Thankyou much! The chapters are coming a little quicker now.

Later when I talk about a skeleton scream, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsILQaCI5d8&feature=player_embedded




I think it’s obvious that you don’t get a lot of respect when you’re a beggar, but there should be something there, right? For example; these stinking teenagers. I bathe every week before going to the Pail and they keep finding ways to ruin that.
Down by the high docks I strip and get in near the piles where I’m waist deep or so to splash around some and scrub all over. These guys must be watching me or something. Every time I’ve gone there in the past few months I’ve been doing alright until this warm stream of piss comes down on me as I’m getting dressed again. I mean, there’s gotta be some decency for even us lowest wretches of society, right? I don’t even know if it’s one or many of the little [censored] because the laughter isn’t quite the same every time. There might be a whole menacing gang of piss pals.

Sometimes I really hate how many things in my life involve urine. It’s disgusting.

Adventure weekend starts tomorrow with the Mummers. Then the next night, I’m the star. I’ll put my best foot forward on both nights though, so I’ll have to find a place to bathe.

I’ve got a new system to try. Find the ringleaders and the majority of the teens before I go to the water. I can ask someone at the docks or shore whether they can see any of the bastards or not.

There’s usually a wide grassy space around the shrines in the city. Not that they get a lot of respect. Unless there’s a fairly active cult using a shrine, people dump their trash or deal drugs there. I’ve noticed the teenagers hanging out nearby often times.

I first try the shrine of Ebonarm because I’m ready for a battle. No luck, the only one here is homeless Veteran Amputee. I think he likes it there to feel that he sacrificed for a purpose. It would be nice to ask him someday.

There’s no reason to be too anxious when seeking out your enemy, because they might just harass me on my way around town. These [censored] streets are no help. The ones with few people on them have me worried that it will turn unexpectedly without a curb on the building’s edge, leaving me to walk into something. Street vendors shout out to me to move left or right as I go, they’re pretty good about that.

I found the teens near the shrine of Arkay. They’re basically in the middle of life now, military or sailing careers might kill them sooner than the average screw-up.

They sit on wrecked furniture in the park agitating anyone they care to, and stealing my stuff when they pass by. Those [censored] are the reason abortion is legal here.

I get a warm greeting, “Hey Pants! Go [censored] your mother!”

“Right, right. Is that you, Addison? When did you become a little [censored]?”
“You deserve it you mooching bastard. I gotta work fifteen hours a week, and you just sit around while people hand you money.”
“Hey now, I can only do that till some drifter murders me in my sleep. I bet you live in a house.”

“House smoushe. I see you screwing the hottest babes every week or two, and drinking your fill when you want it. How can you tell me your life is hard?”
“There’s nothing else to do! Everyone thinks I’m a pathetic loser. I get ripped off by stores half the time, and every time I build a shelter somewhere you rotten teens tear it up! Whenever I have some money, you’re the ones coming to rob me! I’ve got no reason to think I’m going to survive another month, let alone winter. Not to mention, I’m never going to see again.”

“You’re homeless because you deserve it. Get your sorry ass outta here, I don’t feel like stoning you today.”
“How many of you are around here?”
“What?”
“You teens!”
“Seven. Get away from me!”
“Fair enough.”

Or good enough, I should have said ‘Good enough’. That might have given away my purpose or made them wonder, maybe my slip-up was in my favor. All it takes is one of them to ruin my bathing, but I think I can chance it if there were really seven of them hanging out in that park.

I walk on toward the beach. Things like this make me hate it most. If I wasn’t blind, I could be somebody. It doesn’t even matter who as long as I’m not the one they all hate.

Maybe I don’t need it. Maybe Sovngarde has a place for wretches. I’ll walk into the water for my bath and I’ll just keep walking…

What? Did I just suggest suicide to myself? Why would I do that? This doesn’t make sense. Since when did I ever care what the teenagers thought? No way, I don’t! Something isn’t right here.

But I’m already up to my chest in the water. I haven’t taken off my clothes. I rarely lose track of where I am, but this hasn’t happened to me before. Too late now, I’ll just scrub and walk till I dry.

Some people care, some people don’t like me, but most people don’t give a damn. Live or die, I’m nothing to them.

I spent my teen years confused and helpless. Going blind at thirteen meant I was excluded from everything the other teens did. I never went dating, or riding horses, or skinny dipping. My life has skipped romance entirely.

There were good times too. Every now and then for a fortnight or so, people might take me in and see that I wasn’t too damaged. They’d feed me when I was unable to get food, someone got me a doctor when I was coughing my guts up. The pneumonia I had when I was fifteen weighed heavily on me. I couldn’t lie on my back to sleep because of the fluid in my lungs and the pain, so I propped myself against crates on the street and wheezed all night. When I limped around, people gasped and I finally learned my shirt was covered in blood. I remember sitting there saying “Blood is supposed to be on the inside!”

No one did anything though, until a merchant came along. I was face down, and he toed me with his boot.

“What the hell is wrong with you, boy? Do your sleeping at night!”

I rolled over and smiled, and he took pity on me. The doctor he hired put me back together in a couple days. I’ve been grateful to those men ever since, but I don’t know who they were.

Mummers should be first in my mind. Screw the past.

I walk out of the water back onto the boardwalk. I can dry while I walk to the West Market. There’s always good begging there, and people are on a slow schedule anyway. Make a little more money so I can just concentrate on the hopefully wonderful weekend. Even those of us who don’t work are working for the weekend.

I’m strolling down the street at a decent pace. I don’t see it coming.

Wham! I trip on a line and plant my body into the stone street. My kneecap was shattered like a glass jar, but I’m alright.

“Look who’s on his face!”

That’s Addison. The best plans…

Oh [censored]. They’re holding me down. One is lifting my arm to turn me over while someone has my feet and the last takes my other arm. I’ve gotta do something,

“Addison, stop! I will smack you so hard!”
“Oh yeah, you’re going to be assaulting a kid. The City Watch will lock you up for weeks in a jail where you get [censored]. That’s it! In a week I’m going to bruise myself and tell them you did it. Good luck keeping your butt intact.”

Come on, I know this day gets worse. Addison says,

“But we’re still going through with today’s plan. Open his mouth!”

This can’t end well.

They pour into my mouth what seems like a powder. It’s flakes of something? What?

