Week 1
The next three days were miserable across most of Haafingar, as the cold rain held a tight grip over the land. Valarie was very limited in her ventures from the Stormcloak camp. She would quickly travel to Meridia’s temple, though the cold temperatures and persistent rain forced her to cut her daily visits short. She spent most of her time treating the injured and shivering under fur blankets in her leaky tent.
On the morning of the fifth day, Valarie awoke to a cloudy but rain-free sky. “Finally,” she thought to herself and began her morning routine. After a quick meal, she put out the campfire and headed off toward the temple shortly before sunrise. The short trip was uneventful, and she sat down by the statue of her mother.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been here more, mother,” she said. “The weather has been dreadful, and it is nearly impossible for me to get warm. I will tend to the grounds after sunrise.”
“No, my child,” came the response. “In hiding my light, I have been preparing you for something. Look to Mundus and remember this day.”
Valarie’s eyes immediately looked toward the sunrise. She was awestruck at the beauty of the sky, filled with bright colors. A rainbow of colors reflected off the tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s beautiful, mother,” she exclaimed! “What would you have me do?”
“My child,” Meridia replied, “you must leave here and head to the southeast. There is something I need you to see.”
“But,” stammered Valarie, “I am not ready!”
“Yes, you are,” replied Meridia. “I know that you are ready. My temple will keep while you are away.”
The conversation continued for a few minutes, with Valarie offering excuse after excuse. Finally, Meridia ended the conversation with a forceful, yet loving, tone. Valarie looked up at the statue and then slowly made her way down to the stone path. Upon nearing it, she noticed some men coming. They were Imperial soldiers, by the look of them. “Perhaps they are coming to my mother’s temple,” Valarie thought?
She hid in the trees and watched the men as they approached. They joked with one another as they slowly passed the path up to the temple. Valarie watched and waited in silence for a few more minutes until the soldiers were out of sight. She then walked to the path and headed down to a small town called Dragon Bridge.
Upon reaching the town, she found a small campfire near the sawmill. She took a few minutes to warm herself while looking at the large, stone bridge. She had come to this town before multiple times and had ventured into the Four Shields Tavern a time or two to dry off when she had been caught in sudden downpours. However, Valarie had never ventured past the bridge.
With a small sigh, Valarie crossed over the bridge. She noticed a small fox dart across the path ahead of her, near a large, fallen tree. Playfully, she ran and jumped on the log and began running down it, chasing the fox. The fox continued on up the hill toward some large rocks. Valarie joyfully pursued the fox. As she got near the top, the fox had stopped. Valarie immediately crouched down and began to look around. Off in the distance, a robed woman stood by a stone altar.
Valarie watched the woman for a few minutes. She seemed to be reading a book while occasionally looking into a large bowl. Then, as Valarie kept looking, she noticed a corpse in the grass nearby. “No,” thought Valarie, “she is one who walks in the dark.” Anger began to build up in her.
Valarie slipped off her gloves and cast the quick flesh spell that Meridia had taught her. The robed woman didn’t seem to notice. Valarie began to creep closer to her while preparing another spell. Her foot slipped on some rocks, and the woman suddenly turned toward Valarie and began raising her hands. Valarie quickly reached out her arms, and two rays of light streamed toward the woman. She screamed in agony and quickly fell to the ground.
Valarie cautiously approached the body, hands at the ready. The robed woman, an Altmeri, was dead, and Valarie quickly began to search her. She stripped the robes off the body and took anything of value. Valarie then walked over to the corpse lying in the grass. It was a Nord woman who had been stabbed multiple times and her body cut open. Valarie also noticed that some of her organs had been removed. Valarie dug a shallow grave and buried the woman, covering the earth with some loose rocks, and said a brief prayer to Meridia for her.
Valarie then returned to the altar and found two books along with a bowl containing various ingredients, including a human heart. Valarie quickly buried the heart next to the woman. Still angry, she dragged the dead Altmer’s body away from the altar a short distance and left it on the grass. “You don’t deserve anything better than to feed the animals and insects with your flesh.”
Starting to grow tired, Valarie surveyed the land around the bridge. She visited the small houses and sawmill nearby (Cutting Room Floor mod, BTW) before making her way back to the Stormcloak camp. As she neared the hidden trail leading down to the camp, Valarie saw some of the cat men approaching. “Khajiit, I think they are called,” she thought to herself. She moved to one side of the stone path as they drew near.
“Greetings,” said one of the Khajiit. “Can we interest you in any of our wares?”
Valarie nodded and began rummaging through a few of their bags. She didn’t find much of interest and, instead, began to offer them some of her findings. “How much will you give me for this,” she asked, showing them the robe the Altmer had been wearing, along with various other items. After a few minutes, the Khajiit packed up and headed off toward Dragon Bridge a little lighter in the pocket. Valarie returned to the camp for the evening and ate a small meal before tending to the injured.
