A/N Departure
Alt title: Traveling incognito? Sure!
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Dancing Leaf: Honestly I got the idea from read All Other Tomorrows. A fan made alternate ending to All Tomorrows. In it, it described a future descendent of Humanity that evolved inside caves and lost their eyesight.
As for the evolution magic? I'm getting a lot of inspiration from speculative biology videos. And Peter Jackson's Skull Island.
Guest: Auri-El and Akatosh are the same being. They both exist, they're just different names for the same being.
Guest: You're right. 50 gold a day really isn't enough to destabilize an economy. Unless you take the 50 out every day and stash it away for several years and then introduce it all at once. Which, no.
RiverOffers: Glad you're liking it so far!
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-Date, Time-
'Thoughts'
"Speech"
System
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-The Forgotten Vale, 2nd of Rain's Hand, 4E 201, 9am-
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Lilyrael POV
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"Azuraitha!" I call to the Dov guising herself as a Falmer.
"Yes master?" She asks, turning from the alchemist we procured. "What it is you require?"
The Alchemist, Eletheyn, bows curtly before wandering off to return to his experiments.
"Are we set to head out?" I ask.
We have a decent retinue set up for ourselves. The encampment I conscripted from was a settling party. Meant to maintain a foothold in preparation for greater settling. Another sign that the Corrupted ones are not too far gone as to be considered monsters. Just, primitive.
"We have the supplies to last us a week, barring any resupply we may garner." She answers.
"Hmm, the only problem with that is I'm not sure how far an entrance to Fal'Zhardum Din would be." I respond.
"Entrances?" Azuraitha asks with a tilt of her head. "There are more than one?"
"There are several in fact." I answer her. "Fal'Zhardum Din was the northern seat of the Dwemer. A veritable capital in its own right."
"What were they like?" Azuraitha asks. "The Dwemer."
"Hmm, I've only ever met with one in earnest before." I answer thoughtfully. "But going off of first impressions, they were a very, practical people. They placed knowledge as sacred above all else, and claim that they do not forsake the Aedra by refusing to worship, but that they honor them by putting their time to best learn all they could about their creations on Nirn."
"So, they place magical and technological advancement above all else?" Azuraitha confirms.
"I would say that's accurate." I agree. "Regardless, I know the direction of one of the entrances, but not exactly, I'm unsure as to how far it is."
"Well, if it appears we are not within range, we can always land and settle for a bit before continuing." Azuraitha suggests.
That is an option. However, I'm reluctant to go through with such a course of action. For one, the Atmoran's descendants rule this land now. And I would very much like to avoid them until I can afford to engage in any, altercation the children of savages might provoke.
"How well do you believe we could hide from the invasive species?" I ask curiously.
"You mean the humans?" Azuraitha clarifies. "So long as we refrain from traveling near any major settlements we should be fine."
"Very well." I reply and turn to leave. Intent on ordering the servants to pack up and be prepared to leave at a moments notice.
Before a rather, important, thought occurs to me.Turning swiftly back around to face the Dov.
"Um, how, are we all to travel at once?" I ask with a tilt of my head. "I'm aware you're quite strong, but, can you carry twenty three mer at once?"
"Oh master." She giggles, with her hand to her mouth. "First of all, it'd be more accurate to say twenty two, and a half, mer."
"Watch yourself Azuraitha." I warn the mischievous maid. "You're becoming far too familiar."
"Consider it a compliment." She says with a smile and curtsy. "Towards your elegant and lithe figure."
I know she's trying to sway me. But I don't have a proper rebuttal, nor do I find the issue significant enough to warrant causing a scene.
"I'll allow it." I say. "Now, my question?"
"Well, simply put." She begins to explain. "I have a spell I can use once a day. For up to an hour, so long as I know of the location, I can form a portal going from my location, to the one I desire."
'So, a portable wayshrine then?' I think curiously.
"Hmm, that's quite convenient." I admit. "So the rest will reside here until we find Fal'Zhardum Din? Then I'm to take it that the supplies are meant purely for the two of us."
She stares blankly at me for a few seconds. Blinking owlishly as she seemingly tries to find the proper words to voice her answer.
"Well, us and two others. The cook and an archer." She says plainly. "You, you know I'm referring to the gate spell. Correct?"
"If that is what your spell is." I answer her. "I've not heard of it before, but that means little."
I'm not well versed in the arcane arts after all. Most of my time was spent on political intrigues. Mostly in the hopes that should I be forced to marry a man twice my senior, I could easily manipulate him. And should I somehow be chosen as successor, well, current circumstances not withstanding. I feel I would've made a decent queen.
