Ok Dantrag!! This time it´s really an update.......enjoy!

”Serene, Serene of Cyrodiil, wake up child, you have an important day ahead of you, you must leave soon to fulfil your task. Fear not I will be with you as I always am.”

I sat up in my bed; drenched in cold sweat, Azura.....again the Dunmer goddess visited me as so many times before. I understood that this mission for the Legion in some way was prophesised; otherwise I would not have had this...dream?

Then I remembered Imsin´s words about the Emperor; “........a dream.....in which a young woman from Cyrodiil played an important role; in fact this woman saved his life ....more than once.”

I shrugged and went to the washing area, with fear in my heart. It was always an ordeal this washing business; the washing-area consisted of a room with several large buckets filled with warm water, beside each a small piece of soap, towels in a heap in the left corner of the room. No problems for the men, they just entered, washed themselves and then went for a towel, and that was it. But for me it was a bit awkward, there were no shelters between the buckets, so normally I washed myself late at night when my male comrades were asleep.

This particular morning however I had no choice, I had to wash myself, whether there were others present or not. Three men were washing themselves as I entered, they were chatting happily amongst them but when they noticed me they became dead-silent. I walked to a bucket trembling with cold and fear and started washing myself, without looking at the three men. I could feel them staring at me, and for a second I almost felt sorry for them; they had probably not seen a woman in her nude for a very long time.

I heard some rambling behind me and a voice hissing:

“For Stendarr´s sake Larrius, do NOT even think of it...what if she reports it!!”

The next moment I was grabbed by strong arms, a big hand was put over my moth to prevent me from screaming; I struggled to get loose but I only managed to bang my head against the wall with an unpleasant smack, the last thing I heard before all went dark was;..........”No, don’t do it.”

I woke up with a terrible headache, and when I tried to raise my head from the cold floor I immediately vomited. I was cold, wet and sore, and realised that history just repeated itself. Once more I was molested by Imperial soldiers. Tears streamed down my face as I carefully rose to my knees and crawled to the nearest bucket. With trembling hands I tried to wash off the dirt and humiliation, with little success. I was shocked and I just couldn’t get the tears to stop.

After washing myself until my skin was red and glowing I finally composed myself and got dressed in a plain brown skirt, a shirt which was worn but spotlessly clean and a hooded cloak. I also wound a long narrow piece of cloth around my waist and put on my oldest, most comfortable shoes. I did not have breakfast that morning; somehow I could not bear the sight of Imperial soldiers........

I did not report the men that molested me, there was no point in that; as there had been no witnesses and I had other options in mind. I was determined to get my revenge somehow.

I walked the short distance from the Camp to Ald´ruhn where I took the Silt-strider to Gnisis; as usual the driver was very kind to me, he offered me a blanket to pull over me since it was a really chilly morning, and a Silt-strider is kind of an open vehicle.

Gnisis was still one of the most miserable places in Vvardenfell, and the grey dull weather did not make it any better. It even started to rain as I headed for the Market.

I spotted a beautiful red-headed Dunmeri woman, in fact the only woman at this Market, at a stand selling all kinds of different stuff; clothes, pottery, herbs and some really nice bottles and vials. I guessed this must be Shulki Ashunbabi and approached her slowly.

“Heeey, Pilgrim,” she said to me in a hoarse but friendly voice, “Ya need some holy oils, if ye gunna visit the Temple, I’ve got´em all.”

I approached her, taking the hood off my cloak to reveal my face, then bent forward to have a closer look at the beautiful vials she had, at the same time I whispered to her;

“Shulki, Imsin the Dreamer said you’d help me.”

The young Dunmer looked at me for a second then said in a rather loud voice;

“Yes m´am, I have those in my hut, follow me and we’ll see.”

I was astonished that she didn’t question my appearance at all, but she gave me an explanation as we sat in her hut, cosily in front of the fireplace sipping hot tea.

“Ahh, I got a message from Imsin about three weeks ago that she would send a dark haired Cyrodiilic woman with strange-coloured eyes,” she said with a laugh.

