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Kavel Book 1 - Bloodmoon Born - Prologue Part 5 - Epilogue
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Kavel Book 1 - Bloodmoon Born - Prologue Part 5 - Epilogue
Previous Chapter: Prologue Part 4.
From the Annuals of Kavel Bloodmoon as told by WolfGrimDark. For more great stories on Nexus check out the Nexus Writers List.
PDF Version: Trying something new and providing Kavel’s stories in PDF format.
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By the time Nelthas reached the estate of Lord Arom he was thankful that he was wearing his fleece lined undergarments beneath his light armor. His favorite outfit, thanks to a variety of enchantments, was warm, light weight, and provided a lot of maneuverability; it was perfect for his line of work.
Bruma, he noted, was much like Skyrim and Solstheim. Few sunny days and always cold with snow covering most of the region. While not a fan of the weather he found himself comfortable around Nords, or at least as comfortable as he ever was around people. Like him they tended to distrust magic and preferred to rely on their personal strength and abilities.
He knocked on the door, looking around as he did so. Lord Arom's estate was one of the few homes made of stone and a sign of how wealthy, and powerful, his employer was. Not that it came to any surprise to Nelthas. Even if Lord Arom was not Prince Mora in the flesh he was certainly connected to the Prince in some way. Nelthas was not so blinded by his hate that he failed to see that there were benefits to working with one of the Princes; he just didn't want to pay the price of his independence. Having been a slave for most of his youth the one thing he valued above all else was his freedom.
After waiting for a few minutes, with no response, he tried the door and found it unlocked. Lord Arom had sent a courier indicating he was expected so Nelthas confidently entered the house, closing the door behind him as he did.
The place reeked of wealth. Finely engraved stone work with gold trim, rare books scattered around tables and shelves, ornate vases, and velvet curtains hanging over exquisitely stained glass windows gave the home an aura of casual power. Nelthas, however, was not impressed. He had been in equally splendid homes although he did admit they were all well-guarded. The fact that Lord Arom didn’t need any guards was a message itself.
How he was going to locate his former employer was answered as he reached the end of the main hall. Most of the corridors and rooms were enshrouded in darkness. Yet one path stood out clearly by the simple fact that candles and oil lamps lit the way.
Nelthas snorted and his upper lip curled in a sneer; if Lord Arom was trying to intimidate him it was a wasted effort. He strode confidently, boldly even, through the well-lit hall and up the stairs to the second floor.
As he reached the top of the stairs he found his host waiting for him. The man, if he was actually such, was sitting at a large table covered with open books, a bowl of apples, and a bowl of soul gems. The contrast between the two made a clear statement of Arom’s power and attitude; souls were a commodity as easy to obtain as a bowl of apples.
At his approach the hooded Lord turned casually and gave Nelthas a critical look. "I see you have returned and without my fetish. Do you have any idea how long it took to create an artifact of that magnitude? No, of course not. You are but a crude killer who is just here for his payment. A payment that would barely scratch the surface of what was lost when my fetish was destroyed."
Nelthas looked at him cooly; he had expected something like this and in a small way actually welcomed it for the excuse it would provide.
"The destruction of the fetish had nothing to do with me. I followed your directions perfectly. The fact that it was used to desecrate the sacred grotto of a Daedric Prince is what most likely destroyed it." Nelthas said, one hand resting on the hilt of his ebony sword. He paused for a moment and then added, "A fact I am sure you wore well aware of considering who you work for … or who you actually are."
That finally got a reaction, of sorts. Lord Arom stood up and gave Nelthas a more thorough look before turning around and walking over to a book shelf on which a few opened books rested. He flicked through the pages of one of the books before stopping.
Without turning to look at Nelthas he finally responded, "Some might say they are one and the same but neither would be correct. Let us just say I am an envoy of someone who has an interest in the matters at Solstheim and prefers to not have any loose ends."
Nelthas crossed his arms as he studied Lord Arom. The distinction of whether the man before him was Prince Mora in mortal form or his envoy mattered little to Nelthas. A Prince of the Blood could only channel so much power through a mortal body. He was not leaving without his payment - whether that payment be in gold or blood.
"Then your master should be pleased. As I am sure you are well aware the Berhamask tribe has been exterminated down to the last man, women, beast, and child. You signed a contract and I expect you to keep it. There is nothing in the contract that indicates the deal is null and void if one of your toys got broken in the process."
