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 - He's not one to point fingers! I know, right? Thanks for the nit. I actually fixed it in the next chapter. Unfortunately that makes it look like Seed-Neeus is not horse savvy, like the author.

@ h.e.rider - Thanks for catching the typo. Picked. I agree about the whole rip-off quest thing. I always just give it to Teekeeus and it's off to the next one.

@ Grits - Thanks for noticing Talendor's ethics. They were nice to him, so....

@ Olen - I agree on the nit. You wouldn't believe how many times I rewrote that sentence. I finally settled on that one. I doubt the next chapter with be Lovecraft-esque, but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Thanks to everyone again for the support.

This chapter ran just a hair over the suggested 2K word limit, but it was unavoidable... My apologies for the extra 150 or so words...

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Chapter 18 – Hindered, Helped, and Harrowed

I hadn’t bothered folding the map when I left Honditar’s house, and looked at it now to get my bearings. I needed to travel due south. Judging by the distance, I understood Seed-Neeus’ concern. Dar-Ma and Blossom could have gone there at least twice by now. I started through the woods toward Hackdirt.

I loved walking in The Great Forest. It was so much greener than the highlands. Lush ferns clustered beneath the oaks, elms, and maples. The trees were everywhere, but sparse enough to let plenty of sunshine reach the ground. There were several meadows with late season wildflowers. Tall grass rippled in the breeze like waves on a green ocean. Squirrels chased each other and jumped impossible distances among the branches above. Chipmunks scurried busily along the forest floor, running their little chipmunk errands. The sights and sounds did wonders to ease my anger at Honditar.

As I continued southward, I saw ruins up ahead. They were similar to the first buildings I saw after crawling out of the sewers. Lofty marble arches that looked as if a strong breeze should topple them. Since they were so close to my intended route, I decided to have a closer look.

Mosses and lichens had latched on to much of the stone. I ascended a set of stairs to what I thought would be a platform or roof. At the top, I discovered another set of stairs spiraling downward. They ended at what appeared to be a door. A large creeper had woven itself in and out of the arches that surrounded this part of the structure. It was as thicker than my waist and gave the impression of a giant snake trying to constrict the ruins. The temptation to investigate beyond the portal was strong, but I wasn’t here to investigate. I had more important things to tend to and left the platform to get back on my original path.

A few miles further, wood and masonry framed buildings came into view. Many of the buildings had been burned. This must have happened some time ago, based on the amount of ivy and moss that clung to them. Further into the village, I saw a house that wasn’t burnt, and next to that, a building with a sign that read ‘Moslin’s Inn’.

Seed-Neeus had mentioned Etira Moslin. That’s who Dar-Ma was supposed to meet…

I decided to explore the hamlet a little more before I entered any buildings. Most of them, including some of the burned ones, faced a central village square. At the opposite end was a chapel. Between here and the chapel, I could see another building with a sign and headed that way. As I approached, I could make out ‘Moslin’s Dry Goods’ in the fading daylight. Since this was Dar-ma’s destination, I entered the shop. I walked up to the Imperial woman that stood behind the counter. Just as I started to deliver salutations, she abruptly spoke in a stern voice.

“Let me give you some advice, stranger. Leave now. You ain’t welcome here.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. I need to ask you something. I am looking for an Argonian girl. Her name is Dar-Ma. Have you seen her?”

“I don’t know any Dar-Ma. If you’re talking about that cursed Argonian swindler from Chorrol, I’d like to know where she is as well,” she replied with a scowl.

“I would hardly call Seed-Neeus a ‘swindler’, and I am speaking of her daughter. She came to make the delivery today because Seed-Neeus was under the weather. That was this morning. You are Etira Moslin, are you not?”

“I am, but the girl never showed up. How am I supposed to run a business without any merchandise? You tell Seed-Neeus I want half off on the next delivery!” she barked.

She’s lying.

“Well, if she happens to come in, please tell her that Talendor is looking for her,” I said and left the market. I decided to start searching near the store first, and work my way outward from there. Going behind the shop, I heard a sound from inside a burned out building. I poked my head in and there was the paint mare that Seed-Neeus had described.

I knew that woman was lying!

I turned around and went right back into the shop, knowing I had her now.

“Ok…tell me where Dar-Ma is!” I demanded.

“I already told you she never showed up!” she replied as snidely as before.

“Oh yeah? What’s her horse doing behind your store then, huh?” I asked, punctuating each word with an accusatory finger.

“That’s my horse! I’ve had it for years,” she stated, matter-of-factly.

I was speechless for a moment. I couldn’t refute her statement with certainty. The horse may have been hers. I had never seen Blossom before.

Close your mouth and stop pointing, knot-head…

To try and recover, I reminded her of my message with a stern tone and strode out of the shop.

Smoooooooth…

Frowning, I glanced toward the chapel. Figuring I had nothing to lose, I decided to check there next. The inside was dimly lit by a few candles. They were fighting a losing battle against the night that had fallen since my arrival. I started walking down the aisle toward an altar when someone entered the chapel. I spun around to see an Imperial man walking toward me. A couple more people also entered the church. I walked up to the first man and asked if he had seen Dar-Ma.

“Shh. We can’t talk here. They’ll get suspicious. The girl is in danger,” he whispered, pausing a moment and glancing around, “Meet me at my house in ten minutes. It’s located at the southeast corner of town. I’ll leave the door unlocked,” and then he spoke loud enough to be heard, “Go away stranger!”

