18+ The Plain Gate

[Balomew]

OOC
​

Sorry for my silence. College move-in day is drawing near, and that means apocalypse-esque packing.
Nocte, I love how you used part of your post as the writing sample for Anonymous.

12th of Sun's Height 4E 201
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Watching the soldiers rustle about around her and the robed mage tending to the wounded, Khamundar wasn't sure what to do. She found herself face-to-face with a soldier requesting help moving the wounded, so she took up on the offer and did what she could for over an hour. Her arms aching in places she hadn't expected them to hurt, she made her way to the Bannered Mare, certain that Tsee-Keth had returned. She had not seem him when working with the guard, nor when she checked the stream before she headed up.

The guards at the gate said nothing as she passed, though she heard them talking about the previous afternoon and this morning. She tried to convince herself that she didn't care how they felt about her. The people she passed hardly seemed to notice her; perhaps they had already forgotten their previous informality. Still, she hadn't visited the marketplace yet. She had many people to meet, and she was bent on making Whiterun a safe haven as she was told it was in this war-torn land.

When she passed into the marketplace, she had planned on exploring, but she instead caught sight of the back of a familiar Nord entering the inn. "Orvar?" she said aloud, moving forward after him, even as the door closed. She nudged it open, coming to the realization that Tsee-Keth was likely also in this room. She would not draw a weapon in a public place like this. Orvar would probably have it under control.

 

[Wauten Dayhil]

Tsee-Keth felt so much resentment for Orvar and what he did, he wanted nothing more than to blow Orvar's head off with a fireball. To send his soul to Sithis, and damn the consequences. But Khamundar's earlier words rattled in his head. This is the lizard's city now. These idiots are the lizard's clan. He shook his head to clear the thoughts, but they returned in force. Snarling, he threw his hand down, extinguishing the flames, and stalked to his room.

 

[fellowknight]

Grass and dirt crunched quietly under the many pounds of muscle being dragged along a jagged path, joined by the cicadas and whispers of the faint wind. In the distance, tall lean figures loitered wearily around a crackling bonfire, the hungry flames licking outward and snaking a thick smoke trail into the sky. The figures came into full view, pale towers of wrinkled muscle and primitive clothing, and took little notice to the body and its carrier until the Nord cleared his throat.

Successful in that attempt, the heads swiveled in the direction of the sound, and found it to come from one of the humans, a little stout Nord. There were four of the giants, more than enough to crush the intruder, and each gave him their full attention span, some lifting their makeshift hammers, anticipating violence. A few even stepped forward, their footfalls rippling through the ground, a testament to their god-like strength and territorial nature.

But the kinsman didn't falter, not even a flinch, when the giants closed in.

Instead, he stepped aside to reveal a sprawled and bloodied body, its chest caved in and charred.

The giants froze in their paths and stared blankly at the body. One of their own.

......
​

Baroth crept from the kitchen, dagger in hand, eyes burning into the Argonian nursing a fiery ball in his palm. He'd stripped to his thin linen wraps, finding release from the outside heat, and had taken to a cool jug of mead until he overheard the commotion. Although hard to ignore, he snuck another sip and went to investigate.

He wasn't sure if he could tag the Argonian before he hit Orvar, but he was damn sure he wouldn't miss.

The lizard shook his head, as if unsure the situation was real, then snarled a moment later, lowering his hand and snuffing the flames. He headed back to his room and, when his door click shut, Baroth eased himself towards the others, eyeing them for wounds. None he could notice.

He met their eyes, glancing cautiously over his shoulder.

"He's still got a fire in him," he returned his gaze to them, his voice somewhat low. "But at least now we know it's dying down." he nodded to them. "You guys alright?" he looked to Orvar. "Ice-wraiths are a nasty business, tricky to avoid getting nicked. I'd guess you were well paid, yea?"

 

[Nocte Aeterna]

OOC: I'm moving into my apartment back at college next week, so we'll both be pretty busy Balo.

Orvar, upon being provoked, practically tackled Tsee-Keth to the ground without a second thought, though it seemed the Argonian was shaking his head.

"Damn lizard," the Nord growled. "I'm not in the mood for games. Either you listen to reason, or we turn you in to the city guard."