Lord Arom made a motion with his hand, pointing at the books before him. "The only thing of true value is knowledge. Knowledge is power and the key that opens every door. There are secrets on Solstheim that I wish to know. That is why I sent you to Solstheim and there is still work there to be done."
Arom reached inside his cloak and pulled out a bag of gold that he tossed to Nelthas, who caught it deftly and tucked it into his cloak. He then turned to address Nelthas directly.
"I always keep a contract Nelthas Dareathys. I also expect debts to always be paid. You are mine until you have worked off the cost of my fetish. Complete one more job for me in Solstheim and I shall call it even, a generous offer all things considered."
Nelthas felt a cold rage flash through him at those words and his hands went to his weapons, “I belong to NO ONE. Certainly not to you or that putrid mass of shit covered tentacles you call master."
Lord Arom’s eyes narrowed and his voice suddenly changed; it was no longer the voice of Lord Arom. It had turned sibilant and very dangerous, "Have a care Nelthas Dareathys, my amusement with your bravado has its limits."
Nelthas drew his weapons, tired of playing games. "My patience with you reached its limits the moment I figured out you were playing me for a fool. Just another pawn in one of your games. Now I have an offer for you. You accept the loss of your fetish and I will let you keep your avatars life."
Mora chuckled nastily, "Such arrogance you mortals have. You seek to actually threaten ME? My power on this plane may be limited but as my envoy warned you, knowledge is power. He knows spells that mages of this world could only dream about ... and I can work those spells through him."
Mora, in Arom's body, then gave a slight bow, "Come then Nelthas, let us test your mettle. We both know that is what this is all about anyhow. So here is my deal. Should you win I shall let you go on your way. On the other hand, should I win, then you agree to become my follower and work for me."
"How about I just kill you and we skip all the deals?" Nelthas suggested as he swung his ebony blade out in a blindingly fast swing that would have ended the fight right there if Mora hadn’t been expecting it. The envoy's body flared in eldritch light as his wards deflected the blow.
Mora then took the offensive. With a simple wave of his hand he summoned three shadow stalkers from the nether-realm and sent them to attack Nelthas.
As the shades surrounded him Nelthas reached to his neck and twisted the inner ring on his amulet, unleashing its magic. A golden band of light encircled the two combatants and the three stalkers vanished with a silent wail.
A look of surprised annoyance crept over Mora's face. He went to cast a more powerful spell only to find his magic had been nullified by the Dwemer amulet. "An anti-magic device? Clever and resourceful. Perhaps I underestimated you."
However, Nelthas was done with talking; the power of his amulet would last only so long. He rushed in with his weapons, Soulcatcher and Bloodhunger, bringing his arm up in a powerful overhand blow towards Mora's head.
Unable to use the powerful magic’s of his avatar, Mora had to resort to his own personal energy to power his attacks. He send tendrils of divine energy out that wrapped around Nelthas and began to drain his life force.
Yet to his disbelief Nelthas somehow managed to complete the swing of his sword and Mora's mind felt a sudden shock as his envoy's body was beheaded. As the body died his essence was expelled from the Lord Arom and banished back to Apocrypha.
Nelthas took a deep breath, it had been far closer than he had planned. The life draining spell had caught him by surprise and he barely had the strength to sheath his blades.
He reached inside his coat and withdrew a small blue vial of liquid. He fought to hold onto consciousness as he worked off the stopper. Raising a shaky hand to his lips he swallowed the contents in one quick gulp. The potion acted quickly to restore his depleted energy. He took a deep breath and looked down at the body of Lord Arom. He knew the Prince wasn't dead, if only he could be that lucky he muttered, but at least his mortal avatar was done for.
After disposing of the man’s head and heart in the fireplace, Nelthas decided he had probably over-stayed his welcome. He headed down the stairs, eager to leave, while his analytical mind went over the encounter. He probably should have accepted Mora’s deal he realized as now he would have another Prince after him. Yet he knew better than to make deals with Princes; they always found a way to squirm out of them.
He figured it was probably a good time to lay low and enjoy a well-earned vacation. He knew of a great brothel in the Imperial City and when he grew bored of the whores there was always work to be found among the corrupt nobles of the Empire. Yes, he decided, perhaps it would be for the best to put some distance between himself and the lands of the North.
