With Fate Uncertain And Bloodstained Hands, Memoirs of Felisa Serhas. Chapter One: Beginning of the end Options

[TheOtherRick]

Definitely an interesting encounter between Felisa and Sa'Quira. Looking forward to seeing where it goes once Gasheera's hangover has passed.

Nice write and keep it coming!

[mALX]

We've met. Never properly introduced however.” I said, a strained smile when I looked at the khajiit whose name I did not yet know. Gasheera snorted, and the female went stiff when the realisation hit her that he was about to tell me her name. She'd seen my dark brotherhood raiment, she knew that I was an assassin. But she knew just as well as I did that if one of us were caught, so would the other.

Great paragraph! The intricate balance of things when you live a contra lifestyle - Awesome !!!

“House cleaning.” When his answer came, my drink suddenly left my mouth.

SPEW !!! Guilty conscience !!! Woo Hoo !!!!

[saqin]

Thanks for the good comments, I had quite a lot of fun writing this next part(except the very end, but everything can't be fun) and I do hope that you'll enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

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I awoke early the next morning. Gasheeras' snoring could be heard through his door, and I decided to go outside while waiting. I hadn't forgotten about his “house cleaning” comment the evening before.

Was I surprised to be stopped by the khajiit girl while making my way outside. Yes, I was. She didn't exactly seem like the brave or foolhardy type.

“Felisa. May Saqin speak with you for a moment?” Talking in that accent typicall to most khajiit, she caught me by surprise.

“I guess so.” I shrugged, and she nodded before walking outside. What was up with this girl? She went around to the back of the house, out of sight from the guards and townsfolk. Then she stopped, and seated herself on the ground.

“What do Felisa intend with Gasheera?” She asked plainly, and I just stared at her. Why should I intend anything with him? Why did there always have to be a purpose? Lucien would always tell me why someone was wanted dead when the thruth was that I didn't care. Why can't one just do as one wants and the rest of the time just follow the flow?

“Nothing. I'm just giving him some training with a blade. He isn't particularly good you know.” I said, smirking.

“Saqin know Gasheera is no good with blades, and that worries Saqin. Why Saqin can beat him with blade, and Saqin ain't that good. That is why Saqin have been thinking. Gasheera is going to kill bad people, try to save world. But, he is no good with blade and would probably get killed and fail in saving world.” She said, gesturing with her hands meanwhile. You know what a bad habit that is? Not only can someone hear your voice, they can see you easier as well.

“Can you get to the point?” I asked, interrupting her, and she stared at me. And all of sudden, a light lit in my head.

“Felisa not interrupt, please. Now, Saqin was saying that what if people thought Gasheera was good with blade? What if they thought he was master swordsman simply because no one lived to tell of his fights?” I smiled then when she spoke. “If we helped Gasheera kill bad people, and no one found out we were doing it, Gasheera would be named hero, and because we are his friends, no one would dare to touch us. Gasheera as fake hero and fake master swordsman would be of more use to us, then us being heroes and outlaws. What if one of the greatest heroes ever, was a scam?” She ended there, looking at me.

“You're saying that we're going to make it look like Gasheera is a hero, but really we will be the ones doing all of the work?” I almost laughed because I liked the idea. Being part of one of the biggest scams ever sounded much more fun than simply training a possible hero. “But, you're not partcularly skilled with a blade either, so what are you going to do?” I asked, and for the first time since I met her, Saqin smiled.

“True, Saqin is no good with blade, but Saqin knows politics, and Saqin knows how to pretend that one knows politics. You fight, and make it look as if Gasheera does, and I take care of politics and publicity, meanwhile making it seem as if Gasheera is. We make him seem as one of the greatest warriors and politicans alive, and no one dare touch us. We also gain part of profits. What do Felisa say?”

“I'm in. I wouldn't miss this for anything.” I said and we clasped hands, smiling.

“Good, now Gasheera should be getting up. Go and talk to him, tell him of plan and begin acting it. Saqin must return to her friends, they wonder where Saqin is by now.” We said goodbye, and she left through the city gate while I made my way back to the inn. She was way more clever than I gave her credits for. Though she feared me, she knew when a huge opportunity came her way, and had the brains not to throw it away.

And, like Sa'Quira had said, I found Gasheera awake eating breakfast and joined him. He waited a while before looking up and talking to me. And the way he ate looked much more like a starving dog than a cat.

“I assume Saqin talked to you?” He said between bites, and I nodded. “Good, in the Imperial City we found out that the ones that killed the emperor belongs to a cult called Mythic Dawn. They've got a shrine in the caves next to Lake Arrius and that's where we are going today. They managed to steal a very important thing, and we're going to take it back.”

“And what is this thing?” I asked, eyebrow raised.

“I'll tell you when we have left town. It's not secure in here. You've got no problems with going after a cult?” I laughed at his comment.

“Why should I? I might have been a member at some time, or had a relationship with one of them at some point, but that's not an issue.”

“You're fine with killing people you know?” He actually seemed shocked at the relevation. And we sat there eating for a while before he spoke again.

“What happened to that dark elf in prison? The rude one?” He asked, and I felt my stomach knot.

