text stringlengths 0 41.4k |
|---|
"That’s not an answer." |
"No, it’s not." The cold calculating look in her eyes only grew in intensity. "I watched you tear several errdegahren apart with little more than your bare hands after transforming into Shar-knows-what. While I myself have partaken in the drinking of blood it has only been for ritualistic or religious ceremonies. You ... |
"I have no idea what an illithid is, but I know what you mean." I paused, chewing my lip nervously as she seemed to stare into the recesses of my soul. "I am a Vampire." |
"Vam-pyre?" she asked, brow furrowing and her fingers drumming on the hilt of the knife somewhat slower. She seemed unfamiliar with the word but not of what it represented. |
"There are stories in the Underdark of beasts that hunt in the depths, preying on the weak or those who lose their way. Even the duergar and illithids fear those that prowl the darkness. Bodies are occasionally found drained of all their vlos; their life-force stolen and consumed by the creatures. The bestial slaggiss... |
"You however," her finger pointed directly at my chest. "You are something different." |
"I am a vampire. My curse is now to live off the blood of those I kill or feed upon, left to be nothing more than a nocturnal parasite and unable to exist in the sun for the rest of my life." With a dark snigger I nodded to her. "at least in that regards we almost have something in common now." |
The sudden look of confusion was not lost on me and she tilted her head. "Unable to exist in sunlight? What nonsense do you speak?" |
"I can’t exist in sunlight. There are dozens, if not hundreds of different tales of vampires throughout Tamriel but there is only one definite fact for certain. Vampires cannot exist in sunlight at all, not for anything more than a handful of seconds." |
"I don’t bloody lie! Why by the Nine would I lie about something like this?" |
"I cannot ascertain your reasons within that enfeebled mind of yours Jaluk, but I know this. While you were sleeping earlier the sun managed to break through the clouds and the smoke for the better part of an hour. That other than the fact to get away from the sycophants that have dogged my steps since entering the ci... |
Her eyes were narrow and face turned into a snarl. "You bathed in its radiance without the slightest blemish to show for it! You can’t stand before me and say that it can do you harm and kill you. I know what I saw." |
I stood there stunned, looking between her, out the door and at my hands still clad in their destroyed gloves. For what felt like an age I tried to comprehend what she had told me, trying to believe that she was lying or deceiving me. While she may be harsh and arrogant she was openly honest to the point of blunt rude... |
"It matters not." She said before I could press her further. "I carried your useless body out of that hell as I still have need of you. The fact that you drained that creature is nothing compared to what you did to it and its kindred afterwards. I underestimated you and although I know that you are not the same being ... |
With a dexterous twirl the dagger flipped in the palm of her hand and she slid it into its sheath. "You will betray me, like all the others but instead of hungering for my body you’ll hunger for my flesh and blood." A bitter laugh echoed in the room. "And this at least explains you actions and strange looks you have b... |
"I don’t intend to betray you Viconia." |
"The Man may or may not, but the animal inside you? That’s different. I will continue to accompany you but I am better prepared to face you now that I know what your true nature is." |
She deftly gathered the pieces of her equipment off the bench, attaching it back to her belt or stuffing it into pouches muttering to herself in her native tongue. "Nindyn vel’uss kyorl nind ratha thalra elghinn dal lil alust." |
"If we continue to spend time together then I guess I will have to learn to speak Drow." |
"Good luck with that Jaluk." Her tone was half superiority and a tiny part challenge, throwing the straps of her pack over a shoulder casually. "Now let’s go find this priest." |
We made our way out of the ruins back into the courtyard where, true to her word the sun was beginning to break through the clouds and smoke and allow shadows to flit and race across the ground. Despite all my instincts and unease I forced myself to stand utterly still as a patch of light rolled across with the clouds... |
The enormous cathedral was the largest building within the city, even despite the loss of the upper levels of its belltower. Giant and bronze the broken bells lay in amidst the rubble where they had fallen, their voices now silenced and their cries replaced with the minor tolling from the handful of others scattered t... |
Stained glass windows depicting saints and Aedra were shattered, their crafts that had stood through wars and plagues for thousands of years now nothing more than shining gemstones of glass on the ground. The doors were pitted and burnt but still unbroken and nearly every piece of furniture inside had been used as mak... |
Like most other major cities, especially within Cyrodiil, enormous crypts and catacombs were built underground and could only be accessed from inside the cathedral. It was in these cold musty depths that dozens of survivors had been steered by the priests and where they had been safe and mostly unaware of the devastat... |
