Kuroinu Dawnbreaker - A light shining in darkness: chapter 6 – A healer's work is never done
Mara, 'Mother Goddess' of compassion, love, fertility, agriculture and presumably the wife of the chief deity Akatosh is a Divine that is universally accepted within all religious groups around Tamriel as Mara's embracing light makes no distinction between the many races on Nirn. And her priests and followers often teach others that love itself can be found within all mortal races, no matter who or what you are, if you have love within yourself then you're always linked to the 'Divine Mother', who in turn will watch over you.
His late father 'Clementius Arcadius' who previously served as an Imperial officer before his birth introduced a young Thorson to 'Her Benevolence' and told him about Mara's caring nature towards all people of Tamriel. The Imperial father would then for his son's tenth birthday gift the young Nord-Imperial boy a golden cross-shaped necklace with a female face in the middle that symbolized the 'Mother Goddess'. Together with this amulet, the Imperial father also gave the young boy the most important advice he would ever receive for years to come, "No matter what happens to us or to someone you care about, keep Mara in your heart and she will always support you in your darkest times."
As the young boy aged, he would experience many difficult challenges in his young life, but he always kept Mara's amulet around his neck while also carrying his late mother's flute with him were ever he went, this way he always had his parents near him. For Mara asks the people of Tamriel to live soberly, preserve the peace within your family and home and lastly, to honor your parents.
In Skyrim, a younger Thorson would be tasked by several priests of Mara in the city Riften to seek out people who needed guidance in finding their true love. He would first aid a young couple in the town of Ivarstaed in finding their future together, then two older adults in Markarth who needed someone to help them finding each other and lastly, the lost spirits of a married couple who were separated by death and needed help to reunite both in the afterlife. By completing these tasks, the priests told Thorson that Mara will look favorably on him for helping them spreading her influence, but Thorson knew that such a thing was unnecessary for the 'Divine Mother' was always with him.
However, the young healer would soon question his beliefs when he was confronted by young women who were recently kidnapped and raped by marauding groups or deserting soldiers from either side of Skyrim's civil war. Unfortunately, some of these female victims already have been in the first stages of pregnancy after they were rescued by the Dragonborn. This left the young man with a dilemma when they begged him to do something to stop it, for the followers and priests of Mara believed that all life is sacred and that the union between two loved ones would create new life, but what happened to these women was no act of love at all…
Fortunately, he had a several companions with him at that time and one of them was a priest of Mara, a Dark Elf priest named Erandur.
After deliberating with the Dunmer priest and his other companions, the healer ultimately chose to help these unfortunate women by stopping their pregnancy from developing any further with the help of his Restoration and Alteration magic, for the young Dragonborn believed that these women deserved to find their true love in the future, a future where their children would grow up surrounded by loved ones.
Thorson however feared that he would lose Mara favor after that procedure, but his fears were ultimately misplaced as the Divine never left him, especially during that day when Thorson was unwillingly under the influence of Sanguine, the Daedric prince of Debauchery. For the 'Divine mother' prevented her 'child' on time from doing something regrettable towards an innocent young woman in Markarth's Temple of Dibella…
At the 'Dark Fortress' in the north of Eostia, the Black Dog mage Kin walked back to his quarters after finishing treating his boss who previously suffered grievous burns at his neck and a stab wound at his side.
The young mage had to listen to his boss increasingly louder and deliriously ranting as Vult shouted and cursed the individual who wounded his pride and body, "That man…" Vult quietly said as the mage began treating him before the mercenaries leader tone shifted violently from the agonizing pain coming from his neck, "Aargh! It's all his fault! That bastard!"
During all his time with the Black Dogs, the mage has never seen Vult so enraged before, not even when Maia left their group to join Celestine's 'Shield Alliance' several years ago.
Vult's own men and his demonic forces in the throne room watched as their seemingly 'invincible' leader became increasingly unhinged as he continued ranting violently. During his treatment, the mage repeatedly asked his boss on the fate of Hicks as it appeared that Vult left the rogue behind after using that teleportation scroll, but the mage never got a proper answer as Vult seemingly ignored him during his violent trashing.
"That man is dead! You hear me all! DEAD!" Kin recalled Vult shouting as the Black Dog's leader trashed violently on his throne, "I'll make him pay for what he did to me! For stealing my women! I'll make them ALL pay!" Vult repeatedly screamed, this only caused the mage treating him to grow increasingly frustrated as Kin needed to repeatedly close off Vult's wounds after they kept reopening.
"I don't care if that hero can shout his magic or that he has some dragons! He's still one man and we are many!" were Vult's last words before he fainted after trashing and ranting for almost an entire hour.
While his leader's unconscious state made it easier for the mage to treat and finally fully bandage his wounds, Kin unfortunately could not fully heal the horrifying burns on Vult's neck. Whatever magic his boss's assailant used, it's agonizing effects did not cease even after the young mage's attempted to dispel its effects.
In the end, Kin hoped that by bandaging his neck, it would at least keep his bosses burns in check and lessen Vult discomfort while he looked for an alternative solution.
The once 'invincible' Vult unfortunately would have to live with an almost constant pain from the branding on his neck and be forced to change his bandages on a frequent basis, a constant reminder of his own humiliating defeat at the hands of this mysterious attacker…
Celestine Lucross, former elven queen of Eostia only thoughts at this moment were those of misery after finding out that her own body had been responsible for her eventual enslavement by Vult. Now Celestine felt trapped in her own body as she felt dirty and tainted by what Vult and his men did to her all this time while her mind was still haunted by the memories of those last days…
But the fallen queen now had someone to hold on too as Celestine rapidly felt the world turning against her, an exceptional man from Tamriel named Thorson Brightsong who rescued her today from a life as a sex slave. But not only did Celestine had the legendary Dragonborn close to her but the elf now knew that she had the support of her Aedric ancestor gods who she had forsaken for many centuries ago.
After minutes being close to the legendary dragon slayer, the High Elf finally calmed down, "Thorson, I-I don't know what do anymore…" Celestine admitted to the man she was holding on to, "I want to help my people… B-But I-I can't do this alone…" a now scared Celestine admitted to the Dragonborn.
