Awsome Minque....

have some cake and jonjosas.

I was wondering when you would gift us with your wonderful writing yet again!

Good job minque!

great addition Minque

wow great job, this new chapter was very good, i like how you describe the anger of the mud crabs as tehy get flipped over

Each installment is a wonderful immersion in the personality of this character. We learn more about her each time. Excellent imagination and story-telling. No surprise.

Great update. I like your attention to the characters and how they interact with each other. Like you always do.

Analogy time. What is this story to me? Well, it's like my first cup of coffee and a cigarette in a morning. You know before hand just how pleasurable it's going to be, and the process doesn't disappoint. Its satisfying, tasty and just a teeny bit addictive.

I could go on about the complexities of the plot, the delight in the characterization or even how well written it is. But, really, what would be the point? It would be like going to see someone who'd just won the lottery only to find out they're happy. It kind of goes without saying

I arrived at the Training camp after the sun had set and first paid a visit to the kitchen to see Lalatia Vabdas and possibly get something to eat. The last three days had rather put an appetite in me so I hoped for the best.

“Serene, you are back!” Lalatia greeted me warmly and immediately started preparing some hot tea. Also she got some bread and a pot containing a golden syrup-like liquid. She presented the pot to me with glittering eyes and asked me to taste it. I did and it was just wonderful, sweet and smooth. When I asked what it was she smiled secretly at me and chuckled:

“Guess, child, guess! It is something I used to make back home....when my husband was alive, and when I could get hold of Gold Kanet flowers!”

I tasted it again, closed my eyes letting the smooth sweetness fill my mouth and even then I could not even imagine what it could be; I had never encountered something like it before.

“It is honey!” Lalatia was all smiles, “Made of nectar from Gold Kanet flowers.”

I was astonished, such sweetness coming from flowers? I wonder how she had made it, the amount of nectar per flower was rather minor, and there she had an entire pot of it! I suspected there was a secret here.....

I enjoyed the meal Lalatia prepared for me and told her while eating of my adventures during the leave. She laughed when she heard of my encounter with the mudcrabs, a bit concerned though that mudcrabs did get that far into the land. She told me that was a bad sign.

When I asked her how to make honey, she smiled at me and said it was her well hidden secret, but when I left in six months I would get the recipe......

The following morning as I reported to General Artorius he had a surprise for me. He was not alone in his office; General Darius was also there, and bade me welcome. The generals looked at each other and General Artorius said:

“Ok, so you tell her about our plans, after all you are the one she shall report back to in this matter.”

“Ok, Serene...ehum Catraso was it?” General Darius cleared his throat, looking at me very sternly. “You have really improved yourself these last six months, so we...that is I, have decided to send you on a very important, yet delicate task for the Legion.”

General Artorius bade us sit down and a rang a small bell. A butler entered with some flin and dried ash-yam...not very tasty but it was ok to have it together with flin.

“So Serene,” General Darius began, “Maybe you have heard of the Talos Cult?” I said I had heard some rumours from my fellow legionnaires about it, but just very vaguely, and nothing more than that such a cult really existed.

“Well the cult itself is not a problem, the cultists just worship the former Emperor Tiber Septim, and as long as they just do that.....well then we can leave them to it....BUT, my dear Serene, some rumours have come to my ear that they are involved in a plot against our current Emperor Uriel Septim!”

I looked at General Darius; I started to slightly understand that the task he talked about was not only important and delicate. It was probably dangerous as well! I had a strong feeling these two generals were about to send me right into the bear’s nest, a fact that worried me quite a lot, since I had no wish to get involved in politics at all.

“So, Serene, “ General Darius continued, “What we...ehum I want you to do is very simple, you are to go to Gnisis in three days, under cover, and join this Talos-cult, keep your eyes and ears open.....and report to me their plans and actions.”

“You are to act very secretly, under thorough cover; you have three days to prepare a fool-proof disguise. If you are caught, I will not under any circumstances recognise you, so then you are on your own.”

I was stunned.....I had to join a cult that probably was planning to murder the Emperor, go under cover to actually spy on them! And without any protection from the Legion.......I found it outrageous; why couldn’t the Legion stand behind me? Were they afraid or.....was it something else? But who was I to object or even question their decisions. One thing I did ask though;

“Sir General...why me??

“First you are a woman; nobody suspects a woman being a legionnaire, since not many women are!...Second you have proved yourself to be very intelligent.....Third, Imsin the Dreamer said.......” General Darius´face went all red...he shut his mouth looking very embarrassed, apparently he realised he said too much. “Never mind”.

I nodded, trying to keep my face as emotionless as possible. Then General Darius bade me good-bye and wished me luck in performing the task. I surely needed that.

