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]

Together As One (Epilogue)

Midday had come and Kirin stood in wait before Maramal at the temple altar. He was dressed in the finest attire he could possibly find and look far different than the dragon-armored warrior that charged into the afterlife. Now, Kirin waited anxiously for his bride to be.

The temple bell rang, ushering in noontime and the start of the ceremony. Viarmo himself had come from the Bards College and sat in the corner, gently plucked a soothing song of joy on his lute. The chapel had been adorned in white streamers of fine linen and next to the banners of Mara were new banners honoring Kyne – the Dragonborn’s chosen divine.

Outside in the town square waited a large crowd party goers in earnest, but inside the temple there was naught but Kirin, Maramal, and Viarmo. Dinya Balu was to escort Lydia in at the proper time and that time had come. A soft rustling could be heard as footsteps approached the chapel hall from the side antechamber. The doors were thrown open by Dinya and walked Lydia, the bride to be.

She was dressed in a long, silky dress the color of a blue spring sky. The fabric flowed as if the gentlest of breezes whispered though it and shimmered under the candlelight like gentle raindrops in a clear sky. Kirin never doubted nor ignored her beauty but on this day it was amplified into one of the most aetherial things he ever had the privilege to lay eyes on. Atop her head sat a simple tiara made of flowered branches with pink blossoms and it radiated a white glow that Kirin recognized from all those months ago when they sat in the garden beneath the Eldergleam.

Lydia’s smile could have lit the darkest corners on Nirn as she approached the altar and Kirin, her love. To his amazement, she was followed by two unexpected handmaidens who wore simple dresses of yellow and carried bouquets of Eldergleam blooms. Kyne and Mara both winked at Kirin as they passed and stood to Lydia’s side.

Maramal beamed widely at them and began the ceremony.

“Thank you all for gathering to be here on this blessed day. It was Mara that first gave birth to all of creation and pledged to watch over us as her children. It is from her love of us that we first learned to love one another. It is from this love that we learn that a life lived alone is no life at all. We gather here today under Mara’s loving gaze, to bear witness to the union of two souls in eternal companionship. May they journey forth together in this life and the next, in prosperity and poverty, and in joy and hardship.”

He then turned to Lydia, and continued.

“Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?”

“I do,” said Lydia, firmly. “Now and forever.”

Maramal nodded and moved on to Kirin.

“Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?”

“I do. Now and forever.”

“The under the authority of Mara, the Divine of Love, I declare this couple to be wed! I present you with these matching rings, blessed by Mara’s Divine grace. May they protect each of you in your new life together. You many now kiss your lovely bride.”

And Kirin did not need to be told twice. He wrapped his bride in his arms and kissed her warmly as Maramal, Dinya, Kyne, and Mara clapped through tears of joy and love. After the parted, the Divines hugged each of them in turn before quietly taking their leave.

“There are far too many prying eyes out there, my child,” whispered Kyne. “We shall see you at a later hour.”

“Now it is time to celebrate!” said Dinya. “Let us go outside for the reception!”

Kirin and Lydia stood side by side and hand in hand as they followed Dinya and Maramal out into the packed town square to a riotous burst of cheer from the gathered crowd. Flower petals rained down from the private balconies of the homes to the side of the temple.

The vendor stalls had all been removed from the center and replaced with long tables laden with food and drink. Barrels of the finest Black-Briar mead were tapped as the mead began to flow, and plates of delicious food were filled and passed to all, not the least of whom was the married couple. Kirn and Lydia were seated at a high table in front of Mistveil Keep where they were joined by friend and allies. Among them sat Jarl Baalgruuf, Irileth, Esbern, Delphine, Ysolda, and Hulda. And - much to Kirin’s amazement – Arngeir. The Greybeard master had descended from High Hrothgar for the first time in countless years for what he considered a momentous occasion for Skyrim.

The newlyweds and all in attendance feasted and drank for many hours as the sounds of merriment echoed throughout the Rift. The sky remained a cloudless blue, just as Kyne had promised and for the first time in ages, Kirin and Lydia enjoyed themselves free of cares.

Once the feast ended, new kegs of mead were broached and the tables of food were cleared. Viarmo gathered up his fellow bards from Solitude and started playing lively song after song. Throngs of people paired up and began to dance around the town square, laughing and singing along to the band as they played with vigor.

Darkness was approaching quickly as the sun began to set. Kirin and Lydia sat atop the steps to Mistveil and watched the orange sun slowly sink over the horizon. Just before the last light of day slipped over the horizon, two large figure appeared far off to the west, circling down from the Throat of the World. As they got closer, the unmistakable roars of a dragon thundered across Lake Honrich causing quite the stir among the party-goers. Kirin looked to Arngeir who sat nearby with Balgruuf and as the old Greyberd caught his gaze, he nodded reassuringly to Kirin.
The dragons approached with all speed before gliding high above the city, breathing ice and frost into the skies above. Paarthurnax and Odahviing too had come to pay their respects to the Dragonborn.

“Alok Zeymah ahrk Briinah dii! Aal hi mahfaeraak nahlaas ko drem!”

Kirin rose to his feet, looked skyward and responded in kind.

“Kogaan, zok dovah fahdon. Aal paaz ven aak hin alun amativ.”

His voice echoed upwards into the heavens as the crowd watched in awe at the spectacle before them. The dragons roared in acknowledgment and circled one final time before flying back off into the vast and empty sky.

Within seconds the party noise kicked back up once again as people resumed their drinking and dancing under the fair autumn night. Thankfully, Kyne had retuned and sat next to them upon the stone stairs overlooking the square.

“I gather you are ready to retire for the evening, my children?”

“Very much so, Mother,” replied Lydia. “We are wed and look forward to our quiet life ahead of us.”

“Excellent. Follow me, dears.”

She led them around to the back of Mara’s temple where the Goddess of Love awaited them.

“I offer you my blessing once more, Kirin and Lydia. May you go forth in life forever happy and never wanting. Hardships may come, but stay true to each other and your love will endure for eternity.”

Holding them both by the hand she bowed her head and vanished from sight. Kyne then grabbed their hands in Mara’s place and spoke to them once more.

“Would you desire a honeymoon at home in Elysium, or somewhere far from prying eyes? You need only ask, and I will whisk you away to my realm, far above the western sea and beyond the reach of any being, mortal or not. There you shall never want and need only speak what you desire. Bliss awaits under forever clear skies and upon white beaches.”

Kirin and Lydia knelt before her and accepted the offer of paradise.

“Very well, my children. I shall return for you in two weeks’ time.”

The goddess bid them to stand up and with a slight wave of her hand, husband and wife vanished from Tamriel for a well-earned respite from reality.