Aeirawen's extended use of command on the horses is an interesting touch, I couldn't be sure if this was how the spell works for all or was her Mer ability giving her a greater rapport with beasts. If it is the latter I'm in awe of that touch added to your story !!



I've been trying to figure out if there is a purpose in Aeirawen being referred to alternately as Aeira.

I assumed at first Aeira was an affectionate nickname that Caroline (or only those close to her would use) - that pattern would be easy for the reader to pick up on (and be a clue to the reader whom Aeirawen's closest friends were), a very nice detail in your story.

The problem (for me) is that I can see no discernable pattern being established that would explain and give purpose to the use of the alternate name, and that creates confusion (for me at least).

It is especially noticable when used in the narrative descriptions of Aeirawen's actions (which causes confusion as to whether you are describing one person or two - especially when switching between names in the same paragraph as in the example below).

(Example:


It would help a lot (at least for me it would) if you could stick to one name or the other in the narrative/descriptions of action.


The scene with the Forest Guardian, the Rock-Form and Gael was fascinating - but a cliffhanger! What happened to Aeirawen? ARGH !!!

Awesome Write !!

NEW PARTS ALERT!!!!... ...

I'm putting this last part up today...Probably before many of the others have read part 2 because I want it...Out there...Then I can start on the next bit... ...Huzzah!!...Had a bit of trouble starting the next chapter due to research hold up... ...

Aaamywho...

Grits and Acadian...Thank you very much...Glad you liked this bit of the tour... ...There'll be more new places around New Kvatch cropping up, but West Masons is going to be in it quite a bit...

mALX...The Beast Command spell is on the original Bosmer build for Oblivion isn't it?...I think...Aaamywho, I've given Aeirawen more of a thing with animals than some other Bosmers...Galasafon doesn't have much of it...Maybe it's a girl-thing... ...But I think she only used it once to get the horses going away from the Bandits et-al and once on the road to split the two Knights up...Anything else is either Aeirawen's riding skills or Two's own mind... ...

Ah yes, the Aeira thing...It's meant to just be a contraction...Yes, her friends will most likely call her Aeira...But you're right, I should just stick to Aeirawen...I think I was just being lazy, trying to find another way of saying Aeirawen, other than she said, the Bosmer said, the Knight said, y'know...But yes, I should stop it...It's not like I'm going to suddenly start calling them Rob, Deakso or Caz!!... ...



Glad you all liked Gael and his buddies...I had loads of fun with that... ...

As for what happened to Aeirawen...



1.10 – Aeirawen (pt.3)




Somewhere Else...



Aeirawen woke up. She could smell grass, the forest, any flower she could think of.

Aeirawen sat, then stood up and looked about her. She was in a room whose dimensions were initially unclear. It gave the impression of being not all that big, but at the same time, she couldn’t focus on the walls and ceiling, which gave it an almost limitless feeling.

There were three figures sitting in high-backed chairs, staring at a mist-form on a table. The lady on Aeirawen’s side of the table had wavy copper-blonde hair, which cascaded down over her shoulders and down onto an exquisite dark dress. The man on the other side looked Nordish. He had fair skin but a jet-black beard. He also wore a slightly dour expression while he was concentrating.

The third figure, the silver-haired older woman looked up and started with shock. “Aeirawen?” The two others looked up from the table and turned to look at the Bosmer.

“Don’t worry my dears, you just keep working, I’ll catch up.” The woman said to them.

The man resumed his task. The copper haired lady stared at Aeirawen for what seemed like an eternity before finally turning and resuming whatever she’d been doing before.

The older lady in the flowing green and brown dress approached the Knight.

Aeirawen collapsed.

“Whoa there dearie.” The woman caught the Bosmer’s arm and helped her stand again.

Aeirawen pointed at the lady sat at the table, “Is that?...That looks like...”

The old woman turned and looked, “Ah, no. It really isn’t dearie.

“We have met a few times before, though you have no known it. Yet you have never been before me here. I wonder, why are you here now?” The old woman raised an eyebrow.

Aeirawen looked into the deep brown eyes and struggled to form an answer.

“Ah, nevermind. I think I know.” The old woman paused, looking deeply at Aeira. “Ah!” she smiled, “So Gael finally woke up again? Excellent! But oh, you poor dear. A poisoned arrow?” she tutted, “Nevermind, if Gael’s remembering himself, you’ll not be long here...Therefore we must be brief. Well, brief enough.

You have always been in service to me Aeirawen of Anvil. I have guided you for many a year, and you fight for me in the service of the Nine.”

The Knight’s eyes widened and she collapsed to her knees. “Kynareth.” She bowed her head. A hand cupped her chin, with a firm invitation to get up. So she stood up again.

Kynareth shook her head. “Not here dearie, there is no time. Gael and the two other Knights of Kynareth on Nirn are now so old you could never believe it was possible.”

“The Nord?” Aeirawen asked.

“Ha!” The old woman smiled, “Is that what he looks like now? No dearie, that’s not what he looks like. It’s just the appearance he’s chosen to be in.

They are the old world Aeirawen, and will never survive. They need help for what is coming.” She paused. “This meeting was always going to happen my dear. But obviously it has been decided...” Kynareth rolled her eyes, “that it should be brought forward, so to speak.” Kynareth sighed. “Give me your hands.”

Aeirawen lifted them and Kynareth took them in hers. “This is not to be taken lightly. But taken it must be. Do you willingly submit to being a Knight of Kynareth, Aeirawen? A Kynelord?”

The Bosmer blinked and then smiled at Kynareth, remembering Galasafon’s words from earlier, “I have a choice?”

Kynareth laughed, “Good girl. This will hurt, and you will have such a headache when you wake up...”

“Wait!”

“What is it now dearie?”

“Does that mean I’m immortal like Gael and the others?”

Kynareth looked to one side, pursed her lips and blew out her breath. “Yes, yes it does.” She shrugged. “Ready?”

“No. Wait!”

Kynareth raised an eyebrow, “Good girl.”

“No, really, wait. I’m twenty-eight years old...Immortality? I have to decide in seconds whether I want to outlive the world? All my loved ones?”

“Yes.”

Aeirawen shook her hands free of the Divine, walked away and then turned around, “So can I be killed at all?”

“Yes,” the Kynareth sighed. “you can be killed. You’re not invulnerable, Aeirawen, or invincible. Just immortal. If someone chops your head off, you’re dead. If someone stabs you in the heart, you’re dead. You can lose a limb and survive, but lose too much blood and...You’re dead. You’re a Knight aren’t you? You’re not invincible now. You have avoided being killed so far. Well, up until today anyway.” She smiled briefly, paused and then said, “After what is to come has passed, if you get bored of being alive, get someone to stab you. Pick a fight and lose. But until then...”

“But...Will I have to leave my friends? Go and live in a cave?”

Kynareth frowned, “Why on Nirn would you do that? Do you want to?”

“No.”

“Then don’t. Does Gael live in a cave?”

“I don’t know...”

“No, you don’t have to leave anywhere...Aeirawen, this isn’t a death sentence. It literally is the opposite of a death sentence.” Kynareth paused. “Think of all you can learn over time. Think of the power you will learn to use. Gael will help you. Just as you will help him.”

“What If I forget myself?..Like you say Gael did...”

“Then don’t.” Kynareth shrugged, “it’s all a choice Aeirawen. Do or do not. Your choice.

There is no more time. Now, Aeirawen. Please.”

The Bosmer lowered her head and a tear fell to the ground, then she nodded.

Kynareth took the Knight’s hands again. There was a glow like sunlight in each of Aeirawen’s arms.

Then Aeirawen screamed.

----------------------------------------------------------



Interlude...



As Aeirawen disappeared, Kynareth sighed and walked back to the table where the other Divines were still working.

Putting her hand on her husband’s shoulder, she informed them “After that, I need to take some air.”

Zenithar put one of his large hands onto hers and turned his face up at her. Kynareth noted the naughty glint in his eye. She kissed his lips. “Oh hush you.” She smiled, “you know what I mean.”

“Don’t take too long Kynareth. This is hard enough as it is.” Said the third Divine.

“Mara dearie, I will be back before you know it.”

Mara rolled her eyes and went back to her task.

Kynareth walked from the room. She followed a verdant, grass carpeted corridor for some time. She no longer noted the blooms sprouting wherever her feet stepped. Or marvelled at how the cloudscapes on the walls altered to her passing.

Rising up onto a new section of corridor, this one with a marbled floor, she stepped out onto a balcony. From here she could survey all that they had created - at so much cost - many millennia ago.

Below her, a lone creature walked, his head turning one way and then the other, looking out over the plains far below. One of the oldest and fiercest creatures on Mundus looked for all the world like a lost puppy from here.

“Paarthurnax.” Kynareth said.

The beast whipped his head around and looked up to the balcony where Kynareth stood.

“My lady,” the Dragon bowed his big head down towards the ground, “you do me much...Honour.”

Kynareth smiled, “Good boy.”

The Dragon’s tail swished left and right.

“My lady, it has been much...Time...Since you came to...Visit...To what do I owe this...Joyous audience?”

“You still fly don’t you?”

“Yes, my lady. Not...Often, but yes...It gives me...Contentment, while I await my...Brother.”

“Do you remember how high you can fly?”

The Dragon smiled and his tail swished harder as he craned his long neck upwards to the sky. “Oh yes!..I can look down upon this...Splendour, from the very black itself. I cannot venture...Beyond too much, I cannot hold myself aloft. Nirn’s hold on me is...Too strong.” His head bowed down again. Paarthurnax looked at Kynareth. “But all you have wrought is...Most beautiful from up there my lady.”

“I know Paarthurnax, good boy.”

The great tail swished again.

“I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything, my lady.”

“Do you remember the Yskraich?”

The last dragon’s head and his tail dropped to the snow, and Paarthurnax crouched down as small as he could. “My lady.” The word came out as barely a whisper.

“First, I need you to find the Derwydd, then come back and tell me where they are. And then...One of the Yskraich is back. I need you to find its trail. For that I give you something new to learn.”

The great Dragon stood up again and lifted his head in joy. His tail swishing. “My lady, it has been so long since anything...New, came to me!..”

Kynareth extended her hand and passed knowledge to the Dragon. The Dragon’s eyes closed and his neck slowly passed left and right as he savoured the new thoughts.

“You can follow the Yskraich without being seen now.”

There was a thump and a rustle of pages behind Kynareth. Followed by a “Dammit! Damned books.” And a sigh. “I do wonder why you never gave them that ability in the first place? But then again, you were a lot crueller in them days weren’t you?”

Kynareth closed her eyes and sighed. “We all were Akatosh.”

Akatosh came to the edge of the balcony and leant on the marble railings. “Paarthurnax!” He smiled.

The great dragon looked up emanating joy, “Father! Could my day get any more...Amazing?”

“Good boy Paarthurnax!” Akatosh said, “Now what is it she wants you to do?”

The dragon lowered his head, “My lady has asked me to fly as high as I can, to find her...Derwydd and return, and then,” Paarthurnax lowered his head further, “to find her returned...Yskraich.”

“Good boy Paarthurnax.” Akatosh turned to Kynareth, “And then what? What if you found out there were more? Say, as if there were at least three?”

There was a noise from below. The closest thing a Dragon could get to a whimper.

Kynareth’s eyes widened. “Oh no.” She looked away.

“Don’t worry, the Knights know how to stop them now. It was messy, but they did stop one of them.”

“They killed one?”

Akatosh smiled briefly and shook his head, “I didn’t say that. Two others came through from somewhere and dragged it away before they could finish it off. But given a little more time...”

They looked out at the world, so peaceful from up here.

“Paarthurnax, be careful. Time to go.” Said Akatosh.

The Dragon bowed his head, “I have not seen you for so long father. More joy I have not had for many...Ages.”

Akatosh smiled. “Good boy.”

