Serene Of Cyrodiil, Chapter 4, Ashlander Affairs Options

[jack cloudy]

Finally caught up and it was all worth it. This is some excelent fiction you've got here. I like how it is overflowing with emotions and stuff.

[treydog]

Another good addition- it is interesting to see Serene drawn deeper into Baladas' plans. The cameo appearance of Telina was also a welcome surprise. As ever, you have provided us with a finely crafted piece of writing. It stands on its own, yet leaves us anxious for more.

[milanius]

What?!  I haven't commented on this yet?  I am a bad person.

Indeed, honorable Trey... I'm a bad, bad man... and I'll Join Your Club !

After reading carefully for hours (well, an hour and couple of minutes, really) I must now comment one thing: my nerves are getting just a wee bit strained from all the abuse Serene's taken lately... I don't care if someone's illiterate wildman from Teh Woods (or Ashlands, whatever), YOU DON'T GO ARROUND BEATING UP WOMEN ! My advice ? Serene, look into yer self, dig deep and find that lil' Nordic spark that will make you just a little less tolerant toward bullies... in other word, let's see some righteous, well-deserved butt-kicking, bloodrage style !!
[This has been an officiall Word Of Advice from your favourite Spellsword... stay tuned, we'll be right back after the commercials]

p.s.: ...and also, what kind of an IDIOT sends his love out in the unknown (to her, at least) parts of wilderness unescorted ?!!? Damn it, if Milanius was anywhere near that area heads would be flying already, starting with that female-beater jerk *Chorrol holds no smilie angry enough for me to insert here*

This post has been edited by milanius: Mar 23 2006, 08:35 PM

[jchamber]

even though I have done little work on my story I was hoping to see an update here after coming back from my journey, but oh well, greatness is usually time released. btw I see treydog has a dog as avatar now, I like it.

[minque]

Okay folks!..Here it is...... the long awaited update. I´m sorry about it being rather short, but I thought is would be better posting it now instead of letting you all wait much longer..just to add a few more lines.You may even just forget Serene...and that would make me sad...


Nibani Maesa, the Wise Woman of the Urshilaku tribe indeed was an impressive woman. She arrived at the Ahemmusa Camp for the Grand Meeting, not walking, but carried by four tribesmen, sitting on a palanquin, made from polished wood. Her appearance was powerful, although she in fact was rather short for being an ashlander. Accompanying her were, besides the four men, also the Ashkan of the Urshilaku, Sul-Matuul, with two of his men.

As was customary, the men assembled around the fire in the open area surrounded by the ring of yurts, and Nibani Maesa was taken to Sinnamu´s yurt. Kammu, Lanabi and I helped out with making our guests comfortable.

Nibani Maesa asked me to sit down beside her; I was caught in the gaze of her wise dark red eyes and the very aura of great magical powers so I sank down on my knees, bowing my head in courtesy to the elder woman.

“So, Serene, I hear you have used your skills to aid the Ahemmusa tribe well so far,” she said in her calm dark voice, “And you will also be of further use to these people, but that has yet to be revealed.”

I sat silent; in my opinion I hadn’t done very much for the Ahemmusa tribe; on the contrary it was the tribe who had done a lot for me, like giving me a home, teaching me a lot of useful things, and most of all, presenting me to a man that I could love and cherish.

Then Kammu called for me from outside, so I excused myself to Nibani Maesa and went out, just in time to greet the next party of guests, a tall rather handsome elderly man, wearing heavily decorated armour, accompanied by two fully armoured men and an old woman with a shrewd look in her glittering red eyes.

“It’s Ashkan Kaushad from the Zainab tribe....and the lady is Sonnamu Zabamat, their Wise Woman,” Lanabi whispered

“I demand to see Sinnamu Mirpal!” Ashkan Kaushad´s voice was strong and he sounded slightly irritated.

There was something with his eyes and his posture that gave me a weird feeling, it was famil-iar in a way, but I couldn´t point to it at that moment. Sinnamu then showed up just behind me and I could hear her gasp. Her face went pale, as pale as a Dunmerii face can get, that is a lighter nuance of grey, but still she obviously showed a rather odd reaction to the Zainab Ash-kan.

