#DEVOTE: Cariel

[ui-artdump]

Worthy.

[talldarkandroguesome]

28th of Last Seed, Loredas

I do not know what to do.

I explained to Nabine the situation as described to me.

She said she did not understand. When I began to explain again, she said that she had heard what I had said, but she did not know why this was happening. Why I could possibly change so, given that I had died far more times in Coldharbour and seemed to be without any changes whatsoever.

I tried to explain again about Daedric connections and my devotion and where my soul was, but she just cut me off again, saying there had to be more to it. That it could not possibly be quite such a thing.

I was at a loss. I told her I knew no more about it.

She began to tell me that I would need to find a way to earn back my soul from my Prince. That if I just did a bunch of deeds for Her, that surely, for the great service I provided, I could persuade Him to return my soul.

I gave her a forced smile. I know she knows better than to believe such a thing possible. The chance of that would be very slim and the price to pay would be great indeed.

Nabine was panicking. That much was obvious.

I kissed her and did not say anything against her suggestion as she began coming up with an ever more elaborate way of getting my soul back.

The whole contrived idea centered on getting myself to the Spiral Skein and serving my Prince there if necessary to drive my point home. That I would work as a sort of indentured servant with the final term resulting in my soul.

She was getting so agitated over the whole affair that eventually I had to sing her a song to soothe her. 

All I said was that we could take the time to come up with a solution later, that perhaps we should take a rest for now.

She laid down and said that she thought it a good idea.

I came to give her a kiss and she recoiled as though I were some vile creature.

I said I would go and see if I could find Avon to speak with and let her rest. She just nodded, as I tried to remember that it was probably not something to take personal. That probably it was just her being overwhelmed with all that was going on right now.

I sought out Avon and noticed the Farseer returning from the edge of the encampment. When I inquired if all was well, she said she was seeing Mother off.

Mother, who left without a single word to me. No explanation. Not even a message that she was returning home.

Perhaps I have become such a disgusting creature as to no longer be worthy of the women in my family.

This would be proven later when the children had finished their lessons and Nabine whisked the girls away for some Bosmeri history lessons, which she asked for privacy to conduct.

Avon, at least took things better.

Marginally.

He, too, seemed more protective of Sildras after hearing the news.

There was pity in his eyes. Worry. Fear. Avon has never been adept at obscuring his emotions, particularly from me.

While he said all the right things, perhaps even meaning them for the most part, I knew how uncomfortable he was.

So instead of spending the night with my family, I headed out to the road and went across the river, wandering the lower parts of the coiled path, careful to avoid the marshier areas where giant snakes tend to slumber.

I found a nice, large boulder and teleported myself up to the top of it and sat down. As hot and humid as it was after the earlier storm, the cool stone felt soothing to the skin, cool enough to feel through my trousers.

I felt at a loss and so I did the only thing that I could think of. I stripped down and prayed. Prayed for a solution to fixing everything. Prayed to be worth enough of love. Prayed for not having to be so thoroughly reminded of the fact that my decisions always seemed to end in my own and others’ misery. 

There came a whisper in my ear, carried along the hot, sticky breeze. In most situations I might have been angry to hear this voice after all that had happened, or ready to demand answers, but not here. Not now.

This voice was one of calm. Of comfort. A balm for all my ails.

My Prince told me that there was no such thing as a solution to everything. That my decisions were my own to make as I saw fit given what information I had. But most importantly, She told me that I was worthy of love. That I had it. That He loved me as the obedient child I was. That She would look after me as best as He could while also tending to other matters. That if I continued to serve so well over decades and centuries, that boons would be granted. Boons that would be grand enough to help soothe the fears I had.

My heart felt full to bursting. I gave praise and thanks for my Prince’s love and kind words of encouragement.

My Prince told me that a great number of things was going to occur soon. That I should prepare myself for great battle. That I should learn to master my new skills quickly so that I might aid in the battle to come.

I said that I would work hard to do that very thing. That it would be my honor and pleasure.

I could feel my Prince’s smile spread through my body. I could feel the satisfaction.

In that moment, I felt whole again. There was a warmth where my soul should be. That fullness restored.

And even after She had left, I felt so sated, that I decided not to return to the tribe for the night, spending it instead, atop the rock, my tunic draped lightly over me in case I great cold as I slumbered.

I awoke as the sun rose. I felt a pair of eyes upon me.

Startled, I turned to see a giant snake watching me.

I did not move, waiting to see what it might do.

It’s tongue flicked out into the air between us. Then to my face.