“I’ve been thinking about this matter you see,” Shulki continued, “I know some of the cultists, but they act quite normal and their comrades know very little or even nothing about their plans.”

“We need some sort of evidence that there actually is a plot,” I answered.

Shulki told me that there was a shrine inside the Barracks-building, and she also told me how she knew that. In fact Shulki had another job besides selling stuff at the Market. She happened to be a very skilled dancer and so she used to dance for the soldiers at the barracks on Loredas´ nights. That was much appreciated by the soldiers but gave me an uneasy feeling, due to my experiences lately.

“I have a tryst with one of them,” she told me, “His name is Oritius Maro and he’s rather nice, but of course it’s just for fun, not as if I´m going to marry him,” she laughed when she saw my astonished face. “That’s how I know there is a shrine in there and I have the feeling that it would pay off to get a chance of visiting it.”

I started to get the hang of what Shulki was coming to when she asked me if I could dance, and also mentioned the name of another cultist who might be yearning for a woman.

We decided that Shulki should bring me with her next Loredas and introduce me as her fellow-dancer. I knew the basics of normal dancing but I suspected this was not going to be that kind of dance at all.

A good update. The ruling update. The one update... TO RULE THEM ALL!

i can't wait to see what kind of revenge serene is going to get on those stupid soldiers, haha once again good job minque

This post has been edited by Florodine of Hlaalu: Aug 17 2005, 10:53 PM

I agree with Florodine I wonder what kind of revenge Serene will have....

may I suggest a poisonous potion?

I think those soldiers are going to be missing a few things very precious to them...very soon...and if she doesn't do it, then Ryan will...when he gets to that time...

good update, but I feel really sorry for Serene.

May I suggest casting Evan's Spiked Tentacles of Forced Intrusion on them?

This post has been edited by BobV: Aug 18 2005, 12:18 PM

As ever, the grace and beauty of your writing enchant me, even when you write of terrible events. Your ability to draw 3-dimensional supporting characters is incredible. Here's another who hopes that Serene's "reform" of the Legion includes some rather direct (and painful) retaliation against certain individuals.

Agree with Trey, Minque your writing is great, as Trey said its really impressive how you can write so beautifull even with such terrible events that comes into the story!

Great job, more more moreeee!

I just logged on and saw you had updated....very nice as always Minque...very nice.

Poor Serene...I wanna see her revenge.

Awesome update. Really enjoyed the flow.

Though I´d post some pictures......

Serene and Shulki

Again


Just Serene


Yes yes.....an update will come...son

ooooh pretty nice robe were'd ya get it?

It´s The Robe of the Hortator , the mod origins from CanadianIce.....all my robes ingame are awesome in that version...

oh I see, now i think I will have a female theif next....

Disturbing to read your update, I must say. You write good as usual. I feel so sorry for Serene. I sure hope she will get even. In real life the perpetrators rarely get any repercussions or just a very short sentence. So unfair. That's why it feels good to see justice done in fiction or movies.

Hasn't Serene changed face and hair? I saw the first pictures in your thread with chapter one. I like the new face better. The new hair is really nice, too. I usually play as a female and really like the hair which you gave the 'first' Serene.

Ah Lucidarius! I assure you she will get her revenge....but in a female way....

Ah and of course she has changed her face! She has grown older and wiser since she arrived in Morrowind...

Here see this series:

Serene at home in Cyrodiil, at her 16th birthday

Here in Under Skar

And here after hallf a year at the training camp

And you know women? They like to change hairstyles sometimes....so be prepared she will change appearance again.....as the time goes by..

nice I like the hair style in the last pic better

Great to hear that - about the female way of getting even. Glad I'm not Larrius. He sure picked the wrong woman to victimize.

Regarding the three pics: They show a nice progression in Serene. She's starting out as a girl with freeflowing hair, then as she gets older and more seasoned her face changes. Finally, in the last pic, she's a woman now (young), but is able to hold her own and do what needs to be done.

I realise, to my horror, that it's been far too long since I complimented you on your excellent writing ~ this is a powerful and intriguing story and I, for one, can't wait to see future updates.