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]

@ SubRosa - Thank you for catching the nits...they've been picked. Honditar and Earana do indeed make writing that into the story very easy. I think he secretly has the hots for her...

@ h.e.rider - Thanks to you as well for the nits...they've also been picked. Between you and Rosa, we'll make a writer out of me yet! I have only scratched the bare surface of your story so far, but I think I might have to do a spoiler read and check out what you wrote for this quest. I am intensely curious...

@ ghastley - Perhaps Teekeeus wants the book to make swans and cranes out of it's pages.

@ Grits - Talendor recommends that future travelers don't attempt tumbling with wolves. He could also use a lesson in respect for the deceased...

@ Olen - It seemed only natural that a master of a craft should be able to use it deftly. I'm glad you found that "step-out" from game mechanics plausable.

@ ureniashtram - Welcome aboard and thank you for your comments.

On that note....I want to thank everyone else as well. As always, you are the ones that keep me going. I especially appreciate the nits. They are invaluable for the learning process.

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Chapter 17 – Something Stolen and Someone Missing

“I am off to my room as well. I need a wash and a change of clothes,” I said, following Teekeeus up the stairs.

The Argonian passed through the library and continued up the stairs to the sleeping quarters on the next level. As I entered the foyer on the third floor, I saw Teekeeus enter the corner room. I walked on past, making it appear that I was heading to my room. I stopped and placed my back to the wall as soon as I rounded the corner and listened. Moments later, I was rewarded with the sound of his door opening and closing, and then the doorway to the stairs mimicking his door. I peeked back around the corner, making sure no one else was about.

Quick and quiet knot-head…let’s not get caught…

I was surprised to find the door to his room unlocked. I snuck in and quietly closed it behind me. Immediately to my right was a cupboard. I tried the doors and found them unlocked. The cupboard shelves had been removed and it was being used as a wardrobe. Fine clothing hung on pegs, but no book was to be found. I moved to a chest that was next to the cupboard. Once again, I found the container unlocked. I opened it and was pleased to see the book in plain sight at the bottom of the chest.

Someone needs to show our Chapter Steward how a lock works…

I took the book and retreated from Teekeeus’ quarters as quietly as I had entered. Once I was back in my room, I quickly washed and changed. Taking my satchel with me, I headed downstairs. When I reached the lobby, I looked out the window to see if Earana was still waiting outside. She was, and true to his word, Honditar was keeping her occupied. I waved at him and he slowly maneuvered until Earana’s back was to the door. I exited and went to the left, hopping off of the stoop and heading to the rear of the building. I scaled low stone walls to loop around Stenndar Chapel and made my way to the south gate. When I reached Honditar’s house, I waited until he arrived a few minutes later.

“God’s Blood, that woman can talk!” he said, unlocking his door.

We went inside and I pulled the book from my satchel and laid it on the table. Honditar picked it up and examined it. Satisfied that it was indeed what he expected, he placed the book in the same chest that had swallowed thirty of my Septims a few days ago.

“Okay,” I said, “Would you mind telling me why one of my first acts as a Guild Associate had to be larceny? From the Chapter Steward, no less!”

“It’s really very simple. This book could not be allowed to end up in the hands of either Teekeeus or Earana. It is very powerful. Those two are so engulfed in their feud that this would have meant the end of one or both of them. I simply removed the weapon and kept the balance of power intact,” he explained.

“What will you do with it?” I asked.

“Nothing at all. It can rot in my chest for all I care. I can’t read the thing anyway. But now, neither can Earana or Teekeeus,” he replied.

I sighed and shrugged my shoulders. I guess no harm was done.

“Did you see where she went?” I asked, “I need to get back and pack my things. I am off to Bravil as soon as possible.”

“She was heading toward The Gray Mare when I left her.”

“Good. Well, I am off then. Thanks again Honditar. I’ll stop by next time I am back in Chorrol,” I said.

“Please do, Talendor. Good luck, and remember, aim true…”

“…and don’t be seen,” I finished for him, smiling as I left.

* * *

I decided to do some shopping before going back to the Guild hall. I still had a wolf pelt to sell and I needed to replace the snapped arrows. I stopped in Northern Goods first and walked up the stairs. Seed-Neeus was sitting in a chair and sounded like she might be crying. It was so hard to tell what emotions were being displayed by an Argonian, except for anger.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

She stood and smoothed her dress. When she turned to me, I realized that Argonians are capable of tears.

“My daughter…you remember her…Dar-ma,” she said.

“Yes.”

“She is missing and I don’t know what to do. She went to Hackdirt, on a business errand for me. I wasn’t feeling well this morning, so she insisted on going for me. She hasn’t come back and it is not like her to be gone longer than necessary. I fear that something has happened to her,” she was saying, running the words together in barely controlled panic.

“Why don’t you sit back down and take a deep breath,” I suggested. She did so, and then explained further.

“She left on Blossom – that’s her horse – to go to Etira Moslin’s in Hackdirt. We do a small amount of business with Etira. Not much volume, but Etira pays well. Anyway, that was at dawn, and Dar-Ma should have been back by now.”

I felt genuine sympathy for her. There was something about a child being separated from its parent that tugged at my heart-strings. I decided that my trip to Bravil might have to be delayed.