Viconia and I almost went unnoticed, the press of people and the mutual suffering of all those present meant that they all had other things on their mind despite knowing of the deeds of the "Hero" and "Heroine" of Kvatch. A few made eye contact with us as we carefully moved through the dozens around the interior of th... |
One of the brown robed priests made his way through the press and I hurriedly followed, lengthening my stride until he was close enough to hear me amongst the babble of noise echoing within the expanse of the temple. |
"Can I help you my son?" he asked, looking at the two of us with the expression of someone who had seen far too much but wasn’t allowing his mind to dwell on any of it. |
"We’re looking for someone and trying to find anyone who can help us." |
"Many of those here have lost friends, family and loved ones, but I will help where I can." |
"The man we are looking for is a priest of your order." I replied, eyes still roaming the press for anyone who might stand out. "His name is Martin but we have no idea whether he survived or not." |
There was a smile, honest if weary. "He lives, and in fact there are a large number of those here who owe him their lives due to his actions. He’ll be about here someplace." |
I gave the priest my thanks as he motioned for us to follow after him as he weaved through the people sitting, standing or moving about on the tiled floors. There were entire families and countless individuals within the expanse of the cathedral’s interior, most sitting about calming children or staring blankly at not... |
"If it wasn’t for brother Martin most of those here would be dead I believe." Our escort briefly paused and motioned throughout the room and sighed. "While everyone else was panicking and fleeing he was as calm as though he was going for an evening stroll, walking about and directing everyone inside even as the city b... |
I pushed past a small group, seeing the expressions of surprise at Viconia and my appearances in their midst as I listened to the priest. "He was so calm, ensuring that everyone in the plaza came inside and as the groups fleeing the daedra coming over the walls started arriving he made sure they made it to safety as w... |
We followed the priest to where a collection of individuals were being treated for their injuries, the undressed form of a legionary among them with the black legion mark visible above a broken elbow. A handful of robed healers and priests of Akatosh were amongst the wounded, changing dressings and healing with tiny g... |
"Brother Martin?" our escort said, and I saw how one of the grey-robed acolytes of Akatosh turned and rose from where he was talking to one of the groups before us. Quickly excusing himself from the conversation he walked over, exchanging a bow to our escorting priest and looking at us somewhat warily but with obvious... |
"I heard how you both helped the guard and singlehandedly closed the remaining Oblivion gate." He said, voice soft and strangely soothing. "This city owes you a debt of thanks." |
"I guess we both will have to get used to acknowledgement." I replied, feeling strangely sheepish at his attention even as I studied his face intently. There was an obvious resemblance to the Emperor but only if you knew to look. "But we didn’t come here for that." |
"Really?" as he spoke I was becoming more and more convinced that this man was the one we sought. "I doubt anyone has travelled expecting to find themselves in Oblivion and saving the survivors of a city, but in that case what did you come here for." |
"We came looking for you, unless there are any other priests here named Martin?" |
"I’m the only one by that name and yes I’m a priest. You two don’t look like you need a priest and even if you were I don’t think I’ll be much help to you." His expression suddenly hardened as though carved from granite and I could see the tremble of barely contained rage run down the length of his body before it was ... |
The more I studied his features and even the way he spoke and held himself made me entirely sure that we had found the man we had come for. He had the same facial features, the same build and especially the same piercing eyes that stripped you down layer by layer and left nothing hidden from sight. My scrutiny didn’t ... |
"God’s or not." I replied, motioning to not only Viconia and myself but everyone within the cathedral. "We need your help." |
A bitter laugh was initially all I got in response. "If you came to me for help, you’re more of a food than you look. Take a look around, what good is a priest amongst all this?" |
"We’re not here looking for a priest." Viconia said from beside me, looking thoroughly disinterested and increasingly bored. "We’ve come for you." |
The look of unease in his face seemed to build and I could see his scrutiny intensify. "Looking for me, why would you come looking for me?" |
"We’re working for the Blades." I replied and saw the unmistakable tremor of fear shake him to the core for a heartbeat before he regained control over his emotions with an impressive amount of will. "You are Uriel Septim’s son and we came to get you." |