Oh no, it’s hot pepper flakes. My mouth is burning and I curl my throat into making a scream like a skeleton warrior. They turn me loose, and I run down the boardwalk howling.

This chapter felt a bit weird. Previous chapter you describe he gets along with kids just fine (the smack game was a hilarious pun to life itself imo) but in this chapter you make it seem Pants is the usual target for pestering by teenagers. You probably explain in the next chapters, right?

And how can he say he's alright when he just shattered his kneecap? Or was he exaggerating?

Ahh, I probably just didn't handle it well. I'll look over it.

He's popular with the kids who are eleven and under, the teenagers don't like him. The three sections of this chapter are supposed to represent a transition from childhood to restless manhood. When they're kids, they don't hurt each other much. When they're teens, they want the easy way and they're willing to hurt people. When they're men, they're ready to be killers. Pants was outside this cycle as he grew up, so he's trying to get the youngest ones to question authority. On a note related to the larger story, I needed Pants to get really emotional this chapter, so I made him the target of all their aggression.

And he was exaggerating about his kneecap. He did get hurt, but he was able to run down the boardwalk. I'll rephrase something in there too.

Ah, right. Makes sense I guess. Was more of a lack of understanding from the reader than the lack of skill from you.
The heridatary problem with writing on a board, the reader hardly ever gets to read the entire thing and makes conclusions beforehand.

Well, we're at the (potentially) 1/5th mark. I've only got another 16 chapters planned out, but the story might need more in the middle to make it work right. I've got the ending written the way I want it.






I live to die another day.

There was a maid selling goat's milk who sold me a cup on the way to the market. I had debated keeping my mouth open underwater as long as I could, but that would only be temporary. The great white rush stopped all the burning.

Sweat and tears are dripping from my face, brought on by the vile mouthful. I wipe my face dry with the ends of my shirt so I won't be messed up for tomorrow night. Just staying out of trouble or too much contact will save my week. I can't dwell on their threats, they might not come true.

One of the best places to hang out during the day is the West Market. It's not the biggest market in town, it's not the friendliest, but the treasures of the west are sold here. The far western Bretons still set up some shops here, for not all of them stick by the Great Market. Western Bretons just don't talk the same as the Northpointers.

Wondrous smells float through the air from the Redguard grilles. Even if it's a meat they're cooking that you commonly eat, their spices and seasonings can give it a whole new flavor. You'll never want a different source of pheasant or elk once you've tasted their sauced portions with fried vegetables. Who knows if they even have elk or pheasant in Hammerfell? They may just be cooking what meat we have most available here.

This city can be a refuge of sorts for foreign populations. There's always a new war or a new prince to run from. Young men all over in the prime of their lives flee their homeland, whether it's cowardice or being unwilling to fight for an evil purpose. As such, we do have a population of fighting age men living skinny, trying to make their way. People from all over.

High elves put on stage shows, with their stage being a large wagon they roll through the streets. They have a schedule where they perform a half hour or so of the play, then move on to another square or garden to continue. The hope is that people will go with them when they can to see the whole play, and the play ends in the heart of the High Elf neighborhood with drink tables set up.

People my age are everywhere here, mostly working for the merchants. They haul cargo, work night jobs, and live in ratty shacks together.

The call of the military is always strong for people my age. Usually the military is just for show, to make sure everyone pays who they're supposed to, or leverages the right places. You're guaranteed a meal, and when you get out of the service, you get discounts wherever you go. Unless it's a situation like Floyd's, it might be preferable to join someone else's military if they aren't likely to attack your home. If you return a proud warrior, you're welcomed back home. If you don't come back a proud warrior, you can lie back home.

So many think of the advantages of joining, but more see the disadvantages. You're away from everyone you love for so long. You might be sent to die for no purpose in a dour moor. The great histories tell you about the valor of the great warriors who won the day and accomplished impossible feats, but what do you hear of the lonely soldier who threw everything he had into the fight and was struck down cold? Mass graves, and maybe a glass raised to them.

This is what those rotten teens become; Frontline soldiers. They can be ruthless and cruel, malleable to the will of their master. For the thrills and promise of plunder they'll march any distance and assault anyone ordered. If those teens die in battle, I couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

If there's one advantage to my affliction, it's kept me out of the service. Anyone's service. I don't know if I would kill a man. A monster, yeah. But another man like me? Who's there for a bad reason? Or an elf, or you know. I'd have to think about killing an Orc. They're kind of like people, but who knows if they can think like people? If they choose to be savage enough to attack me and mine, I could see taking them down.

I'm at my spot. Almost nobody on the trip has said anything to me, I wonder if my friends here just are busy. This is the best time of day to earn more Athels.

There are the general sounds of the market going on around me, but away off I hear a trumpet. Some teen probably got his dad's piece and is abusing the neighbors.

I hear people marching into the market, but I don't remember anything scheduled.
There's lots of conversation starting, a man near me says,

"What would the Legion be doing at this hour?"

So there's troops moving into the market and people are bored about it? Must not be anything wrong then. A triple blast from the trumpet upsets the livestock before a bellowing voice preaches,

"War is a terror and responsibility that allows us to live in peace. Civilizations do not flourish in uncertainty, and extended conflicts drain the vitality from the land. War murders the best of our generations as often as it slaughters the worst, yet we must fight. There are trespasses that must be answered, enemies internal and external that must be dealt with, and measures to be taken to ensure our continued abiding on this taken land.

The Empire lives because of the Mighty Legion. We have the strength of many nations, the force of insufferable power, and we carry the bright light of the Gods before us. The legion does not win battles by numbers or courage alone though. Our soldiers must be disciplined and skilled to fight effectively and overcome whatever obstacles may come. Without this, we would not have overcome the multitude of the Khajiit. Without this, we would not have defeated the towering Nords. The Redguards surpassed us in strength of arm, the Bretons in wealth, the Argonians in deception, the Wood Elves in stratagem, the Dark Elves in versatility, the High elves in knowledge, and the Orcs in brutality.

Yet we live in the golden age of our Empire because all these groups contribute to our glory! The ever-present symbol of the empire is our mighty Legion, here to guard and unify us!"

Strangely, a cheer rang out. I mean, he makes it sound glorious, but the recruits he picks up here are just going to be guarding outdated outposts in uncomfortable climates. Perhaps the people are just horny for killing. They can't really assign people too close to their home province or people might desert at a higher rate.

