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: Well, you knew he had to die sometime, didn't you? This is a TES fanfic, after all, wouldn't be one without the merciless slaughtering of outlaws. Well, maybe not so merciless here, but you get the idea.

@SubRosa: No, he is not your run-of-the-mill crazy person, he's just a little divided right now, for obvious reasons. The internal monologue was meant to emphasize this. We will eventually figure out who is talking to him (and before you ask, no it is not a Paladin).

@mALX: As the undisputed master of emotions, this means a lot to me coming from you. I'm glad I managed to convey how dramatic a change one's life can make when they take another. I try to avoid death as much as I can here, but occasionally, you just have to take it, and I need to be certain Dere takes it in stride.

@Acadian: Think of that segment as my little way of discussing how death is so easily brushed off in TES, especially Oblivion. This will be a recurring theme throughout the story, dramatic character changes brought on by notable deaths.

@TheOtherRick: I answered your question in the above reply, but will say it again. Notable deaths (and you will know when they happen) will bring about dramatic character changes throughout the story. This was the first, and definitely not the last.

@all: We now enter part 2 of chapter 3, in which Dere's internal conflict continues as he struggles to find a way to deal with his guilty conscience. Will he find an outlet? Read on to find out...

next: We're back in Weye, and about to partake in a couple TES rites of passage.

Chapter 3-2: Red Wine with Fish

The remainder of my journey back to Weye was troubled by sleepless nights. Images of blood spilling from furry necks and flashing blades sauntered through my dreaming mind, making my every attempt to find peace in slumber seem quite foolish. No doubt this was because my soul was in turmoil now that I joined the ranks of the life-takers. My waking hours in Wawnet were as miserable as ever, I again found no peace in my rest, and that haunting red-eyed figure was also beginning to creep his way back into my dreams. The weather matched my mood with a dreary, cloudy day that all but promised rain.

I felt in need of a bit of fresh air, so I made my way outside into the chilly, dreary late morning air. I had been staring out towards the depths of the Lake Rumare for over an hour and had started drizzling lightly when I turned to go back inside when I noticed another person was matching me. It was the old balding fisherman I saw limping back to his hut as I was leaving for Chorrol. He was sitting on an old wooden stool, staring out to the iron-gray waters with that same empty look in his eyes that I knew I was sharing. I moved over to join him.

“You know, stranger,” he began to speak to me when I had come to a stop beside him, though he had not followed my progress or even seemed to notice I was there, “you look like someone who knows what it’s like to have lost a fight. Well, I’ve fought and I’ve lost.”

Despite the questions I had for him, I decided it would be best, and more polite, just to let him finish.

“You see, everyone has their grand enemies, their demons, that try as they might, they just can’t defeat. ‘And who was my great enemy’ you might ask? Well don’t laugh,” he sighed deeply, “it was a bunch of damn fish.”

“I’m not laughing.” I quickly replied, “I saw the fish you caught. One bite from their mouths could cut down a tree.”

“Well, that’s noble of ya,” the fisherman answered back, and it cheered me up a bit to see a bit of depression leave his face. “Everyone else would just guffaw at my face when I told them.”

“So why tell me? You didn’t know if I would do the same.”

“I already told ya, you looked like someone who knew what it was like to lose a fight.”

“Well, actually, I’m just fighting a guilty conscience right now,” I answered simply.

“Oh,” the fisherman replied, looking crestfallen, “right.” He then turned away, back to staring out over the lake. Way to go, Dere, someone was looking for reaffirmation that he wasn’t alone in his misery and you just told him up front you weren’t the right kind of guy. Now that you’ve just shown the world how not to do it, maybe you might find it in your blackening, murderous heart to help the poor guy?

“What do you need help with?” I suddenly voiced. I hadn’t meant to speak yet, but I was just happy to at least try and salvage the situation. The fisherman was a bit taken aback by the sudden response, but seemed a bit less depressed nonetheless.

“You’d help an old man find some peace? That’s mighty kind of ya’,” He replied, “Name’s Aelwin Merowald, by the way.”

“Derelas,” I returned, “So, umm… is there anything I can help you out with? Something to make you feel better?” Something to make me feel better, I finished inside my head.

“Well, if you would, I was tryin’ to catch Rumare Slaughterfish for this young alchemist down the way of Skingrad,” Aelwin began, “he was payin’ me a shiny septim for their scales, see? And it was going so well until last week, when one of those bloody things damn near took my leg off.