The Dragon bowed to Kynareth, “My lady.” And then he spread his mighty wings and took off, circling the peak twice and then shot upwards.

“My beautiful boy.” Akatosh whispered. He looked at Kynareth, “If anything happens to him...”

“What?”

“He wasn’t strong enough to take one Yskraich on his own. If they see him...”

Kynareth looked levelly at Akatosh, “What? If anything happens to Paarthurnax, you’ll remove me like you did Lorkhan?”

“I never touched Lorkhan!” Akatosh shouted, “Why does everyone think I did? They took Lorkhan, you know that.” Akatosh frowned at Kynraeth confusion. “Why do you not know that?”

“Who are They?”

Akatosh blinked and vanished.

Kynareth gripped the railing and stared up after Paarthurnax.

----------------------------------------------------

Akatosh stood on a hill above Anvil and called out “Julianos!” then looked out over the bay.

There was the sound of a creaking door and then, “What?” asked a small man wearing a slightly rumpled brown woollen suit and a straw hat. “Oooh, a new book for me?”

“What? Oh...Dammit!!” Akatosh threw the book on the ground, “Do you remember the They?”

The small man went and picked up the book, put it in a pocket and then walked up to Akatosh with his bushy eyebrows knitted together in a frown. He came right up and looked deep into the chief Divine’s eyes.

“Yeeesss...” He looked down again and turned away, he took several paces away and turned his head, “Yes, I remember They...How could I forget?”

“Kyn has.”

The small God’s eyes lit up. “So I was right!” He came back to Akatosh and gripped his arms. “Someone has changed the books! The knowledge is lying.” Julianos looked down again and turned his head, “Things are...Not What Was anymore.”

“Can you fix it?”

The small man looked up and wore a pained expression and softly said, “I don’t know...Maybe...” Julianos put his finger to his lips in thought and looked out over the bay. “Are you sure it needs to be?” He looked at Akatosh and held up the finger to stop any protest. “Wait, even you can’t get at the books if I don’t want you to. How do you know it wasn’t They that changed it.” Julianos patted his body, “I know I haven’t been changed...I’d remember something like that,” he smiled, “There should be a whisper on the books, I just need help to go through them. If we can find what, maybe we can find the why.”

“Let’s go then...”

“Ha-ha-haaa!!”

“What?”

“No, my friend.” Julianos shook his head and smiled at Akatosh, “I need help. Not you setting fire to the place out of boredom.” He looked out at the bay again. “I know just the chaps.

“Akatosh, always a pleasure.” Julianos smiled and extended a hand to the other Divine who shook it warmly. They stood looking at each other for some moments until Julianos raised his eyebrows and motioned with his head.

Akatosh smiled, shook his head and vanished.

Julianos looked at the bay again. He sighed, slumped slightly and simply said, “Damn...” He clicked his fingers and a door opened nearby. He walked through it and closed it to behind him.

------------------------------------------



Here and Now...



Gael walked up to the small group crowded around Two and the prone Aeirawen. He nodded at Brellin and walked up to Two. The horse lowered his head in greeting. Gael smiled and ran a glowing hand along Two’s forehead. The horse stopped shaking. Gael nodded at the horse and smiled even more.

He knelt down beside Aeirawen. Brellin and two Hospitaliers were tending to her. Brellin looked at Gael and said “She’s barely breathing,” he indicated the crossbow bolt, “I think it’s poisoned. Dammit, I can’t...I mean we can’t lose her.”

Gael put his hand to the arrow and then it was simply out of Aeirawen’s arm. The Druid sighed and incinerated the bolt. He put his hand to the wound and closed his eyes. A glowing could be seen under the skin of his hand. Aeirawen moaned, screamed and then opened her eyes.

“Oh hells that hurt...Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Aeirawen,” said Brellin, “What colour are your eyes?”

“Blue.” She said cautiously, “Why?”

Brellin looked at Gael, then down into Aeirawen’s now dark brown eyes.

Gael grinned and then winked at Aeirawen.

He stood, patted Two affectionately and then left Aeirawen to Brellin and the Hospitaliers. Finally, Gael walked up the hill, back to his home.

-----------------------------------------------

“Brellin, the fort...It was...Too much...We need to tell the Commander.”

“You can have a damned good go. We can’t find him. Gods only know where and when it was he went. I just hope he’s well enough. Let’s get you home. You look, radiant...Considering.”

“A compliment Brellin?”

“Yes. Yes it is.”

------------------------------------------------

First let me get this out of the way: Paarthurnax !!!!!

Whew! I thought I would burst holding that in, lol.

This interplay with the gods is fascinating !!! I can't wait to see where this will take us next !!! Awesome Write !!!

Yes, godly fun indeed! A blue-eyed Bosmer goes in and a brown eyed girl screams out.

Nice healing, Gael.

And a (Skyrim) dragon!

Woo hoo, Paarthurnax!

The small God’s eyes lit up. “So I was right!” He came back to Akatosh and gripped his arms. “Someone has changed the books! The knowledge is lying.” Julianos looked down again and turned his head, “Things are...Not What Was anymore.”

I’m not sure if this is meant the way I’m thinking, but yes! Someone has changed the damned books!!!

Kynareth's stroll down the grassy corridor was just magic. Part 3 is my favorite part of Aeirawen's chapter.

WONDERFUL!!! Like reading your way through a dream....I really like the interaction of the gods but Aeirawins run through the villages was magical.

I must admit I don't know much about Paarthurnax, or Skyrim for that matter (sacrilege I know, but ...) anyway
how can a god ever go wrong by sending a dragon in to clean something up???? I admit to having an affinity for dragons.

I really liked these additions McB. Let's do keep going, shall we? It just keeps getting better.

Parthanuux!

Bwess 'im, he's doing Kyraneth's dirty work now, and nice little nod to Alduin there as well.

Also enjoyed Aierawen's flight there, and Gael's use of the elementals (sort of, I suppose) was an exctiing, enjoyable read there. Like it a lot, and it'll be interesting to see what effect Aierawen's being Kynelord will have on the story from now on.

Dramatis Personae –

My Knights of The Nine story takes place over a large number of years, as you might expect with either long-lived races or immortal characters...This is leading to several extra storylines, set in different decades...

The main story is meant to be the New Kvatch story, so those characters have nothing added...I’m adding the names of the storylines in which the other characters appear in brackets, so as to say which era they belong to...

Here’s a timeline guide to the storylines...So far –

New Kvatch – 3E 439...
Empire – 3E 604...
Skyrim (Includes The Companionabe Adventure of Sir J'Zirlo of New Kvatch) – 3E 634...

Robert McWylde (Commander. Imperial man with Elvish blood from his Grandfather. Ex-Legio Elitarii. A favourite of Emperor Uriel Septim. Responsible for re-forming the Knights.)

Caroline McWylde (Knight-Marshal. Imperial woman with Nord blood from her Grandmother. Wife of Robert McWylde. Ex-Imperial Legion, Dragon Company.)

J’Drell (Knight-Marshal. Argonian male. Ex-Legio Investigato. Large for an Argonian. Quietly one of the strongest mages on the planet.)

James Thedret (Knight-Marshal. Redguard man. Ex-Imperial Legion. One of the “Original Nine” Knights at the re-formation.)

Aeirawen (Knight-Marshal. Wood-Elf woman. Ex-Imperial Legion. Caroline McWylde’s best friend. She was recently made a Knight of Kynareth and therefore, Immortal.)

Galasafon (Knight-Marshal. Wood-Elf male. Not much is known of his past, but his magic is off any chart.)

Mazkay Dinai (General. Nordic man. Ex-Imperial Legion. Formerly retired, General Dinai packed up and brought his wife from Morrowind to follow the call.)

Kelleryn Oreyn (Knight. Dark-Elf male. Expelled from The Mages Guild’s Arcane University due to his ever present wraith-esque “Uncles”, and his inability to focus and keep the disciplines separate. Nephew of Modryn Oreyn, who essentially raised him.)

Niil Deaconsson (Knight. Redguard Man. Has aspirations to be in the Knights Shadow.)

Darl Ordan (Captain. Imperial Man.)

Sharneena Royal (Captain. Orc. Adopted daughter of Lady Helen Royal. Shy when talking, but deadly in a fight. Half human.)


Keern Ralman (Knight. Imperial. Portly. Excellent with calming spells. Likes his food.)

Marlshan Jacks (Knight. Imperial. Ex-Legion Scout. Niil Deaconsson’s best friend.)

Tarn Holforn (Captain. Nordic male. In charge of the clean-up division. Everyone from Robert McWylde down know he’s a General, but he doesn’t want the glory.)


Carodus Oholin (General. Chief of The Knights Shadow. Imperial man. Ex-Imperial Legion. One of the “Original Nine” knights.)

Marcus Jarn (Captain, Knights Shadow. Imperial man.)


Brellin (Sub-Commander of the KOTN. Wood-Elf male. One of the “Original Nine”. )

Avita Areldur (nee Vesnia) (Knight-Marshal. Imperial woman. One of the “Original Nine”.)

Marn Areldur (Knight-Marshal. High-Elf male. One of the “Original Nine”.)

Gukimir Friedasson (Maer (Mayor) of New Kvatch. Nordic Male. Architect. Lost an arm in defence of Bruma. Ex-Legion in Skyrim. One of the “Original Nine”.)

Geimund Friedasson (Knight-Marshal. Nordic Male. Brother of Gukimir. Ex-Legion in Skyrim. One of the “Original Nine”.)


J’Zirlo (Captain. Khajiit. Ancestor of the J’Zirlo in the Skyrim storyline.)

J’Zirlo (Skyrim) (Knight-Marshal. Khajiit male. Selected by J’Drell as one of the Knights tasked with attempting to find the previous generation of Knights of Skyrim in order to conquer Skyrim and bring it – once more – into Empress McWylde’s Empire. Has the Blessing of Zenithar power.)

Caerellin (Empire/Skyrim) (General/Knight-Marshal. Bosmer. The son of Aeirawen and Brellin. Has the Blessing of Julianos power.)

Wulff Olfsson (Skyrim) (Knight-Marshal. Nordic male. Descendent of Farn Olfsson. Blessing of Akatosh power.)

Dinasafon (Empire/Skyrim) (Knight-Marshal. Bosmer male. The son of Galasafon and Celia Warlasarde. Blessing of Kynareth power.)

Shaade (Skyrim) (Knight-Marshal. Imperial woman. Blessing of Mara power.)



Other Militaric Orders -



Lady Helen Royal (Chief Knight-Hospitalier. Imperial woman. Head of the College Hospitalier. Adoptive mother of Sharneena Royal.)

Farn Olfsson (Knight-Marshal, Head of the Fighters Guild, Blade. Nordic Man. Cousin of Caroline McWylde. Married Caroline Trewan of The Blades during the Oblivion Crisis.)

Caroline Olfsson (nee Trewan) (Sub-Commander of the Blades. Imperial woman.)

Andreius Jarn (Empire) (Knights Shadow General. Imperial man. Married to Empress Mia McWylde, father to Prince Robert and Princess Eleni.)

Cairn Olfsson (Empire) (Knights’ Blades Captain. Nordic male. One of the bodyguards of the Empress. Descendent of Farn, and father of Wulff Olfsson.)

Ka’Sari (Empire) (Knights’ Blades Captain. Khajiit female. One of Mia McWylde’s protectors.

Nol Areldur (Empire) (Altmer Naval Fleet Admiral. Altmer male. 600 years old. Has sailed pretty much every sea on Nirn. Cousin to Marn Areldur of the KOTN.)

Siar Eremnor (Empire) (Altmer Naval Commodore. Altmer male.)

Jeck Harramaund (Empire) (Altmer Naval Fleet Admiral. Altmer male.)

Miitr Farrada (Empire) (Altmer Naval Oversaar (Naval chief). Altmer Male.)

