According to game Lore, Rashelle arrived on Vvardenfell on a prison ship as errr, a prisoner of the Empire. While she has met some Imperials that she likes very much, she's still got an anti-Imperial sentiment that sometimes influences her judgement. Recall also that she was going to visit these particular Nords about the matter of the ice so she was fairly sure that they were not the crazy attacking kind. Since her and Falco had already pieced together what was going on in regards to the stalhrim, Rashelle was fairly sure that this Imperial was up to no good.

All that said, I may have to go back and re-write that part a bit, to make her decision seem more obvious/logical. The game has a lone female Imperial assassin attacker so I had gone alone with that. Perhaps if I change this to a larger and more obviously "evil"/criminal group ... hmmm. Not sure. Will have to think about that.

EDIT: I have changed chapter 13. Now it is clearly shown to the reader that the Imperial woman is "the bad guy".


Heheheheheheh


It seemed a good idea at the time: it fit the flow and was plausible with that character.


minque:
Minque: every time I read an installment to your story, I imagine Rashelle tugging on my sleeve and saying things like: "I want to meet her! I want to help her!"

Alas, we can't have two Nerevarines in the same Morrowind and there is already one in Serene's universe. It's too bad, as I know that they would get along really well.


jack cloudy:
Well, you know that spotted owl will be kicked. And it will be well-deserved.

This post has been edited by blockhead: Jul 21 2007, 01:56 AM

We can´t? No I suppose not....but their children could meet....somewhere....

I wouldn't think them meetings would be too much of a problem, especially in minque's story. For example, both Trey, Sethyas, and Telina have had cameos in her story and all three of them are Nerevarine in their originator's story. Of course, I think Trey has been the only identified Nerevarine in minque's story, but that's besides the point!

Cameo it up!!!

Hmm Mallie , you got a point there. Trey is the Nerevarine in my story....Sethyas is the loyal friend of House Sarethi...I use him as the person he was before getting to that Nerevar-stuff, and I choose to interpret him as just that....(I´m sure Blackie won´t mind )

So really....maybe there´s a fat chance those two amazons really could meet!

Two words: Alternate reality.

Now I've reread that section of the story and it is certainly far less confusing. Plus you added an extra bit of information with the Ice-Nine bit. Which just makes me get another suspence induced stomach ache! I kind of feel guilty that my comment made you change it though... but then again, authors always change their rough drafts based on criticism anyway, so I guess I shouldn't.

Chapter 14. Hurt



Korst Wind-Eye led me into the Great Hall. Once inside, he led me to Tharsten Heart-Fang.

"Mighty chieftain; this outlander has completed the Rituals for all six Stones, and with the blessing of the All-Maker!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Most unexpected."

I waited.

"Rashelle the Outlander, I am very impressed. Truly you are not like the other outlanders."

I remained silent.

"You must now prove your wisdom."

Here it comes.

"I want you to investigate a crime."

Just so long as it does not involve pillows.

"Engar Ice-Mane has been accused of stealing wolf furs from Rigmor Halfhand. We Skaal live by hunting. This is a serious crime. If guilty, Engar will be either exiled or sacrificed to the wolves."

"Yuck!" As usual, I had said what was on my mind without thinking. It did not go over well.

"Outlander! The wolves are sacred to us. We hunt them for furs but we honor them. Wolves are one of the most blessed of the All-Maker's creations. They are fast and agile, and they are careful and clever hunters. This is an honorable death!"

"I am sorry. I will try to understand your ways better."

"Anyway, Engar denies the charges. He has already told me that if he is declared guilty, he chooses the wolves over the exile."

I did not understand why he would choose so, but I nodded.

"Learn what you can, gather the information, and make a wise judgment. The people of the Skaal will now consent to talk to you."

Again, I nodded.

Once outside, Korst Wind-Eye pointed to the Ice-Mane hut and to where Rigmor Halfhand lived. He then said "I must leave you now. I must not influence your judgment."

"I understand."

He walked away, most likely to return to his own hut.