“I killed him.” My voice was barely more than a whisper. It seemed so odd saying it out loud, the fact that I killed him, and then Gasheera smiled. As if though he was glad.

“Well that's one guy that really deserved it.”

“No, he didn't. He is the only person I've ever killed that didn't deserve it, and I loved him. Do not speak of him again.” I basically growled as I said the last part and his eyes widened in surprise.

“Why? Why did you kill him?” It seemed to put a strain on him, saying those few words, and I looked him straight in the eyes as I answered.

“Because Sithis told me to.” There was no remorse or feeling in my eyes, though my heart cracked a second time, and I did not even enjoy the fact that his fur stood straight up from the terror that I could see in his eyes. Did he fear me then? I certainly hope so. However, he never mentioned it again...

[TheOtherRick]

Me? I decided to travel a bit.
This caught me by surprise. I thought sure that Felisa was going to be the behind the scenes hero, doing most of the work and getting less of the glory for saving the world.

TheOtherRick: I'm not saying anything...

It seems as though I may have been right after all!

I absolutely love the way you are going about it! AWESOME!! This is going to be a really fun read. I can't wait!!

This post has been edited by TheOtherRick: Feb 23 2011, 07:20 PM

[mALX]

“Why? Why did you kill him?” It seemed to put a strain on him, saying those few words, and I looked him straight in the eyes as I answered.

“Because Sithis told me to.” There was no remorse or feeling in my eyes, though my heart cracked a second time, and I did not even enjoy the fact that his fur stood straight up from the terror that I could see in his eyes. Did he fear me then? I certainly hope so. However, he never mentioned it again...

Powerful ending to this chapter !!! Great Write !!!

[Zalphon]

"Because Sithis told me to", you're malevolent!

[saqin]

TheOtherRick & mALX: Thanks

Zalphon: A bit I suppose, not that much, she's just very devoted to the deity she worships. "Maybe" in the way of it getting fanatical.

Anyways, I'm now going to give you a bit of a look into the head of Sa'Quira. Quite hard to write, and I'm not sure wheter you'll see her as I'm trying to picture her.

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Sa'Quira's POV

My boots rustled the leaves on the ground as I made my way through the under brush. Luckily the noise wasn't enough to attract the attention of the imperial forester on my right. He had no idea of my presence, and he had no idea of how close he was to a camp full of bandits. If they hadn't moved of course, I couldn't count on them not to move. After all, that was exactly what I would have done.

The forester was soon out of my sight, and though I kept making sure not to make an abundance of noises, I sped up. No telling how they would react. Would they be angry, relieved or merely amused by my ability to escape trouble? Who'd know. I came to a halt then.

How would Khan gro-Tira react? Now that was a question worth asking. I started walking again, wouldn't ever find out by standing around would I?

Was that the fault I'd done before, not asking why exactly M'errunz acted as he did around me? Was that how he'd been able to surprise me so greatly? Was that why I ran off..?

I shrugged, trying to throw the thoughts away. It was my decision to run, and I've not regretted it, why then won't it leave my head? Did my parents actually manage to cram some of that sentimental and creepy stuff about love into my head? I certainly hope they didn't. That stuff is nothing but a liability.

For one not aware of their surroundings, the changes as I came closer to the camp wouldn't have been seen, but then that was why I was the scout. I always saw valuables and dangers first, that's how I stayed alive.

The chatter of birds gradually disappeared, and the faint smell of smoke met my nostrils. A sense of being watched confirmed my suspicions, and I looked up into a nearby tree at the wood elf. He leaned against the trunk, bow slung over his shoulder and eyes staring straight at me.

“You're late.” I didn't answer. “Khan ain't happy 'bout that.” He skidded down the tree and came to stand before me.

“Your skills in sneaking still haven't improved.” He stood silent for a moment at my answer, face blank, but then he burst out into a laughter.

“That's all you've got to say? Commenting the fact that I didn't watch you for more that a second before you saw me. What if I wanted you to see me?” he said and walked up beside me as we entered the camp.

“You never want to be seen.” Was my response to that, and just then Khan gro-Tira came out of his tent. The elf tried to stop his laughter, but couldn't and walked of. I came to stand before the big male orc, and considering the fact that I'm barely taller than a wood elf, he didn't have to make an effort to tower over me.

“You know what I found a few days ago? I found two of my men, two men with whom you were scouting, dead in a small camp, one of them half roasted in the fire. You care to explain that?” The orc spoke with fire in his eyes, and considering the fact that he was the leader of the camp, I couldn't count on much help. So I did all I could when his fist struck the first blow, I ducked.

The older khajiit thief had seated himself on the garden wall to be able to look down on his two students.

“Duck the first two or three blows. They are dealt in anger, without aiming but using a lot of force. If they hit you, you're as good as dead. Then he'll calm down slightly, calculate his blows and want only to humiliate, not harm. That's when you've gotta let him hit you, or he'll just hate you more. Might hurt your pride, but it sure as hell won't hurt your skull.” He smiled when the girl avoided the brutish khajiit.

“That method does not apply to a situation when his true intent is to kill you however. Neither does it apply when you've got nothing against hurting him.” The girl ducked again, and getting within his range, hit him straight in the groin. As a result, the brute doubled over, and the thief on the wall laughed.

