orsimergoddess

[orsimergoddess]

[orsimergoddess]

Kina

Glasha came to Largashbur the year after Jarl Ulfric’s revolt. Pregnant and displaced, she desired safety and home comforts for herself and her unborn child. The priestess Atub looked at the unfamiliar Orsimer woman. As Glasha passed through the gates, all eyes were on her. She approached Atub, knowing her position by looking at her. Glasha got on her knees and prayed aloud to Malacath, showing her devotion to their God. As the prayer came to an end Atub motioned for Glasha to follow into the Longhouse of the Chieftain. 

Quietly and without much commotion coming from the others over the new Woman in the Stronghold, Glasha was placed in Umurn’s care. Umurn was reserved, as is the Osimer custom, but kind towards Glasha. He knew her story was close to his, but the head count so much higher. Glasha’s home was destroyed by Nords from the Eastmarch Hold. Angry at the signing of the White-Gold Concordat, many Mer, High-elf and not lost their lives in the Eastmarch massacre. 

Umurn knew the pain of loss, his first wife taken by the revolt as it spread across Skyrim and her Holds. She was pregnant with their only child, Glasha only a year later came as an answer to Umurn’s pleads to the Malacath. This wold be the last time Malacath would bless the Largashbur and the Mer whom dwell within.

**~~~**

Kina came to be months after Glasha made her way to Largashbur. The infant was smaller than an average Orsimer infant, but she was never weak nor sickly. She sprouted like thistle in the summer, she grew from infant to toddler to a young child.

Still smaller than any of the children born the same season as she. Kina was strong and growing stronger, what she lacked in size she made up for in speed. her long arms were perfect for drawing a bow and fighting in close combat, paired with her lithe figure she made herself into a hard target to hit. 

At 5 Kina could fight as well as any Orsimer child, Umurn could see her warriors spirit and on her Name day, he gifted her a pair of the most delicate looking daggers, made of Orichalchum, the hilts fashioned out of animal bones, the deep green stones were razor sharp on each side. Giddily Kina shows her mother who pretends to disapprove. This was the only time either of them saw Umurn crack a smile. He had become a proud Papa. 

**~~~**

It had started out as a warm Spring day, Kina had spent the morning weaving baskets with her mother, it neared midday when the thunderous shakes came. As if Malacath trembled the earth in anger, it only became louder as the minutes pass. It stopped after a jarring trumpeting came from outside the gates. Mammoths.

Mammoths only brought one thing, Giants. It was at this moment Umurn came out of the hut in search of his wife and child. As he stepped out the guards tower seemed to explode, it was then he saw the largest Giant he’d ever witnessed. Umurn’s face blanched at the sight, he began to run across the Stronghold, frantically hollering for Glasha. He could not lose another love, another child. His screams drew the attention of a second Giant, Umurn was thrown against the cliff face, a smear of crimson remained on the rock. Umurn peeled off the surface like a rag doll he twisted and contorted rolling to the bottom of the hill.

Glasha and Kina ran to hide behind a hut near the cliff face, “Here! Kina, don’t look darling.” Pulling Kina in close to her bosom, “Shut your eyes, don’t open them for anything. No matter what you hear.” Kina obeyed her mother, not understanding what was happening around her.

Trying not to scream as Umurn’s broken body rolled down the rocky hillside. It’s happening again! Glasha’s consciousness screamed. Holding tight to Kina she waited for an opening. A massive leg strode over Glasha, she stared up at the largest Giant she’d set her eyes upon.

The second came from North of the Stronghold, smashing warriors left and right as they tried and failed to defend their home. 

Atub ran from the longhouse along with her family. Screaming to void she said, “MALACATH HAS LEFT US. THIS IS OUR CURSE!”

Glasha watched in terror as the priestess abandoned the Stronghold, running madly into the wilderness with the chieftain and their sons in tow. Glasha turned her attention to her trembling child, she knew in her position, they could not both make it. 

Removing her bow and quiver, Glasha adjusted the quivers strap, putting it down before letting Kina open her eyes. “Listen to me Kina, when I tell you, you must run. Run South, towards Riften.”

Kina shook her head, froen in fear.

“You have to go, I will be right behind you.” Glasha picks up the bow and quiver, adjusting them to fit Kina’s tiny frame. “Take these, do you have the daggers Papa gave you?”

Kina nodded as tears dripped from her chin. “I can’t go Momma. I can’t move.”

Glasha shook her daughter roughly nearly knocking her off her feet. “GO! I will be right behind you, you need to keep running. I will be there right behind you.”

