Chapter 2.
Location:- Helgan
Date:- 2E 585 Morning Star Turdas 7th.
In recent days the small fort town of
Helgen had seen more action than it had all winter, this was mainly
due to the new arrivals from Bruma. Men and women and some children
walked or limped around the town battered and bruised. Soldiers
struggled to help their comrades that were crippled due to missing
limbs and blood soaked bandages stemming the flow of blood. Flies
buzzed around some of the wounded as healers worked on people laying
on stretchers moaning in pain, now and then the sound of a saw
cutting through bone and the screams of pain came from a tent in the
market square.
A small group of mages stood huddled
around a fire warming their hands trying to keep out the chill. The
town had the air of defeat and the smell of death. The people who
lived there walked around in a daze at the news of one of the
Ebonheart Pacts largest defeat of the war so far, and it was at the
hands of Molag Bal and not one of the two enemy alliances. The news
was Bruma had been sacked by a daedric invasion force and Cloud Ruler
Temple which housed a massive garrison of Pact troops was now being
pulled from the very face of Nirn into Coldharbour. There was also a
name on everyone’s lips a dunmer who showed cunning and rallied the
fleeing troops to organise a fighting retreat through Jerrall's Pass,
it was the disgraced general Veldam Arendu of House Telvanni. It was
also he that commanded the mages to pull the mountains down into the
pass to stop the daedra from following them back into Skyrim.
The two guards stood on watch at the
forts main doors watching the crowds as they went about their daily
business with a bored look on their faces. A scream and a commotion
from the crowd caught their attention as a huge senche mount along
with its khajiit rider appeared where the crowd parted like a wave
breaking on the shoreline. The two guards looked at one another in a
stunned silence and then back at the rider and mount as the khajiit
dismounted and walked up to the two guardsmen. The rider was dressed
in casual clothes of his people and carried a large curved blade on
his back. His fur was striped with yellow and black and had the same
pattern as the fur on his mount. The khajiit stopped in front of the
two guards and gave a long low bow to them as a show of respect with
a sweep of his arm, his tail twitching.
“This one wishes to deliver a letter
to Veldam Arendu of House Telvanni.” he said as he rose up from his
bow.
“Give me the letter khajiit and I
will make sure he gets it.” one of the guards said as he held out
his hand.
“This one must deliver the letter to
Veldam regretfully.” came the reply from the khajiit as he looked
at the guards. Seeming to sense the building tension the senche mount
gave a low menacing growl and lowered itself to the ground.
This caught the attention of the two
guards who gulped down their fear and looked back to the khajiit who
was now smiling at them.
“Very well stay here I will go and
find him.” the guard said with an indignant tone as he turned round
and entered the fort leaving his partner alone with the two khajiit.
Time seemed to stretch as did the
silence while the guard was inside the large fort looking for Veldam so
he could collect the letter from the khajiit.
“Nice mount there.” the remaining
guard said nodding over to the large senche mount after a while of
waiting trying to ease the tension and boredom “Where did you buy
him?”
“This one did not buy him, he is my
brother.” the khajiit said in a reply.
“Brother? How can you call a beast of
burden a brother even if its a large sabre cat?”
The khajiit sighed and looked at the
guard “It would take to long to explain to you, just that we share
the same mother and father. So he is my brother.”
The guardsman was about to open his
mouth once more to speak when the door behind him opened up once more
and his partner appeared along with Veldam.
Veldam stood before the khajiit arms
crossed as he regarded him dressed in battered armour with a blood
stained bandage covering his left eye “I am Veldam Arendu, speak
now cat your name and purpose.” he said to the khajiit as a way of
introductions with an authoritative tone “What do I call you?”
“This one is Shar'Ki, my brother is
Mah'rut.” he replied with another low bow to Veldam and then
pointed to his senche mount.
Veldam raised an eyebrow as he regarded
the mount and then said “You have a letter for me?” his tone
still sharp and direct.
Shar'Ki delved into his satchel and
produced a scroll with a red string tied around its middle with a wax
seal holding it together, a sigil of a flame embossed in the wax.
Veldam's hand stopped short of taking the scroll as he hesitated and
looked at the wax seal recognising the mark.
“How did you know I would be here?”
he asked as he took the scroll.
“This one is a courier.” was the
only answer from the khajiit Shar'Ki as he turned around to walk back
to his mount.
Veldam and the two guards stood
watching him leave the town through the gates that would take the
courier to the Falkreath and Whiterun road. Veldam spun round and
headed back inside of the fort before he closed the door he spoke to
the two guards once more “I am not to be disturbed, under any
circumstances.” he then slammed the door shut.
