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#Post#: 627--------------------------------------------------
No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: Elisabeth Hollow Date: April 29, 2014, 3:20 pm
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Some of y'all have seen the prologue on the other site, but I'm
posting it here too, so it will be complete :]
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PROLOGUE
Dusk brought the chill of the night winds, the sky lighting up
in a medley of colors; blues and greens, purples and pinks.
Above the ribbons of the borealis, stars twinkled like eyes,
blinking sleepily at the vision of men and mer far below them.
The sun set with a silent sigh and slid away to warm other parts
of Nirn.
A gangly elf maiden trembled in the thin ceremonial cottons as
the wind whipped the fabric around her body roughly. She
struggled to keep her auburn hair out of her face and mouth,
spitting the strands out and tossing her head to and fro. She
shifted the luminous sphere in her hands, careful to not drop it
and anger the Daedric Prince she was appealing to.
A Dunmer woman, looking to be in her twenties, gave her a hard
look.
"Don't tarry, child. Meridia may look favorably upon us mortals,
but she does not have the patience for the slow-witted. Step
forward."
The Almer maiden, barely out of childhood and on the cusp of
womanhood, nodded to her mentor. The Khajiit male put a paw on
the Dunmer's shoulder.
"Gentleness, Nedine. she is but a child."
"She is to become Champion to our Daedra! You're too lax on her,
Ma'dat."
"Perhaps, but this one is not fond of the tone you speak to her
with. Go on, child," he said in a gentler tone to the elven
maiden. "Present yourself to Meridia. You have earned it."
The elven maiden took a step towards the shrine and looked up at
the towering visage before her. Meridia was depicted as a cowled
woman with her arms raised, and robe drawn up as if she had
wings. The sphere in her own hands would go between the upraised
palms. It shone bright with each step she took, until she was
upon the statue. The sphere was warm, and glittered with an
internal light the reached into her chest and warmed it with an
unidentifiable desire. She longed to please this deadra, to
reuninite the sphere with its owner, to bring light to the
world, but...
The sphere was yanked from her hands as she held it out, and a
light brightened up the nearby areas with a white hot light. She
felt the light fill her, and she felt airy, weightless. She
opened her eyes and saw she was hundreds of feet above the
earth, nearly in the stars that twinkled around her. Her white
linens floated around her, and her hair splayed out behind her
as if she were submerged in water. She did not breathe in, but
she did not choke, nor did she feel the need to panic. She
simply was.
A sword was put into her hand, and a promise she didn't fully
understand was made. To preach the gospel of a faceless daedra
using a sword that, once back on Nirn, she would most likely not
be able to lift on her own. She suddenly cried out and gripped
the back of her neck as a searing hot pain wracked her head. And
suddenly she was on the cold, hard ground of Skyrim, whimpering.
she had the blade of the sword between her thighs, hugging it,
the white linens stained with her own blood where her flesh
clutched the sword. She was pulled upwards, by mortal hands this
time, and congratulated, though she barely heard the words. Her
neck still stung.
"Ma'dat," She whimpered, her hand traveling to her neck. "My
neck!"
"Hold, little one," the Khajiit man said, gently moving her hair
from her neck. He hissed in disapproval.
"The Lady has seen fit to mark you, as well as give you her
sword. This is a great honor, little one." There was something
in his narrowed eyes that the elf girl couldn't read. Pity?
"Come," he gently guided her towards the tents they had set up.
"This one has something to help you sleep."
He lit the fire in the center of the tent, fit for ten people.
Pallets littered the ground in a lackadaisical fashion, and furs
warms her feet. Sweet, spiced wine was brought to her lips, and
she hungrily drank it. Her chest still pounded from the trip, as
she wasn't a fan of heights. She began to slide her legs beneath
the furs of the pallet, but hissed in pain when her thighs
touched, rubbing the shallow wounds aginst each other.
Ma'dat gently pulled at her ankles and placed his palms on the
wounds. She felt her face flush in embarrassment. They were
healed shortly, and he pulled back after patting her knee.
