The Call of the Wind, Children of Kyne, Volume I Options

[Kane]

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

[Kane]

Peace and Promises

Around the large stone council table of High Hrothgar sat those who would treat for the most temporary of truces. All who was requested by Kirin to attend were present, and also a few unexpected guests. Sitting on opposite heads of the table were Arngeir and Kirin, respectively. On one side sat the Imperial delegation, composed of Jarl Balgruuf, General Tullius, Legate Rikke, Jarl Elisif, and Elenwen. Across from them stood the Stormcloaks; Jarl Ulfric and Galmar Stone-Fist. Esbern and Delphine had also shown up, as a delegation of the Blades, who apparently were no longer interested in hiding.

Naturally, it was Ulfric who made the first demand by refusing to sit down until Elenwen was dismissed from the council. He argued that she had no place among them, and Kirin was inclined to agree with him. Once she left, the real talks began – and so did the insults. It took many hours of bickering and arguing back and forth with Arngeir settling people down, but eventually terms were accepted by all sides.

The delegates began to file out, leaving those at the core of the matter to discuss the next step…catching a dragon.

“Dragonsreach is ready for you. The great chains are oiled and my men stand at the ready, Dragonborn,” said Balgruuf.

Arngeir then raised the next problem of the matter – how to catch a dragon there. It was as this pint that Esbern piped up again, explaining that with a little research, he had identified one of the dragons risen by Alduin.

“If you call his name, he will not be compelled to come, but Dragons are prideful by nature, and they loathe to refuse a challenge. Your voice in particular, Dragonborn, is likely to interest him. I find it unlikely that he will be able to resist.”

“Thank you, Esbern,” said Kirin. “Jarl Balgruuf, I will see you in Whiterun when I am ready.”

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They took a carriage to Whiterun, rather than make the long trek by foot once again. But instead of turning up into the city, Kirin and Lydia first headed back to Elysium Estate. Both of them were laden down with gear from their recent journeys, Kirin needed to attend to his gear before leaving for Dragonsreach. He set about to organizing his new belongings and supplies, while Lydia washed up and began preparing a meal for them.

While she cooked, Kirin went out back to feed the forge – he needed it to be hotter than ever before in order to put his new idea on armor to the test. After loading in most of the deadwood they had left, Kirin tugged a few times on the bellows and headed back inside the estate. Lydia had just set out a plate of venison steaks and poured a bottle of Black-Briar Reserve into a mug for him, while she poured a glass of Colovian Brandy for herself.

Dinner was somber affair while the two Nords dwelled on what was to come. Kirin was unsure of what to expect on the way to Sovngarde, and was nervous at the prospect of not having Lydia at his side. And in turn, Lydia worried about Kirin surviving such a tall order on his own. The last time they faced Alduin, all was nearly lost – and that was with herself and Paarthurnax aiding him in battle.

Lost in thought after finishing up their meal, both of them jumped in alarm when the main door to the estate opened up without so much as a knock. Much to their surprise, in walked Kyne.

“Do not rise to greet me, children,” tutted Kyne. “I will join you at the table.”

The goddess sat down at the head of the table and waved her hand. Next to her appeared a goblet of wine that she picked up and sipped gently. She looked at Kirin, and then over to Lydia.

“Well, you two certainly look somber. Come now, not all hope is lost for this final leg of your journey, Kirin.”

“Forgive me, Mother. It just seems to be so tall an order for one man to overcome. Especially when I will not have your guidance or protection when I leave this realm. Nor will I have Lydia at my side, to help me overcome the odds.”

Kyne simply smiled and look knowingly at him.

“It is true that I will be beyond reach while you are there, but I believe that you are forgetting something very important. Sovngarde is the realm of Shor – my husband. I may not be able to help you in this part of your tale, but he will.”

After that revelation, Kirin and Lydia relaxed considerably. He’d never thought about the connection between the two during all of his brooding on the subject.

“Well, that certainly does change things!” exclaimed Kirin. “The road is yet dangerous, but maybe not as dire.”

