Light through Darkness, You asked for it, so here you go. Options

[Thomas Kaira]

It's getting close to Christmas, and I'll be away on Holiday to New York for a few days, so I decided to post this now so that you know I am at work. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Black and White

The suffocating darkness was broken only by the soft blue glows of unnaturally luminescent crystals. The high vaulted ceilings may have leant a feeling of grandeur before, but now felt strangely claustrophobic, as if the walls would close in and crush you at any moment. I was gliding softly through the blackness, guided only by the winking blue lights, following them through what seemed a maze of corridors and passageways.

Suddenly, the walls opened, and in front of me stood a grand chamber, it would have been spectacular had it not been so sinister. The entire chamber was bathed in red light, and strange, black figures were moving about, neither knowing nor caring where their feet carried them. In the center stood a high raised platform, and there another figure stood, emblazoned in armor that seemed sucked the light in from around him, and I was moving towards him. Try as I might, I could not fight the savage need to know whom this man was. I wanted to cry out, scream for help, but my tongue had become iron.

Closer…closer…ever closer I inched, feeling the icy metal flood to my limbs. The figure turned to face me, his eyes glowed a fiery red…


----



Ice cold sweat drenched my face as my head soared from my pillow, my breathing shallow and ragged. Feeling something in my hand, I looked down to see my steel dagger in my hand… how did it get there? Did I pull it out of my pack in my slumber?

I dropped the dagger to the floor, returning my head to the pillow. All a dream, I thought, just a dream, another dream. Calm down Derelas, it’s nothing to worry about. Old news.


----


The Imperial City was only half a day’s journey from Wawnet Inn, as the publican told me over breakfast. Just follow the high street out of town to the Great West Bridge over Lake Rumare, and follow the road from there straight to the gates. It was a lovely clear day outside, and the bridge was not hard to find when I left, the white marble spires framing the road practically burned new holes in my eyes.

The morning bustle was only just beginning as I made my way forth. A balding fisherman was making his way home with his morning catch of some of the biggest Slaughterfish I’ve ever seen. Many of the travelers who slept the night here were gathering their horses and pack mules to continue on to wherever it was they were going. Many others still were filing into the small stores nearby. It was a simple, yet elegant, vista of pastoral harmony.

Forcing my eyes away from the scene, I directed my feet toward the Great Blinding Bridge and made a silent note to thank Y’ffre if I could still see after crossing.

The bridge led to a switchback road up the steep incline of the Imperial Isle, many rocks blocking my view of the city proper. It was just after midday when I finally crested the hill. I was greeted with… more whitewashed walls. It might have been an awe-inspiring sight had I been able to see anything at all, but I ended up having to walk the whole rest of the way with my arm up shielding my eyes because of how brightly polished the marble was. I know this city is supposed to be the shining beacon of the Empire and all, but wow... you think you might be taking this a bit too far? I was quite thankful to finally reach the gates proper, just to be able to see again.

Once I closed distance with the walls, though, the blinding marble gave way to gray granite. Still not to be outdone, the stone was impeccably carved and rose into an imposing Gothic archway housing a raised portcullis and a well-polished bronze gate flanked by two men in flashy steel armor, flaming red feather plumes rising from their helmets… Imperial Legion Centurions.

“Welcome to Cyrodiil City.” One of them voiced to me. They then marched in unison to the great bronze doors and threw them open with an impressive flourish. “Enjoy your stay, citizen.”

I passed through the gates to a scene unlike I’d ever seen before. Instead of the peaceful maritime bustle of Weye, here it was an outright cacophony of voices, footsteps, shrieks, and hoof beats as people large and small jostled this way and that about their daily lives. The huge crowd, from the super-rich in fine linens to the street urchins with no more than stained sack cloth, pattered every which way you could think of past white marble buildings so tall they seemed to wall away the sky. Such a dizzying sight made me begin to wonder if I could ever find the Arcane at all, so I ducked into a shaded back street to pull out my map.

“Looking for something, citizen?” A passing legionary inquired.

“Yes, I’m looking for the Arcane University.” I responded, hoping this guy might be able to make some sense out of this madhouse.

“You’re in Talos Plaza," the legionary told me, indicating a gold sign nearby:

“Talos Plaza. IMPERIVM AD VITAM AETERNAM”

“Just follow Septim Way through Talos Plaza, take a right on Green Emperor Way, follow it around until you reach Stendarr Loop, and it will take you straight to the University.”

Follow who-da, take a right on what-da until I reach where-da? Thankfully, the guard noticed my blank look and handed me a new map, this time of the city itself, and noted everything he told me on it.

“Thanks.”

“We’re here to serve.” The guard brought two fingers to his helmet in salute before clanking away. I started to wonder why guards weren’t this helpful all the time, given my experience at the customs office on my way in from Valenwood, but soon did a double take. This was the Imperial City, after all. The Empire does have an image to maintain.

