Jihl of Hart Options

[Heather V]

Hello

I'm Heather V and this is pretty new for me. I'm an avid user of the Bethsoft forums under a different names and loved all the FanFics that were posted on there. But when I decided to post my own, following some pretty handy advice I was led here, and I'm glad I was!

This first part is somewhat a data dump, but to me it is just the perfect way to introduce my character and show a taste of what she is like. I hope you enjoy it Hehe

INTRODUCTION

My name is Jihl. Some know me as Electra, others know me as the Shadow, but my name is Jihl.

I’m in prison. Cool, huh? NO. It’s not. It’s rancid, putrid, infested and lots of other negative words ending with ‘D’. It’s vile and disgusting, but this is home now.

How did I get here I hear you ask? Maybe you didn’t ask, but I’m going to tell you anyway.

I used to be a member of an elite group of rebel fighters called the Hart Resistance. What did we do? We fought the fights that nobody else would. It’s that simple.

There was this one fight, though, and it was bad. Very bad. People died, and the wrong people lived.

All because of a necromancer named Nerastarel.

She was bad. Well, at first she was bad. She used to just do little things like raise the odd skeleton every now and then, but then her power grew too great. She got a taste for it. Soon enough she wasn’t just ‘Bad’. What she was didn’t even have a name.

It’s funny isn’t it? Someone who you once loved like a sister can change just like that. The feeling you once had can vanish. I have no idea how that can happen. It just does.

So yeah, I’m stuck in this cell in what I can only assume is the Imperial City and it is NOT fun.

I don’t know if I’ll even get out.

Although I do know one thing; should I get out Nerastarel will pay.

That I’m deadly sure of.

This post has been edited by Heather V: Aug 31 2012, 09:14 PM

[mALX]

WOO HOO! It's about time Nerastarel was tackled in a story! I can't wait to read more, the background you've given us in this is intriguing! Great Write!!!

[McBadgere]

Cool!!...

I will admit I don't know who Nerastarel is, though judging by mALX's reply, she's in-game...Must have passed her by... ...

Aaaamywho, really looking forward to seeing how this continues...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

PS..Welcome!!...

[Colonel Mustard]

I'm already loving the narration style of this, and you've dropped plenty of delicious, snaring plot hooks in this first part for me to be intrigued by whatever comes next; Jihl has a history with this Nerastarel, and a closely entwined one at that, eh? Certainly enough to make me want to find out more about this character and the story.

Looking forwards to more!

[Zalphon]

The way you write it certainly gives it a "real" feel, so-to-speak. I am eager to see where you take this story.

[Grits]

I'm glad you're posting Jihl's story here, Heather V. I enjoyed your intro, and I'm looking forward to more!

[Heather V]

Oh wow! Thank you all so much already! So nice of you all to say those nice things! I can't wait for you to read the rest of the story!

McBadgere: Nerastarel isn't an ingame NPC, but there is a house in Skingrad that belongs to him/her (In my story Nerastarel is a girl, although ingame it isn't actually stated)

Thank you all for your kind responses

[mALX]

Oh wow! Thank you all so much already! So nice of you all to say those nice things! I can't wait for you to read the rest of the story!

McBadgere: Nerastarel isn't an ingame NPC, but there is a house in Skingrad that belongs to him/her (In my story Nerastarel is a girl, although ingame it isn't actually stated)

Thank you all for your kind responses

That house is begging for a story, especially with a named NPC as owner who is not to be found...or is he? (lol). I only searched it once, stealing for the Thieves Guild - and missed the secret treasure chest!

I noticed Falanu goes behind that house after 10 PM nightly and does something odd in the back yard. If you try to see what she is doing, she leaves quickly. Falanu is a necromancer, so that house is really intriguing as a site for a story!

[King Coin]

This was so much cooler after remembering that house in Skingrad! I always wondered about that place! Finding out the villain is the sister really got my attention.

[Heather V]

Wow! Thank you all so much for your lovely words regarding the introduction!

I must admit the narration style does differ slightly when it comes to the actual story, but hopefully you will still enjoy it

1. In The Cell

We are the Hart resistance; Valiant hearts of steel, grace and honour. We fight to protect those who can't protect themselves. We fight for the freedom of our country. We fight for the pride of our planet.

The motto of the resistance played in my head. If only they could see what I'd become. I had shamed them. I had broken one of the ten tenants: 'Never give in to Selfish Crimes'. Basically, don't commit a crime for a selfish purpose. The tenants really didn't make sense unless you knew what they meant. Luckily I did, although I still broke one too many.

Anyway, I sat in my cell, gazing at the small hole that provided me with the minimal amount of fresh air. The whole place was damp; the enclosed stone walls to the gritty ground.

I sat at the small table in the cell, playing with a clay mug that was once filled with my daily allowance of water. I'd half wished that I hadn't drunk it so fast. It was a bit stupid really.

