Chapter 7 The Heart of Dibella

Ow, my head. What on nirn…

Ah, right. Drinking. Lots and lots of drinking. And I've never been drunk before.

I feel a rough prod in my side.

"Get UP!"

"Don't wanna…" I try to push it away.

It doesn't help. I get prodded again, harder this time, making me cringe back.

I try to open my eyes, but a shard of pain lances straight to my skull when the light invades my eyes, making me cringe again.

I raise one hand to shield my eyes against the vicious light, and look up.

Why am I on my back on a stone floor?

What is this warm thing half on top of me?

I look down, just recognizing the top of Muiri's head as she tries to snuggle into the softness of my belly again. She lies mostly on top of my legs. We do both have our clothes on, but her dress is on the wrong way, so I can't be confident it's been that way the entire previous evening.

I feel another prod. "Get up, blasphemer!"

I look up at where the prod comes from. It's a tall breton woman in a dress that's actually quite flattering, especially from my viewpoint down on the ground. Which also might be why she looks that tall, now that I think about it.

When my eyes reach her face though, I shrink back a little.

I didn't even know the human races could scowl like that. It's not like they're altmer.

Wait, am I still drunk that I make that comparison?

I try to sit up and almost lose my balance.

Yeah, still drunk.

"Sorry?" I attempt.

"Oh, thank you. Now, sorry for what?" Her tone starts completely innocent, but goes to snappy real quick.

"For falling asleep here." Where was "here" actually? It's not like I knew where I was, but then again, this angry, pretty lady probably wouldn't be angry or have woken me if it was somewhere I was supposed to wake up.

Muiri starts stirring as well. As a sudden pressure on my upper leg falls away, I realize her breasts had been pressing into me.

"So only for falling asleep here?" The non-Muiri breton continues. "Not for the fondling of the statuary, the loud and off-key singing, the mess you threw around, and pouring alcohol into the altar, where only Holy Water is allowed?"

I look around better, now that it no longer feels as if the light is trying to gouge out my eyes.

Hm, I recognize these statues… that's Dibella. And there're so many… wait, am I in the Temple of Dibella? I look up at the suspected priestess of said temple.

"Ah, I see you start to realize the situation."

I shrink in on myself. "Sorry for… everything I did while drunk, but can't remember now?"

The priestess facepalms. "Of course you don't… "

Muiri speaks. "Hey J'samma… where are we?"

"Temple of Dibella, I think. Did we…"

I can see her think. "I don't think so? But we had an amazing night."

Strangely, I know she is right and that I've had the time of my life. It's just… a mishmash of places we drank everything and nothing, and all details are blurry after we met Sam.

I also have no recollection of how I ended up in the temple. "Yeah, that we did, but, well…"

"Fine." The priestess snaps. "Clean this stuff up. I'll discuss with The Mother what your further punishment is."

"Okay." I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I really don't want Dibella to take offense to whatever I might have done.

The priestess leaves, and Muiri and I stand up. I notice that the headache and the accompanying hangover are fading swiftly. Muiri seems to cringe a bit at first as well, but recovers as fast as I do.

I just stick everything that doesn't belong here in my inventory. I'll clean it out later, if ever.

There's a note that I seem to have written, mentioning a broken staff I was apparently attempting to repair. I tuck it away. I got no time for this now, and I'm not sure I even want to know what happened.

The priestess comes back just as Muiri and I finish up.

"I have a penance for the both of you." She turns to Muiri. "You're an alchemist, right? You can replenish our potion reserves. Here's a list."

Muiri nods and accepts the list. "Ok, I can do that."

The priestess turns to me. "And you're an adventurer, I understand?"

"Yes, I am. The name's J'samma."

"Senna. And for you, we have something that should be perfectly appropriate for your skills. We need you to retrieve the new Sybil of Dibella."

"I have no clue what a Sybil of Dibella is."

"The Sybil of Dibella is a person. You can consider her a High Priestess, and Dibella choses a new one when the old one dies of age."

"Okay, so what do I need to do?"

"Travel to Karthwasten. Find the girl, who goes by the name of Fjotra, and bring her here."

"And if she doesn't want to come?"

"I would be very surprised if that happened. All the people who live in the Reach know the kind of honor it is. But if she or her parents don't let you, return here and inform us."

"Okay."

— A Dragon's Game —

Karthwasten is little more than a day away. It's already afternoon when I leave, but I still feel confident I'll make it there tomorrow before dusk, even if I take the time to sleep at night.

There're no real problems, unless I count a group of glaring Forsworn in a house by what a sign designates as Kolskeggr Mine.

Not that I expect any. The road is pretty small. There's a slight slope towards the river, but the cliff on the left side of the road goes up far and steep. There's little place to hide, and no place to run for bandits if they'd encounter to large or well-armed a group.

When dusk falls, about an hour after Kolskeggr, I set up my tent, put down my bedroll, and get a full night of sleep.

