You must have an AWESOME graphics mod...

Make as many changes to the game as you like. Just be consistent.

Valens didn't take much persuasion. One wonders what's to the east, and whether it has anything to do with Azura. I'm sure we'll get more clues later.

So Nashira would be six, and that leaves only one to be revealed. I can't wait!

I'm absolutely loving this story...

I love the way you've developed all the characters...The designs of them are amazing...I love the screenshots!!...Brilliant!!...

My fave - and this is no shock really...Given my J'zirlo/J'zargo thing - is the Khajiit... ...He makes I laugh...As did the banter with Ungarion... ...

I know about the naming of swords in these types of stories, but I'd never thought of naming the armour too...That's brilliant that...

Plus, all the enchantments are amazing...Ooooh...The Redguard's sword had the hairs on the back of standing up, I thought it was so epic!!...

I love how Aela's able to read all that, just from being near them...Yes, it's a helpful writer's trick for us readers, but it's also a cool talent for the character to have too...*Applauds some more*...

I think it's excellent that they're looking for the sellswords in Bravil, a place that we're all familiar with from TF...That you haven't relocated the whole thing to Leyawiin, just to have an almost complete break is heartily applauded... ...

Oooh, I know this is the Seven Samurai and I keep going on about the Magnificent Seven...But, I get the Nashira would be Britt, the James Coburn one...But is Valens the Robert Vaughn one?...Or isn't it that direct from the S.S.?...

I love all the references...Goldenrod!!... ...Plus the others that I didn't make note of...That I should have...Ooops... ...

Aaamywho...In case you hadn't guessed...I'm loving it...So brilliant...I'm absolutely in awe of your talent...Though that does go for everyone else's too...But yours is so awesome!!...

Also, thanks for the constant schedule...Made it so easy to catch up!!... ...Ta!!...

So good...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Maybe the Warp changed the Star? Very interesting about the participants though. That’s one thing in TES history that I have not looked into. Perhaps I will change that soon.

“Dig up a dragon” nice reference to the dragon burial sites. I like this new guy, even if he’s a little morose. He’s got reason, but it’s how we survive that makes us who we are. I stole that last line from a song, but it fit. The distinction between warrior and soldier was neat too. Sometimes they are use synonymous but I like the difference. He learned to fight with a team, the warrior learned to fight as an individual.

Grits: I am glad Valens and Seri's being part of the Warp was something that would be deducible. I was hoping to show it, rather than tell it.

I have always thought Azura's Star was rather creepy too. The game describes Umbra as an evil creation, and all it does is cast a soul trap on what it hits. The Star is the other half of the equation, and is actually trapping those souls. Hmm, presumably it would be sending them to the Soul Cairn as well then, since that is where souls that are trapped eventually end up. So why would Azura be feeding the Soul Cairn? Unless the Star sends them all to her realm instead? Either way, it sounds really disturbing.


Captain Hammer: Maybe I should has said "before you get out the torches and hammers"? I am glad you are enjoying the tale. I am trying to make Seven a clear homage to the original work, and still infuse enough originality so that it is worth the time to read.


ThatSkyrimGuy: The Warp, and the events of Daggerfell, go back pretty far IRL. So I am not surprised that its new to a lot of people. In a way that was one of the reasons I liked going back in time. There is a certain freshness to the material now, since many people have never played that game.

BTW, on graphics mods, have you ever tried playing Real Life? The graphics are extraordinary. But the gameplay is crap...


haute ecole rider: Good call on the howevers. I had not even noticed that. My characters never use the star in my games. Granted, a while ago I found a mod that allows you to recharge your magic items with a spell, which made it completely superfluous.


Kazaera: You hit the nail right on the head. Valens was the Agent/Hero of Daggerfell, and Seridwe was his companion. That is why his entire life got erased by the Numidium's warping of reality, and Seridwe only lost the actual events which she participated in. I wanted to be subtle about it, and I am glad so many people picked up on that.

You also called it with Aela's feelings about being put on a pedestal. She just wants to be treated like any other woman. She just wants to be any other woman! Next week's episode will be all about her and Seridwe.


Acadian: Valens definitely has discipline, but not marital experience. Sorry, could not resist. Have you ever noticed how similar martial and marital are in spelling? Perhaps that is not an accident... Interesting that you mention Nashira, as we will be meeting her again this episode. The same with another character.


ghastley: Valens' doom waits for him to the east, and part of him knows it. Exactly what that doom is remains unclear, but you are right in suspecting that is has everything to do with Azura. It is hinted at in Chapter 36.2 - The Witch Of Bawnwatch Island


McBadgere: I spent a lot of time working on each character, and their 'art direction' if you can call it that. I wanted them all to stand out as unique. For example with Do'Sakhar I went digging through the lore about Khajiit to find that they have a traditional lamellar armor. So I rolled with that and decided to use an early Japanese form of armor. A new character being introduced this episode has a shield that is inspired by the Thracians, both in its crescent design, and its decoration.

I sort of had to go with Bravil, in order to fit Aela and Ungarion into the tale. Aela likes the area around Bravil, so they spend a lot of time there now that they have graduated.

Nashira is based upon Kyūzō from Seven Samurai, who was James Coburn in the Mag Seven. There is one other character being introduced today who is also a direct inspiration from both films (and it should be obvious who). But the others are all original. They had to be in order to mesh with the people that Aela used to adventure with in the past (that is the past from the perspective of the TF - when Teresa met Aela at Bawnwatch Island


King Coin: Interesting you mention that quote, because Aela will say something very similar to Valens in a future episode.

Kerr Cuhulain once wrote that "Soldier's March, Warriors Dance." I think that really sums up the difference between the two.


Previously on Seven: In our last episode Seridwe introduced Aela and Ungarion to her partner Valens, who is also the bearer of Azura's Star. A&U learned that while Seri cannot recall any of the events leading up to the Warp In The West, Valens cannot remember any of his life before the world-changing event. This led both to suspect that Seridwe and Valens were an active part of the Warp, perhaps even its cause. Valens initially turned down the quest to help the Agrigentans. Then when he learned that it was to the east, he changed his mind.


Chapter 1.6

The foursome was making their way back through the darkened streets of Bravil when an Argonian stepped out of the shadows along their path and blocked their way. A pair of straight horns pointed back from his head, which was crowned by a row of rust-colored feathers. He was dressed in little more than a loincloth and a belt. In one hand he clutched a long spear with a leaf-shaped head of steel. In the other hand he held a crescent-shaped shield of wood that was painted yellow, and emblazoned with a pair of large crimson eyes drawn at a slant.

Screenshot

"It is said that these ones are seeking warriors," the Argonian declared. "Talun-Lei shall join them."

Like the others, Aela studied the Argonian. The flickering light of the street lamps glistened off his lustrous green scales, a sure sign of youth in one of his race. While his face seemed set in stone, his tail twitched, revealing his nervousness to all with an eye to see. His gear, or lack of it, again spoke of his inexperience. But most of all his eyes lacked that flinty edge that one got after having killed other sentients. Not from the first time, but the time after that, when you did it again even though you knew what it meant, and part of your heart went cold.

"You don't have what it takes boy," Valens said what Aela knew they all were thinking. "Go home, and live to see your scales fade."

"This one is a warrior," the Argonian insisted. "Talun-Lei may not have fancy armor or magics, but he is strong, and he can fight."

"What do you know about fighting?" Valens growled. He stepped forward, and grabbed the spear from the youth's hand. "We aren't spearing fish boy, or hunting razorbacks. We're killing people. People you have to look in the eye as their life drains out of them, as they scream, and cry, and beg for their lives. Can you do that son?"

"Talun-Lei is ready," the Argonian declared. The feathers on his head rose up, and his tail began to sway behind him.

"Then show me kid." Valens slapped the spear into the Argonian's chest, and the youth took hold of it with his right hand again. "Come on, stab me with that fish-sticker."

Aela felt sorry for the Argonian. He was clearly out of his depth. She hoped that he would just walk away, and spare himself the coming humiliation. But given his youth, she doubted that would happen.

Talun-Lei's eyes flickered from Valens to her, Seridwe, and Ungarion.

They all stepped back to give the pair room. "Don't hold back Argonian," Seridwe cautioned. "Give it all you have. Kill him if you can."

The Argonian stabbed with the lightning quickness of his race. But Valens appeared to have seen it coming. Aela only knew a little of sword-fighting, and far less of spear-fighting, so she could not tell what the name of the move was the Nibenean used to disarm the youth. All she did know was that an instant later Valens had the spear in his hand, and was whacking its wooden butt against the side of the Argonian's head.

Talun-Lei fell to one knee under the blow. But he did raise his shield over his head to ward off more attacks. Valens did not follow up his assault however. Instead he simply threw the spear down upon the cobblestones at the Argonian's feet.

"Go home son," he said quietly. Without another word, he walked on down the street. Ungarion opened his mouth to say something. Then he shook his head and walked on as well. So too did Seridwe.

Aela stared the young Argonian, and debated whether or not she should try to heal the bump she could already see forming upon his head. She could not help but to feel sympathy for him. She knew all too well what it felt like to be humiliated before a crowd. But she could appreciate that Valens had not been motivated by cruelty. Of course, whether or not Talun-Lei would understand the lesson the Nibenean had so painfully tried to impart was another matter.

Aela decided not to heal him. All actions came with consequences, sometimes painful ones. Talun-Lei would have to endure them all. It might even help him decide his future.

* * *

The next morning found the five mercenaries gathered at Bravil's inner docks, along with the four Agrigentans. The adventurers all wore their armor and weapons. Seridwe was clad in her elvish panoply, and carried her bow and sword. Do'Sakhar wore his own people's black lacquered lamellar, and carried his sandcrawler bone bow and dwarven axe. Ungarion practically strutted in his black silk robes and carried his black staff Andlome, or 'Long Night' in the human tongue. She herself wore her brown adventuring clothing, and carried her white staff - Hrive Amaurea - or 'Winter's Dawn' - in one hand.

Aela noted that Valens was now clad in armor: a gleaming hauberk of ebony links, covered by a breastplate and pauldrons of similar material. Vambraces of ebony covered his forearms, as did one piece greaves that were snapped into place over his lower legs, running from ankle to knee. While the power that Azura's Star resonated with made it difficult to tell for certain, she could feel no magic from the armor. Though given its material, it hardly needed enchantment. However, she could now discern that his swords were named Silme and Isilme, or 'Starlight' and 'Moonlight' in the Imperial language. Their enchantments eluded her however. Azura's Star simply overwhelmed everything else around it, like staring into a campfire made one night-blind.

Aela was surprised to see another figure waiting at the docks for them. It was Nashira, clad in her red and brown Hammerfell attire. Aela could now sense the protective enchantments upon the mail shirt she wore under her jacket, as well as those upon her boots and gloves. Her ice-ensorcelled scimitar was at her hip, and a backpack was slung over the Redguard's shoulders.

"I thought you were not coming?" Ungarion said what Aela imagined everyone else was thinking.

