Cearbhail:
Not my favorite chapter so far. Pretty... bleh.
=^^= Try to Enjoy...
[Nisha]
I was starting to get bored. I never thought I would say that about a hidden Blades fortress on top of a large mountain. We've been at the Cloud Ruler Temple for a while now, at least a full day, and I've done everything there is to do up here. There is only so many times you can explore a temple filled with dedicated swordsmen and find exciting things to do. I've been here for only a day or two, but it was freezing cold, and we were in a fort with nothing to do, and I'm not allowed to pick up a sword and train with it, not that I really want to anyway. So, I settled on watching the Blades do their training.
So, after checking out every nook and cranny that I could find, I found the nearest pair of Blades I could find, and I sat cross-legged on a fort wall, looking down them while I rested my head on my elbows that rested on the cold marble stone. I watched them for hours. I tracked the two warriors as they slashed at each other, moving almost faster than my eyes could track, slashing with practiced ease, and nimbly dodging just as quickly. They started off pretty slowly, just trading some minor swings at each other, but… it was like something changed. Once I sat down and actually started watching them, they were suddenly vanishing into these complicated movements, and all the sudden, all I could see were sparks from where their swords connected, the sounds of landing blows, metal on metal, the exchange of breaths, the footsteps on the cement. There was a wind coming from their fight, almost like the two fighters were making the very air split and collide wherever they moved. Like I said… I couldn't really see what they were doing, but just watching the nothing around me filled with the consequences of their advanced movements kept me from moving for a few hours.
And after a few hours of watching this battle unfold, both fighters suddenly appeared in front of each other, both of them completely breathless. Their swords looked like they were brand new, and I couldn't believe that. No matter who strong that metal was, it shouldn't be in perfect shape like that. As I looked closer, I could see the small sheen of a basic enchantment. Ah… those swords must be enchanted to prevent the blade from becoming damaged. That makes sense; every Blade should be able to make their swords overall unbreakable.
One of the sword fighters glanced over at me for a second, just barely fast enough that I almost missed it. "She's still there." He mumbled softly enough that if I weren't a Khajiit… I probably wouldn't have heard it.
"Just keep her entertained." His partner replied, lifting his sword up back up to their ready position, also just soft enough that I almost couldn't hear it.
Oh… they were training as hard as they were only because I was watching them. Why though? I don't get that. All the same, I should do something for them. Maybe I could brew a stamina potion or something? Is there anything I can use to make one? It's not like there is an abundance of ingredients in this heavily fortified castle. It's all the basic stuff that you'd expect to see: grain, apples, water, salt, and preserved meat that was carted in from Bruma. So… what was I supposed to do to thank these sword fighters for giving me a good show of their skills? I guess I could cook them a couple steaks, or bottle up some water for them to drink. Or make a grain bar.
I looked away from them as Jurard exited the wooden shack we had set up. She was shaking her head as if something annoying had just happened, and then she looked over to me, waving a welcome. I couldn't believe it was only just yesterday that we got away from Black Marsh, and that I was nearly killed. This was the first day I was actually able to walk around and do things, and even then… I've pretty much seen everything there was to see up here on the main floor. I should do something I've never done before… I should go see the prison ward. I'm sure I won't come across any problems since we're in a heavily defended secret fortress.
I smiled at the swordsmen, waving at them as I stood up and started walking away. I heard the sighs of the exhausted relieved fighters as they had a reason to sit and relax.
"Entertaining Spymaster Arabhi's grandchild is exhausting…" One of the soldiers mumbled as I walked away. My ear flicked at hearing that, but I thought nothing of it. I never even met my grandmother. I barely even remember Mom anymore. It did cause me to stop and look over to at the two Blades. They must have realized that I overheard them because they suddenly stiffened up when I turned to look at them.
I smiled through my teeth, waving at them to come over to me. They were both quick to jog over to me, suggesting that whatever they said must have been important after all. I waited as the two men jogged up to me. They both took a knee to see me eye-to-eye.
"Did you need something?" The one that made his small comment tried his best to smile innocently.
"You mentioned Arabhi. You said she was my grandmother, or something like that." I crossed my arms, trying my best to appear intimidating. I hope it would allow me to appear serious and not childlike while they told me the full truth and not the whole 'child appropriate' truth I'm so used to.
The Blades exchanged a glance, and they both looked over to me. "Did you now? I didn't mean for you to overhear that."