"Join us! You'll receive fine training, steady pay, and a hand in the security of the Empire!"

"You! Shut up!"

I don't know who the hell said that, but he must have balls like a brass monkey if he's going to address an Army Legionnaire like that.

"What?"
"Get off that damn platform! Get your troops out of here!"

"I beg your forgiveness Margrave Kensington," the Legionnaire growled with an angry undertone, "but this is why we've come! We're authorized to recruit soldiers ?"

"When and where I say you can! Get back to your barracks!"

The crowd stayed dead silent as the Legionnaire marched his troopers out of the market. After a minute someone ascended the creaking staircase of the platform."

"Good people! Do not think that I bear a grudge against our valiant Legion, but they have come at a most inopportune time. On initiative I sent our Lancer Cavaliers to assist the Emperor's cause in the Skyrim situation. We are short on quick troops to guard portions of the countryside. There's no reason for alarm, but your county needs your help more than your Empire does!

Don't be sent to faraway lands! Enlist with the Royal Loyal Light Lancers, and take care of your own people! We're offering enlistment bonuses, and half of your monthly pay can be directly given to you or to your family here. Come, all you capable of bearing a sword. Fight for your people!"

Oh hell. He sent too many troops somewhere and now he's just gathering the rabble? Lord Kensington must have inspired some people, if only with the enlistment bonuses. I feel the crowd shifting as people go forward.

Shades - I'm still loving this, your story stays interesting and is really well written!

Thankyou! I'm still having fun with it, but I seem to get away from writing for expanses of a week or two.




Chapter 5: The Vengeance of Kynareth


I’m ready to hear the mummers tonight, but I need to see the Cordwainer today. Funding is the ever present problem.

You’ve gotta get people’s attention. I find a place beside someone’s shop.

“Hello! Everyone! Please help if you can, I need money to buy a telescope!”

There’s a few chuckles, but people who didn’t know me there must be looking at me like I’m an idiot.

“No really! With the help of a telescope I can spy ships coming into port. Not to mention I can spy on the ladies next block over!”

A couple coins clink into my cup. This must be an easy crowd, because this ain’t my best material. I like to work with more laughs and less pity.

“Alright, you may have noticed, I’m blind. The telescope won’t help that in the strictest sense, but I happen to know the ladies love a sailor. With your help, I can trick ‘em all!

Women who love soldiers need to be a bit flexible in love, don’t they? Or else it would be a sad life, always waiting.

I don’t see what the harm is in screwing someone else if you’re thinking of your lover the whole time. People are lonely and on edge wondering if the person that means everything to them is dead or traveling farther away. The only way to stand it I think is to be intimate with someone you can’t love.”

I’m not getting so many coins now; maybe they think my intentions are less than noble. Someone says,

“So we’re giving you money to help you get a telescope so you can get laid?”

“Why, yes sir! That’s where this money is going whether I try the telescope idea or not. six is one of the most stress-relieving, beautiful and wonderful experiences that money can buy.”

Yes! I’m getting laughs! The money will be rolling in now. Another in the crowd says,

“I’ll give you some Athels, but I’d better never catch you with my wife!”

He’s good natured about it, so I keep it going.

“Certainly sir! But can you just tell me what she feels like? I can’t exactly look and make sure which one she is.”

I pause for a second to make sure they know I’m joking, but I made the groping motion when I said it. There’s another chuckle.

“Yeah I could go and try to get free ones from the ladies around, but I don’t want their husbands coming back while we’re at it. Married women and prosttutes are the passionate ones, who give you the work over you deserve! Single ladies are just holding back hoping you’ll marry them. Paying for six is cheaper all around!”

That got ‘em. I know those guys are laughingly agreeing with me while the women think I’m an amusing rube. That’s accurate.

I’ll take a seat for an hour with my arm held out.

A little more came in and I slowly passed it to my leg bag so the cup wouldn’t look too attractive to steal.

Speaking of stealing, I hear Marcel coming. Marcel lives by taking from others, but he’s no sneak. He’s quick and handy with a lock, but clumsy at times and couldn’t sneak past the dead.

“Maybe Pants here doesn’t realize how late in the day it’s getting, we’ve got to start pre-drinking for tonight!”

“Are you treating your hand like it’s your girlfriend again? I know you ain’t walking with anybody, and if you were talking with me you wouldn’t be saying ‘Maybe Pants here doesn’t know what the [censored] time is’ or some [censored].”

“What, riled up over this? Get off your ass, I’ll take you somewhere.”

He pulls me up and laugh a little at what he said. Marcel takes me down the street, but I’m not sure to where. I didn’t think there was a place down this way. I don’t care to drink alone, as it could form a bad habit, but when my friends are around it feels like the sky’s the limit.

Marcel says to me “I got this tip that one of the Darks set up a pottery operation, but he’s got a still in the back. They make Shein and sell it in pots. It evades the liquor tax that way, so we get some good quality stuff at a cut rate.”

“I always wondered how Thorley did so well in spite of that tax, he must be selling more skin than what I’d heard.”
“There’s no telling, man. Here it is.”

Marcel takes me in to make the deal. I’m only half listening because I’m fiddling around getting some money out of the bag. The Dark didn’t want to sell to us because he didn’t know Marcel would be bringing me. They talked a little about it, and in there somewhere I heard Marcel explain that I couldn’t go telling them where the operation was because I didn’t know where the hell I was. Comments like that used to sting a little, but I’m used to them now. My friend didn’t mean offense, he was only saying things like that so the guy would sell to us quicker.

Even so, it’s true. When I’m not placed where I know where I am, I’m always being led around. I don’t make the decisions on this or that, and it feels like I owe everyone a favor for helping me as much as they do. I just want there to be a time when I’m not being led around like a goat.

Marcel snaps me out of it by putting the jar into my chest. I asked him, “Could you take me by the Cordwainer’s before we get to drinking too much? I’ve gotta get my love glove fitted for tomorrow.”

