» Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:47 pm Above a valley in Skyrim was an inn known as The Lazy Hoe. The owner Alva did her best to offer good food and a cosy place to rest for travelers. She had come from Summerset Isle 20 years earlier and had raised her only son Acrete in the rugged landscape. Acrete (pronounced acreet) was now 19 and spent most of his time helping with the maintenance of the inn. He would chop wood, clean, cook and hunt game. Although his true interest lied in the arcane arts, which he had first seen demonstrated by a travelling mage 8 years earlier. This mage had come through on a dark winters day and was positively glowing, the entire inn lit up when he opened the door. He wore an attractive red cloak covered in golden embroidery outlining his body and onto his hood. He seemed to be a middle-aged breton. The few elves and nords which were sitting at the inn all turned their attention to him, he had a strong presence and everybody could feel it. "Oh forgive me, i seem to have forgotten about my daylight" he said. Which was followed by a click of his fingers which removed the glow. This small show of illusion magic had captured the heart of Acrete and he immediately tended to the man. "How can i help you sir?" he mumbled in awe. The breton's eyes quickly looked down upon young acrete in a warm fashion "A room and some food!" Alva watched as her son tended to this mans every whim with utmost enthusiasm. She could not help but make a remark to the man. "You know, he isn't usually so keen to serve the travelers i get through here, he seems to have taken a liking to you stranger." The breton replied "I can tell he is a good boy, you do well." He continued to calmly eat his food and chat with Alva for well over an hour. Acrete eventually sat down next to the man listening as he told of his travels to them. They came to understand that he was a travelling battlemage by the name of Lorkoth.
Acrete decided that he wanted to be just like him, he expressed his interest to lorkoth and an agreement was struck. Every month or so Lorkoth would pass through the inn and teach young acrete a certain spell. It began as something of a game and excuse to visit the homely inn. He began with torchlight which was mastered within the month. This impressed Lorkoth, so he moved onto flare which became a staple for lighting the fire. This was followed by dominate creature, which was gleefully used by acrete upon rats. On the 4th return of Lorkoth he was stunned to find half-a-dozen rats standing right outside the inn, as if guarding it!
Upon entering the tavern Lorkoth was confronted by an angry Alva who proceeded to express her strong distaste for his latest lesson "This isn't good for business, customers think we have a rat problem!". Lorkoth stated " I am surprised he is able to control one, let alone 5 others at the same time!" Acrete came downstairs to find the frowning Alva and cowering Lorkoth, he quickly said "It's ok ma, i can send them back!" Which was followed by Acrete opening the door and gesturing his little hand towards the forest. The rats then marched off in a line and out of sight to the amazement of everyone. Alva's frown soon turned upside down as the inn burst out laughing. Even and old grumpy dunmer gave a chuckle at the sight.
Everything changed after that and Lorkoth frequented the inn more often, coming fortnightly. The years passed and the spells he taught became more and more advanced. A particular spell almost burnt the entire tavern down, "blazing spear". That day Lorkoth arrived on a sunny afternoon, much to the liking of then 15 yr old Acrete. He asked" Teach me something powerful today! My skill with a bow needs work and hunting elk is too difficult!" Lorkoth smirked "I have just the thing if you can manage it" Lorkoth proceeded to create fire in the form of a spear, which he then threw with little effort, the blazing spear cut threw the air and struck a nearby tree, creating an indent and burn. Acrete marveled and immediately begged for instruction. Lorkoth said "focus on shaping the flame without letting it dissipate or over-compress. Controlling your mana release is key here!" Acrete cupped his hand, focused his mana release and began to build the blaze. Lorkoth watched closely offering encouraging words to the excited young man. Despite this Acrete was having trouble "It's not working, it's building up weird!" acrete frustratingly said. "Don't stop focusing!" replied Lorkoth. Acrete began giving more and more mana, followed by compression. Lorkoth became concerned "Stop building it, let it go, let it go!" Acrete became nervous and threw the oval flame towards the trees but the fire was too compressed and instead of dissipating on impact, it exploded. Acrete remarked "Oh [censored], what do we do!" The tree became ablaze and Lorkoth's face became serious, the inn was only 20 metres away from the blaze. Within seconds, three trees were ablaze and quickly building. Lorkoth instinctively placed both his hands together and began building a frost looking gust, as it built his hair and then cloak began blowing from wind. Before release he turned his palms forward with only his thumbs touching eachother and shot a large gust of frost towards the trees. The gust doubled and then tripled in radius, covering over 10 metres in width and height of the trees. The flames were put out and a frosty tinge was left upon them. Alvina poked her head outside and put the pieces together, she shook her head and smiled at the boys. Lorkoth sat in relief and Acrete began jumping up and down with excitement. "That was awesome! Teach me! Teach me!". Lorkoth sighed and smiled "I think that will be all for today". The next few years rolled by peacefully with Lorkoth passing through every week until he finally came to stay at the inn. Alvina and Lorkoth became best friends and then partners. Acrete was thrilled to have a father, even though Lorkoth had already been as one for quite some time. Acrete was also taught the way of the blade and bow, but he's skill in the arts always surpassed them both.
