group of Nords calling themselves the Companions didn’t like that one bit and started giving me trouble. After the Bannered Mare got trashed and a night in the jail, I decided it was time to start looking for work elsewhere.

Markarth looked nice and far from the Companions and I had heard they had lots of problems with a group called the Foresworn. Sounded like a perfect place to start hunting again.

There was trouble as soon as I arrived. A murder in the street. It turned out it was a fairly regular occurrence there. To make a long story short, I did all the legwork for someone that was interested in putting an end to the murders, then walked in on some city guards standing over his hacked up body. Guess who was going to be arrested for murder? I did what anyone would; I fought. I threw fire at them and ran. I got out the main gate before it was locked, but the whole garrison was after me. I stole a horse and rode it hard until I lost my pursuers. Now here I am. The damned horse bolted as soon as I got off of it. I need to leave soon since I can’t move quickly anymore. I’m lucky darkness is falling soon.

Wish me luck.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jan 9 2012, 11:24 PM

GAAAAH !!! Maxical wants comfort too !!! That's it, next time I play she is going to have to console Farkas into marriage, lol.

Another powerful imagery you have evoked here. That's as real as it gets, Awesome Write !!






KC, this is Awesome !! I didn't even see this till just now !! Awesome Write !!

This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 10 2012, 12:34 AM

Yeah, I agree.

@Grits: I love how you are portraying Jensa's time with the Stormcloaks. She identifies with her enemies, and while she seems to believe the Cloaks are in the right, she doesn't hold much enthusiasm for the war she's in.



EDIT: clarification

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jan 10 2012, 12:48 AM

For some reason this reminds me of Bryunwulf, he says something along the lines of that there is no Glory in war, it is just something they say to get recruits. And of course the thing that he tells you first, "The "Great War"- there was nothing great about it. Thousands died on both sides and where did we end up? Did we really save the Empire or did we just plant the seeds for Ulfric's uprising and another war?"

Maybe Jensa is figuring this out .

Also awesome write!



Ouch, the first thing is a murder, not much for a welcome? Lol, we managed to stop the murder just in time though

And ouch, bad luck is bad eh? Now I want to know what happens next!

Yikes, Fire Walker is in a predicament! It’s wise to mistrust the Markarth justice system. I can just imagine his headlong flight to the shrine of Dibella.

In support of Maxical’s hopefully imminent nuptials, here’s a taste of Rowan’s married life.

Rowan and Vorstag celebrated her return with a few days at home in Solitude. With Jordis the Sword-Maiden patrolling the lower levels, they find the second floor to be the most Comfortable. Drowsiness sometimes makes Rowan bring up subjects that she regrets.

“Do you wish we had children?” Rowan asked, idly tracing Vorstag’s scars.

Vorstag snorted himself fully awake. “Are you mad, woman? I like things just the way they are. You and me, until the Divines take us.”

Rowan cuddled closer, basking in her love’s glow.

“Besides, we have Jordis,” Vorstag continued. “You’re old enough to be her – Gaah! Leggo! By Ysmir, you have cold hands, Imperial!”

“You were saying?”

“She’s young enough! I was saying she’s young enough to be ours. What is she, nineteen, twenty? Er, I mean, six or seven?”

“That’s better,” said Rowan. “You’re right, she’s bound to us now. I hadn’t thought of that. Maybe when we’re elders, she’ll give us little Housecarls to bounce on our knees.” She hooked a blanket with her foot and pulled it up to tuck around them. “Go back to sleep, my love.”

The front door slammed. Jordis the Sword-Maiden’s voice floated up from downstairs, challenging the intruder. “Are you lost?” Falk Firebeard's messenger replied in a frantic tone.

Rowan and Vorstag sighed.

“Back to Thane-ing, I suppose,” said Vorstag.

Rowan began to pick up her clothing. “What do you think it is this time, bandits, giant, or dragon?”

“Could be a lost artifact.” Vorstag propped up his head, the better to watch his wife’s back. “Fifty drakes says it’s bandits.”

This entry feels very much like a peek into their lives.

Stormcloak Jensa is still busy liberating her homeland. Here's a page from between the missions:

I had a surprise when I got back to Windhelm. I stopped at Candlehearth Hall to warm up and get clean before I reported in at the palace, and there sat Stenvar the mercenary. I could see he knew me right away. He still has that slow smile just like honey.

I walked over with plans to run my mouth, but then I didn’t know what to say to him.

“Heard about this war hero,” he said. “Thought it might be the same sweet Jensa from Early Winter Pass. Had to see for myself.”

My mind got tied up remembering how it felt to be sixteen, snowed in for the season with this man and those that hired him. It wasn’t all that long ago, but there have been a lot of stones down the mountain since then. I sat down beside him.

“I can see that I was wrong,” Stenvar said. “You’ve grown up.” Then he brushed my hand with the tip of his finger and the shiver went right through me. I remember how he’d look in my eyes when he held me, and how he’d whisper my name. All the world seemed like fresh snow at sunrise. I’d give just about anything to be that girl again.

