Seven, An Aela & Ungarion Prequel Options

[McBadgere]

"This talk of self-determination is all well and good," Valens argued. "But it still does not change the fact that the boy lacks skills."

"Well perhaps if someone who knows a thing or two about spear fighting teaches him - instead of humiliates him - that will change?" Aela took a moment to stare at the Nibenean before walking off.

Heh... ...Nice one... ...

That was excellent stuff...

Absolutely love the way you're weaving the film(s) script lines into the story... ...

Ooooh, the boat was excellent...I'd never heard of the horse-powered types...Makes sense though...Clever bit of engineering though...

I also loved that rather than the "shoving magic down his throat", (KC ), that Aela is firstly and foremost - probably - building a bridge to companionship if not friendship...And secondly, if they're going to be fighting so many, it makes sense that he'd need to be able to look after himself in the healing department...so that no-one (Aela) needs to be distracted to go help him...

Aaamywho...My twopenneth... ...

Absolutely love it!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[ghastley]

Count me with Haute in being confused as to how the horses drive the boat after the undine controls the water. Unless she's just cancelling out the drag on the hull, and the paddles are beyond the effect? I still like the commercial use of magic, anyway. I assume there's some cost to the caster, or the horses would be replaced by a magical method, too.

I like the fact that at least someone has decided that Talun-Lei is inevitable, and they have to make the most of the hand they got dealt, even if it's only to make him self-sufficient, so he won't get in the way. And he doesn't need a make-over, so it shouldn't take long.

[SubRosa]

Grits: One thing I love about writing a prequel is showing these little tidbits of how the characters developed the skills and abilities that we are so used to seeing them possess. Like Aela's use of spirits to help her sailing. I watched the Indiana Jones movies over the week, and one thing I loved about the third movie was how we saw young Indy get his hat, whip, the scar on his chin, and his fear of snakes. I just loved all of that.


King Coin: You are right, tt is basically a powered barge. It struck me as the perfect thing for river travel. It is actually a RL boat found on Lake Champlain.

I guess Talun-Lei is just going to have to sink or swim on his first contract! Thankfully as an Argonian, he can breathe water...


haute ecole rider: I never really thought of the spirits as being anything more than something to give a ship an extra boost, sort of like putting a turbocharger in an engine, but not completely replacing it. Maybe I am not taking the idea far enough? I sort of envisioned a spirit as being able to completely propel a small boat like Aela's dory in the TF. But perhaps a larger vessel the size and mass ofThe Niben Queen is too much for a spirit to push? Or it might take a much more powerful spirit, that the captain may not be able to summon? (one thing I would like to see is the same type of spirit with varying levels of power. In the game Shadowrun the spirits you summoned could be of any level of power, but the stronger spirits were more difficult to summon).

I know what you mean about Alga and Honmund, that is a bit of dialogue that has always stuck with me too. It made me think that Nords did not marry at all, but just lived together as long as they wanted to. Then Skyrim came along and threw all that by the wayside by having Nords all marry in a ceremony of Mara's in a chapel. Sounds pretty much like the Chapel Way to me!


Acadian: I always found the plethora of Khajiit sub-races to be rather confusing. I might change it to Cathay-Rats, but then again, I would still be changing something if I did that. So maybe I will just leave it as Pahmer after all.

We are going to have several more episodes just on the journey itself. This is one way that I am deviating from the movies. In those the seven heroes leave the town they are recruited in, have a few minutes of traveling scenes, and then the stories pick up again in the village. I am going to spend a little more time getting there, and use it to show us more of the characters.


McBadgere: I never heard of the horse-powered boats until I was looking up boats for the TF. It was just pure chance that I stumbled across this one from Lake Champlain. But I did love the idea the moment I saw the article on it.

You did get Aela's intentions correct on both counts. On one hand she is playing the welcome wagon. On the other she is making sure he can heal himself, taking her own words to heart about teaching him things.


ghastley: I think it is just going to be that the undine is cancelling out the drag on the hull as you mentioned, but that the boat still has to generate some of its own power as well. I don't want magic to be too overpowering. Plus I never put that much thought into it!

It is true that at least Talun-Lei does not need his hair to be done! We will see some training scenes in the future, as he learns what it takes to be a member of the Magnificent Seven.


Previously on Seven: In our last episode the seven's ship docked at Telamon, the settlement at the mouth of the Panther River. There they boarded a riverboat that will take them up the river. The seven finally noticed that Talun-Lei had followed them, apparently dead-set upon taking part in the quest to protect Agrigento. After a short discussion, Aela pointed out that if he was truly determined, they could not stop him. She suggested that someone teach him to fight, and took her own words to heart by going to him and teaching him a healing spell.


Chapter 1.9

Aela leaned back against the wooden awning that covered one of the waterwheels. She watched the brown water of the Panther River slide by as it fell behind the boat. The turning wheel churned up the otherwise peaceful water, and left a foaming wake behind the boat, marking a trail where it had passed.

She could still feel the undine down there, reversing the flow of the river so that the wheels - and the horses turning them - would not have to struggle against the current. She closed her eyes, and let her thoughts drift down into the water with the spirit. The undine was a joyful creature, and saw the exercise not as an onerous task, but rather as an amusing game. Aela danced and splashed alongside her - if only metaphorically - and whiled away the afternoon with the Nirn Spirit.