“I’d still feel better if I were at your side,” said Lydia. “But I will pray to Shor and entrust him with your safe-keeping.”

Kyne nodded.

“It is always wise to pray for help – especially in the interest of love. I do not doubt that Shor will be ready to provide whatever assistance he can. But I will take my leave for now.”

As she rose to her feet, likewise did Kirin and Lydia. Ever respectful, he began to bow his head, but Kyne stopped him before he could.

“I’ve told you before – you need not be so proper.”

She then embraced him warmly and whispered in his ear.

“Good luck, my child.”

The goddess turned then to Lydia and also embraced her before disappearing into thin air. But what she whispered in Lydia’s ear, Kirin did not know. It seemed to please his love though, so he did not fret on it. Instead, he helped her clean up the mess from dinner before heading back out to the forge.

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Early morning came much too quickly for either of them. Kirin had worked long into the night on his new gear, and Lydia slept fitfully. After a quick breakfast, they went down to the armory where Lydia helped him strap on his new armor.

“Kirin this is…incredible. What have you the idea to craft this out of dragon bones and scales?”

“I’ve never fought against such a hardened opponent, so I figured it could offer me the same protection. I just wish it didn’t weigh so much.”

“Well, hopefully it gives you and edge. I’ve certainly never held such a stout bow or such a keen sword. I think your enemies will cower in fear at the sight of your approach.”

“Let’s hope they do.”

Geared up and ready, they left the house and made their way into the city of Whiterun. Atop the highest hill sat Dragonsreach, and the citizens of the town lined the path as Kirin and Lydia wound up it. Many of them wished the Dragonborn luck and offered their respects. He marveled at how fast rumors seemed to travel, but the well-wishers did raise their spirits. Pausing at the central garden, Kirin and Lydia knealt in prayer to Kyne beneath the beautiful flowering branches of the now restored Gildegreen. Its pink blossoms fell about them in a soft shower as the lightest zephyr blew in from the west.

After a moment in silence, they stood back up and continued the walk up to the keep. Pushing through the heavy wooden doors, the found Balgruuf at the ready.
“Come, Dragonborn. Let’s go trap a dragon.”

Kirin and Lydia followed him through the hall and out onto the Great Porch. There, a handful of guards stood at the ready as Kirin walked out under the sky and shouted into the air.

OD-AH-VIING.
Silence followed, broken only by the hesitant breathing of those on the porch, and the sounds of the throngs below. Even the birds were quiet, and it wasn’t long before the familiar roar of a dragon could be heard. Out of nowhere, the great orange beast swooped down and plucked a guard off of the balcony and flung him high into the air.

Odahviing circled once more allowing Kirin to unleash Dragonrend upon him and force him down onto the porch. He, Lydia, and the guards then lured the dragon back further in until the trap fell in place, securing him tightly to the ground.

“Zu'u bonaar. You went to a great deal of trouble to put me in this... humiliating position. Hind siiv Alduin, hmm? No doubt you want to know where to find Alduin?”
As the guards and Jarl Balgruuf watched in awe, Kirin spoke to Odahviing at length for several minutes before they came to an agreement that suited both parties. He then motioned for the guards to release the trap, and told the dragon that he’d be with him in a moment.

Pulling Lydia aside, we wrapped her in his arms and kissed her fiercely before making a promise to her.

“With Kyne and Mara as my witness, I swear to you that I will return from Sovngarde, and when I do we shall journey to Riften and be wed. Nothing will keep me from seeing that though – not even the World-Eater.”

Tears streamed gently down Lydia’s face as she held him tight.

“I will hold you to that, my love. For it is no longer just myself that you must return for.”

They separated and Kirin looked at her questioningly. Lydia beamed at him through her tears and continued on.

“Last night when Kyne embraced me, she told me of the signs I had missed with everything that’s been going on. The signs she recognized immediately when she came to visit."

She pulled him into her arms once more and whispered into his ear.

“I am with child, Kirin.”