“You're learning fast.” In response to his praise, the girl gave him a smug smile.

The old lesson was fresh in my mind, and I took it into account as I ducked the next two blows. When his expression changed, I didn't move, and the fist connected with my jaw. I fell backwards, my jaw feeling as if though it'd blow up, but at least I knew it was intact.

No more blows came, and when I looked at the orc, the fire in his eyes were gone.

“Will it happen again?” His voice was hard, an edge to it that I knew I didn't want there.

“No,” I said, putting the most humiliated expression I knew on my face, and he reached his hand down to help me up.

“You better be right.” With that he then spun around and marched back into his tent. I looked at the others, they were seated most of them, pretending they didn't listen. But they were way too curious not to, and now they looked up. I'd dropped the humiliated expression the moment gro-Tira entered his tent and they obviously wondered how I could take it so calmly.

“M'errunz have come to see Ma'Quira. Will you not speak to him?” Aged around 50, the female cathay-raht looked oddly elderly to the young suthay girl. She was sitting in the small window, looking at the sugar-cane gardens next to which the small house was situated.

“Must I mother? I would rather have lesson.” She didn't look at her mother while talking. Wearing a light brown budi and black pants, she seemed quite content where she was. Her mother frowned.

“Unhealthy is what it is. Ma'Quira needs to get out, I and your father will be having guests.”

“Well, okay. I will go.” With that the girl turned from the window and walked out of the room past her mother. At the door that led outside she paused momentarily before opening it.

The boy had seated himself on the ground, but bounced up again when she walked outside. “What do Dar'Quira wish to do?”

“Doesn't matter M'errunz.” She sighed, wishing he'd not call her that when her parents where close by, and they started down the road.

“Okay, then we'll swim!” He smiled at her and broke into a run.

“M'errunz!” She called out and chased after him.

“What?” I said, noticing that they were still looking at me. Most of them turned away, began to talk with each other again or continued their games. I looked around for a bit, and then I walked out of there.

Coming to Cyrodiil, the idea of being an outlaw had seemed good. A lot of money, independence and an excuse to be by myself. Now I knew how wrong I'd been. I knew the theory of guilt just as well as I knew that they expected me to feel it. But why should I? They were the ones who wanted to rob her.
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Afterwords:
budi - (n.) a Khajiit style shirt which is fastened down the right side with braids. [Ta’agra]
Source: Pocket Guide to the Empire
The budi(best picture I've found, credits to the artist)

Sa'Quira=Ma'Quira=Dar'Quira

Sa, Ma and Dar are simply different prefixes to names for those who doesn't know.(Used in the khajiiti language) Sa/S means adult, Ma/M means apprentice, child or virgin and Dar means thief, clever, sly or skilled with his/her hands. Different people simply calls her different things. Just in case anyone wonders.

Source: http://www.imperial-library.info/content/t...tion-dictionary

This post has been edited by saqin: Apr 1 2011, 06:28 AM

[Acadian]

Quite a scheme Sa'Quira has dreamed up and pitched to Felisa! 'Let's build a hero!'

Sa'Quira's point of view presented in this last episode was fascinating. She shows much of herself while retaining much mystery.

What an odd trio we seem to have assembled here, and that is making for a very fun story!


Nits. There are a handful of minor editing items here. Most of those will smooth and sort themselves out with continued experience as you write and read. Let me simply tag what I believe to be the three most significant/straightforward:

'I came to an halt then.'
You want 'a' halt.

'But they were way to curious not to,'
The first to should be 'too'.

“M'errunz have come have come to see Ma'Quira.'
You have repeated 'have come'.

[mALX]

Love how you added the links at the bottom to help visualize the budi - and the research you put into the Khajiit culture - Awesome Job !!!!!

[saqin]

Acadian: Sa'Quira is actually, if I get to say so myself, a much more well built character than Felisa and Gasheera. And yeah, thanks for pointing those nits out.

mALX: Thanks

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Felisa's POV

Walking out through the gate of Cheydinhall, the first sight that met my eyes was Shadowmere standing in the grass. She was eating quite calmly at the moment. When I began walking towards her, Gasheera on my heels, she looked up and whinnied.

I stroke her face when she came up to me and then she followed me to the stable where I saddled her. Once that was done, I turned around to see Gasheera standing there, holding the reins of a black and white paint horse in his hand. The horse stood there with his head hanging slightly, seeming very bored, and I assumed it to be a gelding.

“Shall we get going then?” I said and mounted Shadowmere. Gasheera wasn't far behind, and we rode away from the city, into the woods.

The birds cared little for our passing as we rode through the forest, and the deer merely followed us with their eyes. Shadowmere was restless because we only walked, but I was certain that if we cantered the gelding would not be able to keep up.

As soon as we where out of the city, Gasheera rode up next to me.

”The amulet of kings,” he said, eyes passing between me and the forest.

”What?” Was my answer to that. I would have said more, but Shadowmere was trying to bite the gelding, willing him to go away, and I had to hold her reins even tighter.

