A New Sun Rises - Before The Prologue, The Fated Journey From Vvardenfell To Cyrodiil Options

[mALX]

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A New Sun Rises

Before The Prologue 1

The Bitter Coast of Vvardenfell:


http://i.imgur.com/YnHKw.jpg





The Dunmer Stronghold of Hlormaren:













3rd Era, year 412

The 20th of Sun's Height, (the Holiday of Sun's Rest, all businesses closed in observance);
West Southwest of Veranis Hall, Guard Checkpoint to the Septim's Gate Pass:

Darkness had long since fallen when the group neared the checkpoint. No one traveled on Sun's Rest, their shift had dragged by with excruciating slowness, so even the sight of these bedraggled Khajiit travelers was a welcome relief from the tedium.

The guard in the opposite shack noticed them first and called to him, indicating the approaching group. "Looks like we got us a traveling circus."

"I don't doubt it, since the Emperor's ban on magic travel to Cyrodiil went into effect today. We'll see every bit of riffraff in the Province trying to cross the borders now."

He eyed the fine rich clothing of the leader, who on first glance he took to be a Dunmer lord with his slaves filed behind him.

The guard across from him leaned over and spat a wad of brown cud, then shouted to him in a surprised voice, "Geelaw! That big one in front is a cat!"

"Can't be...by the gods, you're right! I see the tail now! Four Khajiit by themselves? Where's their master?"

"Anything is possible, who knows what goes on in some of the other Provinces. Maybe he's a cat king or something." The guard in the opposite shack whistled. "That is one strange looking cat!"

The guard stared gaping at the male in front where their owner should be walking. It was the strangest looking Khajiit he'd ever seen, overlarge and with fur so dark and sparse it looked like skin covered in coal soot. The bone structure of his face was oddly flattened and angular, but for the tail and catlike ears he looked almost human.

His air was of power and one used to being in charge, but his neck bore the same slave tattoo as the three Khajiit following in his wake. The guard recognized that mark, these Khajiit were all the property of the Dunmer Stronghold Hlormaren over on the Bitter Coast. What were they doing leaving Morrowind; escaping?

"Halt right there! Where is your owner?" The guard rose from his stool, sliding his hand nearer the sword at his side in case of trouble. His eyes ran over them suspiciously.

The female directly behind the big black cat had the same odd flat angular facial features, but everything else about her strongly contrasted him. She was as white as he was dark, and couldn't be much over five feet tall while he was well over six foot. Where he looked strong, she looked frail and delicate.

The couple in the rear looked no different from any common Khajiit slave, their facial features coarse and fierce; catlike. The only similarity in the two couples became evident as they neared his shack, it was obvious both females were with child.






***


The group of four Khajiit approached the checkpoint guardhouse in single file, each with their travel documents already in hand and held out to be stamped. The huge black cat stepped forward, speaking in a cultured voice.

"Well met, good man. We were all freed when Hlormaren was cleared, we are not owned anymore."

"I'll be needing to see your emancipation marks if you're claiming to be freed slaves."

The dark cat held out his hand to show his Freed Slave tattoo, indicating the others do the same.

"Can't be too sure, I've seen your kind with the tattoo drawn on in ink." The guard carefully inspected the Freed Slave tattoos on each, rubbing them briskly and checking his hand afterward for fresh ink.

"Alright then, state your business."

"As you see, our wives are quite with child. Thanks to the Emperor's ban on magic travel to Cyrodiil today, we find ourselves having to cross on foot...unless exceptions to the law can be found, due to their conditions. Special circumstances, so to speak."

With one hand the Khajiit indicated the two female's rounded stomachs, while his other hand waved a hundred Septim note in a circular motion. Greed lit the guard's eyes, and he tried to pinch the note from the Khajiit's hand. The cat was quick to jerk it out of reach, and the guard's expression soured into a defeated grimace.

"Can't. They've put some magic barrier up. Can't even use recall back. If you're leaving Morrowind, you'll need to register your name." He slid a heavy book of parchments across the counter, indicating several inkwells and a jar of quills. "I'll be taking your travel documents and comparing them to what you write."

The guard processed their documents and waved them through the gate. "The Imperial Legion has taken over the Septim's Gate Pass west of the turnoff for Bodrum. Any foot traffic through that end of the Pass will find you in jail at one of their forts through there."

S'Vandra nodded, sliding the guard a twenty Septim note. "I thank you for the warning, good man. Is there another way to cross the border?"

