The Silver Fox - Arc 1, Chapter 3

• Posted by A-Pocky-Hah! October 11, 2016 - Filed in TSC: Long Story - #TSC:Long  #TheSilverFox  #Elise  - 1,793 views

   

  Elise

   

  15^th Last Seed 4E 201

   

  The distant faint light burning low on the grey-blue horizon signaled the end of our journey. After two and a half weeks at sea, the merchant galley Primrose was finally approaching its destination: Solitude, the capital city of Skyrim.

   

  I felt a sense of joy and happiness as I stood on the deck, leaning against the lacquered wooden railing. The light burned brighter and floated higher as the ship closed in, parting the sea mist until the shadow of a large arc started forming several miles in front of us. Solitude is built on top of a natural arch facing the Sea of Ghost. I’ve only been there once or twice during one of my father’s business trips. Its buildings were more Imperial than Nordic and was quite beautiful to view at sea during sunrise. Fortunately, I would have the chance to see it as the sun was just peering up on the horizon, behind the mist and clouds.

   

  Behind me, Uncle Dorian’s crewmen were scrambling in and around the ship, fastening the ropes, climbing up the three tall masts and moving along the riggings. Karstan the Sea Bard sang a sea shanty as he worked the ropes, to raise the men’s spirits. It soon grew louder as the others joined their voices.

   

  Weigh-hay and up she rises

  Weigh-hay and up she rises

  Weigh-hay and up she rises

  Early in the morning!

   

  They were singing ‘Drunken Sailor’. Quite a bawdy song if I saw so myself, but there was a certain appeal to it. I was secretly humming to the tunes of the chorus, bobbing my head rhythmically from side-to-side, following on with the lyrics.

   

  “I heard women have a different taste in music, though I never knew you liked sea shanties.” said Uncle Dorian, chuckling.

   

  “U-Uncle,” I was startled to see him behind me. Was he there all the time? “I thought you were in your cabin.”

   

  “And miss the sunrise? No, I don’t think so.” Uncle Dorian was my father’s younger brother and a merchant-captain working with the East Empire Company. A faded green cloak draped over his shoulders, stained by salt. Underneath it, he wore a brown doublet and cream breeches. His auburn red hair and green eyes had marked him as a Desrosiers.

   

  When I heard that the College was accepting new students, I was as giddy as a child. It was one of the last remaining schools of magic left standing in the Fourth Era, and was more open-minded than the Synod or the College of Whispers. It was the perfect place for me to hone my skills in magic, though Father would not agree.

   

  For him, mercantile and maritime were the traditions that House Desrosiers – that’s Deh-rose-e-aye – pursue, not magic. “Skyrim is a cold and dangerous place filled with barbarians and savages.” He told me when I revealed my decision to him during dinner. “No fit for a young lady like you. It is better for you to stay here and learn from the Castle’s court mage. Might I remind you that we still need to find a proper suitor for you?”

   

  His last words had caused me to groan, which was quite unlady-like if you ask me. I was four-and-twenty, the eldest daughter and second born child of the Desrosiers family. It was at that time Father would start babbling on about marriage. Of course, I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life married to some wealthy merchant or nobleman, raising his children and die of old age in a large mansion. Who does he think I am? Some kind of bargaining chip?

   

  No!

   

  I wanted to become a mage and see the world outside of High Rock. Oblivion be damned if I was going to let Father’s words stop me. So I left home – after saying my farewells to Mother and the others – and boarded Uncle Dorian’s Primrose which was bound for Solitude.

   

  By the time the ship approached the Gulf of Solitude, the sun had risen. The stones of the gulf’s large natural arch turned pink-grey. The sky was a pale mixture of orange and purple. The city’s tall towers rose up like long shadow fingers. Chimneys were puffing out white smoke. If you listened very closely – and ignore the sailors’ singing – you could hear the faint sound of the morning bustle coming from inside the walls. 

   

  So beautiful… I thought to myself, taking in the scenery that made the two and a half week long journey alone well worth it.

   

  Suddenly, the ship caught sight of two war galleys guarding the mouth of the gulf. One was named Wyvern while the other was Windpiercer. Their sails were a red dragon shaped like an anchor over a white canvas: the colors of the Imperial Navy.

   

  While their presence was a common sight in the waters of High Rock and Hammerfell, seeing two of their ships had made me recall the civil war that was occurring across the province. It was caused by a group of disgruntled Nords led by a lord or noble by the name of Ulfric Stormcloak who opposed the banning of Talos made by the White-Gold Concordat. I didn’t pay much attention about it. Most of us nobilities in High Rock never did.