Deciding to speak to the accuser first, I went to the hut of Rigmor Halfhand and knocked on the door. It was answered by a Nord man in furs. His beard did not match the color of his blond hair: most odd.

"I have been sent by the chieftain to investigate the theft of the furs. May I speak to you?"

"Come in, lass."

The most remarkable thing I noticed upon entering his hut were the shelves, packed with books. Where had he gotten so many books out here in Solstheim?

He saw the direction of my gaze and said; "I trade with outlanders. I go to Thirsk, sometimes to the fort, and trade furs for books."

"Most impressive," I said. I wondered if my bear fur, which I had ended up using for sleeping rather than wearing, came from this man?

"I was told that Engar Ice-Mane stole some of your wolf furs?"

"Yes, he did. He has always been a valuable member of the Skaal ... but, he is not a caring man. He leaves his lovely wife for weeks at a time while on the hunt. He probably stole my furs because he wasn't able to provide enough for his family. Such a sad story.

"I can't understand why he would do such a thing. We of the Skaal give to each according to need. If Ice-Mane had asked for more furs, they would have been provided. But, instead, he stole them from my home. It is difficult to explain. I feel sorry for his lovely wife, who will be left all alone."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Risi Ice-Main is a beautiful woman, deserving of better than her husband. If I were her mate, she would lead a much better life."

A wariness came over me, a suspicion.

I asked him a few more questions and almost did not pay attention to the answers. I bid him good day and departed.

I went to the Ice-Mane hut.

Risi Ice-Main was dressed in furs like many of the Skaal, but was barefoot. Even at home she wore a Nordic silver mace. She had shoulder length brown hair.

"I have been asked by the chieftain to investigate a crime that your husband has been accused of."

"An outlander? Well, I guess you are certainly going to be impartial!"

I smiled.

"Engar is a man of honor, so he would not steal any furs. We want for nothing, so he has not even a need to steal! I cannot imagine what would drive Rigmor to make such an accusation. Perhaps he is jealous of my husband, and these charges are meant to disgrace him."

"Muthsera ... why would he be jealous?"

"Rigmor is a man of learning. He may even have more books than the shaman. He is intelligent, but is not well liked by most of us. He had been a good friend to me until this accusation. We had spent ... some time together."

Her face hardened.

"But now he has decided to ruin my family."

"The chieftain told me that your husband has chosen to be sacrificed to the wolves rather than be exiled."

"This is true. The Spirit must live on. I understand the concept. Still, I cannot bear the thought of my husband being eaten by the Caenlorn. It is too much!"

"Caenlorn?"

"The Caenlorn are sacred wolves, blessed by our shaman. They are powerful with the Spirit, and by consuming the flesh of the warrior, that Spirit lives on in another life. It is considered an honorable way to die."

I nodded.

"Exile is a horrible fate, but I would rather see my husband exiled than dead. He does not see it that way, though."

"Is exile so bad?" I asked.

"To be exiled is to live without the Skaal family. None of the Skaal will speak to an exile. They will not aid him, even if encountered far from the Skaal village. Such a man no longer exists. One who has been exiled wanders aimlessly through this life without the Spirit to guide them. It is said that they are outside the Oneness of the land."

I'd managed to do so for my entire life, but I did not voice this thought. I still did not understand why exile from the Skaal was so awful. I only knew that the Skaal were raised to believe that it was so.

"Where is your husband?"

"Outside. Though accused of this crime, he is allowed to roam freely, save that if he leaves the village, he cannot come back."

It made sense, if one accepted the premise that exile was bad.

She described him. I thanked her and went outside.

I soon found a man that matched her description. He was wearing wolf armor, almost all black. There was a longsword at his side. From seeing only the grip and hilt, I guessed it to be a Nordic silver blade. Such blades are a form of silver that has been somehow hardened. While not approaching the toughness of Ebony, they are still effective blades.

His hair was long and a dark brown in color. On his face were some of those blue markings that Nords sometimes paint. Originally they were worn only into battle but it seems that over time it has become another form of fashion, worn all of the time. Or perhaps maybe he wore the paint as a reaction to his current situation.