“Anyways,” he continued, “I only needed a couple more of the buggers before I would’ve had enough saved up to retire, but I can’t well fish on this bum leg o’ mine, now can I?”

“So you’d like it if I could go and catch the rest,” I finished.

“Aye, that’d be mighty decent of ya’,” Aelwin replied, the shadow of a smile crossing his grim features, “I only need about two or three more and I can scale ‘em myself, so I just need ya’ to catch ‘em. Lemme show ya’ to my fishing gear, then I’ll meet you down by the lakeshore. I may not be able to fish, but at least I can still walk.”




----




“Thank you so much. Let it never be said there are no kind souls in the world.”

I had instantly regretted offering my help when I pulled the first fish out of the water. By the Gods, was that net made of steel for a good reason! The fish was huge, and I if I wasn’t so engrossed in getting that thing tossed on the beach and imprisoned in the steel net, I would have been wondering how it managed to fit all those dagger-sized teeth into that maw. My own legs came mighty close to meeting the same fate as Aelwin’s several times, and my forearms now bore many scratches and cuts from the nashing teeth. My hands were caked in blood from the bait, as well; by the arduous smell I decided it was some form of rotting venison. I don’t think it would be possible to express how relieved I was by the time it was all over. I sure do hope Aelwin appreciates the effort I put into getting him these two miniature sharks.

“Will that be enough? It’s getting a bit late.” I inquired, dipping my hands into the frigid lake water to wash the blood off.

“Aye, that’ll be plenty,” Aelwin replied, “I’ll scale ‘em here, don’t want to make a mess in the village, or stink it up, for that matter. Anyways, come on over here, I got something for you.”

I obliged his request, curious as to what he had in store for me. Once I was close enough, he reached into his pocket and pulled out… a ring.

“I want you to have this,” He told me, handing me the glinting silver band. On closer inspection, I saw it had a sapphire jewel cut to the shape of a drop of water. “This was a good luck charm o’ mine. I don’t have much need for it anymore, seeing as my fishing days are done, so I might as well give it to you. My way of saying thanks for all your help.”

“You’re quite welcome,” I replied, surprised and slightly moved that he wasn’t expecting me to help him out of the kindness of my heart. It was just enough to drive me to put it on. “Thank you for your generous gift. You sure you can make it back on your own?”

“Don’t mention it,” Aelwin said, “and don’t worry about me, I know my way home, and I’m not taking the fish with me anyways. Speaking of which, you are welcome inside any time, friend. I hope I’ll see you again someday.”

“As do I,” I said as a way of good-bye. I couldn’t turn my eyes away from the jewel that now rested on my finger. Helping that poor man and seeing the bright, happy look on his face at the end had given me solace. I felt more whole, as opposed to the last several days when I was as divided as any man could be. I’m doubtful I would ever be that kind of innocent again now that I had tasted blood, but it did make me feel much better knowing I still meant well.

“Well, don’t you seem awfully chipper,” I was greeted by the Wawnet publican as I returned inside. It was much quieter tonight than it was when I was last here, there were only two tables taken, and only one had more than one tankard in front of them. “When you arrived last night, you were a right mess of emotions. Glad to see you found a way to let them out, it’s not healthy to keep them all bottled up like that.”

“So am I,” I responded, taking a seat at the bar so that I could continue speaking with her.

“Well, anyways, what can I get you tonight?”

“Same as last night, I think.”

The publican quickly busied herself with the cooking fire. I noticed her movements were well practiced and quite graceful, as if she were dancing with the flames.

“I know you must get this a lot, but you are quite a beautiful woman,” I couldn’t help myself but to say. Her golden-skinned neck turned slightly pinker in response.

“Well, you’re definitely not the first to say that, but you certainly are the first to say so politely,” she replied, flashing a small smile my way. “Most of the time, all I get is ‘baby, you’re not the only thing that’s tall in here right now…’”

“And don’t you forget that!” Came a drunken shout from behind me, followed by roaring laughter. The publican shook her head without even looking back at them.

“Ingrates,” she muttered reproachfully, “well, as I was saying, it is nice to hear that from an honorable, sober person from time to time.”

“How do you live with it?” I inquired.

“I learned a long time ago,” she replied, but chose not to say any more. Her answer didn’t surprise me one bit, I’ve learned that plenty of women like their secrets.

She handed me my plate of braised veal shank “Osso Bucco” and waited for me to take my first bite before continuing.

“I’m Nerussa,” she told me as she returned to wiping down goblets and tankards.