I arrive into Karthwasten. It's a small town, basically just some barracks for the miners, a forge, an Inn, and a watchtower with two guards.

I walk up to the smith, probably the only person above ground at the current time of day. He's currently working at a smelter, smelting silver into ingots.

"Good afternoon. May I ask you a question?"

Now that I'm closer, the man doesn't look well. "What is it, traveler?"

"I'm looking for a girl named Fjotra, and her parents."

"Damnit man, are you trying to taunt us?"

"I'm sorry, I do not understand what you mean?"

He sighs, a look of despair crossing over his face. "I'm Enmon. My daughter, Fjotra, was taken from here. The Forsworn descended and… they didn't touch anything else. Just my little girl."

I frown. That's quite out of character for a group that considers themselves freedom fighters. "Do you have any idea where they took her?"

"It was the Forsworn from Broken Tower. Never been much trouble before. What's it to you?"

"She's the new Sybil of Dibella. The priestesses asked me to retrieve her."

"She… really? That's… I wouldn't have dreamed. Of course, we need her in Markarth, then. I'll come with you."

"Please don't. The forsworn are dangerous. If I cannot convince them to let me take her, I might have to fight them, and you could die. I won't want to have to explain to a girl why her father is dead."

"You're… probably right. Just hurry, please. Who knows what those things are doing to her."

Rude to call the forsworn 'things'. Then again, given that they kidnapped his daughter, I'll give him a pass. "I will. Don't worry about it. I know my way around a fight."

The relief is visible on his face. "Thank you for this, traveler."

You have gained 20 reputation with Enmon for risking your life to save his daughter.

"She'll be fine, I promise. I'll leave at once."

"Anything you need from here to help?"

"No, I have everything I need. I'll pass through here on the way back to Markarth, so you'll be able to see for yourself that she's safe."

— A Dragon's Game —

It's almost morning when I finally reach Broken Tower Redoubt. I'm stopped when I reach the front door, by one forsworn in front of me, and two with bows on the floor above me.

"Just continue traveler. But the fort is off-limits."

"I need to speak with your leader. It's a matter of the utmost importance."

She looks at me distrustfully.

Partial speech success, Speech level has increased by 1! (5)

"Oh? And what importance might that be?"

"It regards the new Sybil of Dibella. I'm sure you won't want to personally piss off the Divines?"

"Fine, we'll bring you to our Matriarch. But one wrong move, traveler, and I'll cut you in two."

I bend my head, and follow the woman inside. She gets another of her group to follow behind me, to keep an eye on me, and another guard is sent outside as she escorts me up.

It's quite a walk, and I notice plenty of forsworn. I'm glad I don't have to fight them all. Well, at least, not yet. If even half of these are as skilled with magic as all bretons are rumored to be, then I wouldn't make it alive.

It turns out that the "Matriarch" is a hagraven. As all hagravens, she looks like an amalgamation of woman and bird. Her face is untouched by this change, and beautiful. She wears only her own feathers, although they cover her better than most of the furs the other forsworn women wear. They grow on her torso, curling around her, and along her limbs, including particularly long feathers from the back of her arms, as if to resemble wings. Her feathers are a solid black, like the raven these women are named after. Flanking her are two briarhearts — tall forsworn warriors. Their chests are cut open, and I can see the briarhearts that replace their original hearts, kept into place with leather straps sewn onto their chests. They're reported to be fearsome warriors, absolutely merciless, magically enhanced, and highly skilled.

"Why are you here, Traveler?" asks the hagraven.

"The Temple of Dibella send me, in search of her new Sybil, a girl by the name of Fjotra. I was told she was with you."

"She is. The girl has been touched by the gods, and we here want to raise her to fulfill this position, which a bunch of miners cannot do."

"I understand, and I don't blame you. However, that doesn't go for the Priesthood of Dibella."

"And we're to just entrust her to you?"

"Yes. But I understand your mistrust of a stranger. You can send one or two of your own number with me in disguise. The guards of Markarth wouldn't stop the companions of a Khajiit, as we're not known for having anything to do with the forsworn. You can witness me deliver her to the Temple."

Convincing her of your truthfulness has increased your Speech level by 1! (6)

"I trust your intentions, traveler, but not the truth of your mission. What if you have been fooled?"

"I don't believe I have, but that's also what I would say if I were fooled. So how do you expect me to prove this?"

She looks thoughtful for a moment, but speaks after a minute. "A Trail by Combat in front of the gods. You will fight to the death against one of our briarhearts. We will ask the blessings of the Divines, so that their will may be made known through the results of the duel."

It's probably the best I can ask for, though. And somehow I believe that Dibella will be on my side. "I accept."

"Follow us outside. The girl is in the back, and shouldn't witness this at her eight years of age."

I must admit I am pleasantly surprised by that. The forsworn are considered savages. What other common knowledge would be wrong?

I follow her outside and ask the question I've been wondering about.

"If the divines are on my side, you'd lose a powerful warrior. Are you sure you want to risk that?"