"Khajiit ears… very sensitive." I replied. "Especially children's ears. We need better hearing if it means escaping trouble after all. So… everything you've whispered, I've heard. Now, I was going to leave without actually talking to you, after hearing that I was making you two work too hard just to entertain me, but… you mentioned something I can't just ignore. My grandmother. I… I never met her. How do you know she's my grandmother? How do you even know who I am?"
The Blade smiled. "Well, I know because I worked in the Imperial City, and I knew your grandmother. She trained me when I was a young recruit. So, we knew your mother, Abhuki, as a result. We were told to keep a close watch on you kids whenever we were in town. Just a walk by with a crystal ball to show her how much you two have grown." The Blade shrugged. "We assumed the two of you would be offered to join the Blades at some point. I'm sad to say that we never got to see that day come though." He smiled again. "The offer stands though. If you ever want to become a Blade, just come find us."
I scoffed at the idea. "I don't know what I want to be yet, but I'm pretty sure it's not going to be something dangerous."
The two Blades both chuckled at the thought. "Everything is dangerous in some shape or form." The other Blade commented. "From being a trader to being a soldier. You're just as likely to be robbed and shot by a bandit in a store as you are on a patrol on the high roads. The only difference is being trained to react in such scenarios and holding your hands over your head because you are defenseless in your own mind."
I never thought of that, but then again… I've already experienced it. I was making a potion, one that could kill godlings, had a birthday party after completing said potion, and was almost killed by said godlings. Nexa, a heavily trained assassin, was able to save me because she knew what to do and when to do it. I was left… incapable of saving myself, too stunned at the idea that I was in danger. And when we were in Black Marsh, the same thing happened, I was almost killed by trained assassins, and Nexa was able to save us. What he said is true… I'm really not safe no matter where I go, or what I do in life. And if I don't know how to think and react in situations that demand some sort of action… I'll just end up getting in my own way, not to mention anyone else's.
"Your grandmother would agree with us." The first Blade responded. "Her first lesson was always telling us a story of how when she was a little girl around your age, she was stolen by slavers and taken to Morrowind. She was a girl from Chorrol and then… a slave in the matter of just a few minutes. She was saved by the Blades in Morrowind, and then she joined them. She never wanted to be weak; she never wanted to be defenseless; and moreover… she never wanted anyone to suffer the same fate she had to suffer. She became a Blade to protect other slaves from their fates."
Wow, I was learning stuff. I never knew anything about grandmother, and mom never brought her up before. So, Grandma was a Blade? Was Mom a Blade too? I couldn't remember a lot about her though. Or Dad for that matter. All I really had was Vatu, he was the only family I knew I had, except Uncle J'skar. He wasn't here with me though. He left as soon as we exited the shadowportal. He said that he needed to be in Leyawiin to pick up the freed mages. He hasn't called in to check up on us yet though. I wonder how he's doing.
I glanced away from the Blades to see Jurard walking over to me. I looked up at the men, smiling at them. "Thanks for telling me the truth." They took that as their cue to leave and they both stood up, walking away while they talked about eating something in the mess hall. Those two gave me something to think about, something I've been avoiding… thinking about my future. I wasn't going to be a child forever, and if I start planning on my future now, I can start the necessary training and planning to see that my future is on its way. I've always loved Alchemy, and I thought I'd just become an alchemist, and that still seems like the best bet. But… how to make it more than just that? How do I train myself to be ready for any scenario? I'm not always going to have my potions on me, and I possibly can't have every potion in the world in my sack at all times. I need more than just potions. I need something as a backup, or as a main way of protecting myself.
"Hey, Nisha." Jurard waved to me as she walked up. "I just talked to your brother. He needs to tell you something, so you should call him later."
I nodded to Jurard. "So, when are we leaving to go meet Vatu?" We had plans on meeting him at his training site: Dive Rock, or something like that.
"Just as soon as Arch Mage comes here. She said she had some business to handle in Chorrol, and then she'd right over." Jurard said with a smile. "Don't worry, Nisha. We won't stay here long."
I wonder what Mage Mom needs to do in Chorrol?
…
[Sosia Ernard]
The Imperial City was devastated. It was a miracle anyone survived at all, and rebuilding is going to be a hassle, but with the forces we have there dedicated to fixing what we've lost, I know that we will be able to rebuild, given time anyway. I'll leave that up to Justinia though. I warmed up my teleportation circle, looking back at the faces of the Imperial City.
I looked over to Adam, smiling warmly to him. "I'll see you soon?"
