Note of the author: I have absolutely no idea what the title of a Jarl's child is, so "Prince" and "Princess" will be used for future reference. ~Nano
Chapter 21 ~The Sun's Rays~
14th of First Seed
12:00 Midnight
The Blue Palace, North Tower
Celina
I was informed earlier that Sortiara was kidnapped. I overheard what my mother- no, what the Jarl said to Dyce and Owain. Apparently, her captors were the notorious Dark Brotherhood. "…What can I do to help..?" I said, resolved. Sortiara was the only person who tried to show me kindness in the past few months. And I stupidly turned away and ignored her.
My first and only friend was taken away, probably to be killed for her killing one of their own members. And I was sitting here, moping in my room. I couldn't go myself, everyone would see me. That, and the guard was increased around the castle; the Jarl didn't want me of all people getting taken away as well.
I opened my hand, casting a small Candlelight spell. The light illuminated my room slightly, allowing me to read the books I had smuggled out of the castle library. All of them were spell tomes and combat training books. I grabbed my rapier, a birthday present from Commander Hurricane. I never thought I'd need to use it until now. I practiced a few swordplay forms from the book, aiming to have some degree of skill in case my magic failed me.
I also gleamed combat-orientated spells and tested them. Basic fireball and ice shard spells accompanied cloaking and silencing spells. They wouldn't make me completely undetectable, but it should be enough to help. "Miss Celina, it's five in the morning. Are you alright?" I heard a guard say.
"Yes… just leave me alone." I responded in my usual monotone.
"Alright, miss… you know, your mother is worried for you." He continued. "She wants you to know that Sortiara will be fine, Dyce and Owain are out there looking for her right now." A few footsteps later told me he was out of earshot. Good. I belted my rapier to my waist, and opened up the door to my balcony. The one place where no guards were stationed.
The Candlelight spell dissipated from my grasp. I slung a travel bag over my shoulder, filled with food, healing potions, and a teleport scroll to my room. I'd use the last item when I found her, so the two of us could escape whatever place she's held in easily. The wind on the balcony blew over the hood to my robe. My hair, now exposed, flowed with the wind in a solid sheet of pink.
"To Oblivion with it." I muttered, ripping off the cloak entirely. I unfurled my wings for the first time in ages, letting the white feathers on them feel the cool early morning air. Scanning the skies and the balconies, I did not spot any Avon guards active. I flapped once, twice, and then the third flap got my feet off the floor. It's been at least a year since I last flew, so my initial flight path was rough. But after a few seconds, the subconscious instincts took over, and Solitude was behind me.
The sun started to inch its way above the horizon. The first rays illuminated my figure as I flew above the road. A few travelers pointed up at me, but I ignored them. I was headed to Morthal, the place where I should spot Dyce and Owain as they headed to find Sortiara.
I landed outside the town, the sun not even half above the horizon at this point. Sticking to the outskirts, I avoided the guards as I circled around town. My wings were aching from the flight, so I had to proceed on foot. It was then I spotted a horse traveling at great speed. Without a rider. The brown mare stopped near the town, coming to a slow trot to drink out of the river.
I knew I was on the right track. I headed towards Dawnstar, as I knew that was the eventual destination of Dragonend. The trees rustled above me as I walked the path, nervously gripping the hilt of my rapier. I heard a soft pitter-patter behind me, undetectable if it were not for my Elvin ears. Glancing towards the sound, a Frostbite Spider could be seen following me. It snapped its jaws shut, venom leaking out of its maw.
My rapier was drawn as a precaution. With any luck, the spider wouldn't bother me. I kept walking, and the creature kept following me, getting steadily closer and closer. When it was within six feet of me, it reared up and spat a wad of webbing at me. "Hyaa!" I shouted, slicing and turning at the same time. The wad was deflected to the side, and the insect charged me.
I jumped to the left, the poison-laced legs missing me completely. One slash with my blade cut off a leg, and the spider hissed in fury. A leg cut my skin on my leg, drawing blood. Unfazed by the pain, I stabbed the cretin in its head, in between its many beady little eyes. No doubt the wound had poison in it; but that didn't faze me. According to the Jarl, I was immortal.
I sat down, hoping to wait and catch my breath. As I munched on a roll of bread, I noticed my wound leaking the green venom and sealing itself up with golden sparks. I guess I heal fast, too. I'll save the healing potions for Sortiara; no doubt she'd need them more than I.
