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> The Call of the Wind, Children of Kyne, Volume I
Kane
post Dec 10 2024, 03:06 PM
Post #1


Master
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Joined: 26-September 16
From: Hammerfell



I just finished up the long volume II of this series, so I thought I'd start posting them both here. This entry is one of my first real stabs at writing out a tale and one of only a couple I ever finished. The dialogue is a little stilted and the chapters are short (needed more practice) so it isn't a long read. If you are interested in reading it, I hope you enjoy! (PS, I'm too lazy to proofread this one and I wrote in 2018, so if there are any spelling or grammar errors, I apologize in advance!)



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Prologue

The morning dew lay gleaming on the lush, green undergrowth of Cyrodiil’s Great Forest as the morning sun shined through the branches of its lofty trees. Deep in the heart of the woodlands, sat a small clearing and at its center lie a large rock, covered in silky green moss. Here upon this stone, sat an impressively large brown hawk - it looked far out of place among the other birds of the province, but it was not without purpose. Sitting as still as the unmoving stone beneath it, a wanderer could have mistaken it for a small statue to some long forgotten god.
Nestling its head into her wing feathers, she waited impassively for her prey. Soon thereafter, a crashing could be heard in the forests nearby. Quite suddenly, a pale, sickly looking Colovian emerged from the dense brush and scampered right through the clearing without so much as a glance at the large hawk.

Craning her neck, she listened for the pursuer she was expecting.

And sure enough, the gentle footsteps of a practiced stalker could be heard approaching the clearing, following the rampant destruction of the woodland left in the wake of the panicked, clumsy runner. The hawk lifted her head and waited for this new, but nonetheless expected visitor.

Ah, I see this predator is much too clever to wander into a forest clearing. The professional that he is knows to avoid such a thing, as it is ripe for ambush. Perhaps a little encouragement is needed…

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The mercenary did not like what he saw ahead. Peering through the bramble, he intensely surveyed the clearing, looking for any sign of an ambush. The vampire he pursued had thus far been crashing through the forest like an ogre, but that may have been a ruse. Vampires, he had always thought, were usually much cleverer than this oaf was.

Hesitating outside the clearing was wasting time, but his instincts were kicked into overdrive as he approached it. Long ago he learned to trust those instincts, and many times they had been the difference between life and death. So there he sat, eyes darting around the forest opening, searching intently for signs of danger.

Quite suddenly, the once calm morning changed as a brisk northern wind began to flow through the woods, rustling the treetops and bringing a slight chill to the air. Our mercenary barely noticed the change in clime, until he heard the whispers on the wind. Startled, he relaxed his eyes, and instead strained his ears to the wind, where he swore a voice had whispered to him. The breeze fluttered once more, and this time he was positive…his name was carried gently on the wind.

Kirin...approach my child. Follow your instincts…and my voice…

Standing up nervously, he shouldered his composite bow, and walked boldly into the clearing. To his utter surprise, the hawk he’d mistaken for a statue hewn above the boulder stretched its impressive wings, and spoke to him with an undoubtedly feminine voice.

“It is time for you to return home, my child. Skyrim awaits you, and your destiny has come. Left behind will be your days of mercenary work and feeble pleasures. They matter not now, and only what you accomplish next will be of any consequence.”

This was unexpected, and temporarily froze Kirin, as a million thoughts raced through his mind. He settled on only one, though.

“And if I refuse?”

“It will matter not. The aspect of destiny is inescapable, and utterly final. Try as you might, it will simply catch up to you later, at a time when you may have less choice in its subtleties. Heed my words, and I promise you will not regret the choice to follow them.”

Kirin pondered on her words once more, and quickly realized what he was dealing with. One should not refuse the finality of the divines… He removed his helmet, and knelt on the grass before the large northern hawk.

“Lady Kyne, I see the wisdom in your words, and I pledge myself and my service to you.”

“Very well, young Kirin. Your time in Cyrodiil is at an end. Return to your fellow brothers and sisters of Skyrim, and your true journey shall begin in earnest.”

She then spread her wings once more, and took to the skies above Tamriel, flying ever northwards.skies above Tamriel, flying ever northwards.

This post has been edited by Kane: Dec 10 2024, 03:08 PM


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Kane
post Dec 12 2024, 02:33 PM
Post #2


Master
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Joined: 26-September 16
From: Hammerfell



Darkness Envelops

Crossing the northern ice floes was treacherous, but Kirin and Lydia found some measure of respite inside Septimus Signus’ Outpost. Deep inside a glacier, the elderly scholar studied an ancient dwemer construct of enormous size. The artifact was, according to Septimus, a lockbox of some kind that hid away an immense power. Luckily, he too was in need of the Elder Scroll sought by the two Nords. After minutes of inane prattling, Septimus finally revealed that he knew the location of it – Blackreach. A lost Dwemer city far below the ground, spanning many miles beneath Skyrim’s northern mountains.

Before they parted ways, the scholar produced two objects for them to take – a small sphere, and a blank cube.