"The man I killed yesterday has three brothers," Nashira said matter-of-factly. "If I remain, they will come for me. Then I will have to kill them as well. So I will go with you instead."

Ungarion looked back to the others. "That makes six."

Well, you obviously don't know that I always have my hammer. But we'll leave that alone for now.

And while we're at it, I suppose I should mention that other members of my family have found sharpened polearms with multiple tines a useful item. Though putting Brick up at my place was a truly horrendous week.

On to the new stuff.

First, in the time between my reading of the most recent installment and the posting of my reply, you picked the nit I was going to hit. Showing great wit. And forcing me to start with the rhymes of [censored].

Oh, Talun-Lei. This one knows of his type. Young, proud reptile, unblooded and unwise. There's another benefit to Valens' lesson: young unscarred lizard-skin makes for the best boots. Now Talun-Lei's hide won't fetch as much at the market, so there will be less poachers after him.

On the matter of the Soul Cairn, and Azura's Star: yes, I can see the evil aspect of Umbra being manifest, but Azura's star is supposed to be incapable of holding sentient souls. I figured that the inherent 'blackness' of trapping a sentient soul was the part that required the Soul Cairn, i.e., it's where sentient souls get sent to be stripped of their power and individuality while 'white souls' are the ones that get recycled into the Aetherius and are eventually sent back to Nirn. As the Earthbones, the Physics and Metaphysics of Mundus, are fully sacrificed Aedric beings, the white souls are essentially the non-sentient automoton drives that animate system platforms which carry out these processes: Deer, wolves, trolls, etc. essentially being non-sentient and being constantly reintroduced into the world in accordance with architectural structure devised by Magnus and whose energy to return comes from the out-bound flow of magic to Nirn via the sun and stars. Since sentient souls are the souls that have to go through the Dreamsleeve, or an afterlife appropriate to that soul (Sovngarde, etc.), these are the only ones that can be trapped in the Soul Cairn on the way through since they follow a different path in the cycle.

Back to this installment!

It's nice to get a summary of how each of the Six (one more coming, obviously) are outfitted and how it works with their skills. I've now got a sense of the fighting gear and styles each member of the band probably employs, except for Valens, whose mysterious mystery-stuff will continue to mystify me (okay, I'll stop now).

And then we see the person on the docks. Glad to see Nashira has more than just a sword and swordsmanship to her repertoire, though the worry about some angry brothers shows why Mr. Big-and-Broadsworded didn't bother to think things through. Really, though, it's smart. She killed a guy, and now needs to get out of town and lay low for a while.

A nice pause/interlude to show the young Argonian tribesman. That scene, when combined with the ebony armor of the following morning, pretty much establishes Valen’s creds as far as fighting and reading the abilities of others of the profession.

"The man I killed yesterday has three brothers," Nashira said matter-of-factly. "If I remain, they will come for me. Then I will have to kill them as well. So I will go with you instead." - - This Redguard is one no nonsense practical woman! She should probably wear a little warning sign: ‘Don’t tug on Superman’s cape!’

’Ungarion looked back to the others. "That makes six." - - And my sincere hope is that Number Seven will be Mad Jack’s mule of the same name! Oh, along with the cantankerous old mountain man and his summoned spriggan of course.

I can't believe I only just noticed this. It's another Subrose, and one with Aela as the main character! That is fantastic! On multiple levels! Ending sentences with exclamation marks!

On a more serious note, however, I do love this idea of doing the Magnificent Seven with a TES twist, and the cast of badasses you've assembled/are assembling for this look great; each one of them are nice and distinct, and I've no doubt that once Talun-Lei makes it seven (I just know that kid ain't gonna back down) things are going to get good.

Colour me excited for the rest of this; it looks like it the potential to be on hell of a good story!

Heh... ...While I agree with Acadian, it would be excellent to see old Denver in the story again...I wondered when the Chico (Apologies, yes Mag Seven again ) character would turn up... ...And obviously, it had to be an Argonian...Brilliantly done though...

Loved the firm but fair lesson...

And so to Black Marsh we go!...With more epic weapons and armour...*Is jealous *...

Looking forward to more...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Ungarion looked back to the others. "That makes six."

OK I haven’t seen the movies yet (I know! I’m getting to them!!) but I’m also guessing that number six is actually number seven with six being the minimally dressed young Argonian. We shall see. Great fun!

Well, I'm not expecting Talun-Lei to be seven - although seven and a half might not be unthinkable. I'm expecting a more familiar character, based on the references in the TF.

I haven't seen either of the films for a loooooooong time, so I don't remember the Chico character that McB does, but I also don't expect you to be constrained by precedent in what happens to Talun-Lei.

Still looking forward to number seven.

Strange encounter with the young Argonian. Are we going to see him again? Considering you put in a picture, I’m thinking yes! And he’ll make seven!

I liked the description of Azura’s Star blinding her ability to read the enchantments. That would be a useful thing even if just for the ability to hide what he has from anyone that can read the magic.

They are finally off to the Argonians’ land.

So we meet a new character, Talun-Lei, who was unable to impress The Fab Five enough to turn them into The Superior Six on their way to becoming The Magnificent Seven. Instead he must nurse his wounded head and pride.

Then the group becomes six when Nashira changes her mind to avoid confronting irate relatives. As others have said, I doubt we have seen the last of Talun-Lei.

Nit: I do have one that is more personal taste rather than technical. This pair of sentences –

Aela only knew a little of sword-fighting, and far less of spear-fighting. So she could not tell what the name of the move was the Nibenean used to disarm the youth.

Starting the second sentence with the word “So” is rubbing me wrong and “…what the name of the move was the Nibenean used to disarm…” feels clunky. I probably would have made it all one sentence by using a comma instead of the period, and changed the wording a bit, as follows –

Aela only knew a little of sword-fighting, and far less of spear-fighting, so she was unable to name the move that the Nibenean had used to disarm the youth.

Again, it’s just personal preference. For all I know, my version is technically incorrect.

Great write and looking forward to the next installment!

Ah ha, I recognized the Chico character too! Loved that he is a young Argonian with something to prove. Will he find love in the Black Marsh? Or just a reason to stay there?

Like others, I expected Talun-Lei to be #7 due to the picture and time devoted to him (and am still kind of holding out for him...). In fact, I expected him to pull something surprising when Valens challenged him, but it seems as though he's as green as he looks... literally! I do feel kind of sorry for him, but I understand why the Fab Five did it.



I really loved this bit.

Also definitely loved Nashira - I was wondering how/whether she'd join, after having turned them down before. And what a way! This bit really cracked me up:

Captain Hammer: That probably is Bethesda's official line on souls. But it definitely is not mine. I do not see any difference between the divine spark that just so happens to currently reside in a body that possesses a fore brain large enough to do math, or one whose body lacks that cognitive power, or one that has no flesh and blood at all. To me divinity is divinity, and none of it is better, or worse, or more expendable than any other part. So there are no white souls, black souls, or polka dot souls in the TF or AF. There is just the divine. That in turn puts a very dark spin on soul trapping. As Grits said, the vanilla game version of Azura's Star is pretty sinister if you happen to have what they call a white soul.


Acadian: Valens is definitely the shiznit. He's also a fun character to write.

"Don't spit into the wind, don't pull the mask off the old Grey Fox, and don't mess around with Nashira..."

Mad Jack is probably on Number 3 or 4 at the time of this story. So they won't be the Number Seven you are hoping for.


Colonel Mustard: I hope the whole thing lives up to your expectations! I have always loved the Seven Samurai and Magnificent Seven. It is always neat to see the tale translated to new mediums. There is an anime named Samurai Seven that is quite good.


McBadgere: No apologies necessary. Talun-Lei is more like Chico than Katsushiro. You definitely called him right. The last time I watched Magnificent Seven I found I liked Chico best of them all. He struck me as the most interesting, and definitely had the most character development throughout the story. I loved the scene with him pretending to bull fight with the bull.


Grits: Get thee to Netflix as once! I think you guessed right. If you try to read back your reply three times fast I bet it will make you dizzy though...


ghastley: Chico was the hot-headed young Mexican from Magnificent Seven, who Yul Brynnr did the "Clap hands" test with. He's also the one who finds the women, and has the nice little romantic subplot going on.


King Coin: Talun-Lei just might make seven indeed. Or six depending on what order you count from.

I wanted to put a few limitations on magically assensing things. Having really powerful items overwhelm lesser ones seemed like a reasonable idea, like a really bright light can make you blind to anything beyond it.


ThatSkyrimGuy: Does that make Aela and Ungarion the Dynamic Duo? And adding Do'Sakhar the Terrific Trio?

That was a good call on the nit, I changed it to your way, since it looks much better to me.


haute ecole rider: Talun-Lei will be played by Horst Bucholz! He may indeed find love in Black Marsh, and a reason to stay. Stay tuned.


Kazaera: Talun-Lei is as green as he looks. But he does have potential, as we will see in the future.

The flinty-eyed bit was an attempt to acknowledge the way that killing people desensitizes a person. Its not something that we normally see in the genre, where swordfights are all glorious, and slaughtering scores of foemen with one's mighty thews is what barbarians do for fun.


Previously On Seven: In our last episode a young and clearly inexperienced Argonian named Talun-Lei tried to join the team. Valens easily defeated him in a mock duel however, and the along with the others told him to go home. The next morning when the team arrived at the docks to leave for Black Marsh, they found Nashira waiting for them. Explaining that if she remains in Bravil she will have to kill the brothers of the man she slew in the duel the day before, she decided to go with them.


Chapter 1.7

Boarding the wide-bellied hulk, the mercenaries and villagers spent the morning sailing across Niben Bay to Telamon. Aela noted that among the other travelers that made the crossing with them was a young Argonian. She said nothing to the others, and instead made her way to the prow of the ship. She sat down and leaned forward against the rail, her legs dangling over the side. From there she simply watched the water below as it foamed up around the ship's prow.

"Septim for your thoughts."

Aela turned to find Seridwe standing behind her. She had not even heard the elf approach. Which either said much for the other woman's ability to move silently, or for her own distraction.

"Nothing really," Aela shrugged, and looked back to the waves. "I just like watching the water. It always feels peaceful to me."

The high elf sat down beside her, and Aela stared down at Seridwe's armored legs as they hung over the water beside her own. Looking back up, she noted that not only was the other woman's hair a masterpiece, but even her makeup gave her amber eyes a subtle glow in the morning sun.

Aela could not help but to feel a twinge of envy, and turned away from Seridwe. For the thousandth time, she wondered what it was like to be born normal, and have the option of living an ordinary life?

"That is a lovely necklace." The elf's words broke Aela's chain of thought, and she followed the other woman's gaze to the silver pendant that she wore. Shaped in a spiral, it hung above her small breasts from a chain of slender silver links.

"My spiral?" Aela said. "Among the Bosmer - and we Witches here in Cyrodiil - it symbolizes the never-ending cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. It's also enchanted to fortify my magicka."

"I would not think that one with your gifts would require more magical energy?" Seridwe lifted one elegantly plucked eyebrow ever so slightly.