“Sure man, sure. Did I tell you about what I did this last weekend?”
“Don’t believe so, not at the Pail anyway.”
“It’s a good one. There’s this yellow elf [censored] running a bar down on the North side of town who’s been running drugs out the back for awhile now. I’m not down with that, so I broke in and took some money and a couple packages of drugs. I cracked the top of his kegs of beer, and stirred in the powder. Who knew what that stuff would do? I go there the next day and buy beer out of the keg I didn’t spike, and then I sat back and watched the action.”

I’m cracking up over this, but he continues, “People were high all over the place! They keep ordering more beer, but tables are getting destroyed, people are starting to get lewd in the booths, and the damn elf was already on edge about trying to find out who took his money and drugs. Worst day of that bastard’s life!”

It’s too good. I’m amazed he could pull off something like that. Nothing I can even say to add to that, I’m just laughing and laughing.

I come around and catch my breath eventually.

“Right Marcel, lets ditch the pots and head on over to the Pail.”
“Good to go! But we don’t need to be in too big of a hurry, Relie is saving us seats up front.”

Having the Mummers come perform is different than other nights at the Pail Rider. The hokers aren’t hooking, the B-girls aren’t working, and people bring their kids out. Nobody’s really drinking to get drunk, and we’re all fascinated by the acrobats and actors.

I can just smell the incense coming from the Pail as we approach. Marcel takes me in until I can hear Relie calling out “Over here!”.

We make our way through the growing crowd to where Relie and Grantham are sitting, and I get a little surprise.

“Pants! Marcel! Sit with us!”

That was Evangeline calling out, and Marcel whispers to me, “She’s sitting with Jennessa, you’ve gotta introduce me to her.”

Jennessa is one of the bartenders, but I didn’t know Marcel had been looking at her. This could be a nicer night that I thought. Grant and Relie understood, and kept the seats in case Floyd and Virene could make it.

I sat down right between Jennessa and Evangeline. I put my arm around J and said, “Darling bartender, this is one of the greatest guys I know. Marcel, this is the clumsiest bartender I know.”

She pulls back and smacks me lightly, “Hey! I only spilled drinks on you three times!”

Marcel jumps in, “And he can’t even complain, he likes the smell!”

The girls laugh a little and Marcel takes a seat on the other side of Jennessa.

Evangeline nudges me and said, “Hey Pants, they’re starting.”

You're back! Another great addition! To me this line stood out deeply:



Awesome line!


*

:mohawk:







They're starting and I don't have a beer in hand. I might get the shakes. There's no way of knowing if the play is starting right this second, or if I can motion someone for a drink.

Evangeline must have seen it. She leans in to talk over the crowd, "You can have Jennessa's beer when it comes. I'm sure she'll want Marcel to buy her one."

I'm smiling ear to ear. Evangeline is the perfect woman. Then she says, "The next round is on you."

Ha! But that's fair. Still smiling.

"Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen!" said Thorley in a booming voice.

"We have for you this evening some glorious entertainment! From all over Tamriel comes this wonderful act which will astound your eyes and astonish your mind! Redguard Ale is half-price tonight and shots are three for the price of two! Now ready yourselves for the wonders about to unfold!

With a cheer from the audience the band starts up with a lively tune, and I can hear the acrobats jumping out onto the stage. I imagine them bounding through the air with colorful costumes and bells on their toes, like the ones from my childhood. Though there are no bells to be heard; perhaps they don't do that anymore.

I feel the heat from a blast of flame, they have firebreathers inside? That might be dangerous in this building, I think it would light up quick. There's a light thump thump before the crowd cheered again. Jugglers?

After this opening when it seems like everyone came out to show something of what they can do, the music settles in with a friendly beat and several of the acrobats are dancing. The crowd ooos and ahhs when something special happens, and I know they change it up when I can hear everyone clapping.

Streamers they wave make a special sound, and they are floating through the air all around. Some acrobats make a sound of "Ehh-Hooop!" when they throw someone high.

I get a sense of what's going on whenever they are doing something but I'm not always sure. The sounds can be so strange at times, and the smell is fairly constant. The part that really shines for me is when they get to the story.

After half an hour of several acts I hear an older man walk out and say "I am the great wizard Fantastico! Behold how I levitate this fork!" From the reaction of the crowd, he must really be levitating a fork.

"My powers are great, but all I can levitate is silverware!"

I hear the sounds of silverware clinking together, he must be doing all that mid air with them.

"And I can frost your way!"

It must have been planned. Someone slipped on it and shouted, "Oww! My butt!"

The wizard again spoke, "I am a mighty and dangerous man! See how I summon the daedra!"

There must have been a box near the stage that they let a dog out from. It barks, then an acrobat yells out, "Evil daedra! Evil daedra!" as he scampers away. Perhaps the dog was in costume?

Shenanigans continue until the music winds down. People clap as I hear someone else walk out onto the stage.

Someone speaks, "The story is old, the teller is too! Settle in folks, you'll know its all true!"

I imagine him as a clever old man with sharp features and a small stature from his voice. He sounds quick and smart.

"It begins with our Lady Kynareth!"

The lady walks out and everyone claps. I can't imagine how she's dressed, what do you expect a God to wear? Hopefully a bikini.

"The days of our Lady are eternal, but the work of her hands always needs tending. She created our lands and placed us upon them. The animals were created to be our servants, with her favorites being the lovely birds."

I hear the flapping of wings and the squawk of chickens.

"In the days of old, our Lady would walk the land enjoying the beauty of the woods, the splendor of the skies, and the tranquility of the sea. She could float from place to place meeting groups of her people in the fields and cities. The Lady would say to them?"

And the voice of the woman spoke "Treasure these gifts I bring, and marvel! Be kind to my land, and it will produce food in abundance. Take only what you need of the trees and you will have shade and you can fly like the falcon. Conserve the hunt of the animals, and you will have their strength and speed. Be good to each other, and you will have an eternal brotherhood between you, and peace for all ages. Disease won't touch you, wars won't claim you, there will be no sadness anymore!"

Others walk onto the stage to demonstrate their abilities from Kynareth's power. One runs quickly around the stage, another I hear grunting and it sounds like he's picking up heavy objects. The players begin to sing, each about their different lifestyle and how they live in harmony and union with each other and the land around them. A few come out dressed as animals doing their bear growls and dreugh whinnies, or bird chirping.

The narrator picks up again, "They lived in a beautiful paradise, unlike the world they had known before! And though life was better here in every way, some still remembered the old days and did not celebrate the new life.

