Introduction:
In the days of Uriel Septim, there was a family living near the capital that would grow the finest vegetables this side of Vvardenfell. These vegetables, however, weren't widely known. The family was content, and the mother and father were proud of their son and daughter.
There came a day around the son's seventeenth birthday, that the father decided to share something with the family. So, that night, near their small fire, the family listened to what the father began to say. "It began as a competition," he said, "a competion, among gods. You see, the gods grew tired of their planes of Oblivion, and the Aedra were inquisitive as to how the Daedra were doing. So, before the creation of mer, the gods walked Mundus." The daughter was spellbound by the story, and the son cocked his head in interest. The mother smiled and lay back, closing her eyes in imagination.
"When the gods met, there was confusion, because the gods had no way of distinguishing who was better. They thought, Should the Daedra rule Aetherius, and the Aedra Oblivion? Who is to keep these boundaries in check? So they talked and schemed and one god, a certain Prince of Oblivion decided to make material objects to allow the borders never to be questioned." The father looked around, and each member of the family looked back at him.
"The gods wanted their own planes to themselves, but they wanted to be able to govern the soon to be mer, so they created Crystal Fire." The father emphasised the two words, and astonishment was written all over everyone in the family. "Crystal Fire allowed the gods to travel to any realm they desired, but, it was dangerous. So dangerous, that they had to hide it. An evil entity not part of the Divines or the Princes emerged, and he wanted Mundus for himself." The daughter asked, "Who emerged, father?" And the father simply replied, "Sithis."
"Sithis brought with him the Void, which swallowed everything into it. The gods were worried that Sithis would destroy everything that they had created, so they used Crystal Fire to seal Sithis off from Mundus. The rumor is, Sithis is circling just outside the stars, right now, ready to swallow you into the Void." After the last word, the father sprang at his daughter, and she jumped, then giggled as he hugged her close.
"You see, the gods were smart, even though they couldn't get along. They stopped an evil that could threaten everything." Then the father smiled and stopped. But the son, who was still interested, asked, "What did the gods do with the Crystal Fire, father?" The father looked back at his son and then looked at the fireplace. "Some say the gods destroyed it, but that wouldn't go with the story, now, would it? No, I believe the gods hid it on Mundus so Sithis would never find it and threaten the gods with the Void."
The father then said, "It is late, time to sleep," And he laid his daughter down by the fire. "I will see you all in the morning for your chores and breakfast. Goodnight," And he kissed his daughter on the forehead and went to sleep next to his wife.
Full Version: Crystal Fire
I'm no lore buff, certainly, but this reeks of heresy! heh, just kidding. It's an interesting enough start, I'll have to wait for more.
Chapter 1:
A Coming of Age and Placement of Trickery
A thing is certain when there is no doubt. This rock is hard, that is certain. The sun was on its downward descent and Elle was certain her father was going to kill her.
She had been running around with the Virille boys and blown the grocery money she was given. Elle was of age and they had spent all day in the tavern discussing absolutely nothing with the bottom of an ale mug. Elle grimaced remembering the couple of minutes behind the tavern, emptying her stomach's contents onto the road. The town guard was coming, and the Virille boys took off, leaving her leaned against a wall, shaken and dizzy.
Getting on her feet, she wobbled into a bookstore where her brother worked, "Brake's Books." Her brother was behind the counter as usual, combing a dusty tome and pushing his spectacles back up onto the bridge of his nose. "Hello Elle," He said, without glancing up. "I need to hide, can I hole up with you?" she asked.
The town guard walked into the bookstore and approached the counter. He said in his demanding voice, "A disorderly female was seen walking into your store. Are you the owner?" The man at the counter said, "No, the owner is upstairs, he's very old. I run the store down here though." The guard backhanded the man behind the counter, and sent the spectacles flying. The guard said, "I only asked a yes or no question, you stupid mer,...," The guard waited for the man to look back at him. Then the guard put his face right next to the man's. "Did you see a female walk into the store, mer?"
