With Fate Uncertain And Bloodstained Hands, Memoirs of Felisa Serhas. Chapter One: Beginning of the end Options

[saqin]

In this thread you will find the first two chapters in the history about the assassin Felisa Serhas, the khajiit scout Sa'Quira and Gasheera, who remembers nothing of his former life. This history tels the tale about how Gasheera came to be one of the greatest heroes of Cyrodiil, and how the trio went about to make it happen. Because when the jaws of Oblivion open, noone ever thinks the thought that the one that's saving them is lying.

Chapter One: Beginning of the End



My head ached as I arose from the hard stone floor. I waited for the dizzines to disapear as I looked around in the room. Just then I noticed it wasn't a room, and the events of the last few days came rushing back at me.

I sank down towards the wall and managed to close my eyes. The stench picking at my nose, and thoughts whirling all around my head. It was indeed cold in the cell, and the only things I'd have any use of in here was a stool, a small table, a bucket and a bedroll. I would have thought they could at least give me some water. For the soreness of my throat was increasing.

A while later a noice from another cell made me open my eyes. Sighing at the thought of how long I'd have to be here, I looked out through the steel bars of the cell and saw another dunmer in the one across.

He had a few wrinkles and his hair was grey. At the moment he was leaning against the bars of the cell door, his red eyes staring almost hysterically, at me. But soon his eyes went back to normal, as if he'd just finished evaluating me. He looked strong, but it was noticeable that he had spent much time in the cell.

"Well that's somethin' ya' don't see every day. What a pretty face." He finished his sentence with a smile, and I returned it carefully. Not yet sure of what to think. I then got up and put my hands on the cell door, looking at him.

"Ya' know, one of those guards owe me a favor, I could maybee get us put in the same cell." He said, still smiling." Ya' know, it gets pretty cold down here during the nights." I rolled my eyes, looking up in the roof before turning my eyes on him again.

"That's all you can think about? Getting someone to spend the night with?" Now I sat down on the floor, feeling how much my strength had been drained during the last hours. Though how many it had been since I fell asleep, I did not know.

"Hmph, you'll find it gets pretty lonely down here. Trust me, in a few months, you'll be asking me." He answered and chuckled. I sighed and tilted my head backwards again.



"Could you maybe tell me what time it is? You see, I don't have a window in my cell." I looked up and saw him watching me. Nodding slightly I arose from the floor and moved the stool to stand beneath the small window. Then I got up on it and looked out.

The sun shone clearly, almost enlightening the trees, and lake Rumare. It was a fine day, and had I been out there, I would probably have taken a swim in the lake. But, as I remembered myself over and over again, I wasn't.

"The sun is high in the sky, so I would say around twelve." When I'd told him I put the chair back and laid down on the bedroll. I was way to pained by the thought of the sun being on the other side of the wall, so I couldn't really stand the sight of it.

"What's your name?" He asked, and it took me by suprise. I hadn't thought he was still looking at me. But I sat up and looked at him across the cell.

"Felisa. Felisa Serhas. That is my name." He nodded and it took a while for me before I continued. "What is yours?"

"My name? It is Valen Dreth."

......................................................................................................................

A short beginning, I know. But I do not have time to write more today.

This post has been edited by saqin: Apr 21 2011, 11:30 AM

[Saquira]

I've finally finished the third chapter! Now there's just two more to go, and I've already written most of the fifth one. Yep, I've got most of it planned now! But, enough of that. Here's some more from Sa'Quira

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I'd quite positively be lying if I said that I had any idea of what Felisa did for the following weeks. See, we parted ways when me and Gasheera had to head back up to Cloud Ruler Temple. She simply said she'd be in touch later, and then we got occupied with running the Emperors errands.

The second to last item required to gain access to Mankar Camoran's paradise was “the blood of a Divines”, hence we had to go to Sancre Tor to find the lost armour of Tiber Septim, which they said should have some of his blood on it. At the same time, Jauffre asked us to get help for Bruma. Chances were big they'd try to open a Great Gate like the one at Kvatch outside the city, and we had to get more soldiers to help defend it.

So we went to all the other cities, and to the various guilds. Felisa's purpose became quite evident when a note was left on Gasheera's pillow, holding only a black hand, and Gasheera was quite distraught that an assassin had sneaked up on him as he slept. I couldn't help but laugh, and then I of course helped him train to become more perceptive.

During our travels I gave him what little training I could in the way of the sword, and though I tried to teach him my own art, that of archery, he was quite hopeless with it. For the life of me I don't think he would have hit a barn if he'd been standing on the inside.