I did not move. My whole body tightened, muscles ready, my teleportation spell able to be cast in an instant.

It moved around, seemingly interested in me, but not yet in striking.

I relaxed my body and tried to even my breathing.

The snake turned and slithered off to a different rock, where it curled up in a spot the light fell upon.

I was glad not to have decided to harm the snake. Snakes are sacred to the Mabrigash and it would have greatly harmed my relationship with the Farseer and her wise women if I had come back having killed a snake when it was not necessary.

I returned to camp and Sildras and Cariel came running up to me and said they had missed me.

I lied that I was doing some training for my lessons and asked them how thiers were going, listening eagerly to the stories of what they had been doing.

I knew that Nabine might still worry about me being around our daughters, so I sent Cariel to rouse Nabine and Kuna for breakfast while Sildras and I went to work on preparing something.

It had been quite a while since he and I had an opportunity to share time together alone. And so I asked him what he would like to do when we had returned to Mournhold. Something for just the two of us. And not simply going to a library or a shop of arcane instruments or alchemy reagents. 

He thought for a long while before deciding that he would like to go for a ride in the country. And that during that time, he wanted to hear some stories about what I had done while I was away.

I asked him what he meant by when I was away. He answered that when he was much younger I had been away. He wanted to know what I had done before returning to expose the imposter who had posed as me.

It was a harsh blow, though I doubt the boy meant to land it on so bare a wound.

I nodded and told him that I could do so, but that it might bring up some unpleasant truths about his mother and about me. Things he might prefer to not know.

He reminded me that he was not going to be a child for much longer and that soon he would be sent away to Shad Astula until he reached his adulthood. He wanted to do so knowing the truth.

There was a look in his eyes, one of conviction and of fear. For such a usually shy child, to ask for so bold a request, I knew I could not deny him.

I agreed that I would do so.

He seemed to let out a large breath I did not know he had been holding and he hugged me. I kissed his brow and told him that I was sorry for not having been there more. He did not seem to know how to react to this statement, but we were interrupted by Avon’s joining us.

The Three must truly be looking out for me. 

The tribe shared breakfast together before I was taken for further lessons. The Farseer seemed even more driven to teach me than before. Yet, between the usual lessons, she also made sure to emphasize how important it was for me not to be frivolous with my ability to die. That I must try to refrain from dying as much as was possible. That I should act as though any death could be permanent. 

I told her I understood, but she gave me a scathing look and told me that I likely did not. I stayed silent. She told me that it was more than just the effect it would have on my personality if I continued to die. That over time I might grow numb to many things living as an immortal, but that if I did not wish to share the same callous, coldness of a Daedra, I would have to respect life. My own, and others.

Being no fool, or at least, intelligent enough not to strive to be one, I told heed of her warnings. She reminded me that until I died my body would age and I could essentially live out a full life with those I loved. That I could experience everything along side them. That it would be a better act of honoring those I loved in a lifetime, to live alongside them, rather than apart.

She is not wrong.

I was distracted through much of the telekinesis lesson afterwards, still stuck on the wisdom she imparted. It earned me a quick strike of a branch on my boot to shake me back to attention. My mind is racing too quickly. I need some time to just sort through my thoughts. But during her lessons is not that time. I must earn my proficiency as soon as possible. For myself. For my family. For my Prince.

[talldarkandroguesome]

26th of Rain’s Hand, Morndas

I was up much of the night thinking about Tel’s words about the possibility of there being some omen to the skyshard. 

It is ridiculous, is it not?

I mean, sure, skyshards are rare and it is quite unlike for something falling from the sky to just so happen to land on an altar. But that hardly means it is impossible.

More ridiculous still is Tel’s implication that perhaps it had something to do with me specifically.

By the time we had gotten up and finished our morning meal, I had managed to put the whole thing behind me. The only thought remaining concerning the skyshard was that that warm, whole feeling I had since touching the skyshard, was beginning to wane, leaving that familiar hollow ache growing in my chest.

Even that I could manage to push from my mind over time and concentrate on the children.

Yet Tel came to meet us for a second day of showing us around the local sites and happily shared a number of interpretations they heard after sharing the story with their captain and others. Everything from an ill omen of Bal’s upcoming trails to be reigned down upon the faithful of Molag Mar, to Boethiah’s blessing on me as a representative of Almalexia.

I do not believe any of the possible so-called omens. I do not believe that it is a sign that there is some great disaster coming, nor do I believe there is some major blessing soon to befall the little Temple outpost.

