Just in case if you were wondering why I let Jon get captured, this chapter will explain everything!
Extra Chapter: Every new (+10$) Patron or PayPal
Extra Chapter: 5000 Votes
Extra Chapter: 8000 Votes
~~~~~~~~~~
*Winterhold*
Alina was still in a dazed state of what happened yesterday. She met someone (or something) that she never ever dreamt of meeting before. That was obviously Gleam. A part of the Cult of Kyne, that is known as [Guardians of the Grove] and resided in Kynesgrove, had tales about a Legendary God-like being that lives in the Eldergleam Sanctuary who shown herself in history barely once or twice but the tales are still there.
Known to have some God-like powers, that being was always associated with Kyne and the sanctuary was always treated as a sacred place. The origin of the name 'Eldergleam' was unknown but to think that the spirit of the tree itself was called Gleam.
Well, Alina was petrified when she met Gleam. She fainted and woke up while being tended to by Gleam herself.
Gleam was a very beautiful being with wide green eyes and brown hair surrounded by a mystic aura that can't belong to a mortal. Her petite appearance and curious wide eyes didn't reflect her true age of being the oldest known being on Tamriel.
It was a traumatic experience in many ways. Alina was always a fangirl of the Spirits of Nirn and dreamt that she can one day meet with one of those Faeries. Still, the idea that the most ancient tree in the land was actually a Faerie made Alina question the existence of the universe and the meaning of life.
Still, the meeting wasn't all that bad. Alina benefited a lot by simply talking with Gleam.
Out of all things in the world, Gleam knew about Jon and assured Alina that he is alive. More so, she explained Jullanar's situation to Alina and told her that the 'Twilight Rose' is watching over both Jon and Jullanar. The 'Twilight Rose' is of course the Daedric Prince Azura.
Alina couldn't wait to fly back on Lokthur and spread the news in Winterhold but she regained her sanity and started to think of how to decisively retrieve both Jon and Jullanar. Sadly, Gleam couldn't interfere with Jon's Labour and started to explain the meaning of the Labours to Alina.
She was rather shocked when she learned that Jon bore such a burden alone without telling anyone. She knew about Jon facing a problem with some Daedric Prince and he said that he will resolve it but for that to be Azura of all the Daedra! It was shocking. Azura can be argued to be one of the top dogs in Oblivion despite her benevolent image and offending such a Daedra can worsen the relationship between Winterhold and the large population of Dark Elves that worship Azura.
No wonder Jon kept the matter under the rugs.
"Worrying about him is pointless. He is already recovering his power and planning to get back at his enemies. If you want to go to him, I'll aid you." That was what Gleam said.
Apparently, Gleam has taken a liking on both Jon and Alina and she mentioned something about Nefertiti too being a similar race to hers. Alina couldn't make heads and tails of the way Gleam spoke in but she couldn't help but worry about Jon and miss him. She wanted to be with him no matter the cost.
"You do not need to worry, Elder Gleam. I know Jon alright and will find a way to reach him." Alina said.
"Not with those eyes of yours. Don't you feel like losing control over the power you have?" Gleam dropped a bomb on Alina's head.
Alina was shocked and couldn't muster a word to reply with. Contrary to her expectation, Gleam offered help.
"The trinket that the boy made for you is quite useful but you are getting more powerful. I can help."
"Please!"
Alina was desperate for help. It was true, her eyes got stronger and the [Fire Keeper Mask] was barely suppressing her eye powers. Her eye may out of control and accidentally kill someone, that was how strong her eyes were.
"Very well."
Gleam floated in the air and flew to her body which is the tree then took a leaf and a branch.
"Careful!" Alina was flustered as she saw someone break their own body.
"Here you go. Eat this." Gleam offered the leaf to Alina.
[A/n: Why am I thinking of 'All Might'?]
"What is that?"
"What do you think it is, silly? A leaf!"
"Isn't this… awkward? Getting your hair… I mean leaf eaten?"
"Why is that? It happens all the time?"
"Oh! Yes… I see you are… a tree after all! Haha! A person and a tree… why does that sound awkward all of a sudden?"
It was too much for Alina's brain, stress then shock and now confusion! It was exhausting.
