The Talendor Chronicles, Part One Options

[TheOtherRick]

AUTHORS NOTE AND DISCLAIMER

This is my first attempt at fan fiction. I am not a writer, by profession or hobby. At least it wasn't a hobby until now. We'll see where that goes. So since I am not a writer, grammatical and spelling errors may slip past the spell-check from time to time. Please feel free to point them out so that I may make the proper edits.

I have read very little fan fiction, which is to say that I have not finished reading any story that I started reading...yet. But starting to read a few has put a flow in my creative juices. (Go Buffy!) Any similarity to any other fan fiction posted in this or any other forum is purely coincidental, with one exception. I have posted this story on another site. I am posting it here because I would like feedback, and I am not getting any at the other site. The readers here seem to post more feedback than readers at the other site. I'm not trying to be a glory hound, and I encourage constructive criticism.

The story is a gameplay narrative. It starts in the 3rd person for the prologue only, the rest will be in 1st person. It is not a walk-through of the Main Quest. However, as it is a gameplay narrative, so readers will have to plod through the tutorial section much as I had to plod through while writing it. The tutorial is essential for character development, as you will see. The posts will be relatively short so that the reader will not have to wade through miles of text per post. To keep them short, I am going to borrow Acadian's chapter numbering system (1.1, 1.2, etc.) so I don't end up with three digit chapter numbers.

I hope you will enjoy...The Talendor Chronicles

Post Script - I have already screwed up. Instead of putting "Authors Note and Disclaimer" in the subject line, it should read "Part One". Is there a way to change that?

Post Script #2 - The first four installments after the Prologue are way too long. This was a rookie mistake and has been rectified Beginning with Chapter 3. I apologize for the long posts, but I promise you'll be glad you slogged through them.

This post has been edited by TheOtherRick: Feb 5 2011, 02:00 AM

[TheOtherRick]

Chapter 2.2 – Finding My Way

I replaced the book on the shelf in the hallway where I had found it. It wasn’t mine after all, and I didn’t need to be accused of stealing it. Hopefully no one would notice that I had kept the map. I headed down stairs and out to the street. The afternoon sun was lowering in the western sky and was starting to give an orange cast to the buildings. I went to the weapon shop. Rohssan greeted me with a smile when I walked in. I went straight to the counter.

“I am back to purchase this sword. How much did you say it was?” I said, lifting the fine iron longsword.

“That will cost you 126 Septims.”

“I’ll take it.”

I counted the gold coins onto the counter, keeping it in stacks of ten so I wouldn’t lose count. When I finished, she held the end of her blacksmith’s apron up and dragged the pile toward her with her other arm. The coins cascaded over the edge of the counter into her apron.

“Thank you very much. I think you will find that an excellent weapon, if you take care of it. You do know how to take care of it, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” I lied, “But perhaps you know techniques that I am unaware of. Could you show me what you know?”

“Teaching ain’t free, Bosmer, but I’ll show you a thing or two for, let’s say, fifty gold. What do you say?”

Reluctantly, I agreed and paid her fifty more gold pieces. She picked up an old rusty sword and showed me some general repair techniques, including how to use what she called a “repair hammer”. As luck would have it, I had found one of these hammers back in the underground and had not sold it yet.

“You will get better at it with practice.” She said, “To keep that sword in good condition, always make sure you are carrying a few repair hammers with you. I see that you have but one. Would you care to buy a few more? I have plenty.”

She showed me a case of them and said they cost 31 Septims each. I looked at my dwindling supply of cash and decided against it. She shrugged and said, “Suit yourself. Now if you don’t mind, I have work to do. Good day, Bosmer.”

I clipped the scabbard to my belt, thanked Rohssan, and left the shop. When I got outside, I pulled the sword from its scabbard, swung it a few times in a figure eight motion and acted out a couple of thrusts.

“Don’t hurt yourself with that thing, Bosmer,” A guard said as he passed behind me. Then he laughed heartily and continued on his patrol. Embarrassed, I resheathed the sword and started walking. I remembered seeing a book store earlier and set out to find it. Perhaps it would have a copy of the book I had read. When I reached the four way intersection in the center of the district, I glanced to my left and there it was. “The First Edition” the sign read. Across the street from it was another shop called “The Copious Coinpurse”. With such an interesting name, I decided to check out that shop first.