Koyree Areldur (Empire) (Altmer Naval Commodore. Altmer Female. Daughter of Nol Areldur.)

Rae Treort (Empire) (Colonel. Aerldur's Altmer Fleet Security chief. Or as a wise man observed, Chief of the Fleet Marines.)

Farkas (Skyrim) (Companions leader. Nord Male.)

Aela (Skyrim) (Companion leader. Nord female.)



Royalty –



Uriel Septim (Emperor. Imperial Male.)

Mia McWylde (Empire) (Empress. Married to Andreius Jarn of the Knights Shadow. She is the granddaughter of Robert and Caroline McWylde. Her mother is Robert and Caroline’s daughter Maire, and her father is named as the Nordic Knight, Karran Shernsson. She has two children. Prince Robert and Princess Eleni with Jarn. Her Altmer heritage (via Robert McWylde) means she has an extended lifetime.)



Civilians -



Seri Ormandin (Archmage of the Mages Guild’s Arcane University. High-Elf male. Robert McWylde’s best friend. Recently elevated to Archmage after four years in High-Rock.)

Maloryn (Bodyguard to Ormandin. Dark-Elf male. Not much is known about Maloryn, except for one allusion to a mysterious past.)

Tauren (Assistant. Imperial man. Robert Mcwylde’s personal assistant. Not a servant as he gets paid. A fusspot.)

Gael (Orchard Keeper. Appears to be a Nord, but is apparently something else entirely. A Derwydd - an original Knight of Kynareth.)

Ras'sheena (Khajiit female. Had an unfortunate of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.)

Kenth Olford (Imperial Male. Caroline McWylde's father. Retired General. Sword trainer. Trained Caroline and Robert McWylde, Farn Olfsson and Uriel Septim amongst others.)

Danikka (Imperial girl. Citizen of Aldmeris. Saved by the Androform Myrrl from an attack by spiders and a dragon. Later called by Julianos into his service.)

Danica Pure-Spring (Skyrim) (High-Priestess of Kynareth in Whiterun. Redguard female.)

Trellanwr (Empire) (Bosmer male. Aide to Overlord Tcheet of the Thalmor.)

Mrs Bleddyn (Empire) (Altmer woman. The aged landlady of Trellanwr.)


Divines -



Tiber Septim (God. Formerly known as Talos. But since the lighting of the Allfire (a magical barrier to stop re-invasion from other planes of existence) the original Tiber Septim personality has re-emerged.)

Stendarr (God. God of Mercy. Responsible for the Curse that afflicts Robert McWylde.)

Akatosh (God. Chief Divine. Lord of Time and all that.)

Kynareth (God. Mother Nature. Yes, yes she is.)

Julianos (God. God of Knowledge and Logic. The mysterious Keeper of the Books.)

Mara (God. Her teachings guide Carline McWylde.)

Zenithar (God. Husband of Kynareth.)

Kyralee (Former God. Murdered by Lorkhan for reasons unknown. This event started the Dawn War between the Divines)

Lorkhan (Former God. Destroyed by the They/Them for starting the Dawn War by Murdering Kyralee.)

The They/Them (Creators and overseers of the Universe and the Divines.)



Representing Evil -



Marrick Gellert (Imperial Male. Ex-Imperial Commander. Head of the Dragon Company soldiery. Conspired with Mehrunes Dagon and the Mythic Dawn to bring down the Emperor.)

Glarthir (Bosmer male. Ex-Legio Elitarii Captain. Galasafon's former brother-in-law. Murdered Galasafon's sister in a paranoid rage and, with the aid of a rogue company, murdered the rest of the village. Presumed killed by the Elitarii, until it was discovered that he'd been murdered by Ras'sheena)

Ofwysyn Tcheet (Empire) (Overlord of the Thalmor. Altmer male. Former General. Apparently communes with the Divine Arkay. Received powers from Arkay, suggesting similar in power to the KOTN.)

Oostermann (Empire) (High Priest of the Thalmor and Arkay. Altmer male. Communes with Arkay.)

Merhal Tcheet (Empire) (Supreme Commander of the Thalmor invasion of Cyrodiil. Altmer male. Son of Ofwysyn Tcheet.)

Ondolemar (Empire) (Justicar of the Thalmor. Altmer male. Captures Areldur et al in Dusk, Summerset Isles.)

Ecclensivar (Empire) (Justicar of the Thalmor. Altmer male. Discovers Nol Areldur in the Padomaic Ocean and orders him home. Killed by Rae Treort (on orders from Areldur) and ship scuttled and sent to the bottom of the ocean)

Bethesda Softworks (Sorry, couldn't resist... )



Mythical Beings and Animals



Paarthrunax (Dragon. Last of the Dragons. Vigil keeper. Awww bless 'im. *Tickles chin*)

Two (Horse. White Anvillian destrier owned by J'Drell.)

Ewythr (Horse. Cheydinhal Black, owned by Kelleryn Oreyn.)

Yskraich (Giant, apparently un-killable multi-armed beings. Presumed extinct.)

Myrrl (Androform. First creation of Julianos. Sees Myrrl as his son. Ten foot tall, made of an invulnerable white marble-esque element. With a blue, oversized skull-like head with super-welkynds where eyes and a mouth would be. A third, smaller “Eye” in the forehead. Chest, hands and boots armoured in blue with gold trim. Completely invulnerable. God hunter.)

Arrai (Androform. Sister of Myrrl, daughter of Julianos. Tends to the Nirn-Sphere orrery, that displays the whereabouts of the peoples, creatures and divines of Nirn.)

Neerlah (Androform. Sister of Myrrl, daughter of Julianos. Currently serving as protector of Aldmeris. Prefers her own company...And long walks on Masser.)





Other terms...



Legio Elitarii - Black-Ops squad. Answerable only to The Emperor. Now disbanded.

Legio Investigato - FBI.

Knights Shadow - Replacement for the Elitarii.

Knights Hospitalier - Medical and healing arm of the KOTN.

Knight Blades (Empire) – As time went on, and the Blades had no Emperor to protect, the Blades fell under the watch of the Knights of The Nine while still retaining their own separate identity, as an order of monastic watchers.

Knight-Marshals - Before the KOTN became as large an organisation as it is during this story, there were far fewer knights about. Once the decision to go fully into the militaristic way of things, due to the influx of The Called, all the "Inner Circle" Knights were given the title Knight-Marshal...This basically means that although they are under command of the Commander and Generals, they have the right to go and do whatever they see best...Sanctioned Rogue Operatives basically...

Order of The Lamp - From a genuine Oblivion book, came the Military arm of the Mage's Guild called The Order of The Lamp...Taked with the protection of Mages on tour, they seem to have been disbanded by the Oblivion game years...Ormandin reforms the Order soon after 3E 638...

Derwydd – The original Knights of Kynareth...Mythical beings with powers over the fabric of Nirn...

Justicar - Bethesda's original word is Justiciar...However a combination of idiocy, and not hearing the word properly before, meant that when I was planning all this, it became Justicar...Which in an infinately cooler word...As the other just sounds like Justice Sissies...Yes it does...Anyways...

Justicar - The Thalmor (not-so)secret police force/security/spy network types.

Answers!!...

Thank ye all on yer comments about Paarthrunax...'Tis only a cameo, I think over-use of him would be wrong...But d'you know, that bit and the following bit are the only parts th'wife has read?...She loved it too, cause she knows who I based Julianos on... ...But cheers, yes...

Cheers all...

Grits - not sure what you think it means... ...But it is a kind of nod to everyone's Lore gripe... ...And as I'm going to change some of it anyways... ...

Athynae - ...I'll keep going so long as I don't get run out of town by pitchfork wielding fellow posters... ...

Mustard - Yes, it's going to be quite an adjustment for Aeirawen...Someone has to tell Caroline yet...

Acadian and mALX - Many many thanks...Glad you're still with it... ...

Next will be Galasafon...As soon as I finish it... ...*Shivers*... ...

...

Merci Beaucoup for the second round of clarification, one can never be too clear on these things...lol.

Aww, who knew that dragons could be so cute? (Not that I know what little Paart looks like, but he seems so cuddly.)

I also liked the gods' interactions. They're more anthropomorfic than I imagined, but it works. Besides, its not productive to break your future knight's minds with impossible angles and stuff during the recruitmentspeech.

And finally, rocks should not fly. But I don't care, because flying rocks are more awesome than notflying rocks.

Loved Aeirawen's immortality - she's immortal till someone kills her, ROFL !! Thanks for the update!

Ahh, the flying rock thing...Thought it looked too subtle... ...

Y'all heard of Stonehenge?...Large monolithic structure, said to be anything from an ancient calendar to a sacrificial altar and an alien landing beacon...

Aaamywho, noone is entirely sure how it was built, as the type of rock used comes from hundreds of miles away...And one (I hope) joke theory is that the Druids flew them there...

So I had my Druid be able to levitate rock...

Oh, and trust me, you'd want to marry Paarthrunax...Really...He's the cutest thing on the game...By miles...I wanted to...*Sniffs...Wails*...

Cheers Jack...*Bows*... ...

mALX...Yes, a lot of immortals seem to come out as Superman, where they're also invulnerable...I think it's slightly boring and lazy, so Aeirawen - at least - will still have to rely on her wits until the end of time... ...

Hey I see flying rocks all the time!! Does that mean my son is a druid?? Sometimes I think his head is as hard as a rock too, is that another sign?

New Parts Alert!!!!... ...

Previously on KOTNNK...Galasafon turned up inside Fort Freedom just in time to save Caroline Mcwylde from Marrick Gellert...At present, he is holding onto the unconcious body of Gellert on fellow Knight Kelleryn Oreyn's horse, headed(-ish) for New Kvatch...

As for his past...



1.11 – Galasafon. (pt.1)




Commander J’Drell, our assets on The Summerset Isle report complete and horrifying success of the operation... The Crystal Tower and the entire of Alinor, right the way down to Sunhold... Having removed fully one third of the island with the explosion, and your own success against the Navy, it would seem that the Aldmeri Dominion has collapsed entirely... It would probably be an excellent humanitarian gesture for the Empress to offer aid to the Isles, given that no-one other than the eight of us (well, seven now) know about the Island operation... The Geo-Morph suggests that keeping an eye out for dimming of the sun and any seismic activity along the Gold Coast is advisable...

I do hope the cost was worth it...

May the Nine forgive us...



- Edited sections of the report to Knight-Commander J’Drell by General Eshe Deaconsson, Knights Shadow. 3E 604.




Sun’s Dusk, 3E 432.


He opened his eyes.

He was leaning his back against the rock as he caught his breath.

Why was he running again? The Bosmer frowned.

An arrow passed mere inches from his face and he suddenly had an idea why. Feeling like up the road was really the best option, he ran.

Who the hell was he? Why did these people want to kill him? What the Hells was this red diamond in the middle of his armour? It meant something didn’t it? Damn damn damn. The Bosmer knew the answer was there, just out of reach. He blinked the tears away from his eyes.

Suddenly, the world changed. Frowning, he passed an arrow that was floating in the air. Looking up, the birds were standing still. There was a roar as the air was pushed past him. What the Hells was this?

Something hit him from behind and he pitched forward. The Bosmer managed to get his hands over his head before he hit the ground. A giant woman in gold armour – what there was of it – started pummelling him. He put his hand up, said a word he didn’t remember and the woman flew backwards.

Instantly he was on his feet and again and running. The world changed again. He looked down and cried out. He couldn’t see his legs! In his shock he stopped. The golden clad woman ran past him and didn’t slow down. He turned and looked back the way he came. There were several more of the armoured women charging up the road, as well as a few others, armoured or otherwise.

What the Hells have I done?

Shrugging, the Bosmer started running again. Suddenly he remembered why he was headed this way. Laughing, he put his head down and charged.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The white and grey armoured Bosmer thought he’d reached the clearing well before the crowd following him, but on turning around he discovered they were far too close for comfort.