"What will this leaf do?" She asked.
"You will be carrying my presence on you and that will be enough to make you powerful enough to stop the 'Blessing of the Dreamweaver'."
"TRULY?"
Alina couldn't believe she is ridding herself from the curse on her eyes even though Gleam just called it a blessing. It was true, if a blessing is too powerful then it is a curse.
"It is true. You can finally free yourself from the blindfold."
Alina was thrilled to hear the news and agreed immediately.
Once she ate the leaf, changes started to happen. She felt a strong surge of energy in her Energy Center she sat down and started circulating her energy to consume it. Her pupils that were fixed in a vertical slit shape turned back to normal round pupils
Gleam kept watching what Alina was doing in wonder and could tell that the leaf that she gave to Alina was being consumed at a rapid rate.
While doing so, Alina's skin turned red and normal a few times in the span of a few hours until she opened her eyes again.
She was mystified by the feeling. One leaf of the Eldergleam shot her level to 'Level 7, Jade Skin stage'.
This was really some unexpected harvest. She was not sure about her eyes but jumping up a few levels in one day is something rare.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she had to endure one hour of Gleam talking about various stuff. In the end, Gleam offered the branch she took with the leaf.
It was a straight and big branch enough to craft a cane but it is a branch from Eldergleam herself. This was no ordinary branch. If Alina's guess is correct, this branch can break Wulfur's best swords. The Eldergleam is an existence older than any metal on Nirn after all, it was impossible to harm it by normal means.
"What is this branch for?" Alina asked.
"It is a branch? What do you mortals do with branches?" Gleam asked.
"No idea. I think a bow can be a good choice."
"Oh! I see, you are not the creative one. Fine, take it to the boy and he will have an idea what to do with it. Tell him it is a gift."
"To Jon… fine."
Alina thanked Gleam a thousand time and headed off the sanctuary holding the branch and the [Fire Keeper Mask] in her hands like a kid going out of a toy store. Once Lokthur saw her, he landed but kept looking at her with hesitation.
It was the first time he sees his owner in the eye so the gryphon was still trying to rope its bird brain around the situation. Alina decided to turn the [Fire Keeper Mask] into the [Storm Rage Crown]. It still can amplify her magic and eye powers greatly.
Hopping on Lokthur's back, she flew back to Winterhold.
This all happened yesterday and she can accept it with an open mind. She arrived at Winterhold late and went to bed as no one was up when she came home but when she woke up, why on Nirn was there a tiny Gleam sleeping next to her?
***
*Between the Reach and Falkreath Holds - Black Bone Clan Hidden Cave*
Screams and wails echoed as blood and guts spilled on the ground. Many men were holding their shields up trying to protect the others behind them who controlled the undead. The Black Bone clan was being invaded and its men were being slaughtered.
None in the Black Bone clan could ever think that their family that held on for thousands of years and thrived in the late 200 years would face annihilation on this day. Their defenses crumbled and their ancestral cave was besieged.
The women and children managed to sneak away from the back of the cave and the men had to buy enough time for them to escape.
Ever since that chaos started in the Reach 3 months ago, those bloody Firemanes were bound to appear to look for their relative, Jon Dare. Still, not in anyone's wildest dreams could they imagine the most infamous Firemane to come knocking on their door without even asking questions.
It was her. The worst living killer among the clans, the [Bloody Hilda].
'What brought that nightmare here?'
Hilda was infamous with her bloodthirst. She killed many people following the events of the chase that Skyrim's clans cooperated with the Thalmor after her. Her vengeance was bloody and she dyed the sea with blood for five years until the Firemanes themselves had to put an end to it. Following these events, she was said that she has put down her axe and settled somewhere at the end of the world yet here she is, as bloody as twelve years ago and with her battleaxe at hand and her infamous crew that has sworn a blood oath to serve her and her family at her back.
She was that famous.
The only reason why they can think she would come for them was because of the attack they initiated at the Firemanes with Bloodsails more than a year ago. It was Jon Dare who managed to sabotage their plans back then so it was natural that they wanted vengeance and so they were visited by the Firemanes.
"Hrolf Black Bone! You know why I am here."