   

  A boat had been sent from the Wyvern to inspect our ship. It was a mandatory procedure for all merchant ships, and with the war going on…. well it never hurts for them to be careful. An officer had climbed onto our ship along with two bodyguards. All three were Imperial legionnaires. The officer was clad in steel while his bodyguards in studded leather.

   

  Uncle Dorian had brought the officer and his bodyguards into his cabin to talk. After a few minutes, they came out and shook hands. Uncle gave the crew a nod. We were finally allowed to enter the city’s harbor.

   

  The harbor was built at the base of the city’s main gate. It had enough docks for four galleys, though only two was currently occupied. On the left were the swamps of… Halmarch? Jaalmarch? – the Hold’s name is difficult to pronounce, but I know it ends with ‘march’. The docks were teeming with sailors and workers, some unloading their cargo while others just lay about on the deck of their ships.

   

  Primrose had drop anchor near a warehouse which I believe belonged to the East Empire Company – the big white ship painted on the wooden sign in front of the building was an obvious indication. I disembarked off the ship with my uncle, carrying my knapsack and my mage’s staff. A blue crystal crowned the top of the ornate piece of wood. It was a gift from Velem R’en, my mentor and court mage of Castle Daggerfall. He had been the one who encouraged me to enroll in the College of Winterhold.

   

  I took a breath of fresh air and breathe out. “It’s so good to be back on solid ground.”

   

  “Aye,” Uncle Dorian agreed. “it’s good to stretch these sea legs again.” Then something, or rather someone, caught his eye. “Vittoria Vici, how nice of you to come out and welcome us.”

   

  My eyes widened. Now this was a welcoming I wasn’t expecting. Vittoria Vici was the first cousin to Emperor Titus Mede II. She looked much younger than the Emperor, considering that His Imperial Majesty was around fifty years of age.

   

  “Dorian Desrosiers,” She said, managing to pronounce our family name correctly. “It’s glad to see you and your ship arrived safely to Solitude. I trust the voyage went well?”

   

  “We had a few storms and rough seas, but with Kynareth’s protection we were able to make it through.”

   

  “I see.” Vittoria Vici’s eyes soon turned towards me. “And who’s this you’ve brought along?”

   

  “This is Lord Emeric’s daughter, Elise Desrosiers.”

   

  I bowed my head. “It’s an honor to meet you, my lady.”

   

  “My lady?” The Imperial covered her giggles with her hand. “Oh, you’re too courteous. A simple ‘ma’am’ would do just fine. How fares Lord Emeric?”

   

  “My lord father is doing well, ma’am.” I lied, smiling sweetly. In truth, he’s probably still angry at me leaving, but he’ll get over it soon. “I intend on enrolling to the College of Winterhold, to become a mage.”

   

  “Oh, that sounds wonderful.”  The tone in her voice didn’t seem to suggest so. “I’m sure they will be honored to have you there. But you two must be tired after all those days at sea. How about you head to the Winking Skeever to get some hot meal?”

   

  “A hot meal would be good.” said Uncle Dorian. “What say we spend the day in Solitude before you head to Winterhold, Elise?”

   

  “And delay my attendance by another few days?”was what I wanted to say. But instead I reluctantly agreed to my uncle’s decision. On the bright side, at least I could take a stroll around Solitude. Maybe even buy some supplies too.

   

  <<<<>>>> 

   

  On the next day, after spending the night at the Winking Skeever, I was off to Winterhold. I had donned my green-and-black mage robes and my bags were already loaded onto the carriage. I was set and ready. Even the weather today seemed to fit my mood.

   

  Uncle had hired a few sellswords to act as my escorts. Travelling to Winterhold would have me cross the borders of the Pale and Hjaalmarch (turns out its pronounced ‘Ya-al-march’, with a silent ‘H’). That meant crossing from the Imperial-controlled territories and into to the rebels’.

   

  Should I be afraid? Maybe…

   

  Was it worth the risk? Of course it is!

   

  I gave Uncle Dorian a big goodbye hug. He had been more of a help than Father could’ve been, and it was time to part ways with him.

   

  “Don’t forget to write letters to me and the family back home.” He said.

   

  “I will, Uncle.”

   

  “Oh, and one more thing,” He moved closer to my ear and whispered, “Try not go courting while you’re there, okay?”  

   

  “Uncle!” I flustered. A small blush crept up my cheeks.

   

  He only laughed. “I was just joking, Elise.”

   

  Author's Notes:

   

  Sorry for the late update, been trying to work this chapter for nearly a week now. It's quite challenging to write a new character with a different mindset. Currently I'm working on her Character Bio so be sure the check the ToC.

  Also Chapter 4 is 70% complete, so expect a double chapter this week.... hopefully.

   

  

   

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