The Pink Haired Pirate: An Old Norse Saying
Rated: M for language, future mature themes, violence, gore
Warnings: Spoiler alert for Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
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They parted ways as soon as the sun rose up. And while Sakura has felt like she has been hit by a walking boulder over and over... at least it was not that painful anymore. They equipped themselves with their shadow armor, and much to their surprise, the metal seemed to have mended. Maybe the armor was really made out of shadows, after all.
Sakura has given Karliah her map, and she has pinpointed the location of the Twilight Sepulcher, somewhere in the Falkreath Hold. Soon enough, after packing up the camp, she sealed the eyes and they have parted ways after good luck wishes.
She has never been to Falkreath before. She intended to, eventually, because of that letter sent by the Jarl, but she had literally found no time to do so, yet. It was rude to keep the Jarl waiting but... even now she had to place back the Skeleton Key. Sakura patted Chilly's mane gently, as he galloped faster with Sakura on his back.
It was a weird feeling. To gradually feel the weather, the temperature change around them.
It snowed heavily that morning. It couldn't have been called a snowstorm just yet, but Chilly had to trust his master into going on the right way because he had no special eyes as she did. He walked, and Sakura led him through the snow, climbing up and down the cliffs. They passed a giant camp and a very odd stone formation. Upon closer inspection, three high stone pillars rose high, encircling a huge round mound of dirt.
It seemed like a grave made for something really big.
They have also met a patrol of three fake Imperial Officers who demanded a 100 gold fee for passage. How did she know they were imposters? Three almost naked bodies, freshly beaten up, were hidden in the bush after they have been robbed blind.
And as they got closer to Whiterun, Sakura knew they had to find a pass, because the border between Whiterun and Falkreath was protected by mountains. Chilly head to squeeze in the cave, fight a necromancer and his minions, and only then they finally saw the glossy waters of Lake Ilinalta.
That's how she knew they finally arrived in Falkreath.
They were galloping into a grassy terrain, with dirt paths and green trees, that nostalgically reminded her of home. Yet the forest was not that thick if you knew how to stay on the dirt path. She recognized the Nordic archway on a cliff above her too. They were built to serve as small shrines, perhaps, to deities, and if she could make out the details well, it seemed to be a shrine to Akatosh.
It has been a few hours ride, and true to Karliah's words, the Sepulcher resembled a Nordic Burial Ground. Somehow. At least, those iron doors were impossible not to recognize. Just thinking about it sent shivers down her spine. When she got close enough, crossing the tiny stream of water, she tied Chilly outside, as always, between the thick trees, so he wouldn't be too noticeable.
Only when she has made sure that Chilly would be safe, she stepped inside the dark barrow.
The chamber had tall ceilings and it was spacious enough, dimly-lit by candles and a few torches. She spotted, however, a translucent blue silhouette in the distance. The shape appeared to be of a male's, wearing a Nightingale garb, which meant he was supposed to be one of them. Of sorts.
Still, Sakura approached with great caution. The spectral apparition did the same, walking and stopping a few feet away from her.
"I don't recognize you, but I sense that you're one of us. Who are you?"
The hollowed voice sounded through the walls.
"My name is Sakura. But... who are you?"
"The last of the Nightingale Sentinels, I'm afraid. I've defended the Sepulcher alone for what seems like an eternity."
"The last? What happened to the rest?"
"We were betrayed by one of our own kind. In fact, I'm to blame for what's happened here."
"How are you to blame?"
"I was blinded. Blinded by dark treachery masquerading as friendship. Perhaps if I had been more vigilant, then Mercer Frey wouldn't have lured me to my fate and stolen the Skeleton Key."
"Wait a moment... You're Gallus!"
"I haven't heard that name in a long time. How do you know of me?"
"I have the Key."
"The Key! You have the Skeleton Key! I never thought I'd see it again. And Mercer Frey?"
"Dead."
"Then... it's over and my death wasn't in vain. I owe you a great deal, Nightingale."
Sakura was still in shock. Gallus was standing before her, and she would lie if she said that the man was not her role model among the Guild, despite only knowing him and his teachings just by hearing from other people, such as Karliah, Brynjolf and Gallus' mage friend at the College.