By now the ale had worn off and Elle saw the racist guard in clarity. He was short and stocky, and an Imperial. Her brother's spectacles were laying next to the bookshelf she was hinding behind. She saw he brother reach down into his pocket and pull out three coins, she couldn't hear what they were saying. The the town guard left and her brother retrieved his spectacles. He turned around and went back to his tome. Elle got up and said, "Derrick, I'm sorry for that, I really am, Here, hug your sister."
Derrick turned around and was smiling, he said, "Those coins have the enchantment on them sis'. Wanna do a job tonight?" Elle smile and hugged her older brother, feeling his warmth. It had been about four years since their father died during a robbery, and the bandits carried off their mother. They only had each other now. Brake the owner took them in right after the incident, and they look up to him. The three of them are Dunmer, and, of course, they're thieves.
A Coming of Age and Placement of Trickery
A thing is certain when there is no doubt. This rock is hard, that is certain. The sun was on its downward descent and Elle was certain her father was going to kill her.
She had been running around with the Virille boys and blown the grocery money she was given. Elle was of age and they had spent all day in the tavern discussing absolutely nothing with the bottom of an ale mug. Elle grimaced remembering the couple of minutes behind the tavern, emptying her stomach's contents onto the road. The town guard was coming, and the Virille boys took off, leaving her leaned against a wall, shaken and dizzy.
Getting on her feet, she wobbled into a bookstore where her brother worked, "Brake's Books." Her brother was behind the counter as usual, combing a dusty tome and pushing his spectacles back up onto the bridge of his nose. "Hello Elle," He said, without glancing up. "I need to hide, can I hole up with you?" she asked.
The town guard walked into the bookstore and approached the counter. He said in his demanding voice, "A disorderly female was seen walking into your store. Are you the owner?" The man at the counter said, "No, the owner is upstairs, he's very old. I run the store down here though." The guard backhanded the man behind the counter, and sent the spectacles flying. The guard said, "I only asked a yes or no question, you stupid mer,...," The guard waited for the man to look back at him. Then the guard put his face right next to the man's. "Did you see a female walk into the store, mer?"
By now the ale had worn off and Elle saw the racist guard in clarity. He was short and stocky, and an Imperial. Her brother's spectacles were laying next to the bookshelf she was hinding behind. She saw he brother reach down into his pocket and pull out three coins, she couldn't hear what they were saying. The the town guard left and her brother retrieved his spectacles. He turned around and went back to his tome. Elle got up and said, "Derrick, I'm sorry for that, I really am, Here, hug your sister."
Derrick turned around and was smiling, he said, "Those coins have the enchantment on them sis'. Wanna do a job tonight?" Elle smile and hugged her older brother, feeling his warmth. It had been about four years since their father died during a robbery, and the bandits carried off their mother. They only had each other now. Brake the owner took them in right after the incident, and they look up to him. The three of them are Dunmer, and, of course, they're thieves.
I tried to combine all the beliefs into one believeable story,..., the exact Elder Scroll Mythos may not be correct, but I tried to make an interesting and followable story as well,
Chapter 2:
Shadows and a Sword
Derrick stretched his arms and legs, and ran his fingers through his firmly combed hair. Most women around the town said that he was handsome, but he was not one to focus on women. No, he thought, there are more important things at the moment. Derrick donned his leather jerkin and greaves, he went down into the basement of the second story bookstore, where his sister was already prepared. She said, "Derrick, tie my back, will you?" Derrick moved to tie the back of his sister's shirt. She was the clutch in the plan.
Elle was supposed to call on the town guard, and ask him out for a drink. Observation of this guard showed he was unmarried and an alcoholic, not to mention a racist and atheist. This guard had been plauging the town for three months now, and Derrick was the last straw. After tieing the last knot, Elle turned to Derrick and kissed him on the check. His sister looked the part, and now it was time for his preparation.
In a room next to the closet, Derrick went through a meditation, done before every heist. Derrick donned a small black "face-hood" and and tight doublet, black as night. His trousers were made of enchanted silk that made no noise when rustled, and his shoes were horse-hair slippers, enchanted to prevent sound. He recited a old thieves poem that he picked up from a book:
"What's yours is mine and whats mine is fine,
because just recently, it had been yours,
Shadows are strange, helpful little things,
Take nothing that needs be carried through doors."