"This is a great honor, little one," he said, repeating what he
had said earlier. "Whether you feel it is or not."
"I said I didn't want to do this," she ran her fingers through
her auburn hair and pursed her lips together. Her large brown
eyes met his, and he blinked lazily at her.
"It does not matter what you want. It matters what she wants."
His tone was flat and unreadable.
"Why couldn't Nedine be the Champion?"
"She did not defeat the necromancer in the temple."
"It was an accident! Surely it doesn't count?"
He let out a short chuckle, devoid of any humor. "An accidental
defeat is still a defeat, little one. Consider it the beginning
of a long line of happy accidents."
She said nothing at this, only stifled a yawn with her hand. He
ruffled her hair.
"Sleep, for in the morning, we will head back to the village,
and it is a long trip. Goodnight, Nisse." He stood up end exited
the tent, leaving her alone with the fire. She laid down and,
despite the wine, had trouble sleeping. She fell into a fitful
slumber that would plague her for the rest of her nights.
#Post#: 778--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: McBadgere Date: April 29, 2014, 10:41 pm
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Well that's seven shades of Awesome(tm) right there... :) ...
Why have I not read this?...Hmmmm...*Confused*...Or maybe I
did...My memory is Stupid(tm) at the moment...
Either way...That was brilliant!!!...
So sad that she gets to be Champion by accident and never wanted
the whole Meridia thing in the first place... :( ...
As always, Ma'dat is always a pleasure to read...I love that
Khajiit... ;D ...
A proper wonderful bit of writing, looking forward to seeing how
it plays out different to t'other one...
Nice one Hollow!!...
*Applauds heartily*...
#Post#: 1008--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: Callidus Thorn Date: April 30, 2014, 4:50 pm
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Bloody Hel!
I'd have skipped this, being Skyim as it is, but after that
prologue, I'm gonna have to keep reading...
#Post#: 1284--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: Elisabeth Hollow Date: May 1, 2014, 4:56 pm
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The dull thud of her body as it fell next to mine, her feline
eyes staring into my own as blood leaked from her mouth. Her
ebony armor shone with the light of the moons, flickering in and
out of sight as my conscious thought ebbed away. I felt a hand
slip under my shirt and grope my small, mostly undeveloped
breast and squeeze ungently.
“We’re going to have a wonderful time, little elf,” a low voice
hissed. My sluggish efforts to crawl away were halted by strong
hands gripping my wrists tightly, pinning them above my head. I
closed my eyes and grit my teeth as my trousers were slid over
my rear, my belly scraping against the dirt of the desolate
Skyrim road. I felt another hand on my rear, gentler, then my
legs being spread apart.
I cried out in pain…
I jerked awake, momentarily disoriented in the darkness. I
kicked the covers off my body, sliding out of bed and onto my
knees on the floor. I felt for the solidness of my sword and let
out a relieved sigh when I felt its warmth. I pulled it out from
under the bed and partially unsheathed it, taking comfort in the
soft glow. Dawnbreaker quietly hummed with energy, a sound I had
gotten used to in the years I had it. I slid the sword back
under the bed and checked behind the curtains of the inn,
peeking out the window.
Dusk. The nightmares always woke me up by dusk. It never
mattered what they were, whether I had slept hours or dozed off
for a moment, but they never failed to wake me up by dusk.
Outside my door, the revelries of a party suddenly swelled as
laughter leaked under my door, as well as light. I smiled
slightly. It was always nice to hear someone having a good time,
even in a place called “The Winking Skeever.”
The jarl had commissioned me to clear out a small nest of
vampires near Solitude. Between the woes of her husband dying
and the tenacity of the Stormcloaks trying to take the holds in
her land, Jarl Elisef had passed all “minor” responsibilities to
Falk Firebeard, a man I was well accustomed to dealing with.
I stood up and stretched, then dressed. I brushed my hair to my
satisfaction and held it back with a thin length of rope. I then
opened the curtain a bit, letting the failing light stream in,
then sat on my bed. I crossed my legs, tucking each foot under
my knee, and straightened my back, staring forward. I placed my
hands on my knees and began breathing a bit slower, listening to
my breaths.
