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]

@SubRosa: As I explained in the PS edit, Kynareth is considered female by the Imperial sect, but male by the Bosmer and nature lovers (who refer to Him as Y'ffre). In reality, though, I consider the Aedra to be genderless. They are the immortal forces of creation and life. As such, like any god, they are above such petty biases. The Aedra are not living beings, but rather they are the manifestations of life itself. No one truly knows anything about them aside from them creating Nirn by Lorkhan's trickery, and what sphere of being they govern. They are a force, not beings, and as such are above the issue of gender.

@Rick: Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I hope the new format for telepathic conversation is a bit easier for you to read. If not, please let me know, and I'll think on it some more.

@Acadian: I was actually referring to yourself when I spoke of the spirit guides. "but you can occasionally find a few with a human guide, though they are rare." I very much consider a Bosmer's guide to be a part of their lore now, thanks to how well both you and 'Rosa manage them. I am also, as you noted, a big fan of modifying lore within the game, though I always try to maintain the Elder Scrolls feel to my lore modifications. You might find that heavily modding your game will make you a lot more flexible with changing things you don't like, as well.
And you too with the Auel books?! GAAAAAAH!!!

@Darth Maul: She's been living on her own for quite a long time, being that she is a druid. I tend to try to set the mood and idea of a character the moment you meet them, and I wanted to bring to the reader's attention that she was a bit off-key when it came to conversation, especially when emotions were clouding her judgement. Glad it worked for you.
Oh, and that is not a Star Wars reference (well, not completely), a maul is a type of large warhammer.

@mALX: You comments are much appreciated, as always.

@all: We are nearing our centennial post now. you have all been instrumental in keeping me going, and I think I may have finally hit my stride as a writer at this point. I hope to see my skills refined even further as I continue this, as I still have a ways to go yet before I will even consider myself on par with the veterans on these boards.

next: We're off again, on an adventure of extraordinarily mundane proportions.

Chapter 4-5: When you Break a Bone…

“Move quickly southward, for the troll is bound to still be in the area,” Sibylla explained, fingering my map as she went. She had drawn several landmarks onto the parchment. The one she started tracing a path from was a small closed archway that she had labeled “Muck Valley Cavern,” meaning we were there. “Your path will take you west a small ways to avoid the river. Once you reach Mushroom Grove, turn southeast and continue until the sun’s rays darken. You will reach an old, ruined tower here,” she pointed to a small image of a castle tower. “You can wait for morning’s glow there, sheltered from the beasts of the woods.”

“And then after that, we should make the edge of the Yews by fall of darkness on the next day?” I inquired, retracing Sibylla’s directions within my mind’s eye and committing them to memory.

“If you pace quick and ride the breeze, yes,” Sibylla replied, “however, I would suggest putting at least a half-moon’s journey between you and the woods before you settle in.”

“So , about two hours, then?” Faith asked. Now that she was awake and alert, she had found her courage to speak once again. Sibylla eyed Faith with detest at her words.

“If you wish to be so mundane as that, yes,” she returned. “Now, Derelas, do you remember that prayer I taught you?” Sibylla then quizzed me.

“Though your life be taken,
To provide for our need,
Here it ends not,
For your spirit be freed,

Be in peace, my brother,
By wings of Y’ffre may you return to Him,
My body shall be your vessel,
And guide you to His waiting hands.”

“And don’t forget about the heart.” Sibylla told me after I finished my recitation. “You must give the wings and connect your spirit with his so he might find his way to the Everwoods. You remember how to do that, right?”

“Cut the heart from the body, draw two lines from eye to mouth on the head in the creature’s blood, then cut off a portion of heart… and eat it.” I finished, repressing a shudder at the last part.

“That is disgusting…” Faith butted in, pulling a face.

“That is tradition,” Sibylla retorted. “A time-honored Bosmeri ritual. If you wish to leave these woods alive, you would do best to keep the favor of the ones who watch them.”

Faith opened her mouth to argue back, but a throaty growl from Teddy made her reconsider. She closed it again soundlessly.

“Keep that spell I taught you on the front of your mind, you’ll need it if the troll finds you again,” Sibylla continued, turning back to me. “I know it’s not much, but trolls are guaranteed to leave you be if they know you have fire close by.”

“I’m sure it will be most helpful, as you have been,” I replied. “We should probably get moving now if we want to reach that tower before dark.”

“Indeed, you should,” Sibylla agreed. “Move light, but move cautious. If the troll returns, burn him. Safe travels, Bosmer.”




----




The first hours of our journey south passed in silence. The troll seemed to have gotten the message, though, because we saw not a glimpse of his matted, furry body. Faith was apparently still annoyed about what happened last night. This was reinforced by the odd clucking sounds she occasionally made with her tongue along with shaking her head.

“I gather you disapprove of Sibylla?” I voiced in annoyance after she did this again for the umpteenth time.

“You forget I’m not a druid, like you obviously are with your city-slicking ways,” Faith retorted snidely, voice heavy with sarcasm. “Ash breather… I’ll have her breathing ash if I see her again,” she then added under her breath.

“I’d tell you to lay off,” I then began in reply, “but… well, she did sick a bear on you.”

“How did you get her to stop, by the way?” Faith then inquired, abandoning pretense and apparently completely forgetting she was mad at me. “I know Bosmer can command smaller creatures to their will, but a grizzly? That’s unheard of.”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, either,” I returned, silently voicing the same question to Equine.

