Blood on the Moon, A Journey of Discovery Options

[haute ecole rider]

*I* don't need alcohol to turn into a loose-tongued Mae West when one such as D.Foxy is around!

[mALX]

*I* don't need alcohol to turn into a loose-tongued Mae West when one such as D.Foxy is around!

Hauty FTW!

And that is a YES!

[D.Foxy]

Er....I'm beginning to worry...


Just where are you planning to loose that tongue on me, Mae? And while I am putting on weight, I am not a round...or did you mean..

*sees mods coming*

..er...nothing! Nuffink et all Sir!!!

[SubRosa]

So the mystery of the dead Argonian was solved. I thought you did that well, portraying Athlain's humanity as he learned the Argonian's name, making him a real person rather than just a dead stranger. Likewise, Basks-in-the-Sun's longing for home, and obvious discontent was also touching.

I have often wondered about the Argonians. Are they cold-blooded, as reptiles? Or are they warm-blooded, like dinosaurs/birds? I keep thinking they must be warm-blooded, otherwise they could never survive in cold climates.

[mALX]

I didn't come to spam you this time, I finally got time to read, lol. Awesome Write....and I am finally going to learn something about Trey, since I haven't had time to dig in the archives yet!!!!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Mar 28 2010, 02:43 PM

[Winter Wolf]

The Argonian shipmaster looked out to sea, his expression impossible for me to read.

Damn those inscruptable Argonians.

How long, oh doggy Trey will you continue to tease the world with Louis and his ship?
I want to know!!

[Destri Melarg]

As always, your Interludes alone are worth the price of admission.

Sage wisdom from someone called Basks-in-the-Sun? I think his melancholy has invaded Athlain and all of us to a certain degree. What could it be? Hmmm. . . I know,

STILL NO ATHYNAE!

(that opening tease was just cruel)

[Remko]

Another wonderful addition! Thank you for gracing us with this piece.
Honestly, I thought the part with the Argonians was superb!

[treydog]

Time seemed to be pressing upon me, so I forced myself to travel to Raven Rock on board the trading ship. Basks-in-the-Sun tried to reassure me by pointing out that we would not venture far from land on this run- not cross the open sea between Solstheim and Vvardenfell. All the same, I remained on deck, rather than confining myself in the small cabin. And, as it turned out, I actually rather enjoyed the voyage. Whether from Athynae’s healing or some other cause, my sea-sickness did not recur, and the singing of the wind in the rigging and splash of spray were invigorating. Better still, the trip was quite short.

Two rows of torches set in the ground marked the landing for Raven Rock, and I looked over the colony as we dropped the sail and used the sweeps to work in to shore. A great deal of work had been done in my absence- several buildings had been completed and the walls of still more reached skyward. Falco was in his usual place beneath a tree- and he still wore his accustomed frown of concern.

When I approached him, his expression did not clear, but became more cryptic than before. And I noticed that his hand went to the hilt of his sword, as well. I slowly shook my head and said evenly,

“Well met, Falco. What news?”

He had the grace to look a bit embarrassed and let go the sword, rather awkwardly putting his hand out to shake, instead. I accepted the offer and turned to survey the growing colony, as much to give Falco a moment to collect himself as for anything else.

“It appears that you have made progress. I imagine that the Company will be pleased.”

Falco cleared his throat and replied, “Yes. Well… Athlain, I apologize for my hesitation a moment ago, but… well, we are at a crossroads, whether you know it or not.”

He waved a hand at the buildings and continued, “I don’t mean all this- or rather, I do- but more to the point, I mean your place in Raven Rock’s success- or failure.”

When he fell silent, I prompted him: “How do you mean?”

“If he hasn’t already, Carnius will approach you. He will attempt to draw you into his plans for this enterprise, by fair means or foul. That is his pattern; I’ve seen it before. He works through intermediaries whenever possible. I do not know for certain what his plans are, but I do know they will be to the disadvantage of the people working here. I… hope you will see fit to aid me instead and make Raven Rock a better place.”