I leaned back in the wooden chair, putting my head back and observed the ceiling. There were a few cracks. If you squinted in the right way I SWEAR you could see the overall shape of Skyrim formed in the cracks. I smiled to myself. I'd never even been to Skyrim, but maybe one day.

I stood up and stretched, looking at the scar that I bore on my right arm. A token from my last encounter with Nerasteral. The one time she decided to take me on herself and she left a permanent reminder; pretty impressive if I should say so myself.

I smiled to myself, disappointed yet mildly humoured by the memory. It was at that point I remembered my brothers and sisters within the Hart Resistance. They were so strong, so wilful. We were a family and I loved each and every one of them.

Darn it, that battle. Too many good people died. Too many friends.

I felt a tear emerge from my eye and I quickly wiped it away, removing any evidence of it existing.

"Oh pretty Bosmer!"

I looked up and out of my cell door. The speaker was a male Dunmer in the cell opposite mine.

I smiled. "He speaks." The Dunmer hadn't said a single word ever since he was brought to the cell. Over a month and not a single word came from his mouth. I was curious as to the sudden outburst of noise from his mouth. "How are you?"

"Could be better," He hissed. "How are you feeling? Missing hopping about on the golden trees of Valenwood?" His words reeked with an unknown resentment.

"I assure you I haven't been hopping on any 'golden trees'." I glared at him, "And I assure you that racial slander like that doesn't sit well with me. Okay?"

"Feisty," He said, approaching his cell door. He grabbed the bars and continued to stare at me. "Tell me your name."

"Jihl." I said bluntly. I didn't care to know his name. Lucky for me he didn't tell me.

"Jihl?" He said, baffled. "I thought your name was 'Electra'"

I smirked, folding my arms, "And why would you think that?"

"The guards mentioned your name earlier today. They spoke about you whilst delivering my meal."

"Yes, well Electra is another name I go by. That's the name I'm most recognised by."

He smiled slowly at me, a hint of slyness, "I heard you are in here for breaking and entering?"

"You heard correct." I lied bluntly. He was very mistaken, but I'd rather be known as a theif than what I really was.

"A petty thief?" He said, insinuating that I was one.

I didn't reply to his remark, I only smiled at how pathetic his intrusive nature was.

He smiled at me again. A knowing smile, "No, not a thief... you were a member of the Hart Resistance, were you not?"

I remained silent. He obviously took that silence as a 'yes'.

"Electra Hart of the Resistance. Rather valiant of you to take the Master's last name after you took over his position. That must have granted you a lot of respect. It's just a shame that there is no one left to respect you."

I squinted at him. His knowledge of the resistance was slightly worrying, yet incredibly intriguing.

"Do you remember Faendil?" He said, returning the smirk I gave him earlier. "Sweet little Faendil? Sweet, innocent, fifteen year old Faendil?"

My body went numb, but my expression remained unchanged. "How do you know about him?"

"He was my brother, and you had him killed."

My voice went dry and weak, "... I didn't have anybody killed."

The Dunmer laughed, "Not intentionally, no. He told me that 'Electra' had a lead on a rogue member of the Resistance and he was going to fight by her side."

I remained immobile. I wasn't going to let him attack me like this. Usually I would retaliate by a physical threat, but that was impossible under the current conditions. I decided to do the next best thing. I approached my cell door and looked the Dunmer directly in the eye.

"Many good people died that day; not only your brother. I understand you're upset and that is understandable, but what you may feel is nothing compared to the pain and guilt I have to face every single day. So you can throw your words at me and try to make me feel more awful than I already do, but I will promise you this; the more you say, the angrier I will get. Once we are both free from this hovel you WILL feel the full force my anger has to offer, and it will not be pretty. Are we clear?"

He said nothing; all he had in return was a sarcastic smile.

Suddenly both our heads bolted toward the steps that led to our cells, hearing the sound of guards approaching. I watched as I saw them come down the stairs. They looked a lot more important than your average guard. They were heavily armed, too. They had swords that looked a lot more dangerous than the silly twigs the normal guards had. I knew one thing for certain, this horrible feeling at the pit of my stomach; whatever these guys were here for, it was a big deal.

This post has been edited by Heather V: Oct 4 2012, 03:55 AM

[mALX]

This was a great beginning! The scene with Valen Dreth (I'm assuming) was intriguing! Awesome Write!

[Zalphon]

You definitely kept a nice degree of tension in the discussion. The Dunmer felt so secure behind his nice, iron bars. Now I'd like to see if you follow the tutorial the same way or if you invent some parts

[King Coin]

The traditional meeting of Dreth. Jihl sounds like a leader of a bandit group. Humble beginnings. I wonder if she will be the champion of Cyrodiil or if her story is else where.

[treydog]

I loved the irreverent tone of the opening; even more, the way it gave essential insight without being overwhelming. The scene with Dreth also gives us information about Jihl, while still moving the story forward.

I look forward to more.