I sat like this until the light was nearly gone. I slid on my
armor, a dark leather fit for night-stalking, then slid a cowl
on, then decided against it. The strange Altmer that only came
out at night made the locals uneasy enough, but add in dark
armor and a cowl? I would be lynched for being a vampire, or
necromancer. Or perhaps just because it was Tirdas.
I arranged my ingredients, my eyes accustomed nicely to the
darkness. I slipped what I needed into the slots on a harness
across my chest. Two healing potions, a stamina potion, two
magic potions, and a cure disease potion. I slid a brown cloak
on to offset the black leather armor, to startle the patrons
less. Dawnbreaker was strapped to my hip last, and the cowl
tucked into my pouch on my right hip.
The conversations lulled as I walked out. I expected it, yet
still nodded at anyone willing to make eye contact with me. I
smiled at a small child, who only blinked back up. He smiled
back before I turned my head and shut the door behind me.
The air was brisk, as nearly always in Solitude. Spring was
coming, though, and the air was a bit warmer than usual. Growing
up near the border between Cyrodiil and Skyrim, the warmer
months were always appreciated by me. Though light on my feet,
my heels clacked against the cobblestoned pavement on my way to
the gates. The guard opened it up, and I was out. I slid the
hood and cowl on, adjusting it so I could breathe with better
ease. There was no need to check my map, as the same cave had
been cleared out by me a year before. I walked the familiar
road, passing a Khajiit caravan. They averted their eyes, afraid
I was a thief wanting their goods. I kept my pace up,
disappearing down the hill.
When I got close, I slid into the brush across from the
entrance. The spot was already ripe with the carcasses of
animals and humans alike, and any would-be hero would be easily
baited in. The folly of the inexperienced is their
inexperience.
My old mentor’s words rang true in my head as my elven ears
pricked at the sound of footfalls. A Nordic woman with bright
blonde hair stood at the entrance, her hand on the hilt of her
steel sword. I could tell she was contemplating entering. She
looked at the bloodied bones and the bloody handprints on the
ground, black with age. A pained howl suddenly burst from the
cave, and she jumped and drew her sword.
I moved to stand up, but the warning on my lips was stayed by
her form dropping quickly with a dull metallic thud, her armor
hitting the rocks. She scooted forward, the steel scraping
loudly, forcing me to cringe as my long ears tingled at the
sound. I stood up and silently followed the adventurer down the
tunnel, until it became too dark to see.
I held my breath and waited. I heard rustling, then the sound of
a torch being lit, then the suddenly blinding light as the torch
caught fire. I could hear the heavy breathing of the adventurer
as she ventured forward. I let out a silent breath as I followed
her though the dark cavern. The sounds of activity were heard as
the vampires began to awaken fully. The sound of steel leaving
its sheath rang out as she pulled her sword out and stepped into
the lit part of the cavern. I readied my bow as she began to
speak in a loud, authoritative voice.
“Foul creatures!” Her voice wavered slightly, but remained
somewhat strong. “Tonight you will meet your death!”
Hissing laughter filled the cavern as they slowly advanced on
the woman. She swung as one, and it easily dodged her and
shocked her with a spell. Her sword clanged loudly as it hit the
ground. Strangled groans from her clenched jaw made me shiver,
as I knew that pain. I loosed an arrow from the bow I conjured,
and it planted in the unprotected chest of one of the vampires.
It fell back from the force of the impact, and the other
vampires looked into the darkened tunnel.
“Elf!” One hissed. “Kill the elf!”
The lunged at me, and I pulled out Dawnbreaker, the light from
its blade blinding them. It pulsed hungrily, a low moan emitting
from the ringing sound as I held it out without a word.