Wooden logs crackled as the flames in
the hearth dried up the sap and consumed them throwing out its heat
into Veldam's room, a large bear fur rug had been placed a few feet
away from the fire with its head looking at the door to the room.
Sunlight streamed in through the open windows to the room showing a
simple bed against the wall opposite the fire, and a desk with a
chair in front of the window. Veldam sat at the desk with his back to
the window allowing the natural light of the day to illuminate the
desk as he stared accusingly at the sealed scroll in front of him, to
his right was a open bottle of molag and a full glass of the black
fiery liquid. Slowly his hand reached for the glass shaking with
anticipation of the sweet release the alcohol would give him and send
him into a drinking binge to forget the grief of the day he received
the news of Delte's demise via the same handwriting and wax seal.
For the past three years he had avoided the letters that
Left-Paw-Alight had written to him, the first half of which he had
lived in the bottom of any bottle he could lay his hands on. Now
though it seemed as if fate had caught up with him and decided to
play its cruel joke on him one more time. The hand reaching for the
glass balled up into a fist and smashed into the glass and bottle
sending them both flying across the room to smash against the wall.
He had lost his commission as general because of drink, it was then
that he started to pull himself out of the bottle and try to rebuild
his life. During which he had gained a small following of soldiers
that went with him on dangerous missions deep behind enemy lines,
most of the soldiers in his small unit were like him and looking for
death and volunteered for the most dangerous jobs.
He snatched the scroll up and broke the
seal as he unrolled it on his desk, Veldam placed a candle stick on
the top of the page to stop it rolling back up and started to read
its contents of the familiar writing of Left-Paw-Alight. Once he had
finished he read the letter again and again his one good eye widening
in shock and surprise, a smile spread across his features as he stood
up and walked over to the open windows.
“You boy!” he shouted down into the
courtyard at a stableboy. The sudden shout startled the young boy who
looked around the courtyard looking for the source of the voice “Up
here you s'wit, get my horse ready I leave in the hour.”
The stableboy looked up at Veldam and
touched his forelock then ran over to where his horse was stabled.
Location:- Northern border of Whiterun
Hold, Shatter-Shield clan holdings.
Date:- 2E 585 Morning Star Sundas 10th
Night had fallen across the clan hold
of the Shatter-Shield clan, its citizens who lived and worked there
had already packed up work for the day leaving the streets and fields
empty. Inside the clans tavern people were singing and drinking as
they consumed their evening meal while they caught up with the local
gossip. The merriment from the tavern could just be heard inside the
longhall of the clan where Volk stood by the large fire pit reading a
scroll delivered earlier that day by a khajiit riding what was
described as a huge sabre cat. His long hair now a pure white hung
loose over his shoulder, a reminder of his journey into Coldharbour
and the tolls that Oblivion exacts upon mortals. He scratched his
bearded chin as he read the letter from his long time tutor and
friend Left-Paw-Alight.
Dear Volk
Shatter-Shield
I hope all is
well there in the hold of Whiterun. How is Brom and his new wife
taking to their union?
Tell Gresla and
Fraki I say hello, I miss you all but my work here is important to
the alliance and Tamriel. Also I hope to see your youngest soon,
although I am not sure on the name you both chose for her, but I
understand the reason why.
Again I have
sent a letter to Veldam I just hope he reads this one as I want both
you of you in Winterhold. My reasons for this request? I believe we
can bring her home Volk, I speak of Delte Hlervi. I will need you
both to help me in this though
All I ask of
you both is to come here to the college and hear me out. If you think
it is too risky I will not pursue it and will drop the research. I
have arranged rooms for Veldam as well as for you and Gresla with
enough room for two smaller beds if you wish to bring the hatchlings
with you.
Your friend
Left-Paw-Alight.
Gresla walked up
behind Volk and slowly wrapped her arms around him as she rested her
head on his large broad back.
“Another letter
from Paws?” she asked him already knowing the answer.
“Yes. The
children in bed?” he answered her as he caressed her hands. He
didn't need an answer as the silence told him they were both sound
asleep.
“Mmmmm!” Gresla
purred her reply “What news does he bring this time?”
“He wants me to
go to Winterhold to try and save Delte.” he said as he turned
around still in Gresla's embrace to kiss her “But I gave you my
word no more adventures, so he will have to make do without me.” he
placed the letter down on a table as he took Gresla in his arms.
Between his kisses
Gresla said to Volk “If you don't go to try and save your friend I
won't be able to do anything with you. Besides I have noticed you
have sharpened your swords and polished your armour for a journey. If
you don't go to Winterhold I will go on a field trip there with the
children to visit Paws without you.”