“You’re just as bald and ugly as ever,” I told him.

We didn’t talk for long. It would be too easy to throw my cloak on the fire and run off with Stenvar. But the only way to end this war is to fight it. Maybe when it’s over there will be something left of me.

I'd have to quote the whole segment, Jensa is a fascinating character! Another riveting episode !!

Agreed!


Is the Khajiit around still?

EDIT: Stenvar was the guy that was staring down Aravi. She wanted to claw his face!

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jan 11 2012, 04:39 PM

I thought it was Stenvar who was staring at Aravi! He looks quite fierce, but he’s kind of funny once you get to know him. Plus he has a great voice! J’Shanji and J’Zargo blazed through the College of Winterhold quests. I’m having a hard time working out how a Khajiit warrior would become Arch Mage. He just wouldn’t. I’ll probably ignore that he ever did the College quests and just let the fellows go on adventures. But first I’d like to go through the major questlines, before I find out too much about them.

Here’s the latest news from Jensa:

The last time I was at the Palace of Kings, Jarl Ulfric gave me more gifts and called me kin. We were all alone, so I guess he meant it. For me, I don’t know. I don’t want trophies, and I don’t need praise. If grief and anger make us kin, then so be it.

The war is over, but I see now it was not the real war. The real one is coming, and I don’t think we can stand alone. We’ve already bathed in our own blood. The next time we might drown in it.

I stood by Jarl Ulfric right through the end. Now I’ve heard his Thu’um, and he’s heard mine. I guess we both know I could just go where it pleases me, but I swore an oath. I asked him what else I could do for the cause.

“What more could I ask of you?” he said. “You’re free to roam. I suspect the gods have needs for you elsewhere.”

I went straight home to Jorrvaskr.

Farkas was standing right inside the front door. “You’re back,” he said. I guess he’s still not the smart one. I wanted to hug him around the neck, but I wasn’t sure how mad they would be or if they would even let me in.

So I said, “Yeah.”

“Vilkas wants a word.”

I went to see Vilkas. He was mad all right. The man had a look that would curdle milk. Just like usual. He asked me why I didn’t fulfill my contract.

“Huh?” I sounded just like Farkas.

Turns out they put me on that carriage to do a job in Windhelm. Skjor needed to cool down after the fight, and they figured I would sober up on the ride. After a few weeks with no word they gave my contract to Ria.

“All right,” I said. “Then I guess I’m looking for work.”

And just like that I was home. Neither one of us mentioned the war.

The next time I’m near Ivarstead, I’m going to do some thinking. I wonder if Aela would climb the Seven Thousand Steps with me. I should go see what the Greybeards want.

Poignient, and then...ROFL !!! Jensa's dramatic exodus was actually a job assignment, ROFL !!!

J’Shanji was so inspired by Aravi’s use of blade and magic, he decided he would like to try some battlemagery. He’s using his shield and destruction spells until he runs out of magicka, then he switches to shield and mace. He's still in mourning over the ebony axe that he lost when a draugr disarmed him over water. I think that the shield is now my favorite weapon.

Here’s a little glimpse of a recent walk through volcanic tundra.



J’Shanji half knelt in the jazbay tangle, choking on his howls of pain.

J’Zargo crouched in front of him. “Khajiit wears boots made from hide of bear. Bear trap catches Khajiit,” he said.

J’Shanji’s claws scrabbled against his friend’s steel-plated shoulder as J’Zargo worked on the catch.

“Trap has bitten into bone,” said J’Zargo in his usual mild tone.

J’Shanji’s reply emerged as a spitty hiss. Moments later he flopped back onto the warm dirt. Their healing spells lit up the night. J’Shanji took a pinch of moon sugar and passed the pouch to his friend. Peace flooded through him. He gazed up through the steam drifting over from the hot springs.

“Ja-Kha'jay,” J’Zargo said from the ground beside him. Masser was dark this night, Secunda a waning crescent. The moons under which all Suthay-raht had been born. The two lay on foreign land under their sky until curtains of colored light began to play across it.

“The warm sands of Elsweyr are far from here,” J’Zargo murmured.

They are as close as the voice of a friend, thought J’Shanji.

Holy Cow! Ouch !!

This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 14 2012, 04:31 AM

Yay! The Khajiit! Painful update though, poor J’Shanji. Wonderful ending however.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jan 14 2012, 06:26 AM

J’Shanji and J’Zargo returned to Whiterun to refresh themselves and unload some Nordic grave goods. After they settled at the inn, J’Zargo abruptly announced his intention to court the widow Carlotta Valentia. Before he could ask what his friend meant by “courting,” J’Shanji found himself in temporary charge of Carlotta’s young daughter, Mila.

The two stood outside Carlotta’s house in the midday sun. J’Shanji heard the door lock behind him.

“Do you want to play tag?” asked Mila.

J’Shanji tried to still his twitching ear. “Khajiit does not know this.”

The Imperial child stared at him. “It’s simple. I run and you try to catch me. You tag my back, and then I’m it. Then I chase you.”

