Lissa Cristenn: The Redguard Archress Options

[TrisRed]

Hello everyone!

Welcome to the tale of Lissa Cristenn! We shall start with Volume One of her fabulously, as Lissa would say 'awesome-sauce' tale!

But first, a quick introduction to my Redguard Archress.

* * *

For reference, a biography of Lissa is on my profile, but here is a quick intro for new readers

Lissa is a 19 year old Redguard Archress born and raised in the city of Anvil, Cyrodiil.
She is a thrill seeking, tenacious girl with a heart of gold.
She loves her friends and family and adores travelling.

I hope you enjoy reading of her adventures as I have enjoyed writing about them

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CONTENTS

NOTE: The prologue starts beneath the table of contents. Quick links to the chapters are provided in the contents.

Volume One - Family

Prologue
Chapter One - Hammerfell
Chapter Two - Prison Break
Chapter Three - The Imperial City
Chapter Four - Road to Chorrol
Chapter Five - Reunions
Chapter Six - GOC: Origins
Chapter Seven - We're off to see Oleta!
Chapter Eight - Kvatch
Chapter Nine - Detour
Chapter Ten - Art Attack!
Chapter Eleven - The Tale of Sir Mazoga

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VOLUME ONE - FAMILY

1. Prologue ~ Part 1

Lissa. Get up.

Lissa, You need to get up now!

“LISSA!”

My eyes pried themselves open. The sun was shining through the window. Another sunny day in Anvil. Maelona was standing by my bed, her hands on her hips.

“Do you realise how long I’ve been calling you for?” Maelona moaned.

She hovered over me, grabbed my duvet and pulled it off the bed, leaving my body vulnerable to the cold air.

“You have to get up. Mother wants you to meet her at the Mages Guild before you go and help Dad with the horses.”

“But I had a lesson yesterday. Come on…” I complained, "one lesson a week is bad enough!"

Maelona looked at me, sincerity in her eyes. She sat on my bed, looking me straight in the eyes.

Ooh, she’s serious now…

“Look, Liss, You know what Mother’s like. You know what you want to do in life and that’s good. But Mother wants you to be safe.”

I groaned before making a suggestion to my stubborn older sister.

“Well, you go and I’ll just copy your notes.” I smiled at her, who, after a short space of time had passed, smiled back.

“Come on Sis, the sooner you get it done the sooner you can go and help dad,” she reminded me.

Hmm… suddenly my lessons look all shiny and new!

Even though tending to the horses was not the most thrilling activity, I got to spend some personal time with my dad, which hardly ever happens due to him being away a lot.

Lesson time, go go go!

I rose out of my bed and put on some clothes. All I could find was a blue shirt and a pair of breeches. Not very complimentary, but it was better than going in my pyjamas; even if my pyjamas were ridiculously cute!

“There’s a good girl,” praised Maelona, “now hurry to the Guild because I’ve got to meet Gogan.”

Ooooh, Gogan eh?

“Maelona has a boyfriend!” I teased, puckering my lips to mimic kissing.

She playfully shoved my shoulder to cease my teasing, laughing as she did so,

“Don’t be mean!” she said, “and he’s NOT my boyfriend!”

“Yet…” I replied under my breath, but purposefully loud enough for Maelona to hear it.

Maelona looked at me, hands on her hips, trying to think of a clever comeback.

“Well what about you and Rhano?” she said, “I’ve seen the way you look at him.”

“Ewww… Rhano?” I said, not disgusted; merely disgraced that she didn’t think of anyone better. “Not in a million years!”

“Oh, really? Shame, because I see sparks there!” Maelona joked, at least, I hoped she was joking.

“Seriously Mae, he’s, like, 16!”

“And?”

“HE’S TWO YEARS OLDER THAN ME!” I informed her. “He’s practically ancient!”

“Lissa, I’m only teasing!” Maelona reassured me, “just relax.”

I kinda felt a bit angry at Maelona’s teasing; mainly because I actually did like Rhano. I just got defensive to hide my embarrassment.

“Sorry Mae, I didn’t meant to shout at you.” I apologized.

Maelona looked confused; probably because she didn’t understand why I was apologizing. To be honest, I didn’t either; she was only teasing.

“That’s okay honey,” she said, hugging me. I think she thought she genuinely upset me. “But jokes aside, you need to go.”

“I know,” I told her. We released ourselves from each other's embrace. I kissed Maelona on the cheek. “Meet up after I help Dad with the horses?”

