The Wayfarer – Evard Raven-Blood (Skyrim Fan Fiction) – Part 1, Episode 7 – “Whiterun: First Impressions”

I woke that next morning with a sense of purpose.  I needed to get to Whiterun and tell him what I knew as a survivor of Helgen.  I stretched, ate a solid breakfast and then Faendal and I headed out onto the road to Whiterun. The weather crisp and clear and we crossed the bridge near Riverwood.  The road wound around the mountain to the left and we ran into a wolf as we neared the falls.  I dispatched him with my sword after blocking with my shield.  I have to admit Faendal’s arrow in the beast’s side probably helped as well.

Once we got past the falls I saw Whiterun on its hill for the first time.  I have lived in the Imperial City but Whiterun has a charm all its own.  Dragonsreach sits like an eagle perched on top of roost.  We headed down the switchbacks to the plains and then followed the road to the gates of Whiterun.  I saw some Imperial soldiers escorting a prisoner and hoped they were not looking for escapees from Helgen.  Then again, how many did escape from Helgen to look for?  I also saw some warriors fighting a Giant in a farmer’s field but I decided they were handling it on heir own so I moved on passed the Whiterun Stables.

That’s when I saw the khajiit Caravan.  I ran up and talked to he leader named Ri’saad,  I had a pleasant discussion with him about his homeland and why he was trading in Skyrim.  His answer was actually pretty sound economically.  High risk means higher reward.  Couldn’t fault him for that.  I continued on and when we reached the main gate I told the guard who stopped us that I had news from Helgen.  He said I could go in but that the guard was watching me.

Given this situation I decided it would be wise to head directly to Dragonsreach.  Once I moved through the marketplace and up the first set of stairs however, I spotted a priestess sitting next to the Gildergreen.  I had of course heard of the Gildergreen but it didn’t look anything like I had heard as it had no leaves and looked dead.  The priestess turned out to be Danica Pure-Spring, the priestess of Kynareth.  My conversation with her revealed that the Gildergreen had been struck by lightning and because of its current condition the pilgrims had all but stopped coming.  She explained to me that she believed if she could get a hold of some sap from the parent of Gildergreen, the Eldergleem,  it might wake up its child. The problem was the Eldergleem could not be tapped by metal and so the only weapon that would work was a dagger called Nettlebane.  It was in the possession of a hagraven at Orphan Rock.  I agreed to retrieve it, I sensed at that time this was part of my pilgrimage.

I ignored the priest of Talos who was preaching nonsense.  I must admit I hate the notion of people being overly religious.  I know, strange for a former priest, but I believe in balance in serving the divines. The Civil War in Skyrim was a classic case of over zealotry for Talos at the expense of the other eight at times by the Stormcloaks. On the other hand the war had also created a vacuum in removing Talos so perhaps the Nine themselves fostered a way to keep the balance despite our imbalance. In any case, I moved up the stairs to the Jarl’s Palace.

Dragonsreach is impressive with is high ceiling and dragon skull over the throne.  Jarl Balgruuf was an older man at the time I met him but still sound and known for his temper.  I moved forward with caution as I was not sure how I was going to be received having not be summoned.  I wold find out that Jarls as a general rule were far more accepting of visitors than rulers were in Cyrodiil.  I was however stopped by the Jarl’s housecarl Irileth a dark elf female.   Once I told her I had information about Helgen she let me through to see the Jarl.

Jarl Balgruuf was very pleased to hear my report and he ordered some troops to protect Riverwood. He spoke to me privately afterward and told me that I had done Whiterun a service and he would not forget it. He then asked if I would consider another task, I accepted and then he took me to see his Court Wizard.

Farengar Secret-Fire was slightly arrogant.  Not so much that you wanted to kill him for it but that he was irritating like a rash. He was devoted to his research which was dragons.  After instructed by the Jarl to tell me all he knew he told me that he might have a key to understanding the dragon crisis. He had learned of a Dragonstone in Bleak Falls Barrow that was a map of dragon burial sites.  He felt this could help understand why the dragon were returning.  After a conversation with him I knew about the Dragon War and other factors that had once been the stuff of legends but now were being considered more likely to be history than legend, I felt I was prepared.  I also purchased some spells from him and did some work enchanting, well disenchanting some items.