"I don't anymore." Aela felt a wry smile come to her lips, and stared down at the pendant. "But when I first started casting spells in real combat, I had a tendency to use much more magicka than I needed. I was like a pugilist throwing a haymaker with every punch. It took me a while to learn to only use as much energy as was truly necessary, especially with my absorption spells. Now I keep it as a reminder to pace myself. And because it was a gift from a friend."

"You did not make it yourself?" Seridwe looked confused.

"Oh no," Aela confessed. "Ungarion enchanted it for me. He has always been much better at that than I am. He did all of our gear in fact: his robes and rings, my clothes, even Do'Sakhar's axe and shield. The only thing he didn't enchant were our staves. We found those underneath the Imperial City, in the old Arimer ruins down there."

"Forgive me, I thought that… well… being ardhanari you…"

"Could fly through the air and shoot fire from my toes? Not hardly. Well, I can do the first with some help from a sylph." Aela smiled. "The truth is Ungarion is a much better mage than I am in most of the schools of magic. The only ones I ever really had much interest in are Restoration and Conjuring. So I double majored in them at University. The others I never spent much time on, only the basic classes that everyone is forced to take."

"I see." Seridwe leaned back and seemed to take in the Breton Witch, as if looking at her for the first time. Aela wondered if now the high elf was finally seeing her as a real person, rather than an idol? Aela hoped so. She did not think she would much care for being put on a pedestal, not any more than she liked being abhorred. Why could not people just treat her the same as everyone else?

"I am sorry," the high elf blushed. With one slender finger she swept aside an imaginary lock of hair from her eyes. "You must be faced with these silly questions all of the time. It's just that ever since I was a child I was taught that people like yourself are gifted."

"I would not call it a gift," Aela frowned. "But it has made me what I am, for better and worse."

"It must be difficult, living in a human land," Seridwe thought aloud. "It is obvious why you would study Restoration. So why Conjuration too? Why not Illusion, or Destruction?"

"At first I started summoning just to stay alive," Aela said. "Ungarion and I have had to go into some pretty dangerous places to make ends meet. But even before that I always enjoyed conjuring. Summoning the Aedra is all about nurturing your relationship with the spirits of the world: of the rocks, of the trees, of the sky, the sea, and so on. When I am with the Aedra, I can be myself. They always see me for who I truly am, not what other people think I should be."

"I grew up in a city - Wayrest in fact - but I have always loved the countryside," the Breton continued, "the woods, the ocean, the wild places untouched by people. When I did my internship at Bravil in my final year of school, I was finally able to really get out into the wilderness for the first time in my life. I walked up the Larsius until there was nowhere left to go. I fell in love with the forest then, and met my spirit guides."

"You have spirit guides?" Seridwe raised an eyebrow again. "You sound like a Bosmer."

"I am a Witch," Aela nodded. "It is about the same thing. I met Turtle my first trip into the woods. He has taught me patience. Turtle is all about getting there, no matter how long it takes. Later I met Butterfly, who taught me the secrets of transformation. Then there was Bear, who brought me healing."

"You said that you and Ungarion have to make ends meet?" Seridwe noted. "Is that why you became adventurers?"

"Yes," Aela nodded. "I transitioned to living female in my fourth year at the Arcane University. My parents disowned me and cut off my funds. Then the University cancelled my scholarship. So I had to borrow money from a slaughterfish named Fathis Ules to pay my tuition. I graduated a few months ago, but I'm still paying him off. I will be for a long time."

"Why did they do those things?" Seridwe looked confused. "Because you are ardhanari?"

Aela nodded, but said nothing.

"But that is mad!" Seridwe exclaimed. "You have been blessed by Magnus to walk between worlds, just as magicka does. I would think they would want more people like you in their University?"

"You don't understand humans," Aela shook her head. "They are not like elves. They are herd animals. They value uniformity, the known, the expected. They all follow along like everyone else, never daring to be different. To them anything strange or unusual is frightening."

"Duty, loyalty, and obedience are what define humans: to their race, to their nations, and especially to their families. They grow up learning to think and feel what their parents tell them to, they marry who their parents tell them to, they learn the trade their parents tell them to, and so on. Most of all they have children and carry on the family name. That is the only way humans can achieve immortality: through their children and grand-children. To them, their family's honor is just as important as its wealth and health, more so in fact. A disgrace passes down through generations, and taints the entire family."

"To them, people like myself are dangerous," Aela declared. "We are proof that you are not defined by your birth, or what everyone else tells you that you have be. We make our lives in spite of what their world says. Make no mistake, people whose power and position are based upon their birth find that absolutely terrifying. They in turn have a very easy time turning the rest of the herd against us."

"But what you are describing is every elf," Seridwe argued. "Among our people, it is a given that we all must find our own true calling in life. No one can choose the fate of another. Just as no one can live the life of another."

"And that is one of the reasons why humans and elves do not get along very well," Aela observed.

"I suppose it is," Seridwe lamented. "I have lived most of my life surrounded by other elves. Even though I was born in Daggerfall, I lived in an elven neighborhood. The humans call it Little Summerset - even though there are Dunmer and Bosmer living there as well."

"So how did you become a warrior?" Aela steered the conversation away from herself. Not only to avoid the unpleasant feelings it brought up, but also out of genuine curiosity.

"The usual," the archer shrugged. "Excitement, adventure, fortune. Many of the others in Little Summerset work for the Mages Guild, or as freelance magicians. The rest are artists or artisans. My parents spend all day making copies of books, pamphlets, royal proclamations, and such. One of their neighbors is an enchanter. He sits in his apartment all day and makes warm cloaks. Another works the docks casting feather spells on barrels and crates."

"Too dull for you?" Aela guessed.

"Exactly," Seridwe nodded. "Every future I saw was just so… dreary. I cannot sit in a room all day scribing, or spinning a pottery wheel, or chipping at wood or stone. Or at least I thought I could not. Was I ever surprised that archery means standing outside doing the same thing over and over again!"

"Well, at least you get some sun and fresh air that way," Aela laughed.

"I do!" the high elf exclaimed, "and I still have more time for my hair and makeup."

"You do both very well," Aela admitted as she looked into the Altmer's eyes. She hoped that she was not blushing. "You're beautiful."

"That is so kind of you to say," Seridwe breathed. "But look at you, with that lovely long hair, and those soft brown eyes."

"Aye, hair brown as sand, and eyes brown as bark," Aela grumbled, looking back down at the waves below.

"Nonsense!" Seridwe exclaimed. "Well, your hair is rather of sandy, and your eyes are brown of course. But there is so much more to you than that."

With that, the elf pushed herself back across the planks of the deck. The next thing Aela knew, Seridwe was hunched over her back and gently taking up her hair in her slender fingers.

"Let's do something with this," the high elf suggested. "We'll start with a braid around either side of your head, then tie it all in back into a tail. Then we can do something with your eyes. We'll start with some eggplant color on your lashes. That will make the whites of your eyes really shine. Then we'll put some gold shadow on your lids, which will make the brown in your eyes glisten. It will give you more color, without being overpowering. When you want that, we can use cobalt shadow, and deeper black on your lashes."

A small, white-winged butterfly danced across the rail before Aela's eyes. She could not repress the grin from her features, and knew that she was blushing now. But she could care less. For the next few hours she forgot all about human prejudices, ardhanaris, loan-sharks, and everything else. She was just a twenty one year old woman having her hair and makeup done by a friend.

Oh. Well, this is still good as it is about a character that made an appearance on your other stories. I'll be sure to read those, too, when I get the chance.

Chapter 1.4:

A nice game of cards, some drink and a killer-looking altmer named Seridwe! Judging by her words and looks, she's a gifted killer and quite the explorer. Looking forward to see what she brings to the plate. The latest editon! I enjoyed and felt bad at Aela's self-conscious hair fact here. She was all about Dat Hair!

Chapter 1.5: So. We have five now. Valens looks like quite the character. I like his look and his personality shines here as well. Former legion, ex-soldier, whatever military nature he's in will only help Aela and Ungarion and Seridwe!

No problem with the change. I do agree that Azura doesn't fit the soul trap, though there is nothing wrong with soul trapping anyway. It wouldn't fit the goddess.

Chapter 1.6:

I had a kick out of this episode. New guy wants to make it into the team and only gets whacked upside the head

Poor fellow. I have a feeling we'll be seeing more of him, and he might surprise the group. In the meanwhile, our blunt-to-the-bone Nashira will suffice. There is always a special place for Redguard women in my heart, Sub. We're now with six fine individual members. Can't wait to see the latest one!

Chapter 1.7:



This part here shows just how deadly Seridwe or simple distractions can be. I bet she's one lethal altmer.

We get some backround on Aela's spiral and the enchantment and meaning, too. The concept of life, death and rebirth fits well with her character. She's has that elven streak about her that fits well with the mystic realities of Nirn and nature in general. I enjoyed her words on conjuring and the relationship with the spirits. To me its fascinating.

The conversation between Aela and Seridwe on humans and elves was very good. Humans have this narrow vision on life and how to be immortalized through their offspring whereas elves in general are perhaps a bit different.

In the end, though they may be hardened ladies, they're still women. I see Aela decided to do something about Seridwe's hair

Well, I see the Club for Despising of Fathis Ules will never be without membership. Seriously, I do dislike the guy. And he thinks gold is worth the Escutcheon of Chorrol...?

Getting back to the story, it is nice to see the growing friendship between Aela and Seridwe. Learning about Aela's backstory and comparing it to the much more straightforward motivations of Seridwe really hammers home how much life has tried to screw her over, and yet continues to fail.

Not so much a nit, as a question:


You use the question mark in certain sentences such as the one above, and so I ask: Is this used to show a questioning statement? The syntax rules would usually put a period at the end of Seridwe's speech, so I'm wondering if it's supposed to make me read it with a change of tone and vocal inflection usually reserved for inquiries.

As for the Black Soul/White Soul thing, I see where you're going with this. But while I don't think there are Polka Dot Souls (though given the reality-warping effects of Kagrenac's actions at Red Mountain, the Dwemer could very well be Polka-Dotted now) I do have Red Souls already written up.

And did we see a young Argonian on the ship?

That defeated young lad is playing at 'heroing.' He thought we wouldn't notice, but we did.

Right, I know you said that the characters in fiction should resonate with the reader, but this whole passage here...



Is exactly what drives me mad about other people...No, I know not everyone is like that...And obviously everyone here seems to possess that spark of "Self" which I think is excellent...

But we've always taught the kids to be themselves in everything...And not to let anyone tell them what they should think/watch/like/wear/listen to in anything...Only a couple of times, when we've had the "But they've all got..." or "Everyone else it going/doing..." have I been growlingly disappointed in the girl...So yeah, they've grown up as pretty amazing and excellent kids...Also frighteningly opinionated and stubborn swines, but hey...With their parents, it was absolutely to be expected... ...

Um...Yes, so that has to go down as one of my favest bits of your stories EVER!!... ...

I absolutely love this whole episode with Seridwe...The whole discussion is pretty amazing stuff...