"It's worth risking a briarheart to ensure that this girl, who is touched by the gods, takes the role the gods have intended for her." She looks at me sharply. "Know that even if you are defeated, we will honor your dedication to the Divines, and bury you with all honors."

I am sincerely surprised that I'm fine with all this. "A pyre, please. Not even three weeks ago, I fought a necromancer who had animated my mother."

"I understand. We will respect your wishes, if it comes to it."

She leads us to an open area on top of the cliff that Broken Tower Redoubt is built into. At her gesture, one of the briarhearts moves opposite me, wielding two bone axes.

"The rules are as follows: No Magic, and to the death."

"Wait. My only weapon is enchanted."

"That is acceptable." She responds, as she kneels in between me and the briarheart. "Stendarr, hear me! We seek your Justice for the path to take with Fjotra, touched by the grace of the gods. If she is to remain here, may our briarheart defeat the adventurer. If she is to go to the Temple of Dibella, may the adventurer slay our briarheart."

I kneel as well. "Dibella, I am here in your service. Lead me to victory, if you consider my path just."

I stand up and draw Aegisbane. Its head emanates a soft chill, but its haft is warm in my hands.

I really don't like this "No magic" rule. But this warhammer is supposed to deal good damage, and I got 700 health.

I prepare and take what I think is a good combat stance. The raw boosts from my level 1 Blunt Proficiency aren't going to do this for me, so I'll have to think and work for it.

I put one hand on the bottom of the weapons' haft, and the other halfway.

The hagraven counts down to zero.

— A Dragon's Game —

The briarheart rushes me, and I step to avoid his swing, swinging back at him. He blocks it with his second axe, but it's awkward and he gets pushed back a bit. I swing the hammer back towards me, attempting to go almost through the briarheart, forcing him to jump backwards. I take a few more steps, but he keeps dancing back, light on his feet.

I have a reach advantage, and I'm pretty sure this haft can take quite a few hits from those axes, even if my hands cannot. Got to remember that.

I make a few feints, and he remains wary of my weapon. Then he steps in, slashing at my weapon to push it out of the way. I twist the hammer swiftly, shoving my hands up and catching his axe below my hands. I use the leverage from his blow to strike back.

He softens the blow, but the enchantment triggers, and I can see the cold enter his bicep. He doesn't make a sound, though. Whatever enhancement magic got to be powerful.

However, my swing gave him the room to retaliate with his free hand, and his axe hits me in the side, and it hurts like a bitch — 135 damage. I hiss out of pain and ram him with the top of the hammer. I hit him in the head, forcing him to take his distance again.

I'm at a big disadvantage while he has two axes. We both got one hit in, and his was far more effective than mine.

I step forward, swinging down the hammer through the middle. He catches it on his right axe, and attempts to strike me with his left.

I release my hammer with my left hand, pulling it back with my right. I grab at his extended axe. I slow it down a lot, taking less damage — and grabbing the haft of his axe. So worth the 70 damage. I pull hard, while also lashing out with a kick. The briarheart attempts to strike me with his other axe, but I can bring in my warhammer for a one-handed block. It's far too slow for efficient blocking, but it buys me enough time to land the kick and pull the axe from his hand.

I cast the axe he lost behind me and put both my hands on my warhammer again as we square up to each other.

The forsworn around us are silently watching.

The briarheart charges me again, and I block with both hands. He kicks, but I'm swift enough to avoid the worst. Using my hammer with both hands, I spin it around and land a solid hit on his chest. He staggers back, and I follow it up with another. While I hit, his free hand grabs hold of my weapon, and he lashes out with his axe, hitting me on the head.

Ouch, that hurt for 250 damage. Can't take another one of that. He swings again, and I hide my head behind the shaft of my weapon as I pull it hard.

Since he still held it, I pull him towards me. He clearly didn't expect it, as I pull him off-balance. I switch to a push fast, hitting him in the face and forcing him to let the weapon go. Then a spin lets me hit him in the head.

I can feel his skull shatter under the impact, and he drops back to the ground completely still.

I step back, panting.

Blunt proficiency increased to 5!

One of the forsworn approaches me, and I tense, but all she casts is a healing spell.

"Thank you." I respond. "And my apologies for taking the life of one of yours."

The hagraven looks at me oddly for a moment. "It is the will of the gods. None here will gainsay that. If you want me to be honest, the way you fought, I think you would have lost had the gods not been by your side."

"I'm thrilled I we won't find out what would have happened had they not been."

She laughs a gentle laugh. "I can imagine. Come. I'll take you to Fjotra."

Reputation with the Forsworn of Broken Tower Redoubt increased by 20 for being led by the Divines (20).

— A Dragon's Game —

She leads me inside again, and we ascend the stairs to the highest room in the tower. She unlocks the door and lets me inside.

"Fjotra." She calls.

"Yes?" I hear her when I see her. She's about eight years old, with long black hair and brown eyes.

"You'll be moving. The gods have decided that you will be the next Sybil of Dibella."