Maelona nodded, whilst smiling.

“Sure thing.”

* * *

“Now, what do we know about draining health?”

I was sat at a desk in the Guild, tears of tiredness streaming down my face. Mother’s lessons were boring. That’s the only word to describe it. She was adamant that I become at least an apprentice in Restoration before I set out on my adventures, But I was only 14. I wasn’t going anywhere just yet.

“Mother, I know all this. To drain health you have to get up real close to the enemy then BAM, health draining goodness.”

“Well, no, you have to touch the enemy to drain its health. Have you even been listening Lissa?”

There was an awkward silence, but I spoke up.

“No.”

“Lissa!”

“I’m sorry Mother, but I just don’t understand why I have to learn so much RIGHT now. I’m not leaving until I’m 21”

“But what about if you run into something before you leave? An ogre? A TROLL! What will you do then?”

“Run like M’aiq I guess…”

“This isn’t a laughing matter, Lissa! You need to know how to take care of yourself!”

I was shocked. I’d never seen mother this angry before.

“Sorry mother, I just…”

“You just what, Lissa? I’m not asking a lot from you, am I?”

“Mother, I-“

She interrupted me before I could finish.

“No more excuses Lissa.” She had tears forming in her delicate eyes. “Why can’t you understand how important this is?”

“I do, Mother, I really do. It’s just… You’re putting too much pressure on me. My little brain can’t handle it. I want to learn, I really, really do but, I just feel like my brains about to go all ka-blooey.”

Mothers eyes slowly turned from angry, to sympathetic. She walked over from the bookshelf and perched next to me. Her hand touched mine.

“I know honey, I’m sorry. It’s just that I worry. I just want you to be completely safe for when you venture out into the world. If I know that I’ve contributed to your safety, I won’t worry as much.”

I felt incredibly guilty after Mother told me this.

Dang, now I feel super bad…

“Oh… sorry Mother. I didn’t know you felt like that. Ok… I wanna keep going.”

“No, Lissa, You’re right. I’m pushing too much on you.” She stood up, walked over to the coat rack and grabbed my coat. “That’s enough for today. Go and see your Father.”

Mother smiled at me. I ran up to her and kissed her on the cheek, grabbed the coat from her hand and headed to the door. Before I had a chance to leave I was grounded to a halt at somebody saying my name.

“Lissa. Are you all done for today?”

It was Carahil, head of the Anvil mages guild; and the nicest Altmer you could ever meet.

“Yeah, mother let me go early!” I said, slightly exited.

“Ah, well it’s about time! To be honest she gets too passionate about her lessons sometimes. I’m glad Oleta has gone easy on you today.”

“Yeah.” I said, I tried to rush away, “see you later!”

“She only wants you to be safe Lissa, do you understand?”

I spoke up, getting more agitated.

I just wanna go!

“Yeah…” I replied. “BYE!”

I headed towards the door, but yet again Carahil had something to say.

“If you ever feel like you need a breather, just come and see me. I’m sure I’ll have something for you to do.” Said Carahil, smiling that kind smile she has.

“Thank you.” I said, sincerely. “I’ve got to go and meet dad now, so…”

A spark of realisation appeared on Carahil’s face.

“OH! I’m terribly sorry! I sometimes do not know when to be quiet. You go! Have fun!”

I nodded, smiled at Carahil and finally left the guild.

Carahil, sometimes I wish you were my… hmm, bad thought.

I tried not to think about what I just thought as I headed to the main gate to Anvil, which led straight to the stables. Dad owned the stables, and the horses we looked after were beautiful.

But I could never afford one of my own...

“LISSA!”

I turned to see Maelona running towards me. “You left this at home.”

She was holding the jade necklace she bought me for my sixth birthday. My most treasured possession.

“Oh, thanks, where’d you find it?”

“Under your pillow. You need to take care of it. It’s magic, you know.” She smiled and handed me the necklace.

“It sure is Mae. I gotta go see Dad. See you later.”

We exchanged hugs and Maelona ran back towards Gogan. They were sitting by the big oak tree opposite the Mages Guild. Maelona spent all her time there. It seemed a bit boring to me. I headed to the main gate to get to the stables when I was stopped yet again by somebody touching my shoulder. I turned to see Rhano behind me, that cute grin on his face.

“Lissa, are you busy?” he asked.

I stared at him. His gorgeous face, his beautiful eyes, his soothing voice, his slim, yet, muscular body…

“…No.” I replied.