General Artorius told me to think of a suitable disguise, and then prepare to leave for Gnisis the day after tomorrow so I’d be there on time. I agreed and left the room.

First thing would be to go and see Imsin, I knew I wasn’t allowed to, but I was convinced there was something bigger behind this, so I just had to take the risk. After the morning exercises, sword-training on a dummy, I sneaked out of the camp and went to Fort Buckmoth. Imsin was happy to see me; she dragged me into her office where she embraced me warmly. Naturally I could not stop the tears from running, so handing me a piece of cloth she laughed at me and said;

“Ok Renie, cry-baby, what brings you here?”

I wiped my face and told her about my meetings with General Darius, I told her everything, including the general’s statement about her. Imsin looked at me with a stern face.

“Yes Serene, I told General Darius he had to pick you for this mission. It’s direct orders from Caius Cosades in Balmora. The Emperor specifically stated that you, Serene, should do this.

Now you are not to get involved in any fighting or killing, you just have to keep eyes and ears
open.”

“But Son..Ehh Imsin, what is the hook really?” I looked my old friend sternly in the eyes, “Please tell me the truth, and don’t hide it from me.”

“Ok”, Imsin sighed, “We need names, and places...any information you can dig up is very interesting. The actions against the eventual plot will be taken by others; you don’t have to worry.”

I was happy I did not have to take action against the presumptive traitors; spying on them was bed enough as I told Imsin. She agreed but stated that you do not act against the Emperor’s direct orders. I on my behalf was curious about why His Royal Highness absolutely craved ME to perform this. Imsin looked at me with a peculiar gaze;

“The Emperor had a dream.....in which a young woman from Cyrodiil played an important role; in fact this woman saved his life ....more than once. That’s all I know.”

Now I did not really believe her but she probably had a very good reason for not telling me more. Now it was time to find something that could explain my presence there......Imsin sat for a while thinking hard when she suddenly smiled at me;

“Serene, you should go there as a pilgrim,” she said, “No fancy clothing, just plain and simple, and you should go to the market and pay a visit to Shulki!” I must have made a funny face, because she laughed at me, tapping my cheek and continued;

“Shulki Ashunbabi is a young Dunmeri woman who owns a stand at the small Market just outside the Temple in Gnisis, she is one of ours, I think she can provide you with a very good disguise; besides she may have some snippets of information you may find very useful.”

I hugged Imsin goodbye and returned to the Camp, totally unnoticed. It was way beyond lunch and I was terribly hungry. As usual I had to rely on Lalatia Vabdas’ kind friendship to redeem my raging hunger.

That night after dinner I invented my wardrobe. No fancy clothing Imsin had said...well I did not even own anything fancy anymore. All I had were the clothes I got from Edwinna Elbert, but they were old and worn and would suit perfectly for this task.

Early next morning, after breakfast, I asked for audience with General Artorius. I told him about my plans; he agreed to let me go as Pilgrim, and wished me good luck.

“Now Serene,” he said, “You remember the words of General Darius, The Legion will not recognise you if you fail or get caught.”

I nodded, that was all clear to me, and The Legion did not always look after their folks, a fact that I in no way supported. All I could wish for was that I, one day, would achieve the power to change certain things in The Mighty Imperial Legion.....

Exxxcelent update.

Very nice Minque...I can't wait till the next update.

Nice Minque...you can have a cake and eat it too

Good job Minque! have a jonajosa

Cool update Minque

I just love your skillful touch with human interactions, the way you include details that make us feel as if we are not simply reading, but living the events in your story. There is a depth of humanity to Serene that speaks highly of her creator.

Great update, mingue. I know that Mundus would be a better place to be if Serene got a say in the ruling of it. There is a lot of corruption and crooked people on Vvardenfell. Reminds me of real life sometimes. She doesn't seem to be the Nerevarine (from your own hints), maybe she could help out as the diplomatic and compassionate head of her great house instead.

Edit: I forgot to commend you on the detail about the 'secret of honey'. Adds immersion to your piece.

This post has been edited by Lucidarius: Aug 16 2005, 10:36 PM

Thank you all for your very nice comments..it´s really heartwarming to read...

Now then I´m currently working on the next part....I was hoping to be able to conclude chapter 3 with this coming one but i´m afraid I´ll fail at that.....

Thank you again......

Minque! Don't do that to me!

I see "Serene of Cyrodiil" with the last post by minque, and I'm like

"YAY!! UPDATE!!! WEEEE!" And start running around the room with excitement, and then I see this and start crying...



good story still, even if you made me cry.

Awww Danny. Great story minquey. I can't wait for the next update.....y.

Yeah...earlier I saw Minque had posted last so I went to check it out...too bad it was just the announcement of the coming update...
It is very good...you already know I like it so what's the point of saying how much again?

I have some catching up to do I see...