Mostly I just nodded along and tried not to listen too hard. Avon and Sildras were happy to discuss such things and learn more about the different interpretations. I spent my time carrying Cariel on my shoulders and talking to her about the cliff striders that were flying around the peaks in the distance while Kuna and Nabine discussed hunting in a terrain like Vvardenfell where there were few trees and those there were mostly short and spindly.

Of course, there came a point where Kuna decided that she wanted to try climbing the trees. And also the peaks. And even the rest house structures along the path. And the ancient tomb faces.

Tel ran around, scrambling after her every attempt, saying how dangerous it was. How easy it was to fall.

When he turned to Nabine, she shrugged and said it was a good learning experience. So when he turned to me I shrugged and said I had some potions of healing should she get hurt.

Of course, that only had Tel running after her more, to make sure that Kuna did not fall.

Seeing that it helped to distract from Tel’s religious talks and omen interpretation discussion, I asked Cariel if she also wished to climb. She wriggled on my shoulders until I set her down and she toddled off after her sister. That gave Tel twice as much to do, trying to both teach the girls, and to keep them from climbing every vertical surface in sight.

I did my part to offer warnings on how to be careful, but Nabine just rolled her eyes and told me I was coddling them too much and that they needed to learn by doing.

Tel seemed just about on their last nerve by the time we made it back to the canton. They look absolutely knackered from running after the girls.

Sildras asked if Tel was going to join us for dinner, but Tel said they had to go back.

It was a shame, but I assume that it was more to do with needing a break from the energy of our youngest children.

Sildras was disappointed, seemingly very interested in the religious and philosophical difference between the Armigers and Almalexia’s Hands. 

Once we had dined and enjoyed the evening, I said I needed to take a walk for some fresh air. Nabine was busy putting down the girls and Sildras and Avon asked if I wished for some company. I told them they should not interrupt Sildras’ lessons, for I would be back shortly.

So I stepped out into the cool night air and began my walk around the different levels.

The sound of the nocturnal insects calling to one another filled the air, as other than the sounds of music and talking from inside the inn, it was silent.

Above, the clouds parted to reveal patches of stars and moonslight.

I took deep breaths, savoring the feeling of the clean, crisp air, the scent of salt from the inner sea on the breeze, mixed with the faint scent of sulfur. I was able to relax a bit, leaning on the railing I could look out over the dock and hear in the distance the low call of a silt strider. The moonslight reflected off the water and danced across the waves.

As nice as it felt to just enjoy the feel of being alive, I knew I had said I would not be gone overly long and I needed to return.

As I began to make my way back towards the inn, a strong gust blew, knocking the hat from my head. As I bent down to retrieve it, I heard a voice strongly as though it were spoken to my ear by someone standing besides me.

I recognized the voice. My Prince.

My whole body froze. I felt burning hot as I felt the ire in my Prince’s voice. She demanded a proper offering. As Azura had warned me, I had not nearly given enough. So very much had been happening that I had not had the opportunity to do so.

That was my mistake. What is most important is serving my Prince. That is the agreement that I made. He keeps my soul safe and I do whatever it is that She asks of me.

I was told I must make a proper offering. And that it should be proof that I had not given myself back over to the false Tribunal. I must prove that I bore them no love.

His main request was the soul of the abbot. Beyond that, I was to present offerings befitting of the amount to which I was willing to devote myself. And that should I not, then our agreement was forfeit.

At that moment I was seized by an icy fear, my lungs cried out with sudden pain and I found I could not draw any breath.

After what seemed like long enough that I might indeed be dying, air flooded back into my lungs and I gasped hungrily into the night.

I had no time to think about repercussions. Not when my Prince had issued me a directive and made it clear that She was not to be kept waiting. I had to find the quickest way in and out for it. I had no time to consider whether any of those inside were guilty or innocent. I only had time enough to strip out of my over layers, which were of a light blue and would have shown the blood straight away.

With all but my trousers off, I pulled off my wig and placed it within my hat, tying my hair back so that it was out of my face. The whole of my clothing I slipped behind an Olms’ bush in one of the planters in the courtyard on the upper level of the canton.

Then I tucked my dagger into my trousers and made sure I had extras in my boot. I wiped off my makeup and grabbed dirt and smeared it ‘cross my face. It was hasty, but anything that might keep anyone from immediately recognizing me was a positive.