“Kaushad,” Sinnamu whispered, “I bid you welcome to the Ahemmusa camp”

“Welcome?” Kaushad roared, “Is that all you have to say to me? Now tell me where he is, I want to meet him and recognise him.”

At that moment I feared Sinnamu would faint; she swayed dangerously and I grabbed her by the hand, it was ice-cold.....

I felt something move inside of me, a suspicion, first very faint but as I watched the interac-tion between Sinnamu and Kaushad, the suspicion went stronger. I also started to realise who Kaushad reminded me of; Sedrane! I wasn’t sure at that moment but the next words from Sin-namu confirmed that I was right.

“Please, let it be, he doesn’t know......yet, it will only upset him!” Sinnamu´s voice was weak and filled with pain.

Kaushad did not reply, he just joined the other men at the main camp-fire. I was a bit shaken by this revelation, and almost missed the news Nibani Maesa was telling inside the yurt.

“.......The Third Trial........Urshilaku Nerevarine, and before the grass of the Ashlands turns brown again for the winter-season, he will appear in front of you, Sinnamu Mirpal, and ask you to name him the Ahemmusa Nerevarine. You may ask a favour of him; just make sure it will be of benefit for your people.”

[Kiln]

No Minque, how could we possibly forget about Serene? Great update, I'm glad you posted this, even though this bit was somewhat shorter than usual it was a welcome addition. Very good work, hope you find the time to continue soon.

[Tellie]

Ohh..thanks minkey..*hug**hug*......iliked this a lot.

I could never forget about Serene, I just mentioned her again in the newest part of the third chapter of my story.

So please enjoy this good with us, and accept a jona, and a milanius.

Oh take with you some Tellie cakes, as well...now you better enjoy those.......so please, update soon again...I want more Serene.

This post has been edited by Telendil Delvanni: Mar 29 2006, 07:04 PM

[jack cloudy]

Ah an update. Lots of praise from me and one impatient wait for another update coming right up.

[treydog]

Already pushed halfway down the page!? Only because our favorite moderator is commenting so kindly on others' works.

To paraphrase a Persian story: Every update of Serene is a joy and a sadness- joy in the addition to this story and sadness that there is not more.

Some fascinating undercurrents here- Kaushad and Sedrane- plus Nibani Maesa's news.

[Soulseeker3.0]

Okay folks!..Here it is...... the long awaited update. I´m sorry about it being rather short, but I thought is would be better posting it now instead of letting you all wait much longer..just to add a few more lines.You may even just forget Serene...and that would make me sad...

What!? forget Serene? I could never (okay so it was wavering in my mind but she was still there)

Great update Minque, even if it is short,... remember, quality, npt quantity. cheers and I bit you all goodnight. *bows and exits the 'room'*

[Magefire]

WOW.... this gets better and better.....

It's good to see Serene learning about Vvardenfell and gaining new friends in the process.

I assume that the Balmora outfitter who did her hair has given her a bottle of dye... or her roots would be showing by now....

Seriously, S.G.M.

[minque]

Phew! Found it.....it´s amazing, I had to scroll down to page 3 before I found my story-thread! There really has been an explosion of stories here..it´s awesome.....so many talents...WOAH!

Now then...here it comes, the long awaited update!
......................................................................................................................

I did not pay much attention to Nibani Maesa´s words at the time; I was too occupied with the fact that Kaushad apparently was Sedrane´s biological father, but three months later I had all too much reason to remember her words.....

The clan-meeting lasted for five days. Every night we all assembled around the camp-fire to eat, drink and tell stories- from the past mainly. I learnt a lot about customs and rituals among the Ashlanders and got to feel I was really one of them. During daytime the four Wise Women had their separate meetings about things not meant for everyone to hear, but I had the privilege to attend to most of them. This indeed was very strange, because Outlanders like myself were not very well seen among these people.

The future for the Ashlander-Tribes was uncertain, because they were dependent on what the lands and nature could provide them and so they were vulnerable to any kind of unfortunate weather-conditions such as the hot dry summer last year and the bad prophecy about another one coming. The prey had diminished remarkably during the last two years, due to lack of pasture, and the hard dry ground did not allow anything else to grow either. The Guars suffered a lot as well, no water, no food, and also there were hardly any young, a natural result of the harsh conditions.

