Protected, no longer; Chapter 38

  •  

    Chapter 38

     

    Ciel’nn sat on the bed while his new friend, Maros, closed the door. The older male Dunmer turned and frowned at him; the bruise was visible on his the right side of his face. He had ran away after Maltrys had forced him to get some bonemold from a tomb, then they were caught by the guard.

    Ciel’nn had ran to Mournhold, leaving his father alone with the guards. At Mournhold he wandered until he had found this hostel, where Maros worked as an entertainer. To Ciel’nn’s eyes Maros was a beautiful mer. He’d seek momentary shelter from the older mer because he knew he would be safe.






    The warm lavender tea cup felt wonderful in Ciel’nn’s hands. It’s scent was calming his mind even though not fully. He’d miss this scent and the plant itself; there weren’t lavenders in Morrowind. Maybe he would collect a bunch of them before leaving. It was a nice thought. The Dunmer’s eyes shifted to the Nord, who was drinking mead and was in his own thoughts. He’s still upset that I’m leaving. Cannot be helped. He’d be alright though. Once Sarade gets him along…

    The Nightgate Inn was quiet even if there was a Stormcloak patrol warming up. Rangalen glanced at them; they were quiet, too. Did they know what was going on? Other than the Civil War? His mind went back to the mer, who held his tea opposite him. How would he be alright after Ciel’nn’s gone? Maybe he should seek Sarade to tag along with her and help her with whatever was going on, like before he met the Dunmer. The young warrior let out a sigh. “Will you come back later?” He heard himself asking while staring at his mead.

    “I don’t know.” Ciel’nn replied while he sipped his tea. “You’ll be alright. You’re a Nord. Tough, and all.” He added with a smile. “Will you be alright?” He heard the Nord asking next. The Dunmer was quiet for a moment before answering. “I don’t know, Rang. I don’t know if I will ever be.” It was the truth; Ciel’nn had had no idea how it was going to be when he’d reach Morrowind. He’d need to do some things before he’d know for sure, if at all. He heard the Nord sigh again.

    “You’re the one who survived the massacre at Fort Kastav?” A voice asked nearby. It was a  young Stormcloak soldier, who looked at Rangalen. “There really were Imperials?”

    The young warrior looked to the soldier, while Ciel’nn only paid a glance at him. “What of it?”

    “Well, you’re the lucky one. How did you survive?” The young soldier asked.

    “I’d rather not talk about it. It was bloody enough.” Rangalen replied, but the soldier still stood there. He didn’t want to share how he went into rage and killed the last three Imperials.

    “He fought like Ysgramor, all with fire and fury. Nobody was spared!” Ciel’nn uttered in an exciting tone. “Something you all should learn about.”

    “Really? Like Ysgramor?” The young soldier gasped, his eyes widening as he looked at them both. “I think we need to re-do our fight tactics then. Excuse me.” He added and returned to his mates.

    Rangalen stared at the Dunmer. “Like Ysgramor?” It had felt something else than heroic fighting.

    “You have to inspire them, if you want them to fight better. Don’t you agree?” Ciel’nn shrugged and drank the rest of his tea. “Better go to rest. We’ll leave at mid day.”

    “Want me to…?” The Nord asked, but was afraid to finish his question. He wondered if the Dunmer ever wanted his comfort again. He’d been so distant. I just want to protect you, but sometimes I feel I can’t.

    Ciel’nn stood up from  the bench and stopped to think for a moment. “Up to you, Rang.”


    The following day was mildly chilly as they continued their way towards the Shrine. Ciel’nn tried to stay warm inside his fur cloak while he looked ahead to see Fort Kastav ahead of them. Seeing it brought a bad memory for Ciel’nn, but he tried to keep his mind on the future, even if that felt uncertain.

    “I’m surprised. Today seems colder than ever.” Rangalen said as he tried to wrap his cloak around himself. “It feels like a trial of some sort.” He glanced at the Dunmer, who walked slower beside him. How the mer stood this cold was beyond him.

    “It does seem colder, but the winters of Skyrim are all the same to me.” Ciel’nn replied. He didn’t really feel the difference in the winters; all winters to him were the same since he had come to Skyrim. They all were cold and unforgiving. Why  he had stayed this long, Ciel’nn couldn’t say. When he arrived the first time, he’d cursed many times how cold  it was here. He’d  traveled when it wasn’t too cold and stayed at Inns when it was too cold.

