The Bright Star of Hope: Bleak Falls

  • 'Answer the question, please.' I was calm but the spirit continued to fight against my will, shouting his abuse at me in that Blacklight twang of his.

     

    'Oblivion take you, N'wah, just who in Dagon's name are you to treat me so? Just you wait, s'wit, so help me I'll...' Phantom flames shot up around the Dunmer as he writhed in fury within the invisible grip of my will.

     

    'Listen and calm down. I will release you as soon as you answer my question.' I hated doing this. Rarely in my life of service as a priest of Arkay have I had to bring back a soul. My job is to ease their passing, not force them back to the mortal world. My god's will was clear, however, and so I did his bidding.

     

    'My name is Raminus Solvus, Primate of Cheydinhal,' I explained, soothing the anxious ghost with magicka and willpower. 'You are Arvel the Swift, correct?'

     

    'Yeah, that's right.' Arvel no longer fought me beyond a few outbursts againt the link between us.

     

    'Swift by name, swift by nature. Or at least I was. Done in by a corpse of all things.' He laughed a little then.

     

    'Arvel, do you remember the moments before your demise? I am so sorry to ask you to, ah, relive such painful memories but the fate of the world may rest on your answer.'

     

    My heart was pumping adrenaline faster now. I was so close! This mer could give me answers beyond rumours and vague sightings. I had been tracking her for weeks - all the way from Cyrodiil's Imperial City to Pale Pass. My trail went cold in Helgen and, amid the ruins of that shattered hamlet, I almsot despaired.

     

    'Very well. Then you will let me go? It is so cold here.' He looked so fragile then and I was reminded of the spirits I had been called upon to expel over the years who had been driven mad by being bound to the world for an extended period. Such a sad, sad fate.

     

    'You have my pledge and Arkay's Word.' I nodded my head solemnly.

     

    He looked passed me, over my shoulder and far into the distance as he recited.

     

    'I was terrified. I had run ahead with the Claw, hoping to get my hands on the power hidden behind the Hall of Stories. I was just so eager. I wasn't paying attention, just relying on my speed as I always have done. I can outrun any city guard! But I entered a chamber and saw massive webs spun everywhere. Opposite was a door and I bolted for it, but it was trapped, see? Thin and transluscent webs criscrossed the archway and I was stuck. That's when I heard it. Behind me came this sucking and clicking sound. I turned my head and a huge spider was bearing down upon me. In desperation I managed to get an arm free and aim a knife, stuck that son of a Alit right in an eye! It almost seemed to scream as it reared up on four legs, poison dripping from its fangs. I voided my bowels then and yelled too, for I could not reach my other knife.

     

    'With a lunge the creature grabbed me, trundled me up with so many legs and left me suspended in the doorway for a later snack. I know how they eat. I know how they inject a liquidising venom which turns your insides to stew which they then suck out while you still breathe. I screamed and screamed, cried for help for what seemed like hours as I awaited that end.

     

    'But then I saw a light. A warm light of a torch lit up the gloom from the doorway I came in from. The sound of webs being sliced greeted my sore ears and I thanked all the divines for their mercy.

     

    'A woman, a human Nord, dressed in black robes entered the room holding aloft a fire like the light of Anu. Despite my panicked state my breath was still caught by her beauty. Human women have never done anything for me but this one was different... Err, no offence' Arvel looked at me meekly.

     

    'None taken,' I smiled, knowing exactly what he meant. 'That sounds like her: Amara Bright-Star, so named for she was ever a light in the darkness of the world. Please, continue Arvel.'

     

    His gaze fixed on an invisible point behind me, Arvel resumed his tale. 'It was as if the very sun had walked in. Her face was pale, framed by long dark hair. Her eyes, large and dark on her high-cheekboned face, reflected the light of the flames she held. She looked serene and determined. I felt the presence of the gods, I swear on Azura! I fainlty heard a clicking above me as the lady peered around the room.