This was not the usual mode of resolution that Orvar followed, of course, but he was starting to lose his patience. Surely the scaly bastard hasn't imbibed even more booze.

 

[Balomew]

12th of Sun's Height 4E 201
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"Hey," Khamundar responded to Orvar's grumbled words. "This one has been speaking with Tsee-Keth. Give him time and perhaps the wounds between you two will heal. The hostility isn't helpful." When the two men had first met, blood had been their first responses to each other. Tsee-Keth had his reasons, of course, and Orvar probably did too. But bloodshed, especially as the first option, was not how Khamundar preferred it. She would try diplomacy, and if that didn't work, then she would take a much more aggressive approach. Blood seemed to run hot in Nordic veins, whereas Khajiits are often cautious until provoked. She made up for lack of muscle with quick maneuvers and a sturdy aim. "This one is starving. There was no time for breakfast." She shook her head and looked at Baroth. "Speaking if which, Is it.. dealt with?" Baroth's interest in burying the giant interested her, initially taking her by surprise.

 

[Wauten Dayhil]

Tsee-Keth needed time to think, and felt that climbing up into the rafters, like he had as a child, would give him ample personal space to do just that. Unfortunately, Tsee-Keth was no longer a small, nimble child, and he wore his bonemold armor, to boot. After leaping out for one of the rafters and grabbing hold, Tsee-Keth found himself unable to climb up.

"Damn!" He said to himself, looking down between his feet at the twenty foot drop. Nobody seemed to have noticed him, so he tried not to make a fuss about it. When lifting himself up didn't work, he tried to swing his body, and gain enough momentum to get himself onto the wooden beam.

Starting with his tail, Tsee-Keth swung back and forth, back and forth, building up speed. When he reached the top of his arc, he let go of the rafter, and sailed into the air, attempting a flip before reaching out for the nearest beam. He felt a huge grin spread across his face, and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling... just as he body slammed into a bench, shattering it and sending timber flying all throughout the room.

"Ow..."

 

[Balomew]

12th of Sun's Height 4E 201​

The sound of grating wood planks had been irritating Khamundar's hearing, but she had ignored it, muscles nonetheless tensing at the annoying sound, and when there was a large crash behind them, she reacted quickly. She had just about promised to herself to not draw weapons indoors in a public space, but recent events had put her on edge. Her bow was taken out and she was taking out an arrow from the quiver still strapped to her back, turning around to face whatever had made the creaks and crashed into the ground. Then she saw that it was Tsee-Keth groaning there, in the ruins of a bench beside the unlit fire. It was a sad sight, and perhaps she should have been concerned, but instead she found herself amused. Chuckling, she approached Tsee-Keth and offered him a hand. "What was this one doing?" she asked.

 

[Nocte Aeterna]

Orvar calmed himself as quickly as the conflict began, largely because Tsee-Keth had broken the tension with a comical bench collapse. The diminutive Nord held in a laugh, then turned to Khamundar.

"I don't think he likes his meat rare," Orvar joked, attempting to appear somewhat civilized. He wanted to shield the fact that he had just acted rashly for the umpteenth time. "I wish someone would finally talk some sense into him, because I sure as hell can't."

Still seething, he took a seat on the intact bench perpendicular to the broken one, his eyes barely focusing on the image of Khamundar assisting Tsee-Keth. This was not his idea of a warm welcome; a cold reception fraught with nearly having his flesh charred off. Magic was not something he could defend himself well against. He hated mages - loathed them, as a matter of fact - so it was fortunate enough that he had intervened. Even though he had so recklessly played the fool.

 

[Wauten Dayhil]

(OOC Sorry, it's a garbage post. A bit preoccupied.)

Tsee-Keth took Khamundar's offered paw, hoisting himself off the ground before dusting himself off. "Tsee-Keth was seeking time to self. But, not young like before, not light and sure-footed. Rafters did not want Tsee-Keth's company, hm?" He turned and eyed Orvar coolly, "And no, Tsee-Keth does not like rare meat, unless fresh," he gave a feral grin and snapped his teeth at the diminutive Nord.