One such was Kynareth's beautiful daughter Mephala. Mephala!" he shouted, and from the crowd's reaction I think she walked out.

"Mephala was the most beautiful of the daughters of Kynareth, and the most adored! Despite this, she was not satisfied with the gift her mother gave the people. She longed for the freedom of the time of tumult where she could act as she pleased and see people at their worst. The peace had ruined her play!"

Mephala made hisses and snarls as she walked around the stage, looking at people I think.

"What is this? There's no excitement, no violence! In peace there is nothing for me to enjoy!

The dreariness of my life now is unending? How can mother do this for people? I must change them. I must put it back"

The narrator picked up where she left off, and said "So Lady Mephala dressed in her mother's raiment, and floated to and fro the cities of men. She told the people?"

"The forests are for you to use! Cut them all down without fear, I will raise them up again! Use your strength and speed to hunt all the animals down! I can always make more."

"With these foul words, she sparked greed in the hearts of the people. Elves would hunt animals to extinction. Men would cut and slash through trees. They would take more and more in stockpiles, losing the trust that their Lady Kynareth would provide for them. People plotted and schemed against their fellow towns, and soon, war erupted. It began with the simplest of things; a rock being thrown at a farmer. It grew. They fashioned their farm tools into weapons, they used their strength to crush each other, they used their flight to assault far away enemies, and they used their speed to take what they wanted."

"Kynareth had been away, but she returned to see the slaughter."

Kynareth said, "Do you know what it is you destroy? For the love wealth you use your greatest gifts to harm each other! For the hate of your brother, you decimate his family! How can this be?"

"But someone knew! The birds see all! The Canah approached Lady Kynareth and said, "I saw it all milady! It appeared to be you who told them to have greed, but it was your daughter Mephala!"

"My own daughter Mephala has done this? The light of my life has brought me low. How can she bring the fruit of my labor to ruin all around me this way?"

She paces the stage a little.

"Curses! Curses! I will speak with the men and elves!

Curse the treachery that afflicts us! For the transgression you impose, shall your women weep for their husbands! Your mothers will weep for their sons! Your castles will crumble for the evil you have made, and all the works of your hand will be reversed! Damned will be your name and your image, we will remember you no more!"

The narrator with a smooth voice interjects, "But wait milady, what do I see? There riding is a pure knight of virtue! He has not fouled himself with Mephala's temptations like these others, he will stand for you!"

"Indeed he hasn't. A pure knight? Perhaps all is not lost."

I love your story. Your writing is excellent. I like how you're descriptive to where I can see it, but its plain that your character cannot. Really good work :icecream:

Loved the last chapter! Keep it up!

What Jacki Dice said " ditto "

Thankyou much everyone! It turns out that I didn't get enough done in this chapter, so hopefully just this one will be one section longer.




"Kynareth descended upon the forest clearing where the pure knight prayed."

Kynareth spoke coyly, "My dearest knight, I find you alone. How came you to this place?"

In a calm, sure voice he responded, "I came to pray to you my Lady, with all the love in my heart."

"In these days of tumult, you follow the old ways?"

"They proclaim a new love milady, but I only desire your true ideals. The new proclaimments are not the Lady Nirmeter I know."

"I have come to bless you. You have followed me truly. I cannot bring myself to harm my daughter, so I will need you to restore my name in the cities, forests, and fields. Tell my people what they have done, and show them how to live. You will be my Paladin. You will mark my symbol on your shield and on your heart. Come unto me."

They're quiet for a moment. I hear some cloth falling to the floor.

He'd dropped a piece of armor. And another. Oh yeah! They're getting it on!

Well, they can't just actually "do stuff" in front of the children, but it's great to have a show where a God has a fling with some guy. It shows they really care about our needs.

After some positively exciting sounds, she exits and he puts his pants back on. Armor too. He says, "I have found my goal in life! Let every day be spent in toil for my Lady's sake!"

The narrator jumps in, "So he left the sanctuary of his clearing and rode out to meet the people. He preached the love of his Lady, and showed them goodness wherever he went! The people were hard, but he endured!"

"Good people! Put away the wickedness of your heart, and return to the true God!" exclaimed the Paladin. He paced from place to place, saying,

"You must see how what you were told was false! A powerful force has tricked you, saying she held the word of Kynareth. The taste of greed this woman has given you is an abomination! You are meant to farm and hunt as you need, that there may always be plenty! Nirmeter gave you the strength and agility of the animals so you may benefit from then, never so you could use them to harm your fellows! Turn back your hearts, or all is lost!"

Players onstage said, "Ahh, AHH!" at the sound of his words. Some with a cry of guilt, others with a sound of anger.

One said, "How can this be that you're right? We saw the lady come here and tell us! She wore the raiment of Our Lady, and she had a remarkable beauty unmatched by mortals!"

The Paladin cleared his throat and spoke, "This you have seen was, in fact, not Our Lady. It was her daughter, Mephala. Her beauty is unnatural, only matched by her treachery! She has conspired against Nirmeter, the eternal Kynareth!"

After more reactions from the players, the Narrator said, "And so he traveled preaching, until those that believed him went to their places, and those that despised him gathered together. From all the lands came people who would kill him as a false prophet! While they assembled against him in their multitudes, he gathered the strength of the Lady. He took upon him the Feet of Notorgo, the Strength of the Orcs, and the Untiring Fire within his heart."

The Paladin said, "I pray, my Lady, that I will be the last forever that will have to fight to return your world to peace!"

With that, he gave a battle cry and charged in. While they clanked wooden swords together, the Narrator described the battle. Toward the end he said,

"And though the knight fought valiantly for a week, his enemies slowly brought him low."

Kynareth entered the stage again and spoke,

"No! No."

She stamps her foot, "This is not how my Paladin will end. Bring doctors! Cure him quickly that he may continue!"

"Oh-ay-oh!" said someone, with two short bursts of the horn.

"Someone-ah call for da doctors?"

"Treat my Paladin! All shall not be lost!"

"Let's see-uhh, problems and problems! He's bleeding, so we must bleed the badness out of him so he can stop-ah the bleeding. The head is hurt, so we must-a bandage the foot! His body is tired, so we must not let him rest!"

The crowd laughs as he does these things, knowing that he is faking his skill so the enemy will be tricked. He must be faking it, or Kynareth will kill that idiot.

