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> Blood of the Kyn, Volume II
Dantrag
post Dec 8 2009, 08:08 AM
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From: The cellar of the fortress of the fuzz



Click for Volume I

The start of Volume II; where stuff actually starts to happen. wink.gif Enjoy.

Chapter 1 - Tensions

I am lost. Azyrek recited the words in his mind as he stood in the center of the Plaza Brindisi Dorom, in front of a beautifully sculpted pair of statues. He looked around one time to make sure there were no prying eyes.

His lips finally moved to form the words, and he felt a slight rumble beneath his feet. He heard rock grinding rock and looked down to see one slowly descending. It was large enough to stand on, so he did. The dremora slowly fell into darkness on a magickally suspended stone.

Azyrek could see nothing in the darkness, but he could tell that he had reached the bottom of whatever pit the Brotherhood had sent him to.

"We've been expecting you, Brother," he heard, just before a torch was lit, "Welcome to Bamz-Amschend. Cemented over when the Plaza was repaired, but the Dark Brotherhood laid claim."

Azyrek could tell from the accent that his 'brother' was a native dunmer, though his face was masked.

"Thank you, Brother."

"I will show you to your room soon. First, you must follow me."

Azyrek followed the mer, and in the torchlight could see that they were in an old, old place. He had never seen any ruins such as these before. Judging by the machinery, they had to be from the dwemer. A stark contrast to the old Ayleid fortresses he would see in Cyrodiil. They went further down and eventually into a tunnel. The metal and stonework disappeared, making it obvious that it had been dug long since the dwemer walked the halls.

They came to a door, and the other assassin stood by it.

"The Speaker awaits you, Azyrek."

Azyrek opened the door to find a surprisingly homey room. The floors were wooden, though the walls were those of a natural cavern. There was a bed in the back corner, and to his left was a crackling fireplace. Arranged in a semicircle in front of it sat a sofa and chairs. On the sofa was another dunmer, who sat with his hands in front, hidden under the folds of his black robe. Much like Azyrek often did, he had a hood pulled low over his face.

"Greetings, Murderer. Vicente send word of your success and promotion. It seems Sithis and the Night Mother favor you."

Azyrek gave a slight bow. Noting that this dunmer was not native. It sounded like a dark elf from home would.

"I know you're weary from travel, so I will be brief. You are never to enter this Sanctuary again. The name of your first target is Temis Alam. He goes by the name Ras here, performing magick in the Bazaar. He is Morag Tong and I want him dead.

"Once he is dead, we will contact you. We have arranged for you a place to hide and begin your destiny."

"So...I have to leave now?"

"No, stay the night, and prepare tomorrow. You will leave us when night falls. Farewell, Murderer. The Night Mother expects great things of you."

Azyrek took his cue, said his goodbyes, and left the room. The dunmer was still outside the door with the torch. They walked further into the tunnels, and Azyrek was shown his room. It was nothing but a bed and a table with a jug of water, but it was all he needed. Too tired to think, he laid down and went to sleep.

This post has been edited by Dantrag: May 19 2010, 07:02 PM


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"Its when murder is justice that martyrs are made"
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Olen
post Feb 12 2011, 11:11 AM
Post #21


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Well he's dead, I must say I didn't see that coming. Certainly the shift of character had been going on, but well, it works well to show you're not afraid to kill a main character which does wonders for tension.

QUOTE
There was a storm in her head...

Excellent metaphor, it works well with the muddied streets.

Her going to Andrethis is intreguing, as far as I remember there's no reason why she'd go there, except to follow Azyrek's backtrail. Again you've laid a good hook for the next parts.

As ever I look forward to the continuation, and for anyone else who's checking out this revived topic - it's worth a read.


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Look behind you and see an ever decreasing number of ghosts. Currently about 15.
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Dantrag
post Feb 14 2011, 08:46 AM
Post #22


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From: The cellar of the fortress of the fuzz



Chapter 3 - Following his Footsteps

Rinori stumbled into the common room that morning, early enough to catch Nevis' breakfast. Sleep hadn't come easy or well; her eyes were reddened and their lids were heavy. Nevertheless, she made it to the stool and leaned heavily on the bar, with her chin resting on her arms.

"You made it for breakfast," Nevis said cheerily as he checked his oven, "I trust you slept well?"

She shook her head, "Not really. I've got a lot on my mind."

"I thought as much when you came in last night."

Rinori sighed and sought to change the subject, "How much longer 'til that breakfast?"

"A few more minutes for the bread. I'll start the kwama eggs in a moment, and I have some fresh comberries you can eat in the meantime."

Nevis put a bowl of the fruit in front of her, and she nibbled for a moment while Nevis busied himself in the kitchen. Her unpreparedness suddenly hit home for her; she had nothing but a few more coins, the clothes on her back, and a dagger in her boot. When she asked herself why she was here, she told herself that she needed a break, that she was tired of being an unknowing pawn of the Tong, or even Ornos. Somewhere deeper, though, she knew exactly what she was doing; retracing Azyrek's journey. Once she learned of the halfblood's doings here, she could go back further, back to the mountains above Kragenmoor, back to the cave where he helped her kill the Brotherhood assassins, back before even then, where her knowledge of him ended, and perhaps find the answers she needed. Had Azyrek really killed Temis? If so, why? Who hired him? She thought that the Dark Brotherhood was an unlikely suspect, when she considered the incident at the cave, where they had first met. She moaned and rubbed her temples. It was too much to consider all at once.