Laughing to himself, and tieing his gloves tight, he tried to sneek downstairs. The sun had gone down and his sister was waiting for him, patiently. He jumped from the top stair and grabbed a rafter, then snaked his way through the rafters until he came to a spot just above his sister. He changed grip on the rafter from his hands to his feet, and slowly bent down until his face was just behind her head. He was just about to tap her on the shoulder, when she turned and tugged his down from the ceiling. "Gotcha'!" She said.
Laughing, Elle said, "I heard you when you changed positions, your knee creaked."
"You lie, you have the amulet on, and I know it...Give it here!" Reaching for the amulet, Derrick lunged a bit too far and Elle tripped him.
"Too slow!" She taunted, dangling the amulet in front Derrick. All of the sudden, two gloved hands encircled Elle, and held her fast. A low gravely voice asked, "What's all the ruckus? I'm trying to sleep!"
Derrick smiled when Brake lowered his sister and he came down from the ceiling. Derrick asked, "How did she not know about you, with the amulet and all?" Brake shook his head. "Another time, Derrick, when you become a Master Thief." Derrick sighed and Elle noticed that Brake was prepared for a heist as well. She asked, "Where is your job, Brake?" And he said, "Look for yourself."
Elle walked over to a dusty corner of the bookstore, and pulled out a dillapidated old tome entitled, "Soldiers of the Night, A Thieve's Trusty Sidekick." She turned to the last page, and saw a small note, which said:
"Emperor's Consulate in town. 2,000 for acquisition of a certain, Ring of Forebearance. No ties, fence at Guro's."
Elle said, "Big payoff, no split?" Brake smiled and said, "I would take you with me, but this job is much too dangerous. Maybe next time..." And Brake bowed low, then spang out the door and into the night. Derrick said, "With that money, I could leave this town and go somewhere..." And Elle just sighed and refasted her amulet around her neck. She said, "By the way, Thronor is done with that letter-opener of yours, might want to pick it up on your way out." Derrick muttered a thanks, and left out the door. He thought to himself, It's not that small, Thronor calls it a sword,...
Shadows and a Sword
Derrick stretched his arms and legs, and ran his fingers through his firmly combed hair. Most women around the town said that he was handsome, but he was not one to focus on women. No, he thought, there are more important things at the moment. Derrick donned his leather jerkin and greaves, he went down into the basement of the second story bookstore, where his sister was already prepared. She said, "Derrick, tie my back, will you?" Derrick moved to tie the back of his sister's shirt. She was the clutch in the plan.
Elle was supposed to call on the town guard, and ask him out for a drink. Observation of this guard showed he was unmarried and an alcoholic, not to mention a racist and atheist. This guard had been plauging the town for three months now, and Derrick was the last straw. After tieing the last knot, Elle turned to Derrick and kissed him on the check. His sister looked the part, and now it was time for his preparation.
In a room next to the closet, Derrick went through a meditation, done before every heist. Derrick donned a small black "face-hood" and and tight doublet, black as night. His trousers were made of enchanted silk that made no noise when rustled, and his shoes were horse-hair slippers, enchanted to prevent sound. He recited a old thieves poem that he picked up from a book:
"What's yours is mine and whats mine is fine,
because just recently, it had been yours,
Shadows are strange, helpful little things,
Take nothing that needs be carried through doors."
Laughing to himself, and tieing his gloves tight, he tried to sneek downstairs. The sun had gone down and his sister was waiting for him, patiently. He jumped from the top stair and grabbed a rafter, then snaked his way through the rafters until he came to a spot just above his sister. He changed grip on the rafter from his hands to his feet, and slowly bent down until his face was just behind her head. He was just about to tap her on the shoulder, when she turned and tugged his down from the ceiling. "Gotcha'!" She said.
Laughing, Elle said, "I heard you when you changed positions, your knee creaked."
"You lie, you have the amulet on, and I know it...Give it here!" Reaching for the amulet, Derrick lunged a bit too far and Elle tripped him.
"Too slow!" She taunted, dangling the amulet in front Derrick. All of the sudden, two gloved hands encircled Elle, and held her fast. A low gravely voice asked, "What's all the ruckus? I'm trying to sleep!"