She tilts her head. "Does that mean I can go back to mommy and daddy?"

The hagraven steps aside and looks at me, so I speak up. "They can visit you as often as they like. Your father said it would be okay when I talked to him in your old home, and I promised him I'd bring you along before going to Markarth."

"And if I don't want to leave daddy?"

"Then I'll go back, and probably return a few days later with a priestess of Dibella."

She thinks for a moment, then answers. "Ok, I'll go with you."

"You'll need to pack your stuff, I think?"

"I have little." She walks to a bag, pulls a single dress into it, and then lifts it on her back. She looks at me expectantly.

"I got some magic, which will make it a lot easier to carry that bag. Here." I hold out my hand.

She gives me her bag, and I put it in my inventory.

"See? All gone. And if you need it…" I pull it out again, before putting it back in.

"That looks great. And we'll be going now?"

"I was hoping too. Then we can reach Karthwasten today, sleep there, and start to Markarth tomorrow."

"If I agree."

"If you agree."

I lead the way out of the tower, but feel something towards my hand. I look, and see Fjotra holding it.

I smile as I lead her downwards; the hagraven walking in front of us.

Halfway, she calls out to a forsworn woman. "Kaie!"

"Yes, Matriarch?"

"I want you to travel with the adventurer and the Sybil. Tell the other forsworn groups why they're going to Markarth."

Kaie scowls, but nods. "Ok."

"You need to pack anything?"

"No, got all I need right on my body."

I blink, but can't quite stop myself from looking. She wears furs, true, but very little. It shows the better part of her breasts, her belly, all of her arms and everything between her thigh and her calf.

Less than a week ago, I was somewhere she'd freeze to death in perhaps half an hour, if even that.

She carries an axe, though, and looks like she knows how to use it.

We leave at once, starting our descent to the Karth river.

After about an hour, we reach the bridge, crossing the river, and the road climbs back to Karthwasten. The road to Markarth departs here, and it would save me half a day if I went there right away.

But then the girl wouldn't be able to say goodbye to her parents, and I… just can't do that.

Half an hour later, Fjotra starts complaining about pain in her feet, so I let her climb on my back. I can't quite expect her to walk the entire distance by herself, but I don't want to pause a lot either.

Kaie is mostly silent, but I can see some approval in her eyes as she sees me carry the girl on my back.

It's already afternoon when we enter the village. I walk towards where I spoke to Enmon before, and he rushes out before I can even get there. I put Fjotra on the ground, and she jumps into her father's arms.

I glance back at Kaie, and whisper too low for the girl and her father to hear. "This is why we don't kidnap children away from their parents."

She casts me a heated glare. "In this village, she'd never have learned to live with the gods, as was her part. Perhaps we weren't needed as Dibella was sending you, but she'd have grown into her position a lot better at our place."

"Better for who?"

"Better for her, and for everyone coming into contact with her. Anyone fated to commune with the gods should be carefully taught how to do it and what is happening. To not… is to fear, be feared, and become an outcast."

"I don't believe that."

"Then you're wrong."

The hug between father and daughter dissolves, and Enmon turns to me, and seems to suddenly realize the woman along with me is a forsworn.

"What is she doing here?" He asks.

"She'll be the one to ensure the other forsworn don't trouble us. I won a trial by combat with one of their briarhearts, which convinced them that Dibella sent me."

His eyes bulge out at that second statement. "You defeated a briarheart?"

"I wasn't unharmed. The forsworn patched me up afterwards."

"But still…"

"You and your wife reunite with your daughter, okay? You won't have that much time before she has to go to the temple. I was hoping to take her tomorrow."

"Yes… yes, of course." He turns to his daughter, whose still holding his hand. "Come, lets go find mommy. She'll love to see you again…"

Reputation with Enmon increased by 20 for ensuring his daughter's safety (40).

Reputation with Mena increased by 40 for ensuring her daughter's safety (40).

Reputation with Fjotra increased by 20 for letting her say goodbye to her parents (20).

— A Dragon's Game —

In the end, me and Kaie both get a room in the Inn, and next day, around the time the miners being work again, we leave with Fjotra.

"I promise, honey, we'll visit every month. We'll come to you in Markarth."

"Thanks, daddy." Fjotra replies. "And I promise I'll work hard."

"I know you will. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

The girl hugs her parents one more time, and we leave, her parents heading down into the mine.

I carry the girl around half the time. She gets more comfortable with it, and in the afternoon, she's sleeping against my back. Kaie convinces the forsworn around Kolskeggr mine to just let us pass, and we stop for the night about two hours short of Markarth.

I gently let the sleeping girl down, but she wakes up anyway. We set up camp and sleep well.

Even the next morning, I have to wake the girl. She's at least as happy a sleeper as I am. Kaie is looking at us in mild judgement.

Kaie leaves us just in front of the city gates. Forsworn are still basically in a state of war with the local guards, even if I've not been seeing it yet.