Hilda spoke and her voice echoed.
An elderly man wearing armor stepped forwards from the ranks of the defenders and the skirmish was halted.
"Bloody Hilda! I know why you are here. We don't have the Firemane boy. Leave us, damn you!" The man replied.
"If you don't have him then you know where he is. Why on Nirn did you mobilize your clansmen the day he disappeared. You are into that plot! Who's after it, you pile of old bones?" Hilda had her own scenario into her head.
"We didn't ambush they boy. We don't even have business with him. Ask the Forsworn, we only moved because they moved." Hrolf Black Bone was desperate. He knew the result of the fight.
"Don't make me get you, Black Bone. Say it or I am sending you all here to Oblivion."
"Lord Molag Bal as my witness, I didn't even know anything." Hrolf swore in his God's name.
The Black Bone clan was a Daedra worshipping hidden clan after all. Much like cults but less harmful because of the blood bonds that tie them.
"I don't care about your Daedra. Swear to me on your son's life." As she said so, Hilda's crew dragged a warrior in his thirties right beside Hilda.
It was Hrolf's son, Hjor. He was accompanying the women and children who escaped the siege.
"... No!" Hrolf's face turned ashen pale not trying to think of what happened to his clansmen that escaped.
"... Sorr… sorry, father. I got captured… the rest escaped."
"YOU FILTHY FIREMANES!"
Raising his sword, Hrolf didn't care anymore and ran towards Hilda.
She clicked her tongue and threw Hjor away to face Hrolf. Only three exchanges were enough to kill the old fool.
Hilda was depressed as she found no clue from the Black Bones.
"Last chance, whoever knows anything will save your doomed clan." Hilda said looking at the Black Bones.
The Black Bones' blood was boiling once their patriarch died. They didn't withstand the shame and raised their weapons one.
"For the patriarch!" "Save Hjor!" "Kill that bloody woman!"
They all charged at Hilda and her crew at once.
"Damn you!"
Hilda knew that she is now fighting a cornered beast and readied herself for a hard fight but suddenly, a fire stream came from behind them and landed on the Black Bones burning them in one go.
Screams and cries filled the place as they the men were burned to ash and the ones who survived ran for their lives.
Hilda looked behind her to see a large man in black cloak and hood with a flaming sword standing behind her crew.
"Leave us."
With one word from that man, Hilda's crow dispersed in a few seconds.
"Hilda, go home. You are just killing people." The man spoke.
"..." Hilda's face hardened and she shook her head.
"You can't stay here. You just gave birth a few months ago. Thor and Idun need you."
"I am not…" She wanted to say something but she stopped.
Her heart finally found happiness and she can't give it up that easily.
"Jonrad, I can't." The bloody beast from a while ago turned into a meek woman in front of her husband.
Jonrad shook his head with a sigh.
"You can't do anything like that. You are just starting fights, not looking for clues. Let Tyr and I handle that. We already have a lead."
"... Re-Really."
"Yeah. Merchants gave us a tip. A large man was seen jumping from a summit inhabited by Forsworn into a river. They say he flew for a bit before landing in the river then forcing one of them off a horse and taking it deep in the Reach. You know who loves to jump from high places so much, don't you? It's Jonhild, Hilda. Our son is okay and jumping off mountains."
Jonrad smiled as he pulled Hilda to his embrace and kissed her head.
She was tearful for a bit but she listened to him and walked with him out of the Black Bone cave.
Still, they made a single mistake. A very big one.
They didn't check for survivors and sure as hell, there was one.
Hjor son of Hrolf Black Bone was hiding under the rubble behind some corpses.
~~~~~~~~~~
PayPal
Paypal.me/eldokhmesy
-
Pat-reon (remove - )
pat-reon.com/eldokhmesy
-
Discord
discord.gg/gKcKva7
Just in case if you were wondering why I let Jon get captured, this is the reason.
WAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAA!
Extra Chapter: Every new (+10$) Patron or PayPal
Extra Chapter: 5000 Votes
Extra Chapter: 8000 Votes
~~~~~~~~~~
*Winterhold*
She walked to the large manor across the street but no one recognized her right away. Many things are very different about her now. She is determined rather than gloomy, she is confident rather than hesitant, and she is hiding her face no more. Alina was brimming with life and power.