“You seem to know
me better than I do.” he said as his mouth moved down her neck to
the bare shoulders. Volk slowly peeled her dress down further “I
want you and the children to come with me, it will be good for them
to see a larger city.”
“Well before we
go to Winterhold let me feel you inside me, I want to give you
another son the eight willing.” she said as the dress fell to the
floor.
Volk shook his head
with a grin and said “I don;t care boy or girl as long as it is
healthy and you survive childbirth.” he then cupped one of her
breasts and kissed it gently as he moved down her body exploring it
with his mouth and tongue. Gresla gave a gasp as his tongue explored
her jewel. With one hand on Volk's head her fingers entwined in his
hair she brought her other hand up her torso and gave her breasts a
squeeze with a moan of pleasure. In the firelight their bodies
writhed in each others embrace, skin glistening with sweat.
Location:-
Winterhold City, College of Magic.
Date:- 2E 585
Morning Star Morndas 18th
Veldam paced up and
down his side of the table in the meeting room which Left-Paw-Alight
had booked for their first meeting in three years. On this rare
occasion sunlight illuminated the room through its stained glassed
windows giving some relief from the constant snow storms of the past
few days. Every time Veldam stopped to turn around and head back the
opposite way he would send a scowling stare at Volk who sat on the
opposite side of the table. Volk sat quietly trying to avoid the gaze
and picked crumbs out of his beard from breakfast. The only sound in
the room was the marching boots of Veldam has he paced up and down
the floorboards.
Volk frowned trying
to think what to say to the dunmer, but every conversation he played
through in his own mind ended with an argument, so he remained quiet
hoping that Left-Paw-Alight would arrive soon.
“So while you and
Gresla have been fucking and making spawns of yourself Delte has been
stuck in Coldharbour?” Veldam broke the silence as he stopped and
leaned on the table glaring at Volk.
“It's not as if
we planned it that way old friend.” came Volk's reply as he met
Veldam's gaze for the first time “If it hadn't been for her
sacrifice we would all be stuck there or worse.”
“You had better
pray Paws can....” Veldam was interrupted as the door swung open as
Left-Paw-Alight walked into the room holding his staff in one hand
and some books in the other, his robes flowed behind him as he strode
up to the table and sat down.
“Well this is
nice all old friends together in one place.” he said to Volk and
Veldam eyeing them both “Amesia my assistant is with Gresla looking
after your two hatchlings Fraki and the young Delte she is quite the
handful much like her namesake.”
“What?” Veldam
responded in shock looking at the argonian and back to Volk.
“In memory of the
sacrifice Delte made to allow our escape, my wife and I named our new
born daughter Delte as a way to honour her memory and friendship.”
Volk said with a heavy sigh.
Veldam sat down in
his chair mouth open in shock as he realised how selfish he had been
in his own grief “Forgive me Volk, Paws.” he said looking at them
both.
Volk shrugged and
smiled at his old friend “Nothing to forgive.”
Left-Paw-Alight had
kept the name of Volk's daughter a secret from Veldam for this very
meeting, his plan had worked and he sat back in his chair smiling as
he witnessed the fruits of his plan ripen.
“Shall we
dispenses with these recriminations now?” Left-Paw-Alight said as
he looked between them both.
“Agreed.”
Veldam replied as he turned to face the argonian.
“What is this
plan you have in mind?” Volk asked as he turned his full attention
to the argonian.
“It's quite
simple really, I came across some information about Delte during my
investigation into the Dark Anchors and what they represent.”
Left-Paw-Alight said as he looked between his two friends.
“Where did this
information come from?” Veldam asked.
“From a reliable
source who is working against Molag Bal that is all I will say.”
the old argonian replied as he tried to deflect the question.
“How do we get
her back?” Volk spoke up again “I hope its not going to be
another trip into Coldharbour.”
“Nothing as
drastic as that Volk, I intend to summon her to us in Winterhold.”
came the reply from Left-Paw-Alight “This is why I need you both
here to make the balance needed for the magic to work.”
Left-Paw-Alight
thumped his staff on the wooden floor of the room, a few moments
latter the door opened again and two young mage apprentices walked in
carrying a large wooden box between them. They reached the table and
put the box down on its surface then turned to Left-Paw-Alight gave a
short bow and left the room once more closing the door behind them.
“In this box are
two sword made of obsidian that are attuned to the heart,”
Left-Paw-Alight looked at Veldam “and strength.” he turned his
head and looked at Volk.