Damn, he thought to himself. He chewed his lip and swept his shoulder length dark hair back out of his face. Then he looked into the grove at the end of the road.

He knew that through the roiling, seething, glowing orb that sat in the middle of the grove like a miniature sun, lay where he needed to be. Why, he wasn’t sure, or – indeed – where that actually was, but he was absolutely certain that was where he needed to be.

The golden armoured woman from earlier was walking around the grove, looking outwards. He watched the woman slowly turning a circle.

Hugging the wall either side of the entrance to the grove. He knew he was out of time.

“If I may suggest...Sir,” the last word was dripping with sarcasm, delivered by a seemingly bored voice beside him.

The Bosmer jumped and fire appeared around one hand, ready – it seemed – to be launched at the newcomer. “Who the kriffing Hells are you?”

“Oh dear, about to be incinerated again,” the close-crop haired man sighed, “very amusing.”

The man frowned then narrowed his eyes and looked down into the Bosmer’s. Sighing deeply, he turned away. “I fear, My Lord that the Lady Relmyna’s ministrations have left you...At a disadvantage...And if you are here alone...I fear for...” There was a pause, “I’m so sorry, sir.” The man’s eyes seemed genuinely sad when he turned back, but then hardened again. The smartly dressed man looked down the road, “It would seem we are about to be overrun...Sir. If you would permit me to offer several words?”

The Bosmer nodded.

The man said some words and told the Bosmer to repeat them.

Instantly, the air seemed to thicken and a great chill descended on the grove. A thick fog obscured everything. Light dimmed and noise was swallowed up. Although the Bosmer could still see the road in front of him, his actual destination had been hidden by the cold and clammy fog.

“Wow.” Said the Bosmer.

“Indeed,” said the slender man with his eyebrow raised, “really most impressive...Now, with your permission My Lord, if you truly intend to leave these lands to its fate and return to Mundus, would you at least transfer the Word of Rule to one who would try keep the lands in...Order?” There was the hint of an amused grin and one eyebrow twitched.

“Umm,” the little grey eyed Knight started to say, “I have no idea what you’re talking about at all. Rule?..Me?..I don’t even know where I am for the Nine’s sake.” The Bosmer frowned deeply “The Nine...” He shook his head, “Do you mean give whatever to you?”

The man nodded. “It seems these last few months with you here have left the land...Better. I find I am...” The slender, well spoken man’s face contorted somewhat into a wince, “Happy.

It seems I’m compelled to do the...Right thing.” The man’s face looked as though he’d trodden in something foul.

The Bosmer shrugged, “Okay. How do I do it then?”

“Put your hand on my arm and repeat these words, Lord, and it will be done.”

Words were spoken, there was a flash, the man winced and then there was...No change.

“Did it work?” asked the Bosmer.

“Oh yes,” said the man, his eyes flashing amusement. He turned, raised a hand and a glowing barrier appeared a little way down the road. “That should hold them for a while...

“Right, my former and future Lord, I believe you were leaving. All you need to do is get through her,” the man inclined his head towards the grove, “and I think you will need these for that.” He opened his hands and an ebony sword and shield appeared.

The Bosmer grabbed them, put the shield on his arm and swept the sword about experimentally.

“Yes, very good Sir. Time is of the essence...”

“Thank you.” The Bosmer said. “Umm...I really don’t remember your name.”

“Haskill, my great and little Lord.” Said the man with a smile and an outstretched hand.

The Bosmer smiled back, shook the offered hand and asked. “So what is my name?”

“I believe you once told me that your name out there,” Haskill gestured towards the grove again, “was Galasafon.”

The Bosmer raised an eyebrow, “Really?”

Haskill actually laughed, “Yes, Sir, really.”

“Oh.”

“One more thing, Sir. You are now vastly different to when you came here. You are now possessed of - so-called - Godly powers. They will affect you on Mundus...Profoundly...Take care, won’t you?”

Galasafon nodded just as the firebolts started exploding against Haskill’s barrier.

“Farewell for now My Lord, and good luck...and...Thank you.” Haskill winced and shuddered.

“Will you be alright?”

Haskill nodded, pointed a thumb backwards and said, “As they say elsewhere, Go?”

Galasafon smiled, ran, met the golden armoured woman head on, and in a flurry of sword against sword, then sword point through chest, the fight was done.

Galasafon looked back, but the fog was still obscuring the muffled sounds of battle. Still feeling like he’d forgotten so much, he stepped through the portal.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haskill finished off the last of his attackers, and he brushed his hands together as if clearing them of crumbs.

He turned to the grove, then, dispelling the fog, he walked towards the portal.

“Well,” he said raising an eyebrow, “we can’t be having you coming back any time soon can we?”

He made a half-box shape, touching the tips of his fingers to each other. Then he crushed his hands together. The portal exploded searing everything still living within a mile of the grove.

Haskill watched the explosion from the inside, protected by the power so recently given to him.

When it was all done, Haskill looked at the place where the grove used to be and smiled. He turned to walk down the road.

Then he blanched.

“Ooooh...That was such a pretty wee burning laddie!!...I never thought you had it in you!!...” The newcomer narrowed his eyes... “Well, ya didnae did ye?..They were mine, then they were his, but now they are yours? How very peculiar...Well...I cannae stand here all day gossiping like an old woman...” The bearded man frowned and patted himself, “I’m no an old woman this time am I?...That would be odd...Even for me!...Ha-haaa!...” The man took on a murderous look. “The power’s mine Haskill...Gimmie...Now...”

Haskill screamed.

Sheagorath laughed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gaius Prentus walked out of his tent, a fur blanket covering his shoulders against the chill of the night air. It was late in the year, so the nights were longer and colder. But still, the view of the stars kind of made up for it, he thought to himself looking up into the star strewn blackness.

He looked at the remains of his fire and added some of the dried wood that had been sent with the latest supply boat. Pulling the blanket tighter around him as he waited for it to catch, he silently thanked the Nine for his sister’s twice weekly visits with fresh food and supplies.

Looking up the hill towards the bane of his life, he sighed to himself and swore. He stood, walked into his large tent, opened his food trunk, picked up a couple of apples, closed the lid again. Then he went to a second trunk and brought out another blanket. Gaius thought briefly, put his load down, picked up and fastened his sword to his hip, grabbed the blanket and apples, then walked out of the tent again. He tied it shut and walked up the slope towards the giant stone arch.

It had appeared from nowhere, and although no-one could say for sure when it had turned up exactly, it hadn’t been there twelve months ago. For nine of those Gaius had stood sole guard of it. Keeping all but the most desperate out of the damned thing, and despatching the worst of the gibbering fools that came back through from it, raving and waving swords around like they’re fighting daemons. Surely he was due a break soon, but no, the Commander of the Bravil Guard seemed content to leave him there, sole candle against the...Whatever darkness that lay through that keyhole.

As he came to the top of the hill, he turned and looked at Bravil. The torches and lamps along the walls were burning brightly and inviting. He could see an orange glow rising up from the lamps in the heart of the city. Thousands of lives still going about the business of living. Thousands of loves still burning passionately in thousands of hearts. His heart ached to be away from here and back in his home again. Aliya. He blinked the tears away and shook his head.

He turned around to the portal and called out, “S’fara...” His voice caught briefly, and he tried again stronger. “S’fara!!..”

“You cannot see me!!” Came the reply from behind the rocks to his right.

“Yes dear, that’s right. I’ve brought you up some apples and another blanket.” He placed them on top of the rock he was next to.

Gaius heard a scuffling and then the Khajiit woman appeared. She looked at him and just stood there. Sighing, he turned around and looked at the archway. Without hearing any approach, the blanket was moved and he could hear the apples being crunched. The Khajiit made an appreciative noises in her throat.

Gaius turned to look at the woman. If he could convince her to go for a swim to clean herself up, he thought she’d be pretty - as much as he was able to say with the cat people. But sadly, all attempts usually resulted in a hissing “You cannot see me!!” It’s not like I was going to stand there gawping, he thought to himself.

S’fara finished the apples. She looked at him, then down, and then back at the Imperial. “S’fara.” She said and touched her chest. Gaius was pretty sure this was her way of saying thank you. Despite his initial misgivings, he’d been sharing some of his supplies with her for a good while now, and his sister had joked that she should bring the priest from the Chapel of Mara to make the marriage official. He’d laughed lightly with her, but really. No.

“Come down to the fire S’fara, it’ll be warmer.” He offered again, like he had each day since the season had turned colder.

The Khajiit just tilted her head, like she had each day. He was about to sigh and walk back down when S’fara said her name and looked down. She walked up to him and linked her arm with his. A lump stuck in his throat. He cleared it and turned to walk down when S’fara sniffed. Her head turned towards the portal and she sniffed harder. Knowing what this usually meant, Gaius sighed and drew his sword.

S’fara walked towards the portal sniffing and growling quietly.

The portal was flickering. Which was unusual in itself. Gaius snorted and smiled grimly, he was stood next to something he’d gleaned down the months as being a portal going to somewhere called The Shivering Isles, and now, this was unusual.

A shape fell out of the light. The khajiit started towards it, but Gaius grabbed S’fara’s arm. She hissed at him, but stopped. “Please stay here.” He said to her. The Khajiit tilted her head, looked towards the shape and back to the Imperial. Finally she looked down. Gaius nodded, said thank you, and walked slowly forward towards the shape. When he was close enough to, Gaius recognized the armour and ran to the man. “You! I thought you’d died months ago.”

The Bosmer opened his eyes.

“Ouch.” The Knight of The Nine said. He looked up at Gaius and frowned, seemingly with effort of concentration. “Umm...Prentus...Yes, Prentus...” The Bosmer sat up. “Months? And you’re still here?” The Bosmer blinked and shook his head. “No, I’m not dead... Not quite...Well...I think we’re talking point of view here.”

Gaius looked to the portal’s still flickering and gestured with his sword. “Will anyone else be joining us?”

“I do hope not, but looking at that, I’d say it would be a good idea to get away from it, yes?”

Gaius sheathed his sword and slipped an arm under Galasafon’s shoulders and helped him stand. Gaius could tell the man was weak, so continued to help the Bosmer away from the portal. “S’fara!” the Imperial called, “Come down to the camp. You’ll be safer there until I can come back up...Come on!!”

The Khajiit had walked up towards the portal, sniffing and growling. Suddenly S’fara had flattened her ears and bared her fangs. The hissing started and Gaius realised that something was really wrong.

The portal was pulsing, then disappearing, then flashing back on, then it was pulsing a deep, vivid and livid bruise coloured purple.

He and the Bosmer were - by now - at the top of the ramp up from the shore-side camp. Gaius turned them around and saw how close S’fara was to the portal. He let go of Galasafon, who promptly dropped to his knees.

Gaius heard the Bosmer cry “Prentus!! No!!” But all he could think of was S’fara. Even Gaius could feel that something was coming now.

Then, the portal exploded.



-----------------------------------------------------------------------

A nice cup of cider with a few nuts....wonderful way to start the New Year!!!!

Great write, and now we know Galasafon a bit better, wonderful.

Now what? What's next? Waiting impatiently.....

The scene with Haskill and Galasafon was great! You really encompassed the confusion of the Isles in this update. There was a great feeling of familiarity with this update, I could imagine the Saints as I read - and Gaius Prentus, Haskill, etc. Loved it !!

What Athynae and mALX said! It was great to learn about Galasafon by witnessing his exit from the Isles. The sense of confusion at the beginning was fun, and very suited to the scene.

I also enjoyed the bit with Gaius looking wistfully across at the lights of Bravil.

Yikes, what's next?!

’It seems I’m compelled to do the...Right thing.” The man’s face looked as though he’d trodden in something foul.’