     

    'I tried to shout a warning but all that came out was a plea, "help me, don't let it get me" I cried. The woman's head whipped around and I could see her recoil from the monstrous form that dropped in front of her. I thought she was about to bolt in fear, but then suddenly she seemed to stand still and utter whispered words. Her entire body then glowed a pale blue as if she were a crystal lit from within by some mysterious radiance.

     

    'With that same... stillness... but yet with incredibe speed, she had had nocked an arrow to a bow I had not registered her carrying. I wish I could describe it. Time seemed to stop as she remained moving, drawing her bow, taking aim and releasing in one fluid movement. Her arrow slammed into the bulbous and bloated abdomen of the arachnid with the fury of a god. Then another and another. Thud, thud, thud. Three wet and sickening sounds almost in the same instant as her arrows found their mark.

     

    'The spider reared up and spat a globule of pussy poison at the glowing woman. I thought she was done for, but with incredible grace she ducked and rolled to one side, avoiding the putrid spittle. In an instant she was up on one knee, knocked another shaft, and released. This arrow too found a home in amongst the spider's eyes, the force of it knocking the creature back on now-unsteady legs. Yet it still lived and with the speed of a cornered and desperate nix hound it leapt right at her.

     

    'If I was stunned before it is nothing compared to what I saw next. While the spider was still in mid-air, the lady jumped, discarded her bow and produced flashing blades in each hand. I have seen the masters of the Morag Tong in my youth, and I was reminded of them then. For she leapt and spun, slashing as she went, landed, twisted, and whirled into the grounded Frostbite like a dervish. She lithely avoided a leg, deftly dodged a lunge and spun into her foe like a dancer spins into a waltz. It really was like watching a dance, a dance of death as her blades twirled in her hands. In seconds it was over. The Nord stood over the body of the eviscerated spider.

     

    'She staggered a bit, then. Let out a deep sigh and went down on one knee. She raised one slender hand and from it a golden light sprang forth, a hue that washed over her like cleansing water. I heard more whispered words and, with another sigh, she stood up and collected her bow and torch. Then she approached me.'

     

    I was stunned. I had seen Amara's skills as she practiced her marksmanship or her blade-work in the courtyard of Akatosh's chapel in Kvatch. I remember disapproving back then. I smiled at the memory of those distant days. Truly the Divines work in mysterious ways. 'What did she say?' I asked the dark elf who was now looking at me, that far-away look gone.

     

    'What's it matter? She cut me down and I ran. Biggest mistake of my life.'

     

    'Please Arvel! This is important. Did she give you any clue as to where she was heading?' I fought rising panic again.

     

    'Look, she was very sweet. Her voice was soothing and sensuous, merciful and calming. And I ran from it in greed. I paid with my life, a life she had just saved. I do not know where she went, but I tell you this Imperial: There is nothing in this crypt that can stop her.

    Now release me, fetcher, or so help me I'll...' His story told, Arvel the Swift returned to form and fought my will again. Too tired to struggle more and with the knowledge I had learned all I could fom him, I bid the mer goodbye and released him to the dream of death.

     

    I was in Bleak Falls Barrow, the trail was clear once more and the light of hope once again shone in my mind.

     

    The light of hope. For Tamriel, for all mortals. And for me.

     

    I stood up, said the last rites over Arvel's body before continuing into the dark, a Bright Star in the distance to guide me.

     

    Two

Comments

14 Comments   |   Karver the Lorc and 7 others like this.
  • Paws
    Paws   ·  September 25, 2017
    :D Thank you Simpa! There are not that many chapters and I'm not a prolific writer, but I can say i have not enjoyed myself as much since as I did when playing and writing about her. Your feedback makes me grin like an idiot :) 
  • Simpa
    Simpa   ·  September 25, 2017
    Wow, what a story! All this from one in-game encounter. Well-written and descriptive, a joy to read. Looking forward to continue reading about this unusal servant of Arkay and his search for this Amara Bright-Star.  :)
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  June 5, 2017
    Just getting started, but this is quite the engaging read. Will definitely keep following.