"I... I did it to honor the Guild. And your memory. And everybody he wronged."
"You've done the Guild a great deed. And although they may not show it, I'm certain they appreciate your sacrifices." He replied gently, eyeing her.
"It was ... it was just what I thought was right. Mr. Gallus, they expect me to take the Guildmaster's spot - your spot. I can only hope I will lead them half as well as you did. I'm still wet behind the ears and I don't know what to do." Sakura sighed, and Gallus could hear the distraught tone in the young Nightingale's voice.
"So you're the successor. Skyrim doesn't have a fancy trinket to pass on to the next Guildmaster as Cyrodiil does, but I will tell you what. Do not make the same mistakes as I did and I can tell you will lead them well. But now you will have to proceed with the Pilgrim's Path. My only regret is that you had to undertake this task alone."
Sakura shook her head. "I wasn't quite alone. Karliah helped me a great deal... also Brynjolf, Mercer's former right hand and the man who recruited me joined us too... also your college friend helped us translate your journal, from Falmer to Tamrielic. Do you know how how much trouble that gave us? I literally made a Dwarven Spider to act like a cat... I think I gave it a mind of its own."
Gallus couldn't help but chuckle. It was quite a tale. But his mind backtracked on her words.
"Wait, Karliah... she's still alive? I feared she'd befallen the same fate, ending up a victim of Mercer's betrayal."
Sakura shook her head, sadly. "No... she's fine. Physically, she's alive and kicking. But she has gone through a long exile for 25 years. Mercer framed her for your murder."
Just the thought brought him fury. But he kept his composure, sighing deeply, taking solace in the knowledge that Mercer was finally dead.
"So you can't take the Key then?"
"Nothing would bring me more pride than to return the Key, but I'm afraid it's impossible. From the moment I arrived here, I've felt myself... well... dying."
"How can a spirit die?"
"The Sepulcher isn't merely a temple or a vault to house the Key. Within these walls is the Ebonmere... a conduit to Nocturnal's realm of Evergloam. When Mercer stole the Key, that conduit closed, severely limiting our ties to her."
Sakura replied, sadly.
"Then I'll have to proceed alone."
"I'm afraid so. I'm weakening, and I can feel myself slipping away. The years without restoration of my power have taken their toll. Whatever damage has been caused can only be corrected by following the Pilgrim's Path to the Ebonmere and replacing the Key."
Sakura furrowed her eyebrows. "The Pilgrim's Path. Is there anything you can tell me about it? So I will know what to.. expect."
Gallus shook his head. "I wish I could help you, but I've been a prisoner in this very chamber for the last quarter-century. The only possible help I've come across are the remains of some poor fellow who was trying to follow in your footsteps. Perhaps his journal can help?"
"A journal you say. I will look for it, thank you." She smiled beneath her mask.
"Eyes open and walk with the shadows." He let her go look for the remains of the unlucky fellow.
His skeleton was somewhere on the left, among the dirt, weeds, and rocks, she ignored the shining, enchanted weapon stuck in the wall beside the remains, and focused entirely on the journal.
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I don't know why I let Anders talk me into this plan. He said the place would be full of riches, but I have yet to see even a single gold coin. To make matters worse, I think the other priests are beginning to suspect we aren't who we say we are. If they discover we're posing as priests of Nocturnal, I'm sure they're not going to simply ask us to leave nicely. I'll have to watch my step.
As an "acolyte of Nocturnal," I've been assigned a mentor. Old dark elf fellow by the name of Lythelus. Maybe if I act the part, I can pry some information from him about the Pilgrim's Path. Anders swears to me that all of the temple's wealth is stashed within their inner sanctum, which supposedly sits at the end of the path, so my job is to get us through the obstacles alive.
Lythelus was easier to coax than I expected. He gave me a wealth of information on the Pilgrim's Path, but he was speaking in riddles. I'll try to record what I remember here and share it with Anders after he's done with his mentor. The only thing Lythelus seemed clear about was that there were five "tests" on the path. This [sic] what he said about each:
"Shadows of their former selves, sentinels of the dark. They wander ever more and deal swift death to defilers."