“Derelas,” I returned, “this is very good, by the way.”

“Thank you,” she replied, “would you like a goblet of wine with that? It blends quite well with the Surilie Merlot 421 and Tamika’s Vintage Cabernet 407.”

“Well, you seem to know your wines,” I answered. I wasn’t expecting that a small town inn would carry such a wide, and expensive, range. “I’m not sure I could afford those right now, unfortunately.”

“Well, at least have a taste,” she encouraged, placing a clay goblet next to my plate and showing me one of the bottles, “that’s only a couple drakes.”

Okay, then, I’ll bite. I responded in affirmation, leaving the silver on the bar. She quickly scooped the coins away and uncorked the Surilie bottle with such well practiced movements I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had done it all her life. She then poured a small amount into the goblet, and handed it to me. I gave the goblet a quick stir, allowing the smoky aroma to escape, and brought it to my lips…

The subtleties of black cherries and a hint of olive danced across my palate, invigorating the flavors of tomato and onion and bringing all the delicate nuances of the rich sauce to the tip of my tongue. This was contrasted by the bold plum of the Tamika’s, which also contained a strange k’lah-like flavor, but tangier and richer, and that wine caused all the delicate flavors of the meat to explode through their natural veils and left my palate with a rich, invigorated feeling like nothing I could ever describe.

“Pretty good?” Nerussa asked, grinning with satisfaction and curiosity.

“Words can’t even to describe them,” I replied, “What was that flavor in the Tamika’s? I’ve never tasted anything quite like it before.”

“Ahh, yes, you and a lot of other people,” Nerussa answered, recorking the bottles and putting them back beneath the bar, “it’s cocoa. It comes from Summerset, and costs quite a sum to export, so you would be looking at a Septim a goblet for that one.”

I nearly gagged on my food when I heard the cost.

“Seriously?”

“The bottle itself is worth five,” she filled in, sending my head reeling.

“Wow, you really do love your wine,” I nearly stammered, it took a lot more effort to keep my voice straight than I thought it would.

“Well, I guess you could say that,” Nerussa replied airily, then her gaze quickly shifted behind me. “Alright, you three have had QUITE enough!” She shouted, making me jump.

Her words were met by a raucous whooping, and I turned around to see one of the guests was dancing around on the table minus his shirt, scattering plates and tankards all over the floor. I would hazard a guess that he was thinking that he was showing off his manliness to Nerussa, but it was hard to tell. I then noticed movement in the corner of my eye and saw a muscular Imperial in dark clothes march up to the table and direct the guests out.

“I didn’t see that guy last time I was here,” I told Nerussa, hoping she might shed some light on him.

“Oh, he’s my new bouncer,” she answered, turning back to cleaning her dishes, “It was actually that fight you witnessed that told me I needed one, so there you go. He’s helped quite a bit with getting some of the guests here under control, but you still get people like them from time to time.”

“I see,” I acknowledged before swinging the topic back, “so you were saying that you loved wine?”

“Oh, yes, I do,” she said, a faint blush creeping into her full cheeks, “I’ve held a burning passion for wine all my life. Ever since I opened the inn here, it’s nearly all I’ve been spending my earnings on. I have almost every wine you could imagine right here under this roof, including some classics that date all the way back to the Interregnum. But there’s one kind that’s always eluded me no matter how hard I looked.”

“And which was that?” I asked, my curiosity once again perked.

“It’s an ancient vintage called Shadowbanish. It’s incredibly rare because the vintner only produced one small batch before they disappeared. No one knows what happened to the vineyard, but a few bottles of Shadowbanish are rumored to still exist, and I’ve been dying to get my hands on some.”

“Well, I am planning on a lot of traveling in the near future,” I mused aloud, finishing the last of my dinner, “so I’ll be sure to remember you if I find some.”

“You would do that? You barely even know me,” Nerussa replied bemusedly, making me realize she had been talking more to herself than anyone else. She quickly recovered her poise, though, and gave me a stunning smile in response.

“You are very kind to offer. If you do find some, I would pay you handsomely for each bottle you find.”

I smiled back, but couldn’t really say much else but thank her for the meal and her time before I retired upstairs; the look on her face had stolen all the words from my tongue. Once I shut the door, I fell to the bed with an elated feeling in my heart, like I had finally found myself again.

That’s the spirit, the familiar nagging voice of my subconscious replied. This gave me another, stranger feeling that soon, we were going to become very close.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Feb 2 2011, 10:12 PM