Chapitre 255: Rise in the East (5) : Voice Masters
This extra chapter comes to you by the Good Graces of Matthew Landin. He chose to add a character that will be introduced soon.
~~~~~~~~~~
The night siege was something Jon orchestrated for the Bloodsails to give them one sleepless night. In front of his camp, Jon held a meeting with the Imperials and the Stormcloaks to plan for the siege.
A small band of Imperial battlemages, Stormcloak berserkers and Dare troopers used the night as a cover and hit the camp of the Bloodsails causing their alarms to ring across their fort then retreated immediately. One hour later, the attacks were repeated again and again until Dawn.
The Pirates were exhausted from the random pattern of the attacks. Inside their camps, they started to notice that their supplies were lacking. It seemed that the hired pirates started to rebel against the Bloodsails and a fight broke out just as Jon expected. The food they have now was only vegetables that were barely edible.
The next morning came and another siege started against the fort. This time, the Imperials and the Stormcloaks were more organized and managed to pick up the pace with the Dare Troopers. Another barricade was brought down easily and received a duel request by Kjer Bloodsail.
"Thane of Winterhold! Duel me!"
Kjer Bloodsail was a hot-blooded young man and he was really vexed by how Jon was always standing behind his troops calmly. He requested a duel after Haldyn convinced him to cut the head of the snake or shame him in front of his people when the cowardly mage doesn't come ahead.
Jon sighed after he received the duel, he put down his cloak and Staff then held Bloodskal firmly and walked ahead towards Kjer.
The fight was held down and all the sides stepped back. A duel between the leaders of both factions was a very important event.
"You… you killed my brother and my father. You won't get away with this."
"Stop being acting like a cliche villain and fight."
Kjer was infuriated with the word he didn't understand and attacked Jon immediately. As both of them wielded longswords the difference between their skills would appear right away.
And so it did…
Kjer long stab was met by Jon's parrying the sword away and stabbing back. Kjer avoided one step to the back and swung with both hands after closing in. Jon acted lazily and dodged to the back then swung with one hand at Kjer's neck, Kjer sensed danger and tried to dodge but he noticed the red gleam coming out of Jon's sword and jumped to the back yet the red gleam jumped out of the Bloodskal and chased him in a beautiful red ribbon of energy. Kjer activated his Aura and bloodline ability at the same time granting himself the needed speed to dodge and counterattack lightning.
Jon wasn't oblivious to the bloodline ability of the Bloodsails, [Blood Boil] was a berserk ability similar to that of the Orcs' and was really great in battle but it left the opponent's mentally weak and here came his specialty. He doesn't even need Aura to read his opponent or keep up in speed. His body was akin to steel after advancing to 'Level 2, Ironbone Tier of the Dragon Frame Realm' not too long ago. He simply raised Bloodskal high and shewed Kjers sword away with the back of his gauntlet then slashed down as Bloodskal gleamed with Red Aura.
The lightsaber-like blade carved Kjer's armor open with its mere tip and a long line of blood spurted down from Kjer as he retreated away crawling on the ground like a dying hog.
Jon calmly walked to him and raised his blade to behead Kjer but from the enemy lines, a certain short figure walked forward.
"ZUN!" A shout came from the short figure that seemed to be a female and a force was unleashed towards Jon.
His eyes widened from the surprise yet his reaction wasn't late.
"WULD!" Jon dodged the shout that came towards him with another. [Whirlwind Sprint] moved Jon fifteen meters away in an instant.
As the woman's shout hurled towards the men behind Jon, their hands loosened and their weapons fell on the ground, it was the [Disarm] shout.
The exchange was too fast and too shocking for some parties around the island. The Imperials were shocked to see the strange power that they are not familiar with while the Stormcloaks gasped as they witnessed and exchange by the legendary Thu'um.
Jon looked at the short figure who shouted towards him and glared with interest. That voice master seemed to be an old lady.
The old lady was wearing a black hooded robe and seemed to be like the average grandma from the hood but her Thu'um was good. Jon's interest grew further as the woman glared at him back.