The man's response was immediate, "I will help you, Celestine…" Thorson quietly said as he loosened his tight embrace on her, "But you also need to think of yourself too." the healer within him advised the High Elf, "I know you want to help your own people but I'm more worried about your mental wellbeing."
Celestine in turn removed herself from the man chest to look straight at Thorson's eyes, "Trust me… let me help handle this, I promise to save your people from those animals, I swear upon this…"
Thorson suddenly felt Celestine arms tightening again around his waist after hearing the man's confident words, "I trust you, Thorson…" the elf whispered after placing her head on his chest, "Help them all, please…" Celestine pleaded before closing her eyes like she was listening to the Dragonborn's heart, for Celestine could find some measure of peace with the man she was holding onto tightly.
"I will, Celestine." Thorson reassured Celestine after hearing her plea, "And your people won't fight alone, Tamriel's people will assist your people. I'll make sure of that." Thorson stated confidently, "But, you need to recover first, your health is also important to me now." he finished in a soft tone.
Celestine blushed faintly as she felt a familiar warm feeling's after hearing Thorson's concern over her but before the elf could respond to Thorson's kind words; she began to cough.
"Hmmm" Thorson hummed after hearing Celestine's dry cough, "These past moments were hard for you… and for your throat," he observed, "you want to drink something? I have some water or perhaps you want a bottle of fresh apple juice from Cyrodiil's finest fruit orchards?"
The now thirsty elf quickly nodded after hearing his offer, "Y-yes please, I could go for some apple juice…" she quietly responded before realizing something unusual, "But, where do you keep them? I'm not sure you can fit them in those satchels of yours." Celestine wondered out loud.
Thorson laughed slightly at her curiosity, "No, I don't have much room for a couple of bottles… but you should know I have other ways to store my items…" The man replied while gently releasing himself from the elf's embrace, "I'll just call my 'butler' to bring me one from storage…" he informed Celestine as his right hand started to glow purple.
"Ah…" Celestine uttered in understanding after remembering her first encounter with the Dremora butler, the one who earlier brought her the robes she was wearing right now. However, Celestine was then now curious how the man managed to acquire the services from such an immortal being that generally despised mortals.
After the Dragonborn casted his spell, a familiar Dremora stepped out the purple portal in front of the pair, "Ah, master… You have need for my services again?" the butler greeted his human master.
"Yes, bring me a bottle of that apple juice I brought from Cryodiil" Thorson asked his butler, "And bring me a Magicka tonic with it…"
The Dremora looked at both individuals before bowing in response to his masters request, "Certainly sir, shall I also bring two mugs for my lord and his lady?"
"H-His lady?!" Celestine's face turned bright red after hearing the Dremora butler, Thorson fortunately corrected his butlers query, "No-no, just one is enough. It's for her alone." he hastily corrected his Dremora servant.
"Very good sir, give me a couple of minutes." The Dremora acknowledged with another bow before stepping through the purple portal to gather the requested items.
Celestine turned towards Thorson, "How did you manage to obtain the services of such a Dremora?" she asked him with a hint of curiosity.
The Dragonborn chuckled at Celestine's curiosity, "Now that is a long story, but I can tell you more about that later too. I promise." Thorson replied with a smile.
"Y-You better keep that promise," Celestine replied, almost sounding like she jokingly threatened the Dragonborn, "I've been wondering what happened on Tamriel…" she wondered out loud before ending it on a sour note, "All these years, I feared we were the only ones left after Molag Bal's invasion on Tamriel many centuries ago…"
"It's good to hear that she still curious about the world around her, even after what she had to endure these past hours and during her enslavement…" Thorson mentally noted after hearing the elf, "I may have to emphasize on her curious nature to help her recover…"
As hundreds of knights spread around Ken, some followed their familial instincts and quickly sought out their families while other's attempted to restore order to the now restless population by passing on what they witnessed and who was responsible for what happened on this eventful day.
Other smaller groups of able-bodied citizens simultaneously looked for more of the Black Dog victims inside churches, parks, and other public areas. Those who were 'relatively unharmed' were escorted back to their families or their closest relatives while those who were from outside Ken were gathered together in whatever places they could find that could offer these unfortunate victims shelter.
On that same night, many families of Ken who once only knew despair now felt joy after reuniting with their lost children or relatives as several knight's embraced their family on the streets while other households were relieved at seeing their daughters and sisters back home after their kidnapping by the Black Dogs after Ken's surrender.
However, there was also a sense of urgency among the population as several knights ran towards Ken's main temple, in their arms they carried female victims that needed immediate medical help…
While they waited for the Dremora butler, Celestine looked towards the gathered crowd at Ken's main plaza below her, "I'm not worthy to be their ruler, not after all of that…" Celestine admitted to the Dragonborn, ending with a heavy sigh, "Even if my… "other self' did all of those things on that day, I still made too many regrettable choices these past centuries, towards my subjects and towards my own people…" the elf confessed while touching the amulet of Stendarr around her neck.
The Dragonborn followed Celestine and looked towards the crowd that consisted of both Mer and Man who were watching them with interest, "You don't want to face them now, right?" the tall man asked Celestine who in turn closed her eyes, seemingly in deep thought.
"I see…" Thorson understood after seeing this, "You're thinking to distance yourself from them?" Thorson asked Celestine, "But these people will need someone to follow, you know them better than anyone…"
"No… I do not…" the former queen opened her eyes, "I became too comfortable these last centuries…" Celestine confessed, "Too trusting to those around me, thinking all would work out fine with the Black Dogs working for us during that accursed war…" the former queen admitted to the Dragonborn.
Celestine then looked at all of her subjects below her, "And during those dark times, my subjects continued to worship me… T-They counted on me to end that accursed war as quickly as possible…" the High Elf continued before ending abruptly after realizing what she just said, "By my ancestors! I-I can explain… T-they…" the blonde elf nervously sputtered out after realizing she was in presence of an individual who was blessed by the same divine beings she forsaken several centuries ago.
