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!)



--------------------------------------


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…

-------------------------

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]

Sovngarde

Odahviing dropped off Kirin in the ruins of Skuldafn, leaving the Champion of Kyne to fight his way through to the portal on his own. Hordes of Draugr and many dragons awaited him amongst the sprawling ruins nestled high in the Velothi Mountains. But within him lay a fiery determination – nothing would stop him from returning to the women he will wed, and his future child. Kirin kneeled in silent prayer to Kyne before unsheathing his newly smithed Dragonbone sworn christened with the name Tempest, in honor of the wind that guided him.

The draugr didn’t know what hit them as he dashed up the stairs at full speed and tore through their bony forms in seconds. Overheard a dragon roared in challenge while Kirin retreated back down the stairs and onto the open plain where Odahviing departed from. Accepting his own challenge, the beast landed on the ground in front of Kirin where it quickly met its fate. The onslaught from the Nord caught it off guard and within moments Kirin marched off as the dragon soul fueled his power even more.

He continued to tear through their lines with the fury of a tempest, decimating the patrolling dragur and anything else that lay in his path. Eventually he came before two huge iron-clad temple doors leading into the heart of Alduin’s ancient fane. The gaunt undead of the dragon cults roamed its long halls and high chambers in vast numbers. More than once Kirin needed to rest and regather his strength for the road ahead.

Nearly a full day had passed since he arrived in Skuldafn before he finally emerged from the temple to under a clear night sky. Masser and Secunda bathed the ruins in pale moonlight, illuminating the way for Kirin. He dispatched a few more draugr before coming to Alduin’s portal to Sovngarde. It was flanked on either side by two dragons who didn’t seem interesting in attacking, leaving only the Dragon Priest to stand in Kirin’s way.

The ever vigilant Nahkriin spotted Kirin on approach and immediately plucked his staff from the runed receptacle on the platform, closing the portal off from he who sought to enter Sovngarde. Facing a truly dangerous enemy for the first time since he arrived in Skuldafn, Kirin sought to even the odds quickly. As the powerful servant of Alduin raised his hands and shrieked in challenge, the Dragonborn released his Thu’um.

KRII LUN AUS

Staggering under the brunt impact of the ruinous shout, Nahkriin regained his composure before unleashing bolt after bolt of deadly lightning at Kirin. But it wasn’t enough to stop the Nord’s intense drive and soon enough, the Dragon Priest felt the deadly bite of dragonbone piercing his mottled flesh and sinew. Marked for Death had sunk in fully and after one final downward swing, Nahkriin roared in despair before disintegrating into a pile of ash.

Kirin sat hunched over in weariness upon the steps, collecting some strength before he reopened the portal. He knew not what he faced on the other side and so he rested for some time before fishing the staff out of Nahkriin’s remains. After saying another quick prayer to Kyne and a second one to Shor, he plunged the butt-end of the portal key into the dais and leapt into the opening gateway.

----------------------------------------------

Sovngarde was bathed in a deep fog that permeated throughout the large open valley that stood between Kirin and the mead hall of Shor, the Missing God. Alduin roamed the skies above but did not acknowledge the present of the Dragonborn who sought to challenge him. Seeing no alternative, Kirin walked down into the valley below, past the large stone statues of hooded figures.

Visibility was low in mist and he nearly ran into a Stormcloak soldier that wandered the mist in despair.

"Turn back, traveler! Terror waits within this mist!”

“Who are you?” asked Kirin.

"Near Giants' Gap, in the gloom before dawn, we marched, unsuspecting into the Imperials' trap. Then we stood and fought, our shield-wall defending until by dawn's light the Legion's ranks wavered. But I never knew if nights-end brought victory -- a swift-flying arrow to Sovngarde carried me."

“Do you know where this mist comes from?”

"I do not know -- but none have passed through. Alduin, his hunger insatiable, hunts the lost souls snared within this shadowed valley. Can you lead the way to where Shor's hall waits, beckoning us on to welcome long sought?"

“Yes, that is where I am headed. It is at the far end of the valley from here,” said Kirin.

“I saw it fair when first I trod this long sought path. The pain and fear vanished, dreamlike, and a vision beckoned to-- Shor's hall, shimmering across the clouded vale. But quenched was hope by the shrouding mist; darkened is my mind. I've lost the way and wander blindly. Hurry! Before Alduin your soul devours bring word to Shor's hall of our hard fate!"

And he wandered off into the mist, searching fruitlessly for the fabled hall of the Nord dead. Kirin followed the path into the mist, heading into the direction he espied the great hall from atop the entrance to Sovngarde, trusting his instincts to lead him through. Eventually they did, and the mist cleared before a massive bridge of whale bones that spanned an endless drop. There stood the largest Nord Kirin had ever laid eyes on. He stood at least seven feet tall and towered over Kirin, who was by no means considered short.

"I am Tsun, shield-thane to Shor. The Whalebone Bridge he bade me guard and winnow all those souls whose heroic end sent them here, to Shor's lofty hall where welcome, well earned, awaits those I judge fit to join that fellowship of honor. What brings you, wayfarer grim, to wander here, in Sovngarde, souls-end, Shor's gift to honored dead?"

“I pursue Alduin, the World Eater,” answered Kirin.

"A fateful errand. No few have chafed to face the Worm since first he set his soul-snare here at Sovngarde's threshold. But Shor restrained our wrathful onslaught - perhaps, deep counselled, your doom he foresaw. No shade are you, as usually here passes, but living, you dare the land of the dead. By what right do you request entry?"
"By right of birth. I am Dragonborn."

"Ah! It's been too long since last I faced a doom-driven hero of the dragon blood. But living or dead, by decree of Shor, none may pass this perilous bridge 'till I judge them worthy by the warrior's test."

Tsun unsheathed his mighty axe and stood at the ready, waiting for Kirin to prove his worthiness in battle. Readying his sword and shield, Tsun charged first with a swift attacked that Kirin deftly turned aside with his shield before countering with a series of lightning quick slashes.

The mighty warrior of old withstood the onslaught but stowed his weapons just after.

“You possess a talent unlike I have seen in many an age, Dragonborn. You fought well. I find you worthy. It is long since one of the living has entered here. May Shor's favor follow you and your errand.”

Kirin sheathed his sword and grasped Tsun’s shoulder in respect before crossing the massive bridge towards the doors of the fabled Hall of Valor.