The guard softened a bit as he tucked the bribe into his pocket. "Cut south toward Bodrum, you'll see the signpost. There's hamlets through there if you need to stop with those two about to have their birthing. At Bodrum follow the signpost west for the Shadowgate Pass. That'll take you into Cyrodiil, but I'll warn you now; it's wild country through that Pass. You look like you can handle that Katana at your side, don't go that way if you can't."

S'Vandra slid the guard a ten Septim note and thanked him again, then signaled the others to heft their packs.

S'Vandra:







Shivani:







Nisaba:







S'Renji:

*******



The next day, mid morning, end of the guard's shift:

The guard stretched and yawned. His replacement was thirty minutes late, what could be keeping him? He'd lodge a complaint with the Captain if the man didn't get here soon.

It was nearly thirty minutes later when the door to the shack finally opened and his replacement stepped in. To relieve his irritation the guard rose from his chair with more effort than necessary, making the stool scrape backward loudly.

"It's about time! I've been off duty for near an hour, what took you so long?"

"I'm not here to relieve you, I'm joining you. Word's come down from the captain. No breaks until further notice. Captain wants double men on every post."

"You can't be serious! Damn it, my feet are killing me! What's going on now?"

"A gang of thieves took advantage of the Sun's Rest observance; all businesses closed and the owners at home, the temple doors open but no priest. Everything of value between here and Balmora has just up and disappeared, like some kind of magic. Vivec and Ebonheart both reported mass robberies too, and all of it done today. Captain expects there will be a lot more than that when all the reports are in."

"Geelaw, how the hell many is in this gang? We've never had anything like this before, where did they come from? Is four guards going to be enough or will we need back up force?"

"No one knows. They weren't seen by anyone on account of Sun's Rest. Captain thinks it's the same bunch that robbed those ten Dunmer Strongholds last week."

"It couldn't be the same people, how would they get across the country like that?"

"No one thought those robberies were connected, all those isolated strongholds so far apart. Turns out they were getting into the Strongholds using some magic transport. Some device called a Propylon."

"A what?"

The young guard pulled a folded parchment out of his pocket and showed him. "Look here, I've written it down. P.r.o.p.y.l.o.n. The thieves got hold of some kind of master access that worked all those propylons."

"The dickens you say! What are they, mages or something?"

The young guard shrugged and nodded. "Must be, I'd say. Captain thinks so too. They'd have to have some kind of magic to rob all Vvardenfell in a week. Anyway, Captain said we need to keep our eyes peeled for trouble."

"We're an outpost, what are we supposed to do about it?"

"He thinks they'll make a run for the border since the Emperor banned magic travel yesterday. Captain said don't warn any travelers about the Legion riding the roads on Septim's Pass, nor send them to the Shadowgate Pass. That way if the gang slips by us, they'll still get caught. Did anyone come through last night?"

The guard turned away, busying himself with the papers on the desk. That black Khajiit had a lot of gold to throw around. Should those Khajiit turn out to be the gang of thieves, he'd be to blame for their escape from prosecution...probably lose his post. He had a family to support.

"None came through here but two Khajiit couples, both their wives about to produce right here in the shack. All tattooed, freed slaves. Their papers were all in order, probably just heading to relatives for the women to do their lying in."

*******

Almost two months later:
Northwest of Bodrum, Checkpoint to the Shadowgate Pass

"Man or cat, you're crazy trying to cross Shadowgate pass on foot. Known as the most dangerous pass in Tamriel, didn't get that reputation by chance. Got horses for sale cheap, they can outrun some things you won't want to fight, if you take my meaning."

The guard handed S'Vandra back his and Shivani's travel documents, then pointed at the bundled baby in her arms. "I'll be needing to see the travel papers for that infant too."

"There are no papers for the babe, she was born on the Septim Gate Pass not two weeks past." S'Vandra pointed to the date on the guard's monthly posting board. "That night, but in Last Seed."

"The 27th of Last Seed?"

"Aye, the 27th. Will we need those documents for her to enter Cyrodiil?"

The guard gave a sidelong glance at the thick packet of parchments that would need to be filled out to create travel papers for the babe. His shift was near ending, that would mean staying till they were finished. By the look of the other female, she may unload her baby any second. Best to get them on their way before he had to fill out papers for that one and deliver it too.

"No worries there, the gate into Cyrodiil hasn't been manned for twenty years or more. Once you pass through the Cyrodiil checkpoint head north to Cheydinhal. It's a county seat, they're better equipped to handle it. Just head on through now while there's still some light to travel."

The guard quickly handed S'Vandra the travel papers for all four Khajiit, then hurried to the gate and opened it. He paused, debating whether to even log it. No doubt they'd never make it through the Pass carrying infants and women, birthing to boot. Still, better safe than sorry.