"Don't, not now…" the man firmly interrupted her, "To be honest, I was surprised at first why these people considered you to be a 'divine' being but that is a discussion for a better time." Thorson said before his tone then softened, "But your subjects did say you were a benevolent and kind ruler and that many of them loved you."
"Until now…" Celestine quietly stated the obvious after hearing that.
"Until now, yes…" Thorson replied in return, both starting at each other again, "If you wish to renounce your position then I understand." the Dragonborn said to the former queen, "And we can worry about your role after dealing with the Black Dogs and after stabilizing your nation."
The former queen closed her eyes again and nodded, "They now need a real leader, "Celestine stated before her tone became one filled with regret, "not some former slave queen who abandoned them…" she said before locking eyes with her savior, "Help our people Dragonborn, please…"
A single nod came from the dragon slayer, "I will, Celestine. I promise…" Thorson promised her, "But if it makes you feel any better, I believe you never willingly wanted to abandon them in the first place…" Thorson reassured the former queen, "From that moment I first saw you in that vision, I heard your true self calling out for help, one who wanted to save her people and that was all I needed to hear."
The man's genuine and comforting words surprised Celestine, "Oh, 'Son of Auriel'…" she whispered, her eyes on the verge of crying again. After a moment, the blonde could not help but to touch the man's cheek with her right hand, "T-Thank you, Thorson. For this and… for believing in me..." a now relieved Celestine said.
Thorson momentarily blinked his eyes after feeling Celestine touch, "It's nothing, glad to be here for you." he said sincerely, "Remember, you will make it through." Thorson reassured her before giving her a confident smile, "You all will…"
Celestine closed her eyes and just smiled after hearing this, "Oh, Thorson…" she said longingly before looking straight at the man's eyes.
The tension between both Mer and Man reached new heights on that night as they kept their eye contact, and no words were spoken...
Just then, his otherworldly butler appeared from a purple portal surprising both Mer and Man as they both broke eye contact to look at the Dremora.
The Dremora in question was holding a green bottle in his right hand while in his left a blue vial and an iron mug, "Here are the items you requested sir…" he addressed his master who looked surprised.
The Dragonborn slowly turned away from Celestine to face the Dremora, "T-Thank you" A mildly surprised Thorson thanked his butler after being handed the requested items.
"If that is all then ill return to my little pocket in Oblivion..." the Dremora informed, waiting for his masters approval.
"Eh… yes, you may go now." Thorson informed his butler who in turn walked through the portal towards his own space in Oblivion.
After the Dremora's portal disappeared, the Dragonborn carefully opened the bottle of juice and took a quick whiff, "Ahhh, I can almost smell Cyrodiil from this…" Thorson reminisced out loud before filling a mug with its contents, "Here, this should help hydrate you a bit…"
"Thank you." Celestine thanked the man as she accepted the mug he offered her.
Both fell again in a comfortable silence as they began drinking together, frequently exchanging glances as they took sips from their respective drinks before they were interrupted by the voice of Aurelian from within the temple.
Meanwhile the crowd below silently watched as both Mer and Man shared a moment together. This scene caused some disappointment among some of Ken's population and some of the former High Elf slaves as their liberator did not punish the 'whore queen' like they hoped for.
"Why are they doing now?" a frustrated human man asked out loud, "Did that bitch managed to seduce him or what?"
"No, I don't think so, "an elderly woman in the group shared her opinion, "Did you also heard her screams just minutes ago? I've never seen Celestine act like that before."
"It doesn't matter how she acted; no one should forgive that whore's past crimes!" the man argued back, "I tell you; she must have charmed him with magic or something…"
"What about that light?" another male voice voiced his opinion, "Maybe this Stendarr figure that man spoke off is responsible for this?"
As Ken's population began to argue between themselves, the elves who were grouped up together next to the humans could only wonder what that sudden bright light from before could mean.
After the man mentioned the name 'Stendarr', some of them assumed that these forgotten gods were responsible for what transpired just moments ago when that light came from the elven 'traitor queen'.
On the top of the temple's stairs, the Dragonborn's past experiences were needed once again as Aurelian and another colleague called out for him, "Dragonborn, sir! we need help!" Aurelian hastily addressed the tall man.
Thorson and Celestine turned around and saw 2 men carrying two warped up women in their arms. The healer from Tamriel immediately walked towards both knights, sensing that his healing skills were needed once again.
"Set those two down, please…" Thorson instructed both knights, "Tell me what happened to these women…" the healer asked as he kneeled next to one of the women, a brunette who does not seem to react to any external stimuli.
Aurelian gestured towards the woman in front of the Dragonborn, "She is the one that needed immediate attention," the 'Knight Sergeant' informed the Dragonborn, "As for the other one, my colleague Anton carried Rona to the surface. They both were close once…before the Black Dogs took over…" the man informed the Dragonborn as he looked towards a blonde knight who stood by the unconscious form of a black-haired girl, "Luther then volunteered to stay behind with the rest of them while both of us carried these two to the surface."
The Dragonborn nodded before starting his diagnosis of the brunette, "She looks pale…" Thorson said out loud after noticing her skin color, "A slight fever though…" he continued after placing his hand on the woman's forehead.
Aurelian in turn kneeled on the opposite side of the brunette, "Caroline… one of our garrison captains…" the knight informed the healer, "We found her in one of the prisons with a dozen more of our female colleagues, they all were recently raped by Vult's men..."
Thorson sighed before further checking the brunette in front of him, "Well, she is still unconscious…" the healer diagnosed out loud as his hand began to glow, "Wait.. she's getting weaker, what happened to her?" Thorson exclaimed after sensing the woman's decreasing life force.
The Eostian knight did not answer the healer's question as he carefully un-wrapped the blanket that covered the unconscious woman, "By Lady Mara! W-what is this?!" a now appalled Dragonborn shouted after seeing the woman's true condition.
Tamrielan healer saw a naked woman with numerous bruises and gashes all around her body, some were still bleeding. However, the worst part was between her thighs as blood splotches mixed with semen stained her groin while a small stream of blood continued pouring out of her vulva.