...
Lord Arom screamed in agony as his soul was reconstituted in Apocrypha.
When Mora had taken him over his own mind had been locked away in a mental box, leaving him a spectator inside his own body. Extremely uncomfortable but it was the price he paid for the power Mora granted him. That and a strange form of immortality. His true body had died centuries ago. What his original life might have once been he no longer remembered, except that he had once been an Altmer named Xavier. Whenever his physical body died Prince Mora would grow him a new one using the body of one of the Seekers.
The process was time consuming and it would be years before he could return to the world of Tamriel to work his masters will. Until then his soul would wander the realm of Apocrypha. But first Prince Mora requested his presence.
His soul had appeared near the heart of Mora's domain and it took only a few minutes to reach his Lord’s shrine. As he approached the shrine he bowed his head deeply and waited for his masters will.
A cool sibilant voice echoed in his mind.
*Did you see that Arom? A Dwemer amulet that was able to nullify magic. So much knowledge lost when they wore expelled from Nirn. I must learn its secrets.*
Lord Arom nodded. He paused for a moment, and then asked, "What of Nelthas Dareathys?"
*He has proven to be both entertaining and cunning. With the proper care he might have the potential to be a champion. But as of right now he is too immature and unstable. He lacks proper control and is too easily manipulated. For now we shall watch. When the time is right we shall test him again and see if he has made progress.*
....
Somewhere in the space between existence and non-existence the soul of Kolfinna wandered. Released from its prison inside of Nelthas’s amulet, but depleted of all its energy, it drifted slowly through non-space towards the Soul Cairn.
Memories of past and current lives flashed together as all that was Kolfinna became whole again. It would have almost been peaceful floating like this but she knew her soul had another destiny. A destiny that the soul trap cast by Nelthas had interrupted.
There were no senses in this place. No matter, no energy, no reality. Only pure thought, pure essence, pure soul. Yet she still knew when another approached her, a presence her current life knew very well. As it was freshest in her awareness there was still emotion attached and she felt a sense of warmth and love as her brothers soul approached hers.
No words passed between them, what were words after all? Yet all that had happened was shared instantly. Then the soul of Bron wrapped itself around that of his sister and shared some of his energy. Like a warm blanket on a cold night Bron enveloped Kolfinna and pulled her towards her true destination, that of the Hunting Grounds and Korst, her soul mate through many lives.
Some point later, in the Hunting Grounds, three souls sang in joyous union as they were reunited. They circled in musical harmony around a statue of their Lord Hircine, carved from the living wood of the land, as they shared their essence with each other.
Time had no true meaning here but from one moment to the next two of the lights merged, becoming a single glowing entity. Kolfinna and Korst called to Bron to join them. Their voices the music of creation and life. They would join the hunt, a hunt Bron realized was far, far more than the legends hinted at.
That small taste, however, was all he needed for now. He had made a vow and he would keep it. He was too young to give up on the physical world yet. Kavel, he felt, was going to need him and he wanted to be there when he did. For a moment all three lights touched and then, with their blessing, Bron headed back to the living... and Kavel.
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ENB: Grim and Somber Vaermina Classic
Notes: This ends the prologue. I have one more chapter I am committed to - the first chapter of Kavel’s life. This is when Do'Tesh arrives at the Grotto and finds baby Kavel. After that I will have to decide if I stick to Kavel, return to Grim, or combine their worlds and make Kavel a new member of the Black Wolf Company. I also need to decide if I will return to my usual style of writing (like the happier ending here) or continue on the dark side *grin*.
PS: Guess I don't do short very well :p
Bonus shot:
38 comments
So nice to see that Kolfinna was guided to the hunting grounds. I was afraid that her soul had been trapped.
Brilliant chapter Wolf!
I debated having Nelthas accept the deal, which as you said he also knew might have been best. But it would be out of character in a way as he detests the Princes. He also knows they are NEVER to be trusted (well at least that is his feeling) and hence he felt that even if he made a deal that Mora would find a way to twist or slime out of it. So in the end he felt he would be screwed either way so might as well keep some of his self-esteem in the process.
Aye I couldn't make Kolfinna lose her soul - she had been through enough!