Honestly, it was at this point I realized I had probably stepped right in it, but I was determined to make a better life in Skyrim. I would both settle and wander its mountains, plains and forests. I would not return to the priesthood. That life was over for me as I embraced the new life of being and adventurer and explorer.  Bleak Falls Barrow would be my new start.

Looking back at it now, I suppose people might call it a case for fate, but I don’t think so.  It was more my choices meeting a hidden opportunity. I suppose the divines could have chosen the first person who accepted Farengar’s quest as easily as me.  I have never been one for fate in my theology and I don’t think my becoming Dragonborn changes that.  It is simply part of who I was meeting the opportunity to be something more and me embracing it once I discovered both.

 

The Blacksmith’s Daughter (Skyrim Fan Fiction) – Part 5, Episode 9 – “Hob’s Fall Cave”

Journal of Anya Fire-Heart – Morndas, 29th of Hearthfire, 4th Era, Year 201

“Hob’s Fall Cave”

Yesterday was not eventful enough for me to write about.  For the most part I took my carriage to Dawnstar and began to look for Beitild who I found working her mine easy enough.  A few conversations and I knew where she lived. I decided the best way to kill her was wait until she went into her house.  In the meantime I decided to check out this new museum in Dawnstar.

I came to the place I was told the museum was only to find two people engaged in an argument.  The woman mage was arguing that Silus should not be creating the museum.  He retorted that this was his family’s legacy and he would embrace it.  I spoke with her (Madena) and she told me that Silus was obsessed with this legacy of the Mythic Dawn he possessed. She felt this was a mistake.  I talked to him inside the museum and he said he had one thing left to collect – Mehrunes Dagon’s Razor.  He offered to hire me to find it.  I agreed only because I understand the value of having the favor of the daedric lord as he is the daedra of change and ambition.  He gave me his notes on the three people who had the fragments of the Razor.  I told him I would find them and bring them back.

I waited til Beitild finally went home well after midnight.  I followed her to her home and then after she went in waited for a half hour then I went up to the door crouched down and picked the lock.  I am, as I have mentioned before, not very good at sneaking.  Beitild was however sleeping soundly like anyone who has worked an eighteen hour day would,  The Ebony Blade drank her blood sending her to Sithis.  I went to the inn and spent a restful night sleeping.

I awoke the next morning early and headed out to Fort Fellhammer.  I was looking for a fragment of Wuuthrad in the possession of the Silver Hand.  Fort Fellhammer is a small fort and it was certainly not a great fort but it protected a mine.  I took out the three Silver Hand guards and then entered the upper part where I found the leader.  It was a tough fight but in the end his blood dripped off the Ebony Blade. I found the fragment in a chest. It had been a while since I had received this mission from Aela the Huntress. She would probably be very pleased to both see it finished and me as well.  Unfortunately I still had some things to do.

I headed northeast toward Hob’s Fall Cave.  I found the entrance between some ice cliffs.  I dropped down into a low spot and then entered the cave.  Hob’s Fall Cave was infected with Necromancers.  One of them believed that Pantea’s Flute was able to make the dead dance.  I was fairly certain they had it long enough to know it didn’t work but they had sent a ransom note to Pantea anyway.  I fought my way through skeletons and necromancers and in the end I found the flute in the furthest chamber in a chest.  My fire burned all my enemies and I have found that undead are particularly vulnerable.  I exited the cave, found my way back to Dawnstar and took the boat to Solitude directing my carriage to meet me there.

Pantea and Inge Six-Fingers were both glad to get the instruments.  They both thanked me by teaching me several things. Pantea had a great knowledge of a few key points in magic use.   Inge had been associated with the thieves guild so she gave me some knowledge along those lines.  I was happy to learn but once I was done, I just wanted to get home. I took my carriage back to Lakeview Manor where I have arrived late.