"Ali… your eyes!" As soon as Bjorna saw Alina, she hid her face with her palms knowing the damage that can be done by one look from Alina's eyes.
Alina smiled and held Bjorna's arm away. The two met eye to eye and Bjorna gasped.
"You… your eyes are fine? There is no… Gods!"
"It is true, I no longer need to hide my eyes." Alina said smiling.
"My God! Come here… you are so beautiful. I missed that face." Bjorna pulled Alina in a hug right away and invited her in.
Svidi came and greeted Alina who she couldn't recognize right away.
"Wulfur… how is he? He still doesn't want to come out?" Alina asked.
"He is drunk."
"Jorna, Svidi, I need him back on his feet in an hour. We are holding a meeting in the headquarters with the heads. We have an update on Jon and we need to plan. I am done sitting around and waiting."
"Truly, Alina? You found him?"
"No, but I have a solid lead. Wulfur controls most of the force and I need him to take action with me. We are going to get Jon no matter what."
"We have an hour? Fine, I'll manage." Bjorna said and ran in.
Alina was willing to take action no matter what the consequences. The elders from the Firemane and the Moonblade clans told her to stay put and be patient but it has been three months already and every enemy of Jon and the company was already rejoicing in joy. Also, not moving for 3 months was already a mistake, the morale in Winterhold was low and everyone wanted to ensure the future.
Alina strode out of Wulfur's manor and has already made her mind. Her beautiful determined face started to attract a lot of attention in the street. Her style of dresses was what she was famous for in the city and those who saw her face for the first time could already tell that this is the Lady of House Dare.
She headed to the company's headquarters and started to ready the plans she made for the campaign. Jon's title as a Thane gives him the privilege of commanding a force of 200 men outside his hold. No one said what kind of troops these will be so Alina decided to make the best of it and call out the Elites of the company. She also had one more card at her hand but she decided to wait for the right time.
The heads of the departments started to show up one after the other. Ongeim, Captain of the [Dare Fleet]; Elishka, head of the [Dare Trading]; Trudvar, Jon's housecarl and Acting Overseer of the [Dare Essentials]. Commander of the [Dare Corps] was Jon and now Alina was the Acting Commander. The one who was still late was Chief of the [Dare Arsenal], Wulfur.
They all waited for Wulfur in a cold atmosphere but suddenly, Sev the secretary of Jon ran in an whispered something to Alina. Her face twisted immediately.
"Ships from the Imperial Legion have requested to enter the docks." Alina announced.
"What! We didn't expect any ship from them any time soon. What kind of ship?" Ongeim frowned.
"A diplomate ship and a ship carrying the banner of the East Empire Company."
""...""
None understood the reason for the sudden visit.
"We should receive them. I am going to the docks." Alina stood up and headed out.
The other heads naturally followed her.
***
Down the slope in the shade of the College of Winterhold, the people of the Dare Dragon Company gathered behind Alina. She, who was finally showing her face around, gathered all attention and stood out the most.
The two ships docked at the same time but the East Empire Company's docked faster and could be seen trying to cross the way of the other ship. Once it docked, a figure jumped down fast on a rope ladder, it was Vittoria Vici.
As her feet touched the pier, she turned towards Winterhold's people and strode right away until she saw Alina and paused for a second. Her head worked fast and she figured out Alina's identity then walked towards her with an awkward face. Alina too didn't like Vittoria and kept looking haughtily at her.
"Miss Moonblade."
"Miss Vici."
The atmosphere was a bit tense but it seemed that Vittoria had something to say.
"I just heard some news from Solitude and came right away from the city of Blacklight. This is about Thane Jon's company and it is urgent…"
Vittoria approached Alina and whispered something to her. Alina's cool was disturbed and she was about to break into anger but she managed to hold it all in. She kept glaring at the other ship as if trying to sink it with her eyes which was not completely impossible for her.
Indeed, as people from the other ship landed, the atmosphere became way tenser than it already is. Even Vittoria stood beside the people of Winterhold and kept looking at the ones who came.