”You asked me earlier what'd been stolen. It is the amulet of kings.” Noticing Shadowmeres behaviour, he made his gelding fall back slightly, and she calmed down somewhat. I however, did not.

”The amulet of kings!?” My voice almost rose to a shout, causing some of the animals closest to us to flee. I looked at Gasheera.

”Yes, the Mythic Dawn cult stole the amulet of kings, just as they opened an Oblivion gate outside Kvatch to try and kill the only remaining heir. Apparantly they want to bring Mehrunes Dagon to Nirn, and the lightening of the dragon fires would prevent that,” he answered me, eyes looking forward now for we were approaching a glade and the smoke of a camp fire arose from behind a large rock.

As we came to a halt, I put my finger to my lips as a signal for him to be quiet, and slid of Shadowmere. My feet barely made any sound as I put them carefully between heaps of leaves, approaching the boulder. As I came closer, words reached my ears.

”Give me that.” The male voice sounded surly, and the accent imediately got me thinking of a Nord.

”No, I found it.” Another voice, this one also quite irritated, responded to the voice. Perhaps a redguard or a breton, however the voice also sounded quite smooth. Educated?

”You don't drink. What use could you possibly have of it, old magus?” The last part was definitely said as an insult, and the sound of fire got louder for a moment.

”Told you it's mine. You slugabed got no bussiness taking my stuff. It's mine I tell you!” Ok, that voice was certainly the voice of a madman and the Nord didn't respond. I crept up around the boulder, listening intently to the mutterings of the man.

”Foul things are they, know not to stay out of other's bussiness... You're mine, 'll always be mine. They shant take you... Sheogorath says you're perfectly lucid. Hihihi... Was wrong he was, dead now. Fire eats him like wood, that it does. Hehehihii...” Deciding I'd heard enough, I looked out arouns the edge of the rock, onto the man. He was indeed a Redguard, dressed in the tattered robes of a warlock.

He didn't notice me when I crept towards him to get a clear shot with the bow I now held in my hand, eyes rolling around in his head. The ground was practically covered in empty skooma bottles, and opposite of him, on the other side of the fire, was the charred body of a male Nord. In his hands the redguard held a silver goblet.

I put an arrow to the bow and aimed at him as his head stooped lower and lower until it bobbed back again, looking like a grotesque doll. He looked around then and spotted me, arrow pointed straight towards his head.

”Shinyy...” he said, looking at my arrow and readying another fireball. But before it was finished, I'd already loosed the arrow into his cheast, and he fell back dead as stone.

Approaching the fire, I stooped to pick up the goblet that he'd been holding, and was surprised when I suddenly felt a slight increase in my skill with the bow. Intrigued, I put the goblet down and instantly that feeling disappeared. I picked it up again, and when I put it in my pack I was glad to notice that the feeling did not disappear.

Looking around one last time, I saw more charred body pieces in the fire. Evidence that this was not the first time the warlock killed someone by burning them. A tremor went through my body briefly at the thought of what he could have done to me, and then I made my way back to Gasheera and the horses.

”What was it?” Gasheera asked as soon as he laid his eyes on me. I mounted Shadowmere and, feeling how tense I was, she began walking. Gasheera had to smooch to his gelding for it to follow us.

”Bandits. A mad hedge wizard that literally fried his companion. There were more charred body parts in the fire.” I answered, shrugging slightly. ”Come on, let's get out of here.” I continued when Gasheera nodded. I allowed Shadowmere to increase her pace to a trot, and the gelding fell into a canter after us. Not looking back, we then continued through the forest towards the cave.

[mALX]

Oooh, what an interesting incident !! And the goblet too !! I am intrigued by this whole scene !!! Great Write !!

[saqin]

Emerging from the forest, our eyes came upon a small lake. It was surrounded by rock and brown grass and plants. The altitude of the place made the air quite chilly, though the summer were just coming to a close. On the other side of the lake, which I now recalled being named lake Arrius, a mountain lion prowled. Upon seeing us however, it perched itself on a large boulder, and first then did we see the deer carcase by its feet.

Deciding the lion would be of no danger to us, I got of Shadowmere as soon as I saw the wooden door that covered the cave entrance further up the mountain on the other side of the lake. Gasheera had shown me his map with the location of the cave and this one fit. Unsaddling the horses, we hid the saddles and bridles behind a rock and made sure we had everything we needed.

“Anything you'd like to tell me before we go inside?” I said when he tied the gelding to a tree and we began to walk the rest of the way to the cave. The lion watched us from the large boulder, but it showed no sign of hostility.

“Only one thing, I was born under the lord,” he said and I groaned.

“Oh perfect! You've got the trollkin curse and we're fighting the daedra whose primary element is fire! How could the emperor choose you, and how in the daedra did you ever manage to close that oblivion gate outside Kvatch!?” He's got a 25% weakness to fire, how could it possibly get any worse than that!?

“I didn't close that oblivion gate, not really. I met Saqin in the Kvatch encampment before heading up. She did a lot of the work.” Me shaking my head, we entered the cave.

Walking through a tunnel, we came to stand in a large cave, a man in red robes in front of us.

