This is my very first attempt at writing a story. I know it seems quite raw right now: but with the help from reviews, I will be periodically updating the chapters.
Please bear with me, and check back often for updates and new content. Thanks for hanging in there with me!
The memories had plagued Bethany Windstorm's dreams nightly ever since her family was brutally murdered by Forsworn mercenaries ten years ago.
It had happened during her eldest sisters wedding. Instead of being held in the Temple of Mara as was Skyrim's tradition. Her noble family had donated a large sum of gold in exchange for a priest to hold the ceremony in their castle home in the Reach.
The entire Windstorm family, friends and even families of all of their beloved household servants had come from all reaches of Tamriel to pay their respects and celebrate in the festivities.
Feasts of succulent venison, beef, and chicken were roasting downstairs on spits over the large kitchen hearth. Various roasted vegetables, stews and sweets being prepared with loving pride of the castle's cooks.
The banquet hall was being decorated by happily chattering servants with garlands of flowers, and beautifully colored paper lanterns, softly glowing with magelight.
The tantalizing smell of the preparing feast drifted up the stairs to Bethany's room, making her stomach grumble in anticipation.
She had recently turned sixteen and was to be her sister's maid of honor for the beautiful summer evening ceremony. A love match so sweet that even Lady Mara herself must have cried tears of joy in anticipation of the nights' approaching nuptials.
Her own engagement to a neighboring Nobles' son was also to be announced shortly after the ceremony.
Her maid Elya, an elderly retired Bosmer mage twisted Bethany's long curly auburn tresses up into a coif with gentle swiftness.
"Your betrothed will be delighted. I dare say you will outshine your sister tonight. Almost a sin" Elya chuckled as she proudly took in Bethany's beauty through the mirror, receiving a beaming smile in return.
She sighed and hummed with content as she began weaving delicate, sweet smelling purple mountain flowers into the lovely girls' hair.
The chatter from downstairs ceased as it was drowned out by an angry shout. The shouting quickly turned into screams of agony and fear.
Bethany and the maid looked up with panic as her mother burst into the room, an arrow buried deep in her chest.
Mothers hands, slick with her own spilled blood clutched the door frame and dresser holding herself up. "No!" she choked out in anguish, as the blood pooled at the corners of her mouth.
"Momma! Oh Gods! What is happening? " Bethany cried jumping out of her chair and running to her side as she collapsed.
Ever growing chaos could be heard raising within the castle walls as swords clashed, fire balls exploded and shock spells crackled and fizzed. Elya quietly closed the door and prayed to the Divines as she cast a ward spell across it.
"Please..." Mother said as she gasped, trying to catch a breath of air. She coughed, lightly splattering crimson flecks on her daughter's shimmering lilac gown.
Reaching up she touched her daughters cheek, leaving bloody finger prints on her ivory skin. "The Forsworn...You must flee!"
She looked to the maid "Take Bethany somewhere safe, take my purse, my amulet and ring, it's all I have on me. It will provide you shelter and food until you can find safety".
"Please Elya, take care of my daughter as you would your own..."
She weakly turned towards Bethany staring sadly into her tearful deep blue, almond shaped eyes "Bethany I love you - Your father, sister and I will always be in your heart". She smiled. Struggling with her last breath she shuddered and went limp.
"No momma no!" Bethany sobbed holding her mothers bloodied hands. "Please don't leave me!". She cried, willing as much magica she could muster. Orange restoration magic softly chimed and swirled around the bloodied pair as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"It's too late sweeting, she's gone." Elya knelt down whispering into Bethany's hair. "Save your energy - we will need it" She gently wrapped a cloak around the girls' shoulders hugging her, tears running down her own wrinkled face.
The din grew louder, accompanied by heavy footfalls running up the stone stairs at the end of the wing. "Find the youngest daughter and the old Breton bitch!" a man voice shouted followed by more footsteps.
Splintering wood sounded as doors were being kicked in further down the hall, growing ever near.
"Our benefactor said we could have some fun!" Came one mans voice.
"Fine, take your pleasure, but make sure she dies! We were told to leave no one alive! The Nord bastards are to learn that the Reach belongs to the Forsworn"
"For the Forsworn!" was shouted loudly by numerous booming voices.
Elya's head snapped up, her white hair tremoring as terror flashed in her aged golden eyes. "Come child, we must make haste! They are nearly upon us!"
Despite her years, the maid jumped up and swiftly fled around the room gathering whatever supplies she could stuff into a knapsack.
Bethany kissed her mothers cheek as she gently closed the lifeless staring eyes. "May the Divines guide you all to everlasting peace."
She unlatched the diamond amulet, pulled the gold laden purse from an inside pocket and slid the unusual family ring, a flawless diamond set in woven ebony and gold off her mothers finger.
Slipping the purse into her cloak pocket, she clasped the locket around her own neck and slid the still warm ring on her finger.
Elya felt around the walls, eventually finding the stone she searched for and pushed it in. With a soft click, a narrow passage opened up and both maid and nobles' daughter fled through the dark abyss and into the warm summer night.