It took another hour just to find Green Emperor Way. I got lost twice in the crowds and at one point found myself filing my way down Septim Ave. rather than Septim Way, causing me to mumble curses under my breath for the Empire’s shameless lack of originality as I turned back. I eventually fought my way through the chaos of Talos Plaza, and the astounding noise of the crowd died instantly as I crossed the threshold of Green Emperor Way, giving way to a subdued, formal silence, and I felt a strange, liquid-like sensation pass over my skin, probably a spell to help keep the noise out.

“Please show your respect for the Imperial Palace by keeping your voice down.” A guard in blazing white armor decorated with dragons told me as I entered, and I joined the now near-silent crowd making their way along the road. Most of the time my view of White Gold Tower was blocked by the many high-rising buildings, mostly fine hotels and apartments for the city’s wealthiest citizens surrounding the Palace Road, but every so often I would pass a colossal iron gate barring the way to the Palace proper, and was able to steal a glance of the immense structure beyond the veil. It seemed to rise forever towards the heavens, perhaps ascending to touch the face of Aetherius itself, the marble walls were so well polished and maintained it was no wonder I was blinded on my way in, and almost completely blocked by the rest of the city, I could make out the royal graves. Such a sight, already breathtaking from here, must inspire awe when seen from outside the walls; a way of saying: “We are the most powerful society in this land today. To challenge us is to challenge the will of the Nine themselves.”

I felt myself smiling faintly as I turned onto Stendarr Loop.


----


Two shrouded figures crested a flight of stairs bathed in crimson light, where another shadowy figure sat upon a throne of black stone signaled them halt. They obeyed, and then sunk into a low bow.

“What news?” His voice rang with command as he spoke.

“Derelas just arrived yesterday.”

“And now?”

“He left for the Imperial City this morning.”

The cloaked man frowned, this might complicate things a bit; our kind is not welcome there. But no matter, he won’t stay forever.

“What else did you discover?”

“He’s searching for them, and he wants the Mages Guild’s help.”

Mages Guild? The shadowed man smiled, his red eyes lit aflame with amusement at the very idea. The Mages were fools. They had no idea what they were allowing to happen under their very noses. To think they could keep us at bay locked away like dogs. They would be in for a rude awakening, and soon.

“Good. Keep an eye on him. I want to know the instant he leaves.”

“As you wish, Lord.”

The two shrouded figures bowed again, then turned to leave themselves. The red-eyed man smiled to himself. Soon the pieces would be in place. The 433rd Year of the Third Era would soon become forever etched in history.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Dec 31 2010, 06:44 AM

[Thomas Kaira]

@haute ecole rider: Isn't it fun writing drunk speak? I was hoping that Faith's intervention would help to build her into a more likable figure, I'm glad it worked out.

@SubRosa: Assumptions already? Tut tut, Sage Rosa, you barely know the gal!

It appears that my word processor and these boards still have a few differences to work out. Thanks for picking those up.

@Acadian: Buffy's happy, and that means worlds to me. We won't be going to the city starting with C immediately, however. I've got plenty of room for some character building on the week-long journey.

@mALX: Well, giving the book to Earana just isn't in my character's... well... character. Rest assured, the book and the knowledge it contains will return eventually.

@Grits: Want a good vomit joke? Search for the Mr. Creosote Monty Python sketch. That's classic gross-out humor.

@TheOtherRick: Welcome! Glad you're enjoying yourself!

@all: The next chapter was supposed to be presented all in one, but when I did my pre-post word count I discovered it was almost 4000 words long! That's a bit lengthy, so I've decided to split the chapter in two. This is the first part.

next: Derelas leaves Chorrol, and gets a sobering welcome to life as a traveller.

Chapter 3-1: ‘Til Death Do Us Part

“Who, Reynald Jemane? He doesn’t do much else around here except drink his life away at the Gray Mare, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

It was morning once again, and I had sparked a quick chat with Talasma over the strange drunk who confronted me the evening before. She didn’t look too happy to be talking about him; the moment I mentioned him her ears drooped and her hackles raised slightly, but I highly doubted I would be able to find this “besmircher of good names” if I didn’t know whose good name to look for.

“Sorry, I didn’t know he wasn’t that popular around here,” I replied, hoping it would ease her irritated tone, “he just ran into me yesterday and told me about someone impersonating him in Cheydinhal or something.”

“Well, This One wouldn’t put much by anything he does tell you,” Talasma continued with a grimace, “half the time he doesn’t even know what’s coming out of his mouth if he’s not redecorating the cobblestones. Why even bother thinking about it?”