“You have walked the path of Dawn and have earned a place as members of the Mythic Dawn. Hand over your possessions and accept your new robes. You have come just in time to see our leader.” The man said, and before he had time to react I thrust my knife through his stomach.

A purple swirl flew from my fingers then, and the man floated quietly into a corner after I'd taken a key from his robes. Signalling to Gasheera to stay behind me, I then opened the door which the man had been guarding, and the light of armour being summoned met my eyes.

This new guard rushed at me, and his bulky red and black armour crushed the wooden door when I ducked under his arms. He was stunned for nothing but a moment before the arm that held the conjured mace swung around in pursuit of my head. Once again trying to throw myself out of the way, the mace merely scratched my shoulder. Getting my blade out of the scabbard, I managed to deflect his mace, but that left him free to push me into the wall using his shield.

Releasing the handle of my sword since it was trapped between his shield and my body, I finally managed to get a grip around the handle of my knife and stuck it around the shield into his side. He doubled over, and it was easy to thrust it through his throat, causing blood to pool on the floor.

It was first when I stood there panting heavily, that I noticed Gasheeras absence and the clashing of swords from the passage we came from.

Once again coming through the door, though this time from the opposite direction, I saw a woman clad in red and black armour in the process of killing Gasheera, and threw the dagger that I still held at her. It lodged itself firmly in the nape of her neck, and she staggered backwards as her sword fell and Sithis took her in his hands.

I retrieved my sword and dagger, as well as checking the soldiers for potions, before I once again turned to Gasheera.

“We need to continue, someone is bound to have heard the clash of weapons.” Gasheera answered with a grunt, and heaved himself up on his feet. Then we kept going further through the caves.

We met several soldiers on our way, and several times I found myself just barely being able to save Gasheeras life when he was overwhelmed or knocked to the floor.

Some time had passed when we came upon the cavern storage, and guess if I was surprised when I saw the faint light of Ayleid stones from a crate. However, as it turns out it wasn't truly stones, it was an armour of a kind that I've never seen before, nor since. It resembled elven armour to some extent, but together with the material that looked as a mix of white ayleid stones and steel, there was white cloth. The helmet and the armour glowed slightly. It was made for a male, that I could see at once.

It did not take much time to get Gasheera into the armour, which though it wasn't very good, was better than the previous. And which, apart from the previous, fitted him as if though it'd been made for him.

We continued on then, and it did not take long for the caverns to increase in size, and our eyes to fall upon a group of red robed men and women. Above them all stood an elven man, preaching to them of how they'd release Mehrunes Dagon on Nirn, holding the Amulet of Kings in his hands.

Intending to end his life quickly, I took my bow in hand and aimed an arrow at Mankar Camoran. I was never allowed to set my arrow loose though, as we were discovered then and he disappeared through a magical portal.

The battle that ensued consumed much time and potions, and though we placed ourself in a thin passage so that all of them couldn't come at us at once, I believe we only barely escaped death many times. When it was over, and we had recovered our breath, we made our way onto the platform.

A great statue was posed so that it stood over what I presumed to be an altar used for sacrifice, with it's back against the rock wall. It was the statue of a warrior, holding a great sword in his hands up against the heavens. On the altar lay an argonian, but though Gasheera walked up to him, I paid the man little heed when I turned the way Camoran had been facing.

There was another altar there, and I walked up to it, curious of the book lying there. I tried to open it, but to my annoyance, the cover wouldn't bulge. I heard Gasheera helping the argonian up then just as I grabbed the book from the altar, and was brought up short by the noise of crumbling stone.

Gasheera and the argonian had barely escaped injury when the statue crashed down over them after I took the book, and for a while all of us stood there with our mouths agape. Once they'd recovered from the shock, Gasheera and the argonian turned to me.

“What did you do?” Gasheera asked before noticing the book that I still held in my hands.

“I took this. Figured it might be of some use since Camoran got away,” I answered him, holding the book more plainly in his view. Nodding slowly he then turned to the argonian.

“Can you walk on your own?” he asked, and the argonian started slightly.

“Yes, they did not harm this one much. My name is Jeelius, I am a priest in the Temple of the One and I thank you for your help. Seek me out and I will find a way to thank you properly,” the argonian said to Gasheera.

“You're welcome.” Then he turned to me. ”We should get out now.”

“You don't say.” Sarcasm was dripping from my voice, but I turned and led the way out of there the same way we came before. If there was somewhere I didn't want to spend the night, it was the lake Arrius caverns. It had not exactly been a walk on roses.

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Here ends the second chapter of With Fate Uncertain and Bloodstained Hands.

This post has been edited by saqin: May 9 2011, 02:41 PM

[saqin]

http://archive.pixbox.se/arkivet/synligt_3...20/32378318.jpg

If anyone feels like having a look, that's the link to a picture of Gasheera in his new armor and with his horse as I described them in the story. Both are modifications.

Horse: Brother Maborels' paint horse using Slofs' Horses

Armor: True Ayleid Armor by Iomir. It's the guard version.

[mALX]

Poor Jeelius getting the brunt end of a woman's temper after a hard day at Lake Arrius Caverns, ROFL !! Great Write !!!!