"Bread and eggs, to go with those berries," Nevis said, breaking her stream of consciousness.

"Thank you. How much?"

He waved his hand, "Don't worry about it, miss. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. You don't look too good."

She nodded, and attacked her meal. It was far from delicious, but it was tasty enough in its simplicity, and filled her stomach nicely. She pushed her empty plate away after a minute, and resumed her work on the berries.

"Tell me, Nevis. Have there been any strange visitors here maybe say, a week ago?"

The old clerk smiled, "So you're looking for someone? Do you have a name?"

"I do," she answered, "But I doubt he would've used it. He would have kept to himself mostly, stayed quiet. His face would be hidden most times."

Nevis scratched his chin thoughtfully, "There was someone like that here. I don't get many customers so I remember them. He stayed maybe two days. Spent most of his time over at the Mage's Guild. I don't remember his name, only that it was strange. As if it was from a forgotten language."

Rinori leaned forward eagerly, wondering how lucky she could get, "Was it Azyrek?"

Nevis' eyes lit up, "Yes! That was it! He was headed for Mournhold, said he came from Kragenmoor. He got pretty angry when I told him he should've gone straight from one to the other."

That was him, alright. Rinori couldn't help but smile when she remembered parting ways with the halfblood; she'd gone down into Kragenmoor, and sent him a week south, to this charming little mud pit. The smile faded when she remembered more.

And now he's dead. But why was he important in the first place?

Nevis nodded, "Azyrek. That was it. Like I said, he spent his time at the Mage's Guild, so you might check with them."

"I will," she replied, "As soon as these berries are gone."


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"Its when murder is justice that martyrs are made"
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Olen
post Feb 15 2011, 12:21 PM
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QUOTE
"As soon as these berries are gone."

Heh...

As ever the plot remains thick. This piece is pleasingly fast and slickly written. goodjob.gif


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Look behind you and see an ever decreasing number of ghosts. Currently about 15.
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minque
post Feb 17 2011, 10:03 PM
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yay! More Rinori and Azyrek! Great story Danny....really a great story!


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Chomh fada agus a bhionn daoine ah creiduint in aif�iseach, leanfaidh said na n-aingniomhi a choireamh (Voltaire)

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Dantrag
post Mar 31 2011, 04:59 AM
Post #25


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Chapter 3 - Following his Footsteps

Rinori emerged from the inn, with her last few comberries resting in her hand. She popped them into her mouth one by one, as she approached the Mage's Guild house. She entered to see a wood elf woman at a desk, scribbling tirelessly on a piece of parchment. Rinori stood patiently, waiting for her to come to a pause in her work.

She kept standing. And standing. She chewed her last berry. The bosmer kept writing. Rinori was fed up with waiting, and waved her hand back and forth between the mage's eyes and the paper.

The lady finally raised her head, revealing a look of bewilderment, as if she had just seen the world for the first time.

"I hope you aren't too busy," Rinori said with a bit of sarcasm.

"I'm so sorry, Sera. I've been working on this research..." the little lady said, "Anyway, I am Farawen, at your service. What can I help you with?"

"My name is Rinori. I'm looking for a friend of mine. Nevis up the road said I should look here."

"Is you friend a mage here? I have the records of our-"

"No, no, no. He would've only been here a few days. Had any strangers spending a lot of time here?"

"Not very many visitors come here, unless they're with the Guild..." she said, resting her chin on her hand while she thought about it, "There was someone here a few days ago, but I doubt you would've known him."

"Try me," Rinori said.

"He never gave a name, but we made him work for his guild guide services. He was...(how do I put this?)...not entirely of our world."

Rinori smiled, now she was getting somewhere, "That's him. Half-dremora, right?"

Farawen laughed, "Yes, exactly! It took us quite some time to figure that out. He's an interesting test subject, but not the most cooperative. He's actually the center of my research. Do you know him well?"

"Probably better than anyone else," she answered, saddened by the thought.

Farawen's eyes lit up, "What luck!" she exclaimed, "If you could convince him to come here, I could learn so much more! He didn't really like us studying him, but we can work out some sort of pay-"

"I'm sorry but I don't think that's possible."

Farawen's excitement died instantly, "Oh. Well if you're looking for him, we did send him to Mournhold finally. We can send you there today if you wish."

"No, thank you. What exactly is your research about?"

"Oh my, where to begin!" Farawen said, excitement present in her voice again, "At first we thought he was errantly summoned by one of our apprentices, then we thought he was a dremora that had passed through from Oblivion, so we sort of...forced him to let us study him. We did all the wrong tests, and since your friend was none too happy about being a part of our experiments, he kept quiet. It wasn't until the very end of our time together that I figured out what he truly was. A half-dremora! I don't think a single case of this has ever been recorded in all of history. There have been theories, of course, but no hard evidence. Really, miss, if you could bring him here, or take me to him, I could bring a lot of knowledge to Tamriel."