He nodded. "Be careful, dear."
Justinia saluted me briefly. "I will watch over this town in your stead, Arch Mage."
I snickered at hearing her say it. "You do realize… you're the person in charge now, right?" I dropped my smile. "Seriously… with the Council destroyed… every member murdered… you are the highest ranking individual this country has."
She shook her head. "There is one other, Sosia. Adam Tullius."
Yeah… Adam… if he ever returns, he could just as easily become the next Emperor if he wanted to. And if you're confused, there are two Adams I know. There's Adam Tullius, the Champion of Cyrodiil, and Martin's BFF, and then there's my husband, Adam Ernard. It can get confusing at times when people just throw the two Adam's names around like it's a common name founded at the beginning of time, but no one expected my husband to take charge of the Empire. Adam Tullius on the other hand… he could actually do it if he wanted to. He has the support of most of the counts in Cyrodiil, and he is the same rank as Justinia, and his armor reflects that status of his. That Imperial Dragon Armor he has, and never stops bragging about, is only worn by Emperors, and he has it, given to him by Councilor Ocato at the end of the Oblivion Crisis. Like I said, if he wanted the role of Emperor, he could have it in seconds. But, he left on some mission a while ago, and no one's seen him since. I wonder if that aspect of mine is still keeping him company. A legendary, nigh unstoppable hero type, traveling with an illusionistic traveling companion created from the mind of a person who once held a crush on him? I wonder if that would be a compelling love story of some kind. Well, Adam might be special, but he has no halo over his head. He might be a Blade, but he's not from Sparta. He knows how to cook, but he's no master chef. I'm not even entirely sure of what I was trying to imply with that last one.
I found myself smiling as I was brought back to the present. I looked down at the crystal ball hanging off my belt. "Should I call him?"
Justinia nodded. "He's needed here."
I looked down at the crystal ball, picking it up, and bringing it to my face. I mentally dialed the frequency for Adam Tullius, and I waited. There was a long pause and it never connected to the other side. I waited for a few minutes, but still… nothing. I sighed as I lowered the orb. "Either he lost his ball, or he's ignoring me. Either way… he's lost some form of balls." I waved goodbye to Justinia and Adam. "Love you both. Take care of each other."
Adam nodded back. "Make sure to take care of yourself too."
I wish I could, but… when you're the strongest person in Cyrodiil with the highest rank currently… you have no ability to care for yourself. I have to take care of everyone else first.
I stepped into the portal, and I instantly found myself standing outside Chorrol's main gate. The town was so quiet, but that was to be expected. I sighed as I walked into the town. The gate looked like it was freshly rebuilt, and I could sense the powerful wards drawn onto the new stone blocks. Hmm… it would seem that the new War Mages were already doing what they could to help defend our towns. We should have acted sooner. As soon as this threat popped up, I respected the Council's decisions to keep this under everyone's radars. We didn't want another scare, but… I remember just how quickly the Mages Guild fell under the same kind of response: pretend it wasn't happening, until it was too late anyway. I swore I would be stronger, more attentive, more… active in my actions. Mannimarco was right about me… I reacted to situations, and I listened to people's orders. He guessed that much about me. I respected people's opinions of matters more than my own gut instinct. Looks where that's led us. Two nearly destructive wars in five years' time. And this time… I was the head representative of the Mages Guild, and the Battlemages. I tried my best to keep this contained using what resources I had… I should have made this a national emergency when I had the chance.
I walked through the gate, feeling the effects of the scrying glyphs firing up. Whoever was put in charge of receiving the information of the glyphs now knew I was in town. The town's interior looked even worse than I imagined. The Imperial City was brought down, all its buildings turned into rubble. Take that, and throw in the streets, the statues, everything remotely charming about this town… reduced to craters and smashed pebbles. Some buildings remained nearly standing, their roofs mostly smashed to nothing. As I walked into the town, I could see a handful of survivors already picking up blocks of rock, sweeping rocks back into the roads, and others beginning to replant whatever crops they managed to salvage. Oh boy… this won't be easy to restore.
Vilena Donton, the retired Master of the Fighters Guild, was one of the people out sweeping rocks around. When she saw me walking through the gate, she nodded a welcome, waved at me, and quickly walked over to embrace me in a tight hug.
"It's been forever, dearie." She sounded relieved just to have me back in town. "So, it took a national emergency to finally come visit?"
I nodded. "More or less. I'm here to help rebuild the town." I motioned to the staffs on my back. "Alteration magick staffs. We'll rebuild the roads, the houses… everything. Should only take a few hours of hard work."