He paused then, but I sensed there was more he wanted to say, so I simply nodded. He looked around to make sure no one was nearby and lowered his voice:

“The true reason I took this position was to counter whatever scheme Carnius is planning. He has sabotaged Company projects before, but there was never any proof. It always appears to be a matter of accident, or circumstance, or bad luck. And he always ends up richer.”

He anticipated my next question: “The Company cannot get rid of him without proof- and he has enough friends among the Directors to continue receiving assignments. However, some others have recognized the pattern, and they sent me to put a stop to Carnius. So what do you say? I have to warn you that siding with me could be dangerous- he is a bad enemy. Of course, he is almost as dangerous to his ‘friends,’ considering how many of them have suffered ‘accidents’ once they were no longer useful.”

The results of our decisions are not always obvious at the time- there can be unintended consequences. For example, you could decide to leave home, join the Legion, and get sent to a frozen waste- only to discover that the girl that you love has always been right in front of you. And then lose that same girl almost at the moment you realized that you could not live without her. Just by way of an example….

Even so, some decisions were easy. Even if Carnius was not defrauding the Company, he had preyed upon my isolation and my weakness, almost causing me to die a lonely, dishonored death. With a smile that held no humor at all, I told Falco:

“I will be glad to help you in any way I can. What do you need me to do?”

My quick response seemed to surprise him; he made several false starts before admitting:

“There really isn’t any work you can do just now- I had expected you would need a day or two to consider your options. But, since you are so decisive, perhaps you can help with a small problem that has been troubling me.”

Falco indicated all the new construction, as well as the materials stacked ready for use.

“We have reached the point where we need to build something besides housing and storage facilities. There are sufficient funds for either a smith or a trader, but I am having a hard time deciding. I would like you to talk to the workers and think about it yourself, then get back to me.”

I nearly threw my hands up in frustration. To go from my deadly serious work with the Legion and the Skaal to this sort of mundane nonsense…. And how was this choice going to make any difference in stopping Carnius? But then I recalled how much of Mother’s time was taken up with the seemingly minor tasks of managing our home and the people who worked and lived there.

Once, when I expressed the opinion that a dispute between the cook and one of the guards was “silly,” Mother responded by asking me to sit down. “Perhaps it is ‘silly’- to you. But Soren is a long way from Skyrim and he misses familiar things- like food from his childhood. And Ranis takes pride in her cooking, which means she tries hard to please everyone. So how will it be if we lose Ranis and have to make our own meals- or if Soren is distracted from his responsibilities to provide security? The time to deal with a problem is while it is still small- and ‘silly.’ Far better I take a few minutes now than we all go without hot food- or protection, later.” And so she did- purchasing mead and honey, as well as other Nordic treats, and providing the cook with opportunities to try new recipes- which were generally met with unfeigned praise. Before long, Indarys Manor was back to being a harmonious, well-fed place.

With that memory to guide me, I swallowed my first, angry reply and instead told Falco that I would be happy to help.

The task was made somewhat easier by the fact that I already knew a number of the miners, including the three I had escorted from Fort Frostmoth. I located Gidar Verothan and Sabinus Oranius and explained the situation. They talked back and forth for a few minutes and came to an agreement- smith work could be done at the fort, but there was nowhere nearby to buy clothing or comforts. I thanked them for their time and started to turn away when I saw another familiar face- this one belonging to a certain sword-wielding female of my acquaintance.

This post has been edited by treydog: Apr 10 2010, 04:43 PM

[haute ecole rider]

Yay! A new update!

A few technical nits (all in one sentence!):

Far better that I take a few minute now than that we all go without hot food- or protectio, later.”

minutes lost its 's';
protection is exposed without its 'n';
and while the sentence is technically correct, I hate using that twice - maybe consider losing that both times: Far better I take a few minutes now than we all go without hot food - or protection, later. It's more a matter of personal preference, IMHO, and you decide if you want to consider my opinion or ignore it.