Hard footsteps clanked across the wooden planks of the deck nearby. They stopped as a dark shadow fell across Aela's body, blocking out the warm rays of Magnus. The cool light of a star washed over her instead, and the scent of roses wafted across her nostrils. Wood creaked loudly in her ears, and Aela felt the planks of the deck shift under her as a heavy weight lowered itself down upon them nearby.

The Breton opened her eyes to find Valens squatting beside her. The Nibenean wore his black armor, even in the summer heat, and stared out at the waves beyond. Then his dark eyes turned to meet her own.

"So just what in Oblivion are you anyway?" he asked bluntly.

"I'm Aela," the Witch replied. Her heart doubled its pace at the loaded question, but she did her best to keep her voice neutral. "That is all you need to know."

"So what do I call you," the Imperial went on, "'he' or 'she'?"

"Do I look like want to be called 'he'?" Aela still fought to keep the anger from her voice. "I'm not wearing a bodice and a chemise because I want to trumpet my masculinity, and I'm not wearing makeup to impress everyone with my manhood."

"Fair enough," Valens nodded. He looked from her to the water, and stared into its depths for a long time before he went on. "You know, Seridwe thinks you're some kind of prophet or saint."

"The elves aren't ruled by petty bigotries, as humans are," Aela replied.

"Well, not the same ones at least," Valens almost smiled.

Aela did not reply, and Valens did not speak again for long moments. "They say people like you have special powers," he finally said. "That you can do things no one else can."

"I put my pants on one leg at a time, the same as everyone else," Aela declared. "But it is true that someone who lives between worlds as I do has some advantages when it comes to magic. That is what magicka does after all - travel between worlds - shining down from Aetherius to Mundus. So people like me can manipulate it better than most."

"It must be hard living in the Imperial Province, with everyone who knows what you are treating you like an aberration," Valens observed. "Why do you stay here? You could go to Valenwood or Elsweyr, they love your kind there."

"Because I have just as much right to be here as anyone else," Aela insisted. "I won't be run out by a bunch of narrow-minded provincials. I would think that an Azura worshipper like yourself would be a little more enlightened. She is the goddess of transitions after all, of traveling from one state to another. That is what dusk and dawn symbolize: endings and beginnings."

"I'm no Azura worshipper," Valens stiffened, as she had accused him of a crime. "I've got no use for the Nine - or the Daedra - and they've none for me."

"Really?" Aela pressed on, "is that why you carry the very essence of the goddess of twilight and magic given physical form? Why do you worship her every morning and evening?"

"I don't worship her," Valens grumbled. "I'm just… thinking."

"What is the difference?" Aela asked.

"Plenty," the Nibenean insisted. "I serve myself. No one else. This world - and the gods - have never done me any favors."

"What, you think you're special because you've suffered?" Aela said. "Because your past has been taken away from you? Well join the rest of us."

"What would you know about it?" Valens shot back.

"What would I know about it?" Aela replied hotly. She noticed that several of the others were now staring from their positions around the boat. But she could not contain herself. "My whole life was taken away from me when I changed. My family, my home, my future, the people I thought were my friends, everything. I lost it all."

"But you know what? It wasn't the end of the world. I have a new family." Her eyes glanced to Ungarion. The Altmer mage stood by with his arms crossed, and nodded back to her. "I make my own future now. One day I'll make a new home as well. The gods didn't create the world we live in, or our fates. We are the gods, and we make them all ourselves, every single day. What world are you going to make?"

"I don't know," Valens sighed. With that simple honest admission, Aela felt her anger ebb away like the evening tide.

"Well that is a good place to start," Aela said.

Valens stood, and looked about at the others, who were all staring back at them now.

"So what do I call you Valens?" Aela asked, still sitting against the wheel house. "My friend, or something else?"

"I am your friend Aela," the Nibenean rumbled. "Of that let there be no doubt."

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Aug 24 2013, 02:17 AM

[Acadian]

Continuing to love the horse-driven, undine assisted paddle boat!

Aela’s communion with the playful water spirit was wonderful!

Aela and Valens get to know and, perhaps, understand each other a bit better. With the large cast here, you are doing a good job of providing enough cues and reminders to help keep them all straight.

Heh, I had to smile at Aela's assumption regarding Valens. I don’t know of a single Daedra Lord worshipper who carries one of their artifacts; it seems the Daedra Lords issue their tokens to intrepid warriors for completing tasks that their followers will not or cannot complete. All the worshippers seem to get for their devotion is maybe a brown robe.


Nits:
’That is what magicka does after - travel between worlds - shining down from Aetherius to Mundus.’ - - There seems to be. . . something missing after the word ‘after’? Knowing your writing style pretty well, I suspect you meant ‘after all’?

"What, you think your special because you've suffered?" - - Here of course, you want the conjunction ‘you’re’ vs the possessive ‘your’. I realize this is dialogue, but I shouldn’t think that has any impact here.

[haute ecole rider]

Loved the growing depth of the relationships here! Getting to know Valens the mystery man a little bit better was wonderful. Of course he's not a Daedra worshiper! I agree with our Paladin that the artifacts never seem to make it into the hands of the worshipers at the shrines, and I have yet to hear of someone role-playing a Daedra worshiper (though I'm sure someone has already done so).