Derrick smiled when Brake lowered his sister and he came down from the ceiling. Derrick asked, "How did she not know about you, with the amulet and all?" Brake shook his head. "Another time, Derrick, when you become a Master Thief." Derrick sighed and Elle noticed that Brake was prepared for a heist as well. She asked, "Where is your job, Brake?" And he said, "Look for yourself."
Elle walked over to a dusty corner of the bookstore, and pulled out a dillapidated old tome entitled, "Soldiers of the Night, A Thieve's Trusty Sidekick." She turned to the last page, and saw a small note, which said:
"Emperor's Consulate in town. 2,000 for acquisition of a certain, Ring of Forebearance. No ties, fence at Guro's."
Elle said, "Big payoff, no split?" Brake smiled and said, "I would take you with me, but this job is much too dangerous. Maybe next time..." And Brake bowed low, then spang out the door and into the night. Derrick said, "With that money, I could leave this town and go somewhere..." And Elle just sighed and refasted her amulet around her neck. She said, "By the way, Thronor is done with that letter-opener of yours, might want to pick it up on your way out." Derrick muttered a thanks, and left out the door. He thought to himself, It's not that small, Thronor calls it a sword,...
Chapter 3:
An In Between and a Promise
Brake shuffled down the stairs, and he started to fall. Catching himself, he slowly eased down into a lying position. Coughing and groaning, Brake tried to relax. First thing was first though, and he tried to remove the arrowhead from his back. It felt like fire running through his veins, and the pain lessened as more of the tip was removed. After removing the whole tip, the cold air blew against the open wound, and Brake grunted with pain.
About an hour later, Derrick returned back to the bookstore. Elle had worked famously, and had even succeeded in getting the guard's purse. The guard had asked her on a second date, and she said she was leaving town. At the guards' house, they talked in the hallway while Derrick "relieved" the guard of all his monetary possesions. Derrick had to stiffle his laughter at the weak attempts to get his sister into his bed. Elle played the innocent girl, and allowed the guard to kiss her. Derrick gave her the signal when the guard was pouring drinks, and Elle rendered the guard unconcious with a simple Sleep spell. She left him on his floor, wine spilled everywhere.
Elle told Derrick outside that she was going to stage the death of her character so the guard wouldn't be suspicious. Derrick muttered his compliance and said he was going to check on Brake back at the bookstore. If he wasn't there, he would go to Guro's. She kissed him on his forehead and they parted ways. Suspicion arouse in Derrick, however, when more guards that usual were in the streets, prowling around. He even noticed, by sheer luck, a camoflagued Agent from the Imperial Office snooping around the bookstore. Derrick stashed his clothes and walked up to the entrance of the bookstore.
Derrick was stoped at the entrance by a very mysterious looking guard. He had the Sigil of The Empire around his neck, and his sword was made by an expert craftsman. Derrick knew this was no time to fool around, so he laid the bag of "hot items" down at his feet and asked the guardsman the reason for the inquiry. The guardsman just looked at Derrick, told him this was no night to walk the streets alone, and bid him Emperor's grace. Derrick breathed a sigh of relief and entered the bookstore.
Brake was unconcsious when Derrick got to him, so Derrick laid Brake in his bed and went to find his sister, who was the magically oriented sibling. Derrick noticed the ring Brake had on, and it was the Seal of the Emperor, and Derrick gasped. This was no Ring of Forebearance, Brake had stolen a ring from the Emperor himself! Derrick began to panic and tried to wake Brake, but he could not. Derrick forced open Brake's mouth and poured a healing potion into Brake. Massaging Brake's throat to make him swallow, Brake's wounds closed up and the bleeding stopped. However, Brake still remained unconcious. Curious as to the condition Brake was in, Derrick donned a spare set of Nightcrawlers Brake wove and Derrick slipped into the night.