"Tsk! That old hag still lives!" Alina and Bjorna had the same words on their mouths.
"That is?" Jullanar asked.
"Groa Bloodsail, a crone that is somehow still alive." Alina replied.
Between the two parties, Jon faced the old woman and understood her intentions, he then raised his hand and issued a command to step back.
Not only the Dare Troopers but the Stormcloaks also stepped back and the Imperials felt threatened by the action that seemingly going to happen so they retreated too.
"Thane of Winterhold, is it? I hear your voice loud, strong, you must be very proud." The woman spoke in a strong voice.
"Why wouldn't I? Shouted your people many times to death and it is working well for me."
"Yes yes, you killed some of my sons and their sons too, made quite the name for yourself with our blood."
"At least they died fighting, hateful as it sounds, they may have found their way to Sovngarde."
"Pft! I doubt it, my boys only worshipped gold, Oblivion takes them all."
"..."
"But you… you are a hero of your people. I hate to say it but Jenna, that blood witch, has better sons than I. What a regret!" The woman called Groa mentioned Jenna, Jon's grandmother.
"How are your parents by the way? That girl Hilda and your father… what's his name? Jonrad?"
Jon narrowed his eyes to the woman's words, his secret seemed to be something she knew but even though they were around a large crowd of people, the woman spoke in a low tone.
"I told them… I told my foolish son that you won't die and the Firemane would come for blood one day… and I was right, here you are. Once I heard about a rise in the hold, I knew… How can they kill a boy the Gods on his side?"
Jon didn't reply or loosen his guard but he wanted to listen more to the woman.
"What do you want?" He asked.
"Hehe, you are nice for a Firemane… you see, I know that you already know that some of my children have escaped. Would you give an old woman your word to not seek them?"
Jon thought for a while.
"... I normally leave no grudge to live on but as long as they don't look for me, I am not looking for them."
"Aaah, you give an old woman hope. Well then, shall we continue where we left off?"
"Gladly."
Jon Dare and Groa Bloodsail faced each other and each breathed in deeply.
"FAAS!" (Fear)
"FO!" (Frost)
At the second round of shouts, Jon canceled the [Dismay] shout with [Frost Breath].
"KRII!" (Kill)
"YOL!" (Fire)
And canceled the [Death Mark] shout with [Fire Breath] shout.
"GRON!" (Bind)
"FUS!" (Force)
Jon noticed a new shout and he faced it with the [Unrelenting Force].
"RII!" (Unleash)
"VEN!" (Wind)
Another new word was faced with the [Cyclone] shout.
The exchanges were all heaven shaking and earth-shattering, the snow between Jon and Groa has long since melted and the space around them was too dangerous to stay into.
Jon was not retreating in the battle of Thu'um and he was gaining more momentum. He countered every word Groa shouted with ease. She, on the other hand, has already worn out. It wasn't surprising due to her age but still, the Thu'um grows stronger with time and yet the youngster overwhelmed her in all aspects.
Jon was ecstatic as it was his first battle with the Thu'um. He understood that using an only single world is important as the cooldown time for two and three words was much greater. It was a way the Voice Masters used to spar with but it would also show who is superior. The weak's voice will be broken by the will of the strong.
Groa was shocked to see how each and every word she cultivated in her long years were broken down one by one. She traveled many times across Skyrim and gathered many words to learn, she attacked other clans and stole the Words of Power they passed down yet her defeat was swift. Jon's Thu'um was simply unparalleled.
Even though those two were having great emotions about the Thu'um, that verbal exchange they had just now made the people around them shudder in fear. It was too mighty to be called a normal duel.