I was surprised to see Nelthas win this round but oh he had been be looking over his shoulder, Mora does not like to lose and will come back at him twice as I hard I have a feeling..... as he has all the time in the worlds to wait....... Very interesting prologue with many things still in the air...... time will tell what this will all mean to Kavel as he grows up but Mora is not done , can feel it in my bones......
Amazing shots..... with a kick ass story ......
A few princes have some interest in Nelthas as they see his weakness and while also seeing he is very powerful for a mortal. They would like to use Nelthas as a tool against other Princes. They will try to use him like a sword to thwart the plans of those Princes they dislike (i.e Boethia might use him against Molag).
Glad you enjoyed the story!
PS - I haven't really spelled it out yet but if curious everything Mora is doing is for one main goal - he wants the secrets of the Skaal. I know in the DLC he gets it. So I am working on that premise. For all of Mora's plots he really has only one desire in existence - to control/know all knowledge. It drives him insane that the Skaal know things he does not. Killing the Berhamask tribe was just one step towards this goal. He knew Kolfinna's tribe traded and was friendly with the locals, including the Skaal. He was worried they might offer support to the Skaal and, via Hircine, get in the way of his schemes to learn the secrets. So he had them killed solely to make his own plans have a greater chance of success.
Now on to Bron.... so glad you found a way to keep us in suspense and hint that Kavel will have some guidance and lead a blessed future, though he may not realize for some time who it is that provides just a bit of protection.
Where will you go from this?........ in a way you need not go any further. You have given us a wonderful happy ending tale that can fuel many outcomes to each of our minds. All would probably be on the best of notes. I think greetings with Grim would be best, perhaps allies for a distant catastrophe caused by any one or number of nefarious beings. But for now, just growing into the great man he will become and sometimes seek council with Grim.
Back to the beginning of this chapter..... Freedom... Nelthas is a fool. He doesn't see the truth. His belief that he is free, and that he fights to maintain it only clamps the shackles by his own hand. His desire to maintain his own free will to do as he wishes will bind him, and prevent him from taking paths that could lead to a fuller life.
Enjoyed the chapter, the tunes and the great images....
Kolfinna gave up "ownership" to Kavel and granted them to Hircine in a formal rite. Hircine was then able to protect Havel under his own aura. The Spriggan blood and changeling further muddied the waters (and as a spoiler to any who read this the changeling is actually not done yet). Lastly the null-magic amulet is ... well null magic. Scrying (magic) doesn't work on it. Someone trying to scry the amulet simply wouldn't see it. Like it didn't exist. When Nelthas used it during the fight that also meant it hid the outcome of the fight to Mora if he had tried to scry it earlier.
During Kavel's child hood Bron will be his "imaginary friend" of sorts. Bron only lets Kavel see him (still debating if Do'Tesh will know; Hircine knows of course).
In regards to the last - yep Nelthas is chained (we all are to some degree) and simply doesn't know it. Hence why both Boethia and Mora say he is not ready or a fool. Yet they both realize he has a lot of potential (at least to be a dark champion) so they keep tabs on him.
Many thanks for the comment!
Lord Arom & Nelthas are my favourite two characters so far. Nelthas reminds me of Artemis Entreri, maybe your familiar with him. I'm glad Mora is not peed with Arom too much I don't want to see the end of him just yet. But Nelthas has certainly got Mora's attention now and Nelthas is a bit immature if he thinks A Daedric Prince is just going to let him get away with that.
Kavel is going to have to have some good upbringing, for in the future he's going to have some tough battles, I hope you continue it since these characters really intrigue me.
Great work Jon lookforward to more
Yea the prologue was meant to be two chapters tops. I got carried away as I really wanted to have a good solid past for Kavel as it will tie into his future. Nelthas knows he has made enemies (Boethia as well) yet his hatred for them, his arrogance, and his confidence tends to over-rule common sense. Plus I think he feels they will meddle regardless so he decided a while back he wouldn't back down. In some ways he has a small death wish attached to his personality.
As long as I have the inspiration I plan on continuing. I still have Grim guilt (as it were) but at least I left Grim in a good place for now.