Elle found herself stopped by Imperial guards, and without a decent excuse for being out so late, found herself encarcerated. She was to be held there until the "vile scum" who stole the ring was hung. Elle moaned and pleaded, but nothing convinced the jailor. Deciding to force her way out, Elle froze the guard in ice and opened the locked door. Elle ran out of the jail into the night, and on her way out, set the building on fire. The jail was only a small wooden shack, and it burned with intensity. Elle then made a promise never to kill an innoncent upholder of justice again. She cried for the jailor, then ran off into the blackness.
An In Between and a Promise
Brake shuffled down the stairs, and he started to fall. Catching himself, he slowly eased down into a lying position. Coughing and groaning, Brake tried to relax. First thing was first though, and he tried to remove the arrowhead from his back. It felt like fire running through his veins, and the pain lessened as more of the tip was removed. After removing the whole tip, the cold air blew against the open wound, and Brake grunted with pain.
About an hour later, Derrick returned back to the bookstore. Elle had worked famously, and had even succeeded in getting the guard's purse. The guard had asked her on a second date, and she said she was leaving town. At the guards' house, they talked in the hallway while Derrick "relieved" the guard of all his monetary possesions. Derrick had to stiffle his laughter at the weak attempts to get his sister into his bed. Elle played the innocent girl, and allowed the guard to kiss her. Derrick gave her the signal when the guard was pouring drinks, and Elle rendered the guard unconcious with a simple Sleep spell. She left him on his floor, wine spilled everywhere.
Elle told Derrick outside that she was going to stage the death of her character so the guard wouldn't be suspicious. Derrick muttered his compliance and said he was going to check on Brake back at the bookstore. If he wasn't there, he would go to Guro's. She kissed him on his forehead and they parted ways. Suspicion arouse in Derrick, however, when more guards that usual were in the streets, prowling around. He even noticed, by sheer luck, a camoflagued Agent from the Imperial Office snooping around the bookstore. Derrick stashed his clothes and walked up to the entrance of the bookstore.
Derrick was stoped at the entrance by a very mysterious looking guard. He had the Sigil of The Empire around his neck, and his sword was made by an expert craftsman. Derrick knew this was no time to fool around, so he laid the bag of "hot items" down at his feet and asked the guardsman the reason for the inquiry. The guardsman just looked at Derrick, told him this was no night to walk the streets alone, and bid him Emperor's grace. Derrick breathed a sigh of relief and entered the bookstore.
Brake was unconcsious when Derrick got to him, so Derrick laid Brake in his bed and went to find his sister, who was the magically oriented sibling. Derrick noticed the ring Brake had on, and it was the Seal of the Emperor, and Derrick gasped. This was no Ring of Forebearance, Brake had stolen a ring from the Emperor himself! Derrick began to panic and tried to wake Brake, but he could not. Derrick forced open Brake's mouth and poured a healing potion into Brake. Massaging Brake's throat to make him swallow, Brake's wounds closed up and the bleeding stopped. However, Brake still remained unconcious. Curious as to the condition Brake was in, Derrick donned a spare set of Nightcrawlers Brake wove and Derrick slipped into the night.
Elle found herself stopped by Imperial guards, and without a decent excuse for being out so late, found herself encarcerated. She was to be held there until the "vile scum" who stole the ring was hung. Elle moaned and pleaded, but nothing convinced the jailor. Deciding to force her way out, Elle froze the guard in ice and opened the locked door. Elle ran out of the jail into the night, and on her way out, set the building on fire. The jail was only a small wooden shack, and it burned with intensity. Elle then made a promise never to kill an innoncent upholder of justice again. She cried for the jailor, then ran off into the blackness.
Hmmm an intriguing set of events has unfolded so far. I look forward to the future developments.
Hmm, certainly an interesting tale- I am intrigued by the plot. One thing, though- I want more detail! 
More of the character's actions, more of the character's thoughts and emotions- it will make the story come alive for me. But all in all, very nicely done 
More of the character's actions, more of the character's thoughts and emotions- it will make the story come alive for me. But all in all, very nicely done
I'm trying to leave the details to the imagination, or at least some of them...
Tolkien was an expert at that, so I copied his writing style...
Also, I need an opinion, is the setting too cliche, I was going to change it...
Tolkien was an expert at that, so I copied his writing style...
Also, I need an opinion, is the setting too cliche, I was going to change it...