When she had finished, she quickly returned to the small tent by the fire and began pouring over the books. The first book contained a spell, which Valarie quickly learned. The second book talked about a Necromancer named Mannimarco and discussed various alchemical recipes. While she learned some interesting facts about various ingredients, she felt very uncomfortable. “One should not learn from such evil,” she said as she tossed the book into the fire and rubbed her eyes. She then fell asleep.
The next morning was dark and overcast as Valarie awoke, shivering fiercely. The fire had died down during the night, leaving her without a continuous heat source. “I shouldn’t have read two books,” she said to herself in frustration as she hastily got ready. She had slightly overslept. After a few minutes, she headed off toward the temple—her empty stomach complaining.
Upon reaching the temple, she sat down by Meridia’s statue facing the sunrise. Before Valarie could even open her mouth, Meridia spoke to her. “My child, why did you come back? Did I not tell you to head to the southeast?”
“Yes, mother, and I did,” replied Valarie! “I headed across the large bridge and found a darkness-walker. I shined your light upon her, and she died.”
“I know, my child. While that pleased me, you did not truly hear my words. You must head to the southeast and continue along that path. I will guide you and tell you exactly where to go. Do not disappoint me again, daughter,” Meridia said as her tone grew sterner.
“I am sorry, mother,” muttered Valarie as tears began streaming down her face. “I will not disappoint you again.” Looking up, Valarie noticed that the sunrise was hidden behind dark clouds. She wept for a few more minutes, pondering her mother’s words before she got up and headed back to the camp.
She packed up her few belongings before cleaning up her campfire and tending to the injured. She then headed over to the tent of Istar Cairn-Breaker. He looked at her as she approached and immediately noticed her sad countenance. “What is wrong, Valarie,” he inquired?
“I must go away for now,” she replied. “My mother needs me to go somewhere for her.”
With a puzzled look, Istar asked, “Your mother, Meridia? She told you to leave?”
“Well, her name is really Merid-Nunda. And no, not to leave…really. She just needs me to go somewhere. I’m…well, I am not sure exactly where yet,” she said as her eyes began to water. She ran over to the large Nord and gave him a hug.
As she turned away, Istar said, “Be careful, Valarie. I know how you love her. Just…just please be careful. And remember, you are always welcome here.”
“Thank you,” Valarie said softly. She headed back to her small tent and briefly looked around before turning toward the horses. “Here,” she said as a small smile began returning to her face. She gave “Uncertain” two red apples before giving “Spots” three green apples. “I know they are your favorite! Now take care of Istar for me,” she told Spots. The horse neighed as if telling her, “I will.”
Valarie walked up the trail to the stone path, refusing to look back. She then turned and headed down the path toward Dragon Bridge.
Week 1
The next three days were miserable across most of Haafingar, as the cold rain held a tight grip over the land. Valarie was very limited in her ventures from the Stormcloak camp. She would quickly travel to Meridia’s temple, though the cold temperatures and persistent rain forced her to cut her daily visits short. She spent most of her time treating the injured and shivering under fur blankets in her leaky tent.
On the morning of the fifth day, Valarie awoke to a cloudy but rain-free sky. “Finally,” she thought to herself and began her morning routine. After a quick meal, she put out the campfire and headed off toward the temple shortly before sunrise. The short trip was uneventful, and she sat down by the statue of her mother.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been here more, mother,” she said. “The weather has been dreadful, and it is nearly impossible for me to get warm. I will tend to the grounds after sunrise.”
“No, my child,” came the response. “In hiding my light, I have been preparing you for something. Look to Mundus and remember this day.”
Valarie’s eyes immediately looked toward the sunrise. She was awestruck at the beauty of the sky, filled with bright colors. A rainbow of colors reflected off the tears welling up in her eyes. “It’s beautiful, mother,” she exclaimed! “What would you have me do?”
“My child,” Meridia replied, “you must leave here and head to the southeast. There is something I need you to see.”
“But,” stammered Valarie, “I am not ready!”
“Yes, you are,” replied Meridia. “I know that you are ready. My temple will keep while you are away.”
The conversation continued for a few minutes, with Valarie offering excuse after excuse. Finally, Meridia ended the conversation with a forceful, yet loving, tone. Valarie looked up at the statue and then slowly made her way down to the stone path. Upon nearing it, she noticed some men coming. They were Imperial soldiers, by the look of them. “Perhaps they are coming to my mother’s temple,” Valarie thought?
She hid in the trees and watched the men as they approached. They joked with one another as they slowly passed the path up to the temple. Valarie watched and waited in silence for a few more minutes until the soldiers were out of sight. She then walked to the path and headed down to a small town called Dragon Bridge.
Upon reaching the town, she found a small campfire near the sawmill. She took a few minutes to warm herself while looking at the large, stone bridge. She had come to this town before multiple times and had ventured into the Four Shields Tavern a time or two to dry off when she had been caught in sudden downpours. However, Valarie had never ventured past the bridge.
With a small sigh, Valarie crossed over the bridge. She noticed a small fox dart across the path ahead of her, near a large, fallen tree. Playfully, she ran and jumped on the log and began running down it, chasing the fox. The fox continued on up the hill toward some large rocks. Valarie joyfully pursued the fox. As she got near the top, the fox had stopped. Valarie immediately crouched down and began to look around. Off in the distance, a robed woman stood by a stone altar.