Thanks for the clarification of the relationship between the undine and the horse driven boat. Of course magicka has its costs and its limits - it is bigger than anything mortal, natch. We can only hope to call on some small portion of the immense, infinite energy underlying all of Creation. That is exactly how I see the use of magicka in the TES world, and only now am I beginning to explore the relationship between magic and everyday life and activities.

Looking forward to the development of the other characters!

[Grits]

"So just what in Oblivion are you anyway?" he asked bluntly.

How perfect for Valens to be so direct. What a great scene to clear the air between them.

I like Valens’ insistence that he is not an Azura worshipper though he carries her Star. I don’t suppose Azura would increase her influence by handing her artifact over to someone who’s already devoted and spends all of their time hanging out at the shrine.

[King Coin]

This scene was fun. Valens was blunt as ever, and it was kind of funny to see him pushing all of Aela's buttons. They both make a good point as the discussion progresses. Aela has a stubborn streak too!

The beginning was neat too, though I expected a magick lesson instead of swimming with the water spirit.

[ghastley]

Good point about the worshippers not being the ones the Daedric Princes turn to for action. Azura's Star seems to be an artifact that finds its way back to her quite often, and I've lost track of when this story is set. So I'm assuming Valens' quest for Azura wasn't one of the ones we know from Daggerfall or Morrowind. Does he even remember what it was?

[McBadgere]

An excellent chapter... ...

What I loved about this a lot was that although it was from Aela's point of view, this was actually about Valens, and his testing of Aela, to see if he could trust her...Well, that's what I thought anyways... ...I may be wrong...It has been known to happen...From time to time...*Minces off in gold metal suit with arms just so*...

Um...

But yeah, I loved how that all played out...And I said it in TFS but I love Aela as a character...I think her and Ungarion are excellent together...*Applauds*...

Loving this story... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[SubRosa]

Acadian: That is true. The people who worship the Daedra in the game always end up getting the brown end of the stick! It kind of makes you wonder why they bother? But as always, my stories are not the games. My Daedric Princes are no more likely to hand out their artifacts to any Tomius, Dickenor, and Har-rei, as the Pope is to pass out holy relics to people on the street. If Valens has Azura's Star, you can be certain that it is because it serves Azura's designs. And if he keeps it, well, that also says something about him as well.

Swimming with the undine was fun to write. It also gave me a way to show Aela's witchiness, as well as one of the ways that she keeps her conjuration skills sharp. It is also one way of showing what Aela does with her time. Ungarion plays cards. She communes with spirits.


haute ecole rider: Just because Valens says he is not an Azura worshiper does mean that is true. She is the goddess of twilight, and he is doing something when he is staring at the sky every sunrise and sunset, whether or not he wants to admit it.

I have played several characters who were Daedra worshipers. Saya was the first, though she never collected any of the Daedric Artifacts (I guess that is proof that Daedra worshipers get squat! ). Then there was Ophelia. She was a a Mythic Dawn sleeper agent who got lost in the shuffle and was never given orders to act during the Oblivion Crisis. Afterward she had no direction, and went to all the Daedric Shrines and did all of their quests, looking for a purpose in life. In the end she went to the Shivering Isles and became the new Queen of Madness.

Most of my characters never want any of the Daedric artifacts though. They might do the quests, but end of giving away or selling the artifacts. I think the Skeleton Key is the one that most of my characters have used, and that is because those were thieves, and Nocturnal is their patron after all. Whether they openly worship her or not.


Grits: Direct is a nice way to put it. One reason I wrote Valens that was is because I wanted to show at least one character with a negative reaction to Aela being trans. Obviously we know that Ungarion is T-friendly, and can gather the same of Do'Sakhar given their long history together. Seridwe is plainly very friendly as that is what her culture taught her to be. Nashira is too wrapped up in her own idea of self-perfection to really give a crap about what anyone else does. Finally Talun-Lei is just a little bit clueless. Being an Imperial, Valens was the perfect one to be rude and say "What the [censored] are you anyway?"


King Coin: Aela has a very stubborn streak! She has needed it to make the sacrifices she has. She was also born under The Lady, which only makes her more stubborn (Willpower bonus and all).

I am glad the beginning did not turn out to be a boring school session! Playing with the water spirit was a good way for me to show Aela just relaxing and being herself.


ghastley: All of the Daedric Princes seem very fickle with their artifacts in the games, seeing that with every game they have found their way out of the hands of their previous owners and into someone else's. This story is set between the events of Daggerfell and Morrowind, so if Valens got it from a quest in the games, it would be from the Daggerfall one (which is a random quest anyway). I have not gotten to covering how he obtained it yet. I am not sure if that will come up or not. Unless it happened in the last few years though, he would not remember it.


McBadgere: You are absolutely right, that last episode was more about Valens than it was about Aela. He is a mystery man, so I think one of the best ways to flesh him out might be through the eyes of other people, and from what they gather about his behavior.