"Above all they stand, vigilance everlasting. Beholden to the murk yet contentious of the glow."
"Offer what She desires most, but reject the material. For her greatest want is that which cannot be seen, felt or carried."
"Direct and yet indirect. The path to salvation a route of cunning with fortune betraying the foolish."
"The journey is complete, the Empress's embrace awaits the fallen. Hesitate not if you wish to gift her your eternal devotion."
He also mumbled some nonsensical phrases like "night is the new day" and how he was the "ghost of the sun." I have no idea what these cryptic sentiments mean, but hopefully, during tomorrow's ritual, Anders and I will put everything we've learned to the test.
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Sakura flipped through the journal, before pocketing it, and headed right for the stairs behind Gallus. She has made a few mental notes about the clues the old mentor Lythelus gave to Nystrom and Anders. She really wondered if the other thief managed to get farther than his partner. After all, she could only see one set of remains.
She gave Gallus a final friendly wave before she opened the gigantic doors. She sneaked, descending the candle-lit stairs. There were two Nightingale silhouettes ahead, but unlike Gallus, they were not the same shade of calm, pleasant blue. There seemed to be something corrupted about them, so she supposed this is what happened with the rest of the Agents. And how he was the only one who remained true to himself and his purpose.
And that's what the old Dunmer meant by 'Shadows of their former selves.'
Sakura crouched slightly, sneaking, heading for the door, but it was not long until they noticed her. One of them unsheathed their sword while the other stayed behind to shoot astral arrows. Strangely enough, they could be hit.
It did not feel like she was fighting a ghost. A spirit.
Once dead, they burst into flames and turned into a glowing pile of blue ash.
Sakura had to keep dodging. The arrows may have been ghostly and didn't do real damage like the normal ones did, but they still hurt like a motherfucker. Archers always had an emergency sword or dagger, but by the time they could drop the bow and arm themselves for closed range combat, her sword has already impaled itself through the torso. The astral body turned into another pile of blue ash.
"The first test is done. Four more to go." She took out Nystrom's journal again. "Above all they stand, vigilance everlasting. Beholden to the murk yet contentious of the glow." She opened the door and followed the path to the next task. She was so glad no Draugr were crawling around. "Contentious of the glow. Vigilance everlasting." She mused as she opened the door of the next task.
The chamber was brightly lit, so bright Sakura had to shield her eyes for a moment. Everything was bright, lit up by enchanted candles, she supposed because there was no way a candle could emit so much light. There was, however, a path so dark you couldn't even see your hand in front of you.
"Contentious of the light. Beholden to the murk. Alright, Lady Nocturnal, I see what are you trying to do here."
She decided to test her theory. Just by outstretching her arm into the light, she could feel her arm burn like it was caught on fire. She hissed, and immediately stepped back into the dark path, seeking comfort and solace. She sighed.
Stay close to the shadows and out of the light. Got it. But there was also the 'Vigilance everlasting' part. What did it mean? Traps? And true to her word, she could see those treacherous metal holes on the opposite walls, as she climbed up the stairs on a bulky platform. It was most likely triggered by the trip-wire. The moment she flickered a dagger and cut through it, a set of poisoned darts shot upright in front of her, narrowly missing her body.
It was ... good to know.
She sneaked, just in case maybe another Spectral Nightingale would pop out of nowhere and attack, carefully disarming the traps, crossing the dark bridge, sticking herself to the shadows and keeping her eye on the objective. No looting, little fighting and protect the Skeleton Key.
Only Sakura knew how relieved she was when she spotted the final stairways to the gate, marking the end of the second task. She opened the door, yet the light coming from the torches and lanterns did not bother her. It... was a relief, really.
At the end of the corridor was a statue of Nocturnal herself. On a wooden plate at her feet were soul gem fragments and a plucked nightshade flower... along with a dead bandit. Now she wondered if the bandit has died for some reason or if he was an offering. The old Dunmer has left a clue about the third task as well. 'Offer her something she desires.' But what did Nocturnal desire?