I am now ready to complete a few things.  I need to get the fragment back to Aela but I also have finished all my assassinations for the Dark Brotherhood.  With all the work completed for the Bard’s college, my cover identity seems to be secure there.  I am thinking I will visit the sanctuary first as it is closer and then head to Whiterun.  It really is all about tying up loose ends tomorrow.

I don’t know If I will get a chance to get to Markarth to see the Temple of Dibella and the priestesses but I can’t seem to shake the notion that this is important.  Is it Mephala’s guidance?  Mephala is the goddess of sex after all and Dibella is a goddess of following the pleasures of life which includes sex.  Sex is after all central to my problem as a woman right now but why would Mephala take such a personal interest in me?  Well, in any case, I hope I find a chance to get to Markarth soon to find out if they can be of any help.

Next: Two Loose Ends

The Wayfarer – Evard Raven-Blood (Skyrim Fan Fiction) – Part 1, Episode 6 – “Riverwood”

The new Scribe nodded and I continued with my story.

When I exited Alvor’s house, I was faced with a sense of urgency about warning the Jarl about the dragon. To be honest though I was not sure what the Jarl would actually do about the dragons.  He might actually send a guard but I couldn’t see him sending anything more than a detachment to maybe get the people to safety.  I had the notion at this time that dragons were somewhat like a natural disaster.  You really can only react to them.  This is why I didn’t head out right away to warn the Jarl but instead made the decision to get to know the people of the town.

I headed first to the right and greeted the woman I had heard earlier talking about the dragon but she seemed only interested in the fact no one (but me) believed her.  I then ran into a wood elf named Faendal. He was chopping and delivering wood to a pile near the forge.  When I greeted him he opened with a curious conversation about me talking to a guy named Sven.  I asked him what was wrong with Sven.  It seemed Sven fancied himself a bard but was lazy and more importantly interested in the same girl as he was – Camilla Valerius.  He tried at that time to get me interested in helping him by giving her a forged letter that he wanted to give to her and say it was from Sven.  I took the letter but secretly I wished I hadn’t even started down this path.

I felt the only reasonable course of action was to continue on and if I found Sven, talk to him.  I found that he was often in the Sleeping Giant Inn.  I discovered this from Lod the husband of Gerdur who owned the saw mill.  He had an additional complaint about Sven that he often showed up to the job drunk.  Hod also informed me that he paid for chopped firewood.  I then headed to the Sleeping Giant which is by all respects a decent inn for Skyrim.  I found Sven sitting in a chair nursing a pint of mead.  When I informed him of Faendal’s letter, he said it was shocking that an elf would engage in treachery in a very sarcastic tone. He then gave me a letter of his own to give Camilla.  One thing that I could get from Sven is that he had a high opinion of himself and a low opinion of elves.  I took his letter and asked where he had learned to sing and play.  He told me about the Bard’s College in Solitude.

I had several other conversations that day.  Most notably with Delphine the innkeeper who told me she really only handled renting rooms and that anything else I wanted I should talk to Orgnar. Orgnar for his part was a walking font of information.  I learned about many rumors.  He told me about the Mage’s College in Winterhold, that there was a boy in Windhelm trying to contact the Dark Brotherhood.  How the local merchant Lucan Valerius had been robbed lately but little had actually been stolen. Finally he noted that there was indeed a love triangle between Camilla who had two suitors – Sven and Faendal.

I headed out to the Riverwood Trader where I came into the shop where Camilla and her brother Lucan were in an argument about something involving adventures and thief chasing. This was probably reference to this robbery they had just experienced.  Lucan apologized that I had to hear that and I simply talked to Camilla about the situation with her, Sven and Faendal.  I gave her Sven’s letter and told her it was Sven trying to trick her into thinking it was Faendal’s she was shocked at its contents and asked me to talk to Faendal.  She was sure he would want to thank me.