“Two things I have for you. Two shapes. One edged, one round. The round one, for tuning. Dwemer music is soft and subtle, and needed to open their cleverest gates. The edged lexicon, for inscribing. To us, a hunk of metal. To the Dwemer, a full library of knowings. But... empty. Find Mzark and its sky-dome. The machinations there will read the Scroll and lay the lore upon the cube. Trust Septimus. He knows you can know.”

He then told Kirin where to being his search for Blackreach and the Tower of Mzark – Alftand. Lydia took the lead this time, eager to get out of the cave and away from the addled scholar. The evening sun cast a warm glow down on the blue ice beneath their feat.

“Let’s hop back over to the shore below the college,” said Kirin. “If we make good time, we’ll hike west along the sea until dark. I’d feel better about making camp with solid earth under our feet.”

“Sounds good to me, my Thane.”

Lydia ducked just in time to avoid the snowball Kirin flung at her.

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A few hours later, dinner sizzled in a frying pan atop the fire that kept them from freezing to death. A horker loaf Kirin purchased from Birna earlier in the day emitted a wonderful aroma that had their stomachs growling. Fuel was plenty due to the endless supply of driftwood that lay scattered along the Sea of Ghosts and the flames were roaring. After they ate, Kirin and Lydia elected to sleep in shifts, keeping the fire lit at all times for warmth…and protection from the local wildlife.

The northern shore was teeming with Ice Wolves, and they roamed in huge packs hunting anything they could find. Horkers also lumbered around the stony beaches, but they are not to be trifled with either. The wolves generally avoided them, leaving smaller critters and unlucky fools that wandered into the wild unprepared for the dangers within.

But the fire kept them at bay, and allowed Kirin and Lydia some relaxation time.

“By the way, Kir…you never did elaborate on your dislike of that Bard’s song in the Bee and Barb. What had you so upset about his piece?”

“This civil war is an utter joke, that’s what. Ulfric and his goons have half the province up in arms over such a trivial matter. The Stormcloaks are blind and too pigheaded to see who the real enemy is – the Thalmor. Not the Empire. We should be manning the borders as proud members of the Imperial Legion, not squabbling over the holds of Skyrim.”

“I see,” said Lydia. “You are right for not wanting to voice that opinion in Riften – they are staunch supporters of Ulfric and you likely would have been hanged for treason. I do see your point, though…even if I might not completely agree with it.”

“Well, then that is your choice. But if you want to see what Ulfric is really about, you need to look no further than the Gray Quarter in Windhelm.”

And with that, Kirin retreated into his tent to sleep for a few hours while Lydia took first watch.

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Morning had come much to fast or both Kirin and Lydia, but they nonetheless packed up and began the uphill trek to Alftand. Kirin was suspicious as to how Septimus knew where to find a lost Dwarven city, but they really needed the Elder Scroll. The trip up was miserable – seemingly endless Frost Trolls wandered about the barre, snow-covered land between them and their destination. By the time they found the entrance, and the ruined camp outside of it, they were exhausted. It was too dangerous to stop outside though, so they decided to head into the glacial crevasse and look for a spot to hunker down.

The first warm room they found did the trick, and they stopped there to set up a small camp for the night. The stone floor was uncomfortable, but it was damn warm from all the steam that poured out from the maze of pipes that flowed throughout the ancient city. Neither Kirin nor Lydia wanted to sleep in shifts, so instead the Dragonborn tested out a Shout he just recently learned.

LAAS

His vision blurred as a cascade of energy emanated from him and spread through the surrounding area. Far off, he could see the glow of unknown foes as they meandered to and fro aimlessly as the patrolled the long forgotten halls of the Dwarves.

“We should be fine to sleep through the night,” whispered Kirin. “There is nothing within any meaningful distance of us.”

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After resting a few hours each, they were back to quietly advancing through the endless tunnels and huge chambers that were packed with automatons, and later, the Falmer. These sickly creatures caused more problems for Kirin and Lydia than anything they had faced before. Everyone arrow loosed and every sword swung was laced with a virulent poison that the Falmer concocted from their Charus pets. Throngs of the hobbled creatures spread through deepest depths of Alftand, and there seemed no end to their massive numbers.

Eventually, Kirin and Lydia came to a huge, open air cathedral far beneath the surface. A large gate stood in their way, and once they dispatched the couple Falmer patrolling it, Kirin climbed to the balcony above. Two levers on either side of the balcony released the gate, and the two Nord warriors soon found themselves facing a new problem.

The massive Steam Centurion awoke from its arch the moment their light footfalls landed on the top step of the central dais. It roared into life as pistons pumped steam out of every orifice and marched towards Kirin and Lydia with surprising speed, ready to swing its massive hammer down upon them. To their fortune, it was not an agile construct. Darting in and out of its long reach, they were able to whittle away at the metal beast in tight and drop it before the machine caused any real damage.

Resting on the stone steps for a moment, they passed each other water, food, and healing potions before continuing on. Once through another gate, they found the entrance to Blackreach that brought them here. Kirin pulled out the Attunement Sphere given to him by Septimus and inserted it into the control panel. Beneath their feet, the ground shook briefly, before the stones surrounding the column sunk into the floor, revealing a staircase down into Blackreach.