The main problem, however, for the Ahemmusa was the water-supply. The well just outside the camp was almost dry and due to the dry weather, the water table had dropped far below the usual level. That meant that if the drought continued, the well would soon be dry.

I was thinking that the well was rather shallow, and not a deep one such as I remember we had at home, in Cyrodiil. I sighed; remembering Cyrodiil was as always painful, but I coped with it far better now than I used to. I certainly had grown mentally during my stay here at the camp.

I dared to suggest to them that it could be a good idea to dig a deeper well, because there would probably be water deeper down, even during the drought. The men looked at me, and I knew it was not appropriate for a woman to interfere with the men’s talk, and especially not an Outlander, but I got the feeling that they did listen to me....

The last day of the Ashlander clan-meeting was beautifully sunny. The visiting tribes wished to leave early in the morning, so after breakfast we bade them goodbye. I noticed Kaushad taking Sedrane to the side and having a very sincere talk with him, before the Zainab commenced their long journey home...... A part of me longed to ask Sedrane about his father, about how it was that he came to be with the Ahemmusa, instead of his father’s tribe. But those thoughts of family reminded me of my own history. Those wounds were better, but not yet healed. And so, I did not ask, but simply accepted.

The Ahemmusa Camp was silent again and life got back to normal.

That summer the weather was unusually hot, and for me personally it also was hot for another reason. My tryst with Sedrane developed rapidly, we shared almost everything, I moved in with him and we lived as man and wife in all ways. Needless to say I was very happy and wouldn’t have minded if it lasted for ever, but Azura had other plans for me........

I got a red shirt from Lanabi one day, because I’d worn out the one I had. She offered it to me out of kindness and because I didn’t have any shirts suitable to wear anymore except my leather one, but it was too hot for that one!

That particular day I just left Sinnamu´s yurt after I’d given her a nice collection of herbs and plants, meant to be the raw material for some potions we planned to prepare that evening, and now I just had to arrange the evening meal for Sedrane and me before we could settle in for the evening.

It was then I saw him! A tall blonde man was leaving Dutadalk´s yurt and headed across the open place in the middle of the camp. I got this whirling sensation down my spine; he was an outlander, like me, and his features showed power and strength. It had to be him! The one Nibani Maesa talked about at the clan-meeting, the one that should fulfil the Prophecies.....

I did not dare to look at him directly, so I hurried away behind Sinnamu´s yurt when I noticed he was caught by Zallit. I smiled to myself, knowing Zallit; the Outlander would be stuck with him for quite some time.

I had difficulties getting to sleep that night, maybe because of the fumes from the potion-making we performed earlier or maybe because of the outlander visiting our camp. Sinnamu had told me about him, during our work earlier, and it was as I suspected, the man was here to ask her to name him the Ahemmusa Nerevarine.

“I have decided I will name him Ahemmusa Nerevarine” Sinnamu said in her low voice, “But he has to prove himself worthy of it, so I must consult our Gulakhan and of course Sedrane before I can take such actions.”

“Where is he now?” I asked

“Zallit offered him a place to stay until I’ve told my decision,” Sinnamu responded with a smile.

I understood; Zallit really delighted in the sound of his own voice, so the outlander would probably already have been put to sleep by Zallit´s never ending speech.

Later that night Sinnamu and the Gulakhan decided what to ask of the outlander, and when I heard it my heart sank. They wanted him to find a safe place for the Tribe, and that maybe was a good idea per se.....but when they told me the particular place they had in mind, I was stunned; Ald Daedroth! It was a horrible dark mouldy shrine situated on a small island just north from the shore. I had never set my foot on it but I had certainly had to perform some serious healing on Yennamu and Assama-Idan after their visit to the shrine a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t ask then why they had been there in the first place, but I now noticed the coincidence.

So now I was lying beside Sedrane, tossing and turning, feeling quite uneasy. I put my arms around him in order to try to get some calm but it didn’t work, so I decided to get up and try some reading to get me to sleep. Then I was aware of a blue light and thus....I was paid a visit by Azura....again!

“Serene! Be not afraid, I am watching over you as always. You have fulfilled your mission with the Ahemmusa Tribe; you have given them hope and joy in their lives. You have made them less hostile to other races, which will be of benefit to them now. The Ahemmusa will survive; they will be taken to a safe place by a man who is believed to be Lord Nerevar Reborn.