Our most interesting encounter was, I believe, when we reached Skingrad. I'll not bore you with any details of the gates into which we travelled, but that meeting with the count I think is worth sharing. We visited all the cities and guilds before we travelled to Sancre Tor, and in truth I'm quite glad we did.

* * *

Coming to Skingrad after a few weeks of travelling, a mere hour before the setting of the sun, we wasted no time in visiting the castle. Though we after seeing the gate to Oblivion outside the city were quite aware of what the the count would ask of us, propriety required that we speak to the count first to let him know of our intentions.

It was evening when we arrived at Skingrad, our feet stepping quickly over the cobbled stone as we drew nearer to the castle. Sleep could wait until we'd spoken to the count.

More guards than usual patrolled the road between the city and the castle, and the cause became evident when one saw the burning gate to Oblivion east of the castle. They greeted us all the way along the road, the bridge and then when we reached the enclosed courtyard. The two guards by the door to the castle held it open when we approached, and I smiled thankfully to them as the two of us walked past.

The great hall was lit only by a few torches on the walls, and only two people aside from the guards were present. A female argonian in green finery, and a male orc in middle class clothes. The argonian approached when she saw us, inquiring for what two khajiit wished in castle Skingrad.

“I'm Gasheera, hero of Kvatch, and this I my mate Sa'Quira,” he said. “We have come to meet the count. We would very much like to discuss the gate of Oblivion outside of Skingrad.”

“Very well. The count is having company, but I doubt he'll mind meeting the two of you. If you'd please follow me.” She turned on her heel and started walking, only looking back momentarily to make sure we were following.

We walked through many dark halls as each and every one was devoid of windows. A dining area passed, and a narrow corridor that ended with a drape behind which a hidden passage could be found. In some places, the dust hadn't been cleaned away for decades, and in some you could see your face in the marble floor.

Materials varied greatly as we continued on through the castle, though the greater part consisted of stone and wood. I did not know how long we had walked when we reached the top of a staircase and walked out into the chill night air on what seemed like one of the towers.

The night sky was littered with star, and not a single cloud covered up the beauty. Thanks to the lack of light the stars could be seen clearly, and a sense of nausea at the great scale made me look down again, onto the tower on which we stood. The argonian was walking across the stone, towards a table at which two men sat in fine wooden chairs. One of them, an imperial by the looks of him, looked at us when she had finished speaking, and a tremor went through my body at the sight of his eyes. Red as blood.

The female argonian walked past us while my gaze was locked to the vampires, and she did not utter a single word. Instead it was the man with the red eyes that spoke next, while his friend was still looking out over the edge of the tower.

“Welcome to Skingrad. Please, have a seat,” he said and smiled, gesturing to two chairs that I could have sworn did not stand there mere moments before. Though my fur was standing on edge, I squeezed Gasheera's hand lightly and took him with me to sit in the offered chairs. As we came closer, I got a much better look on the two men, though the second had still not turned around.” I am the count of Skingrad, Janus Hassildor, and this young man is named Sorcalin,” the vampire said, and the other man turned around to look at us

“Hmp, I wouldn't say I'm young exactly,” Sorcalin said and smiled oddly. He appeared to be an Altmer, though his chin wasn't close to as pointy as that of most high elves, and there was a strange gleam to the bright green eyes. And while he looked much like a youth in the smoothness of his face and the wild spirit in his eyes, at the same time he radiated a certain wisdom that was very seldom seen. The count scowled at the altmer, who responded with a simple smile.

“I assume you are Gasheera and Sa'Quira, I must admit I've heard quite a bit about you. And though your business here can easily be guessed when one look upon the fiery lady whom grace the forest just beyond my castle, I'd like for you to utter the words yourself. As much of a formality as it is, it is still a formality that should be held on to.” Gasheera opened his mouth to speak when I looked at him, but the count stopped him with a raised hand. “I somehow doubt you know all the details, hmm? Please... Dar'Quira... enlighten us.” My head whipped around as I heard him utter the words, and I felt cold dread creep up my spine. It was a name of the past, one I hadn't thought I'd ever be hearing again. The only trace of a past that I didn't think anyone knew about.

I looked at both of the men when preparing to speak, and saw that same knowing look in the eyes of the Altmer. Who was he? Why was he in the company of the count when he clearly knew of who the count was? Then the man smiled and exposed his fangs, and the feeling of dread increased. Two vampires, one more powerful than the other. Much more powerful.

Here ends the third chapter of With Fate Uncertain and Bloodstained Hands.

This post has been edited by Saquira: Jul 3 2012, 02:03 PM