A few Imperial gentlemen came walked down from the ship staggering after a seemingly long journey and faced Alina and her people. They saw Alina and held their breath for some time before mustering the courage to walk forward and talk to the representatives of Winterhold.
And Elderly man took the lead of the envoys and spoke.
"Hello, I presume you are from the [Dare Dragon Company]. I am Surus Loche, an officer from the [Imperial Guild of Commerce]. We are here to deliver the issued Licence for the Dare Dragon Company. The Chief Executive Officer of your Company has applied for a Licence and here it is. Will he please receive it or send a representative to receive it in his stead."
The man said taking out a large scroll of paper that has many words written on it and marked with many seals. This is indeed a legit Licence that all the traders would die to have, a Licence that transforms the company from a small entity that operates in a limited space to a large scale company that can operate all around the Empire.
Something like that was a thing Jon always sought after.
But Alina knew better.
This is a double-edged sword, it can broaden the limits of the company but it will put a certain limit that she could sniff coming. She looked at the man and spoke.
"I am the representative of the [Dare Dragon Company] and Thane Jon Dare of Winterhold. My beloved is absent at the moment and by the legal authorities he left for me, I wish that the company receives that license on a later date. Now if you excuse me." Alina said and turned around.
This was the right thing to do, not accepting the Licence.
"I am afraid that is not possible." A voice spoke and Alina stopped.
The accent was Nordic which was quite unusual for a Nord to keep company with the Imperials.
Alina looked at whoever spoke and her eyes narrowed, the man stepped forward but she didn't recognize him, however, others like Vittoria Vici and Elishka did recognize the man really well.
All those who recognized the man looked at him with hate and contempt.
Vittoria spoke his name so that Alina can hear it.
"Erikur!"
Just one word was enough to cause Alina to almost go berserk. She turned around and looked at the man who masterminded Jon's demise and anger swelled in her.
Opposite to her, Erikur looked at Alina with dirty eyes full of lust. Around him, there was more a few Imperial Soldiers with a high ranking Legionnaire. This situation was already planned for, Erikur came with enough people to force his way in Winterhold.
Still, Alina was not the person who would care for such a thing, seeing Erikur's ugly mug was enough for her natural red eyes to be even redder and her Eye Powers to go out of control and assault Erikur.
*THUD*
"Buff! AAAAAA! IT BURNS! STOP! MY EYES!"
The force that was released from her eyes was too overpowering that Erikur fell on his knees and started quivering in pain and screaming in agony. The pain was so great that blood started to come from his nose, ears and eyes and the vines of his neck were all stretching out and turning black.
No one needed a clue to understand what is going on, the glow of Alina's eyes was visible to everyone. The Legionnaire beside Erikur was the first to react and stood between Alina and Erikur. It was of no use though as Alina can see through things and Erikur can escape the torture.
"Stop, by the order of the Empire! You are assaulting a member of an Imperial Envoy! You are under arrest." The Legionnaire whose rank was Captain took out his sword and pointed it at Alina but without an answer.
Alina was simply enjoying the agony she was inflicting on Erikur.
"I said, Stop." The Legionnaire was enraged and he stepped towards at Alina waving his sword.
*Slash*
*Swosh*
In a split of a second, the sword fell from the hand of the Legionnaire Captain along with the arm that carried it.
"AAAAH!"
The man couldn't withstand the pain and fell screaming. In front of him, was the object that cut his arm.
It was a hatchet. A mere old hatchet from descended on his arm and cleanly cut the arm down.
Only one man in Winterhold can do that.
Alina stopped what she was doing and looked at whoever threw it, it was indeed Wulfur.
He walked forward with a wrathful face and stood beside Alina.
"You okay, sister-in-law?"
Alina nodded.
He turned around and kicked the Imperial Captain away then walked to Erikur.
"Why is that weasel not in prison? Wasn't he supposed to be judged by the High King?" He asked.
"He has connections in the Imperial Guild of Commerce. He was bailed out by a plea from the Guild." Vittoria Vici replied.
"*Spat* Imperial dogs!"
Wulfur spat at Erikur and kicked his guts.