Thorson was now on edge after seeing the woman's condition, "By the Divines… who or what did this?" Thorson asked the knight after recovering from the initial shock.
Before Aurelian could reply, the healer immediately placed his left hand on the poor girl's lower abdomen, attempting to sense through her skin what is causing her internal bleeding.
"She must have been raped by those demonic brutes; those monsters rarely care about the condition of their victims they rape…" a seemingly worried Aurelian answered the Dragonborn's question.
The healer then looked at the knight as if asking him for further clarification, "During the previous war, we often encounter female victims who suffered similar fates like her when Olga's horde raided our villages and kidnapped the womenfolk." Aurelian informed the healer, "Their chances for survival were unfortunately low without an experienced healer nearby to help those poor girls on time…"
The healer closed his eyes in disbelief, "By Stendarr's mercy… And Vult chose to align themselves with those things?! How long did these people had to suffer at the hands of those monsters?" Thorson asked himself in astonishment, "They will all pay for this, The Black Dogs and all those who stand with them. I swear upon it!"
Another thought then crossed Thorson's mind, "And those responsible for this girl's condition must have been that same group that interrupted me before I could finish off Vult." Thorson remembered his encounter in the dungeons where he turned a group of them into cinders with his Thu'um, "Good riddance… And I hope Vult at least 'enjoys' the branding Dawnbreaker gave him."
Thorson's current thoughts then dwelled on the nature of those creatures that worked with Vult, "Some here called them demons while other sometimes call them orcs…" the Dragonborn recalled, "Whatever they are, they don't seem like the typical Daedra I know off…"
Knowing that he had little time to spare, Thorson opened his eyes, "I see…" the man simply responded before further diagnosing the woman, "She has suffered several internal injuries that I can only describe as tearing of flesh… like her uterus had been forcefully stretched past its limit's…", the healer diagnosed without much emotions behind his words, "I don't even want to know what they did to her to cause such injuries and… to think of the pain she had to endure…" Thorson finished with a audible sigh.
The healer knew he could not waste any more time now, "Alright… first I need to stem the bleeding and then tend to her internal injuries." the Dragonborn healer announced to all present around him.
Celestine who overheard the Tamrielan man took her place next to him, "Are you sure you can heal her with your magic?" the former queen asked Thorson, the elf's tone showed her pity towards the woman in front of the Dragonborn, "What will you do?"
While the former queen had some experience with the healing arts, Celestine felt she was not skilled enough for such horrendous internal injuries. The elf also felt drained of her magical power due to her enslavement, but Celestine could not help but to be curious in how proficient the Dragonborn would be in the healing arts compared to her own.
"Can I heal her? Of course…" Thorson told himself while stroking his goatee, "But I fear this woman won't be the first I'll have to help with such grievous wounds…"
The Dragonborn then felt more and more weight on his soul ever since that vision in Solitude on this very day, "I hope I'll have the strength to see this through…" the healer said to himself.
After a moment, the healer placed both his hands on the woman's lower abdomen, "Fortunately, yes. I can help her, Celestine. But now is not the right time to explain this." Thorson informed the elf next to him.
Thorson offered one quick prayer before beginning his treatment, "Assist me Mara, guide me in helping this poor soul." he called out to the 'Divine Mother', "And please, watch over all others like her during these dark times…"
"I'll begin tending to her wounds right now." Thorson said as he closed his eyes and began casting his Restoration magic on the injured woman in an attempt to stabilize her condition as quickly as possible.
As golden wisps began to surround the unconscious woman from the Dragonborn's Restoration magic, no one around the healer seemed to notice a faint glow emanating from the man's chest as the amulet that hung around Thorson's neck began to shine faintly, Like Mara herself was present next to the healer, observing what her 'agent' was doing at this very moment…
Meanwhile, Alicia Arcturus still kept her guard in front of the temple's stairs while her mind kept wandering off towards Celestine and what she just heard from her cries moments ago, "Sounds like Celestine was not even aware what she had done on that day."
On the other hand, the former princess felt some measure of relief after Celestine calmed down. However, Alicia's image of her 'goddess' had changed dramatically these past days after all she had witnessed.
All these years from her birth, Alicia always believed in Celestine divinity and to see her fall towards depravity and now crying and screaming her innocence, it's like Celestine was just mortal like her…
Alicia lost all faith in her a week ago when Celestine began to succumb to her captors in one of Feoh's bathhouses. It became so desperate for the princess that Alicia was willing to believe the promises of Vult's right-hand man Hicks as he raped her, all to save her niece Prim from a life of slavery…
All the desperate princess had to do was to assist the Black Dogs in capturing her niece's city by giving up its secrets. However, the naïve princess was eventually betrayed after the fortress city fell as both Alicia and Prim were eventually forced to become sex slaves to their new Black Dog masters.
"How could I have fallen for such an obvious trick…" Alicia scolded herself, remembering how she was forced to succumb to pleasure on that accursed day, "My own damned body betrayed me…"
Alicia knew that her naive and foolish decision will continue to haunt her and her dreams for many days to come but at least she had another individual to look up too, an exceptional man that rescued her and brought her much needed hope again in order to reunite with her niece after all she had to endure. And for some reason, Alicia could not shake off this warm feeling from her chest, for Thorson showed her real power behind the words he spoke, both literally and figuratively.
After recalling those past memories, the former princess of Feoh stared at the shining blade in her hands, "I hope Thorson can understand and… forgive me for what I've done…" Alicia told herself.
The young woman however could not decide at this point who to hate the most, the Black Dogs, Beastly or herself…
Celestine and both former 'Holy Knights' watched with some mild amazement as the healer treated the unconscious woman, they first saw the lacerations and bruises on Caroline's body quickly fading away, leaving no scar tissue behind. Then they noticed the man expression tensing as he concentrated on healing her internal injuries.
For several minutes, the man continued his treatment until he raised is right hand as it began to glow orange, the healer then moved his hand like he was redirecting something out of the woman's body.
Celestine almost gagged when she witnessed a mix of semen and blood pouring out the woman's groin, staining the blanket under her. After a minute, it looked like that Thorson managed to stop the bleeding from her vulva, "Unbelievable, h-he really did it…" Aurelian said in astonishment after witnessing the healer's work in front of him.
