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]

Acadian: I'm glad you enjoyed the four way conversation between the characters, i'm so pleased that you're still reading!

PREVIOUSLY: Lissa and Anyanka make it to the IC and bump into Lissa's cousin, Angelie. Whilst chatting Lissa learns that is was Angelie who sent Lissa the key and the letter the last time she was in the city; and she also discovers the key belongs to her mother and that it's an Arcane University key.

18. Chapter 6 ~ The GOC: Origins ~ Part 4

"Reminus, we need your assistance." Anyanka ordered.

Anyanka and I entered the university after bidding an unfortunately premature farewell to Angelie; and the last minute decision to put our current mission on hold.

I didn’t even get to finish my tea...

"Yes Anyanka, what can I help you with?" Reminus looked at me and smiled. "I do not believe we have met."

"No, you have not, but that is unimportant. Look, this is Oleta Cristenn's daughter and we were wondering if you recognised this..." Anyanka said as i pulled the key out of my pocket. Reminus took it from my hand and examined it and handed it back to me.

"Yes, this is a key we use for personal storage chests."

"Is my mothers still here?" I asked him.

"I am most certain; but you may need to ask around to find it's location for I am unsure."

Rats

"That is no good, we must be told now for we have to go back to bravil as soon as possible."

Reminus laughed.

"Same old Anyanka. Okay, I’ll do something for you. You two wait here for a few minutes and i will ask Traven if he knows of it's whereabouts, okay?"

I smiled in thanks; but Anyanka seemed less than appreciative.

"Why must you waste time? Do hurry."

Reminus was still laughing as he walked to a sort of teleport pad at the edge of the room, disappearing in a colourful light. I turned to Anyanka.

"Why was he laughing when you were so rude to him?"

"I wasn't being rude, I assure you. I was being friendly."

"Who was being friendly?"

I heard a familiar voice pipe up from the entrance where Anyanka and I arrived from.

"JESSIE!" i screamed in delight as i ran towards her for a hug.

"It's good to see you, Lissa!" she replied as we bounced around during our embrace; much like I did with Maelona during our reunion.

"What are you doing here? Did you get into the university already?" I asked her as we stopped hugging but still smiled.

"No, not yet. I just stopped in the city on my way to Skingrad and I spotted you in the Talos Plaza heading this way so I thought I’d surprise you!"

"Well you succeeded!" I said as I grabbed her for a hug again. We both laughed with happiness before Jessie ceased to look at Anyanka.

"Who's your friend?"

"OH! Sorry. Jessie; Anyanka. Anyanka;jessie." i introduced them as they shook hands. "Anyanka is a graduate here."

"Really? How is it?" Jessie asked Anyanka.

"I shall not lie to you it is a truly amazing experience. You will enjoy it very much when you finalise your verification."

Jessie looked at me as if to say 'what?', but I replied by shaking my head slightly. After an awkward moment Jessie changed the subject.

"Anyway, why are you two here?"

"Well we are in the city to get a stolen staff..."

"Lissa; that is none of her concern!" Anyanka hissed.

"Oh, lighten up frosty." i joked before returning to what I was saying. "But we're in the university because I found out what that key was for!"

"Oh really?" Jessie said, intrigued.

"Yes, it appears it belonged to her mother. We are in the process of locating the chest where it fits." Anyanka informed her.

"Intriguing; mind if i find out with you? I've got nothing on."

"SURE!" I said.

***

After about half an hour of pointless gossip and boy talk Reminus finally came back; and with good news.

"It appears the chest is in the basement of the mages quarters. I will retrieve it for you in a moment."

"Can’t we just go ourselves?" I asked. He laughed as if I had told a really funny joke. Us girls just looked at each other; confused.

"You cannot just go wandering into the university; you are not a student here!"

Jessie and I looked at Anyanka expectantly.

"I see that you expect me to go and get the chest. But I refuse. Reminus is sending people on it and as I simply do not want to, I won’t be offering my assistance."

I looked at Jessie, "at least she was honest."

Reminus walked through a door into the university grounds; presumably to get the chest.

"What do you expect to find, Lissa?" Rihanae asked me.

I don't know. It had to be something worth saving if mother practically gave the key a personal bodyguard.

"Could it be dangerous? You must be cautious."

Knowing mother it would be the scroll for a spell she is working on. stop worrying.

"I can't help it."

Well, try.

I sat with the girls anxiously awaiting Reminus's return. Rihanae had made a good point. I had no idea what this chest would contain; but it had to be something important. I was scared to find out; but excited at the same time.

"I notice a look of concern on your face, Lissa. Do not worry. I value you as a friend and i am certain that you are strong enough to face anything to come out of the chest; should it be negative."

"You think of me as a friend?" I said; the sentiment was wonderful.

"Correct."

"What about me?" Jessie asked; hope in her smile.

Anyanka looked at her with an examining look before answering, "I hardly know you; so know. But that doesn't mean you mean nothing to me."

I looked at Jessie, "That's as good as you're going to get for now."