She smiled at hearing that. "Those brave children rebuilt our walls, enchanted them, but they wouldn't stay to clean up the roads. I'm glad to have you back, child."
I smiled at hearing that. "I'm also here to Roland. Is… is it true? Is he really dead?"
She nodded. "His luck seems to have finally given out. We've set him out on a table. We were waiting for you and your friends to come pay your respects. I'm glad you've come."
I couldn't believe it. Roland was… unkillable. I mean… really unkillable. I've seen him stabbed, drowned, choked, poisoned, mocked, put into a social situation, and spat on. And nothing killed him. I couldn't believe a falling building is what it took to finally kill him. I had to see it for myself.
I sprinted away from Vilena, and I knew she understood why I suddenly took off. Roland was on of my friends. Maybe he wasn't as important to me as Adam or Adam, but… he was one of the few of us that had that weight of destiny riding on our shoulders. If he was gone… and Adam gone… that left just me… Zergon, some guy I can't remember, and Jesselle. Zergon was back in Black Marsh… for I don't know how long, and Jesselle… if she's really into serving the Aedra… might be an enemy now. Am I all that's left? Am I really the last line of defense for this whole country?
I didn't want that kind of pressure. I can't be the only hero left standing. Justinia is great but… she's not as strong as me. Hans and the rest of the Battlemages are fantastic… but I remember how dumb they can be when it comes to blindly charging forward and end up killing themselves. Hans, I think I can trust with a lot of responsibility, but… I just need more than him. I need more allies, more people I can trust to help me save this world again.
I found myself standing in the Fighters Guild, or what was left of it. Most of the building was blasted to the ground level, and I could see where Roland's body was resting on a nearby table. Modryn stood near the table, nodding his head like he couldn't believe this was happening either. Of course, Modryn basically raised Roland as his personal apprentice.
I walked over to Modryn, placing a hand on his shoulder. I didn't say anything to him, I just turned to look at Roland. The Redguard looked so peaceful, and he didn't look beaten up. He looked… like he wasn't even damaged.
"How did he die?" I asked as I placed my hand on his head.
"Aedra attack brought the second floor down on top of us. He… he was smashed." Modryn replied.
I scoffed at the thought. "He's not dead then." I focused on Sosia 5.0, the aspect I had placed inside him, for occasions like this. I could feel her in there, still sifting around inside his mind.
Status report.
There was an immediate reaction from my older aspect. Mild concussion, still trying to repair the brain damage. Keeping him comatose until I regain his memories of the past few days.
I smiled. I looked up at Modryn. "He's alive. He has a mild concussion, and my healing aspect is trying to repair his brain before she lets him wake up."
Modryn fell back against a wall, reaching up for his eyes, doing everything he could to keep himself from crying. "Oh, thank the gods."
I turned to face him. "Ok, so… we have that under control." And I'm just as glad to hear that Roland is still alive. I know he can help me fix this world. That's why I invested a piece of myself over to him, to help him stay alive during weird moments where his own pure luck couldn't fix everything. That's right, Roland's immeasurable ability to walk away from death was all thanks to me. Well, not all thanks to me. He's naturally this gifted, I just… push some healing in with that luck. And my aspect makes sure that his innate magicka that he never uses is utilized properly.
I looked over to Modryn. "I understand that you have an Aedra corpse in your possession."
He nodded. "It's in the basement." He nodded to me as he started walking away. "Follow me."
I can't wait to examine this thing. And once I get a good look at it, I'm going to find as many weaknesses as I can fathom finding. I'm not repeating the Oblivion Crisis. I'm heading forward with the knowledge I need to put a stop to this before it gets any worse. No matter how dirty my hands might become in the process.
As we entered the basement, I could see the body for myself. So far, I haven't been able to study and Aedra corpse like this one. The ones Spymaster Arabhi created were torn limb from limb. And the one Nisha managed to kill was burned alive. We know one weakness now, how much they love to burn. Let's see if we can go a little further with that. Let's see which weapons might affect them the most. "Got any silver weapons? Enchanted? Daedric?"
I should call Boethiah and Azura. I'm sure both of them will want to see this. I looked over at Modryn. "I can't keep this to myself. I'll be right back." They offered to help us. Now, it's time to see what they can offer besides Daedric forces. And once they get here, we'll just play around with this Aedra body and see what we can learn. I'm sorry, Nisha. I might be here for the rest of the day. I should call her and let her know.