Previously On Seven: Our last episode saw Valens confront Aela about her being transgendered. Aela controlled her temper through most of it and answered his questions. She turned the tables on him by asking why he worships Azura every twilight. He angrily insisted that he worshiped no Daedra or Aedra, since none of them had ever done anything for him. Still, he failed to answer just what it is that he is doing when he stares at the sky every twilight, or why he carries Azura's token - the influence of which Aela could feel the moment he sat down beside her.


Chapter 1.10

The journey up the winding course of the Panther River was a long one, even with Captain Lildell's conjured assistance. Aela was surprised at the number of settlements they came across as they traveled. She had thought the Nibenay Basin was all wilderness. Yet every few miles there seemed to be another farming and fishing settlement. All were fortified with strong timber walls, ditches, and moats of course. She doubted that anyone out here had seen a City Guardsman or an Imperial Legionary in years. As if to underscore that thought, they passed the now empty ruins of Morahame on the first day. Aela was glad to see that no new bandits had moved into the Arimer site since she and Ungarion had explored it. Given how near it sat to the Yellow Road, she doubted it would remain empty for long however.

Captain Lidell stopped at many of the villages they came across. Their inhabitants all seemed to know him. Sometimes he traded with the villagers, and even carried letters between settlements. Passengers left at some stops, only to be replaced by new travelers who boarded at other places. It seemed there was always something happening on the boat.

They spent some of their nights tied up at the safety of a village's dock. Other times they simply pulled into a clear stretch of shoreline and rolled out their sleeping mats on the deck. Talun-Lei proved his worth as a river man, often diving into the brackish waters, only to return with a fish clutched in his bare hands. While some might have been doubtful of his fighting ability, all of their stomachs were thankful for the Argonian's presence.

On the subject of fighting ability, Valens did indeed take the young warrior-to-be under his wing, and began drilling him in the use of shield and spear. Aela watched with fascination as the former soldier began his instruction. She was not the only one whose interest was piqued either, and in no time at all nearly all of the passengers on the boat were crowding around to get a view of the Nibenean's lessons.

"Let's take a look at this weapon combination." Valens began as he picked up Talun-Lei's crescent-shaped shield in his left hand. He slid his right hand over its bright yellow face, and held it up so all could see. "This shield looks very simple. Some thin planks of wood with a piece of painted rawhide stretched over it. But don't underestimate it. The crisscrossing strips of wood give the design strength, and this hardened leather on the face reinforces it. If any of you have a dog and give it rawhide to chew on, you know how tough that can be."

Now the Imperial rapped his fingers against the gleaming metal boss in the center of the shield. "The boss here where I grip it is made of bronze, so not only is that going to protect my hand, but I can punch with it as well." To underscore his words, the Imperial jabbed outward with the shield. "This is a very simple piece of gear, and aside from the boss, something that anyone can make. But in the hands of a skilled fighter, it gives you both a strong defense, and a good offense."

"Now the spear." Valens stepped over to Talun-Lei once more and took the weapon from the Argonian's hands. Its leaf-shaped point was now wrapped in several layers of leather, secured by crisscrossing strips of cord. "This looks even more primitive. It's just a stick with a pointy end! But don't laugh, this is one of the oldest weapons in the world, and the reason people still use it today is because of how effective and versatile it is. Not to mention how easy it is to make."

"Now with Seridwe's help, I'm going to show you just what you can do with this weapon combination." The high elf stepped up holding a shorter spear in an overhand grip. Like Talun-Lei's weapon, its point was also blunted. In her other hand she gripped Do'Sakhar's dwarven buckler, which was painted with a black scorpion across its bronze face. Moving slowly, the Altmer stabbed overhand at the Imperial's shoulder. He easily raised his shield and deflected the blow. She followed with several more stabs in slow motion, each time going to a different part of his body.

"Now since this shield doesn't cover my entire body, I have to constantly move it to counter Seri's attacks," Valens said as they performed their intricate dance. "But what you have to be careful not to do, is hide behind it."

To illustrate his point, Seridwe attacked Valens' face. He raised his shield to counter, and deflected the high elf's blow. She brought her weapon back for another strike at his head, and he continued to hold his shield up high to counter.

"Every second I have my shield up like this, I can't see what Seridwe is doing," Valens said. Now the high elf's spear darted down, its point angling for his belly. The high elf stopped short, with the blunted point inches away from the ebony mail links protecting the Nibenean's abdomen. "Now I'm dead, because I let her trick me into covering my eyes."

"But an enemy who feints high and goes low is not the only thing you have to watch for," Valens went on. "If you don't lift your shield when you need to, that leaves you open to another common move: going over the top of the shield rim." Seridwe attacked high again, and in slow motion, she used her height to stab over the top of the Imperial's shield.

"If she's quick, and I'm not paying attention, I'm dead," Valens said. Now he finally brought his own spear into play. He held it in an underhanded grip, with the point straight up. The Nibenean swung it from right to left, and twisted his torso with it. The wooden shaft of his weapon met the haft of Seridwe's spear and swept it away.

"But as you can see, I can use my own spear to knock hers aside," he said. "Now I can clear her out."

Then with a backhand motion Valens swung his spear back from left to right in a wide arc, once more twisting his body with it. The weapon's leather-bound head slashed for Seridwe's head. The high elf was forced to step back to avoid being hit, leaving her too far away for her shorter weapon to reach Valens.