Looking back at it, I sided with Faendal because Sven is the typical blowhard I have come to despise. Arrogant, lazy and a racist to boot.  Faendal was interested in Camilla and not so much beating Sven at everything else.  I could however see why Faendal and Sven wanted Camilla, she was indeed a  young beautiful intelligent Imperial woman. Hey, I may be old but I am not dead.  I headed back to Faendal and he thanked me with gold and offered to follow me and watch my back.  Seeing I was certainly not ready to travel Skyrim alone, I accepted.

The rest of the day was a of a day or preparation, training and work to build some coin. I put together a proper backpack at Alvor’s forge, chopped wood to make some money with Faendal all the while training me between activities to shoot a bow.  Yeah, I trained with the bow at this time and found my skills as an archer reviving from all the times I went hunting with my father. By the time the sun was set I was sore and ready for bed.  I also was ready to travel in the morning.  Faendal was my guide and backup.  I had also revived some skills.

I figured I would head out in the morning to see the Jarl of Whiterun. The whole situation of the robbery of the Riverwood Trader bothered me though.  I thought that I would talk to Lucan about it in the morning before I left.  I did some reading and then turned in renting a room at the Sleeping Giant.  The next morning is where I felt my real adventures would begin. I was right.

The Blacksmith’s Daughter (Skyrim Fan Fiction) – Part 5, Episode 8 – ‘Fellglow Keep’

Journal of Anya Fire-Heart – Loredas, 27th of Hearthfire, 4th Era, Year 201

“Fellglow Keep”

This morning I left Lakeview Manor and traveled by carriage to Whiterun, then there was only a short journey to the east up into the hills to Fellglow Keep which is an old fortress.  Along the way was only a bear and some wolves.  I arrived at Fellglow and was greeted by a Flame Atronach and two wizards.  There is one thing that I am learning is Faralda’s advice is true and that those creatures that are immune to flame make my flame spells and breath nearly useless, which is why I am thankful for the Ebony Blade.

The first encounter I ran into once  entered a small door the Flame Atronach was guarding, the main doors being barred from the inside, was a Frost Mage and two spiders.  The spiders were blown apart by a Fire Rune and then I closed the gap with Frost Mage.  In contrast to opponents who use fire.  Frost Magic pretty much bounces off me.  My Nord blood and the Atronach Stone’s blessing pretty much make me immune.  My Flame cloak and the Ebony Blade made short work of him.

What followed this was running into various groups of mages doing different experiments.  The first of which was a group who had captured several vampires which they had as prisoners.  In a stroke of inspiration I let the vampires free after killing the one mage guarding them.  They exacted their vengeance on their captors in a battle in the next room.  It was three of them against three mages and when it was all over only one vampire remained.  It looked at me with hungry eyes but then left the room walking right past me to freedom.  I thought about killing it but then why bother. The vampires had done me a service for freeing them and in return the final vampire and I simply parted calling it even.

These mages were all rich in one thing – books.  Everywhere I found books on shelves.  Many of these I had already in my main library but I was building a secondary library to trade books from to others.  Urag might want a book I already had and I had run into others who were looking for specific books.  While I would be reluctant to part with a book in my main collection, if I had it in the backup collection I could trade it with less reservation.  My backpack began to swell with books.

The next room of significance was the prison room.  It had three cells and in one of them was Orthorn.  I had to kill a mage and three wolves but I finally found myself in front of Orthorn asking where the stolen books were.  He told me that The Caller had taken them.  He offered to stay with me but I told him not to bother.  He volunteered to follow me but I told him quite frankly he made me sick and that he should just head back to the College of Winterhold.  I have little trust of traitors watching my back.

I continued on.  I found two mages practicing spells and another was looking on giving instruction.  I waited until they had pretty much expended all their magicka and then struck.  I killed the instructor mage first and then the other two were easily dispatched.   I suppose it did however help that my Flame Breath hit them all first.  After this, I encountered two necromancers in a crypt.  I fought and killed them along with the six skeletons that burst out from coffins.  I went on and found myself going upward in the main part of Fellglow Keep.

