Well this is the final part, another long one. I'll be interested to see what people think having finished.

Remko - I'm not sure endings are really my style but I think I've managed here. As for happy... I'll let you decide.

haute - I agree about tragedy offering more than happiness. I'm glad you found the battle worked, I've always much prefered writing the build up to the actual event.

SubRosa - I'm gald you caught the little moral quandry there, it's largely what the whole piece is about. You've caught Firen's mood well too...

Destri - I'm not sure I could have done the magic from the point of view of a mage, but seeing as Firen doesn't know much I just described how I thought it should be.

As for the question, no I didn't rewrite it. This (along with everything after around Firen getting the bracers was written in a fortnight about nine months ago). There's a few herons in Edinburgh city centre so I see them day to day.

Acadian - Thanks.

All - hope you enjoy the finale and I'm interested to hear what you think was good/bad about the story overall.



52. To an End

The time passed in silence, my mind explored a strange future seemingly empty of purpose or hope. I had come close, and it had all fallen away like a house of cards in the wind and now I wondered what was left for me. My name was poison, and even my face would be my death if I remained in Morrowind, but where was there? The choking swamps of the Black Marsh where every insect from the cloud might carry disease and death would be no better than here and Cyrodiil was weighed by too many memories. I felt half drawn to the Fighter's Guild, the familiar, but I could never go back and I didn't want that again. For the moment I had Varnan and Okun to see to, but that duty would end, and it was all I had.

A bang on the door broke my reverie. I glanced to Okun who looked equally confused and stood. The next blow was more than a knock, it rattled the windows in their frames.

"Grab a weapon," I shouted to Okun while I grabbed Varnan and propelled him to the rear of the room.

"They're guards," said Okun.

"How many?" I asked.

"Two I think. But how could they know..." He drifted off, there could only be one answer. "That filthy two-faced eastern s'wit." He said and grimly took up a fighting stance with a spear which had hung on the wall.

I said nothing. Enough blood had been spilt today, why now this? I heard the door crash inward. The guards' job was to hunt criminals, that was what they were doing. Was it then my right to kill them in defence? I doubted there would be choice. Heavy boots mounted the stair. There is always choice, but the other way was a bleak path. I moved between Okun and the door which a moment later burst open.

Two guards entered with weapons drawn, but they paused to find me with mine lowered. In the confusion I saw in their movements, so human an emotion, I saw the snare fate drew and knew what must be done.

"Afternoon seras," I said keeping my sword point down.

They looked at each other in bewilderment then advanced with their sword points toward me. I made no move and they stopped two paces away. The leader spoke. "Are you the criminal Firen Varian, wanted for terrorism, multiple murder of the foulest degree, including that of guards; espionage and deceit among a string of offences?"

I looked at the threatening eye-slits of his bonemold helm and tried to see the mer within, "I am Firen Varian, what I did was done for hope."

The guard paused again, clearly this was unexpected. In his head, I had little doubt, he'd imagined bursting in and commencing a difficult sword-fight and slaying me with all the acclaim which would follow. He lowered his sword. "Then you know the severity of your offences and I place you under arrest. Are you also accompanied by the wanted terrorist and escaped slave Okun of Edril and your accomplice and fellow criminal Varnan Ceno."

The crunch. I looked into his eyes and took my time answering, "Both are here, and both are innocent. I worked alone, I willingly submit to your arrest provided both are allowed to go free."

Surprise tinged his voice, I had clearly caught him off balance, "Guilt is presumed until innocence is proven. They will go before a court, let a noble decide such matters."

"No."

"They too are under arrest."

I raised my sword. "No."

He raised his. "Are you resisting arrest?"

I thought for a moment of how to reply. "I am resisting their arrests. I offer you now: leave and you shall do so unmolested. More I beg you, do not force me to kill again." They say actions speak louder than words. He replied with a thrust of his sword.

I parried the blow and the fighter took over. Both the guards were well drilled but even combined they had not my experience. I fought with clinical precision, they were two so I was hard pushed to block all their attacks, but a quick feint left me a chance to step to the side of them. Now the leader was behind his underling, I pushed my momentary advantage and drove him further into the room to stop the leader coming to bear. A quick slash was blocked far harder than I expected. My flow broke and a lightning reply put my weight back. It was long enough for the leader to come round. But I had known he would, and suspected he would concentrate on me, the most hated quarry, alone. He did and a moment later Okun's spear drove up through his oxter and out his neck. He dropped. The second guard glanced down and his moment of distraction was his last.