She stares at me in further disbelief. Her face displaying no indication of emotion at my words. Other than a slight tilt of her head.
"You are aware that Gate is a ninth level spell, correct?" She asks.
"That means nothing to me." I respond. "Does that mean we can leave sooner? I believe it'll be much easier to transport a mere three mer as opposed to a full encampment."
"Well, yes." She says awkwardly. "But keep in mind, it's a once a day spell and only lasts an hour so-"
"You already told me that." I say with a raised brow.
"It has no limit on distance." She stresses.
"And as soon as figure a way to remake and restore the wayshrines, we'll be capable of doing so, more, than once a day. And, indefinitely." I point out.
Don't get me wrong, a spell that mimics a wayshrine is impressive. But an actual wayshrine is more useful for day to day operations. Especially on a wider, nation scale.
"If that is all Azuraitha, I shall see to having our provisions secured." I say as I turn back around to command the camp.
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-4 hours later-
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"Are we all set?" I ask Aerencoar, our resident survival expert.
"Yes." He says curtly.
I gave him a no nonsense, to the point personality. A mer who is stalwart, stoic, and keen. As well as cautious and reliable.
The result being that he's not very, talkative. He speaks very curtly and to the point.
"I have all my utensils and supplies." Naerynda says as she turns to me. "And I've taught a few of the others how to make a fire and boil water without making themselves as part of the meal. So, they shouldn't being burning down the vale anytime soon. If we're lucky."
Naerynda on the other hand, is a bit sarcastic and a tad mischievous. With a tendencies to talk. And if you don't address her quick enough, she feels a need to verify whether or not you heard her. Yet despite that, she's oddly patient.
"Then we set out now." I say as I lead the way towards the now draconic Azuraitha.
I already gave the rest of the camp their orders. They know there's another Falmer in the woods, Gelebor. And that should anything go wrong, they're to seek him out for assistance. Otherwise, they're to stay hidden. I didn't take so much time recovering them, just to have them waste it by attracting the attention of the Corrupted Ones and getting wiped out by their feral kin.
As we all saddle upon Azuraitha's back, nestled between her wings. Azuraitha grabs our gear in her front claws. And with a singular, powerful flap of her wings, we take off into the sky. Leaving the Snowshine Vale behind as we rise higher and higher.
As we rise higher and higher, into the clouds. I get a good view of Faloia. It, I've never seen the land. So I have no reference, I've never left the Vale. But, I will admit the view is, beautiful.
Here's hoping my memory of the maps is accurate.
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-The Blue Palace, Solitude, 7th of Rain's Hand, 4E 201, 11am-
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Jarl Elisif the Fair POV
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"And now, we have a concerned citizen of Dragon's Bridge, his name is, Varnius Junius." My husband's, my steward, Falk Firebeard informs me. "Says he has two matters to bring to attention."
"Very well." I say with a nod. "Let him up!"
Falk has been a godsend. He was my husband's best friend. And yet, he has yet to mourn. Said that he shall mourn, when Skyrim is done mourning for the fate of its people. He can be poetic like that.
As the thin man of clear Imperial descent climbs the stairs, he give me a curt, informal bow at the waist.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice my queen." He says.
"Please, I am merely the Jarl of Solitude. You may call me queen when Skyrim's people anoint me the responsibility." I correct the man gently.
People keep calling me queen. And I want to accept the title, if for no other reason than it feels uncomfortable correcting people. But Sybille has assured me that refusing the title until it's official can only send the right message. While accepting it any capacity before a moot is convened, can send the wrong message.
"Of course my Jarl." He says. "I'll not be a burden and waste your time. Many traveling the roads and several of us in Dragon's Bridge have seen flashing lights in the mountains, near Wolfskull Cave, and a few have even gone missing after setting out to discover the source. None of us are equipped to handle this, and I ask you lend some soldiers or guards to root out the cause of this."
"Oh my." I say in concern for the man's plight. People going missing is nothing to make light of after all! "Very well! Then we will immediately send out a legion to scour the cave and secure the town. Haafingar's people will always be safe under my rule."
"Tha-thank you my Jarl! Thank you greatly!" Varnius says with an eager bow.
"My Jarl, all my scrying on the area shows there is nothing there." Sybille whispers next to me. "This is likely nothing more than baseless superstitions."
"Perhaps a more, cautious measure, should be taken?" Falk suggests loud enough for the court to hear, having heard Sybille's words.
