The Tale of Sethyas Velas: Volume II, Chapter Four: Binds the Broken... Options

[Black Hand]

Dear Reader, I apologize for the wait for the continuation on this story, it has been six months already and I wish I could go back in time and give you a bunch more of story. I would like too note that certain changes in the character of Sethyas have taken place as if by magic, rather, through retconning. I do this as Artistic License as I have always maintained that what I have posted here is more or less the rough draft of this saga. For those of you who have not read my random thread called: Retcon Sethyas Lore, it essentially details these changes as well as shines some light on minor events in his past. The main points being that Seth uses Shimsil as his 'main' weapon now, uses alchemy only for poison really, and his magical abilities are limited to illusion, and his sign has been changed from The Atronach, to The Tower as it is far more useful to his station. I also chucked the bow, and he now uses the Ancient Silver Daggers as throwing knives. Most of these are merely cosmetic, I realize, and probably don't warrant such a long foreword but I wished to alleviate the confusion that might set in as this Volume draws to a close. I pray that I am still worthy of your readership, and hope to bring much more entertainment to you and this forum! Yours, -BH


I made heavy echoes as I walked out of the solemn chapel. The ashstorm raged outside still, the compliments of my efforts and the Goddess’ displeasure with the waning faith of Mournhold. It seemed my own faith in myself and Rayne waned as well, while the belief that Almalexia could be right waxed.

The next thing I knew, the thump of the mazte bottle hit the table in the Flying Guar. Drinking always seemed to be the right thing to do in these situations, I muddled over what I should do as I rolled a fresh hackle-lo and ignited it on the table candle. Ra’Tesh seemed to hover at a constant distance as more and more patrons rolled in despite the storm. A minstrel came in, a young Bosmer lass and set up in the corner, joined by Dunmer drummer and Breton fife player. Staring off with the traditional ‘Battle of Molag Beran’.

Did you come to hide from war,
Or come to herd the guar,
Or were you with the House Guard
At the Battle of Molag Beran?
For I was there, and fought and cried,
And tasted blood and thunder.
I stood in line with mace and shield
As Dunmer clan slew Dunmer.

Cheers and whistles broke out in approval for the familiar tune.

The guard of House Retheran
Were bright arrayed for battle.
They came in pride, in columns wide,
But ran like frightened cattle.
We stood our ground on Tadras Banks,
Then turned their flanks and roweled them.
The field was bright with cousin's blood
Spilled by doughty Drenim.

Drinkers began to move their bottles and mugs in beat to the tune. The new wench even began to dance a bit.

We lost some gallant gentlemen
From ranks of brave House Drenim.
And many a wand'ring widow weeps
On the hills of Molag Beran.
Some fell for wrong, some fell for right,
All for the colors wearin',
And many bade the world good-night
At the Battle of Molag Beran.

Things winded down almost immediately after the song ended and the trio began into more somber and slower tunes, making it easier to feel like guardung and think dark, nasty thoughts.

Much later that evening, I returned to the manor and found Rayne in the middle of her own self-pity party. We stared at each other for a bit, neither one breaking the silence. She finally started the conversation that would be our last.

“I don’t know what to say. So I’ll ask you a question: Are you ending this?” Rayne inquired with a soft tone that still betrayed the hurt behind her voice.

“There is nothing to end to begin with, but our…dalliance is done, yes.’ I snarled back, unsure of where my anger was coming from.

“That’s all it was to you? A,a,a,a…dalliance? I was just your wench that you’re tossing aside now that you’re done sucking the life out of me?” She said throwing her wineglass at me, missing and making a crystalline shatter as it exploded against the wall.

“ME? You sought me out at my weakest! Ilmeni not even cold in her urn yet before you professed undying love to me! Yes! You offered a love and warm body that was taken from me, and like a fool I accepted! I am only sorry that I was weaker minded than you!”

“HA! And she was a fool to think that a-a-a THUG, and OUTLANDER was worthy of a Hlaalu Noble! You think you’re so special because you’re Nerevar! And you think a GODDESS would love you! HA! She’s a GOD you FOOL! She will burn you before you even come within five feet of her heart! She will cast a fool like you down as she casted down Mehrunes Dagon!”

So…she knew. But her babbling about Almalexia was…off.

“Who said anything about love, Alas? I am merely assisting her, this is about you and me, or rather why we’re over!”

“FINALLY! Some honesty! I don’t know why I stayed with you this long! Tracked you down, saved your life! I should have killed you when I had the chance! I should put poison in your damn brandy that you love so much!”

“Go ahead! I’ll drink it so I don’t have to listen to your damn ranting anymore!”

“…Almsivi…what’s happened to us? Where is all this coming from?” she said finally quieting down.

“I think it’s a truth we’ve both been running from Rayne, I know it’s not a pleasant one, but,…I do not love you.”

“But you love her?”

I remained silent.

“Come on! You owe me at least that much! Do you love her?”