That bit about the discovering the spirits in Bravil's woods!!...That was just special right there, that was...

Oh, and the end bit with the make-over...Just beautiful... ...

Proper special episode...Absolutely one of my faves that you've ever done...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

As a deaf person making her way in the hearing world for most of her life, this resonates with me. I've dealt with prejudice and being prejudged based on my deafness, which is but a small part of who I am. The person I am is so much more than a so-called disability. I refuse to let others limit me to being "the deaf girl." It's an ongoing thing, though I'm much more practiced now at this stuff than I was twenty years ago.

I liked the little girl-talk between two tough ladies. Reminds me of Julian and Jena in between all of Julian's schlepping around Cyrodiil.

I liked your description of Aela sitting with her feet dangling over the water as they sailed across the Niben.

I’m guessing the young Argonian is probably the one with a bruise on his head, and that we’ll be seeing more of him.

Seridwe is the ultimate Warrior Princess! She knows how to kick butt, and has a profound appreciation for the importance of looking good while doing it!

Love the turtle spirit. I want one!!!

"Aye, hair brown as sand, and eyes brown as bark," Aela grumbled, looking back down at the waves below.
Says the Witch. Those are lovely colors, Aela! I liked the explanation of Aela’s relationship with nature compared to a Bosmer’s. Unless I’m inferring the wrong thing it seems that as a human Aela had to discover and connect while a Bosmer is already part of nature?

"But what you are describing is every elf," Seridwe argued.
Beautifully done. This is what was on my mind the whole time Aela was describing humans. Aela’s words provide a lot of insight into human (I’m assuming mostly Imperial) culture in this version of Tamriel, and then Seridwe reminds us that Aela’s view is limited by her own context.

Yay, makeover! The white butterfly was the perfect touch.

Heh, and there is the young Argonian.

Neat little story about the pendant. A little extra magicka could never hurt could it?

The High Elf’s opinions were somewhat surprising to me. I suppose I think of the Thalmor more often than not. They don’t seem like the types that would honor anything different.

That was a really fun way to end the chapter.

I just love it when you make magic boring!

Some nice insights into how elves' long lives affect their personalities. That individuality is one of the reasons that the Summerset Isle was fragmented enough to allow the rise of the Thalmor. Many factions, and none individually large enough to compete.

Darkness Eternal: It's always about the hair! As last week's episode showed.

I think Valens is also one of the most intriguing characters in Seven. He's one that I really enjoy writing, and has a ton of songs over in the Theme Music thread.

Poor Talun-Lei, it's not easy to be the new guy on this team!

Aela does have a strong elf streak in her. Being a Breton, she has a little pointy-eared blood flowing in her veins, perhaps she has a more than most? Or maybe it was just her life-experiences that caused her to adopt a more elven outlook on life?


Captain Hammer: I don't really hate Fathis Ules, but Aela certainly does! I never really had much to do with him in my games. Usually my characters just wonder why he is sitting on a chest in an alley in the Market District.

Perhaps Rieklings are Polka-Dot souls?


McBadgere: It is always good when people find something to personally identify with in a story. So I am tickled to see your reply. You are a Scot right? And your kids are stubborn and opinionated? I am shocked to hear those traits associated with someone from The North. (lots of places have a north )

The discovery of her Witchiness in Bravil is why Aela still lives in the area years in the future. For her Bravil County is a special place. It was nice to touch on that, if ever so briefly.


haute ecole rider: As with McB, I am glad to hear that Aela's tale strikes a chord with you as well. Some things are universal, such as people trying to categorize you into a little box according to their expectations.

You are right that Aela and Seri are rather like Julian and Jena! Though they won't be eating as good as the J's did at Jauffre's table.


Acadian: I also loved the idea of sitting with your feet dangling over the side, sort of like sitting at the edge of a dock. It creates a striking visual.

Turtle is inspired by RL. I have a T-girl friend whose spirit guide is Turtle. It was she who first said to me that "Turtle is all about getting there." So when I was working on Aela's background, Turtle just naturally waddled in there.


Grits: I think its mostly just that Aela was a city-dweller for all of her life, and her first trip deep into the wilderness sort of opened her eyes to its beauty and majesty. The same with Teresa when I think about it.

Aela's views are definitely shaped by her experiences. She has lived all of her life in either Wayrest or the IC, so that is what she knows. I do not see a great deal of difference between the human cultures, except for the Redguards, because the others all come from a similar Proto-Nede source that intermingled with the Atmorans over four thousand years ago. Obviously there are still some differences, like the Nords believing in Sovngarde and Honningrew mead, the Bretons eating snails, etc... but I picture the Imps, Brets, and Nords as being more alike in views than different.

One thing that always disappoints me with the ES world and its lore is that it does not really define the cultures of the races. For example, they had married npcs in previous games, but until Skyrim we never had any idea of what marriage customs were like, and that is only in Skyrim. And we still do not even know the Nord's views on divorce, inheritance, etc... Do some races marry until death, with no divorce allowed? Do some cultures have divorces as easy to obtain as saying "I divorce you" three times (as viking women could divorce their husbands). Do some races have polyamourus marriages, with three, four, or even dozens of people in a marriage such as the Doctor from Enterprise? Do some races have marriages that last only a year and a day, like a Wiccan hand-fasting? Is marriage only for heterosexuals? Do people get married out of love? Or is marriage a duty to your family, that is arranged ahead of time by both party's parents?

We never see answers to any of these questions. I wish we did, because it would be a way to make each culture unique. That is what I am trying to do with the humans and elves in the TF and AF. I want to define some clear and very basic differences between them, so there is more to being an elf than just having pointed ears.


King Coin: Just because elves are not transphobic and believe in the individual's right (and responsibility) to determine their own fate, does not mean they are immune from racism, or religious bigotry, or nationalism, and so on. I know transgendered people who hate Mexicans. I know people who don't care if you are trans, but do care if you are an Arab. I have seen African-American preachers say that they would "ride with the devil against gays.". So even if a person accepts one thing, they can still hate something else.

I think that because the Thalmor are portrayed so one-dimensionally, many people fail to look at things from their pov. Imagine if Iran got their hands on mecha and used them to completely overpower America's military and conquer the US in one morning. Then they put up mosques on every corner, blared out the call of prayer everywhere five times of day, and Americans constantly had Islam rubbed in their faces. How do you think Americans would feel about Arabs after that? What do you think Americans would do if the playing field was leveled? That is what motivates the Thalmor.


ghastley: I love making magic boring!

I do imagine the elves as having rather chaotic governments with numerous factions, like modern Western democracies. Summerset probably has a Labor party, a Liberal party, The Goldens, Whigs, Progressives, and more. So just as you said, it makes it easy for a ruthless, ultra-nationalistic group to manipulate, coerce, and outright murder anyone who gets in their way.


Previously On Seven: Our last episode found the group sailing across Niben Bay on a packet ship. Aela and Seridwe had a long talk about Aela's past experiences as a transgendered person living in human lands. They also discussed how Seridwe became a warrior: boredom with an ordinary lifestyle. Finally, we ended with Seridwe helping Aela with her hair and makeup.


Chapter 1.8

The packet ship docked in Telamon by noon. The group did not remain in the bayside settlement for long however. After debarking at the west dock, they walked straight to the eastern quay to find a boat willing to take them up the Panther River. The Niben Queen was just about to cast off as they arrived. Her captain - a Bosmer named Lidell - was more than happy to delay his departure long enough to take them aboard.

The riverboat was a curious affair. To start with, she had not been tied up with her side to the dock as most vessels did. Instead her stern had been nestled against the quay, allowing horses and wagons to trundle directly on board and roll straight up the boat to the prow. The bow was not the usual narrow point that most boats possessed either. Instead it was flat, just as the stern. In fact, the entire vessel was rectangular in shape, with gently rounded corners, and either end appeared capable of functioning as bow or stern. She was long enough to accommodate three wagons from end to end, and two such conveyances from one side to the other. Even after that there was still plenty of room for foot travelers.

The most unusual thing about The Niben Queen was the matter of her propulsion however. Rather than bearing sails or oars, Aela found that she was driven by horses. Not horses dragging her by tethers from the shore, but upon the boat itself! At either side of the vessel a massive draft horse stood in a stall that was cut through the deck, each pointed in opposite directions. The Breton Witch could see that as the horses tromped along, their hooves turned what appeared to be a disc hidden underneath planks of the main deck. Because of this the enormous animals remained walking in place as it spun beneath them. That appeared to somehow cause waterwheels at either side of the ship to spin, and their wooden slats pushed the vessel forward through the river.

A canvas awning rose above the horses to give them shade, and Aela noted postholes spaced along the boat that would allow more tenting to be erected if need be. Aela saw no signs of there being a hold or lower decks. So far as she could tell the boat had only the single open deck, and either possessed a flat bottom or one with a very shallow draft.

Screenshot

There were several teams of horses and wagons lined up down the center of the vessel, all of which were loaded with barrels or crates. There were also roughly two dozen other travelers, many of whom she imagined were with the wagons. Aela recognized Talun-Lei stepping about the ship behind them, and wondered how long it would take the others to notice the young Argonian? The cloak he now wore somewhat obscured his appearance. But she knew that on a craft the size of The Queen, he could not remain unnoticed for long.

"It would appear that these ones have been followed," Do'Sakhar said to the others. The Pahmer Khajiit nodded toward Talun-Lei. "Is that the scaletail these ones spoke of before?"

"Aye," Ungarion said, "That is him to be certain."

"Well, he is persistent," Valens admitted. "I'll give him that."

"That persistence will earn him an early grave," Seridwe murmured. "What are we going to do about him?"

"Do?" Aela said. "There is nothing to do. He can make his own bed, and he can lie in it."

"Even if it gets him killed?" Ungarion said.

"The same was true for everyone here at some time or another," Nashira pointed out.

"Not all of these ones started out facing forty bandits," Do'Sakhar contended. "I think these ones can all see that one is in over his horns."

"What we want does not matter," Aela said plainly. "Talun-Lei's fate is his to make, and his alone. None of us can change that. If he is determined, then we cannot stop him. Just like no one could stop me from attending the University, and no one could stop Ungarion from smuggling banned books out of the secret library."

"Trust an ardhanari to speak the truth no one wants to admit," Seridwe said with slightly flushed cheeks.

"This talk of self-determination is all well and good," Valens argued. "But it still does not change the fact that the boy lacks skills."

"Well perhaps if someone who knows a thing or two about spear fighting teaches him - instead of humiliates him - that will change?" Aela took a moment to stare at the Nibenean before walking off. Stepping around horses and wagons, she made her way to the rear of the ship, where the subject of their conversation stood.

The young Argonian leaned upon one of the side rails and stared out at the shore as it slid by. Aela leaned upon the rail beside him, and looked down at the water that foamed and eddied behind the boat. Talun-Lei said nothing, and neither did she.

