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And as I was last on the prior thread (for now)- I shall be first on this one. And more faithful in my correspondence.

Here we have all the power and mystery that is so befitting of Sethyas- on the one hand, a statement of stark fact- Seth and Serene engaging in their on-again-off-again affair. On the other hand- still no definitive explanation of what Athyn told him during that "drink."

Your ability to intrigue and engage the reader has not waned during your time away. Please sir, continue.

I am so incredibly happy to see this story, Black Hand.

It’s the very best thing that’s happened today.

Welcome back!

Wonderful blending of dream, thoughts and rich description here.

First and foremost THANK YOU!!!! I have not the proper words to express exactly what I feel at this moment after reading you first "post hiatus" post. WELCOME HOME UNCLE SETH!!!!

This segment, in true Seth form, leaves us as much bewildered as ever, but as is also always the case, waiting anxiously for more.

And Solstheim?? Um, but, um, I PROMISE I WILL GET THE JOURNALS I WILL!!!! I JUST DIDN'T THINK. Have I told you lately that I really am glad you are my Uncle? That you are my favorite Uncle?



Make that a double!!!!! THE BEST!!!!! Maybe the best this week!!

I know exactly what you mean...

I won't pretend I read your other one... ...But I will be reading this one...

Excellent start...

Oh look, yet another excellent talent about the place...Sheesh... ...( )

Nice one... ...

I liked this line, it's evocative and gave emotion to th description.

A good opening too, a reminder of the previous episode which really drew me in, and enough explaination for new readers. And some of the rich description I so like about this saga. So Seth has run and intends to hide, an interesting start. I suspect he will be rather adept at it.

As ever I look forward to the next part.

Yet the rocking motion of the Silt Strider through the night took me to an uneasy slumber.

I know this is a minor detail, but it was amazing.

Blackie! I'm speechless! uh...actually I'm not but I was so happy about you coming back that I just had to go outside for a moment and shout at the moon in pure joy! Grits said it was the best thing today...I not only agree I think it's the best thing for ...two months! (since you ended the Mournhold Volume)

And so thank you for your kind words! I'm honored!

Anyway the start of this one is wonderful as ever! It's so incredibly good to have Sethyas back again and I can't wait to see where this leads to...

"Sethyas! I have missed you! Please come see me, I need you! I will watch over you..."

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What a lovely way to start the day!!!! And such a nice interlude for Seth and Pene. Maybe Seth should think before he asks questions of Pene, he might not want her to answer, TMI as the youngsters are so fond of saying. I am curious as ever as to what Seth is thinking about now and what in the world he could be aiming to ask the Duke of Dread for.

Patience is not one of my virtues, Thyna comes by it honest.

Excellent!!... ...Oooh, maybe I should be rubbing my hands together when I say that...I'll try it again...

*Stops typing*...

Kinda fell flat that...

Aaaamywho...Excellent!!... ...

Just a quickie for a newbie to the story - What's Pene?...Just wondering...Edit - Just saw she's Daedric...Duh...Anything else though?...

Nice one... ...

P.s. One!! One Compliment!! AH-AH-AHHHH!!...

Eeeexcellent...

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I smiled all the way through this. I love episodes that linger and lavish upon the simple things. A wonderful breakfast in this case. And delightfully shared with us!

It was a joy to learn more of Pene, from her finger of flame to her. . . less than efficient digestive process.

Fair dues... ...I do like a good seducer... ...

Cheers for that...

Nice one... ...

I was hungry before I started reading... That sounded like a good breakfast and a good way to introduce Vivec and his intention there. Slightly cliffhangerish though, Dren is yet another brilliant character from the game, he's into all sorts and certainly not nice, but open and prograssive when it suits him. Still I suspect there will be a price.

And a bit more background on Pene. I liked Seth's reaction to the too much information...

I look forward to the next part.

Sweet! Yeah I must admit I have wondered about Pene....if she's at least something like a person....and d'ya know what? I still don't know!!!

It will be very interesting to see what business Seth will do with the Duke....and if it hurts to see him...again!