"Incredible…" Celestine uttered, "Such proficiency…" she said in amazement after witnessing the healer's work, "It seems Restoration magic has advanced quite a bit on Tamriel." the elf noted.
"It's done, she's out of the woods…" Celestine heard as Thorson withdrew his hands from the woman's abdomen, "When Caroline wakes up, she may need a specialized tonic in case she may have contracted some disease but I'm confident that she will make a full physical recovery."
"It seems my alchemical skills are needed too in the near future…" The healer noted to himself before placing his right hand on the woman's forehead, "Her fever is also slowly dissipating." the healer diagnosed with a hint of relief in his voice, "She just needs some sleep, that whole experience was too much for both her body and mind…"
Aurelian however still looked tense as he looked at Caroline's sleeping form, and the Dragonborn in turn noticed this as he withdrew his hand from the woman's forehead, "Something wrong?" he asked the Eostian knight.
The 'Knight Sergeant' looked unsure what to say next, "Is she… you know…" Aurelian asked the healer, the Dragonborn however looked confused at the knight's incomplete question, "Is she what?" Thorson asked the knight for clarification.
Both men remained silent, until Thorson noticed Aurelian quickly glancing at Caroline's belly, "Oh… that…" Thorson said after realizing what Aurelian tried to ask him, "No… she's not pregnant." the healer answered, "Whatever caused those terrible injuries made it almost impossible for the ovum to make a successful implantation…"
The knight felt relieved while Celestine body tensed up after hearing the healer's explanation. Thorson instinctively felt like something unusual from the elf next to him, he then saw Celestine's balled up hands shaking, "What's wrong Celestine? Something troubling you?" the healer asked her, his voice once again filled with concern for the blonde elf.
Hearing his concerns, Celestine looked straight at Thorson, "A-And me?" the elf nervously asked the healer, hoping that she at least would have been spared that predicament.
Thorson closed his eyes and shook his head after hearing Celestine question, this earned a sigh from the elf, "Thank goodness…" Celestine said in relief, her mind wondering if her elven cycle or some divine intervention helped her preventing it.
"When I healed you in that prison, I sensed that both you and Alicia were spared from that indignity but I would still recommend that you both take some form of contraception for a few days." The Dragonborn healer advised the former queen, "Just in case until what's left in your womb is gone…"
"A-Alright, Good to hear..." Celestine simply responded after hearing the healer's advice.
Celestine however looked like she wanted to ask Thorson something else but decided to drop it for the moment, "I can ask him that later, my people need his help more at this moment..."
"Can't you wake her up?" the former queen then asked Thorson while Aurelian re-wrapped the sleeping woman in a blanket.
"No… let her sleep for now," Thorson advised, "Does she have family in the city she can go to?" he asked both Celestine and Aurelian.
Aurelian shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not, her family lives in a remote village at the outskirts of Feoh." he replied, "But, she normally stays with the rest her unit in her barracks, however it's located on the other side of the city."
"You can let her rest in one of the temple's guests rooms for now, 'Knight Sergeant'," Celestine joined in, "Same for those you found in that prison."
"Yes, your Grace!" Aurelian acknowledged his superior with a salute before looking at the Dragonborn, "Stay with her, please." he humbly asks the healer, "I'll quickly round up some help for the other's in that prison…"
Thorson briefly looked at Celestine before giving the knight a nod, "Go, we will watch over her." he reassured the knight.
The Eostian knight let out a sigh of relief and gave one last salute before running down the temple's stairs, looking for whatever help he could find within the city.
Alicia heard footsteps behind her as she saw Aurelian descending from the temple, "Lady Alicia," the knight saluted his superior, "We found Caroline and her unit in the temple's dungeon's, but they all need to be brought to the surface."
The former princess felt some relief after hearing that news, "That's good to hear Aurelian but how are things up there?" she asked him while looking towards the top of the temple's stairs.
"We brought Caroline and Rona to the surface," Aurelian informed Alicia, "and the Dragonborn managed to save Caroline's life."
"What about Celestine, how is she?"
"Oh, she's fine, I think…" Aurelian replied, "I don't know though why they were both up there in the first place." Aurelian said honestly, "But it was fortunate that they were, else Caroline may not have made it..."
Just then, a group of knights approached the temple from the streets around it, each carrying a victim of Vult's forces, "Get those people lined up next to the temple's stairs!" Aurelian ordered the approaching knight's, "And make sure there is at least a meter distance between them!"
Aurelian watched as his men followed his instructions before turning his attention towards Alicia, "Celestine told me to relocate those we found in the dungeons; like Anna and Yvette to the temple's guest chambers." He informed Alicia, "But first I need to find some help to help me bring them carry them back to the surface."
An audible gasp could be heard from within the crowd, "Y-You also found A-Anna?!" a female voice called out.
Aurelian turned towards an elderly woman, "Yes, Miss Mercurius! And we also found several others, but they need our help!" the knight informed the crowd in front of him.
While Aurelian descended the temple's stairs to look for help within the city, the healer from Tamriel turned towards the High Elf next to him, "Please, stay with her, Celestine." Thorson asked her, "I'll check on the other girl."
After the elf gave a nod towards the healer, he walked towards a younger knight who stood by another incapacitated girl, "Your name is Anton, right? What is her condition?" Thorson asked the blonde knight as he kneeled next to the black-haired girl.
"Y-yes sir…" the younger knight replied, "Rona is her name… we served together in the same unit…" he informed the Dragonborn before looking at girl in front of him, "She fell asleep in my arms after we found her in that prison... I think she may just be exhausted." Anton quietly informed the healer, not willing to wake her up.
"Sounds like these two may have been very close before they were forcibly separated…" Thorson noted after observing the knight's current demeanor.
"Stay with her Anton, Rona will need your support in the near future after what she had to endure." the healer advised him before hovering one of his hands over the girl's forehead, "May I quickly check her?" Thorson asked the blonde knight.
