The Hunter Ch. 2, Story by Thoron the Hunter a.k.a. Randy Options

[Thoron the Hunter]

Heres the Second Chapter of The Hunter, hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 2:The Beginning
I awoke with a start as a noise sounded outside my cabin. Grabbing Savior, uncharged from the two years it had never met a Welkynd Stone, took off my shoes and snuck to the window. As I peered out, I couldn't help
but chuckle at the sight of two sheep racing around no less than fifteen yards from the
door. I sighed with relief as I, still smiling, walked to the cupboard to retrieve an apple. As I began cutting the apple with a knife handy at the table, I started outside to smell the fresh, morning air through my nostrils.

The light wind, blowing on the grass ever so gracefully, can soothe any man, barbaric or noble. I stared into the Jerall Mountains and sighed, "what an adventure that could be, but the next delivery of venison is in three mornings, and I've only got four of the expected twelve deer". Paws scratched the floor behind me as my dog, and only friend, came strolling to my side and sat. He too stared at the Jerall Mountains.

My father was the only Bosmer in my family that spoke fluent Beast Tongue. He had not taught his only son, nor his wife, who was an Imperial that had gone away around my first year. I can't remember what mother looked like or how she acted, but I did not mind, as long as I had my father... which I do no more.


Gnawing at the core of my apple, I grabbed my fur cuirass and patched, rusted iron greaves, readying myself for a long day of hunting. Savior sat on the bed, itching to be used once again. I grabbed a quiver of arrow as well as Savior, and set out for work.

Being careful not to make a single sound, as I was scared of frightening any meat that I crossed paths with, I once again took of my shoes and began walking quietly up a hill. Crouching at the peak, I surveyed the countryside, which looked like no man had traversed in decades. I had spotted movement Northeast of a large oak and investigated further by sneaking down the hill to where I spotted it.

I stared at the deer and reached for an arrow from the quiver of twelve, and held it. Still staring at the doe, I tried my luck by moving in on it, hiding behind a semi-transparent bush thirteen yards away from the animal. Licking the perspiration from my lips, I readied myself, equipping an arrow on the enchanted bow. I held it with my eye parallel to the iron arrow, and sat, waiting for the perfect shot. The deer moved closer to me, but I still itched to get a better shot. I shifted from my stance, which alarmed the deer, but it resumed to nibble on the fresh grass. I once again looked for the best shot, waiting. In moments, the doe moved over diagonally a yard, exposing his vulnerable abdomen, when I released the arrow with deadly accuracy.

I watched the deer fall to the ground with the arrow pertruding from his chest. I walked toward the game, admiring the shot. Leaning and still amazed at the size of this doe, I removed the arrow. I wiped it down, and placed it back in it's quiver, once again making a quiver of twelve. I unequipped my bow and strapped it on my cuirass. Using all of my strength, I heaved the doe and slung it over my shoulder.

Heading in the direction I came, using the oak as a compass, I grew tired quickly. Panting and in need of a break, I dropped the carcass and lied down, staring at the cloudless sky. 'One day, I won't need to hunt for anyone else but myself. I will hunt when I choose and won't have a delivery day. That will be better than this'

I took a swig of wine from my wineskin and pocketed it. I stood, recovered from the break, to bring back the meat, heaving the doe once again.

Soon, I arrived at the cabin, with my dog waiting patiently. I set the deer in the storeroom, along with the other four and sat for a moment on a chair outside. I exhaled, and listened to the chirping birds nearby. The Jerall Mountains caught my eye once again. I just couldn't stop thinking about them. I couldn’t help but wonder what creatures I'd find there, what undiscovered dungeons would be there, or what artifacts lay hidden beneath ruins. I put a stop to the thoughts as I remembered I had to hunt still before I can rest, and drew Savior from my cuirass.

The sky started to darken as the sun started to set. It wouldn't be smart to hunt at night, but I needed the meat badly. I groped underneath my bed for the torch and put it my cuirass. I headed out once again, halting every fifty yards to gaze at the landscape. I kept going in one direction until I saw something to hard to make out in the darkness. I lit my torch and saw what I had seen. Standing before me was a herd of deer. I lowered my torch, able to see from the moonlight. 'Just my luck' I thought as I stepped closer to the herd and equipped Savior and an iron arrow.

