Queen of Nightmares
Chapter 1: Teranin
It's 430, of the 3rd Age, on the month of Morning Star. Outside of Bruma, a shriving female High Elf wanders towards the city. She was 25 years of age, an adult for most races, but an adolescent among Elves due to their long lives. She has next to nothing, she has lost everything. With little money, and the most basic skills, she barely has any hope for survival.
Six feet tall exactly, she stands out even among the High Elves. Long dark blonde hair, and gemlike yellow eyes, that seem to capture the world inside them. Her name is Teranin. She has no family. She spent her young childhood in the Imperial City until her parents were murdered by bandits. With no hope for survival, she found herself in the company of Khajiit traders, and spent time ferrying herself between Cyrodiil and Skyrim for a major trade route. But tragedy struck again, as her Khajiit adoptive family, was murdered by a roving band in steel armor. She knew nothing of them, except that they were Nords. This was, two weeks ago…
Desperate for food and money, she comes to Bruma, the nearest major city. Bruma is the smallest of the major cities, with roughly about 10,000 people. For comparison's sake, the Imperial city has around 200,000 citizens, making it by some accounts, the largest city on Tamriel. Bruma was home to many Nords, but also many others. Cyrodiil was a very integrated province, with peoples from all other lands, whereas Skyrim tended to be racially divided and segregated.
Without any friends, or family, and nearly broke, Teranin believed Bruma was the best shot for getting on her feet. It didn't hurt that there were many Nords present, which would have helped her find information on the Nords that killed her Khajiit family.
She approached the city's gates just before dawn, a single guard approached her. "Speak your business?"
"I am cold."
"That's not business."
"It is when you've been wondering for days. I want to go inside."
The Bruma guard looked at her, suspiciously. "It's an odd hour to enter the city."
"And yet there are no laws that prevent my passage." Her history of trading made her keenly aware that guards could attempt to prevent access to a city sometimes, despite there not being any law to prevent it.
"It's my job to ask anyone their business. When you enter, to your right there are a few cheap inns, such as Olav's Tap and Tack."
She bowed her head, "Thank you."
Upon entering the city, the cold didn't recede. This city seemed as cold as the mountains. She had barely a few Septims, this would be hardly enough money to cover any food bills, but the advantage of being a High Elf, was that her magicka supported her metabolism naturally. She entered Olav's Tap and Tack
There were quite a few Nords were present, but also a Dark Elf, whom she found rather concerning. One thing she learned on her travels, was spotting someone who might be a good person to deal with, or someone who might be dangerous. This Elf, had a permanent sneer on his face, and gave the harshest of looks to anyone who approached him. This Elf, she felt was dangerous. She decided to stay away from him.
He noticed her too, there aren't many Elves in Bruma, so naturally it drew his attention. But he went back to his own business. A man approached her, "I am Olav, this is my place. Care to have anything to eat?"
Rationing her money, she gave a single Septim, "an Apple." He took her money and brought her one. She had ravenous hunger, but she politely ate it. A place like this, was filled with many potentially dangerous sorts. She had no reason to give out how desperate she might have been. Truth was, she hadn't eaten in a couple days and even her Elven Metabolism could only do so much. Morning Star, in the North is not a place to find many edible plants.
Without a roof over her head, or a bed to sleep in, or money to afford this bed… she needed a solution quickly. "Olav." She once again had the attention of the bar tender.
"Fighters Guild. Is it nearby?" Being surrounded by Nords, she decided that the Fighters Guild was the better guild to mention, as opposed to Mages Guild. Of the races, Redguard and Nords were the most suspicious of magic, and the most respectful of martial ability.
Olav smiled seemingly admiring the Elf's choice, "If you leave this tavern, and head back to the main road that you were on when you entered the city, up on the hill there is a small wealthy residential area, but just past it, is the fighter's guild. Elves usually use magic, but if you want to use your hands… I respect that. Wish more Elves thought that way."
Teranin nodded politely. She had decided that at this point in her life, without any family, real or adopted, that she needed to learn skills. Almost by luck, her path was set for the fighter's guild. Maybe one day she would learn magic, but that would be another day. She gave Olav another Septim as a tip. She gave no sign that it was her last Septim. What very little magic she knew, she used to create the sound of a few coins rattling, not enough to attract attention, but enough to give the impression that she wasn't flat broke. She left the Tavern, to greet the sun.