After the knight gave his permission, the healer began to check on Rona's condition, "Well… she's indeed exhausted and it seems she fortunately did not suffer the same injuries as Caroline." Thorson diagnosed out loud.
"Can you help her? You know, like you did for us?" Anton asked the Dragonborn, remembering experiencing the healer's magic that re-energized many of his fellow knights after he freed him from imprisonment.
Thorson hummed in response as his hand started to glow golden, revitalizing the black-haired girl.
After just a few seconds, the young woman began to open her eyes, "W-wha…" Rona faintly muttered before looking to her right, "A-Anton! Y-you are alive!? So, it was not a hallucination?" she yelped after seeing a familiar face next to her, "W-what happened, Why am I wrapped up? I-I don't…"
"Easy Ron…" the knight gently interrupted the young woman, attempting to calm her down, "Y-You are safe now, those Black Dog bastards won't hurt you anymore."
The girl remained silent as she tried to recall what she remembered, "By her Grace…" she then stammered nervously, "T-they… no… P-Please, tell me those past days were just some terrible nightmare…" Rona asked her partner as her eyes started to fill up with tears, not willing to believe that those last days of constant sexual abuse were real.
The young knight looked at the Thorson after hearing Rona's question and the healer simply gave one single nod towards the young man.
Anton sighed and answered Rona's question in the softest tone he could muster, "I-I'm sorry Ron… It's all real…."
"I fear that I'll see this scene many times when I'm here for the coming days…" Thorson somberly thought after seeing the girl cry, "There is one more issue to deal with before they can be together again…"
The Dragonborn healer first began to cast a calming spell on the crying woman in order to calm her down, "Here, this should help you after that shock." the healer informed the young woman.
After a few seconds, Rona began to calm down, "W-Who are you?" the woman asked the healer next to her, "What did you just do?"
"I'm a friend who cleared this city from those Black Dog animals." the healer reassured the young woman, "And that was just a spell to calm you down, it should be enough until you can get some proper rest."
Rona then looked at her partner, "I-Is this true?" she asked Anton for confirmation, "Is Ken free from those m-men?"
Anton nodded several times, "Yes, it's true Ron. This man liberated Ken and also managed to save Celestine and Alicia from her imprisonment."
"H-Her Grace is free?!" Rona exclaimed before frantically looking around, "W-Where is she? Is she safe?"
The healer who heard this moved out of the way, giving the woman a clear view who was next to her, "B-but how?!" a surprised Rona asked after seeing Celestine smiling towards at her.
"Some of your fellow colleagues like Caroline are also safe, but your partner can tell you more when you are resting." Thorson informed Rona before his face turned serious, "However, there is another thing I should mention to both of you before you can go back home…"
Both knights were now focused on the healer after hearing his serious tone, "When I diagnosed you, I also sense something else within you…" he slowly informed the female knight.
Anton was quick to figure out what the man was trying to say, "Don't tell me she's…"
"Yes, pregnant…" Thorson sighed, "Implantation within in her womb was very recently, must have happened yesterday or today…"
Rona closed her eyes, unsure what to say while Anton's face dropped, "No…" he bowed his head, "Those degenerates…"
Celestine who still stood next to the unconscious Caroline also overheard the healer, "Can you do something, Thorson?" she asked him, "You can, right?"
Both knights immediately looked at the healer after hearing Celestine, their eyes practically begging the Dragonborn to help them.
"Those eyes, begging me to help…" Thorson said to himself after seeing both knights looking intensely at him, "No matter where I am, I'll always see those same eyes…"
"It's within my ability, yes…" Thorson replied, "I can stop her pregnancy from further developing, if that is what she wishes…" he said while looking at the black-haired woman.
Rona and Anton looked at each other after hearing the healer, did not take long for both to make their decision, "Do it…" Rona decided.
After hearing this, Thorson's hand moved his right hand to his chest and touched Mara's amulet through his robes. The healer then noticed that It was glowing, "Mara…" he whispered after seeing it's glow, "I understand… I'll do what I can to help them all…."
Both knight's also noticed the light coming from the man's chest, as the man was offering some kind of prayer. After a couple of seconds, the healer looked at Rona, "Alright, we first need to remove your blanket so I can place my hands on your lower abdomen in order to begin the procedure." he explained to her.
After stating his intentions, Thorson noticed the pair showing signs of doubt, "I'm afraid this is no time to think about modestly but I swear on my honor as a healer that I'll keep my eyes focused on the real issue at hand." Thorson reassured the young couple while positioning his right hand over his heart.
Celestine voice then offered some unexpected support for the healer from Tamriel, "His intentions are pure, this man helped me and Alicia when we were both defenseless and exposed in our cell." the former queen informed and reassured both her knights while occasionally glancing towards the Dragonborn, "Let him help, you can trust him."
The healer had a faint smile on his face as he turned towards the elf, his lips silently conveying his 'thanks' towards her. Celestine in return gave Thorson a warm smile.
"Y-You may..." Rona timidly decided after looking at Anton who in turn gave her a reassuring nod.
"Alright, let's begin…" The tall man announced as he retook his position next to the young woman while Anton carefully removed the blanket from the girl.
The Dragonborn healer then placed his hands on the naked girl's lower abdomen before closing his eyes, "This won't hurt you but you might feel a slight pinch…" Thorson informed his patient before casting his Alternation magic in order to begin the procedure.
Inside the massive dungeons under the 'Dark Fortress', the former Dark Elven queen managed to regain a bit of sanity after weeks of constant sexual abuse as her human and orcish captors were now preoccupied in guarding her former fortress from a new possible threat. Her once flawless body was now riddled with many bruises and scrapes from the constant rape she experienced by her own demonic forces and Vult's men.
After looking at the incapacitated and broken form of her handmaiden next to her, Olga realized that she and Cloe will never be able to escape her captors alive, and sooner or later both of them will be mentally regressed to nothing but mindless sex slaves for the rest of their pitiful lives.
In the past, the once proud queen reveled in seeing the human's suffer with the help of her orcish horde and Dark Elven followers as they showed no mercy on the many human communities in the south. Those feelings were quickly replaced by regret after Olga was recently humbled and humiliated by her own orcish horde and human mercenaries as she suffered the same fate the elf once brought onto the humans for centuries.