"As I am sure you can begin to see, the real strength of this spear and shield is my reach," Valens went on. Shifting the spear to an overhand grip, he jabbed at Seridwe several times. She used Do'Sakhar's small, round shield to bat his spearhead away each time. But every time she tried to close in to attack herself, the point of his spear was there waiting for her.

"This spear is at least seven feet long," Valens said. "So even when I'm holding it with one hand in the center, I've got a good three and half feet of range. When I am fighting someone like Seridwe - who has a shorter spear or a sword - I have the advantage as long as I can keep her at a distance."

"Now the Nagas we are going to be fighting prefer to use a short spear, about five feet long, the same as she has," Valens went on. "Some of them fight with a buckler as well, but others use their spears two-handed. They like to get in close, where they can land a flurry of blows with that spear, using it like a staff."

"So why don't they use a longer spear?" Ungarion asked.

"Now that is a good question," Valens said, momentarily pointing his blunted spear to the wizard. "The answer is where they live. Nagas come from the deep core of Black Marsh. It's a place of mangrove swamps, hanging vines, and dense undergrowth. They spend as much time swimming as they do slithering around on land. So the simple answer is that a seven foot weapon like this is just going to get in their way. They need something that is small enough that they won't be snagging it on everything around them. I can tell just by looking at this spear, that Talun-Lei is from a place on the periphery of the swamp, where the growth isn't as heavy."

In the meantime Seridwe stepped over to Do'Sakhar and returned his buckler. Gripping her spear with both hands now, she swept it around her body in a noisy flourish. Then she walked toward Valens once more.

"Now just like before, Seri's going to want to get in close with that spear," Valens said to the onlookers as she closed in. The high elf deftly used the shaft of her spear to knock aside a jab from Valens' own weapon. Stepping closer, she brought the butt of her spear forward, only to see it deflected by the Imperial's shield. Still closing the gap between them, Seridwe countered by sweeping the head of the spear forward. Valens brought his shield up to block once more, and the high elf came right up to his chest. Rather than pull her spear back, or swing it around for another blow, she pressed right against his shield with both hands on her weapon.

"See how quickly she closed the distance between us?" Valens said. "Now watch what she does." The Altmer moved a foot around behind one of Valens' ankles and shoved. The Imperial went down to the deck on his back, with Seridwe right on top of him. She dropped her spear and pulled a dagger from her belt. Holding it overhand like an icepick, she slowly jabbed down at the Imperial.

Then she stood up and put the golden-bladed weapon away, while Valens climbed to his feet behind her. "See how fast that happened?" Valens said. "We went from spear-fighting, to wrestling, to knife-fighting. When it's for real that will only take seconds. That's what the Nagas will try to do. They'll push it in close and take away your range advantage, then they'll wrestle with you. Believe me, you do not want to get in a wrestling match with a Naga! It's literally like trying to grapple a snake."

"So now you know what you are up against," Valens concluded. "Next we'll start going through it one at a time with everyone, and you can learn how to keep Seridwe at a distance, and stop her from killing you."

Talun-Lei was the first to step up and take his spear and shield from Valens. Seridwe continued her role as the aggressor, once again borrowing Do'Sakhar's buckler to defend with. As with the demonstration, all of this was done in slow motion, so that everyone could see what was happening.

"Hold your spear overhand, high above your head, just behind the balance point." Valens guided Talun-Lei to lift his spear in such a manner, with the point drooping down lower than where he balanced the long weapon in his hand. "Now when you thrust, you're going to be using gravity to bring the point down into your enemy's face. Then you're going to thrust over the top of her shield, just like Seridwe did to me at the beginning."

"So it's like fighting downhill," Talun-Lei observed as he took a tentative jab at the Altmer.

"Exactly," Valens nodded. "That is going to give you more speed and power, and take less effort. Combat is all about taking every advantage you can. With that in mind take a small step with your left foot when you strike. That will close the distance, and prevent her from being able to step back out of range. Once you hit, step back again, and get out of her range once more. Remember, always keep her in range of your weapon, but stay out of range of hers."

Talun-Lei took that half-step and jabbed once more, stepping back again the moment his spear head struck Seridwe's shield.

They continued doing so for long minutes, and gradually picked up the pace of the drill as Talun-Lei showed that he was comfortable with the movements. Then Seridwe began to advance, and Valens instructed the Argonian to step back every time she moved forward to keep her at a distance, and to always keep his spear point in her face.

The other four Agrigentans followed one at a time. Some had greater success than others. Stalks-The-Marshes seemed skilled with the spear already, and Aela overheard him say that he sometimes went hunting with a spear in the marshes. Rullianus dove into the lessons with a zeal that was nearly frightening, and Aela wondered whose face he saw staring back at him when he sparred with Seridwe? Ulpia was clearly unskilled with the weapon, but diligently followed along with the lessons anyway. Finally the old Argonian Hathei seemed to be almost afraid of the spear, and looked like he was ready to jump off the boat the first time that Seridwe struck his shield.

Perhaps most of all Aela was amazed at how Valens, usually so surly and morose, seemed to come to life in the training sessions. It was as if perhaps the person he truly was on the inside was showing through. Or maybe he was simply so engrossed in what he was doing that he forgot to brood? In any case the training sessions became a staple of life aboard ship, with Valens leading Talun-Lei and the Agrigentans in lessons every morning and evening.



