The Heart of a Daedra
By The Grey Knight v2
Chapter 21:
'She's gone.' Sjern said to himself in his head. 'She's gone Sjern, there is nothing you can do about it. Get up, come on now. Get up you fool! GET UP OFF THE GROUND NOW!'
As he warred with himself inside his own head, he didn't notice the doors to the Blue Palace opening once more and the tall Nord who had been insolent earlier on stepped outside. Walking over to Sjern, he rested one hand on his shoulder tentatively.
"Is everything alright Dragonborn?" He asked.
Sjern found he could not speak, the lump in his throat prevented him from doing so. Instead, he just shook his head sadly, not in the mood for any pretense.
"What happened? That girl who waited outside, what happened to her?"
He knew the Nord wasn't trying to pry, nor was he being rude or intrusive but Sjern's mind was fragile at this point in time. His best friend, the one whom he had always trusted and counted on, was now gone for Stendarr knows how long. When no response came from him, the Nord took it as a bad sign. Rather than leave Sjern to his thoughts however, he sat down beside him and looked at him.
"You cared for that girl, didn't you Dragonborn? Why did she leave? Did she not feel the same way or was it something else?"
Finally, Sjern found his voice.
"It was something else. She needed to go and do some soul searching, she doesn't know when she will return however. It's just hard to think that she's gone."
"I lost my own mother at a young age. She was murdered by a corrupt Imperial Guard after she refused his advances. He framed her for the theft of over fifteen thousand gold, taken from the White-Gold Tower most likely by that bastard. I wasn't there when she died Dragonborn. I never got to say my goodbyes, nor did my father. All we got was her dead body dumped at our doorstep a few days later, the document condemning her to death pinned to her chest. My father, who was a Moth Priest, was heartbroken and began shutting himself away for hours at a time, studying the Elder Scrolls. He still showed me affection and care but he was not the same man he had been when my mother was alive. What I am saying Dragonborn is this. You got to say goodbye to your friend, you have a chance of seeing her again. As bleak as things look now, they could be a lot worse. I'm not here to tell you to forget her and get up on the horse again, I'm only here to say that there are positives to every story. For instance, if my mother had not been murdered, I would never have come to Skyrim and met my own wife, Ria. I'm sure your friend will return and the time you two lose now will be more than made up for."
The Nord's words comforted Sjern.
'He's right, she wouldn't be wallowing in self pity like this. We've a blasted war to win!'
Getting slowly to his feet, Sjern extended his hand for the Nord to shake.
"Thank you kind sir. I know not what I would have done had you not spoken to me."
The Nord simply waved it off, saying "It is no problem Dragonborn. No one should be left alone in a time of pain such as that. I'm afraid that is not the reason I am out here however. The others sent me out to find you, Jar'mey's coronation is about to begin and he requested you be there to see it."
Nodding, Sjern released the Nord's hand and, without another word, strode in the doors of the Blue Palace.
*Elsewhere*
"My Lord, the Dragonborn has convinced the Jarl's to crown the Cyrodilian Champion as the new High King of Skyrim. I tried to stop him but he was too powerful for me. Never before have I been faced with such power."
Sunclaw was knelt before an old sarcophagus, intricate carvings and inscriptions in Daedric tongue adorned it. Though the sarcophagus remained closed, a booming voice echoed throughout the room that hid it.
"So, the old Orc has returned from his seclusion. No matter, soon I shall have enough power to return to my physical form. Then, Champion or no Champion, Skyrim and the rest of Tamriel shall fall!"
Sunclaw nodded, still kneeling.
"Yes my Lord, however, the Jackal and the Argonian are not ready to breach Nirn just yet. Their forces are not strong enough. I would travel to Darkshroud and Doomsgates but my arm my Lord, was severed in my battle with the Orc!"
Her master was silent for a while. Then, a bright red light illuminated the entire room. A ball of red energy began to form over the sarcophagus, drawing its power from the light. When it was finally formed to no more the size of a Daedra Heart, it shot forward, colliding with Sunclaw's chest. Roaring in pain, she clutched at her chest and tumbled backwards down the stone steps, leading up to the sarcophagus. When she finally stopped falling, she allowed her breathing to settle before opening her eyes. What she saw astounded her to the verge of tears of joy. Where there had once been a stub of an arm, there was now a solid Daedric metal arm. If she had not known she had lost her arm, she would have said it was a Daedric Gauntlet that reached to her elbow. Flexing her new appendage, she picked up a nearby skull and squeezed, cracking it into splinters with ease.
"Oh thank you my Lord. Thank you. I shall travel to Darkshroud immediately. Fear not my Lord, Skyrim shall surely fall within the month!"
I really want to apologise for this heap of rubbish guys. It's like that other chapter, I just needed to get it written so I can push past writer's block. As per usual with my 'just get it down on word' chapters, not much happens. We get Sjern's reaction to Serana's departure as well as a minute glance at the Secluded One. Once again, I am really sorry guys. Hopefully this block gets broken down quickly. Thanks for reading guys, also thank you to Romancehowler, Raex, WolFang1011, Speedster101 and Dragonswoe for their OC's who will be back in the next chapter. Talos guide you all! Peace