Alda'hirakam ghar Ara; Chapter 42

  • In the dim lit Retching Netch, they were all gathered to hear a story that Geldis had offered to tell them. The story of the Deathbrand. Everyone had their own drink to drown with during the story for Geldis had the voice and tone to get everyone on edge.

     

    The story told how Haknir Deathbrand had become a legend among the pirates and eventually gained the title of “The King of Ghosts” with his twin sabers. He, in his gleaming Stalhrim armor, had been scything men to the left and right like grass and became the most feared pirate on the northern seas.

     

    But, it was his own crew who feared him the most when The King of Ghosts fought with madness in his eyes. No one dared to oppose him as it was known that he took delight in murder and torture for its own sake. He had been seen drinking his victims’ blood to extend his own life. This led to a darker rumor of him being in a pact with Dagon, prince of destruction. Haknir had paid a horrible price to seal that pact. He carried a terrible scar, never to heal - the Deathbrand, on his face, which no man would look upon without flinching.

     

    Haknir was said to be a god, but the King of Ghosts was dying.

     

    His crew had been waiting for his final words. Who would be the next captain? And what of the treasure they had collected so far. The two named men Garuk Windrime, the ship’s quartermaster, and Thalin the ship’s helmsman, expected one of them to be dead by sundown as Thalin was Garuk’s rival. The other would be the new captain. Hopefully.

     

    Hakir came out from his cabin. He was old, but his ever notorious presence was with him. The old pirate looked about the crew, and said, "You wish to know who will be my successor, and how my share of the treasure shall be divided."

     

    It was clear that was the question, but there were also murmurs of protest which Haknir cut short.

     

    "All these years, I have looked for one who was worthy to take my place, or strong enough to take it from me. Not one of you even comes close. And so none of you shall have it."

     

    He extended his hand. "In Dagon's name, I place a curse upon my armor, and my swords. This ship, and all it carries. Until the day when one of you can best me in combat, you shall have not a single coin." He looked up at them. "Be grateful I have left you with your lives."

     

    At this point, Garuk and Thalin shared a glance. If the captain would had been anyone else, there would have been a munity. But it was Haknir, so none spoke.

     

    Haknir threw a map at Garuk's feet. "Garuk, take a longboat, and bury my armor in the places I have marked. Thalin, we sail to my tomb, where you shall leave me with my gold. Then burn your ships, and do as you will. I am your captain no more." And with that, he turned and stalked back to his quarters.

     

    At daybreak, Garuk took his leave, and set out in a longboat with three of his men. They landed on a shoal to the north of Solstheim, at the place Haknir had marked, made camp, and began to dig.

     

    But, Garuk wasn’t above the greed that stirred in his heart. From time to time, he glanced the iron-bound chest that they brought with them. The old King of Ghosts was gone, probably dead already. His order were foolish, Garuk had thought.

     

    That night, Garuk pried open the chest and drew out the helm from within, forgetting the curse Haknir had placed on it. The Stalhrim glimmered in the moonlight. It was his time, to become the new King of Ghosts. Garuk placed the helm on his head.

     

    And he screamed.

     

    “And it is said you can still hear his scream, on moonlit nights, on a rocky shoal off of the northern coast of Solstheim.” Geldis ended the tale.

     

    The patrons released a deep breath as if they had been holding it since the story had begun. Drinks were drank and swallowed with shivers. It made Geldis feel like a successful story teller until his eyes focussed on Ciel’nn. “So, how did you like it?”

     

    The young mer tapped the edge of his cup of Sujamma. “Fascinating. A cursed treasure. I’d like to know the other locations of those buried treasures.”

     

    Geldis shook his head. “Are you seriously going after the treasures?”

     

    “Yes.” Ciel’nn nodded. “Why not?”

     

    “Are you insane?” Geldis stared at the young mer. ”They’re cursed.” He couldn’t believe if the young mer was going to after them.

     

    “Probably.” Teldryn interjected before he downed his Sujamma. “It’s not like we’re going to use them, but to sell them.” He knew Ciel’nn wouldn’t go after it just for selling them. No, it was the thrill of seeking them out.

     

    Ciel’nn flashed a snarl at the Inn keeper. “Besides, there are pirates on this island already. We found two pirates fighting over a shovel.” He took a sip from his cup. “It has already begun, Geldis. And, we’re joining the hunt.” The idea of hunting down the treasures and clashing with the pirates was thrilling. They’re a bloodthirsty lot, probably. It wasn’t an issue though.

     

    “Azura preserve us.” Geldis breathed as he placed his hand on his chest. “Let’s hope they don’t invade here in the town.”

     

    They were enjoying their drinks when Tenaru walked down the stairs. The new alchemist surveyed the Inn and spotted Ciel’nn at the counter. She bit her lower lip as she strolled towards the counter even if she couldn’t stand the older mer. Tenaru cleared her throat. “Can I have some wine, Geldis dear?” Then, she looked to Ciel’nn. “I heard something about pirates on my way here.”

     

    Ciel’nn sighed. “The pirates are after a treasure.” His tone was neutral. He’d wanted to go away, but sitting there was comfortable enough. As long as Tenaru wasn’t going to cling to him and drool like a fool, he could tolerate her.

     

    “That’s horrible.” Tenaru groaned. “As if it is already dangerous enough to after some ingredients.” She sat on an empty chair nearby. “What am I going to do?”

     

    Teldryn rolled his eyes before taking a bite of his roasted ash hopper leg. Women after his partner… He couldn’t blame her. Ciel’nn was a tempting mer in his mysterious ways, but also a dangerous individual. But also a fragile mer.

     

    “Well, we’re leaving tomorrow.” Ciel’nn said nonchalantly. “To find those treasures.”