Video

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Edit: I added in a few paragraphs near the end, along with a second video.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Oct 12 2013, 04:36 PM

[haute ecole rider]

Well written spear-fighting tutorial!

A nit:

Stalks-The-Marshes seemed skilled with the spear already, and Aela overheard him say that he sometimes went hunting with a spear and the marshes.

I'm sure you meant he goes hunting in the marshes, not with spear and marshes!

Back to the lesson. I wonder if Valens and Seridwe rehearsed their moves beforehand, as she seemed to anticipate the points he wanted to make in his lecture. Especially toward the end when they grappled and she 'defeated' him with her dagger. Almost as if she had heard this particular lecture before.

Good to see Valens coming out of his brooding shell. So he's a trainer, huh? He certainly seems to enjoy it!

[McBadgere]

Yep, agreed...Loved the spear fighting lesson...Now I'll know what to do next time I'm attacked by men wielding point-ed sticks... ...

Fair dues...Excellent research there... ...And so brilliant how you wove it into the story...

Oh, and the Talun-Lei/Chico fish reference made me laugh... ...

An excellent chapter that shows some of Valens' undoubted awesomeness...

Nice one!!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Acadian]

I’m delighted to see you taking the time to glean so much goodness from this boat trip! The vessel itself, the fascinating countryside, small villages flanking the meandering river and, in this episode, sparring lessons featuring spear and shield. We learn a great deal more about Valens and Seridwe, as well as a bit more about each of the Argonians. Valens is a gifted instructor indeed.

And no one ended up getting knocked into the river - not yet. But then, getting dunked is as natural to an Argonian as breathing under water.

[King Coin]

I don’t know how boring a magic lesson would be, the Argonian could have made it entertaining!

Loved the ‘filling in’ you did along the river. All the little settlements with palisade walls, the trading, the life!

Talun-Lei is proving his worth! Nothing makes someone like you more than filling their stomach. Since they can’t shake the Argonain, I’m glad Valens has decided to begin instruction. The man needs to work some academy or something instead of tromping around brooding.

[Grits]

I particularly enjoyed the beginning paragraphs that describe the progress up the Panther River. Talun-Lei’s providing everyone with fish made me smile.

I love how you followed the argument with Valens in the previous episode with this segment where Aela watches him come alive in his lessons.

It was as if perhaps the person he truly was on the inside was showing through.
I thought this was an especially lovely observation coming from Aela.

[ghastley]

I liked the lesson on choosing your weapon for the fight and the terrain. Short weapons in confined areas, longer ones only where you have room for them.

It's good to see that the villagers are getting some education, too. The greatest gains come where there's the most lacking.

And again your world is so much larger. It's taking days to do the trip, that you could walk in hours in the game, even at the default time-scale.

[SubRosa]

haute ecole rider: Thank you, I put a lot of time into Valens' training session. You are correct that Valens and Seridwe have done this many times. I see them as similar to Green Berets, often going into remote places and training the people there to fight, as well as fighting themselves.


McBadgere: Now you will know what to do if you have a pointed stick! I could not resist the Chico homage there. I will have more of that this episode in fact.


Acadian: I think the extra time spent on the boat ride has been paying off too. It is giving us some time to get to know some of the characters better, in a way would not if I just wrote a few transitional paragraphs of the journey to Agrigento.

You called it, dunking Talun-Lei is probably just going to make him happy!


King Coin: Talun-Lei is one of those examples of how hunters often take a step up and become warriors. In many cultures the warrior caste either began as hunters, or actually were hunters doing the war part-time, when needed.

But brooding is cool! As Willow said in Buffy the Vampire Slayer "He can brood for 40 minutes straight, I've clocked him!"


Grits: This was a rare opportunity to show something underneath the emotional armor that Valens wears, even if it is just something as macho as teaching people to fight.

Talun-Lei's fishing is an homage to the films, in both those the Chico/Kikuchiyo character provides the others with meals along the way.


ghastley: One thing I have noticed from reading history is that there is nothing accidental about the weapons and armor that different cultures use. The place they live in, and their level of technology, always influences what they develop. So I thought about the deep swamp, and tried to imagine what people there might use.


Previously On Seven: In our last episode Valens and Seridwe began teaching Talun-Lei and the Agrigentans how to fight with a spear. Aela noted that during the lessons Valens himself seemed to come to life, and briefly escape from his morose, brooding shell.


Chapter 1.11

The settlements thinned out as the days went by. In time the Arimer ruin of Welke slid past, rising high above the river on a steep bluff. The Panther branched at the ruin, and they turned north, following its main course upstream. Afterward Captain Lidell gave a wide berth to several camps they passed along the watercourse.

Screenshot

"Bandits," the wood elf explained to Aela when she asked after the second such occurrence. "These backwoods are infested with outlaws, and worse. Some will trade for goods and news. Some will cut your throat as soon as look at you."

In one stretch of river the captain even forwent their usual nightly stop for sleep. Instead he continued on through the darkness, using spells to restore the flagging stamina of his horses. He warned them all to be wary of strangers, and not to let anyone on the boat, even if they found them in the water.

"Why?" Seridwe asked. "What is wrong?"