Chapter 4:
Discovering Interest and Taste of Blood
Stumbling through the darkness, Elle was stopped by a feeling she felt from the amulet around her neck. Imediately, she crouched low, and snapped her head all around, scanning with her recently adjusted eyesight. The chill of night made her shudder involuntarilly, and the meager cloth on her back offered little protection. Another pulse from the amulet drove a spike of fear down her spine. Elle had to move, but she wasn't sure of the direction of the pulse. Thoughts exploded across her mind as to the nature of the creature, and Elle feared for the worst.
Elle froze as she heard the tell-tale sound of guardsmen tramping through the woods. Elle had no weapon on her, and the ashes from the fire were still in her hair. She smelled of smoke and ash, and there was nowhere to go. Suddenly, an Imperial Officer burst into the area of woodland that Elle was in. Elle dashed into the nearest brush and remained low, until she could see what the guard was doing. He didn't have a torch, and his sword was unsheathed, meaning two things; he had Nighteye, and he wasn't taking captives. Elle stayed frozen with fear, as the guard locked on to where she was hiding. It was as if he made eye contact, staring through the brush like it didn't exist.
A few feet away from the brush, the guardsman froze. He backed away and readied his sword, drawing a smaller thicker Sword-Breaker from around his waist to defend himself. Elle felt another pulse thumping like a drumbeat, meaning the next creature was right on top of her. Elle scanned the area, but saw no one. Then a boot stamped down through the brush, and it landed right next to Elle's face. Elle looked up to see the owner of the boot, but the owner's face was obscured. The guardsman said,
"Back fiend, there lies a criminal beneath you!" Trying to impose himself upon the owner of the boot, the guardsman sneered at the owner, then made an attack pose.
A deep, grave voice replied, "This one had done you no harm, leave her be. She is in my care," As soon as the owner finished speaking, the guard cried,
"Death will be your punishment!" And charged the owner.
Elle stood up and retreated and the owner of the boot and the guardsman engaged in battle. She watched as the owner used martial arts to parry sword thrusts and kicks from the guardsman. The owner jumped over trip moves and dodged sword lunges that would kill normal men. The owner looked to be made of fluid, flowing from counter to counter, but never on the offensive. Soon the guard tired and his swings were getting lazy and slow. The guard backed off, and unbuckled his huge chestpiece and greaves, the owner watched and did nothing. The guard, under less force of weight, attacked with a renewed vigor, swinging wildly and with reckless abandon.
Elle couldn't stiffle a laugh when the guard began to fight naked. She realised the tactical advantage, but a naked man swinging a sword was humorous to her. Soon the guard tired out, and used his sword for support. The owner of the boots kicked the sword from under the guard, and said,
"You fought well, for a guardsman, remember that when you wake," And the owner of the books stabbed the guard with a tiny dart, and the guard went limp.
Elle trotted over to the owner and said, "You showed him, what's your name?" And for the first time, Elle saw his face. She opened her mouth to scream, but now sound left her lungs. The owner turned and faded to mist, and Elle stood there in horror. She sank to her knees, and felt dizzy. Trying to stand, Elle became disoriented and vomited. Before her vision blacked out, she saw Guro, their fence, running towards her. Guro asked, "Elle, hurry, there was a fire, come back with me, there're looking for anyone outside and taking them to the barracks."
Elle remembered nodding yes before completely passing out. Guro was stoking the morning fire when she awoke. Guro's orkish face was kind, not very common among his race. Guro saw her stir and said, "Ahh, so the forest fairy awakes. Yes, you did quite a number on that guardsman. He woke up and didn't know why he was naked or who he was. Come to think of it, why was he naked?" Elle shot Guro a "Don't ask, don't tell" look and Guro laughed. He said, "A guardsman came by earlier to check my house. He saw you on the bed and asked why you were still asleep. I told him we had a wild night and he almost vomited. Fun messing with guards..." Guro laughed again and Elle walked over and slapped him across the face.