"Excuse me, are you Engar Ice-Mane?"

"Yes lass, I am he."

"I have been sent to investigate the theft of Rigmor's furs."

"I know what I am accused of," said Engar, "and I know that it is a lie! I have no need for the furs of Rigmor Halfhand. I am a Skaal warrior. My honor and the honor of the Skaal are my life. But I will bear this injustice as any warrior should ... with dignity."

Spoken like a member of House Redoran ... my House. My gut feeling was that this man was actually innocent. I was sure that the chieftain would need more than that before accepting any judgment.

"I understand that you have already chosen to be sacrificed to the wolves."

"If a warrior must be executed, it is the preferred way to die. The wolves will cycle the Spirit, that I may live again in a different form. However, I do not deserve this."

I bid him good day and walked aimlessly around the village. I spoke to a few randomly chosen people. As the chieftain had said, they were now all willing to talk to me: word had gotten around quickly.

All who I spoke to said that Engar was a valiant warrior, not a thief. Many found it impossible to imagine that he would be capable of such a crime. Some were of the opinion that Rigmor had been spending too much time at the Ice-Mane's hut whenever Engar was away. This last added to my growing suspicion.

Though the Korst Wind-Eye had wanted to avoid speaking to me of this matter, I needed his insight. He was a perceptive man and he might have noticed something that the others had missed. I knocked on his door.

"Lass," he said as he opened the door, "I do not want to influence your judgment."

"Fine. Don't. Just answer my questions."

He smiled. "OK then."

"Tell me of Rigmor."

"Rigmor has never been a warrior, but he has distinguished himself many times as a clever, clever man. He is a bit rash, and I fear his sharp wit and quick temper may have prevented him from ever finding a mate among the Skaal. Still, he has been a valuable member of the community. Over time, if he gains wisdom, he could become a shaman."

"And Engar?"

"Lass, I should not speak, but I feel that he did not do this. He is an honorable man. He would have asked for the wolf furs had he needed them. I feel bad for his wife, Risi. She will be heart-broken if he is found to be guilty. You should speak to her. She knows him well."

"I already have."

I thanked him and departed. I needed evidence. I had a conclusion but no solid way of making a final judgment. A man's life was in my hands: I did not want to be mistaken.

I returned to the Ice-Mane hut and talked to Risi again. I walked around the hut as I talked. I needed something, some bit of a clue; something to tell me what was really going on. It was just too bad that there was no way to get her to leave the hut. I had to keep up my end of the conversation so that she did not realize that I was searching.

Something was peeking out from under the pillow on the bed. Not exactly the most clever of hiding places, really. Quick as thought, I snatched it. It was a piece of paper, with writing on it.

Risi started to say something and I put my hand out and said "Silence!"

Her hand touched the handle of her mace. My eyes warned her not to use it.

I read the note aloud.

"Dearest Risi. Why will you not see me? You know how I feel, and I know you feel the same about me. Please, simply consent to speak to me. Just a word, a moment with you, would ease my soul. If I cannot be with you, I will have to resort to something drastic.

"Please, consider your feelings. Your husband is a lout, away for weeks at a time, with no consideration for your needs. I have always been there for you, and I always will be. We should be together, dear Risi."

Risi was silent. The note was not signed.

"This is from Rigmor, isn't it?"

She nodded.

"W-we had an affair," she stammered. "His words can be like honey. I broke it off. He could not accept that. It may be the reason he has brought these accusations against my husband."

"You think?"

Her face reddened.

I left.

My next stop was Rigmor's hut.

"You had an affair with Risi," I said in my usual unsubtle fashion.

"Nonsense."

"There is a note that you wrote to her. I have read it."

He swore and then said: "I only wanted the woman! Why did that fool have to choose the wolves? He could have simply left, and she and I could have been together forever!"

I waited.

"It has all gone wrong."

I remained silent. He sighed.

"You know my crime, and I know you must tell Heart-Fang. Let us go to him now, and I will accept my fate."

"After you."

We walked to the great hall. Rigmor said nothing. I said nothing. He did not try to escape.