With a strong shout, the Paladin exclaims, "Ahh! I am strong again!"

With that statement, Kynareth shouts, "Rise my people, Rise! Spite their false worship, cut their faces! Make it known who has betrayed their God!"

A player asks, "With strength like this, how shall we ever defeat him? Run brothers, run!"

You can hear them all scampering to and fro, and the few I still hear on stage must be hiding behind things.

The Paladin proclaimed, "My enemies run and hide from my visage. I dedicate my life to hunting them, and with me I will bring these doctors! By the blade of the enemy innocents may suffer, and when they do, the doctors shall heal their wounds. While evil may not be banished, the Paladins will always be here to drive it back!"

Even the crowd cheered some. They really have a goodwill toward the Paladins of Kynareth who fight wars for the sake of peace.

Lady Kynareth returns to the stage, with a shrieking Mephala in tow. Kynareth says, "Lord Akatosh! Our daughter Mephala has played the treacherous [censored] with my people! Cast her out of Aetherius that she may live with her plots and betrayal!"

Akatosh roared, and Mephala said, "A curse upon you all! I will afflict your people forever with my sinister will! They will hunt and kill each other as always, and I'll be there!"

With a dramatic screech she ran from the stage.

The narrator wraps up the play saying,

"So it was, my children, and so it is! Mephala now plots, and Kynareth strives for peace and harmony with our world. Let you take it into your hearts, this story of the Gods and Paladin, that we may always strive for peace while being watchful toward those who would destroy us!

Peace unto you, goodnight!"






Shades says: I'd like to make it clear that I don't think Mephala is Kynareth's daughter, but this town of Bretons sorta believe that. I don't think the daedra are very well defined for the average peasant, but they have a general sense that they are powerful beings. This story says to them that the daedra are the cast out children of the gods, and therefore lesser than the gods.

- Awesome Shades!

Not only is this really picking up the pace now, but it's getting very creative and very, very interesting. You have a really unique approach to this, and I'm loving it. The character's are getting explored thouraghly, the premise is getting more widespread, and some of the touches you use just make me grin with delight whilst reading it. Consider my earlier queries about where it was going well and truly answered.

Awesome, simple as that.

More please!!!

:tops:

Thankyou both! It's getting easier to write as the pieces fall into place as well, I have a better grip on how to get to where I'm going. Major things happen in chapter six though, so I think I'll wait to post any of it till I've written the whole thing and half of chapter seven. Good things soon I hope.






Ha! I loved it. It feels like that's the way it should be. The good knights are tough, and the bad guys are cowardly. It's hard to believe though that people gave up their paradise so long ago for nothing better at all. Ancient people are such idiots. Always doing stupid things.

The show is over, but the night isn't. Mummers stay in town a day or two after a show so they can sell their services to the townsfolk. If people are having a birthday party or something they can hire a juggler. Even if they are having it later, they can pay him extra to stay longer and he can catch up with the Mummer's wagons on the road. Thorley is kind enough to let them work at the Pail for tips until they leave if they have no better prospects.

There's something to be said though about the women they bring with them. Everyone here is anxious for a different flavor of lady once in awhile. You wouldn't believe how much people would pay to sleep with a Khajiit. Me too, but I can't afford the good type of sleeping with them. We don't meet in the middle I mean. At the end of the evening after she's gone with all the guys she's going to that night, I pay a smaller price to cuddle up with a Khajiit in bed. They're warm and wonderful.

"Well how 'bout them actors, Lowell?"

That's the old grandma Truly. As in, Truly ridiculous.

She continues, "I love those High Elven actors, don't you? They have poise! And they always wear the most handsome costumes, they really look good in them. Those outrageous pieces of fake jewelry they wear for these parts just sets me aback! Who could think to wear such a thing? And what person would?"

I'm actually surprised as hell that she didn't call out loud during the show, she's always shouting out what she's thinking during other events at the Pail. Perhaps the story of the Paladin was just so moving that her mouth had to stop. I've gotta find out someday how her husband Lowell puts up with all that talking.

Her chipper voice moves farther away, I think she wanted to hug the High Elves so she could cop a feel. I wonder what Lowell thinks about that. He doesn't talk really ever, what if he's only in her mind? Maybe he died long ago and she just doesn't feel like quitting her job of yakking his ear off. Great old gal, but she tends to forget what she tells you and comes back around in the conversation every fifteen minutes.

These stories get a little more epic every time they tell them. Perhaps he didn't have to fight all his enemies in the world at once, but he had to have taken on scores of them. You've gotta make it exciting for the children though, these tales stick with them.

When folks bring their children out they set them up on the bar to watch. The older ones at times steal drinks or tips and a waitress goes chasing after them. I'm betting they just want her to tackle them, wish I'd thought of that trick as a kid. Hot waitress tackling you is like a free feel that Thorley would make you pay for.

Evangeline is still here, and I buy us the next round. Marcel is still sitting close enough, trying to impress Jennessa by speaking Argot. He claims it's a real language, I say he's full of crap. Thieves are supposed to use it to hide their plans from casual listeners; he's probably thinking she likes the dangerous types.

E leans over to talk above the crowd, "I saw you out there with the children earlier."

"Oh you did?"

"You seemed so good with the kids, and I thought, 'This can't be right. He's always seemed laid back and irresponsible before.' I suspect something darker about it."

Ok, I've had the kids help me hide some of Virene's stuff before for a prank, but there's no way Evangeline was there or she would'a stopped me. Then there was that time when-

"I think you're convincing the children while they're young that you're a good guy so when they grow to be teenagers, they don't piss on you like the others."

"Sinister I know."

She let out a beautiful laugh, and I laughed with her.

"If I don't break their habits early, then I'll have to get better at dodging their bladder bursts."

"It's adorable to see you with them. Several don't have their dads around and it's like you've stepped right in to teach them about life. If those older kids had had you around, they might not be looking to join any army that comes along."

"Times are tough all over, and I love the kids, Geor and Raddin especially. I think sometimes how awesome it would be to have kids like that around all the time."

"Geor really looks up to you, and not just for your height! I live near his mother, and I've seen him run right out to find you after his work is done for the day."

This is kind of uncomfortable. It's strange to hear people say nice things about me. Not that I'm expecting vile things said about me at the Pail, but we're all on a level here and the guys don't go around slathering each other in compliments. This is practically touching.