It is good that Kolfinna's soul was freed from that amulet, I was afraid that she would remain trapped which would have been a terrible fate. Was touching that caring between the siblings even in their spirit forms, Bron sharing a bit of his energy to help his sister reach the place she was destined to reach. It is interesting that Bron was sent back to the world of the living to watch over Kavel, he certainly is one to keep a promise. A very intriguing prelude, wonderfully done, Jonathan
As for the comment - I did want to show a casual arrogance and sense of power for the envoy of Mora. I do want to clarify something - I tried to hint that Mora knew what Nelthas really wanted (a fight) and so he went along with it (hence the comment right before the fight about "Come then Nelthas, let us test your mettle. We both know that is what this is all about anyhow" and then later, at Apocrypha, he mentions how easy it was to manipulate him. But he is not omniscient even if he can scry the past and future. Nelthas's fate is blurred and his amulet also caused a "hole" in the threads of the future during the battle. So Mora can't always predict everything (if he could I think he would be the most powerful Prince and perhaps one of the most powerful entities in the cosmic hierarchy). I suspect he then assumed he would win even if the future was clouded. He is arrogant, even the lore backs that up.
Glad you enjoyed the slightly warmer ending to the prologue as well. Hope to start the first main chapter very soon.
I simply am not capable of all doom and gloom so even though the prologue was a very rough one I wanted to give some closure to them.
Side note - this won't come up till much later when Kavel talks with Bron but the reason Kol did not stay behind is she couldn't. The soul trap from Nelthas prevented her and there is only a short window when a spirit may have the energy needed to resist being pulled to the other side. Bron could but Kolfinna could not. Plus she was drained and when you stay on the mortal side the emotions can still exist in intensity. She needed rest and peace with Korst. But she knows Bron will look out for him, even if only as a spirit guide
great pictures to the story
Nelthas and his survival along with very unexpected victory became the first surprise to me. Seems like his anti-magic amulet sure costs greatly, being probably one of most valuable artifacts. As far as I do despise Nelthas as a person (because lets face it, he is totally amoral and cruel) his words to Mora are true they had a contract, he fulfilled the contract, so he should get the payment and be off, despite the fetish that was broken since it was not part of deal. But of course Mora would loved to use him once more... maybe it should be dome in different fashion, then telling Nelthas he owes him for that fetish and now must serve him. Motivation killer, that how it sounded, especially for Nelthas who has the same issues about slavery as famous (or infamous) Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader from Star Wars universe, and in any case even without a fight Nelthas would probably tel Mora to go to the void and never come back. However Nelthas sure is formidable fighter, to destroy Prince avatar! It is a feat few could manage, the other one being Nerevarine when he killed Hircine manifestation during Blodmoon.
The second surprise did come that despite beheading him, Mora's avatar is very much alive... a price for power as it is. Very interesting and compelling twist! And it doesn't look like Mora is going to give up on Neltha, wanting to use him even despite his disdain over Daedra and his horrible character.
And the last very pleasant twist was how spirits of Bron, Kolfinna and her husband reunited! That was very warm and touching moments to finally see them together, even if Bron must leave, since Kavel would need guidance and the memory about this heroic family, who gave up their lives to save him.
Thank you very much for sharing this awesome work! I would look forward for continuation!
Lol yes Nelthas is despicable and that is how I want him ... although hopefully with some understanding of how he got that way. Nelthas dreads becoming a slave again - probably his biggest fear is losing his freedom. He has less qualms about others being slaves but that is because he doesn't understand things like empathy or sympathy.
I do want to make a small distinction - Lord Arom is a mortal (of sorts - he has somewhat of a unique body since it is made from seekers) and Mora uses the body from time to time. So it has mortal limitations. I think in the Bloodmoon (and I played that and fought Hircine with my Dunmer) Hircine was an actual avatar - which is mortal but far more powerful as an avatar is a direct representation of the God/Prince versus a God/Prince taking over the mind/body of one of their servants. Regardless Nelthas is meant to be very powerful - not the Nevarine but I would call him a "player character" in that he can do things most mortals can't. Perhaps he has been gifted by someone and does not know about it.
I know having Lord Arom alive seems like resurection but his actual body has been gone a long time ago. He is more like a Lich I think. His soul inhabiting the body of a "Seeker" that was grown and manipulated by Mora to host him and his servant.
Lastly there is some hints from Mora that he was well aware Nelthas wanted to fight and that Mora went along with it to test his mettle. I suspect that is why he made a big issue of the Fetish as really it wasn't part of the contract.
Pleased you enjoyed the last part of the story - that was my favorite part
And that ending lol it got me going
and who cares if you don't do "shorts" well? More the better