I entered the Temple and was greeted by a clerk who asked me what my business was, clearly making a pointed expression at my bare chest. I rasped in my best strained voice and Vvardenfell accent, that I had an appointment with the abbot about a shipment of wine from Davon’s Watch. I knew well enough that she used a distributor based out of Davon’s Watch’s Temple.

So the clerk sighed and asked me to wait while they went to check with the abbot. Noticing a thin silk runner on the table, I palmed it.

I followed the clerk invisibly and as soon as the clerk called that there was someone about a shipment of wine, I shoved the silk down his throat and pulled him back against me.

The abbot said to give her a few minutes to become presentable as I dragged the clerk backwards, their legs beginning to kick out. I managed to get them just around the corner of the hallway and slit their throat ear to ear, letting the blood spray towards the wall and then gently lowered the to the ground as they burbled their last attempts at breath. 

I said my prayers to Mephala that I was sending souls to prove my loyalty and to ask for forgiveness for making Him wait for such proof.

Then I heard footsteps further down the hall. I wiped off my blade and rushed forward invisibly, seeing a mer suspiciously hiding things under their robes and looking around to make sure none saw them. I realized that there was likely many bad things going on that led to my Prince choosing this particular Temple.

But I knew time was pressing, so summoned two of my shades and had them begin tabbing the priest in the back.

There came a loud crash as glass bottles shattered at the priest’s feet. I saw the spreading brown of whiskey and I threw a fireball forward, the priest screaming out as the whiskey caught at the bottom of their robe.

I knew that the scream and crash would likely alert others. I had the shade go for the head, the scream quieted soon after.

Doors opened down the hall and people began to call out. There was no time now, I had to make sure to end things before the abbot was fully aware of what was happening.

There were several priests who were coming out of their rooms wondering what had happened.

I yelled down the hall that there was a thief and sent a shade running past the rooms and down the other side of the hallway. Three of the priests gave chase while two others stood around.

I appeared behind one knocked them in the back of the kneecap, sending them falling. Then I grabbed their head and snapped it quickly before the other had a chance to react.

I teleported over to that one and they had no chance to cry out before I was behind them. As they looked around confused by what they did or did not see, I slit their throat as well.

Then I grabbed the robes off the other priest and threw it over myself. It was a bit tight, but not so much as to keep anyone from being any the wiser at a moment’s glance.

I went to the abbot’s door and knocked. The abbot said they were still not ready, but I let myself in anyhow.

The abbot was still adjusting her robes and began to scold me for entering uninvited, saying that the shipment could wait until she was done.

I told her that I was sent as a gift  to pleasure her by a friend in Davon’s Watch.

That seemed to confuse her very greatly and she asked me if I had put skooma in my wine at dinner.

I approached, even as she began to step backwards, closing the gap between us until she was backed up against the wall. She asked me, very sternly to leave before she called the guard.

Leaning forward I whispered in her ear that I was there to bring her to the edge.

She told me she would not tell me again. I reached forwards and put my hands on either side of her face. Then I let loose a torrent of magicka, fire and shadow swirled around her. Her scream was haunting and I felt a bit nauseous from the sound and the smell of her roasting flesh.

I pulled back, grabbed a soul gem sitting on her desk, and shoved it into her mouth, silencing the scream as she tore at my clothing.

I kicked her in the side so that she fell back against the carpet and curtains, setting them alight. I knew the fire would not spread far since most of it was just stone. 

I fled out the door and felt a surge of power within me.

I think it must have been a blessing from my Prince.

As I closed the door behind me, the three priests who had gone after my shade spotted me, my clothing torn and probably realizing they did not recognize me. 

I knew that three more souls had to go to my Prince. I could not risk any witnesses.

Between the shades, my teleporting, and my magicka, I was able to dispatch of them as well.

I did not know how many others were inside the Temple, but I quickly grabbed a sheet of parchment off the clerk’s desk and penned a note that said, the unfaithful of the temple will be cleansed with blood and flame and I left a made up sigil with symbolism that could be either interpreted as Vehkian or as related to the four corners. Best to send them for a bit of a chase about who is responsible. I wiped the blood from my body onto the robe I wore. Then I balled it up and dropped the bloody robe into a vase where it will look as though it was being hidden.

I slipped back out and carefully redressed and put back on my wig and hat in a way that would not be too noticeable as different from when I left. 

When I entered the room, Avon told me I was gone rather a long time and asked if all was well. I said I had been enjoying the fresh air and lost track of time, looking at how beautiful the moons looked reflected on the water.