Drat, what were their names? He couldn't list the babe's date of birth or he'd lose his post for not doing the proper paperwork. Best just list it as a newborn. The guard finally scribbled a brief memo on his report for the day.



"Crossing on foot to Cyrodiil: Four Khajiit freed slaves traveling together, coupled. Proofs shown, travel documents in order. Biggest and blackest cat I’ve ever seen, male. One female ready to pop and drop. Other two nondescript. One newborn without travel papers; no man's land birth. Father registering it in Cyrodiil. Refused purchase of horses for the crossing."

Beginning the walk, Shadowgate Pass:

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This post has been edited by mALX: Oct 13 2013, 09:50 AM

[mALX]

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Before The Prologue 2

S'Renji

3rd Era, year 414

(Two years after entering the Shadowgate Pass)

Imperial City Orphanage for the un-adoptable:
(located at the Imperial City Prison Compound)

"Get it over with, will ye? It not this one's choice." S’Renji shuffled his feet uncomfortably, his eyes darting to the door. He wished he could just leave, say it was a mistake.

He kept his head averted from his little Nisaba's face, knowing it was turned up to his. The aura she gave off was fear, confusion. It emanated from her like a scent. She knew something bad was happening. But he had to do this. Living in caves, her father a highwayman...one that may never come home one night. There was no other way. She'd be better off here than her life would be with him.

"You say she was born on the Shadowgate Pass? I'll need her travel documents."

S'Renji handed them over for the last time. "This one doesn't want her name changed. It was her mother's name, she died in the birthing."

*******

The Gold Road, County Skingrad:




http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb2011...0/Gold_Road.jpg



http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2328/img0779au8.jpg






3rd Era, year 417

Shivani

Almost five years after entering the Shadowgate Pass, Sun's Height

Shivani ducked to avoid the branch that snapped back into place behind S'Vandra. "Let us stay to the roads, I can't keep track of Ma’Thjizzrini Qa in this high brush."

"The road curves back ahead, see?" We'll save walking." The next branches he shoved out of his way snapped back with force, biting into Shivani's cheek.

"OW! That one hit me!" Shivani cast an irritated glance at the coal black fur on her husband's shirtless back as he continued pushing easily through the brush. "Go on ahead then, we'll meet you there. I'd rather follow the road." She called after his retreating back.

Shivani shrugged the pack higher onto her back, speaking in her native tongue. "Ma’Thjizzrini Qa! Where are you?" Her searching eyes caught sight of a flash of white fur moving rapidly through the thickness of the brush a distance ahead.

"Ma’Thjizzrini Qa! Stay to the road!" She extricated herself from the tangling branches and moved back to the road herself.

S'Vandra had vanished from sight, but her daughter could be seen a distance away, now bent over and picking one of the wild purple flowers that grew along the Gold Road. With relief Shivani noted the sun gleaming off the bright red of her hair. There must be a small clearing ahead. It would be a good spot to rest a few minutes.

Shivani kept her eyes on her daughter and moved at a faster pace before the active child could move again.

“Momma...” Ma’Thjizzrini Qa turned toward her holding out the bouquet, but clutching the handful of violet flowers in a chokehold that crushed the fragile stems and caused the now freed blossoms to flutter back to the ground.

As the child kneeled to rescue the errant petals a shadow fell across the sun, obliterating the light that had been surrounding her just seconds before. Feral instinct gripped Shivani with a sudden fear, and without even knowing why she broke into a run screaming her daughter’s name.

“Ma’Thjizzrini Qa!”

Ma’Thjizzrini Qa’s head raised with a jerk, her expression startled. For that brief second their eyes met and held, as if locking that moment in time in the hopes the next would never come.

A root growing across the uneven road sent Shivani sprawling, and before she could scramble up the dark shadow plummeted down from nowhere directly over Ma’Thjizzrini Qa. A vaporous mist billowed below it, and with a feeling of shock Shivani saw a wingspread the length of a Cliffracer’s emerge from the mist, thrusting with tremendous force as long talons pushed forward and opened below it. The beak of a giant bird stretched from the mist and then widened open to show a gaping maw.

“NO! MA’ THJJIZZRINI QA RUN!” The terror in Shivani's voice echoed back to her off the trees as the bird’s talons closed around her daughter, clutching her easily as it soared upward in great thrusts of those huge wings.