The Dare Troopers, yet they saw Jon shout many times, they were in high spirits Nords and Non-Nords. The Stormcloaks knew about the Thu'um and Jarl Ulfric was a mighty Thu'um user, the name of Jon Dare was being engraved in their memories a fellow Nord who sought a great endeavor they all dream of. The Imperials were in conflicted emotions, the Imperial Battlemages had prior knowledge about the Thu'um but never in their wildest dreams have they ever expected to see such a wild exchange of words. The common opinion about the Thu'um outside Skyrim is that of some Nords shouting foolishly at each other with some magic in the process yet few had a proper knowledge about the art and fewer witnessed it. Today, they witnessed it from the tongue of Jon Dare.
Groa and Jon were ready for the final exchange and their eyes were gleaming.
"It is an honor to taste your voice, Firemane."
"Thank you."
They both inhaled and spoke the next words.
"LOK BAH QO!" (Sky Wrath Lightning)
"YOL TOOR SHUL!" (Fire Inferno Sun)
Groa shouted the [Stormblast] and Jon shouted the [Firebreath]. A Lightning Arc revolved around Groa and blasted towards Jon whose shout manifested a gigantic Fire Stream that shot from his voice destroying everything on its path.
The [Stormblast] collided with the [Firebreath] and strong whirl formed in space. The Earth shook and the mist of the sea went blown away, people on their knees and sea waves intensified, the air started to get enraged and the clouds of the sky darkened. The [Firebreath] met the [Stormblast] in a breathtaking scene. Jon felt the power of Groa put behind that shout and couldn't help but feel his blood boiling, it was then when he focused the strength of his 'Dragon Frame Realm' and pushed his [Firebreath] further. Three 'Fire Wyrms' appeared around Jon and moved in swirls pushing his Thu'um further and putting all what a level 3 Ironbones tier expert on display.
Ancient Roars came from the Fire Wyrms and the hearts of men almost broke. Just like that, the [Firebreath] obliterated everything in its path… Groa, her kin and all those who met the shout of Jon Dare were burned to a crisp.
The wall of the citadel of Japhet's Folly was blown away.
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Chapitre 256: Politics, Peace, Friendship
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~~~~~~~~~~
I just burned an old lady to crisps… not sure how I live with myself after that.
"Is it okay?"
"Believe me it is, that old hag got it coming."
Alina and Bjorna appeased my conscience so I wasn't feeling down about it.
"Still, who was she for you to hate her that much?" Jull asked Alina.
"That woman is… was Groa Bloodsail, the previous matriarch of the Bloodsails and can be considered a legend among pirates. They say that she liked the Thu'um so much and spent all her age gathering Words of Power from the Clans by force. She was the main reason the Firemanes and the Bloodsails were on bad terms way before the Great Collapse."
"Really?"
"Really, if you are wondering why she is so broken, then it is because of Grandma Jenna." Bjorna said. "30 years ago, Uncle Balder's ship was intercepted by Groa and he was struggling to survive. He crashed on an island and got sieged for two weeks on it. It was when Grandma learned the news did she take ship with the finest warriors and beasts from the clans and swooped Groa's people from the face of Nirn, they say that Grandma destroyed Groa with Blood Magic causing her to not cast a spell ever again but that old woman's Voice was lively as ever."
I see, so Grandma Jenna crippled Groa's magic channels.
Figures… the Energy Channels of the Thu'um are different from the ones of the Magic Casting.
Anyway, I seemed to have killed an important enemy to the Firemane… today is the day as the Bloodsail Clan is finally wiped out from Nirn. Those descendants who escaped won't be a bother as long as they don't come after revenge.
With that, the alliance decided to gather the loot and they were all disappointed, only a few thousand gold coins were what I told Nefertiti not to take. They were not much but not too little.
"Thane Jon Dare, as a Law officer of the Kingdom, we demand that you push those uninvited band of troublemakers away. This is a matter of Governmental Authority and they have no say in it. The East Empire Companies have claims on a list of items from what the Pirates stole." Commander Fabian, the Breton Commander of the Imperial Fleet in the regional Northern Waters of Skyrim, started it with the Stormcloak.