Rubbing her hand, Elle said, "Guro, if you weren't a friend, I would have to kill you," And she kissed him on the forehead. "But I'd would hate doing it because you are so handsome..." And he jumped up and made an ugly face, which was not hard for the orc. He responded, "Get some breakfast, you bean pole," And Elle was quick to retort, "My feminine features are desired around town, Guro, unlike that hog of a sister that lives in Hammerfall." Elle and Guro laughed together and then Guro served breakfast.
After breakfast, Guro said, "By the way, your brother came by last night, he said Brake got hurt, but they're both okay. You might want to go over there and check it out," Elle muttered she would through a mouthful of oatmeal, then told Guro she would be back with her brother's haul. Guro nodded, then said, "It's always business with you, why cant we ever go out on the town together?" And Elle retorted, "If you and I were seen together, the Emperor himself would say that you are the ugliest thing to walk on two legs compared to my looks." And she struck a pose she had seen a queen pose when she was young. Guro roared and Elle shot out of his house and down to the bookstore.
Discovering Interest and Taste of Blood
Stumbling through the darkness, Elle was stopped by a feeling she felt from the amulet around her neck. Imediately, she crouched low, and snapped her head all around, scanning with her recently adjusted eyesight. The chill of night made her shudder involuntarilly, and the meager cloth on her back offered little protection. Another pulse from the amulet drove a spike of fear down her spine. Elle had to move, but she wasn't sure of the direction of the pulse. Thoughts exploded across her mind as to the nature of the creature, and Elle feared for the worst.
Elle froze as she heard the tell-tale sound of guardsmen tramping through the woods. Elle had no weapon on her, and the ashes from the fire were still in her hair. She smelled of smoke and ash, and there was nowhere to go. Suddenly, an Imperial Officer burst into the area of woodland that Elle was in. Elle dashed into the nearest brush and remained low, until she could see what the guard was doing. He didn't have a torch, and his sword was unsheathed, meaning two things; he had Nighteye, and he wasn't taking captives. Elle stayed frozen with fear, as the guard locked on to where she was hiding. It was as if he made eye contact, staring through the brush like it didn't exist.
A few feet away from the brush, the guardsman froze. He backed away and readied his sword, drawing a smaller thicker Sword-Breaker from around his waist to defend himself. Elle felt another pulse thumping like a drumbeat, meaning the next creature was right on top of her. Elle scanned the area, but saw no one. Then a boot stamped down through the brush, and it landed right next to Elle's face. Elle looked up to see the owner of the boot, but the owner's face was obscured. The guardsman said,
"Back fiend, there lies a criminal beneath you!" Trying to impose himself upon the owner of the boot, the guardsman sneered at the owner, then made an attack pose.
A deep, grave voice replied, "This one had done you no harm, leave her be. She is in my care," As soon as the owner finished speaking, the guard cried,
"Death will be your punishment!" And charged the owner.
Elle stood up and retreated and the owner of the boot and the guardsman engaged in battle. She watched as the owner used martial arts to parry sword thrusts and kicks from the guardsman. The owner jumped over trip moves and dodged sword lunges that would kill normal men. The owner looked to be made of fluid, flowing from counter to counter, but never on the offensive. Soon the guard tired and his swings were getting lazy and slow. The guard backed off, and unbuckled his huge chestpiece and greaves, the owner watched and did nothing. The guard, under less force of weight, attacked with a renewed vigor, swinging wildly and with reckless abandon.
Elle couldn't stiffle a laugh when the guard began to fight naked. She realised the tactical advantage, but a naked man swinging a sword was humorous to her. Soon the guard tired out, and used his sword for support. The owner of the boots kicked the sword from under the guard, and said,
"You fought well, for a guardsman, remember that when you wake," And the owner of the books stabbed the guard with a tiny dart, and the guard went limp.
Elle trotted over to the owner and said, "You showed him, what's your name?" And for the first time, Elle saw his face. She opened her mouth to scream, but now sound left her lungs. The owner turned and faded to mist, and Elle stood there in horror. She sank to her knees, and felt dizzy. Trying to stand, Elle became disoriented and vomited. Before her vision blacked out, she saw Guro, their fence, running towards her. Guro asked, "Elle, hurry, there was a fire, come back with me, there're looking for anyone outside and taking them to the barracks."