A soft clicking echoed in my ears. Jumping up, I spied four more Frostbite Spiders. "Alright, then," I said. "I didn't want this to be boring, after all."
~End of Segment~
Chapter 21.5 ~The Moon's Shine~
14th of First Seed
12:00 Midnight
The Palace of the Kings, South Tower
Koray
"Huh, so that's how it works." I mused to myself, while pouring over an old spell tome. I flicked my wrist across my room, sending a small beam of dark energy to encapsulate the dagger on my nightstand. "I love magic. But it's o excuse for good old steel."
"Koray, your father wishes an audience." A guard says.
"I'll see what the old man wants." I respond in kind. The door opens, and I make my way down the stairs of my tower towards the throne room. My light plate mail gleams silver in the moonlight reflected through the windows. Strapped to my back is my trusty lance, Reinlief. Made of a special metal known as Starsteel, it's far stronger than any other of normal make.
"Ah, my son," My father says as I enter his throne room. "I see you haven't changed your nocturnal ways one bit." His grey feathers speak of years of combat experience, and his crown signifies him as Jarl of Windhelm.
"You know I favor Luna's light, father." I respond, returning my father's smile. "What reason have you for summoning me?"
"There is troubling news indeed, Koray." He said, standing up. "And I believe it is time to make you known to our enemy." He walked over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I know you are not of my blood, but you are every right my heir."
"I know, father. I was your gift from the Divines." I responded, folding up my wings after flaring them for a second. I brushed a bang of my black hair behind my ear, only to have it flop back over my eye in a few seconds. "And I am ready for any task you have of me."
"Good." He said, beckoning me into the war room. Inside was a large map of Skyrim, and standing next to it was Galmor Stone-Fist, my father's right-hand man. "Glamor, have you finished preparations?"
"Indeed I have, my lord. We leave for Whiterun at dawn's light. They won't expect a second attack this early." Galmor said with a slight bow. "Oh, and what honor do I have of seeing the prince?"
"He will be joining you in battle, Galmor." My father said, smiling. "It is time our enemy knows that we have the blessings of the Divines." I walked forward, approaching Galmor.
"I may be unblooded as of yet, but I swear to fight with ferocity and honor for my father." Those were the words that came out of my mouth. I meant all of them as much as one could.
"I find it odd to lead the Prince into battle, but… The honor is mine." Galmor stated, bowing. "I know of your special ability, Koray. Whiterun is as good as ours."
~Daybreak~
"So, Whiterun is the walled city over there?" I asked, pointing over the horizon at the town in question.
"Yes, it is indeed." Galmor answered. "Are you sure you're ready? What we're about to do is far from the tales in your story books."
I laughed. "I am the son of Jarl Ulfric Stormwing, and a product of the Divines themselves. I believe I can handle anything that is thrown at me." Reinlief was in my left hand, its tip gleaming in the morning sun. My steel shall taste blood today.
"Then let us hope they are truly on our side." Galmor said. He then turned to the entire army. "Warriors of Skyrim! Brothers and Sisters!" He started. "We have lost in the past, but we will not lose today! We hve the favor of the Divines, we are the true Sons and Daughters of Skyrim! Are we going to sit here and let the Imperials have our country?"
"No Sir!" The army, including myself, responded.
"Are we going to let them enjoy their victory over us?"
"No Sir!"
"Are we going to liberate the oppressed populations of this mighty country?"
"Yes Sir!"
"Then onwards to battle! For the Jarl! FOR SKYRIM!"
"FOR SKYRIM!"
~End of Chapter~
Nano Files
Entry 005: Starsteel
Starsteel is a very peculiar metal, with its qualities depending on the location it is found. For reference purposes, the metal found in Reinlief will be used for an example. It was forged by master blacksmith Sorin, who resides in Venhelm. The metal was gathered as tiny flecks in the upper atmosphere by expert Avon fliers.
The flecks were first discovered several hundred years ago, by a very foolish Avon who decided to see how high he could fly. When he gathered them, he said he had grabbed the stars themselves. Thus, the name "Starsteel" came to be. The metal itself has a slight bluish tint to its primarily silver coloration. It is harder than the fabled Daedric weapons, and can be ground to be twice as sharp. It is impossible to break by conventional means.
Only three Starsteel weapons have ever been made, only one of which resides in Tamriel. Reinlief is unique because of its composition. The other two Starsteel weapons are known as Starfang (a single-edged longsword) and Starclaw (a bladed gauntlet for a left hand), both in the possession of a singular male from a land unknown to all of Tamriel.