"Hmm, perhaps you are right, Falk." I say as I think. Who was the residing captain again? "Send word to Captain Aldis, tell him to expect a reinforcement of guards."
"By your word, my Jarl." He says with a formal bow.
"And, and the cave?" Varnius asks.
"I'll arrange to have someone sent out and investigate." Falk says softly.
"Oh, thank the eight." Varnius says with a sigh of relief. "Now, the other thing."
"Yes, you had two concerns for the people of Dragon's bridge I believe?" I ask, gently leading him to continue.
"Yes!" He says, just as fearfully as before. "Some days ago, there was a storm cloud, it was, unnatural."
"Unnatural how?" I ask in confusion.
"It moved with a swiftness only an arrow could match." He says nervously. "I know it sounds, absurd. But many in the area have claimed to see the same storm cloud flying overhead, in a straight line. Heading for the mountains, east."
"More superstitious nonsense." Sybille whispers condescendingly.
Glancing towards Falk to get a gauge on his opinion as towards Sybille's statement. Only to see him give a slight, almost unperceivable shrug.
"I know it sounds outlandish." Varnius continues. "And you must think me a loon. But with the war, and rumors of dragons-"
"Rumors that have yet to be confirmed." Erikur interjects.
'Dragons?' I think curiously. 'I have yet to hear of anything.'
"Even still!" Varnius says as he looks to Erikur, before returning to meet my gaze. "The people are worried, scared. We just want assurance that we'll be safe."
"And so long as I draw breath, I shall see to it that you are." I say resolutely. "If that is all."
He nods his head. Seemingly content with how this meeting has turned out. That's good. I hate disappointing people.
"Yes, my Jarl." Varnius says with a curt bow. "Again, I can't thank you enough for seeing to our concerns."
"Think nothing of it." I say with a smile. "I wish you safe travels."
As the proceedings continue, and Varnius is escorted out of the palace. I turn to look towards steward Falk and thane Erikur. The first standing with a resolve I would see in Torygg. The second being pot bellied and the only of my court sitting, aside from me, due to knee problems.
"What's this about, dragons?" I ask the two.
Falk rubs the back of his neck awkwardly as he goes to speak.
"Well, recently there have been reports of-"
"Utter nonsense." Erikur cuts him off. "The common man has been claiming that dragons are returning to Skyrim. And that one even helped Ulfric escape his execution at Helgen."
'Execution!?' I think appallingly.
"Execution? What execution?" I ask curiously.
"Ulfric was caught at the border last month. He was set to be executed at Helgen, in the Falkreath hold." Sybille says simply.
'Why was I not informed of this!?'
"How did I know nothing of this?" I ask worriedly.
"My Jarl." Falk says softly. "You were told. I told you myself, Sybille was there. You signed off on it."
"I did?" I ask in concern. "I, I don't recall."
"Perhaps, we should close the court for the day." Erikur suggests. "General Tulius, can be called up to help fill you in."
"I wouldn't want to take him away from his duties." I say.
The man is working hard to see my husband avenged after all. I can't just call him up and inconvenience him like that.
"My Jarl, Elisif." Falk says gently. "With all due respect, he is to assist you in all things. To ensure the peace of Skyrim. He can hardly do so, if you are unwilling to use him as a resource. And keeping you updated on the happenings, is one of his duties."
I, I suppose that is true. I just don't like commanding people. It feels, mean. Oh Torygg, how did you do this?
Bonus
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Lilyrael's current number of forces
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1 scouting party of 22 Falmer
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Mages:
1, Destruction specialist
Archers: 6
Cook: 1
Warriors: 8
3, Light warriors
2, Heavy warriors
3, Skirmishers
Craftsmer: 3
1, Alchemist
1, Fletcher
1, Blacksmith
Extra: 2
1, Chaurus tamer
1, porter
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A/N
The bit about the Dwemer not forsaking the Aedra, is political bull.
The elves are a very cultured race. With each holding their respective deities in high regard. It'd only make sense that a group of atheistic pragmatist lie to maintain good standing with their neighbors.
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And yes, I made it no secret, but Lilyrael is prejudiced against humans. She's 13 and her only interaction with them, was when they invaded her lands. And now she's told they were the driving force for the destruction of her people. That's her only view of them.
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Elisif is very much presented as incompetent and well meaning. She wants to do her best. But is completely held back by her inexperience, personality, and her grief over her husband's death. She is forgetful and absent minded. Once wanting to hold a parade for General Tulius, despite the ongoing war. And even banning a centuries old festival, for seemingly no reason.
Yeah, she might be well meaning. But it is clear she's a puppet.
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