“J’Shanji’s claws would flay young Mila to the bone,” said J’Shanji, flicking them out to demonstrate.

Mila’s eyes widened. “It’s not a killing game! For a cat, you’re not very playful.”

“Young one does not speak convincingly, for an Imperial.”

Mila burst into laughter. “Is that all you got? You’re going to have to try harder if you want to hurt my feelings.”

J’Shanji sighed. This was going worse than he could have imagined. “J’Shanji does not wish to hurt young Mila’s person or her feelings. Perhaps the child will suggest another game.”

Mila looked behind herself, then back at J’Shanji. “Oh, you mean me. Well I don’t know many games either. Mostly I help my mother sell her fruits and vegetables. You’d be surprised how much work it is selling things at a stall. It’s not all standing around and chatting. Did you know there are some fruits that actually grow better in the cold weather?” Mila crossed her arms over her chest, watching him.

J’Shanji crossed his arms, too. “J’Shanji did not know this.”

Mila looked him over critically. J’Shanji decided that the fruit conversation must be over.

“Will you show me your axe?” asked Mila.

J’Shanji handed it over. “If young Mila removes the edge guard, she should have care. It is easier to remove fingers than it is to replace them.”

“I could chop some wood with this, I’d wager,” said Mila, staggering with the axe’s weight.

I should like to chop a Khajiit with it, thought J’Shanji. “Perhaps not with this one.” J’Shanji watched the child for a moment. “Does young Mila need a woodcutter’s axe, or is it wood that she is requiring?”

“You talk funny,” said Mila, handing the axe back. “Hulda buys firewood from anyone who will cut it. There’s a whole pile right beside the inn.” Mila crossed her arms again.

“Mila will sell the wood to Hulda,” said J’Shanji. “Khajiit will chop it.”

Mila gave a decisive nod. “We’ll share the profits.”

J’Zargo and Carlotta found them later, basking in the sun outside the Bannered Mare. J’Shanji was drowsy with wine, Mila sticky with sweetroll. The two Khajiit watched the Imperials walk back to their fruit stand.

“Carlotta asks about J’Shanji,” J’Zargo told him. “As does the delicate Ysolda.”

J’Shanji led the way back into the inn and up the stairs. “They are not Khajiit.” He lifted his chin at Saadia so that she would bring up the wine. “Yet this one will gladly return to Whiterun. J’Zargo will entertain his women. J’Shanji will work for Ma’Mila.”

I love how J’Shanji is uncomfortably stuck watching the child while the other two… court, and by the end he has a new friend.

~~~~


Aravi and Kharjo stood on the bank of the stream and watched their quarry get away.

“Khajiit cannot catch them all. The Nords must eat as well” Kharjo said.

Aravi sighed and put her Dwemer bow on her back, signaling an end to the hunt. “We should be getting back to Whiterun anyways. The day is half over and we’ve traveled far.”

The distant roar of a dragon reached their sensitive Khajiit ears. The sound made Aravi’s fur stood on end and sent a thrill through her body. The Imperial soldier she escaped Helgen with had laughed when he saw her fur standing. She asked him if he had goose bumps. He merely grinned at her after that.

They’ve been hearing that dragon all day as they hunted. They saw it in the distance circling a ruin a ways off. Aravi steered them well clear of its area.

“Would Khajiit like to try hunting big game today?”

Aravi rubbed her fur to flatten it again and smiled at Kharjo’s comment. Her amusement was replaced with horror when she realized he wasn’t joking. “It was a disaster the last time. You were almost killed!”

“That is true, but we now know how to fight it. This time Khajiit won’t be surprised. And Aravi has power to kill them.”

Despite her fear of the dragons, Aravi also felt drawn to them. She was worried about what Kharjo thought about her after she brought him to High Hrothgar, and then when she killed the dragon that ambushed them. She never asked him and he never brought it up. She was expecting him to return to his caravan any day after those two incidents. With his simple statement however, she knew he had thought about it, and chose to stay with her. His willingness to stand by her side and his confidence brought her relief and courage.

She wouldn’t have to face them alone.

She put a hand on his steel plated shoulder and smiled. Then she turned in the direction she had seen the dragon earlier and carefully started forward, with Kharjo just a few steps behind her.

This post has been edited by King Coin: Jan 14 2012, 09:27 PM

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@ Grits -




What a line! And what exactly was Carlotta saying when she asked J'Zargo about J'Shanji when he was the one wooing her - and right after "holing up" privately with J'Zargo for hours in a locked house? Sounds like J'Zargo doesn't have much game going on, lol.

Then we get to see that J'Shanji obviously does, all he has to do is lift his chin to get the women running to wait on him!

Loved that little interchange.

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@ King Coin - Loved this segment - first Aravi's buffing out and her memory of the Imperial (can't remember his name right now) laughing at her for the same thing earlier. Kharjo won't need explanations, lol.

Loved that she rubbed her fur to flatten it again too - nice touch !!

Also loved Aravi smiling - there are too few smiles going on in Skyrim, can't wait till modders change that. Awesome Write !!

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