[Colonel Mustard]

Now just what the hell do you think you're doing, young lady? You can't go around giving Valen Dreth depth or humanity! Doing that with a minor, throwaway character alone could lead to all sort of dangerous, terrible things, like well developed protagonists or character arcs, and we don't want that! And what's all this nonsense with challenge our previous conceptions of a character with a convincing reinterpretation of his character, eh?

Stop it, I say! Stop it at once!

[Heather V]

Oooh! Thank you all so much for your kind responses! I'm so happy that you all enjoy what you have read so far, you're all so nice! Colonel Mustard your comment made my day Hehe

2. Stay or go?

The Dunmer looked at me, "They're coming for you." He said in a sly, sinister way.

I ignored him, watching as three soldiers approached my cell. Behind them was an elderly man. He was dressed in royal looking clothes, a large pendant rested around his neck.

The one female of the three guards, an imperial, approached my door, looked at me then at her comrades.

"What is this Bosmer doing in this cell?"

"'This Bosmer' has a name." I replied. The soldier glared at me. I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, habit."

"There must have been a mix up at the watch..." said one of the two male soldiers. Also an imperial I assumed.

The female imperial looked at me, "How long have you been here for?"

"About four months. Maybe five."

"In this particular cell?"

"No, I got transferred here about two months ago."

"So you haven’t been here for five months?"

"Well, no-"

"Be quiet, then."

I scoffed in shock and how disrespectful of me she was. At that point I would have loved to connect my fist to her smug, little face.

"Prisoner," Said the final soldier, a male Redguard. "Over to the window. Now."

I looked at him then put my hands on my hips. "You gunna say please or what?"

He glared at me. I glared at him. We glared for a long time.

Eventually, though, I gave in. "Fine." I walked over to the window and waited. The soldiers opened my cell door and entered my cell. The female soldier walked over toward me and looked at the large archway embedded inside the wall. I watched intrigued as she felt her way around the surrounding stone wall.

"Here." She said, pushing a loose stone in the wall. Suddenly the archway wall began to open slowly, revealing a dark, hidden passage of some kind.

"What?" I whispered to myself. Two months in this cell and I had no idea that was there.

The soldiers started to walk through the passageway, the Redguard telling me to wait where I was. The old man started to follow them, but stopped once he saw my face.

"Wait," The old man said, looking at me. "I know you..."

I worried that he recognised my face because of my work with the resistance. If this man was part of the Imperial Army and he knew who I was I was done for.

"I've seen you in my dreams..." The old man continued.

I smiled awkwardly, "You're not hitting on me, are you?"

There was a silence, but the old man laughed. I laughed in return, although I had no idea why.

"I have the feeling you do not know who I am?" He said. Of course I didn't. I shook my head and then he told me. "I am your emperor, Uriel Septim."

The emperor in the flesh? It was awesome at the time. Being part of the resistance meant we had to live in hiding a lot of the time so I'd never had a chance to even see the emperor. Despite the fact that our main mission was to take down the corrupt aspects of the council, the emperor seemed like an exception. He seemed nice; albeit a bit creepy.

"You mentioned a dream?" I reminded him.

"All in good time." He said. He began to walk toward the secret passage way and his guards, now obviously the famous 'Blades', protectors of the emperor, followed him.

I remained stood immobile, not sure what to do now. I thought about maybe leaving it a few hours before using the same door to escape, or just maybe closing the door and carrying out my sentence in peace.

My decision was made for me and the Redguard Blade came back to where I was.

"The emperor insists that you come with us," A beat, followed by a cold stare, "As much as I hate it; that is NOT a request. Come on."

The Redguard doubled back to the others as I stood looking at the passageway. I smiled as maybe freedom was sooner than I thought, and it was even better now that I had the emperor’s permission to leave.

I looked at the Dunmer in the cell opposite. He had a look of utter hatred spread across his face. I smiled slyly, "Sorry Mister, looks like you're going to have to find someone else to torment with your pathetic dribble."

I performed a rude finger gesture at the Dunmer then slowly headed through the passageway, softly jogging to catch up with the others.

[Colonel Mustard]

I enjoyed this chapter; it gave us a bit more of an insight into just how deep Jihl's dislike of authority figures runs (to an almost suicidal extent, it seems ). Will that run deep enough to compromise the safety of all Nirn? I'll have to wait and see...

*Steeples fingers to wait for the next part*

[Acadian]

Welcome to the Arena of fanfic! You’re off to a nice start as we begin to get a feel for who Jihl is, as well as her background and some of the factors that have shaped her perceptions and reactions.

[mALX]

ROFL! Jihl's testiness with the Blades and parting shot at Valen Dreth were great, but even better was how you captured each of the Blades personalities so thoroughly! Like Jihl, I have always wanted to smack Renault, lol. Great Write!

[Zalphon]

I love that little bit of dialogue between the protagonist and Uriel. It gives him a wise and benevolent feel. He's not snobby or shocked--just answers the question.