“MA’ THJJIZZRINI QA! MA’ THJJIZZRINI QA!” Shivani continued screaming and watching till suddenly the bird vanished into a thick mist in the sky above her. For just a split second it seemed like there was something in the sky where the bird disappeared, a reflection of light that disappeared as quickly as it flashed.

Far down the road in the direction they had just come from Shivani could see a mounted Legionnaire riding slowly along as if his horse slept while it walked. Just as far away in the direction S'Vandra had gone was the sound of weapons clanging. S'Vandra was in trouble.

"S'VANDRA HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME!" Shivani crumpled to her knees where her daughter had last stood, grabbing up the fallen petals as if they would somehow bring her back. The Legion rider continued his slow pace toward her, both he and his horse oblivious to her cries for help.

The wind blew cold suddenly, bringing with it the sound of hooves pounding the ground. Maybe the Legionnaire had heard her cry for help. As Shivani was scrambling up the wind gusted again, bringing with it an odd stench; like the urine fouled fur of a feral beast. It couldn't be the rider or horse.

An icy chill shivered down her spine as the scent grew stronger and the thundering of hooves was so close it echoed off the trees from all directions. The wind. It was coming from the same direction the wind was.

The scream choked off in her throat and she tried to suffocate her terrified breathing so the beast couldn't hear her. She didn't know if she should run or if that would draw it to chase her. Should she try to hide in the brush?

The seconds hesitation made it too late to do either. Loud breathing and that putrid stench hung around her face like heated open-mouthed foul breath. Shivani spun around the split second before she was hit, shock registering the terrifyingly horrible sight. The beast had the head of an enormous raging long-horned bull, but standing upright like a giant man. Its black fur matted in stale urine and feces clumps.

There wasn't time to reach for her dagger, the thrusting of the horns pierced her chest, teeth gnashed against her arm for a split second before she was thrown forcibly against the stout trunk of a tree.

A feral screaming of terror was rising from deep inside her, melding with the word “S'VANDRA!” Shivani pushed her back against the tree trying to breathe in loud whooping gasps, trying to hold the eyes of the beast with hers and not knowing if that would incite it further or give it pause.

The beast pawed the ground as if preparing to charge her again. In the distance behind it a movement in the forest caught her eye, that Legionnaire on horseback still slowly wending its way toward them.

Shivani pressed her fist hard against the gored hole in her chest, trying to stop the pain long enough to save her own life. With a massive effort she shoved off from the tree, darting with all her strength in and out of the trees in a weaving pattern and screaming.

The beast gave a horrible roar and took chase. It was extremely powerful, crashing through the thick underbrush with a speed that far outmatched Shivani's; but its height and horns snagged on low branches. Behind her the thundering of hooves was relentless, driving her fear till she couldn't go on any further.

A powerful blow from behind shot the air from her lungs in a wail, the sharp horns and grinding teeth pierced through her bones with terrible crunching sounds and the crushing force of the beast cracked them with loud snaps.






***


As if it came from the void, somehow beneath its roars came the sound of a sword leaving its sheath. S’Vandra! The beast flung Shivani with tremendous force, she felt herself airborne and then an excruciating pain and crushing of bones when she landed on the hard stones of the road. Blood spread from her in a pool, drowning the violet flower petals scattered in the road. The flowers Ma’Thjizzrini Qa had picked to give her.

Somewhere off in the distance a horse neighed, a man's shout echoed off the trees. Shivani heard S'Vandra's answering shout, glimpsed him running toward the sound. The beast charged after him, trampling over Shivani. A numbness seeped through her, the beast's hoof stepping on her abdomen brought only a feeling of intense pressure rather than pain.

There was a loud clatter of a sword sliding on stones. S’Vandra’s sword, Shivani saw the familiar hilt as it skidded past her. Abstractly Shivani wondered how S’Vandra could fight without his sword.

She heard S'Vandra's bloodcurdling yell, something she'd never heard from him before; then something covered in blood and shredded black fur toppled beside her.

Is it S’Vandra or that beast?

Somewhere far away Shivani heard a muted roar and the clanging of a sword. Then a sound so quiet that Shivani couldn't be sure it was real, a flapping of wings large enough to darken the sky above her. She had to strain to hear it, felt her eyes widening to catch the last of the light as the road faded into dimness around her. Night couldn't be falling...she was dying. She was dying.

Clavicus Vile, help me...my soul for a deal.

As suddenly as the words formed in her mind Ma’Thjizzrini Qa was there, clutching and tugging at her with feral screams melded with the word “Momma.” The sound of it slowly diminished into a hum...and then there was nothing.

Minotaur:

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This post has been edited by mALX: Oct 13 2013, 09:57 AM