[saqin]

Chapter three- Because lies are easy

Sa'Quiras' POV

The fire crackled when I put another branch onto it, and I lay down on the soft earth beneath the great pines. Looking up into the sky, I couldn't help but think back to that which had been so long ago, back when I still had a home.

If someone against all odds caught me, I do not think that I'd be welcome back home. I've done to many things that disgrace my family, and besides my parents have another three children. When I look back, I was probably the one they liked the least. They always tried to protect my sister and my brothers. When my two older brothers joined the Manes' army they were very proud, and when word came of the death of my eldest brother my mother cried for days. They were sad when my older sister married and went of to the other provinces.

As children, mother always tried to make sure that they were in what she'd call proper company, but she never had that concern with me. I'm quite certain now that she knew very well of the profession of my friends, but she never opposed it.

“Come on Dar'Quira! Last to get a dagger is a kitten!” M'errunz joyful voice penetrated the girls thoughts, and she bounced of the pavement, her eyes alert. The boy laughed briefly, then set of at a run along the road with the girl at his heels.

They stopped after a while behind a low wall, peering over it to the merchants square where many wagons and stands stood, loaded to the brim with goods. They looked at each other again, and Dar'Quira gave him a dazzling smile, allowing her a head start.

Her silent steps carried her quickly to the edge of the square and the vicinity of a wagon containing weapons and armor. Throwing a last look around her to make sure she wasn't seen, she crouched down by the wagon. It's owner stood many feet away, talking to another merchant about the recent taxes.

Dar'Quira threw a quick glance back at the boy whom were now sneaking towards another merchant. She allowed a smile to escape from her lips as she reached into the wagon, folding her slim hand around a small and thin bundle. Upon uncovering the cloth she was able to confirm that it was a dagger and she spent a moment to marvel over it's beauty. It was made of white or transparent glass, and several sapphires decorated the handle.

Quickly wrapping the dagger into the bundle again, the girl eased her body away from the wagon and walked as casually as possible through the square.

“Thieves! Catch them!” She spun on her heels when someone called out behind her. In the next moment M'errunz had her hand in his and they were running down the street away from the square. Though the merchants were stronger that the children, it did not take long for the young thieves to escape them. Once they had, they sat down by a palm tree to show each other what they'd found, and to laugh about how easy it had been to get away.

Unintentionally my hand reached to my belt and wrapped around the hilt of the dagger sitting there. I smiled slightly of the folly that had occupied me then, and looked at the white and blue blade, casually noting the inscription. “Frostclaw” it said, and I must say the name truly fits it though it's not enchanted.

I put the blade aside, hidden in one of my boots that I've placed by the fire, and close my eyes. Untroubled sleep is all I would ask for if given one wish, but alas it's not possible.

* * *

Dark clouds held the sky in their grasp when I left the site of my camp, pictures from the nights dream were still vivid in my mind. I had the hood up to cover my head, for my senses told me the rain was not far away. My steps continued for no other reason than my own ambitions, and my thoughts flew elsewhere, far away from the ground I threaded for so long.

My face ached from the earlier days, sending me the impulse to pay it back, but I can not fight so many on my own. No, I should have my revenge in another way, I would not give that scum the honour of falling to my bow. Not even to be mutilated by my bow, though that might have been preferable.

I stayed away from the roads as much as I could when the rain began and turned most of them to mud and slippery stones. I knew they'd do nothing but prevent my passing. As such, the day didn't present much trouble, and I passed the road to Cheydinhall when the evening was just falling upon the land. I made my camp beneath some high trees where bushes hid my presence.

This post has been edited by saqin: Jul 2 2011, 07:55 AM

[mALX]

Whew! Really Great Write here! My favorite part was the introspective at the end - HUGE!

Dark clouds held the sky in their grasp when I left the site of my camp, pictures from the nights dream were still vivid in my mind. I had the hood up to cover my head, for my senses told me the rain was not far away. My steps continued for no other reason than my own ambitions, and my thoughts flew elsewhere, far away from the ground I threaded for so long.

My face ached from the earlier days, sending me the impulse to pay it back, but I can not fight so many on my own. No, I should have my revenge in another way, I would not give that scum the honour of falling to my bow. Not even to be mutilated by my bow, though that might have been preferable.

I stayed away from the roads as much as I could when the rain began and turned most of them to mud and slippery stones. I knew they'd do nothing but prevent my passing. As such, the day didn't present much trouble, and I passed the road to Cheydinhall when the evening was just falling upon the land. I made my camp beneath some high trees where bushes hid my presence.

This section leaves a tangible impression behind, Awesome Write !!!

[saqin]

Felisas' POV

We camped by the road the night after “cleaning” the lake Arrius caverns, just after we had left the argonian with an caravan. We did not have time to be his babysitter, why did we even bother showing him the way to the road? We could have been so much closer to Bruma if we hadn't. It's really annoying how noble the man is at times.

We did not speak much that evening, eating our rations and then going to sleep. There was longing in Gasheeras' eyes, and he'd look into the trees every now and then as if though waiting for someone. It was the first time I guessed at Gasheeras' feelings for the girl.

When the morning came again, Gasheera prolonged our departure and I yelled at him to speed up. If those who wanted the empire to crumble knew that we were alive, it wouldn't take long for them to go after us, and I had no interest in being attacked any time soon.