I quite enjoyed the relative calm of the scene with Gaius Prentus. His reflections of Bravil, getting a glimpse into his long vigil and his kindness toward S’fara were a pleasure to read.

Not really much else to say that hasn't been covered, but all in all I like it, especially Haskill's characterisation; that was spot on.

Keep up the good work!

New Parts alert!!... ...

Thank you all so much for your kind words about Haskill and Gaius Prentus, I really enjoyed writing those bits...

In my game, it was Galasafon who did all the Shivering Isles stuff, so it's him that's done it in the story...And it's going to affect him as stuff goes along...

And the question is, of course - Why and how is Sheagorath back?...Yes, you hadn't thought of that had you?...No... ...Well, I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out...Eventually... ...

I have to admit, this Galasafon section is turning into a Grateful Dead self-indulgent guitar-solo kind of thing...And while I'm concious of focus losing, apparently it all needs to come out...It means something... ...Just so you know...

Aaamywho...

Ooooh, just a note about voices...The following exchange was written with the game voices in mind...Just so you know...Imp and Bosmer if you need a reminder... ...

What's next you ask?...

Previously on KOTNNK...Galasafon's past...Which continues here...





1.11 – Galasafon (Pt.2)




3E 434




He opened his eyes.

Galasafon could feel the effects of the paralysis spell on him. Oddly, it felt as though the spell had failed to reach his mouth and vocal chords. Galasafon frowned. Or - indeed - his eyebrows. Galasafon realised someone was speaking.

"You sleep rather soundly for a murderer. That's good. You'll need a clear conscience for what I'm about to propose...Odd, though, that so vaunted a Knight should take this path...But that matters not to the Night Mother.

“I am Lucien Lachance, a Speaker for the Dark Brotherhood. And you, you are a killer. A taker of life. A harvester of souls. Your work, your deathcraft, pleases the Night Mother. And so, I come to you with an offering. An opportunity...to join our rather unique family."

“Lachance?..As in, son of Mariel Lachance?” Asked Galasafon.

“Umm...I have no family other than the rather unique one I previously alluded to...and my voice is the will of the Night Mother. She's been watching you. Observing as you kill, admiring as you end life without pity or remorse. The Night Mother is most pleased...That is why I stand here before you. I bear an offering. An opportunity...to join our rather unique family..."

“Yes, you said. So that wasn’t actually a no then was it?”

“What wasn’t?” Lachance said with a hint of confusion and loss of momentum.

“Whether you’re the son of Mariel Lachance or not? Or Mariel LeShaft as she was known back in the day.”

There were some moments of silence.

“Oh, so you prefer silence then?” said Galasafon, “I’ll take that as a definite yes then.”

“I do not spread rumours, I create them. My only mother is the Night Mother.”

Galasafon laughed. “Bet she squeals just as much when I have her too.”

Thinking his victim powerless, Lucien took too long in drawing his dagger with theatrics. Reveling in the view of his ebony dagger clearing the scabbard.

Sadly for him Galasafon had never been held in the first place, and he punched Lachance square in the nose, which flattened instantly. Staggering backwards, Lucien’s hands came up to his nose and he blinked his watering eyes.

“How?! You caddot...Caddot...Damn...Can...nnn...Cannot have!”

“Probably not.” Replied Galasafon, then he kicked Lachance between the legs.

The would-be assassin dropped into a groaning, vomiting mess on the floor.


-----------------------------------------



A short time later Lachance was tied to a high backed chair. Naked.

“I like this hood,” said Galasafon, “I think I’ll keep it. You don’t mind do you Lucien? You can keep the robe. It’ll need a good scrubbing mind.”

The Imperial looked up, his face a bloodied mess. “You will not get away with this. My brothers and sisters will-”

“Oh, I had her too.”

“WHAT?!!”

“Your sister. Oh yes, lovely girl. You’d be really surprised what she likes...Although, maybe not. Shall I tell you anyway Lucien?”

The Bosmer’s grey eyes glittered beneath the Black Hand hood, and he stroked his dark goatee beard.

“Okay. Enough reminiscences, although I could tell you so much.” Galasafon lifted the ebony dagger and examined it. Holding it each end and turning it over. “Such a nice weapon Lucien, you must be very proud. Well, you’ll be getting to know it very well...Unless you tell me where your friends are. I need to stop them.”

Lucien laughed, which rose in pitch until it sounded truly hysterical and pathetic.

Galasafon grinned. Then laughed. Then stabbed Lechance in the shoulder.

The assassin screamed.

“You cannot kill us all, you stupid little crap pile!!” The assassin shouted. All veneer of menace lost. “We’re a kriffing religion, not just some rabble.

"We are the Dark Brotherhood!! The remorseless guild of paid assassins and homicidal cutthroats! We are a union of like-minded individuals. We kill for profit, for enjoyment, and for the glory of the Dread Father, Sithis. We are family, with bonds forged in blood and death."

“Stop eulogizing Lucien, I don’t care. I want your friends. The Nine know I know all about religion. I’m not crossing the Empire in search of every last one of you, but we will stop you in Cyrodiil at least.

Now...Where. Are. They.”

“I have tortured so many, how can you think that one such as you can break me?” said Lachance.

“What has that got to do with anything? I’ve eaten feasts like you wouldn’t believe. Doesn’t mean I can cook one. Oh, and trust me,” a sad, faraway look came into Galasafon’s eyes, “I’ve seen a master torturer at work,” He swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat, “I will find out.”

“I am trained against this sort of thing, Bosmer. I’ll die first.”

“No, no you won’t.”

Galasafon twisted the knife.


----------------------------------------------------------------



He had to admit, this was not what he was expecting from the sanctuary.

Bright, oil filled lamps banished any darkness from the corridor in which Galasafon now stood. He could hear someone playing a lute. From the noises in another section, Galasafon could tell there was sword training taking place.

He breathed deeply, taking in the smell of burning pine, lavender, tea-tree...Antiseptic.

Some sort of air circulation system was built into the corridor. He could see the grills spaced out along the top of the walls. This was dragging the smells towards him, but taking the smoke from the lamps up. Ingenious! Shame they had to die really. I’ll have to bring Brellin here to show him this. Maybe use it in his designs for Kvatch.

Hidden deep within the Shroud spell, Galasafon had no fear of discovery and allowed himself time to marvel, It’s not like anyone here will be leaving in a hurry, he thought to himself.

The Shroud. A spell he’d brought back with him from the Isles. Much more than the Invisibility spell. The basic Invisible spell was easily countered by Detect Life. Shroud had no weakness. You simply did not exist as far as life detection was concerned.

Absentmindedly, he twirled the rings he was wearing – one Life Detect and one Invisibility (just in case) – and then sighed.

Drawing his sword and dagger, he walked forward, towards the first of the glowing figures. The first died with an “Urk!” as the sword went through his heart, the next jerked as the dagger went up through the base of her skull. Galasafon paused at this one as he let her gently fall forward.

He read the documents on the desk. Noting all the names and places on the contracts, he realised that they were assignments. Frowning, he counted the glows he could still see. Five. There were fourteen different names. Looking back down, he saw a document that made him pause.


“Kenth Olford, Retired General. Applewatch, Bruma.

I want him dead. Obviously.

He is too good for just one, you will fail. Send five. I will
pay for them all, you know I can.

No rush, but soon.

L.”


Olford? Wasn’t that McWylde’s new wife’s maiden name? Galasafon folded the note and tucked it into one of the pouches around his belt.

Choosing his targets, he walked to the two furthest away and removed them from concern. That left the lute player and the sword players. Galasafon chuckled to himself at his joke. He’d have to be careful here.

Walking back to the doorway to what appeared to be a common-room of some sort. The Bosmer realised he was in danger of getting complacent.

Casting the Focus spell had the usual effect of removing the Shroud, but as he was wearing the Invisibility ring Galasafon wasn’t overly concerned. That was until the lute player stopped and inhaled sharply and the swords stopped their chiming song.

Uh-oh, thought Galasafon and tried to quickly slip back into the Shroud spell. Sadly, using Shroud in the first place took a lot out of the caster, and Galasafon realised just as the lute crossed the space between the player and himself that he was tired and in trouble.

Dodging the lute, he upped his speed and ran at the Imperial. The assassin had fire in his hands as Galasafon reached him. He caught the Bosmer on the arm and Galasafon was blown sideways by the spell. The diminutive Knight rolled with the force of it and jumped out of the fall into a fighting stance with sword and dagger in front of him. By now the assassin had rendered himself invisible and was rushing at Galasafon. Like they were jousting, Galasafon ran straight at the Imperial. The Bosmer easily avoided the outstretched short-sword and raked his dagger across the assassin’s robed front. The man screamed and doubled up, trying to hold his insides in. Galasafon simply walked up to him and stabbed the man through the heart from behind.

As the Imperial fell, the hairs on the back of Galasafon’s neck stood on end and he upped his speed as far as possible to get him out of one of the common-room’s doors just as the fireball spell exploded in the middle of it. All the contents of the room flew in all directions, sending burning debris flying everywhere. Galasafon ran down one corridor straight into the path of the second assassin. The new threat raised his hand and shot lightning from it, and Galasafon was stunned as the shock ran through him. Thanking Kynareth for Brellin’s acquisition of some Legion tags, Galasafon dispelled some of the shock’s effect and Focussed again as he raised himself up. The assassin was on him instantly and Galasafon was forced into constant defence as the Breton’s sword flashed at him. It said something for the man’s skill that he was able to fight an invisible foe and actually be winning.

Realising he would lose soon if he didn’t do something, Galasafon tried to move to one side only to realise that the second assassin was behind him and also invisible. Risking all, he closed his eyes and raised his awareness.

Suddenly, time had slowed and he was in the corridor looking down on himself. One assassin in front and one behind. He watched his body move back, out of the way of the sword stroke, raise his hands in perfect aim and say a word. The Breton flew backwards into the wall, and the second assassin skidded along the corridor on his back.

Collapsing onto his knees, Galasafon breathed heavily. The sound of blood dripping made him look around and he suddenly realised it was his, from his nose. He sniffed and put his wrist to the bleeding nose. Then he blinked away the daze to see the Breton getting up onto his knees. Realising that the second assassin would likely be coming to himself, Galasafon pushed up to standing, walked over to the Breton, and shoved his dagger through the assassin’s eye.

Galasafon tried to put some distance between himself and the last of the assassins. Try and get some respite. Casting the spell of the same name, he felt his energy levels rise again, and the nose stop it’s throbbing. Rounding a corner he stopped, put his back to the wall and then bent over, put the heels of his hands on his knees and breathed heavily.

One more.

He turned his head as he felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise again.

He was running before the fireball reached the corner and exploded. He was still thrown forwards by the explosion and rolled over and over with the momentum. Pushing himself to his knees, he watched as the invisible assassin rushed at him with supernatural speed. A sword cut at him and his opponent’s Invisibility fell away. Galasafon realised he was in trouble.

Vampire.


-----------------------------------------

SPEW !!! Another Tellie in our midst, with ways to irk Lucien Lachance from his mission and then leaving him with his jewels ruptured, ROFL !!!

The whole first half of this episode had me in stitches, the second half had me holding my breath!! Your Galasafon ROCKS !! Awesome Write !!!

You just ruined my favourite NPC...

Oh my gosh, how hilarious and exciting!!

Now I love Galasafon forever.

But yikes, the vampire...

What a fun and delightful read! I love the humorous slant you give the dark business that Galasafon is about here.

’I’ve eaten feasts like you wouldn’t believe. Doesn’t mean I can cook one. ‘

Shroud – I know another Bosmer who NEEEDS that spell!

’just as the fireball spell exploded in the middle of it. All the contents of the room flew in all directions, ‘
How very TES. Yup, that’s exactly how they work.

And. . . Uh oh. Vampire!