I stared at the largest of deer among the herd and steadied myself, peering past a hiding tree. Letting the string go, the arrow darted smoothly toward the large animal, hitting his neck. All the other deer scattered around in all directions. Like lightning, I equipped an arrow and shot. It happened to hit yet another doe in the front leg, forcing it to fall immediately to the ground, squirming. I brought another arrow to the bow and released it into the writhing doe, ending her misery.

Luckily, the deer were light, so I threw one over each shoulder, stopping frequently to adjust the weight. I soon became weary and burdened and dropped my wineskin near a tree to recover it tomorrow. I traveled further with the cabin in sight now, my footsteps being the only noise of the night. I walked around back to the storeroom and place the dead deer inside, then went into my house. I stripped my clothing and lied in bed, eager for the next day to come.


I awoke amongst fog and a series of voices speaking a tongue I could not understand. The words grew louder, and louder, and LOUDER. I clapped my hands over my ears and yelled "WHAT DO YOU WANT"? The voices grew louder than ever, my ears popping and head aching. The room began to shake and I fell to the floor and grabbed Savior. "WHO ARE YOU"? The shaking grew worse and the voices, louder. I took an arrow and loaded my bow, then shot it ferociously at the door... and all fell silent.

I stood, horrified and afraid, waiting.

A mist appeared in front of me, an eery mist. A solid form then appeared out of the mist...my father!? I stood and couldn't help but cry, just cry. He then said with a hoarse whisper, "Thoron, I don't have much time. I'm restless and need to rest. For two years, I have tried to contact you in every way but the result was futile. Alas, I can speak to my son". He paused for a moment, smiled a frightening smile, and continued, "Bandits have invaded my burial place, a cave called Capstone. I need you to go there and take care of those who disturb my peace.

"Here are specific instructions that you need to listen most carefully carefully to.

"Behind the Statue of Pit Fighter Morhihaus in the Arena District, there is a rock with moss grown on it. Cast any Illusion spell on it and the rock would disappear, so make sure no one is watching, but where the rock was, should be a bag of gold. I kept this just in case of times I needed it. This, Nirya aided me by casting a powerful invisibility spell that can only be broken with Illusion.

"Talk to Raminus Polus in the Arcane University, Arch Mages Lobby, and tell him 'Aragorm held a Savior on Fire', which will automatically unlock the gates to the University. Go to the arboretum and talk to an Argonian about Capstone Cave, which she'll mark on your map, South of Cloud Ruler Temple.

"My last order is to use that money for any needed equipment, and a horse for your travels.
You must go soon, before the bandits dismantle any more of the cave....."He started to clutch his throat and gag. My father fell to his knees, shaking and gagging, until he quickly evaporated into the air. I stood, horrified, staring at where the opaque man had been just moments ago. I thought and tried to recollect what had just happened.

I was still in shock when the walls and floor began shaking once again. I needed to leave! I grabbed Savior and headed for the door. Grabbing the handle, I pulled the it. It was stuck. I pulled harder but the result was the same. I stared back at the bed, shaking worse then ever when I noticed that the room was getting smaller. I looked around, trying to find a way out. I sprinted to the window and looked outside. Where am I? I stared out at the nothingness that surrounded me. The blackest nights could not even relate to this. I looked back at the other three walls, which were inching ever closer. Grabbing an arrow and equipping it, I shot it as I did before, nothing happened. I tried once more but that was as pitiful as the last attempt.

I looked around, and kept spinning, looking at one wall at a time. This is unreal! It can't be happening! The walls pushed all that was around it towards the center, leaving only a yard of space for me. I jumped on the table and looked around once again, my heart racing and fear taking over me. The walls got closer, and closer. Crack! Sounded the wood of chairs and the table where I stood splintering by the force. I yelled and closed my eyes until I felt a sharp pain surround me...