    The statue of Azura rose huge and tall as they slowly climbed the hill with a struggle. The young warrior was worried the Dunmer would freeze frozen solid as he climbed slower after him. But, Ciel’nn’s face brightened once they stood in front of the shrine. “Finally.” He breathed as he looked up to the statue. “I’ll make a campfire if we’re going to be here for a while.” He heard the Nord saying. “Okay.”

    It was magnificent statue. A real fine piece of work given the conditions of freezing winter. How they had managed to built it here was beyond the Dunmer. Still, he was kind of proud of them. While looking at the statue of Azura, Ciel’nn felt his homesickness stronger and the connection to Azura came back to him in waves. It also brought his mother to his mind and Ciel’nn had to bite his lower lip to not to try not to break into tears - he remembered the lessons from his mother.

    “A lost worshipper?” A female voice said in a worrying tone, and a female Dunmer walked to them, looking to Ciel’nn. “What’s the Nord doing here?”

    “I revere Azura. Not sure about being lost.” Ciel’nn replied once he located the female mer. “He’s my friend and escort.” His voice became dark as he eyed the mer.

    “I am Aranea Ienith. I tend to this shrine, and I sense you’re lost.” The female mer introduced herself as she stepped closer. “You have walked on a difficult path, my child.”

    Ciel’nn’s mouth went in a thin line. “I don’t need your patronizing, and I know the path I’ve taken. Leave me alone.” He didn’t feel he’d need guidance, if he needed any it must come from Lady Azura herself. He had had a strong connection with the Daedric Prince, but somehow - it felt - severed since the Dremora Lord interfered with his life. He knew the path he’d taken and paid for it. He glared at the female Dunmer, who frowned at him, but left them alone.

    Watching the scene before him, Rangalen wondered if Ciel’nn was truly lost. To him, the mer seemed to be strong-willed and often knew what he was doing. He watched Ciel’nn watching the statue for some time before it became colder, and they set up the tent at the foot of the stairs - that way it was away from the wind.  They ate quietly as the Dunmer seemed to be in his own thoughts for a while, and Rangalen didn’t dare to say a word. The young warrior sighed and started to clean his sword.

    “Am I lost, Rang?” the Dunmer asked.

    “Depends what do you mean by ‘lost’?” Rangalen replied as he glanced at his friend. “I don’t think so.”

    “The way she said it… I mean do they really see if one’s lost.”

    “Do you think you’re lost, Ciel’nn? My friend Snow-claw once said, “If you ever doubt yourself, stay true to yourself because only you know your way, or what you do want.” The young warrior frowned as he couldn’t recall what he had heard. “I mean, you only know yourself.”

    “Thanks, Rang.”

    __

    On they way back, there were more Stormcloak patrols on the move. When they asked why, the only answers was “Someone saw a black cloaked figure down the road.” Ciel’nn frowned at that, and Rangalen sighed. “Better be careful. I wish we’d had horses.”

    After walking with a patrol for some time, Rangalen was looking around and surveyed the mountain edge. The figure in the black cloak bothered him and it put him on edge. He glanced at the Dunmer, who was frowning at their surroundings. He looked at the guards around them - they looked worried. I guess it wasn’t just a rumor. His eyes caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure ahead on the mountain rise and it aimed something at towards… them? No!

    “Ciel’nn, look out!” Rangalen shouted and his legs moved on their own, placing himself in front of the startled Dunmer. He felt pain in his chest as if a crossbow bolt had penetrated his armor and hit near his heart. They both fell down. The young warrior felt his life fading away. “Ciel…”

    “Rang!” Ciel’nn exclaimed, looking at his friend. “What…?” His eyes narrowed as he saw the bolt sticking out of the Nord’s chest. “No…Rang!” He looked into the Nord’s half closed eyes. Ciel’nn tried to understand what happened while he realized his friend was dying. His trembling hand reached out to brush out the hair of Rangalen’s face. “Rang? To Sovngard now?” He felt the young warrior’s hand on his. “I… saved… you…” Ciel’nn watched how those misty blue eyes closed for the last time. “Rangalen….?”  

    He blinked as the tears rolled out down his cheek while he was slightly aware of the patrol men shouting and one of them coming towards him.



    You’ve lost someone again.
    I am alone once more.
    Alone in the darkness.
     

    You must have gone to Sovngard now, to party with the other heroes. I’ll miss you. I’ll find your murderer. Goodbye friend. You were dear to me.