I really did thoroughly enjoy this. Well done!

mALX, Grits and Acadian...Thank you so much...Much appreciated...

Mustard...Awww, thanks... ...

NEW PARTS!!!... ...

Previously on KOTNNK...The Bosmer Knight Galasafon had captured and tortured the assassin Lucien Lechance until he'd given up the location of the Cyrodiilian Assassins Guild sanctuary...Which he then infiltrated and began his cleansing...Then it got a bit...Toothy...




1.11 – Galasafon. (pt.3)





While the Breton had almost finished Galasafon with finesse, the Vampire was simply using speed and brute force. There was no need for rest, no pause for breath, just a constant, never ending slamming down of several feet of Dwarven metal.

Galasafon was sweating. His arms jelly. Only by application of sheer will and magic was he still holding the sword in some sort of defence.

He envied Brellin and McWylde. They may have seen some weakness that could have been exploited. Brellin may have trained Galasafon in swordplay many years ago during their time in the Elitarii, and there was little doubt the dark Bosmer was skilled, more so than most common enemies, but Galasafon was a sneak, an assassin, not a swordsman.

This was too much.

Abruptly, the barrage ceased. The silence was deafening. But Galasafon didn’t stop. He ran towards the portal out.

A shape rushed from a side passage and knocked the Knight flying into the wall. Breath left Galasafon and he felt something break in his side. His sword slid further down the corridor.

Instantly twisting onto his back, the Bosmer brought both hands up and practically screamed the telekinesis spell.

The Vampire flew up into the ceiling and crashed down to the floor, stunned.

Galasafon stood as quickly as he could, retrieved his sword and made back towards the prone figure. But seemingly without any intervening state between being on the floor and full attack, the Vampire renewed his battle.

A fine mist seemed to be coming from the Vampire’s skin, and Galasafon tasted metal in his mouth. Oh no, thought the Bosmer. Porphyric Haemophilia. He’d caught it once before, but had managed to get to a cureall before it took hold. He envied those who were able to cure themselves of everything. Galasafon had not been able to do that since his return from the Shivering Isles. Seemingly, the words burned from his mind.

As if realising the battering wouldn’t work, the Vampire changed tactics.

The sword attacks came slower, but still constant and inescapable. It was only dimly that Galasafon’s brain registered that the chiming was singing a marching rhythm into his head. The Vampire began a monotone.

“Give Up Little Bosmer. You Cannot Win. Give YourSelf To the Vamp. Sleep Wake Feed Joy.” The Vampire intoned.

Galasafon’s thoughts were starting to fuzz, he desperately pushed the Focus into his head and shook it in an effort to clear. What the Bosmer started to hear meant nothing, just words.

“Rain. Tree. Crow. Sky. Thrice aRound the Well will Make the Fleeing Fly.”

Galasafon’s eyes began to close but still the chiming and the monotone continued.

“Sleep Now Go Now How Now Brown Cow Die NOW.”

Galasafon’s eyes snapped open just as the Dwarven sword doubled its rate and strength. Realising his ploy hadn’t worked, the Vampire snarled and resumed his first plan of beating the Bosmer into submission and slammed the sword down, down, down, down, swipe. Glasafon’s sword flew down the corridor and he was defenceless. The Vampire’s sword came down.

“-lo?”

He was in a corridor. That much was certain.

“Hello?”

He was in a corridor...He...What was his name again?...

“Hel-lo?!”

A voice, someone was calling. The man looked at his hands. He could see his hands. Why was that a surprise?

Blood dripped onto his hands and he put one of them to his nose. What the?

He looked about himself. There was a pile of clothes on the floor and a large sword. Familiarity teased at his brain. Something...

He shouted in pain as his memory returned. He crashed to his knees and vomited. Trying desperately to keep his face off the floor with his achingly tired arms, he tried to piece together what had happened.

The sword fell and...The sword fell...And...

Wincing with effort he stood up. Whatever he’d done, he...Galasafon...Yes, Galasafon, Bosmer Knight of The Nine...Was still here, so for that, he was thankful. He stumbled over the clothes. Frowning at them, still trying to piece it together somehow. He retrieved his sword and sheathed it.

“HELLOOO!!! Assassin in waiting here!!”

Assassin? Another one? Sighing, Galasafon walked down the corridor towards the calling. He saw a shape walk past the end of the corridor, then heard a gasp and watched it run back, just as he was a few paces away.

The Bosmer shouted in a voice he didn’t recognise as his own “STOP!” The fleeing shape did as commanded. Voice of Command thought Galasafon. A spell, yes. Why did he have that again?

He reached the shape and looked at what it was. A Khajiit lady stood there shaking. Galasafon raised an eyebrow.

“Hello,” he said “I’m afraid they’re closed for business.” Galasafon looked the Khajiit up and down. He found himself doing it again. Shaking his head clear, he then noted the assassin dagger.

“So, you’re an assassin?”

The Khajiit shook her head frantically.

“And yet you are here?”

The Khajiit looked about herself as if trying to think of something, then she finally nodded, shrugged, smiled her widest smile and fluttered her eyelashes.

Oh, thought Galasafon, you’re very good.

He felt his legs were about to give way so he picked up an upset chair and sat on it, in front of her. “What are you doing here?” The Bosmer asked.

“Well...Y’see a man called Lucien said to come here when I talked to him a few days ago. I was just...Y’know...Delayed. Well, a girl has got to eat hasn’t she?”

Galasafon agreed with a nod. “So, presumably you used that on someone then?” The Bosmer pointed to the dagger.

The Khajiit looked sad and nodded.

“Tell me.”

So she related the tale of meeting Lucien and The Inn of Ill Omen.

“Well, good news for you is that Rufio was already dead. I did it. So you took your time getting here.”

“I really am very good at my job you know? He was breathing when I killed him, I’m sure of it.”

Galasafon shrugged and waved it away. “As you wish.” He paused. “So how was it that you came to meet the oh-so-great Lucien Lachance in the first place?”

“Well, there was an incident at my...Work, in Skingrad. A hideous little man wouldn’t pay what was...Owed.”

Galasafon feigned sympathy as he realised what she was saying.

“Glarthir his name was.”

Galasafon froze.

“Y’alright mister? You look...Pale.”

“Glarthir?”

The Khajiit frowned in confusion.

“You’re sure his name was Glarthir?”

“Yesss...He is...Was...Known to many of us in Skingrad...Hideous man.”

“And you killed him?”

The Khajiit nodded.

Galasafon sat, staring into nothing. Without moving his head he dispelled his hold on the Khajiit. “Best run along,” he narrowed his eyes, “Now...”

Galasafon sat...Staring into nothing.



--------------------------------------------------------------------

Hmm, I wonder what Glathir and Galasafon have to do with each other, then?

Also, a very enjoyable part, but I'm somewhat confused as to what happened with the vampire; no offence, but he just seemed to disappear rather randomly, as far as I could tell.

Well that'll tweak the senses early in the morning now won't it?

Yea, what the Colonel said, what happened to the blood sucker? I don't doubt Galasfon's ability I just want to know what he did, I might need to use it later when I face the Werebeasts...

Like it, love it, want some more....sorry, skipped into the cheerleader mode, not that I ever was one mind, GROSS, but you daughters and all....

That was an exciting fight under retreat from the vampire! Looking forward to finding out more about the Khajiit and how Glarthir fits in.

And Rufio. . . well, he probably deserved to die twice.

*

What a great battle with the vampire! As you described it I could visualize it happening, Awesome fight!

LOVE the description of how the disease is spread - Great world building!




Ooh, creepy! That gave me chills!





Wonderfully HUGE writing here to show Galasafon's disorientation - Awesome Write !!


GAAAAAAH !!! It's Ras’sheena !!! Does that mean she is alive or does it mean Galasafon is dead? URK !!! Sounds like it means Ras’sheena is alive !!! WOO HOO !!!

I can't wait to find out how Galasafon and Glathir are connected/related !!!

Awesome Write !!!

*

Cheers all very much... ...No, not new parts, just a reply... ...

Yes, it's Ras'sheena...And yes she is dead...

Just a note on timeline...

Present day in KOTNNK is 3E 438...It's bigger so I don't get confused...

Oblivion and the Emperor's death is a fixed point in time and therefore always happened in 3E 433... ...

As these events happen in Galasafon's past I did put the years at the start of them, but I appreciate that this is this story we're talking about, and I do wander around the years somewhat... ...

The events in the Shivering Isles and with Gaius Prentus was winter-ish 432 (so before Oblivion), this part with the sanctuary is 434 so it's the year after...

If y'think I need to put some sort of timeline in with the Kon-tikipedia then I shall endeavour to do so... ...

But yes, Ras'sheena got killed in 438 and this is 434 and it does appear in her chapter right at the start of all this... ...

The Glarthir thing will be explained next time and length of chapter depending so will the disappearing vampire... ...Because, as ever...There's a few more things to cover...And then...We jump 150 years to the future... ...*Applauds himself heartily*...

Yes, madness...

Many many thanks to you all for sticking with it... ...*Hugs all 'round*...

WTH? ROFL !! I think I'd need a schematic to follow all that. But I think I'll go back and read Ras'sheena's chapter just in case it will clue me to something I may have forgotten (been a while since I read it, my mind is like a sieve, lol).

Lol...Very lol indeed... ...

Right, I thought I'd got it straight in me own head, and I'd been following a brief list I'd written down in me notebook, but obviously, this is getting away from even me being able to follow it...So I'm dooing a timeline post...'Cause it's fun, I'm enjoying doing it and I love all that detail stuff that Tolkien went into with his dates...Not that I'm comparing myself to Tolkien, just doing the same thing...

I apologise for being confusing, but there you go... ...

It'll be up as soon as I've gone through everything pulling all the dates and writing it up...Cheers...

I'm not losing focus...No I'm not...

Timeline



Dawn Era - The Universe, Nirn and the Divines created by The They/Them. The Divines create abundantly but then ultimately War between themselves. Akatosh, Julianos and a third Divine battle the remaining seven with the help of the Androforms. The They/Them remove Lorkhan from the universe. The fate of the others is unresolved as yet.




3E 401 – Uriel Septim forms the Legio Elitarii.


3E 423 – Uriel Septim rewards Marrick Gellert with the Imperial Dragon Warhammer and the title of Imperial Commander. With Septim’s blessing Gellert forms the Legion’s “Dragon Company”.


3E 429 – Kelleryn Oreyn expelled from the Arcane University for causing too much disruption with his “Uncles”.


3E 430 – Aeirawen meets Caroline Olford in Bruma.

Galasafon traps Glarthir at Broken Promise Cave only to lose him over a waterfall. Glarthir not found, presumed dead.


3E 432 – The Emperor sends Robert McWylde to Anvil to investigate the slaughter at the Chapel of Dibella. Reformation of The Knights of The Nine.

Shortly after the defeat of Umaril, Galasafon is called by Kynareth to the Priory of The Nine. Soon after he is sent by McWylde to Bravil in order to investigate the portal that had appeared on an island nearby. He is not seen for six months before reappearing shortly before the portal explodes in late 432.

J’Drell, while still Legio Investigato tries to arrest Ras’sheena in Imperial City.


3E 433 – Ras’sheena in Skingrad. Marries the Bosmer Maglir and moves to Bravil. Several months pass and Maglir is sent to Leyawiin. Ras’sheena travels to Leyawiin in time to see him killed by Farn Olfsson.

Farn Olfsson named Guild-Master of The Fighters Guild.

Emperor Uriel Septim betrayed by Marrick Gellert’s Dragon Company and murdered by The Mythic Dawn. Caroline Olford is by the Emperor’s side when he dies.

The Oblivion Crisis. Attempted daedric invasion by Mehrunes Dagon, thwarted by Uriel Septim’s illegitimate son Martin, the Knights of The Nine, The Blades and The Imperial Legion.