“I have come up
with a way to summon her to us here by using her true name which I
obtained from reliable sources. With her being trapped in Coldharbour
for so long she will be disconnected from Nirn. For this I have
acquired a sky shard which is attuned to the realm of Aetherius.”
he continued to talk to the two men as he explained the ritual “The
swords are to sever her link to Coldharbour that I will manifest as
chains, you two must slice them with the swords on my command. Then I
will lower the sky shard down which will attune her soul back to
Nirn.”
Volk stared blankly
at the argonian while Veldam nodded his head as he listened to how
the ritual would be performed.
Left-Paw-Alight
stood up and opened the wooden box, the inside was upholstered in a
red cushioned cloth. Lying in this cloth lining were two obsidian
longswords, both beautifully crafted engraved with runes and inset
gems. One of the swords had faint pulsing veins of red stone deep
inside its core, the other sword had the same design and pulsing
light, but this one had a green light to it. The pulsing light
reminded Volk of the rhythm a heart would beat to.
“Why the strange
markings on them, and the pulsing what is it?” Volk asked as he
looked in awe at the two weapons.
“The red and
green represent her heart and strength.” explained Left-Paw-Alight
“The reason they are pulsing is because they are both attuned to
the heartbeat of Nirn.”
“Nirn has a
heartbeat?” Veldam spoke up his tone disbelieving.
Left-Paw-Alight
smiled and sat back in his chair as he steepled his fingers “Nirn
is a living breathing world, and like all things alive it to has a
heartbeat. As a shaman of my people we understand this more so than
any other race on Nirn.”
“I take it this
blue glowing crystal is the sky shard?” Veldam said pointing to a
egg shaped crystal lying between the two swords. Left-Paw-Alight just
nodded his answer.
“I want to know
about this ally of yours.” Volk said as he looked over the swords
and crystal mesmerized by their construction and design.
Left-Paw-Alight
sighed and closed his eyes as he tried to arrange his thoughts. “You
won't like it Volk, which is why I don't want to worry you both.”
Volk and Veldam
looked at one another and then at the argonian.
“Spit it out we
should know everything just in case.” Veldam said as he walked back
to his chair and sat down once more.
“Very well the
information comes from a female dremora aligned to Boethiah, who you
know is no friend of Molag Bal.” Left-Paw-Alight sat back in his
chair slightly relieved to let the information slip.
“That is
correct,” Veldam said as he looked over to Volk “my guess is
Boethiah has agents in Coldharbour to try and disrupt the Lord of
Domination's plans.”
Volk broke his gaze
away from the obsidian swords to look at Left-Paw-Alight “I guess
pulling Delte out of that place would constitute to a disruption
then?” the smile and wink from Left-Paw-Alight was all he needed to
know the answer to his question.
“Lets get this
over with and get my battle sister home.” Volk spoke again to the
old argonian in an impatient tone.
“In good time
Volk.” came the reply from Left-Paw-Alight “We must wait for the
twin moons to enter their new phase, so we have three days to wait.”
“Why wait we have
all we need.” Veldam slammed his hand down on the table making
Left-Paw-Alight jump.
“It corresponds
with her birth sign general, the more sympathies we can have aligned
to our ritual the easier it will be.” Left-Paw-Alight said as he
regained his composure. “I wish to free her as much as any of you,
but remember Delte has been trapped in Coldharbour for thee years.
There is no telling how she has been effected by the rigours of that
place.”
“I am not a
general any more, they took my commission away just over two years
ago.” Veldam said as he rubbed his eyepatch “I dived into the
bottle and made poor judgements which cost lives.”
“I know”
Left-Paw-Alight said softly to Veldam.
“You will always
be general to me.” Volk said to the dunmer “How did you loose
your eye?” he added as he looked at Veldam.
“I lost it in
Bruma during the assault by the daedra when it was sacked.” came
back the answer from the dunmer.
“Makes you look
meaner than usual.” Volk said with a smile and a wink, both men
burst out into laughter. Left-Paw-Alight sat back chuckling at the
joke as well, and pleased to see the animosity between them both
vanish.
“I would like to
propose for us all to forget about our worries for the next three
days.” Left-Paw-Alight said as he stood up from his chair “Also I
would like to see these two hatchlings of yours and Gresla.”
Veldam looked to
the old argonian and said “I will second that, I also wish to see
this woman who keeps my best warrior at home. She must have a golden
fanny.”
Volk reddened with
embarrassment and smiled as they all walked over to the door he put
his two meaty arms over the shoulders of his two friends on either
side of him as they left the room.