Sakura sat down cross-legged and pondered. The tie between Nocturnal and the Nightingales was strictly business-related. She gives you luck and you make sure the key is safe. There was nothing material about it. It was not like Boethiah. They would request a human sacrifice, maybe. She remembered the book she has been reading. Hermaeus Mora would want knowledge, maybe.
But what would the Empress of Murk want?
Murk. Shadows. Darkness.
Sakura spotted the outline of a secret door behind the statue, a little too similar to those in the Nordic Tombs.
The answer was in the shadows... in the darkness.
She started looking around... 'fondling' the walls and the carvings, and it wasn't long before she spotted the rusty chain on the left. It was camouflaged by hanging moss and the weird dragon head carving. She yanked it and the pathway soon cleared for her.
Directly or indirectly.
As she passed the secret pathway, there were two options. Continue forward or take the door to the left. She was not entirely sure which was which, however, but feeling the Skeleton Key inside her pocket, she decided to go for the door. At least she could use it, for one first and last time before she had to put it where it belonged.
The lock was rusty and stubborn, incredibly difficult, but there was no door that could stay locked when one wielded the Key. It behaved like an unbreakable lockpick, and after fiddling enough with the lock, it clicked open. She crouched and started walking forward, sneaking past a Nightingale Specter, who didn't even see her.
She took a peek down and could see she was high above the ground, and if she would have taken the most obvious route, she would have been in for a fight.
Instead, she kept advancing through a small chamber, and while she has promised herself that she won't loot... she couldn't just take that interesting book on the table. It begged to be touched, opened and read. 'Sacred Witnesses'. She kept it close to her chest, as the chamber opened with another corridor. She smiled triumphantly beneath her mask.
"The path to salvation a route of cunning with fortune betraying the foolish. I don't even want to imagine what has been on the other side." She grinned to herself and straightened her back.
There seemed to be a well ahead of her... and nothing else. There was a skeleton down there too, in the shallow water. Seeing that she had nowhere else to go, she jumped, easing her fall with her own chakra. She did feel a shock of numb pain to the spot she's been stabbed the day before.
'Damn you, Mercer. You and your sword.'
She grunted and crouched besides the skeleton. The body has long ago decomposed, leaving behind nothing but the skeleton and a few belongings, but she managed to get hold of a piece of paper. Thankfully, the ink has not completely washed itself down in the water.
"I can't believe it. I came all this way, solved all of those ridiculous riddles just to end up here! After I memorized Nystrom's clues he'd collected from Lythelus, I slit his throat. Now I guess the joke's on me because I'm stuck here and I don't see a way out. Hope someone comes by soon, I'm getting hungry."
Sakura's eyes went over the piece of paper a few more times before she sighed. "Damn. Well, Lady Nocturnal, if you want me to put the key back, I'm here!" She called out of the well, with an echo, before muttering something to herself. She started looking around, for a secret entrance.
Before her eyes, Anders' skeleton vanished.
"What the-"
The stone floor of the well vanished, and she felt her body being dropped on a glass floor. At her feet, was a lock, and before her were three locked doors. She got up from her numb butt and took out the Key. She inserted it inside the lock and took a step back, fitting it perfectly. The glass floor vanished, replaced by a pool of liquid mana, as the body of the Matron revealed herself before her mortal eyes.
In the corner of her eye, she could see Karliah joining her out of nowhere too.
'So... once again the Key has been stolen and a "champion" returns it to the Sepulcher. Now that Ebonmere has been restored, you stand before me awaiting your accolades; a pat on your head... a kiss on your cheek. What you fail to realize is your actions were expected and represent nothing more than the fulfillment of your agreement. Don't mistake my tone for displeasure, after all, you've obediently performed your duties to the letter. But we both know this has little to do with honor and oaths and loyalty. It's about the reward; the prize. Fear not. You'll have your trinkets, your desire for power, your hunger for wealth. I bid you to drink deeply from the Ebonmere, mortal.'