“Good, because I need a favour.”

“Yes!” I agreed.

“You don’t even know what it is yet.” Rhano said, smiling.

“Oh… um n-no I don’t do I? Um… haha- what is it?” I asked, nervously.

Brilliant Lissa, made a fool of yourself!

“Well my dad wants me to go to that old abandoned manor by the chapel and pick up some… stuff. Wanna come with?”

Do I want to go to an old, freaky, smelly, scary, haunted, abandoned manor with you?

“…Okay!” I replied.

* * *

“Here it is!” said Rhano, holding a strange looking dagger.

We managed to climb into the manor through an old window. The manor was dark and dingy… and smelly. Cobwebs covered the dank walls of the shabby house. We walked through the sitting area, through the dining room (which reeked of rotten food), and into a small foyer where there was a door leading to, what I can only assume was, the basement, and a large staircase leading to the second floor. Laying on a table at the foot of the stairs was the dagger.

“What is that?” I asked.

“It’s my mother's enchanted dagger.” He answered.

“Oh. Why did she leave it here?”

His face turned solemn once I asked that question.

Did I say something wrong?

“Are you ok?” a asked, concerned.

Rhano sat down on the staircase and I perched next to him.

“My mother came into this house to rid it of the ‘ghosts’. She was on a contract for the guild and she… she came here and… she…”

I could see that he was getting upset, but being as macho as he was he didn’t allow himself to cry.

“Did she die here?”

Rhano turned to look at me. He slowly nodded his head with tear filled eyes.

"How?" I stupidly asked. I was met with no response from Rhano; much expected due to the inappropriate nature of the question.

Suddenly I had a realisation.

“Why would your dad send you in here knowing she was… killed, here?”

Rhano said nothing.

“He didn’t send you in here, did he?” I asked.

Rhano shook his head. He turned to look at me.

“I’m sorry for lying. I just wanted something to remember her by, you know? Dad told me that her dagger was lost and I just…. I’m so sorry.”

He began to cry. I respected him for crying, letting his feelings out like that. I hugged him, to comfort him.

“It’s okay…” I said to him.

* * *

“Sorry honey but the horses are all sorted.”

After Rhano let out his grief, we left the manor. He headed back to the fighters guild to see his father, Azzan, and I headed to the stables.

“Oh… That’s ok. I’ll go back and see Mother, then.”

“Actually, I had something else planned.”

My eyes lit up.

“Ooh, what is it?”

Dad laughed.

“Now if I told you that, it wouldn’t be a surprise, would it?”

I was incredibly exited. Not only was I spending quality time with my Dad, but he had an amazing day planned. Things were looking perfect.

* * *

Dad and I went on a little journey along the Gold Coast. It was about as exciting as getting pinched by a mudcrab, but I loved it. I was with my dad. We were walking along the coast, the sun burning its gaze into our skin when Dad suddenly stopped in his tracks. My attention met with what caught his; a young Bosmer girl being chased by what I could only assume were bandits. Dad unsheathed his mighty war hammer.

"Honey, go back home. Daddy's gotta take care of somethin'." His tone was serious. Mine was not.

"But Daddy, I wanna go with you. I'm not scared."

He knelt down to my level. His eyes met mine.

"I know you're not, honey, but do this for me. Ok?"

After a pause I nodded, my eyes obviously showed my disappointment. Dad kissed my forehead, rose to his feet and chased the Bandits.

After Dad was out of sight I headed back to Anvil. But then I stopped. I needed to know that Dad was ok, so I turned back around and ran in the direction my Dad had gone. I was disobeying his orders, and I didn't care.

The fresh footprints in the sand led to a solitary cave, which I entered without fear. All I could see was black. All I could hear was the lonely sound of water dripping from above. All I could feel was suppressed fear.

I grabbed a torch that hung loosely from the cave wall. Luckily, I knew a minor flare spell, courtesy of my overprotective mother, so lighting the torch was no big deal. It was big, though. I looked like an idiot holding it. The moment the heavy torch was lit, horror filled my body and caused my skin to freeze.

Bodies. Lots of bodies.

The bodies of the bandits, bodies of villagers... and the body of the Bosmer girl. The fear on her face terrified me. She looked so scared. Her eyes were haunting. The smell was horrible. Some of the bodies could have been there for days, or weeks, or months! That was a horrible thought.

What kind of monster could have done this?

But then I noticed something. Dad was nowhere to be seen.

And the dead had large bruises planted on their bodies. The weapon Dad took into the cave with him could easily have made them.