We entered the Great Hall and approached Heart-Fang.

Rigmor spoke: "Chieftain: I falsely accused Engar Ice-Main of the theft. He is innocent."

The chieftain remained silent.

"I-I did it because I wanted Risi. I had hoped to have Engar exiled so I could be with her."

"Swine."

He looked down at the floor.

The chieftain turned to me and said; "Did you force him to say this?"

Wordlessly, I took the note from my pack and handed it to him.

He read it, and said, "Rigmor, this is your handwriting. You are guilty."

Rigmor nodded.

"Rashelle," said the chieftain, "you have successfully discovered the truth. An innocent man has been saved and the real criminal has been revealed."

I said nothing.

"This cannot go unpunished. You must choose the sentence for Rigmor, exile or the wolves?"

"Engar got to choose. Rigmor does not get to?"

"No Rashelle, he does not! You will choose!"

Oh.

I could ask for time to consult with members of the Skaal, but I already knew what the consensus would be: the Skaal all believed that being eaten by wolves was the lesser punishment.

Rigmor's eyes met mine. At times like this I wished that I could read minds ... but I think I knew what he wanted.

"Rigmor is to die an honorable warrior's death. He is to be sacrificed to the Caenlorn."

"So be it," said the chieftain. "It is better than he deserves."

I said nothing.

"You must witness the sentence being carried out, Rashelle. If you would judge us, you must also see the results of your judgment."

Though I did not like this, there was a grim sort of logic to it. I nodded.

The chieftain led us outside and then to an empty circular paddock. Korst Wind-Eye was already there: he was standing by the gate, which was open. His Seer ability had brought him here early, I guessed.

Rigmor entered the paddock. A crowd was forming.

"My fellow Skaal, the outlander Rashelle has determined that Engar Ice-Main is innocent."

There was a cheer.

"She has also determined that the accusation was falsely made by Rigmor Halfhand for his own purposes."

There was a grumbling.

"Rigmor is to be sacrificed to the wolves."

Korst closed the gate.

The chieftain nodded to the shaman. Korst cast a spell and three wolves appeared in the pen. Rigmor held his ground bravely. He screamed in pain as they tore into his flesh. It hurt to watch. I was sickened, but I held to my promise and I did not look away. They killed him and they fed on him. The conjured wolves then disappeared.

"Justice has been carried out. The will of the All-Maker has been done," proclaimed the chieftain.

To me, he said: "Rashelle, I will have another test for you at a later time."

I had to leave: I had to get out of there. I wanted to run.

"Rashelle, I would invite you to dinner at the Great Hall, but I sense that you would rather leave. This is fine. Come back when you are ready."

I fled. I couldn't take it any more.

I tend to like Nords, usually. I generally get along with them rather well, but ... at times ... they have moments of utter savagery ... flashes of bizarre and entirely strange thought processes. I knew what Rigmor had wanted this death, but still I was horrified.

South across the ice and snow I ran. Ironically, a pack of wolves set upon me. I fought them with fire and with my claymore and then continued to run.

After a few more minutes I stopped. I had run in almost a state of panic from the Skaal village. There been no thought in my mind but to simply get away. Now I was away. I took a few breaths and my rationality returned to me. My head was clearer: it was time for me to decide what to do next.

The sky was beginning to darken, twilight was approaching. I could Recall to Raven Rock: just one cast and I would be there, amongst civilized people, but I hesitated. I could also use an Intervention spell to instantly teleport to the fort, but I had no business there, no new progress to report.

I then realized why I had been running due south the entire time: unconsciously I had been heading for Thirsk. I wanted to be with friendly people. I did not want to be amongst people who thought it was great to be eaten alive by wolves. I needed comfort. Perhaps I would even try mead: I needed a drink ... or something.

The spot where I was standing was familiar: I had probably traveled this way at least once on the way from Thirsk to the Skaal village. Also familiar was the skull. It was resting in the snow, where I had placed it the the other day ... during my first journey to the Skaal village. I felt sad for the skull. Whoever they had been in life, they had intended that their bones would remain in that barrow: they had certianly not expected that the Imperials would come in and disturb the tomb. I was sure that they would not have wanted some Breton to leave their skull on the ground. I brushed the snow off the skull and placed it in my pack: I would find a better resting place for it.