S.G.M

Pene got Seth’s breakfast away from him easily enough. This is going to be fun.

The description of the morning in Vivec was simply wonderful. It makes me miss the water near which I grew up...

And the idea that the "special" is also the ONLY fare- gave me a chuckle.

And Seth is going to have to watch Pene's... well, "sense of humor" seems a bit of a stretch. Although- she DID light his pipe for him.



Yes. I love a good "closer" as much as I do a good opener. This post has BOTH.

Wonderful as ever.

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"Some is good but more is better." Yes, usually and in this case you do not disappoint. Looking forward to getting to Ebonheart to see what Seth is up to. Keep it coming!!! All these little appetizers are whetting my appetite for a REAL Seth experience.

I liked that part, it fitted in nicely and you developed a fun character in the old fisherman. Very much the calm before the storm I suspect.

Ebonheart promises to be interesting...

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*Applauds Ambulance men everywhere*...Top man...

*Extra applause for posting stories from said ambulance... ...*...

Very excellent story...

Loving it...

Made me laugh this did - ... ...


Good luck with that!!... ...

Brilliant...

Nice one... ...

And we come to it, the reason Seth is looking for assistance from the Duke. I remain on pins and needles....A wonderful addition to the story and I, as always, continue to look forward to the next installment.

Must go on a quote-fest first- and these are only representative rather than exhaustive:







Pene is absolutely one of your greatest inventions! Seth is- well Seth. He HAS a sense of humor, to be sure, it is just- well... not to everyone's taste. But- putting him in the position of having to "educate" his companion is simply brilliant.

The meeting with the Duke was wonderfully done, showing the toll Ilmeni's death has taken AND the love he still has for Seth.

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Ok now I am just holding my breath.....




"

Between these two quotes the entire segment rests....what could be that BAD????? I have a feeling it is even deeper than these two quotes can reach.

Some heavy stuff there. So Sethyas plans to truly disappear, and sell off almost all he has in return for it. Certainly it makes sense why he wanted the Duke, he's powerful enough and that much is sufficient to buy him.


I liked this line, it gives this piece some humour against the rather dark events.

And a little dig at the rather lazy way Beth put that into the game... bravo!

You certainly build tension. I wonder what Seth will make of Solstheim when he gets there, somehow I suspect that keeping a low profile and obscurity will be harder for him than he thinks.

Ok....so that's what Seth needs the Duke for? Hmm....it puzzles me, Seth running away? It's odd....mmm but maybe...something bothers him?.

I am very very curious....

You are building up the plot quite intriguing, so very Black-ish


And I must compliment you for writing in the ambulance! And for saving lives!

Makes me think of
This

Statue of Peyrite, that made me smile. I’m glad that Sethyas has Pene with him.

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Some good musing on immortality, and on Seth. That he has succeeded in Vvardenfell and is bored is very him. I suspect his problem is as much that he doesn't fit in with society as that he is immortal. It will be interesting to see how things go in Solstheim.


I suspect he has some work todo in those three days...

Mental musings that bring much to the forefront of Seth's thoughts, but the excitement of new beginnings is heartening.

And what will the next three days bring?? I look forward to finding out.

Ah, Sethyas, I remember you, you old rascal.

Having skipped his jaunts in Mournhold (nothing personal, but there's a lot to read through there) I'm greatly enjoying seeing him once more. I'm growing greatly fond of Pene the Daedra, and Seth's musings on the nature of immortaility are an interesting read indeed.

All in all, it's good to see this once more, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Seth deals with the challenges Hircine is going to throw at him on Solstheim. Funny thing about assassins is that they're really just hunters of people; wonder how the daedric lord of the hunt will treat that...

No longer Lord of Bal Isra huh! Ok Sethyas, I see....you wish to start a new life. Hmm Good Luck my dear friend, but I'm not so sure life on Solstheim will be easier for you.

Good thoughts of your immortality, it can be a problem right?

"I wish you luck whatever happens"

Sounds like retiring from the guild could be more than just dropping off a letter. It's great to see Sethyas looking forward to a new beginning.