    Ciel’nn narrowed his watering eyes as something about the bolt caught his attention. He looked closer to it. It was still coated in… poison? Rangalen was shot with a poisoned bolt. An assassin? “Take care of him.” He said to the patrol guard, who was knelt next to him. “Poor boy. Where are you going?” He heard him saying. Ciel’nn stood up a bit wobbly and growled. “To find the killer.” With that, he walked towards the mountain rise and eyed it.

    Crack!

    The Dunmer’s head turned towards the sound as his eyes narrowed into slits. The cloaked figure appeared in his view as its invisibility spell ended and it sprinted away. Ciel’nn recognized the cloak with gilded edges - a Thalmor assassin! He sprinted after the figure as fast as his legs let him. At this point he realized what he must do. His eyes were on the running Thalmor Assassin, who desperately tried to get away from him as if he was afraid of the Dunmer.

    Ciel’nn ditched the fur cloak so he could run faster. To his luck, the other assassin had difficulties and had slowed down on the run. They ran for sometime until Ciel’nn caught up with the assassin before the Nightgate Inn. He tackled the Thalmor assassin in the snow and rolled on him in a fluid motion, with his dagger in his hand, on the other mer’s throat. Ciel’nn took a brief moment to look on the mer who had killed his friend - an cocky Altmer bastard, who possibly was older by a few years. The Dunmer scowled before hissing darkly. “Who sent you? And, why him?”

    The Thalmor assassin cursed. “It was meant for you, fool! I’m not saying anything more.” His mouth went to a thin line. Surely this fool of a Dunmer wouldn’t dare to kill him - him a Thalmor.

    “N’wah!” Ciel’nn shifted his dagger onto the mer’s neck. “You will talk!” he hissed, making a tiny cut. The Altmer gasped, realizing the mer’s blade was probably poisoned - he’d start shaking and choking soon. Ciel’nn smirked darkly. “I don’t have time for this!” He slashed the Altmer’s cheek with his dagger that had paralyzing poison. When the mer wasn’t able to move, Ciel’nn ruffled through his cloak and found a letter with an order to kill him and the young warrior if possible, for interfering with their business? What business? Ciel’nn wondered. The letter had two signatures; Elewen and Ancano. “Seems like I need to visit the Embassy.” He purred in a dark tone. “It will be fun.”

    The Altmer’s eyes widened as Ciel’nn took a small poison bottle and coated his other dagger with it. “Everyone who hurts, or kills my friends, will suffer.” He coldly looked into the mer’s eyes before stabbing the mer’s chest, next to the heart.



    Everyone will suffer. I promise this, Rangalen

     

     

    Back to ToC

     

     

Comments

10 Comments   |   Karver the Lorc and 5 others like this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  July 1, 2018
    This must have been a hard chapter for you...  worked well though
  • The Long-Chapper
    The Long-Chapper   ·  April 21, 2018
    This is what happens when you piss off Ondolemar. An Altmer never forgets.  But neither does a Dunmer. Men have nothing on the grudges of Elves. 
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  March 7, 2018
    Wow, that happened really quickly. One second they're fine and the next a bolt is sticking out of Rang's chest. The assassin should've made better use of his invisibility to relocate, though. Or at least had a backup weapon...
  • ilanisilver
    ilanisilver   ·  March 7, 2018
    Holy shit. 
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  January 20, 2018
    Having followed the story of Ciel'nn and Rangalen almost from when you started writing it, this chapter left me in tears and so heartbroken that I couldn't comment the first time I read it. While the second reading left me no less heartbroken, I take comf...  more
  • HaggisHunter
    HaggisHunter   ·  January 16, 2018
    It's a brave decision to kill off a main character. Damn Thalmor sticking their pointy noses in things again
    Raise a mead in Sonvgarde brother... :'(
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  January 16, 2018
    (U)
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  January 16, 2018
    :'(
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  January 16, 2018
    Dang, this was surprising. And fast, too fast. There was not enough time for me to even revel in the shocking situation :( May you drink in Sovngarde for eternity, pal. The Thalmor will pay. Thalmor. What do they want with Ciel now, damn it?
    • Caladran
      Caladran
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Karver the Lorc
      Dang, this was surprising. And fast, too fast. There was not enough time for me to even revel in the shocking situation :( May you drink in Sovngarde for eternity, pal. The Thalmor will pay. Thalmor. What do they want with Ciel now, damn it?
        ·  January 16, 2018
      Thanks! I take it I did a good job. :)