“I loved Ilmeni…I don’t know what Almalexia is too me.”

“B’vek! How can you even THINK that she’s a mortal woman? She is a GOD! What you are considering is…madness! It is beyond me what scope you are thinking in, but surely Sheogorath has his hands in this! Almsivi, how could I be so stupid?!”

And that was that. She left.

This post has been edited by Black Hand: Jan 29 2010, 11:33 AM

[minque]

ah, the clockwork city....well I've never seen it so this is going to be a treat! Let's hope Pene will be of some good assistance, I think Seth's gonna need it...

Upon thy return, you shall know the love of Almalexia!

Now what does that mean?...Hehe

[Olen]

Woo good stuff, I haven't commented for a while but I have been reading about Seth's exploits. That bit of retcon lore piqued my interest too... Solstheim... Interesting.

Great stuff, your description of the clockwork city is already good and I'm fascinated to read more.

[Black Hand]

I sloshed around the room looking for a way ahead, finding only that a massive round metal door with a large gear connecting it to the wall was in actuality some kind of mechanized door. Sotha Sil's admiration of the Dwemer was quite obvious in the architecture, but to outright build similar doors for them...well, that struck me as pure obsession.

Based on my past dealings with Dwemer ruins, I looked for a lever or similar device that would open it. There was nothing next to the door, but upon further examination I found one on a pillar in the room. Pushing it in, it made a rusty groan as the internal gears accepted it and it twisted around slowly.

The two ton metal door slowly rose up, making waves in the flooded halls as it groaned upwards. Behind it, I saw a passage way, and prepared to venture forth, only to have Pene's arm extend across my chest stopping me.

"Look." She said, pointing as two massive blades came swinging out of slits in the wall.

"I take it that doesn't mean welcome."

I gauged the time that the blade trap swung at, and decided that there was a split second that I could jump through. Running forward right as the blades met in the middle, I lunged through, still feeling the air moving with the incredible force behind the blades.

Pene did the same after the next swing came, and we proceeded.

"It's a little too quiet. I think there still may still be traps ahead." I commented.

"That's the biggest understatement I've ever heard, Master. We usually just put the corpses of unwary adventurers up on pikes at the entrances to our ruins. Usually sends the right message. However he clearly is not intent on sending a message. He's intent on not receiving any from outsiders."

We examined the rest of the area, only to find a dead Verminous Fabricant behind one of the doors, in a small room.

"Did it...starve to death?" Pene asked, taking an elixir from its body.

"I doubt these things eat. It was likely another trap for an unwary adventurer. It probably ran out of...whatever makes these things work."

We entered deeper into the clockwork city, finally reaching a point higher then water. However waiting for us in the hall, were no less then three fabricants.

Rushing us blindly, I sidestepped the creatures attack with the massive horn on its nose, Pene's spear came through it, and I chopped the head off with Trueflame. A small battle ensued, with us the victor.

The next section was yet another set of swinging blade traps. Three this time. And waiting for us at the other side, three more fabricants. I also realized they weren't that smart.

"Hey, watch this!" I said, drawing an arrow and hitting one of the fabricants. The victim of my shot and the rest ran forward, just as blindly as the previous ones had, and were summarily chopped into bits. It served as a gruesome reminder to be extremely cautious in the Clockwork City.

"Heh. Letting the city do the work for us. Perhaps we can work other areas to our advantage in a similar fashion." Pene smirked.

The trek lead us finally into a room unique from the entrance corridors. Here the walls were inlaid with artful designs over the gold background. From the ceiling there were pipes that spat out sparks constantly, as though there were a hundred smiths working frantically above us.

On the wall there was a large plaque inlaid with faded daedric runes.

"Hall of Delirium." I slowly read it out loud.

"I hope that doesn't mean anything to terrible to come." Pene said.

"Well...delirious as opposed to dead. Take your pick."

[Olen]

Great stuff, using their own traps against them is always a good tactic and always entertaining to read.

The interplay between Seth and Pene is well done, she's becoming steadily less condescending and more open, especially with her examination of the dead fabricant and wondering what made it go. The comment about their ruins was brilliant too

[minque]

Ohhh excellent writing! So good descriptions of the devices and stuff..hehe could almost see them jump through those swinging blades. That reminds me of something....a movie I think but I don't remember

S.G.M

[Remko]

And then..... nothing...... aaaaarrgghhhhh
I loved it Black Hand!

[Black Hand]

And then..... nothing...... aaaaarrgghhhhh
I loved it Black Hand!

You read the whole thing? Volumes one and two?!

[Remko]

What do you think? Of course I read the whole thing

[Black Hand]

Well updates should start soon enough. Im just finishing up my classes for EMT and I'm also waiting on minque to hurry up on her story so I can officially reveal some secrets....

[Remko]

An update soon? YAY!!

[minque]

I'm also waiting on minque to hurry up on her story so I can officially reveal some secrets....

OMG!!! Ehhh....well I'll better.... DO something then...