"... Little man, don't think your fancy armor and words can make us move. This is a matter of Criminal Subjugation and we fought as much as you did. This is related to Windhelm taking damage from those filthy Blood Horkers for years, you are not denying us that." Captain Skegg, leader of the Stormcloak ships, reacted with no restraint.
"Tsk, crawl back to the cave you came from, barbarian fool."
"HA! Go suck on your mama's tits, tiny milk drinker."
And the politics started.
Yes, I said politics… that's how politics is done around here. Very honest, very loud, and never dull. Just imagine the Congress putting down their masks and talking their hearts out… sigh! The world would have been very fun.
Until the Imperials and the Stormcloaks run out of breath, I just remained there playing with Nefertiti who gets in a really good mood whenever she sees some foolish humans fighting each other.
As they finally found no meaning to their argument, they looked at me.
"What do you both want me to do? And why?" I asked them without looking.
"It is obvious, they don't belong here and they are interfering in your authority as Thane. Winterhold's business is not for Windhelm to the middle in. They should be removed from here." The Imperial Commander said.
"What? You Empire and your company have kept paying those pirate for passages since they first emerged. You are one of the reasons why Winterhold's condition got deteriorated and got run down by Pirates for years." The Stormcloak Commander said.
They both kept glaring at each other while waiting for my reply.
"You know what… you both are right." I said casually and looked at them with a grin. "I should just send you two home empty-handed with the same claims you just said..."
"Thane Jon…" "Jon Dare…" The two parties were infuriated and shot up from their seats.
"Silence!" Alina shouted.
With the Fire Keeper Mask on her face glowing, Alina exerted a heavy pressure that made them both sit down.
"Apologies, lady Alina." "Yes, Child of Kyne."
Man! Alina's status sure makes them tremble. She can just shout and those strongly headed fools just go silent.
That's a politician for you!
"Ehem, as I was saying, what you said is right. The Empire abandoned Winterhold for more than seventy years, way before the Great War while paying the pirates for protection which escalated to great damage to Winterhold, you can't simply demand what you paid willingly. And as for Windhelm, it is no more than the neighboring hold and it has no say in the matter. Japhet's Folly is under the authority of Winterhold and I am its Thane."
The two remained silent.
"Now, as the vault of the Blood Horkers was opened and the islands got searched head to toes, this is what all the three parties managed to find." I pointed at a piece of paper with the contents of the loot all gathered up.
Around 9000 Gold Septims and some gemstones and minor treasures which makes it all almost 17000 to 20000 Septims.
This is way too disappointing for the three parties. I bet that the East Empire Company moved its ships from Solitude to Winterhold with the cost of 2500 Septim at average and the Stormcloaks are in a similar situation.
Splitting that tiny amount of money won't even be worth anything.
"There are two ways out of this." I said and they listened.
"The first, we split the rewards by one fourth to East Empire Company and One fourth to Windhelm as the half naturally belongs to Winterhold as the one that contributed the most. This is the most generous offer you can have."
This offer made them groan in silence as it was really bad so they waited for the second suggestion I have.
"The second option, which is the best option for you both, is to leave all the loot to Winterhold and go home empty handed."
"Excuse me?!" "What?!"
The two commanders found it hard to understand and both looked at me.
"Exactly as you heard." I said.
"But… what is the meaning of this? Is that a threat?"
"Thane Jon, I understand that you are…"
"Okay okay before you misunderstand me, let me explain it to you." I cut their displeased words.
"Think of it that way, if you chose the first option, you two will return to your superiors with what? 5000 Septims at the very best? You and I know that this won't look good at all and you will receive some nasty comments, actually, it will be labeled as a failed mission."
What I said was not wrong judging by how they reacted.
"Now, let's see the second option, you will give up the tiny bit of loot to the Winterhold Administration that in the middle of a major renovation of the entire hold's economic and social infrastructure. You will write in your reports that the best judgment to make a good relationship with Winterhold is to give up that tiny bit of loot for the sake of 'Peace' and friendship. This will make Winterhold grateful to the selfless act you displayed and will surely be worth the investment."