I wiped my sword clean on his tunic and nodded to Okun. "Thank you."

"What were you trying?" he asked.

I wandered back to the table and took a seat. "Exactly what it looked like. I hurt the Dres, a lot, and they are the strong so justice is theirs to own. They won't stop until they have that justice but once they do... Well it is served. If I push it to trial they will try to heap it all on me, if I take it you will be clear."

"But they'll kill you," a turmoil of shock and perplexity churned on his face.

"Yes." I said. The simple word lay heavy in the air.

For a moment Okun stood silent then he too took a seat. "I see," he said blinking, "but we could run and escape."

"And live as fugitives until they, or their mercenaries, find us? Damn, even the Dark Brotherhood would be involved. What sort of life is that? I'll tell you: a short one and a hard one." He didn't reply but the silence drew me on, the lid was off the pot now and the foul insides were boiling out. "I'm guilty anyway. For society to work the law must be upheld. Justice will have its way." I spat the word.

But it was true, even back as far as Firewatch I'd started on this path. Perhaps I hadn't meant to kill the Commona Tong heavy, but I had. Dervas, the barman had never held me, my own weakness and greed had, but he had paid the price. The nobles on the plantation had been living in a house of cards, but it was I who had pulled out the bottom. The Argonian Defence Front had been ineffectual, believing their dreams over reality, spending more time plotting and counter-plotting than actually doing anything. I had fractured the status quo and now all my one-time comrades, except perhaps Hides, lay dead. Hated terrorists sacrificed to an ulterior motive they had missed.

So many crimes and to what great end? To rescue Varnan, one man, from the inequities of the world. I had my victory, but at what cost? I could not voice these thoughts, even to Okun whose belief that I had helped the Argonian Defence Front for a good reason seemed yet to hold. Perhaps it was best to let that belief rest, or maybe it was just my own shame and vanity. The thoughts ran on through the tracks countless before than had worn. I wondered if Varnan was the only reason I'd done this. In Firewatch I'd seen my soul, blighted and shrivelled by a life spent with death. Had this been some quest for my spirit? A hope that in Varnan's rescue I might find a chalice from which to restore it. I had pursued my goal in the only way I knew, carried on events to cut my way and blaze a trail of destruction. The questions were tormenting jesters which danced through my mind each spawning more. I too had carried a house of cards, and now it was collapsing.

"Skink set us up," said Okun.

"Perhaps," I replied, glad to be free of my reverie, "but it could have been any of the mages. The guards might have known of this place for years."

"But in likelihood-"

"It doesn't matter," I said, "I have no more taste for vengeance."

"But he is responsible for all our problems. He must be punished."

"Why?"

He opened his mouth then shut it and looked at me. "It is right," he said.

"It was right that all those civilians should die," I spat. "It was right that your plantation burned. What we did to the owners was right. Look where right brought me. No I shall not judge him."

"I judge him," said Okun, "but I shall stay my hand if you desire that."

"I do."

The sound of feet on the stair broke the conversation.

***

The footsteps ascended. I stood again and faced the door. My fingers curled around the hilt of my sword, I wondered if we should have left immediately. Then Skink appeared in the entrance, he panted with wide eyes. "We've been," he paused to gasp, "compromised." He sucked in another breath and looked around the room.

I looked pointedly at the dead guards then met his wild eyes. "I noticed." But he had come to warn us, and in a hurry, so I had been wrong to suspect him. "Who?"

He gulped a few breaths. "I do not know. I suspect one of my mages, it would seem my hold was not as strong as I'd hoped." He shook his head and poked one of the corpses with his toe. "And now this, in our safe-house."

Okun advanced on Skink. "It would seem you have let down your end of the bargain. What do you intend to do?"

"We must leave, I can get you out of the city, after that I must salvage what I can," he looked wild eyed. I wondered how his actions were catching up with him. What other mistakes had he tried to cover?

"That is not enough," replied Okun.

"It is all I can do. My fellows think I'm mad risking returning to you."

"Then why did you," I asked.

"I felt... compelled," he shook his head again, he had almost regained his breath and was calmer. "You are not the monster I took you for, or at least I see much in you that is too familiar to believe it, and I have abandoned enough people cleaning up behind that necromancer. I am sorry about Renera, truly, but there was never even hope that any of her might remain."