I continued to talk to the girls when in mid conversation I heard a voice.

"Excuse me, I was wondering if you knew where I could find a rambunctious adventurer?"

I turned my head to see a very familiar face stood before me; it was Tandilwen.

"Tandi? Is that you?" i asked; i stood up and hugged her, excited. She didn’t look any different; still as beautiful as ever.

"It most certainly is! how have you been?" she asked me; we ceased the hugging and we sat down; Jessie budging up slightly to give Tandilwen room.

"I've been great! How are you? How are things here?" I asked.

"It's very fulfilling to be here; if not hard work." she said with a smile.

"I bet," I suddenly remembered about the girls, "Oh, I’m sorry introductions. Tandilwen, this is Jessie and Anyanka, my friends."

"Pleased to meet you!" Tandi said, shaking their hands before turning back to me, "So how was your adventure? Saved the world yet?"

I laughed, "No, I haven’t, hopefully soon though!" We both laughed together. Jessie stood up and took Anyanka into a corner with her; no doubt to give Tandilwen and I some privacy, which I appreciated.

"So what happened? have you gotten tired of Tamriel's beauty already?"

"No, nothing like that..."

I explained about Falvor’s premonition and about Leinahtan.

"That is horrible! Why would somebody be after you?" she said, shocked. I didn't know how to answer her question, so I closed and changed the subject.

"I dont know really, and right now i don't care. All i want is to get that chest."

"Chest?" Tandi asked; i remembered that I didn’t tell her about it; all these reunions and i had forgotten who I had told who what.

"OH! Well my cousin found this key from my mother and gave it to me. Apparently it opens a chest mother left here. Reminus is off to get it now."

"Oh, Lissa; every the detective."

I laughed; I’d forgotten how funny Tandilwen was.

"So what are you doing right now?" I asked her.

"Actually, i came here to find Reminus but he is obviously not here."

"Ah; his lack of attendance must have given it away."

"Indeed."

We laughed together. Anyanka looked over at us.

"I expect to learn of what it is you find so funny!" She shouted over to us.

"But telling someone what we are gossiping about them is no fun!" I teased. Anyanka jokingly scowled, then continued talking to Jessie; I could see from there smiles that they were getting along. Tandi and I continued our conversation.

"How is Clesa? and Maelona?" she asked me.

"Well Clesa is involuntarily abstinent and Maelona is pregnant."

A mixture of shock and happiness covered her face; hopefully about Maelona and not Clesa, as that would we strange.

"Really?"

I nodded, "Yup, once isn't getting any and the other is getting too much!"

She playfully slapped my hand, "Don't be so vulgar!"

We laughed together; but the laughter was halted when Reminus re-entered the room. He was followed by two apprentices holding a fairly large, brown chest. They walked over and placed it by my feet before scurrying out of the room and back to the courtyard.

"I think you will find that this is the chest you seek. Now please excuse me, for I have business to attend to."

He turned to leave but Tandilwen spoke up to stop him.

"Actually i needed to speak with you!" Tandilwen said; rising to her feet and then turning to me. "Wait here, I’ll be back once I’ve spoken with him."

"Okay; speak soon." Tandi smiled and walked over to Reminus; they then left through the main door.

"Thank you!" I shouted after him.

Jessie and Anyanka then came back over and sat with me.

"Did you have a good catch up?" Jessie asked me.

I nodded; looking at the chest. I knew what i next move had to be; but i wasn't sure whether or not to make it.

"Are you going to open it?" Jessie asked me. I just sat there, frozen with worry.

"Are you okay?" Anyanka asked me.

I didn't know what had happened. I was so scared about what could be in the box that I was in a very, very, very minor catatonic state. Jessie put her hand on my knee.

"Would you like me to open it?" she asked me. Some form of relief filled my body and i nodded; handing her the key.

She cautiously put the key in the lock and turned it. She opened the chest and we were met by the smell of musky old papers.

Is that it?

"Well even I find that disappointing!"

I began to rummage through the papers; the girls helping me. There was nothing of interest in their at all; a few spells, notes from mothers research but nothing worthwhile."

"Why did mother make such a big deal over this junk?" I asked Jessie.

"Well maybe it wasn't junk to her. Maybe it was important."

Even still, I felt a huge rush of disappointment and even anger fuel my body.

Such a waste of time. I wish I didn't even-

"Lissa..."

I turned to see Anyanka holding a piece of paper. She had a deeply concerned look on her face.

"What is that?" I asked her. She handed me the piece of paper and all three of us looked at it.

It was a small drawing of Mother and father. They looked very smart and confidant, but then I noticed something; something horrifying.

"Who is that boy?" Jessie asked me. in the drawing dad was carrying a boy, a redguard who looked a lot like him. He must have been about 4 years old. I turned the picture around to see writing.

It said 'The Cristenn family: Oleta Cristenn, Nathaniel Cristenn...'

Then I read the last part out loud.

"... and Leinahtan Cristenn..."


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This post has been edited by Rihanae: Jun 7 2012, 03:31 PM