…
[Vatu]
"Is everyone good and packed?" Erandur asked as he looked around the campsite.
I looked over my packed ruck, happy that I still had everything I left Chorrol with. At least no one left my stuff behind in Chorrol before they chased after me and Pra'ja. I really didn't think before I ran off, but then again… I'm glad I didn't think. If I did, there was no way I could have saved Grandma. From what Primrose told me, she was barely alive when they found her. They managed to make her stable, but before that, she was minutes away from dying. If she got caught in the storm, she would have likely died in the middle of it. So… I'm glad. I'll take whatever punishment the Battlemages have in store for me if it meant I could save her life.
As I looked around the camp, the enchanters were dropping some of the wards, and I would be on that list too, but Erandur wants me to continue resting. I'm supposed to visit some Ayleid wells to restore my magicka. Well, both me and Pra'ja, as well as any other Atronachs we have in our company. There were a few others of us. I know Myani is an Atronach, but I think all nymphs are Atronachs… maybe.
I picked up my rucksack, looking over at Grandmother. I walked over to her, extending my hand to help her off the ground.
She snorted at the offered hand and pushed herself onto her feet. "I appreciate the offer, cub, but… I can't appear useless just yet. I have a job to finish." She made a sweeping glance across everyone in the camp, nodding her head appreciatively as she looked at us all. She finally settled her gaze at me. "So… this is what it feels like. Seeing the next generation pick up where we left off." She snorted again, looking down at me. She rubbed the back of my head, causing me to involuntarily purr. "You're so much like your sister… and I mean that in a… well, not a bad way, but a cautionary way." She pulled out a crystal ball. "Here, let's exchange frequencies."
I gladly shared my crystal ball's information with hers. I was so happy to receive it. Now I could talk to Grandma whenever I needed to. When it was shared, I smiled down at her. "Thanks. Um… what about Vara's?"
She shook her head. "She ditched it some time ago. She thinks I'll try to talk her out of her quest. Or that I can track her whereabouts with it. Little does she know that I'm the Spymaster of the Blades. I can find her whenever I need to." She sighed. "I'll get one of my agents to locate her. I'll let her get your frequency. If she really wants to know you… she'll call you." Grandma rubbed the back of my head again. "And if you really want to find her, just to go Leyawiin, and wait around. Eventually, she'll do something around the town to attract the attention from someone in the Legion."
I didn't like having to think that my first interaction with my sister might begin with us trying to kill each other. "If I do go after her, I'm not going as a soldier." I sighed. "I guess I'll go as a Khajiit. If she's really in the Krin… she won't hurt one of her own." All I need is some painted smiling mask and then… bam… instant ally.
Grandma smacked the back of my head. "Now you're thinking like a Blade." She winked at me. "If you get tired of being a battlemage, just ask. I'll get you inducted into the Blades so quickly, you'll never see the transition."
That was something to think about. Me… a Blade.
I almost laughed at the thought. "I'll keep that in mind."
Grandmother smirked. "It is a bit of a family tradition. I was the first one inducted in the Blades, your mom followed me. I tried to get Vara to join us… but…" She shrugged. "It just wasn't her path to walk. At least, not yet. I'm hoping you can get through to her, Vatu. I hope she gets in contact with you." She sighed as she turned around. "Well, Vatu. When your training is over, come visit in Chorrol. If I'm not there, I'll make sure a Blade finds you, tells you where I've gone. Just in case my crystal ball goes missing, or if I can't reach you on yours."
I watched as Grandma started walking off. She offered a single wave goodbye before she slipped her two katanas into her belt, picking up a walking stick to use as a cane. She left without saying another word, and all I wanted was to spend more time with her. This was a very short meeting, and it felt very underwhelming considering everything involved with it. I looked down at my crystal ball. I wonder how long until Vara contacted me… if she ever did.
"Okay, everyone." Erandur called from the front of the camp. "Get in your squads. Dive Rick is… I'm not sure how many hours away, but I want to be there by nightfall. So… we're going to double time it. Ready your stamina potions so that you have access to them, we're going to be needing them for the sprinting we'll be doing."
I made sure my crystal ball was secured in my side pouch, set on vibrate loudly so that I wouldn't miss any call I might get. I still had to tell Nisha about our sister, but that can wait until I see her at Dive Rock.
Cearbhail:
So... we spent some time with Sosia... and... Nisha. So... next chapter will be more of this, probably.