Aela felt magic down beneath the water, and closed her eyes to better concentrate. Allowing her thoughts to sink below the waves, she was greeted by the playful energy of an undine. The water spirit had reversed the flow of the river around the boat, so that even though they traveled upstream, they were no longer pushing against the current. Aela traced a slender thread of magic from the undine to the boat, and found that it led to Captain Lidell.

What a brilliant idea! The Breton wondered if someday she might do the same herself? If she had a small boat like a dory, it would make traveling around Niben Bay much easier. For that matter, a sylph could also clear inclement weather, and guarantee that she always had a fair wind. Now she could see why so many Conjuration majors had gone on to work for shipping companies.

Opening her eyes, Aela remembered that she had other concerns as well. Turning to Talun-Lei, she finally spoke.

"Tell me friend, do you know any healing magic?"

"The use of magic was not common place in this one's home," the Argonian hesitantly replied.

"Well then," Aela said, "time we changed that."

I had to quote this whole passage out of sheer delight. First there’s the fascinating connection between the playful water spirit and the captain, then we see the inspiration for Aela’s future water travel, and finally it’s all brought down to Nirn as a perfectly normal aspect of life in a magical world. I love it!

Hey, I didn’t mean anything by my comment; I was just surprised by the easy acceptance and almost worshipful attitude of the High Elf.
___

The riverboat sounds like a barge. Roll-on and roll-off makes for quick loads and unloads. Very cool picture you found of the horses moving the water wheels.

The Khajiit noticed the Argonain follower. I wonder what they are going to do about him?

I liked the connection this conversation had to the previous. Someone should make who they are. Though I do agree, perhaps this isn’t the best contract to go on for your first real fight! Forty seems like too much even for these seasoned warriors. No matter how good you are, numbers are a big advantage.

I like that Aela is going to shove some magic down his throat.

EDIT: I forgot to mention this, I thought the Pahmer Khajiit were quadruped?

I agree with Aela's POV - if Talun-Lei really wants to join the party, let's teach him what he needs to know so he's less of a liability to the others. Humiliating him gets everyone nowhere.

I remember the ferry from the TF! How delightful to see it again! But if we have an undine reversing the course of the river, why bother to have horse-powered sidewheels? Just curious about your reasons.

I agree about the lack of definition for the different cultures in the TES universe. That's what I hope to do with Cardonaccum, and that's what I enjoy about your fiction. I would see those born in Cyrodiil being closer to what we see in Oblivion, but those born in the provinces would have cultural customs that may seem strange or different from what we are accustomed to seeing.

For example, there is a hint dropped in the TES IV, when you speak to Alga. She says that she and Honmund are a couple in the Nord way, not in the Chapel way. It suits them fine, and it suits their parents fine. So why do it any other way? That comment by her got my mind going way back when I was writing OHDH.

Looking forward to some more world-building!

Sorry, if I sounded confrontational. I did not mean to come off like I was jumping down your throat. I just have a tendency to go into exacting detail much of the time.

You might be right about the Pahmer being four-legged. When I was working on the character designs I came across something that said the Pahmer looked liked tigers, and I wanted a Khajiit who looked a little different from most we see in the games, so I thought that would be great. But I never intended Do'Sakhar to be a quadreped. So guess I just changed the lore to make the Pahmer bipeds!

Love the design of the Niben Queen! How wonderfully appropriate for its task. The detail you lavished on it simply contributes to the epic journey that our Magnificent Seven are undertaking.

"I think these ones can all see that one is in over his horns." - - Love this line from Do'Sakhar! I got right into studying Khajiit as we explored Elsweyr. The modder did a fabulous job of depicting numerous types of Khajiit by the lore. Perhaps Cathay-raht would be a great race for this fellow? Large, powerful and bipedal. Although called ‘Jaguar men’, their coloring and markings are not clearly stated. Once could happily presume, therefore, that they come in differing markings that could easily include tiger stripes. Your call of course, but just a thought.

"Well perhaps if someone who knows a thing or two about spear fighting teaches him - instead of humiliates him - that will change?" - - Well said, Aela! Then she puts paid to her words by offering a lesson in restoration to Number 7, aka Talun-Lei.


Nit: 'The bow was not the usual narrow point that most boat possessed either.' - - I'm thinking you meant 'boats' vs 'boat'?

Heh... ...Nice one... ...

That was excellent stuff...

Absolutely love the way you're weaving the film(s) script lines into the story... ...

Ooooh, the boat was excellent...I'd never heard of the horse-powered types...Makes sense though...Clever bit of engineering though...

I also loved that rather than the "shoving magic down his throat", (KC ), that Aela is firstly and foremost - probably - building a bridge to companionship if not friendship...And secondly, if they're going to be fighting so many, it makes sense that he'd need to be able to look after himself in the healing department...so that no-one (Aela) needs to be distracted to go help him...

Aaamywho...My twopenneth... ...

Absolutely love it!...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Count me with Haute in being confused as to how the horses drive the boat after the undine controls the water. Unless she's just cancelling out the drag on the hull, and the paddles are beyond the effect? I still like the commercial use of magic, anyway. I assume there's some cost to the caster, or the horses would be replaced by a magical method, too.

I like the fact that at least someone has decided that Talun-Lei is inevitable, and they have to make the most of the hand they got dealt, even if it's only to make him self-sufficient, so he won't get in the way. And he doesn't need a make-over, so it shouldn't take long.

Grits: One thing I love about writing a prequel is showing these little tidbits of how the characters developed the skills and abilities that we are so used to seeing them possess. Like Aela's use of spirits to help her sailing. I watched the Indiana Jones movies over the week, and one thing I loved about the third movie was how we saw young Indy get his hat, whip, the scar on his chin, and his fear of snakes. I just loved all of that.


King Coin: You are right, tt is basically a powered barge. It struck me as the perfect thing for river travel. It is actually a RL boat found on Lake Champlain.

I guess Talun-Lei is just going to have to sink or swim on his first contract! Thankfully as an Argonian, he can breathe water...


haute ecole rider: I never really thought of the spirits as being anything more than something to give a ship an extra boost, sort of like putting a turbocharger in an engine, but not completely replacing it. Maybe I am not taking the idea far enough? I sort of envisioned a spirit as being able to completely propel a small boat like Aela's dory in the TF. But perhaps a larger vessel the size and mass ofThe Niben Queen is too much for a spirit to push? Or it might take a much more powerful spirit, that the captain may not be able to summon? (one thing I would like to see is the same type of spirit with varying levels of power. In the game Shadowrun the spirits you summoned could be of any level of power, but the stronger spirits were more difficult to summon).

I know what you mean about Alga and Honmund, that is a bit of dialogue that has always stuck with me too. It made me think that Nords did not marry at all, but just lived together as long as they wanted to. Then Skyrim came along and threw all that by the wayside by having Nords all marry in a ceremony of Mara's in a chapel. Sounds pretty much like the Chapel Way to me!


Acadian: I always found the plethora of Khajiit sub-races to be rather confusing. I might change it to Cathay-Rats, but then again, I would still be changing something if I did that. So maybe I will just leave it as Pahmer after all.

We are going to have several more episodes just on the journey itself. This is one way that I am deviating from the movies. In those the seven heroes leave the town they are recruited in, have a few minutes of traveling scenes, and then the stories pick up again in the village. I am going to spend a little more time getting there, and use it to show us more of the characters.


McBadgere: I never heard of the horse-powered boats until I was looking up boats for the TF. It was just pure chance that I stumbled across this one from Lake Champlain. But I did love the idea the moment I saw the article on it.

You did get Aela's intentions correct on both counts. On one hand she is playing the welcome wagon. On the other she is making sure he can heal himself, taking her own words to heart about teaching him things.


ghastley: I think it is just going to be that the undine is cancelling out the drag on the hull as you mentioned, but that the boat still has to generate some of its own power as well. I don't want magic to be too overpowering. Plus I never put that much thought into it!

It is true that at least Talun-Lei does not need his hair to be done! We will see some training scenes in the future, as he learns what it takes to be a member of the Magnificent Seven.


Previously on Seven: In our last episode the seven's ship docked at Telamon, the settlement at the mouth of the Panther River. There they boarded a riverboat that will take them up the river. The seven finally noticed that Talun-Lei had followed them, apparently dead-set upon taking part in the quest to protect Agrigento. After a short discussion, Aela pointed out that if he was truly determined, they could not stop him. She suggested that someone teach him to fight, and took her own words to heart by going to him and teaching him a healing spell.


Chapter 1.9

Aela leaned back against the wooden awning that covered one of the waterwheels. She watched the brown water of the Panther River slide by as it fell behind the boat. The turning wheel churned up the otherwise peaceful water, and left a foaming wake behind the boat, marking a trail where it had passed.

She could still feel the undine down there, reversing the flow of the river so that the wheels - and the horses turning them - would not have to struggle against the current. She closed her eyes, and let her thoughts drift down into the water with the spirit. The undine was a joyful creature, and saw the exercise not as an onerous task, but rather as an amusing game. Aela danced and splashed alongside her - if only metaphorically - and whiled away the afternoon with the Nirn Spirit.

Hard footsteps clanked across the wooden planks of the deck nearby. They stopped as a dark shadow fell across Aela's body, blocking out the warm rays of Magnus. The cool light of a star washed over her instead, and the scent of roses wafted across her nostrils. Wood creaked loudly in her ears, and Aela felt the planks of the deck shift under her as a heavy weight lowered itself down upon them nearby.

The Breton opened her eyes to find Valens squatting beside her. The Nibenean wore his black armor, even in the summer heat, and stared out at the waves beyond. Then his dark eyes turned to meet her own.

"So just what in Oblivion are you anyway?" he asked bluntly.

"I'm Aela," the Witch replied. Her heart doubled its pace at the loaded question, but she did her best to keep her voice neutral. "That is all you need to know."

"So what do I call you," the Imperial went on, "'he' or 'she'?"

"Do I look like want to be called 'he'?" Aela still fought to keep the anger from her voice. "I'm not wearing a bodice and a chemise because I want to trumpet my masculinity, and I'm not wearing makeup to impress everyone with my manhood."

"Fair enough," Valens nodded. He looked from her to the water, and stared into its depths for a long time before he went on. "You know, Seridwe thinks you're some kind of prophet or saint."

"The elves aren't ruled by petty bigotries, as humans are," Aela replied.

"Well, not the same ones at least," Valens almost smiled.

Aela did not reply, and Valens did not speak again for long moments. "They say people like you have special powers," he finally said. "That you can do things no one else can."

"I put my pants on one leg at a time, the same as everyone else," Aela declared. "But it is true that someone who lives between worlds as I do has some advantages when it comes to magic. That is what magicka does after all - travel between worlds - shining down from Aetherius to Mundus. So people like me can manipulate it better than most."

"It must be hard living in the Imperial Province, with everyone who knows what you are treating you like an aberration," Valens observed. "Why do you stay here? You could go to Valenwood or Elsweyr, they love your kind there."

"Because I have just as much right to be here as anyone else," Aela insisted. "I won't be run out by a bunch of narrow-minded provincials. I would think that an Azura worshipper like yourself would be a little more enlightened. She is the goddess of transitions after all, of traveling from one state to another. That is what dusk and dawn symbolize: endings and beginnings."

