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]

@rider: We shall take yo to the farthest ends of the earth... and back again. In the meantime, though, we are definitely not having a usual Elder Scrolls solo adventure, as I'm placing heavy emphasis on this forest bringing about character growth for both of them. Treasures will be few and far between, most likely, what is there to find in a dank, deadly yew forest, after all?

@mALX: Many thanks. I strive for my descriptions to be as immersive and enriching as I can possibly make them. Thankfully, I have a decent vocabulary, so that definitely helps.

@Rick: [cliche]Don't worry, Danger is his middle name![/cliche]

@SubRosa: That's your optimism? Still seems mighty pessimistic to me, perhaps Faith could be on the good side, you know? Anyways, I do like myself a female lead with mysterious intentions, so I'm glad that she is indeed a mysterious person to you.
Nits be picked.

@Acadian: A very mysterious place indeed, the Ancient Yews. We shall see many of the secrets it holds over the course of our little adventure.

@Mjolnir: I live in the wilderness, so I have plenty of experience walking riding such dangerous terrain. Indeed, the untamed wild can be quite treacherous, and I've seen enough on my trail-rides to come to have a great respect for just how treacherous they can be. Terrain is also a less-explored way of adding danger to a scene, so I'm glad it worked out so well.
PS: I wonder how long I can go before I run out of nicknames for you?

@all: Thank you all for your continued support.

next: Time for a bit of spelunking...

Chapter 4-3: Cava Obscura

“This is not going to be an easy journey,” Faith mused, warming her hands on a small fire constructed from wooden torches, lighting the tiny antechamber in its flickering orange glow. Bedrolls had been laid out to one side, for Faith was quick to declare that we would be staying here for the night. “To make sure that troll doesn’t come back,” she told me.

“We’re going to need to check this cave, then,” I replied to her desire to stay. “Who knows what could be living in here besides us?”

“Indeed,” Faith replied, giving her dagger a brief pull to unsheathe it slightly. After a quick inspection to make sure no blood had dried onto the silver blade, she then returned it to its sheath. “Now that we have a fire going, it should be safe enough here, though we are going to need to take sleep in shifts.”

“Should we go together to look around?” I then asked.

“No,” she returned bluntly, “I can move far quieter on my own. Besides, I need you to watch the camp and keep the fire from going out.”

“Very well,” I replied, a mild hint of dejection in my voice, though I could see her point. “Just try not to bring anything back with you if it isn’t shiny, okay?”

Faith responded by rolling her eyes before turning towards the deeper shadows of the cave behind us.




----





Nothing dampens his spirits, Faith thought. She then surrounded herself in a bright green mist with a whispered incantation and watched as her hand faded to become one with the rocks. Good for him, but it does tend to… grate after awhile. Sometimes it’s best to know when to just hush up and let the people who know what they’re into get the job done. Oh, well… that’s a Bosmer for you. Isn’t it ironic how they can hardly ever see the forest for the trees when they’re inside of one?

As she cast another green spiral around herself, the entire cavern ahead became brilliantly visible in a deep blue veil upon her eyes. The passage twisted its way downward into Nirn’s infinite depths. Stepping quietly, but deliberately to avoid prying ears, Faith slowly made her way forth.

After many a dark moment, a rapid scuttling bristled upon the Dunmer’s pointed ears. Cacat, she thought, spiders. She slowly turned the corner, and her fears were confirmed. Two massive arachnids, both easily the size of a chicken, skittered along the moist stone floor, venom dripping menacingly from their rapidly clicking pincers. Faith repressed a shiver, she hated spiders.

Within but a few seconds, the two spiders’ days of skittering legs were ended by two feathery shafts in their hairy abdomens. Grinning faintly to herself, Faith grabbed a small empty bottle from her pocket and brought it to the pincers of one of the arachnids. Devastatingly poisonous, especially when combined with Nightshade or Peony. Also quite valuable, she recited to herself in her mind as the venom slowly dripped into the tiny flask. Once satisfied with the amount, she sealed the glass vessel and shifted her way past the curl-legged corpses.

One brief moment later, the small corridor opened into a massive cavern. Within its black depths rendered clear as day in the blue veil of Night-Eye, Faith could make out many animals… they looked like boar. Wow, we might actually be able to eat well tonight, Faith thought as she drew another bronze-tipped arrow from her quiver.