Turning to seat himself in a chair, he called for ale and steak, keeping Khamundar, Baroth, and Orvar especially, in sight. Tsee-Keth doesn't expect them to try to kill him, not after all that happened, but bandits don't live long when they trust people, he thought to himself. Unfortunately, this line of thought led him to think of his late Chief, and he fell into a sullen silence, staring into the flames.

 

[fellowknight]

Baroth wanted to answer Khamundar's question, genuinely so, about how he'd buried that giant without becoming a grave himself, but he honestly wouldn't have known how to. He assumed it was some sort of mutual respect, bringing one of their dead back on their own territory, letting them tend to him as they would. Maybe the giants had been intelligent enough to recognize the sentiment, or maybe they were too tired to crush him today. Either way, he was alive for another day, and that's all he could ask for.

When Tsee-Keth crashed into the bench, and after watching Khamundar help him up, Baroth took a seat across from him at the fire. He found himself at a loss for words, overcome with exhaustion, and reclined in the chair, not bothering to keep an eye on Tsee-Keth for the moment.

 

[Balomew]

12th of Sun's Height 4E 201
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Baroth remained silent at Khamundar's question. She respected him by not questioning him further. There was a certain steady silence that Baroth held that she had not seen even in the older Khajiits of other breeds.

The silence was harsher than the banter that had been exchanged previously. She appreciated silence, but this one was uncomfortable to her. She waved Hulda over and asked for bread with goat cheese on the side and a mug of water, remembering Baroth's suggestion from this morning. "This one will head out soon to see the city," she said, hoping to return life to the conversation. She wondered if she should visit the jarl's palace to request official admittance into the city as well, and decided that it would be best to try just in case. At the least, it would be a polite gesture.

 

[Wauten Dayhil]

Tsee-Keth tuned back into the conversation after a few moments of contemplation. "This one will head out soon to see the city," Khamundar said. As much as he disliked the idea of getting to know the city and its people, Khamundar's words still rattled in his head.

Grunting his approval, Tsee-Keth simply said, "Tsee-Keth will follow." He did need to get out, anyways, without having to defend the city from giants. That would get tiresome.

 

[Nocte Aeterna]

Orvar turned to Baroth as Khamundar and Tsee-Keth filed out. Apropos of the latter, it would probably be best if the two were separated for the time being, as blood still seemed to boil and anger did sing.

"Care to join me for a drink, kinsman? It's been a hectic day."

 

[Balomew]

12th of Sun's Height 4E 201​

Khamundar took Tsee-Keth's words with silence and stood up, taking the bread and cheese that Hulda put on the table and heading out of the inn, holding the door open for Tsee-Keth. She paused in the center of the marketplace and then approached a woman for directions. "Hello," she said. "Where can this one find the jarl's palace?"
The woman looked at her with a strange expression that quickly cleared. "Oh," she replied with a thick accent, "you mean Dragonsreach. Head that way and go up the stairway. You can't miss it." She turned around and continued speaking to another woman about the apples she was selling.
She felt them both glance at the Khajiit and Argonian as they moved on. Khamundar took her directions and headed up the stairs towards a dead-looking tree.

 

[Wauten Dayhil]

As they headed up the steps, a dead-looking tree came into view. "Ooh, pretty," he said aloud, "Gardener must be paid good, keeping tree like that."

As they continued on past the tree, even Tsee-Keth could feel the eyes on them. "Heh... Nords colder than blizzards, eh, Kha?" He glanced about, making sure no one meant them harm. "Where we go?"

 

[Gregor Moon Fang]

(OOC: Was invited by Balomew. Hello everyone!)

The skies of Skyrim shone a bright crimson, casting the beauty of its’ contents upon the cold and rugged land. As if entranced by the beauty of the colors, a lone raven glided alongside the currents of the winds, allowing the light but comfy winds to bring a sort of warmth not felt in quite some time. The raven cawed at the flock of birds flying towards its’ direction as a sign of respect. The wind under the raven’s wings made it feel like it was floating in the sky, embraced by the warmth of the winds. The makeshift dream was instantly shattered as the cries of someone nearby had broken the raven free of the hallucinations. It perched itself upon a nearby tree branch and let a loud caw to the heavens...