Farn Olfsson meets and marries Caroline Trewan of the Blades in Bruma.

Robert McWylde named Champion of Cyrodiil.


Late 433 – The ruin of Kvatch is ceded to the KOTN. Clearing and rebuilding starts.


3E 434 – Fadrin Madigan marries Robert McWylde and Caroline Olford in Chorrol.

Ras’sheena kills Glarthir in Skingrad.

Galasafon captures Lucien Lachance and discovers the location of the Dark Brotherhood’s sanctuary in Cheydinhal. He kills all the assassins therein. Ras’sheena appears at the sanctuary and meets Galasafon.

Aeirawen kills Lucien Lachance in Skingrad.


3E 436 – Ras’sheena in Anvil. Meets Jayred Grice. Joins Grice’s Fighters Guild-esque mercenary band “The Dragon Company”


3E 437 – The Dragon Company moves to Elseweyr.


Early 438 – Ras’sheena and the Dragon Company discover three presumed extinct creatures called Yskraich. Jayred Grice has one of them sent to a mysterious silent partner in the business.


3E 438 – Present day. The Allfire barrier lit.

Ras’sheena killed by Kelleryn Oreyn outside Fort Freedom.

Marrick Gellert is captured at Fort Freedom.

Robert McWylde has the Curse of Stendarr removed.

The Gods suddenly take an interest in the affairs of the Knight of The Nine.

Aeirawen is made Immortal by Kynareth.


3E 440 – Tar-meena translates an Ayelid nursery rhyme to do with the Yskraich.


3E 483 – Liiaric Jend discovers the existence of a Doomsday spell called “I Explode” in the remains of an explosion at Michel Jend’s house at Bravil, and sends it to Archmage of the Arcane University Seri Ormandin.


3E 486 – Caroline McWylde writes the first volume of her memoirs “Wylde Girl”.


3E 540 - Caroine McWylde dies.


3E 550 - Robert McWylde finally bows to pressure and becomes Emperor of Cyrodiil and it's Empire.


*circa 3E 574 - An Altmer High-Priest of Arkay, called Oostermann and one General Ofwysyn Tcheet bring the Thalmor to power in the Summerset Isles. Tcheet declares himself Overlord of the Thalmor and the Isles. Miitr Farrada sends Nol Areldur, Siar Eremnor and Jeck Harramaund to faraway places away from the Thalmor Ruination, sorry, I mean Thalmor Dominion.


3E 584 - Final battle against the False Pretender family. Due to the abandonment by several of the Legions (hence their branding "Traitor" Legions) many Knights of The Nine, loyal Imperial Legion and other allies lose their lives. Imperial City explodes, killing the all that remained of the False Pretenders, ending that threat to Cyrodiil forever, but also killing Emperor Robert McWylde at the same time.


*circa 3E 584 - By now, the Thalmor are becoming a totalitarian empire, with their own police force and banning worship of the Divine Talos. An obvioulsy ill Farrada sends Areldur et al away on long duration missions again.


*circa 3E 588 - Miitr Farrada dies by "Drowning himself in the ornamental pond outside The Crystal Tower" in Alinor.


*circa 3E 589 - Areldur discovered on Batracci Island in the Padomaic Ocean by the Thalmor agent, Justicar Ecclensivar, apparently by direction given by the Divine Arkay. Areldur ordered home, the Fleet Admiral chooses to not go and destroys the Thalmor ships.


*circa 3E 594 - Areldur, Eremnor, Harramaund and Areldur's daughter decide to try one last time to do something about the Thalmor. Then the three older men are caught by Justicar Ondolemar.


3E 602 – Francois Jend of Bravil Mages Guild writes the book “Notes on Magic Usage”.


3E 604 –Knight-Commander J’Drell and the Knights of The Nine, along with the Imperial Navy, destroy the invading Second Aldmeri Dominion (The ruling Altmer (Thalmor) of the Summerset Isle who invaded and conquered much of Valenwood before trying it with Cyrodiil) as they were trying to land on Cyrodiil's Gold Coast at Anvil. Further threat of invasion is removed by the destruction of one third of the main Summerset Isle, centred on the Crystal Tower and the capitol. The explosion destroyed Alinor and the lower third of the island.

At this time, what remains of the Empire is ruled by one Empress Mia McWylde.

Any remaining Thalmor not caught, escape to Skyrim and impose their will on the "True" Empire there.


3E 634 - Knight Commander J'Drell takes five Knights to Skyrim to attempt to find any former Knights of The Nine left in Skyrim after their Purge in (*circa) 3E 584 by the Traitor Legions and the ressurrected False Pretender's "True" Empire, who invaded and took over Skyrim after their attempt on Cyrodiil was ruined. Bwahahaa!!...

Sir J'Zirlo of New Kvatch and Wulff Olfsson attempt to infiltrate the group known as The Companions in Whiterun, Skyrim.


3E 637 – Wulff Olfsson finds Uriel Septim’s diaries in the remains of Cloud Ruler Temple.


4E 01 – The first book of The God War is discovered in the Great Chapel of Alfarn in Bravil.


Unknown era – The world ends with the last woman and the last man removing themselves from it through a portal.

There you go...How it is for now...

As soon as I learn how (or indeed, if I can) I shall put a link to the specific posts for the Timeline and Konnitkipedia in me sig...

I shall go lie down now... ...

Bless you for the Timeline!!! Whew. I think that keeping the Third Era going past Martin’s death is a nice way to completely sidestep the Skyrim timeline and events. I love and admire the scope of your story!!

I’m puzzled and intrigued by the vampire’s death and the link to Glarthir, but I know the answers will come. There’s only so much that can fit into one post!

Like mALX said, that Sleep Wake Feed Joy was quite chilling.

Oh dear, Ras'sheena getting in trouble again. At least she didn’t show up during the fight. And we know there’s far worse in store for her.

I went back and read all of Galasafon’s parts together, and I’ll do it again with the next one. That’s how much I love this story.

ROFL !! I'm shipping you some RITLIN !!!! I def appreciate the timeline, can you post that on page #1 with the Character list? Aren't your fans awfully demanding ??? ROFL !!! Thank you !!

...Oh, I love it really... ...

Reet, look at my signiature...Under the McBadgere bit are links to the timeline and konnitkipedia...Thanks wholly to an exceptionally brilliant woman... ...

The 1st post will get too unwieldly to edit if I put it there...It may freak many things (and any new readers...Pfffft...I'm hoping... ...) out...So using the signiature links will be easier...

WOO HOO !! Great idea !!

The timeline is quite helpful. Thank you!

Cheers... ...'Twas fun...Hope it helps us all keep track... ...

NEW PARTS ALERT!!!... ...

Previously on KOTNNK...Galasafon was shocked to discover that Glarthir had actually been alive until recently...This is why...




1.11 – Galasafon (pt.4)




3E 430




Galasafon watched as Farn Olfsson backhanded a bandit straight across the corridor and into the opposite wall, then - almost casually - run the man through with his sword.

“Is he here?” the Nord turned his head and shouted up the corridor.

Galasafon bit his lip and frowned. The trail led here. The crazed bandit they’d run into had talked about torture, horrors and death. And that was within the gang.

The ironically named Broken Promises Cave was sat in the side of a mountain, with picturesque views over Skingrad in the distance, much of Chorrol somewhat closer and on a good day, you could see the White Tower in Imperial City. Outside its entrance was a lake that fed a waterfall, over which the water fell to jagged rocks and rapids until the river opened out and made its lazy way towards Skingrad and then Anvil.

“Farn!” Brellin shouted from a side corridor.

The Nord rushed towards the sound of clashing metal. Galasafon a few paces behind. He watched Olfsson go from fast to practically unseeable as he ran into the giant, hammer wielding bandit.

Using two stubby handled hammers with large heads of dwarven metal, the Nord bandit had been pummelling Brellin’s shield, while the Bosmer hadn’t been able to reply.

The bandit, to give him some due, had managed, from lying on his back, to throw Olfsson off. The hammers were back, one in each hand. The bandit had them spinning, windmill fashion, walking towards the Nord Knight with a murderous look on his tattooed face. Farn had his helmeted head tilted in what Galasafon imagined was probably amusement. Olfsson raised his hand and shot a large fireball into the bandit’s exposed chest. The bandit skidded down the corridor on his back and stayed there.

Turning around, Farn asked again. “Is he here?”

Galasafon looked at Brellin who was nursing his shield arm with a wince. Brellin looked pained and said “Unless McWylde and Foss have found some other entrance - which wouldn’t surprise me, given Glarthir’s penchant for hiding - he’s not anywhere in here.” Shrugging and looking up at Farn, Brellin continued, “This is the end of the system. These are the living quarters. I’m pretty sure between the three of us, we had this whole cave system covered for life detect.”

The Nord had nodded agreement, sighed, then turned his head to Galasafon. “What now?”

Galasafon didn’t know was the answer, but he couldn’t say that. He’d brought them all here on the strength of their trust in him. All of them risking the wrath of the Emperor on what was at best, capturing a wanted deserter and murderer turned bandit without direct orders, and at worse a personal vendetta against his brother-in-law...Former brother-in-law.

“Let’s get back to the centre of the system, I’m going to try that thing Celia taught me.” Galasafon said.

Brellin widened his eyes and then frowned. “You’re not strong enough for that.”

“Have you got a better idea?”

The two Bosmer stood staring at each other.

“Hurry the hells up will you? Wherever he is, we’re losing him.” said the Nord.

Galasafon led them back past the bodies of fallen bandits to a junction and stopped. “Here.” He said and knelt down. The Bosmer breathed deeply and quietened his mind. Then he was above himself he could see Brellin and Olfsson, then he pushed outwards. All at once he could sense all directions. Down the explored cave tunnels, the inaccessible level above, the hole in the wall out the side and up. Outside...Oh hells...

All at once Galasafon’s self rushed back into his head and he tried to stand up. Falling against the wall, he tried to run and fell forward. Brellin grabbed under his shoulder and helped him stand. All he could say was “Out!” and pointed. The Nord was gone down the corridor instantly and Galasafon waved Brellin away.

He bounced off several walls as he made his way towards the entrance, trying to stem the bleeding from his nose.

When he finally reached the outside, the glare from the sun was blinding. Blinking his way out, he could see Robert McWylde and Olfsson had Glarthir cornered towards the end of the stone near the waterfall’s edge, and Galasafon knew instantly how this would end. Shedding a tear, he apologised to his sister’s memory and walked towards the trio. He passed Brellin, sword still drawn, trying to staunch the blood flowing from the chest of the Dunmer, Mral Foss. He looked down at Brellin and their eyes met. Brellin shook his head the tiniest amount. So, another death Glarthir. This one will cost us all.

He walked up to and between the Imperial and Nord. “Foss?” asked McWylde, breathing heavily.

“Brellin’s with him.”

“No I’m not,” said a voice behind them. Which then quietly added, “There’s no need anymore.”

Galasafon shook his head and laughed at Glarthir.

“What?” asked the cornered Bosmer with some venom.

Galasafon laughed some more.

“What are you laughing at?!..Are you laughing at me?! ME?!!”

“Yes you little $hit, of course I am. You ignored your orders, you took your squad and murdered a village. Then you murdered your squad and went on the run. Now...Now you’ve nowhere left to run. I think you should give up, don’t you Glarthir?”

“Never.” The Bosmer spat. “You all are here to kill me, just like those damnable Blades want me dead. The Emperor...He wants me dead...He knows nothing...All of them...Everyone...Wants me, him...Us...Dead!!!...Just like she tried to kill me...Poisoned me, she did...Always poisoning me...And they, they were the worst!!...”

Galasafon was breathing hard, trying desperately to hold his anger. “You killed our whole village Glarthir...Your family...My family...” He heard McWylde inhale sharply.

“We did all this for revenge Galas?”

