So okay, it's been a week or so since chapter one, and I think I'm ready to get it moving again. Thanks so much to TSC admin Sotek for being massively patient as I tried to figure out how and where to post this. I think I've mostly got the hang of it now, and thank you again to anybody who takes the time to look this over.
Chapter 2
(Things get weird)
"Mortal," the Lady of Twilight said, with a voice that seemed to come from all around, though the Daedra stood directly in front of her. "You have disposed of any blasphemy that may give credit to the braggart, Clyas Sarethi. You have done me a great service, and I know what you seek. You desire move beyond this old Guild hall, yes?"
Pethara was not sure wether or not the Daedra desired an answer. She slowly nodded her head, and prepared herself to fight, grovel, or flee. Her father had taught her of unwise transactions made with the other Princes: Clavicus Vile, Molag Bal, Peryite, and other malicious deities, but the only stories of Azura's dealings with mortals were that of her, Nchylbar, and the Box, and the tale of the Chimer's transformation into Dunmer following the sins of the Tribunal. The character she had most related to in her father's books was Azura, in these rare moments of prideful rage, but right know the Prince could not have seemed more strange and other. She did not think that she had provoked the same level of godly rage that the Tribunal faced, but Azura's face was a beautiful, softly glowing mask, revealing nothing.
---
I want to leave. I want to go, to move beyond Morrowind, and find a place where my rage quiets. Everything I see here reads as an insult, but I do not know if I am misreading my fellow people, or them, me. Azura is here, in front of me, saying nothing, but clearly offerimg something. It is pouring rain outside, acidic with volcanic ash, but none comes in through the open skylight. I am like the rain: Azura has put me in a place in which have no influence. I do not know how, but I will regain control. Forget groveling or fleeing, I burned those notes for me, not to be pegged as a mortal plaything. The only thing I have to lose is my own autonomy.
---
"Lady Azura," Pethara said, with as steady a tone as she could muster. She tried to match the stance of the all powerful Daedra that stood before her. "My burning of those notes was not for your sake. For you aren't quite correct; I don't just want to leave this hall. I want to be master of my own fate, and I shall not be taking favors from a Daedra who may as well twist my fate to her own purposes than reward me with the only thing I desire. Leave me be." She trained her eyes on the Mother of Roses the way an aloof cat may look at its confused and misguided owner.
---
She hasn't the faintest idea what I can do. But what can I do? I am fast and quiet, but I am not Grey Fox. I am powerful and cunning, but I am not Kagrenac. I suppose I will either find out what I offer, or be squashed by the Daedra that now scrutinizes me. This is but my first test.
---
Pethara felt a deep rift opening up around her. The world didn't seem real, and she was thrown into a pit of her own feelings. She was happy, she was fearful, and she was furious. These surreal fits had happened often, ever since she was a child, and this was no different. Each one was as chilling and unsettleing as every other before it. She could not tell if she was standing or sitting anymore, or if she was awake or asleep. The colors she saw dimmed and brightened, but did not betray the identities of the shapes they represented. When she regained physical sensation in her body, she still saw Azura in the center of the room. Pethara did not know how much time had passed, but she could now read Azura's expression, and quite clearly. She looked confused, and vaguely saddend.
Pethara gave a slight nod to the Prince, "Your majesty," she said, and then, still swimming with confusions of her own, darted out of the room.
---
That was a little short, I know, but for this portion of the story, I said what needed to be said. Any comments, criticisms, or claims of herecy can be directed to the comments, and I will take them into account.
-Sophie
Comments
For me, a chapter is based around an event or a part of a plot of the story. It has key parts to it which defines it as a whole chapter.
A begi... more