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Posts in this topic
Kane   The Call of the Wind   Dec 10 2024, 03:06 PM
Kane   Fire and Darkness Many years had come and gone si...   Dec 10 2024, 05:35 PM
Kane   The Wheel Turns Fighting his way through the anci...   Dec 10 2024, 06:01 PM
Kane   Destiny Rising The sun was beginning to set as Ki...   Dec 10 2024, 06:18 PM
TheCheshireKhajiit   Ooo what happened with the “vampire” in the pr...   Dec 10 2024, 06:26 PM
Kane   Ooo what happened with the “vampire” in the p...   Dec 10 2024, 06:59 PM
Kane   The Road Less Traveled Lydia waited impatiently i...   Dec 10 2024, 08:14 PM
Kane   A Brush in the Nettle Two days later, Kirin sat a...   Dec 10 2024, 08:36 PM
Kane   Under an Ancient Sun By the time Kirin and Lydia ...   Dec 11 2024, 01:31 AM
Kane   A Call to Arms Frustration couldn’t even begin ...   Dec 11 2024, 02:29 AM
Kane   In The Arms of the Elder’s Gleam Kirin and Lydi...   Dec 11 2024, 03:02 AM
Kane   Kyne’s Truth Kirin immediately knelt down, and ...   Dec 11 2024, 12:55 PM
Kane   Resurrection The trip to Kynesgrove was an uneven...   Dec 11 2024, 01:46 PM
Kane   The Sleeping Giant Lydia sheathed her newly minte...   Dec 11 2024, 02:11 PM
Kane   Seeking Knowledge Upon arrival, Kirin met a perso...   Dec 11 2024, 04:46 PM
Kane   Vagrants and Vermin After numerous stops along th...   Dec 11 2024, 05:02 PM
Kane   Reaching for the Sky Kirin and Lydia were relaxin...   Dec 11 2024, 05:48 PM
Kane   A Lofty Goal Sky Haven Temple is nestled on a low...   Dec 11 2024, 08:02 PM
Kane   The Peak of the Monahven The blood siblings stood...   Dec 11 2024, 08:44 PM
Kane   Ever North Winterhold was a long way off, but car...   Dec 12 2024, 12:54 PM
Kane   Doomdriven Blackreach was unlike anything Kirin h...   Dec 12 2024, 02:51 PM
Kane   Drawn from the Depths Needless to say, Divines do...   Dec 12 2024, 03:38 PM
Kane   The Winds of Change Kirin tried not to act surpri...   Dec 12 2024, 05:36 PM
Kane   Duel on the Peak When the two lovers finally exit...   Dec 12 2024, 06:09 PM
Kane   Elder Council Kirin awoke some time later on a st...   Dec 12 2024, 06:46 PM
Kane   Peace and Promises Around the large stone council...   Dec 13 2024, 12:28 AM
Kane   Sovngarde Odahviing dropped off Kirin in the ruin...   Dec 13 2024, 12:53 AM
Kane   Prophecy Unfurled The Hall of Valor was massive a...   Dec 13 2024, 01:01 PM
Kane   Calm Winds and Low Tides Kirn and Lydia slept sou...   Dec 13 2024, 01:40 PM
Kane   Together As One (Epilogue) Midday had come and Ki...   Dec 13 2024, 01:57 PM
Kane   That's a wrap! Plenty of typos in there, s...   Dec 13 2024, 02:28 PM
Acadian   Nice to have another story up here that prominentl...   Dec 13 2024, 10:44 PM
Kane   Nice to have another story up here that prominent...   Dec 14 2024, 12:08 AM
Renee   Okay, so I am starting a read of this thread. :) G...   Feb 23 2025, 12:14 PM
Kane   Okay, so I am starting a read of this thread. :) ...   Feb 23 2025, 01:41 PM
Renee   Okay, thanks for explaining. So with the third boo...   Mar 1 2025, 07:33 PM
Kane   Okay, thanks for explaining. So with the third bo...   Mar 5 2025, 02:44 PM
Renee   Oh yeah I still play on consoles occasionally. Som...   Mar 8 2025, 06:49 AM
Renee   I like the part where Kirin tells Lydia he's a...   Apr 17 2025, 04:44 PM
Kane   You were playing on Xbox, correct? Why does Kirin...   Apr 17 2025, 04:52 PM
Renee   Lydia and Kirin visit the Eldergleam, cool. This i...   May 7 2025, 04:36 PM
Kane   He's from Morthal, but he hasn't been ther...   May 7 2025, 04:40 PM
RaderOfTheLostArk   Lydia is best waifu. If only you could get dragon...   May 8 2025, 01:52 AM
Kane   Don't rush it on my account, lol. Call of the ...   May 8 2025, 02:00 AM
Grits   I have enjoyed the tale of Kirin Dragonborn very m...   May 11 2025, 06:23 PM
Kane   Wow, you knocked that out fast! If the formatt...   May 11 2025, 07:01 PM


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