As she slowly drew the silk string of her bow to her ear, a low roar quickly made Faith do a double-take. She then investigated the shadowy corners closer for the source of the noise. It was a massive brown bear, who then proceeded to yawn loudly, stretching its forelegs out in front of him as his voice echoed throughout the stony chamber.

Perfect, Faith thought, slowly easing the tension from her bowstring. No fresh meat this time, it seems. That damn bear will smell the kill before it even strikes the ground.

At that point, something very odd struck the Dunmer hunter, those boar were not being very subtle about their presence, so why wasn’t that bear defending his home? As quickly as the thought crossed her mind, a new beast crossed into Faith’s vision….

Wait, that’s no beast… is that a person? What in Azura’s name is she doing down he… is she petting that bear?!

Faith vigorously shook her head, convinced that her Night-Eye must be conjuring images… but the Amazonian woman remained ever present. Finally assured that it wasn’t her imagination, the Dunmer then proceeded to slowly back away, utterly stunned by what she just witnessed.




----




“You are not going to believe this,” Faith said, announcing her return in a low, quiet voice that made me jump. “There’s someone already living here.”

“Someone?” I asked, wondering what hidden meaning she must be placing into her words. People don’t live in caves… at least, not in any place I’ve known.

“Yes, it was definitely a person,” Faith replied, “with a pet grizzly, to boot.”

“You’re not trying to yank my chain, are you?” I quickly returned. Perhaps it was possible for people to live in caves nowadays, but I knew it was impossible for them to keep an actual pet bear… unless they were a powerful mage. And why would a mage of such renown want to live in the middle of nowhere? Wait, scratch that, I think I just answered my own question. “Sorry, don’t answer that,” I quickly added.

“Anyways, she seemed to be deep enough inside that we should still be able to stay here for tonight,” Faith then began to reason, “We’ll just need to keep the smoke outside and the noise as low as we can. I really hope you don’t snore.”

“I’ll be sure to ask if we’re still alive in the morning,” I replied, collecting a travel ration from my pack. “I’ll take the first watch.”

“Trying to be noble?” Faith then asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No, I’m just trying to be a team player,” I rebutted. “Besides, you need the rest more than I do right now.”

“And your reasoning for that is what, exactly?” Faith continued, now with her other eyebrow raised.

“Because of my birthsign,” I explained, “the Steed. Believe me, it was a good run, but it didn’t tire me out nearly as much as you might think.”

Faith then moved to stoke the fire. The light of the dancing flames licked her face in their gentle glow, one that her eyes did not return. Her energy was clearly spent, and she definitely needed the sleep, despite her insistence that she didn’t.

“Look,” I continued, “You’re obviously the more experienced adventurer here, so I think keeping you rested is pretty damn important. I’m not trying to be noble, I’m trying to keep things in perspective. If we don’t stop arguing with each other over who does what, we’re both going to end up troll-food come tomorrow.”

“I know,” Faith replied, holding up a hand to stop me. “I just find it hard to trust someone who’s never been someplace dangerous in his life...”

“And your point is what exactly?” I cut her off, “You, of all people, should know that you can’t think straight when you’re tired, which you are.”

“Hey, I’m not the one who needs protecting here,” Faith retorted, her voice beginning to rise, “I didn’t get us into this mess in the first place.”

“This is childish,” I sighed, shaking my head, “I know you know that you’re exhausted, I can see it in your eyes. You really need to put the superiority complex aside for a minute….”

“This has nothing to do with superiority!” Faith argued, voice rising further, “This has to do with keeping us alive.”

“Which I’m trying to say you can do that much better if you’re rested!” I countered, growing exasperated. Why did she have to make this so difficult? We’re arguing over who gets to sleep, by Mara’s sake!

“Fine!” Faith then snapped, making a beeline for her bedroll and tossing herself in to look towards the wall. “We’ll do it your way then. Gods preserve us that we may make it out alive!”

I needed some air. Taking my still yet to be eaten travel ration, I made my way to the mouth of the cave and found a seat. Faith was obviously not thinking straight; she was so engrossed in protecting me that she didn’t seem to care about protecting herself. Despite the fact she probably wasn’t going to talk to me for some time, I was glad she finally saw reason. As the shadows of the forest became complete with the last rays of an unseen sun dipping beneath the land for its long slumber, I wondered to myself if all women could be this stubborn.

I gave my head a quick shake, putting the thoughts out of my mind. She’ll come round, sometimes it’s just best you let someone seethe. All I could hope for now as that she would be willing to put our differences aside come tomorrow and just concentrate on leaving this place.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Feb 21 2011, 11:36 PM