Now you must continue, Serene; you have other tasks laid upon you, but first you must seek a safe place of your own. Before Masser and Secunda are full again you must return to your house and claim your family. There is a sacrifice, though, you will have to leave your beloved one behind and follow your destiny”

I was stunned; my lips moved but I made no sound. I had to leave the Ahemmusa and with them Sedrane, the only man I had ever loved. Tears were streaming down my face; this was unbearable. Then I felt Sedrane´s arms around me, holding me tight. I turned, tried to tell him all about it but he just kissed me.

“Shhhh, Serene, it will be all right, you must obey the divines, Shhhh my love”

So he had understood. I didn’t know how, but the fact remained, Sedrane knew I had to leave and even though he was as sorry for it as I was, he did not tell me to stay. He merely said that if it was the will of the gods we would meet again.

I wasn’t too sure of that at the time, but it turned out I was wrong.....again!

The following days were painful; I had to prepare for my leave-taking. The tribe was sorry about my departure but nevertheless presented me with various gifts to help me remember them. As if I ever could forget these harsh, industrious but ever so loveable people!

On the day I was to leave I had a rather large heap of things to bring with me, clothes, some books, my alchemical equipment, herbs, potions.....my backpack was full up to its limits. Kammu meant I should be given a pack-guar to help me carry the stuff, but I turned the offer down; I couldn´t possibly deprive the Tribe of a single Guar, they needed them more than I did. Kammu persisted until Sinnamu raised her voice;

“Shush, child! I will see to the transportation of Serene, our heart friend!” She embraced me and then handed me a piece of parchment, with something written on it.

“This is a scroll,” she said, “A very useful one, it is called Almsivi Intervention and saying these runes will immediately transport you to the Temple in Ald´Ruhn.”

I had but once never used scrolls before, I still remembered the adventure with that crazy mage and his scroll of Icarian Flight that I involunteerly tried during my stay in Seyda Neen! I knew, they were totally secure and always functioned the way they were intended to....that is if you spoke the words right.

Good-byes are something I really hated, so I already had said goodbye to Sedrane, we did that in private because there were so many feelings involved that I didn’t want to show in public.

After the customary embraces and good-luck-wishes from my clan friends I spoke the words of the scroll.

The last thing I saw before the magic of the Almsivi Intervention-scroll engulfed me in its foggy mist was the sad face of Sedrane Mirpal.......


Here ends chapter 4

[Kiln]

Figured I should probably comment on this story before it gets pushed off the first page by the other writers here.

Great update Minque, kinda sad to see Serene leaving her friends but I guess it had to be done.

Keep up the amazing work Minque, you know how I feel about your story so please continue when you can.

[Florodine of Hlaalu]

That was good update, yes it is said a little, but its interesting and every addition to this story builds a ladder to the next segment of the piece. Very good

[treydog]

Any day with an update to this story is a great day. I agree- Serene having to leave the Ahemmusa is sad- but we can hope that it will only be a temporary parting.

Your work always impresses me- you have such a wonderful feel for the people who populate the story. It was certainly worth waiting for.

And that mysterious outlander.....hmmm.

[Elongar]

My congratulations on the completion of another update! I felt that that made an excellent ending. Quite sad and emotional but it fitted very well indeed.

[Tellie]

Aww...thypichal...I was to late to reply again....

Well, I must say I was happy now when I saw that another update was given...as I love this story as you might know...

So, all I can do now is to wait for the first update at chapter five, which hopefully wont be so far away as this last one was......all good things are three.

PS: Any clue when the first update of chap five will come???

[milanius]

Chapter IV is done, eh ? I guess Serene will soon be ready to go to some deeper, darker places... I can never get tired of cave combats, daedric shrine ecounters and quality Tomb Raider action As I said it once (and I'll say it again): "It is nice on the outside but all the cool kids and the loot are Underground" so, GO, SERENE, GO !

This post has been edited by milanius: Apr 26 2006, 11:27 AM

[DarkHunter]

Good writing as usual Minque Seriously emotional (WAIT, I can't believe i just said that... ) Anyway, I think Chorrol needs a Tomb Raider Smiley huh?

[jack cloudy]

hey, an update. It was a good one, filled with sadness and hope.