I ask, "Can I buy you another? You say the nicest things."

"Ooo, I'd better not. I have to rest up for tomorrow."
"Are you coming to the next part of Adventure Weekend tomorrow?"
"No, I was excited for it, but something came up that I have to do."

"Can I walk you home then?"
"I'd like that. Thankyou."

She always sounds so sweet when she talks that way. We wave goodbye to our friends and walk out into the night air.

Evangeline takes my hand to bring me with her, but it's as if we're walking together and not her leading me around. She gives me a little squeeze every now and then.

After a minute or two of walking, she pulls me to the side of the street and said in a whisper,

"Pants, stay quiet. I see a man and a woman over there."

I heard something a little earlier, but it didn't sound like much. Are they waiting to ambush someone? Why is Evangeline whispering and stopping us? I'm not sure I care, she's pressed up against me.

Again in a whisper,

"They've just come from the Pail and they're drunk. The woman has her legs wrapped around the man and is kissing him while he walks back to his place. She's one of the players from the show!"

"What's she doing now?"

"She's taking off his clothes while they walk, and hers as well! It looks like he's deciding which things he needs to go back for and which to leave. It's hilarious to see him bending over to pick up his coin purse while she's wrapped all around him."

"I know I'm impressed. Whoever heard of fun like that? He's probably in for the time of his life."

"I'm amazed at how much fun they're having. They're far enough away now, let's keep going."

We continue on, and soon she leans her head on my shoulder. I walk on happily, hoping nothing ruins this for us. Maybe she's just being nice, but I'm desperate to believe we have a chance.

After climbing the last few stairs to her porch, I give her a hug. I can't risk offending her by trying for a kiss, and I'd miss anyway.

I say, "Thanks for saving me a seat tonight. I had a great time."

"I loved it all. Goodnight, Pants."

And she kissed me on the cheek. I smiled, and she went inside. I can't imagine how, but things are going right for me for once.

I love Pants' perspective on things. Brilliantly written!

Now that is what I like to hear! Great write, as usual!

Hope you love this next chapter too! It's a fun one.

Thanks! We're moving into new territory.




Chapter 6: Adventure Weekend


I'm expecting the best six ever tonight.

There must be a reason for religion beyond asking for petty favors on a weekly basis. We've gotta talk to the Gods to tell them our opinions on how they've done. Who knows if they still check up, but often we can't take that chance.

A God had to have made the Orcs, and whoever that was, they screwed up big time. What I want is to find the one that made women.

Have we really found anything better? Armies will march for the sake of a woman! The meanest scrooge's heart will melt at a wink from a young cutie. There'd be no chivalry at all if not for the love of ladies.

How are you supposed to even decide what you love best? The sweet sound of their voices when they call for you? What mysteries they can whisper at a moment's notice. The beauty of their faces when they smile? There's no light like it. The smell they wear when they approach you? Intoxicating like a rare flower. Their touch? Their touch?

Adventure weekend isn't just having the mummers come by, there's always the next evening while they're still in town that Thorley puts together a six show.

We're not a town of rubes who rarely sees a six show; it's not like watching two people go for it is what makes this a good time. For a price, you get a woman to yourself at the Pail. For a little less, you have her in a room with a few extra chairs for observers. Some folks have fun enough watching.

Sometimes the prosttutes might be coughing while we're at task, and that's off-putting to some people. I think the standard thing to do must be to be a little disgusted and to try to avoid getting sick or something, but am I going to cure my lust for the night that way? You get a discount on lays when the girls aren't up to par.

What sets this weekend apart and makes it special is that there's an event to it. Everyone comes to see the participants go at it in the main hall of the Pail, not in some back room where they fumble around in the low light.

This is the time for epic displays and the oddest fantasies to be brought out into the open. One of my favorites lately was when the two were suspended with a small harness from the ceiling in the center, and others would pull them up and around with ropes. They'd swing around the place, between the balconies and such, chasing each other and swooping in to grab toys off the ground, or stripping the clothing off each other as they passed. They finished suspended in the middle of the room, swinging and crying out in pleasure. Ahh, that must be so exciting.

I might be in for a greater time than that, but Thorley better not have me swinging from the [censored] roof. He said it would just be me and her out there, not one of those five on five matches or something. The word is, the girl coming in is a pro from Daggerfall. I've heard those south Bretons know a thing or two.

I've been over to the Cordwainer's to get my love glove for tonight. The advantages are obvious, but there are a few disadvantages. For one, it's pretty awkward to get it sized. Two, even though they are well made they aren't surefire. They wear out, and a spendthrift might try to use it a time too many and create a mistake. Third, there's a certain loss of enjoyment. And you've gotta have it in place before you're ready.

Thorley made it clear that I had to show up early to get in costume. Costumes are a good idea, better if I knew what they were of. If we're dressing as rabbits for some joke about screwing like rabbits, I'm pulling out.

The door of the Pail Rider is just up here. I need to pump myself up a bit.

To get in on a show, you pay into a fund that hires the outside talent. People who pay in get their name in a drawing; for this weekend, I won. They draw the name right there in the bar after the last weekend is held. I've been anticipating this for three months now.

Jumping twice and rolling my neck around, I open the door,

"I need some help over here!"
"What do you need?"
"Sorry Marcel, you have the wrong genitalia for this job. I need six! Someone bring me some six!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, our victim of the evening has arrived!"

Marcel's always spotting me first when I arrive there. From the sound, there's not a lot gathered yet, but they're laughing.

He leads me a little, saying,

"We've got Jennessa putting you together behind in this room back here. She's working the bar tonight, but we'll get to watch once it starts. Good luck buddy"

"Hey wait man, what's the getup tonight?"

"I haven't heard. Get back there and find out."

I swagger forward hoping I don't hit the doorframe.

"Here you are!" Jennessa's a quick one.

"I was told you were to dress me."
"Sure am! Come in here and get naked."

Never were there sweeter words.

She scrubs me down with a wet rag before she says, "Hold still now, I'm going to paint you."

"We need our portraits done before we go in there?"
"Warpaint. The theme tonight is 'Battle of the sixes', and we got you some old gladiator gear."