I awoke, screaming and shot up out of my bed. Sweat trickled down my body like a river. I felt my chest and face, nothing had happened. It was all a dream.

This post has been edited by Thoron the Hunter: Dec 7 2006, 01:18 PM

[Thoron the Hunter]

Im sorry it took me so long for this next update

Here's Chapter 4

Chapter 4:On the Road Again
Panting, I stared at my fingers, which now had a reddish glow to them, and sat, speechless. I broke the stare by turning to the Redguard and trying to recover from the loss of energy, drank a flagon of beer that was placed in front of me. She said, “was that your first?”, and I answered, “yes, how did you know this”? “Your hand has a reddish glow. Everyone’s hand gets a reddish glow when they cast their first spell. It’s a sign that Magicka has been drained for the first time. You see, everyone holds Magicka inside themselves, but when it’s released, the energy is so built up that your hands will turn a sort of red color”.

Well, you learn something new everyday.


It was time for me to leave Chorrol and resume my journey to The Imperial City Arena District. I bid all inside farewell, and walked towards the door, as the Khajiit once again held it open for me, and once again, I fished for a few coins from my pocket, gave six this time, and walked out into the warm sun.

I still couldn’t believe that the spell had worked when I exited out the South Gate and started heading East. As I walked, I counted the coins I had left. Thirty-six coins, making a profit of nineteen is just grand! I said to myself as I passed the Eastern-most part of Weynon Priory.

I looked up past the Great Forest and sighted the Imperial Palace, towering over the many miles in every direction. I then stared downward at my clogs, bewildered how I am going to the same walls my father died within just two years ago. I looked up and continued my journey to The Imperial City.

I kept along The Black Road, passing a farm following Weynon Priory. I traveled further, taking a swig of my wineskin every time I grew weary, until I reached a cave entrance with the words Fort Ash scrawled in red ink on a board.

I looked around and saw something I could not make out from this distance. I investigated over to where it laid and almost vomited onto a tree stump. Lying before me, a pierced green man, a small one. He had a lethal dagger struck through him, and a savaged look in his eyes.

Afraid, I ran from the scene, never looking back until I stepped onto the dirt road once again, greeted by travelers. “Hello there, you look as if you’ve seen a ghost”. I replied in a horrified voice, “A small, green man is dead over there”! The men immediately said, “I wouldn’t think twice about it. There is a goblin lair right near where you pointed. This happens many times in my travels along these roads. Where are you headed boy”? “Imperial City”, I said in a shaky voice, still amazed how I came so close to a goblin. “Well, do you need a horse? I’ll sell you this old thing for eighty-five coins”. I stared downward, sad that I had no more than thirty-six. “That almost triples the amount I have right now.”, I said and the men smiled.

An Orc threw ten coins toward me and said, “it is not that far to the city anyway”. I thanked them, feeling better about the goblin, and continued my way to the city.

I looked at the Imperial palace, which seemed to grow bigger with each tired step I took. I could soon make out Rumare Lake, which held many memories from my childhood. I burst out laughing remembering when my father was thrown into the lake by the tremendous force of a slaughterfish.

I read a sign that said, “ Weye: Imperial City Ahead”, and started to run through the small town, onto the cobblestone bridge when an Imperial Guard stopped me, and in a hostile voice, he said, “thirty coins to cross the bridge”! I stared at him, that must be why the Orc threw me ten coins. I reluctantly counted thirty gold pieces and placed in his outstretched, chain-mail hand, leaving me with only sixteen coins, one less than what I started with.

He lowered his spear, allowing me to pass to my birthplace and I walked slowly, remembering all the times I had spent with my father here. This is where my father fought criminals and helped the poor with financial troubles. This is where he is a known man for all that he did in the skooma smuggling. This is where my father spent most of his hours on patrol, teaching me how to become an Imperial Legionaire. Memories flooded and overwhelmed me as much as I liked them and savored them.

I thought of my father’s face in the dream. He looked the same as he did the last time I remembered him. His black hair, pointed ears, and deep, deep brown eyes all resembled him as a living man.