Sakura was staring up at Nocturnal's tall, floating, physical manifestation of her presence in the Oblivion. And much to her surprise, and Karliah's who was standing somewhere on her right, the pink-haired woman took off her mask and grinned widely.
A little tired and worn out... but her smile seemed to have lit up the entire room of shrouds.
"Thank you for the offer but...no, thank you, My Lady."
The Empress of Murk stared down at the little mortal, masking her incredulous expression with a perfectly blank facade, accompanied by a raised eyebrow.
"No?"
"If I wanted wealth, power and influence, I wouldn't have gone to a crumbling Guild, My Lady. Coins keep a roof over my head, give me a warm meal and clean clothes. That's all. Even though I kind of have taken a liking towards shiny gems. Even so, you could consider me a tourist in Skyrim."
Sakura continued. "All I wished for was to help Brynjolf with his guild, see Mercer Frey brought to his knees and eventually - the key returned to its place. The luck we get from unsealing the Ebonmere is more than enough for me." She paused. "I need no fancy prize or weird powers. I already as weird as I am, my Lady. All I need is for the luck to run back through the Guild. That's all, pretty please."
Nocturnal blinked a few times and sighed. "You...are a strange mortal. I have to admit. And you hold no trace of lie or deceit. You are indeed strange. But you already have made a pact, restoring the Trinity. The pact can not be unbound."
Sakura's lips pursued in a thin line. "What if...I did you a favor? Isn't there anything you have lost...an artifact...anything..." It was common knowledge that Daedra often had relics and artifacts that were always stolen, tossed and passed around.
"So you would like to bring a token in exchange for your soul."
"That's correct, My Lady."
Nocturnal sighed.
"I'm feeling generous today. Deal. Bring me my Cowl and you can keep your soul."
Sakura grinned.
"Great!" But she suddenly remembered something.
"Um, can I ask something, though? Can I keep these two books I found in the Hall? About the Nightingales? Please?"
"... fine. You can keep your books."
The Nightingale armor vanished and returned back to the Evergloam, revealing the usual Thieves Guild armor she has donned. Sakura beamed, but it was short-lived, as she felt the boots in her feet take their original size. They got loose again.
"Sakura, what have you done?" Karliah jogged up to her.
"Well... I struck a deal with Nocturnal, I guess. She lets me go if I find her cowl."
"IF you find her cowl, Sakura."
"Details. How did you get in here all the way from Riften, though?"
Karliah shook her head. "I headed right for Nightingale Hall, as Brynjolf went back to the Guild. When I saw the portal open towards the Sepulcher, I knew you managed to put the key back."
"So it opened a few portals too. That's... neat. So now that the Ebonmere is unlocked again... what do you think that's going to happen?"
"Why, the greatest crime spree Skyrim has ever seen. There are pockets filled to the brim with coin; ripe for the taking. We are still Thieves, Sakura."
"You should celebrate the end of your exile by taking the best nap ever, now that everything is over."
Karliah smiled at that. "You know what? I think I will take up on that offer."
"Say, would Nocturnal be mad if I changed somewhere quickly? I left Chilly outside, I can't go directly back to Riften. I want to spend the night in Falkreath. Get some rest and then head back in the morning."
"I don't see why not."
Sakura has listened to Karliah and Gallus' conversation from afar, as she spotted a safe, hidden corner to change in, replacing her cuirass with her usual tunic dress. She sighed softly, smiling, as she tied her hair with the same blue ribbon, after sealing her armor away. Gallus' sword was strapped to her hip.
"Karliah?"
"Gallus! I feared I would never see you again. I was afraid you'd become like the others."
"Sakura has made sure your fears would not be confirmed. She honors us all."
"What will you do now, my love?"
"Nocturnal calls me to the Evergloam. My contract has been fulfilled."
"Will I ever see you again?"
"When your debt to Nocturnal has been paid, we'll embrace once again."
"Farewell, Gallus. Eyes open... walk with the shadows."
"Goodbye, Karliah."
Sakura put the scrolls, coins and a few gems inside her flower basket, as she walked over again.