“Tell me where Hackdirt is and I will go look for her. I have a few things to do first, but they won’t take long,” I told her.

“Really?” she said, her eyes widening, “I cannot thank you enough. Hackdirt is an isolated village south of here. Look for her horse, Blossom, a brown and white mare. Dar-Ma loves that animal and would never willingly abandon her.”

“Try not to worry too much,” I said, trying to sound comforting.

“Thank you Talendor. Please bring Dar-Ma back with you.”

“I’ll do my best,” I replied and left the store.

I made my other stop at Fire & Steel, replacing the broken arrows. I was able to sell the wolf pelt to Rasheda as well. I hadn’t wanted to bother Seed-Neeus with a business transaction.

* * *

I entered my room at the Guild hall and stared, dropping my satchel to the floor. It was a disaster. The bed had been stripped. All of my belongings were strewn about. The cupboard and chest were open with their contents scattered everywhere.

“YOU!” boomed a voice from behind me that made me jump out of my skin. I turned to find Teekeeus glaring and hissing ominously, his fists clenched into tight balls of fury.

“Where is my book, Associate?” he bellowed, “Where is it? I know you took it and gave it to Earana, didn’t you?”

“Your book? Oh, you mean the book I brought back to the Guild from Cloud Top. I have no idea. The last I saw of it was when I handed it to you,” I lied.

“That’s a pile of horse apples and you know it!” Teekeeus fumed.

“Really, sir, all I did was clean up and then go out to do some shopping. I have no idea what could have happened to the book,” I replied, which was half true.

“You listen to me, you tree-hugging piece of…” he paused for a second with a hiss, “I can’t prove it now, but if I ever can, you can count on me making your expulsion a top priority! I’ll be watching you.”

With that, the Argonian stomped off and started searching the next room. I cleaned my room as fast as possible. I gathered all of my possessions and quietly stepped to the stairs to avoid Teekeeus’ notice. Once I was down the stairs, I hurried my pace until I was outside, standing in Great Oak Plaza. I had just caught my breath when…

“YOU!” shouted a female voice to my right.

Are you kidding me?

“Yes, you, Bosmer,” said Earana as she strutted toward me, “Where’s my book?”

“I…um…I haven’t left for Cloud Top yet. I am leaving this evening and should be back in a day or two. I had to start my studies, you see, and I couldn’t leave right away. Teekeeus would have become suspicious,” I embellished.

“Is that so?” she replied, looking at me skeptically.

“Yes ma’am. My room in the Guild hall doesn’t have a door, so I am off to the Oak and Crosier to rent a room for the night. I leave for Cloud Top in the morning.”

“I thought you just said you are leaving tonight,” she said, arching an eyebrow.

“I meant I am leaving the Guild hall tonight,” I fibbed further, cringing inside at my misstep.

She stared at me for a second, as if trying to size up the truth of my statements. I guess she believed me because her demeanor softened slightly.

“Okay then. Just get it to me as soon as possible. And remember, this is to stay just between you and I,” she said.

“Yes ma’am. Good day,” I replied and started walking away as fast as I could without looking like I was trying to escape her. I rounded the corner and stopped, peeking back to be sure Earana would not be able to see me leave through the south gate. As soon as it was clear, I bolted for the gate and ran to Honditar’s house.

I pounded furiously on the door. Honditar must have thought he was under attack because he had a dagger in his hand when he opened it. I walked right in without an invite.

“Do you have any idea of the grief this little stunt of yours has caused me?” I yelled.

“It occurred to me that you may suffer some minor repercussions. Did you think Teekeeus would never discover the book was missing?” he stated mildly, as if it was a simple fact that I should have known.

“Repercussions…REPERCUSSIONS?” I barked at him with my arms tensed and fists balled with anger. “Teekeeus is convinced that I stole the book. He wants to drum me out of the Guild!”

“Calm down Talendor. Of course he thinks it was you. You are new. I doubt he has had anything stolen before you arrived,” he said calmly.

I was furious and speechless. I stood there gritting my teeth and clenching my fists.

“If you don’t exhale, your head is going to explode,” he added, just as calmly.

I deliberately held my breath even longer, and then started to feel dizzy. I exhaled and sat down heavily on the bench next to the table.

“Unless you left evidence, he can never know it was you. This will all pass, don’t worry,” Honditar said, in that same calm voice that was starting to grate on my nerves.

“Well, my friend,” I said with a little sarcasm, “You are going to help me with something. There will be no fee this time. I have paid enough today. I need you to mark the location of Hackdirt on my map.”

“Might I ask why?”

“Dar-Ma has gone missing and I told Seed-Neeus that I would try to find her.” I said, pulling out my map, “And while you’re at it, tell me anything I might need to know about Hackdirt and the surrounding area.”

Honditar raised his eyebrows, but complied. I changed into my field gear as he spoke. He said that he didn’t know much about Hackdirt, that the citizens were secretive and unfriendly. When he finished, I snatched my map back and thanked him sarcastically. I walked out the door and left for Hackdirt without saying good bye.

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EDIT - Nit picked.

This post has been edited by TheOtherRick: Mar 7 2011, 06:42 PM