So we set of at a trot through the forest, wary of the shadows around us. We kept a fast pace all day, eating and drinking on horseback, only ever stopping to kill whatever creatures whom set upon us.

Before nightfall we'd reached the snowy slopes upon which Bruma, and beyond that Cloud Ruler Top, rested. We set up camp in a small clearing and ate in silence, then when the morning dawned, we were of again.

At noon we approached the gates of Bruma, and I halted Shadowmere, looking over at Gasheera.

“So, how are we going to do this?” I asked him.

“Well Martin, the emperors son, would probably like to see that book you found.”Gasheera patted the gelding on the neck as he spoke, and Shadowmere snorted.

“He'd obviously want to see it. What I was talking about is whether I should come with you or not. I doubt the blades would look kindly to having an assassin amongst them.” I said after rolling my eyes.

“Right. Uhm, I think it might be best if you came. Then they'll know that you're with me and won't be surprised if you ever have to show yourself. Mightn't need to show them your face unless it's necessary though.”

“Alright, lead the way.” I said, and Gasheera spurred the paint horse to a trot. I could feel the impatience in Shadowmeres' body when we followed. She wanted to run, but nevertheless she obeyed my command to stay behind the gelding.

Gasheera took the road to the right of Bruma and the Wildeye stables. It was a small road, and the cobblestones had been placed unevenly. Shadowmere threaded lightly across them, her hoofs kicking up snow with every step.

The path took us around the walls of Bruma, and then turned towards a hill on which a castle stood. As we closed on the serpentine road I took a wolf fur cloak from one of my saddlebags and hung it over my shoulders, pulling the hood up to hide my features before I urged Shadowmere to trot up besides Gasheera. Though she did not like it she obeyed and Gasheeras' eyes turned to meet mine.

“I damn well hope you know what you're doing.” My voice gruff, we then approached the castle. It only took a moment before the gate opened to reveal a long stone stair. The gelding did not hesitate before he stepped upon the stone, and Shadowmere lingered only a moment. We rode in silence up the winding road, and I could feel eyes studying us from the surrounding walls. And so we enter the nest of the hawk, I thought when the gate closed behind us, cutting of the exit.

[mALX]

We camped by the road the night after “cleaning” the lake Arrius caverns, just after we had left the argonian with an caravan. We did not have time to be his babysitter, why did we even bother showing him the way to the road? We could have been so much closer to Bruma if we hadn't. It's really annoying how noble the man is at times.

Great inner dialogue here !!!

I love the little detail of the disguise of the hooded wolf-fur cloak !!! Oooh, the last line gives the feel of stepping into the jaws of a trap, lol. Awesome Write !!!

[Grits]

“He'd obviously want to see it. What I was talking about is whether I should come with you or not. I doubt the blades would look kindly to having an assassin amongst them.” I said after rolling my eyes.

Good point. This could be an uncomfortable time for assassins. Ah, Cloud Ruler Temple. It’s interesting to read about arriving with apprehension, as it’s usually such a relief to get there in the game.

[Saquira]

Sorry about being so far in between posts. I've had a hard time writing anything, and then the trouble with the account... Uh, yeah, anyways I'm posting now and I'm sorry if it's rushed. But there is still a lot of the main quest left and I'm kind of longing to publish a new story I've thought off. This one's got to be finished first though.

mALX & Grits: I imagine she'd feel the same thing when entering Cloud Ruler as any normal person would feel entering a marauders fort, which is not happy at all.

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Three blades awaited us when we reached the top of the stairs. The man on the right was and imperial, the only man without a helmet so you could see his wrinkles and grey hair which was cut in the circle that you so often see on monks. He wore the same armour as the other two, it was made of some relatively dark steel armour that didn't reflect much light, but in turn it was enameled with gold and blue. He had the confident posture of a man who is used to giving orders and being obeyed. The hilt of a Dai-Katana could be seen sticking up behind his back.

In the middle stood another Imperial with the same posture. Only this one looked younger. To the left of him, was a male Breton. He was even younger than the Imperial, the posture of one not unaccustomed to fighting though he didn't hold the same air of authority as the other two.

When we reached the top, Gasheera got of his horse quickly and saluted to the men. I got of Shadowmere and then simply watched, holding her reins in my hand. She tugged a bit on them to be able to turn her head and look at everything around us, and I let out a bit more of the reins.

“Grandmaster Jauffre. Captain Steffan. Brother Ferrum.” He hailed them one after another, and they answered him in turn, as “brother Gasheera”. Then the three blades' eyes turned to me, the Grandmaster and captain suspicious while the breton's eyes only held curiosity. “This is Felisa Serhas. She have... helped me a lot these last weeks. Teaching me to wield a blade and keeping me alive.” Gasheera said nervously when he saw them looking at me.

Suddenly acutely aware of the chill in the air I patted Shadowmeres neck and drew the cloak closer around my shoulders. The threat lasted only for a moment though, as the two superiors turned their eyes from me and onto Gasheera. I let my breath out, suddenly aware that I had held it, and leaned against Shadowmere's strong body. The men conversed for a while before Gasheera turned to me again.