Elle remembered nodding yes before completely passing out. Guro was stoking the morning fire when she awoke. Guro's orkish face was kind, not very common among his race. Guro saw her stir and said, "Ahh, so the forest fairy awakes. Yes, you did quite a number on that guardsman. He woke up and didn't know why he was naked or who he was. Come to think of it, why was he naked?" Elle shot Guro a "Don't ask, don't tell" look and Guro laughed. He said, "A guardsman came by earlier to check my house. He saw you on the bed and asked why you were still asleep. I told him we had a wild night and he almost vomited. Fun messing with guards..." Guro laughed again and Elle walked over and slapped him across the face.
Rubbing her hand, Elle said, "Guro, if you weren't a friend, I would have to kill you," And she kissed him on the forehead. "But I'd would hate doing it because you are so handsome..." And he jumped up and made an ugly face, which was not hard for the orc. He responded, "Get some breakfast, you bean pole," And Elle was quick to retort, "My feminine features are desired around town, Guro, unlike that hog of a sister that lives in Hammerfall." Elle and Guro laughed together and then Guro served breakfast.
After breakfast, Guro said, "By the way, your brother came by last night, he said Brake got hurt, but they're both okay. You might want to go over there and check it out," Elle muttered she would through a mouthful of oatmeal, then told Guro she would be back with her brother's haul. Guro nodded, then said, "It's always business with you, why cant we ever go out on the town together?" And Elle retorted, "If you and I were seen together, the Emperor himself would say that you are the ugliest thing to walk on two legs compared to my looks." And she struck a pose she had seen a queen pose when she was young. Guro roared and Elle shot out of his house and down to the bookstore.
The woods work for the setting in my opinion. It might be a little cliched, but why mess with a good thing?
I'm now very curious as to who that owner of the boot was...
I'm now very curious as to who that owner of the boot was...
We'll he is (Plot Device)
that's really all.....
Anyways, woods work then...okay, time to get mischeivious
that's really all.....
Anyways, woods work then...okay, time to get mischeivious
Harmonius Interlude:
A bard was playing a tune when a girl ran by, obviously intending for the bookstore. The bard smiled on his reed and continued to play until the girl was well out of earshot. He had been playing that damned instrument for three hours, and was running out of songs. The Fox would be upset if he failed, so he played and played. Amazingly, he had earned money without even setting up his hat. People would be people, throwing money at the poor.
The bard tucked away his reed and walked down the alley adjoining the bookstore and a clothier. The bard walked until he was just inside the alley, then sprang up onto the roof of the bookstore, apparently without any sign of resistance. He prowled along the roof and hung vertically down, looking into the second story window. He saw an older man and a younger man at a bed, conversing, then the girl appeared at the stairs. The bard smiled and recoiled back up onto the roof. He whispered into a brooch pinned to his cloak. "I have found the three of them, one looks sickly, the others appear uninjured. Will case tonight, send findings morning after." It was about a minute before a mysterious voice whispered back, "Good. You have been cleared for the casing. Remember, no fatalities. No robbery either." The bard muttered, "It shall be done," And laid down on the roof to await nightfall.
A bard was playing a tune when a girl ran by, obviously intending for the bookstore. The bard smiled on his reed and continued to play until the girl was well out of earshot. He had been playing that damned instrument for three hours, and was running out of songs. The Fox would be upset if he failed, so he played and played. Amazingly, he had earned money without even setting up his hat. People would be people, throwing money at the poor.
The bard tucked away his reed and walked down the alley adjoining the bookstore and a clothier. The bard walked until he was just inside the alley, then sprang up onto the roof of the bookstore, apparently without any sign of resistance. He prowled along the roof and hung vertically down, looking into the second story window. He saw an older man and a younger man at a bed, conversing, then the girl appeared at the stairs. The bard smiled and recoiled back up onto the roof. He whispered into a brooch pinned to his cloak. "I have found the three of them, one looks sickly, the others appear uninjured. Will case tonight, send findings morning after." It was about a minute before a mysterious voice whispered back, "Good. You have been cleared for the casing. Remember, no fatalities. No robbery either." The bard muttered, "It shall be done," And laid down on the roof to await nightfall.
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