"Miss Karliah... are you.. okay?" She asked gently. She has overheard the whole conversation, after all. She felt pride, hearing Gallus' praise, but at the same time...
Dunmer had really long lifespans. It would take a long... long time until Karliah died, hopefully of natural causes and nothing else.
"I .. I am. Thank you, Sakura. Come see us in the Flagon, tomorrow. That's the best place to start your search for the Cowl."
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It was already night time, and Chilly was hungry. He could not express enough the happiness when he saw his master finally walk away, and reach inside the satchel tied and secured to his saddle, to pull out and feed him a few carrots.
"I'm sorry, boy. I will take you in the morning to Shadr, he will take good care of you." She patted and nuzzled his head, before she untied the reins and climbed on his back, heading towards Falkreath at a fast pace.
It has not been a long ride either. And unlike last time, it was uneventful. There have been a few guards in front of the wooden archway, talking about a strange stray dog and a ... vampire attack? but they were nice enough to lead her to the nearest stable to have Chilly taken care of.
Sakura grabbed her basket and opened the door to Dead Man's Drink.
The warmth of the hearth, the sweet smell of drinks and Delacourt's ballads were the first things that welcomed her in Valga's Inn, along with a rather friendly red-haired Nord woman.
"Come in, come in, don't be shy!" She smiled and helped her inside.
"Welcome to Dead Man's Drink!"
And seeing so many unknown people inside the tavern, suddenly made her feel self-conscious.
It seemed that the whole city has gathered together for drinks, food, and stories.
Narri, the waitress, let her out down her basket somewhere close to the bar, as she let her take a seat on a stool.
"We have a new visitor, Valga, and a cute one at that."
"Welcome to Falkreath, dear, what can I get you?"
Sakura scratched her cheek shyly. "Maybe some frost mirriam tea? It's my favorite."
Valga simply smiled and nodded. "Tea? Very well."
Narri would often run off to pour drinks and clean mugs, but she'd often come back to continue their chat.
She started with her name, how she often wished to go on adventures, and how utterly boring Falkreath was. That nothing exciting ever happened. Then she'd start pointing out at everyone in the inn, and by everyone she meant everyone. The entire city had about two dozens citizens, plus a little girl who stayed home to sleep. It was rather late and well past her bedtime.
The woman tending the bar was Valga Vinicia, an Imperial woman who settled down in Skyrim several years ago. She has not revealed why she has left Cyrodiil, but she seemed to have liked Skyrim well enough. Or at least she did, before the Civil War. She liked gossiping with her waitress, and soon as a woman named Tekla joined up, the trio was formed and was more than happy to include Sakura in their conversation.
Tekla was Narri's older sister and the former Jarl's maid. Dengeir of Stuhn was hard to her, as he was a paranoid old man, who would deem a day completely wasted and forgotten if he has not found out about a conspiration against himself by lunch.
The former Jarl, now Thane was sitting with his brother Thadgeir around the fire. He seemed far more friendly and relaxed, with his son, the Jarl himself, having a drink. The younger man seemed to be having a hard time not scowling because even if he was not looking, his uncle would glare daggers at him.
What a happy little family.
Delacourt kept singing and playing the lute after a short mead break to mend his vocal cords, and if Sakura had to be honest, he had a really good voice.
"Tekla, don't look now, by somebody's been eyeing you for a few good minutes so far!" Narri grinned slightly. The woman's eyebrows shot up into her hairline, as a soft pink dusted across her cheeks.
"Ah.. who?"
"Are you sure it's not her boss thinking you're discussing Imperial propaganda?" Sakura asked, chuckling. Tea has turned into wine, and wine has turned into mead. She was far from drunk, but the alcohol has injected her a good dose of confidence to speak freely.
"No, not him! You know who am I talking about, Valga, don't you?" She winked, and Valga shook her head.
"Stop nagging her, Narri. He'd better think of making a move soon if he knows what's good for him. I don't want him to play with her heart like that."
And that 'him' was Solaf, brother of Bolund, former Stormcloak soldier and the owner of Gray Pine Goods. Pretty much the friendlier version of his brother, who's more than happy with the current number of citizens in Falkreath and has been distrustful of every single non-Nord that passed through the city gates.