Olga however had one final plan left, she will try to gather whatever little energy she had left in her broken body in order to get a last chance for revenge on the human responsible for all of this. This task proved to be a challenge for the once powerful elven mage since she still had that accursed magical seal the Black Dog's placed on her a month ago, this prevented the Dark Elf from properly gathering the needed energy for her Destruction magic.
But from this night onward, Olga Discordia had one single objective in mind as long she had some sanity remaining, the Dark Elf will either drag Vult into the jaws of death itself or at least die trying, anything to escape this living nightmare she found herself in.
This nightmare started many centuries ago when Olga still had more genuine intentions to protect her kind from the advancing and expansionistic humans, but the Dark Elf grew dissatisfied by the slow progress of her orcish forces and her few Dark Elven followers.
A few centuries ago, after some extensive research and rituals, Dark Elven queen began to walk a darker path after she acquired an otherworldly item. An item that could be used to summon more powerful entities from another plane of existence to do her bidding, or so she thought, "I should have never stolen that d-damned Sigil Stone from to that… P-Prince!" she cried out in her prison.
Olga's thoughts were now filled with regret and especially fear, for the elf potentially brought a greater evil onto their world, "If one of the 'Kyn' manage to find that stone then…" Olga shuttered at that thought, not willing to imagine the horrors that could be unleashed onto the world.
The former queen looked towards the unresponsive form of her handmaiden as tears started appearing in her eyes, "I-I'm so sorry Chloe... I should have listened to you…" Olga wept weakly as her once cold heart was filled with regret, "I just… wanted to safeguard our kind's future but instead I condemned both of us to a life of slavery and doomed our entire race…"
Olga then looked at the ceiling of her cold and dark prison, "P-Please, spare Chloe…" the fallen queen practically begged to any spirit, god or any divine being that could hear her, "She does not deserve the fate I brought upon her…" a now regretful Olga pleaded, grasping towards the ceiling with her right hand.
In that moment of desperation, Olga's cold heart opened up after so many centuries, as an almost forgotten part inside Olga's psyche resurfaced. A part Olga thought she left behind after the Dark Elf began her personal crusade against the humans of Eostia, "I just wanted a family in peace… Not this!" A more innocent and younger Olga scolded the fallen queen, as if she were accusing the fallen Dark Elf for their current predicament.
That night, the once powerful and proud queen Olga Discordia cried her heart out, her broken body assuming the fetal position by reflex, instinctively protecting herself against a now hostile world she is partially responsible for.
On the surface, a lightning bolt struck one of the citadel's towers after Olga's made her plea, like the sky itself heard and felt the broken elf desperation…
Durnehviir continued to patrol the skies above Ken as the Dov was looking for potential threats to the city below. But aside from that previous group who retreated to the west, the dragon could not find any other intruders near the city itself.
His ancient mind was also occupied on the current condition of his master and friend, for the Dovahkiin started to behave more like a true Dov then a mortal man. The Dragonborn's Thu'um was on different level on this day, a higher magnitude compared to a week ago when he was last summoned on Nirn, almost like the Dovahkiin soul was showing his true self to the entire world.
However, after sensing that his time on this world was near, the undead dragon decided to fly back towards the city and report to the Dovahkiin before he is send back to his eternal prison inside the Soul Cairn.
Up the temple stairs, the healer finished his work on the female knight, "There, it's done..." Thorson simply said after completing the procedure, "I do recommend you get washed up and also take some form of contraception for a few days."
Anton looked between the legs of his partner and noticed a white pool staining the blankets under her groin, "How do you feel Ron? Did it hurt or anything?" A now relieved Anton asked his partner as he re-wrapped her again.
Rona shook her head, "No, not really… It just stung it a bit but after that it just felt warm."
"You should also take it easy for a few days " Thorson advised the female knight before turning towards her partner, "Stay with Rona at all times during the night and be with her when she wakes up. " the healer advised Anton, "The effect of the calming spell should allow her to sleep rather easily but I can't predict how she will feel in the morning" Thorson instructed Anton, "Rona will need you to after what she had to endure during her captivity…"
"I feel fine though…" Rona protested after hearing the healer's advice, "And with Anton alive and well, I-I think… I can manage it…" she said with a hint of certainty in her voice while looking longingly towards her blonde partner.
The healer from Tamriel showed a faint smile after hearing the female knight stubbornness, "Maybe so, but you are still currently under the influence of my calming spell." Thorson informed her, "From experience, I can say that it's effects can differ from person to person." he explained, "In any case, you need some rest and then a warm meal."
Those present with the Dragonborn suddenly heard many footsteps mixed with voices ascending the temple's stairs. Hearing this, the Dragonborn quickly stood up and took a defensive position in case this group had hostile intentions.
"Dragonborn!" Aurelian called out from the front of this group, "These people have come to assist me!"
Thorson's stance relaxed after hearing the knight, "Good…" he simply replied, "What about down there? How are the people faring?"
"Well, things are a bit tense but it's relatively peaceful at the moment, "Aurelian informed the Dragonborn, "Things however changed for the better after several families heard that their lost loved ones were found in the dungeon's, that's why some of them offered to help me carrying them back to the surface."
Thorson then saw a small group consisting of a few knights and Ken's citizens arriving at the top of the temple's stairs, "That's good to hear." the healer commented before he heard several cries from these new arrivals.
"Anton, my son. Y-You are safe!" Thorson heard a male voice calling out as a man who looked like an older Anton hugged the blonde knight while several other family members joined in.
While Anton's family celebrated their reunion, Aurelian approached the healer while several knight's escorted the other families down the dungeons to assist them in carrying their loved ones to safety.
"Dragonborn sir, some of my men also found more female victims in the city and we placed them at the base of the temple." Aurelian informed Thorson, "They all urgently need some assistance from you..."
The healer gave the knight a single nod, "Understood, I'll head down and help them at once." Thorson said, "And you make sure Caroline here get some much-needed rest. Be sure someone is with her when she wakes up." he advised Aurelian.