“You give yourself too little credit,” he responded, “You don’t yet know what you are capable of, and it is not my place to tell you.”

“Gee, thanks,” I voiced aloud, “very helpful.”

“Umm… who are you talking to?” Faith was looking at me with a raised eyebrow and a quizzical expression. I felt my face begin to burn, I hadn’t meant to say that aloud.

“Oh… uhh, my spirit guide.” I quickly replied.

“Oh, this again…” Faith scoffed unsurprisingly. “Listen, you can believe in whatever you want, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to take the word of some loony Druid at fa… WHOA!!”

As we passed into a large clearing, the first we’d seen in the past two days, a loud whinny announced the presence of a very startled wild horse. He then proceeded to rear. We both deftly jumped backward to avoid the thrashing hooves until he settled them firmly back down on the ground. With that, he turned tail and bolted, his gray mane tossed behind him in a fury of speed and he snorting his displeasure loudly.

“By the Gods,” Faith then softly exclaimed, clutching at her chest. “What is that horse doing in the middle of these woods… and all alone? And what are you grinning about?!”

My mind was not on the words spewing from Faith’s mouth, but rather on that horse. Somehow, I had a fleeting feeling how it got there, and could almost hear Equine laughing. “Show off.”

“It might do you best not to verbally assault my guide any more,” I told her. “He very nearly struck you down there.”

“I just can’t win, can I?” Faith returned exasperatedly, grabbing for the bridge of her nose in frustration. “Alright, I get it. I’ll let this go.”

“Good to hear,” I replied. “Anyways, do you think this is the clearing Sibylla told us about?”

“It’s got to be,” Faith quipped, pointing toward a large grove of mushrooms growing nearby. We then moved in for a closer look. Though rather small, their deep steel-blue complexion shone through the lush green grass with the rippling sheen of a small pond. One might almost see the sky through them if they looked hard enough.

“Steel-blue Entoloma,” Faith began reciting, kneeling down beside them. “Edible, but very hot. They also contain much larger Magicka pools than other plants; useful to alchemists.”

“You know, for an ash-breathing druid hater, you do seem to know your plants well.”

Faith responded by glaring daggers at me.

“Listen,” Faith began in a heavily aggravated tone, “I don’t care what that fetching woman says about me, but I do have a problem with her filling your head with the same dreck. Do you know what Ash-breather means? No? Well, figure it out! I’ve had enough of being ridiculed like I’m just some plant-burning, animal-slaughtering n’wah! Back off!”

With that, she stormed off. She left me standing alone, struck dumb, and blinking very stupidly as I wondered what nerve I had touched.




----




“Listen, I know this may be the last thing you want to hear, but I’m sorry.” It took me several minutes to muster up the courage to speak to Faith again after her outburst. When she was done ranting, she ran to the edge of the clearing and fell with her back against one of the yews, refusing to look anywhere near me. I don’t think I ever felt dumber in my life than I did now. Those words left me before I had a chance to even think of the implications. The sheer irony of this predicament was not lost on me either.

“Sometimes it just feels like the world hates me,” Faith then began to speak. She still refused to look at me, though, and didn’t seem to be addressing me either. “I stick my neck out at danger time and time again, and what do I get for it? ‘You’re a fool, you hateful Dunmer, you don’t deserve the life you have.’ Why do I bother with these people? If anyone doesn’t deserve to live, it’s those bunch of bigots down the way of Cyrodiil City. They don’t know what it’s like to live anywhere outside their marble mansions and pools of Septims….”

She then turned to look at me, and I was utterly shocked to see her purple-flushed face was streaked with tears.

“I thought you’d be different,” She continued, “that you would understand what it meant to be wronged by the world and never see another person give a cliffracer’s beak about it. I still want to believe that, but…I can’t see if I should anymore.”

Her words caused me more confusion than they did enlightenment. Different in what way? What exactly is she keeping from me? No… think before you speak, you foolish elf. The last thing she needs is to have her motives questioned right now. I sank to my knees next to her, “I meant no insult by my words, I didn’t know that ash-breather was really so bad a term.”

“It’s a lot like when someone calls you a tree-hugger,” Faith replied, wiping her eyes dry. “Do you like it when someone calls you that?”

“Not at all,” I replied, “I just… spoke before I thought. And don’t say what I think you’re about to say, I feel like enough of an idiot already.”

“What did you think I was going to say?” Faith then inquired, her eyebrows slightly raised, though this time not out of anger.

“Well, you know…” I began sheepishly, “about what I said about you when we first met Sibylla. How you speak before you think? I retract that, by the way, as I’ve proven quite well just now that applies much more to me.”

Faith responded with a light chuckle. “Oh, that. That didn’t actually occur to me, but now that you told me…” she finished, her eyes gleaming, this time not from tears. The impish grin spreading across her face certainly didn’t help matters, either.

“Save it for when we get out of here, please,” I requested, feeling my face growing hot once again. I then stood back up, offering my hand to Faith to assist her to her feet. This time, she took it.

“We can work out our differences later,” Faith said, agreeing with my silent thoughts. “We’ve lost enough time as it is. Now, which way did Sibylla say we go from here?”

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Feb 28 2011, 07:14 AM