Valarie watched the woman for a few minutes. She seemed to be reading a book while occasionally looking into a large bowl. Then, as Valarie kept looking, she noticed a corpse in the grass nearby. “No,” thought Valarie, “she is one who walks in the dark.” Anger began to build up in her.
Valarie slipped off her gloves and cast the quick flesh spell that Meridia had taught her. The robed woman didn’t seem to notice. Valarie began to creep closer to her while preparing another spell. Her foot slipped on some rocks, and the woman suddenly turned toward Valarie and began raising her hands. Valarie quickly reached out her arms, and two rays of light streamed toward the woman. She screamed in agony and quickly fell to the ground.
Valarie cautiously approached the body, hands at the ready. The robed woman, an Altmeri, was dead, and Valarie quickly began to search her. She stripped the robes off the body and took anything of value. Valarie then walked over to the corpse lying in the grass. It was a Nord woman who had been stabbed multiple times and her body cut open. Valarie also noticed that some of her organs had been removed. Valarie dug a shallow grave and buried the woman, covering the earth with some loose rocks, and said a brief prayer to Meridia for her.
Valarie then returned to the altar and found two books along with a bowl containing various ingredients, including a human heart. Valarie quickly buried the heart next to the woman. Still angry, she dragged the dead Altmer’s body away from the altar a short distance and left it on the grass. “You don’t deserve anything better than to feed the animals and insects with your flesh.”
Starting to grow tired, Valarie surveyed the land around the bridge. She visited the small houses and sawmill nearby (Cutting Room Floor mod, BTW) before making her way back to the Stormcloak camp. As she neared the hidden trail leading down to the camp, Valarie saw some of the cat men approaching. “Khajiit, I think they are called,” she thought to herself. She moved to one side of the stone path as they drew near.
“Greetings,” said one of the Khajiit. “Can we interest you in any of our wares?”
Valarie nodded and began rummaging through a few of their bags. She didn’t find much of interest and, instead, began to offer them some of her findings. “How much will you give me for this,” she asked, showing them the robe the Altmer had been wearing, along with various other items. After a few minutes, the Khajiit packed up and headed off toward Dragon Bridge a little lighter in the pocket. Valarie returned to the camp for the evening and ate a small meal before tending to the injured.
When she had finished, she quickly returned to the small tent by the fire and began pouring over the books. The first book contained a spell, which Valarie quickly learned. The second book talked about a Necromancer named Mannimarco and discussed various alchemical recipes. While she learned some interesting facts about various ingredients, she felt very uncomfortable. “One should not learn from such evil,” she said as she tossed the book into the fire and rubbed her eyes. She then fell asleep.
The next morning was dark and overcast as Valarie awoke, shivering fiercely. The fire had died down during the night, leaving her without a continuous heat source. “I shouldn’t have read two books,” she said to herself in frustration as she hastily got ready. She had slightly overslept. After a few minutes, she headed off toward the temple—her empty stomach complaining.
Upon reaching the temple, she sat down by Meridia’s statue facing the sunrise. Before Valarie could even open her mouth, Meridia spoke to her. “My child, why did you come back? Did I not tell you to head to the southeast?”
“Yes, mother, and I did,” replied Valarie! “I headed across the large bridge and found a darkness-walker. I shined your light upon her, and she died.”
“I know, my child. While that pleased me, you did not truly hear my words. You must head to the southeast and continue along that path. I will guide you and tell you exactly where to go. Do not disappoint me again, daughter,” Meridia said as her tone grew sterner.
“I am sorry, mother,” muttered Valarie as tears began streaming down her face. “I will not disappoint you again.” Looking up, Valarie noticed that the sunrise was hidden behind dark clouds. She wept for a few more minutes, pondering her mother’s words before she got up and headed back to the camp.
She packed up her few belongings before cleaning up her campfire and tending to the injured. She then headed over to the tent of Istar Cairn-Breaker. He looked at her as she approached and immediately noticed her sad countenance. “What is wrong, Valarie,” he inquired?
“I must go away for now,” she replied. “My mother needs me to go somewhere for her.”
With a puzzled look, Istar asked, “Your mother, Meridia? She told you to leave?”
“Well, her name is really Merid-Nunda. And no, not to leave…really. She just needs me to go somewhere. I’m…well, I am not sure exactly where yet,” she said as her eyes began to water. She ran over to the large Nord and gave him a hug.
As she turned away, Istar said, “Be careful, Valarie. I know how you love her. Just…just please be careful. And remember, you are always welcome here.”
“Thank you,” Valarie said softly. She headed back to her small tent and briefly looked around before turning toward the horses. “Here,” she said as a small smile began returning to her face. She gave “Uncertain” two red apples before giving “Spots” three green apples. “I know they are your favorite! Now take care of Istar for me,” she told Spots. The horse neighed as if telling her, “I will.”
Valarie walked up the trail to the stone path, refusing to look back. She then turned and headed down the path toward Dragon Bridge.