Fellglow Keep itself was a battle of destroying various types of mages along with a few summoned atronachs.  First there were summoners and a Flame Atronach.  Then I found the main chamber that leads to the outside it was guarded by two mages and a Frost Atronach.  The Atronach melted before my Breath and the mages crumpled before the Ebony Blade. I found a side chamber where the mages slept and slaughtered two more of them.  I found an Enchantment table and did some work there briefly.

I continued on and found a room with two rings of bookshelves that was obviously a library of sorts. I killed two mages there and took any books that were still intact. I headed through the continuing passage to find what I must assume to be the place where leaders of the group lived as there were two private rooms the first was fairly ordinary but at least a person could live there by themselves.  The second was far more comfortable with two chambers. One for eating and the other had a double bed for sleeping.  This second pair of rooms was clearly the home of The Caller but it looked like another person lived here as well.  Probably a lover based on how the bedroom smelled.  There was a mage and a Flame Atronach that I had to kill in these rooms connected to the hallway.  I finally made my way up into the Final upper level of the keep.

The Ritual Chamber where the Caller was located was fairly vast.  It had small chambers that were connected to it but on it also had three places for books including a central pulpit.  The Caller herself was actually only slightly upset that I had destroyed everything.  I told her I had come for the book Orthorn had stolen.  She said that she was disappointed that I was only Savos Aren’s lackey. She told me she was not going to part with the books so a battle ensued.  She summoned Flame Atronach after Flame Atronach.  The chamber also allowed her to teleport out of trouble from time to time. It was an epic battle but in the end the high elf mage known as The Caller was dead at my feet, although I was glad for my Fast Healing Spell several times in the encounter.

I took all three books and began to examine them.  One was Night of Tears which once I quickly read parts of it looked like it had information relevant to the Orb we had discovered. I found a key on the Caller that opened a door to a storage room which had quite a few treasures that I quickly collected.  I then found my way out of he Keep and after a run back to Whiterun made the decision to head back to Lakeview Manor.  I simply had too many books and needed to get them back to my library.

This whole encounter has left me in a whirl personally.  This was particularly evident from the fact these mages were not just engaged in freely practicing magic but a freedom of ethics and morality of sorts.  The Caller herself conjured in my thoughts of a woman who experimented in powerful magics during the day and engaged a lover passionately at night.  I must freely admit this image of a woman in control of both her work and personal life is an attractive one.

Not that my personal life has gone anything beyond a little infatuation with a couple of men which I know in my heart will never go further than it is.  Ralof is too much of an honorable Nord and Ulfric will undoubtedly marry for political reasons.  That said, I find that since my time of being a slave to the bandits, my views on intimacy have changed.  I used to, like any other girl I imagine, pleasure myself from time to time in bed dreaming foolish girl dreams of nights of lustful passion with the man of my dreams.  After a month of continual rape however, intimacy with men is certainly distasteful to me.

I haven’t even bothered to pleasure myself since either.  Physically I am healed completely, but inside I still burn with rage.  I would rather burn a man to ash than make love to one. Women who basically sell or compromise their bodies for gain I find repugnant as well.  I find though this encounter has me think on what pleasure I am missing from not enjoying life or intimacy.  Father was after all as devoted to Dibella as he was Talos.  Mother always said he was a horny bastard but she said it with a naughty smile.  Mother was a priestess of the Nine with Talos as center but she certainly didn’t shy away from Dibella’s teachings or feast days either.  I want to find a love like they had, but I feel broken.  The only time I am at peace is when I am at the forge or burning and slashing my enemies. Fire and Steel are my solace not love.

Perhaps when I am done with this trip north, I will head to Markarth. Perhaps, my broken womanhood can be restored by the priestesses of Dibella.  However, tomorrow I will once again make the trip north.  The goals remain the same for now.  The missions for the Companions, Dark Brotherhood and Bard’s College remain.  They will be done.

Next: Hob’s Fall Cave