"I'm no Azura worshipper," Valens stiffened, as she had accused him of a crime. "I've got no use for the Nine - or the Daedra - and they've none for me."

"Really?" Aela pressed on, "is that why you carry the very essence of the goddess of twilight and magic given physical form? Why do you worship her every morning and evening?"

"I don't worship her," Valens grumbled. "I'm just… thinking."

"What is the difference?" Aela asked.

"Plenty," the Nibenean insisted. "I serve myself. No one else. This world - and the gods - have never done me any favors."

"What, you think you're special because you've suffered?" Aela said. "Because your past has been taken away from you? Well join the rest of us."

"What would you know about it?" Valens shot back.

"What would I know about it?" Aela replied hotly. She noticed that several of the others were now staring from their positions around the boat. But she could not contain herself. "My whole life was taken away from me when I changed. My family, my home, my future, the people I thought were my friends, everything. I lost it all."

"But you know what? It wasn't the end of the world. I have a new family." Her eyes glanced to Ungarion. The Altmer mage stood by with his arms crossed, and nodded back to her. "I make my own future now. One day I'll make a new home as well. The gods didn't create the world we live in, or our fates. We are the gods, and we make them all ourselves, every single day. What world are you going to make?"

"I don't know," Valens sighed. With that simple honest admission, Aela felt her anger ebb away like the evening tide.

"Well that is a good place to start," Aela said.

Valens stood, and looked about at the others, who were all staring back at them now.

"So what do I call you Valens?" Aela asked, still sitting against the wheel house. "My friend, or something else?"

"I am your friend Aela," the Nibenean rumbled. "Of that let there be no doubt."

Continuing to love the horse-driven, undine assisted paddle boat!

Aela’s communion with the playful water spirit was wonderful!

Aela and Valens get to know and, perhaps, understand each other a bit better. With the large cast here, you are doing a good job of providing enough cues and reminders to help keep them all straight.

Heh, I had to smile at Aela's assumption regarding Valens. I don’t know of a single Daedra Lord worshipper who carries one of their artifacts; it seems the Daedra Lords issue their tokens to intrepid warriors for completing tasks that their followers will not or cannot complete. All the worshippers seem to get for their devotion is maybe a brown robe.


Nits:
’That is what magicka does after - travel between worlds - shining down from Aetherius to Mundus.’ - - There seems to be. . . something missing after the word ‘after’? Knowing your writing style pretty well, I suspect you meant ‘after all’?

"What, you think your special because you've suffered?" - - Here of course, you want the conjunction ‘you’re’ vs the possessive ‘your’. I realize this is dialogue, but I shouldn’t think that has any impact here.

Loved the growing depth of the relationships here! Getting to know Valens the mystery man a little bit better was wonderful. Of course he's not a Daedra worshiper! I agree with our Paladin that the artifacts never seem to make it into the hands of the worshipers at the shrines, and I have yet to hear of someone role-playing a Daedra worshiper (though I'm sure someone has already done so).

Thanks for the clarification of the relationship between the undine and the horse driven boat. Of course magicka has its costs and its limits - it is bigger than anything mortal, natch. We can only hope to call on some small portion of the immense, infinite energy underlying all of Creation. That is exactly how I see the use of magicka in the TES world, and only now am I beginning to explore the relationship between magic and everyday life and activities.

Looking forward to the development of the other characters!

How perfect for Valens to be so direct. What a great scene to clear the air between them.

I like Valens’ insistence that he is not an Azura worshipper though he carries her Star. I don’t suppose Azura would increase her influence by handing her artifact over to someone who’s already devoted and spends all of their time hanging out at the shrine.

This scene was fun. Valens was blunt as ever, and it was kind of funny to see him pushing all of Aela's buttons. They both make a good point as the discussion progresses. Aela has a stubborn streak too!

The beginning was neat too, though I expected a magick lesson instead of swimming with the water spirit.

Good point about the worshippers not being the ones the Daedric Princes turn to for action. Azura's Star seems to be an artifact that finds its way back to her quite often, and I've lost track of when this story is set. So I'm assuming Valens' quest for Azura wasn't one of the ones we know from Daggerfall or Morrowind. Does he even remember what it was?

An excellent chapter... ...

What I loved about this a lot was that although it was from Aela's point of view, this was actually about Valens, and his testing of Aela, to see if he could trust her...Well, that's what I thought anyways... ...I may be wrong...It has been known to happen...From time to time...*Minces off in gold metal suit with arms just so*...

Um...

But yeah, I loved how that all played out...And I said it in TFS but I love Aela as a character...I think her and Ungarion are excellent together...*Applauds*...

Loving this story... ...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

Acadian: That is true. The people who worship the Daedra in the game always end up getting the brown end of the stick! It kind of makes you wonder why they bother? But as always, my stories are not the games. My Daedric Princes are no more likely to hand out their artifacts to any Tomius, Dickenor, and Har-rei, as the Pope is to pass out holy relics to people on the street. If Valens has Azura's Star, you can be certain that it is because it serves Azura's designs. And if he keeps it, well, that also says something about him as well.

Swimming with the undine was fun to write. It also gave me a way to show Aela's witchiness, as well as one of the ways that she keeps her conjuration skills sharp. It is also one way of showing what Aela does with her time. Ungarion plays cards. She communes with spirits.


haute ecole rider: Just because Valens says he is not an Azura worshiper does mean that is true. She is the goddess of twilight, and he is doing something when he is staring at the sky every sunrise and sunset, whether or not he wants to admit it.

I have played several characters who were Daedra worshipers. Saya was the first, though she never collected any of the Daedric Artifacts (I guess that is proof that Daedra worshipers get squat! ). Then there was Ophelia. She was a a Mythic Dawn sleeper agent who got lost in the shuffle and was never given orders to act during the Oblivion Crisis. Afterward she had no direction, and went to all the Daedric Shrines and did all of their quests, looking for a purpose in life. In the end she went to the Shivering Isles and became the new Queen of Madness.

Most of my characters never want any of the Daedric artifacts though. They might do the quests, but end of giving away or selling the artifacts. I think the Skeleton Key is the one that most of my characters have used, and that is because those were thieves, and Nocturnal is their patron after all. Whether they openly worship her or not.


Grits: Direct is a nice way to put it. One reason I wrote Valens that was is because I wanted to show at least one character with a negative reaction to Aela being trans. Obviously we know that Ungarion is T-friendly, and can gather the same of Do'Sakhar given their long history together. Seridwe is plainly very friendly as that is what her culture taught her to be. Nashira is too wrapped up in her own idea of self-perfection to really give a crap about what anyone else does. Finally Talun-Lei is just a little bit clueless. Being an Imperial, Valens was the perfect one to be rude and say "What the [censored] are you anyway?"


King Coin: Aela has a very stubborn streak! She has needed it to make the sacrifices she has. She was also born under The Lady, which only makes her more stubborn (Willpower bonus and all).

I am glad the beginning did not turn out to be a boring school session! Playing with the water spirit was a good way for me to show Aela just relaxing and being herself.


ghastley: All of the Daedric Princes seem very fickle with their artifacts in the games, seeing that with every game they have found their way out of the hands of their previous owners and into someone else's. This story is set between the events of Daggerfell and Morrowind, so if Valens got it from a quest in the games, it would be from the Daggerfall one (which is a random quest anyway). I have not gotten to covering how he obtained it yet. I am not sure if that will come up or not. Unless it happened in the last few years though, he would not remember it.


McBadgere: You are absolutely right, that last episode was more about Valens than it was about Aela. He is a mystery man, so I think one of the best ways to flesh him out might be through the eyes of other people, and from what they gather about his behavior.


Previously On Seven: Our last episode saw Valens confront Aela about her being transgendered. Aela controlled her temper through most of it and answered his questions. She turned the tables on him by asking why he worships Azura every twilight. He angrily insisted that he worshiped no Daedra or Aedra, since none of them had ever done anything for him. Still, he failed to answer just what it is that he is doing when he stares at the sky every twilight, or why he carries Azura's token - the influence of which Aela could feel the moment he sat down beside her.


Chapter 1.10

The journey up the winding course of the Panther River was a long one, even with Captain Lildell's conjured assistance. Aela was surprised at the number of settlements they came across as they traveled. She had thought the Nibenay Basin was all wilderness. Yet every few miles there seemed to be another farming and fishing settlement. All were fortified with strong timber walls, ditches, and moats of course. She doubted that anyone out here had seen a City Guardsman or an Imperial Legionary in years. As if to underscore that thought, they passed the now empty ruins of Morahame on the first day. Aela was glad to see that no new bandits had moved into the Arimer site since she and Ungarion had explored it. Given how near it sat to the Yellow Road, she doubted it would remain empty for long however.

Captain Lidell stopped at many of the villages they came across. Their inhabitants all seemed to know him. Sometimes he traded with the villagers, and even carried letters between settlements. Passengers left at some stops, only to be replaced by new travelers who boarded at other places. It seemed there was always something happening on the boat.

They spent some of their nights tied up at the safety of a village's dock. Other times they simply pulled into a clear stretch of shoreline and rolled out their sleeping mats on the deck. Talun-Lei proved his worth as a river man, often diving into the brackish waters, only to return with a fish clutched in his bare hands. While some might have been doubtful of his fighting ability, all of their stomachs were thankful for the Argonian's presence.

On the subject of fighting ability, Valens did indeed take the young warrior-to-be under his wing, and began drilling him in the use of shield and spear. Aela watched with fascination as the former soldier began his instruction. She was not the only one whose interest was piqued either, and in no time at all nearly all of the passengers on the boat were crowding around to get a view of the Nibenean's lessons.

"Let's take a look at this weapon combination." Valens began as he picked up Talun-Lei's crescent-shaped shield in his left hand. He slid his right hand over its bright yellow face, and held it up so all could see. "This shield looks very simple. Some thin planks of wood with a piece of painted rawhide stretched over it. But don't underestimate it. The crisscrossing strips of wood give the design strength, and this hardened leather on the face reinforces it. If any of you have a dog and give it rawhide to chew on, you know how tough that can be."

Now the Imperial rapped his fingers against the gleaming metal boss in the center of the shield. "The boss here where I grip it is made of bronze, so not only is that going to protect my hand, but I can punch with it as well." To underscore his words, the Imperial jabbed outward with the shield. "This is a very simple piece of gear, and aside from the boss, something that anyone can make. But in the hands of a skilled fighter, it gives you both a strong defense, and a good offense."

"Now the spear." Valens stepped over to Talun-Lei once more and took the weapon from the Argonian's hands. Its leaf-shaped point was now wrapped in several layers of leather, secured by crisscrossing strips of cord. "This looks even more primitive. It's just a stick with a pointy end! But don't laugh, this is one of the oldest weapons in the world, and the reason people still use it today is because of how effective and versatile it is. Not to mention how easy it is to make."