I felt rage stir within me but, while still present, it was dormant. He done what was needed to achieve his end, just as I had in my own way. I nodded slowly. "It is done now, I have no desire to do more but Okun is correct. What you offer is not enough."

"What would you have me do?" he cried and looked heavenward. "Could you not lead them to the swamps? I could even give you the money for a boat to the marsh. I will even, but we must go, the army of the Dres has reached the north of the city. Your revolution is over."

I thought for a moment but it was Okun who spoke. "Your influence is more than you know. Promise to use it to lean on the Dres publicly that the victims of this doomed coup will not be punished overly." I nodded my agreement.

"To do so would do irrecoverable damage to my guild and my name. It might even tear it in half and undo the work of a life holding it together through the end of an era."

Okun's response was as cold as a grave. "So be it."

Skink looked to me imploringly. "You led a group right across enemy land. You foiled my initial attempts to cover my mistake and keep you in case you were needed. Yes I admit and regret that. With funds you could lead them to the marshes and safety."

"What of Varnan?" I avoided his suggestion.

"Most likely he will improve with time as his mind resettles."

With funds I might have secured us passage to the marshes, but what if the captain of whatever boat I chartered tried to turn us in, I would be forced to deal with him and the past weeks had seen how my dealings went. It was no accident that I stayed silent and let Okun speak for me. I dared not reply just as I dared not again take charge is events so much greater scale and subtlety that I. The crimes and pain I'd brought upon the world were testament enough against my single-minded leadership. I could not take so firm a purpose again so I waited for Okun to speak.

"I will accept your offer if you will use your influence as you must." I looked at him in light anew, there was iron in his soul I had only glimpsed before.

Skink closed his eyes and glanced downward with a sigh. Before he could say anything, however, the outside door crashed open again. My sword weighed as much as the world but I drew it anyway. The point sagged towards the floor. Okun took a fighting stance ahead of me and faced the door but lowered his spear as a breathless man ran in with a muddy dishevelled robe.

"What are you doing?" he said, near hysterical. "You should have returned minutes ago. There is a troop of guards coming here even as we speak. We must leave now. We should have left the city already."

Skink nodded to him and turned his attention back on Okun. "I am sorry," he said, "but I cannot accept your terms. I suggest you accept mine." The young argonian looked stricken. I could see he wanted to refuse but Skink had seized all the cards. He looked doubtful for a moment.

"We need to go," said the mage already halfway out the door. Terror was written all over his face.

I already knew what must be done. I had tried once, this time I would be firm in my resolve. "There is another way," I said.

"What?" asked Skink.

"You take Varnan and free him of his insanity and Okun and free him of his bracer. I shall free both of blame, and by doing so take some of that which falls rightfully to your door," the words weighed my soul.

"How so?" asked Skink.

"The only way I can. I remain here and wait for the guards. I confess all, and more besides. I stall the guards and secure your position enough for you to free my companions. More, it will be enough that you may lean on the Dres."

For a few moments Skink didn't speak, "They will kill you," he offered it as advice, not as objection.

"They will." I agreed.

"The guard will be here soon," said the mage.

Skink ignored him. "What can I do but accept? You reveal yourself as a better man than I, and braver. Yes, I accept, and I vow on all the gods that both Varnan and Okun will be freed from their respective inequities and will be given money enough to live as they will."

"This is madness," said Okun.

"No," I said, "far north in Firewatch I set out for many things, but now that I find them they're poison. I have no future. You do. Given my history I shan't offer you advice beyond this: do not dwell on the past and do not repeat my mistakes. And run, the guards are coming."

He nodded and made to reply but it caught in his throat after a deep breath he managed. "Thank you... For everything." He nodded once. I nodded back. It was enough.

I watched them leave from the simple chair at the bare table, the mage first, then Skink with Okun leading Varnan behind, and I was alone. Four simple walls around me, and a trail of events behind. I had finished that now, Varnan was rescued and next was the turn of myself. I waited for the crash of the guards opening the door, the heavy boot-heels on the stair, and the confession and death beyond. It was only another impossible decision, not suicide, but not life. For I knew my soul now and gods forbid anything should take it from me.



END

Outstanding! Firen facing the music, and with it his redemption, was the perfect way to end it. Bravo on a fantastic ending to an excellent story over all.

This is tragic, but fitting.

After all the moral questions, Firen accepted the consequences of his actions and choices as a dyed-in-the-wool USMC would.