The expression of fear was suddenly replaced with outright disbelief, and a suspicious amount of relief that was unusual in itself. "Uriel Septim, as in Emperor Uriel Septim?! You think the Emperor is my father?" |
He shook his head and turned to walk away. "No. No, you must have the wrong man. I am a priest of Akatosh. My father was a farmer." |
"The daedra came here for you." I stated simply, watching as he stopped in mid motion with the look of a man who knew more than what he was letting on. It felt exceedingly strange as I openly voiced my suspicions though. "It’s a little overkill I know, but razing an entire city to the ground to kill one man is an effi... |
For a second he was stunned, looking around and obviously taking in the sights and smell of death and destruction that we were surrounded by. "All this death.... Because I’m believed to be the Emperor’s son?" |
I nodded simply, seeing the strength suddenly deflate out of him as he looked between the two of us. "You... You aren’t lying. Either of you. It... It’s strange... But I think you might actually be telling the truth. What does all this mean? What do you both want from me?" |
"We were contracted to take you back to safety. Back to the Blades near Chorrol." Viconia said. Giving me a shrug as I glanced at her. "it was meant to be a lot easier than this." |
He looked at her almost as though he was seeing her for the first time. Her beauty was incredible to the point of distraction but it struck me as though that he was used to seeing past external appearances and personalities. "You destroyed the Oblivion Gate, they say." He said simply, chewing his lip and rubbing at th... |
There was a definite pause as he thought deeply and thouroughly before speaking again. "Very well." He nodded. "I’ll come with you. How soon do you plan to leave?" |
"How soon can you be ready?" |
His glance around the room spoke measures more than simple words ever could. This was his home and now like many of those around us he would soon be leaving it all behind to an unknown future. In his case however he was going with a pair of total strangers to a destination not of his choosing. "I’ll gather my things a... |
"Pack lightly but prepare for a lengthy journey on foot." For a moment I wondered just how exactly we were going to escort a priest through the depths of the Great forest or even by a road bound to be clogged with refugees. Instead I noted the way he straightened his back and I could see that he was not a pampered man... |
"Nothing as rough as the last two nights I believe." The three of us grinned at his words and I gestured to Viconia and myself. "I’m Kaius by the way, and this is Viconia." |
"I know of your names. There isn’t going to be a soul within the county by the time the sun sets who hasn’t heard of your actions here and at least I know that you’ll look after me. I doubt I’d be safer surrounded by an entire legion than escorted by the two who braved oblivion and saved a city." |
He must’ve caught the sudden look of embarrassment that I failed to crush and gave a knowing smile. "I won’t be long." He promised, nodding thoughtfully to the two of us before turning and moving through the press. |
"Did you see that look he gave you when you said we were working for the Blades?" Viconia muttered, rising a shapely eyebrow and folding her arms after he had disappeared itno the priests’ quarters. "That was fear if I have ever see it." |
"You saw it too?" the sense of disquiet building inside of me could not be squashed. "Just what we both need, another traveling companion with secrets to hide." |
"Nindyn xuil szeoussen shlu’ta veldri byrren." She replied. "Those with secrets can hide others. He might be a little strange but I doubt either of us have to worry about him." |
"Meaning you trust him more than me." |
The glare I received was almost burning with intensity. "Your perception, as always is humbling Jaluk. One must wonder how you ever managed to make it this far." |
"And your faith in me is a comfort that keeps me warm at night." I turned on my heel and began making our way through the press. "Let’s go get ready for the trip. I want to be away from the city before we make camp tonight." |
"As you wish, veldruk..." she spat, her icy glare ever present as she too followed after me into the sight of a city filled with death and fire. |
We stood just outside the gatehouse near where the Oblivion Portal once stood, waiting and watching the crowds of people shifting and flowing out of the wounded city for Martin. Most of those who had survived the destruction were choosing to leave the city with whatever they could salvage rather than wait for famine an... |
Messengers had been sent telling of the victory and requesting aid for the hundreds of refugees and survivors, the passage of the information helped along by the Imperial watch posts placed every 20 kilometres along every major trading route. These posts, manned by a handful of guards were little more than a bunkhouse... |
I knew that the news of what had befallen Kvatch would’ve reached the Imperial City easily by the time Viconia and I had entered the Portal, and the news of our actions would reach the entirety of the Empire by the end of the week. Even such organisations as the Black Horse Courier would send the word as far and wide ... |