     

    The new alchemist shot a desperate look on the young mer. “But, it’s dangerous! Those pirates...Um…” she paused for a moment and collected herself. “Could you find me a few ingredients?” Tenaru pleaded while she looked to Ciel’nn. “Please?” Please, say yes! I need them!

     

    Ciel’nn sighed again. It wouldn’t hurt to help, but she was asking probably to get on his good side. To get closer, and the young mer wasn’t sure if he wanted that. Still, Tenaru was a fellow alchemist. “I can’t promise anything solid, but what do you need?” He gave her a tired glance.

     

    “Oh, you’re doing it?” Actually? Tenaru almost stammered in excitement, but she forced herself to behave as a noble Dunmer should. “I’d need a handful of Ash creep cluster and a handful of Scathecraw.” He’ll know what those are for! Her heart raced at the prospect Ciel’nn might suspect something. Like her plan for him. He looked so smart of a mer!

     

    Geldis handed Tenaru her wine glass. “There you go, sera.”

     

    Tenaru took the glass with a smile and focused back on the young mer.

     

    A dark brow cocked up as Ciel’nn stared at the alchemist. What was she up to? Shrugging inwardly, he asked. “Are you trying to poison someone?” But the nervous laugh from Tenaru indicated otherwise. Maybe she wanted to restock then? “I’ll look for them, if we have time.” He turned back to the counter.

     

    “Thank you, Ciel’nn.” The new alchemist beamed. She knew she should walk away politely as the mer had turned away from her, but it was harder to do so. “I’ll be going now.” Tenaru whispered, mainly to herself. At least he talked to me, but once I have the ingredients and have the poison for him – he’ll fall for me! With those thoughts, she walked quietly away, towards the stairs.

     

    “I wonder if she’s looking to poison you.” Teldryn glanced at his partner. That’d be a mistake, but he thought it would be difficult to do. “When did you learn about poisons?” He couldn’t remember if Ciel’nn had told him.

     

    Ciel’nn took a sip from his cup. “In the early years when my mother taught me the names and what each ingredient did.” He wondered if he should tell him that he tried to poison the old mer. The memory made him smile for a brief second. Too bad he didn’t die back then.

     

    In the early years… Damn, he could be a master of poisons now. But what did he know of them? Nothing. Teldryn noted the smile that danced across Ciel’nn’s face. “A good memory?” At least he hoped it would be. “I tried my first poison on the old mer.” His partner’s voice was low and reaching the cold notes. The older mer knew he should be shocked at this reveal, but the other mer had told him about his father. “Did he die?”

     

    Ciel’nn shook his head gently. “No, it only made him cough like crazy.” But he’s dead now and that’s enough. To his surprise, Teldryn hadn’t scowled or looked at him like he was a monster at all. There was some understanding in his eyes. We’re no saints.

     

    Geldis blinked. Did he hear correctly? The kid had tried to poison his father? By Azura, what must this kid have gone through? Ciel’nn looked calm on the surface, but what was it like was inside him? Stormy? Broken? Without a word, the Inn keeper made a honey tea and placed it in front of Ciel’nn, who looked to him with a puzzling look. “It’s on the house.”

     

    Ciel’nn tilted his head while he kept his eyes on the Inn keeper. I hope you can keep your mouth shut, Geldis. He hadn’t had a honey tea for a while. It also helped him to sleep better. He glanced at Teldryn. “I’m being nursed.” He chuckled quietly before he took the tea cup into his hands. Oh, how the scent of honey reminded him of Skyrim and the young Nord…

     

    Teldryn smiled. You need a lot of nursing. More than you know. I’ll watch out that you don’t have to suffer like that anymore.

     

    In their room, Ciel’nn read briefly the Deathbrand book once more, and then marked the supposed to location, where Garuk had been digging, on their map. “I wonder if we’ll hear his scream when it’s a moonlit night.” He mused, scrolling the map in his hands.

     

    Teldryn packed their backpack with the necessities. “If it can still be heard, then we know the treasure exists. There will be more pirates to fight against. That’ll be more training for you.” He took the map from his partner and tucked it carefully into the backpack.

     

    Ciel’nn flashed a smirk as he looked to Teldryn. “I think I can handle them after a well rested night.” He gazed into his partner’s eyes for a moment longer before he reached out to touch his cheek. “It will be a thrilling treasure hunt, daelha.” He said softly in Dunmeri.” The older mer softened visibly in his eyes and smiled.

     

    It had been a long time since the older mer had heard anyone calling him as such. It warmed his heart. Maybe it was his time to melt as he couldn’t deny the desire that was stirring up. “We’d better get some sleep then.” He gently embraced his partner and kissed his forehead. “Daelha.” Teldryn uttered the word carefully and softer than a feather. It felt right to him.

     

     

     

    Back to ToC

    http://en.uesp.net/wiki/Dragonborn:Deathbrand_(book)

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Comments

3 Comments   |   Karver the Lorc and 2 others like this.
  • GailOlm
    GailOlm   ·  November 13, 2019
    I like how you integrated the Deathbrand lore from the perspective of Geldis sharing the tale with patrons of the inn. Tenaru is definitely up to something and it’s probably not good. I’m glad Ciel’nn shared about attempting to poison his father with Teld...  more
  • The Sunflower Manual
    The Sunflower Manual   ·  October 30, 2018
    What a pair of adventurous spirits. Never ever going to take the time to settle down, hehe. There's just the next quest and the next quest and the quest after that. That's the Odysseus spirit!
  • Karver the Lorc
    Karver the Lorc   ·  September 12, 2018
    Ah, Deathbrand. That is something I did want to touch upon but didn´t really have room for that, so I´m quite qurious how you gonna tackle it. Just beware the werebear, it is quite close to its territory.



    And what´s that bitc...  more