Fjotra climbs on my back again to be able to see more of the city. She points forwards over my head. "Go forth, my noble steed!"

I chuckle as we walk through the gates.

It's still some time as I climb up to the temple of Dibella.

I can feel her twist around as she looks at the city of stone.

And I have to admit that it's beautiful to look at.

We reach the temple doors, and I let Fjotra down.

When I open the doors, I feel her take my hand again. Apparently I'm still more familiar than who is going to be there inside. Luckily for the bit of shyness that seems to have a hold over the girl, there's only one priestess currently present.

"Hello, Senna. This is Fjotra."

She turns around, her dress swishing a bit, and I can see her face brighten. "Ah, good. How was the journey? Not too much trouble, I hope?"

"Well… some things happened. There was this minor issue about the forsworn kidnapping Fjotra here, but nothing that I couldn't resolve in the end."

"The forsworn? Ehm… ok, we'll have time for the full story later. Most importantly: Welcome, Fjotra. We're honored that you made it."

I feel Fjotra square her shoulders, and then deliberately let my hand go as she steps forward. "Thank you. But I have a question: What does it mean to be Dibella's Sybil?"

Senna bends through her knees, so she won't be looking down at Fjotra. It seems… oddly respectful. Not the "emphasize you're smaller and younger than me" kind of kneeling, but the "I shouldn't be above you" kind of kneeling.

"The Divines don't talk to humans often. Over the ages, we've learned a lot about their rules, and for years on end, we know how we should live without daily guidance. But sometimes, they want to make something very clear. In those cases, they ask someone dedicated to them to borrow their body. That person can then lend out their body to the Divine, so that the Divine can speak directly to others."

"That sounds reasonable."

"I've had it happen once to me, to invite another priestess into the priesthood of Dibella. But for someone like me, it's a painful experience. However, when Dibella points us towards her Sybil, like you, that person experiences no pain. From the writing of the previous Sybil, who died two years ago, it should feel a bit odd, but there's no pain like I felt. So it is basically a request from Dibella, asking you to serve her, because you can do so better than people like me."

"Okay, that makes sense. But… that's all?"

"No, that's only the most important bit. Normally, the Sybil also performs normal priestess work, but with Dibella, there is no duty, only the work of our hands that we freely offer to her. She prefers it when her worshippers offer their dedication, instead of asking it from them. But anything else can wait. How about we introduce you to the others here?"

"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Can… Can J'samma come with me?"

Senna casts me a glance. "I think we can make an exception." She looks to me, and I see the steel in her gaze beneath the kindness she had towards Fjotra. "That is, if you can behave better than last time."

I hold up my hands. "I'll be the very essence of good behavior."

"You better." She turns around to lead us towards the back.

Fjotra leans over and whispers. "Why is she so angry with you?"

"Because I messed up a bit earlier. I came in here drunk, damaged a few things, and put my hands on certain parts of certain statues that the priestesses didn't approve of, then I fell asleep in the middle of the temple."

"So they asked you to come get me as an apology?"

"It's called a penance, but that's basically the same thing. Don't worry though — if I'd otherwise heard you were kidnapped, I'd get you regardless."

She nods sagely. "That's good. People should put in work to make it good again after they mess up."

This girl is adorable.

— A Dragon's Game —

"These are Anwen, Hamal, and Orla." Senna introduces. Anwen is the tallest of the women, a redguard with frizzy hair, a pretty smile, and a dress which emphasizes her… voluptuous attributes. Hamal is clearly the oldest, but aged like a fine wine. She's a nord, her hair is silver with age, and she looks like every child's favorite grandmother. Orla seems the youngest. I don't know why, but she seems the kind of girl to call herself your elder sister, while insinuating things that sister's typically shouldn't.

"Hello." Fjotra answers. "Pleased to meet you."

"Trust me, the honor is all ours, Fjotra." Hamal answers. "We're very glad you've agreed to join us here."

Fjotra nods, slightly unsure, but then suddenly stares off into the distance, as if listening to something no others can hear. She mutters, and I can understand only the last bit. "…that's fine."

Suddenly, she straightens. I don't know how, but somehow I know that this person in front of me is far more powerful than I could ever dream of. The priestesses kneel down, and I can't help but follow their example.

"My daughters." Fjotra speaks, but it's not her voice. Instead, it sounds smooth, musical. "You have picked the right person to retrieve Fjotra, and I thank you for your service to me."

The women all respond with their thanks, and state their devotion to her.

Then Dibella turns to me. "J'samma. As you guessed, I'm Dibella. You have perfectly followed the instructions of your penance. You have fought in my name, and allowed me to lead you to victory. I forgive you for the minor transgressions you have committed in my Temple."

"Thank you, Lady Dibella."

"In fact, you've done so well that I would ask you to be an Agent in my name into this world."

Wait, what? "I am honored, my Lady. But before I can accept, I would like to know what that means." I don't want a set of obligations I cannot live up to.