At a slower pace, I continued my way south, towards Thirsk.

When I reached sight of the mead hall, I could see that there were people outside. Some held torches. Some were not standing. In the light of the torches, I could see blood on the snow. Something bad had happened. I started running.

Svenja was by the entrance to the mead hall. She was not standing.

"Svenja!" I shouted. Had she been killed?

I reached her and crouched next to her. I poured healing magic into her. She was curled up almost in a ball. She was crying and from the look of her face, had been for some time.

I looked up at the people near me. They all looked uncertain as to what to do.

Svenja continued to weep. I had healed her with my spells but there was a hurt inside that I could not cure.

"What happened?" I demanded.

"We were attacked," said one of the men. "A great beast came from the lake. It was horrible. It killed half of us and it destroyed the inside of the hall. We tried to fight it but we were like insects to it. It threw Svenja like a rag-doll. It killed the chieftain and dragged his corpse off, back to the lake."

I sat down, next to her, on the ground. It was more comfortable.

"What of Svenja?"

"I do not know. We carried her out of the building with the other wounded and she's been like this ever since. She has never been this way before. She is among the toughest of us."

"I will go and slay this creature. What is it?"

"it's an Udyrfrykte. It is a savage ape-like creature with glowing green eyes. It is incredibly strong and fast."

With a surprising speed, Svenja uncurled herself and put put her arms around my waist. "DON'T GO." she screamed.

"Svenja, I have to kill this creature. It will only come again if I do not."

Her grip tightened and I was glad I was wearing a cuirass as I would have had trouble breathing, otherwise. "Please don't go, don't go! Don't leave meeee!"

She wailed louder than before. My friend hurt: I would not leave her.

"OK, Svenja. I will not go after the creature right now."

She continued to sob, though not as loudly.

"I need to heal the other wounded. Let go."

She did not.

"Some of your people are wounded. They might die. Let me heal them. I will be right back. I promise."

She shook her head and sobbed.

"I promise!"

She released her grip.

I attended to the wounded. using potions and spells depending on the severity of their injuries.

"Are you going to rebuild?" I asked one of the men.

"Aye lass, but Svenja is the one who would normally coordinate something like this."

"I see. She effectively ran the place, didn't she?"

"Yes."

"OK. Look: I'm appointing you in charge of taking care of everyone. You can't all live here, so those with homes elsewhere can maybe put up a Thirskian or whatever you all yourselves for the night. Then you get someone to gather firewood and keep a fire or two going for the people who will still be sleeping here, since they will have to sleep outside."

"Aye, less."

The chieftain was dead, and Svenja was not in any condition to lead ... so, for now, the people of Thirsk were following my orders.

"Hey," said a loud voice that I can only describe as ... buzzing. I turned to see an unexpected sight: a Breton man. Aside from Marisa and myself, he was the first non-Nord I had seen in Thirsk. Despite this, I took an instant dislike to him.

"Is she all right?" he continued in that overly loud voice. He pointed to Svenja.

Of course, everything is fine. Thirsk gets attacked every day. Svenja always cries. No, she's not all right, you clueless fetcher.

I actually suppressed my sarcastic remark and instead I simply gave him my Look. He scurried away. Stupid s'wit.

I returned to Svenja. "I am back. Sleep now: I'll be watching over you."

From my pack I took my sleeping fur and put it on her.

Eventually my friend's sobbing faded away and, curled up on the snow beside the entrance to Thirsk, she fell asleep. I remained awake and watched over her.

At some point during the night, she woke up and in a strange small voice said: "I gotta go."