Only one question filled my head.

Did Dad do this?


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This post has been edited by Rihanae: Jan 17 2014, 04:08 PM

[TrisRed]

HELLO!

I deeply apologize for my sudden absence, but i assure you that Lissa and I are back and ready to continue the journal. Thank you all for being patient

Acadian: I'm glad that you noticed the role reverals with Lissa and Anyanka's friendship to Jessie and Lissa's. It was interesting to see a side of Lissa that was desperate to be liked

King Coin: I'm glad that you like Lissa's skills to get Anyanka to open up. I'm sure that they will be great friends, too! (If Lissa doesn't irritate Anyanka too much!)

Grits: I'm glad that you enjoy Anyanka as an origional character. I hope you enjoy the contrast between her and Lissa!

mALX: Thank you for your comments! I'm so glad that you enjoy the characters personalities as much as i enjoy writing them

PREVIOUSLY: On the journey to the IC Lissa and Anyanka get to know each other a little better. After bonding they decided that after their current mission at getting Ardaline's staff back they would endure their toughest mission yet... visiting their parents! Lissa in Kvatch and Anyanka in Cheydinhal.

17. Chapter 6 ~ GOC: Origins ~ Part 3

It had taken almost half a day for Anyanka and me to travel to the Imperial City; but I can guarantee you that the journey wasn’t dull. Anyanka made what would have possibly been a tedious journey for a tedious reason a LOT more enjoyable.

On the way to the city we stopped off at the Wawnet Inn, but only for a minute to say a quick hello to Nerussa as Anyanka made it quite clear that we had more important matters to attend to and socialising would have to wait.

[i]Rude, but true.

I’d almost forgotten how amazing the view across the bridge to the Imperial City was whilst walking along it, even though this time I was walking to the Imperial City rather than away from it. The feeling you got when the city got closer with each step, the sounds of the city becoming louder and clearer with each stride, was incredibly immense.

I never thought I would be going back to the city as soon as I did due to the fact that I was worried that the guards would find out that Jessie and I had killed the Breton man, even though we had been assured that whoever did it was in the clear. Even still I couldn’t help but shake the feeling that my actions would have consequences, despite the fact that I didn’t make the killing blow. I hated the fact that Leinahtan would selfishly take over the bodies and souls of innocent people to do his bidding. These people could have had lives, family; and he was just more than willing to end that almost instantaneously.

The moment Anyanka and I had entered the Imperial City by the Talos Plaza district I stopped in my tracks. I had always loved the feeling of returning to a place I loved after being away for so long. I took the opportunity to take in my surroundings, looking around to see the people of the city wandering around with their everyday lives. The city air quite dank and musty as I inhaled it deeply into my lungs. I closed my eyes to focus on the sounds of the city; concentrating hard to listen to the-

“Lissa? What you are doing is highly unusual and obscure. I ask that you stop before some one begins to notice.”

I opened my eyes and turned my head to look at Anyanka. She had a slightly disturbed look on her face. I couldn’t for the life of me imagine why.

“Sorry, kind of a habit of mine.” I said with a smile. Anyanka looked at me, a confused look in her eye.

“Strange.” Anyanka replied. She began to walk toward the door to the Elven Garden District. I enjoyed one last moment of reminiscence before following her.

As we walked toward the door to the Elven Gardens we stopped. In the distance I noticed something. Someone was looking directly at me, waving frantically to catch my attention. When my attention was caught the person began to walk closer towards us. It was a Redguard, a female Redguard. Her hair was short and red.

Probably dyed.

As she approached us Anyanka turned to me.

“Who is this person? I am unsettled by her cheeriness. Tell her to go away.”

I shushed her and put on a fake smile as the Redguard finally reached us. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite work out who she was; but it was obvious that she knew me.

“Well if it isn’t little Lissa Cristenn!”

I looked at the woman; still oblivious to who she was. Stupidly I opened my mouth to say something in response…

“By the nine! I can’t believe it’s… you?” I replied. The woman laughed.

“Don’t worry; I’m not surprised you don’t recognise me. You haven’t seen me in years,” She assured me. “But it’s me, Angelie? Rohssan’s daughter?”

Suddenly I was filled with excitement.

Oh dear, how could I have forgotten Angelie?

Angelie spoke again.

“The last time I saw you, you were only small! Look how you’ve grown!”