"You're wise, mortal. It pleases me that you think through the consequences. As my Agent, you will promote beauty, love and affection. You will hate what I hate. The desecrations known as rape and pedophilia. In return, I will give you the charm, grace and skill to be a proper representative of me." She smiles. "There is also something… different about you. This will help you grow my gift in power."

Is she talking about… this ability that tells me what I can do and lets me improve myself beyond any reasonable speed? Nevertheless, it sounds like a great deal. She gives me power. I already hate rapists and pedophilia, so there's no cost to pay there.

"I accept, Lady Dibella. Thank you."

"No, thank you, J'samma. It is rare to find one aligned with my own goals as much as you are." Dibella turns around to her priestesses. "Who among you wishes to welcome J'samma into my service?"

The women look at each other, and then Senna stands up. "My lady, it was I he met first, and I assigned him his penance. I would be honored to initiate him."

Dibella cocks her head to the side, silently looking at me, then at Senna. "Approved."

"Thank you, my lady."

"Now come closer. I'm about to return Fjotra her body, and it will be her first time. I don't want her to lose her balance when she regains control."

Senna comes closer and reaches out. Fjotra suddenly stumbles as the feeling of power disappears, but Senna catches her. She grabs the offered arm, and steadies herself.

"Fjotra? How are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, actually. As you said, it was a bit odd, but it felt like a long hug."

"Excellent." Hamal responds. "Now, as it is only noon, I think it will be a good idea if Orla will help you buy some new clothes which are more appropriate for the temple, instead of the rough clothing of a miner's daughter."

The girl's face lights up. "New clothes?!"

"Yeah, I think we'll get along fine." Orla steps closer and holds out her hand for Fjotra to take. "I'll show you all the clothing stores of the city and introduce you to the seamstresses. Once we find one you get along best with, we'll get you some dresses made. How's that sound?"

"Custom fit? Daddy only ever had money to just buy from a peddler…"

"Then your daddy is a responsible, good man. But in the temple, we have more gold."

As Orla leads Fjotra around, I feel the girl will love it here. I can't understand the interest in clothes, but it's great Fjotra can connect with them.

I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn around.

Senna gives me a seductive smile. "So, you know what an initiation into Dibella's service entails?" As I turn around, she puts her arms around my neck in a loose hug.

"I'm getting a strong suspicion, and I like where it's going."

Affection with Dibella increased by 20 for going above and beyond while retrieving her Sybil.

Affection with Orla, Anwen, Senna and Hamal increased by 30 for escorting the Sybil and ensuring her safety.

Affection with Orla, Anwen, Senna and Hamal increased by 20 (50) for being elevated to Agent by Dibella.

Reputation with Fjotra increased to 40 for retrieving her and being kind, even when you had to carry her.

— A Dragon's Game —

"You know, I thought you were angry with me." It's a few minutes later, and Senna brought me to her room in the temple.

Senna shrugs. "A bit, yeah. But you've more than made up for that. And more important than my opinion is Dibella's. You must have really impressed her." She tilts her head a bit to the side, leans in, and whispers. "It's okay to embrace me back, you know."

I put my arms around her, and she leans into me, standing on tiptoes to put her head over my shoulder.

"To welcome you as an Agent of Dibella, it means we'll have sex. One thing that Dibella's grace shows us, is who is willing and who is not." She kisses my neck. "And I'll show you a lot of tricks that will help you."

It's somehow more… comfortable to talk about it like this, rather than looking her in the eye. Her scent is… comforting, yet arousing, and she feels warm yet relaxed against my body. I nuzzle into her neck, and her hand gently rests on the back of my head as she guides me to a more specific spot.

Senna softly moans as I find the right spot. "Very good. I'll show you how good it can be, I'll teach you how to make it good for a woman, and I'll make you comfortable."

I can feel her smile against the fur of my neck.

"One of Dibella's most important teachings, is that to enjoy intimacy, we must first be comfortable. And she shows us when our partners are." Her hands lower down, and she unlatches the buckles that hold my leather outfit on my body with a decisive swiftness. She pulls back from the embrace as she bares my chest, and smiles at me, cute little dimples in her cheeks.

I realize that I have been feeling more comfortable steadily over the past few minutes.

"Would you like to help me feel more comfortable by helping me shed this cumbersome dress?"

I move my hands up from the back of her waist, to her shoulders, and gently pull them aside. Her very light, thin dress slides down very little, hanging onto her slightly above average chest.

"Try to use the backs of your hands, because your fur is really soft there, and it makes it feel more pleasant." She raises her arms and jiggles her breasts slightly, inviting me.

I put my fingers under the dress just above the breasts, fur on her skin as she suggested, and drag the dress down slowly.

She moans softly, and I can feel her suppress a shiver. "Like what you see?"

I have to admit I do. Pale breasts, topped with dark nipples. "Very much so."

Too loose to hang onto anything else, the dress drops to the ground as soon as I release it, and she kneels.