However, time for the things I liked:
This moment of introspection:

The results of our decisions are not always obvious at the time- there can be unintended consequences. For example, you could decide to leave home, join the Legion, and get sent to a frozen waste- only to discover that the girl that you love has always been right in front of you. And then lose that same girl almost at the moment you realized that you could not live without her. Just by way of an example….

Even so, some decisions were easy. Even if Carnius was not defrauding the Company, he had preyed upon my isolation and my weakness, almost causing me to die a lonely, dishonored death.

- QFT!

And how was this choice going to make any difference in stopping Carnius? But then I recalled how much of Mother’s time was taken up with the seemingly minor tasks of managing our home and the people who worked and lived there.

This so reminds me of some of Julian's quandaries in the MQ! This was particularly well done, as was the flashback that follows.

Not a typical cliffhanger, but still one nonetheless:

I thanked them for their time and started to turn away when I saw another familiar face- this one belonging to a certain sword-wielding female of my acquaintance.

Oooh, I wonder who that could be!

[SubRosa]

I was moved by the same things that haute collie was. First Athlain's ruminations about his love life. How often just what you need has been sitting in front of you all along! Been there, done that myself.

Likewise, I particularly enjoyed Athlain's reflection on the importance of little things. The truth is that life is really just a bunch of little things all put together. Ignore them, at your peril.

this one belonging to a certain sword-wielding female of my acquaintance.
So I take it that Julian of Anvil has come to Solstheim? Oh wait, she is not acquainted with Athlain though...

[Olen]

The results of our decisions .... Just by way of an example….

I liiked this line, it catches his thoughts on the matter well. Not quite bitter but not all good either.

The thoughts of home seemed fitting as well. I enjoy how this piece can move from desperate fighting in the wastes to deciding what to build so seemlessly and all of it working so well with the character of Athlain.

Great stuff.

[Acadian]

This was wonderful. FINALLY, we might get to see Athynae again, I hope, I hope, I hope. . . .

[mALX]

Yes, I am with Acadian!

Athynae, Athynae
Why, oh why did you go away?
I've waited so long for this day
You would once again come my way
Athynae, Athynae...

[minque]

Oh dear! everybody seems to enjoy the fact that it just might be Thyna who's back! Makes me really happy...

I so enjoyed Athlain's attitude to more simple tasks as deciding what service facilities to be built! It made me smile... Athynae would probably have taken him by the ear and told him a word of wisdom...

Falco was in his usual place beneath a tree- and he still wore his accustomed frown of concern.

Hilarious!

[Destri Melarg]

‘a certain sword-wielding female of my acquaintance’, eh? Why do I get the feeling that we are all being slightly played here? Last I knew, Athynae was clear over in Ald’ruhn straightening out this mess about the marriage contract. Perhaps she learned the truth from her mother and has returned to tell Athlain the news, but I doubt it. Unfortunately, other than Gaea Artoria back at the fort I can’t for the life of me think of another ‘sword-wielding’ female of Athlain’s acquaintance. I guess I’m just going to have to wait for the next update . . . Grrrrr!

[canis216]

Not only did she wield a sword, she's also quite talkative. I'll say no more; I've said too much already.

[minque]

Not only did she wield a sword, she's also quite talkative. I'll say no more; I've said too much already.

Oh aye..she resembles her mother....or her mother's creator?

[treydog]

Destri and Canis216 are too clever for me.... Although there is still at least one incorrect assumption. But time will reveal that- provided I ever get time to write the next part....

[Captain Hammer]

Fast-talking female with a sword at Raven Rock, and you've just committed to Falco?

Could only be Apronia Alfena. Remember, the talkative chick that was rescued from the crashed ship, who had killed a few draugr with the captain's sword?

Yeah, her. Man, I remember how she would not shut up pretty much the whole way back to Raven Rock. Useful though, unlike some people in the escort quests...(*mumbles* Urvel Dulni)