The Imperial Soldiers who were supposed to be protecting Erikur were all pushed back by the raw presence of Alina and Wulfur. The two were trained by Jon and were refined to the top state a human can reach. Hell, as a Level 3 Jade Skin stage and a Level 7 Jade Skin stage, both of them were already superhumans with a lifespan that may reach 500 years. The strongest two in Winterhold were already that angry.
Erikur was completely exposed to the wrath of those two but he could still resist fainting in the spot. Compared to them, Jon's pressure that he experienced was way scarier.
"... You can't… stop this… too late, hahaha! Even if you kill me… I already won, and you will be hunted as murderers."
Erikur was carrying a hint of madness in his eyes. He is so close to destroying Jon's Empire and he can't back down now even if Oblivion was the cost.
"Miss Vici, please explain to your friends. Mister Erikur is a guild officer." Officer Surus Loche.
Vittoria didn't want to get involved in this particular point. She was an ally to the Dare Dragon Company and has a lot of investments so she was wholeheartedly on the same boat as them. If the purpose of Erikur was achieved, it will cause her a big loss and her position in the East Empire Company will be threatened.
"Explain yourself." She replied.
"Very well." Surus Loche spoke. "The Dare Dragon Company is already registered in the Guild so we will, by all means, protect its interests."
"Protect?" Elishka questioned with a mocking face.
"Indeed, the Company's interests are the Guild's interests. The Company controls a massive domain that can be said to monopolize one-ninth of Skyrim. This means that the company's worth is over 500'000 Septim. Any company with such a worth should have a proper manager such as Thane Jon Dare who has a title equal to a Military Viscount. Now that Thane Jon is absent for more than two months, he is presumed dead. It is by Law that the Guild appoints an Acting Director to the Company with a Noble Title to oversee the ins and outs of such an Organization. Thane Erikur volunteered to help the Dare Dragon Company and the Guild has agreed." Officer Surus Loche spoke while being wary. Still, there was no way to sugarcoat what he said just now.
The people gathered around turned pale.
Handing Jon's company to his enemies? This was a blunt declaration of war. The Empire was clearly trying to get back to Winterhold with all what it got.
Wulfur was enraged and was about to kill Erikur where he is but it was Alina who stopped him.
"I see. Very well." She spoke quietly and stepped up.
Everyone around her was in cold sweat, this may be the end of either the Peaceful Winterhold or the Prosperous Winterhold. It is either a clash with the Empire or submission. Now Alina was making that decision.
"I am already the Legal Agent and Representative of Thane Jon Dare, will this help my claim?"
She handed out something to Officer Surus. He looked at the Object with wide eyes and open mouth then nodded.
"Yes, yes it does, My Lady. Shall I record it?"
"By all means."
Something different was happening. Alina seemed to have used some sort of a trump card.
"Mister Surus, Mister, what is that? What is going on?" Erikur, who was kneeling on the ground under Wulfur's foot, felt that something was wrong.
Old man Surus looked at him and switched sides with Winterhold right away.
"Sorry, Mister Erikur. Your presence is no longer necessary." Surus Loche sold Erikur right away for his safety. Erikur was to blame after all.
Alina took the object back from Officer Surus. It was a metal badge made of Ebony Steel. Erikur's eyes were glued on it.
"Take that mongrel to the 'Black Room'." Alina said while pointing at Erikur.
Wulfur pulled him up from his hair and Alina came closer and put the badge in front of Erikur's face.
"See that? Jon was always a step ahead of everyone. With this, I will make you my bitch." Alina's vulgar words and classy tone negated each other but her eyes were enough to express her rage.
Erikur's eyes were still glued on the badge. It had an inscription of Winterhold's coat of arms and a text under it that said: {Alina Moonblade - Thane of Winterhold}.
~~~~~~~~~~
PayPal
Paypal.me/eldokhmesy
-
Pat-reon (remove - )
pat-reon.com/eldokhmesy
-
Discord
discord.gg/gKcKva7
Commentaire de paragraphe
La fonction de commentaire de paragraphe est maintenant disponible sur le Web ! Déplacez la souris sur n’importe quel paragraphe et cliquez sur l’icône pour ajouter votre commentaire.
De plus, vous pouvez toujours l’activer/désactiver dans les paramètres.
OK