"Now with Seridwe's help, I'm going to show you just what you can do with this weapon combination." The high elf stepped up holding a shorter spear in an overhand grip. Like Talun-Lei's weapon, its point was also blunted. In her other hand she gripped Do'Sakhar's dwarven buckler, which was painted with a black scorpion across its bronze face. Moving slowly, the Altmer stabbed overhand at the Imperial's shoulder. He easily raised his shield and deflected the blow. She followed with several more stabs in slow motion, each time going to a different part of his body.

"Now since this shield doesn't cover my entire body, I have to constantly move it to counter Seri's attacks," Valens said as they performed their intricate dance. "But what you have to be careful not to do, is hide behind it."

To illustrate his point, Seridwe attacked Valens' face. He raised his shield to counter, and deflected the high elf's blow. She brought her weapon back for another strike at his head, and he continued to hold his shield up high to counter.

"Every second I have my shield up like this, I can't see what Seridwe is doing," Valens said. Now the high elf's spear darted down, its point angling for his belly. The high elf stopped short, with the blunted point inches away from the ebony mail links protecting the Nibenean's abdomen. "Now I'm dead, because I let her trick me into covering my eyes."

"But an enemy who feints high and goes low is not the only thing you have to watch for," Valens went on. "If you don't lift your shield when you need to, that leaves you open to another common move: going over the top of the shield rim." Seridwe attacked high again, and in slow motion, she used her height to stab over the top of the Imperial's shield.

"If she's quick, and I'm not paying attention, I'm dead," Valens said. Now he finally brought his own spear into play. He held it in an underhanded grip, with the point straight up. The Nibenean swung it from right to left, and twisted his torso with it. The wooden shaft of his weapon met the haft of Seridwe's spear and swept it away.

"But as you can see, I can use my own spear to knock hers aside," he said. "Now I can clear her out."

Then with a backhand motion Valens swung his spear back from left to right in a wide arc, once more twisting his body with it. The weapon's leather-bound head slashed for Seridwe's head. The high elf was forced to step back to avoid being hit, leaving her too far away for her shorter weapon to reach Valens.

"As I am sure you can begin to see, the real strength of this spear and shield is my reach," Valens went on. Shifting the spear to an overhand grip, he jabbed at Seridwe several times. She used Do'Sakhar's small, round shield to bat his spearhead away each time. But every time she tried to close in to attack herself, the point of his spear was there waiting for her.

"This spear is at least seven feet long," Valens said. "So even when I'm holding it with one hand in the center, I've got a good three and half feet of range. When I am fighting someone like Seridwe - who has a shorter spear or a sword - I have the advantage as long as I can keep her at a distance."

"Now the Nagas we are going to be fighting prefer to use a short spear, about five feet long, the same as she has," Valens went on. "Some of them fight with a buckler as well, but others use their spears two-handed. They like to get in close, where they can land a flurry of blows with that spear, using it like a staff."

"So why don't they use a longer spear?" Ungarion asked.

"Now that is a good question," Valens said, momentarily pointing his blunted spear to the wizard. "The answer is where they live. Nagas come from the deep core of Black Marsh. It's a place of mangrove swamps, hanging vines, and dense undergrowth. They spend as much time swimming as they do slithering around on land. So the simple answer is that a seven foot weapon like this is just going to get in their way. They need something that is small enough that they won't be snagging it on everything around them. I can tell just by looking at this spear, that Talun-Lei is from a place on the periphery of the swamp, where the growth isn't as heavy."

In the meantime Seridwe stepped over to Do'Sakhar and returned his buckler. Gripping her spear with both hands now, she swept it around her body in a noisy flourish. Then she walked toward Valens once more.

"Now just like before, Seri's going to want to get in close with that spear," Valens said to the onlookers as she closed in. The high elf deftly used the shaft of her spear to knock aside a jab from Valens' own weapon. Stepping closer, she brought the butt of her spear forward, only to see it deflected by the Imperial's shield. Still closing the gap between them, Seridwe countered by sweeping the head of the spear forward. Valens brought his shield up to block once more, and the high elf came right up to his chest. Rather than pull her spear back, or swing it around for another blow, she pressed right against his shield with both hands on her weapon.

"See how quickly she closed the distance between us?" Valens said. "Now watch what she does." The Altmer moved a foot around behind one of Valens' ankles and shoved. The Imperial went down to the deck on his back, with Seridwe right on top of him. She dropped her spear and pulled a dagger from her belt. Holding it overhand like an icepick, she slowly jabbed down at the Imperial.

Then she stood up and put the golden-bladed weapon away, while Valens climbed to his feet behind her. "See how fast that happened?" Valens said. "We went from spear-fighting, to wrestling, to knife-fighting. When it's for real that will only take seconds. That's what the Nagas will try to do. They'll push it in close and take away your range advantage, then they'll wrestle with you. Believe me, you do not want to get in a wrestling match with a Naga! It's literally like trying to grapple a snake."

"So now you know what you are up against," Valens concluded. "Next we'll start going through it one at a time with everyone, and you can learn how to keep Seridwe at a distance, and stop her from killing you."

Talun-Lei was the first to step up and take his spear and shield from Valens. Seridwe continued her role as the aggressor, once again borrowing Do'Sakhar's buckler to defend with. As with the demonstration, all of this was done in slow motion, so that everyone could see what was happening.

"Hold your spear overhand, high above your head, just behind the balance point." Valens guided Talun-Lei to lift his spear in such a manner, with the point drooping down lower than where he balanced the long weapon in his hand. "Now when you thrust, you're going to be using gravity to bring the point down into your enemy's face. Then you're going to thrust over the top of her shield, just like Seridwe did to me at the beginning."

"So it's like fighting downhill," Talun-Lei observed as he took a tentative jab at the Altmer.

"Exactly," Valens nodded. "That is going to give you more speed and power, and take less effort. Combat is all about taking every advantage you can. With that in mind take a small step with your left foot when you strike. That will close the distance, and prevent her from being able to step back out of range. Once you hit, step back again, and get out of her range once more. Remember, always keep her in range of your weapon, but stay out of range of hers."

Talun-Lei took that half-step and jabbed once more, stepping back again the moment his spear head struck Seridwe's shield.

They continued doing so for long minutes, and gradually picked up the pace of the drill as Talun-Lei showed that he was comfortable with the movements. Then Seridwe began to advance, and Valens instructed the Argonian to step back every time she moved forward to keep her at a distance, and to always keep his spear point in her face.

The other four Agrigentans followed one at a time. Some had greater success than others. Stalks-The-Marshes seemed skilled with the spear already, and Aela overheard him say that he sometimes went hunting with a spear in the marshes. Rullianus dove into the lessons with a zeal that was nearly frightening, and Aela wondered whose face he saw staring back at him when he sparred with Seridwe? Ulpia was clearly unskilled with the weapon, but diligently followed along with the lessons anyway. Finally the old Argonian Hathei seemed to be almost afraid of the spear, and looked like he was ready to jump off the boat the first time that Seridwe struck his shield.

Perhaps most of all Aela was amazed at how Valens, usually so surly and morose, seemed to come to life in the training sessions. It was as if perhaps the person he truly was on the inside was showing through. Or maybe he was simply so engrossed in what he was doing that he forgot to brood? In any case the training sessions became a staple of life aboard ship, with Valens leading Talun-Lei and the Agrigentans in lessons every morning and evening.



Video

Video

Edit: I added in a few paragraphs near the end, along with a second video.

Well written spear-fighting tutorial!

A nit: I'm sure you meant he goes hunting in the marshes, not with spear and marshes!

Back to the lesson. I wonder if Valens and Seridwe rehearsed their moves beforehand, as she seemed to anticipate the points he wanted to make in his lecture. Especially toward the end when they grappled and she 'defeated' him with her dagger. Almost as if she had heard this particular lecture before.

Good to see Valens coming out of his brooding shell. So he's a trainer, huh? He certainly seems to enjoy it!

Yep, agreed...Loved the spear fighting lesson...Now I'll know what to do next time I'm attacked by men wielding point-ed sticks... ...

Fair dues...Excellent research there... ...And so brilliant how you wove it into the story...

Oh, and the Talun-Lei/Chico fish reference made me laugh... ...

An excellent chapter that shows some of Valens' undoubted awesomeness...

Nice one!!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

I’m delighted to see you taking the time to glean so much goodness from this boat trip! The vessel itself, the fascinating countryside, small villages flanking the meandering river and, in this episode, sparring lessons featuring spear and shield. We learn a great deal more about Valens and Seridwe, as well as a bit more about each of the Argonians. Valens is a gifted instructor indeed.

And no one ended up getting knocked into the river - not yet. But then, getting dunked is as natural to an Argonian as breathing under water.

I don’t know how boring a magic lesson would be, the Argonian could have made it entertaining!

Loved the ‘filling in’ you did along the river. All the little settlements with palisade walls, the trading, the life!

Talun-Lei is proving his worth! Nothing makes someone like you more than filling their stomach. Since they can’t shake the Argonain, I’m glad Valens has decided to begin instruction. The man needs to work some academy or something instead of tromping around brooding.

I particularly enjoyed the beginning paragraphs that describe the progress up the Panther River. Talun-Lei’s providing everyone with fish made me smile.

I love how you followed the argument with Valens in the previous episode with this segment where Aela watches him come alive in his lessons.

It was as if perhaps the person he truly was on the inside was showing through.
I thought this was an especially lovely observation coming from Aela.

I liked the lesson on choosing your weapon for the fight and the terrain. Short weapons in confined areas, longer ones only where you have room for them.

It's good to see that the villagers are getting some education, too. The greatest gains come where there's the most lacking.

And again your world is so much larger. It's taking days to do the trip, that you could walk in hours in the game, even at the default time-scale.

haute ecole rider: Thank you, I put a lot of time into Valens' training session. You are correct that Valens and Seridwe have done this many times. I see them as similar to Green Berets, often going into remote places and training the people there to fight, as well as fighting themselves.


McBadgere: Now you will know what to do if you have a pointed stick! I could not resist the Chico homage there. I will have more of that this episode in fact.


Acadian: I think the extra time spent on the boat ride has been paying off too. It is giving us some time to get to know some of the characters better, in a way would not if I just wrote a few transitional paragraphs of the journey to Agrigento.

You called it, dunking Talun-Lei is probably just going to make him happy!


King Coin: Talun-Lei is one of those examples of how hunters often take a step up and become warriors. In many cultures the warrior caste either began as hunters, or actually were hunters doing the war part-time, when needed.

But brooding is cool! As Willow said in Buffy the Vampire Slayer "He can brood for 40 minutes straight, I've clocked him!"


Grits: This was a rare opportunity to show something underneath the emotional armor that Valens wears, even if it is just something as macho as teaching people to fight.

Talun-Lei's fishing is an homage to the films, in both those the Chico/Kikuchiyo character provides the others with meals along the way.


ghastley: One thing I have noticed from reading history is that there is nothing accidental about the weapons and armor that different cultures use. The place they live in, and their level of technology, always influences what they develop. So I thought about the deep swamp, and tried to imagine what people there might use.