By the time Acrete was 19 his mother would routinely send him to fetch various items from the closest town, riverwood. "Be careful, and don't venture from the roads!!" Alva said. "Don't worry ma, i always do" He looked into his pack and saw a loaf of bread, some graqes and a couple healing potions. As he walked he thoroughly enjoyed it because it was one of the few times he could relax and take in the sights. This day Acrete left early and was fortunate to see the sun rise on the lovely spring day. He breathed in the fresh alpine air and picked a few herbs and plants. After this he continued on his path but as he walked something caught his eye off in the distance. It was about 200m down the road laying down. He slowly approached it to get a better look and was surprised to see a giant. It looked as though it was dead and he couldn't see it moving. Acrete wondered what had happened here and what he should do. As he approached it, he came to see the large gashes upon it's chest and legs. It let out a sudden grunt which frightened acrete. He came within a few metres and marveled at the size of it. "I come in peace" he said. He got no response and thought himself stupid for thinking it could speak. The giant opened it's eyes and looked staright at acrete, it's hand gesturing to him. Those eyes pierced him and he felt as though he must try to help it. Acrete decided to perform a healing spell which would possibly aid the giant. He gently placed his hands upon the giants chest and began the spell, it seemed to do little. So he decided to try again and again. He remembered the potions he had packed and proceeded to make the giant drink them. Surprisingly he met no resistance, there was a level of understanding. The giant began to respond.
Suddenly Acrete heard growling, he turned to see four wolves gnashing their teeth at him. They were no more than 5 metres from him and looked starved. Acrete noticed the alpha with the black fur had a scar running down it's snout, while the other three brown ones seemed scrawny. They could obviously smell the blood of the giant and were eager to feed. Acrete slowly reached for his sword but was too slow, the alpha lunged at him pushing him over. It tried getting it's fangs upon his throat but he pushed it off with his hilt. The wolf seemed to give up on him altogether and instead turned it's attention on the giant. The other three wolves were slowly dragging the giant into the forest and the alpha joined them. Acrete shouted "No, you bloody beasts!" The alpha turned it's attention to him once again but acrete shot a simple flare into it's face. The wolf was stunned at first and shook off the attack but was not fast enough to escape Acrete's steel blade. The blade sliced the wolf in the back drawing blood and enraging the beast. The other two wolves turned their attention on him and left the giant which had half it's body in the woods and the other half out. He then shot another flare and another towards the wolves causing them to back off slightly. He quickly created a flaming spear and as the alpha lunged for him, it was struck. The wolf yelped for a moment and then slumped to the ground. Acrete then shot a flare at one followed by striking another. The flare singed the fur of one and the strike drew blood on the others neck. The wolves bowled over backwards but on their retreat were stopped short. Another giant entered the scene and squished one wolf while whacking two others with a club. The last one ran off with it's tail between it's legs and Acrete fell back in awe. The giant moved towards his fallen comrade and picked him up on his shoulders with a powerful swoop. Acrete quickly got up and sprinted away as fast as he could, he didn't want to try his chances with a giant.
As he reached riverwood he sighed in relief. The sun was begining to go down so he sought out the nearest inn to lay his head and get some food in his belly. Tommorow would be a good day he thought.
To be continued...