Nabine asked about my makeup and if that was dirt on my face. I admitted that I had been so lost in thought I had clipped the edge of a bench and hit my face in a bush, then wiped off the dirt as best as I could, but may have gotten some on me.

Nabine drew a bowl of water and wiped my face down as I undressed.

The children were all sound asleep and soon after, so were the three of us.

It was not until the morning that I realized the gravity of what I had done.

Of course, it had to be done. I had no choice.

And I am confident that my Prince sent me after the Temple’s priests for a reason. Something very unwell was going on.

Early in the morning, we went to the Temple to take our transportation home and found the Temple completely closed off. The doors were shut and guards blocked the entrance. We asked what was going on and were told that there had been an incident and that anyone who was looking to leave would have to do so by boat, carriage, or silt strider.

We were asked a series of questions before we were allowed to leave. Nabine and Avon did not mention my walk to the guards. I think they both began to suspect that I may have been involved. And yet, they did not say anything to me even after we took the silt strider back to Vivec City to travel from the Temple there.

It took us the better part of the day to finally get an appointment and travel back home to Mournhold.

I was sorry we had not gotten to say a proper farewell to Tel, only leave a letter from all of us. I am sure with what happened they had their hands filled. I wonder if this will be considered the outcome that the supposed omen foretold. 

I should have made it seem so. Of course, I had not the time to have planned ahead enough for that. I would have made it seem as though it was even more certainly someone from within the Temple itself. Found someone to frame specifically.

At least that should give Tel something to do for a while. I know how boring they seemed to find their duty in such a quiet place.

The brightest point of all of this, is knowing that they certainly cannot find a reason to pin this on any Velothi tribes, since they rarely are literate, let alone have the opportunity to plan something of this sort. That’s not the way they would make a strike against the House mer or their Temple.

I do ache though. My body not so used to doing all the things I did last night.

I can only hope that I have done my Prince proud. That I did enough.

Should I have made sure to leave none alive?

No! What am I saying? That is a horrible thing to think.

I must be far more careful with making sure I have offerings to give. And also to checking to make sure I have found truly wicked people.

Is it bad that, despite all that I have done, I feel so much more warm, almost as though I am wrapped in an embrace, since I made my kills. And even that dull emptiness feels lessened.

I shall have to ask Avon about it later.

Maybe.

I hope he does not see me too poorly for what I had to do.

[ui-artdump]

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Notable Characters: Nameless the Saintess, Atlantes Euckliffe, Eurydice Eucklisse, Zayel Edwards, Pierce Cliff, Ruby Castellan, Bianca, Michelle Saville. Misty Saville, "Apsephion", "Guide"

When a bored Saintess and an energetic Mage become friends, total chaos arises. It was not in Nameless' plans to befriend the infamous Atlantes Euckliffe throughout her life but being with her new friend makes her feel alive. Together with Atlantes, they cause headaches to those who cross them and adventure that leads them to form a guild where they find more secrets about the world that they shouldn't have.

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DREAM COME TRUE

Notable Characters: Cynth Anderson, Yeji, Solaris Celeste and Sol Nova von Wingerden, Stella Winona von Wingerden, Quomiere, Rastell (theres more, too lazy to list them all)

A story about a young girl named Cynth, the daughter of a Hero who dreams of becoming a hero herself. However, after being betrayed by her brother and a friend, Cynth wanted to give up. That is until a Spirit condemns her with a curse; as long as the boy who ruined her life lives, the more she'd be deeper in misery.

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DEVOTE

Notable Characters: Cariel, Fraus Dela Ulrich, King Ambrose von Radcliffe, Axel von Radcliffe, Tiadelle Solomon

When Cariel returns from the expedition that took her 2 years to complete, she finds out the king has done some irredeemable things that name him a tyrant. As the king's self-proclaimed sister and knight, she tries her best to fix his mess and ways but with a revolution stirring up about replacing Ambrose, she could only rely on Fraus to keep her sanity from dwindling. Little did she know that the one wanting to replace the king is right in front of her.

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Notable Characters: Kian, Klein the Time Sage, Prince of the ??? Seir, Avery Snow, Lament, Lucidell "Nightingale", Deidre

The Devil King disappeared from the face of the world after cursing everyone with misfortune to those who encountered jewels that looked exactly like rubies. Said jewels are fragments of the Devil's power and could easily corrupt anything that it touches. Kian, a famous jeweler who loves rubies encounters a fragment that leads to a famous Sage hunting him down after he had accidentally absorbed it. How he absorbed it was not completely an accident.

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