“I have a bit of business in Cheydinhal, myself,” I answered, though I had to admit Talasma had a point, “wouldn’t hurt to take a look around.”

“Probably not,” Talasma replied, “in fact, This One has heard a few customers talking about seeing someone who looked a lot like Reynald, only with longer hair and sober, if that helps any.”

“He didn’t tell me much else about him, so all help is welcome right now,” I answered, leaving a drake on the table. “Anyways, I best be off if I want to make Odiil by sundown. Thanks for the k’lah.”




----




The golden rocks of the hinterlands had been all but hidden away by the sea of trees, welcoming me back to the Great Forest. Gargantuan redwoods rose to touch the very heavens, while diminutive saplings were latched in a tense battle for whatever sunlight they could scrounge. Every so often the ocean of green was broken by the yellowing leaves of autumn, adding a painter’s touch to the scene. A cool breeze rustled its way through the canopy, sending the treetops dancing in its joyful bluster. The faint, playful trilling of finches and robins completed the natural symphony.

As I continued my journey back to Weye, where I would then cross the Imperial Isle to reach Cheydinhal, I returned to the immense ruins of an old keep I had passed on the way to Chorrol. If I remembered correctly, it was named Fort Ash. It rose from the ground with the forest, masquerading as the colossal trunk of a long petrified ancient oak. As I approached the grand archway spanning the road, I noticed the bushes rustling to my left.

I turned to investigate, when suddenly a familiar Khajiit clad in hardened furs burst from the leaves, mace drawn and held high.

“I told you this wasn’t over, tree-hugger! Prepare to die!”

I barely had enough time to draw my blade before he brought his mace downward, aiming for my head. I quickly dived out of the way, using my empty hand to form my body into a wheel as I rolled. I quickly regained my footing and turned to face my assailant, who was charging me again. This time he brought his mace upwards from a low swing, once again aiming for my head…

I crouched down, letting his mace fly over my head and his momentum carry him further forward. I then swung for his heel, and felt my blade bite into his flesh. Blood spurted all along the paving stones as his leg gave out, sending him crashing to his knees beside me. I could have let him be then, just left him crippled and ran, he obviously wouldn’t be able to follow, but a strange feeling was flowing through me. I felt invigorated, as if some part of me buried deep down had been awakened, something primal. I could not control myself, in a single movement, I stood, brought my blade to his throat, and pulled….

I felt my blade leave my hand, listening to it clatter to the ground. He was dead, and I killed him. I slowly backed away from the body, whose blood was now flowing between the cracks in the stones in a visceral dance. It felt as if a portion of my mind had been cleaved nearly in two. One side was so utterly appalled at what I had done that it wanted me to run into a corner, huddle up, and cry until my tears ran dry. The other was rearing, screaming approval. I collapsed to the ground, unable to figure myself out. Should I be disgusted, or ecstatic?

He was trying to kill you, you know, he told you himself, I heard a nagging voice in the back of my head reply to my unvoiced question. He chose his fate, you simply showed him the way.

Doesn’t change that I killed him, I rebutted.

What can? He died so you could live. Nothing you can do about that now.

He didn’t have to die, you know, I could’ve just scampered when I got his leg.

He would be back, then, too. They’re always back sooner or later.

And he also might have learned his lesson, you can’t know that.

You did what you had to. No point in arguing that, it’s done. You can’t go back. If you’re worried about the law, don’t be. He attacked you, you defended yourself, you have your rights.

“No, I’m worried that you’re sending me down the wrong path,” my voice rang through the trees, splitting open the deafening silence following the brief battle.

First sign of madness, talking to yourself, much less arguing with yourself. Just move on, you’ll find it easier to understand soon enough.

And how is that, exactly? What’s to understand, that I’ve got blood on my hands I can never scrub off?

No, just that you need to be prepared for what this world has in store for you. Remember what dad said? Tamriel is not a pretty place, better you get used to death now with no one else to hound you than when you’ve got three bandits just itching to steal your coin and willing to kill you trying.

Great, I really am talking to myself. I sure hope the gods will forgive me for my moment of crazy.

A house divided is hardly crazy. You just need some time to digest, to pick up the pieces. You’ve always had this in you, it was only today that you first let your instincts loose. Give it time, you’ll come to grips.

Fine, if it means I won’t have to make anyone think I’m going schizophrenic, I’ll listen. Might as well get the body off the road, I’m quite sure the are not many travelers out there who would enjoy discovering a rotting half-lion in the middle of the pathway. Once I moved him off to the grass on the side, I quickly checked his pockets, and pulled out several small sacks of drakes with a couple septims thrown in here and there. I placed a drake on his mouth to let the Watch know he was an outlaw and left the scene. As I passed beneath the old ruins, I felt strangely more vulnerable than I did half an hour ago.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Jan 31 2011, 05:07 AM