Overall the story has been well written, wrestling with tough moral questions and even tougher choices. It brings to life the quandaries every fighting soldier, every conscientious officer, every ethical scientist/doctor must face. While it is about one man, it is about the bad situations he finds himself in, the choices between bad and worse that he must make, and the consequences he must face.

The fact that Firen chose to face those consequences alone, and take sole responsibility for his actions alone, in an attempt to spare others, is an accurate measure of the degree of nobility this man possesses. I end up not only liking him, but respecting him immensely.

This stands out as unique in fan fiction, IMHO.

You have earned a well-deserved break, but I hope to see more stories from you in the near future!

Powerful ending indeed!

You are skilled with both dialogue and description, but what truly captivates me is Firen's internal dialogue - clear, fascinating and full of internal turmoil.

Well done, Olen!

I concur wth the above. This was the only possible outcome. The "criminal" Firen dies so Okun and Varnan can get away amd reclaim their lives. I salute you Olen!

And, please, grace us with another of your outstanding material.

Thanks for the comments, I'm glad the ending worked. I'm not much good at them but really couldn't see any way to having him survive without killing the story somewhat.

The next piece may be somewhat closer than might otherwise have been because have just found out the hard way why running thirty-something mile days in remote areas with a 25lb pack is a bad idea... By the feel of my knee I won't be running for a few weeks now. Anyway there will be much writing done soon so if there were any particular aspects you enjoyed (or didn't) then now would be the time to say.

SubRosa - thank you, I'm not sure how obviously the writing was on the wall for him but really there was no way he was going to survive it.

Haute - I'm glad you ended liking (and respecting even ) Firen, after what he does that was a part of what I was going for. Thanks for the comments.

Acadian - you hit the nail on the head there, in the planning stages (there is a lot of planning, Burning Today clocked in at a bit under 86000 words and the planning came to around 15000 with drawings etc as well) the first things I work out are characters and conflict, and himself was the first conflict I had for him.

Remko - thanks for the comments, there is another piece being vaguely thought about though any suggestions fo what you most liked in BT could sway it somewhat (plans are still at the gloopy liquid satges).

I apologize for not having had the chance to read the story in its entirety but it is now on my 'must do' list.

The main thing I appreciate about your writing is the ability to have a strong undercurrent that drives the story towards the finale. A novice writer just wanders aimlessly through one chapter after another without any connecting theme. Not here though, your style is one to envy.

Running up remote hills doesn't sound like much fun to me. Writing is far more safer.

I have finally arrived late to the party. Forgive me for not reading this sooner. It is one of my many eccentricities, whenever I reach the final chapter of a story that I have enjoyed I always put off the reading of it. It is as if the finishing of a story ‘kills’ it in my mind and I feel the same grief and remorse (sometimes inconsolable) that attends the death of a friend. Unfortunately, your story has not proven to be the exception. The others have adequately praised the ending. Everything they have said is echoed in me.

If I were to try to pick out a nit in the overall web that you have so perfectly strung together in this last chapter it would be that I wish Okun had pointed out to Firen that, though his goals were selfish and the means taken to reach them were sometimes horrific, in the end his accomplishment carries far beyond the simple rescue of Varnan. Ultimately he not only redeemed himself, but he redeemed Skink as well. He saved Okun and who knows how many nameless others from rotting away in the Dres slave pens. He gave Hides a purpose that she would have not found without him. And he struck what ultimately might prove to be a fatal blow to the entire slave-trade in Morrowind.

At the risk of being presumptuous, you have created a living, breathing world within these chapters and planted the seeds for many future stories that could be told down the line. I hope you don’t abandon it; I would love to read about Okun’s further adventures . . . or Hides’.

You two will have Foxy sent into an apoplexy with this dialogue!


Olen, your fight scenes are some of the best I've ever read, your attention to detail...but the thing that really grabs me with each reading is your ability to turn a phrase and evoke deep thoughts and emotions in the reader.

Here is just one example in the thousands you have offered in this story:



Just Awesome!

Just wanted to pop into this thread long enough to say- I am reading the entire story. I should have kept up as it was written, but this way I can go from beginning to end. And, by moving it back to the front page, perhaps I can entice some of our newer members to read, as well.

What? Point out what I like best in BT? That's like asking a child in a candy store to pick his favourite candy..
Impossible.

Seriously; I loved the dark, moody and believable world you created. Living, breathering characters with flaws, doubts, morals and guilt.