"Vampires," the Bosmer replied. He pointed to a scattering of cave mouths yawning within the bluffs to the south. "Those are Bloodrun Caves. Nothing living ever comes out of them. But dead things still do…"

Soon they passed another set of caverns on the opposite side of the river, which the captain identified as Kindred Caves. "I think they have a different clan of vampires," he said. "I've seen them fighting each other by the river's edge."

Aela could see Ungarion taking mental notes each time, weighing the danger versus the possible profit. The Breton Witch had to admit that she was doing the same herself. Perhaps when their quest for the Agrigentans was finished, they might revisit some of these caves?

Finally they came to a stop at the ruins of an old Imperial castle. Only the crumbling stones of the outer walls remained, and even half of those were missing, having been replaced with wooden timbers. Sweet wood smoke curled up from within, and a mixture of humans and Argonians could be seen standing guard at the single entrance, as well as around the rest of the site. A dock stretched out into the river from the ersatz fortress, and it was here that Captain Lidell docked The Niben Queen head on.

"This is the end of the line," the Bosmer waterman declared. "Welcome to Castle Redwater, the last bastion of Imperial civilization."

"Aye," Stalks-The-Marshes said. "This one has been here many times. The Empire abandoned the castle ages ago. Now it's a trading post, inn, smithy, whatever folk need it to be."

"From here we walk," Rullianus added. "At least for the good part of the journey."

"This one is almost afraid to ask about the bad part…" Do'Sakhar said dryly.

"You will see," Ulpia murmured. "It's… an experience."

The Agrigentans would say no more, leaving Aela to wonder if whatever they alluded to was almost a form of initiation? A magical initiation could not be explained to another. It could only be experienced. Because experience is subjective, it is different for everyone. The only thing for certain was that it changed you forever. While she doubted the Agrigentans had anything so dramatic in mind, she could not help but to wonder what they did mean?

As Stalks-The-Marshes had intimated, he knew his way around the trading post. Its denizens - a hard and none too clean bunch - knew the Argonian as well, and several greeted him by name. Aela discovered that the bailey was filled with several daub and wattle buildings. Stalks-The-Marshes led them to one of these, which turned out to be the eating house. A meal of fried sausages and tangy onions filled their bellies. While the wine was hardly Tamika's, it was far better than the travesty offered at the Lonely Suitor Lodge, nor was it served in mugs.

Since it was only midday, they decided to press on overland until dark. They followed a road that was little more than a pair of ruts worn into the ground by wagon wheels. The trees grew thick around them, and it was only through the occasional break in the growth that Aela was able to glimpse a low range of mountains to their left.

"That's the Valus Mountains," Valens followed Aela's gaze with a black-mailed finger. "They end right there, up near the headwaters of the river."

"You have been this way before then?" the Breton asked.

"Not that I remember." The Nibenean rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully.

Talun-Lei vanished somewhere during the trek. Hours later they came across a dead pheasant dangling from a tree limb by a rawhide cord. Do'Sakhar declared that it had been slain by a javelin, the same kind as several which the young Argonian carried along with his spear.

"That Argonian is going to make us all fat before this is done," Seridwe laughed.

They made camp for the night soon after, and were once again rejoined by Talun-Lei, who now clutched a duck in one hand. While he might have been inexperienced in war, the young Argonian was certainly a proficient hunter.

They struck out again at dawn's first light. Valens was even more silent and moody than normal, and Aela realized that he was again entranced by the dawn. The Nibenean spent the entire time staring at the rising sun, and the brilliant colors it splashed across the horizon. Aela wondered what it was he saw there, since it was plainly more than just the start of a new day to him?

"I'll do it just to go east, if for nothing else."

The Nibenean's words rose up in Aela's memory. What doom awaited him in the east? Did he even guess himself?

The forest grew darker as they went on. At the same time it grew hotter and damper than even when they had been on the river. Soon sweat began to drip from their pores. The Agrigentans stopped, and Stalks-The-Marshes announced that they were in the Black Marsh. Talun-Lei and the four villagers spread out then, searching through the underbrush to either side of the path. Soon Hathei called out for the rest of them.

"I have found a root!" the old Argonian exclaimed.

"A root?" Ungarion cocked an eyebrow, "in a forest? How remarkable!"

Still, Aela and the others congregated around the Argonian, who stood in a copse of moss-covered trees. At Hathei's feet was a pool of viscous black mud, which boiled with a sea of bubbles every time he poked at it with a stick.

"Excellent!" Stalks-The-Marshes declared. "This will save us many days from our journey." Without another word the Argonian trader stepped into the mud. In just a matter of seconds he sank completely down into it, and vanished from sight. The other Agrigentans did not seem perturbed. At least Hathei did not. In fact, the old Argonian leaped into the muck a moment later. Rullianus and Ulpia looked at one another. With a grimace, the young man stepped into the bubbling mud, and he too sank out of sight.

Ulpia looked back to the rest of them and explained. "This is the midsummer migration. It will take you south. When you see a mass of bubbles, that's a hole you can use to get out. But don't do that until you see us do it first. Otherwise you'll be lost somewhere in the marsh. And whatever you do, don't stay inside after we leave. We'll never find you then."