I helped her up and led her away from the hall. I stood guard. She did not say anything else. When she was done, I led her back. I tried to lead her to one of the fires, where it was warmer, but she tugged on my hand and silently walked to her spot by the mead hall entrance. I tried to speak to her but she was mute. Her eyes stared into a distant infinity that was not of this world. The attack had shocked her badly. I hoped that this was not a permanent state. She curled up and went back to sleep again: maybe more sleep would help. I covered her with the fur again. The night was cold, even for me, but I endured it and stayed with her.

The rest of that long night passed without incident. Through it, I remained awake: I would catch up on my sleep some other time. I worried about what had happened to my friend. Would she ever recover her wits?

Dawn and dusk are the two times of Azura, so when the sky began to lighten, I silently prayed to Azura. I prayed for Svenja. Normally I am not a religious person, but Azura was real and I knew her.

Svenja's eyes opened.

"Good morning, sunshine," I said.

"Rashelle," she said in her normal voice, "thank you."

Svenja was back.

This post has been edited by blockhead: Jul 25 2007, 01:57 AM

Excellent depiction of the crime investigation and the beginning of the Thirsk attack. Nice to see Svenja is ok.

Oh no....it´s impossible! A man cannot go by the name of Rigmor!!! That is...and will certainly remain a female name! An old scandinavian female name. One of my colleagues at my former job at the candle factory is called Rigmor. I will not accept a male by that name! And Rash shouldn´t either!

Svenja is kinda odd as well, the shorter form Sven is a male name, hrrmmm but I guess it will pass as acceptable..

Anyway I wish Rash good luck with her forthcoming tasks!

Well, that was... most disturbing.

Well minque, don't forget that there technically aren't any scandinavians in Tamriel

Oh I know! but the whole setting is inspired by scandinavia! Besides....Rigmor is a female name anyway! They could at least check things like that! It hurts my scandinavian soul....

Well, there are names which can work for either gender. Like my real name for instance...... I'm not going to tell you guys it though.

Oh aye..like Kim for instance! But not Rigmor! neverrrrrrrrr

I am sorry ... but his name is Rigmor in the game. I don't know the rules for Scandinavian/Swedish names (and neither does Bethesda?) so I had no idea that thing was wrong.

This is no worse than man named Joleen. That is a female name, at least according to a country western song I heard.

As an aside, while researching "real" Nordic folklore[1] for the Fryse Hag[2] subplot, I found that some of what Bethesda used for Nord "lore", is actually taken from Irish/Celtic & Anglo-Saxon myths. This leads me to think that, from the beginning, the MW Nord culture was never proper Scandinavian ... so expect some names (as well as other stuff) to be bad/improper/whatever. For example: I still don't know why "Grendel" got changed to "Udyrfrykte".


--
[1] wikipedia for teh win!
[2] The closest "real" thing to MW Fryse Hags are the Valkyre(I probably spelled that wrong, you know what I mean) or the Norn(s), but those are not Mortal and the Hags are. I ended up having to make up some stuff to explain their story.

This post has been edited by blockhead: Jul 26 2007, 12:23 AM

Is it Ashley? I bet it's Ashley!

I know a guy named Shannon. Well, not really know, since I haven't ever really talked to him but... well the point is there's a guy named Shannon.

After reading page one for now, I must say - an excelent bit of writting. The humor doesn't seem out-of-place, and the story is good. Can't say more, yet to read other pages. Don't have the time now, though. But I have a feeling page 2 won't be disappointing.

Leslie, Alexis, Dana, and Adrian are some other unisex names. My money is on Adrian for Lord Revans real name.

Kim is not, nor was it ever anything but a woman's name. Rigmor SOUNDS like a guys name. Sorry but it just does, in english anyways it combines the words of "Rig' meaning to set up in a physical or verbal sense, and the word 'more' which means,...'more' and guys always love to rig more.

*Darth Vadar voice* Gimme my money, Black Hand! *Maniacal laughter in the background**

Excuse me, that was my subconscious: the part of me that wants to monologue all the time....... My name starts with a "C" and has seven letters, that's as much as I'm going to tell you. *More maniacal laughter*

This post has been edited by Lord Revan: Jul 26 2007, 11:29 PM

Cecelia?

......... No, ok, I'm a guy. I think that's an awkward name to give a male.