"What? I'm supposed to beat up a chick? I think it's pretty clear that I'm a lover, not a fighter. And I'm a damn good lover!"
"No, silly. It's a play fight. Your weapon is a paddle. Play it sixy."

I'm amused by this already. She put the leather skirt on me now and the leather chest straps. It occurs to me that I need the love glove in place before we get too much farther. Starting time is near.

"Hey Jenn, get the leather piece there out of my leg bag."
"Oh yeah, here you go."

She was kneeling already, tying my shoes after I stepped into them. I say to her, "I'll put it in place, but I need you to help get me started here. Run your hand up my leg slowly."

"I don't think you need that help. You're skinny enough that if you doesn't have wood all the time, your pants would fall down."

She left the room and Thorley gave me the business.

- ROFL !!! ( * choke * ) Hilarious as usual, well written as always!!

Thank you for this reminder why I voted for your fan-fic.... :rofl: loveglove...... :rofl:

More! I demand more! Nice story, I like the flow of events- not to slow to become obnoxiously pedantic but not too fast either. You, my good sir, have crafted a pretty story :goodjob:

We're really rockin' now!





"We've got a real beauty in store for you, Pants. She actually came in today wearing the gladiator suit. Black hair and pale skin, the gem of Daggerfall. Of course as a showman, she's got a few tricks up her sleeve to entertain the crowd. What you've gotta do is keep up with what she'd doing, and for the first three quarters of it, keep the fight going. You're going to finish each other at some point, but drag it out. The floor is clear except for a bed in the center. Give the people what they want."

I can handle that. I say,

"So is one of us supposed to win? Do I lay her out on the bed and go for it?"

"It's not that scripted, son. This isn't some choreographed fight; this really is a battle of the sixes. If you lose, she might [censored] you. You'd better do a good job."

Well now I'm nervous. Thanks a lot, Thorley.

"Have you moved any on that plan to give us frequent customers a discount on the girls?"

"Like I need your plans. We've got enough trouble around here as it is. I've been haggling all afternoon with the ship captain who was told not to sell his beer for less than some ungodly price per barrel. There was some trouble arranging tonight even. Then you've got goof-piece over here bumping into stuff behind the bar as she tries to dance to the music while she serves. Little Jennessa."

He was waiting for some response, but I just smiled. He asked,

"So where were you last night after the show? I didn't see you head upstairs with anyone."

"That's so far back I can't remember. Probably saving up for tonight."

"Good, good. Sanguine is here to drown us nightly! The spirits take us!"

Thorley got up to leave the room.

"Hey wait, Thorley! How do I know when to do what with her?"
"When in doubt, [censored]!"

This will be the cream of the crop. So many women in the late hours offer to slobber all over my genitals, as if I would pay them for their shoddy work! Now's the night for someone who knows what she's doing.

Jennessa comes back in, I like her smell.

"You want a glass of wine?"
"What is this, breakfast?"
"I thought it would be more romantic."
"Tonight is anything but romance. Line 'em up."

Just enough to get the heart going.

"Take this shield, Pants. It has the symbol of manhood upon it. Here's the paddle too."

"Wait, what weapons is she going to use?"
"A three headed short whip. She's looking good over there in the back. Normally we blindfold the guy so he first sees the girl when he gets on the floor?"

"Not that I want to break your tradition, but I think people know I don't need that."

She lines me up just so, but I'm not in the main room. I don't think someone else is nearby; the chick must be starting on the other side.

The Patrons are out there getting loud. I hear someone rapping on the wooden rails out there.

With a trumpet's blast, Thorley shouts,

"Ladies and gentlemen! For the entertainment tonight, we're going to show you the ongoing battle between the sixes! This is a knock-down, drag-out, fight with no rules and no-one to stop the action! They may not fornicate if they kill each other, they might not kill each other if they fornicate! No telling on a night like tonight.

From the left, our paragon of manliness. Standing at six-foot-two with a hundred and sixty pounds of wiry muscle, The Masculine Monster!"

God, I hope he means me.

I'm not waiting to find out. I strut onto the floor, raising my weapons to the sky. When I reach the middle, I swing the paddle around and beat my shield with it. The men cheer, some women cheer, and other women boo me. I'd like another shot about now.

"Facing him tonight, from the right, our ball breaker! Standing at five-foot-four with a hundred and thirty pounds of sublime sixiness, The Femme Fatale!"

Despite the crowd I can hear the thin heels of her boots clicking on the floor.

Everyone clapped and cheered for her. Really, really loud. I think they picked their winner. Either that, or they're all jealous I get the fun with her. I'll make them really jealous.

She said,

"Who is this you brought? To be a battle of the sixes, you should have brought a real man!"
"What about you? How am I supposed to get going on this if there's only one of you? I deserve a shot at three, just to even the odds. And then there's the fighting?"

The crowd laughs or cheers a little with everything we say, I can tell that some are already wasted. We wait appropriately for them to be quiet enough to continue. Her voice sounds different than the way I think a Breton normally talks, but it doesn't sound like a western accent. It must just be a stage voice.

With a click click she begins pacing in a circle. No problem for me, I'll stay around the outside of the bed and judge where the crowd is sitting nearby.

"As if we'd let you loose on three women. That would be too much disappointment in one night."
"No no, they'd just have to walk funny all the next day."

"Oh, such ego! Tell me this, male. Why are your genitals on the outside? That's ridiculous. Just open for attack."
"Yeah, say that when I punch you in your genitals! You tricksters and your fake orgisms!"

"We fake them because you fake foreplay! You chauvinist pig!"
"You know what's worse than a chauvinist pig? A woman that won't do what she's told!"

"Ahh! What's that useless tissue at the end of the dike? A man!"
"Yeah, yeah, you know when a woman is about to say something smart? She starts with 'A man once told me?'"

"At least we outlive your worthless asses!"
"Men die first because they need the escape!"

"Men are only horny when they're breathing."
"Shut your mouth or I'm gonna [censored] it!"

She lets out a warcry, and comes at me.

ROFL !!! And a cliffhanger too! More, More!

Funniest chapter EVER!!! I spotted a typo but can't see it anymore 'cause I'm wiping the tears from my eyes :rofl:
I'll quote my favourite sentences:



This one had me in stitches:


The whole thing is full of brilliant, hilarious remarks. A bright spot in a further rather dreary day, Thank you!