I smiled. Angelie had always been one of my favourite cousin’s growing up. She was a lot older than me, twenty years at least, but she always treated me like an adult. I was horrified that I didn’t recognise her sooner.

***

Angelie had invited Anyanka and I into her home for some tea. We sat on the couch, Anyanka looking disgruntled and unimpressed. All she wanted to do was complete the mission; all I wasted to do was have a catch up and a gossip.

Angelie came out if the kitchen with a pot of water ready to put on the fire to boil.

“So how have things been with you?” She asked me. I hoped she hadn’t heard that I went away for a couple of years. I was too tired for story time.

Well she has been living in Hammerfell for the past ten years. Chances are she wouldn’t have heard…

“I hear you went exploring for a while? How was that? Tell me everything!” She continued.

Great.

“Maybe you should write the tales of your journey and hand them out to everyone that ask’s? You’d be a millionare.” Rihanae said, attempting sarcasm, but failing miserably.

Hush, you!

I looked at Angelie, ready to tell her the story of my travels; before Anyanka stepped in instead.

“Lissa doesn’t have time to waste talking about her travels. Wait until a less busy time for her.”

“Good old Anyanka. Straight to the point.” Rihanae said. He was right, but for the wrong reasons. Anyanka could be incredibly rude sometimes, but I guess that was her charm.

“I see,” Angelie said, putting the pot on the fire and sitting down. “So Lissa… did you get my present?”

I looked at her, then Anyanka, then back at Angelie.

“Present?” I said, confused.

Angelie nodded her head, “Yes, I had it delivered to you last time you were in the city.”

“The key?” Rihanae pointed out.

Yes, I got that.

I pulled the key from my pocket and showed it to Angelie. She smiled.

“Yes! So you did get it! I’m relieved; I thought that delivery man would have lost it!”

But Simplicia gave it to me?

“Mail… man?” I asked. I was worried that Angelie got confused. She didn't seem all together there.

“Well I instructed the mailman to give it to someone else to deliver it to you.”

I was confused, the whole thing made absolutely no sense. Why didn’t she just give it to me herself? And why the cryptic messages? I decided to hold back asking those questions to ask the most important one.

“Erm… what is the key for?”

Angelie had a look on her face as if she was searching her brain for the answer, but she shook her head.

“I don’t know, all I know is that it belongs to your mother.”

Another twist. Hoorah.

“My mother’s key? Why do you have it?”

“She gave it to my mother when you were away. She said it was important.”

“So then why was it in your possession?” Anyanka asked her.

“I happened to stumble across it in Mothers bedroom the last time you came to the city. I felt like I was drawn to it. And for some reason I knew I had to give it to you.”

“But why all the mysterious letter mumbo jumbo? Why not just simply give it to me?”

“… Hm… I don’t know.” Angelie shrugged.

I was slightly angered and Angelie’s lack of assistance. I decided to ask her something that she had a better chance of knowing the answer to.

“So… how do you know it was my mothers?”

Angelie had that look on her face again, the look that suggested she was trying to remember something, but again she shook her head.

“I don’t know. I just …do.”

Angelie looked dead certain that she was telling the truth, which was even MORE confusing. I looked at Anyanka; she was as confused as I was. So many question’s filled my head, and those piled on top of all the other questions caused my head to be just about ready to explode.

Rihanae, explain?

“I have no answers, Lissa. All I can say is that you trust her.”

Whilst I was pondering answers in my confuzzled little brain, Angelie had gone to check on the tea and Anyanka took the key out of my hand. She examined it closely, before a spark of realisation appeared on her face.

“Lissa, do you see this?”

I leaned over to look at what Anyanka was pointing at. A small emblem on the base of the key. I recognised it, but I was unsure of what it represented.

“What is it?” I asked her. I could tell by her expression, a sort of exited look with a hint of utter glee, that she knew what the emblem was.

“It is the emblem of the Arcane University.”

FINALLY! An answer!

I was thrilled that after all this mystery and craziness, we were finally going somewhere. But I still had a question on my mind.

“But what kind of key is it? A door key?”

Anyanka thought intensly, but came up with nothing.

“I don’t know… but I suggest we go and find out.”

I was surprised that Anyanka had suggested this. All day long Anyanka had been all ‘HURRY UP, MISSION TIME! GO, GO, GO!’.

Maybe she was intrigued by the mystery surrounding the key and wanted answers just for the thrill of it.

Or maybe, JUST maybe… she actually cares.


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This post has been edited by Rihanae: Jun 7 2012, 03:35 PM