“Ooooh!! See, he tricked you too!!...” Shouted Glarthir. “He lies to everyone...Everyone...And he calls me mad?..”

Galasafon turned his head. “No Robert, we did this to bring him to justice. That is what my sister...and the...the others... would have wanted.”

“JUSTICE?!!” Glarthir descended into hysterical laughter “I’ll be dead before the next morning if you take me back to the Emperor.”

Galasafon narrowed his eyes at Glarthir, “I fail to see the downside.”

Glarthir snarled and came at Galasafon with his sword. Galasafon stepped to the side as Glarthir lunged, and stabbed the dagger he was holding deep into the other Bosmer’s abdomen.

As the former Elitarii Captain dropped his sword and held onto Galasafon’s arm, the current Elitarii knight whispered in Glarthir’s ear, “You are a blight on this world, you are a fool and a murderer. I pray that Kynareth sends a spirit of Vengeance to chase you through Oblivion forever. Now get out of my kriffing sight.”

With that, Galasafon pushed Glarthir backwards. The bleeding Bosmer stumbled to a stop. “Help me?” he asked of McWylde.

Olfsson answered him with a Nordic Thu’um, and the Bosmer flew backwards over the waterfall.

The four Elitarii walked to the edge and looked down.

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Four days later the Knights stood before Emperor Uriel Septim, their eyes forward as they took the scolding.

When he was finished, The Emperor stopped before Galasafon and simply asked,

“Is it done?”

Galasafon had nodded and said, “Aye Sire, it is done.”

At which point, Uriel Septim had put his hand on Galasafon’s shoulder, looked with more than a trace of sympathy into the Bosmer’s eyes and said, “I’m so sorry.”

Then he turned on his heel and stalked out.



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Ok, pardon me, little slow today, read it, went and read time line, reread it, now it makes sense.

It was a bit of a ride, intense. Always good stuff, always.

Little off my mark today, but I did enjoy it, really.

More please.

Bandits with windmilling hammers!

So now we know what happened to Glarthir.

“JUSTICE?!!” Glarthir descended into hysterical laughter “I’ll be dead before the next morning if you take me back to the Emperor.”
Galasafon narrowed his eyes at Glarthir, “I fail to see the downside.”
I love the dry humor here!

Wow. Nordy-Boy Farn really is a badass!

Stabbed in the gut and Thu’umed off a waterfall, I can see why they thought Glarthir was dead. And why Galasafon was upset.

I love that after all of the action and crazy talk from Glarthir it ended on a quiet note with the Emperor.

Like Athynae said, this whole chapter was quite a ride! I have enjoyed reading all of the parts together.

Well that answered a lot of questions, but also raised some. Uriel gave condolences to Galasafon like Glathir was a family member. Great Chapter !!

Reading- standing slack-jawed in amazement- or perhaps that is my normal state... No matter, comments are not simply "owed" but DESERVED. Beginning with 1.7-



Eeep! And also- hooray for Tar-Meena!



Funny how the people down at the bottom of the pyramid seem a lot less "spiritual" than those at the top...



And to follow that moment of gallows humor with-



More to follow- MUCH more.

NEW PARTS ALERT!!!... ...

Cheers Athynae...Glad you liked it in the end, and I apologise for running around the years with it all... ...

Many thanks Acadian and mALX...Yes mALXie, he was comiserating Galasafon on the whole thing...His sister as well as his Brother-in-law...Plus, his Brother in arms too remember...We know a song about that... ...

Aaamywho...

Grits...Farn is way more of a badass than he's appearing in that other thread...I'm not sure that I'm not demeaning him somehow, but hey...He's my character and I'll take the piss if I want... ...

And thank you for thinking it worth re-reading...I'm so...Grateful?...Not sure that's entirely the word I'm looking for, but Thank You So Much... ...

Treydog...WOW...Right back atcha... ...Thank you so much for that...And there's much more coming?...Thank you matey...

Reet...

Previously on KOTNNK...Galasafon had been cleansing the Dark Brotherhood sanctuary at Cheydinhal...During which he'd found a note requesting the killing of Caroline McWylde's father, and fought a Vampire, contracting Porphyric Haemophilia...Galasafon had lost a period of time during which the Vampire had been killed...The Bosmer had then run into Ras'sheena who'd related the tale of Glarthr's demise...

We continue...





1.11 – Galasafon (pt5)






3E 434 – Cheydinhal Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary.





Galasafon woke with a start. The weariness of last night’s work having exacted it cost soon after his reverie began.

A moment’s terror passed as he remembered about the Vampirism, but unless his information was wrong about the way that it worked, the pounding of his heart made it clear that he should be more concerned with a different problem.

When was he cured?..

More importantly, How was he cured?

The sword fell and...The sword fell...

Galasafon frowned, stared at the floor, stood up, screamed, grabbed the chair and threw it against the wall, shattering it into pieces.

The Bosmer walked down to where the pile of clothes marked the remains of the Vampire he’d been fighting. An outline of dust, all that was left of the man.

What the hells did I do?

The sword fell...



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Galasafon stood outside the door of the Dark Brotherhood’s sanctuary-disguising house. Concealed once more within the Shroud, he watched the morning pedestrians ambling about. Some City-Watchmen, some people talking in pairs, others walking with purpose, several simply enjoying the morning air.

He shook his head. You have no idea what happens below this house, Galasafon thought, the terror you would feel if you did.

Still feeling sick from the revelation of Glarthir’s more recent demise and more, the Bosmer started walking generally southeast, towards the bridge that spanned the river that ran through the centre of Cheydinhal. He’d always liked the city, and standing on the Lass Bridge - as it was called - watching the water always seemed to be calming.

Keeping his head down, he walked past the half-timbered houses of the residential area. Despite neatly avoiding several collisions at the very last moment, he nevertheless wasn’t prepared for a hand on his shoulder. He started, but then span away from the hand.

“I did try to get your attention a couple of times, but I’m trying not to look insane calling to an empty space.” Said Robert McWylde. “Now, drop the Shroud and I can talk at a slightly better volume.” Robert smiled and waved at a passer-by, then looked down again. “Galas?”

Galasafon sighed and dropped the Shroud spell prompting a squeal from a passing lady. “One of these days you’ll tell me how you can see into that. You’re the only one that can.”

“Well, there is another, but that’s beside the point. Anyway, why should I give up my advantage?” Robert smiled.

Galasafon chuckled once and shrugged. “Can we walk to the bridge? I want to stand for a while”

“Of course.”

The two friends walked in silence for a while. Robert admiring the houses and waving occasionally to acquaintances and neighbours from his time living in the city.

They reached the bridge and simply stood admiring the blue of the water. The flowers on the banks giving an eye watering array of colours to focus on.

After a short while Robert said, “It’s not you I can see. It’s the...” He paused seemingly searching for the word. “Imprint maybe? Kynareth’s touch on you.” He shrugged. “It’s part of the Talos gift. It’s how I can see when someone’s genuinely been...Called.”

“How did you know I was here?”

“I didn’t,” Robert said with genuine surprise, “I was here for a meeting with the Count. He’s giving us some land, over near the castle to build a new Chapter-house for the Knights. Large though the one we have now is, we need something purpose-built.”

“I bet Brellin’s in his element.”

Robert nodded and looked away. “And Gukimir.” There was a pause, a sigh, and then, “Anyway, I was here for that with Farn, who’s got some Fighters Guild business of some sort as well. He went to that and I was just coming from the Chapel so everything’s all...” he waved his hand, “On...And I saw you. I was as surprised to see you as you were about me.”

There was further silence for a minute and Robert winced and looked down at the Bosmer.

“Are you going to tell me what you’re doing here? There’s obviously something bothering you.”

Galasafon sighed and related the past couple of weeks to Robert, culminating in the news of Glarthir.

The Knight-Commander shook his head. “But how? We never found a damned thing along the river save fish and mudcrabs. And we’ve all been in Skingrad hundreds of times since then.”

“I just think the Universe likes to take the piss out of us sometimes.”

Robert inhaled sharply.

“Oh, don’t start on me again Commander.” Galasafon spat. “You know out of all of us, even Farn, I’m the least comfortable with all this Nine business. Denying them now would be like denying that the sun rises and sets. But worship? Why? What have they done for me to worship them? Glarthir died because he attacked a prostitute when she insisted on payment not for what he did to my sister...His wife?..His kriffing kids for...” Galasafon started breathing heavily. “I have too much hate Robert. For everyone and everything. I am not worthy of being a Knight. This with my sister broke me somehow. The betrayal, the loss, all of it. And then...Then, to top it all. The Emperor.”

Robert put a hand on Galasafon’s shoulder, but the Bosmer shrugged it off. “Don’t patronise me.”

McWylde turned around, put his back to the rail and looked the opposite way to the Bosmer.

“Why did he send us all away Robert? Did he feel like we’d all betrayed him because you’d followed me? Foss died because of me.”

“No Galas. You’re carrying way too much guilt over that.” Robert said, but Galasafon continued as if he hadn’t heard.

“He sent me and Brellin to Valenwood. You were sent to Anvil, Farn was already gone.”

“Yes, but he sent the others away too Galas. There was none of us left to defend him. Gods know how it would have turned out otherwise. It was as if he knew what was coming and put us all out of harm’s way so we could stop what happened next.”

“And yet the others haven’t come back.” Galasafon looked up at McWylde

Robert made a humourless smirk with one side of his mouth. “Yeah, I know. There’s still time.”

Galasafon shook his head.

“Look, Galasafon. Take some time to rest. You’ve been non-stop since you came back from The Shivering Isles. This year’s been hard on us all...Oh, that reminds me, your old friend Gaius Prentus has transferred here.”

“Oh.” Galasafon had his eyebrows up.

“Yes, it seemed he had some issues with being able to do it until I asked Farn to go and have a word with the Commander of the Watch in Bravil.”

“Hah!” Galasafon actually smiled, “Which word was that?”

“I think it was “Sit” First at least.” Robert smiled, turned to the Bosmer and then looked down. “In the end Prentus is here as second to that new Captain.”

McWylde sighed “Galas, I want you to stay here for a while. You love this place...This place.” He said, patting the rail of the bridge. “Help in the current chapter-house for a while. It’s not permanent.” Robert said quickly, seeing Galasafon’s face. “I’ll be about often enough, and everyone’s about at somepoint.”

They continued to watch the water. “I think we could all do with a rest,” said Galasafon, “especially you. After all that with your new wife...” The Bosmer’s hand shot to his belt-pouch, “Oh Gods, I forgot about this.” He passed the note he’d found in the sanctuary to Robert.

His Commander read it and vanished. Galasafon knew that the draught of wind meant that Robert McWylde had given himself to the speed-fortify.

He watched as the note drifted down to the river and vanished into the currents.

Galasafon disappeared into the Shroud.


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Finally all caught up. First off, all the timeswitching confuses me, even with the dates in bold black letters. I'm stupid like that. So I just go with two periods. Present (yskraich trouble and all that) and past (pretty much all of our little Bosmer's deeds)

Speaking of which, I had a good laugh out of the way you put down Lucien. You used his original 'look at me, I'm so hard and tough' lines and turned them into a complete joke. I also like the flashback to Glarthir. I guess the paranoid loonie must have been sane at some point or he'd never made it into the knightly orders.

The interaction between Robert and Galasfon was very realistic, and very touching. I got the feeling there is far more between them than just being knights of the order.

This line made me shiver:


YA THINK:


This entire part was a look into Galas that was quite profound to me:


Awesome write, one of my faves from this story thus far, but I am sure there will be more. I look forward to them all. Keep it up.

Impatiently waiting....

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I don't know why I assumed everyone in Cheydinhal knew what they had in their midst, but this sentence really hit me as the truth - what a great detail to not have bypassed that aspect of it !!!




Absolutely loved this whole interchange!

The comfortableness between McWilde and Galasafon was really well done. Great Write !!

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