Glasha stood, as she did the movement caught the eyes of a third Giant that came from the west. /rumbling stomps came closer to the spot where Kina was still hidden. Glasha knew it was getting closer without looking, she ran from Kina, screaming for her daughter to run.

Kina ran South, without looking back she continued after the adrenaline wore off until she tripped on a root hidden under the mossy ground, face first into the dirt Kina succumbed to the ehaustion and everything went dark.

**~~~**

Waking up to the dark of night, Kina slowly lifted herself from where she collapsed. She felt sore, weak and hungry. Standing carefully, making sure nothing had broken.

 Hunger drove her step by step that night through the forest. Daylight came soon, sooner after she began to see cobblestones in the dirt. She headed South, like her mother said. Momma will be in Riften. Kina thought to herself, this made her change to a faster pace. After an hour of trekking south Kina spotted the city walls. Her mother never said where to meet in Riften. Kina didn’t care, she bolted towards the gates.

The gates were closed and guarded. Kina was nervous approaching the stocky men in heavy steel armor. Slowly and ringing her hands she got near enough for the guards to take notice.

“Aye, look at this wee beast ‘ere.” the left guard nudged the other who had a flaming beard sticking out from under the helmet. The red bearded guard pretended not to notice the smaller than average Orsimer whelp.

“Just ignore it, they’re like animals you know, cant speak.”

Kina’s temper flared but said nothing. 

Glasha’s voice came clearly, “Pick your battles darling.”

Kina whipped herself around, only to find disappointment in finding no one behind her. Slowly she turned back to the guards that lost interest in her.

“Have you seen my mother?” Kina’s voice sounded foreign. It had been days since she had spoken to anyone. 

The red bearded guard piped up. “Fuck off little pig shit!” Striding towards Kina the guard raised the blunt end of his spear and struck her in the chest, knocking the wind out of the girl. The left guard looked up and spit in Kina’s direction. 

She realied that even if they had seen Glasha, they didn’t care. Picking herself up slowly she turned and started walking down the road. Dragging her feet she turned left, discovering that behind the dirt hill and city wall there was a home, Tucked behind a stable, holding two of the largest horses Kina had ever seen. 

Kina had seen horses before, but never up close as the Strongholds had no use for the beasts. Slowly she made her way across the yard towards the great dappled horses.

From the small courtyard in front of the house, a large silver haired man eyed the curious girl. He had been resting in the shade before returning to his duties. Curious to see what the girl would do, he stayed put to observe.

Kina had reached the first stable opening, the horse residing within turned it’s head to look at the strange biped approaching. The animal turned to face the girl, lowering it’s head to smell her.

Kina giggled in delight at the curious horse nuling her. Unfortunately she had no food for treats, as her stomach grumbled she was reminded she had none for herself. Patting the large horse Kina went into the stall, hoping perhaps some carrots or an apple had been dropped from the beasts feeding bin.

This bold move made the man in the shade nervous, afraid the child may be harmed by accident. Leaping to his feet he strode across the yard as quickly he could without startling the horses. “Hey, hey wait!” he shouted as he made it to the stables before Kina ventured further.

Frightened by the large man approaching Kina leaped through the open wall and sprinted down the road. By the time she stopped she was far from the stables and the large man was no where to be seen.

Ahead of her by a few yards was a farm, Kina stared at the water trough. Remembering her thirst Kina made a mad dash for it, falling to her knees in front of the dirty trough. She drank deeply not caring that the water was musty, grass and cud floating on the surface. 

A Dunmer man and woman watched this girl run across their farm yard to gulp down the water left for the livestock. The woman looked at the man, signaling for him to stay back a bit as they came closer.

The woman cleared her throat, “are you alright dear?” she asked quietly as to not startle Kina.

Kina quickly came to her feet and she turned to face the couple standing in front of her. Her breath quickened and she froe like a rabbit about to be caught by a hawk.

In an attempt to assure the frightened girl, the woman went to kneel to look Kina in the eyes. “Where are you parents little one?” she asked with concern.

Looking down, Kina shuffled her feet. Quietly she replied to the womans question. “Dead.” Looking the woman in the eye as she said it.

The man put a hand on his wife’s shoulder, speaking up. “Well, we have room as long as you are willing to work.” He looked back down at his wife, who looked back with a small smile.

“Yes, would you like that?” Pulling a Honey candy from her pocket, she offered it to Kina. “I am Sadyn, this is my husband Dravin. This is our farm, Merryfair.” 

Kina took the candy from Sadyn and held it, afraid if she ate it the day dream would end. Nodding, Kina took Sadyn’s outreached hand and followed her into the house.