I entered the shop and was delighted to find that this shop was also owned by a Wood Elf. He was only the second one I had seen, though he did not seem to notice me. As I walked to the counter, I noticed an inscription on it. “Copious Coinpurse. The shop where your purse is just as full after you buy!" it read. The Wood Elf was studying what appeared to by an inventory sheet of some kind. I cleared my throat to get his attention.

“Well hello there. Thoronir is the name. What kind of deal can I make for you today?” he said with a smile that appeared less than genuine.

“I am trying to find a copy of ‘A Guide to the Imperial City’. You wouldn’t by chance have one, would you?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. It can be yours for the low, low price of 2 pieces of gold.”

“That does sound like a bargain. I’ll take it, thank you,” I replied. This would save me from having to go to the book store.

Thoronir walked over to a shelf along the wall filled with books. He thumbed through them for a moment, mumbling to himself as he searched.

“Ah. Here it is,” he said, pulling an exact replica of the book I had read earlier from the shelf. When he returned to the counter, I asked if he was familiar with the area outside of the city walls.

“I don’t get out of the city much, but I do know a little. Why?”

“I need to get to Chorrol, but I am from far away and do not know anything about this area,” I replied with a partial truth.

“Here from Valenwood are you?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“Yes. Valenwood. That’s right," I agreed with a lie, "Can you help me?”

Please don’t ask me any questions about Valenwood.

“Ah, Valenwood,” he paused and sighed, “I really must get there one day.”

I tensed, preparing to lie on the fly when he pressed me about Valenwood. He shook his head slightly as if to regain focus on the moment.

“Yes, Chorrol,” he continued, “There are four ways to get to Chorrol. You can walk. You can buy a horse and ride. You can procure transportation by horse drawn coach at Chestnut Handy Stables. The fourth method is probably not available to you, unless you happen to be a mage.” He paused. “Are you a mage?”

“No.”

“Then I won’t bother with telling you about the portals at the Mage’s Guild Halls,” he said.

“Where might Chestnut Handy Stables be located?” I asked.

“It’s right outside the city’s main gate, on the west side, through the Talos Plaza District.”

He gave me directions to the west gate. I gave him the two gold pieces and an extra one for his help regarding Chorrol.

“Thanks. I’ll try not to spend it in one place. Come back again,” he said with a touch of unmistakable sarcasm.

The sun had set while I was in The Copious Coinpurse. A waxing moon had risen and was trying to add its light to that of the street lamps. I made two more quick stops before heading back to the inn for a meal. “Three Brothers Trade Goods” to purchase a proper satchel and a return to Rindir’s because I had noticed that he had a variety of hoods to sell. I settled on a teal colored one that Rindir called a mages hood. It was very light and comfortable, much more so than the fur helmet I had bought from Maro Rufus. My tasks completed, I started walking back to the inn. I planned on getting an early start for Chorrol in the morning. The common room at the inn was starting to fill with dinner customers as I entered. I ordered some mutton and radish pie and a bottle of ale. I sat in the corner, not feeling confident enough yet to mingle with the other patrons.

When I finished eating, I sat back and enjoyed my bottle of ale. It was very refreshing on the heels of what I considered to be a successful day. I still didn’t know who I was, but I had managed to keep everyone else from finding out as well. Pouring the last of the ale down my throat, I rose, tipped the kitchen helper a gold piece as he cleared my table, and went up to my room. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day of travel and new places.

* * *

I had dressed in my armor, quiver slung over my left shoulder and bow snugged in behind it. My sword hung in its scabbard on my left side, clipped to the harness of my cuirass. I found the easiest way to carry my shield was to just wear it on my left forearm. My satchel was loaded with my clothing, my remaining bottles of healing potion, the repair hammer, a small amount of food, the mortar and pestle, and a couple of torches. A separate pocket inside the satchel held my coin purse and The Amulet of Kings. (Thoronir gave the coin purses away as a promotion for his business.) The satchel strap was over my left shoulder, allowing the bag to hang on my right side. A backpack would have been preferable, but there were none to be found. Still, the satchel held an amazing amount items. With everything loaded, there was room to spare. The two breast pockets of my cuirass held my lock picks in one and my map in the other.

Equipped this way, I walked out of the inn into bright morning sunshine. The air was brisk, and while I could see no frost, my breath came out in steamy puffs that vanished in the breeze as quickly as they formed. Remembering the directions that Thoronir gave me, I made my way toward the Talos Plaza District and the west gate of the city. Upon entering the Imperial Greenway, I was awestruck once again by the sheer size of the tower that rose from the city center. The Imperial Palace, I had learned from Alessia Ottus’ text, was built ages before the current tenants occupied it. How something so old and so tall could remain standing for so long was beyond me.