When he finally arrived I noticed the change about him, the reluctance was obvious but he had obviously steeled himself for the journey and the uncertainty of his future ahead of him. Dressed in his ankle length robes, now with the hems permanently stained with the soot and ash dusting the streets and a single rucksac... |
Noticing us as I waved to him, he wandered over, the strap of his pack over one shoulder and looking nervously at Viconia and my appearances as we were both no longer taking chances. Both of us were fully armoured, leather and padded cloth under layers of chainmail, swords and other pieces of equipment making us both ... |
Viconia had managed to find a set of plated boots and steel greaves as well as a breastplate. The breastplate finally managed to hide a significant portion of her femininity and beauty in a way that simple cloth and chainmail found impossible. I had managed to find a new sword to replace the one I had snapped inside a... |
"So this is it then?" Martin said as he wandered over to us and looked every bit as nervous as I expected. "I suppose that I don’t have a choice in all this?" |
"Not in the slightest." I replied. |
Viconia looked up from where she leant against the towering city walls. "You’re coming to Chorrol if I have to drag your unconscious body by the ankles all the way there." |
Martin went to laugh until he saw that she wasn’t joking but stating a fact. The chill that went up my spine was shared by the priest. |
"She doesn’t seem to like me." He whispered as he moved closer, keeping an eye on her as she pushed away from the wall and threw her pack onto her back. |
"Don’t take it personally." I replied, fitting the leather case carrying my unslung bow over my shoulder and holding onto the strap. "She hates everyone. She’s indiscriminate like that." |
"Should I be concerned?" |
I shook my head, making a noncommittal grunt as I did so. "If she wanted you dead, you’d be dead. We’ll get you to Chorrol and to the Blades." |
"And then?" He was concerned at my mention of the Blades but not as seriously as he was earlier. |
"Your guess is as good as mine." |
We set off into the gathering gloom of the evening, leaving the destroyed city and its volcano-like plume of fire and smoke behind us as we retracted the path we had taken from Chorrol. Martin stopped only briefly as we rounded the South-Eastern portion of the walls where the slope of the ground rose up to the plateau... |
Making camp as soon as darkness fell, I lit a small fire in a tumbling gorge where a stream had long since carved and then dried up hundreds of years before. In amongst the rocks and grass the three of us soon passed out, both Viconia and I mutually choosing not to worry about sleeping in shifts for the first evening ... |
The first day went well, despite the reduced speed that Viconia and I had grown accustomed to. Martin, while surprisingly fit and not at all what I expected for a man of the cloth was still not used to such overland travel. Viconia especially soon began to grate at the less-than-rapid pace that we set for Martin’s ben... |
For the second evening however I had managed to lead us to a small running stream that had made its way from its birthplace up in the Colovian Highlands. It cut through the rolling hills and between the spires of rock that dotted the landscape, making its lonely way south in amongst the thickening vegetation of the Gr... |
I doubt that he was interested in watching me skin and gut the tiny creatures, stuffing their bodies with a collection of pebbles I had found to assist in cooking them in the campfire’s coals. But at that point Viconia was noisily pulling her armour and clothing off piece by piece, muttering and assumedly swearing in ... |
"She’s an unusual one." Martin muttered as the sound of Viconia entering the water in the darkness at our backs echoed. |
I snorted, poking at the campfire and dragging out some of the burning coals in readiness to cook. "I notice how you didn’t try to stare." |
"I’m a priest. We’ve above that sort of thing." there was an amused twinkle in his eye as he regarded me expressionlessly. "What’s your excuse?" |
"I value still having eyes and all my bits attached." |
He laughed this time, an honest one that was at odds with the way he had been the entirety of the day’s march. |
"How much do you know of the world?" I asked him suddenly, getting the coals and rabbit ready to cook. |
"That sounds as though you have specific knowledge you are seeking." He watched hungrily as I placed the rabbits into the coals and the smell of their roasting meat was instantly filling the air. "I’m not as knowledgeable as an acolyte of Julianos but I may be able to provide some answers." |
What do you know of the Drow?" |
"Ah." He replied, nodding a head in the direction of the stream. "You want to know more about your companion." |
"Knowledge is power." |
"Indeed it is." Pausing for a moment he motioned for me to pass him a dagger before starting to draw lines in the cleared dirt in front of us. "I only know a little as there is far too much in this world to be known by any one man, but I have read of some of the wonders that exist in Mundus." |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.