    On an unrelated note, Arvel's a great deal more eloquent as a corpse, isn't he?
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  June 1, 2017
    What was I doing in August 2016 that I missed this? Hmm, I could only guess that I was messing around with the SE move. Sorry, Paws, my bad. Very cool start. I like that Arkay's priest is investigating. 
    • Paws
      Paws
      The Long-Chapper
      The Long-Chapper
      The Long-Chapper
      What was I doing in August 2016 that I missed this? Hmm, I could only guess that I was messing around with the SE move. Sorry, Paws, my bad. Very cool start. I like that Arkay's priest is investigating. 
        ·  June 1, 2017
      You missed nothing, Lis. I simply never published it until the other day, it had been sitting in draft form until then. It's a special character, one of those deep RP things, and I didn't have the courage to share or continue the story until recently. Tha...  more
  • A-Pocky-Hah!
    A-Pocky-Hah!   ·  May 29, 2017
    I agree with the Lorc. It's very interesting to see a Priest of Arkay doing something unorthodox. So I take it the soul of a dead person still lingers inside their body, but maybe only for a limited amount of time until it completely passes into Aetherius?
    • Paws
      Paws
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      A-Pocky-Hah!
      I agree with the Lorc. It's very interesting to see a Priest of Arkay doing something unorthodox. So I take it the soul of a dead person still lingers inside their body, but maybe only for a limited amount of time until it completely passes into Aetherius?
        ·  May 29, 2017
      Thanks Kaiser :) Yeah so, with the summoning thing I take it all with a large pinch of salt. I mean, we have seen from PoM that conjuration is just as an arbitrary school as all others, and coupled with the fact that we can summon three heroes from Sovgar...  more
  • soly
    soly   ·  May 29, 2017
    Are you sure you want the word "Primate" of Cheydinhal? I get the feeling the word you're looking for is "Prelate". Primates are... well, they're literally monkeys.
    • soly
      soly
      soly
      soly
      soly
      Are you sure you want the word "Primate" of Cheydinhal? I get the feeling the word you're looking for is "Prelate". Primates are... well, they're literally monkeys.
        ·  May 29, 2017
      A minor error (I assume it's an error) that in no way detracts from the piece. Very interesting read. Would read sequels.
      • Paws
        Paws
        soly
        soly
        soly
        A minor error (I assume it's an error) that in no way detracts from the piece. Very interesting read. Would read sequels.
          ·  May 29, 2017
        Thank you Solyeuse :) The Lorc is right, I used an ecclesiastical rank I was familiar with from TES IV. I appreciate the feedback, though, please don't hesitate to point anything out if you do read on, there will be more to come :)
      • Karver the Lorc
        Karver the Lorc
        soly
        soly
        soly
        A minor error (I assume it's an error) that in no way detracts from the piece. Very interesting read. Would read sequels.
          ·  May 29, 2017
        Primate - an archbishop or bishop ranking first among the bishops of a province or country.
        • Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Karver the Lorc
          Primate - an archbishop or bishop ranking first among the bishops of a province or country.
            ·  May 29, 2017
          http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Gruiand_Garrana
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  May 29, 2017
    First of all: Very interesting to see priest of Arkay interrogating a dead soul. Then there is of course the way you describe everything, through Arvel´s words, which definitely is a nice change of pace and perspective. And lastly...is it only my guess or...  more
    • Paws
      Paws
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      First of all: Very interesting to see priest of Arkay interrogating a dead soul. Then there is of course the way you describe everything, through Arvel´s words, which definitely is a nice change of pace and perspective. And lastly...is it only my guess or...  more
        ·  May 29, 2017
      Yep, and she's a stunner (L) Thanks or the kind words :)