•••••••••

Atop a ruined pillar sat a Redguard woman carefully observing a page of the large book in her hands. She gently touched the words on the page, caressing the letters as if the ink used to create them were fragile to the touch. From a distance away, she heard a loud caw from a bird and looked up at the sky. A small grin broke free from the nonchalant stare she usually has plasters on her face. Closing the book carefully, the woman picked herself up from the pillar and spins around to find a Redguard man combating a sabre cat.

“Kirah found him. We gotta go now.” The man and the sabre broke off a deadlock and circled each other slowly, waiting for the other to attack. The sabre got impatient and charged at the man, quickly realizing its’ mistake. The man riposted the sabre’s fangs with one broadsword and lodged another right in its’ heart. Struggling with the sword, the man planted his foot in the sabre’s chest and kicked it off of his sword. The sabre let out a final but weak growl before succumbing to death.

“What’s the rush Qiana? I still have to skin this cat.” Qiana jumped down from the pillar and walked up to the man until she was nearly in his face.

“Ri’Saad could be dead for all we know and you’re worried about the gold he promised us? We told that Khajiit lady that we’d help her Dian’Mie.” Dian’Mie raised his hand to speak but Qiana’s glare stopped him in his tracks. Dian’Mie knew that you couldn’t make Qiana budge on her stance when she knows she’s right. Dian'Mie took one last glance at the fallen sabre before heading towards the direction of the raven’s call with Qiana in tow.

 

[Balomew]

12th of Sun's Height 4E 201​

"Stairway, stairway.." Khamundar mumbled in response. There was a stairway here leading to a very strange-looking building. Walking clockwise, she saw what the Nordic woman had meant. 'You can't miss it,' she had said. Several long stairways led, higher and higher to a magnificent wooden palace. "There?" Khamundar guessed, moving closer and taking the first steps. To the right, a man in hooded tan robes sat in silence. He lifted his head as they passed and made to speak, but no voice came. He had a mug of what smelled like some sort of tea.

"This one worries for Ri'saad and the others," she said quietly, more to herself than her companion or the stranger they passed. Sometimes, speaking soothed the mind. She had not checked up on Atahbah and had sent guards to look for her and Ri'saad. She hadn't heard from anyone since.

 

[Wauten Dayhil]

"If this Ri'saad lives, we find him," Tsee-Keth assured her, "and if not... give good funeral." Tsee-Keth looked at the hooded man sipping tea, and laughed aloud. "Tongue! Hehehe! Tongue ripped out! Too loud, so monk was muted! Hahaha!" Slapping his tail against the ground in mirth, Tsee-Keth climbed the steps after Khamundar, still laughing.

"What will Kha do, when Ri'saad is found? Dead or alive, Kha's Chief will be found. What will Kha do then?" He asked, unsure of what he wanted to hear. Even if the only thing they had in common were combat and tails, Kha was the closest he'd had to a friend in more than three years, and hated the idea of losing her so quickly. "This... city is Tsee-Keth's home now, if Kha tells true. Is Kha home now?"

 

[Balomew]

12th of Sun's Height 4E 201
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Khamundar's ear flicked. "Is this one.. home?" she repeated, mulling this question in her head. "This one's home is wherever she is. A few days ago it was a tent." She heard a hoarse yell behind them, likely from the monk. Her ears picked up his excuse of a cold, and his later grumblings. It was interesting, what Tsee-Keth had said about Ri'saad being her "chief." That was his way of looking at it, sure.. but in truth, he was like a brother to her. It was because of Ri'saad that she was here. "This one doesn't want a home," she said.

 

[Wauten Dayhil]

"What? All want home, Kha. Home is safe place, and all need safe place." They continued up the steps, and Tsee-Keth moved aside to allow a courier to rush past before matching his pace to Khamundar's again. "If Kha does not seek home, why travel with Chief Ri'saad? Was Ri'saad not home? Angry at the other khajiit for not staying with her Chief. If that is not home, Tsee-Keth wanted revenge for nothing."

He fell silent, giving Khamundar time to consider his words. Reaching the door, he yanked the door open, holding it as his companion walked through. Tsee-Keth announced their arrival before they even touched the bottom steps.

"Jarl! Oh Jaaarrrl! We come to speak! For what, Tsee-Keth does not know! But, you listen!"