Aurelian gave a quick salute before picking up the sleeping form of Caroline, "Will do, sir!"
The healer then turned towards the reunited family, "Sorry to interrupt this reunion," Thorson apologized to them before addressing the blonde knight, "Anton, can you carry Rona to safety?"
"Y-Yes sir," the knight replied before looking at his mother and father, "Rona can stay with us for now, r-right?" Anton nervously asked his parents.
"Yes! Of course!" Anton's father immediately granted his son's request, "Rona's father was also worried to death after her kidnapping, I'm sure that he and his family will be relieved to hear about this!"
Thorson then gave the family his parting words, "Take good care of her Anton, If you have any questions; come find me." he told the young knight, "And may Lady Mara watch over you and your family." The healer finished with a blessing for the reunited family in front of him.
Rona, Anton and his family were unsure who this 'Lady Mara' was, but it didn't matter for the young couple as both Anton and Rona closed their eyes and give a thankful bow towards the Dragonborn. After this, the reunited family escorted Rona to their home for some much-needed respite.
During this, Celestine silently took her position next to healer after Caroline was carried away by Aurelian, "May her Benevolence bless you and Rona and may you both find comfort in each other arms…" Thorson quietly said as he watched Anton's family descending the temple's stairs.
"Thank you for helping them." Celestine said in gratitude, surprising the healer after hearing her next to him, "At least one family has been reunited…" Celestine commented while showing the healer a faint smile.
"Yes…" Thorson simply said, But we still have a lot of work ahead of us." he informed the former queen before gesturing towards the plaza below them, "Walk with me, Celestine." The man from Tamriel said, sounding more like an invitation for the elf, "A healer's work is never done and I could use your assistance."
Fires of hope began to burn bright again in Celestine's heart after hearing Thorson calling out for her. After centuries of senseless war against Olga Discordia and her recent enslavement, the elf now felt some measure of hope for the future. It also helped that Celestine was in the presence of an individual blessed by her ancient gods, the same ones that forgave her on this day and gave her a second chance in life.
With this sense of renewal, Celestine now felt she had purpose once again and was now motivated to make amends for her past failures. A part of the former queen also felt she owed the people of Eostia a debt, not only towards her own subjects but also her own race after centuries of war and negligence during her rule. There was also another part of the elf that was also eager to be with the man who made this all possible, this one exceptional individual who she first met in a vision from her forgotten gods and then that saved her on the same day from a fate worse than death…
Whatever her real reasons were, the only thing Celestine felt at this very moment was a measure of safety with the man from Tamriel close to her.
Just when the healer began walking towards the stairs, Thorson suddenly felt Celestine's soft curves around his right arm as Celestine tightly embraced it. This sudden move caught the man off guard, but Thorson could not form a protest after he saw the elf smiling warmly at him, "Yes, my 'silta aka'." Celestine beamed affectionately, "I'll help you in any way I can, it's the least I can do for my people." The elf finished, her voice showing the first signs of clear optimism and eagerness ever since the Dragonborn rescued her from that prison, "And for you, 'Son of Auriel'…"
The Dragonborn healer momentarily closed his eyes after hearing Celestine, "Alright, but don't strain yourself," the healer within Thorson advised the elf before looking at her again, "however if you are determined to help then let's not waste any more time."
As both Man and Mer walked down the temple's stairs, the man felt those same pleasant and warm sensations from before after Celestine gave him a pet name in her elven language, "First Elora now Celestine…" were his first thoughts before another part of him quickly pushed those feelings aside, "No… can't get distracted, not while others are in dire need at this very moment…"
Both elves and humans at the base of the temple saw their liberator descending it's stairs while Celestine clung tightly onto his right arm. Many among them wondered what will happen when the pair stands before them again, what if their liberator protects the 'traitor queen'? What could they then do? Attack them and risk getting blown away by the man's voice? Would they even succeed? Would it even be worth it? Or perhaps this night showed them that things may change for the better after they saw their liberator's power against Vult's men.
What many did understand after seeing the line of female rape victims near the temple is that they only had one group to blame for this, Vult and his Black Dog's. They were the once's who caused them and their friends real pain by kidnapping and raping their daughters while also indoctrinating their son's to abandon them and join Vult's group. Whatever the elf they once worshiped had done on a single day paled in comparison with that the Black Dogs had done these past years…
Meanwhile, the Dark Elf Elora who saw practically everything now in turn felt jealous after seeing the 'elven traitor' clinging tightly onto the man who recently saved her. However, another part of the young mother felt some measure of relief after seeing a livelier Celestine finding some comfort in the presence of her savior.
Those past moments in which Elora heard the High Elf's cries of anguish and screaming showed the young Dark Elf that maybe her initial perception of Celestine may have been misjudged. Especially if the so called 'Divine of Justice' Stendarr her people once worshiped many centuries ago looked favorably towards the 'elven traitor.' The tanned elf then realized that perhaps some parts of the oral stories that have been passed down for generations may have been exaggerated or just misunderstood…
Whatever the people inside Ken may think about Celestine or their liberator, all races on Eostia will have to eventually band together in order to drive out the darkness that has engulfed their entire nation. Perhaps it takes one exceptional individual to unite these races towards a common goal, just like how a certain historical and legendary figure had done on Tamriel at the end of the second Era. A man who also was Dragonborn…
Author's note: This chapter took some effort to write due to some 'sensitive' parts in this chapter, but I managed to complete this after all. Not sure how explicit I can make certain parts with FF-net current rules, but I've seen 'worst' from other stories on the site.
Again, I'm sorry I couldn't end the whole Ken part with this chapter as I promised in the previous chapter, the amount of detail's and world/character building took a good chunk of this chapter. If I continued until we get to Tamriel then we might have a chapter that's almost 15K to 17K words long. So, in order to keep it readable, I decided to split this chapter again. (word to myself, don't make such promises in the future…)
Many thanks to those who reviewed/favorite/followed/PM'ed me, it's good to see people liking this kind of story.
And I'll also try to post frequent status updates on my profile for future chapters for those impatient ;)