“Both Jauffre and Martin wishes to see me as soon as we've tended to the horses. I say we do it now and then enter the Hall of Blades.” He said, watching Shadowmere whom was staring at him.

“Very well, lead the way,” I said with as carefree a voice as I could manage and straightened up, following Gasheera to a stable of to the left of the main building. Shadowmere walked closely to me without complaining, and I again blessed her extraordinary senses. Though I'd never have admitted it at the time I needed that stability.

We unsaddled and groomed the horses, then Gasheera placed his in a box next to two other horses, and I placed Shadowmere in one further away.

“I'll be back soon,” I said to her as I kissed her mule and gave her an apple. She whinnied and took the apple slowly, as if savouring the taste, and I smiled. When we then left the stable I could feel the gaze of her eyes on my back.

* * *

A lot of eyes turned onto us when I opened the large door and we stepped in. I was confident however that my cloak covered my face, and did not hesitate before following Gasheera down the mid aisle.

Several of the Blade's sat on different places around the great hall, and swords of former warriors hung on the walls. There where many empty holders as well, those that would hold the swords of the people around us. A large hearth was situated at the opposite end of the room, and in it a fire burned brightly.

A middle-aged imperial male sat at one of the tables, reading a book with a brown cover. The table itself was littered with books of all kinds. Another blade stood some distance behind him, probably to make sure nothing happened to the man, and I started when I recognised him. It was that blasted Redguard!

Gasheeras' gait was confident, and the imperial looked up with a smile on his lips when we came closer. “Hail friend, how did it go?” he said.

“I'm sorry Martin, but Mankar Camoran got away with the amulet. We might have found something else though,” Gasheera said, gesturing for me to take forth the book. Martins' brows furrowed, and as I reached into my pack for the book and handed it to him, his confused look turned into shock.

“By the Nine Divines! Do you realise what this is!? You could get killed!” Martin burst out as he took the book from my hands. I only raised my eyebrows and left the talking to Gasheera, this was no time to open my mouth with the Redguard standing just behind the emperor.

“I tried to open it, but wasn't able to,”Gasheera said to the emperor when he paused. Martin looked around then, just as the Blades turned their eyes from him, and I saw his face turn red.

“Oh, well no harm done then,”Martin spoke with a lower tone to his voice when he turned to Gasheera again.”I will examine the book, I know how to protect myself from it's dark magic. You should go and see Jauffre, I believe he needs your help with some spies.”

Bidding the emperor good bye, we walked outside to see if Jauffre was still there. He wasn't, and upon asking another Blade e found out that he had gone into the dining hall to eat with the rest. Did I mention the one and a half dozens of soldiers living there are very experienced in fighting? Can you then understand why I didn't want to enter a dining hall full of them? I hope you do, because I headed towards the stables instead to look after Shadowmere.

On the way there, I took a good look of the place while carefully avoiding the eyes of the sentries along the wall.

Shadowmere sounded as if he scowled when she laid eyes on me entering the stables. I put my hand on her mule and looked into her eyes.

“We'll be out of here soon girl, don't you worry. He's just got to get his new orders.” I leaned against her and slowly inhaled the smell of hay and horses. She closed her eyes for a moment and exhaled at me. Our moments of peace were short and far between these days, and I found it amusing that it could be found in such a place.

Footsteps broke the silence then as the blades captain entered the stables. He quickly found me where I stood next to Shadowmere whom had opened her eyes the minute he entered.

“Do you intend to stay for long?” he asked as he looked me over, I'd taken of the hood by reflex when I came up to Shadowmere. Still, it wasn't very likely that he'd recognised me. However he must have guessed that I meant trouble, judging from the way he acted.

“Not for long. We'll be leaving when Gasheera has spoken to your grandmaster.” I straightened up and looked him in the eyes, he nodded his consent.

“Very well. We'd appreciate it if you do not come the next time Gasheera must pay us a visit. Perhaps you could take that time to visit establishments in town, no?” His gaze was hard, showing the threat that his voice hid.

“Don't worry, I didn't intend to,” I answered with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. His eyes narrowed, and he turned on his heel to lave the stables. Gasheera came in when he left, throwing a wondering look after him.

“I'm ready to go now. Apparently people have been seen on the road at dusk and dawn, looking up at the temple. Jauffre wants us to investigate,” he said and I nodded.

“Okay, I suggest we head down the road to where they've been seen and set up camp in the proximity while we wait for the sun to go down. Then we'll be certain not to miss them.” Ending the conversation, we saddled the horses and departed from the fortress beneath the watchful eyes of the sentries.

And so we killed the spies, whom turned out to be two agents of the Myhic Dawn and thus didn't want to surrender. The orders they carried revealed that the Mythic Dawn new about the location of Martin Septim and that they were planning to open a Great Gate outside Bruma. This apparently worried the Blades quite a bit, with the grandmaster scurrying of to tell the countess.

It was the day after we arrived and had handed a daedric artefact to the emperor to be that Sa'Quira showed up again and a new Oblivion gate opened outside of Bruma. Not a great gate mind you, but still a gate, and obviously they wanted the khajiit saint to take care of it.