She followed the direction of the friendly Nord, and passed by several large houses, before she found the Fighter's Guild. Once she entered, she saw a Breton. "I am Merov, I am the porter for this chapter. How may I serve you?"
"I am interested in joining." She studied the steel armored man.
"Johald, is the master of this guild hall, I shall summon him." The Porter left, with Teranin standing at the entrance.
Finally, large man with heavy Steel armor approached her, "I am Johald, I am in charge of this guild hall. Merov told me that you are interested in joining our hall?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
Johald studied her, "You do not look particularly strong. If you will allow me to do an exam…"
Teranin stood in place, and gave a slight nod. "Your arms aren't very strong." He examined further, "You have tender muscles, and your legs are tight. Muscles are strong, but not large. You've must have spent many years walking the land. Am I correct?"
"I worked with a trade caravan, before raiders killed them. I grew up around them."
"Short Sword, light armor, leather is a good starter. Do you have any of that?"
"I have… no money. I spent the last of it, eating."
"I can grant you a short sword, it's made of Iron, in our armory. Frankly, our best stuff is kept in our private armories, but the public one should help provide what you need. A short sword is a must, you shouldn't burden yourself with a shield at this time. You will want to move fast in combat. Most of my people here, are large warriors. You won't find light armor experts here. But Right-Wind will train you in swordplay and other combat skills." Johald summoned Right-Wind.
An Argonian wearing heavy armor approached the Nord. "Yes sir."
Johald spoke to him, "Right-Wind. This is a new associate. You shall train her, and she will accompany you." Johald once again focused his attention on Teranin, "An associate is the lowest rank of the fighter's guild. At the Associate Rank, you are attached to one trusted member of the Guild. You are not allowed to go on Guild Quests by yourself. Whatever your master is paid, you only get 25% of. So if he earns 100, you get 25. These might seem like hard rules, but it weeds out the unwilling, and it prevents a high body count of untrained raw recruits. Right-Wind is your teacher, and your supervisor. He may make a decision that you aren't working out for the guild. In Three Months, your position will be reviewed if you survive that long. You will either be promoted to Apprentice, or removed from service."
Teranin bowed her head. Johald pulled out a few gold pieces. "You said you had no money. We're a brotherhood, we live for profit, but one of our members doesn't starve needlessly."
Teranin was handed 15 Septims, "Thank you sir."
Johald left to resume his training. Right-Wind examined Teranin. "Hmm… you don't look like much. You need to arm and armor yourself."
Teranin nodded and went to the public armory and acquired herself, her first sword. A simple Iron Short Sword. Nothing special. It had many nicks, it's been used a lot. After that, she put on leather armor. It didn't fit her perfectly, but beggars can't be choosers.
Right-Wind approached her, "You look awful. Here's the way things are going to work. Until I've decided otherwise, you don't do a damn thing, but train, train, train. You told Johald that you have no real experience in combat. That means I won't take you out on any missions. As a trainer, the guild hall grants me a stipend when I take on a student. I am to give you 10 gold a week for your probational period. You want to earn more than that? Then pay attention. The sooner you learn basic skills, the sooner we can take on our first mission, and you can earn more than barely enough to eat for a week."
Teranin nodded, "I want to learn."
"What other skills do you have? Non-Combat skills at least."
"I have some acrobatic skills. I know some very basic magic. I can make a few sounds mostly, though I can pull small objects back into my hand." Right-Wind nodded as Teranin continued, "I know a lot about trading, and trade goods. On a mission, I could probably get us a good deal on loot. I spent time with the Khajiit, so I can pick a few locks, and they taught me some about stealth."
"I hope you're not a thief."
"No."
"If you steal from one of us, you get expelled. If you assault one of us, you get expelled. Remember that. Any other skills?"
"I have a photographic memory."
"That may well save your life. Is that all?"
"To my knowledge."
Right-Wind charged her, and knocked her to the ground and put his sword to her throat. "Your lessons begin now…"