"Let me first show you how good it can be, before I teach you." Her gentle hands unbuckle my belt swiftly, and she pulls my pants down. Her eyes never leave mine as she kneels, and rubs her left cheek against my cock for a moment.

Her cheek is soft and warm. She bows forward, and puts her tongue to the lowest bit of my dick, then licks the underside until the tip. She presses a kiss to it with her very soft lips and then takes me in her mouth.

I groan as I feel the warmth and wetness as her tongue explores everything inside her mouth. One hand cradles my balls as she pushes herself deeper, I put my hands on her head, and her eyes go half-lidded for a moment as she gently presses into them, before impaling herself even deeper.

While looking me straight into the eyes, I feel my tip reach the back of her throat. And she keeps pushing. It feels so tight, but she takes my full length without a wince or even a hint of discomfort. I feel her tongue wrap around my shaft, and she jerks me a few times while her lips are tight in my crotch. Then she pulls back. I feel her exhale through her nose on my wet dick.

She sits up a bit more straight, and grabs my ass with both hands. She moves up and down, in a steady and very pleasurable rhythm.

I know I won't last long like this. She goes to half depth and then squeezes my ass. I push forwards out of reflex, and feel my entire shaft enter her mouth again, invading her throat. I cradle her head with my hand as she nods.

I thrust into her throat, gently at first, but as she gives no sign of discomfort, faster. Instead, she looks me in the eye, giving the moment a feeling of gentleness.

"I won't last long like this…" I moan.

She looks squeezes my ass again. She wants me… to fill her up. I speed up slightly, and it doesn't take long before I cum down her throat. She holds deep, moaning herself, which sends a very pleasant sensation through my cock. She swallows, wringing the last drips of cum out of me and straight into her throat, and then she pulls back and smiles at me.

"Great, huh?"

My legs feel a bit wobbly, and I have to take a step back. "I never knew it could feel this good."

She steps close and hugs me again, bare skin to bare skin. "And you'll be teaching a lot more women exactly how good it can be." She puts a finger under my chin and looks me in the eye from real close. "Want me to teach you how?"

"Very much. Even if it's just to repay the favor."

"Uh uh uh." She wags her finger playfully. "In the honor of Dibella, all is freely given, and nothing expected. There's only one reason to do it — because you want to."

"I want to make you feel better than ever before." I reach out and gently take hold of a breast, softly rubbing.

"Then you're in luck. I'm one of the rare woman who likes breast play, even though most don't mind." She grabs my other hand, putting it on her other breast. "But making the woman you're with feel great — that's what Dibellan worship is all about." She puts a hand on my neck and pulls me towards the bed in the room.

I squeeze gently, and she moans. Two more steps backwards, and she sits down, guiding me down as well, and I kneel before her bed.

"I haven't been with a Khajiit before, so there's something I need to verify." She gives me a saucy smile and pulls my head to her breast. "Lick, but gently."

I lick over her breast, from under the nipple to above it, lifting half of it up a bit.

She moans. "Now down with the underside of your tongue."

I lick from the top downwards, sliding softly. I feel her hard nipple against the underside of my tongue, and she shivers. "As I thought." She looks me in the eye. "The upside of your tongue is a lot rougher than that of literally any other race, including Argonians. For more women, you'll want to only use the downside of your tongue." She leans forward, pressing her breasts into my face. "Unless you're with a woman who likes it rough."

She leans backwards, legs wide. "I'm going to cast one of Dibella's spells on you — Mirror Feeling. It'll let you feel everything I feel, and, of course, the reverse. It'll help you a lot figuring out what the ladies want, as I'm fairly average in my taste."

I feel the magic wash over me as a warm hug, and I'm more… aware. It's not as if I feel it on my own body — but I can feel that her left breast is colder because of the wetness of my saliva. Just ever so slightly.

"I won't just let you in the dark, though. Just use your tongue, and never take your hands off my body." She nods towards her own cross, and I let my hands slide down from her breasts to the sides of her hips. I bend down, and gently stick my tongue into her belly button.

Her hands grab the back of my head, tensing slightly, and then letting me go further down. "Test both sides of your tongue on my belly, if you want."

I lick down with the underside first, leaving a pleasant but wet warmth behind, cooling rapidly. Then I lick up, and I can feel the coarseness of my tongue against her soft skin. Definitely unpleasant.

"See? Now go down there and show me your dedication." She gives me a seductive wink, crawling fingers behind my ears.

I'd normally be embarrassed for softly purring at that, but right now I'm far too relaxed for that now.

I lick down. Senna's body definitely knows where it wants me to go, so I follow its urge. I gently press my tongue into the separation of her lower lips, pushing them aside, and I feel the softness of the underside of my tongue against her very sensitive clit.

It's about as sensitive as the tip of my cock, I think. It felt quite similar to when her tongue was on it.

I'm suddenly very glad that this is the underside of my tongue. It'd be straight up painful to have that coarseness here. As I caress her with my tongue, I can feel the warmth from it emanating into her body, and I can feel why this makes her moan the way I hear her. I lick down from it a bit.