#Post#: 1304--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: King Of Beasts Date: May 1, 2014, 5:14 pm
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Yay, a new chapter!! ;D
Damn, nightmares every time she sleeps. That's gotta suck :-\
Ooh, some good ole' fashioned vampire hunting, huh? ;D
It's nice to see you able to finish the chapter, and as always,
the chapter is great :)
#Post#: 1309--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: Callidus Thorn Date: May 1, 2014, 5:16 pm
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Good stuff. I loved that opening nightmare, very nicely done.
I'll admit there were one or two parts that had my inner editor
cringing a little, though.
#Post#: 1318--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: Elisabeth Hollow Date: May 1, 2014, 5:24 pm
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I, apparently, did NOT save the completely edited version. It's
on my computer at home. Oops, lol
#Post#: 1535--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: McBadgere Date: May 3, 2014, 10:07 pm
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Fair dues...I really enjoyed that bit...That wasn't over there,
was it?...Or did I never start the redone version?...Bugger...
:-\ ...
Aaaaamywho...Absolutely loved that!!...Well, apart from that
very dark start bit...Made me wince that... ;D ...Which
absolutely means it was well done, no?...
Looking forward to seeing how you go differently with this...
One excellent thing about my memory thing at the moment, is that
a hell of a lot seems new... ;D ...And so I have no idea what's
going to be new or not... :D ...
I have loved the way you write from the start though, that much
I do remember...
Awesome stuff...
Loved it!!...
Nice one!!...
*Applauds heartily*...
EDIT!!!...Forgot to say...This bit here...
[quote]I would be lynched for being a vampire, or necromancer.
Or perhaps just because it was Tirdas.[/quote]
Made I laugh a lot... ;D ...
#Post#: 4282--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: Elisabeth Hollow Date: July 11, 2014, 1:04 pm
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I heard a groaning from beside the fire, near my left. I turned
my head and raised a brow at the bloodied blonde putting a steel
hand to her forehead.
“Ugh, damned elf!”
“You’re welcome, I’ve treated your burns. Don’t get up,”
I sighed as she sat up, wincing. “Who are you?”
“Kayla. You?”
“Mjoll. What happened?”
“You came into the cave, clanging loudly and awoke the
vampires.”
“I’m not loud!”
“You lit a torch, then announced your presence even louder. Have
you ever heard of stealth?”
“Stealth is for the weak.”
“Says the woman who was saved by someone who used surprise.”
Mjoll said nothing to this, instead sniffed at the pot of
cooking food.
“Stew,” I said. “They already had a fire going. I threw their
meat out and replaced it with my own.”
“Why?”
“They like to prepare human flesh the way we prepare beef or
pork.”
“That’s…that’s horrifying! Are you some sort of vampire hunter?”
I chuckled. “Yes, of a sort. Take off your armor. It’s safe
here, and there’s a storm brewing outside. Unless you fancy
being tossed off the side of the cliff, or down the
mountainside, we’ll be here a while.”
She sighed and took off her armor, letting it fall to the ground
with a clang. She sat closer to the fire and began to untangle
her long, blonde hair. I ran my fingers through my own short,
messy auburn hair.
“Do you wear your armor all of the time?” I asked Mjoll. She
only had underclothes on, covering the basics of her anatomy. I
saw no clothing in the small pack she carried.
“Yes.”
“That’s a terrible idea. I’ve smelled better when passing
between a giant’s legs.”
She raised a brow and opened her mouth, but her retort was cut
short by a crash of thunder. To her credit, she didn’t jump,
only casting her eyes towards the entrance of the cave. She
turned back to me.
“So, tell me about yourself, Kayla.”
“What would you like to hear? Most folk love the story of how I
got my unusual name.”
“That is a good start. Then we can end with how you became so
good at killing vampires.”
One side of my mouth curled in a smile. “Very well.”
The meat hissed on the spit, and I gave it a turn, checking to
see how well done it was.
“When I was sixteen, I decided to set out on my own…”
#Post#: 4283--------------------------------------------------
Re: No Elves in Sovngarde (R)
By: King Of Beasts Date: July 11, 2014, 1:28 pm
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Yay new chapter!!
Helping you get this was worth the slow Internet lol
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