The Imperial stepped into the mud, and paused to look back one more time. "Oh, and don't panic." Then she stepped in, and sank out of sight.

"What on Nirn is this?" Do'Sakhar scratched his head as he stared at the black puddle.

"These are the roots," Talun-Lei said as he too stepped up to the bubbling mess of goo. "Have no fear, one can live for months in the belly of a rootworm. Just push up when you see the way out."

He vanished from sight, and Aela found herself stepping up to the hole next. She seemed to recall something about this at University. There was some way that the Argonians traveled through the roots of the Hist trees. But for the life of her she could not recall the details. She had never paid as much attention in History or Anthropology classes as she had in Restoration and Conjuration.

Well, she was going to find out.

It took every ounce of her willpower to remain calm as she sank into the mud. Aela told herself that it was no different than using a water breathing spell as the goo spread across her face and covered her head completely.

Aela felt warm, which surprised her, and discovered that she could indeed breathe just fine. She found herself encased in some sort of transparent goop, like a baby chicken inside an egg. She had the sensation of moving very quickly, and saw that she was flying through a warren of roots. Indeed flying was the right term, for she did not feel like she was underground at all, but rather soaring through a midnight sky as she spun and turned and shot forward faster than an arrow fired by an elvish bow.

The Breton saw something ahead of her. It was a long, slender blob about the size of an ogre. It had no limbs, nor head, nor any distinguishing features. Except there was a dark shape that seemed to lurk within its translucent hide. As Aela neared it, she realized that it was Talun-Lei within! The Argonian seemed to wave for a moment. Then he shot forward, too far away for Aela to make out any details.

That is when it struck her. She was inside the stomach of a rootworm! So were all of them! Her heart leapt into her throat, as if it was trying to pound its way out of her chest. Her mouth felt drier than the Alik'r Desert, and her palms wetter than the Niben. She was being digested!

She remembered what Ulpia had said about not panicking, and Talun-Lei's observation that one could live for months inside the worms. It did little to help. Yet clearly the Argonians - and the humans from Agrigento - did this often. So evidently there was no real danger. With that in mind, Aela willed her heart to slow, and concentrated on breathing deep, steady breaths, just as when she meditated.

In fact, she soon found herself reflexively assensing the area around her. She felt for the spirits of the land. They answered her call, albeit coolly. Unlike the essences of soil and rock and tree that she was accustomed to, these beings were altogether alien. They felt ancient, powerful, and aloof. While they acknowledged her presence, they seemed to have no desire to interact with her. It was just as well, for what she could feel of them sent a chill through her bones.

The Hist, Aela realized. For the first time in her life, she pulled back from her spiritual sensing because she did not want to touch what she found.

Instead Aela watched the roots in front of her, and the worm that carried Talun-Lei. She had no idea how long they sped through the web of roots. There was no way to tell the time in the gloom. Eventually she saw a spire of bubbles rising up through the mud ahead of her. Talun-Lei burst out of his worm as it passed through the fountain, and she could see him riding the tide of air upward.

In moments she came to the same spire of air. She remembered to push up when she came upon the bubbles, and the next thing she knew, her body was being drawn aloft by the current of air and mud. Then she burst from a pool of muck and was back on the surface once more. A proffered hand from Talun-Lei pulled her onto solid ground, and the young warrior helped her to her feet.

"Welcome to the Black Marsh," the Argonian said.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Sep 8 2013, 02:19 AM

[McBadgere]

*Applauds*...

Amazing...Just amazing...

Loved the last bit of the journey down the river...The descriptions of the river dangers was cool...I learnt a new word...Forwent...Never heard that one before...I have no doubt of its use, and it's relation to Forgo, I've just never seen it before... ...

Epic trip through the forest headed for Black Marsh...Brilliantly done...Loved that bit with Valens and the dawn...

"I have found a root!" the old Argonian exclaimed.

"A root?" Ungarion cocked an eyebrow, "in a forest? How remarkable!"

...

The Talun-Lei hunting thing was brilliant...And a subtle reminder that he wouldn't have put himself forward if he didn't think he had, at least some skill with the spear...

And yes, I am thinking of him less as "The Chico one" and more as Talun-Lei these days...Love the character...

The worm travel thing was inspired!!...A teeny bit Ew! as well, but nevertheless...Epic and amazing...

A fantastic part!!...Said the actress to the bishop... ...

Brilliantly done...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

[Grits]

I loved the growing sense of danger as they passed through the bandit camps and vampire caves.

"I have found a root!" the old Argonian exclaimed.

Ungarion's response made me laugh. The rootworm travel was my favorite part of the story so far. What a fantastic way to enter Black Marsh. The magical elements are what make a TES setting so captivating to me, and your stories really bring out the magic. I’m looking forward very much to how you present Black Marsh. The arrival: completely awesome.

[King Coin]

Bandit camps! They need a few more archers on the barge. Vampires too? They need Aravi!

Love what you did with one of the abandoned Imperial forts! I think I even remember a castle called Redwater. Did you use an in game location? Who would have thought that a place on the edge of nowhere would have better fare than even the worst dive located in an actual city?

I like Talun-Lei’s gifts, though the manner they were presented reminds me of a cat!

Umm… How are they getting around? I’ll walk, thanks.