There's another thing about the tongue of a Khajiit — it's longer than that of the other races. I push inside her a bit. While it feels good to her, it's nowhere near as sensitive as I'd have thought — much less than my shaft. So I return to the sensitive, good feeling bits, drawing a slow circle around it.

Her hands tighten in my fur as I rub her with the underside of my tongue. I move one of my hands around her legs. Very careful, to ensure I don't have a nail extended, I enter her vagina with one finger.

The combination feels great to her, so I start slowly pumping her as I keep licking her clit.

She presses her cunt tighter into my face. My free hand caresses her hip up and down, then diving down to give her ass a playful squeeze.

Her clits seems to try to hide for my tongue as she gets closer to her own orgasm, but before long I can feel a spasm shoot through her body as she comes. I take my finger outside of her and lick it off.

"Very good." She bends forwards and reaches down. I'm still flaccid from our earlier activities, but I sense a bit of magic. A warmth shoots through my cock, into my body, and spreads even back out to my balls. I'm suddenly fully ready and horny again.

She smiles. "It'll feel a lot better for you like this. While many women can go for hours, without Dibella's magic men need to recharge. Now lie back and let me take care of you."

As any good student, I obey, and she climbs on top of me, her knees on either side.

"Dibella protects us against any disease that could otherwise transmit this way." She takes my hard cock in her hands, and guides it inside herself as she sits down onto me, with a slight smile of comfort. I feel her tight around me in every direction — a perfect fit. "Our lady also lets us control our own fertility, so there's no need to be careful. I've remove the shared feeling spell for now, because I just want you to enjoy this."

I groan, pushing upwards slightly. "It's working."

She grins at me. "I know. I can feel it right here inside me. I've also used a spell that enhances pleasure on my vagina, so right now it's about as sensitive as your shaft." She puts her hands on my chest, and starts moving up and down, which does very interesting things to her breasts. She catches my look. "Remember what I said I liked?"

I reach out, carefully cupping her breasts in my hands. They definitely fill them up, but it doesn't feel like overflowing. I give a playful squeeze, and start rubbing, testing what she could like.

Senna moans, leaning into my hands as she speeds up our coupling. I push into her every time she comes down. Then I come, squeezing her breast a bit harder as she gives a loud moan and collapses on top of me.

I feel her vagina spasm around my cock, as if milking every last drop out of it. She lets herself drop forward, and before I know what's happening, my arms are around her, as I cuddle her tight into my chest. A few seconds later, I move her a bit to pull out, but I hold on to her. She forces her arms under me, hugging me back.

"And this, is the reward for the worship of Dibella."

"I can get used to this."

"That's the point." She lifts her head to kiss me on the cheek, then snuggles back into my chest.

Life, is fucking amazing.

New skill granted by a divine being, through the efforts of her mortal representative: Eromancy (level 10)

And there is that too, I guess. Let's have a look…


Eromancy
Eromancy is the art of using magic to enhance lovemaking.

Attributes per level
- Stamina: 5
- Stamina Regeneration: 0.5
- Charisma: 1

Perks granted by Eromancy:
- Level 0: Shield of Dibella: You are immune to all sexually transmittable diseases.
- Level 0: Agent of Dibella: You have an irrational hatred towards rape and pedophilia, which are considered blasphemy by Dibella. You will never feel sexual desire that would result in either if indulged.
- Level 5: Climax Lock: You can indefinitely delay your own climax at will.
- Level 20: What do women want?: You have a sixth sense that tells you what nearby females really want, and lets you anticipate how they react on certain actions you take.
- Level 30: Cycle Control: If you are female, grants full control over your reproductive cycle.
- Level 30: Stud Stamina: If you are a male and your stamina is full when you climax, expend all stamina to immediately recharge.
- Level 40: Dibella's Freedom: Women you are not married to never become jealous over you or your actions.
- Level 50: Perfect Fit: The genitals of you and your sexual partner are always a perfect fit, vagina's feeling as tight and dicks as large as possible without any discomfort.
- Level 100: Harem: Women with affection over 70 never become jealous over you or your actions.

Abilities granted by Eromancy:

Level 0: Set Fertility
You can choose to set your fertility anywhere from 0 to 100 + [Charisma * 1.0]%, at any moment.

Level 10: Enhance Pleasure
For 15 seconds, any skin that touches yours feels pleasure 50 + [Charisma * 1.0] % stronger, and no longer feels minor discomfort.

Level 60: Climax Link
Links you and your sexual partner, evenly dividing pleasurable feelings, and guarantees a simultaneous climax.

Level 70: Mirror Feeling
For spending the cost every 10 + [Charisma * 0.2] seconds, you and your sexual partner experience each other's tactile sensations. Caster may limit this to one-way.


That looks… very useful. I recognize a few things Senna used.

I look down at the breton snuggled against me.

And I'll think about it some other time. Right now I feel far to good to worry about anything.

I hug the woman close.