The bets were all placed and I showed my hand, giving me this round will surely benefit them but there was more to that. The Empire and the Stormcloaks were always trying to pull Winterhold to their side now as it has a real value. If the other party chose to befriend Winterhold by giving up the loot and the other insisted on sharing then it is clear which party will be on the good side of Winterhold, that was what they were trying to do at first when they acted all hostile to each other and wanted to make me push away one side.
Now the table is turned, instead of 'Mommy or Daddy?' game to 'With me, Without me' game.
The choice was obvious.
***
"Did you just swindle the East Empire Company and Windhelm both at the same time?" Alina asked.
"I did."
"And it worked?"
"It did."
"And we got all the loot from Japhet's Folly?"
"We did."
"""Dyaaaaamn!"""
Both of us were just standing there on the beach watching the Imperials and the Stormcloaks sail away to sunset. The two parties agreed to leave it all to Winterhold as there was no worth to such amount of gold. In return, both Windhelm and the Empire will have access to the docks in Winterhold with discounts and some minor privileges. Also, the East Empire Company will open a trading post in Winterhold. This was all part of what I talked with Vittoria Vici about and I just made it official.
The East Empire Company found nothing they claim in the loot as all the important stuff were all in the Haven Cube and the Stormcloak acted with respect so it all turned well.
What is left here is to clean Japhet's Folly from the bodies of the pirate, burn them, collect the loot, secure the island and rebuild its dock for my personal use and destroy the old fort. I am thinking of making a very big project on this island and renaming it to something else.
"Boss, there is a prisoner we found in the fort's dungeon." A man came to report.
"A prisoner?"
"Yes, a Nord kinsman that the Argonian pirates captured in the way to the island. Seemed to be of value to them."
"Well, if he is a kinsman then bring him to me. We can help him if he is an ally."
"Yes, Boss."
Alina and I locked arms and walked towards the central tent, there, the troopers brought a Nord man, tall build, brown eyes and hair, he looked like a warrior but I sensed a good amount of Magic power in him.
"Hey there, kinsman. I am Jon Dare, Thane to Winterhold."
"Oh! Hello, my name is Lanmas Sadar of Clan Sadar."
[A/n: Lanmas is a sponsored character.]
"Clan Sadar!" Alina reacted fast.
"You know of us, lady?"
"I am Alina Moonblade of Clan Moonblade, my betrothed Jon Dare is from Clan Firemane."
"Aha! A Firemane and a Moonblade, wel-met." The man made an understanding face.
""Wel-met""
"Clan Sadar is a famous clan, they are from the east of Riften's Hold and they are famed winemakers who have good relations with most of the clans." Alina explained.
"Oh, I see. If that's the case, then we are happy to help" I said.
"Thank you, really thank you. I overheard some rumors about the Thane of Winterhold from my captors. It seems I came across a hero."
"Thank you. We are happy to lend a hand, we are heading back to Winterhold in a day or two. Where are you heading?"
"Oh! I should actually go back to Morrowind." Lanmas said, "My employer in Mournhold must is expecting me a week from now and I am late."
"Employer?"
"Oh… I haven't introduced my profession, I am a Companion from Jorrvaskr and got hired by a lady in Mournhold to act as her left-hand man for a couple of years. I have nothing to repay you with except more annoying requests to help me find my armor and spear but I will leave a good word for Thane Jon to my employer and she will reward you whenever you meet."
"Come on, no need for such a thing."
"A debt is a debt. The 'Old Woman of Mournhold' is a generous lady and will surely be thankful for saving me as I carry her errand."
"I see, I will take your goodwill then… the 'Old Woman of Mournhold'! Where did I hear that title before?"
I think I have heard it somewhere.
"It is the charitable lady that supported Servos and his sister to become Mages."
"Aha! Right."
The lady who helped Servos, the Spider Scroll inventor who we saved in Solstheim. He is now a researcher in Winterhold and is living a very good life.
"Well then, Lanmas. Welcome aboard."
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