Solaf did seem like a nice guy.
"Stop, Valga. Both of us have our own work and worries... it's not like that."
Narri, who just ran off to pour a drink and came back, turned to the newcomer. "What about you? Under what circumstances a pretty little thing like you would show up out of nowhere in Falkreath, at this hour." She smiled, mischievously, as she poked her head.
If was a pretty valid question, as she was unarmored and the only way of defense was the strange sword wrapped around her waist, next to her utility pouches.
"Don't worry about me, I have changed before coming here. I haven't dwelled into the ruins in a dress if that's what you've been wondering." Sakura sipped her drink, not really caring if anybody was listening in their conversation. Let them listen.
"Ruins? Dwarven Ruins?"
"Aa. All the from The Pale. The journey wasn't too light either. Bandits wearing Imperial Officer uniforms tried to rob me too. They put up a fight, I guess."
"So you're an adventurer!" Narri exclaimed. "How I wish I could go on adventures like you. But I can't leave the inn behind..." she sighed, almost dreaming it.
"Maybe we can find one day something to do. A ruin or a barrow nearby." Sakura could leave behind a shadow clone to take care of Narri's shift. Maybe after a good scare, she'd even love the work in the Tavern and the quiet city. Or she'd find a passion in taking up arms and often go hunting. Or exploring. Who knows?
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Valga has let Sakura rent a room for 10 coins, which were paid upfront. Sakura has asked one of them to come to wake up her early in the morning.
The room looked a little like her first room in Frozen Hearth. It had no doors. But it had a wooden table and a chair in the corner, opposite to the double bed. She sat down her basket next to the bed and laid down across the furs draped over the hay mattress. She sighed, even forgetting to check the book on the end table.
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A/N: Was it too rushed? Was it too bad? Okay, so I have chosen to write the most boring way to complete the Darkness Returns quest for a few reasons. I personally didn't know when I first started playing, that you could take another route. There is a hidden, direct route to the next task hidden by the door I described. So it's direct in an indirect way because you can easily miss it. The door is locked with a Master level lock, but at that point, you have the Skeleton Key in your possession, so it doesn't really matter. The Key is basically an unbreakable lockpick, so you can choose to take that way. It's actually the most advised way. But I didn't know at first about it, so that's why I showed it to you, guys. Actually, I replayed this quest today, and I opened that door thinking that it's just a room with loot.
The direct indirect way is by going straight-forward. But on top of the Nightingale Agents you have to fight, there's also a shit-ton of traps, and it's much longer than the shortcut. So yeah.
If you've been wondering if Sakura would choose to be an Agent of Stealth, Strife or Subterfuge... you were all mistaken. Sakura's getting her soul back because there are a lot more of Daedric Princes to meet, and Herma Mora and Nocturnal were only two out of ... 17? Am I right? I counted Jyggalag as well. You don't actually meet him in Skyrim, but who knows, maybe I can think of a way to integrate him as well. He's the Daedric Prince of Order. Initially, he was strong as fuck to the point he had to be cursed, to even out his shit. I think you guys know him. Following the events of the Oblivion DLC, Shivering Isles, you learn that Sheogorath is actually Jyggalag, who was cursed to a .. life? unlife? of madness. However, once a while he turns into Jyggalag and destroys his realm, before going mad again. Following the events, spoiler alert, the Champion of Cyrodiil is turned into Sheogorath and Jyggalag keeps his real form.
Nice, right?
The unique thing about Sheogorath's quest is that for the first time, the two protagonists of two different Elder Scrolls games, meet up officially. The Dragonborn and the Champion. I am speculating that the Nerevarine from the third game is also alive because you know, he/she is immortal.
A nice idea for my story, hint hint.
So yeah. Also, the fake Imperial Patrol was taken from my own gameplay as well. I often play for inspiration.
Sorry for the boring chapter? ^-^" At least Cyrodiil is coming up soon. You guys have no idea how excited I am over it. You can not possibly know. I think you should get back to writing...
Cheers!