He turned and made a show of stomping out of the chapel. I stood there looking at the other parishioners. Each of them was glaring at me.

“Well…um…I guess I’ll do as he said and leave you folks to…whatever. Have a nice…um…meeting,” I said as I headed for the door.

Once outside, I turned right and headed for the man’s house. The door was unlocked as promised and I entered without knocking. He was in the middle of the room, waiting for me.

“You came. Good. I don’t have much time. I have to get back to the gathering.”

“Where’s Dar-Ma?” I asked.

“You have to believe me. I had no idea what they were planning,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“They want to bring back the Deep Ones. I thought I did too, but…she’s so innocent…” he trailed off.

“Hey! What have you done with her?” I demanded with enough force to jar him back to the moment.

“They’ve got her down in the caverns. They’re going to sacrifice her! Do you understand? You’ve got to save her!” he implored.

“Where are these caverns?” I asked impatiently.

“Take this key,” he said, handing it to me, “It will open any of the trapdoors that lead down to the caves. Every house in town has one.”

“Which one is best?”

“The one in Moslin’s Inn, it is nearest to where she is being held. Wait until midnight, when everyone is at the gathering. I have to go. I’ve been here too long already,” he said as he turned and left.

I didn’t even get to ask his name or thank him. I waited a few minutes, and then left the house. The town seemed deserted. It was eerily dark and quiet. I ducked into the shadows of a burned out house and waited for midnight. Time drew out like a blade. An owl hooted and almost made me jump out of my skin. Even the crickets sounded ominous. I couldn’t wait any longer and headed to the inn.

I entered the common room and found it empty. I searched for a trap door and discovered it in a rear corner. I unlocked a padlock and removed it from its hasp. Opening the hatch as slowly as I could, I readied myself for danger. I didn’t even realize that I had drawn my sword. Nothing jumped out and I could hear no sound from below, so down I went.

There was flickering light to my left. I cast the life detection spell that Athragar had taught me and was rewarded with a pink glow in that same direction. Tightening my grip on the hilt of my sword, I eased my way toward the source of the light. As I peeked around the corner, I was delighted to see a cage with Dar-ma shimmering in a rose colored aura. She stood as I approached.

“Talendor!” she exclaimed with obvious relief.

“Be quiet!” I whispered harshly, “Someone, or some-thing, might hear you.”

“Please, you have to get me out of here,” she tried to say in a whisper, but apparently Argonians can’t pull that off. It seems that the best they can manage is a low growling hiss, and it sounded so loud.

“I am going to get you out…just…shh…please.”

I sheathed my sword and looked around. That Zenitor God, or whatever its name is, was with me again because there was a key on a stool a few feet away. I grabbed it and sure enough, it unlocked the cage.

“Now follow me…quietly,” I whispered.

We were almost back to the ladder when a husky shirtless man entered the chamber from a passage to the left.

“You there! HOLD!” he yelled.

I grabbed Dar-Ma’s arm and dragged her to the ladder running.

“Climb…FAST!” I implored her while drawing my sword.

I followed as quickly as I could, climbing with one hand and keeping my sword in a defensive position with the other. The half naked assailant had a monstrous club that he did not intend to tickle me with. He took a mighty swing that intended to shatter bones. I dropped my sword to gain a better purchase on the ladder and swung my feet up out of the way just in time. The club splintered most of the lower ladder rungs instead of my legs. As I yanked myself upward, another shirtless man ran into the chamber. Dar-Ma was just getting through the aperture. I scrambled up after her as soon as my feet found an unbroken rung. Once through the opening, I slammed the hatch shut and stood on it.

“Your horse is in a burned out building –“

The trap door heaved upward and knocked me off my feet. I leapt up and jumped on it with all my weight, hearing a yell and a thud beneath me.

“It’s behind the store. Go now. RUN! Don’t wait for me!” I yelled.

Dar-ma bolted out of the inn, hiking her skirt to run as fast as she could. Odd thoughts happen at odd times. The sight of bare lizard legs from mid-thigh down was one of those times. The trap door was trying to open again, and that jolted me back to reality. I looked for the lock so that I could secure the hatch, but was not able to locate it. Bouncing on that trap door was starting to remind me of my coach ride to Chorrol. Suddenly, I was airborne as the hatch few open. I crashed against the wall of the inn and tumbled to the floor.

The naked half of an attacker was through the opening before I could raise the hatch and slam it again. But the effect of pinching his torso in the opening bought me all the time I needed. Using the door like a torso-loaded springboard, I jumped toward the inn’s exit. My attacker grunted as I executed this maneuver, and then yelled for me to stop. As soon as I was outside, I reached into my mind for help. I extended my arm and released purple power, conjuring a skeleton to buy more time.

The timing was perfect. The skeleton’s axe split the skull of the first man through the door. I didn’t wait around to see further results. Running as fast as my short little legs could carry me, I left the hamlet, crashing through the undergrowth of the forest. I stopped after a few minutes and listened for sounds of pursuit. My pulse was pounding between my ears and my breath could not come fast enough. I sat there panting and nocked an arrow. I would be a difficult shot, considering the darkness and the undergrowth, but I no longer had a sword.

Once I was satisfied that there were no shirtless pursuers, I started walking back toward Chorrol. I thought of Dar-ma and hoped that she had made good her escape. I really didn’t want to have to go looking for her again.

This post has been edited by TheOtherRick: Mar 10 2011, 03:59 PM