I am in a slight rush here but had to finish the story!!... ...

Damned fine stuff...

Damned fine...

Nice one!!... ...

Looking at the date this thread was started tells me exactly why I never noticed it before, lol. Sorry about that. Your ability to manipulate the story via dialogue is amazing, Awesome Write !!!

As has been true throughout- the heart in this new story is what holds me spellbound. The descriptions of Seth and of Duke Dren, both learning to live with their grief.... Seth's musing on what his immortality might mean...



No comment of mine could improve those words.

"

THAT was worth more than a small laugh.



And, like other readers, I wonder what form Seth's retirement from the Morag Tong will take.

And hanging over it all is the secret- a secret so grave that he cannot even tell the Duke.

Deleted.

So sad, I really wish he didn't feel he had to leave.

Another wonderful installment, nothing less than expected of course. Although his resolve is solid it is easy to feel his sadness at the choice he is making.



No comment, just quoting....

Keep it going BH, great stuff comes in small installments....

There was ever a doubt? ...Manly hugs redeux? ...

Excellent chapter...Loved it...

The more I read about Morrowind, the more I'm wondering about buying it...*Sighs*...Time...It's always time... ...

The whole internal conflict thing is cool...

I love the way that Pene seems to be bored by everything including Seth, but then she expects him to be the one to lift her out of it... ...

Most excellent story...

I do love your writing...So cool...

Nice one...

As if there is ever any question that a new post from you will inspire me, enlighten me, cause me to think...





Those two demonstrate wonderfully where Seth is in his heart and soul. And despite his intention to put the past in the past, I wonder if he will discover that it seems to travel with him.

And speaking of "traveling with him"- certainly second the enjoyment of Pene's "entertain me, mortal" attitude.

Short but heavy (in a good way). There's a lot there bundled into not many words - his grief at leaving everything behind, past regrets and triumphs, mistakes. But it's all past and he really has few ideas for the future. I suspect that may lead to certain things running out of hand when someone like him arrives in a backwater with no clear ideas.

The thoughts on leaving it all behind are well done. I will be interested to see if it works for him, and if it fails why.



Great lines!

Badger - buy morrowind now. I doubt it will cost much and it's still a very good game. Certainly good value for the entertainment it offers.

I had to quote this section for your stunning ability to evoke absolute imagery of the character's emotions and mood so clearly and concisely with barely a sentence. Awesome Write throughout, but I was floored by your manipulation of this scene in particular - pure magic !!

For the same reason, this line bears quoting again as well :



Awesome Write !!

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This line has to be quoted for its sheer brilliance, and not just because it is such an outstanding metaphor.

My original thought reading this story was that the dialogue was so natural that it totally immersed the reader into each scene. Not just the dialogue, but how you set the scene subtly around the dialogue (I pointed out a huge example of that in the last chapter).

That said, Seth’s inner thoughts/inner dialogue have absolutely become my favorite part of this story because they are a treasure trove of gems like the above, and an insight into the genius of his writer. Huge talent you have!

Awesome Write !!


** The section where Seth is musing about Mephala reminded me so much of a discussion in the lore section of the BGSF forum regarding Mephala and the Acceptable Blasphemies:

To Mephala who threads the Needle with the Hair of wives - (the wives" of Shor ?) - Wives killing husbands considered the ultimate backstab; the web spinner. Mephala weaves plots from the hair of the Aedra - with mortals' lives. Mephala is understood paradoxically to contain and integrate these contradictory themes, but to thread the needle means to find a solution to an impasse.

(As you probably guessed, MK was a part of that discussion).

Oh my.

Perhaps, one day, if I practice diligently- I will learn to pack as much into a "simple" post.



Beyond the images this evokes- there is the sheer beauty of the writing itself. Economical, descriptive, showing perfectly how Seth "centers" himself, no matter which role he is playing.



Speechless on that one- but it HAD to be highlighted, all the same.

And the discussion of Mephala and of the Morag Tong... again, insight into Seth and his dance with darkness.

Just wrap quotes around all of it.....

Amazing.