The Greenway itself was a broad stone walkway that made a complete circle. Inside the circle was the Imperial Palace. Walkways branched out from the Greenway like spokes on a wheel, one going to each of the six districts that made up the outer ring of the city. Between the spokes were six well maintained cemeteries. Thoronir had said to go right at the Greenway and then to follow the second walkway on my right into the Talos Plaza District. Entering the district through large wood and iron gates, it was immediately apparent that this portion of the city housed the wealthiest of its citizens. I only saw one business sign as I passed through the plaza in the district center, The Tiber Septim Hotel. I assumed that the rest of the buildings were residences.

I paused at the city’s west gate. It had taken me most of the morning to walk the distance from the inn to the gate. I stared at it and took a deep breath. I had found the city to be a place of safety after it seemed that this entire land was trying to kill me. But I had to get rid of this amulet. Just possessing it had to be dangerous. I hadn’t dared to let anyone know I had it. A guard looking as if he were about to speak was the last motivation I needed and I left Imperial City.

Outside of the city, the main road started immediately downhill and led to a bridge several score times more massive than the one I had crossed two nights ago. Just a few yards down the road on the right hand side was a cart path that led to what Thoronir told me would be Chestnut Handy Stables. He said to ask for Tappius Velvus, and that I couldn’t miss him because he always wore the most garish blue outfits. I walked toward the stable and saw a man clad in a bright blue velvet blouse and breeches. Garish was an understatement.

“Are you Tappius Velvus?” I asked, even though I already knew this must be him.

“Indeed I am sir,” he replied, and then just stared at me.

“Um, I am looking to hire a coach.”

“Well why didn’t you say so? Where might we be traveling to today?”

“Chorrol,” I said.

“The Black Road it is then. That will be 10 Septims, in advance please. Come on around the side here. You can load your belongings in --- “

“I’d prefer to keep my things with me, if that is okay.”

He looked me up and down for a moment, and then said, “Suit yourself.”

He opened the door to the coach and pulled down a retractable step, then held out his hand expectantly. I shrugged, took his hand and used it for leverage to enter the coach. I didn’t need his help, but it looked like he was offering. I realized I was mistaken when Tappius cleared his throat with his hand still extended.

“Oh,” I nervously chuckled, fishing out ten coins and placing them in his waiting hand, “sorry.”

He nodded and closed the door. Telling the driver that this fare was headed to Chorrol and imploring him not to dawdle, Tappius sent us on our way. As soon as we were on the main road, I heard a whip crack and we jolted forward so fast that I was thrown back in my seat. We were racing at breakneck speed, the staccato clack of the horse’s shoes on the stone settling into a rhythmic thrum. As we reached the bridge, I leaned to look out the window. I had learned from my map that Imperial City was actually located on an island in the middle of a large lake called Lake Rumare. Seeing the city this way from beyond its walls reaffirmed the immense size of it.

The road became much rougher once we were off of the bridge. I had to brace myself to keep from being beaten to death by the walls and ceiling. My head made contact with the roof more than once. The driver maintained this pace for the entire journey. I could swear we rounded curves with the coach being on only two wheels several times. The only time we slowed was when we met other traffic on the road. These were usually guards patrolling on horseback. One woman on a black horse actually passed us! But due to having to brace myself throughout the entire ride, I didn’t get to see much of the countryside. There was an occasional low stone building with a thatched roof. At one point we passed through what appeared to be a round stone building that had no roof. The landscape was forested hills with some pasture land.

We finally began to slow enough for me to look outside again. On our right was another low stone farmhouse with a thatched roof. Then just a little further, we passed what looked like a church and a large manor house with a slate roof. The coach slowed further and I could see a tall stone wall with ramparts and battlements. The coach slowed even more and came to a stop. How far we had traveled I could not gauge due to the insane speed we maintained, combined with the many curves in the road. A neatly dressed gentleman opened the door and lowered the step.

“I hope you had a pleasant journey sir,” the man said as I got out of the coach. My muscles were sore from trying to avoid death by bouncing.

“It was very pleasant,” I lied.

“Just follow the main road there to the south gate. Welcome to Chorrol.”

This post has been edited by TheOtherRick: Jan 26 2011, 02:02 PM