Previously On Seven: In our last episode Valens and Seridwe began teaching Talun-Lei and the Agrigentans how to fight with a spear. Aela noted that during the lessons Valens himself seemed to come to life, and briefly escape from his morose, brooding shell.


Chapter 1.11

The settlements thinned out as the days went by. In time the Arimer ruin of Welke slid past, rising high above the river on a steep bluff. The Panther branched at the ruin, and they turned north, following its main course upstream. Afterward Captain Lidell gave a wide berth to several camps they passed along the watercourse.

Screenshot

"Bandits," the wood elf explained to Aela when she asked after the second such occurrence. "These backwoods are infested with outlaws, and worse. Some will trade for goods and news. Some will cut your throat as soon as look at you."

In one stretch of river the captain even forwent their usual nightly stop for sleep. Instead he continued on through the darkness, using spells to restore the flagging stamina of his horses. He warned them all to be wary of strangers, and not to let anyone on the boat, even if they found them in the water.

"Why?" Seridwe asked. "What is wrong?"

"Vampires," the Bosmer replied. He pointed to a scattering of cave mouths yawning within the bluffs to the south. "Those are Bloodrun Caves. Nothing living ever comes out of them. But dead things still do…"

Soon they passed another set of caverns on the opposite side of the river, which the captain identified as Kindred Caves. "I think they have a different clan of vampires," he said. "I've seen them fighting each other by the river's edge."

Aela could see Ungarion taking mental notes each time, weighing the danger versus the possible profit. The Breton Witch had to admit that she was doing the same herself. Perhaps when their quest for the Agrigentans was finished, they might revisit some of these caves?

Finally they came to a stop at the ruins of an old Imperial castle. Only the crumbling stones of the outer walls remained, and even half of those were missing, having been replaced with wooden timbers. Sweet wood smoke curled up from within, and a mixture of humans and Argonians could be seen standing guard at the single entrance, as well as around the rest of the site. A dock stretched out into the river from the ersatz fortress, and it was here that Captain Lidell docked The Niben Queen head on.

"This is the end of the line," the Bosmer waterman declared. "Welcome to Castle Redwater, the last bastion of Imperial civilization."

"Aye," Stalks-The-Marshes said. "This one has been here many times. The Empire abandoned the castle ages ago. Now it's a trading post, inn, smithy, whatever folk need it to be."

"From here we walk," Rullianus added. "At least for the good part of the journey."

"This one is almost afraid to ask about the bad part…" Do'Sakhar said dryly.

"You will see," Ulpia murmured. "It's… an experience."

The Agrigentans would say no more, leaving Aela to wonder if whatever they alluded to was almost a form of initiation? A magical initiation could not be explained to another. It could only be experienced. Because experience is subjective, it is different for everyone. The only thing for certain was that it changed you forever. While she doubted the Agrigentans had anything so dramatic in mind, she could not help but to wonder what they did mean?

As Stalks-The-Marshes had intimated, he knew his way around the trading post. Its denizens - a hard and none too clean bunch - knew the Argonian as well, and several greeted him by name. Aela discovered that the bailey was filled with several daub and wattle buildings. Stalks-The-Marshes led them to one of these, which turned out to be the eating house. A meal of fried sausages and tangy onions filled their bellies. While the wine was hardly Tamika's, it was far better than the travesty offered at the Lonely Suitor Lodge, nor was it served in mugs.

Since it was only midday, they decided to press on overland until dark. They followed a road that was little more than a pair of ruts worn into the ground by wagon wheels. The trees grew thick around them, and it was only through the occasional break in the growth that Aela was able to glimpse a low range of mountains to their left.

"That's the Valus Mountains," Valens followed Aela's gaze with a black-mailed finger. "They end right there, up near the headwaters of the river."

"You have been this way before then?" the Breton asked.

"Not that I remember." The Nibenean rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully.

Talun-Lei vanished somewhere during the trek. Hours later they came across a dead pheasant dangling from a tree limb by a rawhide cord. Do'Sakhar declared that it had been slain by a javelin, the same kind as several which the young Argonian carried along with his spear.

"That Argonian is going to make us all fat before this is done," Seridwe laughed.

They made camp for the night soon after, and were once again rejoined by Talun-Lei, who now clutched a duck in one hand. While he might have been inexperienced in war, the young Argonian was certainly a proficient hunter.

They struck out again at dawn's first light. Valens was even more silent and moody than normal, and Aela realized that he was again entranced by the dawn. The Nibenean spent the entire time staring at the rising sun, and the brilliant colors it splashed across the horizon. Aela wondered what it was he saw there, since it was plainly more than just the start of a new day to him?

"I'll do it just to go east, if for nothing else."

The Nibenean's words rose up in Aela's memory. What doom awaited him in the east? Did he even guess himself?

The forest grew darker as they went on. At the same time it grew hotter and damper than even when they had been on the river. Soon sweat began to drip from their pores. The Agrigentans stopped, and Stalks-The-Marshes announced that they were in the Black Marsh. Talun-Lei and the four villagers spread out then, searching through the underbrush to either side of the path. Soon Hathei called out for the rest of them.

"I have found a root!" the old Argonian exclaimed.

"A root?" Ungarion cocked an eyebrow, "in a forest? How remarkable!"

Still, Aela and the others congregated around the Argonian, who stood in a copse of moss-covered trees. At Hathei's feet was a pool of viscous black mud, which boiled with a sea of bubbles every time he poked at it with a stick.

"Excellent!" Stalks-The-Marshes declared. "This will save us many days from our journey." Without another word the Argonian trader stepped into the mud. In just a matter of seconds he sank completely down into it, and vanished from sight. The other Agrigentans did not seem perturbed. At least Hathei did not. In fact, the old Argonian leaped into the muck a moment later. Rullianus and Ulpia looked at one another. With a grimace, the young man stepped into the bubbling mud, and he too sank out of sight.

Ulpia looked back to the rest of them and explained. "This is the midsummer migration. It will take you south. When you see a mass of bubbles, that's a hole you can use to get out. But don't do that until you see us do it first. Otherwise you'll be lost somewhere in the marsh. And whatever you do, don't stay inside after we leave. We'll never find you then."

The Imperial stepped into the mud, and paused to look back one more time. "Oh, and don't panic." Then she stepped in, and sank out of sight.

"What on Nirn is this?" Do'Sakhar scratched his head as he stared at the black puddle.

"These are the roots," Talun-Lei said as he too stepped up to the bubbling mess of goo. "Have no fear, one can live for months in the belly of a rootworm. Just push up when you see the way out."

He vanished from sight, and Aela found herself stepping up to the hole next. She seemed to recall something about this at University. There was some way that the Argonians traveled through the roots of the Hist trees. But for the life of her she could not recall the details. She had never paid as much attention in History or Anthropology classes as she had in Restoration and Conjuration.

Well, she was going to find out.

It took every ounce of her willpower to remain calm as she sank into the mud. Aela told herself that it was no different than using a water breathing spell as the goo spread across her face and covered her head completely.

Aela felt warm, which surprised her, and discovered that she could indeed breathe just fine. She found herself encased in some sort of transparent goop, like a baby chicken inside an egg. She had the sensation of moving very quickly, and saw that she was flying through a warren of roots. Indeed flying was the right term, for she did not feel like she was underground at all, but rather soaring through a midnight sky as she spun and turned and shot forward faster than an arrow fired by an elvish bow.

The Breton saw something ahead of her. It was a long, slender blob about the size of an ogre. It had no limbs, nor head, nor any distinguishing features. Except there was a dark shape that seemed to lurk within its translucent hide. As Aela neared it, she realized that it was Talun-Lei within! The Argonian seemed to wave for a moment. Then he shot forward, too far away for Aela to make out any details.

That is when it struck her. She was inside the stomach of a rootworm! So were all of them! Her heart leapt into her throat, as if it was trying to pound its way out of her chest. Her mouth felt drier than the Alik'r Desert, and her palms wetter than the Niben. She was being digested!

She remembered what Ulpia had said about not panicking, and Talun-Lei's observation that one could live for months inside the worms. It did little to help. Yet clearly the Argonians - and the humans from Agrigento - did this often. So evidently there was no real danger. With that in mind, Aela willed her heart to slow, and concentrated on breathing deep, steady breaths, just as when she meditated.

In fact, she soon found herself reflexively assensing the area around her. She felt for the spirits of the land. They answered her call, albeit coolly. Unlike the essences of soil and rock and tree that she was accustomed to, these beings were altogether alien. They felt ancient, powerful, and aloof. While they acknowledged her presence, they seemed to have no desire to interact with her. It was just as well, for what she could feel of them sent a chill through her bones.

The Hist, Aela realized. For the first time in her life, she pulled back from her spiritual sensing because she did not want to touch what she found.

Instead Aela watched the roots in front of her, and the worm that carried Talun-Lei. She had no idea how long they sped through the web of roots. There was no way to tell the time in the gloom. Eventually she saw a spire of bubbles rising up through the mud ahead of her. Talun-Lei burst out of his worm as it passed through the fountain, and she could see him riding the tide of air upward.

In moments she came to the same spire of air. She remembered to push up when she came upon the bubbles, and the next thing she knew, her body was being drawn aloft by the current of air and mud. Then she burst from a pool of muck and was back on the surface once more. A proffered hand from Talun-Lei pulled her onto solid ground, and the young warrior helped her to her feet.

"Welcome to the Black Marsh," the Argonian said.

*Applauds*...

Amazing...Just amazing...

Loved the last bit of the journey down the river...The descriptions of the river dangers was cool...I learnt a new word...Forwent...Never heard that one before...I have no doubt of its use, and it's relation to Forgo, I've just never seen it before... ...

Epic trip through the forest headed for Black Marsh...Brilliantly done...Loved that bit with Valens and the dawn...



...

The Talun-Lei hunting thing was brilliant...And a subtle reminder that he wouldn't have put himself forward if he didn't think he had, at least some skill with the spear...

And yes, I am thinking of him less as "The Chico one" and more as Talun-Lei these days...Love the character...

The worm travel thing was inspired!!...A teeny bit Ew! as well, but nevertheless...Epic and amazing...

A fantastic part!!...Said the actress to the bishop... ...

Brilliantly done...

Nice one!!...

*Applauds heartily*...

I loved the growing sense of danger as they passed through the bandit camps and vampire caves.

"I have found a root!" the old Argonian exclaimed.

Ungarion's response made me laugh. The rootworm travel was my favorite part of the story so far. What a fantastic way to enter Black Marsh. The magical elements are what make a TES setting so captivating to me, and your stories really bring out the magic. I’m looking forward very much to how you present Black Marsh. The arrival: completely awesome.

Bandit camps! They need a few more archers on the barge. Vampires too? They need Aravi!

Love what you did with one of the abandoned Imperial forts! I think I even remember a castle called Redwater. Did you use an in game location? Who would have thought that a place on the edge of nowhere would have better fare than even the worst dive located in an actual city?

I like Talun-Lei’s gifts, though the manner they were presented reminds me of a cat!

Umm… How are they getting around? I’ll walk, thanks.