Rinori shook her head, "I told you it's not possible."

"Why not? If there's anything either of you needs in return, I can arrange it."

"Please, don't ask again," Rinori said, feeling water rising behind her eyes, "There's nothing I can do."

"But I-"

Rinori slammed her fist on Farawen's desk, "He's dead, alright? Dead!"

This post has been edited by Dantrag: Mar 31 2011, 05:00 AM


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Olen
post Apr 3 2011, 12:41 AM
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Good to see another part of this. I like this story, the interactions between the characters ring true and the mystery of it belies the seeming simplicity (I can remember mostly everything which has happened in the last couple of years). That really makes it work, and there's twists. Makes me wonder what she'll do next, it seems the mages know something (is he totally dead?). I get the feeling somethings planned.

I look forward to seeing this continued.


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Look behind you and see an ever decreasing number of ghosts. Currently about 15.
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Dantrag
post May 7 2011, 08:42 PM
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Chapter 4 - The Void

Death was not peaceful, as he had always thought. There was no feeling, no sight, no sound, no rational thought. Only a distinct feeling of existence. Images flickered in and out. He saw Rinori often, but sometimes he would see other things. Vicente, his mentor, a dremora who looked familiar, an old blind man. But what he saw most was disturbing. A web, surrounding him. He couldn't feel it, but there was a knowledge that it was there, entangling, cocooning.

Wake up.

It was his own mental voice, but it seemed distant. Disconnected.

Wake up.

He didn't know how.

Wake up, halfblood.

It was a different voice, a woman's voice, loud and powerful. In that instant (though he had no sense of time) he opened his eyes.

In front of him, was an impossibly tall, imposing woman. She had four arms, shining black robes, and a necklace of skulls. She was beautiful somehow, but in the most terrible way.

"Where am I?" he asked, wiggling his fingers. His own body felt strange somehow. As if it was weighing down his soul.

"Oblivion," she answered, "My portion of it, at least. I pulled your soul from the Waters of Oblivion, sped up the cycle of your immortality."

"So I'm-"

"A daedra, yes. But you're ignorant of your own nature, having lived among mortals so long. A pity your father could not have raised you himself."

"My father?" he asked, "You knew him?"

The lady cackled, "Yes, but that is not important. Yet. Do you know who I am, halfblood?"

Azyrek cringed at his given title, but answered easily, "Mephala."


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Olen
post May 8 2011, 04:43 PM
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Aahh, now I didn't see that coming. I suppose it makes sense though, so he's immortal. This is going to give Rinori a mighty shock when (if?) Mephala is finished with him. I can't see her being too pleased about him being DB but then the endless fun she could weave with him should more than make up for that... emot-ninja1.gif

So where will his loyalties be now? And what of this father who's just had a proper mention...

I like this piece, the plot twists when I least expect it. Bringing him back could have fallen flat, but it hasn't. I want to know more now.


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minque
post May 22 2011, 09:58 PM
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Jeez! Meeting with Mephala, O_o...Interesting indeed! I like the so to say divided story, two lines, Rinori and Azyrek..makes it really intriguing.

Yup, I've started reading again and will comment as much as possible


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Chomh fada agus a bhionn daoine ah creiduint in aif�iseach, leanfaidh said na n-aingniomhi a choireamh (Voltaire)

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Dantrag
post Jun 5 2011, 06:06 AM
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Chapter 4 - The Void

"You may not be a lost cause after all, halfblood," she said while a twisted smile grew slowly on her face. She inched closer and closer to him, bending down to reach Azyrek's height until their noses were almost touching. The assassin held his ground.

"Tell me," she said after a time, "How badly do you want to return to your world?"

"Bad enough," he answered, "I have a score to settle."

Mephala stood up straight again, "No doubt you do. But your own vengeance can wait. I have my own plans for you, and I require your strict compliance."

"And if I refuse?"

"I can send you back into the void as easily as I pulled you out. More easily, in fact."

Azyrek paused for a moment before sighing heavily.

"Fine," he said, "Tell me this at least; did Rinori kill me?"

Mephala shook her head and wagged her giant finger in his face, "I have already answered three of your questions, and knowledge is not free. From now on, each task you perform for me will allow you to have the answer to a single question. Fair enough?"

Azyrek bit his bottom lip so hard it bled, but finally, he realized that he had no choice. He was the fly, and she was the spider. All he could do was try to stall the inevitable meal.

"For now it is, Mephala. For now."


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Olen
post Jun 5 2011, 04:54 PM
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Good to see another update smile.gif.

I am still reading (and would still encourage anyone randomly passing through to read through this piece...).


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Look behind you and see an ever decreasing number of ghosts. Currently about 15.
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minque
post Jul 4 2011, 09:27 PM
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Ahhh how could I miss this? MORE Danny, ya hear? Love this story..just love it!


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Chomh fada agus a bhionn daoine ah creiduint in aif�iseach, leanfaidh said na n-aingniomhi a choireamh (Voltaire)

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